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Samsung Electronics on Wednesday released a new infographic thats meant to celebrate the fans of its Galaxy Note brand, something that the company is keen on doing following last years Galaxy Note 7 debacle, with its representatives saying as much earlier today during the latest Unpacked event which the phone maker used to announce the Galaxy Note 8. The infographic that can be seen below is based on a study that Samsung conducted earlier this year, with the South Korean original equipment manufacturer (OEM) now boasting how 86 percent of all people who own a Galaxy Note-series device claim that they love their handset and an almost identical percentage states that they are proud to own their smartphone and would readily recommend it to other people.

Consumers who purchase Galaxy Note devices are also statistically more likely to be excited about new product revisions, Samsung found, adding how the same demographic also strongly believes that they own a mobile device which is unique and has no issues differentiating itself from numerous other contemporary smartphones. Fans of the brand also associate it with productivity and general accomplishment, according to the same study, with this particular metric indicating how Samsungs marketing team successfully managed to maintain the Galaxy Notes brand image despite its 2016 setbacks. Refer to the infographic below for more insight into how Samsungs loyalists feel about the Galaxy Note series.

Rewarding customer loyalty was one of the main themes of todays Unpacked event where Samsung once again asked for forgiveness in regards to the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, stating that its now keen to return the lineup to its former glory. This was likely the last time that the company publicly talked about the Galaxy Note 7 during one of its product events and with the tech giant now offering steep discounts on the Galaxy Note 8 to all owners of the discontinued phablet, it seems that the OEM is now finally ready to put this episode behind it. Samsungs latest flagship is an upgrade on its predecessor in almost every aspect and will go on pre-orders tomorrow, the Seoul-based phone maker said, adding that the device is set to be released worldwide on September 15.
Samsung Electronics on Wednesday detailed the design philosophy of the Galaxy Note 8, with the company publishing a lengthy release on why its latest flagship looks the way it does. The Seoul-based tech giant stated that the 6.3-inch Infinity Display panel of the Galaxy Note 8 allows users to accomplish things that are impossible on other devices, adding that its slim bezels were also maximally trimmed with the same goal. The lack of a physical Home button isnt a novelty as Samsung already did away with this particular key on the Galaxy S series earlier this year, with the company now stating how this move was made to make the handsets design feel more liberating.

The corners of the Galaxy Note 8 arent rounded as aggressively as those of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, with the South Korean original equipment manufacturer (OEM) explaining how its goal with this change was to maximize the surface of the display panel, consequently providing users with a larger area they can use without increasing the physical footprint of the device. As the Galaxy Note 8 is equipped with an S Pen which can be used for accurately interacting with any flat part of the screen, Samsung was adamant to make sure that users are given as much space as possible. The glossy finish present on all four variants of the Galaxy Note 8 was achieved with a thorough polishing procedure which also encompassed the phablets frame, making it both smooth and easy to hold, Samsung said. The company still recommends equipping the Galaxy Note 8 with a case to ensure that the handset is as protected as possible and has already announced a wide variety of such first-party offerings that future owners of its new Android flagship will be able to purchase.

From a consumer perspective, the Galaxy Note 8 is visually extremely similar to the Galaxy S8 Plus and will likely prove to be a superior choice for people who prefer more squarish devices. Samsung seemingly tried to find the best compromise between the highly unconventional design of the Galaxy S8 lineup and the functional characteristics of the Galaxy Note series, though time will tell whether users believe it succeeded in that endeavor.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is now official, following its introduction during Samsungs Unpacked event in New York. As a result, the latest Samsung flagship Galaxy smartphone is here and packed to the brim with premium features and specs. So much in fact that it is now time to take a look at just how much the latest Samsung smartphone will set you back, and when you can get one.

In spite of the Galaxy Note 8 having just been announced, carriers and retailers are already confirming that they do intend to stock and sell the smartphone. So if you are based in the US, and looking to obtain the Galaxy Note 8 through a carrier, then all major carriers will be carrying the Galaxy Note 8, although their pricing will differ. For those looking to pick up the Galaxy Note 8 as an unlocked model and a paid-in-full smartphone, then Samsung has yet to officially confirm the standard price, although based on carrier suggestions an unlocked model will cost in the region of $950. In either case, Samsung has confirmed the Galaxy Note 8 will become available to pre-order starting from tomorrow, August 24 from Samsung, as well as from Amazon and Best Buy. With a general availability date set for September 15. In addition, Samsung is currently running a number of promotions to sweeten the deal. For instance, Samsung has now confirmed that those who buy the Galaxy Note 8 before September 24 will be eligible to receive either a free Samsung Gear 360 camera or a free Galaxy Foundation kit which is listed as including a Samsung 128GB EVO+ memory card and a Fast Wireless Charging dock. Not to mention, all Galaxy Note 8 units also ship with a premium set of AKG earphones.

As for a recap on what is on offer with the Galaxy Note 8, this is a smartphone that features a 6.3-inch Infinity Display which means it is tall and slim due to the inclusion of an 18:5:9 aspect ratio. Inside, the Galaxy Note 8 comes packed with 6GB RAM, 64GB Internal storage, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC. This is a dual rear camera smartphone and one which includes a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera, along with a 12-megapixel secondary camera. Additional features include an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, a 3,300 mAh battery, support for Samsungs various services, Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), and of course  an S Pen for use with the Galaxy Note 8s various Note-only features.
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1. Yes. The ordinance goes against state law and is not in the best interest of the cities.

2. Yes. At the very least, it should be amended to give police officers some discretion.

3. No. Voters approved the ordinance by large majorities; the councils cant ignore that fact.

4. No. The petition process has to be given a chance to work. Leave the ordinance alone.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say how the cities should move forward regarding the ordinance.

Vote

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Be it due to fearing the law, religion or education, most of us manage to keep any outbursts that could stem from feeling envious of someone under control, but not all possess this ability. And, to be fair to them, it seems like opulence has hit its highest ever levels - especially in the Western world - so there's plenty of situations to trigger someone.For instance, the sight of a Bentley Continental and a Rolls-Royce Wraith sitting next to each other. Those two cars cost at least $500,000 put together, which is what some hard-working men make in ten years - during which they also have to pay the bills, support a family, have a vacation and blow off some steam, so they don't feel the need to crash into expensive cars.Somewhere along the line something went terribly wrong for a 32-year-old Seattle man who was arrested Sunday night in Bellevue after ramming a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley - both brand new - repeatedly while driving his Honda The motifs behind his actions are unknown, but the police officers called on sight at the Bellevue Bentley auto dealership detained him and charged him with 1st-degree malicious mischief. The suspect claimed he hadn't slept in three days and could be having a panic attack, Fox News reports.Well, regardless of his reasons, his lack of sleep is going to prove very expensive as the damage caused to the Rolls and the Bentley is estimated at $500,000, making them both a total loss. Spare a moment to think about the two well-offs who won't be getting their beloved vehicles anytime soon - you, see it's true what they say: even the rich cry.
For now, we're here to show you what iPE Exhaust can do for the Panamera S/4S, with the tuner having just released a set of goodies for the Zuffenhausen machine.We're talking about a custom exhaust system that allows the twin-turbo 2,894cc V6 heart of the S models to deliver an output premium of 29 ponies and 31 Nm (that's 23 lb-ft) of twist.The exhaust also brings weight benefits, allowing the Porsche to shed almost 5 kilos (that's 11 lbs).Then there's the aural side of the adventure, with the Taiwan-based producer's hardware helping the said motor fully express its feelings and emotions. Sure, we're still talking about a turbocharged V6, a recipe that's far from the most decibel-inspiring in the world. But, as you'll notice in the piece of footage at the bottom of the page, the soundtrack of this Panny can get pretty intense at times.While we're talking Porsche Panamera tuning, we also need to mention the deep transformation the first generation of the car has gone through, now that the new model is out on the streets.With prices for the original Panny dropping, we've already seen a few aficionados turning such Porsches into extreme projects that stray far from the factory path - here's an example that turned quite a lot of heads when it showed up in Monaco.Of course, such Panameras are as polarising as they get, so, if you happen to belong to the purist camp, you'd better brace yourself, as more such contraptions are expected to show up.
Police deployed tear gas, pepper spray and stun grenades on Tuesday night to break up protest crowds after President Trump's rally in Phoenix, Arizona.

"Officers responded with pepper spray to break up the crowd after people tossed rocks and bottles and dispersed gas, Phoenix police spokesman Jonathan Howard said," the AP's Jacques Billeaud and Clarice Silber reported from Phoenix.

and bottles and dispersed gas, Phoenix police spokesman Jonathan Howard said," the AP's Jacques Billeaud and Clarice Silber reported from Phoenix. "But some witnesses said that events unfolded differently ," per NYT's Simon Romero, "with protesters throwing a water bottle or two in the direction of the police, before the police fired tear gas into the crowd."

," per NYT's Simon Romero, "with protesters throwing a water bottle or two in the direction of the police, before the police fired tear gas into the crowd." "The handling by the police of this peaceful protest was reprehensible," Jordan Lauterbach, a 31-year-old bartender, told the NYT. "I was gassed tonight for exercising my right to express my views. I was disgusted by that."

Videos and tweets below:

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story included rubber bullets in the list of methods police used to disperse the crowds on Tuesday night. Axios is unable to independently verify this claim, and has removed it from the story.
The mayor of an Armenian village affiliated with the opposition Yelk alliance on Wednesday accused the family of his pro-government predecessor of illegally privatizing land that belonged to the local community.

Garik Sargsian of Nor Kyank, a village in the southern Ararat province, said he has filed lawsuits in a bid to restore public ownership of the two plots of land. He said they were sold to the wife and the daughter of the former village mayor, Mayis Abrahamian, at a fraction of their market value.

The privatization deals were approved by the local council years before Sargsian defeated Abrahamian in a mayoral election held last September. Those decisions were supposedly signed by most members of the council.

The 30-year-old mayor, a rare opposition member running a local community in Armenia, and his lawyer, Rustam Badasian, said they suspect that at least some of those signatures were rigged.

With our lawsuits, we are demanding the annulment of these deals whereby communal land was sold, Badasian told a news conference in Yerevan. He said they have also asked the Armenian police to launch a criminal investigation into a possible forgery of the signatures.

We have reasonable suspicions that they are fake because the signatures put by several of the current councilors  under council decisions adopted after November 2016 and before November 2016 clearly do not match each other, explained the lawyer. One council member has already admitted not having signed the privatization deals, he claimed.

Abrahamian, who is a member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), strongly denied the corruption claims, saying that his successor is simply keen to discredit him. He insisted that the land acquisitions were legal and that no signatures were forged.

There was a tender in 2004 and my wife won it and bought that land, Abrahamian told RFE/RLs Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).

Why is only my wifes name being circulated? complained the former village chief, who now holds a senior position in the provincial administration. Other people also bought [village land.] Why isnt he talking about them?
23 August 2017 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

August 23 marks the 24th anniversary of the occupation of Azerbaijan's Fuzuli and Jabrayil regions by the Armenian invasion troops.

The enemy forces occupied the entire Jabrayil regions and over 90 percent of Fuzuli, leaving more than 116,000 inhabitants displaced.

As a result of the occupation, more than 1,100 inhabitants of Fuzuli were martyred, 113 - were taken prisoner and 1,450 people were left disabled.

The Fuzuli region covers a territory from the southeastern slopes of the Karabakh Mountain range to the Araz river. It is bordered with the Azerbaijani regions of Khojavand, Jabrayil, Agjabadi, Beylagan and Iran from the south, along the Araz River.

The ancient historical monuments of world importance in Fuzuli region were left under the occupation and many of them were destructed.

Azykh and Taghlar caves in the Fuzuli region are also under the occupation. The both caves, as well as other ancient monuments were destroyed by Armenians. A Neanderthal-style jaw bone found in 1968 is thought to be over 300,000 years old and thus one of the oldest proto-human remains found in this part of the world. Archaeological samples found in Azykh Paleolithic camp were shown at the Paris Museum's exhibition "The first inhabitants of Europe" in 1981.

Fuzuli also had unusual flora and fauna, mineral springs and was also famous for its forests, which accommodated precious woods. After the occupation of the region, Armenians ruthlessly cut down trees, destroying the nature and plundering the natural wealth.

As a result of the seizure of the Jabrayil region, whose territory spans 1,050 sq.km, 72 secondary school buildings, eight hospitals, five mosques, two museums, 129 historical monuments and 149 cultural centers were left under the occupation.

Residents of Jabrayil were engaged in livestock farming, cereals cultivation, viticulture and other spheres. However, their life changed terribly on August 23, 1993. Armenians killed more than 350 people, made 177 people disabled, and 91 people were captured or went missing.

Due to the invasion, Jabrayil suffered the damage of $14 billion.

The Jabrayil region was also rich with historical architectural monuments  Khudafarin bridges of the 12-13th centuries, Sultan Majid bath-house, Maiden Tower in Diridag mountain, many burial mounds, tombs, mosques and other ancient constructions.

Today, only one-Jojuglu Marjanli village of Jabrayil's 90 villages is under control of the Azerbaijani armed forces. The village was fully liberated from the Armenian occupation in April 2016, when Azerbaijani Armed Forces prevented an Armenian provocation on the contact line.

Today, Azerbaijans internally displaced persons from Fuzuli, Jabrayil and other occupied regions have to live far away from their homes.

Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions. However, all Azerbaijani IDPs believe that justice will be served one day, Armenia will withdraw from Azerbaijani lands, the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan will be restored, and they will return to live in their native places.

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

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 August 2017 10:44 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Armenias rapprochement with the European Union and NATO is a political line of Yerevan, which believes that Russia, as a major mediator in the negotiations process over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement, as well as the countrys main partner in the economic and political context, is, at present, unable to defend the interests of either Armenia or the Armenian people, said Nikita Isayev, political analyst, leader of the New Russia public and political movement.

The rapprochement of Armenia with the EU and the Western countries in general has long stopped to be a news or viewed as something surprising, he told Trend on August 22.

In addition, this rapprochement in economic and political context has progressed far enough, just like the military cooperation between Armenia and NATO, which is considered as priority for Yerevan. Thus, Armenia, to protect its economic and political interests, as well as to reorganize its political and economic system, is looking for the new centers of power, like Brussels.

All negotiations processes of Armenias cooperation with NATO, including the countrys participation in multinational drills under the auspices of the Alliance in early August 2017 in Georgia, together with the overt geopolitical and military opponents of Russia, show that Armenia is looking for support in the Alliance, said Isayev.

The expert is sure that this way will most likely pass quite calmly, without internal shocks, as it was in Ukraine. Thats because obvious pro-Russian sentiments in Armenia are not enough to split the society, he said.

Armenia has made its choice, Isayev said. I think that it will make no sense to be surprised at the comments and statements of the Armenian officials regarding the European integration.

Russia in this case will have to take a pragmatic position, he added.

Russia will have to no longer perceive Armenia as a part of its so-called Russian world, but as a supporter of the European integration and build its relations with Armenia in a different way, he added.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 August 2017 11:47 (UTC+04:00)

By Ali Mustafayev

There has been a startling and consistent increase in violent crimes within the Armenian army over the past years.

Local media reports that the rate of violent crimes has increased by half, while rape, assault, and battering were the most frequent violent crimes committed in the army. Most of the crimes result in murder of the soldiers or suicides.

Most recently, Armenian soldiers Asatryan and Arsen Markaryan serving the military service in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan have been seriously injured.

Both soldiers of the fourth battalion were brutally beaten by platoon commander Ashot Gevorkyan for refusing to clean the showers. Later, they were taken to hospital. Furthermore, on the same day another soldier from the same regiment, Gagik Martirosyan, was taken to hospital with an unexplained finger trauma.

In another military unit of the aggressor country, located in the occupied Agdere region of Azerbaijan, criminal cases were initiated into the fact of beating of a junior officer by serviceman Armen Yegazaryan, including using a mobile phone and desertion.

Reports of physical abuse and assaults deaths in the Armenian army are not new. Poor relations among soldiers and officers in the Armenian army have already turned into a driving factor behind non-combat deaths. Officers' willful treatment of soldiers, the humiliations they continue to bare on them often result in armed incident that ultimately claim the lives of servicemen.

Barbarity and impunity! And commanders go on murdering Armenian soldiers.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 August 2017 10:11 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia amounted to $425.91 million in January-July 2017, which is 34.2 percent more compared to the same period of 2016.

Azerbaijan occupies the fifth place among the importers of Georgian products, according to Georgias Statistics Service.

During the reporting period, the supply of goods from Georgia to Azerbaijan increased by 83.5 percent, to $106.07 million. The share of Azerbaijan in Georgian exports increased from 5.2 to 7.3 percent.

Among the suppliers of goods to Georgia, Azerbaijan ranks fourth with $319.84 million (with a share of 7.6 percent against 6.4 percent a year earlier). During the year, the export of Azerbaijani products to Georgia increased by 28.5 percent.

Azerbaijan is on the fourth place in the list of foreign trade partners of Georgia with a specific gravity of 7.5 percent.

The first place is occupied by Turkey ($858.72 million, with a specific weight of 15.1 percent), followed by Russia ($605.71 million, with 10.7 percent) and China ($441.81 million, with 8.5 percent).

Georgian exports to Azerbaijan include cement, locomotives and other railway vehicles, mineral and chemical fertilizers, mineral waters, strong drinks, glass and glass wares, and pharmaceuticals, among other things.

Azerbaijani mainly exports to Georgia oil and petroleum products, natural gas, plastic wares, furniture and building constructions.

Diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and Georgia were established on November 18, 1992.

The countries broadly cooperate in regional energy development, transportation and economic partnership projects such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA), the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

The two countries closely cooperate in such spheres as education, defense, culture, economy and so on. Azerbaijan occupies the leading positions in the list of the largest trading partners of Georgia.

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23 August 2017 17:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

The export promotion portal of Azerbaijan - azexport.az received orders worth $264 million from 53 countries during the seven months of 2017.

The total volume of non-oil export operations with participation of 1,333 companies amounted to $855 million during the reported period, reads a report for August issued by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communications.

The top five countries importing non-oil products of Azerbaijan are Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Switzerland and Turkmenistan.

The analysis of the seven-month data shows that the first place in non-oil exports is taken by tomato with $127.9 million, the second place-gold with $60.7 million and the third place- primary polyethylene with a specific gravity of less than 0.94 with $54.4 million.

The volume of export orders received in January amounted to $48 million, in February to $6.5 million, in March to $27 million, in April to $29.9 million, in May to $19 million, in June to $62.3 million and in July-$71.6 million.

Russia leads the list of countries that have made orders from Azerbaijan with 19 percent. Some 7.8 percent of export orders fall to Ukraines share, 7.4 percent-to Turkeys, and 4.8 percent-to Saudi Arabias and the U.S. share, each.

For the first time orders were received from Qatar, Tanzania and Ecuador in July.

Among the orders received during the reported month are mainly nuts, wine, cosmetics, tobacco, mushrooms, baby clothes, milk powder, furniture, chicken eggs, frozen chicken, cherries, silk carpets, cucumbers, cotton fiber, apple, oil, engine oil, etc.

Azexport.az was created in accordance with the order "On creation of a unified database of goods produced in Azerbaijan Republic", signed on 21 September 2016 by President Ilham Aliyev.

Mission of Azexport.az, managed by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication is to provide information about products of Azerbaijani origin and becoming the beneficial platform for their sales in foreign and domestic markets.

Azexport.az, integrated with the most popular electronic trading platforms makes the products available to potential buyers from anywhere in the world.

Being available in the Azerbaijani, Russian and English languages, it acts as a single digital destination for trade, bringing together and connecting local entrepreneurs, international buyers and international investors. The portal offers fast and secure payment to VISA, Master Card and American Express cards owners.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 August 2017 12:13 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Baku, also referred as the City of Winds, will come alive with the sounds of folk music from around the world.

The AIESEC Azerbaijan International Youth Organization will organize the Global Village cultural festival in Baku.

The festival will take place at Baku Boulevard on August 23.

The festival will see volunteers from more than 30 countries present cultures and traditions of their nations, Azertac reported.

Besides, festival-goers will enjoy traditional music and dances from different countries.

The event starts at 18:00.

Representatives from all over the world gather under one roof in order to create a friendly atmosphere and show how the world is diverse and unique!

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

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 August 2017 14:22 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

Diplomatic talks over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are proceeding slow, while it continues to claim lives of innocent Azerbaijani civilians.

Yerevan, in a bid to keep the dangerous status quo in the conflict and impede the peace negotiations, keeps breaching the ceasefire and firing at civilians leaving in areas adjacent to the frontline.

On the other hand, Baku seeks resumption of the peace talks that will bring effective solution to the long-lasting conflict. But, the Azerbaijani authorities stress that the military option is not excluded.

So far,all of efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group established to broker a peace to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict brought no tangible results. Armenia also ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.

Expert Nikita Isayev believes that the European Union (EU) will soon take a more principled position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which lasts almost three decades, and show a critical will for its settlement.

"The EU may express its position on the behalf of France, which is one of the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group. Unfortunately, this will happen without paying significant attention to Russias position," the leader of the New Russia public and political movement said.

The EU, which is not directly involved in the conflict resolution, has repeatedly stated that the status quo is unacceptable and supports diplomatic settlement of the conflict within the framework of the Minsk Group.

The OSCE Minsk Group was created in 1992 by the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, now Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to encourage a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict. It is co-chaired by France, the Russian Federation, and the United States.

The analyst noted that the principles of the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the proposals on its settlement that were previously voiced by international mediators, may change in this case.

The current settlement principles lead to impasse and dont resolve the conflict, they are fraught with escalation of tensions in the South Caucasus region, he said. The escalation of the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is dangerous not only for the direct participants of the conflict, but for the entire region.

Isayev stressed the need for fimding new ways for the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan by laying territorial claims on its South Caucasus neighbor. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 August 2017 10:13 (UTC+04:00)

A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on August 23.

The new edition includes articles about Baku Zoo to get new tenants, International Jazz Festival returns to Baku, Masalli Industrial Zone to be ready in 1Q18 etc.



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



The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az.
23 August 2017 17:28 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of a new block of secondary school No 257 named after Adalat Abbasov in Baku on August 23, Azertac reported.

Head of Baku City Executive Authority Hajibala Abutalibov informed the head of state of the works done at the new block of the school. The 1,176-seat main block of the school has 38 classrooms, three computer rooms, three laboratories, a gym, a conference hall, and a canteen. It was overhauled under the order of President Ilham Aliyev signed in 2011.

The new three-storey 672-seat block was built in accordance with the order of President Ilham Aliyev dated 2014.

Photo stands reflecting national leader Heydar Aliyev's, President Ilham Aliyev's and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva's attention to education were installed in the foyer of the school.

The block houses 24 classrooms, a computer room, and physics, chemistry and biology laboratories.

Video surveillance and fire alarm systems were installed in the building. The new block is supplied with internet, furniture, and other necessary equipment. The landscaping work was done, green areas were created, lightning system was installed in the yard of the school.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 August 2017 13:05 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

A thick layer of smog rolled into Azerbaijans capital city, turning skyscrapers into shadows and clear air into a dust fog.

Dust torpedoed air quality in Baku and Absheron peninsula on August 23. The monitoring results showed that the amount of dust in the air is above the sanitary norm.

The ecology ministry announced that such a dusty weather in Baku and Absheron peninsula is caused by dusty air masses entering from the territory of Turkmenistan.

This isnt the first time that dust has blanketed Baku. Southeastern winds often bring dusty air masses from Turkmenistans deserts.

Dusty conditions will continue over the next three days, forecasters said.

"Such meteorological conditions, dust fog will continue in the next three days, the deputy Director of the National Environmental Monitoring Department of the Ministry Matanat Avazova told Report.

That is, weak winds will be observed till August 26, the temperature and relative humidity will be high, which can lead to increase in dust. People with respiratory tract problems recommended to stay at home".

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

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 August 2017 13:34 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Travelers always want to bring home something that will remind them of their trip, something to show for where they have been, something they can use to look back and reminisce about the fantastic experience they had during their holiday.

Tourists visiting Azerbaijan, also referred as the Land of Fire, also want to take home something that will remind them of unforgettable moments, as well as culture and traditions of this country, locating on the crossroads of East and West.

The search for such things can lead you to recently created centers ABAD, where tourists can purchase handmade products from various regions of Azerbaijan, as well as honey, jam and other sweets of the Land of Fire.

Established upon the presidential decree dated to 2016, ABAD centers are aimed to support the family business operating in the field of folk arts, crafts and agriculture.

The goal of creating a public legal entity ABAD is to implement socially-oriented projects to support the active participation of citizens in the country's socio-economic development, further develop small and medium-sized businesses, increase employment and form competitive households.

Currently, three trade and exhibition centers ABAD are operating in the country, said Rufat Elchiyev, the director of the legal entity of public law ABAD.



One of the centers is created in the Office of the Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve, which offers tourists quite a lot of goods, and the other one is in the Duty Free zone in the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, he said.



Elchiyev added that starting today the ABAD center will begin to operate at the Railway Station of Baku.

Such centers will soon operate in five-star hotels of Baku, according to the ABAD director.

The pilot project started with 63 families in Baku, Masalli, Balakan, Ismayilli and Sheki regions of Azerbaijan. The project is planned to be expanded to other regions of the country in the future.

All products are marked with the logo of a master or family farm that produced this product. ABAD label on the products also proves the originality of the product.

ABAD cooperates with a number of international organizations, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). In the framework of cooperation, in order to encourage the involvement of families in business, UNDP provided financial assistance in providing one family with a meat container equipped with all necessary equipment.

--

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

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
23 August 2017 16:02 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Georgian President Georgi Margvelashvili has expressed gratitude to firefighters from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia and Belarus for their help in extinguishing fire in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

The Georgian president visited the area on Wednesday morning and familiarized with the situation, Sputnik-Georgia reported on August 23.

The fire broke out on August 20 near the village of Daba in the Borjomi Gorge. So far, the weather conditions prevent a complete suppression of the fire.

Currently, six helicopters and a special airplane are taking part in extinguishing the forest fires.

Two helicopters belong to the border police of Georgia, another one  to the rescue service of Azerbaijan, two helicopters and a plane were sent by Turkey to Georgia, and one helicopter belongs to Belarus. Azerbaijan also sent its firemen to Georgia.

Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Emergency Situations sent a helicopter to Georgia on August 21 to help extinguish forest fires in Borjomi-Kharagauli Reserve under directions of President Aliyev.

The Ka-32A firefighting helicopter started exploration flights in Samtskhe-Javakheti region and joined the operation to tackle the fire at 06:40 local time on August 22.

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23 August 2017 18:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

The next meeting of the CIS Interstate Council for Emergencies of Natural and Technogenic Character will be held in Baku on October 2-3.

The jubilee 30th meeting is planned to discuss the activities of the Council in 2016-2017 and measures to improve the cooperation among the CIS countries, a schedule of control checks of mutual notification of the CIS member states about emergency situations of natural and technogenic nature, Trend reported.

The Council also intends to consider the improvement of the legal framework for cooperation.

The Interstate Council for Emergencies of Natural and Technogenic Character was established on January 22, 1993, in accordance with the Agreement on Cooperation in the Sphere of Prevention and Elimination of Emergencies of Natural and Technogenic Character adopted by the Council of CIS Heads of Governments in Minsk, Belarus.

Moreover, Sochi will host a meeting of foreign ministers of the CIS countries on October 10-11.

The meeting is expected to discuss issues related to cooperation of the CIS countries in the legal sphere, the sphere of combating the legalization of proceeds obtained by criminal means, financing of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The meeting of the Foreign Ministers Council will also be of a preparatory nature for the summit of CIS heads of states, scheduled for October 11.

The Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS countries is the main executive body of the CIS, which, on the basis of decisions of the Council of Heads of States, the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth, coordinates the foreign policy activities of member states, including their activities in international organizations, and organizes consultations on issues of world politics of mutual interest.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is free association of sovereign states formed in 1991 by Russia and 11 other republics that were formerly part of the Soviet Union. The CISs functions are to coordinate its members policies regarding their economies, defense, immigration policies, environmental protection, and law enforcement.

The CIS united Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. However, in 2008 Georgia withdrew its membership.

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23 August 2017 12:28 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

World oil prices declined on August 23 on the backdrop of the data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) that gasoline and distillate stocks in the U.S. have increased by more than 1 million barrels per week.

Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, are at $51.75 per barrel, down 0.2 percent, from their last close, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures are at $47.72 a barrel, down 0.2 percent, Reuters reported.

The experts said that commercial oil reserves in the country (excluding the strategic reserve) for the week ended on August 18 decreased by 3.45 million barrels, or by 0.74 percent - to 463.05 million barrels.

The oil prices are also affected by news from Libya. The national oil company of Libya (National Oil Corp., NOC) reported that oil production at the country's largest field Sharara again suspended.

Sharara recently reached output of 280,000 barrels per day (bpd), but closed earlier this month due to a pipeline blockade. Its production is crucial to Libya's oil output, which surged above 1 million bpd in late June, about four times its level last summer.

Libya's rising output is a problem for OPEC, which together with non-OPEC producers agreed to cut oil output around 1.8 million bpd of supplies until March 2018.

"Sentiment towards oil remains bearish amid oversupply fears and the possible threat of OPEC's supply cut deal falling apart," said Lukman Otunuga, analyst at futures brokerage FXTM.

Meanwhile, the prospects of tropical storm Harvey on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico may lead to the increase of world oil prices.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami, Harvey has a 90 percent chance of turning into a full-fledged tropical storm by August 24, the National Hurricane Center in Miami warned.

On the coast of the Gulf of Mexico are about 30 oil refineries with a combined capacity of about 7 million barrels per day. Heavy rains are expected to begin on August 25.

These days the OPEC/non-OPEC Joint Technical Committee (JTC) meetings are being held in Vienna.

The next meeting of a ministerial committee of OPEC and non-OPEC states to discuss their production pact has been scheduled for September 22.

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23 August 2017 10:19 (UTC+04:00)

More than 30 people were injured when a train crashed into another train that was parked at a station in suburban Philadelphia, Associated Press reported.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said the crash happened around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday.

An inbound Norristown High Speed Line train crashed into an unoccupied, parked train at the 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby, said SEPTA spokeswoman Heather Redfern.

SEPTA said 33 people aboard the train were injured.

The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

SEPTA said there likely would be service disruptions for the Tuesday morning commute.

In February, four people were injured in a crash near the 69th Street Terminal involving three out-of-service commuter trains. At the time, SEPTA said one train rear-ended another on a loop where trains turn around to get back into service. Cars from that accident derailed and hit a third train on nearby tracks.

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23 August 2017 13:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Ali Mustafayev

Russian and Turkish businesses have concluded preliminary agreements on contracts, the total worth of which is approximately $820 million.

Russian Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Georgy Kalamanov announced that the details of the agreements were discussed within the framework of the 86th Izmir International Fair, Sputnik reported.

The International Fair with a theme "Innovation  Energy" was held on August 18-22 with participation of more than 45 Russian companies from different sectors of economy, including energy, coal and oil production, agriculture, construction and engineering, metal working and metallurgy, and tourism, presenting their products and services.

"There has been a tight schedule of meetings during the whole period of the exhibition. The Russian Export Center alone hosted at least 196 meetings, which resulted in negotiations of contracts worth nearly $820 million," Kalamanov stated.

The deputy minister added that over course of the fair, Russia presented several new helicopters models, emergency equipment for miners, the newest machine tool equipment as well as an updated series of GAZ vehicles.

He also pointed out that interregional cooperation had become a new direction for bilateral collaboration. Kalamanov noted that apart from general exposition of the Russian Federation, joint exhibitions of the Tula, Lipetsk, Voronezh Regions, the Stavropol Territory, and the Republics of Tatarstan and North Ossetia were displayed at the Fair.

"Over 45 companies from different sectors of economy, including energy, coal and oil production, agriculture, construction and engineering, metal working and metallurgy, and tourism, have presented their products and services within the framework of the Fair," Kalamanov said.

"Russia is interested in increasing exports of industrial products and finding a mutually acceptable solution to eliminate the factors that impede our trade and industrial cooperation. One of the most important problems is the high level of [Turkey's] anti-dumping, special protective and import customs duties, for example, on metal products, fertilizers, tires, kitchen appliances, cosmetics, copper wire and other goods," Kalamanov said in Izmir.

The official is sure that the solution can be reached within the agreement on granting a preferential trade regime in the context of the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Turkey, considering the positive momentum set by the leaders of the two countries.

"We presume that the conclusion of such agreements will favorably affect trade and investment cooperation between the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union [EAEU], including between Russia and Turkey," the deputy minister added.

Previously, Ankara expressed its willingness to sign customs agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union in a bid to step up cooperation with the strategic trade ally- Russia.

Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci stated that Turkey and Russia complement each other and are not competitors, adding that the level of bilateral trade between the two countries increased by 30 percent during the previous year and its just a beginning.

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23 August 2017 15:22 (UTC+04:00)

By Ali Mustafayev

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has voiced a peace overture towards North Korea, welcoming what he named the restraint it had shown recently in its weapons programs.

We have had no missile launches or provocative acts on the part of North Korea since the unanimous adoption of the U.N. Security Council resolution," Tillerson told reporters on August 22, referring to U.N. sanctions on North Korea agreed on August 5.

Washington expressed readiness to dialogue with Pyongyang, if North Korea will develop its low-key foreign policy.

"We hope that this is the beginning of this signal that we've been looking for - that they are ready to restrain their level of tensions, they're ready to restrain their provocative acts, and that perhaps we are seeing our pathway to sometime in the near future having some dialogue," Tillerson added.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and dozens of missile tests since early 2017 and Washington says the aim of any future talks must be denuclearisation.

The United States in early August imposed sanctions against companies and physical persons from Russia, China and Singapore accusing them in trading with North Korea.

The list of sanctioned companies and persons included the Russian Gefest-M company, engaged in metal trade with Korean Tangun Trading Corporation and its director Ruben Kirakosyan and three more Russian citizens, who in one way or another had relations with North Korean companies.

Five companies from China and two from Singapore were also sanctioned under the same charges.

A day before Tillersons statement, the U.S. and South Korea began long-planned annual military exercises. North Korea warned that the U.S. was risking an "uncontrollable phase of a nuclear war." North Korean state-run media said that the country's military could strike the U.S. at anytime and that neither Guam, Hawaii nor the U.S. mainland could avoid the "merciless strike."

President Donald Trump earlier this month warned North Korea it would face "fire and fury" if it threatened the United States. Pyongyang responded by threatening to fire missiles towards the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam, but later said it was holding off while it waited to see what Washington would do next.

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23 August 2017 14:02 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The delegation of Uzbek General Prosecutor's Office paid a working visit to Astana at the invitation of their Kazakh colleagues, according to the website of Uzbek General Prosecutor's Office.

During the visit, Uzbek side participated in an international seminar on "Investigating International Financial Crimes," conducted with the support of the OSCE Program Office in Astana and the US Embassy in Kazakhstan.

The seminar's purpose was to improve the skills of specialists in the field of investigation of transnational financial crimes and the return of illicit assets, the exchange of the regional countries' experience as well as the training of knowledgeable and skilled personnel.

Five-day training was also attended by law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Pakistan.

In the course of the visit, a ceremony of signing memorandum between Uzbek Higher Training Courses and Kazakh Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies was held.

The memorandum envisages cooperation in the educational, research and innovation areas.

In addition, Uzbek delegation familiarized with the progress and results of the reforms in the system of the prosecutor's office in Kazakhstan.

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23 August 2017 16:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

If the central government of Iraq and Erbil (capital of the Kurdish autonomy of Iraq) want Turkeys mediation to solve the disagreement between the parties, Ankara is ready to help, Turkish media quoted Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu as saying on August 23.

Cavusoglu noted that the issue of holding referendum on independence of the Kurdish autonomy should be solved within Iraqs territorial integrity.

Turkey has repeatedly reminded Erbil the danger of holding a referendum on independence, said the foreign minister.

He noted that Turkey supports Iraqs sovereignty and demands from Erbil to cancel the decision on holding a referendum on independence.

Ankara will continue supporting Baghdad in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist group (IS), as well as militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) terrorist organization, which pose a threat to the integrity and security of Iraq, said Cavusoglu. Turkey is also ready to partake in the projects of revival of Iraqi cities liberated from the IS, he added.

The Turkish foreign minister noted that Iraqs territories should be fully cleared of IS and PKK terrorists.

It should be noted that Cavusoglu visited Iraq and the foreign minister is also expected to visit Erbil and hold a meeting with Masoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq.

The referendum on the Kurdish autonomys independence is scheduled for September 25.

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23 August 2017 16:36 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli started talks in Ankara, Turkish media outlets reported on August 23.

Among other significant issues, the sides are expected to mull settlement of the Syrian conflict and the fight against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Reportedly, Mattis and Canikli also plan to discuss the acquisition of Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system by Turkey.

Syria has been suffering from an armed conflict since March 2011, which, according to the UN, has claimed more than 500,000 lives.

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23 August 2017 17:02 (UTC+04:00)

By Ali Mustafayev

Baghdad harshly reacted to reports that Iran and Turkey plan to launch joint military operations against the PKK militants in the countrys territory.

Iraq will not allow being turned into a firing ground for neighboring states, Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari told a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Baghdad on August 23.

However, Ibrahim al-Jaafari further added, Iraq is ready to discuss this issue, if one of the parties invites the country to consider conducting a joint military operation.

Reportedly, Tehran and Ankara are currently negotiating on the start of the military operations at nine sites in northern Iraq.

Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that a joint Turkish-Iranian operation against terrorist organizations in the region is possible. Erdogans announcement followed a statement of Iran, which proposed Turkey to launch joint military operations against terrorist organization PKK in the North of Iraq.

Cavusoglu, in his turn, welcomed the Iraqi states decision to launch military action in Tal Afar against the ISIL terrorists.

He said that Turkey is ready to support Iraq in liberating its territories from the terrorist groups. In addition to the issue of combating the ISIL, after the liberation of Iraq, Turkey will continue to support the country in reconstruction of its cities and help with the international integration, said Cavusoglu.

Ankara also voiced its concerns over the planned independence referendum and contended that the referendum's aftermath would cause further turmoil in the region.

Iraqs Kurdish Autonomous Region plans to hold an independence referendum on September 25. Earlier, Masoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq, had warned that opposition to the referendum would be met with a bloody war.

Cavusoglu said he would tell Iraqi Kurdish officials later in the day their decision to hold an independence referendum was wrong and that Ankara expects it to cancel the vote.

"Our expectation from Erbil is clear, that is the cancellation of the referendum, as the interests and future of the Kurds lies in a united Iraq," Cavusoglu told a news conference in Baghdad, broadcast on Turkish television, before travelling to Erbil in northern Iraq.

If the central government of Iraq and Erbil want Turkeys mediation to solve the disagreement between the parties, Ankara is ready to help, the minister added.

Western nations fear the vote could ignite a new conflict with Baghdad and possibly neighbouring countries, diverting attention from the ongoing war against ISIS militants in Iraq and Syria.

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23 August 2017 17:20 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Leader of Turkeys opposition Great Unity Party (BBP) Mustafa Destici urged the countrys government to suspend all ties with Iraqs Kurdish Autonomous Region, the party said in a statement on August 23.

The statement was made in connection to Iraqs Kurdish autonomys intentions to hold a referendum on independence.

If Erbil insists on holding the independence referendum, Ankara should immediately cease all relations with the Kurdish autonomy of Iraq, Destici said.

Iraqs Kurdish Autonomous Region plans to hold an independence referendum on September 25.

Earlier, Masoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq, had warned that opposition to the referendum would be met with a bloody war.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said that the Kurdish administration of Iraq will be regretful of holding that referendum.

Iraqs integrity is a priority for Turkey, noted Erdogan, adding that, a referendum on independence of the Kurdish autonomy means the beginning of Iraqs disintegration.

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23 August 2017 18:10 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

US President Donald Trumps public statements are quite strong while his politics is far more conciliatory, Associate Professor Gianluca Pastori, expert in history of political relations in North America and Europe, told Trend with regards to the latest remarks by Trump about Irans non-compliance with JCPOA, aka nuclear deal.

In my opinion, Donald Trump is playing good cop/bad cop with Iran. I do not think the US will really step back from the commitments assumed with the JCPOA, he said.

Trump needs to appease both the Congress and the public opinion, in which anti-Iranian feelings are strong, according to the expert.

At the same time, he cannot break the agreement, putting the US in a very difficult position, he said.

Moreover, the European countries are increasingly active in Iran, at both political and economic level, while Moscow and Tehran share many common interests, according to Pastori.

China is keeping a lower profile, but its relations with Iran are traditionally good and its role deemed to increase in the coming years, he added.

Moreover, the US-Iranian crisis could negatively affect US-Russia relations  a centerpiece in Trumps political agenda, the expert noted.

This is way I believe that stick to the JCPOA is the best way  for the US  to pursue their regional interests. The main problem is the contrast existing between Trump and the Republican Party, he said.

The President grudgingly ratified the sanctions against Russia, Iran, and the DPRK which were adopted by the US Congress last month, however, he is aware that no meaningful foreign policy can be pursued if the Congress opposes it, according to the expert.

In this perspective, the need to keep a balance with the Congressional will could be a reasonable explanation of Trumps apparently erratic behavior, he added.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council  the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia  plus Germany signed the nuclear deal on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

The agreement limits Irans nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all nuclear-related bans against the Islamic Republic.

The US Congress requires the administrations certification (every 90 days) of Irans compliance with the nuclear deal. Trumps administration has already declared Iran in compliance, as required by law, twice during his tenure.

Nonetheless, Trumps remarks forecasting that the US would declare Iran non-compliant when the next review is due in September, have cast shadow over the future of the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers.

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Opinion | 04 November 2022 | Interviews

India needs to connect OPD with the cashless insurance network to bring them into the digital economy

After having raised $1.2 million from Entrepreneur First and GrowX Ventures in 2021, how do you see the perfor...Read more
Her Mum Believes She Will Be The Light In The Darkness Life oi-Syeda Farah

Everytime you think, you are unlucky, take a reality dip with some of the real-life stories of people and their struggle.

This is a story of a young girl who wishes to make it big and serve the society while she accepts the hurdles that life throws at her.

Do note: She is just 10 and we cannot ignore but just admire this little angel...

Read her story in her own words...

"My name is Chadni which means "moonlight". My mother gave me this name. She believes when I grow up I will give out light in the darkness. She always told me " maa your education will bring light to your life."

My father and mother both work in the rice factory as day labourers. I also work with them after I return from school. I love going to school. I love English and mathematics. I want to be a doctor when I grow up.

I study in class three. For better results I go for a private tuition which costs 300 taka per month. I earn this money myself working at the rice mill after my school.My parents are really poor so I don't want to give them any more pressure!

We are from Borisal. There are no work opportunities there, so my parents came to Dhaka city 6 years ago. My parents can earn eight thousand taka per month which is not enough for our 5-member family.

After becoming a doctor I want to give proper treatment to my elder sister Josna who cannot walk properly from childhood. I want to give free treatment to poor people. I want to give out light in the darkness! _ Chadni, 10".

Source:
Hyderabad Vaccination Drives Comes to a Halt After 4 Children Fall Sick News oi-Ria Majumdar

A city-wide vaccination drive arranged by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has come to a halt after 4 children fell sick post-vaccination with the MR-Vac vaccine for measles and rubella.

The incident occurred in the Old City area's Sultan Shahi school wherein the 4 children developed rashes, fever, and abdominal pain, and had to be rushed to a city hospital immediately, where they were kept under observation for 12 hours.

Though the exact cause for their ailment is still unknown, the parents of one child believe that the vaccine is responsible for the incident, even though the child already had sore throat before he was given the shot.

The Vaccine is Not Responsible, Says GHMC

A total number of 6,13,523 children have been administered the MR-VAC shot till 22nd of August this year, and not one child has fallen sick.

That's why the officials at GHMC are firm that the vaccine is not responsible for the recent incidence.

In fact, the GHMC Commissioner, B. Janardhan Reddy, has even come forward and warned the public not to believe false whatsapp videos and messages that discourage vaccination.

Drive to Eradicate Measles and Rubella

The GHMC vaccination drive is targeting schools because their ultimate aim is to eradicate measles and rubella from the city just like the Pulse Polio drive eradicated polio from India.

Unfortunately, the general population is still very wary of vaccinations (mainly because of superstitions and anti-science campaigns), which is why 164 schools refused to be a part of the drive even before this isolated incidence occurred in the Sultan Shahi school.

And given the basic temperament of the public, this number might go up now.

The Dire Need For Vaccination

The infant mortality rate in India might be lesser than what it used to be decades ago, but the problem is still a big one.

Why?

Because newborns have little to no immunity when they are born.

And though this immune-deficient state is improved slightly over the next 6 months as they feed on their mother's breast milk, it is not enough to protect them from the host of bacteria, viruses, and microbes that are present all around us.

That's where vaccines come in.

A vaccine is a small shot of highly potent formula that trains inexperienced immune systems to identify dangerous microorganisms and destroy them before they can cause serious illnesses in the individual.

So while it may seem easy to ignore vaccination drives and advertisements that call you to get your child vaccinated, know that it might one day cost you your child's life.

That's why we at Boldsky have come up with the following myth-busting infographic to soothe all your fears about vaccines.

We believe every life is precious, and every child should have the opportunity to grow up healthy and live a great life!

Do you believe that too?

If yes, please share this infographic with your friends and family.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 18:49 [IST]
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 22/08/2017 (1909 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A man who took his roommates car without permission and cashed stolen cheques on three occasions has been sentenced to a little more than three months jail time.

Harley David Andrew Jordan pleaded guilty in Brandon provincial court on Monday to taking a motor vehicle without consent, theft and forgery.

On Oct. 20, 2016, a man Jordan was living with reported his 2000 Crown Victoria had been stolen, telling officers he believed Jordan had taken the vehicle without permission.

Police werent able to locate Jordan at the time, but found the car on Eighth Street and towed it to the police station for investigation. There was no damage done to the vehicle.

Then, on March 10, a woman told police her chequebook had been stolen out of her car after her daughter had borrowed it to drive Jordan around Brandon.

After realizing its disappearance, she checked her account to find three cheques cashed that she did not write.

Police approached the two people that the cashed cheques were made out to. The first told police Jordan had asked her to cash the cheque on his behalf because he didnt have a bank account, and that she had given him the total amount of the cheque  $200.

The second told police Jordan had written the cheques.

Crown attorney Deidre Badcock said that despite having some concerning related offences, his steps to accept responsibility and rehabilitation was something to consider.

Rehabilitation still can be a factor here. Hes a young individual and hes got good prospects to do better in the future, but he needs to be able to take ownership for it, Badcock said.

Jordan has struggled with an addiction to crystal meth, his lawyer said, and that he has been trying to find a treatment program on his own accord.

Its clear to me that you have a pretty serious addiction issue that youre going to need some help to deal with  Im happy to hear that youve been making some efforts on your own to try and get into a program  Im glad you recognize the need to do that, said Judge Shauna Hewitt-Michta. You already have accumulated quite a record  Im not here to sentence you for what youve done in the past, but that criminal record does follow you back into court every time youre here and increases the chances that youre going to end up spending a very long period of time behind bars if you dont change your ways.

Jordan has received credit for time served for the majority of his sentence, which will be followed with one year of supervised probation.

 edebooy@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @erindebooy
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Published On Aug 23, 2017 06:47 PM By Raunak

The entry-level Volkswagen lineup in India  the Polo, GT, Ameo and the Vento  is likely to be befitted from the recently introduced 6.5-inch Drive infotainment system in the Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo

The Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo, which comes with sporty styling inside and outside along with additional features, was launched recently. The highlight on the inside is its new 6.5-inch infotainment system, called Drive. We believe that Volkswagen might also add this new unit in its entry-level line-up  the Polo range, Ameo and the Vento  soon.

Volkswagen currently offers a relatively small 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system in its Polo clan. This is smaller than the units offered by the competitors  Maruti and Hyundai offer a 7-inch unit, while Honda offers 6.2- and 7-inch ones. Further, the 5-inch unit doesnt have support for Google Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which even a Hyundai Grand i10 boast of nowadays.

The recently launched Hyundai Verna, which is one of the arch rivals of the Vento, offers the most advanced touchscreen unit in the segment. You get a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Android-based smartphone remote and an IPS wide-angle display.

The Hyundai Xcent, which is a rival to the VW Ameo, also has a 7-inch unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Marutis 7-inch system, equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is offered in the Baleno (Polo rival), Dzire (Ameo rival) and the Ciaz (Vento rival).

The new 6.5-inch Drive unit packs support for both Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with MirrorLink (also available with the 5-inch unit). Volkswagen might add Highline Plus variants of the Polo and the Ameo featuring this system, while offering it in the existing Vento Highline Plus. The upcoming festive season seems to be an appropriate time to offer these updates!

Read More on : Skoda Rapid on road price
Retrofitting Ijacis ID fans

ICR Research By

Published 23 August 2017

In a recent project InterCement awarded Howden South America the contract to retrofit its existing kiln induced-draught fans at its Ijaci plant in Minas Gerais, Brazil. As a result the cement works was able to increase its kiln capacity and introduce alternative fuels as a more sustainable and less expensive energy source. By Howden South America, Brazil.

InterCement operates 40 production units in eight countries, including Argentina, Portugal, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Brazil and Paraguay. In addition to cement, the company produces lime and special concrete. As one of the largest cement companies in the world, InterCement continues to expand by investing in new plants, acquisitions and capacity extensions.

To continue reading this story and get access to all News, Articles and Video sections of the CemNet.com website, please Register for a subscription to International Cement Review or Login
Thatta FY16-17 performance hit by higher costs

23 August 2017

Pakistan producer Thatta Cement Co reported a 5.4 per cent decline in net profit to PKR614.43m (US$5.8m) for FY16-17.



Net sales rose increased by 28 per cent YoY to PKR3.656bn versus PKR2.846bn a year earlier. However, the company incurred selling and distribution costs of PKR101.03m and administrative expenses of PKR148.31m, representing increases of 41 and 30 per cent, respectively.



Thatta Cement is in the process of establishing a 5MW waste heat recovery plant at its 0.49Mta cement works located in the Sindh province. The project is estimated to cost of PKR1.5bn. The requirements for obtaining a financing arrangement for the project with a syndicate of banks has been completed.

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Zambians to receive jobs at new Chongwe cement plant

23 August 2017

About 85 per cent of the works at Sinoma Mpande Limestone Ltd's new cement plant in Chongwe, Zambia, have been completed, according to the company's Managing Director, Zhang Yuanci. Mr Yuanci said the plant is expected to be commissioned in March 2018 and once fully operational, over 600 Zambians will be offered jobs.



"We plan to send Zambians for further training in China, after which they will be engaged to come and work at the plant. Most of our workers will be local people," he said.



Mr Yuanci said about US$200m has so far been invested in phase one of the construction of the US$500m plant.

At a visit of the construction site, Lusaka Province Minister, Japhen Mwakalombe, said: "First of all, I am very excited that Sinoma is investing such huge amounts of money in this plant. What is so exciting is that the management has taken care of issues of dust emission to our environment.



"I am pleased as provincial minister that issues of job creation for local people have been prioritised by Sinoma. We want jobs for our people," Mr Mwakalombe said.

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Christian college expels student who posed at Charlottesville statue with rifle and Confederate flag

A Christian college has expelled a student after he was pictured equipped with guns and a Confederate flag alongside the Robert E Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia, that was at the heart of white supremacist violence last week.

Self-described born-again Christian Allen Armentrout went viral after he was pictured in Confederate uniform, armed with a semi-automatic handgun and an AR-15 rifle alongside the statue. He had not attended the violent August 12 rally in Charlottesville but was visiting the statue days later. One widely shared image captured a woman swearing in his face.

He said his college, Pensacola Christian College in Florida, subsequently asked him to leave, he learned last Thursday.

'I have been released from my school and will be unable to return to college to finish my senior year. I'm processing this and making adjustments to my life to compensate for this scrutiny,' he told WX2 News.

Friends, she was flipping off that fella because he was in a Confederate uniform. Not because of his weight or nerdiness. pic.twitter.com/i4ZmpfmMif  Max Sparber (@maxsparber) August 21, 2017

'I'm a born-again Christian and I believe this wrench has hindered my attempt to serve the Lord,' Armentrout told Newsweek. 'I believe a Christian institution should support patriotic individuals who want to stand for American tradition and beliefs. It really hurts me a lot when you try to do what's right and you get attacked.'

He described Confederate General Robert E Lee as 'the greatest American that ever lived', but said Nazis and white-supremacists had misrepresented Confederate history.

He said he was now looking for a new place to study. Armentrout's college did not immiediately respond to Newsweek's request for comment.
Kenyan Christians brutally hacked to death as Islamist attacks surge

Four Kenyan Christians were brutally murdered by Al-Qaeda affiliated militants last week after refusing to recite the Shahada  the Islamic statement of faith.

Joseph Kasena, 42, a local church leader was hacked to death alongside his brother-in-law Changawa Muthemba and 17-year-old neighbour Kadenge Katana when they refused to repeat the prayer. The radical Islamists then turned on Joseph's mentally unwell older brother Charo and killed him too, according to World Watch Monitor.

The attack  carried out by Al-Shabaab militants  is part of a spate of incidents targeting Kenyan Christians close to the Somalia border where the group originated.

Last month the terror cell beheaded nine Kenyans, some from a local church, with one witness telling the Washington Post they were 'specifically looking for non-Muslim men'.

Al-Shabaab is believed to use Boni, a forest that straddles the Kenyan-Somali border, as cover to launch attacks on villages on the Kenyan side.

The assailants are mainly believed to be Kenyan youths radicalised and trained in Somalia before returning to their country. Church leaders say they are brainwashed, radicalised and recruited on the basis of promises of a better life and benefits for their family.

'We believe that some people have been paid by the militants to ensure a constant supply of young fighters,' said Fr Wilybard Lagho, vicar general of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa. 'At first, they used schools and madrassas, but that has since changed after the security and religious leaders became alert. They are now using social media to recruit. There is a lot of deception.'

Now Al-Shabaab militants are 'deeply embedded' in local communities, according to one local source quoted by World Watch Monitor.

'They move around freely and often are at odds with the Kenyan farmers, deliberately sending their animals to feed on their crops,' the source said. 'Locals complain that the police are not doing anything about the situation and even show preferential treatment to the herders. Earlier that day, some locals met with the Somali herdsmen, who threatened them. But this was not the reason for the attack; it only provided the opportunity for it. Al-Shabaab knew these men as Christians, and Joseph as a church elder.'
'King Trump'? Paula White says president was 'raised up' by God  but that could be bad news

US evangelical leader and advisor to the president Paula White has defended Trump from his critics, comparing him to a 'king' and saying he 'has been raised up by God'. But if Trump has been 'chosen', it might not be good news.

Speaking yesterday on the PTL Network's 'Jim Bakker Show', White was staunch in her backing for Trump.

'They say about our president, 'Well, he is not presidential.' Thank goodness. Thank goodness. Thank goodness,' she said. 'And I mean that with all due respect. Because in other words, he is not a polished politician. In other words, he is authentically  whether people like it or not  has been raised up by God.'

She also compared Trump's rise to power to that of the biblical queen Esther, according to RNS. She added: 'Because God says that he raises up and places all people in places of authority. It is God who raises up a king. It is God that sets one down. When you fight against the plan of God, you are fighting against the hand of God.'

White essentially challenged Trump's critics: 'How can you criticise him? He's been chosen by God.' Unfortunately, it's a dubious, dangerous theology of leadership, and in Scriptural terms being 'raised up' by God can be terrible news for those being raised.

For starters, Trump's possession of power isn't obvious evidence God gave it to him. Would White apply the same logic to Trump's rhetorical nemesis, North Korea's Kim Jong Un? What of the myriad oppressive regimes across the world, who include Christians among their victims  were these governments chosen by God? Or closer to home, would she say God raised up Barack Obama, or Hilary Clinton if she had won last year instead? One guesses not.

It's true that Scripture talks about God raising up leaders. St Paul did write, perhaps perplexingly, that 'The authorities that exist have been established by God' (Romans 13), but as Christian Today's Mark Woods has explained, that can't be used as a blanket divine endorsement of any government. If it were, then the American Revolution should never have happened.

And Scripture also speaks of God bringing leaders down  as White acknowledged. So what makes her so sure Trump isn't awaiting a divinely demise? In light of the fact that we don't know the mind of God, it's probably wiser to defend leaders on the basis of their personal, political record  rather than appealing to the unimpeachable authority of God. Indeed, it sets a dangerous precedent: once you're committed to the idea that God absolutely ordained a leader, you might well go to any lengths to defend them. You could easily learn to ignore their faults, misdeeds and abuses of power, lest you 'fight the hand of God'.

Spiritual advisors should be more aware than most about the need for accountability over blind adulation when it comes to serving leaders. And as the furore over Trump, his incendiary defence of white supremacists and his faithful evangelical council shows, this isn't a purely hypothetical question.

And as writer Derek Rishmawy highlighted on Twitter, being 'raised up' isn't always a good thing in Scripture. God 'raised up' Pharaoh, the cruel Egyptian enslaver of the Israelites, so that God might ultimately demonstrate his power to destroy him.

For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you": God talking about raising up Pharaoh for judgment (Ex 9:16) https://t.co/H24dMrVawx  Derek Rishmawy (@DZRishmawy) August 22, 2017

'For this very purpose, I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth,' declares the Lord to Pharaoh in Exodus 9:16. God is intervening in politics, but not to glorify human leaders, but show the might of his own name, Earth's ultimate ruler and the only one worthy of worship.

Of course, White wasn't trying to compare Trump to Pharaoh, but by using the biblical language of 'raising up' she helpfully illustrated just how complex the notion is.

Rather than getting a free pass because God 'chose them', it's surely more accurate to say God has even higher expectations of world leaders, that they would serve wisely with both justice and mercy. If they don't  instead using power only for their own glory  then they can expect not praise, but judgement when Jesus returns.

Christians disagree on politics, about which leaders and philosophies and programs make for a good society. And that's OK. What's deeply disagreeable is Christian leaders asserting divine authority to say our favourite figure has God's backing. It's dangerous, divisive and theologically confused.

You can follow @JosephHartropp on Twitter
'Shocking verdict' as Egypt court sentences 28 to death over 2015 prosecutor killing

A Cairo criminal court on Saturday sentenced to death 28 people over the 2015 killing of Egypt's top prosecutor after the death penalty was approved by the country's top religious authority, and it also jailed 15 others for 25 years each.

Public prosecutor Hisham Barakat was killed in a car bomb attack on his convoy in the capital, an operation for which Egypt blamed the Muslim Brotherhood and Gaza-based Hamas militants. Both groups have denied having a role.

The court had in June recommended passing the death penalty to Egypt's top religious leader, the Grand Mufti, who can approve or reject the recommendation. The mufti's guidance is required when a court seeks the death penalty but his decision is not binding.

The sentences, confirmed by the court in Saturday's hearing, can be appealed.

'The verdicts were shocking today,' said one of the defence lawyers, Ahmed Saad. 'Others who had nothing to do with the assassination of martyr Hisham Barakat received life sentences. They had nothing to do with the incident.'

Egypt's Interior Ministry released a video last year showing several young men confessing and admitting going to Gaza for training from Hamas, but some later denied the charges in court.

The defendants said they were forced to confess under torture and their lawyers asked that they be medically examined.

Egypt faces an Islamist insurgency led by Islamic State in North Sinai, where hundreds of soldiers and police have been killed. But the group has increasingly targeted Egypt's Christians with church bombings and shooting.
US Catholic bishops rebuke Donald Trump on closure of unaccompanied child migrants programme

US Catholic bishops are speaking out against Donald Trump's closure of a migration scheme for children crossing the southern border after fleeing violence.

The Central American Minors programme was set up under Barack Obama's administration and allows parents already living in the US to request a temporary two-year stay for their children.

On the same day Pope Francis urged world leaders to prioritise refugees' welfare over security interests, the US bishops criticised Trump's decision to end the programme saying he had 'unnecessarily chosen to cut off proven and safe alternatives to irregular and dangerous migration'.

In a statement Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas, chair of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, said: 'We supported the CAM program, which included both refugee and parole options, precisely because it provided a legal and organized way for children to migrate to the United States and reunify with families.'

He added: 'Terminating the parole program will neither promote safety for these children nor help our government regulate migration.'

It comes as Pope Francis released a 20-point plan tellingpoliticians migrants personal safety and dignity should be prioritised over national security and, 'for the sake of the fundamental dignity of every human person, we must strive to find alternative solutions to detention for those who enter a country without authorisation'.

The CAM program was open to migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to try to control the numbers of unaccompanied children into the United States escaping violence.

'We know that children must be protected. They must be given the ability to remain in their home countries and find opportunities, but they must also be able to leave and migrate safely to find protection when there are no alternatives,' the bishop went on. 'The CAM parole program offered part of that solution - a legal way to migrate for the most vulnerable of children.'
Venezuela's Maduro asks for Pope's help against US invasion threat

The Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called for the support of Pope Francis against a 'military threat' from the US, as international pressure mounts over the deadly political crisis in Caracas.

At a press conference yesterday, Maduro said: 'May the Pope help us prevent [US President Donald] Trump from sending troops to invade Venezuela...I ask for the Pope's help against the military threat from the United States.'

The embattled Venezuelan leader, who was elected in 2013, has faced months of mass protests by opponents who blame him for an economic crisis and are demanding elections.

Meanwhile, international pressure has grown, with Trump even saying earlier this month that the US reserved the option of military intervention, and the US applying economic sanctions directly targeting Maduro.

According to AFP, Maduro pointedly highlighted his alliance with Russia, which had rejected Trump's recent threat as 'unacceptable'.

He reportedly said that he wanted to 'keep strengthening the military cooperation agreement' between the two countries 'for the sovereign defence of Venezuela'.

Russia has recently sold fighter jets and ground-to-air missiles to Venezuela.

'Venezuela has the full and absolute support of Russia,' declared Maduro, adding that he would soon go to Moscow to meet with the Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Following Trump's controversial threat, Maduro has called for military drills next weekend as a show of strength.

He has claimed that the country's economic collapse is a US-backed conspiracy, but the opposition blames his economic management for the crisis.

Venezuela is the third-biggest seller of oil to the US, which is the destination for 42 per cent of the South American country's crude exports, AFP reported.

The fall in world prices for its oil exports has left Venezuela short of dollars for imports of food and medicine.

Last year, Christian Today reported on how Pope Francis could play a role in mediating in the Venezuelan crisis.
A total of 3,035 candidates for immigration to Canada have been issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the latest draw from the Express Entry pool, which took place on August 23. Candidates with 434 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points at the time of the draw were invited to apply.

The August 23 draw is the third Express Entry draw to take place so far this month, and the fifth since changes to the CRS were implemented in early June.

Invited candidates have 90 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence, including supporting documents. The spouse/common-law partner of the principal applicant, as well as dependent children, may be included on the application.

The latest draw brings the number of ITAs issued so far this year to 63,777, a far higher figure than the total for the whole of 2016. Indeed, nearly half of all ITAs issued since Express Entry was first launched in January, 2015 have been issued in 2017.

Diversity of candidates

Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is often quoted as saying that our diversity is our strength, and this maxim is reflected in the range of candidates from around the world who benefit from engaging with the Express Entry system. The following hypothetical scenarios showcase the diversity of candidates who benefited in the latest draw.

Steve and Marie, both 30, are a couple, both of whom have been working as financial analysts for three years. Each partner holds a Bachelors degree and demonstrated their English language proficiency by writing the IELTS and scoring an 8 in each category. Neither partner has ever worked or studied in Canada. Their CRS score of 435 was sufficient for an ITA to be issued in the latest draw.

Nick is 37 and has been working outside Canada for over five years. He has a Masters degree and an advanced English Language proficiency. He has never worked or studied in Canada, but his CRS score of 437 was enough for him to be awarded an ITA on August 23.

Allison is 33 and has been working as an advertising manager for three years. She has a bachelors degree, and an advanced English language proficiency. While she has never worked or studied in Canada, she does have a sister in Toronto. Her CRS score of 434 means that she is now in position to submit an application for permanent residence.

Genvieve is 33, has a Bachelors degree and has demonstrated an advanced French language ability. She has been working as a software designer for three years. While she has never worked or studied in Canada, her CRS of 434 means that she obtained an ITA following the draw on August 23.

Alberto came to Canada as an international student and completed his Masters degree. He is 38 and has an intermediate English language proficiency. In addition to his three years of work experience as a human resources manager before studying in Canada, he has also obtained one year of work experience as a management consultant since completing his studies. His CRS score of 434 means that he can now look forward to settling in Canada permanently.

In all scenarios, preparation is key. Amid all the focus on obtaining an invitation, being ready to apply upon receiving an invitation is also a hugely important part of the process of immigrating to Canada through Express Entry, says Attorney David Cohen.

As for individuals who have yet to create an Express Entry profile, the first step is to get a thorough assessment of your eligibility to enter the pool of candidates. Only then can you chart a pathway to successfully realizing your Canadian immigration goals.

The CRS Calculator

The CRS Calculator allows you to find out what your score would be under the Comprehensive Ranking System.

To find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada permanently, fill out a free online assessment form.

Candidates who receive an ITA and want to learn more about the next steps may complete this short form.

 2017 CICNews All Rights Reserved
In the social sector, few words are bandied about more than enterprise. But what exactly is enterprise and what does it mean for charities? Amir Rizwan takes a look.

I sifted through a number of dictionary definitions to better understand the word myself. What they all shared was the concept of risk, of being bold and going to where no man has gone before. This bodes well with my experience of working with charities looking for investment  often they want to use their existing skills, expertise and assets in a new, more commercial way, which for them is both innovative and risky. What this means in practice is growing their trading capabilities to replace grants, to reduce reliance on one source of income and, hopefully, to grow total revenue.

But enterprise for charities need not be limited to trading. Enterprising activity can be more than just opening a charity shop or selling existing services to the private sector in order to subsidise core delivery. It can also be about being bold and original, for instance, by thinking about solutions to a problem in a different way to ensure the best outcome for the charity.

A recent example of how CAF Venturesome has supported a charity looking to develop a new enterprise strategy is the work we have done with Hubbub Foundation. Hubbub Foundation uses a positive, sociable and collaborative approach to communicate environmental issues. Focusing on four themes - food, fashion, homes and neighbourhoods the charity looks to build a movement of change designed to engage large numbers of people across the UK about environmental issues. Through all of this it aims to bring about awareness, and most importantly, behavioural change into the mainstream.

With significant growth on the horizon, Hubbub Foundation realised there was an opportunity to diversify and expand the reach of their advocacy work through effective utilisation of social media. CAF Venturesome was able to provide Hubbub Foundation with a 100k loan to enable them to invest in their social media capabilities and increase their income and impact. By establishing this area of their advocacy work and services, Hubbub Foundation hopes to also grow its income on a sustainable basis, while broadening their social impact reach. The development of a clear enterprise model and a new entrepreneurial way for Hubbub Foundation to both become more financially resilient and strengthen its social impact shows how charities can adapt in the current challenging situations that exist in the sector.

Whilst Hubbub Foundation demonstrates a route that charities can take to become more enterprise-focused there are also many other avenues or models that can be taken. Embracing an entrepreneurial attitude means more than just being more commercial. While pursuing sustainable revenue streams is important, the central question should always be: how can we best help our beneficiaries?

Amir Rizwan is an investment executive at CAF Venturesome

Civil Society wishes to thank Charities Aid Foundation for its support with this article
The Orlando Sentinel on October 19, 2003 began a devastating, five-part, front-page series entitled OxyContin Under Fire: Pain Pill Leaves Death Trailthousands of words in articles and sidebars, with more reporting in the weeks and months that followed.

The Sentinel series eerily prefigured todays opioid epidemic: thousands of lives shattered, broken, and lost as a result of taking oxycodone, some through accidental addiction caused by casual overprescribing; others through abuse. In the process, the drug created a law enforcement crisis of illegal trafficking through bogus pain clinics, pill mills, and legitimately prescribed drugs diverted for profit and recreational use.

In retrospect, despite the Sentinels prescience, journalistic carelessness caused the project to backfire, and thus miss its target. Within days, serious reporting errors in the series emerged, beginning with two innocent victims of the drug who turned out to have been drug abusers. An analysis of autopsy reports cited in the articles also was faulty and misleading. A series of corrections followed, effectively undercutting an opportunity to alert the nation to an emerging opioid crisis that would become much worse. The unforced errors gave OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma an opening to attack the Sentinel in a PR campaign ultimately aimed at avoiding a regulatory crackdown and ensuring a bonanza of profits.

The series was flawed, as the newspaper has acknowledged, recalls Manning Pynn, former chairman of the editorial board, in an interview with CJR. The current deadly opioid epidemic, however, serves as a reminder that journalistic flaws dont always mean that there is no need for concern.

OxyContin, a powerful and profitable timed-release painkiller whose primary active ingredient is oxycodone, was approved for use by the federal government in 1995, and was an immediate success in the market, hailed as a life-saver by chronic pain sufferers. In 1998, the company removed the warning, May be habit forming, but restored it in 2001 after reports of deaths following its use. More than 5,000 physicians attended pain management seminars sponsored by Purdue in states like Florida to introduce the drug. Before long, however, drug abusers figured out that crushing and snorting the pills produced a heroin-like high.

Users of the drug put their faith in their doctors, the Sentinel reported in 2003, and ended up dead, or broken. Further, the series noted that the highly potent painkiller has been criticized as being aggressively marketed and eagerly prescribed with only routine oversight from government regulators. Illegal use of the medicine has grown as more patients have become dependent on the drug and a new black market has emerged.

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To be sure, OxyContin is not the only opioid drug, and it is not the only pill with oxycodone as an active ingredient, but for a time it was the best known and most widely prescribed. Purdue Pharma quickly recognized that transforming the drug from one designed to ease the pain of dying cancer patients to one widely prescribed for chronic back pain would prove to be a financial windfall. Citing material from an investigation by the Florida Attorney Generals office, the Sentinel series second installment reported that documents indicate that Purdue minimized the potential dangers of OxyContin while pushing broader use of the drug, boosting sales from about $50 million in 1996 to nearly $1.5 billion in 2001.

Despite the Sentinels prescience, journalistic carelessness caused the project to backfire, and thus miss its target.

In many ways, the Sentinel seriesthe product of nine months of reporting and researchwas prophetic. In 2016, nearly 60,000 Americans died of drug overdoses, the largest yearly rise in US history, making it the most significant cause of death among those under 50, according to a study compiled by The New York Times. That figure was fueled in large part by growing opioid addiction, which now affects more than two million Americans, according to the newspaper. The Center for Disease Control cites exponentially higher figures for the epidemics fatalities: More than 183,000 deaths in the US from overdoses related to prescription opioids from 1999 to 2015. During this period, both overdose deaths and drug sales quadrupled.

The Sentinels reporting had an immediate impact. Elected officials convened hearings to investigate oxycodone abuse in both state legislatures and the US Congress. By then, Floridas state legislature had already enacted draconian drug laws. These included mandatory minimum sentences of 25 years for a first offense for trafficking in oxycodone, and possession with intent to sell, including resale of legally prescribed pills. One recent report found there are an estimated 2,000 inmates in Florida serving time in state prisons for trafficking in opioidsmainly oxycodone and hydrocodoneand most of whom are first-time offenders.

This was not the first journalistic attempt to ring the alarm bells about oxycodone, either nationally or in Florida. Earlier reporting was done by The New York Times , the New York Post , the Louisville Courier-Journal, the Cincinnati Enquirer, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Gainesville Sun, and CBS News. Much of this coverage was sparked by product liability and wrongful death lawsuits, as well as revelations that talk radio host Rush Limbaugh had abused the drug.

The Sentinels coverage was more ambitious. At its core was a claim that posed a serious threat to Purdues business: Taking OxyContin as prescribed could lead to dependence, addiction, and death. Purdue knew it couldnt fight that point with facts. But corporate officials made a bet, correctly, that the newspapers other mistakes on the series could fatally undermine conclusions likely to prove unfriendly to the companys bottom line. Purdue, sensing a target of opportunity, launched a ferocious counterattack. The company was joined by outraged readers who had come to depend on the drug for pain relief. The companys multi-front campaign charged that the series was fatally flawed from the outset, primarily because it conflated the dangers of taking oxycodone as prescribed with abusing the drug, often in combination with other controlled substances.

Corporate officials made a bet, correctly, that the newspapers other mistakes on the series could fatally undermine conclusions likely to prove unfriendly to the companys bottom line.

Heres what the Sentinel got wrong: In a key statistic, citing data compiled by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, reporter Doris Bloodsworth wrote that there were 573 deaths in Florida in 2001 and 2002 caused solely by oxycodone, the active ingredient of OxyContin. However, in the wake of complaints by Purdue and others, a re-examination of the data and of autopsy reports found that only a fourth of those deaths were caused solely by oxycodone, and it was not possible to say for certain how many of those fatalities were the result of taking OxyContin as prescribed.

More damaging was the choice of two men featured at the beginning and throughout the series as the primary illustrations of the dangers of OxyContin. The series implied that those oxycodone overdosesone fatalwere caused by accidental addiction, that the victims were innocent patients, having taken OxyContin as prescribed for pain relief. In fact, both men turned out to be drug abusers who used illegal drugs or other prescription painkillers like Vicodin and Xanax in addition to oxycodone, although family members, friends, and physicians quoted in the series made no mention of this.

The backlash was intense, even from others in the media. Slate mocked the Sentinels coverage, disparaging as alarmist the claim that numerous new OxyContin addicts have been created by doctors who cavalierly prescribe the drug. Articles or news segments assert that overdose frequently occurs among the innocent patients of careless doctors.

Bloodsworth declined to be quoted about her tenure at the paper. She came to journalism late in life, after raising her children and working in jobs with an airline, a community college, and an insurance company. In her 40s, she studied journalism at the University of Central Florida and the University of Florida. After working at several papers as an intern, including The Wall Street Journal, her first full time staff job was at the Sentinel. She began working on the OxyContin story after she was assigned to attend a drug convention in Orlando, and editors up the line recognized its potential impact. They agreed to turn her loose to report the projectalone. This decision was based on other, award-winning, investigative work she had done as an intern and several series for the Sentinel. One, involving the methadone-related death of a jail inmate, was nominated by the newspaper for a Pulitzer Prize.

Several piecemeal corrections followed in the weeks after the series ran, one of which acknowledged that the series created the misleading impression that most oxycodone overdoses resulted from patients taking the drug to relieve pain from medical conditions. In February of 2004, the Sentinel ran a Page 1 correction, and the Sunday Insight section featured a major, 2,500word investigation of the series written by two senior reporters working over three months, explaining in almost clinical detail what went wrong with the reporting. The newspaper even retained a medical examiner from a neighboring county to review the autopsies.

However, the Insight piece did not constitute a complete retraction. After acknowledging the errors, the Sentinel said, The records do support the series conclusion that oxycodoneavailable in OxyContin as a long-lasting, powerful narcoticis involved in a large number of the states overdose deaths.

The premise was correct. It was just the execution that went awry.

Dan Tracy, one of the two reporters who wrote the examination, recalled recently in an interview with CJR: The premise was correct. It was just the execution that went awry. This might have been avoided with more careful reporting and editing, Tracy and others at the paper told CJR, and something as minor as more circumspect wording regarding causes of death.

For all the public introspection, it was never made clear where individual responsibility for the debacle lay. The newspaper described the actions of the reporter and editors up the chain of command, but did not explicitly assign blame for them, leaving a number of questions unanswered. Did the reporter overhype what she had and push for the overall conclusion? Did the editors, as I suspect, push too muchor allow themselves to be pushedto take the story beyond what the evidence could support? The implication was that it was an institutional, systemic failure, although responsibility seemed to weigh heaviest on Bloodsworth.

An explanation is not an excuse. In addition to the lengthy correction, there was an internal shake-up at the paper. Bloodsworth, who was also dealing with severe health crises involving two family members, resigned. More than a decade later, the episode still weighs on her. But, citing the distance of time and lack of access to my reporting materials, she declined to discuss her opioid reporting with CJR, other than to say that I am proud of my work at the Orlando Sentinel. She survived the debacle, first working for Bloomberg News, then starting several small companies, and working as a communications specialist for a Central Florida municipality.

Sentinel Editor Tim Franklin had the good fortune to be appointed editor of the Baltimore Sun in December of 2003, before the full force of the blowback hit. Other editors associated with the serieswho did not agree to requests for interviewssaw their careers effectively short-circuited. Two mid-level editors who worked on the series were reassigned to other editing tasks. Seven months later, Managing Editor Elaine Kramer, who had been a candidate to succeed Franklin, left the paper amid newsroom speculation that the OxyContin series had been one reason for her departure.

Whatever the causes for the reporting errors, they undermined and thus obscured the fact that Bloodsworth and the Sentinel were right on the headline points: Taking oxycodone as prescribed, and not in conjunction with other drugs, has led to addiction and, ultimately, death. Its a point Purdue would later acknowledge in court. And over time, a law enforcement nightmare resulted. In fact, read today, the series accurately raised the prospect of an opioid epidemic.

Trumps opioid epidemic commission wants the president to declare a state of emergency https://t.co/UtYCVBzuRi  Vox (@voxdotcom) July 31, 2017



For journalists, veterans as well as neophytes, the Sentinels OxyContin series is a cautionary talein the extreme. Its failure effectively took the wind out of the sails of any significant regulatory efforts to examine the potential damage of oxycodone, when used as prescribed. Legislative plans to establish a computerized database for the state of Florida, to block duplicative doctor shopping, which were already languishing, were delayed for years. It would be nearly four years before another shoe dropped.

On May 10, 2007, three of Purdue Pharmas top executivesthe president, corporate counsel and chief medical officerpleaded guilty to misleading the public about OxyContins addiction risk. The trio agreed to pay a staggering $635.5 million in fines. Two days earlier, the corporation agreed to pay nearly $20 million to 26 states and the District of Columbia for encouraging doctors to overprescribe the drug.

In a press release, US Attorney John Brownlee said that Purdue Pharma had been brought to justice for having unleashed a highly abusable, addictive, and potentially dangerous drug on an unsuspecting and unknowing public.

Federal officials said that internal company documents showed that Purdue Pharma knew, even before the drug was introduced, that doctors would recognize its addictive potential and so developed a fraudulent marketing campaign, according to The New York Times.

Larger questions linger. What if Bloodsworth and the Sentinels editorial team had scrutinized the oxycodone-related autopsy reports and statistics more carefully? What if they had been more scrupulous in their choices of anecdotal examples used to illustrate the problem? More to the point, how many fewer deaths and accidental addictions might have resulted?

Those are very good questions, says Franklin, the former editor, who is now senior associate dean at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism. And I have thought about that question myself over the past few months as the media has been saturated with articles about the opioid epidemic.

A cover package in the June AARP Bulletin carried the headline: Special Report: THE OPIOID MENACE! HOW AMERICAS ADDICTION TO PAINKILLERS AFFECTS YOU. Inside, the articles began, We are in the midst of our nations deadliest drug epidemic ever. Its a scourge that recently attracted attention from President Trump, who on August 10 declared that, The opioid crisis is an emergency. And I am saying officially right now: It is an emergency, its a national emergency. Were going to spend a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of money on the opioid crisis.

"I have totally raised my granddaughter. Her mother has been in and out of her life, mostly out."https://t.co/ApSbTtRqZm pic.twitter.com/9M1MtwzUkV  AARP (@AARP) July 31, 2017



The Sentinel series and the aftermath, Franklin says, Was a painful experience for everyone involved, not only because of the corrections, but because of some of the larger points in that series ended up getting lost as a result. I wouldnt presume to say that the opioid epidemic could have been avoided, but had those mistakes not happened, the publics consciousness might have been raised furtherand earlier.

No one is more aware of that harsh judgement than those responsible for it. One former editor, who declined to be identified despite the passage of time, said the episode haunts him to this day. It will follow me to the grave.

CJRs health care reporting is sponsored in part by a grant from the Commonwealth Fund.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Mark I. Pinsky is a former religion writer at the Orlando Sentinel and the author, most recently, of Met Her on the Mountain: A Forty-Year Quest to Solve the Appalachian Cold-Case Murder of Nancy Morgan (John Blair).
A TV news segment in Maine last week threw into stark relief the peril of pursuing journalistic balance, especially when one side is openly racist.

In a clip aired August 14 on Portlands WCSH-TV Channel 6, reporter Tennyson Coleman interviewed Mike, an anonymous Mainer and self-described adherent of the so-called alt-right who attended the now infamous Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville.

In the two-minute segment that aired initially, Mike expounds on his white-nationalist views and what he says he experienced in Virginia, with little pushback from Coleman. The station later showed the full interview, which included more critical questions from the reporter, and also added a video interview in which the reporter explained his rationale for pursuing the story.

ICYMI: Q&A: Reporter rides poetic tale of Maine raccoon attack to internet fame

The segment was a hot-button item on the stations Facebook page, where it racked up hundreds of comments. And it struck a chord with Colemans fellow reporters in Maine, some of whom publicly questioned the stations decision to shield the subjects identity, and criticized the lack of push-back and the decision to air the mans blatantly racist views at all, when his sides actions and words, both online and in the streets, had already gotten plenty of airtime.

Our intent was to expose this point of view and to expose that there are people in Maine with these views.

CJR reached out to Coleman, who referred all questions to Karen Araiza, the stations news director. Araiza says the goal of the interview and story, which Coleman proposed and his bosses approved, was to expose the mans hateful views and show Mainers that people like Mike, who claim to oppose violence despite arguing for segregated ethno-states, are present in the community.

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WCSH has extensively covered the reactions of people outraged by the white nationalist protests in Charlottesville, and to Araiza, the Mike segment was less an attempt at balance than reporting on a newsworthy trend of more Mainers openly touting extreme, white-nationalist viewpoints.

If youre asking me if every time we go and hear from people who are talking about how this is horrible, do we need to go find White Mike for comment, the answer is no, she tells CJR. Our intent was to expose this point of view and to expose that there are people in Maine with these views.

As a journalist and as an American, I've learned to cherish the 1st Amendment. It came with and still comes with a price we all pay.  Tennyson Coleman (@TennysonTV) August 14, 2017

For critics, however, the interview highlighted the potential pitfalls of interviewing a subject with extreme views and giving him a chance to both broadcast his hate and downplay the violence of his message, says Mario Moretto, a former newspaper reporter and current communications operative in Maine Democratic politics.

Covering hate groups has always been a tricky proposition for journalists, and if youre going to expose someones viewpoints, you have to be very careful, Moretto says. These organizations thrive on being the victim, and its not hard to imagine that this guy might have a motive to downplay how extreme he is.

Balance is a tightrope act

The conversation sparked by the interview underscored the tightrope act journalists face when an attempt at balance veers toward handing a megaphone to a racist, Moretto says.

The fatal flaw of both-sidesism in the case of Charlottesville is it assumes that there are two equally valid sides of the story, he says. The question journalists always have to ask themselves is, whose interest is served by letting this guy go out there and say hey, were not really that bad?

It is beyond dispute that the rally in Charlottesville was organized as a white-nationalist event: Organizer Jason Kessler said in a radio interview preceding the rally that he planned it as a pro-white demonstration.

But in the WCSH segment, and in the written copy on the stations website, the station allowed Mike to dispute that, qualifying his claims only with the point that many say the rally was in support of white supremacy. Thats weak at best, says Peter Moskowitz, a freelance journalist who reported from Charlottesville for the website Splinter and was nearly mowed down in the car attack on counter-protesters.

I interview terrible people all the time, including in Charlottesville, but Im against the idea that you shouldnt challenge them or their ideas, says Moskowitz.

Everyone knows Maine is one of the whitest states in the country, and once you get outside southern Maine, you see very few people of color, and in the current climate, people are not feeling safe.

Shay Stewart-Bouley, who for the past decade has written about race in Maine on her Black Girl in Maine blog, said she wished more attention had been paid to the states tenuous politics around race when the station was considering airing the views of a white nationalist.

I can tell you that this absolutely has the power to make people of color feel unsafe in Maine, she says. Everyone knows Maine is one of the whitest states in the country, and once you get outside southern Maine, you see very few people of color, and in the current climate, people are not feeling safe.

She says the station should consider whos harmed by giving open-ended access to people to air their hateful ideas.

TRENDING: The series was flawed, as the newspaper has acknowledged

The day after the original interview aired, the station released a reporters notebook segment, in which the journalist who interviewed Mike talked with an anchor about the interview and its goals. The station also posted the uncut interview, in which Coleman is shown challenging Mike more than the original segment let on.

In the notebook segment, Coleman says the best way to find truth is to consider all viewpoints, even ugly ones. I dont agree with everything he has to say, but who am I to put tape over your mouth, he said in the video.

A lot of things are not easy. Doesn't mean we should run from them. Thank you!  Tennyson Coleman (@TennysonTV) August 16, 2017

Objectivity after Charlottesville

Until the violence in Virginia, it had been something of a banner year for sympathetic profiles of white supremacists. White nationalist Richard Spencer has been thoroughly enjoying the spotlight, despite the occasional punch.

In contrast, Araiza says, WSCH 6s past coverage of issues around race has given lots of airtime to events such as Black Lives Matter rallies and anti-racist protests after Charlottesville. Our thinking with this interview was that people need to know this is out there, and to understand that it isnt just happening in other places, Araiza says.

But two minutes does not leave much room for nuance, something Araiza acknowledges, saying she wished she had aired a longer version of the interview that could have given the station more of a chance to add context to the mans statements.

So how do journalists interview white-supremacists in a way that doesnt hand control of the reporting over to extremists?

In a much-praised, half-hour documentary, Vice News managed to get close access to members of one neo-Nazi group, let them talk at length, and showed just how ugly their words and actions were. But with a subject as sensitive as giving airtime to white supremacists, reporters must consider whether they can adequately frame the subject given the resources at hand, Moretto says.

The temptation to hear it straight from the horses mouth is understandable, but the answer doesnt have to be to give airtime to extremists, especially when they have every incentive to paint a rosier picture of their own views and emphasize the violence of the counter-protesters, as Mike did in his interview, Moretto says.

If you need to get inside a Nazis head, why not talk to experts on hate groups, talk to people who study this, he says. Those people can give a perspective that will help your viewers or your readers understand whats going without just parroting the talking points. Its about presenting their views in a responsible way.

ICYMI: The New York Times reporter who tweets like its going out of style

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Noah Hurowitz is a journalist based in New York City. His work has appeared in CJR, Rolling Stone, the Village Voice, DNAinfo, and other outlets. His debut book, El Chapo: The Untold Story of the Worlds Most Infamous Drug Lord, will be published by Atria Books in December.
These days, Apple's automotive ambitions are more modest. The company has put off any notion of an Apple-branded autonomous vehicle and is instead working on the underlying technology that allows a car to drive itself. Timothy D. Cook , the company's chief executive, said in an interview with Bloomberg in June that Apple is "focusing on autonomous systems."

SAN FRANCISCO  As new employees were brought into Apple 's secret effort to create a self-driving car a few years ago, managers told them that they were working on the company's next big thing: A product that would take on Detroit and disrupt the automobile industry.

The project's reduced scale aligns Apple more closely with other tech companies that are working on autonomous driving technology but are steering clear of building cars. Even Waymo, the Google self-driving spinoff that is probably furthest along among Silicon Valley companies, has said repeatedly that it does not plan to produce its own vehicles.

Five people familiar with Apple's car project, code-named "Titan," discussed with The New York Times the missteps that led the tech giant to move  at least for now  from creating a self-driving Apple car to creating technology for a car that someone else builds. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk publicly about Apple's plans.

A notable symbol of that retrenchment is a self-driving shuttle service that ferries employees from one Apple building to another. The shuttle, which has never been reported before, will likely be a commercial vehicle from an automaker and Apple will use it to test the autonomous driving technology that it develops.

The Apple Campus 2 is seen under construction in Cupertino, California in this aerial photo taken January 13, 2017.

Apple's testing vehicles will carry employees between its various Silicon Valley offices. The new effort is called PAIL, short for Palo Alto to Infinite Loop, the address of the company's main office in Cupertino, Calif., and a few miles down the road from Palo Alto, Calif.

Apple's in-house shuttle service, which isn't operational yet, follows Waymo, Uber and a number of car companies that have been testing driverless cars on city streets around the world.

Apple has a history of tinkering with a technology until its engineers figure out what to do with it. The company worked on touch screens for years, for example, before that technology became an essential part of the iPhone.

But the initial scale of Apple's driverless ambitions went beyond tinkering or building underlying technology. The Titan project started in 2014, and it was staffed by many Apple veterans. The company also hired engineers with expertise in building cars, and not just the software that would run an autonomous vehicle.

It was a do-it-all approach typical of Apple, which prefers to control every aspect of a product, from the software that runs it to the look and feel of the hardware.

From the beginning, the employees dedicated to Project Titan looked at a wide range of details. That included motorized doors that opened and closed silently. They also studied ways to redesign a car interior without a steering wheel or gas pedals, and they worked on adding virtual or augmented reality into interior displays.

The team also worked on a new light and ranging detection sensor, also known as lidar. Lidar sensors normally protrude from the top of a car like a spinning cone and are essential in driverless cars. Apple, as always focused on clean designs, wanted to do away with the awkward cone.

Apple even looked into reinventing the wheel. A team within Titan investigated the possibility of using spherical wheels  round like a globe  instead of the traditional, round ones, because spherical wheels could allow the car better lateral movement.

But the car project ran into trouble, said the five people familiar with it, dogged by its size and by the lack of a clearly defined vision of what Apple wanted in a vehicle. Team members complained of shifting priorities and arbitrary or unrealistic deadlines.

There was disagreement about whether Apple should develop a fully autonomous vehicle or a semiautonomous car that could drive itself for stretches but allow the driver to retake control.

Steve Zadesky, an Apple executive who was initially in charge of Titan, wanted to pursue the semiautonomous option. But people within the industrial design team including Jonathan Ive, Apple's chief designer, believed that a fully driverless car would allow the company to reimagine the automobile experience, according to the five people.

A similar debate raged inside Google's self-driving car effort for years. There, the fully autonomous vehicle won out, mainly because researchers worried drivers couldn't be trusted to retake control in an emergency.

Even though Apple had not ironed out many of the basics, like how the autonomous systems would work, a team had already started working on an operating system software called CarOS. There was fierce debate about whether it should be programmed using Swift, Apple's own programming language, or the industry standard, C++.

Mr. Zadesky, who worked on the iPod and iPhone, eventually left Titan and took a leave of absence from the company for personal reasons in 2016. He is still at Apple, although he is no longer involved in the project. Mr. Zadesky could not be reached for comment.

Last year, Apple started to rein in the project. The company tapped Bob Mansfield, a longtime executive who over the years had led hardware engineering for some of Apple's most successful products, to oversee Titan.

Mr. Mansfield shelved plans to build a car and focused the project on the underlying self-driving technology. He also laid off some hardware staff, though the exact number of employees dedicated to working on car technology was unclear.

More recently, the team has grown again, adding personnel with expertise in autonomous systems, rather than car production.

Apple's headlong foray into autonomous vehicles underscores one of the biggest challenges facing the company: finding the next breakthrough product. As Apple celebrates the iPhone's 10th anniversary, the company remains heavily dependent on smartphone sales for growth. It has introduced new products like the Apple Watch and expanded revenue from services, but the iPhone still accounts for more than half of its sales.

In April, the California Department of Motor Vehicles granted Apple a test permit to allow the company to test autonomous driving technology in three 2015 Lexus RX 450h sport utility vehicles. There will be a safety driver monitoring the car during testing.

While many companies are pursuing driverless technology and see it as a game changer for car ownership and transportation, no one has figured out how to cash in yet.

With expectations reset and the team more focused, people on the Titan project said morale has improved under Mr. Mansfield. Still, one of the biggest challenges is holding onto talented engineers because self-driving technology is one of the hottest things in Silicon Valley, and Apple is hardly the only company working on it.




Where: CNBC's "Squawk Box"

When: Today, Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Following is the unofficial transcript of a CNBC EXCLUSIVE interview with Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette on CNBC's "Squawk Box" (M-F, 6-9am) today, Tuesday, August 22, 2017. Following is a link to the interview on CNBC.com: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/08/22/hal-lawton-brings-retail-and-technology-experience-macys-ceo-jeffrey-gennette.html?play=1.

All references must be sourced to CNBC.

JOE KERNEN: LET'S GET TO COURTNEY REAGAN SHE JOINS US WITH A SPECIAL GUEST. HI, COURTNEY.

COURTNEY REAGAN: HI. GOOD MORNING TO YOU, JOE. I'M GLAD THAT YOU GOT TO US BECAUSE WE'VE GOT SOME EXCITING THINGS TO TALK ABOUT HERE. I'M WITH MACY'S CEO JEFF GENNETTE. WE'RE IN YOUR WOODBRIDGE STORE. SO LET'S KICK IT OFF WITH THE NEWS. YOU GUYS JUST HIRED HAL LAWTON. HE'S COMING FROM EBAY, GOING TO BE YOUR NEW PRESIDENT SO TAKING OVER ONE OF YOUR TITLES. AND YOU'RE REALIGNING MERCHANDISE. HOW WILL ALL OF THIS THOUGH GOING TO HELP MACYS LIFT SALES? ISN'T THAT WHAT INVESTORS REALLY WANT TO SEE HAPPEN?

JEFF GENNETTE: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I THINK YESTERDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT WAS REALLY ALL ABOUT HOW MACYS IS GOING TO GROW SALES FASTER. AND THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT WAS HAL LAWTON, WHO IS GOING TO BE THE NEW MACY'S PRESIDENT, AND HE'S KIND OF YOU KNOW HE'S A GREAT CHOICE FOR MACY'S. HE'S GOING TO BE THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN RETAIL AND TECHNOLOGY. AND WHAT HE DID WHAT HE LEARNED IN TERMS OF HIS RETAIL EXPERIENCE, HOW HE APPLIED THAT TO A TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AND NOW COMING BACK TO A RETAILER. WE THINK HE'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO SCALE CHANGE MUCH FASTER. AND THEN WE MADE THIS OTHER ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT MASSIVELY RESTRUCTURING OUR MERCHANDISING ORGANIZATION. WE TOOK THREE ORGANIZATIONS, WE COLLAPSED IT INTO ONE, AND PUT AN INTERNAL GREAT LEADER OF OURS JEFF CANTOR TO RUN THAT. COUPLED WITH OUR MERCHADISING CHANGE, WE REALLY FORTIFIED WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE PAST 18 MONTHS, WHICH IS REALLY OUR ANALYTICS AND OUR CONSUMER INSIGHTS TEAMS. WE MOVED PRICING IN THAT, SO WE BELIEVE BY THE PRICING DECISIONS THAT ARE NOW GOING TO FORTIFY INTO A SIMPLIFIED MERCHANT STRUCTURE, WE CAN GROW SALES FASTER AT BETTER MARGINS.

REAGAN: BECAUSE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO TURN INVENTORY FASTER? IS THAT PART OF IT AS WELL?

GENNETTE: THAT'S PART OF IT. AND I THINK WE OBVIOUSLY TAKE LOTS OF MARKDOWNS ON A YEARLY BASIS, AND HAVING SCIENCE REALLY INFORM THOSE DECISIONS AT A MUCH MORE ROBUST LEVEL THEN THEY ARE TODAY IS GONNA HELP US GROW FASTER, TURN INVENTORIES MORE QUICKLY, GET BETTER MARGINS, DRIVE MORE SALES.

REAGAN: YOU'VE ONLY BEEN CEO FOR FIVE MONTHS, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF CHANGES YOU'VE MADE ALREADY. YOU CHANGED THE WAY YOU SELL SHOES. IT'S NOW OPEN SELL. YOU HAVE SOME DIGITAL PRICING, SO IT CAN HELP UPDATE PRICES AND SIZES AVAILABLE MUCH FASTER. MAKING SOME CHANGES IN FINE JEWELRY, BEAUTY, BACKSTAGE. YOU'RE DOING A LOT. IS IT POSSIBLE THOUGH THAT YOU'RE PULLING THE RIGHT LEVERS AND YOU WONT GET THE CUSTOMERS TO COME BACK IN THAT YOU'VE LOST?

GENNETTE: YOU KNOW WHAT? HOW WE'RE APPROACHING GROWTH IS BUSINESS BY BUSINESS, STORE BY STORE. WE'RE IN ONE OF THOSE STORES RIGHT HERE IN WOODBRIDGE. YOU MENTIONED WOMEN'S SHOES, YOU MENTIONED FINE JEWELRY. WE HAVE OUR BIG TICKET BUSINESS, WE HAVE OUR FRAGRANCE BUSINESS. WE ARE WINNING IN CERTAIN BUSINESSES, WE'RE WINNING IN CERTAIN STORES. WE JUST HAVE TO PUT MORE OF THEM ON THE BOARD. YOU KNOW, WE HAD A SOLID SECOND QUARTER. WE HAVE A BIG HALF AHEAD OF US THAT WE HAVE TO SHOW RESULTS.

REAGAN: MACY'S COMPETES AGAINST EVERYONE  FAST FASHION PLAYERS, T.J. MAXX, AMAZON IS HUGE  IT CAN NOT BE IGNORED. NOW THEY'RE LOOKING AT DOING PRIME WARDROBE. I MEAN, MACY'S CAN'T AFFORD TO DO A PROGRAM LIKE THAT. THE PROFITABILITY, I MEAN THERE IS NONE. IT WOULD JUST ERODE MARGINS INCREDIBLY. SO HOW DOES MACYS COMPETE WITH THAT? HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR SHOPPER FROM TURNING TO PRIME WARDROBE FOR ALL OF HER NEEDS?

REAGAN: WE TALKED ABOUT THE LAST TIME WE WERE TOGETHER SOME OF THE INITIATIVES WE ARE WORKING ON. SO ONE OF THOSE IS A NEW LOYALTY PROGRAM RIGHT AT THE HEART OF WHAT OUR CONSUMER HAS BEEN TELLING US SHE WANTS FROM US. SO WE'RE EXCITED TO LAUNCH THAT IN OCTOBER. AND WE HAD THAT BUILT INTO OUR PLANS AND WHERE WE BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE SUCCESS IN THE BACK HALF OF THIS YEAR. YOU MENTIIONED OFF PRICE. THAT'S WORKING FOR US. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT IN ABOUT 50 OF OUR IN-STORE MACY'S LOCATIONS. BUT IT'S LIFTING THE ENTIRE BUILDING BY MID SINGLE DIGITS IN THOSE STORES. WE TALKED ABOUT KIND OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF STORES WHEN WE WERE TOGETHER. WOODBRIDGE IS ONE OF THOSE. WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT WOODBRIDGE IS THIS IS A TYPICAL STORE FOR US. THIS ISN'T A FLAGSHIP, THIS ISN'T A SUPER REGIONAL CENTER. THIS IS A TYPICAL STORE. AND THE CHANGES THAT WE HAVE MADE HERE, IN BOTH IN THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS ASSORTMENTS IS LIFTING THE BUILDING. SO WE BELIEVE WE HAVE THE RIGHT STRATEGY. WITH YESTERDAYS' ANNOUNCEMENTS, WITH THE SIMPLIFIED STRUCTURE AND THIS NEW LEADERSHIP WITH HAL, WE BELIEVE WE KNOW WILL HAVE THE TEAM TO TAKE US FORWARD FASTER.

REAGAN: MICHELLE HAS A QUESTION--

MICHELLE CARUSO-CABRERA: HEY THERE COURTNEY, GREAT QUESTIONS ON THE STRATEGY. MR. GENNETTE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US. IN TERMS OF INVESTORS WHO MIGHT BE WATCHING, IS THE DIVIDEND SAFE AT THIS POINT? HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT CASH FLOW AND RETURNING IT TO INVESTORS AT THIS POINT WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS TUMULTUOUS TIME?

GENNETTE: YOU KNOW, THE DIVIDEND IS SAFE. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE RAISED THAT OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS. EXPECT THAT TO BE AS IT IS TODAY.

REAGAN: SO YOU'VE DONE A LOT WITH REAL ESTATE, OR AT LEAST YOU'RE WORKING ON THE REAL ESTATE, IF I CAN JUMP IN HERE. I KNOW BROOKFIELD IS LOOKING AT 50-PLUS PROPERTIES. DO YOU HAVE ANY UPDATES TO POSSIBLY REDEVELOPMENTS? I KNOW INVESTORS, TO MICHELLE'S QUESTION, ARE GETTING A LITTLE ANXIOUS ABOUT WHAT ELSE THEY CAN EXPECT FROM MACYS, AS THE SHARE PRICE FALLS  IN FAIRNESS.

GENNETTE: WE HAVE A GOOD STRATEGY IN REAL ESTATE AND BROOKFIELD IS ONE OF THOSE. SO EXPECT US TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THAT. WE EXPECT OF THE 50 PROPERTIES THERE WILL BE A GOOD SHARE WE WILL DEVELOP, AND MORE WILL COME ON THAT ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE FUTURE. WE ALSO WILL CONTINUE WITH LOOKING AT SINGLE ASSETS. WE MADE THE DECISION IN AUGUST OF 2016 THAT WE WERE GOING TO CLOSE 100 DOORS  WE STILL HAVE 30 DOORS OF THAT LIST THAT WE WILL. AND THEN WE HAVE DOORS LIKE IN CHICAGO, STATE STREET STORE, SOME OF OUR FLAGSHIPS, THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO MONETIZE. AND THEN THE BIG ONE, WHICH IS HERALD SQUARE, THAT IS A BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR US. WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL POSSIBILITIES. IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED PROCESS, EXPECT US TO TAKE CARE THERE, BUT WE'RE TAKING THAT ONE VERY SERIOUSLY. WE HAVE BIG OPPORTUNITIES IN HERALD SQUARE.

REAGAN: SO YOU MENTIONED THE LOYALTY PROGRAM THAT YOU'RE GOING TO ROLLING OUT. AND I'VE GOTTA GO BACK TO AMAZON  THEY'VE GOT THE BEST LOYALTY PROGRAM IN THE WORLD, PERHAPS WITH PRIME. AND FOLKS JUST REORDER, REORDER AND THEY MAKE IT SO, SO EASY. DO YOU LOOK AT ANY MODELS, LIKE AN AMAZON PRIME. AND THAT'S WHAT CONSUMERS WANT. YOU'RE OFFERING CONVENIENCE, YOU'RE OFFERING THEM CHOICE. BUT DO YOU LOOK AT A PRIME MODEL WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO DEVELOP A LOYALTY PROGRAM?

GENNETTE: WE DO ACTUALLY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT WE HAVE A THANKS FOR SHARING PROGRAM RIGHT NOW, THAT A CUSTOMER PAYS TO GET A DISCOUNT, SO EXPECT WHAT WE'RE LAUNCHING IN THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER WILL BASICALLY GIVE OUR BEST CUSTOMERS BETTER REWARDS THAN SHE'S EVER HAD BEFORE. AND THAT'S WHAT'S ON OUR LIST, IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A PAY FOR PLAY PROGRAM. WE'RE NOT ANNOUNCING IT AS A YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM, BUT WE HAVE IT TODAY, WE'RE SELLING IT TODAY IN OUR STORES WITH A VERY DEDICATED CUSTOMER BASE THAT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

REAGAN: JOE HAS A QUESTION.

KERNEN: JUST A QUICK ONE, COURTNEY. WE'VE WATCHED MACY'S MR. GENNETTE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND ON WAY DOWN FROM 74 TO CLOSE TO A MULTIYEAR LOW AT 19 1/2 OR SO, IF THERE WAS JUST A ONE MITIGATING -- ONE OR TWO MITIGATING FACTORS THAT THE COMPANY HAS FACED THAT IT HAD TO DEAL WITH IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, WOULD YOU SAY IT'S AMAZON, IS IT MALLS? WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU'RE FACING RIGHT NOW TO RIGHT THIS SHIP IN TERMS OF THE STOCK SURPRISE?

GENNETTE: YOU KNOW, I THINK JOE, THE BEST ANSWER IS WHERE OUR CONSUMER HAS GONE. OUR CONSUMER HAS MORE CHOICES THAN EVER. SOME OF THE BRANDS THAT WE SELL HAVE MORE DISTRIBUTION THAN EVER. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT A STORE'S EXPERIENCE, THE EXPECTATIONS OF A STORE EXPERIENCE HAS CHANGED FASTER THAN EVER. SO WE'RE FOCUSED ON THAT. WE OBVIOUSLY INVESTED EARLY IN DIGITAL, AND OUR OMNICHANNEL STRATEGIES REMAIN AS ROBUST AS EVER, BUT WE'RE NOW REALLY FOCUSED ON HOW WE TAKE ALL OF OUR DIGITAL LEARNINGS AND BRING THEM THROUGH THE ENTIRE OMNICHANNEL ECOSYSTEM, INCLUDING WHAT WE DO IN EACH AND EVERY STORE. SO WHILE WE'RE HERE TODAY IN WOODBRIDGE, IT'S REALLY HOW DO YOU SCALE THAT IN STORES ARE THE SIZE OF WOODBRIDGE, NOTS JUST IN YOUR FLAGSHIPS. SO WE'RE DEEPLY COMMITED TO MAKING THE OMNICHANNEL EXPERIENCE FRICTIONLESS. WE STILL HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF HAVING GREAT STORES IN THE BEST MALLS IN AMERICA. WE HAVE AN AMAZING WEBSITE, MAKING THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE WAY SHE SHOPS AND ALL OF THE TOUCH POINTS IS OUR JOURNEY. WE BELIEVE WE HAVE THE COMPETITIVE TOOLS WITH OUR STRATEGY AND WITH THE TALENT AND THE STRUCTURE CHANGE THAT WE MADE YESTERDAY TO ACCOMPLISH ALL OF THAT.

REAGAN: IF WE CAN WE FINISH WITH CAN FINAL

CARUSO-CABRERA: AND DO YOU REALLY THINK YOU CAN GET BACK TO INCREASING SAME STORE SALES OVERTIME? AND IF THAT'S GOING TO BE THE CASE, IS IT INEVITABLY GOING TO BE BASED ON A MUCH, MUCH SMALLER COMPANY?

GENNETTE: MICHELLE  BUSINESS BY BUSINESS, STORE BY STORE. THAT IS GOING TO BE OUR PROGRESS. I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE GREEN SHOOTS THAT WE'RE SEEING IN BOTH OF THOSE BUCKETS. EXPECT US TO CONTINUE TO PUT WINS ON THE BOARD IN THAT SUBJECT.

REAGAN: IF WE CAN FINISH WITH ONE BIG BROAD QUESTION ABOUT DEPARTMENT STORES, AT THE SAME TIME WHEN ONE OF YOUR COMPETITORS ISSUES A SUPPORT THAT'S PRETTY DIRE, ALL YOUR STOCKS FALL. DO YOU NEED TO BE IN THIS TOGETHER AND DO YOU THINK THE DEPARTMENT STORE MODEL IS VIABLE FOR THE FUTURE?

GENNETTE: I DO THINK IT IS VIABLE. WE NOW HAVE NEW ECONOMIC MODELS THROUGH LEASE OR HYBRID TO MAKE THIS AN EXCITING DESTINATION. I'M ACTUALLY ENCOURAGED BY A NUMBER OF MY COMPETITOR'S POSITIVE RESULT. I THINK IT'S THERE TO BE WON. I THINK WE HAVE A CONSUMER THAT WANTS MACY'S TO WIN AGAIN. IT'S GETTING THE RIGHT RECIPE WITH OUR STRATEGY WITH THE RIGHT TALENT TO DRIVE IT, SIMPLIFYING THE PROCESS SO WE CAN GO AS FAST AGO THE SPEED OF OUR CUSTOMER. MACY'S CAN WIN AGAIN.

REAGAN: WELL WE KNOW WE ALL WANT CHOICES, WE WANT CONVENIENCE. AND IF YOU CAN BRING THAT HOME, I THINK MACY'S HAS A GOOD FIGHTING CHANCE TO BE HERE FOR A LONG TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH JEFF, REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE WITH US.

GENNETTE: APPRECIATE IT.

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Ray Kroc was selling milkshake mixers when he decided to switch careers and convince the McDonald brothers to let him franchise their restaurant. He was 52. "Late-career job changes have become more common over the past several decades at the same time that working longer has become more necessary," concludes a study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. "The rise in job-changing appears to be largely voluntary, with workers likely moving to jobs that they consider better." Marsha Lindsey is one of those people. She retired from a career as a corporate lobbyist in Dallas and made a hard left turn. At the age of 54, she opened Lucky Dog Barkery in a trendy shopping center. "My next door neighbor was upset, 'They're moving a dog store over here!'" she said. But her neighbors soon changed their minds.

Marsha Lindsey opened up Lucky Dog Barkery at age 54.

The Lucky Dog Barkery has been called the Whole Foods for dogs. It's filled with high-end pet food  bison, sardines, turkey  plus dog toys and pet clothing (more on that in a moment). Customers have been lapping it up for 12 years now. The average customer spends $65, and the store averages 90-100 sales a day. "We've got good quality people coming through the door," Lindsey said, and that has boosted traffic to the stores around her. Lindsey opened the story even though she knew nothing about retail. "My husband said the most I knew about retail was that I was on the wrong side of the cash register," she joked. But after Lindsey left her corporate job, a friend suggested she open a store for dogs. "I was doing consulting, found myself dressed up in airports, it wasn't much fun." But a dog store? "We've always had dogs, love dogs, but I'd never really dreamed of owning a retail store," she said. Lindsey did some research and convinced herself to move forward. "It's a very strong industry; it survives recessions." She's right. The pet food market is projected to grow from $24.6 billion last year to $30 billion in 2022, and natural pet food makes up over 25 percent of the market.

Lindsey started Lucky Dog Barkery with $200,000 that she "cobbled together" by pulling some money out of her retirement and getting a loan on her car. Her financial advisor disapproved. "He thought that I had maybe lost my mind." But the store was an instant hit when doors opened in late 2005. "I had customers that literally would look in a box that I hadn't even unpacked and wanted to buy things, and I'm like, 'Well, I don't have this priced yet.'" One reason Lindsey may have succeeded so quickly is because she was more focused on the look and feel of the store rather than on how much money was in the cash register. She designed a shopping experience that harkens back to an old-fashioned hardware store. Dog toys are organized in old nail bins that move on wheels. There's an old Coke machine from the 1950s. She wanted to recreate the feeling she used to have when she visited her uncle's all-in-one gas station/post office/feed store in the small Oklahoma town where she grew up. "When I would go back there I just felt at home. It was just the center of everything."

Lucky Dog Barkery in Dallas, Texas

From $350,000 to $1.6 million

How well has her dream worked out? First full-year revenues for Lucky Dog Barkery in 2006 were $350,000. "Last year we did $1.6 million." Lindsey has taken no outside investment. "I think we lucked out in that we were successful quickly." She credits hiring a small staff that really knew the products, and her own work getting to know the manufacturers. "What we try to do is teach people how to read an ingredient panel," she said. "There's a lot of really poor products out there." She's learned some tough lessons about managing inventory, and she's also learned more than she cared to about freezers  "they are expensive little things."

A different business plan

Lindsey has no desire to franchise the store, because she believes part of her success is that customers regularly see her behind the register. "I was always under the impression that small businesses sometimes don't make it because they're under-capitalized," she explained, "and a friend of mine who is in banking for small businesses said, 'No, it's when the owner gets too far away from the business.'" Lucky Dog Barkery also doesn't have an online store or do mass email "deals" because it hasn't been worth it. "We get much better results with things on Instagram and Facebook and then taking care of them when they come in the door so they tell other people about us."

Lucky Dog Barkery sells high-end, organic dog food as well as dog clothing and accessories.

No cats please

In the beginning, Lucky Dog Barkery also carried a few cat products, but that is no longer the case. "I had a cat customer come in that was not happy with the amount of inventory I had, even though I thought I had quite a bit," Lindsey said. "She sort of yelled at me. ... That's when I said, 'Ya know what? We're just going to focus on dogs.'"

More pajamas, please?

Sometimes a hit product catches Lindsey by surprise. "I had people asking for dog pajamas, and I thought, 'Really?'" she said with a grimace. "I said, 'Let me tell you, if you ever come into this store, and there are pajamas hanging in here, you know I've sold the store.'" Still, someone convinced her to give the pajamas a chance. "We sold through two orders and had a waiting list, and that was the 'Aha!' moment." There have been other "Aha!" moments: The average age of her customers is getting younger, men have become as interested as women in shopping for their pets, and pets are increasingly being treated as part of the family. "Some dogs probably eat better than the owners," she joked. "The other little tidbit is the smaller the dog, the more they tend to spend."

Lucky Dog Barkery made $1.6 million in revenue in 2016.

Are you an entrepreneur?
The White House isn't afraid of angering potential partners in its quest to pressure North Korean leader Kim Jong Un into denuclearization, experts said.

President Donald Trump announces his strategy for the war in Afghanistan during an address from Fort Myer, Virginia.

The decision comes just a few weeks after Beijing and Moscow agreed to fresh United Nations sanctions on the North, indicating that the U.S. is "doubling down on its pressure campaign to steer Kim Jong Un into negotiations," analysts at political consultancy Eurasia Group wrote in a Tuesday note.

The White House "is willing to alienate or cajole both Beijing and Moscow to get on board with its strategy," the note continued.

China and Russia are close allies of North Korea and can wield influence over the pariah state due to deep economic and business ties. But many now fear Washington's actions could spark more animosity, instead of cooperation, between the three U.N. Security Council members.

Beijing has already slammed Washington over the new sanctions, which it called "long-arm jurisdiction over Chinese entities and individuals." China opposed unilateral sanctions out of the U.N. Security Council framework and urged the White House to "immediately correct its mistake, so as not to impact bilateral cooperation on relevant issues," a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy told Reuters on Tuesday.

Others believed Tuesday's move was more than justified.

"Chinese and Russian companies are violating U.S. law and in some instances, they are violating the UN sanctions that they voted for," said Anthony Ruggiero, a former senior U.S. Treasury official and currently a senior fellow at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a right-leaning think tank. "We need to ask whether these two countries are actually partners here."
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would be willing to shut down the government in order to get the funding needed for his proposed border wall.

"If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump said at a rally in Arizona.

If Congress does not reach a funding deal that the president signs into law by a Sept. 30 deadline, the government will shut down. Congressional Democrats have explicitly said they will not support a deal that includes money for the wall.

Trump could, in theory, veto or choose not to sign a spending measure that Congress passes without funding for the barrier, causing a shutdown.

As a candidate, the president pledged to build a physical barrier along the entire U.S.-Mexico border as part of his push to crack down on illegal immigration. He pledged that Mexico would fund the project, but America's southern neighbor quickly quashed that idea.

The White House has sought federal funding for the wall, which is spending Democrats have pledged not to back in a bill. The majority Republicans will need the minority party's votes to keep the government open.

Lawmakers whose districts sit along the border, including Republicans, have questioned the effectiveness of a physical wall.
"I personally don't think you can make a deal without a termination but we're going to see what happens, OK? You're in good hands, I can tell you," he added.

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal ... I think we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point," he said at a rally in Arizona of the efforts to tweak the three-nation deal with Mexico and Canada .

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he doubts the United States can reach a deal to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The three nations started formal negotiations to tweak the trade agreement this month. The U.S. came into the talks seeking a major overhaul in the deal that removed most barriers to trade between the countries. It went into effect in 1994.

As a candidate, Trump railed against NAFTA and other free trade deals, saying they sapped manufacturing jobs from American workers as companies sought to pay lower wages abroad.

Mexican and Canadian officials have cast NAFTA as a success that needs only moderate revisions to keep up with changing economies.

The countries are two of the three largest trading partners with the United States.

Earlier this year, Trump said he decided not to terminate NAFTA and instead renegotiate it after calls with both countries' leaders.

At the start of the renegotiation talks, U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer said the Trump administration believes "NAFTA has fundamentally failed many, many Americans and needs major improvement."
Wal-Mart is about to encroach even further on to Amazon 's turf.

The big-box retailer will soon offer customers the ability to order hundreds of thousands of its products by voice with the help of Google .

The partnership is another critical step as Wal-Mart looks to advance its e-commerce operations, staying competitive with Amazon and its powerful voice-enabled network Alexa.

While other retailers are already working with Google to sell their products using Google Express  including Target , Costco , Whole Foods , Ulta and Kohl's  none of these companies thus far has allowed shoppers to link up a pre-existing user account with Google Express on the back end.

Wal-Mart also will be offering the largest number of items through the Express platform.

Beginning in September, Wal-Mart shoppers can link their Wal-Mart accounts to Google Express and quickly order  either through voice on Google Home or by shopping on Google Express. By linking a shopper's past Wal-Mart purchase history, Google will be able to more quickly learn the customer's shopping patterns and recommend suitable products.

Using the platform now, a customer can say, "Google, buy peanut butter." Google will then suggest the brand it thinks the customer would like the most.

But Google is just guessing, explained Brian Elliott, general manager of Google Express. He told CNBC that the process of going back and forth, asking if a customer wants this or that, can be clunky.
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President Donald Trump on Tuesday holds a campaign-style rally in Phoenix, Arizona, following a tumultuous two weeks in his presidency.

This month, the president followed a war of words with North Korea by responding to violence at a white supremacist rally in Virginia in a manner that earned him bipartisan backlash. The president put blame for an attack that left one woman dead on "both sides" and said some "very fine people" protested with the white nationalists and neo-Nazis.

Trump largely stayed on script Monday night as he announced the U.S. would ramp up engagement in the 16-year-old Afghanistan conflict. But at rallies, he often offers wide-ranging, unscripted commentary on recent events during times of chaos for the White House.

Trump has waded heavily into Arizona politics recently. He lauded, then slammed, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for his votes during Republican efforts to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act. McCain first voted to advance the health-care debate last month, and then he cast a deciding "no" vote to sink a bill backed by GOP leadership.

The president has also attacked Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., after the senator wrote a book criticizing what Trump has done to the Republican Party. Trump even appeared to endorse a candidate challenging Flake in the Republican primary next year.

GOP Senate leaders have rallied behind Flake.
"The issue is that investors interpret this as a sign that Republicans are unable to govern because obviously it's coming at almost the exact same time as the debt ceiling fight, which  indeed is a huge market event," the economic policy analyst for the conservative think tank said in an interview with " Closing Bell ."

A government shutdown will not be a huge market or economic event, but it will have political repercussions, the American Enterprise Institute's James Pethokoukis told CNBC on Wednesday.

Stocks fell on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said the United States will build a wall along the Mexican border even if it means shutting down the government.

If Congress does not reach a funding deal that the president signs into law by a Sept. 30 deadline, the government will shut down. Lawmakers are also facing a vote to increase the borrowing limit by the end of September.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday there is "zero chance" the U.S. won't raise the debt ceiling.

"America's not going to default," he said at an event in Kentucky.

Meanwhile, the last government shutdown, in 2013, lasted about 2.5 weeks and did not have a big impact on the economy, according to Michael Feroli, chief U.S. economist at JPMorgan.

However, he said a failure on the debt ceiling may be a different story.

"We've never had the debt ceiling go past its drop-dead date, so it could potentially be quite disastrous for the economy," he told "Closing Bell," pointing out that it depends on how long it goes on.

While he doesn't think it's going to be an issue, he said, people need to keep it in mind.

Pethokoukis also isn't betting on a government default, putting the chances of Congress not hiking the debt limit to "pretty darn close to zero."

However, he said a government shutdown for a small amount of time is likely and he wouldn't be surprised by a temporary resolution on funding or the debt ceiling.

 CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report.
WPP PLC's report of a stunning slowdown in ad spending by consumer product companies hit other advertisers and sent a chill across the stocks of traditional media companies.

The world's largest advertising company lowered its full year forecast for net sales growth to 1 percent or even less, blaming the pull back on lowered spending by packaged goods companies.

The packaged goods sector has become a battleground between online shopping giant Amazon and other e-commerce sites and traditional brick-and-mortar grocery stores and discount retailers. Price wars and changing consumer tastes have turned some of the once mainstay brands into virtual commodities, with less supermarket shelf space and now less marketing clout.

WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell told CNBC that consumer products companies are not seeing volume growth.

"Anybody who runs a packaged goods company, or has been involved in it, knows when the volume starts to slide that's where their issues are," Sorrell said. Consumer staples companies have also been challenged by activist investors to cut costs. "They are going to have to invest more in innovation and branding," he said.
Investors aren't taking President Donald Trump's threat to pull out of a trade agreement with Canada and Mexico "fully to heart," closely followed trader Art Cashin said Wednesday.

Speaking Tuesday evening at a rally in Arizona, the president said he doubts the United States can reach a deal to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. The three nations started formal negotiations to tweak the trade pact this month.

"Don't forget, he's not in the room negotiating. He will obviously have to put all of his stuff together when it comes out and OK it. For now, they see it as the possibility that negotiations will lengthen and become more difficult," UBS' director of floor operations at the New York Stock Exchange said on "Squawk on the Street."

"If they truly believed no more NAFTA, it would be far more significant," Cashin added.

Instead, stocks were lower Wednesday after Trump said he would be willing to let the government shut down without appropriations for a border wall.

"If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump said at the rally Tuesday.

Cashin said the markets are also readjusting to the idea that things may not be going too well in Washington. Despite a Politico report that the White House is making strides on tax reform, Trump has taken swipes at senators, Cashin said.

"Here's the president saying we're not getting along as well as everybody thought and the market's readjusting for that," Cashin said.

"As good as yesterday's rally looked, it was in many ways a retracement rally," he said. "The real winners yesterday were the casualties of the preceding two weeks."

Cashin also spoke about the monetary policy symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, later this week. He said the market may be in for a few surprises but much of it hinges on Fed Chair Janet Yellen's remarks scheduled for Friday.

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi is also set to speak Friday.
Treasury yields fell slightly on Wednesday as investors digested remarks from President Donald Trump.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note traded at 2.18 percent at 2:19 p.m. ET, while the yield on the two-year note was lower at 1.313 percent. Bond yields move inversely to prices.

At a rally in Phoenix, Trump said he would keep his campaign promise of building a border wall even "if we have to close down our government." Trump also said he doubts a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement is possible.

Trump's remarks came after the administration has faced a couple of turbulent weeks due to a shakeup in staff and comments made Trump following the violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia.
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster Getty Images

How Breitbart turned on McMaster

It's important to understand that Breitbart has not always been at war with McMaster. When the highly regarded general was picked to replace disgraced former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn in late February, Breitbart covered the appointment as a coup for Trump. The site praised McMaster's academic work on Vietnam and his combat record: "McMaster's leadership at the famed Battle of 73 Easting in Operation Desert Storm was an important part of the U.S. military's resurgence," John Hayward wrote in the first Breitbart piece on McMaster. The site's Pentagon correspondent, Kristina Wong, penned a glowing profile. "Those who have served with and worked alongside Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, President Trump's new national security adviser, describe a brilliant leader and military strategist they would follow anywhere," Wong wrote. For the next few months, McMaster wasn't a major focus of Breitbart's reporting. There were roughly 20 pieces the site categorized as relatingto H.R. McMaster between March and mid-July 2017, several of which were positive. Yet between July 21 and August 22, the site ran 60 pieces tagged as relating to McMaster, the vast majority of which were negative. One piece claimed that McMaster was "at odds" with Trump and "other presidential advisers and cabinet members" on "key national security issues." Another accused him of supporting "Quran kissing apology ceremonies." A third piece blamed McMaster for Trump's tone-deaf public comment  "that's too bad"  after a US Navy destroyer collided with an oil tanker, killing up to 10 sailors. Virtually every Breitbart article began referring to him as "embattled." So what caused Breitbart to turn on McMaster? Two of its editors, when emailed for comment, did not respond. But the turn seems to have centered on the firing of three NSC staff members in late July and early August: director of strategic planning Rich Higgins, senior director for the Middle East Derek Harvey, and senior director for intelligence Ezra Cohen-Watnick. "It definitely seems like [the attacks] upped in intensity" after the firings, Exum says. All three of these men were seen as sharing Breitbart's "nationalist" view of foreign policy to varying degrees. It's a worldview that's hostile to Islam and skeptical of America's traditional commitments to alliances like NATO. Higgins, for example, wrote a memo during his time at the White House that sounded like it could have been a Breitbart column. (Sample line: "Islamists ally with cultural Marxists because, as far back as the 1980s, they properly assessed that the left has a strong chance of reducing Western civilization to its benefit.") McMaster does not share this worldview. He is, in Breitbart terminology, a "globalist": someone who basically endorsed consensus Washington foreign policy positions about the importance of US engagement with allies and in the Muslim world. When he served in Iraq, for example, he was well-known for drilling his troops on cultural sensitivity, believing that respecting Islam and Muslims was a vital means of getting intelligence on terrorist groups and reducing the recruiting appeal of jihadist groups. McMaster had wanted to restaff the National Security Council for months. He had tried to fire Cohen-Watnick specifically in March, but he was blocked by Trump (reportedly at Bannon's urging). He succeeded seemingly because the recently appointed chief of staff, John Kelly, took his side. It also makes sense that this ultimate success would send Breitbart into a frenzy: McMaster was firing people whom Breitbart saw as its ideological allies inside the administration. "All three who were fired were given vague reasons why they were being let go, but they believe it was because they supported the president's nationalist foreign policy agenda," Breitbart's Wong, author of the previous glowing piece on McMaster, wrote in mid-August. "McMaster is ignoring those who supported the president during the campaign, and is bringing on people who were Hillary Clinton supporters." What this all speaks to is Breitbart's deep-seated fear about Trump being captured by the "globalists." Breitbart was drawn to Donald Trump in the first place because of his willingness to challenge consensus positions inside the Republican Party. Trump's skepticism about free trade agreements, his willingness to ban Muslim immigration and label Mexicans "rapists," his stated hostility to "nation building" in foreign countries  all were at odds with policies that both Democrats and Republicans had been proposing for decades but align perfectly with Breitbart's so-called "nationalist" ideology. The site's editors recognized that this position was vulnerable: When you're going up against the consensus position, there's a very good chance you'll lose. The greatest threat, after Trump won, was that he would surround himself with people who have essentially conventional mindsets  and would persuade Trump to do the same. Breitbart editor-in-chief Alex Marlow admitted as much in emails sent to an anonymous prankster pretending to be Bannon in late August. In the emails, which the prankster published on Twitter, Marlow vowed to do the necessary "dirty work" against Breitbart's enemies inside the administration. @SINON_REBORN: NEW PRANK!! ...Steve Bannon (ME) chatting to BREITBART Editor ALEX MARLOW. As seen on CNN "I spooked em today," Marlow wrote to the fake Bannon on August 20. "Did five stories on globalist takeover positioning you as the only hope to stop it." McMaster's firing of the three aides was these fears of a "globalist takeover" come to life. It was someone who had essentially conventionally views conducting a "purge," as several Breitbart pieces put it, of staffers whom Breitbart saw as vital to ensuring that President Trump's views remained the same as candidate Trump's. That turned McMaster into Public Enemy No. 1. The decision to continue fighting in Afghanistan is the vindication of these fears. Trump had, literally for years, advocated withdrawing from Afghanistan, a war Breitbart saw as pointless nation building that didn't benefit Americans. McMaster was by all accounts the lead advocate for continuing the war inside the Trump White House  and he won. "The [speech was] alien language and policy as far as POTUS's supporters are concerned," Kassam wrote in his post-speech summary. "It was McMaster's voice."

Bannon is only likely to intensify this war  and make trouble for McMaster
Trade between China and North Korea looks to be slowing drastically, providing further evidence that Beijing may be bowing to U.S. requests to put pressure on the rogue state.

The world's second-largest economy imported and exported goods worth $456.16 million in July, down from $489 million in June.

The data, released by China's General Administration of Customs and analysed by Reuters, showed that just 120 tonnes of gasoline was shipped from China to North Korea in July.

By comparison the June figure was 8,262 tonnes.

This after state-owned China National Petroleum Corp suspended sales of fuel to North Korea in June over concerns about payments.

China slapped a ban on coal purchases from its border neighbor in June and therefore imported zero coal in July.

Iron ore imports from North Korea slowed by almost a quarter during the month and Reuters has reported that Beijing is now pressuring iron ore traders not to buy the commodity from North Korea.
A live market monitor is viewed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:

Lowe's  The home improvement retailer missed estimates by four cents a share with adjusted quarterly profit of $1.57 per share. Revenue also fell below expectations. Comparable-store sales were slightly better than expected, increasing 4.5 percent, but Lowe's also gave a full-year earnings forecast that is below Street forecasts.

Express  The apparel and accessories retailer earned an adjusted one cent per share for its latest quarter, compared to forecasts of a one cent per share loss. Revenue also beat estimates, helped by a 28 percent rise in e-commerce sales.

Salesforce.com  Salesforce reported adjusted quarterly profit of 33 cents per share, one cent a share above estimates. The business software company's revenue was also slightly above forecasts, even as it boosted spending on research and development. The key deferred revenue metric  reflecting the strength of subscription-based software  jumped 26 percent from a year earlier.

GoDaddy  GoDaddy announced that Chief Executive Officer Blake Erving will retire at the end of the year, although he'll continue to serve on the web hosting company's board of directors through June 2018. President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Wagner will become CEO when Erving departs.

Intuit  Intuit reported adjusted quarterly profit of 20 cents per share, three cents a share above estimates. The financial software maker also reported revenue that was well above Street forecasts, however it did give current-quarter guidance that falls below analysts' estimates. Separately, Chief Financial Officer Neil Williams will be stepping down in January, and will be replaced by Intuit finance executive Michelle Clatterbuck.

Cree  Cree matched estimates with adjusted quarterly profit of four cents per share, with revenue beating forecasts. The lighting products maker's current-quarter guidance is shy of Street forecasts, however, as it expands spending to increase production capacity.

La-Z-Boy  La-Z-Boy fell eight cents a share shy of estimates, with quarterly profit of 21 cents per share. The furniture maker's revenue was also short of forecasts. The company called the performance "disappointing" and noted that most of its sales increases are coming from acquisitions, rather than expansion in its most profitable segment of upholstered furniture.

Blue Apron  Blue Apron announced a temporary hiring freeze and also fired 14 members of its recruiting team. Separately, Blue Apron was the target of a class action lawsuit, accusing it of making misleading statements in connection with its initial public offering.

Apple  Apple is scaling back goals for its autonomous vehicle program, according to The New York Times. The paper quotes sources as saying Apple's priorities constantly shifted when it began the program, and that Apple did not determine initially what it wanted to produce.

BHP Billiton  BHP shook up its board of directors, announcing the departure of two members amid pressure from hedge funds Elliot Management and Tribeca Investment Partners. Board elections will take place at the mining giant's annual meeting on August 31.

Wal-Mart  Wal-Mart is entering the voice-shopping market, using a platform developed by Google parent Alphabet.

CSX  The rail operator is the subject of a Wall Street Journal article highlighting increased congestion, delays, and erratic service. CEO Hunter Harrison told the paper that his program to improve operations is off to a rocky start but that short-term issues will gave way to long term improvement.
A scheduled meeting between Egypt's Foreign minister and top U.S. presidential advisor Jared Kushner was aborted at the last minute Wednesday, just hours after the U.S. withdrew tens of millions of dollars in aid.

The foreign ministry would not give a reason for the cancellation of the meeting, however, it was dropped from Sameh Shoukry's schedule immediately after Egypt's foreign minister released a statement condemning the U.S.'s decision to pull funds.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that the U.S. is denying $95.7 million in aid to Egypt and has plans to delay a further $195 million on the basis of human rights failures, according to two U.S. sources familiar with the matter.

Egypt's foreign ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the plans highlighted the U.S.'s poor judgement and lack of understanding of the situation in Egypt.

"Egypt sees this measure as reflecting poor judgement of the strategic relationship that ties the two countries over long decades and as adopting a view that lacks an accurate understanding of the importance of supporting Egypt's stability," the foreign ministry said.

It added that the decision could have "negative implications" for the shared goals of the two countries.
Estonia wants to issue its own virtual currency with the help of Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin.

The cryptocurrency, called "estcoin," could be launched via the digital coin community's version of crowdfunding  an initial coin offering (ICO).

ICOs enable start-ups to raise funds by selling off cryptocoins, such as bitcoin and ether, in return for cash. They are similar to initial public offerings (IPOs), but differ in that they deal with supporters of a project, making the investment more personal.

The small eastern European country is no stranger to digital innovation. It was the first country to offer citizens of the world "e-residency," a digital ID for non-Estonians that offers access to services like banking, payment processing and taxation.

Kaspar Korjus, managing director at e-Residency, Enterprise Estonia, said that the initiative was about creating a "borderless digital nation".

"A government-supported ICO would give more people a bigger stake in the future of our country and provide not just investment, but also more expertise and ideas to help us grow exponentially," Korjus said in a blog post on Monday.
Exxon Mobil misled the public about climate change for years even as its research echoed the growing scientific consensus that global warming is real and caused by human activity, a new study finds.

The conclusion is based on a study by two Harvard University researchers, who used social science methods to compare what Exxon Mobil said in nearly 200 scientific publications and internal communications on climate change with what they presented in three dozen advertisements over 15 years.

The researchers' takeaway is that the more publicly available advertisements sowed doubt that climate change is real and caused by humans, while the scientific studies and private exchanges more openly acknowledged that scientific fact.

"We conclude that ExxonMobil contributed to advancing climate science  by way of its scientists' academic publications  but promoted doubt about it in advertorials. Given this discrepancy, we conclude that Exxon Mobil misled the public," the researchers wrote.

The findings potentially add grist to the mill as a number of attorneys general, including New York's Eric Schneiderman, continue to investigate whether Exxon misled shareholders. The Securities and Exchange Commission is also probing how the oil major values its fossil fuel reserves in light of global warming.

"As detailed in our filings in New York court, the Attorney General's investigation of Exxon Mobil has uncovered significant evidence indicating that Exxon may have misled New York investors and consumers about the risk of climate change to the company," Amy Spitalnick, press secretary for the New York State Office of the Attorney General told CNBC.

"We will continue to vigorously pursue our investigation, regardless of Exxon's unprecedented campaign of delay and distraction."

The Harvard researchers, Geoffrey Supran and Naomi Oreskes, presented their findings in a peer-reviewed article in the journal Environmental Research Letters. In a New York Times op-ed, they said they were inspired to apply empirical analysis to the documents after investigations by Inside Climate News and the Los Angeles Times put forward the notion that Exxon obscured what it long knew about climate change.

One key finding is that Exxon acknowledges that climate change is real and human-caused in 83 percent of peer-reviewed papers and 80 percent of internal documents. Yet 81 percent of editorial-style advertisements placed in the New York Times from 1989 to 2004 express doubt.

"In short, Exxon Mobil contributed quietly to climate science and loudly to raising doubts about it," Supran and Oreskes said in the op-ed.

A March 2000 advertorial by Exxon opens this way: "Knowing that weather forecasts are reliable for a few days at best, we should recognize the enormous challenge facing scientists seeking to predict climate change and its impact over the next century."

The Harvard report was funded by the Rockefeller Family Fund, which has supported other work to reveal what Exxon knew about climate change and what it publicly disclosed.

"The study was paid for, written and published by activists leading a five-year campaign against the company. It is inaccurate and preposterous," Exxon Mobil said in a statement.

"The study claims that Exxon Mobil advertorials in the New York Times cast doubt on climate science, which is the researchers' opinion and not supported by fact," the company added, noting its advertisements pointed to potential risks associated with climate change.

CNBC contacted about a dozen of Exxon Mobil's largest investors. They either declined to comment or did not respond.

Exxon Mobil shareholders recently approved a nonbinding proposal that asked Exxon to disclose the impacts to its business of global climate goals enshrined in the Paris climate agreement, which seeks to prevent temperatures from rising by more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Baldwin Brothers, a wealth management firm with $800 million of assets under management, has been lobbying Exxon to disclose risks to its business related to climate change since 2014. Managing Director Dylan Sage said he grew concerned that policies aimed at mitigating global warming would leave much of Exxon's reserves stranded in the ground.

"We wanted to have a better framework to understand under that scenario how much equity of ours is at risk," he said.

"Subsequently, we've gotten out of a lot of our Exxon shares when they wouldn't take seriously the risks to their business model around a low-carbon scenario," he said.
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President Donald Trump's threat to shut down the U.S. government unless Congress funds his proposed border wall may have shaken stocks slightly on Wednesday, but his rhetoric was met with shrugs from traders and investors. "It probably will shut down, but it will be a temporary issue; it'll be really a game of chicken, and then in 24 hours or 48 hours it will be resolved," said Michael Yoshikami, CEO and founder of Destination Wealth Management, on CNBC's "Closing Bell" Wednesday. "Shutdown sounds really scary, but in the end I think it's just kind of a temporary blip. It really is not going to mean the U.S. government's going to default," Yoshikami said.

I think what the president said last night was really red meat for his base. We all know when presidents get in trouble they get out of Washington Keith Bliss Cuttone & Company

For Fred Lane, founder and managing partner of Lane Generational, the shutdown threat was only the latest in a series of problems with the president's rhetoric and ability in office. "I'm always concerned when he opens his mouth, to be honest with you, because usually nothing good comes of it and it's not good for markets," Lane said on "Closing Bell." "This has been a president who is not focused on his stated agenda. And he started off with health care, which was not the low-hanging fruit, and he's moved from one distraction to another."

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a rally at the Phoenix Convention Center on August 22, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ralph Freso | Stringer | Getty Images

"Unless and until he can pull the Republican Party together," Lane said, "I think we're stuck with an inability to get things done, and that's what the market's reacting to. A great deal of frustration." Keith Bliss, senior vice president and director of sales and marketing for Cuttone & Company, said the president's remarks may have moved markets, but disputed whether Trump would follow through on his threat to shut down the government. "When the market's at an all-time high it's going to ride on a knife's edge, and any little blip out of Washington, any little noise  which we get a lot of these days  will have the effect of taking it down or lifting it up," Bliss said on "Closing Bell."

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"I think what the president said last night was really red meat for his base. We all know when presidents get in trouble they get out of Washington," he said. Trump made a series of incendiary statements at a Tuesday night rally in Arizona. "If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump told his supporters at the rally. Congress must reach a deal to fund the government by Sept. 30, and the president must sign the deal into law for it to take effect. Many Democrats have entrenched themselves in opposition to funding a border wall. Trump also revived his preference for walking away from the North American Free Trade Agreement. "Personally, I don't think we can make a deal," Trump told the crowd. "I think we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point."  CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report.

WATCH: The entire Trump speech in Phoenix
Some guys have all the luck. Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne has not been one of them. Ever since General Motors rebuffed a merger attempt with its rival, the outspoken Italian CEO has been searching for a partner, unsuccessfully flirting with a crisis-hit Volkswagen and France's PSA before the latter struck a deal for GM's European business.

2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Joe Raedle | Getty Images

Investors have been pouring money into FCA shares, however, hoping that Marchionne's luck is about to change in the form of a Chinese suitor. Great Wall Motor , the country's largest SUV maker, confirmed in a regulatory filing that it is interested in Fiat Chrysler, but said it had not held formal talks with the company. That weighed on Shanghai listed shares Wednesday. It also dampened a rally in FCA shares in New York and Milan overnight, but the stock still finished slightly higher Tuesday  bringing the seven-day run to 6 and 8 percent, respectively. "I think the upside for Fiat Chrysler is tremendous," Bill Russo, Managing Director at Gao Feng Advisory told CNBC. Russo, a former Chrysler executive in Asia, added that the only downside risk is what's left after you take Jeep out  in the event Great Wall is only interested in the iconic SUV brand: "What happens to the rest of the crown, when you remove that jewel?" "It's a question of how much they would pay," Russo added.

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Germany's central bank has successfully moved $27.9 billion worth of gold bars from New York and Paris to Frankfurt in a Hollywood-style transfer.

The Bundesbank announced Wednesday that it had shipped the last of the gold it had been storing at France's central bank, Banque de France, in Paris, completing the final stage of a four-year operation ahead of schedule.

The procedure, one of the largest of its kind, was expected to complete in 2020. Cold War fears that the gold could fall into Soviet hands was just one of the reasons the precious metal was stored overseas. The gold stored in Paris was held to be converted into francs in the case of an emergency but now both countries share the same currency.

Germany's Bundesbank had been storing 674 tonnes of gold bars at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Banque de France but initiated a plan in 2013 to return the bars to Frankfurt.
A worker rotates a gas turbine during assembly at the Siemens gas turbine factory on January 8, 2010 in Berlin, Germany.

Think of Germany and it isn't long before visions of bustling business districts and thriving manufacturing plants spring to mind. It isn't surprising: it's these industries that have elevated the country to rank among the world's leading economies. But increasingly they have also become the subject of political power play with one of Germany's biggest competitors  China. A bonanza year of Chinese takeover bids in 2016, of which Germany was the primary target, brought China's seemingly insatiable appetite for foreign firms starkly into focus, and prompted regulators to take note. New restrictions were rolled out in Germany in the interests of "national security", allowing ministers further scope to investigate buyouts deemed endangering to critical industries, such as technology and infrastructure. Meanwhile China, in a bid to keep its devaluing renminbi afloat, introduced controls to limit capital outflows.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks to workers and KUKA CEO Till Reuter (L) while visiting the KUKA industrial robotics factory on March 13, 2015 in Augsburg, Germany. Joerg Koch | Getty Images

The measures so far seem to have had the desired effect. Though tabled by the German government as targeting all non-EU investors "regardless of origin", China, the largest international investor into Germany  and indeed most countries  felt the burn. Chinese foreign direct investment volumes into Germany more than halved in the six months to June compared with the record highs seen in the first half of last year, according to Reuters. Yet, the rules have also been met with accusations of hypocrisy. Germany's economy minister called on China last year to "level the playing field" and ease inward investment into China. But Germany's new swathe of restrictions appears to have upped the ante, posing new questions about just who stands to gain from the country's increasingly protectionist stance.

How are German businesses responding?

"This is where opinions diverge," Michael Wiehl, partner and head of M&A at Rodl & Partner, a consultancy firm for the German Mittelstand, told CNBC via email. The Mittelstand refers to Germany's more than 3.3 million small- and medium-sized companies which underpin up the country's economy. "On the one hand the know-how and sensitive data of key German industrial companies can be protected by such restrictions," he said. "However, this is primarily a fear of politicians and not the industry itself."

I'm wondering how many companies need protection. Kim Schindelhauer CEO, Aixtron

The headquarters of chip equipment maker Aixtron is pictured in Herzogenrath, western Germany on October 25, 2016. Oliver Berg | AFP | Getty Images

For many firms, tighter regulations are an infringement by the state on the free market and simply block much-needed investment. "I'm wondering how many companies need protection," Kim Schindelhauer, chief executive of Aixtron, told CNBC. "We are talking here about global companies who do huge amounts of business overseas." Aixtron was the subject of a high profile $728 million Chinese takeover bid in 2016. The purchase of the semiconductor manufacturer by Fujian Grand Chip Investment Fund fell through, however, after the sale of its U.S. arm was blocked on security grounds similar to those later brought in in Germany. "We, Aixtron, do not need protection: we wanted the deal," he said, noting half of Aixtron's revenues are generated in China. "We need the funding for research and development. Technology companies need that and European bodies certainly aren't going to provide it." Experts are also concerned that Germany's hardened stance could result in efforts by Chinese investors to circumvent the rules and access core intellectual property via partner firms outside of Germany. "The implementation of tighter restrictions on foreign takeovers ... may lead to a higher Chinese interest in buying companies from Central Europe operating as sub-vendors to German companies," Rodl & Partners's Wiehl said. "This would be another possibility at gaining access to German know-how."

Tougher EU regulations on the cards

Already, the leading forces within the EU have become wise to this prospect. Germany, France and Italy have been lobbying the European Parliament to make EU-wide rules, and it appears to be working. In September, Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, the institution responsible for proposing EU legislation, is to use a keynote speech to announce new measures to tackle perceived gaps in the vetting of foreign takeovers across all 28 member states. Currently, less than half of EU nations have formal systems in place for screening foreign investments and the risks they may pose to national security.

There is a need for an overall European strategy. Jost Wuebbeke Head of Program Economy & Technology, Merics

The European Commission in Brussels, Belgium 77studio | Getty Images

"There is a need for an overall European strategy," Jost Wuebbeke, head of Program Economy & Technology at Merics, a German think tank exclusively focused on China, told CNBC over the phone. "All European countries are feeling an increased level of Chinese investment and there is likely to be a push for change from policymakers," he said.

What might these new restrictions look like?

The U.S. ruling over Aixtron and the subsequent loss of the deal sparked suggestions that the EU could move to replicate the U.S. Treasury's regulatory stance. However, the German government has insisted that its guidelines will be tailored to the specific demands and interests of member states.

We are convinced that the member states should be in charge for the execution of the screening process. Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

"From our point of view, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) would not be an adequate blueprint for European regulation," a spokesperson for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, told CNBC via email. "We are convinced that the member states should be in charge for the execution of the screening process."

A system engineer supervises the production line for 300mm wafers in a clean room at the GlobalFoundries semiconductor manufacturing plant on July 14, 2015 in Dresden, Germany. Matthias Rietschel | Getty Images

Such demands could range from extending the frameworks of more stringent member states, for instance Germany, to all EU countries, or reciprocating the most restrictive guidelines of non-EU countries, such as China. Aixtron's Schindelhauer has insisted that the rules must involve early conversations between businesses and the government, and clearer timeframes for approval.

Could this lead to a more open China?

German ministers may hope that new restrictions will prompt China to lower its barriers to entry and afford EU businesses the same buying opportunities in China that Chinese companies have enjoyed in Europe. Germany has spent the last months and years trying to convince China of this.

There is no reason for China to level the playing field because it does not need the capital. Patrick Yip National M&A leader, Deloitte China

But analysts are skeptical. For Wiehl, such goals are only likely to play out over the medium term, while Patrick Yip, national M&A leader at Deloitte in China, argues such moves will do little to help Germany's agenda.

The view from the top of Shanghai's skyscraper shows Jin Mao Tower (left) and Shanghai World Financial Centre (right) on November 11, 2015 in Shanghai, China. Alexander Kaunas | Kommersant | Getty Images

"There is no reason for China to level the playing field because it does not need the capital," Yip said over the phone. "I think it's going to be counterproductive to Europe because with fewer prospective buyers the prices of these companies will drop and it will become harder to secure a deal," noted Yip.

The EU's loss could be other countries' gain

Yip insists, however, that despite the lower deal volumes seen so far this year, "Chinese appetite is still there." This can be seen in Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, a development strategy aimed at boosting China's global presence by investing in pan-Eurasian infrastructure projects.

The U.K. is also going to stand to gain if Europe tightens restrictions... Patrick Yip National M&A leader, Deloitte China

A view over the financial district and St Paul's Cathedral towards the west of the city at sunrise in London. Getty Images
GoDaddy's brand was once synonymous with scantily clad women in SuperBowl ads. Just after Irving became CEO, GoDaddy ran an ad showcasing the "sexy side" of the company  Israeli model Bar Refaeli in a pink dress and heels  and the "smart side" of the company, a male coder with a laptop.

Outgoing GoDaddy CEO Blake Irving has led teams at Yahoo, Microsoft, Compaq and Xerox. But perhaps his most famed accomplishment is getting rid of the bikinis.

"Coming into the company there were two different brand realities here," Irving told CNBC's "Squawk Alley" on Wednesday. "There was how the company was internally, where people were immensely proud of the work that they did, really in touch with customers, pretty good diversity within the company. Yet the way that we were projecting ourselves certainly didn't describe what was happening inside the company."

Irving is credited with turning GoDaddy into a top workplace for women in technology. He told CNBC on Tuesday that speaking at the Grace Hopper Conference, the pre-eminent conference for women in computing, in 2015, was the highlight of his tenure as CEO.

"We said, 'We're going to show women proudly as small-business people, fighting the good fight, running their business and working hard'," Irving said. "And frankly, it was a pretty easy pivot for us, because everybody inside the company supported it."

Not every company in Silicon Valley has had an easy time addressing the issues of gender parity, though. Allegations of sexual harassment at Uber led to a workplace investigation that purged many top employees.

And James Damore, then a Google engineer, outraged diversity advocates with a memo arguing that Google's approach to promoting women in technology was misguided. The Labor Department has also challenged Google for more information on pay parity.

"In the Valley, there's definitely an overall problem," Irving said. "It's starting to surface in really big ways today. It's a discussion. This has been going on in Silicon Valley for decades. Yet, it's actually being discussed a lot now and people are talking about it, and it's because people feel they can step up, discuss it, bring it to light. I know at Google it ended up in a termination, but honestly, at least folks are raising it."

GoDaddy named chief operating officer Scott Wagner its new CEO on Tuesday. Irving, who became CEO in 2012, will remain on the board through June 2018, the company said.

Despite openings at big technology companies such as Uber, Irving demurred when asked if he would consider another CEO gig.

"I've spent 35 years in tech; I've been married for 32 years," Irving said. "I think spending time with her and actually knocking off our bucket list is something that's really important to us."

 CNBC's Matthew Belvedere and Reuters contributed to this report.


"A cheaper, cleaner and safer car will inevitably win over the market. The only question is how long this will take."

Incumbent car manufacturers are waking up to the urgency of the transition to electric vehicles. After its near-death experience in the diesel emissions scandal, Volkswagen is now leading this transition, with a battery factory planned and 30 electric models to be released by 2025, representing 2 to 3 million cars per year (20 to 30 percent of its annual unit sales).

Volvo (a Chinese-owned company) recently announced that all its models would have an electric motor by 2019, further signaling the EV shift in China  already the largest electric vehicle market in the world.

Automakers are just one example of an industry that will be forced to reinvent itself as technologies and policies shift the world economy towards a low carbon model. Electric utilities are another. There is practically no industry that has as much to benefit from, and conversely so much to lose from this transition.

Only a few years ago, many experts were predicting the demise of the big utility and centralized grid, with distributed solar mounted on rooftops taking over the world. In fact, solar has grown exponentially in recent years, jumping 50 percent from 2015 to 2016 alone. But this has happened largely through utilities building large solar farms, not rooftop solar.

By 2030, renewables will account for half of the world's energy mix, according to Goldman Sachs. Even now, the cost of wind energy, and in many places solar energy, is lower than gas, coal and nuclear. This is true without subsidies.

The auto industry's transition to EVs and the utilities' transition to renewable power are connected. Electric cars will increase the demand for electricity and for grid infrastructure to support charging stations and charging at home. With new approaches to batteries under development, such as solid state batteries, EVs and renewable energy supported by electricity storage are just entering the steep slope of the adoption curve.

These rapid changes will leave the oil and gas industry in crisis. Goldman Sachs recently said oil demand could peak by 2024  a major departure from traditional analysis that shows oil demand rising to 2040 and beyond.

Some companies, such as Total and Norway's Statoil, have seen the writing on the wall and are aiming to become "energy companies", focused on all forms of energy, including solar and wind. Others will continue the failing business model of exploration, drilling and distribution, only to meet the same end as the coal industry.

Many of these changes are already well known, with most decision makers realizing the need to reinvent entire industries. The pace of this reinvention however is problematic. The climate change clock is ticking and the next few years are crucial to ensure earth's temperature does not rise beyond 2 degrees, the goal set at the Paris climate conference.

All these technological changes are interconnected and mutually reinforced. These advances hold immense promise for our future, and will shift and create trillions of dollars in wealth. It's time for business leaders, policymakers, consumers and citizens to embrace the promise of new technologies and shake the status quo.

Commentary by Ion Yadigaroglu, partner and managing principal of Capricorn Investment Group, a leading cleantech investment firm. Ion oversees investment activities with an emphasis on direct investments and proprietary strategies. Prior to Capricorn, Ion was a director of business development with Koch Industries, executing a range of acquisitions and investments. He holds a PhD in astrophysics from Stanford University. Follow him on Twitter @ionyad.

For the latest commentary on markets in the U.S. and around the world, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.


After marijuana and alcohol, prescription drugs are the most commonly misused substances by Americans age 14 and older.

Dr. Doug Smith, Intermountain's associate medical director, noted that nationslly there is a problem with health providers tending "to write prescriptions for more opioids than patients need, and large quantities of medications are often left over after the need for pain relief is past."

Dr. Marc Harrison, president and CEO of Intermountain, said, "We really want to make sure that we reduce the potential for abuse ... but still ensure that our patients have high-quality care."

Intermountain said it believed it is the first American health system "to formally announce such a significant and specific amount of reduction as a target."

If nonprofit Intermountain achieves its goal, it will reduce the number of opioid tablets it prescribes to patients with acute pain in Utah and southern Idaho by more than 5 million each year at its 22 hospitals and 180 clinics.

Intermountain Healthcare 's pledge comes in the face of a worsening epidemic of painkiller and heroin abuse in the United States. In 2015, there were more than 33,000 fatalities from opioid overdoses recorded  almost half of which involved prescription painkillers.

A Utah-based hospital chain pledged Wednesday to slash the number of opioid pills prescribed for patients with acute pain at its facilities by 40 percent by the end of 2018.

That opens the door for patients abusing their own medication, or the pills being abused by relatives or friends of a patient.

To reach its reduction goal, Intermountain will be using a "data-driven approach" spearheaded by a "business intelligence tool" that the health-care system developed to track prescriptions and develop guidelines for appropriate prescribing practices, Harrison said.

Intermountain also already has trained about 2,500 of its caregivers as part of the opioid reduction initiative.

Sales of prescription opioids have quadrupled since 1999, despite the fact that "there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain Americans report," according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Utah, where most of Intermountain's facilities are located, has been particularly hard hit by the opioid crisis, with the state being ranked anywhere from seventh to 12th in the nation for overdoses, Harrison noted.

Intermountain, which has 850,000 members in the health insurance plan it operates, each year has some kind of interaction with 1.2 million people in Utah, which has a population of just 3 million.

"This is a big goal," Harrison said of the 40 percent reduction target.

"But our communities and the people in them are suffering, and we need to do something about that."

Harrison said that the prescription practices at Intermountain, which prescribes about 12.5 million opioid pills to patients with acute pain annually, have been "no better, no worse" than other health-care systems.

But "we can see that there's enormous variation" in the amount of painkillers being prescribed by different doctors across Intermountain's system, Harrison said.

"What you're seeing is what happens when there are not a lot of guidelines" about what an appropriate amount of pills are to be prescribed for various health situations, Harrison said.

Given this variation and analysis of prescribing patterns by Intermountain's staff, "they actually think that 40 percent [reduction] is a really good place to start ... there actually may be more room to move," Harrison said.

The experience of Kaiser Permanente, a major health-care system based in California, suggests that Harrison may be correct.

In 2009, Kaiser Permanente's Southern California division began an effort to reduce the number of patients who were getting high doses of opioids.

That move was launched after a group of doctors in the system noticed that the opioid hydrocodone was the most prescribed medication in Kaiser Permanente's health management organization in Southern California, while another opioid, OxyContin, was also high on that list.

"People [were] getting prescriptions for a thousand pills," Dr. Steve Steinberg, a Kaiser physician, told Atlantic.com for a story about Kaiser's program published in March.

"The numbers were so striking that it led us to look into it," Steinberg told the news site.

Kaiser Permanente has since expanded its opioid prescription initiative to its operations nationally.

According to data from Kaiser's Dr. Sameer Awsare that was provided to CNBC, Kaiser Permanente's system nationally reduced opioid prescriptions by 40 percent from December 2014 to this past February.

Awsare also said that it has decreased prescription amounts of OxyContin by 75 percent. The health system noted that OxyContin has a high potential for diversion and abuse because brand-name opioids have a higher street value.
"You have three players around the table: The White House, (Steven) Mnuchin, and (Gary) Cohn. They want 15 percent, they want a pro-growth deal, they want a Republican landslide," Norquist said on " Squawk Box ."

It's completely irrelevant whether or not Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell works hard on getting tax reform passed, anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist told CNBC Wednesday.

U.S. National Economic Director Gary Cohn (L) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin unveil the Trump administration's tax reform proposal in the White House briefing room in Washington, U.S, April 26, 2017.

"You have the House and the Senate that wants the same thing because they're all running for election in the House in 2018 and a third of them in the Senate. This is the centerpiece, here's what we did."

President Donald Trump has suggested that McConnell should resign if he can't successfully push through the White House's agenda, including tax reform and a "great" infrastructure bill.

On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that Trump and McConnell haven't spoken to each other in weeks, and that their relationship has been conspicuously tense after Trump blamed McConnell for the GOP's health-care failure.

Stocks surged Tuesday after a Politico article said Trump's top aides and Republican congressional leaders have made strides in shaping a major tax overhaul and have "broad consensus" on ways to cut corporate and individual tax rates.

Trump has said the bill could be the "biggest tax cut" in American history.

Norquist, founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform, said the Trump administration's goal of a 15 percent corporate tax rate is possible. He said the White House could run into a few obstacles with the bill.

"There are some limits on how much you can cut taxes for what period," he said. "Some of these tax cuts would be temporary. You can have any tax cuts you want for 10 years under the Senate rules. ... But then in year 11, some or much of it would disappear."
A study app used by half of U.S. high-school students, Quizlet, is getting a back-to-school makeover.

The changes represent a turning point for the 11-year-old tech venture and its new CEO, Matthew Glotzbach.

A former vice president of product management with YouTube, Glotzbach wants to grow Quizlet from more than 20 million monthly active users, some 80 percent of them in the United States, to 1 billion or more users across the globe in coming years.

That's a hefty ambition for an app focused on learning. It took Facebook four years to reach 100 million users, and 8.7 years to reach 1 billion users. But that's a general interest social network. There are only about 1.5 billion students in primary, secondary and higher education schools globally.

Quizlet has money in the bank to help reach its goal. After nine years of bootstrapping (running on its own revenue and credit lines), it raised $12 million in venture capital in late 2015. The round was co-led by Union Square Ventures, a firm that also placed early bets on Zynga , Twitter , Twilio and other tech start-ups that ultimately went public or were acquired for more than $1 billion.

Still flush with capital, Quizlet hired Glotzbach last spring to help it expand with founder Andrew Sutherland moving into the role of CTO. The two often collaborate, Glotzbach told CNBC, including by hosting quarterly internal hackathons where employees cook up potential new features to build into the app.

Quizlet, which started as a simple online flashcard builder, now includes seven study modes. Among other things, users can create digital flashcards, matching games and games that can be used to get students playing quiz show-style games in the classroom.

Additions to the platform for the new school year include Quizlet Diagrams, allowing students to upload images and pin information to them. The new feature could prove handy for students of subjects heavy on visuals like geography, anatomy and architecture.
President Trump said Tuesday evening he would be willing to shut down the U.S. government in order to get the funding needed to build a physical wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, one of his campaign promises. "We're building that wall," he told a rally in Arizona. (CNBC)



* Trump: We'll 'probably' end up terminating NAFTA (CNBC)

* Trump strongly hints at pardon for ex-sheriff Arpaio (NBC News)

* Police fire pepper spray at crowds as protests turn unruly after Trump's Phoenix speech (AP)

Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, the commander of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, was relieved of his post today, the Navy said. He was removed "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command" after the USS John S. McCain collided with a chemical and oil tanker off Singapore Monday, leaving 10 American sailors missing or dead. (NBC News)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the production of more solid-fuel rocket engines, state media said today. The report came as he pursues nuclear and missile programs amid a standoff with Washington, but there were signs of tension easing. (Reuters)

At least 34 people in Hong Kong are reportedly injured today after Typhoon Hato, a maximum category 10 storm, slammed into the region today. In Hong Kong, more than 450 flights were canceled, financial markets suspended and schools closed as Hato bore down. (Reuters)

Wells Fargo CEO Timothy Sloan warned Tuesday that forthcoming results from the bank's review of its consumer sales scandal could cause more negative attention. He said that "within a few weeks" the bank will announce the completion of an expanded review of the fake consumer accounts workers had opened. (CNBC)

Wal-Mart is about to encroach even further on to Amazon's turf. The big-box retailer will soon offer customers the ability to order hundreds of thousands of its products by voice with the help of Google. (CNBC)

Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Meg Whitman is still being pushed by Uber's biggest investor as a candidate for the company's open CEO position, according to two sources close to the matter. In July, Whitman publicly denied she wanted the job. (CNBC)

Four mutual fund companies have marked down their investments in Uber by as much as 15 percent following a scandal-ridden year for the ride-hailing company. Vanguard Group, Principal Funds, Hartford Funds and T. Rowe Price Group marked down their shares in Uber. (Reuters)
Sriram Thodla, senior director of services and new business at Samsung, speaks about the new voice agent named 'Bixby.

Samsung will allow its digital assistant Bixby to be integrated with rival products from washing machines to TVs, the company's mobile chief told CNBC, in a move that could position it to become the operating system of many internet-connected devices.

Bixby was introduced earlier this year when Samsung unveiled the flagship Galaxy S8 smartphone. It is a voice assistant that allows users to ask it to carry out tasks, similar to Apple's Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa.

On Tuesday, Samsung announced plans to bring Bixby to over 200 countries and regions, and also launched it on the Note 8 smartphone which was unveiled Wednesday.

DJ Koh, the head of Samsung's mobile division, said that this first version of Bixby is "just a baby", but the long-term ambitions is to have the digital assistant able to control all sorts of devices.

"In Samsung, there are many customers using Samsung TVs, refrigerators, washing machines and smartphones. If those kinds of devices are connected and then you can control by just using voice, that is my vision," Koh told CNBC in an interview.

So far, Bixby is only available on the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ and Note 8. Siri is only available on Apple's products. And Google Assistant is on Android smartphones and its Google Home smart speaker.

Amazon's Alexa is the only voice assistant that has really expanded beyond the company's own products. Earlier this year, Amazon made a number of announcements about regarding Alexa being on rival products. The aim for Amazon, according to analysts, is to become the operating system for the internet of things, similar to what Google has done with Android on mobile.

Internet-connected devices like washing machines or refrigerators don't have screens, so voice is a natural way to interact. Samsung hopes to position itself as a key player when it comes to Bixby being on internet of things devices. And this could mean opening up the platform on rival products.

Koh spoke about what the company has done with, the contactless payment system on its smartphones. In its home market of South Korea, Samsung has allowed its payment system to be on rival Android smartphones. This is a similar path, the company could take with Bixby.

"Always what I am trying to pursue is an open innovation system. We may start with Samsung Electronics devices but how can we just stay in Samsung products? We must enhance it," Koh told CNBC.

If Samsung is successful in expanding Bixby on other devices and appliances, it could open a new revenue stream for the company, because it may be able to license the technology as well as sell services to consumers.
After a tough couple of years in China, Samsung is ready for a comeback.

That's the view of DJ Koh, the South Korean electronics giant's mobile chief, who expressed optimism about the future of Samsung in the world's largest smartphone market.

"The last two or three years was a very very difficult time. But I would like to say that the Chinese market is one of the most important markets in the world. I will recover definitely and I'm doing my best in the Chinese market," Koh told CNBC in an interview.

Samsung does not officially disclose its China performance for smartphones but industry watchers do release their estimates. Counterpoint Research said that Samsung's China market share peaked at 20 percent in the second quarter of 2013. Now the company has just 3 percent market share and in the second quarter of this year, saw shipments decline over 50 percent.

Domestic Chinese players have been growing strongly. Samsung and Apple have both struggled in the face of competition from the likes of Oppo, Vivo and Huawei.

Earlier this year, Samsung underwent an organizational reshuffle. Kwon Kye-hyun was named head of the China business, and Koh said that the company also bought in new distribution channels.

Koh was cautiously optimistic on the changes made in China, but said that he is ready to see a rebound in the business.

"I am quite not 100 percent confident but up to the launch of the Galaxy S8, our premium segment market share has significantly improved," Koh said, adding that he expects the Note 8, which launched on Wednesday, to receive "love" from Chinese consumers.

"What is necessary in China, everything, I think I fixed it."

Samsung has slimmed its portfolio of phones in China to focus on the mid-range and high-end segment of the market. Some smartphone makers have opted to create a China-specific product, but this is not a strategy Samsung wants to pursue.

"There are lots of Chinese customers that are very techie customers. Even (when) I listen from normal customers (about) what they expecting and what they want to see from their Samsung  my conclusion is that the global product will work in China," Koh told CNBC.
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Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 8 smartphone on Wednesday, the successor to the ill-fated Note 7, with its biggest screen yet, new stylus features, and a bolstered camera. The South Korean electronics giant is positioning this as a productivity-focused device. Key features include: 6.3-inch almost bezel-free "infinity display"

S Pen stylus with new features

A two sensor dual camera on the back that allows for increased image capturing ability

A full hands-on rundown with the device can be read here The Note category of phones was invented by Samsung and has been a very successful product for the company. But the Note 7 which was launched last year and and subsequently recalled because they were catching fire, was a setback for the product. Samsung has successfully recovered, however, and is expecting this to be the best Note sold. Speaking to CNBC in an interview ahead of the launch, Samsung's mobile chief DJ Koh said he has heard anecdotes of fans in South Korea already going into Samsung stores to ask about pre-orders for the Note 8 even though the company hadn't officially announced the device.

Arjun Kharpal | CNBC

"I cannot disclose the specific number but even I am expecting and confident it will sell more than the Note 5," Koh told CNBC when asked how many Note 8s the company expects to sell. Pre-orders for the device begin on Thursday. Part of Koh's confidence is thanks to a 3,949 person survey Samsung ran in which 75 percent of people said Note devices were the best phones they had ever had.

'Strong' products

"The Note 8 underlines Samsung's current confidence. It builds on the highly successful S8 and S8+ and draws a clear line under the Note 7 problems. The fact Samsung was prepared to continue using the Note brand shows its belief that there is significant pent up demand for another top of line flagship device alongside the rest of its smartphone portfolio," Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, told CNBC by email. "The Note 8 adds a top of the range flagship to Samsung's smartphone current line-up ahead of Apple's highly anticipated iPhone 8. With the S8, S8+ and Note 8 there is a strong set of high end products that will appeal to anyone looking for a new Android phone. Furthermore, these devices are certainly good enough to turn the heads of some iPhone owners who fancy trying a different device". Apple is expected to launch three new iPhones at a September event.

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Samsung has not yet disclosed the prices. Several media reports in the lead up to the event said the device could be priced in excess of $1,000. Koh said that he is still working out the exact pricing but hopes it won't exceed that figure. "The basic price .... I do not want to see at $1000," Koh told CNBC. The Samsung executive also said he's confident that the company would be able to meet demand for the product, saying that it was planning for around 10 million units to be made before year end. Note devices have never been the biggest sellers, but rather are bought by a enthusiastic audience after a high-end device, with a larger screen and productivity features. The Note 5 for example, which was released in September 2015, has sold around 23 million units to date, according to Counterpoint Research. In comparison, the S7 series has sold nearly 70 million units, despite only being released last year. Counterpoint expects between 11 million and 12 million Note 8 devices to be sold this year. Samsung has seen strong momentum in its smartphone business, which saw sales rise 11 percent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Heart rate information sits on the face of a Samsung Electronics Galaxy Gear S3 Classic smartwatch. The next generation Gear watch is expected to be unveiled at an event in August 2017.

Samsung is set to launch a new smartwatch at an event next week under the Gear brand, the electronic giant's mobile head told CNBC, just days before Apple is expected to unveil its next wearable.

In an interview with CNBC DJ Koh, the president of Samsung's mobile division, said that the next generation of the Gear S series of smartwatches will be launched at IFA next week, a consumer electronics trade show in Berlin.

Samsung has been prolific when it comes to its wearable launches. It launched two versions of the Galaxy S3 smartwatch in August 2016, and currently sells a fitness band called the Gear Fit.

The wearable market hasn't exploded as many had expected, but it has been growing. Wearable shipments hit 102.4 million units in 2016, marking a 25 percent year-on-year rise, according to data from IDC. In the first quarter of 2017, Samsung shipped 1.4 million wearables, growing over 90 percent year-on-year, holding 5.5 percent market share, IDC data showed.

In contrast, Apple has a more than 14 percent market share.

Samsung's planned launch next week would come ahead of the next Apple Watch, which sources told CNBC recently could be launched in September alongside new iPhones.

The executive could not reveal specific product details about the upcoming device.

Koh admitted that the wearable market hasn't grown as much as people expected because devices are not providing enough useful features to consumers.

But health care applications could be something that helps the market grow.

"If we can put in place properly a smartwatch that can monitor everything for your health and provide the information, then the market will grow," Koh told CNBC.

Samsung has been making a slow move into the health sector. It has an app called Samsung Health which can monitor signs such as heart rate and stress level through sensors on its phones and wearables. While health applications could boost the wearable market, Koh said sensor technology is not quite up to scratch.

"Today's sensors do not look like enough," Koh told CNBC.
Samsung is working on a smart speaker that will be launched "soon", the company's mobile chief told CNBC, which will pit it against the likes of Amazon , Apple , and Google , in the hotly-contested space.

DJ Koh, the president of Samsung's mobile division, said a smart speaker was on the way.

"Maybe soon we will announce it. I am already working on it," Koh told CNBC in an interview ahead of the Note 8 smartphone launch which took place on Wednesday.

And it appears the company could be moving fast on the product.

"As I mentioned I wanted to provide a fruitful user experience at home with Samsung devices, and I want to be moving quite heavily on it," Koh said.

Samsung has big ambitions in the smart home space, hoping to connect products from TVs and refrigerators. The idea is to have Bixby, the company's digital personal assistant at the center. On the flagship Galaxy S8 smartphone and Note 8 device, a function called Bixby Home is available. This allows people to connect their devices to the smartphone to be controlled via Bixby.

While Koh was not able to give further details on what the smart speaker product will look like or whether it will be powered by Bixby, it's clear that it fits into the company's broader home ambitions. A smart speaker product can be used to connect to lights, TVs, or even thermostats and could be controlled by voice.

The smart home vision is one that Amazon's Echo, Google Home, and Apple's HomePod all share. Samsung is now entering the young but highly-competitive market.

Last month, a Wall Street Journal story citing sources, suggested that Samsung was developing a smart speaker powered by Bixby with the codename "Vega". But the report suggested progress of the speaker had been held back by slow roll-out of the U.S. English language version of Bixby.

But Bixby is now available and on Tuesday, Samsung announced plans to expand the digital assistant to over 200 countries and territories.

Koh was unable to give a timeline of when the product could be unveiled, but no doubt Apple, Google, and Amazon will be watching closely.
Citron Research's Andrew Left, who gained attention for successful bets against companies including Valeant Pharmaceuticals, reiterated his negative call and $45 price target on Motorola Solutions .

Left confirmed he is currently short shares of the communications equipment maker in an email to CNBC.



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A Motorola Solutions decline to $45 would represent a fall of nearly 50 percent for the shares.



"We continue to believe MSI will play a materially smaller role in the evolving public safety market in the medium-term versus its dominant position today," Left wrote in a new blog post about the company Wednesday. "It is only a matter of time before the market withdraws MSI's high-growth tech stock multiple, and it is repriced for what is left of its business. Losing handset sales will be the initial blow to MSI and service revenue will soon follow."



Motorola Solutions shares were slightly higher in late trading Wednesday. The stock was up 4.3 percent year to date through Tuesday versus S&P 500's 9.5 percent return.



This wasn't the first time Citron expressed a bearish view on Motorola Solutions shares. He predicted the communications equipment maker would face pricing pressure from the government in February.

A Motorola Solutions spokesperson sent the following statement for this story:
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Several industries are trying to assess what open confrontation in the South China Sea would cost them, and a lot of them don't like what they're finding. The world's second-largest economy is getting more wary  and more vocal in its opposition  about increased U.S. naval patrols along the vast body of water, which holds some of the world's busiest trade routes. The U.S. Navy has sailed close to South China Sea reefs, atolls and other areas claimed by Beijing several times in recent months, under the pretext of freedom of navigation operations. In late May, the USS Dewey sailed within 12 miles of the Chinese artificial island Mischief Reef. In July, the USS Stethem passed by the Chinese-administered Triton Island. Then last week, the USS John S. McCain traveled close to Mischief Reef.

A U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the "Blue Hawks" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 78 fires chaff flares during a training exercise near the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the Philippine Sea April 24, 2017. Sean M. Castellano | US Navy | Reuters

Watch out for these companies

With more than $5 trillion of trade flowing through the area every year, any hostility between would hit numerous business sectors, including commodities, logistics, and insurance. "Conflict between the U.S. and China in the South China Sea would be less about the physical things that can be produced, but more about controlling physical access and the key choke-points around it," Stratfor analyst Matthew Bey told CNBC earlier this year.

Satellite image of the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a fishing-rich area claimed by both Manila and Beijing, on 12 January 2017. USGS/NASA Landsat data/Orbital Horizon/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Almost every major container shipping company sends vessels through the South China Sea, making all of them vulnerable if Washington and Beijing butt heads, said Bey. "The ports that would be adversely impacted are the Straits of Malacca, East China straits, straits of Sunda and Lombok." Should Trump increase patrols by China's artificial islands as part of his new policy, that could particularly hurt the China National Offshore Oil , one of the the mainland's biggest crude producers, Bey added. Also known as CNOOC, the firm has commercial drilling platforms in the South China Sea and drew international attention in 2014 after placing an oil rig near the Paracel Islands that triggered a major spat between Beijing and Hanoi. CNOOC offered no comment on the matter.

Paying a premium for protection

Maritime insurance rates may spike if insurers identify parts of the South China Sea as a war risk. That means vessels would have to pay a premium to transit the area  or avoid the area completely, explained Andrew Booker, founding partner of marine specialist Latitude Brokers. However, that scenario remains highly unlikely at present, he added.

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It's impossible to estimate how high rates could rise but because there is no premium for transiting the area at present, anything would be an increase, he said.

If that were the case, trade routes would change and freight costs for each voyage would rise, which could be good news for ship-owners but bad for charterers who pay freight, Booker continued.

Currencies will depreciate

Geopolitical strains could also weaken the Korean won and the . Financial markets in those countries have a large number of foreign equity investors, and those traders tend to sell shares in the wake of political tensions, explained Khoon Goh, head of Asia research at Australian bank ANZ. When those stock markets take a beating, so do their currencies. If that's the case, Goh predicts the won will fall to 1180 per dollar from 1130 presently, and the Taiwan dollar to hit 31.6 from current levels of 30.2. But the safe-haven Japanese yen would likely benefit amid the overall risk-averse mood, Goh added.

Oil climbs

The South China Sea holds around seven billion barrels of oil and 900 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, but in the event of hostilities, those reserves won't be first in the firing line. The more immediate impact may be a rally in global crude prices. Any conflict could disrupt the movement of energy resources, thus curbing overall supply and pushing Brent crude to around $65 per barrel, said Jonathan Chan, investment analyst at Phillip Futures. Oil futures trade hands at about $52 currently.

Nov 2016: A close-up of Chinese construction activities on the Cuarteron Reef, located at the east end of the London Reefs in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. DigitalGlobe via Getty Images.

Air freight is considerably more expensive than maritime shipping, and even within countries, overland networks are often not as well-developed. Maritime routes remain the most popular for the transportation of resources, he said.

Metals and minerals to bounce

Beijing imports massive quantities of copper and iron ore, so any blockage or disturbance to transport routes would cause prices of both commodities to spike, according to Chan. "Iron ore on the SGX Asia Clear could hit $95 per metric ton in the event of escalation," Chan said, "while copper may soar to $6,480 per ton." Gold, may rally to $1,450 per ounce, Chan added. That would mark a sharp bounce from its present level of near $1,285.

Happier fish and fishermen

An estimated 12 percent of the world's fish harvest comes from the South China Sea, where more than 3,000 known species dwell. But fish stocks have been rapidly declining amid Beijing's island-building activities. If Washington can stop Chinese construction and protect the rights of regional fishermen  especially Vietnamese, Indonesians and Filipinos  that would be welcomed, said Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The sand and silt plumes created by dredging sand and gravel can kill fish or drive them from the reefs  a major problem for Southeast Asian fishermen who rely on the creatures for their livelihood. The problem is further exacerbated by China's annual fishing ban, typically between mid-May to early August, in parts of the sea that it administers. "Chinese dominance has been bad news for Southeast Asian fishermen, as evidenced by the way the Chinese authorities treat Vietnamese fishermen during the 3-month ban," Poling said.

WATCH: Why Trump's foreign policy is on a collision course in the South China Sea
A member of the State Department's science envoy program resigned Wednesday and took a parting shot at the president on his way out.

Daniel Kammen, a professor of energy at the University of California, Berkeley, tweeted early Wednesday he is departing from his role as a science envoy to the State Department.

In his accompanying resignation letter, several sharp-eyed Twitter users spotted a curious acrostic from the first letter in each paragraph that seemed to spell out a message about Donald Trump: "IMPEACH."

@dan_kammen: Mr. President, I am resigning as Science Envoy. Your response to Charlottesville enables racism, sexism, & harms our country and planet.

Kammen has served in various roles for the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department since 1996.

Asked for comment, State Department spokeswoman Julia Mason said: "Today, Dr. Daniel Kammen made a personal decision to resign. We appreciate his dedicated service to U.S. scientific diplomacy during his appointment working on energy efficiency and renewable energy in Africa as a Science Envoy."

The science envoy program website notes Kammen's work in renewable energies. Reviving the coal industry was a major campaign issue for Trump. In late March, he signed an executive order reversing the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan, which would have closed coal-fired power plants and frozen construction on new ones while replacing them with wind and solar farms.

Last week, a business council advising Trump disbanded after a string of high-profile resignations, starting with Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier, following Trump's response to the racist violence in Charlottesville.

The State Department's website lists six other science envoys.
As the planet's temperatures continue what appears to be a steady march upward, scientists in northern Alaska are watching the ground beneath them melt away.



Now, a group of researchers is taking core samples of the ground to better understand what the effects of this process could be, according to The New York Times.

Much of the permafrost that blankets Alaska and other similarly cold northern regions of the planet is slowly thawing, changing the landscape and affecting the ecosystem in a number of ways.

As it happens, scientists are seeing a kind of self-reinforcing cycle take place: Permafrost is thawing due to climate change, and the thawing permafrost sends more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which contribute to more warming, and consequently, more permafrost thaw.

Permafrost is what it sounds like: layers of permanently frozen ground that contains plants and organic matter that froze before they could decompose.

As the ground warms  partly because of higher temperatures and phenomena like wildfires  the plant matter begins to decay, releasing gases such methane and carbon dioxide, which scientists have connected to rising atmospheric temperatures.

These scientists think the melting ground could contribute as much as 1.7 degrees to the planet's temperature, whether or not humans burn any more fossil fuels.

Read the full story in The New York Times.
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Boxed CEO Chieh Huang leads a start-up that has secured $165 million in funding and brings in more than $100 million in revenue each year. But he hasn't forgotten what it was like to grow up in poverty. Before he co-founded Boxed, which lets customers order items in bulk by mail, he was a child of two Taiwanese immigrants who struggled to make ends meet. "Growing up poor taught me a lot," Huang told CNBC Make It at CNBC's iConic conference in New York. "It instilled in me the ethics of hard work." Developing that determination to better himself was crucial to his success, he says. And that's why, despite employing more than 250 people, he still interviews every single job candidate personally.

Chieh Huang Adam Jeffery | CNBC

More than resume and pedigree, "we look for hunger," Huang says. "It's difficult to show hunger through a simple resume, and that's why I still interview every last person in the company before they receive their full-time offer," he says. Huang, who remembers what it was like to not be able to wear new clothes as a kid when going back to school, says he saw that hunger to succeed as "food." He looks for the same in his employees. "I try to elicit how hungry this person is and how much endurance they have," he says, "because building a company is not easy." At Boxed, there are rewards for working hard. Huang has helped foot the bill for employees' weddings and covered tuition for their children's college education. He also touts internal promotions. Employees who started as entry-level workers at the company's fulfillment centers have gone on to manage major corporate accounts.

Without that hunger, intelligence alone gets you nowhere. Chieh Huang Boxed CEO and co-founder

"Folks who are in that position in life didn't choose to be there. And in fact, they're not any less smart than some of the folks in the top positions within the company," he says. To try to gauge whether someone has that level of determination, Huang asks interviewees to tell him their life story, with one big catch: They're not allowed to talk about what's on their resume. "Through that life story, you learn a lot about someone," he says. "You learn a lot about their upbringing, what they value, what they like, what they don't like." After just 30 minutes, the CEO says he has a good read on the applicant's level of grit, which he sees as the key to success. "Without that hunger," Huang says, "intelligence alone gets you nowhere." More from iCONIC: 'Shark Tank' investor shares the No. 1 lesson he learned from 'Think and Grow Rich' MailChimp CEO: This realization is essential to your success

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Brad Quick | CNBC

Pipeline and energy infrastructure companies face operational challenges in the coming years even as U.S. oil drilling recovers and a natural gas export boom gets underway, consulting firm Bain & Co. says in a new report. While there is demand for new infrastructure, three trends in the industry could trip up pipeline companies, Bain said in a report released Wednesday. Oil and gas drilling is subdued in some areas, contract renewals may lead to lower rates, and private equity competition is eating into profit margins. This will make it harder for so-called midstream companies, which transport, store and process oil and gas, to squeeze profit out of their projects, according to Bain. This matters to investors because investing in midstream companies became a source of reliable dividends as pipeline construction ramped up during the U.S. shale oil and gas boom. Pipelines and other infrastructure produce steady income, allowing midstream companies to ratchet up payouts to investors. The 10-year average annual distribution growth for master limited partnerships, a common structure for energy infrastructure companies, was 6.8 percent through 2015, according to Alerian, which operates funds linked to MLPs. Alerian MLP Index distribution growth "There's a starvation for yield right now because the 10-year [U.S. Treasury] is barely over 2 [percent]. Utility and REIT yields are really, really low. You can go buy energy infrastructure stocks that have 5.5, 6.5 percent yields that are growing," Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital, told CNBC's "Power Lunch" on Tuesday.

Stranded assets

Oil and gas from some regions that would have moved through pipes are now stranded in the ground because they're too expensive to extract, pipeline executives told Bain. Some low-cost regions like Texas' Permian basin have rebounded quickly. But sharp production declines in other basins, like North Dakota's Bakken, have not yet reversed significantly. The focus on sweet spots could reduce production in places like the Rockies, lowering the need for pipelines and other infrastructure.

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Portfolio managers say they're keenly focused on this issue. "It's kind of like real estate. It's all about location, location, location when investing in some of these MLPs," Thummel told CNBC in a separate interview Wednesday. "The way we mitigate that is making sure our companies have diversified assets. You've got to be careful investing in just concentrated positions in concentrated areas," he added. Two of Thummel's top diversified picks are Enterprise Products Partners and EQT Midstream Partners , which yield 6.7 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively.

Tougher contracts

Another worry that Bain flags is the coming expiration of favorable contracts that pipeline companies signed with their customers during a construction boom. Contract provisions that guaranteed a minimum payment no matter how much product flowed through their lines have protected their revenue. Pipeline operators will likely have to agree to lower volumes and rates when they negotiate new contracts, Bain says. That's a problem, especially for companies that pipe oil and gas out of basins where production is falling, according to Bain. While this midstream sector hasn't entirely resolved this issue, concerns about contracts have already been priced into midstream stocks and MLP units, said Jay Hatfield, a portfolio manager for InfraCap's AMZA exchange-traded fund , which tracks midstream companies. He notes that companies began tackling the issue over the last two to three years, altering the terms of contracts when those terms became uneconomical due to low oil and gas prices. "It's good for everyone because transport companies can invest more in pipelines and gathering and processing, and probably more gas is going to flow," Hatfield said. MLPs are now one of the cheapest assets classes in the yield sector, according to Hatfield.

Private equity problems
The energy industry is closely watching a rapidly developing hurricane that could become the first hurricane to make landfall in Texas in nine years and dump as much as two feet of rain on the heart of the U.S. refining industry.

If Harvey becomes a major Category 3 hurricane, as now expected, it would be the first to come ashore in Texas since Hurricane Ike in 2008. Harvey was upgraded to a hurricane Thursday afternoon and was heading towards the U.S. Gulf Coast, fueled by warmer than usual water temperatures.

Nearly half of U.S. refining capacity is on the U.S. Gulf Coast from Alabama to Texas, and nearly one-third of U.S. capacity appears to be in Harvey's path on the Texas and western Louisiana coastlines. Even if the storm does not become a major hurricane, it could be a considerable flooding event that could disrupt refining and possibly drilling operations.

A hurricane warning was first issued early Thursday for a section of Texas' Gulf Coast as Harvey approached, covering an area from Port Mansfield to Matagorda. Texas, meanwhile, declared a state of emergency for 30 counties in anticipation of the threat.

Believed to be a minor hurricane Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center significantly upgraded its potential strength late Thursday morning, catching some in the energy market unaware. The National Hurricane Center said its wind forecast now shows sustained winds could be up to 115 mph. It forecast 12 to 20 inches of rain with some areas potentially seeing as much as 30 inches.

By early Thursday, Harvey was about 370 miles (600 km) southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

"The main danger with this storm does not seem to be wind, it is the amount of rain and it looks set to stall over the Texas coast," said Jacob Meisel, Bespoke Weather Services' chief weather analyst. "This is something we're watching even for onshore [drilling]."

Gasoline futures rose on the NYMEX and spot prices jumped. Gasoline on the Gulf Coast spot market was trading at $1.59, up nearly 6 cents, and at its highest level since April. Crude futures however were lower, with West Texas Intermediate trading down 2.4 percent to $47.20 per barrel in afternoon trading.

"You're talking about something that might knock down crude oil runs, which is going to deter some exports briefly. That's why you have crude oil down and gasoline up," said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at Oil Price Information Service.

"If it's a Category 3, and it hits a refining center, you literally could have a gasoline price spike that is like 27 cents" a gallon, said "It's a temporary event, but you could have a temporary price shock for portions of the United States that are fed by the Gulf Coast."

Kloza said Corpus Christi refineries would be likely to shut down for precautionary reasons, and Houston operators may as well.

"You're not going to operate a refinery when there's the possibility of storm surge or the threat of losing electricityThey have to shut down. The safe bet is two weeks from now we're going to be talking about much lower gasoline prices," he said.

A major concern is that Harvey came up suddenly, and quickly transformed from remnants of a previous tropical storm into what could be the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. since Hurricane Wilma came ashore in Florida in August, 2005.

The National Hurricane Center said Harvey was already close to becoming a hurricane late Thursday morning. It issued a storm surge warning for much of the Texas coast, and said surge flooding could reach heights of six to 10 feet between the northern entrance of the Padre Island National Seashore and Sargent, Texas.

"It has a straight shot at the coast with nothing but fuel to strengthen," said Meisel. "The conditions are perfect for rapid intensification because of low wind shear and warmer than average water temperatures."

Meisel said the storm is unpredictable, and the models are varied but an unusually warm water eddy in the western Gulf is providing even more energy for the storm.

"The amount of rain some of our weather models are printing out for this storm are totals that are almost unbelievable," he said. "There's definitely potential for more than 24 inches around the Houston area."

The oil industry was already making preparations, with Anadarko and others pulling workers from its Gulf of Mexico platforms. Harvey looks set to cut across offshore drilling rigs, but it's the refineries that are more at risk.

Magellan Midstream Partners on Thursday said it had suspended operations at its terminal and condensate splitter in Corpus Christi ahead of Tropical Storm Harvey. Flint Hills Resources and Citgo were reported to be shutting down Corpus Christi refineries.

Houston's major refineries include the Marathon Galveston Bay refinery, Phillips 66 Sweeny refinery and Exxon Mobil's Baytown refinery, among others. Phillips 66 and Kinder Morgan said they were reviewing the situation, and Kinder Morgan added it would activate its response plan, as needed.

"This is much more impact on refining, especially if it becomes a flooding event," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. He said the flooding could impact their ability receive shipments or export surplus product.

According to Lipow, 31.6 percent of U.S. refining capacity is located between Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Corpus Christi. He said if the storm becomes a Category 1 hurricane, a rule of thumb is that it could take about a week to restore refining operations, and as much as two weeks if it becomes a Category 2.

Lipow said refiners that are impacted by a Category 3 hurricane can sometimes take two to three weeks to get back to normal. "There is more likely to be evacuations, widespread power outages, wind damage, flooding and difficulty getting workers back to the facilities," he said.
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President Donald Trump made a "very risky proposition" when he said the United States will build the wall along the Mexican border even if it means a government shutdown, Sara Fagen, a former senior aide to President George W. Bush told CNBC on Wednesday. Trump made the comments during a rally in Arizona on Tuesday. If Congress does not reach a funding deal that the president signs into law by a Sept. 30 deadline, the government will shut down. Fagen, who served as White House political director for Bush, said Republicans were blamed for shutting down the government in the past and it didn't "end well for the party." If it happens this time, the GOP will be blamed again since the party has control of Congress and the White House, she noted. "Trump is going to have to eat his words on this," she said in an interview with "Power Lunch." "Politically, it would be far worse to shut the government down and people not get their Social Security checks than to fail to erect the border [wall] that most of the country doesn't want."

A U.S. border patrol agent on the U.S. and Mexico border near Sunland Park, New Mexico. Charles Ommanney | Getty Images

During the campaign, Trump promised to build a wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border to help crack down on illegal immigration. While he said Mexico would fund the project, Mexico has dismissed the idea. The White House has sought federal funding for the structure, but Democrats have pledged not to back that spending in a bill. The GOP will need Democrats' votes to keep the government open.



On Wednesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan said he doesn't think a government shutdown is necessary and pointed out that most people don't want it to happen. However, Ryan also said he and the president "completely agree" on the need for a border wall. Fagen said there may be a middle ground if Trump and party leaders can come up with a compromise, such as money for pieces of a wall. However, she stressed that the most important thing Republicans need to focus on is tax reform, which she called a "win, win, win for everyone." "If the government gets shut down or we get into this multiweek/month fight over this border wall it's just another distraction over what is a meaningful agenda item that could help all their political prospects," said Fagen, a CNBC contributor.

Trump vs. McConnell

Fagen also reiterated her belief that the "dumbest thing" Trump has done while in office is picking a fight with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is the most important person in getting Trump's legislative agenda accomplished. That said, McConnell has a "very thick skin," she said. "He wants positive accomplishments to run on in 2018. And he's a big boy and I suspect he'll let it roll off his back." Trump has repeatedly slammed McConnell on Twitter for the lack of action on the GOP's agenda. According to The New York Times, Trump and McConnell have not spoken to each other in weeks. McConnell released a statement on Wednesday that said, "The President and I, and our teams, have been and continue to be in regular contact about our shared goals." He went on to say, "we are committed to advancing our shared agenda together and anyone who suggests otherwise is clearly not part of the conversation."



The White House did not respond to a request for comment.  CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report.

WATCH: WH says Trump & McConnell remain 'united'
Trump's public chiding of Flake is just another example of the president's actions that threaten to worsen an already tense relationship with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his GOP colleagues. McConnell and his allies have sprung to the defense of senators like Flake when Trump criticized them. The Kentucky Republican is also reportedly irked by Trump's calls for the Senate to change its rules  which the president did again in Phoenix on Tuesday night.

But, by 6:30 a.m. Phoenix time, Trump blew up that assurance, tweeting that he is "not a fan" of Flake.

"I will not mention any names," Trump said. "Very presidential, isn't it? Very presidential."

He nodded to GOP Sen. John McCain , lamenting the "one vote" that sank the party's last-ditch attempt to repeal Obamacare last month. He then mentioned the "other senator," Republican Jeff Flake , without naming him, calling him "weak on borders" and "weak on crime."

The president held his tongue Tuesday night. He took only veiled swipes at the Arizona senators he has frequently criticized, without naming them.

President Donald Trump informed his supporters at his Phoenix campaign rally that he was told not to slam senators from Arizona by name.

President Donald Trump speaks with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., after delivering his address to a joint session of Congress.

The president's provocation of Republican senators comes even though he will need their cooperation to pass key legislative items in the coming months. Upcoming measures include bills to raise the debt ceiling to avert default, fund the government to avoid a shutdown and overhaul the American tax system.

Tax reform, in particular, is an issue the president pressed for during his campaign, and he sees it as fundamental to boosting economic growth.

A New York Times report Tuesday described the president's deteriorating relationship with the GOP Senate leader in great detail. Trump and McConnell have not spoken in weeks, and the senator privately has been skeptical about whether Trump "will be able to salvage his administration," the Times reported.

McConnell "has fumed over Mr. Trump's regular threats against fellow Republicans and criticism of Senate rules," the newspaper said.

In a statement Wednesday, McConnell said he, Trump and both of their teams "have been and continue to be in regular contact about our shared goals." They are working together on issues like creating jobs, raising the debt ceiling, funding the government, and setting the defense budget, among other issues, the statement added.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we are committed to advancing our shared agenda together and anyone who suggests otherwise is clearly not part of the conversation," the senator said.

Late Wednesday, the White House put out a statement saying that McConnell and Trump "remain united on many shared priorities, including middle class tax relief, strengthening the military, constructing a southern border wall, and other important issues."

Still, Trump's Arizona rally is not likely to make their relationship any better.

First, Trump called for Republicans to scrap the filibuster for legislation, which can be used to require that a measure needs 60 votes to pass. Trump has repeatedly slammed the rule, even though the GOP failed to get even 50 votes needed to repeal Obamacare under the budget reconciliation process.

"We have to," Trump said of removing the filibuster. "And if we don't, the Republicans will never get anything passed. You're wasting your time."

"We have to speak to Mitch, and we have to speak to everybody," the president added.

He reiterated the demand on Wednesday morning in a tweet.

Trump: If Republican Senate doesn't get rid of the Filibuster Rule & go to a simple majority, which the Dems would do, they are just wasting time!

Trump's veiled and direct attacks on McCain and Flake are also not likely to make his party's Senate leader any more friendly.

A super PAC that the Times described as "aligned with" McConnell recently released an ad critical of Kelli Ward, the Republican candidate challenging Flake in the GOP primary next year.

McConnell spokesman David Popp told CNBC that Republican senators have made it clear they don't want to change the rule.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment on this article.

The Trump-McConnell relationship and recent White House chaos have put one Trump Cabinet member in a particularly awkward spot. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao is married to McConnell.

After Trump's widely criticized news conference last week responding to violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Chao said, "I stand by my man  both of them."
it's unlikely the U.S. will be able to renegotiate the

Trucks wait in the queue for border customs control to cross into U.S. at the Bridge of Americas in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, August 15, 2017. Jose Luis Gonzalez | Reuters

Ditching NAFTA without a replacement could be devastating to U.S. agriculture and end up costing Americans more for groceries, according to experts. Mexico and Canada represent nearly one-third of total U.S. agricultural exports. Corn, soybeans, fresh fruits and vegetables as well as livestock and dairy are major U.S. exports to those countries.



President Donald Trump said in a speech late Tuesday that it's unlikely the U.S. will be able to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. Some believe Trump risks a backlash in the farm belt states where he's had political support if he does away with the trade deal. "Scrapping NAFTA would have a huge impact on U.S. agriculture," said Joseph Glauber, a senior research fellow in the markets, trade and institutions division of the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington. "I would hope this is just a trade ploy." Glauber, a former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, told CNBC in an interview that certain anti-dumping provisions sought by some U.S. fruit and vegetable producers would have a negative impact in the end on Americans. And he believes such provisions could end up be being used by Canada and Mexico against U.S. producers. "Both consumers and producers would lose from scrapping NAFTA," Glauber said. "Consumers would lose cheaper access to fruits and vegetables and year-round access to fruits and vegetables." At the same time, Glauber said the U.S. agriculture industry would lose without NAFTA because cross-border trade on the livestock side benefits all three countries, including U.S. consumers. For example, he said Mexico ships the U.S. cattle and Canada ships feeder pigs across the border.

Key differences remain

Three-way talks in Washington to update the 23-year-old trade pact have reportedly failed to bridge differences between the parties. For the Trump administration, concerns about NAFTA go well beyond agriculture to industries such as auto manufacturing. But when it comes to agribusiness, the president has been very vocal about Canada's "unfair" dairy industry hurting U.S. producers, particularly dairies in border states such as Wisconsin.

Bob Lighthizer, U.S. trade representative, right, speaks to Chrystia Freeland, Canada's minister of foreign affairs, after opening statements during the first round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images

A second round of renegotiations is scheduled in Mexico City in a few weeks and will be followed by round three in Canada. Leading the NAFTA modernization talks for the Trump administration is Robert Lighthizer, the United States trade representative.



"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal," Trump told a political rally in Phoenix. "Because we have been so badly taken advantage of. They have made such great deals  both of the countries, but in particular Mexico  that I don't think we can make a deal."



"So I think we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point." This isn't the first time Trump has vowed to end the trade agreement. Some also view the president's comments as part of a strategy of applying additional pressure on Mexico and Canada.

Trump risks alienating farm belt

"In general there's a disconnect between Trump on the campaign trail, which is the Trump we see at these rallies, and Trump in the Oval Office," said Cullen Hendrix, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a Washington-based think tank. "He tends to make pretty bold claims and then we see little in the way of follow-through on the policy side." Hendrix added: "My guess is once he gets back to Washington, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue or [Commerce Secretary] Wilbur Ross will reacquaint him with the electoral map, which shows that leaving NAFTA would put the hammer to many of his supporters and GOP strongholds in the Great Plains. He's going to need those senators to support any renegotiated NAFTA." Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray reacted on Twitter to Trump's threat: "No surprises: we are already in a negotiation. Mexico will remain at the table with calmness, firmness and in the national interest." Last year, Mexico ranked as the third-largest agricultural export market for the U.S., while Canada ranked as the second-largest ag customer after China. Americans get fresh fruit and vegetables from Mexico, including avocados used to make guacamole. If Trump terminates NAFTA, it could make the price of avocados more expensive. The Trump administration previously floated the idea of having a 20 percent border tax that could impact everything from avocados to Mexican beer such as Corona. Talk of the tax went away but it could return, particularly if the president wants to raise money to pay for his border wall. "Presumably they would hit us with retaliatory tariffs, so that would affect us," said Glauber. "There would be a loss of trade, and that would hurt both producers and consumers."

Corn is harvested in Sheffield, Illinois. Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The economist explained that retaliatory tariffs also could impact industries within the U.S. that import goods for further processing, including meat processors, livestock, and fruit and vegetable processors. For Mexico, though, the country is already looking beyond the U.S. for agricultural trade and corn is one major commodity that could suffer.

Corn industry vulnerable

Overall, corn and corn products today account for more than 30 percent of U.S. farmer income, according to the National Corn Growers Association. Mexico was the top export market for corn last year, while Canada is also a major market for corn as well as ethanol. For soybeans, about 45 percent of the U.S. crop is exported on average and Mexico is one of the major markets along with China. "If everybody decided to close their borders to U.S. products and protect their own farmers with high subsidies, we'd have no place to get rid of our soybeans," said Rick Ostlie, a soybean farmer in North Dakota and former president of the American Soybean Association. Ostlie added: "It's easy to say we're going to improve NAFTA. But whether you're buying a car or negotiating a trade agreement, there's got to be give and take. You negotiate and get middle of the road ... and if it's to your best interest you do it. You're never going to get 100 percent of everything you want." Another industry that has thrived under NAFTA is the poultry market. Mexico and Canada together account for almost 40 percent of the American broiler exports. U.S.-produced pork also is a major export to Mexico and Canada. "NAFTA has been incredibly successful for our industry," said Jennifer Myers, a spokesperson for the National Corn Growers Association. "We are closely monitoring the negotiations and will continue to advocate for corn farmers' interests throughout this process." Former Canadian diplomat Lawrence Herman, now a senior fellow at the Toronto think tank C.D. Howe Institute, wrote in an op-ed in Tuesday's Globe and Mail newspaper that "Canada should be considering a world without the NAFTA or, possibly, without even the Canada-U.S. free-trade agreement." According to the California Farm Bureau Federation, not all sectors of agriculture in the state have benefited from NAFTA. Specifically, the group maintains that Mexican imports of asparagus, avocados, tomatoes and cut flowers have hurt growers in the state. Nonetheless, the California farm group still believes the trade deal has on balance been a good thing for California, which produces more than one-quarter of the nation's fruits and vegetables and most of its tree nuts.

'Unfair competition' from Mexico

At a congressional hearing last month, it was highlighted how specialty crop producers see "unfair competition" from Mexico under the current trade pact. For example, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association accused Mexico of "dumping" certain specialty crops and wants the anti-dumping provisions included in a new NAFTA. "Mexico's explosive growth in fruit and vegetable exports to the U.S. under NAFTA has had just a profoundly negative effect," FFVA spokesperson Lisa Lochridge told CNBC in an interview. The Florida ag official added: "Mexican fruit and vegetable producers have only been able to see the kind of growth that they have seen over the last 10, 15, 20 years because of unfair subsidies of the industry there by the Mexico government. Our argument is we can successfully compete in a fair global marketplace." A poll done in May of 400 farm producers found 83 percent of respondents in favor of modernizing NAFTA. The Purdue University poll also found that 62 percent are hopeful that a new trade pact will benefit American farmers.

US ag leader: 'do no harm' on NAFTA
"The one who has the most to lose in all of this is McConnell."

A new poll shows that only 18 percent of voters in McConnell's own home state of Kentucky approve of the job he's doing in the Senate. 18 percent! If those poll numbers don't improve, and Trump supporters nationwide get louder in their calls for his ouster, McConnell could face the same kind of pressure that sank Lott.

With that in mind, don't believe for a second that McConnell is foolish enough to take this feud so far that it derails the general GOP legislative agenda just because achieving some parts of that agenda will also help President Trump. McConnell needs to avoid a circular firing squad.

And that makes the discussion all about tax reform right now. McConnell and President Trump both need it to happen and happen before we get too close to those 2018 midterms. That fact is becoming increasingly clear to many insiders and even investors who now seem to see the chances improving of at least some tax cuts getting passed. That optimism fueled Tuesday's big rally on Wall Street.

And tax reform isn't the only joint goal. President Trump's recent moves on foreign policy, from taking a hard line on North Korea to adjusting U.S. policy in Afghanistan, are positions Republicans can support, too. In fact, House Speaker Paul Ryan and frequent Trump critic Senator Lindsay Graham were very quick to endorse President Trump's speech on Afghanistan Monday night.

Ryan might be acting like a team player right now because he's more forgiving in nature. Though, it's more likely that his decision is based on simple math. Remember, the entire House is up for re-election next year, while only eight Republican Senators face re-election in 2018. The chances that Ryan could lose his speaker's job simply from the election results are real and more dangerous than what McConnell is facing. Thus, Ryan has a bigger incentive to promote a more unified front to the voters.

In fact, it's most helpful to look at all the public attacks against President Trump from sitting Republicans through that electoral lens. When Republicans not up for re-election next year like Graham and Senator John McCain blast the president, it's one thing. But it means a lot more when someone who is running next year, like Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, criticize President Trump.

In short, foreign policy and taxes are issues where there is still a way forward between the White House and Congress. And those incumbents up for re-election in 2018 have too much riding on them not to push for progress in those areas at least.

Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
Aerospace defense company United Technologies may be targeted by an activist hedge fund, according to a vague report on Wednesday.



"An unidentified hedge fund  possibly ... Third Point  has been quietly buying up shares of the defense contractor, pressuring it to spin off non-core businesses," NYPost reported, citing sources close to the situation.



United Technologies intraday chart

Source: FactSet



United Technologies shares traded up 2 percent following the report. The stock is up 7.6 percent year to date through midday Wednesday versus the S&P 500's 9.4 percent return.



Third Point declined to comment on the report.



United Technologies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
LNG carrier ship sits docked at a terminal in Sabine Pass, Texas, U.S., on Monday, Feb. 22, 2016. The first tanker that will ship liquefied natural gas from Cheniere Energy Inc.'s Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana has arrived, signaling the imminent start of exports as a result of the U.S. shale boom. Bloomberg | Contributor

U.S. attempts to export natural gas to Europe appears likely to increase the pressure on the region's dominant player at a time when Washington has vowed to break down Russia's stranglehold over the market.



Lithuania became the first former Soviet state to receive a shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. on Monday. The deal is aimed to reduce Europe's dependence on Russia's gas supplies. "We are happy to reach a point where importing gas from U.S. is not only politically desirable but also commercially viable," Lithuania's Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas said Monday. While Lithuania is expected to import another shipment of LNG from the U.S. in September, several other European countries could soon opt to follow suit. As a result, the increased competition in the gas industry could help to drive down prices for European customers.

Russia likely to 'dis-incentivize' a second wave of US LNG

In July, Poland became the first Eastern European country to receive a shipment of U.S. LNG. Speaking in Warsaw at the time, President Donald Trump said he hoped for stronger ties between the two countries on energy. Following a meeting with the U.S. premier, Polish President Andrzej Duda said he expected to sign a long-term transatlantic deal for LNG supplies, before adding that any such agreement would reduce Warsaw's reliance on Russian "blackmailing". "Some central and east European countries especially Poland and Lithuania might prefer to import U.S. LNG and pay a higher price because they made reduction of dependence on Russian gas one of their main political priorities as they see it as a security issue," Katja Yafimava, a London-based analyst at the Oxford Energy Institute, told CNBC via email. Yafimava explained that while current price levels meant Russian gas is competitive with U.S. LNG for European buyers, Moscow would likely adopt a strategy to "dis-incentivize" a second wave of LNG from the other side of the Atlantic over the next decade. Rising shipments of U.S. natural gas have been made possible by the shale revolution in the country. And the world's largest economic and military power is now seeking to peel away business from Russian gas companies, such as state-backed energy giant Gazprom.

Option of US LNG 'used all over the world'

The European market is accountable for approximately 75 percent of Russia's total gas exports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It's a crucial industry for Russia, as oil and gas revenues attribute to more than 40 percent of the country's federal budget. Ira Joseph, head of gas and power analytics at S&P Global Platts, argued that while supply diversity offered some degree of energy security for European countries, ultimately the price of LNG would remain the top priority for most buyers. "The option of importing U.S. LNG is being used all over the world as a mechanism for negotiating new long- and short-term prices with other suppliers not used to the emerging competitive environment," Joseph told CNBC via email. "(However), if U.S. LNG delivered into Europe is consistently higher priced than Russian gas, the trade will not be sustainable," he added.

WATCH: Crude Realities: What could put pressure on oil prices in the weeks ahead
House Speaker Paul Ryan touted Republicans' tax reform plan Wednesday after touring an Intel facility in Oregon.

Ryan cast the coming GOP proposal as essential to simplifying the tax code and allowing the U.S. economy and its companies to thrive.

"We're basically taxing American businesses out of America," Ryan told Intel employees.

Ryan, long a proponent of overhauling the American tax system, hopes to approve a bill before the end of the year. Republicans want to start working a plan through Congress when they return from recess next month.

However, lawmakers must jump a set of hurdles to reach that goal. They face deadlines soon to pass politically contentious legislation on raising the debt ceiling and funding the government.

In a press briefing later Wednesday, Ryan said he doesn't think a government shutdown is necessary and said that most people don't want that to happen. Ryan said, however, that Congress will need more time to complete the appropriations process, especially in the Senate.

The House speaker's comments come after President Donald Trump said Tuesday evening that he would be willing to shut down the government to get the necessary funding for the border wall. On Wednesday, Ryan said he and the president "completely agree" on the need for a border wall.

Republicans also have to navigate a complex set of regional and corporate interests and tradeoffs to win the majority vote needed to pass a tax bill under budget reconciliation. The margin for error in the Senate is particularly thin  the GOP can only lose two votes and still pass a bill.

However, Ryan said he feels "very confident" about approving a tax plan.

One thing Ryan will have to figure out is how to raise enough revenue to lower individual and corporate rates as much as he wants. Top Republican tax writers have said they will not include the border adjustment provision backed by Ryan and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Tex.

In a separate appearance Wednesday with AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson, Brady said that Republicans had a "unique moment" to pass tax reform.

He also expressed confidence that the GOP could approve a plan by the end of the year.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg reveals he's still learning how to lead the social media giant from its time as a 10-person tech startup based in a Harvard dorm room to the over 20,000 employees who work for the company today. But it's his mentality as an engineer and hacker that he suggests his employees can learn from today. While the self-made billionaire probably no longer pulls all-nighters coding, Zuckerberg discusses what he's learned from transitioning from an engineer to CEO in an interview with LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman for his podcast, Masters of Scale.

"This is a really interesting shift, from being an engineer to running an organization," he says. "One of the great things about being an engineer is that you can actually go build something yourself," Zuckerberg tells Hoffman.

"It's one of the few professions where you can sit down and code something, " he says, "and then at the end, you have a product."

Be entrepreneurial about it, and be a hacker and go do it. Mark Zuckerberg Facebook founder & CEO
Making a profit and doing social good doesn't have to be mutually exclusive. Impact investing proves you can do both and address serious social and environmental challenges.

Sustainable agriculture in Bhutan, small water purification plants in India and a microfinance operation in Uganda. On the face of it these ventures have little in common.

Yes, they owe their existence to development aid, but not in the way you might think. All three are examples of a targeted investment where capital is used as a force for good.

This is called impact investing, which fosters positive social and/or environmental change, but provides a financial return. Done correctly, it becomes an ever-widening virtuous cycle.
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
Sturgeon wishes the SNP had a less nationalist name

If she could go back 90-odd years and talk to the founding fathers of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon has said she would urge them to choose a different name.

According to The Herald, the First Minister is concerned about the hugely problematic global connotations of the word nationalism, which is obviously difficult for the leader of a nationalist party.

However, she adds that it would be too complicated to change the name now (especially when the SNP brand is so well-defined after the referendum). Yet this suggests a change of name might not be off the table if and when the Nationalists need to renew themselves in opposition at some point in the future.

Writing in the Spectator, Stephen Daisley points out the irony of a nationalist claiming that their project is somehow different from, and more noble than, other peoples versions of it. Meanwhile the Scotsman told the First Minister to re-emphasise nationalism as a positive.

Unionists wary as Sinn Fein calls for talks to resume

Sinn Fein has called for talks on re-opening the Northern Ireland Assembly to restart at the end of the month, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

The devolved legislature has been suspended since the late Martin McGuinness walked out of his post as Deputy First Minister in the spring, eventually sparking a snap election which saw unionists lose their majority of seats for the first time in the history of Northern Ireland.

However, Unionists are reported to fear that this is merely a cynical ploy by the Republicans, who fear that the advantages of holding out are diminishing since the Unionist vote rebounded at the general election and Brexit hasnt triggered any movement towards the nationalist position amongst unionist voters.

Wood sparks outrage for terrorism comments

The leader of Plaid Cymru has provoked a backlash after tweeting about far right rather than Islamist terrorism after this weeks attack in Barcelona.

According to the BBC the Welsh Conservatives have called on Leanne Wood to apologise or resign for politicising terror so fresh after an attack.

The nationalist leader was trying to link events in Barcelona to white nationalists and neo-Nazis in the US, and defending her stance on social media. A statement issued by Plaid described ISIS as a fascist organisation.

Nationalist campaign group spark fresh row over oil

Over the weekend, the pro-independence Sunday Herald ran a story alleging that Westminster mismanagement was the only reason Scotland isnt presently enjoying an oil boom.

The paper cites leading think tank Business for Scotland, a separatist pressure group which purports to not be party-political but whose leadership has much stronger links to the SNP than it does to cross-border business.

Pro-UK writer Kevin Hague has published a comprehensive take-down of the Sunday Herald piece on his website, and the Sunday Times reports that the Scottish Governments own figures are expected to show that being part of the UK has cushioned Scotland from a multi-billion pound deficit it would have faced as an independent country after the oil crash.

Judge rejects challenge to Northern Irish ban on same-sex marriage

Earlier this week an Ulster court threw out two legal cases which sought to bypass the (currently suspended) devolved assembly and introduce gay marriage to the Province, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Mr Justice OHara declared that it was for Stormont, and not a court, to decide social policy in Northern Ireland. The couples pursuing the case had argued that the lack of same-sex marriage law in Northern Ireland breached their right to a family life under the European Convention of Human Rights.

As I wrote earlier this week, even those who support the extension of mainland legal norms and British rights to Ulster should be pleased that these cases failed: such issues must be resolved by accountable, political bodies such as Stormont or Parliament.

In other news, Westminster has announced that it will not fund abortions at Northern Irelands emergency clinic. The Government has previously announced that Ulsterwomen can receive the procedure free of charge on the mainland.

High-profile Cybernat blogger arrested

Stuart Campbell, the Bath-dwelling man behind the prominent nationalist blog Wings over Scotland, has been arrested by the police, Guido reports.

According to the Scotsman he has been bailed pending further inquiries into allegations of online harassment by a woman in her thirties. Campbell is also involved in a legal battle with Kezia Dugdale, the leader of Scottish Labour, after she accused him of homophobia.

During the 2014 referendum Wings raised tens of thousands of pounds for its campaign in support of independence, even to the point of taking out billboard advertisements on the London Underground.

Welsh Tories join criticism of bank over language policy

Lloyds Bank came under fire this week when it refused to accept a UCAS letter in Welsh in support of a Labour AMs daughters application for a student account, the BBC reports.

The branch insists this was a mistake, but has come under strong criticism from devolved politicians and Welsh language campaigners. Nick Bourne, a Tory peer and former leader of the Welsh Conservatives, has supported this criticism on social media.
The city has plans to build a new cruise terminal, this should be finished in 2020, said Nadine Brasseur, who heads up cruise operations for the city of Antwerp.

Our current cruise terminal is located directly in the city center, she said. Passengers like that. They can walk two minutes and enjoy the Christmas markets, for example, eat in one of many restaurants, have a Belgian beer or visit museums.





A 28,000-passenger season this year will be highlighted by a first-time call from Cruise & Maritime Voyages Columbus, which will become the biggest ship to ever call at the Belgian port.

Also scheduled is a first time call from Regents Seven Seas Navigator, and another exceptional news item: a first time turnaround call from the Crystal Symphony, said Brasseur.
Nicko Cruises will expand from rivers to oceans with the World Explorer, which is set to debut into service for the German brand on a seasonal basis in May 2019.

We and our shareholder, Mario Ferreira, are in agreement that we want to introduce an ocean product for 2019, said Guido Laukamp, chief commercial officer.

It will be destination oriented like our river cruising is, and on a small ship, added Laukamp.

The ship is the first of a series of 200-passenger newbuilds being constructed in Portugal by Ferreira.

We have growth ambitions, Laukamp told Cruise Industry News. There was an old Nicko, and when Mario took over, we shrunk it. Now we are about to arrive at the size of the old company and we have further plans.

We are putting a (river) ship on the Douro for 2018. We have increased capacity along the Croatian coast. We have doubled capacity on the Rhine. We are reaching for new opportunities, and one of the most exciting ones is the ocean program.

The product will be positioned in the upper premium segment, said Laukamp.

We do not like the word luxury, he explained. We think it puts unnecessary barriers up for certain people. It will be a relaxed, high-quality upper premium product.

The German market arms race to build big ships and drive capacity growth will only benefit the smaller players, he said.

This opens markets for people like us that provide personal service and an intimate atmosphere aboard.
SkySea Cruise Line has won the MICE Innovation of the Year award for cruise operators in the 2017 China Travel & Meetings Industry Awards.

The awards ceremony, hosted by M&C China Magazine, took place in Beijing, August 22, 2017.

The SkySea Golden Era has successfully tailored 10 large MICE projects so far in 2017, 20 percent up on 2016, the company said.

SkySea prides itself on being the MICE leader in the market due to its ability to deliver flexible, customized and cost efficient MICE programs on a ship that is ideal in size for MICE business in the China cruise market, said a statement.

Frank Yan, Vice President of Sales for SkySea Cruise Line, accepted the award on behalf of the company.

Ken Muskat, CEO of SkySea Cruise Line, said: SkySea is honored to be awarded Cruise Operator for MICE Innovation of the year by M&C China Magazine. Being recognized for our ability to deliver outstanding MICE programs for corporate clients and their employees is something we take great pride in. Our shipboard and shoreside Sales and Operations teams do everything in their power to provide personalized service and customized programs for each and every one of our MICE customers.

MICE customers choose cruise programs based on a number of characteristics such as a ship size that can meet the personalized needs of their clients, food and services onboard and a wide range of facilities for meetings and large group activities.

SkySea will customize programs based on where the customers are sourced.

For example, when the customers come from western China, SkySea will add Sichuan cuisine and when the customers come from northern China, the brand will arrange Cross Talk Shows and Perking Opera to meet their preferences. This kind of flexible and efficient management, with tailored and considerate service, has been well received by MICE customers, according to the company.
Fincantieri and MSC Cruises today celebrated the float out of MSC Seaview.

The ceremony, held at the Monfalcone shipyard in Italy, officially marked the first time that the vessel has touched water since beginning construction, according to a statement.

MSC Seaview will sail her inaugural 2018 summer season in the Mediterranean, followed by a winter in Brazil for 2018-2019.

The float out of MSC Seaview is another significant milestone in the expansion of our fleet, said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises. She is part of a ten year investment plan that will have already seen the delivery of six new ships by 2020.

At MSC Cruises, we are truly leading the way with our ship designs, as each new class of ships that we bring into service is rooted in meeting the needs of travelers of different ages, demographics and holiday desires. With MSC Seaview, in particular, our vision has been inspired by our passion for the sea and we are appealing to guests who are seeking the classic elements of a holiday  sun and sea  taken to the next level with a one-of-a-kind fully immersive and interactive seaside experience even whilst cruising at sea.

We are already the market leading cruise brand in the Mediterranean and Europe and the deployment of MSC Seaview in this key region will help us further push boundaries by bringing one of the most innovative cruise ships to an area that we are deeply committed to and is a cornerstone of our business, concluded Vago.

MSC Seaview is a challenge that Fincantieri is proud to carry out successfully, as demonstrated by the milestone reached today. She is a spectacular ship, the second of a new generation that is testing all of our best technical and managerial skills, considering that the float out takes place less than nine months from that of the prototype that launched this class of ships, MSC Seaside, said Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. These two beautiful ships require a real endeavor and our Group will deliver them to meet the high expectations of the ship owner in terms of reliability and product quality.
Leaders from several NAFCU-member credit unions, with the associations Dan Berger and Carrie Hunt, met with Treasury Department Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday to discuss tax reform, housing, lending and regulatory relief.

NAFCU member leaders that attended the meeting include Richard L. Harris, NAFCU Board chair and president and CEO of Caltech Employees Federal Credit Union (La Canada, Calif.); Jan N. Roche, NAFCU Board member and president and CEO of State Department Federal Credit Union (Alexandria, Va.); and Lynette Smith, president and CEO of Washington Gas Light Federal Credit Union (Springfield, Va.).

In addition to NAFCUs Berger, president and CEO, and Hunt, executive vice president of government affairs and general counsel, Tuesdays meeting included NAFCU Vice President of Research and Chief Economist Curt Long, Director of Regulatory Affairs Alexander Monterrubio and Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Allyson Browning.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment last week against a Virginia couple in a credit union fraud case that has captured the national media spotlight because the accused formerly worked for Democratic House members, including Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

According to the indictment, Imran Awan and Hina Alvi of Lorton, Va., allegedly conspired to fraudulently obtain $285,000 in home equity lines of credit from the $913 million Wright Patman Congressional Federal Credit Union and Oakton, Va., and wire transferred the HELOC funds to Pakistan.

Awan and his family members have been under investigation by the U.S. Capitol police for alleged theft of computers, unauthorized access to computer networks and espionage, according to national media reports.

During the closing for the HELOC on Jan. 12, Alvi allegedly misled CFCU by saying she intended to use a home on Sprayer Street in Alexandria as her primary residence even though she was leasing the property to another person for seven months. On that same day, Alvi again allegedly misled the credit union by saying she intended to use a second home on Hawkshead Drive in Lorton as her second home even though she was renting it to two people with a lease agreement that began in February and ended July 31, 2021, according to court documents.
One of the top ways leaders lose respect is by poorly handling conflict. How you handle yourself in a conflict situation is so important because it is not the easy interactions that define who you are as a leader, it is the difficult ones.

Lets say there is a conflict at work. Someone is disagreeing with you. How do you handle it? Do you appear in control or out of control? Do you appear secure or insecure? Do you appear calm or emotional? Do you appear strong or do you appear weak? Now, from the title of the article, youre probably thinking if you dont stand up for yourself, or if you give in or if you let the other person win during a conflict at work, you appear weak. Actually, the opposite is true.

Sounds counterintuitive doesnt it. But heres why.

In conflict, our instinct is to push against.to say, Youre wrong!

In situations where someone disagrees with us, our natural response is to push against that person. To prove that they are wrong. Here are some examples:

Opponent: Youre too old to run for political office.

Candidate: Im NOT too old to run for political office.

Person 1: Its going to take 50 years before we see a real positive change.

Person 2: Its not going to take 50 years to see a real positive change.

Person 1: What if we train our employees and they leave? Thats a waste of money.

Person 2: Thats not a waste of money.

Bully: You run like a girl

Girl: I do not!

Pushing against is a reasonable and natural instinct. Wanting to prove that the other person is wrong is a reasonable natural instinct. And it makes you look weak.

By pushing against you can appear aggressive, defensive and/or insecure

When you push against, you think you appear strong, but often you look either aggressive or defensive. What triggers someone to feel the need to be aggressive? Insecurity. What causes someone to be defensive? Insecurity. When you are being physically attacked these instincts can serve you well. But were talking about interactions with co-workers, not muggers. It may feel like these people are attacking you personally, but to achieve your goals, going with their argument may yield better results.

I hear you saying, But what if they ARE wrong! When you start from the premise of youre wrong you are no longer on that persons side. You are each focused on proving how the other person is wrong. This makes win/win solutions nearly impossible. It also makes the other person feel attacked rather than understood.

So what can you do to NOT appear aggressive, defensive or insecure (aka weak)?

The power of going with vs. pushing against your opponent

Instead of pushing against, go with your opponent.

Opponent: Ronald Reagan is too old to be president.

Ronald Reagan: I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponents youth and inexperience.

Instead of pushing against being too old, Regan acknowledge he was older than the other candidate, but turned it into a positive, rather than a negative attribute.

Person 1: Its going to take 50 years to see real positive change.

Person 2: It could. I think it may be closer to 25 years before we see real positive change.

When you push back and say it wont be 50 years you set yourself up on opposite sides. By going with, or agreeing with the main point we wont see a real positive change you are on the same side of the issue, simply talking about the timeline vs. arguing over the validity of the main premise.

Person 1: What if we train our employees and they leave? That would be a waste of money.

Person 2: What if we dont train them and they stay?

You went with their argument its a waste of money to train our employees. But then followed it to a logical conclusion.

Bully: You run like a girl.

Girl: And if you ran a little faster, you could, too.

This is an incredibly powerful technique for dealing with bullies. Bullies are itching for a fight. When you go with their argument, you throw them off balance. They are expecting you to be defensive. Instead you own the insult then flip it on its head to turn it into a positive. This sends a message of security vs. insecurity.

For those of you who are still thinking, But if I give in or let them have their way, I am surrendering! And thats going to make me look weak.

This is NOT surrender. When you surrender, you give the other person control. In this case you are maintaining control of the interaction at all times.

In conflict, going with vs. pushing against is a way to mindfully influence a situation, rather than mindlessly react to it. And THAT is the sign of strong leader.

P.S. For those of you who recognize the philosophy of Aikido here, you are correct. Well have much more on that coming soon.
ALLETE, Inc. operates as an energy company. The company operates through Regulated Operations, ALLETE Clean Energy, and Corporate and Other segments. It generates electricity from coal-fired, biomass co-fired / natural gas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. The company provides regulated utility electric services in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 13,000 natural gas customers, and 10,000 water customers, as well as regulated utility electric services in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 145,000 retail customers and 15 non-affiliated municipal customers. It also owns and maintains electric transmission assets in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. In addition, the company focuses on developing, acquiring, and operating clean and renewable energy projects; and owns and operates approximately 1,000 megawatts of wind energy generation facility. Further, it is involved in the coal mining operations in North Dakota; and real estate investment activities in Florida. The company owns and operates 158 substations with a total capacity of 10,066 megavolt amperes. It serves taconite mining, paper, pulp and secondary wood products, pipeline, and other industries. The company was formerly known as Minnesota Power, Inc. and changed its name to ALLETE, Inc. in May 2001. ALLETE, Inc. was incorporated in 1906 and is headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota.
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Hilltop Holdings Inc. provides business and consumer banking, and financial products and services. It operates through three segments: Banking, Broker-Dealer, and Mortgage Origination. The Banking segment offers savings, checking, interest-bearing checking, and money market accounts; certificates of deposit; lines and letters of credit, home improvement and equity loans, loans for purchasing and carrying securities, equipment loans and leases, agricultural and commercial real estate loans, and other loans; and commercial and industrial loans, and term and construction finance. This segment also provides treasury management, wealth management, asset management, check cards, safe deposit boxes, online banking, bill pay, trust, and overdraft services; and estate planning, management and administration, investment portfolio management, employee benefit accounts, and individual retirement accounts, as well as automated teller machines. The Broker-Dealer segment offers public finance services that assist public entities in originating, syndicating, and distributing securities of municipalities and political subdivisions; specialized advisory and investment banking services; advice and guidance to arbitrage rebate compliance, portfolio management, and local government investment pool administration; structured finance services, which include advisory services for derivatives and commodities; sells, trades in, and underwrites U.S. government and government agency bonds, corporate bonds, and municipal bonds, as well as mortgage-backed, asset-backed, and commercial mortgage-backed securities and structured products. This segment also provides asset and liability management advisory, clearing, retail, and securities lending services. The Mortgage Origination segment offers mortgage, jumbo, Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs, and United States Department of Agriculture loans. Hilltop Holdings Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. operates bookstores for college and university campuses, and K-12 institutions in the United States. It operates through three segments: Retail, Wholesale, and Digital Student Solutions. The company sells and rents new and used print textbooks, digital textbooks, and publisher hosted digital courseware through physical and virtual bookstores, as well as directly to students through Textbooks.com. It also offers First Day and First Day Complete access programs; BNC OER+, a turnkey solution for colleges and universities, that offers digital content, such as videos, activities, and auto-graded practice assessments; and general merchandise, including collegiate and athletic apparel, school spirit products, lifestyle products, technology products, supplies, graduation products, and convenience items. In addition, the company sources, sells, and distributes new and used textbooks; and sells hardware and a software suite of applications that provides inventory management and point-of-sale solutions to approximately 350 college bookstores. Further, it offers direct-to-student subscription-based writing services; and bartleby, a direct-to-student subscription-based offering that includes textbook solutions, expert questions and answers, and writing and tutoring services. The company operates 805 physical college and university bookstores; 622 virtual bookstores; 8 True Spirit e-commerce websites; pop-up retail locations; 73 customized cafes and 11 stand-alone convenience stores; and a media channel for brands targeting the college demographic. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
Coeur Mining, Inc. explores for precious metals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc, and lead properties. It holds 100% interests in the Palmarejo gold and silver mine covering an area of approximately 67,296 net acres located in the State of Chihuahua in Northern Mexico; the Rochester silver and gold mine that covers an area of approximately 43,441net acres situated in northwestern Nevada; the Kensington gold mine comprising 3,972 net acres located to the north of Juneau, Alaska; the Wharf gold mine covering an area of approximately 3,243 net acres situated in the northern Black Hills of western South Dakota; and the Silvertip silver-zinc-lead mine comprising 97,298 net acres located in northern British Columbia, Canada. In addition, the company owns interests in the Crown and Sterling projects located in southern Nevada; and the La Preciosa project located in Mexico. Further, it markets and sells its concentrates to third-party customers, smelters, under off-take agreements. The company was formerly known as Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and changed its name to Coeur Mining, Inc. in May 2013.Coeur Mining, Inc. was incorporated in 1928 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Compass Minerals International, Inc., produces and sells essential minerals primarily in the United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Salt, Plant Nutrition North America, and Plant Nutrition South America. The Salt segment offers sodium chloride and magnesium chloride, including rock salt, mechanically and solar evaporated salt, and brine and flake magnesium chloride products; and purchases potassium chloride and calcium chloride to sell as finished products or to blend with salt to produce specialty products. This segment provides products for use as a deicer for roadways, consumer, and professional use; as an ingredient in chemical production; for water treatment, human, and animal nutrition; and for various other consumer and industrial uses, as well as records management services. The Plant Nutrition North America segment offers sulfate of potash specialty fertilizers in various grades, including agricultural products that are used in broadcast spreaders, direct application, and liquid fertilizer solutions; turf products used by the turf and ornamental markets, as well as for blends used on golf course greens; organic products under the Protassium+ brand; and micronutrient products under the Wolf Trax and other brands. This segment provides its products to distributors and retailers of crop inputs, as well as growers. The Plant Nutrition South America segment offers various specialty plant nutrients and supplements; water and wastewater treatment chemicals for cleaning, decontaminating, and purifying water; and process chemicals for industrial use. The company was formerly known as Salt Holdings Corporation and changed its name to Compass Minerals International, Inc. in December 2003. Compass Minerals International, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.
The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 13125882 Canada Inc., 211 E. Russell Road LLC, 4458664 Canada Inc., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES ASIA PTE. LTD., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES BORROWER S.C.A., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES LLC, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES MIDDLE EAST FZE, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES SERVICES LIMITED, ASTRUM IT GmbH, Accudyne Industries Acquisition S.A r.l, Accudyne Industries Canada Inc., Accudyne Industries S.A r.l., Air Dimensions, Air Dimensions Inc., Albin Pump SAS, BOC Edwards Global Low pressure Air business, CISA S.p.A., Cameron-Centrifugal Compression, Comercial Ingersoll-Rand (Chile) Limitada, Comingersoll-Comercio E Industria De Equipamentos S.A., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Dosatron International SAS, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Proprietary Limited, FlexEnergy Holdings LLC, Frigoblock Grosskopf Gmbh, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First (UK) Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings II Inc., GD Global Holdings Inc., GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., GPS Industries, Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp (Canada), Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Limited, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica SL, Gardner Denver Inc., Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver International Inc., Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Investments Inc., Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan Ltd., Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte. Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia s.r.o., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH (f/k/a ILMVAC GmbH), Gardner Denver Thomas Inc., Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Ghh-Rand Schraubenkompressoren Gmbh, HASKEL EUROPE LTD., HASKEL HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, HASKEL INTERNATIONAL LLC, Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, Haskel France SAS, Haskel Sistemas de Fluidos Espana S.R.L., Hibon Inc., Highspeed Newco LLC, Hingerose Limited, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, INGERSOLL RAND ITS JAPAN LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHANG ZHOU) TOOLS CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHINA) INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND CHINA LLC, INGERSOLL-RAND COMERCIO E SERVICOS DE MAQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA., INGERSOLL-RAND DE PUERTO RICO INC., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY B.V., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL SP. Z O.O., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S. INC., INGERSOLL-RAND PHILIPPINES INC., INGERSOLL-RAND SPAIN S.A., INGERSOLL-RAND U.S. HOLDCO INC., IR HPS Holdco. Inc., ITO Emniyet, Ingersoll Rand Cyprus Investments Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Finance LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Investments LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Ventures LLC, Ingersoll Rand Hong Kong Investments Limited, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Ingersoll Rand Investments (SG) Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Investments B.V., Ingersoll Rand Schweiz Investments Gmbh, Ingersoll Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (Australia) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (China) Investment Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Guilin) Tools Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Hong Kong) Holding Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Ab, Ingersoll-Rand Air Solutions Hibon Sarl, Ingersoll-Rand Beteiligungs Und Grundstucksverwaltungs Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Colombia S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (Uk), Ingersoll-Rand Company South Africa (Pty) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Cz S.R.O., Ingersoll-Rand De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Equipements De Production S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Ireland Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International (India) Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Italia S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Italiana Manufacturing S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Korea Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Korea Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments II S.A R.I., Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Industrial Company S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Machinery (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Malaysia Co. Sdn. Bhd., Ingersoll-Rand S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Services And Trading Limited Liability Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Singapore Enterprises Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand South East Asia (Pte.) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Superay Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technical And Services S.A.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Technologies And Services Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Tool Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Trading Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Vietnam Company Limited, Instrum Rand JSC, Interflex Datensysteme, Ir Canada Holdings Ulc, Ir Canada Sales & Service Ulc, Ir France Sas, Kryptonite corp, Lawrence Factor Inc., LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MILTON ROY (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MILTON ROY (UK) LIMITED, MILTON ROY EUROPA B.V., MILTON ROY EUROPE SAS, MILTON ROY INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD., MILTON ROY LLC, MILTON ROY US PURCHASER INC., MP Pumps Inc., Maximum AG Technologies Inc., Maximus Solutions, Mb Air Systems Limited, Nash Elmo, Officina Meccaniche Industriali Srl, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Plurifilter D.O.O., Pt Ingersoll-Rand Indonesia, Robuschi, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, SEEPEX, Seepex (M) SDN, Seepex Australia Pty Ltd, Seepex Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung, Seepex France S.a.r.l., Seepex GmbH, Seepex Inc., Seepex India Private Ltd., Seepex Italia SRL, Seepex Japan Co. Ltd., Seepex Nordic A/S, Seepex OOO, Seepex Pumps (Shanghia) Co. Ltd., Seepex UK Ltd., Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Shanghai Ingersoll-Rand Compressor Limited, Shenzhen Bocom System Engineering Co., Superay, Syltone, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, Tamrotor Marine Comp AS Norway, Tecno Matic Europe s.r.o., Thomas Industries Inc., Trane Technologies, Tri-Continent Scientific Inc., Vacuum and Blower Systems division, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zaxe Technologies Inc., Zeks Compressed Air Solutions Llc, Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, Zinsser NA Inc., and crayon interface.

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Granite Construction Incorporated operates as an infrastructure contractor and a construction materials producer in the United States. It operates through two segments, Construction and Materials segments. The Construction segment engages in the construction and rehabilitation of roads, pavement preservation, bridges, rail lines, airports, marine ports, dams, reservoirs, aqueducts, infrastructure, and site development for use by the public. It also focuses on water-related construction for municipal agencies, commercial water suppliers, industrial facilities, and energy companies. The company also constructs various complex projects, including infrastructure/site development, mining, public safety, tunnel, solar, and power projects. The Materials segment is involved in the production of aggregates and asphalt for internal use, as well as for sale to third parties. In addition, it offers site preparation, mining, and infrastructure services for residential development, energy development, commercial and industrial sites, and other facilities; and provides construction management professional services. The company serves federal agencies, state departments of transportation, local transit authorities, county and city public works departments, school districts and developers, utilities, contractors, landscapers, manufacturers of products requiring aggregate materials, retailers, homeowners, farmers, brokers, and private owners of industrial, commercial, and residential sites. Granite Construction Incorporated was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Watsonville, California.
Harley-Davidson, Inc. manufactures and sells motorcycles. The company operates in two segments, Motorcycles and Related Products and Financial Services. The Motorcycles and Related Products segment designs, manufactures, and sells Harley-Davidson motorcycles, including cruiser, touring, standard, sportbike, and dual models, as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and related services. This segment sells its products to retail customers through a network of independent dealers, as well as e-commerce channels in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. The Financial Services segment provides wholesale financing services, such as floorplan and open account financing of motorcycles, and parts and accessories; and retail financing services, including installment lending for the purchase of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles, as well as point-of-sale protection products comprising motorcycle insurance, extended service contracts, and motorcycle maintenance protection. This segment also licenses third-party financial institutions that issue credit cards bearing the Harley-Davidson brand. Harley-Davidson, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. engages in designing, building, overhauling, and repairing military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Technical Solutions. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. It also provides nuclear-powered ships, such as aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as refueling and overhaul, and inactivation services of ships. In addition, the company offers naval nuclear support services, including fleet services comprising design, construction, maintenance, and disposal activities for in-service the U.S. Navy nuclear ships; and maintenance services on nuclear reactor prototypes. Further, it provides life-cycle sustainment services to the U.S. Navy fleet and other maritime customers; high-end information technology and mission-based solutions for Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence, and federal civilian customers; nuclear management and operations and environmental management services for the Department of Energy, DoD, state and local governments, and private sector companies; defense and federal solutions; and unmanned systems. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Newport News, Virginia.
Community Bank System, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Community Bank, N.A. that provides various banking and other financial services to retail, commercial, and municipal customers. It operates through three segments: Banking, Employee Benefit Services, and All Other. The company offers various deposits products, such as checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as time deposits. It also provides loans, including consumer mortgages; general purpose commercial and industrial loans, and mortgages on commercial properties; paycheck protection program loans; installment loans that are originated through selected dealerships and are secured by automobiles, marine, and other recreational vehicles; personal installment loans and lines of credit for consumers; and home equity products. In addition, the company offers broker-dealer and investment advisory; cash management, investment, and treasury services; asset management; and employee benefit services, as well as operates as a full-service insurance agency that offers personal and commercial lines of insurance, and other risk management products and services. Further, it provides contribution plan administration, employee benefit trust, collective investment fund, retirement plan administration, fund administration, transfer agency, actuarial and benefit consulting, VEBA/HRA, and health and welfare consulting services. Additionally, the company offers wealth management, retirement planning, higher educational planning, fiduciary, risk management, trust, and personal financial planning services; and investment alternatives, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and advisory products, as well as master recordkeeping services. As of January 24, 2022, it operated approximately 215 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts. Community Bank System, Inc. was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in DeWitt, New York.
Teleflex Incorporated designs, develops, manufactures, and supplies single-use medical devices for common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in critical care and surgical applications worldwide. It provides vascular access products that comprise Arrow branded catheters, catheter navigation and tip positioning systems, and intraosseous access systems for the administration of intravenous therapies, the measurement of blood pressure, and the withdrawal of blood samples through a single puncture site. The company also offers interventional products, which consists of various coronary catheters, structural heart therapies, and peripheral intervention and cardiac assist products that are used by interventional cardiologists and radiologists, and vascular surgeons; and Arrow branded catheters, Guideline and Trapliner catheters, the Manta Vascular Closure, and Arrow Oncontrol devices. It provides anesthesia products, such as airway and pain management products to support hospital, emergency medicine, and military channels; and surgical products, including metal and polymer ligation clips, and fascial closure surgical systems that are used in laparoscopic surgical procedures, percutaneous surgical systems, and other surgical instruments. The company also offers interventional urology products comprising the UroLift System, an invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia; and respiratory products, including oxygen and aerosol therapies, spirometry, and ventilation management products for use in various care settings. It provides urology products, such as catheters, urine collectors, and catheterization accessories and products for operative endourology; and bladder management services. The company serves hospitals and healthcare providers, medical device manufacturers, and home care markets. The company was incorporated in 1943 and is headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
KBR, Inc. provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Its services cover research and development, advanced prototyping, acquisition support, systems engineering, cyber analytics, space domain awareness, test and evaluation, systems integration and program management, global supply chain management, and operations readiness and support, as well as command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services. This segment also provides various professional advisory services to deliver high-end systems engineering, systems assurance, and technology to customers across the defense, energy, and critical infrastructure sectors. The Sustainable Technology Solutions segment holds a portfolio of approximately 70 proprietary process technologies for ammonia/syngas/fertilizers, chemical/petrochemicals, clean refining, and circular process/circular economy solutions. This segment also includes advisory and consulting practices that focuses on energy transition and net-zero carbon emission consulting; and provides engineering, design, and professional services, as well as industrial solutions through KBR INSITE, a proprietary, digital, and cloud-based operations and maintenance platform that identifies opportunities for clients to achieve sustainable improvements in production, reliability, environment impact, energy efficiency, and profitability. KBR, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Best Buy Co., Inc. retails technology products in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Domestic and International. Its stores provide computing products, such as desktops, notebooks, and peripherals; mobile phones comprising related mobile network carrier commissions; networking products; tablets covering e-readers; smartwatches; and consumer electronics consisting of digital imaging, health and fitness, home theater, portable audio comprising headphones and portable speakers, and smart home products. The company's stores also offer appliances, such as dishwashers, laundry, ovens, refrigerators, blenders, coffee makers, and vacuums; entertainment products consisting of drones, peripherals, movies, music, and toys, as well as gaming hardware and software, and virtual reality and other software products; and other products, such as baby, food and beverage, luggage, outdoor living, and sporting goods. In addition, it provides consultation, delivery, design, health-related, installation, memberships, repair, set-up, technical support, and warranty-related services. The company offers its products through stores and websites under the Best Buy, Best Buy Ads, Best Buy Business, Best Buy Health, CST, Current Health, Geek Squad, Lively, Magnolia, Best Buy Mobile, Pacific Kitchen, Home, and Yardbird, as well as domain names bestbuy.com, currenthealth.com, lively.com, yardbird.com, and bestbuy.ca. As of January 30, 2022, it had 1,144 stores. The company was formerly known as Sound of Music, Inc. The company was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota.
The following companies are subsidiares of Transocean: 15375 Memorial Corporation, Agon Shipping Inc., Aguas Profundas Limitada, AngoSantaFe - Prestacao de Servicos Petroliferos Limitada, Angola Deepwater Drilling Company (Offshore Services) Ltd, Arcade Drilling AS, Asie Sonat Offshore Sdn. Bhd., Barents Rigco Limited, Blegra Asset Management Limited, Blegra Financing Limited, Caledonia Offshore Drilling Services Limited, Challenger Minerals Inc., Covent Garden - Servicos e Marketing Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Deepwater Drilling (Transocean Ghana) Limited, Deepwater Drilling North Africa LLC - Free Zone, Deepwater Pacific 1 Inc., Deepwater Supply Inc., Drillship Alonissos Owners Inc., Drillship Hydra Owners Inc., Drillship Kithira Owners Inc., Drillship Kythnos Owners Inc., Drillship Paros Owners Inc., Drillship Skiathos Owners Inc., Drillship Skopelos Owners Inc., Drillship Skyros Owners Inc., Eastern Med Consultants Inc., Entities Holdings Inc., GSF Leasing Services GmbH, Global Marine Inc., Global Offshore Drilling Limited, GlobalSantaFe (Labuan) Inc., GlobalSantaFe B.V., GlobalSantaFe C.R. Luigs Limited, GlobalSantaFe Denmark Holdings ApS, GlobalSantaFe Drilling (N.A.) N.V., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company (Overseas) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Operations Inc., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Services (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Trinidad LLC, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Venezuela C.A., GlobalSantaFe Financial Services (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., GlobalSantaFe Group Financing Limited Liability Company, GlobalSantaFe Holding Company (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Hungary Services Limited Liability Company, GlobalSantaFe International Drilling Corporation, GlobalSantaFe International Drilling Inc., GlobalSantaFe International Services Inc., GlobalSantaFe Nederland B.V., GlobalSantaFe Offshore Services Inc., GlobalSantaFe Operations (Mexico) LLC, GlobalSantaFe Saudi Arabia Ltd., GlobalSantaFe Services (BVI) Inc., GlobalSantaFe Services Netherlands B.V., GlobalSantaFe Servicios de Venezuela C.A., GlobalSantaFe South America LLC, GlobalSantaFe Tampico S. de R.L. de C.V., GlobalSantaFe Techserv (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe U.S. Holdings Inc., Indigo Drilling Limited, Inteliwell JV GP Limited, Inteliwell JV LP, Kalambo Operations Inc., OCR Falklands Drilling Inc., OR Norge Operations Inc., Ocean Rig, Ocean Rig 1 Inc, Ocean Rig 2 Inc., Ocean Rig Canada Inc., Ocean Rig Cuanza Operations Inc., Ocean Rig Cubango Operations Inc., Ocean Rig Deepwater Drilling Limited, Ocean Rig Investments Inc., Ocean Rig Management Inc., Ocean Rig Operations Inc., Ocean Rig UDW Inc., Ocean Rig UDW LLC, Offshore Ghana Transocean Limited, Offshore Rig Operations AS, Olympia Rig Angola Holding S.A., Olympia Rig Angola Limitada, Orion Holdings (Cayman) Limited, Orion RigCo (Cayman) Limited, P.T. Santa Fe Supraco Indonesia, PT. Transocean Indonesia, Platform Capital N.V., Platform Financial N.V., Primelead Limited, R&B Falcon (A) Pty Ltd, R&B Falcon (Caledonia) Limited, R&B Falcon (M) Sdn. Bhd., R&B Falcon (U.K.) Limited, R&B Falcon B.V., R&B Falcon Deepwater (UK) Limited, R&B Falcon Drilling Co. LLC, R&B Falcon Exploration Co. LLC, R&B Falcon International Energy Services B.V., RBF Rig Corporation LLC, Ranger Insurance Limited, Reading & Bates Coal Co. LLC, SDS Offshore Limited, Safemal Drilling Sdn. Bhd., Santa Fe Braun Inc., Santa Fe Construction Company, Santa Fe Drilling Company of Venezuela C.A., Saudi Drilling Company Limited, Sedco Forex International Inc., Services Petroliers Transocean, Servicios Petroleros Santa Fe S.A., Ship Investment Ocean Holdings Inc., Songa Offshore Delta Limited, Songa Offshore Drilling Limited, Songa Offshore Enabler Limited, Songa Offshore Encourage Limited, Songa Offshore Endurance Limited, Songa Offshore Equinox Limited, Songa Offshore Equipment Rental Limited, Songa Offshore Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Songa Offshore Management Limited, Songa Offshore Pte. Ltd., Songa Offshore Rig 2 AS, Songa Offshore Rig 3 AS, Songa Offshore SE, Songa Offshore SE, Songa Offshore Saturn Limited, Songa Offshore T & P Cyprus Limited, Songa Saturn Chartering Pte. Ltd., Spitsbergen Rigco Limited, Sub-Saharan Drilling Inc., T. I. International Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., TILAM Holdings Limited, TRM Holdings Limited, TSSA - Servicos de Apoio Lda., Transocean Africa Drilling Limited, Transocean Asia Services Sdn Bhd, Transocean Asset Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Asset Holdings 2 Limited, Transocean Asset Holdings 3 Limited, Transocean Atlas Limited, Transocean Barents ASA, Transocean Brasil Ltda., Transocean Britannia Limited, Transocean Canada Drilling Services Ltd., Transocean Conqueror Limited, Transocean Conqueror Opco LLC, Transocean Corporate Services Limited, Transocean Cyprus Capital Management Public Limited, Transocean Cyprus Drilling Operations Public Limited, Transocean Deepwater Drilling Services Limited, Transocean Deepwater Holdings Limited, Transocean Deepwater Inc., Transocean Deepwater Mauritius, Transocean Deepwater Nautilus Limited, Transocean Deepwater Seafarer Services Limited, Transocean Discoverer 534 LLC, Transocean Drilling Enterprises S.a.r.l., Transocean Drilling Israel Ltd., Transocean Drilling Limited, Transocean Drilling Namibia Inc., Transocean Drilling Offshore S.a.r.l., Transocean Drilling Sdn. Bhd., Transocean Drilling Services (India) Private Limited, Transocean Drilling U.K. Limited, Transocean Eastern Pte. Ltd., Transocean Employee Support Fund, Transocean Enabler Limited, Transocean Enabler Rigco Limited, Transocean Encourage Limited, Transocean Encourage Rigco Limited, Transocean Endurance Limited, Transocean Endurance Rigco Limited, Transocean Entities Holdings GmbH, Transocean Equinox Limited, Transocean Equinox Rigco Limited, Transocean Finance Limited, Transocean Financing (Cayman) Limited, Transocean Financing GmbH, Transocean Guardian Limited, Transocean Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Holdings 2 Limited, Transocean Holdings 3 Limited, Transocean Holdings LLC, Transocean Hungary Holdings LLC, Transocean Hungary Investments LLC, Transocean Hungary Ventures LLC, Transocean Inc., Transocean Innovation Labs Ltd., Transocean International Holdings Limited, Transocean International Resources Limited, Transocean Investimentos Ltda., Transocean Investments Holdings LLC, Transocean Investments S.a.r.l., Transocean Ltd., Transocean Management Services GmbH, Transocean Minerals Holdings Limited, Transocean Nautilus Limited, Transocean North Sea Limited, Transocean Norway Operations AS, Transocean Offshore (North Sea) Ltd., Transocean Offshore Canada Services Ltd., Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling Inc., Transocean Offshore Deepwater Holdings Limited, Transocean Offshore Drilling Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea II Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea VI Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea VII Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea XII Limited, Transocean Offshore Gulf of Guinea XIII Limited, Transocean Offshore Holdings Limited, Transocean Offshore International Limited, Transocean Offshore International Ventures Limited, Transocean Offshore Limited, Transocean Offshore PR Limited, Transocean Offshore USA Inc., Transocean Onshore Support Services Limited, Transocean Orion Limited, Transocean Phoenix 2 Limited, Transocean Phoenix 2 Opco LLC, Transocean Pontus Limited, Transocean Pontus Opco Inc., Transocean Poseidon Limited, Transocean Poseidon Opco Inc., Transocean Proteus Limited, Transocean Proteus Opco LLC, Transocean Quantum Holdings Limited, Transocean Quantum Management Limited, Transocean Quantum Rig Holdings Limited, Transocean Quantum Sentry Holdings Limited, Transocean Rig 140 Limited, Transocean Rig Management Limited, Transocean SPSF Holdings Limited, Transocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited, Transocean Sentry Limited, Transocean Services (India) Private Limited, Transocean Services AS, Transocean Services UK Limited, Transocean Skyros Limited, Transocean Spitsbergen ASA, Transocean Sub Asset Holdings 1 Limited, Transocean Sub Asset Holdings 2 Limited, Transocean Sub Asset Holdings 3 Limited, Transocean Support Services Limited, Transocean Support Services Nigeria Limited, Transocean Support Services Private Limited, Transocean Technical Services Egypt LLC, Transocean U.S. Holdings LLC, Transocean UK Limited, Transocean Voyager 1 Limited, Transocean Voyager 2 Limited, Transocean West Africa Holdings Limited, Transocean Worldwide Inc., Triton Asset Leasing GmbH, Triton Capital I GmbH, Triton Capital II GmbH, Triton Capital Mexico GmbH, Triton Conqueror GmbH, Triton Corcovado LLC, Triton Financing LLC, Triton Gemini GmbH, Triton Holdings Limited, Triton Hungary Asset Management LLC, Triton Hungary Investments 1 Limited Liability Company, Triton Industries Inc., Triton KG2 GmbH, Triton Management Services LLC, Triton Mykonos LLC, Triton Nautilus Asset Leasing GmbH, Triton Nautilus Asset Management LLC, Triton Offshore Leasing Services Limited, Triton Pacific Limited, Triton Poseidon GmbH, Triton Voyager Asset Leasing GmbH, and Wilrig Offshore (UK) Limited.

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During an 80-minute speech at a rally for his supporters in Phoenix, Arizona, Donald Trump took shots at "truly dishonest people in the media and the fake media" for misrepresenting his "perfect words" after the events in Charlottesville, Virginia earlier in August.

"This is what I said on Saturday: 'We're closely following the terrible events unfolding in Charlottesville, Virginia,' - this is me speaking. 'We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence.' That's me speaking on Saturday, right after the event," said Trump to the campaign-style Make America Great Again rally, while choosing to omit the much-criticised "on many sides, on many sides" addendum that led to many supporters abandoning the President, including his entire arts council.

Less than an hour after Ken Frazier of drugs giant Merck had resigned from his American Manufacturing council, Trump tweeted that Frazier would now have more time to focus on "ripoff drug prices."



It took 36 hours after his initial statement for the President to come out and directly condemn the actions that lead to the death of 32-year old paralegal, Heather Heyer.

Richard Spencer, head of white supremacist think-tank, The National Policy Institute, tweeted "Trump has never denounced the Alt-Right. Nor will he."

Trump also discussed his highly controversial Mexican border policies, saying he wanted congress to fund his "big, beautiful" wall to prevent people from entering the United States illegally.

This comes after the president campaigned on the promise that America's neighbour to the south would pay for the wall itself, something former Mexican president Vicente Fox colourfully told the media in February that his country would not be doing.

The president told the audience the Democrats were "putting all of America's safety at risk" by trying to block a government spending bill required to fund construction of the border wall.

He also indicated he would be willing to institute a government shutdown, stopping all non-essential services until it was passed.

"If we have to close down our government, we are building that wall," said Trump, before adding "the American people voted for immigration control."

Trump also spoke on the heightened tensions between the US and North Korea, saying, "maybe - probably not, but maybe - something positive can come about".

A Democratic Party congressman referred to the speech as the worst ever made by a US President. "It was all about him, it was not about the country," Ruben Gallego told the BBC.
London stocks were set for a slightly weaker open on Wednesday following gains in the previous session.

The FTSE 100 was expected to open 11 points lower at 7,370.

There are no major UK data releases due but Markit's eurozone manufacturing and services PMIs are at 0900 BST, while US manufacturing and services figures are at 1445 BST, with new home sales data at 1500 BST.

CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said: "Another day of strong gains in metals prices along with a recovering US dollar and diminishing concerns over geopolitical risks served to combine to return a day of strong gains for both European and US equity markets yesterday, with the Dow posting its best one day gain since April on chatter that the Trump administration might be able to make some progress on the thorny issue of tax reform.

"Sadly weve seen this movie quite a few times this year with the hope that US politicians may well be poised to move forward with a program of tax reform, and for those hopes to subsequently turn to dust.

"The focus today ahead of this weeks Jackson Hole symposium will be the latest flash PMIs for August from Germany and France, as well as a speech by ECB President Mario Draghi in Germany, at 8am BST this morning, with investors looking for clues as to his thinking about what the European Central Bank might do with respect to the current bond buying program, as we head into year end."

In corporate news, WPP reported slightly weaker than expected top and bottom line growth at the half year stage. At 7.4bn for the latest six-month stretch, which was 13.3% ahead of the prior year period, the company fell slightly short of the consensus forecast for 7.5bn.

However, reported diluted earnings per share of 46.6p were better than the 45.7p that analysts had anticipated. The interim dividend payout was set at 22.7p, versus 22.0p expected.

United Arab Emirates-focussed integrated healthcare provider NMC Health has signed a new operations and maintenance contract for the management of Emirates Healthcare assets, comprising three brands.

The FTSE 250 company said the brands comprised Emirates Hospitals and Clinics, which provides general medical services across six Emirates in the UAE; CosmeSurge, which provided cosmetic medical services in the UAE with a single clinic in the UK; and Emirates Rehab and Homecare Services, which provides home nursing, rehabilitation, therapeutic care and home-based care, and is present in the UAE, Slovakia and Oman.

Playtech has agreed to buy technology, intellectual property and certain customer assets from ACM for up to $150m as it continues to enhance its financials division's B2B offering.

The company also said on Wednesday that its financials division will now be known as TradeTech Group to better reflect the full capabilities of the businesses within the division and align its brand recognition throughout the industry.
Theresa Mays government has been criticised for an apparent U-turn in its stance on the UKs relationship with EU courts in the aftermath of Brexit .

In another policy paper released on Wednesday laying out the UKs position ahead of the third round of discussions, the paper will say that the European Court of Justice will no longer have direct jurisdiction over cases in the UK.

The use of the word direct implies May and her negotiating team are willing to consider an agreement with their EU counterparts in which some ECJ influence remains in Britain.

The paper concluded that the UK would aim to establish a 'deep' relationship following Brexit.

The UK will engage constructively to negotiate an approach to enforcement and dispute resolution, which meets the key objectives of both the UK and the EU in underpinning the effective operation of a new, deep and special partnership, concludes the policy paper.

Currently decisions made in UK courts can be contested as far as courts in Europe, leading many Brexit supporters to point to a haemorrhaging of sovereignty for the regions own judicial system.

Currently decisions made in UK courts can be contested as far as courts in Europe

May is likely to face a backlash from Brexiteers within her party who are adamant that any ties with the ECJ must be cut when the UK leaves the bloc in 2019.

Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer pointed out that the paper seems to be at odds with the red line presented by May earlier this year.

The repeated reference to ending the direct jurisdiction of the ECJ is potentially significant, Starmer said.

This appears to contradict the red line laid out in the prime ministers Lancaster House speech and the governments white paper, which stated there could be no future role of the ECJ and that all laws will be interpreted by judges in this country.
Playtech has agreed to buy technology, intellectual property and certain customer assets from UK-based B2B market maker, dealer and broker Alpha - also known as ACM - for up to $150m as it continues to enhance its financials division's B2B offering.

The company also said on Wednesday that its financials division will now be known as TradeTech Group to better reflect the full capabilities of the businesses within the division and align its brand recognition throughout the industry.

As a result of the acquisition of the assets a team from Alpha will join the TradeTech Group and the brand TradeTech Alpha will be created to deliver a bespoke risk management and trading solution to B2B customers.

Alpha focuses on delivering bespoke risk management and trading services to institutional and professional clients. In line with Playtech's strategy to acquire bolt-on technology and additional services, TradeTech Group has agreed to acquire various assets from Alpha including a portfolio of international B2B clients, its proprietary trading technology, and the institutional focused Alpha Pro trading platform. The trading, risk, dealing and business development teams of Alpha will join TradeTech Group, including around 20 staff based in the UK.

As part of the deal, Playtech will make an initial upfront payment of $5m, two staged payments based on 1x EBITDA of 2017 and 2018 and a contingent consideration based on 5.2x the 2019 EBITDA, minus the initial payments and 2017 and 2018 payments. The total consideration will be capped at $150m.

Ron Hoffman, the chief executive officer of Playtech's financials division, said: "This is a significant step in the evolution of TradeTech. The financial trading industry is driven by the core capabilities of platform technology, customer acquisition and retention, CRM management, and financial trading and risk management expertise.

"The acquisition of Alpha's high-quality technology and teams of industry experts will significantly deepen our expertise in trading and risk management, allowing TradeTech Group to offer a full turnkey solution to B2B clients across the industry."
BHP chairman, Jac Nasser, announced on Wednesday that Grant King, a non-executive director, will not stand for re-election to the board "owing to concerns expressed by some investors."

In parallel, Nasser announced two new appointments to the board which he said reflected the outfit's structured and robust approach to succession in its top ranks, based among other things on the firm's outlook for the next five years.

The announcement came after investors expressed concerns over King's record for returns while at the helm of Origin Energy.

Meanwhile, Wesfarmer's outgoing finance director Terry Bowen and former BP executive John Mogford had been appointed to the board, starting from October.

Mr Nasser said that the appointments would be "excellent additions to the BHP Board and that the appointments were "the outcome of our structured and robust approach to board succession."

He also added that Malcolm Brinded was to step down from his position as non-executive director of the company in October due to his involvement in ongoing legal proceedings in Italy relating to his prior employment at Shell.
Vedanta Resources announced record earnings on Wednesday for the quarter ending 30 June thanks to significantly higher commodity prices and increased sales volumes.

The $777.8m EBITDA the group posted was a 48% increase on the $527.1m it had shown the same time last year and helped Vedanta to decrease its gross debt position 8%, from $18.2bn at 31 March to $16.8bn at the end of the first quarter.

Revenues increased across most of the business.

Oil and gas reported a 25% revenue increase to $353.1m despite barrels of oil equivalent per day seeing a 5% decrease in average gross production.

Vedanta's Indian based zinc operations accounted for $694.6m of its total revenue with a very impressive 90% year-on-year increase with two more mines becoming operational at Sindesar Khurd and Zawar by July 2019.

Revenue of $657.2m represented a 60% increase in the company's aluminium business.

The first of the two dark spots was the report that iron ore revenue had dipped 26% from the $145m Vedanta announced last year to $106.6m in 2017, mainly due to a lower realization than expected at its Goa mine site, the second coming in the form of a 36% decline in power revenue as a result of a fire in April at the took a Punjabi power station operated by its wholly owned subsidiary, Talwandi Sabo, offline for most of the quarter.

Former Rio Tinto boss turned Vedanta chief executive, Tom Albanese said, "We have made a positive start to the year with both revenue and EBITDA significantly up year on year. In particular, our Zinc and Oil & Gas businesses have delivered a strong quarter."

He also noted, "Our recent comprehensive refinancing exercise of $1.84 billion further helps to optimise our balance sheet and create value for all our stakeholders."

As of 0835 BST, shares had seen a slight uptick, sighting 1.04% higher at 785.00p.
iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel

Published: 2017-08-23

Author: Athena Fund | Contact: athenafund.org/index.php?categoryId=8561

Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A

Additional References: Library of Electronics/Software Publications

Synopsis: About 10,000 special education teachers in Israel will receive iPads with specialized software and applications for students with special needs and various disabilities. Israel's Athena Fund, a nonprofit organization empowering teachers, has launched a new international Facebook group, in English, for parents of children with special needs.

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Main Digest

Israel's Athena Fund, a nonprofit organization empowering teachers, has launched a new international Facebook group, in English, for parents of children with special needs.

The Athena Fund is engaged in a unique program - iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel.

According to the program, about 10,000 special education teachers in Israel will receive iPads with specialized software and applications for students with special needs and various disabilities. The new Facebook group contains posts in a number of areas of interest concerning parents of children with special needs, as well as information on Athena's special education activities. The link to the new Facebook group is https://www.facebook.com/groups/324222721354496/

Athena's iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel program is designed to empower special education teachers by enabling them to communicate better with their students, gain access to a wider range of teaching materials, and expose their students to the world of advanced technology.

The iPad is especially important in special education.

In addition to it being an extremely effective tool for the teacher in the classroom, studies have shown that the iPad allows children with special needs to communicate better and more effectively with their environment. For example, the iPad enables children with autism, even those who had never before communicated with their parents and their environment, to interact with their surroundings in a most exciting manner. Many parents have expressed how the iPad has helped them open a window into the soul of their special needs children, and enabled them to talk with the children about current and high-level subjects. This has led to a dramatic improvement in the lives of special needs children and their families. The distribution of iPads to special education teachers will enable them to help students fulfill their potential.

"The new Facebook group is another milestone in the Athena Fund's activity in the special education sphere," said Uri Ben-Ari, Athena Fund's founder and president. "We've received excellent responses to our iPad for Every Special Education Teacher program from parents of children with special needs. As a result, we decided to involve parents in efforts to promote special education and to inform them about various things that may help them."

The new Facebook group for parents of children with special needs follows two other recent initiatives of the Athena Fund.

The first is an exciting, touching video featuring testimonials of parents to teens with special needs, describing how the iPad enables their children to express themselves in various subjects and communicate with them and their surroundings (https://www.facebook.com/Athenafundlaptop/videos/251078858709386). The second was a charity auction of more than 50 artworks created by Israel's best artists, to benefit Israel's special education teachers. Each artist received an old laptop that is no longer in use (contributed by high-tech companies), and turned it into a unique 3D artwork.

In addition to iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel, Athena runs three additional programs: Laptop Computer for Every Teacher, Laptop Computer for Every Kindergarten Teacher and Tablet for Every Science Teacher.

Disabled World is an independent disability community established in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. See our homepage for informative news, reviews, sports, stories and how-tos. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or learn more about Disabled World on our about us page.

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Disabled World provides general information only. The materials presented are never meant to substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Financial support is derived from advertisements or referral programs, where indicated. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.

 Cite This Page (APA): Athena Fund. (2017, August 23). iPad for Every Special Education Teacher in Israel. Disabled World. Retrieved November 13, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/computer/ipad-israel.php



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Forget about that T-bone slab youve got waiting at home. Victor Churchill, Australias leading butcher in fine meats, have announced the exclusive return of the best Wagyu Beef ever produced in the country  and its price will blow you away.

The famous Sydney butchery headed by Anthony Puharich teamed up with Australian Wagyu farmer David Blackmore for a piece of culinary art thats fittingly named Blackmore Aizakura K1015. So what makes this piece of meat so damn special?

Conventional Wagyu is often rated via its marble scoring (fat which runs through the flesh to provide a distinct flavour and texture) but David Blackmore went one further on the Aizakura K1015 with a focus on providing the ultimate balance between marbling, meat colour and fat colour. In eating terms, its a piece of steak that straddles the upper echelons of flavour around sweetness and richness like nothing youve ever tasted.

To achieve this level of I have party in my mouth and Im broke, Blackmore used closely guarded natural ingredients as feed for his Wagyu. The cattle itself also needed to be special and as such, it has a direct lineage to Japans Tajima herd which dates back to 1910 and more specifically, to a single bull named Nakadoi.

Given the nature of a rare animal of such pedigree, Victor Churchill will only be offering one carcass of the legendary Aizakura Wagyu Beef for an eye-watering AU$500/KG.

If you can afford it, you can bet your childs college fund that itll be worth every bite. The Aizakura Wagyu Beef is now available at Victor Churchill until sold out.

Missed Out On The Best?

Whats the best steak youve ever had? Let us know in the comments.

Best Steak Restaurants In Sydney

Best Steak Restaurants In Melbourne
International watch boutique Watches of Switzerland is celebrating its 20th anniversary in style with an exclusive version of their very own IWC Pilots Chronograph timepiece.

The relationship between IWC and Watches of Switzerland has been a long and illustrious one, having been the original distributor for IWC in Australia right up until Richemont took ownership of the brand in 2000.

For that very reason, Watches of Switzerland teamed up with IWC for 50 pieces of the iconic Pilots Chronograph. Set in a 43mm stainless steel case, the piece features a black dial with patina coloured Superluminova-coated hands and indices for a vintage aesthetic.

A small seconds counter sits at the 9 oclock mark whilst a day and date window sits at the 3 oclock mark. Two extra sub-dials at 12 and 6 oclock act as 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters. Driving all of this is the proven IWC 79320 Calibre, a self-winding chronograph movement which boasts a power reserve of 44 hours.

On the caseback, theres specially engraved markings which highlights the watchs number in the limited series.

Rounding out the watch nicely is a brown calf leather strap expertly crafted by Italian leather house Santoni.

1/4 2/4 3/4 4/4

The Watches Of Switzerland IWC Pilots Chronograph timepiece is now available exclusively via Watches of Switzerland for AU$7,950
The European Commission, the European Unions executive arm, announced Tuesday it has opened an in-depth investigation into Bayers proposed $66 billion takeover of Monsanto over concerns that the merger may reduce competition in areas such as pesticides, seeds and traits.

The controversial merger, if successful, will form the worlds largest integrated seed and pesticide company.

It would combine two competitors with leading portfolios in non-selective herbicides, seeds and traits, and digital agriculture, the commission stated. Both companies are active in developing new products in these areas.

The commission warned that the acquisition could reduce competition in a number of different markets resulting in higher prices, lower quality, less choice and less innovation.

The commissions initial market investigation identified three preliminary concerns, as follows:

Pesticides

Monsantos pesticide product glyphosate is the most sold non-selective herbicide in Europe. Bayer produces glufosinate ammonium, also a non-selective herbicide and one of the very few alternatives to glyphosate. According to the commissions preliminary investigation, Monsanto and Bayer are two of a limited number of competitors in this field capable of discovering new active ingredients and developing new formulations, including addressing the growing problem of weed resistance to existing products. In addition, the commission will further assess both Monsantos activities in biological pesticide products that would compete with Bayers existing portfolio of chemical pesticide products, and the parties overlapping activities in products that tackle varroa mites, a parasite affecting bee colonies in Europe.

Monsantos pesticide product glyphosate is the most sold non-selective herbicide in Europe. Bayer produces glufosinate ammonium, also a non-selective herbicide and one of the very few alternatives to glyphosate. According to the commissions preliminary investigation, Monsanto and Bayer are two of a limited number of competitors in this field capable of discovering new active ingredients and developing new formulations, including addressing the growing problem of weed resistance to existing products. Seeds

Bayer and Monsanto are both active in the breeding of vegetable seeds. The commissions initial investigation shows that the parties have high combined market shares in a number of these vegetable seeds markets, and that some of their products compete directly with each other. Bayer and Monsanto are also active in the breeding and licensing of seeds for several field crops. Monsanto has the highest market share in oilseed rape seeds in Europe. Bayer, with the highest market share in oilseed rape seeds at global level, is one of the few players with the means to compete intensively in this market. Furthermore, both parties are important licensors of cotton seeds to their competitors in Europe, and both are investing in research and innovation programs for wheat.

Bayer and Monsanto are both active in the breeding of vegetable seeds. The commissions initial investigation shows that the parties have high combined market shares in a number of these vegetable seeds markets, and that some of their products compete directly with each other. Traits

A trait is a characteristic of a plant, such as height, herbicide tolerance and insect or disease resistance, and can be developed in laboratories and introduced in certain plant varieties. The commissions preliminary investigation indicates that Monsanto has a dominant position in several traits markets worldwide. Bayer is one of the few competitors to Monsanto in certain traits markets, and has notably developed alternative herbicide tolerance traits to Monsantos. The commission will investigate in particular whether the transaction could lead to a reduction of competition in these markets, taking into account the existing links between the few worldwide competitors through cross-licensing and through research and development cooperations.

Moreover, the commission noted, the transaction would take place in industries that are already globally concentrated, as illustrated by the recent mergers of Dow and Dupont and Syngenta and ChemChina, in which the commission intervened to protect competition for the benefit of farmers and consumers.

Bayer and Monsanto submitted commitments in late July to address some of the commissions preliminary concerns. However, the commission considered these commitments insufficient to clearly dismiss its serious doubts as to the transactions compatibility with the EU Merger Regulation.

Margrethe Vestager, who serves as European Commissioner for Competition, said that seeds and pesticide products are essential for farmers and ultimately consumers.

We need to ensure effective competition so that farmers can have access to innovative products, better quality and also purchase products at competitive prices. And at the same time maintain an environment where companies can innovate and invest in improved products, Vestager added.

The German pharmaceuticals company told Reuters it is still aiming to have the transaction approved by the end of the year.

Bayer looks forward to continuing to work constructively with the commission with a view to obtaining the commissions approval, the company said.

The commission could block the Monsanto-Bayer deal but it has approved both Dow and DuPonts deal as well as ChemChinas takeover of Syngenta after major concessions, Reuters reported. The commission has until January to make a decision.

Bayer and Monsanto bosses tout the mega-deal as an altruistic plan to improve the lives of growers and people around the world.

But environmental advocates and consumer groups like the Organic Consumers Association, Farmers Union, Food & Water Watch, Friends of the Earth and others have condemned the plan.

Hannah Lownsbrough, the executive director of the consumer group SumOfUs, wrote in the Guardian: If approved, the merger would be an extremely risky consolidation of corporate power, not to mention a serious threat to food supplies and farmers around the world. It is essential that regulators properly investigate it and take decisive action before its too late.
Journal of American College of Surgeons proof-of-concept study in patients shows use of the device is safe and easy for surgeons to use

CHICAGO (August 23, 2017): An experimental device that employs a pair of magnets offers surgeons a new safe and simple alternative to standard methods for creating an anastomosis for the first time in nearly 50 years. An anastomosis is a surgical connection between tubular anatomic structures, such as blood vessels, urinary tract, or bowel. In its first proof-of-concept clinical trial in humans, the device was easy for surgeons to use, even with patients who required complicated surgical reconstruction. It also was safe; none of the patients had any complications related to the use of the device or the anastomosis it fashioned. Findings from the clinical trial now appear as an "article in press" on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website in advance of print.



An anastomosis is common in many kinds of operations performed by general surgeons. It currently is done in one of two ways. The first approach involves suturing two pieces of tissue together with a needle and thread. This option is inexpensive and can be done in any surgical setting. However, suturing requires either an open operation so surgeons have enough room to maneuver instruments, or highly specialized technical skills in minimally invasive procedures, and it takes time to place multiple layers of sutures during a procedure, said Claire Graves, MD, lead author and research fellow at the University of California San Francisco when the study was conducted.



When surgical staplers were introduced in the 1970s, stapling often became the preferred method for performing an anastomosis. Stapling is faster than suturing, and it produces a more consistent result. Staples are, however, expensive, and the devices can sometimes fail or misfire, added Dr. Graves, a current resident in general surgery at Columbia University Medical Center, New York City.



Magnetic compression anastomosis applies the force of magnetic attraction to form an anastomosis without sutures or staples. The technique utilizes a MagnamosisTM device, which houses two rare earth magnets in a specially engineered medical grade polycarbonate shell. The magnetic implants have different polarities so they are drawn to one another. The magnets also have different shapes--one is convex and one is concave--so they fit smoothly together. In the formation of an anastomosis, a magnet is placed in each side of the tube that is being surgically connected, and then the magnets are drawn together, compressing the tissue between them and blocking blood flow.



"The tissue between the magnets dies off, a hole forms from the necrotic tissue, and the surrounding area heals. Once the connection is fully formed, the magnets fall through the hole, pass into the bowel, and are excreted in the stool, leaving nothing behind," Dr. Graves explained.

In animal studies, the Magnamosis device consistently created anastomoses that were comparable or better than hand-sewn or stapled alternatives as demonstrated in tissue samples and tests of the strength of the connection.



The JACS study presents the first-in-human prospective case series involving the device. Although the study was open to any patient who needed any size small or large bowel anastomosis to restore bowel continuity, the first surgeons to recruit patients were urologists who were treating high-risk, complicated patients. Three of five patients in the study were quadriplegic, had bladder and bowel complications, and were bedridden. Two had end stage renal disease requiring dialysis and were candidates for renal transplant. Three patients had previous abdominal operations, and all five had undergone many previous urologic procedures.



Surgeons created an anastomosis using the Magnamosis device in 25 to 35 minutes. None of the patients reported problems with their anastomosis during clinic appointments or focused questionnaires over the course of follow-up. None of the patients had any complication related to the magnet, such as leaking, bleeding, or stricture.



"The development of the Magnamosis device is at a very early stage. It has an investigative device exemption from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration so it can be tested under clinical trial conditions. If other surgeons in other settings with other patient populations have similar results with the device, we can apply to the FDA for a 510(k) clearance and begin to bring the product into more widespread use," said Michael Harrison, MD, FACS, professor emeritus of surgery at UCSF.



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Magnamosis was developed at the University of California San Francisco. It is being developed for marketing by Magnamosis, Inc., a private medical device company based in San Francisco. The company is developing other magnetic-driven medical devices that were designed by Dr. Harrison. He is founder and president of Magnamosis, Inc.



This work was supported by the Mount Zion Health fund, the UCSF Pediatric Device Consortium, which is funded by the FDA Office of Orphan Product Development, and a grant from the National Science Foundation (Grant No. 1240380).



"FACS" designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.



Citation: Magnetic Compression Anastomosis (Magnamosis): First-in-human Trial. Journal of the American College of Surgeons.



About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 80,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. For more information, visit http://www.facs.org.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2017 -- Mosquitoes aren't just blood thirsty. They also have a sweet tooth, relying on plant nectar to get the sugar they need to survive. Exploiting this weakness, scientists have developed an environmentally friendly eradication method. The new, inexpensive technique tricks these annoying pests into gorging themselves on insecticides laced with a concoction that mimics the sweet-smelling scents and aromas that they find irresistible. It could bolster efforts to suppress malaria, Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases worldwide.

The researchers are presenting their work today at the 254th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS, the world's largest scientific society, is holding the meeting here through Thursday. It features nearly 9,400 presentations on a wide range of science topics.

"The blend of chemicals that we use to attract mosquitoes is so powerful that they will ignore natural plant odors and attractants in order to get to our formulation," says Agenor Mafra-Neto, Ph.D. "From a mosquito's point of view, it's like having an irresistible chocolate shop on every corner. The product is so seductive that they will feed on it almost exclusively, even when it contains lethal doses of insecticide."

Conventional chemical insecticides used to control mosquitoes are used as cover sprays, frequently dispersed over wide areas. But this blanket spray approach exposes people and animals to potentially harmful compounds and can kill bees and other beneficial insects. In addition, residues of these sprays can contaminate soils and streams, as well as promote increased pesticide resistance. To overcome these issues, Mafra-Neto of ISCA Technologies and colleagues at several universities sought to create a more targeted approach using an insecticide potion spiked with a blend of semiochemicals, or chemical signals, that mosquitoes can't resist.

They collected the scent of flowers and other plants that produce nectar. Then, they used gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) to separate and identify the odorous compounds within them. They exposed mosquito antennae to thousands of these compounds to determine which ones might have a biological effect. They also carefully eliminated any scents or aromas that also might attract bees. Ultimately, they used a semiochemical blend in a matrix containing sugars and proteins to mimic 20 common chemical signals that attract mosquitoes to nectar-producing flowers and induce them to feed. Combining these compounds with insecticides such as pyrethroids or spinosad led to highly effective formulations.

The resulting product, which is called Vectrax, is a slow-release formula for use indoors or outdoors. It can be applied as a spray, which produces 1- to 5-millimeter dollops on vegetation or building eaves, or as a semi-solid, caulk-like gel on cracks or holes in outdoor structures. Because the mosquitoes visit and manipulate the dollops, they receive precise doses of the insecticide, and thus are more effectively controlled. Unlike with traditional blanket sprays, nearby surfaces can remain insecticide free.

The researchers are conducting field tests in Tanzania, an African nation where 93 percent of the population is at risk for malaria. In preliminary results, they found that mosquito populations plunged by two-thirds in just two weeks in Vetrax-treated communities compared to untreated ones.

"If the trend continues like this, we expect that the Anopheles malaria mosquito population will soon be collapsing down to nearly zero in the treated villages," Mafra-Neto says. He hopes to have more data available from these trials soon.

While Mafra-Neto acknowledges that mosquitoes play a small role in the food chain, helping sustain small animals like fish and spiders, he would like to see fewer of them around, particularly in disease-ravaged countries. The same goes for ticks, which like mosquitoes, transmit deadly diseases. He also hopes to corral them using a similar attract-and-kill technique.

"I truly hate mosquitoes and ticks," he says. "Imagine: Maybe one day we will be able to go into our backyards or parks and not have to worry about being bothered by either of them."

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A press conference on this topic will be held Wednesday, Aug. 23, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Reporters may check-in at the press center, Room 154A, or watch live on YouTube http://bit.ly/ACSLive_DC. To ask questions online, sign in with a Google account.

Mafra-Neto acknowledges funding from the U.S Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

The American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive press releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

Note to journalists: Please report that this research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society.

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Title

Behavioral manipulation of vectors in disease

Abstract

ISCA Technologies has developed two long lasting formulations that effectively manipulate the behavior of mosquitoes to optimize current control methods. A typical disease-carrying mosquito will have approximately ten nectar meals before her transmissive blood meal. Vectrax attracts and phagostimulates both sexes of disease-carrying mosquito species by mimicking the scent of flowers and the sweet taste of nectar. It utilizes novel semiochemical blends to exploit these nectar meals, providing multiple opportunities to deliver a killing agent. Potent phagostimulants induce mosquitoes to imbibe the formulation which, when blended with insecticide, creates an environmentally safe solution to control adult mosquitoes by ingestion. Moreover, the resulting attract and kill (A&K) formulation targets the mosquito vector species while leaving non-target organisms unharmed. SPLAT BAC is a semiochemical-based larvicidal product; it attracts gravid females inducing them to preferentially oviposit on treated bodies of water. When the larvae emerge, they are attracted and induced to feed on SPLAT BAC due to a blend of potent larval attractants and phagostimulants. Consumption of microbial larvicide and insect growth regulator ensues, preventing survival and metamorphosis. To monitor vector populations in real time ISCA developed Laser Bug Sensors (LBS) that detect, identify, count and report flying mosquitoes.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2017 -- The world's shortest race by distance -- a fraction of the width of a human hair -- was run on gold and silver tracks, and took a whopping 30 hours. Given that the vehicles were invisible to the naked eye, your typical racing fan might have missed it. But the April "nanorace" was a huge success for scientists working at the nanoscale. It spurred interest in molecular machines and led to a surprising new discovery, reports the team that entered a nano-sized "monster truck."

The researchers are presenting their nanocar research today at the 254th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS, the world's largest scientific society, is holding the meeting here through Thursday. It features nearly 9,400 presentations on a wide range of science topics.

"The overarching goal was to advertise nanoscience to the public," Eric Masson, Ph.D., says. "Then there was the technical challenge of manipulating multiple nanocars at the same time using a scanning tunneling microscope, or STM, instrument. Additionally, every team had its own goal. Ours was to see if we could deposit an intact supramolecular assembly onto a surface, and control its motion."

Masson and Saw-Wai Hla, Ph.D., co-led the team from Ohio University. They designed and built the largest car at about 3.5 nanometers in length. Officially called the Bobcat Nanowagon, it had a pseudorotaxane H-shaped frame with four relatively large cucurbituril molecules as wheels. Because of the size, it was ironically dubbed a monster truck. But unlike normal vehicles, it didn't have a motor. So to move the nanocar, the researchers used the STM instrument in Hla's lab.

"We incorporated positive charge receptors in the car," Hla says. "So if we injected a positive charge in the STM tip pointed at the car, there would be repulsion, and the car would move. We found it worked very well."

The competition, billed as the first-ever nanocar race, was held at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Toulouse on April 28. Six teams from three continents entered their molecule-sized racers. But because the STM instrument in Toulouse only had four tips that could each control only one nanocar, the Ohio team kept their nanowagon in Hla's lab but "drove" it remotely from CNRS.

"My understanding is that this was a first," Hla says. "We manipulated the car at the atomic scale from half a globe away."

Hla and Masson's nanowagon traveled 43 nanometers on the gold track before it got stuck due to a particularly rough section of the track and a power blip in the Midwest. Although it didn't complete the course, it went farther than three other contestants, earning the team a third-place showing.

Masson and Hla say the Ohio team uncovered something intriguing as a result of the race. They had assembled the nanowagon by suspending the chassis molecules in water, adding the wheel molecules and then evaporating the water. About 70 percent of the resulting structures looked like two-wheeled hover boards, a few had three wheels, and about 10 percent had all four wheels. They were surprised to find that very few wheels weren't connected to anything.

"That means that it was easier to break the chassis, a covalent bond, than to break the noncovalent bonds between the chassis and the wheels," Masson says. "That's completely counterintuitive because typically a noncovalent bond is much weaker than a covalent bond. It's a theoretical curiosity."

How this information might apply ultimately to molecular machines in the future remains unknown, although many scientists envision that tiny vehicles like these could be used in electronics and data storage. Masson and Hla both stress that the work is still in its early stages. Before applications come along, scientists need to understand how molecules behave at the atomic scale.

"Our excitement is really about the fundamental science," Hla says. "This is just the beginning."

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A press conference on this topic will be held Wednesday, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m. Eastern time in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Reporters may check-in at the press center, Room 154A, or watch live on YouTube http://bit.ly/ACSLive_DC. To ask questions online, sign in with a Google account.

The researchers acknowledge funding from the National Science Foundation, Ohio University, and the U.S. Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences grant DE-FG02-02ER46012.

The American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive press releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

Note to journalists: Please report that this research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Follow us: Twitter | Facebook

Title

Frame suspended into four Cucurbituril wheels: Meet the Ohio Bobcat Nanowagon

Abstract

We present the design, synthesis and characterization of the Ohio Bobcat Nanowagon, a [5]pseudorotaxane assembly bearing an H-shaped frame threaded into four Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) wheels. The key motifs in the frame are two benzimidazolium groups, which link a terphenyl drive shaft (the horizontal bar of the "H" frame) to the axle shafts (the vertical bars of the "H" frame). Four pyridinium units terminate the latter. Positive charges at the pyridinium and benzimidazolium units allow the frame and the CB[7] wheels to assemble into the final nanowagon in water. The white solid obtained upon freeze-drying was used for successful scanning tunneling microscopy imaging (STM).
TORONTO, August 23, 2017 -- Antipsychotic medication is frequently being prescribed to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), often without a psychiatric diagnosis, a new study conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) has found.

IDD includes diagnoses such as Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and autism.

The study, published today in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, has made significant strides in filling the gap in research about prescribing practices of antipsychotic medication to adults with IDD. The six-year population-based study examined the health care data of 51,881 adults with IDD who were less than 65 years of age. Similar research has been conducted in other jurisdictions; however, this study is the first population-based study to investigate the use of antipsychotic medication in adults with IDD in Canada.

"The results of our study make us question how often antipsychotics are being used as tool to manage behavioural issues. We need to understand more about why these medications are prescribed to those without psychiatric disorders, what else has been tried prior to medication, and how well these medications are being monitored," says lead author Yona Lunsky, adjunct scientist at ICES, a clinician scientist at CAMH and director of the Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (H-CARDD) research program.

Antipsychotics can be prescribed to adults with IDD as a method of managing behavioural challenges, sometimes without a comprehensive assessment of the underlying contributors to such behaviours, despite the evidence supporting such use being inconclusive. According to guidelines, antipsychotics should not be used as a first line treatment for behaviour challenges.

"This study shows that antipsychotic use in adults with IDD is common. We need to pay more attention to how antipsychotics are prescribed and monitored to ensure appropriate prescribing for this vulnerable population," says Tara Gomes, co-author on the study, a scientist at ICES and a principal investigator of Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN).

The researchers add that antipsychotic prescribing is particularly problematic for this population due to the potential for adverse effects such as the increased risk for metabolic complications. In this study, one in six adults had diabetes and one in five had hypertension. Furthermore, adults with IDD may have difficulties in providing informed medical consent and reporting unfavourable side effects should they arise.

The six-year study found:

39 per cent of Ontario adults with IDD were dispensed antipsychotic medication (20,316 individuals)

29 per cent of the antipsychotic users did not have a documented psychiatric diagnosis

This study also analyzed a sub-cohort of adults with IDD living in Ontario group homes and found:

56 per cent (4,073) of individuals residing in group homes were prescribed an antipsychotic

Of the antipsychotic users in a group home setting, 43 per cent did not have a documented psychiatric diagnosis

These findings are in line with a major UK study also demonstrating high antipsychotics use, sometimes in the absence of a psychiatric diagnosis. The "STOMP movement in the UK is a shared commitment by the Colleges of Psychiatrists, Pharmacists, General Practitioners, Nurses, Psychologists and the National Health Service to curb the over-prescription of psychotropic medications to persons with IDD.

"Ideally this research, by providing a glimpse into antipsychotic prescribing practices among adults with IDD in Ontario will trigger a national conversation about medication policies, practices and training here," adds Lunsky.

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The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a world leading research centre in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental illness and addiction. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. For more information, please visit camh.ca or follow @CAMHnews on Twitter.

The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) is an independent, non-profit organization that uses population-based health information to produce knowledge on a broad range of health care issues. Our unbiased evidence provides measures of health system performance, a clearer understanding of the shifting health care needs of Ontarians, and a stimulus for discussion of practical solutions to optimize scarce resources. ICES knowledge is highly regarded in Canada and abroad, and is widely used by government, hospitals, planners, and practitioners to make decisions about care delivery and to develop policy. For the latest ICES news, follow us on Twitter: @ICESOntario

Sean O'Malley

Media Relations, CAMH

(416) 595-6015 / media@camh.ca
To the unaided eye the famous, bright star Antares shines with a strong red tint in the heart of the constellation of Scorpius (The Scorpion. It is a huge and comparatively cool red supergiant star in the late stages of its life, on the way to becoming a supernova [1].

A team of astronomers, led by Keiichi Ohnaka, of the Universidad Catolica del Norte in Chile, has now used ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) at the Paranal Observatory in Chile to map Antares's surface and to measure the motions of the surface material. This is the best image of the surface and atmosphere of any star other than the Sun.

The VLTI is a unique facility that can combine the light from up to four telescopes, either the 8.2-metre Unit Telescopes, or the smaller Auxiliary Telescopes, to create a virtual telescope equivalent to a single mirror up to 200 metres across. This allows it to resolve fine details far beyond what can be seen with a single telescope alone.

"How stars like Antares lose mass so quickly in the final phase of their evolution has been a problem for over half a century," said Keiichi Ohnaka, who is also the lead author of the paper. "The VLTI is the only facility that can directly measure the gas motions in the extended atmosphere of Antares -- a crucial step towards clarifying this problem.The next challenge is to identify what's driving the turbulent motions."

Using the new results the team has created the first two-dimensional velocity map of the atmosphere of a star other than the Sun. They did this using the VLTI with three of the Auxiliary Telescopes and an instrument called AMBER to make separate images of the surface of Antares over a small range of infrared wavelengths. The team then used these data to calculate the difference between the speed of the atmospheric gas at different positions on the star and the average speed over the entire star [2]. This resulted in a map of the relative speed of the atmospheric gas across the entire disc of Antares -- the first ever created for a star other than the Sun..

The astronomers found turbulent, low-density gas much further from the star than predicted, and concluded that the movement could not result from convection [3], that is, from large-scale movement of matter which transfers energy from the core to the outer atmosphere of many stars. They reason that a new, currently unknown, process may be needed to explain these movements in the extended atmospheres of red supergiants like Antares.

"In the future, this observing technique can be applied to different types of stars to study their surfaces and atmospheres in unprecedented detail. This has been limited to just the Sun up to now," concludes Ohnaka. "Our work brings stellar astrophysics to a new dimension and opens an entirely new window to observe stars."

###

Notes

[1] Antares is considered by astronomers to be a typical red supergiant. These huge dying stars are formed with between nine and 40 times the mass of the Sun. When a star becomes a red supergiant, its atmosphere extends outward so it becomes large and luminous, but low-density. Antares now has a mass about 12 times that of the Sun and a diameter about 700 times larger than the Sun's. It is thought that it started life with a mass more like 15 times that of the Sun, and has shed three solar-masses of material during its life.

[2] The velocity of material towards or away from Earth can be measured by the Doppler Effect, which shifts spectral lines either towards the red or blue ends of the spectrum, depending on whether the material emitting or absorbing light is receding from or approaching the observer.

[3] Convection is the process whereby cold material moves downwards and hot material moves upwards in a circular pattern. The process occurs on Earth in the atmosphere and ocean currents, but it also moves gas around within stars.

More information

This research was presented in a paper entitled "Vigorous atmospheric motion in the red supergiant star Antares", by K. Ohnaka et al., published in the journal Nature.

The team is composed of K. Ohnaka (Universidad Catolica del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile), G. Weigelt (Max- Planck-Institut fur Radioastronomie, Bonn, Germany) and K. -H. Hofmann (Max- Planck-Institut fur Radioastronomie, Bonn, Germany)

ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It is supported by 16 countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky".

Links

Research paper - https://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso1726/eso1726a.pdf

Contacts

Keiichi Ohnaka

Instituto de Astronomia -- Universidad Catolica del Norte

Antofagasta, Chile

Tel: +56 55 235 5493

Email: k1.ohnaka@gmail.com

Richard Hook

ESO Public Information Officer

Garching bei Munchen, Germany

Tel: +49 89 3200 6655

Cell: +49 151 1537 3591

Email: rhook@eso.org
Unsuspected chord changes, especially when followed by a predictable harmony, has been linked to a song's popularity, as judged by its placement in the Billboard Top 100 charts

Think of your favourite pop song. Can you explain why you like it so much? It might remind you of a memorable event, or move you in a way that makes you feel happy or sad. A new study, published in the open-access journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, has uncovered a simple, measurable explanation that can determine your preference for one song over another. It has linked the harmonic structure of pop songs to their placement in the charts.

"The most popular songs tend to include relatively rare chords, that is, they typically have high harmonic surprise," says Norberto Grzywacz, a Professor of Neuroscience and Physics, who conducted this research at Georgetown University, Washington, USA. "These songs also tend to have choruses with relatively low harmonic surprise preceded by sections with many rare chords."

Harmonic surprise can be described as where the music deviates from the listeners expectations. Scientists have predicted that these changes in structure could elicit a pleasurable reward response in the brain. In other words, harmonic surprise can increase the likelihood a song will be a hit.

Professor Grzywacz explains, "When listening to music, we enjoy some pieces and dislike others. Multiple reasons govern how much we like a piece of music, including compositional, emotional and cultural. We evaluated the role of a compositional element - the harmonic surprise. Surprise is important because it is a measure of new information; something that the reward centers of the brain recognise as being of value, leading to a positive emotional response. Therefore, our finding that the most popular songs tend to include surprising chords reflects our brains in-built preference."

It is not just the surprise element of a song that the brain deems as pleasurable, but the return to normality too.

"The brain enjoys surprise only up to a point, because unexpected events indicate a failure of prediction," says Professor Grzywacz. "Hence, the release of tension from surprising sections of a song to common choruses is also signalled positively by the reward centers. Our research reveals that the brain has a deep-rooted preference, which can affect whether people enjoy a piece of music."

The study analyzed chord-by-chord transcriptions of the harmonies of 545 songs that entered the American Billboard Hot 100 charts between 1958 and 1991. Professor Grzywacz and his colleagues measured how far the chords of the song deviated from what was expected. For example, C major is usually followed by G and F major in Western tonal music and a change from this would be classed as a surprise. These measures of surprise were compared throughout the entire song and between song sections.

"We then used the peak position of the song in the weekly Billboard Hot 100 chart to determine its popularity," says Professor Grzywacz.

It revealed that verses, not the choruses or bridges, accounted for much of the difference in harmonic surprise between the most and least popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Professor Grzywacz and his colleagues suggest that high surprises in the harmony of a song, as well as high surprises followed by a lower-surprise section, can both contribute to the enjoyment of an unfamiliar piece of music.

Professor Grzywacz details where the research is heading next, "Our group is taking this line of inquiry in many directions. We are assessing whether harmonic surprise has a historical memory; does a song released in 1980 have to be surprising relative to songs released in that year, or to songs released in previous years - 1979, 1978, 1977, ...or 1950...? We have a theory that chords from past music matter for surprise in new songs. For example, imagine that someone today composes a piece of music like Mozart. They would not be deemed a creative genius, even if the composition was excellent."

The group also hopes to measure the effect of harmonic surprise - how big it needs to be to make a song popular. "We've composed artificial music that have different levels of surprise and contrasts between high and low surprise sections. Volunteers will evaluate preference for these pieces of music, to assess how much these factors can affect their preference," says Professor Grzywacz.

He continues, "My colleagues and I are performing similar measurements and experiments with portrait paintings. Our overall goal is to use this knowledge to develop a general theory of how the brain experiences beauty in art."

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A recent study, published in the journal Conservation Biology, reveals that the investments and resources allotted for conservation only partially tally with the levels of biodiversity in the European Union. Thus, countries such as Portugal, Slovakia, Greece and the Czech Republic receive less funding than they would be entitled to as per their biodiversity.

Researchers from the University of Castile-La Mancha, the University of New York (USA), the National Museum of Natural History, the University of Alcala and the University of Helsinki (Finland) have analysed the correlations and inconsistencies between investments in conservation and the levels of biodiversity in the European Union.

"Due to the large spatial variation in the distribution of biodiversity and conservation needs on a continental scale, the instruments of the EU should guarantee that countries with greater levels of biodiversity obtain more funding and resources for conservation than other countries with lower levels," SINC was told by David Sanchez Fernandez, expert from the University of Castile-La Mancha and co-author of the joint study published by the journal 'Conservation Biology'.

For each of the member states, the study compares three indicators measuring investment in conservation (the funds received through LIFE projects, the area protected by the Natura 2000 network, and the area destined for agri-environmental measures), with three other indicators measuring the level of biodiversity -total richness of species, endemic species and species of communal interest- for eight different taxonomic groups: vascular plants, bryophytes, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, continental fish, orthoptera and dragonflies.

In general, there is quite a close relationship between the investments in conservation and the biodiversity variables. Nevertheless, some disparities were found in countries which receive more or less investments than expected according to their levels of biodiversity.

For example, countries such as Portugal, Slovakia, Greece and the Czech Republic receive less funding than that which they would be entitled to in light of the biodiversity that they harbour, while the opposite is the case for countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany.

"Spain is, together with Italy, the country with the richest biodiversity in Europe and it also has lots of funding and resources. To be specific, it is the country with the greatest Natura 2000 network area and that which receives the most funding from LIFE projects. However, the amount of money for agri-environmental measures is somewhat less than what it should be in terms of its levels of biodiversity," explains Sanchez Fernandez.

The two main European directives on conservation -the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive- are those which indicate the main species to protect. The issue lies in that the majority of species do not feature in these 'select' lists of species, particularly the lists of the groups representing most of the biodiversity, that is to say non-vascular plants and above all, invertebrates. "In short, the funding and resources go on a minority of species," the expert adds.

Birds as unique indicators

Another interesting result apparent from the study is that the extensive use of birds as unique indicators of the effectiveness of conservation can be unreliable, since the correlations between biodiversity and investment are greater than for the rest of the taxonomic groups studied.

In addition, bird species and their distributions are relatively well known, which means that they are used as the main group in the majority of conservation actions.

"They are, without doubt, the stars of conservation biology. This group has the most academics and enthusiasts. However, this does not imply that birds are good indicators of biodiversity. In other words, we are not able to get an idea of the patterns or threat of other taxonomic groups simply through studying birds," the researcher notes.

According to scientists, these results could be useful within the framework of the new biodiversity strategy to 2020 adopted by the European Commission, in which it is hoped that member states might favour a more efficient redistribution of funding for conservation.

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References:

Sanchez-Fernandez, D., Abellan, P., Aragon, P. Varela, S. & Cabeza, M. 2017. Matches and mismatches between conservation investments and biodiversity values in the European Union. Conservation Biology. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12977 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cobi.12977/full
Obesity is a major public health problem in the United States, as an estimated 35 percent of Americans are obese and have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. For the 2.2 million Americans with schizophrenia and the 5.7 million Americans with bipolar disorder, the increased prevalence of obesity and its related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is particularly disconcerting.

Because of a number of factors, including obesity, the lifespan for those with schizophrenia is 20 years shorter than the general population and 10 years shorter for those with bipolar disorder. But in a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from Florida Atlantic University show that expanding waistlines and the way body fat is distributed are largely to blame.

The study, published in the international journal Bipolar Disorders, is the first to compare the long-term course of weight across different psychotic disorders. Researchers from FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine provide the most comprehensive weight-gain trajectory for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder available to date, based on data carefully collected by Evelyn Bromet, Ph.D., distinguished professor of psychiatry at Stony Brook University in New York, and colleagues at Stony Brook University. Their findings will provide vital information to fill the gap that exists today for clinicians to pinpoint the critical time periods that would lend themselves to prevention and intervention.

"Most clinical trials for psychotic disorders are limited to cross-sectional or short-term studies that typically last one year or less," said Martin T. Strassnig, M.D., lead author of the study and associate professor of Integrated Medical Science in FAU's College of Medicine. "These trials are not long enough to determine the best timing for intervention. Moreover, if there are weight differences in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients, we need to tailor prevention and intervention efforts specific to their needs."

Strassnig and his collaborators obtained data for their study from a carefully conducted 20-year study in a well-controlled epidemiological setting of a countywide sample of first-admission patients hospitalized with a psychotic condition in the early 1990s. Study participants ranged in age from 15 to 60 years, and excluded those with a psychosis related to depression, substance use and other psychoses. The study included in-person follow-ups, which occurred at six months, and at 2, 4, 10, and 20 years after their first admission.

For the FAU report, the researchers looked at weight and height measurements as well as biomarkers such as blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1C, body fat percentage and waist circumference. Weight gain was defined by a standard measure of BMI.

Key findings from the study revealed that cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1C, and blood pressure were not correlated with BMI in the group as a whole. However, body fat and waist circumference were substantially correlated, with waist circumference sharing 74 percent of the variance with BMI, and body fat sharing 40 percent of the variance. Waist circumference at year 20 was significantly higher in schizophrenia than in bipolar disorder and women with schizophrenia had higher waist circumferences than men or women with bipolar disorder. In both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, BMI was more strongly correlated with waist circumference than with percent body fat, suggesting a central obesity pattern in addition to waist circumference, representing a reasonably accurate proxy measure for body fat distribution.

Results also show that nearly two-thirds of those with schizophrenia and more than half of those with bipolar disorder were obese 20 years after their first hospitalization for psychosis. Early overweight predicted future weight gain: a large majority of people who were overweight at year two turned out to be obese at the 20-year mark. Similar weight gain trajectories also were observed in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with slightly different start points. The schizophrenia group gained twice as much weight within the first 10 years, while those with bipolar disorder experienced less weight gain during the initial 10-year period compared to the subsequent 10 years.

"Interestingly, the use of antipsychotic medication was not associated with longitudinal differences in the course of weight gain, nor was the type or availability of antipsychotics," said Strassnig. "In fact, during years 10 to 20, when the likelihood of being exposed to the group of weight gain-causing second-generation drugs was greatest, there is evidence of plateauing of weight gain. Moreover, neither gender nor race was associated with the rate of weight gain post baseline."

The researchers stress that because weight gain continues for 20 years, interventions can be effective in mitigating further weight gain even many years into treatment. Finally, another important conclusion they draw from their data is that waist circumference should be measured frequently, especially in women with schizophrenia.

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Collaborators on the study include researchers from Stony Brook University; Florida International University; and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

This research is funded by the National Institutes of Health (MH44801 and MH094398) to Bromet and Roman Kotov, Ph.D., Stony Brook University School of Medicine; Eli Lilly Corporation; The Stanley Medical Research Institute; and Stony Brook University's Clinical Research Scholar Award.

About the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine:

FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine is one of approximately 147 accredited medical schools in the U.S. The college was launched in 2010, when the Florida Board of Governors made a landmark decision authorizing FAU to award the M.D. degree. After receiving approval from the Florida legislature and the governor, it became the 134th allopathic medical school in North America. With more than 70 full and part-time faculty and more than 1,300 affiliate faculty, the college matriculates 64 medical students each year and has been nationally recognized for its innovative curriculum. To further FAU's commitment to increase much needed medical residency positions in Palm Beach County and to ensure that the region will continue to have an adequate and well-trained physician workforce, the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Consortium for Graduate Medical Education (GME) was formed in fall 2011 with five leading hospitals in Palm Beach County. In June 2014, FAU's College of Medicine welcomed its inaugural class of 36 residents in its first University-sponsored residency in internal medicine.

About Florida Atlantic University:

Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University, with an annual economic impact of $6.3 billion, serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students at sites throughout its six-county service region in southeast Florida. FAU's world-class teaching and research faculty serves students through 10 colleges: the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business, the College for Design and Social Inquiry, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Graduate College, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. FAU is ranked as a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University is placing special focus on the rapid development of critical areas that form the basis of its strategic plan: Healthy aging, biotech, coastal and marine issues, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, informatics, lifespan and the environment. These areas provide opportunities for faculty and students to build upon FAU's existing strengths in research and scholarship. For more information, visit http://www.fau.edu.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- While the rest of the country watched the solar eclipse Monday, engineers at the Florida State University-headquartered National MagLab pulled off an eclipse of a different sort. Not to be outdone by celestial events, they set a new world record that blotted out the previous one by about 8 percent -- a sizable leap in magnet technology terms.

The new instrument reached 41.4 teslas (a unit of magnetic field strength) at 1:10 p.m. on Aug. 21, the culmination of two and a half intense years of design and development. In so doing, the lab reclaimed the record for the world's strongest resistive magnet, which it had held for 19 years up until 2014. The feat brings the lab's current tally of world records to 16.

The effort has been known in-house as Project 11, a reference to the 1984 mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap" about a fictional rock group. In one scene, a guitarist shows off his unique amplifier, which has a top setting of 11 -- one notch higher than the standard 10.

That extra oomph allowed the lab's new magnet, fueled by 32 megawatts of DC (direct current) power, to leapfrog over the previous record-holders, a 38.5-tesla resistive magnet in Hefei, China, and a 37.5-tesla resistive magnet in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

More importantly, the new instrument answers the call of physicists for stronger resistive magnets -- also called DC magnets -- in order to observe new phenomena in the materials they are studying.

"Resistive magnets are the bread and butter of our DC Field Facility, and the demand of scientists sometimes exceeds supply," said MagLab Director Greg Boebinger. "With the Project 11 magnet, we asked our engineers to 'turn it up a notch' and see what they could accomplish. This new brute delivers and will enable scientists to make discoveries that lead to better materials and technologies and deepen our understanding of how our world works."

The MagLab's magnet fleet includes different kinds of instruments: resistive magnets, made of copper and silver, like the Project 11 magnet; superconducting magnets, which require pricey materials; and hybrid magnets, a combination of both designs. The lab's 45-tesla magnet, the world's strongest continuous-field magnet, is a hybrid instrument and one of the lab's most sought-after tools.

The new 41.4-tesla magnet is easier for scientists to use than a hybrid and gives them more flexibility to adjust the field and polarity during experiments. The new system will be made available to visiting scientists in the coming months, joining a fleet that features a pair of 35-tesla instruments that, until this week, had been the lab's strongest resistive magnets.

Although the lab's newest magnet works on the same principles as all resistive magnets, it is no run-of-the-mill machine. Lab engineers, drawing on years of experience designing and developing the lab's other unique magnets, introduced improvements to maximize the electrical current density that helped catapult them to the new world record. At the same time, they kept costs down by repurposing parts from retired magnets.

"This larger magnet allows us to use 50 percent more coils," said veteran magnet designer Jack Toth, who oversaw a team of dozens of engineers, technicians and support staff on the project. "That enabled power to be distributed more efficiently within the magnet and reach a new record with the same materials."

Three years ago, other labs reached higher fields by building magnets four to five times larger than those at the MagLab, said Mark Bird, director of the lab's Magnet Science and Technology division. "This new magnet levels the playing field in size," he said, "but our superior technology allows us to reach '11.'"

Although MagLab staffers are proud to reclaim their long-held record, the deeper motivation is to enable exciting new science.

"It's about providing the scientific community access to high fields," said Tim Murphy, director of the DC Field Facility, which houses the new magnet. "That's why we're here."

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Discoveries to be aired on use of bug pheromones to halt spread of malaria & other diseases

Mosquitoes, mostly through the transmission of malaria, are the deadliest animals on Earth. Malaria claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year.

A Riverside, Calif., biotech firm is working on several innovations to stop outbreaks of malaria-spreading mosquitoes before they occur. One exploits the mosquito's hunger for nectar to attract and kill them before they suck blood. A second tricks mosquitoes into biting cows that are immune from malaria and carry a medication that kills these pests. A third attracts and kills young mosquito larvae.

The American Chemical Society will showcase these and other innovations under development by ISCA Technologies during the society's conference Aug. 20-24 in Washington, D.C.

These breakthroughs put to work pheromones and other attractants already found in nature to manipulate the deadliest disease-carrying pests without harming the environment. These innovations reduce pesticide applications by orders of magnitude or in some cases completely replace them.

"We want to help eradicate vector borne diseases and all the suffering that they cause. We are contributing by creating inexpensive smart green products that change the way vectors like mosquitoes, ticks and flies behave, killing them before they will bite and transmit diseases," said Agenor Mafra-Neto, CEO, and founder of ISCA Technologies, who will be presenting at the ACS conference.

Climate change is creating a greater urgency for such innovations:

As the planet warms, greater expanses of the globe will not freeze in the winter and eliminate in many areas an important check on mosquito populations.

More extreme storm events increase flooding, which will result in ideal conditions for mosquito breeding since their larvae hatch and grow in stagnant water.

Extreme weather also will damage roads and other infrastructure and make it more difficult to respond to mosquito outbreaks.

Too often, curbing mosquito outbreaks with traditional pesticide sprays is like trying to put out a wildfire that is already out of control, as their populations spike following rainy weather. However, by targeting immature mosquitoes, an ISCA formulation called SPLAT BAC stops mosquitos before their numbers grow. It works preemptively by applying treatments to floodplains and other known water-gathering spots before the rainy seasons begin. An inert substrate containing the natural behavior-modifying attractants and a minute dose of a green larvicide sticks to vegetation, gravel, and rocks when applied to the dry, future mosquito breeding sites.

The formulation goes to work just after the rain arrives, which forms puddles and other aquatic habitats that mosquitoes need to reproduce. It then floats to the surface of the water, where one attractant lures pregnant mosquitoes and induces them to lay their eggs in the treated areas. As the larvae hatch, another attractant compels them to eat the naturally occurring bacteria species, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, or Bti, also in the formulation. The bacteria kills mosquito larvae but leaves unharmed all of the other non-target species.

The strategy stops the mosquito life cycle before the adult population can spike and efficiently spread diseases such as malaria, West Nile Virus, filariasis, Zika, and dengue. The environment is left unharmed because the substrate mixture is benign and the bacteria is not harmful to beneficial species, such as honey bees. Malaria alone in 2015 afflicted some 214 million people worldwide, causing an estimated 438,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

ISCA's home facility in Riverside, Calif., has completed the laboratory work. Most of the field work will be done in California and Florida. Field trials also will be done in Tanzania in East Africa, Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa, and in Brazil, where mosquito-vectored diseases such as malaria, lymphatic filariasis, Zika and dengue are prevalent.

Another ISCA strategy is called the "Trojan Cow." This works by treating cattle and goats with a formulation that makes the livestock smell like people to mosquitoes. The odor entices malaria-carrying mosquitos to bite these animals, which are immune to the disease. A deworming medication in the cattle then kills the mosquitoes.

Mafra-Neto also will present on a sprayable attract-and-kill product called Vectrax that mimics the sweet smell of nectar that mosquitoes feed upon. This lures adult mosquitoes to a small quantity of insecticide that, upon being ingested, kills them without harming other wildlife, including bees and other pollinators. Since female mosquitoes must feed on nectar several times before seeking blood, Vectrax can eliminate them before they have the chance bite people, and spread diseases, such as malaria. However, unlike most other attractants, Vectrax also attracts and has effect on male mosquitoes, potentially doubling its efficacy. Large fields trials are now ongoing in the Muheza district of Tanzania, a region hit hard by endemic malaria.

Closer to home, deer ticks common in North America spread Lyme disease and other pathogens. So ISCA is developing a technology, SPLAT TK, that employs an attract-and-kill strategy similar to Vectrax. Using a blend of deer tick pheromones, it attracts ticks to a very small but still highly effective amount of pesticide. By attracting the ticks to small isolated point sources of pesticide, this attract-and-kill strategy stands to dramatically reduce the volume of pesticides used to control ticks, making for far safer controls in backyards, near schools, parks, trails and sensitive wildlife habitats.

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About ISCA: ISCA Technologies is a biotech company based in Riverside, Calif., that develops, tests and commercializes safe, economical and environmentally-friendly integrated management solutions to crop-destroying and disease-spreading pests worldwide. ISCA synthesizes pheromones and other naturally occurring chemicals that affect the behaviors of specific pests for mating-disruption, attract-and-kill, and repellant strategies. These methods don't harm other creatures and reduce pesticide applications by orders of magnitude or in some cases completely replace them.

Acknowledgements: The technology presented here has been funded, at least in part, by the generous support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Defense, with grants and contracts to Agenor Mafra-Neto and ISCA Technologies.

Key words: Malaria, Lyme disease, pheromones, pest management, ticks, mosquitoes, semiochemicals, pesticides.
Millions of fish-deaths caused by toxic Prymnesium algal blooms could be prevented with the application of a household chemical best known for bleaching hair, breakthrough research has revealed.

Trials carried out in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads National Park have shown that at controlled concentrations hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is deadly to Prymnesium parvum, the golden algae.

The discovery follows research led by a team of scientists at the John Innes Centre and the University of East Anglia, aimed at finding a cost-effective solution to a persistent problem that threatens the 100m angling economy of the Broads.

In 2015, following an outbreak of toxic Prymnesium blooms, the Environment Agency supported by angling clubs, rescued almost three quarters of a million fish from Hickling Broad and Somerton. The fish were released back into safer parts of the River Thurne, Norfolk, over the course of six weeks in one of the largest rescues of its kind. The operation cost just under 40,000 and involved 561 hours of staff time.

Major rescue operations of this sort are on the verge of becoming a thing of the past following successful trials at Whispering Reeds Boatyard on Hickling Broad. "We wanted to come up with an easy, cheap chemical treatment so that when the Prymnesium bloom does happen there's a way to control it that prevents fish deaths," explained Ben Wagstaff, PhD student at the John Innes Centre who took part in the trials.

"Our lab and literature research came up with hydrogen peroxide as a potential chemical treatment. We developed a system in the lab where you could use low enough concentrations that would kill algae but wouldn't affect any fish or macro invertebrates. Then we took our lab understanding and sprayed a very small section of a broad which had been affected by blooms and it worked brilliantly."

He added: "We are really grateful to Norfolk Wildlife Trust and Whispering Reeds Boatyard for their help to facilitate this exciting work". Prymnesium, unlike other algae, does not produce obviously visible blooms; the first indication is often the death of fish or large masses of fish frantically trying to escape the source of toxicity.

Blooms happen regularly in slightly salty or brackish waters such as the coastal parts Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, although not all of them are deadly. Under certain environmental conditions still being researched, Prymnesium can produce toxins, very quickly turning water toxic for fish within a matter of days, sometimes even hours.

Previous research by the John Innes Centre team revealed the existence of a virus which is believed to cause Prymnesium to release toxins into the water.

The research was hailed as a "life-saver" by John Currie General Secretary of the Pike Angling Club of Great Britain: "It's hard to put into words how important this is for us. Thanks to this research from the John Innes Centre we can save fish rather than observe them dying."

"At one time before the first Prymnesium wipe out in 1969 this area had the British pike record, so was one of the most important pike fisheries in Europe. With this success we hope that in the next six years we will see growth rates coming back to pre-1969 levels, that's completely feasible."

He added: "In 2015, during the Prymnesium incident we had over a million fish in a small area. If we were in that situation again we would be able to use hydrogen peroxide...so it's a life-saver."

Hydrogen peroxide is already used by the Environment Agency during pollution incidents to raise oxygen levels for fish and stop them from effectively suffocating. Peroxide can also help where large numbers of fish can become trapped in small areas of water and need extra aeration to help them survive. It is extremely effective -- much more effective than other aeration methods. Only slightly higher doses are needed to go from being useful for water aeration to being a safe chemical to kill off Prymnesium and, after a short period, it breaks down into water and oxygen which makes it very safe when applied.

The versatile chemical compound is perhaps best known as a hair bleaching agent. It also has a string of other useful functions such as an antiseptic mouthwash, teeth-whitener, acne treatment, stain-remover and laundry whitener.

The John Innes Centre/University of East Anglia team tested a range of concentrations -- working out that the optimum levels to kill the Prymnesium while remaining harmless to fish and other wildlife.

The team believe that preventatively treating localised areas with hydrogen peroxide could help create safe refuges during periods in which a build-up of Prymnesium threatens a toxic bloom.

Jamie Fairfull, Senior Environmental Officer for the Environment Agency said: "Prymnesium is one of the biggest risks to the fish population in the Broads. Being able to use hydrogen peroxide is a major breakthrough because for us the current options are so labour intensive. The Environment Agency usually recharges polluters for the cost of dealing with pollution incidents -- but with Prymnesium of course there is no-one to invoice."

Prymnesium, when stressed is able to produce a toxin that kills off its competition as well as fish, but the tests showed that the peroxide completely broke the Prymnesium and its toxin down without adverse effects.

Follow up trials, said Mr. Fairfull, are necessary for us to fully understand how the peroxide mixes and disperses so that it can be used effectively and safely. It will then be used and implemented along with a range of other methods in combating Prymnesium.

"This will allow us to protect the fish population for the benefit of the environment, anglers and the economy of Norfolk," he added.

Andrea Kelly, Senior Ecologist for the Broads Authority said: "This research has given us a new way to protect fish stocks and angling in the Broads and we continue to support the John Innes Centre and the University of East Anglia in developing knowledge for managing the fishery of the National Park. Although Prymnesium only occurs in a small area, the Broadland rivers are connected and what effects fish in one area of the Broads impacts on the whole system."

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Prymnesium - factfile.

Prymnesium parvum, also known as the golden algae, has caused problems on the Norfolk Broads since the mid-1960s.

It is of concern to anglers and aquaculture industry because of its ability to produce the toxin prymnesin. Unlike some other algal blooms it is not harmful to humans or cattle, but can turn waters deadly for fish in a matter of hours.

Current research, carried out by the John Innes Centre and University of East Anglia, is investigating the virus which is responsible for causing the alga to spill its toxic contents into the water. This happens when the virus kills the algal population causing cell lysis -- the bursting of algal cells, which releases toxins into the water.

It is believed that if the virus is not present the algae will die off more slowly and there are insufficient toxins in the water to cause major fish death episodes. Prymnesium kills millions of fish worldwide -- in brackish systems like the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, also in fish farms with major incidents reported in the United States, Israel and Scotland.

Steve Lane, Fisheries Technical Specialist from the Environment Agency said the trials carried out by the John Innes Centre team represented a "massive step forward," adding: "Transferring thousands of fish to other parts of the system is a last resort as it is stressful to the fish and very disruptive. While we may still need to rescue fish in the future, being able to use peroxide to create safe refuges would be a major step forward. The John Innes Centre's work on peroxide shows how we can work together to translate research into a real-world situation in which angling, tourism, the economy and the environment all benefit."

The John Innes Centre and UEA are working with the Environment Agency and a range of partners to manage the risks of Prymnesium in the Upper Thurne system. Partners include the Broads Angling Strategy Group, the Pike Anglers Club, the Broads IDB, the Earlham Institute, the Angling Trust, the Water Management Alliance, Natural England, Fishtrack and the Broads Authority.

Broads and Angling - Factfile

Angling influences direct expenditure of 100m a year in the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads.

One in five visitors to the Broads come to fish.

More than 40 per cent of the Broads' hire boat industry is influenced by angling.

According to one of the largest holiday companies operating within the Broads, 75 per cent of water-facing accommodation is let to anglers and their families.

The rescue of almost 750,000 fish from a Prymnesium outbreak in 2015 was one of the largest fish rescue operations ever undertaken by the Environment Agency, and accounted for 94% of the total fish rescued by the Environment Agency in that year.

Press Contact:

Adrian Galvin

Communications & Media Manager

John Innes Centre

Adrian.Galvin@jic.ac.uk

Tel: +44 1603 450 238

Notes to editors

1 Pictures to go with this article are available from the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B0hqkT1AdQaRZUttYWNEcHp5ZTg

2. The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant science and microbiology. Our mission is to generate knowledge of plants and microbes through innovative research, to train scientists for the future, to apply our knowledge of nature's diversity to benefit agriculture, the environment, human health and wellbeing, and engage with policy makers and the public. To achieve these goals we establish pioneering long-term research objectives in plant and microbial science, with a focus on genetics. These objectives include promoting the translation of research through partnerships to develop improved crops and to make new products from microbes and plants for human health and other applications. We also create new approaches, technologies and resources that enable research advances and help industry to make new products. The knowledge, resources and trained researchers we generate help global societies address important challenges including providing sufficient and affordable food, making new products for human health and industrial applications, and developing sustainable bio-based manufacturing.

This provides a fertile environment for training the next generation of plant and microbial scientists, many of whom go on to careers in industry and academia, around the world.

The John Innes Centre is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

The John Innes Centre is the winner of the BBSRC's 2013 - 2016 Excellence with Impact award.

3. The Environment Agency is the leading organisation for protecting and improving the environment in England. We are responsible for making sure that air, land and water are looked after by today's society, so that tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world.

Media enquiries: For East Anglia press office please contact (24 hours): 0800 917 9250

All Environment Agency news releases, both area and national, can be found under Announcements at http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency

Follow us on Twitter @EnvAgencyAnglia

Notes for editors

For general enquiries call the National Customer Contact Centre on 03708 506506. Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - A doctor in Nigeria and a professor at Michigan State University have teamed up to reduce infant mortality in the African nation.

In the U.S., September is National Newborn Screening Month. In developing nations, however, lack of infant screening leads to unusually high rates of infant mortality. In the current issue of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Dr. Nubwa Medugu and Shannon Manning, MSU Foundation Professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, documented high rates of Group B Streptococcus -- the first large-scale study to document the presence and effects of GBS, an often deadly pathogen.

Their effort established the baseline of colonization and transmission frequencies of GBS in Nigeria. Equally important, Medugu and Manning identified new risk factors that are allowing doctors to effectively treat more women and infants at risk.

"Nigeria has one of the highest rates of mortality of pregnant mothers, and GBS and other pathogens contribute to these deaths," Manning said. "GBS can cause stillbirth, premature birth and, after the baby is born, it can cause meningitis and sepsis."

When Medugu began her residency program, it was common knowledge that GBS was the most-common cause of sepsis in infants worldwide. She, however, had never seen a single case during her early medical training in her home country.

"I hypothesized that lack of active surveillance and poor laboratory methods might be the reason as to why we weren't detecting cases," Medugu said. "I decided that my dissertation was going to answer those questions."

Her hypothesis was right.

Medugu's research led to Manning, a leading authority on decoding deadly pathogens. There were no labs in Nigeria that could run the necessary experiments needed to publish a paper. So, Medugu agreed to do the legwork while Manning supervised the lab work.

The seemingly indefatigable Medugu collected all of the necessary samples -- from 500 women and infants -- from four different hospitals while completing her residency and raising her three children. The samples were sent to MSU to be examined. Eventually, Medugu also traveled to East Lansing, Michigan, to learn new molecular methods, such as Manning's advanced genotyping technique.

The partnership proved successful. Medugu finished her dissertation, and the scientists navigated the necessary steps to publish a peer-reviewed paper, which showed that 34 percent of mothers and 19 percent of their newborns were colonized with GBS with 1 of the 500 babies developing disease. (Compare this to the U.S., where a pregnant woman who receives standard antibiotics has only a 1 in 4,000 chance of delivering a baby infected with GBS.)

"Our results showed high rates of colonization and transmission in a population that doesn't use antibiotics to prevent neonatal infections -- a strategy that should be considered in the future," Manning said.

The World Health Organization estimates that 3 million of all babies that die annually can be saved with low-tech, low-cost care. Medugu agrees -- and she has already sparked many changes at her hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Today, Medugu and her colleagues routinely check for GBS infections.

"This study has been one of the principal drivers of infection prevention and control programs that have drastically reduced infant mortality," Medugu said.

Klebsiella pneumoniae also has claimed its share of Nigerian babies. Working with an NGO, Medugu facilitated training that emphasized hand hygiene, which has effectively reduced the disease's impact, Medugu added.

She believes that even more improvements will spread countrywide -- and beyond -- now that the paper has published.

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Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

For MSU news on the Web, go to MSUToday. Follow MSU News on Twitter at twitter.com/MSUnews.
In many parts of the densely populated plains along the Indus River and its tributaries, arsenic concentrations in groundwater supplies exceed the WHO guideline of 10 g/litre. Very high concentrations, above 200 g/litre, are found mainly in the south; the highest measured in this study was 500 g/litre (Fig. 1 and Box).

Problem possibly exacerbated by irrigation

Arsenic from natural sources can be dissolved in groundwater. Worldwide, according to WHO estimates, around 150 million people rely on groundwater contaminated with arsenic. The relevant processes occurring in aquifers vary according to the geological and hydrological conditions. Concentrations of dissolved arsenic are known to be particularly high in fluvial sediments with abundant organic material and limited oxygen supplies, e.g. in the deltas of the Ganges (Bangladesh) or the Red River (Vietnam); here, arsenic bound to iron oxides is released as a result of the chemically reducing environment. In Pakistan, however, though sediment layers are present along the Indus, reducing conditions are largely lacking. But the new study shows a strong correlation between elevated arsenic concentrations and high soil pH. Infiltration of irrigation water through alkaline topsoil and young alluvial sediments may thus contribute to arsenic enrichment in groundwater. First author Joel Podgorski, a geophysicist at Eawag, stresses that this is still a hypothesis. It is supported by the fact that irrigated areas largely coincide with regions where elevated arsenic concentrations were measured by co-author Ali Shah of COMSATS (Islamabad).

Using a model incorporating topographical, geochemical and hydrological parameters, the researchers created a map (Fig. 2) which, for the first time, shows the probability of increased arsenic concentrations for the whole of Pakistan. Especially in eastern Punjab - which includes Lahore - and around Hyderabad, many people are exposed to a high risk of arsenic contamination; altogether, 50 to 60 million use groundwater which very likely contains more than 50 g/litre. Podgorski comments: "This is an alarmingly high number, which demonstrates the urgent need to test all drinking water wells in the Indus Plain." In previous studies, sampling has only been conducted at the village level, and a comprehensive evaluation has not been possible owing to a lack of resources.

Mitigation measures required without delay

Now that the extent of the risk is known, what measures should be taken? Firstly, says Podgorski, water from wells in high-risk areas must be tested. Within a small area, actual concentrations of arsenic often vary widely, and local aquifer conditions cannot be predicted sufficiently accurately by modelling. At the same time, the relationship between extensive irrigation, high soil pH and increased arsenic concentrations in groundwater demands further investigation. If the suspected direct link is confirmed, irrigation techniques would need to be adapted so as to counteract the evaporation and infiltration of irrigation water. Lastly, in areas where groundwater is contaminated, alternative sources of water could be sought (e.g. in deeper-lying aquifers), or - as a last resort - arsenic removal methods could be adopted. At any rate, Podgorski concludes, there is an urgent need to promote awareness raising and coordination of the authorities' efforts.

Box: Arsenic

Arsenic is one of the most common inorganic contaminants found in drinking water worldwide. This metalloid occurs as a natural component of sediments, with small quantities being dissolved in groundwater as a result of weathering. The inorganic salts of arsenic are tasteless and odourless, but highly toxic to humans. If ingested over long periods, even low concentrations can cause damage to health, including hyperpigmentation of the skin, hyperkeratosis on the palms and soles, disorders of liver, cardiovascular and kidney function, and various types of cancer.

Problems arise from the fact that, firstly, arsenic concentrations can vary widely at the local level and, secondly, people in many areas are completely unaware of the risk because their groundwater wells have never been screened for arsenic. Concentrations below 10 g/L are considered safe. This concentration is therefore recommended by the World Health Organization as a guideline value for arsenic in drinking water. In Pakistan, the official health guideline for arsenic is 50 g/L.

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A new study by scientists from the Smithsonian, the Panamanian government and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, among other institutions, concludes that conserving old-growth tropical rainforest is "highly recommended" to prevent new outbreaks of viral and parasitic mosquito-borne diseases.

"We found that fewer mosquito species known to carry disease-causing pathogens live in forested areas compared to disturbed ones," said Jose Loaiza staff scientist at the Panamanian Institute of Scientific Research and High Technology Services (INDICASAT) and Research Associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. "Mosquito species from altered forest sites are more likely to transmit disease than mosquitoes native to an area of mature tropical forest."

Loaiza's team used DNA barcoding to identify almost 8,000 mosquito larvae representing more than 50 species from water standing in natural or artificial containers or ground water at 245 sites where tropical lowland forest was highly disturbed (Las Pavas on the west bank of the Panama Canal), somewhat disturbed (Achiote, on the east bank of the canal) and undisturbed (at the Smithsonian's research station on Barro Colorado Island).

The French attempt to build the Panama Canal failed because no one knew how malaria and yellow fever spread. The Cuban discovery that mosquitoes carried disease-causing agents made it possible for the U.S. to complete the interoceanic canal in 1914.

Because mosquito control was so important to the success of the Panama Canal project throughout the 20th century, there is a large amount of information available about disease-transmitting mosquitoes in Panama. The Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit Mosquito Catalog and in-country sources recorded 286 species of Culicidae (the Mosquito family) in Panama. Anopheles albimanus is the main vector of malaria in Central America. Culex nigripalpus is the main vector of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in the US and C. pedroi is the main vector of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Peru. All occur in Panama.

"Disease-carrying mosquito species were conspicuous in disturbed forest settings but almost nonexistent at undisturbed forest sites like the Smithsonian research station on Barro Colorado Island," said Oris Sanjur, STRI associate director for science administration and molecular biologist on the study. "Our results have important implications for tropical disease prevention and control. This is vital knowledge as global warming progresses and tropical disease organisms move into new areas."

Researchers tested a controversial ecological model that predicted that the highest mosquito species diversity should occur at medium forest disturbance, known as the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. They did not find this to be true.

"It may be possible to displace disease-carrying mosquitoes by introducing other species that compete with them at the larval stage," Loaiza said.

###

The study was conducted under an agreement between the Smithsonian and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Panama's National Secretariat for Science and Technology (SENACYT) and Brazil's Sao Paulo Research Organization's BIOTA Fapesp Program.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, is a unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The Institute furthers the understanding of tropical nature and its importance to human welfare, trains students to conduct research in the tropics and promotes conservation by increasing public awareness of the beauty and importance of tropical ecosystems. Website: http://www.stri.si.edu/. Promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9JDSIwBegk.

Loaiza, J.R., Dutari L.C., Rovira, J.R., Sanjur, O.I., et al. 2017. Disturbance and mosquito diversity in the lowland tropical rainforest of central Panama. Scientific Reports. 7:7248 doi:10.1038/s41598-017-07476-2
University of Alberta to have first of its kind in Canada

Using lasers and photodetectors, a new optical brain-imaging tool is providing a never-before-seen look inside your head. The non-invasive tool projects and measures infrared light as it is projected into the brain and the rate at which it exits, painting a picture of brain activity and blood flow at the same time -- something that is impossible without this technology.

The optical brain-imaging tool, called the Imagent, comes to the University of Alberta as the result of new funding for neuroscientist Kyle Mathewson, from the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), a Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) initiative.

On August 15, Mathewson received funding to purchase this state-of-the-art optimal imaging tool, which allows researchers to accurately measure detailed brain activity in a non-invasive way. The equipment will be housed in a new Shared Cognitive Neuroscience lab in the Faculty of Science.

"This optical imaging system provides images of rapid changes in brain activity, solving many unanswered questions about how our brains function from moment to moment," explained Mathewson. "The system is genuinely cutting edge. Our lab at the University of Alberta will have one of only a few in the world and first of its kind in Canada."

Invaluable implications

An assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute affiliate, Mathewson studies how the brain focuses on and filters out different information. His research has implications from job training and professional development to creating smarter artificial intelligence.

"We want to measure a person's state of attention from moment to moment," said Mathewson. "For instance, we could pinpoint the moment when a driver stops paying attention to the road, or determine practices to help students learn better and more efficiently. This tool will allow us unprecedented views of the brain networks that give rise to these and other important behaviours."

The implications, Mathewson explained, are huge.

"This optical imaging system helps to put the UAlberta cognitive neuroscience program even more firmly on the map," said Mathewson. "Securing this tool widens the scope of potential research and is already attracting interest from students and scientists around the world."

At the grant announcement last week, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science shared a similar sentiment.

"Our scientists need the best tools and equipment for ground-breaking research and discovery and we are committed to ensuring they have them. Their successes will lead to an improved economy and will fuel an active research community here in Canada and internationally."

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Excavations of architecture and associated deposits left by hunter-gatherers in the Black Desert in eastern Jordan have revealed bones from wild sheep - a species previously not identified in this area in the Late Pleistocene. According to the team of University of Copenhagen archaeologists, who led the excavations, the discovery is further evidence that the region often seen as a 'marginal zone' was capable of supporting a variety of resources, including a population of wild sheep, 14,500 years ago.

A study by a team of archaeologists based at the University of Copenhagen published today in the Royal Society journal Open Science documents that the region now known as the Black Desert in eastern Jordan could sustain a population of wild sheep.

"On the basis of morphological and metrical analysis of the faunal remains from Natufian and Pre-Pottery Neolithic A hunter-gatherer deposits, we can document that wild sheep would have inhabited the local environment year-round and formed an important resource for the human population to target for food. Most significantly, however, the presence of the substantial number of bones identified as mouflon extends the known range of wild sheep. This means that we cannot rely on broad scale maps showing ancient wild animal distributions as neat lines," said zooarchaeologist and first-author of the study Lisa Yeomans of the University of Copenhagen.

Adaptive hunter-gatherers

The team have been investigating human occupation in the Late Pleistocene of eastern Jordan. The Levant (i.e. modern-day Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria) has long been recognised as an important region associated with changes in social complexity and shifts in subsistence economy that pre-empted the shift to agriculture and farming. Hitherto investigations have generally focused on the Natufian occupation in the Levantine corridor while eastern Jordan was considered a more marginal environment.

Recent investigations, however, have shown this 'marginal environment' of eastern Jordan to be a resource rich environment which offered people the opportunity to hunt a range of species.

"Our findings illustrate how adaptive humans were nearly 14,500 years ago in a period of climatic change: Wild sheep offered the Natufian and later Pre-Pottery Neolithic populations one of a myriad of resources that could be exploited during the Late Pleistocene even in this more marginal environment beyond the Mediterranean zone. Despite the influences of climate on the resources presented to these hunter-foragers, their subsistence strategies were flexible and they could shift focus. Hunting wild sheep is just one of the ways that this is reflected in the archaeological record," said Lisa Yeomans.

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Read the research paper 'Expansion of the known distribution of Asiatic mouflon (Ovis orientalis) in the Late Pleistocene of the Southern Levant' in Royal Society's journal Open Science.

Read more about the Late Epipalaeolithic and Early Neolithic Occupation of the Black Desert project at the University of Copenhagen.

Contact

Zooarchaeologist Lisa Yeomans

University of Copenhagen

Faculty of Humanities

Mail: zhr605@hum.ku.dk

Phone: 0045 27 12 17 01

Press officer Carsten Hansen

University of Copenhagen

Mail: carstenhansen@hum.ku.dk

Phone: 0045 28 75 80 23
From smartphones to supercomputers, the growing need for smaller and more energy efficient devices has made higher density data storage one of the most important technological quests.

Now scientists at the University of Manchester have proved that storing data with a class of molecules known as single-molecule magnets is more feasible than previously thought.

The research, led by Dr David Mills and Dr Nicholas Chilton, from the School of Chemistry, is being published in Nature. It shows that magnetic hysteresis, a memory effect that is a prerequisite of any data storage, is possible in individual molecules at -213 C. This is extremely close to the temperature of liquid nitrogen (-196 C).

The result means that data storage with single molecules could become a reality because the data servers could be cooled using relatively cheap liquid nitrogen at -196C instead of far more expensive liquid helium (-269 C). The research provides proof-of-concept that such technologies could be achievable in the near future.

The potential for molecular data storage is huge. To put it into a consumer context, molecular technologies could store more than 200 terabits of data per square inch - that's 25,000 GB of information stored in something approximately the size of a 50p coin, compared to Apple's latest iPhone 7 with a maximum storage of 256 GB.

Single-molecule magnets display a magnetic memory effect that is a requirement of any data storage and molecules containing lanthanide atoms have exhibited this phenomenon at the highest temperatures to date. Lanthanides are rare earth metals used in all forms of everyday electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops. The team achieved their results using the lanthanide element dysprosium.

Dr Chilton says: 'This is very exciting as magnetic hysteresis in single molecules implies the ability for binary data storage. Using single molecules for data storage could theoretically give 100 times higher data density than current technologies. Here we are approaching the temperature of liquid nitrogen, which would mean data storage in single molecules becomes much more viable from an economic point of view.'

The practical applications of molecular-level data storage could lead to much smaller hard drives that require less energy, meaning data centres across the globe could become a lot more energy efficient.

For example, Google currently has 15 data centres around the world. They process an average of 40 million searches per second, resulting in 3.5 billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year. To deal with all that data, in July last year, it was reported that Google had approximately 2.5 million servers in each data centre and that number was likely to rise.

Some reports say the energy consumed at such centres could account for as much as 2 per cent of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. This means any improvement in data storage and energy efficiency could also have huge benefits for the environment as well as vastly increasing the amount of information that can be stored.

Dr Mills adds: 'This advance eclipses the previous record which stood at -259 C, and took almost 20 years of research effort to reach. We are now focused on the preparation of new molecules inspired by the design in this paper. Our aim is to achieve even higher operating temperatures in the future, ideally functioning above liquid nitrogen temperatures.'

###

Notes to Editor

The paper 'Molecular magnetic hysteresis at 60 K in dysprosocenium', will be published in Nature. DOI: 10.1038/nature23447. Conrad A. P. Goodwin, Fabrizio Ortu, Daniel Reta, Nicholas F. Chilton & David P. Mills

For more information contact Jordan Kenny on jordan.kenny@manchester.ac.uk and 0161 275 8257

About The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester, a member of the prestigious Russell Group, is the UK's largest single-site university with 38,600 students and is consistently ranked among the world's elite for graduate employability.

The University is also one of the country's major research institutions, rated fifth in the UK in terms of 'research power' (REF 2014). World class research is carried out across a diverse range of fields including cancer, advanced materials, addressing global inequalities, energy and industrial biotechnology.

No fewer than 25 Nobel laureates have either worked or studied here.

It is the only UK university to have social responsibility among its core strategic objectives, with staff and students alike dedicated to making a positive difference in communities around the world.

Manchester is ranked 35th in the world in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2016 and 5th in the UK. The University had an annual income of almost 1 billion in 2015/16.

Visit http://www.manchester.ac.uk for further information.

Facts and figures: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/facts-figures/

Research Beacons: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/beacons/

News and media contacts: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/
New technology being developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo and the Sunnybrook Research Institute is using artificial intelligence (AI) to help detect melanoma skin cancer earlier.

The technology employs machine-learning software to analyze images of skin lesions and provide doctors with objective data on telltale biomarkers of melanoma, which is deadly if detected too late, but highly treatable if caught early.

The AI system--trained using tens of thousands of skin images and their corresponding eumelanin and hemoglobin levels--could initially reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies, a significant health-care cost. It gives doctors objective information on lesion characteristics to help them rule out melanoma before taking more invasive action.

The technology could be available to doctors as early as next year.

"This could be a very powerful tool for skin cancer clinical decision support," said Alexander Wong, a professor of systems design engineering at Waterloo. "The more interpretable information there is, the better the decisions are."

Currently, dermatologists largely rely on subjective visual examinations of skin lesions such as moles to decide if patients should undergo biopsies to diagnose the disease.

The new system deciphers levels of biomarker substances in lesions, adding consistent, quantitative information to assessments currently based on appearance alone. In particular, changes in the concentration and distribution of eumelanin, a chemical that gives skin its colour, and hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, are strong indicators of melanoma.

"There can be a huge lag time before doctors even figure out what is going on with the patient," said Wong who is also the Canada Research Chair in Medical Imaging Systems. "Our goal is to shorten that process."

Wong developed the technology in collaboration with Daniel Cho, a former PhD student at Waterloo, David Clausi, a professor of systems design engineering professor at Waterloo, and Farzad Khalvati, an adjunct professor at Waterloo and scientist at Sunnybrook.

The research was recently presented at the 14th International Conference on Image Analysis and Recognition in Montreal.

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Radio Europa Libera ofera o noua bursa pentru perfectionarea tinerilor jurnalisti, interesati sa-si extinda experienta multi-media.

Scopul bursei de opt luni este de a oferi candidatilor sansa de a lucra si de a se perfectiona sub indrumarea atenta a jurnalistilor din biroul de la Chisinau al Europei Libere.

Stagiul include si o vizita de studiu la sediul central al RFE/RL de la Praga.

Bursa este oferita jurnalistilor din tarile Parteneriatului Estic si este finantata partial de Ambasada SUA in Cehia.

Data limita pentru a trimite o cerere este 17 septembrie 2017.

Toate informatiile despre bursa Europei Libere le gasiti aici:

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is now accepting applications for the 2017-2018 RFE/RL Regional Reporting Fellowship.

Program Summary

Fellows will be selected on a competitive basis from Eastern Partnership countries and placed with a local RFE/RL bureau. They will be integrated into the daily work of the bureau, where they will work on a full-time basis producing reports, multi-media products and social media content in the local language, while receiving supervision and mentoring from RFE/RLs seasoned professionals. (English-language proficiency is not required.) As a result of the program, Fellows are expected to strengthen their journalistic skills and knowledge, develop their editorial judgment, expand their professional networks, and deepen their understanding of the role of an independent press in their country.

The Fellowship is for an eight-month term, running approximately from November 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. It will include a visit to RFE/RLs headquarters in Prague for additional professional development.

Fellows will receive a monthly stipend for the term of the program consistent with the local wage scale, workspace at an appropriate RFE/RL bureau, and paid travel and accommodations to Prague. Housing may be provided for Fellows who must relocate to work at the local bureau.

To Apply

Journalists from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine are eligible to apply.

The deadline for completed applications is Sunday, September 17, 2017

Applications must be sent to RFE/RL at hokuvovaj@rferl.org

A complete application must include the following materials:

1. Cover letter: to include the applicants reasons for applying to the program; journalistic interests, values, or experiences that would qualify the applicant for the program; and the applicants professional goals following the Fellowships completion.

2. CV: to include personal data, professional experience and affiliations, educational background, and language proficiency.A copy of the CV in English must be provided.

3. Two work samples in the applicants working language, on any platform, published within the last 12 months, demonstrating the applicants best work.

As part of the selection process, applicants may be contacted by RFE/RL for an interview, in-person, by telephone, or by Skype.

Selection

The selection process is competitive. Applicants will be selected on the basis of their qualifications, their ability to contribute to the work of the bureau, their commitment to the programs mission, and their professional motivation and goals, as stated in the cover letter.

Applicants will be notified of their selection on Friday, October 6, 2017.

Questions may be directed to hokuvovaj@rferl.org.
From: Joyce L. Gioia, CMC, CSP -- The Herman Group Austin , TX Wednesday, August 23, 2017

The Herman Trend Alert August 23, 2017 Weather Prompts Increased Tourism Nobody likes to be stuck in the rain for weeks at a time. So, not surprisingly, an extended period of rainy weather across the United Kingdom has stimulated a surge in bookings for overseas trips. According to TUI, formerly Thomsen, one of the largest travel agencies in the UK, heavy rain and unseasonal August weather has prompted travelers to look for sunnier destinations. Shorter breaks most popular



Interestingly, shorter breaks of three or four nights are up 150 percent. Short breaks allow travelers to enjoy a brief reprieve from the weather and normal activities, before they return to their normal lives. Recent research released by the UK Office of National Statistics also reports that more and more people are opting to take shorter breaks. Seeking sunshine and warmth



The most popular destination is a group of islands known as The Balearics, located in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Spain, almost due South of the UK. While the UK is having continuous rain, the forecast for the Spanish islands is persistent sunshine and temperatures in the low to middle 80s (Fahrenheit). Southern Europe and other islands also doing well



In addition to The Balearics, searches have risen 22 percent overall and particularly to Ibiza, Barcelona, Alicante, Faro, and Tenerife---all sunny beautiful tourist destinations. Moreover, Southern Europe is performing very well, with bookings up 39 percent over the same time in 2016. Holiday home bookings up, too



The holiday homes site Novasol over the past two weeks said its bookings were up 26 percent over the same period last year. Sales of last-minute holidays, booked within the last two weeks with departures in the next four to six weeks, are up 15 percent year over year. Last-minute bookings on the rise



More and more travelers everywhere are booking at the last minute, because they can. And sometimes, they will even find a travel bargain that was not available earlier. Called "the lates market" in the UK, we expect this last-minute travel booking to become even more commonplace. The role of weather



With the forecast of increasing storms and floods worldwide, due to a changing climate, expect to see increases in last-minute travel and tourism across the globe. Finally, there will also be changes in where people will choose to vacation, as the band of warm weather continues northward. Who knows? One day soon, we may be talking about vacationing in Russia's Siberia or Canada's Nunavut? Special thanks to TravelMole.com for their coverage of this phenomenon. ******** The Herman Group is a firm of Strategic Business Futurists concentrating on workforce and workplace issues. We forecast the future and advise clients regarding relevant trends and how those trends may affect their lives. Applying our expertise as Certified Management Consultants, we advise corporate leaders regarding employee retention and organizational development to help them build workforce stability. We help organizations become Employers of Choice. We also work with Employer of Choice, Inc. to formally recognize employers that meet the stringent standards dictated by the labor marketplace. As authors of management books and as active professional speakers, we inform and inspire people to make a positive difference in the world of work. You did really get the ball rolling with our retention presentation, overall we have seen a move in the right direction with our turnover. In practice since 1980, we have served a wide variety of clients throughout the United States and in other countries. Our global affiliates assist us in sharing our expertise and advice with clients internationally. Our team of professional consultants and trainers is supported by an administrative staff that gets things done. We also have consultants certified to deliver our programs in your local area. Delivering to both small and large groups across 100 industries, The Herman Group has provided over 2,500 educational and informative keynote speeches and training seminars worldwide. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, we travel extensively to meet the needs of our clients. We can always be reached through the support team in our office at (800) 227-3566. Overseas callers may reach us through 336-210-3547. Should you have any questions after touring our website, please call or e-mail us at info@hermangroup.com. Get started now on improving the stability and performance of your workforce and increase your chances for success in the future.


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A farmer has had her nine Shetland ponies stabbed in a "barbaric" attack in the late hours of the evening - with one dying from a suspected heart attack.

A pony called Lucas was killed while its rescue-horse mother Matilda was stabbed in the neck and hind at a farm in Lea Town, Preston, Lancashire on Sunday (20 August).

24-year-old Khrystinea Farnworth, the owner of the animals, said one of the ponies has had "her trust broken by a human again".

Matilda was rescued seven years ago when it was discovered she was being tethered to a tree with barbed wire.

Shortly after being rescued by the Farnworth family, Matilda gave birth to Lucas and both looked destined to live their days out with other Shetland ponies and rescue horses in peace.

But on Sunday, in the early hours, both were attacked with knives.

'Deliberate'

Police said the "deliberate" attack has "caused great distress".

Miss Farnworth said: "It's disgusting and barbaric. You don't expect it to happen to you. I still can't process what has actually happened.

"We are in the middle of nowhere and have no enemies."

Matilda, who already had neck scars, is recovering from her injuries.

On Facebook, Preston Police said: "The incident occurred some time after the early hours to midday today (Sunday).

"This appears to be a deliberate attack which has caused great distress, not only to the owner but the animals themselves.

"We are requesting equine owners to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to us."

Anybody with any information that can assist with this investigation can email Pc Magee at 8997@lancashire.pnn.police.uk and quote log reference.
The National Pig Association (NPA) has welcomed figures showing a decline in human Hepatitis E cases in England and Wales.

Figures published by Public Health England (PHE) showed there were 230 cases of the virus recorded in the second quarter of 2017, compared with 368 in the same quarter of 2016.

The fall follows a persistent upward trend in cases of the virus between 2010 and 2016.

The link between the virus and consumption of imported pork hit the headlines over the weekend.

The Sunday Times reported that a leading British supermarket may unwittingly have infected thousands of people with a pig virus that causes liver cirrhosis and neurological damage.

Consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat and liver is the most common cause of Hepatitis E infection in the EU, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Scientists at PHE traced the shopping habits of infected people and found consumption of own-brand sausages from the retailer, referred to as Supermarket X to be a common factor. Two previous PHE studies going back to 2011 also pointed at Supermarket Xs pork products as a key source of the virus.

Studies have shown the meat is likely to have originated elsewhere in the EU, mainly from Holland and Germany. PHE and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have refused to name the supermarket because they say the findings do not infer blame on the supermarket.

'Safe and nutritious choice'

NPA chief executive Zoe Davies said: NPA is pleased to see that human cases of HEV in the UK are dropping. However, we recommend that consumers follow advice from the Food Standards Agency that pork and sausages should be cooked thoroughly until steaming hot throughout, with no pink or red in the centre, to greatly reduce any risk of infection.

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) pointed out there were other sources of Hepatitis E infections in humans other than pork, including wild boar, deer and shellfish.

It also highlighted the recent fall in cases and said, in comparison to the 1.7 million tonnes of pigmeat consumed in 2016, the level of Hepatitis E infection was extremely small, suggesting that pork remains a safe and nutritious meal choice for UK consumers.

The BMPA said: UK pork manufacturers are committed to understanding more about the virus and are supporting further research to develop reliable methods of detection to assist in identifying potential sources of contamination and animal/food treatments to eliminate the virus from the supply chain.

An FSA spokesperson said the agency was reviewing all aspects of hepatitis E infection with other government departments and industry.

She said: The risk from acquiring hepatitis E virus (HEV) from eating thoroughly cooked pork or pork products is low.

As a precaution, the FSA advises consumers that all whole cuts of pork, pork products and offal should be thoroughly cooked until steaming hot throughout, the meat is no longer pink and juices run clear.
Producers see losses increase to 26-28 per pig, estimates show
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Food Safety Plan Builder (FSPB) is a tool designed to assist owners/operators of food facilities with the development of food safety plans that are specific to their facilities and meet the requirements of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation (21 CFR Part 117).

Use of this tool is strictly optional on the part of the user. FDA is not requiring use of this tool to develop a facility's food safety plan. Although the content of the Food Safety Plan Builder is consistent with the FDA's existing guidance and regulations, use of the Food Safety Plan Builder by owners and operators of food facilities does not mean that their food safety plan, preventive controls, good manufacturing practices and other food safety procedures are approved by FDA or comply with FDA requirements.

The Food Safety Plan Builder guides the user through the following sections:

Facility Information

Preliminary Steps

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) & Prerequisite Programs

Hazard Analysis & Preventive Controls Determination

Process Preventive Controls

Food Allergen Preventive Controls

Sanitation Preventive Controls

Supply-Chain Preventive Controls

Recall Plan

Reanalysis of Food Safety Plan

Food Safety Plan Report

Signature

Recordkeeping Procedures

Important Contacts

Supporting Documents

Food Safety Plan Builder

Have Questions?

If you have additional questions or need more information, please email

FoodSafetyPlanBuilder@fda.hhs.gov.
Riya Sen

Riya Sen looks hot and sizzling in this throwback picture! Doesn't she, folks?

Happily Married

Riya Sen married the love of her life Shivam Tiwari on August 16, 2017.

Bengali Traditions

The wedding was held in Pune in traditional Bengali way.

Recommended Video Riya Sen shares BOLD PICTURES just after MARRIAGE; Watch | FilmiBeat

No Sharing!

Riya Sen has not shared her wedding pictures on any of her social media handles.

Ragini MMS 2.2

She will next be seen Ekta Kapoor's web series Ragini MMS 2.2.

Lonely Girl

Riya Sen was also recently seen in the short film Lonely Girl.

Lesbian Scene

She shares a subtle lesbian scene in Lonely Girl with Kyra Dutt.

Lesbian Roles

Riya Sen revealed that she has received many lesbian roles but declined them all.

Right Choice

She choose Lonely Girl as the content in the short film matched the plot of the subtle lesbian scene.

Comeback!

She has no Bollywood offers as of now and we hope to see her soon on the silver screen though.
Gentrack Group Limitedhas announced it has signed a multi-million dollar contract with Hunter Water Corporation to provide a new billing and customer management system.Hunter Water is a state owned provider of water services to over half a million people in New South Wales, and was the first utility in Australia to offer a user pays water system.Gentrack CEO Ian Black has indicated the selection of the business by Hunter is an endorsement of Gentracks expertise and focus.The project is expected to be completed in 2018 with Gentrack indicating the announcement has no bearing on its previously announced financial outlook for FY17.Shares in Gentrack Group Limitedlast traded 1.31% lower at $4.53.
Kinder Morgan (KMI 2.69%) is one of the biggest energy infrastructure companies in North America. In fact, it's the largest independent transporter of petroleum products and carbon dioxide, the top independent terminal operator, and it operates the largest natural gas pipeline network on the continent. That gas system is vital to both the company -- since it's where it makes most of its money -- and the continent, given its size and capacity. It's an incredible system that's a crucial fuel for the company's dividend.

A massive highway for energy

Kinder Morgan owns or operates roughly 70,000 miles of natural gas pipeline across North America, which for perspective is enough pipe that if laid end-to-end would circle the world not once, or twice but nearly three times. That said, the bulk of these pipes run across the U.S., enabling Kinder Morgan to transport about 38% of the gas consumed in the country on a daily basis.

Those pipelines are a superhighway for natural gas, moving it from production basins to major market centers. One of its longest systems is Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP), which is an 11,800-mile network that moves gas from Louisiana, the Gulf of Mexico, and south Texas to the northeast, including New York City and Boston. Another major system is the Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (NGPL), which is a 9,200-mile network that runs across the middle of the country and transports gas to the high-demand Chicago market. The company also co-owns the 5,500-mile Florida Gas Transmission pipeline that services markets across the Sunshine State and has a 50% stake in the 7,000-mile Southern Natural Gas (SNG) system, which transports gas to major southern markets like Atlanta. In other words, the company's pipelines serve as a critical pathway to help fuel these major U.S. cities.

More on the way

While Kinder Morgan is already the largest transporter of natural gas in North America, it expects to spend $3.6 billion over the next five years to expand its industry-leading position. One of its largest gas pipeline investments is the $800 million Broad Run Expansion and Broad Run Flexibility projects on its TGP system, which will enable natural gas driller Antero Resources (AR -1.04%) to move gas from a receipt point in West Virginia to delivery points in Mississippi and Louisiana. Antero Resources signed a 15-year firm capacity contract with Kinder Morgan to underpin this project that will supply the company with steady cash flow. Some of its other notable gas pipeline expansions are the $150 million Lone Star Project on TPG and the $240 million Fairburn Expansion Project on SNG.

Meanwhile, the company has several other pipeline projects that are in earlier stages of development. One of the biggest is a more than $1 billion pipeline partnership with DCP Midstream (DCP -1.93%) to move gas from the fast-growing Permian Basin to the Gulf Coast. The proposed 430-mile Gulf Coast Express Pipeline could enter service by 2019 if Kinder Morgan and DCP Midstream secure enough shippers to justify the investment. On top of that, Kinder Morgan's partner on NGPL noted last quarter that in addition to the Chicago market and Gulf Coast Southbound expansion projects already underway on that system that they have a $300 million backlog of potential projects that they hope to secure over the next year.

Those projects are just the ones the company has publicly identified as having a high probability of moving forward in the near-term. However, Kinder Morgan should have ample opportunities to continue growing its gas pipeline network over the long-term thanks to the expectation that gas demand in North America will increase 35% over the next decade alone. Fueling that growth forecast are new gas-fired power plants under construction and rising export volumes by pipeline to Mexico as well as through liquified natural gas facilities under development. In fact, according to one projection, growing natural gas demand will require that the industry build $290 billion to $376 billion of new natural gas infrastructure in North America over the next 20 years, which represents a massive opportunity for Kinder Morgan.

A steadily growing income stream

Kinder Morgan's extensive natural gas pipeline business is crucial to investors because it supplies steady cash flow since long-term fee-based contracts underpin the bulk of this network. Those contracts help support the company's solid 2.7% yielding dividend and its ability to invest in growth projects that should expand its network and cash flow. In fact, thanks to the strength and growth prospects of Kinder Morgan's natural gas business, it's on pace to increase the dividend by 60% next year and 25% in both 2019 and 2020, with the possibility to continue growing at a healthy clip in future years as it develops additional projects. That growth has the potential to handsomely reward investors who hold for the long-term.
Nubia Z17 mini with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage coming soon to India News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu High-end Nubia Z17 Mini coming soon to India.

The Nubia Z17 mini was launched in India in June in only one variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. Now, there are claims that the device will soon get an upgraded variant in the Indian market.

As per the recent media reports, Nubia, the ZTE sub-brand will bring the 6GB RAM variant of the Nubia Z17 mini with 128GB storage capacity to the country. The high-end variant will be launched in a new Aurora Blue color variant. The other specifications will be the same as the base model of the smartphone. For now, there is no clue on the pricing and availability of the high-end Nubia Z17 Mini.

The major highlight of the Nubia Z17 Mini is its dual rear camera setup featuring two 13MP sony sensors (a monochrome sensor and an RGB sensor). The dual camera module comes with f/2.2 aperture and NeoVision 6.0 and comes with Sapphire Glass protection. The selfie camera is a 16MP sensor with a 5P lens, f/2.0 aperture, and 80-degree wide-angle lens.

The Nubia Z17 Mini runs on Android Marshmallow topped with the company's Nubia UI 4.0. The device features a 5.2-inch FHD 1080p display. At its heart, the Nubia smartphone employs a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 652 SoC. The connectivity aspects on board include 4G VoLTE, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C port, and dual SIM support. Both the variants will support expandable storage space up to 200GB using a microSD card.

The 4GB RAM variant of the Nubia Z17 mini is priced at Rs. 19,999 and we can expect the high-end model to be priced above Rs. 20,000 in the country. Let's wait for an official confirmation from the company to know about its exact pricing and availability.

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Design and Display

Galaxy Note 8 feature bezel-less display like the Galaxy S8 and S8+ and features a smooth and uninterrupted surface that flows seamlessly over the edges.

As the company has completely redesigned the phone from the inside out, Samsung has embedded the home button under the edge-to-edge screen, where it stays hidden until you need it. Users will be getting a bigger, unobstructed view without a larger phone. As the company puts it, the smartphones' "infinity display" will provide a smooth user experience to the users.

Additionally, the display will come with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back for durability and a high-quality finish.

In terms of specifications, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will come with a 6.3-inch QHD+ (1440x2960 pixels) Super AMOLED display.

Besides that, Galaxy Note 8 also comes with an S-Pen that can be used for various functionalities. and the company did say that the display has also been engineered for the S-Pen.

The phablet is dust and water resistant as it also comes with IP68 certification.

Computing Hardware

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is powered by an Octa-core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad), 64 bit, 10nm processor. The chipset will most likely be Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 835 SoCa or Exynos 8895 SoC. Samsung has said that the Galaxy Note 8 will be available in different variants based on markets, hence the two types of chipsets.

The device packs 6GB of RAM and it comes with 64GB inbuilt storage which can be further expanded via microSD card up to 256GB. Samsung has again stated that this could vary depending on the different markets. The handset will run Android Nougat out-of-the-box.

Cameras

As for the optics, the phablet comes with a dual camera setup with two 12MP sensors at the back. The primary camera is a wide-angle lens supporting dual photodiode (2PD), while the secondary camera acts as a telephoto lens. The camera also supports dual OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), F1.7 Aperture, Max Zoom of 2x (digital) and different modes like live focus, Pro mode, Panorama, Slow motion, Hyperlapse, Food mode and an option to save photos as RAW file.

At the front, there is an 8MP AF camera with F1.7 Aperture and wide angle lens. The cameras also support 4K video recording at 30 fps and 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps.

Samsung has also introduced Quick launch and dual capture features for the cameras.

Battery

The Galaxy Note 8 is backed by a 3300mAh and according to the company it delivers MP3 playback (AOD on): up to 44 hrs, MP3 playback (AOD OFF): up to 67 hrs, Video playback: up to 16 hrs, Talk time: up to 20 hrs, Internet use (Wi-Fi): up to 14 hrs, Internet use (3G): up to 11 hrs, Internet use (4G): up to 12 hrs.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will also support wireless charging as well as fast charging.

Connectivity and Sensors

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 comes as a dual SIM model. The handset includes connectivity options like 4G LTE (Cat. 16), Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4GHz, 5GHz), Bluetooth v5.0, USB Type-C, 3.5mm audio port, NFC, and GPS.

Further, sensors on board the smartphones include an iris, face-recognition, pressure, fingerprint, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, barometer, gyroscope, heart rate sensor, magnetometer, and proximity sensor. It also supports Samsung Pay, with NFC and MST connectivity.

Apart from these, Samsung has also included some interesting features such as Knox protection for real-time device monitoring and protection, Samsung Pay, Samsung Connect and most importantly Samsung Bixby which is a voice-based virtual assistant powered by artificial intelligence technology. Bixby further gets a dedicated launch button at the side of the smartphone.

Pricing and Availability

Samsung did not announce the Galaxy Note 8 price at its event. We are expecting more announcements about the new smartphone at the IFA 2017 event that is happening in Berlin. However, pre-order for Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will begin "in few days" in the US. The phablet will hit stores starting September 15. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will also ship with AKG headphones.

The Galaxy Note 8 has been launched in various color options like Midnight Black, Arctic Silver, Orchid Grey, and Deep Sea Blue.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 render leaked in Orchid Gray color News oi -Chandrika Looking at the current trend, the Orchid Gray is likely to be a popular choice.

Just hours to go for the official launch, but the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 keeps appearing in leaks. Reliable tipster Evan Blass has now taken his Twitter account to reveal a new color variant of the phablet.

Well, Orchid Gray is the new color. Looking at the current trend, the Orchid Gray is likely to be a popular choice. The Galaxy Note 8 has been previously spotted in various colors like Midnight Black, Maple Gold and Deep Sea Blue. The new image shows the phablet sporting the same design as it was seen in earlier leaked renders. It has a horizontally placed rear dual camera setup, which is accompanied by a LED flash.

Just Beside the camera sensors, there is the heart rate monitor and the fingerprint scanner. The entire setup is in Black color. You can the Samsung branding below the camera housing. Moreover, there lies the Galaxy Note8 logo at the bottom.

Up front, the Samsung Galaxy Note is shown to feature the Infinity Display that is said to measure 6.3-inch with support for QHD+ resolution of 2,9601,440 pixels. The S Pen that will ship with the phablet is also sporting the Orchid Gray color.

Earlier today, a separate leak suggested the Galaxy Note 8 will be launched in three different storage variants. While all the models will feature 6GB of RAM, they will vary in terms of native storage capacity. The basic one with 64GB of storage will be the international version.

The higher versions featuring 128GB and 256GB of internal storage is likely to launch exclusively in the Asian market.

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Android O officially confirmed to launch on August 21 News oi -Chandrika As far as the new features are concerned, the Android O is expected to bring notification channels, shortcut pinning, auto-fill, picture-in-picture, etc.

Last week, Android Police's managing editor David Ruddock said that Android O would be unveiled on August 21. However, he had no solid evidence to back up his claims.

Now, Google has announced the date and time when the Android O will be launched. Guess what? The date is August 21. So Ruddock was right with his speculation. Google will release the Android O through a live-stream from New York City that begins at 2:40 PM EST. It is worth pointing out that the timing will coincide with the solar eclipse expected to make its way across the US.

The search giant has even set up a website to promote the launch event that contains a countdown timer. It even shows which areas in the US will witness the solar eclipse as well as some eclipse facts.

In addition, Google has also dropped some hints about the name of Android O. The company shared a teaser video with the file name GoogleOreo_Teaser_0817_noDroids (1).mp4 on Google Plus. While we can't say for sure, the file name does suggest the Android O will be named Oreo.

It seems like the video was posted by mistake as it has been taken down since. Whatever the case is, we will get the answer to all our queries soon.

As far as the new features are concerned, the Android O is expected to bring notification channels, shortcut pinning, auto-fill, picture-in-picture, etc. Picture-in-picture mode is perhaps the most needed feature for YouTube and active YouTube app users. Using this mode will allow users to browse their smartphone even when the YouTube app window is open.

Besides this, the latest version of Android will provide a simplified and better-organized settings menu. While most of the smartphones have at least 20 settings tab with Android Nougat on their smartphones, O will slash the number of tabs to 12.

Other than that, Android O will also host a smarter text selection.

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Alila Solo is pleased to announce the appointment of Alasdair Davidson as the hotels new General Manager. Alasdair is a veteran in the hospitality industry with more than 20 years of international experience acquired in the Maldives, India, Australia, Fiji, Indonesia and Japan. He is also a long-established member of the Alila team, having previously held senior executive positions at Alila Maldives and Alila Diwa Goa, followed by three years as General Manager of the brands iconic Alila Ubud in Bali. Alasdair returns to the Alila family following his most recent position as General Manager of Odin Hospitality in Hokkaido, Japan. Now at the helm of Alila Solo, he looks forward to elevating the hotels renowned service excellence, further curating guest experiences that have made this landmark Solo hotel the first choice for a superlative stay in the city and a vibrant lifestyle destination for all.
BD Hotels, led by developers Richard Born and Ira Drukier, is pleased to announce the appointment of Effie Tsavalias as General Manager of Pod Brooklyn, opening this September in the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. Tsavalias brings a wealth of knowledge to her new role from previous hospitality experience and will oversee all aspects of hotel operations at the 249 room property. Tsavaliass role will include overseeing guest services, housekeeping, maintenance, sales, and spearheading the propertys grand opening. The next generation of innovative properties from BD Hotels and CB Developers takes the micro-hotel concept to the next level with modular guestrooms, making Pod Brooklyn the premiere modular hotel in NYC. The clever design by Garrison Architects in collaboration with Pod Hotel Design Director Vanessa Guilford weaves pod sized rooms with numerous courtyards, rooftops, and private event spaces, for guests seeking a wallet-friendly, interactive experience. Tsavalias began her career in 2002 as a reservations agent at the Bryant Park Hotel for the propertys pre-opening and opening phases before advancing to Assistant Front Office Manager. Most recently, she served as Director of Housekeeping at BD Hotels sister property, The Maritime Hotel. During this time, Tsavalias successfully served as a consultant to assist in opening three other BD Hotel properties: The Bowery Hotel, Lafayette House, and The Jane Hotel.
Alpharetta, Ga.  August 22, 2017  The Rainmaker Group (Rainmaker), the hotel revenue and profit optimization cloud, is proud to announce that it has again ranked on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing privately held companies in the U.S. for 2017, making it the seventh consecutive year to achieve this honor. With the addition of 2017, Rainmaker is now part of an elite two percent (2%) of companies that have had the honor of being listed seven times, and an even smaller percentage that have received this distinction for seven years consecutively. With a continuously expanding customer base, Rainmaker continues to rank on the Inc. 5000 list due to its impressive growth, particularly in the last 3 years when the company grew by 67 percent.

"Our continuous growth is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the entire Rainmaker team, and we are extremely honored to receive this distinction for the seventh year in a row," said Bruce Barfield, Rainmaker's CEO. "We remain dedicated to developing the most advanced technologies to help our clients optimize their revenue and profit, as well as continuing to grow and expand our global footprint."

Founded in 1998 by Barfield and Tammy Farley, who currently serves as president, Rainmaker has remained focused on delivering the highest revenue returns possible for its clients. For nearly 20 years, Rainmaker has successfully developed and expanded its proprietary suite of products and consulting services into the powerhouse the company has become today.

Rainmaker's industry leading portfolio of revenue and profit optimization solutions consists of guestrev, grouprev, revcaster and revintel. This integrated, cloud-based platform is designed to help hoteliers streamline operations, enhance revenue optimization processes, improve lead performance and drive guest bookings. The company introduced several enhancements to its solutions during 2017, including the new revcaster platform and the addition of group forecasting functionality, which contributed to Rainmaker's continued growth.

"The Inc. 5000 is the most persuasive evidence I know that the American Dream is still alive," says Inc. President and Editor-In-Chief Eric Schurenberg. "The founders and CEOs of the Inc. 5000 tell us they think determination, risk taking, and vision were the keys to their success, and I believe them."

Inc. Magazine reports that, on average, companies that made the 2017 list have grown six-fold since 2013, an impressive feat during a time when the economy grew by only 6.7 percent. The magazine stated that this year's honorees are the most competitive in the history of the list, with a three-year average growth of 481 percent. Additionally, aggregate revenue is calculated at $206 billion and the companies listed for 2017 collectively generated 619,500 jobs throughout the last three years.

For more information on Rainmaker's hotel revenue and profit optimization cloud, please visit: http://www.letitrain.com/.

About Rainmaker

The Rainmaker Group, a Cendyn company, is the premier provider of revenue and profit optimization solutions to the hospitality industry. Rainmaker's intelligent profit platform helps hotels, resorts and casinos optimize revenue, drive increased profitability, save valuable time & outperform competitors. As part of Cendyn, Rainmaker offers a complete set of software services for the industry, aligning marketing, sales and revenue teams to optimize their strategies and drive performance and loyalty across their business units. To learn more about Cendyn and its suite of hotel revenue management and profit optimization solutions, visit LetItRain.com or www.cendyn.com.

About Cendyn

Cendyn is the leading innovative cloud software and services provider for the hospitality industry. With a focus on integrated hotel CRM, hotel sales, and revenue strategy technology platforms, Cendyn drives sales, marketing and revenue performance for tens of thousands of hotels across the globe. The Cendyn Hospitality Cloud offers a complete set of software services for the industry, aligning marketing, sales and revenue teams to optimize their strategies and drive performance and loyalty across their business units. With offices in Boca Raton, Atlanta, Boston, San Diego, London, Munich, Singapore, Sydney, Bangkok and Tokyo, Cendyn proudly serves clients in 143 countries, delivering over 1.5 billion data-driven, personalized communications on behalf of their customers every year. For more information on Cendyn, visit www.cendyn.com.

Dana Glaze

Marketing Manager

470-440-2041
LONDON  Hotels in the Middle East reported negative results during July 2017, while hotels in Africa recorded growth across the three key performance metrics, according to data from STR.

U.S. dollar constant currency, July 2017 vs. July 2016

Middle East

Occupancy: -2.8% to 56.1%

Average daily rate (ADR): -16.1% to US$134.00

Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -18.4% to US$75.20

Africa

Occupancy: +6.9% to 60.7%

Average daily rate (ADR): +9.3% to US$97.81

Revenue per available room (RevPAR): +16.8% to US$59.34

Local currency, July 2017 vs. July 2016

Bahrain

Occupancy: -1.0% to 49.3%

ADR: -11.5% to BHD64.91

RevPAR: -12.4% to BHD32.03

Following performance increases in June boosted by post-Ramadan celebrations, Bahrain hotels saw sharp declines in July. Those decreases fell more in line with recent trends in the country, as RevPAR through July was down 6.9% compared with the first seven months of 2016.

Nigeria

Occupancy: +12.1% to 47.9%

ADR: +5.8% to NGN48,490.15

RevPAR: +18.5% to NGN23,230.78

July was Nigeria's strongest month thus far in 2017 thanks to a 16.7% increase in demand. According to STR analysts, strong events business in Lagos boosted occupancy and rate growth. Group (bookings of 10 or more rooms) RevPAR in the country rose 58.3% during the month.

Saudi Arabia

Occupancy: -5.2% to 48.0%

ADR: -31.6% to SAR625.78

RevPAR: -35.2% to SAR300.14

Saudi Arabia's performance declines followed a weak first half of 2017, and July year-to-date RevPAR is down 15.1%. STR analysts note that although the country's hotel performance is typically lower during the summer months, the double-digit declines for July 2017 reflect the impacts of low oil prices and high hotel supply growth.

About STR

STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for the global hospitality industry. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 15 countries with a corporate North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, an international headquarters in London, and an Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. STR was acquired in October 2019 by CoStar Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSGP), the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplaces. For more information, please visit str.com and costargroup.com.
Current business activity for United Arab Emirates' hoteliers weakened in July according to the latest reading of the country's Hotel Industry Pulse (HIP). eforecasting.com's United Arab Emirates HIP - a business analytic which tracks current monthly overall business conditions in United Arab Emirates' hotel industry - decreased 2.3% in June to a reading of 77.7. HIP index is set to equal 100 in 2010.

However, looking ahead of the curve, prospects of future business activity for United Arab Emirates' hoteliers increased in July according to the latest reading of the country's Hotel Industry Leading (HIL) indicator. eforecasting.com's United Arab Emirates HIL - a predictive analytic which gauges monthly what's next for business in United Arab Emirates' hotel industry - rose 0.4% in June to a reading of 111.9, following an increase of (+0.4%) in May. HIL index is set to equal 100 in 2010.

The six-month smoothed annualized growth rate of United Arab Emirates' predictive analytic HIL registered a positive reading of (+7.2%) in June, following a gain of (+7.8%) in May. Consistent with its goal, the six-month smoothed annualized growth rate in HIL dips down several months ahead of the growth rate of the country's hotel performance indicators, like Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR). Similarly, when the country's hotels are in a downswing of the industry's business cycle, the growth in HIL pops up first, signaling an upcoming end of the business recession, which implies a forthcoming recovery in business activity.

"While we have witnessed a major drop in business activity in this area over the last year and a half, future prospects and signs that the region may see at the very least, a stall in the freefall and some stabilization albeit at much lower levels than what this region has grown accustomed to, as our predictive analytic HIL reveals strengthened foreign demand and favorable energy prices which will positively impact tourism and the local economy. The probability for the country's hotels entering a recession in the near future with falling performance indicators, like Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR), remains elevated near 42%, but continues to stay below 50%. Once it crosses this threshold its highly unlikely that future recession-like business activity would not prevail for the remainder of the year, " noted Maria Sogard CEO at e-forecasting.com.

Two of the three forward looking indicators of business activity that comprise United Arab Emirates' Hotel Industry Leading (HIL) had a positive contribution to its change in June: Future Foreign Demand and Energy Costs. Only one indicator of future business activity had a negative or zero contribution to the change of United Arab Emirates' Hotel Industry Leading (HIL) in June: US Hotel Leading.

e-forecasting.com currently covers the top 25 US markets with predictive analytics reports on a monthly basis along with international countrywide hotel predictive analytics on the following nations: Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. The firm also produces hotel market forecasts for the same regions. Rather than simply collecting data, the analytics technology relies on the aggregation of data. This approach connects data, helping integrate facts in a meaningful way. The process first adjusts raw data for recurring events such as seasonality and then filters out outliers such as specific events - so called blind spots - which debilitate informed decisions; second, it aggregates adjusted data to groups of similarly-moving contextual analytics - called composites.
Europe's hotel industry reported positive year-over-year performance in July 2017, according to STR. Occupancy rose 2.6% to 78.5%, while ADR increased 4.3% to 118.30 ($139.61) and RevPAR rose 7% to 92.84 ($109.56).

Europes hotel industry reported positive results in the three key performance metrics during July 2017, according to data from STR.

Euro constant currency, July 2017 vs. July 2016

Europe

Occupancy: +2.6% to 78.5%

Average daily rate (ADR): +4.3% to EUR118.30

Revenue per available room (RevPAR): +7.0% to EUR92.84

Local currency, July 2017 vs. July 2016

Poland

Occupancy: +1.5% to 78.2%

ADR: -1.6% to PLN285.62

RevPAR: -0.1% to PLN223.39

Demand outpaced supply in terms of growth in Poland, helping occupancy growth compensate for the decline in ADR. Warsaw recorded a 10.1% increase in RevPAR for the month, with occupancy up 8.0% and ADR up 1.9%. STR analysts note that the Polish capitals performance was exceptionally high during the first six days of the month when it hosted the International Theatre Schools Festival.

Spain

Occupancy: -0.6% to 80.7%

ADR: +7.7% to EUR129.34

RevPAR: +7.1% to EUR104.33

The countrys ADR level was significantly lifted by Madrid (+13.3%) and Barcelona (15.5%). STR analysts note that it is still too early to identify a potential impact on hotel performance from the 17 August terror attack in Barcelona.

Turkey

Occupancy: +64.9% to 69.2%

ADR: +8.9% to TRY330.83

RevPAR: +79.5% to TRY229.04

Turkeys hotel performance showed dramatic year-over-year increases due to a comparison with the month of the coup detat attempt in 2016. Istanbul saw a 132.5% increase in RevPAR for the month, with occupancy up 97.0% and ADR up 18.0%. STR analysts expect a similar growth pattern for August as performance declines continued through that month last year.

Download the Global Performance Review

STR provides clients from multiple market sectors with premium, global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 10 countries around the world with a corporate North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and an international headquarters in London, England. For more information, please visit str.com.
Crystal Investment Property, LLC, a member of Hotel Brokers International, announced today that they have appointed two new Investment Associates to their Portland office staff. Andrew J. Kennedy joins the firm effective immediately and Chelsea N. Welborn is expanding her current role with the brokerage.

Andrew J. Kennedy is a recent graduate from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Prior to his business studies, Andrew served his country from 2008 to 2012 in the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton as well as serving overseas in Okinawa and Afghanistan. Andrew brings exceptional discipline, focus and financial acumen to his role serving the needs of hotel owners and investors in the Pacific Northwest.

Chelsea N. Welborn joined Crystal Investment Property in 2015 as Director of Marketing, managing development and implementation of all media channels for active listings, institutional communication, and investor outreach. Chelsea graduated in 2014 from University of Portland with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and gained extensive experience as a marketing and systems administration consultant working with a diverse range of businesses in the Pacific Northwest. Chelsea is expanding her role as she manages a staff of marketing assistants and moves towards greater active client involvement as an Investment Associate.

Joseph P. Kennedy, President of Crystal Investment Property, LLC said, I am pleased to have both Andrew and Chelsea join our team of highly experienced hotel brokers. Each possesses a unique set of skills and strengths that strategically provide our firm new opportunities to better serve our clients. Crystal Investment Property has been advising on hotel transactions for over 17 years and has been a member of Hotel Brokers International for the last three years. Crystal Investment Property has just recently closed seven hotel transactions and is licensed in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

Crystal Investment Property, a premiere hospitality investment advisory and brokerage company located in the Pacific Northwest, maintains the most cutting-edge technological, online and social media presence as well as a full range of traditional and web-based marketing reaching local, regional, national and international clientele. The firms core services of hospitality asset acquisition/disposition are supported by innovative and creative solutions to maintain position as the most active and successful hotel broker in the region. Crystal Investment Property represents the full spectrum of hospitality real estate owners and their experience covers all hospitality assets types, including: full service hotels, boutique hotels, select service hotels, limited service hotels, as well as development projects, and leasehold transactions. Crystal Investment Property may be accessed online at www.crystalip.com.

Founded in 1959, Hotel Brokers International members lead the industry in hotel real estate sales. HBI hotel brokerage specialists have successfully negotiated more than 10,000 hotel real estate transactions and consistently account for the largest share of all select-service and economy hotel sales in the United States. The organizations database currently comprises more than 100 property listings and the HBI website attracts site visitors from around the world. Founder and host of the popular Hotel Investors Marketplace Webcast, HBI also developed the Certified Hotel Broker professional designation program. In addition to hospitality real estate advisory services, HBI offers affiliate membership to professionals in allied fields, including franchising, lending, appraisals and investment services. For more information about HBIs hotel listings or to become a broker or affiliate member, visit www.hbihotels.com.

For more information contact:

Joseph P. Kennedy, President

Crystal Investment Property, LLC

Portland, Oregon

503.530.1316

joe@crystalip.com

Glenda J. Webb, Managing Director

Hotel Brokers International

Kansas City, Missouri

816.505.4315

gwebb@hbihotels.com
Hilton Opens Urban Retreat On South Korea Coastline

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) yesterday opened doors to the new Hilton Busan, marking its debut in South Korea's second largest city. With its prime location on a pristine coastline in the East Busan Tourism Complex, Hilton Busan is set to be a hub for business and leisure travel to this dynamic region. The hotel will offer two innovative dining concepts, a rooftop swimming pool and versatile meeting space unparalleled for both function and style.

"Busan is a key tourism destination and we're delighted to be introducing Hilton's trademark hospitality and flagship brand to the city, complementing the five hotels we currently operate in South Korea," said Sean Wooden, vice president, brand management, Asia Pacific, Hilton. "Guests visiting Hilton Busan will enjoy a unique urban retreat with thoughtful amenities and offerings as captivating as its seafront location."

Hilton Busan provides a convenient base for guests looking to explore major attractions including the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, BEXCO Convention Center and The Lotte Premium Outlet, which is only 1.6km away from the hotel and houses more than 150 local and international shopping outlets.

"As Korea's largest port city, Busan has always been a popular destination for both business and leisure guests, including fans of the annual Busan International Film Festival," said Tim Soper, vice president, operations, Japan, Korea and Micronesia. "Thanks to Busan's eclectic mix of leisure attractions including nature parks, museums and temples, it is also a popular destination for major meetings and events, which Hilton Busan will be well placed to accommodate. Having operated in Korea for decades, we are pleased to add another Hilton-branded property in this dynamic country and in an energetic city such as Busan."

Boasting a blend of nature and modern design, each of the hotel's 310 spacious guest rooms feature stunning land and sea scape views, 49-inch LED televisions, high-speed internet access, private balconies, large work spaces and four-point bathrooms. All rooms span at least 60 square meters, while the suites are at least 120 square meters. Those staying in executive rooms have access to the Executive Lounge, which offers breakfast, all-day refreshments and evening cocktails.

Guests looking to relax will find extensive recreational facilities at Hilton Busan including a wellness center, 24-hour fitness center, kids activities, and range of all-weather swimming options, including an infinity pool with panoramic ocean views, adults-only pool, children's pool, jacuzzi and indoor pool.

Guests and locals alike can enjoy a variety of dining options on-property, including:

DA MOIM: an all-day dining restaurant with a remarkable view featuring delectable Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Western cuisine with an interactive live cooking station and open kitchen.

an all-day dining restaurant with a remarkable view featuring delectable Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Western cuisine with an interactive live cooking station and open kitchen. MCQUEEN BAR: poised to become a destination in its own right in Busan, guests can enjoy a stylish drink menu and relaxed ambience.

poised to become a destination in its own right in Busan, guests can enjoy a stylish drink menu and relaxed ambience. MCQUEEN LOUNGE: located on the top floor, framed by a panoramic view, this lounge offers a French/Korean-fusion-inspired afternoon tea with freshly baked pastries and treats.

located on the top floor, framed by a panoramic view, this lounge offers a French/Korean-fusion-inspired afternoon tea with freshly baked pastries and treats. SWEET CORNER: guests can enjoy French pastries, macaroons, handmade chocolates, cakes, cookies and other desserts and beverages.

Hilton Busan offers flexible meeting and event space, including seven function rooms, a 1,417-square-meter Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,500 people, and a 977-square-meter ballroom featuring beautiful ocean views. Hilton Busan offers a business center and a dedicated hotel team to provide comprehensive support for seamless events and meetings. The hotel also has two outdoor event venues ranging from 350 square meters to 670 square meters. Unique to hotels in the area, Hilton Busan also houses a wedding chapel, allowing couples to celebrate their special day overlooking the sea.

Visitors to Hilton Busan can access the property from Gimhae International Airport or Busan KTX Train Station. The hotel's address is 268-32, Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan 46083, Korea.
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Amal Clooney, born Amal Alamuddin, is one of the most powerful and respected international human rights lawyers in the world.

She also happens to be married to Hollywood actor George Clooney. Last week, the couple announced that they are expecting twins due in June.

From her education at Oxford and NYU to her career representing high-profile clients, including former Ukranian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, we took a look at the incredible life of Amal Clooney.

Scroll down for a look into the life of the renowned lawyer and fashion icon.

This is 39-year-old human rights lawyer and style icon Amal Clooney, born Amal Alamuddin.

British Lawyer Amal Clooney leaves Downing Street in London. (REUTERS/Neil Hall TPX)

She also happens to be the wife of 55-year-old Hollywood actor George Clooney.

(John Shearer/Invision/AP (John Shearer/Invision/AP)

She was born in Lebanon, but her family fled to Europe during the war of 1982, meaning she identifies with many of the refugees she meets.

Handout photo of Miliband, Clooney and Amal meeting with Syrian refugees in Berlin (Thomson Reuters)

When she and George met Syrian refugees in Berlin, she said: '[My family] also ran away from a war and were lucky enough to be accepted by a European country in 1982 when the violence there was really bad."

She got an English law degree from St. Hugh's College, Oxford; a Master of Laws (LLM) from NYU, and is fluent in Arabic and French.

She clerked for Sonia Sotomayor, a former federal appeals court judge, after graduating.

Her law firm, Doughty Street Chambers, recruited her to train as a barrister in 2010. She later joined its international law team full time.

She has gone on to become one of the world's most renowned international human rights lawyers.

(REUTERS/Vincent Kessler (REUTERS/Vincent Kessler)

She has represented everyone from former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to the country of Armenia in its fight for recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Her work has also included advocating for Yazidi women, a religious minority in the Middle East which has been subjected to genocide at the hands of ISIS. In September, she said if yrian President Bashar Assad is prosecuted for war crimes, she "would be delighted to work on it."

"I think the UN has concluded that the Syrian government has committed crimes against humanity and war crimes," she said. "They are not the only ones, there are other actors who have committed the same crimes. But I think there's little doubt that that's what we're dealing with."

She represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his extradition case against Sweden in 2011...

(She represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his extradition case against Sweden in 2011... Yui Mok PA Archive/PA Images (She represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his extradition case against Sweden in 2011... Yui Mok PA Archive/PA Images)

...and represented the Greek government in its battle to reclaim 5th century BC Parthenon sculptures from Britain in 2014 and 2015.

(Pool / Getty (Pool / Getty)

Here she is with former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, whom she helped to free from jail after 13 years.

(Chris Jackson / Getty (Chris Jackson / Getty)

The UN found Nasheed's detention in violation of international law.

She met Hollywood actor George Clooney at a charity fundraising in Italy in 2013.

(Francesco Bellini AP/Press Association Images (Francesco Bellini AP/Press Association Images)

The Daily Mirror reported that she played hard to get, but was eventually wooed by a "string of flirty emails."

When she refused to take his number, he reportedly emailed her saying: "I think the reported hottest man in the world should meet with the hottest human rights lawyer in the world."

Clooney said he knew very quickly he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Amal.

(Tristan Fewings / Getty (Tristan Fewings / Getty)

He told Ellen Degeneres that he proposed at home to "a playlist of some of my aunt Rosemary's songs and I asked her." Lucky for him, despite being shocked, she said yes.

The couple married in Venice in September 2014, a year after they met.

She wore a Stella McCartney pant suit and hat to the civil ceremony, which took place at the city's town hall.

(Alessandro Bianchi / Reuters (Alessandro Bianchi / Reuters)

The event was star-studded, with the guest list including the likes of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, a friend of Amal's.

(Stefano Rellandini / Reuters (Stefano Rellandini / Reuters)

For the star-studded wedding, she wore a hand-embroidered Oscar de la Renta dress with beads, crystals and 14 yards of Chantilly lace.

Here she is at a fitting with the designer before he passed away.

The reception was held at the Aman Canal Grande hotel.

(Barbara Zanon / Getty (Barbara Zanon / Getty)

The wedding photos were released to People and Hello! magazines, the highest bidders.

The money reportedly went to several human rights charities.

(People magazine (People magazine)

In 2015, Amal started teaching at Columbia Law School.

She began lecturing in the spring as a senior fellow with the Law School's Human Rights Institute. She is still listed on the University's Human Rights Faculty page as "Visiting Faculty."

In 2016, she and George met with Pope Francis at the Vatican to discuss the plight of migrants trying to reach Europe.

(Osservatore Romano / Reuters (Osservatore Romano / Reuters)

She also met with former British Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss the freeing of her client Mohamed Nasheed.

(Reuters (Reuters)

Somehow, she has found time in between high profile court cases and teaching to grace red carpets with her husband, such as the Cannes Film Festival...

(Pascal Le Segretain/Getty (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty)

...or the Golden Globes, where George received the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award in 2015.

In his speech, he thanked Amal.

"It's humbling to find somebody to love, especially when you've been waiting your whole life, especially when your whole life is 53 years... Amal, whatever alchemy brought us together, I couldn't be more proud to be your husband."

Host Tina Fey joked: "George Clooney married Amal Alamuddin this year. Amal is a human rights lawyer who worked on the Enron case, was an adviser to Kofi Annan regarding Syria, and was selected for a three-person UN commission investigating rules-of-war violations in the Gaza Strip. So tonight her husband is getting a lifetime achievement award."

It would appear that the feeling is mutual.committed the same crimes. But I think there's little doubt that that's what we're dealing with."

(Clemens Bilan / Getty (Clemens Bilan / Getty)

Read more:

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Read the original article on Business Insider UK.  2017. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
Victoria, Aug 23 (IBNS): A powerful typhoon barrelled into Hong Kong on Wednesday morning, forcing schools and offices to remain shut, while inundated streets and damaged properties remained a common sight, reports said.

Typhoon Hato came within 37 miles (60km) of Hong Kong, forcing the weather authorities to raise the number 10 hurricane signal, deemed the highest level, for the first time in half a decade.

Wind-speeds were recorded at 78mph (126kph).

At least 450 flights were cancelled owing to the disaster.

They were pretty strong [winds]. Depending on the angle to runway, they would be in excessive of the landing limits, South China Morning Post quoted an experienced local pilot with Cathay Pacific Airways as saying.

Many passengers were left stranded due to the availability of seats on alternate flights.
Toronto, Aug 23 (IBNS): Fish are expected to shrink in size by 20 to 30 per cent if ocean temperatures continue to climb due to climate change.

A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia provides a deeper explanation of why fish are expected to decline in size.

Fish, as cold-blooded animals, cannot regulate their own body temperatures. When their waters get warmer, their metabolism accelerates and they need more oxygen to sustain their body functions, said William Cheung, co-author of the study, associate professor at the Institute for the Ocean and Fisheries and director of science for the Nippon Foundation-UBC Nereus Program. There is a point where the gills cannot supply enough oxygen for a larger body, so the fish just stops growing larger.

Daniel Pauly, the studys lead author and principal investigator of the Sea Around Us at the Institute for the Ocean and Fisheries, explains that as fish grow into adulthood their demand for oxygen increases because their body mass becomes larger. However, the surface area of the gills  where oxygen is obtained  does not grow at the same pace as the rest of the body. He calls this set of principles that explains why fish are expected to shrink gill-oxygen limitation theory.

For example, as a fish like cod increases its weight by 100 per cent, its gills only grow by 80 per cent or less. When understood in the context of climate change, this biological rule reinforces the prediction that fish will shrink and will be even smaller than thought in previous studies.

Warmer waters increase fishs need for oxygen but climate change will result in less oxygen in the oceans. This means that gills have less oxygen to supply to a body that already grows faster than them. The researchers say this forces fish to stop growing at a smaller size to be able to fulfill their needs with the little oxygen available to them.

Some species may be more affected by this combination of factors. Tuna, which are fast moving and require more energy and oxygen, may shrink even more when temperatures increase.

Smaller fish will have an impact on fisheries production as well as the interaction between organisms in the ecosystems.

Image: Wikimedia Commons
Birmingham, Aug 23 (IBNS): The earliest Latin Commentary on the Gospels, lost for over 1500 years, has been rediscovered and made available in English for the first time, thanks to research from the University of Birmingham.

The extraordinary find, a work written by a bishop in North Italy, Fortunatianus of Aquileia, dates back to the middle of the fourth century.

The biblical text of the manuscript is of particular significance, as it predates the standard Latin version known as the Vulgate and provides new evidence about the earliest form of the Gospels in Latin, shedding new light on the early Church.

Despite references to it in other ancient works, no copy was known to survive until a researcher from the University of Salzburg identified the commentary in an anonymous manuscript copied around the year 800 and held in Cologne Cathedral Library.

Dr Hugh Houghton, of the University of Birminghams Institute for Textual Scholarship and Electronic Editing (ITSEE), has been collaborating with Dr Lukas Dorfbauer, who discovered the manuscript in 2012, to produce an English translation in conjunction with the first-ever edition of this Latin text, which is published this week.

Dr Houghton said: Most of the works which survive from the earliest period of Latin Christianity are by later, more famous authors such as St Jerome, St Ambrose or St Augustine and have attained the status of classics. To discover a work which predates these well-known writers is an extraordinary find."

One of my contributions was to compare the biblical quotations in the Cologne manuscript with our databases here in Birmingham. Parallels with texts circulating in north Italy in the middle of the fourth century offer a perfect fit with the context of Fortunatianus."

Astonishingly, despite being copied four centuries after the last reference to his gospel commentary, this manuscript seems to preserve the original form of Fortunatianus ground-breaking work, he said.

The commentary is a substantial piece of writing, around one hundred pages long, which treats the Gospel according to Matthew in great detail and also covers sections from the Gospels according to Luke and John in 160 separate chapters.

The identification of the lost manuscript has also allowed the researchers to identify other, shorter pieces as the work of Fortunatianus. Previously these works had been assigned to other ancient authors, such as Chromatius, a later Bishop of Aquileia, or Hilary of Poitiers but are now proven to be extracts from Fortunatianus.

Existing textbooks about the early reception of the Gospels will need to be revised to take account of this major find, which also contains important new material for liturgical studies and other aspects of early Christianity.

Dr Houghton added: Such a discovery is of considerable significance to our understanding of the development of Latin biblical interpretation, which went on to play such an important part in the development of Western thought and literature. In this substantial commentary, Fortunatianus is reliant on even earlier writings which formed the link between Greek and Latin Christianity."

This sheds new light on the way the Gospels were read and understood in the early Church, in particular the symbolic reading of the text known as allegorical exegesis. There are also moments of insight into the lives of fourth-century Italian Christians, as when the bishop uses a walnut as an image of the four Gospels or holds up a Roman coin as a symbol of the Trinity.

The English translation, produced as part of the COMPAUL project funded by the European Research Council, is available online as a free, open-access download.

Dr Houghton, who was responsible for the translation, said: Textual study of the Bible normally requires close attention to the exact wording in the ancient languages. By producing an English translation at the same time as the publication of the Latin text of this work, I hope that many more people will be able to have access to this exciting new material for early Latin Christianity.
On August 16, 2017, orchestrating the first violent incident of the current year (2017) in the State, suspected Naxalites [Left Wing Extremists (LWEs)] of the Red Flag faction of the Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist-New Democracy (CPI-ML-New Democracy-Red Flag), killed a farmer, identified as Rayala Bhaskar (55), of Narsampet, a hamlet under Pandurangapuram Gram Panchayat (village level local-self government institution) and a supporter of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), at Narsampet village in Palwancha mandal (administrative sub-division) in Khammam District. According to reports, around 15 Naxalites owing allegiance to CPI-ML (New Democracy) Ravi Dalam (armed squad) allegedly barged into Bhaskar's house of and dragged him out before battering him to death in full public view. The Naxalites were said to have nursed a grudge against the deceased for reportedly seeking the help of the members of Chandranna faction of the CPI-ML (New Democracy), to resolve an internal issue in the village. CPI-ML (New Democracy) had split into two in 2013 - CPI-ML (New Democracy) led by Chandranna and (CPI-ML-New Democracy-Red Flag) led by Rayala Subhash Chandra Bose aka Ravi.

According to partial data collated by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), this is the only incident of LWE-linked violence in the State in 2017, thus far (data till August 20). During the corresponding period of 2016 as well, one fatality (a Maoist) was reported, and that was the only LWE-linked fatality in the State through 2016. On August 8, 2016,Naxal renegade Mohammed Nayeemuddin aka Nayeem aka Balanna, was killed in an exchange of fire with the Police in Shadnagar Town of Mahbubnagar District. Nayeemuddin was wanted in over 100 criminal cases including the killing of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Kota Srinivas Vyas and his associate at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad, then in Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana) on January 27, 1993,

An overview of the fatalities, suggests that LWE-related violence in Telangana has been declining since the State came into being on June 2, 2014. According to the SATP database, Telangana recorded six Maoist-linked fatalities, including four civilians, one SF trooper and one Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre in 2014; four, including two civilians and two Maoists in 2015; and one fatality each in 2016 (Maoist) and 2017 (civilian, all data till August 20). Since its creation, the State has recorded 12 fatalities, including seven civilians, one SF trooper and four Maoists.

The Sakler incident, in which at least eight members of the CPI-Maoist Venkatapuram 'area committee', which operates in the Bhadrachalam area of Khammam District in Telangana, were killed in an encounter with Security Forces (SFs), along the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border in the Sakler area of Sukma District in Chhattisgarh State on March 1, 2016, had weakened the Maoists' revival plan in Telangana. Meanwhile, media reports on March 22, 2017, revealed that, while taking stock of losses suffered in recent encounters in Chhattisgarh due to lack of a strong courier system, CPI-Maoist was seeking to extend its activities and to establish a faithful courier system in Telangana. Accordingly, the CPI-Maoist leadership planned to recruit new cadres and couriers, offering huge amounts, and started recruitment near the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border. The Maoists were focusing particularly on Guttikoyas (a scheduled tribal community hailing from Chhattisgarh, who had escaped from the conflict zone of Chhattisgarh and settled in the border villages of the Khammam and Warangal Districts in Telangana), as well as unemployed tribals, by luring them with their propaganda.

Meanwhile, a July 31, 2017, report revealed that the CPI-Maoist Telangana State Committee (TSC), with the Adilabad District Committee, Khammam District Committee and Khammam-Karimnagar-Warangal Divisional Committee, the Special Guerrilla Squad and 92 cadres, had been tasked to intensify activities in the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) region. The Maoists are also in the process of forming village level teams to strengthen their strongholds in the AOB region, where the CPI-Maoist suffered amajor setback in two successive encounters, with around 30 Maoists killed on October 24 and 27, 2016.

Further, an August 16, 2017, media report cited intelligence agencies to claim a revival of the CPI-Maoist project to build rocket launchers, a potential game changer in their pattern of warfare. Agencies believe that the Maoists were working on improving rocket launchers, since earlier attempts to put them to full use against SFs had failed. A top Telangana State intelligence official reportedly disclosed, "They have a central technical committee that is focusing on improvising rocket launchers. Their factory is now located in Dandakaranya."

Meanwhile, citing intelligence inputs on possible Maoist attacks on three irrigation projects in Telangana, the Union Home Ministry (UHM) deployed three companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for their protection; one at the Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Project at Medigadda in Karimnagar District; a second at the Tupakulagudem Barrage; and the third either in the Adilabad or Khammam District, depending on emerging requirements. A senior official of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) disclosed, on May 18, 2017, "The Home Ministry is sending three companies of CRPF, each comprising 135 personnel, to these sites in a week. The Force's Central Region Director General Sudeep Lakhtakia has already issued an order. In all, 405 CRPF personnel will be deployed at the three project sites."

Further, the Centre has allocated CRPF's 39th Battalion to take up anti-Naxaloperations along the Telangana-Chhattisgarh borders and the AOB region. CRPF Commandant V.V.N. Prasanna Kumar on August 10, 2017, stated, "We launched operations from Chinavutapalli village recently, and our priority is to provide security to Velagapudi. The forces will also take up anti-Maoist activities on AOB and in Kothagudem-Bhadradri District in Telangana". The battalion was also meant to provide security for the Andhra Pradesh (AP) Secretariat, as well as the Chief Minister's residence and Camp Office located in the Capital Region.

Meanwhile, at least 109 Maoists have been arrested since the formation of the Telangana State on June 2, 2014, of whom at least 45 Maoists were arrested in the current year (data till August 20, 2017). Some of the prominent cadres arrested in 2017 included, 'area committee member', Madivi Chukka aka Diwakar (28), from Unjupalli forest area under Charla Police Station in Khammam District on August 7, 2017; Madhu, a 'regional Committee Secretary' of the CPI-ML (New Democracy), in Mahabubabad District on July 25, 2017; Revolutionary People's Committee (RPC) 'militia commander' Kalma Lakma aka Mahesh (22) and Chetna Natya Manch (CNM - a Maoist cultural outfit) 'militia commander' Podium Idamaiah (25), near Taliperu dam in Charla mandal of Bhadrachalam Division in Bhadradri Kothagudem District on June 23, 2017; and 'militia commander' Madivi Idama, from Jayashankar Bhupalapally District on April 19, 2017.

Similarly, at least 48 others have surrendered before SFs, including at least 13 in the current year (data till August 20, 2017). Some of the notable surrenders include Manuguru Local Operating Squad (LOS) 'commander' Sodi Devaiah aka Mallesh (22), who surrendered at Bhadrachalam in the Bhadradri-Kothagudem District on August 12, 2017; and Mallam Jogaiah, a militia 'commander', who was wanted in 16 cases of Maoist violence including two murders, and who also surrendered at Bhadrachalam on July 5, 2017.

Meanwhile, in the run up to the 50th anniversary of the 'Naxalbari armed uprising', the CPI-Maoist Sabari-Charla Area Committee (SCAC), urged people to fight against "sand and mining mafia" to protect the interests of Adivasis in the Agency areas, in Bhadradri Kothagudem District, through posters that appeared on May 19, 2017. Further, on May 23, 2017, suspected Maoists erected a banner and put up handwritten posters near the Taliperu Medium Irrigation project site in the Charla mandal in Khammam District, calling upon people to spearhead the "new democratic revolution".

On July 20, 2017, CPI-Maoist distributed pamphlets commemorating their 'martyrs' memorial week', celebrated annually between July 28 and August 3. The pamphlets were distributed on NH 153 at the Tadwai mandal headquarters in the name of the CPI-Maoist TSC. Hundreds of pamphlets were also found in the Tadwai and Pasra Forest areas in Kamareddy District, through which the party called upon the public to observe the 'martyrs' memorial week' and pay homage Maoist martyrs. The Maoists accused the State and Central Governments of resorting to anti-people policies while protecting the interests of corporate and multi-national forces as part of their globalisation policy, and alleged that the Governments were spending huge amounts on strengthening the Police wing to suppress revolutionary forces that were questioning their misdeeds.

Clearly, the inherent danger from the Maoists persists in Telangana. January 4, 2017, media reportage indicated that Maoist recruitment had slowly intensified and recruits were being trained in what is considered their 'safe bastion', Chhattisgarh. The Maoists are anxious to engineer a revival in their erstwhile areas of dominance, prominently including Telangana which was long one of the worst afflicted regions of the country. Their effective neutralization across much of this fledgling State goes to the great credit to the enforcement agencies of undivided Andhra Pradesh, and the continued efforts of the successor State Police of Telangana. There is, nevertheless, little scope for complacency, as the Maoists are far from giving up arms, and a significant section of their ideologically committed top leadership remains actively at large.
On August 17, 2017, one Police Qaumi Razakar (PQR), Jamshed Ahmed (42), was killed and another PQR, Gulzar (30), was injured in a firing incident at the Northern Bypass within the jurisdiction of the SITE Superhighway Industrial Police Station in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Malir Town, Rao Anwar disclosed that the two Razakars were standing at a Police chowki(Post) near the bypass, when motorcycle borne terrorists opened fire on them. This was the third attack on the Police in Karachi by the newly-emerging terrorist formation, Ansar-al-Shariah Pakistan (ASP). The group claimed responsibility for the attack in pamphlets thrown at the crime scene immediately after the attack.

ASP had claimed the August 11 killing of Traffic Police Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Muhammad Hanif and his driver, Fida Alam, in the Hussainabad area of Azizabad Town in Karachi. DSP Hanif was on his way home from office when motorcycle borne terrorists opened fire on his vehicle according to Senior Superintendent of Police, Central, Muqadas Haider.

On July 24, Traffic Police Head Constable (HC) Mohammad Khan, was killed and HC Mohammad Kamran injured when four unidentified assailants riding pillion on two motorcycles opened indiscriminate fire near Paradise Bakery on the Abul Hasan Ispahani Road in the Gulzar-e-Hijri locality of Sohrab Goth in Karachi. Counter Terrorism Department SSP Omar Shahid Hamid stated, "Apparently, today's incident appeared to be part of a recent wave of attacks on law enforcers in the city." Contrary to the security agencies' assumption that ASP had committed this crime, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack. Ahmed Mansoor, a TTP spokesperson, sent out an email to the media declaring that no 'new outfit' was involved in the attack.

On June 23, unidentified terrorists shot dead four Policemen, who were sitting at a roadside eatery for Iftar in the SITE Town area of Karachi. SITE town SP Asif Ahmed Bughio stated that the four Policemen were about to break their fast at a restaurant located between the Siemens and Habib Bank traffic intersections, when motorcycle-borne terrorists opened indiscriminate fire, killing ASI Mohammed Yusuf and constables Shabbir, Khalid and Israr. ASP claimed responsibility for the attack. Counter Terrorism Department SSP Raja Umar Khattab disclosed that the Police found a pamphlet from the scene of the crime which the assailants threw there before fleeing. The pamphlet warned of the launch of Operation Rad-ul-Artedad (End of Apostasy) against Security Forces (SFs). According to the message, the attack was carried out in agony over the release of bloggers accused of blasphemy, Government 'indifference' towards Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, 'fake' arrests and encounters involving terrorists, and continued diplomatic and military ties with Iran and Russia. According to varying media reports, five bloggers - Professor Salman Haider, Waqas Goraya, Aasim Saeed, Ahmad Raza Naseer, and Samar Abbas - were 'picked up' from capital Islamabad and parts of Punjab Province between January 5 and 7, 2017. Though reports claimed that all five of them were released by their 'abductors' and they returned home on January 28, 2017, recent reports indicate that one of them, Samar Abbas, is still missing. While the three others did not disclose about their 'abductors' out of fear, one of them, Waqass Goraya, told the BBC that a "government institution" with links to the military held him and tortured him "beyond limits". All five men were vocal critics of militant Islamist groups and Pakistan's military establishment, and expressed their views on the internet. Dr. Aafia Siddiqui , is a Pakistani neuroscientist convicted by the United States on February, 3, 2010, for attacking American soldiers in Afghanistan on July 17, 2008. She is serving her 86-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center of Carswell in Fort Worth of Texas.

On July 21 an incident claimed the lives of three Policemen and a 12-year-old boy, when six unidentified assailants opened fire on a Police van parked near Darul Uloom in the Korangi Town area of Karachi. Arif Aslam, Superintendent of Police (SP), Landhi Town, confirmed that an Awami Colony Police mobile unit was the target of the attack. The dead were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Qamar Din, Constable Babar Ali and Constable Amjad.

Four attacks on the Police personnel within a span of one month and ten such incidents in the current year bring the total number of law enforcers killed to 17. Among all the cities of Pakistan, Karachi remained the most troubled. According to official statistics published on February 9, 2017, almost 1,538 Policemen had been killed in the Karachi Range between 1995 and 2016. The maximum number of killings (261) were registered in 1995. Thereafter, the killings crossed three digit only in 2012, 2013 and 2014, across a span of 22 years, making these the three worst years for the Karachi Police in recent times, with 123 dead in 2012; 165 in 2013 and 136 in 2014.

The Pakistan Rangers' (Sindh) Operation has been a blessing for the Karachi Police, as the killing of Policemen in the city has dramatically declined. The Rangers were called in on September 4, 2013, when violence in the city was at a peak, with 1,668 fatalities, including 165 Policemen. By 2016, only 29 Policemen were killed, as against 136 in 2014 and 67 in 2015. However, 2017 appears to be seeing a reversal of this trend, with 17 Policemen already killed, as against 13 in the corresponding period of 2016.

Although terrorist groups such as TTP and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) have long targeted SF personnel all over Pakistan, the emergence of ASP in Karachi, specifically targeting security personnel, has created a new headache for the enforcement agencies. Since the name of this outfit first emerged in April 5, 2017, when it claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of Army Colonel (Retd.) Tahir Zia Nagi at the Baloch Colony, Karachi, ASP has claimed involvement in four attacks on SFs. According to Counter Terrorism Department SSP Raja Umar Khattab, the newly-formed group has its roots in Libya, and was also operating in other countries of the Middle East. The US and UK have already banned ASP, which Khattab added, "has been formed the way the al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) was formed, by merging different splinter terrorists groups."

The chief of the Sindh Counter Terrorism Department, Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Sanaullah Abbasi, stated on July 27 that ASP was behind all recent killings of Police personnel: "Ansarul Shariah Pakistan is a reality and we believe that it is involved in the recent wave of terror in the metropolis." This assessment suggests that ASP is a professional, combat-trained and media savvy, formation, suggesting a higher level of education in its leadership. The group is likely to target only officials and state institutions, and has regretted the deaths of "civilians" in collateral damage, vowing to "pay compensation to the families of such victims". ADGP Sanaullah Abbasi observed, "This is a different and dangerous narrative of the new terrorist [groups] and needs to be countered aggressively." The increase in frequency of attacks in the past month indicated that this group might have 'additional resources', allowing it to step up attacks, he added.

However, the Red Book of the Sindh Counter Terrorism Department, released on August 3, 2017, did not mention ASP. The Red Book was issued with profiles of suspects wanted by the Government in connection with terrorist activities, suicide attacks and sectarian violence, and included profiles, with photographs, criminal records and rewards offered for both Sunni and Shia terrorists, and lists their association with various terrorist organisations.

Contrary to their previous assumption that a single outfit, ASP, had been targeting Policemen and retired law enforcement personnel, Counter Terrorism Department chief Sanaullah Abbasi stated, on August 6, that his organization had concluded that there were numerous splinter groups - of either TTP or LeJ - responsible for the spate of attacks in recent months: "There are multiple groups involved in targeted killings of policemen in the city", he claimed, and their modus operandi were different in each case. TTP has formed a special cell to target law enforcement personnel, particularly those operating in the East and West zones of the Police's organisational structure.

While the state and security apparatus claimed that it had eliminated the strongholds and infrastructure of the TTP in Karachi, there are apprehensions that the banned outfit was attempting to re-establish its financial network in the city in a bid to increase its capability to launch terrorist attacks. Officials claim that, although LeJ's capacities had 'almost' been wiped out in Karachi, its activities were increasing, particularly in upper Sindh, with the help of 'Afghans' and financial support from the Islamic State.

The recent wave of terrorist attacks against enforcement personnel in Karachi puts a question mark against the claims of the state's enforcement agencies regarding their counter-terrorism operations in this national commercial and financial hub, and their assertions that the 'lifeline' of the terrorist groups had been cut off.


New Delhi, Aug 23 (IBNS): Malegaon blast accused Lt Col Prasad Purohit walked out of jail after nine years with the conditional bail granted by the Supreme Court, media reports said.

The Supreme Court on Monday granted a conditional bail to Lt Col Prasad Purohit who was accused of 2008 Malegaon blast.

Lt Col Purohit was in jail since 2008 and earlier was denied bail by the Bombay High Court.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has opposed his bail in the last hearing saying there was evidence against Lt Col Purohit.

However, other accused Sadhvi Pragya was earlier granted bail by the Bombay High Court.

On September 2008, two bombs were blasted in Malegaon, Maharashtra. Seven people died in the blast.




New Delhi, Aug 23 (IBNS): Following the directive of the Supreme Court, former Union finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram arrived at the office of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in an alleged corruption case, media report said.

Karti was earlier summoned by the CBI.

The apex court has directed Karti to appear before the CBI on August 23 with all documents. Karti has been allowed to be accompanied by a lawyer but not during the questioning.

The Supreme Court in the previous week stayed Madras High Court's order that had put on hold the look out notice issued against Karti Chidambaram

However, the top court will later decide whether the look out notice to be quashed or not.

The lookout notice was issued, according to media reports, to prevent Karti Chidmabaram and his associates from leaving the country following the filing of an FIR against them pertaining to Karti and INX Media being allegedly involved in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to the media house for foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2007.

The probing agency had claimed that the FDI proposal of the media house was "fallacious" but former Union finance minister Chidambaramhad cleared it, reported TOI.
Chennai, Aug 23 (IBNS) : Shattering a short-lived truce that came following merger of two rival factions, AIADMK (Amma) leader TTV Dhinakaran on Wednesday removed Transport minister MR Vijayabhaskar as party secretary and Revenue Minister R B Udhaykumar as secretary of a forum.

In a sweeping move that revived a bitter power struggle within the organisation, Dinakaran, nephew of the jailed party leader V Sasikala, also shunted out several district functionaries and appointed his supporters, media reports said.



Udayakumar was heading the party's Puratchi Thalaivi Amma Peravai, named after Jayalalithaa, the departed party supremo.

In a statement, Dinakaran said that Manamadurai MLA S Mariappan Kennedy has been appointed as secretary of the Amma Peravai.

"I request the cadres to extend support to Kennedy. This announcement is made with the approval of party general secretary V K Sasikala," Dhinakaran said in a statement.

Kennedy was among the 19 party legislators who had met the Governor to lodge protest against the merger of E Palaniswamy and O Paneerselvam factions and the ouster of V Sasikala, the jailed party leader.

The legislators also withdrew support to Chief Minister E Palaniswamy.

The 19 legislators say that the Chief Minister has betrayed them by moving to expel VK Sasikala and her nephew.

Dinakaran's move came a day after Vaithilingam, a Palaniswamy loyalist, said that steps will be taken to remove Sasikala from the party.

With the revolt by 19 Dinakaran loyalists, the Palaniswamy Government faces a daunting task even though the two rival factions have buried their hatchets.

EPS and OPS together command 134 legislators. To win a trust vote, they need the support of 117.

Opposition DMK leader M K Stalin has already, demanded a floor test to prove the majority of the Palaniswamy Government.
New Delhi, Aug 23 (IBNS): The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved a proposal for setting up of a Commission under article 340 of the Constitution to examine the issue of sub-categorization of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

The Commission shall submit its report within 12 weeks from the date of appointment of the Chairperson of the Commission. The Commission shall be known as the Commission to examine the sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes.

The proposed terms of references of the Commission are as follows:

To examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes/ communities included in the broad category of OBCs, with reference to the OBCs included in the Central list.

To work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters, in a scientific approach, for sub-categorization within such OBCs, and,

To take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes/communities/ sub-castes/ synonyms in the Central List of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.



"The Supreme Court in its order dated 16.11.1992 in WP(C) No. 930/1990 (Indra Sawhney and others vs. Union of India) observed that there is no Constitutional or legal bar to a State categorizing backward classes as backward or more backward and had further observed that if a State chooses to do it (sub-categorization), it is not impermissible in law," read a government statement.

Nine States of the country viz., Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Karnataka, Haryana, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have already carried out sub-categorization of Other Backward Classes.
Srinagar, Aug 23 (IBNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has opposed to the Centralized Selection Mechanism (CSM) for appointments in the subordinate judiciary citing the reason that the state enjoys special status under the constitution of India.

This comes after the Supreme Court of India had sent a concept note to all the states with a proposal for a Centralized Selection Mechanism for appointment of Judicial Officers in the subordinate courts of the states and had sought suggestions from all the states.

Since the case involved the interpretation of the Constitution, the J&K Government hired the services of Rakesh Dwivedi, Senior Advocate in addition to Shoeb Alam, Advocate on record to defend the State.

The State Government filed a detailed affidavit highlighting the constitutional peculiarity before the Apex Court.

Appointment of District Judges is a Constitutional power vested with the Governor to be exercised in consultation with the State High Court. Thus this power cannot be taken away or abridged by exercise of judicial powers by court, the J&K counsel argued.

The J&K government said the High Court in the state exercises greater independence than the High Courts of other states as the entire state judiciary including the High Court and the subordinate courts are not constituted under the Constitution of India but that of J&K.

The Counsel stated that the proposed CSM will require the state of J&K to recruit candidates from the centralized pool of successful candidates.

The J&K state cannot appoint non-permanent resident candidates, as eligibility criteria for appointment as district judges of J&K is prescribed under the Jammu and Kashmir Judicial Services , Rule 9 whereof no person shall be eligible for appointment to the service unless she or he is a permanent resident of J&K state and the citizen of India.

The counsel of J&K State said scope of Article-312 of the Constitution of India relating to the All India Services has been extended to the creation of an All India Judicial Service by 42nd amendment Act 1976 and the said the amendment has not been extended to the state of J&K.

The counsel on behalf of J&K state stated that the J&K enjoys special relationship unlike other states in the union of India inter alia by virtue of Articles 370 of Constitution of India and that the Constitution of India is applicable to the state of J&K only to the extent it is applied to the state by the exercise of presidential power in terms of Article 370 of Constitution of India.

After hearing the response from the J&K state, the Apex Court bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar, Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and A M Khanwilka said a revised concept note will be prepared so that it will be circulated to High Courts of objecting states so that they may be given option to opt out of the CSM.



(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
Official Twitter page of Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, Aug 23 (IBNS): The Assam government has suspended 116 teachers after they were caught adopting unfair means while appearing in the B.Ed, DEl.Ed examination conducted by the Krishnakanta Handique State Open University.

Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that these teachers were rusticated from the examination halls after they were caught while adopting unfair means.



Among the suspended teachers, 93 are regular teachers under Directorate of Elementary education, 22 are contractual teachers under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) and 1 under BTC sixth scheduled area, Sarma said.



The Assam Education Minister said that, the departmental inquiry also being initiated against the teachers.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Mumbai, Aug (IBNS): Pulsing with relentless locomotive momentum the action-horror movie aTrain to Busana is all set to attack your screens on Zee Studio the ultimate Hollywood movie destination on Aug 27 at 12 noon and 8 PM. One of the best horror-action films of 2016, this award-winning movie is innovative, effective and terrifying.

The movie starts with a workaholic father agreeing to take his daughter to visit her mother in Busan.

But a zombie epidemic breaks out as they leave Seoul, and the passengers on the train find themselves under threat from a horde of the undead. With devastating speed, infection spreads through the carriages and passengers struggle to survive on the train.

A human story which delivers a surprisingly emotional climax; the movie has won over 23 awards for Best Film, Special Effects, etc. and has a rating of 7.5/10 on IMDb and a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

It was also premiered in the Midnight Screenings section of the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and received a hugely positive response.
New Delhi, Aug 22 (IBNS): The Austrian capital recorded almost 7 million visitor bednights--an all-time new high for Vienna--between January-June 2017 a 4.2% more than for the same period the previous year.

The 64000 visitor bednights recorded by Indian travellers grew 15 per cent in the same period placing it among the high growth tourist markets along with China, Russia and Australia.

The Austrian capital, Vienna, continued to attract Indian families, honeymooners and young travellers looking to explore its imperial history, soak in its rich tradition of music, and experience its romantic offerings.

Its no coincidence that the former capital of the Habsburg empire, Vienna, an exceptionally livable  and smart  city, was crowned the worlds most livable city for the eighth year in a row in 2017.

But its not just the high quality of life on offer in Vienna that makes it such a popular place to visit. Excellent infrastructure, English speaking population and safety of travellers also add to citys attractiveness.

City breaks to Vienna continue to boom: the city established a new record in the first half of 2017, with visitor bednights increasing 4.2% to around 6,924,000, according to Norbert Kettner, Director of the Vienna Tourist Board.

Belvedere Palace in Vienna A Vienna Tourist Board Christian Stemper

Viennas aim is to become the Smart Tourism city by 2020. The vision is of a city that uses innovative services and attractions to create a relaxed urban experience and support positive interaction between residents and visitors, ushering in a responsible mindset that will help to pursue its sustainability goals without detracting from its glamourous image.

The Viennese Coffeehouse is an attraction for visitors, for locals a second home, and for artists and literati an institution. Viennese coffeehouse culture was officially added to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list in 2011.

Vienna is the world capital of music: every night around 10,000 music lovers are treated to live classical music  something no other city in the world can rival. Each year the Vienna concert schedule includes more than 15,000 events of various sizes and genres. 450 balls provide around 2,000 hours of dance floor magic every year. No other city has been home to so many composers  Mozart, Mahler, Haydn, Beethoven and Johann Strauss, the king of the Viennese waltz, all honed their craft in the city.

international transit hub used by around 150,000 people and 1,000 trains each day. It is also served by eight S-Bahn rapid transit train lines, two bus routes, three tram routes and a subway line.

Vienna currently has 64,000 hotel beds in all categories.

The meetings industry also has an important role to play, accounting for 11% of the total volume of bednights in 2016. Some 4,000 congresses, corporate events and incentives were held in Vienna last year  another new record.

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Spanish Riding School, known for its famous Lipizzan ballet can be experienced live in the baroque ambiance of the Imperial Palace. Admire riding skills of the highest order  from pirouettes to caprioles. The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the oldest institution in the world where the classic equestrian skills has been preserved and is still practiced in its original form.

You'll feel completely at home at the Vollpension as it looks just like a grandmother's living room - only cooler. The vintage furniture, floor lamps and pictures create a comfortable atmosphere. The Vollpension is a generational cafe: Grandma also stands behind the stove and serves home-baked cake and home-cooked dishes such as roast pork and Austrian 'Krautfleckerl' while telling you her life stories.

Welcome to the unique baroque lingerie and costume chamber at one of the most historical sights in Vienna: the Spanish Riding School! Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of contemporary fashion at Austrias imperial court. Surprise yourself, have fun and enjoy a magical transformation with your loved ones  and awake the princess in you!
Mumbai, Aug 23 (IBNS):Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) on the occasion of 125 years of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav is organizing a grand celebration aMahaGaneshotsava starting from Aug 26 to Sept 5 to promote the spirit of the festival.

Maharashtras vibrant festivals have always brought together people from diverse cultures and communities.Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak started Ganesh Chaturthi in the year 1894to unite and bring people together for the mutual cause of freedom struggle. Presently, it has now emerged as one of the major festivals in the India.

The Ganeshotsavis one of the biggestfestivals in Maharashtra which is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm.



Devotees across the state come together to welcome the elephant-headed god.



The long memorable journey of 125 yearsof SarvajanikGaneshotsavwill be exhibited through audio visual medium and the performers from Kokan and entire Maharashtra will join in a cultural programme.



The tourist from all over the country and overseas can experience the GaneshDarshan tours to the well-known pandalssuch asLalbaug-cha-Raja, Ganesh Gully,GSB Mandal, GSB MandalGSB MandalFort-cha-Raja,FanaswadiGanesha, JitekarwadiGanesha and BramhansabhaGanesha. Fanaswadi Ganesha, Jitekarwadi Ganesha and Bramhansabha Ganesha BMC is also taking initiative for foreign tourists that will be a part of Grand Ganesh immersion ceremony atGirgaum beach.



In Pune, the tour will commence from Shaniwar Wada which compriseof Kasbapeth Ganesh pandal, TambadiJogeshwari, GurujiTalim, Dagdusheth and TulshibaugGaneshas. The Konkan tour will include Ganesh Pandal of Dive Agar and Harihareshwar. In Pune, the tour will begin from Shaniwar Wada at 12.30pm and include Kasbapeth, Tambadi Jogeshwari, Guruji Talim, Dagdusheth and Tulshibaug Ganeshas. In the Konkan tour that includes a one-night stay, the pickup will be from Pritam Hotel at 7am. The first day will be spent in Dive Agar and the second in Harihareshwar.

Commenting on the occasion JaykumarRawal -Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtrasaid, It is anhonour to organise this cultural festival and offer a podium to display the best of the state of Maharashtra. MTDC will collaborate with the BMC to develop separate pandalfor foreign travellers to perceive the Ganesh procession at GirgaonChowpatty. This enclosure will be able to lodge 200 tourists at batch in anhour. This will also exhibit how Ganesh Festivalhas transformed over the decades and this initiative will certainly draw attention of domestic and foreign tourists. Visitors will get a chance to participate in ceremonies, traditional programmes and societal initiatives. All tours will be organized between August 27 to September 3, online bookings can be done on MTDC website.
New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): A senior United Nations political affairs official on Tuesday voiced concerns over recent developments that undermine efforts to end the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including Israel's move to amend a law to cement its control over East Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties, Assistant-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenea told the Security Council during his briefing on the situation in the Middle East.

He said that if approved, the proposed amendment to the Basic Law: Jerusalem the Capital of Israel would further cement Israeli control over occupied East Jerusalem and would limit the ability of both sides to reach a negotiated solution that is in line with UN resolutions and prior agreements.

Any move which could impact demographics in the city is extremely worrisome and could spark violence, he said.

Citing the latest settlement activities by Israel, he said that such actions only fuel perceptions that those working to obstruct the two-state solution are gaining the upper hand and reiterated that settlements are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace.

Jenea said that the recent crisis in Jerusalem's Old City  including several violent attacks and the resulting temporary closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque  highlighted the unsustainability of the current situation, and the need for a political horizon and a clear re-commitment by the international community and both parties to realizing a two-state solution that meets the legitimate national aspirations and security needs of both Palestinians and Israelis.

Commending Israel and Jordan for bringing the crisis to an end, as well as religious leaders on both sides of the conflict for their calls for de-escalation, he said continued coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority was paramount in the current context.

Turning to Gaza, he recalled a recent UN country team report that expressed concerns that the enclave could become unlivable by 2020. He noted that since the hostilities between Hamas and Israel three years ago that killed nearly 1,500 civilians, the overall humanitarian conditions have worsened, with some 29,000 people remaining displaced despite reconstruction efforts.

Jenea went on to call on Palestinian leaders to address the destructive consequences of their ongoing divisions, urging Hamas to ensure that calm is maintained by ending the militant build-up against Israel and to do its utmost to sustain security at the border with Egypt.

Israel for its part should also step-up measures to lift its closures and facilitate Gaza's development in line with Council resolution 1860 (2009). In addition, he called on donors to respond urgently to the $25 million humanitarian appeal issued in July in the wake of the electricity crisis, and to fill the current 70 per cent funding gap.

He urged all parties to the conflict to take the necessary steps for an enduring peace.

UN Photo/Kim Haughtons

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): The United Nations children agency on Tuesday expressed extreme concern at the appalling increase in the cruel and calculated use of children, especially girls, as ahuman bombsa in north-east Nigeria.

Since the beginning of January 2017, 83 children had been used as so-called human bombs, 55 being girls, most of them often under 15 years old, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson Marixie Mercado told reporters at on Tuesday's regular press briefing in Geneva.

The 27 other children were boys and one was an infant strapped to a girl, she continued.

She pointed out that since 2014, children have been repeatedly used in this way, calling the number of children used so far this year alone was already four times higher than what it was for all of 2016.

Children used as human bombs are, above all, victims, not perpetrators, Mercado underscored.

She went on to say that the use of children in such attacks has a further impact of creating suspicion and fear of children released, rescued, or escaped from Boko Haram. They face rejection when they tried to reintegrate their communities which compounds their suffering, she explained.

Mercado painted a dire picture, describing the situation as a massive displacement and malnutrition crisis  a deadly combination for children.

She said that ii per cent of the persons displaced by the insurgencies in north-east Nigeria are children, and the vast majority of them in Borno state, where most of those attacks are taking place.

North-east Nigeria is one of the four countries or regions facing the spectre of famine, with up to 450,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition this year, according to UNICEF.

UNICEF is providing psychosocial support for children who had been held by Boko Haram and the agency is also working with families and communities to foster the acceptance of returned children  including through social and economic reintegration support.

As of July, UNICEF has supported more than 3,000 children and 1,200 women. It also backed reconciliation activities in north-east Nigeria led by communities, religious leaders and influential women to help promote tolerance, acceptance, and reintegration.

Noting that a $1 billion dollar appeal to minimally help sustain people in Nigeria is only 60 per cent funded, Jens Laerke, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told reporters at the briefing that the situation for civilians in the area was extremely grave.

Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon stressed that women and children in Borno state face grave human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence. He noted that, since the start of the conflict in 2009, more than 20,000 people had been killed with thousands of women and girls abducted and abused.

In total, 8.5 million people in the worst-affected states of Borno, namely Adamawa and Yobe, need of humanitarian assistance. In its eighth year, this crisis shows no sign of abating, said Laerke. Food insecurity affects 5.2 million people, some of whom are on the brink of famine.

UNICEF/Abubakar

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): While the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is a tribute to every victim and their resistance against slavery, it is also a reminder of the importance of teaching history, a senior United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural (UNESCO) has stressed.

The legacy of the slave trade is a symbolic victory for human rights freedom; and the International Day acts as a reminder of the eternal effort to reaffirm human dignity and break down ignorance Nada Al-Nashif, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences told UN News ahead of the Day, commemorated annually on 23 August.

Since its 1998 establishment, the commemoration has provided an opportunity to look back at the legacy of the slave trade and to understand how the uprising that began in 1791 in what is now Haiti was symbolic of a victory for freedom and human rights.

She explained that many regions of the world consider it to be a day of common heritage that symbolizes a call for freedom, for justice and for dialogue among people.

According to Al-Nashif, it is important to understand the limitation of interpretation, to change the silence and to act together to make resistance against slavery an inspirational force for future generation.

She underscored that its call for truth permeates UNESCO's work in appealing for social justice, the reduction of inequality and the preservation of human dignity and human rights.

Tracing history

Aiming not only to break the silence, but to better understand the historic causes, methods and global consequences of the tragedy, UNESCO launched in 1994 the landmark Slave Route Project.

Highlighting global transformations and cultural interactions, Al-Nashif said the project showcased how cultural pluralism and intercultural dialogue and understanding are critical to the culture of peace.

Since its introduction, UNESCO maintains that the project has had a significant impact at local, national, regional and international levels  and has helped to effect a change in attitudes by 'de-racializing' the tragedy which, de facto, concerns humanity as a whole.

The Slave Route Project has contributed substantially to fostering greater awareness of the ethical, political, socio-economic and cultural aspects of this chapter of history, and even the official recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity by the United Nations, according to Al-Nashif.

Al-Nashif noted that project also speaks to remedy the general ignorance on the history of Africa by reconstructing it  freeing it from racial prejudice  and re-reading the history through purely African perspectives or more objective views of scientists or researchers.

Turning newly-nominated UNESCO World Heritage sites, Al-Nashif told UN News about Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site in Brazil and Mbanza Kongo, the Vestiges of the Capital of the former Kingdom of Kongo in Angola, saying both [are] recognized to be of universal value.

Al-Nashif said that Valongo, the former harbour area in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most important wharfs in world history, because as many as 900,000 African men, women and children were held there before being sold in the Brazilian market and, for the two decades that it existed, was a hub for how the African diaspora came to the New World.

The Vestiges were also a principal slave trade route through which enslaved people were transported to the Americas and Caribbean.

The archaeological traces of the past speak to the many tangible and intangible heritage elements that still exist and have been honoured now, she stressed.

Al-Nashif added that slavery is not a thing of the pass.

On Tuesday we talk about modern slavery and human trafficking; the pushback on multilateralism and human rights; about race, identity and culture; and the challenges on how we can co-exist together, she concluded.

Photo: UNESCO/Joost De Raeymaeker

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): Senior United Nations humanitarian officials for Syria on Tuesday expressed deep concern over many civilians reportedly killed in airstrikes and other attacks in the last few days in Raqqa city, where coalition forces are fighting Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists.

The UN condemns attacks directed against civilians and civilian infrastructure. The humanitarian community reminds all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilians and to spare no effort to prevent civilian casualties, said a joint statement issued by Ali Al-Za'tari, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, and Ramesh Rajasingham, the acting Regional Humanitarian Coordinator.

These unconfirmed accounts come on the heels of an increasing number of reported civilian casualties due to intensified military operations, including airstrikes. In recent months, regular airstrikes and shelling in the city have reportedly resulted in scores of civilian casualties, including women and children, the statement said.

An estimated 75,000 people have been displaced from Raqqa city, but 18,000 to 25,000 civilians who remain trapped risk being killed by ISIL snipers or mines if they try to flee, or being used as human shields or killed in indiscriminate airstrikes if they remain.

Photo: UNICEF/Souleiman

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, Aug 23(Just Earth News): The United Nations body monitoring implementation of the global convention on prohibiting racial discrimination has called on high-level politicians and public officials of the United States to unequivocally and unconditionally reject and condemn racist hate speech and crimes in Charlottesville and throughout the country.

We are alarmed by the racist demonstrations, with overtly racist slogans, chants and salutes by white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and the Ku Klux Klan, promoting white supremacy and inciting racial discrimination and hatred, said Anastasia Crickley, Chairperson of UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), in a news release.

In a decision issued under its 'early warning and urgent action' procedure, the Committee, which monitors implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, stated there should be no place in the world for racist white supremacist ideas or any similar ideologies that reject the core human rights principles of human dignity and equality.

The United States ratified the Convention in 1994.

In addition to the criminal investigation of the individual who ploughed his car into a crowd of peaceful protestors killing a woman, the UN experts asked the US authorities to undertake concrete measures to address the root causes of the proliferation of such racist manifestations.

We call on the US Government to investigate thoroughly the phenomenon of racial discrimination targeting, in particular, people of African descent, ethnic or ethno-religious minorities, and migrants, added Crickley.

CERD also called on the Government to ensure that the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly are not exercised with the aim of destroying or denying the rights and freedoms of others, and also asked it to provide the necessary guarantees so that such rights are not misused to promote racist hate speech and racist crimes.

Members of CERD are independent human rights experts drawn from around the world, who serve in their personal capacity and not as representatives of States parties.

UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferre

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Islamabad, Aug 23 (IBNS): Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has left for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, on his first official visit after assuming the office.

He is accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Minister of Finance, Ishaq Dar. During the day long visit, Prime Minister will hold meeting with H.H Prince Muhammad Bin Salman Al-Saud, Vice Custodian of Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince besides offering homage at the Roza e Rasool (S.A.W). H.H King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud is currently out of the Kingdom on a private visit.

During the meeting with H.H Prince Muhammad bin Salman Al-Saud the whole spectrum of bilateral relations would be reviewed. In addition, the two leaders will also discuss emerging regional and global geo-strategic situation and other matters of mutual interest, read a statement issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Prime Minister's visit signifies the warmth and fraternity that characterizes the relations between the two major Islamic countries and is in keeping with the tradition of frequent visits undertaken by the Pakistani Leadership to the Kingdom Saudi Arabia a close and time-tested friend of Pakistan, it said.

There have been number of exchanges at the leadership level from both sides, recently.


Kabul, Aug 23 (IBNS): Suicide bombing hit Lashkargah area of Afghanistan which left at least five people killed and 42 others injured, media reports said on Wednesday.

Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdul Ghagfar Safi, told Afghanistan's Pajhwok Afghan News the explosion took place at around 11am. Afghan soldiers receiving salaries form Kabul Bank were targeted by a suicide attacker.

According to the Afghanistan news agency report, three women and two ANA soldiers were among the dead.

The injured people were rushed to hospital for treatment.

Taliban militants have claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Seneca Nation is firing back at the governor of New York for refusing to sit down and discuss gaming issues.

During a press conference on Tuesday, President Todd Gates said Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has canceled three scheduled meetings since March, when the tribe announced it would no longer share revenues with the state. At least two of the cancellations came at the last minute, according to Gates.

"Five months have gone by with no meeting," Gates said in the tribe's council chambers.

The latest occurred on Monday, with the governor's office telling the New York media that it would be "inappropriate" to meet in light of a criminal investigation tied to a listening device allegedly found at one of the tribe's buildings. But Dennis Vacco , an attorney hired by the tribe to look into the incident, found that explanation curious because he said he had informed the state earlier this year about it and kept key officials apprised over the last several months.

"I think that is highly inappropriate for the governor, or his staff, to have leaked this information about this investigation, to the extent there is an investigation," Vacco said.

Seneca Media and Communications Center on YouTube: Seneca Nation Press Conference 8/22/17

In addition to disclosing the investigation, Cuomo is threatening the tribe in another way. Unless the tribe agrees to share revenues again, he will authorize a non-Indian facility in Seneca territory, an unnamed official told The Buffalo News on Monday at around the same time the reports about the probe were posted online.

"That's a clear violation of the compact," Gates said of the threat.

The tribe's Class III gaming compact went into effect in 2002 . It promises the tribe exclusivity within its territory in exchange for a sharing revenues with the state.

Since 2002, the tribe shared $1.4 billion with the state but the payments ended this year because the compact only required them for 14 years, Gates said. The other provisions, however, remain in effect, he said.

Rep. Tom Reed (R), whose district includes portions of Seneca territory, has offered to mediate the dispute, The Olean Times Herald reported. He has criticized Cuomo for canceling meetings with the tribe at the last minute.

Read More on the Story: Seneca Nation president: Cuomo has lame reason for canceling meeting (The Olean Times Herald August 23, 2017) Reed seeks to mediate Cuomos squabble with Senecas (The Olean Times Herald August 23, 2017) Senecas accused of spying on state, Cuomo hints at more casinos (The Albany Times-Union August 23, 2017) NY threatens Seneca Nation of Indians over compact stalemate (The Newburgh Gazette August 23, 2017) Lt. Gov. speaks on casino dispute (WGRZ August 23, 2017) Cuomo, Senecas fail to meet, waging war of words (The Niagara Gazette August 22 2017)

A Native Perspective: John Kane: Governor ignores casino compact wording and hurts communities (The Buffalo News August 18, 2017)

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[ At Raymond Bernal Jr. Memorial Park, the starting point for the Millions for Prisoners Human Rights March in San Jose on Aug. 19, marchers stood in rapt attention listening to a powerful speech by Heshima Jinsai (Denham), a survivor of the California mass hunger strikes that brought an end to indefinite solitary confinement and a leading intellectual among the many deep thinkers incarcerated across the nation. Heshima founded the Amend the 13th Campaign; learn more at Amendthe13th.org. The Bay Views new editor, Troy Williams, who emceed the rally, is in the orange shirt on the right.  Photo: Nube Brown ]Hundreds marched and rallied in San Jose, Calif., Aug. 19, at a sister action for prisoners human rights to the main one that took place the same day in Washington, D.C. California Prison Focus and the united-front coalition Rise Up for Justice were the main co-sponsors and organizers of the action.Troy Williams, newly appointed editor of the San Francisco Bay View, a Black newspaper, and a former lifer incarcerated for 18 years in California, the later years at San Quentin, made an opening presentation at the Raymond Bernal Jr. Park assembly point. Williams had been paroled two and a half years ago after founding a video production program at the prison. His goal, he said, was to give a voice to those who have not had a voice.Participants set off on a 1.3-mile march, whose route included a community known as Japantown. Tourists and other patrons in the patio area of a neighborhood restaurant spontaneously broke into applause as the chanting marchers passed by.A variety of chants included: Human rights apply to all, even those behind the wall and Brick by brick, wall by wall, we will make the prisons fall.The march route also included First Street, along which a half dozen or so widely hated bail bonds outfits have their offices. Because the march was led by Williams and a number of other parolee ex-prisoners whose security was paramount, the march did not stop to denounce these vultures.Rally at county jailThe march concluded with a lengthy but spirited rally at the Santa Clara County Jail, which included a minute of silence for the prisoners inside. Nube Brown of California Prison Focus and Rise Up for Justice, along with Troy Williams, chaired the rally. Many former prisoners presented heart-rending stories of the injustices they experienced in prison and after being released.Among these, former Black Panther Dorsey Nunn, executive director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, appealed to the audience to call California Assembly members to pass AB 1008, the Fair Chance Act, which would ban the box asking about ones prison record on job applications.Others called for building a movement to modify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which ended slavery except as a punishment for crime whereof the party has been duly convicted. Laurie Valdez, an activist, advocate and single mom, also spoke. She founded justice4josiah.org after the murder of Antonio Guzman Lopez by SJSU PD officers on Feb. 21, 2014. He was the father of their then four-year-old son. Josiah took the mic to say loudly and clearly in response to his mothers question, what should happen to the police who killed your father, They should go to prison!Bato Talamantez, one of the San Quentin Six and co-founder of California Prison Focus, spoke near the end. He noted that few of the veterans of earlier struggles, such as Hugo Pinell, also one of the San Quentin Six who remained unbroken through 46 years of solitary confinement and 51 years of incarceration until he was murdered on Aug. 12, 2015  allegedly by two white prisoners at the behest of guards with grudges  were still alive but urged the younger generation to carry on the fight for human rights.This story first appeared on Liberation News, the newspaper of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), at https://www.liberationnews.org/march-rally-prisoners-human-rights-san-jose-calif/ Bay View staff contributed to this story.
Last year, we ran a sad story about LaGuardia Community College in New York City celebrating a $2 million gift from Goldman Sachs. The gift was the largest ever for a school that mainly enrolls lower income kids of color, and what was so pathetic was that it would nearly double LaGuardias endowment.

Meanwhile, nearly every week, Inside Philanthropy reports on yet another eight- or nine-figure gift to elite universities that are already rolling in dough.

Now comes new data for 2015 that showed that higher ed giving hit a record level, with $40.3 billion raised, and that the inequities in such contributions are just as bad as you think. The annual survey by the Council for Aid to Education found that the top 20 fundraising schoolswhich make up less than 1 percent of the nations collegesraised 28.7 percent of all gifts last year.

Many of the schools bringing in the biggest bucks already have some of the largest endowments in the nation, including Harvard, Stanford, Princeton and Columbia.

This shower of wealth to the Haves in higher ed comes amid an ongoing divestment in state universities and community colleges. A report last year found that these public schools have yet to recover from major spending cuts made after the 2008 financial crisis, cuts that hiked tuition for struggling students and threaten to put college out of reach for more students.

Like many of the trends fueling inequality, a self-fulfilling dynamic is at work in higher ed funding. Plenty of grads from elite universities become economic winners and have spare cash to give back to their alma maters. Few grads from places like LaGuardia will ever be in such a position.

Philanthropy has long drawn fire for the way that it is used by the wealthy to boost institutions to which they have a personal connectionwith taxpayers helping foot the bill. But that longstanding critique has lately gained more steam amid growing anxiety about inequality and a tighter fiscal climate. Its hard to watch the wealthy boost certain private institutions upward while so many public institutions are struggling. As a practical matter, also, that $40 billion given to top schools last year will cost the U.S. Treasury a lot of money at a time when Congress has been paring back Pell Grants, citing budget deficits.

All that said, higher ed giving by the rich is not quite as disturbing as it looks. For one thing, the latest data shows that public universities were among the top beneficiaries of private giving last year, as in years past. Six of the top 20 fundraising institutions in 2015 were public universitiesincluding four University of California schools, which lately need all the help they can get.

We write often about big gifts to public universities, and not just the well-known ones like UC Berkeley. Private donors have boosted such schools all over the country, a trend which reflects the ever larger and more diverse ranks of the far upper class. While its true that a stunning percentage of billionaires have graduated from Ivy League schools, the great wealth boom of the past few decades has made many grads of state schools insanely wealthy, too. And more of these folks are now giving back.

In fact, thanks to surging giving by public university graduates in the past decade or two, some of these schools have huge endowments. The University of Texas system has the largest endowment in the U.S., after Harvard. The University of Michigan is No. 8 on the list, while the UC system is No. 14. Ohio State University has a bigger endowment than Brown, while the University of Minnesota has a larger stash than NYU. Thanks in part to private money, some of Americas public universities rank among the very best in the world. And, as weve reported, one reason that some major donors have stepped forward in recent years to help public universities is because theyve wanted things to stay that wayand counteract cuts to these schools.

I know: This is not such a pretty picturephilanthropy propping up public institutions that shouldnt be faltering to begin withbut it is at odds with the prevalent image of higher ed donors feathering the nests of their own class.

Another reason to think happier thoughts about all the money flowing to top universities is to look at what much of this money is actually for. Some of the biggest gifts, as we report often, are for medical and scientific research with the potential to benefit all of us. John Paulsons controversial $400 million gift to Harvard, for example, was to bolster engineering and applied sciences (SEAS) at the school. We werent among those piling on in criticizing that giftwhich actually seemed pretty cool to us. As a Harvard press release said at the time:

Through research and teaching, SEAS faculty and students address some of the greatest challenges facing society. SEAS laboratories have achieved remarkable discoveries, including recent breakthroughs such as an organ-on-a-chip platform that can be used for drug testing, a swarm of self-organizing robots, novel nanotechnology devices that are changing optical electronics, an implantable cancer vaccine, new knowledge about the links between atmospheric chemistry and climate change, and a robot that can assemble itself from a flat sheet.

If you know anything about medical and scientific research in the U.S., you know that much of it is conducted at top universities. When government agencies give money to these schools for such research, we cheer. We should also cheer when people like John Paulson provide such support, even as we recognize the problem with private individuals driving research priorities as government research is money is cut.

Among the schools receiving the most private support last year was the University of California-San Francisco. It came in at No. 4, with just over $600 million in gifts. What was all that money for? Well, the biggest gift, for $100 million by Chuck Feeney, was for a new Global Brain Health Institute initiative that will train 600 global leaders over 15 years in the U.S., Ireland and across the world... to carry out dementia research, deliver health care, and change policies and practices in their regions.

That sounds like money well spent to us. Another big gift last year to UCSF was for HIV research. Over recent years, the school has pulled in a whole bunch of big private gifts for scientific and medical research.

Look, theres no shortage of major gifts to elite schools that fit into the stereotype of the wealthy looking out for their own institutions in narrow ways. We could name a few big ones from 2015. But so often, the eight- and nine-figure gifts actually fund important work. Here again, in other words, is yet another example of how Big Philanthropy is a pretty complex phenomenon.
Books Mapping Chinese Rangoon  Place and Nation Among the Sino-Burmese

People pray in a temple in Yangons Chinatown during the Chinese Lunar New Year, January 28, 2017. / Reuters

The meaning of a new place, as defined by an immigrant ethnic community, is often shaped by daily interactions with the local population, evolving circumstances that make one resourceful, and the yearning for an adopted home away from home. Identities get created, questioned and reshaped vis-a-vis a place, offering chances to explore the self and the other,charting new spaces for fruitful engagement.

Jayde Lin Roberts attempts to reflect upon the Sino-Burmese in Yangon and their efforts to be both Chinese and Burmese at the same time; their pragmatic recognition of the desirable interdependence which becomes necessarily instrumental for their negotiation of and survival in Myanmar. They have tried to retrieve their cultural heritage as a way of living to make a place for themselves in Yangon. Although they have struggled with their changing fortunes in Myanmar, their pursuit of economic stability and cultural belonging has helped them to overcome difficult times.

Through spatial ethnography, Roberts describes the Sino-Burmese with a focus on the Hokkien Chinese in Yangon, analyzing various aspects of their lives and kinship networks through the study of their temples, schools, commerce, public spaces and festivals. In doing so, she simultaneously outlines the phases of insecurity found in Sino-Burmese history- insecurity created by the regimes: China, which was indifferent to the Sino-Burmese population, and Myanmar, which actively marginalized them.

Roberts begins with the rigid rectilinear grid of city planning and the spatiallegal structure of the colonial city which, in Yangon, was a construct of the British that brought with it a social order unfamiliar to local residents. The Chinese migrants managed to fit themselves into this urban framework  a fact evidenced by the establishment of the China Wharf  setting up of family and clan-based businesses which focused on rice trade profit, the rise of active Chinese middlemen interested in luxury goods import, the rise of clan and native place associations, and the emergence of secret societies and rich Hokkien mansions, the latter having connections with the Baba-Nyonya culture and Peranakan practices in Penang. Today, Nineteenth Street and the Mahabandula night market in Yangon are an inseparable part of the Chinese neighborhood. They are also interesting and embracing zones of identity-formation and new cultural contact.

The Hokkien Chinese community has tried to provide security and a sense of belonging to their existence in Myanmar through the spiritual worship center of the Hokkien Kuanyin Temple. It is here that the interconnections between generations are encouraged, traditions are cherished and the ancestral village is reconstructed in memories through the reverence for regional deities. It also serves as a supportive community center for the elderly and the destitute. The temple has become a place where the young and the old share their past and present, linking them in a strong social network.

Just like the temples, the Chinese medium schools have become a rallying point to draw the Hokkien, the Cantonese or the Yunnanese into distinct but overlapping communities of learning. The Sino-Burmese have steered clear of politics and moved inwards towards forming ties of dialect and native place. The schools have faced innumerable challenges operating in an ever-changing environment, like balancing the need to retain Chinese culture with the relentless attempts at Burmanization, suppression of anything Chinese during the Socialist period marked by temporary school closures, the conflict of ideology between mainland China and Myanmar and finally, communal riots in the 1960s.

The silence of the community, as observed by the author, during the period from 1967 to 1988 speaks volumes to the difficult times that they have faced. This resulted in firstly making the community practical, displayed by their urge to make money as a safety net and secondly, it made them tactical, evident by their desire to promote Chinese literacy without promoting Chinese patriotism  thus charting out a utilitarian path from being a Chinese into a Sino-Burmese.

This was evident in the realm of commerce too as Jayde Roberts discusses the calculated risks taken by the Sino-Burmese merchants. She traces their position during the colonial times vis-a-vis the Indian community, the Confucian principles combined with commercial acumen, their peripheral economic role in the overseas Chinese network and their reliance on domestic market matched with intimate economy, the latter reinstating their belief in family ties.

As compared to the Indians, they were less wealthy which meant fewer backlashes from the locals and their easy mingling with the local Buddhist society revealed their commonsensical approach. The book takes us through changing times of the 1990s when rapid changes of more foreign investment and open border trade were seized by the community  the growth of City Mart in Yangon being a case in point of new successful business ventures and retail experimentation.

The Sino-Burmese are also seen enthusiastically financing Chinese New Year celebrations with cultural performances like lion and dragon dancing. Old customs, like having zodiac decorations and pre-packaged traditional sweets, are being combined with contemporary practices like the use of decorated floats, which is also a traditional part of the Burmese New Year Thingyan. Introduction of martial arts such as lion dancing on posts is making Chinese festivals more attractive for the locals too. The Sino-Burmese are seen as adapting to the local Burmese context while retaining the Chinese essence of the festival. Even the custom of placating ghosts has been changed to suit local practices.

Identity is always in relation to the other. The book displays how the Sino-Burmese have reinvented themselves to suit unforeseeable situations and unfamiliar audiences. They have been flexible and stoic, connected to their roots yet ready to mould themselves in a new terrain. They have felt excluded from the mainstream in Myanmar but their economic prowess and enterprising spirit has been acknowledged over the years. They see their future linked to a country where they have faced hardships but used their resilience and community-networks to build their lives. Alienation and ownership co-exists just as traditional Chinese norms and modern opportunities mix. Jayde Roberts is successful in weaving this absorbing narrative of space, place and history of a community, thus helping us to grasp their responses to socio-economic up-rootedness and uneasy political shifts in Myanmar.

This article originally appeared in Tea Circle, a forum hosted at Oxford University for emerging research and perspectives on Burma/Myanmar.
Burma Arakan Army Seizes Ceasefire Signatorys Outpost

The Arakan Armys 5th anniversary celebrations in Laiza, Kachin State, April 2014. / Moe Myint / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  Nearly 70 soldiers from the Arakan Army (AA) raided a front line post belonging to nationwide ceasefire signatory Arakan Liberation Army (ALA) in Chin States Paletwa Township on Tuesday.

The posts location, near the intersecting border of Myanmar, Bangladesh and India, is around four miles from Chin Let Wa village, located in a heavily forested area. The fresh clashes mark the first such incident between the two Arakanese armed groups since the AA set up strongholds in northern Rakhine State in 2015.

U Khine Aung Soe Than, secretary general of the ALAs political wing the Arakan Liberation Party, confirmed to The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that fighting had broken out the day before and that the ALA had lost the territory.

A statement by the group released on Wednesday said that two ALA soldiers were killed in the attack, three were severely wounded, and two more were missing.

According to U Khine Aung So Than, the ALA unit in the camp had just 20 soldiers and they withdrew from the base as AA soldiers surrounded them and began the assault.

Clashes are continually happening today, even though the ALA pulled back its unit, he said.

He speculated that AA troops likely used artillery weapons including 60-mm mortar shells and rocket-propelled grenades to secure the post. He also recalled an incident that occurred days earlier, in which two ALA soldiers were reportedly detained by the AA when they came to report to their new posts commander.

In the days which followed, he added that two more soldiers were captured by the AA in a Ka Ki village monastery, situated on the Indian side of the border.

Our leader, Khine Soe Naing Aung, already sent a letter to talk about the fresh clashes but there have been no replies from the AAs side. We have no idea what the reason is for fighting against the ALA, said Rakhine State-based U Khine Aung Soe Than.

The AAs spokesman U Khine Thukha, a former leader of the ALP, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. Another high-ranking member of AA, Thailand-based Col Kyaw Han, refused to speak on the reports of skirmishes with the ALA.

Ethnic affairs expert U Maung Maung Soe remarked that clashes occasionally happen between ethnic armed groups.

Fighting can occur at any time, maybe because of territorial problems or because of different political directions, he said.

He pointed out that the AA possesses strong support from the ethnic Arakanese population, and speculated that fresh fighting against the ALA would not likely harm its popularity.

Both the AAs commander-in-chief Brig-Gen Tun Myat Naing and Vice Chief of Staff Dr. Nyo Tun Aung have been attending a conference of northeastern armed groups in Panghsang, the administrative capital of the United Wa State Army-controlled area in Shan State, since earlier this week.

On May 4, the AA issued a warning letter written in the Arakanese language on its official Facebook page, alleging that 30 soldiers from the Arakan Liberation Army (ALA) had posed as AA soldiers and extorted money from locals near the Bangladeshi border. Moreover, the AA accused troops from the same group of pretending to be Myanmar Army soldiers and collecting protection money from residents of Garam Pa village in early May.

The letter said, We are closely watching the group and the AA will respond with appropriate action if the same conduct happens in the future.
Burma Insufficient Toilets Pose Risk to Women and Girls

A woman visits a public toilet in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township in Yangon. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  One and a half million people in Myanmar do not have access to a toilet, creating health issues that disproportionally affect women and girls and put them at risk of sexual assault, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Three quarters of Myanmar households have direct access to a toilet that hygienically separates human contact with excreta while 16 million people have access to some kind of latrine, according to a 2014 census report released by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) last week.

One and a half million people have no access to a toilet at all and defecate and urinate in the open.

For women and girls who have to relieve themselves and manage their menstrual hygiene in the open or in a shared facility, this makes them particularly vulnerable, and puts them at risk of harassment and physical assault, especially after dark, said UNFPA representative of Myanmar, Janet Jackson.

Women and girls in urban slums, rural areas, and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps are the most at risk.

Campaigners in India, where 770 million people require better facilities, have been addressing the link between poor toilets and sexual assault for a number of years, but the issue remains shrouded in silence in Myanmar.

Daw Nang Pu, a spokesperson for the Kachin-based Htoi Gender and Development Foundation, told The Irrawaddy she had witnessed sexual harassment of women and girls traveling to and from shared toilet facilities.

Incidents are underreported, she said, as the women and girls often do not speak out due to shame and fear.

Vice chairwoman of the Mon Womens Organization Mi Kon Chan Non told The Irrawaddy: Sexual harassment and physical assault can occur in public and crowded areas, but women are more at risk when they are alone and it is dark.

Women in Mon State answered the call of nature together when there was no toilet available in their home or village, she said.

Nowadays, most families have toilets on their land, but it is still far from where their homes are, she added.

National League for Democracy lawmaker Daw Phyu Phyu Thin, who represents Yangons Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township in the Lower House, told The Irrawaddy she had heard reports of sexual harassment and rape when women and girls visited shared toilets during festivals in rural areas.

She said that even in Myanmars commercial hub Yangon, some people dont have access to toilets in their homes and share public toiletsincluding in four wards of Mingalar Taung Nyunt Townshipand urged Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein to address the problem in his urban development projects.

Its not just about safety but also dignity and basic human rights, the lawmaker said.

Kachin youth activist Mai Mai told The Irrawaddy that female IDPs faced frequent health problems relating to a lack of sanitation and privacy when managing menstruation.

Inadequate or unhygienic toilet facilities disproportionally affect women as a lack of waste disposal or running water can lead to infections and other complications with menstrual hygiene.

At Kachin IDP camps in Tanai Township in Kachin State and Kutkai Township of Shan State, 100 people typically share two or three toilets, she said.

Although adequate toilet facilities will not stop sexual assault and rape, the lack of safe facilities makes women vulnerable and is a daily challenge, she added.

While more than two thirds of Myanmar households (69.5 percent) have access to non-contaminated drinking water, 16 million people in Myanmar, primarily in rural areas, do not have access to safe drinking water.

Worldwide, diarrheal diseases that are commonly spread by contaminated water kill more children than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined.

There is an urgent need to address Myanmars housing challenges holistically, said Jackson.

We need to look at all aspects of living conditions, including health, sanitation, electricity, communications and safety.

Space is also a key element to dignified housing. People need homes that allow for privacy for families as well as for intimacy between couples, she added.

The findings come from the 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census Thematic Report on Housing Conditions and Household Amenities, published by the Government of Myanmar and UNFPA.

An estimated 1,090,000 Rohingya in Rakhine State, 69,700 people in Karen State and 46,600 people in Kachin State were not included in the census.
News Myanmar Voters Prefer Male Candidates: Survey

Lawmakers at Parliaments Lower House on Feb. 1, 2016. (The Irrawaddy)

YANGON  The majority of respondents in a recent public poll conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI) said they prefer male candidates to females, even when they hold the same qualifications.

The nationwide survey was conducted between March 9 and April 1 this year through in-person interviews of 3,000 citizens age 18 or older, selected randomly from across all states and regions.

The poll asked, If there were two candidates running for office and they had the same qualifications aside from the fact that one was a man and one was a woman, which candidate would you be more likely to support?

The answers allowed were: prefer men, prefer women, makes no difference, or do not know.

Sixty-three percent of men interviewed for the poll answered that they preferred male candidates while only 13 percent preferred women; seventeen percent said it made no difference.

Forty-four percent of women interviewed said they were more likely to support male candidates, while 38 percent stood with women candidates.

Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin, a former outspoken Yangon regional lawmaker who was defeated by her male counterpart from the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the 2015 general election, said the survey highlighted a remaining hurdle in society for women wanting to enter politics.

They assume women lawmakers cant do what men do, she said. I want to urge women to try even harder.

Now a founder of the School of Law, Gender & Politics in Yangon, she said more women lawmakers in Parliament could bring more plans for health, education and welfare systems, which are now weak.

Ko Nay Phone Latt, a Yangon regional lawmaker, said gender should not matter, and that performance should be the priority.

The nature of the surveys is that people need to choose from the given answers. Sometimes, the given answers are not complete, he added.

The survey also asked the respondents about issues concerning socioeconomics, performance of the government, state and regional autonomy, political parties and media.

The survey was released on Tuesday.

When the survey asked what the most important reason was for choosing a political party, 34 percent chose party platform, 23 percent chose party leader and only 12 percent chose the quality of the candidates.

Eighty-four percent of the respondents said they voted in the 2015 general election while 16 percent did not vote. Meanwhile, 77 percent said they are very likely to cast their votes in the upcoming 2020 general election.

There were 150 women elected in the 2015 general election of the 791 who stood for office nationwide: 44 in the Union Parliaments Lower House, 23 in the Upper House and 83 in regional legislatures, putting female representation at about 13 percent  an increase of 8 percentage points, or an almost threefold rise compared to the previous makeup.
News NMSP Eyes Signing NCA Before Third Panglong Conference

NMSP official Nai Win Hla speaks to the press after a meeting with Mon State government representatives. / Hintharnee / The Irrawaddy

MAWLAMYINE, Mon State  The New Mon State Party (NMSP) will consider signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) before the third session of the Union Peace Conference, said an NMSP official.

The NCA dictates that only signatories can send delegations to the conference also known as the 21st Century Panglong peace conferenceand take part in discussions.

Weve always said that wed sign the NCA. Were trying to sign it before the third session of 21st Century Panglong so that we can participate in the meeting, Nai Win Hla, head of NMSP internal affairs, told press after a meeting between an NMSP delegation led by its joint secretary Nai Kyaw Ye and the Mon State government on Wednesday.

Mon State chief minister Dr. Aye Zan, who led the government delegation at the meeting, told press that the NMSP asked his government to wait for three months, as the ethnic armed group is persuading other members of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) to sign the agreement.

They said they would give a clear answer in three months whether other members agree to sign it or not, he said.

The NMSP and Mon State authorities have met three times since the National League for Democracy (NLD) took office, but in the latest meeting the two sides agreed to meet monthly.

The NMSP also called for the Mon language to be included on the state school curriculum and questioned the deployment of Myanmar Army troops in Mawlamyine District. The chief minister said both of those issues are directly related to the NCA and the peace process.

Ko Min Zayar Oo, a member of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committees secretarial body, suggested that the NMSP is likely to sign the NCA on October 15the second anniversary of the signing of the NCA between U Thein Seins government and eight armed groups. The Union Peace Conference is expected some time between October and December.

The NMSP declared in May that it was trying to sign the NCA together with its fellow UNFC members, including the Arakan National Council (ANC), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), and Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP).

The government has required armed groups to sign a nine-point Deed of Commitment (DoC) before signing the NCA. The NMSP has reached agreement with the government over four points and is still discussing the remaining five.

Mon State border and security affairs minister Col Win Naing Oo is optimistic that the NMSP will sign the NCA because it participated in drafting the agreement.

The NCA book is kept open at the peace committee office. Since the time of President U Thein Sein, ethnic armed groups have been invited to sign it anytime. If you cant sign it now, you can sign it later. The book is kept ready, he said.

There are many gaps in cooperation between the Mon State government and NMSP in the areas of regional development and rule of law because the NMSP has not yet signed the agreement, he added.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
Guest Column Engagement with the Military?

Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw on March 27, 2017. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

There is a common misperception among outsiders that it was Western engagement with Myanmars generals that led them to embark on a process of change after several decades of military-dominated rule. Or perhaps it was behind-the-doors-policies by some members of Asean, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that achieved the required result?

The latter notion can easily be dismissed by looking at Aseans two cardinal principles, non-interference and consensus, which makes the bloc acutely ineffective when it comes to solving bilateral problems such as border conflicts or issues relating to the governance of the member states. And, apart from the Philippines and Indonesia, Aseans members are ruled by authoritarian regimes with little regard for democratic principles.

On the other hand, the notion that Western engagement did the trick reflects what amounts to a blatantly neocolonial attitude. Myanmar today is full of foreigners who suffer from what can only be described as a White Messiah complex. Clearly overestimating their own importance, they seem to believe that they can achieve peace in the country, and make the peoples of Myanmar love each other so they can march together towards a more democratic future. And all that is needed for the military to change is to invite them to the West and tell them they are wrong  and then they will adjust accordingly.

William C. Dickey, a former US defense attache to Myanmar, assisted by Nay Yan Oo, a resident fellow at the Pacific Forum of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, contended, correctly, in an article published by the Nikkei Asian Review on August 18, that the Myanmar military holds the key to further reform. Change would have to come from within the military, still the countrys most powerful institution.

But then their arguments go astray. They believe that the US-funded Expanded International Military and Education Training (E-IMET) program will help the Myanmar military understand issues such as a military justice system that is in accordance with internationally recognized human rights and the principle of civilian control of the military, and that US engagement with the Myanmar military is necessary to help Myanmar stay on track for democratic reforms.

First of all, it is misleading to talk about democratic reform in Myanmar. The current Constitution, which was drafted under military auspices and adopted after a blatantly rigged referendum in May 2008, actually provides for what could at best be described as a hybrid system. Under the new charter, the military holds 25 percent of all seats in the parliament and regional assemblies. Since all changes to the Constitutions major clauses require 75 percent approval  followed by a national referendum  the military enjoys what amounts to veto power over any changes in the countrys power structure.

Among the clauses that cannot be changed without military approval are those stipulating that the military appoints the three most important ministries, namely those of Defense, Home Affairs and Border Affairs. Military control of the Defense and Border Affairs ministries excludes the elected government from military matters as well as issues relating to ethnic insurgencies in border areas. The Home Ministry controls the police  and the powerful General Administration Department, which staffs all local governments, from the state and region levels down to districts and townships. Elected ministers, or ministers appointed by the elected government, are confined to issues such as health and education, fisheries and agriculture.

When the National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory in the November 2015 election, enabling pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to become State Counselor (the 2008 Constitution prevented her from becoming the countrys President, as her two sons are not Myanmar citizens, so this new position was created solely for her), people in Myanmar were enthusiastic and foreign observers hailed the event as an important step towards democratic rule. But less than two years later, it is becoming increasingly obvious that Myanmars first truly elected government since 1960 is a mere fig leaf for continued military rule  which has to take the blame for issues beyond its control, among them the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities, the arrest of journalists and inertia in the local administration.

Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political analyst, told The Irrawaddy in August this year that, according to the very essence of the 2008 Constitution, it is the Tatmadaw [military] which will decide the fate of Myanmars politics. In the same article, Col. Aung Myint Oo, head of internal and external relations at the National Defense College, was quoted as saying: Considering the reality, it is impossible to remove the military from politics.

Myanmar today has a political system that was designed by the military to preserve their power. It suits them perfectly and they have no intention to change it. It is important to remember that the reforms were not introduced because the generals suddenly had decided to become liberal democrats but to break their international isolation in order to lessen their dependence on China. The bitter reality is that its the Myanmar generals who have successfully  and cleverly  managed to engage the West, not the other way round.

And the problem is not that the leaders of the Myanmar military are unaware of human rights principles or what civilian control of the military means. There are plenty of papers produced by officers at Myanmars National Defense College on precisely those subjects. Thus, the issue is not lack of knowledge, but the fact that the Myanmar military has had its own ideology since the late 1950s, the essence of which is that the military has to play a dominant role in matters of defense as well as political and social affairs. That deep-rooted belief is not going to change only because some Western instructors tell them otherwise.

The example of US success in helping with a militarys professionalization and a countrys democratic tradition mentioned by the authors  Indonesia  is highly dubious. We are led to believe that it was officers who had attended IMET training, not a massive popular uprising against the old, dictatorial Suharto regime that came in the wake of a severe economic crisis in the late 1990s, which paved the way for a more democratic Indonesia. No such conditions exist in Myanmar today, and how do the authors explain that US-trained military officers have staged several coups in Thailand? Or that Burmese officers who prior to 1988 did attend IMET courses remained loyal to the regime they served and did not become champions for democracy?

Training courses in the West could even be counterproductive as those would only provide Myanmars military leaders with international recognition and legitimacy, which have been lacking for decades, and the officers would therefore be even more immune to reform. Human rights concerns would be swept under the carpet so as not to antagonize the military and hamper the reform process  and that is already happening in Myanmar today.

While severe human rights abuses are daily occurrences in the countrys war zones, most notably in Kachin and northern Shan State, gone are the days when the international community issues strongly worded statements condemning such atrocities. Change may eventually come to Myanmar, and it would have to come from within the countrys most powerful institution, the military, as well as from a much stronger civil society than today is the case. But all this will be homegrown and not because of patronizing attitudes by Westerners. The White Messiahs and other outsiders are little more than pawns in a game of which they understand very little. And the sooner they realize that their involvement is irrelevant, and even harmful to possible democratic development in Myanmar, the better.
Burma IFC Approves Support for Controversial Tycoons Mandalay Cement Project

Aik Htun / Photo: Shwe Taung Group

The World Banks private sector lending arm the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has given the go ahead to support a multi-million dollar plan to expand a cement factory in Mandalay Region, operated by the Shwe Taung Conglomerate. The firms chairman, Aik Htun, had been alleged by US authorities to have had ties to the drug trade and narcotics-related money laundering. The Sino-Burmese businessman has long said these accusations are not true, a view now shared by the IFC, which claims to have thoroughly investigated the matter.

The project proposal, which also includes expanding a coal mine in Sagaing Region that supplies the factory, drew strong objections from Myanmar civil society groups who raised environmental concerns about the project that will see the IFC invest US$15 million and provide a loan of $20 million for the expansion that is expected to cost a total of $110 million.

An open letter signed by a coalition of 174 NGOs and Community Based Organizations (CBOS), most of which are based in Myanmar, also raised allegations made by US authorities more than a decade ago concerning Aik Htuns involvement in a now defunct bank that the Bush administration had designated a financial institution of primary money laundering concern.

Aik Htun previously served as the second in command at the Asia Wealth Bank (AWB), which he co-founded in 1995. In less than a decade after its establishment, AWB became Myanmars largest private sector bank. In early 2003, a major crisis in Myanmars banking sector triggered a massive run on AWB and two other private banks, which ultimately led AWB to end operations.

In November 2003, several months after the crisis had put AWB in serious financial trouble, the US government announced that it was taking action against AWB and another Burmese bank, using a section of the US Patriot Act citing money-laundering concerns.

In the announcement about the decision, the US government described Aik Htun as someone who had been specifically identified as having connections with Burmas narcotics trade. The announcement of the targeting of AWB also claimed that the bank, which Aik Htun was a significant shareholder of, was affiliated with prominent organizations and figures in the drug trade, including members of the Kokang ethnic group headed by notorious drug lord Peng Chia-Sheng, a reference to the veteran Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army leader whose name is more commonly spelled Peng Jiasheng.

No Evidence to Support Allegations says IFC Myanmar Country Chief

The IFC said that the allegations concerning Aik Htun and his former bank that were leveled by the US treasury department and printed in the US Federal Register, the official journal of the US government, have proven to be unfounded.

IFC conducted extensive due diligence on STG and its shareholders and found no evidence to support Mr. Aik Htuns involvement in alleged money laundering or drug trafficking, while he was vice chairman and minority shareholder of Asia Wealth Bank, said the IFC country chief in Myanmar Vikram Kumar in a letter written in response to the NGO coalitions open letter to the World Banks chief Jim Kim, opposing the IFCs involvement in the project.

The strongly worded letter from the NGO coalition had urged the IFC to stay away from Aik Htun. [F]inancing this project would send the message that the IFC disregards the reputational risks associated with the borrower, and is more interested in lining its pockets and that of Myanmars crony elite than promoting sustainable development in accordance with its mandate, warned the letter which was sent just before the IFC board was initially supposed to decide on the case at the end of May.

Though ultimately the IFC board chose to disregard the NGO coalitions warnings, the letter appears to have had some impact, with the final decision on the project that had originally been scheduled for May having not have been made until two months later.

When reached for comment, Mr. Kumar emphasized that prior to the project receiving the go ahead from the IFCs board on July 31, the IFC examined the allegations thoroughly. [E]xtensive due diligence, including third party research and reference checks with credible market sources, makes IFC comfortable with the Sponsors business practices, source of wealth, and most importantly, their commitment to adhere to high standards of corporate governance, business ethics and environmental and social sustainability.

The IFCs confidence concerning the source of Aik Htuns wealth stands in sharp contrast to a leaked US diplomat cable written during the military era some three years after AWB stopped operations, which suggested something quite different. Aik Htun enjoys the regimes confidence, and benefits handsomely from its business, wrote a US diplomat in February 2007 shortly after meeting Aik Htun. The cable also cited a fellow businessman in Myanmar who believed that Aik Htun could not have amassed such profits at AWB without drug money.

Aik Htun for his part has claimed that the allegations were the result of petty jealousies. In Myanmar at that time the government was not transparent. There were so many rumors, [there was] so much jealousy, he told the Financial Times in 2015.

While the US governments designation of AWB as a money-laundering concern was withdrawn by the US treasury department in 2012 because the defunct banks no longer exist and thus pose no further threat to financial systems, the accusations against Aik Htun, remain available to be read on US government websites. The IFCs endorsement of Aik Htun and his firm, where his children also serve as senior executives, is a significant victory for the tycoon and represents something of an internationally recognized rehabilitation of his reputation.

The US as the largest shareholder in the World Bank has considerable influence over whom the World Bank and its various branches lend money to. It is therefore very unlikely that the IFCs involvement in a project like the one involving Shwe Taung could have been approved without a nod from Washington, who nominated the current World Bank head, Jim Kim, who is also a member of the IFCs board of directors.

The project also appears to have sailed through approval without reservations being raised by the present National League for Democracy (NLD) government. Daw Aung San Suu Kyis administration has opted to embrace the oligarchs who profited immensely from their access to Myanmars previous military regime, when she and many of her NLD colleagues were in detention or forced into silence. Last week, Myanmars Minister of Planning and Finance Kyaw Win told reporters that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi no longer wants those businessmen, many of whom earned a significant amount of notoriety for their close ties to the military regime, to be described by the media as cronies.

Project Go Ahead Despite Widespread NGO Opposition on Environmental Grounds

The coalition of NGOs also cited the use of coal at the factory and the projects planned expansion of an existing coal mine already operated by Shwe Taung that supplies the factory as strong reasons not to go ahead with the project, in particular, because the coal mine is located in what has been classified a Critical Habitat area.

The NGO letter complained that the IFCs support for the project violated a promise made by the World Bank that it would not support coal power in Myanmar. Kumar maintains this is inaccurate because the World Bank policy on coal only concerns power plants that contribute power to a national grid, and not something like the cement plant which only uses coal to heat the factorys kiln.

The NGO coalition has also expressed concerns that the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) carried out for the project were not sufficient and did not do enough to involve potentially affected communities.

While the NGO coalition of 174 groups opposed to the project represents a broad spectrum of civil society in Myanmar ranging from ethnic land activists to former political prisoners, Kumar maintains that support for the project does exist on the ground.

[T]here has been extensive consultation with communities, whom, in our opinion, have indicated their broad support for the project. In addition, a public forum was convened in Yangon last month with civil society to engage on their issues and concerns and IFC is satisfied that the project will adequately address these, said Kumar.
Vocus Telecommunications has confirmed that its Australia Singapore Cable will be completed ahead of schedule.

The project had an original completion date of September 2018, but the company said today it would be able to go live by July 2018.

Weve been able to achieve the earlier date through condensing the programme of works to deliver ahead of schedule, in July 2018, Vocus chief executive Geoff Horth said.

The Vocus and Alcatel build teams are familiar with each other, having worked together on the successful delivery of our North West Cable System, which has facilitated the shorter timeframe for completion.

The cable will also add a landing on Christmas Island, after expressions of interest from many government agencies.

The company said Christmas Island was a location that had struggled to secure required infrastructure to support local service requirements.

The 4600-km cable will link Australia to Singapore and Indonesia.

The system design is to provide a minimum of 40Tbps capacity from Western Australia to south-east Asia, and this could be increased.

The project will cost US$170 million in the build period.

A report on the project, commissioned earlier this year, by telecom data market expert TeleGeography estimated that there would be more than 50Tbps bandwidth demand between Australia and Asia by 2029.

The report also estimated that the cable could capture a minimum of 15.5Tbps of capacity sales by year-end 2029, resulting in expected revenue of at least US$550 million over this period.

TeleGeography estimated that by 2019, 30% of Australias overall international bandwidth would be connected to Asia.

The ASC establishes a new global route from South East Asia  the Great Southern Route, said Horth.

He added that it would avoid "geographic instability around Japan and geopolitical challenges in Guam and the South China Sea, to provide a safer route to the US thus opening up the cable to new markets".
Red Hat and Microsoft have expanded an alliance which was first announced about two years ago, with plans to help organisations more easily adopt the use of containers.

There will be native support made available for Windows Server containers on Red Hat OpenShift, an enterprise-grade, Kubernetes-based container application platform.

Additionally, Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated will be offered on Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. A third aspect of the expanded relationship will be the availability of SQL Server on Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Red Hat OpenShift.

The use of Windows Server containers on Red Hat OpenShift was demonstrated at the Red Hat summit in May and a technology preview is likely to be available in the western spring of 2018.

The two companiesa deal on cloud deployment collaboration in November 2015, with Microsoft saying it would offer Red Hat Enterprise Linux as the preferred choice for enterprise Linux workloads on Azure.

Red Hat manages Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated which is a container platform delivered as a cloud service. This service is planned for availability on Azure across 42 regions globally by early next year.

Matthew Hicks, vice-president, Software Engineering, OpenShift and Management, Red Hat, said: Alongside Microsoft, Red Hat is providing a way for organisations to make technology choices that matter to them, from containerised workloads to public cloud services, without adding complexity.

"Combined with our integrated support teams, were able to offer a pathway to digital transformation that offers the capabilities, flexibility and choice required to power the future of enterprise IT.

John Gossman, the lead Azure architect at Microsoft, said: Microsoft and Red Hat are aligned in our commitment to bring enterprise customers the hybrid cloud solutions they need to modernise their businesses as they shift to operate in a cloud-native world.

"Today, were extending this commitment as we again join forces to bring fully integrated solutions that simplify container adoption and help customers make the most of their hybrid cloud strategies.
Real-time analytics vendor ExtraHop has announced its machine-learning service, Addy, is now available in Australia.

Addy delivers real visibility for performance and security threats and is claimed to be the industry's first SaaS offering to observe and analyse all digital interactions.

It applies machine learning to wire data to detect anomalies as they happen, helping IT departments take a data-driven approach to security.

This has great potential for managing and significantly reducing security risks and breaches in real-time. ExtraHop claims Addy can help IT departments spot and resolve hundreds of anomalies as they happen.

Addy spent nine months in beta and is currently in production in the US, and this week became generally available in Australiao.

ExtraHop claims Addy has helped IT organisations spot and resolve hundreds of performance- and security-impacting anomalies, from reverse DNS lookups to the recent WannaCry ransomware outbreak. As a result, Addy customers report increased uptime, threat detection, mitigated breaches, and improved performance, as well as greater cohesion and collaboration across teams.

When combined with the ExtraHop analytics-first workflow recently introduced in ExtraHop version 6.2 corporate IT teams are instantly alerted to performance and security issues, and can easily and rapidly investigate. It becomes a mere matter of clicks to drill-down from high-level performance metrics to individual transactions to packets.

Addy's availability is said to accelerate ExtraHop's momentum in Australia, strengthening channel and alliance relationships.

The real-time network analytics ExtraHop provides already helps Australian companies better understand their environment and detect threats, said Bryce Hein, senior vice-president for ExtraHop. With Addy, were bringing machine learning to bear, helping surface performance and security anomalies faster than ever, and cutting through the noise to keep IT and security teams focused on the most important issues. Not only will this help them stay secure and compliant, but it will also help ensure a better digital experience for customers.

According to the Accenture High-Performance Security Report 2016, only 65% of effective breaches are discovered by internal security teams. In Australia, over half the respondents questioned for the report admitted it took "months" to detect successful breaches. Through constant synchronisation with existing internal systems, ExtraHop Addy gives businesses the power to analyse their networks closely in real time.

ExtraHop offers an interactive online demo to let people see the power Addy for themselves.
Vodafone is the second telco to announce pricing and details for the new Note8, including at least a $100 bonus credit offer when customers purchase the device and trade in any device, regardless of age or condition".

Got a clapped out, useless old mobile thats nevertheless still working, that you havent given to Mobile Muster yet?

In what could be a worrying sign for Mobile Muster donations, or what could lead to a rush for ancient but working old smartphones at St Vinnies stores or local garage sales, Vodafones trade-in offer and its new interest-free plans to snare your new mobile could well be what tips you over to Vodas side of the force, especially if your phone is better than some old model, as you'll get a better trade-in price.

Pricing and other details of Vodafones offer are below, but lets delve directly into the trade-in deals and the varying levels of credit this can earn you.

The newly embolden telco has announced a devices trade-in programme powered by Ingram Micro, which it says allows customers to receive credit on their Vodafone bill by trading in their old phone, without the hassle of selling it privately".

We are told that the programme will roll out nationally from 2 September, following a successful trial in New South Wales stores throughout August".

You see, to mark the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Note8, Vodafone states that customers who buy the Samsung Galaxy Note8 and trade in any mobile device will receive a bonus $100 credit on their bill on top of the trade-in value of the old device".

But wait  hold the phone!  theres more.

For example, this means that if a customer trades in an old phone worth $300 and buys a Samsung Galaxy Note8, they will receive $400 total in credit on their Vodafone account".

There will also be bonus credit offers if the device traded in is a Samsung Galaxy S series or Galaxy Note series device:

If a customer trades in a Samsung S5, S6 or S7 series device and buys a Samsung Galaxy Note8, they will receive $150 bonus credit on their Vodafone account, on top of the value of their traded-in device.

If a customer trades in any Samsung Note series device and buys a Samsung Galaxy Note8, they will receive $200 bonus credit on their Vodafone account, on top of the value of their traded-in device.

More detail on the trade-in programme is at the end of this article.

Now, can you get more money selling a phone on the second-hand market? Well, depending on your handset, sure. Trade-in deals will never give you the most money, but you do have to go through the entire sales process on your own.

Naturally, this will appeal to some and not others, so its interesting to see the deal being offered. I had thought of asking Vodafone during its recent new plans launch whether there was any kind of trade-in product in the offing, and I didnt. I should have gone with my gut feeling on that, but hey, at least we know now, and for some, this will be a benefit.

So, what about Vodafones plans and deals for the new Note8?

Well, as has been foreshadowed, the new Note8 will be available to pre-order from 25 August, and that means from 12:01AM AEST.

Vodafone will offer the Note8 from just $41.63 per month over 36 months for the device and a $50 per month Red Plan with 16GB of total data (incl. 2 GB bonus), and with a $4 monthly discount on the Red plan, thats just $87.63 per month".

The Note8 is also available on Vodafones new interest-free, flexible phone payment options, and will start at $41.63 per month over 36 months, $62.45 per month over 24 months or $124.91 per month over 12 months, and will also be available to purchase outright for $1499".

Customers will then be able to choose which new month-to-month Red Plan they would like, starting from $30 per month. That means customers will be able to get the Galaxy Note8 from as little as $69.63 per month.

As Samsung has noted, pre-orders will be available online from 25 August at 12.01 AM (AEST) to 21 September at 11.59 PM (AEST). The device will be available online and in Vodafone retail stores from 22 September".

Heres Samsungs three pricing tables  the article continues below, please read on!

Please turn your phone horizontal to see the full image if reading on mobile.

Table 1:

Table 2:

Table 3:

My initial article on the Note8 launch and full specs based on info Samsung provided to the media under embargo before the launch is here: Samsung Note 8 launches: $1499, one free screen repair, 2x optical zoom and more.

My follow-up article after having watched the Note8 launch event, with my impressions, as well as the launch video itself and Samsungs brief intro video is here: MUST-SEE VIDEO: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 launch impressions.

Ben McIntosh, Vodafone Consumer Business Unit director, said: Were excited about giving Aussies the chance to have a no lock-in contract and own the Samsung Galaxy Note8 with interest-free repayments.

And because ever more people are looking for large-screen devices, Vodafone naturally says it is proud to offer some of the most transparent and flexible payment options available for people looking to get their hands on one".

McIntosh continued: With the Galaxy Note8 available on a 36-month repayment option, weve also greatly reduced the monthly cost for customers, without tangling them up in the spider web of leasing.

By offering the Galaxy Note8 alongside our new flexible plans and the trade-in programme, weve made it easier than ever for people to upgrade to the latest and greatest device.

As Samsung foreshadowed, there is a special gift for those pre-ordering: a bonus wireless charging pad.

Vodafone states that customers who pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Note8 through Vodafone before 22 September will also score a free wireless charging pad for the device, valued at $119, and redeemable online by 31 October".

McIntosh continued: From fair and flexible payment options, to helping people put their old handsets to good financial use, this is all part of the next step in us making the Australian telco industry more customer-centric.

Our new plans have been built to make things clearer and more transparent for customers, with no lock-in contracts and clear costs and without hidden fees or tricky leasing arrangements.

Theres also the new Screen Assure programme:

Vodafone notes that customers wont need to worry if they damage the screen on their Samsung Galaxy Note8, as Samsung will offer a free Screen Assure repair within the first 12 months of purchase. All customers need to do is register their device on the mySamsung App by 14 November and theyll be covered".

Of course, this is a one-time deal, so, as noted by me in an earlier article, make sure you buy a case! If you dont buy a case youre crazy! I dont care how careful you say you are, its like saying youre a good driver but failing to acknowledge that some moron can crash into you.

So avoid some idiot bumping into you and ruining your screen, and your day, and buy a case, so you can close the case of accidental screen damage and needing to spend any time away from your phone whatsoever.

Samsung has more detail on its Screen Assure programme here, but at the time of publication it wasnt live yet, giving me a The page you requested is not available message, although by morning when you read this I imagine it will all be fixed.

Heres more detail on Vodafones bonus credit and trade-in programme:

To receive full market value for a device, handsets must be in good working order The device may still be eligible for credit if it is damaged, but at a reduced amount.

Maximum of 1 bonus credit per customer.

All bonus credit and trade-in credit from devices traded in will be forfeited if a customer leaves Vodafone before their credit is applied and will not be given as cash.

Amaysims Note8 offer is here. At time of publication, only Amaysim and Vodafone have publicised their offers, presumably well see more from Telstra, Optus and others later today, or in the not-too-distant future.
Available for pre-order from 25 August, and on sale from 22 September, the 6.3-inch Infinity Display Note8 with a stylus throws every feature it can into the mix to fight off tghe iPhone, Pixel and everyone else for smartphone supremacy.

Seeking a definitive shot to getting atop the iron phone throne, Samsungs Galaxy Note8 (which Samsung insists on calling the Note8) offers virtually every feature possible to satisfy everyone save diehard iOS users and those wanting a physical kitchen sink.

UPDATE: You can read my thoughts on the Note8 launch event here, as well as the must-see full launch presentation itself. Original article continues below:

Billing it as the next level Note, Samsung says it is for people who want to do bigger things. Samsung talks up its bigger Infinity Display that fits comfortably in one hand, S Pen to communicate in more personal ways, and Samsungs best-ever smartphone camera1 to capture stunning photos".

D.J. Koh, Samsungs president of Mobile Communications Business, said: We appreciate the relentless passion of the Note community. Theyve been a constant inspiration to us and we designed the new Note for them. From the Infinity Display to the smarter S Pen and the most powerful Dual Camera, the Galaxy Note8 lets people do things they never thought were possible.

Now, unlike with previous Samsung launches over the past few years, Samsung isnt giving away a Gear VR headset this time to those who pre-order between 25 August and 21 September, but will instead give away a free Samsung Convertible Fast Wireless Charger (RRP $119), redeemable through Samsung".

Samsung will also provide peace of mind to Australian customers who order the Galaxy Note8 between 25 August and 31 October and register by 14 November, by offering free access to Samsungs Screen Assure programme. This will provide one free screen repair should the screen be damaged within the first 12 months of receiving the device".

Naturally, you are strongly advised to buy a case, because if you dropped your Note8 once and smashed the screen, and still dont put on a case, chances are very high youll do it again. To avoid disappointment, buy a case!

Garry McGregor, Samsung Australias director of IT and Mobile, said: The Galaxy Note8 builds on features that Samsung has pioneered across our flagship Galaxy devices including, infinity display, fast and wireless charging capabilities, biometric security, as well as the much-loved Note S Pen which provides a beautiful handwriting experience.

We believe innovation only becomes meaningful when it can create a purposeful outcome for our customers, which is why we always focus on improving the features that our customer love most while at the same time pioneering experiences that breaks new ground for our smartphone offering.

So, what else is Samsung stating about the features and benefits of the new Note8?

Well, despite the Note8 offering the biggest screen ever on a Note device, Samsung states its narrow body makes it comfortable to hold in one hand. The 6.3-inch screen is a Quad HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display that lets you see more and scroll less, with more room to watch, read and draw  making it the ultimate multitasking smartphone".

It does make me wonder whether Apple might finally allow its 2017 iPhones to work with Apple Pencil to fight back against the Notes stylus, but perhaps well just have to wait until a future year for that one to come true and through.

Theres also the issue of multitasking, something iOS only allows on iPads and not iPhones, whereas it is available on the Note 8, and has been for years as Multi Window. Samsung takes this one step further this year with the new App Pair feature that lets you create a custom pair of apps on the Edge panel and simultaneously launch two apps with ease".

The example given is of watching a video while messaging your friends or dialling into a conference call with the number and agenda in front of you".

Then theres the 'new way to communicate with the S Pen'.

If you thought the S Pen was all about writing, and communicating through writing, then youll be pleased to know Samsung says its enhanced S Pen unlocks entirely new ways to write, draw, and interact with the phone and communicate with friends. Were told that it has a finer tip, improved pressure sensitivity (compared to the Note 5 stylus), and features that enable users to express themselves in ways that no other stylus or smartphone ever has".

You see, when communicating with text just isnt enough, Samsung says Live Message allows you to reveal your unique personality and tell expressive stories. With the Galaxy Note8, you can now share animated texts or drawings across platforms that support animated GIFs (AGIF). Its a whole new way to communicate with the S Penadding lively and emotional connections that bring your messages to life".

Samsung also boasts its Always On Display allows Galaxy users to stay on top of their notifications without unlocking their phone, and that with the screen off memo feature, you can take up to one-hundred pages of notes as soon as you remove the S Pen, pin notes to the Always On Display and make edits directly from the Always On Display".

And, "for overseas travels or when you come across a website in a foreign language, the improved S Pen Translate feature lets you hover over text to quickly translate not only individual words, but entire sentences in up to 71 languages, and instantly convert units and foreign currencies".

Then theres one of the most important features of a modern smartphone today  its camera, with Samsung proudly boasting of 'better pictures with Galaxy Note8s best-in-class camera'.

Naturally, Samsung states the Note8 camera is its most powerful yet.

Were told the Galaxy Note8 is equipped with two 12MP rear cameras with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) on both the wide-angle lens and the telephoto lens, with OIS letting you capture sharper images".

But thats not all. For more advanced photo-taking, the Note8s Live Focus feature lets you control the depth of field by allowing you to adjust the bokeh effect in preview mode and after you take the photo, in what is clearly a response to the feature Apple launched in its 2016 iPhone 7 Plus.

Theres still more  with the new Dual Capture mode, both rear cameras take two pictures simultaneously and allow you to save both images; one close-up shot from the telephoto lens and one wide-angle shot that shows the entire background".

The wide-angle lens has a Dual Pixel sensor with rapid Auto Focus, so you can capture sharper, clearer shots even in low-light environments. The Galaxy Note8 is also equipped with an industry-leading 8MP Smart Auto Focus front-facing camera for sharp selfies and video chats".

Theres also a range of other features and benefits Samsung is talking up:

Water and dust resistance:

"Four years ago, Samsung introduced the first Galaxy device with water resistance. And today, you can take your Note almost anywhere you want with water and dust resistance (IP68) on the device and the S Pen. You can write even when the display is wet."

Fast wireless charging:

Two years ago, Samsung says it "introduced the first Galaxy device with wireless charging. The Galaxy Note 8 supports the most advanced wireless charging capabilities yet, so you can get a quick, convenient charge without having to mess around with ports or wires".

Security:

"The Galaxy Note8 offers a choice of biometric authentication options  including iris and fingerprint scanning. Samsung Knox provides defence-grade security at the hardware and software layers and with Secure Folder, keeps your personal and professional data separate."

Powerful performance:

"With 6GB RAM, a 10nm processor, and expandable memory (up to 256GB), you have the power you need to browse, stream, play games, and multitask."

Innovative mobile experiences:

"Samsung DeX enables a desktop experience, powered by your phone. You can keep your files on your device, conduct work on the go, and use Samsung DeX when you need an even bigger screen. The Galaxy Note8 includes Bixby, a smarter way to use your phone; it learns from you, improves over time, and helps you get more done."

Still need more convincing to drop $1499 on a Note8 or sign up to a phone contract to buy one?

Samsung also talks up these features:

Enhanced S Pen for business:

The S Pen lets professionals do what other smartphones cant, like discreetly taking notes in Screen off memo or quickly annotating documents and photos.

Non-contact authentication:

The Galaxy Note8 offers iris scanning for professionals  for example, professionals in the health care, construction, or public safety sectors who may find themselves in a position where they need to unlock their phones without having to swipe or scan a fingerprint.

Enhanced DeX capabilities:

The Galaxy Note 8 powers Samsung DeX for those who need to extend their simple mobile experience seamlessly to the desktop  whether theyre in the field, at the office or at home.

Samsungs continued commitment to Safety:

Samsung says it continues to uphold its commitment to lead the industry in battery safety. The Galaxy Note8s battery has undergone Samsungs 8-Point Battery Safety Check  the most rigorous in the industry.

We expect the Note9 will feature a nine-point battery safety check to make it match numerically and to go one better next year  well have to see what happens in 12 months time.

Sajeev Jesudas, president of UL International, said: We have been closely working with Samsung to make meaningful advancements in the science of smartphone quality and safety evaluation. As a result, the Galaxy Note8 has successfully completed a rigorous series of device and battery safety compatibility test protocols. We look forward to maintaining our strategic relationship with Samsung and helping ensure device safety for all consumers.

All you need to know from Samsung on the new Note8 is here. Specs are listed below.

McGregor had more to say, specifically:

The Note8 builds on generations of innovation, refinement and improvement that has come to define how Samsung delivers the ultimate smartphone experience for our customers. The Note8 is the most powerful and refined device we have ever launched. It has been designed to help our customers do more to support their lifestyle  across work and everyday life.

Through a combination of features synonymous with a Samsung Note device, like the S Pen and infinity display, the Note8 will give Australians the ability to do far more with their device. The Note8 has been designed to support the demands of our busy lifestyles, whether were coordinating work during the week, or managing our home life in between and over the weekend.

Samsung Note customers are among the most loyal we have, so were incredibly excited to introduce them to the most advanced smartphone Samsung has ever produced. By listening to our customers, rather than telling them what they want, weve created a device that refines much-loved features like the S Pen, IP68 water resistance, curved design, Infinity Display, but also introduces a range new features that will support the best Note experience we have ever offered.

We understand that the smartphone has become perhaps the most important piece of technology to support our lifestyles. That is why we have made such an immense investment in delivering a smartphone that combines a beautiful design and user experience, with the power and tools to help our customers do more throughout their day.

At time of publication, there's no word yet on when the new Note8 will get Android 8. Perhaps for next year, Samsung can work more closely with Google to ensure that the Note9 launches with Android 9, rather than being an OS version behind, out-of-the-box, on day one. That said, Samsung does have to work with the OS that's in production and ready to go, but it would be nice to see Google and Samsung work together to try and make this happen.

Samsung Galaxy Note8 product specs

Display

6.3-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED, 2960x1440 (521ppi)

Screen measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners

Default resolution is Full HD+ and can be changed to Quad HD+ (WQHD+) in Settings

Camera

Rear: Dual Camera with Dual OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation)

Wide-angle: 12MP Dual Pixel AF, F1.7, OIS

Telephoto: 12MP AF, F2.4, OIS

2X optical zoom, 10X digital zoom

Front: 8MP AF, F1.7

Body

162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm, 195g, IP68

(S Pen: 5.8 x 4.2 x 108.3mm, 2.8 g, IP68)

Carrying an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. Based on test conditions of submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes

AP (Application Processor)

Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad), 64bit, 10nm processor

Octa core (2.35GHz Quad + 1.9GHz Quad), 64bit, 10nm processor

May differ by market and mobile operator

Memory

6GB RAM (LPDDR4), 64GB/128GB/256GB

May differ by market and mobile operator

User memory is less than the total memory due to storage of the operating system and software used to operate the device features. Actual user memory will vary depending on the operator and may change after software upgrades are performed.

SIM Card

Single: one Nano SIM and one MicroSD slot (up to 256GB)

Hybrid: one Nano SIM and one Nano SIM or one MicroSD slot (up to 256GB)

May differ by market and mobile operator

Battery

3300mAh

Wireless Charging compatible with WPC and PMA

Fast Charging compatible with QC 2.0

OS

Android 7.1.1

Network

LTE Cat. 16

May differ by market and mobile operator

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM,

Bluetooth v 5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps), ANT+, USB Type-C, NFC, Location (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou)

Galileo and BeiDou coverage may be limited.

Payment

NFC, MST

Sensors

Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Heart Rate Sensor, Proximity Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, Iris Sensor, Pressure Sensor

Authentication

Lock Type: Pattern, Pin, Password

Biometric Lock Types: Iris Scanner, Fingerprint Scanner, Facial Recognition

Audio

MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DSF, DFF, APE

Video

MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM
Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Arthur Sinodinos at the Silicon Quantum Computing company launch

A company billed as Australias first hardware quantum computing company has been launched to advance the development and commercialisation of the University of New South Wales' quantum computing technology.

Working alongside the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T), the newly launched company, Silicon Quantum Computing, will operate from new laboratories within CQC2Ts UNSW headquarters.

The NSW Government is the latest partner to join the $83 million venture, pledging $8.7 million from its recently announced Quantum Computing Fund, with the commitment building on earlier investments from UNSW and its quantum computing researchers ($25 million), Commonwealth Bank ($14 million), Telstra ($10 million over two years) and the federal government ($25 million over five years) through its National Innovation and Science Agenda.

The new company is designed to drive the development and commercialisation of a 10-qubit quantum integrated circuit prototype in silicon by 2022 as the forerunner to a silicon-based quantum computer.

Board members of the company are Michelle Simmons, UNSW Professor of Physics; Hugh Bradlow, Telstras chief scientist; David Whiteing, CBAs chief information officer; and Glenys Beauchamp, secretary of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. The board will be chaired initially by corporate lawyer and company director Stephen Menzies.

Menzies said up to 40 staff were projected to be hired as a result of the new company, including 25 post-doctoral researchers, 12 PhD students, and lab technicians, with recruitment underway.

He hailed the three-way partnership between research, industry and government as a new direction for the commercialisation of Australian research.

The public-private venture establishing Silicon Quantum Computing is an important pilot scheme to develop a new pathway for commercialising leading Australian research.

It will maintain vital IP in Australia and develop a nascent quantum information ecosystem here in NSW.

A statement by the new company notes that the international push to build the first practical quantum computer has been referred to as the space race of the 21st century.

According to the company, CQC2T is home to an incredibly strong team of silicon quantum computing researchers being the only group in the world that can make atomically precise devices in silicon.

Led by Prof Simmons, the centres teams have produced the longest coherence time qubits in the solid state, the ability to optically address single dopant atoms in silicon, the lowest noise silicon devices and the first two qubit gate in silicon.

Prof Simmons said Australia had enormous strength in quantum information research.

Its an exciting time to invest in this new industry that will shape the 21st century. With Silicon Quantum Computing now incorporated, we are fully committed to developing a 10-qubit silicon prototype. We are open for business and open to further investment from interested partners.

The public-private venture establishing Silicon Quantum Computing seeks to develop a quantum information ecosystem here in Australia. It will involve leading scientists and engineers at UNSW and the University of Melbourne, which together with other institutions that are part of CQC2T will develop a scalable, error-corrected quantum computer in silicon.
Ericsson is celebrating Chinas first commercial deployment of Gigabit LTE with China Unicom, with Ericsson being the telcos strategic partner".

We are told that the Gigabit LTE network, upgraded by Ericsson, will not only provide China Unicom subscribers with the ultimate experience and enhance customer satisfaction, but it will also make full use of network resources and improve profitability".

Hao Liqian, general manager of China Unicoms Hainan branch, said: This remarkable achievement will fulfil our strategy to offer the most advanced services to individuals and enterprises on the China Unicom network.

Our launch ceremony today is important, innovative and fun, since were using virtual reality on a high-speed train over a high-speed network to prove the worthiness of this launch.

Part of the launch on 23 August saw passengers on the Hainan Island high-speed train able to watch the launch ceremony through LTE broadcast technology and the gigabit wireless network.

As China Unicom's strategic partner, Ericsson proudly boasts it is the exclusive provider of the LTE broadcast solution, which is China's first LTE broadcast commercial deployment".

Chris Houghton, head of Market Area North East Asia, Ericsson, said: Were literally putting the network into the hands of the subscribers on day one.

People will be able to immerse themselves in their video experience and not just understand, but feel, the difference with a gigabit LTE network while they are moving at very fast speeds. Its the perfect combination of thrilling speeds  physically and virtually.

Ericsson claimed its LTE broadcast solution would revolutionise video delivery in mobile networks enabled by the combination of three new standards: eMBMS, HEVC (H.265) and MPEG DASH and will address the growing consumer demand for media services".

To accelerate the development of China Unicoms video strategy, Ericsson supported China Unicom with eMBMS in the high-speed train scenario so that passengers could enjoy high-definition video without buffering on the network.

Recently, Ericsson noted that it supported China Unicom in setting up a 1Gbps network in Guangdong, Hainan, Shandong, and Beijing with peak speeds of up to 979Mbps".

With that speed, it takes just 13 seconds to download a 1080P high-definition movie. There are more on-going 1Gbps trials in Sichuan, Hubei, Shanxi, Jilin and Jiangsu province. A high-speed mobile broadband network will enable businesses and services using Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and other big data operations.

Ericsson reminds us that today, it is present in all high traffic LTE markets including US, Japan, and South Korea, and is ranked first for handling the most global LTE traffic. More than 270 LTE RAN and Evolved Packet Core networks have been delivered by Ericsson worldwide, of which 200 are live commercially".

Ericsson was boasting along with Telstra and Qualcomm of delivering Gigabit LTE in Australia back in late 2016, so for whatever reason, we werent important enough to be mentioned in the press release, but we have Gigabit LTE here, too.

Even Australia's NBN was boasting about its work with Ericsson on Gigabit LTE back in April, and Telstra was switching on its Gigabit LTE for real back in January this year, as iTWire reported at the time.

So, welcome to the party, China, glad you're finally here!
Office 365 and Microsoft 365 subscribers get more frequent software updates than those who have purchased Office without a subscription, which means subscribers have access to the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes. But it can be hard to keep track of the changes in each update and know when theyre available. Were doing this for you, so you dont have to.

Following are summaries of the updates to Office 365/Microsoft 365 for Windows, with the latest releases shown first. Well add info about new updates as theyre rolled out.

Note: This story covers updates released to regular Office 365/Microsoft 365 for Windows subscribers. If youre a member of Microsofts Office Insider preview program or want to get a sneak peek at upcoming features, see the companys Release notes for Office for Windows Desktop (Beta builds) page.

Version 2210 (Build 15726.20202)

Release date: November 8, 2022

This build fixes two bugs: One in Word in which when using Admin Managed Plugin and the Group Policy "Block all unmanaged add-ins," the registry key name was case-sensitive, and one in OneNote that affected scrolling with touch.

It also fixes a number of security holes. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2210 (Build 15726.20202).

Version 2210 (Build 15726.20174)

Release date: October 27, 2022

This build lets you link charts to Dynamic array calculations in Excel, which can produce results of variable length. When the array recalculates, the chart will automatically update to capture all data instead of being limited to a specific number of data points. The build also lets you create e-signature approvals containing signature fields within Teams.

It fixes a number of bugs, including one in Outlook that caused emails to get stuck in the outbox for some profiles with multiple Exchange accounts configured, and another in PowerPoint that caused problems when updating links when the linked file was already open.

Get more info about Version 2210 (Build 15726.20174).

Version 2209 (Build 15629.20208)

Release date: October 11, 2022

This build fixes a number of bugs, including one in Excel in which some content could have stopped working and not appear correctly after zooming with a touchpad, and another in Outlook that caused emails to get stuck in the outbox for some profiles with multiple Exchange accounts configured.

It also fixes a number of security holes in Word and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2209 (Build 15629.20208).

Version 2209 (Build 15629.20156)

Release date: September 26, 2022

This build adds several new features to Teams, including allowing meeting organizers to assign seats to participants in Together Mode, and the ability for people to see up to 49 videos (7x7) on their screen by default without any explicit action.

It also fixes a number of bugs, including one Outlook that caused users to experience a close unexpectedly when switching views in the calendar module, and another that crashed Outlook shortly after a boot.

Get more info about Version 2209 (Build 15629.20156).

Version 2208 (Build 15601.20148)

Release date: September 13, 2022

This build fixes a number of bugs, including one in Outlook that that caused the Customization Quick Access Toolbar file (.exportedUI) to not import when the simplified Ribbon is in use, and one in the entire Office suite that caused issues in Color Picker text selection scenarios with Shapes and SmartArt.

It also fixes a number of security holes in PowerPoint and Visio. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2208 (Build 15601.20148).

Version 2208 (Build 15601.20088)

Release date: August 31, 2022

This build introduces a variety of new features, including protecting PDFs created using Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, taking voice notes in OneNote, the addition of fourteen new text and array functions in Excel, and the ability to join Teams meeting by meeting ID and passcode from Teams rooms on Windows.

It also fixes a variety of bugs, including one in Access that caused memory leaks when iterating over DAO record sets in VBA code in Excel, one in Word in which you could not copy rows of a table from older versions in Version History to the current version, and one in which Outlook sometimes closed unexpectedly when right-clicking on an app in the new app bar.

Get more info about Version 2208 (Build 15601.20088).

Version 2207 (Build 15427.20210)

Release date: August 9, 2022

This build fixes a bug in Outlook, which would sometimes crash after being opened.

It also fixes a number of security holes in Excel, Outlook, and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2207 (Build 15427.20210).

Version 2207 (Build 15427.20194)

Release date: August 3, 2022

This build optimizes Excel recalculation on devices with constrained resources. On resource-constrained devices (two cores or less and eight gigabytes of RAM or less), Excel now by default makes recalculation more optimal by running calculations on a single thread.

In addition, Outlook gets a suggested replies feature that offers you three possible replies to simple messages. Word makes voice dictation easier.

A number of bugs were also fixed, including one in Excel in which cell references in charts were displaying incorrectly, and one in Word in which paste as link might not update automatically.

Get more info about Version 2207 (Build 15427.20194).

Version 2206 (Build 15330.20246)

Release date: July 18, 2022

This build fixes one bug in Access, in which when opening an ACCDE/MDE file, users may receive an error message with the text Requested type library or wizard is not a VBA project. Go here for more details.

Get more info about Version 2206 (Build 15330.20264).

Version 2206 (Build 15330.20246)

Release date: July 12, 2022

This build fixes one bug, in which Excel closed unexpectedly when interacting with fonts.

It also fixes a Windows Graphics Component Information Disclosure Vulnerability and a Microsoft Office Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability, both for the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2206 (Build 15330.20246).

Version 2206 (Build 15330.20230)

Release date: July 6, 2022

This build fixes a variety of bugs, including one in which Excel crashed when showing a live preview of a chart, one that caused OneNote to crash, one in Outlook in which users could not add room mailboxes to the calendar, and one in Word in which nested fields in headers displayed incorrectly while scrolling.

Get more info about Version 2206 (Build 15330.20230).

Version 2206 (Build 15330.20196)

Release date: June 29, 2022

This build introduces new Excel features such as the ability to quickly copy data from the status bar, including information from aggregations like "Sum," "Average," and "Count." It also lets you find data more quickly in Excel by speeding up the AutoFilter function. In PowerPoint, you can now anchor comments to specific ranges of text.

The build also fixes a wide variety of bugs, including one in Excel in which shared workbooks in .xls format improperly merged changes, one in Outlook in which users were not able to add room mailboxes to the calendar, and one in Word in which nested fields in headers displayed incorrectly while scrolling.

Get more info about Version 2206 (Build 15330.20196).

Version 2205 (Build 15225.20288)

Release date: June 14, 2022

This build fixes several bugs, including one in Word in which while coauthoring, some replies to comments werent shown until the next time a document was opened, and one in Outlook that caused users to see multiple copies of a shared calendar rendered in certain circumstances.

It also fixes a remote code execution vulnerability security for the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2205 (Build 15225.20288).

Version 2205 (Build 15225.20204)

Release date: May 24, 2022

This build offers new automatic groupings in Teams as suggestions to use in channel posts. For example, you can @TeamOwners in a channel posting and all Team Owners will be notified. It also fixes several bugs, including one in Excel in which the letter j was not being properly inserted, one in Outlook that caused users to see the error Cannot perform the requested operation... when attempting to expand a local contact group, and one in which the entire Office suite crashed when rendering code.

Get more info about Version 2205 (Build 15225.20204).

Version 2204 (Build 15128.20248)

Release date: May 17, 2022

This build fixes several bugs, including one in Outlook that caused users to see the error Cannot perform the requested operation... when attempting to expand a local contact group; one in Word in which the Office Insert Screenshot showed blank/incomplete screenshots for Office Apps; and one in the entire Office suite in which font download requests for endpoints that dont support font service were being issued.

Get more info about Version 2204 (Build 15128.20248).

Version 2204 (Build 15128.20224)

Release date: May 10, 2022

This build fixes several bugs, including one that caused Excel to consume excessive memory, one in Word in which in which a document scrolled to the end after deleting a paragraph mark, and an issue with rendering in Excel and Project when using certain older versions of Windows 11.

It also offers a security update for Excel and one for the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2204 (Build 15128.20224).

Version 2204 (Build 15128.20178)

Release date: April 26, 2022

This build reduces unwanted fragmenting of conditional formatting rules in Excel, and also improves Power BI dataset request access from Excel.

It also fixes several bugs, including one in Access that that prevented Outlook event-based add-ins from functioning properly, one that caused Outlook to close unexpectedly during launch when connected to a OneDrive for Business endpoint with no service URL, and one for the entire Office suite in which the font drop-down would not accurately reflect what font was selected in a shape.

Get more info about Version 2204 (Build 15128.20178).

Version 2203 (Build 15028.20228)

Release date: April 20, 2022

This build fixes three bugs, one in Access that prevented Outlook Event-Based Add-Ins from functioning properly, one in Outlook that caused EU users to see information missing from person cards, and another in Outlook that caused users to experience a stop responding when responding to certain contacts.

(Get more info about Version 2203 (Build 15028.20228).

Version 2203 (Build 15028.20204)

Release date: April 12, 2022

This build fixes several bugs, including one in Outlook in which the Move to Other functionality stopped working properly, and another for the entire Office suite in which the font drop-down would not accurately reflect what font was selected in a shape.

It also offers security updates for Excel. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2203 (Build 15028.20204).

Version 2203 (Build 15028.20160)

Release date: March 30, 2022

This build introduces one new feature, a navigation pane for Excel that lets you see the layout of your workbook at a glance and navigate through its elements quickly. The build also fixes a wide variety of bugs, including one in Excel in which using custom command bars could cause Excel to crash, one in Outlook that caused the "Index out of date" message to display too often, one in Word that caused a performance issue when opening Word documents with thousands of track changes, and one for the entire Office suite that caused contact cards to display improperly

Get more info about Version 2203 (Build 15028.20160).

Version 2202 (Build 14931.20132)

Release date: March 8, 2022

This build fixes several bugs, including one in Outlook that caused users to experience performance issues when switching folders due to a corrupt view setting. It also offers security updates for Visio and Word. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2202 (Build 14931.20132).

Version 2202 (Build 14931.20120)

Release date: February 28, 2022

This build offers a wide variety of new features, including one in Excel that disables Excel 4.0 (XML) macros by default to improve security; one in Word that lets you proofread selected text with Editor; one in Outlook that lets you visualize and explore your companys internal structure, work teams, and individual roles; and one on PowerPoint that lets you pre-record video with animation. It also has many new Teams features, including enabling Teams app developers to test their monetized apps within Teams clients, and the addition of a new compact view in Chat.

Many bugs were also fixed, including one in Outlook in which the folder hierarchy did not synchronize all folders for very large primary mailboxes with more than 100,00 folders, and another in Word in which SVG images that contain external content werent showing up.

Get more info about Version 2202 (Build 14931.20120).

Version 2201 (Build 14827.20198)

Release date: February 16, 2022

This build fixes a single bug in Access that caused errors while running an application.

Get more info about Version 2201 (Build 14827.20198).

Version 2201 (Build 14827.20192)

Release date: February 8, 2022

This build fixes several bugs, including one in which people could not save their files in Project. It also offers security updates for Excel, Visio, and the entire Office suite. For details, see the Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2201 (Build 14827.20192).

Version 2201 (Build 14827.20158)

Release date: January 26, 2022

This build includes a variety of feature updates, including easier scrolling through Excel spreadsheets that are large or that have very wide cells, new Cortana features for Teams, and an improved address book search in Outlook.

A number of bugs were fixed, including one in Outlook that caused applications to become unresponsive after loading a contact card, one in Word in which Repeat style applies Normal instead of repeating the style, and another in Access that caused the Insights add-in to stop working intermittently.

Get more info about Version 2201 (Build 14827.20158).

Version 2112 (Build 14729.20260)

Release date: January 12, 2022

This build includes a variety of bugs and performance fixes.

Get more info about Version 2112 (Build 14729.20260).

Version 2112 (Build 14729.20248)

Release date: January 11, 2022

This build fixes a bug in Excel in which shapes and form controls could not call VBA macros. It also offers security updates for two Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2112 (Build 14729.20248).

Version 2112 (Build 14729.20194)

Release date: January 4, 2022

This build offers a variety of new features, including the ability to track only your own changes in Word when collaborating, an improved way to search Outlooks calendar, and several new features in Teams, including one that lets you raise your hand virtually to let people know you want to contribute without interrupting the conversation.

It also fixes a variety of bugs, including one in Access that that caused an application to close unexpectedly when connection to an Access or Jet database using multiple threads, and one in Outlook that caused users to see garbled text in some fields when exporting contacts to a CSV.

Get more info about Version 2112 (Build 14729.20194).

Version 2111 (Build 14701.20262)

Release date: December 16, 2021

This build fixes two bugs, one in Access that prevented multiple users from opening a database on a network file share, and for the entire Office suite related to refreshing elements that may contain text.

Get more info about Version 2111 (Build 14701.20262).

Version 2111 (Build 14701.20248)

Release date: December 14, 2021

This build fixes a variety of bugs, including one in Excel in which opening an XLSM file in the SpreedsheetCompare tool sometimes caused the tool to stop responding, and one in which the teaching callouts (tips) about the new look of Office did not appear in Outlook.

It also offers security updates for Excel and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2111 (Build 14701.20248).

Version 2111 (Build 14701.20226)

Release date: December 3, 2021

This build fixes a wide variety of bugs, including one in Excel in which newly created PivotTables could lose custom settings if the data source range was changed; another in PowerPoint and Word in which some pop-up UI elements could not be clicked, such as the Join Meeting pop-up in Outlook or the Welcome Back pop-up in PowerPoint; and another in Project in which some projects would close unexpectedly when loading customized reports.

Get more info about Version 2111 (Build 14701.20226).

Version 2110 (Build 14527.20312)

Release date: December 1, 2021

This build fixes several bugs, including one that wouldnt allow people to insert their signatures into new emails, replies, or forwards after a restart of Outlook, and another in which the theme picker in Word's File > Options menu for x64 users didnt work.

Get more info about Version 2110 (Build 14527.20312).

Version 2110 (Build 14527.20276)

Release date: November 9, 2021

This build fixes a variety of bugs, including one in Excel in which when opening linked tables to Dynamics, numbers may appear as small squares when the data is displayed, and one in Project in which when tasks are rescheduled, manually scheduled tasks may be scheduled earlier than they should be. It also offers security updates for Excel, Word, and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2110 (Build 14527.20276).

Version 2110 (Build 14527.20234)

Release date: October 28, 2021

This build fixes several small bugs, including one in Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word in which each app stopped responding when drawing an image.

Get more info about Version 2110 (Build 14527.20234).

Version 2110 (Build 14527.20226)

Release date: October 25, 2021

This build includes a wide variety of new features, including several dozen in Teams, ranging from making Live Transcript available for web users of Teams meetings, a new Question & Answer application for Teams webinars & meetings, and allowing people to join meetings in other clouds anonymously from the Teams desktop app.

Several Office bugs were also fixed, including one in Excel in which a query update caused Excel to stop responding, and one in Outlook that caused a sync failure to occur when generating a preview.

Get more info about Version 2110 (Build 14527.20226).

Version 2109 (Build 14430.20306)

Release date: October 14, 2021

This build offers a variety of unnamed bug fixes and performance fixes.

Get more info about Version 2109 (Build 14430.20306).

Version 2109 (Build 14430.20298)

Release date: October 12, 2021

This build offers security updates for Excel, Visio, Word, and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2109 (Build 14430.20298).

Version 2109 (Build 14430.20270)

Release date: October 6, 2021

This build fixes a bug in Outlook that caused some users to experience a stop responding when attempting to retrieve AutoDiscover settings.

Get more info about Version 2109 (Build 14430.20270).

Version 2109 (Build 14430.20234)

Release date: September 28, 2021

This build introduces more than a dozen new Teams features, including one in which you can now define a default number of days to keep Teams meeting recordings saved to OneDrive and SharePoint before they are automatically deleted, and the introduction of the Network Planner for government clouds to help you determine and organize network requirements for connecting Microsoft Teams users across an organization.

It also fixes a wide variety of bugs, including one in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint in which some users could not export documents to PDF or XPS formats, and another in Word in which the insert online video button was disabled.

Get more info about Version 2109 (Build 14430.20234).

Version 2108 (Build 14326.20404)

Release date: September 14, 2021

This build fixes a single small bug and includes security updates. The bug fixed is one that caused a loss of HTML formatting when a draft of an email was saved to disk.

The security updates are for Access, Excel, Visio, Word, and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2108 (Build 14326.20404).

Version 2108 (Build 14326.20348)

Release date: September 7, 2021

This build fixes several bugs, including one in Excel in which not all columns appeared when linking to or importing from a Dynamics table, one in Outlook that that caused Room Finder to fail to load, and one in Word in which the print preview was not loading when using Print.

Get more info about Version 2108 (Build 14326.20348).

Version 2108 (Build 14326.20238)

Release date: August 25, 2021

This build introduces many new features for Microsoft Teams, including the ability for meeting participants to transfer calls between desktop and mobile, a top hits section added to the top of search autosuggestions, and live captions being made available to users accessing Teams meetings via the web.

The build also fixes a wide variety of bugs, including one in which connecting to a data source from within the PowerPivot window in Excel was not working, one that crashed Outlook while email was being composed, one in Word in which the Insert Online Video button was disabled, and one for the entire Office suite in which some documents failed to load after using some web add-ins.

Get more info about Version 2108 (Build 14326.20238).

Version 2107 (Build 14228.20250)

Release date: August 10, 2021

This build fixes a variety of small bugs and includes security updates. Among the bugs fixed are one in Excel that caused some linked Dynamics tables to stop responding and one in multiple Office apps in which document exports to PDF or XPS formats stopped responding due to recent updates.

The security updates are for Word and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2107 (Build 14228.20250).

Version 2107 (Build 14228.20226)

Release date: August 3, 2021

This build fixes two bugs in Outlook. One caused emails resent by a different user to appear to have been sent by the original sender in organizations that enable Send From Alias. The other caused users to see duplicate time entries in the end meeting time drop-down when the start of the meeting and the end of the meeting were on different dates.

Get more info about Version 2107 (Build 14228.20226).

Version 2107 (Build 14228.20204)

Release date: July 26, 2021

This build offers several minor new features and fixes a variety of bugs. Among the new features are one in which you can use the Immersive Reader in Outlook to create custom text spacing, page colors, column width, and line focus, and another in PowerPoint adds Flipgrid video support.

Among the bugs fixed are one Word in which comment cards next to the Word canvas were the incorrect size, and one in which Outlook crashed for some people when performing searches.

Get more info about Version 2107 (Build 14228.20204).

Version 2106 (Build 14131.20332)

Release date: July 20, 2021

This build fixes several small bugs in Outlook, including one that caused some users to experience an unexpected close when Outlook was collecting diagnostic information, and another that caused Cloud Settings users to experience an unexpected close when an incompletely configured account was present in the profile.

Get more info about Version 2106 (Build 14131.20332).

Version 2106 (Build 14131.20320)

Release date: July 13, 2021

This build fixes a variety of small bugs and includes security updates. Among the bugs fixed are one in Outlook that caused some systems to crash while retrieving service-powered search suggestions, and one for the entire Office suite related to instability during DirectX device loss and recovery situations.

The security updates are for Excel, Word, and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2106 (Build 14131.20320).

Version 2106 (Build 14131.20278)

Release date: June 29, 2021

This build introduces several new minor features for Outlook, including one that includes the most relevant files related to your search when you type in the Search box, and another alerts you if any suspicious sign-in activity is detected and tells you when and where you last signed into your account.

It also fixes a variety of small bugs, including one in Outlook that disabled translation options for some people, and one in PowerPoint in which people couldnt to enter credentials into a Windows Security dialog to open a file, because a PowerPoint dialog box obstructed it.

Get more info about Version 2106 (Build 14131.20278).

Version 2105 (Build 14026.20308)

Release date: June 18, 2021

This build fixes several small bugs, including one in Outlook that caused users to experience an unexpected property change prompt when closing a message they had replied to or forwarded, and other for the entire Office suite in which Office crashed when reopening certain files.

Get more info about Version 2105 (Build 14026.20308).

Version 2105 (Build 14026.20270)

Release date: June 8, 2021

This build fixes a variety of small bugs and includes security updates. Among the bugs fixed are one in Excel in which extra entries appeared in the Excel Add-in list for some users, one in Outlook that caused it to close when interacting with Outlook Mail or Calendar Views, and one for the entire Office suite that caused a performance regression on opening SyncBacked files.

The security updates are for Access, Excel, Outlook, and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2105 (Build 14026.20270).

Version 2105 (Build 14026.20246)

Release date: May 24, 2021

This build includes nearly two dozen new features in Teams: anonymous users can join a Live Event so that they can present during the event, webinars can be scheduled and delivered for up to 1,000 people at a time, and users can create group chats that include people external to their organization who use Teams.

Word, Excel and PowerPoint now allow documents encrypted with sensitivity labels to be AutoSaved and co-authored with others in real time. (Unencrypted documents have this feature already.)

There are also a wide variety of resolved issues, including fixing a bug in Word in which the Editor Pane didnt open, and one in PowerPoint in which the Reuse Slides option was not available for some users.

Get more info about Version 2105 (Build 14026.20246).

Version 2104 (Build 13929.20386)

Release date: May 18, 2021

This build fixes two issues with Outlook, one that caused the people picker in Outlook to expand upward rather than downward for users with a perpetual license, and another that caused the feedback option to fail to appear for users of the Office Perpetual 2021 preview.

Get more info about Version 2104 (Build 13929.20386).

Version 2104 (Build 13929.20372)

Release date: May 11, 2021

This build fixes a variety of small bugs and includes security updates. Among the bugs fixed are one in which a major version build rollback could result in crashes when opening files in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and one that caused Word to unexpectedly close when the user logged off or restarted their computer.

The security updates are for Access, Excel, Word, and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2104 (Build 13929.20372).

Version 2104 (Build 13929.20296)

Release date: April 29, 2021

This build offers a variety of feature updates, including the addition of new linked data types in Excel, improved collaboration and a dark mode in Word, a set of ready-made graphics in Visio, and the ability to create an out-of-office message in Teams.

There are also a variety of bug fixes, including for one in Excel in which some automation add-ins for Excel couldnt load, another in Excel that caused users to see signatures disappear unexpectedly, one in Project in which users were unable to remove projects from the resource pool, and one in Word in which some texts werent visible when using the dark mode theme in reading mode.

Get more info about Version 2104 (Build 13929.20296).

Version 2103 (Build 13901.20400)

Release date: April 13, 2021

This build fixes several small bugs throughout Office and includes security updates. Among the bugs fixed are ones in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word that caused a resource contention issue when drawing an image.

The security updates are for Excel, Outlook, Word, and the entire Office suite. For details, see Microsofts Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2103 (Build 13901.20400).

Version 2103 (Build 13901.20336)

Release date: April 2, 2021

This build fixes a bug in Outlook in which a component of Outlook used by MAPI-enabled applications on computers with ARM processors caused searches to fail or put extra load on the computer as background apps restarted repeatedly.

Get more info about Version 2103 (Build 13901.20336).

Version 2103 (Build 13901.20312)

Release date: March 30, 2021

This build offers several new features, including getting meeting suggestions when you search for someone in Outlook; being able to send a copy of email messages or conversations, including attachments, from Outlook into Teams chats and channels; and drafting documents with your voice in Word.

In addition, a number of bugs were resolved, including fixing an issue that crashed Outlook when it was syncing folder hierarchy changes, and fixing a bug in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word in which disabled commands in the Office Ribbon would only have the icon grayed out but not the text in Dark Gray Office Theme.

Get more info about Version 2103 (Build 13901.20312).

Version 2102 (Build 13801.20360)

Release date: March 18, 2021

This build fixes several bugs, including one in Outlook that caused users of the Cloud Settings feature to see customized settings overridden by default setting after configuring Outlook on a new device, and one in Word in which typing at the end of a hidden paragraph cased Word to hang.

Get more info about Version 2102 (Build 13801.20360).

Version 2102 (Build 13801.20294)

Release date: March 9, 2021

This build fixes several small bugs with Outlook and includes security updates. Among the bugs fixed are one that in which newly added calendars didnt appear in the navigation pane until after Outlook had been restarted, and one in Word in which Narrator skipped over paragraphs.

The security updates are for Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and the entire Office suite. For details, see Release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2102 (Build 13801.20294).

Version 2102 (Build 13801.20266)

Release date: March 1, 2021

This build introduces a number of new features. In Excel, you can now unhide multiple sheets at a time, and you can also resize Conditional Formatting dialogs. Outlook gets an updated Contacts view list. Teams lets you send reactions to others during meetings. In addition, you can add a channel to a calendar tab. Excel, PowerPoint, and Word now require that users apply sensitivity labels to documents if their organizations policy requires it.

The build also fixes a number of issues. In Excel, an issue was fixed that prevented users from exporting an Excel workbook to PDF. In Outlook, an issue was fixed that caused users to see duplicate calendar groups appearing after creating a new group. In Word, an issue was fixed in resolving conflicts while in coauthoring.

Get more info about Version 2102 (Build 13801.20266).

Version 2101 (Build 13628.20448)

Release date: February 16, 2021

This build fixes several bugs, including one in which Outlook sometimes closed unexpectedly when users were doing a search, and another in Outlook that caused mails to be sent as digitally signed after the user unchecked that option.

It also fixes two bugs for the entire Office suite, including one related to media controller event notifications and another related to media player engine timing.

Get more info about Version 2101 (Build 13628.20448).

Version 2101 (Build 13628.20380)

Release date: February 9, 2021

This build fixes several issues with Outlook and includes security updates for Excel. Among the Outlook bugs fixed are one that caused Cloud Settings users to experience a hang when updating settings, and another that caused issues with displaying the correct default signature in OWA.

The security updates fixed three Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities. For details, see the release notes for Microsoft Office security updates.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2101 (Build 13628.20380).

Version 2101 (Build 13628.20274)

Release date: January 26, 2021

This build offers a variety of new features, including allowing government customers to apply sensitivity labels to documents and emails in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word. It also automatically sends audit data about that sensitivity labeling to Microsoft 365 administrators. Additionally, in Outlook, you can now delete conversations based on message owners.

There are also a variety of bug fixes, including for a bug in which Excel would fail to launch or close unexpectedly if certain Windows Security exploit protection settings (SimExec, CallerCheck) were in use, another in which Outlook closed unexpectedly in certain search scenarios, and another in Project in which borders weren't showing up for tasks in the Team Planner view.

Get more info about Version 2101 (Build 13628.20274).

Version 2012 (Build 13530.20440)

Release date: January 21, 2021

This build fixes a handful of bugs, including one in Outlook that caused users that have Shared or Delegated Mailboxes with large hierarchies in their profile to encounter hangs, and other that caused Outlook to close unexpectedly in certain search scenarios.

Get more info about Version 2012 (Build 13530.20440).

Version 2012 (Build 13530.20376)

Release date: January 12, 2021

This build fixes two bugs, one in which Excel would fail to launch or close unexpectedly if certain Windows Security exploit protection settings (SimExec, CallerCheck) were in use, and another in Outlook that that caused an edited signature to fail to save after prompting the user to do so.

There are also a variety of security fixes for Excel, Word, and the entire Office suite.

What IT needs to know: Because this is a security update, it should be applied relatively soon. Over the next few weeks, check for reports about problematic issues, and if all seems well, apply the update.

Get more info about Version 2012 (Build 13530.20376).

Version 2012 (Build 13530.20316)

Release date: January 5, 2021

This build lets you change your Outlook settings in the cloud, such as for Automatic Replies, Focused Inbox, and Privacy, and have them available on all of your PCs. PowerPoint gets a new feature called Presenter Coach that helps you helps you prepare to give more effective presentations.

There are also a variety of bug fixes, including for a bug in Outlook that that caused some people to encounter a hang while loading their calendar, and another in PowerPoint in which fonts didnt properly display inside equations.

Get more info about Version 2012 (Build 13530.20316).
The builders of the Brave browser are trying to put a price on online users' attention with blockchain-based tokens that will be traded between publishers, advertisers and those willing to view ads.

The project, dubbed "Basic Attention Token" (BAT), will offer a substitute for traditional display advertising, claims Brave Software, the browser's maker as well as the force behind BAT.

"Digital advertising is broken," argued the BAT team on its website. "It is a market filled with middlemen and fraudsters, hurting users, publishers and advertisers." Brave aims to change all that with a new ad ecosystem that relies on trading of digital tokens.

"Advertisers will give publishers BATs based on the measured attention of users," the BAT team argued. "Users will also receive some BATs for participating. They can donate them back to publishers or use them on the platform."

Brave and BAT can make this pitch because the online advertising industry, and the sites that rely on ads for operating revenue, have come under pressure from ad-blocking technology, whether added to or baked into browsers, that means to scrub some or all ads from the web.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

Brave scrubs sites of ads

Brave is a niche browser that before BAT was known for two things: First, development was led by Brendan Eich, creator of JavaScript, co-founder of Mozilla, and for an 11-day stint in 2014, Mozilla's CEO. Second, Brave's business model relied on blocking all ads, as well as ad trackers, shown by website publishers.

The latter got Brave the most attention when it debuted in January 2016. Brave's business model relied on scrubbing websites of ads and ad tracking, then replacing those ads with its own. The latter would be aimed not at individuals but at the anonymous aggregate of the browser's user base. If enough people gravitated to the browser, Brave said it would share its ad revenue with users and content publishers.

Brave's strategy raised hackles amongst publishers. Several filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in May 2016, alleging that Brave and others violated federal law prohibiting deceptive practices and those barring unfair competition. The newspapers objected to the idea that a micro-payment system -- like the scheme that Brave first floated, dubbed "Brave Payments" -- was a suitable replacement for existing ad revenue.

Brave Payments operated with the Bitcoin digital currency, and during a preview last year, were funded by users. Website publishers were to be paid from users' virtual wallets, and Brave was to take a 5% cut of each wallet.

BAT, however, will supplant that system this year, Brave said, in its roadmap for 2017 and beyond.

Attention! Attention!

BAT's foundation will be user attention, or put another way, time spent viewing ads and content. "The purpose of the token is to attribute value to attention," Brave said in a June post to its blog.

Brave users who opt in to receiving ads will be rewarded with BATs, which are recorded and tracked by a ledger baked into the browser. It's unclear what metrics Brave will use to determine attention, but the company put forward a pair of possibilities in an online explainer: "The number of total views of advertising content for a certain number of seconds. Or, points assigned on the length of a view," Brave said.

Any measurement will be limited to the active tab, so ads in an open-but-in-the-background tab won't count toward a user's BAT allotment. Although those tabs - and any ads under Brave's model - would have been viewed when the tabs were originally opened (triggering the more traditional metrics of a "page view" and a "visit"), they would garner little credit with Brave and BAT.

Buddy, can you spare a token?

Brave described BAT as a "digital ad exchange" in a technical white paper. Tokens will be part of that, since they are exchanged between advertisers, publishers and users.

In BAT, advertisers acquire tokens -- Brave says little about this step, but the tokens will almost certainly be purchased, perhaps with Bitcoin -- and then package the tokens with ads. The token + ad combination is locked until a user views the ad, at which point the token is unlocked, a small part of its value is stored in the user's digital wallet and the rest is forwarded to the publisher whose website ran the ad.

Users may pass on their tokens or token shares to publishers they designate, as a way to support selected sites. Alternately, users may retain the tokens they earn, then exchange them with website publishers for, say, premium content, just as some now pony up money to access content behind a pay wall.

Micro-payments like this have long been suggested as an alternate to funding-through-advertising, but have made virtually no impression on users or the Internet in general. Pay-for-content has gotten more traction, but that, too, has been a difficult row to hoe, with only a few publishers, albeit more individual commentators, able to operate on subscription revenue.

How much is a BAT worth?

At the end of May, Brave sold 1 billion BATs to a group of investors, raising about $35 million. It's unclear what those tokens will be used for, although it's possible that the buyers may later sell them to advertisers interested in trying out the Brave-BAT system.

As of June 1, the day after the sale of the billion tokens, each BAT was worth approximately 16 cents. Since then, the value fell as low as 8 cents, but then climbed. As of yesterday, Aug. 21, a BAT was worth 18 cents.

How that translates into revenue for publishers and BATs in Brave users' digital wallets is unclear.

Along with the 1 billion BATs Brave sold, it set aside another 500 million BATs: 200 million are reserved for Brave Software, while the remaining 300 million are to be used for what the firm called the "User Growth Pool", or UGP, as a way "to incentivize users to join the platform." According to the BAT roadmap, those grants are to be made in the second stage, plotted for fall of this year and the winter of 2018.

"We anticipate that when users download the Brave browser they will be rewarded with tokens," Brave asserted in its white paper. "The final number is not yet determined. Potentially, this could prompt tens of millions of users to join."

BAT out of hell?

Brave Software has repeatedly dissed the current advertising model as filled with parasitic interlopers that pocket money destined for publishers and hijack users' privacy. "The typical publisher faces both a shrinking market for the ad-blocker-free attention, and a shrinking slice of the advertising revenue pie due to the multitude of third-party players who act as economic middlemen in the transaction," Brave argued in its white paper.

Under its model, Brave would be the sole "middleman" - an irony that the company does not dwell on - but people would be smart not to dismiss niche players like Eich's outfit.

"Smaller browsers have a place in the introduction of ideas," Lizzy Foo Kune, principal research analyst at Gartner, said in a recent interview. "The smaller browsers were the impetus to the ad- and tracker-blocking conversation. That was how this all got started in the first place."

True.

While Brave may have been the first browser to natively block all online ads, others will follow, Foo Kune predicted. "If we look at the way things have been going, it's a fair assumption that the next step will be the browsers themselves, including the big browsers doing it," she said.

In fact, Google will introduce an ad-blocker into Chrome later this year, while Apple will include an anti-tracking feature in the next version of Safari for macOS next month.
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Maan News Agency |  

BETHLEHEM (Maan)  The Israeli government defended the legality of the outpost Regularization law at the Israeli Supreme Court on Monday, and said that the expropriation of Palestinian-owned land would benefit Palestinians because they would receive financial compensation for it, reportedly describing Palestinian laws prohibiting the sale of land to Israelis as racist.

The hearing came in response to two petitions filed by human rights groups to the court demanding to strike down the law, which would pave the way for the retroactive legalization of dozens of illegal Israeli settler outposts.

The Regularization law, passed by the Israeli parliament in February, states that any settlements built in the occupied West Bank in good faith  without knowledge that the land upon which it was built was privately owned by Palestinians  could be officially recognized by Israel pending minimal proof of governmental support in its establishment and some form of compensation to the Palestinian landowners.

Israeli NGO Peace Now said in a statement on Monday that in response to the petitions  one of which was submitted by Peace Now and fellow rights groups Yesh Din and ACRI  the government justified the law by saying that the Palestinian landowners would receive monetary compensation.

The government even went as far as to claim that the Palestinian landowners whose land was stolen by Israeli citizens actually benefit from the law, since they actually want to sell their lands, but cant do so due to Palestinian laws, Peace Now said, adding that the response also claimed that the illegal settlements in the West Bank are a national interest that justifies confiscation of private lands.

Israel also claimed that Palestinian laws that prohibit selling land to Israelis were racist, ACRI said in a statement.

According to ACRI, the Israeli states response argued that the parliament, or Knesset, can impose law in the occupied territory to address problems faced by Israelis and that settlers were considered a local population.

The state of Israel responded to arguments that imposing laws in the occupied territory was unjustified, due to the fact that Palestinians in the West Bank cannot vote for the Knesset, saying the issue was irrelevant, since Palestinians also do not vote for the Military Commander who is enacting laws in the West Bank, ACRI reported.

The rights groups had argued in the petition that the law was not just a contravention of international law but unconstitutional for Israel, as it clearly violates the basic law: human dignity and liberty, while forcing authorities to expropriate rights of land ownership and usage from Palestinians for an unlimited time period.

The government attempts to present Israeli citizens, who are directly involved in land theft of Palestinians, as deserving a reward for their participation in the thievery, the Peace Now said.

Additionally, the law violates international humanitarian law, the laws of occupation and other international conventions signed by Israel, which oblige the state of Israel to protect the rights of residents of the occupied territory and forbid the expropriation of their property for any use by an immediate security need, the petitioners said.

Up until today, Israeli laws in the West Bank applied only to Israeli citizens on a personal basis. Passing the law is a clear act of applying sovereignty and thereby it is an act of illegal annexation.

ACRI wrote that the Israeli states response completely ignores the extent of the continuous unlawful violations of rights of Palestinian landowners caused by illegal takeovers of their land for settlement purposes. It expresses Israeli policies to retroactively legalize illegal Israeli construction in the West Bank in contravention to Israeli law as well as International Humanitarian Law, while rewarding the perpetrators who had illegally taken over land not belonging to them.

Since the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 1967, between 500,000 and 600,000 Israelis have moved into Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, in violation of international law.

The estimated 196 government recognized Israeli settlements scattered across the Palestinian territory are all considered illegal under international law.

While members of the international community have rested the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the discontinuation of illegal Israeli settlements and the establishment of a two-state solution, Israeli leaders have instead shifted further to the right, with more than 50 percent of the ministers in the current Israeli government publicly stating their opposition to a Palestinian state.

Via Maan News Agency



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Andadolu Agency from 3 weeks ago: Israeli settlers occupy Palestinians house
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

After another Stockholm Syndrome performance, on Afghanistan, where he gave the speech National Security Adviser H. R. McMaster wrote for him, Trump on Tuesday returned to form at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona.

It was a week and a half after Trump discredited himself with two-thirds of the public by saying that the Nazi/Klan invasion of Charlottesville was a problem with many sides. It was a week after he said that there were very fine people among the invaders, who killed one young woman, beat a young black man to within an inch of his life, put at least 19 other people in the hospital, and menaced a synagogue and churches.

Despite having upset so much of the country by defending racists and equating them with civic-minded protesters, Trump insisted on going to Phoenix to push his anti-immigrant agenda. In a long, rambling speech full of falsehoods, Trump again equated immigrants with criminals and blamed them for joblessness among whites.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets peacefully to condemn Trumps comments on Charlottesville. Over 50 people had to be treated for heat-related health problems in the 106 degrees F. weather. In the evening, the police abruptly unleashed tear gas on the crowd, dispersing what was left of it.

Trump again asserted incorrectly that his administration had passed a record amount of legislation. He said he had won Arizona by a lot. He won by a low 3.5% (Bush won over Kerry in 2004 in Arizona with a 10.5% margin). His supporters keep saying he is responsible for 1 million jobs added to the economy since January (it is actually a little over 600,000), neglecting to note that that is the smallest number for the first two quarters of any recent year.

If Barack Obama was sardonically referred to as the nations Magical Negro (Spike Lees term for a stock character in American cinema such as in The Green Mile or Bagger Vance), Trump is the magical WASP, the billionaire with the golden touch, who will make every other white person rich by his special superpowers, who can fail to pass any significant legislation but boast that he outdid Truman and Johnson, and who can fail to achieve a budget bill but conjure a wall out of mere racial hatred to keep Mexicans out. Why, Mike Pence even alleged that ISIL was running away from the Magical WASP, despite the spike in their terrorist attacks worldwide. The Magical WASP, unlike the Magical Negro, wont provide cross-racial support. In fact, he wont actually help anyone at all. He is a stingy billionaire and an abrasive politician. He doesnt actually have special powers and isnt actually able to help a hero with his quest. He is just a blowhard who spins fairy tales about helping people when he actually prevented their children from getting chemotherapy for their cancer. He is just a cruel mirage, giving hope to poor and working class whites who are too bigoted to take any help from someone like Obama.

Trump hinted broadly that he will pardon Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was found in criminal contempt of court for defying a judges order to cease unconstitutionally harassing Latinos with no probable cause.

Trump threatened a governmental shutdown if congress did not fund the building of a 2,000-mile-long border wall, dropping his demand that Mexico pay for it. (In a leaked conversation with the president of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, Trump admitted that it had all along been an unreasonable demand that would not be acceded to, but pleaded with his Mexican counterpart to avoid publicly refusing to pay).

Trump denounced the crooked news media as a purveyor of lies and urged the crowd to menace reporters.

This performance sent CNNs Don Lemon over the edge. Lemon then led a panel discussion of just how unhinged Trump is. Lemon interviewed former top intelligence official James Clapper, he flatly said he thought Trump was unfit for the office and that he worried about this erratic person having access to the nuclear launch codes.

That brought the CNN commentators up short.

Trump rambled on for much of the speech complaining about the media coverage of his conflicting statements on Charlottesville. He neglected to quote his own statements that there had been many sides and that there were very fine people among the white supremacist invaders. He does not understand that when you engage in false equivalencies of that sort, it does not matter if you go on to speak of peace and love and racial inclusion. People forget that Tricky Dick Nixon used to talk about peace, too.

The president said that university administrations that removed confederate statues at night to avoid protests were weak, weak, weak. He alleged that Teddy Roosevelt statues were in their sights next.

Trump again pushed the fraud of clean coal. Coal power plants put mercury, a nerve poison, into our air, soil and water, affecting our children. They also spew millions of tons of toxic carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing global heating that threatens us with desertification, extreme weather, and sea level rise. Trump boasted about having withdrawn the US from the Paris climate accord, which had committed the country to reduce its massive carbon dioxide emissions (5.4 billion metric tons a year, more per capita than any other country in the world aside from tiny Australia).

Meanwhile, Phoenix has heated up so much under the impact of our carbon dioxide emissions, which Trump wants to increase, that planes sometimes cant take off because it is too hot for the air to provide lift to the wings.

Trump avoided naming Sen. John McCain, who is battling brain cancer, but implicitly slammed him for declining to vote for a health insurance bill that would have kicked 26 million people off of health care. Trump had called the bill mean, and had campaigned on providing everyone in the country with affordable health care.

Trump said that the US had miraculously, because of his presidency, suddenly become an energy exporter for the first time in history. The US was the worlds swing producer of petroleum for much of the first half of the twentieth century.

There were 15,000 people in the Phoenix Convention Center to hear Trump, which is a relatively small crowd. But of course the Magical WASP insisted it was an enormous crowd and complained that the crooked media wouldnt show it on tv.

WCCO CBS Trump Phoenix Rally Draws Supporters, Protesters
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Aug. 23, 2017) - Mkango Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:MKA) (AIM:MKA) (the "Company" or "Mkango"), is pleased to announce that the Government of Malawi has granted a further two year renewal, from September 8, 2017, for Exclusive Exploration Licence ("EPL") 0303/10R3 ("the Thambani Licence"), in southwest Malawi.

The main exploration targets in the Thambani licence are uranium, niobium, tantalum, zircon and other associated minerals. In May 2017, Mkango announced the results of recent exploration at Thambani. Assay results from 85 rock grab samples returned high grade uranium, tantalum and niobium values, ranging up to 3.3 % U 3 O 8 , 1.9 % Ta 2 O 5 and 6.0 % Nb 2 O 5 . 35 of the samples graded above 500ppm U 3 O 8 and 24 graded above 1,000ppm U 3 O 8 . The May 2017 press release can be accessed via the following link: http://www.mkango.ca/s/news.asp?ReportID=790626. Mkango is currently evaluating strategic options for Thambani, including opportunities to joint venture or spin-off the project, and other potential avenues to create value.

About Mkango Resources Ltd.

Mkango's primary business is the exploration for rare earth elements and associated minerals in the Republic of Malawi, a country whose hospitable people have earned it a reputation as "the warm heart of Africa". Mkango holds, through its wholly owned subsidiary Lancaster Exploration Limited, a 100% interest in two exclusive prospecting licences in southern Malawi, the Phalombe licence and the Thambani licence.

The main exploration target in the Phalombe licence is the Songwe Hill rare earths' deposit, which features carbonatite hosted rare earth mineralisation and was subject to previous exploration in the late 1980s. Mkango completed an updated Pre-feasibility Study for the project in November 2015. Mkango's strategy for Songwe is to further optimise the project with a view to maximising efficiency and reducing costs, thereby providing a strong platform for entering into partnerships, marketing and offtake arrangements. In December 2016, Mkango entered into an agreement with Noble Resources International to collaborate in the rare earths sector. In March 2017, Mkango entered into a MOU with Metalysis Limited to jointly research, develop and commercialise novel rare earth metal alloys for use in three-dimensional (3D) printed permanent magnets.
Vancouver, B.C., Canada / TheNewswire / August 23, 2017 - Deep-South Resources Inc. ("Deep-South" or "the Company") (TSX-V: DSM) is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of agreement (the "Letter of Agreement") to acquire from Suricate SARL ("Suricate"), 75% of the INAL project, neighboring the Kinross Tasiast gold mine situated in the northwest of Mauritania.

Upon completion of a satisfactory due diligence, Deep-South shall acquire a 75% beneficial interest in the INAL project in consideration for a cash payment of

US $ 20,000.00 and the issuance of 500,000 common shares of Deep-South. The respective interests of both Parties will be held into a joint-venture company (Holdco).

Furthermore, Deep-South shall incur the following payments and shares issuance to Suricate:

On Cash Payments Shares Issuance

First Anniversary of Closing Date US$ 100,000 250,000

Second Anniversary of Closing Date US$ 100,000 250,000

Third Anniversary of Closing Date US$ 100,000 250,000

In addition to the above mentioned consideration, pursuant to the Letter of Agreement Suricate is entitled to a production bonus of US $ 1 million to be paid on the first day of commercial production commencement;

Deep-South shall finance all the exploration expenditures up to a production decision. Upon the day of a commercial production decision, Suricate shall contribute its share of the eventual mine development. Deep-South intends to hire Suricate to act as its representative in Mauritania for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date at a rate of US$2,500 per month.

Upon closing, Sparrowhawk Gold Limited, a geological consulting company, has analyzed the project and upon closing will receive a compensation of US $ 3,500 and 50,000 common shares of Deep-South. After the first anniversary of the Letter of Agreement, Deep-South shall retain the services of Sparrowhawk for the 3 subsequent years of the project for a cash compensation of US $ 10,000 per year and the issuance of 30,000 common shares per year .

The Letter of Agreement, and the transactions contemplated therein, including the shares issuance are subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Letter of Agreement and to Sparrowhawk Gold Limited will be subject to a hold period of four months and a day from the date of issuance.

Mr. John Akwenye, Chairman of Deep-South stated, "We are delighted with this transaction. We are securing a large area in the heart of a promising area that already host a large gold mine and several discoveries. INAL has substantial exploration potential. It is a strong addition to our Haib copper project in Namibia. INAL is a quality asset that adds strong value for our shareholders."

About the INAL Project: Gold and Lithium potential

The INAL project is situated within the Aoueouat Greenstone Belt of North West Mauritania (see maps at: https://www.deepsouthresources.com/projects/inal-property/). The project comprises two exploration licenses covering an area of 441 square kilometres located some 45 kilometres North East along trend from Kinross's Tasiast gold deposit, and is adjacent to Kinross's N'Daouas-Est and Algold's Legouessi exploration licenses. The project covers prime granite greenstone belt terrain and host a number of geological structures extending from the Kinross licenses through, and onto, the INAL licenses. These structures, including a banded iron formation that hosts the Tasiast deposit, have the potential to host gold mineralization.

Furthermore, the INAL project also hosts a number of pegmatite bodies with confirmed spodumene and lepidolite mineralization. The pegmatite bodies have been identified by intermittence over a length of at least 40 km and a width of over 10 km, and represent very prospective targets for lithium mineralization.

North Western Mauritania is underlain by the South Western portion of the Reguibat Shield, which forms part of the West African Craton. The Reguibat Shield host Archaean age Greenstone Belts that bear many similarities to other Archaean age Greenstone Belts of the West African Craton, most notably in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali and others, which all host multi-million ounce gold deposits.

Clifford Fitzhenry; MSc, BSc (Hons), Pr.Sci.Nat., is responsible for the technical part of this press release and is the designated Qualified Person under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.

About Deep-South Resources Inc.

Deep-South Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company largely held Namibian shareholders and Teck Resources Ltd, which holds about 35% of Deep-South share capital. Deep-South is actively involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of major mineral properties. Deep-South currently holds 100% of the Haib Copper project in Namibia, one of the largest copper porphyry in Africa. Deep-South growth strategy is to focus on the exploration and development of quality assets, in significant mineralized trends, close to infrastructure, in stable countries.
Vancouver, BC / TheNewswire / August 23, 2017 - Dajin Resources Corp. ("Dajin") (TSX-V: DJI) (OTC: DJIFF) (Germany: C2U1) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Geothermal Development Associates (GDA), Reno, Nevada. GDA is a geothermal development corporation with geothermal leases in the Teels Marsh valley that overlie Dajin's placer claims. GDA's principle line of business is the development of geothermal resources for electrical generation. As a result of this MOU, GDA and Dajin will share exploration data with the ultimate aim of supporting the development of a Lithium brine extraction facility as well as developing a geothermal plant for electrical generation and the production of direct-use thermal water. This agreement outlines a non-competitive relationship where both companies are focusing on their key strengths, while working together on their exploration program during development.

Dajin's President Brian Findlay remarked, "This relationship will provide Dajin preferential access to green renewable electrical power and thermal energy to power a potential future Lithium brine operation without competition over surface and water rights". GDA's President Martin Booth said, "We are pleased with this association with Dajin who understands and appreciates the significance of geothermal resources and how collaboration can help both companies move forward on their respective developments." (click here for information on GDA)

Key attractions of Dajin's Teels Marsh valley Lithium brine project include identified near-surface Lithium-bearing brines, been granted water rights and has minimal land fragmentation. The basin beneath the playa is up to 8,200 feet (2,500 metres) deep. Prior geothermal exploration results indicate favourable geochemistry and shallow sub-surface temperatures of up to 206?F (97?C) at 131 feet (40 meters) depth at the northwest end of the valley. In March, the Bureau of Land Management accepted Dajin's Notice to proceed with civil works and drilling as part of its exploration for Lithium brines. A National Instrument 43-101 report was released in April. (a copy can be obtained by clicking here)

The technical information in this press release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements of National Instrument 43-101 and has been reviewed and approved on behalf of Dajin Resources Corp. by Dajin Directors, Dr. Catherine Hickson, P. Geo and Dr. Mark Coolbaugh, CPG, the Qualified Persons.

About Dajin: (www.dajin.ca)

Dajin is an early stage Lithium exploration company holding a 100% interest in 403 placer claims covering 7,914 acres (3,202 hectares) in the Teels Marsh valley of Mineral County, Nevada. These claims are known to contain Lithium and Boron values and are adjacent to the birth place of US Borax Corp's first borax mine. Dajin also holds a 100% interest in 191 placer claims covering 3,851 acres (1,558 hectares) in the Alkali Lake valley of Esmeralda County, Nevada, located 7 miles (11 kilometers) northeast of Albemarle's Silver Peak Lithium brine operation in Clayton Valley.

Dajin, through Dajin Resources S.A. ("Dajin S.A."), holds concessions or concession applications in Jujuy Province, Argentina that were acquired in regions known to contain brines with Lithium, Potassium, and Boron values. These concessions exceed 93,000 hectares (230,000 acres) and are primarily located in the Salinas Grandes/Guayatayoc salt lakes basin. Dajin S.A. is partnered with LSC Lithium Corporation who has agreed to spend $2,000,000 to earn a 51% interest in Dajin S.A.'s Lithium properties while building a significant presence in Argentina. (click here for information on LSC Lithium Corporation)
By John Redmond



A photo exhibition by Korean expat nurses from Germany is on display at the Seoul Museum of History in Jongno-gu, central Seoul. The event will run through Sept. 3.



Titled the "Women Who Transcended Boundaries Exhibition," the exhibition depicts Korean nurses who left their country for Germany in the 1960s to seek a better future for themselves and their families.



The event also features stories about their lives as nurses and also as first generation Korean emigrants in a then divided nation as well as their reflections on current Korean modern society.



The nurses, who went to Germany during the 1960s to 70s, formed the first Korean community in the country. Germany successfully revitalized its economy after the country was defeated and collapsed after World War II.



"Germany recruited nurses from abroad as the country was suffering from a manpower shortage upon the improvement of the social security system and many nurses in Korea chose to go to Germany for the stabilization of their family and personal development," the event organizers say on the museum website.



"This will be an opportunity to ruminate on the modern history of Korea through the lives of Korean nurses who crossed cultural and political boundaries by moving from one divided country to another divided country, Germany, starting their careers as nurses at hospitals particularly in the divided city of Berlin, and becoming part of their society after taking root in the foreign country."



Admission is free and times are weekdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Mondays.



The Seoul Museum of History is at 55 Saemunnan-no, Jongno-gu, Seoul.



To get there, take the subway metro to Gwanghwamun Station, leave at exit 7 and walk about 10 minutes. The museum is on the opposite corner from the "Man with Hammer" sculpture. It is the building with a streetcar outside.



For more information, call (02) 724-0274 or visit http://eng.museum.seoul.kr/eng/board/NR_boardView.




An ancient, toothless dolphin, >i>Inermorostrum xenops</i>, used its snout to vacuum food from the seafloor, new research suggests.

A now-extinct dwarf dolphin whose name means "weaponless-snouted strange face" may have once used its toothless mouth to suck up fish and squid, a new study finds.

The finding suggests that modern dolphinsand whales developed bizarre forms of feeding within only a few million years after they evolved, the researchers said.

Divers hunting for shark teeth found the skull fossil of a dolphin at the bottom of the Wando River near Charleston, South Carolina. Based on the layers of sandy limestone in which the bone was discovered, the scientists determined that the fossil is about 28 million to 30 million years old. [Deep Divers: A Gallery of Dolphins]

The size of the fossil suggests that this extinct dolphin was a dwarf species. It may have measured up to about 4 feet (1.2 meters) long and weighed 100 lbs. (45 kilograms), said study lead author Robert Boessenecker, a vertebrate paleontologist at the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

Back when this dwarf dolphin lived, it shared the sea with scallops, barnacles and coral, as well as sharks, bony-toothed birds, swordfish that reached up to about 30 feet (9 m) long, and a wide variety of whales and dolphins, "including giant predatory 'shark-toothed dolphins,'" Boessenecker said. This newfound species "would have been an easy target" for many of these sharks, dolphins and whales, he added.

The researchers named the extinct dolphin species Inermorostrum xenops; "Inermorostrum" means "weaponless snout" in Latin, and "xenops" means "strange face" in Greek.

The dwarf dolphin's name refers to its short, toothless snout. It has the shortest jawbone of any known living or extinct cetacean, the group that includes dolphins and whales, the researchers said.

The scientists suggested that I. xenops likely adapted to feed via suction, just as many other suction-feeding cetaceans, such as tusked narwhals, did. "Inermorostrum must have fed on predominantly soft-bodied prey items," Boessenecker said. "Perhaps fish small enough to swallow, as well as soft-bodied invertebrates  squid, octopus, sea cucumbers. These sorts of critters would have been easily suctioned up off the seabed."

Enlarged holes in the snout of the skull suggest that this dwarf dolphin may have had large, fleshy lips, or perhaps whiskers. These features may have helped it root for food in the seafloor, the researchers said.

The last common ancestor of modern cetaceansevolved about 36 million years ago and was likely a long-snouted, toothed predator, according to the study researchers. The fact that this highly specialized, toothless dwarf species evolved within only about 5 million years of the origin of modern cetaceans "is astounding," Boessenecker said.

I. xenopsis the sixth known example of toothlessness in cetaceans and only the 11th known case of toothlessness in mammals, the researchers said. The fact that such a specialized form of feeding originated early in cetacean evolution suggests that "dolphins have a long history of being adaptable and experimenting with new behaviors," Boessenecker said.

In the future, Boessenecker will analyze other whale and dolphin fossils from South Carolina. "Many more strange and fantastical species await naming and illumination," he said.

The scientists detailed their findings online Aug. 23 in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Originally published on Live Science.
Shortly after the celestial event, Google searches for terms such as "solar eclipse headache," "eyes hurt" and "seeing spots" all increased, according to Mashable.

Google searches for the term "eyes feel funny" also soared after the eclipse.

Google searchers for the term "eyes feel funny" soared after the solar eclipse on Monday Aug. 21. Above, a sreengrab of Google Trends data. (Image credit: Google Trends)

Fortunately, experts say that if your eyes felt a little strange after the eclipse, it's not necessarily a reason to worry. It could be that you have dry eyes from keeping your eyes open too long, according to Dr. Vincent Jerome Giovinazzo, director of ophthalmology at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City. Giovinazzo told Live Science that he has already seen several patients who said their eyes felt funny after watching Monday's eclipse, and they all had dry eyes.

If you did damage your eyes from looking at the eclipse, it would not be something you would feel. Rather, it would be something you would see. Symptoms of "solar retinopathy"  or damage to the eye's retina that can occur from looking at the sun  are visual. (The retinas have no nerve fibers, so you cannot feel damage in this area.) These symptoms include blurriness or blind spots in your vision, or a dark or dim spot in your central vision.

Original article on Live Science.
The 2 minutes of darkness caused by the total solar eclipse earlier this week may seem momentous, but it's nothing compared with the prolonged darkness that followed the dinosaur-killing asteroid that collided with Earth about 65.5 million years ago, a new study finds.

When the 6-mile-wide (10 kilometers) asteroid struck, Earth plunged into a darkness that lasted nearly two years, the researchers said.

This darkness was caused, in part, by tremendous amounts of soot that came from wildfires worldwide. Without sunlight, Earth's plants couldn't photosynthesize, and the planet drastically cooled. These two key factors likely toppled global food chains and contributed to the mass extinction at the end of the dinosaur age, known as the Mesozoic, according to the study. [Wipe Out: History's Most Mysterious Extinctions]

The finding may help scientists understand why more than 75 percent of all species, including the non-avian dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus rex, and large marine reptiles, such as the plesiosaur, went extinct after the asteroid slammed into what is now Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, the researchers said.

Killer asteroid

When the space rock smashed into Earth, it probably triggered earthquakes, tsunamis and even volcanic eruptions, the researchers said. The asteroid hit with such force that it launched vaporized rock sky-high into the atmosphere. Up there, the vaporized rock would have condensed into small particles, called spherules.

When the spherules plunged back down to Earth, they collided with air molecules, causing friction and heating to temperatures hot enough to ignite fires around the world. In fact, a thin band of spherules can still be found in the geologic record, the researchers said.

Most large Mesozoic land animals died in the asteroid's immediate aftermath, "but animals that lived in the oceans or those that could burrow underground or slip underwater temporarily could have survived," the study's lead researcher, Charles Bardeen, a project scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, said in a statement.

"Our study picks up the story after the initial effects  after the earthquakes and the tsunamis and the broiling," Bardeen said. "We wanted to look at the long-term consequences of the amount of soot we think was created and what those consequences might have meant for the animals that were left."

Earth without photosynthesis

Even though researchers found evidence for the asteroid in the late 1970s, there still isn't "universal agreement" on how long Earth was shrouded in darkness after the space rock smacked into the planet, Bardeen told Live Science. [Doomsday: 9 Real Ways Earth Could End]

Bardeen and his colleagues used the most up-to-date estimates of the amount of fine soot in the geologic record  that is, 15,000 million tons. Then, they plugged that amount into the NCAR-based Community Earth System Model (CESM)  a modern chemistry-climate model that factors in components related to the atmosphere, land, ocean and sea ice. This model allowed the scientists to simulate the effect of soot in the years following the asteroid impact.

"Different studies have assumed various types of particles including dust, sulfates and soot," Bardeen told Live Science in an email. "All of these particles can block enough sunlight to cool the surface, but only soot is so strongly absorbing that it is self-lofting, can heat the stratosphere and reduces sunlight at the surface light to very low levels."

The new results show what a catastrophic effect the soot had on Earth.

"Our study shows it is dark enough to shut down photosynthesis for up to two years," Bardeen said. "This would have a devastating effect, particularly in the ocean, since the ocean relies upon phytoplankton as a primary source of food and loss of this would be catastrophic to the entire food chain."

Even if the soot levels had been one-third this estimated amount, photosynthesis would have still been blocked for an entire year, the researchers found.

Other catastrophic effects

In addition to stopping photosynthesis, this worldwide cloud of soot would have prevented much of the sun's heat from reaching Earth. After three years following the crash, the land and oceans would have cooled by as much as 50 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius) and 20 degrees F (11 degrees C), respectively, the researchers found. [Crash! 10 Biggest Impact Craters on Earth]

In contrast, the upper atmosphere, known as the stratosphere, would have warmed because that's where the soot floated around, absorbing the sun's heat. These roasting temperatures would have depleted the ozone, and also allowed for vast quantities of water vapor to hover in the stratosphere. When this water vapor chemically reacted in the stratosphere, it would have created hydrogen compounds that led to further ozone destruction, according to the researchers.

As the ozone disappeared and the soot cleared, damaging doses of ultraviolet light reached Earth, harming life there, the researchers said.

When the stratosphere eventually cooled down, the water vapor there condensed and began raining, abruptly washing away the soot, Bardeen said. As some soot left, the air there cooled, which in turn led the water vapor to condense into ice particles, which washed away more soot.

Once this cooling cycle repeated enough times, the thinning soot layer vanished within months, the researchers found.

Bardeen credited his friend Betty Pierazzo, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, a nonprofit headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with securing funding from NASA for an earlier study that enabled and inspired this study. Unfortunately, Pierazzo died before research on the end-Cretaceous asteroid got underway.

Bardeen also noted several limitations, including that the model is based on a modern Earth, and that at the end of the Cretaceous period Earth's continents were in different locations and the planet also had different atmospheric properties, such as different concentrations of gases.

The study was published online Monday (Aug. 21) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Original article on Live Science.
by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, August 23, 2017

The war between the big technology platforms over for the loyalties of publishers is escalating.



Google is working on an online news subscription service that will allow publishers to charge readers for content, rivaling a similar service already under development by Facebook. Facebook is trying to sweeten its own offerings with the addition of publisher logos, enabling more specific branding and audience development.

Googles news subscription service actually consists of three related elements, according to Bloomberg News, which first reported plans to develop the program. It is being tested with The New York Times and Financial Times with an eye to adding dozens more publishers and media companies if successful.

One element is tightening its first click-free feature, which gives readers arriving via search limited free access to articles from publications with paywalls. Publishers are making three articles per day free to nonsubscribers, but Google is working with the NYT to lower that number, putting more pressure on interested readers to subscribe.

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Google is also testing online payments tools to enable publishers to conduct simple, streamlined transactions with subscribers, including via mobile payment.

Finally, Google is working to help publishers reach new audiences and target potential subscribers through a suite of new solutions, which will also help gauge willingness to subscribe and price sensitivity for potential subscribers.

So far, Google hasnt disclosed the potential revenue-sharing terms for its current collaborations with NYT and FT, or what might be on offer to future publisher partners.

The new offerings come amid growing concern among publishers that platform distribution isnt a financially viable long-term model. That's prompting big contenders, including Facebook, Google, Apple and Snap, to offer services purporting to give publishers more insight and control over their audiences, as well as a greater say in ad sales.

Last month, Facebook revealed plans for a digital subscription feature for news publishers, which will enable publishers to limit the number of articles Facebook users can see for free through their news feed, capping it at 10. After that, they would have to buy a subscription.

In addition, the system would allow publishers to direct traffic to their own Web sites, where they can sell subs directly. Authentication would then allow users to continue accessing content through their Facebook news feed. Users who have already subscribed elsewhere are grandfathered in.

Still vying for publishers affections, this week Facebook announced it will begin featuring publisher logos next to articles in its Trending and Search features. It will allow users to more easily recognize reputable news sources, part of the ongoing fight against fake news and publishers of racial hatred and incitement.
by Sara Guaglione , August 23, 2017

Time Out launched a print edition for Philadelphia today. The print product complements Time Out Philadelphias website, social media and mobile channels. This is the company's eighth edition in the U.S.

The free quarterly will curate the best things to do and see in the city for both locals and tourists.

The first issue covers the street art, drag queens and sandwiches Philly has to offer. Veteran arts and culture writers, including food writer Drew Lazor, music writer Patrick Rapa, theater critic David Fox and humorist/culture writer Monica Weymouth, are contributing to the magazine.

Some 75,000 copies of Time Out Philadelphia will be distributed at local venues  such as restaurants, bars, shops, cultural institutions and hotels. They will also be handed out at Center City today and tomorrow by Time Outs street teams.

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Christine Petersen, CEO of Time Out Digital, has previously said magazines are a fantastic marketing channel for the company.

Petersen stated the print edition would help strengthen our brand and drive our digital metrics." She also cited its value for advertisers to connect with our "unique audience.

In May, Time Out launched a print edition in Austin, Texas, expanding its roster of magazines in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and New York.

Time Out has "city guides," which include curated content and a digital hub, in 108 cities across 39 countries with a global monthly audience reach of 156 million, the company claims.

Time Out London went free in 2012, followed by Time Out New York and Time Out Chicago in 2015 and Time Out Los Angeles and Time Out Miami last year.
by Sara Guaglione , August 23, 2017

Time Inc.s Southern Living has partnered with actress Reese Witherspoons retail brand Draper James to design an exclusive dress, featured on the September 2017 cover of the magazine.

The issue, which hits newsstands August 25, features Witherspoon wearing the magnolia-printed navy dress. The magazine includes a feature on Witherspoon and her Southern spirit.

Even as Reese has become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, shes never forgotten her Southern roots, and thats just one of the reasons we love her, stated Southern Living editor-in-chief Sid Evans.

The limited-edition dress retails for $195 and is available online and in Draper James stores starting today. It is a knit dress with a fit-and-flare silhouette, peplum sleeves and a grosgrain waistband. The classic magnolia print proved popular for Draper James in its first season and inspired the pattern of this dress design.

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Witherspoon, who is the founder and creative director of Draper James, grew up in Nashville and New Orleans. Draper James is named after Witherspoons Southern grandparents. The company launched in May 2015 and opened its first brick-and-mortar stores in Nashville and Dallas.

The Draper James collection consists of ready-to-wear clothes, accessories and home decor.

Southern Living has a varied inventory of licensing partnerships. In April, the brand introduced a line of ready-to-eat meals in partnership with Perfect Fit Meals called "Southern Living Kitchen " in select stores across the South.

Last fall, Southern Living opened a branded retail store in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the first of many to open this year. It features items from local Southern artists and producers, as well as Southern Livings own products, such as its cookbooks.
Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

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Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials.

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5:08pm: Tests on Bradleys thumb indicated that he does not have any tears or fractures in his thumb, but it still looks like hell miss more than the 10-day minimum due to this injury (Twitter links from Britton). Bradley will wear a splint on his hand for around a week, and hell need some time to get back up to speed once the splint is removed.

1:38pm: The Red Sox have placed outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. on the 10-day DL, per a club announcement (via Tim Britton of the Providence Journal; Twitter links). He has been diagnosed with a left thumb sprain, per the team.

Bradley was injured on a play at the plate last night, leading to fears that he may have suffered a significant injury. With MRI results still yet to be revealed, at least publicly, the severity of the damage is not yet known. Boston will obviously hope that Bradley can bounce back relatively quickly, with a division lead to protect and less than six weeks until the start of the postseason.

The Sox have recalled infielder Deven Marrero to take the open roster spot. He will likely function as a utility option, perhaps freeing Brock Holt to share time in left field with Chris Young. It seems reasonable to anticipate that Andrew Benintendi will shift over to center while Bradley is down. While right fielder Mookie Betts is also capable of playing up the middle, Benintendi has seen more time there in recent years.

Thus far in 2017, Bradley has taken a slight step back at the plate but continued to function as a quality regular. Hes running a .262/.343/.432 slash with 14 home runs through 440 plate appearances. Though Bradley is reaching base and making hard contact as frequently as ever, his .170 isolated slugging mark sits well shy of the rates he carried in the prior two seasons (.219 in 2016; .249 in a shorter sample in 2015). Of course, he remains a quality defender and baserunner as well as a key part of the Red Sox roster.
This year's edition of an event dubbed 'African Legends Night' will take place on September 30 at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra, organisers have announced.

The 'African Legends Night', organised by Global Media Alliance, seeks to pay homage to music legends that have churned out good hits on both Ghanaian and African music scenes.

The objective of the concert is to stir up passion in young and upcoming musicians to work hard to attain the success that the legends have attained.

Viewed as the concert which brings the best of talents to Accra for an unforgettable night, 'African Legend Night' this year will feature an incredible line-up of local and international artistes.

Last year's event which was headlined by Yvonne Chaka Chaka attracted thousands of music enthusiasts, who were given more than their money's worth as they were treated to a show of a lifetime.

In its sixth edition, 'African Legends Night' has played host to great music icons from Ghana and other African nations.

Past editions have featured Ivorian Freddy Meiway, South Africa's Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Hugh Masekela, Nigeria's Femi Kuti, George Darko, Amakye Dede, Ben Brako, Ghanaian ace saxophonist Steve Bedi and many others.

By George Clifford Owusu
The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in Nigeria has banned five Nigerian songs, having tagged them as not to be broadcast, NEWS-ONE has gathered.

According to Nigeria news channel Premium Times, the banned songs are Olamide's 'Wo' and 'Wavy Level'; Davido's 'Fall' and 'If' (Remix); and 9ice's 'Living Things'.

The corporation released the list on Tuesday, saying it has banned the five songs from being aired across the Nigerian airwaves.

The Federal Ministry of Health had in a tweet on Friday said that the video to Olamide's 'Wo' violated the Tobacco Control Act 2015.

The 28-year-old rapper, who is signed to his own record label, YBNL, had returned to LadiLak in Bariga, where he was raised to shoot the video of his latest single.

This is our position: video contravenes the act. Innocently or otherwise Tobacco Promotion Advertising Sponsorship is banned in all form.

It could not be immediately ascertained why the songs of the two other musicians were banned, but there are reasons to believe that the NBC doesn't find them good for public consumption.

In June this year, the federal government, through the Ministry of Health, had launched a campaign to ban smoking in public places, including motor parks, shopping malls and healthcare centres.

The Health Ministry, in a communique, said according to Section 9 of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Act 2015, once convicted, offenders are liable to a fine of at least N50, 000 or six months' imprisonment.

Tweeting the information via its official Twitter page, the Ministry of Health claimed that the video, which features ghetto scenes in which youth are seen smoking, encourages second-hand smoking.
After successfully carrying the flag of Ghana high at the Ghana @ 60 Independence day celebration last March in Norway the country youngest budding hitmaker, Wisa Greid popularly known as Mr. Ekikime is set to rock the Bergen International Music Festival in Norway on 21st October 2017.

Information available to Ghanacreativearts.com, indicate that Wisa Greid will be the first Ghanaian artist to perform on the Bergen International Festival which attracts various international acts from across the world.

Known for his hit-tracks such as Mintsebo, I like your Cocoa, Slow Motion, One Side and many more Wisa Greid born Eugene Ashie says he is ready to take his music career to the top promising that he would make the best out of this opportunity to represent Ghana on such an international music platform.

Wisa Greids performance on the Bergen Interantional Festival coincidentally coinsides with his debut European Tour this year.

The artist is set to hit the road again with his debut European tour from October to December 2017.

Wisa Greids European Manager, Daniel Ashitey Quaye said the artist has a lot more shows in Denmark, Germany, Italy and Belgium during his three months tour.

According to him the Ekikime star will also do some recordings and video shoot for some of his yet-to-be released tracks during his tour.

Mr. Quaye known in showbiz circles as Ziga One added that Wisa will be performing as guest artist at DJ Naychas birthday in Vicenza, Italy on 27th October 2017 at Ca Di Dennis {Club di Dennis}.

Wisa Greid will also mount the same stage with Ghanas self acclaim dance king Shatta Wale in Bergen, Norway on 3rd November 2017 and in Oslo on 4th November 2017 in support his fellow Ghanaian stars performance on the ticket of the same festival. Wisa and Shata Wales appearance on one stage in Norway will be both artists first time performing together abroad.

Bergen International Music Festival is an annual festival embracing a wide range of musical genres and expressions, with musicians and music that cross borders both geographically and musically. This years festival is set for 19th to 21st October 2017.

His European tour has come at a time when the artists music has become the talk of town with massive airplay amongst the Ghanaian community in abroad.

Road Manager for Wisa Greid, Augustine Mark in a chat with Ghanacreativearts.com said, the artist has made tremendous strides in the music industry within the shortest possible time. He said all is set for the artists performance in Europe noting that the Bergen International Music festival will offer the artist massive platform to reach out to even non Ghanaian fans of the artist due to the varied music lovers who are set to attend the festival.
23.08.2017 LISTEN

I watched Dr. Thomas Kusi Boafo - the Public Sector Reforms CEO - being interviewed on UTV not too long ago. It was a pleasant surprise for me and gave me hope.

I was completely bowled over by his wisdom and the common touch he showed. He is truly a man of the people.

He came across as a deep-thinking politican who is principled, disciplined and - that rare thing amongst Ghana's ruling elites - an honest gentleman: who actually cares about the welfare of both present and future generations of our people. Marvelous.

He is definitely a safe pair of hands - and ordinary Ghanaians ought to count ourselves lucky to have a man of his calibre at the presidency. Thank goodness for small mercies. Hmm, Oman Ghana - eyeasem o.

The question is: How can a politician like that be convinced to step out of the shadow of conventional economic thinking - so that ordinary people's lives can be improved in sustainable fashion: through the use of creative policy ideas?

For the sake of our homeland Ghana and its long-suffering people, this blog will dare to be presumptuous for once - and venture to make a recommendation to Dr. Thomas Kusi Boafo.

For his information, he will unquestionably be even more effective in his role were he to read as many of the online publications of New Zealand's and the UK's Positive Money movements. Ditto those of the International Movement for Monetary Reform (IMMR).

He will find the keys that will enable the regime of which he is such a prominent member to unlock the full potential of this nation - and transform its hardworking and aspirational people's lives in dramatic fashion.

Furthermore, he must endeavour to have a conversation with the Indian conglomerate Tata's subsidiary, Jusco, so that they can transfer to Ghana's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR) Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI), the very simple technology of mixing melted plastic waste with bitumen, to build plastic roads in Ghana.

Plastic roads last three times the lifespan of conventional roads, remain pothole-free during that entire period, bear heavier loads, and, best of all (especially at a time of extreme weather resuting from global climate change), are never washed away by flash floods because plastic is impermeable to water.

Building plastic roads in Ghana does amount to climate-change-proofing all the new bitumen roads we will be building across Ghana, going foward into the future. That is uilding disaster resilience into our system through lateral thinking, is it not, one wonders?

And since the free high school initiative is being funded entirely from Ghana's oil revenues, the vertical integration of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) is crucial - if we are to have a sustainable long-term funding source.

The key to that is to merge the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) and the partially state-owned downstream oil marketing company, Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL). Naturally, government will have to buy back private shareholders' stakes in GOIL at a premium.

At this stage it is worth noting that not a single oil major that is vertically integrated has failed to pay dividends to shareholders since oil prices went south from the high of U.S.$140. That is instructive. Vertical integration of national oil companies is the best hedge there is against low oil prices for new oil producing emerging nations such as ours.

As a result of the tremendous goodwill across Africa that Ghana has (a legacy of Nkrumah's leadership), GOIL-branded petrol filling stations across the continent will be well-patronised and profitable. To ensure that corporate good governance principles underpin the entirety of its operations, the CEO of the vertically integrated GNPC must be selected from world-class and experienced applicants seeking that position - after the job is advertised globally.

Again, for the information of Dr. Thomas Kusi Boafo, Thailand made U.S.$72 billion from the 31 million visitors it hosted in 2016. There really is no reason why Ghana too should not earn significant amounts of foreign currency from tourism. And it can do so by becoming a major outbound tourism market for citizens of China and other Asian nations.

The question is: By preserving what is left of our nation's natural heritage - by halting illegal gold mining, illegal logging and illegal sand-winning - will we not be able to anchor a revitalised tourism industry on it and create wealth that stays in Ghana as well as jobs and micro-entrepreneurial opportunities galore across our homeland Ghana for our bright and talented younger generations?

And if we ban the export of unrefined gold from Ghana and empower the Precious Minerals Marketing Company Limited (PMMC) to produce credit-card-sized gold bars, gold coins with Adinkra symbols etched on them and traditional-style gold jewelry, could we not turn Ghana into a global centre for the purchase of same by tens of millions from China and the rest of Asia (ditto other parts of the world) and become a preferred destination and major outbound tourism market for Chinese and the nationals of the other Asian countries, I ask?

Is that not a more creative proposal (leading to a new economic paradigm in our relationship with China) that Vice President Dr. Bawumia ought to have taken along with him to China when he did - than that outrageous and abominable open invitation to environmentally irresponsible and destructive Chinese mining companies with terrible environmental records around the African continent to come and mine bauxite here? Ebeeii.

With respect, what is creatve about that foolish and unpardonable shortsightedness dressed up as a "new model" - especially when we are actually committed to the SDGs underscoring all our economic development and nation-building efforts, I ask? Haaba.

Dr. Thomas Kusi Boafo should encourage his colleagues running the country to commit to low-carbon sustainabiliy initiatives - as that will enable us to develop our nation without causing great harm to the natural environment.

It is madness giving Chinese mining companies carte blanche to come and mine bauxite here in exchange for a paltry U.S.$20 billion - foreign currency that a revitalised tourism sector can easily earn for Ghana without causing any harm to Mother Nature.

Finally, we salute Dr. Anthony Kusi Boateng - and all those in Ghana who are like him. Kudos to all of them for actually caring about our nation's future.
23.08.2017 LISTEN

The Ghana Federation of disability (GFD) has begun a campaign in 2016 to promote inclusion of disability issues and participation of persons with disabilities in Ghana in the implementation processes of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This has resulted in getting persons with disabilities adequately represented on most of the Civil Society Platforms advocating implementation of the various goals.

In September 2015, countries adopted a set of goals under the United Nations supervision to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each of these goals consists of targets which should be achieved by each participating country within the next 15 years.

Each of these countries has to be committed and work tirelessly towards achieving the objectives divulged in these goals. To GFD, the unique component of the SDGs and its indicators is the inclusion of disability issues; the world has recognized the relevance of the need for inclusion and effective participant of persons with disabilities in the implementation and monitoring of the SDGs.

The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) in its advocacy efforts for the activation of the worlds commitment to achieving the SDGs, especially as they relate to disability issues, began the campaign in 2016 to promote the inclusion of disability issues and participation of persons with disabilities in the implementation processes of the SDGs in Ghana.

The disability movement has thus made inputs into Ghanas Medium Term National Development Plan (2017-2021) which is being prepared by the National Development Planning Commission, and has sensitized over three hundred persons with disabilities across the country on the SDGs.

On 16th August 2017, the GFD inaugurated a nine-member national technical monitoring committee to, on behalf of the disability movement, monitor the inclusion and participation of person with disabilities in Ghanas implementation of the SDGs. The committees terms of reference include the responsibility to give regular feedback to Organisations of Persons with Disabilities.

According the Executive Director of GFD, Ms Rita Kyeremaa Kusi, who led the exercise, announced that members of the Committee were selected from the GFDs member organisations as well as other minority groups of persons with disabilities such as the deaf-blind and persons with Cerebral Palsy.

She further expressed the Federations appreciation to Disability Rights Fund and Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRF/DRAF) for their support to championing the course of calling for inclusiveness in the SDGs implementation in Ghana.

According to her, It is worth noting that DRF/DRAF have being supporting the disability organisations in Ghana since 2008 particularly in the areas of influencing Ghanas legislative and policy reforms, promoting awareness on disability issues and participation of persons with disabilities in the Ghanaian society.

The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) in an umbrella body of organizations of persons with disabilities. GFD currently has eight (8) national members made up of the Ghana Blind Union, the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, Inclusion Ghana (a group of people with intellectual disabilities), Ghana National Association of the Deaf, Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism, Mental Health Society of Ghana, Share Care Ghana (a group of people with auto-immune and neurological conditions) and Burn Survivors Association. The Federation also works with other unorganized minority groups such as persons with Deaf-Blindness, the little people and persons with leprosy.
Experienced sea diver Odartey Lamptey has revealed that popular musician Castro is indeed dead and not coming back; quashing hopes of friends and family of ever seeing him again.

The mysterious departure of the flamboyant Ghanaian musician during a holiday trip with Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has dominated the headlines for over a year with some still hoping Castro is alive.

In an exclusive interview with Kofi TV, Odartey Lamptey said he was contacted by the Black Stars skipper to look for the missing friend two days after his disappearance.

But Lamptey says after spending about four days in the river searching for the bodies, he found them deep down the Volta River estuary in Ada.

'I was called two days after the incident and I agreed to go and help them. It was in the evening but I decided to go and search for them right away. They rented a canoe for me and I set off. I found them under the water after about four days,' he said.

Mr. Lamptey however said he was not able to access their bodies because he was stopped by a big snake which happened to be a god at that particular location.

'I saw their bodies but when I tried to touch them, a big snake appeared and warned me not to try it, I went back and asked what I could do and I was told there was the need for some rituals to be performed,' he explained.

'The only way the spirit would allow me to bring Castro's body back, was to perform some customary rites for both of them, when I told Asamoah Gyan about it, he said his concern was Castro and that he does not know the lady, so I had to stop at a point,' Mr. Lamptey added.

Efforts to rescue Castro and his lady companion, Janet Bandu began on Sunday, July 6, 2014 and up till now some Ghanaians and families of the two nurse the hope of them being alive. Attempts to retrieve their bodies yielded no results.

Mr Lamptey however stated that Castro died because he defied earlier cautions given him by the river gods.

He said, 'because of their singing they go there every time. The spirit warned them, but they did not listen and so it almost killed them all but God saved them.'

'They came across as disobedient. Where you have been warned not to go, because you might be killed, you go behind their back and went ahead to hire a speed boat and took Janet along,' he explained.'
The Central Division of the Salvation Army Church, Ghana Territory led by its Divisional Commander, Major Stephen Boadu on Saturday donated blood to the National Blood Bank to augment it operations.

Over 55 Church members drawn from the Division participated in the blood donation exercise lasting for over 8-hours at Agona Duakwa.

The youngest among the donors was a 16 year old, Nana Yaa from Swedru Central and the oldest was a 48 years old Madam Grace Bentsil from Ajumako Osedzi.

Medical team from the Kolebu Teaching Hospital screened the donors to identity their fitness for the exercise.

In an interview with Newsmen, Major Stephen Boadu disclosed that the exercise coincided with the 95th anniversary of the Ghana Territory of the Church established in 1922 by King Hudson Amoako Atta of blessed memory.

He noted that the Division has over 27 branches adding that it has 10 basic schools, one special school for the Deaf, 2 Health Facilities at Agona Duakwa and Ajumako Ba and a rehabitation center catering for the educational and healthcare needs of the people in the Church's catchment area.

The Divisional Commander stated that the blood donation exercise was part of the Church's social responsibility of ensuring that there were enough blood at the National Blood Bank to save lives.

" The Salvation Army Church has been offering affordable healthcare delivery to people in areas deem necessary. It's aimed at helping people to be healthy to fill the manpower resources of the country.

A healthy people makes a wealthy nation, that is why we decided to collaborate with the National Blood Bank and the Kolebu Teaching Hospital for the exercise. Let also thank them for the free medical screening they offered not only to the Church members but communities around Agona Duakwa.

I like to encourage our Sister churches to assist the National Blood Center to fill the bank with the needed quantities to save more lives "

A staff of the Salvation Army Educational Unit at the Central Regional Office, Nana Akua Korantemaa Adu who took part in the blood donation exercise appealed to the youth to endeavour donating blood for the various hospitals and clinics for quick healthcare delivery.

She debunked the notion that blood donation was painful and increase anaemia among donors challenging them to be donors.

In a related development, the Salvation Army Church, Central Division has held its 95th anniversary with Thanksgiving service at Agona Duakwa

A delegation from Harare West Divisional Songsters of the Salvation Army Zimbabwe Territory were present to grace the occasion.
The processes towards the celebration of Eid al Adha in the world has begun in Ghana to be held on September 1st which has been declared a public holiday. In connection with the Islamic big season the world over hundreds of thousands of Muslims are being conveyed to the holy land of Mecca and Medina by air, sea and road. Close to 7000 Ghanaians will make the journey, culminating to more than 2million people worldwide, making it the largest gathering on earth.

Kings, Queens, Presidents and other noble men and commoners would make the journey together in fulfillment of one of the five pillars of Islam. Those making the journey do so in the knowledge that Muslims of whatever status are one Umma. From Ghana the National Chief Imam Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu is likely to go on pilgrimage to Mecca once again as done every year.

The close to 100-years old Islamic leader as a non-aligned unifier is sponsored by succeeding governments to Mecca annually. His responsibility has been to pray for peace in the nation and the world while in the holy land. This has endeared him to all people of Ghana including all the religious adherents and all the political parties

The Hajj takes place from the 8th to the 12th of Zul-Hijjah beginning from august 23 which is the last month of the Hijri calendar. As part of the hajj program in Ghana, a seminar was held by the hajj board to sensitize the pilgrims especially the first timers on the rudiments of the hajj pilgrimage.

All intending pilgrims who need to know more about the hajj and to have access to their hajj travelling bags and other items are being advised to attend the seminar. All their agents would be available to attend to them.

The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, and a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey, and can support their family during their absence. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, and Sawm.

The gathering during Hajj is considered the largest annual gathering of people in the world. The state of being physically and financially capable of performing the Hajj is called istita'ah, and a Muslim who fulfills this condition is called a mustati. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God (Allah). The word Hajj means "to intend a journey", which connotes both the outward act of a journey and the inward act of intentions.

The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th (or in some cases 13th) of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and the Islamic year is about eleven days shorter than the Gregorian year, the Gregorian date of Hajj changes from year to year. Ihram is the name given to the special spiritual state in which pilgrims wear two white sheets of seamless cloth and abstain from certain things.

The Hajj is associated with the life of Islamic prophet Muhammad from the 7th century, but the ritual of pilgrimage to Mecca is considered by Muslims to stretch back thousands of years to the time of Abraham. During Hajj, pilgrims join processions of hundreds of thousands of people, who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj, and perform a series of rituals: each person walks counter-clockwise seven times around the Ka'aba (the cube-shaped building and the direction of prayer for the Muslims), runs back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah , drinks from the Zamzam Well , goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil, spends a night in the plain of Muzdalifa , and performs symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing stones at three pillars. The pilgrims then shave their heads, perform a ritual of animal sacrifice, and celebrate the three-day global festival of Eid al-Adha.

Pilgrims can also go to Mecca to perform the rituals at other times of the year. This is sometimes called the "lesser pilgrimage", or Umrah. However, even if they choose to perform the Umrah, they are still obligated to perform the Hajj at some other point in their lifetime if they have the means to do so.

The present pattern of Hajj was established by Muhammad. However, according to the Quran, elements of Hajj trace back to the time of Abraham, around 2000 BCE. According to Islamic tradition, Abraham was ordered by God to leave his wife Hagar (Hagar) and his son Ishmael alone in the desert of ancient Mecca. In search of water, Hagar desperately ran seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwah but found none. Returning in despair to Ishmael, she saw the baby scratching the ground with his leg and a water fountain sprang forth underneath his foot. [18] Later, Abraham was commanded to build Kaaba (which he did with the help of Ishmael) and to invite people to perform pilgrimage there. [19] The Quran refers to these incidents in verses 2:124-127 and 22:27-30 . [n 1] It is said that the archangel Gabriel brought the Black Stone from Heaven to be attached to Kaaba.

In pre-Islamic Arabia, a time known as jahiliyyah, Kaaba became surrounded by pagan idols. [20] In 630 CE, Muhammad led his followers from Medina to Mecca, cleansed the Kaaba by destroying all the pagan idols, and then deconsecrated the building to Allah. In 632 CE, Muhammad performed his only and last pilgrimage with a large number of followers, and instructed them on the rites of Hajj. [22] It was from this point that Hajj became one of the five pillars of Islam.

During the medieval times, pilgrims would gather in big cities of Syria, Egypt, and Iraq to go to Mecca in groups and caravans comprising tens of thousands of pilgrims, [23] often under state patronage. [24] Hajj caravans, particularly with the advent of the Mamluk Sultanate and its successor, the Ottoman Empire, were escorted by a military force accompanied by physicians under the command of a hajj. This was done in order to protect the caravan from Bedouin robbers or natural hazards, and to ensure that the pilgrims were supplied with the necessary provisions. Muslim travelers like Ibn Jubayr and Ibn Battuta have recorded detailed accounts of Hajj-travels of medieval time. The caravans followed well-established routes called in Arabic darb al-hajj, lit. "Pilgrimage road", which usually followed ancient routes such as the King's Highway.

Timing of Hajj

The date of Hajj is determined by Islamic calendar (known as Hijri calendar or AH), which is a lunar year . Every year, the events of Hajj take place in a five-day period, starting on 8 and ending on 12 Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar. Among these five days, the 9th Dhul-Hijjah is known as Day of Arafah, and this day is called the day of Hajj. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and the Islamic year is about eleven days shorter than the Gregorian year, the Gregorian date for Hajj changes from year to year. Thus, each year in the Gregorian calendar, the pilgrimage starts eleven days (sometimes ten days) earlier than the preceding year. This makes it possible for the Hajj season to fall twice in one Gregorian year, and it does so every 33 years. The last time this phenomenon occurred was 2006. [31] The table below shows the Gregorian dates of Hajj of recent years (the dates correspond to 9 Dhul-Hijjah of Hijri calendars):

Ihram

When the pilgrims are about 6 miles (10 km) from Mecca, they enter into a state of holiness  known as Ihram  that consists of wearing two white seamless cloths for the male, with the one wrapped around the waist reaching below the knee and the other draped over the left shoulder and tied at the right side; wearing ordinary dress for the female that fulfills the Islamic condition of public dress with hands or face uncovered;] taking ablution; declaring the intention (niyah) to perform pilgrimage and to refraining from certain activities such as clipping the nails, shaving any part of the body, having sexual relations; using perfumes, damaging plants, killing animals, covering head (for men) or the face and hands (for women); getting married; or carrying weapons. A place designated for changing into Ihram is called a Miqat. The ihram is meant to show equality of all pilgrims in front of God: there is no difference between the rich and the poor.

Mount Safa near Kaaba inside Masjid al-Haram

Tawaf means walking seven times counterclockwise around the Kaaba. Upon arriving at Masjid al-Haram, pilgrims perform an arrival tawaf either as part of Umrah or as a welcome tawaf. During tawaf, pilgrims also include Hateem  an area at the north side of Kaaba  inside their path. Each circuit starts with the kissing or touching of the Black Stone (Hajar al- Aswad). If kissing the stone is not possible because of the crowds, they may simply point towards the stone with their hand on each circuit. Eating is not permitted but the drinking of water is allowed, because of the risk of dehydration due to the often low humidity in Mecca. Men are encouraged to perform the first three circuits at a hurried pace, known as Ramal, and the following four at a leisurely pace.

The completion of Tawaf is followed by two Rakaat prayers at the Place of Abraham (Muqam Ibrahim), a site near Kaaba inside the mosque. However, again because of large crowds during the days of Hajj, they may instead pray anywhere in the mosque. After prayer, pilgrims also drink water from the Zamzam well, which is made available in coolers throughout the Mosque. [43]

Although the circuits around the Kaaba are traditionally done on the ground level, tawaf is now also performed on the first floor and roof of the mosque because of the large crowd.

Tawaf is followed by sa'ay, running or walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, located near Kaaba. Previously in open air, the place is now entirely enclosed by the Masjid al-Haram mosque, and can be accessed via air-conditioned tunnels. [ Pilgrims are advised to walk the circuit, though two green pillars mark a short section of the path where they are allowed to run. There is also an internal "express lane" for the disabled. After sayee, the male pilgrims shave their heads and women generally clip a portion of their hair, which completes the Umrah.

After narrating all that needs to be known about the hajj pilgrimage an experienced hajj agent had a word of advice to all those who are preparing to travel to the holy land for the hajj pilgrimage

Alhaji Gariba Ibrahim, Managing Director, Al-Balad Travel and Tours Limited, the official travel agent for Hajj, warned hajj pilgrims to adhere to the rules governing the hajj pilgrimage. He advised the pilgrims to stay clear from iniquities that include trading in narcotics and other dangerous drugs.

According to him, engaging in narcotics or even having the illegal substance in your possession is a grievous crime in Saudi Arabia, that could result in the culprit being beheaded or hanged to death.

To avoid this painful death and its accompanying embarrassment to the country, Alhaji Gariba admonished Ghanaian pilgrims to sustain Ghana's good image and reputation by doing away with narcotics as they travel for the Hajj.

To the best of his knowledge, he stated that Ghanaian pilgrims to Mecca over the years have comported themselves well and this had boosted the image of the country, so he expected the positive trend to be sustained.

Executive Director

EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

P.O.BOX 17070AN 233244370345/23326370345/ 233208844791

[email protected] /[email protected]
23.08.2017 LISTEN

He may be first-cousins with Nana Addo DankwaAkufo-Addo, but Mr. Gabriel AsareOtchere-Darko has absolutely no business attempting to nepotistically and criminally use his kinship with the President of the Democratic Republic of Ghana to either hijack or obstruct the smooth-running of the country (See Gabby Hijacks Akufo-Addo; Contracts Being Diverted  Rev. Owusu-Bempah Alleges Kasapafmonline.com / Ghanaweb.com 8/22/17).

Those who care may verify from Ms. Josephine Danquah about me having passed several messages through the officially known last born child and daughter of Dr. J. B. Danquah and a close confidante of Nana Akufo-Addo, to the effect that if then-Candidate Akufo-Addo did not promptly dispose of this scumbag and veritable scam-artist in the making from any association with his electioneering campaign team and organization, Nana Akufo-Addo might as well kiss his dream of being elected President of Ghana goodbye.

Everybody knows that Mr. Otchere-Darko has been boldly and publicly consorting with Mr. Kofi Adams, the National Organizer of the countrys main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), for quite a lengthy while now; and it is one of the reasons why Nana Akufo-Addos victory lap for the Flagstaff House was unduly delayed. There is also the facile temptation of comparing the cast of characters at the Flagstaff House presently to those that packed the Flagstaff House of previous Fourth-Republican presidents. But, of course, that is the cheap bait of those poised to seeing Nana Akufo-Addo miserably fail in his yeomanly attempt to return the country to its fitting place among the modern global comity of nations.

A few weeks towards Election 2016, it may be vividly recalled that Mr. Otchere-Darko was running rampant and riotous in the Aflao, or South-Tongu, district of the Volta Region trying to create problems for the Akufo-Addo Presidential Campaign Team, by falsely claiming to have discovered some pre-stuffed ballot boxes, which predictably turned out to have been a hoax. I also equally vividly remember Mr. John Boadu, who doubles as both the Acting General-Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the latter partys National Organizer, sternly warning the so-called founder of the Danquah Institute to slide off, as he did not represent the party in any capacity whatsoever.

Well, as the reader may have readily guessed it, I am not here to repeat my pre-election warning, only to confirm the fact that Rev. Isaac Owusu-Bempah may very well be telling the public the unvarnished truth. Indeed, when he left the Danquah Institute several years ago, I thought the so-called Executive Director of the DI was going to take up an advanced course in history or political science, in order to make himself more useful and productive in the sub-discipline of Ghanaian or African history, particularly the study of the key role that his granduncle, Dr. Joseph (Kwame Kyeretwie) Boakye-Danquah, and other members of the Ofori-Atta Clan, including Nana Akufo-Addos own immortalized father, and our allies played in the epic struggle for the liberation of our country.

The last time that I checked, absolutely no Ph.D. courses were being offered at the Flagstaff House. I also remember quite vividly when The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panyin, II, asked Mr. Otchere-Darko to list me as one of the Board Members of the Danquah Institute, but this SOB would not pick my five or six calls at the instance of the Okyenhene who was on the other line and wracked with incredulity. This SOB probably thought I was a freeloading nobody on a quest for undeserved recognition. He would later confirm my suspicion by presuming to lecture me of who Dr. Danquah, my own great-granduncle was, and how privileged I needed to feel for having my name associated with an institution established in his name!

Maybe Mr. Otchere-Darko ought to have first researched the origin of my name and background before so unwisely exposing himself to such withering ridicule and ignominy. He wouldnt also allow me to hit back at Akufo-Addos Trokosi Nationalist Detractors like Mr. Michael Dokosi because in the rancid words of this political scumbag, Dont you know Michael Dokosi is an old critic of Nana Akufo-Addo? You get the drift here, dear reader, or dont you?

*Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs
23.08.2017 LISTEN

In 2011, after several years of positive discussions and mutual visits by officials and educators between Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA and Sunyani and Techiman, Brong Ahafo, Ghana, the three cities established an official Sister City Partnership. The mission includes educational and cultural exchanges, as well as opportunities to enhance business and community interests across the ocean.

The partnership is strong, and the commitment by leaders from all cities remains resolute.

However, there is a huge, frustrating, hurdle that we have not yet found a way to overcome: securing visas for high school students officially invited to Tuscaloosa, USA.

As Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International continued preparations this week to welcome a 13-member delegation (8 students and 5 officials) from Sunyani-Techiman to Tuscaloosa September 18-28, 2017, we received word that all eight student delegates were denied visas to travel to the USA.

Of course, this is not the first time this has happened. This matter has plagued, and continues to plague, many Sister Cities attempts to implement reciprocal exchanges after successful US student/community exchanges to Ghana. It is a source of ongoing concern shared by many colleagues.

When the student group arrived for their interviews at the US Embassy on August 16, 2017, they were summarily denied visas, with no tangible reason given as to why. The refusal to award visas to young people from Ghana to the USA is not new; there are fears that some visitors, once on American soil, may overstay the visa term limits or vanish and not return to Ghana.

Our planned exchange in September was to have been completely sponsored (paid for) by the municipalities of Sunyani and Techiman, with both MCEs, two high school principals, and a representative from the Regional Minister's office as participants and chaperones. The City of Tuscaloosa had assembled host families for each of the invited delegates, with a full schedule of organized, supervised programs and events coordinated by Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International.

If this level of preparation and earnest commitment from all levels of our Partnership is not enough to warrant genuine consideration for each and every candidate during the visa interview process, kindly educate us on what we may do to successfully change this.

How do Sister Cities successfully plan reciprocal programs when there seems to be little reciprocity for deserving students? What does it take to change these fears and allow young people to participate in a global exchange that can positively change their lives  and enhance the mutual respect and understanding between our cities and nations?

The goodwill and future strength of our Sister Cities partnership is compromised each time our Ghanaian colleagues and friends suffer yet another humiliation of a failed visa attempt.

I, along with dozens of other Sister Cities International representatives in the USA and Ghana, are committed to resolving this matter to the benefit of delegates of all ages.

Lisa Keyes, Executive Director

Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International
23.08.2017 LISTEN

A Former Local Government Minister, Kwadwo Adjei Darko, has shot down suggestions by a Senior Research Fellow of the Institute of Democratic Governance, (IDEG), Mr. Kwesi Jonah, for the establishment of District Development Advisory Councils at the local government level, modelled after the constitutional body, the Council of State.

According to Adjei Darko, the structure of the district assemblies is such that the establishment of a Development Advisory Council would be superfluous.

Speaking on Space FMsMorning Flight 877 hosted by Dickson Smith, the former Sunyani West legislator said members of the assemblies are elected to perform several functions including advising the District Chief Executive, (DCE) on programmes and policies of the assemblies.

Why must we have another body advising the assemblies when assembly members are doing the same thing, he asked adding that the establishment of such a council may breed corruption in the long run.

In Mr. Jonahs proposal, the District Development Advisory Councils would comprise chiefs and other marginalised groups in local governance, and provide the opportunities for such groups to effectively participate in governance without breaching the law.

But Adjei Darko said it unnecessary since it would not serve any better purpose in the assemblies.

In the proposal for District Development Advisory Councils, Mr. Jonah said it would give the chiefs the dignity of participating effectively in the development of their communities, while ensuring that there was no departure from the constitutional provision of chiefs not engaging in active party politics.

Mr. Jonah also proposed that the 30 per cent members appointed by the government to the various assemblies should be abolished.

That was because the original intention of the policy, that is, to fill the assemblies with technical experts, was now being abused.

In its place, Mr. Jonah proposed the election of members on the basis of the mixed proportional representation system.

He explained that the system ensured the reservation of seats exclusively for a category of persons, thus, qualified persons for the particular seats would go through the normal elections to fill them.
23.08.2017 LISTEN

Ecclesiastes 10:19:

Party gives laughter

And wine gives happiness

But money gives everything.

Undoubtedly, the person with a lot of money makes the rules and if you dont believe me ask the Chinese and their role in Africa.

Please stay with me; you will get it in a minute.

Ghana is broke socially, financially, spiritually and ethically.

Historically, every great society is built upon its institutions. But, regrettably for some reason, almost every Ghanaian institution we can count on has failed and disappointed us miserably.

Because most of our traditional institutions are in bed with our politicians so they have become ineffective and are not in tempo with our aspirations and dreams. Even our judicial system (which supposed to protect our Rights) is nothing to write home about. Can we either count on our microwave education system that much to deliver us from the evils of under-education, mis-education and unemployment?

Tragically, we entered the new millennium much the same way we start every yearmuch unprepared and lack of financial literacy.

Whether we like it or not, there is a need to put in place some mechanism where a real wealth could be created or generated untainted by an average Ghanaian. And perhaps the orthodox religious bodies are the answers to our financial broken problems; if only they will play their roles meaningfully. Im talking about the churches and mosques that are scattered across the landscape of Ghana. Perhaps they have answers to our broken financial faucet that is leaking uncontrollably.

Nevertheless, for the religious bodies (esp. the churches) to be more affective in shaping the minds of the youth and the younger generationto make a living in an old-fashioned or untainted way the religious groups need to be wealthy and economically well-organized.

Amazingly, the more religious we become the more we get broke and that is sad. On this part of the world ,we go to church simply to get excited and walk away feeling good because we have been bombarded with the daily dose of Biblical verses relating to money that have been taken out of context.

On the other hand, the majority of the congregations dont have health insurance coverage because they cant afford it .

Oh yes, I know some people with high- octane religious inclination will have problem with my statements. The fact that I have said that will upset some people so much that they will call me shallow, greedy and a lot of unpleasant and unprintable names.

Its a fact; most established religious groups in Ghana dont want to talk about money matters. But paradoxically, money defines everything and everybody.

Money determines the clothes your kids wear to school. Money usually decides who your friends will be and how long they stay with you . Money decides whether you or your kids will go to college or not. In fact, money determines whether your kids will pass their national standard examinations or not. It also picks the schools they attend.

Money determines the house you will live in, the neighborhood you live in and the type of kids your kids play with. It determines whether you get a great medical care or a lousy one. Money even determines the size of your funeral, gravestone and the quality of the casket you will be buried in.

Its fair? Probably not! But life isnt always fair. I dont make the rules. I just x-ray and dissect them, try to figure them out and write about them.

Personally, my lack of (untainted) money while growing up has motivated me to read more about its advantages and disadvantages. So Im fully aware of what money can and cant do. So please dont push anything down my throat.

Being poor is a condition ,but being broke is a situation we find ourselves in for doing something wrong or not doing the right things.

Yes, I know there are people who live in societies and countries where there are no opportunities for advancement because all their efforts and resources are invested in just to survive but this is not the case in Ghana. We have abundant natural resources but we dont have the right tools to manage them and that is why were broke.

Please dont start with me!

This is not, its easier for-a- camel -to-go-through the eye- of -a- needle-than-a- rich man- to-enter -into-the-kingdom of-God or money- is- evil- moment, that some Ghanaian churches are busy peddling to their congregations; while their televangelists are always busy asking for money for magic oils, spiritual consultation fees or special water that supposed to cure any disease and solve any imaginable problem.

Before we start lets make sure we understand one another: Im not saying money is the answer to everything. But it gives you power, some security and freedom to make choices.

Imagine (just imagine for a moment) that you were watching TV when the Melcom Stores disaster occurred. You would love to write a fat check to help the victims but you couldnt because youre broke. But I sent my prayers to them, Yeah right! Prayers alone wont do much. If you were rich you could have sent a fat check with a lot of zeros behind the number, in addition to your prayers. Do I believe in prayers? Oh, sure! I also believe in action.

So lets get it straight from the start so that you understand what I am saying here.

This piece is not about the love for money, but its about being broke(as in inability to create or control wealth) in every sense of the word as a nation and how we need unconventional, out-of-the box thinking and approach to fix it. And I used the religious orthodox bodies because theyre the most organized (with most members) institution in our country.

There are over twenty million Ghanaians who attend church or mosque regularly. If just fifty- percent of them elected to support the vision of economic empowerment and contributed Gh1.00 a week, they can get a huge capital for investment and other life enhancing projects in place.

Through preaching and teaching credit Unions could be set up where the congregations can tap into as a source of investment funds.

Churches and mosques could serve as community centers for health services, employment opportunities; leadership and business training, especially for the growing underclass members who feel abandoned and confused about their role in todays information -obsessed economy.

While were at it lets kick it up a notch; financial literacy must be taught to the congregations. Yes the congregations should understand the basic business terms like: Assets (something that pays you money), expenses (money you spend), liabilities (things that cost you money), Income (money that comes to you).

Its believed that the wealthy people invest in passive income assets (like, bonds, stock, treasury bills, real estate, etc) while the rest of us invest in liabilitiesthe latest electronic gadgets, cars, clothes, jewelry, luxurious weddings, parties.etc. To the wealthy, wealth creation is a formula that we also need to learn vigorously if we want to get out of the socioeconomic doldrums.

Probably your feelings have been hurt already as you read what I have said. But is okay! Our situation demands very tough approach. At this point we dont need people who will put their arms around us and say, It will be okay, it will be all right, just hang in there, God will provide! We shouldnt expect God to do for us what we can do for ourselves.

Well, maybe I went too far. However, If something in this piece rubs you the wrong way or pisses you off, thats probably a good thingbecause it forces you and your congregation to confront your misconceptions about the importance of untainted money, wealth creation and what the religious institutions in the country can do to help us stay away from self-inflicted, self-perpetuated poverty syndrome in which the majority of us have found ourselves.

Id like to leave you with this by a gentleman called Albert Einstein. He said, If you could feed your mind as often as you feed your stomach, you will never have to worry about how to feed your stomach or put a roof over your head or put clothes on your back.

Kwaku Adu-Gyamfi (Voice of reason)

*The author is a social commentator and founder of Youth Empowerment foundation for disadvantaged youth of Asuom.
Every year in Ghana, 56,000 children die before the age of five. Also, of 1,000 babies born in the country, 72 will die before the age of five that is ten times what is in Ghana.

Again, one nurse in Ghana looks after a 1,500 people that is five times more than it should be in the country where 40 percent of the population is under the age of 15 years which means that security of the nation is based on how it takes care of its youth.

This disturbing statistics was presented by Dr. Isaac Odame the Medical Director of the Global Sickle Cell Disease Network, at this year annual Ga Dangbe Association of Toronto Dinner Dance over the weekend.

The Ga Dangbe Association of Toronto, made a donation of 2,000 Canadian dollars to foundation through an appeal for fund.

Dr. Isaac Odame who doubles as a Haematologist at the hospital for sick children [SICKKIDS] Toronto-Canada, observed that if the country dont have any policy to preserve the health and development of its youth, it could not make it as a country.

He explained that is why SickKids Ghana Initiative is about improving child health outcomes by training Ghanaian nurses to have specialized skills to look after children to prevent all preventable deaths among children in Ghana regardless of where they live.

So we are determined to train 1,500 pediatric nurses. We have trained 300 now and we are hoping to train more to achieve success he disclosed.

He stated that the government of Ghana has made it known its intention of needing 2,500 of these nurses by 2025 and that is why the Canadian government is supporting the SickKids Foundation which also needs the support of Ghanaians living in the diaspora.

Under the Canadian government support programme, SIckKids Ghana Initiative every dollar it raise, the Canadian government will give three times of that, it was learnt.

So far, the SickKids Ghana Initiative has been able to raise 1.3million dollars towards its goal of 3.45 million to make the project which is half way become a success.

Dr. Isaac Odame further disclosed that currently they are training nurses in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale making sure that nurses come from underserved areas where there no doctors for these nurses to safe lives of sickkids to secure the countrys future.

He urged all to support this special initiative by appealing to Ghanaians in the diaspora to donate in cash because the youth of Ghana represents the economic, financial and social security of the country.

The acting Ghanaian High Commissioner to Canada, Mr. Philbert John, praised members of the association for supporting provision of quality health care back home.

He reminded the people of their rights as citizens of Ghana and the need to support the government in diverse ways as it gives direction of leadership.

048
23.08.2017 LISTEN

WorldRemit teams up with the Miss Ghana UK Foundation to launch the search for Ghanas Female Role Models of the Future through #MyFutureGH

Accra, Ghana and London, UK, 21 August 2017 - New technologies like mobile money are transforming the future for women across the globe, but without positive role models, women could be failing to take full advantage of these opportunities.

 WorldRemit and the Miss Ghana UK Foundation have launched a new competition #MyFutureGH to address this challenge by helping young Ghanaian women to build a better future for themselves.

 Whether youre a talented artist like Theodosia Salome Okoh or an entrepreneur like Bernice Dapaah, WorldRemit is offering you the opportunity to win Cedi 20,000 to realise your ambitions and inspire others in the process. Miss Ghana UK will fly to Accra to personally award the prize to the winner.

KPMG reports that women who have positive role models growing up are twice as likely to feel confident today (50% vs. 25%) compared to those who did not have positive role models. More than eight in 10 women (84%) remarked that positive leadership role models helped them feel confident about what they could accomplish in life.

Cilla Baafuor-Gyewu of the Miss Ghana UK Foundation comments:Miss Ghana UK highlights that beauty is more than skin deep as winners must use their brains and resourcefulness to further the interests of Ghanaians and act as ambassadors for Ghana in the UK. By working with WorldRemit on #MyFutureGH we aim to take the work we have begun on female empowerment a step further and raise awareness of the wealth of talent that Ghanaian women possess and encourage others to seek opportunities to pursue their own ambitions.

Martin Best, Head of Brand Marketing at WorldRemit, added: Remittances around the world are being used to build better futures for the next generation. When money is accompanied by examples of positive role models to show young people what can be achieved, the impact is far greater. In this way, we hope to shine a light on talent and inspire young Ghanaian women to aim higher and to embrace opportunities to build a better future.

ABOUT WORLDREMIT

WorldRemit is changing the way people send money.

Its easy  just open the app or visit the website  no more agents.

 Transfers to most countries are instant  send money like an instant message.

 More ways to receive (Mobile Money, bank transfer, cash pickup).

 Available in over 50 countries and 140+ destinations.

 Backed by Accel Partners and TCV  investors in Facebook, Spotify, Netflix and Slack.

WorldRemits global headquarters are in London, UK with regional offices in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

HOW TO ENTER THE COMPETITION

 Entrants are asked to share an explanation of how they would use the money to further develop their talent accompanied by a photo of them pursuing their talent using the hashtag #MyFutureGH on Facebook or Instagram. Entries must be submitted by 11:59pm GMT on 8th September 2017.

 From these entries a panel of judges including leading representatives from the Ghana Union, the High Commission for Ghana in London, the Miss Ghana UK Foundation and WorldRemit will select a shortlist of 5 finalists.

 Finalists will be asked to post a video of themselves further explaining how the prize money will be used to better their future and why they should win it. These videos will be shared across WorldRemits social media channels as inspiration to other Ghanaians and women around the world.

 The MyFutureGH competition is open to Ghanaian women between 16 and 26 years old living in Ghana. For further details visit WorldRemit on Facebook
Ga Damgbe Association of Toronto-Canada has donated 2,000 Canadian dollars to the Sick Kids Ghana Foundation.

The amount of money was raised through a special appeal for fund as part of activities during the Ga Homowo Dinner Dance held in Forum Banquet in Toronto over the weekend.

It was to support the Sick Kids Ghana Foundation in its effort to train pediatric nurses in Ghana to serve in underserved areas where there are no doctors to safe lives of children to secure the countrys future.

Receiving the donation, the Medical Director of the Global Sickle Cell Disease Network, Dr. Isaac Odame said, children and youth account for 40 percent of Ghanas population, yet there are few health-care providers who are sufficiently trained to address the specialized needs of the children.

Dr. Odame who doubles as haematologist at the hospital for sick children [SICKKIDS] Toronto-Canada, hinted that as a result, more than 54,000 newborns and children under the age of five years die each year-often due to preventable illnesses such as pneumonia, malaria-related and diarrhoea related diseases.

According to him, in a country of more than 25.9million people, there are only 10 doctors, nurses and midwives per 10,000 people therefore, working with local partners such as the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Global Affairs Canada, Ghanas Ministry of Health and Ghana.

Health services, SickKids will scale up the first specialized pediatric nursing training programme in all West Africa.

Dr. Isaac Odame was hopeful that, by March 2020, the SickKids-Ghana Initiative would have trained 500 nurses on top of the 220 nurses trained in the first phase of the project.

Additionally, 1,000 nurses, midwives, and community health officers will receive training through professional development courses designed to address the highest needs of Ghanaian children.

The investment will also contribute immediate and on-ongoing improvements to reduce child morbidity and mortality in Ghana and so far has raised 1.3million towards our goal of 3.45million dollars.

Dr. Isaac Odame used the opportunity to appeal to all Ghanaians living in foreign destinations to support this special initiative in cash donations because the youth of Ghana represents the economic, financial and social security of the country.

Sickkidsfoundation.com/givetoghana or

EMAIL:[email protected]
The Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) has elected its new crop of executives to man the affairs of the Union for the 2017\2018 academic years. This was done at the Union's 16th Annual Residential Delegates Congress held from 16th to 20th of August, 2017 at the Kings University College in Accra.

The theme for this year's Congress which was "harnessing the potential of the professional students, the role of Government and the International community", saw many speakers touching on key areas of skill and talent developments.

Keynote speakers included the Member of Parliament for Tongu North, Hon Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Oye Luther, Member Parliament for Jirapa, Hon. Francis Bawaana Dakura, the Registrar and Finance Director of Kings University College including many other speakers and students leaders across the country.

In a speech, Hon. Okudjeto Ablakwa charged the professional students to wake up from slumber and hold the bull by the horn by saying there's a lot of work to be done as a Union. He walked delegate, observers and all participants of the opening ceremony through the evolution of the National Union of Ghana Students which is the umbrella body of Ghanaian students home and abroad. He elaborated on how significant students Unions can be in building consensus on national discourse affecting education and its major stakeholders which is the students.

Hon. Francis Dakura also admonished the Union to build a formidable and united front to enable the Union to stand against any individual or group of persons who intend to drag the hard earned reputation of the Union to the cleaners. He hinted that it was out of unity that led to the renaissance of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS)which engaged government on key educational policies to help develop the sector. He said itwas through the effort of Ghanaian students that gave birth to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND), abolishing of the Quota system and a lot of policy intervention to mitigate the woes of the ordinary Ghanaian student.

Hon. Oye Luther equally took her turn at the "girls talk", a program by the Unions Women's Commissioner specifically designed to enrich and empower the young women in exploiting all rightful avenues in getting to the apex of both educational and economic ladder. She asserted that the power of the girl child is without limit and boundary, hence nothing can stop them from getting any of their dreams materialized.

On the fourth day of the congress, election was conducted by the Union's Electoral Commission to elect new executives for the next academic year. At the end of the polls, the following individuals were duly elected into various positions.

President-Elect- Mr. Ibrahim Abdulla, a student of Africa University College of Communication

 General Secretary-Elect - Ms. Ann Maclean, a student of Marshall University

Treasurer-Elect - Mr. Emmanuel Selassie Amedzor, a graduate of University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA)

 Co-ordinating Secretary-Elect. - Mr. Tetteh Djem Bismark, a graduand of Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ)

Women's Commissioner-Elect. Ms. Clara Emefa Asempapa, a graduate of University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA)

-Programs and Projects Coordinator Elect- Mr. Wisdom Uwumborkan, a graduate of University College of Management Studies Accra (UCOMS Accra)

Financial Controller Elect- Mr. Polycarp Opoku-Dwamenah, a graduate of University of Professional Studies, Accra. (UPSA)

Meanwhile, the position of the Press and Information Secretary and International Relations Secretary remains vacant till a bye-election is conducted to fill the vacancy as enshrined in Article 32 (8) of the GUPS constitution.
23.08.2017 LISTEN

In the framework of the International Year on Sustainable Tourism for Development, 2017, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is launching a consumer-oriented campaign aimed at raising awareness of the value and contribution that sustainable tourism can make towards development. The Travel.Enjoy.Respect campaign wants to engage tourists in making the sector a catalyst for positive change.

The main message of the campaign is summarized by the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai: Whenever you travel, wherever you travel, remember to: respect nature, respect culture, and respect your host. You can be the change you want to see in the world. You can be an ambassador for a better future. TRAVEL, ENJOY AND RESPECT.

The campaign, which will run in various languages and outlets around the world, includes a manual of Tips for a Responsible Traveller, developed by the World Committee on Tourism Ethics in line with the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. The manual provides travellers with a set of recommendations to help them make responsible choices when travelling and have a positive impact on the destinations they visit.

Today more than ever, ensuring that tourism is an enriching experience for visitors and hosts alike demands strong, sustainable tourism policies and practices and the engagement of national, as well as local, governments and administrations, private sector companies, local communities and tourists themselves, added Mr. Rifai.

The message will reach consumers through campaign supporters including among others CNN International, the Government of Andorra, the Madrid City Council, Iberia, the Spanish National Railways System (Renfe), Minube, PR MEDIACO, Cleverdis and Air Mauritius.

Destinations and companies from around the world are invited to join the campaign and celebrate the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development with a commitment from the sector to Travel.Enjoy.Respect.
The 2016 Flagbearer of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Ivor Greenstreet, has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to ensure free university education for Ghanaians.

He said: Free university education would guarantee the nation quality citizenship and workforce, a responsible and knowledgeable populace and accountable and sensitive governments.

He made these remarks at the University of Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale on Tuesday, August 22, during a speech delivered at the Annual Delegates Conference of the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) on the theme: Exploring alternative avenues to fund university education.

He pointed out that in the knowledge-based world in which we now exist, education was so important and was directly linked to the economic development and the stability and progress of a nation.

For him, We cannot have a nation of a few literates and vast numbers of illiterates and we must ensure that everyone has the opportunity to explore their talents to the fullest.

Mr Greenstreet added that a government of the CPP, unlike its counterparts, will ensure investment in human capital and a free university education will be pursued.

We believe that education and university education can be provided free and must be provided free and would be provided free under a government of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) that truly and honestly believes in social investment that cares for the people, he stressed.
23.08.2017 LISTEN

The Ashanti Regional Minister and the District Chief Executive of Atwima Mponua in the Ashanti Region, have been accused of instigating and misleading the youth of the area against Ibrahim Mahama which resulted in a standoff between truck drivers carrying equipment belonging to Engineers and Planners and them.

He described the conduct of the DCE and the Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah as shameful indicating that the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu is fully aware of the processes leading to the grating of the permit.

According to a correspondence from him, Exton Cubic Group Limited which legally acquired the Nyinahini Bauxite concession as far back as August 14, 2013, had engaged Engineers and Planners (E&P), a company owned by Mr. Mahama, to use its equipment to undertake a prospective service.

The DCE for Atwima Nwabigya District and the Ashanti Regional Minister must be called to order. We live in a lawful but not lawless society. Attached are communications between Forestry Commission and Exton Cubic Group Limited. Forestry Commission granted the Company request to move its equipment to the Nyinahin area to carry out legitimate mining operations.

...Also, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Hon. Peter Amewu was in known about the processes leading to the granting of the permit to the Company, thats why he (Peter Amewu) is not happy with the Ashanti Regional Minister and DCE.

The town folks were misled by the DCE to put up that shameful behavior. We condemn what happened at Nyinahin. Lets support our own. In Ghana, hes the best we have in that area. The Chinese are interested in capital flight. We must not undermine our own just because of self- hatred , his communications aide stated.
The Akufo-Addo led government should render an unqualified apology to Ghanaians for scrapping the controversial mandatory towing levy despite earlier warnings against the policy by motorists.

According to National Democratic Congress (NDC) communicator in the Ashanti Region, the government did not do extensive consultation with the stakeholders and has realized the policy is bad, which is why he must apologize to Ghanaians.

President Akufo-Addo and New Patriotic Party (NPP) must apologise if they have seen the policy is not in the good interest of motorists, Mr. Nurudeen Abass admonished.

Drivers and vehicle owners were crying the policy is bad but the government turned deaf eyes and blind eyes and went ahead to do whatever it wanted to do, he stated.

The Akufo-Addo government has announced it will no longer implement a policy to charge motorists a compulsory levy for towing services.

Public resistance against the levy was enough to dissuade the government, according a letter issued by the Minister of Roads and Transport, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Agyemang.

Speaking on  Dwabrem afternoon political talk show on Kumasi-based Otec FM, the outspoken communicator said explanation alone is not enough.

President Akufo-Addo must come out to apologise to all Ghanaians for disobeying and putting fear in us, he told the host Agya Wusu Ansah.
Sava Region (Madagascar) (AFP) - Hit by rampant speculation and a collapse in production following cyclone Enawo, the price of vanilla -- Madagascar's largest export -- has surged in recent months.

Ice cream, aromatherapy, perfume and haute cuisine: all use the spice sourced from the Indian Ocean island which accounts for about 80 percent of global production.

The sudden cash bonanza has threatened to fuel crime and slash quality.

On the single paved road in Ampanefena, a rural community in the northeast of Madagascar, youths pass the time doing wheelies on their high-powered Japanese motorbikes.

"It cost 200 million Malagasy ariary (12,00 euros, $14,000)," claimed Akman Mat-hon, 17, atop a Kawasaki too large for his frame. His father is "in vanilla" and bought the bike as a gift.

Business is booming: since 2015 the price of the spice has soared relentlessly to "a never-before seen peak of between $600 and $750 a kilo,"(510 and 640 euros) according to Georges Geeraerts, president of Madagascar's Group of Vanilla Exporters.

Since the market was liberalised in 1989, the price has fluctuated wildly -- from $400 a kilo in 2003 to $30 in 2005, where it stayed for roughly a decade.

But demand eventually outstripped the supply of around 1,800 tonnes-a-year, spurred on by resurgent calls for organic products, speculation by financiers -- and by tropical cyclone Enawo which ravaged part of the production zone.

Markets in the vanilla-producing Sava region were saturated almost overnight with motorbikes, smartphones, solar panels, generators, flat-screen televisions and gaudy home furnishings.

'It's a free-for-all'

A farmer shows his raw vanilla pods. High prices are making many producers flush with cash.

"The banks struggled to keep up with the pace," said a French trader speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Money no longer has any meaning, people think it's a free-for-all, it's becoming anarchy," added Vittorio John, a vanilla grower in his 40s.

The price explosion has led to increased thefts from vanilla plantations.

Some growers sleep in their fields to guard their precious crop and several thieves have been beaten, imprisoned or even killed.

"We pay two police to secure the village," said Patrick Razafiarivo, 42, an intermediary between the farmers and the exporters who admits to hiding vanilla underneath his mattress.

"The police made us pay for their 4X4s," said a French exporter.

The authorities admit that they were caught unprepared for the boom.

"The root of all the problems is insecurity caused by a lack of capacity, staff, and force discipline," said Teddy Seramila, the Sava region's development director.

Fear of thefts in the plantations has also forced some growers to pick their pods prematurely, resulting in declining standards.

"People are doing all sorts. They're vacuum packing vanilla that can go bad. Non-experts can be misled over the quality," said an exporter from Madagascar.

"Nothing distinguishes a good pod from a bad pod, you can't tell the difference," exporter Lucia Ranja Salvetat told AFP.

'Tearing ourselves apart'

A vanilla farmer inspects his plants.

The vanilla trade remains largely unregulated in Madagascar, and the scant rules are seldom enforced.

Each buyer can freely tour villages and negotiate prices directly with the farmers or call intermediaries to get a quote.

"There should be a law applied to everyone but instead people do as they please," said one of the exporters from Madagascar.

"Barely any of the local authorities levy any taxes," said Seramila -- even though vanilla makes up five percent of the country's gross domestic product.

Just 21 percent of people in the region have access to drinking water and only six communities out of 86 are electrified.

"Honestly, we can't succeed in this job. Everybody is manoeuvering and it's the big exporters that are setting the example," said Razafiarivo.

Madagascar's bourbon vanilla is a product of expertise handed down from generation to generation and has been considered the best in the world.

But concerns over quality could deter buyers, handing a victory to the country's main vanilla exporting rivals -- Indonesia and Uganda.

"Everything must come to an end and it's almost certain that there will be a price fall," predicted Geeraerts, the export association chief.

"Vanilla enabled me to go to school, it's a noble commodity. When the price falls, the opportunists will leave -- but we will always be here," said Salvetat.

"We are the old-guard who have forged our future and our children's future with vanilla -- but we are in the process of tearing ourselves apart."
A group of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Cadres and Activists have responded to Dr. Valerie Sawyerr's for his public outburst against their party founder like, Jerry John Rawlings.

According to them, Dr Valerie Sawyerr cannot expect President Rawlings to condemn corruption in the current President Akufo Addos NPP government when the perception of corruption about his own party lingers on.

Below is the full statement;

NDC CADRES AND ACTIVISTS REACTION TO DR. VALERIE SAWYERRS OUTBURST ON H E JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS, FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS.

As Cadres and Activists of the NDC, we are saddened by the outburst of Dr. Valerie Sawyerr, Deputy Chief of Staff in the erstwhile Mahama Administration, on H E Jerry John Rawlings, Founder of the NDC. Since the formation of this party in 1992, no member (of high or low ranking) has ever publicly insulted any of our elders let alone the Founder on whose back we have all risen to prominence.

Our cultural and ethical upbringings as Ghanaians enjoin us to be respectful to our elders in all our dealings with them. We have the right to register our dislikes, disagreements and criticisms of the elderly. However, we do so with decorous language that portrays us as well trained, mannered, and cultured adults. Any act of omission or commission in our quest to register protest, disagreement, or criticism that goes contrary to these societal edicts, portrays us as ill-mannered, untrained, uncultured, and disrespectful persons, no matter how rightful we may be.

From the days of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) to date, any individual who has dealt with Jerry John Rawlings knows how passionately he pontificates on societal issues he believes in, or abhors. The say it as it is approach epitomizes his character which no one can take from him. The place and time he expresses these passions may leave many like Dr Valerie Sawyerr cringing. But that is his style and one has to understand it in order to get the best out of him.

We do not hold the founder as a perfect being, as he, like anyone else, has his liabilities. Once we in the NDC eagerly enjoy his assets, we should as well be prepared to accommodate what we may deem as his liabilities  venting on pertinent issues we gloss over when we least expect him to do so. The Bible reminds us to remove the speck in our eyes before we remove the log in our friends eye, and charity, they say, begins at home. So, J.J. Rawlings needs to set the standard in his own home in order to have a measure for assessing outsiders. The perception of corruption has haunted the NDC in the recent past and is yet to be taken off the partys head. It has affected all NDC members, including many decent and innocent persons, and the majority of party members continue to contend with this disgraceful perception for no fault of theirs.

If all well-meaning Ghanaians have been talking about this canker and genuinely addressing it, we would not have been in this quagmire. The choice of venue by President Rawlings to talk about this societal ill is no brainer. Thus, Dr. Valerie Sawyerr cannot expect President Rawlings to condemn corruption in the current President Akufo Addos NPP government when the perception of corruption about his own party lingers on.

Former Prime Minister Dr. K. A. Busia advised Ministers of his Progress Party government and other public servants not to receive gifts at post, as the gifts would corrupt them. Dr. Valerie Sawyerr would have done the NDC a lot of good if she had advised her former boss not to have accepted the Ford Expedition SUV from a Bukinabe as gift whiles in office.

Article 6, of the Constitution of the National Democratic Congress, under; Establishment of the Party states unambiguously that, The Founding Father of the party is Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings upon whose vision and leadership the party was established. The decision to confer the position of Founder of the NDC on President Rawlings was taken at a National Congress of the party. Any NDC member who feels strongly against this decision should know the procedure to amend the partys constitution to that effect. So, such members should kindly save us the ugly noises they have been making in the media and elsewhere.

In spite of the hard work of his disciples, no one has disputed the fact that Jesus is the Founder of Christianity, and in the same vein many Ghanaians know and refer to Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as the Founder of the Republic of Ghana, irrespective of all contestations. There is no doubt on our minds and on the minds of a cross-section of Ghanaians, including NDC and non-NDC members, that H. E. Jerry John Rawlings is the Founder of the Great National Democratic Congress and he should be accorded his right of place within the party.

We wish to remind all that the National Democratic Congress was formed with a historic mission to provide a voice for the voiceless, the marginalized, and the excluded in society, including farmers, fishermen, market women, public and industrial workers, trades, artisans, progressive intellectuals, and all manner of persons at the lower stratum of the Ghanaian society.

Ever since Jerry John Rawlings burst onto the Ghanaian political scene, he has continually provided inspiration and leadership to this crop of Ghanaians. He has always stood for the truth, integrity, honesty, accountability, probity and social justice. He abhors any deed that lowers the dignity of the ordinary Ghanaian. He is indiscriminate and leads his people with clear conscience, always defending his actions with passion. He hates no one.

For the NDC to regain its relevance and be better prepared for the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, all progressive forces across the country must unite, with H. E. Jerry John Rawlings playing a key role.

Comrade Kofi Aikins

Chairman

0208160816

Comrade Yidana Adam

0573930300
Accra, Aug. 22, GNA - First National Bank is promising its customers some exciting times in the months ahead with its innovative products and multiple banking channels.

The move the bank explained is to delight its customers and let them enjoy the first-class banking associated with it in countries that it operates.

First National Bank is a subsidiary of FirstRand Group of South Africa one of the biggest financial institutions in Africa with a full banking presence in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania.

It entered the Ghanaian market about a year and half ago and has set out to drive digital banking to bring convenience and efficiency to the banking public.

Mr Delali Dzidzienyo, Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, said in an interview that the bank has an 'unflinching zeal to help businesses and individuals succeed. We believe digital innovation is a major conduit on this journey to meet our individual and business clients' unique needs. We will embrace this in the most relevant and convenient way'.

This, he explained, informed the bank's decision to create multiple channels for the banking public so that customers can choose what best suits their interests at each point in time.

He said the bank's online platform offered customers a plethora of services which they could perform without visiting the banking hall.

Mr Dzidzienyo said the bank had a good appreciation of the Ghanaian market and has banking solutions to 'cater for the ever-changing needs of our business and corporate clients.'

He explained that the bank was leveraging on the expertise and experience of its parent company and the rich local knowledge of its team to proffer innovative solutions to customers.

'We don't see banking as taking deposits and giving out loans, we see banking as growing businesses and improving lives of individuals and that is how we've tailored our products and services' the Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, emphasised.

There is a growing use of digital platforms for commerce in Ghana but Mr Dzidzienyo noted that the key requirement here is the ease of making and receiving payments.

He said as part of its innovation drive, First National Bank is going to provide individuals and businesses seamless payment and collections solutions across all channels - mobile, ATM, and online.

He said the bank will also create opportunities to regularly engage with its customers to ensure that they carry them along as the bank deepens its operations in Ghana.

First National Bank's subsidiary in South Africa recently received global recognition as one of the world's most powerful banking brands, ranked 4th in the banking category of Brand Finance's Brand Strength Index (BSI) for 2017. This latest global accolade extends the international recognition of brands within the FirstRand Group, after a number of brands within the group were named in different categories of awards across Africa.

GNA
23.08.2017 LISTEN

Accra, Aug. 22, GNA - President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said his three-day visit to Equatorial Guinea is to strengthen existing ties and explore areas of co-operation to the mutual benefit of the people.

He noted that for several decades, both nations, at the diplomatic level, had maintained strong relations, adding that he was following in the footsteps of three of his predecessors in the Fourth Republic, who also paid official visits to Equatorial Guinea.

'They have laid a solid foundation for the relations between our two countries, on which, with God's help, I am hoping to help build a bright future of co-operation,' he said.

President Akufo-Addo said this at a State Dinner held in his honour by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea on Monday, at the commencement of his three-day official visit to that country.

With the last meeting of the Permanent Joint Commission of Co-operation between the two countries held in Accra in 2010, President Akufo-Addo expressed the hope that his visit to Malabo would kick-start the re-commencement of formal sessions of the Commission.

The President was, therefore, keen to revive the Air Services Agreement, and re-establish direct flights between Accra and Malabo.

His government, he said, had also committed itself to expanding the Tema Port into a trans-shipment hub, to improve sea trade within Africa.

President Akufo-Addo noted that Equatorial Guinea's proximity to Ghana made her one of the excellent sources for procuring reliable and sustainable Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to augment Ghana's domestic supply, which would guarantee the country's energy security.

In June 2017, the ministers of Energy of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in relation to the supply of LNG from Equatorial Guinea to Ghana.

'My presence here is a consummation of this bilateral agreement, and represents a significant step towards matching Equatorial Guinea's excess gas supply to Ghana's ever growing demand.

'It is my expectation that during this visit, we shall sign a government-to-government Heads of Agreement for the supply to Ghana of LNG from Equatorial Guinea, for a period of 15years, reviewable every five years. If cocoa was the first seed to nourish the relationship between our two countries, gas is going to be the second,' he said.

The MoU provides that Equatorial Guinea will supply the equivalent of 150 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day to Ghana and the building and operation of an LNG re-gasification terminal in Takoradi

With Ghana and Equatorial Guinea being two important members of the African Union (AU), President Akufo-Addo said he was willing to do whatever he could to strengthen the AU.

'I believe it is extremely important for the welfare of the 1.2 billion people of the Continent that we, the leaders, demonstrate strong political will to make the AU an economic and political success, and to make the project of integration real. I am fully committed, and I know President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is, too,' he said.

President Akufo-Addo noted that with Africa's population set to reach some two billion in 20 years, an African Common Market presented immense opportunities to the Continent.

'The time for African integration is now. Ghana and Equatorial Guinea should be at the forefront of the process that will convert the AU into a true continental market, hence the importance of the success of the Continental Free Trade Area. A working, common continental market has to be a very fundamental objective of all peoples and governments on the Continent,' he added.

GNA

By Ken Sackey, GNA
Accra, Aug. 22, GNA - The Hungarian Government has awarded full scholarship to additional 50 Ghanaian students to study in various fields, bringing the total bursary beneficiaries to 100, after the country re-established bilateral relations with Ghana last year.

The grant package covers payment of accommodation, full tuition, feeding and monthly stipends of 40,460 HUF (Hungarian Forint).

Ms Nike Szkarosi, the Charge d' Affairs of the Hungarian Embassy, told the students at an orientation on Tuesday that education formed the best tool for deepening bilateral relations and a life-long investment in every country's destiny.

She said since the Hungarian Government launched its Foreign Policy, it had opened embassies in several countries in Africa in an effort to building more sustainable bilateral ties.

Ms Szkarosi charged the students, made up of undergraduates and postgraduates, to study hard and come out successfully and become proud ambassadors of Ghana and Hungary.

'When you finish your studies, we will rely on you because you are to be our ambassadors. Be open, polite and it will be very good for you and for your country and every one,' she said.

Hungary officially reopened its diplomatic mission in Ghana in October 2016, after it was closed in 1987 due to financial constraints and following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The first Embassy was open in Accra in 1961.

The Central European country has since shifted its Foreign Policy direction to a focus on European integration.

Dr Lawrence Tetteh, an Economist and International Evangelist, advised the students to learn the diverse cultural dynamics of the different people they would encounter and merge the cultures to enable them to coexist peacefully.

'Make sure you integrate well in the society, learn to accommodate and be accommodated, live a modest life and cut every coat of yours according to your size,' he said.

He said the integrity of their country was very important, which they should protect by putting up responsible behaviours and showcasing the goodwill of Ghana.

Dr Tetteh also asked the students to live modest lives to reflective their social and economic status.

Ghana and Hungary signed the Education Cooperation Agreement in 2016, which guaranteed at least 50 scholarships each year for Ghanaian students to study in Hungary.

This paved way for Ghanaian and Hungarian researchers, experts and lecturers to collaborate at various levels whiles opening Ghanaian institutions to Hungarian students desirous of exchange programmes.

Priority areas include Natural Sciences, particularly Medicine and Public Health, Engineering, Agriculture and Economics.

Officials said Ghana strategically selected those disciplines in view of her transformational development agenda and the fact that Hungary was renowned in those disciplines.

GNA

By D.I Laary, GNA
Accra, Aug. 22, GNA - Forty public servants and some security personnel who undertook the Colombia Spanish Language Course have been presented with Certificates of Completion and charged to promote the ideals of both countries.

The course, the fourth edition, which started from April to August this year, enabled the participants to study both the Colombian Language and Culture in levels one, two and three.

Mr Mohammad Habibu Tijani, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said at the closing ceremony in Accra that the course was introduced in 2014 following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ghana and Columbia in February, the same year.

He said the MoU created the appropriate platform to further deepen Ghana-Colombia relations, and enhance Spanish Language Proficiency for Foreign Service officers and other public servants from various public service institutions.

Participants were drawn from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Narcotics Control Board, Ministries of the Interior, Tourism Culture and Creative Arts and the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

Mr Tijani commended the graduands for widening their professional scope through the learning of a second language adding that the globalised world had increased interconnectivity between people, economies and businesses, which had made the promotion of global culture, political and economic integration very critical.

'In this regard the learning and speaking of a second language would provide the means of interacting between the people of Ghana and Colombia,' he said.

Mr Tijani said with improved language skills, diplomats would be better positioned to explore the world and engage more meaningfully with the larger Spanish-Speaking community.

He thanked the lecturers and instructors from the coordinating institution; the Pontificia Bolivariana University of Medellin in Colombia, for imparting a wealth of knowledge to the participants.

He expressed the hope that the Ghana- Colombia bilateral cooperation, which centred on key areas such as higher education, health, arts and culture, would be boosted in the coming years.

Ms Claudia Turbay, the Columbian Ambassador, commended the Government of Ghana for making efforts at bonding with the people of Latin America through such courses, adding that more of such relations needed to be nurtured.

Some of the participants, who spoke with the GNA, expressed joy at the opportunity to learn the Spanish Language and Culture as it would help them work effectively to advance their careers as diplomats.

GNA

By Lydia Asamoah, GNA
What shows that one is born for a particular profession - the police, military, banking, nursing and all others you can think of?

We may love our job with passion, commitment and dedication but is always a miscalculation and misjudgement that man is born for one particular profession. It is never true. This is a free world where the versatiles and adaptables rule their world as kings and queens but the mentally restricted ones remain in self inflicted slavery till they die with good deposits of talents and knowledge in them.

He travelled all the way from North to Sekondi for police enlistment. He had tried on several occasions but failed. Any attempt he made, they told him he is too short to be enlisted into the police service.

The Sekondi enlistment was do and die affairs. It's no retreat, no surrender. He will demonstrate his commitment, dedication and love for police work. After long wait in the queue, it finally got to his turn and he stepped forward full of confidence and hopes. One of the police officers told him "looks like I have seen you before" but he put on "gbonyo face" and walked straight to where they were taking the height. This time too, no matter how hard he stretched his neck, his missed out by an inch.

He suddenly knelt down and pleaded "officer I beg you. You can just give me the police uniform and take the salary. I want to be a police. I love this job please! please!! please!!! as he cries out loud. The senior police officer in charged the enlistment angrily said "take this armed robber from my sight. Thief! These are the guys who use the police uniform for robbery and other violent crimes. Fool! Just as the police officer commanded, he was held waist high like a thief and indeed, he was thrown out of enlistment centre. Be gone! One of the police officers said.

As he sat in the vehicle to Accra, he wept a lot. This is not the first, second, third and fourth time he is trying to join the police without fail. He has made several attempts and upon connections but still didn't work out. He has reduced his age and hid all his certificates but still to no avail. Here is he labelled as an armed robber by a police officer who doesn't even know him. Why shouldn't he forget about the police and try something else? It could just be that he is not born to be a police officer as he thinks after all. He concluded.

In Accra, he did menial jobs whilst searching for well paid one. Not quite long he landed for a job with one of the reputable International Banks in Ghana. With his qualifications, he was soon made the Managing Director West Africa. It was with the bank that he counted his stars for not joining the police after all. He was damn lucky.

Here is a calm and gentle police sergeant who always comes to the bank on duty. He one day approached the sergeant and told him about how he had a long time ambition to be a police but things didn't work out the way he wanted it till he joined the bank. It was in the conversation with the police sergeant that he got to know that the police officer has better qualifications than him plus other professional certificates.

When the police sergeant mentioned his academic qualifications, his jaw dropped and his mouth gaped. He offered him an opportunity to join his bank but do you know what the police officer said? "I am born to be a police officer and it's either police or nothing else".

It is because birds of the same feathers flock together, this police sergeant and bank manager became lifetime friends until one day this sergeant went on operations and was later interdicted for a very long time. His rank was stripped back to corporal but even that the sergeant kept his hopes till he was struck down with a disease and died.

His ambitions of becoming a senior police officer never fulfilled despite all the knowledge he acquired with good intentions to help the police service should he have been given the opportunity to become a senior police officer. Wishes they say are never horses for the poor and beggars ride to them.

As at the time the gentleman from the North was telling me this story, they had buried the sergeant just one week after. He could not control his emotions and shed a lot of tears and considered himself lucky for not joining the police actually. He recounted the number of times even him as a managing director was offered financial and management advice by this sergeant for free. Several marketing projects that is police sergeant helped him to draft were uncountable. He attributed most of his success in the banking sector to this police sergeant. He marvelled at the knowledge this sergeant went into grave with when he could have been given the opportunity to serve the police with.

The late sergeant is just one of thousands of junior police officers who are over qualified to be in the police but strangely enough, they believe that they are born for police and the police is made for them. They have the degrees, masters, PhDs and all the professional certificates plus 10,15, 20 years and above experiences in policing. Despite all these rich human resource capital which can be tapped at a very low cost, the police service will by pass these over qualified police officers and go for "green" graduates who in no time are rather given the opportunity to rise to become senior police officers. When you ask why, a certain PRO will tell you that "y3 wo ananse a oyi akwan ne ananse opae bo". They will tell you that you went to the school without their permission.

It is only the police service that they threaten to take disciplinary actions against their members for going to schools to upgrade themselves. Something that eventually brings enormous benefits to the police service whether they accept their certificates or not. Sometimes your senior officers are irritated by the mere fact that you are a degree or masters holder and comes to hate you for no reason at all. How can this be a service with integrity?

I have a lot of junior police officers who are academically intelligent and very rich in policing experiences who are hoping that they will one day become senior police officers but I also keep on telling them that it is enough with police. Try something new other than to waste all the knowledge you have acquired for nothing. Go to where you will be allowed to use your knowledge to impact on the lives of others positively. The purpose of talent and knowledge is to put it into use to advance the cause of mankind and not to waste them with hopes that you want to become senior police officers when it is almost impossible.

I once told a sergeant that he will never know his worth considering his level of education till he leaves the police. After a while he came to me that he wants to leave and penned down resignation. Only God knows how he is a fulfilled being now. He is far far better and richer than when he was in the police.

We all love to be in the police but if the police is not seeing your worth, just leave for where your impact can be felt. We all say we are born for police to show our commitment, dedication and loyalty to the police and that is very good but since we are human beings with ambitions, we are likely to be more frustrated if our ambitions collide with our commitment, dedication and loyalty to the police. We will end up not giving the police our very best and that is the exact time to leave else danger looms as far as our career is concerned.

The fact is that, NO human being is born for police. We only adapt to situations. What would you have done if you had come into this life and there is no profession such as police? The fact is that we are in the police just by chance because those who sometimes love the police more than we do never get the opportunity to join it.

I love my job but I am very versatile and adaptable. Just leave because it could also mean that not all human beings are born to be senior policr officers .

Ahanta Apemenyimheneba Kwofie III [email protected]

#Ahantadiaries_23_08_19
All disability groups across the country are embarking on a nationwide demonstration against the New Patriotic Party administration on Friday 25th August 2017.

The groups are protesting delays in the release of their share of the District Assembly Common Fund.

The persons with disability complain they have been left disadvantaged as most of them need the money to support them to pay for their school fees and other medical bills.

The Ashanti regional President of the Ghana Federation for the Disabled, Alfred Tebi Amponsah told Ultimate News the action which has been adopted by all eight chapters of the Federation has become necessary because they have exhausted all channels of redress.

Speaking to Ultimate News Ivan Heathcote  Fumador, he indicated that The persons with disability are tired. We have taken all measures but still we are not having it. We have planned that by 25th which is this coming Friday; persons with disability throughout the whole country will demonstrate against the current government because of this our share of the Common Fund which has not been disbursed unto us.

The administrator of the district assembly common fund Irene Naa Torshie Addo last week explained the delays were as a result of a validation process being undertaken by the Disability councils to bring an end to the complaints of fraud and misappropriation of the disability fund.

Mr Tebi however indicated that the federation in the Ashanti region has not been contacted on any ongoing verification or modalities concerning this purported validation exercise.

He indicated that the national office of the Ghana Federation for the Disabled will come out with a definite communique on the intended demonstration scheduled for Friday.

Asked how persons with disability will embark on a demonstration considering their status, Tebi Amponsah retorted, I have a white cane, someone is using clutches, someone is also using a wheel chair. When we get to the river, we will know how to cross it.
There is no doubt that Africa is endowed with infinite tourist destinations. As such, it won't be difficult to find destinations to visit in the continent. This is same for those who want to go on a safari.

Tourists get to experience and observe the sights and sounds of animals in their untapped and natural habitat. Truly, there is nothing more thrilling like an African safari. So, if you plan on going on an African safari, here are the 5 best destinations you should include in your itinerary as identified by Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency.

Masai Mara National Park in Kenya

The Masai Mara National Park in Kenya is unarguably one of the most popular destinations in Africa to experience wildlife. It is located in the extreme southwest of the country on the border with Tanzania. It covers over 1,500 square kilometers. You can see the Big Five including Lion, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Buffalo, and Leopard. In addition to this, you can interact and engage with the rich Masai Mara culture after hiking at the park.

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

The closeness of the Serengeti National Park to the Massai Mara means both are competing for the attention of tourists. This said, for the Serengeti National park, the open environment makes it easier for tourists to watch wild animals in action. Interestingly, the Serengeti is much larger than the Maasai Mara, and as such it often feels less crowded.

Kruger National Park in South Africa

This is the best option for tourists who are going on an African safari for the first time. This is because visitors can select from a wide variety of hotels that suits their lifestyle. It is situated in the northeast of the country on the Mozambique border. Kruger National Park is the most popular of South Africa's many game reserves. You can see the Big Five and the park is home to endangered animals like Cheetahs and wild dogs.

Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe

The Hwange National Park covers 14,650 square kilometres of land and it is located in the west of the country. It is possibly the least crowded of Southern Africa's major safari destinations. The park has a large elephant and Buffalo population.

Yankari Games Reserve in Nigeria

Yankari Game Reserve is Nigeria's richest wildlife hub. It holds the largest surviving elephant population in Nigeria. In addition, Yankari Game Reserve also supports important populations of Lion, Buffalo, Hippo, Roan, and Hartebeest. The reserve covers a total area of 2,244 km. It is located in Bauchi State, North Eastern, Nigeria.
It is refreshing to note that at long last the free SHS promise is going to be made good.

As a flagship project of the government of President Akufo-Addo and his party the New Patriotic Party (NPP), it is our take that all the necessary ingredients are provided to reduce the hitches, which usually accompany novelties of such national character.

They said it was only a campaign gimmick, nowhere near being implemented, but now everybody, indeed even propagandists on the side of the largest opposition party, cannot doubt the authenticity of the initiative.

Why is the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) disturbing our peace of mind with all the negative projections about the free SHS?

Didnt they tell us it was their policy and that Mr. Mahama had started that because it was a good idea? Can they wait for the Free SHS to start and see if indeed it will work at all?

Why all these negative presumptions? Are they getting uneasy because of votes?

The number of kids who fall out at the end of their JHS education and unable to move to the SHS level is enormous and worrying. It is the reason all Ghanaians who are stakeholders in this matter must support the initiative, regardless of their political affiliations. Ghana comes first before our political affiliations so we must do away with the pettiness all in the name of partisan politics.

DAILY GUIDE recalls with pain the efforts by some Ghanaians to derail the project and wondered how some of us can be so mean in the name of politics.

We have come a long way from independence that children roaming the streets, for want of financial support, should be anathema.

The initial hiccups, which would be experienced when the project is launched, should provide us with important lessons for fine-tuning.

Such challenges should not be used to castigate officials at the forefront of the implementation of the project.

The initiative is too critical for our human resource development that we must ensure its success; come what may. Indeed, we can make it shine and become a source of admiration for other African countries.

Finland, which is benefitting from the dividends of education, is a shining example of how education can ensure the growth of a nation even in the absence of natural resources.

Overlooking this crucial subject would not be in the interest of our development even as we strive to hit this mark and all the attributes associated with this status.

There are bad nuts among us who rather the project fails.

Such persons would resort to varied ploys as means of throwing spanners into the wheels.

We ask that the eyes of the Ghana Education Service be riveted on schools with the view of finding those who would want to tread on this tangent.

Help desks should be created in the various districts where parents who encounter deliberately created challenges can go for redress.

Those found to have hindered the success of the project must be named, shamed and sanctioned.
London (AFP) - British travel group Thomas Cook, one of the world's biggest tour operators, said it would resume organising holidays to Tunisia, more than two years after a terror attack in which 38 people were killed.

"At the end of July this year, the UK government changed its advice for Tunisia meaning that British holidaymakers can now travel to the majority of the country," Carol MacKenzie, head of customer welfare at Thomas Cook said in a blog post late on Tuesday.

"As a result, and reflecting the interest we've had from customers, we are restarting our flight and holiday programme from 13 February next year.

"We're starting in just a few resorts, mainly near to Hammamet, and only eight hotels, where we're confident we can offer the high quality our customers expect," she added.

Thomas Cook brought more than 200,000 British tourists to Tunisia in 2014 across the summer and winter seasons.

The travel group suspended its holidays to Tunisia in June 2015 after a gunman killed 38 people, including 30 British tourists, in a shooting spree in the resort town of Sousse, in the north-east of Tunisia.

The attack came three months after two gunmen shot dead 22 people at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis and prompted the British government to advise its citizens against all travel in the country.

Britain's Foreign Office (FCO) relaxed its stance late last month noting that the "Tunisian government has improved protective security in major cities and tourist resorts".

However, it continues to advise against all travel to southern Tunisia, along the border with Libya.

It also advises against all but essential travel along the western border with Algeria.

"Terrorists are still likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia. Security forces remain on a high state of alert in Tunis and other places," said the Foreign Office travel advice.
FRUITS AND vegetable farmers in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region are appealing to government to help reverse post harvest losses in the area.

According to the farmers, government should help them get wholesalers for their produce as they find it difficult to do so since some of them took loans to venture into farming and now have difficulty in paying back.

They were of the view that the situation has made it difficult for them to cater for their families and they therefore pleaded with the government to help them link up with wholesalers so that their produce would not go waste.

The farmers further appealed to government to consider the possibility of providing irrigation facilities to reduce the effects of persistent lack of rainfall in the area.

Over 40 percent of tomatoes and other perishable crops produced in the district go waste because most of the farmers lack adequate knowledge and information on post-harvest handling of such crops.

Ahuma Tetteh Larweh, a watermelon farmer told DAILY GUIDE in an interview that post harvest losses in vegetables and fruits presented a huge challenge that ought to be overcome if Ghana wanted to make agriculture profitable and competitive.

He believed that poorly timed harvesting; handling of harvested produce and lack of storage facilities had often made farmers desperate and left them frustrated.

If government can help tackle post-harvest issues, there will not be too much glut in the market to warrant low prices and farmers would rather have a fair share of their products and continue to work hard for increased productivity, he said.

According to him, capacity building in food security for poor farming households should be organized frequently by government to reverse post-harvest losses.

He urged his colleague farmers to be amenable to change and be ready to adopt new ways of doing things to increase and protect their crops.

The Ada East District Assembly is said to use about 40 percent of its resources to support agriculture every year.

Meanwhile, though the cost of a sizeable watermelon at the Ada market ranges from GH1.00 to GH3.00, nobody is interested in buying it.

Major waysides of Ada are flooded with watermelons but the fruit is left to rot as a result of unavailability of customers.

From Vincent Kubi, Ada


Abuja (AFP) - Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari cancelled the weekly cabinet meeting he was due to lead Wednesday, the first since returning from a long overseas medical absence, raising questions about his health.

An announcement Tuesday that Buhari will work from home following more than 100 days of medical treatment in London because of a rodent infestation in his official office had already raised questions about his condition.

"The meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) will not hold today," the presidency said in a short statement, adding that Buhari, 74, would still receive an update on a corruption investigation against two suspended senior officials.

Buhari left Nigeria on May 7 for his second round of treatment in Britain this year for an unspecified medical condition, having already spent two months in the British capital for healthcare reasons.

Buhari, a retired general elected in 2015, temporarily handed power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to allay fears of a leadership vacuum in a country deeply divided along ethnic and religious fault lines.

His prolonged absence caused tensions back home where calls grew for him to either return or resign.

Political analysts warned that the cancellation of Wednesday's meeting could mean that Buhari has not fully recovered.

"What the latest cancellation of the FEC meeting means is that Buhari does not have the full capacity, in terms of his health, to function," Chris Ngwodo, a political consultant, told AFP.

"I see a picture of somebody who does not have 100 percent fitness. That explains why he's not been able to function properly."

Ngwodo added that the day-to-day running of Nigeria could suffer as a result of Buhari's condition.

"I see a slow-down in governance in Nigeria. This will not augur well for the country -- especially at this crucial time," he said.

Nigeria is grappling with serious security problems, including a jihadist insurgency in the northeast, clashes between farmers and herdsman in the centre of the country, alongside kidnappings and separatism in the south.

The west African powerhouse is also in the grip of a second year of recession, triggered by lower oil prices which have slashed government revenues, weakened the local currency and caused a shortage of US dollars.
Minister of Communications, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has challenged telecom operators stem to deteriorating service quality and start giving customers value for their money.

She was speaking at the maiden industry stakeholders dialogue series organized by the Network of Communication Reporters (NCR) in partnership with MTN Ghana on the theme Moving from Service Quality to Service Excellence.

The Minister observed that customer complaints about repeated call drops, muted speech during calls, muffled voice (poor sound quality) and delays in call set up time seem to be increasing lately, and that calls for a closer collaboration between all stakeholders to stem it before it becomes the norm.

On that score, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful lauded the NCR for creating through platform for stakeholders to dialogue and find common grounds on how to deal with the issues and ultimately improve service quality and experience for customers.

She said such dialogues go a long way to provide valuable insights and feedback that will help improve the country's ICT for development (ICT4D) agenda.

"I therefore urge the National Communications Authority (NCA) to engage the media, the public and other stakeholders is more of such dialogues to generate the needed insights to shape government policy for the benefit of the country," she said.

The media should be included in the discussions of the Industry Forum and other consultation meetings that will provide opportunity for the peoples voices to be heard. It is the openness in the sectors activities and transparency in the conduct of our affairs that will be tribute to His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Minister stressed.

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful lauded NCR for initiating the industry dialogue series and urged them to assist government in the fight against cyber crime through consistent public education.

"I have come to appreciate the value of our stakeholders in promoting Ghanas march to an information-rich and knowledge-based society and I welcome the commitment of NCR to the focus on ICT reporting. In our rapidly changing technology environment, we rely on our partnership with the news media to disseminate the right information to help educate the citizenry on the essentials of ICT development, she noted.

Dean of NCR, Charles Benoni Okine observed that the consistency in the deterioration of service quality is unacceptable because those challenges cost consumers money while the telcos make money.

"It is worrying to find some of previous challenges coming back again plus additional once such as your primary credit running out while your data bundle is intact among other.

"In the midst of all these challenges, telcos continue to race against in each in the claim to being the best network while each of their customer continue to suffer poor service," he said.

The NCR therefore urged the NCA to learn from the way Bank of Ghana dealt with the two non-performing banks which have become known as "CAPUT" and get tough on non-performing telcos, saying that withdrawal of licenses is in the industry regulation so it must be applied when necessary.

Charles Benoni Okine said it is not enough for the NCA to fine defaulting telcos who have the money to pay the fines while the affected consumers continue to suffer, adding that there must be tougher and deterrent sanctions.

Director of Regulatory Administration at the National Communications Authority, Kofi Datsa said fines are not the first resort at the NCA but the regulator engage and assist operators to deal with challenges and only use fines when the challenges become persistent.

He said as part of efforts to ensure the delivery of quality of service to subscribers, the regulator continue to monitor the quality of service indicators for operators once every quarter in all metropolises and twice a year in all Districts within the country.

Kofi Datsa also mentioned that a new complaints management system has also been put in place by the NCA to encourage consumers to voice out their dissatisfaction and track the status of their complaints.

We believe that people do not have to come all the way to Accra to interact with the Authority. To decentralise our operations, the Authority opened seven regional offices in Kumasi, Takoradi, Ho, Sunyani, Koforidua, Tamale and Bolgatanga," he said.

Acting CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Derek Laryea observed that whereas telcos have a duty to ensure high service quality, factors such as the age old fibre and cable cuts, fuel and battery theft, use of fake phones, location of the service user, impediments to infrastructure installation and many other continue to affect service quality and customer experience.

He noted for instance that on daily basis, there are at least eight fibre cuts in the country, something that does not happen in countries where Ghanaians use as service quality bench marks.

Derek Laryea also noted that often people complain of losing credit and accuse telcos of stealing their credit, adding that smartphones by design, continue to work and consume data even when not in use so subscribers would need to put off their data if they do not want the phone to keep working while not in use.
The youth of Nyinahin in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region have given the government a 24-hour ultimatum to remove all machines belonging to Exton Cubic Group Limited, the company prospecting bauxite in the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve, from the area.

In a petition to the President, the youth want the president to order all machinery of Exton Cubic Company to be impounded until a proper agreement is reached by all stakeholders.

The Assembly man for the Nyinahin electoral area, Baba Yaro presented the petition to the District Chief Executive of the area on behalf of the youth.

The Police had earlier tried preventing the youth from embarking on a planned demonstration in the area.

The government said it gave an entry permit to Exton Cubic Group Limited to prospect bauxite in the Tano Offin Forest reserve.

The move, however, angered the youth of the area who have threatened not to allow the company to operate.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah subsequently confiscated equipment belonging to Engineers and Planners, a company assisting Exton Cubic to exploit the mineral.

Although the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu explained that the said company was doing nothing wrong, Mr. Mensah said he was waiting on official documentation from the Ministry before releasing the vehicles and equipment to the Engineers and Planners (E&P).

Exton Cubic Group Limited earlier rejected claims that the Chief Executive Officer of Engineers and Planners, Ibrahim Mahama was chased out of a bauxite concession at Nyinahini over the weekend.

There were reports on social media that Mr. Ibrahim Mahama was prevented from taking his equipment to the Nyinahini concession site by some angry residents from Nyinahin mostly youth in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.

But Exton Cubic Group Limited said it legally engaged Engineers & Planners to undertake preparatory works at its legally acquired Nyinahini Bauxite concession.

The company also was angry with government over the seizure of equipment belonging to Engineers & Planners and threatened to take legal action if need be.



By: Godwin A. Allotey Lauretta Timah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @AlloteyGodwin
YaoundA (AFP) - A child bomber killed four members of a local self-defence group late Tuesday in northern Cameroon, an area often targeted by Boko Haram jihadists in their long-running insurgency.

The attack in the village of Amchide, near the Nigerian border, was confirmed on Wednesday by a member of the self-defence force who requested anonymity, as well as by a security source in the capital, Yaounde.

"I was in my sector when I heard a large explosion in another part of the town," the self-defence source said.

"We saw that a boy had blown himself up in the middle of a group from the security committee," he said.

Two people were killed immediately, while two others died from their wounds later, he added.

Attacks attributed to Boko Haram fighters have flared in northern Cameroon in recent weeks after months of relative calm, often targeting self-defence groups set up to respond to the jihadist threat.

On August 5, a similar attack in the village of Ouro-Kessoum, also near the Nigerian border, killed eight people, following a double suicide attack nearby in July that killed 15.

Boko Haram's bloody eight-year armed insurgency, initially focussed on northeast Nigeria, has killed at least 20,000 people and displaced more than 2.6 million.

The United Nations on Tuesday warned against the group's surging use of children, mainly girls, as human bombs.

Since the beginning of the year, 83 children have been used to carry out bomb attacks in northeast Nigeria, UNICEF said, four times as many attacks as in all of 2016.
A Member of Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour has called on MPs to take a stand against any attempt to legalize homosexuality in Ghana.

His remarks follow advocacy from a group of eight Ghanaians in Canada who have petitioned the Canadian government to put pressure on Ghana to decriminalize homosexuality.

Addressing the press in Parliament on Wednesday, the Assin South MP said the country must stick to its position not to legalize homosexuality in spite of international pressure.

Without prejudice to the position of the Parliament of Ghana, Government of Ghana, any religious body or political party on the subject of homosexuality, lesbianism and bestiality, premised on my deepest convictions and principles as a Christian, Reverend Minister and a proud advocate of Jesus Christ and legislator, Member of Parliament for Assin South constituency, I hereby openly, and unequivocally declare my firm position against the views of the members of an advocacy group who on Thursday, August 17, 2017 sought to canvass support from certain powerful persons in institutions in Canada to put pressure on Ghana to decriminalize homosexuality.

Describing the acts by the eight Ghanaians as a demonic agenda, the MP said such deeds defile the traditions and customs of the country.

It is worth stating that the constitution of Ghana makes adequate provision which debar homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality and such acts that defile the core tenets of our beliefs, values, customs and traditions as a people, he added.

The issue over Ghana's legalization of homosexuality continues to be an unending debate in the country.

Whereas some human rights activists call for its legalization, others argue against it.

We're fed up with demands for gay rights  Speaker

Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Oquaye, in July 2017 warned that Ghana would not countenance the aggressive push by external forces to accept acts such as homosexuality, bestiality among others.

Following what Tony Blair said which I personally wrote him a letter that if we do not go the homosexual way, it was going to affect their aid to us. Honestly in view of these developments, we Africans are also concerned about certain things that may appear really intellectual It is becoming a human right in some countries; the right to do homosexuality, the right for a human being to sleep with an animal. We are tired of some of these things and we must be frank about itI think all these matters need to be seriously interrogated, said the Speaker when some official from Amnesty International paid a courtesy call on him.



By: Godwin A. Allotey & Duke M. Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @AlloteyGodwin
23.08.2017 LISTEN

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisah Djaba has pledged government's commitment to fight any forces or socio-cultural practices that are inimical or disadvantageous to the development and welfare of young girls in Ghana, especially child marriage and child labour.

The Minister vowed to use every legitimate means (full enforcement of the law) to deal decisively with any individual who would force any young girl into marriage at the expense of their formal education.

Mrs. Otiko Afisah Djana said this in Tamale when she paid courtesy calls on the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, Chief of Tamale, Naa Dakpema Alhassan Dawuni and the Gulkpegu Naa Alhaji Alhassan Abdulai on her three-day working visit to the region.

She passionately condemned the rate at which most parents in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions were sacrificing their children's education for marriages and other personal benefits.

She stated that 39.2%, 37% and 36% of children in the Northern, Upper West and Upper East Regions respectively enter into marriages before they attain 18 years.

Mrs. Djaba lamented that majority of those young girls who fall victim to child marriages suffer several negative consequences, including Obstetric Fistula or die during child birth. She described the practice of child marriage as ungodly, illegal and highly unacceptable.

The Gender Minister maintained that the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and for that matter her Ministry would make it highly unattractive for parents who out of over glorification of poverty sell out their little daughters to elderly men for marriage, to continue to engage in such practice.

She said that the NPP government was committed to fighting poverty through several pro-poor policies and programmes, such as providing vocational training for female porters, popularly known as Kayeyei and other vulnerable groups.

Her visit to the North, which forms part of her nationwide visit to all the 10 administrative regions also offered her the opportunity to inform the Chiefs and people about the newly introduced Ghana National Household Registry, a special unit under her Ministry, with the mandate of collating data on the extremely poor households across Ghana for future interventions.

The data will also guide the Ministry in the distribution of cash to the extremely poor in the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme.

This, she noted, would address the challenge of LEAP cash going to the wrong people.

The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed applauded the Gender Minister for her foresight in introducing measures that could address the numerous challenges facing the region and Ghana at large.

According to the Regional Minister, poverty continued to ravage many homes and compelling majority of the productive youth to migrate to the southern Ghana for greener pastures.

Mr. Saeed noted that some socio-cultural practices in the region were also contributing to the issue of force marriages and poverty among women in particular as majority of them are not allowed to own lands and other landed property.

The Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister is expected visit the affected victims of the recent floods in the Tamale and Sagnarigu Districts of the Northern region before proceeding to the alleged Gambaga Witches Camp.

From Edmond Gyebi, Tamale
23.08.2017 LISTEN

THE Ghana Union of People Living with Disabilities (PWD) has revealed its plan to hit the streets in protest against the failure of the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA) to release their share of the statutory Disability Fund (DF).

The Western Region President of the Association, Mr. Samuel K. Quansah, told this paper in a telephone interview that the Association has taken this radical decision because of the recalcitrant conduct of the MMDAs.

He said though the MMDAs have confirmed receiving their statutory Common Fund, he could not understand why the same Assemblies have failed to release the PWDs share to them. The PWDs receive statutory 3% of the Common Fund.

A committee made up of the Social Welfare, members of the Blind Union, Physically Challenged and the Deaf and Dumb form the Committee that oversee the disbursement of the statutory DF, which is received quarterly.

Apart from members' physical cash, provision is also made to cater for the education and health needs of the PWDs.

However, since the last quarter of 2016, the Association says it has not received a dime from the DF. This has made it difficult for them to discharge their responsibilities towards members particularly those in tertiary and vocational institutions.

Speaking to this paper on condition of anonymity, a Senior Management Member of one of the Assemblies confirmed that the Common Fund allocation for this year has come.

However, he said, considering the pressure on the CF, sometimes when all deductions were done, the balance would not be enough for disbursement to the PWDs.

The balance, he said, may not even take care of 5 PWDs.

Meanwhile, the PWDs in Amenfi West are calling for increment in their share of the Common Fund. The President of the Amenfi West White Cane Association, Mr. Ben Kwaw, speaking in a telephone interview said it was important for government to consider increasing the fund. This is because monetary allocation made to members from the fund was not enough.

He said though per the tabulations, each registered member of the Association ought to receive GHC500.00 for a whole quarter, they do not get it. Rather, each member receives GHC300.

He said, this year alone, no member of the Association has received a dime from the Common Fund.

This is because the Amenfi West District Assembly that is mandated to work out 3% of the Common Fund has failed to do so. This, he said, has resulted in the poor living condition of the members of the association.





From Alfred Adams, Takoradi.
23.08.2017 LISTEN

President Akufo-Addo says his 3-day visit to Equatorial Guinea is to strengthen the bilateral ties that exist between the two countries, as well as explore areas of co-operation to the mutual benefit of their respective peoples.

According to President Akufo-Addo, at the diplomatic level, the two countries have maintained strong relations for several decades, adding that he is following in the footsteps of three of his predecessors in the 4th Republic, who also paid official visits to Equatorial Guinea.

They have laid a solid foundation for the relations between our two countries, on which, with God's help, I am hoping to help build a bright future of co-operation, he said.

President Akufo-Addo made this known on Monday, August 21, 2017, at a State Dinner held in his honour by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, at the commencement of his 3-day official visit to that country.

With the last meeting of the Permanent Joint Commission of Co-operation between the two countries held in Accra in 2010, President Akufo-Addo was hopeful that his visit to Malabo will kick-start the re-commencement of formal sessions of the Commission, the last one of which was held in Accra.

The President was, therefore, keen to revive the Air Services Agreement, and re-establish direct flights between Accra and Malabo. His government, he added, has also committed itself to expanding the Tema Port into a trans-shipment hub, to improve sea trade within Africa.

Ghana's energy security

As part of the measures put in place by the Akufo-Addo government to guarantee Ghana's energy security, President Akufo-Addo noted that Equatorial Guinea's proximity to Ghana makes her one of the excellent sources for procuring reliable and sustainable LNG to augment Ghana's domestic supply.

In June 2017, the Ministers for Energy of the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the supply of LNG from Equatorial Guinea to Ghana.

My presence here is a consummation of this bilateral agreement, and represents a significant step towards matching Equatorial Guinea's excess gas supply to Ghana's ever-growing demand, he said.

President Akufo-Addo continued, It is my expectation that during this visit, we shall sign a government-to-government Heads of Agreement for the supply to Ghana of LNG from Equatorial Guinea, for a period of fifteen years, reviewable every five years.

If cocoa was the first seed to nourish the relationship between our two countries, gas is going to be the second.

The Memorandum of Understanding provides that Equatorial Guinea will supply the equivalent of 150 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day to Ghana. The MoU also provides for the building and operation of an LNG regasification terminal in Takoradi.

Continental Integration

With Ghana and Equatorial Guinea being are two important members of the African Union (AU), President Akufo-Addo stressed that he is willing to do whatever he can to strengthen the AU.

I believe it is extremely important for the welfare of the 1.2 billion people of the continent that we, the leaders, demonstrate strong political will to make the AU an economic and political success, and to make the project of integration real. I am fully committed, and I know President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is, too, he said.

With Africa's population set to reach some 2 billion people in 20 years time, an African Common Market, President Akufo-Addo noted, presents immense opportunities to Africa, with hardwork, enterprise and creativity.

The time for African integration is now. Ghana and Equatorial Guinea should be at the forefront of the process that will convert the AU into a true continental market.

Hence the importance of the success of the Continental Free Trade Area, a working common continental market has to be a very fundamental objective of all peoples and governments on the continent, he added.
23.08.2017 LISTEN

Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), has said the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission has been ineffective, thereby allowing illegal mining to fester in the country.

He said the Inspectorate Division was supposed to supervise the reclamation of mined areas and safety at mining sites, but the office had not been effective for many years.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng made the disclosure at the inauguration of a 13-member Governing Board of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Accra.

He, therefore, tasked the board to institute measures that would make the EPA liaise with the Inspectorate Division of the Commission, so that it performed its constitutional mandate effectively to safeguard the environment.

The Minister disclosed that the government had established three new mine districts and equipped them with personnel and equipment, in order to operate effectively, in the bid to control illegal mining.

He said the EPA was the heartbeat of the Ministry, therefore, its potentials must be exploited to the fullest, in order to benefit society.

He noted that the EPA grants permits to mining companies to mine in designated areas, and, therefore, charged the agency to regularly supervise them, so that they respect sacred places such as cemeteries.

He said the government had suspended the issuance of licences to small-scale miners, and, yet, licences and permits were still being issued, and urged the board to stop it immediately.

We have suspended issuing licences and permits for small-scale mining, and you're still issuing permits and licences, and sometimes it's very embarrassing, he emphasised.



Commenting on the siting of fuel stations at unauthorised places, the Minister said it was the responsibility of the National Petroleum Commission to site fuel stations, while the EPA was supposed to inspect the area to assess whether it was suitable for that purpose, before granting a permit to the developer.

He, therefore, charged the two institutions to collaborate to ensure that fuel stations were not sited in places that could pose dangers to the people.

Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Deputy Minister of MESTI, on her part, said the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) must critically look into the siting of fuel stations, by creating space for that purpose, so that it did not pose dangers to nearby residents.

She urged the MMDAs and the Town and Country Planning Department to collaborate to ensure that the land use and spatial planning processes were duly followed, so as to avoid chaotic siting of fuel stations.

As a nation, we have reached a stage where we need to re-think about our development critically and use our space appropriately, she stressed.

Mr Kwesi Enyam, Board Chairman, on behalf of the members, expressed profound appreciation to the President for the confidence reposed in them, and gave the assurance that they would work diligently to achieve their mandate.

He said the board was determined to assist the government in resolving the EPA's human capacity, financial and operational challenges, as well as the environmental challenges posed by the activities of illegal miners.

Meanwhile, Dr Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, has been asked by the government to proceed on leave.

Source: GNA


Reverend John Nkum, Management Consultant and Organisational Review Strategist, says Ghana must make anti-corruption profitable, by ensuring that portion, of the monies retrieved from perpetrators of corruption are paid to the investigating agency for resourcing.

He said if the country wanted to tackle corruption seriously, then she must strictly adhere to the anti-corruption value-chain approach.

The chain includes intensifying public education and awareness about how corruption destroys society, and tracking and monitoring transactions of corruption at different forms and levels.

Others are; undertaking investigations and research to gather evidence of cases of corruption, publicising the evidence to inform the public about those involved, and follow up with advocacy to prosecute perpetrators, as well as publicise the sanctions meted out to the offenders.

Rev. Nkum, who is also the Executive Director of Nkum Associates, said this at a stakeholders' review meeting with journalists in Accra on Monday.

The meeting was to solicit media practitioners' perspectives on the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition's (GACC) National Anti-Corruption Plan Strategy, which was implemented from 2010 to 2015, and assess the success chalked so far.

It also aimed at identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the GACC strategy and provide recommendations for a new anti-graft strategy, which would commence this year for the next five years.

The GACC is a unique cross-sectoral grouping of eight public, private and civil society organisations, with a focus on promoting good governance and fighting corruption in Ghana.

Some organisations constituting the GACC include the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the Ghana Journalists Association, and other civil society organisations.

Rev. Nkum said: As a nation, we should go beyond just publicising corruption cases, but rather follow up on the prosecution and sanctions meted out the offenders.

In addition, he said, the media and other anti-graft institutions should provide the public technical reasons the prosecution team failed to convict an alleged corrupt official.

This, he said, would sharpen public understanding of the law and make them tolerant.

Rev. Nkum called for the capacity-building of cadre of journalists, so that their reportage on anti-corruption cases would be more professional.

Journalists and media organisations must have access to anti-graft personalities and professionals to have an insight into anti-corruption activities, and follow up on cases, he said.

He said Ghana's Special Prosecutor's Office should be modelled along best international practices and must be autonomous, so that it could even prosecute the President or the Executive arm of government when they involve themselves in corrupt practices.

Mr Bright Sowu, a Senior Research Officer at the GACC, said the Coalition supported some journalists to undertake investigations and follow up on some corrupt cases that came to their notice under a project called Accountable Democratic Institution, which was implemented for three years.

He called for a holistic approach towards fighting corruption, by involving all relevant state institutions.

Some media practitioners who participated in the meeting observed that the Coalition had done well by championing anti-corruption in the country, as well as providing information on some corrupt cases.

They called for the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan Document to be made available to journalists, so that they could track and monitor corrupt practices.

They asked state institutions like the Attorney-General's Office to put their act together, so that they could successfully prosecute corruption cases and retrieve monies embezzled by public officials.

The media coverage on resolution of corrupt cases was weak, and the participants, therefore, called for media hype on monies paid by offenders to the state.

The GACC has, over the years, worked on several interventions and engaged the government, private sector institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, and other key stakeholders at the local, national, regional and global levels.

Source: GNA
23.08.2017 LISTEN



Story from IsaacAkwetey-Okunor, Akuapem-Mampong.

( [email protected] ).

The Akuapem-Mampong District Command of the Ghana Police Service has arrested and handed over to the Police Headquarters in Accra, a police corporal who was reportedly trading in narcotic drugs whilst on guard duty.

Corporal Prince Opoku, with service No 40544, has been provisionally charged for possession and peddling in a substance suspected to be Cannabis, whilst on guard duty at the National Investment Bank (NIB) at Akuapem-Mampong in the Akuapem North District of the Eastern Region.

According to the facts available to the media, on Monday, he was detailed for guard duties at the NIB Mampong branch, but the Branch Manager realised his movements and activities in and around the bank were suspicious. He was said to have always been moving to and from the adjoining streets of the bank.

The suspicion of the Branch Manager was heightened when a known criminal sat with him at the bank for a very long time, and after that, the manager warned him. He, however, did not stop, as more suspicious characters continued to visit him while he was on duty.

CCTV camera footage subsequently captured him selling an item, and the District Commander was called to come and witness what game the cop was up to.

After monitoring his conduct, Corporal Prince Opoku was arrested, but denied sending a bag that was found with him to the bank. The bank officials, however, insisted that the bag belonged to him.

When the bag was finally opened, it contained a black polyethylene with 73 wrappers of suspected Indian hemp, nine tablets of tramadol, all suspected to be narcotics drugs, a pair of scissors, his personal belongings, and a suicide note he wrote on June 10, this year.

He then confessed the bag belonged to him, and that he had the exhibit from an operation he conducted at a location close to the bank the previous day, but could not officially report it to the charge office. The CCTV footage, however, proved otherwise, leading to him being taken into custody.

He has since been transferred to the Police Headquarters in Accra, where he is expected to be arraigned before court.
The West African Examinations Council has released the results of the 2017 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), paving the way for the implementation of the New Patriotic Party government's flagship Free Senior High School Education policy, barely one month from now.

It is not known how many students would benefit from the programme at its inception. The full results of the BECE was not known at the time of going to press. What is not in doubt, is that parents and guardians are eagerly looking forward to the new policy bailing them out of the economic difficulties facing Ghanaians generally. By the introduction of the new policy, many bright but needy students would not be caught out of the education safety net.

According to a publication in state-run Daily Graphic, a new grading system -Stanine Grading- from Grade One to Nine  was used. The council said the new system means that there are no failures.

It is not known whether this means that all the 468,000 candidates who sat for the exam are classified as successful for the implementation of the Fee Free policy. Whatever it is, the concept is likely to throw up more candidates for second cycle education than normal.

This is going to challenge the system harder than ever. And that is why all stakeholders must be involved wholeheartedly, for the new policy to succeed. That is one reason why The Chronicle is unhappy with the so-called Licensing Policy being introduced to qualify teachers to teach.

On August 15, Rev. Jonathan Bettey, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), confirmed a National Teaching Council initiative to compel all graduates of the all colleges of education to be licensed as professionals. The first examination for this license policy is scheduled to take place next month.

Teachers who fail the examination will not be allowed to teach at a certain level. To be seen as a professional, you will have to pass the licensing exam, Rev. Bettey affirmed. But this policy has been roundly condemned by the two largest teaching bodies  the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Graduate Association of Teachers (NAGRAT).

NAGRAT President Christian Addae Opoku told newsmen that it would make no sense for the GES Colleges of Education to produce professionals after graduation, only for the same graduates to write another exam.

The Chronicle is of the opinion that the new policy could be shelved until the Fee Free SHS has been in operation for some time. After the success rate of the new programme has been assessed, it would then be prudent to introduce the new policy.

We believe the GES and all stake-holders in education would need industrial peace to see to the successful implementation of the President's flagship programme.

Already, red flags are flying in the tertiary education institutes, following the decision by the members of the University Teachers Association's threat to lay down their tools over the impasse at the University of Education, Winneba.

We are unable to link quality teaching to the licensing of teachers. There are myriads of problems in the classrooms. They include large class sizes, the failure to pay newly-appointed teachers on time, poor infrastructure and many others. It is our conviction that finding solutions to some of these problems could impact more positively on the quality of education, than licensing teachers. In any case, we do not need any further industrial action on the education front.

Licensing teachers is the least of the problems in the classrooms.
Post-harvest food and grain losses pose serious challenges for most of African countries. According to estimates provided by the African Post-harvest Losses Information System, the value of post-harvest grain losses in sub-Saharan Africa could total US$4billion a year out of an estimated annual grain production worth US$27billion.

This is roughly equivalent to the value of annual cereal imports in the region during the same period. Given the near-doubling of global grain prices over the last decade, the value of current losses is likely much higher. Conservatively, such a magnitude of food loss could meet the minimum annual food requirements of at least 48 million people across the continent.

In Ghana a significant part of food crops produced is being lost due to number of reasons, including high moisture, pests and other diseases. In some cases as much as 35% of cereal and between 2060% of tubers, root crops and bulbs are lost. Moreover, Ghana losses about 320 000 tons of maize annually, which accounts to 18% of the annual maize production. According to the report by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), as much as 60% of Yam produced in Ghana, for instance, does not make it to the consumer.

To prevent spoilage, farmers have to sell their produce cheaply during harvest. This leads to early shortage on the market and high prices and also shortage on the export market. There is also loss in quality through sprouting and rotting for those tubers that are stored. There is therefore a need to extend shelf life and improve the quality of yam.

The figures raise concern against the background that according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the global productivity should increase by nearly 70% to meet the demands of growing population. With current challenges that Africa faces, the achievement of this goal will be quite difficult without implementation of modern techniques.

To tackle this issue, the Ghanaian scientists decided to use nuclear irradiation to keep food and grains safe and healthy. Indeed, the food irradiation could play a significant role in reducing food losses and improve food safety. Nuclear treatment of produced food helps to extend shelf life and improve significantly the quality of offered production.

This method is not only high efficient, but also safe and does not pose any risk to end consumers. The World Health Organization, FAO, and IAEA have reviewed accumulated data from about 50 years of research. They found that irradiated food is as safe as food preserved with other techniques, such as freezing or canning.

Among the other techniques of food preservation, the irradiation is the most extensively studies one from the point of view of toxicology and side effects. Decades of testing among all over the world demonstrated that the irradiation does not have adverse effects on consumer.

Unlike traditional forms of food preservation nuclear techniques do not cause changes to the taste, appearance, nutrition value and final quality of food. After irradiation the food does not become radioactive. Food irradiation is the process of exposing food to ionizing radiation without direct contact to the source of the energy. The food also does not come into contact with the energy source, so it cannot become contaminated by radioactive material.

Ghana has a long history in gamma irradiation research through the GAECs National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI) and the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI).

The BNARI of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has the only gamma irradiation facility in the country however, the installed capacity of the plant is not adequate to process the tonnage requirements of agricultural produce of Ghana.

In this case Ghana is planning to beef up its capacities in nuclear irradiation and science by exploring possibilities to create a special center of nuclear science and technologies.

Ghana needs a new center and research facilities to use its innovations in different spheres of life, from agriculture to medicine.
Folks, isn't it interesting that the United States Government would see things beyond the surface to honour Mrs. Charlotte Osei, contrary to the shameful campaign of vilification by her detractors (mostly hiding behind the smokescreen of anonymity created for them by their political forces)?

I am more than delighted at the timing of the award and the fact hat Mrs. Osei truly deserves it. Here is why:

"The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei has been honoured with the United States Department of States Women of Courage Award for 2017. Presenting the award, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson affirmed that Charlotte Osei epitomizes the phrase, woman of courage.

Mr. Jackson in his speech praised Charlotte Osei for her bravery before, during and after the 2016 general elections. He noted the reforms Mrs. Osei undertook reforms at the Commission to guarantee the credibility of the 2016 election and minimise the risk of a disputed outcome." *See https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/US-Government-honours-Charlotte-Osei-with-Women-of-Courage-Award-572378).The operation phrase that undergirds this award is: "woman of courage". And, indeed, Mrs. Osei is such a "woman of courage" to be admired and supported!!

Being the first woman to become the Chair of Ghana's EC, she stands tall for acknowledgement. Having already cleanly supervised Election 2016 to win the goodwill of even her daredevil detractors in the NPP camp who had done their worst in opposing her appointment, in raising needless dust just to tarnish her reputation, and in doing just anything out of desperation to create the unfortunate impression that she was in bed with the ex-President and his NDC to rig Election 2016, the reality proved them wrong to the hilt.

Yet, they aren't done with their diabolical manouevres, which explains the current agitations and manipulation of the system to continue harassing her out of office. They will fall on their own swords. This award speaks volumes to shine the light on her, not to support the campaign of calumny against her.

I don't know how long this award has been in existence or who else has won it; but its being awarded to Mrs. Osei at this time that her detractors have intensified their campaign of calumny with the view to getting Akufo-Addo to remove her from office signifies a lot that must not be glossed over.

If for nothing at all, it bolsters/boosts Mrs. Osei's integrity and portrays her as someone who knows how to do her job to be admired by those who value quality performance by holders of such sensitive public offices.

And her resilience has sustained peace in Ghana. Shouldn't she be highly commended for doing so instead of being dragged along on this rough road by those who see nothing good about others but themselves?

But for Mrs. Osei's dogged insistence on happenings at the polls being announced to the people as their verdict, Ghana would have been plunged into more terrible trouble than is happening in other countries because of electoral crisis.

She deserves the award and many more for being a woman of valour and integrity, holding such a position in our time. She is a very good example to be emulated elsewhere in the world.

In short, then, by conferring this award on Mrs. Osei, the US Government has largely sent the warning signal to those bent on undermining her, giving her a bad name to be "hanged", and creating the negative impression that she is an obstacle to Ghana's democratic growth to think more than twice.

Thus, Mrs. Osei should be left alone to do what she is in office to do. If she could weather the storm (of needless name-calling and dirty politics against her) to superintend over the peaceful polls in December last year, nothing should prevent her from doing so in subsequent seasons.

The award has come at the opportune time to reinforce Mrs. Osei's standing. Those who are bent on destroying her will fail. Even as I wait for the first petty-minded NPP buff to come out with the stupid claim that she lobbied for the award or that she "bought" it, I remain unmoved that a "woman of courage" she is, indeed!! And I am gladdened by her steadfastness that despite all the insults, intimidation, and whatever else being done or said to minimize her, she remains focused to do the job given her. She stands firm as the Rock of Gibraltar, a strong pillar to lean on for the good of Ghanas democracy.

Let those who think otherwise pursue their diabolical interests until everything explodes in their ugly faces. Ghana deserves better, which the award conferred on Mrs. Osei signifies.

I shall return
23.08.2017 LISTEN

While this exercise is neither to rehash some of the difficulties that confronted the NDC in the past nor highlight its current difficulties, it is important to place certain practices within the party into perspective dispassionately. It is only through this dispassionate evaluation of the status quo that the true state of the party can be appreciated by all and sundry. This is in the hope the NDC will be able to salvage what is salvageable and to nip in the bud those undemocratic practices that are rearing their ugly heads again. Failure to respond to the growing undemocratic practices in the party will slowly eat its grassroots away and push the 18-year old new political entrant away to other opposition parties, particularly the NPP.

It must be noted that it is from the perspective of organizational change that many NDC enthusiasts, including the grassroots and the voiceless, were elated that the Kwesi Botchwey Committee was set up to examine, scientifically, what led to the defeat of the NDC in the 2016 general elections. Many at the grassroots had hoped that their opinions, however, varied would be diligently collected, collated, and analyzed, scientifically; giving them the opportunity to be part of something much larger than themselves, so they could own its product and its implementation collectively. One can only assume that it was that hopethe hope that the report would serve as the basis for the needed organizational transformation to make the NDC viable and competitive both as a party in opposition and as a vehicle for an eventual return to office to serve the people of Ghanathat generated the enthusiasm that enveloped the Botchwey town halls across the country.

Unfortunately, against this expectation among party enthusiasts, the so-called final report of the Kwesi Botchwey Committee has been placed under lock and key and made accessible to the elite group of the party (that is if the report exists). Attempts to seek an explanation for this turn of events elicited an informal response from a member of the Kwesi Botchwey Committee, Dr. William Ahadzi, the NDC Research Committee chairman, as follows:

This was a commissioned study and the client retained the discretionary authority to disclose details to the public. The investigation had clearly spelt out objectives which basically directed the study team on specifics. Some level of confidentiality and protection of respondents is allowed in social science research particularly where disclosure can pose threats to some groups of respondents. In a competitive political environment, it is imprudent to make public a report that contains material that can serve as a propaganda tool and hand an advantage to political opponents. Lets be circumspect as individuals in putting up arguments on matters that an institution of authority has already ruled on. We may be inciting disaffection towards a team of researchers who did diligent work rather than promoting healing in a party that is working to reposition itself to recapture political power.

This informal response only helps to explain the state of affairs in the NDC and the thinking of its leadership even in opposition, which leads to the following observations:

The decision to place the Prof. Kwesi Botchwey Committee Report under lock and key and make it available to a select few of the party leadership smacks of elitism. This is against the grassroots ethos of the party and must be questioned and challenged, particularly when it is at the behest of the very leadership that has led the party into opposition through its questionable management practices. Propriety over a piece of work/study cannot be interpreted to mean that the researcher(s) has/have an absolute right to the final product of research and can, at will, deny access to those who volunteered information for the writing of such report. If the goal is to not make the report public, that must be expressly made known to informants from whom information was solicited. To the extent that that was not made known to interviewees expressly before collecting information from them, the informants have been ambushed by the Kwesi Botchwey Committee. This is gross ethical violation of the informed consent principle.[1] On confidentiality, researchers have always used pseudonyms to protect the identity of those from whom they elicit information. There are two ways of doing this. This may be at the behest of the informant or the researcher(s) may choose to protect the identity of the informant by using a pseudonym if attributing certain assertions or information to such individuals will place them at risk. To this end, confidentiality cannot be a tenable excuse for the Botchwey Committee for not releasing such an important document which should serve as the foundation for healing and uniting the NDC. On the issue of the report becoming a propaganda tool for the opposition, two question arise:

Is it better to place the report under lock and key and to make it available to the elite group in the party, creating the opportunity for political opponents to contort and fabricate their own stories and classify them as leaked versions of the same report or is it better to release the report to serve as a foundation for healing, uniting, and reforming the party? Are we saying that once people have voted for the NPP they cannot be persuaded by superior organizational culture, politics of transparency, and knowledge of what is needed to move the nation forward to vote for the NDC?

When informants, participants, respondents, and subjects are ambushed, it pollutes the research environmentwhether in political research, including opinion polls, or in social science research and the humanitieswith the effects of informant and participant apathy in future research. How can informants right to verification or member-check be guaranteed? Does being an NDC member deprives a research participant of all the above privileges?

How different is the decision to place the Kwesi Botchwey Report under lock and key from the constitutional change process that was initiated during the Tamale Congress in 2010 that took only ONE PERSON (and perhaps in consultation with his elite associates in the NDC) to implement? During the 2010 NDC congress in Tamale, Ken Dzirasah held some documents in his hand on a podium and read something likeWith respect to Article 1, Section 2(b), the proposal is to insert the following paragraph after the word constraints. No one else at the Congress had a copy of what Ken Dzirasah was reading in order to understand, question, or even disagree with whatever the suggested amendment was going to be. Instead, Congress was expected to shout loud ayes or nay after every such reading, and hardly any nays were heard after each reading. In the end, Congress was told the ayes had won and constitutional amendments were to be effected. Even months after the amendments, the changes could not even be published for party members to read and know exactly what the amendments were.

As it were, one would have expected that a research conducted to understand the causes of the NDCs woeful performance would serve as a scientific basis for the reorganization of the party, but just like past events, the research has been placed under lock and key, only to be made available to a select few of the NDCs elite group members. If past developments in the NDC are anything to go by, what this means is that those who needed the report mostthe rank and filedo not actually have access to the report that should help in healing their wounds and reorganizing the party. This is top-down and runs contrary to the organizational philosophy of the NDC.

From organizational management perspective, would it not have been reasonable that the suggested amendments were clearly written and floated among party members for weeks, if not months, before Congress, so party members could evaluate the suggested amendments, discuss them, and make their decisions known via their delegates who would then vote to implement their decisions at Congress? As it were, this time-tested management principle was overlooked, consciously or unconsciously, because the party leadership is uninterested in opening up the political space for democratic principles to work effectively in the party. While their resistance to change is understandableas they benefit from the status quo, whether in opposition or in governmentthis is gradually killing the NDC as the 2016 results have indicated. If information is the blood of democracy, then the decision to place the Botchwey Report under lock and key and the Ken Dzirasah examples as provided above only go to underscore the point that important party leadership decisions are being taken recklessly without the necessary inputs from the grassroots.

The bigger picture questions then are:

On what basis is the Kwesi Botchwey Committee calling for party transformation, particularly when the grassroots and those who contributed to the report have no knowledge of the conclusions of the report and how their contributions were featured in the so-called report, if the report exists? Is it not elitist to choose to release the report to a select few of party leadership and then ask the grassroots to join in healing and uniting the party when they do not actually know what the report prescribes as the healing balm? Why should the party elites whose actions and inactions brought the party to opposition be considered the repositories of knowledge in dealing with the problems they created? Are the recommendations of the Kwesi Botchwey Committee Report truly representative of the needed transformations that would reposition the party as a viable and competent party in opposition and as a vehicle for recapturing political power in the future? Are the findings of the committee indictments on the current national leadership of the party hence the attempt to shield themselves? Or it is an attempt of maintaining the NDC status quo of giving favorable advantage to a particular candidate in the upcoming presidential primaries?

The enormity of the task of the Kwesi Botchwey Committee to help the NDCs electoral fortunes in the 2020 and beyond cannot be overemphasized. How could this overarching responsibility have been lost on the astute Scholar-Politian, Professor Kwesi Botchwey?

Below, in Table 4, is the outcome of the various opinion polls in predicting the 2016 elections. The best efforts of these polls were all wrong. The 2016 election was an election in which the loser least expected to lose and the winner least expected to win with such a margin. The results of the polls only underscore the performance change theorythat polls and research reports subordinate election results.

Table 4: Ghana 2016 Presidential Elections Opinion Polls

Poll source Date Sample size Un-decided Mahama NDC Akufo-Addo NPP Nduom PPP Green-street CPP Notes Restart Inter-national 5 Dec 2016 2,000 54.7% 43.7% Ben Ephson 28 Nov 2016 N/A 52.4% 45.9% 1.7% 2% Err Ben Ephson Oct 2016 N/A 50.8% 47.5% 1.7% 2% Err Goodman AMC Aug 2016 2,184 N/A 48% 45% 7% 0% 2.1% Err Goodman AMC June 2016 1,644 N/A 44% 49% 6% 1% 2.3% Err Goodman AMC April 2016 1,216 N/A 32% 65% 3% 0%

Source: Ghanaweb

The Bible states in Mathew 5:15 that neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. The reasons adduced by the Kwesi Botchwey Committee for keeping their work secret cannot douse the unfavorable perception their decision is receiving among the grassroots of the party and the generality of Ghanaians.

Recently, two letters signed and circulated widely on social media attest to the determination of the national executives of the party to continue a choke hold on the NDC. The letters, which were addressed to all regional and constituency chairpersons, were signed by the Deputy General Secretary Mr. Koku Anyidoho for the General Secretary and were dated July 15 2017. One letter seeks to suspend the registration of party members and the other to suspend all work or cooperation with individuals or groups who come to their regions and or constituencies to do research work on or for the party (See Appendix). While there were no sanctions for the violations of these injunctions, the intent of the authors was clearto choke hold once again the change process of the party by using the existing structures of the party.

All these are supposed to be emanating from the National Executive Committee, which begat the Functional Executive Committee, which in turn begat the Kwesi Botchwey Committee and the implementation Committee which has just began cutting the tracks for another single-horse-race. The National Executive Committee must respond to the following questions:

Why would anyone think that the membership of a party must be held at the whims and caprices of a few officers who cannot see that the plurality of party membershipthe pool of its human resource and by fair extension its material resourceis the anchor for its success at the elections? If people turn 18 years old and qualify under the Constitution of Ghana to be politically active, should their choice of party or party membership be subjected to the manipulations of a few individuals who are only interested in maintaining their positions within the party? Why would anyone close their doors to academic or intellectual scrutiny if such space is clean?[2] At this point in time, there may be students, academics, and researchers whose work, through critical appraisals, as competitive knowledge does, may enrich the party and shape its future. What on earth might be the reason for the NDC to deny itself this opportunity by instructing leadership at all levels not to cooperate with any researcher?

Prosper Yao Tsikata, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Communication

PS: Please follow the link to the conceptualization of the NDC transformational agenda here:

https://www.academia.edu

[1] There are two important issues here worth our consideration. Ownership of research product and confidentiality. First, in regard to ownership of research data/product, Loshin (2002) identifies a list of parties that can lay claim to research data/product and the subject of research forms part of the list of those who can lay claim to research data/productthe participant has a right to know what is written about him or how his contribution adds to the narrative. Second, in seeking consent of the participants, the participants must be expressly informed about how the data would be used before and must as well be informed of his/her right to opt out of the process at any stage of the process (Smith, 2003).

[2] Fienberg et al. (1985) point out that sharing data reinforces open scientific inquiry, encourages diversity of analysis, and allows for reanalysis of results, verification of results, refutation of results, and provides conduits for alternative analysis to refine and enrich the results. Thus, the decision by the Kwesi Botchwey Committee to withhold the report, if it exists, does not help in anyway in injecting transparency in our body politics and in advancing the national discourse.
Accountability is the underpinning principal of civilized societies. For the stability of any human society it is imperative that there is a compact system of accountability in place. Thus a system to check public accountability like the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has been identified as an important prerequisite for the proper and effective delivery of public service by governments all over the universe. It is said that the overall progress of any country owes itself largely to accountability and transparency in its dealings, be it internal or external.

PAC signifies one of the essential constituents of Parliamentary Dominion which is the culpability of Public money. The examination of Auditor Generals Reports for the Ministries, departments, agencies, and other Independent and Semi- Autonomous bodies, is one of the main functions of the PAC.

The Public Accounts Committee under the Seventh Parliament of Ghana, on Monday 7thAugust 2017 begun its second public hearings to consider financial infractions in the Auditor Generals Report and will rap-up its activities today, Friday, 18th August, 2017. PAC is one of the 11 Standing Committees of Parliament.

PAC like all other Committees of Parliament derives its existence from Article 103 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana which states that Parliament shall appoint Standing Committees and other Committees as may be necessary for the effective discharge of its functions. In accordance with this provision, the PAC was established by Order 151(2) of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana.

The Committee, according to Order 165(1), must consist of not more than 25 Members and under the chairmanship of a member who does not belong to the party which controls the Executive branch of government and for that matter the Public Purse.

By this practice and convention, the Committee has since the beginning of the Fourth Republic been chaired by the Leader of the officially designated Minority Party in Parliament. However, during the 4th Parliament the Minority Leader relinquished this responsibility to another senior member of their side.

The composition of the Committee, like any other Committee of the House, must as much as possible, reflect the different shades of opinion in Parliament as required by Article 103(5) of the Constitution. In terms of numbers this means that the composition of the Committee reflects the numerical strength of different political parties, however, it is not clear whether the numerical strength also reflects the caucuses in Parliament such as the caucus on Women and Children, caucus on Health, caucus on Population, caucus on Environment, etc. In carrying out its functions, the Constitution in

Article 103 (6) grants the PAC, like any other Committee of Parliament, the powers, rights and privileges of a High Court in relation to: enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise; compelling the production of documents; and issuing of a commission or requesting to examine witnesses abroad.

The primary function of the Committee according to Order 165(2) is to examine the audited accounts of government showing sums granted by Parliament to meet public expenditure and of such other accounts laid before Parliament. Chapter thirteen of the 1992 Constitution, which deals with finance, grants Parliament extensive powers in financial management of the country.

It is only Parliament that gives approval or otherwise for the imposition of taxes and it is only Parliament that determines the waiver or variation of any taxes imposed on individuals and businesses (Article 174); it is only Parliament that grants approval for the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund to meet the expenditures of government through the passage of the Appropriations Act (Article 178).

Having authorized the withdrawal of monies from the Consolidated Fund, Parliament exercises control over the expenditure of such monies through its PAC. It is for this reason that the Standing Orders preclude Members belonging to the political party controlling the Executive power from chairing the Committee. The rationale behind this arrangement is to ensure that the Executive is not a judge and a prosecutor in its own cause. The Minority (Opposition) taking charge of the Committee is to minimize the possibility of MPs sympathetic to the executive branch of government unduly influencing the parliamentary oversight of finances of the state.

Article 187(2) of the 1992 Constitution states that: The public accounts of Ghana and of all public offices, including the courts, the central and local administrations, of the universities and public institutions of like nature, of any public corporation or other body or organization established by an Act of Parliament shall be audited and reported on by the Auditor-General.

It is the financial transactions (including efficiency and cost effectiveness) of these Institutions together with the foreign exchange transactions of the Bank of Ghana referred to in Article 184 of the Constitution, which invariably come under scrutiny during the operations and functions of the PAC.

It appears from the provisions of the Constitution and the Standing Orders detailed above that the Committees work is limited to examining only reports presented by the Auditor-General (A-G).

Even though there have been some successes chalked by the committee, many Ghanaians including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) believes the Auditor Generals report comes under the scrutiny of PAC a little too late for any lasting impact because of rigid systems. For example the 2nd sitting of PAC under the 7thParliament is perusing the AGs Report as far back as 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 in 2017.

However, many have also questioned if it will not be proper for the PAC to carry out pre-emptive investigations and sanctions in the performance of its function as a watchdog Committee of Parliament in matters of public finance.

Per the current structure of PAC, the committee does not have to power to prosecute wrong doers. The highest it can go in terms of bringing corrupt officials to book is proffers recommendations. Standing Order 165 of Parliament assigns to PAC, the examination of the audited accounts showing the appropriation of funds granted by Parliament to the government.

In all of this one may ask if the PAC has achieved its goal of guarding the public purse?

The Auditor General has without fail, albeit sometimes late, presented its audited reports of Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to Parliament. The PAC has also religiously queried heads of these institutions and individuals cited in these reports for financial irregularities.

It is thus puzzling that upon all these queries and recommendations by the PAC after its sittings, the same financial lapses keep recurring in the annual reports on majority of the state agencies.

Recently, the PAC reports of some of its past deliberations presented to the Parliament showed some key findings by the Auditor General on these institutions were outstanding debts, irregularities bordering on cash, payroll, payment of un-earn salaries, contract, procurement and tax.

Way-forward

Im of the view that time is of the essence when dealing with these reports because some of the culprits sometimes pass away or transferred before we get the AGs report, we would never get to the end of this thing if the backlog issue is not sorted.

The fact that the PACs report on the audited accounts of public institutions for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are being presented to Parliament in 2017 speaks for itself. This goes to show that the timely presentation of the audited accounts by the AG to parliament and the speedy hearings of the PAC on these reports will go a long way in getting the much-needed answers and retrieval of monies from the relevant officials.

Given that the committee is dealing with reports from two years ago or more, it is believed that, attempts at proper accountability were likely to evade the committee.

For instance the Chief Director, who is the spending officer over the past two years or so, may have been shifted or has been taken away so who should speak to the accounts? The accountants who did the spending may have retired or died or gone somewhere, so time is of the essence when we are dealing with reports like these.

It is becoming problematic year-in year-out, when people who knew nothing about a rot or how funds were used come to the fore to answer questions on events or thing they have no knowledge of.

If we truly believe that we want to fight corruption to the core, then Parliament should come up with laws which will make it mandatory for spending officers to appear before PAC in person to atone for their sins.

In conclusion

The accountability systems must be made more flexible to among other things, perhaps ensure that critical personnel in various agencies are made to give account before leaving office.
23.08.2017 LISTEN

The 2016 Management and Utilisation of District Assemblies Common Fund and other Statutory Funds report released by the Auditor General has revealed that among the 216 Assemblies across the ten regions of Ghana, Assemblies in the Volta Region mismanaged most of the funds that were allotted them. Out of a total of GH 39,846,537.39 released to the twelve Assemblies in the Volta Region in 2016, GH 13,428,234.45, representing 33% was not properly accounted for according to the report.

iWatch Africa assessment of the Auditor Generals report also revealed that out of a total GH 352,286,432.22 allotted to all 216 Assemblies, GH 70,173,645.97, representing 19.92% was not properly accounted for.

Greater Accra Assemblies were the most efficient regarding expenditure according to laid down regulations. Out of a total GH 33,392,496.94 DACF disbursed to Assemblies in the region, 4.76% representing GH 1,589,612.14 was not properly accounted for.

This finding is alarming especially as the current administration expects 85% of local government budget for 2017 to be funded by donors.

Every year, the Auditor-General makes serious findings of many instances of misapplication of colossal amounts by public office holders but has failed to make significant progress when it comes to recovery of misappropriated and misapplied funds.

The Supreme Court in July 2017 granted reliefs sought by pressure group, Occupy Ghana, in respect of the Auditor-Generals powers of disallowance and surcharges. According to the Court, the Auditor-General must issue disallowance and surcharges in respect of all state monies found to have been expended contrary to law.

The Court also ordered the Auditor-General to take the appropriate steps to recover all amounts lost to the state, and this covers private persons. The Attorney-General was also ordered to ensure enforcement of the orders including criminal prosecution where necessary.

iWatch Africa mid-year/ third-quarter review revealed that only 25 individuals across all regions had settled their debts following the Supreme Court directive to surcharge.

Read Also: Northern Region Assemblies fail to properly account for over GH12 million alloted funds

Full List: Regional breakdown of how Assemblies mismanaged allotted DACF in 2016
23.08.2017 LISTEN

The Northern Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, Naa Dr. Jacob Mahama, has charged the central Government to adopt a national strategy to fight high maternal mortalities in the region and other parts of the country.

He observed that the lives of more pregnant women (if not all) could be saved if a serious national campaign or strategy was fashioned out, with special budgetary allocation and adequate personnel to fight maternal deaths.

Madam Joana Quarcoo, Kumbungu District Director of Health, disclosed at the launch of the Promoting Maternal, Newborn, Infant and Child Sustainable Health Efforts (PROMISE) project in Tamale, in June this year, that a total of 130 women died during child birth at health facilities in the Northern Region in 2016 alone, as against 96 cases recorded in 2015.

Sadly, 325 children, who were from seven days to 30 days old, and 34 others, who were from 30 days to 11 months old, also died in 2016.

Speaking at a meeting with the members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health during their two-day working visit to the Northern Region, Naa Dr. Mahama did not repeat the alarming statistics, as revealed by his subordinate in June, this year, but expressed worry about the large size of the region, which he said, was not proportional to its health problems.

He revealed that 47% of deliveries in the region are conducted in the communities by traditional birth attendants and other untrained individuals, which contribute significantly to the loss of lives of women in labour.

Most of the women in labour are not sent to the health facilities for skilled delivery, but are only brought from the communities to the facilities when they had almost lost their lives through excessive bleeding and other complications.

The Northern Regional Health Director also attributed the constant increase in maternal deaths in the region to delays in the referral of pregnant women to other health facilities, inadequate health personnel, weak emergency transport system (ambulance), inadequate health facilities, and poor road networks among others.

Eight out of the 26 districts in the Northern Region are without hospitals, and people have to travel long distances to access healthcare. Only 415 out of the 705 Community Health-Based Planning Services (CHPS) compounds are functional.

Naa Dr. Mahama bemoaned the situation where resources meant for health service delivery from central government were shared equally among small and large regions, without any consideration to the size, population or peculiar problems needed to be addressed.

He said that doctors and other health specialists from the southern parts of Ghana had consistently refused postings to the Northern regions without any sanctions.

He noted that the few doctors who accept postings to the region, especially the rural communities where their services were needed most, refused to stay in those communities.

They mostly rent apartments in the regional or district capitals, and commute to and from their posts every day, due to the deprived conditions they face.

Most of the districts and communities are cut off completely during rain seasons, which also compels most personnel to abandon their duties. He, therefore, called for improved conditions of service, accommodation, means of transport, and other forms motivation for the health personnel in the region to encourage others to accept postings to the area.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Dr. Kwabena Twum-Nuamah, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Berekum East Constituency, said the visit was part of their oversight functions to visit the various health facilities to ensure the health budget was being properly utilised. It is also to find out some of the grave challenges facing the various facilities for immediate redress.

The committee first paid a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, and then proceeded to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale Central Hospital, Savelugu-Nanton Municipal Hospital and the Walewale District Hospital, where they met with the senior staff and management members to receive their concerns.

The 12-member committee included the Vice Chairman, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, Ranking Member, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful and Alhassan Umar, MP for Zabzugu among others.

From Edmond Gyebi, Tamale/
23.08.2017 LISTEN

Accra, Aug 23, GNA - Illegal timber logging has been identified as a major threat to Ghana's forest which also serve as the sources of most of the river bodies that is used by the people.

Most rivers including the Densu which hosts the Weija dam that produces water for most people in the Greater Accra Region have its source from the Atewa forest located in the Eastern Region.

It is estimated that about 80 per cent of all wood sold in the country are acquired illegally from Ghana's forest and the government is the highest consumer of such illegal wood also known as bush cut, as a result of various infrastructural projects that it engages in.

During a two-day media training workshop on the Public Procurement Policy (PPP) on Timber and Timber Products in Ghana, organized by the Nature and Development Foundation (NDF), an NGO with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), media personnel learnt that most of Ghana's forest cover was critically threatened amidst indiscriminate timber logging being done by chainsaw operators without regard to the laws.

Meanwhile the status of the Public Procurement Policy on Timber and Timber Products which the country started developing in 2012 to help guide how timber products could be sourced and used, is in limbo as its now being shelved.

Ms Matilda Appiah, Project Officer of NDF, said in an expression of commitment to show leadership in addressing illegal logging and trade in timber and timber products, and to support the development of sustainable forest management, the Government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) and the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) of the Forestry Commission started the development of the PPP on Timber and Timber Products for the domestic market.

She said the aim of the PPP was to use the purchasing power of government procurement to signal the market in favour of legally and sustainably produced timber and timber products.

She said to support the Government's effort at sanitizing the forestry and timber sector, the NDF with financial assistance from the FAO, collaborated with the MLNR and the TIDD to develop implementation guidelines for the policy.

She said the NDF also helped trained regional, metropolitan, municipal and district level procurement officers from the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions on the guidelines and the policy to ensure effective implementation.

'However, after these actions, much has not been done in getting the policy passed,' Ms Appiah noted.

Mr Glen Asomaning, Operations Director of NDF, said since the beginning of the century, Ghana's forest cover which was 8.2 million hectares had reduced to 1.6 million hectares in present times due to many illegal activities being perpetuated through deforestation, high demand for arable land, as well as weak enforcement of laws.

He said the state of the world forest was not too good and that of Ghana had become so critical as the country loses 55,000 hectares of forest annually and that if sustainable forestry management was not adopted it would be very detrimental to the survival of current and succeeding generations.

Mr Mustapha Seidu, Director of NDF urged Ghanaians to stop patronizing illegal timber from the market usually brought in by chainsaw operators which usually look shorter in length than the legally cut wood and also have rough edges most of the time.

He said most of the illegal wood usually does not last longer when they are used for building and other construction projects because the chainsaw operators always cut any wood in the forest without recourse to any regulations, making people to incur more cost'.

'People should ask for sawmill wood, which are highly susceptible to be from legal timber,' he advised.

The purpose of the media training was to give participants an exposure to the public procurement policy on timber and timber products, and to build capacity of journalists to follow up on appropriate authorities to ensure that Ghana's forest cover was properly maintained to save humanity. GNA

By Lydia Asamoah, GNA
Abuja (AFP) - Questions are being raised about the ability of Nigeria's president to rule after his decision to cancel Wednesday's cabinet meeting -- the first since he returned from a long overseas medical absence.

An announcement Tuesday that President Muhammadu Buhari, 74, will work from home following more than 100 days of medical treatment in London because of a rodent infestation in his official office had already raised doubts about his health.

Amaka Anku, an analyst at Eurasia Group consulting, said ahead of Buhari's return at the weekend that he "remains quite ill and is unlikely to resume full presidential responsibilities".

"He will allow (the vice president) to continue to handle day-to-day governance tasks," she wrote.

In a televised address on Monday, Buhari looked thin but sounded stronger than in his last broadcast back in June. He did not mention his illness or long absence, instead appealing for national unity and renewed energy for the fight against jihadists, separatists and kidnappers.

He left Nigeria on May 7 for his second round of treatment in Britain this year for an unspecified medical condition, having already spent two months in the British capital for healthcare reasons.

Deeply divided country

Buhari, a retired general elected in 2015, temporarily handed power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to allay fears of a leadership vacuum in a country deeply divided along ethnic and religious fault lines.

The easy transfer of authority to and from Osinbajo, who is seen as fiercely loyal to the president, was notable in a country that has a history of coups and political instability.

Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari returned home at the weekend after more than 100 days of medical treatment in London

But despite Buhari's return to Nigeria, he has so far appeared unable or unready to resume frontline political work.

Political analysts warned that the cancellation of Wednesday's meeting could mean that Buhari has not fully recovered.

"What the latest cancellation of the meeting means is that Buhari does not have the full capacity, in terms of his health, to function," Chris Ngwodo, a political consultant, told AFP.

"I see a picture of somebody who does not have 100 percent fitness. That explains why he's not been able to function properly."

Ngwodo added that the day-to-day running of Nigeria could suffer as a result of Buhari's condition.

'No second fiddle'

"I see a slowdown in governance in Nigeria. This will not augur well for the country -- especially at this crucial time," he said.

Buhari's prolonged absence caused tensions at home where calls grew for him to either return or resign, and the prospect of a power vacuum now he is back is unlikely to calm the situation.

The question of who leads Nigeria is a crucial one as the country grapples with a range of pressing security and economic crises.

And despite the insistence of a senior presidency official that "President Buhari is very much in charge", the challenges facing government forces are growing.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari took office in 2015

They include a jihadist insurgency in the northeast, recurrent clashes between farmers and herdsman in the centre of the country, and kidnappings and separatism in the south.

The west African powerhouse is also in the grip of a second year of recession, triggered by lower oil prices which have slashed government revenues, weakened the local currency and caused a shortage of US dollars.

"It is a matter of administrative style that (Buhari) delegates some functions to the vice president from time to time. For instance, the vice president is the head of the economic management team," said the presidency source.

But Anku, the Eurasia Group analyst, said that while Osinbajo had the powers of the head of state while Buhari was away and some economic clout with him back in the country, "he was careful to obtain the president's approval for all major policies".

She added that Buhari's aides will likely seek to reassert themselves now that the president is back, meaning that even if Buhari is unable to govern, those around him could seek to do so in his name.

The president's defenders insist that Buhari is still firmly in control, despite appearances.

"The fact that he has been working from home and has called off a cabinet meeting does not mean that he cannot perform and that he is abdicating his responsibility," said Dapo Thomas, a lecturer at Lagos University.

"Buhari is not the kind of man that would play second fiddle."

"Let no one be in doubt as to who is in charge," added the presidency source.
Africans are naturally socialists. Our culture of companionship and fellowship and desire to support the weak and the disadvantaged, is the basic principle underlining socialism. Saint-Simon, coined socialism as a contrast to the liberal doctrine of individualism. The ideology has gone through different philosophical interpretations by philosophers but the basic underlying philosophy guiding its practice is ownership of resources by all and was propounded to eliminate oppression, and gross inequalities in wealth.

To the socialists, liberal individualism degenerate society into supporting selfish egoism that has the potential of harming community life through promoting a society based on unfair competition. Staurt Mills in his "Principles of Political Economy", argued that "as far as economic theory was concerned, there is nothing in principle in economic theory that precludes an economic order based on socialist policies"

When you read writings and contributions by theorists of the ideology and how they dispassionately challenged the status quo and you compare that to what we see today, you would understand why some of us jump onto the necks of our politicians whenever they try to portray themselves as adherents of the ideology. The Marxists at a point criticised the Russian system for not developing the productive forces for the socialist revolution, Friedrich Engels writing about communism in Europe, argued that socialism was respectable on the continent, while communism was not.

The Owenists in England and the Fourierists in France were considered "respectable"socialists, while the working class movement, portrayed themselves communists. Our forefathers built mansions, huge houses to accommodate as many family and non-family members as possible. Uncles catered for kids of their sisters, Aunties trained wards of their sisters and cousins. In the Akan setting the maternal inheritance system was adopted to protect the unity and cohesion families enjoyed. Many of our best brains were sponsored by their uncles and aunties to reach achieve their academic heights.

The lands were occupy today were bought by our grandfathers and shared to family members to farm on. Compare the few enumerated points to our current policy of building our houses according to the number of kids we have, declaring our external family members as witchcrafts who should not have access to our homes, build and allocate one room for special prayers with an attached small "ghetto" for our dogs and other pets (animals). That is how silly westernisation and liberal individualism have turned the modern African. Our uncles, grandfathers and aunties supported our education, housed us only for us to declare our family members unqualified to enter our homes all because of western books we read, diluted sermons by our pastors and adaptation of western policies.

Now, let me touch on socialism in Africa. The African socialist easily sacrifices his socialist stance for his political convenience that is why Raila Odinga will join the right "Capitalist" and fall for their tricks and wicked practices. His father's ideological stance was the main reason behind the friction between him and Jomo Kenyatta. We know how he sneaked some Kenyan students to Sudan and later to Egypt to study socialism under Nasser and how he managed to secure scholarship in the USSR, Yugoslavia,Bulgaria etc for some Kenyan students to study in these communists (then) countries. He was a true and true communists a position which was opposite the philosophy Jomo shared. We know of the communists arms issue which involved Odinga and the stance jomo took on the issue. At point he joined the Democratic Forces to help him achieve his political goal. His son, followed his father's ideological stance and exhibited strict socialist values and ideals only to sacrifice these fine values by joining the right to support his presidential ambition.

Jerry Rawlings didn't start as a socialist and that fact must be established. He told us, he was not interested in economic theories all he cared for, was how mankind could have his three square meal. He was forced to abandon his ideological neutrality when he began to face the realities. The other reason was that, he surrounded himself with some apostles of communism such as Kwamena Ahwoi, Chris Atim etc who left their beard long enough to portray Marx's genes in them. The cold war and the general global political dynamics forced him to quickly tilt to the east.

He joined Murmur and other pro-left leaders to protect his regime which had come under threat from the west. We must also understand that, Rawlings openly said he admired Kotoka and jumped into the skies when news broke out that Nkrumah had been overthrown. The challenges he faced in office, helped him to understand and admire Nkrumah and to move to the east. He sent some young Ghanaians to some communist states including Cuba, Bulgaria etc and Libya a socialist state to study socialism and other revolutionary principles.

He was worked on by the west just like they did to Acheampong and was forced to abandon his leftists ideals, he was hailed by the west as the new messiah in Africa, his pro- capitalist policies were hailed and was accorded special place among the assembly of the western elements in the end, he completed his tenure as an ally of the west. The NDC itself was founded by persons from both ideological schools we had Justice Anan, Obed and the rest who were inclined to the right with Ahwoi and his group coming from the left persuasion. This mixed system is affecting the party's position when it comes to practice of their ideology "social democracy" and it is not giving the party the needed support and power to strongly espouse its philosophy. Clearly, you still see the inefficiencies and crisis traditionally associated with capitalism, you see the evil of primitive capital accumulation and the profit system. This is because the capitalists (Npp) who trumpet welfare policies, is clandestinely evangelising the Ghanaian society with its political and economic philosophies. I don't and will not support introduction of policies which may be perceived to be undemocratic in their content and approach but the party must try to adhere strictly to the core social democratic values and ethics.

If the NDC is starting its ideological orientation with its school, we must comment them and urge them on but I think the orientation must further reach its grassroots. I was a member of Murmur's Green Book study club and was fortunate to meet Murmur when he visited Ghana. I, together with other students from various schools were given the opportunity to meet the great leader at the state house so know what ideological orientation which is well fashioned out can do, Amartey Kwei and others visited our home at Gihoc Pharmaceuticals and recollecting how they spoke with precision, I know the impact well fashioned out ideological orientation can have on our internal politics as well as national. Some of the party's folks still do not see the importance of the many projects and welfare policies the last administration implemented.

This is because of the ongoing capitalist orientation in our society, they do not value effect of these policies just because the party lost the last election. The truth is that, in most countries, the masses crave for the return of the socialist parties few months after their exit because of their policies. Nasser resigned over Egypt's defeat by Israel in the 1967 Six day war but few months after his resignation, the masses were in the streets of Egypt demanding for his reinstatement. He retuned, and still being celebrated as one of the true socialists to have ruled on the continent and an iconic figure in the Arab world.

General Buhari is ideologically a socialist but had to abandon his ideological tradition to enable him win political power. But the truth is that, for years, his people accorded him respect and dignity after leaving office because of the socialist principles he espoused when he ruled the west African state as a military leader. So you see how clever manipulations by the west has shattered the base of the socialist elements on the continent. This is what the NDC must watch going forward. If it departs from its core values and assess its performance using the capitalist principles, then it must know that it the right will always outwit them. The population is moving into the middle income zone meaning, we going to have more citizens within the middle income or class zone, our desires and taste keep on changing daily and we are being exposed to many western and pro capitalist ideas this change in attitude and wants demand scientific permutations and institution of solid ideological policies to retain persons who share in the party's ideology safely within the zone and also attract the undecided.

Part 1
Tripoli (AFP) - Libya's unity government chief Fayez al-Sarraj urged visiting British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson Wednesday to help lift a United Nations arms embargo in force since the 2011 Libyan revolution.

Sarraj requested "the support of the British government to speed up the lifting of the embargo", according to a unity government statement after their talks in Tripoli.

Sarraj said such a move would help "arm and equip (Libya's) coastguard and border guards to carry out their missions against smugglers, especially people traffickers", it said.

The two discussed the fight against illegal immigration and on cooperation between their two countries in the fields of security, health, energy and education.

Johnson stressed London's support for efforts to reach an agreement between Libya's two rival authorities, the unity government statement added.

Sarraj's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) has struggled to impose its authority in Libya in the face of opposition from a rival eastern-based administration backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

Sarraj met Haftar near Paris in July in a bid to reach a peace agreement in the conflict-ridden country.

Their commitment to holding elections was endorsed by the UN Security Council, of which Britain is a member.

Johnson last visited Libya in May, holding talks in Tripoli as well as in the eastern city of Tobruk where the rival administration is based.
Benghazi (Libya) (AFP) - At least 11 people were beheaded Wednesday in an attack claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group on a checkpoint manned by forces of Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

Haftar's spokesman Colonel Ahmad al-Mesmari said "at least nine soldiers were beheaded... in addition to two civilians" when the jihadists attacked at dawn in the Al-Jufra region about 500 kilometres (300 miles) south of Tripoli.

IS claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq propaganda channel on the Telegram messaging app, saying its fighters had killed or wounded "21 members of Haftar's militia".

Libya has been rocked by chaos since the 2011 fall and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed revolution.

Jihadists, arms dealers and people traffickers have gained a foothold in the North African country as multiple authorities and dozens of militias vie for power.

Forces allied with the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord drove IS jihadists from their stronghold of Sirte on the Mediterranean coast in December.

The GNA underlined at the time that the battle against Islamist rebels was not over, as armed groups continue to hunt down IS members who fled Sirte as the city fell.

Analysts and military sources say the group remains active in Libya, particularly in the desert south where the GNA holds little sway.

Haftar, who backs a rival administration that refuses to recognise the GNA, controls much of the country's vast southern desert.

His self-proclaimed Libyan National Army in May seized Tamenhant base near the southern city of Sebha after driving out a pro-GNA militia.

The following month, it seized Al-Jufra, including a key military air base, from the Benghazi Defence Brigades, a coalition that includes Islamists driven out of Libya's second city by pro-Haftar forces.

That placed the strongman in control of all the major cities and military bases in southern Libya.

Also in July, Haftar announced the "total liberation" of Benghazi, three years after his forces launched a military operation to seize the city.

But clashes have continued in the city, a bastion of the 2011 uprising that later fell to jihadists.

Forces loyal to Haftar regularly blame attacks against them on IS, particularly in Benghazi.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfour has urged parents to introduce their children to sex education.

The Minister believes that lack of sex education on the part of Ghanaians is a contributing factor to unwanted pregnancies.

In an interview with Citi News at the regional celebration of this years 2017 World Population Day held in Koforidua under the theme Mr. Darfour said he is of the view that parents taking the initiative to discuss sex education with their kids will help reduce high rate of teenage pregnancies being recorded in the country.

Parents should encourage their children to undertake family planning methods because in times past it was almost uncomfortable for a teenager or a young lady to walk to a family planning centre and say she wants to have family planning or she wants to be advised as to how she can avoid an unwanted or impromptu pregnancy although she may not be in a relationship.

Income should determine family size

Adding his voice to the recent debate on Family planning and the countrys growing Population, Mr. Darfour said the salaries of parents should determine the size of their family.

Personally I think this issue should be discussed by families, because of improvement in education, knowledge and science people are becoming increasingly aware and being conscious of their family sizes so people should reflect especially young couples should look at their economic situation and income or how much they are earning monthly or yearly and justify it with how they want to live life, that is the reasonable way to go.

I have three kids who have all completed their university education and I have been able to cater for them very well because I wanted to have three children and I did that with ease so I believe that is the reasonable way.

The Minister thus advised opinion leaders to start education on ways to reduce the high population growth in the country.



By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
A police constable with the Visibility Unit of the Sekondi Police Command in the Western Region, Wilson Bossey has allegedly physically assaulted a journalist with Takoradi based Skyy Power FM, Nana Adu Kyei Danso Abeam popularly known as Akyeamehene.

The Journalist was allegedly assaulted on Tuesday August 22, 2017 for questioning why the Police constable was riding a motorbike on a highway without crash helmet.

Constable Bossey, who was riding the unregistered L plated motorbike reportedly got angry by the questions, pulled the journalist out of the car he was travelling in, and physically assaulted him in the full glare of the public.

Akyeamehene, in an interview with Citi News that the incident occurred around 4:30 pm when I came to buy rubbers for my car brakes.

I boarded a car and saw the policeman in a uniform at the back of the motorbike with an L plate. So I questioned the policeman why he was not wearing a helmet and at the same time with an unregistered motorbike. I was curious because the police were conducting an exercise against that very act.

He said our car had moved on. But suddenly the motor rider crossed our car few meters from where I had questioned him. We nearly knocked them. Then the police man warned the driver not to move car. Soon after the order, the policeman opened the front door where I was seated and hurriedly slapped me twice. His other friend assisted him to drag me out of the car and kept dragging me to the other side of the road. All this while Bossey was assaulting me.

The journalist who is known for his communal commitment with his flagship program Wonsom wonsom [Lets build together] added that several pleas for mercy yielded no results.

What even worsened my case was when I told them I am a journalist. He resumed his slaps. He approached another lady officer for handcuffs but could not get any.

The event attracted the attention of taxi drivers and other folks around. Those who tried to plead on were all ignored. I now requested that he takes me to the nearest police station at Kojokrom but he will not listen. Moments later a police patrol team came around and we went to the Sekondi Police Station.

The PRO of the Western Regional Police Command, ASP Olivia Awurabena Adiku in a Citi News interview confirmed that the regional police command has instituted an administrative action against the constable, while a police medical form has been issued to the journalist. Investigations are still ongoing into the matter.



By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana
24.08.2017 LISTEN

Member of Parliament for BaikaBuem in the Volta Region, Hon. Daniel Ashiamah has revealed that the New Patriotic Partys flagship program, one district one factory was an idea the previous administration nurtured and launched in 2013.

Speaking on Agoo TVs Yensempa show to host Bonohene Baffour Awuah, the member of the opposition National democratic Congress said that Former deputy minister of trade, Hon. Edwin Nii lantey Vanderpuye were amongst the persons who proposed the idea of constructing the Ekumfi Pineapple Juice factory and the NPP is now taking credit for it.

We had a program marked for the extraction of fruit juice from pineapple in the Ekumfi Area but we did not name our project one district one factory. The project was started during NDC era to give

According to him, governance is a continuous process but the NPP has employed the use of ambiguous words to confuse the ordinary Ghanaian that their numerous flagship programs are all their ideas. He explained that the erstwhile administration made funding arrangements for the start of the Ekumfi pineapple factory and there are records to prove whatever he is saying.

The BaikaBuem legislator, also called on the ruling party to emulate the ways of former president mills because he acknowledged that the N1 highway was started by his predecessor former president kufour. According to him, it is through this that the younger generation can be brought up well without having to live in lies

The NPP has to explain to Ghanaians why they chose Ekumfi and tell us how they are funding the program. They should let Ghanaians know if they are using funds generated for the same purpose by the former government or they are continuing from where the NDC left of- He added

President Akufo Addo will on Friday launch the one district one factory at Ekumfi in the central Region. The project which is amongst the many flagship programs of the Nana Addo led government will start in the hometown of deceased former president Attah Mills.

The president is also expected to cut sod for the construction of a factory which is the first to be constructed by the government in pursuance of fulfilling their campaign promises. If completed, the factory is expected to employ over 5000 Ghanaians which is in line with the Akufo Addo led governments pledge of providing jobs.
Nollywood actor truned politician, Yul Edochie, is taking his campaign train for the upcoming Anambra state elections very seriously and no turning back for him.

The actor feels he can lead his people and is ready to give politics a shot and that has prompt him taking it further by getting his nomination form.

Yul is currently under the umbrella of the Democratic Peoples Congress, DPC to assert his readiness to contest the election on the platform of the party, in Onitsha.

Still making his intentions known to his fans he said, My name is Yul Edochie. And I'm running for Governor of Anambra State, 2017 under the platform of the DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S CONGRESS. DPC. (moving forward with the people). I'm a good man, with a good heart, with integrity who is touched by the suffering of the masses. I cannot do it alone. I need the support and prayers of every well meaning Nigerian who is tired of the old ways, who wants a better life for the people. Old ways will never open new doors. Always remember that if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. So be part of the solution today. Its time to vote them out. Join the movement today.
'The big truck is still on ...
Entertainment - stage curtain View Photos

Delta Kappa Gamma will host a preview night of Sierra Repertory Theaters Man of La Mancha on Thursday August 24th.

BZ Smith, Delta Kappa Gamma member, was Wednesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day.

Man of La Mancha is a Tony award-winning musical play, taking place at the Fallon House Theater in Columbia State Historic Park. The pre-show reception featuring hors doeuvres, sweet delicacies & wine, starts at 6 PM. The play itself begins at 7 PM.

Tickets are $30 and available at Mountain Bookshop in the Sonora Junction Shopping Center. Or order your Will Call tickets at http://dkgpreviewnightlamancha.brownpapertickets.com/.

This event is a fund raiser for DKGs local family literacy programs and future teacher scholarships. DKG will also offer a raffle of well-appointed gift baskets during the evening. Delta Kappa Gamma is an international society for women in education.

The name is a combination of the initial letters of three Greek words: Didaskotikai meaning teachers; Kleidouchai meaning key;and z Gynaikes meaning women. Today we use DKG. Society designates the international organization.

The Society is structured in three levelslocal, state organization and internationalall closely integrated. The local unit is called a chapter. The term state organization designates states, territories, provinces and comparable political divisions in countries where Delta Kappa Gamma is organized. The terms international and/or Society refer to the overall organization with the total membership. The business of the Society is conducted by the organizations on these three levels and through the relationships among them.

The Purposes set forth by the Founders continue to embody the spirit of the Society. The Purposes have grown and changed over time, but continue to be as valid in todays contemporary world as when first adopted. The Mission and Vision support the Purposes.

Mission Statement: The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

Vision Statement: Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide.

Delta Kappa Gammas Seven Purposes:

1. To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship

2. To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education

3. To advance the professional interest and position of women in education

4. To initiate, endorse and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators

5. To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to non-member women educators

6. To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action

7. To inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society.

Call DKG President Judy Hodges at 209.532.6132 or member Marilyn Thompson at 209.586.7488 for more information. You can also email Smith at bz@hive-arts.org with questions.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Sgt. Michael Pershall of Modesto Police formerly a Tuolumne County Sheriff's Deputy, killed by an alleged drunk driver Aug 22 2017 View Photos

Update at 4:15pm: Tuolumne County law officials along with the Modesto Police Department are sharing their grief over the untimely death of one of their own at the hands of an alleged drunk driver.

This afternoon, Modesto Police identified that it was Sgt. Michael Pershall from their department who was killed Tuesday night after being hit while off-duty and riding his bicycle along Merle Avenue in his neighborhood. (An earlier story on the incident follows below after this update.)

Pershall was initially hired back in 2008 as a deputy by Tuolumne County Sheriff Jim Mele, as the sheriff recalls. He adds that during his time working in the Mother Lode Pershall solidified a career and made life-long friends within the sheriffs office before transitioning over to the Modesto Police Department in 2012.

Mele recounts, He was very well loved  and not just liked  Mike was a very caring young man, loved to do police work, was a member of the SWAT Teamhe just enjoyed life. Sharing the last time the two talked just about two months ago, Sheriff Mele confides, I remember exactly what he said. He said, Hey, Jimbo, hows it going? It wasnt Sheriff or anything like that. He was just a fine, fun young man and he is going to be truly missed.

As much as he made a positive difference locally, Sheriff Mele notes, More importantly , he was a father [of two boys, 16 and 10] and husband and our thoughts are with the Pershall family and the Modesto Police Departmentwe are here for them.

According to the CHP, the fatal collision remains under investigation and the driver of the vehicle who hit Pershall, 32-year-old Matthew Gibbs of Modesto, has been charged with homicide and several driving under the influence related charges.

Modesto Police: Loss Creates Tremendous Void

Pershall, who had recently been promoted to the rank of sergeant, was a nine-year veteran within the Modesto Police Department; serving as a Canine Handler, Field Training Officer, Police Explorer Advisor and negotiator for the Critical Incident Team.

Police officials state that Pershall was instrumental in training and mentoring new officers, teaching them the fundamentals of being a public servant and community guardian; also leading by example as a volunteer advisor for the Police Explorer Program, a mentoring and development program for youth ages 15 through 21. As a canine handler, Pershall actively took part in community outreach, providing with his partner Ike K9 presentations and demonstrations to community groups, schools and youth organizations. In his most recent outing, the pair visited several block parties at this years National Night Out.

Modesto Police Chief Galen Carroll states, Mikes loss creates a tremendous void within our organization and within the hearts of those he touched. We are forever grateful for the moments we shared with him. To view a slideshow of images provided by the Modesto Police Department click into the image box.

Original Post at 7:44am: Modesto, CA  An off-duty Modesto Police Sgt. riding a bicycle was tragically killed last night after being hit by an alleged drunk driver.

The name of the victim has not been released at this time. KCRA 3 in Sacramento reports that the law enforcement official had been with the Modesto PD since 2012 and previously worked for the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office.

Modesto Police Chief Glenn Carroll stated, This is a huge loss for his family, and the Modesto Police Department family, as well as our community. We have turned over the investigation to the California Highway Patrol. We thank you for your thoughts and your prayers, and your prayers for the family.

The CHP reports the crash happened at 6:09pm on Merle Avenue near Fine Avenue. 32-year-old Matthew Gibbs of Modesto was arrested for causing the crash and booked into Stanislaus County Jail. The CHP notes that Gibbs allowed his vehicle to drift into the opposing traffic lane and strike the rear of the bicycle. The car eventually went onto the curb and also hit a fire hydrant. The off-duty officer was pronounced dead at the scene.

Well pass along more information when it becomes available.
Sonora, CA  The Board of Supervisors in Tuolumne County held a special meeting this morning to finalize its response to the 2016-17 Grand Jury report.

We reported in July that the report looked into areas like the library, IT, dispatch, etc.

CAO Craig Pedro noted that the county had already begun acting on many of the concerns brought up in the report. For example, the Grand Jury noted that a lack of a full-time Library Director has created a vague chain of command and resulted in a lack of grant applications submitted for additional library revenue. Pedro noted that the 2016-17 budget, to be finalized next month, sets aside money for the hiring of a director.

Additional funding is also going to address several security risks and concerns related to the Information Technology department.

Concerns related to the degrading Tuolumne County Jail will be non-existent once a new facility is constructed, with work expected to begin around November, and construction lasting 18 months.

The Grand Jury requested a response about the legality, and whether there is a conflict of interest, in utilizing CAL Fires Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Chief Josh White in the dual role of the Tuolumne County Fire Marshall. Pedro added, County Counsel has opined that there is no legal conflict and county administrative staff cannot recall a time where a clear conflict has surfaced and potentially disadvantaged Tuolumne County Fire. To the contrary, the relationship has resulted in many advantages to the county.

Pedro went on to say that many other cities and counties in California have similar agreements with CAL Fire.

An item that still needs to be resolved is pay increases for Tuolumne County Supervisors. The county had sought outside direction on whether salaries were comparable with other counties after the supervisors had declined several pay increases. The board had cited the negative political implications of giving oneself a raise. Recommendations included giving pay increases equal to those being negotiated with county bargaining groups, that the supervisors still continue to approve any increase, and the county consider hiring assistants to reduce the workload. The county will review options and potentially make a decision regarding the issue around December.

You can read more about the report and responses by clicking here.
Last updated: March 22th 2018

If you plan on gaining admission into the university, polytechnic or any other tertiary institution, you have to know the JAMB 2018/2019 cut off mark.

The cut off mark for JAMB varies from course of study to course of study. Below you will find all the essential JAMB news about cut off marks for gaining admission in 2018.

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has already released JAMB 2018/2019 cut off marks for all Nigerian universities. Are you ready for Jamb Latest News?

JAMB cut off mark 2018-2019

You must have the minimum JAMB cut off mark 120 to enter the Nigerian Universities. As for JAMB cut off mark for polytechnics and colleges you should have 100. At the same time, if you want to get an education at innovative, enterprising institutes, your minimum score must be 110.

Remember! Higher institutions reserve the right to increase the JAMB 2018/2019 cut off mark above the minimum accepted by JAMB.

Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede

Mr. Is-haq Oloyede (the JAMB Registrar) mentioned that a Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) would be adopted to regularize the processes of admission into institutions

The JAMB Registrar also added that schools could also make use of the dual mode system. In this case, both manual and the newly introduced CAPS can be adopted.

He also noted that the candidates who chose to study Agriculture in higher institutions were low while those who wanted to study Medicine and Sciences increased this year.

As for illegal admissions, Is-haq Oloyede said that the admission process is automatic and all candidates must be approved by the JAMB Registrar.

Nearly 17,160 students have gotten admission into school without JAMB in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: How to reprint JAMB slip for 2017 UTME?

Mr. Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, declared a cancellation of the ban of Post-UTME examination as a premise for entering universities and polytechnics.

He marked that post-UTME banning caused a lot of rules violations both by candidates and institutions.

After the ban cancellation, schools could now conduct exams freely, and examination fee must not be more than 2000 Naira.

The Minister also assured that a high number of candidates who took part at the 2017 UTME would enter the higher education institutions this year.

We hope, the above JAMB news about cut off mark was useful for you. Good Luck!

JAMB cut off marks for federal universities 2018/2019

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU)  180

Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria  180

Bayero University, Kano (BUK)- 180

Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE)  180

Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)  180

Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna)  180

Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)  180

Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State (FUD)  180

Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina (FUDutsinma)  180

Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State(FUKashere)  180

Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State (FULafia)- 180

Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State (FULokoja)  180

Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State (FUNAI)- 180

Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa (FUOtuoke)  180

Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State (FUOYE)- 180

Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State (FUWukari)- 180

Michael Okpara Uni. of Agric., Umudike (MOUAU)- 180

Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola (MAUTECH, formerly FUTYOLA)- 180

National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos (NOUN)  N/A

Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna  180

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK)  180

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife  200

Police Academy Wudil  180 (2016 cut-off mark confirmed)

University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), Gwagwalada  180

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)  200

Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM)  180

University of Benin (UNIBEN)  200

University of Calabar (UNICAL)  180

University of Ibadan (UI)  200

University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)  180

University of Jos (UNIJOS)  180

University of Lagos (UNILAG)  200

University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)  180

University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)  180

University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT)  180

University of Uyo (UNIUYO)  180

Usumanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUSOK)  180

JAMB cut off marks for state universities 2018/2019

Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU)  180

Adamawa State University Mubi (ADSU)  180

Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA)  180

Akwa Ibom State University of Technology, Uyo (AKUTECH)  180

Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma  180

Anambra State University of Science & Technology, Uli  180

Bauchi State University, Gadau (BASUG)  180

Benue State University, Makurdi (BSUM)  180, Medicine  200

Cross River State University of Science & Technology, Calabar (CRUTECH)- 180

Delta State University Abraka (DELSU)  180

Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki  180

Ekiti State University (EKSU)  180

Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu  180

Gombe State Univeristy (GSU), Gombe  180

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL)  180

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuoumeni  180

Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri  180

Kaduna State University (KASU), Kaduna  180

Kano University of Science & Technology (KUST), Wudil  180

Kebbi State University, Kebbi (KSUSTA)- 180

Kogi State University (KSU), Anyigba  180

Kwara State University (KWASU), Ilorin  180

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso  180

Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos  180

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK)  180

Niger Delta Unversity (NDU), Yenagoa  180

Northwest University (NU), Kano  180

Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye  18

Ondo State University of Science & Technology, Okitipupa  180

Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Oshogbo  180

Plateau State University, Bokkos (PLASU)  180

Rivers State University of Science & Technology (RSUST)  180

Sokoto State University, Sokoto (SSU)  180

Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode (TASUED)  180

Taraba State University, Jalingo (TSU)  180

Technical University, Ibadan  180

Umaru Musa YarAdua University, Katsina (UMYU)  180

JAMB cut off mark 2018/2019 for federal polytechnics in Nigeria

Auchi Polytechnic (AUCHIPOLY)  150

Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti  150

Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi  150

Federal Polytechnic, Bida  150

Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu  N/A

Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State  150

Federal Polytechnic, Idah  150

Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro  150

Federal Polytechnic, Mubi  TBA

Federal Polytechnic, Namoda  TBA

Federal Polytechnic, Nassarawa  150

Federal Polytechnic, Nekede  150

Federal Polytechnic Offa  150

Federal Polytechnic, Oko  150

Federal School of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu  150

Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna  150

Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic  TBA

Nigeria Army School of Military Engineering  TBA

Waziri Umaru Fed. Polytechnic Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi  TBA

Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)  150 for ND, 180 for UNN Degree

READ ALSO: How to print Jamb admission letter?

JAMB Cut off Mark 2018/2019 For State Polytechnics In Nigeria

Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic  150

Abia State Polytechnic  150

Adamawa State Polytechnic  150

Abdul-Gusau Polytechnic, Talata-Mafara  TBA

Akwa-Ibom State Polytechnic  150

Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic  150

Akwa Ibom State College of Arts and Science Nung, Ukim  150

Benue State Polytechnic  150

College of Administrative and Business Studies, Potiskum  150

Enugu Polytechnic  150

GATEWAY Polytechnic, Igbesa  150

Rufus Giwa Polytechnic  150

The Polytechnic, Ibadan  150

Institute of Management and Technology Enugu  150

Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo  150

Jigawa State Polytechnic  150

Kano State Polytechnic  150

Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic  150

Kogi State Polytechnic  150

Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin  150

Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu  150

Moshood Abiola Polytechnic  150

Nasarawa State Polytechnic  150

Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic  150

Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku  150

Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe  150

Osun State Polytechnic, Iree  150

Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke  150

Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro  150

Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin-Ladi  150

Polytechnic of Sokoto  150

Ramat Polytechnic  150

Rivers State College of Arts and Science  150

Rivers State Polytechnic  150

Gateway Polytechnic Saapade  150

Edo State Institute of Technology and Management, Usen  150

Niger State Poly, Zungeru, Niger State  150

Conclusion

Now you know all about the JAMB cut off marks for 2017/2018 for all Nigerian colleges and universities. Hope you get admitted into your school of choice.

READ ALSO: Can you check JAMB result with only registration number?

Source: Legit.ng
- According to Ahmed Makarfi, the Peoples Democratic Party is making good progress

- The national chairman of the caretaker committee of the party said the resolutions reached at the convention are being implemented

- He also said that various states were adopting the various resolution

The National Caretaker Committee of the PDP has said it is making progress in implementing the resolutions of the partys national convention on August 12.

Ahmed Makarfi who is the national chairman of the committee said this in a meeting with PDP stakeholders from Kwara on Tuesday, August 22, in Abuja.

He said that the committee had started setting up caretaker committees in states where factional executives were dissolved.

As I speak to you, we already have four states from all sides to the conflict that have jointly signed and made submissions in the overall interest of the party.

READ ALSO: PDP governors in CRUCIAL meeting at Fayoses house over party crisis (video, photos)

Before I came for this meeting, Lagos came for clarification before they conclude and we have despatched the South-West zonal chairman to go and harmonise the conclusions, and they are happy with the clarification we gave them.

Adamawa will also be making its conclusion and submission to the party tomorrow.

"Of all the seven states, we have four already filing submission, one to be completed tomorrow and two others, based on the undertaking of both sides, are ready to make submissions next week," he said.

PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on Legit.ng

Makarfi also explained that the committee delayed action in a particular state because a lot of people are are joining the party.

In conclusion, he said: In compliance with the resolution of the convention, we are making big progress because states are complying in respect of the decisions; they are complying and are making submissions.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the Monday, August 21, broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari who recently returned to Nigeria after over 100 days on medical vacation.

The party referred to the president's speech as a 'missed opportunity' to address the important issues affecting the Nigerian people.

Watch this Legit.ng on a protest against the APC administration:

Source: Legit.ng
- Nnamdi Kanu accused the government of not protecting people of the south-east

- He said people should not be afraid of the internal workings of IPOB

- The IPOB leader said the Biafra Secret Service was meant to protect the people

Nnamdi Kanu who is the leader of the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra (IPOB) has said that he set up the Biafra Secret Service so as to provide security for Igbo people.

Kanu spoke shortly after his visit to Senator Enyinna Abaribe in Abia on Tuesday, August 22.

The Biafra leader claimed the federal government has failed to protect the people which was why he set up a secret service to do so.

READ ALSO: JAMB releases new cut-off mark for tertiary institutions

He said Fulani herdsmen were killing Igbo people while the police failed to address the issue.

He said: I will not do anything that will bring dishonour to my people. There is no reason for people to be afraid of the internal operation of IPOB.

"We want to stop the menace of Fulani herdsmen in our land. In the north, they have the Hisbah police, they have the Sharia police. They even have the Janjaweed police. Here, we have nothing.

"We need to protect this very land. We want to protect the Fulani men from rustling.

"The police have done nothing. Fulani herdsmen are operating everywhere.

"President Buhari spoke; he never mentioned the menace of Fulani herdsmen. His interest was Biafra agitation. It doesnt work for me. I am a Biafran.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app

Senator Abaribe also spoke saying IPOB has assured that they will continue to remain nonviolent. He said discussions about a better union for Nigeria were necessary so that some people will not continue to feel like second class citizens.

He called on Nigerians to continue to work for peace and senate the South Est senate caucus will meet again for ongoing discussions.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari directed that the Service Chiefs to tackle the IPOBs secret army, Boko Haram and various security threats plaguing the country.

According to Vanguard, the Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, revealed that was the issue discussed at the closed-door meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Service Chiefs.

President Buhari earlier today held a meeting with service chiefs in his office at his official residence, Channels TV reports.

Watch a Legit.ng TV video below of Nigerians reacting to the formation of the Biafra Secret Service:

Source: Legit.ng
- Some south east youths on Tuesday, August 22 stormed Abuja in solidarity rally for President Muhammadu Buhari

- The president who recently returned back to the country after over 103 days in London has continued to enjoy goodwill from all the country's region

- Special adviser to the president on media, Femi Adesina was on ground to receive the supporters from south east

Some youths from the south east region stormed Abuja on Tuesday, August 22 to declare their support for President Muhammadu Buhari who recently returned back to the country after over 103 days in London.

The president who went on medical vacation for an undisclosed ailment continued to enjoy goodwill from all the country's region with the latest declaration from the coalition of South-East youths.

The south east over some time now has been embroiled in renewed agitation for secession brought about by Nnmadi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

Special Adviser to the President on Media, Femi Adesina (r) receiving a letter from the Coordinators of Coalition of Ibo Groups for Buhari, Hon. Demian Igbokwe (l) and Hon. Nkem . Photo credit: NAN

Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr Femi Adesina (r) flanked by the Coordinators of Coalition of Igbo Groups for Buhari, Hon. Demian Igbokwe (2l) and Hon. Nkem Anyata (2r). Photo credit: NAN

READ ALSO: JAMB releases new cut-off mark for tertiary institutions

The president who recently returned back to the country after over 103 days in London has continued to enjoy goodwill from all the country's region. Photo credit: NAN

Members of a coalition of Igbo groups during a rally in support of President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja. Photo credit: Abayomi Adeshida

Legit.ng had reported that some supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, August 19, blocked the highway leading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app

The supporters in their thousands flooded the streets with brooms - representing the logo of the All Progressives Congress, led by President Buhari.

The supporters were also seen dancing and jubilating on the highway while welcoming the President who arrived Nigeria after spending 105 days in London.

You can watch this Legit.ng video of Abuja drivers celebrating President Buhari's return:

Source: Legit.ng
- UNICEF has said that 15 million Nigerians still drink waste water

- These Nigerians, the agency said, live in rural areas

- UNICEF also said 45,000 under five children die annually from diseases caused by poor access to water sanitation and hygiene

The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has said that 15 million out of the over 190 million Nigerians still drink water from lakes, ponds, streams, rivers and irrigation canals.

The agency also said that these 15 million Nigerians live in the rural areas of Nigeria.

Speaking on Tuesday, August 22, during a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) workshop organized for journalists by UNICEF, European Union and the ministry of information, Moustapha Niang, said 57 million Nigerians in general lack access to safe water supply.

Niang, a WASH specialist with UNICEF also said more than half of these 57 million Nigerians live in rural areas.

READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu speaks about President Buharis address to the nation (video)

He added that only 8% of rural household have hand washing facilities with soap and water, while 130 million Nigerians use an improvised facility.

Condemning the situation, Niang said, accessibility portable water supply can also be linked to child survival as 45,000 under five children die annually from diseases caused by poor access to water sanitation and hygiene.

Edem called for partnership from relevant agencies for the provision of portable water to residents

He said that if these numbers keep increasing, Nigeria is unlikely to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 6 target which aims at ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

"With business as usual, Nigeria is unlikely to meet the SDG-6 targets," Niang said.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: JAMB releases new cut-off marks, see minimum score for universities, polytechnics, colleges

As of 2017, the progress of SDG 6 shows that effective water and sanitation management relies on the participation a range of stakeholder which local communities.

Reacting to this the permanent secretary for political, legislative affairs and water resources in Akwa Ibom state, Nse Edem said the state is focusing on introducing policies that will ensure water accessibility to all residents of the state.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app

Edem however called for partnership from relevant agencies for the provision of portable water to residents.

Akwa Ibom never delays to pay our counterpart funding for WASH Programme; What I want everybody to know is that Akwa Ibom is ready to provide water to all in the state and even the south-south region, Edem said.

Legit.ng earlier reported the Nigerian Senate called for budgetary allocation for children in Nigeria.

The allocation, the Senate said, must deal with children's nutrition, education and other immediate needs of a Nigerian child.

While marking the 2016 International Day of the African Child, the Senate President Bukola Saraki urged the federal and state governments to ensure the implementation of the child rights act in Nigeria.

Saraki said the effort will protect children and give them a great future.

You can watch this Legit.ng video of Olajumoke, 'the bread seller' turned model speak on life with her children:

Source: Legit.ng
- There are fears that there is an intending crack down on pro-Biafra groups, especially the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

- The is due to the recent order by President Muhammadu Buhari to security agencies to flush out dissidents in the country

- Pan-Yoruba social-political organisation, Afenifere and some Igbo groups insists IPOB is not a terrorist organisation

Pan-Yoruba social-political organisation, Afenifere and some Igbo groups have insisted that IPOB is not a terrorist organisation.

The groups were reacting to a recent order by President Muhammadu Buhari to security agencies to crack down on members of the group and other dissidents in the country.

Afeniferes national publicity secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, told the Vanguard: I do not think the president should deal with Boko Haram and IPOB in the same breath. Boko Haram and IPOB are not the same.

While Boko Haram is a terrorist organization that goes about bombing people and places, IPOB is an open organization. What IPOB has done is to call for a sit-at-home but Boko Haram is a terrorist group, except you want IPOB to go underground like Boko Haram.

It is a wrong approach. You cannot treat Boko Haram and an open organization like IPOB in the same manner.

In its reaction, the Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA), through its secretary, Evangelist Elliot Ugochuchukwu-Uko, said the move is a confirmation of the hatred against Igbos.

His words: We are not surprised; it is part of the hatred. He can lump IPOB together with ISIS. We even expect him to change the name of Enugu to Islamabad.

We are asking that Nigeria be restructured. Those killed before were not armed and did not commit any known offence.

What we are saying is that Nigeria must be restructured, nothing more and nothing less. It is part of Buharis hatred for Ndigbo but we are resolute that Nigeria must be restructured. IPOB is not a terrorist organization and we are not surprised with this horrifying decision.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the best news on Nigerias #1 news app

On its part, the Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT), said it would rather watch than comment on the situation.

Its secretary, Professor Elochukwu Amucheazi, said: We wont talk now; lets watch the development. Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 in Bible tells us that there is time for everything. It says that to everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven

In the meantime, the leadership of the IPOB in Ebonyi state said the presidents order was divisive and did not address issues necessary for national unity and development.

Deputy coordinator of the group in in the state, Mr. Ugochukwu Nweke, said: What IPOB is doing is legal and we are not afraid. The president should address Boko Haram in the North-east, the unfortunate quit notice by the Arewa youths, how to boost the economy and the welfare of citizens in Nigeria. He doesnt have the right to threaten IPOB or any group.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General SK Usman has said the recent viral video of the Biafra Secret Service is being addressed by the military.

The army spokesperson made the statement on Tuesday, August 22, in a tweet after a Twitter user demanded to know what the army was doing about the issue.

Watch IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu speak on the activities of the group on Legit.ng TV:

Source: Legit.ng
- The 11 governors from the south-east and south-south zones thanked God for the return of President Buhari from London

- The governors also thanked Nigerians for their prayers for the president

- They declared their support for President Buhari as he works to develop Nigeria

The 11 governors that make up the south-east and south-south regions of Nigeria have declared their support for President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration.

The declaration comes just three days after President Buhari returned from London where he had been on medical vacation for at least 103 days.

READ ALSO: UPDATE: Buhari orders service chiefs to deal with IPOBs secret army, Boko Haram

Daily Trust reports that the governors also thanked God for the return of the president.

It quoted the interim chairman of the South South/South-East Governors Forum, Mr Udom Emmanuel, as speaking on behalf of his colleagues.

Udom, who is the governor of Akwa Ibom state, thanked the Almighty God for restoring the health of the president and his safe return to the country.

He also thanked Nigerians for their prayers for the country and the recovery of the president.

This is a sign of deep patriotism and obedience to the scriptural injunction that we should pray for our leaders, he said while restating the commitment of the governors to support the administration of President Buhari to make Nigeria great.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app

Legit.ng earlier reported that the the home coming of President Muhammadu Buhari after 103 days on medical vacation in London had continued to generate reactions from Nigerians as residents of Ekiti state took to the streets to celebrate his return.

The people of the state also took the opportunity to protest against Governor Fayose over his statement that he has 11 photos of President Buhari on life support.

Watch how drivers in Abuja recently showed their love for President Buhari:

Source: Legit.ng
- The quit notice to the Igbo people living in the north has continued to cause tension

- The Arewa youths told the presidency that the notice would be reconsidered

- They further explained that the notice was in reaction to the threats of war by IPOB

The presidency, through Babafemi Ojudu, an aide to Muhammadu Buhari, has met with Arewa youths over the quit notice they issued to Igbo people in the northern region recently.

The three-month quit notice will expire on October 1, and this had been causing tension in the country with groups in the south-east urging their people to return home.

READ ALSO: South-east youths hold rally for President Buhari

Senator Ojudu revealed that the youths, through their leaders, made their grievances against the Igbo people known and gave assurance that they would reconsider the quit notice they issued.

According to Ojudu, the meeting was resourceful as participants spent hours brainstorming and discussing.

Details of the meeting and its outcome, he said, would be made available at a press conference on Thursday, August 24.

Had a lengthy and resourceful meeting with leaders of the Coalition of Northern Groups today.

They were the youths who some weeks ago shocked the nation by issuing a notice to the Igbos to quit the Northern part of the country on or before October 1.

After the meeting, they resolved to reconsider their position and this will be made known at a press conference on Thursday.

They described their action as pre-emptive because of the incessant threat of war by IPOB, he reportedly said.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app

Legit.ng recently reported that in his address to Nigerians after his return from London, President Muhammadu Buhari warned those trying to destabilise the country.

He also warned that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable.

What are some of the things you want Buhari to do now that he is back? Watch this video:

Source: Legit.ng
- The British Broadcasting Corporation mocked Nigeria over claim that the president was chased out from office by rats

- The news was reported in pidgin and standard English on Wednesday, August 22

- Garba Shehu was quoted to have said the president could not resume in his office because it has been infested by rats

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) mocked Nigeria in their publication of Tuesday, August 22, over claims that the president was chased out from office by rats.

The BBC first reported the news in pidgin and standard English, quoting senior special assistant to President Buhari on Media, Garba Shehu.

Garba Shehu was quoted to have said the president could not resume in his office because it has been infested by rats. Photo credit: Legit.ng screenshot

The president came back to Nigeria on Saturday, August 19, after 103 days in London for medical treatment over undisclosed ailment.

READ ALSO: JAMB releases new cut-off mark for tertiary institutions

The BBC reports stated:

"Garba Shehu, senior special assistant, SSA on Media mata to President Muhammadu Buhari say rodents don damage di President office and dis na why im dey work from home.

"After im no dey for office for about three months, rodents don cause plenty damage for di furniture and air conditioning units wey dey for im office and dis na why e dey work from home for now," Shehu tell BBC.

"Shehu tell BBC say dis na one of di reason why dem dey clean and renovate di office now.

"After over 100 days in London where im dey on medical vacation, President Buhari return to Nigeria on Saturday, August 19. Im address di nation on Monday morning, come send letter to di National Assembly say im don resume work.

The news was reported in pidgin and standard English on Wednesday, August 22. Photo credit: Legit.ng screenshot

"But, on Monday, di President still work from home and people come dey ask wetin cause this one.

"Shehu say dem just dey clean di office and dis na why di President dey work from di office wey im get for di residential area of Aso Rock villa, wey bi seat of government for Nigeria.

PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1

Legit.ng had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, August 21, resumed official duties in his office at his official residence after a three-month medical vacation.

Legit.ng gathered that the president resumed working from home not as a result of his health, but due to ongoing renovations at the presidents office.

Watch the excitement that greeted Buhari's return from London:

Source: Legit.ng
- President Muhammadu Buhari provides video evidence of his 2003 meeting with Chukwuemeka Ojukwu

- In the clip, the two men are seen shaking hands, during the meeting that reportedly took place in the presidents hometown of Daura

- The clip was posted via the presidents official Twitter handle

President Muhammadu Buhari has posted a video footage of his 2003 meeting with former Biafran warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, sequel to his broadcast in which he said Nigeria must remain a united country.

READ ALSO: Why I set up Biafra Secret Service - Nnamdi Kanu

Legit.ng recalls that President Buhari had in a broadcast on Monday, August 21, said every Nigerian had the right to live and pursue business anywhere in Nigeria without hindrance.

The president also recalled how in 2003, he hosted the late ex-Biafra warlord, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu at his Daura country home where both of them had resolved that Nigeria must remain an indissoluble entity.

He said: In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analyzed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.

Nigerias unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood.

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The president has posted a clip of that meeting with Ojukwu via his official Twitter handle.

In the clip, the two men are seen shaking hands during the meeting that took place in the presidents hometown of Daura.

See the clip below:

Meanwhile, Mr Femi Adesina, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, has said that those groups calling for the disintegration of Nigeria are only wasting their time as Nigeria remains one.

Adesina stated this on Tuesday, August 22, in Abuja while receiving a coalition of south-east youths group who stormed the Aso Rock Villa gate to declare support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

The presidential aide also described as untrue and false the insinuation by some mischief makers that the south east region was not in support of President Buharis administration.

Watch Legit.ng video of Governor Aminu Bello Masari and Katsina activists celebrating Buhari's return:

Source: Legit.ng
- The Nigerian navy has announced the release of the list of successful candidates in the aptitude test that was held nationwide

- Captain Suleman Dahun, navy spokesman said the candidates are therefore advised to check online at www.joinnigerianavy.com for their names

- Dahun also said candidates are reminded to come along with the original copies of their credentials

The Nigerian Navy has released the list of successful candidates who applied for the 2017 Nigerian Navy recruitment exercise.

According to Premium Times, this is made known in a statement by Captain Suleman Dahun, navy spokesman on Tuesday, August 22.

Dahun said all the successful candidates are to report at the the nation navy secondary school, Ojo, Navy Town, Lagos state, Daily Trust reports.

READ ALSO: JAMB releases new cut-off mark for tertiary institutions

According to him, ''Candidates are therefore advised to check online at www.joinnigerianavy.com for their names''.

''All successful candidates are to report at the Nigerian navy secondary school, Ojo, Navy Town, Lagos for the final selection interview which is scheduled to hold from Friday, 25 August, 2017 to Saturday, September 14, 2017''.

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He however said that the candidates are reminded to come along with the original copies of their credentials, sporting kits and writing materials for the exercise.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Nigerian navy released the list of names of successful candidates for its Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 24 Selection Exercise.

In the video below, Legit.ng covered the winging ceremony of 10 young officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Source: Legit.ng
- The 26 suspects were members of five different gangs of kidnappers terrorising parts of the north

- The suspects reportedly fled the Kaduna- Abuja highway when the police came after them

- The Inspector-General of Police asked his men to rid the country of crimes

The Nigeria Police Force has paraded five suspected gangs of kidnappers made of a total of 26 members that terrorized Suleja and its environs in the northern part of Nigeria.

Some of the suspects were identified as 34-year-old Isah Umar, who is said to be the gang leader; 32-year-old Abubakar Muhammed; 33-year-old Baje Sari; 34-year-old Sanusi Adamu; and 32-year-old Nuhu Yahaya, who is believed to be their driver.

Jimoh Moshood, the force public relations officer, revealed that the suspects were arrested by a special operation mandated to clear the Abuja-Kaduna Highway to cover Suleja-Lambata, Minna and Bida Roads with effect from August, 14 2017.

READ ALSO: Governor Yari stops his convoy to help accident victims (photos)

It was learnt that some of the kidnappers escaped arrest on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

In the operation that is still ongoing, five different vicious and notorious kidnap-for-ransom gangs were dislodged and busted in their hideouts along Suleja-Lambata-Bida and Minna roads in Niger state.

A total number of 26 suspected kidnappers were arrested in the operation. They all confessed to the offence and admitted to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime.

The arms and ammunition listed above and other properties belonging to some of their victims who were rescued from the gang were recovered from them.

Most of the suspects were identified by the victims for being responsible for their kidnap. Investigation is being intensified to arrest the other suspects at large.

All the suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of Investigation.

Legit.ng further learnt that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has directed top officers of the force to carry out massive deployment against crimes in their various domains.

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He thanked the police officers who carried out the arrest of the alleged kidnappers.

The police say they recovered three AK47 riffles, four single-barrel guns, two cut-to-size guns, one locally-made revolver, one locally made pistol, a set of military uniforms and rain coats, charms and other items.

Legit.ng recently reported that the Benue state police command revealed that a key member of popular notorious and wanted criminal in the state has been shot dead by its operatives.

The gang leader Ghana who is believed to be a member of the dreaded Terwase Akwaza group and his gang members are said to have been terrorizing Benue state and environs for quite some time now.

Watch this video of an alleged kidnapper recently rescued by the police:

Source: Legit.ng
- The chief of air staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar warns that using the social media to promote hate speeches could jeopardise the development of Nigeria

- The air force chief implores social media users to use the platforms to educate and entertain as originally intended

The chief of air staff, Sadiq Abubakar, has cautioned against the use of social media to spread hate speeches and false information.

READ ALSO: Why I set up Biafra Secret Service - Nnamdi Kanu

Abubakar, speaking during a workshop on information management for public relations officers in the Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday, August 22, in Abuja, warned that using the social media in a harmful way would jeopardise the development of Nigeria, Channels TV reports.

He implored social media users to use the platform to educate and entertain as originally intended.

He said: "We are all not unaware of the use of social media by some elements to spread falsehood in addition to promoting hate speeches, violence, anarchy, and confusion in our society.'

The message of hate and violence does not augur well for the development of our great nation. I, therefore, implore all relevant stakeholders to focus on the use of the social media to inform, educate and entertain as originally intended.

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In other news, the Nigerian Navy has released the list of successful candidates who applied for the 2017 Nigerian Navy recruitment exercise.

According to Premium Times, this was made known in a statement issued by Captain Suleman Dahun, navy spokesman on Tuesday, August 22.

Dahun said all the successful candidates are to report at the the nation's Navy Secondary School, Ojo, Navy Town, Lagos state, Daily Trust reports.

In the video below, Legit.ng covered the winging ceremony of 10 young officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Source: Legit.ng
- A Nigerian human rights lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, has berated the presidency saying President Buhari would work from home because rats invaded his office

- Ozekhome described the current government as the worst administration since Nigeria's amalgamation

- The senior lawyer said Nigerians want to see their president working

Human rights activists, Chief Mike Ozekhome, has condemned the presidency for saying President Muhammadu Buhari would work from home because rats invaded his office.

Ozekhome on Tuesday, August 22, said President Buharis presidency disrespects Nigerians, describing it as the worst administration since amalgamation by Lord Lugard and his wife, Flora Shaw.

READ ALSO: President Buhari cancels FEC meeting

Legit.ng gathered that Ozekhome in a statement entitled Of Rats and Rodents, Driving PMB Out of Office, said: It is a very shameful and disgraceful statement that emanated from the presidency to the effect that PMB, after a whole 104 days abroad on medical grounds, cannot work from his office because of rats and rodents.

So, a whole Julius Berger, the German construction giant has to be called in to drive them away and repaint the office!

This statement further derides and shames Nigeria as a country. Why didnt the same, or similar rodents pursue Obasanjo, YarAdua, Jonathan during their presidency?

There is another mini office at the villa quite different from the official residence and main office. Let Buhari work from there. Lets see our president working, not through still photo shopping. For how long will this government take the Nigerian citizens for a ride and for robots?

Who told the image makers we are as brainless as they are? Dont they know that lies have expiry date and that propaganda cannot substitute for image making? Goebel was a fantastic World War propagandist, but failed woefully as information minister.

Let this opaque government of barefaced misinformation, lies, deceit and cluelessness know that its directionlessness and incapacity to govern are hurting this country badly.

The economy is in horrific tatters, image bald-battered, security shattered, governance mangled and transparency and accountability interred. Nigeria is today more divided, more hate-inebriated, more crisis- ridden and more dangerous precipice-prone than ever before.

Nigeria is today more derided, more excoriated and more corrupt than it has ever been. Nigeria has never had it so bad since her forced amalgamation on January 1,1914, by imperious Lord Lugard and his wife Flora Lugard.

In a previous report by Legit.ng, President Buhari on Monday, August 21, resumed official duties in his office at his official residence after a three-month medical vacation.

The president resumed working from home not as a result of his health, but due to ongoing renovations at the presidents office.

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Meanwhile the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has mocked Nigeria in their publication on Tuesday, August 22, over claims that the president was chased out from office by rats.

The BBC first reported the news in pidgin and standard English, quoting senior special assistant to President Buhari on Media, Garba Shehu.

Watch the excitement that greeted Buhari's return from London:

Source: Legit.ng
- Alhaji Saad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, has announced that Muslims in Nigeria would observe Friday, September 1, as Sallah day

- The sultan said this is following the sighting of the new moon of Zulhijja on Tuesday

- Alhaji Abubakar wished all Muslims Allahs guidance, blessings and protection

The Sultan of Sokoto and chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, has declared September 1, 2017 as Eid-el-Kabir day.

This is contained in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, the chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sokoto Sultanate Council.

READ ALSO: Why I set up Biafra Secret Service - Nnamdi Kanu

The statement, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Wednesday, August 23, indicated that the declaration followed the sighting of the new moon of Zulhijja on Tuesday.

The advisory committee in conjunction with the National Committee on Moon Sighting received various reports on moon sighting across the country confirming the sighting of new moon of Zulhijja on Tuesday Aug. 22, 2017, it said.

The statement said that following the development, Muslims in Nigeria would observe Friday September 1, as Sallah day.

It added that the Sultan felicitates with all Muslims and wished them Allahs guidance, blessings and protection.

The statement also quoted Abubakar as urging Muslims to continue to live in peace and engage in continuous prayers for the development and progress of the country and the world at large.

In an earlier report, Sultan of Sokoto on Sunday, June 25, announced an end to this years Ramadan Fast.

He called on Muslims all over Nigeria to cease to fast as it is not permitted to fast on Sallah day.

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Declaring the new moon Saturday night at his Palace in Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar said the new moon was sighted in parts of the country including Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

Watch a Legit.ng TV video below of how Ramadan affected price of items in the market:

Source: Legit.ng
- President Muhammadu Buhari has finally received report of of the Investigation Committee into the allegations against suspended SGF, Babachir Lawal and the DG of NIA, Ayo Oke

- The duo were accused of corrupt practices before the president suspended them

The report was submitted by vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday, August 23.

Senior special adviser to President Buhari on Media, Femi Adesina made this known via his Facebook account.

READ ALSO: Why I set up Biafra Secret Service - Nnamdi Kanu

Vice president Osinbajo during submission of committees report on allegations of abuses against Babachir Lawal and Ayodele Oke. Photo credit: Facebook, Femi Adesina

He said: "President Buhari receives report of the Investigation Committee into the allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke from Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House. August 23, 2017."

President Buhari after receiving submission of committees report on allegations of abuses against Babachir Lawal and Ayodele Oke. Photo credit: Facebook, Femi Adesina

Legit.ng had earlier reported that the president was expected to receive the report of the investigation committee into the allegations against the suspended SGF Babachir Lawal and the DG of NIA Ayo Oke.

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President Buhari addresses vice president team after receiving submission of committees report on allegations of abuses against Babachir Lawal and Ayodele Oke. Photo credit: Facebook, Femi Adesina

Watch the president's supporters on Legit.ng TV celebrating on the streets of Abuja the day he returned:

Source: Legit.ng
- The son of late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, Emeka has declared that his father actually met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Nigerias unity before he died

- Buhari had on Monday 21 said in his broadcast that he and Ojukwu met in Daura, Kastina state and discussed on why Nigeria should remain united before Ojukwu died

- The IPOB and MASSOB had described Buharis comment on Ojukwu as false and untrue

The son of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Emeka Ojukwu Jnr. has disowned Biafra agitators, vindicating President Muhammadu Buhari on his celebrated discussions with his late father on the unity and indivisibility of the Nigerian nation.

Legit.ng gathered that Ojukwu who spoke in a release to reporters in Awka, Anambra state, noted that contrary to news around the internet by Biafra agitators that he had denied that his father met President Buhari, he never granted any media interview or posted any massage on social media that Buhari was wrong about his discussions with the late father.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: President Buhari cancels FEC meeting

This reaction is coming on the heels of stories making the rounds in the social media that he; Ojukwu Jr. replied Buharis statements as untrue which members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have been describing as lies, demanding proof of the meeting with the late Ikemba of Nnewi with Mr. President.

The young Ojukwu noted that his late father actually held the said meeting with Buhari before his demise, adding that all that Buhari said in his Nationwide Broadcast were true.

He said: It has been brought to my attention that there is an article making the rounds on social media attributed to me refuting the remarks of Mr. President concerning his relationship and discussions with my late father.

Let me state the following categorically; firstly, that I made no such comments to anybody, and secondly that I am aware that His Excellencys comments were indeed factual.

I have noticed a disturbing trend recently of fake news being attributed to me on social media. I dont know who is behind it or what their motivation might be but let me assure you that any time I feel the need to comment publicly on any matter, I will not do so via some anonymous email or anything of the like, rather be rest assured that there will be no ambiguity whatsoever as to whether the comments came from me.

Let me lend my voice to those of the rest of my fellow countrymen and welcome Mr. President back home.

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Ojukwu Jr. urged members of the public to discountenance the stories in the social media or any media platform whatsoever credited to him that he accused Buhari of telling lies, warning that such malicious and damaging publications would not be taken lightly should it be repeated.

He also urged the President not to take such comments seriously as it smacks of gutter and yellow media reportage aimed at overheating the polity.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Nnamdi Kanu who is the leader of the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra (IPOB) said that he set up the Biafra Secret Service so as to provide security for Igbo people.

Watch a Legit.ng TV video below of Nigerians reacting to the formation of the Biafra Secret Service:

Source: Legit.ng
- Niger Delta agitators have responded to President Buhari's address to the nation

- They insisted the country must be restructured for it to be united

- They accused President Buhari of favouring only the north

Niger Delta agitators have given President Muhammadu Buhari one condition before they can accept his One Nigeria campaign insisting the country must be restructured first.

The Punch reports that the agitators in a statement released on Wednesday, August 23 reacted to President Buharis national address on Monday, August 21 where he emphasized the need for the countrys unity.

READ ALSO: JAMB releases new cut-off mark for tertiary institutions

The president had also insisted that unity of Nigeria was non-negotiable and that his government will not allow the country degenerate into disunity.

The agitators however accused the president of favouring only the north insisting this will not hel to keep the country united.

Signatories to the statement included John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs); Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers); Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors); Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters); Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters); Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice); Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters Network) and Inibeghe Adams (Niger Delta Freedom Mandate).

Part of the statement read: We wish to thank all well-meaning Nigerians who threw their weight behind restructuring and disassociated themselves from the Presidents position on restructuring.

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We want to remind him (the President) that without restructuring, there would be no united Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the sudden interest the All Progressive Congress (APC) has in restructuring as a plot to deceive Nigerians ahead of 2019 elections.

The national publicity secretary of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, made the statement on Sunday, August 20, in reaction to a statement credited to the national publicity secretary of the APC, Bolaji Ojo-Abdullahi, that the opposition party was never interested in restructuring

Watch a Legit.ng TV video below of Nigerians speaking about restructuring of the country:

Source: Legit.ng
- Major-General John Enenche, Director of Defence Information, disclosed that a false version of Buharis address was spread on social media not even up to 30 minutes after the presidents live broadcast

- He revealed that strategic media centers have been set up by the military to monitor social media in order to sieve out and react to all anti-government, anti-military, and anti-security propaganda

- The military chief further revealed that scientific measures have been put in place to intimate the public on false news stories

The Nigerian military has begun monitoring social media, to identify peddlers of fake news, anti-government and anti-security activities in the country, Punch reports.

The new development comes 2 days after the live broadcast delivered by President Muhammadu Buhari and was disclosed by Major-General John Enenche, Director of Defence Information, during an interview session on Channels Televisions News at 10.

READ ALSO: Resign if you are too ill to work - Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu tells Buhari

Acknowledging the challenges associated with social media globally, Enenche stated: It is a double-edged sword and we are also having a bit of it.

Imagine when the President came back and addressed the nation, not up to 30 minutes later, a fake speech of the Commander-In-Chief was being circulated in order to do what? To derail the people.

If you are not very sharp and if you didnt listen to the speech or you dont have a copy of it like I had it almost immediately, you wouldnt know.

So, looking at it from that perspective, it is a challenge everywhere.

What are we doing?

In the military, we are now taking on it more seriously than ever.

We have our strategic media centers that monitor the social media to be able to sieve out and react to all the ones that will be anti-government, be anti-military, (and) be anti-security.

We tackle them appropriately with appropriate responses. Ahead of that, we are also proactive.

We have measures in place, scientific measures to be able to sieve this information and also to get the public and let them know that some of this information they are getting is not genuine are not true and their objective is an anti-corporate existence of this country.

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Legit.ng previously reported that President Muhammadu Buhari addressed Nigerians live on national television on August 21.

There had been requests from many Nigerians for President Buhari to address them, even while he was on medical vacation in London.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video of Nigerians reacting to news that Buhari may return to the UK for further treatment

Source: Legit.ng
- Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose has revealed that his agitation brought President Muhammadu Buhari back to Nigeria

- He said he stands by his claim that Buhari was in comma on July 6

- Fayose also said that Buhari should be allowed to go back to Daura and rest

Governor of Ekiti state and loudest opposition voice to President Mohammadu Buharis government, Ayodele Fayose has said that his agitation and revelation about what had happened to the President was responsible for the return of President Buhari last Saturday August 19.

Vanguard reports that Governor Fayose was speaking to leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party at the government office on Wednesday August 23, said he stands by all his claims about the President be in coma on July 6, adding that he has no apology whatsoever for all he has said.

Legit.ng gathered that the governor who reiterated his call for President Buharis resignation, said: If not for our efforts Buhari wouldnt have returned now. Buhari is sick and tired and even his physical appearance betrayed this and he needs to go home and rest.

READ ALSO: My father truly held meeting with Buhari on Nigerias unity - Ojukuwus son blasts IPOB, MASSOB

Today, they have cancelled the Federal Executive Council meeting. You cannot hide the truth forever, it will reveal itself someday. You cannot continue to deceive Nigerians. 

Every word that has come out of my mouth before the President returns, I have no apology for them. President Buhari was indeed in coma and one of those who visited him said his recovery is a miracle that shows that he was indeed very sick. 

Let Buhari go back to Daura and rest. Dont send him to early grave. Buhari is not old enough to be my father, my mother is older than Buhari, he cannot be my father, he can only be my uncle. I am close to 60. I stand by all I have said about the President. We are glad he is back, but dont over flog him.

I am not a sycophant and I stand to speak for Nigeria. Somebody must be able to speak on behalf of the poor masses. This was how they deceived us during the time of YarAdua. I am not a hypocrite and I will never be one.

This country deserves a very healthy person. The office of the president is not for a sick man. The president is tired and should be allowed to resign and go and rest.  he said details later. I have said it severally and without apologies. Everything I said when the President was away, I stand by them.

The president actually went into coma and this was attested to by what one of the governors who visited him when he was abroad said that his recovery was a miracle. When somebodys recovery is a miracle it simply means something very serious happened to the person.

Since the President himself cannot disclose his health status and also the extent of his ailment, it apparently shows that there is so much to hide.

Not until civil societies and people like us started making noise. You cant be our president without us knowing what is happening to you. So, for me, the president went to coma July 6. Today, they can come back and organise rallies and all that; they attested to the fact the President recovered by miracle which we are glad about.

We are happy that he is back but when you look physically look at the President he is physically. You will see that he is emaciated tired and weak.  You dont have to be president at all cost, when you are tired.

You go home. I dont want to talk about 2019 but I want to tell you that Nigeria needs a president that is agile and strong.

The job is too much for an individual that does not have what it takes. It is a common saying that health is wealth. Everything is about health. We wish him well and we want him to recover but the President should throw in the towel, resign and go home.

You see they said he would come back and resume in his office, he resumed in his office, they said rats have taken over his office! A presidential office, rats took over his office!  Now they said he is working from home, tomorrow, they would say he is coming from bedroom. All these stories are ending up in a make believe.

In a country where you have so much to do, I am not going to be a sycophant here. I am going to be on the side of the common man, the President is tired. I feel for the president like every other elderly persons, or even people who are not elderly. They could be sick. But when it comes to th e issue of governing a country.

There is so much responsibility to this and we must equally be able to stand up and say if the president does not have what it takes to continue, he should throw in the towel.

Asked if he would oblige if invited to see Buhari, Fayose said: I cannot go and greet the president if invited and the reason is that such action would be misinterpreted to be something else.

So, it is good for me to wish him well from a distant and be able to tell Nigerians the truth Denying that he ever said he would commit su*icide should Buhari returns home as being speculated in the social media.

He said: I cant commit su*icide because of an old man. Such are from miscreants on the social media. Let me tell you expressly, why would I commit su*icide?

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I cannot commit su*icide because of my mother. Even if they are burying my mother now, I will cleverly stay away from the grave so that I wont fall into it. I cant commit su*icide because of Buhari. I never said that and will never make such statement.

Truth is that the pressure from me and many other Nigerians made the president to return home. They have been treating this matter under the table forgetting that the life of a president is an open book that can be read by everybody and anybody.

What I am saying in effect is that it is in the overall interest of everybody that we have a president that is strong enough to do the job, Fayose insisted.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council did not hold today, August 23.

Watch the president's supporters on Legit.ng TV celebrating on the streets of Abuja the day he returned:

Source: Legit.ng
- Rep. Bolaji Ayinla stated that Nigerians should learn to build and maintain as well, rather than focusing only on the clamor for restructuring

- While noting that Nigerians lacked a maintenance culture, Ayinla also touched on the issue of ethnic agitations, stating that progress can only be made if the country remained united and committed to equity and fairness

- The federal lawmaker also charged government officials to ensure that Nigerians come out of poverty by putting in their best in their jobs

A member of the House of Representatives, Bolaji Ayinla, said on Tuesday, August 22, that Nigerias problem was an absence of maintenance culture for its infrastructure and not restructuring.

Ayinla, who represents Mushin 2 Constituency of Lagos state, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

READ ALSO: Military moves in to tackle fake news/ hate speech peddlers on social media, following presidential broadcast

Legit.ng gathers that the lawmaker said that things appeared not to be going well because Nigerians lacked maintenance culture over existing infrastructure.

Unfortunately, Nigerians know how to build new things but dont know how to maintain them.

A lot of airports I visited outside the country were built before I was born, and they still maintain a good standard.

Nigeria should learn to build and maintain as well; rather than focusing only on the clamor for restructuring, Ayinla said.

On rising agitations by various groups, he said that there was need to ensure that peace reigned in the country.

According to him, progress can only be made if the country remained united and committed to equity and fairness.

We should come together to talk about development within our society and about helping the less privileged, he said.

Ayinla also charged government officials to put in their best in their jobs to ensure that Nigerians come out of poverty.

He also urged government at all tiers to initiate policies that would encourage indigenous investments.

This will make the citizens of Nigeria not to be travelling out of the country, wasting our money rather than using it to develop the country.

For instance, Nigeria had the highest number of palm trees in the world but today Malaysia has taken over by borrowing some from us and developing them.

These are the kind of things that Nigeria should be emulating, Ayinla said.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that south-west leaders met in Lagos to unfold plans for an upcoming Yoruba Grand Rally on Restructuring.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the Chairman, Organizing Committee for the Rally, Dr. Kunle Olajide, said that the rally scheduled to hold in Ibadan on September 7, would be a one-agenda-congress on restructuring.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video asking Nigerians if the country should be restructured or split.

Source: Legit.ng
- The Concerned Nigerian Network in Diaspora (CNND) has declared that the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanus agitation remains a threat to Nigerias unity

- It urged the youth in the Niger Delta region not to be used by Kanu to destroy the country

- The group, however, maintained that the unity and development of the country should be the interest of all well-meaning Nigerians

The Concerned Nigerian Network in Diaspora (CNND) has called on Niger Delta youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of destruction by greedy and selfish politicians.

Legit.ng gathered that Mr James Erebuoye, President of the group, made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday August 23 in Abuja while reacting to recent wave of hate speeches in the country.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: I stand by my claim that Buhari was in coma on July 6 - Fayose

According to him, some politicians are in the habit of using unsuspecting masses to instigate crisis in the country while their children are overseas studying and enjoying.

He added that rather than engaging in ventures that would heat up the polity, youths in the region should focus more on monitoring constituency projects and fund disbursement to and in the region.

He said they should also strive to work towards ensuring the countrys unity while supporting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to enable it deliver true democracy dividends to the people.

Erebuoye particularly called on youths in the region to shun the call being made by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for the disintegration of the country.

He maintained that the unity and development of the country should be the interest of all well-meaning Nigerians, adding that youths in the region should stay clear from IPOB activities and embrace peace.

We must not give room to Nnamdi and his IPOB group to course panic and destruction to this great region and the country generally.

The Niger Delta region has suffered several crises in the past and it is time for us to give peace a chance to enable us benefits from the Buhari administration.

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I am very sure that we all know that nothing good comes out of crisis; it is high time we stop participating in illegal rallies out of personal interest", Erebuoye stressed.

He maintained that Niger Delta youths should join hands with the Federal Government and its anti- graft agencies in fighting corruption which he noted had left the country and he region in a very bad shape. (NAN)

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Nnamdi Kanu who is the leader of the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra (IPOB) said that he set up the Biafra Secret Service so as to provide security for Igbo people.

Watch a Legit.ng TV video below of Nigerians reacting to the formation of the Biafra Secret Service:

Source: Legit.ng
Initial Consultation and Examination

The first step for dental braces is for a patient to be referred to an orthodontist due to concerns about the positioning of the teeth in the jaw. In the first orthodontist appointment, the teeth should be examined manually and with X-rays images. It is also important to discuss the dental history with the patient, which will help to guide the treatment decisions.

If from the initial consultation it is deemed that treatment with dental braces is appropriate for the patients situation, further decisions such as the type of braces and the duration of treatment will need to be decided.

Closeup of young woman with braces dental checkup. Image Credit: Phoenixns / Shutterstock

Fitting of Dental Braces

A cheek retractor is used to make sure that the teeth remain dry and visible throughout the procedure to place dental braces. The teeth should be polished well, conditioned, air-dried and primed before the brackets are placed to help the bonds to form properly.

Dental cement is used to hold the brackets in place on the teeth, in the exact position that was determined during the initial examinations. Any excess dental cement can then be removed, and the bonding of the brackets to the teeth is strengthened with a high-intensity light.

Once the dental braces are in place as desired, the cheek retractor can be removed and dental arch wires can be put in place. The complete placement process is relatively fast and typically takes less than 20 minutes.

How To Put Braces ON (2015) Play

Adjustment of Dental Braces

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Regular appointments to adjust the dental wires are needed to ensure that the repositioning of the teeth continues throughout the process. These appointments are necessary because elastic ties that hold the wires in place stretch and become weaker with time so that the pressure is reduced.

During each adjustment appointment, the movement of teeth and progress so far with the dental braces should be evaluated, which helps to make ongoing decisions. The elastic ties that hold the braces in place and arch wires are removed, and new ties and wires are then placed.

Most patients will feel some tightness or soreness in their mouth shortly after each orthodontist appointment, which typically presents four to six hours after the appointment and may last for several days. This occurs due to the change in position of the teeth as they react to the pressure created by the dental wire on the braces. Simple analgesic medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may be beneficial for pain relief; this is particularly true as eating can be painful during this time.

There should be a period of at least three weeks between each adjustment appointment to allow time for the teeth to move. The frequency of appointments will depend on the intended movement of the teeth and the type of dental wire that is being used.

Removal of Dental Braces

At the conclusion of treatment with dental braces when the teeth have been repositioned as desired, it is time to remove the braces. This process is relatively simple and not painful.

Firstly, the ties and wires should be removed, the same process that occurs during each adjustment appointment. Then the bond between the brackets and the teeth formed with dental cement should be gently broken by applying pressure to the base of the brackets to squeeze them, which releases the adhesive bonds. The adhesive dental remains on the teeth so that the teeth and enamel are not damaged in the removal process. The remaining cement can consequently be removed with a dental hand piece, similar to that used for the repair of a dental cavity.

Many patients notice some inflammation of the gums following the procedure to remove dental braces, but this typically subsides within a few days with adequate oral care.

Follow up appointments with the orthodontist are necessary to have a retainer made, which helps to support the new position of the teeth and improve the retention period of the treatment.

References

Further Reading
Modern lifestyle and the demands that it brings have affected the sleep schedule of many people around the world. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has declared that there are more than 50 kinds of sleep disorders. Sleep deprivation is the initial stage of such disorders, affecting all people irrespective of age, race, or ethnicity and includes sleeplessness and disorders of the circadian sleep-wake cycle.

Image Credit: Stokkete / Shutterstock

Long-term inadequate sleep quality and quantity can lead to chronic sleep deprivation. The amount of sleep that humans require changes throughout the different stages of life; on an average, an adult needs 79 hrs of continuous sleep, while a child needs much more and older people often require slightly less.

Sleeping less than the specified hours can have major consequences on health like risks of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and emotional disorders.

Are you getting enough sleep? This simple test will tell you... | World Sleep Day Play

Factors of sleep deprivation

Some early signs of sleep deprivation are people who fall asleep very quickly, take frequent naps, doze off without meaning to, or sleep for very long hours during the weekend. There are several factors that may lead to sleep deprivation, and certain groups of people have a higher risk than others, because of the following reasons:

Late hours of watching television, browsing the Internet, or preferring to socialize instead of going to bed regularly at a particular time.

Colds and tonsillitis that cause disturbances in sleep such as gagging and frequent waking.

Working in rotational shifts disrupt sleep-wake cycles. Airline crews are frequent travelers to different time zones, so they tend to have erratic sleep patterns.

Concurrent health problems such as sleep apnea, snoring, and periodic limb movement disorder can disturb a persons sleep throughout the night.

Some drugs used to treat disorders such as epilepsy or attention deficit hyperactivity can cause insomnia.

The habit of drinking stimulants such as tea/coffee or smoking cigarettes before bedtime, which can inhibit sleep.

Lying in bed and thinking and worrying, instead of relaxing.

Parents with very young children due to babies who wake frequently in the night.

The spoon test

Although sleep deprivation is estimated to affect one out of three people, it is not easily diagnosed. The spoon test or the Sleep onset latency test is a very simple home test used to diagnose sleep deprivation.

This test was created by the late Dr Nathaniel Kleitman from the University of Chicago, who is famously known as the father of sleep research.

Test procedure

Materials used

A watch to measure time

A metal spoon

A metal tray

Procedure

This test is to be carried out only during the daytime. Darken the bedroom and then lie down at the edge of the bed. Keep a metal tray on the floor beside the bed and hold a metal spoon over it. The individual should note the time and close their eyes as if to sleep.

When the individual falls asleep, the hand will loosen its grip over the spoon and it will come crashing down onto the tray, waking them up. Immediately look at the watch and note how much time has passed.

Observations

If they have fallen asleep within 5 min, they are most likely severely sleep-deprived; if it took 10 min to fall asleep, they likely need more sleep than you are now getting; however, if they were awake for 15 min or more before falling asleep, they are probably getting adequate good sleep regularly.

Conclusion

The test indicates that falling asleep too quickly during the day is not a very good sign. Even at night, sleeping immediately after lying on the bed is a symptom of sleep deprivation. It is said that a person who gets to sleep after more than 20 min of lying in bed has adequate sleep.

Advantages

This is a very simple test through which one can determine the quality of sleep one has and decide whether serious treatment is needed. Lack of sleep can be a result of physical or mental weakness and can lead to serious health issues. Therefore, it is advisable to prevent worsening of the condition than to cure it.

Disadvantages

In the test, there is always the chance that the spoon misses the tray and falls outside it. In such cases, one may not wake up by the sound created by the spoon and will not be able to record the timing accurately, which leads to the failure of the experiment.

Alternative method

Dr. Michael Mosley, a physician as well as a journalist for the BBC suggests a simpler alternative to the problem of spoon missing the tray. He advises setting an alarm for 15 min so that one can note whether sleep happens within that time. As mentioned above, 15 min is a safe time and if one crosses this limit without falling asleep, the conclusion is a positive one.

References

Further Reading
The United States Food and Drugs Administration (US FDA) says that parents need to be aware of the information regarding treatment of symptoms of cough and cold in their children in order to ensure their health and safety.

There are two scenarios when a child suffers from symptoms of cough and cold says the FDA press release. One of these is when the symptoms are severe enough to mandate prescription medication without which no relief would be found. These prescription medications come with their own risks, more importantly among younger children. Many of these medications contain opioids that may pose health risks for the younger children for example. The other scenario is when no medication is required at all.

Earlier this year the FDA in a roundtable meeting included professional expert groups including representatives from American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians addressed this issue about the use of cough suppressants, particularly those that contain opioids, especially in children. The meeting focused on determining the right treatment in these situations based on the duration as well as severity of the clinical picture. Treatment should be aimed at the underlying cause of the symptoms rather than quietening the cough alone found the team. Other medications that addressed the underlying cause may be more appropriate said the experts on the table. In addition non-drug therapies may be more appropriate when it is just the symptoms that are causing the problem.

This week on the 21st of August 2017, thus the FDA released a statement to the press stating that this complex issue would be carefully considered. An upcoming meeting of the Pediatric Advisory Committee was announced. This team would focus on the use of prescription opioid products used for cough suppression in children that contained hydrocodone or codeine. The team of experts would analyze and assess the current treatment practices in these situations and also look at the benefits and risks associated with such prescription medication use in children. This group of independent experts could provide valuable inputs that can help FDA draft better decision making algorithms for these situations.

The press release also spoke about the possible complications that are associated with opioid use in children. These complications may occur despite following labeled instructions say experts. To address the possible harm these medications could cause, the FDA this year in April had suggested changes in the labeling of prescription codeine products. This was a step to protect children from the serious risks that are linked to these opioid medications including lethal respiratory depression that could cause deaths. The labels were mandated to carry a warning about the drug containing codeine saying it should not be used in treatment of cough in children younger than 12 years.

The FDA in another step towards safe use of medications has provided tips for parents and caregivers who are dealing with children with cough and cold. One of the advices include the fact that most of these conditions are self-limiting, meaning no actual treatment or medication may be required. All caregivers are urged to read the medication labels before administering them to their children. Research is being funded to ensure best practices for the safe use of pediatric cough and cold medications that re more consumer centric and complete to enhance not only opioids but also other medications used in cough and cold.
Antipsychotic medication is frequently being prescribed to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), often without a psychiatric diagnosis, a new study conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) has found.

IDD includes diagnoses such as Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and autism.

The study, published today in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, has made significant strides in filling the gap in research about prescribing practices of antipsychotic medication to adults with IDD. The six-year population-based study examined the health care data of 51,881 adults with IDD who were less than 65 years of age. Similar research has been conducted in other jurisdictions; however, this study is the first population-based study to investigate the use of antipsychotic medication in adults with IDD in Canada.

"The results of our study make us question how often antipsychotics are being used as tool to manage behavioral issues. We need to understand more about why these medications are prescribed to those without psychiatric disorders, what else has been tried prior to medication, and how well these medications are being monitored," says lead author Yona Lunsky, adjunct scientist at ICES, a clinician scientist at CAMH and director of the Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (H-CARDD) research program.

Antipsychotics can be prescribed to adults with IDD as a method of managing behavioral challenges, sometimes without a comprehensive assessment of the underlying contributors to such behaviors, despite the evidence supporting such use being inconclusive. According to guidelines, antipsychotics should not be used as a first line treatment for behavior challenges.

"This study shows that antipsychotic use in adults with IDD is common. We need to pay more attention to how antipsychotics are prescribed and monitored to ensure appropriate prescribing for this vulnerable population," says Tara Gomes, co-author on the study, a scientist at ICES and a principal investigator of Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN).

The researchers add that antipsychotic prescribing is particularly problematic for this population due to the potential for adverse effects such as the increased risk for metabolic complications. In this study, one in six adults had diabetes and one in five had hypertension. Furthermore, adults with IDD may have difficulties in providing informed medical consent and reporting unfavorable side effects should they arise.

The six-year study found:

39 per cent of Ontario adults with IDD were dispensed antipsychotic medication (20,316 individuals)

29 per cent of the antipsychotic users did not have a documented psychiatric diagnosis

This study also analyzed a sub-cohort of adults with IDD living in Ontario group homes and found:

56 per cent (4,073) of individuals residing in group homes were prescribed an antipsychotic

Of the antipsychotic users in a group home setting, 43 per cent did not have a documented psychiatric diagnosis

These findings are in line with a major UK study also demonstrating high antipsychotics use, sometimes in the absence of a psychiatric diagnosis. The "STOMP movement in the UK is a shared commitment by the Colleges of Psychiatrists, Pharmacists, General Practitioners, Nurses, Psychologists and the National Health Service to curb the over-prescription of psychotropic medications to persons with IDD.

"Ideally this research, by providing a glimpse into antipsychotic prescribing practices among adults with IDD in Ontario will trigger a national conversation about medication policies, practices, and training here," adds Lunsky.
A doctor in Nigeria and a professor at Michigan State University have teamed up to reduce infant mortality in the African nation.

In the U.S., September is National Newborn Screening Month. In developing nations, however, lack of infant screening leads to unusually high rates of infant mortality. In the current issue of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Dr. Nubwa Medugu and Shannon Manning, MSU Foundation Professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, documented high rates of Group B Streptococcus -- the first large-scale study to document the presence and effects of GBS, an often deadly pathogen.

Their effort established the baseline of colonization and transmission frequencies of GBS in Nigeria. Equally important, Medugu and Manning identified new risk factors that are allowing doctors to effectively treat more women and infants at risk.

"Nigeria has one of the highest rates of mortality of pregnant mothers, and GBS and other pathogens contribute to these deaths," Manning said. "GBS can cause stillbirth, premature birth and, after the baby is born, it can cause meningitis and sepsis."

When Medugu began her residency program, it was common knowledge that GBS was the most-common cause of sepsis in infants worldwide. She, however, had never seen a single case during her early medical training in her home country.

"I hypothesized that lack of active surveillance and poor laboratory methods might be the reason as to why we weren't detecting cases," Medugu said. "I decided that my dissertation was going to answer those questions."

Her hypothesis was right.

Medugu's research led to Manning, a leading authority on decoding deadly pathogens. There were no labs in Nigeria that could run the necessary experiments needed to publish a paper. So, Medugu agreed to do the legwork while Manning supervised the lab work.

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The seemingly indefatigable Medugu collected all of the necessary samples -- from 500 women and infants -- from four different hospitals while completing her residency and raising her three children. The samples were sent to MSU to be examined. Eventually, Medugu also traveled to East Lansing, Michigan, to learn new molecular methods, such as Manning's advanced genotyping technique.

The partnership proved successful. Medugu finished her dissertation, and the scientists navigated the necessary steps to publish a peer-reviewed paper, which showed that 34 percent of mothers and 19 percent of their newborns were colonized with GBS with 1 of the 500 babies developing disease. (Compare this to the U.S., where a pregnant woman who receives standard antibiotics has only a 1 in 4,000 chance of delivering a baby infected with GBS.)

"Our results showed high rates of colonization and transmission in a population that doesn't use antibiotics to prevent neonatal infections -- a strategy that should be considered in the future," Manning said.

The World Health Organization estimates that 3 million of all babies that die annually can be saved with low-tech, low-cost care. Medugu agrees -- and she has already sparked many changes at her hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Today, Medugu and her colleagues routinely check for GBS infections.

"This study has been one of the principal drivers of infection prevention and control programs that have drastically reduced infant mortality," Medugu said.

Klebsiella pneumoniae also has claimed its share of Nigerian babies. Working with an NGO, Medugu facilitated training that emphasized hand hygiene, which has effectively reduced the disease's impact, Medugu added.

She believes that even more improvements will spread countrywide -- and beyond -- now that the paper has published.
A clinical trial to test a new cancer drug in patients with advanced solid tumors, launches in four centers across the UK today (Wednesday), through Cancer Research UK's Centre for Drug Development.

This early phase trial will test the safety and tolerability of the drug and establish the recommended dose for patients with a variety of cancers including advanced bowel, lung, ovarian, urothelial, pancreatic, breast, head and neck, and esophageal cancer.

In the first part of the trial, groups of patients will receive increasing doses of the drug, called LY3143921 hydrate, to find the safest dose that best targets the cancer cells. The drug, discovered by Eli Lilly, was brought to Cancer Research UK through the charity's Clinical Development Partnership scheme.

In the second part, larger groups of patients will receive the highest tolerated dose, so that researchers can investigate how the drug is working on the cancer cells.

The drug has not yet been tested in people but has shown promise in mice by selectively inhibiting Cdc7, a protein that helps cells to reproduce correctly.

Cancer cells are more dependent on Cdc7 than normal cells, causing them to be more sensitive to growth inhibition by this Cdc7 inhibitor.

Researchers also believe that cancers that have a particular fault in their p53 gene may be particularly sensitive to inhibition of Cdc7. This study will focus on metastatic bowel cancer, squamous non-small cell lung cancer and high grade serous ovarian cancer, all of which have high levels of p53 mutation and functional loss.

Lab Diagnostics & Automation eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

They will also investigate other tumors with reported higher levels of p53 loss or mutation including squamous carcinoma of the esophagus, squamous carcinoma of the head and neck (Human Papilloma Virus negative), urothelial cancer, triple negative breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.

The drug will be delivered orally once a day for 21 days and this cycle will then be repeated up to 12 times.

Professor Richard Wilson, Cancer Research UK-funded clinical researcher and chief investigator at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, said: "We hope that this new cancer drug might - in the future - provide patients who have tried all available treatment options another opportunity to stop their cancer cells from multiplying and control their disease.

"It's very early days, but this trial will help us to understand whether this drug could help cancer patients and whether it has the potential to stop the growth of many different cancer types, particularly those with loss of p53 function."

Dr Nigel Blackburn, Cancer Research UK's director for drug development, said: "Finding new ways to tackle hard to treat cancers is a crucially important area of research and a priority for Cancer Research UK.

"At our Centre for Drug Development, we work across the academic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors to bring much needed new treatments to cancer patients. New drugs like this one to treat advanced types of cancer are vital to ensure three in four people survive their disease by 2035."
Captain America and the Winter Soldier Special #1 takes Marvel's secret history to a whole new level with a real world historical figure

If you know who Gavrilo Princip is, prepare to be shocked
US aircraft carriers and the naval ships of other nations have long been vulnerable to enemy submarines and missiles. French Exocet missiles destroyed British ships in the Falklands War.

* Air Independent Propulsion submarines are cheaper and quieter and deadlier

* New faster and longer range missiles make ships more vulnerable

* the key is AI and satellite imaging makes it easier to track ships around the world in realtime

It is the AI and cheap and common satellite imaging that will make the big difference in vulnerability to all surface navies.

AIP are quieter, cheaper, more common and deadlier

In the 1990s Sweden deployed the first submarine to use Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), the Gotland. A variety of AIP technologies allow for a new generation of very quiet and very cheap ship-hunting submarines that cost as little as roughly one-sixth the price of a nuclear submarine, and can operate up to two to four weeks underwater, albeit at fairly slow speeds.

China now possesses fifteen Type 41 submarines, employing the same Stirling AIP system as the Gotland, with another fifteen planned, while dozens of German-made Type 212, 214 and 218 AIP submarines are entering service across Europe and Asia.

New antiship missiles are becoming faster, longer-range and more widespread, and can be deployed from platforms including long-distance patrol planes and bombers, small and stealthy fast-attack boats, and even shipping containers concealed in a harbor.

The greater range means new missiles can be more safely lobbed at the carrier without necessarily entering within range for easy retaliation.

Carrier air defenses would be even more vulnerable to a new generation of hypersonic missilesweapons exceeding five times the speed of sound. On June 3, Russia claimed to have successfully tested the hypersonic Zircon missile, with a reported speed of 4,600 miles per hour.

Sputniknews claims the Aegis reaction time is about 8-10 seconds. Even at a speed of 2 kilometers per second, the Zircon will travel a distance of 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) in this period of time. Thus, the US much-praised missile defense system would have no chance to detect and destroy it.

Some claim that China and Russia lack adequate the maritime intelligence assets and operational experience to mount a well-coordinated maritime search-and-destroy campaign against a carrier task force, even if they possess armaments that could theoretically prove effective against one.

However, high resolution satellite imaging is becoming very inexpensive.

The Private company Planet Labs uses 149 microsatellites to monitor the pulse of our planet with daily news and imagery, stories, and tech updates. The satellite constellation provides a complete image of Earth at 3-5 meter optical resolution and open data access.

Analysts trained an algorithm to track changes in the quantity and position of white and blue pixels in a given area. That might not sound particularly revolutionary, but it enabled them to verify that the number of military vessels was unusually low during a window of time in March 2016. This meant vessels were missing from a strategically important port. Scouring for additional open-source clues, 3Gimbals verified that Venezuela was running an unscheduled and unplanned military exercise.

They were even able to deduce what types of boats were engaged in the exercise and whether they were new.



Planet Labs view of Disney Parking Lot
There are several low cost international airlines.

Norwegian currently flies from 15 airports in the United States to Britain, Denmark, France, Ireland, Norway, Spain and Sweden, as well as to the French Caribbean. In the coming months, the airline plans to add more than a dozen flights from the United States. Summer 2017 Norwegian is adding include Orlando, Fla., to Paris (July 31); Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Barcelona (Aug. 22); Denver to London (Sept. 16); and Seattle to London (Sept. 17).

One recent search, from New York City to Paris, was for a departure on Oct. 6, returning on Oct. 15. A round-trip direct flight was about $561 with taxes and surcharges.

XL Airways, a French low-cost carrier, had a nonstop round-trip fare from John F. Kennedy International Airport for $471.20 on Expedia including taxes and fees. Norwegian is offering its own promotions  like round-trip, nonstop flights between New York and Paris in March 2018 for around $400.

Level, another nascent player, announced in June that it would be offering low-cost long-haul flights.

Other top ranked international low cost airlines are:

AirAsia X is the long-haul subsidiary of Malaysias low-cost mega airline AirAsia. The airlines fleet of Airbus A330-300 jets are outfitted with both premium and economy cabins and operates throughout Asia.

JetStar Airways the low-cost subsidiary of Australias national airline  Qantas.

AirAsia Berhad is a Malaysian low-cost airline headquartered near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Air Asia X has ordered 66 Airbus A330neos, an aircraft with better range and fuel efficiency than the current-generation A330-300s already in its fleet. The A330neo should be capable of flying from East Asia to the Continental United States.

Low-cost, long-haul Malaysian carrier AirAsia X began its U.S. service with introductory one-way fares starting at $99 from Honolulu to Osaka and $149 for continuing service to Kuala Lumpur.

There are various under $500 round trip flights from San Francisco to Asia. Airlines like China Eastern, China Southern, ANA, Air Canada, and Asiana are competing.
WOW air is a low-fare, long-haul airline based in Iceland. The airline was founded in November 2011 and serves 37 destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia. WOW air is committed to providing the cheapest flights to and from Iceland and across the Atlantic. WOW Air first began flying to the U.S. just in 2015, when it launched service from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) and Boston. While its earliest U.S. destinations were focused on the East and West coasts, WOWs four newest cities continue its recent expansion in the interior of the country. Most recently, the airline begin flying from both Chicago OHare and Pittsburgh earlier this year.

Icelandic budget carrier WOW Air has fares that begin at less than $100 one-way  its betting those Midwest markets will be profitable additions to its fast-growing U.S. network.

WOW Air announced service from the four cities on Wednesday, an expansion that will give it a total of 12 U.S. destinations.

WOWs new routes will launch this spring, with tickets going on sale Wednesday. One-way fares to Iceland will start at $99.99 from all four cities. Connecting flights to WOWs other European destinations begin at $149.99.

st. It is estimated that WOW airs annual passenger capacity will grow from approximately 1.6 million in 2016 to over 3 million in 2017.

WOW air operates three Airbus A320 aircraft, eleven Airbus A321 and three Airbus A330. The A320 is the choice of many of the worlds leading airlines and a perfect fit for our short haul flights between Europe and Iceland. For WOW airs flights to North America, the airline operates the Airbus A321, the largest member of the Airbus A320 Family. WOW airs California routes are serviced by three Airbus A330 aircraft, the first wide-body jets in the WOW air fleet.
YUKON DELTA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, Alaska  The Arctic is warming about twice as fast as other parts of the planet, and even here in sub-Arctic Alaska the rate of warming is high. Sea ice and wildlife habitat are disappearing; higher sea levels threaten coastal native villages.

But to the scientists from Woods Hole Research Center who have come here to study the effects of climate change, the most urgent is the fate of permafrost, the always-frozen ground that underlies much of the state.

Starting just a few feet below the surface and extending tens or even hundreds of feet down, it contains vast amounts of carbon in organic matter  plants that took carbon dioxide from the atmosphere centuries ago, died and froze before they could decompose. Worldwide, permafrost is thought to contain about twice as much carbon as is currently in the atmosphere.

Once this ancient organic material thaws, microbes convert some of it to carbon dioxide and methane, which can flow into the atmosphere and cause even more warming. Scientists have estimated that the process of permafrost thawing could contribute as much as 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit to global warming over the next several centuries, independent of what society does to reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels and other activities.

In Alaska, nowhere is permafrost more vulnerable than here, 350 miles south of the Arctic Circle, in a vast, largely treeless landscape formed from sediment brought down by two of the states biggest rivers, the Yukon and the Kuskokwim. Temperatures three feet down into the frozen ground are less than half a degree below freezing. This area could lose much of its permafrost by midcentury.

That, said Max Holmes, senior scientist and deputy director of the research center, has all kinds of consequences both locally for this region, for the animals and the people who live here, as well as globally.

Its sobering to think of this magnificent landscape and how fundamentally it can change over a relatively short time period, he added.

But on this wide, flat tundra, it takes a practiced eye to see how Alaska is thawing from below.

At one of the countless small lakes that pepper the region, chunks of shoreline that include what had been permafrost have calved off toward the water.

Nearby, across a spongy bed of mosses and lichens, a small boggy depression most likely formed when the ice in the top layers of the permafrost below it melted to water.

In the field, Sarah Ludwig, a Woods Hole research assistant (left), and a student, Laura Jardine, extract a core of permafrost. In the lab, Ms. Jardine cuts the core with a saw. Stash Wislocki, except for last photo, by John Schade

In July, the Woods Hole scientists, along with 13 undergraduate and graduate students working on projects of their own, set up a temporary field station on a nameless lake 60 miles northwest of Bethel, which with a population of 6,000 is the largest town in the region. They drilled permafrost cores with a power auger, took other sediment and water samples and embedded temperature probes in the frozen ground. Later, back in the lab at Woods Hole, they began the process of analyzing the samples for carbon content and nutrients.

The goal is to better understand how thawing permafrost affects the landscape and, ultimately, how much and what mix of greenhouse gases is released.

In order to know how much is lost, you have to know how much is there, said Sue Natali, a Woods Hole scientist and permafrost expert.

Even in colder northern Alaska, where permafrost in some parts of the North Slope extends more than 2,100 feet below the surface, scientists are seeing stark changes. Vladimir E. Romanovsky, a permafrost researcher at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, said that temperatures at a depth of 65 feet have risen by 3 degrees Celsius (about 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit) over decades.

Near-surface changes have been even greater. At one northern site, he said, permafrost temperatures at shallow depths have climbed from minus 8 degrees Celsius to minus 3.

Minus 3 is not that far from zero, Dr. Romanovsky said. If emissions and warming continue at the same rate, he said, near-surface temperatures will rise above freezing around the middle of the century.

There is plenty of debate among scientists about when and how much of Alaskas permafrost will thaw. And there is no doubt that thawing of the full depth of permafrost would take millenniums.

But Dr. Romanovsky said that his and others work shows that permafrost is not as stable as people thought.

In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, thawing wreaks havoc on infrastructure, causing slumping of land when ice loses volume as it turns to water.

The main road in Bethel, where average temperatures have risen about 4 degrees Fahrenheit since the mid-20th century, is more of a washboard than a thoroughfare because of shifting ground. Building foundations in Bethel move and crack as well. Some roads, airport runways and parking areas have to be reinforced with liquid-filled pipes that transfer heat out of the permafrost to keep the ground from slumping.

The thawing of permafrost is a gradual process. Ground is fully frozen in winter, and begins to thaw from the top down as air temperatures rise in spring. As average temperatures increase over years, this thawed, or active, layer can increase in depth.

At the field station, the researchers are especially interested in how wildfires affect the permafrost. Because burning removes some of the vegetation that acts as insulation, the theory is that burning should cause permafrost to thaw more.

In the field, Sarah Ludwig, a Woods Hole research assistant (left), and a student, Laura Jardine, extract a core of permafrost. In the lab, Ms. Jardine cuts the core with a saw. Stash Wislocki, except for last photo, by John Schade

In the field, Sarah Ludwig, a Woods Hole research assistant (left), and a student, Laura Jardine, extract a core of permafrost. In the lab, Ms. Jardine cuts the core with a saw. Stash Wislocki, except for last photo, by John Schade

Parts of the tundra here burned in the 1970s and in the summer of 2015, so the researchers took cores from both burned and unburned areas. Scientists wrestled with the bulky power auger as its stainless steel tube worked its way into the hard permafrost. Cores  often containing thin layers of solid ice  were labeled, packed in a cooler and sent by helicopter to a freezer in Bethel.

Thawing permafrost underneath or at the edge of a lake can cause it to drain like a leaky bathtub. Thawing elsewhere can bring about small elevation changes that can in turn lead to changes in water flow through the landscape, drying out some parts of the tundra and turning others into bogs.

Beyond the local effects on plant and animal life, the landscape changes can have an important climate change impact, by altering the mix of carbon dioxide and methane that is emitted. Although methane does not persist in the atmosphere for as long as carbon dioxide, it has a far greater heat-trapping ability and can contribute to more rapid warming.

So the researchers devote much of their time to studying the flow of water and the carbon and nutrients it contains.

Its one of the big questions to tackle  whats wet and dry now, and what will be wet and dry in the future, Dr. Natali said. If the decomposing permafrost is wet, there will be less oxygen available to the microbes, so they will produce more methane. If the permafrost is dry, the decomposition will lead to more carbon dioxide.

Estimates vary on how much carbon is currently released from thawing permafrost worldwide, but by one calculation emissions over the rest of the century could average about 1.5 billion tons a year, or about the same as current annual emissions from fossil-fuel burning in the United States.

Already, thawing permafrost and warmer temperatures are being blamed for rising carbon emissions in the Alaskan tundra, both here and farther north. In a study earlier this year, researchers found that bacterial decomposition of thawed permafrost, as well as carbon dioxide produced by living vegetation, continues later into the fall because freezing of the surface is delayed.

The rise in emissions has been so significant, the researchers found, that Alaska may be shifting from a sink, or storehouse, of carbon, to a net source.

Dr. Holmes said that shift was not surprising given the climate trend, and he would expect that sub-Arctic parts of Siberia, Canada and other areas with permafrost may be undergoing similar changes.

Theres a massive amount of carbon thats in the ground, thats built up slowly over thousands and thousands of years, he said.

Its been in a freezer, and that freezer is now turning into a refrigerator.

Correction August 23, 2017 An earlier version of this article referred incorrectly to an estimate of the amount of carbon released from thawing permafrost worldwide. It is 1.5 billion tons a year averaged over the remainder of the century, not 1.5 billions tons a year currently. Correction August 25, 2017 An earlier version of this article misspelled, in one instance, the surname of a permafrost researcher at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He is Vladimir E. Romanovsky, not Ramonovsky.
The American war in Afghanistan is the longest and one of the costliest military operations in United States history.

Yet, the Taliban are back in many parts of the country from which they had been purged, and militants associated with both the Taliban and the Islamic State frequently attack civilians.

Afghan forces still lack the manpower, equipment and training needed to take back large areas of territory from Taliban control, said Caitlin Forrest, an Afghanistan expert at the Institute for the Study of War.

The institute has been tracking who controls different parts of Afghanistan. Here is its latest analysis of the growing reach of the Taliban and the Islamic State:

Kunduz Mazar-i-Sharif Baghlan Kabul Jalalabad Nangarhar Province Herat Afghanistan Ghazni Areas of control, Aug. 1 Lashkar Gah Kandahar Taliban control Taliban presence Islamic State control/presence 100 Miles Kunduz Mazar-i-Sharif Baghlan Kabul Nangarhar Province Afghanistan Herat Ghazni Areas of control, Aug. 1 Lashkar Gah Kandahar Taliban control Taliban presence Islamic State control/presence 100 Miles Mazar-i-Sharif Kunduz Baghlan Kabul Herat Nangarhar Province Afghanistan Ghazni Areas of control, Aug. 1 Taliban control Kandahar Taliban presence Islamic State control/presence 100 Miles Kunduz Mazar-i-Sharif Baghlan Kabul Herat Nangarhar Province Afghanistan Ghazni Kandahar 200 Miles Areas of control, Aug. 1 Taliban control Taliban presence ISIS control/presence The New York Times | Source: Institute for the Study of War

President Trump announced on Monday that he would send more troops to Afghanistan as part of his strategy to win the conflict.

The plan that Mr. Trump spelled out is similar to that of President Barack Obama and prioritizes counterterrorism and training Afghan forces. But, he said, We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists.

A terrorist attack in Kabul that killed 150 people in May could have been the deadliest in Afghanistan since the start of the American-led invasion in 2001.
Oman Saudi Arabia Sparsely populated areas HADRAMAWT Region Al Ghaydah Yemen Sana Marib Al Mukalla Zabid Rida Cholera cases per 10,000 people Taiz 0 100 200 300 Aden Oman Saudi Arabia Sparsely populated areas HADRAMAWT Region Al Ghaydah Yemen Sana Marib Al Mukalla Zabid Rida Cholera cases per 10,000 people Taiz 0 100 200 300 Aden Sparsely populated areas Al Ghaydah Yemen Marib Sana Rida Al Mukalla Zabid Cholera cases per 10,000 people Taiz 0 100 200 300 Aden Sparsely populated areas Al Ghaydah Yemen Sana Rida Al Mukalla Taiz Cholera cases per 10,000 people Aden 0 100 200 300 Source: World Health Organization

SANA, Yemen  After two and a half years of war, little is functioning in Yemen.

Repeated bombings have crippled bridges, hospitals and factories. Many doctors and civil servants have gone unpaid for more than a year. Malnutrition and poor sanitation have made the Middle Eastern country vulnerable to diseases that most of the world has confined to the history books.

In just three months, cholera has killed nearly 2,000 people and infected more than a half million, one of the worlds largest outbreaks in the past 50 years.

Yemen 542,000 Haiti 340,000 Peru 323,000 Cholera cases by year Global total 1970 1980 1991 2000 2011 2015 2017 Yemen 542,000 Haiti 340,000 Peru 323,000 Cholera cases by year Global total 1970 1980 1991 2000 2011 2015 2017 Yemen 542,000 Cholera cases by year Haiti 340,000 Peru 323,000 Global total 1970 1991 11 15 17 Global data for 2016 and 2017 unavailable | Source: World Health Organization

Its a slow death, said Yakoub al-Jayefi, a Yemeni soldier who has not collected a salary in eight months, and whose 6-year-old daughter, Shaima, was being treated for malnutrition at a clinic in the Yemeni capital, Sana.

Since the familys savings ran out, they had lived mostly off milk and yogurt from neighbors. But that was not enough to keep his daughter healthy, and her skin went pale as she grew thin.

Like more than half of Yemenis, the family did not have immediate access to a working medical center, so Mr. Jayefi borrowed money from friends and relatives to take his daughter to the capital.

Were just waiting for doom or for a breakthrough from heaven, he said.

How did a country in a region with such great wealth fall so far and so fast into crisis?

A Nation Split in Two

A woman with her cholera-infected child at a hospital in Sana. Yahya Arhab/European Pressphoto Agency

Yemen has long been the Arab worlds poorest country and suffered from frequent local armed conflicts. The most recent trouble started in 2014, when the Houthis, rebels from the north, allied with parts of the Yemeni military and stormed the capital, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile.

Saudi-led coalition presence Houthi-Saleh presence Sparsely populated areas Saada Areas where Al-Qaeda operates Saywun Yemen Sana Marib Areas where ISIS has claimed attacks Al Mukalla Areas where Al-Qaeda operates Taiz Houthi-Saleh presence Saudi-led coalition presence Areas where ISIS has claimed attacks Aden Areas where Al-Qaeda operates Saada Saudi-led coalition presence Yemen Sana Houthi-Saleh presence Al Mukalla Taiz Areas where Al-Qaeda operates Houthi-Saleh presence Saudi-led coalition presence Areas where ISIS has claimed attacks Aden Saada Yemen Marib Sana Al Mukalla Taiz Aden Areas where Al-Qaeda operates Houthi-Saleh presence Saudi-led coalition presence Areas where ISIS has claimed attacks Source: The American Enterprise Institutes Critical Threats Project

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and a coalition of Arab nations launched a military campaign aimed at pushing back the Houthis and restoring the government.

The campaign has so far failed to do so, and the country remains split between Houthi-controlled territory in the west and land controlled by the government and its Arab backers in the south and east.

A Collapsed State

Many coalition airstrikes have killed and wounded civilians, including strikes on Wednesday around the capital. The bombings have also heavily damaged Yemens infrastructure, including a crucial seaport and important bridges as well as hospitals, sewage facilities and civilian factories.

The Saudi-led coalition bombed a group of factories outside of Sana, Yemen. Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

Services that Yemenis have depended on are gone, and the destruction has undermined the country's already weak economy. It has also made it harder for humanitarian organizations to bring in and distribute aid.

The Saudi-led coalition has also kept Sanas international airport closed to civilian air traffic for more than a year, meaning that merchants cannot fly goods in, and sick and wounded Yemenis cannot fly abroad for treatment. Many of them have died.

Neither of Yemens two competing administrations has paid regular salaries to many civil servants in over a year, impoverishing their families as there is little other work to be found. Among those affected are professionals whose work is essential to dealing with the crisis, like doctors, nurses and sewage system technicians, leading to the near collapse of their sectors.

The Devastation of Cholera

Damage from the war has turned Yemen into a fertile environment for cholera, a bacterial infection spread by water contaminated with feces. As garbage has piled up and sewage systems have failed, more Yemenis are relying on easily polluted wells for drinking water. Heavy rains since April accelerated the wells contamination.

Sewage systems failed during the rainy season, sparking the current cholera crisis. 45,000 cases Yemen 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 Countries with cholera or cholera-like infections. January April May July Sewage systems failed during the rainy season, sparking the current cholera crisis. Yemen 40,000 cases 30,000 20,000 10,000 Countries with cholera or cholera-like infections. Jan. April July As of July 30, 2017 | Source: World Health Organization

In developed countries, cholera is not life-threatening and can be easily treated, with antibiotics if severe. But in Yemen, rampant malnutrition has made many people, particularly children, especially vulnerable to the disease.

With the malnutrition we have among children, if they get diarrhea, they are not going to get better, said Meritxell Relano, the United Nations Childrens Fund representative in Yemen.

Outside a cholera clinic in Sana, Muhammad Nasir was waiting for news about his 6-month-old son, Waleed, who had the disease. A poor agricultural laborer, Mr. Nasir had borrowed money to take his son to the hospital but did not have enough to return home even if the baby recovered. My situation is bad, he said.

Five tents had been erected in the backyard of the cholera ward to cope with the sudden increase in patients. All day, families brought sick relatives. Most were elderly, or children carried on their parents backs.

A girl drinking water from a well thought to be contaminated with cholera in Sana. Hani Mohammed/Associated Press

If infection numbers continue to rise, researchers fear that the cases could ultimately rival the largest outbreak, in Haiti, which infected at least 750,000 people after a devastating earthquake in 2010.

Aid organizations say they cannot replace the services that the government is supposed to provide. That means there is little chance for significant improvements unless the war ends.

We are almost in the third year of the war and nothing is getting better, said Ms. Relano of Unicef. There are limits to what we can do in such a collapsed state.

The United Nations has called the situation the worlds largest humanitarian crisis, with more than 10 million people who require immediate assistance. And the situation could become even worse.

Peter Salama, the executive director of the World Health Organizations health emergencies program, warned that as the state fails, the manifestation of that now is cholera, but there could be in the future other epidemics that Yemen could be at the center of.

International Involvement

There appears to be no end in sight for the conflict. Peace talks brokered by the United Nations have stalled, and none of the warring parties have indicated much willingness to back down. The Houthis and their allies firmly control the capital, and Saudi leaders have said they will keep fighting until the other side gives in.

The United Nations says that Yemen needs $2.3 billion in humanitarian aid this year, but that only 41 percent of that amount has been received. The warring parties are among the greatest aid donors, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates both giving significant sums. But critics note that the countries spend much more on the war effort and that their closing of Sanas airport has been devastating for civilians.

Unmet funding requirements 1.4 billion 608 669 Humanitarian aid to Yemen In millions Funding received 310 1.0 billion 238 932 964 259 98 65 396 358 326 194 121 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 As of August 23, 2017 | Source: The Financial Tracking Service Unmet funding requirements 1.4 billion Humanitarian aid to Yemen In millions 608 669 Funding received 310 1.0 billion 964 238 932 259 98 65 396 358 326 194 121 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 As of August 23, 2017 | Source: The Financial Tracking Service Humanitarian aid to Yemen In millions Unmet funding requirements 1.4 billion 608 Funding received 669 310 1.0 billion 964 238 932 259 98 65 396 358 326 194 121 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 As of August 23, 2017 | Source: The Financial Tracking Service

The United States is also a major donor, as well as a primary supplier of arms to the members of the Saudi-led coalition. Although the United States is not directly involved in the conflict, it has provided military support to the Saudi-led coalition, and Yemenis have often found the remnants of American-made munitions in the ruins left by deadly airstrikes.

A camp for displaced Yemenis in Hajjah Province. Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

None of this bodes well for civilians.

The war still haunts us from all directions, said Saleh al-Khawlani, who fled his home in northern Yemen with his wife and six children after the Saudi-led coalition began its bombings. They then fled again, to Sana, after an airstrike hit the camp where they had sought shelter, and killed a number of his relatives.

They lived on the street for a while and had to beg for most of their food.
By Ruth Anderah:

High Court is today expected to decide on whether or not to release on bail Mathew Kanyamunyu who is charged with the murder of Kenneth Akena a social worker at Lugogo Kampala- Jinja High way in 2016.

The decision is to be made by Justice Yasin Nyanzi at 2; 30pm.

Kanyamunyu through his lawyer Evans Ochieng asked court to release him on bail because there is congestion in Luzira prison where he is currently detained and that his company Quantaum Express Logistic where he is the general manager since 2012 is suffering due to his absentia.

Kanyamunyu claims to be a law abiding citizen with no prior criminal records and that he will not interfere with witnesses and police investigations since they are complete and committed to High court for trial.

Kanyamunyu also wants justice Nyanzi to put into consideration that his two co accused including his brother Joseph Kanyamunyu and fiancee Cynthia Munwangari who were granted bail have respected the bail conditions set by not trying to flee the country.

Kanyamunyu also claims to have a fixed place of abode at Butabika Hospital zone in Nakawa division, bail being his constitutional right and the presumption of innocence until proved guilty.

Prosecution states that Kanyamunyu on the 12th of November 2016 at Lugogo along Jinja High way in Kampala with malice afore thought shot at Kenneth Akena who later died from Norvik hospital in Kampala.
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

"Rob Kall's book Bottom-Up: Tapping the Power of the Connection Revolution is both a welcomed manifesto and a guide for rethinking the power of human agency, understanding the connections that both make us human and legitimate human planetary relations. Moreover it is a powerful call for providing the ideas, social practices, and relations that make human connections possible, enable them to work together from the bottom up, and to transform such connections into a powerful movement in which people take control of their lives and create a better future for everyone."



Henry Giroux, Director of the McMaster Centre for Research in the Public Interest, author of Zombie Politics and Culture in the Age of Casino Capitalism, Americas Education Deficit and The War on Youth, and dozens more.
There will be "chaos" in the Leh region if they follow India's "ridiculous" logic and enter the Indian territory in Kashmir to disrupt construction projects along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), China said Tuesday (August 22).

"If we tolerate India's ridiculous logic, then anyone who dislikes the activity at his neighbour's home can break into his neighbour's house," foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was quoted as saying by the Indian newspapers.

"Does that mean when China thinks that large scale construction of infrastructure in the border area is posing a threat, it can enter India's territory? Wouldn't that be utter chaos?," Chunying added.

On August 15, Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed on the northern bank of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, China was just conducting "normal" patrols in the region and it was Indian soldiers who started the clash.

Responding to Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Hua Chunying said, "China loves peace and firmly upholds peace. At the same time, we will safeguard our territorial integrity and sovereignty. We allow no country or any individual to infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty."

Indian Home Minister Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday expressed confidence that the ongoing tiff between India and China over the tri-junction area of the Doklam sector near Bhutan will be resolved soon, and peace will be restored between the two neighbours.

Addressing a gathering at the symbolic Pipping Ceremony Promotions of officers and personnel of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) forces , Rajnath stated that he is looking forward to a positive move from China, adding that the bilateral relations of India with its neighbours should involve solace, not struggle.

"We have healthy relations with other countries, and this has also been the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We want peace, not struggle. I agree that there is a rift between India and China over the Doklam issue. I am sure that there will be a positive move from China, after which the matter will be resolved and peace will be restored," said Rajnath.

"So the fact is that the Indian side has illegally trespassed the boundary and violated the agreement on the boundary that has been recognised and abided by (for) over 130 years. So we urge the Indian side to take concrete actions and make positive moves to correct its wrongdoing," Chunying said Tuesday.

She repeated China was committed to maintaining peace in the region. "China loves peace and firmly upholds peace," Chunying explained while adding they will safeguard their territorial integrity and sovereignty at all cost.

"We allow no country or any individual to infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty," Chunying asserted.

Sikkim-Standoff

India and China have been locked in a standoff over the Doklam plateau for over two months now.

The dispute began in June, when the Indian soldiers stopped Chinese troops from constructing a road in the border region. India claimed the construction in the region will seriously affect the security in the tri-junction and the sensitive Chicken Neck that connects the northeast with mainland India.

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[Author's note: This article will make more sense if first you read at least one of the other articles in this series: Torture, Academic Freedom and a Teachable Moment, or An Old Guard Psychologist Inspires a Chill on Academic Freedom.]

Psychologists for Social Responsibility, an organization of psychologists committed to peace, social justice and human rights, has taken an outraged interest in the move by former American Psychological Association (APA) President Gerald Koocher to persuade decision-making parties to retract an academic article on the psychology-abetting-torture scandal. The article is "A Teachable Ethics Scandal" by Mitchell Handelsman. The SAGE journal Teaching of Psychology published it online in June, and it is currently still available. This journal is also the flagship journal of Division 2 of the APA (though it is not, to prevent any confusion, an APA-published journal, as SAGE and APA are independent and indeed competing publishers).

Though the journal's editor, Andrew Christopher, originally confirmed in July that the retraction would eventually go through, that decision later underwent review, and, according to SAGE Public Relations Associate Camille Gamboa, SAGE now "has no plans" to retract the article (see below). This is a welcome change and possible credit to SAGE's good intentions and responsiveness to the argument that this retraction threatens academic freedom.

However, to the extent the means of Koocher's originally effective persuasion to retract involved a threatened lawsuit or other punitive measure, it is not clear what SAGE or the APA will do to mitigate the effects of any such threatened punishments on the author and editor as individuals.

The scandal that Handelsman's article refers to is the collusion of the American Psychological Association (APA) with the forces of U.S. torture after 9/11. If you have never previously heard of this story, you might want to begin your review of it here.

In her Psychology Today blog, Alice LoCicero, President-Elect of Division 48 of the APA, introduced this concern widely to the public on August 15 with an excellent summary of the retraction controversy and the broader context framing it.

The current APA president Antonio Puente then very swiftly and publicly responded that her blog post was based on "false premises" and reached "false conclusions":

The first error is in asserting that the article "A Teachable Ethics Scandal," by Mitchell M. Handelsman, PhD, is being retracted as part of an organized effort to suppress the American Psychological Association's history regarding interrogation. This is not true. Sage Publishing, which publishes the journal Teaching of Psychology, informs us it has no plans to retract the article. And APA has not asked for such a retraction.



LoCicero did not state there was an organized effort to suppress Handelsman's article--just that the broader "attempt to suppress the story of APA and torture" is part of a context that has "led a journal for an APA division to decide to retract a peer reviewed and accepted paper that would have encouraged ethics teachers to teach about the multiple ethical dilemmas in this series of events."

Note that she said there was a "deci[sion] to retract" not that the article is "being retracted." And she certainly did not state that current APA leadership was part of any organized effort, nor that this leadership had asked for a retraction.

As for SAGE having "no plans" to retract the article, this was news to LoCicero and to all of us who had been watching the controversy closely.

Puente wrote his response August 18. It was not until August 19 that Camille Gamboa, Public Relations Associate at SAGE with whom I had been in obviously-very-concerned correspondence since August 9, informed me by email about this. And she informed me only after I sent her a copy of the APA response:

Sorry not to have alerted you to this notice ahead of time. Yes, I can confirm it is true that there are currently no plans to retract this paper. The only slightly misleading part of the statement is that this is ultimately the decision of the editor of the journal, whom we at SAGE support.

I of course accept her apology because everyone gets busy, but it would be nice if Puente apologized to LoCicero for implying that she was making false statements that were not based on the best knowledge she had available at the time. There was never a public statement from SAGE about having no plans to retract, nor any way she could have found this out prior to the APA president's response.

Also, what is most bizarre is that LoCicero's blog is criticizing a climate of denial that is, I would argue, less saliently associated with the current APA leadership--which has, to its credit, continued to affirm its strong stand against psychologists participating in interrogations.

The climate of denial is much more associated with those who have filed a lawsuit against the APA. These individuals appear unhappy with the more socially responsible direction APA has taken on the torture issue, or at least with the way they as individuals get portrayed in the documented history underlying this change in direction. So the APA president, as he has in other important ways shown his commitment to this new direction, should be welcoming any pressure LoCicero is bringing to bear in this regard.

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James Madison, the father of the Constitution, was very clear about the fact that he wrote the First Amendment to protect the minority against the majority.

What Madison meant by minority is "offensive speech."

Unfortunately, we don't honor that principle as much as we should today. In fact, we seem to be witnessing a politically correct philosophy at play, one shared by both the extreme left and the extreme right, which aims to stifle all expression that doesn't fit within their parameters of what they consider to be "acceptable" speech.

As a result, we have seen the caging of free speech in recent years, through the use of so-called "free-speech zones" on college campuses and at political events, the requirement of speech permits in parks and community gatherings, and the policing of online forums.

Instead of encouraging people to debate issues and air their views, by muzzling free speech, we are contributing to a growing underclass of Americans who are being told that they can't take part in American public life unless they "fit in."

This attempt to stifle certain forms of speech is where we go wrong.

As always, knowledge is key.

The following Constitutional Q&A, available in more detail at The Rutherford Institute ( www.rutherford.org ), is a good starting point.

Q: PROTEST?

A: The First Amendment prohibits the government from "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Protesting is an exercise of these constitutional rights because it involves speaking out, by individual people or those assembled in groups, about matters of public interest and concern.

Q: WHERE AM I ALLOWED TO PROTEST?

A: The right to protest generally extends to public places that are owned and controlled by the government, although not all government-owned property is available for exercising speech and assembly rights. Places historically associated with the free exercise of expressive activities, such as streets, sidewalks and parks, are traditional public forums and the government's power to limit speech and assembly in those places is very limited. However, expression and assembly in traditional public forums may be limited by reasonable time, place and manner regulations. Examples of reasonable regulations include restrictions on the volume of sound produced by the activity or a prohibition on impeding vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Q: CAN MY FREE SPEECH BE RESTRICTED BECAUSE OF WHAT I SAY, EVEN IF IT IS CONTROVERSIAL?

A: No, the First Amendment protects speech even if most people would find it offensive, hurtful or hateful. Speech generally cannot be banned based upon its content or viewpoint because it is not up to the government to determine what can and cannot be said. A bedrock principle of the First Amendment is that the government may not prohibit expression of an idea because society finds it offensive or disagreeable. Also, protest speech also cannot be banned because of a fear that others may react violently to the speech. Demonstrators cannot be punished or forbidden from speaking because they might offend a hostile mob. The Supreme Court has held that a "heckler's veto" has no place in First Amendment law.

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Trump has become infamous for his outlandish statements. His reasoning is batty. And how can we even begin to describe the sheer volume of his proven to be false statements. He is the single greatest promoter of Fake News. Ever.



And, most importantly, his intent is precisely to anger people -- so he can manipulate them. And what is his favorite way to get people angry? Scapegoating non-white people using loathsome, outrageous falsehoods. He divides people according to their racial, ethnic and religious identity and sets them against each other. He's the Divider-in-Chief.



The fake stories he uses (which he gets from the right-wing/alt-right/white- racist media) to slander non-whites aren't just false. They are monumentally false.



He started this last campaign by repeating the right-wing fake news story that Mexico deliberately sends it's worst criminals into our country. Politifact (as well as other fact-checkers) did a well researched fact-check and rated the claim "Pants on Fire."



He said, in effect, that most, if not all, Mexican undocumented immigrants are drug bringing criminal rapists. The New York Times and many other news organizations cited statistics from various organizations like the Migration Policy Institute that show only 2.7% of undocumented immigrants have been convicted of a felony compared with 6% of the overall population.



Despite these facts, Trump not only wants you to believe his fake news story about criminal Mexicans, he wants you to think that they are after you white people. He has paraded out crime victims of illegal immigrants who just happen to be mostly white. But it is a well known fact that the vast majority of crimes committed by all racial/ethnic groups are committed against those same groups because most crime victims know their attacker. As Politifact stated, "these trends have been observed for decades."



You'd think that Trump, an avid news watcher, would know this. But then he saw a fake news site that reported outrageously false Black on White murder statistics which exaggerated the percentage of Black killers by a factor of 5.4 times. The site was traced to some neo-Nazi scumbag who wrote "Should have listened to the Austrian chap with the little mustache." Like all the other times Trump came across a right-wing/alt-right/racist- right fake news story, he bought it hook, line and sinker then promoted it like it had his name on it.







Then we have the infamous fake story that "thousands and thousands" of Muslims in New Jersey celebrated the 9/11 attack as the world Trade Center came down. Again, a falsehood of monumental proportions that had been going around the right-wing/alt-right/racist- right fake news media for years. Trump was called out on it immediately because of its obvious falsity. But the right-wing/alt-right/racist- right media came to Trump's defense with "proof" that this was true. They found several reports of uncorroborated allegations of small groups of people celebrating. Police investigators took no action. Trump supporters called the radio stations swearing they saw small groups of Muslims celebrating, too. See? Trump was right! The only thing is, even if we accept these unverified allegations, Trump and his supporters are still short by a factor of "thousands and thousands."



How many is "thousands and thousands" anyway? I've asked several people their opinion because even Trump's critics were low balling that number. Politifact generously assumed that Trump meant only two thousand. They printed this graph to illustrate how that number compared with the most credible report they could find -- eight men celebrating on a rooftop:









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But Trump said "Thousands AND thousands". Other people suggested that number should be ten thousand or twenty thousand or fifty thousand or even more. Well I heard Trump himself tell us how many "thousand and thousands" are. Remember when he was complaining that the International climate agreement required participating countries to contribute a total of 100 billion dollars? He later referred to that number (100 billion) as "billions and billions and billions." So, simple arithmetic says he meant 66 thousand Muslims celebrated. And he saw it on TV.



I read a Breitbart article that defended Trump. The writer was attacking the Washington Post fact checker for giving Trump four Pinocchios for that whopper. But a Washington Post article from back then was found about allegations of a "tailgate style party" on an apartment rooftop which the fact checker failed to mention. So, sure Trump had "exaggerated" but that fact checker was a liar! The Breitbart writer then engaged in some interesting logic that unintentionally exposed the true nature of Trump's monstrous lie. He said, yeah, so Trump exaggerated somewhat but those "dozens" of celebrators represented many more Muslims who felt just like them but didn't actually come out to celebrate.



He had no real proof of even "dozens" of celebrators and even less proof that an exponential number of Muslims felt the same way. But if Trump wants his supporters to believe that the actual number was indeed "thousands and thousands" as he continued to insist even in the face of common sense and the lack of evidence, what does he want them to think about the Muslim American population in general? By your own logic, Mr Breitbart writer, Trump wants them to think that practically all the Muslims in this country want all of us non Muslims to die. That would justify the ban, the registry of Muslims and the crackdown on mosques he wants.

If you google "Obama most divisive President in history" you will find 388,000 results with countless Republicans and conservatives offering this opinion. According to them, race is the issue Obama is most divisive on. By their own measure, do you think Trump has Obama beat? Do you think they would admit it? Should we be referring to Trump as The Divider-in-Chief from now on?





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Lawrence: Donald Trump Announced He Won't Announce Troop Increase | The Last Word | MSNBC Trump's Afghanistan speech marked a presidential first: the failure to disclose the number of troops he was sending to a war zone -- breaking a tradition set by ...

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President Trump announcing troop increase in Afghanistan, August 21, 2017

"In the end we will win". Those were words spoken last night by President Trump when he decided to go along with his generals and increase the number of troops into Afghanistan.

The New York Times put it this way, "Trump accepted the logic that a 'big military' approach was needed to prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a launching pad for terrorism against the United States".

Here we go again with the terrorism card. It's always handy when all else fails. Scare Americans into believing terrorists and terrorism hatched in Afghanistan will be out to get them.

Trump went further, "We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists." Funny how the indigenous Afghan Taliban became terrorists. But I digress.

Trump said, "The killers need to know they have nowhere to hide, that no place is beyond reach of American might and American arms. Retribution will be fast and powerful".

Oh sure. Let's now take the gloves off as if that hasn't been tried and found wanting by all his predecessors from Dubya to Obama. What did Einstein say, "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the sign of insanity". Hmm.

It's been 16 years since "Dubya" Bush invaded Afghanistan supposedly to go after Osama bin Laden as the alleged perpetrator of 9/11.

As America's longest war it's still technically unresolved but essentially it's a done deal lost cause. That's because however long America remains in the country, Afghanistan will eventually revert to its traditional Afghan ways- something the British finally learned after two invasions one in the 1830's when they were forced out in 1842, a second more successful time in 1878 remaining there till they were finally forced to leave in 1919. Then it was the Soviets invading in 1979 then forced to withdraw in 1989. Now the Americans since 2001. It's little wonder Afghanistan is known as the graveyard of empires.

So why should it be any different for the Americans? It won't. Afghanistan is an alien culture to Americans , a tribal society, religiously mostly Sunni Islam with Pashto and Dari the official languages. Americans don't speak the language, have no understanding of the culture and empathy for the Afghans plight would surely be the exception rather than the rule.

What the Americans do bring is modernized weaponry killing scores of Afghans even in wedding parties and funeral processions, something not forgotten by the survivors instantly creating new insurgents vowing revenge.

Now it's Trump's turn to learn the inevitable by joining the warmongering chorus only to discover more Americans returning home in body bags.

The Trumpster once called Afghanistan a lost cause before he became president.

In 2012 Trump tweeted, "Afghanistan is a complete waste. Time to come home".

Oh how things change when one is surrounded by generals who never seem to lose their itch for war-always good when they're not the ones being shot at. That they'll leave for the misguided souls from America's rural areas, inner city blacks and browns with few job prospects at home and macho twits needing to kill something to somehow prove their manhood.

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Democracy and freedom of expression are under attack. There is blood in the streets. How did it get that way? Where did it come from, what are its sources and what continues to drive it? This four part series will look at the origin of those sources and unlock connections that when understood should open doors of perception that have been locked shut for far too long.

Speaking at The Intervention in Afghanistan and the Fall of De'tente Conference at Lysebu Norway, 1995, former Carter National Security staff council member Dr. Gary Sick, (1976-1981) described the criteria for driving American war planners into action.

"It seems to me there is a difference here between facts and perceptions, and this seems to be where the problem ultimately lies. Of course, perception is reality, as far as policy makers are concerned, so what you believe, in fact, drives what you do regardless of what the facts are."

It's vital to remember Dr. Gary Sick's observation at this moment in our latest deep-state-anti-Russia identity crisis. After 16 years of war accompanied by political and financial crises America finds itself in a war of perception with the world and with itself. If America's policy-makers continue to think they can create reality regardless of facts, then whatever today's policy makers choose to see as real they will try to make real. It's a simple formula for delusional thinking with a history of terrible consequences.

In the 1950s some of America's more creative defense intellectuals perceived Vietnam to be the linchpin of what they called the Domino Theory of a global communist expansion all the while ignoring the nationalist motivations of the North Vietnamese. That misperception, intentional or not led to one of the greatest military blunders in history as well as devastating consequences for the community of defense intellectuals that had thought it up.

As described by author Fred Kaplan, "Vietnam brought out the dark side of nearly everyone inside America's national security machine. And it exposed something seamy and disturbing about the very enterprise of the defense intellectuals. It revealed that the concept of force underlying all their formulations and scenarios was an abstraction, practically useless as a guide to action."

Vietnam revealed a conceptual failure in an esoteric system of analysis created by an inbred group of defense intellectuals that was supposed to determine what was real and what was imagined. By1968 its failure had broken the eastern establishment's hold over foreign policy and created the need to open de'tente with the Soviet Union. But for those on the right who had fought to roll back the very existence of the Soviet Union since its inception in 1917, de'tente was not an option and would be fought by a sophisticated Cold War propaganda machine that would outdo Nazi Germany.

Origins of a Plot

The popular perception that the United States and the Soviet Union were allies against Fascism during World War II disguises the fact that Wall Street's financial elites were not so secretly supporting the rearmament of Germany after World War I and were especially active in backing Adolph Hitler and the growth of the Nazi Wehrmacht prior to and throughout the war years.

According to Anthony C. Sutton in his 1976 book, Wall Street and the Rise Of Hitler , "The build-up for European war both before and after 1933 was in great part due to Wall Street financial assistance in the 1920s to create a German cartel system, and to technical assistance from well-known American firms--- to build the German Wehrmacht... In brief, American companies associated with the Morgan-Rockefeller international investment bankers--- were intimately related to the growth of Nazi industry--- those firms controlled through the handful of financial houses, the Federal Reserve Bank system, the Bank for International Settlements, and their continuing international cooperative arrangements and cartels which attempt to control the course of world politics and economics."

A World War II study on Nazi occupied France published in 1947 by Harvard University's William L. Langer, Chief of the Research and Analysis branch of the Office of Strategic Services, OSS, from 1942 to 1945 revealed the origins of a prewar Fascist-plot that may have paved the way for France's early capitulation in the war. Langer's report detailed in his book Our Vichy Gamble makes clear that the prewar ideological and nationalist lines between fascist Germany and France were never at issue when it came to Europe's big business interests. On the contrary; if successful, the plot's French backers stood to benefit immensely from a German-ruled Europe. Langer writes:

"Germany could count on more than enough eager supporters among French industrial and banking interests--in short, among those who even before the war had turned to Nazi Germany and had looked to Hitler as the savior of Europe from Communism--- These people were as good fascists as any in Europe" Many of them had long had extensive and intimate business relations with German interests and were still dreaming of a new system of 'synarchy,' which meant government of Europe on fascist principles by an international brotherhood of financiers and industrialists."

The brotherhood of synarchists was not the only hard right wing European group dreaming of a pan-European Union along fascist lines. In London in the mid-1930s, an alliance of militant e'migre' groups from 16 Central European countries formed a secret international Catholic organization headed by a former Tsarist general. Known at the time as Intermarium (and again today) for that part of Europe bordered by the Adriatic, the Baltic, Black, Aegean and Ionian seas its secret mission was to form an anti-Communist cordon sanitaire against Russia. Stephen Dorril, author of MI6: Fifty Years of Operations writes "The dream of a postwar [World War I] Pan-Danubian [Con]Federation from the Baltic to the Aegean under Habsburg rule -- a sort of recreation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire -- was kept alive under the direction of the pretender to the throne Archduke Otto von Habsburg. The Monarchists had had the enthusiastic support of Winston Churchill, who, like many of its adherents, had been a member of the Brussels-based right-wing Pan European Union (PEU), founded in 1922 by Hapsburg and Count Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi as 'the only way of guarding against an eventual world hegemony by Russia'."

Another, even more militant group was the Promethean League of the Nations subjugated by Moscow (soon to be shortened to the Promethean League) which focused mainly on liberating the non-Russian ethnicities in Ukraine and Georgia. The end of World War I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire had left Poland in charge of Western Ukraine which, according to author Dorril's sources, sparked Polish ambitions to launch an anti-communist counter revolution inside Russia and capture its own empire. "The League 'played a large part in Polish aspirations for the development of a bloc of states in Eastern Europe, stretching from Finland to the Caucasus, in which Poland could become a true great power by exercising her 'natural' position of leadership.'"

Despite Poland's "'natural' position of leadership," her occupation of Western Ukraine came up against the fiercely racist Galician separatists of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). OUN viewed their own racial beliefs as more in league with Germany's National Socialists (Nazis) than anything Poland had to offer or even Europe's more doctrinaire Fascists and Nazi money soon came pouring in. The OUN rejected the Promethean League outright and struck out at Poland's leadership role. In 1934 OUN's leaders, Stefan Bandera, Yarolsav Stetsko and Mykola Lebed were arrested by Polish authorities for the murder of the Polish Interior minister and sentenced to death only to later have their sentences reduced to life in prison. But while the League of Nations branded the OUN a "terrorist syndicate" British Intelligence's head of station in Finland, MI6's Harry Carr, recruited Bandera's followers. From the mid-1930s onward MI6 joined in funding the Galician OEN's anti-Soviet terror operations together with Germany's military intelligence unit, the Abwehr. The OUN-B (B for Bandera) would go on to establish their reputation for cruelty as Waffen SS extermination squads during operation Barbarossa.

Whether Carr was aware of the Nazi support for OUN or perhaps even coordinated with them is still an open question, but as of 1934 British and German sympathies for Eastern Europe's terrorists were clearly on the same page when it came to Russia and it didn't end with a random and isolated MI6 station chief.

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From Huffington Post



Rally at Minneapolis Social Security Office

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Last week marked the 82nd anniversary of Franklin Roosevelt's signing the bill that created Social Security. The program has stood the test of time well.

It accounts for more than half of the income for 60 percent of senior households and more than 90 percent for almost one third. It has reduced poverty rates among the elderly from more than one-third to roughly the same as the rest of the adult population. In addition, it provides disability insurance, as well as life insurance for family members, for almost the entire working age population.

This is a pretty good track record. This is the reason the program is hugely popular and efforts at privatization, like President George W. Bush's 2005 effort, have all gone down in defeat. It's hard to beat Social Security.

A big part of the benefit of Social Security is that it is very efficient. The administrative costs of the retirement portion of the program are just 0.4 percent of what is paid out in benefits each year. By comparison, the costs of even relatively well-run privatized systems, like those in Chile or the United Kingdom, are 10-15 percent of benefits. That difference would amount to $80 billion a year (close to $1 trillion over a 10-year budget horizon) being paid out to the financial industry instead of to retirees.

This was a huge hurdle for President Bush to overcome with his privatization plan. His main route was to invent stories about the much higher returns that workers would be able to earn with the privatized accounts he promised them.

But this story of better returns turned out to be based on phony numbers. Essentially, his crew was extrapolating stock returns from a period when the economy was growing fast and price-to-earnings ratios in the stock market were much lower. Their claims about future returns could not be reconciled with the Social Security trustees growth projections that provided the basis for the debate.

To make this point, we invented the "No Economist Left Behind" test where we challenged supporters of privatization to write down numbers for capital gains and dividend yields that added to the stock returns assumed by the Bush administration. This amounted to writing down two numbers that added to 7 percent (the annual real return they assumed for stocks), a task which should not be too difficult for someone with a PhD in economics.

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2- The Bharat tribe (member of the Mithraism religion, important to note that Mahabad becomes known as Mahabharat) war against Tamil Tribes of India (members of Deva religion). King Bharat defeated Tamil tribes of India, and the land becomes known as Bharata to this day.

3- The Battle of the Ten Kings (dasarajna') is a battle alluded to in the Rigveda (Book 7, hymns 18, 33 and 83.4-8), the ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. The battle took place during the middle or primary Rigvedic period, near the Ravi River in Punjab. It is important to know that in this struggle king Sudas of Bharat defeated nine kings of Tamil, import to know that one of that kingdom was the Persian nation who fought king Sudas of Bharat.

4- The great flood of year 5600 BCE or BC according to modern scientist finding displaced the Caucasian people in the Middle East to today Pakistan high land. In time members of Deva religion corrupted Mithraism religion. The Deva religion does not have holy books, but they are always using Mithraism religion holy books of ViDevaDad after corrupting the oral or written document. Prophet Zoroaster came after the great flood of year 5600 BCE or BC. He came to revive Mithraism religion, his new religion becomes known as Aryan religion. The conflict between Mithraism religion and Deva religion become known in time as the dispute between Aryan religion and Deva religion.

5- It is written in Puranas that Kurukshetra is named after King Kuru of the Bharata Dynasty, ancestor of Pandavas and Kauravas. The Kurukshetra War, also called the Mahabharata War, is a war described in the Indian epic Mahabharata. The conflict arose from a dynastic succession struggle between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas, and Pandavas, for the throne of Hastinapura in an Indian kingdom called Kuru. It involved some ancient nations participating as allies of the rival groups.

6- Lord Krishna as the God of Deva religion was able to use the Kauravas and Pandavas cousins of Kurukshetra royal family against one another. He joined Pandavas brothers and sent his army to support Kauravas. After millions of people died, the Pandavas brothers defeated Kauravas and then chased Lord Krishna out of India after they found out about his mischief.

7- The five brothers of Pandavas as members of Kurukshetra royal families and believers of Aryan religion fought armies of Lord Krishna as the leader of the members of Deva religion. Lord Krishna built the city of Jerusalem (Urusalim, meaning the residents of our king) as his capital before conquering Egypt. Lord Krishna conquered African Egypt and established the first Egyptian Empire as the first Pharaoh after enslaved African people.

8- Abraham the forefather of Hebrew Jews and Khazars Turks as the leaders of Turkish people are descendant of Lord Krishna, and today Hebrew Jews and Prophet Muhammad is the descendant of Abraham.

9- The descendant of the followers of five Pandava brothers from India to Europe and from Egypt to Mongolia are known as Sumerian, Elami, Scythians (Sakae or Germanic tribes), Hittite, Hurrian, Kassite (Lur), Mitanni, Medes, Lak, Gilani, Parthian and other by different names. Persian is from Tamil people by blood and Medes used them as the servant in the military forces after they convert to the Aryan religion for thousand of years before they took over Median Empire with the help of Hebrew Jewish leaders.

10- Majority of people become known as Kurds. The Kurt (Kurds) was the group of Media freedom fighters led by General Baryaxes against Alexander the Great of Greek Empire who conquered the land of Aryan Kurds. Atropatene was a Persian governor of the Media during the last king of Achaemenid Persian Empire. Atropatene surrender to Alexander the Great, while General Baryaxes led Medes to fight Alexander the Great of Greek as occupiers of the Aryan land. General Baryaxes contacted Atropatene and asked his alliance to fight Alexander the Great; Atropatene tricked him to have the secret meeting with him. He betrayed General Baryaxes by arresting him with few other Kurds and handed them to Alexander the Great to be executed immediately. Alexander the Great appointed Atropatene as governor of the part of Media (known as Azerbaijan now) that was the first division of Medes land. Atropatene family ruled that part of Media to the last king of Sassanid Kurdish Empire. General Rostam Farrokhzad who lost the battle of Battle of the al-Qadisiyyah to Islamic Arab Empire was descendant of Atropatene. The majority of people become known as Kurds since then.

11- Today the Deva religions are in control of the world. They defeated members of Mithraism and Aryan religions who wanted to serve humanity.

12- Today PKK is the Kurds of the past who fought Alexander the Great. According to few Hebrew Jewish prophet predictions, PKK is the 'Return of the Medes' to liberate humanity from members of Deva religion in the land from India to Europe and from Egypt to Mongolia.
By Ivan Ssenabulya:

The Uganda Police Force has revealed planned to fully equip the forensic center located at its headquarters in Naguru as a means of strengthening its investigative capacity.

The Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kaihura was addressing journalists at the Uganda Christian University Mukono in preparation for the First Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization Games.

The police chief says he will use the opportunity as the new EAPCCO chairperson to train police officers to world standards.

Meanwhile he also revealed that the Democratic Republic of Congo police force has applied for EAPCCO membership in a move meant to fight cross border crime
From Smirking Chimp

Unlike many of my colleagues, I knew Trump would probably win. Based on the president's congenital laziness and short attention span that I documented in my biography, I also predicted that his administration would be characterized by a lack of focus or follow-through. I did pretty well by my readers.

But there's one thing I never saw coming.

I didn't know he was a far-right extremist.

Who would have ever thought that a president would defend Nazis and Klansmen -- repeatedly, even after catching hell for doing so? That, to appease "very fine" Nazis and Klansmen, a president wouldn't bother to phone the family of a high-profile political murder victim? (Trump waited four days to call -- and first did so during her funeral.) That a president of the United States would elevate the leaders of the defeated, treasonous Confederacy to the level of America's Founding Fathers?

As CNN's Anderson Cooper observed after Trump's now-infamous news conference, "A few hours ago, the President of the United States revealed to us so clearly who he really is."

Who is he? At best, an enabler and apologist for fascists.

At worst, a fascist himself. Though, to be fair, comparing Trump to fascists is unfair to fascists. Fascists got things done. Infrastructure, for example.

There were plenty of signs of Trump's fascist tendencies. He promised to bring back torture; on August 17th he approvingly recounted an incredibly (i.e., literally untrue) racist story that U.S. occupation troops executed Muslim Filipino patriots with bullets dipped in pig's blood. He repeatedly encouraged violence against peaceful liberal protesters at his rallies; he was still at it last month, when he "joked" that cops ought to bash suspects' heads into the side of their squad cars. He wants to refill the infamous concentration camp at Guantanamo.

During the campaign there were also indications that Trump might be a reasonable man. Gay Republicans assured us his White House would respect pro-LGBTQA rights. During the campaign, Trump said Caitlyn Jenner should feel free to use the Trump Tower bathroom of her choice. Strange to think about now, but this is the same guy who endorsed single-payer healthcare, called for a tax increase on the wealthy, promised to lay off Planned Parenthood, and came out for amnesty for illegal immigrants (albeit after deporting them, then letting them back in...to help out the airlines, maybe?).

Candidate Trump was satisfyingly all over the place.

President Trump has been terrifyingly consistent.

Nixon, Reagan and George W. Bush hired Democrats to top posts. Not Trump. His cabinet and top staff is staffed by rabid right-wing lily white ideologues; it features more generals than an old-school junta. Trump's first major policy initiatives -- repealing Obamacare with no replacement and tax cuts for the rich -- have tilted so far right that he can't even secure the support of the usual sellout Vichy Democrats, or right-wing Republicans.

Even by the standards of a country whose citizens -- even the "liberal" ones -- believe they have the right to invade and bomb any country they feel like without justification, Trump's presser and ensuing tweets were truly special.

"Mainstream" Republicans like Mitch McConnell may have the soul of a Nazi. But actual Nazism -- the uniforms, the flags, the crazy rune shields -- Americans don't do that stuff. Actual Nazism is for a few thousand pasty tatt-covered muscleheads with little pig eyes. They are freaks. They are few.

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Operation Enduring Freedom

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The bloodbath that took foothold in Afghanistan 16 years back is likely to witness an upsurge once more. This unending war has actually exposed many flaws in both decisions making as well as policy making aptitudes of US administration. Presently, the President Donald Trump has avowed to focus new energies on the crippling war in Afghanistan with a broad-based strategy.

Therefore, this article is to assess the situation and foretell more havoc in wake of the decision, made by Trumps administration for sake of digging the deep grounds for winning a war in Afghanistan .

Actually, the stakes that coerce a state actor to reach at the extreme extent whatsoever are determinants that disturb even a war-losing party and push it forward to devise the likely alternatives.

At the spam the world is breathing, these are the stakes and interests which have put both USA and Pakistan on the opposing paths particularly in Afghanistan . let us assume, if the complete control of Afghanistan even in its peripheral regions, the digging up a pro-US regime, the ensured global culture in Afghan masses, the died-down resistance in Afghanistan and the horizontally expanded influence of India are not the US stakes then the rhetoric behind the waged war of Afghanistan in 2001 seems moribund.

Certainly, these are the core objectives that US administration dreamed to ensure in Afghan land. However, the accomplishment of the said agendas is far from reality. That is why the new commencement of the new US plan seems very relevant to the extreme extent of the policy pursuit for winning the war in Afghanistan . Out of the said agendas, the Indian presence and ensured influence in Afghanistan is contrary to Pakistani national calculations.

That is why the alternative options in the global community have remained Islamabad 's top priority in the recent times. Logically, this is the prime factor which derails the fraternal milieu in US-Pak friendly relations. Nonetheless, it would be more lucid to maintain it as the fork of animosity on one hand and the paramount facet that has built up the two parties as the opposing stakeholders on the other. This opposing pursuit and friction seems widening in the ongoing state of affairs.

Under such circumstances, the announcement made by Trump to concentrate new energies in Afghanistan for winning war would triplicate the miseries.

The respective estrangement in the two parties' pathways will increase the loss in the data given by a CNN report which denotes that since 2001, 2400 US soldiers have been beheaded. 12oo civilian contractors have been killed. 28, 000 soldiers have been injured. 815 billion USD have been paid as the war cost.

Definitely, the grave consequences of the war have been experienced in Pakistan where soft and hard features of national potential have been at stake. Presently, the said announcement is the aperture of a new era of bloodbath which is not conducive for the rest, peace and tranquility of the regional and international players as well.
"A cliche is haunting America -- the cliche of a second civil war," writes Jesse Walker in the Los Angeles Times. Pundits left and right wax ominous over the prospect of a permanent break in American society along partisan Republican/Democratic lines, citing outbreaks of street fighting a la Berkeley and Charlottesville.

But, as Walker points out, "[i]f you flip quickly between small violent clashes and big political disagreements, those big disagreements will look bloodier. But that's an optical illusion." The fighting at the extremes, and between wings of the mainstream political class, doesn't reflect the gooey, ever-shifting political center where most Americans live.

Elections are centrifuges which temporarily spin that center out into two halves (with a small remainder of third party voters), after which the people involved go back to living with each other in relative peace. Which is why, as Walker writes, "a near-future war with two clear sides and Gettysburg-sized casualty counts is about as likely as a war with the moon."

Another reason to doubt predictions of such clear-cut conflict is geography.

Even in America's last Civil War, the lines of demarcation weren't quite so clear as we like to see them in retrospect. The status of Missouri, Kentucky, eastern Tennessee and western Virginia vis a vis Union and Confederacy were very much up in the air through much of the war.

Today, the lines are even more blurry. "Red" states abut "blue" states and "purple" is a thing too. Purple Colorado is surrounded by a sea of red. The reliably Democratic west coast states are across the country from most of their partisan sister polities. "Live free or die" New Hampshire borders the effectively euro-socialist enclave of "Taxachusetts." We're too mixed up to break up.

So, if we can't get along and we can't separate, why not just abandon the notion of geographic state monopolies and let people choose the kinds of governance they want in situ at a more granular level?

It's called panarchy, defined by John Zube as "[t]he realization of as many different, autonomous and voluntary communities as are wanted by members for themselves, all coexisting non-territorially, side by side and intermingled ..."

Sound complicated? It really isn't. All any of us owes his neighbor is justice. Outside that general principle, there's no particular reason that you, me and the person across the street all need answer to the same rulers or get our "public" services from the same providers.

Would an interlocking framework of autonomous, voluntary, non-territorial communities give rise to novel difficulties? Sure. But there's no reason to believe those difficulties would be any worse than those we face now in our one-size-fits-all political system. And we'd be freer to find solutions.
From Paul Craig Roberts Website



Abraham Lincoln memorial

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When I read Professor Thomas DiLorenzo's article the question that lept to mind was, "How come the South is said to have fought for slavery when the North wasn't fighting against slavery?"

Two days before Lincoln's inauguration as the 16th President, Congress, consisting only of the Northern states, passed overwhelmingly on March 2, 1861, the Corwin Amendment that gave constitutional protection to slavery. Lincoln endorsed the amendment in his inaugural address, saying "I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable."

Quite clearly, the North was not prepared to go to war in order to end slavery when on the very eve of war the US Congress and incoming president were in the process of making it unconstitutional to abolish slavery.

Here we have absolute total proof that the North wanted the South kept in the Union far more than the North wanted to abolish slavery.

If the South's real concern was maintaining slavery, the South would not have turned down the constitutional protection of slavery offered them on a silver platter by Congress and the President. Clearly, for the South also the issue was not slavery.

The real issue between North and South could not be reconciled on the basis of accommodating slavery. The real issue was economic as DiLorenzo, Charles Beard and other historians have documented. The North offered to preserve slavery irrevocably, but the North did not offer to give up the high tariffs and economic policies that the South saw as inimical to its interests.

Blaming the war on slavery was the way the northern court historians used morality to cover up Lincoln's naked aggression and the war crimes of his generals. Demonizing the enemy with moral language works for the victor. And it is still ongoing. We see in the destruction of statues the determination to shove remaining symbols of the Confederacy down the Memory Hole.

Today the ignorant morons, thoroughly brainwashed by Identity Politics, are demanding removal of memorials to Robert E. Lee, an alleged racist toward whom they express violent hatred. This presents a massive paradox. Robert E. Lee was the first person offered command of the Union armies. How can it be that a "Southern racist" was offered command of the Union Army if the Union was going to war to free black slaves?

Virginia did not secede until April 17, 1861, two days after Lincoln called up troops for the invasion of the South.

Surely there must be some hook somewhere that the dishonest court historians can use on which to hang an explanation that the war was about slavery. It is not an easy task. Only a small minority of southerners owned slaves. Slaves were brought to the New World by Europeans as a labor force long prior to the existence of the US and the Southern states in order that the abundant land could be exploited. For the South, slavery was an inherited institution that pre-dated the South. Diaries and letters of soldiers fighting for the Confederacy and those fighting for the Union provide no evidence that the soldiers were fighting for or against slavery.

Princeton historian, Pulitzer Prize winner, Lincoln Prize winner, president of the American Historical Association, and member of the editorial board of Encyclopedia Britannica, James M. McPherson, in his book based on the correspondence of one thousand soldiers from both sides, What They Fought For, 1861-1865, reports that they fought for two different understandings of the Constitution.

As for the Emancipation Proclamation, on the Union side, military officers were concerned that the Union troops would desert if the Emancipation Proclamation gave them the impression that they were being killed and maimed for the sake of blacks. That is why Lincoln stressed that the proclamation was a "war measure" to provoke an internal slave rebellion that would draw Southern troops off the front lines.

If we look carefully, we can find a phony hook in the South Carolina Declaration of Causes of Secession (December 20, 1860) as long as we ignore the reasoning of the document. Lincoln's election caused South Carolina to secede. During his campaign for president Lincoln used rhetoric aimed at the abolitionist vote. (Abolitionists did want slavery abolished for moral reasons, though it is sometimes hard to see their morality through their hate, but they never controlled the government.)

South Carolina saw in Lincoln's election rhetoric intent to violate the US Constitution, which was a voluntary agreement, and which recognized each state as a free and independent state. After providing a history that supported South Carolina's position, the document says that to remove all doubt about the sovereignty of states "an amendment was added, which declared that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States, respectively, or to the people."

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By Steve Hochstadt



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An unfamiliar word is suddenly appearing in our public conversations -- antifa, short for anti-fascist. It's not a new word -- opposition to fascism is as old as fascism itself. And so is the discomfort that the American political establishment feels about people who strongly oppose fascism.

The white supremacy movement that showed itself openly in Charlottesville criticizes anti-fascists for, of all things, violence, always trying to distract attention from their own violence. Now the mainstream is helping to make antifa a cursed label. The "Atlantic" equates antifa with "the violent left" alongside a photo of a burning fire extinguisher, and CNN congratulates itself on "unmasking the leftist Antifa movement."

The real history of fascism and anti-fascism takes a beating. Fascism as a political idea originated in Italy in the early 20th century, and hundreds of fascist movements sprang up across the world in the 1930s. German National Socialism became the most powerful, but fascists also took control in Spain under Franco and in Portugal under Salazar. As Nazi Germany occupied most of Europe after 1939, fascist movements in Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, and Albania exercised power under German domination. Excited fascists created parties in the oldest democracies in Great Britain and the US.

Fascism is much more than white supremacy, anti-semitism, waving swastikas and giving the Hitler salute. It is a theory of society and government that disdains democracy for dictatorship, crushes labor unions in favor of corporate capitalism under full government control of the economy, espouses militant nationalism and male power.

Although the abhorrent qualities of fascism were abundantly clear in the ideas and actions of Mussolini and Hitler in the 1920s, opposing fascism made one suspect in America. Leaders of the American Legion, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the resurgent KKK, and national leaders like Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh attacked Jews and sympathized with Nazi ideas.

When Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy attacked democratic Spain in 1936, the US and Great Britain remained neutral. Many Americans did not -- thousands, mainly from the left, took up the banner of anti-fascism and volunteered to defend the Spanish Republic. They were then tormented by the American establishment in the anti-communist rage of the 1950s. It was impossible to hate "red" too much, but hating American manifestations of brown racist violence was suspect.

Today there are very few real fascists in the US. Our home-grown far-right fringe movements combine white supremacy with extreme individualism against government control, wild interpretations of America's founding documents, but not one-man rule.

Unlike the proud fascists of the 1930s, right-wing ideologues today use "fascism" as a pejorative to attack liberals, fantasizing links between Nazis and Americans. When Sean Hannity characterizes the mainstream media as "fascist," it is clear that the word has lost any clear meaning.

When American racism was confronted in the 1960s, American historians, some of whom went into the streets, too, began to challenge the sanitized version of our bloody and brutal history of white supremacy that had become official history, universally taught to American schoolchildren, like me. They wrote a better history in the last 50 years, closer to what Americans experienced, freer of partisan politics, more attentive to the lives of average Americans. At the same time, conservatives promoted even more public veneration of Confederate leaders and their slave state, a second wave of Confederate monument building.

This better history corrects the image of American protesters that was so convenient for the conservative establishment. Instead of glorifying the KKK as true, if extreme, Americans, while striking workers, pacifists, and opponents of racism were dangerous law-breakers with foreign beliefs, the responsibility for violence in the service of anti-American ideas is laid where it belongs.

But it took Dylann Roof's demonstration about the connection among Confederacy, racism, and murder to end the run of Hollywood's and the FBI's and conservatives' Passion Play about the Lost Cause and bring this new history into public discussion. In just two years, universities, cities, organizations, corporations, legislatures, and political leaders have taken big steps toward facing their own histories.

There are 700 monuments and statues to the Confederacy, 100 schools, countless license plates, many military bases, county and city names. North Carolina has built 35 new ones since 2000.

The beginning of real change has brought out the howls of the far right, echoed too often in the mainstream. Some antifas are looking for violence. So are some Republican politicians, like Montana's Greg Gianforte. But neither Republicans as a whole nor antifas in general promote or participate in violence.

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The Trump administration's discriminatory citizenship policies have served to fuel white nationalism across the United States.

From California to Virginia, white supremacists have terrorized communities as Americans have watched in dismay. The most recent attack occurred at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville when hundreds of Klansmen and Neo-Nazis chanting "Jew will not replace us" and "White lives matter" beat up a small group of student activists ahead of a planned "Unite the Right" rally.

The torch-wielding white nationalists attacked students en route to St. Paul's Memorial church where civil rights leaders Dr. Cornell West and Traci Blackmon were addressing an interfaith community of Black Lives Matter activists. In an interview for Democracy Now, Dr. West remarked on the notable lack of police protection for students and clergy that evening.

Many journalists reported heavily armed white nationalists attacking counter-demonstrators while police stood looking on. When a Jewish synagogue was menaced by Neo-Nazis, it was similarly denied police protection. Black Lives Matter activist De'Andre Harris was beaten unconscious by white supremacists around the corner from the Charlottesville police station.

The violence culminated with the murder of Heather Heyer, a labor organizer killed when a car driven by a white supremacist from Vanguard America smashed into protesters of the "Unite the Right" rally.

Largely in response to the protests of anti-DAPL and Black Lives Matter activists, conservative politicos in several states have proposed laws to protect drivers who run down protesters. These "laws" have received backing by police unions in Texas and Florida.

It would seem that police public relations are dipping to a nadir.

Last month, when Donald Trump made a speech to the Long Island police department, he encouraged officers to mishandle alleged Latino gang members amid laughter and applause.

In the troubled months since Trump assumed Presidency, the country has been thrown into turmoil as his administration seeks to effectively redefine U.S. citizenship. His call for a Muslim ban against people of the Islamic faith along with accelerated deportation raids for undocumented workers discriminates against already vulnerable populations.

It is arguable that such policies have made our country any safer.

More recently, Trump has said he will cut immigration in half by restricting future immigrants to those of English speaking ability, a measure that flies in the face of the linguistic diversity that is America's lived historical experience. Needless to say, Trump's efforts to demarcate U.S. citizenship along religious and ethnic lines have stoked the flames of xenophobic white nationalism.

As a result, state, county, and municipal authorities have struggled to maintain cohesion in the face of the Trump administration's dangerous instability. Shortly after he became President, municipalities across the nation declared themselves sanctuary cities in response to his orders for accelerated ICE raids on undocumented immigrants.

Here in California, Senate Bill 54 - also known as the California Sanctuary State Bill- seeks to countermand some of the broad powers of federal authorities and return a modicum of sanity to our state's immigration policies.

As such, it prevents state law enforcement agencies from divulging the immigration status of the incarcerated to ICE agents. It also protects immigrants' identities in public schools, medical clinics, and courthouses.

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"Therefore the heart of our creed is this: What is good for the White Race is the highest virtue; what is the bad for the White Race is the ultimate sin. We call this our Golden Rule." Ben Klassan, "White Man's Bible."

Or people can choose beliefs that defy scientific evidence like the belief that climate change isn't real.

Beliefs tell us little, at least little of worth, about the world in which we live -- about the moon, biological differences, or global warming. Yet the right to choose our beliefs is guaranteed by the Constitution, even if our choices are ignorant and biased. It's one of the freedoms we enjoy in this great nation, a freedom paid for and guaranteed by the blood and sacrifice of many brave Americans, many of who, ironically, are the objects of such ignorance and bias. While a person's beliefs tell us little about the world, it does, however, provide us insight into his level of intelligence and moral character.

Limitations on Freedom

Beliefs have relevance, however, because they can influence how people relate to others within the community, what they say and how they act. The right to express these beliefs, freedom of speech, is guaranteed by the First Amendment, something democratic states like our own take very seriously. Speech can be used constructively, to express and communicate ideas for the betterment of the community and of humankind, or destructively as a weapon to threaten, harass, intimidate, coerce, and influence violence. Racists' beliefs, for example, can inspire hatred and violence towards African Americans, gays, Jews, Muslims, etc.

We wage war against hate groups like al Qaeda and Isis, freeze their assets, incarcerate suspected members in deplorable prisons like Guantanamo Bay, and summarily execute their "leaders," including those with American citizenship -- Anwar al-Awlaki, his 16 year old son, and 8 year old daughter -- the deaths of the latter two being explained as collateral damage. We feel justified in doing so, not because we disagree with their hateful beliefs and ideology, but rather because they have chosen, allegedly, to act upon their beliefs and influence others to do so as well in a manner that violates the dignity and the rights of other human beings. John Stuart Mill, the progenitor of Libertarianism and strong advocate for individual freedom, recognized the infringement of the rights of others as valid justification for limiting personal liberty. He writes,

"The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it . . . The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others." John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty."

According to Mill, therefore, a person must be allowed to believe and say what he likes, unless and until these beliefs are acted upon and negatively impacts, either directly or indirectly, the well-being, livelihood, and the ability of others to enjoy their rights and to live fulfilling lives.

Even President Trump has admitted, albeit reluctantly, that the Ku Klux Klan, Nazis, White Supremacists, and other hate groups have and continue to prosecute and advocate violence against others based upon religious beliefs, gender, ethnicity, race, and sexual preference. "Racism is evil," Mr. Trump tells us, "and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the K.K.K., neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans."

This characterization and condemnation of such groups is not mere speculation and opinion as their propensity for hatred, intimidation, harassment, coercion, violence, and murder has adequate historical basis and, as evidenced by the recent occurrences in Charlottesville and elsewhere, continues to this day. According to a Department of Justice Study, from 2007 to 2011, an estimated 259,700 hate crime victimizations occurred in the United States. In comparison, according to Aaron Bandler of the Daily Wire, there have been 13 "verifiable radical Islamic terror attacks successfully planned and executed on U.S. soil since Obama first took office in 2009." Ben Klassen, founder and former leader of the World of the Creator, a white supremacist "Christian" organization clearly expressed the agenda and the seriousness of the threat posed by his and similar hate groups.

"We gird for total war against the Jews and the rest of the goddamned mud (non white) races of the world -- politically, militantly, financially, morally and religiously. In fact, we regard it as the heart of our religious creed, and as the most sacred credo of all. We regard it as a holy war to the finish -- a racial holy war. Rahowa! is INEVITABLE. " No longer can the mud races and the White Race live on the same planet."

--Ben Klassen, 1987

How different is Klassen's expression of violent intent from the threatening and hateful rhetoric of the likes of Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi? I am not advocating, of course, that we drone kill Klassen, David Duke, the former Grand Wizard of the KKK, or Dillon Hopper, the leader of the Neo Nazi group that James Field marched with in Charlottesville before killing Heather Heyer, but neither should we view their behavior as free speech and protected under the Constitution. The right to free speech, etc., does not require that we afford the bin Ladens and Baghdadis of the world the means to radicalize and recruit new members, spread their message of hate, and influence other weak minded individuals to commit violence and murder by granting them the opportunity to celebrate their ideology of hate by parading, demonstrating, and speaking at universities. To describe what the Klansmen, Nazis, White Supremacists, etc., say and advocate as protected speech and merely as an expression of their beliefs and ideology is to mischaracterize and diminish the severity of what they advocate and how they behave.

Conclusion

Though clearly repugnant and un-American, it is not the moral depravity of the beliefs of hate groups but their actions -- their provocative speech, violence, and murder -- that are condemnable and must not be tolerated in civilized society. So believe what you want, hate whomever you'd like; even ignorant and biased beliefs are protected under the Constitution. But be warned, should your beliefs and hatred negatively impact the well-being, livelihood, and human rights of other human beings, the state and the people will intervene.

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California has been a leader in the so-called Anti-Trump "Resistance" with everyone from the State's Governor Jerry Brown to the newly minted State Attorney General Xavier Becerra challenging the Federal Government to bring it on. With regular protests occurring in streets from Eureka to San Diego on a near weekly basis, California is ready for a fight.

As much as the growing energy is being directed at an emerging fascist government, the resistance is not just about Trump, but about a system of government that prizes the bottom line of multinational corporations over the lives and welfare of human beings. Endowing corporations with constitutional rights not only makes no logical sense, it is an affront to the very notion of democracy itself, which is translated from the Greek to means "rule by people." In our current political circumstances, not only do multinational corporations have undue influence in every aspect of our daily lives and in the political process, but one could argue that our current commander-in-chief is the physical embodiment of corporate rule and corporate personhood.

At a contentious California Democratic Party (CADEM) Convention in May that saw ideological conflicts between an entrenched establishment of privileged professionals and an emergent grassroots progressive insurgency, there were two notorious doctrines that delegates across the board nevertheless agreed to come down firmly against: the fiction that "corporations are people" and the related fallacy that "money equals political speech". Widespread opposition to these two false doctrines was at the heart of a resolution that Move to Amend introduced to the CADEM resolutions committee for a floor vote during the convention, calling for a 28th Amendment to the US Constitution, which was mandated by nearly 7 million California voters who passed Proposition 59. In a historic vote, delegates passed our resolution without objection, joining 11 other state-level Democratic Parties to support this.

The resolutions committee initially referred this resolution to the executive board (where resolutions often go to die), despite having garnered an initial 66 delegate co-sponsors, well beyond the committee's 25-delegate minimum. The committee presented little reason for its referral, other than alluding to the desire for a "deeper conversation" to be had in a statewide tour to which we were promised to be invited. Such an important conversation is well worth having with communities across California and the rest of the country, a conversation which Move to Amend has worked tirelessly to broach since its launch the day of the Supreme Court's infamous Citizens United decision over seven years ago. But this is a conversation we should have regardless of whether California Democrats support it or not.

In a show of true grassroots organizing, the sponsors of the resolution rallied a team of volunteers, including several delegates, to garner over 450 delegate signatures in less than 24 hours, pushing the resolution to the floor on Sunday, where it passed without objection in an up-or-down vote.

"The resistance is alive and well, but its focus extends far beyond the confines of the Trump administration to the heart of corporate power," said Kimmy Boyle, a local Sacramento Volunteer. "If the people don't speak up in a passionate and sustained way, then we have ceded our democracy."

"Despite the resistance from corporate-sponsored democrats, there were a lot of people who were over-the-top happy to sign on to this resolution. Many were eager to help us out," said Megan Shumway, a Sacramento volunteer. "It was physically demanding for someone with limited abilities, but it was something I needed to do. This was something that we really needed to do."

"Getting this resolution passed by California Democrats was an empowering victory," said Move to Amend intern Delphine Brody, who helped gather delegate signatures at the convention. "Any elected official in California who wants to stay in office should get on board with the We The People Amendment, the only amendment in Congress that would fulfill the Proposition 59 mandate."

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From Alon Ben-Meir Website



Donald Trump - Caricature

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President Trump's new strategy that would presumably win the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan is doomed to fail, just like Bush's and Obama's before him. At best, the reported dispatch of an additional 4,000 American troops as recommended by his security chiefs will prevent the total collapse of Afghanistan and thwart the Taliban from winning. Given the complex nature of the conflict, however, the status quo will not change in any significant way.

One might think that after 16 years, the US should have learned that the Taliban will not be defeated. The only solution rests on a negotiated agreement with the Taliban while inviting the Afghan tribes to do the heavy lifting, as they are the only party who can effectively work with the Taliban to reach an enduring agreement. Together, they can fight against the various terrorist groups that have converged on Afghanistan, because they want to end foreign interventions that have done nothing but cause socio-political havoc and instability since the Soviet invasion in 1979.

The only pointed and correct statement Trump made in his "new strategy" is that the US should not undertake the practice of nation-building, and certainly not dictate how the Afghan people live their lives and govern themselves. The US, with the support of the tribes, should focus on combating terrorism, especially from al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other radical extremist groups.

The Taliban should receive a clear signal that they are an important part of the new strategy to reach a peace accord, provided they demonstrate their willingness to negotiate in earnest, knowing that otherwise they will have to continue to be engaged in an intractable fight against US forces without any chance of succeeding.

It is true and necessary for the US to develop strategic partnerships, especially with India and Pakistan, to help in the fight against terrorism, and use its political, economic, and military assets to that end. However, whereas India would be willing to partner with the US, it is not a given that the besieged Pakistani government will be able to fully commit itself even if it chooses to, because...

(a) the ongoing political turmoil in Islamabad prevents the development of a cohesive policy to combat the plethora of terrorist groups, which makes the task extremely difficult; and

(b) Pakistan does not want to fight the Taliban knowing that they will sooner or later be a part of the Afghan government (if not in control of it), with which they have to coexist.

For these reasons, it is naive to think that after 16 years of fighting, dispatching an additional military force of 4,000 soldiers will change anything. In fact, at its peak over 100,000 American soldiers were unable to dramatically change the dynamic of the conflict and create a sustainable political and security structure that would allow US troops to leave.

No one in the Trump administration, including the Pentagon, is offering any convincing argument that additional forces would win the war. At best, they can arrest the continuing advances of the Taliban, which is now in control of nearly half the country.

Although Trump correctly shifted away from a time-based approach and instead linked it to progress made on the ground, this effort will succeed only if the US immediately embraces peace talks while fighting foreign terrorist groups.

To be sure, there will not be a military solution to the Afghan war. Trump has now the opportunity to change the dynamic of the conflict by looking at the Taliban not as the enemy, but as the partner in the search for a sustainable solution.

The sooner the US accepts this reality the better, so that the US can focus on a practical outcome that can emerge only through negotiations with moderate elements of the Taliban and with full participation of the tribal leaders.

In a conversation I had with Ajmal Khan Zazai, tribal leader and Paramount Chief of Paktia province in Afghanistan (which I discussed in a previous article in July), he noted that previous American military approaches have never had a chance of succeeding, due to their "[obsession] with their version of 'democracy' and 'human rights.' They don't believe in homegrown or Afghan local solutions led by the tribes..." He emphasized the fact that "Afghanistan is a tribal country, the tribes are the past, present, and the future." I fully agree that excluding the tribes from this battle against violent extremism, including al-Qaeda and ISIS, will simply not work.

To prevent repeating past mistakes, the Trump administration must now reach out to the tribal chiefs and together develop a strategy that would allow the Taliban to fully participate in peace talks with the objective of reaching a long-term solution.

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Whether the rippling effect of a Trump election or not, in 2017 fear of equal opportunity, heritage of immigration diversity and becoming America's new minority -- has thrown its panicked gauntlet at the feet of America's character.

American History is a continuing roller-coaster ride of memories from differing points of view. Rattled by suspicions of betrayal, drives many to betray, love thy neighbor as thyself.

Our history is in the making, and the maker, but only in America do we celebrate rebellion against our Constitution, which guarantees Freedom of Speech when in union with the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government.

As incompetent as Donald Trump is, it's not just his dishonesty, or even his Pilate-like washing his hands of Afghanistan, turning it over to generals for endless war -- it's that, 67% of Republicans support his response to the domestic terrorism invading American cities.

When Native Americans protested the Dakota Access Pipeline to protect water, environment and their sacred land, they were shot with rubber bullets by North Dakota police, but when armed white supremacists attacked interdenominational clergy, who were obeying their permit to peacefully assemble, police protection was frozen in place, until Charlottesville citizens put themselves between the assaulted clergy and the Brown Shirts style menace.

Seven score and twelve years ago American families fought over preserving, protecting and defending a new nation conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men were created equal vs. the right for plantation owners fearful of economic loss to incite secession from America.

750,000 Americans died from decease, malnutrition, imprisonment and combat. In 2012 numbers, 7.5 million died for opposite definitions of America -- in a war more temporarily muted by presidential Emancipation and assassination than ended by two generals exchanging personal interpretations of the greater good.

Still David Duke and company deny us, peace and goodwill toward all, and in 2017, statues are the latest excuse for incivility, gerrymandering, second-class citizenship, Hate Speech for Free Speech and murder, when an American's skin is a tanner hue, religion non-Christian, gender female, politics not Conservative, sexual preference not hetero -- when not Bannon/Gorka/Miller clones.

Arguably, Alt-Right and bigots are interchangeable, but the former portends fresh faces -- not older Open Carry,carrying neo-Nazi and Confederate flags. From eye-witnesses to the University Tiki-torch parade Friday August 11, 2017, the Alt-Right are, Bannon babies -- twenty-somethings being radically educated, not to be the tip of the spear, but the point of a sharpened cue stick.

The descendants of Jefferson Davis and Generals Lee & Stonewall Jackson have condemned the violence in the name of their ancestors, and joined the call to put Confederate statues in museums where they can be venerated by anyone wishing to relive the 19th century in 21st century air-conditioned comfort.

Any nation so conceived and so dedicated, was not lulled back into civil war because of a February 1915 Birth of a Nation, promoting good guy images of the Klan. Nonetheless, to be vigilant, we need emulate the nine Tougaloo College students who, on May 27, 1961, exercised their right to do homework in a Jackson Mississippi library. Their read-in illuminated what they were for -- not forces they opposed.

What if, in the 1930s, no Germans attended Hitler rallies?

What if we fired McConnell's GOP for having physically challenged Americans in peaceful assembly, dragged from their wheel chairs and removed from the halls of Congress?

What if we ask DHS why it's halting funding plans for, Life After Hate, Sammy Rangel's anti-white extremism group?

It's not about statues. Racism is not symbolism. It's people so fearful of national evolution, they elect international isolation.

Although, not the light of the world, we are the dawns early light, eclipsing the bully's hate, the politician's fear and waging of endless war, in silence.
Google announced the official name of this years update of Android and fairly unsurprisingly, its named after Americas favorite fake cookie. Android Oreo is slowly being rolled out to devices (or very slowly depending on what phone you have), but Nexus and Pixel phones will be getting it first.

While this isnt an overhaul of the mobile operating system, there are some nice additions to Android, as well as some disappointments. Lets go through it:

We tend to think of performance merely in terms of processors and horsepower, but the improvements Google is making with Android Oreo really show how much you can do on the software side of things.

Google claims that 8.0 significantly boosts tasks and speed, such as a 2x boot speed when powering up (on the Google Pixel). Furthermore, Oreo works harder to lower background activity of apps to help with both performance and battery life. Ill have to use it more to really see the difference for myself, but Im hopeful.

Following suit from what Apple did with the iPad last year, Google is now bringing a Picture-in-Picture mode to Android. Android already has split-screen multitasking, but you can now bring a smaller-windowed app with you as you do other things. It can moved around, resized and closed all with just a series of different swipes.

Picture-in-picture mode works with nearly all apps, though it really only seems useful with things like YouTube or a note-taking app.

Android has been great at notifications for quite some timeand it looks like its only getting better in Oreo. Weve now got notification dots next to each of the apps that have a notification. They look similar to the dots that iOS icons get when they need to be updated.

The dot disappears once the notification is either cleared notification drawer or addressed within the app itself. As always, notification settings can also be modified so youre only getting the kind of notifications you want.

Finally! Copy and Paste will probably never be good on smartphones, but Google is finally giving us a nice update to the annoying function that we have to force ourselves through too often.

The actual copying function isnt any differentit still requires a long press and some fiddling around with selection arrows. But now, using Googles advanced AI, it can give you an easy alternative pasting the information into a different text field. Android will attempt to figure out what you want to do with your clipboard, whether thats open an address in Google Maps, an email address in Gmail or a phone number in the dialer.

With Android Oreo, Google has completely redesigned its set of emojis. While we will be getting all sorts of new emojis, we are losing the cute, weird, and most importantly distinctive emoji set commonly known as the blob emojis.

The new set matches more closely what iOS users have, only uglier.

A true Night Mode is something Android fans have been clamoring for for years now. There is a makeshift Night Mode in certain Android skins such as on the OnePlus 5, but nothing official from Google.

Digging through Settings isnt fun for anyone, and no matter how familiar I am it, I still find myself getting lost once and awhile. In Oreo, Settings have been redesigned, things have been renamed for seemingly no reason, and various settings have been moved into different categories.

While Id hope that there are good reasons for doing so (after all, I already felt that Settings was unorganized), it will no doubt take some time to get used to.
China tried to build a road in Indias sphere of influence, so the two powers are feuding. We need to pay attention.

The peace of the world is like the health of the body: given how many moving parts there are, its amazing the machine breaks down so rarely. Our well-being has less to do with everything running perfectly, and more to do with what doesnt go wrong. Woody Allen said ninety percent of success is showing up. Just as being a good parent is mostly about being theresoberpeace is largely about not shooting. China and India arent firing. Yet. The merely complainand occasionally just cast stones at each other. Literally.

The size of the contenders would impress anyone with a sense of scale, or at least anyone who has ever had to balance a budget for a ROTC field trip. Imagine the latrine facilities required for this trifling affairwhich so far has amounted to a stare-offand you will appreciate the scale of the problem.

The leviathan Peoples Liberation Armyeasily the colossalest collection of armed manpower on Earthis scowling at the Armed Forces of the Republic of India. The two are generally accommodating acquaintances and if not friends, which is crucial distinctions to make. The pair have been tied together since the dawn of history. They were amigos in ancient times: a pair of great empires separated by the best fence neighbors ever had, the Himalayas.

Generally, Sino-Indian ties have had been strange since 1947, when India gained independence, and 1949, when Mao declared the Peoples Republic. The last time they fought was in 1962 over a barren set of mountaintops. Armed men froze in high places for land a Kentucky meth cooker wouldnt spit at. It was war, which meant stupid pride over wise survival. The Dalai Lama, decolonialization, and Communism were also involved. The reason we dont remember it in the west is:

1) We are provincial, and

2) It happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when America had other matters on its mind.

By the end of the party, the Indian territory of Aksai Chin was handed to Beijing, and approximately two thousand souls perished above the sky so cartographers could work an extra weekend redrawing boundary lines. Since then, the two powers have mostly been at rest, like Newtons unacted-upon bodies.

Until this summer.

According to Business Insider:

The latest incident comes amid an ongoing dispute between the two sides over a strategic Himalayan plateau thousands of kilometres away where hundreds of Indian and Chinese soldiers have been facing off against each other for more than two months. The border trouble began in June when Chinese soldiers started to extend a road through the Doklam territory  known as Donglang in Chinese. The area is disputed between China and Bhutan. India, a close ally of Bhutan, then deployed troops to stop the construction project, prompting Beijing to accuse India of trespassing on Chinese soil. China has said India must withdraw its troops before any proper negotiation takes place. India said both sides should withdraw their forces together.

The Insider gets most of the story right. China put down asphalt in a road in a place called Doklam. Thats generally how the Middle Kingdom takes real estate, by highwaying. As the article points out, the area is named Doklam, or Donglang if youre on the other sidelanguage being another tool with which to pummel another fellows cranial space, after all. Doklam is, as they say in conquest games and in grad school parlance, a Contested Area.

In mid-June, Beijing decided to Get Er Done and sent road-building machines to Doklam, down South. China claims Doklam is its own Private Idaho, or whatever the Chinese equivalent of Idaho is. India and the nation-state of Bhutan claim that Doklam is Bhutanese territory. Entirely. This has been simmering for some time. And they decided to force the issue.

As Al-Jazeera notes, it is crucial to maintain the Sino-Indian cold peace. The current leader of India, Modi, has tirelessly worked to maintain better relationships with Beijing. China has been involved in various border disputes for decades, so the awkward question of boundaries is a long-running topic:

There have reportedly been clashes between the two sides, with Chinese and Indian soldiers throwing stones at each other, but so far stopping just short of firing their guns. But tensions are rising every day, with diplomatic patience wearing thin. The two Asian giants, collectively home to a third of humanity, are once again on the verge of direct military conflict with frightening implications for the region and beyond.  The so-called Line of Actual Control (LAC), which separates India from China, is a potentially explosive oxymoron. It is neither a clear line nor is anyone fully in control. The murky territorial boundaries are the poisonous legacy of 19th-century colonialism, when the British Raj and Qing Dynasty sought to negotiate their overlapping imperial boundaries under fluid geopolitical circumstances. With their economies and military capabilities expanding, both modern India and post-Qing China have been pushing the envelope to maximise and mark their territory in the area.

Bhutan is significantly less powerful than India (and China) to put it over-mildly. This is a lightweight getting pummeled in a match against a heavyweight, so another heavyweight (who also happens to manage the first lightweight) jumps in the ring and says hell fight instead. Put it another way: this is India and China. India is Kuwaiting Bhutan; that is, using a smaller ally to push back against the force it needs to feud with. India has no physical claim (they support Bhutans claim), but they have an overwhelming political claim. Bhutan is in the Indian sphere of influence. Under treaties in 1949 and 2007, India has some influence over Bhutans doings. Bhutan is sovereign. Under the terms of the treaty they signed with India they are stronglylet me emphasize stronglyencouraged to cooperate with the Mumbai on its foreign doing and its inner be-ing.

Two days after the initial disagreement, India moved into Doklam to stop China from building. A couple of people have been injured, but no deaths. For now. Standoff. And while Im as averse as anyone to Cillizza-style cliches along the lines of And the world holds it breath, the world is holding its breath. Whats happening here? India knows China claims the land. China knows India claims the land; they all know and are known in turn.

Theres a lot of ink written in old treaties, but some of those agreements were written by colonial masters. In the old days, India and China were dominated. Now India and China are coming into greater strength and power. This sibling rivalry would complicate matters, even if they had been free and independent during the last century. But the agreements set down during the days of humiliation mean that so much is unresolved between the two poles of Asia.

Let me reiterate, in case I have not hammered it home strongly enough, that this blue marbles continued existence is due in large part to what does not go wrong. China and Indias avoidance of a bloodbath is a miracle we ought to give holy thanks for every weekday and thrice on Labor Day. Their mostly-undisturbed peace is a Christmas blessing.

In the 20th century, we saw how far territorial fights can go: all the way to No Mans Land. In the 21st century, with so much more technology, and such larger populations, and with economies spiderwebbed as thick as silk parachute, a big war between giantseven a non-nuclear onewould charbroil the next ten years. India and China are huge and powerful, and nuclear-armed, and both are economically growing at a fantastic rate, and all these factors throw a wrench in predicting the hows and whys of two of the most populous countries on Gods green earth.

If the day arrives when China and India fight, then Pakistan and Bangladesh get roped in. Thats forty-one percent of the human population. Imagine 3 billion people going at it tooth and claw, hammer to anvil. No day at the disco. A bright light, deep silence, and fall down curtain, roll up the sky. With so much at stake, matters must be settled in a peaceful way.

There will be other disagreements to come. Americans ought to consider what happens in Asia, far more frequently than we do. In an old part of the world, a new peace is needed more than ever.
Some constituency executives of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Chiana/Paga Constituency of the Upper East Region have accused Mr. Clement Dandori, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kassena-Nankana West, of aiding some activists of the party in the area to smuggle fertilisers meant for the governments Planting for Food and Jobs policy.



It will be recalled that the Municipal Chief Executive of Kassena-Nankana, Mr. Williams Aduum, during the NPP Regional Delegates Conference in Bolgatanga last month, lamented about the involvement of some NPP activists in the smuggling of fertiliser to neighbouring Burkina Faso.



According to him: Anytime our taskforce is through with them, you see the party people actually coming to plead.



Weeks after the MCEs revelation, some NPP executives in the area told the media at Sirigu, during a press conference led by the Deputy Youth Organiser, Mr. Thomas Akwalase, that,



Mr. Dandori was assisting his Personal Secretary, Daniel Namoo, and two others, Francis Zuadam and Peter Adeyire, to smuggle fertiliser, a claim that has flatly been denied by Dandori.



I went to the district Director of Agriculture with the Constituency Chairman, where they have stored the fertilisers.



They stored it there without his notice. We went to ask the Director, but the time we got there, Daniel Namoo, who is the Secretary to the DCE, was sighted inside the womans care, and he was leading the taskforce that he, the DCE, has set up.



And it was this same taskforce which led those (DCEs) boys to smuggle fertiliser. So, if you want culprits, they were the very people who led the chat. So, we are at a loss that the DCE could send his boys there to go and be looting and smuggling fertiliser that the President has brought to our district to help the farmers, Mr. Akwalase claimed.



Mr. Akwalase predicted doom for the policy in the district, stating that they were at a loss and praying that things would change.



Asked why they couldnt report the alleged smuggling to the Police Service, the Constituency Deputy Youth Organiser alleged that the police were aiding in the smuggling of the fertiliser.



When contacted, the DCE strongly dismissed ever aiding anyone to smuggle fertiliser. Rather, he rhetorically asked how he could have set up a taskforce to curb the menace of fertiliser smuggling in the district, and would still be aiding people to smuggle same.



I am on record to have set up a committee, with the advice of DISEC [District Security Council], to check fertiliser smuggling. I only dissolved that committee when the District Agric Officer said the period for planting for food and jobs was over, and that she was no longer going to entertain the supply of fertilisers to farmers.



And so, I informed DISEC, and then told DISEC that the committee has since dissolved, and so we are withdrawing the committee with the exercise that we enjoined them to do.



So, I dont see how I can set up a committee to support the Agric Department to prevent the smuggling of fertiliser; go the security agencies to check smuggling of fertiliser, and [turn] round to be the person supporting the smuggling of fertiliser, the DCE stated.



In a related development, Mr. Peter Ayinbisa, DCE for Bongo, was not enthused about a court decision over the release of a truck that was impounded by the Bongo police fully loaded with fertilisers in an attempt to smuggle it into Burkina Faso.



The truck, which had loaded from Bolgatanga, was originally assigned to deliver its contents at Kunlungungu, near Bawku, but strangely found its way to Bongo. When the police stopped the truck, the driver jumped out and absconded.



The police then notified the court, and later the owner was identified. After about two months in court, the State Attorney in the region advised the court to release the truck for the police to escort it to its original destination.



Though Mr. Ayinbisa said the State Attorneys advice was adhered to, he was not happy with the release of the truck, because it was a setback to the planting for food and jobs policy, since those in the business of fertiliser smuggling would not be deterre

Source: The Chronicle









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is committed to making the Ghana Publishing Company Limited a powerhouse in publishing once more, Deputy Information Minister, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, said Monday.



As such, the President has pledged his unwavering support in making this company achieve its mandate, Nana Asiamah-Adjei told journalists and staff of the Company as part of her visit to get first-hand information about happenings there.



She visited various departments of the Company and later addressed workers during which she commended both Management and Staff for their hard work and dedication over the years in the heat of several challenges.



My visit today is to interact with you and to have first-hand information of the challenges this great company is going through and find ways of retooling and revamping your operations, she told the cheering crowd, who chanted and clapped their hands unceasingly.



Let me reiterate my outmost commitment in seeing Ghana Publishing Company Limited turn into a formidable force to reckon with in the production industry, she said.



We are pledging to pull every muscle of strength to see this company succeed.



I know the sky will be the limit when this company is fully resourced. Continue working hard and be moved by the can-do spirit and the spirit of patriotism, she added.



Mr David Asante Boateng, the Managing Director of Ghana Publishing Company, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the entire publishing company needed a complete overhaul.



Every single department and the agency section under this whole organisation need proper retooling and recapitalisation, he said.



He said the Company had the right human resources, the capacity to deliver and the skilled men and women but what we lack is the equipment and proper machines.



He expressed the hope that the Deputy Ministers concern and desire to revamp and retool the place would come into reality.



Mr Boateng noted that printing and publishing machines imported about 50 years back had become old and obsolete.



All the structures we work with are so old, we need proper infrastructure uplift, he said.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Director General of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) Nana Agyemang says the country risk a mudslide in certain parts of the country if building permits are granted to individuals to erect structures in disaster prone areas.



More than 400 people have died, and 600 are still missing in Sierra Leone after a mudslide swept away homes on the edge of the capital, Freetown, in one of Africa's worst flood disasters in living memory.



According to him, what happened in Sierra Leone was just negligence on the part government and city authorities who granted permit to citizens to raise structures near the sugar mountain where hundreds of people were washed away in the mudslide.



Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme he recounted how one of their City Engineers was murdered by some residents for advocating against them for erecting buildings near the sugar mountain where the mudslide has claimed hundreds of lives.



"If we decide to be hard and crack the whip on people who have erected structures in areas like Weija and other earth quake prone areas where any earth quake tremor will cause a mudslide like what happened in Sierra Leone, you will see how people will be agitated and be blaming the government.



"As I am talking to you now, a total of about 490 have been buried where as about 600 people are still missing and unaccounted for," he added.



We are here providing technical support and assistance to the government and the affected.



"We have also met with the Ghanaian Community here and have asked them to observe every education on the safety tips we have given them to avert any disaster, adding that there are lots of education we need to learn as a country from what has happenned in the Sierra Leone," he explained.



Crew and aid workers continue the grim work of extracting bodies from tonnes of debris after fierce storms left impoverished, low-lying areas of Freetown buried.



Volunteers have been digging with pickaxes and, at times, only their hands.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Ghana faces an influx of refugees from neighbouring Togo following political unrest aimed at deposing President Faure Gnassingbe.



'Weaker' Togolese residents have been urged to move to Ghana, a decision a protester described as "wise" as signals point to another round of protests.



A protest last Saturday left seven dead and 27 protesters including leading members of Togos opposition PNP party arrested.



A woman who spoke to Joynews in Lome urged her country men and women to take advantage of the three borders in Burkina to the north, Benin to the East, Ghana to the West to escape to safety if they find the struggle too risky to join.



"If you are not strong and fit, move out of Togo to Ghana...there is no time to waste. Pregnant women and children should all come out of their homes".



"Not everyone can fight this battle," she warned.



The Gnassingbe family has been ruling Togo since 1967 after a coup by Eyadema.



His son, Faure, was sworn in after he died on February 5, 2005, although the constitution mandates the President of the National Assembly should become acting President. Since then, Faure who is also new chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has won three presidential elections albeit under controversial circumstances.



His 2015 presidential victory was condemned by observers as replete with irregularities. But the 50-year hold on power has however come under fresh challenge. Political forces resisting President Faure Gnassingbe are not backing down on their demands for the Constitution to be amended to prevent his familys continued stay in power.



There are reports, opposition parties are united in the push to break up the Gnassingbe political dynasty. They are bent on organising another demonstration Friday, Joy News has learnt.

Source: myjoyonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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All is set for Ghana to launch a satellite dish that would enable scientists from around the world to view and study the world space from within the country at Kuntunse, near Accra.



The launching of the first phase of the conversion of a telecom dish into a Satellite dish on Thursday August 24 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would make Ghana the second country in Africa to own a satellite dish after South Africa.



After the launching, the second phase of the 32-meter antenna involving more engineering work would be carried out to help increase the sensitivity and speed of the dish from 0.09 degrees per second to 0.3 degree per seconds.



During a media briefing in Accra, officials from the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and the South Africa based Square Kilometer Array Africa (SKA Africa), who collaborated to sponsor and build the dish told journalists that the facility would help put Ghana on a higher pedestal of countries that are into space science.



Professor Dickson Adomako, Director of the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) of the GAEC, said the first phase of the dish to be launched involved the structural work of the antenna, electrical works and the total configuration of the antenna which used to be a redundant telecommunication dish belonging to Vodafone Ghana that used to only point at one direction.



He the dish which can move to all directions, pointing to a particular source that one want to target, was built by Ghanaian artisans who were trained by South African experts. He said currently, there are some science commissioning going on at the Kuntunse site to be able to detect some of the celestial bodies to prove the effectiveness of the dish.



He said by the middle of 2019, the SKA Africa partners would totally hand over the dish to the Ghanaian community to manage. Speaking on the benefits of the Satellite dish to Ghana, Prof Adomako said many young Ghanaian scientists have been trained both in South Africa and in Ghana for their PhDs as well as in the UK where some Ghanaians are being trained as astronomists and astrophysics to help man the dish.



He said many electrical engineers, software engineers, and mechanical engineers as well as certified welders have been trained to become very useful in the society. He said a lot of data on various entities could be gathered with the dish to help institutions and the country to plan better. On the direct usefulness of the dish to citizens, Prof Adomako said: this is purely science work but if you look into the heavens there are a lot of giant clouds that consist of gases and dust, planet and a whole lots of things.



And then the universe is still expanding and so when we look at the stars or point at a planet we will be able to know about the composition, movement, and structure of the universe which scientists are more eager to learn and know about. But to the layman, the benefits will be the spinoffs that we can get out of what we are doing. Also a lot of astronomers will be coming to Ghana which would enhance the network of what Ghanaian scientists are doing in that area. Because it is a big data that we are going to work with and that will increase internet facility within that area, it will be a source of tourists attraction with many astronomers coming to Ghana and will serve as a form of income generation to the country. Ghana is almost positioned at the centre of the world and so with this Dish you can see the northern hemisphere as well as the southern and so there are of opportunities for other astronomers to come and use the facility.



He said in all nine partner African countries including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, and Madagascar, who are studying the success of Ghanas satellite to enable them also launch and use theirs in their respective countries.



Prof said the internet connectivity within the Kuntunse area has improved so well while the roads within the vicinity has been constructed. Ms Anita Loots, Head of Africa Planning Office of the SKA Africa, said Ghanas satellite dish is a timely facility that would help in the effort of African scientists finding solutions for Africa.



She said: attaining the SDGs depends very much on Africas ability to gather data on health, education, agriculture, sanitation and the economies to make informed decision, and that was what the satellite dish would help in attaining.



Ms Loots said after the handing over of the facility to Ghana in 2019, the country would need to deploy its Science, Technology and Innovation funds being established by government through the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation to train many more people to get into laboratories and explore their scientific talents and come out with the best solutions for Africa.



She said South Africa supported the construction of Ghanas dish with GH30 million from their African Renaissance fund. Ghana is also supporting the construction with two million Ghana cedis until the 2019 period.

Source: 3news.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Congratulations to Mikaa for winning a trip to Lenzerheide next year! Here's what you have to look forward to:

- Three nights in a 4-star hotel for you and a friend.

- Lift passes for both of you during the full trip.

- 420 travel budget per person to get to Lenzerheide.

We'll be in touch in the next few days to start planning the trip, so keep an eye on your emails!

Check out the Andy & Dimitri videos below if you didn't get a chance and head over to our Facebook for updates on Lenzerheide Bikepark!

About Lenzerheide

Situated in the canton of Graubunden, Switzerland and surrounded by 500km of signposted trails, Lenzerheide has recently developed into a paradise for mountain bikers. Amidst the hype surrounding carbon, suspension travel and tyre sizes, the bike region focuses on its indigenous strengths.With great passion, aided by the multifaceted weather conditions, Grisons soil, stone and wood have been turned into diverse trails, allowing every biker to find their flow in this fun-filled playground.The downhill tracks differ not only in their degree of difficulty but also in terms of character. In addition to simple flowline for beginners and families, the shoreline, styleline and primeline offer big berms, wooden bridges, jumps, boxes and other elements to make the tracks as fun as possible. The straightline presents the highest level of difficulty and promises a challenging downhill track in steep terrain to really get your blood pumping!For more information about Lenzerheide Bike Park, click HERE @LenzerheideBikepark
The legacy of Tony de Brum, a Nobel Peace prize nominee last year and champion of climate-change issues, is being remembered.

The Marshall Islands' former foreign minister has died, according to the Pacific Islands News Agency on Tuesday.

At past United Nations negotiations in Paris, tasked with reaching a new global deal to combat climate change, the Marshall Islands' former chief diplomat pushed for a deal strong enough to hold global warming to no more than 2 degrees Celsius, half the 4-degree temperature rise scientists say the world is headed for now, Reuters reported in 2015.

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"The thought of just surrendering to climate change and saying we cannot do anything about it when the science and technology is there, when we just lack the political will to move it forward, is a terrible, terrible thing," de Brum is quoted in the Reuters interview.

Ari Shapiro, host of "All Things Considered" on National Public Radio, said in a tribute yesterday, "We're going to remember a man who fought for the survival of his nation, the Marshall Islands."
PR-Inside.com: 2017-08-23 22:09:01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOUSTON, August 23, 2017 - Atwood Oceanics, Inc. (NYSE: ATW) announced today that the offshore employees of its Australian operating subsidiary have approved a new four year Enterprise Bargaining Agreement ("EBA"). Among other provisions, the EBA provides clarity on working conditions for Atwood Oceanics' Australian offshore employees and resets wage levels to better align with current offshore drilling industry market conditions. The EBA will take effect upon the expiry of the nominal term of the current EBA on 24 November 2017, once it is approved by the Australian Fair Work Commission (which is anticipated to occur in September).

Rob Saltiel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atwood Oceanics, commented, "We are very pleased that our Australian offshore employees have ratified the new EBA. This is an agreement which has been developed after constructive negotiations with the employees directly affected, as occurred with our previous EBAs. Through application of cost reduction initiatives and innovative approaches to offshore employment, this agreement will reduce offshore personnel costs by more than 19% in its first year and will allow Atwood Oceanics to provide our clients in Australia superior drilling services at more competitive day rates over the next years. We have operated in Australia since 1972, and we look forward to a bright future in this important offshore energy market."

Atwood Oceanics, Inc. is a leading offshore drilling contractor engaged in the drilling and completion of exploratory and developmental wells for the global oil and gas industry. The Company owns 10 mobile offshore drilling units and is constructing two ultra-deepwater drillships. The Company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Atwood Oceanics, Inc. common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ATW."

Contact: Mark W. Smith

Senior Vice President and CFO

(281) 749-7840

Forward Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release with respect to the future, including the anticipated date of approval by the Australian Fair Work Commission and levels of employment cost reductions, are forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's reasonable judgment with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various factors including: uncertainties related to the level of activity in offshore oil and gas exploration and development; oil and gas prices; competition and market conditions in the contract drilling industry; our ability to enter into and the terms of future contracts; possible cancelation or suspension of drilling contracts; the availability of qualified personnel; labor relations; operating hazards and risks; terrorism and political and other uncertainties inherent in foreign operations (including risk of war, civil disturbances, seizure or damage to equipment and exchange and currency fluctuations); the impact of governmental and industry laws and regulations; and environmental matters. These factors and others are described and discussed in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K, in our Forms 10-Q for subsequent periods and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Each forward looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement and we undertake no duty to update the content of this press release or any forward-looking statement contained herein to conform the statement to actual results or to reflect changes in our expectations.





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: Atwood Oceanics, Inc. via Globenewswire


PR-Inside.com: 2017-08-23 22:13:13

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 395 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Emerald Bay Energy Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Calgary, Alberta (FSCWire) - Emerald Bay Energy Inc. (TSX Venture:EBY). has issued a press release with the following headline:Emerald Bay Announces Closing of Private PlacementTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Emerald Bay Energy Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Emerald Bay Energy Inc.Source: Emerald Bay Energy Inc. (TSX Venture: EBY, OTC Bulletin Board: EMBYF)Date: August 23, 2017Time: 4:13 PM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Emerald Bay Energy Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-08-23 16:02:01

NEWTOWN, Pa., Aug. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM), a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and software development services, will host the Scratch Conference in Budapest, Hungary from August 24-25, 2017. The event is one of six conferences held globally to bring together hundreds of Scratch educators and IT experts.

Developed by MIT, Scratch is a foundational tool and coding platform used primarily by children to learn the basics of programming. During this free event, attendees will hear from over 60 experts and explore all facets of computing, including best practices in using Scratch and additional tools that integrate with the platform. Several renowned speakers will attend the conference including Mitchel Resnick, Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab and Chair of the Scratch Foundation; Ariam Mogos, Learning Lead, Office of Innovation at UNICEF; and Genevieve Smith-Nunes, Entrepreneur and a Lecturer at Roehampton University School of Education.

"Scratch provides children with a way to express themselves through technology, teaching them critical thinking skills while giving them confidence to create and design," said Larry Solomon, Chief People Officer, EPAM. "We support Scratch, not only through the Scratch Conference, but through our global EPAM e-Kids program. Our employees love sharing their passion for technology with the boys and girls who will become the workforce of the future."

EPAM e-Kids challenges primary-aged children to find a connection with coding through hands-on challenges and close mentorship opportunities. Currently, over 700 EPAM employees volunteer with 1,200 e-Kids students in 14 countries by hosting coding classes, hackathons and community events. For more information about EPAM's work in improving the IT knowledge among children across the globe, visit https://www.epam.com/about/company/social-responsibility.

About EPAM Systems

Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM) has leveraged its core engineering expertise to become a leading global product development and digital platform engineering services company. Through its 'Engineering DNA' and innovative strategy, consulting, and design capabilities, EPAM works in collaboration with its customers to deliver innovative solutions that turn complex business challenges into real business opportunities. EPAM's global teams serve customers in over 25 countries across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. EPAM is a recognized market leader among independent research agencies and was ranked #12 in FORBES 25 Fastest Growing Public Tech Companies, as a top information technology services company on FORTUNE'S 100 Fastest-Growing Companies, and as a top UK Digital Design & Build Agency. Learn more at http://www.epam.com/ and follow us on Twitter @EPAMSYSTEMS and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EPAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law.
Nepal is safe and enjoyable for solo travelers. There are group joining trekking, rafting, Jungle safari and other activities solo traveler can join. Popular trekking trails have good indications, well established lodges and scores of western trekkers during the peak season. Traveling alone to Nepal, one can follow their timetable and pace but also can get along with interesting people.

View of Dhaulagiri range from Pun Hill

PR-Inside.com: 2017-08-22 10:35:42

Press Information

https://www.itournepal.com/joingroup.php

Nasanh Dyah Marg, Thamel





Kathmandu 44600 , Nepa



Rabindra Adhikari

Tour Manager

977 1 4363643 , 4412011

email

http://www.itournepal.com





# 393 Words

Nasanh Dyah Marg, ThamelKathmandu 44600 , NepaTour Manager977 1 4363643 , 4412011http://www.itournepal.com

According to global peace index, Nepal is the second peaceful country in South Asia. Because of its tolerance to its diverse culture and ethnicity, tourists find it more comfortable and welcoming.Nepal has got short tourist season spanning two months each in spring and Autumn. Monsoon rain lasts from June till September. The snowfall and drop in mercury makes is difficult to traverse high passes while on the trek.While most part of Nepal are remote, only certain regions and places are easily accessible limiting the visitors in only fewer places. Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhra are the major tourists hubs and about 50 % trekkers visit Annapurna region for trekking.This fact makes it easier for individual travelers to find other tourists travelling and doing the same things at the same time. The three cities are well connected by tourist buses that reduces the travelling cost. For those with limited time, there are flights every hour connecting the three cities.There is everyday group joining White water rafting trip in Trishuli River that flows along the highway to Chitwan and Pokhra. A package offer is available with transportation and lunch. The 3 hrs rafting gives a good break from long drive. Transport to Pokhara or Chitwan is also arranged by the organizer.Similarly Safari lodges at Chitwan national park, groups up people staying at the lodge on the same day and carry on the jungle safari activities. Individual travelers always find group safari activities at the park.There are also fixed departure day trips like Bungee jumping, Paragliding, Everest sightseeing flight and more that individuals can join.With little advance notice to some local travel agencies, they can find other individuals looking to join group treks and tours. Nepal is popular base for tours in Tibet. There are fixed departure, group joining tours for Tibet.Normally Tibet tour comes as a package with visa, round trip flight to Lhasa, accommodation and guided tour.It is also not difficult to find individual looking for trekking partner. There are many forums that individual travelers can list their date and trek to find others doing the same.i Tour Nepal P Ltd have been successfully organizing fixed departure, group joining tours and treks. Individuals can visit the companys group joining page and request to list their date and trek to find partner. https://www.itournepal.com/joingroup.php
PR-Inside.com: 2017-08-23 23:32:01

Mr. Jason Tranter, Founder and CEO of Mobius Institute will provide keynote address at Emerson Connect Tour series of events held in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth in 2017.

Mobius Institute Founder Provides Keynote Address at Emerson Connect Series of Events Throughout Australia

Mobius Institute

Kiley Grosso, +1-360-209-5610 (GMT -7)

kiley.grosso@mobiusinstitute.com

Mobius Institute, the worldwide provider of vibration analysis, condition monitoring and reliability training & certification, today announced its CEO, Mr. Jason Tranter will provide the keynote address at the Emerson (NYSE: EMR) Connect Tour series of events held by the Emerson Automation Solutions. The events will host workshops and seminars targeting production optimization, reliability improvement, plant safety and emissions reduction. In addition, its international speakers and local experts will present Reliability & Operational Certainty case studies across multiple industries.

Jason Tranter has 30 years experience in condition monitoring and reliability improvement and is the founder and CEO of Mobius Institute; an organization that provides on-line and live training in the areas of condition monitoring and reliability improvement via nearly 100 training centers in 50 countries worldwide, and provides ISO accredited certification in key condition monitoring technologies. Mr. Tranter has numerous condition monitoring and reliability articles published and has delivered presentations around the world.

Mr. Tranters keynote address, titled Condition Monitoring & Reliability presents how condition monitoring, coupled with the pursuit of improved reliability, can help a business achieve its goals by reducing costs, increasing output, and reducing risk. It will briefly explore these benefits and then demonstrate visually how fixed and rotating equipment provide early warnings of both the pending failure, and the root-causes that result in failure. With the right data, and the appropriate approach, these benefits can be realized.

Mr. Tranter will present his keynote address at Emerson Connect Tour events in Brisbane on August 28, in Melbourne on August 30, and in Perth on September 1, 2017.

About Mobius Institute

Mobius Institute is the premier provider of asset management, reliability improvement, and condition monitoring education and certification to industrial plant managers, reliability engineers and condition monitoring specialists, allowing plants to be successful in implementing reliability improvement programs. Mobius delivers training via public, in-plant and online formats. Mobius key advantage is its unique training style that uses innovative 3D animations and software simulations, making complex topics easier to understand. Mobius Institute Board of Certification is an ISO/IEC 17024 and ISO 18436-1 accredited certification body that provides globally recognized certification to Category I-IV vibration analysts in accordance with ISO 18436-1 and 18436-2. Mobius produces and manages the highly popular International Machine Vibration Analysis Conferences (IMVAC) held in four worldwide locations each year. Mobius Institute has offices in Australia, Belgium and the United States, and authorized training centers in more than 50 countries. For more information, visit www.mobiusinstitute.com or email learn@mobiusinstitute.com or call (+1) 206-842-4000.

Copyright  2017  Mobius Institute - All rights reserved. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201708230058

Mobius Institute Founder provides Keynote Address at Emerson Connect Series of Events throughout Australia.
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for West African Resources Ltd--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Scarborough , Australia (FSCWire) - West African Resources Ltd (TSX Venture:WAF). has issued a press release with the following headline:West African hits 320 g/t Au at M1 SouthTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on West African Resources Ltd, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/West African Resources LtdSource: West African Resources Ltd (TSX Venture: WAF, WKN: A1CZBT, ISIN: AU000WAF6)Date: August 23, 2017Time: 10:10 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of West African Resources Ltd and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Wi2Wi Corporation--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Wi2Wi Corporation (TSX Venture:YTY). has issued a press release with the following headline:Wi2Wi Corporation Announces the Results of Three Months Ended June 30, 2017To view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Wi2Wi Corporation, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Wi2Wi CorporationSource: Wi2Wi Corporation (TSX Venture: YTY, WKN: A1KCTZ, ISIN: CA9774862085)Date: August 23, 2017Time: 11:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Wi2Wi Corporation and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




Cuba Unbound, the #1 active travel authority in Cuba, clarifies confusion about legal travel for U.S. citizens

Contact

Cuba Unbound

***@cubaunbound.com Cuba Unbound

End

-- Cuba Unbound wants the U.S. public to know one thing:"Donald Trump did not stop travel to Cuba," says Brad Moss, Director at Adventure Unbound, the parent company of Cuba Unbound. "We've had an overwhelming amount of people thinking citizens of the United States cannot travel to Cuba anymore. It's just not true."While traditional individual tourism, such as self-planned resort stays and beach vacations, are still prohibited (as they have been for 60 years), individuals can still join group tours on people-to-people itineraries. The official sanctions, anticipated to be released sometime in the coming months, "mainly affect the travelers who, for the past couple of years, checked a box and signed a paper that said, 'yes, I am going on a people-to-people tour,' when, in fact, they weren't," explains Moss. "The new O.F.A.C. regulations are simply tightening that up and making sure travelers are joining a people-to-people group tour. It's really as simple as that."The other regulations are stipulations that companies like Cuba Unbound must follow, such as using only approved hotels on their tours. Travelers interested in visiting Cuba can visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury website for updates and in-depth information about the current policy: https://www.treasury.gov/ resource-center/ sanctions/Progra... Cuba Unbound (www.cubaunbound.com)has taken a lead in the active travel and light adventure niche in Cuba. In addition to their award-winning kayak programs, they have also introduced other people-to-people tours including: national park walking tours, classic cars, rum, and cigars tours, bike tours, and the only people-to-people private catamaran tour."The reality is, if you are a U.S. citizen looking to immerse yourself in the culture of Cuba in a transformative way, we can do things that nobody else can do. We have the equipment for activities nobody else can make happen, have actively trained guides that nobody else has...and best of all, it's legal!" says Moss. "Trump didn't take it away. Don't believe the headlines!"To learn more about Cuba Unbound, visit www.cubaunbound.com or call 800-214-0579.###Adventure Unbound is an active travel company that was born from the award-winning company, ROW Adventures. Started in 1979, ROW Adventures is a tour operator headquartered in Idaho, who has delivered culturally enriching active journeys in countries all around the world. In 2017, ROW Adventures strategically decided to focus the name "ROW" on river rafting and created Adventure Unbound for all other tours. Still under the same roof and umbrella, Adventure Unbound's simple mission is: Travel that Transforms. Learn more at www.unbound.travel.
Cary Moving is offering full moving services for those moving into, within, or out of Cary & Raleigh, NC. These professional services include packing, loading, transportation, and unloading.

By: CaryMoving.com

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-- Cary Moving is offering full professional moving services for those moving into, out of, or within Cary & Raleigh, North Carolina. Additionally, Cary Moving also offers moving supplies for customers - these include special moving boxes, hitches, bubble wrap and other moving supplies.From home and apartment moves to corporate headquarter moves, Cary Moving is available for packing, loading, full transport, and unloading services. Piano moves are also possible as well as long distance moves.Cary Moving employs only trained and experienced movers to assist customers and can be trusted for courteous and professional service along with proper care of the customers' items. Those interested in learning more can browse through the Cary Moving website at www.carymoving.com. Those in need of professional Cary moving services can contact Cary Moving at 919-460-1550.At Cary Moving we make it easy. No matter whether you're moving to a house, apartment, or new corporate headquarters in or around Cary, NC, we can be relied on for fast, efficient, and careful moving services so you can put your mind at ease. We sell moving boxes and other moving supplies, and can be trusted to carefully pack, transport, and unload your things at your new place. We provide affordable, hourly rates and are always on time. We can even accommodate last-minute moves. No matter what you need, we can be expected to provide moving services which go above and beyond expectations. Learn more about our high-quality professional moving services today by browsing through https://carymoving.com . To reach us, just give us a call at 919-460-1550 or fill out the simple contact form found on our website.
Last week, Hollywood actor Goran Visnjic shared a photo on his Instagram from his vacation on Hawaii

By: WorthyNews

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GoranViscnjicFan

***@gmail.com GoranViscnjicFan

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-- Goran Visnjic's friends and followers were delighted with his underwater adventure. The actor dived into the Pacific Ocean while staying in the second-largest Hawaiian island Maui.- I bet it's pretty relaxing to be under the surface, surrounded by various sea creatures. No worries, no stress, nothing  wrote one of his friends.Goran Visnjic, the famous Croatian-American actor, returned to the US after he finished filming the 'General', a feature film and TV series about the life of Croatian general Ante Gotovina.However, before moving on to his next project, Visnjic decided to treat himself with an unforgettable trip to Hawaii, and recharge his batteries. The actor is currently vacationing there, preparing himself for new work victories.After that, Goran Visnjic is traveling back home, as he is supposed to start shooting the second season of the time drama series 'Timeless'. Even though Visnjic plays the series villain Garcia Flynn, he still prefers to call his character the "antagonist". He is not saying he's not a bad guy, he is just saying he is a mystery.Recently, Shawn Ryan and Eric Kripke, the executive producers of 'Timeless', met with the series stars Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter, Malcolm Barrett and Goran Visnjic, in order to discuss what's next for the time-traveling fan-favorite show. Two months after the series cancellation and unexpected return in a surprising twist of events, the entire cast reunited and showed their appreciation towards the fans at San Diego Comic Con.'Timeless' was the only time-travel show that survived the freshman cancellation, and it is all thanks to its loyal fan base that stood up against its demise and made their voice known. One of NBC's executives even told the press that the main reason for their change of hearts was the fans' fervent request to give the series another chance. In the end, everything worked out for the best, as the network decided to bring back the show.After their decision, NBC immediately ordered another season of the freshman sci-fi drama. The network approved only 10 episodes, which is less than a traditional renewal order, but fans, as well as the series stars, are pretty confident that this won't be the last season of the phenomenal show that takes the audience emotionally to a completely different place and time each week.For more interesting news check out his Facebook fanpage at https://www.facebook.com/ GoranVisnjicFanpage/ or https://www.facebook.com/ GoranVisnjicOfficial/
Seventh annual program teaches businesses how to enlist the professional storytellers

By: Above Board Chamber

Contact

Conric PR & Marketing

Josh Milton

***@conricpr.com Conric PR & MarketingJosh Milton

End

-- For the seventh year, Above Board Chamber of Florida presents its popular luncheon program, How to Get Discovered by the Media, from 11:30 a.m.  1 p.m. onMonday, Sept. 11 at Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail North, and Thursday, Sept. 15 at Pelican Preserve Town Center, 10561 Veneto Drive, Fort Myers. Reservations are required at AboveBoardChamber.com. Attendees will have the chance to win valuable media prizes.Reporters and broadcast producers are always on the lookout for great stories about local businesses. How can you get them to pay attention to yours? At How to Get Discovered by the Media, attendees will have an unprecedented opportunity to ask this question directly to local experts representing media outlets including magazines, newspapers, television, radio and online news. Panelists will share stories from the trenches to illustrate how to create an effective pitch, as well as avoid the media's pet peeves.The Naples meeting will be emceed by Sue Huff, owner of E. Sue Huff and Associates, and will feature a panel including Gulfshore Business Associate Publisher Rob Wardlaw; WWDT Telemundo Video Journalist Marilyn Ponce; Jay Schlichter, editor of the Collier Citizen and assistant editor of Turquoise magazine by the Naples Daily News; Stephanie Summers of Fox4 Morning Blend; Southwest Florida Business Today Publisher Karen Moore; Florida Weekly Editor Cindy Pierce; Heidi Raphael, vice president of corporate communications at Beasley Media Group; and Rob Robbins, president and general manager at The CALL Radio Stations.The Fort Myers meeting will be emceed by Connie Ramos-Williams, chief marketing officer and president at CONRIC PR & Marketing, and will feature a panel including News-Press News Director Wendy Fullerton, Gulfshore Business Editor in Chief Phil Borchmann, Southwest Florida Business Today Publisher Karen Moore, Florida Weekly Senior Editor Betty Wells, NBC-2 Anchor Peter Busch, WINK TV Anchor Deanne Brink, Noticias WINK Anchor Stephanie Becerra, Way-FM Station Manager Tom Sullivan and CTN10 TV General Manager Paul Lodato.Registration on or before Wednesday, Sept. 6 will be $25 for members, $30 for guests.Registration on or before Thursday, Sept. 7 will be $25 for members, $30 for guests.The Naples meeting will be sponsored by Tri-Town Construction, CONRIC PR & Marketing, The Arlington of Naples, Fuller Online Solutions and Hilton Naples.The Fort Myers meeting will be sponsored by Tri-Town Construction, CONRIC PR & Marketing and Acarte' Technology.Non-members are encouraged to attend two meetings, then consider joining us to be part of the Above Board Chamber of Florida. To become a member, contact Jeanne Sweeney at 239.910.7426 ( tel:(239)%20910- 7426 ).Special thanks to our 2017 yearly sponsors: CONRIC PR & Marketing, Fuller Online Solutions, E. Sue Huff and Associates, Pulse Technology Solutions, LLC, Spada Salon & Day Spa, Your Walking Billboard, Charlie McDonald Photography, Lady in Pink Photography and Signarama North Fort Myers.The Above Board Chamber of Florida is dedicated to bringing people of all faiths together within the community, in the workplace and amongst one another. Their mission is to supply members with the tools that will allow them to take every aspect of their lives Above Board. For more information on the event or on how to become a member of the Above Board Chamber, contact Jeanne Sweeney at 239.910.7426 (tel:(239)%20910-7426) or visit AboveBoardChamber.com ( http://www.aboveboardchamber.com/ ).
Liliya Krasteva has been appointed as Head of Property Management Bulgaria for Ceres Management Services. Ceres is a company launched by Revetas Capital. In her new role, Krasteva will oversee the property and project management services of Park Center Sofia, Sofia Airport Center (SAC) and MHQ. Part of her priorities

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Should there be a legal market for reselling used digital files, like the secondary market that currently exists for books or CDs in the analog world? Thats the heart of the question now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after a lively hearing on Tuesday in the case of Capitol Records vs. ReDigi.

The appeal hearing comes more than four years after district court judge Richard Sullivan effectively shut down ReDigi, an upstart online service that enabled consumers to resell their legally purchased iTunes files. Users could upload their files to ReDigi; ReDigis technology then removed the files from the seller's device, and transferred them to a buyers device, keeping a 60% cut of the sale price.

Although Sullivan conceded in his March, 2013, summary judgment that ReDigis program mimicked the analog resale of a copyrighted work, (which is protected under section 109 of the Copyright Act, known as the doctrine of First Sale) Sullivan held that ReDigis service was not lawful because it necessarily created unauthorized material" reproductions.

"The fact that a file has moved from one material objectthe users computerto anotherthe ReDigi servermeans a reproduction has occurred," Sullivan wrote. Similarly, when a ReDigi user downloads a new purchase from the ReDigi website to her computer, yet another reproduction is created. It is beside the point that the original phonorecord no longer exists. It matters only that a new phonorecord has been created.

Put another way, "the first sale defense, Sullivan concluded, is limited to material items, like records, that the copyright owner puts into the stream of commerce.

At Tuesdays hearing, however, ReDigi attorney Robert Welsh argued that Sullivan got it wrong. Nowhere does the law does restrict the first sale right to content fixed in "material" form, "like a record." Further, Welsh argued that Sullivan fundamentally misunderstood how ReDigis technology worked.

In a lengthy and at times strained back-and-forth, Welsh stressed that ReDigi's service creates no reproductions. He told the judges to think of an iTunes file as a completed jigsaw puzzle. ReDigi's service breaks apart the puzzlethe original iTunes fileand moves it, piece by piece, and bit for bit, from the sellers device to the buyers, he said. At no point does ReDigi "create," hold, or distribute a new phonorecord. It just moves pieces of the original iTunes file. And though it exists in no tangible form, the iTunes file that holds the sound recording is the "material object," that counts, Welsh explained, not whose device it resides on. "The computer is just the record player."

Capitol Records attorney Richard Mandel, on the other hand, told the judges that Sullivan got it rightReDigi was trafficking in illegal copies. At one point, Judge Rosemary Pooler put the question directly to Mandel: why is ReDigi not like a used book or record store?

 If you embody a copyrighted work in a new device, you have reproduced it. 

Because it is not possible to transfer a [digital work] without making a reproduction, Mandel replied, later insisting that, if you embody a copyrighted work in a new device, you have reproduced it.

In addition to Welsh, Jason Schultz, director of NYU's Technology Law & Policy Clinic, also argued on behalf of ReDigi. During his time, Schultz stressed that both the case law and the legislative history demonstrate Congresss desire to maintain a strong first sale doctrine, and vibrant secondary marketsmost recently in the Supreme Courts decision in Kirtsaeng v. Wiley. And when the first sale right is in "tension" with the desires of content owners (as it was in Kirtsaeng), the court, he argued, should lean toward a strong first sale doctrine.

Pressed by Judge Jon O. Newman about this interpretation, Mandel argued that it was Congress's call to extend first sale to digital files, rather than the court's, adding that the Copyright Office had studied the issue and advised that digital first sale was too risky to content owners. Asked if it was Capitol's contention that the first sale doctrine does not apply in the digital environment, Mandel answered yes, which seemed to trouble Newman.

The three-judge panel did not address the fair use defense put forth by ReDiginotable because the fair use question has drawn the interest of a number of amici in the case and because the panel includes two fair use heavyweightsPierre Leval (considered the nations most distinguished fair use jurist, and author most recently of the appeals court decision in Authors Guild v. Google) and Newman, who penned the decision in the 1994 landmark copyright case American Geophysical Union v. Texaco Inc.

The ReDigi case has been closely watched by the publishing industry, as ReDigi (and other players including Amazon) have expressed interest in creating a resale market for e-books.

In an amicus brief filed this spring, the Association of American Publishers urged the court to uphold Sullivans decision, contending that legalizing services like ReDigi would be "catastrophic for the entire publishing industry," as a secondary market made up of cheaper, yet indistinguishable "used" e-books would threaten the industry's primary market.

There is no timetable for a decision by the appeals court, although, after years of languishing, the appeal was recently expedited as it holds bearing on ReDigi's bankruptcy proceedings.
The practice of mindfulness, where attention is focused on the present moment, has exploded in popular culture in recent years, and each season dozens of books come out on the subject from a broad range of publishers. Stemming from Buddhist traditions, mindfulness is widely believed to lead to greater well-being and spiritual growth, but can the practice be incorporated into other faith traditions as well? Three books coming from Christian publishers are looking at the meditative and contemplative qualities that are already a part of Christianity, while also exploring how the practice of mindfulness can strengthen faith and enhance worship.

Barclay Press, a Quaker publishing house based in Newberg, Ore., is releasing a history of contemplative spirituality found in both Buddhism and Christianity in Presence and Process: A Path Toward Transformative Faith and Inclusive Community by Daniel Coleman (Aug.). In it, Coleman argues that mindfulness can draw people together and revitalize the Christian church. In fact, part of the reason Barclay acquired Presence and Process was the hope that those who identify as nonreligious might be attracted to the concept of Christian mindfulness, according to publisher Eric Muhr.

Religion has a poor political reputation, and the nones and dones are distancing themselves from it, said Muhr. Were hoping readers might agree that this mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy activity has the ability to connect us.

Further, Muhr pointed out similarities between mindfulness and Quaker traditions such as silent worship. Mindfulness is part of our Christian heritage, he said. "It's not a trigger word; there are similar principles."

Also exploring the use of conscious awareness within Christianitys history is Right Here Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness (Abingdon, Aug.) by Amy Oden, professor of early church history and spirituality at Oklahoma City Universitys Saint Paul School of Theology. It suggests that the practice has been a part of Christianity long before the mindfulness movement of the late 20th century, and that it can help Christians deepen their faith.

Amy defines mindfulness as the practice of prayerful attention in the present moment to Gods abundant life, said David Teel, senior editor at Abingdon. I hadnt seen any book like itthat looked at the cultural sensibility of mindfulness from a Christian perspective.

Lastly, Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality: Making Space for God (WJK, Aug.) by Anglican priest Tim Stead explores mindfulness and its benefits to Christians who want to make their faith a bigger part of their lives. Jessica Miller Kelley, acquisition editor at Westminster John Knox, acknowledged that some Christians may disregard mindfulness as being new age or foreign, but in todays digital-driven world, stress and distraction are pointing more and more people toward it.

We at Westminster John Knox appreciate the ways other traditions can enhance Christian spirituality and practice, said Miller Kelley. Mindfulness can help quiet the self-centered voices of anxiety, shame, and busyness that get in the way of hearing God and cultivating compassion for others.

Although mindfulness is not a new trend in the general market, Christian publishers agree that interest is on the rise in evangelical, Presbyterian, and several other Christian circles today. Books that blend the Buddhist practice with biblical study and Christian worship will likely grow in number in the next few years, especially as church leaders search for new ways to keep millennials in their pews.

Mindfulness can help people experience inner peace, said Abingdons Teel. It lowers anxiety and opens more creative curiosity, giving us space to reinterpret texts and allow more room for joy and real life.

Muhr at Barclay said, It is a spiritual practice that can change lives and the world. There might be Christians who are doing this at work or in yoga, but not as part of their spiritual practice, and more mindful equals more faithful.
HarperOne Nabs Steven Waldman

Raphael Sagalyn at the Sagalyn Agency sold world rights to HarperOnes Michael Maudlin for the latest book by bestselling author and the founder of beliefnet.com, Steven Waldman (Founding Faith). According to the publisher, The Religious Liberty Delusion examines the core battles that formed and fine-tuned our current understanding of religious liberty in the U.S., and why its under attack today. The book is slated for publication in May 2019.

FaithWords Gets Unbound

In a world rights deal, Keely Boeving at Wordserve Literary sold a memoir on infertility, Unbound, to FaithWords Keren Baltzer. Written by blogger Jamie Sumner (mom-gene.com), the book explores infertility treatments, miscarriage, and raising special needs children, all from a Christian perspective, according to the publisher. Its scheduled for publication in April 2018.

A Modern Single Pastor Lands at Fortress

Lisa Gruenisen at Fortress Press took world rights to Single is the New Christian: A Biblical Approach to Modern Singleness (by a Modern Single Pastor) by Tiffany Thomas, a United Methodist pastor based in Charlotte, N.C. She is also the founder of the blog revtiffanythomas, and the book takes a biblical approach to understanding Christian singleness and makes a case for why singles are an important part of the church. Single is the New Christian is set to be published in late 2018.

SparkHouse Takes the Very Best

Cyle Young of the Hartline Literary Agency sold world rights to Naomi Krueger at SparkHouse for The Very Best Story Ever Told by childrens book author Robin Currie. To be released in fall 2018, the book features a poem based on Jesus life, with important words reinforced in illustrations of how to say them in American Sign Language. Dave Williams is illustrating the book.

WJK Moves On Ethics for Young Adults

Bridgett Green at Westminster John Knox Press acquired the next book by Dr. Jonathan L. Walton (Watch This! The Ethics and Aesthetics of Black Televangelism). A social ethicist and the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister at Harvards Memorial Church, Waltons yet-to-be-titled book draws on his experience teaching the Bible to young adults. It addresses ethical issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and more, according to the publisher. It will be released in fall 2018. Agent Don Cutler brokered the deal.
Commentary

The U.S. drone strike that killed al Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan took out one of the last remaining key figures behind the 9/11 terror attacks. But it also highlighted how little the United States got out of its 2020 bargain with the Taliban, and raised questions about the U.S. ability to adequately monitor the developing threat from this quarter going forward.
The Brazilian competition authority Cade has finally issued a report on the local consequences of the Time Warner-AT&T merger, recommending the operation be vetoed.





The $86 billion deal between the US media giants would have important implications in Brazils pay-TV market, which is why Cade investigated the merger. According to Cade sources quoted by the daily paper Folha de Sao Paulo, AT&T would need to sell off its pay-TV operation, SKY, for the operation to be given the green light. Cades report showed particular concern about the mergers consequences on content and network commercialisation, as SKY could be favoured with advantageous commercial agreements with Time Warners networks.In addition, there would be a risk of inside information being leaked to SKY about matters affecting its competition.The report follows the recent decision of Brazils telecom authority Anatel to temporarily suspend the merger until Cade had completed its report.Now that Cade has published its recommendations, a final decision will be made in the next four months.Together with Chile and the US, Brazil is the only local market which hasnt yet issued a formal decision about the operation, while the other 16 markets in which Time Warner and AT&T are operating have already green lit the merger.
In an address to the nation, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has hailed the new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan and called on neighboring Pakistan to change its approach toward his country, saying an unstable Afghanistan does not benefit anyone.

Ghani thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration in the August 23 speech, saying that "after deep discussions, comprehensive evaluations, and fundamental debates, they came up with a strategy in which, God willing, our well-being and interests will be secured."

Don't forget that Afghanistan is not only the front line of the war, but it also is the first bastion for [safeguarding] the world's security, he added. This is where our mutual interests meet."

Ghani also sent a message to Islamabad, which Kabul and Washington have long accused of harboring the Afghan Taliban and providing sanctuaries for terrorists inside Pakistan -- a claim it denies.

"We, as a government, seek peace with the state of Pakistan and look for lasting peace," the Afghan president said.

"A destabilized Afghanistan does not benefit anyone, it would particularly have a negative impact on Pakistan," he added. "Today, there is a consensus that Pakistan should think over its past methods, and this is an opportunity."

During his first formal address to the nation on August 21, Trump backtracked from his campaign pledge to end the United States' longest war as he appeared to commit the country to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan.

However, he sidestepped an announcement on U.S. troops levels in Afghanistan, saying he would not "talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities."

The U.S. president also warned that Washington will no longer tolerate Pakistan offering "safe havens" to extremist groups such as the Afghan Taliban.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later said that the United States could consider punishing Pakistan or cutting off its status as a major non-NATO ally if Islamabad doesn't crack down on terrorist groups.

"There's been an erosion in trust because we have witnessed terrorist organizations being given safe haven inside of Pakistan to plan and carry out attacks against U.S. servicemen, U.S. officials, disrupting peace efforts inside of Afghanistan," Tillerson told reporters on August 22.

Pakistan is one of 16 countries to currently enjoy "major non-NATO ally" status, which allows close military cooperation.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif added his voice to a chorus of indignation in the country over the U.S. criticism, saying, "They should not make Pakistan a scapegoat for their failures in Afghanistan."

Asif told Geo TV late on August 22 that Pakistan's commitment to war against terrorism was "unshaken" and dismissed the notion the United States could "win the war against terror by threatening us or cornering us."

At a meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Pakistan on August 23, Pakistan's army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, said that peace in Afghanistan is as important for Pakistan than any other country, the military said in a statement.

We have done a lot towards that end and shall keep on doing our best, he added.

Relations between the United States and Pakistan have been rocky in recent years amid U.S. counterterrorism operations along the Afghan-Pakistani border and the secret U.S. raid that killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil in 2011.

In his address, Ghani also urged the resurgent Taliban to join the peace process, saying they must forget about winning the war and bringing down the government in Kabul.

He said that continuing the fight would lead to the killing of more Afghans without any other achievement, adding, "The solution is a political solution."

Highlighting the deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan, officials in the volatile southern province of Helmand said a suicide bombing killed at least five people -- including children, women, and soldiers -- and wounded dozens of others on August 23.

Omar Zhwak, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said the suicide bomber detonated a car packed with explosives in a parking lot near the main police headquarters in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.

Provincial police chief Abdul Ghafar Safai said the explosion hit police officers and soldiers who had gathered to collect their pay.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing.

The Pentagon has recommended sending nearly 4,000 new troops to Afghanistan, where the United States currently maintains 8,400 soldiers.

About 5,000 non-U.S. NATO forces are also still in the country, but Britain and other European allies have pledged additional contributions to the alliances Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan in recent weeks.

On August 23, France joined other members of the alliance in welcoming the United States' continued commitment in Afghanistan, with the Foreign Ministry saying Paris shares the determination of the Afghan authorities and our allies to fight against [terrorism].

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP
The long-standing feud between Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov and Russian state-controlled oil company Rosneft has taken a new turn.

Last week Kadyrov criticized Rosneft in an Instagram post for having allegedly gone back on its commitment to build a bitumen plant in Chechnya. Rosneft swiftly rejected that accusation, recalling that in June it commissioned at a cost of 8.46 million rubles ($143,941) a feasibility study for the plant that is to be completed by the end of the year.

Rosneft's offer earlier this year to build a bitumen plant in Chechnya was intended to compensate for its decision not to go ahead with construction of an oil refinery in Grozny for which Kadyrov had reportedly been lobbying single-mindedly for years. Kadyrov, for his part, rejected as inflated and ridiculous the price of 12.5 billion rubles that Rosneft was demanding for handing over to Chechen ownership its fixed assets in Chechnya plus its 51 percent stake in the Rosneft subsidiary Grozneftegaz, which extracts some 300,000 tons of oil annually.

At that juncture, the Financial Times described the tensions between Kadyrov and Rosneft head Igor Sechin as posing a greater threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin than does opposition leader Aleksei Navalny. The paper quoted an unnamed "person close to Rosneft" as calling for investigating the possibility of Chechen involvement in the April 3 bomb attack in St. Petersburg that killed 14 people.

Kadyrov and Sechin responded immediately with a joint statement rejecting any Chechen involvement in that bombing and stressing that their business and personal relations over many years are based on mutual respect. They said they always sought a constructive solution to any problems that arise in the course of their cooperation.

Meeting later in April, Kadyrov and Sechin reached a compromise agreement under which Rosneft will retain its assets in Chechnya but invest an undisclosed sum in social infrastructure, the news portal Caucasian Knot reported. No further details of any such investment have yet emerged.

The capacity of the planned bitumen plant is not known. Neither is it clear, as Russian economist Natalya Zubarevich pointed out to RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service, who will be the formal owner or who is likely to invest in the construction of the plant.

Other economic commentators had earlier questioned whether the plant would prove viable; they suggested that given that limited demand in Chechnya for bitumen products for highway construction, it would be cheaper to buy them elsewhere and transport them to Chechnya.

Consultant Shamil Beno has expressed concern over the anticipated negative ecological impact of a bitumen plant. At the same time, he suggested that given the level of unemployment in Chechnya, which independent economists estimate at far higher than the official figure of 14.3 percent, investment of any kind is desperately needed.

But most investors are, understandably, reluctant to invest in Chechnya in light of Kadyrov's brutal and unpredictable leadership style. And some factories that have been built over the past 10-15 years are either standing idle or do not generate a profit, Kadyrov complained during a meeting last week with Prime Minister Abubakar Edelgeriyev.

(The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL)
A former top Russian central bank official known for his criticism of Kremlin policies says he is not in Russia and is not under arrest, commenting on media reports that he was detained at a Moscow airport for allegedly failing to make a customs declaration about Soviet-era medals.

The Moscow tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets, citing unnamed customs officials, reported on August 23 that Sergei Aleksashenko was detained at Domodedovo airport recently as he passed through customs on his way to board a flight to Munich.

"Not arrested," Aleksashenko said on Twitter later on August 23, adding that he had been outside of Russia for the past two weeks.

Russian Internet channel Dozhd (TV Rain) cited Aleksashenko as saying on August 24 that he left Russia on a flight from Sheremetyevo airport, not Domodedovo, and that a lawyer was trying to determine what was going on.

The MK report, which was followed by a similar article in the Interfax news agency, said officers found seven military medals and other Soviet-era awards in his hand luggage, but without accompanying papers, and that Aleksashenko stated they were from his personal collection. It said the items were valued at around $13,000, and that Aleksashenko faced a possible prison sentence if convicted of trafficking in contraband material.

The Interfax news agency quoted an unidentified law enforcement source as saying that Aleksashenko boarded a flight after several medals were confiscated, and that a criminal investigation on suspicion of smuggling cultural valuables out of Russia had been opened.

Russian officials have not commented and the veracity of the Interfax report, which quoted a second unnamed source as saying the incident occurred "a week ago," could not immediately be established.



Aleksashenko did not immediately respond to text, phone, and e-mail messages seeking further comment.

An economist by training, Aleksashenko served as a top Finance Ministry official in the 1990s and later deputy chairman of Russia's central bank. He now has a home in the United States and is nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.

He has also reportedly served as an economic adviser to Aleksei Navalny, the anticorruption crusader who is seeking to run in the March presidential election.
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Speaking to national security officials in Kabul on August 23, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that Pakistan's government needed to "rethink its old policies." His comments came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump singled out Pakistan for harboring Taliban militants who launch attacks in Afghanistan. (RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan)
Before she was appointed as Irans vice president for legal affairs, law expert and college professor Laya Joneydi followed the obligatory Islamic dress code by covering her hair with a scarf and wearing a coat and pants to cover her body.



In announcing her appointment to the cabinet, the Iranian government website posted a statement and a photo of Joneydi wearing the chador, which covers women from head to toe and leaves only the face exposed.

Social-media users were quick to point out that Joneydi had overnight become a so-called chadori, an expression used in Iran to refer to women who choose to wear the chador promoted by conservatives as the "superior hijab" and the best protection for women.



Many posted Joneydis before and after pictures while criticizing her decision to wear a chador as hypocritical.





Joneydi later told the reformist Sharq daily that President Hassan Rohani had asked her to wear the chador, saying that it is the cabinets protocol.

The respected president, who was elected with 24 million votes, asked me to work with the government. He said my service was needed [and] he also said that the cabinets protocol is such [that a woman wears a chador], Joneydi said.



She added that she respected the demand of Rohani, whom we all voted for.



Many blasted Rohanis decision to impose the chador on Joneydi as a step backward following his appointment of three women, including Joneydi, as vice presidents. The appointments only came after criticism of Rohanis original all-male cabinet.

Joneydi was also criticized for not standing up for her rights to appear in public with the Islamic clothing of her choice.

The chador has been declared as the protocol for the presence of a qualified lawyer in the cabinet. Is this anything other than promoting hypocrisy?" asked Mohammad Taghi Karrubi, the son of opposition cleric Mehdi Karrubi, who's been under house arrest since running for president in 2011.

Rohani talks of citizens rights. He says hes a lawyer, but he doesnt respect the most basic rights of a woman, which is the right to decide about her clothing, journalist Sepehr Khorami wrote on Twitter.

The alleged protocol appears to be a reference to a nonwritten rule in the Islamic republic that only very conservatively dressed women can serve in state bodies.



Women who dont fully respect the hijab that became compulsory following the 1979 Islamic Revolution are often criticized in Iran for allegedly spreading corruption in society and endangering the countrys interests and values. They often face a state crackdown and pressure over their appearance.

The two other women serving as presidential assistant and vice president -- Shahindokht Molaverdi and Massoumeh Ebtekar -- are both chadoris. They both served in Rohanis previous government.

Like Joneydi, Ebtekar, a former spokeswoman for hard-line students who took dozens of U.S. diplomats hostage following the 1979 revolution, reportedly became a chadori after being appointed by former reformist President Mohammad Khatami to oversee Irans Environment Department.

Senior ayatollahs had reportedly criticized her appointment and warned that a nonchadori woman should not serve in the government.

Zahra Shojaei, who served under Khatami as an adviser on womens affairs, recalled in a recent interview the pressure that was put on the president.

[Khatamis] appointment of [Ebtekar] had been criticized by some religious officials. We heard later that there had been threats but that he had resisted, Shojaei said.

She added that one of the criticisms against Ebtekar was that she was not wearing the chador.

When Ebtekar was told, she said she will [start wearing] the chador. Shes said she's not opposed to it, Shojaei said.

It is not clear whether Rohani has faced pressure over Joneydis appearance or had asked her to wear a chador to avoid receiving criticism from hard-liners.

The Iranian president hinted he had been pressured by conservatives when he said on August 15 that he intended to name three women as ministers, saying the candidates had been chosen but that it wasnt possible [to add them to his cabinet].



Rohani didnt elaborate.

He has not publicly commented on the controversy over Joneydi's chador.

Last month, popular Iranian television personality Azadeh Namdari, a chadori, was accused of hypocrisy and attacked on social media after leaked photos from a trip to Switzerland showed her in public not only without the chador but with her hair exposed while wearing a jumpsuit.
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials for what she has described as a fact-finding mission as part of the U.S. administration's review of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

President Donald Trump in April ordered a review of whether a suspension of sanctions on Iran related to the agreement between Tehran and world powers was in the U.S. national security interest.

The U.S. administration accuses Tehran of not abiding by the spirit of the accord, which placed curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Tehran, for its part, accuses Washington of violating the spirit of the deal by imposing new sanctions against the Islamic republic over its missile program.

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley made no comment to reporters as she arrived for her talks with IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano, the AFP news agency reported.

A day before the meeting, Haley was quoted as saying that the talks were to answer U.S. questions about the UN atomic watchdogs inspections and monitoring.

"We have no decision made" about whether to scrap the nuclear deal, Haley told The Washington Post. "What we are doing is trying to find out as much information as we can."

Meanwhile, Haley told Reuters that Washington wants to know if the IAEA plans to inspect Iranian military sites to verify Tehran's compliance with the agreement.

"They have the authority to look at military sites now. They have the authority to look at any suspicious sites now, it's just are they doing it?" Haley said.

Tehran has rejected giving international inspectors access to Iranian military sites.

"Why would they say that if they had nothing to hide?" Haley asked. "Why wouldn't they let the IAEA go there?"

The IAEA said no public statements or news conference were planned on the talks.

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, said on August 22 that the Islamic republic could resume production of highly enriched uranium within five days if the nuclear deal was revoked.

"If we make the determination, we are able to resume 20 percent-enrichment in at most five days," Salehi told state media, adding that Iran's "biggest priority" was to maintain the nuclear accord but "not at any price."

Last week, President Hassan Rohani warned that Tehran could abandon the nuclear deal "within hours" if the United States continues with its policies of "sanctions and coercion."

The July 2015 nuclear deal gave Iran relief from international sanctions and imposed restrictions on its nuclear activities, including a cap on its uranium enrichment at under 5 percent.

High-level enrichment of uranium -- 20 percent or more -- would take Tehran close to the level needed for a nuclear weapon.

U.S. and UN watchdogs monitoring compliance with the agreement have found Iran has adhered to the deal.

However, the U.S. administration has frequently charged that Tehran violates the spirit of the agreement by continuing to test-launch ballistic missiles and rockets capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The United States has imposed several rounds of sanctions over the missile and rocket launches, which Iran maintains are for self-defense and do not violate the deal.

Tehran has long said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Under U.S. law, the State Department must notify Congress every 90 days of Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal, which was negotiated under President Barack Obama. The next deadline is October.

The U.S. review of its policy toward Iran is also looking at Tehran's behavior in the Middle East, which Washington has said undermines U.S. interests.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on August 15 that Washington believes the nuclear deal did not put an end to Tehran's other "destabilizing activities" in the region.

With reporting by Reuters, The Washington Post, and AFP
ANGOLA  The city is considering a new pension fund for firefighters, which was discussed Monday at Angolas Services and Budget Committee meeting.

The 1977 Police Officers and Firefighters Pension Fund was established for public safety officers and their survivors and pays pension, disability and survivor benefits, according to in.gov/inprs.

Indiana Public Retirement System covers the first actuarial calculation for the fund, which clerk-treasurer Deb Twitchell ask for permission to have done during Mondays meeting. This allows the committee and the common council to look at how the fund will work for the firefighters before doing any resolutions or ordinances.

Currently, the firefighters are on the Public Employees Retirement Fund which is also known as the civilian fund, while the police are on the 77 Fund already.

One of the benefits of changing from PERF to the 77 Fund is retirement age.

According to clerk-treasurer Deb Twitchell, the 77 Fund allows retirement at age 52 with 20 years of service.

On the civilian fund, retirement is age 55 with 30 years of service.

We looked at the difference in cost, and the difference is 2 cents more per hour, so its a wash, Twitchell said.

Twitchell and Deputy Clerk Tammy Onofrietti spoke with a representative from the Indiana Public Retirement System regarding participation in the fund and they shared with the committee.

As long as a firefighter is employed on the date of participation for the fund, typically January 1 or July 1, the age requirement of 36 will be waived. New hires after that date will have to meet the age requirement unless they transfer from another participating unit.

To implement the 77 Fund, the city council will have to adopt a resolution to participate, naming a specific start date.

They will have to adopt an ordinance establishing a fire pension board. Members will include the mayor, fire chief and four active firefighters with an elected secretary and the clerk-treasurer acting as contacts with the state.

Participants in the plan will have to pass both physical and mental exams to be eligible.

Once the calculation is requested, Twitchell said they have to allow 90 days for the results. From there, determinations can be made on how to proceed.
Iraqi forces on August 22 reportedly made their first advances inside the city of Tal Afar, the last stronghold of Islamic State militants in Iraq's Nineveh Province. The Iraqi Federal Police said that its troops advanced into the Al-Kifah neighborhood in the west of the city. Other forces reported advances into the Al-Jazeera neighborhood to the east. (YouTube/Al-Mawsleya via Storyful)
Ukrainian officials and local residents moved to stabilize conditions in the freshly recaptured southern city of Kherson, as Russian symbols were being torn down and with the restoration of Ukrainian radio and television service and a new police presence.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

The action on November 12 came after months of occupation by Russian forces following their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February and as Ukrainian and Western officials hailed Kyivs latest extraordinary battlefield success and Moscows strategic failure.

Separately, Russian occupying forces said late on November 12 that they were preparing to leave the city of Nova Kakhovka, the site of a damaged dam on the Dnieper River, to a safer location, according to Russian state-run TASS news agency.

As jubilant Kherson residents awoke the morning following the arrival of the first Ukrainian troops, Ukraines military said it was putting stabilization measures in place to ensure safety.

Ihor Klymenko, chief of the National Police of Ukraine, said about 200 officers were at their posts in Kherson and that checkpoints had been set up. Authorities also began seeking out any evidence of possible Russian war crimes, he said in a Facebook post.



The Ukrainian communications watchdog said national TV and radio broadcasts had resumed in the strategic southern city and officials said aid supplies had begun to arrive from nearby regions.

Social media postings on November 12 showed local residents removing memorial plaques put up by Kremlin-installed authorities during the occupation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other officials warned that while special forces had entered central Kherson, the full deployment of Ukrainian troops was still under way and that some Russian soldiers could have shed military uniforms for civilian clothing and remained in the city.

Even when the city is not yet completely cleansed of the enemys presence, the people of Kherson themselves are already removing Russian symbols and any traces of the occupiers stay in Kherson from the streets and buildings, Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

But he said that medicine, communications, social services are returning. Life is returning.

WATCH: Local residents welcomed Ukrainian soldiers into Snihurivka on November 10, as advance forces of the Ukrainian military recaptured the town in the southern Mykolayiv region.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking to world leaders at an ASEAN summit in Cambodia, warned that the celebratory mood could turn grim with the possible discovery of war crimes evidence in Kherson.

Such evidence was discovered after Russian troops pulled out of the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions months ago.

Every time we liberate a piece of our territory, when we enter a city liberated from the Russian Army, we find torture rooms and mass graves with civilians tortured and murdered by the Russian Army in the course of the occupation of the territories," he said. "Its not easy to speak with people like this. But I said that every war ends with diplomacy and Russia has to approach talks in good faith.

The White House on November 12 hailed Russias withdrawal from Kherson as an "extraordinary victory" for Ukraine.

"It does look as though the Ukrainians have just won an extraordinary victory where the one regional capital that Russia had seized in this war is now back under a Ukrainian flag -- and that is quite a remarkable thing," U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters as he accompanied President Joe Biden to the ASEAN summit.

Sullivan said that the Russian retreat would have "broader strategic implications," including relieving the longer-term threat by Russia to other southern Ukrainian cities such as Odesa.

"It's a big moment, and it's due to the incredible tenacity and skill of the Ukrainians, backed by the relentless and united support of the United States and our allies," Sullivan said.

Asked about reports that the Biden administration has started to press Zelenskiy to explore negotiations with Moscow, Sullivan said Russia, not Ukraine, was the side that has to decide whether or not to go to the table.

"This whole notion, I think, in the Western press of, 'When's Ukraine going to negotiate?' misses the underlying fundamentals," Sullivan said.

Russia, he added, continues to make "outlandish claims" about its self-declared annexations of Ukrainian lands, even as it retreats from Ukrainian counterattacks.

"Ultimately, at a 30,000-foot level, Ukraine is the party of peace in this conflict and Russia is the party of war. Russia invaded Ukraine. If Russia chose to stop fighting in Ukraine and left, it would be the end of the war. If Ukraine chose to stop fighting and give up, it would be the end of Ukraine," he said. "In that context, our position remains the same as it has been and fundamentally is in close consultation and support of President Zelenskiy.

Separately, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on November 12 that Moscow's "strategic failure" in Kherson will sow doubt among the Russian public about the point of the war in Ukraine.

"Russia's announced withdrawal from Kherson marks another strategic failure for them. In February, Russia failed to take any of its major objectives except Kherson," Wallace said in a statement. "Now with that also being surrendered, ordinary people of Russia must surely ask themselves: 'What was it all for?'"

Meanwhile, Pavel Filipchuk, the head of the occupation government in Nova Kakhovka, told administrators and residents that Russian forces will be pullng back from the city on the right bank of the Dnieper River.

He cited concerns that the key dam could be damaged by missiles, which would result in flooding.

Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of planning to blast the dam, which has already been severely damaged.

With reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, and Reuters
Russia's ambassador to the United Nations has objected to the Moldovan government's call for the UN to discuss withdrawing Russian troops from its breakaway Transdniester region at next month's General Assembly session.

Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said the "sudden move" was "not very friendly."

"We were never approached on that and we weren't warned in advance," he told TASS at UN headquarters in New York on August 23.

"And of course it will not [be conducive] to the peace process, which was established a long time ago," Nebenzya said.

Moldovan parliament speaker Andrian Candu earlier on August 23 confirmed in a Facebook post that a letter with the request was handed to the UN by Moldova's ambassador to the United Nations, Victor Moraru, after reports about its existence appeared in the Russian media.

"For 25 years, under the guise of a peacekeeping mission, the Russian Federation has been intimidating us by deploying troops, ammunition, and armaments on our country's territory," Candu wrote in his post.

"Moldovan authorities have requested that the United Nations include discussing the withdrawal of foreign troops from our country on the agenda of the UN General Assembly scheduled for the beginning of next month," Candu wrote.

Russia maintains an estimated 2,000-strong force in Transdniester -- 1,500 troops who Moscow says guard huge Soviet-era arms depots, and up to 500 peacekeepers to ensure an uneasy 25-year-old cease-fire that ended a bloody conflict between Moldova and its eastern separatist region.

At a 1999 OSCE summit in Istanbul, Moscow had pledged to withdraw its troops from Transdniester by 2002, but never followed suit.

Moldovan President Igor Dodon, who has courted Russia and is at odds with his country's pro-European Union government, on August 23 sharply criticized the move to bring the matter before the UN, calling it "dust thrown in the eyes of the government's Western curators and puppeteers."

Dodon, who also took to Facebook to voice his criticism, said the Russian peacekeeping mission was successful and must be continued and urged the government to press for the resumption of long-stalled peace negotiations with Transdniester.

Mainly Russian-speaking Transdniester declared independence from Moldova in 1990 over fears that Chisinau would seek reunification with neighboring Romania. Most of Moldova was part of Romania in the interwar period.

Hundreds were killed in an ensuing conflict in 1992, which ended in a Moscow-brokered cease-fire after the conflict was quelled by the Russian troops already stationed in Transdniester since Soviet times.

The 72nd session of the UN General Assembly will open on September 12.

With reporting by TASS
Russia plans to send 30 teachers to secondary schools in Tajikistan by September 1, the first day of the next academic year.

The government-sponsored Russian World foundation, which promotes the Russian language and culture abroad, said on August 22 that teachers from the Russian regions of Kostroma, Kemerovo, Bashkortostan, Daghestan, and Tatarstan will go to the Central Asian country to teach subjects such as mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, computer science, Russian, and others at secondary schools where teaching is conducted in Russian.

The teachers' monthly salary is set to be 74,000 rubles ($1,250), of which 60,000 ($1,000) will be paid by the Russian Education Ministry. The rest will be paid by Tajik authorities.

The ministry is also to also provide teachers with medical insurance, while the Tajik hosts will provide them with housing.

According to the foundation, Russia will also provide Tajikistan with 20 tons of textbooks on various subjects by September 1.

The usage of Russian has dramatically decreased in the Central Asian nation, which has a predominantly Muslim, Tajik-speaking population of 8.5 million.

The education sector in one of the poorest former Soviet republics has also been in decline after collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Based on reporting by Rossiiskaya Gazeta and RIA Novosti
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Russian theater and film director Kirill Serebrennikov has been placed under house arrest in Moscow pending further investigation into fraud charges. He is known for criticizing high-level corruption and has taken part in antigovernment protests. (RFE/RL's Russian Service)
The coordinator of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's presidential election campaign staff in Kazan, the capital of the Tatarstan region, has been detained.

Elvira Dmitriyeva told RFE/RL by phone that she was taken to a police station on August 23 and informed that she faced charges of violating regulations governing public gatherings.

Dmitriyeva said the case against her was launched after she posted Navalny campaign material on the Internet.

Earlier this year, Dmitriyeva was fined 10,000 rubles ($170) and ordered to perform community service after a court ruled that she took part in an unsanctioned anticorruption rally on March 26.

Dozens of Navalny campaign workers have been detained or questioned in Moscow and other cities in recent weeks.

Navalny is campaigning for the March 2018 presidential election, in which President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to seek and win a fourth term.

Russian election authorities have said that Navalny will be barred from the ballot because of a financial-crimes conviction that he says was engineered by the Kremlin to punish him for his opposition activity and keep him out of electoral politics.
The outgoing American ambassador to Russia says the U.S. move to suspend all nonimmigrant visa operations at U.S. missions across Russia is a result of forced staff cuts and not about being vindictive.

This is simply because we've been told by the [Russian] Foreign Ministry that we have to cut down our staff to 455, Ambassador John Tefft told Russian state-run TASS news agency in an interview published August 23.

It's all the processing. It's the security. And so the only way we can do this -- it's not about being vindictive, he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last month directed the United States to cut 755 out of about 1,200 employees at the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Russia, after the U.S. Congress passed a tough new law cementing sanctions against Moscow over its aggression in Ukraine and for allegedly meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow said on August 21 that it was suspending "all nonimmigrant visa operations" at U.S. missions across Russia as of August 23 due to the Russian-imposed cap on U.S. diplomatic staff.

The embassy said operations will resume in Moscow on September 1, but they will remain suspended indefinitely at U.S. consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok.

It's unfortunate, but we don't have any choice, because we have a lot of responsibilities here, the ambassador told TASS.

Tefft is in the final stages in his role as U.S. ambassador to Moscow. On July 18, the White House said it will nominate Jon Huntsman Jr., former ambassador to China, to be U.S. President Donald Trump's ambassador to Russia.

Congressional confirmation hearings for Huntsman are expected begin to in September.

With reporting by TASS
The Vatican's secretary of state is set to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on the third day of his official visit to Russia.

The discussion between Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Putin on August 23 will include relations between Russia and the Vatican as well as "the plight of Christians in the Middle East and North Africa, the situation in Syria and Ukraine," the Kremlin has said.

During his meeting with Putin at the Vatican in June 2015, Pope Francis urged the Russian president to commit himself to a "sincere and great effort" for peace in eastern Ukraine, where fighting between government forces and Russia-backed separatists has killed more than 10,000 people since April 2014.

On August 22 in Moscow, Parolin met with Patriarch Kirill, the head of Russian Orthodox Church, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Kirill praised relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Vatican, insisting that the two have similar positions on a variety of international issues.

Parolin voiced hope that his visit will help strengthen ties, but warned that patience will be needed to achieve results.

Metropolitan Hilarion, the head of foreign relations for the Russian Orthodox Church, said after the talks that the possibility of a new meeting between Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis was not on the agenda.

Francis, leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, has sought to bridge enduring tensions between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches of Christianity, including with a landmark February 2016 meeting in Cuba with Kirill.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Lavrov, Parolin said there was "positive momentum" behind the idea of the Francis visiting Russia.

He did not give any prospective date for a possible visit by the pope, suggesting that there is more work to be done if such a visit is to occur.

It would be the first such trip by a pontiff in the modern era.

Parolin also said that he raised certain difficulties faced by the Catholic Church in Russia, including "working residency permits for non-Russian personnel and the restitution of several churches necessary for the pastoral care of Catholics in the country."

Lavrov said the talks focused on conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya, as well as the Ukrainian crisis, and mentioned the need for solutions for Christians living in the Middle East.

"We need to find similar solutions that would provide proper balance between different ethnic and religious groups in Yemen, Libya, and Iraq, where state building processes are under way," the Russian foreign minister said.

Parolin said Moscow and the Vatican disagreed about the plight of Christians in certain parts of the world, without elaborating.

But he insisted that the two share a "strong concern for the situation of Christians in several countries of the Middle East and the African continent."

The cardinal also said that he believed Moscow could play an important contribution in helping solve the crisis in Venezuela because of its close ties with Caracas.

Later on August 22, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on Russia and the Vatican to help fend off a U.S. "military threat," and said he would soon go to Moscow to meet with Putin.

The South American country has been the scene of violent protests against Maduro's moves to increase his power and silence the opposition. The unrest has left more than 120 people dead since April.

U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this month that he would consider military intervention against Maduro's increasingly authoritarian government.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, TASS, and Vatican Radio
Kirill Serebrennikov, the acclaimed theater and film director whose arrest in Moscow this week on embezzlement charges rocked Russias political and cultural classes, has repeatedly clashed with officials over artistic freedoms and sharply criticized the ruling elite.



Investigators accuse the artistic director of the Gogol Center theater, who also founded a dramatic collective called Seventh Studio, of embezzling 68 million rubles ($1.1 million) in state funding.



Supporters of the director -- including opposition leader Aleksei Navalny  have called it a targeted strike aimed at intimidating potential critics ahead of the March election that President Vladimir Putin is expected to enter and win.



Serebrennikov, 47, is one of many leading cultural figures who have been harshly critical of Putin's rule. He has participated in antigovernment protests, denounced what he calls state censorship efforts, rankled officials with his avant-garde plays, and backed Kremlin foes in high-profile, politically charged cases.



But he has also warned that it is counterproductive to "primitively personify" the state, saying it is "too convenient and easy" to blame everything on Putin, who in 2011 approved funding for the project Serebrennikov is accused of embezzling from.



Here's a look at how Serebrennikov, who was placed under house arrest on August 23 and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted, has pushed back against the authorities for years.



Antigovernment Protests



Serebrennikov has voiced support for antigovernment demonstrations that include actions in support of freedom of assembly. He also said he participated in 2011-12 street protests in Moscow against parliamentary elections denounced by opposition groups as rigged.

He said later that he was more of an observer than a participant.



"For better or for worse, I generally always assume the position of an observer," he said in an April 2012 interview. "Yes, I went to all of these protests, but I can't yell from a stage and urge people to go somewhere. It was simply pleasant for me to be around people whom I can call kindred spirits."



In June 2012, on the day Putin signed a law dramatically increasing fines for those found guilty of participating in unsanctioned rallies, Serebrennikov wrote on Facebook: "We have to stop being law-abiding citizens, because a free person cannot obey absurd, fascist orders that violate the constitution."



Gay Rights And Themes



Serebrennikov has also been ensnared in controversy over gay themes in his works. The issue emerged in 2013 when Putin signed a law banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among minors. The measure was denounced by rights groups and Western governments as discriminatory.

Russia is an unbelievably dark and ignorant country, and its only getting darker.

Months after the law came into effect, Serebrennikov said he would return state funds for his planned film about Pyotr Tchaikovsky and denounced a public discussion over the famed composer's sexual orientation.



Vladimir Medinsky, the conservative culture minister who has been a lightning rod for debates over artistic freedom, also weighed in, saying there was "no evidence" that Tchaikovsky was gay. He said Serebrennikov's film "must be about Tchaikovsky's genius and not about rumors surrounding his biography."



Serebrennikov said he had sought other funding from the state-run Cinema Fund, but it turned him down because "they did not see any audience potential, and he said he would seek financing outside the country.

"We will look for funds for the film about our top national composer, about Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, outside our country," he wrote on Facebook. "Not in Russia...."

Last month, the legendary Bolshoi Theater announced it had canceled the premiere of Serebrennikovs biographical show about Soviet ballet icon Rudolf Nureyev, who defected to the West in 1961. Speculation had swirled in Russian media that gay themes in the show prompted officials to shut it down. Medinsky denied interfering in the Bolshoi's "repertory politics."



Heat From Lawmakers



At least two lawmakers had asked authorities to look into the government funding the Gogol Center has received under Serebrennikovs direction. A member of Putin's ruling United Russia party in March 2015 asked prosecutors and auditors to examine the theater's books, as did a member of the Liberal Democrats, a Kremlin-friendly nationalist party, the following month.

The United Russia lawmaker, Yevgeny Fyodorov, noted that Moscow police had opened a probe into possible extremist content in one of Serebrennikov's plays.



In March 2014, meanwhile, Oleg Panteleyev, a member of the upper house of parliament, criticized Moscows iconic Taganka Theater for staging plays "in the style of the Gogol Center's Kirill Serebrennikov" that "promote violence, homosexuality, pedophilia, and suicide." Panteleyev, who died in 2016, based his criticism on a letter purportedly from members of the Taganka theater's union.

Pussy Riot And Oleg Sentsov



Serebrennikov has also backed Kremlin opponents in causes celebres that have drawn worldwide attention, including the 2012 prosecution of two members of the Pussy Riot art collective.



Shortly before Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina were found guilty of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" for an anti-Kremlin stunt in Moscows main cathedral, Serebrennikov wrote on Facebook: "If the young women are convicted, then it will finally become clear for me that the current authorities are leading all of society, all of Russia, into obscurantism, lawlessness, and civil war."

In 2013, Moscow authorities demanded that the Gogol Center, then under Serebrennikovs direction, halt a planned screening of a film about Pussy Riot.



Serebrennikov has also supported Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, a Crimea native who opposed Russia's 2014 annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula. Sentsov is now serving a 20-year prison sentence in Russia after being convicted of plotting terrorist attacks in a trial his supporters called absurd.



Addressing Sentsov's case, Serebrennikov warned in May 2014 that by locking up "artists, poets, directors, and musicians," the authorities were getting rid of "canaries in the coal mine who are the first to tell about disasters that are nearing."



"If someone decides to strangle all of the canaries in the coal mine, that person is writing his own death sentence," the director wrote.

'It's Only Getting Darker'



Serebrennikovs comments on the Pussy Riot case werent the director's only harsh assessment of Putin's Russia.

In a 2014 interview with the Russian edition of Esquire, he said the country "is acting right now like the lowest lowlife" and said Putin's high ratings in opinion polls were due to "fear" and the power of television.



He added, however, that he had no qualms about receiving state funding for his projects.



"You say: 'Government, I know that you're a selfish liar, but by law you must help the theater and art, so be kind and fulfill your obligations.' In the interest of theater, I'm not ashamed to do that."



He told the online arts and culture journal Colta.ru in October 2014 that Russia "is an unbelievably dark and ignorant country, and it's only getting darker."



"It looks like a complete catastrophe. And in the end, no one will be able to defend themselves against it," he said.
DUSHANBE -- Tajik lawmakers have approved legislation that obliges individuals and organizations "to stick to traditional and national clothes and culture," a move widely seen as an effort to discourage people from wearing the hijab and Islamic clothing.

The lower house of parliament passed the bill -- an amendment to an existing law governing the practice of traditions, rites, and celebrations -- on August 23.

The bill is expected to be approved by the upper house of parliament and signed into law by President Emomoli Rahmon, who has endorsed the legislation. It was first published on his website on August 11.

Hilolbi Qurbonzoda, chief of the lower chambers Committee on Social Affairs, told RFE/RL that the legislation supports a government program to promote what authorities define as Tajik culture, traditions, and clothing.

Qurbonzoda said that separate legislation on possible punishment for those who wear "alien Islamic garments" rather than "traditional" Tajik clothing will be outlined by parliament soon.

Since May 2016, authorities in the predominantly Muslim Central Asian country have closed down scores of shops that sell women's religious clothing that does not conform with what the government calls "national traditions."

Human rights activists say Tajikistans government uses the term nontraditional dress and "alien garments" as euphemisms for the Islamic hijab.

Although the bill passed by the lower chamber does not specifically mention the hijab, authorities in the past have said that head scarves that cover the front of a womans neck are a form of alien culture and traditions.

In early August, more than 8,000 hijab-wearing women were stopped in public places across Dushanbe by teams of state officials who pressured them to wear head scarves in the style of traditional national clothing -- that is, by tying the scarf with a knot behind the head in a way that leaves the front of the neck exposed.

Tajik police have asserted that some women and girls associated with extremist terrorist organizations can be identified because they follow "alien culture and traditions."

Regional authorities also have threatened to detain women in hijabs in order to investigate whether their husbands are "militant Salafists" from the ultra-conservative movement within Sunni Islam.

They have justified the threatened detentions on the grounds that "all Salafist wives wear hijabs."

The Tajik Constitution says citizens have the right to adhere to any religion, or to no religion at all, and to observe religious customs and ceremonies.

It also says religious organizations must be separate from the state and cannot interfere in "state affairs."

The constitution does not prevent Tajikistans government from passing legislation that regulates religion.

The U.S. State Department has raised concerns with Dushanbe about what it says are the Tajik governments attempts to control all aspects of religious life in the country.

That includes government control over the approval and registration of religions, the construction of places of worship, the distribution of religious literature, and religious education for children.

A May 2016 constitutional amendment bans political parties that are based on religion.

The opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan was outlawed and designated an extremist group by Tajikistan's Supreme Court in 2015, and several of its leaders have been prosecuted.

Tajikistan's laws on religion also restrict the locations of Islamic prayer and prohibit children under the age of 18 from taking part in public religious activities.

Private religious ceremonies, including funerals and weddings, also are increasingly regulated by state officials.

Two provisions in the latest legislation would impose further restrictions on religious ceremonies.

The bill outlaws celebrations marking the return of Muslims from hajj pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia.

Private feasts that commemorate the dead also would be restricted only to relatives of the deceased and would not be allowed to involve the slaughter of livestock -- a practice that currently is common.

Tajikistans government argues that its strict controls on religion are necessary to prevent the growth of what it calls Islamic "extremist" organizations and terrorist groups.

Religious groups banned in Tajikistan as "extremist" organizations include Salafis, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Islamic State (IS), Jindullah, Ansarrullah, and Hizb ut-Tahrir.

About 90 percent of Tajikistan's 8.3 million citizens are Muslims, and the majority are followers of the moderate Hanafi school of Sunni Islam.

The government has said that hundreds of Tajik citizens have joined IS extremist militants in Syria in Iraq.
ZARGHAR, Tajikistan -- Arranged marriages of couples who have never met are common in rural Tajikistan. But the August 27 wedding of village schoolteacher Saidsho Asrorov's to Marjona Hudoidodova is highly unusual.

Their marriage was arranged in less than one week on orders of the country's autocratic ruler.



President Emomali Rahmon was visiting Tajikistan's southwestern Khatlon region on August 16 when Asrorov, a 23-year-old history teacher, gave a speech praising "the leader of the nation and founder of peace in Tajikistan."



Asrorov expressed gratitude to Rahmon for his role in "supporting education and the upbringing of the young generation" and recited his own verses of Tajik poetry (see video below) to honor Rahmon, a former Soviet apparatchik who has governed Tajikistan since 1992.





Duly impressed -- and notwithstanding the kowtowing that routinely flows from his hold on power -- Rahmon asked Asrorov if he was married.



Asrorov, who would struggle on his paltry teacher's salary to pay a traditional "bride price" to the parents of a future spouse, responded that he was single.



"I was worried and excited during my speech," Asrorov told RFE/RL on August 22. "The president asked me about my life and family. He asked if I was married. I answered 'no.' Then he instructed the district leadership to decide on my marriage. And in just days, my wedding will take place."



Rahmon also ordered district officials to pay the costs of the wedding.



That set off an immediate search by the district government, which formed a committee of matchmakers led by Dilafruz Mahmadalieva, the deputy chairwoman of the Bohtar District's Department of Ideology.

When the matchmaking committee asked Asrorov if he had a candidate for his spouse, he said he would like to marry Marjona Hudoidodova -- a recent medical-school graduate and daughter of a physical-education teacher in Zarghar.



Asrorov told the matchmakers he had seen Hudoidodova only once when she was studying at medical school in Khatlon's regional capital, Qurghon-Teppa.



He said he was immediately attracted to the 22-year-old Hudoidodova, who has never seen Asrorov.



On August 19, the matchmaking committee visited Hudoidodova's family home in the nearby village of Gulzor.



"The matchmakers communicated with my parents," Hudoidodova told RFE/RL's Tajik Service. "My parents agreed to allow me to marry the man on the condition that I am allowed to continue to work."



"I want to continue working as a nurse in a hospital," Hudoidodova said, adding that she has always dreamed of marrying a man who would not interfere with her professional career.

The bride's mother, Savlatbi Hudoidodova, told RFE/RL that many young men have come to ask for the young nurse's hand in marriage.



But she said that when previous suitors heard the condition that the young nurse must be allowed to continue working after the wedding, the men "disappeared."



The mother said Asrorov is the first suitor to agree to let her daughter continue working.



Mahmadalieva told RFE/RL that her matchmaking committee was happy to be able to offer Asrorov "a trained, educated, and worthy girl from the village of Gulzor."

"[Asrorov] is from a low-income family and his parents are retired," Mahmadalieva said. "We organized the traditional matchmaking for him and we bought gifts for the bride and her family."



"We are covering all the expenses for the wedding celebration, and we will help the girl's family, " Mahmadalieva said, referring to the Tajik tradition in which the groom's family offers a "bride price" to the parents of the woman he is about to marry.



Mahmadalieva said the district administration has given more than 16,000 somonis -- about $1,800 -- to Hudoidodova's family in order to "purchase everything necessary for the bride."



Hudoidodova told RFE/RL that she is sewing herself a "national dress" for the wedding ceremony in Qurghon-Teppa, which will be the first time she sees Asrorov.



In accordance with legislation from 2007 that the government says is aimed at discouraging extravagance, the wedding ceremony and party will last no longer than three hours and will have a maximum of 150 guests.



Although it is the first known marriage arranged by presidential order in Tajikistan, short encounters with Rahmon have been life-altering for other Tajiks.

In a country so steeped in poverty that many young Tajik men migrate to Russia to find jobs, Rahmon lords over a fiercely nepotistic system while his extended family and inner circle benefit from decades of entrenched corruption.

It is a system where a short conversation with the ruler has led to orders securing jobs at state institutions, granting admission to universities, or resolving housing issues.

Increasingly, Tajiks praise and glorify Rahmon at his public appearances in the hope that, with a casual remark to his henchmen, he will solve their personal problems. 

Written by Ron Synovitz in Prague based on reporting by RFE/RL's Tajik Service correspondent Orzu Karim in Zarghar, Tajikistan
ON MY MIND

There is more than one Russian world.

Prominent Russian sociologist and dissident Igor Eidman, who resides in Germany, has started a Facebook group (featured below) to counter Kremlin propaganda in that country.

And Eidman isn't the only Russian living abroad who is representative of the Other Russian World.

In Riga, Anton Lysenkov, a former journalist for Lenta.ru, has started a magazine called Spektr that is dedicated to countering the narratives on Russian state television and providing Latvia's Russian speakers with quality reporting, analysis, and commentary in their language.

Galina Timchenko and her team at the Riga-based Meduza news site are likewise performing a similar service.

Former State Duma Deputy Ilya Ponomaryov, the only Russian lawmaker to vote against the annexation of Crimea, now resides in Kyiv, where he not only pushes back against Russian propaganda, but has also become a constructive voice on Ukrainian politics as well.

The list can go on. As Russia's best and brightest minds emigrate in increasing numbers, they are often making their new homes in the Baltics and Ukraine.

And as this trend continues, the term "Russian World" is taking on a whole new -- and less menacing -- meaning.

IN THE NEWS

Kirill Serebrennikov, a prominent Russian director whose arrest on fraud charges has raised fears of a clampdown on cultural figures critical of the government faces a court hearing today.

Russia says it will retaliate after the United States imposed new economic sanctions on 16 mostly Chinese and Russian companies and individuals, accusing them of aiding the North Korean government and its missile and nuclear programs.

The Vatican's secretary of state is set to hold talks with Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on the third day of his official visit to Russia.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called on Russia and the Vatican to help fend off a U.S. "military threat," and said he will soon go to Moscow to visit with Putin.

The Moscow-based human rights group Memorial has recognized Dmitry Borisov, an activist who is charged with attacking a police officer during an antigovernment protest in March as a political prisoner.

The last Russian activist imprisoned following clashes at a protest on the eve of President Vladimir Putin's inauguration to his current term has been placed in solitary confinement days before his scheduled release, a lawyer says.

The United States has sent its first shipment of anthracite coal to Ukraine from the U.S. port of Baltimore under a deal designed to increase Ukraine's energy security.

Ukraines National Security and Defense Council has rejected reports that Kyiv supplied missile technology to North Korea, saying that such claims amounted to Russian disinformation.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has proposed a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine starting on August 23 at the beginning of the school year and got unanimous support from Russia, Germany, France, and the United States.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry has invited observers from several countries to the Zapad-2017 joint Belarusian-Russian military exercise that takes place September 14-20 in Belarus, but NATO has said such efforts "fall short."

WHAT I'M READING

Report: Politburo 2.0

Minchenko Consulting has released the latest installment of its report series Politburo 2.0, which looks at the structure of Russia's power elite.

The BBC's Russian Service and the pro-Kremlin daily Izvestia have weighed in with write-ups about the report.

The Eyes And Ears Of The State

The Kazan-based human rights group Agora has a new report out on surveillance in Russia.

And one of the report's authors, Damir Gainutdinov, summarized the main findings for Republic.ru, arguing that "Russians' lives are becoming completely transparent for the authorities"

The Other Russian World

Sociologist Igor Eidman has started a Facebook group aimed at countering pro-Kremlin propaganda in Germany.

Kashin On Serebrennikov's Arrest

In his column for Republic.ru, Oleg Kashin calls the detention of Kirill Serebrennikov "the start of Putin's election campaign."

Hearts And Minds In Moscow

Also in Republic.ru, Grigori Yudin looks at why Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has struggled to win the hearts and minds of the capital's residents.

Putin's Achilles Heel

In a piece for Project Syndicate, Anders Aslund argues that Russia's patron-client system could turn out to be "the Achilles heel of the Putin regime."

Normalizing Relations

Robert Legvold has a piece in The National Interest on "getting America and Russia back to normal."

Ukrainian Startups

In a piece for Medium, Enis Hulli asks, "Is Ukraine the next start-up nation?"
1 The Abkhaz war was one of most brutal and consequential conflicts sparked by the breakup of the U.S.S.R. For the separatists (pictured), it was a matter of restoring Abkhaz identity. For the Georgians, it was about stopping their country from being cut into pieces.


U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has accused Russia of seeking to redraw international borders by force" and said that Washington is "actively reviewing" supplying Ukraine with lethal defensive weaponry.

Mattis, the first U.S. defense chief to visit Ukraine in a decade, also reiterated that the United States wont accept Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.

Mattis made the comments in Kyiv on August 24, the 26th anniversary of Ukraines declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

"Have no doubt," he said at a joint news conference with President Petro Poroshenko. "The United States stands with Ukraine."

"On the defensive lethal weapons, we are actively reviewing it," Mattis said, adding that he will inform Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and President Donald Trump about his position on the issue "in very specific terms."

"Defensive weapons are not provocative unless you are an aggressor, and clearly Ukraine is not an aggressor since it is their own territory where the fighting is happening," Mattis said, appearing to signal support for Kyivs request for defensive weaponry, including possibly powerful antitank missiles.

Mattis said sanctions against Moscow will remain in place until it stops supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine and returns Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula seized by Russia in March 2014.

He repeated Washingtons commitment to diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraines east, where fighting between Kyiv's forces and Russia-backed separatists has killed more than 10,000 people since April 2014.

The defense secretary also accused Russia of not abiding by the February 2015 Minsk agreement meant to put an end to the conflict.

"Despite Russia's denials, we know they are seeking to redraw international borders by force, undermining the sovereign and free nations of Europe," Mattis said.

He also said that the United States is committed to building the capacity of Ukraines armed forces.

Russian officials and separatist leaders criticized the United States and Ukraine for discussing the provision of lethal weapons and rejected Mattis's assertion that doing so would not be "provocative."

The "ambition to acquire lethal weapons...is surely going to be perceived in Donbas as a very bad and threatening signal," said Russia's negotiator over the Ukraine conflict, Boris Gryzlov.

Gryzlov also rejected Mattis's suggestion that Ukraine is not an "aggressor."

"No one should forget the standoff in eastern Ukraine is an internal political conflict that the country's top echelons have already tried to curb by military force," he said.

Ukraine, the United States, and other Western countries strongly object to Russia's claim that the conflict is an internal one, saying that Russia fomented separatism before it broke out and has sent troops, weapons, and other support to the separatists.

Separatist leader Oleksandr Zakharchenko said, "As soon as Ukraine gets the weaponry, the Ukrainian Army will unleash

military actions automatically the next day."

Addressing a military parade attended by Mattis and several other Western defense chiefs, Poroshenko earlier said that "Ukraine is ready to give a tough military response to the aggressor if he tries to go on the offensive" -- a warning to Moscow and the separatists not to seek to take more territory in eastern Ukraine.

But he said that Ukraine's "priority" is a "peaceful, diplomatic, political, and law-based path to the return of Crimea and separatist-held territory in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

"I have confidence in our allies," Poroshenko said. He thanked defense ministers and troops from Britain, Georgia, Estonia, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, and the United States for attending or marching in the parade.

Trump had sent a letter of congratulation to Poroshenko, saying that the United States will continue to support Ukraine's sovereignty and integrity and the countrys aspirations of becoming a truly European nation, according to the Ukrainian presidential website.

One incident of violence marred the otherwise peaceful independence celebration.

Police said at least three people were injured in an explosion caused by an unknown object in the center of the capital, an incident Ukrainian authorities described as hooliganism.

Kurt Volker, the U.S. special envoy for efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine, was also in the Ukrainian capital.

He told Current Time TV last month that the Trump administration is considering sending Kyiv weapons to help government forces defend themselves against the separatists.

Volker told the Russian-language network, which is run by RFE/RL in cooperation with Voice of America, that he did not think arming Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons would "provoke Russia to do more than they are already doing."

U.S. media reported on August 6 that the Pentagon had recommended sending a package of lethal defensive military aid to Ukraine worth about $50 million.

The weapons package would reportedly include Javelin shoulder-launched antitank missiles, which Kyiv has long sought to defend against the Russia-backed forces it has been fighting in its east for more than three years.

Ukraines Independence Day celebrations come as the Kyiv government and separatists committed to a cease-fire before the start of the September 1 return to school for children.

Martin Sajdik, the envoy for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on the Ukraine crisis, said on August 23 that an indefinite cease-fire would commence at midnight on August 25.

Several truce deals announced as part of the Minsk agreement have failed to hold.

In a statement, the chief monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), Ertugrul Apakan, called the truce "an encouraging joint political signal from all signatories of the Minsk agreement.

The deal set out steps to end the war and resolve the status of the portion of the Donbas region held by Russia-backed separatists, but progress toward implementation has been very slow.

The latest cease-fire was agreed late on August 22 during a phone call between the leaders of Germany, France, Russia, and Ukraine -- the so-called Normandy Four.

In the call, Poroshenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron all voiced strong support for a lasting cease-fire to allow children in eastern Ukraine to attend school at the start of the new term, the Kremlin and Poroshenko's press service said.

The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Moscow for its annexation of Crimea and its support for the separatists in eastern Ukraine.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, TASS, and Interfax
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has proposed a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine starting on August 23 at the beginning of the school year and got unanimous support from Russia, Germany, France, and the United States.

The proposal was made late on August 22 in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancelor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron, who all voiced their strong support for a lasting cease-fire to allow children in eastern Ukraine to attend school, the Kremlin and Poroshenko's press service said after the call.

The cease-fire will be announced on August 23, according to the Kremlin and Poroshenko's press service. Macron's office and the German cabinet office also issued statements announcing and supporting the cease-fire.

Poroshenko's office said the leaders hope the truce "will lead to sustainable improvement of the security situation to benefit schoolchildren and the entire civilian population of Donbas."

Kurt Volker, the U.S. special envoy for efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine, had earlier expressed his support for the proposal in comments to the Baltic News Service as he visited Lithuania on August 22. Volker is due to meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin on August 23.

The cease-fire for the back-to-school season "seems like a very good idea. We would obviously fully support that and hope the sides could do that," Volker told the news service.

Volker also commented for the first time on his meeting on August 21 with Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov, in which Surkov had claimed the two discussed some "fresh ideas" for achieving peace in Ukraine.

"Where I think we agreed is that the current situation, the status quo, is not good for anybody," Volker said in the Baltic interview. "What we need to do is to take a fresh look at how to increase security in Ukraine for the people that live there."

Volker will be joined on his visit to Kyiv on August 23 by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Poroshenko announced his plan to call for the cease-fire at a ceremony opening a renovated musical theater in Syevyerodonetsk in the Luhansk region on August 22. He said he wanted to demonstrate Kyiv's desire for peace.

Several cease-fire deals have been announced and fizzled since Russia-backed separatists seized parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which border Russia, in 2014.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, TASS, KUNA, and Interfax
The United States has sent its first shipment of anthracite coal to Ukraine from the U.S. port of Baltimore under a deal designed to increase Ukraine's energy security.

Pennsylvania-based XCoal Energy and Resources signed a contract with Ukrainian state energy company Centerenergo on July 31 to provide 700,000 tons of anthracite coal in the next few months.

The deal followed talks between Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and U.S. President Donald Trump's administration in June.

The first shipment of 62,000 tons is expected to arrive in Odesas Yuzhnyy port in three weeks, Voice of America reported.

At a launching ceremony in Baltimore on August 22, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Valeriy Chalyy emphasized the importance of the deal for Ukraines energy security.

Most of Ukraines anthracite coal, which is the only fuel that can be used by several of its power plants, in the past came from parts of the Donbas that are now controlled by Russia-backed separatists.

Since the conflict in eastern Ukraine broke out in 2014, Kyiv has sought alternative suppliers of coal for electricity generation.

Ukraine's government cut off deliveries of coal from separatist-controlled areas in March, and has been struggling to meet its energy needs since then.

"We appreciate our American friends' support. I'm proud that in the time of war our nations create jobs, create opportunities," Chaly said.

Exports to Ukraine are part of Trump's plan to turn the United States into an energy-exporting superpower, putting it in direct conflict with Russia in Eastern Europe, where Moscow is currently the dominant energy supplier.

Trump's stated goal is to help European countries increase their energy security while reviving jobs lost by U.S. coal miners under Obama administration policies that heavily favored cleaner fuels such as natural gas, wind, and solar power.

For Eastern European states such as Lithuania and Poland, which are heavily dependent on Russian natural gas, Trump has offered to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) by tanker.

This week, Lithuania is expected to receive a first tanker delivery of LNG from the United States.

With reporting by VOA, the Kyiv Post, and Interfax
Several live programs have disappeared from the airwaves in Uzbekistan in recent days, including a popular new talk show that was a forum for frank discussions of the shortcomings of the authorities.

State media journalists in the tightly controlled country told RFE/RL on August 22 that Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov ordered a stop to all live shows excepts for newscasts after a tense meeting the previous day with state TV officials and employees.

The journalists spoke on condition of anonymity due to fears that they could be punished for discussing the sensitive subject with other media or the public, and there was no official statement or comment on the issue.

The journalists said that Aripov sharply criticized the host of the talk show Press Club, Sherzod Qudrathojaev, during the gathering at the National Radio and Television Company's media center in Tashkent.

Press Club, which began airing several weeks ago, quickly gained popularity with viewers hungry for free discussion and analysis of the actions of officials.

Journalists who attended the meeting said that Aripov was accompanied by presidential adviser Hairiddin Sultonov, who has been supervising Uzbek media for a quarter-century and is known by reporters as "the chief censor."

They said that Aripov told the meeting that programs that had previously been aired live would now be subject to Sultonov's approval.

Sultonov served under longtime President Islam Karimov, who ruled with an iron fist before his death in 2016, and remains in place under President Shavkat Mirziyoev.

Mirziyoev has taken steps to open up the long-isolated country of some 30 million, but rights groups say many problems stemming from overbearing state control have yet to be addressed.




Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called on Russia and the Vatican to help fend off what he described as a U.S. "military threat," and said he will soon go to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A Vatican envoy visiting Moscow earlier in the day had called on Russia to help ease tensions in Venezuela, where Maduro has faced months of mass protests by people who blame him for the Latin American country's deep economic crisis. About 125 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces since April 1.

"I ask for the pope's help against the military threat from the United States," Maduro said at a news conference in Caracas, saying he fears a U.S. invasion after U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this month that he would consider military intervention against Maduro's increasingly authoritarian government.

Russia rejected Trump's threat as "unacceptable," and Maduro said he wants to "keep strengthening military cooperation" with Moscow to fend off the U.S. threat.

Russia recently sold fighter jets and ground-to-air missiles to Venezuela.

"Venezuela has the full and absolute support of Russia," Maduro said, adding that he will soon visit with Putin, who he called a "man of peace."

Based on reporting by AP and AFP




U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Litigation Release No. 23915 / August 22, 2017 Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jeremy Joseph Drake, No. 17-cv-06204 (C.D. Cal., filed August 22, 2017) SEC Charges Investment Adviser with Defrauding Professional Athlete and his Wife The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged investment adviser Jeremy Drake with defrauding two clients, a high profile professional athlete and the athlete's wife, by deceiving them about the investment advisory fees they were paying. The SEC alleges that Drake went to elaborate lengths to conceal his fraud, including creating and sending false documents and masquerading as another person to corroborate his lies. The SEC alleges that Drake, then with Los Angeles-based HCR Wealth Advisors, deceived the clients for more than three years, telling them that they paid a special "VIP" annual rate of 0.15 to 0.20 percent of their assets under management when in fact they paid 1 percent. Drake's deception led the clients to pay $1.2 million more in management fees than Drake represented.A Drake personally received approximately $900,000 of incentive-based compensation based on the fees paid by the clients during the course of his deception. According to the SEC's complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Drake repeatedly lied to the clients and their representatives and sent false and misleading emails, deceptive fee reports, and other fabricated documents. The complaint alleges that in June 2016, as one of the clients demanded an explanation about the fees, Drake created the persona of "Ron Stenson," who purportedly corroborated Drake's story. Upon discovery, the complaint alleges that Drake admitted to one of the clients that he had been lying and warned her that reporting his misconduct could result in bad publicity for her husband. The SEC charged Drake with violating the anti-fraud provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Sections 206(1) and 206(2), and with aiding and abetting violations of those provisions. The SEC is seeking a permanent injunction, return of Drake's allegedly ill-gotten gains plus interest, and penalties. The SEC's investigation, which is continuing, has been conducted by M. Lance Jasper and Spencer E. Bendell, and the litigation will be led by Kristin Escalante. SEC Complaint https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2017/lr23915.htm

Modified: 08/22/2017
A strange dead star may be a remnant of what was essentially a miniature supernova, a new study finds.

The properties of this bizarre star may help shed light on how the unusual supernova that created it formed, the study's researchers said.

The scientists investigated white dwarfs, which are superdense, Earth-size cores of dead stars that are left behind after stars have exhausted their fuel and shed their outer layers. [How to Tell Star Types Apart (Infographic)]

A binary star system before a supernova occurs - one star siphons material from its companion. (Image credit: Russell Kightley)

"These objects are very faint  much fainter than ordinary stars  but they are numerous in our own corner of the Milky Way," said study lead author Stephane Vennes, an astrophysicist at the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Ondrejov, Czech Republic.

Most sunlike stars will become white dwarfs one day. Indeed, "our own sun will finish its own life as an unremarkable white dwarf," Vennes told Space.com.

Vennes and his colleagues focused on an unusual white dwarf named LP 40-365, which is located about 1,000 light-years from Earth. This object's mass is about 14 percent of the sun's mass, and its diameter is about 8 percent of the sun's. Unusually, it was zipping through space at about 1.23 million mph (1.98 million km/h).

"It was immediately clear that this was no ordinary star," Vennes said. "Its velocity is so high that it is on its way to leave permanently the Milky Way."

To learn more about the white dwarf, the researchers examined it over the course of two years using the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, the William Herschel Telescope in Spain's Canary Islands, the Hiltner Telescope in Arizona and the Gemini North Telescope in Hawaii.

The object LP40-365 travels to its present-day location about 1,000 light-years from the sun. (Image credit: Russell Kightley)

Vennes' group discovered that not only the speed, but also the composition, of this white dwarf was strange. Unlike many white dwarfs, LP 40-365's atmosphere lacks any trace of hydrogen and helium, the two most common elements in the universe. Instead, its visible atmosphere is composed almost exclusively of oxygen and neon gas, sprinkled with traces of sodium and magnesium.

"The unusual white dwarf LP 40-365 is unlike any other white dwarf," Vennes said.

Now, Vennes and his colleagues suggest that the origin of this bizarre white dwarf might lie in what is essentially a miniature version of a supernova.

Supernovas are the most powerful stellar explosions known to scientists; they're visible all the way to the edge of the universe. The first of the two main flavors, Type Ia supernovas, occur after a white dwarf is completely destroyed after siphoning too much fuel from a companion star. In contrast, Type II supernovas happen after the core of a star about 10 to 100 times as massive as the sun runs out of fuel and collapses into an extraordinarily dense lump in a fraction of a second, blasting luminous radiation outward.

About 15 years ago, scientists began noticing that a few supernovas appeared to be similar to regular Type Ia supernovas, but were distinctly fainter. Some of these so-called Type Iax supernovas glowed with only 1 percent of the peak luminosity of Type Ia supernovas.

Previous research suggested that Type Iax outbursts might happen when a white dwarf accumulates fuel from a donor star but the core of the white dwarf fails to completely burn during the supernova. As a result, a giant piece of shrapnel gets kicked into space  "a hypervelocity star," Vennes said.

The researchers said LP 40-365 was exactly what one might expect as the leftovers from a Type Iax supernova. Based on the white dwarf's size and current temperature, they estimated that the explosion happened between 5 million and 50 million years ago. Based on its speed and trajectory, it likely made its closest approach to the sun about 500,000 years ago, coming within about 300 light-years from Earth, the researchers said.

The new findings may shed light on why a Type Iax supernova occurs, according to Vennes. The atmospheric composition of LP 40-365 favors a model where the white dwarf behind such an explosion has a mantle layer rich in oxygen and neon that influences the way the dead star burned, resulting in a delayed detonation that "leaves a minute amount of core material unburnt," Vennes said.

The scientists expect that more high-speed remnants of Type Iax supernovas will be found in the future. "We believe this object is only the first among many that remain to be discovered," Vennes said. "The European Space Agency mission Gaia should deliver a large number of such candidates."

The scientists detailed their findings in the Aug. 18 issue of the journal Science.

Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
An asteroid named Florence that will safely sweep past Earth on Sept. 1 is the largest object to give our planet a close shave since NASA began tracking these types of near-Earth asteroids, an agency official said.

The space rock measures 2.7 miles (4.4 kilometers) across. It will pass by Earth at a safe distance of 4.4 million miles (7 million kilometers), or nearly 18 times the distance between Earth and the moon.

"While many known asteroids have passed by closer to Earth than Florence will on September 1, all of those were estimated to be smaller," Paul Chodas, manager of NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, said in a statement. [Photos: Asteroids in Deep Space]

On Sept. 1, asteroid Florence will fly by Earth, and come to within about 18 times the distance from the Earth to the moon. (Image credit: NASA)

As asteroid Florence passes by Earth, astronomers will take the opportunity to capture radar images to learn more about the asteroids exact size and detailed surface features. The asteroid is named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

Astronomer Schelte "Bobby" Bus first spotted asteroid Florence in 1981 at Siding Spring Observatory in Australia. The flyby on Sept. 1 is the asteroid's closest approach since 1890 and it won't get this close to Earth again until after 2500, according to the statement.

The large near-Earth asteroid Florence will fly safely by Earth on Sept. 1, 2017 at a range of 4.4 million miles (7 million kilometers). (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Amateur astronomers will be able to view the asteroid using small telescopes as early as late August, when Florence begins to brighten in the night sky and streaks through the constellations Piscis Austrinus, Capricornus, Aquarius and Delphinus.

Correction: This article previously stated that Florence would pass Earth to within eight times the distance from Earth to the moon; the asteroid will in fact pass to within 18 times that distance.

Follow Samantha Mathewson @Sam_Ashley13. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.

Note: Video edited by Space.com senior producer Steve Spaleta.
Astro Digital, an Earth-imaging and analysis company is using its 16-unit cubesat high-power bus for Helios Wire's mission.

SAN FRANCISCO  Helios Wire, a satellite-enabled Internet of Things startup led by former UrtheCast founder and chief executive Scott Larson, announced Aug. 21 that it closed a $4 million funding round.

Helios Wire will use the money to pay for satellites to help customers track and communicate with billions of devices worldwide, Larson told SpaceNews.

Scott Larson

In December, Helios Wire plans to launch a small prototype satellite to demonstrate the technology it will use to relay short bursts of data transmitted from ground-based devices through satellites using S-band spectrum. The firm plans to launch its first two operational satellites in fall 2018, Larson said.

Astro Digital, an Earth-imaging and analysis company, is using its 16-unit cubesat high-power bus for Helios Wire's mission, Chris Biddy, Astro Digital co-founder and chief executive, said by email. "These satellites will be 20 to 25 kilograms and are flying a custom machine-to-machine communications payload made to Helios Wire's specifications."

Helios Wire is manufacturing solar-powered sensors about the size of a cellphone and shoebox-size hubs designed to pick up data from multiple sensors that monitor variable like temperature, elevation, location and vibration.

"You can attach the sensors to things and they will beep information to space," Larson said. "We think we can track a few billion of these devices for a few dollars a month for industries that don't need always-on connectivity and are not looking to send huge data files. They just want to get information from a piece of equipment, a piece of infrastructure, an oil and gas pipeline or anything that is physically remote, for super cheap."

Helios Wire plans to expand its space-based constellation as its business grows. With two satellites, the company will be able to pick up data from ground-based sensors every seven hours. "If you have 40 satellites, it's every five minutes," Larson said.

Helios Wire was established in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2016. Larson declined to say how much money the firm raised prior to the Aug. 21 announcement.

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
NASAs Voyager 1 soars through interstellar space 40 years after it was launched, as depicted in the new film, "The Farthest."

Forty years ago, NASA launched twin robotic explorers on a mission to travel farther out than any spacecraft had gone before, and today, they continue to be our most distant emissaries. The story of those probes, and of the people behind them, is the focus of the aptly-titled documentary, "The Farthest," airing Wednesday (Aug. 23) on PBS.

The Voyager probes, referred to by numerical designators "1" and "2," revealed the outer planets of our solar system and then continued to sail beyond. Voyager 2, which was the first to launch on Aug. 20, 1977, visited Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Voyager 1 departed Earth on Sep. 5, 1977, overtook its counterpart, and was the first to arrive at Jupiter and Saturn.

Three and a half decades later, on Aug. 25, 2012, Voyager 1 became the first craft to cross into interstellar space. It is the farthest of humanity's creations, about 13 billion miles (21 billion km) from the sun, and it is still sending data. [NASA's Epic Voyager Mission at 40: Q&A with Lead Scientist Ed Stone]

"There are two parts to Voyager," said John Casani, who in 1977 was the project manager for Voyager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. "There's the part of getting the thing designed, tested and put together so it is working right, getting it to the launch pad and getting it launched. The really interesting part happens after that."

"That is where the clock that is counting down to 40 years starts, at liftoff," said Casani, in an interview preceding an early screening of "The Farthest" at Space Center Houston in Texas on Aug. 1.

"Voyager really is an amazing mission. Not only because it lasted so long, but it really, for the first time, gave anybody a picture of what the solar system out beyond Mars was like. We had no idea," he said.

Casani is featured in "The Farthest," along with more than 20 other engineers, scientists and citizens who contributed to the Voyager mission 40 years ago.

"Space films can be challenging because they can be very impersonal. This one sort of goes to the other extreme," described Jared Lipworth, consulting producer with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, which collaborated with the Ireland-based production company Crossing The Line to present the film.

NASAs Voyager probe sails by Saturn, as seen in the new film, "The Farthest." (Image credit: PBS)

"There are just so many of the people who were involved who have stories to tell," he said. "So, it really became as much about the people as it did about the mission."

That includes Casani and Frank Locatell, an engineer who led the design and development of the Voyager propulsion module and, for the year prior to launch, was responsible for the flight readiness of all the mechanical hardware on both probes.

"I think Voyager represents an evolutionary step in human development. I don't think that's a stretch [to say]," Locatell told collectSPACE. "Voyager is a story about science, and about the application of science and what that application could mean on our development as human beings."

"When Voyager was launched, I don't think we had any idea about some of the really strange worlds we detected out there," said Don Gurnett, the principal scientist for the plasma wave instrument that provided the evidence that Voyager 1 had left the solar system in 2012. "I remember after going by Jupiter and Saturn, being invited to science fiction conferences to talk about the worlds we discovered out there."

"It wasn't just the planets  Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune  but a whole collection of moons. I lost count, but there are some 30 or so moons," Gurnett said.

In addition to revealing the details of Jupiter's and Saturn's known satellites, Voyager 1 and 2 found three new moons at Jupiter and four at Saturn. Voyager 2 found 11 unknown moons at Uranus and six at Neptune.

Voyager 1 discovered active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io, an ocean on Jupiter's moon Europa and a nitrogen-rich atmosphere on Saturn's moon Titan.

"The Farthest" also tells the history of the Golden Record, which on each probe carries music, images and greetings from Earth should intelligent aliens someday discover the one or both of them.

NASAs Voyager 2 spacecraft is encapsulated for launch in 1977 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Image credit: NASA)

"The scientists at the time, a lot of them, did not want to have anything to do with it," Lipworth said. "They did not want it on [the spacecraft] and didn't like it was getting all the attention. But that says a lot about humanity. It was as much for us as it was for any alien that might find it."

Conveying the Golden Record may be the Voyagers' last mission, but the two probes' legacy is closer to home, said Casani.

"It is like saying 'What do we think about Columbus?' He discovered the Americas, or something like that," Casani explained. "The Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria might as well be Voyager 1 and 2. They showed us what was in the outer solar system. That will be their lasting legacy."

"Voyager was not about learning how to build machines. It was about learning what was out there. Voyager told us what was out there."

"The Farthest," from Crossing The Line and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, premieres Wednesday (Aug. 23) on PBS. See: pbs.org/the-farthest

Take an inside look at "The Farthest" about NASA's Voyagers probes at collectSPACE.

Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2017 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
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SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has revealed the first public photo of the ultra-sleek spacesuits that astronauts will wear when the company sends humans into space.

In a post on Instagram today (Aug. 23), Musk revealed an image of a person sitting in what looks like a spacecraft cabin, wearing a bright white-and-silver spacesuit. Musk said that the suits have already been tested in "double vacuum pressure," (a spacesuit must maintain Earth-like pressure in the astronauts body, despite the lack of atmospheric pressure in the vacuum of space), although these suits are likely not intended to be worn outside the spacecraft. He also noted that it was "incredibly hard" to balance aesthetics and function.

Along with Boeing, SpaceX is poised to become one of the first private companies to send humans into space. Both companies won contracts with NASA to launch humans to the International Space Station. Crewed test flights are scheduled for 2018, with flights to the station scheduled for sometime in 2019. However, at least one report suggests it is very possible there will be additional delays. SpaceX has also announced it plans to send two private citizens on a trip around the moon.

Earlier this year, Boeing revealed its new "Boeing Blue" astronaut spacesuits. The blue-and-gray suits are lighter than shuttle-era flight suits, according to the company, and include things like touch-screen sensitive gloves and soft helmets that are attached to the body of the suit. Boeing is scheduled to become the first private company to fly humans into space.

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
T he UKs biggest care homes mogul said buying more than 100 homes from Bupa was the true highlight of my 30-year career despite fears over the debt-fuelled deal.

Dr Chai Patel, who was caught up in the cash-for-honours scandal under Labour, clinched a deal to buy 122 Bupa care homes to add to his HC-One business.

He plans to spend 40 million over the next four years upgrading the homes.

It makes HC-One the number one care homes company in the UK, pushing it up from number three spot to leapfrog Four Seasons and Barchester Healthcare.

The Bupa portfolio has 9000 beds, giving HC One 22,000 beds in total. But the 300 million takeover has faced questions over the amount of debt fuelling the deal.

HC-One will reportedly be left with around 500 million of debt in the wake of the takeover, although the company own nearly all of its care homes which are worth 1 billion.

However, Patel said the companys rapid growth  it recently acquired 50 homes from Meridian and Helen McArdle Care  was financially sustainable.

It's a prudent position, we are double-covered from the value of the properties, he said.

The company also has 675 million of turnover.

Care homes have been a long-standing focus of public concern following the 2011 collapse of Southern Cross, which did not own its properties. HC-One bought a third of its homes.

However, Care England chief executive Martin Green said residents should not worry.

Its a good deal, he said. It ensures those services are not lost to the sector.

HC-One is a large organisation investing in quality care so were going to see those services maintained.

The equity for the takeover comes from middle east firm Safanad and United States property group Stepstone. The debt has been arranged by German giant Deutsche Bank and vulture fund Apollo.
Since falls are one of the leading causes of death in Jackson County, Black River Memorial Hospital is hosting its Stepping On program.

The program will help participants identify why they fall and different ways to prevent falls. This includes strength and balance exercises, home safety check suggestions and a medication review.

Participants will view a display of fall prevention products and leave with more strength, better balance and experience a feeling of confidence and independence as a result of performing various exercises and sharing personal fall experiences as a group.

This class is ideal for individuals who are able to walk with or without a cane or may use a walker in the community and are fairly independent.

Research has found that people who complete the workshop have a 31 percent reduced rate of falls.

The upcoming seven-week class in Black River Falls will be held on Tuesdays, Sept. 12  Oct. 24 at the Lunda Community Center from 9:3011:30 a.m.

For more information and to register for the workshop, call 715-284-1330.
O ne by one, the brittle positions on Brexit set out by the Prime Minister over the past year are crumbling.

No longer does any Cabinet minister repeat her mantra that no deal is better than a bad deal; no more does the Government pretend that European citizens wont be able to move freely to the UK. It turns out that Britains initial salvos are far from unstoppable when confronted with the immovable objects of the EUs negotiating discipline and the lack of a parliamentary majority. This is a welcome reality check on the rigid dogma that has infected too much Brexiteer talk and which soured the tone of the negotiations from the start.

We see further evidence of this new-found flexibility today as the Government publishes its ideas on the future judicial oversight of our ongoing relationship with our European neighbours once we leave the EU. Back at last years Conservative conference Theresa May claimed that Britain would no longer be subject to supranational institutions that can override national parliaments and courts. Today, her Government confirms that Britain will indeed subject itself to a supranational institution that can override our Parliament and our courts in resolving disputes with the EU.

Last year, Mrs May told us that Britains relationship with the EU was not going to be a Norway model. Its not going to be a Switzerland model. Today, both the European Free Trade Association court that Norway subscribes to and the more informal dispute resolution channels that Switzerland uses are given as models we might follow. Last year, Mrs May won applause from Tory delegates when she thundered we are not leaving only to return to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. Today  as this paper pointed out on Monday  that has been quietly changed to a commitment to end the direct jurisdiction of the ECJ.

The junior justice minister Dominic Raab conceded this morning that Britain would now keep half an eye on EU law. The truth is that it will be a lot more than that. When Brexit Britain diverges from EU rules and regulations, whatever supranational body we subject ourselves to will in practice largely follow the judgments of the ECJ.

This will become painfully apparent when we discuss the future trade arrangements with our largest export markets. So much of that discussion to date has been dominated by talk of removing tariff barriers, but the reality of modern trade is that its mainly about regulation and standard-setting bodies. As the goods sold across borders become ever more sophisticated, and where services take a growing share of exports (especially ours), increasingly it will be the rules you agree to, on everything from animal welfare standards and financial stability controls to state aid restrictions and employment laws, that determine how freely your goods and services can be sold.

When it comes to selling into the European Union, many of those rules will continue be set by the European Council and Parliament and shaped by the judgments of the ECJ  all institutions we are currently part of and which we are now leaving. As Britain struggles to replicate what we already have, perhaps the Brexiteer slogan should have read: Take Back the Appearance of Control.

More fountains please

Borough Markets decision to ban the sale of plastic water bottles and provide three drinking fountains instead is a praiseworthy attempt to improve the environment. We hope it reduces plastic pollution and also inspires the installation of more drinking fountains in this city. Other great cities such as Paris and Rome, where water fountains proliferate, are ahead of London in this. Its time to catch up. More fountains please.
I f bright flavours and vibrant spices are your bag, then Spitalfields newcomer Rola Wala has it all wrapped up  quite literally.

The long-time street food favourites have settled into their first permanent London site, and are serving up wraps filled with the likes of earthy Bengali-spiced beef braised brisket or black chickpeas with coconut, sweet potato, pineapple and spices.

It is focused mainly on the food-to-go crowd, with just a handful of seats overlooking the all-important 'assemble-to-order' counter.

Here customers start by choosing either a hand-rolled sourdough naan to wrap their chosen filling in, or opt instead for a breadless base such as brown rice or noodles. The next stage is to choose a filling, followed by a range of fresh chutneys.

Watch how the wraps come together in our video above, and visit Rola Wala for your own fix.
I t's been ten years to the day since the very first hashtag was shared on Twitter.

When Chris Messina (@chrismessina) tweeted #barcamp, he couldn't have known what he was starting.

Now, an average of 125 million hashtags are shared every day on Twitter from around the world. The hashtag has become part of common vernacular, from major world events to awareness campaigns: did it even happen if it didn't get a hashtag?

The most Tweeted hashtag in 2007 was used around 9,000 times. The most-used hashtag so far in 2017 was used over 300 million times.

These are the most popular hastags of all time:

#BlackLivesMatter

#brexit

#CupforBen

#EdBallsDay

#Ferguson

#FollowFriday

#funnycat

#GBBO

#GoT

#HeforShe

#IceBucketChallenge

#jesuischarlie

#JoinIn

#MTVHottest

#MUFC

#NowPlaying

#PutYourBatsOut

#StarWars

#Superbowl

#TheDress

#TheWalkingDead

#WorldCup

10 years of the hashtag

The #BlackLivesMatter hashtag is a powerful example of how a hashtag can lead a movement. It started in 2012, after a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator in Florida fatally shot an African-American 17-year-old boy, but was acquitted.

Twitter became a lifeline for one dad when #CupForBen went viral last year. The story of Marc Carter (@grumpycarter) and his autistic son Ben touched the world. Ben had been drinking from the same Tommy Tippee blue cup since he was two. But when the company stopped making the cup, Marc tweeted a picture of it with the hashtag #CupForBen, appealing to people who might have a spare. The world rallied around to find Marc another cup, which they did.

#Brexit probably doesn't need an explanation, but the UK was divided over whether or not we should leave the European Union in June 2016.

Key Brexit Players - In pictures 1 /8 Key Brexit Players - In pictures David Davis Reuters Michel Barnier AP Tim Barrow AFP/Getty Images Oliver Robbins Sabine Weyand Didier Seeuws AFP/Getty Images

Another divisive hashtag - remember #TheDress? It seemed like the whole world had their say over whether a dress was black and blue or white and gold in February 2015. The phenomenon was later revealed as differences in human colour perception which have been the subject of ongoing scientific investigation in neuroscience and vision science.

#HeForShe went viral in 2014 when Harry Potter star Emma Watson spoke at the UN to engage men and boys in helping towards gender equality.
I ntroducing women-only carriages to stop sex assaults on trains would be tantamount to blaming the victims of attacks instead of their perpetrators, campaigners have said.

A row over female-only carriages erupted again after a senior Labour MP suggested the tactic could be an efficient way to stop the rise in sex crimes on public transport.

Some women and girls have suggested they would feel safer when travelling alone or late at night if they had the option use carriages without men.

But those at the forefront of the fight against sexual violence said resorting to segregation to tackle such crimes undermines efforts to promote gender equality and sends the wrong message to perpetrators.

Although there are no government plans for introducing such measures, the debate on the issue shines a light on the way gender or sex-related abuse is tackled in the UK, they say.

Rachel Krys, the Co-Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition said that, by introducing female-only carriages, authorities would me turning sex crimes into a womens problem.

Report it to Stop it - British Transport Police campaign

The issue lies with the perpetrators, she told the Standard. Not with women.

She said that research carried out by EVAW suggests many women would feel that if they chose to not use the female-only carriage where available, then they would be seen to be inviting unwanted attention and possibly even assaults.

We already have the issue that, when a woman is assaulted, the first thing they do is ask what they could have done differently, she said. So where would this leave the women who choose to use mixed carriages?

Alex Regrutto, a 43-year-old Londoner who works in marketing, said the policy would be targeting the wrong people.

They should be banning the men who do this, he told the Standard. They shouldnt be hiding the women away  it should be the other way round. Everyone should be able to go on the Underground without feeling scared.

Tube: A row has been sparked over the idea that some carriages should be women-only / Getty Images

Leanne Tool, a Detective Sergeant for Merseyside Police responsible for supervising sex offenders, said she thought the idea was missing the point of the issue.

What we need to do is stop people from offending or reoffending, she said. We should be educating young boys more to prevent these sorts of incidents.

DS Tool said two of the causes of someone becoming a sex offender are alcohol and family history.

I work with sex offenders every day and one of the main issues we see is alcohol, she said. Some people who sexually assault women on trains are more likely to be intoxicated because it lowers their inhibitions.

And people who sexually offend often come from difficult upbringings or have been victims of sexual assaults themselves and think that is appropriate. No one in that family has told them it is not the right thing to do.

Often people who commit sexual offences go on to reoffend

She said that many people who offend are likely to go on to commit a similar offence again and warned that keeping men and women separate would do nothing to tackle this issue.

But the view of some young women is that, despite concerns over the message it could send out, the concept of having a space where no men are allowed is a favourable one.

Ms Krys said that it was no surprise that young women would feel safer with the new carriages, but believes there are better ways to deal with the rise in sex crimes.

Of course they would feel safer, she said. We spoke to young women who said that the level of harassment puts them off travelling around London so it is completely understandable that they would feel this way.

We have developed a situation where young women are so frightened that they would prefer segregation. But this policy would make women less equal and less free to move around  which is not what we want.

She said the best ways to tackle the issue head on would be increased staff on trains and better lighting, as well as continued work to build awareness around the issue.

I think a lot of the increase in sexual offences is to do with work done by the British Transport Police (BTP) and Transport for London around awareness campaigns and staff training  so more incidents are reported, she said.

BTP and TfL both launched awareness campaigns to encourage victims of sexual offences to come forward. One advert features the voice-over of several victims describing a man who has touched them inappropriately or pushed against them on a train  instances that are all too common for women who use public transport.

Such campaigns help with dispelling the myth that women who report offences will not be taken seriously, but many believe more needs to be done to prevent them from being targeting in the first place.

We have already had CCTV operators trained to spot people who are going around with the intention of offending people, Ms Krys said. But we should have more people like that who are trained to spot the signs. And we need more people to be talk about this.

The concept of women-only carriages was first brought to light by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2015 and resurfaced on Wednesday when shadow fire minister Chris Williamson suggested politicians should consider the move.

Citing figures released by BTP, he said the idea of having a safe space could help combat the stark rise in reported sexual offences.

According to the BTP statistics, reports of sexual assaults on trains soared from 650 in 2012/2013 to 1,448 in 2016/17. Authorities have previously suggested the spike is the result of police encouraging victims to report attacks.

Mr Williams pointed out that it would be a personal choice whether someone wanted to make use of [the carriages] but said there would be merit in consulting on the idea.

But his suggestions have been criticised by many politicians, including Labour's former Transport Secretary Lord Adonis.

He told the BBC that women-only railway carriages is an "absolutely crazy idea" and that women would find it "grossly insulting".

"Women would find this grossly insulting, the idea that they would be herded into separate carriages when the point at issue is a very tiny number of men who don't behave properly, he said.

"What we should obviously do is see that there's no harassment that takes place in any part of our transport systems or indeed at the public at large, and not resort to panaceas like women-only carriages that women will find deeply insulting.
A man who tried to smuggle a pipe bomb in his hand luggage onto a plane at Manchester Airport has been jailed for 18 years.

Nadeem Muhammad, 43, was found to be carrying a crude improvised explosive device as he went through security at the airport on January 30.

He was trying to board a Ryanair flight to Bergamo, in Italy.

After sentencing, Judge Patrick Field QC criticised airport security for making a "wholly erroneous and potentially dangerous" conclusion that the bomb was not viable after it was seized by officers.

Nadeem Muhammad, who was found with a pipe bomb in his hand luggage at Manchester Airport / PA

Muhammad, from Bury, told airport officials someone else had put it in his luggage when he was caught at security.

A forensic examination of the device later found potentially dangerous explosives, which led to Muhammads home being searched.

He was arrested in the UK having been allowed to fly from Italy on February 12.

The judge said he was alarmed by evidence and the lack of concern expressed by both airport officials and the police.

ACC Russ Jackson, responsible for the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: It was only when the item was examined forensically days later that it was found to be a potentially viable device.

At this point efforts were immediately made to arrest Muhammad.

He went on: I want to be clear that we accept there were errors made in the assessment of this item.

This is an extremely serious incident at a time when people are concerned about terrorism, especially here in Manchester and whilst it should be acknowledged that the security checks were effective in finding the item, the assessment of the device should have been more comprehensive and taken place sooner.

These lessons have been learned and reviews of operating procedures have already taken place.
A 73-year-old woman who claims she had her Yorkshire Terrier seized by seven police officers after it allegedly attacked a delivery courier will today be quizzed by police.

Claudia Settimo-Bovio, from Kingston, told the Standard she would be questioned by officers after they took away her 10-year-old dog Alfie following claims he was out of control.

Ms Settimo-Bovio has accused the police of overreacting and said she was left feeling distraught after they seized her pet dog.

Scotland Yard has disputed Ms Settimo-Bovios account of events and said two dog units and three police officers went to the address last Friday after the delivery courier claimed the dog bit his stomach and ear.

The animal was seized by police under the Dangerous Dogs Act more than six weeks after it is alleged to have attacked the delivery driver outside her house on June 21.

Police said the delivery courier claimed he was chased and attacked by a dog, possibly a Border Collie or similar size.

Ms Settimo-Bovio said the man, aged in his mid 30s, was delivering a parcel to her home but asked him to leave it outside when Alfie became over excited.

She went outside to collect the parcel but the dog ran through her legs and chased after the courier, she said.

Ms Settimo-Bovio said: He screamed his head off, it was like a mad scene in the street but the dog never touched him.

The police just came round and took my dog away at 8.30 in the morning. There were seven officers in five cars.

They didnt want to hear my version of events. Im going to give them my side of the story today.

He is a friendly dog. Everybody knows my dog. If I get him back now I will be very lucky.

The dog is currently being held in kennels.

A Met Police spokeswoman said: Police in Kingston have seized a dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act The seizure follows an incident on Wednesday, June 21.

A delivery courier reported that a dog, possibly a Border Collie or similar size, had chased him and then leapt up and bit him on his stomach. He stated that he then fell over and was bitten behind the ear.

The victim, who is in his mid 30s, went to a west London hospital and was treated for minor injuries. He reported the matter to police on June 26.

At 08.08am on Friday, August 18 officers from Kingston attended an address in Vale Crescent, SW15 to carry out a search warrant under section 5 of the Dangerous Dog's Act 1991.

Two dog units and three local officers attended the scene. The dog was found the be a Yorkshire Terrier.

One dog unit remained to give advice and the other left. The dog was walked to a waiting police van on a lead.

The owner of the dog has been identified and shall be interviewed at a mutually convenient time.
N ew mothers could be putting their babies at risk of serious infection by following a trend called vaginal "seeding" experts have warned.

Doctors have said there was no evidence that transferring "protective" bacteria from the mother's birth canal after a caesarean section helped protect newborns from infection.

Instead they warned the procedure, also known as microbirthing, could give babies deadly infections or sepsis.

A report, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said more than 90 per cent of Danish obstetricians said they had been asked about vaginal seeding.

It said there was no evidence of any benefit to seeding as there was only one proper study of the technique and it involved just four babies.

Dr Tine Dalsgaard Clausen, consultant obstetrician at Nordsjaellands Hospital, Denmark and lead author of the study, said more research is needed to understand if vaginal seeding lowered the risk of babies born by c-section developing chronic conditions later in life.

"Currently there is no evidence to show that the potential long-term benefits of vaginal seeding outweigh the risks or costs associated, however, we encourage researchers to investigate vaginal seeding further and would support patients' participating in safely controlled clinical trials."

She advised women to "avoid unnecessary [Caesarean] sections, aim for breast feeding for at least half a year and have early skin-to-skin contact" all of which has a beneficial impact on a child's microbiome.

Parents using the trend hope the exposure to bacteria will boost their baby's immune system, thereby preventing illness and disease in future.

When babies are born vaginally they are exposed to a range of beneficial bacteria while moving down the birth canal.

Dr Patrick O'Brien, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, told the BBC: "There is no robust evidence to suggest that vagina seeding has any associated benefits.

"We would therefore not recommend it until more definitive research shows that it is not harmful and can in fact improve a child's digestive and/or immune system."

In the UK, one in four babies are born via Caesarean section.
T he private hospital used by the royal family was today ordered by health inspectors to improve patient safety, the Standard can reveal.

King Edward VIIs hospital, in Marylebone, was found to have a shortage of emergency breathing equipment, a backlog of 671 incomplete investigations into patient incidents and no medical records of outpatients.

There were concerns about its senior managers, the lack of oversight of its 233 consultants and the failure of some doctors to follow basic bare below the elbow rules on infection control.

The hospital was rated as requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission  the second lowest of four possible scores  and served with two formal requirement notices after breaching regulations.

King Edwards, which has been used in recent years by the Queen, Prince Philip and the Duchess of Cambridge, today said it was extremely disappointed with the rating and vowed to improve.

Prince William and the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge leaving the King Edward VII hospital

CQC inspectors spent three days in January and February interviewing staff and patients at the 55-bed hospital, which opened in 1899.

Inspectors said the fact that an intubation trolley, used to treat patients with difficult airways, had to be shared between surgery and critical care which were on different floors of the hospital  could place people at risk.

In the year to last September, 181 clinical incidents were reported. Of these, 121 resulted in no harm, 39 in minimal harm, 17 in short-term harm and four in death.

Queen Elizabeth II leaving King Edward VII Hospital after being treated there in 2013 / PA

A total of eight deaths were reported to the CQC. There were 28 patient falls, a comparatively high number. Patients were not always referred for palliative care quickly enough to ensure a peaceful death.

Surgery was rated requires improvement as the medicines cabinet was regularly left unlocked. The hospital was rated as requires improvement for safety and in terms of being well-led. It was rated good for caring and the effectiveness of its services.

The CQCs then-chief inspector of hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, said: We had concerns senior leaders did not have oversight on incident investigations.

"We saw no evidence that action plans had been developed and shared with staff. The risk register did not match the risks we found and identified within the service. We were not assured there was appropriate consultant cover.

The hospital, which treats about 4,000 patients a year, was told it must:

Maintain accurate, complete and contemporaneous records of the care and treatment given to patients.

Operate effective systems or processes to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services provided.

Provide sufficient equipment to ensure the safety of patients and to meet their needs.

Prince Philip spent two nights at the hospital in June with an infection. He has received care there several times. The Queen was admitted in 2013 with gastroenteritis  her first hospital stay in almost a decade. It was also where the Duchess of Cambridge was treated for severe morning sickness in 2012.

The hospital said: King Edward VIIs hospital places the delivery of the highest standards of medical and nursing care to patients as our priority.

"We were pleased to note the commissions positive review of our work as caring, effective and responsive. We note, however, that the commission has identified a number of governance processes that, in their judgment, fell short of their requirements.

We have already addressed many of these areas, and everyone at the hospital is fully engaged in a rigorous action plan to further improve the processes which were identified.
D rink and drug misuse among the over 50s is a "rapidly growing problem", scientists have warned.

Experts said urgent action is needed to tackle the rising abuse of alcohol, prescription drugs and cannabis among baby boomers.

It comes after figures showed more than half a million adults aged 55 to 74 were admitted to English hospitals with alcohol-related injuries, diseases or conditions in 2015/16  more than any other age group.

The report, published in the British Medical Journal, argues there is a "strong upward trend for episodic heavy drinking" among the age group. One concern is the "increasing proportion" of women drinking in later life.

In particular, the researchers raise concerns about women whose drinking is prompted by retirement, bereavement, change in home situation, infrequent contact with family and friends, and social isolation.

The experts said drinking is the most common substance misuse and the under-detection of alcohol problems is of "immediate concern".

"Alcohol misuse in the older population may increase further as baby boomers get older because of their more liberal views towards, and higher use of, alcohol," wrote Rahul Rao of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Ann Roche of Flinders University in Australia.

They added: "A lack of sound alcohol screening to detect risky drinking may result in a greater need for treatment, longer duration of treatment, heavier use of ambulance services, and higher rates of hospital admission."

"Clinicians will need improved knowledge and skills in assessing and treating older people at risk of misuse of opiate prescription drugs, cannabis, and, increasingly, gabapentinoid drugs used to treat neuropathic pain and anxiety."

They concluded: "The clinical complexity of older adults with substance misuse demands new solutions to a rapidly growing problem.

"So far, there has been little sign of a co-ordinated international approach to integrated care."

Katherine Brown, director of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, said: "The worrying rise in alcohol problems amongst baby boomers comes as no surprise.

"This is the first generation in living memory that has had easy access to cheap alcohol in shops and supermarkets and now we are seeing the consequences in later life."
A London history professor has branded calls to have Nelsons Column pulled down as the height of cultural vandalism.

Sky journalist Afua Hirsch, also a novelist and writer, made the controversial suggestion after campaigns to remove similar statues in the US sparked violent riots in Charlottesville where one woman died.

Writing in the Guardian, she claimed that Admiral Horatio Nelson was what you would now call, without hesitation, a white supremacist.

She added: He believed that black people were inferior, that they belong on plantations working under conditions of torture and exploitation and he used his incredible position of influence to try and prolong that situation.

My real issue is when we remember these figures from British history we don't remember the full picture. We only remember the pro Imperial propaganda that he was a good person, that he was a hero.

The statue of Lord Admiral Nelson in Trafalgar Square, London, was pictured with an Olympic themed hat, as part of a summer of cultural 'firsts' to mark the London 2012 Olympics.

Ms Hirsch said that figures like Nelson spring to mind when I hear the latest news of confederate statues being pulled down in the US.

Critics have accused the columnist of attempting to erase history by suggesting the iconic Trafalgar Square landmark should be removed.

Jerry White, professor of London history at Birkbeck College, told the Standard: Almost any historical figure that we could think of, when tested, will come off looking like they had views that would be unacceptable to people living now."

Controversial claims: Afua Hirsch (Twitter/@afuahirsch) /  Twitter/@afuahirsch

Dr White said pulling down the statue would be the height of cultural vandalism

He added: It would be absurd to base that decision on something someone said in the 1790s.

It is comparable to Isil in Iran destroying a culture they believed was unacceptable and thinking it could be erased.

Others took to social media to slam Ms Hirschs suggestion.

Simon Wheatley wrote: Really ? Take down Nelsons Column because he had racist idea's how can you apply modern values to someone who lived and died 200 yrs ago.

Andy Fleetham added: History can't be changed, but you can learn from it. Social opinions 200 years ago won't be erased by kicking over statues #NelsonsColumn.

The 51.6m statue was erected outside the National Gallery between 1840 and 1843 to commemorate the Admiral Horatio Nelson who died in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Admiral Nelson played key roles during the Napoleonic Wars.

Students at Oxford University previously launched an unsuccessful campaign to tear down a monument of Imperialist Cecil Rhodes over fears it might offend ethnic minorities.
The Black River Falls Common Council held its second August meeting on Aug. 16.

Highlighting the agenda was the introduction of new police chief Kelly Bakken, who introduced herself to the council and the citizens in attendance.

Her first day of service will be Sept. 5 and she already knows of the work ahead of her.

She noted in her introduction that the drug problem is a particularly big issue to tackle in Black River Falls.

The council also got a K-9 demonstration by officer Jeremy James and Mattis who are continuing their training.

James hid some cotton balls around the council room that were marked for Mattis to find so he could show off his tracking skills.

In the four months theyve been working together, James said hes gone out on about 50 calls with Mattis and had a lot of hits.

The success rate is good to show that the training is working, but it also highlights how much the drug problem is increasing.

Also on the agenda was the approval of liquor and beer licenses for the old and new Kwik Trips in the city.

The issue of raising the amount of licenses available in the city caused a disagreement in the council when it was brought up and there were similar disagreements in the approval of the licenses.

The council did approve awarding a liquor license to the Kwik Trip on Hwy. 54 as well as beer and liquor licenses to the new Kwik Trip being built on Hwy. A.

The next council meeting is Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.
A mass convoy of boy racers set to parade through the capitals streets has been cancelled after police threatened a major crackdown.

The London Tunnel Run, planned for Sunday night, was set to see more than 1,000 souped-up cars gathering in Surrey Quays shopping centre car park before touring the city centre.

The event also took place in April, but sparked scores of complaints from residents who bemoaned chaos and gridlock on the roads.

Rotherhithe and Blackwall tunnels were forced to close because of the traffic caused by the rally.

The August bank holiday event, which has more than 2,000 people registered as interested, has now been cancelled due to pressure from the police and council.

London Tunnel Run 2017 1 /10 London Tunnel Run 2017 A motorist takes part in the London Tunnel Run 2017 which residents say caused 'gridlock' on the roads @palmer People gather at Surrey Quays car park for the controversial high-performance vehicle rally @YeahLukeTweets/Luke Philpott Participants take pictures of souped-up cars at the rally @YeahLukeTweets/Luke Philpott A driver performs a stunt after the Tunnel Run event YouTube A driver parades his car at the London Tunnel Run 2017 @YeahLukeTweets/Luke Philpott Drivers parade their cars at the London Tunnel Run 2017 @YeahLukeTweets/Luke Philpott People gather at Surrey Quays car park for the controversial high-performance vehicle rally @YeahLukeTweets/Luke Philpott Participants take pictures of souped-up cars at the rally @YeahLukeTweets/Luke Philpott

The organisers said they were asked to pull the event amid concerns over health and safety, including the current threat of terrorism.

I'm gutted we can't have these tunnel runs events anymore. Ive been doing them for years now, said one organiser called Rob.

He told the Standard the huge scale of the event had led to worries over potential accidents or damage to property.

He said: Obviously those responsible would be dealt with but it would come back to us and fall on our shoulders and we could receive a five figure fine or imprisonment for organising the event and bringing everyone there in the first place.

So we have had to cancel the event and any other events in the London area. We have now set up a strictly 'static' (park & pose) event with much less attendees... due to take place on the same day but outside of London.

Despite the cancellation, the Met Police issued a warning in which they said vehicles could be seized.

The statement, circulated on social media, read: Unnecessary noise, antisocial behaviour or traffic offences will be dealt with robustly by police.

There is a dispersal zone in place for the majority of the Rotherhithe / Surrey Docks / Canada Water area and Section 59 notices may be used, to allow police to disperse those behaving anti-socially and seize vehicles where necessary.

Please do not risk coming to this event and losing your vehicle.

Following Aprils event, a Met Police spokeswoman told the Standard that no arrests were made and no issues were recorded.

However, residents complained about the noise of loud revving of cars and motorbikes and loud bangs from backfiring exhausts.
I n the quiet months of a parliamentary recess, what can political journalists and media pundits complain about? The citys favourite Tube lines, of course. And its a debate that is raging with all the volume of a charging Central line train.

This week YouGov released the results of a vote for commuters favourite line. YouGov is able to officially crown the Jubilee as the best on the Tube network, it stated. With 51 per cent of those who use the line saying that they like it, compared to only 6 per cent who say they do not. The DLR was a close second. But if you thought an official poll would settle things, youd be wrong. Twitter almost exploded with opinions, with Bakerloo, Metropolitan and Central loyalists defending their own.

It started with the New Statesmans Stephen Bush, writing for its sister publication CityMetric. Whatever the polls say, the Piccadilly is the best of all possible lines, he wrote. Thanks to the Eurostar station at Kings Cross and the airport at Heathrow, its the only line that can take you anywhere in the world. But his piece, in turn, received ire. Bush attacks the Northern line, saying it covers the most irredeemable stretch of south London. Oi! shot back Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan. Nothing wrong with Balham, great area.

Another reader, a Metropolitan line fan, wrote to CityMetric threatening to unsubscribe. It later tweeted an apology: Wed just like to make clear at this juncture that the terrible views do not reflect CityMetric editorial policy.

All roads lead to Rome. All Piccadilly services lead everywhere else.

---

Henry Fraser, a former Saracens rugby hopeful paralysed in his teens, has a new book out, and has J K Rowlings backing. I first came across Henrys story by chance, she writes in the foreword of The Little Big Things, Id only visited the Saracens website to check the details of a fixture mentioned in a whodunnit I was writing. Luckily, she returned to the book  2015s Career of Evil  eventually: its hero, Cormoran Strike, is a Saracens supporter.

Soubry rattles the moaning Brexiteers

Right-wing Eurosceptic MP Tim Loughton complains that inveterate Remoaners are emboldening the EU in Brexit negotiations. Interviewed by Alex Dean in this months Prospect, Loughton says that there are even members of his own side to blame. Well, actually, he just namechecks one. Are there any of those in your own party? His reply was just one word: Soubry, writes Dean.

Anna Soubry is the MP for Broxtowe, and has been vocal on her plans to go against the Conservative line and campaign against a hard Brexit. Good to see her getting under their skin.

Quote of the day

Telling it like it is: Labour MP Jess Philips (Photo by Nicola Tree/Getty Images) / Getty Images

If you take your feminist cues from Saudi Arabia youve gone wrong

After shadow minister Chris Williamson says proposals for women-only train carriages would be worth consulting, MP Jess Phillips, pictured, suggests the move could be regressive

Mirror messages from Sienna's lippy friends

Miller reflects: Sienna Miller backstage at the Apollo (@Siennathings)

A glimpse backstage at the Apollo Theatre, courtesy of Sienna Miller. The actress is starring there in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and last night shared her motivation: a mirror of messages written in lipstick. They include Tell the truth. Listen, I am determined to win! and Pussy power. The perfect slogans for some pre-show reflection, but you can also spot some encouraging messages from her friends and young daughter Marlowe.

Miller continued the nightly catwalk from the stage door, this time in an eye-catching jacket. No lipstick on the collar, thank heavens  its all on the mirror.

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The elephant not in the room: Tony Hadley (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) / Getty Images

When Tony Hadley announced he was no longer a member of Spandau Ballet, New Romantics across the country couldnt believe it was True. So it was with some sadness that The Londoner received an invitation to a September Q&A with the band  Gary and Martin Kemp, Steve Norman and John Keeble  to launch a film about the creation of their classic, Through the Barricades, which they are re-releasing. Hadley is front-and-centre on the cover. Maybe they could Photoshop him out?

Viscountess with vroom

Hit the road: Lady Weymouth gets her running shoes on (@Emma_Weymouth)

Run, Emma, run! Lady Weymouth, the Viscountess formerly known as Emma McQuiston, is getting her trainers on for a 6km charity run in the grounds of her Longleat estate. She shared this snap of herself on Twitter yesterday and looked positively gazelle-like. But can she beat the cheetahs?

Im counting down the days! she writes on her blog. I love the energy it brings to Longleat, the crowds are always so vibrant and motivated and colourful  its the perfect preview to our Festival of Light in November.

The event, called Glow In The Park, will raise funds for charity Alabare, which helps vulnerable people including the homeless and those struggling with mental health.

Tweet of the day

Trumps skin is so thin its a wonder his organs dont fall outAmerican journalist Josh Tyrangiel makes light of how personally Donald Trump takes criticism."

American journalist Josh Tyrangiel makes light of how personally Donald Trump takes criticism.

Gratitude of the day: firefighters who rescued 18 piglets from a fire in Wiltshire were later served them up as sausages as a thank you. They were, according to the fire chief, fantastic

Milla's facing up to motherhood

Mamma Milla: Milla Jokovich after her daughter was finished with her (@millajokovich)

Parenthood can be a humbling experience, even for the rich and famous. Yesterday Resident Evil actress and model Milla Jovovich shared this image of herself after an afternoon with her daughter. Today my two-year-old decided to use my face as a canvas for jelly stickers, she wrote. Dont ever let them tell you motherhood aint glamorous!

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E uropean judges will continue to have influence on Britain after Brexit as it will keep half an eye on their rulings, a minister admitted today.

However, justice minister Dominic Raab said the UK would no longer be under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

He proposed that in future an arbitration panel could decide major disputes between the EU and Britain with other issues being resolved by a group of scientific experts or diplomats. There will be no jurisdiction of the European Court any more than the UK Supreme Court over disputes between the UK and the EU, he told BBC radio.

But as a voluntary matter of practice, totally within our control, of course the UK will keep half an eye on what the EU does, just as the EU will do, keep half an eye on what the UK does.

The reason you would do that is not so that one side can have the trump card over the other, its just to make sure that any creases in the relationship can be managed sensibly and intelligently over time.

Brexit Secretary David Davis was today publishing a position paper outlining a series of options on future dispute resolution mechanisms and the Luxembourg-based ECJ.

It was seen as a softening of Theresa Mays previous stance on the ECJ, partly as the paper stresses ending the direct jurisdiction  rather than just jurisdiction  of the court over the UK.

Britains preferred solution would still need to be approved by the EU and former attorney general and Remain campaigner Dominic Grieve said the ECJ would continue in many areas to have a very profound influence in the UK.

But of course the difference is going to be that we will no longer have any direct influence into the formation of that EU jurisprudence because we ourselves will no longer be appearing in front of the ECJ as an EU member, he added.

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farages initial response to todays proposals was: As with everything else with Brexit, we get offered a full pint and we finish up with a half.

However, Tory Leavers were more positive, with Bernard Jenkin MP saying: Govts policy is fine! while Peter Bone MP added: I see nothing that is persuading me that the Government is moving away from its fundamental principles.

Under the proposals outlined by Mr Raab, the UK and the EU would each appoint a person to an arbitration panel, and would also agree on a third person to sit on it.

Its rulings would be expected to be followed by both parties and the principles governing it based on the Brexit agreement.

A group of experts could decide matters of scientific or sectoral business differences, while a panel of diplomats could be tasked with solving other disputes.

Ministers are not favouring adopting the European Free Trade Association court, which resolves disputes between Lichtenstein, Iceland, Norway and the EU and interprets ECJ rulings. Nor, are they swayed to back a system used in the case of Moldova, as the ECJ would continue to wield too much influence.

Meanwhile, a former anti-terror legislation watchdog questioned why a report warning of the security risks posed by Brexit was reportedly not published by the Home Office ahead of the June 23 referendum vote last year.

David Anderson QC said: Im not sure in what universe it made sense to withhold this powerful and accurate contribution to the referendum debate.
L ondons red double-decker buses are to be exported to Mexico City after a British firm secured a multimillion pound deal.

Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis has secured a 44 million finance deal to sell double-deckers that will reduce congestion and pollution on the Paseo de la Reforma, the citys answer to The Mall.

About 2,000 jobs across the UK, including 320 at the bus manufacturer site in Guildford and 1,000 in Falkirk will be created by the deal.

Colin Robertson, chief executive of Alexander Dennis, said: "It is hugely exciting to know that ADL's signature red double-decker buses will soon be transporting Mexico City's residents in style and comfort.

Metropolis: Mexico City / EPA

"As a global double-decker leader with fleets of our vehicles across the world, we see the positive impact these vehicles can have in improving the transport infrastructure, congestion and air quality in the world's busiest cities.

Prime Minister Theresa May was visiting the Surrey manufacturers on Wednesday to celebrate the deal which she said demonstrates the UK is a world-leading trading nation.

The Alexander Dennis factory in Guildford, Surrey / PA

She said a 1.7 billion package of taxpayer-funded support has helped 137 firms expand and win overseas contracts over the past year as the Government builds a "truly global Britain.

Theresa May said the deal demonstrates the UK is a 'world-leading trading nation'. / PA

The money awarded by UK Export Finance (UKEF) since it became part of the Department for International Trade has helped businesses make the most of opportunities outside of the European Union, according to the Government.

Mrs May said: "From exporting iconic red double-decker buses to Mexico, cutting-edge MRI systems to Australia or rail equipment to Bangkok, each one is an example of a great British success story and shows the UK is leading the way as a great, global trading nation."

Bike firm Norton Motorcycle, which sells to Australia, North America, Japan and Europe, was backed with working capital support to finance its exports under the scheme while Guildford-based firm, MR Solutions, secured a 1.2 million contract to sell MRI scanners to Sydney University after UKEF provided guarantees for the deal.

Finance support was given to Hampshire engineering company Design and Projects to export rail equipment to Bangkok and nearly 1 million in backing went to a London furniture company Distinction to secure finance for work at the Palm Jumeirah hotel in Dubai.
A British academic has said that the earliest Latin interpretation of the Gospels tells readers not to take the Bible too literally.

Dr Hugh Houghton, of the University of Birmingham, said its not the literal meaning which is important, its how its read allegorically, according to the Telegraph.

The scholar translated the fourth-century analysis of the Gospels by African-born Italian bishop Fortunatianus of Aquileia.

The find supports the idea that early biblical scholars saw the Bible as a series of coded messages representing the principles of Christianity, rather than a historical account.

"There's been an assumption that it's a literal record of truth - a lot of the early scholars got very worried about inconsistencies between Matthew and Luke, for example, said Dr Houghton.

Biblical literalism, which interprets the Bible as the word of God, forms the basis for beliefs of evangelical and fundamentalist Christians. It also contributes to ideas that the earth was created in seven days and is only 6,000 years old.

Dr Houghton added: "In contemporary biblical scholarship a lot of the gospels are written with symbolism in mind.

"They are not setting out to be literal accounts but they are set out to be symbolic."

The document Dr Houghton translated was hidden for 1,500 years within an anonymous manuscript in Cologne Cathedral Library.

It analyses the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John in 100 pages.

Dr Houghton said the book was an extraordinary find. His translation of the Latin text will be published this week.
A Finnish historian at Londons Queen Mary University has been plunged into a Kafkaesque nightmare after being threatened with detention and deportation by the Home Office, despite being an EU national.

Already legally allowed to live and work in the UK, Dr Eva Johanna Holmberg was told she was liable for detention after her application for an EU registration certificate was bizarrely rejected.

Dr Holmberg applied for the Qualified Person certificate for peace of mind in June following the Brexit referendum.

It was rejected, apparently due to a technicality - and rather than spend money reapplying, Dr Holmberg decided that as the document would make no difference to her current status, she would not appeal.

The Home Office also informed her there was no requirement to leave the UK.

However last Thursday, the academic was told by Home Office officials that a decision has now been taken to remove you from the United Kingdom in accordance with section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

The letter said she was considered a person liable to administrative removal...as you have failed to evidence that you are exercising Treaty rights in the United Kingdom, and that she was a person who is liable to be detained.

It gave her a month to leave. The Home Office said the letter was a mistake and one of around 100 sent to different people in error.

Dr Holmberg, an expert in early British History, moved to the UK last August with her British husband James Chester, an optician, after being seconded to Queen Mary from the University of Helsinki.

She told the Standard the Home Offices absurd decision was unlawful, arbitrary and disproportionate.

She said: It makes you feel like you are being treated like a common criminal.

Even if I were a criminal there are certain requirements that should be met before you are deported.

How can an EU National be deported from the UK? There is free movement of people.

I am a historian - I believe in the strength of paperwork and I like security and thought this of paper would be a way to show that.

It turns out it has spiralled into some Kafkaesque nightmare.

It is just unbelievable. All for a piece of paper I dont even need. It would be funny if it were not so draining and stressful.

Dr Holmberg, who pays UK taxes, said the situation could have been even worse if she had been on holiday and not seen the letter in time to lodge an urgent appeal through her lawyers.

She added: This absurd nonsense has aged me at least five years and made me even less likely to trust anything Amber Rudd, Theresa May, or David Davis says to calm us EU nationals down.

It shows the home office currently cannot function. It does not know how to obey the law or even its own rules. It is probably not able to deal with all the paperwork.

Theresa May set out her plans for EU nationals when speaking in June

The Qualified Person certificate confirms an individuals right to live and work in the UK if they have resided in Britain for less than five years.

There is no requirement to apply, but many EU nationals worried about the impact of Brexit have done so.

It is even less important after the government said EU citizens in Britain for less than five years at the time of Brexit will be able to apply for special temporary status in order to stay in the UK, applying for settled status - effectively indefinite leave to remain - once they have reached five years in the country.

A Home Office spokesman said Dr Holmbergs letter should not have been sent, and was one of around 100 wrongly issued.

He said: A limited number of letters were issued in error and we have been urgently looking into why this happened.

"We are contacting everyone who received this letter to clarify that they can disregard it.

We are absolutely clear that the rights of EU nationals living in the UK remain unchanged.
A self-confessed British "prankster" fooled top editors at Breitbart after pretending to be ex-chief White House strategist Steve Bannon.

Email exchanges shared by the prankster began with a message to Breitbart editors from an account masquerading as Mr Bannon's.

In the emails, Breitbart staff discussed doing "the dirty work" against US President Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner.

In other emails, Editor-in-chief Alex Marlow said he could have the pair ousted from the White House by "end of year".

Fellow editor Joel Pollak replied: "No-one can figure out what they do."

Mr Marlow tried to brush off the exchange saying it was no more revealing than the pages of Breitbart.

"The obsession with Breitbart News is simply a result of our effectiveness," he told CNN.

"This time, an imposter deceitfully obtained and shared with CNN tongue-in-cheek emails that revealed we feel Globalists present an existential threat to the agenda that got President Trump elected."

The prankster, who tweets under the name @SINON_REBORN describes himself as a "lazy anarchist".

He told the BBC: "I don't care much for the Trump administration or Breibart.

"Originally I was trying to get an email for [Steve Bannon] while he was in the WHite House, because he seemed like quite a character."

But when this proved difficult, the prankster said they had decided to try tricking the editors at the right-wing website instead.

"I've not really immersed myself in politics prior to [Trump's election]," he added.

"It's a never-ending soap opera that's on 27/7."

Steve Bannon left his role at the White House on Friday amid rumours he was pushed out by Trump's new chief of staff John Kelly.
A British tourist has been arrested in Turkey after he reportedly attempted to fly home with coins he found while snorkelling.

Toby Robyns was detained at Bodrum airport on Friday on suspicion of "finding Turkish artefacts without notifying authorities", according to The Sun.

The 52-year-old father-of-five, from Southwick, West Sussex, discovered the 13 coins while snorkelling during a two-week holiday in Turgutreis and tried to take them home as a souvenir, the newspaper said.

He is reportedly being held at Milas prison while he waits to hear whether he will be charged.

James Stoneham, a family friend, said: "This was harmless fun on a holiday.

"When he went to get his flight home they dragged him off and searched his hand luggage."

It is thought that there are up to 25 shipwrecks around Yassi Ada island, four miles from where Mr Robyns found the coins in Turgutreis. It is believed an earthquake may have brought them closer to shore.

Mr Robyns, an ambulance driver, faces a three-year prison term if found guilty.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are assisting a British man following his arrest in Bodrum and remain in contact with his family and the Turkish authorities."
D ondald Trump has threatened to shut down the US government unless he gets funding for his promised border wall with Mexico.

The president accused obstructionist Democrats of sabotaging his attempts to safeguard the countrys security.

If we have to close down our government, were building that wall, he told a campaign-style rally last night in Phoenix, Arizona.

Before the election, Mr Trump insisted that Mexico would foot the bill for the wall. But with the Mexican government adamant that it will not pay, the president appears to have accepted that the only way it will be built is with American money.

Although the House of Representatives has passed a spending bill with funding for the border wall, it faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

Speaking against a backdrop of violence, with more clashes between police and protesters early today, Mr Trump defended his response to the rioting in Charlottesville, Virginia, and fired another volley at the media coverage.

After the speech, police fired tear gas and flash bangs to disperse protesters in downtown Phoenix. One local TV station described the scene as a battle zone with masked demonstrators running from clouds of choking gas.

What began as a peaceful gathering outside the Phoenix Convention Centre, where Mr Trump was addressing a huge crowd, turned violent with fights breaking out and protesters throwing rocks and bottles at police.

The president read parts of statements he made in the days following the death of 32-year-old Heather Heyer, who was mown down by a car driven by a Nazi sympathiser. The words were perfect, Mr Trump told the cheering crowd. However, he failed to mention his most controversial remarks, in which he said there was blame on many sides for the violence in Charlottesville. Critics from both sides of the political spectrum denounced Mr Trumps comments in the days after the Virginia rally as he failed to condemn white supremacists and other hate groups.

But the president insisted the backlash was fabricated by the media. For the most part honestly, these are really, really dishonest people, theyre bad people, he added. I really think they dont like our country, I really believe that.
D onald Trump is set to hold his first campaign-style rally since Charlottesville, sparking fears that emotions will run high following his controversial comments on the far-right protest.

The US President, who is visiting Arizona, is expected to try and shift the nations focus to combating illegal immigration after a turbulent few weeks at the White House.

However he has left local officials in the red state worried after causing outrage when he blamed "both sides" for violence at the rally organised by white supremacists earlier this month in Virginia.

The unrest culminated in a car ploughing into protesters and killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer.

Donald Trump blames both sides for Charlottesville violence

Mr Trump has already received pushback from Arizonas Republican elected officials, including Senator John McCain.

And as activists plan to greet the President with multiple protests, the mayor of Phoenix, where the rally is set to be staged, has urged him to stay away.

Greg Stanton, a Democrat, wrote that America is hurting because Mr Trump has doused racial tensions with gasoline.

'She died doing what was right': Heather Heyer

He added: With his planned visit to Phoenix on Tuesday, I fear the president may be looking to light a match.

Thats why I asked the president to delay his visit. Its time to let cooler heads prevail and begin the healing process.

Carrying undertones of his presidential campaign, the Make America Great Again rally gives Mr Trump the opportunity to reach out to voters who decisively handed him Arizona.

Heather Heyer Charlottesville Vigil - In pictures 1 /16 Heather Heyer Charlottesville Vigil - In pictures Car attack victim Heather Heyer's mother Susan Bro receives a standing ovation during her remarks at a memorial service for her daughter at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia Reuters University of Virginia students, faculty and residents attend a candle light march across grounds in Charlottesville AP Mark Heyer, the father of Heather Heyer, speaks during a memorial service for his daughter at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville Getty Images Flowers, candles and chalk-written messages surround a photograph of Heather Heyer on the spot where she was killed and 19 others injured when a car slamed into a crowd of people protesting against a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville Getty Images Marcus Martin, right, hugs his fiancee Marissa Blair during a memorial for Heather Heyer at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville AP University of Virginia's President Teresa Sullivan right, walks with students, faculty and Charlottesville residents during a candlelight vigil on the campus AP University of Virginia students, faculty and residents attend a candle light march across grounds in Charlottesville AP Artist Sam Welty creates a chalk mural of Heather Heyer during her memorial service AP Clergy observe a moment of silence during the memorial service for Heather Heyer outside the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia Getty Images Supporters gather on the pedestrian mall outside the Paramount Theater during a memorial service for Heather Heyer in Charlottesville, Virginia Getty Images People participate in a candlelight vigil at the University of Virginia AP A photo of Heather Heyer, who was killed during a white nationalist rally, sits on the ground at a memorial the day her life was celebrated at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville AP

Trump's first scheduled stop on his visit to the state is a base in Yuma, where he is expected to meet with marines and inspect a predator missile.

He planned to inspect equipment used on the southern border, which is a hub of operations for the U.S. Border Patrol.

It is believed the US President will highlight the regions use of wall on the border with Mexico, with illegal border crossing having fallen by 83 per cent since it was extended to 63 miles over a decade ago.

Donald Trump's ever-changing views on Afghanistan

It comes after the US President sensationally called on Nato allies such as Britain to send more troops and funds for the war in Afghanistan.

Speaking at Fort Meyer, Mr Trump said a sudden withdrawal from the country would have "predictable and unacceptable" results.

Before his election, Mr Trump made repeated calls for the US to withdraw, saying lives and money were being "wasted" in Afghanistan.

But after discussions with top Pentagon advisers and vice president Mike Pence, he said he had reversed his opinion after examining the war from "every conceivable angle".

Currently there are around 8,400 US troops in the country and Pentagon officials had proposed sending in a further 4,000 to train Afghan forces to fight the Taliban and an affiliate of terror group Islamic State.
Chris Hardie is stepping down as executive director of the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce after two and half and years to become the CEO of the 7 Rivers Alliance.

Hardie was not even looking for a job, but he felt it is hard to pass up an opportunity when it comes by, which is the situation Chris Hardie found himself in.

Its certainly a big task in front of me, but thats what was appealing about it, Hardie said.

The work will be similar in this new venture, but on a much larger scale as the alliance works in parts of Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

This is all about relationship-building and getting the right people together to focus together on a plan, Hardie said.

This new position came about as the circumstance coalesced into the perfect opportunity for Hardie.

Hardie said he feels confident the chamber is headed in the right direction and is proud of what was accomplished under his tenure.

The pop-up shop program and his work bringing local businesses together are just two quick examples of the programs he brought to Jackson County.

The job is never done, though, theres still plenty of work to be done, Hardie said.

Transitioning to the new position should not be too hard for Hardie as he started implementing some 7 Rivers Alliance initiatives in the Black River Area already.

Hardies official last day will be Sept. 1 with Amanda Gunn stepping in as interim director while they work on finding a replacement.
P olice fired tear gas at protesters amid tense clashes outside a campaign-style rally held by Donald Trump in the US.

The largely peaceful protests at the Presidents speech in Phoenix descended into chaos as police launched pepper spray and tear gas at crowds of activists.

Protesters and police clashed outside the convention centre where Mr Trump has just wrapped up his speech, with some demonstrators apparently launching rocks and bottles at officers.

People fled the scene coughing as an officer in a helicopter bellowed through a speaker urging protesters to leave the area.

Police presence: Riot officers were deployed for the protests

Officers responded with pepper spray to break up the crowd after people tossed rocks and bottles and dispersed gas, Phoenix police spokesman Jonathan Howard said.

It was not immediately known if there were injuries or arrests.

Trump vows to 'close government' to build Mexico wall

Authorities were on high alert as thousands of people lined up to attend Mr Trump's first political rally since the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Protesters filled the streets of downtown Phoenix and engaged in shouting matches and a few minor scuffles with Trump supporters, but those events were generally peaceful.

Face-off: Protesters and police during the clashes in Arizona

By the time Trump took the stage, police said there had been no arrests or major incidents.

Phoenix police kept most members of the two opposing groups behind barricades and apart on separate sides of the street.

Officers wearing riot gear and carrying rifles walked through the lane between the two sides.

"Toxic Trump," read one protest sign held up to the president's supporters streaming into the Phoenix Convention Center downtown. "Lock Him Up!" read another, a reference to earlier campaign chants by Mr Trump and his backers about his election rival Hillary Clinton.

Paying no mind: Donald Trump appeared relaxed about the protests as he appeared at the rally

Dillon Scott of Phoenix, who voted for Mrs Clinton, said he came out to express dissatisfaction with how long Mr Trump took to denounce racism after the Charlottesville violence.

"No one should be allowed to get away with what he gets away with, especially in political office," Mr Scott said.

Trump backer Randy Hutson, a retired Phoenix police officer, began standing in line more than seven hours before the speech was to start.

"He is the first president I feel in my lifetime that speaks his mind and speaks from the heart," Mr Hutson said. "He says what needs to be said."

Making themselves heard: Protesters outside the Trump rally in Phoenix

A number of opposition signs showed drawings or photos of Mr Trump with a small, Hitler-style mustache. Three Trump supporters taunted Latino protesters with offensive comments about immigrants and held anti-Muslim and Black Lives Matter signs.

John Brown, of an anti-Trump group calling itself the Redneck Revolt, wore military fatigues and had an AK-47 rifle strapped to his chest as he and a half dozen others from the group stood about 30 feet behind the barricade for protesters.

Face-off: Protesters and police during the clashes in Arizona

He said they were there to protect Trump opponents and stand up to fascism. "He's offensive to me in every way," Mr Brown said.

The disturbances began after the speech had ended and a crowd of protesters stayed behind.

Local authorities were vigilant in the aftermath of the deadly protests in Virginia and the president's comments last week about both sides having blame for violence at the white supremacist rally.

Pepper spray: Police douse protesters during the demonstration in Phoenix

Mayor Greg Stanton had begged the president to not hold the rally here so soon after the trouble in Charlottesville.

The outdoor temperature remained at nearly 38 degrees as the Phoenix rally began.

Captain Rob McDade, spokesman for Phoenix Fire Department, said that as of 6 pm they had treated 48 people for heat-related problems, most of them for dehydration. Of those, two were adult women who were taken to a hospital for further evaluation, he said.
T he former US Director of National Intelligence has publicly questioned Donald Trumps fitness for office after the President delivered another controversial speech in Phoenix, Arizona last night.

James Clapper called Trumps speech disturbing, saying the President could be a threat to national security.

In a CNN interview with Don Lemon, Clapper said: I toiled in one capacity or another for every president including JFK through to president Obama and I dont know when Ive listened and watched something like this from a president that Ive found more disturbing.

When Lemon asked if he was questioning President Trumps fitness, Clapper replied: Yes I do, I really question his ability to, his fitness to be in this office.

Trump vows to 'close government' to build Mexico wall

He added that Trump certainly could be a threat to Americas national security: Having some understand of the levers a president can exercise I worry about, frankly, the access to nuclear codes.

If in a fit of pique he decides to do something about Kim Jong Un, there is actually very little to stop him.

The whole systems built to ensure a rapid response if necessary, so there are very little in the way of controls over you know, exercising a nuclear option, which is pretty damn scary.

During an effusive 77 minute speech at a Phoenix rally last night, President Trump spoke of what he framed as improving relations with North Korea after months of nuclear tension.

"I respect the fact that he is starting to respect us," he said of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"And maybe - probably not, but maybe - something positive can come about."

He also read from his three previous responses to the white-supremacist violence in Charlottesville, blasting the "dishonest media" for misrepresenting his remarks. He ommitted an earlier statement which had blamed violence "on both sides."

Meanwhile, Republican strategist and political commentator Ana Navarro said on Twitter that Trump's inflammatory speech could be a sign of dementia:

Outside the centre where Trump was speaking, scuffles between thousands of anti-Trump protesters and Trump supporters resulted in police using tear gas in a chaotic attempt to break up crowds.
A concert featuring an American rock band has been cancelled as police found a bus loaded with gas cannisters nearby.

Allah-Las, from California, were due to play in Rotterdam on Wednesday night but armed police descended on the venue after a tip-off from Spanish police about a potential terror attack.

Rotterdam's mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said a Spanish van containing the "gas bottles" was found near the venue, adding the driver of the van had been arrested.

However he said it isn't yet clear whether the threat and the van are connected.

Images have emerged on social media showing officers wearing bullet proof vests and a number of emergency services vehicles at the scene.

Concert organiser Rotown confirmed on Twitter that the show at the 1,000-capacity Maassilo venue in the Dutch city was cancelled on orders of police.

It posted: "In response to the police, we are forced to cancel the concert of Allah-Las in the Maassilo tonight.

"It's a terror threat, the Maassilo is currently being evacuated."

The band's support act was due to be Turkish psychedelic folk band Altin Gun.

They posted on Facebook: "Hey guys, the police have arrived and have been forced to cancel tonight's show with Allah-las.

"So sorry about this! More information will follow."

Miles Michaud, lead singer of the California band Allah-Las / AP

Allah-Las, a four-piece band from Los Angeles, are currently on a European tour.

They say they chose to use Allah - meaning god in Arabic - in their name because they wanted something that sounded "holy".
T he UN has condemned Donald Trump for failing to "unequivocally and unconditionally" reject racism in the wake of the deadly Charlottesville clashes.

The international peace body said there was no place for "racist white supremacist ideas" in the world.

A statement from the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said: There should be no place in the world for racist white supremacist ideas or any similar ideologies that reject the core human rights principles of human dignity and equality.

Though the committee did not name the President in its statement, it called upon the US Government, as well as high-level politicians and public officials, to address the root causes of the proliferation of such racist manifestations.

Mr Trump launched an effusive defence of his response to the white-supremacist violence in Charlottesville on Tuesday.

Speaking at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, the president blasted the fake media for misrepresenting his response to the protests and counter-protests.

Re-reading three of his previous statements, he omitted his most controversial comments in which he said there was blame for the violence on all sides.

Anastasia Crickley, who chairs the UN committee of 18 independent experts, said: We are alarmed by the racist demonstrations, with overtly racist slogans, chants and salutes by white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and the Ku Klux Klan, promoting white supremacy and inciting racial discrimination and hatred.

We call on the US Government to investigate thoroughly the phenomenon of racial discrimination targeting, in particular, people of African descent, ethnic or ethno-religious minorities, and migrants."

The committee, formed of 18 experts, made the statement under its early warning and urgent action procedure. It called on the US to ensure the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly are "not exercised with the aim of destroying or denying the rights and freedoms of others".
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Engineers Mark Davey and Brice Nelson of Davy Engineering have been working on the plan to add a new well in Alma Center, and spoke with the village board to get approval to move ahead with some test wells and funding during the monthly Alma Center board meeting last Monday.

Davy said they have already looked at a few different well sites, but they wanted to discussing getting a test well done before locking into any ideas.

There are also a lot of different things to consider when building a new well and all the parts that go into it.

Davy pointed out that some people have complained about high levels of iron in the water and a second well would, in theory, pump similar water and the board might look into a water treatment plant which would be expensive to build.

Right now the focus is on finding the right spots to put in these test wells to make sure there is a suitable location for a new well.

One of the test wells would cost $98,000 for the drilling and engineering related measures that go into it.

On top of that, there are also the added costs of actually testing the water samples to make sure the quality is there.

Davey said they budget high for the funding though, and try to save on costs once the funding is approved to make sure they have what they need.

The village board approved the beginning phases of settling on a site and then building a test well as part of the long term plan to build a second well in the village.

The village is also looking into local resources to build the road to the test well that would save the village significant money.

Once the village receives grant funding for the project, a percentage of these upfront costs will be able to be recouped.
On August 11th Airbus Helicopters advised operators of their Tiger gunships that all of them were potentially unsafe and should be grounded until it can be determined exactly what caused the July 26 crash of a German Tiger helicopter gunship in northern Mali. The Tiger went down during a surveillance mission and the two crew (pilot and weapons officer) were killed. Eyewitnesses and examination of the wreckage indicated the cause was mechanical failure because one of the rotors came off in flight causing the helicopter to go down.

The Tiger has had problems like this in the past and was also considered excessively time-consuming and costly to maintain in a combat zone. In Mali peacekeepers prefer AH-64s but appreciate whatever they can get. In early 2017 Germany agreed to send four Tiger helicopter gunships and four NH90 transport helicopters to Mali to replace the four AH-64 helicopter gunships and three CH-47 transport helicopters the Dutch sent in late 2014 to provide fire support, transportation and medical evacuation for the 5,000 peacekeepers then in northern Mali. Now there are twice as many peacekeepers and while they preferred the larger AH-64a and CH-47s they appreciated the smaller Tiger gunships and smaller helicopter transports which were better than nothing. The Dutch helicopters were durable but not indestructible and the Dutch pointed out in early 2016 that their seven helicopters has suffered a lot of wear and tear and need extensive refurbishment that could not be carried out in Mali. The UN has been trying to get some other Western nation to step forward with replacements since then and Germany was finally persuaded to step in.

A major reason American military helicopters, mainly the AH-64 gunship and transports like the UH-60 and CH-47 are so popular is because they have high readiness rates (percentage of available aircraft able to do their job). These tend to be very high, often 80 percent or more. This has been the case for over fifty years, even for older (in terms of years and flight hours) aircraft. This has proved to be decisive in keeping these older designs selling.

Europe sought to build competitive military helicopters but were never able to match American readiness rates. This is surprising, because European commercial aircraft (AirBus) can do it. But the Tiger helicopter gunship and NH90 transport, meant to compete with the AH-64 gunship and UH-60 have failed. The Tiger entered service in 2003 and the NH90 in 2007 and their low availability rates eventually became a public scandal (embarrassing debate in the French parliament) when it was revealed the Tiger had a 21 percent readiness rate (5.5 year average) and the NH90 had a readiness rate of 40 percent. This came despite years of efforts by the users and manufacturers to raise that rate. The users, who frequently operate from bases shared with American (or European) troops using AH-64s and UH-60s note the differences and are unhappy, as are the troops they support. Those European troops, when given a choice, prefer to be supported by American helicopters. Users of the Tiger and NH90 blame most of the problems on their logistical systems, which take far longer to deliver spare parts than their American counterparts. But even when that is not a problem the European helicopters have a hard time achieving and sustaining readiness rates of 50-60 percent.
by Austin Bay August 22, 2017

President Barack Obama's 2011 decision to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq was not based on the political and security conditions within the country. Obama's 2012 re-election campaign determined the withdrawal timetable. Obama intended to sell himself as a war-ender no matter the real world conditions.

No debate -- Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Iraqi government blundered, repeatedly. But in Iraq American troops served as mentors, honest brokers and a reassuring security presence. When the GIs left the Maliki government's sins multiplied. One of its worst mistakes was sectarian favoritism in the security forces -- giving unqualified Shia Arabs commands at the expense of more qualified Sunni Arabs, Kurds and other minorities.

Obama claimed he followed Bush's withdrawal timetable. The Bush plan, however, was contingent on achieving stable conditions. In 2011, as Arab Spring revolutions erupted, squabbling Iraqi political parties couldn't agree on a common plan for retaining a residual U.S. force in their country. Iraq's political blocs behaved like political cowards -- they wanted the U.S. to be the adult and insist its forces remain in order to protect Iraq's hard won economic advances and ensure a successful transition from dictatorship to democracy. Obama, however, had no interest in remaining, despite Arab Spring disruptions and the bitter civil war in neighboring Syria.

With the U.S. military gone, Iranian bullying increased. Tehran rattled Baghdad using political proxies.

Bullying is one thing, invasion another. In late Spring 2014, it became clear that the U.S. withdrawal had created a classic power vacuum as the jihadist Islamic State launched attacked Iraq from bases in Syria.

ISIS took city after city and approached Baghdad, its forces committing hideous mass murders and rapes as they advanced. ISIS made the Iraqi city of Mosul the capital of its "global Caliphate."

To stem the tide, America provided Iraq with aid, training, airpower and -- finally -- troops on the ground.

Iraq's grinding offensive to defeat ISIS began in 2015. Mosul was officially liberated in July 2017.

The Iraq war spawned by Obama's supercilious weakness isn't quite over. Iraqi and coalition forces must liberate Tal Afar, about 50 miles west of Mosul in northern Iraq. ISIS forces still control several towns in Iraq's huge Anbar province. These holdouts could continue guerrilla-type resistance for several months.

Claiming and controlling a territorial Caliphate was the literal ground condition that gave ISIS a political edge over al-Qaida. Destroying the Caliphate, however, doesn't mean the world is rid of ISIS.

ISIS still has forces in northern Syria. ISIS-directed or ISIS-inspired terror attacks will continue to kill the people of Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Jordan. ISIS killers will also continue to commit mass murder in Europe, North America and southeast Asia. The Spanish-Moroccan Muslims who launched last week's terror attack in Barcelona may have had ISIS links.

In a recent speech, Guillermo Fremd of the Israel-based International Institute for Counter-Terrorism argued ISIS-type jihadists frame their attacks on non-Muslims as retaliatory. Barcelona could be an example. Muslims once ruled Spain. The Barcelona terrorists may have seen their attack as retaliation for the Spanish Reconquista, or even an attempt to reverse it.

According to Fremd, extremist jihadist groups believe "in progress through regression." Their "revivalist message" claims that the "Islam of the first three generations" of Muhammad's followers can be resurrected. This is a narrative directed at Sunni Muslims.

Erasing the Caliphate deals ISIS a huge battlefield defeat and negates its bombastic propaganda. Fremd said the West counter its other narratives. The West must show tit is not waging "an offensive war against Islam and the Muslims...only attempting to put an end to the Jihadi threat, which threatens the lives of both non-Muslims and Muslims alike." ISIS-type "organizations are responsible of killing thousands of Muslims and are, therefore" not defenders of Islam.

ISIS murdered indiscriminately. That's fact. The coalition destroying ISIS in Iraq is multi-sectarian, multi-ethnic and multi-national. That is also fact. These are facts the world needs to hear, day in, day out, for the next century.
China and the Philippines have agreed to settle the latest South China Sea incident peaceably. This one occurred on the 12 th when Chinese warships chased Filipino fishing boats away from a sandbar within Filipino territorial waters. Many Filipinos saw this as an act of war but others pointed out that the Philippines could not win a war with China over a sandbar. China cooperated by saying it was a misunderstanding and that China had no intention of building an artificial island out of the sandbar followed by a military base, as it had done elsewhere in the South China Sea. This did not satisfy a lot of Filipinos, or those from other nations dealing with Chinese territorial claims in the area.

This sandbar clash was a clear violation of international law as it occurred within Filipino coastal waters (that extend 22 kilometers from land). But the island (Pagasa) in question, despite being closer to the Philippines than China and occupied by Filipino civilians is now being claimed by China. Pagasa (also called Thitu Island) is the second-largest (37.2 hectares/93 acres) of the Spratly Islands and is inhabited by 200 Filipinos civilians and a few military personnel. China has been increasingly belligerent about its claims to Pagasa and threatens to take it back by force. Chinese military and civilian ships are showing up near Pagasa with increasing frequency and sometimes the Chinese vessels try (by getting in the way) to prevent non-Chinese vessels from getting too close to the island. The Philippines often has a coast guard patrol boat off the island (which is 480 kilometers from the nearest Filipino territory China does not claim) and that provides the possibility of a violent military encounter. China is also concerned with the increasingly frequent visits of American warships to the Philippines (for leave and maintenance) and the South China Seas (to challenge Chinese claims.) So far China has not been violent but with more and more Chinese warships, warplanes and troops showing up in the South China Sea there appears to be increased risk of someone opening fire. There are a growing number of offenders for the Chinese to shoot at. In addition to ships from the nearest countries (mainly Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan) there are the more powerful allies of these countries (mainly Japan and the United States).

President Duterte pointed out earlier in 2017 that China threatened war if the Philippines went ahead with plans to drill for oil in offshore areas that international law recognizes as Filipino but that China claims actually belongs to them. Duterte openly criticizes other nations for not confronting China. All the South China Sea nations facing territorial losses because of Chinese claims have backed down. He points out that even the United States is unwilling to go up against China. Meanwhile the Chinese are openly moving more weapons to bases in the South China Sea as well as their main naval base in southern China (Hainan Island). When pressed a few Chinese officials would admit that in recent talks between Duterte and Chinese leaders it was mentioned that war was a possibility if other nations sought to take possession of Chinese territory. In other words (that non-Chinese can understand). Back off or die.

Although Filipino leaders have no illusions about the military balance in the South China Sea they do cooperate with other nations threatened by Chinese territorial claims. Japan has been a particularly useful ally, having the most powerful local fleet, other than the Chinese, in the region and a large, very modern military. Japan, like the United States, have been generous in offering the Philippines used, but still useful, military equipment. A particularly useful recent donation was a stock of 40,000 spare parts Japan put in storage after it began retiring the last of its 150 locally built (under license) UH-1H helicopters in 2012. The Philippines is still a heavy user of the UH-1, which still has six percent of the world market and has been much upgraded and is no longer manufactured. But many firms specialize in refurbishing UH-1s and Huey will be around for a few decades more. Those spares are extremely valuable to the Philippines, which has been using the UH-1 for decades and often arms them. Mostly the Philippines uses UH-1s as transports.

The Philippines has received over 150 UH-1s since 1969 and is frequently seeking more. In early 2014 the Philippines bought another 21 refurbished UH-1s for $1.34 million each. Many of these UH-1s have been lost to accidents and hostile fire or have just worn out. About 45 are still in service. Often as many as half of these are not operational because spare parts are not available. The Filipinos have been pleased with the performance of these aircraft and its the spare parts, and the skill of Filipino maintainers that keeps so many of the elderly UH-1s going. The Japanese parts collection thus looms very large for the Philippines as it makes more money available to buy other needed equipment. Even China is offering to provide weapons, for use against internal threats of course.

Drugs, Crime, Corruption And Vigilantes

After the March 6th resumption of the mid-2016 crackdown on illegal drugs there was a lot less violence for about three months but since June the death toll has been increasing. It is believed (no one has definitive numbers) that over 7,000 have died since mid-2016. In the last week over ten a day were being killed. Since March there have been some changes, the main one being a limit on the number of police involved. This was done by screening all police and only allowing those known to be uncorrupt to participate in anti-drug efforts. Initially the revised anti-drug tactics led to about 75 percent fewer arrests per week and 84 percent fewer deaths. The deaths, police or criminal, during police raids were lower (for a while) than they were before the new president took office. Part of that is due to the fact that so many known drug gang members were arrested or killed during the first seven months of the operation.

The new approach is continuing to reduce the distribution and use of illegal drugs. The initial campaign certainly reduced crime and still does but the war on drugs was suspended on January 30th because of an expanding investigation of police corruption, especially of police involved in anti-drug operations. Since the anti-drug campaign began in July 2016 to the end of January 2,512 suspects were killed (according to police). During that time there were 51,882 arrests during 42,798 police investigations. Most of the dead were suspects who violently resisted arrest or searches but nearly 40 percent were the result of local vigilantes or drug gangs killing suspected informers or rivals. The extent and intensity of these efforts caused over 1.1 million people to turn themselves in. Since 93 percent of those surrendering were users nearly all were released, especially if they provided information about their suppliers. So far the police and military have suffered fewer than 200 casualties, mostly wounded.

Even after the pause and reforms earlier this year there is growing fear that the anti-drug campaign is still masking a lot of corruption and criminal activity. President Duterte remains very popular but his radical approach to illegal drugs and crime in general has created doubts about the long-term benefits.

Showdown At Marawi

The three months of fighting in Marawi City (capital of Lanao del Sur province in the south) is largely over. The ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) affiliated effort to seize control of the city failed. Nearly a thousand Islamic terrorists took on about 3,000 soldiers and despite taking a lot of civilians hostage (for use as human shields) and fighting in a heavily built-up area the Islamic terrorists lost most (nearly 600) of their strength. Few (about a dozen) were taken alive in the city but several hundred fled, many because they were unable to get into the city because security forces quickly took control of access to the city and then located the concentrations of ISIL men and went after them in a systematic fashion that Islamic terrorists were unable to match. The security forces lost about 150 dead and over 900 wounded. Most of the wounds were slight and many of those soldier and police returned to the fight.

The largest ISIL faction in the city was from the Manute Group (a radical MILF faction that opposes the peace treaty) who unexpectedly brought in over 300 of their own gunmen who were willing to fight to the death. The Manute family is one of the larger and wealthier clans in the south and seven Manute brothers got mixed up with clan politics, MILF and now ISIL. The battle began on May 23rd when a raid to capture or kill Isnilon Hapilon (the head of Abu Sayyaf since 2016) escalated unexpectedly. As the fighting went on there were efforts to end what quickly turned into dead (literally) end for the ISIL fighters. MILF refused to help negotiate a withdrawal of the remaining Islamic terrorists (many of them former MILF members) from the city. Some Islamic clerics visited the city during the battle and urged the Islamic terrorists to stop fighting. That failed. The government demanded that the Islamic terrorists in the city surrender or die.

MILF leaders are perplexed at the tactics employed by the rogue MILF gunmen who are apparently fighting to the death rather than continuing as armed opposition to the MILF peace deal. Its a good news (gets a lot of rogue gunmen killed), bad news (there are probably more like this in the south) situation. Like much else in the Philippines.

Over 5,000 security personnel (most of them military) were involved in the effort and nearly half of them were mainly involved with keeping access to Marawi City restricted until the fighting was over. The city covers about 88 square kilometers (33 square miles) and has a population of 200,000. A majority of the population is Moslem but Christians are a large minority and hostile to Islamic terrorism and efforts to turn the Philippines into an Islamic religious dictatorship (which is what ISIL is all about). MILF was quick to side with the government in dealing with the Marawi City violence. After all most of the Islamic terrorists there were former MILF members who had joined dissident groups like BIFF, Manute and several smaller ones that all agreed ISIL was the way to go and they went. Fewer than a hundred Abu Sayyaf were involved.

As a result of its continued efforts to deal with Islamic terrorism MILF is again asking the legislature to approve the September 2015 peace deal and autonomy agreement. Countrywide there is still a lot of popular opposition to the MILF autonomy deal and even MILF accepts that they will never have the votes in the legislature to get everything they want. The major problem down there in that a sizable minority of southern Moslems (ten percent or more) want to hold out and keep fighting to establish a separate Moslem state in the south. MILF leaders know this is impossible because a majority of the people in the south are opposed. That includes a majority of the Moslems and the nearly all the non-Moslems down there. Moslems are only eight percent of all Filipinos, and represent an even smaller proportion of the economic activity. MILF wanted control of more of the economy, which meant control of "ancestral Moslem areas" in the south that are now populated by Christians. The Christian majority in the legislature refused to allow domination by Moslems in a larger and more autonomous Moslem south. MILF settled for a smaller autonomous area (Bangsamoro) that had about four million people and a Moslem majority. This issue is still a big deal for many Moslems and could still turn into an armed rebellion against MILF and the collapse of the plan for an autonomous Moslem area in the south.

August 21, 2017: In the south (Basilan province) about fifty Abu Sayyaf gunman attacked a Moslem majority village, killed nine civilians and wounded over 30. Five homes and a meeting hall were burned and the attackers were driven off by the arrival of soldiers and local militia. The troops pursued the Abu Sayyaf gunmen killing three and wounding at least five. The Islamic terrorists dropped weapons and equipment in order move faster and get away.

August 20, 2017: In the south (Basilan province) soldiers rescued a Vietnamese sailor who had been held for nine months by Abu Sayyaf along with two others. A month ago the Islamic terrorists beheaded two of the Vietnamese sailors that had taken off a passing cargo ship last November. Its unclear why they killed these two hostages, who were being held for ransom. With this operation the number of hostages held (for ransom) by Abu Sayyaf is 18, all but three of them foreigners (mainly from neighboring countries).

Further north (Sultan Kudarat province) soldiers chasing a group of 30 NPA gunmen clashed with the leftist rebels several times. One rebel was killed and two arrested while others were apparently wounded but got away. One soldier was wounded. The fighting caused about 60 civilians to flee their rural homes for a while. NPA refuses to negotiate a peace deal, partly because the leftist organization is divided internally. The government responded by ordering the security forces to concentrate on NPA and shut them down.

Elsewhere in the south (outside Zamboanga city) police seized 300 kg (660 pounds) of illegal ammonium nitrate (a fertilizer used to make explosives), 75 blasting caps (detonators) and some blasting cord. The owner of these items was a Moslem from nearby Basilan province but was apparently using this stuff for bomb making but not the kind Islamic terrorists use. Rather he was selling small quantities to local fishermen who used it for illegal blast fishing. This technique involves tossing an explosive (even a hand grenade will do) into the water so the underwater blast would stun nearby fish and make them easier to catch. Although long outlawed blast fishing still takes place, especially in the south. This sort of illegal explosives are have long been used for criminal and commercial uses, but have also been the principal tools of Islamic terrorists.

August 19, 2017: In the south (Mindanao island) MILF militiamen, pursuing a group of BIFF gunmen, clashed with them several times over the last two days and killed at least five of the BIFF fighters and wounded a number of others who got away. This is part of a major MILF operation that began in early August to deal with an active group of BIFF gunmen in the area. So far this month about 40 fighters have died in this operation, most belonging to BIFF.

August 18, 2017: In the south (Marawi City, capital of Lanao del Sur province) soldiers believe the three month battle against ISIL gunmen in the city is just about over, with about 30 of the Islamic terrorists still active in the city. The most worrisome part of this is that these holdouts still have some civilians with them as protection from smart bombs and missiles.

August 16, 2017: The war on drugs left a record 32 dead on one day. President praised the high number of deaths but the growing number of local and foreign critics called for some restraint.

August 15, 2017: In the south (Maguindanao province) security forces encountered, and tried to arrest, a man who turned out to be a member of BIFF. The suspect was armed, pulled a pistol out and was shot dead before he could open fire. The dead man turned out to be Ebrahim Ali, a known and much sought BIFF member because he was the most skilled bomb builder BIFF had and moved around to teach others bomb making skills.

August 13, 2017: In the south, off an island in Sulu province, marines patrolling the coast at night encountered an Abu Sayyaf speedboat and quickly disabled it and killed one of the men on board. The dead man turned out to be Badong Muktadil, the senior Abu Sayyaf leader and largely responsible to the increased use of piracy and kidnapping of foreigners after 2013. The marines were acting on a tip from locals about Abu Sayyaf boat activity in the area.

August 12, 2017: In the Spratly Islands a Chinese naval force (three warships, a large coast guard ship) and ten fishing boats showed up five kilometers from Pagasa Island and chased away Filipino fishermen working near Sandy Cay (three sandbars featuring good fishing).

August 11, 2017: In the south (Jolo Island) four local civilians kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf managed to escape while their captors were distracted. The Islamic terrorists fired on the escaping prisoners and wounded at least one of them. Three of the hostages soon reach safety but the fourth apparently ran in a different direction and is still being sought. The Abu Sayyaf men were angry to begin with because a ransom had been paid for the release of the four men but some (or all) of the ransom money was counterfeit.

August 10, 2017: In the south (Sulu province) marines clashed with a group 30 Abu Sayyaf gunmen and the brief battle left five Islamic terrorists and two marines dead. Information collected from the dead Abu Sayyaf men indicated the group was largely composed of men who had fled the fighting in nearby Marawi City.

August 4, 2017: In the south (Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley provinces) NPA rebels lost one dead and large quantities of weapons (several dozen firearms and lots of ammo and equipment) as troops acted on tips from locals to search for NPA camps. Most of the rebels in those camps escaped and one soldier was wounded trying to catch up with the fleeing gunmen. In these two provinces most people see NPA as a criminal gang more interested in making money (via extortion and theft) than social change.

July 27, 2017: The United States delivered two Cessna 208B aircraft to the Philippines. These single engine civilian aircraft are equipped to carry out ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) missions. Mounted on the each 208B is an MX-15 stabilized reconnaissance turret. The MX-15 can monitor and record what is below in day or night. It can also spot and identify ships and boats 20 kilometers away. The MX-15 zoom feature enables the operator to see if men on the ground or in a boat are armed with weapons (like AK-47s and RPGs). The MX-15 uses high-definition digital vidcam with an infrared (heat) sensor that provides full-motion video surveillance 24 hours a day. The MX-15 displays what it sees to an on-board operator console and uses communications systems that enable the 208B to share the video with other aircraft, ships or ground forces equipped to handle receiving real-time video. The U.S. already has Special Forces troops equipped with those receivers working with Filipino troops. But until the arrival of the 208Bs this data could only be obtained with American or Australian recon aircraft and UAVs equipped with the sensors and communications the Filipinos now have with their 208Bs. Many other nations with small economies and large security needs have had similar success with the 208B.

July 24, 2017: In the south (Davao Oriental province) NPA rebels killed five soldiers and wounded nine others in two clashes. An unknown number of NPA gunmen were wounded as could be seen by the blood trains army trackers followed to pursue the fleeing leftist rebels.
Today the weather forecast is for a fine day with light winds.

Its a three-clothing layer and one-windproof layer day today with a high of 14 and an overnight low of five degrees.

This day in NZ history in 1947 assisted immigration resumed after the war.

The first draft of 118 British immigrants arrived in Auckland on the New Zealand Shipping Company liner Rangitata.

They were among 77,000 men, women and children who arrived from Great Britain under the assisted immigration scheme between 1947 and 1975.

Check out the rest of our weather wrap video filmed on the Tauranga Waterfront this morning.

Keep warm and have a great day!
Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns believes Labours proposed commuter rail plan cant work with current infrastructure.

Labour unveiled the plan in Tauranga on Monday, in which commuter rail options between Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga would be made available under their government.

Mark says he doesnt want to be seen as negative, but although he admires Labours vision, he cant see it working.

We run 74 trains a week, moving to 90 over the next 12 months. Weve experienced 64 per cent growth in the last two years.

Where I think it is flawed is that it cant work on the same line. The railway line between Hamilton and Tauranga is single-track. I believe theyre considering running the commuter trains at 160km/h, even though the line is rated for 80km/h.

You cant just have a train doing 160kmh passing a freight train doing 75km/h on the same track  they just cant pull out and pass them.

He says with 90 trains a week, the single track would already be under pressure when Labour intends to introduce its policy.

Given 41 per cent of New Zealands exports come through the Port of Tauranga at the moment, you would think that would be an important consideration in developing the policy.

He says the issue isnt about sharing the line, but that another line with a wider gauge would be required altogether.

Theres been a suggestion by Labour that Port of Tauranga has exclusive use of the line. Were one of the largest users of the line, but we dont have exclusive use.

Greater Tauranga spokesperson Heidi Hughes disagrees, saying passenger rail does not mean sacrificing freight.

It is just as important to a congestion-free network to have trucks off the roads as it is to have the choice to be able to travel by train.

"Regarding capacity on the line, the Ministry of Transport reports the capacity of the East Coast Main Trunk Line to Tauranga is four trains per hour, or just under one hundred trains per day.

There are currently up to 30 trains a day on this line. Stage 1 of the proposal adds a grand total of two passenger trains per day: one to Tauranga in late morning, one from Tauranga in the early afternoon.

She says the assertion that double-tracking is required to add two trains a day is simply incorrect.

In the subsequent stages of the proposal, a substantial portion of the budget is indeed allocated to lengthening passing loops and creating long stretches of double track between Hamilton and Tauranga.

This will increase the capacity of the line and allow a regular hourly service each way all day, as well as increasing the performance and capacity for freight sharing the line.

In 2012 a series of passing loop extensions built by KiwiRail, doubled the capacity of the East Coast Main Trunk Line for a mere $13 million, with a very high return on investment.

Operating a trunk line with both freight and passenger trains on the schedule isnt rocket science, in fact its the norm in most developed nations.
The Gas Pump Skimming Problem

Investigations have spanned across states including Maryland and Florida, but also persist nationwide.

BALTIMORE - August 23, 2017: The NACS reported that police in Maryland are warning drivers and gas station owners of skimming devices inside gas pumps following last week's arrest of two Florida men who installed a device at an Ellicott City Exxon, reports the Baltimore Sun.

According to police, an employee at an Exxon gas station observed two men putting an illegal card reader inside a pump in early August. The men were arrested and charged with possession of a skimming device and counterfeit credit card materials, and later released on bond. Skimmers are installed inside the cabinet of ATMs and gas pumps and use data from credit or debit cards, such as PIN numbers, to access bank accounts.

Skimming investigations have spanned across Maryland, according to police, including nine reports in Columbia; five reports in Ellicott City; three reports in Elkridge; and two reports in Laurel. The majority of reports involved devices at gas stations.

Local gas stations and businesses are asked to check their pumps and ATMs every day, police told the Sun. Signs of tampering include damage to the security seal on the cabinet panel and loose or crooked card scanners or keypads. Drivers should also consider choosing a pump within view of the gas station attendant and paying for gas inside the station or kiosk.

Earlier this year, Florida lawmakers went after people with skimming devices in their possession or for sale as well. These devices are designed to specifically collect and steal consumer data, said state Sen. Jose Rodriguez, who sponsored a Senate bill that would make possessing or selling such devices a third-degree felony. While skimming is a national problem, Floridawith its high levels of tourists and more than 10,000 c-storeshas seen its share of skimming troubles.

NACS and Conexxus both have resources available online related to skimming and payments security. For more information about Conexxus, go to www.conexxus.org.
The Friends of the Black River is sending out a call for volunteers to help with the groups annual river cleanup.

The cleanup will be held Saturday, Aug. 26. Volunteers are asked to meet at Al Young Park in Black River Falls at 8 a.m. Al Young Park is at the south end of South First Street.

Volunteers can clean up by paddling the river or by patrolling along the shore.

Those who do not have a preference will be assigned a section of the river.

Those who have a preference should let FBR president Steve Rake know where they would like to patrol. Rake can be contacted by calling 715-284-2087.

FBR will provide a free lunch to volunteers at Al Young Park at noon.

FBR has been holding the annual river cleanup since the organization began in 2004.

Along with removing trash from the waterway that could prove hazardous, the cleanup ensures those paddling or floating on the river will be able to enjoy the natural scenery offered by the Black River.

For more information or to indicate willingness to help, contact Rake or emailing info_fbr@yahoo.com.
People have been telling me to shut up my entire life, and I just cant. And I wont. Photo: Michael Schwartz/Getty Images

If the suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa, in late January were a color, they would be a pasty beige. Nondescript strip malls, clusters of architecturally blah homes, and scarcely populated roads  all dusted with a graying heap of snow. It was amid this uninspiring backdrop in 2016 that I first met Symone Sanders, then the spokeswoman for the Bernie Sanders (no relation) presidential campaign. She emerged in their headquarters seeming very unlike your standard-issue campaign flack, which is to say she was honest and helpful and didnt make me feel queasy  plus, she had a buzz cut and was wearing a fuzzy sweater the color of Key-lime pie. Of course, nobody knew then how the election would conclude, but anyone who came into contact with Sanders couldve predicted that regardless of the political climate, she was headed for cable-TV stardom: Shes young (now 27) and intelligent and beautiful and manages to convey complex ideas in a cool, conversational way that translates well onscreen. After Bernie lost the nomination and Hillary lost the general, Sanders prevailed as a CNN contributor who elevates each conversation shes a part of, sticks to the facts, and refuses to be stepped on. She is, in other words, as far away from Jeffrey Lord as one could possibly be.

When she argues her point, she does so with a clarity thats unusual among the screeching pundit class. And when shes disrespected on the air  as when Ken Cuccinelli, the president of the Senate Conservatives Fund, recently told her to shut up on CNN  she stands up for herself with a dignified roar. Pardon me, sir! she told him. You dont get to tell me to shut up on national television. Im sorry, under no circumstances do you get to speak to me in that manner. You should exhibit some decorum and understand that you are trying to defend and excuse white supremacists on this program, and under no circumstances will I sit by while that happens  so you can shut up. Shes a progressive operative, but shes not dogmatic. What she says never feels like spin, it just feels like what she truly thinks in the moment. Thats probably why shes so effective, and so popular. On Twitter, she offers history lessons about systemic racism in America to her 80,000 followers. On Instagram, where shes as likely to share a flower crown portrait or a sun-kissed picture with a dolphin as she is to honor a victim of police brutality, she has nearly 30,000. In the Donald Trump era, Sanderss perspective  and the way in which she delivers it on any medium  is especially urgent. I caught up with her last week, following the violence in Charlottesville and the presidents repeated failure to address it appropriately.

You made news a few times this week, but lets start with the debate you had with Paris Dennard, a Trump supporter, on CNN, about whether or not the president is actually racist. You said you dont know whats in his heart. I was wondering, do you feel like its productive to have an argument like that?

Ive caught a lot of flak for not actually saying, Donald Trump is a racist. And the reason I wasnt just ready to just up and call the president a racist is because I think that theres a few horrible, horrible things you can say about somebody and calling someone a racist is one of them. And so I am not one to just throw around the R-word. If Im calling somebody racist, I absolutely believe that they are. I think Donald Trump is a white-supremacist sympathizer, but Ive never actually thought he was a racist. I think hes somebody that just understands how race works and how it plays to his advantage.

I dont know. Its an interesting conversation to have had in front of America. I absolutely think these are the kind of conversations we should be having. Because when we dont talk about it, and then shit happens, everyone is shocked and surprised. People are like, How could this happen? How could we get here? And some of us are like, We tried to tell yall this was festering. So I am never shy about having a conversation about it. (Following our conversation, Sanders called me to say that after thinking about it more, and reassessing the presidents response to Charlottesville, in which he expressed support for the objectives of the protesters, she changed her mind  she does believe the president is a white supremacist. She appeared on Don Lemons CNN program shortly after we hung up the phone, where she discussed her thoughts in depth.)

This is something I struggle with with Trump a lot, because I just think, Does it really matter if, in his heart, hes a racist if he surrounds himself with people who have racist ideas, or if hes trying to enforce policies that are, at their core, racially discriminatory?

Hm. Well, I guess no. Because I guess if in practice you are acting as a racist, what youre doing is still damaging. First of all, I think words matter, and the words of the president of the United States can start a war, can launch nukes or can bring peace. But I also think actions matter, too, and even if Donald Trump hadnt stood up at the podium and said all of those nasty, stupid, and just crazy things that he did say [after Charlottesville], his administration has still put the wheels in motion to take our country back. That was happening long before this week.

While were on the subject  you appeared on Real Time With Bill Maher the week after he said the N-word. Did you ever consider pulling out of the show?

I never considered pulling out of the show. When it happened, I was like, Well, this makes my appearance a little bit more interesting. When someone says something that is inflammatory and then doesnt even understand why, such as Bill Maher, I think we have to talk about it. I thought my presence there was really important, and I wanted to make sure that when we came to that portion of the show, I spoke from the perspective of black women. Because I think that perspective was getting lost in that conversation. Im never gonna shy away from a conversation if the other party is willing to be communicative. Thats just unproductive.

Im conscious of the fact that there are people watching at home who have never met a person of color, let alone a bald black woman.

Broadly, then, how do you see your role on television in this era, when theres a good chance the president may be watching?

My objective when I go to the studio is to keep the bar high and substantive. I want to make sure that Im actual and factual. Im also conscious of the fact that there are people who are watching television at home who have never met a person of color, let alone a bald black woman  literally, they havent. What people think about people of color and black people, they get from television. And Im always conscious of that when I go on TV. And Im probably conscious of that in a way that maybe some of my non-melanated colleagues are not. Like, they dont think that when they go on television, someone is gonna judge all white women by what they say. But I know that when I go on TV, someone is going to, on some level, judge all black people, or at least black women, off of what I say.

And its not fair and its not right, but currently thats how it is. So I dont come thinking that Im trying to bring the real, if you will. But I want to make sure that Im accurately representing the views of young Democrats, of millennials across the board, people that dont even identify as Democrats but they care about these issues, of black women, of folks from the Midwest who are not white. Like, you would think that, if you watch the news, middle America is only white people. And thats not true. So I bring all of these different things to the table, but I also bring the perspective of someone who has worked 15 different campaigns and spent almost a year entrenched in trade policy.

You have this sort of sunny, light-on-your-feet way of broaching any topic, but youre also forced to defend yourself a lot because of the way people  like Cuccinelli  speak to you.

I have to, yeah. I have to stand up for myself. I have to be able to be funny, and witty, and quick on my feet. Because if Im not, someones going to say I dont actually deserve to be here. Someone will suggest that Im not ready, and I absolutely believe I am. I absolutely believe I deserve to be here. I remember [when the campaign finished] I talked to a lot of different agents, and people told me I was not palatable for cable television.

Palatable?

Palatable. I dont know if it was because Im too brown, if I needed more hair, or if I just needed less weight. Im not sure what about me wasnt palatable enough for cable television, but folks actually said that to me. There are people who knew me from the campaign and even from my past political experience who told me that no one would ever pay me to talk on their behalf again after Bernie, that Im not that good on television. But then there were people like [Bernies chief strategist] Tad Devine, who was super encouraging and told me right out the gate, Youre good. You deserve to be out here just as much as anybody else. So that is the vantage point through which I come to this work. I am representative of a lot of people in America, but were not represented on television.

There are so many idiots on television  to suggest that someone who actually knows what theyre talking about cant exist among them is outrageous on so many levels.

There was one time I was sitting on a big panel. We were doing special coverage for one of the hearings. And I was sitting on a panel with one of my Republican commentator colleagues, and hes making a point that is crazy, and I tried to interject because that is what you do. I dont know who these people are that think Im just supposed to sit on television, uninterrupted, for seven minutes while you give a soliloquy. Im not doing that. No one else is doing it. Thats not how this works. But hes making a point, and I waited, and I interjected because it was so egregious, and he put his hand up in my face. And I was so  I was embarrassed. I was also embarrassed when the gentleman told me to shut up. Those are things that I think happen because folks are not used to seeing people that look like me on quote-unquote equal footing as them, on a panel, on television.

People have been telling me to shut up my entire life, and I just cant. And I wont.

You were embarrassed for yourself or for him?

I was a little bit embarrassed. I said this to someone else recently, and they were like, Why would you be embarrassed? Im like, because no one is talking to anyone else in that manner. Because, at some level, they actually believe that what theyre doing is justified. That it is okay for them to talk to me that way, to put their hand in my face, to attempt to shut me up. Its embarrassing. But I never back down from a challenge. And people have been telling me to shut up my entire life, and I just cant. And I wont.

Well, for whatever my opinion is worth, I think it was embarrassing for him.

Oh yeah. He called me afterwards and apologized, so he clearly was regretting it. And I took the call, and it was a short call. My mother and my father, they raised me well, and so I said, Thank you and I do appreciate the sincere phone call, but I was disrespected on television. And so you do not get to offend me in public and then apologize to me in private.

Right.

Thats not how this works. Ive been on a number of different segments, even before I [worked for] CNN, where sometimes the panel gets out of hand, the interview gets out of hand, and someone says something that is personally offensive, and they wont apologize on air. They dont give a sincere apology. But afterwards, theyll give you a phone call or theyll come see you in the green room and theyll say, Oh, you know, I was just sparring with you. Im not here to be dismissed nor disrespected. And so that is why I take my on-air presence very, very seriously because, again, there are lots of people watching who have never interacted with a person of color before. Thats just factual. It is. And I dont want them to think that thats okay. There are also little girls watching that look like me, and little girls that dont look like me but that are being told that because theyre little girls they cant do x, y, and z. And who may think that, because they are little girls and will one day be young women and women, that this is just how men talk to you. Nobody talks to me like that.

Would you want to host your own show?

Oh my god, yeah. You know what? I have a necklace that I wear sometimes that says Donna Burns. And Donna Burns is my on-air personality. I made it up when I was, like, 8 years old. I used to pretend to be a television reporter, my mother says. And one day I just picked up a pencil and said, This is Donna Burns reporting live. And so I think that folks who know me think its really, really funny that now I dont have to pretend to be Donna Burns because I am Symone Sanders.

Part of being Symone Sanders is dressing better than the average pundit. I find it challenging to dress for TV; how do you approach it?

In summertime, Im partial to a little off-the-shoulder top, and a ruffle. But I know off-the-shoulder tops, and maybe ruffles, arent necessarily appropriate for national television. So I love big, bright colors, and I love a good red lip. And so youll often see me wearing a bright, red lip or a purple lipstick, because I think its important to have fun. I like fashion and I want to be fashionable, so the dresses that I wear on TV are dresses that I would wear in regular life. Like, I wanna be cute and trendy. Ive got on a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress today that has a little print on it thats a V-neck, and Im going on CNN International later.

I love the one that you were wearing last week, sort of the light blue trim.

Yes! Like, who says you have to sit on television in a black jacket and a blue suit? Im not doing that. I dont even wear suits. When I first moved here, when I had my first internship in D.C., they told me black, blue, gray. Thats what people wear.

Who says you have to sit on television in a black jacket and a blue suit? Im not doing that.

Going back to what you said earlier, about people dismissing your optimism as a function of your youth: Can you look at the presidents statements in the wake of Charlottesville and feel any optimism at all?

Donald Trump does not make me optimistic at all. At all. But I am optimistic, and maybe its because Im one of those millennials that feels like we can change the world, because I absolutely believe that we can. And I know so many people across the world, globally, who are actively working in their communities on a large scale and even on a small, really intricate community level, and are creating change and making a difference. And I think we need to give space and platforms to those people. Young people are going to save the world. I think were going to be okay if some of our seasoned individuals move over and give space to some of these young people. Like, literally. Were gonna be okay. Were gonna make it.

What about running for office?

One day I think I will run for office. Because I do believe more young people, more people of color, need to put their names on the ballot. And when we say run for office, its not just president, governor, United States Senate, congressman, or mayor. Like, there are county commissioners. Theres city council folks. Theres state legislators, theres secretaries of state. There are all these different positions. School boards. Theres all these different things that people can run for. And, yeah, one day I would like to run for office. I think I have something to offer, and I want more young women to run for office. Im on the advisory board for this new organization called Rise to Run. And its all about getting young women, like, high-school-aged, and even some collegiate women, engaged and involved in the political process and thinking about running for office.

When you look back on the Sanders campaign, do you have any regrets?

Absolutely. I mean, I think hindsight is 20/20. And a couple of us have all said this in different ways, but we did not play in the southern states. One of my personal regrets is that we let the conversation about the economy get away from us. And it became painted as though, because the basis of Senator Sanderss message was we lived in a rigged economy kept in place by a system of corrupt campaign finance, that that was a message that didnt speak to people of color. And I think thats incorrect. Because jobs is an everybody issue. So, yeah. I think if we had a do-over, there would definitely be some things that we did differently. But I am absolutely proud of the work we did. Im proud to have been a part of the team, and I am proud to have been able to step in where I could and help make a difference. I wouldnt trade that experience for anything, because it helped shape who I am right now.

Within this context, since Charlottesville especially, theres been some discussion about white people who think that theyre helping but arent. Like, feminists trying to make this about sexism instead of racism, for instance. How do you view that?Everyone needs to learn and adopt the concept of intentional intersectionality. And we have to incorporate intentional intersectionality into our everyday conversations, into our everyday lives, and into our advocacy platforms. Because we cannot afford to leave somebody behind. White women cannot afford, if they really do care about the future of the republic and the future of our democracy, to not speak up at this moment. If you care about all women, that includes black women. That includes Muslim women. That includes Latina women. That includes Asian-American, Korean-American, Native American women. And we  it is really, it is dangerous for some of us in these times. Its absolutely dangerous. Heather Heyer lost her life for being an ally.
Friends in the Wisconsin Legislature, we beg you: Sign that bad deal with Foxconn, recently wrote the Chicago Sun Times editorial board. Its the neighborly thing to do.

The Wisconsin Assembly obliged the Chicago newspaper and recently voted 50-39 to approve the Governors deal with the Taiwanese company, Foxconn.

But lawmakers were not voting on the deal itself. Contract negotiations are presumably underway. Legislators who voted on the deal did not see the contract, they do not know the details under negotiation, nor will they approve the final negotiated contract.

In essence, they gave the Governor a blank check. For his part, the Governor assigned his troubled economic development agency, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the task of negotiating a good deal for the state.

For the most part, the bill passed by the Assembly reflected the Governors original request. Some job training money was added. Language clarified that locals could use a sales tax to pay for needed infrastructure. Furthermore, the state could in essence co-sign part of the loan locals took out to pay for infrastructure.

Answering the big question  how do we ensure the state gets promised jobs  was left murky.

In its analysis of the Assembly version of the Foxconn bill, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau noted the bill would require WEDC, to the extent possible, attempt to include terms in any agreement negotiated between it and [Foxconn to] encourage the businesss hiring of Wisconsin residents.

As the Chicago Sun Times editorial writers gleefully reviewed the benefits to Illinois, they also summarized the risk taken by Wisconsin Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill.

Best we can tell, its a crap shoot as to whether luring the giant electronics company to Wisconsin would work out well for you, given the billions of dollars in tax breaks your governor has promised, but it would be terrific for Illinois. It would cost our state nothing, yet up to half of the new jobs could go to our residents, while OHare Airport would get the new international travel business.

The best thing that ever happened to Illinois might be losing Foxconn to you, Wisconsin. Much appreciated.

Walker downplayed the $3 billion worth of tax incentives that the Wisconsin Legislature still must approve, and an independent analysis says it would take at least 25 years for Wisconsin taxpayers to break even on the deal. The break-even point would come even later, according to the analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, if Foxconn employed closer to only 3,000  which could happen  and 40 percent or more of those jobs went to people who live out of state. In Illinois, that is.

Under that scenario, an analyst for the Bureau told Reuters, the break-even point would be so far in the future that its silly to talk about.

I heard much discussion among local residents about the break-even point of the plan  the point at which the state would recoup its return on investment. These numbers are fuzzy at best.

A break-even number makes many assumptions, including the number of jobs created. The administration claims 13,000 jobs, although Foxconn publicly said 3,000 jobs. The administration uses average wages of $53,874, but the bill voted out of the Assembly cites $30,000. Most investment analyses discount future dollars while the administrations analysis, reviewed by the LFB, uses all amounts in current dollars.

The Bureau reminds lawmakers any cash-flow analysis that covers a period of nearly 30 years is highly speculative. The Bureau also mentions other provisions hidden in the Governors bill. A Brookfield financial services company is given an award, and other enterprise zones are created. These new commitments, passed by the Assembly, would cost the state another estimated $100 million.

Sun Times editorial writers summarized the deal, Wisconsin would be taking all the risks, even as Illinois enjoyed a nice share of the benefits. The Foxconn plant likely would be located right across the border in Kenosha County or Racine County. The commute from Waukegan to Kenosha is just 16.5 miles. The commute from Zion is ten.

I could not agree more with the conclusion of the editorial, Border wars are stupid. Interstate job-poaching is nothing but a race to the bottom. And the best way to tap global markets would be to create a regional economic development strategy.
GENOA  Peggy Elizabeth Garvalia, 73, of Genoa passed away Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.

She was born Oct. 26, 1943, in Black River Falls to Harvey and Mildred (Carmen) Gratke. She was a 1961 graduate of De Soto High School. On April 20, 1963, Peggy married Ronnie Garvalia at St. Charles Parish in Genoa and they celebrated 54 years of marriage.

Peggy was a homemaker for many years after she was married, to raise their three children. She then became a beautician and worked at the Hollywood Beauty Salon in La Crosse for several years. She also opened a beauty salon in her home serving friends and family. Peggy sold life insurance for a time, but her favorite job besides being a mother and grandmother was being the school secretary at St. Charles, where she eventually retired in the early 2000s.

Peggy was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved boating and most weekends during the summer were spent on a sandbar on the Mississippi River with family and friends and many summer vacations were enjoyed at Blanche Lake in Minnesota. In the winter, there were many ski trips taken in the Midwest, coining the Genoa Ski Club. She was an avid reader, enjoyed quilting, and stained glass work. Peggy loved traveling and made great memories with Ronnie, traveling to Lake Havasu, as well as Italy and Ireland. After retirement, she and Ronnie spent summers camping in their RV. More than anything, Peggy loved spending time with her kids, grandkids, extended family, and her friends. Nothing made her happier then seeing her kids and grandkids and doing whatever she could do to support them. Peggy also loved dogs and leaves behind her beloved, Lizzie.

Survivors include her husband, Ronald; a daughter, Carrie (Kurt) Begalke of Oconomowoc, Wis.; a son, Collin (Lisa) Garvalia, of Genoa; and a daughter, Carisa (Jeremy) Brockman, of Oconomowoc; nine grandchildren, Brynne and Claire Begalke, Sam Halverson, Tony, Luke, and Joe Garvalia, and Tobyn, Jackson, and Alice Brockman; one brother, Jerry (Gloria) Gratke of La Crosse; one sister, Edith vonGradtke of Minneapolis; one brother-in-law, Jerry Garvalia of Genoa; and many nieces and nephews and extended family.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents.

A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at St. Charles Catholic Church, Genoa. Father Doss will officiate. A reception will follow at the school. A visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass Thursday at the church. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Woodruff Chapel, La Crosse, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family c/o Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 4239 Mormon Coulee Rd., La Crosse, Wis., 54602-1681.
Thomas Edward Wirkus, Ph.D., died Monday, Aug. 21, 2017.

Tom was born to Joseph Sam and Jamina Jimmy Wirkus May 31, 1933, in Marshfield, Wis. He graduated with a B.S. degree in English and speech from UW-Stevens Point in 1956. Following teaching assignments at high schools in Wisconsin, he received an M.S. degree in speech from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He began a 35 year career at UW-La Crosse in 1959. He completed his doctorate in speech education and radio-TV at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., in 1965. In addition to instructional duties, he served as department chair in speech communication and theater for nine years, was the voice of the marching band for 24 years, and spent 29 years as the district coordinator of forensics for the western Wisconsin area for the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association. He was named Wisconsins outstanding college speech educator by the Wisconsin Communication Association in 1988, and was elected to the Wall of Fame of the International Listening Association in 2011. He held emeriti memberships in the American Communication Association, the Central States Communication Association, and Phi Delta Kappa.

Tom met Lois Langfeldt in college at UW-Stevens Point and they were married July 28, 1956. Four wonderful children were born to them, Terrance Thomas (Kristine) Wirkus, Sheila Ann Wirkus, Mary Therese Wirkus, and Timothy Joseph (Laurie) Wirkus. Following retirement, Lois and Tom had an opportunity to do some traveling and spent many years volunteering at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman in La Crosse and the Gundersen Medical Center in Onalaska. Tom also served as the first president of the Lauderdale North Association. Tom represented western Wisconsin on the board of the Wisconsin Public Radio Association for 12 years, serving as president for three years.

Toms major hobby was music. He began drumming at the age of 12 in Marshfield, and played his first dance job at age 13 after receiving special permission to join the musicians union. He played with the Swingsters, the Russ Nelson Orchestra, and Wally Ives and the Jolly Dutchmen. In 1965, he and colleague Lee Glasel formed the Tom Lee Orchestra. Later, Tom fronted the Tom Wirkus Four. Many will remember Tom in the percussion section of the La Crosse Concert Band. He played in that unit for 51 consecutive summers. He spent many enjoyable years with the Reverend Allan Townsend and The Wonderful World Jazz Band. His last affiliation was as one of two drummers with The Grumpy Old Men.

Tom leaves a loving wife and best friend of 64 years, Lois; children, Terrance (Kristine), Sheila, Mary (Tom Anderson), and Timothy (Laurie); grandchildren, Taylor, Taryn, Nicholas, and Joshua; a brother, Mark; and brothers and sisters-in-law. He was predeceased by his parents and grandparents; a brother, Joe; and a granddaughter, Laura.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 25, at the Cathedral of St Joseph the Workman, 530 Main St., La Crosse. Msgr. Charles Stoetzel will officiate. Committal rites will follow in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum in the Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday at the church and also from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass of Friday. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family. Online condolences may be submitted at www.schumacher-kish.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, the Onalaska Food Basket, or the Gundersen Medical Foundation.
WASHINGTON (TNS)  President Donald Trumps new Afghanistan strategy  more troops, pressure on Pakistan and diplomatic outreach to the Taliban  relies on tactics his predecessors tried without success to get out of Americas longest-running war.

Theres little reason to think Trumps approach will produce better results.

But with Afghanistans government losing control of wide swaths of the country and Islamic State and Taliban forces on the move, Trump and his top advisers are betting the formula will work this time. And they are vowing not to set any deadlines, criticizing President Barack Obamas public timetables for withdrawal.

American strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia will change dramatically, Trump said in a nationally televised speech Monday night from Fort Myer, Va. A core pillar of our new strategy is a shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions.

Elected in part on his vow to wind down Americas foreign wars, Obama signaled his intention to withdraw troops even as he was boosting forces. That led the Taliban to believe it could simply outlast the U.S.

Obamas timelines sent a very negative message to both friends and enemies in Afghanistan, said Ahmad Majidyar, a fellow at the Middle East Institute, ahead of Trumps speech. They were saying we cannot side with the U.S. government or the military. It also encouraged the Taliban to just wait out the U.S. forces instead of coming to the negotiating table.

Trump is now the third U.S. president to struggle with how to get out of Afghanistan, a country beset by ethnic, religious, cultural and tribal factions that have stymied foreign armies for centuries. The mixture is amplified by the involvement of powers including the U.S. as well as neighboring Pakistan and Russia.

Since President George W. Bush first sent special forces to Afghanistan to help oust the Taliban government and track down al-Qaida terrorists after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the war has cost the U.S. more than $714 billion and several thousand lives.

Saying that micromanagement from Washington, D.C., does not win battles, Trump said hes already given Defense Secretary James Mattis the authority to raise troops levels and target the terrorist and criminal networks that sow violence and chaos throughout Afghanistan.

U.S. troop levels may have the smallest impact on determining Afghanistans future. Even with about 100,000 U.S. soldiers in the country in 2011, and tens of thousand of additional NATO troops, the Taliban managed to survive and plot their comeback. In his final year, Obama put off a plan to reduce the U.S. presence to 5,500 troops, leaving about 8,400 in the country.

Now, under Trump, that number is expected to climb by about 50 percent. Rather than trying to retake territory, their focus would be on training Afghan special forces troops, a strategy pursued with some success in the past. The key difference under Trump would be an added emphasis on training for the broader Afghan army.

We did 3 1/2 years of intensive training and we pulled people out in the middle of battles and started going home, and that left the Afghans unable to finish the job, said Ronald Neumann, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan in 2005-2007.

Afghanistan analysts say that may still not be enough.

I really dont think the deployment of 3,000 or 5,000 troops can overcome security challenges, said Abdul Qader Zazai, first secretary and a lawmaker in the Afghan parliament.

For Trump, the troop increase and giving greater discretion to commanders on the ground is just part of a plan that includes providing continued support  but no blank check  for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and pressuring Pakistan. In his remarks, the U.S. president singled out Pakistan for often giving safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror.

We can no longer be silent about Pakistans safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond, Trump said. Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor terrorists.

Pakistans intelligence service has long nurtured ties with the Taliban while undermining U.S.-backed governments in Kabul.

Pakistan argues that it maintains contacts with the Taliban to prod it toward participation in peace talks. The Taliban have said talks can occur when foreign forces withdraw from the country. The perception that Pakistan controls the Taliban has led to unrealistic expectations, Sartaj Aziz, Pakistans foreign affairs adviser, has said.

Trump will still have to find a way to overcome hurdles that prevented both the Obama and Bush administrations from getting Pakistan to fully sign on to U.S. goals in Afghanistan, even at the risk of losing military or economic aid.

There is pressure on Pakistan to change, said Scott Worden, the director of Afghanistan and Central Asia programs at the U.S. Institute for Peace. Thats been tried in the past. A lot will depend on what carrots and sticks are offered to see whether it marks a change.

Under Obama last year, the U.S. withheld $300 million to Pakistan after Defense Secretary Ash Carter found he couldnt certify that enough action had been taken against the Haqqani Network, which has been blamed for attacks on U.S. and NATO forces.

Relations between Pakistan and the U.S. almost collapsed in 2011 after U.S. special forces found and killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden near a key Pakistani military academy, where he had lived for years.

Another part of the Trump plan is to bring the Taliban back to the negotiating table.

The Taliban has a path to peace and political legitimacy through a negotiated political settlement to end the war, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement after Trumps speech. We stand ready to support peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban without preconditions.

The Obama administration made similar overtures, with little success. And Taliban gains in Afghanistan  the central government now controls only about 60 percent of the country, according to the U.S.  may make the group less inclined to sit down for talks.

Its not as if youre seeing the Taliban laying down arms and saying this country is in a bad way and were ready to have a negotiating process, said Alyssa Ayres, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a former deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia.

At the same time, a group affiliated with Islamic State has laid down roots in the country, part of a broad deterioration that has seen a record number of Afghan civilians killed. U.S. engagement has eroded as a result, with personnel hunkered down behind blast walls, the U.S. inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction said in a report this month.

While Trump said his instincts during the campaign were to completely pull out of Afghanistan, that deteriorating situation on the ground and the difficult realities of being commander-in-chief changed his calculus.

But he also signaled the limits of his approach.

We are not asking others to change their way of life, but to pursue common goals that allow our children to live better and safer lives, Trump said. We are not nation-building again, we are killing terrorists.
State Rep. Dana Wachs of Eau Claire touts himself as a different kind of Democrat as he seeks the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Scott Walker in the 2018 election.

Im not a Madison liberal, Wachs said during an interview Wednesday, adding that he is a western Wisconsin progressive  interested in helping the largely forgotten residents north of Hwy. 29, the main east-west corridor across the state, as well as rural and urban residents statewide.

Madison lectures to people. We need to listen to people, said Wachs, an Eau Claire attorney who was elected to the Assembly in 2012.

In preparing for trials, Wachs said he enlisted focus groups and listened to their feedback to help prepare cases. Similarly, the governor and legislators must listen to constituents about their needs instead of letting lobbyists and corporations hold sway, he said.

It seems to me regular folks dont get a fair shake  because they dont have bushel baskets of money to influence legislation, he said. Its their government  it doesnt belong to special-interest groups.

Asked about his ability to cross the aisle to work on legislation, Wachs cited his cooperation with state Rep. Jim Ott, R-Mequon, on a law to regulate situations in which people cash in structured annuities. Wisconsin did not have a law, which raised the potential for people to end up shortchanged even as corporations reaped windfalls, he said.

That is very complicated, and Jim Ott refused to go ahead without me, Wachs said.

The result was a law that other states emulate, he said, adding, This is what we need to be talking together. It was powerful for us.

Underscoring the value of parties working together and compromising, he said, We used to go to the moon when we talked. Now, we argue about potholes.

The state Transportation Department needs a major infusion of money to rebuild roads and bridges, he said. It was a mistake to remove the gas tax from indexing, which leaves it at the mercy of lawmakers, he said.

Weve got to get money to protect that resource, he said.

Wachs also criticized the proposed $3 billion in incentives Walker proposes to give the Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn so it will follow through on its promise to build a plant employing as many as 13,000 people in southeast Wisconsin.

Instead of giving $3 billion to a company in Taiwan that doesnt need it, it would be better to invest in (local) start-ups, he said.

University of Wisconsin System schools could use more money to help businesses develop, he said.

From our universities and technical schools spring new industries and products and ways of life, he said.

He cited Epic Systems in Verona as an example of home-grown venture that has expanded repeatedly and created jobs.

The proposed Foxconn project will make the state a hostage to this industry, which could demand more money as designs change, Wachs said.

He also questioned Walkers decisions to reject $810 million in federal money for a Madison-to-Milwaukee light rail line just because the annual maintenance costs might run $1 million to $2 million, as well as millions in federal Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.

Wachs advocates gradually increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, although he said, We have to make sure our economy isnt based on what the minimum is.

The economy should be built to elevate people well beyond the minimum, he said. Now, the way the economy is rigged, its a race to the bottom.

The Democratic contest for the gubernatorial nomination is becoming crowded, with state schools Superintendent Tony Evers joining the race Wednesday. Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik declared last month.

Other Democrats mulling campaigns include state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma, longtime Madison Mayor Paul Soglin, political activist Mike McCabe of Madison, former state Reps. Kelda Helen Roys of Middleton and Brett Hulsey of Madison, and Mahlon Mitchell, president of the state firefighters association.
Employees at the Uniqlo store at Toronto Eaton Centre voted Tuesday against joining a union that organizers had hoped would be able to improve working conditions at the Japanese retailers first Canadian location.

I voted yes for better working conditions, for better scheduling and also for respect, said Jasper Lim, 22, a part-time employee and history student at the University of Toronto.

I feel disappointed by the results because I definitely thought it would succeed.

Only 35 of the 120 employees who voted on Tuesday  169 were eligible to vote  cast ballots in favour of joining Workers United Canada, a union with roots in the garment trade. Eighty-four employees voted against the union and one ballot was spoiled, said Tanya Ferguson, organizing co-ordinator for Workers United Canada Council.

Just a week earlier, the union had the support of more than 40 per cent of employees, who had signed union cards, triggering the vote.

Ferguson and Lim said that after management was notified of the union drive, employees in routine team meetings, held at the start of every shift, were told that they would take home less money if they joined a union because they would have to pay union dues.

Employees were also led to believe that they would no longer be able to speak directly to managers about their working conditions, Lim said.

They created a campaign that was based on fear and they disseminated some misinformation, said Lim.

Scheduling emerged as a key issue. Employees are scheduled to work shifts that include an unpaid hour-long lunch and an unpaid half-hour break later in the shift, which means they must be available for 9.5 hours of work while only being paid for eight.

Yasuhiro Hayashi, Uniqlo Canada chief operating officer, said the success of the store to date has been due to the hard work of employees and that he sees the vote as an opportunity for the company to improve how they engage with employees moving forward.

But there are no plans to change the scheduling system.

We want the employees to be productive and energized and feel recharged, said Hayashi. I would say that working this 9.5 hours works best for not just employees, but also for the store as well.

He said employees were not told they would not be able to engage with managers if they unionized.

We were just one step away from having a union, said employee Chicheng Wat, 35.

I hope this encourages other people to unionize  not just those at Uniqlo, but others in the retail sector. This is not something undoable.

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SAN FRANCISCOAs new employees were brought into Apples secret effort to create a self-driving car a few years ago, managers told them that they were working on the companys next big thing: a product that would take on Detroit and disrupt the automobile industry.

These days, Apples automotive ambitions are more modest. The company has put off any notion of an Apple-branded autonomous vehicle and is instead working on the underlying technology that allows a car to drive itself. Timothy D. Cook, the companys chief executive, said in an interview with Bloomberg in June that Apple is focusing on autonomous systems.

A notable symbol of that retrenchment is a self-driving shuttle service that ferries employees from one Apple building to another. The shuttle, which has never been reported before, will likely be a commercial vehicle from an automaker and Apple will use it to test the autonomous driving technology that it develops.

Read more:

How video games helped give us the self-driving car

Apple pairs with Hertz to test its self-driving technology

Ubers self-driving cars hit Toronto streets  in manual mode

Five people familiar with Apples car project, code-named Titan, discussed with The New York Times the missteps that led the tech giant to move  at least for now  from creating a self-driving Apple car to creating technology for a car that someone else builds. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk publicly about Apples plans.

The projects reduced scale aligns Apple more closely with other tech companies that are working on autonomous driving technology but are steering clear of building cars. Even Waymo, the Google self-driving spinoff that is probably furthest along among Silicon Valley companies, has said repeatedly that it does not plan to produce its own vehicles.

Apples testing vehicles will carry employees between its various Silicon Valley offices. The new effort is called PAIL, short for Palo Alto to Infinite Loop, the address of the companys main office in Cupertino, Calif., and a few miles down the road from Palo Alto, Calif.

Apples in-house shuttle service, which isnt operational yet, follows Waymo, Uber and a number of car companies that have been testing driverless cars on city streets around the world.

Apple has a history of tinkering with a technology until its engineers figure out what to do with it. The company worked on touch screens for years, for example, before that technology became an essential part of the iPhone.

But the initial scale of Apples driverless ambitions went beyond tinkering or building underlying technology. The Titan project started in 2014, and it was staffed by many Apple veterans. The company also hired engineers with expertise in building cars, and not just the software that would run an autonomous vehicle.

It was a do-it-all approach typical of Apple, which prefers to control every aspect of a product, from the software that runs it to the look and feel of the hardware.

From the beginning, the employees dedicated to Project Titan looked at a wide range of details. That included motorized doors that opened and closed silently. They also studied ways to redesign a car interior without a steering wheel or gas pedals, and they worked on adding virtual or augmented reality into interior displays.

The team also worked on a new light and ranging detection sensor, also known as lidar. Lidar sensors normally protrude from the top of a car like a spinning cone and are essential in driverless cars. Apple, focused as always on clean designs, wanted to do away with the awkward cone.

Apple even looked into reinventing the wheel. A team within Titan investigated the possibility of using spherical wheels  round like a globe  instead of the traditional, round ones, because spherical wheels could allow the car better lateral movement.

But the car project ran into trouble, said the five people familiar with it, dogged by its size and by the lack of a clearly defined vision of what Apple wanted in a vehicle. Team members complained of shifting priorities and arbitrary or unrealistic deadlines.

There was disagreement about whether Apple should develop a fully autonomous vehicle or a semi-autonomous car that could drive itself for stretches but allow the driver to retake control.

Steve Zadesky, an Apple executive who was initially in charge of Titan, wanted to pursue the semi-autonomous option. But people within the industrial design team including Jonathan Ive, Apples chief designer, believed that a fully driverless car would allow the company to reimagine the automobile experience, according to the five people.

A similar debate raged inside Googles self-driving car effort for years. There, the fully autonomous vehicle won out, mainly because researchers worried drivers couldnt be trusted to retake control in an emergency.

Zadesky, who worked on the iPod and iPhone, eventually left Titan and took a leave of absence from the company for personal reasons in 2016. He is still at Apple, although he is no longer involved in the project. Zadesky could not be reached for comment.

Last year, Apple started to rein in the project. The company tapped Bob Mansfield, a longtime executive who over the years had led hardware engineering for some of Apples most successful products, to oversee Titan.

Mansfield shelved plans to build a car and focused the project on the underlying self-driving technology. He also laid off some hardware staff, though the exact number of employees dedicated to working on car technology was unclear.

More recently, the team has grown again, adding personnel with expertise in autonomous systems, rather than car production.

Apples headlong foray into autonomous vehicles underscores one of the biggest challenges facing the company: finding the next breakthrough product. As Apple celebrates the iPhones 10th anniversary, the company remains heavily dependent on smartphone sales for growth. It has introduced new products like the Apple Watch and expanded revenue from services, but the iPhone still accounts for more than half its sales.

With expectations reset and the team more focused, people on the Titan project said morale has improved under Mansfield. Still, one of the biggest challenges is holding onto talented engineers because self-driving technology is one of the hottest things in Silicon Valley, and Apple is hardly the only company working on it.

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NEW YORKSamsung is trying to move past last years disastrous Galaxy Note 7 launch with a successor sporting a dual-lens camera, animated messages, expanded note-taking  and lower battery capacity.

The South Korean tech giant is no longer trying to squeeze more battery power into each phone. Last years Note 7 had to be recalled after dozens spontaneously caught fire because of defective batteries.

None of us will ever forget what happened last year, Samsung Mobile chief executive DJ Koh told a New York audience today at the phones unveiling.

Samsung responded by subjecting new phones to multiple inspections and giving the battery more physical protection, taking up room normally available for the charge.

By keeping the same brand name, Samsung is making clear that the Note 8 is an iterative (and better) device, and signals that it thinks its fixed the problems with the previous version. While the Note doesnt command as wide an appeal as the Galaxy S line, both are premium devices in Samsungs efforts against Apple Inc. in the battle for global smartphone supremacy.

Samsung's Note 7 had to be recalled after dozens spontaneously caught fire because of defective batteries.





Although the success of this past springs Galaxy S8 phone suggests that Samsung has recovered from the Note 7 debacle, which included bans on airline flights, any further mistakes could prove fatal.

Here it is from the ashes, literally, a rebirth of this pretty iconic brand, said Bob ODonnell, a veteran consumer tech analyst at Technalysis Research.

The price tag

Unveiled Monday, the Galaxy Note 8 will go on sale Sept. 15 in the U.S., about the time Apple is expected to come out with new iPhones. Advance orders for the Note 8 begin Thursday.

The phone is among the most expensive, at about $950 (U.S.). (It costs about $1,300 in Canada). By contrast, the iPhone 7 starts at about $650 and the S8 at $750. Samsungs Note phones tend to be niche products aimed at people who use their phones more than the average consumer.

But ODonnell said the Note 8 launch could boost interest in Ssamsungs mainstream phones.

Having a halo product at the top of the line helps drive interest across the line, he said. The Note 8 will make more people aware of the S8.

Jan Dawson, chief analyst at Jackdaw Research, said the phone should be popular among loyal Note users who have had to wait two years since the last model. But Dawson said the price could give consumers pause.

New and not

The Note 8 phone offers significant improvements over the last Note model still selling. But the S8 already has one of the Note 8s signature features, an infinity display that maximizes screen size by reducing the frame, or bezel, surrounding the display. The Note 8s screen will measure 6.3 inches diagonally, up from the Note 7s 5.7 inches, without feeling much bigger.

The Note 8 also matches the S8 in offering the ability to unlock phones with iris patterns, free premium earbuds from Samsungs AKG brand and a slot for adding storage beyond the 64 gigabytes included.

Unlike the S8, the Note 8 will have two camera lenses on the back  one with twice the magnification  allowing for sharper close-ups. The Note 8 will match Apples iPhone 7 Plus in using that second lens for software tricks that blur out the background in portrait shots. Samsung offers more tweaking capabilities after the shot, though Apple may also be adding improvements in the upcoming iPhones.

The Note 8 will also support Gigabit LTE, a faster networking technology for browsing the web and downloading content, which the next iPhone wont have, Bloomberg News has reported.

Pen features

Samsungs Note line is notable for its stylus, and the new pen restores some of the hardware improvements introduced  then taken away  with the Note 7. A popular feature has been the ability to write notes on the phones lock screen, much like a chalkboard. Samsung is expanding how much people can write  up to 100 screens full of notes, rather than just one.

Also coming is the ability to handwrite text messages, rather than just typing them. They are sent as animated GIF files, so friends without Note 8 phones can read them, too. With Apples Messages app, recipients must have iPhones or iPads with a recent software update for animation to work.

The pen will also enable full-sentence translations for travellers, with automatic conversions of currencies and units such as feet and metres.

Power matters

Samsung is taking a conservative approach to its battery, as it did with the S8. Capacity is reduced by 6 per cent, as thicker walls and other safety measures take away room once devoted to the charge. Still, Samsung says the capacity is enough for all-day use, thanks to efficiencies from better software.

To boost confidence, Samsung is also seeking certification from an outside safety lab, UL.

Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, said the fact the S8 outsold last years S7 shows that consumers are well past the Note 7 issues. Consumers are a forgiving bunch, and as long as there arent strings of issues, they quickly forgive and forget.

Prospects

Moorhead said Samsungs new Android phone represents its best opportunity to gain market share from Apple as this is the first super-premium phone theyve had for years.

But it comes as Apple is expected to release its own super-premium phone for the iPhones 10th anniversary. Apple hasnt said anything about it, though its likely to make an announcement in the coming weeks. Carolina Milanesi, a mobile tech analyst with Creative Strategies, said high-end users tend to stick with the system they already have, whether thats iPhones or Android.

With files from Bloomberg

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OTTAWAPrime Minister Justin Trudeau shrugged off blustery anti-free trade comments by Donald Trump, saying hes heard it before and Canada would press ahead with talks in good faith no matter what.

Trudeau, speaking in Montreal, said hes had a number of private conversations with the U.S. president where he talked about exiting the NAFTA agreement.

Yet Trudeau said I have confidence in the substance of that agreement and he remains very positive about the prospects of reaching a new deal that will improve and update the 23-year-old pact.

Were negotiating in good faith and working hard to do just that, but were going to stay focused on the hard work we have ahead of us at the negotiation table and thats how weve approached this from the very beginning, and I dont see anything changing, Trudeau said.

Trudeau pushed the same keep-calm-and-carry-on approach adopted by Canadian and U.S. officials earlier Wednesday in reaction to Trumps inflammatory speech in Phoenix, Ariz., the night before.

He said the North American Free Trade Agreement has created both millions of jobs and economic growth on both sides of the border.

Trump told an Arizona campaign-style said the U.S. would probably end up terminating the NAFTA, a threat that hangs over formal negotiations that began just last week.

Trump suggested Canada and Mexico were the ones who negotiated great deals, while the U.S. was suckered. Personally, I dont think we can make a deal, because we have been so badly taken advantage of, Trump said.

Canadas foreign affairs ministers office dismissed the remarks as heated rhetoric and reacted coolly to Trumps trash-talking NAFTA.

Trudeau stressed that the agreement has been updated nearly a dozen times, since it set rules for tariff-free trilateral trade and investment in 1994. He said the current talks are an opportunity to improve and update it.

Nothing will distract us from that serious and positive approach were taking to those negotiations, Trudeau said in French.

On two other key foreign policy files, however, Trudeau drew a sharper contrast between his government and Trumps, on its military approach toward North Korea and Afghanistan.

Trudeau was asked if his government has shut the door on Canadian participation in the U.S. missile-shield program or on sending Canadian military and police officers back into Afghanistan.

Trudeau said keeping citizens safe is a responsibility that we take very seriously, but we also make sure that we are always standing up for Canadian sovereignty, for Canadians capacity to make decisions about our own national security.

Everything you need to know about NAFTA in 3 Minutes. Why Donald Trump says NAFTA is a bad deal for the U.S. and what the negotiations could mean to Canada.

In those cases, we will always take the decisions in . . . what is (in) the best interests of Canadians, and our longstanding positions on those two issues are not going to be changed anytime soon.

Trudeaus trade comments expanded on a statement from the office of his Foreign Affairs minister, Chrystia Freeland.

As we said last week, trade negotiations often have moments of heated rhetoric, said Adam Austen, a spokesman for Freeland. Our priorities remain the same, and we will continue to work hard to modernize NAFTA, supporting millions of middle-class jobs.

Freelands Mexican counterpart, Luis Videgaray, tweeted in Spanish: No surprises: we are already in a negotiation. Mexico will remain on the table with serenity and firmness and national interest ahead.

Even Trumps own chief trade official tried to downplay the significance or newsworthiness of Trumps latest remarks.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement, President Trump has been clear from the very beginning that, if the NAFTA renegotiation is unsuccessful, he will withdraw from the agreement.

Under the Presidents direction, Lighthizer said, the trade office has begun renegotiating NAFTA to seek substantial changes that address its fundamental failures and create fair trade policy that benefits all Americans.

Read more: Trump: Well end up probably terminating NAFTA

NAFTA countries agree to pursue rapid pace for renegotiations

NAFTAs third-party arbitration system was Canadas big prize . . . is it worth fighting for?

Canada has carried out a full-court-press south of the border to woo allies in the U.S., even as it publicly says it welcomes a chance to modernize the deal.

Canada lavished particular attention on 11 key U.S. states that have large populations, are large trading partners, or carry big political weight for the Trump administration, whether because they are Republican strongholds, or are states where the vote flipped to Trump in 2016: Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Florida, Iowa, California and New York.

On Tuesday, Trudeau once again touted the economic benefits that NAFTA has had for individual states, and for the U.S. business community that he said understands a border that allows freer trade brings economic growth to all.

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CORNWALL, ONT.Cornwall politicians say theyre reassured after meeting Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale Wednesday to discuss plans to deal with an influx of asylum-seekers from Haiti.

Councillor Bernadette Clement says the meeting between Goodale and municipal and provincial officials lasted about an hour.

Earlier this week, local politicians said they were concerned about a lack of information from the federal government about a plan to house hundreds of border crossers in a tent city here while their asylum claims are processed.

The military is erecting a camp that can house up to 500 people on the grounds of the Nav Centre, a privately run, 28-hectare conference centre.

Read more:

Cornwall councillors seek answers as hundreds of Haitian refugee claimants arrive in Ontario

Task force on Canada-U.S. border crossings to meet, review next steps for asylum seekers

Haitian-Canadian MP headed to Miami to try to address would-be asylum seekers

Clement says Goodale promised the government would establish a point of contact for the municipality to keep local residents informed.

She says the ministers answers left local leaders comfortable with what is happening.

He didnt rush, she said of Goodale. He took questions. He made us feel more comfortable about the process and the fact co-ordination is going to continue to take place.

The local politicians wanted know which government department was in charge of the operation and while Goodale didnt have a firm answer, Clement said she got the sense that it would be Public Safety.

An earlier meeting was told that the tent city is an interim solution until winter begins to set in.

Goodale toured the temporary housing site before meeting the mayor and councillors.

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Sarah Kerr has been travelling to Nicaragua for nearly a decade. Shes seen similarities between youth there and those living in First Nation communities.

Both experience educational inequality, said Kerr, executive director of the Canadian charity SchoolBOX.

Youth from Wabauskang First Nation, for example, must travel two hours each way to attend high school.

This is literally the same reality kids in Nicaragua are facing, Kerr said.

Five First Nations people travelled to Nicaragua this month to help remedy circumstances like these. They had a hand in building a classroom for an impoverished region and engaged in cross-cultural learning, transferable skills that can be applied to their own communities upon return, Kerr said.

SchoolBOX was established in 2006 to increase greater access to learning in the Central American country. Its Indigenous Youth Empowering Students program has been in operation for eight years and is open to 18- to 30-year-olds. For 10 days, Indigenous people hone skills that revolve around education.

One of the things that Indigenous youth do better than all of our volunteers is really understanding their place, which is empowering the community and building relationships, Kerr said. In the North we are very focused on time as a precious resource, whereas most of the rest of the world focuses on relationships. To Indigenous people thats still an asset, and they come down and really understand the Latin culture.

A large portion of the country is Mestizo, a mixture of Indigenous and Spanish heritage.

Aaron Bowerman, 30, who lives in Toronto and is from Sheguiandah First Nation, was part of the program.

I felt good knowing that these kids are going to get a better education because of some of the work we did in their community, he said.

Each volunteer shared their First Nations culture with children in Chinandega, Nicaragua, including smudging ceremonies and traditional dancing.

Volunteers hailed from Ontario and British Columbia.

The point was to bring the community together, Bowerman said.

The charity employs 20 Nicaraguan staff members, and is working towards constructing its 100th classroom, Kerr said.

Our mission is to make education possible for kids, Kerr said. Half of kids in Nicaragua dont finish primary school. Its the second poorest country in our hemisphere after Haiti. More than half of the country lives in extreme poverty.

The charitys work targets both urban areas and remote communities, many of which lack access to basic necessities, like running water and electricity, Kerr said.

Having recognized the education gaps in remote First Nations communities, SchoolBOX is spearheading a project this fall to build a library in Wabauskang, about 150 kilometres northeast of Kenora.

All the books are Anishinaabe and Oji-Cree content for (kindergarten to Grade 12), said Kerr, adding that there is currently a lack of access to books that represent their world views.

(The program) is empowering these youth who have had this experience and in turn creating a vision for their communities.

Bowerman said he wants to encourage youth from his community to sign up for the program like he did.

A lot of us dont get off the reserve, so something like this could be really emotional and draining, but as we come back it hits harder and means a lot more.

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OTTAWAPrime Minister Justin Trudeau has thrown cold water on suggestions the Liberal government wants to sign onto continental ballistic missile defence, or that it might send troops back into Afghanistan.

The question over whether Canada should be part of the U.S.s continental missile-defence shield has been rekindled in recent days amid concerns about North Koreas growing nuclear arsenal.

Canada opted out of ballistic missile defence in 2005 following a divisive national debate, but many defence experts and parliamentarians, including some Liberals, want the issue reopened.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trumps plan to send thousands more troops to Afghanistan has also resurrected questions about whether Canada will be asked to follow suit.

Read more:

A look at 16 years of U.S. warfare in Afghanistan

Trumps plan to win in Afghanistan involves sending 3,900 more troops, officials say

Trumps warning to Pakistan could push it closer to Iran, China, Russia, analysts say

Speaking in Montreal on Wednesday, however, Trudeau appeared to close the door on both ideas.

On those cases, we will always take the decisions in terms of what is the best interests of Canadians, Trudeau told reporters after meeting federal and provincial immigration officials.

And our long-standing positions on those two issues are not going to be changed any time soon.

The comments on ballistic missile defence were the strongest yet from the Liberal government, which has largely sidestepped questions about its intentions in recent weeks.

Whether the prime minister has succeeded in finally putting the issue to rest is another question, however, particularly if tensions between Washington and Pyongyang continue to escalate.

At least one Liberal MP has said Canada should reconsider its decision not join the U.S. missile-shield system, as have both the House of Commons and Senate defence committees.

The Liberals had also said in their recent defence policy that they planned to discuss with the U.S. ways to improve North Americas defences against, among other things, ballistic missiles.

Exactly what form those discussions will take  and what concrete measures will be taken to better protect the continent  remains unclear.

Trudeaus position on Afghanistan was less of a surprise, as he had previously ruled out a NATO request for Canada to send police trainers to the war-torn country.

The last Canadian troops left Afghanistan in 2014, and despite concerns about a resurgent Taliban, the Liberals have instead emphasized Canadas military contributions to Iraq and Latvia.

Still, its uncertain how the comments will be received by the Trump administration and NATO, both of which have called on allies to redouble their efforts and help end the 16-year-old conflict there.

We will ask our NATO allies and global partners to support our new strategy, with additional troop and funding increases in line with our own, Trump said Monday. We are confident they will.

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Three long-time Toronto officers have been promoted to the second highest rank within the police service.

The Toronto police board announced late Wednesday it has hired three new deputy chiefs, a move that comes less than two weeks after the civilian board lifted a hiring and promotions freeze.

Staff Supt. Peter Yuen, Supt. Barbara McLean and Insp. Shawna Coxon are now deputy chiefs, answering to Chief Mark Saunders and joining current deputy chiefs James Ramer and Mike Federico, who retires next month.

The appointment of McLean and Coxon marks the first time the force will have two female deputy chiefs at the same time.

I have had the pleasure of working with each of these members throughout my career, Saunders said in a statement Wednesday. Collectively, they bring innovation, diversity, and leadership to my command team.

Andy Pringle, chair of the Toronto police board, said the three senior officers will help move the service forward, finding ways to best serve the public and meet the expectations of our community.

McLean, a former domestic violence and sexual assault investigator, most recently served as unit commander at two large downtown police divisions, and she has also headed the Toronto Police College. She is the founder of Toronto polices LGBTQ Internal Support Network, and earlier this summer raised the Pride flag at Toronto police headquarters for the first time.

Coxon has most recently served as a leader within the services modernization initiative, the Transformational Task Force. She was previously a front line officer and supervisor, worked as an investigator within professional standards, and organized the first police-led Racially-Biased Policing Conference.

Yuen was most recently staff superintendent in charge of corporate risk management, which includes the Toronto Police College, professional standards and legal services. He has provided training at the police college, served as unit commander of several divisions, and investigated organized crime, developing an expertise in Asian organized crime.

The three new command officers will be formally introduced at Thursdays board meeting.

Wendy Gillis can be reached at wgillis@thestar.ca

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The province does not plan to intervene after the African Canadian Legal Clinic asked it to investigate Legal Aid Ontarios decision to suspend their funding.

The ACLC called legal aids decision biased, unjust and racist in a press release Tuesday, saying that the clinic was wrongly stripped of funding even though it has taken the necessary steps to ensure financial accountability after years of back and forth with legal aid.

Legal Aid Ontario denies racism had anything to do with the decision. The organization had concerns about the clinics financial management after a 2013 audit revealed personal purchases made on the clinics credit card by executive director Margaret Parsons, and money paid to Parsons that appeared to be hefty bonuses.

Parsons has maintained that she has never received a bonus from the clinic  only overtime pay she was owed  and that she paid the clinic back for a personal purchase she mistakenly made on the clinics credit card.

The ACLC press release said the organization implemented eight conditions for funding that were previously outlined by legal aid, and that a forensic audit by Price Waterhouse Coopers found no embezzlement, fraud, or misappropriation of funds.

Julian Falconer, the lawyer who advised legal aid on issues related to the ACLC, said that the final decision was made by legal aids clinic committee after several audits revealed apparent financial mismanagement.

The press release claim that the decision was unjust, Falconer said, is simply not borne out by the findings and the clinic committee decisions.

Falconer said that the ACLCs concern about the lack of diversity on legal aids board of directors  one issue raised in the press release  was valid, but that it does not change the nature of the organizations decision regarding the clinic.

Very important issues of race are being injected when it really becomes an issue of accountability for an executive director, Falconer said.

Parsons said Tuesday that the organization is asking the province to intervene with a thorough and independent investigation into the decision because the organization feels that the LAO was not objective.

It was a forgone conclusion, Parsons said, referring to the formation of the LAOs Black Advisory Committee which she saw as legal aid moving to replace ACLC before a decision had officially been made about the clinics funding future.

Whenever it started it was biased, and it was made to replace us, Parsons said.

The province said that it does not intend to intervene in legal aids decision.

The Clinic Committee of Legal Aid Ontario reached its decision following a thorough adjudicative process, which included multiple third-party audits, a ministry of the attorney general spokesperson told the Star.

Falconer said that legal aid has both short- and long-term plans to serve the African Canadian community when ACLC loses its funding.

Human Rights Legal Support Centre and private practitioners have stepped up to fill the gap until a new clinic  to be formed using input from the advisory committee  gets off the ground, he said.

Correction  August 24, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version that misstated the name of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre as the Human Rights Resource Centre.

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With just two weeks before the school year begins, students at a private Islamic high school in Toronto are devastated and scrambling to find other options after they were informed over the weekend it was abruptly shutting down.

Management of the Islamic Foundation School, on Nugget Dr., said the sudden closure of the high school is related to financial issues. But the union representing teachers believes the move is a form of reprisal against employees who recently unionized  something the school denies.

News of the closure came as a shock to parents and the 150 affected students, many of whom have attended since they were in elementary school, and others who were hoping to graduate from one of the GTAs oldest Islamic high schools, which opened its doors two decades ago. The foundations elementary school will remain open.

This is so unfair, said Anas Thakor, who is entering Grade 12. It was supposed to be such an important year for us, said Thakor, who inquired at the local Catholic school on Monday after hearing the news, but was told there might not be space to register so late in the summer.

Chances are I will have to go somewhere far from home, and my friends, he said.

Rumours about the closure had been swirling for weeks, but the news was confirmed at a heated parents meeting Sunday evening.

Were still absorbing the shock. Were sad. Were very disappointed, said Jawad Jafry, who has had two children graduate from the high school. His daughter Nafeesah, a lifer, was to start Grade 12 this year.

On Monday, school officials sent parents an email saying administrative and financial issues led to the closure.

The foundation regrets to inform you that unfortunately we will be closing down  due to low enrolment as well as other issues related to the foundations administration and finances, said the letter, signed by principal Viquar Ahmed. We have been trying to establish a way to keep the school operable in the face of some challenging administrative and financial issues that have arisen, however, despite our best efforts it has become clear that we are unable to do so.

But students and parents also heard the closure was linked to recent union negotiations.

The teachers have opted to bargain collectively with the school which is their legal right, said Jafry. I think the mosque administration is afraid that employees outside of their schools will want better working conditions and better wages as well. The rationale seems to be that mothballing the high school will send a clear message.

In May, teachers at the school voted overwhelmingly to unionize, and became one of the first Islamic schools in the country to do so.

At the time, UFCW Local 175 President Shawn Haggerty said 35 full-time teachers sought union representation to address a range of issues including: a lack of respect in the workplace, time limits on vacations, poor job security, and an inadequate compensation package.

Another Islamic school in the GTA followed suit, but teachers at others are believed to be watching closely to see how the negotiations play out.

In a release sent out Monday, UFCW accused the school of being anti-union.

Its upsetting and petty for this employer to put the children in this community at risk rather than treat their employees with dignity and respect, said Haggerty. Its clear this employer is anti-union and will do whatever it takes to prevent their employees from exercising their legal rights, he said, adding the union was not given any notice about the closure.

UFCW Local 175 will pursue every legal action possible to prevent the closure of the school, the expulsion of these children, and the termination of these employees, he said. Ten high school teachers are expected to lose their jobs. The elementary school employs 25 teachers.

But Islamic Foundation School president Mohammed Anwar said this is not a case of union-busting.

If we are union busting, we would have closed everything, he said. But we are continuing the JK-Grade 8 classes, and we will continue to negotiate with the teachers in those grades, he said. We have simply decided to keep the sustainable part of the school open for now. The high school is not sustainable, he said, adding low enrolment was a concern.

Anwar said management has met with the union three times in two months, and was increasingly concerned about the additional costs they would incur in order to meet union demands, and the negotiation process itself.

We are all volunteers, not experienced union negotiators or anything  but now we will have to hire professionals to accommodate the proper running of a school in a unionized environment, he said, estimating it will cost $600,000.

He said the decision to close the school was made last week after talks with the union did not produce concrete financial numbers as to how much costs would go up for the school year. He said one idea floated, to increase school fees, currently around $450 per month per student, was not feasible.

The community cant pay it, he said. Our family gross income is between $60,000-80,000, the majority of them. We know the parents who send their kids here  working two jobs, living in basement apartments, and making a sacrifice so their kids get an Islamic atmosphere and a good education.

Muneeza Sheikh, a partner at Levitt LLP Employment & Labour Law, and legal counsel for Islamic Foundation says: There is nothing that precludes any employer who is faced with unionization from taking a step back and evaluating if the business can financially survive  and Islamic Foundation is a business  a cost associated with unionizing an entire workforce.

But Jafry says the financial argument doesnt add up.

I dont know of any parent who was informed about financial problems. That sort of news travels real fast, said Jafry, adding parents were involved in recent fundraising efforts to expand the school and help purchase a 12-acre property in Ajax for another primary school.

Now, at the end of August, they suddenly dont have money and theyre shutting down the high school, said Jafry. I think a lot of parents and students feel that our trust has been betrayed. Its like being slapped in the face for all the years weve supported the school with our hard-earned money.

His daughter Nafeesah says instead of graduating and celebrating alongside her lifelong friends, she will now have to spend my last year adjusting to the hallways of a new school.

In a letter to the community, members of the student council said they are still hoping for an amicable resolution.

Students who believed they were returning to IFS are now scrambling to find a new option, at an hour when the status of enrolment and course selection elsewhere seems bleak, they say in the letter. We hope that this decision will be reversed, as it primarily affects our futures.

But Thakor, believes it may be too late.

All my friends are enrolling elsewhere, he said. I dont think anyone can risk just waiting around

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The latest manifestations of white supremacy have reminded us that Jews, not just Blacks, are perennial targets at neo-Nazi rallies.

Put another way, African Americans and Ashkenazi Americans are seen as equally un-American by the blue-eyed, red-blooded, all-American white nationalists who chanted in Charlottesville, Jews will not replace us.

That shared demonization comes as no surprise to many Jews who know their history. And who have watched with apprehension the present-day tendency to lash out at so many other others  be they brown, Black, Indigenous or Muslim.

But the resurgence of anti-Semitism is also an awkward reminder that white privilege, supposedly enjoyed by white Jews and all other white folks, offers little protection from persecution or privation. Now, as the casual invocation of white privilege gains greater currency, its worth examining some of the questionable assumptions that underpin it  and undermine it.

This is not an attempt to shoot down the important social analysis behind the theory of white privilege  the idea that most whites have unearned advantages notably in dealing with the police, employment and education. But relying on colour to confer privilege on people  an entire class of people  is conflating, confusing and counterproductive.

When a phrase risks alienating potential allies in the quest for greater equality of opportunity, its time for better terminology. Much like cultural appropriation, the white privilege paradigm emerged from the academic world, which speaks in its own rarefied and coded jargon, often obscuring rather than clarifying real-world issues. Beyond the ivory tower, where colour analysis has superseded class analysis, the term white privilege is being used, misused and misunderstood.

I hope I have a head start in understanding the obstacles others face. My grandparents didnt just face discrimination but death in the 1940s. I still have a Montreal Gazette clipping about the landlord who wouldnt rent to my father in the 1950s because of our Jewish surname (which made the stories about Donald Trumps father rejecting Black tenants personal for me).

Privilege is part of any society that stratifies itself along various lines  hierarchical, patriarchal, economical, geographical, political, religious. But when white privilege is appropriated as a proxy for societal unfairness, it too easily breeds resentment.

It is a classic anti-Semitic trope to confer privilege and power on Jews  propagating the pre-Nazi, Nazi and neo-Nazi fiction that they control the media, the banks, the world (you might call it fake news . . .). We are not reliving the 1930s today, but whether in Hitlers Germany or Trumps America, the privileged can be persecuted in the blink of an eye.

And not just Jews. Citizens of Japanese descent were unjustly incarcerated in Canada and the U.S. in the Second World War for fear they were fascist fifth columnists. Today, students of Asian descent are viewed skeptically for their disproportionate university enrolment. Talk of informal Asian quotas among college admissions officers has personal resonance given the formal Jewish quotas enforced at major universities in the 1950s.

Beware white privilege, for class and cultural differences are no less critical.

It is one of the great conceits of whites that we flagellate ourselves as the worlds most unrepentant racists. Go to Indonesia, where the majority has hounded an ethnic Chinese minority for decades as a privileged group of shopkeepers. Think of Vietnam, where so many boat people were ethnic Chinese fleeing persecution. Consider Hong Kong, where those of Indian descent are disparaged and whites are mocked as gweilos (ghosts). In East Africa, Ismailis of South Asia origin have been persecuted for decades. Entrenched homophobia across Africa conjures up Black heterosexual privilege. Indias caste system has long co-existed with a colour continuum that prompts marriage prospects to describe themselves as having wheatish complexions, as against less socially desirable dusky.

The reality everywhere is that race and skin colour are clumsy proxies for social distinctions that matter at least as much: Ageism is a chronic affliction. The urban-rural in Ontario and across North America is deeply rooted. Postsecondary education is ever more accessible, yet driving more enduring disparities for those left behind.

Yes, we need constant reminders of our blind spots, but white privilege is hardly the clearest prism for viewing the world. Whites assuredly have advantages  on average. But averages are just generalizations, which lend themselves to stereotypes, which can be skin deep. Averages disguise the individual variations underneath.

We live in a world of competing victimhoods. But if everyone plays victim  even the billionaire President Donald Trump and the white nationalists he flirts with  then no one is a victim.

When white Jews are targeted by so-called white nationalists, the notion of white privilege loses its colour palette. But it reminds everyone  not least Jews who joined the civil rights battles of the 1960s, in the wake of the Holocaust of the 1940s  that we must all stick together, even if we come at it from different life experiences.

Which is why we need a better term than white privilege. Because prejudice and privilege come in all shades and colours.

Martin Regg Cohns political column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. mcohn@thestar.ca , Twitter: @reggcohn

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DANBURY, CONN.A Connecticut nanny accused of burning a 3-year-olds hand and leg on a hot stove, lifting her up by her hair and trapping her inside a toy chest has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The News-Times reports a defence attorney called Lidia Quilliganas actions unfathomable at Tuesdays sentencing, but said she was a sad person who lost control. The attorney said Quilligana was abused as a child and was using the only discipline she knew.

An advocate for the victims said the abuse suffered by the 3-year-old and her 1-year-old twin siblings could only be described as torture.

The judge said 15 years doesnt even come close to fitting the crime.

Police say Quilligana was arrested in 2015 after a hidden camera captured the abuse.

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James R. Clapper Jr., former national intelligence director, questioned President Donald Trumps fitness for office following his freewheeling speech in Phoenix Tuesday night, which Clapper labelled downright scary and disturbing.

I really question his ability to be  his fitness to be  in this office, Clapper told CNNs Don Lemon early Wednesday morning. I also am beginning to wonder about his motivation for it  maybe he is looking for a way out.

In Trumps remarks, delivered without a teleprompter, the president threatened to shut down the government over funding for the border wall he promised, opined that North American Free Trade Agreement will likely be terminated and hinted he might pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, convicted last month of criminal contempt.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

Clapper said watching Trumps speech, he worried about the presidents access to nuclear codes.

In a fit of pique he decides to do something about Kim Jong Un, theres actually very little to stop him, Clapper said, referencing North Koreas leader. The whole system is built to ensure rapid response if necessary. So theres very little in the way of controls over exercising a nuclear option, which is pretty damn scary.

Read more: Donald Trump defends far-right extremists in astonishing tirade, again blames both sides for Charlottesville violence

Why this Donald Trump bombshell is a cry for help from the presidents own staff: Analysis

Dont look! yells White House staffer as Trump looks at solar eclipse without glasses

Clapper has become a regular critic of Trump, who routinely disparaged the intelligence agencies during his campaign. But such a statement about a president by a lifelong military and intelligence professional  who has served at the highest levels of government under Republicans and Democrats alike  is extraordinary and perhaps unprecedented.

Clapper, who said he has toiled in one capacity or another for every president from John F. Kennedy through Barack Obama, said Trumps Phoenix speech is the most disturbing performance he has ever watched. Clapper said the president should have quit while he was ahead after his speech on U.S. military strategy in Afghanistan. In that speech, the president read from a teleprompter.

In May, after Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey, Clapper said the countrys core institutions were under assault from Trump.

I think the Founding Fathers, in their genius, created a system of three co-equal branches of government and a built-in system of checks and balances, Clapper told CNNs Jake Tapper. And I feel as though its under assault and eroding.

U.S. President Donald Trump signaled rally goers in Phoenix that he wants to grant a pardon to former Sheriff Joe Arpaio over his recent conviction in federal court. (The Associated Press)

The issue of Trumps fitness for the presidency has, until recently, mostly been raised by academics and partisan Democrats such as Hillary Clinton and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

In May, conservative New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, following revelations about Trump revealing classified information to Russian diplomats, suggested that the 25th Amendment be used, which provides for removal of a president who is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office . . .

Following the presidents erratic responses to the deadly unrest in Charlottesville, the criticism came from his own side of the aisle, with Sen. Bob Corker, questioning whether Trump has the stability and competence that are necessary to lead the country.

The president has not yet been able to demonstrate the stability nor some of the competence that he needs to demonstrate in order to be successful, the senator told reporters in Tennessee last week. And we need for him to be successful.

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COPENHAGENJournalist Kim Wall had reported on conflicts, crises and natural disasters around the world. Earlier this month, she set out to sea from laid-back Copenhagen for a story about an eccentric Danish inventor and his homemade submarine.

She never returned. On Wednesday, police confirmed that Walls headless torso had been found on a beach near the Danish capital. The inventor, Peter Madsen, has been arrested on suspicion of killing her. Wall, 30, was last seen alive on the evening of Aug. 10 on Madsens submarine, named UC3 Nautilus. The freelance journalists family says she was working on a story about Madsen, 46, a celebrity entrepreneur and engineer who dreamed of launching a manned space mission.

Read more: Man held on suspicion of murder in Denmark after submarine sinks, journalist reported missing

Body found near where a Swedish journalist is believed to have died on a submarine

Early the next day, Walls boyfriend reported her missing. Madsen was rescued from his sinking vessel south of Copenhagen hours later. Wall was nowhere to be found.

Madsen, who remains in police custody on suspicion of manslaughter, initially told police he had let Wall off on an island several hours into the trip. Later, he said she had died accidentally and he had buried her at sea.

On Monday, a cyclist discovered a torso on a beach on Copenhagens southern Amager island, near where Wall was believed to have died. Copenhagen police said Tuesday that the bodys head, arms and legs had deliberately been cut off.

Copenhagen police investigator Jens Moeller Jensen told reporters Wednesday that DNA tests had confirmed the torso was Walls.

Dried blood found inside the submarine was also a match to DNA obtained from Walls toothbrush and hairbrush, he said.

Moeller Jensen said the torso washed ashore after having been at sea for a while, and was attached to a piece of metal likely with the purpose to make it sink.

The investigator said marks on the torso indicated that someone had tried to press air out of the body so that it wouldnt float.

The cause of the journalists death is not yet known, police said. They are still looking for the rest of her body.

Madsens defence lawyer said her client still maintains that Wall died accidentally, and that the discovery of her torso doesnt mean hes guilty of killing her.

It doesnt change my clients explanation that an accident happened, Betina Hald Engmark told Danish tabloid BT.

No matter what, we find it very positive that she has been found now, she added.

Walls boyfriend alerted authorities early on Aug. 11 that the 40-ton, nearly 18-metre-long sub hadnt returned from a test run.

The Danish navy launched a rescue operation, scrambling two helicopters and three ships for the search.

The navy said the sub had been seen sailing, but sank shortly afterward. Madsen was picked up by a private boat.

Police say they believe Madsen deliberately scuttled the submarine. Authorities later found it and brought it onto land for investigation.

A self-taught aerospace engineer, Madsen was one of a group of entrepreneurs who founded Copenhagen Suborbitals, a private consortium to develop and construct submarines and manned spacecraft.

Madsen made headlines when he launched the Nautilus  billed as the worlds largest privately built sub  on May 3, 2008.

In 2011, Copenhagen Suborbitals launched a homemade nine-metre rocket eight kilometres into the sky over the Baltic Sea, a step toward its unrealized goal of launching a person into space.

The group split in 2014, and Nautilus is currently owned by Madsens company Rocket Madsen Space Lab, billed on its website as a place where nothing is impossible and where science and innovation meet practical engineering.

Wall grew up in southern Sweden, just across a strait from Copenhagen. She studied at the Sorbonne university in Paris, the London School of Economics and at Columbia University in New York, graduating with a masters degree in journalism in 2013.

She lived in New York and Beijing, her family said, and had written for The New York Times, The Guardian, the South China Morning Post and Vice Magazine, among other publications. She had reported from Cuba, Sri Lanka, Uganda, China and the Marshall Islands.

Her family said that she had worked in many dangerous places as a journalist, and it was unimaginable something could happen ... just a few miles from the childhood home.

In an email to The Associated Press, the family said it received the confirmation of her death with boundless sadness and dismay, adding the tragedy has hit not only us and other families, but friends and colleagues all over the world.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said it was shocked and saddened by Walls death.

Walls death on a seemingly low-risk assignment underscores the dangers that journalists face around the world every day, said the groups Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator, Nina Ognianova.

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WASHINGTONDonald Trump has threatened to blow up NAFTA less than one week into the renegotiation of the trade agreement, providing an early indication that the upcoming talks might occur under a cloud of menace.

The presidents threat itself is no surprise. A common topic of hallway chatter at last weeks first round of talks was when he might deploy that withdrawal threat, which many view as his principal source of negotiating leverage.

The only surprise is how quickly it came.

Personally, I dont think we can make a deal, Trump told a campaign-style rally in Arizona late Tuesday night. Because we have been so badly taken advantage of. They have made such great deals  both of the countries, but in particular Mexico  that I dont think we can make a deal.

So I think well end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point.

He repeated it: I told you from the first day, we will renegotiate NAFTA or we will terminate NAFTA. I personally dont think you can make a deal without termination but well see what happens. Youre in good hands, I can tell you.

Hes made the threat numerous times, but this is the first time hes done it since Canada, the U.S. and Mexico began talks last week.

The top U.S. trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, says on Aug. 16 that the United States won't settle for cosmetic changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement as negotiations to rework terms of the pact began. (The Associated Press)

Read more:Trump to rip up NAFTA? Not so fast: Olive

Trumps NAFTA list is long but does not signal massive changes, Canadas U.S. ambassador says

What to expect at the NAFTA talks

Mexicos foreign minister shrugged it off as a leverage play: No surprise: were in a negotiation, Luis Videgaray tweeted in response. Mexico will remain at the table with calmness, firmness, and in the national interest.

Insiders say they expect him to keep making these threats. Its his main source of power to force the other countries to reach an agreement. One well-connected Washington lobbyist at last weeks talks said he was convinced the threat was coming: Almost 100 per cent.

The former deputy trade czar under Barack Obama said its an obvious move and he thinks the president made it too early. In an interview several weeks ago, Robert Holleyman said it was a serious tactical error when Trump made the threat in April.

He said Canada and Mexico gained valuable insight that will render Trumps threats less powerful at the negotiating table: in April, the U.S. Congress pushed back against him, the business community fumed, and his own cabinet members pleaded against it.

It was, at a minimum, terrible timing, said Holleyman, Obamas deputy United States Trade Representative.

You do that at the 11th hour in the negotiation  not at the throat-clearing stage . . . I suspect President Trump will be unable to play that card again. And if he does play it, it wont be as strong as it wouldve been . . . The Canadians and Mexicans will say, You . . . will face a huge backlash in your own Congress.

Everything you need to know about NAFTA in 3 Minutes. Why Donald Trump says NAFTA is a bad deal for the U.S. and what the negotiations could mean to Canada.

That episode in April underscored the complexity of ending NAFTA.

Without the support of Congress, a president might withdraw the U.S. from the international agreement, but he could not singlehandedly wave away the law on the U.S. books that implemented NAFTA.

An international economic law professor and former State Department lawyer said he believes it would ultimately end up in court. And he said U.S. courts would ultimately conclude that the president cant rip up NAFTA without congressional support.

Thats because the president cant just erase the 1994 NAFTA Implementation Act passed by Congress. Only Congress can pass laws. In addition, the U.S. Constitution makes clear that Congress has power over international commerce.

If the president were to rip up NAFTA, and then sort of jack tariffs way up, I think somebody would be able to come in and say . . . Youre actually violating U.S. domestic law, said Tim Meyer, a Vanderbilt professor, former government lawyer, and onetime clerk for Neil Gorsuch, whom Trump appointed to the Supreme Court.

I think courts are going to be sympathetic to the idea that the president cant ignore the legislation that implements these trade agreements. Congress has not repealed that legislation, and theyve given no indication they intend to.

That being said, several observers suggest a presidential attempt to withdraw could set up a legal and political tug of war with Congress over the setting of new tariff schedules  and that would foster economic uncertainty.

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Daniel Kammen, a renewable energy expert appointed last year as a science envoy to the State Department, resigned Wednesday, citing President Donald Trumps response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the final straw that led to his departure.

In a resignation letter posted to Twitter, Kammen wrote that Trumps remarks about the racial violence in Virginia had attacked core values of the United States and that it would have domestic and international ramifications.

Demonstrations by white supremacist groups on Aug. 12 turned deadly after a neo-Nazi plowed a car into a crowd, killing one counterprotester and injuring at least 19 other people in Charlottesville. Two police officers were also killed when their helicopter crashed.

Read more: Trump blames media for Charlottesville response as tensions flare at Phoenix rally

Protesters, police clash in Phoenix following Trumps speech

Trumps initial response was widely criticized, even by some by members of his own political party, for being insufficient and vague. Though the president later condemned the hate groups, he went on to effectively undo his conciliatory remarks by giving an off-the-rails news conference days later in which he once again blamed both sides in Charlottesville.

Kammen, who was appointed during Barack Obamas presidency, said it would be unconscionable for him to continue serving the administration after those remarks. He said he stood with the unequivocal and authoritative statements of a slew of other public officials, both Democratic and Republican.

Acts and words matter, Kammen wrote. To continue in my role under your administration would be inconsistent with the principles of the United States Oath of Allegiance to which I adhere.

However, his most biting message may have come in the form of a hidden acrostic; the first letter of each paragraph spelled out I-M-P-E-A-C-H.

The State Department appointed Kammen, an energy professor at the University of California, Berkeley, as one of five U.S. science envoys in March 2016. At the time, Kammen said he would be working on various global energy initiatives, as well as the wider Paris Accord.

In his resignation letter, Kammen also cited other concerns that predated Trumps Charlottesville comments, including the presidents decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord in June.

Particularly troubling to me is how your response to Charlottesville is consistent with a broader pattern of behaviour that enables sexism and racism, and disregards the welfare of all Americans, the global community and the planet, Kammen wrote. Your decision to abdicate the leadership opportunities and the job creation benefits of the Paris climate Accord, and to undermine energy and environmental research are not acceptable to me. . . . Your actions to date have, sadly, harmed the quality of life in the United States, our standing abroad, and the sustainability of the planet.

During his approximately 18 months as a science envoy, Kammen said, the United States had built significant partnerships in North and East Africa, and in the Middle East, around shared visions of national security, job creation in the U.S. and sustainable energy.

According to his letter, Kammen has also served in various federal roles since 1996, including at the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Today, Dr. Daniel Kammen made a personal decision to resign. We appreciate his dedicated service to U.S. scientific diplomacy during his appointment working on energy efficiency and renewable energy in Africa as a Science Envoy, a State Department representative said. Margaret Leinen and Tom Lovejoy are current Science Envoys. The State Departments Science Envoy program supports the establishment, strengthening, and mobilization of regional and global networks of scientists to advance U.S. science and technology priorities and solve real-world problems.

Kammen did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Kammen wrapped up his resignation letter with something of a warning for Trump, borrowing the words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower: A people [or person] that values its privileges above principles soon loses both.

Trumps response to Charlottesville has cost him the support of a slew of business leaders and Hollywood performers who resigned from various presidential advisory groups.

Kenneth Frazier, the chief executive of Merck, was the first member to quit the presidents American Manufacturing Council, on Aug. 14, citing a matter of personal conscience and a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism. Trump quickly rebuked him on Twitter.

Over the next few days, several more executives followed Fraziers lead, prompting Trump to lash out at them as grandstanders who could easily be replaced.

Before the end of the week, both the manufacturing council and the presidents Strategy & Policy Forum had been disbanded. Though Trump announced publicly it was his decision to end both councils, those close to the process, including JPMorgan Chase chief executive Jamie Dimon, said the groups had already decided to disband.

Last Friday, the members of the Presidents Committee on the Arts and the Humanities announced they were resigning en masse in a fiery letter.

Ignoring your hateful rhetoric would have made us complicit in your words and actions . . . the letter stated. Supremacy, discrimination, and vitriol are not American values. Your values are not American values. We must be better than this. We are better than this. If this is not clear to you, then we call on you to resign your office, too.

That letter also contained a hidden message. The first letters in each of those paragraphs, taken together, spelled out: R-E-S-I-S-T.

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Re: Boris Spremo, former Toronto Star photographer, dies at 81, Aug. 22

Boris Spremo, former Toronto Star photographer, dies at 81, Aug. 22

Through example, Boris Spremo taught an important lesson to this young reporter in the mid 1970s.

We were all gathered outside an Etobicoke home where two high school girls had been murdered that night. The picture everyone impatiently waited for was the eventual removal of the bodies.

Meanwhile, Boris had carefully framed the silhouettes of police detectives against the drawn living-room curtains, questioning witnesses to the crime.

The next day, it was a telling front page for Boris. The lesson: Dont go for the obvious; search the poignant.

John D. Burke, Iroquois, Ont.

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Re: We will win in Afghanistan, Trump promises, Aug. 22

We will win in Afghanistan, Trump promises, Aug. 22

Sorry, U.S. President Donald Trump: The one and only thing you were right on a few years ago was your instinct to withdraw from Afghanistan as a lost cause.

Surely theres a rule somewhere that Western nations should not fight land wars in Asia and the Middle East: the distances, geography, logistical problems and sheer opposing numbers make any such wars impossible.

The lessons of a stalemate (Korea) and loss (Vietnam) are clear examples of what not to do. Earlier in the 19th century, the British lost an army or two trying to pacify Afghanistan. The USSR had enough good sense to give up further intervention in Afghanistan, even though they shared a border with each other.

Canada and other allies saw the need to pull out. More lives and treasure spent on an impossible cause to save a failed, deeply corrupt, almost medieval state from itself is an essay in futility.

Sam Markou, Mississauga

Proverbially, Donald Trump deserves his dues and a pat on the back for his eloquent and masterful speech Monday.

He was quite clear that pulling out from Afghanistan at this stage of its history will be premature and will only create a vacuum that will allow insurgents to overwhelm the country  as happened in Iraq. The plus point on this decision is the fact that the Afghan government agrees with this arrangement.

Trump has also pointedly identified the countries that are harbouring and giving asylum to terrorist organizations, although a glaring omission is Saudi Arabia and its partners in the Middle East, which must be exposed for the part they play in spreading anarchy globally.

Raza Kara, Richmond Hill

Who is Donald Trump trying to fool? The only way for the United States and the international community to win the war in Afghanistan and elsewhere is to change their strategy.

Bombing poor people hasnt produced any solution. It has only added fuel to the fire. The best way to win the hearts of people is to feed them. Throw them food instead of bombs.

We also need to stop supporting dictators and those who kill their own. Honest conduct and feeding the poor is the path to long-term victory.

Abubakar N. Kasim, Toronto

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A suspended Hamilton police officer awaiting trial after a 2015 Toronto police raid saw him charged with allegedly helping a drug trafficking organization is now facing 16 new criminal charges.

On Tuesday, Craig Ruthowsky, who worked on the Hamilton police departments gangs and weapons enforcement unit, was charged with bribery, two counts of breach of trust, two counts of obstructing justice, public mischief, two counts of weapons trafficking, fraud under $5,000, trafficking marijuana, perjury, two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, robbery and two counts of trafficking cocaine.

It was pre-arranged that Ruthowsky would turn himself in at a police station Tuesday morning and then appear in a Toronto court, where he was released on bail, said his lawyer, Greg Lafontaine.

The 43-year-old is already committed to stand trial on charges of corruptly accepting moneys, attempting to obstruct justice, trafficking cocaine and criminal breach of trust. That trial is set to begin Feb. 20, 2018.

Lafontaine described the newest charges, which will be tried separately, as historical from Ruthowskys time as a guns and gangs investigator in Hamilton before his suspension in 2012.

Theyre effectively more of the same, he said, noting more full-time criminals have come forward since Ruthowskys criminal case has been in the news.

Ruthowsky was arrested in a June 2015 raid during Toronto polices Project Pharaoh and accused of being part of a Hamilton criminal group connected to the Toronto street gang Monstarz. He was initially denied bail and spent five weeks in jail before being released.

Hamilton police confirmed the latest charges in a news release issued Tuesday afternoon but declined to comment further as the case is before the courts.

As part of his guns and gangs investigative work, Ruthowsky worked closely with informants in the criminal underworld. Lafontaine said dealing with people at the bottom of the social barrel was a hazard of the work Ruthowsky did and left him vulnerable to these types of accusations.

Ruthowsky was disappointed to learn of the new charges, but he and his legal team feel confident they will prove his innocence, Lafontaine said, questioning the credibility of Crown witnesses.

In an interview Tuesday, Mark Dobrowski claimed at least one of the new charges is related to allegations that Ruthowsky had an informant set him up with a gun in his former home.

Dobrowski claims he served 51 months in prison after police found a gun in his then Hamilton home on April 30, 2010. He was sentenced to four years, three months and 20 days on Nov. 5, 2010.

Dobrowski admits to being a former leader of the gang Original Blood Brothers and has a criminal record. I was a bad person. Im out of the lifestyle now, he said.

He claimed Hamilton police officially informed him Ruthowsky had been charged Tuesday morning. I lost a lot of time in my life  nothing can bring it back, he said.

Ruthowsky remains suspended with pay.

Hamilton police first suspended him in June 2012 amid an investigation into allegations that he improperly disclosed licence plate information from the Canadian Police Information Centre.

He was charged with breach of trust and obstructing justice, but those criminal charges were stayed in October 2013 over concern that the case could identify an informant. The related disciplinary case was still pending when Toronto police burst through his door and arrested him in June 2015.

Ruthowskys former partner, Robert Hansen, was suspended and charged at the same time in 2012.

Hansen was convicted of perjury and obstructing justice after he encouraged an informant to plant a gun at a suspected drug traffickers home in 2012 and then lied to secure a search warrant.

Hansen was sentenced in June 2016 to five years in prison and resigned that August.

Darren Mork, the man targeted by Hansen, filed a $1.5-million lawsuit against him and Hamilton police. Morks lawyer, Nick Cake, said they are working toward setting a trial date.

Anyone with information about the Ruthowsky case is asked to contact Det. Troy Ashbaugh at 905-546-4951.

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Panera: food-and America-as it should be.

Panera Bread founder and CEO Ron Shaich recently shared on Twitter a page-long letter to his company chiding President Donald Trump for his failure to fully take a stand against the white supremacist groups behind the violent Charlottesville rallies.

"Clearly, these are not nice people who anyone should defend," he wrote. "I don't think there's ever been a more important time for us to stand up as citizens for our American values and voice our disgust for hate based on race, religion, gender or sexual orientation."

Shaich expanded on his letter in an interview with TheStreet.

"I just felt what went on last week was a very powerful statement on American values at the core," Shaich said. Asked if he was surprised by how quickly the CEO community banded together in response to President Trump's controversial handling of the situation, Shaich pulled no punches.

"I think anyone that thinks this notion that all CEOs are interested in is the profit of our company doesn't get it," Shaich added. "We are citizens first, and care deeply about these issues."

Shaich is no stranger to taking bold public stances, often penning interesting reads on his well-followed LinkedIn page.

It was just back in 2013 that Shaich lived on $4.50 a day to bring awareness to people having trouble feeding themselves on food stamps.

Watch Brian Sozzi's full interviews with Panera Bread CEO Ron Schaich



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Trading in Hong Kong was suspended Wednesday, along with flights and school, as the island was lashed by tropical cyclone Hato, the first category 10 storm to hit the Asian financial hub since 2012.

Streets near the island nation's Victoria Harbour were flooded by waves and a storm swell that lifted sea levels as much as five meters, while trees across the island were uprooted by winds that gusted as strong as 64 miles per hour during the early part of the day.

Hong Kong's financial center was largely abandoned as workers stayed home to avoid the worst of the storm and after the Hong Kong Exchange closed markets for stocks and derivatives.

Hong Kong suffers regular tropical storms from July to October, though storms that make landfall are rare. The stock market closure is the first due to a storm since August last year.

Hong Kong Observatory, which is responsible for tracking the storm, said that the worst of had passed by early-afternoon and downgraded the cyclone to a level 8 storm, noting that winds were still at about 40 miles per hour with stronger gusts.

"At 3:00 p.m, severe typhoon Hato was centered about 140 kilometers (87 miles) west of Hong Kong ... and is forecast to move west-northwest at about 25 kilometers per hour into inland Guangdong, and weaken gradually," Hong Kong Observatory noted. "In the past hour, the maximum sustained winds recorded ... were 86 kilometers per hour with maximum gusts (of) 103 kilometers per hour."

Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's largest airline, said that the majority of its flights into and out of Hong Kong's airport would be suspended between 6:00 am and 5:00 pm. The airline asked passengers to postpone or cancel non-essential flights and said it would waive fees on rebooking or refunding tickets for affected passengers.

A KLM flight from Amsterdam was the only flight to land during the Wednesday morning, while an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa attempted a landing before aborting and redirecting to mainland China.

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Taiwanese investors are betting on increased shipments for electronics for the country's largest airline, China Airlines Ltd., as demand from Apple Inc. (AAPL) - Get Free Report for Taiwanese iPhone parts surges ahead of the new phone's September release, according to Bloomberg.

Shares of Taiwan's largest airline increased 5% on Wednesday in Taipei and have jumped more than 30% in the last eight days, sending its market value up over $4.1 billion and helping it outperform any other stock in the MSCI Asian benchmark. The boost comes as prognosticators see Apple's newest rendition of its iPhone product sending demand for Taiwanese parts through the roof. China Airlines' cargo business will benefit from the increase in shipments.

"China Airlines is doing well in the cargo business, and with Apple introducing the new iPhone in September, there will be an uptick in demand for shipping electronics components," President Capital Management analyst Jin Chang told Bloomberg. Analysts are expecting the best quarterly profit for China Airlines since 2010.

Taiwan is home to many of Apple's main suppliers including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) - Get Free Report . Fellow cargo shipper Eva Airways has also jumped on iPhone expectations, up 34% since Aug. 10.

Apple is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL? Learn more now.

Don't miss these top stories on TheStreet:
AT&T Inc (T) - Get Free Report has cleared the latest hurdle in its move to acquire Time Warner Inc (TWX) after Mexican regulators gave the deal the greenlight.

The Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT) and the Comision Federal de Competencia Economica (COFECE) approved the pending deal Tuesday, according to a statement from AT&T. The companies said they expect the deal to close by the end of the year.

Both AT&T and Time Warner stocks traded flat premarket Wednesday. Time Warner shares are up 5% this year, while AT&T is down 10% since the start of 2017.

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Apple Inc. (AAPL) - Get Free Report may have gotten a bit too ambitious in its haste to not miss out on the self-driving car race, and now the tech giant has scaled back its efforts to break into the market.

The company had first hoped to build an Apple-branded autonomous vehicle on its own, but due to a series of disagreements between executives and confusion about the project's goals, Apple ultimately decided it would focus on the underlying technology used to power self-driving cars, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, Aug. 22, citing sources close to the situation. Apple plans to test the autonomous vehicle technology in a self-driving shuttle service that will ferry employees around the company's Palo Alto, Calif., campus -- an effort called PAIL, for Palo Alto Infinite Loop, according to the Times.

The moves echo comments made by Apple CEO Tim Cook earlier this month and in June, when he said the company was working on a "large project" focused around autonomous systems. Cook has called autonomous vehicles the "mother of all" artificial intelligence projects, which suggested Apple might be building its own car, but on the company's latest earnings call, he made it seem like Apple is reconsidering that idea.

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"The autonomous systems can be used in a variety of ways, and a vehicle is only one," Cook said on the call with investors. "There are many different areas of it, and I don't want to go any further with that."

Apple is joining an already crowded market populated by rivals including Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOGL) - Get Free Report Waymo, Tesla Inc. (TSLA) - Get Free Report and Uber Technologies Inc. Waymo is widely considered to be the front-runner among companies developing autonomous technology. Apple's technology is said to be at the stage where Google's self-driving car efforts were three years ago, Business Insider reported, citing sources familiar with the situation. The tech giant plans to target the ride-hailing industry with its autonomous systems but isn't trying to overtake Uber, Business Insider noted.

Project Titan, the internal code name given to Apple's car project, has been in the works since 2014. Apple staffed up the project heavily, primarily with veteran engineers who had expertise in constructing cars, the Times noted.

The team hoped to disrupt the traditional automobile experience, not just with autonomous technology but by introducing things such as motorized doors that open and close silently and the possibility of building spherical, globelike steering wheels. Engineers also thought about ways to redesign Lidar sensors, the core technology that basically acts as the eyes for a self-driving car, by using lasers that scan and analyze the car's surroundings. Apple reportedly wanted to redesign the Lidar sensors, which typically protrude in a cone shape from the top of a car. Other ideas involved adding augmented reality features to a car's dashboard.

A few years into the project, however, it began to hit some speed bumps. Steve Zadesky, a 16-year Apple veteran who oversaw Project Titan, quit the project in January 2016, after a series of disagreements with Apple design chief Jony Ive. Zadesky wanted to focus on a semi-autonomous car that would have self-driving capabilities but would allow the driver to resume control of the car, while Ive pushed for a fully autonomous car that would let Apple control the entire end-to-end experience.



The project is now overseen by longtime Apple executive Bob Mansfield and has reshifted its focus toward building autonomous technology. Apple has been spotted testing its self-driving technology on a fleet of Lexus RX450h SUVs in California, not long after it was granted a test permit by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Analysts and experts have said it would make more sense for Apple to scale back its ambitions, lest it risk tapping into the self-driving car race too late. Building an entire car comes with its own challenges, not limited to forming relationships with dealerships, which can be complicated, said Bob O'Donnell, chief analyst at TECHnalysis Research LLC.

"All of those kinds of things are what they probably started to realize would be more challenging," O'Donnell said. "Whereas actual software and tech they were probably making good progress on and said, 'Look, we've got all this work and how should we leverage it?' It's not at all hard to draw the story where that's the case."

Apple shares rose 0.13%, to $159.98 Wednesday. The company did not immediately return a request for comment.

Apple and Alphabet are holdings in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer and the AAP team buy or sell AAPL and GOOGL? Learn more now.

Jim Cramer Reveals Why Apple Shouldn't Go Up Against Alphabet's Waymo in Self-Driving Cars

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Samsung (SSNLF) was the laughing stock of the tech world in 2016 after its Note 7 smartphone started randomly catching fire and sometimes exploding.

The public relations disaster even inspired Halloween costumes of exploded phones last year. But Samsung took the high road Wednesday morning when it unveiled the new version of the phone, the Note 8, at an event in New York.

"None of us will ever forget what happened last year -- I know I want to," Samsung CEO DJ Koh said.

The company's strategy to put its Note 7 headache in the past seems to be emphasizing its loyal base of Note 8 users that are giving them a second chance. Koh said Samsung is grateful for the Note 8 community of multitaskers and power users. "Millions of loyalists stayed with us and their passion has been a constant inspiration," Koh claimed.

Samsung then played a video for the audience at the unveiling event in New York that said "Even when we disappointed you, you stuck with us. So thank you for believing in us. And inspiring us to be better." The video was accompanied by video clips of disappointed Note 7 users who said they were wiling to give Samsung another chance. In addition, the gift bag for attendees included a notecard that read, "Thank you for inspiring us to do bigger things."

Jackdaw Research chief analyst Jan Dawson said he was surprised at how candid Samsung was about the Note 7 disaster that led to Samsung's largest ever recall. The recall cost $5 billion total, despite the company claiming that just 330 of the 3 million Note 7 devices it sold had battery issues. "I was a bit surprised at the acknowledgement. What really struck me was how they focused on and emphasized the loyal Note 8 users," he said.

In January, Samsung announced new safety measures for its phones, including an 8-step battery safety check. The Note 7 batteries were fit too snuggly in the phone last year causing safety issues. Some observers speculated that safety testing was rushed to get the phone out in early August ahead of Apple's (AAPL) - Get Free Report iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus launch on September 16. But the Note 8 shouldn't have issues due to a smaller battery size and more spacing around it.

Samsung loyalists will be able to pick up the phone on September 15, although preorders will start in the next couple of days. The phone will retail in the mid-$900s depending on your carrier.

Apple is a holding in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL? Learn more now.

More of What's Trending on TheStreet:
Trinity Industries, Inc. provides rail transportation products and services under the TrinityRail name in North America. It operates in two segments, Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group, and Rail Products Group. The Railcar Leasing and Management Services Group segment leases freight and tank railcars; originates and manages railcar leases for third-party investors; and provides fleet maintenance and management services. As of December 31, 2021, it had a fleet of 106,970 owned or leased railcars. This segment serves industrial shipper and railroad companies operating in agriculture, construction and metals, consumer products, energy, and refined products and chemicals markets. The Rail Products Group segment manufactures freight and tank railcars for transporting various liquids, gases, and dry cargo; and offers railcar maintenance and modification services. This segment serves railroads, leasing companies, and industrial shippers of products in the agriculture, construction and metals, consumer products, energy, and refined products and chemicals markets. It sells or leases products and services through its own sales personnel and independent sales representatives. Trinity Industries, Inc. was incorporated in 1933 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
New York Community Bancorp, Inc. is the bank holding company for New York Community Bank. New York Community Bank is the nations 47th-largest financial institution and its largest thrift. As a thrift, the bank specializes in real estate and consumer accounts specifically real estate loans and savings accounts and has limited exposure to other forms of business banking. Among the benefits to consumers are interest-bearing checking and saving accounts that come with higher-than-average interest rates.

New York Community Bank was founded in 1859 to serve Queens County, New York. It operated under that name, growing all the while, until 2000 when it changed its name to better reflect the business. The company IPOd in 1993 and has made multiple acquisitions in the time since. As of 6/30/2022, the bank had $63.1 billion in assets and $41.2 billion in deposits.

New York Community Bank operates in greater New York City, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, and Arizona. The company provides deposit products ranging from interest-bearing checking and money market accounts to savings accounts, IRAs, and CDs. Brands under the companys umbrella include AmTrust in Florida and Arizona, Ohio Savings Bank, Garden State Savings Bank, and Atlantic Bank.

The bank offers a wide range of real-estate-related loans including but not limited to multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, and consumer loans and mortgages. Investment products include annuities, mutual funds, and life insurance. Customers include individuals, small businesses, and organizations and are served through a network of more than 230 branches, and 300 ATMs, online, mobile, and by phone. Many of the locations are open 24 hours and 6 days a week although those hours are not available at all branches. Clients can access their accounts digitally 24/7.

New York Community Bancorp and its underlying business carry investment-grade credit ratings from all the major rating agencies. The credit outlook in the 4th quarter of 2022 was stable as it had been for some time. In New York, it is a leader in the multi-family market specializing in lower-cost housing in rent-controlled areas. As of June 30, 2022, the multi-family loan portfolio accounted for more than 75% of all investments. The company has a stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plan that help to sustain a high level of ownership.






State Superintendent Tony Evers launched his campaign against Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday, pledging to heal political divisions, devote more money to schools and colleges, and to improve wages for middle-class workers.

Evers, 65, said in an interview Tuesday that hes running because of a pervasive divisiveness created by Walker, who he said is pitting people against each other.

Bottom line is we are in desperate need of a change, Evers said. Clearly hes failed on uniting our state. He started out talking about dividing and conquering and to this day we continue to face that. Families fighting with each other  my wife and her sister dont talk to each other much. A small example, but it happens all across the state.

Evers made his formal announcement in front of a playground in a Fitchburg park, saying he has seen first-hand the effects of Walkers approach on school funding since taking office in 2011.

Walker raided public education to fund tax cuts for wealthy corporations, Evers said. Ive watched voters in hundreds of school districts across Wisconsin vote to raise their own taxes because Walkers policies had not given them the resources they needed to do the job.

Evers announcement comes four months after winning his third four-year term as the head of the Department of Public Instruction, which oversees Wisconsins 422 school districts and the states four private school voucher programs.

He said he chose to seek a higher office, in part, because of inadequate resources from the state to schools and higher education institutions, which he said has a negative impact on the states workforce.

We need to rebuild our middle class  clearly its in significant disarray and people frankly just arent paid enough to support a family, Evers said.

In his first years in office, Walker cut millions of dollars from K-12 and higher education, or kept funding flat. He also has proposed $649 million in new funding for schools in the next two-year budget  part of an education funding plan that is higher than what Evers proposed earlier this year.

In response, Walkers campaign spokesman Joe Fadness cited the states record-low unemployment rate as the governors commitment to Wisconsin workers.

Under Gov. Walkers leadership, Wisconsin is a top 10 state for business and education, more people are working than ever before, and our future is bright with bold reforms making possible tens of thousands of family-supporting jobs through Foxconns historic investment, Fadness said, referring to a proposal Walker has championed to convince the Taiwanese tech giant to build its first U.S. plant in Wisconsin.

Evers called Walkers proposal to give Foxconn a $3 billion incentive package an extraordinarily risky amount of money.

I think its plain as the nose on my face that most of those production jobs will be short-lived, Evers said Tuesday, adding that state officials need to secure a promise from the company to train workers if their jobs are eventually replaced with robots. He also said on Wednesday he would seek to renegotiate the deal with Foxconn if elected.

Crowded Democratic field

Walker has not yet formally announced he will seek a third term, and Evers joins what could be a crowded field of Democratic candidates looking to challenge the governor.

Evers says his three wins in statewide races, his experience leading a state agency and his central Wisconsin roots set him apart from announced Democratic candidates Rep. Dana Wachs, an attorney from Eau Claire, and Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik.

I have lived most of my life outside of the Madison bubble  probably more so than even the governor, Evers said.

Evers was born in Plymouth and worked in or oversaw school districts in Tomah, Oakfield and Verona. He was first elected state superintendent in 2009.

Jake Hajdu, spokesman for Wachs, said Wachs is the only Democrat in the race who has the background to win a general election against Scott Walker.

Gronik said Wednesday the high caliber of individuals considering a run for governor is a strong reflection of Scott Walkers unpopularity and the deep divisions that he has created across the state.

Evers said his time running school districts and regional and state agencies make him better suited than his Democratic opponents and Walker for overseeing state operations.

Executive experience is a critical issue in this governors race  and to being governor, Evers said. You only need to point to Lincoln Hills as an example. How in the hell did that happen?

The Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls, the states youth prison, has been under investigation for more than two years over allegations of abuse and sexual assault of inmates and has been at the center of a number of federal lawsuits.

Walker has been criticized for being slow to recognize problems at the facility and for not visiting it since the allegations surfaced.

I dont think hes ever stepped foot in that place  how is that doing your job? Evers said.

But Republicans are also criticizing Evers for decisions that left children in danger. The state party this week released an online ad attacking Evers for not revoking a license of a Middleton teacher who looked at pornographic materials at school and shared them with other teachers, and for a DPI software error that resulted in DPI unable to verify four-year graduation rates for 2016.

Madison bureaucrat Tony Evers can try to distract voters from his record of standing with teachers who circulate porn in schools, but they know that his troubling mismanagement is bad for Wisconsin, said Alec Zimmerman, spokesman for the state Republican party.

Evers said Tuesday he could not have legally revoked the teachers license and that he and the DPI led the way in changing state law to allow DPI to revoke licenses in similar incidents.

Union backing

Evers has been backed heavily by teachers unions in his previous three races. Those unions were especially weakened by Act 10, which nearly eliminated their collective bargaining power and resulted in massive losses in membership and in money.

But Evers, who signed a petition to recall Walker over Act 10, stopped short of saying he would seek to repeal Act 10 if elected governor.

Evers said as governor he would make sure public employees have a great opportunity for leadership positions and have a voice in their workplace through employee advisory councils and requiring employees opinions of agency policies be considered by their bosses.

If the Legislature approved a bill that would reinstate collective bargaining rights I, of course, would sign it but I dont want to over-promise on something that I dont believe is going to happen the first week Im governor, Evers said.

Evers also said he would:
ICL Group Ltd, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty minerals and chemicals company worldwide. It operates in four segments: Industrial Products, Potash, Phosphate Solutions, and Innovative Ag Solutions (IAS). The Industrial Products segment produces bromine out of a solution that is a by-product of the potash production process, as well as bromine-based compounds; produces various grades of potash, salt, magnesium chloride, and magnesia products; and produces and markets phosphorous-based flame retardants and other phosphorus-based products. The Potash segment extracts potash from the Dead Sea; mines and produces potash and salt; produces Polysulphate; produces, markets, and sells magnesium and magnesium alloys, as well as related by-products, including chlorine and sylvinite; and sells salt. The Phosphate Solutions segment uses phosphate commodity products to produce specialty products; produces and markets phosphate-based fertilizers, as well as sulphuric acid, green phosphoric acid, and phosphate fertilizers; and manufactures thermal phosphoric acid for various industrial end markets, such as oral care, cleaning products, paints and coatings, water treatment, asphalt modification, construction, and metal treatment. It also develops and produces functional food ingredients and phosphate additives for use in the processed meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, beverage, and baked goods markets; and produces milk and whey proteins for the food ingredients industry. The IAS segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells fertilizers based primarily on nitrogen, potash, and phosphate, including water soluble specialty, liquid, soluble, and controlled-release fertilizers. It sells its products through marketing companies, agents, and distributors. The company was formerly known as Israel Chemicals Ltd. and changed its name to ICL Group Ltd in May 2020. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Validus Holdings, Ltd. provides reinsurance coverage, insurance coverage, and insurance linked securities management services worldwide. It operates through three segments: Reinsurance, Insurance, and Asset Management. The Reinsurance segment underwrites property reinsurance products on a catastrophe excess of loss, per risk excess of loss and proportional basis; and aerospace and aviation, agriculture, composite, marine, technical lines, terrorism, trade credit, workers' compensation, and other specialty lines, as well as casualty and financial lines. The Insurance segment underwrites property, accident and health, agriculture, aviation, contingency, marine, and political lines insurance products; bankers blanket bond, commercial crime, computer crime, cyber- crime, professional indemnity, and directors' and officers' insurance products for various financial institutions and other companies; and commercial and institutional risks comprising general, professional, and product liability, as well as miscellaneous malpractice insurance products. This segment also underwrites marine and energy liability, and political risk insurance products, as well as insurance products for repair, maintenance, and upkeep of aircrafts and premises for small companies. The Asset Management segment manages capital for third parties through insurance-linked securities, and other property catastrophe and specialty reinsurance investments. Validus Holdings, Ltd. was founded in 2005 and is based in Pembroke, Bermuda.
United Parcel Service, Inc. provides letter and package delivery, transportation, logistics, and related services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. The International Package segment provides guaranteed day and time-definite international shipping services in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, and Africa. This segment offers guaranteed time-definite express options. The company also provides international air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, distribution and post-sales, and mail and consulting services in approximately 200 countries and territories. In addition, it offers truckload brokerage services; supply chain solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry; shipping, visibility, and billing technologies; and financial and insurance services. The company operates a fleet of approximately 121,000 package cars, vans, tractors, and motorcycles; and owns 59,000 containers that are used to transport cargo in its aircraft. United Parcel Service, Inc. was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Verizon released an easy-to-undersand unlimited data plan earlier this year, but get ready to be confused. The carrier has chopped its plans into three pieces tiers with differing prices.

But the really bad part? Verizon customers can't watch 1080p video on their shiny new phones anymore.

(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty)

The three new plans are Go Unlimited ($75 for one line), Beyond Unlimited ($85 for the first line) and Business Unlimited (various prices).

But they're more than just names and prices. Each tier is slightly different in both the fine print and what they offer. In short, Go Unlimited is "kind of unlimited," and Beyond Unlimited is "slightly less limited than that other plan."

MORE: Best Cellphone Service - Plans, Coverage and Support

Go Unlimited includes unlimited LTE data, but with a giant catch: Verizon can throttle you whenever the network is congested. Most carriers only throttle you after you reach a certain data threshold, but Verizon's can be at any point in your billing cycle. Additionally, you only get 480p streaming, which Verizon tries to sugarcoat by using the term "DVD-quality streaming." You still get unlimited talk and text, and unlimited hotspot usage, though hotspot speeds are capped at 600 Kbps.

In the Beyond Unlimited plan, you get unlimited 4G LTE data, but you're only throttled once you exceed 22GB per billing cycle. You also get 720p video streaming, unlimited talk and text and calling, texting and data in both Canada and Mexico. The plan offers 15GB of LTE speeds via a mobile hotspot.

The business plan will depend highly on your needs, but will throttle both after 22GB and in times of congestion, and you only get 480p of streaming video.

Verizon insists that if you're on an unlimited plan, that won't change much. The big difference is that you can no longer stream at 1080p on Verizon Wireless phones anymore. Tablets, however, will go up to 1080p.



It's not a surprise to see this change. Verizon was testing throttling on Netflix and YouTube earlier this year, and third-party researchers have determined that unlimited plans were slowing down networks.

While this sucks for Verizon customers, competitors also throttle video. AT&T has similar practices, and T-Mobile requires a jump to its Plus plan for HD streaming. While Sprint still offers 1080p video, it polices music streaming and gaming like no other carrier, in a way that practically feels draconian.

Verizon claims this is all about network management, but these new plans wipe out what was widely considered the best unlimited plan on the market. It also brings up wide potential net neutrality questions (will it allow 1080p for its own content? Verizon just acquired Yahoo and AOL in its new company, Oath). But for now, mobile customers with high-res displays will have to deal with lesser quality video than ever before.
Hotels in the Middle East reported negative results during July 2017, while hotels in Africa recorded growth across the three key performance metrics, according to data from STR.



Occupancy rates across the Middle East dropped 2.8 per cent to 56 per cent, while average daily rate (ADR) slipped 16.1 per cent to $134. The steepest fall was recorded in revenue per available room (RevPAR), which declined 18.4 per cent to $75.20.



Saudi Arabia posted a weak performance for July with RevPAR falling 35.2 per cent to SR300.14 ($79.9). ADR was down 31.6 per cent to SR625.78 ($166.7) and occupancy levels were recorded at 48 per cent, a decrease of 5.2 per cent compared to July 2016.



Saudi Arabias performance declines followed a weak first half of 2017, and July year-to-date RevPAR is down 15.1 per cent. STR analysts note that although the countrys hotel performance is typically lower during the summer months, the double-digit declines for July 2017 reflect the impacts of low oil prices and high hotel supply growth.



Bahrain's hotel industry posted a similar performance for the month of July, with RevPAR falling 12.4 per cent to BD32.03 ($84.3) and ADR slipping 11.5 per cent to BD64.91 ($171). Occupancy levels remained somewhat the same with a minor 1 per cent drop, standing at 49.3 per cent for the month.



Following performance increases in June boosted by post-Ramadan celebrations, Bahrain hotels saw sharp declines in July. Those decreases fell more in line with recent trends in the country, as RevPAR through July was down 6.9 per cent compared with the first seven months of 2016.



Hotels in Africa, however, showed signs of growth as occupancy rates were up 6.9 per cent to 60.7 per cent and ADR climbed 9.3 per cent to $97.81. RevPAR figures also increased, jumping 16.8 per cent to $59.34.



July was Nigerias strongest month thus far in 2017 thanks to a 16.7 per cent increase in demand. This translated to a 12 per cent jump in occupancy levels and 5.8 per cent climb in ADR to NGN48,490.15 ($134). RevPAR also rose 18.5 per cent to NGN23,230.78 ($64.2).



According to STR analysts, strong events business in Lagos boosted occupancy and rate growth. Group (bookings of 10 or more rooms) RevPAR in the country rose 58.3 per cent during the month. - TradeArabia News Service
Calls on UNCTAD to withdraw its report and acknowledge its shortcomings

The Chamber of Mines is pleased to release the third and final report in a series commissioned to examine the July 2016 UNCTAD report entitled Trade Misinvoicing in Primary Commodities in Developing Countries: The cases of Chile, Cote dIvoire, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia. UNCTAD revised the report in December, though its fundamentals remained unchanged.

The UNCTAD report purportedly found widespread underinvoicing which, it alleged, was designed by commodities producers to evade tax and other entitlements due to the fiscal authorities. For South Africa, the report calculated cumulative underinvoicing over the period 2000-2014 to have amounted to US$102.8 billion (in constant 2014 US dollars): US$620 million for iron ore; US$24 billion for silver and platinum; and US$78.2 billion for gold.

Introduction

The first two Chamber-commissioned Eunomix reports, published in December and February respectively, focused on UNCTADs gold scenarios. The third, which was published on 22 August 2017 and can be found here, deals with the other commodities.

To summarise the gold findings, the UNCTAD study methodology compared reported exports by product and country of destination with the reported imports of the products by those same countries. It did so by using the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics (UN COMTRADE) database.

Had it used other widely available data, including that of Statistics SA and the Reserve Bank as did the first Eunomix report, it would have discovered that, in the case of gold, the discrepancy was not US$78.2 billion (in the July 2016 report) or US$57 billion (in the December 2016 report), but only US$9.8 billion. And as the second report in February showed, the bulk of this was attributable to gold sent from other producers to be refined at the Rand Refinery and then re-exported, and not properly recorded by COMTRADE as such. This is because it appears that this gold is classified as South African gold by importers, whereas it is (correctly) not declared as South African gold exports by customs in South Africa.

Silver and platinum

As indicated, this third Eunomix report investigates alleged misinvoicing in respect of platinum and silver, and iron ore.

The UNCTAD report claims that export misinvoicing totals US$24 billion for silver and platinum exports from South Africa. It notes that there were three years in particular (2000, 2002, 2014) when misinvoicing seems to have been significant. There is no attempt, however, to try to understand discrepancies during these years.

Eunomixs analysis, using data gathered from South Africas Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and from the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) show a smaller difference, of about US$15 billion. And then the very large discrepancies between trade values accounted for in 2000 and 2002 are shown to have been a data-collection issue.

A likely explanation for at least some of the remaining discrepancy is that platinum mined in Zimbabwe, but refined in South Africa, is recorded by importers as SA platinum and not Zimbabwean platinum, as in the case of non-SA gold exports.

Iron ore

In respect of iron ore exports, where misinvoicing of US$600 million is alleged, UNCTAD had noted underinvoicing of US$5.6 billion between 2000-2010, while during 2011-2014, there was US$1.3 billion in iron-ore export overinvoicing. There is no attempt at an explanation for these discrepancies.

Eunomixs analysis of South African export data (both from the DMR and dti) showed lower figures than those shown on COMTRADE. This demonstrates an even larger trade discrepancy. It is not, however, proof that misinvoicing is occurring. Rather it shows the problems there are with data discrepancies in general.

For example, the Netherlands and Japan are noted as having particularly large overinvoicing discrepancies. The Netherlands is renowned for being a trans-shipment port. This results in significant confusion and data discrepancies as Rotterdam (the Netherlands) is not the final destination for goods. It is highly likely that SA recorded the destination of export as the Netherlands for a large amount of iron ore, even though it ended up in other EU states or was shipped further abroad.

Eunomix also uncovers complexities and inaccuracies regarding UNCTADs assumptions on the value of the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) amount in the equation to calculate the value of misinvoicing.

Conclusion

All these factors reinforce the point made in the earlier Eunomix reports regarding the lack of rigour and unreliable methodologies used in UNCTADs report.

This, is extremely unfortunate given the levels of credence that tend to be given to reports of this UN agency. Accusations of extensive misinvoicing and other illicit financial flows are feeding a growing lack of trust between key stakeholders in the mining industry.

The Chamber of Mines again calls on UNCTAD to withdraw this report and acknowledge its shortcomings.

 Download: A review of the UNCTAD report on trade misinvoicing, with a full counterfactual on South African exports: Final report (PDF, 1.03 MB)
Salmon farming, which involves raising salmon in containers placed underwater near the shore, began in Norway about 50 years ago and has since caught on in the United States, Ireland, Canada, Chile and the United Kingdom. Due to the large decline in wild fish from overfishing, many experts see the farming of salmon and other fish as the future of the industry. On the flip side, many marine biologists and ocean advocates fear such a future, citing serious health and ecological implications with aquaculture.

Farmed Salmon, Less Nutritious Than Wild Salmon?

Farmed salmon are fatter than wild salmon, by 30 to 35 percent. Is that a good thing? Well, it cuts both ways: farmed salmon usually contains a higher concentration of Omega 3 fats, a beneficial nutrient. They also contain quite a bit more saturated fats, which experts recommend we phase out from our diet.

Due to the dense feedlot conditions of aquaculture, farm-raised fish are subject to heavy antibiotic use to limit risks of infections. The real risk these antibiotics may pose for humans is not well understood, but what is clearer is that wild salmon are not given any antibiotics!

Another concern with farmed salmon is the accumulation of pesticides and other risky contaminants like PCBs. Early studies showed this to be a very concerning issue and driven by the use of contaminated feed. Nowadays feed quality is better controlled, but some contaminants continue to be detected, albeit at low levels.

Farming Salmon Can Harm the Marine Environment and Wild Salmon

Some aquaculture proponents claim that fish farming eases pressure on wild fish populations, but most ocean advocates disagree. One National Academy of Sciences study found that sea lice from fish farming operations killed up to 95 percent of juvenile wild salmon migrating past them.

Another problem with fish farms is the liberal use of drugs and antibiotics to control bacterial outbreaks and parasites. These primarily synthetic chemicals spread out into marine ecosystems just from drifting in the water column as well as from fish feces.

Wasted feed and fish feces also cause local nutrient pollution problems, especially in protected bays where ocean currents are not able to help flush out the wastes.

In addition, millions of farmed fish escape fish farms every year around the world and mix into wild populations. A 2016 study conducted in Norway reports that many wild salmon populations there now have genetic material from farmed fish, which may weaken the wild stocks.

Strategies to Help Restore Wild Salmon and Improve Salmon Farming

Ocean advocates would like to end fish farming and instead, put resources into reviving wild fish populations. But given the size of the industry, improving conditions would be a start. Noted Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki says that aquaculture operations could use fully enclosed systems that trap waste and do not allow farmed fish to escape into the wild ocean.

As for what consumers can do, Suzuki recommends buying only wild-caught salmon and other fish. Whole Foods and other natural-food and high-end grocers, as well as many concerned restaurants, stock wild salmon from Alaska and elsewhere.

Edited by Frederic Beaudry
In a bid to mitigate the effects of the current US administration's anti-climate policies, this campaign is encouraging people to step up the carbon sequestration pace by planting billions of trees.

What began as a project to plant a tree each time President Trump said the words "climate change" (which doesn't happen very often) is now an effort to enable the planting of a huge distributed forest (A yuge forest? The biggest.) named for the 45th US President. The goal is to encourage and facilitate the planting of enough new trees to offset the additional atmospheric carbon that would result from the Trump administration scrapping the Clean Power Plan.

Yes, that Clean Power Plan, the one backed by Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and other tech giants, which set a goal of reducing power sector emissions by 30% by 2030, reducing particle pollution and other bad actors in the air by 25%, avoiding the release of about 870 million tons of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere over the next 8 years, and providing up to $93 billion in climate and public health benefits. If put into place, along with the US commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement (another Trump administration casualty), the Plan would have gone a long way toward shaping sensible US climate policies and priorities, in terms of both better health outcomes and a more level playing field for renewable energies. In the absence of both, it's going to take a heckuva lot of carbon sequestration projects to offset that backward slide.

According to the three founders of Trump Forest, the total number of trees that would need to be planted is in the neighborhood of 10 billion, which is a daunting number, to say the least, and which would cover an area about the size of Kentucky, or some 37,000 square miles, if planted all in one location. But in the absence of a massive plot of land to plant billions of trees on, and the funding to plant them all, growing the Trump Forest will instead be a crowdsourced effort, with people and organizations planting their own trees as they have the resources to do so. The initial effort, which began in March of 2017, was led by British climate scientist Dr Dan Price, American PhD candidate Jeff Willis, and French-New Zealander Adrien Taylor; the founder of Offcut, with the planting of 1,000 native trees in New Zealand funded by Offcut.

"Trump wants to bring back coal despite scientists telling us we cannot afford to burn it, and despite economists telling us there's more money to be made and more jobs available in renewable energy.

So we're planting a forest to soak up the extra greenhouse gases Trump plans to put into our atmosphere." - Trump Forest

Since then, the Trump Forest (with the tagline "Where ignorance grows trees") has grown to number more than 360,000 trees planted worldwide, with some 1200 backers and almost $50,000 in donations. The founders have no financial interest in this enterprise, other than their own participation, so it's entirely a crowdsourced effort with no profit motive. To take part in Trump Forest, individuals can make a donation to the campaign's partner charity Eden Reforestation Projects, after which the pledged trees (which will be planted by the organization) will be added to the global map, or by buying and planting trees locally (vetted by uploading a purchase or donation receipt).

"We don't want your money. We want you to pay for and plant trees anywhere in the world in the name of Donald Trump and send us the receipt so we can add your generous contribution to the global Trump Forest map. Or you can easily make a direct contribution to our partner Eden Reforestation Projects." - Trump Forest

Grow a tree or three in the Trump Forest yourself.

H/T Vox
Is your company in need of the most reliable and efficient best Best Jasmine Tea s in the market? Your good luck led you to the ideal situation, so congratulations! You are in the best possible place. By eliminating the need to read through dozens of Best Jasmine Tea reviews, we are saving you time and stress.

Many customers find it difficult to decide which Best Jasmine Tea product to buy. The dilemma is brought about by the many types of Best Jasmine Tea in the market. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a clear understanding of how you may choose the most suitable Best Jasmine Tea available in the market.
- Education CS Fred Matiangi has introduced a new system that will do away with cheating

- Matiangi has introduced the NEMIS, a system that works similarly to the personal identification number (PIN) issued to taxpayers by Kenya Revenue Authority and other Government agencies

Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Hon. Dr Fred Okengo Matiangi has finally introduced a new system that will do away with cheating cases in Kenya.

TUKO.co.ke has learnt that the new system will not only curb cheating but also bar people with fake certificates from making important educational and life progress.

The system will also stop the theft of public funds through ghost teachers.

CS Matiang'i introduces new system to end cheating. Photo: Nation

READ ALSO: Raila will not accept Supreme Court ruling should he lose

The new system will use the same mechanism as the personal identification number (PIN) issued to taxpayers by Kenya Revenue Authority and other Government agencies.

The system, christened the Kenya National Education Management Information System (Nemis) will start rolling from September 28,and is expected to be the single source of truth for information on all Kenyan schools and learners.

READ ALSO: Rarely seen photos of Joho's children at his inauguration

CS Matiang'i with students at a local Primary school. Photo: eDailyKenya

READ ALSO: I'm not a young boy, Ruto and Sonko are young- Uhuru's cheeky message at his dad's memorial

The system, will see students in public institutions from nursery school to university be assigned a six- character Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) linked to an electronic database with all their education records.

According to the Ministry of Education, 1.6 million Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates sitting for the 2017 examinations will be given the UPI's between August 29 and September 5,2017.

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The NEMIS system will make it easy for teachers and employers to track the academic progress and qualifications of students, which will greatly curb cheating and the circulation of dubious academic papers.

The good thing about the Nemis database is that it will be accessible to potential employers, colleges and other stakeholders in the education sector for verification of individuals' details before admission.

I got rid of two men but made peace with God ;

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- City Pastor Godfrey Migwi has bashed NASA leader Raila Odinga over the comment that Kenya needs to be split into two

- The pastor also bashed NASA's strategist David Ndii over his comment that NASA will be calling its supporters for mass action

- In a wordy Facebook post, the pastor said that Raila has been unable to take care of his sickly daughter Rosemary and therefore cannot lead Kenya anywhere

- He also recommended that Larry Madowo and David Ndii be detained for fueling ethnic, religious and sectarian conflict

Kenyan pastor, Godfrey Migwi of the House of Hope In Kayole has raised alarm over the comments made by NASA strategist David Ndii that Kenya should be split into two.

Ndii who was at an interview on NTV with Larry Madowo reiterated that NASA will be calling its supporters for mass actions at an appointed time.

This statement did not sit well with the pastor known for his outspokenness and hard-hitting statement that he shares online.

Pastor Godfrey Migwi with police officers at his office. Photo: Pastor Godfrey Migwi/Facebook

READ ALSO: I predicted the attack on Ruto's home- City Pastor

The pastor said that Raila had abandoned his ailing daughter Rosemary and should not be allowed to split Kenya for his own selfish gain.

''We need to do away with this nonsense, we have one Kenya, 45plus millions lives, 44tribes and foreigners, one person or two cannot be allowed to divide Kenyan's for their own selfish interest and their thirst to get in power for them to pay their debt, ah give us a break please.Raila should not be allowed to go down with Kenya, he may not care about his family and relative's or even Luos #where is Rosemary Odinga,''Pastor Migwi's post read in part.

READ ALSO: Kenyan women living in the diaspora, including an ambassador go crazy over a Kenyan pastor

Raila Odinga with his daughter Rosemary Odinga. Photo: Raila Odinga/Twitter

READ ALSO: Jubilee MP retires from politics after losing his seat in the just concluded polls

Pastor Migwi urged Raila and his supporters to think beyond their selfish agenda and let Kenya enjoy peace.

''Ndii should by now be behind bars in unknown prison. Denying anarchist freedom is protecting democracy and we exercised our democratic right's to vote in and out our leader's and many of them are already in office and others out, again because we love and protect our constitution, we believe in the supreme court under the same constitution to rule in a Justice way the filed Nasa petition against President elect, and no one can force a court of law to rule in their favor that's not justice, it's like forcing a pregnant woman to give birth to a child of your choice and that can't work, if she is girl/ boy you cannot force the mother to give birth to your favourite. ''

Pasto Godfrey Migwi in a radio interview. Photo: Pastor Godfrey Migwi/Facebook

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''And I'm again warning Mr president Uhuru, He should start cracking down on this bloodthirsty elements . Hit them hard until they get scattered bible state's very clearly and remember the author of this book was Solomon he wrote it in his old age according to theologians, he was a preacher and leader,...Hebrew Kohelet (meaning "Gatherer", "Teacher" or "Preacher so in the book of Ecclesiastes 3 :1Time for Everything''

This is not the first time the outspoken pastor is making headlines. Migwi became an instant online sensation some time back after predicting Uhuru Kenyatta's win in the 2017 Presidential election.

I got rid of two men but made peace with God ;

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Embattled IEBC commissioner Roselyne Akombe is back in Kenya after her recent drama at Jomo Kenyatta Airport

- Akombe was blocked from her flight to the US on Wednesday, August 16

- In a photo that was posted on the official IEBC Facebook page, Akombe is seen handing over certifying the petition materials to the commission lawyers

IEBC official Roselyn Akombe seems has jetted back to the country after a drama-filled exit only days ago.

Akombe, who was reportedly out of the country on official business, has already gotten down to work if a photo shared by the IEBC is anything to go by.

Roselyn Akombe handing forms 34 A B and C to lawyers on Tuesday, August 22. PHOTO: Facebook.com/IEBC

READ ALSO: MPs reject salary reduction even before they are sworn in

The IEBC legal team alongside Akombe, on Tuesday, August 22, could be seen certifying petition material (Forms 34-A, B &C), ahead of a tedious court battle with the National Super Alliance regarding the Presidential election results.

As TUKO.co.ke earlier reported, Akombe released a statement regarding rumors that she had fled the country following contentious Presidential results.

Akombe has vehemently denied that claims, adding that she was headed to the US on official duty.

She was allowed to fly out and it is likely that she will go back to working with the United Nations. She took an unpaid leave from UN to take up a job at the IEBC as a commissioner for a six-year contract.

Roselyn Akombe/FILE

READ ALSO: I would choose Ndii over Larry Madowo for a boyfriend - Millie Odhiambo

She took an unpaid leave from UN to take up a job at the IEBC as a commissioner for a six-year contract.

She lived up to her promise of returnin returning to pick up on the next electoral steps, even as NASA move to court to challenge the credibility of the just released Presidential results.

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Supreme court battle looms, NASA supporters speak:

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo has been ordered to pay a former KDF officer KSh 15 Million

- The court ruled in favour of the officer saying he was sacked unlawfully due to his religion

- The court also ordered the officer to be paid damages including his retirement pension

A former Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldier is set to become a millionaire after a court ordered Defense Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo to pay KSh 15 million.

Employment and Labour Relations Court judge Nduma Nderi ordered the CS pay the millions to Polycarp Niyogo Nyakora who was dismissed from the service in 2012.

Nyakora was unlawfully dismissed because of his religious beliefs, the court ruled.

KDF soldiers Photo: Standard

READ ALSO: I would choose Ndii over Larry Madowo for a boyfriend - Millie Odhiambo

He had been required to work on Saturday, something he turned down because it is his day of worship.

The court has found that the petitioners right to free worship was violated and malicious prosecution and false imprisonment that was meted on him is unconstitutional, Nderi ruled as quoted by Capital FM.

Nyakora was also imprisoned for 42 days, something the judge said was a violation of his rights to worship.

Defence CS Raychelle Omamo Photo: Star

READ ALSO: MPs reject salary reduction even before they are sworn in

The KSh 15 million includes exemplary damages amounting to KSh 3 million, earnings for 12 months and monthly pension and compensation according to the KDF Act.

The transactions are to be deposited in court in the coming days.

I got rid of two men but made peace with God

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The Airports Authority has successfully carried out a simulation of a crash landing at Piarco.
TV6 Senior Investigative Reporter, Mark Bassant, took home a CBU (Caribbean Broadcasting Union) Award for Best Investigative TV Report at the 2016 CBU Awards in Nassau, Bahamas on Tuesday.

His 2016 series, 'A Race for Life' - which highlighted the shortcomings of medical ambulances in the country  copped the award. It was the fourth time Bassant has won in the category, and his sixth CBU award in six years .

Bassant also received a special mention in the investigative category for 'Iron Monsters.

+4 CCN tops at CBU awards Caribbean Communications Network copped two awards Tuesday night at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union(CBU) annual awards that was held in Havana, Cuba..

Bassants third honour of the night was a special mention for his piece 'Scanning the Truth' in the category, Best Health Journalism for TV. 'Scanning the Truth' took an in-depth look at the possible risk of radiation exposure to prison officers subjected to scanners at the prisons.

TV6 wins big at CBU Awards FOUR journalists from the Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) have won recognition for th

In last years edition of the awards, Bassant won Best Investigative with his piece, 'Who Killed Dana' and received special mentions for his investigative reports 'ISIS Files' and 'Life Fund Scandal'.

In 2015, 'The Great Heist' won for best investigative reporting and 'A Black Lie: Part III' won for best investigative reporting on Health Issues.

There were several entrants from the Caribbean and parts of Central America. Belize and Cuba dominated the awards. The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago won Best TV Documentary with its piece, The Vote at 70.
One Ukrainian soldier was killed in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine over the past day.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO issues, Colonel Oleksandr Motuzianyk said this at a press briefing on Tuesday, August 22, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

As a result of combat actions over the past day, one Ukrainian soldier was killed in enemy attacks in Avdiivka, another one Ukrainian soldier was wounded in enemy attacks near Zaitseve, Motuzianyk said.

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First Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk believes that the presence of NATO soldiers at a military parade in Kyiv on August 24 will be an important step towards recognizing the Ukrainian army as being ready for cooperation with the alliance.

He said this at a press conference entitled "Twenty-six years later... Where is Ukraine today?" at Ukrinform on Wednesday.

"Tomorrow we will see our new equipment, the Ukrainian army and NATO soldiers on Khreshchatyk. I think that the presence of these soldiers is a very important step towards recognizing the Ukrainian army as being ready for cooperation with NATO. This is a step towards NATO," Kravchuk said.

He also emphasized the importance of Ukraine's accession to NATO.

"I am convinced that without an alliance and accession to NATO, given such an international situation and such a neighbor (Russia), we will not be able to survive," Kravchuk said.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak stated earlier that ten units of different countries, include nine from NATO countries, would participate in a military parade in Kyiv on Independence Day.

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Ukraine expects to receive lethal weapons from its partner countries. At the moment, only Lithuania has provided such assistance to the state.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak stated this during a briefing on August 23, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Since the first day of the aggression of the Russian Federation we have appealed to all countries of the world regarding the provision of lethal weapons to us. Only Lithuania has given us such assistance. We are ready to receive lethal weapons, but this requires a decision made by the partner countries," Poltorak said.

As Ukrinform reported, in 2016 Ukraine received from Lithuania 146 units of lethal weapons developed and produced by the former USSR.

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Two Ukrainian observers will monitor the course of the Zapad 2017 Russian-Belarusian exercises from September 16 to September 20, the press service of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has reported.

"The Ukrainian side confirms the invitation for Ukrainian representatives to observe the Zapad 2017 military exercises that are to be held in Belarus with the participation of Russian troops," reads the statement.

In addition to Ukraine, the invitations to observe the exercises have been sent to Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Estonia.

"Under the provisions of the Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures Ukraine has received from the Republic of Belarus a formal invitation for two representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to monitor military activities during the stage of practical actions of troops (forces) as part of the Zapad 2017 joint strategic exercise on the territory of the Republic of Belarus from September 16 to September 20, 2017," reads the statement.

The Eastern European countries of NATO and Ukraine expressed concern over Russian military exercises scheduled for September, not excluding that they might be used for provocations against neighbors. Some politicians and military noted that up to 100,000 people could be involved in the Zapad 2017 exercises and they can be used as a screen for the deployment of Russian troops in Belarus.

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First Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk has said that the format of negotiations on the Donbas conflict settlement should be expanded.

He said this at a press conference entitled "Twenty-six years later... Where is Ukraine today?" at Ukrinform on Wednesday, while answering a question from the agency's reporter.

"I think that the Minsk process can remain in place, but it should be radically changed. The powers and composition of participants should be changed and expanded. Neither 'DPR' nor 'LPR' should be involved there. It's because of their [representatives of terrorists] presence there that Russia says there's a civil war in Ukraine... We should take the Minsk legal platform away from Russia so that they don't use the Minsk process against Ukraine... It can be moved [to another city]. It shouldn't necessarily be Minsk, it doesn't matter where. If there's a G7 or G20 format, or the format of the Budapest memorandum, then, I think, the situation will change," Kravchuk said.

He said that the Minsk agreements had played an important role, because they stopped Russia's intentions to expand aggression in Ukraine, but now they only solve the question of the exchange of prisoners.

"Ukraine's major role is to restore territorial integrity, restore borders and establish Ukrainian authority throughout Ukraine, including Donbas, and eventually Crimea. They [participants in the Minsk negotiations] are actually resolving one issue and holding large-scale conversations about this issue - the exchange of prisoners... We need to end the war, because the war will end, and there will be no prisoners," Kravchuk said.

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Since August 23, 2017, the ban on export of poultry products from Ukraine to Iraq that was introduced in connection with outbreaks of avian influenza in Ukraine has been lifted.

This was reported by the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

"Iraq lifted a temporary ban from the supply of poultry products from Ukraine, which was introduced in connection with cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the territory of our state," the report reads.

This decision was recently adopted by the Government of the Republic of Iraq.

The ban on the import of poultry products from Ukraine in connection with outbreaks of avian influenza has not yet been lifted by Hong Kong, Yemen and China.

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Kyiv on August 25 will host the Economic Forum Supporting the Economic Development of Ukraine: cooperation between Government and the diaspora, which is being organized by the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce and Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, according to a report on the UWCs website.

This event will enable the 140 delegates to the UWC Annual General Meeting from 26 countries, as well as distinguished guests to interact with key Ukrainian government officials and business representatives regarding Ukraines economy, export potential and investment environment, reads the report.

The panel discussions will address two topics: Furthering Ukrainian export and trade representation in key markets and Increasing foreign investment in Ukraine, and feature a range of high-level speakers from both the public and private sectors.

The Forum will be held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the UWC in conjunction with the UWC Annual General Meeting taking place on August 25-26 in Kyiv and on August 27-29 in Lviv.

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Several seminars on the peculiarities of free trade with Ukraine will be held in six cities in Canada this autumn, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The seminars will be organized by the Canada-Ukraine Trade and Investment Support (CUTIS) project.

"Canada-Ukraine Trade and Investment Support (CUTIS) project is proud to celebrate the launch of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) with CUFTA: Opening Doors for Canadian Business in Ukraine, a series of cross-Canada networking events to help Canadian Business benefit from opportunities created by the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA)," reads a statement on the organization's website.

The CUFTA: Opening Doors networking events will take place in Edmonton on September 25, in Calgary on September 26, in Winnipeg on September 28, in Ottawa on October 11, in Montreal on October 12, and in Toronto on October 16, 2017.

"Presentations will be made by the GAC Regional Trade Commissioner, the President of Canada-Ukraine Chambers of Commerce, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada, and senior Canada-Ukraine Trade and Investment Support (CUTIS) team members," reads the report.

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The assertion of Ukraines independence depends on every Ukrainian, but its main guarantor is the Armed Forces and other servicepersons who are currently fighting against Russian occupants in eastern Ukraine.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko stated this at a solemn ceremony of raising the National Flag of Ukraine on Sofiivska Square in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The fate of an independent state depends on each of us, but our main force is the Armed Forces, the National Guard and other law enforcement agencies that protect the country from Russian aggression, Poroshenko said.

The president also stressed that the assertion of independence is the responsibility of the current generation.

Today, August 23, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the National Flag.

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U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker has confirmed that a United States goal is to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine and its sovereignty.

Speaking at a conference on regional leadership at Vilnius University on Tuesday, he recalled that this goal had been outlined by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson when he visited Kyiv on July 9.

In addition, the United States wants to help ensure the safety and security of all Ukrainian citizens, regardless of nationality, ethnicity or religion.

Volker noted that "a hot war is raging" on the European continent "less than an hour and a half's flight from here" and that this should not be forgotten.

He said that a first step to that would be a lasting and viable ceasefire.

On August 22, Volker met in Vilnius with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite and Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius to discuss the implementation of the Minsk agreements and support for reforms in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, August 23, Volker arrives in Kyiv to discuss with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin the results of his meeting with Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov.

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President Petro Poroshenko says he hopes Ukraine will become a member of the European Union and NATO in coming years.

He stated this at a solemn ceremony of raising the National Flag of Ukraine on Sofiivska Square in Kyiv on August 23, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"By working persistently, we will bring the days when Ukraine will become a member of the European Union and a NATO member," said Poroshenko.

At the same time, he recalled that the Agreement on the EU-Ukraine Association comes into full force on September 1.

"On September 1, just in a week, the Association Agreement comes into full effect," he said.

President Poroshenko congratulated all Ukrainians on the Day of the National Flag: "I wish everyone peaceful blue sky and generous fruits of our land... I sincerely congratulate everyone on the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine!

Today, August 23, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the National Flag.

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In the occupied Crimea, patriots of Ukraine hold a rally in honor of the Day of the National Flag. More than twenty people have been photographed on the embankment of Sevastopol dressed in yellow and blue, the colors of the national flag.

Resident of Sevastopol Tetiana Moskalenko wrote about this on Facebook.

"Congratulations to our Ukraine on the National Flag Day and the Independence Day!!! You are in our hearts," Moskalenko wrote.

Some people came to the flash mob with the children.

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Agape International Missions, an American anti-trafficking NGO that was threatened with closure after it assisted a CNN reporter with a controversial article on the child sex industry in Cambodia, has moved to distance itself from the media outlet.

Don Brewster, the groups executive director, said his contribution to the report sought to highlight the work of the Cambodian government to combat the child sex trade.

He apologized for his part in any offense caused by the CNN report.

I would like to express my deep sorrow for any hurt or harm inflicted on Cambodia and its people that resulted from the CNN Freedom Project broadcast, he said.

For this, I offer my heartfelt apology, he said, adding that he had written to Prime Minister Hun Sen to apologize as well.

In the report, CNN interviewed three Cambodian nationals of Vietnamese ethnicity who were identified as Cambodian in the report, prompting the criticism from the government. CNN then changed the headline of the report from The Cambodian girls sold for sex by their mothers to Life after trafficking: The girls sold for sex by their mothers.

Interior Minister Sar Kheng said that the case against AIM would proceed to the courts, however, Gen. Khieu Sopheak, interior spokesman, suggested that if Brewster made a public apology, AIM may be given special consideration.

There should be an official [apology] to the prime minister and the whole nation. CNN should correct the text of the report since they broadcast the news, he said.
The owners of the Cambodia Daily newspaper, which has been threatened with closure over an alleged $6 million tax bill, have rejected the claim amid threats of closure if they do not pay.

Deborah Krisher-Steele, who took over management of the Daily in April, told VOA Khmer in an email that the tax bill was not based on an audit of the companys accounts and was politically motivated.

There is no doubt that there is a political will behind these actions. This is clearly a tax bill that is not meant to be paid but whose purpose is to close down The Cambodia Daily. It is a sad day for press freedom in Cambodia, she wrote.

If Bernard is meant to pay taxes for The Cambodia Daily, the General Department of Taxation needs to perform a real audit. It first starts with defining what Bernard's project was, examine the actual revenue, actual expenses, donations and apply the rules correctly and fairly as one would expect of a tax department in a civilized society, she added, referring to her father, Bernard Krisher, the former proprietor.

Krisher-Steele claims the governments publication of the size of the alleged bill breaches tax laws.

Prime Minister Hun Sen announced in July that the government was investigating NGOs historic tax payments.

The head of the tax department, Kong Vibol, was later quoted in a pro-government news outlet saying the Daily had until September 4 to pay the bill or risk being shut down and its assets seized.

The Daily has claimed that as the paper was set up as a not-for-profit enterprise to train local journalists and its former owner has contributed substantial sums in charitable donations to the country, it should not have to pay the bill.

Rhona Smith, the UNs human rights envoy, concluded her 10-day fact-finding visit to the country by commenting on the issue.

It's necessary that all media services are able to report freely and fairly in accordance with the international rules of journalism and freedom of the media. And that they do not suffer from any undue restriction on their freedom of expression and indeed on their freedom of movement in the country, she said.
Angolans cast ballots Wednesday in the first election in decades that doesn't include long-time President Jose Eduardo dos Santos. The ruling party is widely projected to maintain power, but some voters have made clear they are casting ballots for change.

On Wednesday, Angolas retiring president did something he hasnt done in decades: He voted for someone else.

Just after 9 a.m. local time, President Jose Eduardo dos Santos shuffled slowly into a side entrance of Luandas polling station 1047, at a law school named after the nations first president. Dos Santos took the reins after Agostinho Neto died in 1979.

After dos Santos cast his ballot, he and his entourage slowly walked out. He did not speak to the press, and ignored VOAs question about whom he voted for.

But dos Santos previously made his choice clear.

"I am here," he told this massive crowd during the final pre-election rally of the ruling Peoples Movement for the Liberation of Angola, to support our candidate.

And its likely his chosen successor, Defense Minister Joao Lourenco, will prevail. The MPLA is predicted to win this legislative election; its top candidate, Lourenco, would then become president.

The next president will inherit a country dependent on oil and imports, and beset by high unemployment and inflation so dire that the black market exchange rate for dollars is double the official rate.

Dos Santos has repeatedly been accused of flagrant corruption, and his children run several powerful state enterprises. Meanwhile, the majority of Angolans lives in poverty, without basic services.

Anger over this inequality propelled Angolans to action, including 42-year-old Esperanca Francisco Domingos.

Today is my first time voting because I was never interested in voting and I never knew the value of voting," she said. "And today, and I voted for change. I voted for change because everybody says that we have to vote for change, we have to vote for change. And lets see, as time goes by, if our lives change. Because we dont see any change and we are suffering."

Others, like 62-year-old Maria Boaventura, were more optimistic as they cast their ballot.

I think there are better prospects, she said, adding, "It seems that there will be more transparency," said Boaventura.

Voters say theyre also seeking an end to the high levels of perceived corruption. Sixty-five-year-old Adolfo Macuanga condemned the dos Santos familys lavish lifestyle.

His son bought an $5,000 watch in London. And those of us who fought for the country, what do we have? Nothing," he said.

The six political parties have discussed the economy at length, with Lourenco promising to diversify the economy, and the leading opposition UNITA party pledging to crack down on corruption and welcome foreign investment.

For many Angolans, however, this election is also a novel opportunity to do what the president did: vote for someone new.

It is an ambitious election, said 55-year old Joao Malungo, adding that he is honored to vote in his country.

Officials have said results are expected the day after the election.


Angolans voted for a new parliament and president on Wednesday, but many say the balance of power in Africa's fifth-largest economy is unlikely to shift.

Outgoing President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who has ruled the country for 38 years, has left in place safeguards to ensure his legacy and influence, including the continued role of his daughter, Isabel dos Santos, as chief executive of the oil-rich nation's energy company, Sonangol.

Dos Santos will also remain leader of Angola's ruling party, the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, or MPLA. Last month, the MPLA-controlled parliament enacted a law that will prevent the incoming president from removing heads of the country's army, security and intelligence services until 2025.

A victory by the opposition would be a massive upset. The MPLA has ruled Angola since it won independence in 1975. In the 2008 election, the party won nearly 82 percent of the vote. In the 2012 election, it won nearly 72 percent.

In stark contrast, the most powerful opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, or UNITA, received less than 20 percent of the vote in those two elections.

"I don't believe there is a chance of any change of power, except if the opposition parties are able to put their delegates in every electoral precinct," Luaty Beirao, a prominent Angolan activist and musician, recently told VOA Portuguese. "If they can be able to monitor and control the whole process before and after the actual voting act, then maybe the result can be more balanced."

Economy, infrastructure

Despite such predictions, there have been warning signs that Angolans are not happy with the MPLA.

Angolan investigative journalist Rafael Marques de Morais, a longtime critic of the government, reported that the office of the presidency commissioned a poll earlier this month to gauge people's sentiments ahead of the election.

For the ruling party, the results were damning. Just 38 percent felt the MPLA would win the election, while 91 percent believed MPLA leadership acted in its own interest, and a similar number said the government's performance was "bad" or "very bad."

Brazilian firm Sensus Pesquisa e Consultoria conducted the survey of 9,000 people in all 18 provinces, according to Marques de Morais.

The dissatisfaction most likely stems from economic concerns and perceived government wrongdoing.

Because of falling oil prices, Angola's economy has declined sharply since 2014. Three years ago, the country's gross domestic product was nearly $127 billion. Since then, it's decreased by nearly 30 percent. Last year, Sudan's GDP surpassed Angola's for the first time in over a decade.

Even when the economy was booming, most regular Angolans did not reap any benefits from the oil riches. Rather than build infrastructure or improve basic health services, opposition groups say, government officials diverted funds into their own bank accounts.

"Health and education were left completely unattended and, above all, there is the phenomena that overlays any other, which is corruption," Beirao said.

Fair election?

During the campaign, opposition parties also questioned the fairness of the election process. Sylvia Croese, a research fellow at the African Center for Cities and the Department of Sociology at the University of Cape Town, told World Politics Review, an international affairs publication, that promises of equal treatment weren't being met.

"There is significant concern in Angolan civil society about the ability of opposition parties to make their voices heard," she said. "For instance, all parties are entitled to receive about $1 million from the state for campaign purposes, but the opposition only received them in July, with the elections slated for August 23."

All parties are guaranteed equal airtime on public media to campaign, Croese said, but independent research showed that the MPLA received far more coverage on both public and private media. "Opposition parties, especially UNITA, have repeatedly denounced and protested the National Election Commission's absence of transparency and accountability," Croese said.

Between the 2008 and 2012 elections, a time when the economy was booming, political engagement shrank. Voter turnout decreased by 25 percent, despite increases in both registered voters and the overall population.

But before this election, many Angolans expressed enthusiasm about voting, partly because they could choose a new president. About 93 percent of the population, those 54 and younger, weren't yet born or were only children when dos Santos first rose to power. Dos Santos is almost the only president they've ever known.

For Angolans, that made Wednesday's election an unprecedented chance to vote for a new leader. Substantive change, however, is far from certain.

Barbara Santos, James Butty and Mariano Bartolomeu contributed to this report.
A British BBC correspondent's trial began in Thailand on Wednesday in a criminal defamation case involving a report on foreigners being defrauded of property.

The case against Jonathan Head, BBC's Southeast Asia correspondent, has been criticized as an example of how Thailand's harsh criminal defamation laws can be used to intimidate journalists.

Head had reported about a British expatriate whose Thai wife allegedly defrauded him of properties on the southern resort island of Phuket by forging his signature on multiple occasions.

The criminal complaint against Head and the expatriate, Ian Rance, was brought by a Thai lawyer, Pratuan Thanarak, who says he was defamed by an allegation in the report that he had notarized Rance's forged signature, allowing the wife to transfer properties.

If found guilty, Head could face up to two years in prison for online criminal defamation and five years under a law regulating online content. Rance was charged only with criminal defamation, which carries a one-year maximum sentence.

Pratuan's complaint said the BBC report caused the public to perceive him as a "deceitful lawyer" and "an unethical lawyer."

In February, the American-based Committee to Protect Journalists called for an end to the use in Thailand of criminal defamation charges against journalists.

"The use of criminal defamation complaints in Thailand has a chilling effect on journalists who fear being bogged down in time-consuming and expensive litigation," Shawn Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative, said in a statement.

The statement also mentioned a 2013 criminal defamation case filed by the Royal Thai Navy against Phuketwan, a small news website, for republishing a Reuters report that Thai naval forces had profited from trafficking ethnic Rohingya. Phuketwan was forced to close for financial reasons during the trial, with one of its reporters saying he had spent nearly one-third of his work time preparing his defense and that local advertisers had stopped taking ads on Phuketwan for fear of official reprisals, the statement said.

Earlier this month, a prominent Thai journalist was charged with sedition and violation of the country's computer law for online postings concerning politics.
As many as 200 migrants clashed near the northern French port city of Calais, using sticks and iron bars in five mass brawls that mainly pitted Afghans against Eritreans, authorities said Tuesday.

A total of 21 migrants and six riot police were injured, none seriously, during the clashes that broke out between Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, the Pas-de-Calais prefecture said.

Up to 150 migrants were involved in the last fight, which started on a road leading out of the Calais city center and moved to a highway, the prefecture said. The regional Voix du Nord newspaper said the violent skirmishes held up traffic.

Four other fights began late Monday and continued until dawn as police dispersed the groups with tear gas.

Police detained seven migrants for questioning and put 20 others in administrative detention, meaning they risk expulsion from France, according to the prefecture.

Authorities cleared some 7,000 migrants from a makeshift camp in Calais last fall, but people hoping to enter Britain by crossing the English Channel in trains or ferries are steadily returning. Authorities estimate about 400 migrants are now in the Calais area, while aid groups put the number at about 600.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said three weeks ago that even though there are far fewer migrants in Calais compared to a year ago, 30,000 attempts to sneak into the Eurotunnel complex or onto ferries had been made since the start of 2017. Many of the people on the French side of the Channel make repeated attempts.

The interior minister announced at the end of July that two special centers to shelter migrants in Calais would be opened. However, the shelters for willing occupants are aimed at speeding up assessments of their situations, including whether they are to be expelled from France.
At least half a dozen schools in Cameroon's two English-speaking regions have been burned in the past week. It is the latest sign of deepening tensions as the ongoing strike in Cameroons two English-speaking regions enters its tenth month.



The strike began in November 2016 with anglophone teachers and lawyers in the northwest and the southeast. They said English-speaking citizens are marginalized in the bilingual country and demanded reforms. But secessionist groups soon joined the movement, and their calls for full independence for the English-speaking zones derailed dialogue and helped spur a government crackdown.

Continued arson attacks in Cameroon's English-speaking northwest have prompted calls for the creation of self-defense militia.



Some parents in Bamenda said it is no longer safe after their children's school, the Baptist Comprehensive High School, was set ablaze August 13.



The burnings have continued.



Residents say schools are being targeted for failing to respect the call to strike until all anglophone activists are released from detention. Messages circulating on social media this month have called for businesses to close three out of every five working days.



Wilfred Ndong, the government official in charge of basic education for the northwest, said law enforcement agencies cannot be present in every school.



"We have advised them to form vigilante groups in the schools so that they can help to secure the places for us," he said. "And in places where they can afford, let them light up the places.Some of these things happen because of the dark nature of the environments concerned."



Markets and government buildings have also been targeted this year in the northwest and southwest.No one has claimed responsibility. The government has condemned the vandalism and blamed it on militant separatist groups.



Weapons cache



Cameroon government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma told VOA police discovered a cache of weapons and a bomb-making factory in the northwestern town of Mbengwi earlier this month. He said seven people were arrested, including a Cameroonian-born Belgian national who had smuggled his way into the country through Nigeria.



"He admitted being a member of the Ambazonia and the main leader of the armed wing of the Liberation Movement of Southern Cameroon," he said.



Ambazonia is a name proposed by separatist activists for the nation they would create.



At least 60 people arrested in connection with the strike have appeared before a military court in the capital to answer charges of attempting to destabilize the country and cause revolt.



A black and white video released online in early August, which shows 12 purported strike detainees in what appears to be a dark, underground prison has further raised tensions.



The government has declined to comment on the video, but the footage has been shared widely on social media in Cameroon. In it, the speakers compare their conditions of detention to "concentration camps," and say they will gladly die if need be for the cause of independence for the two anglophone regions.



Cameroon is officially a bilingual country, with anglophones comprising about 20 percent of the country's 23 million inhabitants.



Violent strike-related unrest in December, coupled with emerging separatist rhetoric, prompted a government crackdown. Strike leaders then broke off dialogue with the government to resolve the crisis until all those arrested are released.



A former lawmaker from the northwest region, Paulinus Jua, said dialogue is needed.



"If government were doing a lot, things would have subsided," he said. "But you see that this thing is instead especially in anglophone Cameroon getting more radicalized. Something can be done. Dialogue, genuine dialogue, comprehensive genuine dialogue. That is what we have been complaining about in this country for so long."



President Paul Biya has announced some reforms in response to the strike, like a new common law section of the Supreme Court, but has said he will not engage in dialogue that threatens national unity.
Chinese and Russian officials have expressed objections to sanctions the United States imposed Tuesday against several companies for allegedly supporting North Korea's nuclear program.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a news briefing the sanctions are not helping U.S.-China cooperation on efforts to rein in North Korean nuclear activity.

She said the United States should "immediately correct its mistake," and reiterated China's calls for restraint and dialogue to resolve the situation with North Korea.

At the United Nations, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia echoed one of his governments ministers who said it is another unfriendly move by the United States.

We strongly condemn unilateral sanctions, not only those aimed at us, but at anybody, Nebenzia. He said if Washington wanted to sanction third parties, it should do so through existing channels, namely the U.N. sanctions committee for North Korea. There it could put forward names of individuals or companies it believes is violating sanctions and seek to have them added to the sanctions list.

We first of all condemn that move and secondly, we do not think it is legal, Nebenzia added. And thirdly, we do not think it facilitates the stabilization and improvement in Russia-U.S. relations.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced the sanctions Tuesday, saying they were a complement to a U.N. Security Council resolution passed earlier this month that applied new sanctions against North Korea and condemned the country's ballistic missile tests. China and Russia were among the countries that unanimously approved the August 5th resolution.

A U.S. Treasury statement listed 10 companies and six people, including Chinese coal, steel and financial firms, as well as three Russian individuals.

"It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "We are taking actions consistent with U.N. sanctions to show that there are consequences for defying sanctions and providing support to North Korea, and to deter this activity in the future."
China has objected to new sanctions the United States imposed against a group of Chinese and Russian companies for allegedly supporting North Koreas nuclear program.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a news briefing that the sanctions are not helping U.S.-China cooperation on efforts to rein in North Korean nuclear activity.

She said the United States should immediately correct its mistake, and reiterated Chinas calls for restraint and dialogue to resolve the situation with North Korea.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced the sanctions Tuesday, saying they were a complement to a U.N. Security Council resolution passed earlier this month that applied new sanctions against North Korea and condemned the countrys ballistic missile tests. China was among the countries that unanimously approved the resolution.

A U.S. Treasury statement listed 10 companies and six people, including Chinese coal, steel and financial firms.

It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region, said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. We are taking actions consistent with U.N. sanctions to show that there are consequences for defying sanctions and providing support to North Korea, and to deter this activity in the future.
There is but one chairman in China, and that is Chairman Mao Zedong.

He served as chairman of the central committee of the Communist Party of China, a position so absolutely powerful that party leaders retired it within years of his death in 1976.

But is the title truly retired?

Maybe not, given hints this summer that President Xi Jinping may be angling to resurrect it.

Military greetings

On June 30, at a military parade at the Hong Kong garrison of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), Xi met the troops with Greetings, comrades! Instead of replying Greetings, leader! the comrades answered Xi with the shout: Greetings, chairman!

It happened again July 30, during a military parade to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the PLA at the Zhurihe military training base in Inner Mongolia. Troops on review there, clad in military camouflage, answered Xis salutation with Greetings, chairman!

Xi is both general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China as well as chairman of the Central Military Commission. But as the party prepares for the 19th National Congress, a twice-a-decade gathering scheduled to begin in Beijing in several months, that deviation from standard protocol  general secretary rather than chairman, as was favored by Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao  has some analysts thinking Xi may want to re-establish the position.

Xi in charge

The presidents review of the camouflaged troops showed that if the PLA and the country go to war, he is in charge, Tai Ming Cheung, an analyst of Chinese and East Asian defense and national security affairs, told VOA.

This is a very important signal, especially the timing, said Cheung, who directs the Institute of Global Conflict and Cooperation at University of California-San Diego.

At the party congress, Cheung said, the expectation is that candidates to succeed Xi should be jockeying for position to succeed him.

But there were no other political leaders at any of these parades, so it looks as if hes not grooming a successor, and it looks as if he controls the military, he told VOA Chinese.

Not a megalomaniacal move

Tom Fingar, a Shorenstein Asia-Pacific research fellow at Stanford University, said the PLAs response to Xi as party leader rather than president underscores that the army is subordinate to the party, not the people.

I do not see this as elevating Xi to the stature of Mao, Fingar said. ...It is simply the correct title at a military event, and it would be a mistake to view this as a megalomaniacal concentration of power.

The party selected Xi as its leader to have somebody cut through the bureaucratic paralysis, and he has not done that, so he is not running [for re-election] from a position of strength, Fingar said.

However, he added: Do I think hes going to come out re-elected? The answer is yes. Xi stays on top of the pile because theres not an obvious alternative. But whats his mandate? Thats the question, and theyre clearly still arguing about this because they dont even have a date for the conference.

Unsettling Mao memories

Still, speculation remains that Xi will use the congress to further solidify and centralize his power, Cheung said.

That is an unsettling prospect for many Chinese who recall Maos era, and others who wonder why Xi may be interested in re-establishing the position and title of party chairman. After all, in October, the party bestowed upon Xi the title of core of the party.

Xi thus became the fourth leader so designated since Communist Party rule in China began in 1949.

History may explain why some Chinese are wary of reviving Maos title.

Its elimination symbolized the end of the Cultural Revolution and the Mao era, according to Pokong Chen, the author of several books on China, who appeared on Pro & Con, a VOA Chinese television program. If Xi revives the title, it might feel like reviving the era of the Cultural Revolution itself.

Maos Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, launched in May 1966, unleashed a decade of political and social upheaval in his bid to reassert control over the Communist Party.

Before the Cultural Revolution, there was Maos Great Leap Forward (1958-62), an economic and social program intended to transform the country rapidly from an agrarian economy to a modern industrialized, socialist society. The Great Leap Forward is considered responsible for tens of millions of deaths during a famine caused by mandatory agricultural collectivization, a time when anyone who engaged in private farming was branded a counter-revolutionary.

All the biggest disasters that occurred during the Communist rule were due to Chairman Maos unchecked power, said Wenqian Gao, a senior policy adviser at Human Rights in China, who was previously a senior researcher at the Research Center on Party Literature of the Communist Party of China.

That is why after Maos death, the elderly leaders led by Deng Xiaoping eliminated the position of party chairman, Gao added. A historian who focuses on the Chinese Communist Party, he said the position of chairman creates suitable conditions for authoritarian rule and lacks internal checks within the party, even limited ones.

Why chairman?

If Xi already has centralized power, why would he still want to be the party chairman?

Gao, speaking on Pro & Con, offered two reasons: First, the titles party chairman and general secretary have different levels of power. The general secretary, which is Xis current title, is the moderator for the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party. He is equal to all other members of the committee and represents one vote only.

Under the precedent established by Mao, a party chairman has veto power and is above everybody else, Gao said.

The second reason is that [Xi] wants to keep his power after the 20th Party Congress, Gao added. Specifically, since the party chairman and the general secretary are technically two different positions, Xi could argue that the two-term limit for a general secretary does not apply to him.

This report originated on VOA Chinese.
Reports that Chinese vessels came close to a major Philippine holding in the disputed South China Sea this month have touched off a tough debate in Manila that could disrupt a fragile, year-old friendship between the two sides.

A vessel from China planted a 3-meter-high flag on Sandy Cay, which lies in a Philippine-controlled area of the South China Seas Spratly Islands, during or before the third week of July, Congressman Gary Alejano said Facebook. Chinese naval and coast guard vessels passed near there Aug. 12, he added.

Chinese activity in the South China Sea

Images collected by the Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative, under the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, show nine Chinese fishing ships and two naval or law enforcement vessels passing Aug. 13 near Thitu, a Spratly feature occupied by more than 100 Filipino civilians.

It might be a way of testing the Philippine government at the moment, probing for a response, what they can get away with and also to see how much pushback there would be in the Philippine system, but theres been very little pushback said Euan Graham, international security director with the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney.

Operationally you could say the door is open to China if it wanted to go to the next stage, he said. It could set up a soft blockade of the cay and eventually put structures on it, Graham said.

Philippines have taken no action

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he saw no reason to defend Sandy Cay unless China invades it, domestic media said Tuesday. His foreign affairs head was quoted Tuesday saying China was not occupying the cay, which is within 22 kilometers of Thitu Island and often described as a sandbar, and that his department would give up no territory.

But Antonio Carpio, a senior associate Supreme Court justice in the Philippines, has alleged a Chinese invasion. His comments have in part prompted the reactions from government officials.

Billions in Chinese aid a factor

Dutertes government and China shelved their maritime disputes last year, and China pledged $24 billion in aid and investment to the Philippines. Neither side agreed to stop its activities in the South China Sea.

Beijing, the strongest claimant among six with interests in the South China Sea, hopes its upbeat Philippine ties show it can manage maritime disputes without third-party intervention, scholars say.

In July 2016, a world arbitration court ruled at the request of the previous Philippine president that Chinas vast claim to about 90 percent of the 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea is legally invalid. Beijing disregarded the ruling.

Vietnam has clashed with China over the sea since the 1970s, as well. Since 2010, China has alarmed all claimants as well as Washington by stepping up land reclamation followed by military installations on some of the seas larger islets. Claimants prize the sea for oil, gas, fisheries and shipping lanes.

The Chinese are keen to maintain, for lack of a better word, that facade that things are getting better, said Collin Koh, maritime security research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Many in Philippines are disturbed

For now, analysts see Philippine politicians struggling to come up with a response that satisfies China-suspicious public sentiment while maintaining the friendship with Beijing.

China may pull back for now and the Philippines might call the Chinese ambassador in for a discussion, said Eduardo Araral, associate professor at the National University of Singapores public policy school.

Since the Chinese know that Justice Carpio is watching them, they cannot continue to insist on doing what theyre doing, Araral said. They cannot be seen to be talking nicely and friendly to the Philippines and doing another thing on the back side.

Its unclear whether any Chinese activity near Sandy Cay was organized by the central Chinese government or by a local bureaucrat, Araral said.

Philippines may have to respond in some way

China embarrassed Duterte last year by parking vessels on Benham Rise, a submerged plateau on the Pacific Ocean side of the Philippines, prompting the president to come back with vows of strengthening control over its 10 Spratly Island holdings. The flap that came to light in April did not affect overall Sino-Philippine relations.

But lack of official resistance to Chinese activity at Sandy Cay could prompt China eventually to call the spot its own and restrict Philippine access, scholars say.

Typically what they would do is to sort of demarcate, for lack of better term, a line of control, a line of influence, said Oh Ei Sun, international studies instructor at Singapore Nanyang University. When you do that, its a form of claiming sovereignty, even just symbolically. By baby steps it would become a de facto Chinese-controlled territory.

A strong Philippine resistance of Chinas maritime activities could prompt Beijing to hold back investment in the Philippines, Oh added. Duterte is looking to China and Japan to help fund railways and other new infrastructure through his six-year term.

China could eventually place structures on Sandy Cay, Graham said. It has installed combat aircraft infrastructure on the larger Spratly Island features of Fiery Cross, Mischief Reef and Subi Reef, the U.S. think tank says.


The U.S. Defense Department is making another multimillion-dollar investment in high-energy lasers that have the potential to destroy enemy drones and mortars, disrupt communication systems and provide military forces with other portable, less costly options on the battlefield.

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee and is a longtime supporter of directed-energy research, announced the $17 million investment during a news conference Wednesday inside a Boeing lab where many of the innovations were developed.

The U.S. already has the ability to shoot down enemy rockets and take out other threats with traditional weapons, but Heinrich said it's expensive.

High-energy lasers and microwave systems represent a shift to weapons with essentially endless ammunition and the ability to wipe out multiple threats in a short amount of time, he said.

"This is ready for prime time," Heinrich, who has an engineering degree, said of the concept.

Boeing has been working on high-energy laser and microwave weapons systems for years. The effort included a billion-dollar project to outfit a 747 with a laser cannon that could shoot down missiles while airborne. The system was complex and filled the entire back half of the massive plane.

Size of a suitcase

With advancements over the past two decades, high-powered laser weapons systems can now fit into a large suitcase for transport across the battlefield or be mounted to a vehicle for targeting something as small as the device that controls the wings of a military drone.

"Laser technology has moved from science fiction to real life," said Ron Dauk, head of Boeing's Albuquerque site.

The company's compact laser system has undergone testing by the military, and engineers are working on a higher-powered version for testing next year.

While the technology has matured, Dauk and Heinrich said the exciting part is that it's on the verge of moving from the lab to the battlefield.



Another $200 million has been requested in this year's defense appropriations bill that would establish a program within the Pentagon for accelerating the transition of directed-energy research to real applications.

Heinrich said continued investment in such projects will help solidify New Mexico's position as a leading site of directed-energy research and bring more money and high-tech jobs to the state.

Boeing already contributes about $120 million to the state's economy through its contracts with vendors.
Just beyond the outskirts of Cairo on a desert road to the Suez Canal, a sprawling industrial zone is coming to life as Egypt's leather industry leaves behind its ancient tanning quarters for modern workshops of Robiki Leather City.

The new complex is part of a major expansion drive of a sector Egypt considers as one of its most competitive. The trade ministry has set an official target for leather exports to reach over $1 billion a year in 2020, from about $200 million a year currently.

By mid-2018, Robiki should house the entire supply chain, from animal slaughtering to finished leather production, allowing global manufacturers to source materials and export final goods in a single location, said Mohamed El Gohary, chairman of a state firm marketing the site.

"The value added of our exports will increase five times when we reach the stage where we're exporting final products like shoes and bags," Gohary said.

Foreign investors can begin purchasing space in Robiki in 2018, and the zone has received strong interest from Italian companies, Gohary said.

Egyptian exports were given a boost when Egypt floated its pound currency last year as part of an International Monetary Fund loan program.

With projects like Robiki, Egypt hopes to pull back capital that fled after its 2011 political uprising. In the fiscal year ending in June, it netted $8.7 billion in foreign direct investment and is targeting above $10 billion this year.

Around 220 tanneries are being relocated to Robiki, said Mohamed Harby, head of a leather tanning industry group.

They are moving under the orders of the government, which is paying for the transfer of machinery, constructing subsidized housing for workers and facilitating low-interest loans for businesses looking to expand.

The tanners' centuries-old home of Magra Al-Ayoon in Old Islamic Cairo, which runs along the city's ancient aqueduct, will most likely be developed into a tourist site, though plans have yet to be finalized, said Omar Khorshid, a trade ministry adviser to the Robiki project.

There, workers dye animal hides in small, ramshackle buildings without infrastructure for absorbing hazardous waste byproducts.

"Egypt a long time ago was a leader in leather tanning, and for a period of time everyone wanted to expand, but there was just no space to," Ahmed Al-Gabbas, managing director of Al-Rowad Tannery, said at his factory in Robiki.

Al-Rowad, one of the country's three largest tanneries, will complete its relocation over the next month. Gabbas said the company was using the space to scale up and triple exports over the next year.
Al Azhar University, Egypt's venerable seat of Islamic law, has been working to portray a more modern image of Islam to counter the violent versions being espoused by Islamic State, al-Qaida and other militant groups. Efforts by Al Azhar religious authorities to control the tenor of Islamic religious edicts or "fatwas" are part of the strategy that moderate forces are using to battle clerics espousing death and violence. Edward Yeranian reports for VOA from Cairo.
Abigail Agredano fears her 96-year-old mother would not survive being uprooted from their hometown in the highlands of western Mexico, where its 400 mostly elderly residents are battling a government plan to dam the nearby Rio Verde.

"If they manage to force us out, I think she and many others would die immediately," Agredano, head of the Committee to Save Temacapulin, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Damming the Rio Verde would supply water for major urban areas in the state of Jalisco and neighboring Guanajuato but leave Temacapulin and the smaller villages of Palmajero and Acasico underwater.

While the dam was proposed a dozen years ago, the campaign has grown more urgent this summer since Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval abandoned a pledge he made in 2013 to save Temacapulin.

Construction of the dam was halted at 80 meters (262 feet)after a Supreme Court ruling in 2013 and, as the partially finished dam has not been sealed, the river still runs through it.

But Sandoval, a member of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), said in late June the government now intends to raise the Zapotillo dam to 105 meters, a height that would seal the fate of the three tiny towns.

"Saving Temacapulin is no longer an affordable option," Sandoval said, because of growing water demands of the state capital Guadalajara, Mexico's second-biggest city.

Citing a recent study by the U.N. Office for Project Services that advocates raising the height of the dam to create a larger water supply, Sandoval has rejected alternatives such as building dikes to protect Temacapulin as half measures that would leave local residents at risk of flooding.

Not for sale

Settled by indigenous tribes in the sixth century, Temacapulin lies in a fertile valley where residents grow maize, beans and chiles.

Called Temaca for short, it is known for its hot springs and an iconic stone chapel built by a Catholic priest more than 250 years ago.

It is quiet, with little noise aside from chirping birds, with leafy plazas and wide cobbled streets. A sign on a scrubby hillside overlooking the town reads "Temacapulin greets you from the sixth century."

While many of its young people have left to seek economic opportunities in the United States, the elderly residents who remain have demonstrated, held fundraisers and lobbied lawmakers to save their town.

Many homes are marked with defiant murals, and a sign reading "Temacapulin" at the town's entrance has been altered with spray paint to add the word "resists."

In the days following the governor's announcement, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Guadalajara's government palace to sing protest ballads and chant "Temaca is not for sale!"

Guadalupe Espinoza, a lawyer who represents many Temacapulin residents, told the crowd the project could not legally proceed because of the 2013 court ruling that suspended its construction.

But a Jalisco government spokesman told the Thomson Reuters Foundation this hurdle could be overcome by reaching a new agreement with Guanajuato state and Mexico's National Water Commission.

Damage to social fabric

Susana Delgado, a social sciences professor at the University of Guadalajara who has studied how the threat of displacement has affected Temacapulin residents, says they are suffering stress, sleeplessness, fatigue, anger, depression and high blood pressure.

Pressure to sell their homes to the government has divided families, friends and neighbors, fueling distrust and the stigmatization of those who do sell.

"The social fabric of the community has been torn apart," Delgado said. "This is the product of a strategy implemented by the state to wear down those who resist displacement."

Consuelo Carvajal, who runs a convenience store, said she has seen how the tense situation has taken its toll. She said she thinks people are suffering heart attacks and falling ill from prolonged fear and uncertainty.

"They're worried about what will happen to their children and their homes," she said.

Carvajal, who has lived her whole life in a spacious, 200-year-old adobe house, said authorities have threatened to seize people's homes if they refuse to sell.

"It's a great injustice," she said. "These houses were built by our ancestors. We have real affection for them."

More transparency

The Jalisco government denies treating residents improperly or unfairly.

"We're not imposing anything on them," said Felipe Lugo, the State Water Commission (CEA) director in charge of relocation. "We ask them whether they prefer to be paid in cash or relocated in a new town."

Lugo said the CEA has reached agreements with almost half of Temacapulin's 344 families.

Those who agree to trade properties are relocated in Talicoyunque, a housing development built for them on a stony hilltop overlooking Temacapulin.

Talicoyunque consists of 32 modest bungalows but has no school, health center, church, shops or public transport links.

Paint is already peeling off some of the homes, and there is little fertile soil to grow crops or space to graze livestock.

Residents only have running water for two hours on every third day, and they have not been given the deeds to their new properties, almost two years after some gave up their old homes.

Article 19, a press freedom watchdog group, recently called for greater transparency after security guards barred journalists from entering the community.

Lugo said the CEA has been assigned 335 million pesos ($18.7 million) to build more homes and infrastructure, including a well to provide a constant water supply.

Residents will have "everything they need, in optimum conditions," and will receive proof of ownership once the authorities finish revising the deeds to their former properties, he said.

Many of those still in Temacapulin remain unconvinced.

"Sometimes we feel tired from fighting for so long," Agredano said. "But our love for our town gives us the strength to keep going."
A federal judge Wednesday again threw out Texas' voter identification requirements that she previously compared to a "poll tax" on minorities, dealing another court setback to state Republican leaders over voting rights.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos rejected a weakened version of the law signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott earlier this year. The new version didn't expand the list of acceptable photo identifications  meaning gun licenses remained sufficient proof to vote, but not college student IDs.

But the changes would allow a person who lacked a required ID to cast a ballot if he signed an affidavit and brought paperwork that showed his name and address, such as a bank statement or utility bill.

The U.S. Justice Department, under President Barack Obama, had joined Democrats and minority rights groups in suing over the law that was first passed in 2011.

But that position changed with President Donald Trump in charge, who has established a commission to investigate allegations of voter fraud in the 2016 elections. In February, the Justice Department abandoned the argument that Texas had passed voter ID rules with discrimination in mind and said changes signed by Abbott should satisfy the courts.

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called Wednesday's ruling "outrageous" and said an appeals court should void it.

"The U.S. Department of Justice is satisfied that the amended voter ID law has no discriminatory purpose or effect. Safeguarding the integrity of elections in Texas is essential to preserving our democracy," Paxton said in a statement.

Changes deemed insufficient

But Gonazles Ramos, who first struck down the law in 2014, said that Texas hadn't gone far enough with its changes and that criminal penalties Texas attached to lying on the affidavit could have a chilling effect on voters. Fearful of making an innocent mistake on the form, they simply wouldn't cast a ballot, she said.

Nor was Gonzales Ramos swayed by Texas' clarification under the revised law, known as Senate Bill 5, that both U.S. passport books and cards would be accepted.

"This feature remains discriminatory because SB 5 perpetuates the selection of types of ID most likely to be possessed by Anglo voters and, disproportionately, not possessed by Hispanics and African-Americans," she wrote.

Texas has spent years fighting to preserve both the voter ID law  which was among the strictest in the U.S.  and voting maps that were both passed by GOP-controlled Legislature in 2011. Earlier this month, a separate federal court found racial gerrymandering in Texas' congressional maps and ordered voting districts to be partly redrawn before the 2018 elections.

"From discriminatory gerrymandering to discriminatory voter ID laws, it has become entirely clear that Texas Republicans are rigging our election system," said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he was willing to shut down the government to get funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, complicating two must-pass measures Congress will take up in September: a spending package and raising the debt ceiling.

Here is what you need to know about both, and the potential for a shutdown of the U.S. government:

What is a shutdown?

Congress must pass annual spending bills around the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30 to fund much of the U.S. government. When disagreements prevent that, which is frequent, lawmakers often pass a temporary bill extending existing spending levels with no changes for days, weeks or months, while they work on a longer-lasting deal. When they cannot agree on either a new spending plan or a short-term extension, the government shuts down. That has happened many times since the 1970s, usually for a few days, and can rattle markets.

Congress will return from its long summer recess September 5. At that time, it will have only about 12 working days to approve spending measures to keep the government open.

What if Congress fails?

If spending measures are not passed before October 1, portions of the government will begin to shut down and nonessential employees will go without pay until an agreement is reached.

The government most recently shut down for about two weeks in October 2013 over funding for former President Barack Obama's health care law. There were three shutdowns in the 1990s, the longest lasting 21 days. In the 1970s and 1980s, there were 14 shutdowns, some partial and most lasting only a few days.

What is the debt ceiling?

The debt ceiling is a legislative limit on how much money the federal government can borrow through debt issued by the U.S. Treasury. Once the limit is reached, Congress must raise it or the government cannot continue borrowing money and would default, or be unable to pay its bills.

The Treasury has said it wants Congress to increase the debt ceiling by September 29, although default most likely could be staved off until mid-October, thanks to "extraordinary measures" the Treasury put in place in March to delay a debt reckoning.

Legislation to raise the debt limit will need to be adopted, at the very latest, by early to mid-October.

What if the ceiling is not raised?

If the debt ceiling is not raised, the government would not be able to borrow more money or pay its bills, including payments on its debts, which could hurt the U.S. credit rating.

Political gridlock has never led to the United States reaching its debt ceiling and its bills going unpaid, but there have been close calls. An August 2011 standoff cost the country its top-notch bond rating from the credit rating agency Standard & Poor's and caused the most jarring two weeks in financial markets since the 2007-09 global financial crisis.

How are the budget and debt ceiling related?

The two move on separate tracks, but are likely to get tangled together, with Republican opponents of a debt ceiling increase most likely demanding federal spending cuts. Some analysts say Congress may try to tackle both issues at the same time.

What are the politics?

Both the spending and debt ceiling bills can pass the Republican-led House of Representatives by a simple majority vote, but will need 60 votes to pass the Senate, where Republicans hold 52 of 100 seats, meaning they will need some Democratic support.

Trump made his U.S.-Mexico border wall a central promise of his 2016 presidential campaign. He also promised that Mexico would pay for the wall, but Mexico has steadfastly refused and Trump has largely stopped talking about that pledge.

Conservative House Republicans agree with the Republican president on the need for a wall and say funding for it should be a priority in any spending legislation. Some of them have already indicated they are willing to shut down the government to get it.

Moderate Republicans have called a shutdown unwise, and Republican leaders are determined to prevent one, fearing it would worsen doubts about the party's ability to govern.

Democrats are uniformly opposed to Trump's wall and say the responsibility for a shutdown would rest solely with Republicans.

The Trump administration reversed course earlier this month and said it would back a "clean" raising of the debt ceiling, meaning it would not be tied to other policy measures.

Democrats and moderate Republicans also support a clean debt-ceiling increase. But conservative Republicans, especially in the House, often use debt-ceiling legislation to insist on changes to spending, making them opposed to a clean bill.
France on Wednesday backed a commitment by U.S. President Donald Trump to maintain a military presence in Afghanistan.

"France recognizes the importance of this undertaking and remains resolutely engaged in the struggle against terrorism," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Trump on Monday rowed back on a campaign pledge to quit Afghanistan, committing instead to an open-ended "fight to win" against Taliban insurgents there.
U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley met Wednesday with the head of the United Nations atomic agency to discuss Irans compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal it signed with Western countries.

U.S. President Donald Trump has routinely criticized the deal and threatened to cancel it, raising concerns about the future of the agreement. Reports from the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), though, have shown Iran to be in compliance with the deal.

According to a read-out of the conversation between Haley and IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, Haley was pleased with the monitoring and verification work done by the agency in Iran, but she reiterated concerns about ensuring Iran strictly adheres to the obligations laid out in the agreement.

She pointed out the importance in preventing Iran from exploiting vague language in the deal and reiterated the U.S. determination to ensure the IAEA has full access to verify Irans compliance.

Trump, who in the past has accused Iran of failing to comply with the spirit of the deal, is set in October to certify to Congress whether Iran is adhering to its commitments.

On Tuesday, Haley told The Washington Post her talks with Amano were meant to gather facts surrounding the agencys access to Irans nuclear facilities.

"We have no decision made," Haley told the newspaper regarding any forthcoming decision to throw out the agreement. "What we are doing is trying to find out as much information as we can."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also threatened to walk away from the deal last week after accusing Washington of constant and repetitive breaking of its promises under the agreement.
Seventy-six years ago this week, Nazi prisoner 16670, a Polish priest named Maximilian Kolbe, died in a German concentration camp.

Kolbe had been sent to Auschwitz, perhaps the most notorious of the German death camps, in May of 1941 after his arrest by the Gestapo earlier that year.

Like so many of his countrymen, he had vehemently opposed the Nazi invasion in word and deed.

He denounced Nazi crimes in his spiritual newsletter and criticized Nazi tactics and ideology in illegal radio broadcasts.

After the Germans flooded into Poland, refugees flooded into his monastery, seeking sanctuary and safety. Kolbe helped to feed and clothe 3,000 of them  some 2,000 of whom were Jews.

Without hesitation, Kolbe hid them from the Nazis until the monastery was shuttered and he was arrested.

Throughout his life, Kolbe had felt a deep motivation to fight for Mary (the mother of Jesus) and to turn people to faith by spreading the Word of God.

Kolbe saw himself as a spiritual warrior, a soldier for God, and no place would stretch his faith more than Auschwitz.

The guards made him a particular target, frequently beating and mocking him or assigning him with impossible physical labors.

But according to accounts of fellow prisoners, Kolbe never flinched in the face of evil and never returned the hatred of his abusers.

Thats hard to imagine.

He instead retained his dignity and exhibited forgiveness and grace, relying on his faith for strength.

The good God is everywhere and provides for everything with love, he wrote to his mother shortly before his death.

In August, there was an alleged escape from the camp, and Nazi guards seeking to teach the prisoners a lesson selected 10 men for a terrible death  starvation in an underground bunker.

Kolbe was not one of those selected, but when Franciszek Gajowniczek, a stranger with a wife and family asked the guards for mercy, Kolbe granted it by volunteering to take his place.

Over the course of the next two weeks, Kolbe is said to have led his fellow prisoners in song and prayer. And when Kolbe failed to die despite his lack of food and water, he was injected with a lethal dose of carbolic acid.

Kolbe was made a saint in 1981 by Pope John Paul II. Gajowniczek, the man whose life he saved, attended his canonization.

It hardly seems a coincidence that the anniversary of Kolbes death followed a weekend during which a small but vocal group of neo-Nazis espoused the same fanatical beliefs that perpetuated the murders of Kolbe and millions of innocents, and covered the world in darkness for a few long years.

The events of Charlottesville, shamefully described by President Donald Trump, are accurately understood by the vast majority of Americans regardless of political affiliation.

Hate, in its most raw and vulgar manifestation, was on display in the streets of an otherwise peaceful college town. It claimed the life of a young woman.

But the gracious response  the necessary response  to Charlottesville, as individuals and as a nation, regardless of what our feckless leader does or does not say, is not more of the same.

Not more vile social media posts, spewing hate and foul language. Not more shaming people whose comments on the weekends events didnt display the appropriate amount of outrage.

Silence is not the answer.

Would it ask too much to find within each of us, a spark of Kolbes unrelenting faith in human kindness, of his inextinguishable fire for mercy and love?

It shouldnt.

People will take what they want from Kolbes biography. They will find inspiration in his Nazi resistance.

But the true message of his life is hope in humanity, forgiveness for enemies and self-sacrificial love for strangers.

Kolbe was declared the patron saint of the 20th century.

His example should make him a saint for all the ages, our current age especially.
Fatima's Taliban husband was so controlling that he refused to allow her to bathe and threatened to burn her face if she dared wear makeup, suspicious that his 12-year-old Afghan wife was trying to make herself attractive to other men.

He would not let her step outside their home in Afghanistan's western Farah Province, even when she fell sick, and beat her for burning her hand baking bread, complaining that her mother had taught her nothing to justify the dowry he paid.

"My father sold me to a man at a time when I didn't know anything about the responsibilities of marriage," she told Reuters in a phone interview from the capital, Kabul, where she and her young daughter are hiding.

"He became my lawful husband and began to rape me and beat me every single day for not consenting [to sex]," said the 18-year-old, who would not give her full name.

Child and forced marriage are outlawed but remain common in Afghanistan, particularly among poor families eager for dowries.

Half of all girls are married by the age of 15.

Among the most invisible victims are the wives of Islamist Taliban hardliners who, when in power, barred women from education and most work and ordered them to wear burqas outside the home, before being overthrown in 2001 by U.S.-led forces.

"Being family members of the most dangerous and ruthless fighters who have plenty of enemies among the people makes it difficult for these women," said Shukria Barakzai, a parliamentarian and women's rights campaigner. "They are treated as sex slaves and left completely helpless."

Agonized, emboldened

When their militant husbands die, life often gets worse for young Taliban brides. Their families are too scared to take them in, society treats them as pariahs, and they risk further violent abuse as unprotected single women.

About a year into their marriage, Fatima's 25-year-old husband  she calls him a "veteran criminal" with stockpiles of ammunition in their home  blew up a police officer and was jailed for 18 years.

He was released in late 2016, after serving just four years  a common phenomenon in Afghanistan, where the Taliban often hold influence over the government.

But he never came home.

His brothers told Fatima they believed he had sacrificed himself in a suicide attack and become a martyr.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, estimates that several hundred women become Taliban widows each year.

"My brother-in-law was planning to force me to marry him and sell my four-year-old daughter to a Taliban commander," she said, referring to the dowry that would be paid for her child.

"This evil plan agonized me and at the same time emboldened me to run away, regardless of the consequences."

Under the pretext of attending a village wedding with her mother-in-law, Fatima ran away with her child.

Her father would not take her in, but her cousins helped her get to Kabul.

"Every one of my in-laws is a Taliban member and they vowed to slay my whole family to bring justice," she said.

To the Taliban, justice means killing Fatima and her family for the shame she brought by running away from home.

Jihadis in training

Zari, another Taliban widow, who was forcibly married at the age of 14, was not so lucky.

Three years after her husband died in a suicide attack, she remains trapped in southern Afghanistan's Helmand Province, tormented by his cousins who rape her repeatedly and are raising her sons, aged nine and 11, to become jihadis.

The men, who are members of the Taliban, come to the house where she lives with her elderly mother-in-law a couple of times a week to rape her, threatening to kill her if she tells anyone.

"I urge the government to rescue me and my sons as their future is in grave danger," the 26-year-old, who declined to give her real name, said in a phone interview.

"They plan to send both of my sons to Pakistan to participate in jihad. ... They take my elder son for religious indoctrination and training to become a militant like his father."

Neither the government nor rights groups can access Taliban widows living with their in-laws in remote, rebel-controlled territory. Conflict makes it impossible for them to provide for themselves, forcing them to live with their in-laws.

Neither boy goes to school because Zari cannot afford books or uniforms with the money she earns weaving or from her cows.

"I want to escape with my sons, but my family is not ready to accept me and jeopardize themselves," she said, adding that her family did not know they were marrying her into the Taliban.

Afghanistan has about 5 million widows, said a spokeswoman for the women's affairs ministry, Kobra Rezai. It can only afford to provide about 100,000 of them with about $100 a month in financial support and skills training, she said.

None are Taliban widows.

The government does not want to be seen to be supporting them, Rezai said, a position condemned by Barakzai, the parliamentarian.

"Circumstances push [Taliban widows] into a precarious position and compel them to continue their lives as sex slaves in the hands of Taliban," she said. "Even their children have no way out of this vicious trap."
Japan has begun conducting a series of emergency drills in response to the perceived threat of a North Korean missile strike. Pyongyang has test-fired more than a dozen missiles into the Japan Sea this year. Many experts believe North Korea is on the brink of producing nuclear weapons to top those missiles. As Henry Ridgwell reports from Kobe, many Japanese fear that as an ally of the United States, Japan could be targeted by North Korea or be caught in the crossfire of any conflict.
A conservative firebrand promoting President Donald Trump's unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud oversees a Kansas election system that threw out at least three times as many ballots as any similarly sized state did, fueling concerns about massive voter suppression should its practices become the national standard.



Only six states  all among the top 10 in population  discarded more votes during the 2016 election than the 33rd-largest state of Kansas, according to data collected by the bipartisan U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a federal agency that certifies voting systems. Kansas' 13,717 rejected ballots even topped the 13,461 from Florida, which has about seven times as many residents.



Critics of Kansas' election system argue its unusually high number of discarded ballots reflects policies shaped over several elections that have resulted in many legitimate voters being kept off voter rolls in an effort to crack down on a few illegitimate ones.



There is particular attention on Kansas now because its secretary of state, Kris Kobach, is co-chairman of Trump's Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. The architect of strict election policies requiring voter ID and proof of citizenship, Kobach has suggested Kansas' rules could become a national panacea for voter fraud, which Trump  without providing proof  blames for Hillary Clinton's popular vote victory.



"It is somewhat ironic that [Kobach] is claiming to really care about the integrity of voter rolls when this suggests that there may be a real problem that Kansas has with keeping voter rolls up to date,'' said Wendy Weiser, director of the Brennan Center for Justice's Democracy Program.



Kansas Elections Director Bryan Caskey argues it is difficult to compare states because their election laws differ and that Kansas officials are actually more aggressive than other states at getting ballots in the hands of would-be voters.



"I am understandably a little defensive about it because our routine is that if you walk in the door you get a ballot," Caskey said. "... Even if there is no way that ballot is going to count, to at least give us a chance to do a little research to see if we can count it, and many states don't do that."



Under federal law, almost all states are required to hand out a provisional ballot to anyone who shows up at a polling place but isn't listed on the voter rolls. The purpose of provisional ballots is to preserve the ballot until a voter's eligibility is determined and alert officials of a breakdown in election administration, so Weiser argues a high number of them could be "a red flag that something is quite wrong."



Jason Kander, the former Democratic secretary of state in neighboring Missouri, says it's "not at all true" that poll workers in Kansas hand out provisional ballots to voters who would've been turned away in other states. He argues most election officials are aggressive about handing out regular ballots whenever possible because the provisional ones can be thrown out for something as small as a sloppy signature.



Missouri discarded 3,803 ballots in November  about a quarter of Kansas' total. Kansas gave out 40,872 provisional ballots, compared to 5,511 for Missouri.



"Secretary Kobach uses every trick that he can to make it as hard as possible for eligible voters to cast a ballot  whether it is unconstitutional legislation, targeting immigrants or forcing more eligible voters to use provisional ballots,'' said Kander, president of Let America Vote, a voting rights advocacy group. "He is on a crusade to stop people from voting and now the president of the United States has given him a bigger platform.''



According to Kobach's office, Kansas did reject 931 provisional ballots because voters either lacked documentary proof of citizenship when they registered or failed to show sufficient identification at the polls.



By far the largest chunk of the state's rejected ballots  10,148  was due to other polling-site issues such as voters who were not registered in the state or who tried to cast ballots at precincts in the wrong jurisdiction.



In Kansas, if a voter moves to another county without updating the registration address, the entire ballot is discarded. However, when a voter shows up in the wrong polling place but the correct county, the only votes that are counted are the races that overlap both jurisdictions. Kansas had 22,726 ballots that were partially counted in 2016.



The Kansas policy on out-of-county voting is much stricter than rules in many other states. Some states, including California and Ohio, hand out provisional ballots as a way to update their lists of voter addresses and then counts the full verified ballot.



Fifteen states, plus the District of Columbia, also allow people to register and cast a ballot on the same day, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Kobach derailed a bill during the last legislative session that would have instituted same-day registration in Kansas.



Some Kansas voters  although the exact number is unclear  even went to the polls incorrectly believing they had legally registered, misled by erroneous confirmations the online registration system generated. Emails Kobach's office provided to The Associated Press under an open records request show problems with the online system dated back months before the general election, although state officials did not recognize it as a systemic glitch until the month before the election.



The office explained it didn't tell the public about the problem because it had received only "occasional reports of a few people." Instead, county officials were told to only count the ballots of unregistered voters who produced a computer printout of the online confirmation. Anyone without such proof received a provisional ballot, but those were later discarded.



Doug Bonney, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said his group heard from several people who were affected by the website bug.



"They were rightly outraged by it," Bonney said. "They thought they had done everything they needed to, and had a confirmation that they were in fact registered, and it turned out to be false."


A 23-year-old university student, who broke the mould of Kenya's corrupt political system by getting elected to parliament after a campaign conducted on foot, says Kenyans are gradually learning not to choose leaders who simply buy their vote.

John Paul Mwirigi, was elected this month to the rural constituency of Igembe South, at the foot of Mount Kenya, beating four well-funded candidates, who roared around the tea and banana farming area in convoys of sleek four-by-four vehicles.

Works at tea factory

Mwirigi, who supported himself by casual employment at a tea factory before launching his campaign as an independent, said he had had to educate the electorate on the dangers of voting for candidates who give them handouts.

I explained to them that a leader who is giving them a lot of money, that leader will not deliver but what he will do first is just take back his money, then he will stay for five years without doing anything for them," he told Reuters by phone.

He is now Kenya's youngest member of parliament.

Transparency campaigners says the East African nation has a history of high profile corruption in which ill-gotten proceeds are used to sway voters in general elections every five years.

Boniface Mwangi, a well known anti-corruption activist who ran for a parliamentary seat in the capital Nairobi, ended up third behind two large-party candidates.

Many perks for legislators

Kenyan legislators enjoy some of the highest salaries in the world and other perks including lucrative travel and other allowances, as well as subsidized car and home loans.

Helicopters featured heavily in campaigns for the Aug. 8 election as politicians combed for votes in remote villages, where voters often turned up for rallies wearing party colors distributed beforehand.

As an independent candidate without cash, Mwirigi did not enjoy that luxury  something that his opponents thought would doom his campaign.

His modest campaign drew taunts from his opponents.

My opponents were just abusing me because they saw nothing in me, he said. They mocked him for wearing just one sweater, having no car and not handing out any printed posters.

Voters are wiser

His win of more than 18,000 votes, against 15,000 for his closest competitor who was sponsored by the ruling Jubilee party, showed voters were getting wiser, he said.

They understand that a good leader is not somebody who normally gives them cash. It is somebody who can advise them on how they can conduct themselves to get something, he said.

His priorities include helping other young people in the area to start small businesses and get skills training to help them secure jobs, he said.
The city of Los Angeles on Tuesday sought to join a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice over federal restrictions on some law enforcement grants to so-called sanctuary cities, according to a court filing.

The state of California and city of San Francisco earlier this month filed legal challenges that accused the administration of President Donald Trump of improperly trying to force local jurisdictions to enforce national immigration law by imposing funding conditions.

In proposed legal claims filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, attorneys for Los Angeles called the Justice Department's proposals "unconstitutional on their face." A judge would have to approve Los Angeles' request to intervene in the existing San Francisco lawsuit.

Devin O'Malley, a spokesman for the Justice Department, said it was "baffling" that the city would challenge policies designed to keep residents safer, given that violent crime has risen in Los Angeles since 2014.

Violent crime has gone up in the past three years, but it is still well below historical levels. In 1992, 1,094 people were killed in the city, according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting statistics. In 2016, the Los Angeles Police Department reported 294 homicides.

Executive order

Trump issued a broad executive order in January targeting wide swaths of federal funding for cities that generally offer illegal immigrants safe harbor by declining to use municipal resources to enforce federal immigration laws.

A San Francisco judge, however, drastically limited the scope of that policy in a previous lawsuit filed by the city of San Francisco.

The Justice Department then sought to impose conditions on a national grant for local law enforcement that mandates access to local jails for federal immigration officials as well as 48 hours' notice before releasing anyone wanted for immigration violations.

Sanctuary cities generally offer safe harbor to illegal immigrants and often do not use municipal funds or resources to enforce federal immigration laws.

The city of Chicago has also filed a lawsuit challenging the Justice Department's funding conditions. Last week, the suit drew the ire of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The Trump administration contends that local authorities endanger public safety when they decline to hand over for deportation illegal immigrants arrested for crimes.

Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson in a statement called the city "a beacon of light for the rest of the country because we do not compromise our values, regardless of what the federal government demands."
U.S. President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday emphasized their plans to cooperate on shared goals, following weeks of tensions between the two Republicans.

The White House and McConnell issued statements after media reports that McConnell's relationship with the Republican president had disintegrated amid repeated attacks by Trump on the Senate leader for, among other things, failing to get a health care bill passed.

Trump and McConnell "remain united on many shared priorities, including middle class tax relief, strengthening the military, constructing a southern border wall, and other important issues," the White House said in a statement.

It said the two would hold previously scheduled meetings following the August recess to discuss the issues with members of the congressional leadership and the Cabinet.

"The President and I, and our teams, have been and continue to be in regular contact about our shared goals," McConnell said in his statement.



'A lot of work ahead of us'

He cited support for infrastructure legislation and tax reform, as well as preventing a government default, passing defense bills and implementing an effective strategy against Islamic State.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we are committed to advancing our shared agenda together and anyone who suggests otherwise is clearly not part of the conversation," McConnell said.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that McConnell and Trump were locked in a political "cold war," especially after an August 9 phone call it said devolved into a shouting match. On that day and the next, Trump assailed McConnell via Twitter, angered by a speech McConnell had given saying Trump had "excessive expectations" of Congress.

Trump has kept up the pressure on Congress this week, threatening on Tuesday to shut down the government if lawmakers do not fund the building of a wall along the border with Mexico.

Trump also kept up an attack on another senator whom McConnell has defended, Republican Jeff Flake of Arizona, a longtime critic of the president over his trade and immigration policies.
Mexico and Canada on Wednesday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threat to scrap NAFTA, describing it as a negotiating tactic aimed at winning the upper hand in talks to update one of the world's biggest trading blocs.

At a campaign-style rally in Arizona on Tuesday night, Trump cast doubt on any deal to improve the North American Free Trade Agreement and said "we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point."

Initial talks between Mexico, the United States and Canada to update NAFTA ended in Washington over the weekend amid signs of deep division on key issues. Further discussions are due to start in Mexico City on Sept. 1.

Trump has long called the 1994 treaty a bad deal that hurt American workers, saying it should be renegotiated or ended.

Trump's top trade official, Robert Lighthizer, underscored the NAFTA termination threat on Wednesday, saying the United States was seeking "substantial changes to address its fundamental failures."

"President Trump has been clear from the very beginning that if the NAFTA renegotiation is unsuccessful, he will withdraw from the agreement," Lighthizer said in a statement issued by the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Trump's comments initially pushed Mexico's peso currency down more than 1 percent but it later recovered its losses. The peso has been sensitive to Trump's anti-NAFTA rhetoric, touching record lows shortly after his election in November 2016 on fears that he would raise tariffs on Mexican goods.

Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray sought to brush off Trump's threat, saying the comments would not scare Mexico in the negotiations.

"He's negotiating in his own particular style," he told Mexican television.

Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo added in a statement that Mexico has a "Plan B very clearly defined" in case NAFTA talks fail, but declined to provide details.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking to reporters in Montreal, said his officials would "stay focused on the hard work we have ahead of us at the negotiating table ... I don't see anything changing in that."

He did not directly refer to Trump's remarks.

A Canadian official earlier said the government had been bracing for moments of turbulence.

"This was always a card we knew the president would likely play ... it may have been a bit earlier than expected," said the official, who declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the situation.
Aung San Suu Kyis new government received a mix of encouraging and discouraging feedback in the first major survey of public opinion in Myanmar since the National League for Democracy (NLD) officially took power more than a year ago.

Carried out from March 9 to April 1 by Myanmar Survey Research under the auspices of the U.S.-based International Republican Institute (IRI), the poll sought answers from thousands of residents in 15 different regions and states.

The findings, released on August 22 in Yangon, were all the more revealing when stacked up against results from a similar IRI survey carried out under the military-backed administration of President Thein Sein in 2014, with the current government not faring as well by comparison.

Fewer think Myanmar is headed in the right direction.



For instance, 88 percent of respondents said the country was headed in the right direction in 2014, versus 75 percent in the new poll. Some 73 percent appraised the economic situation as somewhat good in 2014, versus 53 percent today. Asked if the current government was doing a good job, 58 percent said it was, but that number dipped from 69 percent three years ago.

The 2014 poll results raised eyebrows among some observers who thought it overstated support for the military.

Reforms, peace process



In a way, however, the numbers are not shocking. Though Myanmar was still racked by conflict, Thein Sein headed up welcome reforms that included ending pre-publication censorship, freeing political prisoners and broadening access to the Internet, creating stark contrasts with the days of junta rule.

But the military retains significant levels of ministerial and parliamentary control through the constitution, and some have suggested the NLD's election landslide in 2015 raised unrealistic hopes that Myanmar would improve rapidly now that Aung San Suu Kyi was at the helm. A year later, the reality may be settling in.

The questions posed in the survey ranged widely, covering socioeconomic issues, the media, regional autonomy, natural resources and state-level parliaments, said Darin Bielecki, resident program officer for IRI.



We surveyed 3,000 people across the country, which is a very big sample size, he said.



The opinion poll revealed contrasts between international and local perceptions.

Economy

Aung San Suu Kyi has faced criticism for not speaking up in defense of human rights and ethnic minorities. But in the survey, the performance of the economy weighed most heavily on the minds of those interviewed, with most saying it should be the number one priority, and 60 percent preferring prosperity to a democratic form of government.

Still, there were bright spots.

More than 50 percent of respondents said things had gotten better when it comes to the democratic process over the past year, while only 31 percent said the situation remained the same and 8 percent thought it had gotten worse. More than a third of respondents said for the most part people are not afraid to express political views, though only a slightly smaller number said, most are afraid.

The answers also seemed to hint at a certain patience among the electorate, given the fact that the NLD has only been in power for about 17 months, and that it inherited problems tied to decades of military rule. More than a third of respondents said they expected the government to start delivering more results by the end of their current terms.

The 2015 elections, that elevated the NLD into office, filled national and regional parliaments with first-time politicians, and that inexperience shows. More than 95 percent of interviewees said they had not been contacted by a member of the national or state government over the past year, while 81 percent said they would welcome the engagement.

Fake news

The survey also touched on the media, with most of the respondents listing fake news as one of the things they disliked most about Facebook, and 38 percent saying they got most if not all of their news from the social media platform.

Aung San Suu Kyis government has placed great weight on peace talks with ethnic armed groups, and has largely advocated a peace before development of a position.

Sectarian conflict and the peace process ranked high among concerns, but not above the economy.

Nyan Win, a member of the NLDs Central Executive Committee, said while he had not seen the results of the survey, he is not surprised the economy featured prominently, saying it was the most important thing for our country.

But he reiterated that stopping conflict would have to come first.

In the first year of the governmenttheir priority is the peace process, peace meetings. And they dont neglect the economy, but the economy is not a priority, he said. The first priority is peace, to make peace in the whole country.

The margin of error in the poll was plus or minus 1.8 percent.
U.S. President Donald Trump would be required to notify U.S. lawmakers before creating a joint U.S.-Russia cybersecurity unit, an idea that has drawn criticism across the political spectrum, under legislation advancing in Congress.

The proposal, if it becomes law, would be the latest in a series of maneuvers by Congress that either limit the presidents authority on Russia matters or rebuke his desire to warm relations with Moscow.

A provision contained within the annual Intelligence Authorization Act and passed by the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee 14-1 would require the Trump administration to provide Congress with a report describing what intelligence would be shared with Russia, any counterintelligence concerns and how those concerns would be addressed.

Election meddling

The bill, which grants congressional approval for clandestine operations carried out by the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies, passed the Senate Intelligence Committee in July, but its text was only recently made public because it involves sensitive intelligence operations.

Trump last month said via Twitter that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had discussed establishing an impenetrable Cyber Security unit to address issues like the risk of cyber meddling in elections.

Trump quickly backpedaled on the idea, which was criticized by Democrats, senior Republicans and the National Security Agency director.

The White House and Senator Richard Burr, the Republican chairman of the intelligence panel, were not immediately available for comment on the bill.

Warmer Russia relations

Trump wants to improve relations with Russia, a desire that has been hamstrung by the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Republican Trump against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

U.S. congressional panels and a special counsel are investigating the interference and possible collusion between Russia and members of Trumps campaign. Moscow has denied any meddling and Trump has denied any collusion.

Previous checks on Trump

Previously, Congress tied the presidents hands on Russia by passing a bill that Trump cannot ease the sanctions against Russia unless he seeks congressional approval.

In August, the Senate blocked Trump from being able to make recess appointments while lawmakers were on break, fearing the president would fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions over his handling of the Russian probe.

Lawmakers have also introduced legislation to stop Trump from having the ability to fire Robert Mueller, the special counsel appointed to determine whether there was collusion between Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and Moscow.

The annual Intelligence Authorization Act requires approval by the full Senate and House and the presidents signature before it can become law. No vote has been scheduled and the last act was passed by Congress in March.

The legislations provision requiring notification of any U.S.-Russia cybersecurity unit was pushed by Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, his office said Tuesday.

Wyden also helped secure provisions in the bill that call for an intelligence report assessing the threat posed to the United States by Russian money laundering and another report examining whether cyber vulnerabilities in U.S. cell networks, including a known bug in the global mobile network Signaling System No. 7, or SS7, are being exploited by foreign governments to conduct surveillance on Americans.

Wyden was the lone committee vote against the bill, however.

He said in a statement Tuesday that he objected to language that identified the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks as a non-state hostile intelligence service because doing so could have implications for journalists.
Pakistans military chief reacted strongly Wednesday to President Donald Trumps accusations that Islamabad takes billions of dollars in aid money from Washington and helps militants plotting deadly terrorist attacks against American troops in Afghanistan.

We are not looking for any material or financial assistance from USA, but trust, understanding and acknowledgement of our contributions, General Qamar Javed Bajwa told the U.S. ambassador in a meeting at Pakistan armys headquarters in Rawalpindi.

While announcing his long-awaited Afghan policy, Trump harshly criticized Pakistan, asserting Washington is paying Islamabad billions and billions of dollars, but the South Asian nation is sheltering the terrorists U.S. forces are fighting on the other side of the border.

Bajwa in his meeting with Ambassador David Hale reiterated that peace in Afghanistan is as important for Pakistan as for any other country.

Collaboration

We have done a lot towards that end and shall keep on doing our best, not to appease anyone, but in line with our national interest and national policy, noted the Pakistani military chief.

The general underscored the need for collaboration and synergy of effort among stakeholders to successfully bring the long Afghan war to its logical conclusion.

U.S. and Afghan officials allege the Pakistani militarys spy agency is facilitating Taliban insurgents and militants of the dreaded Haqqani network to launch attacks in Afghanistan.

Hale said the United States values Pakistans role in the war against terrorism and seeks cooperation from Islamabad to resolve the Afghan issue, according to the army statement.

Pakistani security forces have uprooted all terrorist bases on their soil, including that of the Haqqani network, and have also shared evidence with top American military officials who visited Islamabad just days before Trump delivered his speech, officials insist.

The [Pakistan] army chief made an offer to them that you [U.S] pick up a point, you chose the time because you say there are training camps in Pakistan and lets go and you would see it for yourself whether they are there, Ghafoor told VOA.

The spokesman said the military has been working closely with American counterparts in fighting regional terrorism and is ready to work with the United States to address each other's "reservations" to carry forward the war.

Kashmir an issue

A separate statement from Pakistans Foreign Ministry said it is disappointing the U.S. president ignored the enormous sacrifices Pakistanis have made in fighting terrorism.

No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders, according to the ministry.

It did not name any country, but Islamabad consistently accuses rival India of using New Delhis growing influence, particularly in security institutions of Afghanistan to support and orchestrate terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

The ministry statement attempted to link Afghan stability to the resolution of Pakistans long-running Kashmir territorial dispute with India.

The threat to peace and security cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies. Non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region, it said.
During President Donald Trumps remarkably equivocal Charlottesville, Va., press conference last week, he raised a question worth consideration:

This week its Robert E. Lee. I noticed that Stonewall Jackson is coming down. I wonder is it George Washington next week, and is it Thomas Jefferson the week after? You know, you really have to ask yourself, where does it stop?

Its a good question. Trump, of course, is using it disingenuously to support his unseemly non-position on white supremacy, but its instructive to ask ourselves why more Americans are favoring the removal or destruction of statues commemorating the heroes of the Old South but not clamoring to tear down the Washington monument or rename our nations capital.

George Washington did, indeed, own slaves, which makes him, by definition, a white supremacist. And he wasnt a particularly benevolent master. He was reluctant to flog his slaves and break up slave families, but this wasnt a hard-and-fast rule for him, and sometimes he bowed to necessity.

He worked his slaves hard, often from sunup to sundown, six days a week. And despite his reluctance to separate slave families, he did not allow that scruple to interfere with the economic necessities of running a Virginia plantation.

Its tempting to give George and Martha a pass because they were born into a culture that saw the subjugation of blacks as part of the normal order of the universe. In fact, when a trusted slave occasionally tried to escape, they were hurt as much as angered that a black man or woman might want to reject their care and benevolence.

But plenty of other Colonials knew better. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and many others recognized that slavery is evil. In fact, Washington himself knew it was wrong; he always had long-range plans to emancipate his slaves but never got around to implementing them.

So whats the difference between George Washington and Robert E. Lee? A quick answer might be that Washington was hoping to create and establish our nation and Lee was doing his best to destroy it.

But I think remoteness in time is relevant as well. In some ways, the Colonial world can seem as distant as the days of Arthurian legend, a period of American history steeped in superstition and scientific ignorance, when white males predominated, medicine was primitive, punishments were brutal, Indians were massacred and witch-burning was only a few generations out of date.

The Civil War, on the other hand, is comparatively recent, much more of the modern era. Im not that old  OK, Im 68- but I was in elementary school when Life magazine reported the death of the last Civil War veteran. The Civil War remains present in the minds of many Americans. It has never been entirely resolved, and the iconography of the Confederacy is still immensely powerful.

Its so powerful that it can galvanize the deranged  such as Dylann Roof, the Charleston, S.C., shooter, and James Fields, charged with killing a woman in Charlottesville  to unspeakable acts of violence.

And it serves as the culture in which the virus of racial hatred and white supremacy thrives. As long as the heroes of the Confederacy  Lee, Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson  are honored and memorialized in public places, they will serve as rallying points for racial haters.

No one is rallying around George Washington or Thomas Jefferson. They were racists and white supremacists, but no one looks to them to affirm those repugnant values.

In some respects, citizens and organizations that want to preserve the heritage of the Old South have overplayed their hands. Theyve allowed the courage and principles of the heroes of the Confederacy  as misguided as they were  to be hijacked and put into the service of a hateful ideology that has been a part of the fabric of our nation from the beginning.

Heres the distinction that Trump fails to make: For all their faults, Washington and Jefferson helped create the elusive American ideal of equality, justice and tolerance. Lee, Jackson and Davis gave up on it.
Panama's government said on Tuesday that from October Venezuelans wishing to enter the country would need a visa, accusing the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of undermining democracy at home and security abroad.

Speaking a few days after a visit to Panama by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, the country's president Juan Carlos Varela said the visa requirement would take effect on October 1 and remain in place until "democratic order" was restored in Venezuela.

"Given the break in the democratic order in Venezuela, a situation that puts at risk our security, our economy ... and after a careful analysis, I've taken the decision to demand visas from Venezuelan citizens wanting to travel to Panama," Varela said in a brief televised message to the nation.

Varela said the situation in Venezuela had deteriorated since the government decided to press ahead with a 545-member constituent assembly in the face of strong criticism from around the Americas, including the United States and Mexico.

On Friday, the assembly granted itself lawmaking powers, dealing a new blow to the opposition-controlled congress, whose decisions have been nullified by the pro-government Supreme Court.

Large numbers of Venezuelans have left their country due to economic and political turmoil. According to Varela, some 60,000 Venezuelans have moved to Panama in the last six years.
Police in Phoenix, Arizona, used tear gas late Tuesday to disperse groups of protesters from outside the site where President Donald Trump had just given a campaign-style rally.

Ahead of the address, police worked to keep Trump protesters and supporters separated, but there were minor scuffles and shouting matches as hundreds of people lined up outside the citys convention center to enter the rally.
Qatar said Wednesday that it had decided to return its ambassador to Tehran, more than 20 months after he was recalled in protest over the ransacking of Saudi Arabia's missions in Iran.

Demonstrators in Iran were angry at Riyadh's execution of a Shi'ite Muslim cleric convicted on terrorism charges.

The Qatari decision came amidst a row between Doha and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council members Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, which together with Egypt accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism, a charge it denies.

"Qatar announced that its ambassador to Tehran will return to resume his diplomatic duties," the Qatari foreign ministry's information office said in a statement in Arabic on its website.

It added that Doha wanted to strengthen ties in all fields with the Islamic republic.

Foreign ministers speak

The information office also said that Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed "bilateral relations and means of boosting and developing them" in a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Qatar recalled its ambassador to Tehran in January last year after Saudi Arabia cut ties with the Islamic republic, accusing it of failing to protect its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashahd against demonstrators who had ransacked them.

The Qatari foreign ministry did not say when the ambassador would return to Tehran.

Iran has allowed Qatar's national carrier to use its airspace and sent fresh food supplies to Doha after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties and cut transport and trade ties with Doha in June.

In the dispute with Qatar, the four countries have also accused Doha of cozying up to arch foe Iran, a charge it denies, saying other Gulf countries had even warmer ties with Tehran.
The U.S. Navy has dismissed the commander of the 7th Fleet after several collisions involving warships, including one Monday that killed 10 U.S. sailors.

Navy Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Scott Swift relieved Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin Wednesday, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command, according to a statement.

Aucoin was scheduled to retire in January, but his departure was moved up after the USS John S. McCain became the second U.S. guided-missile destroyer to collide with a commercial vessel in as many months.

The Navy said that Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer, who had been named to succeed Aucoin earlier, will assume command immediately.

Multiple recent collisions

Scott said at a news conference Tuesday that divers have recovered human remains from the ship, which suffered significant damage.

U.S. investigators are trying to determine what led to the collision with a Liberian tanker ship near the Strait of Malacca. Navy photos show a gaping hole below the waterline on the destroyers port side. Some sleeping areas and communications rooms flooded as a result.

In response to the incident, the Navy ordered an immediate operational pause across the U.S. fleet.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said a pause of one to two days will give commanders a chance to evaluate everything from how officers conduct themselves on the bridge to shipwide working conditions.

Theres something out there that were not getting at, Richardson told Pentagon reporters late Monday. However, he added, there is no indication so far that anyone intentionally caused the collision.

Mourning the lost sailors

The White House Press Office released a statement Tuesday mourning the deaths of the 10 U.S. sailors.

As the Navy begins the process of recovering our fallen sailors, our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends, the statement said.

We are grateful for the rescue and recovery efforts of the officers and crew of the USS John S. McCain, the Malaysian Coast Guard, Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Singaporean Navy, the White House statement said, adding that the Defense Department will conduct a thorough and complete investigation of the incident.

Richardson has also ordered a broader investigation that will look at potential root causes for what he described as a series of mishaps at sea  from training and operational tempo to equipment and maintenance. He said that effort would bring in experts from outside the Navy to make sure nothing is overlooked.

In the earlier collision involving a U.S. destroyer, seven sailors from the USS Fitzgerald died when their ship hit a container ship in waters off Japan. The Navy relieved the ships captain of his command, and further punitive actions are expected following an inquiry that found poor seamanship and flaws in keeping watch contributed to the collision.

The USS McCain is named for the father and grandfather of U.S. Senator John McCain, both of them four-star Navy admirals. The senator also was a naval officer, an aviator who spent six years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.

Steve Herman contributed to this report.
Romania's justice minister proposed a significant overhaul of the judicial system Wednesday, which the president called an attack on the rule of law that would set the country back a decade.

Romania is seen as one of the European Union's most corrupt states, and Brussels keeps its justice system under special monitoring.

Attempts by the ruling coalition of Social Democrats and junior partner ALDE to weaken a crackdown on high-level corruption triggered the country's largest street protests in decades at the start of the year.

Justice Minister Tudorel Toader proposed a slew of changes on Wednesday, ranging from a change in the way chief prosecutors are appointed to establishment of a special prosecuting unit for crimes committed by magistrates.

"The proposals ... constitute an attack against the rule of law, the independence and proper functioning of the judiciary as well as the anti-corruption fight," centrist President Klaus Iohannis said in a statement.

"If this mix of measures is adopted by the government and approved by parliament, Romania's efforts for more than 10 years will be wiped out and the justice system will go back to a time when it was subordinated to politics."

Under Romanian law, the president appoints chief prosecutors who have been proposed by the justice minister and received nonbinding approval from the Superior Magistrates Council (CSM), the top watchdog that safeguards judicial independence.

Judicial inspection control

Toader also proposed that the justice minister, who is politically appointed, take control of the judicial inspection unit from the CSM. Analysts and magistrates have said this would lead to political interference in the justice system.

The prosecutor general's office said these proposals were an alarm signal, adding that prosecutors had not been consulted.

Toader declined to answer questions but told reporters the proposals were "within normal and necessary parameters for the rule of law."

The proposals will be send to the CSM for an opinion before being submitted to the government and ultimately parliament for approval.
South Koreas top trade negotiator said Tuesday that Seoul will not discuss renegotiation of the free trade agreement with the U.S. without first looking into what is really causing the U.S. trade imbalance.

Speaking after a video conference with U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer, South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyung-chong said Seoul proposed a joint study with Washington to evaluate the impact of the 5-year-old bilateral trade deal and the cause of the U.S. trade deficit.

We did not agree to the unilateral proposal from the U.S. to amend the Korea-U.S. FTA, Kim told reporters in a briefing after a talk with U.S. trade representatives. We made our position clear that investigation, analysis and evaluation of the impact of the Korea-U.S. FTA must be preceded.

Two sides, two views

The two sides found they had different views on the impact of the free trade deal and could not reach any agreement during the talks, he added. Kim said Seoul will be waiting for Washingtons response to its proposal for the joint study.

The countries trade officials held their first talks in Seoul, in what Washington hoped would lead to discussing amendment or modification of the trade deal that took effect five years ago under President Barack Obama.

The U.S. trade official said discussions will continue.

Unfortunately, too many American workers have not benefited from the agreement, Lighthizer said in a statement posted on the USTR website. President Trump is committed to substantial improvements in the Korean agreement that address the trade imbalance and ensure that the deal is fully implemented.

Trade deal and trade deficit

The Trump administration criticized the pact with its ally, saying that the U.S. trade deficit with South Korea had doubled since the deal went into effect. The U.S. trade deficit with South Korea widened from $13.2 billion in 2011 to $27.6 billion last year.

But South Korea said the deal has been beneficial to both countries. The U.S. runs a trade surplus with South Korea in services such as banking and tourism, estimated at $10.7 billion in 2016. South Korea also believes that the FTA is not the cause of the U.S. trade imbalance, and that other, complex factors in the global economy are to blame.

The Trump administration is seeking to renegotiate the trade deal with South Korea as part of its broader efforts to reduce the U.S. trade deficit. It has begun an effort to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada.

South Korea is the sixth-largest trading partner for the U.S., while the U.S. is South Koreas second-largest trading partner.
Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia, hit last week by two Islamist militant attacks which killed 15 people, is to deploy more police, install bollards in Barcelona and step up security around stations and tourist landmarks.

The aim is to strike a balance between security and not overloading residents with restrictions.

"We're looking at introducing [street] obstacles that could be mobile," Joaquin Forn, who is in charge of home affairs in Catalonia, told a news conference on Wednesday.

A van plowed into crowds of tourists and local residents on Barcelona's crowded Las Ramblas boulevard last Thursday, killing 13 people. Two others were killed during the driver's getaway and in a separate attack in Cambrils.

The Barcelona rampage reignited a row over how cities can better prevent such attacks. Militants have used trucks and cars as weapons to kill nearly 130 people in France, Germany, Britain, Sweden and Spain over the past 13 months.

Catalan authorities may also erect some permanent barriers and turn some streets into pedestrian-only thoroughfares, Forn said.

The regional capital, which receives around 30 million visitors a year, is home to several landmarks designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, including the towering Sagrada Familia.

Forn added that some 10 percent more police would be deployed.

Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for the attacks in Catalonia, issued a video via one of its official channels on Wednesday showing two of its fighters making threats in Spanish against Spain, interspersed with images of the aftermath of the Barcelona attack.

One fighter pledged to avenge Muslim blood spilled by the Spanish Inquisition, established in 1478, and what he said was the killing Spain was currently engaged in against Islamic State.

This was an apparent reference to Iraq, where Spain has several hundred soldiers training local forces in the fight against Islamic State.

European connections?

Investigators are still looking into whether the suspects behind last week's attacks had links to France or Belgium and are examining their movements over recent weeks as they look for connections to possible cells elsewhere in Europe.

The car used in the attack in Cambrils, south of Barcelona, was caught on camera speeding in the Paris region days earlier.

"We are still trying to establish why they were in the Paris area," French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told reporters at a joint news conference in Paris with his Spanish counterpart on Wednesday.

Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said France and Spain would continue to reinforce border checks and step up information exchanges, including of passenger information in real time.

One of the suspects has said the leader of the militant group was an imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, who died a day before the Barcelona attack when a house the group was using to build bombs blew up.

Court officials in Spain's Valencia region said on Wednesday that Spain had issued an expulsion order against Es Satty after he served a four-year jail term for drug trafficking but that this was annulled by a court in 2015 after Es Satty appealed.

The judge at the time overturned the expulsion order partly because Es Satty had employment roots in Spain which he said "shows his efforts to integrate in Spanish society."

A dozen Islamist militants suspected of involvement in the plot were either killed or arrested. A judge on Tuesday ordered two suspects jailed, one remained in police custody pending further investigation and a fourth was freed with conditions.
A suicide car bomber set off a blast Wednesday in southern Afghanistans Helmand province, killing at least five people and wounding 38 others.

Local officials said the attack in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, happened near a police headquarters where people were gathered outside.

Two women and two soldiers were among those killed.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing.
A Tanzanian court has charged 32 people with murder after five women suspected of witchcraft were beaten to death, and their corpses burned, in a move which could help to deter such killings.

It is the first time a mob has been charged with witch killings, said Athanasia Soka, chairwoman of the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association, although hundreds of suspected witches are murdered in the east African country each year.

The suspects, among them the leader of a local militia, are accused of killing the women in Tanzania's western Tabora region on July 25, state attorney Melito Ukongoji told a magistrates court on Monday.

"I am happy to see that authorities are taking appropriate actions to prevent violent crimes against innocent women," said Lweno Masali, a local resident.

Most of the women were beaten to death before being burned, a police spokesman told Reuters.

Rights groups have lobbied for the government to step up prosecutions, but it is usually very difficult for the government to identify people who have taken part in such crimes.

Tanzanians' belief in witchcraft dates back centuries as a way of explaining common misfortunes like death, failed harvests and infertility, although this is often a smokescreen for other disputes, such as over land.

Thousands of elderly Tanzanian women have been strangled, stabbed to death, and burned or buried alive over the last two decades after being denounced as witches.

Women with red eyes are often accused of being witches.

The suspects did not enter any pleas because the court does not have the jurisdiction to preside over murder cases.

They were remanded in jail until Sept. 4, when the case will move to a higher court.

Almost 500 people were killed by mob justice in the first six months of 2017, many of them women accused of witchcraft, Tanzania's Legal and Human Rights Center said.

Most of the murders took place in the large city of Dar es Salaam and in the southern highlands where superstitions are strongly held, it said.
Yes, Taylor Swift fans, Wednesday was a lucky one for you.



The pop star who whipped her army of Swifties into a frenzy with video snippets of slithery snake parts on social media posted the title of her new album, "Reputation,'' and announced online it will be out Nov. 10.



The first single, she said in a series of posts, will drop Thursday night. And she threw in the album's cover art for good measure: a black-and-white photo of herself  head and shoulders, in slouchy sweatshirt, hair swept back  against a backdrop of newsprint reading, simply, "Taylor Swift'' over and over again.



Swift, who is followed by millions on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, wiped her feeds clean Friday and replaced the void Monday with the first of three reptilian videos, each offering just a tad more of a snake, from tail to squirmy middle and finally its beady red eyes and ominous fangs lunging briefly at the camera.



The teasers put fans on high alert, and the snake imagery evoked snake emojis used against her in various dis-fests last year, including one with Kim Kardashian West after West claimed Swift knew about hubby Kanye's reference to Swift in his song "Famous.''



The album would be Swift's sixth studio effort and the first since the 2014 release of "1989,'' which is the last time she teased fans online, that round with mysterious Polaroid photographs. She scrubbed her feeds Friday of everything from profile pictures to followers. It was three years to the date she dropped the song "Shake It Off'' and announced "1989''  and just a few days after her courtroom assault trial victory against a former radio DJ in Denver.



Word of a new album lifted Swift to a top trending topic around the world Wednesday on Twitter ahead of Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards, to be hosted by Katy Perry, a former friend.
The snowy chill of that December morning was inviting me to a new adventure. This was the day Dad would start to put up wood for the next winterand at age 15 I would get to help. This would be an exciting Christmas vacation.

Putting up wood was important to life at our farm home. We needed wood to fuel the furnace. Wood to heat laundry water on the basement stove. Wood to cook and bake our food in the kitchen.

I knew that putting up wood meant cutting, splitting, and stacking wood so that it would dry for the next winter. Yet, Id never done it, until today. Now I was eager to learn, so that I could become a good woodsman.

To prepare for a day in our wood lot a few miles from the farm, we filled the 1936 Plymouth with everything wed need. First came the two-man crosscut saw from the granary. Six feet long, with a perpendicular wood handle on each end, the saw boasted long sharp teeth along its length.

Second came the axesone for each of us.

Then came two steel wedges, plus a sledge to pound them.

Finally, we loaded the cant hook, a wooden pole with a swinging hooked arm at one end to grasp a log and roll it.

Of course, because we would be spending the day in the woods, Mother had packed an ample lunch.

Dad then drove the car along the snow-packed roads toward our wood lot about 5 miles northwest of our home. At the edge of the trees he parked the vehicle and shut off the noisy engine. We gathered our tools, then entered the towering, shadowy woods.

We were met with an almost holy silence, as if this were Gods natural cathedral where he desired us to sense his greatness and presence. But there was work to do.

With tools in hand we trudged under bare-limbed red oaks, and white oaks still grasping their leaves. The only sound was the crunching of snow under our feetand the occasional shriek of a brightly-dressed blue jay. This was an awesome experience.

Soon Dad found a dead tree to fell. He judged the direction of the trees fall, then we started sawing on that side, about a foot above the ground. We each grasped an end of the saw and pulled back and forth. After wed cut about two inches into the log, Dad grabbed his axe and deftly chopped a notch above that cut. I was amazed by his confident skill.

We then circled to the opposite side of the tree and began sawing about two inches above the first cut. Dad pulled the saw toward him. Then I clumsily pulled it back. My efforts were jerky at first, but soon we were sawing in smooth rhythm.

As we began working through that log, over a foot in diameter, the task appeared endless, but soon I could see progress. Occasionally wed stop for a brief rest, then start cutting again. And suddenly we were halfway through the log. So we continued.

Throughout the effort we would talk. About farming. About family. About things important and trivial. And we bonded further as father and son.

When about two inches of sawing remained, we saw that the trunk had separated slightly from the stump. So we stepped aside and watched it slowly tip. Then, suddenly, it snapped and fell with a loud crash that sent all the squirrels running. And it landed exactly where Dad had planned.

We laid down the saw and picked up our axes to chop off the many smaller branches. We tossed them into a pile apart from the tree to leave room for sawing up the trunk.

With those branches gone, we sawed the log into lengths of 10-12 feet. Many of these could be lifted without difficulty, but the heavier ones would have to be split by using the wedges and sledge.

With his axe Dad chopped a groove across the center of the end of the log. Then, as he drove a wedge into that groove, the log began to split. He drove the second wedge farther down the split, then pulled out the first wedge and continued the process until the log split open. Then we stacked all these lengths in a pile.

And soon it was lunch time. That lunch in the woods tasted extremely good.

After eating, we continued cutting until the sun began to set. Then we loaded up our tools and drove home to do the milking.

The next day, and for several days after, we returned to the woods to build that stack of wood. Finally, Dad decided we had enough wood for the next winter. So now began the task of hauling that wood home with a horse-drawn bobsled. That required several trips.

With the timber piled up at home, we hired Luell Hoff to bring his circular saw mounted on the back of a John Deere tractor. Luell, Dad, and I spent several hours cutting and piling.

We now we had a huge pile. And when the cold arrived the next winter, we would be ready.

The effort of cutting the wood had warmed our bodies. The casual conversation had warmed our souls. And the stacks of wood would eventually warm our home.

We had accomplished much. Together. In the cold woods. Where God was present.

Einar Unseth lives in Lester Prairie, Minn., and may be reached by phone at (320) 395-2094. Einar has recently published his memoirs, In My Fathers Footsteps. Copies are available at Dregnes Scandinavian Gifts, or by writing to: 74 Third Avenue Drive, Lester Prairie, MN 55354. (A minimum donation of $15 is requested. All proceeds beyond the cost of publication will be used to support Bible translation efforts.)
An alleged would-be suicide bomber arrested one day before the planned bombing of a popular family attraction in the Indonesian capital should spend a decade in prison, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Dian Yulia Novi and her husband Nur Solihin were among four suspected militants arrested in December after police detected a plot to bomb a guard-changing ceremony at the presidential palace in Jakarta.

Chief prosecutor Juhana Nurhisyam told the East Jakarta District Court that Novi, a former migrant worker in Singapore and Taiwan who is nine months' pregnant, admitted during her trial that she took orders from Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian with the Islamic State group in Syria accused of orchestrating several attacks in Indonesia.

Police say Novi, 28, planned to detonate a 3-kilogram (6.6-pound) bomb that would have exploded as crowds of people gathered to watch the ceremony, a popular family attraction in Jakarta.

"She has been convincingly proven guilty," Nurhisyam said.

Novi said in a television interview after her arrest that she learned about jihad on social media and was influenced by articles written by Aman Abdurrahman, a radical cleric who police on Tuesday declared was the key suspect behind a suicide bombing and gun attack that killed eight people in Jakarta last year.

Novi and her lawyers will respond to the prosecution's case on Friday.

In a separate trial at the same court, prosecutors are seeking 5 years in prison for Tutin, who is accused of radicalizing Novi and encouraging her to become a suicide bomber. She was also the person who introduced Novi to Solihin.

Solihin, the alleged leader of a small extremist cell in Central Java's Solo city, told Indonesian TV following his arrest that he married Novi to facilitate her desire to become a suicide bomber.

Prosecutors are requesting 15 years in prison for Solihin and eight years for a fourth suspected militant, Agus Supriadi.
A long-awaited verdict in the trial of former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra this week could inflame tension and would likely have far-reaching implications in the politically divided kingdom.

The ruling military said more than 3,000 of Yinglucks supporters could show up at court Friday in what would be one of the biggest political gatherings since Yinglucks government was ousted in a 2014 coup.

Thousands of policemen will be on hand in a bid to head off the sort of trouble that has become a hallmark of antagonistic Thai politics over the past decade or more.

Accused of negligence

Yingluck has been accused of negligence in her handling of a multibillion dollar rice subsidy scheme, under which the government bought rice from farmers at inflated prices.

That led to stockpiles of rotting grain, distorted world prices and lost Thailand its crown as the worlds top exporter.

Losses amounted to $8 billion, this government says.

Critics said the scheme was engineered by Yinglucks brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to shore up support among rural voters who have handed electoral victory to a Shinawatra party in every election since 2001.

Yingluck denies wrongdoing

Yingluck has denied wrongdoing and has said she is the victim of political persecution. She faces up to 10 years in jail if found guilty of negligence.

A military-backed legislature found her guilty in a separate impeachment case in 2015 and banned her from politics for five years, for failing to exercise sufficient oversight of the subsidy scheme.

Despite that, Yingluck remains the unofficial face of the Shinawatra political machine, which, supporters say, the royalist-military establishment is determined to sideline once and for all.

Opposition activists said a guilty verdict would fuel anti-government anger and could spark a smattering of small protests in defiance of a government ban, particularly in the north and northeast where support for the Shinawatras appears unwavering.

If she is found guilty there will surely be some action by underground resistance forces, said a leader of the pro-Shinawatra red shirt movement in the northeastern city of Khon Kaen, who declined to be identified. There are plans to burn tires at up to 10 locations in Khon Kaen.

Political impact

Former telecommunications tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, overthrown in a 2006 coup and living quietly in self-exile to avoid a 2008 conviction for graft he said was politically motivated, has made no public comment on his sisters case.

Trakool Meechai, a former political science professor at Bangkoks Chulalongkorn University, said widespread sustained protests in response to a conviction of Yingluck were unlikely, given the firm grip the military has imposed.

But in the long-term, a conviction could deter future governments from intervening to support markets.

No matter how this case turns out it will have an impact on Thai politics, Trakool told Reuters. This case will be a litmus test for how future politicians will manage the country.

A verdict of innocent would invigorate the rank and file of the Shinawatras embattled Puea Thai Party and boost its prospects in a general election the junta has promised to hold in 2018.

If the case is thrown out it will increase the strength of Yingluck and her Puea Thai Party and this will show in the next election, Trakool said.

But a guilty verdict would spell the end of Yinglucks political career, deal a heavy blow to the Shinawatras and their loyalists, and deepen the political divisions that the military has vowed to heal.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says President Donald Trump has empowered U.S. commanders to make decisions based on conditions on the ground in Afghanistan, and that will alter the dynamics in the United States' longest war. But as VOA's Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports, he also acknowledges it may be a war the U.S. cannot win on the battlefield.
President Donald Trump's adjustment of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan will alter the dynamics in the United States' longest war, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday, because American military commanders will be newly empowered to make decisions based on conditions on the ground, rather than on local politics or other factors.

"The fighting will still be borne by the Afghan forces, by their military and their security forces," Tillerson told reporters in a rare appearance at the State Department briefing room. "We believe that we can turn the tide of what has been a losing battle over the last year and a half or so, and at least stabilize the situation and hopefully start seeing some battlefield victories."

Tillerson: New Strategy Will 'Turn the Tide' From Losing Battle in Afghanistan

In his discussion of Trump's address to the nation on Monday night, Tillerson praised "the Afghan forces who have fought very bravely, but they've been fighting, I think, with less than the full capabilities that we can give them." He said Trump's Afghanistan strategy differs from those of his two predecessors at the White House, Barack Obama and George W. Bush, in that it does not set artificial timelines or announce troop levels in advance.

U.S. actions in Afghanistan will be based on conditions on the ground, Tillerson said: "This entire effort is intended to put pressure on the Taliban, to have the Taliban understand that you will not win a battlefield victory."

Objective is negotiation

Continuing his remarks, phrased as if they were directed to the Taliban, Tillerson said: "We may not win one, but neither will you. So at some point, we have to come to the negotiating table and find a way to bring this to an end."

Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who was in Baghdad Tuesday, said he had not yet decided how many troops to send to the South Asian country, and would not do so until he had consulted General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In his address Monday night from a military base outside Washington, Trump said he would not be specific about how many more troops might be sent into Afghanistan, or discuss plans for further military activities. He declared this was part of a "condition-based approach" to defeating terrorism there.

However, U.S. sources who refused to be identified said Trump has already approved sending up to 4,000 more American service members to Afghanistan, to enlarge the current force of about 8,400 U.S. troops.

Most American soldiers in the war zone are advising Afghan forces, but some are tasked with carrying out counterterrorism operations against groups such as the Taliban or the Islamic State's Afghan affiliate. Overall U.S. troop strength is down significantly from seven years ago, when nearly 100,000 Americans were deployed in Afghanistan at the height of the Obama administration's "surge" program to overwhelm the Taliban.

After years of deriding the U.S. war in Afghanistan as a "complete waste," Trump on Monday explained why he now believes it is in the United States' interest to remain committed to the country. His goal, he said, is to stop the re-emergence of safe havens in which terrorists can threaten America and make sure they do not get their hands on nuclear weapons.

Regional approach

Tillerson echoed Trump's statement that the U.S. is seeking a regional approach to solving Afghanistan's difficult problems, including India as well as Pakistan.

Pakistan was sure to be dismayed by president's inclusion of India, its traditional rival, in efforts to resolve the crisis in Afghanistan, as well as by this caution from the top U.S. diplomat: "Pakistan must adopt a different approach, and we are ready to work with them to help them protect themselves against ... terrorist organizations" operating in Pakistani territory.

However, Tillerson added, Pakistan must "begin to end" its efforts in the Afghan border region "that are disrupting our efforts at peace."

"What everybody should be banking on," former U.S. diplomat David Sedney said, "is [that] the United States will be with Afghanistan and make sure that it never again becomes a haven for terrorists. That means that the Taliban are not going to come back. And Pakistan must stop supporting the Taliban."

Sedney told VOA's Urdu program View 360: "Pakistan must take an affirmative test to stop the Taliban leadership from meeting in Pakistan, to stop arms and ammunition and explosives from coming from Pakistan into Afghanistan. Pakistan now knows that it cannot wait out the United States."

William Goodfellow, who is with the Center for International Policy, a public policy research group in Washington, told the same VOA program that he did not see Trump's announcement as a big change in U.S. strategy.

"I think the reason they're adding more troops is because they're worried that the Taliban have the initiative and the American generals were saying, 'Well, we have a stalemate,' " Goodfellow said. "Well, we don't have a stalemate. The American side is losing. And I think adding more troops will try to bring back a situation where you actually have a stalemate and set the stage for a negotiated settlement."

Evaluations differ

Analysts' overall reviews of the president's address were mixed.

"The president failed to define the goals or objectives that would direct the actions of the whole of government approach. The only thing he demonstrated was that his original belief, that you can rip troops out of a combat zone without considering the fallout of that action, was in fact wrong," said Moira Whelan, a partner of BlueDot Strategies and a former senior State Department official.

"Trump repealed his original Afghanistan position, but he failed to replace it with something that will make America safer," she added.

The conflict in Afghanistan began within weeks of the al-Qaida terror network's attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001. At the time, a Taliban administration was in control in Kabul, and al-Qaida had freedom of operations in much of the country. Regular government was restored in Afghanistan and the Taliban was expelled from the capital, but the country's factionalized unity government and systemic corruption have resulted in the war dragging on for almost 16 years.

In an expression of his frustration, Trump said leaders in Kabul must realize that the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan is not unlimited. The American people, he warned, expect "to see real reforms and real results."

VOA's Steve Herman, Victor Beattie, Bill Gallo, Ayaz Gul and Chris Hannas contributed to this report.
U.S. President Donald Trump gave the strongest indication at a campaign-style rally in Arizona late Tuesday that he will pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, an immigration hard-liner who was recently convicted of contempt of court for ignoring a judicial order to halt his immigration patrols.

The most sacred duty of government is to protect the lives of its citizens and that includes securing our borders and enforcing our immigration laws, Trump told supporters.

Do the people in this room like Sheriff Joe Arpaio? So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? He should have had a jury, but you know what, Ill make a prediction, I think hell be just fine, OK? But I wont do it tonight, because I dont want to cause any controversy, is that OK? But Sheriff Joe can feel good.

Border Patrol meeting

Before the political event in the states capital city, the president headed to a Marine Corps base in Yuma, along the U.S. border with Mexico. At the main base of operations for the Yuma sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, he inspected enforcement aircraft, including a drone and a helicopter.

The stop was intended to allow Trump to evaluate USBP operational results, policy initiatives and personnel morale in the lead-up to fiscal year 2018, an administration official told reporters before the visit began.

WATCH: Trump on former Arizona Sheriff Arpaio

In addition, Trump was discussing future legislative efforts to support USBP, such as Kates Law, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, the border wall, and funding for ICE and Border Patrol agents.

Youve seen it, youve lived it, and you elected me to put a stop to it. We are doing a phenomenal job putting a stop to it. That I can tell you, Trump said during the late night rally.

Years of uncontrolled immigration have placed enormous pressure on the wages of working families and theyve put great burdens on local schools and hospitals, he added.
Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday Donald Trump must be shown appropriate respect for holding the office of the U.S. president, even if she may differ with him on policy issues.

Merkel, campaigning for a fourth term in office after a Sept. 24 national election, has refused to bend to pressure from her Social Democrat (SPD) rivals to resist demands by Trump for NATO members to increase their defense spending.

As a committed Atlanticist, she has stressed the strength of German relations with the United States even when flagging differences in opinion on policy.

"If you take the president of the United States, whatever differences of opinion there may be, I know he prevailed in a tough election. It wasn't reserved for him on a silver platter," she told business daily Handelsblatt in an interview.

"In the end, he won the election under American electoral law and that means he is democratically elected and that this person should be shown the appropriate respect, regardless of how I assess his views," she added.

Her SPD challenger, Martin Schulz, has been far more critical of Trump, referring to the U.S. president as "this irresponsible man in the White House."

Merkel, who enjoyed holidaying in the United States before becoming chancellor in 2005, said she missed the opportunity to vacation there now.

"I can't go on holiday in San Diego now as chancellor because the time difference is too much, and that is something I miss a bit, but the work itself is so marvelous that I can afford to miss it."
Nearly two-thirds of American voters believe President Donald Trump is doing more to divide the country than he is to unite it, according to a new poll released Wednesday.

The Quinnipiac University Poll reported 62 percent of the voters it surveyed felt that Trump is increasing divisions in the country; 31 percent said they felt the opposite.

The poll reflected public sentiment following violent clashes this month in Charlottesville, Virginia, between white-supremacist groups and protesters who opposed them. A woman was killed after a follower of the so-called alt-right groups drove his car into a crowd.

Trump spoke out several times about the issues and groups involved in Charlottesville, shifting his position from day to day. He drew widespread criticism from many sectors of American society for what was seen as his reluctance to fix blame for the incidents in Charlottesville - most recently his assertion that "both sides" bore responsibility.

Memories of Civil War divisions

The president has contended there were people fomenting violence on both sides of the conflict in Charlottesville, which began with a demonstration by right-wing groups calling for preservation of a statue of the commander of Confederate armed forces - the rebel side in the American Civil War in the mid-19th century.

Trump's position was supported by the police chief in Charlottesville, who said there were mutually combating individuals in the crowd when fighting broke out on the night of August 11 between torch-bearing right-wing marchers and groups opposed to their presence. The president has said on several occasions that he condemns white-supremacist groups and believes all racist sentiment is "evil," but his own recounting of his words has omitted controversial phrases that aroused the most opposition - that "both sides" were responsible, or, as he said after the fatal hit-and-run car attack a day later, that "many sides" were involved.

Asked specifically how they felt about Trump's response to the Charlottesville violence, 60 percent of voters said they disapproved; 32 percent said they approved of the president's handling of the issue.

Are racial tensions on the rise in America?

About the same number of poll respondents  59 percent  said Trumps decisions and behavior have encouraged white supremacist groups. Only three percent of American voters said they feel the president's words and actions have had a negative effect on white supremacists; 35 percent said they felt the president's statements have had no impact on white supremacists or similarly polarized political action groups.

Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said the events in Charlottesville, and Trump's comments about them, have fueled a perception in America that racial tensions are on the rise.

Elected on his strength as a deal-maker, but now overwhelmingly considered a divider, President Donald Trump has a big negative job approval rating and low scores on handling issues, Malloy said Wednesday.

Many news reports during the past two weeks have focused on campaigns by activists - opponents of the white supremacists - who want to remove all public monuments and statues honoring leading figures in the Confederate States of America, the losing side in the Civil War. However, opinion surveys have shown there is no broad support for such measures.

Most want statues to remain

The Quinnipiac Poll reported that 39 percent of voters supported removing Confederate statues, compared to 50 percent who said they disagreed. Another 10 percent said of those surveyed said they either did not know or were not certain which option they preferred.

In a poll earlier this week by U.S. public radio and television networks and Marist University, 62 percent of respondents said the statues should not be removed. Another survey by the The Economist weekly and YouGov showed 48 percent of people said the statue of Civil War commander Robert E. Lee should be removed from the park where it stands in Charlottesville, compared to 30 percent who said it should be removed; the remaining 22 percent of respondents expressed no opinion.

Trump has popularized use of the term fake news to criticize news media and reporters that he contends treat him unfairly. According to the Quinnipiac poll, a majority of Americans agree with him: 55 percent of voters said they disapprove of the way in which news media report on Trump, compared to 40 percent who approve.

However, an even larger number of voters  62 percent  said they disapprove of Trump's corrosive and angry comments about reporters and their employers. Thirty-five percent of those surveyed said they agree with Trump on such issues.

Voters also said they trust news media more than they trust Trump to tell the truth, by a margin of 54 percent to 36 percent. Ten percent of survey respondents said they did not know whether to trust Trump or the news media.

The Quinnipiac University Poll issued Wednesday was based on surveys of voters nationwide between August 17 and August 22.
President Donald Trump issued an appeal for a more unified nation during a speech Wednesday in Reno, Nevada, saying, "It is time to heal the wounds that divide us."

In remarks delivered to the national convention of the American Legion, a wartime veterans group, Trump said, "We are not defined by the color of our skin, the figure on our paycheck or the party of our politics."

Instead, Trump said, "We are defined by our shared humanity, by our citizenship and this magnificent nation and by the love that fills our hearts."

The remarks came one day after Trump used a speech in Phoenix, Arizona, to lash out at the media again for its coverage of his response to the deadly violence at a recent protest organized by neo-Nazis and white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia. Trump was broadly criticized for blaming both sides for violence, in which Heather Heyer, 32, was killed when a man associated with the white nationalists plowed his car into a crowd of counterprotesters.

WATCH: Excerpts from Trump's Arizona speech

On Wednesday, the president recapped his Phoenix appearance in a Twitter post with yet another attack against the media.

"Last night in Phoenix I read the things from my statements on Charlottesville that the Fake News Media didn't cover fairly. People got it!" he wrote.

In another tweet Wednesday, Trump assailed Jeff Flake, saying the junior Republican senator from Arizona, with whom Trump has had a long-running feud, was not strong on crime and immigration control. Flake released a new book, Conscience of a Conservative, that is critical of Trump; he wrote that "conservatism has been compromised" by a "stew of celebrity and authoritarianism."

Trump appeared to have responded by encouraging a primary election challenger to Flake, who is running for re-election next year.

In part, the tweet said, "Not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!"

The tone of Trump's speeches have been known to vary greatly over brief periods, as it did when he delivered an address Monday on his long-awaited military strategy in Afghanistan. The speech struck a conciliatory tone, with Trump proclaiming the U.S. must "return to a country that is not at war with itself at home."

A number of progressive protest groups indicated they would gather to meet Trump when he arrived at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Organizers emphasized the protests would be peaceful.

After the Reno address, Trump signed legislation that would streamline the process veterans must undergo to appeal claims for disability benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The White House says more than 470,000 veterans are awaiting decisions on their appeals.
The top U.S. commander for the Middle East got a first-hand look on Wednesday at Saudi Arabia's military fight against Yemen's rebels, visiting the border area on the same day the Saudi-led coalition was accused of bombing a hotel and killing civilians.

Gen. Joseph Votel's trip to the Saudi-Yemeni border area comes as the U.S. presses on with a campaign targeting al-Qaida-linked militants in Yemen and tries to determine its level of support for key allies engaged in the impoverished country's violent civil war.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other close partners of Washington have been fighting Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen for more than two years. While they've received American support, they've also been heavily criticized for high civilian death tolls.

Air strikes kill rebels, civilians

Underscoring the danger to civilians, Votel's visit to the border area coincided with airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition on a small hotel north of the capital, Sanaa. Dozens of people were reportedly killed, including rebels and civilians.

Votel never crossed into Yemeni territory during the visit, which lasted much of the day, Air Force Col. John Thomas, a U.S. Central Command spokesman said.



He said the small group traveling with Votel got separated from him at one point and there were other logistical problems, including a vehicle breakdown.

The objective of Votel's 600-mile day trip from Riyadh to Saudi Arabia's southwestern Jizan region was to develop a better understanding of the Saudi challenges with security the border, Thomas said.

Votel met with Saudi Arabia's Lt. Gen. Fahd Bin Turki, toured an operations center and met Saudi commanders and troops. It was his first visit to the Yemen border region as head of Central Command.



Media traveling with Votel weren't allowed to accompany him. Officials cited a lack of seats on the aircraft used to ferry him to the region.

Expanded campaign

The U.S. has conducted more than 80 airstrikes against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula fighters in Yemen this year, in an expanded campaign to target a group the U.S. has long considered one of the most dangerous threats against the American homeland. AQAP has been responsible for a number of attempted attacks in the United States, including multiple plots to blow up U.S. airliners flying over the country.

After taking office, President Donald Trump authorized a more aggressive approach against AQAP. But only days into his tenure, a ground raid produced the first casualty of his presidency with the death of a U.S. Navy SEAL, Senior Chief William Ryan Owens.

The airstrike campaign against AQAP has been complicated by Yemen's ongoing civil war. For more than two years, a Saudi-led coalition of Sunni monarchies has been bombing the Iranian-backed, Shiite rebels known as Houthis. The rebels have launched repeated cross-border attacks into Saudi and fired missiles at American and other allied ships off Yemen's coast.

However, the U.S. has repeatedly complained to the Saudis and others about rising civilian casualty tolls from airstrikes.

And U.S. lawmakers have pressed for investigations into allegations of torture and other human rights abuses of detainees by U.A.E. and Yemeni forces in a network of secret prisons around Yemen. Those abuses were first reported by The Associated Press earlier this year, raising questions about whether American forces working with the Yemenis were aware of torture.

Still, the Trump administration plans to sell more than $500 million in precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia. The sale is part of Trump's proposed $110 billion arms package to Riyadh, which the administration has touted as a U.S. jobs creator that also improves a key ally's military capability.

A Senate effort to stop the munitions sale failed. Opponents have sharply criticized Saudi conduct in Yemen's war and the kingdom's record at home of human rights abuses.
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met with senior Turkish officials Wednesday in Ankara for talks on regional stability and security issues amid Turkey's uneasiness with Washington's arming of a Syrian Kurdish militia which Turkey considers a terrorist organization. On his one-day visit, Mattis met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after talks with Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli. Turkish intelligence chief Hakan Fidan also took part in the meeting with the Turkish leader.

Washington has been stepping up its military support for the Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG, which is fighting to capture the Syrian city of Raqqa, Islamic States self-declared capital. Ankara accuses the YPG of being an offshoot of the Kurdish rebel group PKK, which has been waging a decades-long insurgency in Turkey. The United States and Turkey have listed the PKK as a terrorist organization. Washington, however, has not done so in the case of the YPG.

Impressed by the YPG's success in fighting Islamic State, Washington has been supplying the YPG with armored vehicles and small arms since May. The YPG has captured large swaths of territory from the jihadists, much of it along the Turkish border, unnerving Ankara, which fears the YPG will further fuel secessionist demands from Turkey's restive Kurdish minority.

Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to intervene militarily in Syria to thwart any threat posed by the YPG. "Whatever the price, we will conduct the necessary intervention, Erdogan said Tuesday during a meeting at the presidential palace. Turkish forces have massed on the border facing the Syrian enclave of Afrin, which is under YPG control. The YPG has warned any attack would affect its ongoing assault on Raqqa.

Afrin is just immediately on the border of Turkey and Turkey will not allow any kind of formation which will be an autonomous region or some kind of controlled area under the control of Syrian Kurds. Turkey considers this as a major security issue, said former Turkish ambassador Unal Cevikoz, who now heads the Ankara Policy Center. But I don't think there will be any agreement between the United States and Turkey, and I think the sides will have to agree to disagree."

Local Turkish media reports, citing unnamed sources, said the U.S. defense secretary, in his meetings in Ankara, emphasized the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq. In a bid to assuage Turkish concerns, Washington reaffirmed its commitment to offer assistance to fighting the PKK.

KRG referendum



The two NATO allies have found common ground over concerns about an independence referendum next month by the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdish regional government. Mattis was reported during his meeting with KRG President Masoud Barzani Tuesday to have asked for a postponement of the vote. Right now, our focus is on defeating IS inside Iraq, restoring Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity, the defense secretary said ahead of a visit to Iraq. Mattis described his meeting with Barzani as an "honest discussion between two friends.

Ankara is looking to Washington to use its leverage over Iraqi Kurdish leadership to at least postpone the vote. The Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, Wednesday reiterated opposition to the vote during a visit to Baghdad. We have informed them that their decision is wrong. Our expectation is clear and simple. This referendum decision should be canceled," he said.

Local media, citing diplomatic sources, said Ankaras planned purchase of a multi-billion-dollar Russian surface-to-air missile system was also a topic of discussion during Mattis' talks. Mattis has recently voiced concern over the purchase, warning of its incompatibility with NATO systems.

The planned missile purchase is adding to concerns over Ankaras commitment to NATO and allegiances to its Western allies. General Valery Gerasimov, head of the Russian armed forces, is due in Ankara later this week for talks. The visit follows one by Iranian armed forces chief Hossein Bagheri's whose trip to Turkey marked the first of its kind since the 1979 Iranian revolution. Erdogan indicated Monday Iran and Turkey could carry out a joint military operation against the PKK. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard denied the claim.

Mattis' stop in Turkey was part of a regional tour that included Jordan. The U.S. defense secretary is also scheduled to stop in Ukraine.
Twelve communities across the state celebrated Wisconsin Main Street Day with a visit from state officials to highlight the importance of downtown business districts in Wisconsins economy.

Locations were chosen from members of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporations Wisconsin Main Street Program and Connect Communities Program  which assist communities and organizations dedicated to revitalization efforts.

Ninety-five communities in the state are part of the programs  34 Main Street and 61 Connect Communities.

Tomah is a member of Connect Communities.

Tricia Braun, deputy secretary and chief operating officer of WECD, said Tomah was chosen for its hard work and commitment to improvement.

Its also a commitment to the state, she said. We appreciate that.

Tomah celebrated the day at the site of the former Tee Pee Supper Club, where redevelopment plans were unveiled for the site.

Tina Thompson, executive director of the Tomah Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the building project will be the catalyst for change in the citys downtown.

All eyes have been on this project, she said. I think once people see this project taking off, its going to spur more investment throughout the entire downtown corridor. Everybody is going to want to be here, and everyones going to want to be part of this energy. Its going to be infectious, I know that.

Steve Peterson, Monroe County Economic Development coordinator, agreed.

Its going to be a trickle-down effect, he said. This beautiful building will get built, then other people are going to want to renovate their building, do some rehab work. I think youre going to see that domino effect throughout the whole downtown area, where that whole pride level takes it up a notch because you want to be as cool as what this building is going to be.

Its an important project that has to be done, said Kim Voigt of 3rd Gen LLC.

The Tee Pee has always been a staple in downtown Tomah ... and when we lost it, we really lost a huge part of Tomah, she said. We want to bring something, that something, back to downtown Tomah. All five of us were born and raised here, three of us still live and work here, so this is important to us; we want to see Tomah grow and we think this will help. Were hoping with the success of this project other projects will follow.

The project is in the final design stage, Voigt said, with the hope to start the footings in October with completion in the fall of 2018.

The new building will have two floors of commercial space, third floor apartments with amenities including a fitness center and community center and underground parking.

However the most important part of the project is the restaurant and banquet facility, Voigt said, which Mike Murray will be in charge of.

We just think he will do absolutely wonderful with that; hes the only person we ever thought of when it came to that, Voigt said. We feel like the success of him with the restaurant and banquet facility will drive the success of the building. We know hell be successful with all of his charity work, his community work, and hes already booking stuff and we havent even placed a shovel in the ground yet.

Tomah city administrator Roger Gorius is thankful to the Gerke family for taking on the project.

When they took this over, I think we all were kind of stunned that it happened, and I remember asking Chad why and he said, It just seemed like the right thing to do. Ive been in Tomah my entire life and was watching it kind of fall down and said, somebody had to do something, so were going to step up and do it, he said. I cant thank you enough for doing this. My office is right across the street, so Ive watched this building over the last five years kind of crumble around itself and then I watched it come down. Ive seen the plans on whats going to go up, and I think youre going to be absolutely amazed.

The citys future is bright, Gorius said.

I think were going to be doing some amazing things for you over the next few years; I cant wait to see it, he said. I think this building is just the start of many, many, many good things, and it will be a keystone in the downtown area.

State Senator Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, agrees.

As we all know it was once owned by Ed Thompson, who loved this community and loved his friends and family and wanted a place for people to be comfortable and to have a good time, which is why every Thanksgiving he gave a free meal to people who came through his door, he said. So today we start a new chapter within this space, and we hope to fill it with Eds spirit and love of community.

Downtowns are the lifeblood of communities, Testin said.

Downtowns arent just downtowns, theyre a destination of where we go to work, go to worship, where we go get a good meal with friends, he said. We look forward to working with each and every one of you as we continue to make sure our downtown thrives and prospers here in Tomah.
While American white supremacists and ultra-nationalists have been appearing in public and the news more often recently, the heads of the U.S. military have made clear such individuals have no place in the ranks.

The commanders of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps last week issued strong statements condemning intolerance and racism after protests in the city of Charlottesville, Virginia turned deadly. Organizers and participants in the original demonstration espoused racist, white nationalist positions.

Thats a crucial message for those in uniform, say some military experts and veterans.

It was important, I think, for the service chiefs to get on record with what had happened and to show that what was being represented in Charlottesville as people standing up for their culture really had no place in our armed forces. It wasnt our [military] culture, said Peter Mansoor, a retired U.S. Army colonel and professor of military history at Ohio State University.

The message was clear, said Steven Leonard, a retired U.S. Army colonel now teaching at the University of Kansas School of Business. If you cant live by the values of our institutions, then you dont have a place in the ranks. Leonard also runs the popular Doctrine Man micro-blog and social media platform, which discusses military and veterans' issues.

The Department of Defense bans actively advocating supremacist, extremist or criminal gang causes. Doing so can result in dismissal from military service.

While the military is one of the most socially integrated communities in the United States, it has had a problem with extremists in the ranks. Some current leaders of racist organizations have served, and veterans have committed several hate and terror crimes in recent years.

The military has acknowledged it has a problem, most notably after Army veteran Timothy McVeigh blew up a federal office building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1995, killing 168 people. The Department of Defense went on a campaign to oust militants.

And it made progress, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks U.S. hate groups; but, in less than a decade, that ground was lost because the military relaxed recruiting standards to meet demand as the U.S. fought wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the center said in reports issued in 2006 and 2012.

The military is a reflection of American society, Mansoor said  which means it has members of all backgrounds and beliefs. You get this sliver that comes in; they may have grown up in a gang culture, or white nationalist culture.

Some criminal gangs and white nationalist groups in the U.S. encourage adherents to join the military, particularly Army and Marine Corps combat, according to Southern Poverty Law Center studies. Some nationalist groups advocate a race war against African Americans, Jews and other minorities, and they want members with weapons and tactical experience.

Theyve been doing that for years, Leonard said, as have criminal gangs. Where else can you get the skills?

But that creates a challenge. A service member who holds allegiance to a hate group or gang is likely to stay quiet, and remain in place.

If they dont pop up, what can you do? Leonard said.

While DOD training emphasizes tolerance, Mansoor notes that its not possible to train away unwanted beliefs. You sort of have to live it day to day and model the values and drive it home at every opportunity.

And, its essential to do so, said Mansoor, who served as a brigade commander in Iraq in 2003. If you have division in the ranks based on the color of ones skin or their religious creed or their gender, its like a cancer that grows and causes division and eventually will cause a reduction in the combat effectiveness of the unit.

That is why commanders train troops from the very start that they are all one force  to do otherwise weakens it, former commanders said.

While there might be white supremacists in the ranks, overall, the military has become one of the most ethnically mixed segments of the country since it was integrated nearly 70 years ago. Service members of all backgrounds live and work in tight quarters on ships and in barracks, while housing and schools for their families reflect the full range of the nations population.

Were supposed to be a better example of what it is to be a good citizen, said Margaret Witt, a retired Air Force major who was dismissed because of her sexual orientation. Now a physical therapist for the Veterans Administration in Portland, Oregon, Witts successful lawsuit over her dismissal paved the way for the DOD decision to allow gays and lesbians to serve in the military.

The military really has made a tremendous effort to lead the way on tolerance, including on the acceptance of gays and lesbians, she said, although it takes time to change attitudes in such a large organization.

The military does adapt to social change, Leonard said, because the measure that matters is how well a service member performs.

Can you do your job and will you do your job when the bullets start to fly? he said. Because if you cant, you start to put peoples lives at risk.
The United States wants to know if the United Nations atomic watchdog plans to inspect Iranian military sites to verify Tehrans compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said Tuesday.

Haley will meet with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials in Vienna Wednesday for what she described as a fact-finding mission, which is part of President Donald Trumps review of the deal Iran made with world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most sanctions.

If you look ... at past Iranian behavior, what youve seen is there have been covert actions at military sites, at universities, things like that, Haley, a member of Trumps Cabinet, told Reuters in an interview.

There were already issues in those locations, so are they including that in what they look at to make sure that those issues no longer remain? she said. They have the authority to look at military sites now. They have the authority to look at any suspicious sites now, its just are they doing it?

Fact-finding only

She said she was traveling to Vienna to ask questions, not to push the IAEA to do anything.

Irans top authorities have flatly rejected giving international inspectors access to their military sites, and Iranian officials have told Reuters that any such move would trigger harsh consequences.

Why would they say that if they had nothing to hide? Why wouldnt they let the IAEA go there? Haley said.

Irans atomic chief was quoted by state media as saying Tuesday that Iran could resume production of highly enriched uranium within five days if the nuclear deal was revoked.

Review ordered in April

In April, Trump ordered a review of whether a suspension of sanctions on Iran related to the nuclear deal  negotiated under President Barack Obama  was in the U.S. national security interest. He has called it the worst deal ever negotiated.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned last week that Iran could abandon the nuclear agreement within hours if the United States imposes any more new sanctions.

Most U.N. and Western sanctions were lifted 18 months ago under the nuclear deal. Iran is still subject to a U.N. arms embargo and other restrictions, which are not technically part of the deal.

The IAEA polices restrictions the deal placed on Irans nuclear activities and reports quarterly.

Haley said some of the questions she had were: Are you looking at everything? Are you looking at those places where there has been covert activity in the past? Are you able to get access to these areas? Or are you being delayed? Are you being shut out from those things?

Congress must be notified

Under U.S. law, the State Department must notify Congress every 90 days of Irans compliance with the nuclear deal. The next deadline is October, and Trump has said he thinks by then the United States will declare Iran to be noncompliant.

We dont know if hes going to certify or decertify the deal, said Haley, adding that she would report back to Trump and the national security team.

The U.S. review of its policy toward Iran is also looking at Tehrans behavior in the Middle East, which Washington has said undermines U.S. interests in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes the Iran nuclear deal is one of the most important diplomatic achievements in our search for, for peace and stability, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday.

Everyone involved needs to do its utmost to protect and support that agreement, Dujarric told reporters.
President Donald Trumps recent decision to launch an investigation into concerns about market access in China and the theft of American intellectual property, either through hacking or opaque policies and regulations that force companies to hand over trade secrets, has Beijing warning of a possible trade war.

Others, however, say it is about time China got a wakeup call.



For years, intellectual property theft and policies regarding market access in China have been a point of concern, not only for the United States, but for other foreign companies investing there.



Its clear that in many areas Chinese policy is violating the spirit if not the letter of the WTO ... and the Chinese government doesnt show any signs of backing down or changing their behavior, says Robert Atkinson, president of the Washington D.C.-based Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. This is hurting not only American companies and the American economy, but it is hurting the global economy as well because when you do that (engage in theft or force the hand over of it) there is less innovation.

Trump administration officials estimate theft of intellectual property could be as much as $600 billion. But when you take Europe and other countries into account, the losses are even bigger, Atkinson added.

And while it is still too early to tell how the investigation will play out, the announcement has Beijing on edge. Chinese State media has warned of a possible trade war the investigation could trigger, and Chinese authorities have pledged to take all appropriate measures to protect its rights and interests if needed.

On Tuesday, a statement from Chinas Commerce Ministry called the move to launch a Section 301 investigation irresponsible, arguing it sends the wrong signal to the world. Beijing also predicted the move would be widely condemned.

"The United States' disregard of World Trade Organization rules and use of domestic law to initiate a trade investigation against China is irresponsible, and its criticism of China is not objective, said a statement from an unnamed ministry spokesman posted online.

Prior to the establishment of the WTO, the United States used Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to help open foreign markets. Such investigations were used frequently against Japan in the 1980s, but since the establishment of the WTO it has largely been set aside. The United States has launched investigations since then, but has not used the powers it gives the president to unilaterally impose tariffs or other restrictions to protect American companies.



How President Trump will use the results of the investigation is unclear. While most, including China, have focused on the possibility that he could ignore the WTO, that is not his only choice.



The investigation could also be used as leverage in negotiations or the United States could join with other like-minded countries in trying to address Chinas market restrictions, analysts say.

Liao Qun, chief economist at China CITIC Bank International said while it will take a while to see the results of the investigation and the impact it might have on U.S.-bound Chinese exports, he thinks the push could eventually fail.

This (the use of Section 301) is something that is controversial, even in the United States, and the Trump administration is facing many challenges, Liao said. Many of his policies have been blocked or overturned.



Liao added that if the United States does take action, it is likely to trigger a trade war.



But that is something that began a long time ago, some analysts argue.



There is a trade war going on right now and the Chinese are fighting it and were losing. This notion that there is not a trade war (is false), said Robert Atkinson. "There is a trade war and a trade war has been going on essentially since China joined the World Trade Organization.

Beijing appears to already have taken some steps to limit the potential impact of any action the United States could take.

This year, Chinas State Council has twice announced new measures to reduce access restrictions for foreign investments. It's most recent announcement calls for draft road maps and timetables.

Recently, China announced new reductions in its list of areas where investment is banned. That list has been getting shorter, but many barriers remain.

Chinas recent approval of market access for Visa and Mastercard is one good example of just how difficult the Chinese market is to crack, said Christopher Balding, an associate professor at Peking Universitys HSBC Business School.



As part of the WTO agreement, they (Visa & Mastercard) were supposed to be let into the Chinese market, he said. The WTO agreement was in 2000 and they are still trying to get into the Chinese market.



As for the investigation, a public hearing is scheduled for October and the investigation could take months before any official response is announced.
President Nicolas Maduro branded Venezuela's ousted chief prosecutor a fugitive from justice Tuesday as she flew to Brazil promising to "show the world" proof that he is involved in serious acts of corruption.

Maduro said Luisa Ortega Diaz had been hiding behind a "Chavista mask," pledging allegiance to the socialist government installed by the late President Hugo Chavez while working with Washington to damage his administration.

Ortega was removed by a new, pro-government constitutional assembly in early August and arrived with her lawmaker husband in Colombia on Friday, a day after the Supreme Court ordered the legislator's arrest.

"Tell me who you walk with and I will tell you who you are," Maduro told reporters, reciting a popular proverb.

"You keep company with the Colombian oligarchy, Luisa Marvelia," he added, invoking her middle name. "You keep the company of the coup-mongering Brazilians, Luisa Marvelia."

Mercosur meeting

The declaration from Maduro came shortly after Ortega announced that she was traveling to Brazil to participate in a meeting of the Mercosur group at which she plans to present incriminating evidence against Venezuela's president.

The South American trade bloc suspended Venezuela in early August for failing to uphold democratic norms.

Ortega did not present any details, but on Friday she told a group of Latin American prosecutors that Maduro removed her in order to halt a probe linking him and his inner circle to nearly $100 million in bribes from the huge Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.

The company last year admitted in a plea agreement with the U.S. Justice Department to paying bribes to officials throughout Latin America in exchange for lucrative contracts.

"This event will allow me to show the world the proof that incriminates Nicolas Maduro and his associates in grave acts of corruption," she said in a statement released to the Venezuelan opposition news site La Patilla.

Ortega and husband, German Ferrer, have been in the cross hairs of Maduro's government since breaking ranks in recent months with his administration. Ortega and Ferrer are both longtime Socialist Party loyalists who have been outspoken in criticizing Maduro's call for the constitutional assembly to rewrite Venezuela's charter.

Removing Ortega from her post was one of the new assembly's first acts.

The new chief prosecutor is accusing Ferrer of being part of a $6 million extortion rink that operated under Ortega's watch.

Fugitives from justice

Maduro said Tuesday that he was alerting international police organizations that Ortega and Ferrer were both fugitives from justice.

The couple went into hiding after state security forces raided their home last week. Maduro said authorities found vast "riches" inside that he called "an incredible thing."

"I never imagined such a betrayal as this," he said.

Ortega and Ferrer arrived in Colombia on Friday aboard a private plane from Aruba, adding to a growing list of dissident lawmakers and officials who have fled Venezuela in recent months. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said Ortega was under Colombian protection and would be granted political asylum if requested.

Chile announced Tuesday that it would grant political asylum to five Venezuelans who have been threatened by the government-stacked Supreme Court after being named to the court by the opposition-controlled congress.

The judges were among 33 appointed by the National Assembly in late July to replace current Supreme Court magistrates. The high court accused them of illegally usurping power and warned they would face consequences. At least one magistrate was jailed after participating in a ceremony announcing the new appointments.
Dismissed Venezuelan prosecutor Luisa Ortega said on Wednesday she had evidence that President Nicolas Maduro was involved in corruption with construction company Odebrecht.

Ortega, 59, was a key player in Venezuela's government but broke with it in March. She fled last week to Colombia by boat and on Wednesday morning landed in Brazil.

Ortega said she had been persecuted in an effort to hide details of high-level corruption, saying she had proof, though she offered none.

Ortega linked the Odebrecht scandal with Maduro and Socialist Party heavyweights including Diosdado Cabello and Jorge Rodriguez.

Ortega said she had evidence that Cabello received some $100 million from the Brazilian company.

"The international community must investigate such cases," she told a news conference.

Venezuelan authorities did not respond to a request for comment.

Odebrecht admitted in a settlement with U.S. and Brazilian prosecutors to paying bribes across 12 countries to win contracts. According to a U.S. court ruling, between 2001 and 2016, Odebrecht paid about $788 million in bribes in countries including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.

Ortega was removed from her position early this month by Venezuela's newly formed constituent assembly, a controversial pro-government body whose installation was called dictatorial by governments worldwide.

Ortega's alleged links to U.S.

Maduro said on Tuesday he would seek Ortega's arrest, accusing her of having worked for some time with the United States.

Maduro blames Washington for many of Venezuela's problems, including triple-digit inflation, shortages of basic goods and months of anti-government unrest.

In Caracas, state-controlled television broadcast images on Wednesday of a police operation in what it said was Ortega's apartment. The cameras showed marble floors, large paintings of Ortega herself and one by Andy Warhol, a cellar containing an array of expensive wines and a wardrobe filled with designer labels.

Ortega said she would give details of the corruption cases to authorities in the United States, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and Colombia.

Since settling in the United States, Brazil and Switzerland for a record $3.5 billion, Odebrecht has sought to negotiate leniency deals that would allow it to keep operating in other countries across Latin America.
United Nations Human Rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein is urging the Iraqi government to provide help to thousands of women and girls who have been raped and sexually abused by Islamic State fighters.

A report by the U.N. Human Rights office and U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq describes the horrific forms of sexual violence inflicted by Islamic State fighters upon women and girls, particularly those from the Yazidi and other minority communities.

Human Rights spokeswoman Liz Throssell says violations committed by IS, (also known as ISIL) include rape and sexual assault, forced displacement, abduction, slavery, and forced religious conversion.

U.N. High Commissioner Zeid Raad al-Hussein has said that the physical, mental, and emotional injuries inflicted by ISIL are almost beyond comprehension and that if victims are to rebuild their lives, and those of their children, they need both justice and redress, she said.

Throssell tells VOA it is not possible to know exactly how many women and girls have been subjected to this abuse. But, she says data from the Yazidi community indicate widespread sexual violence by IS, running into the thousands.

As of July 2, the United Nations reports more than 3,500 women and girls and nearly 3,000 men and boys from the Yazidi community have been abducted. It says thousands more remain unaccounted for.

Throssell says some of the victims have recounted painful stories to colleagues on the ground.

There is an awful lot of psychological trauma and that is why in the report, the emphasis is put both on material support  helping women rebuild their lives, find work, have money, in order to be able to buy food. But, also that they need counseling, psycho-social support, she said.

The report finds the Iraqi government and Kurdistan Regional Government have taken some positive steps to meet the needs of those sexually abused by IS. But, it adds the criminal justice system is largely failing to ensure protection for the victims.
Faced with an angry backlash for defending white supremacists' right to march in Charlottesville, the American Civil Liberties Union is confronting a feeling among some of its members that was once considered heresy: Maybe some speech isn't worth defending.

Cracks in the ACLU's strict defense of the First Amendment no matter how offensive the speech opened from the moment a counterprotester was killed during the rally in Virginia. Some critics said the ACLU has blood on its hands for persuading a judge to let the Aug. 12 march go forward. An ACLU leader in Virginia resigned, tweeting, "What's legal and what's right are sometimes different."

"This was a real tragedy and we're all reeling," said Lee Rowland, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU's headquarters in New York City. "Charlottesville should be a wake-up call to all of us."

The backlash, reminiscent of one that followed the ACLU's 1978 defense of a neo-Nazi group that wanted to march through Skokie, Illinois, a Chicago suburb with a large number of Holocaust survivors, set off a tumultuous week of soul-searching and led to a three-hour national staff meeting in which the conflict within the group was aired.

What resulted was an announcement that the ACLU will no longer stand with hate groups seeking to march with weapons, as some of those in Charlottesville did.

"If people are gathering armed to the hilt and hoping for violence, I think the ACLU would be doing damage to our free-speech rights in the long term," Rowland said.

The newfound limit on how far the nearly century-old ACLU is willing to go to defend free speech sets up intriguing choices in the months ahead. Will it intervene, for example, in the case of a white nationalist rally at Texas A&M that the university canceled after Charlottesville? The ACLU said it won't discuss when and where it might take a stand.

The seeds of upheaval in Charlottesville were planted when a judge agreed with the ACLU that white nationalists should be able to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee where the monument stands, instead of at a neutral site sought by city officials.

ACLU's 'misguided' theory

It was a position consistent with the ACLU's history of defending free-speech rights for protesters on all parts of the spectrum. But then James Alex Fields Jr. was accused of using his car to kill 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injure several others who were staging a counterprotest.

Within hours, a board member of the ACLU's Virginia branch, Waldo Jaquith, resigned and fired off a stinging tweet that ended with, "I won't be a fig leaf for the Nazis."

In an opinion piece in The New York Times, K-Sue Park, a race studies fellow at the UCLA School of Law, argued that the ACLU's defend-in-all-cases approach to the First Amendment "perpetuates a misguided theory that all radical views are equal," adding that group is "standing on the wrong side of history."

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe went further, accusing the ACLU of creating a "powder keg" in Charlottesville. The ACLU of Virginia responded by saying it was "horrified" by the violence but didn't cause it.

"We do not support Nazis," it said. "We support the Constitution and the laws of the United States."

After the 1978 furor over the neo-Nazi rally in Skokie, which never actually got off the ground, the ACLU stood firm even as it received hate mail and hundreds of members quit.

Criticism follows recent praise

The latest criticism of the ACLU has come from some of the same people who had heaped praise and donations on the organization for its resistance to President Donald Trump's travel ban. Membership surged from 425,000 to 1.6 million, with $90 million in online contributions, in the months since Trump's election.

"The ACLU has faced much worse before and emerged stronger and more dynamic," said Ron Kuby, a New York civil rights attorney. "Refusing to represent people who intend to march while visibly armed is a reasonable line to draw given what we've seen from the white supremacists."

ACLU member and Charlottesville resident Ira Bashkow said he never considered quitting the group, but feels the disturbing episode in his city showed it has to rethink its "old-line" approach to the First Amendment.

"I believe in the right to free speech, but it doesn't mean [demonstrators] can say whatever they want and hold a weapon at the same time," he said.

Stacy Sullivan, an associate director with the ACLU, said that after Charlottesville, a small increase in people quitting as members or dropping off social media last week was made up for by new sign-ups.

She said the ACLU will not shy away from taking unpopular positions.

"If you can't stomach respecting the First Amendment rights of people you despise," Sullivan said, "you don't work here."
The White House Press Office has released a statement mourning the deaths of 10 U.S. sailors who died in a collision at sea Monday.

"As the Navy begins the process of recovering our fallen sailors, our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends," the statement said.

"We are grateful for the rescue and recovery efforts of the officers and crew of the USS John S. McCain, the Malaysian Coast Guard, Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Singaporean Navy," the White House statement said, adding that the Defense Department will conduct a "thorough and complete" investigation of the incident.

U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift said Tuesday that divers have recovered human remains from the USS John S. McCain, the second U.S. guided-missile destroyer to collide with a commercial vessel in as many months. The American ship suffered "significant damage."

Swift also said at a news conference in Singapore that the Navy is trying to identify a body that was recovered by the Malaysian navy.

U.S. investigators have been trying to determine what led to the collision with a Liberian tanker ship near the Strait of Malacca. Navy photos show a gaping hole below the waterline on the destroyer's port side. Some sleeping areas and communications rooms flooded as a result.

The order for an immediate operational pause across the U.S. fleet was a response to the collision.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said a pause of one to two days will give commanders a chance to evaluate everything from how officers conduct themselves on the bridge to shipwide working conditions.

"There's something out there that we're not getting at," Richardson told Pentagon reporters late Monday. However, he added, there is no indication so far that anyone intentionally caused the collision.

Series of mishaps

Richardson has also ordered a broader investigation that will look at potential root causes for what he described as a series of mishaps at sea  from training and operational tempo to equipment and maintenance. He said that effort would bring in experts from outside the Navy to make sure nothing is overlooked.

In the earlier collision involving a U.S. destroyer, seven sailors from the USS Fitzgerald died when their ship hit a container ship in waters off Japan. The Navy relieved the U.S. captain of his command, and further punitive actions are expected, following an inquiry that found poor seamanship and flaws in keeping watch contributed to the collision.

The USS McCain is named for the father and grandfather of U.S. Senator John McCain, both of them four-star Navy admirals. The senator also was a naval officer, an aviator who spent six years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.
Whole Foods shareholders voted Wednesday to bless a $13.7 billion union with Amazon that the organic grocery chain's CEO had called ``love at first sight.''



That approval is one step required to close the deal, which is a bold move into physical stores for Amazon and has the possibility of making big changes to the supermarket industry and online grocery ordering. The deal also needs the go-ahead from government regulators.



By buying Whole Foods, Amazon will get more than 460 stores and potentially very lucrative data about how shoppers behave offline.



Rivals are scrambling to catch up with the e-commerce giant. Walmart, for example, is expanding its grocery delivery service with ride-hailing service Uber and announced Wednesday that it will join forces with Google to let shoppers order goods by voice on Google devices.



The deal may also breathe new life into Whole Foods, which had been under intense shareholder pressure to improve results and retain customers who have more choices about where to get natural foods. As Whole Foods grew, more supermarkets offered similar organic and natural foods, but at cheaper prices.



Amazon and Whole Foods have not given many details about what might change for customers, though Whole Foods CEO John Mackey gave some general clues at a town hall with employees after the deal was announced. He said he thought Amazon would help with efforts on cost-cutting and a loyalty program. He noted Amazon is known for its innovation and said that company could turn Whole Foods from ``the class dunce'' to ``valedictorian.''



Mackey had said the deal came about after a "whirlwind courtship" and that "it was truly love at first sight."



As part of the deal, Amazon will pay Whole Foods shareholders $42 for each share they own. That was an 18 percent premium from its stock price the day before the tie-up was announced on June 16. Shares of Whole Foods Market Inc. were trading at $41.72 on Wednesday.



Earlier this month, Amazon.com Inc. sold $16 billion of bonds in order to pay for Whole Foods. Seattle-based Amazon has said it expects the deal to close before the end of the year.


The Saudi-led coalition carried out several airstrikes in Yemen early on Wednesday, hitting a small hotel near the capital of Sana'a and killing dozens of people, Yemeni officials and witnesses said.



There were conflicting reports on the victims, with doctors saying they were farmers and officials and witnesses saying they included Houthi rebels.



The fighter jets targeted a two-story hotel in Qaa al-Qaidhi district, located in the town of Arhab, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Sana'a, officials said.



The building sustained extensive damage and bodies were still being retrieved from under the rubble, witnesses said later on Wednesday. Another airstrike hit a checkpoint manned by the Houthis, a few kilometers (miles) from the hotel, they added. The officials and the witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters.



Footage of the area aired on al-Masirah TV, a Houthi-run satellite news network, showed bodies hanging out of a simple cinderblock building. Bystanders wrapped mangled corpses into blankets to try to carry them away.



The TV network said 41 civilians were killed and that the death toll was expected to rise further. Officials and witnesses told The Associated Press that the death toll had reached 60 and that the majority of those killed were Houthis rebels.



Physician Ali al-Rakmi who was helping at the site of the hotel strike, said there were more than 100 people inside at the time of the attack, all farmers who work in growing qat. The plant's leaves are chewed for a stimulant effect, a widespread tradition among Yemeni men.



Al-Rakmi said they had retrieved 35 bodies so far, with many only as pieces of bodies.



Fahd Marhab, head of the Umrah hospital about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the site of the airstrike, said there were no wounded and that all the people in the hotel were killed in the 3 a.m. airstrike. He also said that they were mostly farmers.



It was not possible to reconcile the discrepancies in the accounts and the different number of fatalities reported by the officials and the TV.



There was no immediate comment from the coalition.



The Saudi-led coalition has been waging an extensive air campaign against the Houthis and forces loyal to ousted Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 2015, seeking to push the rebels from lands they captured, including Sanaa, and restore the internationally recognized government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to power.



But the airstrikes have also hit civilian targets, such as schools, hospitals, and markets, killing thousands and prompting rights groups to accuse the Saudi-led coalition of committing war crimes. Activists have also called upon Western countries, including the United States and Britain, to cease military support for the coalition.



Yemen's conflict began after the Houthis swept into Sanaa in 2014 and overthrew Hadi's government, forcing it to relocate to the southern port city of Aden and prompting Hadi to seek military support from Arab Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia.



The conflict has so far killed over 10,000 civilians, displaced 3 million people and pushed the impoverished nation to the brink of famine.



Wednesday's hotel bombing comes amid stepped-up airstrikes in and around Sanaa, with army compounds and other Houthi locations targeted. Also hit was the Rimah Hamid military camp south of Sanaa, where officers are loyal to Saleh's forces.



The Houthi-Saleh alliance, meanwhile, has seen a long-simmering power struggle burst into the open. Over the past days, the two sides have exchanged accusations and threats ahead of a rally on Thursday to mark the 35th anniversary of the founding of Saleh's party, the General People's Congress.



Saleh and the Houthis were always unlikely allies. As president, Saleh fought the Houthis from 2004 till 2009 in their northern heartland of Saada. After his overthrow in the 2011 uprising under a deal that gave him immunity from prosecution in return for giving up power, Saleh and the Houthis struck an alliance of convenience with a common enemy  Hadi's government and his Islamist Islah party allies.



Sanaa is packed with armed men and armored vehicles, fueling fears of open clashes between Saleh's forces and the Houthis. Saleh has complained that the rebels have sidelined him and his loyalists, leaving them out of military and political decisions, as well as U.N.-sponsored negotiations to end Yemen's civil war.
Veterans, families, caregivers and stakeholders are invited to attend and share their views about care at the facility.

Tomah VA Medical Center and its outpatient clinics in La Crosse, Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids and Clark County provide care to more than 26,000 military veterans in western Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota each year. Information about the Tomah VA Medical Center can be found @ www.tomah.va.gov.
A South African model's claims of assault have drawn attention to Zimbabwe's increasingly outspoken first lady Grace Mugabe, who has been viewed as a possible successor to her 93-year-old husband.

Grace Mugabe and President Robert Mugabe returned to Zimbabwe Sunday, despite calls by a South African legal group and protesters for the Zimbabwean first lady to be denied diplomatic immunity.

Here's a look at the wife of the world's oldest head of state, who has faced assault claims elsewhere in the past:

What happened?

Twenty-year-old model Gabriella Engels claims that the 52-year-old Grace Mugabe attacked her with an extension cord in a luxury hotel in a Johannesburg suburb a week ago, on August 13.

Engels claims she was in a hotel room with mutual friends of Mugabe's two sons, who live in Johannesburg, when the first lady burst into the room and assaulted her. Photos posted on social media show a bloody gash to Engels' forehead that she claims was a result of the encounter.

Mugabe has not commented on the allegations.

"I want to go to court because I really feel like she should go to jail for what she did to me," Engels told The Associated Press.

Mugabe has been accused of assaults during other overseas trips, including a 2009 visit to Hong Kong in which a photographer accused her of beating him up.

Who is the first lady?

The South African-born first lady was plucked by President Robert Mugabe from his secretarial pool decades ago. She bore him children and, after the death of his first wife, Grace and the president married in 1996. Though Grace Mugabe has been lampooned by critics in the past for shopping expeditions and a doctorate obtained under questionable circumstances, she has built a serious if polarizing political profile with charity work and frequent rallies in recent years.

Last month, she challenged her husband publicly for the first time to name a successor, wading into a subject that the president has regarded as taboo. She previously said her husband could rule from the grave. "If God decides to take him, then we would rather field him as a corpse" in the 2018 election, she said early this year.

Robert Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since 1980, already has started campaigning for next year's vote. He has repeatedly said he will not choose a successor.

Where is Grace Mugabe now?

Grace Mugabe returned to Zimbabwe Sunday morning with President Robert Mugabe, who had attended a regional summit in South Africa.

Zimbabwe's state-owned broadcaster showed Grace Mugabe and her husband being greeted at Harare International Airport by government and military officials.

The case has taken on a political flavor. South Africa's main opposition party had warned President Jacob Zuma and his administration not to let Grace Mugabe leave. And lawyers working with the model said they will go to court to challenge the South African government if it is confirmed that immunity was granted to Mugabe.

Willie Spies, legal representative at AfriForum, an organization that primarily represents South Africa's white Afrikaner minority, said Grace Mugabe may be back in Zimbabwe, but the legal actions may make it difficult for her to return to South Africa in the future.
Afriforum is set to file papers in court seeking permission to sue Zimbabwes First Lady Grace Mugabe, who allegedly assaulted South African model, Gabriella Engels, said to have been found socializing with her children Robert Junior and Chatunga at a Sandton hotel.

Willie Spies, attorney at Afriforum representing Engels, told VOA Studio 7 that they expect to be granted permission by the South African courts to serve papers on President Robert Mugabe in Harare.

Spies said serving the papers on President Mugabe would ensure that Mrs. Mugabe also gets notice of the application. So, the process on the 19th of September is to actually file an application in which we will ask the courts for permission to sue Mrs. Mugabe here.

He noted that papers that are also being issued against International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane are seeking the setting aside of the diplomatic immunity granted to Mrs. Mugabe.

The papers that we are serving are papers attacking the immunity that was granted. We say that it was granted unlawfully, our legislation does not provide for that and we are applying for a court order to set aside that immunity.

He said the messenger of court is expected to serve papers on the minister of international relations within the next few days.

The attorney dismissed as unjustifiable suggestions that they should also file the paper in Zimbabwean courts saying the courts in that country have been degraded by President Mugabes government.

I am very doubtful if we will pursue justice through Zimbabwean courts. We do not have lots of trust in the Zimbabwean legal system. To be honest the legal system in Zimbabwe from experience that we have, has been corrupted by the Mugabe regime.

Mrs. Mugabe allegedly invaded her childrens rooms at a Sandton hotel two weeks ago where she is said to have attacked Engels and other women found in the company of the two teenagers.

Engels suffered some head injuries while her friends allegedly ran away when Mrs. Mugabe invaded the hotel room.
China demanded Wednesday that the United States immediately withdraw new sanctions on companies and individuals trading with North Korea, saying that such punitive measures will damage Sino-U.S. ties.

The Treasury Department imposed sanctions Tuesday on 10 companies and six people from China and Russia that it said had conducted business with North Korea in ways that advanced the countrys missile and nuclear weapons program.

But Chinas Foreign Ministry said its government had fully implemented U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea and would punish anyone caught violating the Security Council sanctions under Chinese law.

It added that it opposed sanctions outside the framework of the Security Council.

China especially opposes any country conducting long-arm jurisdiction over Chinese entities and individuals, spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a routine news conference. Measures taken by the United States are not helpful in solving the problem and unhelpful to mutual trust and cooperation. We ask the United States to stop the relevant wrong practices immediately.

Despite Chinas professed opposition to unilateral sanctions, however, it has not hesitated to punish countries through trade if they refuse to do Beijings bidding.

China is engaged in a major blockade of South Korean companies because it opposes the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system, known as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), in South Korea.

[Why China is so mad about THAAD]

Among the sanctioned Chinese companies is Dandong Zhicheng Metallic Material, also known as Dandong Chengtai, one of the largest importers of North Korean coal, while its main shareholder also was individually targeted.

In a related complaint the Justice Department filed Tuesday, the U.S. government is seeking $4 million from the company, accusing it of importing North Korean coal and sending an array of products  cellphones, luxury items, rubber and sugar  to North Korea.

In August, the Security Council agreed to a total ban on coal imports from North Korea; in the past, a limited trade had been allowed, provided the coal was not purchased from a sanctioned North Korean company and was proven to befor livelihood purposes.

In practice, though, experts say, that loophole was exploited to facilitate a trade that generated $1 billion a year for North Korea.

Kim Jong Un has tested nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate since he came into power. Yet, the country is under some of the toughest sanctions ever. This is how the regime is able to funnel billions of dollars into its nuclear program. (Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

In a June report by the Washington-based research group C4ADS, Dandong Zhicheng was cited among those Chinese companies that are pivotal to North Koreas ability to circumvent international sanctions and buy illicit goods. The report said targeting those companies could cause North Koreas entire overseas network to collapse.

Dandong Zhicheng alone accounted for 9.2 percent of North Koreas total exports to China last year, according to documentation that C4ADS reviewed. Almost all  97 percent  of this was North Korean coal, totaling about $250 million annually.

[Kim Jong Uns rockets are getting an important boost  from China]

The companys website says it has several interests, including metals, chemicals, rubber, furniture, computing equipment, office supplies, clothing and toys. It says it does a small amount of business in North Korean border trade.

Chi Yupeng, the companys main shareholder, won an award from the Dandong city government as a leading entrepreneur in 2005, another award for his remarkable contribution to enterprise in 2008 and a third for starting a foreign trade enterprise in 2009.

Two other Chinese companies, Dandong Tianfu Trade and Jinhou International Holdings, were sanctioned for their part in the coal trade. Together, the three companies imported nearly $500 million worth of North Korean coal between 2013 and 2016, the Treasury Department said.

Dandong Rich Earth Trading was sanctioned for buying vanadium ore from a company connected to North Koreas atomic energy agency, while Mingzheng International Trading was accused of facilitating dollar transactions on behalf of North Koreas proliferation network. The companies either declined to comment, hung up or did not pick up the phone when contacted by The Washington Post. The Dandong city government declined to comment.

The Global Times, a nationalist tabloid, argued that the United States could face retaliation if it continued to impose sanctions considered a serious violation of international law and certainly unacceptable to China.

As far as we are concerned, Washington wants to use such unilateral sanctions to smear China and Russias international image on issues regarding sanctioning North Korea, painting China and Russia as the destroyers of U.N. sanctions, it wrote.

[China bans North Korean iron, lead, coal imports as part of U.N. sanctions]

Chen Weihua, deputy editor of the U.S. edition of China Daily, argued that the U.S. decision would undermine cooperation between Washington and Beijing.

The U.S. has long believed that sanctions are a silver bullet, he wrote in a column. But its past track records have shown that the majority of sanctions not only failed but caused humanitarian disasters in other countries.

There is little doubt, he added, that such secondary sanctions will have little or no effect in persuading North Korea to change course.

Chen also wrote that the Obama administrations decision to help topple Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi after he abandoned his nuclear weapons program  and his subsequent death at the hands of a mob in 2011  had damaged the U.S. governments credibility.

Beijing is not averse to using economic pressure to get its way: It significantly cut salmon imports from Norway for years after imprisoned democracy activist Liu Xiabo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has encouraged consumer boycotts of Japan, and punished countries for hosting the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.

Nevertheless, Lu Chao, a Korean Peninsula expert at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, said Washingtons decision to impose unilateral sanctions on China was inappropriate, unacceptable and very domineering.

China is strictly implementing the U.N. resolution. Though we cant 100 percent exclude the possibility of individuals having underground deals violating the Ministry of Commerces regulations, the United States being so far away doesnt have a proper reason to take sanction measures unilaterally, he said. They should inform the Chinese government and let the latter deal with it.

China accounts for about 90 percent of North Korean trade but announced this month that it was suspending imports of iron ore, iron, lead, coal and seafood products from North Korea, to comply with U.N. sanctions.

Chinas imports from North Korea fell to $880 million in the first six months of the year, down 13 percent from a year earlier, official figures show. But Chinese exports rose 29 percent, to $1.67 billion, in the first six months of the year, increasing total trade between the two countries by 10 percent.

China is reluctant to do anything that might destabilize North Korea, a long-standing ally. It says U.S. hostility toward Pyongyang forced the regime to develop its nuclear program, and it urges dialogue to reduce tensions.

[Dodging blame, China urges U.S. to stop hurling threats at North Korea]

Yang Xiyu, a North Korea expert at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing, called the U.S. move counterproductive and said Washington should have worked more closely with Beijing.

I think this shows the frustration from the U.S. toward Beijing, that China wont play as the U.S. wanted, he said, arguing that it would do nothing to dissuade North Korea from pursuing nuclear weapons. Its a superfluous measure that may only worsen the Sino-U.S. relationship and destroy the foundation of trust for cooperation between the two countries.

Cheng Xiaohe, a North Korea expert at Renmin University of China in Beijing, said the U.S. government did not have factual evidence that these companies were violating sanctions.

The Chinese government will not sit by and do nothing if the sanctions are implemented without strong evidence, he said.

Shirley Feng and Luna Lin contributed to this report.

Read more:

How a Chinese entrepreneur evaded sanctions and financed Kim Jong Uns nuclear weapons program

Beijing warns Pyongyang: Youre on your own if you go after the United States

6 questions about North Koreas quest for nuclear weapons

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
LENDING

Massachusetts sues student loan servicer

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey on Wednesday sued one of the nations largest federal student loan servicers, saying it undermined two programs that offer debt relief to borrowers who work in public service.

Healey filed the lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. It claimed that PHEAA caused teachers and other public servants to lose benefits and financial assistance under two federal programs.

PHEAA, which does business as FedLoan Servicing, said in a statement that it disagrees with the allegations but will work with the U.S. Department of Education to resolve any issues.

The Education Department in 2012 picked PHEAA to manage the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which allows for loans of borrowers working in public service to be wiped out after 10 years of consistent payments, and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant program, which provides grants to borrowers pursuing teaching careers in low-income schools for at least four years.

The lawsuit claims PHEAA has prevented borrowers from making monthly payments that count toward loan forgiveness and also overcharged students.

 Reuters

FOOD INDUSTRY

McDonalds targets antibiotics in chicken

McDonalds said Wednesday that it would begin curbing the use of the high-value human antibiotics in its global chicken supply in 2018.

The company is requiring suppliers of chicken meat to begin phasing out the use of antibiotics defined by the World Health Organization as highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HPCIA) to human medicine.

Public health and consumer groups applauded the move. Over the last year, U.S. suppliers have provided the chain with chickens raised without antibiotics deemed important to human health.

In January 2018, HPCIAs will be gone from McDonalds chickens in Brazil, Canada, Japan, South Korea, the United States and Europe. By the end of 2019, suppliers in Australia and Russia will stop using HPCIAs.

 Reuters

Also in Business

Sales of new U.S. homes plummeted 9.4 percent in July, the sharpest one-month drop in nearly a year. But the decline followed strong sales in previous months, and sales so far this year are outpacing last years. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that new-home sales fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 571,000 in July, down from 630,000 in June. Still, sales in the first seven months of the year are 9.2 percent higher than in the same period last year. More buyers are turning to new homes as the supply of existing homes for sale has fallen steadily.

 From news reports

Coming today

8:30 a.m.: Labor Department releases weekly jobless claims.

10 a.m.: Freddie Mac releases weekly mortgage rates.

10 a.m.: National Association of Realtors releases existing-home sales for July.
A veterinary surgeon examines a cat that is under an anaesthetic. Some veterinarians allow costly treatments to be paid in installments. (Getty Images/iStock)

Dear Dr. Fox:

I am writing in regard to the letter in your column from the pet owners who have no regrets about their dogs surgeries.

I have three cats. Bosoco is 16 years old. When I adopted him, he had a broken jaw and some broken teeth. He also had a problem with his eyelids that was taken care of by the shelter, but we never knew what happened. The injury to his jaw was too old to fix, but you would never know anything was wrong. He also has high blood pressure and a thyroid issue, for which he is on medication.

Last year, Bosoco came down with a very bad upper respiratory infection that landed him at the vets for a week. He came home with a feeding tube. It took him a while, but he got better and has done very well. The cost was $2,000.

My other cat, Gabby, was adopted from a local veterinary hospital. Her owner was moving and wanted to put the cat down, but the doctor refused, so I took her and gave her a home. She had many health problems, including cat-scratch fever and gingivitis. The hospital cleaned her teeth, pulled some and treated her with antibiotics at no cost. When she came home, I noticed that when she ate, she would run off and cry in pain. She was diagnosed with stomatitis. She was given steroids for quite a while, until I read about the disease and found out that cats do well after having molars and pre-molars, pulled. In November, the vet pulled her teeth, and today Gabby is free from cat-scratch fever and stomatitis and is thriving. The shots and surgery cost about $2,000, which I am paying off each month.

I have no regrets  it was worth every penny, and I would do it again. The cats are our family. Ive had five cats and was down to two when I took in Gabby. Weve had people tell us we are crazy, spending that kind of money on animals  but, again, it was worth it.

L.Z., the District

DF: Thank you for sharing your experiences and costs for providing quality of life for two of your rescued cats.

I know that you know their lives are worth every penny you spent, and I wish that more people understood that responsible care can be costly for a dog or cat  regardless of age and source  so be prepared!

You, and others like you, might be ridiculed for such extravagant indulgence. Often such critics put people first and look down on other species, an attitude that is laying waste to the natural world and harming us all in the process.

I appreciate that you are paying off your veterinary bill in installments, and I wish that more veterinarians would be so accommodating, rather than demanding full payment before an animal is released from their care.

Dear Dr. Fox:

We have been told here in Florida that canine flu is a danger to our dogs and that we should get our pups vaccinated.

My girl, a 7-year-old cairn terrier mix, does not go to dog parks and takes walks only in the neighborhood. However, we do travel occasionally, usually once every month or so, and board her. Having someone watch her in our home is not an option.

What is your advice on getting the vaccine?

P.R., Wellington, Fla.

DF: I am not opposed to the appropriate and judicious use of vaccinations for disease prevention in animals. As I document in my article on vaccination risks and benefits on my website, drfoxvet.net, the precautionary principle should be applied to minimize potential adverse reactions and diseases in the category of vaccinosis.

The dog-boarding facility might insist on certain vaccines being up to date, but it should accept blood titers showing good levels of protection, even if some duration of vaccination dates have expired.

Very often, these are not needed, but some vaccines are short-lived, and taking blood titers for them is a waste of money. Kennel cough is one, and canine influenza vaccine might also give only short-term protection, in part because new strains tend to evolve. I would give your dog the flu vaccine only if your veterinarian says that this is a problem in your community at this time. If the boarding facility insists regardless, you might want to find a kennel for your dog that is more reasonable and informed about vaccinations.

If one or more vaccines are called for, always separate the mandatory rabies vaccination from other vaccinations by two to three weeks. Never vaccinate a sick animal and, because of the added stress of boarding, get all shots done two to three weeks before the drop-off date.

There are two canine influenza strains  neither of which, to date, can infect humans. The signs of this illness in dogs are cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge and reduced appetite. The severity of illness associated with canine flu in dogs can range from no signs to severe illness resulting in pneumonia and sometimes death.

Canine influenza H3N8 virus originated in horses, spread to dogs and can now spread between dogs.

The H3N8 equine influenza (horse flu) virus has been known to exist in horses for more than 40 years. In 2004, cases were reported in the United States in greyhounds.

The H3N2 canine influenza virus, diagnosed in dogs in 10 central and Southern states in May 2017, is an avian flu virus that mutated to infect dogs. H3N2 viruses have also been reported to infect cats. Canine influenza, an H3N2 virus, was first detected in dogs in South Korea in 2007 and has since been reported in China and Thailand. It was first detected in the United States in April 2015.

Michael W. Fox, author of a newsletter and books on animal care, welfare and rights, is a veterinarian with doctoral degrees in medicine and animal behavior. Send letters to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo. 64106.
President Trump attacked the media, including the New York Times, CNN and the Washington Post, during his rally in Phoenix on Aug. 22 "Fox has treated me fairly," Trump said. "How good is Hannity? ... And Fox & Friends in the morning is the best show." (The Washington Post)

President Trump attacked the media, including the New York Times, CNN and the Washington Post, during his rally in Phoenix on Aug. 22 "Fox has treated me fairly," Trump said. "How good is Hannity? ... And Fox & Friends in the morning is the best show." (The Washington Post)

As with so much about President Trump, his Phoenix rally on Tuesday night was two contradictory things: both shocking and completely predictable.

Shocking because it was the most sustained attack any president has made on the news media. (Its time to expose the crooked-media deceptions and challenge the media for their role in fomenting divisions, Trump ranted, as he charged that reporters invent sources and make up stories. They are trying to take away our history and our heritage.)

And predictable because this is exactly what Trump does when hes in trouble. He finds an enemy and punches as hard as he can.

[As Trump ranted and rambled in Phoenix, his crowd slowly thinned]

Make no mistake, he is in trouble. With a special prosecutor breathing down his neck and even once-loyal Breitbart News turning on him, Trump is, according to one new poll, at the lowest point of his presidency.

Fifty-three percent of voters say he is not moral. (Stop a moment to take that in.)

Fifty-five percent say he isnt stable, according to a Politico/Morning Consult poll taken this past weekend. And 58 percent of voters call him reckless.

Never one to examine his own conscience, or look for self-improvement, Trump apparently consulted his tried-and-true playbook.

Go for the jugular, Trump advised in his 2009 book Think Big.

Always get even: You need to screw them back 15 times harder. You do it not only to get the person who messed with you but also to show the others who are watching what will happen to them if they mess with you.

It is a philosophy learned decades ago from his mentor, the ruthless lawyer Roy Cohn. In a recent Vanity Fair article on Trump and Cohn, Marie Brenner quotes lawyer Victor Kovner: You knew when you were in Cohns presence you were in the presence of pure evil.

She writes: Cohns power derived largely from his ability to scare potential adversaries with hollow threats and spurious lawsuits. And the fee he demanded for his services? Ironclad loyalty. Sounds familiar.

[The man who showed Donald Trump how to exploit power and instill fear]

Trump lapped up this advice. No target is sacrosanct.

Even if the person or organization that screwed him is a Gold Star parent like Khizr Khan, in the Trump philosophy, you must counterpunch.

If its one of the cornerstones of American democracy like the independent news media, thats fair game, too.

In Phoenix, Trump praised his friends at Fox News, with especially kind words for his most dependable toady, Sean Hannity, and the cheerleaders at Fox & Friends. And he mourned the loss of the intolerable Jeffrey Lord, fired recently by CNN.

But otherwise, the news media is damned dishonest, he said, leading the crowd in familiar chants of CNN sucks.

Aggressive as Tuesday nights attack was, it had more than a whiff of desperation about it.

After all, there was no dishonesty in the mainstream media coverage of Trumps initial on many sides reaction to Charlottesville, which has had such dire political consequences for him, in addition to financial repercussions, as groups withdraw from planned events at his resorts.

[17th charity cancels its event at President Trumps Mar-a-Lago Club, blaming political turbulence]

The president may be able to convince his die-hard supporters, like the ones at the Phoenix rally, that he was misquoted or misrepresented, but thats simply not true. Anyone who was paying attention knows that.

What happens next? Under siege, Trump needs a foil more than ever, so these media attacks are only going to grow in intensity.

It will be journalists continued challenge not to take the bait, to refuse to play the assigned role of presidential enemy. Leave the revenge to the expert.

For more by Margaret Sullivan visit wapo.st/sullivan
Alexandria

These cases were reported recently by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, which operates the city animal shelter and provides animal control services to the city. For information or to report emergencies involving animals 24 hours a day, call 703-746-4774 or go to alexandriaanimals.org .

Hide and seek: Brenman Park Dr., 4800 block, Aug. 14. Responding to a call, an officer found four kittens hiding in the bushes and took them to the shelter for care.

Freedom for raccoon: Fort Williams Pkwy., 500 block, Aug. 11. An officer removed a raccoon stuck in a trash can in a park and returned it to the wild.

Arlington

These cases were reported recently by the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, which operates the county animal shelter and provides animal control services to the county. For information or to report emergencies involving animals 24 hours a day, call 703-931-9241 or go to awla.org.

Wrong footing: N. 20th St., 4000 block, 12:41 p.m. Aug. 13. An officer removed a squirrel trapped in netting and released it.

Dog goes home: S. Dinwiddie St., 2000 block, 12:48 p.m. Aug. 13. A dog was found in a park and taken to the shelter, where it was claimed by an owner.

Wildlife education: N. Aberdeen St., 100 block, 2:16 p.m. Aug. 16. A resident called about a raccoon in the trash can, but when the officer arrived, the raccoon had left. Residents were told how to keep wildlife away.

Kitten yoga: The Animal Welfare League of Arlington will hold a yoga session, led by Beth A. Wolfe, for age 10 and older at the shelter, with adoptable kittens available. Bring a yoga mat from 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 7 and 21 at 2650 S. Arlington Mill Dr., Arlington. $20; registration required. 703-362-9110. awla.org.

Cats on mats: Ease Yoga & Cafe will have a yoga session, led by Beth A. Wolfe, with adoptable cats from King Street Cats from 1 to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 at 3051 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $30; registration required. 703-362-9110. easeyogacafe.com.

 Compiled by Ria Manglapus
 Chris Hurst checks the dark clouds out the window of his Jeep Liberty as he barrels west up Route 460 to the crest of Brush Mountain. Rain starts, big drops, promising a heavy storm. Hurst hurtles down the far side, finds the gravel lot hes looking for and pulls off the road.

He scrambles out of the car, determined to get a picture before the rain gets too intense. How about that, he chuckles, centering the image on his iPhone: a giant billboard reading Giles County for Hurst. Vote Nov. 7th.

Its solid red country over here, so Hurst  running for the Virginia House of Delegates as a Democrat  is making a bold statement with that sign. Just up the road is a huge banner depicting the Ten Commandments and the American flag, and beyond that a billboard with a bloody cross and the slogan Hang out with Jesus. He hung out for you.

This is home turf for his opponent, Del. Joseph R. Yost, a Republican who has represented the 12th District since 2011. One of the youngest members of the General Assembly, Yost is from an old pioneer family and chairs the local historical society.

In a state where all the races are serving as proxies for partisan wars in Washington, the 12th is a key battleground  targeted by Democrats as one that can be flipped from Republican control, a beachhead in a region that once seemed untouchably red.

After his girlfriend was murdered on live television in 2015, Chris Hurst left behind a career as a local news anchor in hopes of becoming a delegate for Virginias 12th District in the state legislature. Democrats believe he could flip the competitive seat. (Dalton Bennett,Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post)

Hurst is a political novice, but a local celebrity with a tragic backstory. He was the anchor for the evening news two years ago when reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were gunned down on live TV by a disturbed former colleague. Parker and Hurst had been living together with plans to marry.

[They planned to marry; then a gunman stole their future on live TV]

His surprise decision this year to quit TV and run for office electrified the local race. He has raised the second-highest amount of all Democratic challengers in the 100 Virginia House races  $232,000 as of the June reporting period. Republicans are funneling cash to Yost to keep up, raising $210,000. Their district is as polarized as any in the state  one side of Brush Mountain voted for Donald Trump last fall and the other for Hillary Clinton.

But at the center of all that attention and pressure, Hurst and Yost are doing something interesting  something that suggests Washington's hyperpartisan toxicity doesnt have to play out at every level: Rather than withdraw to ideological extremes, they are converging toward the middle, staking out similar positions on many issues.

Both are opposed to the huge natural gas pipeline proposed for the county. Both want to protect manufacturing jobs, support public schools and create better mental-health services.

Yost won the endorsement of the Virginia Education Association  almost unheard of for a Republican. Hurst, the gun violence survivor, touts his support for gun rights.

And neither is a big fan of President Trump.

Chris Hurst, Democratic candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates, speaks with Sue Elliott, left, while canvassing a neighborhood in his district on July 18, 2017, in Blacksburg. (Jay Westcott/For The Washington Post)

Im an unusual Republican, Yost said.

Hursts version: If there was a party that was just the No B.S. party, Id be a charter member.

A complicated district

From the outside, it would be easy to make assumptions about the 12th District. It is part of the red backcountry, the edge of Appalachia, home to the working-class whites who helped put Trump in office.

Except its more complicated than that. The crest of Brush Mountain is the line between Giles and Montgomery counties. Virginia Tech and Radford University are on the Montgomery side, which is economically diverse with upscale neighborhoods full of professors and business leaders. Occasional modest We love our Muslim neighbors signs can be spotted on the shady streets of Blacksburg.

In Giles, where the biggest employer is a factory that makes cellulose acetate and other materials for filtration devices, many of the little towns  Pearisburg, Narrows, Rich Creek, Newport  are struggling, their business districts darkened by empty storefronts.

In terms of natural beauty, though, Giles is wealthy beyond measure. The Appalachian Trail winds through the county for 50 miles, some of it along the spectacular New River Gorge. The 69-foot Cascade Falls draws nearly 150,000 visitors every year.

Those resources produce a pragmatic environmentalism among locals. There was little objection a few years ago to a natural gas pipeline for the Celanese plant, for instance, because it eliminated the factorys coal waste and supported jobs.

But the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline is just passing through on its way to Pittsylvania County and draws almost universal outrage in both Giles and Montgomery.

During last falls presidential election, the Giles side of the district went heavily for Trump while the Montgomery side went largely for Clinton. With its bigger population, Montgomery tipped the overall district into the Democratic column  but only by about 500 votes out of more than 30,000 cast, according to an analysis by the Virginia Public Access Project.

That edge is why Democrats think they can pick up the district this year, with blue voters especially motivated to defy the party of Trump.

That, and the fact that Hurst looks like a rising star.

The importance of place

Hurst just turned 30 but has the bearing of a much older man. He had to develop his anchorman gravitas early, winning the big chair at WDBJ in Roanoke when he was only 22. The station touted him as the youngest anchor in the country.

It was something Hurst had been preparing for since his childhood in the Philadelphia area. He and his dad built sets at their house so he could stage talk shows, and he did newscasts on his high schools public-access TV channel.

He came to Roanoke in 2010, not long after graduating from Emerson College. Parker joined the station in 2015. As they fell in love their careers consumed them, but they took refuge in hiking and kayaking across the region.

Her death made headlines worldwide. She was interviewing a local economic development official on live TV when a former reporter at the station showed up and shot her, cameraman Ward and the official, Vicki Gardner, who survived.

The shooter posted his own video of the killing online before being hunted down by police and killing himself. Parker was 24, Ward was 27.

Hurst was on the air soon after, talking of his relationship with Parker. He went on living in the apartment they had shared and kept up daily phone calls with her father, who had become outspoken about guns and mental illness.

Somewhere in those discussions, as Hurst struggled to find meaning, the idea of running for office came up. After months of weighing it with his family, Hurst made the break in February. He said farewell after an evening newscast, announced that he was running for office as a Democrat and moved to a basement apartment in Blacksburg with his dog.

Many people assume Hurst is running on the issue of gun control. The Pride Fund to End Gun Violence hosted him at an event in Washington last month, along with Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ralph Northam  rare recognition for a candidate in an obscure state district race.

But Hursts position is not what advocates on either side may think. Hes a gun owner, he said; Parker liked to shoot, too. Hes leery of steps to broadly restrict access to guns. Instead, he favors measures to treat mental illness and keep guns out of the hands of children or domestic violence offenders.

Even the standard Democratic call for universal background checks is too broad, he said: Im just not as matter-of-fact, black or white with guns as I think people expect or want me to be.

Guns are a nuanced issue in the district. Hunting and shooting are part of growing up here, but so is the memory of the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, in which a mentally ill student shot and killed 32 people and wounded 17.

Hurst would much rather talk about raises for teachers, or his opposition to the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The need for more mental-health services. Better special-education programs. Unsexy topics that dont make the national news but that people in the community wrestle with every day.

What he learned from the depths of his personal tragedy, he said, is the importance of place. I came through the other side believing that I wanted to stay here and give back to the people who gave me such strength and support when I needed it, he said.

Emphasis on local issues

Yost, the Republican incumbent, has faced opposition before but never someone so high-profile or well funded. If it worries him, he doesnt show it.

At 31, Yost, like Hurst, seems mature for his years. Hes quiet in the General Assembly, seldom making speeches. With his round, tortoiseshell glasses and scruffy facial hair, Yost comes across as a young history professor.

He grew up on a farm in Giles County, went to the public schools and graduated from Radford with degrees in criminal justice. Ive never lived outside the boundaries of my district, he said.

Much of what he has done since jumping into politics in 2011 is rooted in local concerns that dont follow easy partisan patterns.

Yost worked in criminal justice for a time, in jail diversion and crisis intervention training  helping the mentally ill get treatment instead of incarceration.

In the legislature this year, Yost sponsored bills to prohibit the death penalty for the severely mentally ill and to study ways that people in jail can get Medicaid services immediately upon release. The first stalled in committee; the second was signed into law.

He has also sponsored legislation to make it legal to farm hemp in Virginia  which would help struggling farmers  and favors increased education spending. In rural areas, he said, schools do much more than teach; theyre community centers.

But Yost is most definitely a Republican. Hes a loyal rank-and-file vote for the partys majority in the House of Delegates and thinks that government should have limits. Its his conservative outlook, and maybe his polite demeanor, that make him hesitant to even talk about Trump.

Federal issues dont have the impact here they do in other parts of the state, Yost said. Trump doesnt come up. We talk about our issues.

And more than anything, that intense local focus is Yosts secret weapon in the race against his hyper-articulate challenger. He has spent years grinding away at small-bore constituent services.

He and his aide scour the community columns in local newspapers for birthdays, anniversaries, awards, kids bagging their first buck  and Yost sends that person a copy of the article with a hand-signed note of congratulations. Dozens, every month. During the school year, he writes to every student who lands on the A/B honor roll  all 1,500 of them. I have great strength in my arm, he deadpanned.

In the evenings, knocking on doors for votes, Yost sees the benefit of that unglamorous work.

I had won the award and you sent me a letter, for the community service, said Pearisburg resident Connie Richardson, 66, when Yost asked for her support. And I really appreciated that.

Neighbor Scott Clark, 50, a state trooper, has known Yost most of his life and doesnt think much of Hurst coming from Roanoke to run.

He kind of is a carpetbagger, Clark said. Which I think youd probably hear echoed in most [places]. You might not in Blacksburg, but youd probably hear it over here. . . . Theres a pretty fine dividing line. We dont like to be like Blacksburg, and Im sure they dont like to be like us.

Im a trigger

On the other side of Brush Mountain, Hurst stumped for votes in a Blacksburg neighborhood  sweat-stained handkerchief in his back pocket, clipboard listing voter names, a tin full of Altoids.

He doesnt feel like an outsider, he said. Roanoke is only 30 minutes away; this was all part of his TV market. But hes quick to point out to people who come to the door  and they all recognize him  that he lives in town.

Hurst is ready for anything when he meets voters like this. Some have burst into tears, thinking back to the tragedy with Parker, perhaps conscious of Virginia Techs tragedy, as well.

Im a trigger for some people, he said.

At one house, two retired nurses told Hurst that they miss seeing him on TV.

Well, I know Im sweatier and not as made-up in person, he said. Just here more to listen than anything else. Thats what I used to do at the TV station as a reporter, and thats what I hope to do as a delegate, too  listen to whats on your mind.

The two women  Gayle Robertson, 71, and Lynn Juliano, 63  gave him an earful about their dislike of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. But beyond that, they said, pausing to find the words, things are just discouraging.

Just watching whats going on up in Washington, Juliano said. You know, the health care, and just . . . anyway, things are not going the way I would like things to go.

Hurst nodded. You know, I was in an environment where I could let cynicism keep creeping in and feel like I was powerless to make direct change, he said. And instead I took a leap without a safety net to do something that Im passionate about.

You did, yeah, you did, Juliano said, and she and Robertson pledged their support.

With that, Hurst was off to the next house. He has knocked on thousands of doors  with volunteers, more than 10,000, including over the mountain in Giles. Hurst isnt willing to write off that part of the district, thus the billboard on the highway.

But the morning after the billboard went up, a small red sign appeared in front of it: Re-elect Joseph Yost  Delegate. Another was just up the road, and another, and another  marching deeper into Giles County.

Rachel Chason contributed to this report.
I lost my granddaughter to heroin addiction, Anita told me.

Weve lost so many people, Tena added.

Recently, former Marine Tena Quackenbush and her friends, including Quincy Garvin, Jasime Funmaker, Lori Pettibone, Cindy Ward hosted a gathering to promote and encourage recovery from addiction, especially the scourge of heroin addiction.

Ms. Quackenbush started #StoptheStigma, an organization with a mission to stop the stigma of addiction. She was joined by members of Natives Against Heroin in hosting the event.

Wogixete Wi was a traditional pow wow. Translated from Ho-Chunk, wogixete wi means Loving Us. Reaching out with love to those in recovery and to those still suffering from addiction was the theme of the pow wow.

I was honored to be one of the speakers at the gathering.

You are making a difference, I told the pow wow attendees. Building a culture that heals. Putting aside our differences and working to bring love and healing to all who suffer.

Traditional drummers joined us, including the Red Bone drummers from Minneapolis. The Andrew Blackhawk Legion Post 129 assisted in organizing the event. Ho-Chunk members of all ages danced in brightly colored costumes adorned with intricate beadwork.

Eighty-one year-old Clyde Bellecourt mesmerized the group with his stories. The famous Native American civil rights organizer co-founded the American Indian Movement, Mr. Bellecourt is a White Earth Ojibwa. He shared how a group of a few motivated people can change the world.

AIM was started with fewer people than you have here, Mr. Bellecourt told us. And mostly women and children.

At the potluck dinner following the pow wow, I was seated with some of the elder women. They shared with me many sad stories about the scourge of heroin addiction.

Celeste told me, My grandson ODd in my home. I didnt even know he was there. She found all types of drug paraphernalia hidden in her house. The boy just turned 25 and is now in jail.

Tena showed me a photo of the dresser in the room where a woman recently succumbed to addiction. On it were two bottles of Naloxone, more commonly known as Narcan, which blocks the effects of narcotics. Even with this prescription antidote, the woman died of an overdose of heroin laced with a deadly elephant tranquilizer.

This is murder, tribal elder Anita told me. Johnny just buried his daughter yesterday.

Johnny was sitting right behind me. As I gave him a big hug, he thanked me for coming to the pow wow.

We dont want her to die in vain, Anita continued. This is all so senseless  we are fighting. We need something done immediately.

The discussion continued with important questions asked but not answered. Why the moms and dads didnt pay attention to their young ones? Why the police showed up too late to an area where a heroin party took place? Why are the young girls willing to sell themselves to the dealers who got them hooked? Why arent the tribal police watching the party houses? Why arent the abandoned party houses boarded up?

We have to close down the houses, Anita said. They talked of policies and procedures, but people are dying.

Closing up the abandon houses as soon as possible is something Tenas group #StoptheStigma is working hard to accomplish. They boarded up some abandon buildings. There are policies and procedures to work though, but the group has been successful. Tena even received permission to open up one of the buildings as a house of sobriety and recovery.

Getting people into treatment is a challenge.

It shouldnt take three weeks for an assessment and six months for treatment, Tena told me. People need a safe place to go. They are in immediate crisis and they need intervention.

For all of us, as Tena says, Our goal should be saving lives.

Tena and her friends started the group because they and their mentees/sponsees in recovery suffered hateful posts on Facebook. They realized the stigma of addiction not only added to the difficulties of recovery but also made it harder for someone suffering from addiction to BEGIN the long recovery journey.

Changing the culture takes longer. The Wogixete Wi Pow Wow was a beginning. Each one of us can continue loving us and act to help #StoptheStigma.
Fewer than half of Montgomery County students in grades 4 to 8 reached proficiency on state tests in math this year, but Marylands largest school system posted a string of gains in English.

In neighboring Prince Georges County, fewer than a quarter of students reached proficiency on math tests in most grades. In English, students in grades 3 to 5 did better than the year before and those in high school slipped.

Testing data for Marylands 24 school systems, released Tuesday, provided a look at how students fared during the third year of rigorous exams that reflect Common Core state standards.

Statewide, officials touted progress in English, with statistically significant increases at most grade levels. They called math performance mixed.

These results provide educators with critical information on student performance which can be used to strengthen classroom practices, Karen Salmon, state superintendent of schools, said in a statement. When combined with other academic evidence, teachers are able to build instruction around the unique needs of each student.

The data showed persistent racial and ethnic achievement gaps  a long-standing concern in Montgomery County. Superintendent Jack Smith has called efforts to narrow such differences in a system with more than 160,000 students a moral imperative.

[Tests scores rise in Md., but a majority of students in most grades still fail]

In Montgomery, results for Algebra 1 showed gaps of more than 40 percentage points between black and Hispanic students and their white and Asian counterparts. About 23 percent of black students and 18 percent of Hispanic students reached the target on Algebra 1, compared to 69 percent of white students and 70 percent of Asian students, the data showed.

Montgomery school officials did not have immediate comment on the data released late Tuesday afternoon.

The state tests, known as PARCC exams, for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, are scored on a 5-point scale. Scores of 4 or 5 show students have met or exceeded expectations. They are widely viewed as a measure of whether students are on a path to college and career readiness.

In math, 54 percent of Montgomerys third graders hit the proficiency mark. But in grades 4 to 7 and in Algebra 1, proficiency rates in Montgomery ranged from 31 percent to 48 percent. In Prince Georges, the rates for grades 3 to 7 and Algebra 1 were 14 to 25 percent.

One of the largest jumps in performance in Montgomery came in English 10. About 64 percent of students earned the highest marks  an increase of more than 16 points from a year earlier. Scores also climbed more than 9 points in English 7, which Maryland officials said was an area of particular improvement statewide.

Montgomery students did best on the geometry exam: About 85 percent earned the top scores. It had not been widely taken in Montgomery a year earlier, according to state data.

Both Montgomery and Prince Georges students made progress on English exams given to younger students. Prince Georges showed gains of 2 to 4 points across grades 3 to 5. But the county lost ground on the high school level, dropping 4 points in grade 10 and about 9 points in grade 11.

In an analysis that combined grade levels in Prince Georges, school district officials said that overall nearly 26 percent of students in grades 3 to 5 met or exceeded expectations in English, reflecting a 2.5-point increase over a year earlier.

It is encouraging to see our youngest learners, who have been taught to higher standards the longest, showing the most growth, Kevin Maxwell, chief executive of Prince Georges schools, said in a statement. Our teachers and students continue to become familiar with the rigorous demands of the PARCC assessments as we prepare all students to enter college and the workplace.

Prince Georges posted a 9-point proficiency gain in grade 7 math, to nearly 14 percent. The county ticked down 7 points in grade 8 math, with less than 10 percent of students meeting the goal.

Prince Georges officials said there was an anomaly for grade 8 because so many high-achieving students took the course previously and moved on to the next subject. With more than 132,000 students, Prince Georges has the states second-largest school system.

Considered more difficult than the previous generation of state tests in Maryland  called the Maryland School Assessment (MSA)  PARCC exams require persuasive writing, critical thinking and problem-solving.

State officials said 14 school systems showed increases in performance in English grades 3 to 8 and English 10. The share of students earning the highest scores on English 10 was up across virtually all demographic groups, but achievement gaps continue, the state said.
Felix Cepeda, left, and Janice Sevre-Duszynska stand outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Tuesday, the second day of their hunger strike. (Perry Stein/The Washington Post)

Three veteran activists are staging a hunger strike in front of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception this week, calling on the Roman Catholic Church to open its church doors to undocumented immigrants fearing deportation.

The protesters  a nun, a former Jesuit brother and a female priest not recognized by the church  said they wrote a letter to Cardinal Donald Wuerl making the request but have received no response.

Wuerl, the leader of the Washington Archdioceses 620,000 Catholics, said in March that the churchs values compel it to oppose the deportation of immigrants living illegally in the United States. But he has expressed caution about the idea of churches acting as sanctuaries for those seeking to avoid deportation.

The Catholic Church strives to help all who seek pastoral care, spiritual guidance and material assistance, Chieko Noguchi, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Washington, said Tuesday. The parishes of the Archdiocese of Washington and also Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington are welcoming to all in need of assistance. We accompany those who seek help, whether material, legal, or pastoral. That is our calling as Christians, and that is what we do every day.

[ This undocumented immigrant just announced that she is seeking sanctuary at a church. Now she waits. ]

Sister Megan Gillespie Rice is seen before a court appearance in Knoxville, Tenn., in 2012. The nuclear-weapons activist is participating in a hunger strike in Washington this week. (Michael Patrick/AP)

The protesters, all of whom have participated in hunger strikes before, began this effort Monday.

They spent most of Monday and Tuesday outside the perimeter of the church holding protest signs printed in English and Spanish. They are drinking water and, sometimes, coffee.

Felix Cepeda, the former Jesuit brother who came from New York to help lead the protest, said the trio hopes to engage and educate the Washington community so residents will push the church to allow homeless people and immigrants fearing deportation to seek refuge there. When we leave, the locals can continue the pressure, Cepeda said.

Cepeda repeatedly tried to enter the Basilica grounds Tuesday with his protest signs, a violation of church rules, according to Jacquelyn Hayes, a spokeswoman for the Basilica. When Cepeda refused to leave church grounds around 6 p.m., security issued him a notice banning him from entering church property. Hayes said D.C. police signed off on the ban notice.

The other protesters were Janice Sevre-Duszynska  a woman from Baltimore whose ordination by the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is not recognized by the church hierarchy  and Sister Megan Gillespie Rice, 87, a nun and longtime activist on nuclear weapons and other issues who lives in the Washington area.

Cepeda and others have also protested in New York to demand that Catholic churches there serve as sanctuaries. Dozens of Catholic churches have shuttered in New York City in recent years, and, instead of selling them, Cepeda wants the church to use them to house people in need.

The church-as-sanctuary movement has grown in recent years, with more than 800 congregations of all denominations serving as sanctuaries, according to the Rev. Noel Andersen of the World Church Movement.

The churches need to be used for the needs of people, and right now that means migrants, homeless and immigrants, Sevre-Duszynska said.
Emissions spew out of a large stack at the coal-fired Morgantown Generating Station on the Potomac River in Newburg, Md. Maryland is pushing back against proposals to scale back a cap on emissions from plants in the Northeast. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Maryland and eight other states that have a regional compact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have agreed to deeper cuts to carbon emissions over the next decade.

The states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative are pledging to cut emissions from power plants by at least 30 percent between 2020 and 2030. Thats slightly higher than the current agreement to reduce emissions by 2.5 percent annually.

A separate provision would allow for even deeper pollution cuts, if they wouldnt be too costly to states.

The plan  announced Wednesday  is not yet final, and a meeting is set in Baltimore on Sept. 25 to solicit comment from power companies and others affected by the decision.

Environmentalists and the state of Massachusetts had sought even greater cuts in pollution, pushing for reducing carbon emissions 5 percent a year. But Maryland balkedand threatened to pull out of the pact, saying it would lead to higher energy costs for consumers who are on the same energy grid as coal-heavy states that havent signed on to the initiative.

Katie Dykes, a Connecticut regulator who chairs the initiative, said in a statement that the compromise agreement will secure significant carbon reductions at a reasonable price on into the next decade.

In addition to Maryland, Massachusetts and Connecticut, the pact includes Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. New Jersey pulled out of the group in 2011.

This a strong and environmentally protective approach, it embraces the art of the possible, Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles said in an interview. This is a primary example of real progress on climate change.

The regional initiative, which started in 2009, is a state-driven cap-and-trade system to reduce gas emissions, which contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Participating states agree to limit pollution from power plants, and to allow energy producers to bid against each other in auctions for the right to emit carbon. The initiative has raised $2.7 billion from these auctions, money that is being used to fund clean-energy programs.

Environmentalists say such state efforts are especially important since President Trump s decision to pull the nation from the global Paris climate pact.

With the current disastrous policies and rhetoric of the Trump administration, were pleased to see these states step up, listen to their constituents, and come together to increase clean energy in the region, Mark Kresowik of the Sierra Clubs Beyond Coal Campaign said in a statement.

Other advocates praised Maryland Gov. Larry Hogans administration for its handling of the regional pact. Hogan (R) has also won praise from environmentalists for supporting a ban on fracking. But he faced some criticism for rolling back regulations meant to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

In this current national political environment, its more important than ever for Governor Hogan to take the lead and stand strong with the other states in RGGI, Karla Raettig, executive director of Maryland League of Conservation Voters, said in a statement.
The statue of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney is seen on a flatbed trailer after it was removed from outside the Maryland State House in Annapolis on Aug. 18. (Handout/Reuters)

An African American state senator from Maryland wants to censure Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. for his defense of Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, author of the infamous Dred Scott decision, whose statue was removed from the State House grounds last week.

Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince Georges), who is running for county executive in 2018 and would give up his Senate seat if he won, said the legislative chamber needs to send an unequivocal message to Miller (D-Calvert) that it does not agree with his support of Taney. The justices 1857 opinion said blacks could not be U.S. citizens and had no rights other than those given by whites.

In light of the tragic and violent events in Charlottesville and concerns about promoting and inciting a climate of racial hatred and division in our nation, I would hope that the majority of my colleagues will join me in strongly rebuking the senate presidents remarks as well as those expressed by President Trump and others who would defend what Justice Taney stood for, Muse, who introduced a measure to remove the statue last year, said in a statement.

Jake Weissman, a spokesman for Miller, declined to comment.

Miller, the longest-serving Senate president in the country, is a member of the Maryland State House Trust, the four-member panel that voted 3 to 0 last week to remove the 145-year-old statue. The 46-year lawmaker, who has long defended the statue as an important piece of Maryland history, refused to vote.

Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince Georges). (Doug Kapustin/For The Washington Post)

He sent a letter to Gov. Larry Hogan (R) arguing that the panel, which traditionally votes by email, should have held a public meeting to discuss removing the statue.

Miller, an avid reader of history, also defended Taneys character, describing him as a man with a complex past.

Unlike George Washington who freed his slaves upon his death, Taney freed his slaves early in his life, the letter said.

Roger Brooke Taney was not a Confederate officer and he remained loyal to the Union until his death in 1864, Miller wrote. Many historians have debated the conflicting anti-slavery words and works of Roger Brooke Taney.

Miller said he agreed with an 1864 editorial in the New York Times that Taneys decision, wrong as it was, did not spring from a corrupt or malignant heart.

Hogan opposed removing the statue in 2015 but reversed his opinion after watching the deadly violence in Charlottesville this month that followed a rally in support of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

We cant wipe out all of our history, nor should we try to, the governor said. But when it reaches the point where some of these symbols, whether they have historical significance or not, when they become a focal point for racism and violence, then its time to do something about it.

The state Senate cannot consider Muses resolution until January, when the General Assembly reconvenes for its 90-day session.

The last time the chamber censured one of its own was in 2012, when it voted to censure Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince Georges) for failing to disclose that he had received hundreds of thousands of dollars in consulting fees. Currie was acquitted of federal corruption charges after a six-week jury trial in which a whos-who of Maryland politicians appeared as character witnesses.
Brian Aldiss, a British science-fiction writer whose inventive tales of climate change, alien civilization and the loneliness of robots  including a five-page magazine story that formed the basis of Steven Spielbergs movie A.I.  helped elevate a genre many critics had long dismissed as mass-market pulp, died Aug. 19 at his home in Oxford, one day after turning 92.

A daughter, Wendy Aldiss, said he had a stroke in 2016 and had a pacemaker in his heart  which he loved, because it made him part robot.

Mr. Aldiss was part of sci-fis 1960s New Wave period, when writers such as Arthur C. Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey) and J.G. Ballard (The Wind From Nowhere) wrote books that featured politically charged themes and experimental literary techniques.

In part, their work was a reaction to the violence and tumult of World War II, during which Mr. Aldiss served in an army signals unit in Southeast Asia and said he returned to England feeling like an outsider.

I didnt like British society, he told the Glasgow Sunday Herald in 2001. I couldnt tell a florin from a half crown. I thought it was all crap, the social order and everything. So as an outsider, I naturally gravitated to the outsiders literature, which was science fiction.

Mr. Aldiss in 2015. (Wendy Aldiss/Aldiss Photography)

Beginning with the 1958 space-travel novel Non-Stop, he wrote dozens of science-fiction novels and hundreds of short stories, including the 1980s Helliconia trilogy, about a planet where seasons last for hundreds of years, throwing civilizations into ruin during centuries-long ice ages.

Mr. Aldiss was hailed as the Grand Old Man of British science fiction by Britains Guardian newspaper, and he received another stately title  Grand Master, a lifetime achievement honor  from the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America in 2000.

It was one of several top sci-fi prizes Mr. Aldiss received in his career, including a Nebula Award (given by writers) in 1965 for his novella The Saliva Tree and a Hugo Award (given by fans) in 1962 for Hothouse, a novel that described a dystopian future in which half of the Earth is covered by a towering banyan tree.

One possible fan, Queen Elizabeth II, named Mr. Aldiss an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2005.

Mr. Aldiss was a critic of science fiction as well as a practitioner, and wrote a lengthy history of the genre  Billion Year Spree (1973), revised with David Wingrove as Trillion Year Spree (1986)  that traced its roots from Mary Shelleys Frankenstein to the films of Stanley Kubrick, whom Mr. Aldiss described as perhaps the greatest sci-fi practitioner of the modern era.

The praise sparked the interest of Kubrick, who invited Mr. Aldiss to lunch and soon became enamored with a short, 2,000-word story Mr. Aldiss had published in Harpers Bazaar. Titled Supertoys Last All Summer Long, it described an overpopulated future in which a woman and her son, an artificially intelligent robot named David, struggle to connect  a plot that, like many of Mr. Aldisss stories, was drawn from the authors life.

Kubrick soon bought the rights to the piece, kicking off a decade-long period of intermittent collaboration with Mr. Aldiss.

1 of 66 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Notable deaths so far this year View Photos Remembering those who have died in 2017. Caption Remembering those who died in 2017. Mamie Peanut Johnson Mamie Peanut Johnson, the first female pitcher in the Negro leagues, died on Dec. 18. Read the obituary: Mamie Peanut Johnson, hard-throwing woman in baseballs Negro leagues, dies at 82 Katherine Frey/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Every morning for nearly a year he would send a limousine at 10 a.m., and I would be whisked off to castle Kubrick where wed work all day, smoking heavily, drinking lots of coffee and getting almost nowhere, Mr. Aldiss told the Sunday Times of London in 2002. Sadly, it didnt work out  he wanted my little android boy, David, to become a real boy like Pinocchio. But I didnt want to simply recreate a story from the past, so he gave me the push.

After Kubricks death in 1999, Spielberg took over as director, maintaining the fairy-tale focus Mr. Aldiss had sought to avoid. The film was finally released as A.I. in 2001, starring Haley Joel Osment as the android David.

 A.I. is the best fairy tale  the most disturbing, complex and intellectually challenging boys adventure story  Mr. Spielberg has made, wrote New York Times film critic A.O. Scott. Mr. Aldiss was less enamored, calling it a lousy film while singling out the story as one of his most personal works.

He told the biographical source Contemporary Authors, Theres a neat irony in that, of my over 300 short stories, the most remunerative should concern a small boy who never could please his mother.

Brian Wilson Aldiss was born in East Dereham, near Norwich, on Aug. 18, 1925. His father was a shopkeeper who, Mr. Aldiss recalled, beat him and then made him shake hands afterward, to prove that we were still friends.

His mother was haunted by a stillborn daughter who preceded Mr. Aldiss; she later sent him away, after the birth of a younger sister, to a boarding school where Mr. Aldiss recalled being beaten for telling ghost stories after dark.

His experiences at school inspired The Hand-Reared Boy (1970), the first of three best-selling novels starring Horatio Stubbs, a fictionalized version of Mr. Aldiss. The book and its sequels, A Soldier Erect (1971) and A Rude Awakening (1978), set aside science fiction for sexually charged realism, drawing from Mr. Aldisss years in combat zones and Macau brothels during World War II.

He worked at a bookstore in Oxford after the war, and in 1954 began writing a popular serial in Britains Bookseller trade magazine, The Brightfound Diaries, which became his first book in 1955.

A marriage to Olive Fortescue ended in divorce. Mr. Aldiss said he left home with nothing but a papier-mache suitcase after the birth of his second child, and told the Guardian in 2001 he felt he was repeating the pattern of his own childhood.

His divorce, and a subsequent separation from his children, inspired Greybeard, a 1964 novel that imagined a world without young people and became one of his most popular books.

One year later he married Margaret Manson, who died in 1997.

Survivors include his partner, Alison Soskice; two children from his first marriage; two children from his second marriage; and seven grandchildren.

While Mr. Aldiss was best known for his science fiction, he also received acclaim for earthbound works that included a memoir, The Twinkling of an Eye (1998), and Life in the West (1980), a Cold War-era comedy that Anthony Burgess listed in 1984 as one of the 99 best modern novels.

But he insisted his realist works were no more important than his science fiction, and the genre  if it could be called that  was broad enough to encompass any kind of story.

I dont look upon science fiction as a genre at all; rather, it contains genres, he told Publishers Weekly in 1985. For a bit it was the space opera that was in vogue. Then the catastrophe novel. For every kind of story that gets used up, another will always take its place.
The newest boat in the D.C. fire departments three-vessel fleet sank Wednesday morning while docked at a marina at the Southwest Waterfront Park. Officials said they are investigating a possible mechanical failure.

The loss, at least temporarily, of Fireboat 3, a 29-foot-long boat built in 2014 at a cost of about $300,000, leaves the departments coverage of the District waterways depleted.

The similarly sized Fireboat 2 was sold, and its replacement is about a month away from arriving, said Dabney Hudson, the president of the firefighters labor union; it was confirmed by a department spokesman.

Fireboat 3 is fast, can maneuver in shallow water and is used primarily for rescues. The only other permanent boat in the fire departments fleet is Fireboat 1, the 71-foot John H. Glenn Jr., which has a steel hull and can break through ice. It was built in 1962 for the New York Fire Department and sold to the District in 1977. It underwent an upgrade in 1983 and is used primarily for fires. It has a slow response time.

Hudson said the department has put a backup Boston Whaler built in 1984, now called Fireboat 4, into operation.

Oscar Mendez, a spokesman for the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, said the waterfront is adequately covered with the boats now in service.

In 2013, under a previous mayor and fire chief, the fire department was hampered by broken vehicles and failed backups. Ambulances were catching fire, and air conditioning often malfunctioned. A new administration has made significant upgrades and bought new ambulances.

[D.C. fire department overstates apparatus inventory]

But Hudson said change has come slowly to the fireboats. Officials have long called for replacing the aging John Glenn boat, but Hudson said estimates for a boat that size are upward of $10 million. A ladder truck, for example, costs about $1.5 million. But the union president said the boat is a 50-year investment.

Were trying to make the effort to fix the problems, Hudson said. The longer we wait, the more expensive its going to be.

The fireboats respond to a variety of calls that include fires on boats or on structures on the water, rescuing boaters who fall into the water, drownings and oil sheens. D.C. police have a fleet of more than a dozen small boats for water rescues and searches.
Media and protesters moved through the smoke of percussion grenades as protesters and police clash on D.C. streets on Inauguration Day. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Federal prosecutors are seeking to quell concern from privacy advocates by scaling back the governments demand for millions of IP addresses from a Los Angeles-based tech company as part of an investigation into rioters in Washington during the Jan. 20 inauguration.

In July, a D.C. Superior Court judge signed a warrant filed by prosecutors in which they sought more than 1.3 million IP addresses to identify visitors to the website Disruptj20.org from DreamHost, the company that hosts the site. Prosecutors say the website was used to coordinate violent protests during President Trumps inauguration.

DreamHost and privacy rights advocates, such as the nonprofit group Public Citizen argued that the warrant was overly broad and violated the users constitutional rights. The move to modify the governments request for data came as a hearing over the matter is scheduled for Thursday in D.C. Superior Court before Judge Robert E. Morin, the courts chief judge.

In a filing late Tuesday, prosecutors from the U.S. attorneys office in the District amended the original warrant by saying they plan to focus only on the 200 or so people who have been charged with rioting.

[Tech firm fights warrant calling for information on millions of IP users]

The 1.3 million Internet Protocol addresses, prosecutors say, were from computer users who visited the website between Jan. 23 and Jan. 28, 2017, days after the inauguration, and are not part of the case.

The government has no interest in records relating to the 1.3 million IP addresses that are mentioned in DreamHosts numerous press releases and opposition briefs, prosecutors wrote in their filing. Prosecutors also said that they would set aside and seal any information obtained from DreamHost that is not originally sought after and specifically in the warrant. Prosecutors, however, did say they could revisit such information obtained but would do so only with a court order.

As part of their amended request, prosecutors said they were seeking email addresses associated with Disruptj20.org, as well as email addresses of third parties associated with the website.

Prosecutors allege that Disrupt J20 helped plan protests that pulled in participants from across the country. They said some rioters used black bloc tactics  wearing all black and hiding their faces with masks and goggles so it would be harder to identify them. The rioters smashed storefronts, causing tens of thousands of dollars of damage. Six police officers were injured.

Prosecutors are seeking membership discussion lists associated with the website as well as more than 2,000 photographs associated with the site. Prosecutors are also asking for unpublished material, such as draft blog posts and hundreds of other images.

On Tuesday, DreamHost said in a statement that it viewed the governments amended request as a huge win for Internet privacy. The company said it appreciates the governments willingness to look at and reconsider both the scope and the depth of their original request for records.

The company said, however, it still has a few issues that it considers problematic with the warrant, which it plans to address at Thursdays hearing.

In the amended filing, prosecutors said they were unaware at the time of their initial July warrant request that the DreamHost data would be so voluminous.

The government is focused on the criminal acts of defendants and their co-conspirators, and not their political views  and certainly not the lawful activities of peaceful protesters, the prosecutors wrote in the new filing. Similarly, the government is focused on the use of the Website to organize, to plan, and to effect a criminal act  that is, a riot.

Prosecutors have charged more than 200 people with various crimes associated with the inauguration riots and have obtained 19 guilty pleas. Trials for about 200 defendants are scheduled to begin this fall and last through 2018.
Phillip and Barbara Butler had a burning cross placed at their Maryland home in 1982 by Ku Klux Klan member William Aitcheson, who later became a Catholic priest. (The Washington Post)

Phillip and Barbara Butler had a burning cross placed at their Maryland home in 1982 by Ku Klux Klan member William Aitcheson, who later became a Catholic priest. (The Washington Post)

A Catholic priest who confessed to burning crosses and committing other racist acts as a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s did so after a journalist contacted church officials about his history, according to a statement released by the Diocese of Arlington late Wednesday.

The freelance reporter, who introduced herself as a parishioner, contacted the diocese and stated that she learned that the Rev. William Aitchesons legal name matched that of a man arrested in the 1970s, the statement read. Fr. Aitcheson was approached about this, he acknowledged his past and saw the opportunity to tell his story in the hopes that others would see the possibility of conversion and repentance, especially given the context of what occurred in Charlottesville.

In a remarkable essay titled Moving From Hate to Love With Gods Grace, published by the diocese in the Arlington Catholic Herald, Aitcheson, 62, confessed he had been a leader of a KKK lodge in Maryland in his early 20s as a student at the University of Maryland until he left the group and rejoined the church, later becoming a priest. He was charged with making bomb threats, manufacturing pipe bombs and threatening to kill Coretta Scott King in a letter.

Aitchesons crimes included the burning of a cross in the front yard of a black couples home in Prince Georges County in 1977.

During a news conference Wednesday in Washington, Barbara and Phillip Butler said they never received closure after the cross burning on their front lawn  a home they had lived in for six months as newlyweds. While the Butlers have never forgotten that day, they said they had only become aware in recent days that the man who pleaded guilty in the cross-burning incident had become a priest  and lived nearby, in Virginia.

The Rev. William Aitcheson wrote in an essay published Monday by the Arlington Catholic Herald that he had been a member of the Ku Klux Klan before joining the clergy. (Arlington Catholic Herald)

They said Aitcheson never apologized to them or paid a court-ordered restitution.

Phillip Butler said he read Aitchesons essay to mean that Aitcheson had repented through the church for his past sins, even though he never made amends to them directly.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, Barbara Butler said, quoting Jesus in Luke 23:34. She continued to speak as if to Aitcheson, but you did know what you did . . . you changed our lives a lot.

Phillip Butler said he would need a sincere effort from Aitcheson to reach out and apologize before getting closure, but Barbara Butler shook her head.

It was a lot of trauma. It really, really was, she said. I will never, ever forget. We didnt deserve this. No one deserved this.

The Butlers said that Aitcheson skipping out on paying his restitution of about $20,000 wasnt what bothered them most. Even if he were to pay, the couple will never forget the horror of that night.

Its been 40 years, and it came back again, Phillip Butler said of the priests essay being published.

In this May 3, 1982, photo, President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan walk with Barbara and Phillip Butler and their daughter outside the family's home in College Park Woods, a subdivision of Prince Georges County in Maryland. (Barry Thumma/AP)

Officials at the diocese had said earlier that when Aitcheson came to the diocese more than 24 years ago, they had learned of his past as well as his sincere conversion of heart.

In its statement, the diocese said it is encouraging Fr. Aitcheson to fulfill his legal and moral obligations to the Butler family. The priest also agreed to fully cooperate with law enforcement to address unresolved details of the case, it said.

Fr. Aitcheson fully acknowledges that the Butler family deserved and deserves an apology, the statement read. Fr. Aitcheson is open to meeting with the Butlers privately, to address some of their rightly held concerns and questions. Bishop Burbidge has offered to be present for that meeting.

[My actions were despicable: Catholic priest steps down after revealing he was a Ku Klux Klan member decades ago]

As part of that case, Aitcheson had also been ordered to pay two Jewish groups  the Bnai Brith Hillel Foundation at the University of Maryland and the Beth Torah Congregation in Hyattsville  $1,500 each for burning crosses at their properties in 1976. It also wasnt immediately clear if Aitcheson had paid the two Jewish groups.

Aitcheson also was barred by a judge from any further acts of intimidation or terrorism against the Butlers or any African Americans or Jews in the D.C. metro area.

Ted Williams, the attorney for the Butlers, said the dioceses statement late Wednesday casts doubt on Aitchesons sincerity in penning the essay. Aitcheson wrote that images from this months violent white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville brought back memories of a bleak period in my life that I would have preferred to forget.

He was going to be exposed, and that is his rationale for coming out, Williams said, referring to the timing of the statement, not because he had some epiphany or he had some Amazing Grace moment.

As a 23-year-old University of Maryland student, Aitcheson was charged with six cross burnings in Prince Georges County, one count of making bomb threats and two of manufacturing pipe bombs, according to a March 1977 article in The Washington Post.

In 1977, Aitcheson told a Baltimore judge he was very sorry to have caused this trouble and Im confident it wont happen again, according to the Baltimore Sun.

It is not clear how many people at Aitchesons current or past parishes knew about his past with the KKK, but officials said there have been no accusations of racism against Aitcheson while at the diocese.

My actions were despicable, Aitcheson wrote in the easy published Monday. When I think back on burning crosses, a threatening letter, and so on, I feel as though I am speaking of somebody else. Its hard to believe that was me.

Every time we hit the corner, we wonder, Is the house still going to be there?  Phillip Butler, then 40, told The Post. Whats next? Is something going to come through the window? You dont know. To me, its going to be like that forever. No one can take this away from us now. We are always going to be coming around that corner.

The 1982 article describes them as private people who are uncomfortable with the attention, and Barbara Butler told The Post on Tuesday, were just trying to get ourselves together.

As Phillip Butler remembers Jan. 30, 1977, he was watching Roots on television when a neighbor called to say a cross was burning on their front lawn. He recalled thinking someone is against us. By the time he took down the cross, which he said was about six or seven feet tall, and called police, the flames were out, he said.

I cant say that I was mad or I was afraid, all of it was involved, he said. We need to find out what, why this was done.

The couple said Aitcheson never showed remorse, adding that they only found out he was a priest in recent days.

As Barbara Butler spoke Wednesday, she pivoted between talking about what happened to the couple 40 years ago and directing her statements to Aitcheson.

I had never seen a cross; you see this on television . . . but to really have one in your yard, is that much hatred in your heart that you would do something like that? she said. I dont know you and you dont know me, so why are you doing this?

The Butlers were one of the first black families to move to College Park Woods, a subdivision in Prince Georges County, when the incident occurred. They had started to fear for their safety.

We looked out our windows all the time . . . every little sound, Phillip Butler said Wednesday. We did not ever know whatever was going to happen again . . . just didnt know.

Five years after the cross-burning incident, Barbara Butler remembers President Ronald Reagan visiting the couple and saying this should not happen in America.
Police have arrested an 18-year-old man for allegedly trying to rob a woman near a bike trail and assaulting another woman as she was going into an apartment building in Alexandria.

Joshua Sprinkle faced charges of abduction, attempted robbery and sexual battery, police said Wednesday.

Officials said the incidents unfolded Aug. 14 around 3:24 p.m. when police said Sprinkle allegedly grabbed a woman from behind and demanded money near a bike trail along Holmes Run Parkway. The victim struggled with the suspect and fled, police said.

Then, just before 4 p.m. on that same day, police were called to the 500 block of N. Jordan Street where they alleged that Sprinkle grabbed a woman as she walked up the stairs inside an apartment building. The woman screamed and the suspect fled.

Two days later, police said they arrested Sprinkle. He is being held without bond.

Authorities said they believe Sprinkle may have assaulted other women in the area and ask that anyone with information call 703-746-6858.
So-called "baby boxes" for newborns to sleep in were first introduced in Finland in the 1930s. The Finnish tradition has recently caught on in the U.S. (Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post)

So-called "baby boxes" for newborns to sleep in were first introduced in Finland in the 1930s. The Finnish tradition has recently caught on in the U.S. (Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post)

Virginia is becoming the latest state to borrow an age-old Finnish approach to countering the troubling trend of infants dying in unsafe sleeping environments.

The states Department of Social Services, along with Childrens Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, on Wednesday plans to announce a new program to provide every new parent over the next year with an online-tutorial about safe sleep habits and a baby box that comes packed with new baby supplies and fitted with a firm mattress so it can double as a bassinet during an infants first months.

The boxes are being supplied by Baby Box Co., a California-based for-profit company that is already distributing boxes to new and expectant parents in five other states. The District is considering legislation to adopt a similar program.

[Baby boxes proposed in D.C. as wave of states look to Finland to prevent infant deaths]

Carl Ayers, director of family services for the Department of Social Services, said baby boxes, which have been provided to expectant parents in Finland since the 1930s, are far from new technology.

These are gussied up cardboard boxes, he said. But we feel like the baby boxes, in conjunction with the safe sleep message for parents, are what families need to protect their young children.

Baby boxes are being embraced by a growing number of policymakers and hospital administrators, interested in the low-cost approach to promoting safe sleep. Typically, the company provides the boxes free, based on a business model that some parents will return to them as customers and purchase baby supplies from its website.

In January, New Jersey became the first state to launch a universal program providing every new mother with a baby box along with training about safe sleep habits. Since then, statewide programs have been launched in Alabama, Ohio, Texas and Colorado.

In some states, the programs are government led. In others, they are being organized by hospital systems or community agencies, while government agencies debate the potential risks and benefits of adopting a program that has little research to back it up.

Were certainly interested in seeing what the research shows, but there is not enough evidence at this time for Texas to distribute or endorse baby boxes, said Chris Van Deusen, spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

As enthusiasm grows for baby boxes in the United States  Baby Box Co. is poised to distribute more than 1 million boxes next year  many in the medical community are questioning the safety of the boxes, which are not regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and questioning their effectiveness at reducing infant mortality rates.

The American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome recently issued a public statement citing a dearth of research on the outcomes related to baby boxes, even in Finland, where boxes have historically been given out as an incentive to access prenatal care early in pregnancy. Its not clear whether the nations low infant mortality rate is due to its baby boxes or broader system of care for new families.

Finland has universal health care, a robust visiting nurse system for families who just had a baby, and extended maternity and paternity leave. All of these we know impact positively on infant mortality rates, said Rachel Moon, a University of Virginia pediatrician and chair of the task force.

The U.S. has none of that, she said.

The state, working with Virginia Commonwealth University, plans to study the effectiveness of the program  examining how well new parents understand and practice safe sleep guidelines after receiving a baby box, and how their behavior changes if they receive face-to-face safe sleep education, online education, or receive a home visit from a medical expert.

Sleep-related deaths are by far the leading cause of unnatural infant deaths in Virginia  80 percent of the nearly 100 infant deaths in 2013  according to a preliminary analysis of a new child death surveillance system that the state is developing, according to the states Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

A 2017 report of 130 child deaths investigated for potential abuse or neglect in fiscal year 2016 documented more than 65 deaths related to unsafe sleeping environments. The report described cases where infants were found unresponsive on air mattresses or wedged into couch cushions or, more often, simply lying next to their parents in bed.

The baby box program in Virginia is part of a larger campaign to promote safe sleep for infants that was developed by a team of officials in Virginia who received a grant to develop solutions to reduce the number of child fatalities in the state.

Nationally, about 3,500 infants die each year from sleep-related causes. For young infants, co-sleeping with parents and sleeping on their stomachs or on soft beds puts them at risk for sudden infant death syndrome or accidental death by suffocation or strangulation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be put to sleep on their backs in the same room as their parents but on a separate bed that has a firm mattress and is free of any loosefitting sheets or soft cushions.

The companys Baby Box University developed a 20-minute online tutorial, comprised of short videos with local health-care providers and experts, talking about safe sleep and maternal health issues. Minute-long video segments include such topics as What is the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression? and How can parents support healthy brain development? as well as a tutorial for how to safely use the box. Parents must pass a short quiz before they can receive their box.

Alexis Simms, 24, of Richmond, took an online safe sleep and maternal health tutorial through Baby Box Co. and received a baby box through a community-based program several months ago.

She already had a bassinet and a crib at home but the box came in handy, she said, when she was hospitalized shortly after her daughter was born for stress-related health issues. Her relatives cared for her newborn while she was in the hospital and used the box as a portable crib.

The training was helpful too. She knew that babies should be put to sleep on their backs, but she did not know they could suffocate on light blankets or soft toys. She said she went home and removed all the stuffed animals and the quilted bumper that she had already used to decorate her babys crib.

Back at home with her baby, she said she is very conscious about keeping her now 2-month old daughter safe when she falls asleep. I try to put her in the bassinet as much as possible, she said.
A group of concerned citizens has banded together to learn more information about the business plan for Premium Iowa Pork, based in Iowa, who purchased the former Driftless Meats building located on Three Chimney Road, in the town of Viroqua, earlier this year.

The citizen based group, known as Concerned Citizens for Smart Growth (CCSG) held an organizational meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at the Viroqua Town Hall. The goal of the group is to preserve Vernon County natural resources by protecting the water, land and air in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin.

Approximately 25 people attended the meeting voicing concerns about the new hog processing facility, which is expected to open late this year or in early 2018. Discussions centered around what effect it could have on the land, water and economic future of the area, but the discussion was filled with many unknowns about the actual business plan proposal of Premium Iowa Pork, which is a subdivision of Lynch Livestock, owned by Gary Lynch.

The fear of the unknown led to disjointed conversation as they begin the learning process about subjects the group is unfamiliar with; but ultimately believes will have an adverse effect on the lifestyles of many families if a slaughter house is allowed to open its operation between Westby and Viroqua.

Deep concern was raised about possible ground water contamination due to the fragile underground karst aquifer system that serves the Driftless Region, including the area where the new business will be located and if a leak occurred what effect would it have on the numerous private residential wells surrounding the facility and trout streams in the area.

Concerns were also voiced about the development of concentrated animal farming operations (CAFOs) where hogs would be raised and within a 50-mile radius of the new facility. That led to more questions and concerns about animal byproduct disposal at the processing facility after slaughtering and any potential odors created.

Declining property values, the economic impact, employment and housing were also discussed.

The meeting was filled with a crap shoot of guesses based on what has happened in other areas in the state and country, but lacked concrete facts about the actual business plan for the Premium Iowa Pork location in the town of Viroqua. In order to learn more about the local business plan a steering committee will contact Premium Iowa Pork and request a sit down meeting with a representative of the company. A list of questions will be generated and once information is made available a larger venue public awareness meeting will be scheduled.

Prior to the Aug. 15 meeting, CCSG had already developed a website and petition in hopes of raising awareness to their cause. The website provides some background information about the group and links to various other websites.

The CCSG website can be viewed at, http://www.citizensforsmartgrowth.com/sample-page/ or contact CCSG by email at citizensforsmartgrowth.com.
The Republican Party of Virginia said Wednesday that Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, whose ancestors once owned slaves and fought in the Civil War, had turned his back on his own familys heritage by calling for the removal of Confederate monuments.

The accusation drew swift condemnation from Democrats and some Republicans, who said it amounted to calling Northam a race traitor.

In a two-part tweet on its official account posted shortly after noon, the state party took aim at Northam, the Democratic nominee for governor, whose great-great-grandfather owned eight slaves in 1860 and nine slaves in 1850 on Virginias rural Eastern Shore.

.@RalphNortham has turned his back on his own familys heritage in demanding monument removal (1/2), it read. Shows @RalphNortham will do anything or say anything to try and be #VAGov - #Pathetic 2/2.

The blowback was instant.

[McAuliffe has change of heart on Confederate statues]

I feel fine about turning my back on white supremacy. How does @EdWGillespie feel about the presidents position? Northam tweeted in response, referring to his rival in the November election, former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie.

The Daily Beast ran a story under the headline: Virginia GOP Calls Democratic Candidate a Race Traitor for Wanting Confederate Statues Removed.

Even a conservative blog, the Reagan Battalion, jumped in, asking the Virginia Republican Party, Was your account hacked?

Former delegate David Ramadan, a Republican, tweeted: Have you lost your minds  who is in control of your twitter act?

After nearly four hours, the state party pulled down the tweet and replaced it with this: Our previous tweets were interpreted in a way we never intended. We apologize and reiterate our denunciation of racism in all forms.

Eric Boehlert, a writer, trolled the state Republican Party by tweeting, Its almost like yr trying to erase history when you deleted the tweets.....#monuments.

John Findlay, executive director of the state GOP, said the party was not suggesting that Northam should stand with his ancestors as slave holders.

We said that Ralph Northam is turning his back on his heritage and family. It is because his great-grandfather fought for the side of the Confederacy and was wounded during the Civil War, Findlay said. When he wants to tear down monuments dedicated to those killed in action and wounded during the war, he is literally talking about a member of his own family.

Findlay noted a MassInc. poll released Tuesday that found a slim majority of Virginia voters  51 percent  want the statues to remain on public property, while 28 percent would like them removed. A majority  52 percent  of voters polled also consider the monuments part of Southern heritage, while just 25 percent believe the statues are symbols of racism.

[Va. voters split on blame for Charlottesville violence, want Confederate statues to stay]

A substantial majority of Virginians believe these monuments are not about hate but about history, and we likewise share that opinion, Findlay said.

Northam called for the removal of the states Confederate monuments after a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville on Aug. 12, which had been called to protest the citys plan to remove a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee from a downtown park. One woman was killed by a car driven by a man whom police described as a white supremacist, and two state troopers patrolling the protest by air died when their helicopter crashed.

Gillespie, who like Northam notes that localities control the fate of their monuments, has said that his preference is to keep the statues but to add historical context.

The RPV was right to apologize for the tweet and to take it down, Gillespie spokesman David Abrams wrote in an email. Though Ed disagrees with the Lieutenant Governor on the issue of statues, he knows we can disagree on issues like this without devolving into divisive rhetoric.

The party tweeted about Northam after tangling on Twitter for days with former congressman Tom Perriello, who in June lost the Democratic primary to Northam.

Perriello, who grew up in Charlottesville, tweeted after the rally to denounce hate groups and President Trumps equivocating response to the violent events. He also turned his fire on Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. after the prominent evangelical leader praised Trump for his bold truthful stmt about #charlottesville tragedy.

[Liberty University graduates return diplomas because of support for Trump by Jerry Falwell Jr.]

The devil has his grip so firmly around @JerryFalwellJr that Im praying for his exorcism. #Repent, Perriello tweeted.

The former congressman also tweeted: If you have a white pastor/priest who doesnt preach on white supremacy as blasphemy against image of God in another, please say something. And: White evangelical leaders, your whiteness is the golden calf you choose to worship and idolize, in blasphemy of Gods word. #RepentNow.

The GOP replied to the last of those with, .@tomperriello Lets not mince words: you are a Christian-hating bigot We were better off when you were out of the country #LeftWingBigot.

Perriello, who served overseas in the State Department under President Barack Obama, later said he was not accusing all white evangelical leaders of racism, only those who do not preach that white supremacy is blasphemy.

If they can produce a single Christian leader who agrees with their nonsense, I am happy to sit down with them, he told The Washington Post. Otherwise they should delete these tweets that insult Christianity and stoke hate.

Democrats were quick to defend Perriellos tweets.

How rich @VA_GOP attacks @tomperriello (observant Catholic) for speaking out against white supremacy. Theyve been silent on Trump, tweeted Kevin Donohue, a spokesman for the Democratic Party of Virginia.
Among marijuanas unique properties, the way it illuminates racial disparities stands out.

Take arrests for marijuana possession. Even though there is minimal difference in the amount of marijuana used by blacks and whites, blacks are four times more likely than whites to be arrested for smoking pot, according to a 2013 study by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The disparities in Maryland and the District were among the highest in the nation, with blacks up to eight times more likely than whites to be arrested.

On the other hand, when it comes to getting a lucrative marijuana growers license, you can hardly find a black person at all.

These disparities dont occur by happenstance. They are evidence of institutional racism, which many readers have tried to dismiss as, according to one, just a vague excuse for any measurement by which blacks on average dont do as well as whites on average.

The marijuana issue roiling in Maryland sheds light on how institutional racism works. And there is nothing vague about it.

There were 145 applicants for licenses to grow medical marijuana. Despite a state law requiring racial diversity in licensing, none of the 15 firms selected to start growing marijuana this summer are owned by African Americans. Turns out, the commission set up to award the licenses decided to ignore racial diversity in favor of geographic diversity, which just happened to produce the all-white outcome.

[Battling the racial roadblocks to the legalized marijuana trade]

Now that state is contending with allegations that the process was tainted. The scoring system that was used to select applicants was cast into doubt by reports of conflicts of interest, including revelations that one of the evaluators knew one of the applicants. Two firms had their scores boosted in the interest of creating geographic diversity.

Some white-owned firms allege that licenses were given to unqualified white growers. A black-owned firm staffed with experienced black doctors, lawyers and scientists was passed over.

The commission does not say why one firm is chosen over another.

So why didnt the commission just follow the law?

According to commissioners, the state attorney generals office advised that evidence of racial disparity  in this or another comparable industry  was necessary before such a preference could pass constitutional muster. In other words, they would have to wait until after black applicants were passed over to see if they were discriminated against.

Meanwhile, white growers could corner the market. By the time the black growers finished filing legal pleas and appeals, the economic opportunities could be reduced to operating bong shops and cannabis cookie boutiques.

The commission said there could be future opportunities when it considers issuing more cultivation licenses in 2018  if supply doesnt meet demand.

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) ordered his administration to study racial disparities in the medical marijuana industry to see if racial preferences can be justified.

Maryland is 31 percent black. Even a focus on geographic diversity should have resulted in the selection of a qualified black-owned firm.

Through the lowly marijuana plant, we can see how laws and policies supposedly meant to promote economic opportunity for all frequently dont.

Even in the District, with its black mayor and with black residents making up the largest group of residents, the impact of institutional racism is hardly blunted.

In 2015, D.C. voters legalized marijuana for personal use. The reform was billed as a way to reduce the racial disparities in drug arrests. But there were caveats  fine print, if you will  crafted in ways that did more to protect whites who wanted the freedom to smoke than the blacks whose plights had been used to get the laws passed.

Under the new laws, you could smoke, but only in your home. Not outdoors. For those living in apartments and public housing, where smoking is prohibited, nothing had really changed. The same draconian laws that underpinned the war on drugs were still in effect for them.

In a one-year period since legalization took effect, arrests for smoking marijuana in public jumped from 142 to 400, according to D.C. police data. If the trend holds, there will be at least as many  if not more  arrests this year. Arrests for selling marijuana have also tripled, from 80 in 2015 to 220 in 2016, police said

And if that trend holds, there will be at least as many if not more arrests for selling and smoking in public in 2017 as there were last year.

Adam Eidinger, who spearheaded the drive to legalize marijuana in the District, has noted that some apartment dwellers fear that management will respond to smoking violations by providing less maintenance. He cited one resident who says she had been targeted for harassment by management because she uses marijuana, as prescribed by doctors, for treatment of her fibromyalgia.

The resident also worries that developers might be setting the stage for mass evictions as the area gentrifies from the Anacostia extension of the D.C. Streetcar, Eidinger wrote in an opinion piece for The Washington Post earlier this year.

Roger B. Taney, a Maryland native and former chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, had asserted in 1857 that blacks were never intended to have the same rights and privileges as whites. In writing for the majority in the Dred Scott case, Taney reinforced the racist notion that blacks were a subordinate and inferior class of beings. Furthermore, white people could never be blamed or expected to compensate for the subjugation and exclusion because thats what the slaveholding Founding Fathers intended.

In celebration of his views, Maryland lawmakers erected a statue of Taney on the grounds of the Maryland State House in Annapolis. And there it stayed, for nearly 150 years, until last week. In the wake of a violent neo Nazi and Ku Klux Klan gathering in Charlottesville, the statue was finally removed.

But vestiges of the institutional racism that Taney championed remain.

Maryland State Delegate Cheryl Glenn, chair of the 51-member Legislative Black Caucus, said of the decision to exclude blacks and license only white marijuana growers: Nothing changes, and most importantly, that means African Americans are left out of this billion-dollar industry in Maryland.

Not left out, kept out.

And you dont need a toke of weed to see it.

To read previous columns, go to washingtonpost.com/milloy.
A federal judge Wednesday again threw out Texass voter ID requirements she previously compared with a poll tax on minorities, dealing another court setback to state Republican leaders over voting rights.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos rejected a weakened version of the law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) earlier this year. The new version didnt expand the list of acceptable photo identifications  meaning gun licenses remained sufficient proof to vote, but not college student IDs.

But the changes would allow people who lack a required ID to cast a ballot if they signed an affidavit and brought paperwork that showed their name and address, such as a bank statement or utility bill. The new version was supported by the U.S. Justice Department, which once opposed the law but has reversed its position since President Trump took office.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) called the ruling outrageous and said an appeals court should void the ruling.

The U.S. Department of Justice is satisfied that the amended voter ID law has no discriminatory purpose or effect. Safeguarding the integrity of elections in Texas is essential to preserving our democracy, Paxton said in a statement.

Texas has spent years fighting to preserve both the voter ID law  which was among the strictest in the United States  and voting maps that were both passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2011. Earlier this month, a separate federal court found racial gerrymandering in Texass congressional maps and ordered voting districts to be partially redrawn before the 2018 elections.
DENMARK

Journalists torso found

in submarine mystery

A headless torso found on a beach off of Copenhagen has been identified as that of missing Swedish journalist Kim Wall, who is believed to have died on an amateur-built submarine about two weeks ago, Danish police said Wednesday.

Wall, 30, was last seen alive Aug. 10 on Danish inventor Peter Madsens submarine, which police believe he intentionally sank off Denmarks eastern coast the following day.

Madsen, 46, who has been arrested on preliminary manslaughter charges, denies having anything to do with Walls death. Her family says the freelance journalist was working on a story about him.

The torso was found Monday on a beach on Amager island, near where Walls was believed to have died. Police said her head, arms and legs had deliberately been cut off her body.

DNA tests confirmed that the torso is Walls, police investigator Jens Moeller Jensen said Wednesday. He said it was attached to a piece of metal, likely with the purpose to make it sink.

He added that police found marks on the torso indicating someone tried to press air out of the body so that it wouldnt float. Dried blood belonging to Wall also was found inside the submarine, he said.

The cause of the journalists death is not known, police said.

Madsen initially told investigators that Wall disembarked at a northern Copenhagen island several hours into their trip and that he didnt know what happened to her afterward. He later said that an accident occurred onboard that led to her death and that he buried her at sea.

 Associated Press

MEXICO

Journalist, two others killed in Veracruz state

A reporter in the Mexican gulf coast state of Veracruz who was enrolled in a government protection program for journalists was killed Tuesday along with two other men, said one of his editors and a journalist advocacy group.

Candido Rios Vazquez, a crime reporter for the newspaper Diario de Acayucan, was at least the ninth journalist slain this year in Mexico.

The State Commission for Attention and Protection of Journalists and Cecilio Perez Cortes, deputy editor at Rioss newspaper, said the reporter was in the federal governments program for the protection of journalists and human rights workers.

Perez said Rios had been threatened repeatedly since 2012 by a former mayor of Hueyapan de Ocampo and had a panic button on his cellphone and a security camera at his home.

Rios was on his way home around 3 p.m. when he apparently stopped alongside the highway in Hueyapan to speak with a former police inspector he knew who was also killed in the attack, Perez said.

Mexico is the worlds deadliest country for journalists. The killing of the well-respected journalist Javier Valdez in the western state of Sinaloa in May brought renewed attention to the issue.

 Associated Press

Dozens missing as boat sinks in Brazil: A boat carrying 70 people sank on a major river in northern Brazil, with at least seven dead and dozens missing, authorities said. The public security office of the state of Para said that 25 people made it to the shore and that seven bodies were recovered. The rest were missing. Officials said the boat was traveling on the Xingu River when it sank.

Islamic State reportedly beheads 11 in Libya: A spokesman for Libyas self-styled national army in the east said Islamic State militants beheaded 11 people in an attack on a checkpoint. Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Mosmari said on Facebook that two of those killed were civilians, while the rest were troops. The attack occurred in a district about 185 miles south of the coastal city of Sirte, which the Islamic State held until Libyan forces expelled the group last year.

Typhoon kills 3 in Macau: A powerful typhoon caused at least three deaths in Macau, according to authorities in the Chinese gambling enclave. The three men were killed in falls and accidents related to the heavy rain and gusting winds from Typhoon Hato, and two others were missing, authorities said. Flooding and injuries were reported in Hong Kong, 40 miles across the water from Macau.

 From news services
Lyndon B. Johnson, deciding whether to fire FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, famously reasoned that its probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in.

President Trump has made a different choice, opting to fire Stephen K. Bannon, the nationalist envoy of the alt-right in the White House. And now Bannon, who only last week was boasting that his rivals within the administration were wetting themselves, is on the outside, fly unzipped.

Bannon has returned to Breitbart News, his former haunt and the voice of the white right, and on Tuesday night, when Trump addressed the nation about Afghanistan, Bannons Breitbart hit Trump with three unfriendly headlines:

Trump defends flip-flop in somber speech

His McMasters voice: Is Trump Afghanistan policy that different from Obamas?

Breitbart started out as a small site bent on exposing the liberal bias in mainstream media. When its former executive, Stephen Bannon, entered the White House, the site began targeting political adversaries of the Trump administration. (Erin Patrick O'Connor/The Washington Post)

Donald Trump echoes Obamas Blank Check rhetoric in Afghanistan speech

It was a rhetorical golden shower.

Which way the flow goes now in these early days of the post-Bannon White House could well be determinative  not just for the Trump presidency but for the country as it grapples with a reemergence of white supremacists. Can Trump control the wave of racism he has released? Does he even want to?

Monday night brought an encouraging sign. Trump announced a responsible Afghanistan policy that was essentially a continuation of existing strategy  that is, not the pullout Trump had wanted nor Bannons cockamamie idea of turning the war over to the scandal-prone company formerly known as Blackwater. Just as important was the way he announced it, with an appeal to unity that had none of Bannons American carnage influence.

We cannot remain a force for peace in the world if we are not at peace with each other, he said. As we send our bravest to defeat our enemies overseas  and we will always win  let us find the courage to heal our divisions within.

Is that what Trump really wants? Or was Bannon right when he told the Weekly Standard after his dismissal that Trumps natural tendency  and I think you saw it this week on Charlottesville  his default position is the position of his base, the position that got him elected. But Bannons cause for despair  I think theyre going to try to moderate him . . . I think itll be much more conventional  is my cause for hope.

The consequences could hardly be greater, because there are signs the country is on the cusp of a new wave of racial violence. Arie Perliger, who wrote an authoritative report on rising violence by right-wing extremists while teaching at West Point and who now is director of security studies at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, says the recent violence in Charlottesville and elsewhere is just the tip of the iceberg.

President Trump decided to dismiss Stephen K. Bannon, after weeks of White House upheaval and racial unrest. The ousted chief strategist returned to Breitbart News on Aug. 18. (Peter Stevenson,Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

There have been a few hundred such incidents of domestic terrorism annually in recent years by far-right-affiliated perpetrators, but the previously gradual increase in violence is accelerating under Trump, for three reasons. They feel the election validated their worldview and indicated popular support for their views, they believe the Trump administration will be more tolerant of their actions, and they are frustrated that, so far, Trumps agenda has been largely thwarted.

And now, Charlottesville. Here, for the first time ever, they were able really to penetrate the American political system. Suddenly their views are less marginalized, and the president himself says there are fine people there, Perliger tells me. For 100 years, nobody could imagine an American president saying that. That hes willing to endorse the leaders of the Confederate side of the Civil War, for them thats an indication that their agenda has some seeds of support.

Trump has much say over whether these seeds take root. The new Washington Post/ABC News poll, for example, finds that 9 percent of Americans believe its acceptable to hold Nazi or white-supremacist views. But because Americans make so many judgments through a partisan lens, any position Trump takes drives most Republicans to embrace the same position. In a SurveyMonkey poll, when respondents were told that Trump had said people on both sides (the neo-Nazis and the counterdemonstrators) in Charlottesville were responsible for the violence, Republicans reflexively agreed, 87 percent to 11 percent.

Bannon was all about exploiting this, using the campaign and presidency to stoke racial grievances, to convince people that immigrants and globalists were to blame for their troubles.

But now Bannon is outside the tent, doing what LBJ talked about. Trump is the one who matters. He can do what George W. Bush did, honorably, after 9/11, preaching tolerance. Or he can prove beyond any doubt that his natural tendency is as base as Bannon believes it to be.

Twitter: @Milbank

Read more from Dana Milbanks archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Will President Trumps new Afghanistan strategy alter the dynamics of Americas longest and most frustrating war? Do commanders really have any better chance of succeeding now than when this conflict began 16 years ago?

I put those questions by phone Tuesday to Gen. John Mick Nicholson Jr., who for more than 18 months has commanded U.S. forces in Kabul. This is his fourth tour in Afghanistan and his sixth year of service there. He probably knows as much about this difficult and costly war as any American in uniform.

Nicholson answered by describing what he has learned about Afghanistan since we first met 10 years ago in Jalalabad, when he was a colonel commanding a brigade of the 10th Mountain Division. Those were heady, optimistic days when Nicholson would take visitors to a provincial loya jirga tribal council, where the turbaned leaders professed support for the U.S. mission; when U.S. development teams were building roads and schools, confident that stability would follow economic development.

It didnt happen that way, and Nicholson now cites two illusions of that period that he says undermined the war effort. The first was that U.S. commanders didnt realize just how crucial external support from Pakistan was in allowing an unpopular Taliban insurgency to survive. The second was that commanders didnt understand how corruption was rotting the Afghan security structure the United States was trying to build.

Both problems are addressed, at least modestly, by Trumps strategy. First, Trump warned: We can no longer be silent about Pakistans safe havens for terrorist organizations. This will likely mean more sticks and fewer carrots for Islamabad  perhaps including new sanctions that punish Pakistan for aiding terrorist groups such as the Haqqani network that kill Americans and their allies. (Unfortunately, Trump may have undermined his Pakistan pitch by urging a closer strategic partnership with its archenemy, India.)

President Trump speaks about Afghanistan. (Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press)

Second, Trump promised support for an Afghan government under President Ashraf Ghani that is seeking to combat corruption and is planning provincial elections next summer. Stronger, better leadership will, in theory, bolster the campaign against the insurgents. The American people expect to see real reforms, real progress and real results, Trump said. (In addition to being a long shot, this sounds suspiciously like the nation-building Trump insists hes abandoning.)

But will it work? Many observers doubt the strategy will push onward to victory, as Trump said, but they think it may avoid an outright defeat. The consensus among these experts is that by adding troops and other measures, the United States can sustain the current stalemate, in which the Taliban controls about half of the countryside and the central government holds Kabul and other major cities.

The Trump strategy reduces the probability that the Kabul government will collapse over the next two to three years. This is a very limited version of success.

So why did Trump reverse his early, skeptical view and back Nicholson and the other generals who dominate his national security team? Why did this Wharton School graduate ignore the advice often offered by business professors that sunk cost  the money and effort already spent  does not by itself justify further investment?

The answer isnt really very complicated. Trump doesnt want to be the president to pack up and go home. He doesnt want the stain of defeat.

The best argument for Trumps Afghanistan policy is that it avoids losing, and at relatively low cost. It maintains a platform that can operate against what Trump said are 20 terrorist groups in the region; it sustains a base that will allow the United States to keep watch on nearby Pakistani nuclear weapons. It avoids a quick win by the Taliban and allows eventual reconciliation. Those are all worthy goals.

I dont know that we have a choice to walk away, argues Nicholson. It would inspire other jihadis around the globe. He likens Afghanistan and Pakistan to a petri dish in which dangerous terrorist groups have thrived. Across the U.S. government, even skeptics of the policy share his concern about the risks of a hasty U.S. withdrawal.

Trump was once said to be so frustrated with the slow pace of the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan that he wanted to fire Nicholson as commander. The American people are weary of war without victory, he said Monday night. But as he has weighed the terrible dilemma of the war in Afghanistan, Trump seems to have opted for a stay-the-course policy to seek an honorable and enduring outcome worthy of the tremendous sacrifices that have been made.

No victory parades, but no defeat, either.

Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
PRESIDENT TRUMP offered in his speech on Afghanistan Monday a rare but welcome story of self-correction. His original instinct, he said, was to pull out of the country, but after studying the issue with his advisers over several months he realized that the consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable. That was the right conclusion, and Mr. Trump deserves credit for changing his position in a way that is likely to displease some of his political supporters. The U.S. mission in Afghanistan will continue  not because a quick victory is on the horizon; its not, as Mr. Trump seems to understand. It will continue, because as Mr. Trump also came to understand, the alternative  a quick defeat  would be so much worse.

The Afghanistan strategy the president announced flows from two important insights about the long and frustrating U.S. military engagements there and in the Middle East since Sept. 11, 2001. First, precipitous U.S. withdrawal produces a vacuum that is likely to be filled by terrorists. That, as Mr. Trump correctly observed, was the result of the Obama administrations retreat from Iraq in 2011.

The second lesson is that the extent and length of U.S. military operations must be dictated by progress on the ground, not timetables motivated by political considerations in Washington. The surge of U.S. forces launched by President Barack Obama in 2009 was undermined from the beginning by a public schedule for their withdrawal, which gave the Taliban and its allies in Pakistan cause to wait out the United States.

The absence of a clear exit strategy can be a danger in its own right, and Mr. Trump stressed that our commitment is not unlimited, and our support is not a blank check. But the reality is that preventing Afghanistans return to its state before 2001 is worth even a prolonged continuation of U.S. troop deployments and the inevitable fatalities that come with them. American deaths in Afghan operations since 2001 now number 2,403, including 11 this year, which is fewer than the 3,000 who died in the 9/11 attacks. Though some describe Afghanistan as Americas longest war, it can also be compared with U.S. military deployments in Germany, Japan and South Korea, which have lasted far longer and which, as the Pacific naval accidents this summer underlined, also have their cost in lives.

Certainly, Afghan leaders and their American and NATO allies must continue to seek avenues for ending the conflict and stabilizing the country. There, Mr. Trumps plans sound a lot like those of his predecessors: demand better performance from the Afghan government; pressure Pakistan to end its support for the Taliban and other terrorists; support eventual negotiations on a political settlement. Yet this administration appears poorly prepared to pursue those aims. The State Department still lacks senior personnel who could broker such deals or exercise leverage in Islamabad. The special office on Afghanistan and Pakistan once headed by the formidable Richard Holbrooke has been shut down.

Mr. Trump made a point of declaring an end to the era of U.S. nation-building, apparently unaware that the two presidents before him said the same thing. That hackneyed mantra ignores the reality that unless the Afghan government becomes more accountable and less riven by factional infighting and corruption, U.S. forces will never be able to safely leave the country. Promoting institution-building, including fair democratic elections, is not at odds with principled realism, as Mr. Trump suggests; it is a vital part of any realistic exit strategy.
RISING STUDENT test scores. Refurbished schools. That is the backdrop for the start of a new school year for D.C. Public Schools students, and it is a far cry from what existed before school reform. A decades investment in public education is paying off, and that is cause for celebration, even given the obvious need to do more to ensure that all children  no matter where they live or what their parents earn  are equipped for college or careers.

Mondays start of classes was seamless, yet it was not that long ago  before Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) got control of schools in 2007  that the District struggled with even the most rudimentary functions, such as readying classrooms, ordering books and paying teachers. Even worse: Expectations for the majority of students  African American children, many from poor families  were low, and failure was accepted.

The progress the city has made since that sorry time was underscored with last weeks release of scores on the national Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). Significant gains across almost all grades and subjects, with all groups of students showing improvements, were a testament to reforms that overhauled a dysfunctional school system and allowed charter schools to flourish. The percentage of traditional- and charter-school students meeting the benchmark for college and career readiness increased in 2017 by four percentage points in English language arts and two percentage points in math.

The performance of the traditional D.C. public school system was particularly impressive, with its students showing gains of 6.4 percentage points in English language arts and 3.5 percentage points in math in 2017. Not only did the public school students show improvement on all grade levels in every ward, but every subgroup  race, economic, special- education status, English-learning status  posted gains. PARCC, administered for just the second time, represents new rigor in measuring student achievement and gives added heft to the results.

Michael Casserly of the Council of the Great City Schools told us he has never seen such gains on PARCC, calling them quite remarkable. He credited the system, which has shown steady improvement over the past 10 years, for not resting on its laurels but bearing down on reforms and deepening instruction to overcome barriers of poverty and language.

A significant achievement gap persists, with minority and low-income students lagging behind their white and more prosperous peers. With fewer than a third of public school students considered college- and career-ready, it is apparent, as a spokeswoman for the school system said, that no one is declaring victory. What is encouraging is that the District  despite changes in administrations and school leadership  remains committed to reform of a public education system that has failed generations of Washingtonians, realizing there will be no quick, easy fix. The new PARCC scores  and the absence of shocking headlines about the start of school  show a willingness to do the hard work over the long haul, and that holds the best promise for lasting results.
Advocacy is easy, governance is hard. Yes, the Rohingya people in Burma are being horribly mistreated, but the Aug. 18 editorial Burma tries to hide its mistreatment of the Rohingya was aimed at the wrong target.

The elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi since April 2016 is being denied the ability to govern according to its high principles by the military establishment that ruled the country from 1962 to 2015 and remains a state within the state.

It is the military, not the civilian government, that wants to deny the U.N. fact-finding mission access to the crime scene. And the militarys position is supported by the Buddhist-majority population in which the military has instilled over decades a fear of being displaced by Muslims, such as the Rohingya, and other non-Buddhists.

Instead of railing at the injustice, as the editorial board did, it would be better to educate readers on the intractability of the Rohingya problem and propose actions that could lead to better treatment of this community in the near term. These are more likely to be actions by Burmas neighbors  especially China and other Southeast Asian nations  than by the U.S. government. Moreover, it may be impossible to resolve the Rohingya problem until the civil war pitting scores of non-Muslim ethnic minorities against the military, uninterrupted since independence in 1948, is ended.

Lex Rieffel, Washington

The writer is a fellow at the

Brookings Institution.
President Trump issued scathing attacks against Arizona's senators during his Phoenix rally on Aug. 22, but said, "I will not mention any names. Very presidential." (The Washington Post)

President Trump issued scathing attacks against Arizona's senators during his Phoenix rally on Aug. 22, but said, "I will not mention any names. Very presidential." (The Washington Post)

President Trumps advisers apparently pleaded with him not to attack Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz) at his rally in Arizona on Tuesday night. They all said, Mr. President, your speech was so good last night, please, please Mr. President, dont mention any names,  Trump noted. But he could not resist. After taking a veiled shot at Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Trump declared,Nobody wants me to talk about your other senator whos weak on borders, weak on crime. So I wont mention any names. Just a few days earlier, Trump had tweeted an endorsement of Flakes GOP primary opponent, declaring Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. Hes toxic! And the Mercer family  major Trump donors  have given $300,000 to a super PAC backing Ward in her efforts to unseat Flake.

All of which raises a question: Does Trump really want to make Charles E. Schumer the Senate majority leader? Why would a Republican president attack one of his partys most vulnerable incumbents at time when the GOP holds such a narrow majority that it cannot pass legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare  or much of anything else for that matter?

Yes, Flake failed to endorse Trump in 2016. And yes, Flake just wrote a book critical of Trump. So what? Flake has voted with the president 93.5 percent of the time  more often than Sen. Luther Strange, whom Trump just endorsed in the GOP primary in Alabama. Why on Earth would Trump risk replacing an annoying but reliable yes vote with a Democrat who would strengthen the Resistance?

If Flake loses the primary to Ward, Democrats could very well win the seat. Ward is a proven loser who was trounced in her foolhardy primary challenge against McCain in 2016. She recently exposed her political tin ear by calling on McCain to resign right after he was diagnosed with brain cancer  even suggesting that she be appointed as McCains replacement. She held town hall meetings to discuss Chemtrails  a conspiracy theory which holds that aircraft are deliberately spraying us with mysterious chemical substances. Ward is the 2018 version of Sharron Angle, the disastrous tea party candidate who cost the Republicans a winnable Senate race in Nevada in 2010 and gave us six more years of Harry Reid. Ward could hand Democrats a Senate seat in Arizona for the first time since 1988. And even if Flake holds her off, a costly and unnecessary primary race could weaken him in the general election, while draining resources Republicans should be using to target vulnerable Senate Democrats and expand the GOPs Senate majority.

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) says the Republican president in the White House is not displaying the conservatism his party should be embracing. In his new book, "Conscience of a Conservative," Flake says populism and protectionism are as threatening to the GOP now as the New Deal was in 1960. (Dalton Bennett,Kate Woodsome/The Washington Post)

Flake is not the only endangered Republican to find himself in Trumps crosshairs. This year, Trump went after Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) for refusing to support the early, deeply flawed version of the Senate Republicans Obamacare replacement. A pro-Trump group launched an ad campaign against Heller  reportedly with the blessing of the Trump White House  and sent out tweets asking, Why did @SenDeanHeller lie to voters about #RepealAndReplace? Hes now with @NancyPelosi. NOT GOOD! A recent poll showed Heller narrowly trailing his likely Democratic opponent 41 percent to 42 percent, in a purple state where Hillary Clinton beat Trump 48 percent to 46 percent.

It is not in Trumps interests to see either Heller or Flake lose in 2018. One lesson that Trump should have learned by now is that he needs more than 52 Republicans in the Senate to get 50 votes on his priorities. He needs to build his majority, not reduce it.

Republicans have a structural advantage in 2018, defending just eight Senate seats, while Democrats must defend 25  including five in states that Trump won by double digits. But the party that controls the White House usually loses seats in off-year elections. And the GOP will enter 2018 with its base dispirited by legislative failures, while the anti-Trump Democratic base is energized and eager to deliver a stinging rebuke to the president.

If Flake and Heller lose, it is not outside the realm of possibility that Democrats could win back control of the Senate, making the Trump agenda dead on arrival in the chamber. Trump may not care about that, but there is something he should care about: If Democrats retake the Senate, they will control the Senates investigative committees. Does Trump want to hand Schumer unbridled subpoena power?

If so, then by all means he should do everything in his power to weaken Flake and Heller.

Read more from Marc Thiessens archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Retired general John F. Kelly has kept a low profile in his first weeks as White House chief of staff. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

High-ranking military officials have become an increasingly ubiquitous presence in American political life during Donald Trumps presidency, repeatedly winning arguments inside the West Wing, publicly contradicting the president and even balking at implementing one of his most controversial policies.

Connected by their faith in order and global norms, these military leaders are rapidly consolidating power throughout the executive branch as they counsel a volatile president. Some establishment figures in both political parties view them as safeguards for the nation in a time of turbulence.

Trumps elevation of a cadre of current and retired generals marks a striking departure for a country that for generations has positioned civilian leaders above and apart from the military.

This is the only time in modern presidential history when weve had a small number of people from the uniformed world hold this much influence over the chief executive, said John E. McLaughlin, a former acting director of the CIA who served in seven administrations. They are right now playing an extraordinary role.

In the wake of the deadly racial violence in Charlottesville this month, five of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were hailed as moral authorities for condemning hate in less equivocal terms than the commander in chief did.

President Trump has surrounded himself with generals and pledged to revamp veterans' care, while also belittling the service of his opponents. Here's a look at his track record with the military. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

On social policy, military leaders have been voices for moderation. The Pentagon declined to immediately act upon Trumps Twitter announcement that he would ban transgender people from the armed forces, instead awaiting a more formal directive that has yet to arrive.

Inside the White House, meanwhile, generals manage Trumps hour-by-hour interactions and whisper in his ear  and those whispers, as with the decision this week to expand U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, often become policy.

At the core of Trumps circle is a seasoned trio of generals with experience as battlefield commanders: White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and national security adviser H.R. McMaster. The three men have carefully cultivated personal relationships with the president and gained his trust.

Critics of the president welcome their ascendancy, seeing them as a calming force amid the daily chaos of the White House.

They are standouts of dependability in the face of rash and impulsive conduct, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). There certainly has been a feeling among many of my colleagues that they are a steadying hand on the rudder and provide a sense of consistency and rationality in an otherwise zigzagging White House.

[Its a hard problem: Inside Trumps decision to send more troops to Afghanistan]

William S. Cohen, who served as defense secretary under President Bill Clinton, said that Trump came in with virtually no experience in governance, and theres no coherent strategic philosophy that he holds. There has been a war within the administration, and that has yet to be resolved. . . . The military has tried to impose some coherency and discipline.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, like other retired generals in the administration, sees guiding the president away from bad decisions as part of his role. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), an Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, praised Trumps circle of generals and recommended McMaster and Kelly for their posts. He said the impression in some quarters that military leaders are hawks by definition is misguided.

What many people in Washington dont understand is that generals are usually the most reluctant to commit troops to combat because they are the ones who have to write letters home to parents when they have fallen, Cotton said.

Among some on the right, however, the view is more suspicious. Some Trump supporters, for example, worry about blurring the line between military and civilian leadership, as exemplified by recent headlines at Breitbart News, the conservative website run by Stephen K. Bannon, Trumps former chief White House strategist, who clashed with several military leaders over policy.

Trumps announcement Monday that he would escalate troop levels in Afghanistan was covered on Breitbart with alarm. Headlines warned of unlimited war and nation-building led by military leaders without links to Trumps base.

Commentator and Trump ally Ann Coulter tweeted Monday, The military-industrial complex wins.

[Its a coup detat: Antiwar conservatives decry Trumps Afghanistan surge]

The concerns extend to the political left as well. At ThinkProgress, a liberal website, recent articles have rapped Trump for having a government that benefits military insiders. One headline this month declared: Military figures are taking over Trumps administration.

Trump has revered military brass since his youth, when he attended a New York military academy. He holds up generals as exemplars of American leadership and views them as kindred spirits  fellow political outsiders.

To some degree, Trump is playing president, and I think the whole idea of being able to command a group of warriors is deeply satisfying to him, McLaughlin said.

Robert M. Hathaway, a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center, said: It should not surprise us. Candidate Trump suggested he would defer to the people he called my generals on a whole host of issues, and they are doing just that.

Trump idolizes swaggering commanders, such as the cinematic portrayal of George S. Patton Jr., the World War II general. But R. James Woolsey Jr., a former CIA director and undersecretary of the Navy who advised Trump during last years campaign, said a better comparison to Kelly, Mattis and McMaster would be George C. Marshall Jr., the Army chief of staff during World War II who went on to serve in President Harry Trumans Cabinet.

I think these guys are more Marshall-like than Patton-like, Woolsey said. They have distinguished combat records, but theyre the sort of career military men who have the intellectual capability and propensity to deal with civilian matters.

[Trump loves the sheen of the brass, but generals come with some fixed views]

Kelly, Mattis and McMaster are not the only military figures serving at high levels in the Trump administration. CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke each served in various branches of the military, and Trump recently tapped former Army general Mark S. Inch to lead the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Together with other allies in the administration, Kelly, Mattis and McMaster see their roles not merely as executing Trumps directives but also as guiding him away from moves that they fear could have catastrophic consequences, according to officials familiar with the dynamic.

But if a narrative takes hold that these generals are manipulating the president, Trump could rebel. He chafes at any suggestion that he is a puppet and at the idea of his advisers receiving credit for his decisions. He reacted angrily in February when Time magazine put Bannon on its cover with the headline The Great Manipulator.

In his first month as chief of staff, Kelly has kept a low profile, sitting for no major interviews and discouraging aides from self-promotion.

Democratic lawmakers are quick to criticize Trump on just about every issue, but they hold back when it comes to the preponderance of military figures in traditionally civilian positions.

There might be a temptation to be critical of the president in this context, but I for one am glad theyre there  because theyre thoughtful . . . because theyre lawful and because theyre rational, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said in an interview. I feel like the concern about the need to maintain civilian oversight of the military is a totally legitimate one, but that concern should be addressed at a later time. In the meantime, we should be reassured that there are competent professionals there who want to make smart choices.

That position is shared by many figures in the Republican establishment who worry about Trumps ideas and temperament.

The only chance we have of trying to keep this thing from blowing apart is some military discipline, said Peter Wehner, who served in the three Republican administrations prior to this one and who opposes Trump. Its not military rule or a military coup.

[National security adviser attempts to reconcile Trumps competing impulses on Afghanistan]

Although Trump mostly has been following the militarys guidance, he easily could turn away from his generals if new problems emerge, according to people close to the president. They described Trump as with the military in spirit but guided more by his transactional instincts. They pointed out that it took weeks for him to go along with a watered-down version of the initial proposal from Mattis and McMaster on additional troops in Afghanistan.

Trump has also had a strained relationship with McMaster for months, in part because of stylistic differences between the two men. The president has little patience for the methodical and consensus-oriented policy process that McMaster employs at the National Security Council, which counts two other generals on the senior staff.

When you look at the presidents tensions with McMaster, you can see how he could move away from them if things dont improve in Afghanistan over the next six months, said a senior White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share a candid assessment. Hes not giving them some sort of blank check.

One example is retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who lasted a mere 24 days in his job as national security adviser. Trump fired him in February after Flynn was allegedly not truthful with Vice President Pence about communications with the Russian ambassador during the transition.

Individuals can be corrupt or incompetent, and that extends at times to people in the military, Wehner said. Things can go wrong with anyone.
President Trump gave a contentious speech at a campaign rally in Phoenix on Aug. 22, attacking the media, GOP senators and "obstructionist" Democrats. Here are the highlights. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

President Trump gave a contentious speech at a campaign rally in Phoenix on Aug. 22, attacking the media, GOP senators and "obstructionist" Democrats. Here are the highlights. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

President Trump on Tuesday threatened to shut down the government over border wall funding, said the North American Free Trade Agreement is likely to be terminated and signaled that he was prepared to pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is anathema to the Latino community.

Trumps freewheeling comments came at a boisterous campaign rally here during which he also went on an extended diatribe about the media, blaming reporters for the negative fallout he has received over his responses to the hate-fueled violence in Charlottesville.

Arpaio was convicted last month of criminal contempt for ignoring a federal judges order to stop detaining people because he merely suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. A major Trump supporter during last years campaign, he awaits sentencing.

So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? Trump asked the crowd. You know what, Ill make a prediction: I think hes going to be just fine, okay? But I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe should feel good.

Trump last week told Fox News that he was seriously considering a pardon for Arpaio and said he might do it soon, sparking speculation he would use Tuesdays campaign rally here to make the move.

Several protesters gathered outside the Phoenix Convention Center on Aug. 22 where President Trump was holding a rally. (The Washington Post)

In a speech that stretched well over an hour, Trump also expressed frustration with efforts to negotiate with Canada and Mexico to improve NAFTA, saying he was more likely to terminate the deal. He also blamed obstructionist Democrats for standing in the way of funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall and suggested a government shutdown might be needed to force their hand. And Trump called for ending the filibuster rule requiring 60 votes for many issues in the Senate, a move that Republican leaders have refused to embrace.

At the outset of the rally, Trump selectively recounted the series of statements he made in the days following the melee in Charlottesville, arguing that he spoke out forcefully against hatred and bigotry and violence but that the media  whom he called sick people  refused to report it properly.

1 of 15 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  The scene as pro-Trump supporters faced off with peace activists in Phoenix View Photos Protests were held against President Trump as he hosted a rally inside the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona. Caption Protests were held against President Trump as he hosted a rally inside the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona. Aug. 22, 2017 Protesters raise their hands after Phoenix police used tear gas outside the Phoenix Convention Center. Demonstrations were held against President Trump as he hosted a rally inside the convention center. Matt York/AP Wait 1 second to continue.

You know where my heart is, Trump said, before pulling a copy of his first of three statements on the violence out of his suit coat and reading it to his audience. He later accused the media of giving a platform to the hate groups that were central to the violence in Charlottesville that led to three deaths.

Following his comments last week, Trump was criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for blaming both sides for the violence and saying that fine people had marched along with white supremacists to protest the removal of a Confederate statue. He did not mention either of those remarks Tuesday.

The rally, organized by Trumps reelection campaign, came as the president continues to face criticism for his response to Charlottesville and feuds with fellow Republicans in Congress whose cooperation he will need to kick-start his sputtering legislative agenda next month.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton (D) had urged Trump to not come to his city this week, saying that it was too tense of a time in the wake of the deadly Charlottesville clash between white nationalists and counterprotesters and that Trump could be setting the stage for more violent strife here. He also said that a pardon of Arpaio could make the situation even more dire.

[As Trump heads to Arizona, GOP leaders want him out of Jeff Flakes Senate race]

Inside a partially filled Phoenix Convention Center hall, Trump was given a heros welcome from supporters who chanted USA! USA! USA! and waved signs reading Drain the Swamp, Make America Strong Again and Make America Proud Again.

You were there from the start, youve been there every day since, and believe me, Arizona, I will never forget it, Trump said at the start of his remarks, referencing a large crowd he drew at the site early in his campaign. His crowd Tuesday night numbered in the thousands but did not completely fill the hall at the convention center.

Before his arrival, Trump traveled to Yuma, where he received a closed briefing on border protection  something he touts as being among his administrations successes  and greeted Marines and their families, signing a couple autographs on camouflage hats.

Trump was greeted at the airport by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R), who was not expected to attend the rally. Nor were the states two Republican senators, with whom Trump has been openly sparring.

There was a heavy police presence in downtown Phoenix, with law enforcement seeking to maintain civility between Trump supporters and detractors. Police said three people were arrested related to protests.

After the rally ended, protesters remained in the streets near the convention center, chanting, No Trump! No KKK! No racist U.S.A!

About two blocks from the convention center, police told demonstrators to leave the roads or face arrest. Some stood defiant, and officers responded with blasts of gas that made their eyes sting. Those who lacked goggles and bandanas dashed away.

Matthew Burke, a 38-year-old Phoenix resident who works in finance, was trying to leave the area when the substance burned his eyes. He dumped a bottle of water down his face, neck and gray Obama T-shirt.

Police later said they had used pepper balls.

Before the rally, Uzma Jafri, a 40-year-old doctor from Phoenix, walked through the crowds of Trump supporters and protesters with a backpack of medical supplies. She said she came here to quickly treat anyone if violence broke out.

My ethical background, and my moral background, is to assist anyone who needs it  regardless of if they hate me, said Jafri, who poured a bottle of water over her black hijab in the 107-degree heat.

Brian Ratchford came to the event armed with a .357-caliber gun to defend Trump supporters if things got out of hand

Hes an American for Americans, said Ratchford, 47, of Tucson. What Trump said after Charlottesville was perfect  people on both sides were causing the problems, said Ratchford, who had been outside the convention center since 10 a.m.

[Military leaders consolidate power in Trump administration]

Tuesday nights event was part of a familiar pattern for Trump.

When he finds himself under attack or slipping in popularity, he often holds a rally in a place like this: a diverse blue city thats home to liberal protesters but surrounded by red suburbs and rural towns filled with Trump supporters who will turn out in droves.

It happened in the first weeks of his presidential campaign, when he was dismissed as a sideshow and criticized for his comments on undocumented immigrants  only to be greeted by thousands of fans, along with protesters, at a rally at the convention center.

Then in March 2016, when Trump grew frustrated that he still had not become the presumptive Republican nominee, he planned a massive rally in Chicago that attracted thousands of supporters but was canceled at the last minute because of the high number of protesters. This March, when his presidency seemed constantly under attack, Trump held a rally in Nashville that attracted at least 2,500 protesters.

Unlike rallies in states that are solidly Republican, these events allow Trump to highlight the deep division in the country  and force voters to pick a side.

In Phoenix, campaign organizers expected more than 10,000 supporters to show up at the convention center on Tuesday night, and numerous counterprotests were planned for outside the rally. Local activists said they hoped to outnumber the rallygoers, sending a clear message to the president after the Charlottesville rally this month that attracted neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

By coming here in a time of national crisis and a national question of where people stand, he is doubling down on his bigotry, continuing to race-bait and speak to his base, said Carlos Garcia, executive director of Puente Arizona, which advocates for migrants.

[Phoenix officials worry Trumps rally could spark tensions in the streets]

Phoenix is home to some of the most organized progressive activists in the country, and they have provided a much-studied example of how to fight at a grass-roots level to challenge lawmakers and change policies that target undocumented immigrants. The Phoenix area gave liberals one of their few victories last November: The ouster of Arpaio, the longtime Maricopa County sheriff, who was accused of encouraging his deputies to employ racial profiling and enforce federal immigration laws in the Phoenix suburbs.

In July, Arpaio was convicted of criminal contempt in Arizona for ignoring a judges order to stop detaining people because he merely suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 5, and he faces up to six months in prison.

Last week, Trump told Fox News the former sheriff is a great American patriot who has done a lot in the fight against illegal immigration. Arpaio told CNN that he had not been invited to attend the Tuesday night rally.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters traveling with the president Tuesday that Trump was not planning to announce a pardon for Arpaio at the rally.

There will be no discussion of that today at any point, and no action will be taken on that front at any point today, she said.

A pardon  whenever it might come  would be likely to ignite the anger of hundreds of activists who spent more than a decade peacefully pushing for change through traditional channels, as well as the voters who chose not to reelect him.

Joe Arpaio terrorized immigrant communities of color across Arizona for decades and broke the law repeatedly when his actions caught up with him, Alejandra Gomez, co-executive director of Living United for Change in Arizona, said in a statement after the rally. For someone with Arpaios record, even the idea of a pardon is a slap in the face to immigrants and communities of color  and one we will fight tooth and nail.

Early Tuesday morning, local authorities closed streets near the convention center and installed barricades along the sidewalks aimed at keeping protesters separated from rallygoers. Many businesses and government buildings downtown closed early.

In the hours before the rally, as Trump supporters lined up outside the convention site, a police officer on his motorcycle drove by, repeatedly offering this instruction: Folks, please drink water. If you wait until youre thirsty, its too late.

Protest organizers said one challenge would be managing the hundreds of people not affiliated with their groups who showed up wanting to make a statement. Organizers and local lawmakers were urging a peaceful demonstration.

While Democrats and immigration rights activists have been holding news conferences and speaking out against the president this week, Republicans have been quiet. No one answered the phone at the Arizona GOP offices on Monday or Tuesday.

Arizonas two Republican senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, have at times been critical of the president. Trump has tweeted praise of Kelli Ward, a former state lawmaker with far-right views and a long-shot Senate candidate who is challenging Flake.

In the hours leading up to the rally, a few dozen Ward supporters were out on the streets wearing yellow T-shirts reading TRUMP 2016/WARD 2018 on the front and MAKE ARIZONA GREAT AGAIN on the back.

[Trump hits McCain and Flake in Arizona without naming them  and appears to relish it]

Trump did not mention either McCain or Flake during his remarks, but took jabs at both during his speech.

This was Trumps ninth rally in the state  and his fourth at the Phoenix Convention Center.

His first event at the convention center was on July 11, 2015, a few weeks after he announced he was running for president and gave a rambling speech that cast undocumented immigrants as criminals and rapists.

Although those remarks prompted criticism and led several corporations to cut their business ties with him, the support for his campaign was evident in Phoenix, where he had to upgrade to a larger venue and then still had to turn away many supporters  a showing that shocked many Arizonans.

Lourdes Medrano in Phoenix and Philip Rucker in Washington contributed to this report.
President Trump gave a speech aimed at unifying the country at the American Legions 99th National Convention in Reno, Nev., on Aug. 23, after a raucous, attack-filled campaign rally in Phoenix the day before. (The Washington Post)

President Trump gave a speech aimed at unifying the country at the American Legions 99th National Convention in Reno, Nev., on Aug. 23, after a raucous, attack-filled campaign rally in Phoenix the day before. (The Washington Post)

President Trump called for unity in a speech at the American Legions 99th National Convention here, just hours after a raucous campaign-style rally in which he lambasted the media and his political rivals and reignited the controversy over his response to a white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville this month.

It is time to heal the wounds that have divided us, and to seek a new unity based on the common values that unite us, Trump said, speaking before more than 5,000 members of the largest veterans group. We are one people, with one home and one flag.

We are not defined by the color of our skin, the figure on our paycheck or the party of our politics, Trump continued.

Trump argued that shared humanity, citizenship and patriotism could heal the nations divides political and racial divides, and he heralded the work of the Legion in promoting American values.



Trumps remarks come at a time when he is facing continued pressure to stem the divisions exposed by a deadly rally in Charlottesville this month, which was organized by hate groups including the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi sympathizers.

(Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

The comments were a sea change from Trumps posture hours earlier at a rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night, at which he angrily railed against the dishonest media for its coverage of his remarks on the Charlottesville gathering. Initially, he had blamed many sides for the conflict, rather than criticizing the collection of Ku Klux Klan, white-supremacist and neo-Nazi groups that planned the event.

His first statement was widely condemned, including by lawmakers in his own party, prompting Trump to issue new scripted comments that named the hate groups. But even after correcting his initial remarks, Trump reverted back to his original stance, claiming at a news conference later that week that there were fine people among the hate groups who had gathered to protest the removal of a Confederate statue.

In his campaign rally, Trump reread his comments on the Charlottesville remarks, but omitted the words many sides.

And he blamed the media for accusing him of being racist.

I hit them with neo-Nazi. I hit them with everything. I got the white supremacists, the neo-Nazi. I got them all in there. Lets see: KKK? we have KKK. I got them all, Trump said in Phoenix. So what are they saying, right? It should have been sooner. He's a racist. It should have been sooner, okay?

But in Reno, Trump appeared to stick to his carefully crafted script, focusing on his administrations efforts to improve services for veterans, a key focus on the nations largest veterans organization.

After his speech Wednesday, he signed into law the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, which reforms the process by which veterans can appeal their claims for disability benefits with Veterans Affairs.

1 of 83 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Scenes from Trumps second six months in office View Photos A look at the second half, so far, of the presidents first year in the White House. Caption A look at the second half of the presidents first year in the White House. Jan. 24, 2018 President Trump speaks to a group of mayors in the East Room of the White House. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

I promised you that I would make it my priority to fix the broken VA and to deliver to our veterans the care they so richly deserve, Trump said. And you see whats been happening.

Now you have a true reformer in Secretary David Shulkin.

Shulkin served as undersecretary of Veterans Affairs for health under President Barack Obama before he was named secretary by Trump in January.

But Trumps response to the racial divisions in the country hung over his appearance here before a group of veterans that included some who fought against Nazism and fascism in World War II.

The day before Trumps appearance, the Legion voted to reaffirm a nearly 100-year-old resolution condemning hate groups.

The resolution states that the American Legion considers any individual, group of individuals, or organizations, which creates, or fosters racial, religious or class strife among our people, or which takes into their own hands the enforcement of law, determination of guilt, or infliction of punishment, to be un-American, a menace to our liberties, and destructive to our fundamental law.

Trump was expected to hold up the values espoused by the Legion as an example of how the country can begin to unite.

We are here to hold you up as an example of the strength, courage and love that our country will need to overcome every challenge that we face, Trump said. We are here to draw inspiration from you as we seek to renew the bonds of loyalty that bind us together as one people and one nation.

If American patriots could secure our Independence, carve out a home in the wilderness, and free millions from oppression around the world, that same sense of patriotism, courage and love can help us create a better future for our people today, he added.

Despite the controversy, veterans have long been supportive of Trump generally.

Among those who gathered to hear Trumps remarks at the convention, some were sympathetic to his approach to the Charlottesville controversy.

Hes not a very delicate guy. He never says things in a very delicate way, said Ed Riley, a retired Navy fighter pilot who began serving in 1970. I never heard him ever endorse any of the far right.

It always upsets me when the news says this was a white-supremacist thing. It was not; it was nationalist  a white-nationalist [thing], Riley added.
Supporters of Joao Lourenco, the candidate of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), cheer during an election campaign rally in Luanda, Angola, on Aug. 19. (Manuel De Almeida/European Pressphoto Agency)

As Angola moved from being a firm Soviet ally during the Cold War to a country known for oil-rich billionaires, there was one constant: President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, 74, who has ruled the country since 1979.

On Wednesday, Angola held its first presidential election in 38 years in which dos Santos is not a candidate, a seminal moment on a continent that has seven of the worlds 10 longest-ruling, nonroyal leaders.

Results werent expected for days. But it was a near-certainty that dos Santoss party, the Peoples Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), would remain in power under its candidate Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, the 62-year-old defense minister. Dos Santoss children remain in key positions  his daughter is head of the state oil company and his son directs the nations $5 billion sovereign wealth fund.

But even if dos Santoss political influence lives on, his departure as president represents the end of an era and offers a glimpse into how succession might play out in nations ruled by Africas old guard. To the east of Angola, in Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe is 93, and has spent 30 years in power. To the north, in Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang is 75 and has spent 38 years as president. In Cameroon, Paul Biya is 84, and in his 35th year as head of state. In Uganda, Yoweri Mouseveni is 73 and has ruled for 31 years.

In each of those countries, debates around succession have consumed the countrys attention. In Zimbabwe, there is a simmering feud between factions jockeying to put forwardMugabes heir, including one backing his 52-year-old wife, Grace. Analysts worry about a similarly chaotic political scenario in Cameroon when Biya dies.

[An oil boom made it the most expensive city in the world. Now Angolas capital is in crisis. ]

Dos Santos has recently been traveling to Spain to be treated for an undisclosed medical condition. When he announced this year that he would retire, rumors swirled in Angola about who might take his place.. For a while, the consensus seemed to favor his daughter Isabel dos Santos, considered Africas wealthiest woman.

But last year the MPLA settled on Lourenco, who has tried to portray himself as a reformer, even though his party has been accused by critics and watchdog organizations of massive corruption, siphoning off oil revenue while a huge portion of Angolans live without basic health care or electricity. In 2015, the American rapper Nicki Minaj reportedly was paid aseven-figure sum to perform for some of the countrys wealthiest people, while about half the countrys population lives on less than $2 per day.

On Wednesday, Lourenco faced off against Isaias Samakuva, 71, the candidate for the National Union for the Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA), which fought against dos Santoss MPLA in the countrys 27-year civil war. Opposition leaders have suggested that they dont think the election will be credible. European Union electoral observers withdrew after they were denied access to many of the country's polling sites.

Many analysts say that dos Santoss decision to step down, and the party's coalescence around Lourenco, could help prevent the chaos that probably will follow other long-serving leaders when they leave power.

It should help guide a peaceful transition from dos Santos, avoiding the emergence of a power vacuum and the risk of political infighting, wrote Soren Kirk Jensen, an Angola expert at Chatham House, a London-based policy institute.

[North Koreas surprising, lucrative relationship with Africa]

Although dos Santos probably will remain influential, his departure leaves Angola without the leader who guided the nation through its transition from Marxism to petro-capitalism, from being an ally of Fidel Castro to an ally of Exxon, from being one of Africa's poorest nations to one of its richest (and most unequal).

His departure means a new reality for Angola, said Jose Veloso, a professor at the Independent University of Angola.

Dos Santos, the son of a bricklayer, was born in a slum of Luanda, the capital, during Portugals colonial rule. He received a scholarship to study petroleum engineering in Azerbaijan, then part of the Soviet Union, and became his countrys foreign minister after the country declared its independence in 1975.

When he assumed the presidency in 1979, Angola was considered one of the Soviet Unions closest African allies. Moscow backed the MPLA government in the bloody civil war against fighters supported by the United States and South Africa.

Photos from the early 1980s show dos Santos standing with East German officials at the Brandenburg Gate, addressing a Soviet Communist Party congress in Moscow and sitting with Castro, the Cuban leader, in Havana. His first marriage was to a Russian woman.

But in 1991 he renounced Marxism, and went on to establish diplomatic relations with the United States.

After the war ended in 2002, oil production surged, enriching Angolas elite even as the countrys poor showed some of the worst health indicators in the world. The countrys economy has been in crisis as the price of oil declined in recent years, and government services have deteriorated. Last year, a massive yellow fever outbreak occurred, due in part to a reduction in garbage collection, which presented a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Asked this year by The Washington Post how his government would be different from dos Santoss, Lourenco said: We are going to make every effort to have a transparent administration. We are going to combat corruption.

Last week, in a short speech on the outskirts of Luanda, dos Santos expressed confidence that his party would have an enduring legacy, even after he stepped down.

I have no doubt the MPLA will win this election, he said.

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 Presidential son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner returned to the Mideast this week to revive negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. But any optimism that an unconventional Trump administration might be able to jump-start meaningful talks has been complicated by political crises on both sides.

President Trump has repeatedly expressed hope that he can secure the ultimate deal, and U.S. officials say this weeks visit is intended to show a renewed commitment after a spate of violence last month.

Kushner was expected to arrive in Israel on Wednesday night along with deputy national security adviser Dina Powell and Middle East envoy Jason D. Greenblatt. He traveled from Cairo, where he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi and also held talks with officials from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The delegation also met with Qatari and Jordanian officials.

But since Kushners last visit to the region in June, a corruption scandal embroiling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has deepened, leaving him increasingly beholden to right-wing factions in his coalition and support base and even less able to make concessions, some observers say.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Aug. 9. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas remains unpopular and politically isolated, with a decade-long split between his leadership in the West Bank and Hamas leaders in Gaza widening in recent months.

Both leaders are focused on their domestic political survival, said Gadi Baltiansky, former Israeli peace negotiator and director of the Israeli-Palestinian peace movement the Geneva Initiative. That makes aspirations to launch a genuine peace process a bit unrealistic. Abbas is in a situation where he cannot deliver the deal that he talks about, and Netanyahu is not even able to describe the deal that he wants.

With neither leader able to make courageous decisions, one is needed from the U.S. administration, Baltiansky said. Yet Trump is facing his own distractions: fallout from his response to the violence in Charlottesville, rising tensions with North Korea and the probe into his campaigns dealings with Russia.

[A defiant Netanyahu attacks fake news as investigations heat up]

Dan Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and a fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, said he had been hopeful earlier this year on Trumps chances to make some progress, because both sides were eager to maintain good relations with Washington.

That kind of leverage has a very short shelf life, he said. As the political circumstances of the leaders in the region have changed and deteriorated from the point of view of their flexibility, and as President Trumps own standing has taken a beating because of his domestic controversies, I believe his leverage has declined significantly.

Shapiro said the administration should instead focus on managing the conflict while keeping the possibility of a two-state solution alive until the political climate improves.

Diana Buttu, who formerly served as a legal adviser for the Palestinian negotiating team, said that with both sides politically desperate, there may be an opportunity for talks, although she didnt expect them to come to anything. Everybody needs a process, she said. The 82-year-old Abbas has to show hes doing something after 12 years in office marked by nothing, Buttu said. The only thing he can do is negotiate. He needs a process, because hes a one-trick pony and its what hes been pushing.

[As Palestinian leaders fight over Gaza, Israel worries Hamas will go to war]

However, Abbas will be aware that Netanyahu is more inflexible than ever as corruption investigations against him close in, she added. Palestinian officials say engaging in a process for the sake of it would only benefit the Israeli side, as they would be able to reap the diplomatic gains of being seen to be pushing for peace without having to make any concessions.

A peace process is generally popular with the Israeli public, but only a slim majority of Israelis and Palestinians support the two-state solution, according to a joint poll conducted by Tel Aviv University and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in August. Support among Israeli Jews fell from 50 percent at the end of last year to 47 percent, it showed.

Last month, Netanyahus former chief of staff Ari Harow agreed to testify against him in two corruption cases, raising the likelihood that the Israeli leader will be indicted. Since then, Netanyahu has been attempting to rally his base behind him, blaming Israels left wing and the media for a conspiracy to bring him down.

The Trump administrations unwillingness to commit publicly on whether it supports a two-state solution puts the Palestinian leadership in a difficult position, and officials have been venting their frustration. In comments leaked to the media, Abbas said there is chaos in the administration.

I have met with Trump envoys about 20 times since the beginning of his term as president of the United States, he reportedly said in a meeting with the left-wing Meretz party. Every time they repeatedly stressed to me how much they believe and are committed to a two-state solution and a halt to construction in the settlements. I have pleaded with them to say the same thing to Netanyahu, but they refrained.

Roughly 400,000 Israeli Jews live in some 120 official settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, not including East Jerusalem. Most of the world considers the settlements illegal, but Israel disputes that.

A State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity before the official visit, said the administration has made clear that unrestrained settlement activity does not advance the prospect for peace, but it also recognizes that past demands for a settlement freeze have not helped advance peace talks.

Kushners family has financially supported settlements in the West Bank, as has David Friedman, the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Friedmans daughter emigrated to Israel and became a citizen last week. Greenblatt is also an Orthodox Jew.

After Trumps visit in May, a Palestinian official complained to the Haaretz newspaper that the U.S. team seemed more like Netanyahus advisers than fair arbiters.

Trump has not cast aside a two-state solution, the State Department official said. He supports whatever solution the parties, both the Israelis and Palestinians, can live with. This is not our choice to make. It is theirs to make together.

Anne Gearan in Washington contributed to this report.

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Smoke rises after an airstrike during fighting between members of the Syrian Democratic Forces and Islamic State militants in Raqqa, Syria, on Sunday. (Zohra Bensemra/Reuters)

U.S.-led coalition airstrikes in the Islamic States de facto capital in Syria are killing hundreds of civilians each month, according to monitoring groups, deepening already grave concerns for thousands of families trapped inside the city.

At least 725 civilians have been killed in coalition airstrikes since the offensive to retake Raqqa began June 6, according to Airwars, a London-based monitoring organization that works with local activists, human rights groups and the Pentagon.

We had been flagging for months prior to the offensive that far more civilians were dying around Raqqa than we would have expected even a few months earlier, said Chris Woods, the director of Airwars.

Since the assault began, we have seen a casualty count that is relatively high compared to the rest of the coalitions war against ISIS, he said, using another name for the Islamic State. In Raqqa, this means high numbers of identifiable civilians, many of them women and children.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander in the country, said the Pentagon was aware of the reports.

A sniper with the Syrian Democratic Forces aims his weapon during the fighting with Islamic State militants in the Old City of Raqqa on Saturday. (Zohra Bensemra/Reuters)

I have seen the reports of increased civilian casualties, and it is probably logical to assume that there have been some increases in civilian casualties because our operations have increased in intensity there, he said at a news conference in Baghdad on Tuesday. But I would ask someone to show me hard information that says that civilian casualties have increased in Raqqa to some significant degree.

More than 270,000 people have fled Raqqa since the coalition offensive began. According to U.N. estimates, at least 18,000 more remain trapped in the city among the militants, often without electricity and surviving on limited supplies of food.

[Shocking conditions await civilians fleeing ISIS in Syria]

The coalition has beefed up its team investigating claims of civilian casualties resulting from its strikes in recent months. But the toll in Raqqa and Deir al-Zour, another militant stronghold in Syria, underscores the deep challenges facing the aerial campaign as militants use civilians as human shields in an attempt to slow the offensive against them.

Residents who have reached a sprawling network of camps for the displaced across the surrounding province said they had been trapped in the city, with snipers targeting those who tried to escape. Some spent weeks behind the front lines without access to proper medical care, leaving charities with no choice but to amputate wounded limbs.

The bombing raids are being carried out in support of a Kurdish-led ground militia known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, that is fighting house to house as the Islamic State unleashes car bombs, drone strikes and other attacks.

On Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said it had documented 168 civilian deaths from airstrikes in Raqqa since Aug. 14. The Syrian Network for Human Rights has recorded the deaths of at least 458 civilians, including 134 children and 103 women, since June.

In Baghdad, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said there had been no military in the worlds history that has paid more attention to limiting civilian casualties.

That said, an enemy that literally hides behind women and children or forces innocent people to stay in an area that they intend to turn into a battleground are clearly showing who are the people violating every standard of decency, he said.

The intensity of the bombing campaign, combined with the Islamic States stranglehold on Internet access in Raqqa, has made monitoring the situation on the ground more challenging than at any time during the Syrian war. Yet a handful of organizations are still documenting civilian deaths on a daily basis.

The thing that has really got us troubled is how confident the United States, Britain and the rest of the coalition is with this situation, said Woods, of Airwars. How have we got to this place so quickly? We havent been in the business of destroying cities since Vietnam.

The deaths have proved a propaganda boon for the Islamic State, which published footage on one of its official propaganda outlets showing the bodies of at least four infants in what appeared to be a mortuary, one child still in striped pajamas.

Heba Habib in Stockholm contributed to this report.

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The Navy's 7th Fleet admiral was relieved of duty, as the premier surface fleet faces new scrutiny after deadly disasters at sea. (Jason Aldag,Dan Lamothe/The Washington Post)

The Navy's 7th Fleet admiral was relieved of duty, as the premier surface fleet faces new scrutiny after deadly disasters at sea. (Jason Aldag,Dan Lamothe/The Washington Post)

The U.S. Navy on Wednesday relieved the admiral in charge of the services 7th Fleet based in Japan due to loss of confidence in his ability to command, it said in a statement. The move comes after four embarrassing accidents this year, two of which killed sailors at sea.

Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet relieved Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin from his duties at the 7th Fleets Yokosuka base in Japan. Rear Admiral Phil Sawyer, the Pacific Fleets deputy commander, will immediately take command. He had been scheduled to assume the post on Sept. 7.

The incidents include the deadly collision Monday of the destroyer USS John S. McCain with a much heavier oil tanker off Singapore, and a June 17 accident in which the destroyer USS Fitzgerald was ripped open by a larger Philippine container ship.

Seven sailors were killed in the Fitzgerald disaster, and at least some of the 10 sailors reported missing from the McCain are dead, Swift said Tuesday. The search for their remains continues inside the stricken ship as well as in a widening area of the Straits of Malacca where the collision took place.

Aucoin has been the 7th Fleet commander since September 2015, and was previously the deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems. His removal, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, is the highest profile in the Navy since the disasters occurred.

[Remains of some sailors found on U.S. Navy destroyer after collision]

The collisions have shocked the Navy, where good seamanship and avoiding collisions are a fundamental expectation and demand. Adm. John M. Richardson, the chief of naval operations, announced Monday that he is ordering an operational pause across the globe in which commanders take a day or two each to make sure that sailors understand the fundamentals of good seamanship. He also directed a four-star officer, Adm. Phil Davidson of Fleet Forces Command, to launch a separate review of the 7th Fleet over the next few months to assess its culture, operations and readiness for missions.

Swift, who oversees the 7th Fleet as part of his role as Pacific Fleet commander, expanded the scope of that scrutiny Tuesday, ordering a second step to Richardsons review that will include all Navy forces in the Pacific. It will include a deliberate reset for ships that focuses on navigation, maintaining mechanical systems and manning the ships bridge appropriately, Swift said.

One tragedy like this is one too many, and while each of these four events is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation, Swift said of the 7th Fleets accidents. I welcome the broad, comprehensive view announced by the chief of naval operations.

So far this year, the fleet has faced four accidents that together have prompted questions about whether the sailors are being properly trained and supported. On May 9, the guided-missile cruiser Lake Champlain collided with a South Korean fishing vessel. On Jan. 31, the guided-missile cruiser Antietam ran aground in Tokyo Bay.

The 7th Fleet has headquarters in Yokosuka, Japan, and is responsible for an area that spans 36 maritime countries and 48 million square miles in the Pacific and Indian oceans, according to the Navy. The fleet has about 50 to 70 ships assigned to it, including about a dozen at sea at any time. The forces missions range from responding to natural disasters to countering North Korean threats and Chinese audaciousness in the South China Sea, where Beijing has established new military bases.

I think its important to note that the 7th Fleet is out there all the time, and it has been since World War II ended, said retired Vice. Adm. Peter Daly, the chief executive officer of the U.S. Naval Institute. It has been heel-to-toe. It has been ships there all the time, and ships deploying there all the time to augment the ships that are already there.

Search and rescue efforts are underway after the USS John S. McCain guided-missile destroyer and an oil tanker collided near Singapore on Aug. 21. The Navy reports 10 sailors are missing and five are injured. (Amber Ferguson/The Washington Post)

Daly, who commanded everything from destroyers to carrier strike groups, said the recent incidents have highlighted what appears to be a disparity between how well ships that are based in Japan perform, as compared to ships that are based in the continental United States or Hawaii and set sail from there. The difference, Daly said, has sparked a healthy concern about why there is a difference between the two.

[Top Navy admiral orders fleetwide investigation after latest collision at sea]

The unusual nature of the disasters even has prompted senior Navy leaders to rebut speculation that sabotage or a cyber attack may have caused the collisions. There is no indication that either occurred, Swift said again Tuesday.

The scrutiny comes as the Navy remains mired in a corruption scandal in which Malaysian defense contractor Fat Leonard Francis offered prostitutes, cash, gifts and other favors in exchange for information as he made hundreds of millions of dollars of business from the Navy. At least 19 defendants have been convicted, with at least 10 more cases pending.

But theres another issue at play. Daly and another 7th Fleet veteran, Scott Cheney-Peters, said that years of the Navy reducing its number of ships has taxed the crews of those on the remaining vessels, as the Navy does more with less.

Although many of these ships are more capable than their predecessors from the early 1990s, at some point the lower absolute number of ships taxes those remaining and their crews because they can only be in so many places and doing so many things at once, said Cheney-Peters, who served on the Fitzgerald and later founded the Center for International Maritime Security, which facilitates discussion of naval issues.

When I served in 7th Fleet aboard Fitzgerald a decade ago, the culture was of getting the mission done and taking care of your people, and only then taking care of yourself, he said. This is how it should be, but usually there wasnt much time left for taking care of yourself, including for sleep.

Paul Schemm in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia contributed to this report.

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A Yemeni inspects a two-floor building after it was hit by Saudi-led airstrikes on the northern outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, on Aug. 23, 2017. (Yahya Arhab/EPA)

SANAA, Yemen  An airstrike by a Saudi-led coalition on Wednesday hit a two-story motel north of the capital, killing at least 46 people, the latest in an escalating barrage of air assaults in war-torn Yemen this year, witnesses and officials said.

I saw a few bodies hanging out from the windows, said Mohammed Aluraiji, 34, a seller of khat, the narcotic leaf chewed by many Yemenis. Bodies were completely burned. . . . I was completely shocked.

The assault comes as the alliance between the rebel Houthi movement and loyalists of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who together control the capital and much of northern Yemen, shows signs of splintering. In recent months, sharp differences have emerged over U.N. initiatives, the control of ministries, and military and political decisions.

Salehs supporters are planning a major rally in the capital on Thursday to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the founding of the General Peoples Congress, the former presidents political party that controlled the nation for more than three decades. Residents fear possible violence as armed factions from both sides are positioned in the capital.

Wednesdays airstrikes, which occurred around 3:30 a.m., may have been intended to exploit the divisions. There were other airstrikes targeting areas around the capital, Yemeni officials said.

Some local media reports suggested that Houthi rebels were killed in the attack on the motel, which was near a Houthi checkpoint on the main road about 19 miles north of the capital. Health ministry officials and witnesses said most of the victims were khat farmers who were staying at the motel.

We are still extracting bodies from under the rubble, said Zaid Alshami, a senior health ministry official. The numbers of dead could go up.

A Saudi-led coalition spokesman told Reuters that information about the attack was being collected, but did not elaborate further.

Yemens conflict pits the Houthi-Saleh alliance against the recognized government of Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who was ousted from power two and half years ago. Saudi Arabia and its neighbors are seeing to restore Hadi to power, not least because they are wary of the Shiite Houthis and their suspected backing by Iran, Saudi Arabias main rival.

More than 10,000 Yemeni civilians have been killed, mostly by airstrikes conducted by the Saudi-led coalition that have targeted hospitals, schools and other civilian targets. More than three million people have fled their homes, and the country is grappling with a hunger crisis and an outbreak of cholera.

Human rights activists have called on the United States and Britain to stop selling weapons to the Saudi-led coalition.

A report last week by a group of international aid agencies led by the U.N. High Commission for Refugees found that more airstrikes have struck Yemen this year than in all of 2016. There have been 5,676 airstrikes this year compared to 3,936 in all of last year, according to the report by the Protection Cluster in Yemen.

The number of clashes on the ground have also intensified, increasing by 56 percent from last year, the report said.

Raghavan contributed from Cairo.

Read more:

In Yemens war, trapped families ask: Which child should we save?

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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There are white beaches and paradise islands, Albania is full of surprises. Those who travel there should also have a soft spot for bunkers, ruins and bizarre characters.

... in the south of Albania.

The beach in the seaport of Saranda...

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It is one o'clock in the morning at Mother-Teresa International Airport on the outskirts of Tirana. There are neither night flight restrictions here nor any obstacles to the penetrating taxi drivers. I share my taxi ride into the city with a Swedish woman. She gets out before I do, and asks for a 20 euro receipt - as much as the trip has cost. The driver gives her a receipt for over 30 euros. After a long discussion, the driver finally agrees to charge the right amount. He turns around with a shoulder shrug  as the motto goes, theseWesterners are unbelievable. I nod in agreement, he only meant well.

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These were my first 30 minutes in Albania. I wondered what I was going to experience in four days. In a country, roughly the same size as Brandenburg, a place I know almost nothing about. What does it look like? What language do they speak? What is the local cuisine like? Many questions at a time.

Lesen Sie auch Recommendation Where to relax? The best hotels for every type of traveller

The food is inspired by Greek cuisine

Firstly: The capital city is Tirana. Tirana looks like a pile of unplanned, thrown together, old-fashioned Italian villas, Stalinist stately homes and Muslim Balkan architecture. In the middle of the city centre you can find half-finished or abandoned buildings and empty construction sites. These can be found everywhere throughout the country.

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Secondly: Albanian is neither a Slavic nor a Latin-based language, but rather an Indo-Germanic language  that is why it sounded very unfamiliar to my ear. In Albanian, the country is called Shqiperia. Luckily many of the inhabitants can speak English or German.

Thirdly, the food is inspired by Greek cuisine. Fish, mutton, sheep's cheese, yoghurt sauces, and a lot of garlic. The best part is that while travelling through Albania, fellow travellers will offer you food. A man sitting next to me on a bus, gave me some Albanian meatballs, saying: "Albania is so hideous that I am kind to foreigners, so that they will have something positive to write home on a postcard."

Delicate fish is part of the Albanian gastronomy Quelle: Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash

Albania is peaceful and mellow

During the journey an elderly lady, sitting at the back, distributed sweets, almonds and fruit to the other passengers. To finish, she even passed watermelon around; a watermelon she had chosen with great care from a small fruit stand at the side of the road. It tasted delicious, even if it delayed the bus trip by at least half an hour.

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After these first experiences, I arrived at Saranda, the epicentre of Albanian tourism. But this is only true in mid-summer, and this was not the time of year that I visited the town. Apart from the omnipresent half-finished buildings, I noticed empty hotels and restaurants as well as a pebbly beach and a view of Corfu. In the early evening the locals gather at the promenade.

A couple of old fishermen sell popcorn and almonds. Albania, still dotted with bunkers from the regime of former dictator Enver Hoxha, is peaceful and gentle, which was quite unexpected. The autocrat isolated the country for decades, and one can still feel that Albania is untainted, as if it had fallen out of time - in the middle of Europe.

Lesen Sie auch Global Diary I spent four hours taking photos of La Mamounia

White sand and turquoise water

The bunkers built by paranoid Hoxha have now been renovated and turned into beach bars, mini-hotels or mountain stations by resourceful business-minds. An estimated 200,000 bunkers were available for the approximately three million Albanians, which were supposed to ensure complete security. People still feel very safe in this country, even if it is known for its organised crime.

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20 minutes south of Saranda you can find the countrys most beautiful beach, Ksamil, with pearl-white sand and clear, turquoise waters. Beyond the calm bay there are some islands that also have sandy beaches. You can easily navigate around each island with a pedalo and visit each beach. I can imagine that in the summer the beaches are incredibly crowded with people lying like cramped sardines, but I experienced this paradise as something like a private beach.

Unfortunately, the next day it was time to return to Tirana. The night before I had inquired if a bus was departing in the afternoon, and I had been assured it was. However, as I arrived at the station I was greeted with a no bus announcement. Luckily, I was rescued soon after. My saviour was wearing a wig, tracksuit jacket, green trousers, and worn-out crocodile shoes. He spoke some German and offered to drive me to a nearby city, Gjirokaster.

Cigarettes and snacks on the bus

In any film, this man would be considered a completely exaggerated stereotype of an Albanian. But I like whimsical guys, and so I excepted his lift willingly. For 30 Euros I got the full programme. First he attached a German and an Albanian flag to the front of his old car, as if it was a diplomatic vehicle. Then he blasted a cassette of Nena and Munchener Freiheit, which sounded older than Neue Deutsche Welle classics actually are.

Our author experienced hospitable saviour in Albania Quelle: Tim Dinter

When we arrived in Gjirokaster, the man, even in the pouring rain and at great risk to his toupee, made sure that I got onto a bus to Tirana. The ticket controller took every word literally to heart. After a heartfelt farewell to my driver, the ticket controller took care of my welfare. A few minutes into the drive and I was offered cigarettes and snacks, and at each petrol station I was asked whether I needed the restroom. In the end, I was safely delivered to Mother Teresa Airport. Just as the compassionate nun would have wanted.

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It was March 2020, and the world was closing down as the COVID-19 pandemic spread. At first, the news of...
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This article was published 23/08/2017 (1908 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Poland Spring, Americas best-selling bottled water, is a colossal fraud, according to a class-action lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed last week in Connecticut, alleges that instead of spring water, parent company Nestle Water North America has been selling billions of gallons of groundwater to its customers.

Not one drop of Poland Spring Water emanates from a water source that complies with the Food and Drug Administration definition of spring water,  the lawsuit states.

And, it goes on: the famous Poland Spring in Poland Spring, Maine, which defendants labels claim is a source of Poland Spring Water, ran dry nearly 50 years ago.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, spring water must come from an underground source and flow naturally to the earths surface. But spring water doesnt have to be literally collected at the spring  it can also be pumped out from a hole in the ground. A spokeswoman for Nestle Waters North America said its water meets all federal and state guidelines for spring water.

Poland Spring is 100 per cent spring water, the spokeswoman said in an email. The claims made in the lawsuit are without merit and an obvious attempt to manipulate the legal system for personal gain.

Nestle oversees a dozen brands of still and sparkling water, including Deer Park, Acqua Panna, Perrier and San Pellegrino.

Poland Spring, its website says, comes from some pretty incredible springs  eight of them to be exact. We carefully select each spring source in Maine based on such things as geologic formation, mineral composition, quality and taste, it says.

The lawsuit, however, alleges that there is not any historical evidence for six of (Nestles) alleged springs, and two are former springs that no longer exist.

Instead, it says, the vast bulk of the water is drawn from wells in low-lying populated areas near potential sources of contamination.

Nestles six groundwater collection sites in Maine, it goes on, are near a present or former human waste dump, landfill, fish hatchery or toxic petroleum dump site.

The class-action lawsuit has 11 plaintiffs and is led by Vermont resident Mark Patane, who says he has spent hundreds of dollars buying Poland Spring water since 2003.

 Washington Post
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This article was published 23/08/2017 (1908 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Brandon man with alleged neo-Nazi sympathies and ties to an organization thats been denounced as a hate group says he is planning an anti-immigration rally in Winnipeg on Sept. 9.

Jesse Wielenga is the protests main organizer and vice-president of the Worldwide Coalition Against Islam  Canada (WCAI), the group that organized the ill-fated anti-Islam rally in Vancouver Saturday.

Around 4,000 counter-protesters flocked to Vancouver City Hall on the weekend, drowning out those addressing the crowd and turning the rally into a celebration of diversity and anti-fascism.

BRANDON SUN Jesse Wielenga

Wielenga is hoping the WCAI will have better luck on the streets of Winnipeg, but in a phone interview with the Free Press he admitted he was unsure how many supporters the rally would draw.

Citing concerns over a counter-protest by antifa (anti-fascists), Wielenga, 30, would not reveal the time or location of the rally, but a screenshot of a social media post he made on Aug. 12, under the pseudonym Jesse Canada, says the march will begin near the CBC building downtown.

Trying to test the waters

We cant ignore these organizations, said Helmut Harry Loewen, a retired University of Winnipeg sociology professor with a specialization in neo-fascism.

I think he (Wielenga) is trying to test the waters here given their lack of success in Vancouver, Loewen said. If these plans go ahead well see some strong counter-organizing by anti-fascists. We dont want to see a march by neo-Nazis and white supremacists on the streets of Winnipeg.

Const. Rob Carver said he was unaware of plans for the protest, but could not say whether other members of the Winnipeg Police Service were as well.

As we get more information well have to look into whether its a public safety issue. If its not a public safety issue its not a police issue. We want to uphold the right to free speech, but our primary focus is the safety of everyone involved, Carver said.

Winnipeg police should consider this more than a potential public safety issue, said Loewen.

The police should prioritize and monitor possible criminal code violations in connection with the spreading of hate propaganda, said Loewen, whos also an anti-fascist activist.

The state of (far-right) organizing locally is on the rise. These groups are insurgent and it isnt just the WCAI.

While far-right groups remain small in Canada, they are growing and making strong recruitment drives around the country, Loewen said, adding groups active outside the province are pushing to establish themselves in Manitoba.

He said he isnt concerned recent publicity the WCAI has received will lead to an increase in membership, believing instead that exposure of their agenda through responsible reporting is necessary.

Statistics provided by Bnai Brith, an international Jewish service organization, show acts of anti-Semitism are on the rise in Canada. More than 1,700 incidents were reported in 2016, making it the highest year on record.

Aidan Fishman, a Bnai Brith spokesman, says its concerning people with well-documented affinities for neo-Nazism and white supremacism are attempting to hold a public rally in Winnipeg  especially given the hateful graffiti found in the city on Aug. 14.

Hateful and racist groups will always try to hide behind freedom of speech, but freedom of speech in Canada is not absolute. It is a criminal offence to intentionally promote hatred of a particular group, Fishman said.

Organizer says hes not a racist

Wielenga denies the WCAI is a hate group and says hes not a racist, despite social media posts hes made referencing neo-Nazi and white supremacist slogans.

Screen grabs taken earlier this month show Wielenga clicked like on Facebook posts saying 1488 and Hail victory  statements which reference white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideas.

Hail victory is the English translation of the Nazi slogan Sieg Heil, while 1488 refers to two separate slogans. The 14 is a reference to the fourteen words, a slogan coined by white supremacist David Lane, which Wielenga posted in full on social media. The 88 stands for Heil Hitler, as H is the eighth letter of the alphabet.

Fishman said Wielengas statements on social media display sympathies for hateful ideology.

Using those slogans clearly demonstrates an affinity for that ideology. 1488 is not something you say by accident. I dont see how that can be interpreted as anything other than support for neo-Nazi ideology.

Even Wielengas mother disavowed her sons comments when reached by the Brandon Sun by phone.

I dont have the same views. He keeps telling me its not a racist group, well, she said in a brief interview with the paper, which has chosen not to name her.

Later, she called back to clarify her previous statements. Although she does not agree with her sons point of view, she does not believe hes a racist, white supremacist or neo-Nazi.

I dont agree with what he thinks. But if hes anywhere near the white supremacists or anything, I wouldnt be very happy and he knows that.

 with files from Brandon Sun

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca
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OTTAWA  A leading parliamentary scholar says Manitoba remains short-changed in the Senate until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fills the provinces last Red Chamber seat. Ottawa, however, remains evasive about how it plans to do so.

For a comparatively small province like Manitoba, its important to have those voices, said David Smith, a visiting scholar at Ryerson University in Toronto. The Saskatchewan professors research has made him a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the countrys highest academic accolade.

Smith said Manitoba has been entitled to six Senate seats since 1905 as a deliberate, precise attempt to avoid smaller provinces from being swamped by others in Parliament. But the province hasnt had six seats filled since 2013.

Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press files

Trudeau entered office in autumn 2015 with four Manitoba vacancies, months before a fifth senator retired. He soon launched an advisory process in which Canadians over 30 can apply for Senate seats and bureaucrats present a short list to the PM.

Trudeau filled two of Manitobas vacancies in April 2016 and appointed three Manitobans to fill the remaining seats in October 2016. Prospective senator Harvey Chochinov declined the role in February, citing personal reasons. Six months later, Ottawas had nothing to show for replacing him.

This month, the Privy Council refused to say whether it would pull from 145 Manitobans who applied last summer, or kick off another months-long application process, claiming announcements will be made in due course.

Smith says writings from the time of Confederation suggest the Senate deliberately gave seats to other provinces out of concern Ontario would dwarf other voices. He notes the province made up 43 per cent of Canadas population in 1867 and still accounts for one-third today.

Contrary to what people see, or at least what they express, that the Senates a bunch of patronage hacks that are sitting on their duff and doing nothing  its just not true, Smith said, noting the Senate has increasingly shaped legislation since Trudeau removed Liberal appointees from party command.

Conservative Sen. Don Plett said his fellow four senators  all of whom Trudeau appointed  have pushed on Manitoba issues, such as Churchills rail-line woes and sex discrimination in the Indian Acts lineage provisions.

Though Plett often clashes ideologically with his Manitoba colleagues, he says Trudeau needs to pick a sixth one soon to make sure Manitoba gets a fair deal in future budgets and grants.

Without a doubt, it has taken far too long and I think the prime minister is showing his utter lack of regard, Plett said, adding Trudeau should simply pick from last years short list.

Trudeau has thumbed his nose at Manitoba for quite some time, he said, accusing the prime minister of favouring his voter base in Ontario and Quebec. The PMO did not respond Tuesday to a request for comment.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 23/08/2017 (1908 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There are no plans to open a supervised injection site in Winnipeg, a spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said in the wake of Toronto opening its first city-run space for people to inject illegal drugs.

Supervised injection sites are legal facilities where drug users are able to use intravenous substances under medical supervision. They have been a controversial harm-reduction strategy since the first North American site opened in Vancouvers Downtown Eastside in 2003. Toronto opened its first official site Monday.

The WRHA and a spokesman for Mayor Brian Bowman confirmed opening a safe injection site is not in the cards in the near future.

A man prepares heroin he bought on the street to be injected at the Insite safe injection clinic in Vancouver (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press files)

Mayor Bowman is not actively seeking to establish safe injection sites in Winnipeg. Public health officials with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority have indicated they have not seen evidence that a safe injection site would benefit those who use illicit drugs in Winnipeg, the spokesman said Monday.

There are currently 11 supervised injection sites in Canada actively offering services. There are a further six sites waiting inspection and 10 open applications. All active sites are located in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

A 2017 poll conducted by Main Street Research on behalf of Postmedia indicated 46 per cent of Winnipeggers supported creating safe injection sites in the city.

Detractors of the strategy say such sites lead to increased drug use and crime in the areas where they are located.

Proponents, however, say that is not the case, adding the sites help limit the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, while reducing overdoses and saving lives.

For some people, its a black-and-white issue, said Anna Marie DAngelo, senior media relations officer with Vancouver Coastal Health, the organization that runs North Americas first safe injection site.

Harm-reduction strategies like this are beneficial and get some people through recovery when nothing else works. If you look at the patch (nicotine patch for cigarette smokers), thats harm reduction.

No one has a problem with that. Its not until it comes to illicit drugs that people say no.

She said she feels opposition to safe injection sites can stem from a not in my backyard sentiment, but stresses scientific reports show there is no increased harm to the community and no increased crime rate.

The current situation with intravenous drug use in the Winnipeg is dismal, said Ian Rabb, public relations officer with the Aurora Recovery Centre in Gimli.

Despite that view, he said supervised injection sites would not be the best use of resources in the city  increased funding for treatment would be.

Were not providing the services we need. Im for long-term solutions and treatment is the long-term solution, Rabb said.

The long-term solution for any addict is not a safe place to inject. Its a safe place to heal.

Do we want to heal the person, or keep them sick? Thats what we have to ask.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 22/08/2017 (1909 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A crisis-support program for victims of sexual assault is trying to revive anonymous report-sharing with Manitoba police.

Over the past two decades, the ability for victims to provide anonymous reports about what happened to them was seen by counsellors as a way to bridge the gap between helping victims heal and aiding police investigations, especially for those who werent ready to make a formal complaint to police.

Klinics sexual assault crisis program used to share the anonymous reports it received with police via the RCMPs Violent Crime Linkage System database. The idea was that investigators might still be able to use details from an anonymous report to help them investigate other sexual assaults  in the case of a serial rapist, for example. The practice is widely used in British Columbia, where police forces throughout the province have been accepting anonymous sexual-assault reports from community-based victim services organizations for the past nine years. More recently, police in Yukon also took up the practice.

RUTH / BONNEVILLE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Nadia LaRosa works with victims of abuse at Klinic

It was really to provide people who had been victimized by sexual assault with another option rather than involving the police in a formal way or not, said Nadia LaRosa, co-ordinator of Klinics Manitoba Trauma Information and Education Centre who worked for many years in the sexual assault crisis program. The programs records show anonymous reports were accepted by police dating back to at least 1995.

People could come in and report what happened to them and give as much or as little detail  it was up to them  and have that recorded. What we would do with that was we would keep a copy here and we would send a copy to the police for their information only.

It was really giving people an opportunity to have someone hear their story, to have it reported somewhere, to have it held somewhere, and then if people chose to involve police at a later date, they still could, she added.

But the practice fell out of favour when police stopped using anonymous reports in the national database several years ago, amid concerns they were not detailed enough to be helpful to investigators, LaRosa said.

Now, the agency is trying to find a way to offer more detailed reports that still shield victims identities and give police helpful information in a more trauma-informed way. Within the past year, Klinic began meeting with RCMP officials to work on revamping anonymous-report forms so it could be once again included in the Violent Crime Linkage System database.

A Manitoba RCMP spokeswoman said in an email to the Free Press that generally speaking, the RCMP still accepts third-party reports.

We understand the victims dont always want to come forward. If we receive a name of a victim of sexual assault, we are obligated to speak with them. However, if a name is not provided to us, we still take the information and go as far as we can with that, Tara Seel wrote.

The Winnipeg Police Service confirmed anonymous sexual assault reporting has been proposed at inter-agency meetings with police officials and community groups, but said nothing has been formalized. WPS has a team of 14 officers in its sex crimes unit, all specially trained to investigate sexual assaults, and the police service has worked with community agencies to try to ensure women feel safe coming forward to police, Insp. Kelly Dennison said in a previous interview with the Free Press.

We work well together (with community groups such as Klinic) so that women are coming forward and theyre reporting that theyre sexually assaulted. Then, we have the resources not just within the service but within the city to properly investigate those, Dennison said.

Meanwhile, few people are choosing to file anonymous reports, even as Klinic sees steady demand for its sexual assault counselling services and Manitoba maintains the highest rate of reported sexual assault of all the provinces. Klinic hasnt received any anonymous reports so far this year. It received four in 2016 and an average of three or four annually in recent years.

We continue to take anonymous reports because for people its still giving them an opportunity to do something with their story. To have somebody else witness it, to have it recorded somewhere, to have it kept somewhere safe. And that, even from a counselling perspective, can offer some help in the healing process, LaRosa said.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
Opinion

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This article was published 23/08/2017 (1908 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When India got its independence from Britain 70 years ago this week, it was founded as a secular democracy  secular because it acknowledged the status and rights of Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and other religious minorities as equal to those of the Hindu majority. Mahatma Gandhi, the great hero of the independence movement, was a devout Hindu, but he was murdered by a Hindu fanatic for defending Muslim rights after Partition.

It was one of the most fortunate assassinations in history, because Hindu radicals had been using Pakistans declaration that it was a Muslim state to demand that India be declared a Hindu state. After Gandhis murder, Jawaharlal Nehru, the countrys first prime minister, was able to round up tens of thousands of Hindu extremists and exploit popular reverence for Gandhi to nail down Indias identity as a secular state.

India is still a democracy, but a portrait of one of the men who conspired to assassinate Gandhi now hangs in Indias parliament. The prime minister, Narendra Modi, leads the BJP (Indian Peoples Party), which was created as the political wing of the RSS (National Volunteer Organization), a Hindu supremacist paramilitary organization. And secular is now spelled sickular by the Hindutva trolls on Twitter.

Ivan Sekretarev / Pool / The Associated Press Files Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a populist who doesnt waste time tweeting insults and picking fights.

Hindutva is Hindu exceptionalism of the kind that gives rise to the trope that to be Hindu is to constantly take offence. It sees India as a wounded civilization because it has spent most of the past thousand years under the rule of various foreign invaders (hardly a unique experience), and proposes to remedy that with a highly simplified, almost kitsch version of politicized Hinduism.

Its just another brand of populism, in other words, but its chief Indian proponent, Narendra Modi, must deal with far deeper divisions in society than his American counterpart, U.S. President Donald Trump. He is a much more disciplined man, however, and he does not waste his time in tweeting insults and picking fights with random people.

Modi is relentlessly focused on economic growth, and in particular on raising the living standards of the lower-middle-class Indians who are his strongest supporters. But to get and keep the parliamentary majority that would let him carry out his program, he must appeal to a broader audience.

For more than half a century, India got along with the secular principle that religion is a private matter, but Modi supported a national ban on cow slaughter (many states already banned it) when he took office. More recently, he banned the slaughter of buffalo as well. So its hardly surprising that cow protection vigilantes have been attacking people suspected of trading in beef; half a dozen have been beaten to death in the past couple of years.

Modi supports the ban because high-caste Hindus (the group from which the BJP draws most of its support) believe that cows are sacred and must not be eaten. However, lower-caste Hindus, the so-called Dalits (untouchables), do eat beef, and they make up about a quarter of Indias voting population. This poses a serious political problem for the BJP.

Muslims, who dominate the beef and leather trades, make up another 14 per cent of the voters, but Modi doesnt worry about losing their votes because they were never going to vote for the BJP anyway.

He cares very much about the Dalit vote, because they are the key to making the BJP the natural party of government.

Modi won a landslide majority in 2014 in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of parliament), but he did it on only 31 per cent of the popular vote. The first-past-the-post system regularly delivers such lopsided results. But the Rajya Sabha (upper house or senate) is elected by the state legislatures, where Dalits are often quite prominent politically. The BJP will never get a majority in the senate without Dalit support.

So Modi walks a tightrope on the issue of sacred cows, promoting their protection to appeal to his upper-caste voters while weakly condemning the murder of butchers and leather workers by cow protection vigilantes (who are backed by the RSS, the BJPs parent organization).

Indeed, Modis whole take on Hinduism is quite ambivalent. Two years ago, for example, talking about health care in India, he got off track and started talking about the elephant-headed god Ganesha: We worship Lord Ganesha. There must have been some plastic surgeon at that time who got an elephants head on the body of a human being and began the practice of plastic surgery.

It is certainly not Hindu orthodoxy to suggest that Ganesha was a chimera created by ancient plastic surgeons. On the other hand, the idea that India led the world in plastic surgery a few thousand years ago will appeal to the more naive Indian nationalists. Its a bizarre mixture of ideas, but not atypical in populist politics.

The bottom line, alas, is that the sickular libtards are in retreat, the religious minorities are being marginalized and the people who define India as a Hindu country are in charge. Its too early to say that this is an irreversible change, but its a radical departure from the countrys founding values. Its still a democracy, but its starting to look a lot more like Pakistan.

Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries.
Opinion

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This article was published 23/08/2017 (1908 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a scene from the 1980 classic comedy The Blues Brothers, the title characters are stuck in a traffic jam. The cause of the delay is a group of Nazis blocking a bridge while police restrain a heckling mob of anti-Nazi protesters. When informed by a policeman that the protesters had won a court decision authorizing them to protest, the Brothers ask which organization is responsible, and the policeman informs them it is the Illinois Nazis. Jake Blue states, I hate Illinois Nazis and Elwood immediately drives straight into the crowd of Nazis, who comically leap into the water below the bridge.

Despite the uncanny similarity, there was nothing funny about the incident in Charlottesville, Va., wherein a white supremacist drove his car head-on into a crowd of anti-Nazi protesters, killing one and injuring 19 others. Like the Illinois Nazis in the movie, the alt-right movement, including neo-Nazis and the Klu Klux Klan, had obtained an official permit to demonstrate.

Ostensibly, this collection of white supremacists wanted to express their objection to the Charlottesville city councils decision to remove a statue of Confederate Civil War General Robert E. Lee.

Evelyn Hockstein / The Washington Post Files White nationalists on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Lee was a masterful battlefield commander who fought in the failed attempt for 11 southern states to secede from the Union and establish their own confederacy. The Confederates were opposed to the abolition of slavery, therefore the tribute to General Lee has become viewed as a symbol glorifying the slave trade.

However, the alt-right gathering in Charlottesville was not an academic assembly of individuals intent on resisting the advance of revisionist history. Instead, it quickly became a blatant demonstration of white supremacy, complete with a Nazi-style torchlit parade.

To cap it off, James Alex Fields Jr. is alleged to have deliberately driven his car straight into the crowd of anti-Nazi hecklers. Why this is not being called an act of terrorism, I have no idea. When Islamic extremists drove into crowds in Barcelona, London, Berlin and Nice, no one hesitated to label them terrorists, and Im pretty sure those on the receiving end of Fields car rampage were just as terrified as those other victims.

Nevertheless, the biggest story to emerge from Charlottesville was the reaction from U.S. President Donald Trump. His first response was to universally condemn hate, and he went on to express the opinion that this existed on many sides. Over the next two days Trump took a tremendous amount of heat for not singling out the alt-right for its responsibility in the incident.

Trump did finally issue a stern rebuke, wherein he named the KKK, neo-Nazis and other white supremacist groups. However, he almost immediately reversed course by once again stating that there was blame on both sides. Describing the anti-Nazis as the alt-left, he pointed out the fact that the alt-right had obtained a legal permit for their demonstration, as if that somehow made it all OK.

By contrast, immediately following last Thursdays attack in Barcelona, Spain, in which 14 civilians were killed and another 100 wounded by a rampaging vehicle, Trump took to Twitter to denounce the attackers.

As the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, Trump revised a long-debunked myth regarding how the perpetrators of the Barcelona attack should be dealt with just as U.S. General John Pershing had done in the Philippines in 1899. Although historians are adamant that it never actually happened, Trump claims that Pershing had his soldiers dip their bullets in pigs blood before executing captured Muslim terrorists in order to prevent the dead from ascending into heaven. Never mind that this would seriously clog up a rifle, Trump also erroneously claimed There was no more Radical Islamic Terror for 35 years! (sic) That is simply not true.

To recap: a neo-Nazi drives into a crowd of anti-Nazis in Charlottesville and Trump points out that the anti-Nazis did not have a permit to assemble. A Muslim extremist drives into a crowd in Barcelona and Trump wants to not only execute them in this life, but deny their souls for eternity.

On the plus side, no one was talking about North Korean nukes or Russians fixing the U.S. election.

Scott Taylor is the founder and publisher of Esprit de Corps magazine. He is a bestselling author and award-winning documentary filmmaker.
For two months, Peruvian teachers have been on strike, demanding higher pay, the abolition of an education counter-reform and the improvement of the callously neglected state of public education in Peru. Reportedly, more than 200,000 teachers in 18 regions of the country are participating in the strike, making it one of the largest in the last decade.

The evident indifference with which President Pedro Pablo Kuczynskis right-wing government has been dealing with their demands and its obsessive effort to brand the militant teachers as terrorists has further damaged its approval rating, already plummeting in the wake of the devastating effects of the so-called Nino costero landslides earlier this year.

The education workers strike follows a nationwide miners strike against new anti-labor laws in July that was cancelled by the bureaucracy after only two days for a round of negotiations; a nearly month-long public doctors and nurses strike for better wages and the improvement of the nearly bankrupt state of the public healthcare sector and a two-day strike by judicial employees.

The teachers strike was set off on July 4 after the Kuczynski government failed to fulfill its promise to raise teachers wages during its first year in office. But the issues in the strike run deeper. As with the Peruvian working class as a whole, teachers have seen a decline in wages and living standards as government after government has adhered to the main premises of austerity, deregulation and destruction of labor rights contained in the so-called Washington Consensus of free-market neoliberal counter-reforms initiated by the authoritarian government of Alberto Fujimori in the 90s.

Teachers confront the continuation of these measures in the so-called Education Reform (Ley de Reforma Magisterial), a tool of the ruling class that, in the name of meritocracy, establishes eight salary levels based on the results of nationwide teacher evaluations, with the highest scores resulting in the highest salaries. Most of Perus teachers work in impoverished areas where the scores are the lowest, and the reform is seen as a way to lay off public teachers who fail the evaluations.

Even right-wing figures have been forced to acknowledge the despairing conditions under which teachers are struggling: currently 40 percent of basic education public teachers in Peru lack labor stability and have no benefits, and the number has risen every year. The average monthly wage ranges from 1,200 to 1,500 Peruvian soles (US$400 to US$500), only a tenth of what teachers received in real terms less than five decades ago.

Teachers began walking out on June 15. They have blocked roads and access to airports in the regions of Cusco, Puno, Junin, Ayacucho and Arequipa  including in the Machu Picchu sanctuarywith repeated confrontations with the police.

After a series of negotiations between the striking regions governors and union representatives, on July 4 the Kuczynski government declared it would raise the teachers wage to 2,000 Peruvian soles (approximately US$650).

However, the government declared that wages would be cut for any teacher who failed to return to classes by July 7. This threat failed. Only four regional unions agreed to end the strikeLima, Cusco, Pasco, Lambayequewhile 16 others voted to continue the walkout. Reportedly, some regional governors have supported the strike for fear of losing local support for their administrations.

Upset by the prolongation of the strike and the determination of the teachers, the government proceeded to slander the workers, using the well-worn Peruvian tactic of accusing them of being sympathizers of Sendero Luminosothe Maoist guerrilla movement that employed acts of terrorism in their popular warfare against the state in the 80s.

The governments propaganda campaign was supportedto the surprise of many workersby leading members of Patria Roja (Red Fatherland, PR), the so-called radical left party that four decades ago founded SUTEP (Sindicato Unitario de Trabajadores por la Educacion en el Peru), the confederation of unions that represents most of Perus teachers.

PR, which traces its origins to a 1970s Maoist split from the Stalinist Peruvian Communist Party, has for decades staffed the bureaucracy of SUTEP. Its representatives manage the teachers pension fundDerrama Magisterialas a business, investing its assets and profiting from them.

Rolando Brena, the PRs general secretary, claimed in an interview that there are political interests behind the teachers strike mobilization and that its supposed violent excess is the result of infiltration of SUTEP by MOVADEF, a political party seen as the descendent of Sendero Luminoso (SL), whose principal aims are amnesty for both SL members and members of the military who committed human rights crimes during the so-called dirty war of the 80s and national reconciliation.

Alfredo Velasquez, SUTEP general secretary, emphasized the union bureaucracys interest in negotiating with the government and called for the demarcation of groups that incite hate and disorder and went on to personally brand regional union leaders as MOVADEF members for their insistence on continuing the workers mobilization.

These remarks prove how integrated into the political establishment the union bureaucracy has become and demonstrate its abandonment of the most basic demands of the teachers.

Teachers have responded with public denunciations charging that the SUTEP bureaucracyand Patria Rojaare traitors who do not represent them. Kuczynskis government has been negotiating agreements with political operatives who dont exercise control over their supposed rank-and-file.

Over the last week, teachers have poured into the capital of Lima from all the regions to protest against the government, staging sit-ins in San Martin squarea traditional site for left-wing demonstrations in downtown Lima. Attempts to march towards Congress have been met with police repression. Despite this, polls show that a significant number of Peruvians support the teachers demands.

Kuczynskis government, which never had mass support, has been further discredited by the confrontation, with its approval rating sinking to a staggering 29 percent. Other Peruvian administrations have reached that same low (and even worse), but only at the end of their terms. Kuczynskis government has just finished its first year in office.

In a populist attempt to gather support among teachers, Fuerza Popular (FP), Kuczynskis right-wing rival that dominates Congress, began talks with teachers in order to assume the role of an intermediary with the government. The FPs cynical opportunism was on display when an FP congresswoman declared that: FP identifies itself with the teachers whether or not theyre terrorists.

The right-wing opposition along with the main pseudo-left opposition fronts, the Frente Amplio and Nuevo Peru, have asked for the Education Minister, Marilu Martens, to resign in an attempt to placate workers and find someone more capable of negotiating an end to their strike.
An air strike launched by the United States on the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa in northeastern Syria Monday claimed the lives of 42 civilians, 19 of whom were children. It is the bloodiest incident thus far in a ramped-up series of strikes over the past eight days that have killed at least 167 civilians, including 59 children.

The air assault on the Syrian city is the latest stage in a three-month siege waged by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), predominantly made up of the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) militias, which are being supported by significant numbers of US ground troops. The offensive to force ISIS from its main stronghold has already driven thousands of civilians from their homes, killed hundreds more, and left at least 25,000 stranded with little food and water in Raqqa.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the bombing came a day after numerous civilian casualties were reported Sunday during air attacks. While the SDF claims to have 60 percent of the city under its control, observers speaking to the Financial Times noted that ISIS fighters continue to operate and launch attacks in many parts of the city claimed by the SDF.

The indiscriminate and ruthless assault on the city by the US-led coalition is in line with the vicious assault conducted by Washington and its Iraqi-backed forces earlier this year to recapture the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

In the course of nine months of military operations, an estimated 40,000 civilians lost their lives and an additional one million Iraqis were driven from their homes. These war crimes have been made possible by President Donald Trumps decision to ease restrictions on engaging in combat, giving military commanders on the ground the power to decide when to launch air strikes and other attacks.

According to AirWars, a London-based monitoring group which collates data on civilian casualties resulting from US-led coalition air strikes, more civilians have died in the seven months since Trump took office than in the close to two-and-a-half years during which Barack Obama oversaw the conflict in the Middle East.

This slaughter is only an indication of what is being prepared for the escalation of the war in Afghanistan announced by Trump Monday night.

While the nominal target of the US-led onslaught on Raqqa is ISIS, the Sunni extremist organization whose very existence is bound up with the disastrous consequences of US-led wars of aggression in Iraq, Libya and Syria, Washingtons real goal is to strengthen its geostrategic position in the region.

The use of overwhelming force regardless of the impact on innocent civilians flows from US imperialisms determination to capture ISISs rapidly shrinking territory before troops loyal to Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russian air power and Iranian forces, drive the Islamists from eastern Syria and establish more direct supply lines from Teheran to Damascus.

To prevent this, Washington has combined the offensive against Raqqa with the establishment of a military base at al-Tanf in southeastern Syria on the borders with Iraq and Jordan, where American and British Special Forces are training Sunni militias to capture territory in eastern Syria. The US also hopes to utilize this proxy force when a suitable opportunity presents itself to bring about regime change in Damascus.

Moreover, Washington wants to consolidate its unchallenged domination over the energy-rich Middle East by preparing for war with Iran, which Trump has repeatedly denounced as an enemy and sponsor of terrorism.

News of the massacre in Raqqa came as Defense Secretary James Mad Dog Mattis, who earned his nickname for his role in leading the devastating assault on the Iraqi city of Fallujah, visited the region to discuss US imperialist policy with the Iraqi government.

Mattis met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad on Tuesday and boasted that US and Iraqi forces were defeating ISIS. Mattis made no mention of the widespread reports of human rights abuses and vicious reprisals against the civilian population by Iraqi forces in areas retaken from ISIS, which have included summary executions and torture. Instead, he praised the advance of Iraqi forces towards the ISIS-held town of Tal Afar.

Similar atrocities are to be expected in Raqqa. Reports are already emerging of the SDF refusing to allow civilians fleeing the city to leave refugee camps set up in areas under their control, prompting condemnations from aid agencies.

Although US imperialism bears chief responsibility for the bloody civil war in Syria and the destabilization of the entire region, the war danger is being exacerbated by the efforts of regional powers to pursue their own interests in Syria.

On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicated that discussions had taken place between Ankara and Teheran about a joint military operation to target bases of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq. Turkish news outlets reported that Iranian troops would launch an offensive in the Qandil Mountains backed up by Turkish air power, a suggestion swiftly rebuffed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). However, the IRGC statement did not rule out launching military interventions into northern Iraq in the future.

Frictions between Turkey and the US, a key NATO ally, have risen over recent months, especially following the Trump administrations decision to rely on the Kurdish-dominated SDF to lead the Raqqa offensive. Erdogan, whose relations with Germany and other European NATO powers have become ever more strained, has floated the possibility of purchasing a missile defense system from Russia in a move that would be a major slap in the face to NATO.

Returning from a visit to Jordan, Erdogan vowed Monday that Turkey was also ready to launch military operations into northern Syria if the Kurdish Democratic Unity Party (PYD), the political wing of the Kurdish militants fighting for control of Raqqa, expanded their influence over the region. He noted that the issue had been discussed with Irans chief of the General Staff during a visit to Ankara last week.

The Syrian conflict remains a major flashpoint that could rapidly escalate into a regional and even global war. The conflict, which has claimed upwards of half a million lives, was deliberately stoked in 2011 by Washington with the aim of bringing about regime change in Damascus.

Russia, which intervened in the US-instigated civil war in 2015 to prop up its chief ally in the Middle East, has stepped up attacks on ISIS positions in eastern Syria to aid the progress of pro-government soldiers. On Friday, Russian aircraft reportedly killed some 200 ISIS fighters seeking to reach Deir ez-Zor, a city currently being targeted by Assads forces for capture.

Government-aligned fighters have been attacked by US air strikes on several occasions, with Washington alleging that they intruded into a unilaterally declared deconfliction zone set up around its al-Tanf base.

Any of these incidents, with nuclear-armed powers operating on the basis of conflicting interests in close proximity to each other, could provide the spark that sets the highly volatile Middle East ablaze with catastrophic consequences for the regions long-suffering population.
Photo credit: Facebook/Bunmi Laditan

From Good Housekeeping

"My kid is done with homework," wrote Bunmi Laditan, a mother and author, on Facebook.

Laditan, who's very vocal about the challenges of modern day parenting on social media, didn't mean that her 10-year-old daughter, Maya, had finished her work for the evening - she meant Maya is done ... for good. "She's in school from 8:15 am - 4:00 pm daily so someone please explain to me why she should have 2 - 3 hours of homework to do every night?" she asked.

It's a question thousands of parents, all over America, have grappled with. When it seems as if the stack of worksheets, book reports and diorama projects (remember those?) are piling up too early in your child's academic career, it's natural to question the system. Laditan, though, is done questioning.

"She's been very stressed and is starting to have physical symptoms such as chest pain and waking up at 4 AM worrying about her school workload," Laditan wrote in an email to her daughter's teachers, which she later posted on Facebook. "Maya will be drastically reducing the amount of homework she does this year."

Laditan is trying to help Maya refocus on the things 10-year-olds should be able to do, like "play with their parents in a relaxed atmosphere," "play with their siblings," and "just enjoy their childhoods." Those things, said Laditan, should not be weekend-exclusive activities. And considering the fact that Maya reads independently, researches topics (outside of school!) that interest her, takes coding classes and paints, it doesn't look like she's about to slip behind the curve.

In fact, it looks like the kid just needs a break: "Children need downtime after school the same way adults need downtime after work," she continued. Preach.

But unfortunately, while this may be true for Maya and many other kids like her, it's not a done deal that schools can or will accommodate a reduced homework policy - something that Laditan doesn't blame the teachers for: "I want to state that I'm in no way blaming her teachers. They're incredible and I know they have to do things a certain way. This system just isn't working for my family or my child."

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If Maya's school can't adjust, she will have to learn at home - something that Laditan is nervous about, since she works from home. "I'll have to hire a tutor to help me and will need to find a group of parents doing the same thing, but I have no choice at this point," she wrote.

Laditan's heartfelt message - the respect she has for both her daughter's education and physical and mental wellbeing is palpable - has touched other parents who feel that their children's homework load is hurting more than it helps.

The post, which has been shared over 10,000 times and has nearly 5,000 comments, has a comments section that could act as close reading for education policy makers: Teachers have written in, expressing their support and agreement, stating that they refuse to give their students homework. Parents of students, past and present, have also voiced their concerns, lamenting the "hours of family time that just went missing" due to "constant guilt about stupid, ridiculous, useless 'homework.'"

Regardless of your stance, Laditan is doing what's best for her family and child - and when your 10-year-old starts experiencing chest pain and insomnia, there probably isn't a better time to establish priorities. "I just want her to be intelligent, well-rounded, kind, inspired, charitable, spiritual and have balance in her life," Laditan wrote, in conclusion. "I want her to know that work is not life, it's part of life. Work will not fulfill you. It will not keep you warm - family, friends, community, giving back, and being a good person do that."

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More than 24 million people have been affected by some of the worst flooding to hit South Asia in decades, with large areas of land submerged in water, the Red Cross Tuesday.

Authorities in Bangladesh, India and Nepal have put the death toll at more than 750 since August 10, when a series of deluges began spreading with the annual monsoon season.

"The situation is going from bad to worse," Red Cross under secretary-general Jagan Chapagain said in a statement, confirming the death toll given by regional authorities.

"Almost one third of Nepal has been flooded. One third of Bangladesh is flooded", he told reporters.

"This is the worst flooding that parts of South Asia have seen in decades."

Flood waters in the three countries have left hundreds of people stranded and entire communities cut off from road access, according to the Red Cross.

Many villages are now only accessible by boat and "are running out of food" with clean water also in short supply, the organisation added.

"The number of people affected is rising by the hour as waters rush south," Chapagain said.

He added the devastating flooding has been triggered in part by the monsoons but is "also a result of the lack of proper water management", in all three countries.

The organisation has launched a 3.5 million Swiss francs ($3.6 million, 3.1 million euros) international appeal to help authorities in Nepal.

Chapagain said a similar global appeal to help Bangladesh deal with the disaster could be launched soon, while India is seen as having the resources needed to respond without foreign help.

The heavy rain has also taken a toll on wildlife, with rescue teams pulling stranded animals from raging waters in India's Kaziranga National Park, including rare one-horned rhinos and other endangered species.
Baghdad (AFP) - At least 250 US-led air strikes have pounded the Syrian city of Raqa and surrounding territory in the past week, the coalition fighting the Islamic State group said Tuesday.

Coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told AFP that the air raids targeted the greater Raqa area.

Activists and monitoring groups have reported that intensifying coalition bombardment of the city has left scores of civilians dead.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 42 civilians had been killed in US-led strikes on Raqa Monday, taking the civilian toll for the past eight days to 167.

Dillon told AFP that the allegations would be taken seriously and investigated.

Since a US-backed offensive ousted IS from Mosul in neighbouring Iraq in July, the coalition has had more available aircraft to strike Raqa, he added.

"We have increased our strikes recently especially since the end of the Mosul battle," Dillon said.

Earlier this month, the coalition acknowledged the deaths of 624 civilians in its strikes in Syria and Iraq since 2014, but rights groups say the number is much higher.

The international alliance says it takes all possible measures to prevent unnecessary deaths.

"The avoidance of civilian casualties is our highest priority when conducting strikes against legitimate military targets with precision munitions, unlike the indiscriminate nature of ISIS tactics which result in an enormous number of avoidable civilian deaths," the coalition told AFP in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
Like the title of his bands hit single, Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds is a believer. Having grown up in a conservative Mormon family, he knows firsthand about the strong cultural ties that religion can create within an individuals psyche  and how difficult it can be to find oneself in a position where one is rejected by ones faith, as well.

Struck by the tragic stories hed experienced regarding the struggles that LGBTQ youth often experience in Mormon and other orthodox communities, Reynolds  a married father of three daughters  became an outspoken advocate. Last year, he created the LoveLoud Foundation with the mission of bringing communities together to celebrate individuality and support LGBTQ youth.

This Saturday (July 28), hes spearheading the second annual LoveLoud Fest at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, featuring his own band, as well as Neon Trees (whose frontman, Tyler Glenn, is gay and grew up Mormon), Zedd, Linkin Parks Mike Shinoda, and Grace VanderWaal , along with presentation by speakers like Apple CEO Tim Cook, Julianne Hough, Tegan Quin of Tegan and Sara, and Mary Lambert. In partnership with national LGBTQ charities including Encircle, Trevor Project, and the Tegan and Sara Foundation, proceeds from LoveLoud will go directly to supporting LGBTQ youth who come from unsupportive homes or communities where theyre eight times more likely to commit suicide.

Reynolds, who still culturally identifies with Mormonism, hopes the festival will build a bridge  or at least the beginnings of understanding  between orthodox communities and the LGBTQ community, without compromising anyones beliefs. (For what its worth, the Mormon church issued a formal statement regarding the LoveLoud Fest, stating that it applauds Reynoldss efforts to create dialogue on this issue.)

Yahoo Entertainment sat down with him for a revealing discussion regarding his extensive, sensitive, and tolerant knowledge of both sides.

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Yahoo Entertainment: This may be a stupid question, but are you still a Mormon? If someone randomly looks up Dan Reynolds Mormon online, it seems as if the jury is out, honestly.

Dan Reynolds: Its not a stupid question; it depends on what you would say is an active Mormon. I definitely still think of myself as Mormon. But Mormonism is more than just a religion; its also your culture. Its what I was raised with  the roots within my body. I have many doubts about things, and theres days that I believe certain things and days that I dont. And theres tons of times Ive gone without saying any kind of prayer, or speak to a god for a long period of time  and then theres a quiet moment where Im like, yknow, God? Are you there? Do you hear me?

So I dont have an easy answer to that. I think of myself as a kind of unique person of faith, a unique Mormon. But Im also just looking for truth and light wherever it may be. Whether its outside of religion, or belief in anything. Maybe its just the Earth and the universe. So I see myself as a very open-minded person, but I definitely have not closed any door on Mormonism.

You have mentioned in previous interviews that you feel you were really the only one in your family who had faith-related doubts. You have a very large family of origin  you really were the only one who had any questions?

As far as I have been able to see my entire life  yes. Theres eight boys and one girl in my family, and they are all very active Mormons and have been their entire lives. They all went on missions, with the exception of my sister. Got married, had kids  so as far as Ive been able to see since I was young, Ive always felt Im the only one doubting.

Its interesting, because a fairly universal tenet of most religions is that it is acceptable and even necessary to question in order to grow within the faith.

Its strange because actually Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith, who supposedly, his story, he was looking at all the churches at the time and questioning them and didnt believe any of them were true. And so he prayed to God, and God said, None of them are true, let me help you start this church. And so the whole formation was based on questioning what put was in front of you.

When making plans to organize the LoveLoud festival, I imagine you talked to quite a few people who shared stories regarding conflict growing up in a faith-based household.

The path for LGBTQ youth in the home of an orthodox faith can often be a very difficult path to tread. And the more that Ive looked into this  because Im also doing a documentary on this as well  the more that I found that it is heartbreaking to hear these stories. Children kicked out of their homes or forced to try to change their sexuality. The research has shown resoundingly that LBGTQ children that are not accepted in their home are eight times more likely to commit suicide. Three times more likely for risky drug abuse, three times more likely for promiscuous sex. We know the facts, so the question is: What can we do as a community? Religious beliefs and differences between the communities  we have to come together and do something about this.

The No. 1 reason for teen death in Utah is suicide. So this is a relevant issue especially to Utah, which is a very Mormon community. What were looking to do is put on a festival where theres music, food  cool, thats a little byproduct  but what its really about is the LGBTQ youth that are going to come up on the stage and speak to us about how we can be a better community and support them. I think they know that better than anyone. Its a place to listen  its not an attack on religion, its not an attack on the church, its just a place as a community to go, You know what, we can all agree that these statistics are devastating. How can we change that? We all agree to love.

Given that you are able to walk both sides, what would you say is the most challenging thing in terms of attempting to create a bridge to understanding?

I think its like walking a tightrope. I want to create change, and when you want to create change in any way, youre going to offend people. And thats something Ive just accepted from the beginning. But that said, I think to generalize is a very dangerous thing. Its a very hurtful thing to do. For instance, to say Mormons are bigoted. That isnt correct. Its one thing to say your own personal beliefs, and another to attack a whole community of people, on either side.

So for me its been walking the tightrope of being an individual that both sides can feel safe coming to at an event I put on to actually make progress. If Im just putting on an event [for] a bunch of people who already believe in loving and accepting completely our LGBTQ youth, then its not going to make that big of a difference. Right? Its getting out people who never have been to an LGBTQ event, and maybe have felt too uncomfortable, or maybe because of their beliefs or how they were raised never wanted to be part of it, or maybe are just indifferent to it. Those are the people Im trying to reach and say, Look, this is a safe place for you to come. Nobodys going to attack you for your beliefs. Thank you for coming to this to learn how to be a better part of our community. And I hope that most people could at least agree on that.

Its been tricky, and definitely Ive gotten resistance all over the map, but that is what I wanted. I want people to talk about this in their homes. I want the child at dinner to say, Hey, Mom, I want to go to this LoveLoud festival, and the mom to say, I dont know if thats where I want you to go. And then they have a conversation about it. Because to have those conversations, its better than nothing. Its better than everybody turning a blind eye. Ive been blown away by how many people have reached out  who are Mormon, Baptist, very conservative  and they say, You know what, I want to come to this. Thanks for putting this on; this is something that Ive been curious about or something Id want to be more educated on, or I believe in love, but doctrinally I dont know where I am on this, or whatever. Theres been a lot of people who have come out, and for me, thats been really rad to see.

What is your best advice for LGBTQ youth who, for whatever reason, have an interest in remaining in the Mormon (or other orthodox) community? Given that there are such cultural ties to the religion of origin, is there a way to balance everything?

Its a really difficult question, and its personal for everybody. I myself first and foremost want to say that I love and support and accept, wholeheartedly and completely, those LGBTQ youth. And there are millions of people around the world who do as well. As far the timing of when you want to come out to your family, its a personal decision that only the child knows, and way more experienced professionals can speak to than me, because theres a lot of safety factors that go into that. But that said, I think that having events such as [LoveLoud] that are family-friendly, that bring out people from all sides, this is the way that we can at least start to stop the stigmatizing so much  and making it feel like its us against them.

And what would your advice be to any child who is growing up in the church and is starting to have doubts about his or her faith  for any reason? Doubt in an institution can be a frightening thing to experience, for anyone.

I would say that is a beautiful thing! And if you werent questioning, then I would be worried about you. Everyone should live a life following their intuition and their heart, and never follow a set standard put in front of them. Or else wed never have any progress in the world. My advice would be follow your heart and your instincts. And if youre going to hurt peoples feelings  maybe your family, and you feel youre letting them down  thats OK and its an important part of culture and evolution.

On that note: A lot of your music has been in rebellion against your familys beliefs. How do you balance the act of rejecting or questioning things while respecting that your loved ones deeply believe them?

Its been a difficult balance, for sure. Luckily, I have a family thats very loving and wonderful, and though we may disagree on things, we all still get together and eat pizza at my moms house once a week on Sunday. Theyve been wonderful about it. Theres definitely been moments; things said. But you know.

Do you think you ever crossed a line with them?

Im just the kind of person who doesnt believe in having regrets about anything. Have I said things before that have upset my family in my musical career? Absolutely, I can tell you that, 100 percent sure [laughs]. That being said, its led to deeper conversations and understanding of each other.

This is a tough question, but given the history of the Mormon church: Do you honestly believe you will see a real change, in our lifetime, in the churchs stance on LGBTQ acceptance?

Thats a really great question. I hope. First and foremost, I hope. Because there are a lot of LGBTQ youth who are hurting right now. But with that being said, do I know they will? No. If I were to be a gambling man, do I think they will? Maybe. Just because I am an idealist, Ill say yes. Is it going to be any time soon? I dont know. I hope so. There are a lot of LGBTQ youth in very confused states in Mormon and orthodox homes right now.

Do you feel your personal struggles with depression have helped you be a better or more empathetic advocate for youth who are in distress?

I think that dealing with depression and dealing with feelings of guilt from lots of different places in my life have led me to a tender place in my heart for anyone who struggles with depression. As far as the path that is forged by those who are LGBTQ, I cant even begin to fathom how hard of a path that could be and how their difficult their life can be  especially within an orthodox community. Ive had friends who have shared stories with me that are incredibly heartbreaking. I also have friends who committed suicide because they didnt feel there was a place for them within orthodox faith. And so I think its beyond my ability to fathom, but all I can do is create a platform.

Since your mission with LoveLoud is to build a bridge between differing views, and you have already proved a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community, can you also share what positive things youve experienced or learned from growing up in the Mormon faith?

Theres a lot of things I love and retain about Mormonism. I love the belief in family, the closeness of family. I love the ideals of sacrifice, and looking out at the world more than looking at yourself. I love the discipline of trying to live a physically healthy life. Theres a lot of things about faith that I think are beautiful.

I would love to think that theres something wonderful after this life  that I can be with my three little girls forever. That sounds fantastic. But do I know that? Id be lying if I said I knew that. Ive decided to leave that pursuit and debate to other people, and put all my energy and strength into this life and what I can do here and now to leave a legacy behind to my girls that I can be proud of.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
They say that after the party is the after-party, but what happens after the eclipse?

Well, that's when we all get to enjoy hours of post-eclipse hypochondria.

Don't laugh or roll your sore little eyes  it's a real thing. According to Google Trends, right now most of America is worried they have eclipse headaches.

SEE ALSO: Neil deGrasse Tyson on all things Great American Eclipse

Following the eclipse, Google searches for things like "solar eclipse headache," "seeing spots," and "eyes hurt" all spiked.

Image: screengrab/google trends

Image: screengrab/google trends

It's been made crystal clear by professionals, scientists, and of course, concerned parents, that you are under no circumstances supposed to look at the sun mid-eclipse with your naked eye. In fact, even glancing at it for a few seconds during a partial phase could cause eye damage.

That's a pretty terrifying warning, so it makes sense that even after viewing the eclipse with proper protective eyewear, people are concerned.

And guess what? All these searches are coming out of North America, aka eclipse central.

Image: screengrab/google trends

At around 3:00 p.m. ET, many eclipse viewers were concerned they had accidentally looked at the eclipse and many were inquiring about eclipse-related headaches.

Image: screengrab/google trends

Image: screengrab/google trends

In reality, you probably have nothing to worry about. Safe eclipse viewing shouldnt cause headaches, and any discomfort you're experiencing is most likely from being outside in the bright sun, using unfamiliar glasses. Eyes were also likely strained while looking up towards the sky, so maybe chill with the Googling for a bit and see how you feel later in the day, okay?

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And if you're freaking out, just imagine what President Trump's head is feeling like ... after all, he did look directly at the solar eclipse without protective eyewear.
Rep. Beth Fukumoto (D-Hawaii) tagged the president when she shared the racist letter she received from a self-described Trump supporter. (Photo: Beth Fukumoto)

HONOLULU  State Rep. Beth Fukumoto (D-Hawaii) received a letter in the mail after watching the violence unfold at the white supremacy rally in Virginia and seeing President Donald Trumps mixed reaction to it.

Dear Bitch, began the note, mailed last week to the lawmakers Honolulu office. Your poor grand parents got put into a camp in the USA? Boo hoo hoo  you Japs murdered thousands of servicemen at Pearl Harbor  did you forget that detail?

In response to allegations that the letter was faked, Fukumotos office provided HuffPost with a copy of the envelope in which theyd received the letter and a copy of the original letter. HuffPost censored the name of the sender to protect their identity. (Photo: Courtesy of Rep Beth Fukumotos office)

It was from a self-identified Trump supporter. In just five sentences, the letter managed to insult people of Japanese descent, refugees, immigrants, black people, Muslims and the LGBTQ community. It conflated Japanese-Americans with Japan, suggesting that they werent actually loyal Americans and were responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor. It also got other facts about Fukumotos family wrong: Her grandfather was in Honolulu and was not imprisoned in an internment camp in the U.S. during World War II.

Fukumoto had had enough.

She shared the letter on Twitter and tagged the president. You need to understand your words have consequences, she wrote.

Got this in the mail today. You need to understand your words have consequences @realDonaldTrump #racism #WhiteNationalism pic.twitter.com/Oyklm30yLK  Beth Fukumoto (@bethfukumoto) August 16, 2017

Racist hate mail isnt unusual for Fukumoto, a 33-year-old lawmaker who resigned in March from her leadership role in the states Republican Party over what she called Trumps marginalizing rhetoric toward minorities and ethnic groups.

The letter, however, was more upsetting than usual, given the outbreak of violence between white supremacists and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, she told HuffPost.

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Fukumotos office said theyre working with local law enforcement to look at ways to trace it back to the original sender. She had reached out to the security team at the Capitol in Honolulu because her staff felt threatened and feared for their safety after receiving hateful letters in the mail.

One of the reasons that I switched parties is that I felt the Republican Party was unwilling to confront racism, Fukumoto said. Racism specifically in the party and racism as promoted by the nominee at the time, and now the president.

When she was a Republican, Fukumoto said, her colleagues would dismiss her any time she spoke of the racism and sexism she experienced or when she would point out the offensive rhetoric in Trumps presidential campaign. She said Republican lawmakers would constantly tell her that it wasnt true and claim, Youre making it up. Nobody really thinks like that.

She says she was treated that way despite the fact that she was the minority leader for the party.

I felt like my opinion always counted last because I was a minority and I was a woman, she told HuffPost. Thats how it feels like. To know youll always have to work that much harder to be taken seriously is sort of the minority and the female experience in America.

All that, on top of Trumps constant racist, sexist and offensive remarks, was why she left the Republican Party, she said. Its also what fueled her decision to publish the letter.

For Fukumoto, the letter she received last week served as proof to anyone who thinks that minorities are too sensitive about displays of racism, intolerance and hate.

To see whats going on nationally  and really has been going on nationally for a long time  minorities are being told, Youre scared for no reason. Youre making things up. Youre the one inciting violence, Fukumoto said, referring to the clashes between white supremacists and anti-racism protesters in Charlottesville.

I did want to weigh into that a little bit and say this is whats actually happening, and its happening to people you know, she said.

The letter, Fukumoto added, shows how Trumps rhetoric as a leader allows others to be racist more freely. And she criticized the Republican Party for not doing more to alleviate the racial tension in the country.

Heres a letter that came directly to me from somebody who says they support Trump, listing out all these people that they hate, she told HuffPost.

I think that the Republican Party, but primarily the president, is not recognizing that everything he says is being picked up and people are acting on it.

Even if its a flippant comment or he doesnt say enough during a press conference, whatever it is, every single one of those choices are being picked up by somebody somewhere whos acting on it.

As a Democrat, Fukumoto continues to call out Trump for his policies, sexism and racial bias  and she hopes the president sees the letter so he can see what kind of hatred he inspires.

I dont like receiving those letters, she said. But there are worse things happening [in the country] because hes talking the way he is.

UPDATE: Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. HST  In response to allegations that the letter is faked, Fukumotos office provided HuffPost with a copy of the envelope in which theyd received the letter and a copy of the original letter.

Fukumotos office denied accusations they sent the letter to their own office, and said they would get the letter professionally analyzed if authorities recommend they do so.

HuffPost sent a copy of the envelope to officials at the U.S. Postal Service in Honolulu, who confirmed that the enveloped was processed by a USPS center in California before it was sent to Honolulu.

The barcode at the bottom right of the envelope, which some have claimed is used only by commercial mailers, is in fact printed by USPS and used by their high-speed sorting machines to identify the delivery address, a USPS spokesman told HuffPost.

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A scanned version of the envelope in which the letter was sent. (Photo: Courtesy of Rep. Beth Fukumoto's office)

A copy of the envelope in which Fukumoto's office said they received the letter. (Photo: Courtesy of Rep Beth Fukumotos office)

Also on HuffPost

In 1972, the Van Troi Anti-imperialist Youth Brigade interrupted the Nisei Week parade in LA to show their support for the Vietnamese people.

The newspaper Gidra was one of the central communication branches of the Asian American Movement. At its peak, the paper's volunteer staff printed several thousand copies per issue. The paper covered everything from local campaigns, the legacies of internment camp and media representations of Asian Americans.

A group of activists gather to oppose the redevelopment and the displacement of residents of Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. Date unknown.

A 1973 poster for solidarity with the women of Indochina for International Women's Year.

The Sisters basketball team at the Alpine Recreation Center in Chinatown raise their fists in solidarity.

A 1970 newspaper highlights the struggle to save the elderly housing and activism of International Hotel in San Francisco.

Buttons worn at the time highlight the wide-range of historical events of the era, from the peace movement to support for Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers.

A 1982 poster asking for medical relief for Hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

A poster for a concert to benefit Chol Soo Lee, a Korean American immigrant who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1973. (Lee was released from prison in 1983.)

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
President Donald Trump blasted the media, criticized members of Congress and suggested hed shut down the government to build a border wall during a frenzied, 77-minute campaign-style rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night that left some commentators wondering about his fitness for office.

Trump is known for his lively rallies, but even by those standards this one was a particularly unrestrained and boisterous spectacle.

Here is a breakdown of some of the wildest moments.

1. He kicked off the speech by rereading all his responses to the protests in Charlottesville. While going over his widely criticized initial response, Trump omitted the most controversial part of the statement, in which he blamed many sides for the violence there.

2. He called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). We have to speak to Mitch about eliminating the Senate filibuster, Trump said. (The filibuster was not a factor in stopping the Republican health care bill.) Earlier on Tuesday, The New York Times reported that Trump and McConnell have not spoken in weeks.

Trump just called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell  by his first name. https://t.co/zXnNp0UvEj  Meg Wagner (@megwagner) August 23, 2017

3. He suggested hed shut down the government if it meant he could get a wall built along the U.S.-Mexico border.

If we have to shut down that government, were building that wall, Trump said. One way or another, were going to get that wall.

Republicans control Congress, but here is Trump pledging to shut down the government in order to build the wall. pic.twitter.com/fk0o6geJfC  CAP Action (@CAPAction) August 23, 2017

4. He argued the media are trying to take away our history, our heritage.

The only thing giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news, Trump said.

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I really think they dont like our country. I really believe that, he added.

President Trump on the media: "By the way, they are trying to take away our history and our heritage" https://t.co/0nSDehawIy  CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 23, 2017

5. He defended his remarks on Charlottesville by saying he hit various racist groups.

I hit em with neo-Nazi, I hit em with everything, he said. I got the white supremacist, I got the neo-Nazi, I got em all in there. Lets see. KKK? We have KKK. I got em all.

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Trump: I hit em with neo-Nazi, I hit em with everything." https://t.co/XjCkFATLrp  Meg Wagner (@megwagner) August 23, 2017

6. He lied and said cameras at the rally were being turned off as live-streams of the speech on cable news networks continued to roll. He specifically called out CNN, which aired Trumps speech until the end.

7. He teased a pardon for Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County who was convicted of criminal contempt.

Here's the moment when Trump says Joe Arpaio will be just fine, but he won't make a pardon announcement tonight. pic.twitter.com/vm9170bNjs  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 23, 2017

8. He bragged about how he lives in a bigger, more beautiful apartment than the journalists who cover him.

9. He lamented CNNs firing of Jeffrey Lord, a pro-Trump commentator formerly featured on the network. Lord was fired for tweeting the Nazi salute Sieg Heil earlier in August.

10. He slammed both Republican Arizona senators: Jeff Flake, who has recently spoken out against Trump, and John McCain, who cast a pivotal vote that caused the GOPs Obamacare repeal bill to flame out in the Senate in July. McCain is currently receiving treatment for brain cancer.

President Trump criticizes Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake during #PhoenixRally https://t.co/TBm0zuVtXQ  NBC News (@NBCNews) August 23, 2017

11. He, again, requested statues of George Washington be protected, a request hes made since many Confederate statues and monuments around the U.S. have been removed or relocated.

12. He suggested we will probably end up terminating NAFTA at some point.

.@POTUS: "We have begun formal renegotiations with Mexico and Canada on NAFTA." https://t.co/KQ8352N5d6 pic.twitter.com/LZS7SumHQg  Fox News (@FoxNews) August 23, 2017

13. He praised Fox News and Sean Hannity.

Also on HuffPost

A man holds up a sign during a protest against racism gathered in front of the White House, on August 14, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower.

Hundreds of protesters gather outside of Trump Tower.

A woman raises her fist at the front of a march down Washington Avenue to protest racism and the violence over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival, August 14, 2017 in New York City.

Supporters of anti-Trump protestors hold up signs inside Trump Tower ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival, August 14, 2017 in New York City.

Pedestrians walk past a 15-foot tall inflatable rat in the likeness of U.S. President Donald Trump at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street up the road from Trump Tower, August 14, 2017 in New York City.

A President Donald Trump supporter (left) argues with anti-Trump protesters as they gather outside of Trump Tower.

Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower.

Hundreds of protesters gather outside of Trump Tower.

Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue.

A man holds up a sign during a protest against racism in front of the White House.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A number of U.S. Army drill sergeants at Fort Benning, Georgia, have been temporarily suspended from their duties following allegations of sexual misconduct with trainees, the Army base said on Wednesday.

Investigators looking into an initial sexual assault allegation by a female trainee against a drill sergeant at the fort uncovered other incidents of alleged sexual misconduct, prompting a wider investigation, the base said in a statement.

A spokesman declined to say how many drill sergeants had been suspended as part of the investigation, but the statement indicated it was more than one.

Cracking down on sexual assault has been a priority for several years in the U.S. military, which reported in May that anonymous surveys in 2016 found that 14,900 service members experience some kind of kind of sexual assault in 2016, from groping to rape. That was down from 20,300 in 2014, according to the surveys, which are conducted every two years.

At the same time, the number of victims actually willing to report incidents of sexual assault reached a record 6,172 cases in 2016. Officials see willingness of victims to come forward and report sexual assault as a positive sign that people believe their complaints will be dealt with seriously.

The sexual misconduct investigation at Fort Benning is being conducted by the Army's Criminal Investigation Command in cooperation with the base's Maneuver Center of Excellence, the statement said.

"There is no place for sexual harassment or sexual assault in our Army," it said. Counseling, legal and medical services had been made available to the trainees involved in the alleged incidents, it added.

(Reporting by David Alexander; Editing by Frances Kerry)
(MADRID)  A suspect told a Spanish court Tuesday that he had rented the vans used in last weeks attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils but thought they were going to be used for a house move, a person who attended the hearing said.

The person said suspect Driss Oukabir denied being part of the attackers cell. His brother Moussa was one of the five radicals shot dead Friday by police after a vehicle attack on pedestrians in Cambrils.

Oukabir was one of four attack suspects quizzed Tuesday at the court in Madrid by Judge Fernando Andreu and prosecutors. Andreu will decide whether the four should be jailed or released.

The person attending the hearing said Oukabir told the prosecutor his first version of events  telling police that his documents were stolen by his brother  was something he had done out of fear. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the hearing.

The prosecutor has asked for Oukabir to be jailed without bail before trial  along with the first suspect to testify, Mohamed Houli Chemlal. The other suspects were questioned were Mohammed Aalla and Said el Karib.

National Court prosecutor Ana Noe is asking for the four to be sent to prison without bail accused of being part of a terrorist organization, homicide, causing havoc and dealing with explosives.

Houli Chemlals testimony is considered key to understanding the motivations of the 12-man cell as he is the lone survivor of a blast Wednesday that destroyed a house in Alcanar, south of Barcelona, where police believe the cell was preparing explosives for an even bigger attack on the city. Over 100 tanks of butane gas and materials to make TATP explosive were found at the house, police say.

Chemlal told a judge that attackers were preparing bombs for an imam believed to be the leader of the cell to strike monuments in Barcelona, a source with Spains judiciary said Tuesday.

The judicial source said Aalla said his Audi A3 used in last weeks attack in Cambrils had been stolen from him. And el Karib, the owner of a cybercafe in Ripoll, was he was only making an economic profit when he bought plane tickets for two members of the cell.

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The person spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about the hearing.

Oukabir, Aalla and el Karib were arrested Thursday in the northeastern town of Ripoll and Houli Chemlal in Alcanar for their alleged involvement in planning or carrying out two vehicle attacks on pedestrians  one Thursday in Barcelona that left 13 dead and another in the nearby town of Cambrils early Friday that killed one person.

Another person was killed by the alleged Barcelona van attacker as he fled. More than 120 people were injured, most in Barcelona.

The four were interrogated in the presence of lawyers provided for them by the court.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for both attacks.

The lone fugitive from the cell  22-year-old Younes Abouyaaqoub  was shot to death Monday after he flashed what turned out to be a fake suicide belt at police who confronted him in a vineyard not far from the city that he terrorized.

Police said they had scientific evidence that Abouyaaqoub drove the van that barreled through Barcelonas crowded Las Ramblas promenade, mowing people down, then hijacked a car and fatally stabbed its driver while making his getaway.

Abouyaaqoubs brother and friends made up the rest of the 12-man extremist cell, along with an imam who was one of the two people killed in the house explosion in Alcanar.

Police said with Abouyaaqoubs death, the groups members were all dead or in custody.

Chemlal was born in Melilla, one of Spains two North African coastal enclaves that have borders with Morocco. Spanish media say the other 11 suspects are mostly or all Moroccans that lived in Spain.
Photo: Instagram/simplynailogical

With more than 4 million subscribers, Cristine Rotenberg, also known on YouTube as Simply Nailogical, clearly has a wide reach. She sometimes uses her platform for things like selling tank tops, designing cat-themed nail vinyls, and generally growing her army of holographic nail-loving holosexuals. But this week, she announced a new initiative: paying one semester of college tuition for a student at a Canadian university.

First announced in her back-to-school-themed video 15 SAVAGE BACK 2 SCHOOL WEIRD HACKS 2017 U NEED NOW!!, the giveaway seems to reflect the message that Rotenberg wants to get across to her viewers. As she explains in the post, education has been an important part of her life. Aside from her BA, she has a masters in sociology and criminology and still works for the Canadian government as a crime statistics analyst. As one of the most popular vloggers out there, Rotenberg could probably quit this high-level gig and make her living from sponsored posts. Instead, shes remained in her career and decided to devote her extra income to this potentially life-altering giveaway.

The video itself is a parody  as she takes pains to make clear  of the back to school hack videos that trend on YouTube at this time of year. Im not trying to shade any YouTubers; Im just trying to question the culture of these videos, she explains. She mocks suggestions like Use a different-colored pen for every line in your notebook, instead telling her young audience to educate, not decorate. The 16-minute video is an ode to the importance of education, made especially powerful coming from someone whose platform makes her an automatic role model for viewers. This was brought to you by Simply Momlogical, she laughs.

Rotenberg also dives into a personal anecdote, a rarity on her lighthearted channel devoted to nail art, about an experience she had working for a summer at a law firm. Her boss, a male attorney, asked her if she was only going to school to get her Mrs. degree  a sexist way of telling women they belong in the home, not the workplace. For some reason, that moment has stuck with me for the past 10 years, she says. Ive used it to motivate myself to go further in school and to try harder.  No matter how old you are or what field youre in, dont let anyone tell you your education isnt important.

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Shes reinforcing her words in the most practical way, by donating a semester of tuition to a viewer. All it takes to enter the Simply go to school tuition giveaway is a few answers on a Google Form. (Thanks to the exorbitance of U.S. tuition, shes only able to offer the giveaway to Canadian students.) I really want to reward someone with educational aspirations and help them attain that goal, she tells Yahoo Beauty.

Back to school was the perfect time for Rotenbergs mom side to come out, she explains. I have always been pro-education but have not always outwardly voiced or made content surrounding it because it can be seen as less fun, she says. But I noticed a lot of my subscribers were often interested to know more about my own schooling and career. So, I decided to integrate the more mom side of me that encourages education and using your brain into a video that was still entertaining.

She also gave the giveaway a signal boost on Instagram, where its already gotten more than 50,000 likes. I really hope this helps one of you guys out in pursuing higher education because it aint always free, and the cost can be a barrier to many who want to further their education, she wrote.

Rotenberg tells us shes interested in keeping up the conversation about the importance of education  and her followers are ready for it. The amount of positive comments and emails Ive gotten from my audience who tell me they are inspired to work hard in school and for their futures has been overwhelming, and I wasnt expecting it, she says. I think a lot of young people are smarter than people give them credit for.

Wow, you rock! Now this giveaway makes a difference! wrote a fan. Another has a new idea for her channel: I WANT MORE SIMPLYMOMLOGICAL.

Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.
(KANSAS CITY, Mo.)  Prosecutors on Tuesday charged a Missouri woman with murder in the death of her 16-year-old biological daughter, whose remains were found in a burn pit on their rural property.

Rebecca Ruud reported late last month that Savannah Leckie had gone missing from their home in Theodosia, a village of about 250 people near Missouris southern border with Arkansas. Leckie was raised by an adoptive mother in Minnesota but had returned to live with Ruud and her now-husband within the last year, authorities said.

Teeth, a meat grinder, a knife and 26 bottles of lye, which can be used to accelerate the breakdown of bodily tissue, were found during searches of the remote property, according to court documents. Human bone fragments and teeth were found in a field about 400 yards (365 meters) from the home on Aug. 4, which was the day Ruud and her husband got married. A forensic analysis identified the remains as Savannahs, said Ozark County Sheriff Darrin Reed.

Ruud, 39, is charged with first-degree murder and alternative counts of abuse of a child resulting in death, second-degree murder and felony murder. She is also charged with tampering with physical evidence and abandoning a corpse, said Ozark County Prosecutor John Garrabrant. He declined to say whether anyone else would be charged.

Ruud is being held in the county jail. The public defenders office didnt immediately reply to a phone message seeking comment.

Ruud told investigators that she relinquished the girl for adoption when she was born and that Savannah spent most of her life in Minnesota. Affidavits filed in support of search warrants describe Savannah as having high-functioning autism.

Savannahs adoptive mother, Tamile Leckie-Montague, asked Ruud last November to take the teen because the girl couldnt get along with Leckie-Montagues new boyfriend. Ruud agreed and was given power of attorney. After the girl moved to Missouri, she was home schooled and had almost no social contacts, according to an affidavit.

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Ruuds ex-boyfriend, Buddy Smart, told investigators he had seen her discipline Savannah by forcing her to crawl through a hog pen and forcing her to bathe in a pond, the affidavit states. Ruud acknowledged that was true and told investigators that when Savannah cut her arm in a suicidal gesture, she forced the girl to scrub the wound daily with alcohol and salt as punishment.

Leckie-Montagues fiance, Cary Steeves, told Minneapolis television station KSTP-TV that Savannah needed a lot of one-on-one focus and the farm just seemed like a really good place for her at the moment. He told the Star-Tribune that Leckie-Montague last spoke to Savannah on June 3, which was her 16th birthday, and that there was nothing like big, red flags suggesting anything was amiss.

Leckie-Montague, who lives in the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights, issued a news release Tuesday thanking Missouri investigators and asking for privacy for her and her family.

Our family is in deep grief and is mourning Savannah as her remains were identified yesterday. This is not the outcome that we were hoping and praying for, she wrote.
Anyone watching President Trumps speech in Phoenix Tuesday night couldnt miss the man conspicuously seated behind the podium holding a Blacks for Trump sign and wearing a T-shirt that reads Trump & Republicans are not racist.

Michael Symonette, who goes by Michael the Black Man and sometimes Maurice Symonette, is a fringe political figure in Florida and has become a familiar face at conservative rallies and Trump events around Miami. He was even seen marching with a group holding Blacks for Trump signs through Times Square on election night last year.

Black supporters of Donald Trump make their way through Times Square, Nov. 9, 2016. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

Symonettes conspicuous placement behind Trumps podium at many rallies appears to be an optics exercise for an administration thats been plagued with accusations of racism. Even a cursory glance at this supporters history is enough to raise questions about his proximity to the commander in chief.

But it also seems that he might be exploiting the attention he gets as the Blacks for Trump creator on stage behind Trump to attract followers for his deeply racist and wildly unhinged spiritual views.

For starters, his trademark T-shirt lists a website Gods2.com, which redirects viewers to honestfact.com, a page teeming with outlandish conspiracy theories, compared to which Alex Jones is a voice of calm reason. He thinks the Cherokee Indians were the real KKK slave masters and that Hillary Clinton is secretly plotting with ISIS to kill all black and white women in America.

His alternative history holds that black and white people were in the Americas before the Native Americans and must unite against the Cherokee Indians. A display of the Confederate battle flag is captioned Cherokee Democrat Flag.

The website has a long list of mostly incomprehensible headlines like ROCKERFELLER IS NIMROD KING OF THE CANAANITES & SAUD THE KING OF THE ISHMAELITES MASONIC ILLUMINATI TRILATERALIST BIG BANKS KKK.

A controversial supporter of President Trump holds up a sign as the president speaks to a crowd at the Phoenix Convention Center Aug.22, 2017. (Photo: Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

Among his deranged claims are that former President Barack Obama is a shape shifting mason who acts Black but is Cherokee.

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Symonette posts many unhinged rants on YouTube. In one video he asked viewers to donate money so he could follow Trump around the country with his Blacks for Trump signs to convince more people to become Republicans.

I want to take hundreds of brothers around the country to let other white people and other black people see us standing with him, Symonette said. Thats why we have gods2.com [on the shirts and signs], so that people will know why were standing up for him, that were not just a bunch of Uncle Tom sellouts. Thats why Ive never taken a payment.

He said hes actively opposed Democrats since 1997. He led a protest against Obama during a rally in Coral Gables, Fla., in 2008 and claims that this led to an assassination attempt.

Im the same black man who got shot in the back of the head because I stood up against Obama by assassins sent by Obama, he said.

Mug shot of Maurice A. Woodside, a,k.a. Michael the Black Man and Maurice Michael Symonette, on July 27, 2010. (Photo: Miami-Dade Corrections)

According to Media Matters, Symonettes old websites promoted a book that called Oprah Winfrey the devil and Obama the beast 666.

He is a former member of the Nation of Yahweh, a violent black supremacist cult that was led by the charismatic Hulon Mitchell Jr. Mitchell went by the name Yahweh Ben Yahweh, which means the Lord son of the Lord. He was convicted of conspiring to kill white people as an initiation right in 1992 and served 11 years of an 18-year sentence related to 14 murders in Miami in the 1980s.

Miami New Times reports that Symonette was charged with conspiracy in connection with two of the murders. His brother, another member of the cult, told the jury that Symonette beat one man who was later murdered and stuck a sharpened stick through anothers eye. Symonette was acquitted, but Mitchell and 14 followers were convicted. Mitchell died in 2007.

Its unclear whether the Trump administration knows about Symonettes radical views or ties to the violent cult. But Trump routinely pointed out the Blacks for Trump signs during rallies.

During an October stop in Sanford, Fla., for instance, Trump shouted, Look at those signs behind me. Blacks for Trump! I like those signs. Blacks for Trump! You watch. You watch. Those signs are great! Thank you.

Hulon Mitchell Jr., also known as Yahweh ben Yahweh, is led into the federal court house in New Orleans by FBI agents, Nov. 7, 1990. (Photo: Bill Haber/AP)

Yahoo News asked the U.S. Secret Service whether it had any concerns about Symonette being in such proximity to the president.

Special Agent Joseph A. Casey responded: Members of the general public who are granted access to a U.S. Secret Service protected site are subjected to established security protocols. For security reasons, the Secret Service does not comment on the means or methods used to conduct protective operations.

The audience at rallies is screened by walk-through metal detectors and security guards with magnetometer wands. There is no additional vetting for people seated behind the president. Those seats are typically given to VIPs and additional people selected from the crowd, clearly prioritizing certain people for public relations purposes. Women for Trump signs, for instance, were a common sight behind Trump at the height of backlash to the infamous Access Hollywood tapes.

Symonette has attended many other Republican events over the years. Hes posted pictures of himself posing with Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Ted Cruz and Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president. He spoke a Rick Santorum rally in January 2012 in Coral Springs, Fla., where he described Democrats as the worst thing that ever happen to the black man. Theyre the slave masters.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign rally, Oct. 12, 2016, in Lakeland, Fla. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)

Read more from Yahoo News:
Toby Robyns, a father of five from West Sussex faces a potential three-year jail sentence - Facebook

A British father was arrested in front of his family at a Turkish airport after trying to bring home 13 historic bronze coins he found while snorkelling on holiday.

Toby Robyns, 52, was arrested at Bodrun airport on Turkeys Aegean coast and could face up to five years in prison if convicted of trying to take artifacts out of the country.

Mr Robyns, an ambulance driver from Southwick, West Sussex, told police he had no idea it was against the law to take the coins.

"We were on a daily tour. When our boat stopped I took my goggles and dove into the water. There were broken ceramics in the sea. When I cleaned the sand off with my hand I saw the coins. I never thought that carrying them would be a crime, he said, according to a Turkish police statement.

Gold coins found on the ocean floor in Turkey by divers. File picture Credit: Rex Features

Police said the coins were 800 years old and were found when Mr Robyns put his luggage through an X-ray machine at the airport.

Mr Robyns wife, Heidi, and two young sons returned to the UK while he was reportedly taken to a prison in Milas, around 30 miles away.

Mrs Robyns declined to comment when reached at the family home near Brighton. The family had been on a two-week summer holiday in Bodrun

Mr Robyns has not been charged with a crime but is likely to be held in prison until prosecutors make a decision.

Turkeys judicial system is on an August break, meaning that Mr Robyns could face several weeks in prison before any decision is made.

He appeared before a magistrates court the day after his arrest but will need to appear before a higher court if he is charged. He could face between three and five years in prison if convicted of smuggling historical artifacts, according to the BirGun newspaper.

Milas Prison in Turkey, where Toby Robyns is being held Credit: Google Street View

Mr Robyns was snorkelling near the island of Yassi Ada off of Bodrun. The island is sometimes called a ships graveyard because of the number of wrecks that litter the waters around it.

Of the dozens of sunken ships the most famous is a 4th century Roman wreck that ran into a reef near the island. Jugs, dishes and lamps were all found onboard.

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The area was rocked by a 5.3 magnitude earthquake on August 8 and it is possible that the coins found in shallow waters by Mr Robyns had been dislodged the tremors.

The Foreign Office said it was helping in the case. We are assisting a British man following his arrest in Bodrum, and remain in contact with his family and the Turkish authorities.

Tim Loughton, the MP for East Worthing & Shoreham he was helping with the case of Toby Robyns and liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

James Stoneham, a family friend, told The Sun: They are accusing him of taking Turkish artefacts which he was obviously unaware of.

It was a huge shock for everybody. This was harmless fun on a holiday youve enjoyed  and now he has been put in prison. Hes going to have to be held for possibly a month.

Mr Stoneham added: He found a number of coins among the rocks and sand. When he went to get his flight home they dragged him off and searched his hand luggage.
(Reuters) - A federal jury in Las Vegas on Tuesday returned verdicts of not guilty for four men accused of numerous charges for acting as gunmen in a 2014 standoff led by renegade rancher Cliven Bundy against federal authorities, a newspaper reported.

The jurors, after four days of deliberations, deadlocked on other charges against the four, the newspaper, The Arizona Republic, reported.

Prosecutors were not immediately available for comment.

U.S. prosecutors said the four defendants - Scott Drexler, Ricky Lovelien, Eric Parker and Steven Stewart - committed crimes including conspiracy, assault on a federal officer, extortion and weapons law violations when they traveled to Nevada with firearms to participate in a plan to halt a cattle roundup.

The jury deadlocked on four charges against Parker and two charges against Drexler, the newspaper reported.

In the first trial, defense attorneys argued their clients were exercising constitutionally protected speech and gun rights. They also argued that the defendants feared for their safety and the safety of protesters when they brought weapons.

Defense attorneys for the four, angered by U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarros pretrial ruling limiting evidence in the case, offered no closing arguments.

The uprising at Bundy's ranch near Bunkerville, Nevada, 75 miles (120 km) northeast of Las Vegas, grew out of a dispute in which federal agents seized Bundy's cattle over his refusal to pay fees required for grazing his livestock on government land.

The standoff became a flashpoint in long-simmering tensions over federal ownership of vast tracts of public lands in the West and a rallying point for right-wing militants who challenge the U.S. government's authority in the region.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas; Editing by Leslie Adler)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri woman was charged Tuesday with killing the autistic teenage daughter she gave up for adoption as a baby, weeks after the girl's remains were found in a burn pit on her remote property and months after the girl moved back from Minnesota, where she was raised.

Rebecca Ruud, 39, is charged with first-degree murder, abuse of a child resulting in death and second-degree felony murder in the killing of her 16-year-old biological daughter, Savannah Leckie. She is also charged with tampering with physical evidence and abandoning a corpse, said Ozark County Prosecutor John Garrabrant. He declined to say whether anyone else would be charged, but Sheriff Darrin Reed said the investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected.

Ruud is being held in the Ozark County jail. A cellphone number listed as hers wasn't working, and the public defender's office didn't immediately reply to a phone message seeking comment.

According to a probable cause statement filed with the charges, Ruud reported a fire on July 18 on the property where she and her now-husband live in Theodosia, a village of about 250 people near Missouri's southern border with Arkansas. She told fire officials she was burned trying to save the girl from the fire, but refused to let them talk to Savannah.

Two days later, Ruud reported that Savannah had gone missing, investigators said. She later gave differing accounts of how she was injured but claimed Savannah ran away because she blamed herself for starting the fire.

Several searches of the property turned up human teeth, a meat grinder, a knife and 26 bottles of lye, which can be used to accelerate the breakdown of bodily tissue, according to court documents. Human bone fragments were found in a field about 400 yards (365 meters) from the home on Aug. 4. During that search, Ruud and her husband left the farm and got married.

A forensic analysis identified the remains as Savannah's, the sheriff said.

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Ruud was arrested at a Greyhound Bus station on Saturday. She had bought a ticket to Kansas City and her husband, who has not been charged, had a ticket to Memphis, Tennessee. Investigators arrested her because she was known to have contacts in several states and is affiliated with groups involved in living off the public grid, according to the probable cause statement.

Ruud told investigators that she put Savannah up for adoption when she was born and that the girl spent most of her life in Minnesota. Affidavits filed in support of search warrants describe Savannah as having high-functioning autism.

Savannah's adoptive mother, Tamile Leckie-Montague, asked Ruud last November to take the teen because Savannah couldn't get along with her fiance, Cary Steeves. Ruud agreed and was given power of attorney. After the girl moved to Missouri, she was home-schooled and had "almost no social contacts," according to an affidavit.

Ruud's ex-boyfriend, Buddy Smart, told investigators he had seen her discipline Savannah by forcing her to crawl through a hog pen and making her to bathe in a pond, the affidavit states. Ruud acknowledged that was true and told investigators that when Savannah cut her arm "in a suicidal gesture," she forced the girl to scrub the wound daily with alcohol and salt as punishment.

Steeves told Minneapolis television station KSTP-TV that Savannah "needed a lot of one-on-one focus and the farm just seemed like a really good place for her at the moment." He told the Star-Tribune that Leckie-Montague last spoke to Savannah on June 3, which was her 16th birthday, and that there was "nothing like big, red flags" suggesting anything was amiss.

Leckie-Montague, who lives in the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights, told authorities that Ruud "continually complained" about how Savannah was acting on the farm and the time and money it took to care for the girl, according to the probable cause statement.

Leckie-Montague issued a news release Tuesday thanking Missouri investigators and asking for privacy for her and her family.

"Our family is in deep grief and is mourning Savannah as her remains were identified yesterday. This is not the outcome that we were hoping and praying for," she wrote.

___

Associated Press writer Amy Forliti in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
By Prak Chan Thul PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia ordered the U.S.-funded National Democratic Institute to stop activities and remove foreign staff on Wednesday in the latest move by Prime Minister Hun Sen's government against American interests ahead of elections next year. The U.S. State Department said it was "deeply concerned" by the deterioration in Cambodia's democratic climate in recent weeks, including the order against the pro-democracy group and a threat to close a newspaper founded by an American journalist. Growing anti-Western sentiment from Hun Sen comes amid increasing tension ahead of next year's elections, in which he is expected to try to extend his more than three decades in power. Cambodia's foreign ministry accused the NDI of operating without a registration and said foreign staff had seven days to leave. Authorities were "geared up to take the same measures" against other foreign NGOs which fail to comply with the law, the ministry added. The NDI says it works with political parties, governments and civic groups to "establish and strengthen democratic institutions." It did not respond to a request for comment. The U.S. embassy described the group as impartial and said it had been working in Cambodia since 1992 with major parties including the ruling Cambodian People's Party. At a regular news briefing in Washington, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said recent Cambodian government actions curtailing freedom of the press and civil society were "troubling." As well the NDI order, she highlighted the reported closure of Cambodia's only opposition-aligned radio station and tax investigations into independent media outlets and NGOs. Naeurt said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and U.S. Ambassador William Heidt had discussed U.S. concerns with Cambodian leaders in recent weeks and months. Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge guerrilla who is now one of China's closest allies, has ratcheted up steps against the United States this year from ending joint military exercises to demanding forgiveness of war-era debt from the 1970s. He also lashed out at non-governmental organizations and accused them of funding groups attempting to overthrow his government. On Tuesday, Hun Sen ordered the Cambodia Daily, an English-language newspaper founded by an American, to pay taxes accrued over the past decade or face closure. Nauert called the demand for $6 million in taxes from the newspaper, along with other levies imposed against the press, "exorbitant" and said Heidt had spoken to the head of tax agency about the matter. The opposition has accused Hun Sen and his party of a crackdown on critics and last week a U.N. human rights envoy said Cambodia "appeared to be approaching a precipice". (Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Matthew Tostevin and Tom Brown)
Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton took to Twitter on Monday to defend President Donald Trump's youngest son Barron Trump after he was criticized for his casual dressing style in a recent media report.

Clinton shared a report by Daily Caller titled Its High Time Barron Trump Starts Dressing Like Hes In the White House. The article said Barron was not dressing like he was the first son months after Trump was handed reins to the presidential office.

Time and time again Barron has proved that hes just a normal 11-year-old kid, despite the fact that his dad is the President of the United States and he lives in the White House, the report said.

Barron Trump

Photo: Reuters/ Yuri Gripas

Daily Caller referred to the latest picture of the president, the first lady, and their son that showed them returning to the White House from New Jersey on Sunday. While Trump was photographed wearing a custom-made suit and tie, Melania Trump was a vision to behold wearing an elegant dress. But Barron stepped out of Air Force One dressed in a red-colored t-shirt that read "On Your Mark Tiger Shark", khaki shorts and suede loafers.

The news network made a sharp remark at the 11-year-old's dress sense and said it looked like he was coming back from a trip to the movie theater, adding, The youngest Trump doesnt have any responsibilities as the presidents son, but the least he could do is dress the part when he steps out in public.

Barron Trump

Photo: Reuters/ Kevin Lamarque

This is not the first time that the youngest Trump has been attacked for keeping it casual. A couple of months ago, Barron came under fire on social media for wearing a blue T-shirt that "the Expert" written on the front, according to the Telegraph.

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Having lived in the White House for eight years during her fathers presidential term, Hillary and former President Bill Clinton's daughter knows a thing or two about the pressures of being a first daughter. Clinton has stood up for Barron earlier as well as she too was under the media scanner from the age of 12 to 20.

Trump's youngest son is the first boy to enter the White House since John F Kennedy Jr. When he was criticized for appearing bored during his father's inauguration speech, Clinton condemned both the media and the critics on social networks calling Barron abnormal or worse  autistic, for behaving the way he did on Trumps inauguration day.

Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does - to be a kid, she tweeted. Clinton, however, took a dig at the presidents controversial policies at the same time, ending her tweet with Standing up for every kid also means opposing @POTUS policies that hurt kids.

Barron has been criticized not only for the kind of clothes he wears but also for his behavior when he is with his father in public. He also made headlines for all the wrong reasons when he was seen yawning and rolling his eyes during his father's victory speech in November.

Related Articles
Newsflash, world: Barron Trump is still a kid.

Despite this fact, President Trump's youngest son, who turned 11 years old in March, recently came under fire from The Daily Caller, who deemed Barron's daily attire too casual.

SEE ALSO: People think Trump has an imaginary friend named Jim

In the article, titled, "Its High Time Barron Trump Starts Dressing Like Hes In the White House," The Daily Caller wrote, "Barron was returning to the White House from New Jersey on Sunday and while the president and first lady traveled in their Sunday best, young Barron looked like he was hopping on Air Force One for a trip to the movie theater."

The particular item of clothing being attacked was a red t-shirt with the words, "ON YOUR MARK TIGER SHARK" and an image of a shark, which Reddit users later determined is sold $25 at J.Crew.

Image: j.crew

In response to the article, Chelsea Clinton, a member of a former first family herself, tweeted a call to her nearly two million followers urging the media to stop being so hard on Barron and "let him have the private childhood he deserves."

It's high time the media & everyone leave Barron Trump alone & let him have the private childhood he deserves https://t.co/Wxq51TvgDX  Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) August 21, 2017

Aside from the fact that he's a kid and should be able to live a normal childhood, also keep in mind that Trumps were returning to Washington after their two-week-long working vacation in New Jersey. Even you would want to chill in a t-shirt on a flight as you get back from vacation.

Though the youngest Trump's clothing and behavior have come into question before  like that time he wore another graphic tee from J.Crew  he's certainly not the first child in the White House to receive criticism.

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Barack Obama's daughters, Sasha and Malia, both dealt with their fair share of scrutiny over the years.

Clinton's tweet isn't the first time she's stood up for Barron. She also stood up for the youngest Trump back in January, when he received backlash for not looking extremely pumped during every single moment of his dad's inauguration.

Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does-to be a kid. Standing up for every kid also means opposing @POTUS policies that hurt kids.  Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) January 22, 2017

Clinton has a point: How about we all just let Barron be a kid?
WASHINGTON  Democrats on Capitol Hill said Tuesday they wont allow President Donald Trump to use undocumented young people as leverage to get support from the lawmakers for building a border wall, locking up more immigrants and cutting legal immigration.

Multiple top White House officials are urging Trump to attempt such a deal with Congress, according to a McClatchy news story. White House chief of staff John Kelly backs the idea, as do Trumps daughter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner, according to the article.

Its being presented as a potential compromise that could bring relief to some 800,000 so-called Dreamers who could lose their protected status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) in the courts or by Trumps own hand. But Democratic leaders in both congressional chambers said its not a proposal they would accept.

This is a nonstarter, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told HuffPost in a statement. Durbin is a lead advocate for legal status for young undocumented immigrants and a co-sponsor of the Dream Act to give them those protections, which the White House has said it would not back.

The Dream Act is bipartisan while the administrations immigration policy wishlist sharply divides even the GOP, Durbin said. So agreeing to trade Dreamer protections for that wishlist is no kind of deal, he said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tweeted that Dreamers are not a bargaining chip for the border wall and inhumane deportation. Period.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) similarly tweeted that it was reprehensible to treat children as bargaining chips, and that Dreamers are not negotiable.

It is reprehensible to treat children as bargaining chips. Americas DREAMers are not negotiable. #DefendDACA https://t.co/wErMfpWBlh  Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) August 22, 2017

Asked whether the plan could gain traction in the Senate and whether it is being discussed, a senior Democratic aide who requested anonymity said simply, no and no.

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A spokesman for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who has pushed for comprehensive immigration reform and a bill to give legal status to Dreamers, said he would continue to do so  but not through a proposal like the one being floated.

Menendez will continue to fight to put these model citizens as [White House chief of staff ] Kelly likes to refer to them  on an earned path to citizenship by enshrining legal protections into law, but it must not come at the expense of making Americans pay for an offensive and ineffective wall, or by tearing families apart through a mass deportation agenda, Menendez spokesman Juan Pachon told HuffPost in an email.

The prospective White House proposal would tie protection for Dreamers to a reduction in legal immigration; funding for Trumps much-touted border wall and additional immigrant detention centers; and mandatory E-Verify for employers to check the legal status of potential hires, McClatchy reported.

Democrats have supported some of those items in the past, such as additional border fencing and an expansion of E-Verify in a failed 2013 comprehensive immigration reform bill. But that bill also came with a path to citizenship for a broader set of undocumented immigrants, not solely Dreamers, and did not cut legal immigration.

Dreamers are in an especially perilous position under Trump, who promised to end the DACA program but has not yet done so. A group of state attorneys general threatened him with legal action if he does not rescind DACA by Sept. 5, and Trump administration officials wont say whether they would defend the program should it go to court.

Given Attorney General Jeff Sessions long-stated position that DACA is unconstitutional, its possible he would let it go without a defense and kill it through the courts, if Trump doesnt simply end the program himself.

The deal reportedly under consideration is being floated as a moderate option  Kelly notably has said he thinks there should be something done through legislation to help Dreamers. Meanwhile, Trump policy adviser Stephen Miller, a former Sessions aide who opposes DACA, has not been allowed to brief Trump on the issue for months, according to the McClatchy report, suggesting his viewpoint could be sidelined.

But the idea of using Dreamers protection to make immigration enforcement gains isnt a new one, or particularly moderate. And the reported proposal is more of an effort to implement restrictionist policies than a bid to help Dreamers, Todd Schulte, president of the pro-immigration reform advocacy group FWD.us, told HiffPost.

Its way outside the mainstream of what the country wants and bipartisan consensus, he said. This isnt going anywhere. If people are interested in actually having policy solutions for Dreamers, thats not what this is.

Ignacia Rodriguez of the pro-reform National Immigration Law Center termed it shameful ... to use peoples lives and basic need to feel secure in their homes as means for leveraging a political win.

But to do this in order to enact a white-nationalist blueprint is repulsive, he added.

Dreamer advocacy groups, which have moved past pushing for protections for themselves without reprieve for their families and communities, also rejected the idea.

Lawmakers should think of their own families before considering this latest deal from Trump to use my brothers welfare to put a hit out on my parents, Cristina Jimenez, executive director of United We Dream, said in a statement.

Would you cut a deal which would result in your own mother being chased down and locked into a detention camp to be tormented and abused? she said. The deal is morally wrong and must be rejected.

Also on HuffPost

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April 2015

At an event hosted by Texas Patriots PAC: Everythings coming across the border: the illegals, the cars, the whole thing. Its like a big mess. Blah. Its like vomit.

June 2015

At a speech announcing his campaign: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre not sending you. Theyre not sending you. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

August 2015

On NBC's "Meet the Press": Were going to keep the families together, we have to keep the families together, but they have to go."

September 2015

On CBS's "60 Minutes": Were rounding em up in a very humane way, in a very nice way. And theyre going to be happy because they want to be legalized. And, by the way, I know it doesnt sound nice. But not everything is nice.

November 2015

On MSNBC's "Morning Joe": You are going to have a deportation force, and you are going to do it humanely."

February 2016

At a GOP primary debate: We have at least 11 million people in this country that came in illegally. They will go out. They will come back  some will come back, the best, through a process.

March 2016

At a press conference when asked if he would consider allowing undocumented immigrants to stay: "We either have a country or we dont. We either have a country or we dont. We have borders or we dont have borders. And at this moment, the answer is absolutely not.

April 2016

At an event hosted by NBC's "Today Show": Theyre going to go, and were going to create a path where we can get them into this country legally, OK? But it has to be done legally. ... Theyre going to go, and then come back and come back legally.

July 2016

At the Republican National Convention: "Tonight, I want every American whose demands for immigration security have been denied  and every politician who has denied them  to listen very closely to the words I am about to say. On January 21st of 2017, the day after I take the oath of office, Americans will finally wake up in a country where the laws of the United States are enforced."

September 2016

At a rally: Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation. That is what it means to have laws and to have a country. Otherwise we dont have a country.

September 2016

On "The Dr. Oz Show": Well, under my plan the undocumented or, as you would say, illegal immigrant wouldnt be in the country. They only come in the country legally.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Many Americans are calling eye doctors after the historic eclipse because they are worried they were blinded by the light.

Read: Suspected Car Thief Arrested After He Stops to Gawk at Eclipse: Cops

Following the historic event, the biggest trending searches on Google were seeing spots and how do I know if eclipse damaged my eyes?

The number of people I saw looking at the sun without protection was very high, New York eye doctor Jay Wisnicki told Inside Edition.

Many people were so afraid of ruining their eyesight that it was given a name: Eclipse Hypochondria.

For a very small number of patients, the concern about burning the retina is real and the symptoms include blurry vision, blind spots, color blindness and intense headaches.

People who were calling in today were people who were outside during the eclipse yesterday, some were wearing the appropriate eyewear, some were not, Dr. Naomi Goldberg, an ophthalmologist at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, told Inside Edition. We are getting a variety of phone calls with different complaints.

Read: Dark Day: Solar Eclipse Mania Takes America by Storm

Some animals didn't enjoy the eclipse as the sudden darkness terrified monkeys at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, S.C.

At The Nashville Zoo, a flock of flamingos bunched together for safety and giraffes were seen running wild.

Watch: Couple Saying 'I Do' Under the Total Solar Eclipse: 'He Loves the Sun, I Love the Moon'

Related Articles:
Could a frog poison help with some serious health issues or does it cause more problems than it treats? The Doctors investigate Kambo.

Kambo comes from the Kambo frog and has been used in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia for many years, but using the poison has its side effects. People can experience prolonged discomfort and severe vomiting. The poison is similar to the hallucinogenic plant drink Ayahuasca.

Despite its drawbacks, many are drawn to it and claim it has changed their lives for the better. Simon Scott, a member of the International Association of Kambo Practitioners, who administers the poison at a retreat in Arizona joins the show along with Katy, who claims Kambo has turned her life around. Simon says he suffered from depression , stress, and anxiety and sought out alternative treatments in South America and found relief with Kambo. He takes The Doctors through the steps of how Kambo is administered.

More on Kambo: More on the Poison's Pros and Cons

First, after a certain amount of water is consumed, the Kambo is applied to the skin. The patient does this while on an empty stomach. He says that you will then feel extremely sick for 10 to 15 minutes and either vomit or need to relieve yourself and possibly even cry. Following a 30 minute rest, Scott claims you will then feel really good. He explains that he found his healing after undergoing 10 sessions over the course of 3 to 4 months. The process also involves burning the skin and placing the poison on the burned area, which also leaves a scar.

For Katy, she turned to Kambo after years of dealing with depression and being on anti-depressants. She describes having a feeling of emptiness and even suicidal thoughts. When the poison was placed on her skin she felt heat and her heart began to race and she wondered, Am I going to be OK? Despite her initial fears, she saw her health completely change since using Kambo with her depression and pain subsiding.

Story continues

Watch: Ayahuasca Crisis on the Horizon?

We also welcome psychiatrist Dr. Domenick Sportelli to weigh in on Kambo. He admits at first he had is reservations about the alternative treatment, but acknowledges that it appears to be changing some peoples lives. He describes many people having a mystical experience while taking something like Kambo, which has psychological, physiological and ritualistic aspect to it. He would like to see more testing on the poison and but cannot currently recommend it.

The Doctors warn that there are many unknowns surrounding Kambo and note the liquid is a toxin, but they look forward to more studies on the poison. For more on Kambos effectiveness, check out the video below.
Donald Trump defended his response to the Charlottesville white supremacist violence in a divisive Arizona speech on Tuesday night, rebuking the "very dishonest media" for misrepresenting his statements.

Protesters clashed with police outside the arena in Phoenix after the rally. Police fired tear gas and smoke grenades to disperse the crowds.

Mr Trump last week blamed hatred "on many sides" for the violence ten days ago in Virginia that left a protester dead and several injured when they were run over by a white supremacist.

President Donald Trump speaks in Arizona Credit: AP

On Tuesday night, surrounded by his supporters after one of the most challenging periods of his young, chaotic presidency, the president re-read the three statements he had delivered in the aftermath of the violence - but omitted the "many sides" remark.

President Donald Trump arrives at a rally at the Phoenix Convention Center, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix Credit: AP

He said, getting visibly angry, that he had "openly called for healing, unity and love" in his responses.

"What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America and tonight, this entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs that perpetrated hatred and violence," he said.

.@POTUS: "Not only does the media give a platform to hate groups, but the media turns a blind eye to the gang violence on our streets." pic.twitter.com/W1pNpjPJfV  Fox News (@FoxNews) August 23, 2017

The president had been widely criticised on both sides of the political spectrum and around the world for failing to condemn neo-Nazis and other hate groups by name in his initial response to the protest and then insisting there was blame on "both sides".

James Clapper, the former US director of national intelligence and retired lieutenant general, questioned Mr Trump's "fitness" to be president after the speech.

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James Clapper, former director of national intelligence, says he questions President Trump's fitness for office https://t.co/IRRXg7paZM  CNN (@CNN) August 23, 2017

Mr Trump said the TV news channels were giving platforms to hate groups.

He claimed the networks - particularly singling out CNN - were "nervous" to have him speaking on live television.

Demonstrators gather outside the Phoenix, Arizona, Convention Center Credit: AFP

The president said he was able to bypass the "crooked media" and get his message across on Twitter.

"If I didn't have social media I probably wouldn't be standing here," he said.

Outside the arena, hundreds of supporters and opponents of Mr Trump gathered before the rally. There were a few minor scuffles and rival chanting, as supporters shouted Build the wall and Make America Great Again" and opponents shouted Shame, shame, shame and No Trump, No KKK, No fascist USA.

A handful of anti-Trump protesters turned up outside with military-style rifles and fatigues.

Demonstrators gather outside the Phoenix, Arizona, Convention Center Credit: AFP

They described themselves as an anti-fascist group who were offended by the president's comments in the wake of the Charlottesville violence.

After the speech, CNN's Don Lemon described the president's address as "total eclipse of the facts".

The president also threatened to shut down the federal government unless Congress provides funding for his promised border wall with Mexico.

Mr Trump again suggested he would pardon former Sheriff Joe Arpaio's conviction for intentionally disobeying a judge's order in an immigration case.

Trump supporters await the start of U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Phoenix Credit: Reuters

"So was Sheriff Joe was convicted for doing his job?" Mr Trump asked. "I'll make a prediction. I think he's going to be just fine, OK."
A US political commentator has claimed Donald Trump could be suffering from early onset dementia after he delivered another abuse-laden speech at a rally in Arizona.

During the meandering 77-minute speech in Phoenix, the President attacked the media once again for its dishonest portrayal of his response to the death of a woman following a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia.

He said: The only thing giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news.

He accused the media of trying to take away the history and our heritage.

I really think they dont like our country. I really believe that, he added.

The Republican went onto hint that he would pardon controversial Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was found guilty of criminal contempt for racial profiling, threatened to scrap the Nafta trade deal once again and suggested he may shut down the government if Congress refuses to pay for his Mexican border wall.

Now Ana Navarro, a Republican strategist who broke ranks and endorsed Hillary Clinton last year, tweeted the only possible defensible explanation for Trumps disgusting, unpresidential, narcissistic behaviour, would be early-onset dementia.

Trump making #Charlottesville all about him. Not hateful White Supremacists. Not Heather Heyer. Disgusting narcissism in midst of tragedy.  Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) August 23, 2017

Defensive 71-year-old man baby having a disrespectful tantrum over the way he was treated over #Charlottesville. Someone bring him a bottle  Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) August 23, 2017

Only possible defensible explanation for Trump's disgusting, unpresidential, narcissistic behavior, would be early-on-set dementia. Maybe.  Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) August 23, 2017

She called him a defensive 71-year-old man baby having a disrespectful tantrum over the way he was treated over Charlottesville.

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The fallout from the protest in Charlottesville, in which 32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed when an alleged white supremacist drove his car into a group of counter-protesters, is still being felt in the White House after several business leaders distanced themselves from the administration over Mr Trumps comments.

Mr Trump initially drew criticism for condemning the violence on many sides. He later rolled back on the comment, before doubling down on his insistence that "both sides" were to blame in an extraordinary press conference at Trump Tower.

It comes just a day after CNN ran a news segment on whether Mr Trump is mentally ill.

Journalist Brian Stelter said the former businessmans behaviour was raising some uncomfortable questions such as: "Is the President of the United States a racist? Is he suffering from some kind of illness? Is he fit for office?

"And if he is unfit, then what?"
- AFP or licensors

Donald Trump threatened to shut down the government in order to secure funding to build his controversial wall along the border with Mexico, in a remarkable Arizona speech on Tuesday night. Afterwards, his critics openly questioned whether he was 'fit' to be President.

During a divisive 80-minute speech, Mr Trump defended his response to the Charlottesville white supremacist violence and took aim at the media, blaming them for giving far right groups "a platform".

Trump's 80-minute address in Pheonix was met with fierce criticism Credit: Getty

The President's efforts to build a barrier along America's southern border have stalled in Congress, where many lawmakers question whether his main campaign promise is really necessary.

The House has passed a spending bill with funding for the costly project, but it faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

But with a budget battle looming, Mr Trump said he would be willing to do what it takes to secure the necessary funding for the wall.

Donald Trump issued the shutdown threat at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona Credit: AP

In a remarkable address to a rally crowd in Phoenix in the border state of Arizona, the US President said he had a message for "obstructionist" Democrats.

"If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Mr Trump said. "We're going to have our wall. The American people voted for immigration control. We're going to get that wall."

He also accused Democrats of putting American security at risk for not supporting the proposal.

The wall was one of Mr Trump's most popular campaign vows, prompting frequent rally chants of "Build that wall!"

The President had promised Mexico would pay for the barrier, but Mexico has so far refused.

Trump looks to his VIP section during his campaign rally speech in Phoenix Credit: EPA

Mr Trump has asked for $1.6 billion to begin construction of the wall, with Congress under pressure to pass some kind of spending bill to keep the government open after September 30.

Republicans in Congress havent shown much appetite for fighting to spend potentially billions more on a border barrier either. The funding would add to the deficit at the same time Republicans are trying to figure out how to pay for tax cuts.

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The issue could get wrapped up with legislation to raise the federal governments debt limit, which needs to be raised between late September and mid-October to avoid a default.

Current US-Mexico border

One option being considered by GOP leaders is attaching a debt limit measure to the stopgap spending bill that will likely be considered next month.

Under that scenario, Mr Trumps threat to shut down the government over the border wall could entangle the debt ceiling debate.

Blaming the media

Mr Trump last week blamed hatred "on many sides" for the violence ten days ago in Virginia that left a protester dead and several injured when they were run over by a white supremacist.

He said, getting visibly angry, that he had "openly called for healing, unity and love" in his responses.

"What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America and tonight, this entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs that perpetrated hatred and violence," he said.

He accused the "truly dishonest people in the media and the fake media" of "trying to take away our history and heritage" because, he said, they "don't like our country".

Not only does the media give a platform to hate groups, but the media turns a blind eye to the gang violence on our streets! pic.twitter.com/Mau0B1qYIP  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2017

He quoted his own initial public response to what happened in Charlottesville.

"This is what I said on Saturday: 'We're closely following the terrible events unfolding in Charlottesville, Virginia,' - this is me speaking. 'We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence.' That's me speaking on Saturday, right after the event," he said.

In fact what he actually said on 12 August was: "We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides."

Fit to lead?

James Clapper, the former US director of national intelligence and retired lieutenant general, openly questioned Trump's fitness to be president.

Mr Clapper described Mr Trump's address at a rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night as "downright scary and disturbing" and said that the president may be "looking for a way out".

Mr Clapper believes Trump is 'looking for a way out'

"I question his fitness to be in this office and I also wonder if he is looking for a way out," Mr Clapper, who has served both Republican and Democratic administrations, said.

He added that Mr Trump could be a threat to national security.

"I worry about access to the nuclear codes if he decided to do something, in a fit of pique, to tackle Kim Jong-un... It's pretty damn scary," he said on CNN, the news network that had come under particular attack from the president during his speech.

CNN's Don Lemon described the president's address as "total eclipse of the facts".

Rally violence

Outside the arena, hundreds of supporters and opponents of Mr Trump gathered before the rally. There were a few minor scuffles and rival chanting, as supporters shouted Build the wall and Make America Great Again" and opponents shouted Shame, shame, shame and No Trump, No KKK, No fascist USA.

Protests outside Trump's rally Credit: Reuters

A handful of anti-Trump protesters turned up outside with military-style rifles and fatigues.

Earlier in the day, Mr Trump visited the border region in Yuma, where he toured a US Border Patrol operations base.

Police use tear gas to break up protesters gathered outside of the Phoenix Credit: AFP

It was part of an effort to make the case that a barrier along the 2,000 mile desert-scarred frontier would stem the flow of migrants from the south.

Yuma "was once one of the least secure border areas in America (and) is now one of the most secure areas because of these investments in border security," a senior administration official said ahead of Mr Trump's trip.

Protesters raise their hands after Phoenix police used tear gas outside the Phoenix Convention Centre Credit: AP

A failure to secure funding for the scheme would be another setback for a president who has seen his message overshadowed by controversy and his agenda thwarted by legislative missteps.
Two Montana residents have been arrested after the grim discovery of two bodies in a basement, where cops say they were left to decompose in chemicals.

Tiffanie Pierce, 23, and Augustus Standingrock, 26, were arrested last week after the bodies were allegedly found in plastic tubs in her Missoula basement in a scene reminiscent of the AMC series Breaking Bad.

Watch: Child Found Preserved in Coffin From 1800s Gets Headstone With Her Real Name

Pierce's roommate said he was awakened the night of the alleged murder by a woman's screams, according to police. He said he then found the suspects in the bathroom washing blood off themselves.

Pierce allegedly then told the roommate that there was a dead woman in the basement. Prosecutors allege Pierce would later tell the roommate that she "killed a couple people last night."

Pierce reportedly told her roommate that Standingrock brought a couple of people over and that he took them to the basement and attacked one as she allegedly attacked the other, according to the roommate.

Both victims died from stab wounds, officials said.

Watch: Man Missing From Party Found Stabbed to Death Inside Shallow Grave

Pierce and Standingrock both stand charged with deliberate homicide and accountability to deliberate homicide for the deaths of a male and female victim, who have not been identified.''

Bail was set at $2 million for each suspect. They have not yet entered pleas.

Watch: Mom Accused of Dragging Daughter's Body Into Woods After Car Crash

Related Articles:
President Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally in Arizona on Tuesday night, a return to the state where one year ago he gave a speech that in large part defined his candidacy. Then just a candidate, Trump gave a hardline speech in Phoenix on August 31 about immigration in which he said countless innocent American lives have been stolen by undocumented immigrants because politicians have failed to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

But the Arizona where the president will speak Tuesday has a different political landscape than the state where he spoke in 2016, with both U.S. senators from Arizona having opposed the president on important issues in recent months, the open question of whether Trump will pardon a controversial local sheriff and the entire country watching closely to see what the president will say in the wake of a recent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

First, the presidents push to repeal parts of Obamacare was derailed when Senator John McCain, of Arizona, joined two other Republican senators and cast a decisive vote against the effort. Trump wasnt happy, and referred to McCain in a tweet, 3 Republicans and 48 Democrats let the American people down.

And earlier this month the other senator from Arizona, Jeff Flake, published a book blasting the president of campaigning on a late-night informercial that is free of significant thought, according to CNN. Again, the president lashed out on Twitter, referring to Flakes primary challenger as he tweeted, Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He's toxic!

Another issue in play as Trump takes the stage in Phoenix is whether he will pardon Joe Arpaio, the infamous former sheriff who was found guilty last month of criminal contempt for ignoring a judges 2011 court order to stop racially profiling Latinos. I am seriously considering a pardon for Sheriff Arpaio, the president told Fox News earlier this month at his club in Bedminster, N.J. He has done a lot in the fight against illegal immigration. Hes a great American patriot and I hate to see what has happened to him.

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The mayor of Phoenix asked Trump to delay his visit, arguing the president doused racial tensions with gasoline after Charlottesville and bringing up Trumps position on the sheriff. A pardon of Arpaio can be viewed only as a presidential endorsement of the lawlessness and discrimination that terrorized Phoenixs Latino community, Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, wrote in the Washington Post. Choosing to announce it in Phoenix  especially in the wake of Charlottesville  would add insult to very serious injury and would reveal that the presidents true intent is to further divide our nation.

Trump's rally is expected to start at 7 p.m. local time. A live stream of the event can be seen here.

Related Articles
By Arshad Mohammed and Warren Strobel WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has decided to deny Egypt $95.7 million in aid and to delay a further $195 million because of its failure to make progress on respecting human rights and democratic norms, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The decision reflects a U.S. desire to continue security cooperation as well as frustration with Cairo's stance on civil liberties, notably a new law that regulates non-governmental organizations that is widely seen as part a growing crackdown on dissent, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. U.S. officials were especially unhappy that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in May allowed the NGO law to go into effect. Human rights groups and activists have said that it effectively bans their work and makes it harder for charities to operate. Egyptian officials had assured U.S. officials earlier this year that the law, which restricts NGO activity to developmental and social work and introduces jail terms of up to five years for non-compliance, would not go through, the sources said. Spokespeople for the White House and the State Department were not immediately available for comment. Egypt is an important Mideast partner for the United States because of its control of the Suez Canal and its border with Israel. The sources said the administration had decided to "reprogram" $65.7 million in fiscal year 2017 Foreign Military Financing funds (FMF) and $30 million in fiscal year 2016 Economic Support Fund (ESF) funds. "Reprogramming" means these funds would be used for other purposes and would not go to Egypt. The administration made a separate decision to withhold $195 million in fiscal year 2016 Foreign Military Financing funds which, had it not acted, would have expired and ceased to be available at the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30. The second decision also illustrated the administration's ambivalence toward Egypt. Under U.S. law, the administration is required to withhold 15 percent, or $195 million, of the $1.3 billion it gives Egypt annually in FMF funds unless it can certify that Cairo is making progress on advancing human rights and democracy. However, the administration can issue a national security waiver that allows the funds to go through. This year, the administration again decided it could not certify Egyptian progress on rights and it chose to issue the national security waiver but it is still going to withhold the $195 million. That money will now go into an account where it will be held pending Egyptian improvement on human rights and democracy. This means that Egypt could eventually get the money if its record on democracy and civil liberties improved. "Strengthened security cooperation with Egypt is important to U.S. national security," said one source, adding that U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson felt "it was in the interests of the U.S. to exercise the waiver." "We remain concerned about Egypts lack of progress in key areas, including human rights and the new NGO law," the source said. Egyptian rights activists have said they face the worst crackdown in their history under Sisi, accusing him of erasing freedoms won in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. Egyptian lawmakers have said the NGO law was needed to protect national security. The Egyptian government has long accused human rights groups of taking foreign funds to sow chaos, and several are facing investigation over their funding. (Reporting By Arshad Mohammed and Warren Strobel; Editing by Phil Berlowitz, Toni Reinhold)
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ran ExxonMobil for 10 years and used a fake name, Wayne Tracker, to discuss climate change: Getty

Fossil fuel giant ExxonMobil misled the public about the risks posed by climate change, an analysis of its public and private announcements on the subject by two Harvard University academics has concluded.

While the companys scientists and senior executive largely accepted the scientific consensus that global warming is real and poses significant risks, it spent thousands of dollars on regular advertorials in The New York Times (NYT) and other newspapers, in which it sought to cast doubt on the science.

In some cases, the firm, led by the current US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, from 2006 to 2016, even contradicted itself.

While at the company, Mr Tillerson used an email account with a fake name, Wayne Tracker, to discuss climate change and, since becoming a member of the Trump administration, has advised American diplomats to dodge questions about the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The researchers pointed out that, as long ago as 1979, an internal ExxonMobil document discussed the most widely held theory that burning fossil fuels would cause a warming of the Earths surface with dramatic environmental effects before the year 2050.

As late as 2008, the firm insisted industry guidelines on reducing emissions should not imply a direct connection between greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and natural gas industry and the phenomenon commonly referred to as climate change.

If it is proved ExxonMobil deliberately misled investors about the risks posed to its business by the need to stop using fossil fuels, the company could face prosecution.

And Attorney Generals in 17 US states and territories are currently looking into whether it and other fossil fuel companies breached consumer protection, investor protection or even anti-racketeering laws in relation to climate change.

Writing in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Research Letters, Professor Naomi Oreskes and Dr Geoffrey Supran said: Available documents show a discrepancy between what ExxonMobils scientists and executives discussed about climate change privately and in academic circles and what it presented to the general public.

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The companys peer-reviewed, non-peer-reviewed, and internal communications consistently tracked evolving climate science: broadly acknowledging that anthropogenic global warming (AGW) is real, human-caused, serious, and solvable, while identifying reasonable uncertainties that most climate scientists readily acknowledged at that time.

In contrast, ExxonMobils advertorials in the NYT overwhelmingly emphasised only the uncertainties, promoting a narrative inconsistent with the views of most climate scientists, including ExxonMobils own.

In light of these findings, we judge that ExxonMobils AGW communications were misleading; we are not in a position to judge whether they violated any laws.

The risk of stranded assets  reserves of oil and gas that will have to stay in the ground if emission targets are to be met  was acknowledged in internal and other documents but not in the advertorials, the researchers noted.

They added that the advertorials attempts to sow doubt in the publics mind was characteristic of a tactic known as the Scientific Certainty Argumentation Method, or Scam.

The researchers analysis found 81 per cent of the advertorials expressed doubt that climate change was real and caused by humans, with only 12 per cent accepting this was true.

In contrast, 83 per cent of papers in peer-reviewed journals and 80 per cent of internal documents acknowledged that the scientists were correct.

Astonishingly, ExxonMobil took out an advertorial in The New York Times every Thursday between 1972 and 2001 at a cost of about $31,000 (24,232) each, reaching a readership in the millions. These articles contained several instances of explicit factual misrepresentation, the researchers said.

The companys scientists academic papers  described as highly technical, intellectually inaccessible for laypersons, and of little interest to the general public or policymakers  were estimated to have had a readership in the hundreds at most.

Internal documents show that by the early 1980s, ExxonMobil scientists and managers were sufficiently informed about climate science and its prevailing uncertainties to identify AGW as a potential threat to its business interests, Prof Oreskes and Dr Supran wrote.

We conclude that ExxonMobil contributed to advancing climate science  by way of its scientists academic publications  but promoted doubt about it in advertorials.

Given this discrepancy, we conclude that ExxonMobil misled the public.

A spokesperson for ExxonMobil referred The Independent to its website, which contains the companys position on climate change, its climate science history and its side of the #ExxonKnew controversy.

The risk of climate change is, according to one of the worlds leading fossil fuel producers, clear and the risk warrants action.

Increasing carbon emissions in the atmosphere are having a warming effect. There is a broad scientific and policy consensus that action must be taken to further quantify and assess the risks, it says.

ExxonMobil is taking action by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its operations, helping consumers reduce their emissions, supporting research that leads to technology breakthroughs and participating in constructive dialogue on policy options.

On its track record in relation to the science, ExxonMobil says: We unequivocally reject allegations that ExxonMobil suppressed climate change research contained in media reports that are inaccurate distortions of ExxonMobils nearly 40-year history of climate research.

We understand that climate risks are real. The company has continuously, publicly and openly researched and discussed the risks of climate change, carbon life cycle analysis and emissions reductions.

It says the firms scientists have been involved in the forefront of climate research and that it has long ... informed shareholders and investors on our perception of the business risks associated with climate change.

Its response to #ExxonKnew  the social media tag used to spread articles mainly by the Los Angeles Times and InsideClimate News about internal company documents  was that statements had been cherry-picked and misrepresented to give an incorrect impression about our corporations approach to climate change.
(Reuters) - Family members of a Chinese scholar presumed kidnapped in Illinois asked President Donald Trump on Tuesday to provide additional resources to help find her.

Yingying Zhang, a 26-year-old visiting scholar to the University of Illinois from southeastern China, disappeared on June 9. Police believe Zhang is dead, although no body has been found.

Brendt Christensen, a former master's student at the university, has been charged with abducting Zhang. Christensen, 28, pleaded not guilty to the kidnapping last month and is scheduled to stand trial in September.

Yingying Zhang's father, Ronggao Zhang, cited the president's own role as a father in a letter sent to Trump earlier this month and read by Zhang's boyfriend, Xiaolin Hou, at a news conference on Tuesday.

"As a loving father to your own children, you can understand what we are going through," the letter said. "We fervently request that you direct all available federal law enforcement and investigatory resources be used to find our daughter as soon as possible."

A White House representative could not immediately be reached for comment.

Hou also told reporters at the news conference in Champaign, Illinois, that he and the family would not return to China until Zhang is found.

An online fundraising platform has collected more than $137,000 to support the family's stay in the United States.

The case has been watched closely by Chinese media, China government officials and Chinese students in the United States.

Zhang, who had been studying photosynthesis and crop productivity, was last seen when a security camera recorded her getting into a black car that authorities linked to Christensen, according to court documents.

Christensen was placed under surveillance by federal agents who heard him talking about how he kidnapped Zhang, court records said. He could receive a life sentence if convicted.

Christensen's attorney, Anthony Bruno, said in a phone interview on Tuesday that the defense received more than 1,000 pages of police reports related to the case earlier this month, and expects to gain access to video evidence soon.

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Bruno said the defense plans to request a delay to the start of the trial to get additional time to review the "enormous" amount of evidence received from the government.

A spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Springfield, Illinois, office referred questions to U.S. Attorney spokeswoman Sharon Paul.

Paul said in a phone interview on Tuesday that prosecutors have no update on Yingying Zhang's whereabouts and declined to provide details of the FBI's search efforts.

(Reporting by Julia Jacobs in Chicago; Editing by Patrick Enright and Matthew Lewis)
Qatar and Saudi Arabia are at loggerheads once again over access to the Muslim holy land during the sacred period of the Hajj, after the countries royal families appeared to have reached an agreement in the midst of their wider diplomatic crisis.

In a rare cooling of tensions between the countries earlier this month, Saudi Arabia agreed to a relaxation of restrictions for Qatari pilgrims entering the country. In July, the kingdom had accused Qatar of what amounted to a declaration of war over its stance on the guardianship of Mecca and Medina, Islams two holiest cities.

Related: Saudi Arabia: King Salman hires private jets to transport Qatars pilgrims on Hajj as gulf crisis continues

However, the arrival of Qatari pilgrims in Saudi Arabia as part of the plan appears to have exacerbated the tension, with Qatar accusing Saudi Arabia of deliberately making it difficult for its pilgrims to obtain permits to go to Mecca, Reuters reported. Saudi has said Qatar is trying to use the annual Hajj pilgrimage for political leverage in the middle of the ongoing Gulf crisis.

Mounting tensions between Qatar and its neighbors spilled over in June, when Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain all cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and backing regional rival Iran.

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Reuters

The four nations issued a list of 13 provisos for the resumption of normal relations with tiny, gas-producing Qatar, also the location of the largest U.S. military base in the region. The list of demands includes closing the Doha-based, state-funded television station Al Jazeera, severing ties with Iran and closing Turkey's air base in Qatar.

Despite the schism, Qatari pilgrims to Mecca and Medina were initially unimpeded by Saudi Arabia in traveling to the Muslim holy lands.

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Now, however, Qatari pilgrims have said they will not travel on the Hajj because of security concerns and a degree of bad will toward their Saudi hosts. "There is hatred on both sides now, so yeah, I wouldn't feel comfortable showing my passport in hotels or other places in Saudi," Mohammed, a civil engineer who declined to give his second name, told Reuters.

Qatari officials have said only a small number of Qataris are expected to attend this year's event. Saudi Arabia has said more than 400 Qatari pilgrims have arrived through the Salwa border crossing since it was reopened under the deal. Up to 1,200 Qataris are eligible for the Hajj under an annual quota system operated by Riyadh.

Related Articles
Superman star Henry Cavill, 34, has taken his romance with stuntwoman Lucy Cork online, sharing a lengthy post and a video of her kicking some serious butt.

His words seem to start out as general advice, but then they focus on Cork, whose current project is the same as Cavills, Mission: Impossible 6. In part, it reads: The video above is what positive forward motion, determination, bravery, strong will, dedication and self respect looks like. This is my Lucy. She is one of the best stunt women in the world. She has defined herself. She continues to define herself. She grows, everyday. She is Lucy Cork because she says so.

We probably dont have to point out  though we will  that he called her my Lucy.

Cavill and Cork began dating sometime between when filming of the Tom Cruise movie began in April and when they were first spotted together at Wimbledon in July. Later in the month, they were photographed together at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Polo Final in Midhurst, England.

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Lucy Cork and Henry Cavill attend the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Polo Final in Midhurst, England, in July. (Photo: Dave M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Jaeger-LeCoultre)

The new post is a big step for the relationship, because Cavill tends to keep his social posts focused on his latest acting roles and his adorable dog, Kal.

Britains the Sun reported in July that Cork is 25. Wonder Woman and Cruises The Mummy are among her other credits.

Cavills loves of the past have included former MMA fighter Gina Carano, whom he dated on an off from late 2012 to late 2014. He spent roughly 10 days by Kaley Cuocos side in July 2013. (Later, Cuoco complained that dating Superman was no easy feat, because of the media attention that came along with it.)

Most recently, Cavill had gone public with a 19-year-old student, Tara King, whom he brought as his date to the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar party. Reportedly, they split only a few months later.

Read more from Yahoo Celebrity:
North Korea revealed plans for the development of its missile programme on Wednesday, as leader Kim Jong-Un ordered stepped-up production of rocket engines and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) nosecones.

Under Kim, Pyongyang has made rapid strides in its ballistic missile technology, which it is banned from pursuing under United Nations resolutions that have slapped it with seven sets of sanctions.

Last month it carried out two successful ICBM launches, overseen by Kim and apparently bringing most of its sworn enemy the United States into range for the first time.

A series of threats followed from both sides, and while the rhetoric has since eased, the US and South Korea this week kicked off their annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian military drills, which the North always condemns as dress rehearsals for invasion.

The North says it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself against the US, and analysts said pictures released Wednesday of Kim's visit to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science revealed major technological advances and ambitions.

Kim, in a black suit, was shown next to a large brown tube that Joshua Pollack of the US Middlebury Institute of International Studies said on Twitter was a "wound fibre cylinder, evidently a large-diameter solid-rocket motor casing in the making".

It appeared to be made of Kevlar or fibreglass, added independent missile and nuclear analysts George Herbert.

Other pictures carried by the Rodong Sinmun, the official mouthpiece of the North's ruling party, included missile schematics and what appeared to be production processes.

"We have diagrams and names on two apparent new solid fuel multistage North Korean nuclear capable missiles," one of them an ICBM and the other a medium- or intermediate-range device, said Herbert.

Wound-filament casings are significantly harder to manufacture than metal ones but much lighter, giving a missile longer range and the ability to carry a heavier payload for a given distance.

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Many of the elements on show were objectives rather than currently existing technology, analysts said, but even so Jeffrey Lewis, of the armscontrolwonk.com website, noted: "It's all bad."

"If I understand North Korean propaganda, this is their way of telling us what we'll see in the air in the coming year."

- Carbon compound -

The Academy of Defence Sciences develops the North's missiles, and the official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim said it was "the pride of our Party to have such unassuming heroes".

"He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips," it added.

Questions remain whether the North has mastered the technology needed to ensure a ballistic missile warhead survives the intense heat generated by re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.

But it says it has done so, and the KCNA report said the nosecones and engine jets were made of "carbon/carbon compound material".

The manufacturing process included carbon fibre weaving, chemical deposition and high pressure liquid deposition, it added.

In recent weeks the North has threatened to fire a salvo of missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam, but has since backed away from the plan and tensions have eased.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday added momentum to tension reduction, praising the North for showing a "level of restraint" in not conducting nuclear or missile tests since new UN sanctions were imposed.

He also expressed hope that it was a sign of Pyongyang's readiness to enter peace and disarmament talks with Washington "sometime in the near future".

Wednesday's North Korean reports were largely factual and made none of their habitual threats of "catastrophic consequences" of military confrontation between it and the US.

"Through today's report, the North is touting its capability of manufacturing Hwasong-14 missile's re-entry vehicles and boasting of its preparedness to launch a submarine launched ballistic missile with a larger calibre, Pukguksong-3," Lee Chun-Geun of South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute told AFP.
DUBAI (Reuters) - At least 35 people were killed in air strikes that hit a hotel near a Houthi-controled outpost outside the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Wednesday, a medic said, and a Saudi-led coalition spokesman said it conducted the strike against its Houthi adversary. The coalition spokesman said a "legitimate military high-value target" was hit in Arhab district, north of Sanaa. "The ones who perished were members of an armed renegade group," he said in a reference to the Houthis who are aligned with Iran. The roof of the hotel collapsed, leaving at least two bodies dangling from the building in the Arhab area, about 20 km (13 miles) from Sanaa, a Reuters witness said. Al-Masira TV, which is run by the armed Houthi group that controls northern Yemen, quoted the Sanaa governorate as saying the death toll had risen to at least 46 "martyrs". It did not immediately make a direct reference to civilians or fighters. Yehia Hussein, an emergency worker in the Houthi-controled area, said "Saudi-American aggressors" targeted the hotel, which had been hosting around 100 people. Medics found 35 corpses as well as body parts, he said. "There are almost 13 wounded and the rest of the victims are still under the rubble," Hussein added. The ground-floor structure of the gray concrete building was still standing but the upper level was reduced to rubble with metal wires splayed into the air. Men searched through the rubble, while others carried a body in a blanket to a white van. "The Joint Forces Command vetted incoming information through its intelligence sources that confirmed the arrival of a group of armed militants to one of the buildings," the coalition spokesman, Colonel Turki al-Malki, told Reuters in a statement. "This Houthi group was deployed in Arhab District as well as the surroundings of Sanaa International Airport." The Houthi forces are not believed to have any air power. "Today's crimes remind us that we are all targeted as Yemenis," al-Masirah TV quoted the group's leader, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi as saying. AIR STRIKES ESCALATE The Houthis, whose territory includes Sanaa, are fighting Yemen's internationally-recognized government that is backed by the Saudi-led military alliance in a war which has killed at least 10,000 and unleashed a humanitarian disaster. This month a senior U.N. official condemned recent reported air strikes in Yemen, including on a house containing children, saying they showed "disregard" for civilian safety. The Saudi-led coalition denied targeting the family home after a health official said nine civilians were killed in an air strike. The United States and Britain provide arms and logistical assistance to the alliance for its campaign. The issue has caused controversy in Britain over the toll on civilians. In addition to striking military targets, air strikes have hit hospitals, infrastructure and port facilities, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. U.S. officials have said they have tried to find ways to improve Saudi targeting. The Pentagon sent U.S. military lawyers to train Saudi counterparts on how to ensure the legality of air strikes, and software designed to help determine whether certain munitions might cause destruction beyond the target. A report by international aid agencies last week said Yemen suffered more air strikes in the first half of this year than in the whole of 2016, increasing the number of civilian deaths and forcing more people to flee their homes. The report did not identify any party as being responsible for the strikes but the coalition has controlled Yemeni airspace since the war began in March 2015. U.S. forces have also conducted occasional air strikes or raids using drones. The United Nations has put the death toll since the war began in March 2015 at more than 10,000. (Reporting by Reuters Television, Writing by Sylvia Westall and Sami Aboudi; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
Donald Trump is setting out to fulfil one of his key campaign promises, with an executive order to build his proposed wall along the US-Mexico border.

To restrict illegal immigration, Mr Trump has promised to build a wall on the southern US border and to deport illegal migrants living inside the United States.

On his personal Twitter account on Tuesday, Mr Trump tweeted: "Big day planned on NATIONAL SECURITY tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!"

Big day planned on NATIONAL SECURITY tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017

Here's everything you need to know about the planned wall.

When did he propose building the wall?

Mr Trump's presidential campaign got off to an explosive start in June 2015 when he used incendiary language in announcing plans to build a wall along the border with Mexico.

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," he said. "They're sending people that have lots of problems. ... They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists."

In quotes | Donald Trump on Mexico

Mr Trump pledged to build a huge wall along the border to keep migrants out. "I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words," he said.

The remarks drew a swift reaction from America's neighbour. "The remarks by Donald Trump seem prejudicial and absurd," said Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, Mexico's interior minister.

Despite the outcry over the remarks, Mr Trump's proposal resonated with a large block of voters and it became a pillar of his presidential campaign.

How long will it be?

The border with Mexico is roughly 1,900 miles long and spans fours state: California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. In comparison, the Berlin Wall was 96 miles while the Great Wall of China is 13,000 miles long.

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There is already roughly 700 miles of fence along the border - the remainder is either open, nearly impossible to actually build on or impassable. Mr Trump said in 2015:

"You know, the Great Wall of China, built a long time ago, is 13,000 miles. I mean, you're talking about big stuff. We're talking about peanuts, by comparison, to that."

Mr Trump has said his wall will cover 1,000 miles, with natural obstacles protecting the rest of the border.

How much will it cost?

Estimates vary hugely. In February last year, Mr Trump told MSNBC he could finish the wall for $8 billion. Of the 2,000, we dont need 2,000, we need 1,000 because we have natural barriers  and Im taking it price per square foot and a price per square, you know, per mile, he said .

But most other estimates are far higher.

The existing border fence cost about $2.4 billion. Building the rest of it would cost between $15 billion and $25 billion, with an annual maintenance cost of $700 million, according to an estimate by Marc Rosenblum, the deputy director of the US Immigration Policy Program at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute, who is cited in a report in January last year.

"It's a lot more expensive than we expected when we started, and it was much more difficult," said Ronald Vitiello, deputy chief of border patrol for the US Customs and Border Protection, at a Senate Committee hearing in May 2015.

Who will pay for it?

The Mexicans, according to Mr Trump. No chance, says Mexico.

During his campaign, Mr Trump boasted he would make Mexico pay for the wall by seizing remittances from undocumented immigrants from the country and increasing fees on entry visas to the US for Mexican citizens.

Its realistic if you know something about the art of negotiating. If you have a bunch of clowns negotiating, its not realistic, he said.

After the Republican candidate met President Enrique Pena Nieto in September, he said the pair has not discussed the financial issue - a claim swiftly contradicted by the Mexican leader. "At the start of the conversation with Donald Trump I made it clear that Mexico will not pay for the wall," Mr Pena said at the time.

Mr Trump angered the Mexican leader hours later when, delivering an immigration speech at a rally, he declared: "We will build a great wall along the Southern border and Mexico will pay for the wall. One hundred percent. They don't know it yet but they're going to pay for it."

Mexico will pay for the wall!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2016

Earlier this month, Mr Trump said the building project would initially be paid for with a congressionally approved spending bill - as early as April - and Mexico will eventually reimburse the US, though he has not specified how he would guarantee payments.

The dishonest media does not report that any money spent on building the Great Wall (for sake of speed), will be paid back by Mexico later!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2017

Mr Trump will meet with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto at the White House next week.

Does he need approval from Congress?

No.

In claiming authority to build a wall, Mr Trump is expected to rely on a 2006 law that authorised several hundred miles of fencing along the frontier. That bill led to the construction of about 700 miles of various kinds of fencing designed to block both vehicles and pedestrians.

The Secure Fence Act was signed by then-President George W. Bush and the majority of the fencing in was built before he left office. The last remnants were completed after President Barack Obama took office in 2009.

However, the Trump administration must adhere to a decades-old border treaty with Mexico that limits where and how structures can be built along the border.

The 1970 treaty requires that structures cannot disrupt the flow of the rivers, which define the US-Mexican border along Texas and 24 miles in Arizona, according to The International Boundary and Water Commission, a joint US-Mexican agency that administers the treaty.

Is it actually a wall?

"A wall is better than fencing and it's much more powerful. Its more secure. Its taller," Mr Trump said, as he described the barrier he had in mind.

The plans have evolved slightly since then. He admitted after his election in November that it may in fact be part wall and part fence. Im very good at this, its called construction, he said at the time.

In an article for National Memo, Ali F. Rhuzkan, a New York-based structural engineer, said concrete would be the obvious choice for construction. He said the slabs would need to be made nearby - likely in dedicated plants - and transported to building sites.

A section of border fence Credit: Getty

Mr Trump has said it building the "wall is easy, and it can be done inexpensively".

Others are more sceptical. Its extremely challenging to put a brick-and-mortar wall along the Southwest border for any number of reasons, Richard Stana, who wrote multiple reports on border security for the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office before retiring in 2011, told the Washington Post. It seems very simplistic.

How effective would it be?

Most experts say it would be nearly impossible to make the barrier truly impenetrable. Every wall can be circumvented. People can go under it, they can go over it. . . . No one should go into this with the idea that if you just build the right kind of wall, no one will get through," Thad Bingel, a former senior US Customs and Border Protection official, told the Washington Post.

The Department of Homeland Security is already spending millions of dollars a year to maintain existing fences, while drug smugglers are increasingly using tunnels to pass underneath.

Mr Trump, however, has said a wall would be very effective in deterring illegal migrants and seismic and other equipment could prevent any tunnels.

The idea of such a wall has been tried elsewhere, with more than 45 such walls and border fences worldwide, perhaps most prominently Israels West Bank barrier.
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has issued a stay of execution for an inmate scheduled to be put to death Tuesday after new DNA evidence emerged.

Read: Suicide Notes of Mom Who Killed Kids and Herself Revealed: 'I Hope You Rot'

Marcellus Williams, 48, was due for execution at 7 p.m. for the 1998 murder of 42-year-old Felicia Gayle, but after public outcry and the work of his Williams' defense attorneys, Greitens announced that a five-person board of inquiry will now review the case in light of new information.

Eric Greitens: DO NOT EXECUTE MARCELLUS WILLIAMS - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/Yh8BbRd5KK via @Change  King Kortney (@fakerapper) August 22, 2017

"A sentence of death is the ultimate, permanent punishment," Greitens said. "To carry out the death penalty, the people of Missouri must have confidence in the judgment of guilt. In light of new information, I am appointing a Board of Inquiry in this case."

The board will consider Williams clemency request and issue a report about whether he should be executed or have his sentence commuted, reports said.

DNA evidence from the murder weapon and the scene of the crime were not available during Williams' trial in 2001, according to court documents. Williams was convicted of brutally stabbing Gayle 43 times with a butcher knife while in her home, reports said.

DNA analysis of the knife used in the murder revealed no traces of Williams' DNA but did return traces of another man's DNA, CNN reported Tuesday.

Other DNA samples of hair taken from the crime scene reportedly did not match Williams either, and a footprint found at the scene also doesn't match Williams's shoes.

Prosecutors argued on Monday that other evidence still prove Williams was involved in the murder but the Innocence Project, which has been helping him, is pleased with the governors decision.

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"We are relieved and grateful that Gov. Greitens halted Missouri's rush to execution and appointed a Board of Inquiry to hear the new DNA and other evidence supporting Mr. Williams' innocence," said Nina Morrison, senior staff attorney at the Innocence Project.

"While many Americans hold different views on the death penalty, there is an overwhelming consensus that those sentenced to death should be given due process and a full hearing on all their claims before an execution, and the governor's action honors that principle," Morrison added.

Read: Man Who Spent 34 Years in Prison for Teen's Murder Is Freed by DNA Evidence, Says He'll Eat Steak

Williams was scheduled to be executed in 2015 for the high-profile killing, but the state Supreme Court stayed his lethal injection, allowing him time to obtain the new DNA testing, The Washington Post reported.

Theyre never going to ever confront an actual innocence cause more persuading than this involving exonerating DNA evidence, said Kent Gipson, one of Williamss attorneys. Ive seen a lot of miscarriages of justice, but this one would take the cake.

Watch: Man Wrongfully Imprisoned for 31 Years Gets Just $75 for His Trouble

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A rough road lays ahead for Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao as she firefights on multiple fronts.

Amid calls for her resignation by Asian American groups for failing to condemn violence by white supremacists at Charlottesville, Virginia, Chao is also facing the heat of a cold war between her boss, President Donald Trump, and her husband, Majority Leader of the Senate Mitch McConnell.

According to the New York Times, the president has not spoken a word to McConnell for weeks, while the latter is privately questioning if Trump will be able to salvage his presidency from the number of crisis his administration has become embroiled in.

The professional bond between the two started straining after the Senate failed to pass the Republican healthcare bill to replace Obamacare.

When Trump made his disappointment clear on social media, McConnell criticized the presidents lack of understanding of the workings of legislative processes.

Our new president, of course, has not been in this line of work before," said McConnell told reporters, according to CNN. "I think he had excessive expectations about how quickly things happen in the democratic process."

Trump immediately fired back at McConnell on Twitter for his statement.

Trump also berated McConnell via a phone call, accusing him for his lousy efforts toward pushing the healthcare bill and failing to protect him from investigations of Russian interference in the 2016 election, according to a Times report.

If the tiff between the two is complicating her life, Chao is not letting it show in public. According to Independent, when she was asked about her views on Trump openly criticizing her husband, she simply said: I stand by my man  both of them.

On the other hand, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), the Korean Resource Center, and the National Asian Pacific American Womens Forum (NAPAWF) among several other groups signed and submitted a written statement on Aug. 17, demanding Chao's resignation if she failed to make a public statement supporting fellow immigrants who rely on DACA and TPS to work, study, and dream of a better future.

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Secretary Elaine Chao stood by President Trump as he blamed both sides for the racist acts that took place in Charlottesville, essentially equating white nationalist hate groups with anti-racist protesters, the letter read. As Asian Americans, we call on Secretary Elaine Chao, an immigrant from Taiwan and woman of color, to be silent no more and stand by us as we fight to protect the DACA and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs.

The demand comes after Chao, whos an immigrant from Taiwan, said that the incident at Charlottesville was an example of hateful behavior and it is not who we are as Americans, but refrained from distancing herself from Trumps claim that there was blame on both sides when it came to taking responsibility for the violence at the protest rally.

To me, it felt like crossing a line when she couldnt even stand up and speak out about what was going on in Charlottesville, Sung Yeon Choimorrow, NAPAWFs executive director told the Huffington Post. To basically endorse whatever Trump was saying ... thats really crossing the line as a person of color. I dont understand how she doesnt see that shes one of the people the [white supremacists] would target.

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday that "most news is not fake." (Photo: Aaron Bernstein/Reuters)

Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has been waging a war against the traditional news media, undermining reporters and news outlets at every turn with his oft-repeated fake news trope.

But at least one prominent Republican leader is speaking up in opposition to Trumps claim. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) asserted Monday that most news is not fake.

Speaking at a Louisville Chamber of Commerce event, McConnell said he had no issues finding reliable news, according to Politico.

It is my view that most news is not fake. But I do try to look at a variety of sources, he said.

The president has tweeted about fake news more than 100 times since January, noted CBS News, citing the Trump Twitter Archive.

On Monday alone, Trump sent out two tweets lambasting fake news.

Thank you, the very dishonest Fake News Media is out of control! https://t.co/8J7y900VGK  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2017

Jerry Falwell of Liberty University was fantastic on @foxandfriends. The Fake News should listen to what he had to say. Thanks Jerry!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2017

Falwell, one of Trumps evangelical advisers, appeared on Fox & Friends on Monday to defend the presidents comments about the white supremacist demonstrations in Charlottesville, Virginia.

President Donald Trump does not have a racist bone in his body, Falwell said. I know him well. He loves all people; hes worked so hard to help minorities in the inner cities.

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This article originally appeared on the Conversation.

After the murder of Heather Heyer in Charlottesville, Virginia, many people are asking themselves what they should do if Nazis rally in their city. Should they put their bodies on the line in counterdemonstrations? Some say yes.

History says no. Take it from me: I study the original Nazis.

We have an ethical obligation to stand against fascism and racism. But we also have an ethical obligation to do so in a way that doesnt help the fascists and racists more than it hurts them.

History repeats itself

Charlottesville was right out of the Nazi playbook. In the 1920s, the Nazi Party was just one political party among many in a democratic system, running for seats in Germanys Parliament. For most of that time, it was a small, marginal group. In 1933, riding a wave of popular support, it seized power and set up a dictatorship. The rest is well-known.

It was in 1927, while still on the political fringes, that the Nazi Party scheduled a rally in a decidedly hostile locationthe Berlin district of Wedding. The district was so left-of-center that the neighborhood had the nickname Red Wedding, red being the color of the Communist Party. The Nazis often held rallies right where their enemies lived, to provoke them.

The people of Wedding were determined to fight back against fascism in their neighborhood. On the day of the rally, hundreds of Nazis descended on Wedding. Hundreds of their opponents showed up too, organized by the local Communist Party. The antifascists tried to disrupt the rally, heckling the speakers. Nazi thugs retaliated. There was a massive brawl. Almost 100 people were injured.

I imagine the people of Wedding felt they had won that day. They had courageously sent a message: Fascism was not welcome.

But historians believe events like the rally in Wedding helped the Nazis build a dictatorship. Yes, the brawl got them media attention. But what was far, far more important was how it fed an escalating spiral of street violence. That violence helped the fascists enormously.

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Violent confrontations with antifascists gave the Nazis a chance to paint themselves as the victims of a pugnacious, lawless left. They seized it.

08_22_rallyviolence_01

Joshua Roberts/Reuters

It worked. We know now that many Germans supported the fascists because they were terrified of leftist violence in the streets. Germans opened their morning newspapers and saw reports of clashes like the one in Wedding. It looked like a bloody tide of civil war was rising in their cities. Voters and opposition politicians alike came to believe the government needed special police powers to stop violent leftists. Dictatorship grew attractive. The fact that the Nazis themselves were fomenting the violence didnt seem to matter.

One of Hitlers biggest steps to dictatorial power was to gain emergency police powers, which he claimed he needed to suppress leftist violence.

The left takes the heat

In the court of public opinion, accusations of mayhem and chaos in the streets will, as a rule, tend to stick against the left, not the right.

This was true in Germany in the 1920s. It was true even when opponents of fascism acted in self-defense or tried to use relatively mild tactics, such as heckling. It is true in the United States today, where even peaceful rallies against racist violence are branded riots in the making.

Today, right extremists are going around the country staging rallies just like the one in 1927 in Wedding. According to the civil rights advocacy organization the Southern Poverty Law Center, they pick places where they know anti-fascists are present, like university campuses. They come spoiling for physical confrontation. Then they and their allies spin it to their advantage.

I watched this very thing happen steps from my office on the University of Washington campus. Last year, a right extremist speaker came. He was met by a counterprotest. One of his supporters shot a counterprotester. On stage, in the moments after the shooting, the right extremist speaker claimed that his opponents had sought to stop him from speaking by killing people. The fact that it was one of the speakers supporters, a right extremist and Trump backer, who engaged in what prosecutors now claim was an unprovoked and premeditated act of violence, has never made national news.

We saw this play out after Charlottesville, too. President Donald Trump said there was violence on both sides. It was an incredible claim. Heyer, a peaceful protester, and 19 other people were intentionally hit by a neo-Nazi driving a car. He seemed to portray Charlottesville as another example of what he has referred to elsewhere as violence in our streets and chaos in our communities, including, it seems, Black Lives Matter, which is a nonviolent movement against violence. He stirred up fear. Trump recently said that police are too constrained by existing law.

President Trump tried it again during the largely peaceful protests in Bostonhe called the tens of thousands who gathered there to protest racism and Nazism anti-police agitators, though later, in a characteristic about-face, he praised them.

President Trumps claims are hitting their mark. A CBS News poll found that a majority of Republicans thought his description of who was to blame for the violence in Charlottesville was accurate.

This violence, and the rhetoric about it coming from the administration, are echosfaint but nevertheless frightening echosof a well-documented pattern, a pathway by which democracies devolve into dictatorships.

The Antifa

Theres an additional wrinkle: the antifa. When Nazis and white supremacists rally, the antifa are likely to show up, too.

Antifa is short for anti-fascists, though the name by no means includes everyone who opposes fascism. The antifa is a relatively small movement of the far left, with ties to anarchism. It arose in Europes punk scene in the 1980s to fight neo-Nazism.

The antifa says that because Nazism and white supremacy are violent, we must use any means necessary to stop them. This includes physical means, like what they did on my campus: forming a crowd to block ticket holders from entering a venue to hear a right extremist speak.

The antifas tactics often backfire, just like those of Germanys communist opposition to Nazism did in the 1920s. Confrontations escalate. Public opinion often blames the left no matter the circumstances.

What to do?

One solution: Hold a counterevent that doesnt involve physical proximity to the right extremists. The Southern Poverty Law Center has published a helpful guide. Among its recommendations: If the alt-right rallies, organize a joyful protest well away from them. Ask people they have targeted to speak. But as hard as it may be to resist yelling at alt-right speakers, do not confront them.

This does not mean ignoring Nazis. It means standing up to them in a way that denies them a chance for bloodshed.

The cause Heather Heyer died for is best defended by avoiding the physical confrontation that the people who are responsible for her death want.

Laurie Marhoefer is an Assistant Professor of History, University of Washington.

The Conversation

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The FTC approved Amazons (AMZN) merger with Whole Foods Market (WFM) on Wednesday afternoon. The $13.7 billion deal is Amazons largest acquisition in the companys history, but it likely wont be its last big deal.

In a new report, location intelligence service Foursquare analyzed foot traffic trails from 2.5 million Americans to create a list of brands the e-commerce behemoth may target next.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos addresses the Economic Club of New York in New York City, U.S., October 27, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

CEO Jeff Glueck points out that Amazon prefers brands that foster deeper relationships with its current shopping base. It also prefers investing in challenger brands that are smaller and more upscale than in-market competitors, according to Glueck.

Because Foursquares data reflects consumer behavior at brick-and-mortar stores, pure e-commerce brands were excluded from its analysis of the data, which was collected from January 2016 to June 2017.

The three top contenders? Upscale retailer Nordstrom, eyeglass powerhouse Warby Parker, and home improvement store Lowes.

The apparel push: Nordstrom

Nordstrom (JWN) may be a particularly strong contender to be Amazons next acquisition.

Whole Foods and Nordstrom have an overlapping customer set: Foursquares data shows that Nordstrom shoppers are almost 2x more likely to shop at Whole Foods than the average consumer. So an Amazon-owned Nordstrom chain would deepen Amazons relationships with its expanding core base, Glueck says in the report.

Nordstrom, despite talks to go private, delivered stronger-than-expected same-store sales growth in the most recent quarter. Nordstrom Rack, its discount outlet store chain, was a notable bright spot  its online store experienced 27% growth.

Glueck makes the point that while Nordstrom Rack is not the category leader among discount retailers  T.J. Maxx takes the top spot  this makes it even more attractive because Amazon can unlock its untapped potential.

Nordstrom Rack has actually lost more than 2% of its visit share to competitive discount retailers in the last two years. Amazons ability to slash prices further could lift the competitor brand, and give Amazon a strong foothold into the brick-and-mortar discount market, he says.

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Amazons latest Prime Day added more Prime subscriptions over a 24-hour period than ever before. Cowen analyst John Blackledge estimates that there are more than 54 million Prime members.

Considering the massive success and reach of corporate holidays like Amazon Prime Day, Glueck offers this possibility: Imagine if every day was Amazon Prime day at Nordstrom Rack.

Warbys big spenders

Amazon is set to open its 10th brick-and-mortar bookstore this week. Amazon has been focused on melding technology with the in-store experience, providing a showroom for its Echo products in addition to traditional books.

Glueck says that Amazon could learn from Warby Parkers showroom experiments. The online eyeglasses store now has 46 boutiques and an aggressive plan to open 25 more. Warby now makes more money per square foot in its US retail stores than Tiffanys (TIF) or Michael Kors (KORS), according to Mary Meekers 2016 Internet Trends report.

Amazons acquisition would improve Warby Parkers distribution and reduce their shipping costsfueling growth and padding pockets, too, Glueck says.

Warbys consumer base is 55% millennial and over-indexes at luxury brands like Bloomingdales (M), Williams Sonoma (WSM) and Lululemon (LULU), according to Foursquare data.

Perhaps, most importantly, Warby has similar demographics and meaningful customer overlap with Whole Foods, which further increases the various customer touch points that Amazon deeply values. Eighty percent of Warby customers also shop at Whole Foods.

Should Amazon double down on home improvement?

Home improvement has been particularly e-commerce-resistant, according to Foursquare foot traffic data.

Home Depot (HD), for example, cites its one Home Depot strategy, finding that 43% of all online transactions are actually picked up in stores.

Though Home Depot has the largest visit share (55%), Glueck says theres extremely low brand loyalty: nearly 90% of Home Depot shoppers also visited Lowes (LOW) in the past year. Thats where Amazon can swoop in and help Lowes become a competitive player.

Lowes is growing slightly faster (their share of foot traffic versus Home Depot has grown by 3% over the last 18 months) and yet they reportedly continue to suffer on margin, likely because they are so much smaller, with many fewer distribution centers. Amazon can help streamline inventory and distribution costs, he says.

Indeed, Lowes latest results revealed yet again how its unable to take on professional homebuilders and contractors as well as Home Depot does. The professional customer spends more on big-ticket items. But this creates an opportunity for Lowes to double down on the average consumer, particularly women.

Around 43% of Lowes shoppers are women versus 39% for Home Depot, according to Foursquare.

Amazon loves to win, so imagine what would happen if they cut prices and sacrificed margin to compete for marketshare, further growing their share of DIY homeowners. All together, Lowes seamlessly fits into Amazons playbook, Glueck says.

Its important to reiterate that these potential acquisitions are all Gluecks speculation based on Foursquare data on foot-traffic patterns.

Of course, the only person who could accurately predict Amazons next big deal is Jeff Bezos himself.

Melody Hahm is a writer at Yahoo Finance, covering entrepreneurship, technology and real estate. Follow her on Twitter @melodyhahm.

Read more:
The Daily Beast

NBCOn the first Saturday Night Live episode after each of the past two presidential elections, Dave Chappelle served as host and used the opportunity to share his thoughts about the state of American politics. The comedian returned for a third time this week after the midterms, but this time something was different.It was Chappelles first time hosting SNL since he came under fire for a slew of transphobic jokes in his latest Netflix special The Closer. And before he even took the stage at Studi
Outside the Phoenix Convention Center on Tuesday, hundreds of supporters and protesters gathered in triple-digit heat hours before President Trump was set to speak.

Jim Williams, head of the local Bikers for Trump chapter, told Yahoo News they were there to keep the peace.

Were just hoping to see everybody get in and out of the rally without being accosted and harassed and hurt and intimidated, Williams said.

A local group of masked antifascist protesters was there too.

Were out here today to provide support for our friends, our comrades and to the community at large, the head of Antifa Action Phoenix said.

One member of the pro-Trump biker group said, If you come to an event like this and youre wearing a mask, you have inappropriate intentions.

We dont instigate, the antifa head said. We believe in self-defense. So if they come at us spewing their hate speech, spitting at us, instigating, pushing or otherwise trying to push through people who are doing the same thing that they are  practicing their free speech rights  were going to retaliate.

Slideshow: Trump rally in Phoenix draws protesters from both sides >>>

Despite tinderbox conditions, the demonstrations before Trumps speech were peaceful. But afterward, police used pepper spray to disperse crowds of protesters.

A police spokesman told Yahoo News that some of the protesters began fighting and throwing rocks and bottles at police.

City officials had been on high alert for the event following the violence at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., earlier this month.

Though one water bottle was thrown at the police, the protesters repeatedly shouted that they had not been violent and the gas was unprovoked. The crowd dispersed and cleared the area.

Free speech! one shouted.

 With Hunter Walker and Andrew Romano reporting from Phoenix

Read more from Yahoo News:
Steph fell asleep at the wheel after friend's birthday party in Las Vegas and woke up with her life changed forever. The 20-year-old's car plunged off an overpass that night. When she regained consciousness she was told she was now a C5 quadriplegic  her spinal cord was damaged at the fifth cervical vertebra.

Steph clarifies that quadriplegia doesn't mean all four of her limbs are completely paralyzed, just that she has impaired mobility in both arms and legs.

She first tried to do makeup while at a rehab facility. I was a having a really rough day. I was really depressed and upset about my life, she admits. I talked to my occupational therapist about it. Together they found ways for her open a mascara bottle and apply it to her lashes.

Watch: Paraplegic Vet Makes Dream Come True

That small victory was a turnaround point for Steph. She began setting life goals again and became more independent.

It still frustrates me, she says, but she has a great support system. I think it's really important to have people you can completely relate to. I'm surrounded by the best girls!

It took 5 and a half years for her to get comfortable sharing her makeup techniques, but now her Instagram tutorials have more than 91,000 followers. This is her first time talking about the accident in front of an audience.

ER Physician Dr. Travis Stork is impressed that makeup became part of your actual recovery! Not just your emotional recovery, but even the physical part. Steph agrees that practicing makeup application has made her stronger and increased her function. It was complete therapy for me.

Watch: Paralyzed Bride Dreams of Motherhood

Board-Certified Spine Surgeon Dr. Hooman M. Melamed says that attitude is really, really everything. Watching Steph use her hands, Dr. Melamed thinks she has the abilities of C7 quadriplegic, so she's recovered two extra levels of function. The higher the injury to the spinal cord, the more damage, Dr. Stork explains.

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Because she uses her wrists and palms to grasp and open containers, she now has carpal tunnel from overuse of those motions. I need my wrists! Steph exclaims.

Dr. Melamed says this is a common problem, but it's easy to fix  Steph can try splinting her wrists at night for a few weeks. If that doesn't work, a steroid injection might help. Even if surgery becomes necessary, it's a simple procedure.

Watch: Is It Time to Freshen Up Your Makeup Look?

Dr. Melamed offers to see Steph free of charge and help with her continuing recovery.

Steph recently received an email from Anthony, one of the EMTs who saved her life. Now Anthony is here to meet Steph! Steph is overcome. I just feel so blessed to be able to see you! I'm so grateful that you're here. Thank you so much!

Watch: Quadriplegic Reunites with EMT who Saved Her Life

In an EMF's career you only have a handful of calls that stand out, and Steph's was one of them, Anthony tells The Doctors. I always wondered about her recovery process. He found her through her Instagram page and wanted to reach out to her.

Steph's wheelchair has broken and she using a friend's right now. In addition, her manual wheelchair aggravates her carpal tunnel issues.

The Doctors have reached out to Project Walk in Los Angeles, and they'll be giving her free physical therapy for a year  but that's not all. Colours in Motion will be creating a custom wheelchair just for Steph.

I guess the only request we have of you is, just keep inspiring! Dr. Stork concludes.
Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday that President Donald Trump has repeatedly denounced white supremacists, neo-Nazis and the KKK, despite Trump saying there were very fine people on opposing sides of a violent rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The president and I were very clear last weekend, in the wake of the terribly tragic events in Charlottesville, that we denounce hatred and bigotry and violence in all of its forms, Pence told NBCs Today show host Matt Lauer.

"He denounced hate and violence on Saturday, he did it in his address to the nation Monday, and he did it again in the press conference Tuesday, Pence said.

RTS1C3G5

Rodrigo Garrido/Reuters

Demonstrator Heather Heyer died and 19 others were injured when they were rammed by a car that police say was driven by a white supremacist activist at the march.

The white supremacist rally was held ostensibly to protest the proposed removal of a statue of Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee, who fought in the Civil War to protect Southern states' rights to keep slaves.

During a press conference at Trump Tower on August 15, Trump said there were very fine people marching in the white supremacist rally and among the counterprotesters. Trump said he opposed the removal of monuments to the Confederate army throughout the U.S. because you are changing history, youre changing culture.

Related: Can Trump recover his neo-Nazi-tainted brand?

You had many people in that group other than neo-Nazis and white nationalists. OK? And the press has treated them absolutely unfairly, he said. The march was billed as a white supremacist rally.

Following Trumps comments, former KKK grand wizard David Duke praised Trumps condemnation of leftist terrorists in the Black Lives Matter movement.

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During the rally, Duke called it a turning point to take our country back and fulfill the promises of Donald Trump. That's what we believed in. That's why we voted for Donald Trump.

During his interview on the Today show, Pence said, I can't account for the views of that person or their opinions. The president disavowed David Duke. Last week, Pence said the American media spend more time criticizing the president than they do hate groups.

Immediately after Heyer was killed, Trump issued a statement saying there was violence on both sides between white supremacists and counterprotesters. A number of white supremacists were pepper-sprayed and beaten by members of the anti-fascist movement.

Neo-Nazi Andrew Anglin of the website Daily Stormer has praised Trumps reaction to the Charlottesville rally for not singling out white supremacists.

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan told a CNN town hall on Monday night that some of Trumps comments on the Charlottesville violence were morally ambiguous.

When former neo-Nazi Christian Picciolini was asked last week about whether he considered Trumps comments a racist dog whistle to white supremacist groups on the podcast Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting, he said: Oh yeah.

Picciolini said he heard dog whistles all throughout the campaign and even as recent as two days ago, referring to the Trump Tower press conference. His nonprofit Life After Hate seeks to deradicalize and support those trying to leave the white supremacist movement. In 2016, Life After Hate received a $400,000 grant from the federal governments Countering Violent Extremism Task Force.

After Trump administration took office, we learned that our grant was being pulled, Picciolini said. Of the pool of 33 organizations that were awarded this grant, we were the only organization that was rescinded the grant, he added, and also the only organization that focused on white extremism.

Pence told Lauer that accusations of racism and courting white supremacists against the president and Trump administration are not true. As the president has made clear, we have denounced those organizations, he said. There was no moral equivalency drawn by the president between hate groups and counterprotesters who opposed them.

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Many Americans experienced a really incredible solar eclipse on Monday and a fair amount of them have since been complaining on Twitter.

Prior to the eclipse, virtually every news site warned people of the havoc the event could wreak on their eyes if they stared at the sun without adequate eye protection.

Okay, but, really: How bad can it be for you to stare at it?

Jacob Chung, chief of ophthalmology at New Jerseys Englewood Hospital, told USA Today that a second or two wouldnt hurt you but 10 seconds is probably too long, and 20 seconds is definitely too long. The result could be permanent damage to your retina.

And as for when that damage shows up? Well, Ohio optometrist Michael Schecter told the publication that blurry vision wouldnt happen for a day or two, after the affected area swells like an egg yolk.

It can take months, even a year, for eyes to return to normal, he said. If they do at all.

Chung added that if you did suffer eye damage, you wont necessarily feel any pain (fun fact: your retina doesnt have pain receptors!). So, while wed recommend those of you complaining about eye pain to go see a doctor, pain isnt a good indicator of whether youve experienced retina damage.

If youre still psyching yourself out, consider this study that looked into the symptoms of 45 patients who reported to an eye center at a Leicester, U.K. hospital after viewing the 1999 solar eclipse. A mere five had visible damage to their retinas. All of whom had indicated that they looked at the eclipse for 18 seconds or more.

So, all you concerned eclipse watchers with eye pain?

I just looked at the sun for like a second and now my eyes actually hurt this eclipse isn't a joke  Colin Duthie (@colinduthie_) August 21, 2017

I think Ima go blind  my head and eyes hurt from looking at that damn thing. I'm scared for my life right now got me praying and All   rebecca olguin (@becca_nicole3) August 21, 2017

Dude my eyes hurt I think I'm going blind...  NoahJ456 (@NoahJ456) August 22, 2017

I might be paranoid but my eyes hurt!  Jenny Han (@jennyhan) August 21, 2017

People rushed to ask Google why their 'eyes hurt' after the solar eclipse https://t.co/uSpEewYpRY pic.twitter.com/o61w1tHFE6  TNW (@TheNextWeb) August 22, 2017

Anybody else's eyes kinda hurt even tho you wore glasses? Am I gonna wake up blind? Is this the end? #eclipse2017 #hypochondriac pic.twitter.com/Licnjlaknz  Kelsey Shropshire (@klshrop_) August 21, 2017

My eyes still hurt from looking a the eclipse today. I should have just bought the stupid glasses.   Anna (@AnnaNace1) August 21, 2017

If you damaged your eyes, youll likely experience symptoms like altered vision today, but the odds are in your favor. If you didnt stare at the eclipse for more than a few seconds, youll likely be A-OK.

Story continues

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article attributed a quote from Michael Schecter to Jacob Chung.

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The Moon is seen as it starts passing in front of the Sun during the solar eclipse August 21, 2017 from Ross Lake, North Cascades National Park, Washington.

A cheerleader uses solar viewing glasses before welcoming guests to the football stadium to watch the total solar eclipse at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.

A news photographer adjusts his telephoto lens equipped with a filter in front of the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in preparation for today's solar eclipse.

A composite image, made from seven frames, shows the International Space Station, with a crew of six onboard, as it transits the Sun at roughly five miles per second during the solar eclipse.

A man looks through his solar viewing glasses in New York City.

Depoe Bay, Oregon

Ross Lake, North Cascades National Park, Washington.

Madras, Oregon.

People watch the Solar Eclipse in Depoe Bay, Oregon.

The 'diamond ring effect' is seen during a total solar is seen from the Lowell Observatory Solar Eclipse Experience in Madras, Oregon.

Depoe Bay, Oregon

A total solar eclipse is seen from the Lowell Observatory Solar Eclipse Experience in Madras, Oregon.

Totality in Depoe Bay, Oregon.

A Mexican boy looks through a telescope at the beginning of the solar eclipse, at the esplanade of the Museum of Natural History in Mexico City.

Mexico City, Mexico.

The "Bailey's Beads" effect is seen as the moon makes its final move over the sun over Madras, Oregon.

Members of the media watch the solar eclipse at the White House.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, left, and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross watch from the White House.

President Donald Trump watches from the Truman Balcony.

The sun is is in full eclipse over Grand Teton National Park outside Jackson, Wyoming.

In-camera multiple exposure of the solar eclipse as seen in Salem, Oregon.

Charleston, South Carolina.

Alliance, Nebraska.

A man takes a look at the solar eclipse at Liberty State Island in New York.

Enthusiasts Tanner Person and Josh Blink, both from Vacaville, California, atop Carroll Rim Trail at Painted Hills, a unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, near Mitchell, Oregon.

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Donald Trump is heading to Phoenix, Arizona, for a Tuesday night rally, but the citys mayor is making it very clear that he does not want the president there.

Mayor Greg Stanton (D) did not mince words in a Monday Washington Post op-ed, arguing that Trumps campaign rally was ill-timed and would cause further division. He cited the presidents widely condemned response to this months violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, as a key reason for not visiting the city.

America is hurting. And it is hurting largely because Trump has doused racial tensions with gasoline. With his planned visit to Phoenix on Tuesday, I fear the president may be looking to light a match, Stanton wrote. Thats why I asked the president to delay his visit. Its time to let cooler heads prevail and begin the healing process.

Stantons article reiterated comments he made last week, when he asked Trump to postpone the rally. He called the president out for his response to the white supremacist groups  including neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members  that sparked the deadly violence.

Phoenix residents have mounted protests ahead of Trumps rally.

After last weeks tumult, Trump is expected to galvanize his base in Arizona, particularly by discussing immigration, one of his signature campaign issues.

There is also speculation that he might pardon the infamous former Maricopa County sheriff, Joe Arpaio, who regularly faced accusations of racial profiling immigrants and operated a tent city jail known for brutal conditions.

Donald Trump with former Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio, left, in January 2016, when he endorsed the then-GOP presidential candidate. (Photo: Brian Snyder / Reuters)

A prominent Trump supporter, Arpaio was found guilty for criminal contempt last month.

A pardon of Arpaio can be viewed only as a presidential endorsement of the lawlessness and discrimination that terrorized Phoenixs Latino community, Stanton wrote. Choosing to announce it in Phoenix  especially in the wake of Charlottesville  would add insult to very serious injury and would reveal that the presidents true intent is to further divide our nation.

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Trump has also alienated members of his own party in Arizona, attacking the states senators on several occasions. The president has not only criticized Sen. Jeff Flake, he has also expressed support for the senators GOP primary opponent. Trump most recently targeted Sen. John McCain when the senator cast the pivotal vote against the GOPs revised Senate health care bill last month.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) is distancing himself from the president, announcing Monday that he would not attend Trumps rally.

Read Stantons full op-ed here.

Related Coverage

Donald Trump 'Seriously Considering' Pardoning Joe Arpaio

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton Calls On Trump To Delay Rally In Wake Of Charlottesville Violence

Trump Pardon Of Joe Arpaio Would Be A Bull Horn Calling All Racists, Critics Say

Trumps Arizona Rally Promises To Stoke Another Kind Of Racial Conflict

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A man holds up a sign during a protest against racism gathered in front of the White House, on August 14, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower.

Hundreds of protesters gather outside of Trump Tower.

A woman raises her fist at the front of a march down Washington Avenue to protest racism and the violence over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival, August 14, 2017 in New York City.

Supporters of anti-Trump protestors hold up signs inside Trump Tower ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival, August 14, 2017 in New York City.

Pedestrians walk past a 15-foot tall inflatable rat in the likeness of U.S. President Donald Trump at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street up the road from Trump Tower, August 14, 2017 in New York City.

A President Donald Trump supporter (left) argues with anti-Trump protesters as they gather outside of Trump Tower.

Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower.

Hundreds of protesters gather outside of Trump Tower.

Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue.

A man holds up a sign during a protest against racism in front of the White House.

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PHOENIX  At the conclusion of Tuesdays campaign-style rally by Donald Trump, police used pepper spray to disperse crowds of protesters who had gathered to voice their displeasure with the president.

After the president left the stage inside the Phoenix Convention Center, police deployed pepper spray balls on the hundreds of protesters who lingered outside.

Sergeant Jonathan Howard, a spokesperson for the Phoenix Police told Yahoo News the tactic had been deployed in an effort to disperse the crowd.

A screengrab from video of Phoenix police using pepper spray to disperse ant-Trump demonstrators on Aug. 22. (Video: Hunter Walker/Yahoo News)

People in the crowd began fighting and throwing rocks and bottles at police. They also dispersed some gas in the area. Police have responded with pepper balls and OC spray in an attempt to disperse the crowd and stop the assaults. Please encourage your audiences to leave the area, Howard said.

Howard said that there had been no arrests. He described the crowd dispersal efforts as ongoing.

Police were on high alert for the event following the violence in Charlottesville, Va., earlier this month that left three people dead. The atmosphere outside was tense throughout the event. There were multiple militant groups in the crowd including masked anti-fascist protesters, right-wing Proud Boys, members of multiple outlaw biker clubs, and militia men from both sides of the political spectrum who were armed with rifles. In spite of this charged atmosphere, the police largely kept the Trump supporters separated from the protesters, and there were no major violent clashes during the rally.

Police are gassing the crowd and running in. People are screaming This is not a riot! pic.twitter.com/1vgZVwBmbF  Hunter Walker (@hunterw) August 23, 2017

Shortly after 8:30 p.m., after the bulk of the Trump supporters departed, Yahoo News heard two loud crashes from the main protest area across from the convention center. As we approached, it became clear police had deployed gas on the crowd. Police then fired off more rounds that went off with loud bangs and launched into the air a grey, acidic smoke that set eyes and throats aflame. As the fumes hung in the air, lines of police clad in riot gear moved forward to ensure the crowd of protesters left.

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Slideshow: Trump rally in Phoenix draws protesters from both sides >>>

Though one water bottle was thrown at the police, the protesters repeatedly shouted that they had not been violent and the gas was unprovoked. The crowd dispersed and cleared the area.

Free speech! one shouted.

Were peaceful protesters, said another.

As the gas spread blocks away from the site of the protest, police helicopters circled the area broadcasting an announcement.

Leave the area or youll be sprayed with pepper spray, it said.

As of this writing, the police helicopters are still circling overhead, warning people to leave or they will be subject to arrest.

Protesters are still being gassed here. pic.twitter.com/RPwF4jB1TW  Hunter Walker (@hunterw) August 23, 2017

Related video:

Read more from Yahoo News:
Paula White, a televangelist and spiritual adviser to Donald Trump, appeared on television Tuesday to defend the president amid recent controversy using an unlikely Biblical comparison.

While speaking on a panel on "The Jim Bakker Show," White said that Trump's presidential victory was similar to a story from the Hebrew Bible where a woman named Esther was chosen to be queen, since both parties were unlikely to be selected for their roles.

As the scripture goes, Esther was a young, orphaned Jewish woman living in exile who, through her wits and good looks, ends up being selected by the Persian king to be his queen at a time when Jews were widely persecuted.

Because of her new position of power, Esther was able to stop a plot to murder all the Jewish people in Persia. The Bible concludes that Esther was placed in her position as queen by God to fulfill this important mission.

On Tuesday, White compared Trump to Queen Esther, saying that he, too, was selected by God to carry out a divine plan.

"They say about our president, 'Well, he is not presidential.' Thank goodness. Thank goodness. Thank goodness," White said. "And I mean that with all due respect. Because, in other words, he is not a polished politician. In other words, he is authentically, whether people like it or not, has been raised up by God."

"God says that he raises up and places all people in places of authority," she continued. "It is God who raises up a king. It is God that sets one down. When you fight against the plan of God, you are fighting against the hand of God."

White's comments were met with backlash online, with some people upset over her comparing Trump to a king.

We left England and their divine right of kings to start a new free country where Paula White could tell us opposing Trump is opposing God   Audrey Assad (@audreyassad) August 23, 2017

Dennis Olson, a professor of Old Testament theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, told the Washington Post that he also found White's analogy cryptic.

Although he told the outlet that he agrees Esther and Trump are certainly both unlikely candidates for their respective roles, he believes that there are more reasons why their stories are opposites.

"Esther's story is one about protecting persecuted ethnic minorities, while the president has won support from white supremacist groups and seeks to crack down on immigration," said Olson.
Just one day after a sober televised address on Afghanistan, President Trump returned to attack mode, waging an all-out assault on his critics during a campaign rally in Arizona.

Addressing thousands of supporters in Phoenix, Trump went on offense during a 77-minute airing of grievances against his political opponents, while protesters gathered outside.

The commander in chief criticized a war hero with brain cancer and a senator from his own party facing re-election next year on their home turf. He panned the Republican leader of the Senate, whose wife serves in his Cabinet. And he accused members of the media of being unpatriotic.

He also returned to his campaign habit of making bold promises that may prove problematic. He hinted that he may pull the U.S. out of the North American Free Trade Agreement at some point. He teased that he will pardon controversial former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of criminal contempt. And he essentially threatened a government shutdown to force Congress to pay for a border wall which he had once promised Mexico would fund.

If we have to close down our government, we are building that wall, Trump declared.

Still smarting from the poor reception of his response to the white nationalist violence in Charlottesville, Trump litigated his handling of the issue yet again. He railed against criticism that he had failed to sufficiently denounce white nationalist protesters in his initial remarks as well as at a freewheeling press conference last week.

The words were perfect, he said.

Trump also repeated the words from his initial response to the protests, which claimed the life of a counterprotester, conveniently leaving out the much-criticized part where he blamed many sides of the conflict for the violence.

He also sought to recast the debate, focusing on the Confederate monuments which sparked the protests and again arguing they should not be removed from the public square. Theyre trying to take our culture, he said. Theyre trying to take our history.

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Trumps stem-winding performance was hardly designed to win over the majority of Americans dissatisfied with his job performance or his incendiary comments on this months Charlottesville clashes. With his legislative agenda stalled, the prospect of a government shutdown rising, and scandals of his own creation dominating headlines, Trump sought to rally his core base of supporters.

The freeform performance frequently deviated from the prepared remarks on the teleprompter, as Trump repeated falsehoods about his legislative record and even suggested that news networks were cutting away from his remarks mid-speech. (CNN, his most-frequent target, carried Trumps speech live in its entirety.)

The beleaguered president trotted out some of his most high-profile surrogates for the rally, including Vice President Mike Pence, HUD Secretary Ben Carson, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and evangelical leader Franklin Graham. It came as Trump has tested the tolerance of mainstream Republicans, whom he mocked and attacked, and who have grown weary of being forced to defend their partys nominal leader.

Tellingly, Trump offered only passing mention to his Monday announcement of a new Afghanistan strategy, and made little effort to sell his stalled plans to repeal and replace Obamacare or to reform the nations tax code.

Trump expressed frustration that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has resisted his calls to eliminate the filibuster for legislation, and took swings at the lawmakers whose votes he needs for most of his agendaand whose seats stand in the way of Democrats wielding subpoena power over his administration.

Trump took thinly-veiled shots at Arizonas two GOP senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, who have been frequent critics. Although he avoided mentioning their names at the behest of Republican leaders in Washington, Trumps targets could hardly have been clearer. He bemoaned being one vote away on replacing the Affordable Care Act before McCains no-vote. And he attacked Flake as someone whos weak on borders, whos weak on crime. One of Flakes potential primary opponents, Arizona State Treasurer Jeff DeWit, flew with Trump Tuesday from Yuma to Phoenix aboard Air Force One.

Trump, who met with border patrol officers earlier in the day, again promised to build a wall along the southern borderbut conceded to officers calls for it to be transparent. And he laid out a clear marker that funding for it be included in any measure to fund the government in the coming fiscal yeara sticking point for lawmakers on Capitol Hill as Republicans are likely to need to win over Democratic votes to keep the government open.

Trump, who has been considering a pardon for Arpaio, teased that one would soon be forthcoming for his criminal contempt of court conviction stemming from a racial profiling case. I wont do it tonight, because I dont want to cause any controversy, Trump said, after first polling the crowd how they felt about the disgraced law enforcement official, but Sheriff Joe can feel good.

Less than a week into his Administrations efforts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, Trump signaled his pessimism on the talks with Canada and Mexico. I think well probably end up terminating NAFTA at some point, he said.

But Trump reserved his toughestand longestcriticism for the media, devoting roughly 30 minutes to attacking the press, whom he accused of being disloyal. I really think they dont like our country, he said, I really believe it.

The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news, the president added.

Trump blasted the failing New York Times, accused the Washington Post of being a lobbying front for owner Jeff Bezos Amazon, and mocked ABC News anchor George Stephanopolous height. Trump lamented CNNs decision to fire pro-Trump contributor Jeffrey Lord after he tweeted Sieg Heil! in response to a critic.

They fired poor Jeffrey, Trump said.

It was an entirely superfluous defense, as presidents dont typically take the time to defend the cable news pundits who defend them, much less ones who make such obvious mistakes. But Trump showed, as he did in the rest of his remarkable rally, that no slight was too small to ignore.
President-elect Donald Trump walks from a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November: Getty Images

The top Republican in the Senate is said to be privately questioning whether Donald Trump can salvage his administration and has reportedly not spoken to the President for weeks.

The cold relationship between Mr Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could threaten the Republican legislative agenda, which is already months behind schedule.

Members of the party face several urgent deadlines when they return to Washington next month, and Mr Trump has still not secured a major legislative victory since being inaugurated in January.

Relations between Mr Trump and Mr McConnell appeared to frost earlier this month after the majority leader failed to get enough support for a bill that would have dismantled Obamacare, otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act. Less than two weeks after the Republicans' colossal defeat, Mr McConnell contended that the President's excessive expectations about the speed of the democratic process.

Senator Mitch McConnell said I had excessive expectations, but I don't think so, Mr Trump fired back on Twitter. After 7 years of hearing Repeal & Replace, why not done?

The President continued to berate Mr McConnell on the social media platform and, according to the New York Times, got into a profane shouting match with the senator during a phone call on 9 August.

The newspaper reported that Mr McConnell has expressed anger and frustration over Mr Trump's regular threats against fellow Republicans and criticism of Senate rules.

The majority leader has apparently also mused over whether the President will be in a position to lead the Republican party during the 2018 midterm elections and beyond, the Times said, citing people who have spoken to Mr McConnell directly.

The issue is complicated by the face that McConnells wife, Elaine Chao, is in Mr Trumps cabinet serving as his Secretary of Transportation.

When asked last week what she thought of her boss's criticism of her husband, Ms Chao told reporters, I stand by my man  both of them.
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's justice minister proposed a significant overhaul of the judicial system on Wednesday which the president called an attack on the rule of law that would set the country back a decade. Romania is seen as one of the EU's most corrupt states and Brussels keeps its justice system under special monitoring. Attempts by the ruling coalition of Social Democrats and junior partner ALDE to weaken a crackdown on high-level corruption triggered the country's largest street protests in decades at the start of the year. Justice Minister Tudorel Toader proposed a slew of changes on Wednesday ranging from the way chief prosecutors are appointed to setting up a special prosecuting unit for crimes committed by magistrates. "The proposals ... constitute an attack against the rule of law, the independence and proper functioning of the judiciary as well as the anti-corruption fight," centrist President Klaus Iohannis said in a statement. "If this mix of measures is adopted by the government and approved by parliament, Romania's efforts for more than 10 years will be wiped out and the justice system will go back to a time when it was subordinated to politics." Under Romanian law, the president appoints chief prosecutors who have been proposed by the justice minister and received non-binding approval from the Superior Magistrates' Council (CSM), the top watchdog that safeguards judicial independence. Toader also proposed that the justice minister, who is politically appointed, take control of the judicial inspection unit from the CSM. Analysts and magistrates have said this would lead to political interference in the justice system. The Prosecutor General's office said these proposals were an alarm signal, adding that prosecutors had not been consulted. Toader declined to answer questions but told reporters the proposals were "within normal and necessary parameters for the rule of law." The proposals will be send to the CSM for an opinion before being submitted to the government and ultimately parliament for approval. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
President Trump and Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash. (Photos: Getty Images/AP)

WASHINGTON  The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee predicted on Wednesday that his party will absolutely resist President Trumps newly announced Afghan war plan  at least until they get details of his approach, including negotiations with Islamist Taliban forces.

There will be two areas of resistance. One is, there are a fair number of people who want to get out, who say that, you know, This isnt working, isnt helping us, we should just get out right away, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., told Yahoo News on SiriusXM radio.

And then there are going to be people  and I put myself more in this camp  that want to see the details, the lawmaker said.

We dont want to give the president a blank check to do whatever hes going to do if we dont know where hes going with his policy, or what his plans are for our troops and for our commitment there, Smith said. And thats what was really absent from his speech.

Smith said he would press top Trump officials in upcoming hearings on the strategy about how they envision potential negotiations with the Taliban.

The congressman said he has been discussing the nearly 16-year conflict  now Americas longest war  with top Trump officials, including Defense Secretary James Mattis.

Im hearing that, basically, the plan is to fight to a stalemate to try to negotiate with the Taliban and that the one item is no support for transnational terrorists, that, basically, we can live with whatever it is they make Afghanistan into as long as it doesnt turn on us like it did with [Osama] bin Laden, al-Qaida and 9/11, Smith said. So I want to hear them say that publicly, or if its something different to say that publicly.

Ceding Afghanistan to the Taliban, which U.S.-led forces removed from power after the military refused to turn over bin Laden in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, would be a remarkable turn in American policy.

Smith said he would also press Trump officials on funding the escalation and on how it could affect military readiness, already hampered by the frenetic pace of deployments since the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

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Smith said that its an absolute fact that any strategy will have to rely at least as much on tribal authorities as on the relatively weak central government in Kabul.

Afghanistan has never been centrally controlled  except briefly when the Soviet Union was there, and we all know how that came out, he said. Kabul is never going to control that country. Its just not going to happen.

Read more from Yahoo News:
The U.S. and its NATO allies launched their invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 in a mission to oust the ruling Taliban and deny the militants who planned the 9/11 attacks a safe haven while establishing a democratic state.

Sixteen years later and the U.S. involvement in the central Asian country shows no signs of coming to an end. President Donald Trump bowed to pressure from military officials and announced a 4,000-troop surge Monday.

Below, Newsweek reviews some of the blunders the U.S. has made over the decade and a half of its involvement.

1. Going it alone against the Taliban

The U.S. made a key mistake early, in refusing help from NATO allies to defeat the Taliban after the invasion, according to experts.

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld reportedly believed that defeating the Islamist militia was a task best accomplished by the U.S. alone, without other militaries getting in the way, and he appeared vindicated when the Taliban rapidly crumpled.

However, when U.S. forces were pulled out to take part in the 2004 invasion of Iraq, NATO forces were insufficient to prevent Taliban forces from re-establishing a foothold.

By the time NATO got involved big time, a new civil war was underway and the best opportunity to build a stable Afghanistan had been squandered, wrote Stephen Walt, the Robert and Renee Belfer professor of international relations at Harvard, in Foreign Policy magazine in 2014.

2. Planning based on wishful thinking

In a 2010 report, Pentagon chiefs detailed significant failings in the past decades U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The report reserved its toughest criticism for how the U.S. handled key transition moments, such as NATO's 2006 takeover of military operations in Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, the planning assumed that the chief duty of international troops after 2006 would be reconstruction and humanitarian aidan assumption that turned out to be widely off the mark as the Taliban launched an insurgency.

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Taliban

Stringer/Reuters

The reason, the report says, was that military planning was based on U.S. expectations instead of those consistent with the host nation and missionin other words, wishful thinking.

For example, the report notes, the planned end-state for Afghanistan was envisioned to be a strong central government despite no record of such a government in its history and lack of broad popular support for that system of governance.

3. Corrupt governance

The 2004 constitution for the post-Taliban Afghanistan established a republican state, in which the government in Kabul and President Hamid Karzai wielded enormous authority, bypassing local traditions of regional autonomy.

The system was ripe for exploitation by corrupt officials, who established extensive patronage networks. It also lacked the resources and staff to function efficiently, rendering the country dependent on foreign assistance.

Hamid Karzai

Omar Sobhani/Reuters

Most Afghans care little for Kabul, however, and even less so for the men Kabul sends to lead their local governance. They want local officials who look like them, speak like them, and whom they know. The lack of coordination between top down government and bottom up democracy only adds to dysfunction, wrote Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a senior lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School in 2012.

4. Spiraling drug trade

In the wake of the 2001 invasion, the U.S. pledged to wipe out Afghanistans opiate trade, which is the source of much of the worlds heroin.

The U.S. government has spent $12 billion on eradication efforts, yet Afghanistan now supplies around 90 percent of the worlds opium.

GettyImages-1540301

Getty

Some critics argue that the higher prices commanded by opium as a result of eradication efforts has incentivized impoverished farmers to crow poppies, boosting opium production.

Others point to local corruption and flat-rate taxes imposed in Taliban-controlled areas as factors, with poppies cheaper to harvest and more lucrative than legal crops.

The Taliban has profited from the botched eradication efforts, forming cartels to control production and distribution, and taking an estimated $200 million to $400 million a year from the illicit opium economy.

5. Millions spent on Italian goats

The U.S. has spent hundreds of millions attempting to boost the legitimate Afghan economy, with the Task Force for Business Stability Operations (TFBSO), a U.S. Department of Defense agency, spending $800 million on various projects and initiatives from 2009 to 2015.

Among those detailed in a 2015 Senate hearing was a bid to boost the cashmere industry by importing nine rare Italian goats. The goats went missing, presumably eaten, and the $6 million project was never completed.

John Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, testified at the hearing that many TFBSO projects had been managed poorly or not at all and that they suffered from waste, fraud and abuse.

6. Obama surge

Soon after taking office, President Barack Obama ordered a troop surge in Afghanistan to combat a resurgent Taliban, with the president initially committing 17,000 extra troops to the country and then a further 30,000 in 2009.

Barack Obama in Afghanistan

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

The presidents decision to set a timeline for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan undermined the mission, critics say. The timeline notified the Taliban how long they would have to hang on until the U.S. presence dwindled and they could gear up their attacks, and it eroded the chances the militants would surrender, critics charge.

The U.S. began the drawdown of its military forces from Afghanistan in 2014.

Immediately, our NATO partners started charting their own departure, not necessarily on a coherent coalition timeline. Any Afghan official who cared about his own survival took the hint that they should begin to make their accommodation to Pakistan, Iran, or the Taliban, wrote Rubin.

Then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates had warned ahead of the Obamas announcement that a timeline could strengthen extremist groups.

Taliban and Al-Qaeda, as far as theyre concerned, defeated one superpower. For them to be seen to defeat a second, I think, would have catastrophic consequences in terms of energizing the extremist movement, Al-Qaeda recruitment, operations, fundraising and so on. I think it would be a huge setback for the United States, said Gates in 2009 in a CNN interview.

Related Articles
Barcelona (AFP) - At least 15 people were killed and more than 100 injured in twin attacks in which vehicles were used to mow down pedestrians on Barcelona's most popular street and in Cambrils, a busy seaside resort town.

- What happened -

Around 4:50 pm (1450 GMT) on Thursday, a white van ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians on the famous Las Ramblas boulevard in Barcelona.

One of the city's busiest streets, the promenade is normally thronged with tourists and street performers until well into the night.

The van rammed through the crowds for more than 500 metres (yards), leaving bodies strewn along the boulevard as others fled for their lives. The driver fled on foot.

- The second attack -

About eight hours later, just after midnight local time (2200 GMT), an Audi A3 carrying five suspects smashed into pedestrians in the resort town of Cambrils, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Barcelona.

Six civilians and a police officer were injured before the vehicle was halted at a police check-point where an officer shot and killed four of the suspects, who were wearing fake explosive belts and carrying knives.

But one man got away, and managed to slash a woman who later died of her wounds, before he was also shot dead.

- The victims -

The attacks killed at least 15 people and wounded over 100, with tourists from three dozen countries perishing in the carnage.

Among the dead and the injured were nationals from Australia, Britain, China, France, the Netherlands, Mauritania, Pakistan and Venezuela.

At least one American was also killed in the attacks along with three Italians, a Portuguese woman and her granddaughter and a Canadian. Two children were among the dead.

So far France appears to have the most citizens affected, with 30 wounded, eight of whom are in serious condition.

- The suspects -

Both attacks were claimed by the Islamic State group.

Officials suspect at least 12 people of involvement in the attacks, many of them Moroccans.

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Four suspects have been arrested -- a Spaniard and three Moroccans.

Two of them -- Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 21, and Driss Oukabir, 27 -- were remanded in custody and charged with terror related offences.

But the third man who owns the car used in the Cambrils attack, Mohamed Aallaa, was granted conditional release, with the judge saying evidence against him was weak.

The judge gave himself three more days to decide if the fourth suspect, Salh El Karib -- who manages a store that allows people to make calls abroad -- should be remanded or released from custody.

The other eight were killed by security forces or blown up when explosives accidentally detonated in the attackers' likely bomb factory.

Police on Monday shot dead Younes Abouyaaqoub, the 22-year-old Moroccan who they believe drove the Barcelona rampage van, in Subirats -- about 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the Catalan capital.

After the attack on Las Ramblas, he hijacked a car to make his getaway, stabbing to death its driver. The Ford Focus was found in a town just outside of Barcelona.

Three of the five suspects killed in Cambrils have been identified as Moroccan nationals: Moussa Oukabir, 17; Said Aallaa, 18; and Mohamed Hychami, 24.

The other two suspects died in an explosion late Wednesday at a house in Alcanar, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Barcelona, where police found around 120 gas canisters.

One of them was a Moroccan imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, suspected of having radicalised youths who carried out the attacks. The other fatality has not been identified.

Police believe the men had accidentally set off explosives they were preparing for "one or more attacks" in Barcelona.

The cell was planning "an attack on an even greater scale, targeting monuments," according to a judicial source.

Traces of the ingredients needed to make TATP -- the explosive of choice for the IS group -- were also detected in the likely bomb factory, which is still being combed by forensic experts.

At the same time, French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told BFMTV that the Audi used in Cambrils was detected by speed cameras in the Paris region while making "a very rapid return trip" days before the Spanish attacks.

- The 2004 attack -

Although Spain has largely avoided the Islamist bloodshed that has blighted Europe in recent years, it remains the scene of the continent's deadliest jihadist attack, when bombs ripped through commuter trains in Madrid in March 2004, killing 191 people.

That attack was claimed by Al Qaeda-inspired extremists.
Madrid (AFP) - A suspected member of the terror cell that unleashed carnage in Spain last week admitted to a judge on Tuesday that the jihadists had planned to hit monuments in an even bigger attack.

Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 21, said he knew of the plans two months ago, as he, and three other suspects, appeared in court for the first time since twin attacks killed 15 people and wounded more than 100.

The four are the only surviving suspects from what was believed to be a 12-man terror cell that rammed a van into pedestrians on a tourist-packed boulevard in Barcelona on Thursday. Hours later, members of the group committed a similar attack in Cambrils further south.

After a full day hearing before the judge, Chemlal and another suspect, Driss Oukabir, 27, were remanded in custody and charged with terror related offences.

But the third man who owns the car used in the Cambrils attack, Mohamed Aallaa, was granted conditional release, with the judge saying evidence against him was weak.

The judge gave himself three more days to decide if the fourth suspect, Salh El Karib -- who manages a store that allows people to make calls abroad -- should be remanded or released from custody.

Chemlal, a Spaniard, told the judge the cell was planning "an attack on an even greater scale, targeting monuments" using bombs, a judicial source told AFP.

He had known of the plans for an attack "at least two months ago", he added.

- 'Imam wanted to blow himself up' -

Chemlal, dressed in hospital pyjamas and with his right hand bandaged, was brought in after a doctor said he was fit for interrogation, a court spokesman told AFP.

He was injured in an accidental explosion at the group's makeshift bomb factory on Wednesday evening. One of those killed in the blast was an imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, who is thought to have radicalised him and other young suspects.

Chemlal only survived because he was out on the porch when the blast occurred.

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He told the judge the imam had wanted to blow himself up. The judicial source said that among the four suspects, "two blamed the imam for the plot while another two denied knowing him".

Earlier, police had revealed that the suspected jihadists had been preparing bombs for "one or more attacks in Barcelona".

Details on their plans were outlined in the 14-page ruling issued following Tuesday's preliminary hearing.

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Police clearing the rubble in Alcanar found "a large quantity of butane gas canisters, acetone, oxygenated water, bicarbonate, a large quantity of nails ... and detonators to spark the explosion," said the court papers.

These are among key ingredients of TATP -- the explosive of choice of the Islamic State group, which has claimed the attacks.

In the rubble, police also found a sheet of paper slipped into a green-coloured book, which said: "A brief letter from the soldiers of the Islamic State on the territory of Al Andalous to the crusaders, the sinners, the unjust and the corrupters".

Al Andalous is the name of the territories governed until 1492 by Muslims better known as Moors.

But the accidental explosion in their bomb factory -- a house in Alcanar, south of Barcelona -- forced the suspects to alter their plans.

- Plan B -

After losing their bombs and two of their members in the blast in Alcanar, the jihadists decided a day after to rent a van.

But they once again suffered a false start as its driver was involved in an accident, not far from Cambrils.

A second van rented by Driss Oukabir was used two hours later in the Barcelona rampage.

In court on Tuesday, Oukabir admitted renting the van but said he did so for moving purposes.

Aallaa, freed conditionally and the owner of the Audi used in Cambrils, said it was registered under his name for insurance reasons but that his brother Said, 19, used it.

The court hearing came five days after the twin vehicle assaults.

Spanish police on Monday shot dead Younes Abouyaaqoub, the suspected Barcelona van driver, the last fugitive member of the cell.

While Catalan police say the cell has been dismantled, investigators are trying to determine if it had support from other individuals.

Questions are also arising about the group's possible international connections.

- Audi in Paris, imam in Belgium -

In Belgium, the mayor of the Vilvorde region told AFP that Satty spent time in the Brussels suburb of Machelen -- next to the city's airport -- between January and March 2016.

And in France, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told BFMTV that the Audi used to kill people in Cambrils had been detected by speed cameras in the Paris region while making "a very rapid return trip" days before the Spanish attacks.

Collomb is due to host Spanish counterpart Juan Ignacio Zoido on Wednesday for talks due to include anti-terrorism cooperation.

At least one of the suspects also spent a night in Zurich in December, according to Swiss police.
On Nov. 1, Linn Benton Food Shares warehouse in Tangent received two truckloads of food and household supplies arranged by the local branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A State Department science envoy's letter of resignation appears to have a hidden message for the president: "IMPEACH."

Daniel M. Kammen, one of seven science envoys for the State Department, tweeted a photo of the coded letter of resignation on Wednesday morning. Kammen cited President Donald Trump's "failure to condemn white supremacists and neo-Nazis," and his response to a deadly "alt-right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia as the reason for stepping down.

SEE ALSO: Another one of Donald Trump's committees just resigned in protest

The letter also alludes to Trump's stances on environmental issues, such as his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, in his letter.

"Your actions to date have, sadly, harmed the quality of life in the United States, our standing abroad, and the sustainability of the planet," he wrote.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the letter, however, is the way the first letter of each paragraph forms an acrostic that spells out "impeach."

Mr. President, I am resigning as Science Envoy. Your response to Charlottesville enables racism, sexism, & harms our country and planet. pic.twitter.com/eWzDc5Yw6t  Daniel M Kammen (@dan_kammen) August 23, 2017

Science envoys have a number of roles within the government, but above all, they serve a foreign policy function by focusing "on issues of common interest in science, technology, and engineering fields." According to the State Department's website, they generally serve for one year.

Kammen's resignation letter with the acrostic highlighted in blue.

Image: daniel kammen/mashable

Kammen is an energy expert at the University of California at Berkeley, who directs the school's Renewable and Appropriate Energy Lab. According to a recent article in the journal Nature, Kammen is among a group of scientists working with California Governor, and prominent Trump antagonist, Jerry Brown to create a major state-based climate and energy research program.

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He confirmed the letter in an email to Mashable and said he sent it to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and President Trump as well.

Past science envoys include Jane Lubchenco, the former head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Ahmed Zewail, winner of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Trump can't afford to lose any scientists from his administration, considering he lacks a White House science advisor, and has barely staffed the Office of Science and Technology Policy, which exists to advise the Executive Branch on science and engineering issues, among other tasks.

Kammen isn't the first to resign with such a flourish. On Aug. 18, the entire humanities and the arts council resigned with an acrostic that said "resist."
Jarvis Johnson and Bikers for Trump founder Chris Cox argue outside of President Trumps rally in Phoenix, Aug. 22, 2017. (Photo: Hunter Walker/Yahoo News)

PHOENIX  Temperatures and tempers ran hot as President Trump prepared to hold a rally at the Phoenix Convention Center on Tuesday evening. Crowds of Trump supporters and protesters feuded in the triple-digit heat outside the event, while many wondered whether the president would launch an attack on his critics inside the Republican Party.

Police attempted to keep Trumps fans away from the protesters, many of whom carried signs that criticized the presidents response to the violence in Charlottesville, Va., earlier this month. The dueling crowds did taunt each other across fences and, at times, the lines were crossed. At one point, a group of protesters carrying a sign that declared F*** Trump and one that blended the presidential 45 with a Nazi swastika walked alongside the long line of the presidents supporters. The anti-Trump contingent drew an angry response from the presidents supporters, who stretched in long lines around the building that reportedly included some Trump fans who waited outside since Monday night.

Get back on the other side! shouted one of the Trump supporters.

Get a job! yelled another.

The Trump supporters cheered as a loud roar of motorcycles erupted from a nearby street.

Thats Bikers for Trump! one said, referencing a group of motorcyclists that formed during last years election to provide security for pro-Trump events.

Police are in front of a fence separating Trump supporters and protesters. The groups are yelling back and forth at each other. pic.twitter.com/gJ5ZPpx1y3  Hunter Walker (@hunterw) August 22, 2017

Many of the protesters in Phoenix chanted No Trump! No KKK! No fascist USA! Some also carried photos of Heather Heyer, a young woman who was killed at a right wing rally in Charlottesville when a neo-Nazi sympathizer drove his car into a crowd of protesters. Two police officers were also killed after their helicopter crashed as they attempted to respond to clashes between the right-wing rallygoers and protesters.

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Slideshow: Trump rally in Phoenix draws protesters from both sides >>>

Trump was widely criticized for his responses to the chaos in Charlottesville as he blamed both sides for the violence rather than focusing on the white supremacists who came to the rally. The president also empathized with the rally attendees concern about the removal of Confederate monuments.

The crowds outside Trumps Phoenix rally also included several groups taking advantage of Arizonas open carry laws and brandishing rifles. One group of camouflage-clad men armed with assault rifles repeatedly said no comment as Yahoo News asked them why they came to the rally. Another group with guns and camp had signs identifying them as the John Brown Gun Club. One of the members offered a quick explanation of their presence.

Were a community defense organization, so were here to provide security and make sure nobody is attacked by white nationalists or fascists, the man said before walking away.

Trump supporters and protesters face off near the Phoenix Convention Center as the president holds a rally inside, Aug. 22, 2017. (Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images)

In addition to the tensions in the streets, Trumps rally in the Arizona capital highlighted drama inside the GOP. The states two U.S. senators, Jeff Flake and John McCain, have been some of Trumps harshest Republican critics in Washington. Flake is currently up for reelection and Trump has attacked Flake while praising his opponent, Kelli Ward. Ahead of Trumps Phoenix event, speculation swirled about whether he would fire further shots at Flake or offer Ward an endorsement from the stage. However, Ward was not granted a spot inside the rally with invited VIPs. Ahead of the event, she walked along the lines of Trump supporters outside, many of whom carried her signs and stickers. Ward told Yahoo News she was excited to welcome President Trump to Phoenix.

Im here for the real VIPs. The real VIPs are right here [outside], the voters of Arizona, Ward said when Yahoo asked if she was concerned about not receiving a special invitation to the event.

Ward wasnt sure if Trump would attack Flake from the stage, but she seemed hopeful.

Trump supporters face off with peace activists during protests outside a Trump rally in Phoenix, Aug. 22, 2017. (Photo: Sandy Huffaker/Reuters)

There certainly are all kinds of reasons for why Donald Trump doesnt agree with Senator Flake. Hes got bad policies, bad on the border, bad on crime, and hes also a non-entity in the U.S. Senate, said Ward.

Some of Trumps fans at the event were less eager to see him take on Republican rivals.

Sean Lewis, a plumber from Phoenix, said he was at the rally because he voted for Trump and its time people get behind him and start supporting the president of the United States. While Lewis said Republicans in Congress need to get behind [Trump] too, he wasnt fully on board with the presidents attacks on McCain. Lewis called Trumps comment criticizing McCain for getting captured in Vietnam disgusting.

The one thing I will say I dont like about Trump is what he said about McCain, explained Lewis.

Eric Schaefer, a Phoenix resident who owns a granite countertop company, seemed eager to take on one of Trumps favorite targets  the press. As he waited in line, Lewis began shouting at Yahoo News as we photographed a protester with a sign that said No racism.

Crooked media! yelled Schaefer.

Schaefer said he feels Trumps presidency is going great except for the crooked media. He predicted the media would cover the protests rather than the average American people who showed up to support the president. Though he said the protesters had a right to express themselves, Lewis argued it was inappropriate for them to carry signs comparing Trump to Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan.

A protester wears a costume likeness of Sheriff Joe Arpaio as a member of the KKK with a caricature of President Trump outside the Phoenix Convention Center, Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. (Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)

I dont see any people in here with hatred signs toward racism and bigots and neo-Nazis, he said of the Trump supporters.

Schaefer also had harsh words for the Republicans in Washington who have criticized Trump.

We voted them in to stand up with the president, Schaefer declared, adding, All these people are turncoats.

Nevertheless, Schaefer indicated he didnt want to see Trump use the rally to attack Flake or McCain, who he called the biggest turncoat there ever was.

I dont think he should be talking stuff about people in his own party. I think he should just lay low and do what he needs to do, Schaefer said of Trump.

Outside the rally, the crowds appeared ready for far more direct confrontations. Though police tried to keep opposing groups apart, Chris Cox, the imposing founder of Bikers For Trump, walked right through the middle of the protests. As Cox passed, protesters followed him shouting shame! and racist! An African-American man named Jarvis Johnson stood in front of Cox.

Protesters outside the Phoenix Convention Center, Aug. 22, 2017. (Photos: Matt York/AP)

I aint scared of you! You need to be over there! Johnson said to the biker.

Youre a big boy. Youre a big boy, Cox replied to the far shorter man. Ill be wherever I want.

Well you shouldnt be over here! Johnson screamed.

After the pair separated, Cox said his experience showed the attitude of the left.

I got dropped off on my Uber down here. Im going to walk through here on my way to the event, Cox said of the protest. Im not going to go around it. I got every right to be here.

Johnson accused Cox of trying to ramp up the tensions.

He shouldnt be over here. Hes over here to antagonize us, said Johnson. We wont have it. We wont take it no more.

While he blamed Cox for being provocative, Johnson said he wasnt bothered by the bikers use of the term boy, which is widely considered a racial epithet.

He can say what he wants to say. That dont bother me. I dont let the small stuff sweat me, Johnson said of Cox. He was asking me  am I scared of him. I aint scared of nobody out here.

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Yahoo Finance is tracking Starbucks, HP, PVH Corp and Fiat Chrysler in intraday trading on Wednesday.

Starbucks gets slapped with a downgrade

Cleveland Research downgraded Starbucks (SBUX) to neutral from buy, triggering a move lower for shares of the coffee giant. The downgrade comes on the heels of Morgan Stanleys comments on Starbucks Tuesday. In a note to clients, Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Hayes said Starbucks could be poised for a rebound, arguing that the market has already accounted for Starbucks more moderate rate of growth. Shares of the coffee giant are down 12% over the past three months.

Wall Street braces for HP earnings after the bell

HP (HPQ) is scheduled to report fiscal third-quarter earnings after the bell Wednesday amid a healthier PC market. Analysts are expecting earnings of 42 cents a share on revenue of $12.31 billion, a 3% increase from a year ago. Mizuho said it sees potential upside to the computer makers estimates, driven by improving fundamentals and performance in its printing business. HP shares have jumped nearly 28% since the start of the year.

Fiat Chrysler shares jump on report of Maserati spinoff

Shares of Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) jumped in early trading on Wednesday following a Bloomberg report that its considering slimming down its operations to focus on mass-market cars. The report discusses the potential for Fiat to spin off its Maserati and Alfa Romeo brands in an effort to boost value. According to Bloomberg, a decision may not be final until early 2018.

Retail back in focus with PVH Corp earnings on tap

The parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger is scheduled to report earnings after the market close on Wednesday. Analysts are expecting a profit of $1.64 a share on revenue of $2.04 billion. Shares of PVH Corp (PVH) have soared so far this year, driven by strong results overseas. The stock is up 32% since January 1.

For more on Wednesdays big stock movers and breaking earnings after the bell, check out The Final Round, starting at 3:55 p.m. ET, right here on Yahoo Finance.
President Trump lashed out at the media Tuesday for what he characterized as unfair coverage of his response to violence in Charlottesville, Va., where a rally organized by white supremacists ended with the death of a counterprotester.

Speaking at a Phoenix campaign rally, Trump recited a portion of his initial remarks on Aug. 12, the day of the unrest, but neglected to repeat his controversial claim that many sides were responsible for the violence.

That line was widely panned, and lawmakers of both parties urged him to explicitly denounce the white supremacist groups, which he did after two days of silence.

In his initial statement, Trump said, Were closely following the terrible events unfolding in Charlottesville, Va. We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence  on many sides, on many sides.

On Tuesday in Phoenix, Trump rehashed his initial remarks.

Heres what I said on Saturday: Were closely following the terrible events unfolding in Charlottesville, Va. This is me speaking: We condemn in the strongest, possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence. Thats me speaking on Saturday, right after the event, Trump said.

At the rally, he lamented he was not given more credit for his eventual condemnation of hate groups in Charlottesville.

I hit em with neo-Nazi, Trump said, flipping through a copy of his remarks he had grabbed earlier from his jacket pocket. I hit em with everything. I got the white supremacists, the neo-Nazi. I got em all in there. Lets see. KKK, we have KKK.

He touted the comments in a Wednesday tweet.

Last night in Phoenix I read the things from my statements on Charlottesville that the Fake News Media didn't cover fairly. People got it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2017

Trump did indeed condemn those white supremacist groups in his second Charlottesville statement, on Aug. 14, but the next day at a press conference, he returned to his initial rhetoric.

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I think theres blame on both sides, and I have no doubt about it, Trump said then. In a quip that sparked fury, he then said there were very fine people on both sides, in Charlottesville.

At his Phoenix rally, Trump compared his initial failure to name the hate groups with former President Barack Obamas refusal to call out radical Islamic terrorists for attacks. Obama argued that groups like ISIS were not actually Islamic, and his administration believed the term would alienate Muslim allies.

To the best of my knowledge, when there was a big problem, Barack Obama never said it took place because of radical Islamic terrorists, he never said that, Trump said.

They have a double standard, he continued. Because the media is totally dishonest, and they have a double standard. You never heard them say that. And in fact, if you use the term youd get criticized. But with me, they wanted me to say it, and I said it. And I said it very clearly, but they refused to put it on.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Speaking at a rally in Phoenix, president attempts to counter widespread, bipartisan condemnation of his response to far-right violence

 Trump heads to Phoenix for large rally but visit likely to increase tensions

Donald Trump has sought to portray himself as the true victim of the deadly events in Charlottesville, launching an all-out assault on the media and branding journalists who do not like our country as the true source of division in America.

At a rally in Phoenix, evocative of his populist election campaign, the US president attacked coverage of his response to the white supremacist violence and complained bitterly to his audience about how he had been treated.

He re-read three statements he made in the wake of the tragedy and, deploying authoritarian rhetoric, declared: Its time to expose the crooked media deceptions and to challenge the media for their role in fomenting divisions and yes, by the way, they are trying to take away our history and our heritage. The crowd  some scowling, some laughing  turned and jeered at journalists in the media enclosure and chanted: CNN sucks! CNN sucks!

Even as he spoke protesters outside the Phoenix Convention Center had gathered to voice anger at his presence. Police used smoke bombs and teargas on the crowds after plastic bottles were reportedly thrown.

A taxi driver becomes trapped as police pepper spray and tear gas demonstrators after a rally by Donald Trump in Phoenix. Photograph: David McNew/Getty Images

The rally was the latest example of Trump as a Jekyll and Hyde public performer, coming just 24 hours after a sober speech to the military setting out future strategy in Afghanistan.

On Tuesday he was back in his element, pugnacious and freewheeling, throwing red meat to an eager crowd. The arena, which has a capacity of 19,000, was mostly full of people waving signs saying Drain the swamp, Make America proud again and Women for Trump.

What happened in Charlottesville on 12 August?

White nationalists gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia, to protest against a plan to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee, the Confederacys top general in the American civil war.

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Demonstrators chanted racist statements, carried antisemitic placards and held torches during the Unite the Right rally, which was organised by white nationalist Jason Kessler.

The march was met by anti-fascist demonstrators, and some skirmishes broke out before James Fields, 20, allegedly ploughed a car into a group of counter-demonstrators.

Civil rights activist Heather Heyer, 32, died and others were injured. Fields has been charged with murder.

The president caused outrage when, in a chaotic press conference at Trump Tower, he blamed both sides for the carnage in Charlottesville. On Tuesday night he insisted that he had in fact condemned hatred, bigotry and violence as well as neo-Nazis, white supremacists and the Ku Klux Klan.

He took his first statement on Charlottesville from his pocket and told his audience: You know where my heart is. Im really doing this to show you how damned dishonest these people are  I dont want to bore you with this but it shows you how dishonest they are.

Trump proceeded to read out the remarks to polite applause, although he failed to repeat the inflammatory words he had used when he blamed both sides.

He repeatedly broke off from his teleprompter to call out the failing New York Times and Washington Post, which he branded a lobbying tool for Amazon. Amazons founder, Jeff Bezos, bought the Post but the entities have no relationship.

But it was when the president mentioned CNN  which is so bad and so pathetic and their ratings are going down  that the crowd booed loudly and burst into a chorus of CNN sucks!

Trump even made reference to the former CNN contributor Jeffrey Lord, who was fired for tweeting the Nazi salute Sieg Heil at a liberal activist. Poor Jeffrey, the president said. I guess he was getting a little bit fed up and was probably fighting back too hard and they said, We gotta get out of here.

The president also mocked the protesters outside, claiming the turnout against Tuesdays rally was lower than expected. He returned to a theme of moral equivalence for which he was criticised in the wake of Charlottesville: You know, they show up in the helmets and the black masks. Theyve got clubs and theyve got everything.

Protestors gather outside Donald Trumps rally in Phoenix, Arizona. Photograph: Sandy Huffaker/Reuters

Antifa! he shouted  a term used to describe anti-fascist groups.

In a drawn-out performance piece, Trump read out his second and third pronouncements in the aftermath of Charlottesville, while throwing in that he lives in a bigger, more beautiful apartment than the elites aligned against him, and I live in the White House too.

Then came perhaps his key line: The media can attack me but where I draw the line is when they attack you, which is what they do, when they attack the decency of our supporters. You are honest, hard-working, taxpaying Americans  and by the way, youre overtaxed, but were going to get your taxes down  who love our nation, obey our laws and care for our people.

Its time to expose the crooked media deceptions and to challenge the media for their role in fomenting divisions and yes, by the way, they are trying to take away our history and our heritage. You see that. These are truly dishonest people. Not all of them. You have some very good reporters, you have some very fair journalists. But for the most part, these are really, really dishonest people.

Theyre bad people and I really think they dont like our country. I really believe that. And I dont believe theyre going to change and thats why I do this. If they would change, I would never say it. The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news.

Trump then mocked the cameras in the arena, claiming they were turning off their red lights and stopping live coverage. These are sick people. You would think they want to make our country great again and I honestly believe they dont. If you want to discover the source of the division in our country, look no further than the fake news and the crooked media, which would rather get ratings and clicks than tell the truth.

Pro-Trump supporters outside the Phoenix rally. Photograph: Sandy Huffaker/Reuters

The crowd turned around several times to boo and shout epithets at the media. The tactic was similar to Trumps last rally in West Virginia, when he sought to blame Democrats for the investigation into his campaigns alleged collusion with Russia, and cast it as an attack on his own supporters. But he went on to praise conservative Fox News for treating me fairly.

Earlier, speakers at the rally had included the housing secretary, Ben Carson, who is African American, and Alveda King, the niece of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Prominent behind the speakers was an African American man wearing a T-shirt that said: Trump & Republicans are not racist.

During his sprawling 75-minute speech, the president turned to illegal immigration, a major issue for his base in Arizona.

He dropped a clear hint that he intends to pardon Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa county, over his conviction for breaking the law with immigration patrols.

He asked: Do the people in this room like Sheriff Joe? There was a roar from the crowd and chants of Pardon Joe! Arpaio was in the crowd.

Trump said: Was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? He should have had a jury. Ill make a prediction. I think hes going to be just fine. But I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy.

In another startling moment, Trump, who hours earlier had visited the border at Yuma, threatened to shut down the federal government unless Congress provided funding for his promised border wall. He told the rally that he had a message for obstructionist Democrats. The House has passed a spending bill with funding for the border wall but it faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

If we have to close down our government, were building that wall, he said. Were going to have our wall. The American people voted for immigration control. Were going to get that wall.

A pro-Trump supporter holds a firearm in Phoenix. Photograph: Sandy Huffaker/Reuters

Trump accused Democrats of putting US security at risk by not supporting the proposal, one of his most popular campaign promises. The crowd erupted in cries of: Build that wall!

Trump also took swipes at Arizonas two senators, Jeff Flake and John McCain, who have criticised him. He said that after his well-received address on Monday, he was told: Please, please Mr President, dont mention any names. So I wont.

He continued: I will not mention any names  very presidential. And nobody wants me to mention your other senator [Flake], whos weak on border, weak on crime. Nobody knows who the hell he is! See, I havent mentioned any names, so now everybodys happy.

On a night when he had brought his verbal machine gun, Trump also took aim at the Nafta trade deal with Canada and Mexico, which is being renegotiated. Personally, I dont think we can make a deal, he said. I think well end up probably terminating Nafta at some point.
President Donald Trump suggested he will grant Joe Arpaio, the controversial former sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona, a pardon for criminal contempt.

During a campaign-style rally in Phoenix on Tuesday, Trump signaled a pardon could come soon.

Ill make a prediction: I think hes going to be just fine, OK? Trump said. But I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders had initially told reporters earlier Tuesday there would be no discussion of that today at any point.

Fox News reported on Aug. 14 that the president was seriously considering pardoning Arpaio, a strong Trump supporter who was convicted of criminal contempt for violating a 2011 court order in a racial profiling case. Arpaio has been scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 5 and faces a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a fine, according to Reuters.

In 2013, a federal judge ordered Arpaio to halt his departments practice of routinely stopping Latino drivers because they might be undocumented immigrants, ruling it amounted to racial profiling. Arpaio had his officers conducting what he called saturation patrols in an attempt to find people who had entered the country illegally.

Arpaio, 85, later publicly acknowledged he violated that judges order but argued that his action were not intentional.

Joe Arpaio, the then-sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona, endorsed Donald Trump's presidential bid and appeared with him at a rally in Iowa in January, 2016. (Photo: Brian Snyder / Reuters)

While speaking with Fox News, Trump called Arpaio a great American patriot.

I hate to see what has happened to him, Trump said.

After Trump broached the prospect of a pardon, the American Civil Liberties Union bluntly criticized such a move in a series of tweets. Make no mistake, one said. If Trump pardons Arpaio, this would be an official presidential endorsement of racism.

Arpaio was a leader in the birther movement that questioned whether former President Barack Obama was a natural-born U.S citizen, which cast doubt on his legitimacy to serve as president. Arpaio led a years-long investigation into Obamas birth certificate, which the then-president released in April 2011, showing he was born in Hawaii on Aug. 4, 1961.

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Trump also spent years touting birther conspiracies. He didnt acknowledge Obama was born a U.S. citizen until September 2016, less than two months before Trump won the presidency. Even after he held a press conference on the issue  during which he said, President Barack Obama was born in the United States. Period.  Arpaio floated the idea that Trump might still doubt the legitimacy of Obamas birth certificate.

He didnt say the document was legitimate. He didnt go that route, Arpaio told Politico in September.

Amid this controversy, Arpaio in November lost his re-election bid to Democrat Paul Penzone. Arpaio had served as Maricopa County sheriff since 1993.

Arpaio dubbed himself Americas toughest sheriff, and gained national notoriety for a variety of his practices. Along with his hard-line stance on undocumented immigration, he sparked criticism for setting up a tent city jail for some prisoners in an area where summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees. He also made inmates wear pink underwear and uniforms featuring stars and stripes.

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President Donald Trump seems to like the view from a firetruck made by Wisconsin-based Pierce Manufacturing as Vice President Mike Pence stands by during "Made in America" week.

Trump gives the thumbs-up from the firetruck cab.

Trump admires a wheel loader made by Caterpillar.

Trump grips a Marucci baseball bat.

Trump models a Stetson cowboy hat.

Trump checks out a boat made by Hinckley Yachts.

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Macaroni and cheese is a sacred dish for many folks, which is why the latest attempt to make it healthier is being met with fire.

Last week, Twitter account @TheFitFood posted a video version of a 2015 PopSugar recipe for avocado mac and cheese. The hot dish features two whole avocados, lots of whole-wheat macaroni and relatively little cheese.

Low calorie mac and cheese   pic.twitter.com/j4HMY9xafC  Healthy Food (@TheFitFood) August 18, 2017

Not only does the recipe involve heating up avocado  which is basically a crime in itself  but it calls for only goat cheese and low-fat mozzarella, with no mention of the usual cheddar.

Twitter couldnt handle the defilement:

good morning to everyone except that horrifically evil avocado mac and cheese person  Pixie Casey (@pixie_casey) August 20, 2017

It was the lack of cheese that got to me. Why use a shit ton of avocado but little to no cheese? Mac and cheese is supposed to be unhealthy  ManicPixieDreamAlien (@funeral_fairy) August 20, 2017

This is me calling the police on that nasty avocado mac 'n cheese. pic.twitter.com/dBrGy6tmJk  Race Woman  (@AFarray) August 20, 2017

Food magazine: I've made a delicious low calorie mac and cheese out of avocado, granola, and kale!

Me: pic.twitter.com/fPy1ARPoEe  lawprofblawg (@lawprofblawg) August 20, 2017

The world is difficult enough without some heartless asshole ruining both mac & cheese and avocado in a single dish.  Lauren Abramo (@LaurenAbramo) August 20, 2017

Keep the pineapple off my pizza.

Keep the Avocado out of my mac n cheese.

And Stop putting fruit on my cheesecake.

*gets off soapbox*  SebastianTroy (@00MadHatter) August 21, 2017

today i feel like fighting nazis and people who use avocado as a substitute for cheese in mac n cheese  stabby misandrist (@Girl_wonderX) August 20, 2017

I just witnessed avocado mac n cheese and now my day is ruined pic.twitter.com/vSBRMr2IXE  Chelsea Nicole (@_WhatTheChell_) August 20, 2017

To be fair, PopSugar isnt the only one with an avocado mac and cheese recipe: Plenty of food bloggers have posted versions of it, as well as Allrecipes and, of course, the California Avocado Commission. The Kitchn suggests adding chopped avocado to boxed mac and cheese as an upgrade.

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And its certainly not the first time people have attempted healthier takes on the classic dish. There are plenty of recipes for butternut squash mac and cheese floating around the web; The Chew calls it a viewer favorite.

Well keep our tricked-out macaroni recipes avo-free for now, thanks.

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Dongguan, Guangdong province, China People walk through a flooded street as Typhoon Hato hits Dongguan, Guangdong province, China, Aug. 23, 2017. (Photo: Stringer/Reuters)

The most powerful typhoon to hit the southern Chinese region in more than half a century left at least 16 dead as a sudden deluge swamped the gambling hub of Macau, submerging streets and stranding residents.

Macau, which is surrounded by water, is vulnerable to high tides and has few options for draining storm runoff. The territory took almost a direct hit from the storm as it churned toward mainland China.

Chinas official Xinhua News Agency said eight more people were killed in Guangdong and one person remained missing. Typhoon Hato roared into the area Wednesday with winds of up to 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour. It weakened into a tropical storm Thursday as it moved farther west inland.

Xinhua said almost 27,000 people were evacuated to emergency shelters, while extensive damage to farmland due to the heavy rain and high tides was also reported. Almost 2 million households lost power temporarily, while fishing boats were called back to port and train services and flights suspended, Xinhua said.

Compared to other typhoons, Hato moved fast, quickly grew more powerful and caused massive amounts of rainfall, Wu Zhifang, chief weather forecaster at the Guangdong meteorological bureau, was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

By Thursday, a weaker Hato was moving into Chinas Guangxi region.

Flooding and injuries were also reported in Hong Kong, which lies across the water 64 kilometers (40 miles) from Macau, but there were no reports of deaths. Hatos fierce gales blew out windows on skyscrapers in the Asian financial capital, raining shattered glass onto the eerily quiet streets below. Hong Kongs weather authorities had raised the hurricane signal to the highest level for the first time in five years. (AP)

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By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States wants to know if the United Nations atomic watchdog plans to inspect Iranian military sites to verify Tehran's compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on Tuesday. Haley met International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials in Vienna on Wednesday for what she described as a fact-finding mission, which is part of President Donald Trump's review of the deal Iran made with world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most sanctions. "If you look ... at past Iranian behavior, what you've seen is there have been covert actions at military sites, at universities, things like that," Haley, a member of Trump's cabinet, told Reuters in an interview. "There were already issues in those locations, so are they including that in what they look at to make sure that those issues no longer remain?" she said. "They have the authority to look at military sites now. They have the authority to look at any suspicious sites now. It's just are they doing it?" She said she was traveling to Vienna to ask questions, not to push the IAEA to do anything. According to the 2015 deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), requests for access "will not be aimed at interfering with Iranian military or other national security activities." If the IAEA has concerns about "undeclared nuclear materials or activities, or activities inconsistent with the JCPOA, at locations that have not been declared" under Iran's safeguards agreements, the deal requires the agency to provide Iran the basis for such concerns and request clarification. If Iran's proposals to resolve such concerns are not deemed satisfactory, there is a mechanism in which a majority of the parties to the deal can force Iran to "implement the necessary means" within three days. When asked about Haley's visit, a spokesman for the IAEA said it had no immediate comment. Iran's top authorities have rejected giving international inspectors access to their military sites and officials have told Reuters any such move would trigger harsh consequences. "Why would they say that if they had nothing to hide? Why wouldn't they let the IAEA go there?" Haley said. Iran's atomic chief was quoted by state media as saying on Tuesday that Iran could resume production of highly enriched uranium within five days if the nuclear deal was revoked. In April, Trump ordered a review of whether a suspension of sanctions on Iran related to the nuclear deal - negotiated under President Barack Obama - was in the U.S. national security interest. He has called it "the worst deal ever negotiated." "WITHIN HOURS" Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned last week that Iran could abandon the nuclear agreement "within hours" if the United States imposes any more new sanctions. The IAEA closed its 12-year investigation into whether Iran had a secret nuclear weapons program in December 2015 after producing a report that strongly suggested Iran did have such a program until 2003. Most U.N. and Western sanctions were lifted 18 months ago under the nuclear deal. Iran is still subject to a U.N. arms embargo and other restrictions, which are not technically part of the deal. The IAEA polices restrictions the deal placed on Iran's nuclear activities and reports quarterly. Haley said some of the questions she had were: "Are you looking at everything? Are you looking at those places where there has been covert activity in the past? Are you able to get access to these areas? Or are you being delayed? Are you being shut out from those things?" Under U.S. law, the State Department must notify Congress every 90 days of Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal. The next deadline is October, and Trump has said he thinks by then the United States will declare Iran to be non-compliant. "We don't know if he's going to certify or decertify the deal," said Haley, adding that she would report back to Trump and the national security team. In a statement following the meeting, Haley's office praised the professionalism and expertise of the IAEA's work in Iran. The U.S. review of its policy toward Iran is also looking at Tehran's behavior in the Middle East, which Washington has said undermines U.S. interests in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes the Iran nuclear deal is "one of the most important diplomatic achievements in our search for ... peace and stability," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday. (Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi, Shadia Nasralla, Francois Murphy; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
Ankara (AFP) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday told visiting Pentagon chief Jim Mattis of Turkey's uneasiness over Washington arming a Syrian Kurdish militia viewed as a terror group by Ankara, a policy which has strained ties between the NATO allies.

Mattis made the one-day visit after stopping in Iraq to review progress in the campaign against the Islamic State group, urging coalition partners to prevent other political issues from disrupting the growing momentum against the jihadists.

He met with Erdogan at the presidential palace after talks with Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli in Ankara.

Turkey, an important NATO ally of the United States and part of the coalition fighting the IS militants, is incensed that Washington has been arming the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in the assault on the jihadists' stronghold of Raqa, in northern Syria.

Turkey regards the YPG as the Syrian affiliate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), but Washington has been impressed with its ability to combat IS on the ground.

In May, the Pentagon said it had begun transferring small arms, including AK-47s, and vehicles to the YPG to support its role as a leading player in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-Syrian Arab alliance fighting IS.

During the meeting, Erdogan told Mattis that Turkey was "uneasy over the US support" for the YPG, presidential sources said.

The Pentagon said Mattis addressed Turkey's "legitimate" security concerns in the meeting and both men expressed a shared interest for their countries "to create conditions for a more stable and secure region."

- 'Whatever the price' -

Erdogan has repeatedly vowed that Turkey will thwart any attempt by the YPG to carve out a Kurdish state in northern Syria, leaving open the possibility of a cross-border operation to prise the town of Afrin from Kurdish control.

"Turkey will not allow a terror corridor reaching the Mediterranean in northern Syria," Erdogan told reporters on his plane back from a visit to Jordan.

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"Whatever the price, we will conduct the necessary intervention," he said, quoted by the Hurriyet newspaper on Wednesday.

Last August, Ankara launched a cross-border operation in northern Syria aimed at clearing the border zone of both YPG fighters and jihadists.

Complaining about Washington's arming of the YPG, Erdogan said up to 1,000 trucks had crossed from Iraq to Syria carrying weapons for the SDF, which Turkey fears will reach the PKK.

The rise of jihadists in the Syrian northwestern province of Idlib has also caused concern in Ankara, Moscow and Tehran.

Erdogan alluded to plans for Idlib, controlled by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadist alliance, but would not elaborate, only saying: "What is there now? There is Idlib."

- 'Cancel Kurdish referendum' -

US officials said Tuesday that the grinding fight was the "priority" in the campaign against IS since the fall last month of Mosul, the jihadists' Iraqi hub.

The Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq -- whose peshmerga security forces are playing a key role in the fight against IS -- is planning its own independence referendum in September.

But at the date approaches, the plan is fuelling increasing discomfort in the region.

Mattis met Tuesday with Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani in Erbil to express US opposition to the referendum.

Erdogan and Mattis reaffirmed their opposition to the vote, Turkish presidential sources said on Wednesday.

And Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, in Baghdad to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other Iraqi officials, reiterated Turkey's opposition to the "wrong" decision to hold the referendum.

Cavusoglu also held talks with Barzani in Arbil.

The US is concerned at signs of warming ties between Iran and Turkey, whose relationship in the past has been far from straightforward.

The Pentagon said Mattis and Canikli discussed "concern over Iran's malign influence in the region", without giving further details.

Iranian armed forces chief General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri visited Turkey last week, with both sides agreeing to step up regional security and oppose the Kurdish referendum.

Erdogan on Monday said a joint operation with Iran against Kurdish militants based in Iraq was "always on the agenda", but Iran's Revolutionary Guards denied the claim.
A former CIA operations officer is raising money to purchase a controlling interest in Twitter to delete President Trump's account on the social platform.

Valere Plame Wilson, who was employed by the CIA as a covert officer until she was outed in a 2003 leak, announced her "Let's #BuyTwitter and #BanTrump" campaign" on Twitter Saturday.

"From emboldening white supremacists to promoting violence against journalists, his tweets damage the country and put people in harm's way," Wilson wrote on her GoFundMe page. "But threatening actual nuclear war with North Korea takes it to a dangerous new level."

Click through photos of Wilson through the years:





Wilson launched the campaign after reportedly slamming Twitter executives for refusing to delete Trump's account.

So far, Wilson, who said she needs $1 billion dollars to buy enough shares from the site to ban Trump's account, has managed to pull in $3,000 since she created the page on Aug. 16.

SEE ALSO: Here are all of the tweets President Donald Trump has deleted since taking office

But she understands the institutional barriers she faces with the enormity of such a task, adding that if she fails to reach her goals, she will "explore options for buying a significant stake in the company and champion this proposal at the annual shareholder meeting."

"If that's impossible for any reason or if there is a surplus from this campaign, 100 percent of the balance of proceeds will be donated to Global Zero, a nonprofit organization leading the resistance to nuclear war," Wilson said.
Brasilia (AFP) - Venezuela's fugitive former top prosecutor resurfaced in Brazil on Wednesday claiming to possess "a lot" of proof of President Nicolas Maduro's corruption and warning that her life remains in danger.

Days after a dramatic escape from chaotic Venezuela, Luisa Ortega, 59, turned up the heat on Maduro, who has asked Interpol to issue a "red notice" warrant for the arrest of his critic.

Ortega -- speaking at a crime-fighting conference in the Brazilian capital with representatives from the Latin American regional trading alliance Mercosur -- said Maduro enriched himself in a massive corruption scheme uncovered at Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht.

"I have a lot of proof, concretely in the Odebrecht case, which implicates many high-ranking Venezuelans, starting with the president of the republic," she said.

"The rule of law has died" under Maduro, she said, suggesting the country has become a criminal haven where evidence in organized crime cases tends to "disappear."

"There are many in Venezuela who have an interest in stopping investigations of corruption cases or cases related to drug trafficking or terrorism," she said.

The move came as US Vice President Mike Pence vowed Washington would not allow "the collapse of Venezuela," amid a political crisis triggered by Maduro's decision last month to set up a new constitutional body, in a move widely seen as a power grab.

"The collapse of Venezuela will endanger all who call the Western Hemisphere home," Pence said in remarks delivered Wednesday before some 600 people at a Catholic church in Doral, the heart of Miami's Venezuelan community.

"We cannot and will not let that happen," he said, adding that "working with our allies in the Latin American region, the US will confront and overcome all who dare to threaten our wellbeing."

- 'Death threats' -

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Ortega, who fled to Colombia from Venezuela with her husband German Ferrer last Friday, said she was still in danger.

"I have received threats that there may be an attempt against my life and I hold the Venezuelan government responsible if this happens," she said at the conference, which she attended after flying to Brasilia from Panama.

Brazil's prosecutor general said in a statement that he had personally invited Ortega, adding to the intrigue since she was fired by Venezuela's socialist president this month and charged with misconduct.

The prosecutor appointed under Maduro to take Ortega's place dismissed her allegations, saying "they have no legal validity."

"They would have validity if she had presented these supposed proofs before the judicial system," said the chief prosecutor, Tarek William Saab, in Caracas.

Saab described Ortega's statements as "libelous propaganda" and suggested there was a hidden agenda behind her traveling in exile. "We should see who is supporting these trips."

On Tuesday, Maduro said Ortega and Ferrer had committed "serious crimes" and should be apprehended. Ferrer is accused by Maduro's government of corruption and extortion.

However, neighboring Colombia and Brazil have come to Ortega's defense and firmly condemn Maduro's handling of violent political unrest and economic collapse in his oil-rich country. Venezuela has been suspended indefinitely from the Mercosur group.

- '$100 million' bribe -

A loyalist of late socialist president Hugo Chavez, Ortega broke ranks with his successor Maduro to become his most high-ranking critic within the government as international pressure on the president mounted.

In July, Maduro set up a constituent assembly packed with his allies, which a few days later removed Ortega from her post.

She has hit back since fleeing, using her growing international platform to accuse Maduro and his close allies in the Odebrecht scandal, which involved enormous quantities of bribes paid to politicians around the region and in Brazil to win contracts.

"We have all the elements that incriminate not only the president, but his close advisors," she said Wednesday, fingering Diosdado Cabello, a prominent ruling party member.

"In the Odebrecht case, we have discovered that they deposited $100 million for Diosdado Cabello to a Spanish company called TSE Arietis, whose owners are his cousins," she said.

Cabello later denied the charges and ridiculed Ortega on his weekly TV show.

Maduro was elected in 2013 after the death of his late mentor Chavez.

Venezuela has since descended into chaos that has raised fears for regional stability.

The fall in world prices for its oil exports has left it short of dollars for vital imports.

Maduro's critics accuse him of clinging to power by hijacking state institutions amid shortages of food and medicine.

Clashes between protesters and police this year have left 125 people dead, according to prosecutors.
President Trump and conservative author and commentator William F. Buckley. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Carolyn Kaster/AP, Waring Abbott/Getty Images)

The Donald Trump phenomenon cast a national spotlight on rural and working-class communities that feel left behind by the rapidly evolving global economy. But how is the traditional conservative intelligentsia handling this sea change?

Theres always been a strong conservative intellectual movement thats influenced politics in the United States. In the latter half of the 20th century, intellectuals like William F. Buckley Jr., Milton Friedman and Thomas Sowell helped shape conservatism and underpinned the policies of politicians like Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan.

President Trumps unbridled populism has fanned the flames of resentment against intellectuals, including conservatives. He doesnt embody typical conservative values  arguably in policy, certainly in life  and was forced to defend his conservative bona fides repeatedly during the Republican primaries.

Trumps meteoric political ascent and upset victory confounded pollsters, talking heads and opponents, who were left wondering what happened. How could a former reality television star with a questionable reputation demolish every traditional politician in the overcrowded Republican primary and go on to secure the White House?

And how could men and women guided by reason and logic support a man with an apparent disregard for facts and the basic principles of governance?

Yahoo News reached out to several prominent conservative thinkers to see what they make of the Trump spectacle and what it portends about the future of conservatism.

It appears Trumps presidency has divided conservative intellectuals into roughly three camps of uneven sizes: committed never Trumpers, steadfast supporters and people who opposed him during the campaign based on his character flaws but support him in office because  immature behavior aside  hes pursuing policies they believe in.

Robert W. Merry, editor of the American Conservative, said he does not consider Trump conservative but that our definitions of these terms can change over time. He said he understands why Trump emerged: the gridlock in American politics calls for a new paradigm or collection of issues that can form a new coalition to break it.

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As I look at it, Trump had an instinct for that during the campaign. He understood that he could bring together what in our recent times would be considered disparate concepts, he said.

Robert Merry, editor of he American Conservative magazine. (Photo: The American Conservative)

According to Merry, Trump doesnt seem to care about entitlement programs or the countrys huge unfunded liabilities, but hes still delivering what could be considered traditionally conservative messages on immigration and tax reform. Trump was able to craft a message that resonated with the countrys beleaguered middle and working classes, he said. At this point, Merry just hopes Trump can actually help the people that he marshaled together to win the presidency.

The guys uncouth. Hes crude. Hes reckless and we take that all into account. We dont like those traits in any president, not least this guy because hes particularly intense in so many of those faults, Merry said. And the question that we have is to what extent is he in terms of his stewardship worthy of his constituency. So we care about the constituency more than the man.

Former President George W. Bush often characterized his personal philosophy as compassionate conservatism. And Trump, ever the businessman, has called himself a common-sense conservative.

In many ways, Trumps election was a scathing indictment of politics as usual, including the conservative establishment. For starters, he doesnt speak in the language of think tanks, as Marco Rubio or Scott Walker do. He didnt need their support to win and seemed perfectly comfortable without their counsel, often boasting about his IQ, his alma mater and generally being like a smart person.

National Review, the influential conservative magazine Buckley founded in 1955, published an issue called Against Trump, featuring 22 prominent conservatives opposing his candidacy. The editorial board described Trump as a philosophically unmoored political opportunist who would be willing to destroy the ideological consensus within the GOP for free-floating populism with strong-man overtones.

Some conservatives have made it their business to make excuses for Trump and duly get pats on the head from him. Count us out, the board wrote. Donald Trump is a menace to American conservatism who would take the work of generations and trample it underfoot in behalf of a populism as heedless and crude as the Donald himself.

It wasnt successful. Trump mocked them. He still won.

National Review is a failing publication that has lost it's way. It's circulation is way down w its influence being at an all time low. Sad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2016

Very few people read the National Review because it only knows how to criticize, but not how to lead.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2016

The late, great, William F. Buckley would be ashamed of what had happened to his prize, the dying National Review!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2016

National Review declined the opportunity to comment.

David Azerrad, director of the Heritage Foundations center for principles and politics, points out that much of the conservative opposition to Trump centered on his character rather than his worldview or his particular policies.

Thats one thing to keep in mind. Are conservative intellectuals objecting to the man because they think his character is flawed or are they objecting to his ideas? Azerrad said.

He cited an article called The Comprehensive Case Against Donald Trump. by Peter Wehner of the Ethics & Public Policy Center, a conservative think tank, from September 2016, as an example.

Azerrad suggested that Trumps conservatism  rooted in borders and national solidarity  is more appropriate for the 21st century than the liberty-obsessed conservatism of the 1980s. He added that theres too much nostalgia among right wingers for the Reagan era, when the Republican Party was unified behind freedom against the threat of global communism.

David Azerrad, director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics at the Heritage Foundation. (Photo: Courtesy of the Heritage Foundation)

The standard should not be how closely someone conforms to the way Reagan governed or looked at the world, because were living in a different era, Azerrad said. I do think at the broad level, Trumps analysis of American politics is correct. There is a chasm that separates the elites from ordinary Americans, regardless of political affiliation. There is an erosion of a sense of a shared nationality in part because of unchecked immigration and the rise of identity politics.

According to Azerrad, much of mainstream American conservatism looks at the world through a libertarian rather than strictly conservative lens. This results in speeches and talking points that focus most heavily on liberty and less government.

But he sees a divide here: mainstream American conservatives talk like Randians (Russian-American novelist Ayn Rand espoused a philosophy of individualism and radical self-interest) but live like Tocquevillians (French political theorist Alexis de Tocqueville greatly admired American democracy but worried about a tyranny of the majority trampling individual rights).

Theres a certain disconnect between the rhetoric and some of their other beliefs and how they carry their lives, he said.

David Boaz, the executive vice president of the Cato Institute and author of The Libertarian Mind, said its challenging for conservative intellectuals to hold onto the values and movement they helped to form under Trump.

Not only do they have a Republican president who is not interested in those values. They have a broad swath of conservative media who have lined up as a media support system for Donald Trump. Who is the movement that National Review now speaks for? he said.

David Boaz is the executive vice president of the Cato Institute and a leading libertarian voice. (Photo: Courtesy the Cato Institute)

Boaz said the Buckley-Goldwater-Reagan movement was fairly significant in shaping conservative politics. As he sees it, conservatism used to mean free enterprise, traditional social and religious values and a strong national defense, but now we have a Republican president who, he says, didnt really run on that platform.

His most important economic idea was protectionism along with blocking immigration. Hes clearly not a devotee of traditional social and religious conservatism. Manned defense, hes been all over the map, Boaz said. Plus he kind of campaigned as a man of bad character and traditional conservatives always insisted that character was a part of statesmanship. So where does that leave conservatives?

More specifically, Boaz said that libertarians have generally been critical of what he considers Turmps authoritarian, protectionist and anti-immigrant instincts all along.

I think today what you can see is out in the country a lot of people are less focused than East Coast intellectuals are on White House chaos, the personal character of the president, the presidents respect for the separation of powers and issues like that. I think a lot of conservative and libertarian voters are seeing deregulation, the promise of a tax cut, Neil Gorsuch on the Supreme Court, a booming stock market and they are less concerned about what Trump is doing to constitutional government than I think they ought to be.

When asked if he was hopeful about the future of conservatism, Merry said, No, Im not. I think traditional conservatism, what we might call the Buckley-Reagan combine, is no longer as resonant as it has been in the past.
President Donald Trump is holding a campaign-style rally to garner support from his base in Arizona Monday night  a week after he doubled down on his controversial remarks defending white supremacists who incited violence in Charlottesville, Va. earlier this month.

Held in Phoenix, the rally will be Trumps first visit to Arizona as president. During his campaign, Trump made trips to Arizona, where he promised to build a wall along the southern border of the U.S. as part of his immigration plan.

The planned rally is expected to be met with protests from residents and condemnations from local officials, who have taken issue with Trumps policies and rhetoric  especially in recent weeks following his comments on white supremacy.

America is hurting, wrote Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, in an opinion piece for the Washington Post on Monday. And it is hurting largely because Trump has doused racial tensions with gasoline. With his planned visit to Phoenix on Tuesday, I fear the president may be looking to light a match.

Arizona is also home to Republican senators John McCain and Jeff Flake  both of whom have come out against Trump on several issues in the past and have been publicly criticized by the president. Trump has openly shared his support for Flakes GOP primary challenger, Kelli Ward, on Twitter, and he could use the rally to continue promoting her.

It is also possible Trump could pardon Joe Arpaio, the former Arizona sheriff who was convicted of contempt by a federal judge last month. Arpaio, who endorsed Trump for president, was notorious for his stance against undocumented immigrants and anti-immigration rhetoric.

The rally is scheduled to begin at the Phoenix Convention Center at 10 p.m. E.T.
Dawnetta Heinz wears the wedding dress she plans to donate to 12 other brides this year. (Photo: Courtesy Dawnetta Heinz/Schirmbeck Photography)

Dawnetta Heinz had just celebrated her first wedding anniversary and was getting ready to move into a new house when she took another look at her wedding gown. She could have preserved it for her daughter to wear one day. She could have packed it up with her other things. Instead, she posted it on a buy/sell/trade group on Facebook, offering to give it to a bride who couldnt afford to buy a wedding dress of her own. Now it looks as though Heinz will be donating her dress to not one bride, but 12.

If we can help somebody else feel good on their special day, I would love to do that, Heinz, a personal trainer in Omaha, Neb., told Yahoo Style. The gown is from Davids Bridal and originally retailed for $1,200. And though she got it on sale for less than half that, it wasnt very long ago that such an expense would have been inconceivable to her.

We were homeless, Heinz says reflecting on her past. We sold shakes and were barely getting by, living out of our car. Then we stayed through it, were always faithful to each other.

Arianna Pro was casually browsing Facebook when she saw Heinzs post. Though she and her husband had been married for six years, they wanted to renew their vows.

We had just lost a son, and we just needed a little light, a little love, Pro said of her wedding. We got married at the courthouse. Now we have four children and kind of have the means to do it right, and have them be there with us to let them see that mommy and daddy love each other still.

Photo: Courtesy Dawnetta Heinz

Pro wasnt the only one to respond to the post.

I had so many people messaging me telling me their story, how they couldnt afford it, how theyd have to go to Goodwill, Heinz says. She wanted to give it to them all. Then I just commented on the post, What would you guys think if we just passed the dress on to the next person? And one of the girls said, Yeah, it could be like sisterhood of the traveling dress! 

Pro, as the first in line, was fully onboard with this idea. Who am I to keep the dress and not share the happiness? she wrote.

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Thats why after Pro and her husband renew their vows on a yacht in San Francisco this week, she will pack up the dress to send to another bride. Altogether, Heinz has a list of about 12 women who have signed on to use the gown in the next year. Heinz said she hopes brides will keep passing it on, as long as it will hold up after wear and dry-cleaning. She plans on gathering photos of everyone wearing it.

Just like the jeans passed around among four friends in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Heinzs gown fit Pro almost magically. When I tried the dress on for the first time, there was no altering, there was no nothing. It fit like a glove, Pro said.

Of course, that is also probably because of the gowns adjustable corset, but the women involved are most definitely forming a sisterhood they couldnt have with something merely store-bought.

Im really excited and honored that I get to be a part of something so cool, Pro said. Women message me and were just keeping in contact. Theres a lot of feelings involved. I wouldnt give that up for anything.  A dress doesnt talk back to you. Im more happy with the people who have come into our lives. Dawnetta  shell always be in my heart. She is the one who made all of this possible.

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The history of reproductive health care in the U.S. is fraught with racism, as white womens reproductive health care access came at the cost of black and brown womens lives. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, was a known eugenicist; the earliest forms of birth control were tested on Puerto Rican women, and black slaves were routinely purchased or rented by medical professionals to be tested on.

Now, a group of black women is calling for the removal of a statue in New York City that represents this dark history.

The Black Youth Project 100, an activist group founded in 2013, staged a protest against the statue of J. Marion Sims outside the New York Academy of Medicine on August 19. They photographed their protest in a now-viral Facebook post in which they explain the reason they are calling for the statues removal.

J. Marion Sims was a gynecologist in the 1800s who purchased Black women slaves and used them as guinea pigs for his untested surgical experiments, they wrote. He repeatedly performed genital surgery on Black women WITHOUT ANESTHESIA because according to him, Black women dont feel pain. (See the striking protest and read the whole post below.)

The protests organizer, Seshat Mack, told HuffPost that she and fellow BYP 100 members thought it was important to protest the New York City-based statue, especially as white supremacy is so frequently looked at as a southern problem.

Memorializing white supremacy is an American problem, not just a southern one, and its a problem that we need to reckon with as a country, Mack said.

She also discussed the important relevance of the intersection of black women and reproductive justice.

We cannot overlook the fact that J. Marion Sims discoveries on enslaved black womens bodies led to the foundation of modern gynecology, she told HuffPost. And yet, as she points out, black women continue to receive poor reproductive and maternal health care.

Black women continue to suffer worse health outcomes than white women, she said. In the United States, black women are still two-to-six times more likely to die during childbirth than white women. The institution of reproductive health was built on the exploitation of black women, but this very institution continues to underserve black women.

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BYP 100s call for the statues removal comes less than a week after cities across the country removed Confederate statues in the wake of the neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Va. on August 12. (More and more cities have continued the effort.)

In New York City specifically, Mayor Bill de Blasio has called for a 90-day review of any hate symbols. City Councilwoman speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito hopes that Sims statue will be included in that analysis.

It has got to go, she told the New York Times. When the panel does its analysis, I think they will come to the same conclusion.

Mack told HuffPost that the removal of the statue would be a welcome response to her protest, but that the work cant stop there.

This is a really cute first step, she said, of De Blasios analysis. But the next step (and the harder step) is ensuring that removal of these racist, white supremacist statues isnt simply symbolic.

Mack cites reparations and a divestment in systems uphold white supremacy like the prison industrial complex, as true advancements in the fight for racial justice.

We want investments in our communities for Black people, including robust mental health facilities, education, childcare, accessible and healthy food, [and] housing.

CLARIFICATION: This piece has been updated to include comment from the protests organizer Seshat Mack.

Related...

A Black Abortion Rights Activist On White Women And The Myth Of 'Black Genocide'

A New Federal Court Judge Compared Abortion To Slavery. He's Not Alone.

Demonstrators Pull Down Confederate Monument In Durham

Also on HuffPost

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
(HELSINKI)  The body of a woman has been found in the Baltic Sea near where a missing Swedish journalist is believed to have died on a privately built submarine, Danish police said late Monday.

A female torso without legs, arms or a head was found by a passer-by, said the head of the investigation, Jens Moller Jensen.

We have recovered the body  It is the torso of a woman, Jensen told reporters. An inquest will be conducted.

He said it was too early to say if the body was that of 30-year-old Swedish reporter Kim Wall, who went missing more than a week ago after a trip on the submarine owned by 46-year-old Peter Madsen, a Danish inventor.

Jensen said the body was discovered hours after Madsen told authorities that Wall had died onboard in an accident and that he buried her at sea at an unspecified location.

Madsen was arrested in connection with Walls disappearance after his submarine sank off Denmarks eastern coast, an event police said they suspected the inventor caused on purpose.

He denied any wrongdoing and initially told authorities he had dropped the reporter off on a redeveloped island in Copenhagens harbor about 3 hours into a nighttime trip Aug. 10.

Madsen will continue to be held on preliminary manslaughter charges, police said. They declined to provide further details about the new information he had provided.

Madsen was known for financing his submarine project through crowdfunding. The first launch of his 40-ton, nearly 18-meter-long (60-foot-long) UC3 Nautilus in 2008 made international headlines.

Walls family earlier told The Associated Press that she had worked in many dangerous places as a journalist and it was unimaginable something could happen  just a few miles from the childhood home.

The International Womens Media Foundation said it was deeply saddened to receive confirmation that Wall had died.

She was dogged in her pursuit of important and sometimes quirky stories. She was adored by those who knew her, the organization said in a statement.

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Wall was last seen atop the Nautilus submarine on Aug. 10, about to embark on a brief ride in the vessel for a profile about its Danish inventor.

Before his arrest, Madsen appeared on Danish television to discuss the submarines sinking and his rescue.

The journalists boyfriend alerted authorities that the sub had not returned from a test run, police said.
A Pennsylvania woman has died after losing her balance while laughing hard and falling off a roof deck in front of her horrified daughter and friends during a vacation to Mexico, devastated loved ones said.

Sharon Ciferno, 50, and her daughter were on a 20-day vacation with another mother and daughter when the group traveled from San Diego to Mexico earlier this month.

Ciferno was on the roof deck of their hosts home when she plummeted about 20 feet and landed on concrete on Aug. 4, her brother David Regoli wrote on a CaringBridge site dedicated to providing updates on his sisters well-being.

She had been sitting on the wall of the deck, which acted as a backless seat, when she began laughing very hard and fell backward, Regoli said.

Ciferno was rushed to the border and emergency responders there transported her to University of California San Diego Medical Center, where she died Aug. 14.

Read: Father of Four Left Paralyzed After Being Hit By Freak Wave On Family Vacation

After a week of fighting for recovery, she passed peacefully with her family at her side, her obituary read.

Loved ones remembered her for her dedication to her 17-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter, as well as the countless children she taught during her 28 years as a sixth grade teacher at Charles A. Huston Middle School.

She not only passed along skills in math, science, reading and history but was also passionate about instilling values of fairness, kindness and generosity. In those instances, she truly led by example, her obituary said.

Read: Mother of 3 Killed on Vacation in Freak Ziplining Accident When Wind Topples Tree

Cifernos students, both past and present, took to social media to express their condolences over the tragic loss.

Mrs. Ciferno had a huge impact on my life as one of her students. I was devastated to hear this sad news, one person wrote on her CaringBridge page.

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I never had Mrs. Ciferno in school, but she never hesitated to stop and talk to me in the hallways and even now when I'd see her at work, another posted.

Cifernos organs have been donated to save the lives of five people, her family said.

Although she is gone from this life, Sharon lives on in them, through her faith, and within the people she loved, her obituary read.

Watch: Man Wearing Flip Flops at National Park Falls to His Death

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Brittany was shot in the face while trying to stop her father from committing suicide.

I received a phone call about the way my dad was acting, she explains. She went to help him and found him holding a gun to his head. When she tried to pull the handgun away, it fired directly into her face. Brittany was in the hospital for two weeks. She needed three surgeries and suffers from headaches.There are skull and bullet fragments in her brain that could kill her if they shift.

Watch: Woman Narrowly Survives Gunshot

Trey, Brittany's husband, says, My wife is always going to be beautiful to me but it was definitely different seeing the gunshot wound.

People, when they hear my story, look at me as a hero, Brittany says. But I don't see myself as a hero  I didn't want to lose my dad.

I love how you are, ER Physician Dr. Travis Stork tells Brittany. You've remained so positive.

I would definitely do it all over again in a heartbeat. I'd rather have scars that last a lifetime instead of losing my dad! she replies.

Brittany's dad is in better spirits but was arrested for the incident. He didn't lose his life, but I lost him until it all gets figured it out.," she says.

Watch: Girl Shot by Taliban

Dr. Stork thinks Brittany looks amazing. It's all thanks to Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kimberly Carpin, who happened to be on the scene when Brittany arrived in the hospital. Her injuries were quite devastating, Dr. Carpin tells him. There were even pieces of brain on her face. Amazingly, Brittany was awake and alert and answer questions.

Dr. Stork reminds us, This wasn't years ago  this is just over a month ago. Neurosurgeon Dr. Brian Walcott has reviewed her scans. He shows us how close Brittany came to death. 90 percent of people who suffer a gunshot wound to the head don't survive.

Watch: Mass Shooting Survivor Lives with PTSD

Psychotherapist Dr. Mike Dow asks if Brittany is anxious. She says she does have anxiety but had it before the incident as well.

Story continues

But now she has to take new precautions  she can't have an MRI because there's a titanium plate in her head, so she's terrified she might be in a car accident and get rushed into an MRI. She also has to regulate her temper. I'm hot-headed to the fullest, so I have to continue to keep cool when someone irritates me.

Dr. Stork assures her that if she is in an accident, they will know not to place her in an MRI.

Watch: Help for Someone Considering Suicide

It's OK to say 'this is hard for me and I'm sad,' Dr, Dow encourages her. It's also hard for her to go out in public because of the scars on her face. Dr. Dow wants her to be able to tell her family when it's hard, and he recommends therapy to help her deal with the aftermath.

Watch: How Woman Shot in the Fact Is Coping Now

The Doctors reached out to Psychologist Rochelle Bridges of Friendswood Family Counseling, and she will provide 30 therapy sessions for Brittany and her family if they choose to use them. Jolie Vue Farms in Houston will also provide organic meat delivered to Brittany and Trey's home for a year, and Balance by Bistro MD will give them six months of weekly healthy meal deliveries.

Most of all, we hope for you to have a healthy recovery, Dr. Stork concludes.
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site.

If women began breast cancer screening at 40 and received mammograms yearly, fewer would die from the disease than if they had started regular screening at a later age and screened less often, according to a new study in the journal Cancer.

But the research also found that with earlier screening, more women may experience false alarmsmammography results that look dangerous but arent. These can cause anxiety and lead to extra imaging tests or biopsies.

Thats one reason guidelines by major expert groups recommend less frequent screening later in life.

The new study used a computer model to compare the effects of three strategies for breast cancer screening:

 Screening every year starting at age 40

 Screening every year starting at age 45, then switching to every other year from age 55 to 79

 Screening every other year from age 50 to 74

R. Edward Hendrick, Ph.D., a clinical professor of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and one of the studys authors, says he isnt surprised by the results.

If you screen more frequently and over a wider range of ages, youre going to detect more breast cancer," he says, "and in doing that, youre going to save more lives.

But most medical groups don't agree that annual screening starting at age 40 is optimal. The American Cancer Society (ACS), for instance, recommends yearly screening from 45 to 54 and every other year from 55 on, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening every other year from age 50 to 74.

The groups do agree that by age 50, women should get regular mammography screening, with the option to start as early as 40. These recommendations are based on decades of research involving hundreds of thousands of real women, one reason the new studys resultsbased on a computer modeldont call those guidelines into question.

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The potential negative effects of breast cancer screeningincluding false alarms and treatment of cancers that may never harm a woman during her lifemean that pinpointing the right age to start getting mammograms isnt simple.

Heres what you need to know about the results of this new study, and how to determine which strategy for breast cancer screening is right for you.

What Did the New Study Show?

The research team's statistical models used a number of variables, including breast cancer incidence, survival, and mortality trends, to estimate how many breast cancer deaths would be prevented if all women in the U.S. adhered to the various screening strategies.

They also estimated how many times women would be called back for additional testing after a suspicious mammography result, and how many women would undergo biopsies that turned out negative for breast cancer.

Overall, the picture these models paint is clear: The more often women receive mammograms, the more breast cancer deaths are avertedbut the more unnecessary follow-up tests are undertaken as well.

Its important to remember, says Marvin M. Lipman, M.D., Consumer Reports chief medical adviser, that computer models differ from the way things play out in the real world. The models used in this study, for example, assume that 100 percent of women adhere perfectly to the screening schedules, follow-up exams, and any breast cancer treatment.

But in real life, everything is not optimal, Lipman says. People miss or skip their appointments, or they never return for additional testing. Without examining the behavior and disease patterns of actual people, its difficult to know how to apply these results to the real world.

Does This Change Screening Guidelines?

Over the past few years, major medical groups seem to have grown closer to a consensus on when women should begin mammography screening to detect breast cancer, and how often they should be screened.

Earlier this year, for example, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) updated its recommendations, bringing its guidelines closer to those of the American Cancer Society and the USPSTF.

Previously, ACOG recommended that all women start screening at 40. Now the organization advises all women to start screening no later than age 50, with the option of starting in their 40s if they prefer.

From Hendricks perspective, the fact that earlier, more frequent screening potentially saves more lives outweighs the risks of screening. In addition, he notes, breast tumors discovered in women in their 40s tend to be more fast-growing than cancers discovered later in life. If youre going to screen in your 40s, it really needs to be annually, he says.

But other experts place more emphasis on the harm that breast cancer screening can cause. For example, having to go back for a biopsy that turns out to be negative may make some women less likely to get their next routine mammogram, according to a 2013 study conducted in the U.K.

And many scientists believe that at least some women may become cancer patients needlessly through overdiagnosis (diagnosing slow-growing cancers that would never cause harm) and overtreatment (undergoing cancer treatment unnecessarily).

Estimates vary widely on how often a woman is diagnosed with a cancer that would never have hurt her during her lifetime, but they range from 3 to 50 percent.

What Should You Do?

Women should talk with their doctors and weigh their own personal risk factors when making choices about when to start receiving mammograms and how often to screen, Lipman says.

Women at a high risk of breast cancer should come up with a customized screening strategy with their doctor. You're in this group if youve already had breast cancer, have a first-degree relative who had breast cancer, had genetic testing and know you carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation, or have a history of multiple chest X-rays or radiation treatments to the chest (as with lymphoma therapy).

Even if youre not in the above group, othermore minorrisk factors may factor in your decision. These include:

 A personal history of noncancerous breast conditions, including atypical hyperplasia or dense breasts

 Menstrual periods that started before age 12 or continued after 55, or not having a child before 30

 A history of hormone replacement therapy

 Obesity, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption

According to Lipman, the more of these risk factors you have, the more aggressive you may want to be with screening, beginning in your 40s or screening yearly instead of every other year.

One key takeaway from this new research, according to Hal Lawrence, M.D., chief executive officer of ACOG, is that starting at 40, women should be talking with their doctor about the harms and benefits of screening. You may decide that waiting to start mammography is right for you, but you should have the option. I think over the last 10 or 15 years weve confused the heck out of women when it comes to breast cancer screening, he says.

Lipman adds: Women need to be aware that they can tailor their screening for their wishes, desires, and anxietiesas well as the absence or presence of risk factors.





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Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright  2017, Consumer Reports, Inc.
Sure, there are Christmas Eve babies named Eve. Maybe you've even heard of the triplets born to University of Tennessee superfan getting Vols-inspired names. But today's news out of Greenville, South Carolina takes the cake for over-the-moon baby names.

In case you missed it, today, much of the country witnessed a Total Solar Eclipse with the path of totality stretching from Oregon to South Carolina. For some, that meant day-long tailgate parties. For others, space-themed weddings. For Freedom Eubanks of Spartanburg, South Carolina, it meant an unexpected Eclipse Day-childbirth.

WATCH: Timeless Baby Names

Due for delivery on September 3rd, Freedom and husband Michael decided to do a quick name change when it became clear their daughter was arriving today. Her name, is, yes, legally, Eclipse (her parents plan to call her Clipsey for short).

With the full name of Eclipse Alizabeth Eubanks, the baby girl arrived at 8:04 a.m. at Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. Originally going to be named Violet, her mom is convinced that her name was simply meant to be. "I kind of felt like it was meant to happen, to have her on this day," Eubanks said of giving birth on Eclipse Day in an ABC News story.

Aligning the stars in this newborn's world even more, Greenville was part of the 70-mile-wide stretch on the "path of totality" for the solar eclipse. Now, here's to hoping this lucky baby becomes the first NASA astronaut with a space-inspired name.
From Woman's Day

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1. WINNER SELECTION: Winners (individually and collectively, the "Winner") will be selected on or about 11/31/2017 in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received. Each sweepstakes is a different drawing that must be entered separately. All the sweepstakes in these Official Rules are individually and collectively the "Sweepstakes." In the event the Sponsor does not receive any eligible entries, the Sponsor has the right to cancel the Sweepstakes. Drawing will be conducted by Woman's Day, whose decisions are final. Odds of winning will depend upon the total number of eligible entries received. In the event Canadians are eligible to enter as specified in the Eligibility paragraph below, and if there is a Canadian Winner, the Winner will be required to correctly answer a mathematical skill testing question as a condition of receiving the prize. Important Notice: You may be charged for visiting the mobile website in accordance with the terms of your service agreement with your carrier. Please consult your wireless service provider regarding your pricing plan. You must use a Smartphone device to participate via your mobile phone. Not all mobile phone providers carry the necessary service to participate. Check your phone capabilities for specific Internet instructions. If your data usage exceeds what is allotted by your data plan, you could be subject to additional fees by your carrier. Please contact your mobile service provider with any questions regarding your bill.

2. WINNER NOTIFICATION: Winner will be notified within one (1) month of the last day of the Sweepstakes, via e-mail, and/or at Sponsor's discretion, via phone or postal mail. In the event the Winner doesn't respond to Sponsor's notification or does not accept the prize within five (5) business days of notification, the prize will be deemed forfeited and an alternate Winner will be selected. In the event that any one or more potential Winner(s) fails to respond as stated above, declines the prize or fails to provide signed affidavits or releases, such Winner(s) will be deemed to forfeit the prize and Sponsor will select an alternate Winner(s) from the remaining eligible entrants. If any alternate(s) similarly fails to respond or declines the prize, Sponsor will use a reasonable number of attempts, in its discretion, to award the prize(s) to another alternate(s) but if it is unable to do so, the prize(s) will be finally forfeited and Sponsor shall have no further liability in connection with said Sweepstakes. List of Winner(s): For the name(s) of the Winner(s), send a separate self-addressed, stamped envelope to September 2017 Woman's Day 80th Anniversary Sweepstakes Winners' List, Hearst Communications, Inc., 300 West 57th Street NY, NY 10019 within two (2) months from the Winner notification date as specified above.

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Amazon Echo Dot Sweepstakes: Enter beginning 12:01 A.M. (ET) on August 23, 2017, through 11:59 P.M. (ET) on October 23, 2017 (the "Entry Period"). Go to womansday.com/giveaways on a computer or wireless device and complete and submit the entry form pursuant to the onscreen instructions. Eligible for US entrants only. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR ENTRY WILL NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM AND ENTERED YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION. Prizes & Approximate Retail Value: Two (2) winners will receive an Amazon Echo Dot (ARV: $49.99). Total ARV of all prizes awarded: $99.98. Any difference between the stated ARV and the actual value of the prize will not be awarded in any form.

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8. SPONSOR: The Sponsor of these Sweepstakes is Hearst Communications, Inc., 300 W. 57th Street, New York, NY 10019.

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 in Orchid Grey - Samsung

Samsung has unveiled its Galaxy Note 8 in a return for the high-end smartphone brand, which was recalled last year in a worldwide debacle that cost billions of dollars.

The new 6.3-inch device has an "infinity display" that wraps around the edges of the phone and Samsung's Bixby voice assistant, the virtual aide that launched in the UK yesterday. The Note 8 comes with the S-pen stylus, which can be used even when the phone's screen is off, such as to take notes or make a shopping list.

The Korean electronics giant will be hoping to recover the reputation of the Note model with the release of the Note 8. Samsung was forced to globally recall its Note 7 phone last year after a battery fault led to devices overheating and caused a handful to burst into flames.

Note 8 best features

The Note 8 is Samsung's first smartphone to come with a dual camera lens, technology employed in the iPhone 7 Plus and Android challengers such as the Nokia 8 and OnePlus 5. It has two 12MP cameras on the back, which let users create depth effects and zoom further.

The Note 8 also showcases Samsung's Bixby voice assistant, its challenger to Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant.

Key specs | Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs S8

Bixby is activated through voice control, responding both to the wake phrase "Hi, Bixby" and when the button dedicated to Bixby is held down.

"Because it is controlled through the phone it is secure to the user," said Conor Pierce, head of Samsung UK, "it is not just sitting in the corner of the room listening to you."

Pierce added the Samsung brand has "never been in better shape" in the UK, where the company launched its Bixby voice control on Tuesday.

Rising from the Note 7 ashes

In spite of challenges to the Note brand and the arrest of Samsung's de facto head in Korea earlier this year, the Note 8 has been buoyed by the recent success of the Galaxy S8, which has sold around 20 million units according to analysts.

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"Last year was very tough for us, so with the new Note 8 we have been re-engaging with our audience," said Pierce.

The launch comes a few weeks before Apple is due to unveil the much-anticipated iPhone 8, another phone aimed at the premium end of the smartphone market.

6:01PM

That's it from us

We'll have more on the Note 8, including a review, in the coming weeks. Thanks for tuning in.

5:28PM

Samsung to offer discount to Galaxy Note 7 owners

To try and right some of last year's wrongs, Samsung will offer customers who had bought one of the recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones a discount on the Note 8. Samsung apologised for the Note 7 debacle and said owners could trade their current device in for up to $425 (332) off the Note 8.

5:18PM

Virtual reality: Note 8 will be compatible with a new version of Gear VR

The Note 8 is larger than the current Samsung Galaxy S8, but Samsung will be offering an updated version of its Gear VR headset that is compatible with the new Note, although no word just yet on when that device will be coming to the UK.

5:06PM

Presentation over...

That's the end of the official presentation - some of the other features Samsung touched on that included "app pair", which allows you to create shortcuts for two apps to open in split screen, using the S-pen for screenshots and using Bixby as a camera to translate signs and pictures.

Samsung has also opened its pre-order site for the Galaxy Note 8. In the UK it has confirmed it will be initially available in Maple Gold and Midnight Black.

We have also been told it will be available on the Three network, although no prices just yet.

5:01PM

Samsung's official trailer for the Note 8

4:53PM

Note 8: Expert analysis

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 could be a real contender for the upcoming iPhone 8, according to Ben Wood, research chief at CCS Insight.

By launching the Note 8 now, Samsung gets the oxygen of publicity ahead of Apples highly anticipated iPhone 8. Samsung will be hoping that a trio of competitive high end products will appeal to anyone looking for a new Android phone. Furthermore, these devices are certainly good enough to turn the heads of a few iPhone owners who fancy a trying a different device.

4:49PM

Samsung Note 8 release date

Samsung has confirmed the Note 8 will hit stores on September 15, while pre-orders will be available "in a few days".

Pre-orders will also come with a pair of Harmon earphones, that can be plugged into the headphone jack.

4:40PM

S-pen in detail

Samsung's director of product strategy, Suzanne De Silva, has been demonstrating the capabilities of the S-pen, a signature feature of the Note 8.

The S-pen allows users to take up to 100 pages of notes on the phone, even when the screen is off. It allows users to create art, and Samsung will be offering a colouring app with the Note 8 for users of the pen.

The pen will also be able to highlight and translate text into different languages.

Finally, it will be available for use in messaging apps, where users can create pictures and gifs to send to their friends.

Samsung's Susan De Silva

4:31PM

Dual camera compared

Samsung is taking users through the features of its dual camera. It starts by comparing it to the iPhone 7, suggesting the phone will offer superior image stablisation than its Apple rival.

The Note 8 will also offer "Dual Capture", taking depth effects even further. Note 8 users will be able to live focus pictures, fading out the background in real time.

Samsung image comparison

4:26PM

Note 8 prices revealed

Samsung providers have been quick to reveal the prices and tariffs that will be available for the Note 8.

The phone will be available from 869, according to Carphone Warehouse. These are some of the tariffs that will be on offer. You can find all the latest price details here.

O2 - 59.99 upfront cost, 56 per month with 20GB of data

EE - 49.99 upfront cost, 57 per month with 16GB of data

Vodafone - 50 upfront cost, 56 per month with 16GB of data

O2 - 59.99 upfront cost, 49 per month with 5GB of data

4:22PM

Note 8 infinity display

Samsung VP of product strategy Justin Denison has taken to the stage to talk users through the style of the QHD infinity display. Safe to say, it looks beautiful.

Samsung Note 8 infinity display

4:20PM

Samsung Note 8 colours revealed

Samsung has confirmed the colours of the new Note 8. It will come in Deep Sea Blue, Orchid Grey, Midnight Black and Maple Gold.

Note 8 in Maple Gold Credit: Samsung

Note 8 in Midnight Black Credit: Samsung

4:07PM

"You stuck with us"

Samsung begins its presentation with a tribute to fans of the Note smartphone, thanking them for remaining faithful even through the major technical issues with the Note 7. "You stuck with us," Samsung said.

Samsung head of mobile DJ Koh has taken to the stage for the Note 8. "We are here to celebrate everyone who has helped make the Galaxy Note such as success," he said.

4:03PM

And we're off!

Samsung's bosses are live on stage to announce the best features of the Galaxy Note 8.

3:50PM

Ten minutes to go...

Samsung executives will take to the stage in New York in ten minutes to unveil the Galaxy Note 8 - it's latest premium smartphone.

The venue is filling up and you can watch the presentation live here, and keep following the Telegraph's live coverage for all the highlights.

3:33PM

Bixby voice assistant on the Note 8?

Samsung has been pushing the capabilities of its voice assistant Bixby this week, launching the virtual aide to 200 countries including the UK ahead of the launch of the Note 8.

Bixby will almost certainly be available on the Note 8. The rival to Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant arrived on the Samsung Galaxy S8 in March, but was only available in Korean on its launch.

Users can engage the voice assistant to help them by saying "Hi, Bixby", or by holding down a dedicated Bixby button on the side of the phone.

The way you use your #GalaxyS8#GalaxyS8Plus will never be the same. #Bixby Voice(US English) is here! Get started by saying, "Hi, Bixby." pic.twitter.com/zjJm6KbPnD  Samsung SmartLife (@SamsungSLife) August 22, 2017

3:13PM

Live in New York: Fans prepare for Samsung's Unpacked event

Samsung fans have been queuing for the Note 8's launch event in New York, taking to Twitter under the #unpacked hashtag.

2:52PM

Can the Galaxy Note 8 rise from the ashes?

Today's Galaxy Note 8 launch is a big deal for Samsung. It comes weeks before Apple is due to unveil the 10-year anniversary iPhone 8. And it marks the return to the market of the Note brand a year after the disastrous Galaxy Note 7.

The Note 7 suffered from serious battery problems that led to dozens of devices overheating and, in some instances, bursting into flames. The company was forced to halt production and recall the 2.5m purchased Note 7 phones in October 2016. The debacle cost Samsung an estimated $17bn.

The Korean firm has since seen success with the smaller and cheaper Galaxy S8 phone, launched in March, which has been hailed as one of the best phones of 2017. Millions of S8 phones have been sold in months.

Samsung will be hoping for the right kind of fireworks with the Note 8. It will want to revive the luxury range with new features and a stable battery, to make it this year's must-have Android phone.

2:15PM

What to expect

Here's everything you need to know ahead of the launch.

When will it be unveiled?

Samsung will launch the Note 8 at 4pm UK time on Wednesday August 23 from an event in New York.

How do I watch it?

Samsung will be livestreaming the event on its website, which will be available here. You can also follow live coverage on the Telegraph website.

What can we expect?

The Galaxy Note 8 is expected to feature:

A 6.3-inch edge-to-edge display

Dual lens camera, making it Samsung's first device with the technology

Bixby, Samsung's intelligent voice assistant and a rival to Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri

A smaller but more reliable battery than the Note 7

A headphone jack

Four colours, including blue, gold, black and silver

When will it go on sale and how much will it cost?

Samsung hasn't confirmed a release date for the phone but leaks suggest it could go on sale on September 15 and cost 869 in the UK. Pre-orders are open from today at a number of retailers.

1:43PM

Samsung gets ready to launch the Galaxy Note 8

Afternoon! We'll be following the Samsung action as it happens today, bringing you the latest news about the Galaxy Note 8 phone when it is unveiled at 4pm GMT.
Infowars host Alex Jones is taking new measures to set things straight about his interview with NBC News' Megyn Kelly, which is set to air Sunday.

On Thursday night, Jones leaked audio of what he says was his private, pre-interview conversation with Kelly online to clarify what he referred to as "misrepresenting" him in the official interview.

"I've never done this in 22 years, I've never recorded another journalist," Jones said in a video posted to Twitter, teasing the leak. "I've never done this, but I knew that it was a fraud, that it was a lie."

In the audio, Kelly is heard saying, "This is not going to be a contentious, sort of 'gotcha' exchange." Then in a preview of the televised footage, Jones is seen talking with Kelly about the 2012 Newtown, Conn., shooting, with Jones calling Kelly "an anti-gunner."

Watch news, TV and more Yahoo View, available on iOS and Android.

The host also called out the "mainstream media," including The Hollywood Reporter, for its recent coverage of his sit-down with Kelly. Jones claimed that his words were taken out of context and heavily edited in promo clips for the interview. "I got it all on tape, sweetheart," he said during Thursday's Infowars show. "I did it to protect myself so I can show what she really did."

"What are they going to do, when I've got the tapes of what really happened?" Jones added, saying that Kelly acted like she was "obsessed with him." "It was worse than in college in a topless bar when women try to get you to pay for a dance."

Exclusive Sneak Peek @RealAlexJones @megynkelly The Interview! Full Interview to be released tonight on https://t.co/5KtICEUspi #NBCFakeNews pic.twitter.com/haeQxMrm74



- Rob Dew (@DewsNewz) June 15, 2017



Kelly has received backlash from the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting for choosing to broadcast her interview with Jones. On Tuesday, an anti-gun violence organization founded by parents of children killed in the 2012 shooting dropped Kelly as host of an event in Washington.

Story continues

"Our goal in sitting down with him was to shine a light, as journalists are supposed to do, on this influential figure and, yes, to discuss the considerable hoods he has promoted with near impunity," Kelly has said about her decision to feature Jones.

CNN chief Jeff Zucker said Thursday that marketing for Kelly's sit-down with Jones has been "unfortunate."

"I think the issue here is the way that they have thus far presented it has not led to the belief that he's held to account as much as somebody who spews such hatred and nonsense needs to be," he continued. "If you're going to do this story, the tease needs to be you holding up a picture of the dead kids at Sandy Hook and saying, 'How dare you?' And I think their marketing of this has thus far been unfortunate."

NBC has not yet responded to a request for comment on the leaked audio.

Read more: Alex Jones Responds to Megyn Kelly Interview Uproar: "It's a Bunch of PR"
Nick Cannon admits that he sometimes sleeps over at Mariah Carey's house but never in the same bed.

While on Thursday's The Wendy Williams Show, Williams grilled the former America's Got Talent host about his extremely amicable relationship with his 47-year-old ex-wife, and point-blank asked him if he and Carey are "still sleeping together."

WATCH: Mariah Carey Wears Lingerie While Reading 'Bedtime Stories' to Nick Cannon and Their Twins

"There would be nothing wrong with that, but that's not the case," Cannon responded, adding that he has "nothing but unconditional love" for the mother of his 5-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe.

"I mean, she's gorgeous but, you know, I'm respectful," he continued. "I put the kids to bed and I go home."

Williams also said she blamed Cannon for Carey's breakup from billionaire James Packer and, most recently, backup dancer Bryan Tanaka, claiming that Cannon is "always around."

"I wanted her to be with a billionaire!" he exclaimed. "More yachts for everybody!"

When Williams predicted that Cannon and Carey will be a couple again in five years, the 36-year-old star quipped, "You're speaking this into existence! I spoke the marriage into existence."

WATCH: Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey's Twins Hang With Their Newborn Brother

As for Carey's "most diva" moment, Cannon joked that it was when she gave birth to their twins. "She shut the whole hospital down," he recalled. "When they were born, she made me play music as they was coming out. It was [her song] 'Fantasy.' They was dancing to 'Fantasy.'"

In all seriousness, Cannon -- who just recently had a baby with his ex-girlfriend, Brittany Bell -- was adamant that he has a "love frequency" with Carey. "I feel like when two people are in a relationship it should be about growth." he shared. "It should be a situation where everyone's becoming a better human being in the relationship. So when you get to a point where there's no longer any growth and you're not bettering each other, I felt like it was probably best, especially for our children, since they're the number one priority, if I could be the best human being and the best father from outside of that house."

Story continues

EXCLUSIVE: Nick Cannon Calls Ex Mariah Carey a 'Queen'

In an exclusive interview with ET earlier this month, Cannon gushed over Carey. "That's always my dream girl," he said. "Like, to me, just because we're not intimate, I'm closer with her than probably I've ever been just based off of that's my family, that's the mother of my children."

Watch Entertainment Tonight on Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

Related Articles
Nanodiamonds at Work

When astronomers observe exoplanets outside our solar system, they are able to measure two primary traitsthe mass, which is measured by the wobble of stars, and radius, observed from the shadow when the planet passes in front of a star. The relationship between the two is used to classify a planet and help determine whether it may be composed of heavier or lighter elements.

With planets, the relationship between mass and radius can tell scientists quite a bit about the chemistry, Kraus said. And the chemistry that happens in the interior can provide additional information about some of the defining features of the planet.

Information from studies like this one about how elements mix and clump together under pressure in the interior of a given planet can change the way scientists calculate the relationship between mass and radius, allowing scientists to better model and classify individual planets. The falling diamond rain also could be an additional source of energy, generating heat while sinking towards the core.

We cant go inside the planets and look at them, so these laboratory experiments complement satellite and telescope observations, Kraus said.

The researchers also plan to apply the same methods to look at other processes that occur in the interiors of planets.

In addition to the insights they give into planetary science, nanodiamonds made on Earth could potentially be harvested for commercial purposesuses that span medicine, scientific equipment and electronics. Currently, nanodiamonds are commercially produced from explosives; laser production may offer a cleaner and more easily controlled method.

Research that compresses matter, like this study, also helps scientists understand and improve fusion experiments where forms of hydrogen combine to form helium to generate vast amounts of energy. This is the process that fuels the sun and other stars but has yet to be realized in a controlled way for power plants on Earth.

In some fusion experiments, a fuel of two different forms of hydrogen is surrounded by a plastic layer that reaches conditions similar to the interior of planets during a short-lived compression stage. The LCLS experiment on plastic now suggests that chemistry may play an important role in this stage.

Simulations dont really capture what were observing in this field, Glenzer said. Our study and others provide evidence that matter clumping in these types of high-pressure conditions is a force to be reckoned with.

The research collaboration includes scientists from Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf in Germany, University of California-Berkeley, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research in Germany, Osaka University in Japan, Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany, European XFEL, University of Michigan, University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and SLAC.

The research was supported by DOEs Office of Science and the National Nuclear Security Administration. LCLS is a DOE Office of Science User Facility.

-Written by Amanda Solliday

Citation: D. Kraus et al., Nature Astronomy, 21 August 2017 (10.1038/s41550-017-0219)

For questions or comments, contact the SLAC Office of Communications at communications@slac.stanford.edu.

SLAC is a multi-program laboratory exploring frontier questions in photon science, astrophysics, particle physics and accelerator research. Located in Menlo Park, California, SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. To learn more, please visit www.slac.stanford.edu.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov.
Despite the troubles faced by Charlotte Osei, chairperson of Ghana's Electoral Commission, in her home country, she seems to be a glowing example for many across the world, beyond the borders and shores of Ghana.

Get more news and current issues on your favorite Ghanaian politicians here on YEN.com.gh

The EC chair was honored with a Women of Courage award from the United States.

READ ALSO: Diver claims to have found dead Castro and Janet Bandu underwater protected by "river god"

The award, which was present to Charlotte Osei by the US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson was to extol her bravery prior to, during and after the tense 2016 General Elections.

Charlotte Osei with her "Women of Courage" award

The Women of Courage Award is an American award presented annually to women around the world who have shown leadership, courage, and willingness to sacrifice for others, especially in promoting womens rights.

In his remarks, Ambassador Jackson noted that the EC chair indeed "epitomizes the phrase, woman of courage."

According to the US Ambassador, the new rules and reforms undertaken by Charlotte Osei when she took over the helms of affairs of the EC guaranteed a sure credibility of the 2016 General Elections.

Mr. Jackson believed that those measures reduced the risk of any political party coming forward to dispute the results.

Mrs Charlotte Osei flanked by her colleague Commissioners, Mrs. Rebecca Kabuki Adjalo (L) and Hajia Saadatu Maida (R) after receiving the Woman of Courage award from the US Embassy

Charlotte Osei, on her part, humbly noted that she could not take all the glory for the success of the 2016 General Elections.

The 2017 Women of Courage award recipient attributed her success to the collective efforts of the Electoral Commissions staff and others who "contributed in diverse ways to the successful elections and the national peace and stability we continue to enjoy."

She thank the former EC boss, Dr. Kwaku Afari Gyan for guiding and supporting her throughout her taking charge of affairs at the EC.

Charlotte Osei also offered gratitude to her husband, children, family and friends saw her through times she described as though the "weight of...the nation" was dragging her down under.

READ ALSO: Prez Kufuor mocks NDC for opposing "Free SHS" as Nana Addo promises commencement in Sept

Send us a message on our official YEN Facebook group or at info@yen.com.gh.

YEN is building a platform where Ghanaians can share local news and own experiences with each other.

Witnessing an incident? Want to tell about a local problem? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?

Your stories and photos are always welcome.

Source: YEN.com.gh
China, Washingtons main rival for influence in the Asia-Pacific, has seized on the collision of a U.S. destroyer to accuse the Navy of endangering maritime navigation in the region.

A string of accidents this year shows the U.S. Navy is becoming a dangerous obstacle in Asian waters, the official China Daily newspaper said in its online edition.

The U.S. Navy, which likes to claim its presence can help safeguard freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, is proving to be an increasing hindrance to ships sailing in Asian waters, the newspaper said in an unsigned editorial.

The USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker on Monday as it was heading to Singapore on a routine port visit after conducting a sensitive freedom-of-navigation operation last week by sailing near one of Chinas man-made islands in the South China Sea.

Chinas claims to most of the South China Sea have resulted in territorial disputes with several Southeast Asian nations and prompted international concern about its militarization of waters that are a vital route for global trade.

Anyone should be able to tell who is to blame for militarizing the waters and posing a threat to navigation, the newspaper said.

In Manila, officials yesterday said Chinese navy stalked Philippine area.

Two Filipino security officials say China has deployed its navy and coast guard ships in a cluster of uninhabited sandbars in the disputed South China Sea amid concerns that the Philippines may build structures on them in an emerging territorial issue that the government stated was quickly resolved.

Two senior Philippine security officials told The Associated Press yesterday that three Chinese navy ships and other vessels kept watch near Sandy Cay on Aug. 12 after Filipino fishermen were spotted on the sandbars. The Filipinos eventually left.

A government report says the Chinese ships stayed for days off Sandy Cay, about 2.5 nautical miles from a Philippine-

occupied island.

The Chinese presence sparked concerns in Manila, but its top diplomat said without elaborating that the issue has been resolved. MDT/AP
Lawmaker Ng Kuok Cheong called for the government to reveal details regarding its smart city development agreement with Alibaba. In his written inquiries to the government, Ng pointed out that the government did not organize a public tender for Macaus smart city strategy cooperation. He claimed the agreement was a political decision and that the Chief Executive had overlooked common administrative procedures. Ng urged the government to reveal all costs involved in the agreement, including construction projects, software purchases, and designing. Ng said the government should examine and adhere to all public tender procedures related to the Alibaba deal and take measures to control costs related to the projects under the agreement, so as to avoid significant cost overruns.

Sands China: No comment on London theme report

London is reportedly the next source of inspiration for Sands Cotai Central, which will feature replicas of the citys iconic landmarks at its four towers. In Macau, the premises are home to several international hotel brands. As reported by Business Daily this week, an anonymous Sands China source said the four towers will feature outdoor displays of celebrated sites in London, yet did not confirm whether replicas of Big Ben or Buckingham Palace would be built. The unnamed source added that the hotels would change their interiors to mimic a London ambience, adding that the iconic double-decker buses are also part of the plans. The decision is done, its now just a matter of starting to work on it, the anonymous source said. The Times contacted Sands China, but the company did not confirm or deny the report. Sands China Ltd. has no comment regarding speculation about changes to Sands Cotai Central, a representative of the company said.
Cambridge University Press (CUP) agreed yesterday to restore more than 300 politically sensitive articles that had been removed from the publishers website in China at the behest of authorities.

Tim Pringle, editor of The China Quarterly, told The Associated Press that the publisher agreed to repost the articles immediately. The action followed a petition circulating among academics calling on the university press to turn down censorship requests from the Chinese government.

I am delighted by the support of the international academic community, Pringle said.

Cambridge University Press said over the weekend that it had complied with a request to block certain articles from The China Quarterly within China. They touch on politically sensitive subjects, including the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution and the status of Tibet.

Access to published materials of the highest quality is a core component of scholarly research, Pringle wrote in a post on Twitter announcing the decision. It is not the role of respected global publishing houses such as CUP to hinder such access.

The university later confirmed the decision to restore the articles, saying they had been reluctant to block the material in the first place.

Academic freedom is the overriding principle on which the University of Cambridge is based, the press said in a statement on Twitter. Therefore, while this temporary decision was taken in order to protect short-term access in China to the vast majority of the Presss journal articles, the Universitys academic leadership and the Press have agreed to reinstate the blocked content, with immediate effect, so as to uphold the principle of academic freedom on which the Universitys work is founded.

The furor comes against a tightening of controls by Chinese President Xi Jinpings government over a wide range of groups that could feed opposition to the ruling Communist Party, including lawyers who take on sensitive cases, non-governmental organizations and churches.

Academics say that universities, which have long endured some degree of political interference, have also come under increased supervision, including regular monitoring in classrooms and ideological audits.

Christopher Balding, an associate professor in economics at Peking University HSBC Business School in Shenzhen, said he started the petition to bring pressure on not just CUP, but also universities and academics who interact with China as well as Chinese universities and academics to stand up to censorship by the Chinese government.

With Chinese universities increasingly hiring internationally, Beijing is concerned that these universities are not going to have the ideological adherence to what Beijing wants them to say, Balding said.

The petition that circulated among academics calls on CUP to turn down censorship requests from the Chinese government. It says that academics and universities reserve the right to boycott CUP and related journals if it gives into the Chinese governments demands.

The fundamental driver of this [] is simply to exercise control, to try to impose what they think is the correct way of thinking, said Balding. He said that scholars in China who really want to read the papers will still be able to access the articles through their networks of colleagues or by skirting Chinese restrictions on the internet known as the Great Firewall.

However, the signal is being sent: we dont want Chinese scholars publishing on this, said Balding. You will mostly likely see a decline in basically any scholarly work on these particular issues.

By Monday, more than 200 people had signed the 3-day-old petition on change.org.

The Global Times newspaper, published by the ruling Communist Party, said in an editorial Monday that China blocks some information on foreign websites that it deems harmful to Chinese society, and that CUP has to abide by Chinese law if it sets up a server within China.

If Western institutions think Chinas internet market is so important that they cant miss out, they need to respect Chinese law and adapt to the Chinese way, the editorial read.

Chen Daoyin, a political scientist at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, said scholars in China self-censor anyway and dont work on politically sensitive topics, such as the June 4, 1989, crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations centered on Beijings Tiananmen Square.

Most of the young generations in China dont know about June 4, Chen said. And this is what Chinese authorities are doing now, working for the future.

Cambridge University Press, which is part of the famed British university, said in its Friday statement that it had complied with a request from a Chinese import agency to block individual articles within China to ensure that other materials it publishes would remain available in China.

It added that it was troubled by the recent increase in requests of this nature and intended to discuss the issue with Chinese authorities at the Beijing International Book Fair, which takes place this week. Danica Kirka & Louise Watt, London, AP
Chinese group HNA has acquired 16.2 percent of the Dufry group, raising its stake in the Basel-based group to 20.92 percent, which operates more than 2,200 duty-free and duty-paid stores in airports, ports, cruise ships, train stations and tourist areas, the Swiss group said yesterday.

This deal was made with the GIC and Temasek companies, and the trade press reported that the HNA group has invested more than USD1 billion in the Dufry group, taking into account its market capitalization.

The HNA Group is a conglomerate based on Hainan Island which operates in the aviation, industrial, tourism, logistics and financial sectors and became a shareholder of airline Azul  Linhas Aereas Brasileiras after paying 1.7 billion reais for a 23.7 percent stake.

Under the deal, the Chinese group has an indirect stake in TAP-Portugal, having in May 2016 announced that it purchased 25 percent of the companys convertible bonds for 30 million euros.

The deal, which was made through Azul (a company that is part of the Atlantic Gateway consortium, a shareholder of TAP), has allowed the Chinese group to increase its economic interests in TAP to 23 percent and to take a seat on the board of directors.

Beijing Capital Airlines, of the HNA group, recently established a link between China and Portugal, specifically between Hangzhou and Lisbon, with a stopover in Beijing, with an initial frequency of three flights a week.

In July, the group concluded the purchase for $19 million of Brazilian group Odebrechts stake in the RioGaleao consortium that manages Tom Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro. MDT/Macauhub
A prominent Chinese human rights campaigner pleaded guilty to inciting subversion of state power yesterday, saying he had used social media to inspire distrust in the Chinese government, in the latest trial in a sweeping crackdown on independent lawyers and rights activists.

Parts of the trial of Jiang Tianyong were broadcast on the social media account of Changsha Intermediate Peoples Court in the central province of Hunan, an unusual move for such a politically sensitive case. Prosecutors said he had used social media platforms to denigrate the government and judicial authorities and incited others to subvert state power, including fabricating claims that a lawyer had been tortured in custody. Rights groups said the trial was a sham.

Jiang was filmed saying he had used Twitter and Sina Weibo and interviews with overseas media to spread anti-government messages among the public.

I wanted to [] mislead internet users into hating our countrys current social system and into sharing my own sense of dissatisfaction with society, in order to inculcate hopes of changing the current social order with the goal of subverting our countrys current social order, Jiang said in the footage. He wore a short-

sleeved white shirt and sat alone in the middle of the court.

Jiang is one of the last lawyers and activists detained in relation to a crackdown that began in July 2015 to go on trial. Critics say the campaign is aimed at snuffing out any potential opposition to the ruling Communist Party.

In remarks available to watch on video on the courts Sina Weibo microblog account, Jiang said he felt remorse for his criminal behavior and that he deserved whatever punishment I get.

I also hope that those so-called human rights activists and lawyers who hold the same ideas as I used to can learn lessons from my case and from todays trial, he said. Dont do things like this; these kinds of things do cause serious damage to our country, our society and hurt our families.

Frances Eve, a Hong Kong-based researcher at the Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders, called yesterdays hearing a pre-written piece of theater and said that as expected under the circumstances, Jiang confessed at the end.

He was held in a secret location for six months and never given access to the lawyers hired by his family. Any confession under these circumstances wouldnt hold up in a truly independent court, Eve said.

Courts in China are controlled by the Communist Party and convictions are virtually assured. Human rights groups and victims say the extraction of coerced confessions, sometimes through the use of physical and psychological torture, is common, despite being banned by Chinese law.

Jiang was taken away by state security agents in November and in March purportedly gave an interview to a state newspaper and was shown on state TV saying that he had made up a story about a lawyer, Xie Yang, being tortured. Jiangs wife and rights groups said the supposed confessions were false, and his legal team questioned how reporters were able to meet with Jiang when his relatives and lawyers were not.

Xie was released in May after pleading guilty to charges of incitement to subversion and disturbing legal proceedings, and telling the same court he hadnt been tortured or forced into giving a confession. Xies wife, who fled to the U.S., called the trial a sham and the U.S. State Department said Xies confession appeared to be given under duress.

Jiang was a lawyer who took on politically sensitive cases, and defended blind activist Chen Guangcheng and followers of the outlawed Falun Gong spiritual group. He was disbarred in 2009, and became an activist and helped publicize the plight of lawyers arrested in the crackdown that began in July 2015.

Jiang was initially charged with subversion of state power, but it was downgraded to the lesser charge of incitement, which is often punished with time served while under investigation. A sentence will be announced at a later, unspecified date.

Vaguely defined subversion-related charges are frequently leveled against rights activists and perceived political foes of the Communist Party.

Jiangs friend, former lawyer Liu Xiaoyuan, said that Jiangs case was being dealt with much faster than that of other lawyers, such as Wang Quanzhang, who has been detained since 2015.

Liu said the unusual broadcasting of clips of the case on Sina Weibo meant there was an expectation Jiang would admit guilt.

Despite it being billed as an open trial by the court, Liu said a lawyer had applied to attend the hearing but was refused, and that authorities had blocked off the roads surrounding the court.

Diplomats from the embassies of the U.K., Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the U.S. and Germany had sought to attend Jiangs trial, but were prevented from getting even close to the courthouse because of the sealed-off roads, a Western diplomat said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case. Louise Watt, Beijing, AP
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has begun his purge of cabinet members and officials involved in the failed coup four days ago.

Two of the three ministers who signed the committees takeover decree, defence minister Dmitri Yazov and KGB chief Vladimir Kryuchkov, have been arrested.

The third, interior minister Boris Pugo, committed suicide to avoid arrest.

Mr Gorbachev also sacked his prime minister, Valentin Pavlov, and foreign minister Aleksandr Bessmertnykh. Dozens of other party officials and senior army officers resigned or were dismissed.

During an address to the Russian Parliament, the leader said his entire government should resign for failing to oppose the takeover.

But Mr Gorbachev was unable to prevent his political rival, Russias president Boris Yeltsin, capitalising on support he gained from opposing the coup and suspending the Russian Communist Party.

The exchanges between the Russian President and Soviet leader in parliament appeared to indicate that the balance of power in post-coup Moscow is rapidly shifting away from Mr Gorbachev.

Mr Yeltsin forced him to read out a list of those who had supported the takeover, taken from notes of the cabinet meeting on the morning of the coup.

When Mr Gorbachev had finished reading the notes, the president said: Now, on a lighter note, I will sign this decree suspending the Russian Communist Party.

Mr Gorbachev pleaded with him not to sign the document, telling parliament he would never agree to something that infringed the interests of millions of workers and peasants.

You cant say that the whole Communist party supported the conspirators  if we do things like this it will be a witch hunt, he added.

But Mr Yeltsin responded by saying he was not banning the party, merely suspending it prior to investigation of its involvement in the coup  and signed the document to loud applause.

Mr Gorbachev praised the Russian Parliament and Mr Yeltsin for their role in defeating the coup, but was frequently heckled during his speech.

During his description of what happened during the takeover attempt one member of the parliament shouted: We all know that. Talk about the reasons.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The Soviet Union collapsed four months later and Mr Gorbachev resigned on 25 December 1991.

Russia, Ukraine and Belarus formed the Commonwealth of Independent States, an alliance which was eventually joined by all the former Soviet republics except the Baltic states.

In 1992, Russia took the former USSRs seat at the United Nations.

Mr Yeltsins path to democracy was far from smooth. In 1993 he suspended parliament and called for new elections after a series of disagreements with his MPs.

When they barricaded themselves into the parliament building, he was forced to order the army in to recapture it.

Mr Yeltsin resigned in 2000 and was replaced by Vladimir Putin.

The 1991 coup plotters were pardoned in 1994.
Macau was left in a state of devastation today (Wednesday) after the strongest typhoon on local record swept past the city, killing at least five people.

Between the early hours of the morning and the late afternoon, the city was lashed by strong gales and heavy rains brought by Typhoon Hato, flooding entire streets and damaging commercial and residential properties.

According to local police reports, at least five deaths have been confirmed. They include a 62-year-old local man who fell from the 11th floor of a residential building, a 30-year-old mainland worker who was swept into a wall by strong winds and a 49-year-old local resident who was run over by a tourism bus.The two others who were confirmed dead yesterday drowned after being trapped in the basement of a shop, without realizing flood water were rising.

Weather-related fatalities are a rare occurrence in the territory even for natural disasters on this scale.

Typhoon Hato approached the Pearl River Delta area from the Philippine Sea yesterday on a trajectory that took it between Taiwan and the northern Philippine island of Luzon. Having made its way into the South China Sea, it curved slightly to the north to make landfall in the mainlands Guangdong Province, within 50km from the MSAR.

Brushing so close to Macau had a devastating effect on the peninsula and the islands.

Sirens sounded on the streets for the entire day and night as police, ambulance and fire service vehicles battled weather phenomenon to respond to emergency calls. Government services were scrambling to account for losses this evening, but the final human and financial cost of the typhoon remains untallied.

Reports came in throughout the day of uprooted trees, overturned vehicles, broken windows and buildings tops being ripped from their structures. At least one heritage site was confirmed by the Times to have suffered substantial damage  a small reading room on the corner of Rua do Campo and Avenida da Praia Grande  which had its roof torn off.

Reports of damage to the ferry terminals and some of the border checkpoints have been confirmed by authorities. The damage means that these infrastructure facilities will remain close in the near future. Moreover, a picture of the Macau Cultural Center obtained by the Times showed the buildings roof had been bent out of shape.

At a press conference held at 7:30 p.m., police authorities said they had already recorded 168 incidents, including 20 cases of items falling from buildings, 35 case of unhinged signs at risk of falling and at least 36 uprooted trees and snapped electrical cables.

A power cable supplying electricity from Zhuhai to Macau was ruptured around 12:30 p.m., according to utility company CEM, causing a city-wide blackout initially and leaving much of the territory in darkness during the evening.

A statement from CEM in the afternoon reported that the company had reverted to local power generators and that the power supply would gradually be restored. Local power generation normally only accounts for a small proportion of the citys total power consumption, with the rest provided by the mainland.

In the late evening, many residential and commercial buildings were still without power, and warnings were put in place that the local reserves might not hold.

A second statement issued by CEM to the Times noted that due to current capacity [being] insufficient for the consumption of the whole of Macau, [] we urge customers who have electricity restored limit the usage to reduce the overall electricity load.

Mainland authorities reported that they had an insufficient electricity supply to power the MSAR. Local providers are now waiting on updates from their mainland counterparts.

CEM said their priority is to ensure the stable supply [of electricity] in hospitals and other important public infrastructure.

The resort to emergency power reserves affected other services in the territory too.

At 7 p.m., telecommunications provider CTM sent an SMS to its service users warning that the lack of electricity supply was affecting its communication infrastructure.

CTM will start to use its own back-up electricity supply soon in order for the communication service to run normally, the message read. The back-up electricity supply at CTM will expire soon, as it has been running since this morning. Communication services may be interrupted. CTM will try to maintain normal operations under the circumstances.

The provision of water services was cut to some parts of the city this evening as a consequence of limited electrical power. By 9 p.m., reports reached MDT of residential buildings that were left without water.

CEM said that the Ilha Verde Water Plant is currently without electricity, but they were working to restore the situation by end of Wednesday.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau informed that many of the venues under its administration will not open today (Thursday), including libraries, heritage sites and exhibition venues.

The winds finally subsided during the late afternoon, providing an opportunity for locals and tourists to venture out onto the street and assess the damage.

Elderly locals were spotted collecting debris and cleaning the streets in some areas. Meanwhile, some business and shops in the Macau ZAPE area and near other tourist sites had reopened by the early evening, in a subdued return to reality.

Macau locals took to social media to praise the work of police, fire and medical services. A government press conference was livestreamed in the evening, but received a critical response from netizens who used emoticons to express their frustration with the governments planning and response.

If people think that we didnt do enough, we can improve in the future, an official from the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) said at the press conference.

The weather phenomenon was flagged as a Signal 10  the highest category warning in the territory and the first such warning since the 1999 handover  only after the city had been subject to hours of intense rain and wind.

The SMG had hoisted Signal 3 starting from 3 a.m. in the morning, which was elevated to Signal 8 around 9 a.m., when most people were due to begin work. A notice had been posted on the SMG website from 6 a.m., warning that the elevation to Signal 8 was highly likely.

Aside from essential public services, many employees are not required to go to work when a Signal 8 or higher warning is issued by the SMG. Schools in the territory close under such conditions.

The Times will be back on the stands on Friday, August 25, with further coverage of the story.

By Daniel Beitler, Renato Marques, Lynzy Valles & Julie Zhu, with additional reporting by Paulo Coutinho

Photos by Renato Marques

[UPDATED @ 11:58pm]
As North Korea vowed merciless retaliation against U.S.-South Korean military drills that it claims are an invasion rehearsal, senior U.S. military commanders yesterday dismissed calls to pause or downsize exercises they called crucial to countering a clear threat from Pyongyang.

The heated North Korean rhetoric, along with occasional weapons tests, is standard fare during the spring and summer war games by allies Seoul and Washington, but always uneasy ties between the Koreas are worse than normal this year following weeks of tit-for-tat threats between President Donald Trump and Pyongyang in the wake of the Norths two intercontinental ballistic missile tests last month.

There have been calls in both the United States and South Korea to postpone or modify the drills in an attempt to ease hostility on the Korean Peninsula following North Koreas threat to lob missiles toward the U.S. territory of Guam. But a visiting group of senior U.S. military commanders, including Adm. Harry Harris, the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, said the drills are critical for the allies to maintain readiness against an aggressive North Korea.

A strong diplomatic effort backed by a strong military effort is key because credible combat power should be in support of diplomacy and not the other way around, Harris said during a news conference at the Osan Air Base in South Korea.

Vincent Brooks, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said the allies should continue the war games until they have reason not to. That reason has not yet emerged, he said.

The U.S. military officials later traveled to the site of a contentious U.S. missile-defense system in South Korea later Tuesday.

North Koreas military said in a statement that it would launch an unspecified merciless retaliation and unsparing punishment on the United States over the Ulchi Freedom Guardian drills that began Monday for an 11-day run.

Despite the threat, an unprompted direct attack is extremely unlikely because the United States vastly outguns Pyongyang, which values the continuation of its dictatorship above all else. Impoverished North Korea hates the annual drills in part because they force it to respond with expensive military measures of its own.

The North Korean statement accused the United States of deploying unspecified lethal weapons for the drills that it says involve a beheading operation training aimed at removing absolute ruler Kim Jong Un.

No one can vouch that these huge forces concentrated in South Korea will not go over to an actual war action now that the military tensions have reached an extreme pitch in the Korean Peninsula, the statement said. Moreover, high-ranking bosses of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces flew into South Korea to hold a war confab. Such huddle is increasing the gravity of the situation.

Sen. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who visited Seoul with other lawmakers, said Tuesday that dialogue would be the best way to defuse the North Korean nuclear standoff, though he argued that the United States and its allies must be ready to respond to potential aggression by North Korea with overwhelming force.

Talking with North Korea is not a concession; it is the only way to reach an agreement to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and to reinforce that our military strength is there only to deter aggression and to defend against attack, Markey told a news conference.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono offered a different view, saying pressure, not talks, is needed to push North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. He said Pyongyang had used dialogue in the past to buy time.

The Ulchi drills are largely computer-simulated war games held every summer, and this years exercise involves 17,500 American troops and 50,000 South Korean soldiers. No field training like live-fire exercises or tank maneuvering is involved in the drills, in which alliance officers sit at computers to practice how they would engage in battles and hone their decision-

making capabilities. The allies have said the drills are defensive in nature. Lee Jin-man & Hyung-jin Kim, Osan Air base, AP
The number of international visitors to Taiwan fell almost 6 percent in the first six months of 2017, despite a 7.6 percent increase in arrivals from Macau and Hong Kong, according to Taiwans Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

The drop was led by a significant decrease in visitors from mainland China  the islands biggest tourism market  which accounted for about 1.26 million of the 5.12 million visitors between January and June.

The number of mainland visitors plummeted to a five-year low in the six-month period, representing a 40 percent decline compared to the same period in 2016.

Meanwhile, arrivals from Macau and Hong Kong increased 7.6 percent to 810,000, while those from Japan increased 1.2 percent to 890,000.

Visitors from South Korea showed the strongest growth, posting a 30 percent increase year-on-year to 530,000.

Conversely, some 1.18 million Taiwanese visitors traveled to Macau and Hong Kong in the six-month period, while 1.92 million visited mainland China.
Mozambique will host the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) from today to Friday, an event that will be attended by foreign ministers, among other government officials, the Mozambican press reported.

The meeting, which is taking place for the first time in Mozambique, has already confirmed the participation of 31 African ministers, including 24 Ministers for Foreign Affairs, seven other ministers and vice ministers, according to the Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Oldemiro Baloi.

The Minister said that TICAD is an opportunity to showcase cooperation between Japan and African countries, with the opening session due to be inaugurated by the President of Mozambique.

The Mozambican delegation at the meeting will take the opportunity to reveal the result of Japans cooperation in the country, with Baloi citing as examples the recovery of the port of Nacala, laying asphalt on the Mandiba/Lichinga road and the construction of the Infulene Institute of Sciences and Health.

The TICAD process consists of five co-organizers, namely the Government of Japan, the African Union Commission, the Office of the United Nations Special Adviser on Africa, the United Nations Development Program and the World Bank.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono will be present on both days of the conference, and on Sunday will travel onwards to Ethiopia to meet with African Union officials.

In addition to Taro Kono and other members of his delegation, representatives of more than 50 Japanese companies are expected to be present in Maputo, according to the number mentioned by the Japanese ambassador to Mozambique, Toshio Ikeda, after a meeting with Mozambican Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario. MDT/Macauhub
Set and shot mostly in Macau, Thomas Lims latest film, Sea of Mirrors, wrapped up shooting last month with the completion of several scenes filmed in Los Angeles. Post-production is nearing completion, according to the director, and a premiere in the MSAR is being planned for 2018.

With the film set in Macau, Singaporean-Chinese director Lim and a predominantly local crew filmed Sea of Mirrors exclusively on an iPhone 6S, stating that this would first and foremost suit the visual texture of the story.

According to a press release from Island Man Pictures, L.A.-based Toru Uchikado, the star of popular American TV series Heroes Reborn, joined the cast as its final member last month

Born in the U.S and raised in Japan, Uchikado played the important role of Ren Shimosawa in the NBC science fiction serial drama Heroes Reborn, aired nationwide in America in 2015 and 2016.

Uchikado said that he was attracted to the project due its quirk of being filmed entirely on an iPhone and mostly in the Macau enclave.

Macau is an extremely popular travel destination in Japan, and Ive always hoped to be in a movie set there, he said, according to the press release. When Thomas [Lim] told me the story of Sea of Mirrors, which involved Japanese elements, and that he was shooting on the iPhone, I was very intrigued and immediately said yes.

Sea of Mirrors tells the story of a fictional, former Japanese actress, Riri Kondo, who travels to the MSAR with her young daughter to meet a rich investor who claims to be her fan, who is interested in investing in a movie with the former star as the lead.

She turns down the offer, however, once she realizes the investors true motivation is to coerce her into sexual relations. Her daughter is kidnapped in response, resulting in a helpless and desperate attempt to find her child before Kondos growing obsession with casino lights in the city pushes her to the brink of madness.

According to the directors schedule, post-production for the film should be completed later this year, with a Macau premiere in 2018. DB
The Macau Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) has announced that the Services Complex for Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries will cost between MOP590 million and MOP1.06 billion to build.

Bidding for design and construction opened yesterday morning at DSSOPT headquarters, with nine out of the initial 12 organizations participating in the public tender.

Before the bidding began, three proposals were immediately disqualified for not complying with the regulations of the tender, a DSSOPT spokesperson said.

The remaining nine participants put in bids which started at MOP590 million and eventually peaked at MOP1.06 billion.

According to Lei San Fat, an engineer from DSSOPTs Department of Public Buildings, there is no date yet for the start of construction since such date will be dependent on the decision of the committee that is analyzing the proposals [] only after the committee that analyzes the public tender decides on a final proposal [will] we know more about when the works will start.

Under the rules of the public tender, construction cannot last more than 600 working days. Proposed construction periods ranged between 586 days and the maximum 600.

Once built, the Services Complex will occupy the land plots identified by C15 and C16 of Nam Van Lake, in the vicinity of Macaus Legislative Assembly. It will occupy a geographical area of about 14,200 square meters and a maximum floor area of 50,000 square meters.

The complex will house the Exhibition Centre for Products from Portuguese-Speaking Countries, the Service Centre for Companies from China and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries, the Information Centre, the Exhibition Hall on Economic and Trade Relations between China and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries and their Cultures, the Training Centre between China and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries and the Exhibition Hall on the Urban Development of Macau.

The building will also serve as the official headquarters for the China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund, which moved from the mainland to Macau in June and has since been temporarily lodged in an office in the Business Support Center, a unit under the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute.
A total of 52 flights have been cancelled today in anticipation of tropical typhoon Hato, which is expected to make landfall this morning along the southern Chinese coast, according to yesterdays forecast by the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG).

Yesterday, Juneyao Airlines cancelled its flights to and from Shanghai, which were scheduled to depart and arrive in Macau at 9:55 p.m and 9:10 p.m., respectively.

Information released last night from the Administration of Airports showed that the cancelled fights are mainly routes today to and from the mainland. Others were scheduled to fly routes to Manila, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Air Macau is also delaying its routes to and from Tokyos Narita Airport as well as Fukuoka, while AirAsia has rescheduled its Bangkok and Chiang Mai flights.

The bureau hoisted Signal No.1, the lowest warning for a tycoon, early yesterday. By midnight, a notice had been posted on the SMG website that the signal might be elevated to Signal No.3 between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m this morning.

SMG told the Times that raising the signal would depend on the wind force in the region.

The wind and weather affecting the flight depends on the airplane type, pilot and the wind speed of the cross wind, it said.

If [the cross wind] is too strong, [it] may affect the landing and departure of the flight, but different types of airplanes can or cannot have difficulties when around the different cross winds, it added, noting that pilot technique remains a factor.

TurboJET has also adjusted its ferry schedule, suspending its routes to and from the Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal and Shenzhen Airport Fu Yong Ferry Terminal.

While most ferry routes to and from Macau will proceed as scheduled, the last ferry to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) from the Outer Harbor departed at 5 p.m. yesterday, while a ferry from Macau to the airport last sailed at 7:45 p.m.

TurboJET was also operating limited services on its Outer Harbor  Shekou route.

The movement of the typhoon last night was 25 km/hour, while its maximum wind speed was 118 km/hour.

SMG warned drivers that winds over the bridges would be strong, and to pay attention to traffic safety.

The forecast today is expected to be cloudy, with showers and thunder at first, and force 4 to 6 north to-northwesterly winds becoming force 6 to 8 southerly winds with gusts.

In Hong Kong, the typhoon is expected to fall within 100km of the city today.

According to Hong Kong reports, airlines have warned passengers of severe impact on flights in and out of HKIA from today until tomorrow morning.

The majority of flights between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. will be axed due to the storm, which is expected to affect hundreds of flights in the region.

In Guangdongs neighboring Fujian Province, more than 4,000 fish farmers and their families retreated inland on Monday. All fishing boats returned to the harbor yesterday.

Around 90 bullet trains between Shenzhen and cities in Fujian and Jiangxi provinces have been cancelled today, according to a Xinhua report.

Chinas national weather observatory issued an orange alert, the first level of its four-

tier color-coded system for severe weather.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in a statement that the 13th tropical cyclone in the region this year will move northwest to make landfall in Guangdong today, and lose strength as it moves further west. Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang and Taiwan will see torrential rain and gales in the coming days.

The NMC has recommended that local governments take precautions against possible geological disasters, and that ships in affected areas should return to port.

Macau records highest temperature since 1930

Macau yesterday registered the highest temperature since the year 1930, according to a TDM report. The record temperature, 39 degrees Celsius, was detected at a weather station in Ka Ho, Coloane. At the Macau Ferry Terminal, the temperature registered 38.9 degrees Celsius. Another station at Tai Tam Hill recorded 38 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau stated that the high temperatures were being caused by the incoming typhoon.
TWIN FALLS  A Jerome man is being charged with stealing five replica artifacts worth $15,000 total from the College of Southern Idaho Herrett Center in April.

Bryan Richardson, 53, is being charged with burglary and grand theft.

Police identified him as a suspect and filed for a warrant in mid-April, a couple of weeks after the theft was reported. However, at the time Richardson was facing a separate burglary charge in Jerome County. He was sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison in that case last week, and made his initial felony appearance in Twin Falls court on Tuesday.

Richardson stands accused of entering the Herrett Center the afternoon of April 6 ad using a tool to open a display case containing the replicas and remove the four arrow/spear heads and an ax.

The replicas were of prehistoric Native American items that were found at a site near Fairfield, Twin Falls police said, and the crime was caught on security video. Police recovered the replicas not long after the theft, and in May the Herrett Center briefly displayed the real, priceless artifacts to the public. They are part of what is known as the Simon Clovis cache, Simon after the owner of the farm where they were unearthed in 1961 and Clovis as in the Clovis people, who lived in North America more than 10,000 years ago.

Richardson was being held in Twin Falls County jail as of Tuesday. His preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 1.
TWIN FALLS  Its a big action item each year for the College of Southern Idahos board: approving a multi-million dollar budget.

After a budget hearing, CSI trustees voted Monday to approve a $42.5 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2018, which started July 1. Its a 1.53 percent increase over last year.

The colleges top finance official says the budget adequately funds CSI operations this year. Plus, the college has no external debt, has the second lowest tuition rates in Idaho  after the College of Eastern Idaho  and has a large fund balance.

We remain financially well position for the challenges we are facing over the next several years, vice president of administration Jeff Harmon told trustees.

One important factor in putting together the budget is student enrollment. Enrollment management continues to be key, Harmon said.

Dual credit enrollment  high schoolers who are earning high school and college credits simultaneously  continues to grow, while online and on-campus enrollment has declined, Harmon said.

Overall, hes projecting enrollment to remain flat, compared with last year.

The budget also includes a 3 percent cost-of-living salary increase for employees.

And this year, the college will spend $13,100 per employee on health, dental and vision insurance premiums  an $860 increase over last year.

State funding provided for three additional full-time employees paid for by the general fund, and two more full-time employees using career and technical education money.

Here are some other key numbers from the budget:

$11.2 million: Budget estimate for student tuition and fees

$1.7 million: Lost revenue as a result of no longer being able to bill Bonneville County for out-of-county tuition for residents of that county.

Thats because those Bonneville County residents voted this spring to create taxing district to support the College of Eastern Idaho.

With Bonneville County, we are undoubtedly taking a loss, CSI board chairman Karl Kleinkopf said, and he asked how it will affect CSIs budget. Harmon said he expects losses will happen over time.

$185,000: Increase in the career/technical education budget over last year, for a total of about $7.1 million.

$6.5 million: Property tax revenue from Twin Falls and Jerome counties, which make up CSIs taxing district.

Thats a 4.5 percent, or $281,500, increase over last year. Thats largely due to new construction in those counties.

During their meeting, CSI trustees also:

Heard a presentation about a new Dual Credit Academy.

The first group of 20 students began the two-year program this summer and are slated to finish by spring 2019.

Once they finish, theyll have an academic certificate in hand from CSI by the time they graduate from high school.

Of the 20 students, all of them finished summer classes and are enrolled this fall. And 16 of them live from outside the Twin Falls city limits.

The colleges board heard emotional testimony from students, their parents and instructors about the impact of the exposure to college classes.

One student from Jerome cried as he spoke about how he gained back a desire to learn and how college classes transformed his viewpoints about the world around him.

Approved a Head Start/Early Head Start operations report.

Director Mancole Fedder gave an update on a new requirement that Head Start bus drivers undergo a physical assessment to make sure they can perform their job duties.

The change was largely the result of an April Blaine County School District bus crash that injured a dozen students.

Drivers were notified of the change during a pre-service training, Fedder told the board. I can tell you there was zero negative response to this.

Some of the employees were concerned about how theyd do on the assessment, he said, but so far, the two drivers whove taken it both passed. Now theres a lot less fear of the unknown with that assessment.
TWIN FALLS  Teenagers: If youre planning to take dual credit classes, the College of Southern Idaho can help.

The college is planning a series of information nights across south-central Idaho, it announced Tuesday.

CSI dual credit employees and a transition coordinator will be available to assist students.

Middle and high school students and their families, are invited to attend the free events.

After a general information session, two breakout sessions will be offered: advanced opportunity funding and dual credit advising.

Light snacks will be available and giveaways are planned at the events.

Heres the schedule:

Twin Falls: 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Health Sciences & Human Services Building on North College Road.

Idaho Falls: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at CSIs Idaho Falls Center, 1235 Jones St. If you plan to attend, RSVP to Ella Johnson at 208-357-4530 or ejohnson@csi.edu.

Burley: 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 5 at CSIs Mini-Cassia Center, 1600 Parke Ave.

Hailey: 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at CSIs Blaine County Center, 1050 Fox Acres Road No. 408.

Gooding: 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at CSIs North Side Center, 202 14th Ave. E.

For more information, call 208-933-2320 or email dualcredit@csi.edu.
MALTA  An employee of Raft River Rural Electric was injured in an electrical incident Tuesday morning while out on a job.

The man was working in the Malta area when he was injured and sent to the Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Raft Rural Electric Manager of Finance and Administration Alice Bartschi said. He was later taken to the University of Utah Hospital.

The cause of the injury has not been determined, and the company declined to release the employees name or medical condition.

The investigation is going on as quickly as possible, Bartschi said.
MALTA  An employee with Raft River Rural Electric Co. is still hospitalized following an electrical incident on Aug. 22.

A company spokeswoman said the investigation is still ongoing. The employee had been transported to the University of Utah Hospital.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administrations Boise office was unaware any injuries, area director David Kearns said. Employers are required to notify OSHA within 24 hours if an employee is hospitalized for treatment due to a work-related injury. If a company fails to do so, it could face penalties, Kearns said.

Exemptions are made for small farms with 10 or fewer employees at all times in the past 12 months, or in an injury that occurred because of a car accident on a public street or highway. OSHA does not have jurisdiction if there is not an employment relationship, such as if a company owner was injured, Kearns said.

Our condolences go to the injured worker and his family, he said. We hope for a full and quick recovery.
TWIN FALLS  Extreme weather this year has led to an uptick in power outages in the Magic Valley, countering what has been a general decline in the number and severity of blackouts.

As of mid-August, the number of outages in the region in 2017 had been 30 percent higher than the average of the previous four years, Idaho Power spokesman Brad Bowlin said.

Most of the increase is due to the higher impacts from weather related events including snow, ice and wind, he said.

The biggest this winter were in Jerome city and county and south of Murtaugh in early January, and again in late February in the Murtaugh and Oakley areas and some nearby parts of Jerome County. Caused by winters snow and ice, each knocked out power to almost 10,000 customers.

Power outages tend to happen more often in the summer, Bowlin said, for a mix of reasons. As trees grow, more foliage gets into power lines, and birds are also more active. Heavy smoke from wildfires, which can cause electricity to arc along lines if its thick enough and short circuit, as well as damage from the fires themselves, are also factors, and Bowlin said they have been a particularly prominent cause of outages this summer.

The biggest so far this summer have been two separate outages in Twin Falls and Wendell on Independence Day. The one in Twin Falls was caused by lightning taking out a surge arrester, and the Wendell outage by a car hitting a pole. Those outages affected 13,000 customers total. A wind-caused outage July 15 also knocked out power to 14,400 customers in Jerome, Gooding and Twin Falls counties.

The number of outages has been dropping since 2006, when the average Idaho Power customer lost electricity three times in a year. It had been down to 1.3 outages per customer in an average year, although Bowlin said it will likely be higher this year. Flooding in Cassia County and the Wood River Valley and wildfires in Lincoln and Gooding counties have been significant factors, he said.

(There has been) some pretty severe weather, both during the winter months, and obviously we had quite a few fires in the Magic Valley region this summer that have contributed to that, he said. Were always trying to get that number lower.

The length of the average outage has dropped over the same period, from more than six minutes to under four.

A lot of that is due to the really deliberate attention weve focused on reliability, Bowlin said.

Improvements over the past decade have included testing and reinforcing or replacing power poles, line maintenance work and putting in more protective equipment so outages are more contained. The company also started on a 17-year-long underground cable replacement plan in 2012.

Bowlin said Idaho Power has put bird guards in areas where birds are a problem, and it has taken steps in wildfire-prone areas to protect poles such as getting rid of nearby vegetation.

We have seen a decrease in poles damaged by wildfires because of that, he said.
ARCO  While the traffic tie-ups and campground crowds in most places werent as bad as some people feared, Mondays total eclipse of the sun was big for Craters of the Moon.

I can tell you we had levels of visitation that were historic, said Ted Stout, spokesman for the national monument. We never encountered visitor numbers like we had over the last two days.

Predictions of hordes of people ended up being overblown for much of the state, but at Craters they came true. Percentage-wise, the increases in traffic in the area were higher there than anywhere else in the state, according to the Idaho Transportation Departments numbers on Monday. Stout said they had to close the park for a few hours both Sunday and Monday, since traffic had backed up to the point it was unsafe.

We had to let people out until it kind of cleared out and then we reopened the park again, he said. As far as I know its never happened at Craters of the Moon before.

Most of Craters itself was a little outside of the eclipses path of totality  it did pass over some difficult-to-access corners of the preserve but not over the well-known and frequently visited lava fields that are in the national monument portion  so park staff held a viewing event in nearby Arco with researchers from NASA. A NASA-sponsored team launched a high-altitude balloon with a camera to film the eclipse from the sky.

Stout said there wasnt any damage recorded to the parks natural resources or facilities.

People were fairly well behaved, although some were frustrated about not being able to find a parking space, he said.

Stout said about 2,000 cars passed through the parks entrance daily over the past couple of days, compared to a normal summer-day average of 400 to 500 cars. Total visitation numbers for the eclipse were not yet available Tuesday, but Stout said the campground has been pretty much full every night for the past week. Anecdotally, he said, many of them hadnt planned to spend their time at Craters.

The story I got from most visitors is that they were in Idaho to see the eclipse and then they noticed that Craters of the Moon is here, he said.

There were fewer visitors on Bureau of Land Management lands during the eclipse than had been expected, said BLM spokeswoman Heather Tiel-Nelson. Much of the staff in the Shoshone field office was working over the weekend before the eclipse and fire engine were on standby.

Thankfully they didnt have to respond to any eclipse-related fire starts, she said.

There were no fires due to the increase in campers, and no damage to campgrounds that has been discovered. Hard numbers werent immediately available, but Tiel-Nelson said the talk around the office has been that the numbers of campers was similar to any other busy weekend. She said the BLM even sent some of the extra employees who had been called in home.

Once we recognized there just werent the numbers of people we were anticipating, we were turning folks loose so they could enjoy the eclipse the way they would like to, she said.
WENDELL  One person was hospitalized after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 84 Tuesday afternoon, Idaho State Police said.

ISP said Scott Smith, 51, of Eagle, was driving east in a construction zone, with Blanca Guerra, 26, of Blackfoot driving behinjd him and Juan Tellez, 36, of Jerome driving a semi-truck pulling a trailer behind her. Police said Guerra slowed down for traffic in front of her and Tellez rear-ended her car, swerved into the median and jackknifed.

Tellezs semi blocked the eastbound lane completely and the westbound one partially, and Guerras car was pushed into Smiths by the crash, with both of their cars coming to rest in the eastbound lane.

Everyone was wearing seat belts. Guerra was taken by ambulance to St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls. Both east and westbound lanes in the area were blocked for about 40 minutes while crews cleared the scene.

Gooding County sheriffs deputies and the Idaho Transportation Department assisted. ISP is investigating the crash.

ISP also responded to a crash on I-84 in Jerome County Tuesday morning in which a U.S. Forest Service firetruck rolled onto its top. Nobody was reported injured in this crash. Police hadnt released more information as of Tuesday evening.
Its officially on.

Breitbart News, with former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon back in charge, is ripping mad at President Donald Trump after Mondays Afghanistan speech foreshadowed an increase in ground troops.

Its homepage had five incredibly critical headlines from a website that cheered Trump to victory. The accompanying articles might be even tougher. Here are key excerpts from the stories:

Article 1: The speech was a disappointment to many who had supported his calls during the campaign to end expensive foreign intervention and nation-building.

Article 2: Using many of the same vague promises that previous presidents had used, including a repeat of Obamas promise not to give a blank check to Afghanistan and a pledge to finally get tough on Pakistan, it was a far cry from the America First foreign policy he laid out in the months before Election Day.

Article 3: This isnt about changing his perspective on the war. POTUS is a remarkably astute and stubborn individual. This was about the swamp getting to him.

Article 4: I voted for Donald Trump because he promised change. I may have made a mistake.

Article 5: In Donald Trumps old gambling houses, no player doubled down on a six. In Donald Trumps White House, the president looks to double down on his soft hand in Afghanistan. Thats a bad bet.

In the hours before the president delivered his prime-time address, I wrote that the speech would be a test for the next phase of his relationship with Bannon, who left Breitbart a year ago to become chief executive of Trumps campaign and then served as his top strategist in the White House until Friday. I figured that Bannon wouldnt like what Trump had to say and that his displeasure would show up in Breitbarts coverage.

But wow. I was not prepared for this level of fury.

Whats striking about Breitbarts coverage is the way its writers took direct aim at Trump, instead of his advisers.

The best example is the headline that refers to President H.R. McMaster, Trumps national security adviser. Its a play on a memorable New York Times editorial headline from January: President Bannon? (A Times editorial published on the day of Bannons ouster read, Farewell, President Bannon.)

Bannon knows better than anyone how deeply the perception that someone else is calling the shots wounds Trumps pride. By suggesting that McMaster is the president, Bannon is trolling Trump. Hard.

I call my own shots, largely based on an accumulation of data, and everyone knows it. Some FAKE NEWS media, in order to marginalize, lies!

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 6, 2017

The other thing that stands out in Breitbarts coverage is zero tolerance for Trumps spin, which the site typically amplifies. Trump did his best on Monday to paint his reversal on sending more troops to Afghanistan as a result of gaining a better understanding of the situation than he had before his election.

My original instinct was to pull outand, historically, I like following my instincts, he said. But all my life Ive heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk in the Oval Office; in other words, when youre president of the United States.

Breitbart isnt buying it.
The Australian whistle-blower and founder of Wikileaks has attacked Saudi-owned media al-Arabiya for what he called absurd fabrications after an article published by the media accused him of allegedly entering into agreement with Qatar to withhold the release of some sensitive information on Qatari officials for some huge sums of money.

The article in question made claims about Qatars role in a number of scandals. It described an alleged Qatari conspiracy to undermine Bahrain; accuse Abu Dhabi of financial support for terrorists; alleged secret relations with Israel and a mutual agreement with WikiLeaks to block the publication of cables about Qatari support for three terrorists wanted by the US, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reports.

Assange was cited by Sawsan Al-Shaer; a Bahraini journalist and writer, for the conspiracy under which Assange would refrain from publishing two sensitive cables out of seven on Qatari officials.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said he has seven cables about Qatar, she said.

Only five were published while the other two were not after Qatar negotiated with the websites administrator, who requested huge sums of money in order not to publish them as they contained dangerous information about meetings with Israeli and American officials and incitements against Egypt and its people.

Assange took to tweeter to denounce the machinery aiming at involving him into the diplomatic row between Qatar and its neighbors, namely Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain plus Egypt.

The Al Arabiya network (HQ in UAE) has been publishing increasingly absurd fabrications as the UAE v Qatar dispute continues. One from today, he tweeted.

Qatars neighors and Egypt have severed ties with the tiny gas-rich country over its alleged support for terrorism and incitement for revolt in their territories. Qatar has rejected the accusations.

The UAE-based Saudi media denied accusing the Wikileaks founder.

In its defense, Al-Arabiya distanced itself from the article, saying that it was an opinion piece that originally appeared in Arabic in a separate Arabic-language newspaper, MEMO notes.
Iran, through the voice of its atomic chief, indicated Tuesday that it could increase in five days its uranium enrichment to 20 per cent; enough level to lead to creation of nuclear weapon if the US continues imposing sanctions on Tehran.

If there is a plan for a reaction and a challenge, we will definitely surprise them, said Ali Akbar Salehi, who also serves as one of Rouhanis vice presidents.

If we make the determination, we are able to resume 20 percent enrichment in at most five days.

Washington has raged Tehran over the past few weeks after President Donald Trump and the Congress threw into question the 2015 nuclear deal known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with the United States, Russia, China and three European powers.

Under the deal, Iran was required to reduce its uranium enrichment to 5 per cent, enough to prevent the Islamic Republic from manufacturing a nuclear weapon, while the West was asked to lift economic sanctions on Tehran.

Although the State Department indicated that Iran has been in compliance with the terms of the deal, the US treasury in July imposed sanctions against 18 people and entities for their support for Irans ballistic missile program.

The Treasury department also accused the targeted individuals of the theft of US and Western software programs and selling them to Iran.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized the 2015 deal, which, he says, does not curb Irans influence in the region.

President Hassan Rouhani last week said Iran could resume ramping out its uranium enrichment in matter of hours if the US continues imposing sanctions.

If America wants to go back to the experience (of imposing sanctions), Iran would certainly return in a short time  not a week or a month but within hours  to conditions more advanced than before the start of negotiations, he told parliamentarians.

US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley in response to Rouhanis threats argued that the sanctions were unrelated to the nuclear deal and that Iran must be held responsible for its missile launches, support for terrorism, disregard for human rights, and violations of UN Security Council resolutions.

The US diplomat is expected in Vienna this week to discuss Irans nuclear activities with UN atomic watchdog officials as part of Washingtons review of Tehrans compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.
The United States will withhold up to $290m of its financial support for Egypt, denying the North Africa country $96 million in aid and delaying $195 million in military funding.

State Department officials confirmed the move, saying it translates Washington concerns over Egypts human rights record and President al-Sisis support for crackdown on NGOs.

The Egyptian President actually endorsed last May a law regulating charities work in Egypt, but seen by human rights activists as a governments further crackdown on NGOs. The law imposes up to five-year prison sentence on its violators.

Egypt, which accuses NGOs of receiving foreign funds, criticizing the regime and inciting revolt, had reportedly promised Washington that the law would not be enacted.

The denied $96 million will be reprogramed for other purposes and reassigned to other key US allies, State Department sources said, while the delayed amount of $195m will be deposited in an account and will be handed to Egypt only when human rights are improved.

Under US law, the administration is required to withhold 15 percent, or $195m, of the $1.3bn it gives Egypt annually in FMF funds unless it can certify that Cairo is making progress on advancing human rights and democracy. However, the administration can issue a national security waiver that allows the funds to go through, al Jazeera explains.

Egypt, a strategic US Middle East partner in view of its borders with Israel and control of the Suez Canal, is the second largest recipient of US military financial support behind Israel. Cairo has received nearly $80 billion in military and economic aid over the past 30 years.
Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank.
Congos President Denis Sassou Nguesso on Monday reappointed Clement Mouamba as prime minister, the presidency said in a statement.

Clement Mouamba, resigned four days ago with the entire government, as Denis Sassou Nguesso called for new leadership to help alleviate economic woes caused by a steep drop in oil prices since 2014.

The announcement came two weeks after the ruling partys comfortable election win in legislative. In a speech two weeks ago during the countrys independence anniversary, Sassou Nguesso acknowledged the problems facing the country.

The public debt of the small oil-rich nation of 4.5 million people represents 117% of its GDP, according to the IMF.

The IMF recently accused Brazzaville of having hidden part of its debt from the institution by claiming it was 77% of national output.

Congo is currently in a dispute with rating agencies over what they say is a default on the latest coupon payment of its $363 million Eurobond. Congo denies it is in default.

Sassou Nguesso, who embarked on a new term in office last year, is credited by his supporters with restoring stability and developing infrastructure. He campaigned on promises including a commitment to spend a quarter of the budget on education to tackle high youth unemployment.

His critics say that Congos oil wealth has enriched and entrenched small elite, while around half of the population lives in poverty.
As a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Morocco would be better able to fulfill its desired role as a bridge between Africa and Europe, said Christoph Kannengieer, the chief executive officer of the German-African Business Association.

The German expert told DW that Moroccos bid to join the ECOWAS is a win-win procedure adding that ECOWAS will not be weakened by an economically strong country such as Morocco.

The Moroccans are pursuing a double-edged political strategy, Kannengieer noted, explaining that the Kingdom is seeking a privileged relationship with Europe in tandem with strong ties with the African continent.

The Moroccans know that the African continent, especially West Africa, is an important region of growth, not only from an economic perspective, but in terms of political influence as well, he says.

The German economist also noted that Moroccos quest for economic integration will necessary lead to political integration.

The DW article recalls Moroccos increasing economic and diplomatic clout in the continent.

In this connection, the German news outlet highlights Moroccos diplomatic achievements with its triumphal return to the African Union after 33 years of absence followed by the ECOWAS approval in principle of the Kingdoms membership request.

At the economic level, at least 85 percent of Moroccos direct foreign investment went to African countries, said DW, recalling that in 2016, it was the largest African investor on the continent, to the tune of $8 billion (6.8 billion euros). Of this, $2.7 million went to Cote dIvoire alone.

In a speech he made Sunday, King Mohammed VI of Morocco brought out Moroccos application to join the ECOWAS, explaining that this is a historic political decision and a milestone in the endeavors made towards African integration.

ECOWAS is a natural extension of the AU. By joining both institutions, Morocco will contribute to economic prosperity and human development on the continent, the King said in the speech he delivered on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, which commemorates the exile of Moroccos Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Yusef by French colonial powers  a move that proved to be a turning point in Moroccans mobilization for independence.

King Mohammed VI renewed his commitment to Africa and his unwavering resolve to build fruitful partnerships with African States, based on well thought-out investment and development programs involving the public and private sectors in the countries concerned; balanced partnerships grounded in mutual respect and the fulfilment of African peoples shared interests.
At least 4,570 law enforcement agents have been deployed to the restive Cabinda province disputed by secessionists as Angolans head to the polls this Wednesday for elections that will mark the end of President Jose Eduardo dos Santoss 38-year rule.

According to the police commander of the restive province, Eusebio Domingos de Almeida e Costa, the security forces deployed in the area will ensure security during the elections and at the borders with neighboring DR Congo and Congo Brazzaville.

The Police will not allow any act of violence or provocation from the public during the elections, he said.

We will crack down on all possible incidents of violence to ensure normalcy, safety and public tranquility, Eusebio Domingos told a parade of security officials.

Separatist rebels of Cabinda earlier this year called on Angolas oil region to boycott todays elections that are likely to be the most closely watched in decades.

The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), which fought a low-level insurgency for four decades in the thin enclave, said it would not participate in a foreign election.

The rebels stepped up activities since the death of their 88-year-old leader Nzita Tiago in June 2016 and reported three clashes with government troops in August the same year.

About 9.3 million Angolans are registered to vote for the 220-member National Assembly. The winning party among the five vying to lead the country will then select the president.

Defense Minister Joao Lourenco, the ruling party candidate, is widely expected to win Wednesdays vote.

In his last message before the polls, Lourenco said he would not share presidential powers with outgoing leader Eduardo dos Santos.
About 5,000 persons displaced in the deadly mudslides and floods that hit Sierra Leone on August 14 will be given temporary shelter in 48 hours, Ismael Tarawallie, the head of the Office of National Security said on Tuesday.

So far, 499 bodies have been unearthed. More than 600 people remain missing. Those who know the affected communities estimate that the real number of victims could be well over 1,000.

The government of the impoverished West African nation started receiving relief assistance after President Ernest Bai Koroma made a desperate call for help to support the thousands of people affected by the devastating mudslide.

The King of Morocco Mohammed VI has ordered to send humanitarian aid to the country, in line with the strong friendship ties, and active and constant solidarity that bind Morocco and Sierra Leone.

The aid consists of 60 tons of food, tents, blankets, and anti-cholera kits, the Moroccan foreign ministry said in a statement.

Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbe and Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) donated $500,000 to President Koroma during his visit to the country last week.

Senegal has donated $100,000. The biggest donor in terms of cash has been China, offering a million dollars for disaster relief, including aid workers to offer medical help to injured victims.

The West Africa Health Organization, WAHO, the Health Institution of the regional bloc ECOWAS, is donating a sum of $300,000 to the government of Sierra Leone.

Other African countries have been sending relief items to the struggling nation.
A court in Uganda on Tuesday sentenced a Muslim group leader, Sheikh Mohammad Yunus Kamoga, and three associates over conviction on terrorism charges, local media reports.

Sheikh Mohammad Yunus Kamoga, leader of a radical Muslim faction Tabliqs, was arrested along with 13 other associates after a dozen senior Muslim figures in the East African nation have been reportedly killed by Kamogas followers.

A panel of three justices of the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala delivered a unanimous judgment in acquitting Kamoga of murder, but convicted him on terrorism charges.

Kamoga and three others were sentenced to life while two associates  Kakande Yusufu alias Abdallah and Sekayaja Abdulsalam alias Kassim Mulumba  were given 30 years each, according to judiciary spokesman Solomon Muyita.

The court acquitted the group of murder because prosecutors failed to place any of them at the scenes of the crimes, he said.

The judges justified the 30-year sentences because they were mere followers and not leaders like Sheikh Kamoga and his three colleagues.

Relatives and friends of the convicts gathered at the High Court burst out in tears after the sentences were passed. Under Ugandan law, the convicts have a right to appeal within 14 days.
President says it is important people to realize they hire governments

By Messenger Staff

President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, who frequently meets with Georgias younger generation and speaks with them about the importance of their active involvement in the countrys political life, stresses the significance of people knowing that each government is elected to meet the publics interests.Margvelashvili also expressed hope that turnout would be high in the local self-government elections this October.The President has the statement during a meeting with students, where the main topic of the conversation was the constitutional amendments.Mergvelashvili stated it is crucial for citizens to realize that they hire the government and their participation in elections is important."I hope you will call on our relatives, family members and friends to come to the polls. I also hope that this year politicians will conduct the kind of political campaign that all citizens will get excited about and will take part in the elections. It is important for citizens to remember that they hire governments", Margvelashvili said.What the president does when he always finds time to meet with young people and discuss such topics with them, is very important.Unfortunately, previous generations of Georgia had to live in very hard times under the Soviet Union and civil wars, which had a big influence on their thinking and attitude.There are still many people who believe that their vote will change nothing and who frequently complain about injustice at home in front of their TV sets.The younger generations of Georgia, who were born in independent Georgia in comparatively better time, can help bring about changes to the national mentality.Speaking with the young people about their role and responsibilities is the type of education, which can push for better changes for all.
The News in Brief

President about Strana.ua recording: society should ignore such information



Society should be able to ignore such information, President Giorgi Margvelashvili told reporters when commenting on an audio recording released by Strana.ua.



According to the President, it will be wrong if society reacts strongly to this issue. "I think it is wrong to react to this issue. We, as a society, should be able to ignore such provacative information, and we should decline from discussing and analyzing this type of information," said Margvelashvili.



Strana.ua released an audio recording in which famous Russian telephone hooligans Vovan and Lexus claim that Lexus talks with Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Giorgi Mgebrishvili on behalf of Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov. According to the audio recording, Giorgi Mgebrishvili refers to the ex-president with obscene words and asks the Ukrainian side not to extradite him to Georgia. In addition, Giorgi Mghebrishvili allegedly says that this position is agreed with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. (ipn)







Path for bicycles to be arranged at Pekin Street



A 900 meter path is planned to be allocated for bicycles on Peking Street, head of Tbilisi City Hall Transport Service Mamuka Mumladze has declared at a meeting with Peking street rehabilitation staff. The meeting was also attended by Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania.



The conversation at the meeting referred to the issues on parking systems and bus routes.



As Mumladze added, a parking location for 60 vehicles will also be allocated at Saakadze Square.



We have this agreed with the Patrol Police. We have decided to arrange a path for bicycles at Peking Street, he said.



Rehabilitation works at Peking Street were launched on June 16 2017 and will be completed in September. (ipn)







Prime Minister of Georgia meets with Member of Bundestag Franz Josef Jung



Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili held a meeting with a member of Bundestag and Deputy Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Franz Josef Jung.



They discussed the bilateral cooperation between Germany and Georgia, interaction with the EU and ongoing Georgian reforms.



The Prime Minister thanked the German Bundestag for the Resolution on Ensuring Irreversible Continuity and Stability of EU's Support to the Eastern Partnership that was adopted in July. The document recognizes democratic and institutional progress achieved by Georgia, and notes its leading role throughout the region. Particular attention was paid to Georgia's European integration agenda and importance of the results of upcoming Eastern Partnership summit.



Giorgi Kvirikashvili emphasized the role of Germany in terms of supporting Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration, territorial integrity and sovereignty and introducing visa-free travel to the EU for the citizens of Georgia.



Franz Josef Jung outlined the important contribution of Georgia in providing European and international security.



Particular attention was paid to the deplorable human rights and security conditions in the occupied territories of Georgia. Prime Minister informed the member of Bundestag on the processes of so called "passportization" and "borderization" and emphasized the importance of increased engagement of international partners. Giorgi Kvirikashvili also thanked Germany for the allocation of 13 monitoring authorities to the EU Monitoring mission.



During the meeting particular attention was paid to the intensive bilateral relations. It was also outlined that 2017 marks 200 years since founding German settlings in Georgia as well as 25 years since establishing German-Georgian diplomatic relations. The sides of the meeting indicated that Georgia's status of honorary guest at the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair in 2018 represents a clear indication of the successful cooperation. Pursuant to them, respective activity will increase public awareness about Georgian literature and the country as a whole.



The Prime Minister discussed the Government's four-point reform plan covering tax, education as well as governance systems, in a detailed manner. Giorgi Kvirikashvili also informed the member of Bundestag on leading positions of Georgia in various international rankings.



While discussing higher and professional education reform, Franz Josef Jung expressed readiness to share German experience to Georgia in terms of introducing so called dual model in the education system.



The Prime Minister also discussed the governance reform that aims at maximal inclusion of the civil society in the public administration processes and indicated that Council of Investors is already operating to meet the needs of business sector and setting up of similar platforms for non-governmental sector and political parties is also envisaged.



Acting Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Georgia Monica Lenhard, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, and Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Tedo Japaridze also attended the meeting. (Government of Georgia press office)




BUILDING THE LA RAZA 'The Race' WELFARE STATE ON MIDDLE AMERICAS' BACKS: Months ago, the Biden administration publicly defended their proposal to begin providing federal identification cards to border crossers and illegal aliens who they plan to release into American communities. The goal of the proposal is to make securing public benefits easier.
The perks of power in Tallahassee are a coveted chairmanship, a Capitol office in a prime location and a prominent seat on the House floor. Now Rep. Kathleen Peters has lost all three, but here's the twist: Her trip to Siberia might actually help her reach the next step on the Tampa Bay political ladder.

Peters, a three-term Treasure Island Republican, had little use for House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes, in the 2017 session, as they battled over state money for tourism and his attacks on local government home rule. She's also an ally of Corcoran's enemy, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater. Fed up with Corcoran, Peters won't be back, and will instead run for a seat on the Pinellas County Commission in 2018.

Frustrated with Peters, Corcoran reminded her who's in charge. He removed her as chairman of the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee, relocated her to a fourth-floor office (gasp!) next to a Democrat, then isolated her to the end of a row next to two vacant seats to be filled by "redshirt" freshmen, beyond the Florida Channel's TV camera angles. "He could have put me on the 14th floor, I suppose," Peters said.

Peters was outraged in June when Corcoran told a Tampa crowd that special interests have more influence at City Hall than in the state Capitol. She told the Times/Herald that Corcoran's remarks were "silly" and "naive," and that Tallahassee is notorious for lobbyist influence and for shutting off public debate to people who drive six hours to testify.

Oddly, Peters raved about Corcoran just last month. Seeing an op-ed by former Senate President Don Gaetz about how well Florida is doing, Peters texted Corcoran on July 9: "You have done a great job in preserving and protecting Florida." Her explanation: "Sometimes he's right and sometimes we disagree." She's grateful that Corcoran left her on two House committees where she can continue to work on her priorities of mental health and addiction recovery.

Corcoran argues that other House Republicans who disagree with him weren't punished and that Peters' moves were needed to give House members, such as Rep. Jamie Grant, R-Tampa, better assignments: "You just move people around." Was Peters punished? "Nope."

All politics is local, and Peters' rival for the County Commission, term-limited Rep. Larry Ahern, R-Seminole, is a staunch Corcoran ally. That means their Republican primary will literally be a referendum on Corcoran's record, and especially his criticism of county governments as bloated, wasteful and inefficient. As Ahern defends Corcoran, Peters will campaign against what she calls an arrogant and out-of-touch capital. Just wait and see.

With one session to go, Peters has nothing to lose. She accused Corcoran of rank hypocrisy, noting that his 2012 manifesto, Blueprint Florida, was full of criticism of the status quo that Corcoran vowed to change, such as: "The process is often autocratic, not democratic, and based on purely personal considerations."


@PatriciaMazzei

Vice President Mike Pence hinted Wednesday at soon-to-come economic sanctions against the Venezuelan government, but he offered little in the way of specifics of what a more robust U.S. response might look like or when it might come, choosing instead to deliver a broader message of hope to increasingly despondent Venezuelans.

Pence indicated the Trump administration intends to further punish Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his loyalists for undermining the South American countrys democracy. Broader sanctions, perhaps aimed at restricting trade in Venezuelan debt in dollars, could come as early as this week, the Miami Herald has learned. But Pence did not detail any potential penalties.

Our resolve is unwavering, Pence told a few hundred people at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Doral, Miamis Venezuelan immigrant hub. You may be assured: Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the United States of America will continue to bring the full measure of American economic and diplomatic power to bear until democracy is restored in Venezuela.

The crowd, which had waited hours for Pence, responded with enthusiastic bursts of applause. Women with the tricolor Venezuelan flag draped over their shoulders appeared to be channeling energy built up over months of worry about their countrys prolonged political crisis.

Libertad! they chanted.

Pence spent the day in Doral to bookend his recent swing through Latin America, where regional U.S. allies pledged to also pressure Maduro. The vice president noted with satisfaction that Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela announced Tuesday that Venezuelans will be soon be required to obtain travel visas into his country  a move denounced by Maduros government.

More here.


@PatriciaMazzei

The uncomfortable but inevitable question that dogged Vice President Mike Pence everywhere he went in Latin America last week will trail him to Miami on Wednesday: Is President Donald Trump really considering potential military action in Venezuela?

Pence tried over and over again to say no  without actually uttering the word or outright contradicting Trump  during his recent swing through Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Panama, where regional allies publicly rebuked the notion of any U.S. intervention.

The vice presidents cleanup tour will conclude Wednesday in Doral, home to the largest Venezuelan immigrant community in the U.S. In private meetings with local Venezuelans, and in remarks at a neighborhood church, Pence is expected to say the White House remains committed to punishing President Nicolas Maduros government for systematically dismantling the South American countrys democracy.

But exactly what the punishment from the U.S. might entail remains unclear, a month after Trump promised strong and swift economic actions.

Behind the scenes, the Trump administration has continued to debate its best move, with the eager-to-dialogue State Department clashing with the more-hawkish White House and National Security Council. But matters became much more complicated on Aug. 11, when Trump made his casual remark about a possibly military option against Maduro. The comment divided regional allies who had at long last come around to the U.S. position that Venezuela had become a dictatorship.

More here.

Photo credit: Victor R. Caviano, Associated Press
@PatriciaMazzei

Sen. Marco Rubio delivered a reshaped stump speech Tuesday night to the Seminole County GOP, touching on many of the same points he made as a presidential candidate but adapting it to the tumultuous politics of the moment.

"America is going to be OK," Rubio said. "America is going to be fine. In fact, America -- your America, my America, the America we're going to leave our children -- has a chance to be better than it's ever been. I believe our children have the opportunity to be the freest and most prosperous people that have ever walked the face of this earth."

"It's hard to believe that if you open up newspapers, watch the news, get on the internet, whatever," Rubio said, without immediately naming President Donald Trump. "But I really believe that with all of my heart, because that's been our history. It's at the core of who we are."

Rubio later praised the president's Monday night speech on Afghanistan and denounced the white supremacists and neo-Nazis instigators in Charlottesville.

"There is nothing conservative about those people. Nothing," he said to applause.

The senator noted that "there are people on the other side of the spectrum" who attack conservatives they disagree with.

"It's not acceptable, either," he said, noting he was speaking at the Seminole GOP's Lincoln Day fundraiser. "But first we have to take care of our own house. And our house is the party of Lincoln."

Elsewhere in his remarks, Rubio was interrupted by protesters -- like he was often as a presidential candidate.

"I'm grateful that I live in a nation where people can disagree," he said, indirectly pointing to his work on Cuba and Venezuela policy.

Rubio lamented the loss of civil discourse and said "the new Congress has failed" in enacting promises made to voters.

"That needs to change," he said. "Otherwise, people will conclude that there's no reason to vote for cons because it doesn't matter anyways."
For picture posts from 2010 and earlier, see the Earlier Picture Posts Page
New evacuations were ordered Wednesday night when high winds caused "dangerous fire behavior'' at the Lolo Peak blaze.

Michael Cole, the public information officer for the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team in charge of the fire, said erratic winds picked up late in the afternoon on Wednesday.

"That caused the fire activity to increase in the One Horse Creek drainage, and that triggered the new evacuations," he said. "That drainage funnels down into the valley south of Florence. Sheriff's deputies are out knocking on doors now."

Missoulian sports reporter Kyle Houghtaling lives just two blocks from the evacuation area. "My roommate came into my bedroom saying, 'Get on the roof, now, you gotta see this.' The fire on the mountain behind our house, Sweeney Peak, had blown up,'' he said.

"No sooner had my roommate told us to go look at the fire than our Ravalli County Sheriff app told us new evacuation orders were underway. As it turns out, we're in about a two block radius West of Highway 93 that isn't being evacuated. Down the street you can see the lights from the sheriff telling our neighbors it's time to go.

"It's pretty surreal,'' Houghtaling said. "When the wind blows off the hills from the west you can feel the heat from the fire."

The evacuation order covered all residents west of the Florence Carlton Loop; people west of Highway 93 from One Horse Creek Road to Sweeeney Creek Loop; all residents on Sweeney Creek Loop north of and including Outback Road, Woodtick Hollow, Sweeney Creek Trail, Upper Sweeney Creek Loop, Hill Drive, Koepplin Lane and Smith Fork.

Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton said the order was issued after "a big column (of wind) moved through '' the area, but added the evacuations "were more about anticipating what's going to happen tomorrow.''

Evacuated residents were asked to check in at the Ravalli County Search and Rescue Command Van in the Super One parking lot in Stevensville.

While the swirling winds moving through the region were heightening fire danger, they could provide a respite for the worst air quality the county has seen this year.

Smoke socked in the city Tuesday night and made Missoula air look positively Dickensian on Wednesday. Air quality throughout the county ranged from Unhealthy to Hazardous, and the air quality didn't get better Wednesday, according to the twice-daily report from Sarah Coefield, the air quality specialist for the Missoula City-County Health Department.

Florence was in the worst particulate cloud the agency has recorded this year as the Lolo Peak fire moved closer to the town Wednesday.

Lolo and Seeley Lake were at Hazardous levels of smoke. Seeley Lake was slightly better off than Florences record-setting nastiness.

The inversion Wednesday afternoon did not bring relief as all of the smoke from fires in Oregon, northern California, Washington and Idaho dropped in to stay awhile.

She predicted that conditions Thursday morning likely would be Hazardous in Florence, Lolo and Seeley Lake.

Coefield said that the smoke in Missoula is not even close to a record year.

In 2015, we had a week without any break for the smoke," 166 straight hours without wind or an inversion removing the haze from the city, she said.

But even though Missoula isnt suffering in historic fashion, its a phenomenally awful year, Coefield said. Seeley Lake has had 18 of the last 23 days start with Hazardous morning air quality, she said.

Its far worse for them than what Missoula has ever had.

As for the coming days, she said that "Saturday is going to usher in a prolonged period of atmospheric stability. Smoke impacts will continue and worsen through at least early next week under a strong high-pressure ridge.

"There is no good news in the long-range forecast. There is only smoke."

***

In other fires around western Montana, according to InciWeb, the national wildfire information service:

Lolo Peak fire: Firefighting operations were stopped for three hours Wednesday afternoon after reports of shots fired in the Mill Creek area.

The Missoula County Sheriffs office investigated and found a man shooting at squirrels in his yard.

The sheriffs office said in a Facebook post that they had not determined if a citation would be given.

A red flag warning was in effect at the Lolo Peak fire from 5 p.m. to midnight Wednesday as winds and a cold front move in.

Firefighters are prepared for additional starts due to anticipated dry lightning. Crews are also prepared for patrols along Highways 93 and 12 to protect structures and control lines.

During the day, firefighters fortified control lines and prepared for the critical fire weather entering the area Wednesday night.

Fire managers are concerned that the fire west of Florence might move south and worked in additional control line south of Florence, adding hose lays, pumps, and portable water tanks.

Rice Ridge fire: The Rice Ridge fire sent plenty of smoke into Seeley Lake, destroying air quality Wednesday.

The fire is currently more than 16,000 acres and is at 9 percent containment. Crews are continuing to construct indirect line while air support is dropping water and retardant.

A community meeting was scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Elementary School.

Liberty fire: The Liberty fire 17 miles southwest of Arlee is still active and still at 10 percent containment.

Firefighters are working on an indirect containment strategy while avoiding as many dangerous situations as possible. Twenty-one miles of indirect line has been built, and firefighters are continuing construction.

An air quality alert was in effect Wednesday due to little wind and the late- breaking inversion around Missoula County.

Sunrise fire: Sunrise is still at 50 percent containment and has burned almost 40 square miles of forest in the area around Tarkio.

The fire teams have moved into a new phase as crews begin suppression repair, protecting areas where theyve worked and diverting water to prevent erosion and soil disturbance.

Hazard trees were removed in Trout Creek through blasting, while crews, heavy equipment and aircraft are all cooperating to create a fire line from Eagle Rock to Sunrise Mountain.

Sprague fire: The Sprague fire in Glacier has burned nearly 1,400 acres and smoke is starting to affect other areas in Glacier.

The Sprague fire grew by 140 acres Tuesday and was being tended to by helicopters and over 100 personnel on site.

Fire information suggests that anyone on the Going-to-the-Sun Road who encounters smoke should turn on their headlights and be watchful for wildlife and people. They also remind people that if one section of the park is smoky, other parts will most likely not be.

Gibralter Ridge fire: The Gibralter Ridge fire east of Eureka is at 52 percent containment and has burned nearly 6 square miles.

Firefighters are mopping up while a new Type 3 Incident Management Team prepares to take the reins of the fire.

Grave Creek Road and the Ten Lakes recreation area will remain closed beginning at the intersection of Grave Creek and Foothills Road.

Meyers fire: The Meyers fire 25 miles southwest of Philipsburg has burned more than 16,000 acres and is at 5 percent containment.

Helicopters have cooled hot spots near Copper Creek and Ivanhoe Lake while engines and fire crews provide structure protection around Moose Lake and Frog Pond.

A community meeting was scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 24 at the Georgetown Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. for personalized fire briefings, according to Inciweb.

Blue Bay fire: The Blue Bay fire on the east side of Flathead Lake was holding steady at 490 acres as firefighters prepare for the cold front moving in Thursday.

Firefighters finished an indirect dozer line on the north side of the fire and expanded it Wednesday in preparation for a controlled burn. The burn will be held until the team decides when conditions are favorable. Helicopters are being used to cool hot spots and hit the fire where line has not yet been built.

The team is wary of the weather change, as the potential for thunderstorms and precipitation are possible. Cloud cover will increase, which will provide some help for the fire.

Missoulian reporter David Erickson contributed information for this report.
A 29-year-old Indiana man who allegedly came to Missoula to meet up with a 14-year-old girl has been arrested and charged with a felony for sexual abuse of children.

The girl's family found that William Eugene White Jr. allegedly started an online crowdfunding campaign to help pay for his trip to Montana to get his "fiancee."

White is being held on $25,000 bail after making his first court appearance Tuesday in Missoula County Justice Court.

On Monday, sheriff's deputies responded after family members in the Missoula area reported that a 14-year-old girl had run away. The family told officers White had come to the house a week earlier looking for her, and was told to leave, according to a court affidavit.

White and the girl were found at the Poverello Center. Court documents say the girl told detectives she and White had spent the night together after she ran away.

In his own interview, White allegedly told the detective he knew how old the girl was when he planned to come to Montana from Indiana.
Dennis Eck graduated from the University of Montana nearly 50 years ago, and he still loves the view from the Oval of Main Hall and the M on Mount Sentinel.

Several years ago, Eck wandered into the Liberal Arts Building, his old stomping grounds as a political science and history major.

"As you walked in, you felt like you were walking back in time," Eck said Tuesday. "Nothing had changed. Floors. Walls. Lights. They probably still had the same chalkboards as when I was there."

Since that walk across campus, quite a lot is changing.

Over the last three years, Dennis and Gretchen Eck have committed a total of $8.3 million to the building, with $6.2 million donated to date, according to UM.

The funds have been used to renovate in phases three floors of the main academic corridor of the Liberal Arts Building and are bringing the latest technological tools to the faculty and thousands of students who take more than 600 classes in 30 classrooms in that structure.

The donations are not only a gift to Montana, they're also a push from Dennis of Wolf Point, and Gretchen, of Butte, to strengthen the relationship people have with an institution of higher education. These days, people's beliefs in institutions  "church, politics, whatever"  are fractured, and their respect for these entities is declining, Dennis Eck said.

"And we're so busy watching them disintegrate that nobody is dealing with the issue of, how do you restore them? And how do you restore the belief in them? Then, we can go back to being grounded again," Eck said.

For him and his wife, education is the primary vehicle to help people get ahead, especially education fueled by the power of technology.

"Education is really the backbone of almost any progress that anybody is going to make," Dennis Eck said.

And technology allows education to reach people who live far from the physical institution, places like Wolf Point, near the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

In September, the Montana Board of Regents will take up naming the Academic Hall of the Liberal Arts Building the Dennis and Gretchen Eck Hall. And UM officials are crossing their fingers that the new grand entrance that opens up the building to the Oval will be ready in time to celebrate during homecoming.

***

Tuesday, Dean Chris Comer and the UM Foundation's Kate Stober and Marci Bozeman offered a tour of the construction that's underway and one of the new classrooms that will be in session soon. School starts next week, and a small portion of students will be in temporary classrooms for three or four weeks, but the noisy parts of the construction should be done by the time lectures begin.

The new space will offer three new lounges, possibly with a coffee shop and docking stations, so students have a place to be comfortable in the building, Comer said. In the past, students haven't liked to hang out in the Liberal Arts Building after class, yet he said much learning takes place between classes in those shared spaces.

"It's an integral part of the plan to make the spaces better educationally because so many students take courses here," Comer said.

The building with classrooms that used to be either too hot or too cold will now offer even temperatures and be safer and greener. Some classrooms offer 21st technology and equipment, with tablets mounted on classroom walls that allow faculty or students to control multimedia features in the room.

Built in 1953, the Liberal Arts Building is shaped from above like the letter E, and the academic corridor being renovated is the long edge of the letter. Comer said he hopes that in the future, the shorter edges where faculty work can be redone one at a time as well.

An auditorium that seats 125 has been remodeled in the basement, and it has more natural light and an accessible elevator, and it will also have audio/visual features. Over the next two summers, the renovation will upgrade 11 classrooms in the academic hall, according to UM.

"The theme of this renovation is 'respect the past, but look to the future,'" Comer said.

Eck has a passion for using technology to connect teachers and learners around the world, including those in remote areas, and instructors at UM have already linked to people located in Europe and Japan.

"It gives us a whole new array of tools to use," Comer said.

Eck said the project demonstrates UM can upgrade its older buildings without tearing them down, and he hopes other donors and politicians will be moved to support the university.

"Gretchen and I are proud to have our name associated with a project that will impact students every day and hope to inspire other donors and the state to support higher education," Eck said in a statement.

***

A while back, the Ecks had wanted the state to pick up some of the costs of renovating the building, such as an upgraded electrical system. The state budget was tight this year, though, and the couple is now footing the bill for some of those improvements as well.

"It's a testament to his commitment to the university that he said, 'Well, I'm going to keep helping,'" Comer said.

Eck said he's pleased to help Montana because people here are diligent and work hard, and the efforts are infectious. He's a retail industry executive who has served as executive vice president for Jewel Companies, Inc., and in other leadership positions with The Vons Companies, Cole Myer, and Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, according to UM; he currently sits on the board of Ulta Beauty and is the principal of DKE Retail Studies.

Eck said his career has been spent going into troubled companies and helping them turn around, and he does so by listening to the ideas of the people on the ground. He wants to share his success.

"I had a lot of good things happen to me, and I was able to have the money to be able to give something back," said Eck, who now lives in Nevada and California.

He challenged others to give, too, and he said people can contribute anything they receive when they have enough of it. He said thousands of people could help make Missoula a better place if they gave of themselves.

"It's not just money. It's anything that you can pass along that has value," Eck said.

***

Some politicians and other leaders have been more inclined to see the value of education in areas such as engineering or medical occupations than in majors such as political science and history.

But Eck parlayed his major, background and smarts into a lucrative career in business, and he said the skills he learned to think critically, analyze and act served him well in business.

"Liberal arts should quit selling itself short," Eck said.

In fact, Dean Comer said Eck is one of many varied liberal arts graduates he witnesses who end up as CEOs and vice presidents of corporations.

"He's a great example of a phenomenon I see all the time," Comer said.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest one at UM with 23 departments, and students from other programs take foundational courses in the Liberal Arts Building. The sciences have received some support, and Comer said the current construction bolsters a special feature of the flagship.

"This is one in the heart of the humanities, and to me, that's important. All parts of the college need good facilities," Comer said.

Eck, who worked in Australia, said the true test of success for him will an experience he envisions that links learning across continents in a renovated hall at UM. Students in Wolf Point will be able to listen in from home.

"I do have an idea that someday, I'm going to walk into that classroom, and there's going to be a simultaneous lecture going on between New South Wales and Montana about Native American and aboriginal studies." Eck said. "Because we've built the technology to do that."
Air quality specialist Sarah Coefield dubbed herself "a harbinger of doom and sadness" Tuesday, and for good reason.

The smoke that cloaked the region all day, resulting in an unhealthy air quality rating, is not likely to dissipate, she wrote in her afternoon air quality report from the Missoula City-County Health Department.

Lacking a clearing breeze, the smoke would probably descend to ground level. To make matters worse, "Oregon and California are coming for us"  as though smoke from western Montana's fire isn't bad enough.

"A big old multi-state plume" will likely gather smoke from those two states, as well as Washington and Idaho, and waft it over western Montana, Coefield wrote.

Air quality started off hazardous Tuesday in Lolo, Florence and in Seeley Lake  which saw its 17th morning of hazardous air quality since Aug. 1  but "improved" to unhealthy in Lolo, and unhealthy for sensitive groups in Seeley Lake and Florence.

Unhealthy air quality means people with heart or lung disease, smokers, children and the elderly should limit heavy or prolonged exertion and limit time spent outdoors. Unhealthy for sensitive groups means that those people should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Holland Lake, Frenchtown and Alberton and Arlee all generally saw ratings of unhealthy for sensitive groups Tuesday afternoon, while Condon's air cleared out to moderate quality.

Despite that brief improvement, Coefield warned that conditions in Lolo, Florence and Seeley Lake were likely to be very unhealthy or hazardous by Wednesday morning, while conditions in Arlee, the Potomac Valley and Greenough may be unhealthy or worse.

***

Conditions on fires around western Montana Tuesday afternoon were as follows, according to InciWeb, the national wildlfire reporting service.

Lolo Peak fire: U.S. Highway 12 has been completely reopened according to InciWeb, the national wildfire information service. Pilot car operations are no longer running, according to the Missoula County and Ravalli County sheriffs offices.

The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph and the Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton said in a news release that drivers are cautioned that there is a large amount of incident-related traffic and smoke and people are asked to drive carefully.

The Lolo Peak fire has burned more than 32,000 acres and has 1,100-plus personnel attached and working on the fire.

Firefighters are continuing to secure fire lines, and aimed to finish some burnout operations Tuesday. The fire west of Florence causes concern as it might continue to move south. Fire crews are watchful and have prepared control lines with hose, pumps and water tanks.

More evacuation orders were downgraded Monday to warnings for residents in Balsam Root, Folsom and Highland roads as well as those residences north of West Carlton Creek Road and east of the county-maintained road sign.

Old Highway 93 is still closed to all traffic from Tie Chute Lane north.

Rice Ridge fire: The Rice Ridge fire has now burned 16,117 acres, the size of Missoula, and is currently 9 percent contained.

Public information officer Jacob Brollier said that the eastern portion of the fire has been quiet as the fire moves into an old burn in a more sparsely wooded area. The southwest portion of the fire in the Morrell Creek area was burning and being tended to by helicopters and firefighters, but overall progress has been acceptable.

Smoke in Seeley Lake was not as Tuesday as it has been recently, but Condon and Holland Lake were expected to feel some effects of the fire Tuesday.

Sapphire Complex: The Sapphire Complex has quietly burned nearly 40,000 acres in the Lolo National Forest over the past month.

The Goat Creek and Sliderock fires are being controlled with burnout operations and helicopter drops, as the Goat Creek fire hits 83 percent containment and Sliderock edges up to 30 percent.

The Little Hogback fire has been giving the Incident Management Team fits, according to public information officer Jill Cobb. Difficult terrain has made winds highly problematic as any new weather pattern will make the fire active.

There are thunderstorm concerns, Cobb said about storms forecast later this week. Downdrafts mean the fire doesnt move in expected ways, and the canyons and other terrain can make life difficult for firefighters.

Lines are being tested, but were feeling pretty good about how theyve held so far, Cobb said.

Sunrise fire: The Sunrise fire near Superior is now 50 percent contained.

Fire crews are building direct line near the Eagle Rock ridge area in an attempt to keep the fire from Trout Creek. Blasting will occur in Trout Creek to remove dangerous cedar trees.

A community meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the Lozeau Lodge Pavilion at 7 p.m.

Liberty fire: The Liberty fire grew 500 acres Monday while firefighters managed burnout operations on the east side of the fire.

The fire is increasing in activity as temperatures rise with crown runs, and some short-distance spotting has been seen.

Predicted dry thunderstorms will threaten the Liberty fire as unpredictable winds and lightning are cause for concern. Some potential spotting can occur.

Meyers fire: Midday cooling from the eclipse kept fire activity very minimal, according to Inciweb.

Fire crews are expanding contingency lines and indirect control lines. Plans are being made to reduce impact to communities around the area as the fire continues to grow.

Until there is a significant change in weather that provides enough moisture for a fire ending event we will manage the Meyers fire by planning for the worst and work for the best, Incident Commander Jay Esperance was quoted as saying on Inciweb.

The Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest has expanded road closures and now includes U.S. Forest Service Roads 893, 8684 and 8685 due to fire activity.

A community meeting is scheduled at the Georgetown Lake Volunteer Fire Department on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 5 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for personalized fire briefings.

Blue Bay fire: The Blue Bay fire is at 490 acres and crossed Teepee Creek Monday, but is at 40 percent containment.

Firefighters have been constructing line with heavy equipment and dozers over the last few days. A controlled burn on the north side of the fire was delayed due to poor conditions, but will continue when possible.

Helicopters are working the area, dropping water on hot spots when needed.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Division of Fire scheduled a community meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at the Blue Bay Campground to inform the public about firefighting efforts.

The B-2000 and B-2200 Roads remain closed.

Sprague fire: The Sprague fire in Glacier National Park has burned 1,224 acres.

Aircraft dropped water from Fish Lake on Tuesday to cool hot spots and slow fire growth.

This fire is not currently threatening Sperry Chalet, but firefighters are deployed around it with hoses, sprinklers and water all prepared for action if needed. According to InciWeb, given the location of the chalet in a rocky, subalpine environment with sparse vegetation, fire managers are confident that the structure protection measures in place will protect the historic buildings if needed.

Most of Glacier is still open, including Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Granite Park Chalet, the North Fork and Goat Haunt.

Flathead National Forest fires: Three fires are burning in the Flathead Forest.

The Scalp, Reef and Dolly Varden fires are all being monitored while being allowed to burn for their natural ecological role, with consideration for public and firefighter safety as well as point protection of infrastructure, according to InciWebs Incident Information System.
Less than a week after directing the city manager to remove the Confederate fountain from Hill Park, the Helena City Commission on Monday passed an emergency ordinance suspending a review process for historic structures so the monument could be taken down immediately for safety reasons.
In his Monday speech on Afghanistan, President Trump admitted something he's rarely faced up to: Decisions are "much different" when you are president than in the heat of a campaign.

The president's original instinct, expressed repeatedly over the years, was to pull any remaining troops out of Afghanistan. The American public is understandably tired of America's longest war, which has dragged on for nearly 16 years. There are no good military options in sight.

Yet after a policy review that dragged on for seven months and bitterly divided the White House, the president finally faced up to grim reality: a full retreat from Afghanistan meant al-Qaeda and ISIS would find havens again as the Taliban seized more swaths of the country.

So Trump finally went with the advice of his generals, including National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, to boost the current 4,000 troops by a rumored 4,000 (some of the brass wanted more).

Needless to say, those numbers alone don't offer promise of reversing the current Taliban resurgence. But Trump's new policy, while vague and marked by some glaring holes, contained several shifts in direction that could make a difference on the ground.

Let's call those directional shifts the four Nos.

The first No is no deadline for troop withdrawal. President Obama made a huge error when he surged troops in Afghanistan in 2009 but announced in advance the date for their pullout. The Taliban just waited him out, as did Afghanistan's mischief-making neighbor Pakistan (see below).

Given the small number of U.S. troops  and their primary role as trainers  it makes more sense to see their presence as part of a long-term investment in order to prevent a terrorist resurgence. Their presence also reminds regional neighbors Iran, Russia, India and Pakistan that America is still paying attention.

The second No refers to no more efforts at nation-building. We tried that and failed.

The few thousand remaining U.S. troops will focus on training Afghan special operations forces and commandos, and, learning from lessons in Iraq, on calling in air and artillery strikes to support Afghans. This is how a limited number of U.S. troops helped the Iraqi army finally defeat ISIS in Mosul.

The third No is the apparent veto of a bizarre idea that the president toyed with: to hire Eric Prince, founder of the notorious Blackwater private contractor outfit that shot up Baghdad, to lead a mercenary force replacing U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Most important is the fourth No: No more havens for Afghan Taliban in Pakistan. The Pakistani military and intelligence services have long played a double game, warring on Pakistani Taliban that attack their own military and civilians while giving safe haven to Afghan Taliban leaders and fighters. The Pakistanis have also hosted other Islamist terrorists that attack India, and they harbored Osama bin Laden for years.

Islamabad plays this double game because it views the Afghan Taliban and other terrorist groups as vital tools in its endless struggle against India. Both the Bush and Obama administrations tried fruitlessly to persuade Pakistan with financial carrots to shut down these terrorist safe havens.

McMaster is known to have sought a tougher line on Pakistan. And Trump proclaimed, "We can no longer be silent" about Pakistani safe havens for terrorists. The success of any Trump policy on Afghanistan may depend on whether his team can figure out how to change Pakistan's behavior.

Which brings me to the big holes in Trump's "strategy."

The president paid lip service to diplomacy, saying his policy would "integrate all instruments of American power." But the troubled State Department has been denuded of expertise on South Asia, and the president's words made clear his skepticism about diplomatic efforts.

Trump repeatedly promised to "win" in Afghanistan and called for "outright victory." Afghanistan's history shows that "victory" within its borders is a dubious hope.

Ultimately, the point of military progress in Afghanistan would be to provide muscle behind a diplomatic push in the region aimed at persuading all of Afghanistan's neighbors that its stability was in their interests and they should stop backing factions on its soil.

Short of that, the best U.S. hope may be to prevent ISIS or al-Qaeda from establishing new bases, which will require a long-term U.S. presence and focus. Continued bluster about swift and outright victory will only make Americans antsy.

Afghanistan is Trump's war now, and it will require the kind of long-range thinking he hasn't demonstrated up until now.
All the attention around the FCC's net neutrality regulations brings hope that Congress will intervene to come up with some sort of compromise. Net neutrality is the principle that Americans can engage in any lawful activity online knowing that their internet traffic will not be slowed, blocked or interfered with in any way. It's a principle everyone supports but has been stuck in multiple rounds of litigation and policy changes at the FCC. This type of back and forth appears inevitable without legislative action from Congress.

Some thing needs to be done. There is evidence that the existing regulatory framework (which the FCC is in the process of reforming) has resulted in a downturn in investment in internet infrastructure, a trend that is projected to continue if the FCC's 2015 decision to classify the internet as a public utility is left in place. Lagging infrastructure investment can handicap rural areas. In a rural, mountainous Montana, it's harder to deploy high-speed internet everywhere like the more densely populated states may enjoy. Government policies shouldn't make it harder by imposing regulations and demands that hinders the incentive for infrastructure investment.

I hope our congressional delegation can support a legislative compromise on internet regulation. I believe this is the only way to restore robust investment while at the same time enacting commonsense net neutrality standards. Ultimately, congressional action seems to be the only way to bring both sides to the table on what has proven to be a thorny issue.

Senator Keith Regier,

Kalispell
Just two months ago, Nicholas Beattie was on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. But on a recent Tuesday afternoon, the Anaconda native was a Highlands College freshman, doing what freshman college students are often doing: making sure he was where he was supposed to be. He was. He was in the Montana Tech Student Centers Digger Den, waiting for the student veteran orientation program to begin.

Asked why he came, Beattie says, I figured it wouldnt hurt to stop by.

Thats a sentiment fellow veteran and fellow student Frank Barreto would heartily agree with. A 53-year-old Army veteran from Colstrip, Barreto is entering his final year at Montana Tech, and he says the services and opportunities available to veterans at the university have been fantastic as he has navigated his return to school.

Those services and opportunities include access to a veterans lounge in the Student Center, personalized tutoring opportunities, assistance with career planning as well as help navigating military, Department of Veterans Affairs and university bureaucracies. But for Barreto, one of the most important aspects of his time at Tech has been personal attention he has received inside and outside the classroom.

I found that it was easier for me to come back to school, because [there are] small groups and the attention is pretty much one-to-one, Barreto says. The teachers are very accommodating. And Janet is very good at what she does. If you have any problems whatsoever with academics, she will find an answer for you.

Janet is Janet Friesz, Montana Techs supervisor of enrollment services and a school certifying official, a position that authorizes her to complete the paperwork necessary for veterans to receive educational benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

So Im sort of the first contact for the veteran or the military member coming back and just wanting to use their veterans benefits, Friesz explains.

According to Friesz, between 115 and 120 veterans are currently enrolled at Montana Tech and Highlands College. And she takes very seriously the job of ensuring those veterans succeed on campus.

Sometimes it takes a while for them to trust the system and for them to trust me, because of that transition [from military life], Friesz says. Theyre nontraditional. Theyve got families. Theyve been through a lot of things that maybe not your typical student would go through. So theyre not ready to trust just yet. And thats why I put in that extra effort, because its like, Im here for you. What can I do to help you?

Friesz says one way she helps is by trying to break down the often daunting complexity of college into the kind of step-by-step process that is familiar to veterans from military life.

I make sure I have a lot of steps for them to follow, Friesz says, and hopefully crossing those things off helps them know where theyre at in the process.

On this Tuesday afternoon, the next step in the process is starting the student veterans orientation.

Though Friesz only counts four veterans in the audience  only two of whom are new to campus  there are nearly a dozen presenters on deck. Over the next half hour or so, they tell the small audience about tutoring opportunities, about accessing their VA benefits, about counselling services, about the priority they get registering for classes, and about the assistance that is available when they are ready to polish their resumes and start applying for jobs. Janna Sherrill, of Xsports4vets, even implores them to take advantage of opportunities her group offers for veterans to go rock climbing and whitewater rafting, at no charge.

For Eric Verploegen, an Army veteran from Havre who recently arrived in Butte to pursue a metallurgical engineering degree at Tech, the many presentations make him feel good about choosing to come here.

And before Friesz ends the orientation, she reminds the four veteran students in the audience of one more opportunity available to them: a drawing for a Tech sweatshirt. Your chances are really good, she says.
Nationally known trauma specialist Stacy York will come to Butte Wednesday-Thursday, Aug. 30-31, to help community members build a resilient, healthy community.

The event is sponsored by the Butte Community Action Team, which is working to combat suicide

Yorks visit to Butte will give interested community members the opportunity to attend multiple, free trainings and presentations. Her workshops are an effort to create a healthier, resilient community and combat suicide risk. In 2014, Montana had the highest suicide rate in the nation: 23.8 per 100,000 people.

According to Cathy Tutty, a member of the Community Action Team, Yorks workshops are innovative, passionate, and insightful.

She is powerfully grounded in the information she shares, enrolling in her presentation, and deeply committed to a world that works for everyone, Tutty said.

York is a licensed clinical social worker who has spent the last 16 years working with children and families in the mental health field. For workshop reservations, go to www.mtsoarsbutte.com/events.

Some of the programs offered:

Wednesday, Aug. 30  All day mental health training for educators begins at 9 a.m. at East Middle School. Contact Jim ONeill at oneilljh@butte.k12.mt.us or 406-533-2548.

Thursday, Aug. 31  Resilience 101, which discusses trauma, brain-based research, and how to resilience and trauma-informed care are connected is from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Butte High School Auditorium

Thursday, Aug. 31  Resilience and the Community Good Luncheon, which includes a chance to discuss how individuals can contribute to community resilience and a progress report from the Community Action Team is from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Butte High cafeteria. Participants must reserve a space.

Thursday, Aug. 31  Resilience 201, a workshop building off the morning session that highlights what is needed to move forward at the individual, group, and organizational levels is from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Butte High School auditorium
Sen. Steve Daines believes that the Affordable Care Act still needs to be repealed and replaced. But in the meantime, he does not support President Donald Trump's stated plan to sabotage the current healthcare law.

After the Senate failed to pass healthcare reform legislation last month, Trump repeatedly threatened to cut off cost-sharing payments to insurance companies, which lower premium costs.

"I don't like that," Daines said. "What's the matter with that is, people get hurt. We need to solve this problem, not just hope it goes away. It's not going away."

In a wide-ranging editorial board discussion with The Montana Standard and the Helena Independent Record Tuesday, Daines also pointed to some congressional success in the Trump Administration -- the passage of several bills benefiting veterans.

"These are bills that have languished in a couple of Congresses," Daines said.

"When I first met with (VA) Secretary (David) Shulkin I asked him, 'What's the one thing we can do to help you do your job?' He said, 'Pass the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Act,' and we did," Daines said. "It gives him a chance to reshape the agency."

Daines said he and Sen. Jon Tester would continue to work together to secure funding for a veterans' home in Butte, as well as a VA facility in Miles City.

"We're both on the Appropriations Committee, which is quite unique," Daines said, emphasizing that because of the rules of the Senate, "Montana has as much power as California. ... credit the founding fathers for that."

Daines, commenting on the smoky conditions and the bad fire year in Montana, said, he favors changing the funding system for fighting wildfires in the federal government. "The Forest Service shouldn't have to have its entire budget" held hostage by fires, he said. "That's not the way we deal with other natural disasters like hurricanes."

Daines said he's looking forward to bringing EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to Butte in the fall to meet with local officials and community activists on Superfund issues.

"Our offices are trying to get together on dates," Daines said. "The first place we're bringing him in Montana is Butte."

Daines said that while visits from Cabinet secretaries "can be dog and pony shows," he said that in this case, Pruitt wants "to get in the room with community leaders ... close the door and have some real frank conversations."

While Trump's EPA boss has been cast as a destructive force by environmentalists, "The jury is still out on Scott Pruitt," Daines insisted.

"He's a former attorney general and he's understands litigation," Daines added. "He said he's not afraid to go back after these companies (Superfund responsible parties) if they haven't got the job done."

Regarding President Trump's statement on Afghanistan Monday, Daines said it sounded to him like "the President is going to allow the boots on the ground to have the largest voice in formulating what needs to be done, and that's a good thing." He said that in conflicts like Vietnam and Iraq, the country learned that "when politicians run the war we lose men and women on the battlefield and don't achieve clear victory."

Asked about Trump's reaction to the Charlottesville violence last week, Daines said, "You can't stutter in that situation. You can't hold back. You have to unilaterally condemn the white supremacists, the bigots, who are everything we are not as an American people."

Daines cited the removal of the ban on U.S. beef in China as an example of progress during the Trump Administration.

While he said it would be a "mischaracterization" to say that a congressional delegation trip to China he participated in was responsible for that decision, he does feel it helped.

"We smuggled in four tenderloin steaks from Montana and gave them to the premier," Daines said. "We put them in a cooler from Walmart, probably made in China, and carried it in there with a nice silk cover on it. They probably thought it was some precious antique."

When he gave Premier Li Keqiang the steaks, he said, he included a picture of Miles City rancher Fred Wacker, and a complete provenance describing the beef's journey from Wacker's ranch to a feedlot in Nebraska and on to China.

Daines said he thought another benefit of what he described as warmer relations with China was China's understanding that it needs to be engaged in helping to control North Korea.
BIG SKY  A company behind a private Montana resort community has paid the state more than $90,000 in penalties and will need to complete environmental projects to make up for spilling nearly 30 million gallons of treated wastewater into the Gallatin River.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports the Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued an order Tuesday requiring the Yellowstone Club to pay $93,739 in penalties and reimbursement to the state and spend hundreds of thousands more on environmental projects over the failure of a wastewater pond that spilled into the river.

The total fine for the spill was $256,700. The Department of Environmental Quality and the Yellowstone Club agreed the club would pay 25 percent of that fine  $64,175  and $29,564 to reimburse the state for the spill.
"It happened as if it was a dream," says Gabriel Fattah Manga, recalling the day his world came tumbling down around him, and his life changed forever.

Early last Monday morning Manga, 25, was preparing to head to work as a carpenter in the Regent area of Freetown, Sierra Leone, when he realized something was badly wrong

"The land was trembling and the whole area was trembling with me," he tells CNN, his eyes still red-rimmed with emotion. "I came out to see what was happening. I saw water going down ... When I moved up to three meters, I saw this whole mountain coming."

A massive mudslide, sparked by heavy rains and flooding in an area that has suffered years of deforestation, was speeding down the slopes of Mount Sugar Loaf, towards his home in one of the makeshift shanty towns that dotted the hillside.

Manga survived, but an entire generation of his family was swept away in the devastation.

"I lost my mother Kumba, who I love so much," he says. "I lost my brother John -- I was in love with my brother. I lost his wife Jeneba, their baby Daniel, who is five months old. My elder brother also lost his two children."

Manga now sleeps on a bench outside the single-story brown building his surviving family members call home. Pasted on the wall above the bench is a picture of his mother and the members of his family he has lost.

"I lost my family, I lost my people. I lost my place," he says, a weary, resigned look on his face. "All has gone."

Hundreds still missing

Manga is far from alone. According to the latest death toll, 499 people, including more than 150 children, were killed in the Regent mudslide.

Hundreds more remain missing, and relatives are losing hope that their loved ones will be found alive.

Mariama Koroma, 23, sits across the street from Manga's home, outside the small building where she and some 50 other women and children are sheltering, clutching a photograph of her five-month-old niece Mariatu.

Mariatu and her mother, Koroma's older sister Fanta, 35, have been missing since a tide of sodden red earth swept away their home. The family has been unable to find any sign of them where their house used to stand.

"When I go there, I didn't see her house. We've driven everywhere and we can't find her body," she says. "The bodies are under there. My mother is now unconscious. I'm worried that she will not make it."

Inside the dark, cramped shelter, Wuiatu Kondeh sits on a still-wrapped mattress. Clutching her two-year-old daughter, she weeps as she tells of how she escaped from the mudslide, only to realize she couldn't find her husband, Lansana, 25, a motorbike taxi driver.

"We saw the hill coming down and we ran away," she says, remembering fragments and details of that day. "Someone carried my child. I didn't have my slippers."

"Later, I looked for my husband and I didn't see him," she says, sobbing quietly, her face etched with pain. "I didn't see my uncle ... my sister, she lost two of her children. I didn't see her again."

Kondeh and her husband had only moved to the Mount Sugar Loaf area in June, after saving up to rent a home there. With that home destroyed, she and her baby daughter are left to sleep on the floor of this shared building.

Outside, the search continues, with rescue workers digging through the dirt for bodies, the stench of decomposing remains hanging in the air.

Pleas for help, support

Sierra Leone faces a steep road to recovery. A small nation of 7.4 million people, it has been beset with more than its fair share of tragedies in the past.

It now has 20,000 displaced people -- around 5,000 of whom are children -- to care for and rehouse, according to presidential spokesman Abdulai Bayraytay.

For now, some are being looked after by aid agencies such as Unicef.

Inside one of the NGO's tents in Regent, children play, seemingly as carefree as kids the world over, but look closer, and they bear the scars and scabs that tell of their struggle to survive the mudslides.

Bayraytay has appealed for more international aid -- medical supplies, shelters, blankets -- to help Freetown recover.

He warns there's a high risk of cholera as people are still living in the devastated areas, without clean water and sanitation, and says the country cannot manage on its own.

"We are overstretched," he says. "We are just on the verge of recuperating after Ebola and the civil war. We are overwhelmed.

"Sierra Leone is a small country with a small economy and we cannot do this alone ... we appeal very passionately to the world to come to (our) aid."

That's a plea echoed by Gabriel Fattah Manga, who says those like him who lost so many loved ones in the mudslide are struggling to know how to cope.

"I have cried a lot. I have nothing to do more because they are gone," he says. "I will now look to what God will do for me.

"For now, I'm in the street. I have nowhere to go. We need people to help us. If they can hear us, let them help us."

CNN's Laura Smith-Spark, Caroline Paterson and Hilary McGann contributed to this report.
It seems as soon as the Fourth of July has passed we start preparing for back to school. More important than the school shopping is the attitude we represent about this upcoming event. As parents we want our children to grow and succeed. We want them to have friends and be happy. We want them to be healthy and make wise choices. The best chance for our hopes and dreams to be realized starts with the very first day of school.

Parents can set the tone for school success by validating and demonstrating a positive attitude toward the entire school environment. Ensuring the educational experience is a pleasant one depends greatly on the relationship between parent, child, teacher and the school administration. This relationship should be welcoming and inviting, safe, healthy and comfortable. Your children are watching what you say and do will have a profound effect on how they view the school experience. Laying a strong foundation will create a strong structure for them to build on.

The routine and structure of the school setting can provide important life skills that are essential for the youths success. In many ways, attendance is the most important piece in the education process. The support for academic, social and emotional well-being is nurtured throughout each and every school day. Relationships are built when children are present and engaged.

Butte Cares Inc., a substance abuse prevention program, is concerned about the link between chronic absenteeism, academic failure and truancy. The spiraling effects of this serious issue, may initiate substance use and abuse with an eventual addiction as the final outcome. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported recently that 90 percent of addictions begin during the teen years.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as a measure of how much school a student misses for any reason, a broader measure than truancy, which tracks only unexcused absences. National data consistently supports a child who can read by the third grade will most likely graduate from high school. Chronic absence can lead to truancy as youth who miss 10 percent of school days fall further and further behind their peers making it difficult if not impossible to catch up.

In the early grades, national data reports one in 10 kindergarteners misses a month of school every year. Academic performance is lower when those children reach the first grade. A student who is chronically absent during the first three years of school is less likely to be reading by third grade thus creating a sense of failure and inadequacy. As this trend continues, by 6th grade chronic absence begins to predict high school dropout rates. By the ninth grade, school attendance has more impact on drop-out rates than eighth grade test scores. In addition, at this level, research reveals youth are more likely to exhibit behavior problems and engage in substance use and criminal activity according to the Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJDP).

The Office of Juvenile Justice Bulletin reports chronic absenteeism leading to truancy is a major risk factor in serious delinquent behavior in youth. Studies have shown lack of commitment to school is a predictor of delinquent behavior. Educational failure and social isolation are risk factors for substance abuse, teen pregnancy and delinquency. The effects can continue to impact, as there is a greater propensity to exhibit violent and aggressive behavior in adulthood. Furthermore, adults who were chronically absent as preteens and truant as teenagers are much more likely to have poorer overall physical and mental health. They often have lower paying jobs, unsuccessful job experiences, relationship problems and are more likely to be incarcerated according to the OJJDP report.

The social impact of chronic absenteeism ranges from low academic achievement, to high school drop-out, juvenile delinquency, addiction, family violence, child abuse and suicide. The spiraling effect of this critical issue may be the root cause of many social ills. The financial impact can strain any Government funding, from School funding, criminal justice to public assistance the cost is insurmountable.

Chronic absenteeism is an early warning sign for future problems and should not be ignored according to the OJJDP. Left unaddressed, chronic absenteeism leading to truancy can have significant negative effects on students, schools, employment, and society. Strategies for early intervention play an important role in addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism. It is critical to stop the progression from chronic absenteeism to truancy before more serious, risky and even violent behaviors are apparent.

Butte Cares Inc. and the Butte School District #1 would like to remind you that your childs attendance beginning in pre-K and kindergarten is critical to their academic success. Ensuring your child succeeds in life begins with the relationship you build with your child and his/her school.

Attendance matters! All day, every day!
CHICAGO  If its true, as some assert, that the increased stridency of white supremacists has made it acceptable to show racial prejudice, then white people are going to start feeling the pain of being associated with a small, fringe group of over-the-top racists.

The other day, when riding the train in Chicago, I noticed that I was surrounded by several young white men, apparently on their way to work. I quickly realized that I was studying them closely to determine whether they might be white nationalist sympathizers.

Did a close haircut and the choice of a white polo and khaki pants mean anything other than just another day of cubicle-dwelling at some downtown high-rise? Did the tattooed white men also riding along with me deserve the same scrutiny?

The answers to both: Of course not.

I was being overly sensitive after a weekend of viewing images of young white men carrying Confederate flags and wielding shields emblazoned with Nazi symbols in Charlottesville, Virginia. But my knee-jerk thoughts made me fear for my husband and sons. What conclusions will others jump to when they see their white skin, tattoos and, in my husbands case, shaved head?

Suddenly, they have the potential to be profiled in the same way as I am when people see my dark features and wonder  sometimes out loud and to my face  whether I am an illegal alien, a terrorist or both.

This burden is being brought down on white people by a vocal minority of sick individuals who are intent on reviving a past that this country has never healed from. But its a strain that whites must face.

Speaking on NPRs Its Been a Minute podcast, Grace Elizabeth Hale, author of the book Making Whiteness: The Culture of Segregation in the South, 1890-1940 and professor of American studies and history at the University of Virginia, put it this way: Not all white people are the same, and there are extremes of white supremacy and violence, and I would like to note them  it is not every white person whos going to drive their car into a group of protesters. That said, for white people those privileges and those ways in which they are assumed to be at the center of American culture, assumed to be the people who matter, assumed to be the people who can happily occupy a park with a Confederate statue in the middle of it ... white people dont get to say, Well, thats not me, Im not that person -- I voted for [Barack] Obama.

She continued: It doesnt absolve you. ... Other people make assumptions about your identity and you are treated in certain ways, and you dont get to choose those. White people cant opt out of them by suggesting, Thats not me, I didnt do that. ... I think thats one of the biggest problems many white people in America have, this desire not to be blamed, this kind of visceral emotional desire to be innocent.

This is an incredibly important point.

As a minority who has attended majority-white private schools, majority-white public schools and colleges, worked in majority-white workplaces and am currently the only person of color at my own familys Thanksgiving dinner, I absolutely know that white people are, on the whole, generous, loving people with no more prejudice and bias in their hearts than any flawed human of any race.

But there are so many other members of racial and ethnic minorities who have experienced enmity and discrimination at the hands of white people that, as a society, we are in danger of tipping into a mutual and irreparable distrust of each other.

Such a moment requires a very specific type of sacrifice: Rejecting the moral superiority of victimhood.

In the case of white people who harbor no ill will toward people of color, it would be easy to feel put out because a vocal minority is calling for ethnic cleansing and giving white people a bad name in the eyes of many.

Whether they like it or not, white people are now in the uncomfortable position of being on the defensive about their views on race. They should be angry about this.

But, white friends, family members and advocates, please place the blame squarely on the shoulders of white supremacists, not on the people of color who are newly vulnerable in an America that seems more hostile to us than ever because of the color of our skin.
A Fairfield engineering firm presented the Louisa County Board of Supervisors a proposed agreement on Tuesday for monitoring and inspecting a planned 4-inch natural gas line between Conesville and Columbus Junction.

Stephen Hausner, President of French-Reneker Associates, Fairfield, presented the agreement to the supervisors, explaining that under Iowa law, counties are responsible for conducting inspections of new pipelines.

Alliant Energy is planning to install the line later this year.

Counties can appoint (a staff person) or hire someone, Hausner said, provided the person is a licensed engineer.

He said the company had also reached out to the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors with the same agreement and indicated that board was waiting for the Louisa County supervisors to act.

They want to go with the same company, he said.

Hausner said his company had been the inspectors in Jefferson and Van Buren counties for the recently completed Dakota Access Pipeline and believed officials in those counties had been satisfied with his companys performance.

As far as I know, they are well pleased, he said.

Adam Shutt, assistant to Louisa County Engineer Larry Roehl, asked Hausner about the inspectors responsibilities for identifying road, tile and other crossings the pipeline would encounter.

Hausner said for the Dakota Access inspections the pipeline contractor had provided a ton of records on tile crossings. He indicated few county roads would be involved in the Louisa County project and that Alliant had assured French-Reneker that land easements had already been arranged.

Alliant has to show (the easements) to (the inspectors), he said, adding the company was planning to begin the pipeline installation in early September and have it in service by Thanksgiving.

Although counties are responsible for pipeline inspections, Iowa laws require the installing company to reimburse counties for those costs.

Supervisor Brad Quigley said he was interested in knowing how much time county employees would spend on reimbursement requests and other duties related to the pipeline.

I want to make sure we recoup any county costs, he said.

County officials indicated they would contact the auditors in Jefferson and Van Buren counties to learn how they determined their costs.

Final action on the agreement was tabled until the supervisors Aug. 29 meeting.

In other action, the supervisors held a department head meeting with a limited number of office heads. Most reported normal activities in their departments over the past month.

Later, the supervisors met with Mental Health and Disabilities Director Bobbie Wulf and General Assistance Director Cyndi Mears for their offices more specific update.

Wulf reported that regional bills were now being funneled through different members of SEI Link, the regional mental health consortium of counties in southeast Iowa. She said the process would allow increased segregation of duties between the counties, a key issue during annual audits.

Mears provided the supervisors with a spreadsheet she had developed showing visits to the Louisa County Food Pantry and other data.

In final action, Shutt and Secondary Roads Maintenance Supervisor Steve Bell met with the board to discuss Quigleys proposal from last week to modify the secondary roads departments fueling policies at its satellite maintenance sheds in Columbus Junction, Grandview and Oakville.

The group agreed the county could investigate new policies at Grandview and Oakville, but did not see any changes being made at Columbus Junction.
Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi []
Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes []
Comedian MC NJagi is on steroids. No sooner had he released a parody song in honour of Githeriman than he returned with another.

The comedians new hit track is dubbed Kifaranga Ya Computer, after Raila Odingas recent catch phrase.

The NASA flagbearer made the statement last week during a presser to announce that the opposition was heading to the Supreme Court to contest the presidential results.

Odinga declared that President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto as vifaranga vya kompuyuta, waliochaguliwa na kompyuta(The President and his Deputy are computer generated leaders).

After the memes that took over social media, MC Njagi has done one better by coming up with a song.

While his previous releases such as Yaliyo Ndwele Sipite, Githeriman, and Mbele Iko Sawa have been well received, this one has attracted mixed reviews with a section of Kenyans dismissing Mc Njagi as monotonous.

We will that for you to decide. Watch below
Embakasi West Member of Parliament, George Theuri, is once again making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The legislator, known for his flamboyant and often controversial lifestyle, has attracted the wrath of internet users after he showed up at State House in jeans and flip flops.

Also Read: Flamboyant Embakasi MP Takes his Children and Wife to Gun Range in Family Outing (PHOTOS+VIDEO)

This happened last Saturday, August 19th when President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted Nairobi leaders who were elected on a Jubilee party ticket.

According to the self-proclaimed Swagmaster, the meeting was informal and he was just being himself.

being a weekendit was like just in my house. Besides, the meeting was informal, not official, said Mr Theuri.

The MP, who was accused of insulting a constituent last year, said President Uhuru Kenyatta was not bothered by his dress code.

Unafikiria Barabara Ni Kama Suruali Yako?  Embakasi MP Attacks Concerned Constituent

Mr Theuri also denied that he is trying to take over the bad boy look from Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko who has since changed his image.

I always wear open shoes every time. Its my trademark. As for the bling, I have also had them. Its not a question of taking over from any one.

On social media, the youthful MP also questioned why media outlets had termed him controversial.
Nasa 5th principal Isaac Ruto has joined the growing list of governors who have conceded defeat and showed up to hand over instruments of power to the incoming governors.

Ruto was in attendance yesterday during the inauguration of Joyce Laboso as the new Bomet governor. The ceremony was also witnessed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Addressing residents, Uhuru said that Isaac Ruto had shown political maturity by conceding and handing over power. He also urged him to return to Jubilee.

You have shown that you are a true man. I want to ask you to come back. You dont have to stay with that man of riddles,

Uhuru further added that though it is within Railas right to go to court, he should have been a gentleman like Isaac Ruto and conceded defeat because Jubilees victory was clear from the results of all positions.

We are waiting for the Supreme Court decision but he (Raila) should have been a gentleman like his co-principal Isaac Ruto so that Kenyans can continue with their nation-building activities uninterrupted, said the president, Jubilee has 27 governors, 28 senators, 31 women representatives, 170 MPs and majority MCAs. With majority at all levels, it is clear that Jubilee took the victory,

The president also thanked Bomet people for choosing a woman to be their governor, and promised to continue with the development agenda.

Here are some pictures from yesterday.
An American Canyon man was sentenced to 36 years to life in state prison in Napa County Superior Court on Tuesday morning, one month after being convicted of numerous child molestation charges.

Jimmie Leonne Mallette, 68, was found guilty of three counts of oral copulation with a child under the age of 10, two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 14, and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 on July 21 following a one-week jury trial before Judge Francisca P. Tisher.

Mallette, who was accused of molesting a young boy between the ages of 5 and 7 years old multiple times over the course of two years, denied during the trial that he molested the boy, according to a sentencing memorandum prepared by Deputy District Attorney Kecia Lind. But after being convicted, he admitted to oral copulation with him during an interview with a probation officer.

Although Mallette has no prior criminal record, one other alleged victim testified to being molested by him on multiple occasions, the memorandum asserts. Mallette claimed that the children initiated the sexual contact, the District Attorneys Office said.

The District Attorneys Office recommended that Mallette be sentenced to 55 years to life in prison, the maximum sentence possible for his convictions, according to court documents.

The defendant has done nothing to warrant any consideration by this court to impose a sentence less than the maximum 55 years to life, Lind said in her memorandum. (Mallette) has molested more than one child, and has done so for over 40 years of his life  (he) should never be given the chance to be around another child, no matter what his age.

Mallette has been in custody at the Napa County jail since his arrest on March 10, 2016.
A Napa doctor specializing in pain management, Eric Grigsby, M.D., has been reprimanded by the Medical Board of California for failing to adequately monitor a patient to whom the doctor prescribed pain management.

The state board reprimanded Grigsby for prescribing high doses of drugs such as oxycodone and OxyContin to a patient from 2001 to 2013.

Such a reprimand is typically given for minor violations and considered a lesser form of discipline, the medical board website explained.

In 2015, Grigsby was accused of excessively prescribing drugs to two patients. The physician was also accused of failing to document why drugs were overprescribed to a third patient.

The accusations about the second and third patients were dismissed in this decision, said Peter Osinoff, Grigsbys attorney.

The board determined that there was nothing to the other cases, said Osinoff during an interview on Tuesday.

The settlement did not involve any admissions of any wrongdoing, or even that the Medical Board could establish a basis for the charges in the accusation, wrote Osinoff.

At the same time, his client accepts the reprimand for the single case, said Osinoff. Hes not shirking that responsibility, he said.

Hes a very good physician and hes had an outstanding career, Osinoff said. This was one case in a career filled with thousands of cases.

While we believe this inquiry on the part of the Medical Board was misplaced and unnecessary, we do agree wholeheartedly that patient and community safety and safe prescribing guidelines are important, Grigsby wrote in a statement. This small record-keeping issue, has since been remedied, he wrote.

The decision was effective Aug. 16, the board reported.

Grigsby said his practice, called the Napa Pain Institute, is organized toward long-term care with patients with chronic illnesses who have a common feature of pain.

We see about 22,000 patient visits a year, Grigsby said in 2015. He noted that pain medicines are not the only things we use in their treatment.

Before this, Grigsby had never faced a state board accusation.

Its difficult because Ive spent my entire career looking out for people, he said in 2015.

Grigsby also founded Neurovations, a surgical training center in Napa that conducts clinical research, works with biomedical device startups and early-stage companies and trains medical personnel.

The California Medical Board oversees doctor licenses in the state, including more than 400 medical doctors in Napa County.
National Park Service officials announced Wednesday they have issued a permit for a right-wing rally Saturday at San Franciscos Crissy Field with heavy security measures including a ban on anything that could be used as a weapon.

The Freedom Rally organized by the group Patriot Prayer is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Crissy Field, part of the park services Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Following a deadly white nationalist rally earlier this month in Charlottesville, Virginia, where a man drove a vehicle into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing a woman and injuring many other people, San Francisco officials pushed for the National Park Service to rescind the permit.

But GGNRA acting general superintendent Cicely Muldoon said in a statement Wednesday that the park service cannot deny a permit to anyone planning to exercise their First Amendment rights based on their political stance or beliefs.

Following intensive negotiations with San Francisco police, however, the event will have security measures in place including fencing, security screening and restrictions on a long list of items that could be used as weapons, ranging from guns and aerosol cans to drones and coolers, barbecue grills, tiki torches and even selfie sticks.

A full restriction list, as well as information on road closures and other details about the park services plans for the event, has been posted online at www.nps.gov/goga/first-amendment-permits.htm.

San Francisco police Chief William Scott said the event and counter-demonstrations planned elsewhere in the city will be heavily policed.

No city police officers will be allowed to take this weekend off, Scott confirmed.

Despite the precautions, Mayor Ed Lee said he remains deeply disappointed and opposed to the issuance of this permit.

This doesnt calm my opposition one bit, Lee said. I pray that nobody gets hurt on Friday or Saturday because these people with their hate-filled message are coming to our city to wreak havoc.

Patriot Prayer organizer Joey Gibson has rejected accusations that his pro-President Donald Trump group is a white supremacist organization, arguing that the event includes black, Latino and transgender speakers.

Gibson has said the event has a message of love and stated on the events Facebook page that no extremists will be allowed in. No Nazis, Communist, KKK, Antifa, white supremacist, I.E., or white nationalists. This is an opportunity for moderate Americans to come in with opposing views.

In a Facebook video posted Tuesday afternoon, Gibson said that he was happy with the plans for security at the rally planned for Saturday.

Im extremely encouraged right now, I feel really good about the preparations that have been going on, he said. This is going to be fun, this is going to be different, this is going to be a unique experience for sure.

Along with the Patriot Prayer event, four other political events were approved this week on GGNRA land  Peoples Town Hall Candlelight Vigil and Peoples Town Hall Press Conference at Crissy Field on Friday, and Better Angels San Francisco and Stop HATE human banner at Ocean Beach on Saturday, according to the park service.

Lee and other city officials have encouraged opponents to not engage with members of the right-wing rally and to instead join peaceful gatherings at Civic Center scheduled for noon Friday and again at noon Saturday.

Let us show this nation that San Francisco is a city of peace and unity, he said.
Donald Trump is the seventh president since the end of World War II who inherited on taking office his predecessor's war or the planning for one. And like most of these American presidents, Trump decided that the most important strategic consideration was not to publicly lose a war on his watch.

No president wants to replicate the experience of Jerry Ford watching images of the last desperate helicopters taking off from the American Embassy in Saigon as North Vietnamese troops battered down the gates.

Only Dwight Eisenhower -- whose military self-confidence allowed him to fold an unwinnable hand -- opted for a quick armistice to end the Korean War that he inherited. In contrast, an inexperienced John Kennedy went along with an ill-conceived Eisenhower-era plan for a CIA-backed invasion of Cuba.

Small wonder that Trump's first prime-time speech to the nation Monday night was a bow to this presidential tradition of preferring expensive stalemate to any hint of withdrawal or defeat.

In a line that will always be identified with his Afghan policy, Trump admitted, "My original instinct was to pull out. And historically, I like following my instincts."

But then Teleprompter Trump added -- in an uncharacteristic acknowledgement of the majesty of the presidency -- "But all my life I've heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk in the Oval Office."

Trump masked his Afghan about-face with muscular talk of victory, a word he used four times in the speech: "We will push onward to victory with power in our hearts (and) courage in our souls." That was only topped by Trump's six references to "win" (a concept alien to the experience of all foreign armies who have ever entered Afghanistan beginning with the British in the 19th century).

"I'm a problem-solver," Trump boasted, "And in the end, we will win." And in pep-rally fashion, the president declared, "Our troops will fight to win. We will fight to win."

The problem that Trump glossed over is that after 16 years, there is virtually no untried strategy for victory. Every policy change comes with its own complications.

Trump, for example, trumpeted that America is abandoning "nation-building," a concept that dates back to the Vietnam War. Conservatives tend to ridicule as global social work any effort to build schools and buttress democratic institutions. As Trump put it bluntly, "We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists."

The problem in an Afghan context is that this supposed gimlet-eyed realism means an uncritical American embrace of local warlords. But squabbling warlords and their endemic corruption have helped power the Taliban insurgency that controls major chunks of the Afghan countryside and whose suicide bombers have made the Afghan capital of Kabul one of the most dangerous spots in the nation.

Trump, who still fancies himself a master negotiator, appears to believe that he can square the circle with India and Pakistan. On one hand, the president wants India "to help us more with Afghanistan." On the other hand, Trump wants to bludgeon Pakistan into "partnering with our effort in Afghanistan."

As duplicitous as Pakistan has been in sheltering Osama bin Laden and covertly supporting the Taliban, this nuclear-armed power also fears India's enhanced influence in Afghanistan. By overtly tilting toward India, Trump is probably making true cooperation from Pakistan even more elusive.

Listening to the Trump speech, it was easy to hear echoes of that other endless American war called Vietnam.

Early in his presidency, Richard Nixon said to his Cabinet about the military quagmire that he inherited, "If we fail to end the war in a way that ... will deny the aggressor his goals, the hawks in Communist nations will push for more and broader aggression."

Many of the illusions that accompanied Lyndon Johnson's and Nixon's Vietnam rhetoric could be found in Trump's Afghan address.

The presidential warning to the hapless government in Kabul could have been directed at the feuding generals in Saigon: "America will work with the Afghan government as long as we see determination and progress. However, our commitment is not unlimited, and our support is not a blank check."

The idea that the military's hands have been tied in Afghanistan comes right out of the playbook of Vietnam hawks. As Trump said Monday night, "I have already lifted restrictions the previous administration placed on our warfighters that prevented the secretary of defense and our commanders in the field from fully and swiftly waging battle against the enemy."

And the entire history of the Vietnam War was riddled with appeals to our feckless allies to shoulder more of the burden. Trump echoed that call to action, "We will ask our NATO allies and global partners to support our new strategy, with additional troop and funding increases in line with our own. We are confident they will."

The most inadvertently comic aspect of Trump's speech to the nation was his I've-got-a-secret flourish, "We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities."

It obviously had not dawned on the president that Congress would demand to know precise troop levels before it appropriates additional funding for the Pentagon. Moreover, Trump seems to naively believe that the Taliban will be bamboozled if 6,000 additional U.S. troops arrive instead of the rumored 4,000.

There are reasons to continue an American role in Afghanistan if only to secure oases of modernity in Kabul and to serve as a base for operations against the Islamic State. But little of this limited mission could be detected in Trump's words.

At the end of 2001, shortly after the Taliban were routed, I spent 10 days in Kabul. At one point as my car was followed by dozens of grinning small boys in castoff shorts and T-shirts, I took a picture out the back window of these youngsters as a symbol of hope for an Afghan future.

Today those small boys are in their mid-twenties. Some may be in the Afghan security forces. A few might have been recruited by the Taliban. But most, I suspect, are living quiet lives with their wives and children still dreaming of an elusive peace.
Legislators hear wine issues

California lawmakers joined forces in Napa on Wednesday, Aug. 16 to hear expert views on wine industry: sustainability and farmworker housing.

The joint hearing, held at Napa Valley College, brought together the leaders of both the Assembly Select Committee on Wine, chaired by Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, and the Senate Select Committee on Californias Wine Industry, co-chaired by state Senators Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg.

Two members of the Assembly committee, Assemblyman Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove, and Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio, D-Baldwin Park, were also present as the committees heard from nine industry-spanning experts divided into two panels.

Another select committee hearing on wine will take place in Santa Barbara later this year, Dodd said, because we want to make sure that everybody knows that we represent the whole state and we want to hear from everybody.
Napa Countywide Cannabis Roundtable will be Friday

The Napa County Board of Supervisors have announced that the next Napa Countywide Cannabis Rountable will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, Aug. 25 in the board meeting chambers on the third floor of the Administration Building, 1195 Third St. in Napa.

The purpose of the roundtable is to discuss the issues surrounding the passage of Proposition 64 and the regulation of medical and non-medical cannabis in Napa County. Representatives from Napa County, the cities of American Canyon, Calistoga, St. Helena, and Napa and the Town of Yountville are roundtable participants.

The discussion will include a report from a recent trip to Oakland to tour manufacturing, cultivation and dispensary facilities. There will be presentations from the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner and Rural County Representatives of California about land use and environmental impacts, as well as legislative updates.
St. Helena city officials learned an expensive lesson about an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) at Tuesdays special joint meeting of the city council and planning commission.

The lesson, as Planning and Community Improvement Director Noah Housh summarized it, is: You cant write an EIR over a 10-year period.

Housh made the comment after telling officials the city would need to start over again on an EIR for the long-stalled General Plan update, a process that he estimated would take up to two years and probably cost $150,000-$300,000.

I am not able to bring the current document up to standards, Housh said.

The bad news came at the conclusion of Houshs report which traced the citys history of delay with the General Plan, a guiding document for all future development in cities required by the state constitution.

That delay, said Housh, has made the EIR that was completed and presented to the council in 2010, along with an updated General Plan, inadequate.

Seven years ago, Housh said in his report, concerns over adequacy of the citys water supply stalled the plan, consequently the EIR was not certified by city council.

Over the next four years multiple versions of the General Plan were drafted and revised, however, no action was taken to formally update the EIR, Housh said. The process was further complicated by staff turnover, according to Houshs report.

In 2015, a new planning director and two consultants were hired with the intention of completing both documents. The consultants were released the following year after drafting a partial EIR and the process was brought in-house for staff to complete.

After attempting to update the EIR for more than a year, staff determined significant and new technical information is necessary for the EIR to meet state requirements, Housh said. Fresh studies are needed in traffic impact, greenhouse gas emissions, air quality and noise levels, he reported.

Im very disappointed to be asking this of council, Housh concluded.

Planning Commission Chair Grace Kistner and Councilmember Mary Koberstein asked if it was necessary to start over. Couldnt a specialist be brought in to fix only the parts that are broken, making the process faster and less expensive?

Housh explained that any consultant is going to insist on an all-or-nothing contract, due to liability. The contractor, as a possible defendant in litigation, and would insist on control over the whole document.

Planning Commissioner Bobbi Monnette wondered if it would be worthwhile getting other opinions on the situation.

That could be done, Housh said, with even more time and money and, with ultimately, he believed, the same conclusion.

Housh said this doesnt mean all city improvements must stop. The council can still proceed with its priorities. The 2015 housing guidelines adopted by the city still apply, and the existing 1993 General Plan can be modified up to four times a year, according to the law.

Mayor Alan Galbraith reminded the group that the issue before them was limited to the EIR.

I dont see that we have a choice, Galbraith said. We need to go down this road to have a legally qualified EIR.

Council voted 5-0 to direct staff to draft a request for proposal for a qualified consultant.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, will travel to Rimini on Thursday, 24 August 2017 to deliver a keynote address at the Rimini Meeting. The Secretary General will join a panel with the Italian Foreign Minister titled: From North to South: Defence and Peace in the World.

The Secretary General will also have bilateral discussions with the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Mr. Angelino Alfano.

Still images will be available on the NATO website after the event

Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg)




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Renowned portrait artist and Atlanta resident Ross Rossin will be on the Emory University campus this academic year as the 2017-2018 Donna and Marvin Schwartz Artist-in-Residence.

Rossin, whose art hangs in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and was exhibited at the United Nations Palace of Nations in Geneva and the Russian Duma in Moscow, is also known to Atlantans as the sculptor/creator of the nine-foot-tall bronze statue of Hank Aaron unveiled earlier this year at SunTrust Park.

Rossins residency is part of the Ethics and the Arts Program at Emorys Center for Ethics. The program, the only one of its kind in the nation, encourages ethical discourse and debate through and about the arts, and partners with arts organizations to demonstrate the way art challenges ethical perspectives.

Ross Rossin will be a singularly powerful addition to the arts community on the Emory campus, says Carlton Mackey, director of the Ethics and the Arts Program. His portraiture art is not only masterful in its technical and artistic merit, but is also a catalyzing force for igniting critical conversations around current ethical and social issues.

Rossins initial event at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, will be the public unveiling and discussion of his large-scale portrait of Dr. Frankensteins creation described in Mary Shelleys 1818 novel, Frankenstein. The event will be held at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts and is open to all free of charge, but guests must register in advance at http://engage.emory.edu/Frankenstein or call Erin Mosley at 404-727-5048.

Rossins residency coincides with FACE (Frankenstein Anniversary Celebration and Emory), a year-long university-wide celebration of the 200th anniversary of the novel.

The exclusive corporate sponsor of FACE is Turner Classic Movies (TCM), and Emory is providing support through its Science and Society fund.

One of the most acclaimed and influential works of science fiction ever written, Frankenstein continues to shape debates surrounding science and its complications, says Paul Root Wolpe, director of Emorys Center for Ethics, which is spearheading FACE. Its a permanent part of the dialogue about the dilemmas we face in technological advancement, scientific experimentation and research, bioethics, artificial intelligence, stem cell research and innovation.

Rossins new depiction of Frankensteins creation is expected to highlight the broad influence and implications of the landmark novel. Rossin envisioned not the standard movie portrayal, but a portrait based on his vision of Shelleys intent.

Its precisely Mary Shelleys youth [age 18 when she began the novel] that inspired me to approach my subject differently, says Rossin. Unlike all other portrayals before, I prefer to see the Creature as a young man.

As Rossin points out, Dr. Frankenstein intended to create something beautiful, young, powerful and promising, like Prometheus. The Creature was supposed to have a future, open a new chapter in human history.

Those familiar with the story know that Dr. Frankensteins good intentions turned ugly and murderous. Rossin says that his portrait of Adam Frankenstein reflects exactly this kind of tragic duality. In my work the viewer should be able to see both.
- Russia enters Military partnership with Nigeria and Niger.



- Move will enable joint training of troops and improve fight against piracy and terrorism.

The Russian Defence Ministry on Tuesday August 22nd announced that it had signed an agreement to partner with Nigeria and Niger in a miltary cooperation that should bolster Nigerian Forces in their fight against the Boko Haram Insurgency.



This new deal between Russia and Nigeria will enable Nigerian Military personell to receive training at Russian Military Education establishments.



According to Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, this deal between the two countries will enable the joint training of troops, exchange of peacekeeping intel and experiences and further bolster both countries' fight against piracy and terrorism.



Shoigu further said that this move "will promote further improvement of cooperation and strengthen the two militaries in the fight against international terrorism." Read more: https://www.naij.com/1121668-biafra-secret-service-boko-haram-russia-signs-defense-military-deal-nigeria.html




Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 01:06:25|Editor: Zhou Xin

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JERUSALEM, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Iran's attempts to establish a permanent military foothold in Syria pose a problem to Israel and the entire Middle East.

"Iranian aggression has not subsided in the least following the nuclear agreement," the hardline prime minister said in a statement released a day before his travel to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Black Sea city of Sochi.

"This also presents a problem not only to Israel but rather to all the nations of the Middle East and the entire world," he charged.

Netanyahu said that the head of Israel's Mossad national intelligence agency, Yossi Cohen, and the head of the National Security Council, Meir Ben-Shabbat, will join him in the meeting.

The meeting will focus on "Iran's accelerated attempt to establish a military presence in Syria," Netanyahu said.

Israel and Russia agreed to coordinate military actions over Syria to avoid accidental clashes two years ago.

Since then, Netanyahu and Putin held several meetings in Russia.

Israeli leaders have consistently pointed at Iran's increasing military presence in Syria as a source of concerns.

On more than one occasion, Netanyahu warned that Israel would not allow Iranian bases next to its border with Syria. He also has called on Putin not to enable such a situation in case of a possible agreement to end the six-year conflict in Syria.

Netanyahu's visit to Russia comes amidst a string of victories to President Bashar Assad's army and its allies, Iran and Hezbollah.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 01:46:53|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian aviation authorities said Tuesday the country will be able to monitor its entire aviation airspace following the acquisition of four state-of-the-art surveillance radars worth 28 million U.S. dollars.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) signed an agreement in Dar es Salaam with France-based company Thales Air System (SAS) to install the four radars in four airports across the country in a period of 18 months.

At the moment, Tanzania is using an old aviation radar installed at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam in 2002, monitoring only 25 percent of its aviation airspace.

Hamza Johari, TCAA Director General, said the project was in line with improving the safety of the country's airspace.

"Safety of our skies is of paramount importance. With the four radars we will be able to monitor our entire airspace and beyond," said Johari.

Earlier this year, TCAA installed a very high frequency radio station in Tanga to oversee the airspace for the safety to airline operators.

Laurence Paul, Tanzania Air Operators Association (TAOA) Executive Secretary, commended the acquisition of the radars saying it would attract more airlines to use the country's airspace.

"The bold decision of purchasing four radars would make Tanzania the safest place and make people confidence with our airspace,"said Paul.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 01:57:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BARCELONA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau said Tuesday that the city had experienced "very few" cancellations of hotel bookings in the wake of the terrorist attacks which claimed 15 lives on Aug. 17.

Fourteen of the deaths were in Barcelona, with 13 of them on Las Ramblas street, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the capital. There were 34 different nations represented among the 120 victims.

In a press conference, Colau said that for the moment, the effect of the attacks on Barcelona's economy had been minimal and that a feeling of normality remained in the city's business sector despite the attacks.

However, the mayor, who appeared alongside key representatives of the city's business sector, admitted that this was only a short-term judgement and that the city would be closely following how its economy developed in the future before drawing conclusions over the effect of the attacks.

Jaume Collboni, president of the Socialist Party in the Barcelona Town Hall, explained that it would take several months before a true impact of the terrorist attacks on the city's economy could be measured.

Joan Gaspart, the vice-president of Barcelona Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association (and former FC Barcelona president) said he didn't think the attack would have a long term effect, saying "Barcelona is Barcelona."
Demonstrators protest during an America First rally in Laguna Beach, California, U.S., August 20, 2017. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

by Xinhua writers Yang Shilong, Wang Wen

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Though it is unclear whether Mexico, the United States and Canada could strike a deal by the end of this year on rewriting their trilateral trade pact, it is tenable to say the "America First" agenda promoted by President Donald Trump will undermine the U.S. regional and global economic leadership, experts warned.

The three North American neighbors Sunday wrapped up their five-day Round One renegotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)that removed tariff barriers and led to tripling of trade among them over the last 23 years.

Sunday's joint statement offered no details on the initial talks, but negotiations are likely to become increasingly tense and difficult over the next months as the Trump administration pushes its "America First" agenda and pledged "Buy American and Hire American" during the talks.

FUTURE TALKS COULD BE TOUGHER

NAFTA can "probably be revised and improved" in a "relatively short timeframe" if the three countries are dealing with "additional areas that are up for renegotiation," like labor standards, e-commerce and intellectual property, Robert Salomon, associate professor at the Stern School of Business, New York University, told Xinhua on Monday.

However, there are certain areas where the United States, especially with the Trump administration pursuing the "America First" agenda, will find "much more difficult" to renegotiate with Mexico and Canada.

"The toughest issue I think will be dispute settlement under the agreement," said Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, in an earlier interview with Xinhua.

A dispute-resolution mechanism under Chapter 19 of NAFTA, which allows Canada and Mexico to appeal countervailing and anti-dumping duties imposed by the United States through independent tribunals that have often ruled against Washington rather than through judicial reviews in U.S. courts.

"The Trump administration wants to eliminate that mechanism. Both Canada and Mexico see it as tremendously important because they believe that otherwise they could face arbitrary restrictions on their access to the U.S. market so that will be a very hard issue," Alden said.

Another difficulty would be government procurement, he said, as the Trump administration wants to expand "Buy American" rules for it.

NAFTA prohibits preferential treatment for American companies when they bid on U.S. government contracts, with a similar restriction on Mexico and Canada when dealing with their own government procurement.

"Canada and Mexico want more opportunities for their companies to sell to governments in the United States. That will be a very difficult issue too," Alden said.

"After all, it is a free-trade agreement. It is not a trade agreement with trade barriers, and so if the trump administration tries to push that protectionist agenda, I would expect Canada and Mexico to push back rather strongly," Salomon said.

Talking about the "Buy American" policy, Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said recently that these buy-local rules were poor public policy, driving up prices, resulting in worse infrastructure, and harming the economy

"(It's) political junk food -- superficially appetizing, but unhealthy in the long run," she said.

TEST FOR TRUMP'S DEAL-MAKING SKILLS

Alden noted that the three countries probably will have a new NAFTA, but the question will be "whether the outcome is politically acceptable" to President Trump.

"If you look at the negotiating objectives for the United States, most of them are quite modest and reasonable. There are some difficult issues but President Trump has already moved a long way to soften the positions he took in the campaign," he said.

Trump has called NAFTA a "disaster" and blamed it for the country's widening trade deficit with Mexico, and huge job losses in U.S. manufacturing-dependent states in the Midwest.

"So there is already been a significant softening in the U.S. position and I think more is certainly possible," Alden said, adding Trump was not threatening, for example, to impose a 30 percent border tax on Mexican imports.

"The challenge (of the negotiation) will be to produce an outcome that President Trump can credibly argue is more in American favor while allowing Mexico and Canada to tell their people that they have held firm and maintained the integrity of the NAFTA," he said.

"This will be the test," Alden added.

Alden's words were echoed by the San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board.

"This is a test of the president's negotiation skills that he almost can't afford to fail," the board wrote in a recent editorial.

"The NAFTA negotiations present a president in need of a big policy victory with a bigger opportunity than before. The stakes were already high, following Washington's healthcare debacle and weeks of White House aide departures," it said.

"I think if they can reach agreement then I think the unintended consequences will be modest," Alden said, noting that the danger comes if negotiations break down and President Trump threatens to withdraw from NAFTA.

Experts mostly agree that NAFTA has overall provided benefits to the world's largest economy though it caused a huge trade deficit for the United States with Mexico.

NAFTA was harmful to U.S. jobs and manufacturing but helpful in other areas -- agriculture, services and tourism, Alden said, noting that on balance NAFTA is beneficial to the United States.

Alan Deardorff, professor of international economics and public policy at the University of Michigan, also told Xinhua recently the Trump administration's efforts to list "reducing trade deficit" as a top priority were driven more by political concerns rather than economic development.

"I understand that politically they have to vow against the trade deficit. And I am sure whatever they end up negotiating, if they succeed and come with an agreement with Canada and Mexico, they will probably claim that what they have negotiated would reduce the trade deficit," Deardorff said, "But that is just not true."

U.S. NO LONGER CHAMPION OF FREE TRADE

Whatever the outcome, the NAFTA renegotiations will have a far-reaching impact on U.S.ties with its trade partners.

A new NAFTA can be both an update for NAFTA to a service, digital economy as well as a template for U.S. trade agreements with other countries and regions, said Stephen Gallagher, the U.S. chief economist at Societe Generale.

"Every other trade negotiation will be on hold pending the outcome of NAFTA," Alden agreed with Gallagher, "If it can be concluded successfully, then some of these other negotiations may go forward. But if not, I think the whole U.S. trade agenda will be stalled."

Under the Trump administration, the United States was "not any longer" the champion of free trade, Alden said.

"The United States is going to be looking more narrowly at its economic self-interest in these negotiations and I think that will make it harder to harder to arrive at deals," Alden said.

"NAFTA will be the first big test of that. I do think all the issues can be resolved, but the question is can they be resolved in a way that allows President Trump to claim victor," he said.

Though without U.S. leadership, it will be difficult to make progress in WTO negotiations, Alden said, "But on the other hand ... there's no reason it seems to me that other countries can't at least attempt to step into the vacuum that the United States is currently left."

He said a lot of the countries would be interested in leading the efforts as many governments in the world were quite strongly committed to freer trade.

"It's not impossible to imagine that you could have a coalition of countries that could jump start new negotiations even if the United States were skeptical," he added.

"The U.S. needs to put aside recent flirtations with protectionism, and instead reclaim its vital leadership role in terms of advancing free trade," wrote Ray Keating, an economist and a novelist, in his article "U.S. Trade Leadership Has Been Absent Over a Decade".

"As other nations work to reduce trade barriers, the U.S. quite simply is at risk of being left behind," Keating said.

"Trade policy should be focused on reducing government obstacles to trade, not on trying to 'fix' meaningless trade deficits nor on complaints from businesses that face increased competition," Keating said.
 

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Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 02:07:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KAMPALA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan police said Tuesday they have arrested seven traffickers in the western part of the country with seizure of ivory and hippo teeth.

Herbert Muhangi, commander of Flying Squad Unit, told reporters that acting on intelligence reports they arrested the traffickers and seized 33.3 kilograms of elephant tusks and 73.7 kilograms of hippo teeth in Rukungiri district.

"We have intensified our operations against illegal wildlife traffickers. In the last three days we managed to arrest seven suspects, impounded ivory and hippo teeth," said Muhangi.

He said the suspects will be charged for trafficking elephant tusks and hippo teeth.

The offence is punishable by not more than five years in prison or a fine not less than the value of the wildlife product involved.

The ivory is likely to have been imported from neighboring countries such as Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Uganda is mainly used as a transit point for smugglers of wildlife products as the offenders take advantage of porous borders in Africa's Great Lakes region to move illegal wildlife products around.

Uganda has about 5,600 elephants still left, according to government figures. Although their numbers have been rising in recent years, elephants face sporadic poaching.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 02:32:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. newspaper Wall Street Journal published an editorial Tuesday, criticizing the U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for his mercantilist view of trade.

"Steve Bannon may be gone from the White House, but his trade agenda survives in the form of Robert Lighthizer," said the Journal. Lighthizer emphasized before the first round of negotiations of updating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) last week that reducing U.S. trade deficits with Mexico and Canada was his priority.

"But what good is success for Mr. Lighthizer if it means failure for President Trump's agenda of faster growth?" questioned the Journal. Economists have long argued that sudden changes of the current supply chains in North America would not only hurt Mexican companies but also American businesses.

Reducing trade deficits was one of Trump's core campaign promises. The president, together with his Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Trade Representative Lighthizer, has repeatedly chastised Mexico and China for stealing U.S. wealth and jobs through trade deficits.

"This bizarre economics is dangerous to American prosperity," said the Journal in an editorial titled "Lighthizer's Economics Deficit."

The Trump administration also accused Mexico for stealing auto jobs from the U.S. and urged auto manufacturers like Toyota and Ford to move production lines back to the States. Toyota said in early August that it would move the production lines of its bestselling car Corolla from Mexico to the U.S. despite of additional costs.

Lighthizer also wanted to require auto manufacturers to use more U.S.-made auto parts in the renegotiations of NAFTA, hoping the move would save U.S. auto industry. The suggestion was not only resisted by Mexico and Canada, but also opposed by U.S. auto manufacturers who worry the move could raise costs.

"It is not an exaggeration to say that free-trade access to labor and capital across North America is largely responsible for the survival of the U.S. auto industry," said the Journal.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 02:42:15|Editor: Zhou Xin

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MOSCOW, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russia has signed military cooperation agreements respectively with Nigeria and Niger, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday in separate statements.

The Russia-Nigeria deal allows Nigerian servicemen to be trained in Russia's military educational establishments, it said.

According to Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, the two countries will pay special attention to joint training of troops, exchange of peacekeeping experience, and fighting against piracy and terrorism.

The Russia-Niger agreement "will promote further improvement of cooperation and strengthen the two militaries in the fight against international terrorism," said the Russian Defense Ministry.

Shoigu held separate talks with his counterparts from the two African countries on the sidelines of the Army 2017 International Military-Technical Forum that kicked off Tuesday outside Moscow.
Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks to reporters during a press conference, as the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain is seen in the background, at Changi naval base in Singapore on August 22, 2017. (AFP PHOTO)

MOSCOW, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- If the U.S. Navy causes a more serious accident in narrow places of the Strait of Malacca, navigation in the important cargo passage will be disrupted, a Russian expert commented Tuesday on a recent U.S. destroyer collision.

The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain collided with a merchant vessel on Monday morning near the Strait of Malacca, leaving 10 sailors missing and five others injured.

"The collision was precisely caused by the overstrain of the U.S. Navy," Vasily Kashin, a research fellow at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Xinhua.

He said U.S. warships spend too much time on combat service and the crew are overworked. There is not enough time to perform necessary exercises and training programs.

"The U.S. Navy keeps almost all of its vessels -- almost everything that can float -- on the high seas, and uses a maximum percentage of technically-sound ships," Kashin said.

Maritime accidents are frequent in the Asia Pacific as there is no other place with an equal concentration of U.S. warships, a comparable scale of commercial navigation and other types of maritime activities, Kashin said.

The McCain is the fourth U.S. Navy ship involved in such an accident in 2017.

In January, the USS Antietam ran aground, dumping 1,100 gallons of hydraulic fluid into Tokyo Bay.

In May, the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain collided with a South Korean fishing vessel off the Korean Peninsula.

In June, the USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship in waters off Japan, leaving seven sailors dead.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 04:13:15|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Julius Gale

JUBA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan and the UN peacekeeping mission UNMISS have resolved a dispute over the control of the Juba airport and operations of UN planes, officials said Tuesday.

Government spokesman Michael Makuei said the stalemate was solved on Monday during a meeting with heads of diplomatic missions in the country, UNMISS and the government.

"We all agree that we should continue to cooperate and work together for the overall interest of the people and the government of South Sudan. And we hope that from now onwards, we are opening a new page that will pave the way for us to continue to cooperate and coordinate our activities correctly," Makuei said.

"The cooperation and the clearance order have been cancelled and the clearance is now open. If UNMISS want to move or go anywhere, they should follow the right procedure," he added.

The government over the weekend stopped all planes operated by UNMISS from taking to the skies following a dispute over security clearance and mandate of the newly deployed peacekeepers.

The UN mission recently deployed the newly arrived Regional Protection Force (RPF) at Juba airport to protect the facility, but this angered the authorities, with the government arguing that a status of forces agreement it signed with the UN mission doest not permit blue helmets to take charge of the airport.

The 4,000-strong additional blue helmets were mandated by the Security Council last year to back-up the existing 12,000 troops to protect civilians and key installations, including the airport, following renewed violence in July 2016.

Army Spokesman Lul Ruai Koang confirmed to Xinhua by phone that the RPF have pulled out of the airport and the parties have resumed normal cooperation, including issuing of security clearances for UN flights.

"There was a violation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) by UNMISS, but that has been resolved and we are now cooperating with them (UN)," Lul told Xinhua.

South Sudan has been embroiled in more than three years of civil war which has taken a devastating toll on its people as tens of thousands have been killed and nearly 6 million displaced, according to the UN.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extends greetings to organizers, participants and guests of International Military-Technical Forum ARMY-2017 on August 22, 2017. (Kremlin Photo)

MOSCOW, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russia has signed military cooperation agreements respectively with Nigeria and Niger, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday in separate statements.

The Russia-Nigeria deal allows Nigerian servicemen to be trained in Russia's military educational establishments, it said.

According to Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, the two countries will pay special attention to joint training of troops, exchange of peacekeeping experience, and fighting against piracy and terrorism.

The Russia-Niger agreement "will promote further improvement of cooperation and strengthen the two militaries in the fight against international terrorism," said the Russian Defense Ministry.

Shoigu held separate talks with his counterparts from the two African countries on the sidelines of the Army 2017 International Military-Technical Forum that kicked off Tuesday outside Moscow.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 04:48:30|Editor: Zhou Xin

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PRAGUE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka signed an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy with visiting Jordanian Prime Minister Hani Mulki on Tuesday.

The agreement will improve their cooperation in the field of science and research and will facilitate the access of Czech companies to the construction of nuclear reactors in Jordan.

At a press conference, Mulki and Sobotka said that they also talked about humanitarian aid, trade and Middle East disputes.

Sobotka described Jordan as one of the key partners of the Czech Republic in the Middle East. He said Jordan is an island of stability in the region that is otherwise struck by violent conflicts, and Czech is to support Jordan so that it can remain a stable country in the future. Sobotka said he would like Jordan to establish its diplomatic mission in Prague.

On Monday, the Czech government agreed to send 15 million crowns (0.68 million U.S. dollars) to Jordan for the construction of a training center for asylum policy.

Earlier this year, the country sent 40 million crowns for the development of the refugee camp in Azraq, Jordan.

According to Sobotka, Czech spends about 50 million crowns annually on direct support to refugee camps in Jordan and plans to continue.

Mulki said about 1.4 million Syrian refugees have been staying in Jordan. He said he believes that the situation in Syria needs to be resolved politically. The humanitarian aid provided by Czech helped to relieve some of the burden on the Kingdom of Jordan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 06:29:00|Editor: Zhou Xin

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a press conference in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, on Aug. 22, 2017. Maduro announced on Tuesday that his government was taking steps to defend the country against U.S. economic sanctions. (Xinhua/Str)

CARACAS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday that his government is taking steps to defend the country against U.S. economic sanctions.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital, the president said that Washington is planning a "commercial, oil and financial blockade," which would worsen the economic situation in the country.

"The economic measures being prepared by the U.S. government will worsen the economic situation in Venezuela," explained Maduro, adding that bilateral relations are at their worst moment.

A defiant Maduro said that the threats of a military intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump would not stop Venezuela from holding presidential elections in 2018.

"If Trump comes at the head of a military intervention, there will still be presidential elections in Venezuela," he said, before calling on Pope Francis to help scale back the "military threat."

Maduro told the Venezuelan people that their country was at the "center of a global operation" seeking to appropriate national resources.

However, he still said that there was an option to start a dialogue with the U.S. and that he would be sending a letter to his American counterpart.

"I do want to talk with Trump, why wouldn't I want to speak with him? I tell you again, President Trump, whatever the future of our relations may be, you and I should be talking," said Maduro.

"I am certain that if he reads it (the letter), many things can change for the better...I hope he at least answers the letter I am going to send," he said.

Finally, he called for an international arrest warrant and an Interpol red notice against Venezuela's former attorney-general, Luisa Ortega Diaz, and her husband, German Ferrer, who have fled to Colombia, then Brazil.

Maduro called them "fugitives from justice" and blamed them for being involved in an extortion case and acting as foreign agents.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 06:39:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAMASCUS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Prime Minister Imad Khamis said Tuesday that hundreds of companies from several countries are getting in touch with the Syrian government to invest in the reconstruction process in the war-torn country, where entire cities are in ruins.

"Now we are signing agreements emanating from the vision that Syria has started recovering and is now investing through the victories of the army," Khamis said during an interview with pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV aired late on Tuesday.

The prime minister said that his government has a "clear vision" about the reconstruction process, noting that the priority will be everything that could elevate the production capacity of Syria.

He said that Syria is "completing its victory on terrorism," noting that the cities of Damascus, Aleppo, and Latakia are "safer" than any other neighboring countries.

Khamis' remarks come as his government is now holding the Damascus' international trade fair, in a bid by the government to give a message that the recovery of Syria has started.

He pointed out that around 350,000 people are visiting the fairgrounds on daily basis, adding that 1,600 companies took part in the fair, including foreign ones from 43 countries.

Commenting on the fair, which took place for the first time since 2011, Khamis said the fair secured 50,000 job opportunities as well as "huge and unexpected" export contracts.

On the military progress, the prime minister said the current military operation against the Islamic State (IS) group in the Syrian Desert has increased the energy level in the country, with the army recapturing key gas and oil fields that had fallen to IS throughout the crisis.

He said the Syrians are fighting terrorism in tandem with the ongoing efforts on the economic level to enhance the hard-hit economy in Syria.

Meanwhile, Khamis stressed that the Syrian army will not leave one inch in Syria under the terrorists' control.

On the ground in Syria, the Syrian army and allied fighters, mainly the Lebanese Hezbollah group, have recently been engaged in wide-scale battles with the IS in the Syrian Desert and the Qalamoun region northwest of Damascus.

A military source told Xinhua on Tuesday that the Syrian army and allied fighters are making "qualitative" progress against IS in the badlands of the western Qalamoun region near Lebanon, capturing key heights that exposed all of the IS-controlled areas in barrens of Qalamoun.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said the Syrian troops besieged IS in areas the terror-designated group controls in Qalamoun, adding that the forces captured 30 square km of terrain from IS in that area on Tuesday.

The source said that the Syrian forces backed by Russian air force are still fighting to lay a large siege on IS in the desert areas in the remote eastern countryside of Homs province in central Syria.

Around 17 square km are left for the Syrian army to apply a siege on IS in an area of 9,000 square km in the desert, he said, adding that the IS militants are fleeing toward Deir al-Zour province in eastern Syria.

It's expected that the IS militants will flee toward Deir al-Zour and the southern part of the northeastern province of Hasakah before the full siege is applied.

The 9,000 square km will be fast to be regained by the army, which will keep advancing in the desert until breaking the IS siege imposed on Deir al-Zour, expected to see the final battle against IS in Syria now that their stronghold in Raqqa is collapsing.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 06:59:17|Editor: Zhou Xin

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MEXICO CITY, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The president of the Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA), Eduardo Solis, said Tuesday that current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rule of origin requirements "should remain at the current level."

"We have determined, along with our colleagues from the United States and Canada, that this rule of origin should be maintained as it is, knowing that it has succeeded in helping the three countries in the success we have had," he told journalists during a press call.

As the first round of NAFTA renegotiation closed on Sunday in Washington D.C., U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has said his government is seeking to increase the percentage of local products mandated by NAFTA rules of origin, in order to reduce its trade deficit with Mexico.

The second round will take place in Mexico City from Sept. 1-5.

The automotive sectors in all three countries have called upon negotiators to oppose stricter rules of origin requirements.

The current regional content required for vehicles and auto parts within NAFTA is 62.5 percent, making it the most strict sector in the free-trade agreement.

Solis noted that, of all the vehicles sold in the U.S., only 14 percent are made in Mexico.

However, Solis commented that no details about the automotive sector were discussed during the first round.

"Topics relevant to our sector were not addressed...they are revising general matters about the negotiation itself, but did not make it to specific topics," he explained.

The main topics under discussion during the first round were general rules of origin, salary levels and NAFTA's Chapter 19, concerning dispute settlement.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 07:04:19|Editor: Yang Yi

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CHICAGO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The father of a missing Chinese scholar in the U.S. has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to direct all available Federal law enforcement and investigatory resources to help find his daughter Zhang Yingying.

"As a loving father to your own children, you can understand what we are going through," said Zhang Ronggao in a letter to the U.S. president. Zhang is the father of Yingying who was a visiting scholar of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and went missing in June.

He said Yingying's dream was to finish her studies in the U.S. and return to China to become a university professor. "Yingying means the whole world to us. She has always made us proud."

Zhang Ronggao expressed his grief and desperation in the letter, saying "with each passing day, the chances of finding Yingying alive decrease."

"We cannot image returning to China without her," the letter said.

The letter was read out by Yingying's family at a press briefing on Tuesday.

"We will not go back (to China) unless we find Yingying," the family told Xinhua in an interview Monday.

The family also explained the usage of the funds raised under the name of Zhang Yingying at the press conference. Besides the 50,000-dollars reward for clues to whereabouts of Yingying, part of the fund has been used to finance the daily life of the family members in the U.S., under strict supervision.

Zhang Yingying went missing on June 9 after entering a black Saturn Astra. FBI arrested Brendt Christensen, the car owner, on June 30, accusing him of kidnapping Zhang on June 9 in Urbana, 225 km southwest of Chicago. The police and FBI believe Zhang is dead, but her body has not been found.

Christensen has pleaded not guilty at the courthouse.

UIUC has the largest Chinese student population studying here in the U.S., totaling 5,600.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 07:25:48|Editor: Yang Yi

Myanmar Minister of Information Pe Myint (3rd R) and other representatives attend the launching ceremony of Chinese TV program in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Aug. 22, 2017. China's Guangxi Broadcasting Service (GXBS) launched its TV program in Myanmar on Tuesday in cooperation with state-run Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) under a contract between the two sides. (Xinhua/U Aung)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 09:50:29|Editor: Yang Yi

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by Xinhua writers Xia Yuanyi, Wang Bo

RIYADH, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia is often a hub of activity with diplomatic missions and events, evidence of ties warming up between the two countries, said Li Huaxin, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

"In January, 2016, President Xi (Jinping) visited Saudi Arabia and announced the lifting of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in a joint communique with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. From then on, our relations have quickly developed," the ambassador said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The West Asian country has been China's top crude oil supplier for many years straight. Meanwhile, the latter is the former's biggest business partner, with bilateral trade reaching 42.36 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, according to Chinese official figures.

After more than 140 Chinese enterprises began tapping Saudi Arabia's markets, including in the energy, housing, construction and telecommunication industries, the "1+2+3" model has taken shape, said Li.

Specifically, the model refers to the energy industry as the core of business ties, with two supporting industries, namely infrastructure, and trade and investment, and three emerging, cutting-edge trade areas, mainly nuclear power, aerospace and renewable energy rounding out the center.

The ambassador also said that in the four years since the Belt and Road Initiative was put forward by China in 2013, Saudi Arabia has emerged as an important player along its route.

"The two partners bilaterally cooperate not only on economic and trade, but also on culture and education," Li said.

In 2013, Saudi Arabia hosted the Janadriyah Heritage Festival at the Janadriyah town, 45 miles (72.4 km) away from the capital Riyadh, in which China, as that year's "guest of honor," exhibited more than 30 traditional arts and 600-plus exquisite articles, attracting a sea of local residents.

Three years later, an exhibition titled "The Arab Road" displaying Saudi Arab's cultural relics was held at the National Museum of China, with 466 pieces of treasures on show, among which were several "Made-in-China" ceramics, tokens of the once bustling ancient Silk Road.

In March, King Salman attended the opening ceremony of the Peking University Branch of the King Abdul-Aziz Public Library during his state visit to China. The following month, China displayed some of its intangible cultural heritage in Saudi Arabia.

"The next step for the two great civilizations is to organize a Chinese Cultural Week together in Riyadh and Jeddah to promote mutual understanding through more performances and exchange visits," the ambassador said.

He added that in a bid to facilitate some young people in Saudi Arabia to learn the Chinese language and culture, the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language is in talks with King Saud University about offering Chinese language classes. The university is the largest in the country.

Li says the first team of Chinese teachers will soon come to Saudi Arabia as cultural go-betweens.

"Because top leaders from both sides value bilateral ties and we are facing significant historical opportunities for development, bilateral cooperation will only go further," Li said, adding "both peoples will benefit from this progress."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 09:55:31|Editor: Zhou Xin

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TRIPOLI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Former Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zaidan has been released after being kidnapped last week, local TV channel reported on Tuesday.

Zaidan was released on Tuesday by the armed group that kidnapped him, a Libyan parliament member was quoted as saying.

Zaidan was kidnapped in Tripoli, capital of Libya, on Aug. 13 by an unknown group from his hotel shortly after he returned from abroad.

The group that kidnapped him and the place where he was detained are still unknown.

Zaidan was sworn in as the prime minister of Libya's transitional government in November 2012. In March 2014, Zaidan was dismissed when Libya's General National Congress (GNC) passed a non-confidence motion against him after he had failed to resolve an oil export crisis.

The GNC, the highest political body in Libya, also placed him under investigation for corruption.

Zaidan was once kidnapped and detained for a few hours in Tripoli when he was in office by an armed group.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 10:25:50|Editor: Zhou Xin

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CANBERRA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A drug that successfully prevented kidney disease in diabetic mice will undergo world-first human trials in Australia, it was announced on Wednesday.

More than 140 Australians suffering from type 1 or 2 diabetes will participate in the study, run by the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, which will begin in September.

A drug developed by researchers at Monash University that blocks a pathway through which NOX enzymes cause damage to the kidneys will be tested in the trial.

Monash's Mark Cooper said that blocking the pathway in mice had prevented kidney damage and the drug, the rights to which are owned by Swiss pharmaceutical company Genkyotex, has shown promise in repairing eye and heart damage related to diabetes.

"In the diabetic kidney three things happen: it scars, it gets inflamed, and it leaks the protein albumin," Cooper told Australian media on Wednesday.

"We were able to show this drug stopped the protein leaking, stopped the inflammation, and stopped the scarring. It's the scarring, particularly, that causes kidney failure."

The 142 study participants will have their urine tested for albumin and then be administered the NOX-inhibitor or a placebo for 12 months.

Diabetes affects 250,000 Australians and Cooper said kidney disease is one of the most common causes of death associated with the disease.

"If we can slow down kidney disease, and also reduce heart and eye disease in the diabetes population, it will dramatically improve lifespan and quality of life," he said.

"These people (sufferers of both type 1 and 2 diabetes) can avoid dialysis, have fewer heart attacks, and suffer less blindness."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 10:50:57|Editor: Zhou Xin

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SUVA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Defining a Pacific Blue Economy and developing a roadmap for it is at the top of agenda at the Pacific Islands Development Forum's first high-level meeting, which opened in Suva's Grand Pacific Hotel on Wednesday.

President of the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP23) to the UN Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Fijian Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, told members of the Forum to act together on sustainable oceans and better management of its resources.

In a follow-up from the UN oceans conference in June, Bainimarama highlighted the importance of the seas not only to the economic development of the region but also to its people, cultures and histories which are deeply rooted in this environment.

The conference will hold discussions and break-out sessions to identify areas of the blue economy that has successfully been piloted in other parts of the world.

At the end of the two-day conference there would be an outline of a blueprint for a Pacific Blue Economy to guide sustainable development of ocean resources.

Bainimarama told delegates they needed to pause and consider, at every level of development, how their actions impacted the natural world around them.

He said their identity as Pacific Islanders was tied intimately to the health of their oceans and to the marine plant and animal life that inhabit them.

"We are oceanic peoples, with cultures, histories and ways of life that are all rooted in the ocean environment. And, make no mistake it is we in the Pacific who face the most severe consequences of the widespread degradation of our oceans and seas."

But this is not only a Pacific problem. The growing threat to our oceans is affecting every person on earth, and the movement towards more "blue" economies is global, he said, adding the Pacific people needed to manage their oceans and marine resources in a more sustainable manner.

He told the delegates they needed to find ways to usher in new technologies, business models and industries to restore the health of their oceans and advance the objectives of blue economic development.

The COP23 will be organized by Fiji and hosted at the headquarters of the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany, in November.

The prime minister added it was their collective concerns, struggles and experiences that would be placed at the forefront of the negotiations under the Fijian presidency of the COP23.

"Our presidency is also very much tied to promoting blue economic development, as the ocean, marine eco-systems and our changing climate are inextricably linked to one another."

Bainimarama said Pacific nations needed to keep up pressure for demanding the international community to take serious action.

"We need to be relentless, we need to remain unified and we need to keep our interests at the top of the global agenda," Bainimarama said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 10:56:01|Editor: Zhou Xin

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U.S. President Donald Trump (Xinhua file photo/Yin Bogu)

by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- While U.S. President Donald Trump made no drastic changes in his new Afghanistan strategy, he did make a number of tweaks that, when taken together, could add up.

In a speech on Monday night, Trump laid out a new plan for the U.S. war in Afghanistan, which began 16 years ago and stands as America's longest war.

"It's not going to produce an outright victory," Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow on foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua.

"But if you reverse the momentum, and help the Afghans maybe regain a little bit of territory here and there, you change the psychology of a lot of key people," he added.

The main change Trump made was to take restrictions off U.S. forces, imposed by the former administration, which critics said hindered U.S. commanders in the field.

"Micromanagement from Washington D.C., does not win battles," Trump said in Monday night's nationally televised speech.

Trump also threatened to cut off aid to Pakistan, which borders Afghanistan, as the U.S. government accuses Pakistan of harboring terrorist networks. Changes also include not publicly announcing timelines for the withdrawal of U.S. forces, as divulging such information gives an edge to the enemy.

The United States would also "no longer use American military might to construct democracies in far-away lands or try to rebuild other countries in our own image," Trump said, adding that he also aims to boost U.S. troop levels.

NO EXIT STRATEGY NEEDED?

Americans are weary of the war and critics have said the United States needs an exit strategy, but O'Hanlon said: "I don't even worry about exit strategies."

"We're so used to thinking about how exit strategy must be a necessary part of the policy. I would just say why is that the case?" he said.

"This is probably going to be a generation-long struggle. And I believe we actually need a number of assets in key parts of the Middle East to wage the long term fight against extremism, viewing Afghanistan...as a partner and an ally, and an asset for the broader counter terrorism fight," he said.

The United States became involved in Afghanistan not long after the 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, as terror group al-Qaida, which masterminded the 9/11 attacks, was given safe haven in Afghanistan.

At the time, the nation was run by the Taliban, a radical Islamist group that terrorized the civilian population and enforced an ultra-strict version of Islam.

While al-Qaida is now a shell of its former self, terror group Islamic State has overtaken territory in the Middle East. While the group is on the run, it remains dangerous.

Moreover, the radicals are influential, having inspired myriad attacks in Europe and the United States in recent years.

COLOMBIA A POSSIBLE MODEL

O'Hanlon compared Afghanistan with the South American nation of Colombia, noting that the country's fight against insurgents had lasted 51 years.

"Finally, about 15 years ago, started the turn in momentum, when extremists were no longer winning," he said.

"About four years ago, the (insurgents) realized that they had basically been beaten. And at that point they just tried to get as good terms as they could in the negotiations to protect their leaders from jail," he said.

"So that is a viable model here," he said. "You have to stay patient in these things."

"The enemy is patient, and unless we think that we should let the enemy win just because they are more patient than we are -- which I would hope people would not fall into that trap -- then you have to stay with it," he said.

"(The Taliban) just has to be beaten to the extent that is possible and then outwaited. And I think because it does threaten our security interests to have a Taliban run country providing sanctuary to extremists, we have a very important interest in this," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 10:56:03|Editor: Zhou Xin

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ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A senior officer of Yemen's military intelligence agency was killed in a drive-by shooting in the southeastern province of Hadramout on Tuesday, a security source told Xinhua.

The officer on his way to a mosque for prayers was shot by masked gunmen who then fled the scene, the security source said on condition of anonymity.

"One of our military intelligence officers was killed after the assailants opened fire on his head using silenced weapons," the source said.

Local residents told Xinhua that they rushed to rescue the officer but he died at the scene.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Yemeni military officers blamed militants of the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot for a series of assassinations and armed attacks, mostly in the country's southern regions.

Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, also known locally as Ansar al-Sharia emerged in January 2009, is considered one of the most serious threats to the Yemeni government and neighboring oil-rich Saudi Arabia.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 11:06:08|Editor: Zhou Xin

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CANBERRA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Australia's second largest state is unprepared for an upcoming population boom, the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) has warned.

In a report released on Wednesday the UDIA said that despite record levels of housing development, Victoria has had a housing shortfall of 9,000 properties in the past two years.

It said that if the trend went unchecked it would lead to an under-supply of more than 50,000 houses by the year 2020.

Australia's leading demographers have predicted that Melbourne will surpass Sydney as Australia's biggest city by 2035.

Danni Addison, chief of the UDIA in Victoria, said that governments on federal, state and local levels had failed to properly plan for the population boom.

"The worrying thing is that we have a population growth forecast that is constantly growing and has constantly been under-represented by government agencies and even the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)," Addison told Australian media on Wednesday.

"So there's a mismatch between the population that has been forecast, what we've planned for and what we're actually delivering.

She said that parts of the community who are fighting against medium- and high-density development must accept that it is the new norm.

"The lesson here for industry, government and community is to wake up to the fact that population growth is happening, it's not something we can stop or change or move elsewhere and we really need to plan better for it," Addison said.

"What the industry really needs to do is have that conversation with the community and say this is something Melbourne has to deal with as a whole community, not just parts of Melbourne."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 11:51:59|Editor: Yang Yi

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Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (R) meets with Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in Kuwait City Aug. 22, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

KUWAIT CITY, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said here Tuesday that China is willing to deepen energy cooperation with Kuwait.

Zhang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

Zhang said China would like to join Kuwait in nurturing a long-term and stable partnership over the supply and demand of energy, and in deepening their energy cooperation.

China and Kuwait have enjoyed deep and traditional friendship, said Zhang, noting that during a visit to China in 2014, Jaber reached a series of important consensuses with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, which have effectively promote the development of bilateral ties.

He said the two sides have since worked to achieve a steadfast cooperation in all areas, calling on the two countries to volume up exchanges between the two governments, legislatures, and local authorities, and to push forward Kuwait's Silk City project and a plan to develop five islands off the country's coastlines into free trade zones, in a bid to promote bilateral practical cooperation.

Zhang also said that China is ready to enhance investment and finance cooperation with the Arab country, and supports it in building a financial and trade hub in the Gulf area, adding that China welcomes investment from Kuwaiti firms and would continue to encourage Chinese companies to do business in Kuwait.

For his part, Jaber said Kuwait values the traditional friendship with China, and is going to further integrate the Silk City and the "five islands" development projects with China's Belt and Road Initiative.

He also welcomes China's all-round participation in Kuwait's national construction and economic development, and to build a solid foundation for China-Kuwait friendship in a new era.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 12:57:22|Editor: Yang Yi

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Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (L) meets with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Kuwait City Aug. 22, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

KUWAIT CITY, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said here Tuesday that China and Kuwait need to further integrate their respective development strategies for shared progress.

Zhang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during his visit to the Gulf Arab country.

China and Kuwait are trusted friends and genuine partners for cooperation, said Zhang, noting that China's Belt and Road Initiative and the "Kuwait 2035" vision are highly compatible.

He called on the two sides to further integrate their respective development strategies to complement the other's advantages and spur common development.

The Belt and Road Initiative, first put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, is aimed at building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road through concerted efforts of all related countries and benefiting all participants by promoting unimpeded trade, financial integration, connectivity of infrastructure and closer people-to-people exchanges.

"Kuwait 2035," or Kuwait National Development Plan, is aimed at transforming the country into a regional financial hub by 2035 via 164 strategic development projects. It also aims to increase foreign direct investment by 300 percent.

Also in the meeting, Zhang urged the two countries to expand bilateral cooperation in energy, finance, transportation, engineering contracting and other areas.

Kuwait is now developing a new business hub widely known as Madinat al-Hareer, or Silk City. It also announced plans in 2015 to develop five islands off its coastlines into free trade zones.

Zhang said these two projects are where the two countries can work together under the Belt and Road Initiative so as to support Kuwait's national economic transition.

For his part, Al-Sabah said China is Kuwait's trusted partner for cooperation, adding that the two sides have maintained sound development in bilateral relationship since the establishment of diplomatic tie.

He also maintained that it has been Kuwait's persistent policy to promote cooperation with China, saying that Kuwait supports China's Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to play an active role in it.

Kuwait also supports China to play a more constructive part in global and regional affairs, the Emir added.

Kuwait is the first leg of Zhang's four-nation tour, which is also going to take him to Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Namibia.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 13:32:31|Editor: Zhou Xin

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TUNIS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said Tuesday that the cabinet reshuffle remains imperative as three posts are vacant.

While announcing a national strategy to boost employment, Chahed said an official announcement will be released after a new list of cabinet members is completed.

Tunisian interim Minister of Finance Fadhel Abdelkafi, who was also acting minister of development, investment and international cooperation, resigned on Aug. 18 as he faced a court case next month over alleged illegal financial transactions. Moreover, the post of education minister has been vacant since April 30.

Political factions in the country are divided on the reshuffle, with some parties preferring to fill the vacancies while the others supporting a general reshuffle.

The North African country has been battling jihadists and struggling to revive the economy amid political uncertainties.

The Tunisian government announced in April a new investment law to boost the country's economy which has been gradually recovering from the unrest in 2011.

The IMF mission predicted that Tunisia could finish the current year with an economic growth of 2.5 percent, an increase from 1.3 percent in 2016.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 13:47:36|Editor: Zhou Xin

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Aldemir Bendine, former CEO of Brazil's state-controlled oil and gas giant Petrobras, on Tuesday formally denied charges for corruption.

He was accused of taking bribes from Brazil's construction company Odebrecht.

Odebrecht, Latin America's largest construction conglomerate, has been found to have paid out millions of dollars in bribes to politicians across the region in exchange for public contracts.

Bendine was arrested in late June and has been put in a preventive prison ever since to prevent him from destroying evidence and coercing witnesses.

If Bendine is found guilty, he may be sentenced to over 25 years in prison. The prosecution office will also request that the alleged bribes of 3 million reals (949,000 U.S. dollars) Bendine took should be returned to Petrobras.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 14:12:48|Editor: Zhou Xin

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ISLAMABAD, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has showed disappointment at the U.S. President Donald Trump's strategy on Afghanistan and South Asia, the Foreign Ministry said.

In his long-awaited Afghanistan and South Asia strategy unveiled early Tuesday, the U.S. president alleged that "Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror."

To review the situation arising out of the U.S. policy, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqab Abbasi presided over a meeting of the federal cabinet and a statement was issued after the meeting saying that "instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the U.S. needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism."

"No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders. It is therefore disappointing that the U.S. policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort," the statement by the Foreign Ministry said.

It pointed out that no country in the world has done more than Pakistan to counter the menace of terrorism and that Pakistan has been and will continue to be part of the global counter terrorism efforts.

"Pakistan and the United States have been close allies in the fight against terrorism, which is a common threat for all nations of the world. As a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country," the statement added.

The statement further pointed out that the threats to peace and security can not be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies.

On Afghanistan, the ministry said that Pakistan reiterates its view that there is no exclusive military solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.

"The military action during the last 17 years has not brought peace to Afghanistan, and it is not likely to do so in the future. Only an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned politically negotiated solution can lead to sustainable peace in Afghanistan," it said.

Pakistan is committed to working with the international community towards the common objective of defeating the forces of terrorism and promote peace and stability in the South Asian region, according to the statement.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 14:27:52|Editor: Zhou Xin

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NEW DELHI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- India has released seven Pakistani prisoners and reiterated its demand for full consular access to its nationals in Pakistan's custody, including convicted spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.

"Seven Pakistani prisoners, who have completed their sentence and whose nationality has been confirmed by Pakistani authorities, were repatriated to Pakistan," the Indian External Affairs Ministry has said in a statement.

"The government of India attaches highest importance to addressing all humanitarian matters, including early and full consular access to Indian nationals in Pakistan's custody, including Jadhav and (Hamid Nehal) Ansari and secure their early release and repatriation," it added.

Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a military court in Pakistan earlier this year on charges of spying.

Pakistan claims Jadhav was arrested last year near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border of Chaman in the restive region of Balochistan over illegal entry into the country, while India insists the former naval officer was abducted by Pakistan from Iran.

The International Court of Justice has stayed Jadhav's execution pending a final verdict by it, after India moved the United Nations top court against his death sentence.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 14:32:56|Editor: Zhou Xin

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KAMPALA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- As the people fleeing the South Sudan crisis continue to enter neighboring Uganda, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said a political solution is urgently needed to resolve the crisis.

Peter Maurer who visited South Sudan and Uganda told reporters here on Monday that the solution to the crisis is political rather than military.

He urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to use his regional influence to push the rival parties to stop the fighting.

"I am deeply convinced that some of the structural and systematic problems with which we are confronting can be found if the neighbors and together with the parties in South Sudan play an important role in a peaceful solution," Maurer said.

"It's through a political negotiation that peace has to be found and not us (humanitarian agencies) can do it. Everybody knows one of the key influencers, one of the key actors in South Sudan crisis is President Museveni because of his influences," Maurer added.

Museveni, under a request by his South Sudan counterpart, Salva Kiir, has been mediating talks between the conflicting parties.

Maurer who met Museveni later on Monday urged the warring parties to respect international humanitarian law. Human rights agencies and the UN have accused parties in the conflict of committing atrocities.

"We remind those taking part in the fighting of their obligations under international humanitarian law and to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian injuries and loss of life," said Maurer.

He said the conflict is also complicated by the poverty coupled with international pressures on the economy.

New figures released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office here indicate that of the 1,338,887 refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda, 1,006,779 are South Sudanese as of Aug. 15.

Humanitarian agencies said the increased influx of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda has continued to exert pressure on the limited resources available.

According to UNHCR, of the 674.25 million U.S. dollars Uganda and the UN requested from the international community to cater for the refugees this year, only 24 percent has been raised.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to fighting that pitted mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital forcing Machar to flee into exile.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions that have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 14:43:01|Editor: Zhou Xin

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SYDNEY, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A new operation to crack down on the "scourge of contraband" in prisons in the state of New South Wales (NSW) has been launched on Wednesday, with authorities targeting drugs, mobile phones and illegal weapons.

The NSW Minister for Corrections David Elliott outlined that the new program would see raids being conducted across 36 prisons in the state in the coming weeks, as part of a move to get tough on those who continue to make a mockery of the law.

"I have had a gutful of inmates using mobile phones, drugs and weapons being smuggled inside prisons," Elliott said. "We know that most contraband is introduced by visitors and handed over during visits. This is completely unacceptable."

"Our corrections officers are already having an impact on detecting and removing contraband from the prison system - this operation will take it to the next level."

The raids will involve around 90 elite security officers, as well as drug and mobile phone detection dogs, and will be coordinated from a central command centre in Sydney.

Assistant Commissioner for Corrections NSW James Koulouris told Xinhua on Wednesday that this operation is only part of the tough stance that is being taken to deal with those who knowingly flaunt the law.

"These raids are just one part of a multi-pronged campaign to stamp out the scourge of contraband in our world-class facilities," Koulouris said.

"We are sending a clear message to those who engage in these illegal practices - we will catch you, and you will be punished to the full extent of the law."

The move comes following a scandal that rocked the prison system back in July, when a viral video of a prisoner brandishing a knife, along with what appeared to be the drug ice in a Sydney prison, was released by an inmate on the Internet.

In the video, the man who was later identified as Carl Walton - an ex-outlaw motorcycle gang member - can be heard commentating throughout, and said that prisons in Australia are ruining lives.

Walton told local media that "jail messes people up, I never used to touch drugs until jail" and claimed that he made the video in order to steer young inmates from that way of life.

However, at the time, a spokeswoman for Corrections NSW said that inmates in prisons are provided with the means necessary to ensure they do not stray down the wrong path.

"All NSW correctional centres offer alcohol and drug programs for inmates, as well as counselling and psychology services," the spokeswoman said.

"In addition to these programs, inmates are provided with education, training and employment opportunities."

The first raid of Operation Purge occurred at Sydney's notorious Long Bay prison, with drugs, tobacco, and weapons among the illegal items found.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 14:53:04|Editor: An



Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov receives an interview in Moscow, Russia, Aug. 22, 2017. The BRICS mechanism under China's chairmanship this year has entered the second golden decade following 10 years of prosperity, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The BRICS mechanism under China's chairmanship this year has entered the second golden decade following 10 years of prosperity, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said.

"We do not see a deceleration in BRICS development nor a fading interest of any partner in this format. We note with great satisfaction that BRICS continues to consolidate and be approved in the international arena and it has become an indispensable factor in influencing international affairs," he told Xinhua Tuesday in an interview.

Meanwhile, BRICS retains its character of an informal association, where there is very little bureaucracy but much dialogue and search for compromises, according to Ryabkov.

Leaders of the five BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- will meet in China's southeastern coastal city of Xiamen early next month for their ninth annual summit.

Since the first foreign ministers' meeting in 2006, BRICS countries have seen 10 years of rapid expansion in trade and economy. They currently account for nearly a quarter of the world economy and contributed more than half of global economic growth in 2016.

The upcoming Xiamen summit will serve as an opportunity for BRICS leaders to meet and map out for the future.

"Nothing in BRICS is compulsory. Everything comes from a common and conscious interest," Ryabkov said.

He said BRICS has a unique composition of participants and a special guideline, and its tasks are formulated to collectively represent political and economic wills of different countries.

The Russian participation in the BRICS cooperation helped the country with its internal tasks ranging from infrastructure development to border security, Ryabkov said.

Moscow, in turn, wants to help consolidate and enrich interaction with its partners, he said.

In March, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China would explore expansion modalities for "BRICS Plus" and build a wider partnership by holding dialogues with other major developing countries and organizations, so as to turn BRICS into the most-influential platform for South-South cooperation in the world.

Non-BRICS countries have been invited to attend the Xiamen meetings. Ryabkov expected the upcoming summit to adopt a package of documents outlining the expansion of BRICS and South-South cooperation.

"Now we see a new dialogue format with literally global coverage. This fully fits into the role China plays in BRICS and international affairs as a whole," he said.

According to him, participants in "BRICS Plus" meetings will possibly discuss global governance reform, climate change and trade barriers among other issues.

"I think the Xiamen summit will be productive," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 14:58:07|Editor: An

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KATHMANDU, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The three-month long exhibition on Tibetan Embroidery Arts and Crafts, which kicked off in Nepal's capital on Tuesday, has become a major attraction in town.

The exhibition showcases dozens of magnificent art works created by the Chinese artists.

The centuries-old displayed arts and crafts are mostly related to stories of history, mystical energy and life cycles. The exhibition aims to present Chinese culture among the Nepali people and strengthen the cultural bonding between the two neighbors.

Besides Kathmandu, the exhibition will be organized in other cities like Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini. The organizer has also planned to hold discussions and workshops on embroidery arts and crafts.

On the occasion, former minister and Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala said that Nepal needs to learn from China about the protection and conservation of cultural heritages.

"These displayed arts are rich in reflecting Buddhist culture and history. We appreciate the way China has put efforts in cultural preservation and we should replicate the same," Koirala said.

Addressing the function, the cultural department chief at the Chinese Embassy in Nepal said that the exhibition can work as a bridge between the cultures of two countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 15:13:14|Editor: An

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BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Strengthening macro policy coordination among Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) will provide a "booster" to deepen ties among the bloc, a senior Chinese academic has said.

Reviewing the first decade of the bloc's existence, its rise from a concept to a multilateral force with a certain say in the world is largely attributed to strong desire and pragmatic spirit of its member countries for cooperation, Wu Baiyi, director of the Institute of Latin American Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

When the subprime mortgage crisis in the United States spilled across the world in 2007, hitting developed countries in Europe and other regions hard, the members of the bloc have increasingly realized the importance of their macro policy coordination and joint efforts to resist outside risks, Wu said.

The establishments of the BRICS New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement to address global financial pressures and risks, among others, all have testified to the constant improvement of macro policy coordination among the BRICS countries, he said.

BRICS, as a grouping, trace their first meeting among their foreign ministers on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York in 2006. South Africa was admitted by the other BRIC leaders in 2010, adding the "S" to the acronym of the original grouping.

It now has brought together five major emerging economies, comprising 43 percent of the world's population, and contributed at least 23 percent to global GDP and at least 16 percent to world trade.

The West once believed that it was difficult for the BRICS countries to really walk together due to the differences in their economic and political systems, he added.

"However, facts have proven that the BRICS countries form a cohesive force, instead of a discrete one, over the past 10 years of exploration," Wu said.

This year marks the beginning of the next "golden decade" for the BRICS. The bloc has a common orientation for cooperation as well as a stronger desire to dock its development strategies through coordinating the macro economic policy of each country, Wu said.

Because the level of trade and investment between the BRICS countries is still low, the potential for economic and trade cooperation remains tremendous, Wu noted.

This calls for the countries to further improve macro policy coordination and jointly participate in international regulation-making processes regarding trade, services, investment and e-commerce, Wu said.

To that end, Wu suggested the BRICS countries begin negotiations on free trade agreements to better open up their markets to each other.

BRICS and China's relations with Latin America together make up South-South Cooperation, and China's bilateral ties with Brazil play a weighty role in both multilateral frameworks, Wu said. The expert added that there's plenty to learn from the China-Brazil relationship.

Brazil, as the core country in China-Latin America cooperation, may share its experiences with China with other Latin American countries, while working together with China to advance the regional relationship.

Wu expects that the upcoming BRICS summit, scheduled for Sept. 3-5 in Xiamen, a coastal city in southeast China's Fujian Province, will further strengthen the cohesion of the BRICS bloc and strengthen South-South development.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 15:18:16|Editor: Yurou

Cambodian Mines and Energy Minister Suy Sem (R) shakes hands with KrisEnergy's chief operating officer Kelvin Tang during a signing ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Aug. 23, 2017. Singapore-based oil and gas company KrisEnergy signed a long-awaited production-sharing agreement with the Cambodian government on Wednesday for the first-ever extraction of petroleum from Block A in Cambodian territorial waters. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Singapore-based oil and gas company KrisEnergy signed a long-awaited production- sharing agreement with the Cambodian government on Wednesday for the first-ever extraction of petroleum from Block A in Cambodian territorial waters.

The deal was inked here between KrisEnergy's chief operating officer Kelvin Tang and Cambodian Industry, Mines and Energy Minister Suy Sem and Economy and Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth.

KrisEnergy holds a 95 percent stake in the 3,083-sq-km offshore block, and the Cambodian government owns the remaining 5 percent.

Kelvin Tang said the agreement was a significant milestone for Cambodia in its long journey to become an oil-producing nation.

"This is a major step. It is Cambodia's first oil field," he said after the signing ceremony.

"Shortly after the signing, we will declare final investment decision and proceed to deliver 1st oil in 24 month -- sometime in 2019," he said, denying to disclose the investment cost for the project.

Suy Sem said the agreement was the crucial commencement towards first crude oil production from offshore Cambodia.

"It is estimated that Phase 1A and Phase 1B (of the stage one of Block A) will provide more than 30 million barrels over the period of nine years, and it is sufficient commercially to make Cambodia become an oil producing country in the future," he said.

"The development of Block A is also a catalyst to more intense exploration works in another five offshore and 18 onshore blocks," he said.

The minister said the oil business would be a major new impetus for social advancement, human resource development, building Cambodia's competitive capacity, and growth of domestic production and service chains.

He added that the ministry was working hard to push forward the finalization of Law on Petroleum Sector Management and other regulations to ensure investment atmosphere and clarity in the private sector investment.

According to Aun Pornmoniroth, the petroleum agreement was first signed between the Cambodian government and U.S. oil giant Chevron in 2002. Later on, KrisEnergy gradually increased its share in 2011, 2014 and 2016, respectively to become the main operator with 95 percent share.

"Today's signing of agreement is just the starting point of a very long journey which requires participation from all related parties to realize the production of first oil drop in Cambodia," he said, promising to provide necessary support to KrisEnergy.

Currently, Cambodia totally imports petroleum from Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand as its seabed's oil and gas have not yet been extracted.

Cambodia spent nearly 1 billion U.S. dollars to buy 2.55 million tons of oil in 2015, according to government figures.

In May, private firm Cambodia Petrochemical Company broke ground for Cambodia's first oil refinery in southwestern Preah Sihanouk province.

When the first phase of the project is completed in mid-2019, the 620-million-U.S.-dollar plant is expected to have an annual refining capacity of 2 million tons of crude oil per year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 15:18:18|Editor: Yurou

Photo taken on Aug. 23, 2017, shows the site of a suicide attack in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Nearly 30 people including civilians and security personnel were killed and injured after a suicide attack rocked Lashkar Gah city, the capital of Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Wednesday, a local official said on condition of anonymity. (Xinhua/Abdul Aziz Safdari)

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 30 people including civilians and security personnel were killed and injured after a suicide attack rocked Lashkar Gah city, the capital of Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Wednesday, a local official said on condition of anonymity.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 15:28:25|Editor: Yurou

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MANILA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine congressional Commission on Appointment confirmed on Wednesday the appointment of newspaper columnist and media executive Jose Manuel Romualdez as Philippine ambassador to the United States.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte named Romualdez, 69, as envoy to the United States in December last year. But Romualdez declined the appointment due to health reasons.

Duterte reappointed Romualdez again last month, a move welcomed by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim who congratulated him on his nomination. "Warm congratulations to my good friend," Kim said after he learned about Romualdez's renomination.

Romualdez writes a column for the Philippine Star.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 16:03:44|Editor: Yurou

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KABUL, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Up to 84 armed militants were killed and 17 injured amid operations launched by Afghan security forces over the last 24 hours, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Afghan National Security and Defense Forces have conducted 18 clean up operations, 18 special operations and one night raid operation in 14 of the country's 34 provinces, killing 84 terrorists and wounding 17 others," the ministry said in a statement.

Those among the killed were six members of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, the statement added.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations as the militants have been attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions.

The Taliban and IS militants fighting Afghan government have yet to make comment.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 16:08:46|Editor: Yurou

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COPENHAGEN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Police in Denmark's capital Copenhagen announced on Wednesday that the DNA profile on a body found earlier matches the missing Swedish journalist Kim Wall.

Wall went missing after having boarded a privately built submarine on August 10 as she was working on a story about the owner and inventor of the vessel, Peter Madsen.

The 18-meter vessel, named UC3 Nautilus, was found having sunk on the same night in waters near Koge Bay of Denmark.

Madsen was rescued and brought back to Copenhagen the second day, claiming that the vessel had met a technical problem. He told police that Wall had earlier disembarked from the vessel before it sank.

Copenhagen Police then confirmed on Monday that Madsen had admitted on August 12th that he had "buried Wall at sea" after she died on board due to an "accident".

Madsen was accused of causing Wall's death on suspicion of manslaughter.

The body was found washed up on shore near Copenhagen on Monday afternoon, with its arms, legs and head missing, according to a press release from the police on Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 16:39:09|Editor: An

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Hi, here is what you need to know about China in the past 24 hours.

BEIJING -- Beijing plans to develop into a global center for robotics by 2025 and has issued an industry blueprint at the ongoing World Robot Conference.

The capital aims to receive 12 to 15 billion yuan (1.8 to 2.25 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue from the robotics industry by 2020 and 60 billion yuan by 2025, according to the plan.

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BANGKOK -- Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft design contract of the Thailand-China railway project to pave the way for the signing early next month.

"Thailand will use this contract to hire China's state enterprise to do the detailed design for the railway project, including elevated tracks, tunnels, bridges and stations," Kobsak Pootrakool, vice minister at the Prime Minister's Office told media after the cabinet meeting.

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BEIJING -- More than 70 percent of Chinese consumers understood sustainable consumption, according to a report released by the China Chain Store and Franchise Association.

Sustainable consumption means buying products or services that have the least pollutants and do minimum harm to the environment. Sustainable consumption provides for the basic needs of consumers while improving their life, the report said.

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WUHAN -- Police in central China's Hubei Province have detained six people for trafficking 92 kilograms of heroin to be sold to northwestern China.

It was the largest amount of heroin seized in Hubei for 10 years, a police spokesperson in Wuhan, the provincial capital, said on Wednesday.

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BEIJING -- China will implement a plan to control the country's major air pollutants, PM2.5 and ozone (O3), the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) said Tuesday.

While reducing the level of hazardous fine particle matter PM2.5 is still the top priority, the country will take measures to simultaneously curb O3 pollution, Liu Youbin, a MEP official, said at a press conference.

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KUWAIT CITY -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said here Tuesday that China and Kuwait need to further integrate their respective development strategies for shared progress.

Zhang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during his visit to the Gulf Arab country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 17:09:23|Editor: An

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KUWAIT CITY, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on Tuesday called for a stronger partnership between his country and Kuwait, highlighting energy cooperation and a need to synergize their respective development strategies.

During his visit to the Gulf Arab country, Zhang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Kuwaiti officials including the Emir, the prime minister, and the deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

STRONGER ENERGY COOPERATION

The Chinese vice premier said China is ready to deepen energy cooperation with Kuwait.

China would like to join Kuwait in nurturing a long-term and stable partnership over the supply and demand of energy, and in deepening their energy cooperation, Zhang said when meeting with Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

China and Kuwait have enjoyed a deep and traditional friendship, said Zhang, noting that during a visit to China in 2014, Jaber reached consensus on a number of issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, which have effectively promoted the development of bilateral ties.

He said the two sides have since worked to achieve steadfast cooperation in all areas, calling on the two countries to increase exchanges between both governments, legislatures, and local authorities.

In a separate meeting on Tuesday with Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwait's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Zhang also called on both sides to focus on energy cooperation and create a lasting energy partnership that integrates the upstream and downstream.

HIGHLY COMPATIBLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

The Chinese vice premier called on China and Kuwait to further integrate their respective development strategies.

When meeting with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Zhang said China and Kuwait are trusted friends and genuine partners for cooperation, noting that China's Belt and Road Initiative and the "Kuwait 2035" vision are highly compatible.

He called on the two sides to further integrate their respective development strategies to complement the other's advantages and spur development.

The Belt and Road Initiative, first put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, is aimed at building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road through concerted efforts of all related countries and benefiting all participants by promoting unimpeded trade, financial integration, connectivity of infrastructure and closer people-to-people exchanges.

"Kuwait 2035," or the Kuwait National Development Plan, is aimed at transforming the country into a regional financial hub by 2035 via 164 strategic development projects. It also aims to increase foreign direct investment by 300 percent.

Furthermore, Kuwait is now developing a new business hub widely known as Madinat al-Hareer, or Silk City. It also announced plans in 2015 to develop five islands off its coastlines into free trade zones.

These projects are where the two countries can work together under the Belt and Road Initiative so as to support Kuwait's national economic transition, Zhang said.

China is ready to encourage Chinese companies to participate in building railways, ports, roads, bridges, housing and other projects related to the Silk City and islands development projects, Zhang said when meeting with Al-Sabah, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Kuwait is the first leg of Zhang's four-nation tour. He heads to Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Namibia next.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 17:19:28|Editor: An

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CHITWAN, Nepal, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nepal has brought back four one-horned rhinoceros that were swept away across the Indian border and nearby settlements in the recent monsoon induced floods, government officials confirmed on Wednesday.

At least six endangered rhinos of Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal's largest habitat of rhinos, were swept away by the floods in Rapti River in mid-August.

A special operation was launched by the CNP and local conservation partners to bring back those dislocated rhinos from the jungles and settlements across the Nepal-India border.

Right after the flood that killed around 120 people across the southern plains of Nepal, the officials had relocated a two-year-old baby rhino in dead state while another four have been rescued alive.

On Wednesday morning, the park officials released the fourth rhino into the park, which was rescued from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve of India.

"This is the fourth rhino that we have rescued alive from nearby area of Indian Reserve. It is a male calf of around two-year-old and is completely healthy. Now, we are putting efforts to rescue the fifth one," Dr Chiranjivi Prasad Pokharel, chief of National Trust for Nature Conservation Chitwan, told Xinhua before the release of the rhino.

Out of four rescued rhinos, three were females while one was male.

Officials informed that the truck, with a special wooden cage-like structure, travelled around 150 km from the park to reach those settlements in neighboring India.

"It took at least four hours to bring back the rhinos after tranquilizing them through a dart with a support of big team," Pokharel added.

According to the national park officials, the rescued rhinos were in good physical state.

Abhinaya Pathak, conservation officer at the CNP, told Xinhua on the spot that "we make sure that the rescued rhinos are released only after check up and necessary treatment by the vet doctors. All those rescued rhinos are in good state and under our close monitoring."

According to Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, out of total 645 rhinos in Nepal, over 600 are in Chitwan National Park.

Beside rhinos, gharial crocodiles and spotted deer of CNP were also swept away in the monsoon floods triggered by incessant rainfall.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 17:44:39|Editor: Liangyu

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JAKARTA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The governments of Indonesia and Vietnam agreed to deepen strategic partnership by enhancing and strengthening cooperation in the fields of economy, maritime and law.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo met with the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong at the State Palace on Wednesday.

President Widodo said that as both countries have had strong ties since more than 60 years ago, Nguyen Phu Trong's visit would give new spirit to the bilateral ties of the nations.

Indonesia and Vietnam agreed to establish strategic partnership in 2013.

The president said the two-way trade of the nations has been significantly risen in the last three years.

"We have discussed several new steps and initiatives to achieve a 10 billion U.S. dollar trade volume," Widodo said.

Widodo said that the two sides, as the world's top rubber exporters, agreed to take concrete measures to stabilize global prices and quality of the commodity.

The two sides also inked deals in the sectors of energy, maritime, law, industry, education, and development of underdeveloped areas.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 17:54:49|Editor: Liangyu

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HARARE, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has been hit by a shortage of broiler chicks after the country's biggest poultry producer was hit by an outbreak of bird flu in recent months, local media reported Wednesday.

Irvine's was hit by two avian flu outbreaks in May and July, resulting in it culling more than 200,000 broiler parent stock in a bid to contain the highly pathogenic virus.

South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo were also affected by the bird flu.

In an industry update, the Zimbabwe Poultry Association said the culling of the parent stock at Irvine's had resulted in a shortage of broiler day old chicks of nearly 500,000 per week.

The gap has to be covered by more expensive imports from outside the southern African region, it said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 18:05:03|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Over 70 percent of Chinese listed companies reported strong profits for the first half of the year.

As of Monday, 1,004 Chinese listed companies had disclosed their first-half reports with total net profit up 21.2 percent year on year to297.1 billion yuan (44.6 billion U.S. dollars), according to data compiled by Wind, a leading information service provider.

About 74 percent of the companies registered year-on-year net profit growth in the first half of the year.

A total of 223 companies witnessed a year-on-year profit surge of more than 100 percent in H1, and 233 companies reported year-on-year profit growth of between 30 and 100 percent.

Most companies in both traditional sectors such as coal and steel, as well as a number of newly emerging industries posted strong growth on the back of the country's economic restructuring and business environment improvement.

Shanxi Xishan Coal and Electricity saw net profit growth of 739 percent in H1 due to rising coal prices and expanded output.

Nanjing Iron & Steel witnessed a net profit surge of 730 percent, as China continues to slash excess steel capacity and product price increases.

"The profit growth of coal, steel-related listed companies is the result of deeper supply-side structural reform, which improves the business environment and productivity," said Gui Haoming, chief analyst of Shenwan Hongyuan.

China's manufacturing sector in June stayed above the boom-bust mark for the 11th consecutive month, with traditional sectors like oil refining and metal smelting witnessing robust growth, suggesting improved supply-demand structure, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

"China's manufacturing sector and the broader economy are likely to continue steady growth on the back of favorable macroeconomic conditions and rebounding market demand," Gui said.

China is seeking to transition from an economy reliant on investment and exports of low-value-added goods to an innovation and service-driven one, and the first-half reports showed new growth engines were picking up momentum.

The tech-heavy small and medium-sized enterprises board witnessed net profit growth in H1, with new energy vehicle-related shares doing particularly well.

Anhui Zotye Automobile, a new energy vehicle manufacturer, saw net profit growth of 494 percent year-on-year in H1 due to government efforts to boost green energy.

Companies in smart manufacturing and emerging sectors such as next-generation IT technology also saw strong profit growth.

China's economy expanded 6.9 percent in the first half of 2017, with consumption, services and innovation-driven sectors taking up larger roles in the economy.

NBS data showed that hi-tech and equipment manufacturing sectors went up by 13.1 percent and 11.5 percent in H1 respectively.

While acknowledging the profit growth of listed companies, analysts called for more focus on hidden risks to ensure the long-term sustainable growth of listed companies.

"The slightly tightened market liquidity and tougher supervision to ward off financial risk will weigh on the performance of many listed companies in the future," said a Haitong Securities report.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 18:25:09|Editor: Liangyu

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by Xinhua writers You Zhixin, Zheng Kaijun, Wu Zhendong

SHANGHAI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The English version of a popular set of Shanghai math books debuted at the Shanghai Book Fair and attracted a great number of interested Chinese readers.

Chinese publishers and scholars are inspired by the introduction of Shanghai math books to the UK and they are bringing back the fruit of such exchanges back to Shanghai. While in Britain, pupils may need to sharpen their pencils in preparation to do math "the Shanghai way."

In March, HarperCollins, one of the world's largest publishing companies, signed an agreement with Shanghai Century Publishing Group at the London Book Fair to publish an English version of the math textbooks used in Shanghai's primary schools.

The series of 36 books called "Real Shanghai Mathematics" will be used by British students from September as new term begins.

DIFFERENT EDUCATION SYSTEMS, SAME BOOKS

Chinese students perform excellently in math in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), a worldwide study assessing 15-year-olds on key knowledge and skills, mainly in the areas of reading, math and science.

According to PISA website statistics, students from Shanghai came first in 2012 in PISA, which has been held every three years since 2000. British youngsters were 25 places behind. In 2015, Chinese students also performed significantly better than their British counterparts.

In 2016, the UK Department for Education announced that it would spend 41 million pounds (53 million U.S. dollars) on a four-year program to spread the Shanghai Teaching for Mastery Programme in the country.

Chen Yilin, a math teacher from Shanghai Luwan No.1 Primary School, helped translate "Real Shanghai Mathematics" into English.

"The team spent three months on translation, word for word, with some adaptations, in accordance with the requirements of the British side," she said.

The deal between HarperCollins and Shanghai Century Publishing Group is the first time that a whole series of Chinese textbooks has been transferred to the national education system of a developed economy, but it is not the first time HarperCollins have taken Chinese textbooks overseas.

In 2015, the company published an English version of "The Shanghai Math Project," supplementary study materials originally published by East China Normal University Press and used by Shanghai students for over 20 years.

"The Shanghai Math Project" has not just been translated, but has been adapted to British needs. "Given the cultural and curricular differences, merely translating a Shanghai textbook into English would cause problems for students, so the adaption work is important. Still, we have delivered the essence of Shanghai math to British teachers and students," said Ni Ming of East China Normal University Press.

More than 400 schools in Britain are already using "The Shanghai Math Project", the Chinese publisher said.

"The feedback is mostly positive," said Fan Lianghuo of University of Southampton.

"The Shanghai Math Project" and "Real Shanghai Mathematics" are just the beginning, Fan said.

NO ONE LEFT BEHIND

Academic exchanges between math teachers from China and Britain started in 2014.

Teacher Chen spent two weeks teaching in Thorndown Primary School in Cambridgeshire in January last year.

"Most British classes are divided into groups based on ability, with each group being taught at varying levels. The Shanghai mastery approach requires every student to completely master a concept before the teacher moves on to the next," Chen said.

In Chen's class in Thorndown, she taught the same way she did in Shanghai, which encourages whole-class interactions to make sure no one lags behind. She also demonstrated the teacher-led mastery method to groups of British teachers.

"There used to be a perception among many British teachers that teacher-led lessons were boring. After my class, I was told by British teachers that they found my method more effective," said Chen. "Teachers' talks can be interactive. Students learn through questioning and demonstration rather than figuring out the answer all by themselves."

Nick Gibb, Minister of State for School Standards, said there was much to learn from the Chinese approach to teaching mathematics in his speech at a British school in 2016, released by the UK Department for Education.

Shanghai teaching methods depend upon whole class instruction from the teacher, with constant questioning and interaction between the teacher and the class, Gibb said.

TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION

Imraan Ahmed's 11-year-old daughter studies at a private school in Birmingham, and takes her math score very seriously.

"If you want a better future or career, you'd better learn math quickly and hard, especially given Brexit," said the owner of a fashion store in Britain's second largest city.

"It's not only about math, but also about competitiveness," he said.

According to a survey in British newspaper The Telegraph in 2015, over three quarters of employers in Britain believed that action was needed to improve math, following concerns that innumeracy could have a real impact on business.

Now, while the British government is pursuing new ideas from China,the communication in education between China and Britain is not one way.

"Education is a long-term process. We should learn from each other to improve," Chen said.

"Things can be learned from British schools such as the richness of their extra-curricular activities, the well designed teaching aids and a joyful learning environment in classrooms," she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 18:30:15|Editor: Yurou

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PHOENIX, the United States, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States would probably terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and reaffirmed the building of the southern border wall against Mexico.

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal ... I think we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point," Trump told the crowd in a prime-time address on Tuesday evening at the "Make America Great Again" rally held at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Trump said he doubted the United States can reach a deal to renegotiate NAFTA, a trilateral trading deal came into force on Jan. 1, 1994 and has greatly benefited the region's economy by eliminating almost all the tariffs between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

During the Tuesday's speech, Trump also threatened to shut down the U.S. federal government if Congress does not present him with a spending bill for the next fiscal year that includes funding for a wall on the southern border.

Trump promised to build his signature wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, calling it "absolutely necessary."

"The obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me, if we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump said to the crowd.

The president spent about the first half of his rally defending his response to the violent in Charlottesville, Virginia, saying the "dishonest" media reports did not cover his response to the violence fairly.

"I strongly condemn neo-Nazis, white Supremacists and the KKK," Trump said. "I hit them with neo-Nazi. I hit them with everything. KKK? We have KKK. I got them all," he added.

The speech, lasted more than an hour, has drawn around 20 thousand of Trump supporters as well as at least two thousand of protesters. After his speech, police tried to disperse the protesters with tear gas.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 18:35:20|Editor: ZD

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A man walks near a house after airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen on Aug. 23, 2017. At least 35 people were killed when Saudi-led coalition warplanes hit a hotel north of the capital Sanaa early on Wednesday morning, a security official and medics told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed)

SANAA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 35 people were killed when Saudi-led coalition warplanes hit a hotel north of the capital Sanaa early on Wednesday morning, a security official and medics told Xinhua.

The hotel locates in Bait al-Edhari area of Arhab district north of Sanaa, said the official. Medics and rescuers said they have pulled 35 bodies, from underneath of rubble as search for possible survivors is still ongoing.

The dead were all men, said the medics.

This is the latest of a series of airstrikes hitting Yemeni civilians since the civil war began in March 2015.

Earlier this month, nine civilians from two families were killed in airstrikes by Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's northern province of Saada, according to local residents and officials.

Last month, the coalition fighter jets hit a camp of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mawza district in the southern province of Taiz, killing a total of 20 people, mostly women and children.

The United Nations refugee agency strongly condemned the July 18 aerial attacks on the IDPs camp and said that it is "deeply shocked and saddened."

It said the victims were reported to have been displaced to Mawza from nearby Al Mokha district, which is also experiencing intensified hostilities.

In March 2015, Saudi-led coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict to back internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi against Iranian-backed Houthis, who invaded the capital Sanaa militarily and seized most of the northern Yemeni provinces.

More than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the war that also displaced over 3 million, according to UN agencies.

The country has also been hit by a deadly cholera outbreak and is on the edge of famine.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 18:35:21|Editor: An

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BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Cathay Pacific Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for 32 single-aisle aircraft, according to Airbus China on Wednesday.

The A321neo aircraft will be operated by Cathay Dragon, the regional carrier of the group, on services linking Hong Kong home with destinations across Asia.

"Airbus is proud to have been selected to supply Cathay Dragon's future single-aisle fleet. This is another major endorsement of the A321neo as the aircraft of choice in the middle-market segment," said John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer for customers.

Cathay Dragon is an all Airbus operator, with a current fleet of 23 A320 Family aircraft and 24 widebody A330-300s. It also operates 37 A330-300 aircraft, making it the largest A330 operator in the Asia-Pacific.

"These new aircraft will allow us to add new destinations in the network, increasing frequency on some of our most popular routes and expand our network in the region," said Rupert Hogg, Cathay Pacific chief executive officer and Cathay Dragon chairman.

The A320 family is a popular single-aisle product line and comprises four models with seating ranging from 100 to 240. To date, the family has gained more than 13,200 orders, and more than 7,700 aircraft have been delivered to 400 customers and operators worldwide.

The A321 is the largest member of the A320 family and seats up to 240 passengers.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 18:40:24|Editor: An

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BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday unveiled a new regulation on unlicensed businesses in a move to ease restrictions and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.

The regulation, effective from Oct. 1, 2017, exempts licenses for people selling farm products and daily goods at sites and during time designated by governments at county or higher levels, and those using their skills to provide services that do not require approval according to the law.

Authorities responsible for cracking down on unregistered businesses must avoid simply shutting them down. Instead, they should help businesses obtain licenses and certificates, according to the regulation.

For uncertified businesses where there is no specific stipulation on the level of punishment, fines imposed on owners should be reduced and items necessary for such businesses must no longer be confiscated, it said.

The regulation also asks all authorities to perform their duties and improve regulation efficiency in the investigation and punishment of unregistered businesses.

China has been working to streamline business registration procedures to create a more favorable business environment.

A State Council meeting in April said that the government would cut red tape by integrating separate business licenses into one single license.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 18:45:30|Editor: Lu Hui

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Robert Lighthizer, U.S. trade representative, attends the first round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations in Washington D.C., the United States, on August 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

PHOENIX, the United States, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States would probably terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and reaffirmed the building of the southern border wall against Mexico.

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal ... I think we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point," Trump told the crowd in a prime-time address on Tuesday evening at the "Make America Great Again" rally in Phoenix, Arizona.

Trump said he doubted the United States can reach a deal with Canada and Mexico over the renegotiation of NAFTA, which came into force on Jan. 1, 1994 and has greatly benefited the three countries' economies.

On Sunday, the three parties wrapped up the first round of renegotiations on the trilateral trading bloc in Washington D.C., pledging to continue a rapid pace of talks in the coming months to update the 23-year-old trade deal.

The renegotiation comes as a pillar of Trump's "America First" agenda, which aims to reverse America's huge trade deficit and curb the outflow of America's manufacturing jobs.

"We are already in a negotiation. Mexico will remain at the table with serenity, firmness and with the national interest ahead," Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray tweeted after Trump's speech.

"Every country benefits from each other, so why change something that has been working for so many years?" Antonio Valenzuela, a resident on the U.S.-Mexico border, told Xinhua.

"There should not been any changes to it (NAFTA), because it will only affect the economies of the three partners," he added.

During the rally, Trump also threatened to shut down the U.S. federal government if Congress does not present him with a spending bill for the next fiscal year that includes funding for a wall on the southern border.

"The obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me, if we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump said to the crowd.

He also accused Democrats of "putting all of Americans' safety at risk" for not supporting his controversial border wall proposal to stop immigrants from Mexico.

The president promised to build his signature wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, calling it "absolutely necessary."

He visited the border region on early Tuesday in Yuma, Arizona.

"Build that wall! Build that wall!" Trump supporters chanted at the Phoenix Convention Center, holding signs such as "Buy American, Hire American."

Trump promised to "crack down" on sanctuary cities. A "sanctuary" city is one where police or municipal employees are prohibited from inquiring about one's immigration status, and often do not use municipal funds to enforce federal immigration laws.

Regarding the wall, Valenzuela said, "There is already a wall on the border, so why build a new one? A new administration and a new president do not mean you have to change everything."

Moreover, Trump spent the first half of the rally defending his response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, saying the "dishonest" media reports did not cover his comments fairly.

"Did they report that I said racism is evil?" Trump asked.

Trump came under attacks after stating that "many sides" displayed violence in the town which claimed three lives. He clarified later that white supremacists, neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan were among the groups that instigated the violence.

"I strongly condemn neo-Nazis, white Supremacists and the KKK," Trump said. "I hit them with neo-Nazi. I hit them with everything. KKK? We have KKK. I got them all," he added.

Trump called out the "failing New York Times" and labeled The Washington Post as a "lobbying tool" for Amazon. Upon the mention of CNN, the crowd responded with chants of "CNN sucks!"

"Trump claims media are fake news. It's ridiculous. Fake news is fake news. Fake news is news coming from Trump tower," Robin Kent, a 64-year-old retired resident told Xinhua.

Trump's speech lasted more than an hour and drew about twenty thousand supporters as well as thousands of protesters outside the convention center.

After his speech, police tried to disperse the protesters with tear gas. At least three were arrested in connection with the Phoenix rally, according to local media reports.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 19:00:43|Editor: Yurou

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LUANDA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Polls for Angola's parliamentary elections opened at 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) Wednesday throughout the country, marking the departure of long-time serving President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

Angolan National Elections Commission Chairman Andre da Silva Neto announced the news on state radio RNA in Luanda on Wednesday.

Dos Santos, who has led the Subsaharan Africa's second biggest oil producer since 1979 and is Africa's longest-serving leader after Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, announced earlier this year that he would retire after the elections.

He chose Defense Minister Joao Lourenco as his successor.

Angola's ruling party, the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which has been in power since the country's independence in 1975 from colonial Portugal, and five other parties are vying for seats in the country's 220 seat National Assembly.

Under the Angolan election system, the head of the party that wins most votes becomes president. It is widely believed that the ruling MPLA will win the election by a large majority.

More than nine million registered voters will head to more than 12,000 polling stations across the country from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time (0600 GMT-1800 GMT) Wednesday.

Preliminary results will be announced 48 hours later and the final results within two weeks, according to the country's electoral law.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 19:05:53|Editor: Yurou

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JAKARTA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The government of Indonesia has estimated shipment of products overseas will rebound this year after it declined last year due to rising prices and demand of global commodities.

Indonesian trade ministry on Wednesday projected the country's export to grow 5.6 percent this year from a 0.34-percent decrease last year.

Exports of products from Indonesia reached 131.35 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, according to the national statistics bureau.

Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said coordination is badly needed among stakeholders to achieve the target.

"Coordination aims at developing export in 2017, which is targeted to boost performance of Indonesian exported products to global market," he said.

Indonesia has enjoyed trade surplus in the last several months as rising global demand and prices of commodities, the country's major export products, have spurred exportation from the country, partly helping strengthen the foreign exchange reserve of the central bank and the country's current account performance.

Indonesia, a natural resources rich-country, is the world's biggest exporter and producer of thermal coal and crude palm oil.

The country is also among the world's top three of rubber and cocoa exporter, and home to the world's second-largest copper mine.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 19:10:58|Editor: Yurou

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ANKARA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A religious conservative foundation staged a protest in Turkey's Black Sea province of Sinop on Tuesday, demanding to remove a statue of ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes, local daily Hurriyet reported.

Sinop is the homeland of Diogenes, who was born there in 5th century B.C. and famous as one of the founders of Cynic philosophy in ancient Greece period.

The religious foundation said what they are protesting is Greek ideology attached to the statue, rather than the art of sculpture.

"We want the Diogenes statue to be taken from the entrance of Sinop and moved to Balatlar(a local Byzantine church). We will struggle to the end, whether a petition or a permanent press statement here is required," said Ismail Tezic, the foundation's Sinop provincial representative.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 19:11:01|Editor: Yurou

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by Farid Behbud

KABUL, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Up to 84 militants have been killed and 17 injured across Afghanistan since early Tuesday as the country's security forces continued to press Taliban and other militants by conducting daily raids and operations, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

The counter-insurgency operations have been stepped up since late April when Taliban militants launched their annual spring offensive to target security forces.

Those among killed since Tuesday included two senior Taliban leaders and six fighters of the Islamic State (IS) terror group, the statement noted.

The Afghan army, in close coordination with police and national intelligence agency, conducted 18 search and cordon operations, 18 special operations as well as one night raid operation over the period, according to the statement.

The operations were aiming to dismantle the insurgency's mid-level command structure and its supply line, it added.

In the southern Zabul province, a local Taliban leader named Mullah Saifullah was killed together with three militants during a raid in the province, 340 km south of Kabul.

Meanwhile, another setback for the Taliban was the loss of local leader Abdul Raziq Surgul who was killed with five other militants after Afghan air force struck their hideout in eastern Wardak province.

Surgul, who served as Taliban shadow district governor for Chak district of Wardak, was involved in organizing series of attacks against security forces across Wardak, 35 km west of Kabul, according to the statement.

The statement added that elimination of the targeted militants would further improve public security in the two neighboring provinces.

According to the statement, Afghan air force has conducted 20 airstrikes as well as 108 supportive flights within the period.

In another development, the engineering teams of Afghan army found and defused 48 landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in different places, foiling several planned explosions.

The latest raids came when U.S. President Donald Trump revealed his new approach for the solution of the 16-year-long war in Afghanistan, reportedly registered the longest war in the history of America.

On Monday night, Trump said that a rapid exit of the U.S. troops from Afghanistan was "unacceptable" and the new strategy will shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions on the ground.

It is also expected that the U.S.-led coalition forces will speed up their drone strike targeting militants' hideout and bunkers in rough terrains in the mountainous country.

However, the militants may respond by massive suicide attacks and roadside bombings.

Earlier on Wednesday, seven people, including four army soldiers, were killed and 42 others injured after a Taliban car bombing struck an army convoy in Helmand province, 555 km south of Kabul.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 19:26:12|Editor: An

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TRIPOLI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Libya hopes China will play a bigger role in helping heal its political division and promote economic development, Libyan officials and experts have said.

"The Libyans welcome any international assistance, especially from China, which has important ties with Libya at the level of development, trade exchange and supporting the economy," Ali Suweih, a member of Libya's Supreme Council of State, told Xinhua.

Suweih hailed China's stance on Libya's issue, which he said is "different from the others" as China respects Libya's sovereignty and supports the solution of Libyan issue only through dialogue and political agreement.

He was commenting on the four principles on resolving the Libyan issue that were outlined by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his meeting with his Tunisian counterpart Khemaies Jhinaoui last month in Beijing, the Chinese capital.

Wang highlighted the need to respect Libya's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and to uphold the general direction of political settlement through dialogue and negotiations among all parties.

The top Chinese diplomat also called for measures to prevent Libya from becoming another Syria which has been torn by a six-year civil war.

Wang also said that it is important to listen to the views of Libya's neighbors in order to find a long-term solution to the Libyan crisis.

Ahmad Langi, another member of Libya's Supreme Council of State, said he agreed with the Chinese foreign minister.

"Libya's security means security of the neighboring countries. Libya's sovereignty is very important and we hope China would play a bigger role in Libya, given China's international stance," Langi told Xinhua.

With two rival parliaments, namely the internationally recognized one based in the eastern port city of Tobruk, and General National Congress based in the capital city Tripoli, Libya is seeing its political situation improving, though very slowly.

In July, heads of the rival parliaments met in Paris as Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj and Marshal Khalifa Haftar, commander of the rival Libyan National Army, reached a ceasefire deal and pledged to work together for a sustainable political solution to the civil war.

At the same time, Islamic State (IS) militants have suffered from repeated losses recently, including their defeats in Derna, Sabrata, Benghazi and Sirte.

Ali Abu-Sitta, a member of the Misurata Municipal Council, said that the warning about Libya's division "remains grounded and true."

"Politicians in Libya should recognize the danger of continuing the division that makes the country an arena and a prey for terrorists," he told Xinhua.

Faraj Abdul-Malik, a member of House of Representatives, told Xinhua that China as a country with remarkable influence can help by supporting Libya's economic development.

"This certainly could contribute to alleviating the current international polarization, and make Libyans feel that development is going well and the war and fighting have no place," Abdul-Malik said.

"We hope that China would give greater support to the government of national accord and show greater interest in Libya," he added.

Mohamed Al-Asfar, head of the Akadimion media institution, also expected China to play a bigger role in Libya as a honest mediator, because China doesn't support one party over the another in Libya.

"Beijing has strong tools to push the Libyan issue toward a comprehensive solution and settlement," Al-Asfar told Xinhua.

He said the help can start from supporting Libya's economic development, in line with Libya's huge reserves of oil and shale gas, to provide more housing and rebuild its tourism.

Al-Asfar added that China's actual moves in Libya might also prod Europe to fulfill many of its delayed promises to help Libya.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 19:26:13|Editor: Xiang Bo

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Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a press conference in Baghad, Iraq on Aug. 23, 2017. Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday arrived here to hold talks with Iraqi leaders and to demand that the Iraqi Kurds cancel their referendum for independence. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

BAGHDAD, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday arrived here to hold talks with Iraqi leaders and to demand that the Iraqi Kurds cancel their referendum for independence.

"We have said, several times, that the referendum of Kurdistan is a wrong decision, and today when I will visit Arbil (capital of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan), I will repeat what I said that the referendum is wrong decision which will create problems and a new crisis," Cavusoglu said at a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari.

"We hope that Arbil would retreat and cancel the referendum, as it is for the interest of the Kurds to preserve Iraq's unity," Cavusoglu said.

"We wish that all the problems between Baghdad and Arbil be solved to preserve the integrity of Iraq. We (Turkey) are ready to play a role to help solving the problems if the two sides asked us," he said.

The Turkish minister said that he discussed with Jaafari the bilateral relations and the battles against terrorist Islamic State (IS) group in Tal Afar in northern Iraq.

"Turkey will support Iraq in the reconstruction of the devastated areas, as we supported Iraq in its war with the terrorist Daesh (IS group)," Cavusoglu said.

For his part Jaafari said that the Iraqi and Turkish officials discussed political, economic and security issues.

Cavusoglu is also scheduled to meet with Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi and other high-ranking officials before leaving to Arbil, some 375 km north of Baghdad, to meet with Kurdish leaders.

The visit comes amid debate for a controversial independence referendum by Iraqi Kurds in northern Iraq scheduled for Sept. 25, a step which has been opposed by Baghdad as well as the neighboring Turkey and Iran, which both have sizeable Kurdish minorities of their own.

The referendum is viewed by some regional and international officials as a threat to both Iraqi and regional security.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 19:31:20|Editor: Yurou

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TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran exported about 3 million U.S. dollars' worth of goods to Nigeria during the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year starting March 21, Financial Tribune daily reported Wednesday.

The figure registered a 69 percent increase compared to the corresponding period last year, said Mahmoud Haji-Yousefipour, an official with the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran.

"The main exported commodities to the African country over the period were chocolate biscuits, syrup, tomato paste, vaseline, polyethylene, auto parts and construction materials," Haji-Yousefipour was quoted as saying.

Last October, Nigerian Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development Abubakar Bawa Bwari expressed interest in strengthening trade relations with Iran, especially in the mining sector in a meeting with the Iranian ambassador to the country.

He said Iran and Nigeria share a lot in common in diversification of their economies because of the global fall in oil prices.

Iran is technologically advanced in coal-fired power generation and mining exploration which Nigeria can benefit from, Bwari noted.
Police special forces work near Plaza Catalonia following a terrorist attack in central Barcelona, Spain, on Aug. 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Lino De Vallier)

by Zhou Jun

BRUSSELS, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Security is on high alert once again across Europe following a series of terrorist attacks in Spain and Finland last week. The consistent presence of terrorism reflected an increasingly serious and complex situation haunting Europe.

The double attacks in Spain's Catalonia that claimed 15 lives and injured over 120 others, and the knife attack Finland's Turku were the latest to rub salt into the EU's wound, as France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden and the United Kingdom still struggle to recover from a number of bloody attacks since 2015.

This year, although European countries continued to strengthen the fight against-terrorism, the momentum of terror attacks in Europe has not diminished, but even showed a high trend. Britain, France, Belgium, and even relatively quiet Nordic and southern Europe have suffered waves of terrorism.

"At the moment, there's an attack every four to six weeks in Europe," Frederic Gallois, the former chief of a French security force, told local media. He added that the international terror groups such as Al-Qaida and Islamic State (IS) deliberately targeted "soft targets" in Europe, or public space with large concentrations of people, as part of their strategy.

Experts said attacks against "soft targets" with high civilian losses can create panic that magnifies the terrorist groups' "cause".

Even if security measures are tightened to prevent a possible attack in symbolic sites around cities, experts warned that citizens' safety cannot be guaranteed 100 percent. "Any gathering of people is a soft target and there are crowds everywhere, " Gallois said.

According to Europol's Terrorism Situation and Trend Report published in June this year, the EU is facing a range of terrorist threats and attacks of a violent jihadist nature, from both networked groups and lone actors.

The report pointed out that jihadist actors can be both directed by IS or merely inspired by IS ideology and rhetoric. Jihadist terrorists have been found to use a range of weapons to include bladed weapons, automatic rifles, explosives and vehicles, and are expected to continue to do so.

Perpetrators of terrorist attacks in the EU include both foreigners, of whom a number may have resided in the EU for a long time, and nationals who have grown up in the countries they attacked, it further stated.

As for the police, it is an impossible task to monitor thousands of potential suspects who might be terrorism-inspired.

At present, Europe's fight against terror seems to fall into the dilemma. Due to its participation in the U.S. interventions in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan, Europe becomes the target of terrorist groups' crazy revenge.

EU security commissioner Julian King has warned the returning of extremist foreign fighters from conflict zone as IS lost territory there, saying this poses a very serious threat to European states.

The spreading of online terrorist ideology is another major concern for European policymakers. In France, the IS recruited hundreds of French fighters through online propaganda, and more than 200 died in terrorist attacks in Paris and Nice in 2015 and 2016, according to reports.

Moreover, hard immigrant integration, border-free passage and poor intelligence cooperation remain some of the shackles and deficiencies in Europe's counter-terrorism cooperation.

Alexander Ritzmann, an expert on terrorism at the European Foundation for Democracy wrote one year after the Brussels attacks that such as better education, more social workers and integration programs, and bigger police, intelligence and surveillance, all these policy fields are important for policymakers in Europe under severe pressure to tackle the challenge in a long run.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 19:51:39|Editor: Yurou

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WINDHOEK, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Air Force together with Southern African Development Community (SADC) Air Forces, Air Arms and Air Wings will conduct a military exercise code named 'Blue Kunene' in the northern parts of Namibia which will officially commence from Aug. 24 to Sept. 7.

Namibia Defence Ministry in a statement said the aim of the exercise is to sharpen the rapid deployment of the SADC Air Forces as part of the SADC Standby Force, for rapid deployment in case of humanitarian crises in the region and beyond.

Major Hendrik Swartbooi from Namibia Defence Ministry, Wednesday told Xinhua that Namibia's Defence Minster, Penda Ya Ndakolo will officiate the opening on Thursday at the Oshakati Independence Stadium.

Swartbooi said about ten member states with air assets and almost 1,000 military personnel are expected to participate in the exercise.

The exercise will be conducted in the Opuwo Rural, Epupa and Sesfontein constituencies with flight operations launched from the Hosea Kutako international Airport, Ondangwa airport and Ruacana airfield.

The ministry said a large number of different aircraft will be seen in the Oshana, Omusati, Kunene regions and members of the public have been urged not to panic at such sightings.

Furthermore the ministry cautioned the general aviators and tourist operators who will be flying in these areas to be on the look out for military aircraft, especially low flying helicopters as well as be patient as the airspace might be congested during the period of the exercise.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 19:51:42|Editor: Lu Hui

Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Photo: fmprc.gov.cn)

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- China Wednesday urged Japan to take the security concerns of its Asian neighbors seriously and act prudently in military and security fields.

It has been reported by Japanese news service Kyodo, that the Defense Ministry plans to seek a record-high budget of 5.26 trillion yen (48.1 billion U.S. dollars) for the 2018 fiscal year as the country seeks to strengthen its missile defense capabilities in the face of growing missile threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), as well as China's increasing maritime activities.

"We are aware of the reports and are concerned about this," said Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In recent years, Japan has been exaggerating the "China threat" to find or devise excuses for its increase in military weaponry and defense budget, Hua said.

China should be on high alert to Japan's moves and its real motives, the spokesperson said.

The international community, especially Japan's Asian neighbors, has closely followed the country's military moves, she said.

She advised Japan to learn from history and stop hyping up the "China threat."

Hua said China appreciates the courage of insightful Japanese who have revealed the historical truth and called for peace, through means such as a recent documentary on Okunoshima, an island where poison gas was manufactured by Japan for use against China during World War II.

The documentary attracted a great deal of attention after its broadcast on Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), along with another documentary about Japanese Unit 731 released earlier by public broadcaster NHK. The two films revealed the irrefutable truth about Japan's war crimes and prompted heated discussions among Japanese society.

Japanese abandoned chemical weapons on Chinese territory still threaten the safety of Chinese citizens, their property and the ecological environment, even though the war ended 70 years ago, Hua said.

Hua requested Japan fulfil its obligations to destroy its abandoned chemical weapons as soon as possible.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 19:56:47|Editor: Mengjie

Members of a Chinese Tibetan culture exchange delegation hold a seminar with Chinese media in Japan and Japanese media, in Tokyo Aug. 21, 2017. The delegation ended a visit in Japan on Wednesday, during which the delegation briefed Japanese lawmakers, press and religious groups about the great progress made in China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

TOKYO, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Tibetan cultural exchange delegation concluded a visit to Japan on Wednesday, during which the delegation briefed Japanese lawmakers, press and religious groups about the great progress made in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

The delegation, dispatched by China's State Council Information Office, held seminars with Japanese lawmakers and reporters from 10 major Japanese media organizations during its four-day stay in Japan.

It also visited the Chambalin Temple in the city of Nagoya, the only Tibetan Buddhist temple in Japan, as well as the Chotaiji Temple in Tokyo, where the delegation was warmly received.

While exchanging with the Japanese side, Zhou Wei, head of the delegation, introduced the great achievements Tibet has witnessed in recent years in economic and social development, people's livelihood, environmental protection, and protection of traditional culture.

Zhou, also chief of the Institute for Religious Studies of China Tibetology Research Center, highlighted that Tibetan Buddhism has entered the best period in its development history and Tibetan believers' religious requirements are satisfied.

At present, there are more than 1,700 Tibetan Buddhist temples, about 46,000 monks and nuns, and up to 400 living Buddhas in the autonomous region, according to Zhou.

The Chinese government has made great efforts to ensure the development of Tibetan Buddhism, Zhou said, noting that problems concerning infrastructure of Buddhist temples such as roads, electricity and telecommunications have been properly solved.

Buddhist monks and nuns can now enjoy all benefits of social welfare in the autonomous region, he added.

Noting the great importance attached to the inheritance and protection of the Tibetan Buddhist culture, Zhou said the Chinese government also helped nurturing young monks and nuns via setting up schools of Tibetan Buddhism and perfecting the monastic promotion system.

The delegation also answered questions concerning various aspects of Tibet in interactions with the Japanese lawmakers and press groups, who said that they felt closer to Tibet after the seminars and that they hoped to have the opportunity to visit Tibet in the future.

The delegation also exchanged views with Tetsuo Otani, chairman of the Japan-China Zen Cultural Exchange Association and some believers who had visited Tibet before.

The visit in Japan is the last stop of an overseas exchange agenda of the delegation, which had previously visited Mongolia and Russia.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 20:01:55|Editor: An

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WUHAN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- All illegal docks along the Yangtze River will be shut down by the end of this year, a Chinese official said Wednesday.

A seminar on illegal docks and dredging along China's longest river was held in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, on Wednesday.

By the end of July, 1,361 illegal docks had been discovered along the Yangtze and 949 of them had been shut down, said Zhou Xiaoqi, deputy head of the primary industry bureau at the National Development and Reform Commission.

He told attendees to the seminar the rest will be shut down by the end of this year.

Driven by profit, people have built docks on the river without permission or supervision. Most of these docks are used for loading and unloading sand from dredging vessels.

The illegal docks take up space along the riverbank, hamper navigational routes and impede river safety. They have also done significant damage to the environment along the river course, Zhou said.

Some 600,000 people live near Wuhan's Yujiatou water treatment plant. Last year, there were more than 10 illegal docks within a 1.6-kilometer stretch of riverbank. Residents built makeshift buildings near the docks where they bred poultry, endangering the tap water supply from the plant.

All of the illegal docks and buildings near the treatment plant have been dismantled this year.

"Provinces and cities along the river course need to take more resolute and thorough actions to make sure all the illegal docks are dismantled by the end of September," Zhou said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 20:01:58|Editor: An

LUSAKA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The commissioning of works to construct a new international airport in Zambia's Ndola city in the Copperbelt Province recently goes to exemplify Chinese efforts to help Zambia's infrastructure development drive.

The 397 million-US dollar project, being undertaken by Chinese contractor AVIC International and funded by the Export and Import Bank of China, is but one among other projects China has funded as Zambia rolls out its infrastructure projects.

The new airport will not only boost the economic prospect of the province but also add to the improvement in the country's infrastructure landscape.

The project, to be completed within three years, involves a 12,000 square meter modern terminal building, a 3.5 kilometer runway, cargo terminal as well as a hotel.

"I am sure that the new airport will significantly improve traffic connections of the Copperbelt both within Zambia and with Zambia's neighboring countries, thus promote more trade exchanges, attract more foreign investment, and increase flow of goods and personnel," Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Yang Youming said in remarks delivered during the launch of construction works in June this year.

His comments have been supported by Zambian President Edgar Lungu who feels that the project will result in the creation of jobs in the province and boost the economic prospect of not only the province but the entire country as a whole.

According to him, around 3,000 jobs will be created during the project's construction, and 5,000 jobs are expected to be created once the project is completed.

The Zambian leader noted that his government has prioritized infrastructure development because no development could take place without good infrastructure.

"Government has prioritized transport and communication because it is critical for development. For us to diversify the economy, we must construct infrastructure necessary for the level of develop we envision," he said.

Infrastructure development has been at the core of Zambia's development agenda since 2011 when the Patriotic Front (PF) came into power after winning the elections, and there is no doubt that the Chinese government and enterprises have been playing an important role in driving the agenda.

In another case, the expansion project at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in the country's capital is underway with funding support from China. The project is expected to be completed by 2019.

According to Mweembe Sikaulu, spokesperson of the Zambia Airports Corporation, the country's biggest airport would have a new international terminal, air traffic control tower, rescue and fire services as well as two hotels within the airport.

The 360 million dollars Chinese-funded project will result in an improvement in passenger-handling capacity from the current two million to six million passengers.

PIVOTAL CHINESE ROLE IN ZAMBIA'S INFRASTRUCTURE

From the Mongu-Kalabo Road, a 34 kilometer road with 26 bridges across it and constructed by China's Avic International in the western part of the country to the development of other infrastructure such as hydropower projects and modernization of airports, it is clear that China and Chinese enterprises have played a pivotal role in improving Zambia's infrastructure landscape.

China's imprint in Zambia's infrastructure development stretches back to the historical construction of the Tanzania Zambia Railway, which was constructed in the 1970s and the Tuta Bridge in northern Zambia, which is still the longest Chinese-aided bridge of its kind in Africa.

China has also helped Zambia have ultra-modern stadiums through the financing and construction of the 50,000 capacity National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, the country's capital and the 49,800 capacity Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola city on the Copperbelt Province.

"We are indeed grateful to China for the wonderful work they are doing to help us in our infrastructure projects. For instance, we did not dream that we will ever have a big stadium like Heroes but thanks to China, they helped us have one," Ben Zulu, a 46-year-old resident of Lusaka, the country's capital said.

He added that there is no doubt that Chinese contractors were doing a good job each time they are given construction jobs in the country.

His views were supported by another Lusaka resident Isaac Ngenda, who hailed the hardworking culture of the Chinese contractors.

According to him, Chinese contractors are dedicated to their work and have been able to complete projects on time.

Michael Nyirenda, immediate past president of the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors also hailed China's contribution to Zambia's infrastructure development.

"It is right to say that China and Chinese contractors have done a lot in helping Zambia's infrastructure development agenda. This is there for all to see," he said.

While appreciating the gesture from China, he noted that the authorities should ensure also that local contractors are capacitated as well so that they learn from their Chinese counterparts.

Harry Kalaba, Zambia's Foreign Affairs Minister said the southern African nation will remain indebted to China's assistance in economic development projects over the years and looks forward to more assistance.

The Zambian minister said recently that his government has come up with priority projects for financing under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Among the priority projects include infrastructure development, broadband communication network, construction and rehabilitation of the existing railway network as well as investments in alternative energy sources such as wind, bio-mass, thermal, geo-thermal and solar.

Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Yang Youming has expressed that his government is ready to do more to help Zambia develop its infrastructure.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 20:32:27|Editor: Xiang Bo

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Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw (3rd R) receives final report from Kofi Annan (2nd L), chair of the Myanmar-government-appointed Advisory Commission of Rakhine state, during their meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Aug. 23, 2017. Annan, who arrived in Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday, submitted its final report to President U Htin Kyaw on Wednesday, official sources said. (Xinhua/Soe Than Lynn)

NAY PYI TAW, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's government-appointed Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, chaired by former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, submitted its final report to President U Htin Kyaw on Wednesday, official sources said.

The report aiming at the emergence of peaceful, just and prosperous future for residents in Rakhine state was handed over to U Htin Kyaw when the commission made a courtesy call on the president.

The details of the report will be released in Yangon on Thursday, the sources added.

Annan, who arrived in Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday, is also scheduled to have talks with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi later on Wednesday on the release of the commission's final report on Rakhine state. according to earlier report.

Aung San Suu Kyi is the chair of the Central Committee for Implementation of Peace, Stability and Development in Rakhine state.

The commission's final report is expected to include assessment and recommendations for the government on conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, reconciliation, institution building and promotion of development in the conflict-torn Rakhine state.

Kofi Annan's commission had submitted an interim report and recommendations on the regional issue to the government in March with 30 recommendations.

Annan visited Rakhine state late last year to compile the report.

Annan's nine-member advisory commission was formed by the Myanmar government in August of the year with the aim of resolving the protracted Rakhine regional issue.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 20:37:32|Editor: Yurou

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HELSINKI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Finnish police made two new arrests in their investigation of the stabbings in Turku last Friday.

The two were detained as they were believed to have possibly helped preparing the attacks, the police said in a release on Wednesday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 20:37:37|Editor: Lu Hui

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Giant panda Beibei is seen beside its birthday cake during a celebration at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C., the United States, Aug. 22, 2017. The zoo on Tuesday held a celebration for giant panda Beibei's two-year-old birthday, which attracted lots of visitors. (Xinhua/Yang Chenglin)

by Sun Ding, Hu Yousong

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- It was just another day for giant panda Bei Bei -- he got up, chewed bamboo and twisted his fuzzy body to get more comfortable before taking a nap on a tree.

But for most of those who waited outside his enclosure at Smithsonian's National Zoo here early in the morning, it was a big day for both Bei Bei and them as the U.S.-born panda, which was born on Aug. 22, 2015, turned two years old on Tuesday.

Bei Bei, whose name means "treasure," and more colloquially "baby," in Chinese, is the offspring of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, a pair of giant pandas on loan from China.

He also has an elder brother, Tai Shan (or Butterstick, Tai Shan's nickname before he was officially named because he was about the size of a stick of butter when he was born), and an elder sister, Bao Bao, who were born respectively in 2005 and 2013 in the U.S. zoo. Both of Bei Bei's siblings returned to China when they were about four years old, under an agreement between the two countries.

Among the earliest visitors to see the birthday boy was Karen Meyers, who came from neighboring Maryland.

Meyers said she has been following Bei Bei's progress since he was born two years ago and that she planned to take pictures of him to share with her friends who could not come to the celebration.

"He is so mischievous, cute and a big baby," Meyers told Xinhua. "I am happy it is his birthday."

The birthday celebration started at around 10 a.m. (1400 GMT) as the zoo's nutrition department, which is in charge of cutting bamboos and preparing food for the pandas, whipped up a special cake.

Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of the giant pandas exhibit, told Xinhua in an interview that the "panda-friendly cake" was made of diluted juice, apples, pears, carrots, sweet potatoes and leaf-eater biscuits, with most of the ingredients being among Bei Bei's favorites.

After disappearing for a while, Bei Bei reemerged after the curators placed the cake on the grass.

The highlight came when Bei Bei started strolling around his birthday cake, and a crowd of visitors, from silver-haired seniors to toddlers who could barely talk, hummed a birthday song together for the two-year-old giant panda.

Bei Bei was attracted by the cake and sat down to enjoy it -- by contrast, exactly a year ago he abandoned his birthday cake and went to sleep in the panda house instead of celebrating his first birthday.

It appeared that he is not as shy as he used to be. Jillian Goldfarb from Boston told Xinhua that she thinks Bei Bei has "a mischievous side" but "he really just makes people laugh and root for him."

"Bei Bei has got a great personality," Thompson said. "He is very laid-back, confident and does not mind new things and they do not scare him too much."

"He works well with the keepers, but he is good at being an independent young panda," she said. "We are really proud of his progress."

Besides developing an adorable personality, Bei Bei is also making "huge" progress in terms of his physical development. He weighs about 165 pounds (around 75 kilograms) now, and is heavier than his siblings were at the same age, according to the National Zoo.

Bei Bei could hardly squeeze his frame into a small box labeled "birthday boy" which was placed next to the cake.

Meyers said Bei Bei has been eating ever since he was born, and he is bigger than Tai Shan at certain milestones. "He is a big boy. I think Bei Bei would be a good size of bear like his father."

"It is a good sign that Bei Bei is very healthy," Thompson added.

As the youngest giant panda at the National Zoo, almost every move Bei Bei makes attracts attention with the help of a Panda cam on the Smithsonian website.

After undergoing an emergency bowel obstruction surgery in late 2016 and a weaning from his mother in May, Bei Bei is recovering well with no side-effects and is doing great living independently, which was attributed by the zoo to joint efforts of U.S. and Chinese experts.

"We hope the international collaboration will lead to more pandas and it's clear that people were working really hard to save and protect the species," said Ann Wyatt, another visitor.

Lots of tourists and visitors were still lingering until noon.

A group of students wearing birthday crowns featuring panda patterns on them waved to say good-bye: "Bei Bei, happy birthday! We will come to see you again soon."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 20:52:51|Editor: Yurou

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JERUSALEM, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Iran's growing activity in Syria poses a threat to Israel.

Netanyahu made the remarks at his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi.

"Mr. President, with joint efforts we are defeating Islamic State, and this is a very important thing. But the bad thing is that where the defeated Islamic State group vanishes, Iran is stepping in," a statement released by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office quoted Netanyahu as saying.

"We cannot forget for a single minute that Iran threatens every day to annihilate Israel," he added.

The Israeli leader also charged that Iran "arms terrorist organizations, sponsors and initiates terror."

"Iran is already well on its way to controlling Iraq, Yemen and to a large extent is already in practice in control of Lebanon," he noted.

Israel has long warned that the weapons Syria and Iran buy from Russia fall in the hands of Hezbollah, Israel's arch enemy.

Iran, however, rejects all the allegations from the Jewish state.

In 2015, Russia first sent troops to Syria to fight on the side of President Bashar Assad's regime.

Over the past months, Russia has been advancing cease-fire zones in Syria. Israel worries that these areas will enable Iran to further establish its foothold in Syria, allowing it and its proxy, the Lebanese militia of Hezbollah, to further deploy their forces across the Syria-Israel border.

Netanyahu arrived at the Wednesday meeting together with Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, and Meir Ben-Shabbat, head of the National Security Council.

The two intelligence chiefs presented Putin with the evidence of Iran's activities in Syria.

Over the past weeks, Israeli officials have been holding talks with Russian and U.S. officials, asking the two powers to minimize Iran's presence in Syria and prevent it from building permanent military bases in the country in case of a possible agreement to end the country's six-year war.

Israel and Russia agreed to coordinate military actions over Syria to avoid accidental clashes two years ago. It is their sixth meeting since then.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 20:58:07|Editor: Mengjie

Yin Haihong (L), Charge D'affaires of the Chinese Embassy to Vietnam, receives a certificate of award on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China from Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu, President of Vietnam Red Cross Society, in Hanoi, Vietnam, Aug. 23, 2017. The Red Cross Society of China has made a cash donation of 50,000 U.S. dollars to help Vietnam's northwestern communities affected by recent floods and landslides. (Xinhua/Le Yanna)

HANOI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Red Cross Society of China has made a cash donation of 50,000 U.S. dollars to help Vietnam's northwestern communities affected by recent floods and landslides.

Charge D'affaires of the Chinese Embassy to Vietnam Yin Haihong handed over the sum to the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) in Hanoi on Wednesday.

The aid aims at providing more sources to support Vietnamese in northwestern regions to overcome consequences of flooding, expressing sympathies of the Chinese people over the losses and difficulties faced by the Vietnamese people, said Yin at the ceremony.

Chinese and Vietnamese peoples are willing to provide each other with assistance for relief whenever disasters strike, said Yin, expressing the hope that the support will deepen the long-lasting friendship between the two countries.

Receiving the donation, President of VRCS Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu expressed sincere gratitude to the Red Cross Society of China and the Chinese embassy to Vietnam, saying the precious donation will help the Vietnamese people go through difficulties soon.

"The aid shall be transferred to the victims as soon as possible and in most effective ways," Thu pledged.

In late July, severe floods and landslides hit Vietnam's northwest provinces, killing 29, injuring 28, leaving 16 missing and damaging thousands of houses.

Total economic loss by far has surpassed 1.2 trillion Vietnamese dong (53.1 million U.S. dollars), estimated the VRCS.

In 2016, the Red Cross Society of China offered 200,000 U.S. dollars to Vietnamese flood victims in central regions.

It also provided 50,000 U.S. dollars for residents hit by drought and saline intrusion in Vietnam's Central Highlands and Mekong Delta.

The organization also presented another 700,000 Chinese yuan (100,000 U.S. dollars) in 2016 to help enhance Vietnam's capacity of coping with disasters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi on August 23, 2017. (AFP PHOTO)

JERUSALEM, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Iran's growing activity in Syria poses a threat to Israel.

Netanyahu made the remarks at his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi.

"Mr. President, with joint efforts we are defeating Islamic State, and this is a very important thing. But the bad thing is that where the defeated Islamic State group vanishes, Iran is stepping in," a statement released by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office quoted Netanyahu as saying.

"We cannot forget for a single minute that Iran threatens every day to annihilate Israel," he added.

The Israeli leader also charged that Iran "arms terrorist organizations, sponsors and initiates terror."

"Iran is already well on its way to controlling Iraq, Yemen and to a large extent is already in practice in control of Lebanon," he noted.

Israel has long warned that the weapons Syria and Iran buy from Russia fall in the hands of Hezbollah, Israel's arch enemy.

Iran, however, rejects all the allegations from the Jewish state.

In 2015, Russia first sent troops to Syria to fight on the side of President Bashar Assad's regime.

Over the past months, Russia has been advancing cease-fire zones in Syria. Israel worries that these areas will enable Iran to further establish its foothold in Syria, allowing it and its proxy, the Lebanese militia of Hezbollah, to further deploy their forces across the Syria-Israel border.

Netanyahu arrived at the Wednesday meeting together with Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, and Meir Ben-Shabbat, head of the National Security Council.

The two intelligence chiefs presented Putin with the evidence of Iran's activities in Syria.

Over the past weeks, Israeli officials have been holding talks with Russian and U.S. officials, asking the two powers to minimize Iran's presence in Syria and prevent it from building permanent military bases in the country in case of a possible agreement to end the country's six-year war.

Israel and Russia agreed to coordinate military actions over Syria to avoid accidental clashes two years ago. It is their sixth meeting since then.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 21:13:22|Editor: Yurou

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HELSINKI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Finnish police made two new arrests in their investigation of the stabbings in Turku last Friday.

The two were detained as they were believed to have possibly helped preparing the attacks, the police said in a release on Wednesday.

The police said they were not certain about the nationalities of the duo, as the men gave conflicting information about their background.

In Finland, they said they were from Algeria, but in Sweden they claimed they came from Morocco, national broadcaster Yle reported.

A 18-year-old Moroccan stabbed crowds at two squares in central Turku last Friday, leaving two Finnish women dead and eight others wounded.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 21:18:28|Editor: Lu Hui

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Robert Lighthizer, U.S. trade representative, attends the first round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations in Washington D.C., theUnited States, on August 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

PHOENIX, United States, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States would probably terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and reaffirmed the building of a southern border wall with Mexico.

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal ... I think we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point," Trump told the crowd in a prime-time address on Tuesday evening at the "Make America Great Again" rally in Phoenix, Arizona.

Trump said he doubted the United States can reach a deal with Canada and Mexico over the renegotiation of NAFTA, which came into force on Jan. 1, 1994 and has greatly benefited the three countries' economies.

On Sunday, the three parties wrapped up the first round of renegotiations on the trilateral trading bloc in Washington D.C., pledging to continue a rapid pace of talks in the coming months to update the 23-year-old trade deal.

The renegotiation comes as a pillar of Trump's "America First" agenda, which aims to reverse America's huge trade deficit and curb the outflow of America's manufacturing jobs.

"We are already in a negotiation. Mexico will remain at the table with serenity, firmness and with the national interest ahead," Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray tweeted after Trump's speech.

"Every country benefits from each other, so why change something that has been working for so many years?" Antonio Valenzuela, a resident on the U.S.-Mexico border, told Xinhua.

"There should not been any changes to it (NAFTA), because it will only affect the economies of the three partners," he added.

The extremely hot Arizona weather did not faze Trump's supporters. Around twenty thousand supporters lined up outside the Phoenix Convention Center hours ahead of the rally, while thousands of protesters also gathered nearby.

Thirty-one-year-old Joseph Cririlla, who lives in the suburbs of Phoenix, said he came to the venue at about 2 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), but he was not the first person in line. Somebody had already come at midnight and spent the night, he said.

"I'm a Republican," said the computer engineer, who had immigrated from Colombia to the United States at the age of three. "We are not racists, KKK; we are true-heart patriots."

"The crowds were so big, almost as big as tonight," Trump responded to cheers of his name from the audience, recalling Arizona as the site of his first campaign rally.

During Tuesday's rally, Trump also threatened to shut down the U.S. federal government if Congress does not present him with a spending bill for the next fiscal year that includes funding for a wall on the southern border.

"The obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me, if we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump said to the crowd.

He also accused Democrats of "putting all of Americans' safety at risk" for not supporting his controversial border wall proposal to stop immigrants from Mexico.

The president promised to build his signature wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, calling it "absolutely necessary."

He visited the border region on early Tuesday in Yuma, Arizona.

"Build that wall! Build that wall!" Trump supporters chanted at the convention center, holding signs such as "Buy American, Hire American."

Trump promised to "crack down" on sanctuary cities. A "sanctuary" city is one where police or municipal employees are prohibited from inquiring about one's immigration status, and often do not use municipal funds to enforce federal immigration laws.

Regarding the wall, Valenzuela said, "There is already a wall on the border, so why build a new one? A new administration and a new president do not mean you have to change everything."

Moreover, Trump spent the first half of the rally defending his response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, saying the "dishonest" media had not reported fairly on his comments.

"Did they report that I said racism is evil?" Trump asked.

Trump came under attack after stating that "many sides" displayed violence in the town which claimed three lives. He clarified later that white supremacists, neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan were among the groups that instigated the violence.

"I strongly condemn neo-Nazis, white Supremacists and the KKK," Trump said. "I hit them with neo-Nazi. I hit them with everything. KKK? We have KKK. I got them all," he added.

He also blamed U.S. media for dividing the nation, saying "they are trying to take away our history and our heritage."

Trump called out the "failing New York Times" and labeled The Washington Post as a "lobbying tool" for Amazon. Upon the mention of CNN, the crowd responded with chants of "CNN sucks!"

"While being broadcast live on camera, President Trump claims media cameras are being turned off," CNN responded on Twitter.

"Trump claims media are fake news. It's ridiculous. Fake news is fake news. Fake news is news coming from Trump Tower," Robin Kent, a 64-year-old retired resident, told Xinhua.

When it came to the Korean nuclear issue, Trump voiced optimism over improvements in U.S. relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) amid the escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula as Pyongyang and Washington have repeatedly engaged in heated exchanges.

Although the tensions show some signs of abating, the nuclear crisis remains a potential threat that will undermine regional stability.

"I respect the fact that he is starting to respect us. And maybe -- probably not, but maybe -- something positive can come about," Trump said about the DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

After the over-an-hour-long speech, police tried to disperse the protesters with tear gas. At least three were arrested in connection with the Phoenix rally, according to local media reports.

About 4,500 people said on Facebook that they had attended Protest Trump Downtown Phoenix, an anti-Trump rally, less than a block from the convention center. In a separate post, about 3,000 people said they went to attend a "White Supremacy Will Not Be Pardoned" event downtown organized by the Puente Human Rights Movement, a local immigrant rights group.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 21:38:45|Editor: An

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BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- China will channel more energy into deleveraging in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) administered by the central government amid improving corporate performance.

A State Council meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang Wednesday agreed the work will be a priority in the ongoing national campaign to bring down debt levels, according to an official statement.

Central SOEs have made headway in cutting outdated capacity, reining in debt risks and improving competitiveness, the statement said.

Combined profits of central SOEs rallied 16.4 percent year on year in the first seven months, in contrast with a 3.7-percent drop in the same period of 2016. The debt-to-asset ratio edged down 0.2 percentage point from the beginning of the year.

Given the favorable conditions, more efforts are needed to dissolve the debt of SOEs and a guideline will be formulated, according to the meeting.

"Warning lines" of debt ratios will be drawn for state firms. Those breaching the limits will see bigger weighting of debt management in their annual assessment and will be banned from making debt-fueled investment.

The government will encourage SOEs to adopt multiple means to reduce debt. Rapidly growing firms will be allowed to use part of their profits to repay debt. Those with low debt ratios or strong earnings power can include costs of capacity cuts and other reform measures into current losses.

A document on assets disposal of bloated steel and coal companies will be rolled out to guide SOEs to replenish capital for transformation.

Debt-to-equity swaps will be pushed forward, with state investment funds to be encouraged to participate in the process. Central SOEs should speed up the pace of mergers and acquisitions.

The regulators will implement stricter accountability systems to prevent piling corporate debt.

The meeting agreed that the deleveraging should help China's economic shift and restructuring.

There will be more effective measures to eliminate excess steel and coal capacity and tackle "zombie companies." New capacity in thermal power, electrolytic aluminum and construction materials will be under rigorous control.

Meanwhile, the "Internet Plus" and "Made in China 2025" plans will continue to be propelled to foster the new economy and reorganize traditional industries.

During the meeting, policymakers also discussed measures to stimulate technological innovation. Equity and option incentive plans in state-owned tech-firms will be expanded.

Favorable policies including tax reductions for tech firms will be further implemented.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 21:48:48|Editor: Yurou

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by Peerzada Arshad Hamid

NEW DELHI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in India Wednesday deployed thousands of police and paramilitary troops in Punjab and Haryana states ahead of a court verdict in a rape case against self-styled spiritual leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, officials said.

The court is scheduled to deliver verdict on Friday at Panchkula district near Chandigarh, the capital city of both Punjab and Haryana.

The 50-year-old Singh heads a religious sect glocally called Dera Sacha Sauda. The sect claims to be a "social welfare and spiritual organization."

Singh, the flamboyant and controversial chief, claims to have 50 million followers and runs a spiritual group.

The court has sought Singh's personal appearance for Friday's verdict.

Singh faces charges that in 2002 he sexually assaulted two of his women followers. Singh has denied the charges against him.

Ahead of the court verdict thousands of Singh's followers are travelling to Panchkula town, where the case is being heard. Most of them have occupied parks, roads and sidewalks in the city.

The Punjab director general of police has issued an advisory to all senior police officers warning them that Dera followers are storing fuel and objects that can be used as weapons.

Police in Haryana too have sounded an alert.

"The centre has assured us more troops if required. From Sirsa to Panchkula, the Haryana police is fully alert," local media quoted Haryana police chief BS Sandhu as having said.

"Sensitive areas have been identified in Hisar, Fatehabad, Jind, Hansi, Kaithal and Kurukshetra and police in these districts have been directed to be vigilant."

The chief ministers of Haryana and Punjab have appealed for peace.

"Two control rooms have been set up to monitor the situation. Besides this, multiple security teams from Rapid Action Force, the Central Reserve Police Force and police have been stationed outside the CBI court complex in Panchkula and its adjoining roads," an official said.

Reports said police is keeping an eye on social media and is likely to snap internet services to prevent "rumor mongering."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 21:53:53|Editor: Yurou

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ASTANA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Tajik National Bank will freeze the accounts of 1,178 terrorists and extremist organizations that are on a list provided by the National Security Committee, according to reports on Wednesday.

The list, which is constantly updated, has been expanded from the one six months ago, which listed only 200.

The organizations listed are officially banned in the Central Asian country by the Supreme Court. Among them are the Muslim Brotherhood, Jamaat-e-Islami, the Taliban Movement, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Tablighi Jamaat, the Islamic State group and the Jabhat Al-Nusra.

Corresponding authorities are required to immediately and unconditionally freeze the bank accounts of all the people and organizations on the list. The move is partly intended to fight money laundering.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 21:53:55|Editor: An





People read books during the 24th Beijing International Book Fair held in the New Venue of the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 23, 2017. More than 2,500 exhibitors from 89 countries and regions attended the book fair, displaying over 300,000 newly published books. (Xinhua/Wang Yueling)

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Over 300,000 newly published books from around the world, including 28 countries and regions along the Belt and Road routes, are on display at the 24th Beijing International Book Fair, which opened Wednesday.

More than 2,500 exhibitors from 89 countries and regions are taking part in the fair, with overseas exhibitors accounting for 58 percent.

Around 40,000 books from over 300 major Chinese publishers are on display for overseas publishers and libraries. At the fair last year and the year before, the number of copyright trade agreements signed between Chinese and foreign companies exceeded 4,000 each year.

Since 2014, copyright trade between China and countries along the Belt and Road routes has maintained a high average annual growth of 20 percent, accounting for 15 percent of China's total copyright trade in 2016, up from 5 percent in 2014.

Iran is the guest of honor at this year's fair, with 13 Iranian publishers taking part and six Iranian writers hosting activities. Well-known Chinese writers, including Nobel laureate Mo Yan, will also meet their readers face to face at the event.

The Iranian exhibition zone will feature musical performances and recitation of classic Iranian and Chinese literature in Persian, English and Chinese.

Iran has invited China to be the guest of honor at the 2019 Tehran International Book Fair.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 21:59:00|Editor: Yurou

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TRIPOLI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Islamic State (IS) militants beheaded nine soldiers and two civilians in a checkpoint attack in southern Libya, an army spokesman said Wednesday.

"The terrorist group IS attacked Al-Fag'ha gate in Al-Jufra this morning, slaughtering nine soldiers and two civilians," said spokesman Ahmad al-Mesmari.

The checkpoint was located some 500 km south of the capital Tripoli, he added.

The army, led by Gen. Khalifa Haftar, has been engaged in a violent war against extremist groups in eastern Libya for more than three years.

Earlier in July, the army said it had taken control of Benghazi, the second largest city in Libya.

Last December, forces allied with the UN-backed government of national accord in Tripoli freed Sirte, a city some 450 km east of Tripoli, after nearly seven months of fighting against IS militants.

However, IS remnants remain present in parts of Libya despite of defeats.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 22:09:08|Editor: Yurou

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BAGHDAD, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces on Wednesday retook control of new areas from Islamic State (IS) militants on the outskirts of the city of Tal Afar in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, the Iraqi military said.

The Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces completely freed the southern part of Kifah neighborhood at the western edge of Tal Afar after about 24 hours of heavy clashes with the extremist militants, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah from the Joint Operations Command (JOC) said in a brief statement.

In the early morning, the federal police forces and the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi units stormed the northern part of Kifah neighborhood and managed in the afternoon to liberate the area after defeating IS militants, Yarallah said in a separate statement.

Also in the day, the Iraqi army's 9th Armored Division and the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi units liberated al-Tanak neighborhood on the eastern outskirts of the city and raised the Iraqi flag over some of its buildings, Yarallah added.

On Aug. 20, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, also the commander-in-chief of Iraqi forces, declared the start of an operation to retake control of Tal Afar and nearby areas from IS militants.

"We announce the launch of an operation to liberate Tal Afar. I say to Daesh (IS), either you surrender or die," Abadi said.

Tal Afar, some 70 km west of Mosul, is the last IS redoubt in the province of Nineveh.

The United Nation's International Organization for Migration estimates that some 10,000 to 40,000 people are still living in Tal Afar and surrounding areas.

Earlier, the army's Maj. Gen. Najim al-Jubouri, commander of Nineveh's Operations Command, told reporters that he estimated there were between 1,500 and 2,000 IS militants left in Tal Afar.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 22:19:13|Editor: Yurou

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BERLIN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- German Ambassador to Turkey Martin Erdmann has visited his fellow countrymen Deniz Yuecel and Peter Steudtner in a Turkish prison on Wednesday.

Journalist Yuecel and human rights activist Steudtner were doing well considering their circumstances, a statement by the German Foreign Office read. Both individuals held intensive talks with Erdmann which lasted over an hour.

The two German citizens are currently detained by Turkish authorities near Istanbul after being accused of supporting terrorist organizations.

In Steudtner's case, the meeting on Wednesday marked the first time that members of Germany's diplomatic corps were able to speak to the 46-year-old from Berlin since his arrest in June.

Steudtner was the tenth German citizen to be arrested in Turkey since the country's failed military coup last year. Yuecel has dual Turkish and German nationality and has already been in custody since February.

Traditionally close relations between Ankara and Berlin have come under severe strain in the wake of a failed military attempt to unseat Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July 2016. Amongst others, Erdogan's government has since criticized German politicians for allegedly granting asylum to Turkish revolutionaries.

Just as Germany expected to get is citizens "back from us," Turkey also wanted Berlin to hand over terrorists, Erdogan was quoted saying.

Official figures released on Wednesday showed that the number of Turkish asylum seekers in Germany has grown again in July. 620 asylum seekers from the country were registered by the German Interior Ministry last month, compared to 433 in June and 498 in May.

The number of Turkish asylum seekers in Germany has risen continuously since July 2016. 5,752 individuals from Turkey filed applications in 2016, compared to 1,767 in 2015. Prior to the failed military coup, the number had remained relatively stable for ten years.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 22:24:21|Editor: Yang Yi

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The English and French editions of Chinese President Xi Jinping's book on poverty relief are launched during the 24th Beijing International Book Fair held in the New Venue of the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 23, 2017. (Xinhuanet/Zhao Bing)

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The English and French editions of Chinese President Xi Jinping's book on poverty relief were launched on Wednesday at the ongoing 24th Beijing International Book Fair.

Titled "Up and Out of Poverty," the book is comprised of 29 of Xi's speeches and articles, as well as photos, from 1988 to 1990 when he was the Party chief of Ningde City in east China's Fujian Province.

The Chinese edition was first published in July 1992 and reprinted in August 2014, gaining popularity among domestic readers especially officials at all levels.

The foreign editions were translated and published by the Foreign Languages Press affiliated with China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration.

Wu Shangzhi, deputy head of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, said that the Communist Party of China Central Committee, with Xi as the core, regards poverty relief as a bottom line and benchmark for accomplishing the building of a moderately prosperous society.

China's experiences will provide reference for other countries to shake off poverty, Wu said.

The foreign editions have received high attention and won praise from political figures, academics and media in African countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 22:29:27|Editor: Yurou

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JERUSALEM, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israel's air force announced on Wednesday that its new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Hermes 900 has become operational after it underwent a series of drills and tests.

The aircraft, nicknamed "The Star," is manufactured by Elbit, an Israel-based weapons and security corporation, and is an improved version of the Hermes 450 UAV.

A statement released by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it is nine meters in length with a wingspan of 16 meters, which can fly with a maximal velocity of 220 km/h. It can stay in the sky for up to 30 consecutive hours and operate at a maximum altitude of around 9,100 meters.

The main goal in developing the UAV was to double the drone's carriage capacity, air time, and flight range, the statement said.

Israel first tested the Star in a real-time battle field during its 51-day offensive on the Gaza Strip in 2014, according to the military. The Star carried out at least one mission in the 51-day deadly campaign before the military returned it to the regular process of absorption in the Air Force.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 22:34:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BERLIN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Refugees should be refused entry at the German border if necessary, Christian Social Union (CSU) leader and Governor of Bavaria Horst Seehofer told radio channel Bayrischer Rundfunk on Wednesday.

According to Seehofer, there was a need foremost to eliminate the root causes of migration and flight, as well as controlling the European Union's (EU) external borders and distributing refugees within the bloc.

"And if this approach does not work, we will need to do it at the internal border," he added.

"One cannot say: we do not want this situation to repeat but then open the gates," the German politician said with reference to the refugee crisis in 2015. Seehofer expressed his confidence that CDU leader and German chancellor Angela Merkel shared his views on the subject.

The CSU is the Bavarian sister party of the larger Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The two parties traditionally form a conservative electoral alliance but have quarrelled recently over CSU demands for a formal cap on the annual number of refugees admitted to Germany.

Seehofer has demanded a limit of 200,000 refugees per year admitted to Germany after the majority of over one million asylum seekers who arrived in 2015 entered through Bavaria.

Despite their disagreement, the two parties are still cooperating closely in their ongoing election campaigns and intend to form another joint government in the next German parliament.

"We have to prioritize now that we, the CDU and CSU, Angela Merkel and Horst Seehofer, together make a promise to the population that there will be no repeat of the year 2015," Seehofer said.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., August 22, 2017. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

PHOENIX, United States, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States would probably terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and reaffirmed the building of a southern border wall with Mexico.

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal ... I think we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point," Trump told the crowd in a prime-time address on Tuesday evening at the "Make America Great Again" rally in Phoenix, Arizona.

Trump said he doubted the United States can reach a deal with Canada and Mexico over the renegotiation of NAFTA, which came into force on Jan. 1, 1994 and has greatly benefited the three countries' economies.

On Sunday, the three parties wrapped up the first round of renegotiations on the trilateral trading bloc in Washington D.C., pledging to continue a rapid pace of talks in the coming months to update the 23-year-old trade deal.

The renegotiation comes as a pillar of Trump's "America First" agenda, which aims to reverse America's huge trade deficit and curb the outflow of America's manufacturing jobs.

"We are already in a negotiation. Mexico will remain at the table with serenity, firmness and with the national interest ahead," Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray tweeted after Trump's speech.

"Every country benefits from each other, so why change something that has been working for so many years?" Antonio Valenzuela, a resident on the U.S.-Mexico border, told Xinhua.

"There should not been any changes to it (NAFTA), because it will only affect the economies of the three partners," he added.

The extremely hot Arizona weather did not faze Trump's supporters. Around twenty thousand supporters lined up outside the Phoenix Convention Center hours ahead of the rally, while thousands of protesters also gathered nearby.

Thirty-one-year-old Joseph Cririlla, who lives in the suburbs of Phoenix, said he came to the venue at about 2 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), but he was not the first person in line. Somebody had already come at midnight and spent the night, he said.

"I'm a Republican," said the computer engineer, who had immigrated from Colombia to the United States at the age of three. "We are not racists, KKK; we are true-heart patriots."

"The crowds were so big, almost as big as tonight," Trump responded to cheers of his name from the audience, recalling Arizona as the site of his first campaign rally.

During Tuesday's rally, Trump also threatened to shut down the U.S. federal government if Congress does not present him with a spending bill for the next fiscal year that includes funding for a wall on the southern border.

"The obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me, if we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump said to the crowd.

He also accused Democrats of "putting all of Americans' safety at risk" for not supporting his controversial border wall proposal to stop immigrants from Mexico.

The president promised to build his signature wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, calling it "absolutely necessary."

He visited the border region on early Tuesday in Yuma, Arizona.

"Build that wall! Build that wall!" Trump supporters chanted at the convention center, holding signs such as "Buy American, Hire American."

Trump promised to "crack down" on sanctuary cities. A "sanctuary" city is one where police or municipal employees are prohibited from inquiring about one's immigration status, and often do not use municipal funds to enforce federal immigration laws.

Regarding the wall, Valenzuela said, "There is already a wall on the border, so why build a new one? A new administration and a new president do not mean you have to change everything."

Moreover, Trump spent the first half of the rally defending his response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, saying the "dishonest" media had not reported fairly on his comments.

"Did they report that I said racism is evil?" Trump asked.

Trump came under attack after stating that "many sides" displayed violence in the town which claimed three lives. He clarified later that white supremacists, neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan were among the groups that instigated the violence.

"I strongly condemn neo-Nazis, white Supremacists and the KKK," Trump said. "I hit them with neo-Nazi. I hit them with everything. KKK? We have KKK. I got them all," he added.

He also blamed U.S. media for dividing the nation, saying "they are trying to take away our history and our heritage."

Trump called out the "failing New York Times" and labeled The Washington Post as a "lobbying tool" for Amazon. Upon the mention of CNN, the crowd responded with chants of "CNN sucks!"

"While being broadcast live on camera, President Trump claims media cameras are being turned off," CNN responded on Twitter.

"Trump claims media are fake news. It's ridiculous. Fake news is fake news. Fake news is news coming from Trump Tower," Robin Kent, a 64-year-old retired resident, told Xinhua.

When it came to the Korean nuclear issue, Trump voiced optimism over improvements in U.S. relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) amid the escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula as Pyongyang and Washington have repeatedly engaged in heated exchanges.

Although the tensions show some signs of abating, the nuclear crisis remains a potential threat that will undermine regional stability.

"I respect the fact that he is starting to respect us. And maybe -- probably not, but maybe -- something positive can come about," Trump said about the DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

After the over-an-hour-long speech, police tried to disperse the protesters with tear gas. At least three were arrested in connection with the Phoenix rally, according to local media reports.

About 4,500 people said on Facebook that they had attended Protest Trump Downtown Phoenix, an anti-Trump rally, less than a block from the convention center. In a separate post, about 3,000 people said they went to attend a "White Supremacy Will Not Be Pardoned" event downtown organized by the Puente Human Rights Movement, a local immigrant rights group.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 22:54:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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PARIS, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- France and Spain vowed on Wednesday to step up their cooperation in the fight against terrorism at a meeting here between the two country's interior ministers.

At a press conference, French interior minister Gerard Collomb and his Spanish counterpart Juan Ignacio Zoido announced that they had signed an agreement to jointly train 120 French gendarmes alongside Spanish officers at a police academy south of Madrid.

The meeting of the two ministers was planned a while ago but became more significant after last week's terrorist attacks in Catalonia, which killed 15 people and injured over 120 others.

The ministers said they discussed ongoing investigation into the double attacks during their meeting.

A few days before the attacks, several members of the suspected terror gang were spotted in France, according to the French police.

Investigators are still trying to trace their journey, specifically a visit to Paris by one of the key suspects, Younes Abouyaaqoub, who was shot dead by Spanish police on Monday.

He was believed to be the driver of a van that rammed into pedestrians in Barcelona on Aug. 17.

Meanwhile, an Audi A3 that carried out a similar attack in the Cambrils beach resort in the early morning of Aug. 18 was also captured on surveillance camera in the Paris region less than a week before the attack.

Besides Spain and France, the investigation has now extended to Belgium and Switzerland, as several suspects, including an extremist preacher Abdelbaki Es Satty, were spotted in these countries before the attacks.

The preacher is suspected to have played a key role in the radicalization of the young gang.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 22:54:53|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KIEV, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian army said Wednesday it will send monitors to observe the Belarusian-Russian joint military exercise West 2017.

"At the invitation of the Belarusian side, between Sept. 16 and Sept. 20, two Ukrainian military inspectors will observe the exercise," the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in a statement.

The observers will be sent to the drills under the Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures, the statement said.

The Vienna Document is an agreement between the participating states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which enables the countries to exchange objective information regarding their military activities and exercises.

The West 2017 drills will be held from Sept. 14 to 20 in Belarus, and will involve up to 12,700 troops.

Earlier this month, Belarus said that representatives of several international organizations, as well as military observers from Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden and Norway had been invited to monitor the exercise.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 22:59:56|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A five-episode documentary series following the lives of over ten Chinese adolescents for ten years started airing on China's state broadcaster on Sunday.

Produced by Beijing Normal University since 2006, the documentary "Post-00s" has followed the lives of a number of children born after 2000, chronicling their experiences from kindergarten to secondary school.

"Over ten years, these children have grown up and became more independent in thinking and action," says Zhang Tongdao, director of the documentary.

The film not only documents the growth of the children, but also reflects on several social issues in modern China, such as the two-child policy, school examinations, studying overseas and the struggle of working mothers.

The documentary starts with 12-year-old Yu Xikun and his mother driving to a competitive entrance examination for a well-known Beijing secondary school. On the car window, Yu secretly writes, "I don't want the test."

"I always wanted to be a perfect mom," says Yu's mother, who stopped working years ago to take care of her son. But her rebellious boy made her reconsider her "perfect mom" strategy.

Meng Meng's parents struggle to get their 13-year-old daughter to communicate with them. They believe their two-year-old sister You You might be part of the problem.

"I never wanted a sister that much," Meng Meng says.

China allowed all married couples to have two children from 2016. This follows an earlier policy easing in 2013 that allowed couples to have a second child if either parent was an only child.

While 10 years ago Meng Meng would cry when looking for her father, now she has become distant and seldom talks to her parents.

"All these details come from real life, and every word comes from real kids. The documentary tells the stories of ordinary Chinese over ten years," Zhang says.

Yu Ming, executive director-in-chief of the production, says she hopes to continue filming until the day the adolescents become parents.

"Chinese society and education ideas might be hugely different, but the state of mind for a parent will not change," Yu says.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 23:25:13|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BRATISLAVA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia has raised its terror alert from the first, least severe degree, to the second degree, Slovak Police Corps President Tibor Gaspar announced at a press conference on Wednesday.

"The second-degree alert means that there is little possibility of a terror attack in Slovakia, but one can't be ruled out entirely, either," explained Gaspar.

Gaspar pointed out the fact that several large-scale events are due to be organized in Slovakia in the next few days, including an air show at Sliac in Central Slovakia this weekend, commemorations of the Slovak National Uprising on Aug. 29, and celebrations of Constitution Day on Sept. 1.

"We're coming up to a period that we view as requiring more vigilance beyond ordinary measures," stressed Gaspar, referred on a series of terror attacks in several other countries.

With the second-degree terror alert in place, the police will increase its presence on the streets, with special focus on places with large movements of people, including shopping centres and railway stations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 23:30:16|Editor: ZD

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov receives an interview in Moscow, Russia, Aug. 22, 2017. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Russia will not resort to symmetric countermeasures in response to sanctions by the United States and will continue to seek dialogue with the latter instead, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said.

"This is a huge burden and a serious blow to the basis of our relationship. Nevertheless, we do not want to turn relations with the United States into a tit-for-tat game," Ryabkov said in an interview Tuesday with Xinhua.

Ryabkov called the adoption of equal sanctions "falsely understood logic of measures and countermeasures," saying that it will only harm Russia and cause damage to regional and global security, which is not Moscow's method of dealing with this matter.

Therefore, when asked about a possible response to Washington's latest action of making it extremely difficult for Russian citizens to obtain visas to visit the United States, the deputy minister said Moscow will continue to "keep calm and show common sense."

He said that Moscow's action of asking for a reduction of U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia is an extremely moderate and measured response to what Washington has done in terms of encroachments on the fundamental economic, political and other interests of Russia.

"If we compare this with what Russia did in response, then you will see that the U.S. debt to us is simply endless," Ryabkov said.

Despite all the hostility and conflicts, he said Russia continues to believe there is room for some improvement in Russia-U.S. relations, adding that dialogue between the two countries is still underway.

Ryabkov specifically underlined dialogue in the areas of arms control and regional conflicts which require attention and maintaining contact, as they are of great importance in terms of strategic stability.

"We are ready to continue discussing issues of strategic stability, because Russia is fully aware of its responsibility for the situation in this area," Ryabkov said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 23:35:22|Editor: huaxia

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COPENHAGEN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Danish industrial giant Danfoss said Wednesday its sales for the first half of the year had risen 13 percent compared with the same period last year.

Net sales for the first six months of 2017 rose to 21.8 billion Danish kroner (3.46 billion U.S. dollars), or up 11 percent as measured in local currencies, Danfoss said in a statement.

Meanwhile, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased by three percent to 2.3 billion kroner from the first half of 2016.

"We have had a strong first half-year, with all of Danfoss' core businesses delivering good sales growth," said Danfoss president and chief executive officer (CEO) Kim Fausing.

"Over the past few years, we have made targeted efforts to accelerate growth by investing in innovation and high potential growth markets, and the results are paying off," Fausing added.

All business segments contributed to the high sales growth, and especially Danfoss Power Solutions and the mobile hydraulics business performed strongly, according to the statement.

Danfoss had a positive development in several markets, particularly countries like Brazil, Russia, India, and China, which showed significant growth, driven by an increasing demand for climate-friendly and energy-efficient technologies.

"Our growth and earnings power paves the way for investing heavily in growth, digitalization, and new technologies. This way, we can continue to strengthen Danfoss and our market position," Fausing said. (1 U.S. dollar = 6.30 Danish kroner) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-23 23:50:31|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Hashi

MOGADISHU, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A senior Al-Shabaab militant fighter on Wednesday surrendered to Somali National Army (SNA) in Mahas town, Hiiraan region in central Somalia, officials said.

Somali National Army commander in the area Ahmed Mohamed Teredisho told Xinhua by phone that the militant had a communication with government forces while he was at some areas near the border between Hiiraan and Galgudud regions in central Somalia about his defection.

"Nur Ibrahim Abdulahi, head of health for the terrorist group of Al-Shabaab in Galgudud region surrendered to Somali National Army here in Hiiraan region today, he joined the group while 14 years old and he is now 19. He was with them in the last five years," Teredisho said.

He said that Al-Shabaab militants tried to kill the defector while he was leaving, but he resisted and dropped a pistol that he was carrying.

"We are interrogating him now, we will transfer him to Beledweyne town in Hiiraan for further investigation, we continue our military operation while we welcome defections from the terrorist group," he said.

The latest defections comes after that of Al-Shabaab deputy leader Mukhtar Robow who surrendered to the government on Aug. 13.

Robow, also known as Abu Mansur, officially announced that he left Al-Shabaab more than five years ago.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 00:05:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RIGA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- There were many worrisome issues in the European Union but all countries of the bloc have to support common values, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Wednesday during his visit to Latvia.

"There are various issues in the EU to worry about. At the moment we are trying to achieve a situation when common values are supported by all the member states," Steinmeier told a joint press conference with Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis.

"It is necessary to hold talks with individual member countries, and these talks have to be more intensive instead of being stopped," he said.

The European Union and western EU countries have been at odds with eastern EU members such as Poland and Hungary, over a raft of contentious issues including migrant quotas and judicial reform.

"On the issues of migration, security, growth, and on other topics, we have a common position with Latvia, and I am thankful about that," the German president said.

It is too early to say that the crisis in Europe has been overcome but there are positive trends for quite a long time, Steinmeier said. He added that there is no more time to talk about reforms, it is necessary to show to the citizens of the EU that the bloc is advantageous for them.

For his part, Vejonis said Latvia and Germany traditionally have common values and goals, and secure, united and prosperous Europe is in the interests of both countries.

The German president is visiting all the three Baltic countries this week. He arrived in Latvia on Wednesday after a two-day day visit to Estonia and on Thursday will leave for a two-day visit in Lithuania.
File photo: Photo taken on Jan.7, 2016 shows 4-month-old Panda "Bei Bei" of U.S. National Zoological Park meeting media after receiving a physical examination in Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Bao Dandan)

by Sun Ding, Hu Yousong

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- It was just another day for giant panda Bei Bei -- he got up, chewed bamboo and twisted his fuzzy body to get more comfortable before taking a nap on a tree.

But for most of those who waited outside his enclosure at Smithsonian's National Zoo here early in the morning, it was a big day for both Bei Bei and them as the U.S.-born panda, which was born on Aug. 22, 2015, turned two years old on Tuesday.

Bei Bei, whose name means "treasure," and more colloquially "baby," in Chinese, is the offspring of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, a pair of giant pandas on loan from China.

He also has an elder brother, Tai Shan (or Butterstick, Tai Shan's nickname before he was officially named because he was about the size of a stick of butter when he was born), and an elder sister, Bao Bao, who were born respectively in 2005 and 2013 in the U.S. zoo. Both of Bei Bei's siblings returned to China when they were about four years old, under an agreement between the two countries.

Among the earliest visitors to see the birthday boy was Karen Meyers, who came from neighboring Maryland.

Meyers said she has been following Bei Bei's progress since he was born two years ago and that she planned to take pictures of him to share with her friends who could not come to the celebration.

"He is so mischievous, cute and a big baby," Meyers told Xinhua. "I am happy it is his birthday."

The birthday celebration started at around 10 a.m. (1400 GMT) as the zoo's nutrition department, which is in charge of cutting bamboos and preparing food for the pandas, whipped up a special cake.

Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of the giant pandas exhibit, told Xinhua in an interview that the "panda-friendly cake" was made of diluted juice, apples, pears, carrots, sweet potatoes and leaf-eater biscuits, with most of the ingredients being among Bei Bei's favorites.

After disappearing for a while, Bei Bei reemerged after the curators placed the cake on the grass.

The highlight came when Bei Bei started strolling around his birthday cake, and a crowd of visitors, from silver-haired seniors to toddlers who could barely talk, hummed a birthday song together for the two-year-old giant panda.

Bei Bei was attracted by the cake and sat down to enjoy it -- by contrast, exactly a year ago he abandoned his birthday cake and went to sleep in the panda house instead of celebrating his first birthday.

It appeared that he is not as shy as he used to be. Jillian Goldfarb from Boston told Xinhua that she thinks Bei Bei has "a mischievous side" but "he really just makes people laugh and root for him."

"Bei Bei has got a great personality," Thompson said. "He is very laid-back, confident and does not mind new things and they do not scare him too much."

"He works well with the keepers, but he is good at being an independent young panda," she said. "We are really proud of his progress."

Besides developing an adorable personality, Bei Bei is also making "huge" progress in terms of his physical development. He weighs about 165 pounds (around 75 kilograms) now, and is heavier than his siblings were at the same age, according to the National Zoo.

Bei Bei could hardly squeeze his frame into a small box labeled "birthday boy" which was placed next to the cake.

Meyers said Bei Bei has been eating ever since he was born, and he is bigger than Tai Shan at certain milestones. "He is a big boy. I think Bei Bei would be a good size of bear like his father."

"It is a good sign that Bei Bei is very healthy," Thompson added.

As the youngest giant panda at the National Zoo, almost every move Bei Bei makes attracts attention with the help of a Panda cam on the Smithsonian website.

After undergoing an emergency bowel obstruction surgery in late 2016 and a weaning from his mother in May, Bei Bei is recovering well with no side-effects and is doing great living independently, which was attributed by the zoo to joint efforts of U.S. and Chinese experts.

"We hope the international collaboration will lead to more pandas and it's clear that people were working really hard to save and protect the species," said Ann Wyatt, another visitor.

Lots of tourists and visitors were still lingering until noon.

A group of students wearing birthday crowns featuring panda patterns on them waved to say good-bye: "Bei Bei, happy birthday! We will come to see you again soon."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 00:15:50|Editor: Mengjie

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Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (L) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during their meeting in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)(File photo)

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi held a telephone conversation Wednesday with U.S. State of Secretary Rex Tillerson on China-U.S. relations and the Afghanistan issue.

China and the United States have been maintaining communication and cooperation in a wide range of areas, which is in the interests of both countries and the world at large, Yang said.

In accordance with the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, the two countries should strengthen high-level exchanges as well as those at various levels and make good preparations for Trump's visit to China within this year, which is at Xi's invitation, he said.

Calling for mutual respect and mutual benefit, Yang voiced hope that the two countries will expand cooperation and properly settle differences so as to keep up a good momentum for the development of China-U.S. relations.

Tillerson, for his part, said that the U.S. side is willing to work with the Chinese side to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and promote communication and cooperation.

President Trump is looking forward to his important visit to China within the year, said Tillerson, expressing hope for concerted efforts to make a success of the visit.

Yang and Tillerson also exchanged views on the current situation of Afghanistan.

China is committed to facilitating Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process and political dialogue is the only solution to the Afghanistan issue, said Yang.

The international community needs to support Afghanistan in achieving a broad and inclusive political reconciliation, support the Afghan people in pursuing a development path that suits their own national conditions and support the Afghan government in increasing it capability to fight forces of extremism and terrorism, he said.

We need to give attention to the important role Pakistan plays in the Afghanistan issue, and respect Pakistan's sovereignty and security concerns, Yang said.

China stands ready to keep communication and coordination with the United States on the Afghanistan issue and make joint efforts to realize peace and stability in the country and the whole region, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 00:15:52|Editor: Mu Xuequan

Residents wade through a water-logged road in Macao, south China, Aug. 23, 2017. Hato, the 13th typhoon to hit China this year, made landfall in the city of Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong Province at noon Wednesday. Affected by Hato, Macao has canceled all marine transport and most of airlines. (Xinhua)

MACAO, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Five people were confirmed dead after typhoon Hato struck Macao on Wednesday, a spokesperson of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government said Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Chan Chi Ping said that 153 others were injured so far.

The Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (MGB) hoisted highest signal No. 10 at 11:30 a.m. local time (0330 GMT).

According to MGB radar map, Hato came across as near as 40 km to the south of Macao with a maximum wind speed of over 140 km per hour.

Under the fierce typhoon, Macao Marine and Water Bureau said all marine transport has been canceled and all ships inside Macao's ports remained alert.

The Macao International Airport announced that among the airlines taking off from Macao, 26 have been canceled and three delayed. For those heading for Macao, 25 have been canceled and nine delayed.

Meanwhile, the MGB also issued Black Storm Surge Warning, the highest one in three levels, to suggest the water level is expected to be above one meter from road level.

Some low-land areas in Macao's northern downtown were flooded by both rain and sea water.

Macao's Civil Emergency Response Center said some 266 cases of accidents have been reported so far, including falling tiles and cement blocks from buildings, advertisement boards blew away by strong wind, trees uprooted, and people trapped in elevators.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 00:20:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ULAN BATOR, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Thirty Mongolian lawmakers from the ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP) Wednesday submitted a signed collective petition demanding Prime Minister Jargaltulga Erdenebat step down.

They submitted the petition to deputy speaker Sanjmyatav Yadamsuren as speaker Miyegombo Enkhbold was absent. Currently, the MPP has 65 seats in the State Great Khural.

Erdenebat is accused of violating the law on key economic issues related to concession deals, allowances for Mongolian children and stock in a mining company, among others.

"We observed that his actions and decisions are only to serve the interests of several groups, but not the interests of the average people of Mongolia," said lawmaker Ayursaikhan Tomorbaatar.

According to Mongolian law, the petition demanding the dismissal of Erdenebat should be discussed and resolved within 15 days.

Erdenebat, 44, of the MPP, took office in July 2016.

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Khurelsukh Ukhnaa handed over his resignation letter to Erdenebat. In the letter, Ukhnaa said he is not confident in and unable to work with Erdenebat because the latter's policies and activities are not in the national interests.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 00:31:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BERLIN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The German Central Bank (Bundesbank) has completed a transfer of gold worth 24 billion euros (28.3 billion U.S. dollars) from New York and Paris to Frankfurt, the monetary institution announced on Wednesday.

"This closes out the entire gold storage plan around three years ahead of the scheduled time," Bundesbank Executive Board member Carl-Ludwig Thiele said in a statement.

The Bundesbank had already declared its intention in 2013 to store 50.6 percent of its gold in Germany by 2020.

Around 674 tons in total, or 54,000 gold bars were shifted from vaults in New York and Paris to Frankfurt in multiple stages.

Central bank employees had "thoroughly and exhaustively" tested all bars upon arrival in Germany and noted that "no irregularities came to light with regard to the authenticity, fineness or weight of the bars," the announcement reads.

With 3,378 tons in total, the Bundesbank holds the second largest gold reserve in the world after the U.S.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 00:36:09|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ISLAMABAD, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa told U.S. ambassador to Pakistan on Wednesday that his country does not seek U.S. aid but want acknowledgment of Pakistan's sacrifices in the war against terrorism, the military said.

U.S. Ambassador David Hale met Bajwa in the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and briefed him on the new U.S. policy for South Asia.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a speech that "we have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change, and that will change immediately."

The Pakistani army chief, in response to the U.S. president's remarks, said that "we are not looking for any material or financial assistance from USA but trust, understanding and acknowledgement of our contributions," according to a military statement.

"Collaboration and synergy of efforts between all stakeholders is the key to success to bring this long drawn war in Afghanistan to its logical conclusion," Bajwa said.

On Afghanistan, he said that peace in Afghanistan is as important for Pakistan as for any other country.

"We have done a lot toward that end and shall keep on doing our best, not to appease anyone but in line with our national interest and national policy," he added.

On his part, Hale said that the United States "values Pakistan's role in the war against terror and is seeking cooperation from Pakistan to resolve the Afghan issue," the statement said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 01:21:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DUBAI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) logistics sector is expected to fuel economic growth over the next five years, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Wednesday in a statement, reported UAE state news agency WAM.

The expansion of projects and new investments in the sector, which is expecting a "positive outlook," are promoting "strong growth in the country's air and sea freight markets."

A recent analysis by the chamber forecasts the UAE's air freight market to expand by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8 percent during 2017-2021.

The analysis also shows demand within the country's air freight market increasing at a CAGR of 8.6 percent between 2012 and 2016.

Dubai International Airport handled 2.6 million tons of cargo in 2016, with a freight volume growth of 3.8 percent compared with that of 2015, the analysis suggests.

Abu Dhabi International Airport, the civil aviation hub in the UAE capital, handled nearly 800,000 tons of cargo in the same period.

The UAE serves as a maritime hub for the Middle East region. In 2016, container port traffic in the UAE amounted to 21.3 million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU).

This figure is expected to rise 5 percent to 22.4 million TEU in 2017, and increase further to reach a record of 28.4 million TEU by 2021.

Container traffic at Dubai's Jebel Ali Port, the biggest man-made port in the world, is forecast to witness a CAGR of around 6 percent between 2017 and 2021.

The UAE is investing 1.6 billion U.S. dollars in Jebel Ali Port, managed by the global terminal operation DP World, to increase the port's total capacity to 22.1 million containers.

In July, five Chinese firms from eastern coastal Jiangsu Province have agreed to invest 300 million dollars in a deal with government-controlled Abu Dhabi Ports Company, a developer of ports and industrial zones, under a 50-year lease agreement.

The five Chinese firms have signed a contract to lease 2.2 square km of the free trade zone of Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Port.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Ports is planning to expand Khalifa Port by 100 square km by mid-2018 to accommodate more industries and keep pace with rapid growth within the sector.

The UAE is stepping up efforts to reduce share of oil in the economy to 19 percent from the current 29 percent until 2024, said the UAE Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Sultan Al-Mansouri.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 01:41:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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JUBA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said Wednesday that a child was killed when a WFP-contracted aircraft hit a house while attempting to land during a thunderstorm in Juba on Tuesday.

WFP South Sudan Country Director Adnan Khan said in a statement that four other people -- two boys and two women -- were injured during the incident.

"We regret to report that a five-year-old girl was confirmed dead at Juba Teaching Hospital where she was taken to following the incident yesterday (Tuesday)," said Khan.

The Ilyushin-76 cargo aircraft was contracted by the WFP to airdrop food in South Sudan. It hit a tree and then the metal roof of the single-storey house as it tried to land at Juba airport in heavy rain and low visibility. The aircraft's jet blast damaged a second house as it climbed sharply up.

The aircraft then diverted to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. During an emergency landing, its main landing gear collapsed as metal roofing sheets were entangled in it.

"The safety and well-being of the people of South Sudan are our top priority. We and the aviation authorities will closely examine what happened so that more innocent lives are not put at risk," Khan said.

The UN agency extended its deepest condolences to the family, pledging to provide all possible support to them in this terrible tragedy.

"An official investigation is underway and the aircraft will be carefully reviewed to discover what caused it to be so low," Khan said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 02:22:13|Editor: Xiang Bo

Smoke rises after the artillery fire of the Lebanese Hezbollah group and the Syrian army targeted the positions of the Islamic State (IS) militants in Qara town, western Qalamoun region, Syria, on Aug. 23, 2017. The Lebanese Hezbollah group and Syrian army are dealing heavy blow to the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria's Qalamoun region near Lebanon to end the presence of the terror-designated group in the border region between both countries. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

by Hummam Sheikh Ali

QARA, Syria, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Hezbollah group and Syrian army are dealing heavy blow to the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria's Qalamoun region near Lebanon to end the presence of the terror-designated group in the border region between both countries.

Just a couple of weeks after dislodging the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front from the Fleita barrens in western Qalamoun region, Hezbollah and the Syrian army went on with a wide-scale offensive to eliminate IS from the Qara and Jarajir badlands in Qalamoun.

Both battles took place on the Lebanese and Syrian sides of the borders, as such mountainous, rugged terrains between Lebanon and Syria are entwined with one another.

The current battle against IS, however, is different than the previous one with al-Qaida-linked groups, as a deal was reached for the evacuation of Syrian Nusra Front militants from Lebanon toward rebel-held areas in Idlib province in northwestern Syria earlier this month.

This time the IS militants will have no choice but to fight till the end or surrender, as there are no truces on the horizon akin to what happened with the Nusra militants.

One soldier told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that IS militants will either die or surrender in Qalamoun.

Another officer said ending IS presence in the border region is important for Syria and Lebanon.

"The battle against IS in the barrens of Qara and Jarajir is part of the bigger battle against the terror group in Syria," he told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

He added that it's an important achievement in Qara as it will further secure the perimeter around the capital Damascus, which is only 100 km northwest of Damascus and within the administrative borders of the Damascus countryside.

Qara has also a residential part, where civilians are still there despite the battles that have flared in the barrens of that area.

Hezbollah and the army have already taken very strategic hilltops and heights in the barrens of Qara and the adjacent Jarajir barrens and are heavily shelling the IS positions as IS has become almost besieged there.

It was strange at first sight when looking to such badlands and how the IS militants were stationing there with their families as no water or any source of food is located.

But the area is strategic, soldiers said, due to its proximity to Lebanon and Damascus.

At one mountain top in Qara, around six artilleries and tanks were stationed, bombing the areas of IS with smoke rising from the opposite side when the shell lands.

Airstrikes were also backing the ground forces of Hezbollah in their push to eliminate IS in that region, which is considered as tough battles due to the geographic nature of the area and the fact that its open with no place to hide.

Many IS militants have surrendered themselves since Aug. 19 when the battle against them in the barrens of Qara started.

And when the barrens of Qara are cleared, the entire borderline with Lebanon will be secured and back under the government control.

Little white tents of Hezbollah were seen in the slops of the mountains, as the group setup such tents whenever they advance and place fighters there.

At the road to the barrens, a giant poster of Hezbollah leader sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, with one of his famous statements "we will be whenever we have to be."

Hezbollah has played a very important role in the battle against the terror-designated groups and other radical rebels in Syria since they stepped in to back the government forces in 2013.

The precision and accuracy as well as the organized nature of Hezbollah have made it very good in the guerrilla warfare against the rebels, experts say.

The group is heavily backed by Iran, a main ally of the Syrian government, and its presence is essential to back up the Syrian army in its fight against the foreign-backed rebels.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 02:37:20|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Peter Mutai

NAIROBI, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The village or town crier who for centuries has been used as a sole means of communication between the rulers and their subjects in the traditional African communities is still a hit in large parts of western Kenya.

Even as the communication trend moves to digital platforms, village criers continue to dominate the announcement scene in the region, passing information to the people in their native languages.

They go about their business announcing forthcoming meetings, political rallies, lost children and livestock, future weddings, deaths of locals, and relatives that pass on elsewhere.

John Ochieng, from Kolonde village in Karachuonyo, western Kenya, is one such town crier that has become very popular with villagers.

Having started his job three years ago, he has excelled in his trade and earned re-election whenever new village office bearers look for a new team.

"My talent has been discovered by the villagers who admire my unique announcing skill," Ochieng, who is popularly known as "Ochieng Nduu," told Xinhua during a recent interview.

His fellow villagers elect officials annually to help champion development matters and link them with the local government administrators and elected political leadership.

In his role, Ochieng announces village meetings on behalf of the chairman for free, but he does not have to pay his monthly dues as a member of the same village.

However, for private announcements, he charges the equivalent of 2 U.S. dollars and above, depending on negotiations with the client.

Ochieng often opens his announcement by his signature tune "Mano VoK ma Kolonde....chik iti kendo lor radio," which means, in Luo, "This is the Voice of Kolonde (VoK), switch off your radio and pay attention."

Like the management of the traditional media that knows when to place commercial announcements, Ochieng said that he often makes his announcements from 7 p.m. as this is the time to find most people relaxing at home.

"At this hour, many people have returned home from the market, farms, while others are at home preparing food or eating," the 53- year-old farmer added.

Most town criers usually carry information from the village elders and other clients, walk through the village and shout the message for the villagers to hear.

Some use gongs, drum or bell to help attract people's attention.

Ochieng, who uses a trumpet in delivering his messages that is repeated twice for clarity purposes, revealed that morning announcements are not received well by the people.

Since Ochieng took over this job, death messages lead in terms of paid announcements placed to him by his clients.

"Meetings' turnout after Ochieng's announcement is always excellent given that the villagers are accustomed to his voice and identify it with authority," John Abeka, the clan elder, said.

Abeka said town (village) criers should be employed by the county government to make public announcements in the villages, for their role is highly valued by the society.

"Ochieng serves us well because he has a loud and clear voice, and above all he is a reliable person," Abeka added.

According to Humphrey Ojwang, a senior lecturer at University of Nairobi's Linguistic and Anthropology Department, town criers were the forerunners of the modern announcer who delivers radio and television commercials.

"Town criers are folk media personalities who inform, educate, entertain and inspire," Ojwang said.

Even though the practice was passed down from father to son for many generations, children these days don't admire the role, but this has not stopped the practice from thriving alongside social media.

"The crier, just like radio and television announcers, has remained in the forefront in promoting public health campaigns and fight against HIV-AIDS epidemic, besides spearheading development issues within the locality," Ojwang told Xinhua.

By imparting information and ideas orally, the crier educates the masses and helps in promoting fundamental and inalienable human rights, as a indispensable component of democracy.

In pre-colonial days, especially when many in traditional African societies could neither read nor write, criers were made the chief means of news communication with people of a town or village.

Today, they still serve well both literate and illiterate villagers in Kenya, refusing to fade from the scene, despite new, innovative techniques of sharing information.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 03:27:55|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KHARTOUM, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday vowed to take arms collection as priority in Darfur region, warning of manifestation of security disturbance there, official SUNA news agency reported.

He reiterated that the government would not tolerate any manifestation of security disturbance in Darfur.

Al-Bashir on Wednesday met in Khartoum with North Darfur State Governor Abdul-Wahid Yousif.

Following the meeting, Yousif said al-Bashir informed him with the necessity of continuation of arms collection as a step towards eliminating arms from Darfur region.

The president further directed the governor to preserve the security and stability achieved, the report said.

Al-Bashir also directed the governor to work for resettlement of displaced people and tackle the security and humanitarian situation.

On Aug. 7, the Sudanese government launched a campaign for collecting arms and unlicensed vehicles in Sudan's Darfur region.

During a visit to Darfur states last year, al-Bashir stressed the country's determination to collect arms in the region and divided the project into two phases, the first through financial compensation for each piece collected and the second through a compulsory law that included punishment to the violators.

Earlier, the government announced formation of a High Committee for collection of arms and unlicensed vehicles.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, August 23, 2017. (Reuters Photo)

ANKARA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed Turkey's unease over U.S. support to the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) during his meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday.

During their meeting in capital Ankara, Erdogan and Mattis discussed bilateral and regional issues, according to Anadolu Agency, citing a presidential source.

The discussion included U.S. support to the YPG and Turkey's possible military operation against the YPG in Syria. Erdogan stressed Turkey's unease with the U.S. support for the Syrian Democratic Unity Party military group, to which YPG is aligned, and the alleged Syrian affiliate of the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK).

Erdogan and Mattis emphasized the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq, as Kurdish northern Iraq gears up for an independence referendum in September.

The two sides also reiterated their determination to fight against PKK and Islamic State in the region, the source said.

During his visit, Mattis also separately met his Turkish counterpart Nurettin Canikli.

Mattis's visit comes after Iranian Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri visited Ankara last week to discuss with Turkish officials a joint operation against the Kurdish militants in Iran.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 04:43:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MEXICO CITY, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Mexico on Wednesday said it was confident the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will continue as planned, despite U.S. threats of withdrawing from the deal.

Mexico's Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade downplayed statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, saying the U.S. will quit the trade agreement, if talks don't go his way.

Trump's statements "are no more than a sign that they too ... are immersed in a process of negotiation," Meade said in an interview with radio stations.

Mexico's Foreign Affairs Minister Luis Videgaray agreed, dismissing the threat as a negotiating tactic and as typical Trump bluster.

"The United States is negotiating and doing so in a very clear way. (Trump) is a very big guy who is negotiating," Videgaray told the radio news outlets.

At a political rally in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump told his supporters he doubted a deal was possible.

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal. I think we'll probably end up terminating NAFTA at some point," said Trump.

Indicating the existing agreement should be dissolved, so a new one could take its place, he added, "I personally don't think you can make a deal without a termination."

During his campaign, Trump promised to bring back jobs and industry to the United States by renegotiating the two-decade accord with Mexico and Canada.

The first round of negotiation took place last week in Washington, and Mexico is to host the second round in September.

"The threat is not surprising. He is talking to the people from his campaign ... you realize he is negotiating," said Videgaray.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 05:19:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Justice Lee Adoboe

ACCRA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- A number of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana lost about 250 million Ghana cedis or 56.24 million U.S dollars in the crippling energy crisis that hit the country from 2011 to 2015.

This was contained in a study undertaken by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana and was revealed here on Wednesday.

Patrick Asuming, economist who presented part of the report, explained that each of the firms lost an average of 10 days in power supply every month.

"When firms are without electricity for any additional day, it reduced their output by 1 percent; again, because in a given month they were without electricity for 10 days, if you multiply it, it comes to 10 percent of output being lost. The use of machinery falls by just about 6 percent in the month and also the use of raw materials falls significantly by almost 14 percent," Asuming disclosed.

Another economist from ISSER, Charles Ackah, who also presented parts of the study carried out between August and September 2016 among 885 SMEs, said more needed to be done to ascertain the full economic and social impact of the power crisis.

Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Alfred Ofosu-Ahenkorah, observed that the report had brought to the fore the critical necessity of energy in economic development.

"I am getting convinced that for economic development, we need energy that has the following four characteristics: it must be available, reliable, affordable and sustainable," Ofosu-Ahenkorah said.

"If you lose any of these parameters, you lose your energy value chain, you lose your energy system. And I believe that with the coming on stream of the gas fields in Ghana, we would be able to improve on reliability and availability," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 05:39:09|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday the suspension of visa operations at the U.S. embassy in Russia was not a "retaliation against Russia" but due to the staff cuts.

"The United States is not retaliating against Russia in any way, shape or form," said the State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert in a press briefing.

The U.S. embassy in Russia said Monday that it will suspend all nonimmigrant visa operations across Russia for nine days starting Wednesday due to the Russian government-imposed cap on U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia.

"Because we've had to reduce the number of people who adjudicate visas, we had to put a pause on visa applications for Russians," said Nauert.

The Consular affairs offices in Russia will resume visa operations, but will be "at a reduced pace," Nauert added.

In July, Russia demanded the United States cut its diplomatic staff in Russia by 755 people to 455 by Sept. 1, the latest move from Russia amid its souring relations with the United States.

Kremlin also ordered to seize a U.S. warehouse and a recreational compound in Moscow in retaliation for Washington's anti-Russian sanctions.

The staff cuts were followed by the U.S. visa freeze, an act which Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed to "provoke dissatisfaction of our citizens with the activities of the Russian authorities."

In December 2016, 35 Russian diplomats were expelled and two retreats in New York and Maryland used by Russian diplomats were closed by the Obama administration over accusations of alleged Russian hacking during the U.S. presidential election.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 05:54:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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CARACAS, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's Prosecutor General Tarek William Saab on Wednesday dismissed allegations of graft made by his predecessor Luisa Ortega Diaz against the president and his top aides.

Ortega, who fled the country last week and is now in Brazil, claimed she had evidence of wrongdoing by President Nicolas Maduro and others in his administration.

Ortega, a vocal critic of Maduro's administration, was under investigation for fueling violent anti-government protests. Her husband, who fled with her, was also being investigated for alleged extortion.

At a press conference, Saab said Ortega's counter-accusations were a smokescreen designed to deflect attention away from her own crimes.

Addressing Ortega, Saab said the evidence he had was "so concrete, so strong, so tremendous that you are not going to be able to cover it up with the allegations being made abroad."

In Brasilia, Ortega had claimed Maduro and two senior government officials benefited from a multinational bribery scheme operated by Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, which paid officials in exchange for lucrative public works contracts.

Ortega said she would hand over the documents to the authorities of the United States, Colombia and Spain "so they can investigate."

According to Saab, Ortega would have made the allegations earlier, if they were true.

"Why didn't she and why is she cooperating 10 years later and from outside the country?" he asked, adding that her accusations could be part of an attempt to smear Maduro and the ruling socialist party.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 06:09:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DOHA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chad decided to shut Qatar embassy in Ndjamena and expel its staff after 10 days, accusing Doha of seeking to destabilize the country via Libya, Al Jazeera website said on Wednesday.

"Given the continued involvement of the state of Qatar in the attempts at the destabilization of Chad from Libya, the government has decided on the closure of the embassy and the departure of the ambassador and diplomatic personnel from national territory," the report cited a Chad statement as saying.

The statement added that the decision was driven by the will to "safeguard peace and stability in the region" and Chad's government would close its diplomatic mission in Doha and recall all personnel in the upcoming days.

Chad, Mauritania and Senegal all recalled their ambassadors from Qatar in June.

They acted after Saudi Arabia-led quartet cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5 and imposed a full blockade on it, stopping all land, air and sea traffic with it.

Qatar was accused of destabilizing the region with its support for Islamist groups and terrorism, but the rich tiny Gulf nation has denied all the charges.

Senegal has decided to reappoint its ambassador to Qatar Tuesday, after a telephone conversation between Qatar's Amir sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Senegal's President Macky Sall.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-24 06:29:32|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Eric J. Lyman

ROME, Aug.23 (Xinhua) -- Positive macroeconomic news continues to trickle in for Italy. But with the economic fate of the euro-zone's third largest economy closely linked to the economic health of the European Union as a whole, analysts said both sides are more dependent on each other than ever before.

Estimates for Italy's economic growth continue to inch higher. In the latest developments, ISTAT, Italy's National Statistics Institute, said the country's economy grew 0.4 percent in the second quarter and 1.5 percent over the last year. Those figures would be modest in many countries, but for Italy, it's the most robust economic growth since 2011.

In recent months, ISTAT, the Central Bank of Italy, the European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have all adjusted their estimates for Italian economic growth over the rest of the year and in 2018 upward.

The biggest main driver behind the improving economy is exports, with export growth mainly to European Union members Germany, France, Britain and Spain. Those four countries accounted for more than a third of Italy's total exports last year. Seven of Italy's 10 largest trading partners are in the 28-member EU bloc.

Tourism is another key growth sector for Italy. Six of the top 10 countries providing the most tourists in Italy are from the European Union, and the top country of origin -- Germany -- each year sends around 11 million tourists to Italy, nearly as many as the next three countries on the list combined.

"If growth in the European Union slows for whatever reason, Italy will suffer more than most other European countries," Pietro Paganini, a professor at Rome's John Cabot University, and co-founder of the Competere think tank, told Xinhua.

"Even in the context of the improving growth, Italy's economy remains one of the most fragile in Europe. There's no doubt that Italy's growth is on the back of growth in Europe as a whole."

Mario Pianta, an economist with the University of Urbino, agreed. Pianta said in an interview that Italy is more dependent on the good health of the European economy as a whole.

"When Europe's economy is performing well, it becomes much less difficult for Italy to do the same," Pianta said, noting that despite the optimism around Italy's economy in recent months, models continue to its growth rate will trail that of the European Union.

But the reverse is also true, economists and commentators believe that if Italy's economy starts to falter, it could have an over-sized impact on the good health of Europe's economy.

Italy has the third largest economy in the euro zone -- trailing only Germany and France -- dwarfing the economies of other troubled euro zone economies. If Italy were to start having serious economic issues, it could start to cloud the future of the euro currency, something which would have what Riccardo Paterno, an economist with Federico II University in Naples, called a "multiplying effect."

But the good news, according to Paterno and the others, is that it appears unlikely Italy will have economic problems of that magnitude, at least in the medium term.

"Italy's economy has many problems," Paterno told Xinhua. "But it is stable enough that I think we can consider a major collapse in the coming years a very remote possibility."
Inspector and wife to appear in court today

Ramdass and the 36-year-old woman were arrested on Thursday last by members of the Fraud Squad led by Senior Superintendent Totaram Dookhie. The woman was arrested at the couples Princes Town home while Ramdass was arrested at the Piarco International Airport where he was based.

It is alleged that during a search of the home, police found millions of dollars worth of jewellry and other valuables.

The charges were laid by Sgt Cornelius Samuel assisted by ASP Ghisiyawan, Sgt Thomas, Cpl Bassarath and PC Adams after Assistant DPP Joan Honore-Paul gave directions.

When Ramdass, who was granted station bail on Sunday, appeared before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John yesterday, hearing of the matter was delayed because his wife was not yet taken to the court.

Newsday was told police were still processing the charges at the Maraval Police Station. The matter was subsequently adjourned.
Guaya woman robbed, raped

The woman was then gangraped by the intruders.

Police said the victims were at their home at about 10 pm when two men, one armed with a gun, entered the couples home and announced a hold-up.

The husband was then tied up and his wife was taken to a room where the men sexually assaulted her.

After the bandits fled, the victims made a report to the Mayaro police and the crime scene was processed.

The woman was taken to a district medical officer where she was treated.
HEADS MUST ROLL...INCLUDING MINE

Newsday asked Sinanan if the term crookedness adopted by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, at a press conference after a meeting with Tobago stakeholders on Monday, was too strong.

At the launch yesterday of the Heavy-T inspection bay at the Frederick Settlement, Caroni, licensing office, Sinanan declined weighing in on the comment saying, The prime minister will use whatever language he thinks is appropriate. All I can say is that I welcome the investigation and I think the population needs to know exactly what went on. Asked whether Rowleys view, that there was crookedness involved in the procurement process for the Ocean Flower II, was an indictment on him (Sinanan) as the line minister, he said, I dont think so. I think the report that has been asked for will indicate exactly where if you want to use the wordthe crookedness has taken place.

Once the facts show that there was crookedness, I think heads should roll.

And if there is an indictment on the minister, then I think the ministers head should roll. If it is on the board, then the board should roll. And if it is at the management, then the management needs to be accountable.

So lets wait for the report.

I could give you the assurance that once the report shows up anything, I know the prime minister will do what he has to do. Asked if hed like to identify with a former US presidents statement, I am not a crook, Sinanan replied, Well, the thing about it is that I have stood for certain things, which is integrity in public affairs, and Ill stick to the oath of office that I have sworn to upkeep. So I have no fear that the investigation will show anything on the minister.

If you understand how these agreements work, the minister has hardly any role to play.

The procurement is done by the management of the port. Then it goes to the ports tenders committee. Then it goes to the board. Then the board makes the recommendation to the ministry and the minister then takes it to Cabinet and Cabinet approves it.

So if you follow the chain of events, theres hardly anywhere for the minister to get involved.

I look forward to the investigation and Im very confident that the investigation will not bring anything up on the questions on the minister. Responding to former trade minister Stephen Cadizs claim that the Ocean Flower 2 is on its way to Trinidad despite its contract being cancelled, Sinanan replied, I have no comment on that. Im not tracking the vessel.

Im the Minister of Works and Transport; the Port Authority is the authority to deal with the vessels and, so, I just wait for a report from them.

The last report I had is that they have cancelled the contract, and that is where the Government stands.
Missing hiker found dead off precipice

Baird, 55, went missing on Saturday after a hike to Aripo waterfall with a 65-member party from Fitness Focus club. The hikers set off at 5.54 am on the five mile trek to the waterfall, spending the afternoon there before preparing to return to Mt Poui Road, Arima, where the hike began, at about 5.30 pm. When they got to the starting point they realised Baird was not with them.

He was an experienced hiker, Trevor Pantin, Bairds elder brother told reporters at the Aripo Community Centre, where relatives assembled after learning he had been found. It was not the news they had prayed for.

I wasnt thinking negative, I was always thinking positive, Pantin said.

One of the last people to see Baird was his daughter-in-law, Madea Baird, an experienced hiker who was part of the hiking group.

Pantin said Madea last saw Baird as he was putting on his backpack, and called out to let him know she was going ahead with some of the hikers. Baird, a father of five, was in the back with about six others.

It remains unclear what happened to Baird. His body had to remain in the Aripo forest last evening as a National Operations Centre helicopter was unable to land on the terrain due to fading light.

Since Saturday, several searches were made for the Petrotrin manager by a team of hikers, soldiers, police and fire officers, as well as volunteers. At about mid-day yesterday, a search party was on the same trail when they were drawn by a stench emanating from a precipice.

Some of the hikers, with the assistance of soldiers, rappelled down the precipice where they found Bairds body. A helicopter was on stand-by at a field near the community centre to fly out the district medical officer and a few crime scene investigators but this exercise has been postponed to today.

Pantin said Baird was healthy and dispelled reports he had diabetes and may have suffered a drop in his blood sugar, causing him to fall behind. He questioned how none of the guides, and other hikers experienced with the trail did not notice Baird was not among them.

They should have somebody in the front, somebody in the middle and somebody on the end. The person in the back should leave nobody behind, said Pantin. Even by chance, if a person is sick, the person in the back should stay right through. Im not putting any blame on anybody. But Im saying that if youre going on a hike, it is my view that there should be a line of people. The last man should always have somebody there. Bairds eldest son, Kern, said he encouraged his father, who was fit, to go on the hike.

Hes into fitness. He does swimming, he does walks and he hikes, said Kern, adding his father introduced him to hiking when he was a scout.

He admits his father was not familiar with the Aripo trail.

This trail is a designated nine difficulty and its a trail you will get a burn from. Hence why I encouraged him to do it because he is into fitness, he said.

Kern said he always kept faith that his father would be found.

I never had a doubt, even when they said they found a body and said it still needed to be confirmed, I still had hope, he said. Im not shaken as yet. I need to be strong for my family. Despite his loss, Kern said he did not blame the hikes organisers and thanked all who helped to search for his father.

Aripo resident Richard Caesar Valentine, a member of yesterdays search team, said the terrain leading to Aripo waterfall is very bad.

Head of Fitness Focus Mario Russell, who had been with the team searching for Baird since Saturday, said yesterday he was deeply shaken by the incident and is considering discontinuing the hike, popular among members, as part of the clubs activities
$1.5m stolen stolen from Arima Corp

Hosein disclosed the information yesterday during the signing of permanent establishments for daily rated workers at the ministrys head office at Kent House, Long Circular Road, Maraval.

A total of 645 daily rated workers from nine regional corporations, including the Point Fortin and Chaguanas borough corporations, have been promoted to fill vacancies in the ministry.

While the ministry is still gathering information, Hosein said one person is in police custody and the matter is being investigated by the Fraud Squad.

CEOs, you all have to be more careful, he said. It is not only about being in charge but you have to be responsible. Hosein called on CEOs of the corporations to be very vigilant and to do the job honestly and sincerely because it is a serious matter.

CEOs have a duty to advise the council and to do so properly. No one is in charge of any corporation.

You are responsible. You have a responsibility.

It does not belong to you. You must have consultation with everybody. I want you all to take charge of the corporation and advise councils properly. He continued, I have been getting a lot of negative reports.

People come to work late, which is a fact. They come to work nine oclock and leave two oclockand that should not be tolerated at all.

When the daily paid workers see the supervisors doing this, what do you expect? They will do the same thing. It should not happen. Hosein said he has evidence of other misbehaviour.

The use of government vehicles in all councilsplease do the right thing. The vehicles do not belong to you, just as the corporations do not belong to you. Dont take it home and keep it overnight. Put the logo on the vehicles. I have evidence where people go home with vehicles Sunday to Sunday, overtime going up to hundreds of thousands of dollars and should not be so. He continued, No one is bigger than no body in this job. It is happening in most of the corporations. President of the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW), James Lambert called on the government to do more for the regional corporations, and said the signing should have taken place months ago.
TT Express electrical issue delays sailings

Newsday Tobago understands the vessel experienced electrical problems however,it evetually departed at 5.15 pm . The 4pm sailing from Port of Spain to Tobago, was also delayed. Ferry passengers whose travel plans were disrupted by the the malfunctioning ferry moved to the ANR Robinson International airport in Cown Point to try to get on a flight to Trinidad, causing mass chaos at the airport at about 6 pm last night. Meanwhile, public relations officer of the TT Inter-island Transportation Co, Vilma Lewis-Cockburn told Newsday Tobago on Tuesday that it is certain the T&T Express will operate and service the sea bridge, despite its mechanical problems and its overdue maintenance works until another alternative is available.

There are no plans to send the water taxi out to assist the T&T Express for the rest of the week as the issue has already been addressed, she said last night in relation to the whole day delayed sailing.

The T&T Express will be able to transport passengers until it goes on dry-dock in October when the T&T Spirit returns out to sea. I cannot say if the issues with the engine were resolved but what I can say is that the engine is working and the boat is still operating, she said of theT&T Express. : VPsvetaines.lt - internetini? puslapi? k?rimas
Half-hour transactions at Caroni Licensing

He spoke with Newsday at the launch of the Heavy-T Inspection Bay at the Caroni office yesterday.

The Transport Division has been moving apace this year to upgrade services, to do business processing, re-engineering, to get a lot of the things out faster. Most of them have been tested here at Caroni and its working well, Richards said.

The average processing time for a normal service here at Caroni is basically about half-hour. So you could come in here and get your drivers permit and certified copies of these things. You could do most services, including inspection, here now.

You could apply for your licence.

When you came in youd probably have seen some people across there doing their driving test.

We have started a new electronic registration extract, so we no longer give you the extract in handwriting. Your certified copy and your information is on the computer.

Once your vehicle is ready, you could apply for a certified copy in any part of the country and get it readily.

The time for maxi-taxi and school bus services has been reduced from four months to one week. You get a phone call telling you that your process is ready and that you could come in and finish your business, and do your transfers for your vehicle here. He quipped, People come in here and might chide us because they dont even have time to fraternise with other members of the public. They just get called in and they move out.

Im asking people to come and test the Caroni experience. They say our customer service is one of the best in the country.
EMA initiates process to further protect Scarlet Ibis

This undertaking would signal being given to the protection of this symbol of our national pride, a major tourist attraction and source of livelihoods for tour-operators, the EMA said.

Last week, three men were held in the Caroni Bird Sanctuary with Scarlet Ibis parts by game wardens. They were charged under the Conservation of Wildlife Act for hunting a protected species.

The EMA said the fines they would face were woefully inadequate.

The current fines are $1,000 or, in default, are liable to be sent to jail for three months.

The penalty or offences committed against an ESS is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

This is one hundred times the existing penalty which the EMA says is the punitive measure needed as part of enforcement measures to prevent the decimation of the Scarlet Ibis in the Caroni Swamp.

As an additional measure, the EMA is also examining the increased protection of the Caroni Swamp, habitat for the Scarlet Ibis, by designating it as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) under the Rules established in 2001. The EMA said although the Caroni Swamp is already protected through its designation as a Ramsar Site of International Importance (in 1993) and as a Prohibited Area under the Forests Act, the ESA designation would provide additional protection and benefits.

In a release, the Ministry of Agriculture Land & Fisheries said to combat the problem, Rambharat pursued interagency cooperation with various agencies including law enforcement and environmental management officials.

Apart from jail time and increased fines, this agreement also opens the door to joint patrols of the Caroni Bird Sanctuary by the Ministrys game wardens and the EMAs environmental police unit, Rambharat said.

The ministry said in the months ahead other initiatives will also likely help in the fight against poaching and slow the plunder of the prized Scarlet Ibis.

These include a partnership with the Zoological Society that would see an additional patrol vessel in the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, collaboration with the police, the Army and the Coast Guard to ramp up law enforcement in the area, and steps to have game warden vacancies filled by the Public Service Commission.
Las Lomas to get new community centre

Community Development, Culture and the Arts Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly; La Horquetta/Talparo MP Maxie Cuffie and Urban Development Corporation of TT (Udecott) chairman Noel Garcia officially turned the sod for the construction of the new centre on the site of the old centre in Las Lomas #2 yesterday.

The cost of the project is approximately $9.7 million.

After the ceremony, Garcia told Newsday the centre was one of 12 which Udecott was undertaking works on. He said three centres had been opened to date and Udecott hoped to complete the remainder in fiscal 2018.

Cuffie, who is also Public Administration and Communications minister, said the need for a community centre was brought to his attention early during the 2015 general election campaign. He said he was pleased the project was under way.

Cuffie updated the residents on other works taking place in the constituency.

He said Government was doing its best to ensure there was equitable distribution of works across the constituency.

Gadsby-Dolly agreed with Cuffie about the need for a new community centre in Las Lomas#2. She told the gathering the provision and upgrade of such centres was one of the key activities at her ministry. Gadsby-Dolly appealed to residents for patience in the construction of the centre.

She was confident the centre would be built within time and within budget.

The new centre will cover 9,400 square feet of land. The facility will have a training kitchen for the culinary arts and science, administrative offices, classrooms, an audio visual room, gym, computer lab, male/female dressing rooms, an auditorium to accommodate 200 people, a stage, access for disabled people and air-conditioning.
25 delegates head to ACP in October

This was announced yesterday by Oil Field Trade Union (OWTU) education and research officer Ozzi Warwick during a press conference at the OWTU Headquarters, Paramount Building, San Fernando.

In the year 1994 the first assembly was held in Trinidad and Tobago which saw the attendance of 400 delegates from across the Caribbean. Warwick explained that the ACP was a dynamic collective construction by social movement which had a role to play in shaping the destiny of a society. Warwick said the social movement comprised of farmers, trade unions, youth and other community groups that had come together to discuss matters affecting the Caribbean in the context of the current global situation.

The theme for event is Confronting the global crisis together, we strengthen the movement for the integration of the Caribbean and the welfare of our people. Warwick said that, in recent times, the people of the Caribbean were confronted with the reality of a global crisis that made the future extremely uncertain.

He said, These challenges place greater hardships to people across the Caribbean as some of these challenges include climate change which results in an increase in natural disasters such as; earthquakes and hurricanes. Warwick added that other issues to be discussed included the rise of nationalism in the global north with the election of US president Donald Trump.

He said, We want to condemn strongly the threat by the Donald Trump administration against Venezuela as we are seeing another tendancy towards imperial intervention.
Udecott chairman expects busy 2018

Accepting there will be many entities that will be competing for funding for fiscal 2018 and the current economic circumstances, Garcia said Udecott would be grateful for whatever allocation it receives in the Budget. He identified the construction of new police stations in Roxborough and Old Grange in Tobago as well as new stations in Carenage and Matelot as some key national security projects Udecott has placed priority on for fiscal 2018.

He said Udecott wants to complete the Penal Fire Station and start construcion on a fire station in Arouca. Upgrade works at the Remand Yard in Golden Grove, Arouca is also high on Udecotts list in fiscal 2018.

Last Thursday, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon announced Cabinet approved a sum of approximately $56 million to undertake those works.

Garcia said Udecott wants to continue and finish new hospitals in Point Fortin and Arima.
Naps, Pres principals satisfied with exam results

Meanwhile, principal of Presentation College in San Fernando Dexter Mitchell said he was still going through the results but was able to provide details of the students performance.

He said although the Olevel students have performed well, the only issue of concern to him is the students performance in the English B examination since 78 per cent out of 100 per cent passed the exam whereas in the English language examination, 98 per cent of students passed.

Mitchell said there had been significant improvements in some subject areas and added that in subjects like principles of accounts, principles of business, information technology and physical education he got 100 per cent passes. Expressing his satisfaction with the consistent performance of students, he acknowledged the tremendous improvements made at CAPE level.

He said in subjects like Caribbean studies, the performance of students moved from less than 20 per cent grade ones to 95 per cent grade ones this year in comparison to last year. He highlighted Joel Kissoon who attained 14 passes.
180 vehicles auctioned at Port

Facilitated by Edward Soon & Company, the auction was held at the Port of Port of Spain, Wrightson Road.

When cargo remains unclaimed for more than six months on the Port, the Port has the right to auction the property said lead auctioneer and managing director of the company Edward Soon.

In this case, most of the vehicles were foreign used cars imported from Japan.

Soon, an auctioneer for over 20 years, said the events usually drew a large number of people, especially from the foreign used car sector. He added that the recession did not seem to be affecting turnout.

Bidding started at whatever price the crowd deems fit, he said, and was settled by whomever gave the highest bid. Nonetheless, the price was often much lower than on the open market, Soon said. He said that after the vehicle was sold it was up to the bidder to settle the registration and other legal aspects.

Public auctions of unclaimed goods found left at the countrys ports are governed by the Disposal of Uncleared Goods Act. After all the expenses of the auction are settled, the profits are sent to the consolidated fund.

Newsday attempted to contact the Port Authority for comment but did not get a response.
Labour to meet with PM today

In a release, the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), National Trade Union Centre (Natuc) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs (FITUN) said they received official correspondence from the OPM in which Rowley requested a meeting with them today.

JTUM, Natuc and FITUN representatives delivered a letter to the OPM last Friday, requesting a meeting with Rowley.
Massive turnout for UWIs eclipse viewing

UWI Star Gazers hosted a public viewing at the JFK Quadrangle and were surprised by how many people attended the event.

President of the club, Ariel Chitan said, We never expected this many people so at the moment we dont even have enough equipment for everyone. She said the club provided four telescopes which resulted in long lines of patrons hoping to see the crescent shaped portion of the sun left uncovered by the moon.

They also ordered 100 solar eclipse glasses which were not enough for the crowd of over 300.

I wish we could have provided more glasses, telescopes and even better facilities for everyone who came out today. She called on citizens to appreciate the beauty of astronomy even when a big event such as the eclipse is not taking place.

We all have an innate interest, persons just have to go outside and look at the sky. Public relations officer Matthew Tung said, While it is true that many only become interested when events like these take place, astronomy is much like art. To appreciate it you have to get the knowledge about it. He said the aim of the viewing was to invite members of the public to learn and continue pursuing astronomy as a hobby.

UWI Star Gazers is open to the public. We have monthly meetings after which we have star viewing with the telescope. While awaiting their turn to view the eclipse through the telescope, patrons exchanged solar eclipse glasses and looked through handmade pinhole cameras.

Chitan said she was pleased to see members of the public taking the health of their eyes seriously as they heeded warnings and took the necessary precautions.
Trini on UN sanctions list

Crawford of Enterprise, Chaguanas, shot to public prominence when he was featured in a photo of Trinidadian nationals fighting for Islamic State and in ISIS propaganda online in 2015.

He was a detainee in the former governments state of emergency.

The statement said the UN Security Council has established the ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee under the councils Resolutions 1267 (of 1999), 1989 (of 2011) and 2253 (of 2015).

This Committee maintains a list of persons and entities against whom targeted financial sanctions are applied by the United Nations and member countries. The statement said if Crawford wishes to be removed from the list, he or a representative may submit representations to the Attorney General.

In another statement, AG Faris Al-Rawi explained Crawfords listing was done pursuant to a Government proposal to key international allies after his office obtained a High Court order on March 31 declaring Crawford a listed entity and ordering his funds be frozen under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Rowleys crooked announcement undermines sole investigator

He said yesterday the suspension of the Port Authoritys (PATT) chief executive officer after the appointment of the sole investigator, businessman Christian Mouttet to investigate the fiasco, suggests that the culprit, or a scapegoat, has already been identified. As sole investigator, Khan said, it was expected Mouttet would have provided an explanation of what transpired in the negotiations and identify those involved.

Rowleys view a week after Mouttets appointment, Khan said, raises the question as to whether Mouttets investigation is meant to uncover the truth surrounding the matter or merely discover facts that may be woven into the narrative being spun by the prime minister and his administration. He questioned whether stakeholders and the nation can have any confidence in the PATTs current board acquiring a new vessel after the fiasco occurred under its watch.

Khan said while blame may be pinned on an employee or more, it does not excuse chairman Alison Lewis and the board members who were overseeing the process. Red flags should have immediately went up when it was realised that local personnel would have been unable to inspect either of the two vessels prior to the signing of the charter agreement. Any other administration would have considered as gross incompetence bordering on criminal negligence Lewis finalising negotiations and advising Cabinet to approve the deal before Bridgemans Services Group had even fully acquired the cargo vessel Cabo Star and Ocean Flower II, Khan said.

Khan said despite businesses in Tobago losing millions of dollars during what should have been a peak season for them as vessels currently servicing the seabridge are not sufficient to handle the traffic, Rowley was attempting to deflect from the matter when he should be finding a resolution.

He said a proactive administration would have monitored the situation after the first deadline for delivery of the Ocean Flower II was missed. On the failure to deliver by the second deadline, he said, alternative planning should have immediately gone into place.
Indarsingh slams Corporation corruption comments

MP Couva South Rudranath Indarsingh made the comments yesterday when he called on Hosein to do his home-work instead of sensationalising and attempting to broad brush the tenure of the Peoples Partnership coalition.

Do not attempt to demoralise hard-working officers such as those in the DMU (Disaster Management Unit) and so on by making broad brush allegations of corruption. You must do this when you visit corporations under the control of the PNM, Indarsingh suggested.

Indarsingh was speaking at the launch of an awareness initiative about hurricane straps at a house at Windsor Park, California.

It is a collaboration between the Couva/ Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC), the Couva/ Point Lisas Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Sagicor General Insurance Inc.

Indarsingh said the corporation has very diligent, committed and hardworking and resourceful employees.

He commended Chairman Henry Awong and other council members for filling a void in terms of leadership and innovativeness by partnering in the initiative.

However, Indarsingh blasted the line ministry saying since Tropical Storm Brett, there has been no leadership in terms of resources trickling down from the ministry so that it could be of benefit to the CTTRC and its burgesses.

Rather than attempting to attack the integrity of the employees of CTTRC, the Minister must engage in a process of motivating employees so that they could continue to strive in improving the quality of life of all citizens of T&T from a local government fraternity point of view, Indarsingh added.

But responding to Indarsinghs comments, Hosein told Newsday that he never went after the CTTRC.

I never went against anybody as a matter of fact. Tell me, which UNC corporation I attacked? I never attack the CTTRC. All we ask for is an audit to be done at the Princes Town Corporation because there were some irregularities as it relates to overtime, Hosein said.

Hosein added that all 14 corporations are service-oriented.

Hosein said, I just want people to do their job and so on. Three cheques were stolen from the Arima Corporation and its under investigations right now by the Fraud Squad. When you attack anybody, you cannot get anything do.
You did it! You all are amazing!

Amo a todos los fans!!#KCAMexico #BigTimeRush

Best show of 20 years!! pic.twitter.com/dYZUetSH8B  Kendall Schmidt (@HeffronDrive) August 19, 2017

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Mexico just honored Big Time Rush in a major way!It's no secret that Big Time Rush fans all around the world are some of the most dedicated supporters any band could ever ask for. But the fandom just showed how powerful they really are by winning the band an incredible honor at the. At the awards ceremony taped over the weekend, the Nickelodeon serieswas voted the best Nick show in the last 20 years!Can you believe it? That is quite the impressive title! Just think about all of the amazing programs we've been introduced to over two whole decades!''I'm happy and honored to receive this award on behalf of 'Big Time Rush,' thank you for your continuous support both for 'Big Time Rush' and Heffron Drive'', Kendall Schmidt told fans during his acceptance speech.Kendall shared his excitement live on social media.The award, "20 anos Nick en Latinoamerica", was introduced in this yearsceremony to celebrate Nickelodeon Latinoamerica's 20th birthday.Fans can also vote for Big Time Rush in two categories of Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Colombia 2017! Hosted by Andrea Serna and Sebastian Yatra, Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Colombia 2017 will premiere on Nickelodeon Colombia on Monday 2nd October 2017!Watch Kendall pick up the orange blimp by tuning into Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Mexico 2017, airing now on Nickelodeon Mexico!Congrats to BTR on this major moment!
It started in mid-September  Black Friday specials. I took the bait when I saw an email from a retailer offering sales that were way ahead of the traditional Friday after Thanksgiving Black Friday sales. Beat the rush! Get all the deals before anyone else offers them and you lose out! Get y
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NELIGH  One of the first things that Susan Mickelson and Lori Dexter did when they opened Mama's and Nana's was put up their "family rules."
The US State Department denied Egypt $96 million in aid and delayed $195 million in military funding because of concerns over Egypts human rights record and its cozy relationship with North Korea.

Sources from the State Department confirm that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson authorized the $195 million to be held in reserve until Egypt shows some progress on key priorities such as human rights abuses and the new law that many nongovernmental organizations say makes their charity work illegal.

This decision took observers by surprise as it signals a new turn in Trumps foreign policy stance, as his administration made it clear earlier that human rights were not going to be given primacy over economic or strategic interests.

Last April, Trump lavishly praised President Sisi of Egypt on his counter-terrorism efforts. I just want to let everybody know, in case there was any doubt, that we are very much behind President el-Sisi, Trump said.

Earlier that month, Tillerson had told State Department employees that if we condition too heavily that others must adopt this value that weve come to over a long history of our own, it really creates obstacles to our ability to advance our national security interests, our economic interests.

Groups such as Amnesty International have documented widespread repression and human rights abuses, including torture, by the Egyptian security forces and an effort by the government to quell dissent.

Egypts foreign ministry said it regrets the decision in a statement released Wednesday, calling it a misjudgment.

The US is underestimating Egypts security needs, the statement added, noting that the funding is vitally important to both countries common interests.

Egypt has been the second-largest recipient of U.S. aid since it signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. It has received $80 billion in military and economic aid over the past 30 years. In 2013, President Barack Obama froze the supply of military equipment after the Egyptian army overthrew President Mohamed Morsi. When aid was resumed, Congress required that the secretary of state certify that Egypt was making progress in governing democratically.
Libyan Prime Minister Faiez Serraj, head of the UN-backed unity government in Tripoli, called for help from the EU to stem the flow of migrants, warning that some illegal migrants may pose a terrorist threat when they reach Europe.

He warned that would-be terrorists were among the tens of thousands of people able to pass unvetted into his country across its open southern borders.

When migrants reach Europe, they will move freely. If, God forbid, there are terrorist elements among the migrants, a result of any incident will affect all of the EU, he said.

By using migration to appeal for EU help, Serraj is resorting to the same tactics used by the deposed long ruling autocrat, Gadhafi, who warned since the outbreak of the Arab Spring that the EU would be invaded by migrants if he was deposed.

Nearly 98,000 migrants have crossed from Libya to Italy this year while a record 170,000 migrants landed on Italian costs in 2016.

Yet, since mid-July, just over 4,000 migrants have reached Italy from Libya, about a fifth of the number during each of the equivalent periods of 2014, 2015 and 2016, according to the Italian Interior Ministry.

Meanwhile Italys foreign minister Angelino Alfano has claimed the country has been abandoned by the EU over the migrant crisis and said Italy cannot cope with the burden alone.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein warmly welcomed the repeal of laws in Lebanon, Tunisia and Jordan that allowed rapists to avoid criminal prosecution by marrying their victims.

A statement of the office of the High Commissioner quoted him saying that to punish a rape victim by making her marry the perpetrator of a horrible crime against her  there is no place in todays world for such hideous laws. I warmly welcome the stand that lawmakers in Lebanon, Tunisia and Jordan have taken towards eliminating violence against women and ensuring that perpetrators of such violence are held to account.

He described the scrapping of the law that makes the victim marry her rapist as a hard won victory, adding that this law was repealed thanks to the tireless campaigns over the years by human rights defenders  in particular women human rights defenders  in Tunisia, Lebanon and Jordan.

In this respect, he called on the governments and people of these countries  and other countries in the region  to build on this positive momentum, and to work towards the swift repeal of other legislation that condones sexual violence against women and girls and perpetuates discrimination against them in clear violation of international human rights law.

Last July, the Tunisian parliament adopted a law on eliminating violence against women and eliminating impunity for perpetrators, recognizing that violence against women includes economic, sexual, political and psychological violence. The law will come into effect next year.

The Jordanian lawmakers voted on August 1 to abolish a provision that provided that if a person accused of rape agreed to marry the victim, the accused not be subjected to criminal prosecution. Two weeks later, Lebanon followed suit abolishing the same provision from its penal code.
Photo: Ralph Freso/Getty Images

President Trump was expected to erase any goodwill generated by his restrained speech on Afghanistan with a boisterous rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday night, and he certainly delivered. For 20 minutes, Trump rehashed the controversy over his statements on Charlottesville, reading all of his statements (with significant omissions) and casting himself as the victim of dishonest journalists who hate America. (He made only one fleeting reference to Heather Heyer, who was killed at the white-supremacist rally, and he didnt use her last name.)

During the rest of his 70-minute speech, Trump touched on a number of controversial topics, from teasing that hell pardon Sheriff Joe Arpaio, to suggesting that hell pull out of NAFTA, to attacking Republican senators. Here are all the notable moments:

1. Trump walks out to God Bless the USA and assures the crowd that there arent many protesters outside (there were thousands).

Wow, what a crowd, what a crowd. And just so you know, from the Secret Service, there arent too many people outside protesting, okay? That I can tell you.

2. Trump blames the media for the controversy over his reaction to Charlottesville.

What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America. And tonight this entire arena stands united in the forceful condemnation of the thugs who perpetrate hatred and violence. [Applause.]

But the very dishonest media  those people right up there with all the cameras  [Crowd boos loudly.] So the  and I mean truly dishonest people, in the media, and the fake media, they make up stories, they have no sources in many cases  they dont report the facts. Just like they dont want to report that I spoke out forcefully against hatred, bigotry, and violence and strongly condemned the neo-Nazis, the white supremacists, and the KKK. I openly called for unity, healing, and love and they know it because they were all there.

3. Trump reads his initial statement on Charlottesville, but omits the controversial line, We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence on many sides, on many sides.

4. Trump complains that Little George Stephanopoulos asked United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley a question about Charlottesville during an interview rather than focusing solely on his Afghanistan speech.

5. Trump exclaims Antifa!

They show up in the helmets and the black masks and they have clubs and everything. Antifa!

6. Trump laments that CNN fired pro-Trump commentator Jeffrey Lord, but does not mention that he was let go for tweeting Sieg Heil!

They fired Jeffrey Lord. Poor Jeffrey. Jeffrey Lord. I guess he was getting a little bit fed up, and he was probably fighting back a little too hard and they said, we better get him out of here.

7. Trump says the media had a hard time with his statement two days after the Charlottesville rally, in which he hit them with specific references to hate groups. The words were perfect, Trump says.

They were having a hard time with that one because I said everything. I hit them with neo-Nazis. I hit them with everything. I got the white supremacists, the neo-Nazis, everything. KKK? We have KKK. I got them all. So theyre having a hard time. So what did they say? Right? It shouldve been sooner. He is racist.

8. Trump says hes only upset because by criticizing his failure to forcefully condemn white supremacists, the crooked media is actually attacking his supporters.

The media can attack me. But where I draw the line is when they attack you, which is what they do. When they attack the decency of our supporters  youre taxpaying Americans who love our nation, obey our laws, and care for our people. It is time to expose the crooked media deceptions and to challenge the media for their role in fomenting divisions.

9. Trump blows the white-supremacist dog whistle again, saying his critics are trying to take away our history. Then he claims its journalists who are bolstering hate groups.

And yes, by the way, they are trying to take away our history and heritage. You see that. And I say it, and you know, were all pros, we have a certain sense. Were smart people. These are truly dishonest people. And not all of them. Not all of them. Youve some very good reporters. You have some very fair journalists. But for the most part, these are really, really dishonest people. And theyre bad people. And I really think they dont like our country. And I do not think it will change. Thats why I say this. If they would change, I would never say this. The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news.

10. Trump says he sees reporters turning off their cameras, and claims CNN doesnt want its viewers to see what hes saying. CNN broadcast his speech in full.

Oh, that is so funny. Look back there. The live red lights. They are turning those suckers off fast, they are turning those lights off fast. Like CNN, CNN does not want its falling viewerships to see what Im saying tonight, I can tell you that.

While being broadcast live on camera, President Trump claims media cameras are being turned off https://t.co/cf0mASESyI  CNN (@CNN) August 23, 2017

11. Trump claims he doesnt do Twitter storms.

Do you ever notice when I go on and I will put out like a tweet or a couple tweets  he is in a Twitter storm again! I dont do Twitter storms. You will put on a little tweet, will be with the veterans again, theyll say Donald Trump is in a Twitter storm. These are sick people.

12. Trump claims the New York Times had to apologize after he won the election because they were losing so many subscribers, which is false.

The New York Times has written some stories. How about this? The New York Times essentially apologized after I won the election because their coverage was so bad, and it was so wrong, and they were losing so many subscribers that they practically apologized. I would say they did. They would say it was not that much of an apology but they were losing so many people because they were misled.

13. Trump endorses specific Fox News programs.

I must tell you, Fox has treated me fairly. Fox treated me fairly. Theyve treated me fairly. Hey, Ill let you know. You know what? Someday they might not treat me fairly and Ill tell you about it, okay? But they have treated me fairly. And I mean that. I have had plenty of bad. But at least its in reason. And Hannity? How good is Hannity? How good is that? And heres a great guy. And he is an honest guy. And Fox and Friends in the morning is the absolute most honest show. And its a show I watch.

14. Trump hints that hell pardon former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

By the way, Im just curious. Do the people in this room like Sheriff Joe? [Crowd cheers.] So, was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? He should have had a jury, but you know what? Ill make a prediction. I think he is just going to be fine. Okay? But  I wont not do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy. Is that okay? All right? But Sheriff Joe can feel good.

15. Trump describes the recent arrests of gang members on Long Island as liberating the region.

MS-13. Were throwing them out so fast, they never got thrown out of anything like this. We are liberating towns out on Long Island. Were liberating. Can you imagine? In this day and age, in this country, we are liberating towns. This is like from a different age.

16. Trump calls for a government shutdown in September if Congress doesnt provide money to build a southern border wall.

Build that wall. Now, the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me, if we have to close down the government, were building that wall. Let me be very clear to Democrats in Congress who oppose the border wall and stand in the way of border security. You are putting all of Americas safety at risk. You are doing that. You are doing that.

17. Trump attacks Arizona senators Jeff Flake and John McCain, who are both Republicans  but he doesnt say their names.

You know, they all said, Mr. President, your speech was so good last night. Please. Please, Mr. President. Dont mention any names. So, I wont. I wont. No, I wont. I wont mention any names. Thats presidential, isnt it? Very presidential. And nobody wants me to talk about your other senator who is weak on borders, weak on crime. So I will not talk about him. Nobody wants me to talk about him. Nobody knows who the hell he is. And, now  see? I havent mentioned any names. So now everybody is happy.

18. After complaining that Congress is preventing him from getting anything done, Trump boasts that hes accomplished more than any previous president has in his first eight months.

Washington is full of people who were only looking out for themselves. But I do not come to Washington for me. I have led a great life. Ive had great success. I have enjoyed my life. Most people think Im crazy to have done this. And I think theyre right. But I enjoy it. Because we made so much. I do not believe that any president  I dont believe that any president has accomplished as much as this president in the first six or seven months. I really do not believe it, including  I really do not believe it.

19. Trump offers an incorrect explanation of clean coal.

Weve ended the war on beautiful, clean coal. And its just been announced that a second brand-new coal mine where theyre going to take out clean coal  meaning theyre taking out coal, theyre going to clean it  is opening in the state of Pennsylvania.

20. Trump claims that his opponents want to take away our culture and tear down statues of Americas Founding Fathers.

In the proud tradition of Americas great leaders, from George Washington  please dont take his statue down, please. Please! Does anybody want George Washingtons statue? No. Is that sad? Is that not sad? To Lincoln to Teddy Roosevelt. I see they want to take Teddy Roosevelts down too. Theyre trying to figure out why. They dont know. Theyre trying to take away our culture. Theyre trying to take away our history. And our weak leaders do it overnight. These things have been here for 150 years, for 100 years. You go back to a university and its gone. Weak, weak people.

21. Trump says he will probably withdraw from NAFTA.

I must be honest, and Ive been talking about NAFTA for a long time. And Im sorry its taken six months, but we have to give notice. You have to see this  we have to give notice, and after the notice is given you have to wait a long time  Anyway, we started two days ago. Bob Lighthizer. Personally, I dont think we can make a deal because we have been badly taken advantage of. They have made such great deals  both of the countries, but in particular Mexico  that I dont think we can make a deal. So I think well end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point. Okay? Probably. But I told you from the first day, we will renegotiate NAFTA or we will terminate NAFTA. I personally dont think you can make a deal without a termination, but were gonna see happens.

22. After lashing out at obstructionist Democrats and even Republican senators, Trump asks for their help.

Now, we need the help of Congress, please. Okay? We need the help of Congress. And we really could use some Democrat help. Were giving you the biggest tax cut in the history of our country. The Democrats are going to find a way to obstruct. If they do, remember: They are stopping you from getting a massive tax cut. Just remember that, okay?

23. Trump closes by proclaiming that now is the time to recapture the American dynasty.

We are Americans and the future belongs to us. The future belongs to all of you. This is our moment. This is our chance. This is our opportunity to recapture our dynasty like never before.
A police officer watches as a crowd protests outside the Phoenix Convention Center on August 22, 2017. Photo: Ralph Freso/Getty Images

Thousands of people gathered outside the Phoenix Convention Center on Tuesday for a mostly peaceful protest, but after President Trumps divisive speech, the situation became chaotic, with police using gas and smoke canisters to disperse crowd.

Phoenix police said in a statement that people in the crowd were throwing rocks and bottles at officers, and also dispersed some gas in the area. One eyewitness told the Arizona Republic that he saw people throwing water bottles at police, but other protesters said they saw no provocation from the crowd.

Got statement from Phoenix PD Sgt Jonathan Howard. Pepper spray was used to disperse crowds and there have been no arrests as of this time pic.twitter.com/bSROQVqqaY  Hunter Walker (@hunterw) August 23, 2017

Police firing pepper spray balls at peaceful protesters pic.twitter.com/FBbuUtlMAq  Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) August 23, 2017

A police helicopter hovered over the crowd, telling protesters to disperse. Officers on the ground said those who did not leave the area would face arrest. People fled the scene, coughing and crying, and journalists broadcast with gas masks on.

Police fire tear gas at protesters outside the convention center where President Trump held a rally. (: @WallySkalij) #PhoenixRally pic.twitter.com/G4gPWiq9Ku  Brian Park (@TheBrianPark) August 23, 2017

TV reporter in Phoenix is forced to put on gas mask after Trump rally after pepper spray fills parking structure. pic.twitter.com/PTyO66lDda  tony pierce (@busblog) August 23, 2017

BREAKING VIDEO: Moment police fire gas at protesters pic.twitter.com/7eI1hjuRc1  azcentral (@azcentral) August 23, 2017

Police firing flash bangs at protesters outside Phoenix Convention Center. There was no order for dispersal prior to this. pic.twitter.com/dy7POLO636  Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) August 23, 2017

Protester kicks tear gas back at police. Police shoot him with a rubber bullet on live TV. VIDEO: pic.twitter.com/5qyHDZlpNF  Tim Ring (@timringTV) August 23, 2017

For hours before the rally, protesters had peacefully voiced their opposition to Trump, waving homemade signs and chanting slogans. In the 108-degree heat, there were only a handful of altercations between the demonstrators and those showing up for the Trump rally, like when a Trump supporter shouted, Hey, can I see your papers? at a flag-waving man wearing an anti-Trump shirt.

On the street in downtown Phoenix where people are gathering ahead of Trump's rally tonight pic.twitter.com/1vAifXZ6m2  Simon Romero (@viaSimonRomero) August 22, 2017

The crowd grew so large that some protesters decided to pack into a nearby parking garage.

Views from the roof of the parking lot across from Phoenix convention center. People packed on every floor. #trumprally protest pic.twitter.com/pHMc1rbAik  Saba Hamedy (@saba_h) August 23, 2017

Thousands of counter-protesters outside of @realDonaldTrump's rally in Phoenix right now pic.twitter.com/6eUDoNw2VC  Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) August 23, 2017

This is the largest demonstration of counter protesters that I've seen at any of Trumps rally's since he became president. pic.twitter.com/AgM45H81dT  Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) August 23, 2017

I definitely expected it was going to be big, protester Joseph Dick, who was standing on the roof of the parking garage, told CNN. Usually in Phoenix theres not a lot of movement toward activism but recently its trending. I think people are really trying to turn the state blue  its important to show up and represent.
Going to the wall. Photo: Nicholas Kamm /AFP/Getty Images

Last night in Arizona, the president said a lot of insane (and insanely petty) things that didnt really matter  and a few that just might. Among the latter was an apparent pledge to shut down the government next month if Congress fails to appropriate significant funds for his border wall.

If we have to close down that government, Donald Trump said, we are going to build that wall.

Now, this president has a knack for taking firm stands, and then sitting the second he starts to feel a strain in his legs. And the House, Senate, and government of Mexico have all already called Trumps various bluffs on the border wall.

Back in April, the White House signaled that Trump was prepared to veto any spending bill that did not include funds for his monument to American xenophobia  even if that meant triggering a government shutdown on the morning of his 100th day.

This threat never made a whole lot of sense. Essentially, Trumps message to Democrats boiled down to: Vote for something your base vehemently opposes, or else I will sabotage my own approval rating and that of my party. Republicans have unified control of the federal government. If that government grinds to a halt, the majority of Americans arent going to blame Chuck Schumer and those obstructionist Democrats. Eventually, this reality was conveyed to the commander-in-chief, and the White House backed down.

So, theres reason to think Trumps latest red line was drawn in erasable ink. But theres also reason to worry that Trump may prove more intransigent now than he was four months ago. The failure of Obamacare repeal has made the president all the more anxious to follow through on his other signature campaign promises. More critically, Trump may have realized that there will never be a right time to force the wall issue (while still failing to recognize that this is because he cant make Congress pass things it does not wish to).

The wall was the very heart of Trumps campaign. Like the candidate himself, this policy was so unencumbered by mundane political and geographic realities that it was capable of giving full expression to Republican voters longing for protection from demographic change, and/or the cornucopia of evil impulses that theyd projected onto alien others. To admit that the wall works as a symbol but fails as a policy would be to cop to one of the Trump campaigns central lies. And, according to Politico, the president has little interest in doing that:

Trump has told his advisers he will not accept a deal on other issues without money for the wall and it has to be real money, said one senior White House official.

Trump has told senior White House officials and advisers he would be willing to go to whatever means necessary to get money for the wall, a contentious claim even among his advisers.

He hasnt given specific amounts of money that he wants, but enough to really start building it, said one person who spoke to him this weekend.

 Two people who have spoken to Trump said he sees not building the wall as a personal embarrassment  and has shown more interest in building the wall than in other issues, like the upcoming budget negotiations.

Trump is not going to get enough funding to begin construction on a wall that spans Americas entire southern border. Any new spending bill will be subject to a Democratic filibuster in the Senate. And even if Trump didnt need Democratic votes, Republicans who represent areas where the wall would be more than a symbol have little interest in building it. As the Hill notes:

Republicans from border states such as Sen. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Reps. Will Hurd (Texas), Martha McSally (Ariz.) and Steve Pearce (N.M.) have expressed doubts about the plan:

The construction of a physical wall on the southern border will never be the solution. The only way to secure the border is through the use of modern technology and a comprehensive strategy for patrolling the border, Pearce said in July after voting against the $1.6 billion House provision to fund some 28 miles of new border wall, plus a combined 46 miles of new and secondary fencing.

The provision passed, but the Senate has not yet taken up the measure.

Still, there are plenty of congressional Republicans who want that wall as much as Trump does. And the presidents brainless brinksmanship could inspire the House Freedom Caucus, which shares the presidents belief that sabotaging the governments capacity to function is a sound strategy for passing contentious legislation. Which is to say: Even if the president isnt actually prepared to trigger a shutdown with a veto, his bluster could inspire Ryans caucus to shut down the government for him.

Its also possible that congressional Democrats could use Trumps obsession with wall funding to their advantage. Appropriating a couple billion dollars for a wall in the desert would be bad public policy. But such a provision would hurt far fewer people than most of the GOPs other goals for the federal budget. If throwing Trump a symbolic amount of border funding can win Team Blue new appropriations that strengthen Obamacare, or the maintenance of domestic programs for low-income people at their current funding levels, it might be worth playing ball.

The worst thing you can possibly do in a deal is seem desperate to make it, Donald Trump once paid someone to write. That makes the other guy smell blood, and then youre dead.

If his nostrils arent clogged, Chuck Schumer should be getting a whiff of vital fluid right now.
The president cant seem to stop complaining about the legislative filibuster. But given a clear opportunity in the Alabama Senate race to make support for it toxic, he blinked. Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

His much-condemned perspective on the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, was far from the only dead horse the president could not stop beating in his unbridled speech at a Phoenix rally last night. Once again, he called for the elimination of the legislative veto in the Senate:

[F]or our friends in the Senate, oh boy  the Senate, remember this  look, the Senate, we have to get rid of whats called the filibuster rule; we have to. And if we dont, the Republicans will never get anything passed. Youre wasting your time. We have to get rid of the filibuster rule. Right now, we need 60 votes and we have 52 Republicans. That means that eight Democrats are controlling all of this legislation. We have over 200 bills. (BOOING) And we have to speak to Mitch and we have to speak to everybody 

Trump likely confused his audience by mixing complaints about the inability of the Senate GOP to get 50 votes for a health-care bill with demands that 50 votes now become the standard. Nobody can blame him for failing to make much of an effort to explain the finer mechanics of reconciliation to an angry right-wing crowd that mostly got into attacks on the media and (for old times sake) Hillary Clinton. And its not as if hes evinced much knowledge of the subject himself.

But perhaps because he didnt get much applause for attacking the filibuster, he returned to the topic this morning on Twitter:

If Republican Senate doesn't get rid of the Filibuster Rule & go to a simple majority, which the Dems would do, they are just wasting time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2017

This echoes an earlier presidential tweetstorm back in July, the day after the Senate sank health-care legislation. One tweet was almost identical to last nights rant:

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!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017

And Trump ranted about the constraints imposed by the filibuster twice in May.

So its not like he hasnt been heard by Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans on this subject. Given the terrible condition of his relationship with the Senate Majority Leader, you could imagine this is a problem he blames strictly on the Kentuckian, with his arcane attachment to Senate traditions. And McConnell has rejected Trumps demands on the filibuster repeatedly and categorically.

But its important to remember that just four-and-a-half months ago, 29 Republican senators (the number did not include McConnell or his Whip, John Cornyn, who, like McConnell, made a separate statement defending the filibuster) joined 32 Democrats in signing a letter circulated by Susan Collins and Chris Coons opposing any changes in the legislative veto.

Assuming no Democrat would vote for a Republican-initiated rules change killing the legislative filibuster right now, that means it would require 50 of 52 GOP senators, just like the health-care legislation. That means at least 27 senators, plus McConnell and Cornyn, would have to flip-flop on the filibuster for Trump to get his way. Does anyone think thats happening, absent some huge emergency? Perhaps an imminent debt default could provide a pretext, but thats about it.

The most puzzling thing about Trumps obsession with this subject is that he passed up the one clear opportunity he had to make this a live issue for rank-and-file Republicans. One of the signatories of that Collins-Coons letter was the appointed Senator Luther Strange of Alabama. As part of a strategy to depict himself as Trumps champion against McConnells stooge Strange, Representative Mo Brooks made eliminating the legislative veto his principal campaign issue in opposing the incumbent in Alabamas special GOP primary. Indeed, Brooks framed the issue exactly the way Trump did:

Our Republican Senate majority is killing our conservative agenda, our Republican agenda, and President Trumps agenda. The murder weapon is the Senate filibuster rule, an archaic accident of history created during the days of horse and buggy, and slavery, Rep. Brooks said on the House floor this morning.

What reward did Brooks get for carrying the presidents water on this issue hes ranted about so frequently? Trump endorsed Strange shortly before the primary and almost certainly pulled him across the finish line to a runoff spot, leaving Brooks in third place.

If Trump cares so much about killing the legislative filibuster, why doesnt his campaign to flip Republicans on this issue begin with Strange, who would be helpless without Trumps support against Judge Roy Moore in the runoff being held next month? And if Strange stubbornly sticks with McConnell on the filibuster, why not threaten to switch the presidential endorsement to Moore, another Trump idolater who probably doesnt care about the filibuster unless support for it is found in Deuteronomy or Leviticus?

All in all, for all the redundant bluster, it seems likely that Trump regards the legislative filibuster as an excuse for his legislative failures, rather than as a target. Perhaps he could give the topic a rest.
Each day, more than $18.6 billion of goods travel by air, a third of world trade by value, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

A new United Nations report, however, points out that one of the goods is smuggled gold bars out of DR Congo. The report added that some of these metal bars are flown out from Entebbe airport.

Airlines play an important role in enabling the transport of unwrought gold from DR Congo to Dubai. For example, four people involved in the gold sector told the UN group of experts that it was common practice for smugglers to purchase additional, empty seats in order to maximise the amount of gold smuggled on one single trip, notes the report, released less than two weeks ago.

A UN report notes that gold smugglers bribe state agents at Entebbe

Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways are the main airlines plying the Lubumbashi and Dubai routes. Ethiopian Airlines told the UN experts it had not put in place measures to check transported gold and to authenticate the identity of its carriers.

Kenya Airways told the group that it did not allow the transportation of gold as hand luggage. However, the UN experts wrote that based on the answers it had received from Iata and the airline officials, it was the responsibility of the custom officials to ensure that transporters of gold had the necessary documents before takeoff.

The experts, though, found out that the custom officials around the region were not doing their job well.

The report further notes: several sources, including custom agents and people involved in the gold sector, told the group that smugglers bribe state agents at Entebbe, Nairobi and Lubumbashi airports to pass unhindered through airports.

One of the effects of smuggled gold being transported as hand luggage aboard aircrafts is that it denies the country tax revenue.

It also stifles investment opportunities for the international carriers of valuable items. Companies such as Brinks, G4S, Ferrari Worldwide, Malca-Amit, which deal in the transportation of valuable commodities, could stay away from East Africa if smugglers are finding an easy passage through the airlines.



tusiime.chris20@gmail.com
Last weekend, the 2017 edition of the Writivism festival concluded at The Square in Kampalas industrial area after four days of everything books.

The festival brought together writers, publishers, retailers of literature and of course the consumers of the art. Writivism has in the past defined itself as the one stop for literature buffs to buy books and interact, thanks to the different sessions that usually include book launches, panel discussions and dissemination of literature through poetry and theatre.

This years edition was not much different, bringing to town the Makerere University-based poetry club Kelele, and a theatre production, Kawuna, Youre It, by Kemiyondo Coutinho.

The production by Kelele captured the rot in public service, public educational institutions and the government in general. But one of the biggest events was the launch of Mzilikazi Wa Afrikas memoir Nothing Left to Steal.

A South African investigative journalist, Mzilikazi has uncovered a number of scandals, some of which have landed him in jail. In his book, he narrates much of these while talking about media freedom in South Africa and the continent at large.

The book talks about some of his endeavors to uphold justice amid threats, yet in other parts he delves into his passion for music, poetry and family.

Thando Mgqolozana, founder of Abantu Book festival, was meant to give one of the keynote speeches on decolonizing Africa, but did not make it to Uganda thus the session became an open discussion on the topic.

Patrons discussed lifestyles that raise children to admire and worship foreign literature as opposed to that by Africans.

When I was growing up, I will admit I wanted to be a Charles Dickens or something; my Chinua Achebe moment came way later in life, said one of the contributors.

The festival ended on Sunday with a keynote address by journalist Daniel Kalinaki and the awarding of the annual short story prize that went to Munachim Amah from Nigeria.



kaggwandre@gmail.com
On Wednesday, Uganda Communications Commission announced nominees for this years Uganda Film Festival (UFF) at their headquarters in Bugolobi.

Organized as a breakfast meeting, discussions preceding the announcement revolved around problems facing the film industry, including not having an audience, because of competition from Hollywood and TV stations.

The festival will kick off on August 28 with a workshop to teach filmmakers how to crowd-fund to finance their films, among other topics.

Soon the breakfast meet turned to the most important event on the agenda: the nominees for this years award gala that will close the festival.

Set for September 1, the awards look set to be dominated by Joseph Kony-related stories that stacked up the most nominations.

Some of Ugandan film makers

The films Devils Chest by Hassan Mageye and Kony, Order From Above both talk about the warlords atrocities in northern Uganda.

The films go head-to-head for the biggest award of the night, Best Film, where there are other nominees including Daniel Mugerwas Rain and Breaking With Custom by Ttabu Wasswa.

Yat Madit that was broadcast on NTV at the end of the year dominated all the TV categories of Best Actor, Actress and TV Drama with Michael Wawuyo and Rehema Nanfuka both getting nominations. They are closely followed by Honourables whose Sam Okello appears in the Best Actor category.

Urban TVs Coffee Shop last year stunned everyone by taking all the awards in the TV category, although this year, the show only manages a lone nomination in the Best Actress category.

Aaron Zziwa, whose film Break In is nominated in various categories, noted that the quality of the films getting nominations is improving, which is making it even harder to win awards at the festival.

Zziwa has previously won Best Editing with The Superstition and later Best Sound mixing with Wako. The film festival starts on August 28 and will host a number of keynote speeches, workshops and screenings across the country.



kaggwandre@gmail.com
Muslims around the world are sharpening their knives in preparation for Eid al-Adha, the Muslim festival characterized by animal sacrifices.

This eid is one of the two most important festivals on the Muslim calendar, the other other being Eid al-Fitri, which comes after the holy month of fasting, Ramadan.

At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia), all Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, also known as the greater Eid (festival of sacrifice). The prophet Muhammad said, a person who performs Hajj properly will return as a newly born baby [free of all sins].

According to Sheikh Siriman Kasule Ndirangwa, the Supreme Mufti, this years Eid al-Adha is expected to be celebrated on September 1 and celebrations will last for three days, ending on the evening of September 3.

I advise Muslims to stick to the foundations of Islam and sacrifice as Prophet Ibrahim showed his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail until Allah stopped him and advised him to sacrifice the lamb. When you sacrifice, it is a sign of commitment to Allah, he said.

Already millions of Muslims from around the world are in Mecca for the pilgrimage and another 810 pilgrims set off from Entebbe international airport last week.

This upcoming eid is centred on prayer and animal sacrifice. Muslims often begin the first day of eid with prayers, followed by a series of gatherings with extended families and loved ones and many adults donate to charities.

In commemoration of Ibrahams willingness to sacrifice his son on Gods command, Muslims slaughter animals such as sheep, cows and goats for the occasion, sharing the meat with their families and donating portions to the poor, friends, neighbours and non-Muslims.

The vice chairman of Hear Uganda, Hajj Ahmed Sentamu, said this year, they highly suspect the number of cattle to be slaughtered in Uganda will reduce from 1,300 to about 1,000 due to constant wars in Islamic countries which affects their economies.

This time meat is expected to be little since most donors in Turkey and Syria have been affected by wars. We also have increased refugee camps, prisoners and we might not serve them all, he said.

The public relations officer, Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Hajji Nsereko Mutumba, advised Muslims to stop begging for this meat and they also start sacrificing as a sign of devotion to Allah.

Whoever is capable must sacrifice an animal since it is the main essence of the day. Slaughtering is better than eating. If you are capable and you dont slaughter, dont even go for prayers, he said.

Nsereko advised Muslims to slaughter choice animals that have no health problems and no debts attached.



zurah@obsever.ug
Yesterday, the commission of inquiry into land matters led by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire held a joint cross examination of Herbert Mugerwa, an advocate of the High court and Manish Siyani Parbat, the managing director of Siyani Brothers and Company Uganda Limited, a construction company.

Mugerwa is a lawyer for Siyani, which is accused of acquiring, irregularly, public land located in Bukasa, Kira Municipality.

Kampala Capital City Authority is also being investigated for failure to preserve public land meant for the cemetery that ended up in the hands of a private developer. John Bosco Suuza, the assistant lead counsel to the commission cross examined the duo. ALI TWAHA and ZAHRA ABIGABA captured the proceedings.

Land Probe commissioners

Suuza: Could you please state your name for the record?

Mugerwa: Herbert Mugerwa.

Suuza: How old are you?

Mugerwa: Im 49 years old.

Suuza: Where do you reside?

Mugerwa: I stay in Busega.

Suuza: What do you do for a living?

Mugerwa: Im an advocate of the High court and a partner in KMA [Kabayiza Mugerwa Ali] advocates.

Suuza: Can you briefly take us through you academic background?

Mugerwa: I went to Makerere University. I got an LLB degree then I did a diploma in legal practice from the LDC [Law Development Center].

Suuza: Can you tell us about the years?

Mugerwa: I was in Makerere between 1988 to 1991, and then LDC between 1992 to 1993.

Suuza: When did you start practicing as an advocate?

Mugerwa: In 1995.

Suuza: Do you hold any land in a place called Bukasa?

Mugerwa: No. I dont own any land in Bukasa. But I know for a fact that some title deeds [are] in my names.

Suuza: Can you explain that?

Mugerwa: Around 2009, my clients, Siyani Brothers and Company Uganda limited, were interested in a piece of land. And they were approached by brokers who were selling land around Bukasa. My client had a look at the land and expressed interest. So we told the brokers, my client is interested in purchasing this land.

Suuza: Lets talk about the brokers. Was this a company or freelancers?

Mugerwa: They were just freelancers.

Suuza: Do you remember their names?

Mugerwa: I dont remember the names. We advised the brokers to bring the registered proprietor of the property to our offices.

Suuza: Why did these brokers come to you? Have you dealt with them before?

Mugerwa: Well, I dont know how they get to know that people are interested in property. Brokers always have a chain of people who are informers who would tell them that there is a company that is interested in a propertyso we had a look at the land and told them to bring the registered proprietor to our offices to begin negotiating. Now maybe two days later, the lawyer representing the registered proprietor came to our offices.

Suuza: Who was the lawyer?

Mugerwa: A gentleman called Mr Muzafara Lwayaga Lwere.

Suuza: Is he an advocate?

Mugerwa: Yes, a very senior advocate. He came to our offices and told us he was representing the registered proprietor. He discussed prices and negotiated. Now at the point of concluding the transaction, we told him that

Suuza: Was your client part of the negotiation?

Mugerwa: Yes. My clients were part of the negotiations. We told [Lwere] we were interested in purchasing the property. He told us that his client was not readily available but that he had authority to conduct the transaction on his behalf.

Suuza: Did he name the client?

Mugerwa: The client appeared on the title deed.

Suuza: Do you know the name of that person?

Mugerwa: He is a gentleman called Zayid Semuwemba. He told us he has instructions to conduct this transaction on behalf of his client which usually happens in the profession.

Suuza: What kind of authority did he have?

Mugerwa: He had powers of attorney.

Suuza: Did you look at the powers of attorney?

Mugerwa: Yes, we did. But we insisted that we can only transact if we meet the registered proprietor but apparently, the proprietor was not available.

Suuza: What did they tell you about his absence?

Mugerwa: This happened eight years ago. I dont remember what exactly he said. I cannot confirm. So we told them we can only transact with the proprietor, alternatively [he could have title transferred to him] and then we deal with him as the registered proprietor.

Suuza: Why did you want them to particularly take that path?

Mugerwa: Whereas an advocate can deal and act on behalf of the client. Sometimes its a gut feeling. Sometimes its the instruction of the client. The client told me, only deal with a registered proprietor.

Suuza: So your insistence to deal with the registered proprietor was as a result of your client's insistence?

Mugerwa: Yes. So the property was transferred into Mr Lweres name.

Suuza: Did the client have any particular reason was he was being too cautious?

Mugerwa: Clients are always like that. So Mr Lwere transferred the property into his names.

Suuza: Are you saying you didn't get the chance of meeting Mr Semuwemba?

Mugerwa: We didn't have to because now Mr Lwere the rightful owner of the property.

Suuza: How much land did you want to buy then?

Mugerwa: It was 13 acres and we were only interested in 10 acres. But at the time of the transfer, all the 13 acres were transferred into my personal names on the understanding that we shall mutate off the 10 acres that we were interested in and hand over the residue to Mr Lwere.

Suuza: What sort of title was Mr Lwere transferring to you?

Mugerwa: It was a freehold. And the reason why it was transferred into my names is because for the purposes of the Land Act, my client was a non-Ugandan. So the whole idea was, it was transferred into my names and I give my client a 99-year lease, which I did.

Suuza: Why wouldnt your client get this lease from [Lwere] Lwayaga directly?

Mugerwa: He was more comfortable with me.

Suuza: Can you explain that?

Mugerwa: Because Mr Lwayaga is a stranger to him and then we had other prior dealings where all their freehold titles are in my names and Im the one who gives them the 99 year leases. They would rather deal with a lawyer they have been dealing with for the last 12 years.

Suuza: Is it a question of trust and other reasons for this arrangement?

Mugerwa: I think it is trust and being cautious with the person youre dealing with. You dont want to deal with a person who will, for one reason or another, cancel your lease down the road. So you would rather deal with your lawyer.

Suuza: So you received 13 acres instead of 10 acres

Mugerwa: We received 13 acres. I commissioned a surveyor to open boundaries and carve off the other three acres so that we have my clients title intact which he did. I got my 10 acres for my 99 years in favour of Siyani Brothers.the residue was comprised in two titles but it was still in my names. I handed over the residue to Mr Lwere.

Suuza: You said you visited this land before you purchased it, did you see any cemetery around that area?

Mugerwa: Let me put it this way, its 13 acres which is really a large expanse. But we commissioned a surveyor to open boundaries.

Suuza: Is your answer that you did not see the cemetery because the land was big?

Mugerwa: We didnt see the cemetery.

Suuza: Did you inquire into the history of this land?

Mugerwa: When youre buying such land, what runs through your mind is the squatters.

Suuza: Were there squatters on that land?

Mugerwa: Yes, they were squatters and some crops but the person selling had told us that all the squatters had been compensated. I think I also saw documents of squatters acknowledging receipt of their compensation.

Suuza: Apart from the compensation, were you not interested in knowing a thing or two how that vast land came to exist in that area under freehold?

Mugerwa: That would be asking too much for a person buying land. Because, a person buying land would be interested in knowing the registered proprietor by conducting a search, go to the land office, which we did. Go onto the ground confirm as to whether there are any squatters on the land. Over and above that, we did not do anything.

Suuza: Lets go back to carving of the 10 acres. What did you say happened to the other three?

Mugerwa: They were two acres; they were two titles in respect of the residue. These titles were handled over to Mr Lwere but still in my names. And we also handed over requisite transfer instruments; photos and my ID to enable him transfer them in his name if sold to any other person.

Suuza: Since you and your client acquired this land has anybody lodged in any adverse claim concerning this land?

Mugerwa: One time I heard on radio the ED [executive director of KCCA Jennifer Musisi] alleging that I had stolen some land.

Suuza: When was that?

Mugerwa: 2011 or 2012. But I did call the [KCCA] manager, legal[they said that they] were investigating some matters. That is all I heard about the land.

Suuza: So the executive director of KCCA defamed you on radio. Is that what you are saying?

Mugerwa: When they brushed it off that this is a matter we are investigating, I left it at that.

Suuza: We are investigating how this land which used to be public land earmarked for a cemetery ended up in private hands such as Lwayaga and yourself. What do you want to tell the commission?

Mugerwa: As far as Im concerned in this transaction, I conducted due diligence. I went to the land registry, confirmed ownership and then advised my client to purchase, and in any case, in any other transaction that is all that is expected of the lawyer and their client.

Commissioner Rose Nakayi: You seem to be very convinced that you did due diligence especially by looking at the registry, sending the surveyor to do a cursory inspection

Mugerwa: Maybe I could have done more. But the purpose of his being commissioned was to confirm whether there were any squatters who might lay a claim on this land.

Nakayi: Is it possible that there could be other claims that might not necessarily be Bibanjja holders or are you saying when you do due diligence, you only look out for Bibanjja owners?

Mugerwa: Ideally yes. When you do due diligence, you confirm ownership, you anticipate advance claims in form of Bibanjja owners.

Nakayi: Is your understanding from so many years of experience that adverse claims can only be Bibanjja holders?

Mugerwa: They are instances where we bought land and subsequently in the course of clearing the land we found graves. That does happen.

Nakayi: I find your conceptualization of adverse so narrow and intended not benefit your argument in the case and to do an injustice to the legal framework in this country?

Mugerwa: No. No. No. definitely Im not creating jurisprudence here. Im just a witness.

Nakayi: First listen. You sent a surveyor to do a cursory inspection...if your surveyor fails to find out who put graves on the land, we have authority that a notice can be imputed on you and your client. So you could have known another body could have authorized the cemetery on that land.

Mugerwa: Let me put it this way, you see in Uganda we have what we call Ebijja, its a whole graveyard and more. And then there are other instances where there [nothing] to show that it is a graveyard.

Nakayi: The point Im trying to make is

Mugerwa: Your point has been taken.

SECOND WITNESS

Suuza: Could you state your name for the record?

Parbat: My name is Manish Parbat Siyani.

Suuza: How old are you?

Parbat: 35 years old.

Suuza: Where do you live?

Parbat: I live in Nsambya plot 1469.

Suuza: What do you do for living?

Parbat: Im the managing director of a construction company called, Siyani Brothers and Company Uganda Limited.

Suuza: When was that company registered?

Parbat: It was incorporated in Uganda in 1991.

Suuza: From the testimony of the counsel, you are not a Ugandan. Is that correct?

Parbat: Yes. At the time of the transaction we were not Ugandan citizens, the reason why we obtained a lease as opposed to a freehold title.

Manish Parbat Siyani

Suuza: Are you Ugandan citizens now?

Parbat: One of the shareholders is a Ugandan citizen now. He owns more than 50 per cent of the company and the company is also Ugandan.

Suuza: What is your nationality now?

Parbat: Im British.

Suuza: How long have you been the managing director?

Parbat: I was appointed the managing director in 2015. Before that I was serving in the capacity if financial director.

Suuza: You have listened to the testimony of your landlord and also your counsel. What can you tell us about this transaction?

Parbat: I joined this organization in 2007 so I was still very fresh when I came over. The company was looking for a plot of land around Kampala to expand its business operations. The land would be used to develop warehouses for its construction materials, set up a fabrication and joinery workshop, erect a concrete plantMugerwa being our counsel; we consulted him that we are looking for land as he mentioned. We were told there is a piece of land in Bukasa, we went to visit the land, I personally did not go there. But my former directors did visit the site, its normally the first thing we would do before buying land.

Suuza: Do you remember the name of the director that visited the land?

Parbat: Former director is Mr Nitin Vekariya. So we were told it was virgin land.

Suuza: What do you mean by virgin land?

Parbat: That there was nothing developed. There were some brick makers and some old Mabati houses. The land was within close proximity for us to put up our operations and of course, we instructed Hebert to progress the discussion further and do the due diligence.

One thing which he didn't pick in the survey which is clear is that the title had to be mutated due to some of these squatters that had not been compensated. As a result of that we were not interested in the squatters

Suuza: As you may have noticed the commission is interested in knowing the transaction between you and Mr Mugerwa and the logic behind it. Do you have something to explain on that?

Bamugemereire: Maybe before you explain, did you carry a copy of the lease agreement? Did you have a purchase agreement apart from the lease agreement as well?

Parbat: Well the purchase agreement was with the [lawyer]. He has been moving offices and he cant track record of it. But the lease was given to me, I have it in my custody.

Suuza: We want to understand, there was a seller who owned this land. He could have given the lease. But you decided to use Mr Mugerwa in a transaction that involved money being paid not by Mr Mugerwa but yourself. Why did you take that path?

Parbat: Let start with how we have owned land in Uganda. We have been here since 1991. We normally go for leaseholds which are normally issued by KCCA and the Uganda Land Commission.

We see institutions behind that we understand that once you are following your lease [conditions] you dont have issues and you have a peaceful stay. This plot of land, its difficult to find such plot of land to set up the kind of facility that we were looking for. With Mugerwa the company shares a very good relationship. Its not just professional but its more of a very close relationship. There is another transaction

Suuza: Before we go to that other transaction. Your are a business man and businessmen take decisions upon weighing the riskswhat risk did you hope to address by having Mr Mugerwa as your lesser and not any other person?

Parbat: The risk, as has been mentioned, somebody could have come and chased me off the landso we decided to do it with somebody that we trust. Maybe trust is not covering the entire risk but its something better than working with any other stranger.

Suuza: For it to be valid a lease must have certain features. You must be paying money to the holder. This person must have certain rights against you. I dont think the relationship on how you two relate comes out clearly. Do you pay any money regularly to Mr Mugerwa?

Parbat: Since the facilitation for acquiring of this freehold interest was done primarily by ourselves and I have paper work to this effect. The ground rent that he should be earning should be nominal because the facilitation was done by us. So to answer your question, had he facilitated this purchase by himself then the story would have been different.

Suuza: Is there any cemetery on site?

Parbat: After constructing the plant, we noticed that somebody put up a gate sharing one of our walls and has labeled it a cemetery. This happened after we put up the structures.

Suuza: Who was this somebody?

Parbat: I dont know who. But I can see it from my window and there is a black gate.

Suuza: Were any graves excavated in the process of construction?

Parbat: We did not see any graves. We are indeed very spiritual.

alitwaha@obsrver.ug

azabigaba@gmail.com
A life sentence handed down yesterday afternoon to Sheikh Muhammad Kamoga by the High courts International Crimes division (ICD) brought throngs of his supporters to tears.

The terse sentence was delivered a day after the same court found the head of the tabliq sect in Uganda guilty of terrorism.

The usually frenzied crowd before and after Kamogas court appearances was this time round crashed by the sentence delivered by justices Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Percy Tuhaise and Jane Kiggundu.

The convicts boarding the prisons bus back to Luzira

Kamoga, who wore a wry smile even after the sentence, will spend life in prison, together with his brother Sheikh Murta Mudde Bukenya, Sheikh Kawooya and Sheikh Fahad Kalungi, who were also convicted of some aspects of terrorism. Yusuf Kakande and Abdulsalam Sekyanja will spend 30 years in prison.

A soon-to-retire Justice Muhaguzi said in what may be his last ruling that Kamoga, Kawooya, Bukenya and Kalungi were handed a severe sentence because they were leaders who should have led by example. He said Kakande and Sekayanja walked off with a lesser sentence because they were just followers.

On Monday, during the mitigation session, Principal State Attorney Rachael Bikhole asked the judges to hand down the death sentence because terrorism is rampant and the six convicts had meticulously planned the terrorist acts through meetings and preaching.

Relatives and friends of the convicts at the High court

Fred Muwema, the convicts lawyer, asked the judges to caution his clients because they were not guilty of murder or attempted murder. Muwema said his clients were found guilty of technical terrorism since there was no direct evidence linking them to the crimes. He said prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence.

But the three judges, in perhaps the first significant ruling of the ICD, nine years since it was formed, were not convinced. They instead accused the convicts of engaging in non-developmental religious wrangles.



DYING DECLARATION

Earlier on Monday, at exactly 5:09pm, the two lead defence lawyers, Muwema and MacDosman Kabega, walked out of court when the judgment was still being read, seemingly confident that they would win.

At that stage, Justice Muhanguzi had just concluded in his ruling that prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the charges of murder and attempted murder against the suspects.

An elderly woman cries following the sentencing

In throwing out the charge of murder, Justice Muhanguzi tore to shreds the dying declarations prosecution used to pin Kamoga, in particular, with the help of three witnesses.

Justice Muhanguzi said they were full of inconsistencies and prosecution hadnt adduced any other corroborating evidence.

But by the time Kabega and Muwema returned to court, the tables had turned. Justice Tuhaise had started reading the findings in respect to the charge of terrorism.



PROOF OF TERRORISM

For a successful terrorism conviction, prosecution had the burden of proving beyond reasonable doubt four ingredients; actual murder, attempted murder, threatened murder and maiming or attack on a person or group of persons in a public or private institution.

Tuhaise said indeed prosecution had failed to prove actual murder and attempted murder. On threatened murder, Tuhaise ruled that prosecution had proved that Kawooya, Kamoga, Bukenya, Kalungi, Kakande and Sekayanja had threatened to kill various people for political, social or economic motive.

Sheikh Yunus Kamoga entering court ahead of the conviction

As for threatened murder, Justice Tuhaise cited the evidence of prosecution witness number 22. The witness told court that at the height of tensions between the warring factions at Nakasero mosque, Kamoga while preaching at William Street mosque, he thumped his chest and said, Even if it means killing them, I will kill them. Those men are joking they have never killed but for me I can; even if it is in broad daylight.

Prosecution witness number 29 was another key witness here. He testified that Kamoga, during various preaching sessions, uttered several threats. He quoted Kamoga as having said among other things that, Kirya is joking. He cant survive. Those people are joking; we have guns...

This particular witness also said that during a meeting hosted at Kawooyas house on Gayaza road, Kamoga said, Bahiga is like a snake in a saucepan. If you dont kill it, you cant eat. Hassan Kirya is a government spy. In the days of Prophet Muhammad, they would kill those who frustrate Muslims.

At another meeting, the same witness testified, Kamoga said, In order to take leadership of this country, we need to get rid of three people; Bahiga, a police spy, Kirya, a CMI [Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence] spy, and Muhammad Kiggundu.

Though the defence had prayed that evidence should be dismissed on grounds that no audio or video recordings or minutes of the said meetings were tendered in court, the judges rejected that line of argument.

Tuhaise said that oral evidence is acceptable since it is direct and it means that the witness is saying something that he or she heard or saw  which means it is not hearsay.



ATTEMPTED MURDER

Earlier, Muhanguzi had dismissed the charge of attempted murder, which prosecution had attempted to prove through the evidence of Jjemba, whose home in Matugga was attacked on the night of January 3, 2015.

The incident came six days after the fatal shooting of Bahiga at Bwebajja. According to Jjemba, he only survived because his armed guard duly repelled the attack.

In his ruling, Justice Muhanguzi said prosecution hadnt proved the charge of attempted murder since during the attack, Jjemba didnt suffer any bodily harm nor did the assailants go into his house. He also wondered why prosecution didnt produce Jjembas guard since he is the one who witnessed the attack.

Those who were quitted of all charges were Abdulhamid Ssematimba, Hamza Kasirye, Twaha Sekkito, Rashid Jingo, Musa Issa Mubiru and George William Iga. They were represented by criminal law giant MacDosman Kabega.



dkiyonga@observer.ug
Prime suspect in the Kenneth Akena shooting, Mathew Kanyamunyu's third attempt to apply for bail, has for the third time, ended in the negative.

Kanyamunyu who is accused of shooting and killing a children's rights activist, Kenneth Akena last year after he allegedly scratched his car, has yet again been denied bail by the High court judge Yasin Nyanzi.

Although his co-accused - girlfriend Cynthia Munangwari and brother Joseph Kanyamunyu were granted bail earlier in March this year, Mathew has not been successful with all his applications.

On denying him bail today, Justice Nyanzi said Kanyamunyu has right to apply for bail as many times as he wishes but not before same judge, under the same circumstances".

Kanyamunyu, Munangwari and his brother Joseph were arrested last year after the deceased allegedly gave a dying declaration to his brother, John Nyeko, that he had been shot by the very person who had taken him to hospital.

According to Nyeko, before succumbing to bullet wounds, Akena told him that; while reversing his car in a parking lot in Lugogo, he accidentally knocked Kanyamunyus car. And that, when he made attempts to seek for forgiveness from Kanyamunyu, he pulled out a pistol and shot him at close range.

At the time of the shooting, Kanyamunyu was with his lover Munangwari. The couple however insist that they were simply acting as good Samaritans who took the then injured Akena to the hospital.

MUNANGWARI MEETS AKENA FAMILY



Tension was high when, Munangwari went over to greet members of the deceased's family at the High court today.

When the suspects got arrested last year, the two families were involved in bitter public exchanges, accusing each other of committing tribal society ills to Ugandans.

Cynthia walks over to Akena's family members to exchange greetings

Today, however when Munangwari went over to meet the family, the earlier tension soon eased and they exchanged greetings, handshakes and some smiles.
Ugandans have been waiting for nearly three decades since the Prof Sam Owori report of 1987 that recommended a national health insurance plan.

What is noteworthy, even the current 4th NRM manifesto promised a health insurance scheme. Therefore, the time is ripe to deliver on this social contract to Ugandans as we embrace the Hakuna Mchezo era.

Thankfully, in April 2017, the ministry of Finance issued a certificate of financial implication to trigger parliament to enact this policy; something we have waited for since 2012 when the health insurance bill was first crafted.

There has been a sharp increase of fundraising activities to save ordinary Ugandans from life-threatening illnesses. People are desperate with the escalating costs of private health care, amidst economic downturn and a free public health system free of services.

In fact, stories of patients being detained in private health facilities are commonplace, which raises ethical dilemmas for medical professionals.

Uganda is party to the 2001 Abuja declaration by African leaders that recommended 15 per cent of direct government budget allocation for health President Museveni has often argued that Uganda spends over and above the Abuja mark.

Indeed, since 1986, Ugandas health sector budget has grown over three-fold from about three per cent to below 10 per cent of the national cake.

But Museveni argues that Uganda expends over 25 per cent on health considering the investment in infrastructure such as dams for electricity or roads or schools, all of which are important social determinants of health.

To this extent, the president is in order, since good roads improve access to health facilities, a fact corroborated by the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey of 2016, that about 70 per cent of women deliver in hospitals today, compared to 57 per cent five years ago.

In turn, this has resulted in significant reduction of maternal deaths in Uganda from 438 to 336 per 100,000 live births.

Still, these maternal deaths remain unacceptably high compared to the average of the developed countries of 12 women deaths per 100,000.

Policy concerns: Uganda is the only country without a national health insurance plan for its citizens among the East African sister states, except conflict-ridden South Sudan. Ugandas overall health insurance penetration was less than one per cent.

Rwanda learned and perfected from the over 20 community health insurance schemes in western and central Uganda, including that of Kisiizi hospital, which started in the 1990s.

Ironically Uganda government experts have severally visited Rwanda to benchmark its successful insurance scheme whose coverage is over 90 per cent of the population.

In fact, a common joke is that Ugandas ministry of health officials may visit South Sudan to learn from its yet-to-be-conceptualized health insurance scheme.

Further, various government departments benefit from private health insurance schemes paid for by tax money including parliament, cabinet and Uganda Revenue Authority. This contradiction compromises Ugandas strategy to achieve sustainable development goal number 10 on equitable access to social services and wealth.

So, why has Ugandas health insurance scheme taken 30 years without implementation?

Among the key policy concerns we researched about at the African Centre for Systematic Reviews and Knowledge Translation, Makerere University are: the high premium proportion of eight per cent of salaries, split at four per cent each between employers and employees, was perceived as additional taxation that would compel manufacturing to cut jobs or further strain the already lowly salaried employees.

Secondly, this scheme was perceived to exclude the informal sector (whose tax compliance culture raises concerns) and the rural folk who are the majority of Ugandans.

Labour unions complained of being targeted as a low-hanging fruit, whilst politicians labeled the scheme elitist. Further, is lack of trust in the governance of the health insurance fund, given the past corruption scandals in the health sector.

Moving forward: Common sense demands that we should start this national health insurance scheme yesterday! In the 2001 electoral process, President Museveni tactfully neutralized his contestants by adopting Dr Besigyes policy proposition to abolish user fees in public health facilities.

Nevertheless, Ugandan women continue to pay user fees under the table or even openly as they are forced to buy medical supplies for life-saving procedures such as caesarean section.

What is needed, therefore, is to regularize these payments, well before hand and pool the risk and resources within Ugandan communities.

We should adopt interventions to improve democratic decision-making, accountability and trust in the scheme. Key to successful policy change is effective stakeholder engagement.

Expanding to multiple sources of revenue would help ease the strain on the already overstretched narrow tax base.

Government has already put in place resources from which the health insurance scheme should hit the ground running.

These include the national identification project, the new and rehabilitated hospitals, the national ambulance services, and the district health information systems.

In any case, this scheme should prioritise women and children, targeting major reductions in Ugandas child, neonatal and maternal mortality.

Lastly, the spirit of solidarity should pervade the health insurance scheme - with the rich paying for the poor and the productive paying for the indigent.

As it stands today, it could be argued that the poor are paying for the private health insurance schemes of the rich either via government taxes for public officials or profits in the private sector.



The author is the general secretary of Uganda Medical Association.
fool, taking a story about POC and setting it in White America IS whitewashing

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also, newsflash: there are huge communities of Japanese people who live in the US. Yes, even Seattle! Doesn't fit the demographics of America, my ass. Ppl only say that shit when it comes to casting nonwhites but we don't hear that when we see shows set in LA and New York with a 100% blinding white cast. Where's your demographic bullshit now

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any time they say that what i'm hearing is that poc cannot represent america, bc america is white

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There was a show a few years ago that was set in San Francisco and had no Asian characters. They got a lot of criticism for that.

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tell it

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dont other countries take american properties and adapt it all the time tho? eg. china doing gossip girl with chinese actors



i understand the controversy with ghost in the shell bc nothing in the setting changed and it was still set in japan, just with a white girl as the lead. but this an adaptation that changes the location etc.

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Isn't that what they did with edge of tomorrow?? Yet everyone was in the recent post about its sequel talking about how excited they were??

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Japanese people in Japan aren't poc. Light Yagami in Japan is the social equivalent of a white guy in the U.S. and it's part of the story logic for him to be that.

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I don't really care that their Light isn't asian, but why does he have to be so fucking ugly?

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A bunch of dumbass teenagers think that hes hot which is how he was the lead in Paper Towns, the part in Fault in our stars and that new movie with Reese Witherspoon.

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Also, they seem to have changed his personality from what you mentioned to an outcast type, which kind of tells me the writing is going to be poor and cliched.

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I hate this, so true haha

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exactly, they missed the entire essence of light's character. his hotness and charm were the main reasons why he was so successful at manipulating everyone, and this guy is not only incredibly ugly but also looks like a local sociopath who'll be the first suspect in any criminal case in his town

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My younger cousin finds him "nerdy hot" which .....yikes.

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I'm glad that this guy being unattractive to you is more important than the not-so-subtle racism in the casting.

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Nepotism. His mom is a writer, director, and producer. White mediocrity wins the day again!

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.. i thought you were talking about lakeith and got very in my feelings about it

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Yeah, I feel like making him an over-privileged white handsome all-American boy and really hammering that home would be fairly accurate to what Light was in the original...but they didn't do that. They went down the easy road of making him an outcast Columbine type, and that's not what the story was. (And they also very easily could have made him POC going that route...although granted, white men are the best at resorting to murder when they don't get what they ~deserve in life)

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i have not seen the original but the trailer netflix forced me to watch actually made me want to check it out!

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you def should. it's an "edgelord" anime for sure (and has massive problems, massive misogyny in the narrative for one thing) but it's also really clever and a good time, imo

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the anime sucks too read the manga

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man decided to sip on the kool-aid, cancelled. bye.



why do you feel the need to talk about this casting if you're also just gonna say "i'm not the one casting"?

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Man decided to drink Kool Aid, become the poc people reference when they say, "He doesn't have a problem with it, and he's not white, so that means it's okay."

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hasn't gotten out yet, i see.

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lmao i love how appropriate this gif is,

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God, he is so fucking sexy.

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Kermit the frog KAAAAAAAAAAAAY

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Everyone's an expert on the demographics of America when it comes to justifying whitewashing, aren't they.

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Everyone suddenly becomes a pro at mental parkour when it comes to defending some whitewashing.

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So another person trying to explain that asian people dont exist and have lives in America. Do you know how many Asian people live in America? Not every story set in America has to revolve around a white person.



There are 13 million Asians who live in America right now who could be represented as a whole cast of this story. What a dumb defense these people are usinbg for this trash.

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But do Asians watch movies? Or any poc really? No, only white people watch movies, and they need to be represented!!!!!!

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21 million of us actually. Since 2016 at least.

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And they still got the nerve to whitewash this shit as if American always has to mean white.

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I'm so accustomed to "not existing" in American media, when the towns and cities I've lived in were swarming with Asian Americans lol.

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mte.

it's bs that even on ontd, "set in the us" means it a-ok to not consider any asian actors.

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at least he wouldn't look as dumb as he does now. People, at least around here, tend to be more forgiving when a no name actor is like "welp I need to eat and they offered, so imma just stay in my lane on that". No need cape for the racist casting.

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that's not true, tho!



whites aren't human ^_^

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True facts

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Calling it whitewashing is whitewashing in of itself 

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no we're not. we're all african!!!111

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WhErEs ThE lIe

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embarrassing

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Do PoC just stop existing at the border of Seattle or something?

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lmao



all except for 1 asian person and 1 black person

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I'll ignore this. 

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I'm not understanding the difference between white washing and adaptations. Can we not remake movies from other countries anymore? Is it the fact that the remakes are just with white people?

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It would be nice if adaptations were diverse, but I don't think we shouldn't not adapt properties from overseas.

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Yep plus Hollywood has been casting white people as REAL LIFE Asians or Pacific Islanders, like in 21 or Ni'ihau.

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the difference is basically like the united states is an ethnically diverse nation with a whole lot of differently looking people in it, but historically 99.9% of all ppl depicted in film and television have been white. so like, say hollywood wasn't like this, and everybody was represented accurately in film, and netflix was like ok we're going to make death note but with a bunch of white people instead. wouldn't that be weird? because, like, if hollywood represented diversity accurately, we'd rarely see all white casts. so it would be odd. but since like, it's not like that, i guess people are like confused by it. but yeah, remakes are cool and they dont have to be 100% faithful to the source material, but when an industry like actively blocks the representation of ppl who aren't white to begin with, replacing a cast that was initially voiced, drawn, and written by POC with white actors is frustrating.

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asian people exist in america as well?

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For the most part, it devolved to 1) the cast and crew being largely white with token minorities involved 2) erasing important cultural narratives that define certain characterstics of the movie (think Godzilla and how nuclear fallout is applied in the original movie) and 3) denying a chance for actors of color to get top billing, which is what Netflix did with Death Note (telling an Asian actor they weren't looking for Asians)

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Honestly I have seen you come up every these kind of post .. asking same question ..



You don't even trying to .

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i can't believe that actually worked on some people.

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I believe it. I've seen more than one person who thinks they have a relationship with the celeb and they aren't using their personal social accounts because they want to be "private" because the relationship is so "real".



It's really sad actually.

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This just reminds me of that iconic Catfish episode where the girl thought she was dating Lil Bow Wow

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But why would a celeb start messaging a random person in the first place? The level of delusion makes me really sad for these ppl and their states of mind :( Fuck everyone who exploits that.



Edited at 2017-08-23 06:18 pm (UTC)

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People still fall for the Nigerian scam so I can see them falling for this really easily.

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Kind of a reverse situation but IIRC Tom Hiddleston got tricked twice into meeting crazy fans under false pretenses.

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Oh man, who is dumb enough to believe that RDJ would write them a private message to personally ask them for money?! Like, did they think the $50 paypal request from "scammymcscamface@nigerianprincemail.com was really from Downey?

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someone was doing that Ryan Phillippe too

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Lol

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as if RDJ needs money from fans after his enormous marvel contract.

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Share your scammer stories ONTD!



We weren't allowed to eat pork growing up so I would trade my turkey Lunchables for the pepperoni ones with kids at school and claim it made me sick so I could go home for the day.







Um that's about it though lol. We weren't allowed to eat pork growing up so I would trade my turkey Lunchables for the pepperoni ones with kids at school and claim it made me sick so I could go home for the day.Um that's about it though lol.

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LOL

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lmao omg

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lmfao

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Lol

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H O L Y F U C K

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PLOT TWIST: The impersonators are actually raising money for legit charities. Catfishing for cancer!

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I remember reading an article about a woman who did something like that. She claimed to be this guy who was widowed with a bunch of kids and one had cancer, so she did a bunch of fundraisers in the kid's name and did actually donate the money to charity. It went on for YEARS, she developed this cast of dozens of characters and each had a robust facebook profile, like this catfishing was a full-time job.



Eventually she got found out and was seriously investigated but they found that she was actually donating every penny to charity like the fake guy she invented was saying he was, so no charges were ever filed.

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Edited at 2017-08-23 06:11 pm (UTC) That's wild. I guess she was doing the wrong thing for the right reasons but it's still not cool to mislead people like that, even if it is for a good cause. #chaoticgood

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I want a movie about her.

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Ahhh.. Her heart was in the right place.



I always want my favorite bands/actors to retweet some of my local gofundme's. There's this one for a local Mexican immigrant who got shot by a shotgun in the face because some kid was "bored" and randomly firing shots.

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Who would have thought that RDJ is in cahoots with that Nigerian Prince?

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I am a Nigerian prince give me monies

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Wasn't this "him" person floating around a few years ago with CDAN? Like, it was this insane BI and supposedly "RDJ" started leaving comments on the blog?

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was that the Diana Jenkins drama on ONTD? good times lmao

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what i thought of. what is it about rdj that makes people want to scam as him online and then people believe it? lol

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Yes lmao that person tried making so many clues pointing to it being RDJ

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"ducklings/honey bunnies" lol

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I can't believe people really fall for things like this D:



His message is pretty sweet tbh <3

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Share your scammer stories ONTD!

i've been getting calls from scammers pretending to be the canadian revenue agency issuing a warrant for my arrest unless i pay them. legit 3 calls a day.

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i had one from someone claiming to be the IRS lol my husband called back just to fuck with them.

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a few weeks ago I got a voicemail from the "IRS" informing me I would go to jail for fraud if I didn't return their call. I panicked for a hot minute before googling the number to ensure it was a scam.

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I get scam emails ALL THE TIME from the "CRA". Like hellooooooo, this is a government agency we are talking about. They strictly use snail mail.



Reminds me of that stupid woman who got scammed into thinking she had to pay the CRA with iTunes gift cards. Like bitch, what!?

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Someone called to try to get money of my Grandma once by pretending to be my cousin and trying to convince her that he was locked up in jail. They messed up and she told them "Fuck off" and hung up the phone. Then she called the cops.

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Yaaaas Thunderbae!

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First thing he's done thats not basic af or boring so cool <3

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Stawp! im gonna become a fan :/

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Yasss Aussie bae. Hope he doesn't fuck it up.

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Maybe he learned something after him and his wife threw that "cowboys and indians" party.

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I saw one of those stop the fags posters online... Nnn smh

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Wait, Turnbull is allowing a vote on it!? Juat

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I'm confused. The public is voting on it?

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So it's a non binding public vote? Smh. Which reminds me, why didn't my bb top 10 post get rejected? Cause it had a poll?





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His body is insanity.

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Mte. I like him on the slimmer side but his height + body is ideal.

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And Aussie people are typically not pro that kind of life so I was surprised he spoke in a positive way. Not to say all Aussie folks but a lot are.

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More than 70 per cent of australians support marriage equality

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I think I'd enjoy sex with him. So amazing.

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lol true

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mte when i saw that pic lol

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same

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I didn't realize Chris was so big! I didn't realize Chris was so big!

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Well now you mentioned it... he prob seem to know how to have some fun in bed

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He looks like he would throw me down, smite me, then fuck the shit outta me standing up. HFT.

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DUDE right? I was like HE DID WHAT NOW?

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I did take a quick breath when I read that. Lol

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Ikr  I didn't expect dat as if it was out of blue all of sudden jfc

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this

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Expected nothing less from him. Good form!

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His upper body is goals.

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the public is voting on this? huh

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http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/gay-marriage/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-samesex-marriage-postal-vote/news-story/4531d18e2fe8242d908c0307eb458f8b



IS IT A PLEBISCITE?



No, the government failed to get that through parliament. These days were calling it a postal survey instead. It means people dont have to vote if they dont want to, and the result is not binding on politicians.

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Arguably the vote on Brexit was non-binding too...

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A plebiscite would also have been non-binding, anyway.

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It is a plebiscite it's just got another name. It's non-binding, like a plebiscite. This means it's fucking useless because even if most of the country comes out YES, which it will, the gov can just go 'SHRUG I have to follow ~~~my conscience~~~'.



And so Turnbull pays his debts to the snakes that got him the PM.

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That's nice of him. Sometimes it's so hard to believe that certain countries still don't have marriage equality - even though it wasn't that long ago that the Netherlands became the first to allow it. Australia and Germany seem like they should have been at this a decade ago.

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Yeah, I'm well aware of that. I'm just saying it's hard to believe that a lot of the countries like Australia and Germany are really taking their time with it, not sitting here flabbergasted that Chechnya isn't on board with gay rights.

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australia is alot more backwards than you think. The issues that Aboriginal people have there are terrible.

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Where do I find a chivalrous man with a body of Thunderbae and a heart of gold? LOL

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if you find him, ask him if he has a brother ;)

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LOL ikr. I'm having a hard time believing that guys like ha exists irl tbh. They are fake news to me lol

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time to hop on it ontd

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Chris? Don't mind if I do.

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I SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY!Someone in Australia is illegally using my picture for a campaign against marriage equality. So wrong. Not okay  Meghan Trainor (@Meghan_Trainor) August 23, 2017



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Did anyone notice?

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The government of Cambodia signed on Wednesday an agreement with Singapore-listed KrisEnergy Ltd to develop Cambodias first oil field that is expected to produce the countrys first-ever own oil within 24 months after the project launch.

KrisEnergy, which has been operator of Cambodia Block A in the Gulf of Thailand since 2014, plans to develop the Apsara area in the northeastern part of the concession.

As per terms of the agreements, KrisEnergy has 60 days to declare a final investment decision that would mark the formal launch of the Apsara development project expected to produce first oil in up to 24 months, the Singapore-based company said in its statement.

KrisEnergy holds a 95-percent participating interest in the block, and Cambodias government owns the other 5 percent.

Apsara marks only the first phase of the development of Cambodia Block A, there remains further potential in other geological trends within the contract area for future investigation, said Kelvin Tang, KrisEnergys Chief Operating Officer and President of the Companys Cambodian activities.

The oil accumulations in the block are small and spread over a large area, which requires time and significant funds to be fully developed, therefore, the company has adopted a prudent phased approach to the development, KrisEnergy said, adding that because of these reasons, there is some uncertainty regarding long-term production rates, reserves and commercial viability.



Related: This Critical Oil Price Divergence Could Boost US Exports

At the signing ceremony, KrisEnergys Tang said that the company was in search of partners to invest in the Cambodian project, while Cambodias government will get some US$500 million in fees, taxes, and royalties over the projects lifespan.

According to Cambodian Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth, the area is estimated to yield more than 30 million barrels over 9 years. Pornmoniroth also vowed that he would not allow Cambodia to become an overly oil-reliant economy, and would invest the oil revenues into structural reforms to boost growth.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Russia continued to be Chinas biggest crude oil supplier in July for a fifth consecutive month, while Chinese refineries have been taking in more Brent-price-linked West African crude at the expense of sour Middle Eastern varieties as OPECs cuts led to narrower price differentials making African oil more attractive for buyers.

Chinas crude oil imports from Russia averaged around 1.17 million bpd in July, a 54-percent surge compared to the same month last year, according to data by Chinas General Administration of Customs cited by Reuters.

Total Chinese imports last month stood at 8.18 million bpd, down compared to June, but up 12 percent year-on-year. Year-to-date, Chinas crude imports rose 13.6 percent to 8.51 million bpd.

Down in the suppliers list behind Russia came Saudi Arabia and AngolaChinas no.2 and no.3 crude oil providers in July, respectively. Chinese imports from Saudi Arabia inched down 0.8 percent annually to around 940,000 bpd, while imports from Angola dropped 17.1 percent to 921,520 bpd.

Year to date, however, Angola kept its spot as Chinas second-biggest supplier for a third straight month with shipments up 15 percent in January-July.

As early as the start of OPECs production cuts, reduced supplies resulted in higher prices for Middle Eastern crude benchmark Dubai and a narrower Brent/Dubai spread, which made the shipment of Brent-price-linked crude grades to Asia profitable.

On the other hand, independent refiners in China  the so-called teapotsnot bound by long-term supply contracts with Saudi Arabiahave been replacing the Middle Eastern grades with Urals, a Russian grade with qualities similar to the Oman crude grade and with even better refining economics, according to traders.



Related: The Latest Red Flag For U.S. Shale

Urals, which is priced against the Brent, is now a business-feasible opportunity for smaller Chinese refiners, after the rise in Middle Eastern benchmarks.

Chinese refinery demand helped Russia to outstrip Saudi Arabia to take the top spot in crude exports to China last year. Russias exports jumped 25 percent annually to 1.05 million bpd in 2016, compared to Saudi Arabias shipments of 1.02 million bpd, inching up just 0.9 percent.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has asked oil-rich Kurdistan to delay its referendum on independence from Iraq, currently scheduled to take place in September, according to emerging reports.

Our point right now is to stay focused like a laser beam on the defeat of ISIS and to let nothing distract us, the secretary told reporters before approaching Erbil for the meet with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani on Tuesday.

An independent Kurdistan would mean Kirkuks oil reserves would be severed from Iraq. According to Rudaw, the two oilfields controlled directly by KRG produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day.

In a phone call with Barzani earlier this month, Secretary of State Rex TIllerson similarly insisted the referendum be held at a later date, instead of September 25th.

The KRG remains determined to hold the vote as scheduled.

We intend to proceed with the referendum on Sept. 25 to allow our people to determine their own future, security official Masrour Barzani said after on Tuesday night, according to The New York Times. This remains the only solution; forced coexistence in Iraq isnt working.

All countries that are part of the U.S.-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State believe the referendum should be postponed due to its possible effects on the fight against the terrorist group, said Brett McGurk, President Donald Trumps special envoy to the coalition. But the Kurdish Peshmerga army insists that a vote in favor of an independent Kurdistan would not lessen its vigor or resolve in combat.



Related: The Caribbean Is Poised To Become The Next Major Oil Region

Opponents of the vote have been devising veiled oil infrastructure plans to stifle independence efforts. Earlier this summer, Irans Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said that Iraq and Iran had reached an agreement to commission a feasibility study of a crude oil pipeline that would export oil from fields in Kirkuk via Iran.

In order to raise more legal problems in Kirkuk, Baghdad and Tehran have been trying for a long time to work on a pipeline to transport crude oil from the province to the Iranian territories, said Dilshad Shaaban, deputy chairman of the Kurdistan Parliaments natural resources committee.

By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com

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Yes, in the end, you will walk out. Because 100,000 Englishmen simply cannot control 350 million Indians, if those Indians refuse to cooperate

Mahatma Ghandi

On August 12, 2017, a group of white supremacists, neo-nazis, and allied thugs and cretins, descended on Charlottesville, VA, to stage a protest over the removal of Civil War statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. While removal of the statue was the nominal purpose of the march, in fact the protesters were there for violence. They came armed  bats, batons, a smattering of small arms, a large supply of pepper spray, helmets, body armor, and shields with a variety of insignia aligned with their hateful cause. They came to fight and injure. They carried signs, hurled bigoted insults, and engaged in the trash talking that usually leads to fighting. (To be sure there were a few amongst the protestors that were genuinely offended by the demolition of a statue commemorating their heritage  they were not supporting slavery, denouncing people of color, or engaging in the hate that was present in the vanguard of the group.)

On August 12, 2017 a group of ardent anarchist, black militants, and witless Trump haters (ANTIFA) descended on Charlottesville, VA, to deny a forum to all those with whom they disagree  in this case, the white supremacists, neo-nazis and allied thugs and cretins  even the minority of those people offended by demolition of a statue commemorating their heritage. While the counter-protest was the nominal purpose for their march, in fact a dedicated minority of these protestors were there for the violence. They came armed  bats, two-by-fours, bottles filled with urine, rocks and anything loose that could be thrown, battered or otherwise used as a weapon. They came to fight, injure and destroy property. They carried signs, hurled insults and engaged in the trash talking that usually leads to fighting. (To be sure there were many amongst these protestors that were there to protest and object to hate speech. There were even a few who believe that a statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee is the equivalent to the promotion of slavery, the denigration of people of color, and the encouragement of bigotry. They were probably in the majority amongst the protestors but were stampeded into the conflict by the ANTIFA types.)

In the end, a woman  Heather Heyer  was killed when she was run down in a car driven by one of the thugs who came for the violence. Ms. Heyer was not there for the violence but she became a victim of it. Two state troopers assigned to the battle were killed in a helicopter crash  two Blue Lives that died needlessly because miscreants came for the violence.

The press duly reported the events of August 12 including film of the violent clashes between the white supremacist elements and the counter-protestors riddled with ANTIFA members. They went at each other tooth and nail although the individual skirmishes were relatively brief  as is the case in most bare-knuckle brawls. Getting smacked by a bat, poked in the solar plexus by a baton, or cracked on the skull by a two-by-four rapidly takes the fight out of even these cretins.

And yet, despite this the mainstream media, continuing with its obsession of destroying President Donald Trump, failed to focus on the growing willingness of the far left and the far right to engage in violence as a first means of advocacy or the growing trend of those on the edges to silence those in the middle. No, those possessed of the Trump Derangement Syndrome  virtually the entirety of the Democrat Party and their public relations machine in the print and broadcast television media  focused instead on what Mr. Trump said, or didnt say, or when he said it or didnt say it. It wouldnt have made any difference what Mr. Trump said, the focus was on branding him a racist, a bigot and leader of the white supremacist movement. Mr. Trump could have appeared out of the crowd during the height of the melee, grabbed one of the white supremacists by the throat, hauled him into the middle of the square and executed with a bullet to the head (Viet Cong style) and still the media would have been hysterical in its criticism  he was soft on the other white supremacists, he promoted gun violence, he didnt give any consideration to whether children were watching, and on and on and on.

And it wasnt just a single news cycle it has gone on continuously since August 12. It has gone on so long that most people do not recognize the name of Heather Heyer or James Field  the victim and the alleged perpetrator  but they continue to be bombarded with the most outlandish accusations about the President of the United States. The mainstream media could have done a serious investigation into both sides of this riot  particularly with regards to how each side organized. But the press cannot be bothered with facts when endless and unsubstantiated speculation is easier and far more damaging.

While the mainstream media continues to defile Mr. Trump, his wife and children, the real questions go unattended. Why is free speech under attack? When did we become so intolerant that we seek to deny others the opportunity to express their points of view? Why is violence an appropriate avenue to oppose free speech? When will our political leaders regain the courage to condemn hate speech from all corners. When will our political leaders regain the courage to allow a full debate of issues without resorting to personal attacks? When will the politics of personal destruction be condemned in favor of robust and intelligent debate?

Given the current political leadership  Democrats and Republicans alike  the answer is likely Not anytime soon.

For me, I refuse to cooperate any longer with political correctness. I refuse to temper factual statements because somebody might be offended. I refuse to be bullied, cowed or intimidated into spewing pabulum when grits are required. If you dont like what I write stop reading. Otherwise, Bite me!
It was a happy moment for four young engineers from NIT Calicut when their design for a shower and commode wheelchair won the top prize at the 'Design for Disabled' competition sponsored by the Kozhikode-based NGO Pain and Palliative Care Society (PPCS). Funded in part by PPCS and the NIT, the team made a prototype in 2011. "The response was immediate," says Ganesh Sonawane, the founder and CEO of Arcatron Mobility. "We were offered grants to develop the design further but refused as by then the two of us had started working in Pune," he says. But the ball had been set rolling, and the thought of 'reinventing assisted living' and making it more safe and dignified firmly planted in the team's mind. After working on the different designs, while doing full-time jobs, the four launched the company in July 2015.

At a time when people are living longer, a large number of senior citizens and others with restricted mobility are looking for ways to make their lives easier. Arcatron couldnt have been launched at a better time. "We discovered that the market for wheelchairs was unorganised," says Chief Technical Officer Lakshmikant Banjaaray. "Those available did not have advanced features, and those that had were very expensive. The cheaper ones had basic features and were mostly made in China," says Banjaaray.

After college, the team pooled in savings and continued to experiment at a workshop in a friend's flat. Around this time, it approached Anoop Hingorani, former deputy general manager, RIL, who along with Sonawane pumped in Rs 41.5 lakh. The team also borrowed Rs35 lakh from a private source and in 2014 applied for a patent for the wheelchair.

With a handful of players in the Rs440 crore assisted bathroom device market, Arcatron Mobility's products target those with spinal cord injury and the 110 million elderly, of which 35 per cent require help in daily activities. Its SAS100 model can be wheeled into the bathroom under the shower and also rolled over to fit on to a commode.

"A simple function such as sitting on a toilet seat that would take four-five steps for the physically challenged can be done from the Arcatron wheelchair without any assistance," says Kunal Kamble, VP, Design who, along with Dewaj Baruah, VP, Manufacturing, and Arif Khan, VP, Business Development, Sonawane and Banjaaray, forms the core team of Arcatron.

"The wheelchair has a soft, water-resistant skin-moulded seat made of polyurethane which prevents sores. It has seven adjustable heights and a swivel armchair," says Kamble. The company is planning mass production starting October and is targeting 500 units over three months. Registered in 2015, it generated Rs15.3 lakh during the beta launch in 2016/17. "We floated a website, did trial rounds in hospitals, and reached out to potential customers," says Khan.

Arcatron has roped in Pinnacle Industries, one of India's largest commercial vehicle and bus seating/interiors companies as a manufacturing partner. Pinnacle, which has been making wheelchairs under a separate CSR project with MIT and a Boston-based NGO, GRIT, has offered its expertise and production facility at a nominal margin. "It was a passionate team which wanted to focus on something which went beyond the usual and addressed a growing social need. It found a place on our CSR map," says Sudhir Mehta, CMD, Pinnacle Industries and lead investor, Indian Angel Network or IAN. Mehta invested Rs20 lakh in Arcatron at incorporation in return for compulsory convertible debentures at a discount. "We've offered Arcatron our factory till it gets its own facility. The market is there. Once it is sure it can tap it, it is free to use our other facilities too. If we have to create companies which solve important problems, we need to nurture them," he says. "The market is hugely untapped," says Mehta.

Sukhdev, the owner of New Delhi-based Everest Engineers, which makes the Sage brand of wheelchairs, walking aids and toilet aids, agrees. "Although the domestic market is unorganised, it's huge. Orders are mostly customised depending on the needs of individual patients." Sage, too, manufactures shower wheelchairs which cost Rs15,000 upwards; but each wheelchair has a different specification. "They could be metallic or made of plastic, convertible or portable. The range is wide but not uniform and can cost up to Rs1-2 lakh," says Sukhdev.

This is where Arcatron plans to step in. "Most wheelchairs in the same category as ours are imported or very expensive. Germany-based Ottobot has a similar product with little variation but costs Rs30,000-1,00,000. The rest are mostly customised. We plan to mass produce," says Sonawane.

Arcatron will launch the self-propelled multipurpose shower and commode wheelchair Frido in October, producing 500 units at first, for which it has already raised Rs1.5 crore from IAN. The company hopes to become revenue positive with the launch.

Since devices for the specially-abled are typically customised, Bhargav Sundaram, owner of Chennai-based Callidai Motor Works, which has been making motorised wheelchairs and tricycles for two decades, is not very optimistic about volume-driven production. Callidai makes a vast range of wheelchairs, both powered and manual, but like Sage, its products are customised. "Although I would love to mass produce a product such as a hi-tech wheelchair, how would I distribute it or create awareness about it, and more importantly, work out the transportation and reach out to dealers? It is not easy to market a product where every customer has different needs. If it is being done, it means the company has deep pockets and an efficient distribution network. It would be wonderful though if flexibility is built into a standard design," says Sundaram.

Having recently bagged the top prize at Surge '16, the Indian edition of Web Summit, Arcatron also plans to go global. It has been approached by Sri Lanka-based Amedco, a leading surgical equipment distributor, for channel partnership. "We have also been approached by Bridgeway Healthcare, which is present in the Middle-East, with an offer for distribution," says Sonawane.

Moupia Basu is a freelance writer


Alibaba's UC Browser has come under the government's scanner for alleged leak of mobile data of its Indian users and may be banned in the country if found guilty, a senior IT ministry official said today.

"There have been complaints against UC Browser that it sends mobile data of its users in India to server in China. There are complaints that even if an user has uninstalled it or cleaned browsing data, the browser retains control of DNS of user's device," the officer who did not wish to be named told PTI.

The officer said if the allegations against the browser are established then it may be banned in the country.

Email sent to UC Web, which operates UC Browser, did not elicit any response.

UC Browser is part of Alibaba's mobile business group.

Alibaba has made significant investments in the payment bank firm Paytm and its parent company One97. Besides Paytm, Alibaba has invested in e-commerce firm Snapdeal as well.

UC Browser has last year claimed that it has over 100 million monthly active users in India and Indonesia.

As per Stat-Counter report at the end of June 2017, UC Browser is second most used web browser in India after Google's Chrome and leads mobile phone segment with 48.66 per cent market share.

The probe by the government comes amid escalating tension between India and China.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT actively looking at findings of University of Toronto which has allegedly discovered "several major privacy and security vulnerabilities that would seriously expose users of UC Browser to surveillance and other privacy violations".

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad is doing technical investigation into the allegation made in University of Toronto report, which also mentioned that the browser is mostly used in India and China.
Nokia 6 to go on first sale today at 12pm exclusively on Amazon India. Nokia 6 was launched last month and is priced at Rs 14,999. The user will have to register on Amazon's website to partake in the sale.

Amazon is also giving away various offers with the purchase of Nokia 6. Amazon Prime members will get Rs 1000 cashback in Amazon Pay balance. All Nokia 6 customers who sign in to the Kindle app will get 80 per cent off on Kindle eBooks upto Rs 300. MakeMyTrip is offering Rs 2,500 off (1,800 on hotels, Rs 700 on Flights) on transactions on its site. Vodafone users will get 45GB of free data for 5 months with the purchase of Nokia 6.

Also Read: Nokia makes its smartphone comeback in India with Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6

The Nokia 6 will be running a stock Android Nougat out of the box. The company will be focusing on online sales with the Nokia 6 in comparison to Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 which were essentially selling to make their presence felt in the offline market.

According to the company's schedule, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 were supposed to hit the Indian market in the first week of July but owing to the mega tax reform, GST, there seems to be a delay in sales.

Nokia 6 has a 5.5 Inch HD display powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 which is supported by 3/4GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB internal storage.

On the camera front, the phone houses a 16MegaPixel rear camera 8 MegaPixel front facing snapper. The rear panel also houses a 3000 mAh battery unit. The device is priced at Rs 14,999 which pits it against the likes of Moto G5 Plus and Redmi Note 4.
Donald Trump want Pakistan to do more for terrorism

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump cleared the way for the deployment of thousands more US troops to Afghanistan on Monday, backtracking from his promise to rapidly end Americas longest war, while pillorying ally Pakistan for offering safe haven to agents of chaos.



In his first formal address to the nation as commander-in-chief, Trump discarded his previous criticism of the 16-year-old war as a waste of time and money, admitting things looked different from behind the desk in the Oval Office.



My instinct was to pull out, Trump said as he spoke of his frustration with a war that has killed thousands of US troops and cost US taxpayers trillions of dollars.



But following months of deliberation, Trump said he had concluded the consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable leaving a vacuum that terrorists would instantly fill.



We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting

While Trump refused to offer detailed troop numbers, senior White House officials said he had already authorised his defence secretary to deploy up to 3,900 more troops to Afghanistan.



He warned that the approach would now be more pragmatic than idealistic. Security assistance to Afghanistan was not a blank cheque, he said, warning he would not send the military to construct democracies in faraway lands or create democracies in our own image. We are not nation building again. We are killing terrorists.



The US has grown increasingly weary of the conflict that began in October 2001 as a hunt for the 9/11 attackers turned into a vexed effort to keep Afghanistans divided and corruption-hindered democracy alive amid a brutal Taliban insurgency.



The terrorist group later vowed it would make the country a graveyard for the United States and would continue its jihad as long as American troops remained in the country.



If America doesnt withdraw its troops from Afghanistan, soon Afghanistan will become another graveyard for this superpower in the 21st century, Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban in Afghanistan, said in a statement.



Trump also indicated that single-minded approach would extend to US relations with ally Pakistan, which consecutive US administrations have criticised for links with the Taliban and for harbouring leading terrorists  like Osama bin Laden.



We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting, he said, warning that vital aid could be cut. That will have to change and that will change immediately.



Ahead of the speech, Pakistan's military brushed off speculation that Trump could signal a stronger line against Islamabad, insisting the country has done all it can to tackle militancy.



"Let it come," army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told reporters, referring to Trump's decision. "Even if it comes... Pakistan shall do whatever is best in the national interest."



Trump for the first time also left the door open to an eventual political deal with the Taliban. "Someday, after an effective military effort, perhaps it will be possible to have a political settlement that includes elements of the Taliban in Afghanistan," he said.



"But nobody knows if or when that will ever happen," he added, before vowing that "America will continue its support for the Afghan government and military as they confront the Taliban in the field".



His Secretary of State Rex Tillerson went further, saying the United States would "stand ready to support peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban without preconditions".



The Trump administration had originally promised a new Afghan plan by mid-July, but Trump was said to be dissatisfied by initial proposals to deploy a few thousand more troops.



His new policy will raise questions about what, if anything, could be achieved by making further deployments, or repeating the demands of previous administrations in more forceful terms.



More than 2,500 Afghan police and troops have already been killed this year.



Trump's announcement comes amid a month of serious turmoil for his administration, which has seen several top White House officials fired and revelations that members of Trump's campaign are being investigated by a federal grand jury.



He sought in his address to convince Americans weary of his controversial off-the-cuff remarks.



"I studied Afghanistan in great detail and from every conceivable angle," he said, hoping to show he has sufficiently pondered the decision to send more young Americans into mortal danger.



One of the main voices arguing for withdrawal, Trump's nationalistic chief strategist Steve Bannon, was removed from his post on Friday.
Pakistan shared evidence with American military officials about action taken against Haqqani Network

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has shared evidence with the American military officials about the action taken against the Haqqani Network, the military spokesman said Tuesday. Talking to members of an Afghan media delegation, currently on a week-long visit to Pakistan, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said Pakistani security officials had informed the American military officials who visited Pakistan this month about the action against the Haqqanis.



"We have told them (American military officials) that we have taken action and will take action against the Haqqani Network and all other terrorists groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan," he said.



He said that Haqqanis and other terrorist groups had been eliminated from North Waziristan during the major offensive launched during 2014.



The Pakistani Embassy in Kabul has invited the Afghan media team to visit Pakistan to have direct interaction with the Pakistani political and military officials and to ask about their reservations, embassy spokesman Akhtar Munir said.



The Afghan media team, representing the leading TV channels and other important media outlets, held a two-hour discussion with the Inter Services of Public Relations (ISPR) director general, who also offered them a live presser for the Afghan TV channels.



He said that seven members of the Haqqani Network were killed in Afghanistan, whose names the Afghan government had mentioned in list handed over to Pakistan in February.



"Our intelligence has also confirmed that dozens of others mentioned in the Afghan government list operate on the Afghan side of the border," he said in a reference to what was seen as a tit-for-tat exchange of lists of wanted men after terrorist attacks had killed nearly 100 Pakistanis in attacks in the country in February.



Replying to questions about the security along the border with Afghanistan, he said that the fencing of the border with Afghanistan was likely to be completed within two years. He said that the fencing and other measures were only aimed at stopping the cross-border movement of the terrorists.



"We know there are certain reservations on the border management in Afghanistan, but these measures are necessary to stop the terrorists from entering both sides of the border. If the Afghan government has any other option, they can share it with us," he said.



The army spokesman also told the Afghan media team that the border crossings with Afghanistan, which were still closed, would be reopened in six to nine months after all measures were taken to ensure border security. "Closure of border is not an appropriate step and such steps are counterproductive for the both countries and issues cannot be settled in this way."



"We have established a lot of check posts on our side of the border and hope similar measures are taken on the other side," he said. He said that Pakistan army chief had even offered the Afghan side that Pakistan was ready to help Afghans put in place similar security measures, such as fencing of constructing forts on the Afghan side.



"Terrorists routinely launched attacks on Pakistani border posts from Afghan soil in groups of 150 in the past. But Pakistani measures on the border have reduced the threat," Maj Gen Ghafoor said.



He also reiterated Pakistan military's offer to impart training to the Afghan security forces in the Pakistani military centers.



The army spokesman called for an end to the blame game between Pakistan and Afghanistan, adding that both countries must talk to each other to address to each other's concerns. "As Pakistan military spokesman I have never leveled the allegations against Afghan government or the Afghan army for supporting Pakistani terrorists," he said. He, however, said it was widely believed in Pakistan that the Pakistani terrorists were using Afghan soil to target Pakistan.



"TTP Chief Mullah Fazlullah is in Afghanistan and he claims responsibility for attacks in Pakistan, but it does not mean that Afghan government is involved in such incidents," he said. However, he said, that India was using TTP against Pakistan.



To a question, he said Pakistan has deployed over 200,000 security personnel in the tribal regions, which had once been under the influence of the terrorist groups but now all areas have been cleared.



"There doesn't exist safe havens of terrorists in Pakistan. Pakistan Army conducted operation 'Raddul Fasaad' against all terrorists without any discrimination," he said.








Senate passed information bill

ISLAMABAD: The Senate unanimously passed on Tuesday the much-demanded access to information bill, which grants citizens complete access to the record of public authorities.



The landmark legislation is expected to make the government more accountable regarding corruption and inefficiency, besides ensuring good governance, sound economy and the respect for human rights.



However, under the Right of Access to Information Bill 2017 there will be no access to the official record of armed forces, defence installations, details of individuals bank accounts, defence and national security. But information regarding defence-related commercial and welfare activities can be accessed.



Any Pakistani citizen can make a request for seeking information regarding public offices by paying some amount, which will be fixed later. The principal officer in these departments will have to provide the applicant with the relevant information within three to 10 days.



In case of non-availability of information, the officer will have to justify his act in writing and clearly state how the considerations of national security outweighed public interest. The applicant will still have the right of appeal.



In a rare instance, the bill was supported by all parties and members belonging to all provinces. It is said to rest on the tripod of universally recognised principles of maximum disclosure, minimum exemptions and the right of appeal.



In the document, a balance has been struck for the first time between national security and public interest and it is believed that information cannot be withheld from public on the mere excuse of national interest.



The consideration of national security will not apply if the piece of information sought relates to corruption or a threat to life was involved. In such cases, no information can be withheld under the new law.



It was a private member bill first introduced by Senator Kamil Ali Agha. But when the government desired to own it, the opposition agreed that it should be presented by the government.



Later, opposition leader Farhatullah Babar and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb worked for its unanimous passage by the upper house.



The bill, having complete government support, is also expected to be passed by the National Assembly soon. And with the final nod of President Mamnoon Hussain, it will become a law which has to be implemented within six months.



Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani also congratulated the house for passing a historic legislation despite some teething problems coming in its way.



He hoped that the bill would smoothly be passed by the lower house as it was for the first time on this issue that all stakeholders were on the same page.



Ms Aurangzeb said such laws were already available in provinces but the centre lacked it. She gave credit of the passage of the bill to all stakeholders, including the opposition. There is a balance in the bill between national and public interests, she said.



Senator Farhatullah Babar said that although the bill was not aimed at addressing the issue of missing persons, it still had the potential of discouraging disappearances allegedly by security agencies. If someones life is in danger, information about him or her has to be furnished within three days, he said.



We have employed the Johannesburg Principles to strike this delicate balance, he said, adding that a significant feature of the bill was that even the courts, parliament and the NGOs funded by the government were not exempted and had been brought under the ambit of the law.



Later talking to Dawn, he said questions asked in the Senate about the suo motu cases taken up by superior courts were not replied on the ground that it militated against the independence of the judiciary. Not long ago the registrar of the Supreme Court declined to submit accounts before the parliaments public accounts committee, he added.



He said parliamentary questions such as whether an inquiry had been held into the Kargil misadventure and several other similar questions were not answered on the grounds of national security.

Declaration of public record



Under the bill, the following record will be declared as public record: policies and guidelines, the disposal of property, the expenditure of public body, performance, duties, functions, grant of licences, benefits, privileges and contracts.

Appeals



An applicant who is not satisfied by the decision of designated officer can file an appeal within 30 days. Information commissioners will then be appointed in all public bodies to address these appeals.
Of course. You would have to be be barking mad to want to bring this rabble to NZ. But then socialists are mad by definition. It's not as if we don't have...












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Chavez Cuanto te queremos!



Por culpa de Chavez



Cerveza Polar







Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar







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LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares?



























Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano...



Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos:



Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias.



Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera.



No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje.



En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio.



Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida.



Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella.



Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal.



Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista.



Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen.



Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che?



Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio.



Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora.



Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo.



Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo.



Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania.



No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar.



Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga.





Alguna duda?



Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino



Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia.



OZ1



OZ2



OZ3



OZ4



Homenaje a Jason Galarraga



La Victoria de Samotracia



Odalisca



Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008



























La Sierra Nevada de Merida



Nuestro precioso Churum Meru



Homenaje a Picasso



Autoretrato



Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola?

La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.

Mi profesion?

Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.

Sal en la Coca Cola?

A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.

De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:

Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto

Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)

azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)

Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas

Mucha Cafeina

Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio

Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe

Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion

El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.

Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.

Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.

En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).

Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.

La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.

Bebidas Light?

Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el

Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.



Publicado por loretahur



En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur

MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina:

1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias.

2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina.

3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard.

4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos.

5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla.

6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos.

Ahora... sobre la margarina:

1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) .

2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias.

3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno).

4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer.

5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna.

6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo.

7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina.

Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas:

* No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo).

* No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!!



No a la guerra, Si a la Paz



Misterios de la ciencia...



Los costos de la guerra



medicos y capitalismo...



Capitalismo...



medicos (2)



Quien educa a nuestros hijos?



Los Medios...



Sin Palabras...



Chistes feministas

- Cual es el problema, Eva?

- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz...

- Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.

- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...

- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.

- Que es un hombre?

- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.

- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.

- Cual es el truco?.

- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.

- Cual?

- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.





Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas?  Porque todos son unos cerdos

Ellas...



Ellas (2)...



Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1

Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije:

-Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro.

Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria.

Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre?

-Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa!



VENGANZA NUMERO 2

Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris.

A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita:

- Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!!

Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta.

La mujer paso quince dias en Francia.

El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla.

Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es:

- Y amor me trajiste mi francesita??

- Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina.



VENGANZA NUMERO 3

El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion.

- No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo.

- Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz.

Te quiero confesar algo.

- Esta bien, esta bien. Habla!

- He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga.

- Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!!



machismo y cibernetica



Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston.

-Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?.

El simio hace la sena de OK.

-Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide.

-Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!.



.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos.

Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco.

Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas



Gol !!!!



Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso!



Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy!


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In California, age plays a big factor in how one might see the health of the state's job market, where adults see very different prospects for collecting paychecks than the state's teenagers do.

For example, the current state of the state's job market for adults Age 20 and older might be described as "California Stalling".

While for teens from Age 16 through 19, the best way to describe the state of the job market in 2017 is "California Falling".

For a state that has been boasting about possibly having surpassed the United Kingdom to become the fifth largest economy in the world as recently as a month ago, its economy sure is showing signs of increasing strain.

References

State of California Economic Development Department. California Demographic Labor Force Summary Tables, July 2017 (and previous editions). [PDF Document]. Accessed 22 August 2017.
For the past several weeks, I have been interviewing individuals affected by our nation's immigration laws for a recent series in the Post-Star.

Many of the individuals I spoke with expressed a sincere desire to be in this country because they love our country and the opportunities it presents. Many detailed arrests and being detained in federal detention centers because they stayed in the U.S. after their visa expired.

I realize letting a visa expire is illegal, but so it running a red light, not paying a parking ticket, or letting a vehicle registration expire. I remember a young man in Vermont who was in court for his 19th offense of driving with a suspended driver's license. He was not jailed.

For foreign nationals who have lived in this country for decades, paid into Social Security and paid taxes that benefit all of us, is imprisonment really the answer?

As a former cops and justice reporter in Vermont and Pennsylvania, I have covered horrific crimes and murders over the years, like the grandmother who was murdered in Essex County after two men carjacked her in the Rutland Price Chopper parking lot on her way to work. I investigated the national hate movement and spent a great deal of time interviewing national leaders of the Aryan Nations and the KKK. Editors have sent me to crime scenes where husbands had allegedly murdered their wives, one while the children were home. I witnessed the place where Vermont State Police found the body of a young woman thrown over a railing and down a ravine in the Green Mountain National Forest.

So when I think about a mother or father trying to feed their children and make a better life for their family by working hard at a skilled job, I can't really equate the crimes. And I can't understand the increased level of law enforcement resources dedicated to finding, arresting and imprisoning them. This year, the president ordered 10,000 more ICE agents added to a pool of over 45,000.

Does the effort and the punishment equal the crime, I wonder?

The more I thought about this, the more I was struck by parallel themes in classic literature: Characters facing harsh imprisonment for non-violent and what I consider smaller (misdemeanor) crimes.

In Victor Hugo's, long censored  from 1864 to 1959  story of Jean Valjean, readers are faced with the manifestation of legal injustice. Valjean was villainized and hunted for years by Inspector Javert. His original crime? Stealing a loaf of bread because he and his young sister were hungry.

Hugo, who lived in exile for nearly two decades was trying to bring to light such inequities of justice in "Les Miserables."

As long as there are ignorance and poverty on Earth, wrote Hugo in the book's preface, books such as this one may not be useless.

As I was writing this blog, I was thinking about crimes related to basic survival,feeding families and poverty. And I recalled signs i have seen in cities, pointing out that it was illegal to feed the homeless. Food-sharing laws make it illegal to share food with a homeless person. There are now more than 70 U.S. cities with proposed or finalized laws.

In 2013, a 90-year-old WW II veteran and chef, Arnold Abbot, was cooking elaborate meals and serving them to the homeless in a Fort Lauderdale park. He was arrested and faced 60 days in jail for feeding the homeless. In 1991, Arnold started the Love Thy Neighbor Fund in honor of his wife because before she passed away they fed the homeless together. Today, now 93 and labeled a scofflaw, Arnold is still fighting city government and vows to keep feeding the homeless despite continued legal action against him.

Does Arnold deserve to be jailed even though he is breaking the no feeding the homeless law?

I am left wondering, is there no room for humanity and reason in our laws and their punishments?
Following a recent Post-Star series on immigration, I received updated statistics regarding this summer's ICE raids in Saratoga Springs.

According to a Homeland Security spokesman, of the 16 foreign nationals arrested in May, one Guatemalan national and 15 Mexican nationals, ages 19 to 49, currently face administrative immigration violations.

Regarding the June 14 raid, one Guatemalan national and nine Mexican nationals, ages 20 to 49, currently face administrative immigration violations.
Many area school districts reported improved test scores this year in English and math, but some students are still lagging behind the state average.

About 40 percent of students in grades three through eight statewide passed the English language arts and math tests. The ELA passing rate increased almost 2 points, from 37.9 percent in 2016 to 39.8 percent in 2017. The percentage of students who were proficient in math increased from 39.1 percent to 40.2 percent this year.

The tests are graded on a scale of 1 to 4 with 3 considered passing.

School districts whose students had passing rates above average in both English and math included Bolton, Cambridge, Lake George, Queensbury, Saratoga Springs, Schuylerville and South Glens Falls.

Fifty-two percent of Queensburys students in grades three through eight were proficient on the English exam and 56 percent were proficient on the math test.

Superintendent of Schools Douglas Huntley said district officials are pleased with the scores this year.

Weve seen progress in just about all areas, especially in English language arts. Weve shown consistent progress, he said.

Huntley attributed the test results to the teachers familiarity with the Readers and Writers Workshop program it has been using for many years to teach reading and writing skills.

The district uses the states lesson modules in math, according to Huntley. He said the district is pleased that 95 percent of the districts 258 eighth-graders passed the algebra exam. All eighth-graders take algebra in Queensbury.

Lake George Superintendent Lynne Rutnik said the districts principals and teachers are meeting on a regular basis to talk about curriculum and review student data. Lake George targets its professional development to make sure it is looking at the needs of all students and helping students who are at the 2 level to 3.

Hadley-Luzerne Superintendent of Schools Beecher Baker said his districts results did not drastically change. His big issue is roughly 21 to 22 percent of the students in grades three through eight who opted out of taking the test.

They hurt us because many times the kids who opt out would be 3s and 4 s for us, he said.

He said he was pleased with Hadley-Luzernes scores compared to other districts, which he attributed to the districts curriculum and working on writing skills.

We can always do better. No one would be satisfied with 41 percent (passing), he said.

Districts that scored below average in both subject areas were Abraham Wing, Corinth, Fort Edward, Granville, Hudson Falls, Long Lake, North Warren, Salem, Schroon Lake, Ticonderoga, Warrensburg and Whitehall.

In Granville, 36 percent of students in grades three through eight passed the English test. However, that is an increase from 28 percent last year. The math passing rate stayed flat at 31 percent.

Superintendent Thomas McGurl said the district will be using two strategies to improve its scores. Granville is contracting with the Capital Area School Development Association to help improve the curriculum.

The district wants to make sure that students are receiving the same instruction in each section in the elementary grades and that the curriculum flows smoothly from prekindergarten through eighth grade.

If we have three sections of fourth grade, were all approaching math from the same perspective, with the same goals and using the same benchmarks, he said.

It sounds like something that should be happening anyway. But thats something thats really going to take a little bit of conversation, he added.

Aligning the curriculum will take a few years, according to McGurl. The other goal is to provide staff training on Google technology products so the staff knows how to use computers in their lessons before the district puts the devices in students hands.

I do not want this to be window dressing, he said.

Corinth Superintendent Mark Stratton said he is pleased that the elementary school passing percentages have grown about 15 percent in both ELA and math during the last five years. He said the exiting class of eighth-graders more than tripled their proficiency rate in English during their time in middle school.

There is still room for more growth, and the state test results give us additional data points to help us evaluate and adjust our overall instruction. We still have plenty of work, but I am encouraged that we are moving in the right direction, he said in an email.

Education advocacy groups had predictable reactions to the test data. High Achievement New York pointed to the increase in the steady increase in scores from 2013  the first year of the more difficult Common Core-based tests  when 31 percent of students passed both the English and math exams.

The results show the right thing to do is to keep moving forward, not tear down high standards and end annual assessments like opponents call for, said Stephen Sigmund, executive director of High Achievement New York, in a news release. The continued rise in proficiency scores is a clear sign that high standards are preparing students for future challenges, and parents are increasingly rejecting misguided calls to opt out of the states annual check-ups. Both of these are good trends for every student in New York, no matter where they are growing up.

The number of students opting out of the test decreased from 21 percent to 19 percent this year

The New York State United Teachers Union called the results virtually meaningless.

They dont count for students or teachers  and they shouldnt count. They are derived from a broken testing system; are rooted in standards that are no longer being taught; and  for now  are the foundation of a totally discredited teacher evaluation system, said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta in a news release. The test-and-punish era damaged the trust and confidence of parents in our public education system, as evidenced by the continuing strength of the opt-out movement, and we believe dramatic changes are needed to win them back.

The union called for the state to repeal the teacher evaluation law, which is still on the books although a moratorium is in place until 2019 to prohibit using student test scores to rate teachers.
Six of the seven announced candidates for the 2018 21st Congressional District race have agreed to participate in a Meet the Candidates forum at 6 p.m. Aug. 31 at Room 206 of Scoville Hall at SUNY Adirondack on Bay Road in Queensbury, the group Citizens Acting Together for District 21 announced Thursday.

Wendy Johnson, assistant professor of political science at SUNY Adirondack, will moderate the two-hour forum, which will include a question-and-answer session with candidates and time for candidates to speak individually with those who attend.

Citizens Acting Together invited all announced candidates of any party to participate, according to a news release.All five announced Democratic candidates have agreed to attend. Those candidates are:

Donald Boyajian of Cambridge, an environmental and municipal lawyer and former congressional aide

Tedra Cobb of Canton, a business consultant and former St. Lawrence County legislator

Emily Martz of Saranac Lake, an economic development adviser

Patrick Nelson of Stillwater, a political activist and Bernie Sanders delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention

Katie Wilson of Keene, a political activist and business owner

Republican Russell Finley of Saint Lawrence County, a beef cattle farmer and real estate broker, has agreed to attend.

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, was invited, but had not responded, according to the news release.

Legislation update

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, recently picked up co-sponsorship from three more New York House colleagues of legislation she introduced March 29 to reimburse military personnel up to $500 for the cost of a spouse gaining new professional licenses when relocating with the military member to another state due to military transfer.

Reps. Claudia Tenney, R-Clinton, on July 28, Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, on Aug. 1, and Louise Slaughter, D-Rochester, on Aug. 11, co-sponsored the legislation, bringing the number of New York co-sponsors to five, according to the Library of Congress government information website.

Reps. Peter King, R-Long Island, and John Faso, R-Kinderhook, were original co-sponsors.

The legislation, HR 1796, had 30 co-sponsors from 20 states, as of Tuesday  15 Republicans and 15 Democrats.

PAC contributions

The Republican Main Street Partnership, a joint political action committee of 72 Republican House and Senate members, contributed $1,000 in July to E-PAC, the political action committee of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, according to a new monthly PAC finance report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

The contribution is the only revenue E-PAC received in July.

E-PAC had $38,689 on hand at the end of July.E-PAC is a separate political entity from Stefaniks re-election campaign.

The Republican Main Street Partnership also had contributed $2,000 to Stefaniks re-election campaign so far this elections cycle, as of June 30, the last quarterly report.

Literary Coolidge

Vermont rightfully claims bragging rights to President Calvin Coolidge.But Coolidge also had an Adirondack connection.

Coolidge, while a student at Amherst College, wrote a fictional short story called Margarets Mist, about a young woman named Margaret, who, after being jilted by a lover, committed suicide by jumping into Ausable Chasm in New York, according to Coolidge, a 2013 biography by Amity Shlaes, which I borrowed from Crandall Public Library this week. The story was published in the October 1894 issue of Amherst Literary Magazine. Speaking of libraries, it is said that Coolidge read every book in the Ludlow, Vermont, library when he was a high school student there.
Editor:

Conservatives must look at their partys history to be reminded of our purpose.

The Conservative Party was formed in 1962 to restore a meaningful choice to the voters of New York state. Some existing political parties past and present espouse the doctrinaire liberal philosophy. The Conservative Party has since grown from a small band of conservative-minded men and women to a statewide organization dedicated to traditional American values of individual freedom, individual responsibility and individual effort.

Candidates cannot attempt to hijack party lines with reverse philosophies, profess transparency, promise to share important information and effectively represent the residents of the town of Queensbury while not committing to the core values of one or the other. That is self-serving. Make no mistake, there is no such thing as a conservative liberal or a liberal conservative. Ask yourself this question. Do you want someone representing you who will not commit to anything but ones self?

Give it serious thought, because if you are true to your party and what it stands for, then you want someone who understands, shares and defends our core values. Incumbent town of Queensbury Supervisor John Strough has a record of governing like a true conservative and as a genuine human being. Supervisor Strough has lowered costs, improved economic development and offers an open, transparent government.

President Reagan stated, The Conservative Party has established itself as a preeminent force in New York politics and an important part of our political history.

Queensbury conservatives must get out to vote for the endorsed/authorized candidate John Strough, Queensbury town supervisor, on primary day, Sept. 12. With your help, the Conservative Party will continue its vital role.

Charles R. Kelsey, committeeman-at-large, Warren County Conservative Committee
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Home Regional News East
Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg
Quad-City business, education and community representatives provided a healthy list of ideas Tuesday for improving the region's economy, readying its workforce and strengthening its future.

At an economic roundtable with U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., more than 40 participants identified challenges and potential solutions to growing the region. Issues to address, the participants said, range from infrastructure to education, workforce readiness and investment, business-education partnerships, rural investment, population growth, attraction of younger people and more.

Bustos, who convened the cross-section of industry leaders from her 17th Congressional District, said the goal was identify legislative priorities important to the Quad-Cities as well as collect ideas to discuss at a district-wide economic summit planned for Nov. 17 at Augustana College.

"What we all know in the Quad-Cities is nothing happens unless we all work together,'' she said promoting collaboration among the different entities present.

The event, held at Black Hawk College, drew representatives of business, government, education (K-12 to higher ed), health care, manufacturing, labor, transportation, agriculture and economic development.

Durbin, who visited the Rock Island Arsenal before the event, recalled how the Quad-Cities organized and unified 20 years ago to save the arsenal. Now, he said efforts are being focused on using its 160,000 square feet of vacant office space. The morning discussion, focused on "How do we bring the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army to fill that space."

Touting the Democrats' economic agenda, A Better Deal for the Heartland, Bustos discussed the party's plans to create 10 million full-time, good-paying jobs. "We are going to fight for better jobs, better wages and a better future for people."

In fact, jobs, workforce training and future workers were at the heart of much of the roundtable discussion.

Asked to identify their No. 1 economic idea, the participants pointed to infrastructure as one of the most critical needs. They were focused on roads, the waterway and its aging locks and dam, and high-speed internet access. Participants said that is needed especially in the district's rural areas but also in pockets of Rock Island, Milan and the neighboring towns.

United Township Superintendent Jay Morrow said his district, like many of the rural school districts, is struggling to attract new teachers. "We can't find teachers, and we pay well,'' he said.

Others spoke of the need to improve collaboration between education and business as well as offer more resources to help students understand the scope of careers that exist in the region.

DeAnne Bloomberg, manager of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau, said she spends more of her time in career development with young people.

"I work with a lot of young people and help them explore their strengths ... they don't know where they want to go (in their future)."

Yet others spoke of job openings and not enough trained workers. Bill Ratzburg, Deere & Co.'s economic development program director, said John Deere has 350 jobs open across the United States that need to be filled. Many of those jobs, he said require certifications beyond high school.

Dino Leone, who was represents labor, turned attention to pay levels. "It's not minimum wage. We need to call it poverty wage,'' he said, adding thousands of families work minimum-wage jobs and cannot make it. "It's time to share the wealth."

Henry Marquard, the Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce's government affairs director, said the chamber continues to hear about the skills gap among employers, yet there is underemployment. "So there is a workforce out there, but we are not connecting with it."

Another common concern was the lack of diversity in the Quad-Cities, which some said young people are seeking in their careers and communities. "Make that a priority,'' Bustos told the crowd. "Because we have to make every sector of our community thrive."

In an interview after the roundtable, Bustos said the importance of collaboration was loud and clear. "I think the common denominator was the importance of making sure our educators, K-12, community colleges and 4-year colleges are working with our private sector."

Bustos said she was surprised to learn of the teacher shortage in the rural areas. "That was news and I think we need to take it back," she said.

The clear consensus was "on investing in our infrastructure and broadening our definition of infrastructure so broadband (internet) was included." Bustos added that when 20 million-plus Americans lack high-speed internet, "you realize it's a pretty big problem. If the solutions were easy, it would have been done by now. That's is going to take a collaborative approach."

The roundtable was the first of three she will host in the 17th Congressional District. The others will be today in Peoria and Thursday in Rockford.
The Thomson, Illinois, prison will double in employment in the next year, adding another 300 employees, U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos said after a tour there Tuesday.

Bustos and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, both Illinois Democrats, met with Warden Don Hudson and staff for an update on the continued activation of the facility by the Bureau of Prisons.

The correctional facilty now employs 238 people, but will be up to 300 by the end of the fiscal year in September, Bustos said in an interview after the tour. "The workforce will double to 600 by the end of the next fiscal year."

In addition, she said "The biggest group of inmates will be coming in very soon." Due to security concerns, she could not say how many prisoners or a timetable.

Currently, the prison houses 128 minimum security inmates.

In a news release, Durbin described the prison's activation as "on schedule." He added that they were assured it is "making good progress on critical infrastructure projects."

According to Bustos, the vast majority of those hired are local  traveling from areas such as the Quad-Cities, Pekin and Galena, Illinois, and Dubuque. Most of the hiring over the next year will be for correctional officers.

From cooks to servers, educators, medical staff and a chaplain, Bustos said "Everything a person needs in four walls is in that prison."

Last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a bipartisan Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill that includes $80 million for the continued activation of Thomson prison.

The federal government bought the Thomson prison, a former state facility in 2012, three years after the Obama administration floated the idea of housing foreign detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The detainees idea died, but the administration went ahead with the purchase, saying that it would relieve overcrowding in the federal prison system.
An unusual crime played out Tuesday in East Moline and Hampton, as police said a 40-year-old man stole an East Moline firetruck, drove it to Hampton and crashed into the Mississippi River bank.

"I heard a bang," said Bobbie Beals, who has lived for 57 years at the corner of 1st Avenue and 5th Street in Hampton, site of the crash.

Beals, 82, spotted the suspect in the river; he was eventually pulled from the water and arrested. Nathan Stottler, 40, address unknown, is in custody.

East Moline Fire Chief Rob DeFrance said the firetruck had been parked while the fire crew did a routine business inspection.

The truck did not have keys in it and was not running. Stottler had an altercation on a city bus right before taking the truck, officials said, and DeFrance said he might have had some knowledge of operating big rigs.

DeFrance emphasized no one was hurt. "That's the important thing," he said.

It was the first time any of the responders had experienced such an event. DeFrance called Stottler "opportunistic" because the bus stop is located near where the rig was parked.

"I'd venture it was a first for the Quad-Cities," he said.

 Deirdre Cox Baker
The development of a bar and restaurant at Oneida Marina may have sunk, but Davenport's Riverfront Improvement Commission may have found potential occupants for the space.

Last month, the commission granted the wish of former tenant Gerald Welvaert to terminate his lease after financing for the development fell through. But one of his subtenants, Marine Specialties, has entered into an 33-month agreement with the commission to operate a portion of the property.

Development Director Steve Ahrens said Marine Specialties, which is operated by Chad and Kathy Ruggeberg, would lease the west building, crane area and approximately 30,000 square feet of hard surface area on the property.

"This is consistent with our initial and prevailing goal of having a marina business and allows for some immediate occupancy," Ahrens said.

Before entering into an agreement with Marine Specialties, the commission encountered issues with its last two tenants at 935 E. River Drive.

First, Tom Wakeen fell behind $18,000 in rent for the operation of Top Shelf Marine and Repair and that sum has still not be repaid to the city.

Now the commission finds itself in a similar situation with Welvaert. He has entered into multiple agreements with the commission over the past year, after he experienced issues in securing the financing for a three phase development that included a bar and restaurant.

While Welvaert invested thousands of dollars into the property, he fell behind $11,000 in rent despite the commission lowering his rent for the first six months of 2017.

Chad Ruggeberg said he was currently doing mechanical and gelcoat work at the location, but intended to add storage once the business grows in a few years. Ruggeberg said before Top Shelf Marine and Repair left, it offered storage and those customers also have departed.

"It's going to take about three years to get that business back," Ruggeberg said.

While Marine Specialties is leasing only a portion of the property for $1,000 per month, Ahrens said there is a prospective tenant for remaining space waiting in the wings.

Ahrens said a prospective contractor with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was looking for a space for storage and staging if it gets the bid for an upcoming large project.

If the contractor is not awarded the project, Ahrens said the Ruggebergs have still offered to keep up the property because a decline in appearance would have an effect on their business. They also said they would paint the eastern building at their own expense.

"We would like to paint it for our own curb appeal so we would take on that expense," Kathy Ruggeberg said.

While the commission has found a new tenant, it has also decided to take legal action to recoup the rent it is owed.

After he was given power to negotiate a repayment plan with Welvaert for the $11,000 in back rent, Ahrens said he proposed a $1,000 per month plan that was countered with a $350 per month proposal.

The commission, however, felt Welvaert did not live up to his obligations in voting to seek a legal remedy.

"They haven't paid since March and it was already reduced," Commissioner Frank Clark said. "I think we should pursue it and get done with it."
Kellys Irish Pub & Eatery  the Quad-City areas go-to St. Patrick's Day party host  has closed.

It was just time to move on, said Dan Kelly, who opened the bar and restaurant at 2222 E. 53rd St., Davenport, in 2004.

We had a great 13 years there, Kelly said. It's time to close it down and move on to something else.

He closed the bar's doors on Sunday. Its website and Facebook page have also been taken down. Kelly didnt comment on why the bar closed, saying, Its surreal and kind of too fresh to go too deep into it.

We tried to come up with different solutions and thats where we came up, he said.

He does not plan to re-open Kelly's Irish Pub.

Its not temporary for me," he said. "It's gone. Its not something that will come back.

Robert Meyer, store manager of Grand Appliance and TV, which is located in the same plaza as Kelly's, noticed the closed sign outside the bar on Tuesday.

"I was just surprised to see it," he said.

Grand Appliance and TV has been part of the strip of businesses on 53rd Street, owned by Davenport-based Montgomery Landsqc, for three years.

Meyer said he and his colleagues frequently stopped by Kelly's for lunch.

"They've been a great neighbor and they will be greatly missed," he said.

Kelly didn't say if he saw the closure coming ahead of time, but he referenced a post written Tuesday by Greg Dwyer, co-host of area radio station WXLP-FM (96.9), better known as 97X, in which Dywer wrote, And I suppose in some small way I was part of the problem. I loved that place, but only went a couple times a year.

I think that kind of nails it home, Kelly said. If theres locally operated places you like, dont take it for granted. Support your local bars, restaurants, bands, artists."

The bar and restaurant world is a great and exciting thing, but its a seven day a week deal," he added.

After growing up in the bar business  his father, Jerry Kelly, who died in 1999, ran the former Kelly's Circle Tap on Locust Street in Davenport for 21 years  Dan Kelly told himself, Im gonna go out and do it.

So many people spend their whole lives wanting to open a bar, he said. I took my chances and I did what people dream about doing for 13 years.

Along the way, he made Kellys Irish Pub into a place for great parties and great people.

His annual St. Patricks Day Festival, which Kelly called Iowas largest, swelled to an attendance of 20,000 people in recent years and featured skydiving leprechauns, concerts, over 100 kegs of beer and specialty food, such as corn beef and cabbage nachos served in a helmet.

I keep thinking about all of the great people we met and all the people who met their spouses or best friends there," he said. "We affected peoples lives in a positive way.

Many have reached to Kelly after hearing about the bars closing on social media or driving up to see the hand-written Closed sign taped on the establishments front door.

Its kind of amazing how many positive comments, emails, phone calls and texts that Ive gotten, Kelly said. For me, its real positive. Its about people and the experience.

Looking forward, Kelly said he wants to focus on spending time with his wife and four children and take a time out for awhile.

I want to spend time with the people I love, he said.

Kelly, a Davenport native, also plans to spend time thinking about new business ideas.

Now, its like, lets see what the next dream is, Kelly said. Wouldnt it be great if the next 10 years were even better than the last 10 years? Thats my look on life.
Illinois House Republicans can't have it both ways. On Wednesday, they'll either stand with Gov. Bruce Rauner or their constituents.

There's no middle ground.

The House is slated for two make-or-break veto overrides, one highly touted and the other much less sexy. Both resulted from Rauner's heavy hand with the veto pen. And both could die on the proverbial vine if House Republicans choose political expediency over the most basic tenets of governance.

First, there's SB 1, a simmering political battle that, on the governor's end, is more about the need for a political victory than effective governance. Basically all political stripes in Illinois agree that the state's formula for funding public school districts is unfair, draconian and undercuts property-poor districts. SB 1 is, in fact, the direct result of years of study, much of which was conducted by Rauner appointees.

But, hot off a substantial political defeat over the state budget, the freshman Republican governor doubled down. He tapped anti-Chicago parochialism to justify his veto of SB 1. Rauner's eye is solely focused on whipping up support downstate. To that end, he's politicized and minimized the education of students in Chicago Public School District (CPS), an admittedly broken district, but one with a surplus of poor neighborhoods. He's minimized the economic contribution Illinois' sole metro contributes to the state in taxes and culture. And he's threatened payments to districts in East Moline, Bloomington and Decatur, a fact that would ultimately cost local taxpayers after schools go out for loans to keep the lights on.

This assertion is only reinforced by the backward approach Rauner and his disciples used to justify his veto. They came at it with a pre-determined conclusion. And, ever since, they've tossed excuses at the wall hoping one would stick. One day it's a "bail out," a quickly debunked talking point. The next, it's about Chicago's over-reliance on tax increment financing. Sure, a debate about TIFs is long overdue. And the state's busted pension system is indeed in need of drastic overhaul. But holding students hostage isn't the appropriate hammer with which to pound those nails.

SB 1 is bound to get almost all the attention, but it's not the only override on the House agenda.

Simply put, Rauner's opposition to the Debt Transparency Act (DTA) is unjustifiable from a man who pledged to bring business sense to Springfield. The legislation is simple enough: Require executive agencies to report bills every month. As things now stand, agencies must only report their debts every October. Any business would be cooked if it managed its books in the blind, like Illinois does now. It made so much sense, in fact, that nine House Republicans, including Tony McCombie, R-Savannah, initially supported it. They should stick by their convictions and help override Rauner's ham-fisted veto.

This is about accurately balancing the books. Nothing more. Nothing less. And yet, Rauner's prolonged spat with Comptroller Susana Mendoza superseded even the basic principles of accounting. As expected, Rauner griped about such an allegedly onerous mandate. In essence, his veto is a direct assault on transparency and sound financial practices. In effect, Rauner endorsed a state operation that cuts checks without actually knowing what's owed. It's utter madness.

In most legislative cycles, all this would be dealt with in September's veto session. The 15-day clock, required for legislative action, wouldn't begin until then. But, that's not the case this year since the House convenes Wednesday to take up SB 1. Lawmakers have 15 days as of Wednesday morning to override the DTA veto, which was only issued on Friday.

House Republicans find themselves in a bind. Rauner's war chest is massive and his personal wealth could fuel primary challenges against any Republican who opposes him. He's desperate for a win and willing to punish any defectors.

House Republicans can either show themselves part of the solution when the override votes reach the floor. Or they can stand with Rauner and contribute to more senseless dysfunction.
As a former eighth-grade U.S. history teacher, it is distressing to read the misunderstanding of the Civil War events. It was the Confederate states that declared war on the United States by bombarding Fort Sumter, South Carolina in 1861. This act of treason was responded to with the forces of the U.S. army.

During the Civil War, there were over 600,000 casualties, which exceeds the nations loss in all its other wars. Prisoner of war camps claimed over 55,000 emaciated prisoners who perished. To deter future generations, it would have been better to preserve the prison camps that could have been compared to the Nazi prison camps without the ovens.

In 1846, Iowa joined the United States as a free state. No other state had a higher percentage of its male population serve in the U.S. military during the Civil War. Iowans fought valiantly in many major battles. Republicans and Democrats alike shed their blood in defense of the United States.

President Lincoln himself in 1863 identified a list of top Confederate generals who deserved to be imprisoned for treason. Gen. Ulysses Grant convinced President Andrew Johnson that by convicting Confederate leaders of treason that it would make them martyrs. Several decades later, it happened anyway with the erection of monuments making the traitors look like heroes.

Julie Stewart Ziesman

Waukee, Iowa
Labor Day is a time to fire up the grill, wave summer goodbye and celebrate American workers.

A South Dakota senator played a major role in establishing the federal holiday.

On Aug. 28, 1893, Sen. James Kyle of South Dakota introduced S. 730 to the U.S. Senate to make Labor Day a legal national holiday on the first Monday of September each year. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill on June 28, 1894.

By then, a fall holiday called Labor Day was already being observed. Beginning in the late 19th century, parades, picnics and other celebrations took place to support labor issues such as shorter hours, better pay and safer working conditions, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

On Sept. 5, 1882, a pivotal event occurred in New York City when an estimated 10,000 people marched in what became the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history. Other cities began to have parades to show the public the strength of the trade and labor organizations, followed by a festival for the workers and their friends and families. States began making Labor Day an official public holiday.

In introducing the legislation, Kyle said that labor organizations were united in asking that the first Monday of September be set apart as a holiday in order to make the observance uniform. This would result in workers enjoying vacation privileges on the same day, according to the Dec. 1, 1965, issue of The Wi-Iyohi, a monthly bulletin published by the South Dakota State Historical Society.

Prior to serving as a U.S. Senator, Kyle served as pastor at the Congregational Church in Aberdeen and as finance officer for Yankton College. A speech he delivered at a Fourth of July celebration in Aberdeen in 1890 vaulted him to public attention.

According to The Wi-Iyohi, Kyle spoke in favor of womens suffrage and prohibition, and took a swing at big corporations, banks and railroads. This speech resulted in Independents nominating Kyle for election to the state senate. He won and headed to Pierre in January 1891. At that time, the Legislature chose South Dakotas U.S. senators, and the 36-year old Kyle was chosen on Feb. 16, 1891, to succeed Gideon Moody.

He entered the U.S. Senate as an independent and Populist and aligned with the Democratic caucus in the U.S. Senate.

Kyle was re-elected in 1897 as an independent. Republican legislators supported him, and he aligned with the Republican caucus in the U.S. Senate for his second term.

Analyzed it is evident that Mr. Kyle had one quality that was his best asset. The belief of both his political friends and his political enemies that he was honest, non-partisan and would represent the people of South Dakota regardless of their political faith, said South Dakota Gov. M.Q. Sharpe during a Labor Day radio address in 1946.

Kyle attracted nationwide attention as senator.

Of the new men whose entrance to congress was a surprise to the country I considered Senator James Henderson Kyle of South Dakota among the clearest headed  As a senator of the United States he is quiet, cautious and level headed, stated an article in the Wichita Daily Eagle on Feb. 23, 1894.

Kyles name again appeared in newspapers nationwide in the spring and summer of 1894 when lobbyist C.W. Buttz, originally from North Dakota, was accused of attempting to bribe Kyle and Sen. Eppa Hunton of Virginia to vote against a tariff bill. A senatorial investigating committee found Buttz guilty of offering a bribe, despite his denial, and exonerated the senators from all blame.

Born in Ohio, Kyle moved to Ipswich in 1885 and then to Aberdeen in 1889. He remembered Aberdeen as a U.S. senator, securing funding for a Carnegie Library in that city. Through his efforts an office of the internal revenue collector for the Dakotas was located in Aberdeen and he was instrumental in having Aberdeen designated as a place for holding federal court, according to the July 15, 1901, Dakota Farmers Leader.

Kyle died on July 1, 1901, in Aberdeen at the age of 47. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Aberdeen.

Labor never had a better friend than Senator Kyle, said his successor as senator, Alfred Kittredge, when memorializing Kyle, and no one better understood its needs or extended a more sympathetic and helping hand. As a boy he worked upon the farm to aid in securing the education he so eagerly sought and highly prized, as a man and Senator he did not forget the labor of his youth.

Kyles name lives on in the South Dakota town named for him, and in the holiday honoring the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of this country.

This moment in South Dakota history is provided by the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner of the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. Find us on the web at www.sdhsf.org. Contact us at info@sdhsf.org to submit a story idea.
PIERRE  Gov. Dennis Daugaard demonstrated his support of the military by signing an executive proclamation announcing Aug. 20-26, 2017, as Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve Week in South Dakota.

The proclamation honors the members of our Guard and Reserve for their steadfast dedication - both in and out of uniform.

The proclamation also acknowledges the families, employers, and businesses whose encouragement and flexibility enable our military to thrive, and whose support has been vital to the success, stability, and security of our Nation.

ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers' principal advocate within the Department of Defense.

Executive Proclamation

State of South Dakota

Office of the Governor

Whereas: For more than two centuries, brave patriots have given of themselves to secure our fundamental rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness -- and in times of both war and peace, members of the National Guard and Reserve have stood ready to don our uniform, answer our Nation's call, and protect our way of life; and,

Whereas: There are nearly 5,000 members of our National Guard and Reserve in South Dakota who dutifully train and prepare so that when they are called at a moment's notice to serve their Nation, they are able to serve with the honor and dedication that have long been hallmarks of our Armed Forces; and,

Whereas: Balancing their lives as civilians with their responsibilities in uniform, they defend and protect our people at home and abroad. In the face of natural disasters and humanitarian crises, they are quick to respond and offer assistance; during periods of conflict and strife, they help keep us safe and protect our national interests; and,

Whereas: These citizen-Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen deserve the full backing of their civilian employers and the promise of a secure and stable life here at home. From the businesses that seek to recruit and retain these patriots in the workplace to the supporters who provide leadership and resources, this unconditional care for our Guardsmen and Reservists and their families is part of what makes our military the greatest fighting force the world has ever known; and,

Whereas: During National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, let us honor the members of our Guard and Reserve for their steadfast dedication to us all - both in and out of uniform. And let us acknowledge the families, employers, and businesses whose encouragement and flexibility have enabled our military to thrive, and whose support has been vital to the success, stability, and security of our Nation.
YANKTON  The Value Added Agriculture Development Center (VAADC) invites you to attend the 18th Annual Value Added Agriculture Center Day at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, S.D. on Thursday, Aug. 31 from 9 a.m.4 p.m. South Dakotas value added agriculture industry will showcase over 20 vendors including South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) and SD Wine Growers Association (SDWGA) members in the Day Sponsor Tent.

The VAADC helps create and expand agribusinesses that process commodities into products we use every day. Traditional crops and livestock are being used to make oil/meal (soybeans), grass-fed beef (cattle), pasta (wheat), and biopharmaceutical products (sheep). Non-traditional agribusinesses are processing wines/spirits/beers, white sorghum flour, fleece/wool and aquaculture grown food/livestock feed.

The SDSPA and SDWGA are partnering to feature specialty crops, local foods and wines, beers and spirits. There will also be presentations on various local food topics and a cooking demonstration.

The presentation schedule is as follows: 10 a.m.- Growing Quality Hops; 11 a.m.- The Potential for Meat & Dairy Goat Production; 12 p.m.- South Dakota Wines, Spirits & Beers; 1 p.m. Cheers to You from South Dakotas Wine, Spirits, & Beer Producers (Wine Pavilion); 1 p.m.- Seriously Twisted Ag Fun for Kids; and 2 p.m.- Cooking with South Dakotas Fresh Products (Womens Building Kitchen).

Be sure to make time to walk through the Day Sponsor Tent and Wine Pavilion to sample products from value added businesses and learn more about the innovative products being made here in South Dakota. Stop by at 3 p.m. to enjoy our Ice Cream Social brought to you in cooperation with Your South Dakota Dairy Producers.

Support from East River Electric Cooperative, Farm Credit Services of America, SD Bankers Association, SD Association of Cooperatives, SD Farmers Union, SD Rural Electric Association, SD Soybean Research & Promotion Council, SD Wheat Commission and Wheat Growers make VAADC services possible to South Dakota farmers and ranchers.

Contact Cheri Rath, Executive Director of the Value Added Ag Development Center with questions at 605-224-9402
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) | More than 9,000 homes and businesses on Kent Island were affected when an Enhanced Fujita-2 tornado tore across Marylands eastern shore July 24, 2017. The tornado produced winds up to 125 mph and destroyed several homes, tore roofs from buildings and left thousands of people without power.

When Airman 1st Class Jesus Carrillo found out about the tornado, he didnt hesitate to provide aid.

Carrillo, a radio frequency transmission technician with the 707th Communication Squadron, learned about the tornado when he received an e-mail alert from the American Red Cross. The e-mail was seeking volunteers in the local area to respond to the aftermath of the tornado.

Dedicated to supporting his community, Carrillo submitted leave so he could join the relief efforts.

Still fairly new to the Red Cross, Carrillo has been a volunteer for a couple of months and assists as a disaster services and disaster action team member.

As a team member, his duties include providing food, shelter, comfort and care for families affected by major disasters such as fires, hurricanes and tornadoes.

The disaster action team really interested me, Carrillo said. Just being one of the first people on the scene and helping people in their immediate need is really rewarding to me. When I arrived to Kent Island on Thursday (July 27, 2017), it looked like a war zone. Trees were destroyed, houses were torn apart and debris was everywhere.

One of his first tasks was helping the disaster center that was established as a focal point for the tornado victims. The disaster center provided victims access to social services, animal control, public health, the sheriffs office, a shelter organization and many other groups, according to Carrillo.

I was overwhelmed at first  there was so much going on, he said. Some folks were coming in barefoot and others without shirts. It shows you how much they have been going through and what some have lost.

After his time in the disaster center, Carrillo moved onto the Hot Shot team or Mobile team, where he traveled through the community to reach people who couldnt travel to the disaster center.

Going out into the community to help families would cause a chain reaction, he said, because neighbors would see the volunteers helping a family, and then the neighbors would come to the volunteers for help.

It was difficult to call it a day and stop helping, the 20-year-old Airman said. We were tasked to help until 7 p.m., but we were often helping for another hour and half. Its the small things that do make a difference, like handing someone a bottle of water.

Carrillo recalled having to hold back tears during an interaction with an elderly lady during his assignment in the community.

She had a grandchild with her and they were without electricity and water, and we ended up giving her a $650 debit card to help with food and a place to stay, Carrillo said. The lady was in shock about all the support and money. We sat on her porch describing all the things we were going to do to help out the community and get them back on their feet, and she started crying and some of the volunteers started to tear up as well.

Carrillo said the training he received from both the Red Cross and the Air Force helped prepare him for these moments.

The Air Force has taught me to be very adaptable and make do with the resources you have at hand, he said. That is one thing that has helped me a lotthe mindset of being adaptable is critical when youre dealing with disasters that impact peoples lives.

"We can always depend on (Airman 1st Class) Carrillo to lend a helping hand and selflessly dedicate his time to help others in need, said 1st Lt. Adrian Waters, of the 707th CS. His caring personality and his energetic spirit are an undeniable asset to us."

Carrillo encourages other Airmen to get out and volunteer to make a difference in their communities.

Airmen are always looking for volunteer opportunities, said Carrillo. This is a great impact that you can see directly. You can see the aide and how it affects people. The American Red Cross has various volunteer opportunities such as volunteer management, disaster services, disaster action team, disaster preparedness presenter and public affairs. Explore the options and find something you are passionate about.
BMHS returns money, air ambulance plans talked of, Chilson bridge fix offered

HOT SPRINGS  Fall River County Commissioners approved a 2018 provisional budget of $3.35 million, down from 2017s $3.36 million budget, following union employee negotiations that resulted in 50 cents across the board raise for county workers.

The 2018 budget includes reductions in amounts from the 2017 budget for the auditor ($7,000), treasurer ($17,000), states attorney ($10,000), sheriff ($26,000), jail ($36,000), juvenile care ($10,000), and mentally ill ($15,000). Other departments saw increases 2017-18: court appointed attorney ($20,000), director of equalization ($23,000), and information technology, ($35,000).

The 2018 budget is not final. The commissioners will meet Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. to review the budget again, and have until Sept. 19 to adopt a final budget.

Meanwhile, one part of the 2017 budget that is returning to the county is Battle Mountain Humane Societys (BMHS) $2,500 contribution.

BMHS President Tonia Wagoner and Vice President Michelle Brock said they decided to return the countys 2017 contribution after learning about comments made by the commissioners at their previous meeting. Each commissioner made statements disparaging the shelter and agreeing to zero out the shelters 2018 budget funding request and to become the countys animal law enforcement officer for $800 per month.

Wagoner said these comments were completely unprofessional and unwarranted and made unfairly and without accurate knowledge of how we run the shelter. She also noted that the shelter has provided essentially free services to the county as animal control officers for many years.

Wagoner said the county must put the returned $2,500 towards elderly programs, earmarking the funds for the Meals on Wheels program, an effort one commissioner noted received less money than the dogs at a previous meeting.

Wagoner noted that the $2,500 the shelter received from the county was not the shelters end all with its budget of more than $330,000.

She also vowed that the shelter would continue to receive animals from the county efforts to round up strays, because the shelter cares about the animals.

All we ever wanted from the county was a little help and respect, Wagoner said, something the shelter never received.

Commissioners agreed to put this money to the Meals on Wheels program, noting that it would first go into the general fund.

In other business, Commissioner Joe Falkenburg invited Darryl Crown, of Air Methods Air Medical Transport, to visit with the commissioners about the county looking into an air ambulance program of some sort.

Crown noted how Air Methods, a Colorado company, in business since 1980, was involved in air ambulance services in 38 state across the country.

Crown said Air Methods focuses on balance billing with a program to cut the costs of air ambulance services for those who are members of the Flight for Life plans. The way this works, he said, was that a persons primary insurance provider would be tapped first to cover air transportation during a medical emergency. Flight for Life subscribers are then covered for the costs of air transport that goes above what their primary insurance covers.

For example, say it costs $30,000 to fly someone from an accident scene in Oelrichs to a Rapid City hospital, and that persons primary insurance carrier will cover $18,000 worth of the air ambulance costs. Life Flight members have the remaining $12,000 of the bill picked up under their program.

The object of Flight for Life membership, Crown said, is for people to avoid the large air ambulance bills that could bankrupt some people.

Crown said that standard memberships for Flight for Life run $40 per person to $75 per family and include all family members in the household. However, discounts are available to larger groups, and could drop the costs of this to as little as $5 per person $20 per family if more than 10,000 people can band together.

Since the county only has about 8,000 residents, the cost of county-wide program could drop to $10 per person, if the county were to participate. Flight for Life coverage does not apply to VA, Medicare or Indian Health Services patients, Crown said.

The commissioners will consider this, possibly with a desire to extend coverage to all county residents, or apply it to a smaller group, like courthouse employees.

In addition, the commissioners appear to have come up with a plan to fix Chilson Bridge.

The 1933-built bridge, on old Highway 18  now CR 18  was weight-limited to three tons last year, then closed earlier this summer after a chunk of concrete fell on the Mickelson Trail, some 45 feet under it.

The county has considered a number of plans to fix the bridge, ranging from weight limits, to replacing the bridge entirely, to an at grade crossing, which would have involved acquiring some of the land necessary by eminent domain. The bridge provides access to either Edgemont or Hot Springs to residents on both sides of the bridge. However, the county balked at each plan due to the costs involved.

The county has money for the bridge via the states Department of Transportation bridge improvement grant (BIG) program, so long as the county get state approval for the plans and pays 20 percent of the bill for the fix.

The commissioners, on Aug. 15, again considered three options:

 A 178-foot single span steel girder bridge with a 75 year life cycle, a $1.7 million project that would require $1.3 million of state money and $340,000 of initial county costs

 A 140-foot single span concrete girder bridge, also with a 75-year life cycle, a $1.6 million project involving $1.2 million in state funds and $320,000 in county funds.

 An at-grade crossing to the south, with an extra 500 feet of road length added to the existing roadway, a $1.5 million project, requiring $1.2 million in state money and $300,000 in county funds.

After considerable discussion, they elected to go with the 140-foot concrete girder replacement bridge, largely because constructing the at-grade crossing could have required several years of litigation to acquire the property necessary to build it.

However, Commissioner Paul Nabholz thought he had discovered a 1924 deed that put the land in county hands, but was waiting for verification of this.

States Attorney Jim Sword noted that after such a long period of time with the county not claiming the land as its own, it would be hard to verify that this land remained in county hands, not private hands.

So the commissioners decided that the 140-foot span was the way to go, with Nabholz voting no on this.
One of the questions organizers of the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally often get is "where can I get a good steak?"

So, it made perfect sense that the South Dakota Beef Industry Council step up to answer that question. During the 77th rally, which ended its 10-day run Sunday, Aug. 13, consumers of all shapes and sizes, ages and origins gained a better understanding of beef through the council's boots-on-the-ground approach to beef education, said the council's executive director Suzy Geppert.

"Beef it's what's for dinner -- that's us," Geppert said.

She said the Beef Industry Council came on board with its Sturgis motorcycle rally sponsorship because they believed the rally was a good venue for them to reach out to nearly a half million consumers.

"We believed Sturgis would give us the prime opportunity to share our story about beef and all the nutritious things that it has to offer consumers," she said.

Part of the sponsorship involved bringing in Girl Carnivore, Kita Roberts.

Roberts, originally from Delaware, is a big meat eater, griller, and self-proclaimed meat maven.

She is a food writer and recipe developer whos knocking down barriers on the food scene and delivering quality carnivorous recipes to aspiring cooks and savory enthusiasts at girlcarnivore.com

During her visit to western South Dakota, Roberts judged the first Sturgis Street Food Throwdown, visited area cattle operations and the South Dakota State University meat lab where different areas of meat science research are conducted.

"It was important to not only incorporate Kita here in the main venue of Sturgis, but also to get her out into the country interacting with some of our ranchers," Geppert said. "I see Kita as a good opportunity to reach a demographic in our metropolitan areas that maybe do not understand how we do things here."

Roberts said it was great to work with the South Dakota Beef Industry Council and to meet one-on-one with producers.

"The fact that they take time out of their busy day to sit and talk with me meant a lot," she said.

One of their stops was the Stone House Saloon west of Belle Fourche.

"We had dinner with some ranch wives. It was wonderful," she said. "I've eaten really, really well since I've been here."

Geppert said it was important for the Beef Industry Council to promote beef in its own backyard.

"We've got 15,000 beef producers here in our state and 3.85 million head of cattle," she said. "We felt that it was important to reach out to Sturgis. It's also a way to thank our producers for all that they do."

The Beef Industry Council received lots of positive feedback from their conversations with rallygoers and producers, Geppert said.

"When the city hung our banners, I started getting phone calls from producers," she said. "Those banners do two things - they are a great way to reach the consumers, but also a great way to thank our producers for all that they do."

In addition to the banners, the Beef Industry Council mingled among the crowds and shared the beef story, Geppert said.

"We really wanted to approach this as 'boots-on-the-ground' thing," she said.

They handed out beef jerky and other marketing items emblazoned with the Beef name. Geppert said they also thanked vendors who had beef on their menu.

"It's really important to thank those who are chosing your product," she said.

Geppert also thanked producers for their continual contributions to the Beef Checkoff Program. Beef Checkoff is a producer-funded marketing and research program designed to increase domestic and/or international demand for beef. This can be done through promotion, research and new product development, and a variety of other marketing tools.

Geppert said she encourages having producers be part of promotion and marketing of beef.

"They take their cattle to the auction on a regular basis and sell them. For every head they sell they put $1 in that checkoff. Sometimes its nice to have the producers play a role. They are part of this team taking beef from production to the consumer. We will continue to find ways to engage them in this process."
Farming is one of the only businesses where you take out massive loans at the beginning of the year, bury that money in the ground in the form of seed and fertilizer, then hope and pray theres something to harvest in the fall. Despite the risk, its important we grow our own food, and that understanding has made the Farm Bill a bipartisan priority for decades. But as cities grow and families get further from Americas agricultural roots, its increasingly challenging to build support.

In 2014, I had to fight members of my own party to get the Farm Bill done, and I was proud the final legislation included a strong safety net for producers and a meaningful livestock disaster program. With the 2014 Farm Bill expiring in a little over a year, were beginning debate on what the next Farm Bill will look like, hopefully building in enough time to educate non-rural policymakers about why agriculture safety nets are necessary.

At Dakotafest this year, I had the opportunity to hear from producers about what theyd like to get out of the upcoming Farm Bill debates: whats working, what isnt, and what can be done about it.

Josh, a rancher near Wall, talked about the drought, its impact on his operation, and areas where disaster programs could be better. Many ranchers had to downsize their herds because they couldnt access good feed, given the drought. Meanwhile, in other parts of the state, farmers were forced to destroy good hay that was harvested as part of certain CRP management practices. It doesnt make sense, but thats what current policy requires.

Earlier this summer, I introduced the DRY Act, which would allow farmers to donate this hay to ranchers suffering from bad droughts or fires. Its commonsense, and Id like to see it included in the next Farm Bill.

I also heard from Mike, whose homestead near Hecla is older than South Dakota itself. As Mike put it, hes always two weeks from a drought and one night from a flood, so even though its been a dry year, he had some serious concerns about the wetland determinations process.

Wetlands are protected for conservation purposes. If property is determined to be a wetland, certain changes  such as laying drain tile in a field  are not allowed without a landowner losing the ability to participate in federal Farm Bill programs and crop insurance. The determinations process has a history of backlogs, and in some cases, it can take years to get everything straightened out. That doesnt work, which is why I wrote the Wetland Determinations Efficiency and Transparency Act. This legislation, which Im hopeful will be in the next Farm Bill, aims to better ensure producers get timely determinations.

I also had a lot of discussions about various aspects of CRP. Many young farmers, for instance, are concerned that the ag economy can change significantly from year-to-year, and if CRP rates arent updated quickly enough, they can distort local rental markets, making it difficult to access productive farmland. Earlier this month, I introduced the Fair CRP Payment Act to better ensure CRP rates accurately reflect the current cost of renting farmland.

These legislative proposals are only the beginning. Were working on a number of other bills as well, but I want to keep hearing from you about what more is needed. If I missed you at Dakotafest, catch me at another event. Call my office. Send an email. Now is the time to start setting the parameters for the next Farm Bill.

With each Farm Bill, fewer and fewer policymakers have a connection to agriculture. I like to remind them that while not everyone farms, everyone eats. Even still, its a tough climb. But Ill keep fighting.
The Rapid City Police Department is requesting that a man already held in jail on charges related to the July beating of a local woman now be charged with second-degree manslaughter because the victim has died.

Benjamin Quiver, 46, was initially charged with aggravated assault in the beating of Cari Black Elk Cline at a Rapid City park on July 23. That charge was dismissed Aug. 4, 10 days after Cline died at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Local law enforcement officials said on Wednesday they were seeking to arrest Quiver on a charge of second-degree manslaughter. He has been detained at the Pennington County Jail since July 23.

According to law enforcement reports obtained from the county courthouse, a Rapid City police officer responded to an assault call at Sioux Park around 9 a.m. July 23. Cline told the officer she and Quiver had planned to sleep at the park that day, and an argument started over the placement of a blanket.

Cline said Quiver pushed her head against the wall of a park outbuilding and slapped her three times, splitting her lip. She and Quiver had been dating on and off, she told the officer. He apparently left the scene after Cline asked a friend to call the police.

The officer described Cline as very intoxicated. She was taken to the hospital after she asked for an ambulance, complaining of pain from her severe cirrhosis of the liver, a police report reads.

Cline was found to have a significant head bleed upon arriving at the hospital, according to a Pennington County sheriff's deputys report. Around 11:15 a.m., it says, Cline became completely unresponsive and soon after underwent surgery to deal with the bleeding.

Her vital signs appeared stable, but she was expected to suffer from extensive and irreversible brain damage. She died July 25.

Quiver, meanwhile, was arrested the morning of the alleged assault along Sheridan Lake Road, about half a mile from Sioux Park. He had been detained in the assault and on a probation violation. The arresting police officer said he was heavily intoxicated.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the county courthouse didnt have any documents related to the manslaughter warrant request.

The Rapid City Police Department, which issued the case update Wednesday, declined to answer questions. Spokesman Brendyn Medina referred media inquiries to the county states attorneys office.

Clines obituary in the Journal said she was born in Pine Ridge and was adopted when she was around 8 years old. Among the loved ones she left behind were her adoptive mother, two brothers and a sister.
PIERRE | South Dakota Secretary of Education Melody Schopp said she was not aware of any fraud, misappropriation or criminal activity prior to taking the GEAR UP grant away from an educational cooperative in September 2015 and the audits that followed.

Schopp provided written answers this week to questions sent by the Legislative Government Operations and Audit Committee.

Panel members are looking deeper into management of the federally funded program in South Dakota, after the state Department of Legislative Audit determined nearly $1.4 million couldnt be tracked down.

Legislative auditors discovered large amounts of money moved back and forth between the bank account for Mid-Central Educational Cooperative at Platte, which held the GEAR UP contract, and several nonprofit agencies.

Schopps denial of prior knowledge about criminal activity in GEAR UP appeared at odds with other answers she gave to legislators in the same packet of information.

Those included emails from the Native American education director she fired in 2011 and incidents she described from 2012 and 2013 involving the first director she hired. He, too, resigned.

GEAR UP is a federally funded program that attempts to make students from lower-income households aware of education opportunities available after high school.

The U.S. Department of Education operates GEAR UP on a reimbursement basis. The state Department of Education submits what are determined to be allowable expenses to the federal department for payment.

Mid-Central was the sub-recipient of the grant in South Dakota. Black Hills State University at Spearfish now manages GEAR UP.

The answers Schopp gave to legislators this week often indicated that the questions were based on faulty premises.

While she denied knowledge of criminal activity, her answers showed she knew there were problems.

In one instance, Schopp referred to emails about GEAR UP and another program sent more than seven years ago from then-director of Native American education, LuAnn Werdel.

Schopp, in her first day as secretary on Jan. 10, 2011, fired Werdel.

Werdel sent an email later that day. Werdel warned Schopp about problems in GEAR UP and College Access, including mixing of data.

Werdel then apologized in emails Jan. 11.

In another instance, Schopp told legislators about the actions of Roger Campbell. He replaced Werdel as Native American education director in March 2011.

Schopp wrote that Campbell expressed concerns about GEAR UP in spring 2012.

She said one of Campbells points was the business manager for Mid-Central was chief financial officer for a nonprofit known as AIII. The nonprofit contracted with Mid-Central to deliver GEAR UP services.

The business manager was Scott Westerhuis.

On Sept. 17, 2017, Westerhuis allegedly killed his wife, Nicole Westerhuis, and their four children, set their house on fire and then committed suicide. Nicole Westerhuis was an assistant business manager at Mid-Central.

The shootings and fire came hours after Schopp had telephoned Mid-Central director Dan Guericke on Sept. 16, 2015.

Schopp told Guericke in that conversation she wasnt continuing the states GEAR UP contract with the cooperative.

Guericke, GEAR UP operations director Stacy Phelps and Stephanie Hubers, another assistant business manager at Mid-Central, now await trial on state criminal charges related to GEAR UP wrongdoing.

Schopp told legislators she could specifically recall an in-person meeting that involved Campbell, Guericke, Westerhuis, Phelps, her and several other staff members from her department.

She said the meeting became very heated and involved what she described as personal attacks on both sides.

She said the back and forth was not only counter-productive, but also odd because Phelps had suggested Campbell as a candidate for the position of Native American education director.

Schopp said Campbells suggestions led to increased oversight and accountability for Mid-Central. He resigned Feb. 28, 2013.

Schopp testified to the legislative committee on July 24 of this year. The panel on July 25 invited Schopp and three others to testify at its next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday.

None of them plan to meet with the committee, according to letters on file at the Legislative Research Council. The three others are Tamara Darnall, who is chief finance officer for the state Department of Education; Brinda Kuhn, a consultant who helped prepare the original grant application and later participated in the programs evaluation; and Randy Schoenfish, whose accounting firm conducted annual audits of the Platte-based cooperative prior to 2015.

Darnall answered some of the committees questions.

Kuhn didnt answer any, according to a letter from her attorney.

Schoenfish answered committee questions, except where they dealt with pending court matters. He is the father of state Rep. Kyle Schoenfish, R-Scotland.

Mid-Central ceased operations June 30.

Twelve school districts that were members of Mid-Central formed a new cooperative named Core. It operates from the same building Mid-Central previously used.
PIERRE | U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds returned Tuesday to the state Capitol where he long served and held a field hearing about management of the Missouri River since the 2011 flood.

"A healthy, well-managed river is critical to the communities along it," Rounds said in his opening statement.

Rounds said he learned at a 2016 field hearing in the Sioux City, Iowa, area that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hadn't started snowpack monitoring. The federal agency now posts snowpack-moisture updates on its website, Rounds said.

He used the occasion Tuesday to question a corps official.

The federal agency is better focused on forecasting, according to David Ponganis, director of programs for the corps Northwest Division.

Ponganis said the corps now conducts weekly calls updating stakeholders along the six upper basin reservoirs. The $2 million that Rounds inserted into legislation in 2016 for gauges and additional monitoring unfortunately wasnt in the final appropriation, according to Ponganis.

The six dams are Fort Peck in Montana, Garrison in North Dakota and Oahe, Big Bend, Fort Randall and Gavins Point in South Dakota. The Missouri River splits South Dakota into eastern and western halves and runs between Pierre and Fort Pierre.

Rounds lived in Pierre while he was a state senator from 1990 through 2000 and as governor from 2003 through 2010. He moved to the Fort Pierre side starting in 2011. He won election to the U.S. Senate in 2014.

Rounds told Ponganis there have been drastic fluctuations in releases from Oahe Dam just upstream of Pierre and Fort Pierre. The senator said the surges within a 24-hour period range from less than 9,000 cubic feet per second to more than 50,000.

That creates significant problems for seawalls along canals on the Fort Pierre side, Rounds said.

Rounds suggested the corps has a money-making opportunity from the dams because they produce hydroelectricity that can help cover peaks in demand for power.

Ponganis agreed with Rounds that hydropower can respond quickly to demand and "turn on and off more often," but it also means more "wear and tear."

Ponganis said he sees "an increasing trend line" for maintenance "from a national scale."

Mayor Steve Harding said Pierre gets regular updates from corps officials, and he "highly" encourages purchase of additional snowpack-forecast equipment. Harding said the corps' 404 federal-permit process for the city to use Missouri River water for irrigating riverside parks has been frustrating and bizarre.

He said a state agency authorized Pierre to take 1.5 cubic feet per second but the corps hasnt granted access. "We're only asking to irrigate the green space for our parks along the river," Harding said.

Pierre is trying to lower costs, according to Harding. He asked for a streamlined process  "a reasonable solution"  from the corps.

Jeanne Goodman, the state's chief water engineer, testified that the corps hasnt been fulfilling all aspects of the 2014 federal law regarding the rivers management.

Goodman also said the corps ignores the first sentence of the 1944 law regarding states rights for the rivers management.

She said said stakeholders are "very appreciative" of communication improvements by the corps since 2011 but added that more would be "very helpful."

Paul Lepisto, a regional official for the Izaak Walton League, said the Missouri River is one of the most altered eco-systems on earth as a result of the six dams. The corps needs to invest in more restoration, he said.

The 1944 flood control act authorizing dams on the river is a 70-year-old business plan, according to Lepisto.
When I was in high school, in the early 1960s, my family embarked on a car ride south -- from New Jersey to Florida, where we had relatives. Along the way we got hungry so my father pulled his 1954 Plymouth into a parking space outside a country roadside restaurant. Just as we were about to get out of the car, I noticed a sign that said, "Whites Only" or "No Coloreds" -- something like that. My parents weren't bigots. They were appalled at what they saw on TV coming out of places like Mississippi and Alabama. But they were hungry and were people of a certain age and generation. They just wanted a sandwich before getting back in the car. I told them I wasn't going in, that I wouldn't go near a place run by racists like that. That's all it took. My father put the car in reverse, pulled out of the parking space, and we were heading south again.

I tell you this story to make clear that I had no time for bigots then and nothing has changed over the years. Although I was born in the south, I have no emotional connection to its history. Maybe that's because I was born in the South ... Bronx.

So I understand why there's so much concern over statues in public places honoring Confederate soldiers who fought a war at least in part to maintain traditions -- traditions that included owning slaves.

You can make a case that Donald Trump was the wrong one to ask the question, but it's a question worth considering: Where does it end?

Is taking down a statue of Robert E. Lee or Stonewall Jackson or Jefferson Davis enough?

In Durham, North Carolina, a mob chanting "No KKK; no fascist USA," slung a rope around a statue of a generic confederate solder and pulled. After it toppled to the ground, they kicked the heap of crumpled metal.

Is that where it ends  with a mob deciding what statues stay and which ones go?

Asking who's next and where does it end doesn't make you a white supremacist, or even unreasonable. It doesn't mean you sympathize with the reprehensible neo-Nazi slugs who marched in Charlottesville. But as Kyle Smith put it in National Review, "We are reaching the point where, if the Washington Monument were to be blown up tomorrow, it would be anyone's guess whether jihadists or the 'anti-fascist' Left did it."

George Washington, after all, owned slaves. And if we don't blow it up, how about just calling it something else? And while we're at it, how about changing the name of the capital of this country?

Or maybe just changing the name of a few parks will do.

A pastor in Chicago has asked the mayor to remove the names of two presidents  George Washington and Andrew Jackson  from parks on the South Side because, he said, the city should not honor slave owners in black communities.

And what about the Jefferson Memorial? Should we board it up or just call it something else?

Should we change the name of Yale University because Elihu Yale, in addition to being a merchant and philanthropist, was a slave trader?

And what about Japanese-Americans? Do they have a case for tearing down monuments honoring Franklin Roosevelt, a man who put more than 100,000 innocent Americans of Japanese descent behind barbed wire in remote internment camps during World War II. Talk about stains on our history!

And why stop at offensive monuments? Why should we tolerate offensive speech and unacceptable ideas? Why should we allow white supremacists to speak in public places?

Leftists already shut down speech they don't like on college campuses, including public universities funded by taxpayers. Is it such a stretch to silence people we detest from the public square?

And if you think the anti-fascist activist gang cares about the First Amendment for people they hate, you're naive. These are not the ideological descendants of the civil rights heroes of the 1960s; they're more like the progeny of the hard left radicals who wanted change "by any means necessary."

So, let me ask one more time: Where does it end?
It takes a talented wordsmith to come up with a catch-phrase as ringing with ambiguity as "principled realism," the doctrine that President Trump espoused in Monday's speech on the American approach to Afghanistan.

Kudos to the ghostwriter who dreamed that one up, and a great big hearty "hear, hear" to administration policy-makers as they engage Mexico and Canada in the just-started NAFTA renegotiations. The notion that "principle" has to be modified by "realism" is one that South Dakotans should hope is in the marching orders for Trump's negotiating team, because Trump's charge that "NAFTA is the worst trade deal ever signed" completely ignores the value of the deal to South Dakota's agricultural industry.

We should hope that our Trump-supporting congressional representatives, Republicans all, will make sure that the administration heeds the "realism" inherent to NAFTA as it applies to the benefits it created for South Dakota.

Round one of the renegotiating sessions concluded last Sunday, with round two scheduled for the first week of September. Several more sessions are planned, targeting the end of the year for a conclusion to the process. The American approach has so far been consistent with President Trump's abhorrence of the deal, with the U.S. lead negotiator Robert Lighthizer announcing at the end of last Sunday's talks that "for countless Americans this agreement has failed."

Unfortunately for South Dakotans, though, Lighthizer's politically popular sentiment is a potential deal killer, even as his claim doesn't hold water  that's the conclusion of a detailed study in, among others, U.S. News and World Report that was published in February. it notes that job losses in manufacturing are widespread throughout the developed world, mainly the result of automation, not trade deals.

Politifact.com last year examined all this rhetoric and concluded that "NAFTA produced neither significant job losses nor job gains." Marketplace.org had similar findings, saying that "NAFTA's effect on the net number of jobs was minimal." The Trump administration's continued insistence on the opposite is a political "principle" that needs to be displaced by economic "realism."

South Dakota's gains via NAFTA and other trade agreements are an essential component of that "realism" and need to be understood by this Trump-supporting state. Sen. John Thune said as much to KSOO radio in Sioux Falls last month, when he argued that NAFTA has been largely positive for South Dakota. Last June, Thune told a Senate committee hearing that "it's frankly quite difficult to overstate NAFTA's importance to our agricultural sector."

I can only add that it's frankly quite difficult to overstate the importance of Thune's penetration of Trump's poorly developed and politically-motivated "principle" with some solid, South Dakota-specific "realism."

That "realism" is only amplified by the words of farmers and their organizations in support of NAFTA. Said the National Corn Growers last May, "since NAFTA was implemented, U.S. ag exports to Canada and Mexico have tripled and quintupled, respectively ... we want to ensure any updates to NAFTA maintain or increase opportunities for American farmers and ranchers."

Trump's politically motivated and unsupportable contempt for NAFTA may strike some as a savvy negotiating position, but its emptiness of factual content will render it impotent. We need to lighten up and cooperate, not confront.
Moscow court will review moral damages lawsuit against Navalny on September 14

Context Political activist claims Navalny caused him moral damage by June 12 rally

MOSCOW, August 23 (RAPSI)  The Lyublinsky District Court of Moscow has set preliminary hearings in the moral damages lawsuit against Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny on September 14, the courts press-service told RAPSI on Wednesday.

The lawsuit was filed by the SERB political group leader Igor Beketov claiming compensation for moral damages caused by unauthorized rally on June 12. Amount of compensation sought is currently unknown.

Earlier, media reported that Moscow municipal deputy Igor Brumel and Beketov plan to file a lawsuit against Navalny. They allegedly believe that the Russian opposition politician hurt their feelings by causing clashes on June 12, Day of Russia.

On June 13, Moscows Simonovsky District Court detained Navalny for 30 days in relation to the unauthorized rally. Navalny was found guilty of violating rally organization rules specified in the Russian Code of Administrative Offences.

Initially, Navalny has agreed with the city's authorities a rally at Academician Sakharov Avenue in Moscow on June 12. However, shortly before the beginning of the rally he called his supporters to change the rally location to Tverskaya Street in the central Moscow. On Monday, he was arrested by the police and later sentenced to a 30-days term in custody.
Switching from in danger to currently on the brink of extinction was too much of an unannounced policy change for deciding if grizzly bears in the Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem need more Endangered Species Act protection, according to a federal court ruling.

U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to backtrack on plans to downgrade federal protection status of the small population of grizzlies in northwest Montana after finding the agency acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner with the wording change.

The 42-page decision was released Tuesday. Christensen granted Alliance for the Wild Rockies summary judgment in its challenge to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, FWS Director Daniel Ashe and the county commissioners of Montanas Lincoln County and Idahos Bonner and Boundary counties.

The order restores Cabinet-Yaak grizzlies to warranted but precluded for endangered species status, which means it probably qualifies for the highest level of federal protection but the agency doesnt have the resources to scientifically confirm that conclusion. FWS officials in 2014 reclassified the bears as threatened, which is a lower class of protection.

The levels matter because animals or plants with endangered status may deserve additional protections on the landscape where they live, known as critical habitat designation. Under the threatened status, the Cabinet-Yaak bears survival doesnt require FWS to make such a designation. Critical habitat rules can force any other land managers to consider the bears needs before making any changes such as a timber sale, road construction or mine expansion.

Fewer than 50 grizzly bears inhabit the Cabinet-Yaak mountains. Its one of the smallest of six recovery zones in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington. The Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem encompassing Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex holds more than 1,000 grizzlies.

In June, Secretary Zinke ruled that the approximately 700 grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem around Yellowstone National Park no longer needed ESA protection and turned their management over to state wildlife agencies. That decision has been challenged in court as well.

Alliance for the Wild Rockies (AWR) Director Michael Garrity accused the Fish and Wildlife Service of spending 20 years finding ways of avoiding an endangered upgrade for the Cabinet-Yaak grizzlies, despite mounting evidence that the bear population there was shrinking.

AWR sued in 2013, but the case was ruled moot when the agency listed the population as warranted but precluded. AWR sued again in 2014, relying on agency documents it claimed showed the agency was changing the designation rules without justification.

In 2010, FWS officials imposed the polar bear rule that clarifies Service policy in regards to the statuary phrase in danger of extinction  This policy recognizes this phrase as meaning currently on the brink of extinction in the wild.  The wording came from a 2008 endangered species status review of polar bears.

In applying this policy to the best available biological data, we conclude that the Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bear population is not currently on the brink of extinction and is no longer warranted for Endangered status and should continue to be listed as Threatened, a draft version of the grizzly status document stated, according to court records. Christensen ruled that was a policy change without proper review.

There is no evidence  to suggest that the agency found that the change in policy was permissible under the ESA, believed that the new policy was better than the agencies' prior interpretations, or otherwise provided a good reason for the change, Christensen wrote. Accordingly, due to the failure of the FWS to provide a reasonable explanation for why it modified its interpretation of in danger of extinction to mean on the brink of extinction, the court finds that the December 2014 not-warranted determination was an arbitrary and capricious decision in violation of the (Administrative Policy Act).

Christensen ordered the agency to reinstate the Cabinet grizzlies status as Warranted but precluded for protection under the Endangered Species Act. He also advised agency officials that if they wanted to change the bears status, they had to publicly display awareness they were changing the policy, show the new policy was legal under the ESA, explain why the new one was better, and provide a reasoned explanation of what the new policy means.
Ravalli County DUI Task Force received the Task Force of the Year award from the Montana Department of Transportation on Aug. 16.

We were really surprised that we got it, said Glenda Wiles, Ravalli County DUI Task Force Coordinator. It is a big honor when competing against Missoula, Gallatin, Flathead, Billings and Yellowstone County. There are some big DUI Task Forces.

Lisa Scates, the Montana Department of Revenue's alcohol education coordinator, said the award was presented for the Task Forces excellence in education, impaired driving enforcement and reduction of alcohol abuse.

This DUI Task Force has been successful in reducing the number of crashes, fatalities and injuries on our highways, and has excelled in many areas  not limited to DUI arrest, deterrence of over-service and underage drinking prevention, Scates said.

The Ravalli County DUI Task Force was formed in the mid 1990s and promotes public education, awareness, legislation, enforcement and collaboration among agencies. They promote increased seat belt usage and reduced alcohol and drug related traffic accidents and less underage drinking.

The Ravalli County DUI Task Force was nominated by Kevin Dusko, a transportation planner with the Montana Department of Transportation. He is the liaison to all the DUI Task Forces in all the state and sees the details and result of all Montana programs.

Hamilton Police Lt. Steve Snavely said hes proud that the Ravalli County DUI Task Force received this award.

Everybody on the task force, from Glenda to all the officers on the street, work hard at trying to put a stop to alcohol abuse and driving in our community, Snavely said. Theyve been working hard at this for years and it is nice to be recognized by the state.

Angela Wetzsteon, deputy county attorney, said she agrees with Snavely.

The Task Force, particularly Glenda, works very hard to identify the needs of our community and I think uniquely they target younger kids and teenagers to change the culture and understanding of DUI, Wetzsteon said. Combating the culture of drinking and driving is big battle we face with adults.

Wetzsteon praised the DUI Task Force for educating young community members about driving impaired.

Reaching out to the younger population to start educating them sooner and earlier and forming good healthy perspectives about it has done a lot in this community, Wetzsteon said. The Task Force is candid and honest with teenagers and young people about the risks associated with drinking and driving. The Task Force education gives them good perspective and insight that they might not be getting from their families and other people they are around.

The Ravalli County DUI Task Force efforts include educating retailers with the Responsible Alcohol Sales Training and encouraging the public to use their seat belts. The task force also has Eighth Grade Transition classes for middle school students and an Impaired Driver Education program at local high schools and through 4-H.

The program uses an off-road vehicle called a Rhino and Fatal Vision Goggles to help kids understand the effects of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Wiles said the Impaired Driver Education and Eighth Grade Transition programs use law enforcement officers to teach classes in addition to guest speakers and many community volunteers.

We go to the schools and the kids, age 14 to 16, drive the course unimpaired first, Wiles said. When they put the Fatal Vision Goggles on were just impairing their vision and their coordination, not their judgment. It is important they understand there is a difference if they really were drinking they wouldnt have good judgment or reflexes.

Different goggles duplicate different impairment levels from .08 up to a .2. After the students drive the course with the goggles, law enforcement officers run them through sobriety tests and visit with the students.

I think one of the things that is really cool about this program is that the law enforcement officers are out there building a one-on-one relationship with those kids, Wiles said. I think that is really critical to having the next generation of kids coming up with respect for themselves and everyone else.

Wiles said driving is a new experience for some of the younger students who may be shaking when they climb into the Rhino off-road vehicle.

Some are really confident but when they put the goggles on it is a whole new story, she said. It does my heart good when they get out of the Rhino and say This was harder than I ever expected. Ill never drink and drive. Its a fun hands-on experience for them that we always couple with education classes on traffic and safety.

The Impaired Driver Education program has educated more than 4,500 students in nearly 11 years. The Task Force is funded by drivers license reinstatement fees.

No tax dollars - it is all funded by drunk drivers, Wiles said.

The Ravalli County DUI Task Force has received $20,000 during the past three years from the Good Neighbor Grant from State Farm Insurance to assist with the Impaired Driving Education Program.

The 10-member DUI Task Force meets quarterly and welcomes the public to their next meeting at noon, on Sept. 21, in the Ravalli County Commissioners conference room.

The award is cool, Wiles said. I have a lot of volunteers who do a lot of work.
America must return to conservative principles of less government,reduced taxes, less spending and a balanced budget! Cut,cap and balance!
Guwahati : In view of the ordeal faced by the passengers in the wake of disrupted rail link of North East Region with the rest of the country, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal requested Union Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu to restore train services with the region on a war footing.

Sonowal called Prabhu over phone on Tuesday morning and drew his attention of the harrowing time the rail passengers particularly from the North East have been going through following the snapped rail link in Katihar division and requested him to restore train services on a war footing.

The Assam CM also apprised the Railways Minister of the impending development of shortfall of essential commodities that the region might experience following prolonged disruption of rail traffic - both passenger and goods trains - and asked his intervention for early restoration of the damaged portion of the tracks washed away by the deluge.

Prabhu however, assured Sonowal that the Railways with its men and materials are on the toes, day in and day out to repair the damaged rail tracks and restore train services at the earliest.

Sonowal also talked to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to ensure smooth movement of goods laden trucks so that there is no scarcity of essential commodities in Assam and other parts of North East.

Gadkari assured the Chief Minister to all necessary measures in this regard.

Moreover, in view of the disrupted train services and following allegations that air tickets have experienced inordinate rise in fares, Sonowal also talked to Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha and requested him for his initiative for maintaining 'reasonable fare' of flights connecting the North East part of the country.

Later talking to newsmen at his official residence in New Delhi, Sonowal said that the entire State Government machinery is focussed on providing relief and rehabilitation to the flood affected people of the State.

He also told the presspersons that Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting yesterday, asked the Chief Ministers to help the States affected by flood.

Expressing his deep gratitude to the Prime Minister for his love and affection to the people of Assam, Sonowal said that, Prime Minister Narendra Modiji has been closely monitoring the flood situation and helping the State in all possible ways to mitigate the sufferings of the flood affected people.

The Assam CM also informed that under Prime Minister's directive, a high level committee would be constituted for finding a comprehensive and lasting solution to the flood and erosion problems plaguing the State.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Kathmandu, Nepal: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is leaving for a five-day long state visit to India today leading a 59-member Nepali delegation at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

The jumbo Nepali delegation comprises four cabinet ministers, 12 lawmakers, nine government secretaries and other senior official from different government agencies including some nearer and dearer of Prime Minister Deuba.

Primer Deuba is scheduled to meet various Indian leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and many others.

Nepali officials have said that Prime Minister Deuba will bold discussions on wide ranges of issues regarding the mutual interest between the neighboring countries. It is expected that the visit will help to add a new chapter in age old special ties between the two countries.

The historical relationship between the neighboring countries was soured after India imposed unofficial blockade in support of agitating Madhes based parties. However, Indian leaders do claim that neither the blockade was imposed nor the agitating launched by the Madhes based parties was supported.

As India had already lifted the blockade and Prime Minister Deuba also normalized the agitating Madhes based parties, it is expected that the recent visit of Prime Minister Deuba will help to make clear the previous misunderstandings to open the new chapter to strengthen the bilateral relationships between the neighboring countries.

As Prime Minister Deuba is also the president of the Nepali Congress, the only oldest democratic party of the country that had not only fought to establish democracy in Nepal but also helped to liberate India, Indian leaders including his counterpart Modi has given high preference to the recent visit of Prime Minister Deuba in comparison of previous Prime Ministers.

It is said that Prime Minister Deuba will begin his meeting with Indian leaders including his Indian counterpart only after attending in the ceremonial reception and inspection of a Guard of Honor at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Thursday.
PM Deuba administers oath of office and secrecy to newly appointed State Ministers at the Office of Prime Ministers and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. Photo: RSS

Kathmandu, Nepal: To break the history of largest ever number of the cabinet, the number should cross 57, which is just less by six numbers less than the historically largest-ever cabinet.

With the latest expansion to the cabinet, the number has led to a 49-member Council of Ministers including three Deputy Prime Ministers, 19 Ministers and 23 State Ministers.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had inducted 15 more State Ministers in his Cabinet on Tuesday. All the newly inducted Ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers by the Prime Minister Deuba.

Out of 15 State Ministers inducted in the Cabinet, NC has 12 ministers while Nepal Loktantrik Forum led by Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar has three Ministers.

PM Deuba has expanded his cabinet just day ahead of embarking five-day state visit to India. Prime Minister Deuba is living for India today at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

The newly inducted State Ministers in the cabinet include Seeta Gurung for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Sarita Prasain for Agriculture Development, Shesh Nath Adhikari for Education, Nar Bahadur Chand for Commerce, Abdul Rajjaki for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Tapta Bahadur Bista for Information and Communications, Amar Sing Pun for Irrigation, Dilman Pakhrin for Law and Justice, Uday Shamsher Rana for Finance, Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary for Labour and Employment, Teju Lal Chaudhary for Youth and Sports, Champa Devi Khadka for Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation, Janakraj Chaudhary for Federal Affairs and Local Development, Sumitra Tharuni for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Yashoda Kumari Lama for Lands Reforms.
Golez: China will be no. 1 loser: "If a crisis slams the South China Sea, here are the losers  and a few winners" https://t.co/AcqLsY3NPY





I quote from this CNBC article:





1. "Several industries are trying to assess what open confrontation in the South China Sea would cost them, and a lot of them don't like what they're finding.





2. China the most nervous: "(China)The world's second-largest economy is getting more wary  and more vocal in its opposition  about increased U.S. naval patrols along the vast body of water, which holds some of the world's busiest trade routes."





3. Most of the seaborne trade are China connected: "With more than $5 trillion of trade flowing through the area every year, any hostility between would hit numerous business sectors, including commodities, logistics, and insurance.





"Conflict between the U.S. and China in the South China Sea would be less about the physical things that can be produced, but more about controlling physical access and the key choke-points around it," Stratfor analyst Matthew Bey told CNBC earlier this year.





4. "Almost every major container shipping company sends vessels through the South China Sea, making all of them vulnerable if Washington and Beijing butt heads, said Bey. "The ports that would be adversely impacted are the Straits of Malacca, East China straits, straits of Sunda and Lombok."





5. It will choke China's oil trade. At least 70% of China's oil passes through the South China Sea: "Should Trump increase patrols by China's artificial islands as part of his new policy, that could particularly hurt the China National Offshore Oil, one of the the mainland's biggest crude producers, Bey added.





Also known as CNOOC, the firm has commercial drilling platforms in the South China Sea and drew international attention in 2014 after placing an oil rig near the Paracel Islands that triggered a major spat between Beijing and Hanoi.





CNOOC offered no comment on the matter.





6. Maritime insurance would spiral: "Paying a premium for protection





Maritime insurance rates may spike if insurers identify parts of the South China Sea as a war risk.





7. Ships might even avoid the area completely and strangle China's trade: "That means vessels would have to pay a premium to transit the area  or avoid the area completely, explained Andrew Booker, founding partner of marine specialist Latitude Brokers. However, that scenario remains highly unlikely at present, he added.

"It's impossible to estimate how high rates could rise but because there is no premium for transiting the area at present, anything would be an increase, he said.





"If that were the case, trade routes would change and freight costs for each voyage would rise, which could be good news for ship-owners but bad for charterers who pay freight, Booker continued.





8. "Currencies will depreciate





"Geopolitical strains could also weaken the Korean won and the Taiwan dollar.





"Financial markets in those countries have a large number of foreign equity investors, and those traders tend to sell shares in the wake of political tensions, explained Khoon Goh, head of Asia research at Australian bank ANZ.





"When those stock markets take a beating, so do their currencies. If that's the case, Goh predicts the won will fall to 1180 per dollar from 1130 presently, and the Taiwan dollar to hit 31.6 from current levels of 30.2.





9. Will benefit the yen: "But the safe-haven Japanese yen would likely benefit amid the overall risk-averse mood, Goh added.





10. Oil prices will spiral: "Oil climbs





"The South China Sea holds around seven billion barrels of oil and 900 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, but in the event of hostilities, those reserves won't be first in the firing line.





"The more immediate impact may be a rally in global crude prices. Any conflict could disrupt the movement of energy resources, thus curbing overall supply and pushing Brent crude to around $65 per barrel, said Jonathan Chan, investment analyst at Phillip Futures. Oil futures trade hands at about $52 currently.

11. "Air freight is considerably more expensive than maritime shipping, and even within countries, overland networks are often not as well-developed. Maritime routes remain the most popular for the transportation of resources, he said.





12. "Metals and minerals to bounce





China to be badly affected if metal prices go up: "Beijing imports massive quantities of copperand iron ore, so any blockage or disturbance to transport routes would cause prices of both commodities to spike, according to Chan.





"Iron ore on the SGX Asia Clear could hit $95 per metric ton in the event of escalation," Chan said, "while copper may soar to $6,480 per ton."





Gold, may rally to $1,450 per ounce, Chan added. That would mark a sharp bounce from its present level of near $1,285.





13. "Happier fish and fishermen





"An estimated 12 percent of the world's fish harvest comes from the South China Sea, where more than 3,000 known species dwell. But fish stocks have been rapidly declining amid Beijing's island-building activities.





"If Washington can stop Chinese construction and protect the rights of regional fishermen  especially Vietnamese, Indonesians and Filipinos  that would be welcomed, said Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.





"The sand and silt plumes created by dredging sand and gravel can kill fish or drive them from the reefs  a major problem for Southeast Asian fishermen who rely on the creatures for their livelihood.
August 23, 2017

We, the undersigned womenas rights groups, activists and academics, are shocked to learn that the JNU administration has adopted a biased and mala fide procedure to institute an enquiry against Professor Nivedita Menon, eminent academic and well-known feminist who is Chairperson of the Centre for Comparative Politics and Political Thought at the School of International Studies, JNU. We are appalled to learn that Professor Bidyut Chakrabarti has been appointed as the head of the inquiry committee against Nivedita Menon, even though it has been brought to the notice of the administration that Prof. Menon in 2007 had deposed before the committee against Prof. Chakrabarti in an inquiry in a sexual harassment complaint at Delhi University. The appointment of Professor Chakrabarti (who is an external member of JNUas Executive Council) as head of an enquiry committee against Professor Menon, who testified against him earlier, reeks of bias amounting to a breach of Professor Menonas right to a fair and impartial inquiry.

It is shocking that members of JNUas Academic Council first learnt about this inquiry committee constituted by the Executive Council in July 2017 only when members of the Academic Council received a letter inviting them to depose in front of the committee if they had anything to say about the aevents leading to the disruptiona of the 142nd Academic Council meeting held on 26 December 2016. The terms of reference of the said committee were not made public nor was it clear which service rules were invoked to constitute this committee.

After this general letter went out, Prof. Nivedita Menon received a letter from the Bidyut Chakrabarti Committee informing her that several AC members had deposed that she had disrupted the AC meeting. The letter to her also mentioned a video that the Committee was shown, which allegedly shows Prof Menon addressing students and teachers outside the Administrative Block.

No other faculty member has received a notice to appear before the Committee in this connection. Although Prof. Menon was served a notice to appear before the Committee, she was denied her right to be made aware of the specific acomplaintsa that were central to this inquiry. Further, she was not given a chance to understand the nature of the depositions supposedly received from some AC members alleging that she disrupted the AC meeting, and how they formed prima facie adequate and sufficient grounds for instituting an inquiry against her, nor has she been informed about the provenance of the video referred to.

It is a matter of public record that a complaint of sexual harassment was filed against Bidyut Chakrabarti by a woman working in a subordinate capacity at the Gandhi Bhavan in the University of Delhi. Professor Menon, who was at the time teaching in the Department of Political Science in Delhi University, had testified against Bidyut Chakrabarti. As a result of the report submitted by the Apex Committee of Delhi University, the University of Delhi had debarred Bidyut Chakravarti from all administrative posts in the University for three years.

The JNU administration has exposed its own mala fide intentions by ignoring Prof. Menonas repeated pleas to reconstitute the inquiry committee, given her legitimate apprehension of bias. Instead they have sent her repeated letters asking her to appear before the inquiry committee. We are deeply shocked that the JNU administration ignored the fact that the nomination of Prof. Chakrabarti as the chair of this inquiry against Prof. Menon is a violation of the principles of natural justice and the right to a fair procedure. Surely the JNU administration and its Executive Council should abide by the principles of a fair inquiry and ensure that such an enquiry should not be headed by someone who has grounds for bias.

This unethical and persistent harassment of an eminent scholar with an international reputation is yet another instance of the backlash being faced by feminists who stand up to sexism and sexual harassment in their professional spheres. It highlights the strategy adopted by people in positions of power, of trivialising sexual harassment and using their official positions to take revenge against women who have complained or testified against them.

We would like to stress that the very basis on which the JNU inquiry committee was formed is flawed and motivated and attacks the democratic and open functioning of a prestigious centre of higher education in India.

Further, we condemn the mala fide, motivated and baseless charges against Professor Nivedita Menon and the JNU administrationas attempts to target her and demand the immediate withdrawal of these charges and dissolution of the enquiry committee.

We further demand that Bidyut Chakravarti be debarred from any decision making on matters related to sexual harassment and/or GSCASH as an Executive Council member.

FACTS:

On 4 April 2007, a sexual harassment complaint was made by an employee of Gandhi Bhawan against the then Director, Prof Bidyut Chakrabarty, also faculty at the Department of Political Science, University of Delhi. The Delhi University apex committee on Sexual Harassment vide its report that was tabled and accepted by the Executive Council Resolution No 114 dated 8.10.07 resolved that:

1. A letter of warning be issued to Prof Bidyut Chakrabarty.

2. He should be asked to step down from the Directorship of Gandhi Bhawan.

3. He should be debarred from holding any administrative post in the University for a period of three years.

Subsequently, Prof Chakrabarty was removed from the position of Director, Gandhi Bhawan, Head of the Department of Political Science and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences.

Prof Chakrabarty petitioned to the High Court, Delhi, not on the merits of the complaint but his right to cross-examine the witness (WPC No 8227/2007 dated 29.5.09). The Supreme Court in its order dated 12.1.10 for Special Leave to Appeal directed that cross examination for witnesses be carried out though the awitnesses need not be revealeda and appointed Ms Binu Tamta, the Court Commissioner for the purpose of getting aanswers to questionsa to be supplied by the respondent Prof Chakrabarty. The statements recorded by the Court Commissioner were heard on 7.5.10 and it was decided that the same be handed over to the Apex Committee for further action and closed the matter.

The Apex Committee considered the court recordings and submitted its report to the EC. The report was finally tabled in the EC on 21.3.12 and Resolution 235 accepted the findings of the committee. aThe Council further resolved that Prof Bidyut Chakrabarty, be debarred from all the administrative posts and supervisory duties in the University for the remainder period out of the 3 years, if any.a The Assistant Registrar (CR & Vigilance) wrote to the Head of the Department, Political Science vide letter no. CR-Vigilance/069/2006/17 dated 23.5.12 to implement the above EC resolution.

Prof. Chakravarti had petitioned the Delhi High Court also to quash the aordinance XV-D of Delhi University on the ground that it is violative of Article(s) 14, 16 and 311 of the Constitutiona (Prof. Bidyug Chakraborty vs Delhi University & Ors., W.P.(C) No.8226/2007, 29 May 2009 at para 2). Justice Sikri and Justice Jain of the Delhi High Court held that since they had aread the requirements of complying with fundamental principles of natural justice as implicit in the inquiry procedurea, there was no need to astrike down the relevant provisions of Ordinance XV-D of the University of Delhia (Prof. Bidyug Chakraborty vs Delhi University & Ors., W.P.(C) No.8226/2007, 29 May 2009 at para 19).

ENDORSEMENTS
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Aug-23-2017 13:01 TweetFollow @OregonNews Oregon Statewide Campfire Ban Lifted in Parks and Designated Campgrounds The campfire ban is over, but the risk of wildfire continues.



(SALEM, Ore.) - A statewide ban on open fires in state park campgrounds has been lifted effective August 22, 2017. However, local and regional fire restrictions are still in effect in many state parks, and restrictions from other authorities often apply to state parks as well. Visitors planning a trip to a state park or the ocean shore during the rest of the fire season should check: http://oregonstateparks.org and public fire restrictions at: http://bit.ly/oregonfirerestrictions for updates before traveling. The now-expired statewide state park restriction affected all open flames--campfires, candles, charcoal briquettes, tiki-style torches--at every park. Even if a state park allows campfires and other open flames, every park patron should exercise extraordinary care with fire: Campfires are allowed in designated fire rings only. All fires must be attended, and fully extinguished afterward.

Keep water and a shovel, or a fire extinguisher, within reach of any campfire at all times.

Watch children and pets during and after a campfire. Metal fire rings retain heat long after the fire is out.

In state parks, smoking is allowed in designated campsites only, and butts must be fully extinguished and put in the trash.

Fires on the Oregon ocean shore must be made of natural materials only (no pallets or other assembled wood), kept 3'x3' or smaller, and placed more than 25' away and downwind from driftwood and grass. A full set of beach fire rules is online at http://bit.ly/oregonbeachfirerules.

Remember fireworks are prohibited year-round in Oregon state parks and on beaches. Information is posted at oregonstateparks.org, and available through the state parks information line at 800-551-6949, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. -- 5 p.m. The Oregon Department of Forestry Public Restrictions Map at http://bit.ly/oregonfirerestrictions has local restrictions and bans available by location. Other recreational fire safety tips are online at http://keeporegongreen.org/. _________________________________________

Oregon | Health | Environment | Most Commented on





Articles for August 23, 2017 |
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Relations between police and civilians in the U.S. are fraught with peril nowadays. Just last year, five police officers were killed and nine were wounded, along with two civilian casualties, no more than 8 miles from where I live. The flip side of the issue is that many civilians have been killed by police, perhaps justifiably, perhaps not.

Filmmaker Thomas Marchese tackles some of the issues involved in his new documentary, Fallen, and we have an exclusive clip to shed light on his approach.

Official Synopsis: Every 53 hours in the United States, a police officer is killed in the line of duty. However these losses go mostly unnoticed, overshadowed by sensational, politically charged headlines of the day.

Fallen takes a deeply personal look at the stories behind these statistics. More than five years in the making, the film follows the stories of eight fallen officers from across the country. Told through the eyes of those closest to them, as well as the communities they served, these stories offer a sobering glimpse into a routinely overlooked and misunderstood reality.

Michael Chiklis narrates. Fallen will open in select theaters and on various Video On Demand platforms on Friday, September 8. More information is available at the official Facebook page and official site. Watch the clip below.
 Considering clemency echoes of a possible Arpaio pardon as Prez Trump's first | Main | "Can a General Conquer the Federal Prison System?" 

August 22, 2017

Missouri Gov halts scheduled execution and appoints Board of Inquiry to investigate innocence claim

As reported in this local article, today just "before Marcellus Williams was to be put to death for the 1998 murder of a former newspaper reporter, Gov. Eric Greitens issued a stay of execution and appointed a board to look into the case." Here is why:

A sentence of death is the ultimate, permanent punishment, Greitens said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. To carry out the death penalty, the people of Missouri must have confidence in the judgment of guilt. In light of new information, I am appointing a Board of Inquiry in this case. Williams attorneys have been pleading for a stay, arguing that Missouri was on the verge of executing the wrong person. Williams, 48, was sentenced to death in 2001 for killing Felicia Gayle, who had been a reporter with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Gayle was stabbed 43 times with a butcher knife in her home. Williams was scheduled to be executed in 2015, but the Missouri Supreme Court stayed his lethal injection, allowing him time to obtain new DNA testing. DNA testing of the murder weapon, conducted in 2016 and using technology that was not available at the time of the killing, shows Williams is not a match for the male DNA found on the murder weapon. The Missouri Supreme Court last week turned down his attorneys attempt to have the execution stopped. The court did not provide a reason.... Greitens said he would appoint a five-member board that will include retired judges and have the power to subpoena evidence and compel witnesses to testify. The board will look into the case and make a recommendation to the governor as to whether Williams should be executed or have his death sentence commuted.... A spokeswoman for Attorney General Josh Hawley told The Washington Post this week that based on non-DNA evidence in this case our office is confident in Marcellus Williams guilt and plans to move forward. Among the other evidence cited by Hawleys office is testimony by Williams former cellmate and an ex-girlfriend implicating him in the murder. Some of the victims belongings were found in a car Williams drove the day she was killed. Opponents of the death penalty say Williams case should help fuel the push to end the practice in Missouri. Marcellus Williams case is a classic example of the inherent injustice of the death penalty system, said Zeke Johnson, senior director of programs at Amnesty International USA, and why it should be altogether abolished. Williams was set to face lethal injection at 6 p.m. Tuesday if not for the governors order

Gov. Greitens' full two-page statement is available at this link.

August 22, 2017 at 11:37 PM | Permalink

Comments

If a guy used the knife to cut food or to pry something open, his DNA would be on it. Or was the DNA that of a careless police officer?

If you have the possessions of the stabbing victim in your car, you need to go.

Posted by: David Behar | Aug 23, 2017 6:18:37 AM

The woman's stuff was in his car---unless he has a good explanation, he should fry. Cases like this should require the condemned to waive his 5A rights as a condition to opening the inquiry.

Posted by: federalist | Aug 23, 2017 7:46:35 AM

"DNA testing of the murder weapon, conducted in 2016 and using technology that was not available at the time of the killing, shows Williams is not a match for the male DNA found on the murder weapon."

Behar and Federallist say kill him anyway--maybe for his bad poetry?

Posted by: Taylor | Aug 23, 2017 9:31:40 AM

Taylor. How did he get the possessions of a stranger in his car?

Nor is bad poetry a mitigating factor in the death penalty, yet. Give it time. Pro-criminal abolitionists will get around to it, as an evolving standard of decency for Justice Kennedy. It is more valid than the current mitigating factors, which are all, actually, aggravating factors. Youth, insanity, and mental retardation should fast track the death penalty, if the purpose of the law is public safety.

Posted by: David Behar | Aug 23, 2017 9:42:40 AM

Taylor, apparently you have problems with reading comprehension.

Posted by: federalist | Aug 23, 2017 10:18:26 AM

"The newly acquired evidence shows Williams' DNA was not found on the murder weapon, Williams' lawyers say, though DNA from another male was found."

I don't know what this "bad poetry" reference is about but such evidence very well might be provide reasonable doubt enough at least not to execute.

I don't think the state should execute just because the convicted person doesn't want to waive his 5A rights. Some doubt, which provides evidence for and against [including the car evidence], should set up a red flag for the state to not possibly execute someone not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The people are executing someone and they have a special obligation to be particularly careful.

As to the car evidence:

"according to Williams' lawyer, the car in which the victim's belongings were found did not belong to Williams"

http://digg.com/2017/marcellus-williams-explained

I gather if we look into the matter more, including at the trial where the lawyer would have to answer the state's claims, more of that sort of thing would arise. I gather though that some won't think a "good" explanation was provided. Still, an explanation was provided, and this is in the balance with the DNA evidence.

I would not be surprised with either an execution or commutation to life in the future here.

Posted by: Joe | Aug 23, 2017 12:14:58 PM

Joe, Taylor's reference to "bad poetry" apparently reflects his knowledge of Shakespeare.

See Julius Caesar Act III, Scene 3. After Marc Anthonys impassioned funeral oration over Ceasar's body, the Roman mob is incited to hunt down the conspirators who assassinated Caesar, one of whom was named Cinna. The mob comes across a famous poet also named Cinna, and accuses him of being a conspirator. He denies it, claiming he is Cinna the poet, not Cinna the conspirator. The following is excerpted from the dialogue that ensues:

Third Citizen: Your name, Sir, truly

Cinna the Poet: Truly, my name is Cinna

First Citizen: Tear him to pieces, hes a conspirator

Cinna the Poet: I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet.

Fourth Citizen: Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.

(emphasis added).

Cinna's protestations of innocence notwithstanding, the mob killed kills him because of his bad poetry (as it were), not because he was a conspirator.

Posted by: Michael R. Levine | Aug 23, 2017 1:21:55 PM

Mr. Levine, my paperback has the encounter as follows:



CINNA. Truly, my name is Cinna.

FIRST PLEBEIAN. Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator!!!

CINNA. I am Cinna the poet; I am Cinna the poet!

FOURTH PLEBEIAN. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses!

CINNA. I am not Cinna the conspirator!

FOURTH PLEBEIAN. It is no matter, his name's Cinna! Pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going!

 Julius Caesar, Act III, Scene 3.



Posted by: Dave from Texas | Aug 23, 2017 1:26:57 PM

Huh. Well, that seems a tad obscure. Thanks.

Posted by: Joe | Aug 23, 2017 1:29:08 PM

The genius of Shakespeare. The excerpt quoted above from Julius Caeer is at the time tragic and comedic.

Posted by: English major | Aug 23, 2017 1:29:54 PM

Joe, if truth-seeking is important, then the condemned (once all appeals are exhausted) should be forced to give up his right to remain silent in order to get these stays. It's possible, of course, that possession of the victim's property in his car is consistent with innocence, but he should have to explain it.

This doesn't seem objectionable. I believe Paul House had to testify (and the court didn't believe him--not that that mattered to Roberts and the gang).

Posted by: federalist | Aug 23, 2017 2:33:45 PM

"Joe, if truth-seeking is important"

That's a fine generic principle but the details as usual are complicated.

The state has an obligation to not execute if there is a reasonable chance of innocence. They have a duty to carefully investigate. The fact the condemned doesn't want to waive his 5A rights, rights in place to advance constitutional values, doesn't by itself take the state off hook. Plus, what he will add when the matter has already been covered (as I noted) is unclear. He can simply say what was already said. In other case, the person might stay mute. The evidence as a whole can still suggest reasonable doubt, though failure to testify will lead open questions.

Failure to testify at times results in people being detained. He's detained. Failure to testify leading to execution is a step beyond.

House v. Bell held he didn't meet a freestanding innocence claim but did meet a lesser test regarding significant doubt on his guilt. Roberts wrote a partial dissent disagreeing with the holding. Since I'm only concerned with the level of proof necessary to execute, not leave him in prison, total innocence is not really necessary in my view. I read over a summary of his case and don't know if testified or did so only because he had to do so.

Posted by: Joe | Aug 23, 2017 6:08:22 PM

"The state has an obligation to not execute if there is a reasonable chance of innocence. They have a duty to carefully investigate. The fact the condemned doesn't want to waive his 5A rights, rights in place to advance constitutional values, doesn't by itself take the state off hook."

Citation please? That doesn't sound like the law to me.

Posted by: federalist | Aug 24, 2017 10:03:28 AM

Didn't say it was "the law." It is my opinion on what their obligation is.

This is also why I said what the state 'should' do earlier. Sounds hortatory. Cf. my specific citation of a case to address something you referenced.

Posted by: Joe | Aug 24, 2017 7:38:36 PM

Post a comment
In his final public appearance on this earth at a 2011 Cupertino City Council meeting, Apple co-founder/messiah Steve Jobs promised the council that Apples 175-acre Apple Park campus featuring a spaceship doughnut inspired structure would be the best office building in the world. But it sucks to live next to the best office building in the world, according to residents whose homes are adjacent to the almost inhabited Apple headquarters, as the Mercury News reports that construction noise, debris, and traffic have been a constant hassle for Sunnyvale residents.



My life has been a constant hell since October 2013, Sunnyvale resident IrisAnn Nelson complained to the Merc, noting the nearly four years of construction that have gone into the sprawling space-age headquarters. We get treated like we dont matter. Cupertino doesnt care because were not in Cupertino. Sunnyvale doesnt seem to care either.

As the unhappy Sunnyvale homeowner notes, one aspect to the problem may be that border issue: The campus sits in Cupertino, but precisely on the border of Sunnyvale, where there's now a 100,000 square-foot in-house gym, yoga studio and dental office that the company refers to as a wellness center). Right on the other side of the new headquarters sits Sunnyvales Birdland neighborhood (where residents refer to the same structure as the prison wall.)

Birdland residents on the wrong side of the wall claim theyve dealt with three-plus years of construction noise, dirt and dust all over their homes and cars, and a curious rash of tiny sharp objects littering the streets and puncturing their tires. Apples corporate public relations contends theyve been extremely responsive, and Curbed notes theyve devoted 80 whole acres just to parking.

I would say we were extremely aware of the local complaints, Apple vice president of real estate Dan Whisenhunt told the Bay Area News Group. We got emails all the time for the last few years, and I personally saw every single one of them. If the concern of our neighbors were big enough, I would go visit them at their home.

So, he gets emails all the time but the concerns are not always big enough to merit follow-up. People, that is how you become vice president of real estate at the America's most profitable company.

The construction noise issue is particularly contentious, as locals argue this racket continues after midnight on a nightly basis. An Apple project coordinator insists they do not allow any active construction at that time, and here we probably have a dispute over the definition of active construction (e.g., machinery left operating even while not in active use).

The old Bay Area argument is that these people should be thrilled with the inconvenience, because Apple is so graciously enhancing their property value. Indeed, the New York Times confirms that the neighborhoods property values have doubled since 2011, and that homeowners are routinely offered 20 to 25 percent more than asking price.

But this argument also assumes that real estate value is the only meaningful quality-of-life metric for locals who never asked for a tech company mega-campus to be built in their backyard. Many say we should just be happy that Apple is raising our property values, Birdland resident Debby MacDonald told the Merc. This doesnt do me much good unless I plan to sell.

Apple employees began moving in several months ago, but the entire Apple Park is far from inhabited just yet, as 9to5Mac reports.

Below, the very latest drone footage, which includes new glimpses of the aforementioned Steve Jobs Theater.

Related: Apple's New Spaceship Doughnut Campus Nears Completion




Prompted by the recent protests and demonstrations in the southern part of the United States calling for the removal of statues honoring Confederate leaders, a Facebook group is now demanding the removal of one of San Francisco's own racist statues, the Pioneer Monument.

The Pioneer Monument sits between the Main Branch of the San Francisco Library and the Asian Art Museum. Part of it, titled "Early Days," depicts a Spanish vaquero (cowboy) and a missionary standing over a fallen Native American.

Heather Knight tackles the issue in her San Francisco Chronicle column. Some history:



The monument was funded by the estate of financier James Lick and was made by sculptor Frank Happersberger. It was dedicated in 1894 outside the old City Hall at Hyde and Grove Streets. Though City Hall was destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906, the Pioneer Monument survived. When plans for a new Main Library at the site were afoot in the early 1990s, preservationists wanted the Pioneer Monument to stay put while American Indians wanted it gone altogether. As usual, city officials pleased just about nobody by moving it to its current site. Just before its relocation, protesters threw rocks and red paint at it.

So this thing has been an issue for a while. Even famed Chron columnist Herb Caen wanted the monument torn down, claiming it "degrades the American Indian and good taste."

It would appear that every few years, new voices call for the removal of Pioneer Monument, including a 2007 report from the Bay Area Native American Taskforce that called for the statue to come down.

A post shared by San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) on Aug 22, 2017 at 8:04am PDT

As a small concession, there is a nearly impossible-to-spot plaque upon the monument which attempts to explain that the statue is a super racist part of California history and not reflective of San Francisco's current values  but lo these years later, people still want the Pioneer Monument gone completely. Jane Kim, District 6 Supervisor who's territory includes statue, agrees. "I support the removal and will be supporting the community process already underway," said Kim in a statement.

The Facebook group emboldened a dozen or so people to attend Monday's San Francisco Arts Commission meeting to get the wrecking ball rolling. The commission, however, pushed the issue back to its October 2 meeting. There is now a Facebook event listing called, "OCT 2 Bring down the 'Pioneer' Statue in Downtown SF! NOW!" It reads:



"Who is done with these white supremacist colonization states? Who is tired of seeing Natives depicted as savage, less than, not here anymore or unworthy of being human? Who wants to get rid of this white supremist [sic] statue right here in SF? Then join us for our own agenda item on october 2, 2017 at 2pm at SF City Hall where the arts commission will be able to respond and vote on tearing down this statue! Come during public cmment to demand this "pioneer" statue be tore down as reccommended by the SF Human Rights Commission in 2007 in thier Report. Whose coming with us?"

A Change.org petition also calls for the monument's removal.

Iesha Killip, a full-blooded American Indian Haight-Ashbury resident who finds the fact that such a statue still stands in San Francisco "crazy" told Knight, "Why is the Indian on the ground? We're warriors. We stand. It shows pure hatred to my people."

Related: Native American Remains Found During Transbay Excavation Making Things A Little Complicated


Stay tuned for further SFist coverage of events in response to the maybe-happening alt-right rally at Crissy Field. This week's event round-up includes a smattering of everything else that's going down, from album launch parties to comedy troupes who make fun of your childhood photos. Have fun, be kind, and stay safe, friends.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22

SHIRE ARTS AND SCIENCES MEETING: Bear with me here, this is interesting. The Shire of Cloondara, the San Francisco chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, meets monthly to either discuss or hear a presentation on the Middle Ages. Why? Because that was a cool time period, I guess. This month's topic is Medieval Chess Variants, taught by Lord Virgile de la Fuente. The meeting (again, attended by a Lord) will be held at the Round Table Pizza on Geary. Were I not currently out of town, I would be the first to arrive and the last to leave because this is extraordinary. "We don't wear garb to meetings," warns the event listing. Round Table Pizza #600, 3567 Geary Boulevard, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., free.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23

HUMP DAY! A PARTY FOR WOMEN: Juicy hosts this ladies' night at OMG to help us all get through the work week. It's a shindig for queer women and friends, and it'll feature a sexy DJ set from San Francisco native (!) and Artist MicahTron spinning R&B, hip-hop, Latin and dancehall music. Anyone who shares the event listing on Facebook will get a free shot (presumably of alcohol.) OMG, 43 6th Street, $2 after 9 p.m., 21-and-over.



METEOR SHOWER: The Perseid meteor shower, one of the brighter meteor showers of the year, occurs annually between July 17 and August 24. Join fellow fans of starry skies and cast your eyes upward for "Just Look Up," a stargazing party suggested by Awesome Events San Francisco. Basically, Awesome Events is like, "You should lay on the Main Parade Ground of the Presidio for a good view" and I agree. Let's! (Or you could drive somewhere with less light pollution...) Presidio, Main Parade Ground, 9 p.m. or so, free.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24

THE INCREDIBLES: Dress up (like an Incredible, I presume!) for Alamo Drafthouse's one-night-only special screening of The Incredibles. Fans of this 2004 animated hit can participate in a costume contest, scavenger hunt and a variety of surprises throughout the night, in addition to ' you know  watching the movie. Pre-register your scavenger hunt team here. Alamo Drafthouse, 2550 Mission Street, hunt participants meet at 5 p.m. and score free admission to the screening, movie starts at 7 p.m., $15.75.





CHIVALRY CLUB: Are you willing to let a group of comedians tack a whack at an embarrassing childhood picture of you? Want to watch that happen to someone else? Head to Throwback Thursday in which Lexi Diamond, Salvatore Testa, Maggie Beasley-Barret, Sahil Desai, Conor Allen, Alex Choi, Kolby Hatch and David Garcia of the Chivalry Club turn baby pics into improv comedy. Willing participants can submit photos via email or by tagging them on social media with the hashtag #EndgamesTBT. Only one or two pics will be chosen, and it'll be a surprise. Opening Act the Understudies take the stage first. Stage Werx, 446 Valencia Street, 8 p.m., $5.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25

JAMES BOND DOUBLE FEATURE: What is better than sinking into a movie seat at the Castro Theatre and settling in for a totally nuts double feature while you forget your problems for a few hours? Nothing. Take in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker, both James Bond films from the era when Bond films were fun. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, 2:15 p.m. and 4:35 p.m., or 7 p.m., and 9:15 p.m., $12.

RABBIT QUINN: Celebrate the release party for Rabbit Quinn's new album, Painted Fan. Indie bands Lungs & Limbs and Survival Guide will open for Quinn, who will also be enjoying a birthday. A native of Saratoga down on the Peninsula, pianist, vocalist and songwriter Quinn has a very Tori Amos vibe. Check her out if you're not already a fan. Cafe du Nord, 2174 Market Street, doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m., $15

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

11th ANNUAL PIE CONTEST: Serious and not-so-serious home bakers are invited to submit their most delicious pie into Mission's Pie's 11th Annual Pie Contest. Only the first 20 folks to enter get into the contest, so hurry on over and sign-up by Friday (by calling 415-282-4PIE or emailing [email protected]) You must also submit an accurate ingredients list or your shady pie will not be included in the contest. Pies must be delivered by 2 p.m., winners will be announced (in a variety of categories by 3 p.m. Pie fans and contestants can sample the entries starting at 2:30 p.m., Mission Pie, 2901 Mission Street, 2:30 p.m., free.

420 GAMES: It was only a matter of time before marijuana and the Olympics converged in this day-long event in which folks will run, jog, skate, walk, and bike 4.20 miles before convening at the Golden Gate Park Music Concourse for beer tasting, music, speeches, stand-up comedy, and industry sponsors and exhibitors. This is, ironically, a non-smoking event. (See our coverage from last year here.) The Spreckles Temple of Music Bandshell, Golden Gate Park, run starts at 8 a.m., event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., $22 - $53.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27

DRAG KING AS GRAND DUKE: Join Madd-Dogg 20/20 in his quest (and rocking' party) to become the first Drag King Grand Duke of San Francisco. The 2-time Mr. San Francisco Drag King and South Bay-based performer is a spectacular entertainer. He's also the Royal Crown Prince of the Ducal Court and an active fundraiser for a variety of charities. Madd Dogg should definitely score that Grand Duke Crown  attend this shindig to help make it happen. Aunt Charlies Lounge, 133 Turk Street, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., no cover.

MAVIS STAPLES: Catch the last Stern Grove summer concert and connect for one final time with your fellow free-music-under-trees fans. R&B icon and Grammy-winner Mavis Staples will rock the grove this weekend, with the Oakland-based Kev Choice Ensemble opening. Obviously and always, take the bus. No one wants to park your car. Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat, 2 p.m., free.

MONDAY, AUGUST 28

EAT LIKE A CHEF: Stones Throw's executive chef Jason Halverson will partner with Wayfare Tavern for "Eat like a chef, Drink like a Somm", a 5-course culinary experience with optional drink pairings. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit Meals on Wheels, giving all of us a fabulous excuse to down five courses on a Monday night. Another "Eat like a chef" event takes place on September 25 at Nopa. Stones Throw, 1896 Hyde Street, several seatings throughout the night, $60 (plus additional cost for wine pairings)
A Sunday morning stroll in Alameda turned up a few Swastika-adorned flyers clearly designed to intimidate the Muslim community, and just a few blocks from the Islamic Center of Alameda, as ABC 7 reports. This comes less than a week after the East Bay Times noted vandalism and busted windows and a nearby Alameda synagogue, and all this is happening as tensions are high as the Bay Area anticipates this weekends possible white nationalist rallies in both San Francisco and Berkeley (along with the expected counter-protests).

CBS 5 notes that a total of three flyers, each depicting an Islamic woman wearing a hijab along with a swastika and the words Help me kill you stupid, turned up on the streets of Alameda. Resident Neil Crawford found the first one on a Sunday morning stroll, then alerted Alameda Police after finding a second flyer that afternoon. Upon investigating, the police found a third flyer later that day.

In response, dozens of Alamedans gathered at the Islamic Center of Alameda Monday night in a show of support. We've had a lot of these things happening and escalating, and I don't think that's OK," Alameda resident Christine Vauer told NBC Bay Area. "I don't think it's OK to ignore it. I think we have to stand up.

KRON 4 got a statement from Alameda Police Department on the matter. On August 20, 2017, APD received a call of suspicious flyers found on the sidewalk in the 1400 block of Sherman Street. The reporting party stated he found one flyer across the street from his residence at approximately 9:00 a.m. The reporting party did not report the incident to the police until he found a second flyer at approximately 3:45 p.m. near his residence on the sidewalk. The reporting party did not believe the flyers were intended for him. The responding officer located a third flyer on the sidewalk during the investigation. The flyers were approximately 3 by 5 depicting an illustration with a swastika that contained a hate message. This investigation is on-going.

The investigation into the Temple Israel vandalism is also ongoing. The Alameda Police do have surveillance video of that incident, but have not released it as of yesterday.



Related: Santa Clara University Students Caught On Camera Painting Swastika With Their Own Blood




It might seem like just yesterday that you were explaining how it worked to your mom, but it was ten years ago today that the hashtag was born. #Hashtag10

New York Magazine regales us with the original tweet of former Google and Uber lead developer Chris Messina who suggested the use of the pound sign as a way to connect specific groups within Twitter.

how do you feel about using # (pound) for groups. As in #barcamp [msg]?  ChrisMessina (@chrismessina) August 23, 2007

We feel great about it Chris! #LOL #innovate #disrupt

Messina told Wired in its piece, The Hashtag: An Oral History, "Ten years ago, we were at South by Southwest in Austin when Twitter was really blowing up. But there were a lot of people back in San Francisco frustrated that their Twitter feeds were full of stories from Austin that were not relevant to them. There was no way of organizing tweets so you knew what to pay attention to and what to ignore. It took a few months to get going. I believe it was October before the hashtag had its first breakout success."

According to Twitter, 125 million hashtags are shared on the platform every day, including #ThrowbackThursdays and #FollowFridays.

CNet explains the industry-wide impact of Messina's idea, saying:

"They're not just on Twitter, of course. Twitter's much larger competitor Facebook and its popular photo-sharing platform, Instagram, also use hashtags. The business communications app Slack uses hashtags to organize group discussions.There's another reason hashtags have caught on. Hashtags by far have become the easiest social component to quantify, paving the way for the social analytics movement, said Kellan Terry, a data analyst with Brandwatch, a social media analysis platform. 'There was a time that you couldn't find a commercial that didn't include a hashtag at the end,' he said. 'The cultural significance of the hashtag can't be understated.'"

Impact indeed. Hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter and #BringBackOurGirls have united millions in fights for social justice and awareness of specific issues. Locally, we use it to follow news and events we're interested in or worried about, like #Batkid, #SFblackout and anytime there's a 1.2-magnitude earthquake. But according to NYMag, five of the ten most popular hashtags of all time (#MTVHottest, #MTVStars, #KCA, #iHeartAwards, #FanArmy) were in response to televised award shows. Which is to say, hashtags are most often used for things relating to Justin Bieber, et al. #SadTrombone

"I'm not sure anyone ever really knows what hashtag is going to become viral until it does. The very first tweet was '#OscarsSoWhite they asked to touch my hair,' and I was just being sort of cheeky and frustrated with what I was watching on the Oscar nominations and it just took off from there," #OscarsSoWhite hashtag creator April Reign told NPR.

#OscarsSoWhite they asked to touch my hair.   April (@ReignOfApril) January 15, 2015

According to the Irish Independent, #love is the most popular hashtag on Twitter. Moving forward, please use it every time you tweet at @SFist. #Thanks

Related: Map Du Jour: SF Transit Stops, By Hashtag
Heidi Nunes-Tucker of Lafayette lost her husband, 42-year-old Jared Tucker in last week's terror attack in Barcelona. Now she's searching for a waiter spotted helping him in pictures posted to social media.

CBS 5 reports that Nunes-Tucker remains in Barcelona, after identifying the body of her husband last week. If you'll recall, the couple was celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary with Tucker's first trip to Europe and were shopping in a bustling part of Barcelona when a terrorist rammed a van into a crowd of hundreds.

The Tuckers became separated in the chaos so it wasn't until a day later that Nunes-Tucker learned for certain that her husband had died. Tucker was the only American citizen killed in the attack.

Tucker's father, Dan Tucker, told CBS 5 of a video the family spotted on social media. He (Jared) had some blood on the side of his head and on his arm, but there was a person kneeling with him so we were encouraged to think it was an injury and not anything serious. But he wasnt moving, explained Tucker.

The family hopes to find the man, whom they believe to be a waiter, and thank him. Nunes-Tucker remains in Barcelona while Tucker's body is prepared for a return to the Bay Area.

Related: Bay Area Man Confirmed Among Dead In Barcelona Terrorist Attack
Averagely, two people reach the age of 60 every second or it means, every year the world welcomes around 58 million people over the age of 60. Vietnam has officially entered the aging phase of the population since 2011 with the rate of people over 60 years old of 10 percent of the whole population.



Local and international scientists predicted Vietnams aging population develops the fastest in the world. It is projected that by 2030, elderly Vietnamese people will be 19 million and over 28 million by 2050, respectively.

The aging population is not only a challenge for Vietnam but also an opportunity for enterprises to seize opportunities and contribute to socio-economic development, Deputy Minister of Health Pham Le Tuan said.

The seminar was as an opportunity for health managers, scientists, organizations and individuals to learn from each others experiences in battling non- communicable diseases, working out a map of the diseases in for elderly people in the region and recommendation for proper policies.

By THANH AN  Translated by UYEN PHUONG
Everyone in Wisconsin deserves the opportunity to succeed if they work hard. But when nearly all the income gains go to a select few, too many Wisconsin families are deprived of their shot at achieving their full economic potential.

A new report by the Wisconsin Budget Project and COWS (a UW-Madison-based national think tank concerned with finding solutions to various social problems in the state) describes the extent to which nearly all the income gains in recent years have been concentrated at the very top, making it difficult for most Wisconsin families to advance economically, no matter how hard they work. Some of the findings:

In 2014, $1 out of every $6 of income in Wisconsin wound up in the pockets of the top 1% of earners. The top 1% of earners had income of $335,000 or higher in 2014. The top .01% in Wisconsin (one out of every 10,000) had incomes of at least $6.5 million. The share of income going to the top 1% in Wisconsin has more than doubled since the 1970s.

Between 1979 and 2014, the average income of the top 1% in Wisconsin grew by more than 130%, while the average income of the remaining 99% grew by only 9%

The report outlines a number of strategies for mitigating the effects of growing income inequality. These include:

Raising the minimum wage to give a boost to the lowest-paid workers and strengthen labor standards.

Building the skills and education of Wisconsins workforce by investing in technical colleges and improving the connections between training and employment.

Supporting working families through paid family leave and sick time, which will help more Wisconsin residents succeed in the workforceas will a strong child care system and improved tax credits for working families.

Making state taxes more equal across income groups. People with high incomes should pay at least as much in taxes relative to income, as people with lower incomes do.

When the tide is rising in Wisconsin, we need to make sure it is lifting all the boats. But right now, the economic gains that have occurred in the period of recovery after the recession have largely been funneled into the pockets of our highest earners.

Between 2009 and 2014, the incomes of the top 1% rose by 17%, while the incomes of everyone else rose just 9% on average, and when we look at income growth in Wisconsin over the last 45 years, we find that nearly three-fifths of the total has been claimed by the top 1%.

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If Wisconsin wants to get serious about tackling income inequality and the drag it puts on our economy, there are a number of steps policymakers can take immediately, including giving a raise to the lowest-paid workers by raising the minimum wage and building the skills and education of the Wisconsin workforce. While there is no magic bullet to rectify this growth in inequality, acting sooner rather than later will move us closer to economic security for every family in Wisconsin.

For more information on how growing income inequality is hurting Wisconsin and what policymakers can do to reverse that trend, read the report, Pulling Apart 2017: Focus on Wisconsins 1%, which can be found at wisconsinbudgetproject.org.

Tamarine Cornelius is a research analyst at the Wisconsin Budget Projectan initiative of Kids Forward that is engaged in analysis and education on state budget and tax issues, particularly those relating to low- and moderate-income families.

Issue of the Week presents the Shepherd Express opinion on an important issue in the news. It is usually written by the Shepherds editor, but at times we invite someone outside of the paper who is either working in the field or has some other level of expertise.
Paying tribute to Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit," Milwaukee's Strange Fruit Music Festival is back for its second iteration. The independent festival aims to spark discussion and awareness on racial relations in Milwaukee and the rest of the United States through music and live performances.

Founded by Milwaukee-based musicians Chauntee Ross and Jay Anderson, the festival has turned into an annual event following last year's success. This year, Strange Fruit Music Festival will span three days starting on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at three venues in the Milwaukee area. On Wednesday, The Diaspora Orchestra will fill Washington Park Bandshell with its music. On Thursday and Friday, bands and individual artists will play at Gibraltar MKE and Company Brewing respectively.

The Strange Fruit Music Festival was created after the back-to-back murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile in 2016. Philando Castile was a black man shot by a policeman for reaching for his driver license when he got pulled over for a busted taillight; Alton Sterling was a black father of five, shot several times in the front and back by police officers in front of a grocery store. They were two of the 233 African-Americans shot and killed by police in 2016.

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According to the Washington Post 's police shooting database, there have been 15 more fatal shootings this year than at the same time last year. A chilling realization, that illustrates the need for a festival such as Strange Fruit Music Festival. "Progress regarding the racial climate in the nation generally and Milwaukee specifically is progressing at a glacial speed, and could be argued is actually regressing," Strange Fruit organizers argue.

We can no longer be violent with our bodies or our actions," Jay Anderson says. "We are here to be violent with our art. And so we will create a piece of art to immortalize these temporary emotions that we feel about the state of the country."

The full lineup is below:

Wednesday, Aug. 30 at Washington Park Bandshell

The Diaspora Orchestra

Thursday, Aug. 31 at Gibraltar MKE

Brit Nicole

Taj Raiden

Mikey Cody Apollo

Bo & Airo

No Seat Belts

Friday, Sept. 1 at Company Brewing

Dasha Kelly Hamilton + Still Waters Collective

VoodooHoney Horns

Kavon Cortez-Jones

SistaStrings

Kevin Hayden Band

David Wake Quintet

Black And Mad
SIOUX CITY | Mercy Medical Center -- Sioux City President and CEO Jim FitzPatrick has resigned, ending a three-year tenure as head of the regional health care system, Mercy's board of directors announced Tuesday.

"We are grateful to Jim for his years of service to Mercy Sioux City and our patients. We appreciate all that Jim has done during his time in our community," Mercy Sioux City Board of Directors chair Milton Avery said in a news release.

Regional chief financial officer Rod Schlader has been named interim CEO. FitzPatrick will remain with the hospital through the fall to help with the transition, according to the news release.

Mercy Sioux City, the only Level II trauma center between Sioux Falls and Omaha, is part of Trinity Health of Livonia, Michigan, and Mercy Health Network, a system of hospitals in Iowa. Mercy Health Network, Trinity Health leadership team and the Mercy Sioux City board will begin a national search for a permanent CEO immediately, according to the news release.

FitzPatrick assumed the president and CEO role at Mercy in Sioux City in 2014, after serving as senior vice president for network development for Mercy Health Network and 10 years as president and CEO of Mercy Medical Center -- North Iowa in Mason City. He succeeded Bob Peebles in Sioux City after he retired as CEO and president.

"Jim's accomplishments at Mercy are numerous, including his pioneering work to bring improvements to many Catholic hospitals in Iowa and leading work to improve safety and supporting rural hospitals in Iowa," Mercy Health Network president and CEO Bob Ritz said in a news release.

Under FitzPatrick's tenure with Mercy in Sioux City, the downtown hospital completed a $14 million modernization of its Intensive Care Unit. The project, completed in 2015, included the renovation of the existing 21,000 square feet of ICU space on the fifth floor and an 8,000-square-foot addition above radiology services on the fourth floor. Patient rooms were redesigned and enlarged, creating more flexible space for doctors, nurses and other support staff, and a more comfortable experience for patients and their families.

In FitzPatrick's first year at Sioux City, Mercy aligned with Texas-based United Surgical Partners International to jointly acquire majority ownership of the Siouxland Surgery Center in Dakota Dunes, which has since been renamed Dunes Surgical Hospital. Mercy, a non-profit hospital, was one of the initial investors in the for-profit outpatient and overnight surgical hospital in 1994.

Early this year, Mercy moved the Dr. Joseph Washburn Oncology/Palliative Care Center from the seventh to the eighth floor of its Sioux City hospital, resulting in oncology patients being placed on the same floor as general surgery and urology patients. More recently, three family physicians at Mercy's clinic in Akron, Iowa, resigned, upsetting many local residents who circulated a petition asking Mercy to terminate the clinic building's lease to allow the popular doctors to remain practicing in the community. That effort was unsuccessful.

Schlader, Mercy's new interim president and CEO, has more than 30 years of health care administration, serving in executive roles in Catholic health care in Iowa. He was appointed regional chief financial officer to the Iowa Region of Trinity Health in 2013 and previously served as interim president and chief executive officer at Mercy Medical Center -- North Iowa.

Mercy Sioux City, which has 238 beds and provides care to residents in a 33-county area in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota, employs more than 1,300 people. The health care system also owns hospitals in Primghar, Iowa, and Oakland, Nebraska, and managers hospitals in Hawarden, Iowa, and Pender, Nebraska.
SIOUX CITY | For the past 12 Fridays, David Brockshus has been getting plenty of exercise.

He typically hauls tables and chairs out of trucks, drags and empties trash receptacles and, generally, handles the thousands of small details involved in making Food Truck Fridays -- a nonprofit partnership among several community organizations promoting downtown food culture and outdoor activity -- a success.

However, Brockshus isn't in the food industry. He makes his living as an architect.

Nor is Brockshus ever compensated for the manual labor he performs on Fourth Street, between Jones and Jackson streets. Like many others, he has been volunteering for a cause he believes in.

"I got involved with Food Truck Fridays when it began last summer," Brockshus said, wiping his brow on a muggy Friday morning. "I had so much fun that I wanted to do it again this summer."

The event -- that brings in as many as 1,500 diners sampling fare prepared by as many as 15 different food trucks -- draws families, downtown workers and adventurous gourmands from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on a weekly basis.

It probably goes without saying that he'll be working at this week's Food Truck Friday -- the 13th and final week of its summer season.

"We work on the same schedule that many of the school districts do," Brockshus explained "When they are back in session, we pack it in."

Like Brockshus, Caroline Rivera is regular Food Truck Fridays volunteer.

"I'm setting up tables a few hours before lunch time and I'll be back after lunch is over," the Evolve Yoga and Wellness Center teacher said. "As a business owner, I think it's important to help bring more people to downtown.

"As as someone who loves food, I always support helping small, local businesses," Rivera said, adding that she's a big fan of healthier fare like the Beef Schwarma made by Heartland Coffee & Nosh, a veteran Food Truck Friday business.

The Leaf Grill and Wokery is also hoping to entice diners with a healthier food truck menu selection.

"Our Thai Chicken Basil and Hibachi Beef over soba noodles is hard to pass up," Terri Johnke said.

Along with her husband Fritz, Johnke decided to open a "fresh fusion food truck" as a way to celebrate Midwestern cuisine.

"Yeah, we're 'foodies,'" the Hornick, Iowa-based Johnke said with a smile. "But we're 'foodies' with a food truck."

B.J. Whitmore also has a food truck but it's also attached to a real-life, vintage ambulance.

"Let's just say we attract a lot of attention whenever we're on the highway," said Whitmore, the owner and operator of the Hospers, Iowa-based Taco Medics.

A restaurant chef since he was a teenager, Whitmore said owning a food truck was the logical "first step" for any budding restaurateur.

"Owning your own brick-and-mortar restaurant is so expensive," he said. "A food truck allows you to keep your expenses and overhead at the reasonable level."

However, Whitmore said a bit of showmanship helps Taco Medics stock out from the rest of the pack. "On the one hand, the ambulance draws you in but the ambulance is a perfect place to store food and supplies."

In addition, cleverly named menu items like the Flatliner Burrito (meat, rice, seasoned beans in a flour tortilla) and the Resusi-taters (ground beef, onions and nacho cheese served on tater tots) add to the fun.

"Food trucks are like traveling parties," Whitmore said. "We like to have food."

Despite that, Whitmore said he and his wife have recently purchased an old school, traditional restaurant in Hospers.

"We'll still be traveling with the Taco Medics truck," he said. "Now, we'll have a supplemental business that will help us through the winter months."

Looking around a few minutes before 11 a.m., David Brockshus was mentally going through his extensive to-do list.

"There are so many things that goes into making Food Truck Fridays a reality," he admitted. "It takes the hard work of some really dedicated volunteers to keeps things humming."

Which is why Brockshus said Food Truck Fridays will be returning next year, bigger and better.

"We were just getting things going our first year," he said. "This year, we had our diners and more trucks. Next year, we hope to expand ever more."
SIOUX CITY | Around the Thanksgiving holiday, American Airlines will offer two daily flights between Sioux City and Dallas.

From Nov. 20-28, American will offer the second flight to its hub at the Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport as a way to test the service and ease holiday traffic congestion. Travelers can now make reservations for the added flight, which begins the Monday before Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, and ends the Tuesday afterwards.

After the test run, the airline said it will evaluate the traffic and consider making the second flight permanent.

Darrell Jesse, president of the Sioux City Airport Board of Trustees, said two daily flights to Dallas has always been a possibility after the Fort Worth-based airline launched a single daily flight in May 2016.

We were hoping that after a year American would consider a second flight if the load factors were good on the one flight, he said. In the last several months, theyve been over 80 percent, which is good.

Airport manager Mike Collett also views the holiday test period as a chance for Siouxlanders to show American the market is strong enough to maintain the additional flight.

Its a great opportunity for the local community to show their support for American to bring another local flight, he said.

Jesse thinks the key to the airport keeping this flight on a permanent basis is strong local support. Hes aware that lots of local fliers drive to Omahas Eppley Airfield; however, he noted that practice could hinder the chances of American expanding here in Sioux City.

This isnt complicated: If we, as Siouxland residents, use it, well keep these flights. If we dont, we wont keep them, he said. Its like a lot of things you use it or you lose it.

Something Jesse hopes convinces more people to fly local is the convenience of Sioux Gateway.

Id much rather go through the airport here in Sioux City than Omaha, he said. In Omaha, youre going through a lot longer security lines, check-in  its just a lot more difficult process at a big airport as opposed to Sioux Gateway.

One benefit Jesse foresees of having two daily flight to Dallas out of SUX is the peace of mind it would give travelers.

For starters, the one flight creates issues if theres weather or mechanical problems, so having that second flight provides more reliability for the traveler to say, OK, theres two flights, so if something happens to one I can maybe get in on the second flight. he said. As a traveler, I think you like having at least two flights and I think that would be a positive.

Collett added: It works better to have two flights rather than one for more consistency.

Should this pan out, Jesse would love to see SUX get a flight to Denver or another city in the western United States that acts as a major airline hub.

That would really round out the service at Sioux Gateway and give us a good compliment of flights, he said. If you can get to Chicago, Dallas, Denver, those are large hubs and you can get to a lot of places from those three airports.

Collett also is looking at this additional flight as an opportunity to bring more flights to the airport.

The more flights we offer out of here  itll be a domino effect is my thought, he said.
DENISON, Iowa | Marge Overhue opens a door and steps onto the gym floor at Broadway Elementary School in Denison.

Overhue, 69, graduated from Denison High School in 1966, in this gymnasium, part of a site she now serves as a custodian.

"I never thought the day I walked off this floor with my diploma I'd be back to clean the place," said Overhue, who joined the two-person custodial staff at this school 12 years ago.

That doesn't mean she'd change anything. Oh no, not by a long shot.

"I love this, it's something new every day," says Overhue, who joins fellow custodian Dave Haase in taking care of the 1936 structure, a three-story vine-covered school that will welcome about 321 fourth- and fifth-graders on Wednesday, the first day of the 2017-18 academic year. "I love being around children."

Overhue, who was raised on a farm near Kiron, Iowa, spent her childhood milking cows, among other chores, noting how cows had to be milked before school each day. As a freshman, she completed those duties before boarding a school bus for nearby Denison, where she joined a class of 125.

She and boyfriend Al Overhue, of nearby Schleswig, Iowa, were engaged on Valentine's Day during Marge's senior year in high school.

"I remember having a family living class during my senior year and our teacher saying to us that we shouldn't get married," Overhue recalls. "I came back the following Monday and told the teacher I had gotten engaged!"

She and Al wed on Aug. 13, 1966, just a couple of months following her high school graduation. The couple resided at Kiron for 18 months before moving to Denison, into a home across the street from this school, which, at the time, served as Denison High School. She and Al have been in that home for 50 years, where they raised two daughters, Denise Almonrode, of Des Moines, and Diane Iversen, of Ankeny, Iowa. The couple are proud grandparents of four.

Al, who worked as a lineman, retired in 2010, ending a 44-year career.

Marge, however, went from raising their children to offering in-home day-care to cleaning the offices of a doctor.

In 2005, a friend suggested she apply to serve the school district as a substitute janitor. Marge walked across the street to the school on Broadway Street, which served as Denison Middle School at the time. She visited with the head custodian for a few minutes and landed the job. She thinks she interviewed at 1:30 in the afternoon and was cleaning a room by about 2 p.m.

The school became Broadway Elementary School in 2008.

Overhue arrives at the school around 6:30 a.m. and vacuums or scrubs floors. When it snows, she and Haase report to the school around 4:30 or 5 a.m. to clear the snow. They remain on-site during the school day and don't leave until 4 p.m.

They spend much of the summer readying the school, its annex and the adjacent gym/art/music wing for a new year. Floors are stripped and waxed as custodians encourage teachers to stay off those floors for a few weeks, at least until about Aug. 7, thus allowing instructors 2 1/2 weeks to prepare their rooms for a new year.

In addition to cleaning, the custodians change air filters, lights and monitor chemical levels in heating and air-conditioning units.

Overhue smiles as parents arrive with their children on Tuesday, a check-in day that no doubt aims to help the first day of school run more smoothly. And that's what Overhue is after, a day where teachers, students and support staff members tackle their roles with enthusiasm as another year of growth commences.

"It's fun watching fourth-graders come in here for the first time," Overhue says. "They're so excited!"

Maybe as excited as the former Marge Baker was when she came her as a freshman from Kiron in the fall of 1962.

When the Denison High School Class of 1966 walked through the school during its 50th reunion last summer, Overhue led the tour. She did the same for the DHS Class of 1967 this summer.

She is often asked if this year might be her last. Overhue, who turns 70 in April, has no designs on retiring. She likes serving her coworkers and students in the school she knows better than any other, Broadway Elementary.

"I love getting up and coming to work," she says. "I'm not ready to retire."
SIOUX CITY | Plans for a new Sheriff's Office training center on the Prairie Hills ground faced no public opposition at the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.

The 60- by 120-foot building would replace the tattered Prairie Hills jail annex east of Sioux City.

Designs show the facility would have space for K-9 training, staff training, file storage, classrooms, locker rooms, and a weight room. It would be constructed across the road south of Prairie Hills located at 1600 County Home Road.

The board gave approval Tuesday for the county to forward on finalizing a lease-purchase agreement that would not exceed $550,000.

"The funding part of it will be determined later," said Woodbury County Finance Director Dennis Butler. "We have ways that it is not going to cost the taxpayer anything."

The Communications Workers of America Local 7177, that represents more than 30 Sheriff's Office employees, has offered to contribute $40,000 to the project. Officials said a $15,000 chiller from the old Prairie Hills building could be sold and a private donation drive could provide additional funds. There is also an idea to allow other entities to train at the facility as an additional revenue source in the future.

L & L Home Builders, of Marcus, Iowa, is tapped to construct the building. Loren Mohning, who is with the company, said at the meeting crews could start working on the site by mid-September if everything gets approved on the county's end. He estimated it could take 120-150 workings days to complete which would land the completion date around March.

Since 2015, county officials have signaled plans to shutter Prairie Hills due to numerous flaws associated with upkeep. County officials have said it would cost an estimated $8.8 million to fully modernize the building, where low-risk inmates once were held until recently.

In an April meeting, supervisor Keith Radig proposed selling the building to a commercial real estate agent as a rural housing option. The other supervisors slashed the motion saying chances of a developer buying the old building next to a firing range are slim.

The main Prairie Hills building is 100 years old. It was initially a so-called County Home, an institutional place for paupers and others. A wing was added in 1975, with two large classrooms, a full-size gymnasium and a large weight room and workout area for employee training.

The county converted Prairie Hills to a jail annex in 2000. A program hailed as a way to help inmates with alcohol problems and reduce jail numbers was ended at Prairie Hills in 2015.
MILFORD, Iowa  GrapeTree Medical Staffing plans to add 200 to 300 jobs as part of a $20 million expansion of its Milford headquarters.

Gov. Kim Reynolds joined company officials Tuesday night for the announcement, which comes a week after GrapeTree was named one of the fastest growing private companies in America by Inc. magazine.

In a release, said the company is excited to expand in Milford, the Dickinson County community of a little more than 3,000 and where it was founded in 1999.

We are proud of the strong commitment we are making to our local community by bringing new jobs to the Iowa Lakes Corridor, and by helping to drive economic development in Northwest Iowa, GrapeTree CEO Tim Kinnetz said.

GrapeTree, founded in 1999 in Milford, a Dickinson County city of about 3,000, plans to break ground on its new headquarters in spring 2018 and complete the 72,000-square-foot structure by summer 2019. The state-of-the-art, two-story structure will create 200-300 new office jobs in Milford, up from the current workforce of around 90.

To see an Iowa company invest so much right here in Northwest Iowa, and plan to nearly triple its local employment, is encouraging, Reynolds said.The future of our state depends on companies like GrapeTree that allow Iowans to put down roots right here at home, rather than looking beyond the states borders for opportunities.

The expansion will support field staff growth in Iowa and surrounding states. The Milford site manages nearly 3,000 health care employees working in about 1,000 location in an eight-state area in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kansas.

GrapeTree contributes a total economic impact of $51 million to Dickinson County, according to an economic impact analysis recently completed by The Institute for Decision-Making at the University of Northern Iowa. The study also showed that GrapeTree supports 40 jobs in the area, in addition to its own staff. Company officials predict this number will likely grow with the announced expansion.

Creating this many additional jobs in Milford should offset some of the losses the community has recently experienced.

In April, Polaris Industries, one of the town's largest employers announced it was cutting up to 300 jobs at its Milford manufacturing facility.

Reynolds also made stops in Arnolds Park, Estherville and Emmetsburg as part of her Building a Better Iowa Initiative.
NORTH SIOUX CITY  Royal Canin is looking to add up to 50 new jobs in North Sioux City, where the pet food manufacturer is replacing its current plant with a $120 million upgrade.

Royal Canins job creation plans, released Wednesday, comes a year after its parent company, Mars, Inc. announced it was building a 224,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art plant to replace the existing 130,000-square-foot plant. About $60 million will be spent on construction, and another $60 million will go towards state-of-the-art equipment.

The manufacturer, which currently employs about 180 in North Sioux City, has openings ranging from line workers to management and will soon post the jobs on its website. New hires will start at the current plant and then move to the new facility when it opens in spring 2019.

The expansion is part of Mars aggressive attempts at investing in the U.S. In the last five years, the company has spent more than $1 billion on improving or building new facilities across the country.

Daniel Klapuch, site director for Royal Canin in North Sioux City, said the need for a larger workforce has developed since company officials announced its construction plans. At the time, the business did not anticipate any new jobs.

"We are just seeing continued significant growth," Klapuch said. "It's just requiring us to meet the demand of our customers. Again, we are just seeing significant growth and it's a good position to be in."

The unemployment rate in the Sioux City metro was at 3.2 percent in July, according to Iowa Workforce Development, and it has been at record level lows in recent months.

Despite that challenge, Klapuch seemed confident his company would be able to attract viable candidates.

"I really believe that we have a culture that is very, very unique, that's very appealing," he said. "We have fun in the workplace, we are a pet-centric organization and we just believe that we are Siouxland's premier work place. I don't feel that there's going to be an issue attracting 45 to 50 new associates."
WASHINGTON -- What Gary Cohn, Steven Mnuchin and Jared Kushner did last week -- or, rather, what they didn't do -- is a shanda.

They'll know what that means, but, for the uninitiated, shanda is Yiddish for shame, disgrace. The three men, the most prominent Jews in President Trump's administration, could have spoken out, to say that those who march with neo-Nazis are not "very fine people," as their boss claims. Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, and Cohn, the chief economic adviser, were actually standing with Trump when he said it. They said nothing.

All three let it be known through anonymous friends and colleagues that they are disturbed and distressed by what Trump said -- Kushner even got out word that he and his wife, Ivanka Trump, had counseled Trump otherwise -- but none is speaking publicly about an outrage that makes millions of Americans feel as though they are living a nightmare.

We have seen such a character before in Jewish history: the stadlan. The stadlan, or "court Jew," existed to please the king, to placate the king, to loan money to the king. He would dress like other members of the court, and he would beg the king for leniency toward the Jews but, ultimately, his loyalty was to the king.

I thought we were past the age of the stadlan. So did my rabbi, Danny Zemel. "These guys are the princes of American business power," he said. "If they can't find an ounce of moral fiber from their own Jewish past, we're in a very sorry way."

That past is as ancient as the Bible. Abraham argued with God, urging the Almighty not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of the innocent. Moses, seeing an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, struck the offender, buried him in the sand, and fled from Pharaoh. The daily Jewish liturgy includes the 146th Psalm, praying to a God who brings justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry, who lifts up those who are bowed down, who upholds the widow and the orphan and who brings the wicked to ruin.

Certainly, Cohn, Mnuchin and Kushner have a particular obligation as Jews, because the violent white supremacists in Charlottesville were targeting Jews with their swastikas and chants of "Jews will not replace us" and "Sieg Heil." One of their leaders told "Vice News Tonight" it was objectionable that Trump would "give his daughter to a Jew." A few stood outside a synagogue brandishing rifles, forcing Sabbath worshipers to slip out a back door.

But Jews, because of our recent history, know what results from silence in the face of any type of bigotry. Before Trump dabbled in anti-Semitism, he made scapegoats of immigrants, African-Americans, Latinos and, especially, Muslims. Two years ago, when I described the many actions that made candidate Trump a bigot and a racist, I noted that he hadn't yet gone after Jews. That followed soon: the tweeted image of a Star of David atop paper money, and the speech and ads linking Jews to a secret "global power structure."

This racist demagoguery now comes from the president of the United States. In tweets last Thursday, Trump proclaimed his sadness at the removal of "our beautiful" Confederate statues, and he revived the bogus claim that, a century ago, Gen. John J. Pershing dipped bullets in pig blood before shooting Muslim prisoners.

Why is it so hard to condemn such filth? David Shulkin did. Trump's veterans affairs secretary, who is Jewish (and an Obama administration holdover), said what needed to be said: "I do feel like as an American and as a member of the Cabinet, that I can speak for my own personal opinions on this, and I am outraged by the behavior that I have seen with the Nazis and the white supremacists."

Shulkin said he will continue to speak. "Staying silent on these issues is not acceptable," he said.

Amen.

Even the rabbi who oversaw Ivanka Trump's conversion, Haskel Lookstein, joined in a statement saying he was "deeply troubled by the moral equivalency and equivocation President Trump has offered."

Amen.

Even Sheldon Adelson's Republican Jewish Coalition called for "greater moral clarity" from Trump, saying "there are no good Nazis."

Amen.

As I write this, my 13-year-old has come into my office and said the neo-Nazis at the Charlottesville synagogue make her reluctant to return to Hebrew school. She also asks if our family will be a target because people know I'm Jewish.

This is what Trump has done to America. And this is what Cohn, Mnuchin and Kushner allow with their shameful silence.

Do they prize their appointments so much? Well then, don't quit. Speak out. Let him fire you. But don't play the court Jew.
WASHINGTON -- Intelligence officers sometimes talk about "blowback," when covert actions go bad and end up damaging the country that initiated them. A year later, that is surely the case with Russia's secret attempt to meddle in the U.S. presidential election, which has brought a string of adverse unintended consequences for Moscow.

The Kremlin is still issuing cocky statements accusing the U.S. of "political schizophrenia" in its response to Russian hacking. And there are vestiges of the triumphal tone I encountered in Moscow early this summer -- a sense that America is in decline and that a mistreated but resurgent Russia is in the driver's seat. But Russia's confidence must be flagging.

Interference in the U.S. election has created new antibodies to Russian power: America is angry, Europe is newly vigilant, and Syria and Ukraine are becoming quagmires. Moscow remains a dangerously ambitious revanchist power, but its geopolitical goals look harder to achieve now than they did a year ago.

The basics of Russia's covert operations were best summarized in a Jan. 6 report by the U.S. intelligence community: "President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election." Russia's goals were to "denigrate" Hillary Clinton and "help ... when possible" Donald Trump. A broader aim was "to undermine the U.S.-led liberal democratic order."

So, how's it going for the folks at Lubyanka Square? Well, Trump was certainly elected, though the factors driving the U.S. vote were much deeper than Russian trolls and bots. And there's definitely disarray in the global order. But since Trump's inauguration, the world has begun moving in reverse from what Moscow's active-measures specialists must have hoped.

Let's take a brief inventory of this global resilience:

-- Russian meddling has produced a strong bipartisan counter-reaction from Congress. Last month's overwhelming passage of new sanctions against Russia showed how Putin's assault on U.S. politics has united otherwise polarized legislators. Russia is once again a toxic word in American politics, as Russian commentators are lamenting. It may take many years to recover. And Putin has nobody to blame but himself.

-- European politics similarly has been galvanized by Russia's attempt to manipulate debate. The populist firestorm the Russians were secretly fanning -- which engulfed Britain in the Brexit vote -- has been damped. The moderate center has held in the Netherlands, France and Germany. Russia's covert support for right-wing nationalists has partially deflated those movements. To be credible, European politicians left and right are voicing their independence from Moscow.

-- Russia's internet manipulations have spawned a new push by companies and civil society groups to combat such "fake news." One example is the online "dashboard" created by the German Marshall Fund's Alliance for Securing Democracy. It monitors 600 Twitter accounts linked to Russian influence operations to collect a regular summary of trending hashtags, topics and URLs. (Note: I'm a GMF trustee.) The world is forewarned now, and partially forearmed.

-- Internet and social-media companies are seeking technology solutions to bots, trolls and fake news. Facebook plans to identify dubious articles and steer them to independent fact-checking organizations, which will warn users if supporting evidence can't be found. Google is creating new algorithms to identify reliable sources from the billions of pages it indexes. Such private-sector efforts are the best hope for sustaining a fact-based electronic environment.

-- Investigations have exposed groups and companies with alleged links to Russia's hacking campaign, such as WikiLeaks. The Russia-WikiLeaks connection is explored in a new edition this month of "The Red Web," the superb book by Russian investigative journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan. Among their claims is that WikiLeaks moved at least part of its web hosting to Russia in August 2016.

More heat: A New Yorker piece last week by Raffi Khatchadourian challenges WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's denials of Russian involvement in the release of hacked documents. And The New York Times reports that a Ukrainian hacker known as "Profexer," who may have helped write code used by the Russian covert operators, may now be talking to the FBI. The active-measures structure is weakening.

Putin's problem is that he overreached. His dislike of Clinton and enthusiasm for Trump led him to violate the cardinal rule of covert action -- namely, make sure it stays covert. As Putin discovers anew every day, secret influence operations backfire if they're exposed. Revelations compromise sources and methods, including the cut-outs who masked Russia's hand.
International Relations  August 23, 2017  Josep Maria Antentas

In June 2017 a referendum on Catalan independence was announced by the Government of Catalonia, formed by members of the Junts pel Si coalition, supported by the Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP), for October 1 2017.

The Spanish state government opposes any regional self-determination referendum, maintaining that the Spanish Constitution does not allow for a vote on the independence of any Spanish region.

1. The referendum on independence for Catalonia scheduled for October 1, 2017 comes five years after the beginning of the independence process marked by the gigantic demonstration of September 11, 2012. It reappears shaped by its three previous incarnations: first, as the official perspective of the movement in 2012-14; second, in the form of the mutation of the parliamentary elections of September 27, 2015 into a plebiscite on independence after the alternative consultation of November 9, 2014; third, in the proposal for a referendum agreed with the state within the framework of a new constitutional political majority formed by En Comu Podem;[1] and Unidos Podemos in the general election campaigns of December 20, 2015 and June 26, 2016. The referendum obtained a new and unexpected viability after September 2016, following the commitment of the Generalitat [Catalonian government] to hold it by the end of 2017. It was reborn as a result of the phantasmagorical incompleteness of its three previous lives: the failure to reach its goal in 2012-14, the imposture of the plebiscite version, and the impossibility of a short-term favourable majority in the state (an impossibility, however, parallel to the great evocative power of the proposal launched by En Comu Podem that destabilized Catalan politics).

End of the First Phase

2. November 9, 2014 (9N) marked the end of the first phase of the movement opened in 2012. Halfway between a legitimate consultation and a frontal act of institutional and civil disobedience, 9N was finally a disobedient detour that avoided both a surrender to the central state dictates and a direct institutional confrontation. The Spanish federal government could not prevent the celebration of a democratic and massive event. But neither was the pro-independence movement capable of promoting an act of explicit institutional rupture that would precipitate events decisively. It opted for a last-minute feint which involved an activity that was not simply bearing witness, but nevertheless without opening a scenario of an unequivocal future.

3. By not projecting an unambiguous political message, by a combination of the level of yes-yes support and by the hybrid nature of the consultation (neither a recognized referendum nor an open institutional confrontation) 9N was paradoxically the perfect formula to have a referendum without doing so, and not to do it. Thus, as it was an unquestionable political and social success, it represented a serious strategic error, opening a strange situation of impasse and precipitating the pro-independence movement onto a new roadmap that would continue to be based on an internal contradiction: the same movement that did not dare to disobey the first legal ban on one of its initiatives was now at a second stage that required more social strength, mobilization and clashes: initiating a process towards independence within eighteen months through the conversion of parliamentary elections into a plebiscite on the question.

4. With the diversion towards the 9N alternative and the plebiscitary elections, the Catalan government, endorsed by the pro-independence social organizations, gained time but at the cost of taking a detour through paths that, sooner or later, would have to return to a situation not very different from that of autumn 2014. Without having passed the first test, it entered a second phase that always rested on a fragile uncertainty. In the end, the strategic inconsistency of the itinerary outlined to justify the plebiscite-elections of September 27 became through an impossible strategic rewind, the initial goal of 2012-14, the referendum, was again put forward. This reflected the exhaustion in itself of the policy followed after 2012.

5. Implicitly, but without ever recognizing it, the Catalan government and the independence movement self-amended their own road map set in autumn 2014. Those who then argued that there were no conditions for a referendum, and sponsored an alternative consultation and the conversion of the parliamentary elections into a plebiscite, have not given any explanation, nor any serious public political balance sheet, of their strategic mistakes during these three years. In the end we have come back, but in different conditions, to the starting point. The need for a referendum as a precipitating and catalyzing moment of a democratic confrontation.

6. We cannot be neutral in the clash of legitimacies between the state and the Catalan government represented by October 1. On the one hand there is a reactionary and antidemocratic approach. On the other, a democratic demand. If it is the state and the PP government that win, their position will be strengthened. It is not certain that the referendum can be held under fully normal conditions, but there should be no doubt: this is the responsibility of the state, which has closed every door to negotiating its holding. Nor can it be argued, as some do, that the referendum is precipitous and the fruit of impatience for independence. Rather the process has been the opposite, kicking the ball forward for five years, and always with Convergencia clinging, ever more precariously, to the rudder.

Two Storm Clouds

7. For those who, inside and outside of the pro-independence movement, have a perspective of social and economic change, there are two storm clouds flying over October 1. The first, the attempt of the Catalan right to continue to lead Catalan politics in an artificial way, using another milestone of an independence process that has been built since 2012 with the idea that the leadership of Convergencia (now Catalan European Democratic Party, PDeCAT) was imperative. The second, ERCs Republican Left of Catalonia claim to become the central party of Catalan politics, stealing part of its social base from the Catalan right, but also blocking the deployment of the potential of Catalunya en Comu. Short-circuiting the aspirations of PdeCAT and ERC is decisive in order to form a constituent and post-neoliberal majority in Catalonia in the future.

8. In the re-alignments preceding October 1, the unknown is the position of Catalunya en Comu.[2] It may not have yet taken its final position, but it has advanced much more in internal debate, and the provisional consultation with its affiliates is positive that it will have some kind of participation. After marking Catalan politics with its two electoral victories in the general elections of December 20, 2015 and June 26, 2016 and challenging the independence roadmap with its proposal to build a state-wide political majority favorable to the referendum, it was paralysed and placed on the defensive once the Catalan government set the course for the unilateral referendum. Contrary to strategic anticipation, its policy has been one of formal passivity.

9. Without a convincing discourse, and marked by electoralist tactics, a lightness of principles and an increasingly institutionalist mentality, the inconsistencies of Catalunya en Comu prevent it from exploiting those of the pro-independence movement and particularly the left-wing of the latter after the failed journey from the 9N alternative to the return of the referendum. Fearing being dragged along by the Catalan government, in reality their passivity is a gift to the PDeCAT and ERC, who will be able to capitalize better on October 1 if they present a positive balance sheet, or will try (rightly or not) to attribute to Catalunya en Comu their failure if things are not going well Passive spectator? Subaltern and second row participant? Both are very problematic options for a force like Catalunya en Comu.

10. Catalunya en Comus passivity and discomfort before the referendum is a concrete reflection of the superficiality of its position on the national question and the debate on independence, where it has prioritized a softly-softly approach to complex issues instead of addressing the great strategic debate on how to set a perspective and a concrete policy that would put an end to the bifurcation of coming from the 15M legacy and the independence process, and seeking points of common agreement in the perspective of breaking with the framework of 1978. The unexplored paths of the federalist-independence synthesis surrounding the slogans of the Catalan Republic and the Catalan constituent process remain there as future opportunities lost in the present. Like battles lost without even being waged. 
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
GREENBELT, Md.

(August 21, 2017)US District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Deonte Carraway, age 23, of Glenarden, Maryland, to 75 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for 15 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor to produce child pornography, involving 12 minor victims ranging in age from nine to 13 years old. According to court documents, Carraway was an assistant at Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary School in Prince George's County.The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George's County Police Department; and Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks.According to the 15-count superseding indictment, from October 11, 2015 through February 1, 2016, Carraway coerced and persuaded multiple children to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to produce videos of that conduct. According to the plea agreement, the videos produced include Carraway engaging in sexual activity with victims, as well as the victims engaging in sexually explicit conduct at Carraway's direction.According to court documents, Carraway met several of the victims at the school where he worked, and other victims reported that Carraway recruited them from his choir group. Prince George's County Police arrested Carraway on February 4, 2016, and he has been detained since his arrest.This case was investigated by the FBI Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force (MCETF), created in 2010 to combat sex crimes involving children. The task force consists of members from ten state and federal law enforcement agencies.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "resources" tab on the left of the page.Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI, the Prince George's County Police Department, and the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristi N. O'Malley and Daniel C. Gardner who prosecuted the case.
WASHINGTON

(August 23, 2017)The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the following contract awards that pertain to local Navy activities., is being awarded anfirm-fixed-price contract for organizational and intermediate-level aircraft maintenance on three KC-130J aircraft, logistics and supply functions, limited repair of common support equipment and required support for the government of Kuwait. Work will be performed at Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base, Kuwait, and is expected to be completed in August 2022. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $8,889,043 are being obligated at the time of award, none of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-45. The, is the contracting activity (N00019-17-C-0080)., is being awardedfor cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N0001917F0266 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides for supplies and services in support of the F-35 Lightning II milestone event capabilities, including retrofit modification kits and installation services for the Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, and non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in July 2021 for DoD customers and September 2025 for non-DoD participants. Fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps and Air Force); fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Navy); and non-DoD participants funds in the amount of $26,747,234 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Marine Corps ($26,686,876; 50 percent); Air Force ($11,208,674; 21 percent); Navy ($9,480,536; 18 percent); and non-DoD participants ($6,118,389; 11 percent). The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfor ceiling-priced modification P00027 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-13-D-0016). This modification provides for additional spare and sustainment parts and supplies required to maintain the ScanEagle unmanned aviation system in support of Navy Special Warfare fleet operations. Work will be performed in Bingen, Washington, and is expected to be completed in September 2018. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Funding will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfor cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursement delivery order 5001 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0003) for Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Air Traffic, Navigation, Integration, and Coordination System (ATNAVICS) refurbishment and range extension. This effort includes programmatic, technical and engineering services for the NAVAIR ATNAVICS Fleet Support Team. Work will be performed in Largo, Florida (68 percent); and Marlborough, Massachusetts (32 percent), and is expected to be completed in August 2020. Fiscal 2017 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2017 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,046,540 are being obligated on this award, $2,345,535 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is being awarded not-to-exceedfor undefinitized order N0001917F0027 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides for the procurement of ancillary military equipment and pilot flight equipment for low rate initial production Lot 11 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-Department of Defense (DoD) participants and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Inglewood, California (60 percent); White Plains, New York (25 percent); St. Petersburg, Florida (5 percent); Orlando, Florida (5 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (5 percent). Work is expected to be completed in December 2020. Fiscal 2015 aircraft procurement (Air Force and Navy); fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy); non-DoD participants; and FMS funds in the amount of $212,097,843 are being obligated on this award, $13,234,516 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for Air Force ($152,080,223; 36 percent); Marine Corps ($84,392,523; 20 percent); Navy ($53,091,592; 12 percent); non-DoD participants ($81,671,979; 19 percent); and FMS customers ($55,852,320; 13 percent). The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfor modification P00009 to exercise an option to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-14-C-0073) for the procurement of 10,419 FMU-139C/B fuses and accessories for the Air Force, Navy, and the governments of Australia, and Morocco. Work will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio (65 percent); and Orlando, Florida (35 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2018. Fiscal 2016 procurement of ammunition (Navy and Marine Corps); fiscal 2016 special defense acquisition (Air Force); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $28,375,347 are being obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force ($14,542,553; 52 percent); Navy ($3,770,094; 13 percent); and the governments of Australia ($9,757,255; 34 percent); and Morocco ($305,445; 1 percent), under the Foreign Military Sales program. The, is the contracting activity.
LEONARDTOWN, Md.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme.

(August 23, 2017)The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following list of juveniles who were recently arrested.07/19/2017A 17-year-old male was arrested on an active arrest warrant for First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment and Malicious Destruction of Property, by Deputy J, Smith. CCN# 37855-17.07/24/2017A 17-year-old male juvenile of Leonardtown was arrested for Assault 2nd Degree. The juvenile was arrested by Cpl. J. Kirkner. CASE# 39020-17.07/27/2017A 15-year-old male juvenile of Dameron was arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. The juvenile was arrested and charged by Deputy P. Henry. CASE# 39617-17.07/31/2017A 17-year-old male juvenile of Mechanicsville was arrested for Possession of CDS Not Marijuana and was also charged with possession of CDS Marijuana L/T 10 Grams on a Civil Citation. The juvenile was arrested and charged by Corporal S. Kerby. CASE# 40252-17.08/08/2017A 13-year-old female of Lexington Park was arrested and charged with Destruction of Property. The juvenile was arrested and charged by Deputy G. Muschette. CASE# 33384-17.08/08/2017A 14-year-old male of Lexington Park was arrested and charged with Destruction of Property. The juvenile was arrested and charged by Deputy G. Muschette. CASE# 33384-17.
Adam Thomas Wilkins, age 21, of Lexington Park James Stephon Hoover Freeland, age 24, of Waldorf Jonathan Stephen Hoyer, age 24, of no fixed address Joseph Martin Swann, age 36, of Waldorf Justin Daniel Baker, age 34, of no fixed address Reginald Leon Brown, Jr., age 25, of Lexington Park Shawn Michael Clark, age 35, of Mechanicsville Tyeisha Lakia Mackall, age 27 Previous Next

LEONARDTOWN, Md.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme.

(August 23, 2017)The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following arrest reports.07/30/2017ASSAULT: Corporal J. Yingling responded to the 40000 block of King Drive in Mechanicsville for a reported assault. The investigation revealed the suspect,, assaulted the victim leaving visible signs of injury. The suspect was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center where he was charged with Assault 2nd Degree. CASE # 40127-17.07/31/2017BURGLARY: Deputy First Class S. Tirpak responded to the 17000 block of Three Notch Road in Dameron for a reported burglary in progress. The investigation revealed the suspect,, broke into the victim's residence several times, stealing the property of the victim, as well as causing damage to the victim's property. The suspect was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center where he was charged with three counts of Burglary 4th Degree, Theft Less than $100 and Malicious Destruction of Property, Value less than $1000. CASE# 40294-17.07/31/2017THEFT LESS THAN $1000: Deputy First Class R. Steinbach responded to the Kohl's Department Store for the report of shoplifting in progress. The investigation revealed the suspect,, stole a bag full of merchandise. She was issued a Criminal Citation for Theft Less than $1000.00.08/01/2017ASSAULT: Deputy S. Shelko responded to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center for a reported assault on a corrections officer. The investigation revealed the suspect,, assaulted a corrections officer by shoving and then actively resisting being detained. The suspect was charged with Assault 2nd Degree DOC Emp. CASE #40391-17.08/01/2017ASSAULT ON A DOC INMATE: Corporal J. Davis responded to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center for a reported inmate on inmate assault. The investigation revealed,, assaulted another inmate. He was charged with Assault 2nd Degree DOC.08/03/2017ALTER DRUG ALCOHOL TEST: Deputy C. Edwards responded to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center for a reported Altering of a Drug Alcohol Test. The suspect,, attempted to submit another fluid besides his urine during a test. He was charged with Alter Drug/Alcohol Test. CASE # 40848-17.08/03/2017ASSAULT: Deputy M. Beyer responded to the 45000 block of Great Mills Court for a reported disturbance. The investigation revealed the suspect,, assaulted the victim leaving visible signs of injury. He was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and Rehabilitation Center where he was charged with Assault 2nd Degrees. CASE # 40774-17.08/03/2017POSSESSION: Deputies from the Lexington Park Cops Unit witnessed the suspect,and, smoking from what appeared to be a CDS Smoking device. Upon being approached by uniformed officers, Mackall passed the smoking device to Ford, who tossed it behind him. Deputy First Class V. Pontorno approached Mackall and gave commands for him to stop reaching behind him. Mackall did not comply and Ford then hit Pontorno in the chest. The suspects were taken into custody and A K9 search of the area revealed a suspected CDS Smoking device. A further search of Mackall revealed another suspected CDS Smoking Device. Ford was charged with Assault 2nd Degree, CDS Possession of Paraphernalia, CDS Possession Not Marijuana. Mackall was charged with CDS Possession of Paraphernalia, CDS Possession not Marijuana. CASE #40944-17.08/04/2017TRESPASS: Deputy S. Bowie responded to Canopy Liquors for a subject begging in the parking lot. When officers approached the suspect, he gave the name of Adam Jones. The suspect was advised the owner did not want him back on the property. When Bowie went inside to complete the written Notice Not to Trespass, the suspect fled the area. A short time later, the property owner called to advise the suspect had returned. The suspect was taken into custody for trespassing and the investigation revealed he had a Md. identification on him showing his name to be. The suspect was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center where he was charged with Trespass: Private Property, False Statement to Officer. CASE #41063-17.08/06/2017SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY FAIL TO NOTIFY: On July 12, 2017, the suspect, reported to Corporal M. Hulse that he was homeless. On August 6, 2017, Corporal Teague responded to the 44000 block of Deerfield Road for an investigation. Upon arrival, Teague observed the defendant in the residence and the investigation confirmed Payne was living at that residence. He was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, where he was charged with Sex Offender Regist. Fail - Notify/Include. CASE # 41505-14.08/08/2017MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: Deputy B. Fennessey responded to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center for a reported attempted escape. The investigation revealed the suspect, inmate,, attempted to escape the Detention Center by removing drywall and metal inside of a bathroom. The suspect was charged with Escape 1st and 2nd Degree, Malicious Destruction of Property $1000 Plus, Malicious Destruction of Property Less than $1000. CASE #41727-17.08/09/2017ASSAULT: Deputy D. Smith responded to the St. Mary's County Detention Center for a reported Assault on a corrections officer. The investigation revealed the suspect,, had assaulted a corrections officer by biting, causing visible signs of injury to the officer, requiring medical attention. The suspect was charged with Assault 2nd Degree, as well as Assault 2nd Degree DOC Emp. CASE #42017-17.
Adam Thomas Wilkins, age 21, of Lexington Park Amanda Marie Stewart, age 32, of Mechanicsville Daniel Holley Dement, age 50, of Lexington Park Diamante R'quan Butler, age 19, of Lexington Park James A. Courtney, age 59, of no fixed address James Price, age 55, of Great Mills James Russell Boley, age 39, of no fixed address Joseph W. Young, age 62, of Lexington Park Joseph William Smith, age 24, of Lexington Park Martel D Angelo Morgan, age 29, of Mechanicsville Martin NMN Garcia, age 49, of Lexington Park Richard Alan Miner, age 49, of Grantsville Sherry Lynn McManus, age 44, of California Tamika Danielle Stewart, age 33, of Mechanicsville Taneesha Shantel Washington, age 25, of Leonardtown Wendell Lavon Blackiston, age 30, of Leonardtown Previous Next

LEONARDTOWN, Md.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme.

(August 23, 2017)The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following arrest reports.07/12/2017ALCOHOL VIOLATION: Corporal W. Ray and Corporal T. Snyder were in the area of Shangri-La Drive in Lexington Park when they observed defendants, and, consuming alcoholic beverages in a public place. Suspect Courtney was charged on a Uniformed Criminal Citation for Possession of an open alcoholic beverage. When approached, Young became disorderly and was placed under arrest by Snyder and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where he was charged with Disorderly Conduct/Public Disturbance, and Failure to Obey a Lawful Order. CASE# 36640-1707/17/2017BURGLARY: Corporal J. Davis responded to the 40000 block of Coles Drive in Hollywood for a reported burglary. Davis observed the suspect,, exiting the residence. The investigation revealed the suspect had been evicted by the Sheriff's Office Eviction Unit, and there were several signs of forced entry to several of the residence's door locks. It was confirmed by the Sheriff's Office eviction unit that the damage was not present at the conclusion of the eviction. The suspect was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where he was charged with Burglary 1st Degree, Two counts of Malicious Destruction of Property and having a Concealed Deadly Weapon. CASE# 37569-17.07/17/2017THEFT: Corporal T. Seyfried responded to the Leonardtown McKay's Foodland for a reported theft. The investigation revealed the suspect,, had failed to pay for crab legs. She paid for other items, but not the two packages of crab legs. Washington fled the area but was located a short time later and placed under arrest for the Theft Less than $100, as well as for an open District Court Warrant Theft $1000 to Under $10,000. She was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. CASE# 37614-17.07/20/2017FALSE IDENTIFICATION: Deputy First Class D. Potter stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Pegg Road and Westbury Blvd in Lexington Park. The operator, later identified as suspect,, gave a false name. Potter was able to determine the defendant's real identity, and the defendant was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where he was charged with providing a false name and issued other traffic violations. CASE#38088-17.07/24/2017ALTER DRUG TEST: Corporal J. Kirkner responded to the St. Mary's County Detention Center for a reported altering of a urine test. The suspect,, was required to provide urine samples as a condition of his pretrial release. It was determined that he was using a device that allowed him to provide an alternate urine sample. He was arrested and charged with Altering a Drug/Alcohol Test. CASE# 38967-17.07/24/2017ASSAULT ON POLICE: Deputy P. Robinson initiated a traffic stop on Great Mills Road in the area of Chancellors Run Road for a motor vehicle that failed to come to a complete stop at a flashing red light. The operator of the vehicle,, was determined to have an outstanding criminal warrant with the Calvert County Sheriff's Office. While being placed under arrest, she resisted and assaulted two deputies. Deputies also determined her privilege to drive in the state of Maryland was suspended. She was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and charged with two counts of Assault 2nd Degree on Law Enforcement Officers, one count of Resisting/Interfering with Arrest, as well as Driving While Suspended. CASE #38939-17.07/25/2017CDS VIOLATION: Deputy First Class D. Potter was on foot patrol in the 45000 block of Fox Chase Drive when he observed several subjects with open containers of alcohol. Upon approaching the subjects, one of them,, stepped back and on the ground was a suspected CDS Smoking Device, along with a bag of suspected CDS; Not Marijuana. The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where he was charged with Possession of CDS Not Marijuana and Possession of CDS Paraphernalia. CASE# 39091-17.07/25/2017CDS VIOLATION: Deputy J. Bare was on foot patrol in the 45000 block of Fox Chase Drive when several subjects were observed with open containers of alcohol. When deputies approached the subjects, one of them,, fled the area on foot. Bare gave chase and observed the suspect throw items, which were recovered by another officer. The baggie that was recovered contained several pills of suspected CDS. Bare was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where he was charged with two counts of Possession of CDS: Not Marijuana. CASE# 39090-17.07/26/2017ASSAULT 2ND DEGREE ON DOC: Deputy C. Ball Responded to the St. Mary's County Detention Center for a reported assault. The investigation revealed the suspect,, assaulted the victim. He was charged with second-degree assault on an inmate and released back to the custody of the Detention Center. CASE# 39431-17.07/26/2017BURGLARY 4TH DEGREE: Deputy First Class M. McCuen responded to the 46000 block of Kent Drive in Lexington Park for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed the suspect,, had entered the victim's residence for unknown reasons; the victim was not familiar with the suspect. The suspect fled on foot and was later located before being transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where he was charged with Burglary 4th Degree. CASE# 39310-17.07/26/2017THEFT: Deputy First Class R. Steinbach responded to the Kohl's Department Store in Lexington Park for a reported theft. The investigation revealed, the suspect,, concealed clothing and left the store without paying for the merchandise. He was issued a Criminal Citation. CASE# 39373-17.07/29/2017ASSAULT: Deputy D. McClure responded to the 45000 Block of Lois Marie Lane in Piney Point for a reported Assault. While conducting that investigation, it was determined the suspect,, had an active warrant. The suspect refused to comply with orders to put his hands behind his back and actively resisted being arrested. During the struggle, the suspect grabbed Deputy McClure's hand and attempted to injure him. The suspect was eventually taken into custody and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center where he was charged with Assault 2nd Degree and Resisting Arrest. CASE# 39960-17.07/29/2017BURGLARY: Deputy First Class D. Potter responded to the 21000 block of Castaway Circle in Lexington Park for a reported burglary. Upon arrival, it was determined, entered the victim's residence without their permission to assist a co-suspect who had also come into the victim's residence to assault the homeowner. Morgan was forced out and retreated to his vehicle retrieving a weapon before entering the residence to attempt to assault the victim, again. The suspect was arrested by Potter and was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center where he was charged with Burglary 1st and 3rd and Assault 1st and 2nd Degree. CASE# 39986-17.07/29/2017ESCAPE 2ND DEGREE: Deputy D. McClure responded to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center for a reported escape. The suspect,, failed to report to the detention center as ordered by a District Court Judge. CASE# 39932-17.07/29/2017POSSESSION: The St. Mary's Emergency Communications Center broadcasted a lookout for a vehicle involved in a hit and run involving property damage to a lawn. Deputy D. Holdsworth responded to the last known address of the vehicle involved and observed the vehicle in the driveway with what appeared to be fresh mud on it. No one answered the door, and a short time later Deputy Holdsworth observed the vehicle again being operated by the suspect, later identified as. The investigation revealed the motor vehicle left the roadway in the same area as the first accident. Holdsworth stopped the vehicle and made contact with Steward. She was placed under arrest for driving while under the influence and was found to be in possession of suspected CDS Not Marijuana. She has transported to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center where she was charged with the traffic charges as well as Possession of CDS; Not Marijuana. CASE# 39987-17.07/30/2017ASSAULT: Deputy M. Beyer responded to the 22000 of Parkview Drive in California for a reported assault. The investigation revealed the suspect,, assaulted the victim with an edged weapon causing visible injuries. McManus was arrested and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center where she was charged with Assault 1st and 2nd Degree. CASE# 40112-17.07/30/2017ASSAULT ON DOC: Deputy D. Holdsworth responded to the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center for a reported assault on an inmate. The investigation revealed the suspect, assaulted another inmate leaving visible signs of injury. He was charged with Assault 2nd Degree/DOC and remains in custody at the Detention Center. CASE# 40146-17.
Roberto Torok encouraged attendees of Tuesday mornings Coffee & Conversation program to consider leaving an after-life gift.

We leave people we love unprotected, Torok said.

A financial advisor for Prudential, Torok used his five minutes of microphone time to ask the mostly senior-aged group to have a simple conversation about their giving. Torok told a story about a lesbian from Cuba whose brother rejected her because of her sexual orientation and thus she directed her savings to the Humane Society and a church in South Miami.

Many of us try to forget about it, Torok said about late life financial arrangements. The time to act is now.

Prudential, Torok said, is very, very supportive of diversity.

Elsewhere, Peter Kaldes, CEO of Impact Broward, offered tickets to attend a caregiver conference hosted by the Urban League of Broward County on Aug. 30. Impact Broward is an organization dedicated to solving community problems with senior volunteers.

A parade of speakers addressed the group this week. Ed Sparan, an actor in Muscle Bears The Musical said this weekends shows at Empire Stage are sold out. Isaac Martinez announced he will be teaching salsa dancing on Thursday nights and Pride Center CEO Robert Boo said a founders reception is scheduled for Thursday night at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach.

"They want us to gay it up," Boo said.

Around 170 people signed in for this weeks program.

Brian Kellow, editor of Opera News, is scheduled to speak next week. For more information, contact Bruce Williams, Senior Services Coordinator at 954-463-9005, ext. 109.
One of my favorite stories is of a rabbinical scholar whose students believe they have him trapped in an intellectual crossfire.

The rabbi asked of his students to explain a matter of consequence. The first student replied with a great answer, and the scholar said to him, You are absolutely right.

The second student gave an entirely contradictory explanation, but the rabbi replied, You are absolutely right.

Now the third student thought he had the rabbi by the short hairs. He looked up and said, But rabbi, that cant be. Each student gave a contradictory answer, but you said to each of them, you are right.

The rabbi looked down, tugging on the whiskers of his gray beard, and said to his young ward, You know what, son, you are right too.

In the past few weeks, SFGN has apparently created a controversy over a legitimate issue, which is something newspapers ought to do. The debate has been over the proposed development of an LGBT senior housing project, and one of our columnists, Sal Torre, threw the first volley.

In a column, a few weeks ago, he accused Robert Boo, the CEO of the Pride Center, and his self-appointed board, as if that is a bad thing, of doing business in the closet. You can look at Sals piece two ways. He was either pointedly repetitive or unnecessarily redundant.

In the space of one column and a thousand words, he accused the Center and its CEO no less than four times of sugar coating the truth, insisting that they come clean, thus essentially saying they are dirty. Sal went on to say that Boo has been masking the project.

Sal may have some very legitimate criticisms, but Robert Boo certainly did not think so. He took to the pages of SFGN, and no shrinking violet is he. The Pride Centers CEO ripped the paper for publishing Fake News, but more importantly than the titillating title, he systematically used 2,000 words to shred Sals argument into little pieces.

Pointing out that Sals best source was a guy named Rumor has it, Boo methodically stated his fundamental position, that the residences at Equality Park will be affordable housing for senior adults, with a special focus on LGBTQ individuals.

Therein lies the merits of the controversy. But here is the thing. That isnt what set Boo off.

What really pissed off Boo was the charge and accusation that the Pride Center had somehow covered this affair up. In his column, he pointed out that a plethora of articles had appeared in a host of publications since 2012 discussing the plans for this project, and that they hardly have been secretive about it. Their argument is they have been open and transparent, and he laid out their claim. Wisely, he noted that no matter what he does, we can never communicate enough. He is right, and that is what a community newspaper is for  to give people a forum, a voice, a platform. He got one and so did Sal.

Sal Torre used that platform to criticize the center. He is right, too. He has a column which has a right to be critical, raise questions, demand answers, and challenge the status quo. You dont have to like it. We dont sit over his opinions, his editorial observations, or his views. You empower someone to write, and write thoughtfully about matters of consequence. An LGBT housing facility on the Pride Center grounds is such a matter, worthy of continued discussion, honest debate, and credible dissent.

Ultimately, it does not matter if Sal was right and Boo was wrong, or Boo was right and Sal was wrong. What matters to me is that you got to read two countering views, intelligently spoken, rationally debated, and legitimately raised. Somewhere in the Scriptures, Matthew, I think, is a passage about comforting the afflicted, afflicting the comfortable. That is what a newspaper does.

A newspaper has to question power, position, and prestige. It has to open wounds and print stories about the sores. You write about the train that crashes, not the 99 that reach the station safely. Not every story will be perfect, and not every ending will make you feel good. But if it makes you feel and think and want to make a difference, we will be doing our job.

You are fortunate to live in a community that has a pride center with a dedicated CEO motivated by conscience and commitment. You are fortunate to have a community newspaper open and receptive to controversy and criticism, willing to tread on calm waters. We are lucky that we have columnists who are critical, editors that are thorough, and leaders who are thoughtful.

Let the discussion go forward, emphasizing principles and policies, not personalities and petty nuances that something is fake news because you find an opinion offensive. Opinions, the First Amendment, they were not built for you to agree with. They are there for you to challenge.

We are all right. Ask my rabbi. He will agree.
Voyager Exhibit at the National Air & Space Museum SpaceRef

In 1977 the twin Voyager spacecraft left planet Earth bound for the outer reaches of our solar system  and beyond. What they discovered changed our way of thinking about how worlds are built and broadened our notions of where life might be found. The story of this audacious project is told in the captivating new documentary The Farthest: Voyager In Space which is airing on PBS this week.

The Farthest  Voyager in Space, Amazon

The film itself is weaved together rather artfully  not unlike the sounds and images that were placed on the now-famous Golden Records that each spacecraft carried. The story is narrated mostly by people who were there. Indeed its like listening to the crew of a ship of discovery recount the days of wonder that they experienced.

Perhaps the best description of the project in the film  which has continued for decades  comes from Carolyn Porco: Voyager to me was Homeric. It was years of passing across the solar system from one planet to the other. And then it was a week or two of frenzied activity and discovery and conquest. And then it was, well, back in the boats, oars in the water, and on to the next conquest.

This is a multigenerational story. If you were alive in the 70s and 80s then the fashions, the music, and the technology are familiar. Like everyone else with an interest in space, I find my own life punctuated and illustrated by Voyager. And as I watch the film my own lifes timeline is played backward and forward. That the film provokes one to think about efforts that span more than a generation allows the viewer to better contemplate the true scope of this endeavor.

In 1976 I visited the newly opened National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC with its giant Voyager model. Along the walls were artists concepts of what it might see and some hazy pictures taken by Pioneers 10 and 11. In 1977 as the Voyagers were being launched I was in college and still going to see the recently-released film Star Wars which was still in theaters.

In 1979 I was back in the theaters again (multiple times) to see the new Star Trek film which had a cameo by a Voyager (VGER). In 1981 I was working in Los Angeles on Gov. Jerry Browns political staff and found myself at JPL for both Voyager encounters with Saturn.

In January 1986 as Voyager 1 flew past Uranus I was in grad school writing a letter to someone with an experiment aboard Space Shuttle Challenger. A few days later I wrote a letter to the President, NASA, and my member of Congress suggesting that the recently discovered moons of Uranus be named after the crew of Challenger (they werent).

In 1989 I was working at NASA Headquarters as Voyager 2 flew past Neptune. Shortly thereafter it began its Interstellar mission. As a NASA newbie seeing briefings with the word interstellar on them really set my imagination afire. In 1990 I recall the family portrait posters being hung around my office at NASA.

In 2014 I was one of the co-leads on the ISEE-3 Reboot Project where we dragged NASA people out of retirement to tell a spacecraft launched months after the twin Voyagers to wake up and fire its engines. Our inspiration came in no small way from the ingenious way that JPL had managed to keep continuous contact with Voyagers and decades of planning and persistence by Bob Farquhar. The same Deep Space Network wizards who talk to the Voyagers were also instrumental in helping us talk to ISEE-3. As I tweeted about the project I made frequent jokes about ISEE-3, disco, and Star Treks VGER (i.e. the Voyagers).

The other night I went down to see (yet another) IMAX screening of the 2014 film Interstellar at the same Air and Space Museum I have been visiting for 40 years. I made a point of going to the Voyager exhibit. The exhibit is virtually untouched from its original 1970s form except that the artists concepts have been replaced with Voyager photos  and those of its step children Galileo, Cassini, and New Horizons. The Voyager model still hangs there motionless as an avatar for the twin spacecraft that are moving out of our solar system into interstellar space.

Voyager has been a talisman of sorts for me  always there just over my shoulder  filling in the artists concepts of my youth with stunning actual imagery from afar. Several generations have now grown to maturity knowing only of the Voyagers discoveries as facts. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a time when, as the films participants often note, these fully realized worlds were just blurry dots in a telescope.

As I noted before, the vintage footage and contemporary recollections by the Voyager project members in this film are what youd expect from the naturalists and geographers aboard ships of discovery from the past  ships such as the HMS Challenger, the shuttles namesake. As the Voyager veterans recall the excitement and disappointment, you can see the years melt away from their eyes. Then the years come back and their eyes fix on another more distant goal, often somewhat teary, as the enormity of their accomplishment registers once more.

As noted in the opening of the film by Andrew Ingersoll, It is really true that you can only explore the solar system for the first time  once. Voyager did that. Using technology that we would now consider to be woefully primitive these spacecraft truly blazed a trail into the unknown.

Nothing we can do will stop these spacecraft from being our first emissaries to the stars. That die has been cast. We are now irrevocably an interstellar species. This film documents how this came to be.

The Farthest  Voyager in Space, Amazon

 The Farthest, PBS

 Voyager Mission, NASA

 Voyager Interstellar Mission, NASA JPL
If you ever visit Sao Paulo, Beco do Batmanwhich translates to Batmans Alleyis a must. The alley has had its name since a graffiti artist portrayed that character on one of the walls in the 1980s. Today, a variety of graffiti artists illustrate the wallsthink of the Wynwood walls but instead of an industrial, flat area of Miami, imagine a bunch of walls condensed in a curvy alley located in a hilly, artsy neighborhood of Sao Paulo. In one of the alleys entrances, Isso e Cafe just opened its second coffee shop in the city.

The story of Isso e Cafe is best started with the story of Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza, also known as FAF. Silvia Barretto and Marcos Croce took over Barrettos family farm in the early 1990s, when organic farming was still taboo in Brazil, and organic production models were mainly imported from Europe and the United States, with very little adaptation to the Brazilian climate.

They struggled for a while until they found a sustainable production model that would actually work in that regionall with the help of guru Joao Neto, another organic coffee producer in the region. The rest, well, is history. Barretto managed not only to transform FAFs production model but also encouraged some of the regions producers to follow suit with their quality and sustainability standards. Today, FAF Coffees exports some of the best coffees in Brazil, from 70 producing families, to roasters around the world.

Enter the story of Isso E Cafe: Felipe Croce, Barretto and Marcos Croces son, always had entrepreneurship in his veins. Things started taking shape when he moved from the farm to Sao Paulo and inaugurated a cupping/roasting studio in the first floor of the house he was living in, in the heart of Vila Madalena. Together with Fabio Nakasato, who is today his partner at Isso e Cafe, as well as other friends, they drafted a manifesto aiming to improve the quality of coffee that was consumed here. One day, a bakery nearby ordered their coffeetheir first ever wholesale order. Felipe had brought some Kraft paper tin-tie bags from the US, so they just wrote the coffee variety, drying process, and other technical information on there and delivered the bags to them. Two weeks later, the bakery had not sold one single bag.

They realized that conceivably the labeling was too technicaland that there was no way for the consumer to identify what was inside the package. So, a simple solution came to place: they started writing Isso E Cafewhich literally translates to This Is Coffee. This was their slogan at firstmeant to identify what was inside the package. And it stuck.

Croce liked the slogan because it did not impose any boundaries, it was general, and that is important because coffee can mean different things to different people. The pair realized that it could well be their coffee brand name. Next, they went on to name their different coffee blends, all made of FAF Coffee beans: Espresso 22, Carmen Miranda (the one with fruit notes, evidently), Cafe da Sombra, Bob-o-Link, FAF Reserva, and Cartola.

The new Isso e Cafe, opened a year and a half after their Mirante 9 de Julho location, has the mission to make specialty coffee even more accessible. In my opinion, the last thing a barista should be making is coffee, Croce says. His hospitality-first directive is part of what brought Modbar to this cafe, to allow baristas here much more time to build better relationships with customers, chat about the farm products, and care for the shop areas.

Everything happened naturally here, says Nakasato. We are in a coworking space very close to our roasting studio, we offer croissants from a bakery close by, many of our products come from the FAF farm. It certainly feels like you are at someones backyard. The cafe has blended quickly into the neighborhood and is far more intimate than their other cafe, where big crowds line up at the counter.

The shops Modbarthe first in Brazilis regulated twice a day by one of the baristas, who will then sign off in an Excel spreadsheet on the extraction recipe used. The Cartola and Bob-o-Link blends are always available as batch brew. They are considered the gateway for customers not familiar with specialty coffee, having a nice sweetness and mouthfeel but yet affordable to most people in Brazil.

Croce and Nakasato have more to come, possibly opening a cafe with an attached roastery/studio, all in one place.

We in Brazil have this crazy thing of ordering a coffee and asking where it is from, and suddenly you find out that you have a relative, or a colleague, who lives nearby the farm, or knows the farmer and such. This proximity to the producing side is really a privilege that we must explore, says Croce. So why not have a space that would dig deeper into that all-things-coffee feeling, and at the same time create a sense of community in the area where it is located?

Until then, I have a recommendation for you: spend a pleasant morning exploring and taking photos of Batman Alley and then have a seat at Isso e Cafe 2. Indulge in some of the citys best people-watching and enjoy this new, quintessentially Brazilian coffee experience.

Juliana Ganan is a Brazilian coffee professional and journalist. Read more Juliana Ganan on Sprudge.

Photos by Tony Chen unless otherwise noted.
Inclusivity has been one of the most talked-about issues in the coffee industry over the past few years. Specialty coffee has been historically a white male-dominated affaireven more so in terms of visibilitybut there has been a veritable movement to increase equity in the industry, thanks in no small part to #coffeetwitter. Recently, these efforts have codified into the Coffee Equity Toolkit, a resource library created to make coffee more inclusive and accessible to people from all backgrounds and all segments of the industry.

Created by Jenn Chen and RJ Josephboth of whom have contributed to Sprudge previouslythe Coffee Equity Toolkit provides links to articles covering a range of social issues and business topics as they affect the coffee industry, including: racism, sexism, intersectionality, transphobia, language, conflict management, and customer service. Each article in some way details how to improve the coffee industry and strengthen those within it, especially those from marginalized backgrounds or demographics.

Articles are sourced from a range of media outlets, some coffee-specific some not. The Harvard Business Review, Ebony, The Toast, Forbes, The Roasters Guild, Sprudge, The Chocolate Barista, Tales of the Cocktail, Eater, JStoreach article was selected by the creators, categorized, and collated to better help address issues of inequality faced in the coffee industry today.

The ultimate goal is for the information to be crowd sourced, with new recourses being added through group participation. For guidelines on how to add content and what to add (this isnt the space for brewing guides, manufacturers manuals, job recruitment, or debates on feminism), visit the Coffee Equity Toolkits Content Guidelines.

Theres a lot of really good material out there for anyone who is looking to engage, and the Coffee Equity Toolkit is making it that much easier to find.

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Reports indicate an appeal has been filed regarding the ruling that would summon a total of 11 individuals -- including former Premier Dalton McGuinty and his Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan -- to court to testify in a civil claim lodged by a collective of breeders pertaining to the cancellation of the slots-at-racetracks program in Ontario.

The breeders lawyers issued summonses for 13 witnesses, including McGuinty, Duncan, economist Don Drummond, current Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, and Ted McMeekin, the provinces former Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In turn, lawyers representing the Province and the OLG filed a motion to quash the summonses.

Justice Michael Emerys ruling from early August dismissed the motions brought by the Province and the OLG, except when it came to Premier Kathleen Wynne and MPP McMeekin, whom are both currently sitting members of the legislature. When it came to the decision to exclude Premier Wynne and McMeekin from the lawsuit proceedings, Justice Emery cited parliamentary privilege.

According to The Toronto Star, the legal team representing the province and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. have challenged Emery's ruling. A motion has been files seeking leave to appeal that decision as well as a stay of the summons calling on those 11 individuals to testify. The legal team representing the province and the OLG will contend that Emery didn't apply the proper legal test to determine whether these individuals should be called.

Emery's ruling suggested that the onus was on the province and OLG to show why the summons should be quashed, which they will content goes against that of established law.

Jonathan Lisus, part of the legal team representing the breeders, told The Star on Tuesday that Emery applied the law correctly and gave a balanced sensible decision.

This motion is set to be heard at Divisional Court in Toronto.
Mat Staver Responds to 'Hate Labels'

Contact: Liberty Counsel, 407-875-1776, Media@LC.org; Press Kit

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 22, 2017 /Standard Newswire/ -- Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty, responds to the recent "hate label" from the Southern Poverty Law Center and calls for prayer and healing in a country divided.

Staver says, "As a pastor before becoming an attorney, my heart then and now is for hurting people. Liberty Counsel is a peaceful Christian ministry that opposes violence. We believe that each person is created in the image of God and each one should be treated with dignity and respect. Differences of opinion is no cause for violence or hatred. I have previously condemned the violence in Charlottesville perpetrated by KKK and white supremacist groups. We must not allow the seeds of the Holocaust or the violence against people of color to take root again in America. But instead of speaking with a united voice against violence and hatred, the Southern Poverty Law Center and some irresponsible media have falsely included some Christian, pro-family, or conservative groups with real hate groups like the KKK. This false labeling is defamatory and dangerous. Moreover, this false label is exploiting a serious situation to push a self-interested political agenda. This must stop! We need to come together to speak against hatred and violence. I urge everyone to pray for the healing of our nation."

Watch his entire message here: Mat Staver Responds to Hate Labels

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.


Righting a Terrible Wrong: D. James Kennedy Ministries Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Southern Poverty Law Center

Contact: Matt Krepcho, D. James Kennedy Ministries , 954-334-4304FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 23, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- Dr. Frank Wright, President & Chief Executive Officer at D. James Kennedy Ministries (DJKM), announced that DJKM filed suit today in the United States District Court against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the SPLC illegally trafficked in false and misleading descriptions of the services offered by DJKM and committed defamation against DJKM arising from the publication and distribution of false information that libels the ministry's reputation and subjects the ministry to disgrace, ridicule, odium, and contempt in the estimation of the public.In a statement released today, Dr. Wright said: "We embarked today on a journey to right a terrible wrong. Those who knowingly label Christian ministries as 'hate' groups, solely for subscribing to the historic Christian faith, are either woefully uninformed or willfully deceitful. In the case of the Southern Poverty Law Center, our lawsuit alleges the latter."Wright went on to say: "These false and illegal characterizations have a chilling effect on the free exercise of religion and on religious free speech for all people of faith. After having given the SPLC an opportunity to retract, we have undertaken this legal action, seeking a trial by a jury of our peers, to preserve our own rights under the law and to defend the religious free speech rights of all Americans."About DJKM: D. James Kennedy Ministries is a Christian media ministry that seeks to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ through every available electronic medium. Its four-fold mission is: 1) to proclaim the good news of the Gospel throughout the Earth; 2) to teach and nurture Christ's followers; 3) to equip and encourage believers to live out their faith; and 4) to defend religious liberty, encouraging believers to lovingly engage the culture with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ.
Life Action Partners with Christian Cinema for Their Brand-New Film Series Release

Contact: Aaron Paulus, Life Action 269-697-6161BUCHANAN, Mich., Aug. 23, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- Life Action is excited to announce its partnership with Christian Cinema for the release of their unique mini-series event, The Wasteland.The Wasteland is a gripping allegory in a world full of desolation and brokenness. The story follows the journey of a man who through daily drift and careless decisions, abandoned the one who loved him most. But there is hope, an invitation to return to the life he once knew. The Wasteland is a story of hope, a story of redemption, and a story of revival.Aaron Paulus, Executive Producer of The Wasteland, said, "We are excited about the far-reaching potential of this mini-series. Through the various social communities, we hope this film will be the beginning of many believers returning to God."According to Facebook, there are nearly 2 billion people active every month. Bobby Downes, CEO of ChristianCinema.com says, "We are excited to partner with Life Action for the broadcast and release of The Wasteland on Christian Cinema Facebook Live. We believe Facebook is the future of television because we have seen a tremendous response from showing Bible centric content on Facebook Live."Starting Thursday, August 24, a brand-new episode will be released each week. All five episodes will be broadcast via Facebook LIVE on Christian Cinema www.facebook.com/christiancinema and Life Action's www.facebook.com/lifeactionministries Facebook pages. Episodes will also be available on ChristianCinema.com and across all of its apps: iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Android, Amazon Fire TV and Tablets.About Life Action MinistriesLife Action was founded to spark spiritual change in families, churches, and nations. This is why they call people to authentic Christianityso the gospel light can shine brightly out of lives transformed by the presence and power of God! Life Action believes that revitalization in families and churches is the key to transforming our culture for Christ and completing the Great Commission.About Christian CinemaThe market leader in faith-based digital on-demand, Christian Cinema has earned the trust of families of faith. The digital platform provides easy access to a personal movie library across multiple devices, enabling users to watch anytime, anywhere, and with no subscriptions and no commitments. New films added every week, there are new releases and new discoveries; dramas, documentaries, short films, educational and more.
The Legends Concert Brings a Legacy of Revival and Music to All

Contact: Chrisagis Brothers , 740-859-2344YORKVILLE, Ohio, Aug. 22, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- The Chrisagis Brothers have become known for ministry events that change lives. The Brothers created the Legends Concerts three years ago to keep the legacy of Christian music alive throughout the world and to a new generation.The Chrisagis' say that Christian music is the only music that changes lives and is eternal. So why does the world only celebrate the legacy of Country, Rock, Pop Artists like Elvis, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, etc... when artists like Scott Wesley Brown, Reba Rambo and Dony McGuire, Dino Kartsonakis, Wayne Watson, and Michael English changed millions of lives through their music ministries?! That is why the Brothers decided to do a Legends Concert to celebrate music ministries that have fought on the front lines for the Kingdom of God but seem to be forgotten and thrown aside.Christian music artists are the only artists that the music industry throws aside and gets younger artists to replace them at a certain age... but there is no one to replace these great men and women because their legacies and what they minister transforms lives. Today's Christian music doesn't talk about being born again, the blood of Jesus, repentance, the cross, or coming out of the world and being separate or being holy. Today's Christian music is mostly just music without the Word of God and without a powerful message.This year the Third Annual Legends Concert featured the biggest names from the 70's, 80's and 90's, each worthy of the title legends for being great ambassadors for Christ. It was held at the JB Chambers Performing Arts Center in Wheeling, West Virginia where Christians came from across the country to see those faithful musical generals who gave all for the Gospel sake. This year the Brothers also added a new highlight to the concert with a beautiful legendary super model and feature film actress Jennifer O'Neill, who emceed the concert with the Brothers.O'Neill is best known for her classic CoverGirl ads for 30 years, the ads are now celebrated in the Smithsonian calling Jennifer the world's first super-model. She also captured the world's hearts when she starred in films like The Summer Of 42, Rio Lobo, and The Innocent. She is now a dedicated born again Christian who is one of the biggest Christian Women's Speakers in the World. She gave her powerful testimony at the concert and had the audience in tears.The list of legends in Christian music include: Scott Wesley Brown - The King of the Balladeers, he has ministered in over 50 countries and been one of Christian music's greatest songwriters and generals for the Gospel of Christ. Also on the list was Rambo McGuire (Reba Rambo & Dony McGuire) who are the royal family of Christian music. Between the two of them and Reba's legendary Mom Dottie Rambo the world has treasured their music for over 70 years and the legacy of music from this family is by far the greatest Christian music legacy the world knows. Next there was Dino Kartsonakis - who is without a doubt Christian music's most treasured musician with Grammy's and Dove Awards to his amazing credits. Dino is a legend of legends, there is no one like him. There was also two of the 80's biggest Christian music heart-throbs Wayne Watson and Michael English. Watson is one of the biggest #1 hit makers the Christian world has known. He raised a bar with his music that is hard to follow. Michael English is known as one of the greatest vocalists the world knows. He has won every award that he can and has gone through the refiners fire to now become gold.The Chrisagis Brothers gave each of these legends awards and the concert brought revival to the entire area. This is the type of music and concerts the world needs to see, that is why the Brothers hope to do a Legends tour throughout the United States. For more info on the Legends Concerts contact the Brothers at 740-859-2344.
After lapsing in 2016, a decades-old fisheries agreement that local leaders say is vital to Washingtons Dungeness crab industry is now permanent.

Bipartisan bills to permanently extend a pact between Washington, Oregon and California to jointly manage crab fisheries were first proposed by U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler and U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell. President Donald Trump signed the Washington lawmakers legislation into law on Friday.

The tri-state agreement was first authorized in 1998.

Im proud to have the president sign into law this bill that will give certainty  vital to the success of any industry  to the crab fishing businesses that support families and livelihoods in Southwest Washington, Herrera Beutler said in a press release.
Game of Thrones wraps up its seventh season on HBO Sunday with its longest episode yet at 80 minutes. The cultural phenomenon has resulted in plenty of pop culture promotions around the world, and with Season 7 set to wrap up, Arbys is joining in on the fun with a special Game of Thrones-themed promotion at select locations starting on Sunday.

Fans of the franchise  or just Arbys in general  will be able to bring out their inner Hound by chowing down on some $5.99 one-pound turkey legs (NSFW language in video).

Okay, so maybe The Hound really wanted some chicken and not turkey, but you get the point.

The special Arbys promotion  which is available for a limited time  will only take place at nine locations across the country. While Arbys never explicitly says this is related to the Game of Thrones finale, their descriptions of all nine locations have Westerosi twists to them.

 Fargo, ND : a frigid land in the north with ruthless winters and relentless snowfall. (1117 38 th St NW  Fargo, ND 58102)

: a frigid land in the north with ruthless winters and relentless snowfall. (1117 38 St NW  Fargo, ND 58102) Los Angeles, CA : a western land known for its bountiful amount of gold and riches. (347 East Main St.  Alhambra, CA 91801)

: a western land known for its bountiful amount of gold and riches. (347 East Main St.  Alhambra, CA 91801) Seattle/Redmond, WA : a land of storms, savaged by heavy rain and wind, with a coast of deep blue water. (15115 NE 24 th St.  Redmond, WA 98052)

: a land of storms, savaged by heavy rain and wind, with a coast of deep blue water. (15115 NE 24 St.  Redmond, WA 98052) Norfolk, VA : a land of ships and sailors surrounded by giant vessels forged from iron. (730 East Little Creek Rd.  Norfolk, VA 23518)

: a land of ships and sailors surrounded by giant vessels forged from iron. (730 East Little Creek Rd.  Norfolk, VA 23518) Pittsburgh, PA : a land of powerful rivers, defined by the trident of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio. (4810 McKnight Rd.  Pittsburgh, PA 15237)

: a land of powerful rivers, defined by the trident of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio. (4810 McKnight Rd.  Pittsburgh, PA 15237) Phoenix, AZ : a land of sand and sun, known for its harsh desert climate. (2402 West Thomas Rd.  Phoenix, AZ 85015)

: a land of sand and sun, known for its harsh desert climate. (2402 West Thomas Rd.  Phoenix, AZ 85015) Denver, CO : a land of treacherous mountains divided by fertile river valleys with an abundance of stones. (1480 South Colorado Blvd.  Denver, CO 80222)

: a land of treacherous mountains divided by fertile river valleys with an abundance of stones. (1480 South Colorado Blvd.  Denver, CO 80222) Omaha, NE : a land of fertile farms that provides many of the crops that feed the country. (8429 West Center Rd.  Omaha, NE 68124)

: a land of fertile farms that provides many of the crops that feed the country. (8429 West Center Rd.  Omaha, NE 68124) Atlanta, GA: a land where the crown jewel of the Arbys family, our headquarters, resides. (4415 Roswell Rd.  Atlanta, GA 30342)

Bravo to Arbys. They really do have the meats.

[Food & Wine; Photo Credit: Arbys]
Overwhelmed by generous support LAPEER  It took a couple tries, but Lapeer Community Schools has their School Improvement Bond. Previously defeated by voters during Augusts primary election, the Midterm Election held Tuesday brought...

Road Commission may revisit another ballot proposal in the future MAYFIELD TWP.  Voters said no Tuesday to the countywide 1.85-mill proposal sought by the Lapeer County Road Commission (LCRC) for road and bridge maintenance, but Managing Director John Daly...

Prospective businesses already inquiring about marijuana licenses in Imlay City IMLAY CITY  Voters in Imlay City have opted into a ballot measure allowing the establishment of medical marijuana facilities within city limits. The unofficial tally saw 1,243 votes cast,...

Mayfield Township voters keep annual meeting in place MAYFIELD TWP.  An annual meeting will continue to be held in Mayfield Township following Tuesdays election. A bid to abolish the annual meeting was defeated. There were 2,187 No...
Another enemy of the people has emerged to carp and cavil at the Government's non-racist, common-sense approach to keeping Britain free of asylum-seeking cockroaches. One such from Chad, who somehow managed to get himself tortured in Libya despite the civilising effect of Anglo-American wog-bombing, is being held in detention despite repeated court orders for him to be released. The race-baiting Clegg-pledger at the Ministry for Dawn Raids and Deportations does not dispute that the torture victim is a victim of torture, and does not defend the fact that he remains in detention; she just doesn't care very much. Such is the Government's enthusiasm for compliance with English law that the Clegg-pledging race-baiter refused even to condescend to hire a lawyer who could argue her lack of a case. The high court judge claimed to find it "inconceivable" that a minister of the Crown might have more important things to do than defend the will of the people, even in situations where the tax situation in the Bahamas is not a factor. The cockroach in question has been described as "extremely vulnerable," which doubtless explains the Home Office's sympathetic attitude. Few things are better guaranteed to bring patriotic self-pity to the point of volcanic suppuration than the travails of inferior persons.
US had to put pressure on India for Afghan role: Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley\'s comments came as Donald Trump unveiled his new Afghan strategy.

PTI, Washington :

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said on Tuesday that the Trump administration had to put pressure on India to step up its role in bringing about a political solution to end the prolonged war in Afghanistan.

Her comments came as Trump on Tuesday unveiled his new Afghan strategy retracting from his initial instinct to pull out from Afghanistan. Instead, the US president said, the American troops will "fight to win" the 16-year-long conflict.

In a prime-time address, Trump called out Pakistan for providing safe havens to terrorists but also said that India was making "billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan..."

"We've got to put the pressure on India that they have to be part of the political solution," Nikki Haley told CNN.

The Indian-origin US ambassador to the UN said that Trump was taking a regional approach to end the Afghan conflict. "This is not just about Afghanistan. This is about the region, and so that means that we've got to put the pressure on Pakistan," she said, adding that Pakistan can no longer harbour safe havens for terrorists.

"We need to continue to let Iran know that all of this terrorism and their sponsorship of it is not something we're going to put up with. And we need the international community to step up and say, look, if we're going to do this, we're doing it together. It's not the US alone," Nikki Haley said.

She said America's enemies were no longer going to know "what the timeline is".

"What our enemies are going to know is, we're not putting up with the terrorism anymore and we're going to do whatever it takes," she told the network.

Senator Ben Cardin, a ranking member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, supported Trump's Afghan policy.

"I think the president, is calling on regional cooperation. That is the right thing. We need to have Pakistan as a more cooperative partner in dealing with Afghanistan. India could be an important partner in dealing with this," he told on MSNBC News.

"What I find difficult to follow is what he's doing on the military side. It looks like he is dealing another surge with additional troops being put into Afghanistan," he said.

Ben Cardin said the US needed a diplomatic surge.


Big Ben falls silent

BBC Online :

Britain's Big Ben clock tower has sounded its iconic chime for the last time in four years as the 158-year-old structure undergoes maintenance.

The London landmark, which sits on the northern end of Britain's Houses of Parliament in the heart of the UK capital, is one of the most recognisable symbols of the country and news that its bell would not sound for years elicited a wide variety of responses - some more melancholy than others.

Thousands gathered near Westminster Palace at midday local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday to watch as the tower's bells rang out for one last time - even though it will still sound to mark events such as Christmas Day and Remembrance Day.

Reports that a group of members of parliament would be gathering to pay respects at the site with "bowed heads" prompted mockery online and criticism of what some consider an atmosphere of jingoism in the UK since the vote to leave the European Union last year. The opposition Labour MP Stephen Pound was reported to have told the Press Association news agency that a group of his colleagues would be observing the vigil.

When asked if he was joking, Pound said he was not, adding "we'll be stood down there with heads bowed but hope in our hearts".


US defence chief in Turkey for talks on Syria, Kurds

When US Defence Secretary James Mattis met Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani, he told him the US opposed plans to hold an independence referendum next month.

AFP, Ankara :

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis arrived in Ankara on Wednesday for talks with Turkish leaders expected to focus on Washington's arming of a Syrian Kurdish militia, which Turkey views as a terror group, in the fight against Islamic State.

Mattis flew in for the one-day visit after stopping in Iraq to review progress in the campaign against IS militants, where he urged coalition partners to prevent other political issues from disrupting the growing momentum against the jihadists.

In Ankara, he will hold talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli.

Turkey, an important NATO ally of the United States and part of the coalition against IS, is incensed that Washington has been arming the Kurdish Peoples' Protection Units (YPG) militias in the assault on the jihadists' stronghold Raqa, in northern Syria.

Turkey regards the YPG as the Syrian affiliate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In May, the Pentagon said it had begun transferring small arms and vehicles to the YPG to support their role as part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-Syrian Arab alliance fighting IS.

The weapons include AK-47s and small-calibre machine guns.

The SDF is currently leading the assault on Raqa, with artillery and air support from US-led coalition forces.

US officials on Tuesday said the grinding fight was the "priority" in the counter-IS campaign since the fall of Mosul last month, the jihadists' Iraqi hub.

The Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq-which is also playing a key role in the fight against IS-is planning its own independence referendum in September.

Mattis met Tuesday with Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani in Erbil to express US opposition to the referendum.

On the same day, Erdogan vowed Turkey would thwart any attempt by the YPG and its political wing the Democratic Union Party (PYD) to carve out a Kurdish state in northern Syria.

"We do not and will never allow a so-called state to be established by the PYD, YPG in northern Syria," Erdogan said.

The US is also concerned about warming ties between Iran and Turkey. Iranian armed forces chief General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri visited Turkey last week.

Erdogan on Monday said a joint operation with Iran against Kurdish militants which "pose a threat," including the PKK, is "always on the agenda." Iran's Revolutionary Guards, however, denied the claim.
Winners of wall magazine competition awarded

Campus Report :

Agami Education Foundation (AEF), a sister organization of Agami Inc., USA, organized an Award Giving ceremony for its first ever wall magazine competition participated by different AEF supported schools across the country on Saturday. The event was held at Daffodil University Auditorium, Dhanmondi in the city where the guest included teachers, students and representatives from Agami supported schools, AEF executive committee members, volunteers and donors.

The program was inaugurated with the welcome speech of AEF Director of Finance, Tazkera Khanom, followed by a presentation by AEF Executive Director Nafisa Khanam, on the importance of co-curricular activities and its benefits in the psychomotor and intellectual development of the students. She also highlighted the AEF opportunities to promote education for under underprivileged children and narrate the background, judgement process and other related procedures behind the successful completion of the entire contest.

After that, an open discussion held where guests have participated very spontaneously. Among others, Dilruba Chowdury, Vice-president of Agami Inc. USA, and Dr Zeba Islam Seraj, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Dhaka and Adviser at AEF spoke about the event and the importance of co-curricular activities.

A total of 80 students from 11 Agami supported schools participated in the competition, which was arranged to encourage students to join co-curricular activities more and for their potential development. The theme of the contest was "Pohela Baishakh 1424". 32 of the students received the awards in different groups. Alok Shishu Shikhkhyaloy of Dhaka placed first respectively in group 'A' and 'B' where Mashila Secondary School of Jessore and Music for Development - Shurer Dhara of Dhaka have jointly secured first position in group 'C'. besides, special prizes have been given to four schools. The wall magazine contest was initiated to create excellence amongst its students in not only their academics but also in their quality development in co-curricular activities. Finally the prize giving ceremony took place where award and certificated were handed over to all the winners.

The program was wrapped up with the concluding speech of Nafisa Khanam, Executive Director of AEF.
Bangladesh Mahila Awami League organised a condolence meeting marking the 13th death anniversary of former president of the organisation Ivy Rahman at Jatitya Press Club yesterday.
Counterfeit currency gangs at work

DETECTIVES in separate drives in the capital arrested seven members of two fake currency-making gangs that were trying to circulate fake notes ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. They were arrested from Mohammadpur and Farmgate on Monday with around 38 lakh Indian fake currency and Tk 11.50 lakh local notes, said Abdul Baten, joint commissioner of detective branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, at a press briefing at DMP media centre on Tuesday as per reports of a local daily.

The law enforcers also seized five laptops, a laminating machine, security thread, paper and other equipment and ingredients used for printing counterfeit notes. The forgers become active ahead of Eid every year as a lot of money changes hands during the period for shopping. The DB official, however, said people can check their money by fake note detecting devices to be available in the city cattle markets and major shopping malls.

Obtaining security materials used in counterfeit money seems very easy. The counterfeit syndicates in Bangladesh are bringing the special paper from Pakistan and the security threads from India, according to law enforcement. Once the materials are in hand, they take expert support from several former bank officials and with their expertise, the printing of fake bills becomes very smooth.

The notes are produced using sophisticated machines, making the detection almost impossible for a layperson during the mad rush of Eid. One group prepares and supplies the special paper while another group prints the counterfeit notes. A third group circulates them, according to DB investigators who quizzed the criminals. The production cost of fake notes worth Tk 1 lakh ranges between Tk 3,000 and Tk 4,000 while they sold the same amount at Tk 10,000 to Tk 12,000.

Criminals will take every opportunity to make money at any time. But the business of counterfeiting has been going on for so long that it should not be too difficult for the police to figure out who the actual culprits are. Finding and stopping the supply of special paper is one way to stop such counterfeiters. Mass campaigns to enable people to easily find out how notes are fake can be another.

But there are other ways -- a machine which can easily distinguish between fake and new notes and can be used easily is needed. It should not be too difficult for Bangladesh Bank to make a note which can be checked easily to figure out its authencity. The US dollar, for example, is made from paper which is not commercially available. A dollar bill can be simply felt to distinguish its authencity. It is printed using techniques that regular offset printing and digital printing (the most popular tools for common counterfeiters) cannot replicate.

In recent times police intelligence has found that besides Pakistanis, some international criminals, especially from Africa, the Philippines and Thailand are also providing technical support to counterfeiters to manufacture fake notes in Bangladesh. So the laws must also be strengthened to ensure that counterfeiting becomes non bailable and carries a strong civil and criminal penalty. Otherwise such gangs will have a field day ahead of Eid.
Verdict on sensational 7-murder case has established justice

THE abduction and murder of seven individuals, including the Narayanganj City Corporation panel mayor and a senior lawyer of the District Judge's Court in April 2014 caught worldwide attention when investigation revealed the outrageous involvement of some members of elite law enforcement agency, RAB. In the verdict, first delivered in mid January this year , a former Awami League leader, three former RAB officers including a sacked commanding officer of RAB-11 and 22 more others were sentenced to death in this sensational murder case.

However, surrounding this sensational murder case 28 out of the 35 criminals had appealed to the HC while 7 remain absconding as yet. The HC, the day before yesterday upheld the death penalty of 15, including three ex-RAB officials and expelled Awami League leader Nur Hossain, for their proven involvement in the killings and abduction of seven Narayanganj men in 2014.

The court, however, commuted the capital punishment of 11 others to life imprisonment. Additionally, it fined them Tk 20,000 each, in default of which they have to spend two more years in prison. Coupled with the family members of the dead; we too, call for quick implementation of the revised verdict delivered the day before yesterday. Perhaps the most shocking revelation in the case was the involvement of 25 members of the elite force RAB including its three sacked officers who had dreadfully turned from protectors to predators. There is much to learn for our law enforcement agencies from this astounding case.

Most of the family members of those killed had expressed satisfaction over the judgment long ago when the verdict was first delivered, but it is expected that the revised verdict should now be quickly implemented since all legal procedures including final appealing of the criminals to the HC and their review is no longer pending. Lastly, we expect the judgement to remain as a model case to serve as a deterrent against the recurrence of such heinous crimes in future.

Lastly, there is an oft-repeated saying: 'Crime never pays'. Rather, crime costs and it costs heavily if human lives are involved. This has been amply reflected in the historic revised verdict on the Narayanganj seven-murder case.
Saudi-led air strikes hit Yemen hotel killing 60 people

The roof of the two-storey hotel in the Arhab area collapsed following the Saudi-led air strike in Yemen.

Independent :

Saudi-led coalition air strikes near the Yemeni capital of Sanaa have killed an estimated 60 people and injured 13 after hitting a hotel, officials in the country have said.

Dozens of Shia Houthi rebels as well as civilians were among the dead, officials told the AP on Wednesday on condition of anonymity. Eyewitnesses, including a medic, said the two-storey

hotel in Arhab, 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Sanaa, had been completely destroyed in the attack, leaving two bodies hanging from the upper floor. Many were still being retrieved from the rubble.

A second strike hit a checkpoint controlled by Houthis a few kilometres away, and several more had been conducted overnight, a local medic told Reuters.

It was not immediately clear why the Saudi-led jets had targeted the hotel. A representative for the Saudi-led coalition did ont respond to immediate requests for comment.

Saudi Arabia and its regional partners have used Iran's influence over Yemen's Houthi rebels to justify an extensive bombing campaign since March 2015.

The air strikes, carried out at the request of the exiled internationally recognised Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, have been repeatedly criticised for causing unnecessary loss of civilian life. The bombing of a funeral gathering mistaken for a military target killed 140 people in October last year. A report authored by several international aid agencies released last week said Yemen suffered more air strikes in the first half of this year than in the whole of 2016, increasing the number of civilian deaths and forcing more people to flee their homes. Western governments have also faced criticism for their role in the war: arms sold to Saudi Arabia are destined for use in the Yemeni war, rights groups say. Yemen's conflict has left around 70 per cent of the 27-million strong population now reliant on some form of humanitarian aid. A total of 14.5 million people don't have regular access to clean water, 7.3 million live on the brink of famine and more than 500,000 people have been infected by the worst cholera outbreak in modern history.

Saudi blockades on Yemen's ports and airspace have been blamed for creating the humanitarian crisis and adding to the misery by holding up desperately needed food, medicine and other supplies from entering the country. Air strikes have also been known to hit hospitals and other vital civilian infrastructure.




Traffic chaos, tailback on highway

Thousands of passengers stranded on Dhaka-Ctg highway: Huge gridlock feared ahead of Eid: Mishaps and delay in toll collection blamed

A 35-km long tailback was created on Dhaka Chittagong Highway as two road accidents took place in Munshiganj area, causing immense sufferings to the thousands of commuters on Wednesday.

Staff Reporter :

A serious traffic gridlock was created on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway since Tuesday midnight to Wednesday night when a goods-laden truck went out of order at Ashadhia in Sonargaon area of Narayanganj district.

Besides, a head on collision between two passengers' buses at Meghna-Gomoti Bridge intensified the traffic chaos on the highway.

Apart from these, gridlock also developed on the highway due to delays in toll collections on the Kanchpur Bridge and Meghna-Gomoti Bridge, police officials and drivers of the vehicles told journalists on Wednesday.

Following the incidents, a tailback was created along a 35-kilometre stretch from Signboard area of Sonargaon upazila to Daudkandi bridge of Comilla, causing immense suffering to the passengers.

Although the goods-laden trucks and the two passengers' busses were removed from the highways, the situation did not improve till filing of this report on Wednesday night.

All vehicles travelling from Dhaka to Chittagong and its 10 districts have to cross two major bridges on the way - Kanchpur Bridge and Meghna Bridge - and the highway police

fear that these bridges with lingering issues will cause snarl-up in those areas during the ensuing Eid holidays.

An official of the highway police said thousands of passengers got stranded in the gridlock since Tuesday night to Wednesday night.

The Dhaka-Chittagong highway was found choked up with vehicles on Tuesday night and the intolerable suffering reached the peak throughout of the day on Wednesday.

Mohammad Abul Huq, a truck driver, accused the officials and employees of toll plaza of such chaotic situation.

"Besides, forced delays in toll collection, the officials and employees of the toll plaza also forced all vehicles to stop without any reason. As a result, the traffic collapsed on the highway. We know nothing when we will reach our destination," he said.

According to the Roads and Highways Department data, on average around 13,500 Chittagong-bound vehicles cross these two bridges every day.

But the number will surely go up when the Eid hiolidays begin with thousands leaving for their homes in towns and villages to spend the holidays.

When contacted Kachpur Highway Police Officer in-Charge Mohammad Toyebur Rahman said these two bridges will be their 'main challenge' in maintaining a smooth flow of traffic on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway during the Eid.

"But we feel a sense of hopelessness when a loaded heavy vehicle breaks down or accident takes place on the highway. Our wreckers can only pull 20 tonnes. But many vehicles carrying 40-50 tonnes use this bridge.

He said delays in toll collection are happening right now, and if that continues when the rush of vehicles increases ahead of Eid, long tailbacks will be a sure thing.

Regarding the delays in toll collection, the officials of toll plaza said they have six booths in the toll plaza. According to them, these booths can collect tolls from at least 40 vehicles in one minute.

Ideally, according to them, it takes only 10 seconds to collect toll from a vehicle.

But the highway police and drivers said covered vans, trailers and private cars were seen taking much more time to pay the toll.

As the Eid day is coming closer, the traffic load has increased manifolds. The gridlock at Daudkandi part of the highway has almost become unmanageable, according to police and drivers.


Stop rampant load shedding in villages

Sagar Biswas :

A parliamentary standing committee on Wednesday expressed severe discontent for frequent load-shedding at village-level despite enough power generation. It is not only causing immense sufferings to the people but also tarnishing the image of the government, the committee observed.

To overcome the crisis, the parliamentary watchdog has asked the authorities concerned to upgrade the power distribution system by setting up enough sub-stations, installing supply lines and repair the old machineries.

The above recommendations came at the 33th meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Government Assurances held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban which was presided over by committee's chairman Keramat Ali MP.

"We've got a lot of complaints that the rural areas do not get electricity most of the day. Whereas the authorities have given household connections there. We think this situation is tarnishing the image of the government. So, we've urged the authorities to take immediate step in this regard," Keramat Ali said.

Around half the country is experiencing acute power shortages, despite the Power Division's reassurance that there would be no load-shedding of electricity. The situation is especially worse in rural areas, from east to west and north to south, where load-shedding lasts for six hours every day on an average.

Committee members Md Shahiduzzaman Sarkar MP, AKM Shahjahan Kamal MP, Md Abdul Mazid Khan MP and Mir Mostaque Ahmed, among others, attended the meeting. Besides, Secretary to the Power Division and other senior officials of ministry concerned and parliament secretariat were present.

The meeting discussed the "assurances" of providing adequate electricity to every household given by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and State Minister Nasrul Hamid on behalf of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources in the ninth parliament sessions and in the sessions of the 10th parliament, sources said.

Committee member Mir Mostaque Ahmed said, "We've been suffering from acute power crisis where frequent load-shedding is a common scenario in Satkhira region. The JS body expressed severe discontent over the present situation and asked the authorities concerned to take immediate step."

In the JS body meeting, the Power Division officials informed that West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited through two development projects is now working to install 3822 transformers in Rajbari and its adjacent areas. Of them, 395 transformers have already been installed.

In line with the government's policy to give house-to house electric connection; about 1crore 95 lakh consumers have been brought under electricity network, the meeting was also informed.

"The rural areas are suffering from severe crisis. The BREB is getting 3,500MW when the demand is for 5,300MW," Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) Chairman Maj Gen Moin Uddin said.

According to power officials, increased demand for power, disruption in supply due to shortage of transmission lines and towers, maintenance work at power plants and gas crisis are the major reasons of load-shedding in the rural areas.

"Increasing demand for new electricity connections, damaged towers due to floods and storms, maintenance work of some power plants and gas crisis are the major reasons behind the load-shedding," a senior official of the Power Division preferring to remain anonymous, said.

Sources said faulty installations of some major transmission lines have been disrupting power transmission from the country's eastern region to the southwestern region. The power supply is also being disrupted in the northern region for the same reasons.

The daily demand for electricity is currently 12,000MW, but the amount of power generated is nearly 8,000MW. But the authorities could supply around 7,500MW to the distribution sub-stations across the country, according to sources.
Accord to stay 3 more years, Alliance to quit

Badrul Ahsan :

Accord, a platform of European brands and buyers, is still adamant to extend its presence in Bangladesh for another three years although the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker's Safety, a consortium of North American brands and buyers, has already expressed its' unwillingness to stay here beyond 2018.

Both the government and garment manufacturers opposed the extension of Accord and termed its decision 'a unilateral one'.

At the end of June this year, European Union fashion brands and retailers and global union federations announced a new deal named Accord 2018, stating that the new Accord would carry on the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh's remediation activities in the RMG sector after May next year when the tenure of the current deal expires.

The new agreement has so far been signed by 25 leading fashion brands including Kmart Australia, Target Australia, Primark, H&M, Inditex (Zara), C&A, Otto, KiK, Aldi South, Aldi North, Lidl, Tchibo and LC Waikiki.

The government also expressed its dissatisfaction over the decision of EU brands for extending Accord for three more years.

Opposing any extension of Accord and Alliance, country's apparel exporters have planned a new initiative comprising the government, BGMEA, ILO, trade unions and global brands to replace buyers' platforms.

However, Alliance and Accord have been working to improve workplace safety situation in Bangladesh's readymade garment sector.

"Alliance country director James F Moriarty has confirmed to the BGMEA that the five-year tenure

of the platform would not be extended," BGMEA vice-president Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu told The New Nation on Wednesday.

He said that BGMEA president Md Siddiqur Rahman received an e-mail from the Alliance on August 16 in which Moriarty said that they were expecting to complete their programme within the tenure.

"We are still in talks with the Accord not to extend their tenure for another 3 years. But they are still firm to extend their tenure. We are still hopeful that they will change their decision," he added.

Following the Rana Plaza collapse in April 2013 that claimed lives of more than 1,100 workers, global unions, non-governmental organisations and EU brands formed the Accord while North American retailers formed the Alliance undertaking a five-year plan which set timeframes and accountability for inspections and training and workers' empowerment programmes.

Accord engineers carried out fire, electrical and structural safety inspections at more than 1,800 factories, identifying 1,18,500 hazards while Alliance inspection teams inspected 759 factories.

79 per cent of workplace dangers that were identified in the Accord's original round of inspections have been remediated so far.

Up to April this year, 73 per cent of all required repairs across active Alliance factories have been completed.

Accord and Alliance have so far cut business relations with 248 RMG factories due to their failure in implementing workplace safety programmes.

Out of the 248 factories, Alliance cut business relations with 159 supplier factories while Accord terminated 89 factories.

As many as 83 Accord-listed factories have so far completed all the remediation work while 144 Alliance-listed factories completed full safety remediation.

Referring to Moriarty's e-mail, the BGMEA vice-president said that the Alliance might continue to work in the country for a short period of time after the end of its' tenure to ensure a smooth transition of its safety responsibilities to a Bangladesh-centred body, but they (Alliance) did not have any plan to stay on beyond 2018.


Trump says he is willing to `close govt` to build Mexico wall

BBC Online :

Donald Trump says he will close down the US government if necessary to build his wall along the Mexico border.

The president told supporters at a "Make America Great Again" rally in Phoenix, Arizona, that the opposition Democrats were being "obstructionist". During the 80-minute speech, he also took aim at the media, blaming them for giving far right groups "a platform".

But he selectively quoted his initial response to violence at a far-right rally that left one woman dead.

He omitted the much-criticised claim that "many sides" had to shoulder the blame for violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. President Trump wants Congress to finance his controversial plan to build a "big, beautiful" wall along the United States' border with Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants.

But Republicans will need the support of Democrats to secure funding for the wall in a government spending bill, which they are unlikely to get.

In his speech, Mr Trump said the Democrats were "putting all of America's safety at risk" by opposing the wall. He said immigration officers who worked in the area said it was "vital" to stem the flow of illegal immigrants.

He said that, if it came to it, he would risk a government shutdown - which is what happens when legislation funding the federal government cannot be passed by Congress and non-essential services stop. This will happen on 1 October if a bill cannot be agreed.

"Now the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me if we have to close down our government, we are building that wall," Mr Trump said, adding that "the American people voted for immigration control".

President Trump attacked the media in the campaign-style speech, saying reporters had misrepresented his "perfect" words in the wake of the violence in Charlottesville, where Heather Heyer was killed after a car ploughed into a crowd of people protesting against far-right demonstrators including neo-Nazis.

He accused "truly dishonest people in the media and the fake media" of "trying to take away our history and heritage" because, he said, they "don't like our country".

He quoted his first public response to the violence on 12 August, which was criticised by both Republicans and Democrats for not explicitly condemning the far-right.

"This is what I said on Saturday: 'We're closely following the terrible events unfolding in Charlottesville, Virginia,' - this is me speaking. 'We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence.' That's me speaking on Saturday, right after the event," he said.

But his full quote was: "We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides." Separately, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has criticised the US for what it said was a "failure at the highest political level" to reject "racist violent events". Referring to Charlottesville, the committee said it was issuing a rare "early warning", which has been used in recent years in countries including Burundi, Iraq, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast.

While Mr Trump's comments were met with cheers inside the conference centre, anti-Trump protesters who had gathered outside the rally clashed with police after the rally had finished. Police used pepper spray after the protesters threw bottles and rocks. Reacting to the speech, the former National Intelligence director James Clapper told CNN that he was questioning Donald Trump's "fitness" for office.
Teacher held for damaging student`s eye sight

Staff Reporter :

The 42-year old school teacher was arrested on charge of poking eye of a student by a roller accidentally in a school recently at Shailkupa Upazila in Jhenaidah district on Wednesday.

Police arrested Murad Hossain, a Senior English Teacher after filing of a case by Shariful Islam, father of victim Mariatuz Foara on Tuesday, said Alamgir Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shailkupa Police Station.

Murad was sent to the local jail as per the court order on Wednesday, the OC said.

Murad confessed to the police that his hands got stained with ink on her roller accidentally, the police official said.

The school authorities have paid the victim Tk one lakh for better treatment, the OC said.

We did not find any prior enmity between them before the incident in interrogating the victim, witnesses and the teacher, he said.

According the case statement, Foara, a student of class VI of Montejar Rahman Mia

Secondary School in Shailkupa, was in her classroom on August 12. She lost her eye sight when a roller struck the eye.

The girl was admitted to the Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital first and then brought to Dhaka as her condition deteriorated. But doctors in Dhaka said that there was no hope, according to Shariful.

He says he wishes to take Foara to India for better treatment but cannot afford it.
Govt position against Supreme Court cannot be helpful

Editorial Desk :

Ruling party leaders demand that Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha (SK Sinha) should resign for the landmark verdict that has scrapped Parliament's power to impeach Supreme Court's judges. In the unanimous judgement some critical observations on the overall state of the nation were made as background leading to changing the Constitution.

Awami League leaders are giving angry public reactions everyday which are openly humiliating to the CJ and also challenging the sanctity of the Supreme Court it deserves as the highest court of justice.

Few days later in the court while discussing the desperate reactions from the government the Chief Justice casually mentioned the example in Pakistan where as a result of a judgement of the Supreme Court the Prime Minister had to resign but no ugly incidents were fomented there by the government.

The Chief Justice came under fresh round of attacks for comparing the situation here with that of Pakistan. The government supporters found another excuse for showing disrespect to the Chief Justice of the country personally. Criticising judgment however unreasonably is accepted as nothing wrong.

To show how much pro-Bangladeshi one is, it is not necessary to hate another country. The Prime Minister said anything can be tolerated but not any comparison with Pakistan.

But Bangabandhu had no difficulty in going to Pakistan to attend the Islamic summit. He even invited Bhutto, the Prime Minster of Pakistan as his guest who was the monster responsible behind the atrocities committed on our people by Pakistan army during the liberation war. Bhutto wanted two Pakistans

and did not care what had to be done to achieve his purpose.

Some are trying to be more patriots than Bangabandhu.

There is another aspect to consider for saving the honour as free Bangladesh. When the government leaders are preparing to file a review petition to the Supreme Court to re-consider the verdict and expunge critical observations then the visits to the Chief Justice by a minister and an important adviser can be suspected as undue political pressure on the judges. It cannot also be good for the democratic image of the government.

The international community does not take attacks on the judiciary as something simple politics.

In a pending matter before the Supreme Court it is most unusual for a minister and an important adviser to the Prime Minister meeting the Chief Justice.

It is not clear what the two senior representatives of the government told the Chief Justice. The government representatives should keep the people informed. Speculations on such a matter may be damaging for the government.

Prime Minister's adviser Gowher Rizvi met Chief Justice on Tuesday following her strong reaction on CJ's reference to the verdict of Pakistan Supreme Court. People don't know what message he conveyed but many believe the CJ is facing embarrassing pressure from the government.

Earlier party general secretary and communication minister Mr Obaidul Qader also met the Chief Justice.

We honestly believe the government is overreacting to the judgement. The position of the Supreme Court is defined by the Constitution and justice system has a strong popular base than the present government. Some fear that the government is too greedy for power otherwise the problem could be decently discussed for a respectable solution. It is the government that wanted to usurp supremacy of the Constitution thereby denying the role of the Supreme Court as protector of the Constitution.
School superintendents from central and Southern Illinois are pushing legislators to reach an agreement on overhauling the state's school funding formula.

Several spoke in Springfield Wednesday, the day they were supposed to hold a Capitol rally.

However, they canceled it when House Speaker Michael Madigan scrapped Wednesday's legislative session citing progress in legislative leaders' negotiations. The leaders are scheduled to meet privately Thursday.

Lawmakers from both parties agree the calculation Illinois uses is unfair. But they disagree over how to fix it. The budget legislators approved last month requires a new formula for schools to get funding this year.

However, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner rejected the one plan majority Democrats approved.

The Senate overrode Rauner's veto. Madigan says if there's no compromise this week, he'll schedule an override vote next week

 Associated Press
ORIENT  The city of Orient and its nearly 350 residents quietly saw a milestone come and go last week  on Aug. 17, the settlement turned 100.

Carolyn Williford has only lived in Orient for about five years  she is originally from Chicago  but sees the event as something worth celebrating. She said for the last year, it has been in discussion by community leaders just how to do that.

They landed on a big public gathering beginning Sept. 1.

For a town without a lot of notable history or a tangible legacy, Williford said she hopes to celebrate what does exist  a strong sense of community. This community-mindedness was on display last year, Williford explained, when the town came out to build a new park.

All the labor was donated. Even E.T. Simmonds came and leveled our ground and helped us out, she said of the park.

Williford was a leading force behind the planning of the new park, which was paid for, in part, with a grant from KaBOOM.org as well as from fundraising efforts and a loan taken out by the city.

One central component of the citys celebration next month is what Williford called a gabfest. She said former and current residents have been invited to come share memories of Orient.

One guest of honor will be 103-year-old Lebera Pyle. Though she now lives in West Frankfort, Pyle said she lived her first 26 years in Orient. In fact, she lived there before the town  founded as a result of the opening of a mine  was even officially incorporated.

They had tents out there when the mine was starting up, Pyle said.

She said her father moved the family there when he got a job at the mine.

I was there four years before it was incorporated, she said.

It was not always the most exciting place to live as a young woman, though. Pyle said she can remember meeting her friends at a tavern in Orient only to make their way to Zeigler, where there was music and dancing  she has fond memories of foxtrotting. Sometimes, the night wouldnt end there, though.

Maybe wed wind up at someones house and they were fishermen and wed have a fish fry in the middle of the night, she remembered.

Pyle said she moved after she got married  her husband worked construction and she said they moved all over the place. As the years have gone on, Pyle said shes lost a lot of friends from Orient.

I dont know hardly anybody in Orient anymore, she said.

However, she said she is told there are a lot of young families in town now, which gives her hope.

And if they live as long as I did, well then theyll celebrate their 100th, she said.

One other thing that gives her hope is that someone, like Williford, has taken the responsibility to start something to help keep Orient alive.

Williford said she chose to live in Orient, adding that it has a lot of character and wonderful people.

I love it just like it is. Its small, its peaceful. Everybody knows everybody, Williford said. She looks forward to seeing the community come together again to celebrate its history but also its future.

Pyle looks forward to it, too. She said despite living in West Frankfort now, she still has a soft spot for Orient.

Its always my home, she said.
Illinois is a great contradiction  one of the largest and most prosperous states in our United States. On the one hand, though, it is a cesspool of government anachronisms and inefficiencies, especially our education system. On the other hand, it was the home of the longest duration of the great eclipse of August 21, 2017  one of the epiphanies of the advancement of science through education.

This is just one of the many things that make our world a better place to live.

Illinois  like all of the states in the United States  has the responsibility for education because our U.S. Constitution by default has proclaimed much sovereignty to the states. Each state in the Union has handled that responsibility differently, resulting in an uneven, unequal education for our nations citizens. Illinois has historically failed to provide support and direction for education, relegating it, instead, to floundering for money, leadership, and overall vision and mission. Currently, we rank among the very lowest of the 50 states in monetary support for education.

Throughout its history, Illinois has failed to fund education adequately. For example, it fails to meet the standard of 50 percent of the cost of educating each student in the state, as demanded by the Illinois Constitution. Instead it has relegated funding to the local school districts and to property taxes available in each of those districts. Many of the districts have high property wealth and a resulting higher amount of tax receipts than other, less affluent districts have.

Moreover, much of the property tax for schools is dependent on passage of referenda that can be passed more easily in some areas than in other ones. To complicate the funding even more, there are tax caps and Tax Increment Finance districts. To add to the many horns of this dilemma, Illinois has more units of local government collecting local taxes than any other state in the U.S. Its a mess.

The entire problem cant easily be solved in one year. There have been many attempts in my professional career, and none of them have been successful. Personally and professionally, I spent three years beginning in 2009 as a member of the charter P-20 Council in Illinois (P-20 is the acronym for a pre-school through the doctoral degree). I and many others worked diligently and long to provide a modern, coordinated system of education for Illinois, but we had no budget, no staff support, and only political leadership. In short, the state had no intention of addressing the inequities and inadequacies of education in Illinois.

The P-20 effort is mandated by law, and it should be revived supported adequately so it can provide this state with a modern, equitable, high quality system of education from pre-school through the doctorate degree.

However, Senate Bill 1 is the first major opportunity in many, many years for Illinois to make a giant step forward in funding its education system more adequately. It is not a perfect piece of legislation, but it is the best effort that has been put forth in many years, and it is desperately needed. Simply stated, it provides more money for our schools, and it also distributes that money more equitably. What a major step forward!

The legislation has passed through the General Assembly, but it has been vetoed by the governor. The Senate has overridden his veto; now the House of Representatives must also override the veto in order for Senate Bill 1 to become law and get our schools open and funded more adequately.

In order for this override to happen, some Republican legislators must vote against the recommendations of the governor and support Senate Bill 1. The governor has some very valid points that he is demanding for reform in Illinois. He is using this vital function of Illinois education as a hostage in his bargaining. I believe the Illinois General Assembly should compromise with the governor and pass Senate Bill 1. If compromise does not happen in a reasonable time, the House of Representatives should override the Governors veto and make Senate Bill 1 the law of the state.

I believe Republicans and Democrats should vote for the people, the students, for education in Illinois. The numerous other issues in Illinois should be handled without holding education and students hostage.

Education has made the world a better place to live today than it has ever been in history. Educators and statesmen have made this happen. Our politicians must step forward and vote for education  our citizens, our students. This is a time to transcend partisan politics and be a statesman/stateswoman. The bleeding must stop.
Elloree Town Council members talked about progress on ongoing projects when they met last week.

Work on the roof of Ellorees old railroad depot is now complete, according to Mayor Stan Bush.

Its got that old look and its guaranteed for 50 years, Bush said. So, I dont think well have to worry about it.

Progress on town hall is not proceeding nearly as quickly, however.

Workers have nearly completed the buildings new bathroom, which was required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. But Elloree officials continue to wait for qualified bids on repairing the portions of the building damaged in this years floods.

Council members also talked about damage that occurred when vandals struck the fountain at Joe Miller Park in early August. The perpetrators cracked a stone slab and broke several metal components.

Council members discussed installing surveillance cameras in the area and asked residents to remain on the lookout for suspicious activity near the park.

Thats becoming a problem, Bush said. Well find a solution, though.

In other town business, Cole Dantzler gave the monthly report for the water system. The department had 65 work orders in July and billed 645 water customers.

Water loss totaled 16 percent for the month.

The water and wastewater facilities remained in compliance with Department of Health and Environmental Control requirements for the month.

Council members also took time to welcome Earl Kinley Jr. as the newest member of the Elloree Police Department.

Im glad to be back, said Kinley, who is returning to the town where he grew up. I look forward to working here and plan on doing a good job. Thank you all so much.

Residents reminded council members that Trash 2 Treasures will take place again on Saturday, Sept. 9 in the Elloree Historic District along Cleveland Street.

The event starts at 8 a.m. and will feature special sales, street vendors and food. Numerous yard sales will also take place elsewhere in the town that day.

Council members also talked about supporting former police chief Preston Avingers fundraising effort on behalf of the Semper Fi Foundation. Avinger is hiking the Appalachian Trail to raise money for the foundation, which provides support to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Elloree Town Council will hold its next regular meeting at 5:50 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11.
The Orangeburg Chapter of the NAACP held a Unity Prayer Vigil at Trinity United Methodist Church on Sunday evening in response to the events in Charlottesville, Virginia.

We come today to say now is the time for all Americans to say enough is enough, Chapter President Barbara Johnson-Williams said.

Williams said the presidents response to the racially motivated hate groups only increases divisions in the country.

The appalling events in Charlottesville, Virginia reaffirms the need to take back our democracy, she said. The presence of those hate groups serves only to empower and embolden the forces that aim to divide us.

We deserve leaders that possess an integrity to guide us toward unity, Williams added.

Several community leaders and officials attended the vigil, including Sen. John Matthews, D-Bowman; Rep. Jerry Govan, D-Orangeburg; City Councilwoman L. Zimmerman Keitt and District 5 board trustee Julius Page.

The theme for the vigil was Prayer, Faith and Work Equal Change.

Williams said the community needs to come together against the rhetoric that helps fuel division.

We will and must stand strong, and walk arm in arm with our brothers and sisters, to speak out with one unified voice and use our talents, our time, as well as our resources to assist, she said. The NAACP will continue to be steadfast and immoveable in the fight against discrimination, prejudice and hatred.

The vigil opened with the singing of Lift Every Voice and Sing, followed by a scripture reading from the Rev. J.P. Sibley of New City Fellowship Church.

After singing America the Beautiful, the group had an opportunity for anyone to give prayers for several areas.

These included prayers for leadership (local, state and national), love, community peace, healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, world peace, churches/pastors, unity and faith.

The Rev. Gary Robinson of The Vine Community Church prayed for a change in perspective.

Speak to the hearts of our leadership to let them know that winning doesnt mean vanquishing some enemy, Robinson said. It means winning the hearts and minds of your fellow man.

Govan prayed for courage and clarity so that our eyes might see, our ears might hear (and) that we can see beyond ourselves.

The Rev. Mack McClam of Trinity United Methodist Church said the country could be heading toward dangerous territory.

What will happen if we continue to play, in my mind, war games and flex our military muscles? McClam asked. What will happen if Korea engages the United States?

He said the community should turn to prayer as it can be powerful.

I encourage everybody: lets pray, McClam said. Anything we have to do now to help bring our country together, we ought to pray first.

The group then formed a circle inside the church, with participants holding each others hands.

McClam continued praying for guidance and healing.

The group then collectively sang We Shall Overcome before ending the vigil.
The total solar eclipse lived up to its billing.

Mother Nature cooperated and viewing the phenomenon was not obscured in The T&D Region. Venues were packed with people, many of whom came from long distances to the Orangeburg area for what for some will be a once-in-a-lifetime event.

T&D reporters on Monday talked with many people, from places as far away as Bulgaria, Ireland, England, Argentina, Germany, Canada and Jamaica. From the United States, people came here from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ohio, Florida and Georgia.

The visitors were impressed.

 My legs were shaking, said Alfonso Castro of Miami. I couldnt believe it.

 It was pretty magical, said Nicole Edge of Savannah, Georgia.

 The moment when it got dark and everybody started cheering, that was really cool, said Randa Mauldin of New Jersey.

 I was laughing and crying at the same time, said Brenda Beverly of Mobile, Alabama. I was speechless. I dont have words to describe it.

 It was spectacular, said Tom Hughes of New Hampshire. Feels like once in a lifetime.

 "It's not often you can see this twice," said Ivelina Brode of Varna, Bulgaria, noting she'd experienced a total solar eclipse in Bulgaria about 16 years ago.

 It felt like nighttime, said Doris Milligan of Valdosta, Georgia. We could hear the frogs.

 "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to come here to see the full eclipse. We would have seen like 80 percent from where we live, so a full eclipse would have been much cooler to see," said Rachel Stadtler of Deland, Florida.

For others, the experience had a broader purpose. At the South Carolina State University stadium event, Miles McKay said, "An eclipse is very magnificent. When I saw one in Indonesia, from that day, I thought that was one of the best things that I've ever seen. So I'm back here wanting to get hopefully some more data, learn some more about the sun as well as see the eclipse. That's why we put so much time and effort into this."

McKay, a 2016 S.C. State graduate, now works as a research and instrumentation analyst at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.

For The T&D Region as host, it is always good to hear assessments such as from the Milligan family of Valdosta. They were happy with the kindness of the Orangeburg community. Weve been very impressed with the hospitality.

Still, many of the visitors will be one-timers here.

Dan and Anne Staub of Philadelphia added perspective. They came to Orangeburg Monday from a hotel in North Charleston, thinking they could get a better view.

"It's exciting. We've never been here and probably won't be here again, but we're happy to be here now, Anne said.

For the future, the next total solar eclipse visible in the United States will happen on April 8, 2024. It will move across North America from Mexico to Canada but not directly across the Carolinas. Not until 2045 will a total eclipse go coast-to-coast in the United States, from northern California to central Florida.

Until then, seeing the daylight turn to darkness at 2:43 p.m. Monday is reason enough to reflect on the comment of another Orangeburg visitor, Joia Hughes of New Jersey: I hope the sun never shuts its lights off on us.
A project to build the first Iranian university in Iraq named Al-Mustafa Al-Amin was launched at a ceremony in Kadhemein on Monday, a report said.



The university will house five faculties, including experimental sciences, humanities and Islamic sciences, Abdollah Hassani, head of universitys board of trustees and vice chancellor for administrative and financial affairs, was quoted as saying in the Irna report.



Faculties of literature, jurisprudence and law will be set up in the first stage of the project, he said.



Hassani further noted the university will be constructed over an area of 22,500 sq m and it is expected to host 3,000 students initially.



Meanwhile, Irans Cultural Office in Iraq was quoted as saying that the two neighbouring states have so far signed more than 50 scientific and academic memoranda of understanding and over 3,000 Iraqi students are studying in Iranian universities.
Makkah Govenor Prince Khaled Al Faisal has signed a contract for the project that aims to give a facelift to the entrance to Jeddah city from the new King Abdul Aziz Airport.



This project will enhance the appearance of the intersection of Al Nuzha Road with Madinah Road with a park, which the prince named as The Smiles of Jeddah Park. Work will be completed within 12 months, said an Arab News report.



During the signing ceremony, which took place in the governorate headquarters in Jeddah, Prince Khaled said The Smiles of Jeddah Park will be a wonderful welcome from Jeddah to its visitors.



The project covers an area of 600,000 sq m and will include building of five pillars representing the pillars of Islam; two large structures which highlight the word Jeddah, both in English and Arabic; planting of 75 palm trees; and covering over 176,000 sq m with natural and artificial grass supplied with a modern irrigation network.
Work on the project to modernise King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh will start soon after this Haj season, a senior official of Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has said.



The new project will provide a facelift of KKIA with its four terminals having new architectural designs, Mohammed Al-Shatwi, vice president of GACA for financial affairs, was quoted as saying in a Saudi Gazette report.



A modern terminal at the airport for domestic flights is already completed, he said. The Riyadh airport handled 22.5 million passengers in 2016, up 0.9 per cent year-on-year.



Al Shatwi said the new state-of-the-art King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah will be launched by the second half of 2018. Singapore's Changi Airport Group has been awarded the contract to manage the airport for 20 years, he added.



Saudi Arabia's airport privatisation programme will cover all airports in the kingdom and they would be converted into companies to improve services, he said in the report.



The proposed airport companies will be fully owned by Saudi Civil Aviation Holding, which will be in charge of airport operations. The holding company will be fully owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).



Al Shatwi said the privatisation would contribute to expansion of airports without government spending and increase job opportunities for Saudis.



Earlier, Abdul Hakeem Al Tamimi, president of GACA, said the main objective of the privatisation move is to improve services being rendered to passengers and make targeted sectors profitable.



He said the King Abdulaziz Airport project in Jeddah is a top priority for the kingdom.


The UAE-based NMC Health, a leading integrated private healthcare network operator in the GCC region, has reported a revenue increase of 34 per cent to $775.2 million the first half of 2017, compared to H1, 2016 ($ 578.3 million).



EBITDA reached $170.7 million (+47.3 per cent year-on-year), resulting in a group EBITDA margin of 22 per cent.



Healthcare business verticals contributed 86.9 per cent of group EBITDA in the period, up from 84.7 per cent in H1, 2016.



Adjusted Net profits attributable to shareholders increased to $105.7 million (+56 per cent YoY).



Basic earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $0.429 (H1, 2016: $0.336), diluted EPS was $0.426 (H1, 2016: $0. 334) and adjusted EPS $0.514 (H1, 2016: $0.363).



Business review

NMC Health produced strong performance in H1, 2017 with good progress seen across all parts of the group. Its newly opened facilities continue to ramp-up well and the groups acquired businesses are benefitting from both improved performance and the commencement of planned integration projects, the company said.



Our long-term growth strategy, predicated on capacity and then capability focussed growth, continues to accelerate our expansion into more complex medical, and thus higher value added, specialty healthcare segments. The subsequent establishment of new strategic multi-brand verticals is enabling us to unlock synergies within the enlarged group, delivering significantly improved growth for the Group despite the continuing more moderate macro environment in our primary market of the UAE, it said.



Over the past 12 months, NMC has focussed on continuing its strategic growth through geographic diversification, organic expansion and the commencement of projects to both release synergies from acquisitions as well as create revenue enhancements from operating initiatives between our various Group businesses, it added.



The Groups initial move into new geographies in the GCC is proceeding well with good performance experienced in its new assets in both Oman and Saudi Arabia, both of which are trading in line with management expectations.



During H1, 2017, total patient visits to group assets were 2.88 million, an increase of 36.2 per cent YoY. Revenue per patient in multi-specialty increased by 15.3 per cent to reach $134.4 and overall revenue per patient increased 8.2 per cent YoY to $183.5. This growth resulted from continuing focus on higher value procedures and specialties, increasing volumes and contribution in NMC Royal Hospital as well as good revenue per patient contributions from our newly acquired facilities, the company said.



The companys contract to manage the Sheikh Khalifa General Hospital in Umm al Quwain was extended for a further five-year term, during the period. Additionally, it has signed a number of new contracts and the group will now be managing multiple private and public sector healthcare facilities across varied geographies, it added.



Our Distribution division has continued its good growth trend of recent years with revenue growth of 14.7 per cent YoY, driven principally through the acquisition of new brands and products across its portfolio during the period.



Healthcare division

Total revenues across the companys four Healthcare business verticals reached $561.1m (up by $171.3m or 43.9 per cent YoY). Revenue growth was achieved across the groups assets with good performance delivered within the acquired assets, strong ramp up of its newly opened facilities as well as continued revenue growth across our three more mature specialty Hospitals.



Management structure update

Following the decision by Dr B R Shetty to step down from the position of CEO and executive vice chairman with the group in March 2017, and the board changes announced by the company in June 2017, the company has updated management structure for the group.



Dr Shetty took up the role of joint non-executive chairman in March 2017 and continues in this role. Khalifa Bin Butti re-joined the board in June 2017 as executive vice-chairman, and alongside his role as a director of the company, has a particular focus in assisting the board and management through his significant strategic connections and partnerships in the Middle East.



In addition to the above board changes, the revised management structure for the group reporting to Prasanth Manghat, CEO, is as follows:

* Chief Financial Officer: Prashanth Shenoy is promoted to the position of CFO with effect from September 1, 2017. Prashanth joined the Group in 2016 and has been deputy CFO and an integral member of the groups M&A and projects team. Suresh Krishnamoorthy is stepping down from his position as CFO for personal reasons and will be taking sabbatical leave from the group. When he returns following this period of leave, he will take up a new group role focussing on strategic financial initiatives.

* Chief Investment Officer: Hani Buttikhi was appointed an executive director of the company in the role of chief investment officer. In addition to assisting the CEO in relation to group strategy, Buttikhi takes responsibility for the M&A, corporate development and investor relations functions.

* Chief Operations Officer, Healthcare: Michael Davis is COO, Healthcare with responsibility for all healthcare operations of the group.

Prasanth Manghat, CEO, commented: H1, 2017 has seen strong performance from our acquired businesses, newly opened facilities as well as continuing growth in our more mature facilities. Our acquisitions in Sharjah are performing well and we are very pleased with initial performance from our new Saudi Arabian and Oman operations, as we start to diversify operations from our primary UAE market into the GCC and beyond. TradeArabia News Service


For the second year in a row, Cleveland Clinic is ranked the No. 2 hospital in the United States by US News & World Report, retaining its position as the No. 1 hospital for cardiology and heart surgery for the 23rd successive year.



I am incredibly proud of this organization and everyone who works here, said Toby Cosgrove, MD, Cleveland Clinic president and CEO. These rankings are a reflection of our caregivers unwavering commitment to providing the very best care to the patients we are privileged to serve.



Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2015, is a unique and unparalleled extension of US-based Cleveland Clinics model of care, designed to address a range of complex and critical care requirements in support of the regions specific healthcare needs. The hospital provides patients direct access to the worlds best healthcare providers with more than 30 medical and surgical specialties represented through 13 institutes.



Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabis Heart and Vascular Institute was the first in the Middle East to introduce transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as an alternative to traditional open-heart valve replacement surgery .It offers a wide spectrum of services, from diagnostic to cutting-edge treatments, such as hybrid coronary revascularization, and minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery.



Tomislav Mihaljevic, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi CEO, said: We are proud to play a significant role in the expanding international story of Cleveland Clinic. Every day, our dedicated physicians and nurses deliver Cleveland Clinics commitment to excellence in complex and critical heart care to the people of the Middle East.



In compiling its rankings, US News studied objective data, such as risk-adjusted survival, readmission rates, volume, patient experience, patient safety, quality of nursing care and other care-related indicators. According to US News, these rankings recognize hospitals that excel in treating patients who need an especially high level of care.  TradeArabia News Service
Germany-based Hensoldt said that its Spexer 2000 3D radar proved its excellent detection capabilities, in particular against asymmetric threats, on the occasion of two customer demonstrations under real operational conditions.



Thomas Muller, CEO, Hensoldt, said: Powerful sensors are essential for protection against asymmetric attacks.



Our Spexer 2000 3D provided proof of its capabilities at a demonstrator level in a direct comparison with radar systems of all sizes, he said.



During the first demonstration at Putlos military training ground near Fehmarn, the radar, as a mobile platform on board the US destroyer USS James E Williams, detected live fire in the form of very low flying Milan anti-tank missiles launched from the mainland.



And whats more, it achieved this in record time and with the greatest precision. Thanks to the early confirmation of the direction, velocity and type of threat while the missiles were still over the mainland, and not when they were already over the sea, the ship would have had advance warning of ten seconds in a real emergency situation, which in such cases of threat would have been regarded as nothing less than comfortable.



The second demonstration took place at a different training ground and involved a wider circle of customers. The task was to detect UAVs of different sizes and flying at different speeds at distances between 100 m and 5 km.



Moreover, a space with an azimuth angle of +/-60 and an elevation angle of more than 10 was to be covered. The same demonstration equipment also passed this test with distinction.



Spexer 2000 is optimised for ground surveillance missions. With its high Doppler and velocity resolution as well as its strong clutter suppression, it is able to reliably detect, track and classify very small and slowly moving objects such as pedestrians, but also extremely fast objects such as guided missiles.



This means that the system is perfectly suited for early warning of asymmetric attacks. Thanks to the beam control in elevation, the 3D-radar is capable of performing the tasks required for monitoring asymmetric threats flexibly and reliably while in motion (ship, vehicle) or on the ground, thus significantly improving the protection of the troops deployed.



When it comes to protecting field camps or ships in coastal waters, sensor performance needs to be particularly efficient at close range and with regards to suppression of disruptive background echoes  the so-called clutter.



However, these capabilities are not often provided in the necessary quality by existing military systems, such as large naval radar systems, as they are usually optimised for other parameters, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
UAE telecom provider du recently welcomed two Saudi Zain Telecom employees to its offices in Dubai as part of the Exchange Experience Program between the two telecom providers announced last November.



In line with the programme, Ibraheem Gharwi, training & quality assurance manager and Yazeed Alsalmi, VVIP Contact Centre Manager at Zain had a unique opportunity to experience du best practices and indulge in knowledge sharing sessions with du employees, in addition to the field visits to du Call centers in Fujairah and retail shops.



As we move towards achieving Vision 2021 goals of building a competitive economy driven by knowledgeable and Innovative Emiratis, cooperation amongst various industry partners becomes an imperative for achieving excellence and ensuring that we deliver best practices and add value to our customers, said Ibrahim Nassir, chief human capital and administration officer at du.



Last year two of our colleagues from du travelled to Saudi Zain Telecom, they were given the opportunity to further enhance their skills, as well as the communication and interaction between our two companies. Today, we hope to offer Saudi Zain Telecom a similar experience; while simultaneously enhancing both companies creativity and innovation throughout our operations to achieve excellence and success."



Sultan Al-Shahrani, chief human resources and communication officer at Zain Saudi Arabia said: "This agreement enables us to further support Saudi Vision 2030 by investing in the knowledge economy through experience sharing and exchange with du. We look forward to seeing the benefits that would be achieved, to ensure the development, improvement and exchange of experiences and knowledge acquisitions, which will enhance the efficiency of employees in both companies, and thus will enhance the quality and efficiency of work in the telecom sector in general.



This is the second exchange experience that has occurred since the Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties was signed in Q3, 2016. The aim of the program is to share the best practices and operational plans during the agreed period, in addition to coming up with practical recommendations to improve both telecom operators business practices.  TradeArabia News Service
The Dubai Municipality hosted a construction industry-wide awareness campaign to introduce the objectives, criteria and participation requirements of the 2nd cycle of the Taqdeer Award, a government initiative.



Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, deputy director general of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)-Dubai and Chairman of Taqdeer Award, praised the efforts being made by the awards Strategic Partners, including the Ministry of Social Affairs, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Free Zone Council, to disseminate the culture of excellence and build best constructive relations between employers and employees.



The workshop saw over 50 construction industry participants, and highlighted the benefits that the participating companies will reap  companies which get four and five-star ratings gets priority in bagging government projects.



Launched under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of Dubai Executive Council and patron of Taqdeer Award, it is the worlds first points-based reward system for recognizing excellence in labour welfare practices and promotion of international best practices in labour welfare.



It aims to achieve its goal of enhancing the reputation of the UAE as an exemplary labour market and setting benchmarks in labour welfare practices benefitting the Arab worlds second biggest economy.



In the first cycle, the award focused on construction companies and included over 280 companies employing more than half a million workers. The award has been extended to companies working in the free zones, ahead of the initial target of including them in 2019.



In the second cycle, the award includes factories and companies in the construction industry which employs more than 100 workers each. There are about 10,000 factories operating in Dubai in different categories. Dubai has over 290 companies and more than 500,000 workers in the construction sector.



Nominations are ongoing for the second cycle of the award. The companies can participate by submitting a comprehensive submission document, which will be evaluated by a judging committee. The companies will be awarded the ratings from one star to five stars.



Winners of 5- and 4-star ratings will receive a certificate and enjoy priority in government projects, along with getting honoured at an award ceremony.  TradeArabia News Service
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), a leading national entity for development aid, has announced a financial endowment to Dar Zayed for Family Care to empower the UAE society through community development efforts.



Held at ADFDs headquarters, the cheque handing over ceremony was attended by Khalifa Al Qubaisi, deputy director general of ADFD, and Nabil Al Dhaheri, director general of Dar Zayed for Family Care.



Enabling Dar Zayed for Family Care in implementing its existing humanitarian, educational, and community services and initiatives, ADFDs endowment will be allocated to equip young men and women enrolled at various universities and colleges with laptops.



Al Qubaisi said: This contribution marks another strategic milestone in ADFDs community development efforts and reflects our ongoing commitment in funding programmes for the well-being of our local community. We are pleased and proud to support Dar Zayed for Family Care in this crucial endeavour that will further bolster the UAEs education sector through providing resources to enable students to complete their university careers.



In line with the UAE leaderships vision to empower the youth of our country with tools that foster learning and help shape a knowledge economy, this new collaboration with Dar Zayed for Family Care also reinforces ADFDs keenness to support the countrys Year of Giving, he added.



Al Dhaheri praised the support provided by the Fund and highlighted the significant impact of the endowment for the students and families affiliated with Dar Zayed for Family Care. He also noted that Dar Zayed for Family Care plays an active role in collaborating with institutions in the UAE to provide support for individuals who lack family care and enable their social integration.



Furthermore, in a bid to enhance civic responsibilities, and instil a spirit of social solidarity and volunteerism in the community, ADFD lately announced the My Community programme. This CSR initiative hopes to strengthen the principles and values of volunteerism across the Funds departments, and strengthens partnerships among local public and private sector companies through tasking ADFDs employees with completing 25 hours of volunteering annually.



ADFD, over the last 10 years, has pursued an active CSR agenda and as a result, was ranked among the top five best UAE government organisations in the 2015 edition of the Arab Social Responsibility Awards. - TradeArabia News Service
Once a favourite for Middle Eastern property investors, rising property prices and dwindling rental yields in London have meant more investors have been searching for new ways to generate an income from UK property.

In the last few years, investment in the north of England has grown, as property buyers start to see the value of spending less to get a little more in terms of return percentages. Cities like Manchester and Leeds led the way in terms of growth in investment for years, but in the last couple of years, Liverpool has emerged as a leader, and one of the more popular places to buy rental stock, says a report from Experience Invest.

Liverpools property markets strong performance across a variety of asset classes has provided overseas investors with many opportunities, each with their own benefits, for investors to choose from depending on their requirements.

Current fluctuations in the value of sterling has made the UK more favourable for Middle Eastern investors, who see the long-term value of buying a property in the UK and waiting for the pounds recovery, it says.

Why Liverpool?

Here, take a look at just a few reasons why Liverpool, a city which has almost reinvented itself in the past few years, has become such a great place to buy, and why you should consider investment in the city for years to come.

Demand: Demand for rental property is high across the UK, with as many as 4.5 million households now living in the private rented sector, but few cities have as high a level of demand for rented homes as Liverpool does. With a rising number of businesses creating new jobs in the city, more and more people are flooding into Liverpool from across the UK, and they all need somewhere to live.



In addition, the fact that the city has more than 57,000 students is a real benefit for investors. Universities have a shortage of homes in which to accommodate the growing number of students each year, which creates a niche that the private sector, and its investors, can fill, making strong returns on the back of ever increasing demand for student property, the report says.

Exciting developments: Investing in Liverpool means being able to buy into some of the city's most exciting new developments, which are helping to redefine the skyline. For example, the new trifecta of buildings at Experience Invest's 250 million ($320.52 million) development Infinity is not only going to provide more than 1,000 new rental homes, it will also see one of the three towers become one of the tallest in Liverpool, breaking into the top three at 39 storeys high.



Developments such as Infinity also create some exciting new types of property in a market that has been crying out for such innovation for years. The on-site retail units, office space, a cinema room, gym and swimming pool at Infinity play directly into the wants and needs of private sector tenants, creating exciting new spaces that people want to live in, giving investors the peace of mind that there will be demand for their properties, it says.

High yields: Returns are a big thing for landlords whenever they're looking for new places to invest, and Liverpool delivers in this regard in a big way. While prices are lower for purchasing homes in Merseyside than they are in other large cities around the UK, the demand for rented accommodation has pushed up rental prices - which JLL said rose by 10.3 per cent last year.



This gives investors the chance to make very strong returns on their investment, with yields in Liverpool among the very best in the country. Averaging out at around six per cent in the city as a whole, some parts of Liverpool are starting to see rental yields creep above the 15 per cent mark, with the LS7 postcode leading the whole of the UK in terms of yields, the report says.



Well connected: Liverpool remains one of the most well-connected cities in the whole of the UK, which gives it an appeal that few can rival. In terms of infrastructure, the Merseyside city has its own airport, access to all of the other major settlements via motorway, ferry services and an excellent internal transport system. All of this makes it a great prospect for companies, because if people can get there easily, then it's easier to conduct business.



On top of this, Liverpool is part of the increasingly vibrant Northern Powerhouse, an economic area that is set to become one of the most important in the UK over the next few years. With a focus on the future, digital growth and business start-ups, involvement in the region should help cities such as Liverpool improve time and again, becoming hugely attractive to skilled residents over the coming years, it adds.

Thriving economy: Liverpool's economy remains one of the fastest growing in the UK, which bodes well for anyone who wants to invest in property with their eye on long-term growth. If you buy in now, the growing demand and increasing rental prices that continue to improve as the economy grows will only give you better returns for years to come, continues Experience Invest.



According to governmental data, Liverpool's economy has grown by around 40 per cent in the space of the past decade, while the first three months of this year alone saw the city improve its volume of start-up businesses by some 22 per cent. These are both indicators of just how well Liverpool is performing, and how those who have long-term goals in mind can really see their investments thrive in years to come, it added.

Thinking of investing in Liverpool?

The UKs property market has been seen as something of a safe haven for many years and its clear property ownership laws and its relatively easy buying process are favoured by many overseas investors.

Experience Invest is showcasing its portfolio at Stand 4D30 at Cityscape Global Dubai between September 11 and 13and investors can discuss how investing in property in Liverpool could be beneficial to them, the company says.


As the final contracts for Egypts first nuclear power plant at El Dabaa are about to be signed, Egypt is soon set to benefit from some of the most advanced technologies in the world, it appears to be the time to take a closer look at what Egypts choice of Rosatom as the main contractor for the project means for the country.



According to the Egyptian side, Rosatoms proposal for Egypts first NPP was selected out of several other vendors offers on account of a combination of factors, which included, in addition to technical specifications, the proposed financial terms, and the ability to provide assistance in the development of Egypts nuclear infrastructure.



As part of its integrated offer, Rosatom pledged not only to handle all technical aspects of the project  from NPP construction to assistance in its operation and maintenance and waste management  but also to provide any necessary assistance in establishing and developing Egypts nuclear infrastructure. This includes advisory support on creating the legislative infrastructure for the peaceful use of nuclear power, technology and knowledge transfer and, above all, creating qualified cadre for Egypts burgeoning nuclear industry.



Egypt and Russia already have a history of technical and educational cooperation going back decades and the Egyptian nuclear programme continues the tradition, with joint nuclear courses and exchange programmes at leading Russian nuclear universities available to Egyptian students. This paves the way for a new generation of talented young specialists from a wide range of nuclear-related fields to take Egypts science and technology potential to a new level.



That said, Egypts prime consideration for the project was and is of course its safety. Egypts leadership has on multiple occasions expressed its trust and confidence in Russian nuclear technologies, with President As-Sisi commenting that the agreements on the NPP construction guarantee the compliance with the most modern international standards and specifications to ensure its safety, making it one of the safest NPPs in the world.



The El Dabaa NPP will feature four Generation 3+ power units of the VVER-1200 type, which are among the most advanced nuclear power reactors in the world and are distinguished by their enhanced safety features and innovations.



They meet the most stringent international safety and security standards and were designed to withstand the most severe conditions and the most extreme circumstances imaginable. The first operational power unit of the kind  Unit 6 of the Novovoronezh NPP in central Russia  underwent numerous stress tests simulating events far more hypothetically unlikely than those that occurred during the incident at the Fukushima NPP.



The El Dabaa NPP will meet even higher technical requirement. Specifically, it will be designed to withstand such catastrophic events as a total power loss for 72 hours and collision with a large commercial aircraft (a medium-sized aircraft in the Novovoronezh NPP), without posing a threat to the environment or human health.



Considering how implausible these types of scenarios are in real life, it is perfectly safe to say that the people of Egypt and the residents of the El Dabaa region specifically have nothing to worry about when it comes to the NPPs safety. Unit 6 of the Novovoronezh NPP was visited shortly after its launch by the head of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Jacques Regaldo, who commended the design and its safety features.



In the spring of 2017, members of Egypts parliament visited the site of the Leningrad NPP near St Petersburg, where another VVER-1200 Generation 3+ unit is under construction, and spoke enthusiastically about the technology they saw on display.



The head of Egyptian parliaments Energy Committee Talaat El Swedi expressed his confidence about the technology that is to be implemented in the El Dabaa NPP project.



Weve seen for ourselves and we want to let the people of Egypt know that the future Egyptian NPP will be safe and financially feasible, he said.



Later in 2017, the same site was inspected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukia Amano, who was impressed by the units safety features to comment, The VVER-1200 units multi-level safety system produces a very powerful impression  in the event one system fails, another comes into effect, which is very correctly done.



With testaments to the VVER-1200 technologys safety and innovation coming from such diverse and authoritative quarters as heads of international energy associations and Egypts own experts, the people of Egypt can rest assured theyre getting the best in nuclear power generation and safety technologies for their country as Egypts nuclear dream is about to come true.
A Cebu Pacific Air flight bound to the Philippines from Dubai has been cancelled due to an unspecified technical issue, said a report.



Flight 5J015 was scheduled to leave at 11.10pm on August 22, but was unable to fly due to a technical issue that was identified prior to departure, said a report in Gulf News.



Meals, hotel accomodation and other necessities were provided to the stranded passengers.



The airline has assured that affected passengers will be accommodated on the next available flight, and are scheduled to fly at 11.10pm tonight, the report said.




Careem, the regions leading app-based car booking service, announced expansion of its service in Hurghada with Orange Taxi.



A number of Orange Taxi cabs have already joined the Careem network with more cars expected to join in the coming period.



Hurghada is one of the most important tourism destinations in the Red Sea. Despite the challenges facing the Egyptian tourism sector, Hurghada welcomed more than 5,000 tourists from around the world last April. With tourism numbers expected to increase, we integrated Orange Taxi into the Careem network to provide safe, convenient transport for tourists and Egyptians alike, said Ramy Kato, head of Careem Egypt Operations and vice president of Careem Care. Providing Careem services in Hurghada enables us to enhance our presence in the Egyptian market, support the tourism sector, provide employment opportunities for taxi drivers and continue to develop the transportation sector in Egypt using the latest technology in the field.



Careem has been operating in Hurghada since December 2016, helping create more job opportunities for local Egyptians and offer affordable, safe, convenient, reliable and quality transport solutions for its citizens as well as providing Captains with additional income. The integration of Orange Taxi aligns with Careems strategy to integrate taxis across Egypt within the Careem network, as with the integration of the white taxis in Cairo.



We have unlimited ambition regarding the Egyptian market. The Careem app is currently available in 14 cities in Egypt. We recently expanded to the Suez Canal area including Port Said, Suez and Ismailia and expansion into Upper Egypt is also in the pipeline, Kato added.



Careem applies the highest international standards in selecting Captains, whether free captains or taxi captains. Captains must be presentable, hold a driver's license and a national ID number. In addition, all new Captains must pass the customer service training provided by Careem before engaging with customers to ensure customer satisfaction and the proper use of the app. Cars also undergo a set of checks to ensure quality.



As a part of its commitment to provide job opportunities in the markets where it operates, Careem has increased its fleet to 60,000 captains delivering millions of rides across Egypt.



Kato added:Careems ability to create job opportunities, supporting and developing our Captains skills, and utilizing modern technology to transform challenges into real opportunities in the tourism sector and beyond, confirm our positive contribution to economic growth in the Egyptian market. - TradeArabia News Service
In line with the Year of Giving, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham JBR reinforces its philanthropic activities over the summer period by joining the #StrikeOutALS campaign, and reaching out to UAE Red Crescent.



Made popular by the global Ice Bucket Challenge, the hotel helped raise funds for the #StrikeOutALS campaign to promote awareness on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Select team members carried out the fun challenge and collected donations to support the ongoing research on the disease.



The hotel also extended aid to Emirates Red Crescent by handing over boxes of clothes, which were donated by the associates. Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham pledged continuous support to the organisations advocacy in helping less fortunate groups and individuals within and outside the UAE.



Samer Rafie, hotel manager, said: Our team will continue its mission to give back to the community, even after the Year of Giving. We aim to convey the message that every altruistic initiative, no matter how simple or small, can make a difference for those in need. All we have to do is reach out to the right organisations and express our intentions to help. - TradeArabia News Service


Well behaved women rarely make history:

A Botswana transgender woman made history after filling a monumental constitutional case against the government for refusing to legally change her gender marker.

By Miles Tanhira

In her High court application against the department of Registrar of National Registration, Tshepo Ricki Kgositau who is the Executive Director of Gender DynamiX, a regional transgender right organisation based in Cape Town, South Africa, argues that the State has a duty to fully realise the constitutional protection of rights and issuing her an identity document Omang) that clearly reflects her gender identity is fundamental to realising her dignity and security as a citizen. She reasons that the refusal to change her gender marker is ultra vires her constitutional liberties to dignity, privacy, freedom of expression, freedom from discrimination, inhumane and degrading treatment and equal protection under the law.

In 2011, Kgositau reportedly applied to the Civil and National Registration office in Gaborone to have her gender marker changed from male to female, as her birth assigned gender does not correspond with her internal and individual experience of gender. However, the regional registrar denied that change recommending that she seek a court order for the gender marker to be amended. The registrar denied the change of the gender marker on my Omang document despite the fact that the National Registration Act states that the registrar can use their discretion to allow this change in circumstances where these particulars materially affect the persons registration, Kgositau was quoted as saying.

Kgositau submitted her landmark application before the High court on August 4, 2017, represented by Lesego Nchunga of Nchunga & Associates, with the support of the Southern Africa Litigation Centre. Botswana High Court Justice Mothobi has since postponed the case to 12 December. According to media reports, the application also includes supporting evidence on an affidavit from her mother, siblings and relatives, as well as psychological and medical evidence to the effect that her innate gender identity is and has since an early age always been female and that her family has embraced her and loved her as a woman.

There is no law in Botswana which makes it illegal to be transgender, however, the conservative country has also remained mum and lethargic on the issue of crafting LGBT rights inclusive policies. Consequently, this has created a living hell for transgender citizens as state authorities often use other laws  especially the Penal Code to harass, arbitrarily arrest and detain them. Although hormonal therapy is available in government hospitals, it is usually at the discretion of the predominantly transphobic medical staff, who often expose transgender persons to invasive tests as a precondition for accessing hormonal therapy.

Kgositaus case is a microcosm of the insurmountable challenges experienced many Transgender people across the continent. Her fight with the Registrar is not unique, but a reality for the many African transgender people struggle to overcome the obstacle of having a conflicting gender assigned to them by their governments. Most countries in Africa have a gamut of draconian laws, processes and administrative procedures stipulating the possibilities and restrictions for trans people around the world to change their sex/gender markers and names on official identity documents as these influence access to other rights, and services as well as mobility across borders.

Transgender persons face discrimination when their identification documentation does not match their appearance. For example stigmatisation by health care providers deter trans people from accessing public health care services further compromising individuals health. Bullying in schools by both authorities and students means many drop out of school. Thus, many a trans persons often find themselves without a family, home or a job, ultimately making it even harder to earn a decent living let alone afford private health care. Transgender job seekers have a torrid time securing employment if they do not conform to employers expectations. As is that were not enough, Transgender people face ostracisation by family, societal marginalisation, name-calling intimidation and even physical violence by both state and non-state actors. Extortion, blackmail and invasion of privacy by police and members of the public who feel they have carte blanche to humiliate and abuse Transgender persons.

The absence of respect and dignity in most instances results in self-harm, risky sexual behaviours, depression and sometimes suicide. manifestly apparent to trans and gender-diverse people that gender marker and name change processes are but a bureaucratic window into the innumerable ways that their countries discriminate against them and prevent them from fully enjoying their human rights.

The breadth of discrimination and procedural obstacles are documented in the Ilga World Trans legal Mapping report: Recognition before the Law (2016). The report states that there is a dearth of information available for individual countries on legal recognition for transgender people coupled with the lack of explicit provision for gender marker changes, most countries rather alluding indirectly to the possibility of amendments. In some countries, such as Nigeria, this is compounded by laws that prohibit posing as the opposite sexoutlawing transgender peoples very existence.

The report points out that there are, however, countries with overt provisions for gender marker changes in their legislation (albeit with overwhelmingly pathologising requirements) such as Namibia and South Africa. Namibias legislation, for example, allows the state to request medical reports and institute such investigations as may be deemed necessary. This often leads to violations of doctor-patient confidentiality, a persons dignity, and basic human rights, such as the rights to privacy and self-determination. Nevertheless, some communities have managed to access the legislative processes and change their gender markers accordingly. In many other countries, such as Kenya, provision is made for some respite through allowing for a name change and/or change of personal photographs to more closely match a persons expressed gender and alleviate instances of misgendering.

According to the report in Botswana, both name and gender marker changes are possible although with pre conditions. For name change the Births and Death Registration Act 48 of 1968, s.13(3)(a) stipulates that : the Registrar must be satisfied that the person has a settled wish and intention to be and to continue to be generally known by the new forename or forenames either in substitution for or in addition to the forename or forenames under which the birth was registered. Although not trans* specific gender marker changes on national id are possible : (1) Where the registrar is of the opinion that any change in the particulars relating to a registered person materially affects his registration, he shall record the change and notify the Registrar of National Registration of the circumstances and recommend that the person concerned should be issued with a new identity card



The Codigo do Registo Civil 2015, s. 87 in Angola makes it nominally possible to change, national identification card and passport although with unclear requirements. Conditions for gender marker change Although s. 78 of the Code does not allow alterations of details entered in the registration of records of the Civil Registrar, However s. 87 permits changes, including change of name where there is a change of facts which alter the legal identity or status of the person. A change of sex marker may also be possible.

In Malawi National Registration Act 13 of 2010, although not trans specific gender marker change is nominally possible, with unclear requirements. Section 20(1) which provides that where a change in particulars of a registered person materially affect their registration. every registered person may when he is satisfied that his appearance has changed so as to make it likely that his identity may be questioned, apply to the district registrar for the issue of a new card with a more recent photograph.

Mozambiques Codigo do Registo Civil 2004 although not trans specific, makes it nominally possible for one to change gender marker and name change on identity card, Section 85(1) gives the Civil Registrar general authority to make changes when there is a change of facts which alter the legal identity or status of the person registered. Trans people could use this section to change the sex description on their identity document.

In Swaziland The Births, Marriages and Deaths Registration Act 5 of 1983, s. 8(1) is not transgender-specific but gender marker change is nominally possible with unclear requirements. Section 8(3) provides that for persons over 21 years of age and if, after registration of birth, there is a change in any other particular of a person not provided for in that section, the person may apply for alteration of the birth register

The Zambian National Registration Regulations 254 of 1965, allows for a name change.Although legislation is not trans specific it is nominally possible to change the gender marker on the national identity card. A separate register of all persons who have so changed their names is kept by the Chief Registrar. According to the Registration Act 19 of 1964, Section 9(2): In any case where a national registration card issued to a registered person ceases in any material particular to accurately represent his identity, such person shall, without undue delay, produce his national registration card and give such particulars as shall be necessary for the issue of a new national registration card to a registrar who shall issue to such person a new national registration card.

When it comes to Lesotho and Zimbabwe although there is a possibility for a name change for citizens, gender marker change is not permissible.

For Namibia, The Births, Marriages and Deaths Registration Act 81 of 1963, s. 7B allows for a name change with prohibitive requirements. The Secretary may on the recommendation of the Secretary of Health, alter in the birth register of any person who has undergone a change of sex, the description of the sex of such person and may for this purpose call for such medical reports and institutes such investigations as he may deem necessary. The Act does not define change of sex. Applications in terms of s.7B are done on a case-by-case basis as long as a person can provide medical reports of their change of sex. 

Once the application is granted, a trans person can apply for a new identity document and passport. Namibia does not provide gender affirming healthcare in the public health system, this makes the Act largely inaccessible. A transgender person who has not had a change of sex could use s. 12(1)(a) of the Identification Act 2 of 1996 which stipulates that if an identity document does not reflect correctly the particulars of the person to whom it was issued, or contains a photograph which is no longer a recognisable image of that person, the person shall hand over the identity document to the Minister. Section 12(3) states that the Minister shall cancel it and replace it with an improved identity document. The majority of trans people who have made applications to update their photographs have not been successful.

In South Africa, however, the scenario is different from most other African countries because there is legislation which is trans and intersex inclusive. According to the Alteration of Sex Status and Sex Descriptor Act, No. 49 of 2003. Any person whose sexual characteristics have been altered by surgical or medical treatment or by evolvement through natural development resulting in gender reassignment, or any person who is intersex may apply to the Director General of the National Department of Home Affairs for the alteration of the sex description on his or her birth register.

The report add that because there are no directives from the Department of Home Affairs on how to interpret the Act, and in practice, this causes arbitrary obstacles such as requiring proof of gender reassignment surgery, long waiting periods for applications to be processed (averaging 1-7 years), what forms to use and what documents an applicant must bring. Despite the legislation in place, the implementation of this is lacking: clerks are not sensitised or knowledgeable about trans issues resulting in nitpicking and misunderstandings at all levels.

In 2015 Nadia Swanepoel, a transgender woman made headlines when she went on a hunger strike in protest of unfair treatment by South Africas Department of Home Affairs, after it withheld her ID application for over three years after she applied for an alteration of her sex description.

History has been made, the date for the hearing is set, it now remains to be seen whether Botswana High court will grant Kgositau and the many transgender citizens their constitutional rights.



Miles Rutendo Tanhira is the Founder and Editor of Queerstion Media an organisation working Transgender asylum seekers and newly arrived persons in Sweden. He is a journalist, feminist and transgender person from Zimbabwe, currently based in Sweden. Miles is an LGBT rights activist a trans* rights activist and a blogger. Miles was also one of the winners of the European Parliament Intergroup on LGBT rights Go visible award. Miles has contributed several writings in LGBT rights and Trans* publications as well as News sites. He has experience in facilitating training on safety and security, leadership and wellness as well as creative expression and documentation. Miles is a photographer whose exhibition, T Bonds a documentation of transgender love as exhibited at Stockholm pride as well as Stockholm, trans festival He has also directed the documentary (In) visible, (2014) narratives of LGBT asylum seekers in Sweden.

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Wyoming regulators have been investigating or fixing more than 700 leaky underground petroleum storage tanks in the state since last year.

To that effort, the Department of Environmental Quality will receive $1.6 million from the EPAs Leaking Storage Tank Trust Fund, the agency announced Tuesday.

The grant is awarded each year by the Environmental Protection Agency, one of a many such awards that help state agencies carry out a variety of environmental programs in Wyoming, such as restoring streams contaminated by pesticides and pollutants. Last year, the federal agency sent $23 million to Wyoming for programs, including $6.7 million for the DEQ.

Identifying leaking tanks beneath a filling station or remediating those that have compromised the soil or water in an oil and gas field has been an impressive task for the state.

Wyoming discovered six new leaking tanks last year, cleaned up 96 and has more than 700 that are either under investigation or in the process of remediation, according to an EPA release.

State records show that of more than 1,600 known contaminated storage sites in Wyoming, more than 1,200 have completed remediation, said Keith Guille, spokesman for the DEQ.

Receiving these grants, and also with money weve received from the Legislature, weve really been able to tackle this issue, he said.

Given the long history of the petroleum industry in Wyoming, many of the faulty tanks are historic ones.

In the past, a lot of these tanks didnt have the controls in place to ensure there werent going to be leaks and if there were how we were going to address those, Guille said. The ultimate thing that we want to reach is that they are all remediated.

The federal grant money DEQ has been awarded comes from a penny tax on every gallon of motor fuel sold in the U.S.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said grants offer flexibility to the states.

EPA is providing funds directly to Wyoming so that the state may determine how best to address its unique and critical environmental challenges, he said in a statement.

Wyoming has primary regulatory authority on a number of areas from mining to water quality, but it depends on federal dollars for nearly 30 percent of its annual budget.

A number of environmental programs in the state, like the storage tank program, were once federally run. States take over the programs in order to have more control over their local industries.

There is a cautionary message we are sending, Parfitt told lawmakers. If you cut too deep and prevent the ability of states to implement these programs  then you might see some states turning these programs back.

The $1.6 million grant for petroleum tanks is not the full budget of the program, but its a boon in Wyomings current financial downturn, said Guille, the department spokesman.

You run the programs the best you can with the funding you receive, he said. And if you lose some of that funding you just dont finish the remediation projects as quickly.
Brad Davis leaned over the box of pastels and asked what colors go with anger.

Two women sculpting clay nearby suggested red, orange and maybe yellow. The fiery-colored pastels rasped across his sketching paper as Davis set to work. Others drew with pencils, crayons and charcoal at tables in the studio at Art 321 earlier this month. A few spun clay mounds into pots at a pottery wheel.

People filled the art studio for the nonprofit's Healing through Art sessions, which are open to anyone affected by suicide or other mental health issues. People dropped in for the free, two-hour sessions on Tuesday mornings throughout August, ART 321 director Diane Harrop said. All the supplies were provided and art experts were on hand to answer questions and help people get started.

Participants' artwork can be displayed in next month's "Suicide: Healing through Art" exhibition, meant to showcase how art contributes to the healing process and allows people to express inner turmoils. The art center is also taking submissions from the public for artwork inspired by suicide, depression and other mental health issues.

The sessions and show are a new collaboration between ART 321, the Natrona County Suicide Prevention Taskforce and local mental health care providers.

Even for people that don't think of themselves as artistic or artists, it's very well-proven that that art has healing powers, Harrop said.

Tough conversations

Dee Lundberg invited participants try any art materials that appealed to them as she launched the first Healing through Art studio session this month.

We just want you to come in and play, she said. Water pitchers and cups waited on the tables, along with a bin of crayons, stacks of paper, boxes of colored pencils, paints, pastels, coloring book pages and printouts of mask shapes. Lundberg handed mounds of clay to some participants. Art is a way to express and work out feelings and thoughts, she told the group.

Having said that, making a coffee mug, just to have a coffee mug, is therapeutic, she said. Thats why Im here. I found out that when I was here, I didnt think about anything else. Just playing with the clay is important.

As a member of the Casper-Natrona County Suicide Prevention Task Force, a licensed therapist and reverend of the United Church of Christ, shes always seeking ways to prevent suicide and raise awareness about the issue in the community.

She was up to her elbows in clay at ART 321, where she'd begun ceramics studio sessions, when the idea for the art sessions and upcoming show came to her, she said. She started chatting with a staff member at the gallery about how the art is a relaxing escape for her.

The idea took off with support from ART 321, mental health professionals and suicide prevention groups including the task force.

Talking about suicide is crucial to preventing it, Lundberg said, though too many people are afraid to bring up the S-word. Suicide impacts everyone in the community and open conversations about it are crucial to reducing the stigma of mental health issues and to help those who are at risk, Lundberg said.

People have to make it their business, she said.

An attitude of toughness prevalent in Wyoming and the West has long been thought to contribute to the high suicide rates, Lundberg said. Wyoming had the fourth-highest rate of deaths by suicide in the country in 2014, the most recent year for which nationwide data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pull yourself up by your bootstraps, be strong, dont ask for help, Lundberg said, Well, when you dont ask for help, any of us who spend too much time in our head know what bad idea that is.

The sessions and the show are a way for people to express struggles with suicide, whether theyve experienced suicidal ideation, survived an attempt or know other survivors or those who died by suicide.

Its part of opening up that conversation in a whole new way, Lundberg said.

She encourages anyone to submit pieces on the subject of suicide to the show, and hopes to include pieces inspired by hope, she said.

Lundberg is considering contributing to the show as well, with inspiration from her experiences that include addiction, recovery and then facing her issues with depression, she said.

Ive got some concepts in my mind of how that would look for me, Lundberg said. Kind of sifting through 56 years of moving from a place of hopelessness to hope.

Taking on the positive

Casper artist Alicia Lynne walked around the studio admiring artworks and helping with projects as she guided a session earlier this month.

One participant, Heidi Olson, was ready to paint a clay piece depicting an angel on a cross that shed started the week before.

Lynne stirred a few containers of a liquid clay, called slip, used to paint ceramic pieces before theyre fired in the kiln. Olson brushed the white substance onto the angels wings.

Its just like an angel has been watching me and been at my side, through all the things Ive been through in my life, she said.

Shed won awards for art in high school, but it had been many years since shed created a piece. She came with a friend that day to try the sessions, and plans to keep exploring her creative side in more ART 321 groups.

It was soothing, Olson said. Its something I think anybody could benefit from.

More than a dozen people attended each of the first two Healing through Art sessions this month. Local artists worked alongside participants and answered questions. Conversations around the tables ranged from movies to the artwork they were creating.

Nikki Underwood sculpted a daisy with clay, because flowers are peaceful, she said.

I have a hard time expressing my emotions, so when I do something like this, it makes it easier, she said. I think its easier to express your emotions through art sometimes.

Shed always enjoyed art, but felt uncertain about how to start that day. She's recently been working on using on the law of attraction  focusing on positive thoughts to bring more positive happenings in her life, she said.

Im learning that I can do it if I set my mind to it, she said.

As she guided the session, Lynne talked about theories she's studied and explored about how art transfers emotions into what someone creates. The act of creating art is a healing release in itself, she said. Connecting with others while creating with other artists or like-minded people can also aid healing, and sometimes people also find it easier to say what's on their mind while they're doing something else, like drawing, painting or sculpting.

Art is another way to build those connections, Lynne said.

Davis pastels continued scratching colors across another sheet of paper, multicolored pastel dust and smudges covered the table and his fingers. Jagged black lines separated the words Anger and Frustration in dark letters. Blue, green and orange lines spread from a central point. He finished his last artwork of the day with the words family, and togetherness.

He's recovering from addiction, he said, and arrived that day with doubts about gaining benefits from art, he said. He thought the idea was a little silly, but he showed up anyway, he said.

At the end of the session, he arranged his four artworks into one square to see them all together. It's a reminder about how he used to be and feel and how he wants to move toward more positive emotions, he said, tapping the pieces with the words "ecstatic," enthusiastic, "family" and "togetherness."

It was definitely therapeutic, Davis said. I feel better about moving on. Its leaving the bad behind and taking on the positive.
Thursday support meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 a.m., 917 N. Beech; 8:30 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 2 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 5:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, closed; 8 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 4600 S. Poplar, closed; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688.

Al-Anon: 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200. Douglas: 5 p.m., Congregational United Church, 405 N. 6th St.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 8 p.m., 4700 S. Poplar (church basement). Web site: http://www.urmrna.org.

Muni ladies golf pairings

Aug. 24, pairings by flight. Play of the day is Three Blind Mice. 8 a.m. start. Playing Park and Links courses. Please check in 15 minutes prior to starting time. For changes or additions, please call pro shop at 233-6620.

Park #1 Marsh, Ellis, Bain; Links #9A McCarrel, Wheatley, Pfiefer; Links #9B Meyer, Hill, Boyle; Links #8A Schneider, Ortiz, Farmer; Links #8B Neuberger, Fancher, Hansen; Links #7A Sanford, Chadwick, G. Clark; Links #7B N. Clark, Santoni; Links #6A Stolte, Pingel.

Better Breathers meet

The next Better Breathers Club support group will meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Nerd Health and Wellness Center at Wyoming Medical Center, 1233 E. Second St.

The topic will be about a genetic disease called Alpha 1 -Antitrypsin Deficiency, which can cause damage to the lungs and liver, who should be tested and the treatment for it.

Designed by the American Lung Association, the Better Breathers Club is a support group for patients with chronic lung diseases and their caregivers. It offers tools and encouragement for managing COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, lung cancer and other chronic lung disorders. It is locally facilitated by the NERD Health and Wellness Center.

The club meets on the fourth Thursday of every month and offers presentations on exercise, breathing techniques, supplemental oxygen, general medication education, among other topics. For questions or to sign-up for the Better Breathers Club, call 577-2929.

Stuff the Bus supply distribution

Free school supplies will be distributed to families in need Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. and Friday, 3 to 6 p.m., all at NCSD Central Services, 970 N. Glenn Rd. Please call the Salvation Army in advance at 234-2002 to schedule the time that is most convenient for your family. School supplies are not available for preschool students.

Twenty-one days of prayer

Each night through Saturday, gather at First Baptist Church, 514 S. Beech, for 21 Days of Prayer. We will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturdays. There will also be special prayer activities for the children each evening. Questions? Call the church office at 234-6946.

Food preservation class

Learn the basics of freezing, dehydrating and water bath canning in these hands-on classes. Everyone takes home their own samples and filled jars. Freezing & Dehydrating classes will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the cost is $10. Water Bath Canning class (for beginners) will be held Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. and the cost is $15. Again, choose the date that works best for you. Classes will be held at the Extension Office, 2011 Fairgrounds Road. Register soon as this program fills up quickly. Call 235-9400 or email kcase@natronacounty-wy.gov to sign up.

Monk teaches at Sunrise

American Buddhist Monk, Gen Kelsang Rinzin, has finished his summer spiritual retreat and will be returning to Casper to teach from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Healthy Life Studio in the Sunrise Shopping Center, 4200 S. Poplar St. Class includes a guided meditation, the teaching on timeless wisdom, and a Q & A. A $15 donation is requested. Questions? Call Joe at 315-1987.

Sand Bar walking tour

Casper Theater Company will host the Sand Bar Murder Mystery walking tour at 8 p.m. The tour will find you back in history in the 1920s, wanting to find the killer of Shorty through interviews with people willing to chat, and engage in a conversation with you on the Sand Bar. The tour encompasses six blocks, is easy walking with stops along the way and is about an hour plus. Please call or email for a reservation, 267-7243, caspertheatercompany@gmail.com, to find out the starting point and for ticket purchase. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your camera.
Heavy traffic kept Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers busy over eclipse weekend, but other emergency responders said they responded to fewer incidents than they had anticipated.

State troopers responded to more than 1,800 calls Monday, more than triple the number they dealt with on the same day the year prior, a highway patrol spokesman said. There was one death on the states highways, but the spokesman could not provide more information Tuesday afternoon except to say the fatal crash took place near Medicine Bow and involved a motorcycle.

A Texas man visiting Wyoming for the solar eclipse also died Sunday in a freak ATV accident in Teton County. That crash did not occur on a highway.

Estimates from the Wyoming Department of Transportation indicate traffic increased by 68 percent statewide on the day of the eclipse.

Wyoming Highway Patrol Sgt. Kyle McKay said the patrol was taken by surprise by Mondays sudden spike in traffic, in comparison to relatively underwhelming numbers of travelers Saturday and Sunday.

The patrol issued 100 tickets Monday, in comparison to 25 on the same day last year. He called this years number of tickets very low, based on the massive increase in traffic on Wyomings mostly-two lane highways.

Caspers emergency responders and hospital staff members also saw a spike in their workloads, though not to the same degree.

Wyoming Medical Center spokeswoman Kristy Bleizeffer said an anticipated surge in emergency room visits did not materialize as expected. Although numbers were up, they remained far below what the hospital had prepared for in conjunction with first responders.

On a typical August weekend, the medical center treats about 65 emergency room patients a day. On typical Mondays, the emergency room cares for closer to 85 patients. The emergency room was visited by 89 patients Saturday, 117 Sunday and 79 Monday.

Sage Primary Care and Mesa/Immediate Care centers totaled 249 walk-in patients Friday through Monday, Bleizeffer said. That number was up by 44 compared to the same period a week previous.

People were just safe and responsible out there, Bleizeffer said.

The Casper Fire Department experienced a higher call volume than it might receive on a typical weekend, spokesman Justin Smith said. He said the department responded to proportionally more calls, which he said was to be expected with a greater population in town for the festivities. Smith said a handful of those calls were related to the weekends events but they were mostly minor, such as a concert-goer who passed out from a combination of heat and alcohol.

The Casper Police Department didnt have any crazy mayhem, Det. John Hatcher said, in reference to the three-day period leading up to the eclipse. Between 5 p.m. Friday and midnight on Monday, the department responded to 557 calls for service. Over the same period a week previous, the department responded to 383 calls.

Hatcher said he had expected the department to receive even more calls for service during the eclipse festivities, based on the number of people he saw downtown. The detective said he thought an increased police presence had effectively deterred potential crime, particularly alcohol-related violence.

Beyond city lines, the Natrona County Fire Protection Districts weekend was really slow, spokesman Matt Gacke said. The biggest call of the weekend was a two-acre wildland fire, Gacke said.
An ESPN radio host was arrested early Wednesday morning by Jackson police for drunkenly entering another persons house and refusing to leave, police said.

Ryen Russillo, 42, of West Hartford, Connecticut, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass.

Police said the radio host was found at about 3:30 a.m. in someone elses house, apparently drunk.

A Jackson Police Department news release states Russillo was found lying on a bed, with blood shot glassy eyes, very slurred speech and could not answer questions coherently.

Russillo apparently did not know where he was from or where he was staying. There was no indication that Russillo broke in, and instead entered through an unlocked door, according to the release.

The offense is punishable by a fine of $750.

Russillo hosts an eponymous national show on ESPN Radio Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time. ESPNs Will Cain was standing in for Russillo on Wednesday. Russillos podcast also had fill-in hosts this week, one of whom was Cain.

Russillo was being held in Teton County Jail on Wednesday afternoon.
The Colorado man killed Monday in heavy eclipse traffic in Wyoming died when he was struck by an SUV attempting to pass other vehicles, the Wyoming Highway Patrol reported Wednesday.

Palmer Kauffman, 65, of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, was passing vehicles on his 2015 Harley-Davidson just before 12:30 p.m. in bumper-to-bumper traffic headed south on Wyoming 487 near Medicine Bow. A 2004 Nissan Xterra pulled out of the 30 mile per hour traffic near milepost 29 in an attempt to pass and hit Kauffman, according to the highway patrol.

Kauffman was thrown from his bike and hit a delineator post.

Kauffman was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Driver inattention was listed as contributing to the crash. A highway patrol spokesman could not say Wednesday if the driver of the Xterra had been arrested or charged in relation to the incident.

Eclipse traffic led to clogged highways across Wyoming. The Wyoming Department of Transportation reported a 536,000-car increase over the five-year average for that day, almost 68 percent more than normal.

State troopers responded to more than 1,800 calls on Monday  more than triple the number from the same day in 2016.
As the new school year approaches, the Wyoming Department of Health is urging students and families to be up to date on required vaccinations.

While some districts  including Laramie County 1 and Campbell County  have already started classes, Natrona County students dont return to school until Sept. 5. Per state law, students in the district are required to receive doses for a number of illnesses, including polio, whooping cough and tetanus, throughout their time in school.

Dr. Alexia Harrist, acting state health officer for the department, said in a press release that vaccines are safe and can stop the spread of preventable illnesses that, nevertheless, pop up in Wyoming each year.

In some areas of the country, there have been recent outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles that had mostly been eliminated from the United States, she said in the release. These outbreaks have largely been due to community pockets of lower vaccination rates.

Students being vaccinated protect the child and members of the community, particularly vulnerable people like newborns, she added.

The state-run vaccination program WyVIP offers the full battery of immunizations needed to attend school at no cost to participating providers for insured, resident children from birth until the day before their 19th birthday, according to the release. Other children may be covered by a federal program.

In Natrona County, students can be enrolled for 30 days on a conditional basis if they havent received all of the required vaccines. After that, the student is barred from school. Exemptions for religious or medical purposes must be made through the Casper-Natrona County Health Department.

For more information on Natrona Countys required vaccinations, click here. The state has also set up a site with information about immunizations.
Wyomings population may have nearly tripled for a day during Mondays total solar eclipse, according to early estimates.

Initial numbers by the Wyoming Department of Transportation reported a 536,000-car increase over the five-year average for that day, almost 68 percent more than normal.

If you go by yesterday... and figure two people in every car, you could say roughly a million people, said Jeff Goetz, a public information officer for the department.

While traffic counts are not an exact measurement of visitors, executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism, Diane Shober, agreed that its possible upwards of 1 million people may have visited Wyoming for the eclipse.

I would not like to speculate too far, but at the very least on the low side we doubled, and maybe we even tripled our population, she said. Wyomings current population sits around 585,000.

The office of tourism will compile data from a comprehensive study on visitor numbers and the eclipses economic impact on Wyoming. Representatives spent Monday talking with visitors and locals in all 23 counties, Shober said.

While the visitors swelled on Monday, think of the numbers leading up to the people coming early, she said. In Pinedale, we heard reports of people who had been there for two weeks. And visitors staying longer.

Casper/Natrona County International Airport director Glenn Januska did not have numbers for passengers on commercial flights into Casper. Atlantic Aviation, which coordinated private aircraft, also could not comment on the number of flights.

One plane, however, landed on Alcova Reservoir, a possible first. The sea plane touched down in the middle of the reservoir on Monday morning flown by a Colorado native who currently lives in the Bahamas, said Janet Milek, spokesperson for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in Casper.

Game wardens treated his vessel as a boat, and made sure he had a life vest, which he was wearing, and his proper aquatic invasive species inspection. With the exception of the rare aircraft, Alcova and Pathfinder reservoirs were relatively calm on Monday.

There were a ton of campers there, but they were not recreating on the water, Milek said.

Grand Teton National Park, which was expected to experience the busiest day in history, did not have numbers immediately available. Spokeswoman Denise Germann said they would be released Wednesday.

Traffic counts showed an increase of 217,000 on Sunday, but the big push was Monday morning. Vehicles lined up at a standstill on parts of Interstate 25 near Cheyenne and Glendo. Some reported it took 10 hours to get from Orin Junction to Fort Collins, a 160-mile drive.

For the dramatic increase in people, WYDOT reported relatively few problems.

We still had people pulling over on the interstate, which we knew we would have. Depending on traffic, we knew all along no matter where you were trying to get to, when that time came, thats where you would be viewing it from, which for a lot of people was stuck in traffic on I-25, Goetz said. Overall, I didnt have reports of anything major.

The biggest increases were in Laramie County with 209,394 more vehicles than normal, according to a WYDOT news release. Other busy counties included Converse, with 40,220 more vehicles, Albany with 34,692 and Fremont with 32,973.

The traffic counts also dont reflect all traffic movement in the state as all roads dont have counters, the WYDOT release stated.

Star-Tribune crime reporter Shane Sanderson contributed to this report.
The vacant Hotel Arizona in downtown Tucson may reopen under a $20 million plan approved by the Rio Nuevo District board Tuesday.

HSL Properties pitched the plan to renovate the former Hotel Arizona at the Tucson Convention center and reopen it by 2019 as a 300-room hotel operated by Hilton.

HSL asked for no cash from Rio Nuevo for the project, but the company proposed a sale-leaseback with the district with abatement of the resulting taxes, as well as payment of all site-specific taxes from the property through 2025.

The board voted 4-0 to authorize the board's executive officers to draw up agreements under the plan.
A veritable whos who of Tucsons culinary leaders are once again joining spatulas and mixing bowls to host a pop-up dinner on Sunday, Aug. 27, as part of the Gastronomic Union of Tucson.

The third dinner in a series of collaborative efforts is dubbed Snout-to-tail Tucson #3: El Tour de Tastebuds, and it focuses its flavor profile on a journey of the palate. The five-course progressive dinner will take you through the taste-sensation spectrum, from salty to bitter to sour and umami  think savory  before ending on a sweet note with a focus throughout on pork.

Past GUT  thats how they like to describe themselves  dinners have taken diners through the flavors of our own backyard and around the world, inspired in large part by Tucsons recognition as the UNESCO World City of Gastronomy.

Sundays wine-paired dinner features petite pork osso bucco, sous-vide pork neck, pork offal crostini and hog trotter and BBQ devilfish.

Not sure what the last one entails, but we are sure that the cast of local chefs  Max Provost, Chef Chics Wendy Gauthier and Sarah Lamberth, Jackson Bar + Eaterys Izaak Morhaim, Nohemi Montoya of Loews Ventana Canyon Resort & Spa, Lodge on the Deserts David Solorzano, Pascos Sam Krajnak, Matt Kraiss of Ermanos, Travis Peters and Rica Rances of The Parish, Chef Ken Foy from Dante's Fire, Mountain Oyster Clubs Obadiah Hindman, Tucker Hartford of Culinary Ronin and Mat Cable from Fresco Pizzeria and Pastaria  will explain during the event, which begins at 6 p.m.

Also on the menu: pork crepinette with spicy Szechuan pickled peanut; dry-rubbed, pecan-smoked ribs with micro greens; and choice of dessert including a donut with pork floss cotton candy, bacon and ancho caramel.

The cost is $75 and seating at The Carriage House, 125 S. Arizona Ave., downtown, is limited.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Aug. 23 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.com you can search the Arizona Daily Star and many other newspapers using keywords or dates, and download articles or pages.
Reporter

Joe has been with the Star for six years. He covers politics as well as the city of Tucson and other municipalities in Southern Arizona. He graduated from the UA and previously worked for the Arizona Daily Sun.
It's undeniable at this point: Tucson's restaurant scene is bustling, with new spots being announced on an almost daily basis.

With so much going on, it can be tough to narrow down the choices when deciding on a spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

"The dynamic Tucson food scene has seen rapid growth in the past few years, highlighting the city's diversity while reaffirming its culinary traditions," said Patricia Escarcega in an article on USA Today's 10Best website.

Escarcega's article, "Exploring the Old Pueblo: 10 Best Restaurant for Exploring the Tucson Food Scene," aims to give readers a sampling of Tucson's food, with restaurants ranging from old to new.

Despite the seemingly endless supply of Mexican fare, Escarcega managed to choose only three to add to the list, but they're all classics.

"Cafe Poca Cosa still stands out from the pack for its consistently elegant interpretations of regional Mexican fare," Escarcega writes. The other two Mexican restaurants to earn a spot on the list are El Charro and Aqui con el Nene.

The list is full of variety, serving up suggestions for French cuisine, fusion food, "craft" eateries and more, with entries including Wild Garlic Grill, Agustin Kitchen and Feast.

Check out the full list here and start thinking about your next meal.
PHOENIX  Cochise College is the second-best community college in the country, according to a WalletHub survey.

Its not that the district spends a lot on each student. In fact, the financial-advice website found per-student spending among the lowest in the country.

The relatively low tuition and fees in comparison to other colleges helped. So did higher-than-average faculty salaries.

But what pushed the system to the No. 2 spot was the high number of degrees, certificates and other credentials it issues based on the number of students enrolled. And the Cochise system, which features campuses in Douglas and Sierra Vista and centers in Benson, Nogales and Willcox, had among the lowest student-loan default rates in the country.

The Mohave Community College system also showed up near the top at No. 41, followed by Scottsdale Community College, a branch of the Maricopa County system. Pima Community College ranked 295th out of 728 colleges on the list that were reviewed.

At the other extreme, WalletHub ranked Rio Salado Community College, headquartered in Tempe, at No. 715 out of 728.

While the college costs the same $2,094 as others in the Maricopa system, WalletHub found per-student spending at the far low end. And the college had a first-year retention rate of just 33 percent, with just 5 percent of those enrolled going on to graduation.

That, however, may have to do more with the unique role of Rio Salado, which caters more to students looking to take individual classes rather than pursue a degree.

Not all Arizona community colleges were included in the study. WalletHub spokeswoman Diana Popa said some members of the American Association of Community Colleges were excluded due to data limitations.

But among the 19 Arizona colleges in the study, there were some significant differences.

That starts with how much it costs.

The Tohono Oodham Community College was listed as the cheapest among the schools studied in the entire country, with typical tuition and fees of just $842 a year.

Even that does not tell the whole story, with the tribe offering scholarships to recent high school graduates and students with general equivalency diplomas to cover the cost of not only tuition and fees but also $250 toward the cost of books. There is a requirement to register for at least 12 semester hours and maintain a 2.0 grade-point average.

WalletHub also awarded points to the tribal college based on having just eight students for each faculty member.

But the system lost points in the study because of a first-year retention rate of just 45 percent.

By contrast, the Pima Community College system, with in-state tuition and fees of $2,046, retained 64 percent of its students after the first year.

On the other side of the equation, Pima lost points for relatively low financial aid, with the average grant or scholarship of $3,540.

The report pointed up some other distinct differences among the Arizona community colleges studied.

Consider per-pupil spending.

Central Arizona College topped the list at $15,953, with Northland Pioneer Community College not far behind at $15,325.

At the other extreme were Rio Salado at $6,345 per student and Cochise, which spent just $6,729.

There also were marked differences in salaries.

Even after the cost of living of each area was factored out, Coconino faculty members were making the least, on average, at $52,153. Their counterparts at Pima were doing little better, at $52,503.

The best salaries were in the Maricopa system, topping off at $87,697 in Glendale, $86,984 in Mesa and $86,362 in Phoenix.

And the student-loan default rate ranged from just 5.2 percent in the Cochise system to more than 30 percent at South Mountain Community College.
Editors note: This is the last in a series spotlighting local mentoring programs in partnership with Mayor Jonathan Rothschilds initiative to recruit more Tucson mentors.

Jack the rescue dog broke the ice between Cynthia Dean and the child she volunteered to represent as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

When Dean met Dimon Sanders, the girl was about 9 years old and didnt care much for this older woman suddenly interested in her.

In the year it took to build trust, they cruised dog parks and Dimon played on monkey bars.

Not long before they met, Dimon, 17 now, had entered Pima Countys foster-care system.

For five years, Dimon said she saw 35 people bounce in and out of her life. But not Dean.

Dean was there to stay.

Since youre court-appointed, your job is to be the eyes and ears of the court and judge  Dean said. Youre just there to make sure the needs of the child are met.

Court Appointed Special Advocates are volunteers appointed to the case of an abused or neglected child in the foster-care system. CASA volunteers get to know a child and understand their needs, whether those are personal, educational, therapeutic or medical. They attend court hearings and write reports for the judge that advocate the best interests of the child. They also attend monthly family team meetings that include case workers, parents and other relevant individuals.

Judges say they love having CASAs on the case because they get a complete and total picture of whats going on  said Jill LaBrie, the CASA program recruiter. It brings in a much more personal touch, and they are definitely those mama and papa bears fighting for kids to make sure they get what they need and deserve.

At the end of July, the county had about 225 CASA volunteers serving about 260 kids. With 3,300 children in the Pima County system at the end of June, that means roughly 7 percent of kids had advocates, LaBrie said.

For Dimon, having an adult stick around made all the difference.

I would have turned out differently if I didnt have her, Dimon said just days before boarding an Orlando-bound plane to represent Arizona in Miss Americas Outstanding Teen competition. There would have been more behavioral issues than what I had when she was my CASA. She was consistently checking in on me and making sure I was getting my homework done and making sure I was staying positive.

Dimon became the first African American teen to win Miss Arizonas Outstanding Teen competition in June  a victory for a girl once ashamed of her story. Now she uses her platform to tell others about the difference a dedicated adult can make in the life of a child.

Dean began volunteering as a CASA in Arizona about eight years ago, following three years doing similar work in Florida. Shes also a peer coordinator, mentoring new volunteers coming into the program.

Even though a lot of what we do is hard emotionally, its never as hard as what the kids have been through emotionally, said Dean, a retired teacher. Thats my fallback when things get discouraging. There was a point with Dimon when it was a low point, and I thought, Who will adopt this child with behavioral issues at age 13? Thats what my heart was saying, but my head was saying, Were not going anywhere. Were going to stick with this one.

Besides wandering dog parks with Jack, the two often dined at Twist & Shout 50s Diner in Green Valley.

Sitting across from someone with a BLT and a sundae is a bit of an icebreaker, said Dean, who was also CASA to Dimons biological sister.

During the course of their court-appointed relationship, Dimon moved between foster and group homes. Several adoptions fell through.

Dimon met Apache Sanders when the Raytheon engineer visited Mansfeld Middle School as part of Apaches community outreach with the National Society of Black Engineers.

Dimons counselor at school knew the teens story and Apaches husband, Joshua Sanders. He knew the family wanted to adopt.

And that was the start of it, Apache said.

Slowly, Joshua and Apache Sanders began to get to know Dimon.

She was very standoffish initially, and I think back to the first car ride, and I had the bright idea to turn down the radio and have a conversation, Apache said. It didnt quite work like that. Sometimes, if she would answer, it would be very short and she would just look out the window, and it was the same thing at dinner. But I just kept talking to her consistently and picking her up, and it got better.

The relationship between Joshua and Dimon moved even slower.

It took me a little while to connect with my dad, because I didnt really trust male figures, Dimon said. It was hard for us to be on the same page without us constantly arguing or me trying to push the boundaries.

When the Sanderses adopted Dimon, she was about 13 and living in a young adult shelter. Moving into a house with rules frustrated her.

Having Cynthia was a godsend, Apache said of the days surrounding the adoption. She gave us insight into Dimons behavior. Dimons caseworker was fairly new, but Cynthia had the knowledge from the beginning. 

When Dimon first began staying with the Sanderses in Marana, she refused to sleep in her bedroom, Joshua said. Instead, she opted for the couch, a behavior that baffled him.

That changed when they finalized the adoption and she made the switch to her bedroom.

It came out that she was sleeping on the couch because there had been other adoptions where they gave her back, and so she had to prepare herself, Joshua said.

Dimon didnt win nationally when she represented Arizona in Miss Americas Outstanding Teen competition in July, but she continues to share her story as a CASA ambassador.

When I was adopted, I had low self esteem and low confidence, Dimon said. Pageants provided a way for me to boost my self esteem, and I have continued it for about three years.

She got interested in pageants after the family traveled to North Carolina and watched Joshuas sister compete several years ago.

Dimon is a totally different person than when we first met her, Apache said. She was ashamed of who she was and her story, and everything that happened, so by using her story as a platform ... instead of holding her back, shes using it to help other people.
After conducting a nationwide search for the next permanent leader of Tucsons largest school district, the TUSD Governing Board on Tuesday selected the guy whos already doing the job, interim superintendent Gabriel Trujillo.

Trujillo, who temporarily took over the superintendents post in March after the board forced out former Superintendent H.T. Sanchez, beat out three other finalists for the position, including former C.E. Rose K-8 School Principal Stephen Trejo, TUSD director of elementary and preK-8 schools Maria Marin and Donna Hargens, the former superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky.

Trujillo said he was eager to begin the job permanently, with the ability to do some long-term planning within human resources, budgeting and relationship building.

Now I can really dig in and do a lot of that work. Instead of just sort of managing from agenda-to-agenda and making sure to get us through our current budget cycle, I can now look long-term, he said.

In a surprise move, the Tucson Unified School District board majority decided to publicly name Trujillo at its Tuesday meeting rather than sticking to its previous plan to keep the finalist secret until the board and candidate had negotiated the contract.

Mark Stegeman was the lone vote against Trujillos nomination from the five-member board. Stegeman said he voted against the nomination because he disagreed with the decision to name the candidate publicly before the terms of his contract had been worked out.

Stegeman compared the decision to announcing a wedding before the proposal.

It just doesnt make sense, he said after the meeting.

TUSD Board President Michael Hicks said he voted for Trujillo because he has faith that given a chance, Trujillo can succeed permanently.

I just think he can do the job, Hicks said. The community likes him, all the community likes him, or at least 98 percent of the community likes him.

Trujillo will be paid a base salary ranging from $180,000 to $230,000 to oversee more than 47,000 students in 89 schools and programs. The board hopes to have the terms of Trujillos contract ironed out by its next meeting on Monday, Aug. 28.

TUSD has spent at least $9,725 in consultant fees for the superintendent search.

Trujillo has been with the district since last September, when he became assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. In March, the TUSD Governing Board elevated him to interim superintendent, but only after its first choice for the temporary job backed out. Before joining TUSD, Trujillo was director of human resources at the Phoenix Union High School District, where he was previously a high school principal. Trujillo holds a doctorate in education from Arizona State University.

Trujillo boasts that he has made a career out of taking a temporary position and making himself indispensable.

In one of his first jobs as a teacher, for example, he started with a 10-day contract and ended up holding the position for seven years. When he was named interim principal at a troubled school in Phoenix, he originally had a 30-day contract, and ended up staying for 10 years.

As the interim superintendent, Trujillo had a head start on the other candidates for the job  hed already conducted listening tours and visited all of TUSDs 89 schools, hes built relationships with Governing Board members and set a series of goals for the district.

Trujillo said his immediate goal will be to focus on recruitment and retention of kids. He also sees a need to tighten the districts curricular focus and ensure that standards being taught align with the states standards and standardized testing.
PHOENIX  Here's a rundown of the days scheduled events, as compiled by The Arizona Republic. Most are planned close to the Phoenix Convention Center, where Trump is speaking.

3 p.m.

Operation Thin Blue Shield: Phoenix Trump Rally: In support of the police and against the antifa, far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations and other events. Meeting at Herberger Theater Center, 222 E Monroe St., walking to the Phoenix Convention Center.

3:30 p.m.

"Never Again: Jews and Allies Against Hate Rally": Hosted by the Arizona Anti-Defamation League. State Capitol, Senate Lawn, 1700 W. Washington St.

4 p.m.

Bikers for Trump: Gather at Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., ride to Phoenix Convention Center.

Indivisible Surprise "Purple for Heather" rally: Phoenix Convention Center.

"Love Activists: Healing Hearts and Minds": An event for those who don't want to be in the middle of the action but want to participate in some way. Suggested for families with children. Encanto Park, 2605 N.15th Ave.

5 p.m.

Democratic Socialists of America: St. Mary's Basilica, 231 N. Third St.

FAB Band: Phoenix Convention Center. Activist marching band made up of LGBTQ, undocumented, minority members.

6 p.m.

Unity Vigil and March: Prayer vigil at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1407 N. Second St., followed by march to St. Mary's Basilica and then to the Capitol. The church and several immigrant and civil-rights organizations are hosting the event, including Promise Arizona, Black Lives Matter, Arizona Faith Network, First Institutional Baptist Church, The I Have a Name Project, the Southwest Conference United Church of Christ and the Shadowrock United Church of Christ. Buses will be available to shuttle people to and from the church, the convention center and the Capitol. Cosplayers Rally Against Hate is also part of this event.

Protest Trump Downtown Phoenix: Hosted by Protest Trump Arizona. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E Monroe St.

Anti-fascist anarchists: Anti-fascist and anti-colonial contingent against Trumps rally. Phoenix Convention Center.

Puente Human Rights Movement, "White Supremacy Will Not Be Pardoned": AZ Resist and the Arizona State University chapter of Students for a Democratic Society also are participating.
A peaceful protest attracted about 500 people to downtown Tucson on Tuesday evening to rally against racism in front of the Pima County Administration Building.

Tucsonans Against Racism gathered with signs in the wake of the Charlottesville tragedy and protested on the sidewalk and stood in Veinte de Agosto Park declaring racism will not be tolderated.

Organizers said they chose to protest in front of the office building of Pima County Supervisor Ally Miller, who reacted to violent clashes in Charlottesville, Va., by proclaiming on Facebook, I am WHITE  and proud of it! No apologies necessary. On Monday the Pima County Board of Supervisors said they wanted a legal opinion about its authority to punish Miller for the post.

Supervisors Sharon Bronson, Richard Elias and Steve Christy asked during the boards meeting Monday if the county attorney could formally answer the question on what, if anything, the board could do. Miller did not attend the meeting, sending an email to county staff members saying she was unable to attend but giving no specific reason.

Demonstrators also criticized President Trump for holding a campaign rally in Phoenix soon after the Aug. 12 Charlottesville protest in which white supremacists clashed with anti-protesters and Heather Heyer was killed.

In Tucson on Tuesday evening, protest chants included: No Trump. No KKK. No facist USA. Many passing motorists honked their horns in support.

Protester Maggi Dawson said she came to show support for my multicultural community. She held a sign that read: Silence Is Betrayal.

Another demonstrator, Linda Hyatt, said she attended because there is no place in my world for racism.
A spokeswoman for President Trump says he will not pardon former Sheriff Joe Arpaio while visiting Arizona.

Trump sparked speculation about a possible pardon when he told Fox News in a recent interview that he was considering issuing one. But White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters traveling with Trump on Tuesday that "there will be no discussion of that today at any point, and no action will be taken on that front at any point today."

Arpaio, the former Maricopa County sheriff, was recently convicted in federal court of disobeying court orders to stop his immigration patrols.

Immigrant rights advocates, including U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, a Tucson Democrat leading a protest of the president today in Phoenix, had criticized a potential pardon by Trump.

Grijalva says a pardon of Arpaio would send a clear signal to the nation that Trump condones the racial profiling that led to the sheriff's recent conviction.
PHOENIX  Holding a political rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night, President Trump slammed Arizonas Republican senators  while coyly refusing to use their names  and hinted strongly that he will pardon Joe Arpaio.

Trump teased a pardon for former Sheriff Arpaio, asking the crowd what they thought of him. Loud cheers erupted. The former Maricopa County sheriff is awaiting sentencing after his conviction in federal court for disobeying court orders to stop his immigration patrols.

So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? Trump asked. Ill make a prediction: I think hes going to be just fine.

Earlier, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump wouldnt discuss or take action on a pardon at any point during his Arizona trip Tuesday, even though the president had told Fox News he was considering it.

Trump said at the rally that the only reason he wouldnt make a move from the stage was to avoid controversy for the moment.

Surrounded by his most fervent fans, Trump often resurrects his freewheeling 2016 campaign style, pinging insults at perceived enemies such as the media and meandering from topic to topic without a clear theme. Although Trumps high-profile warm-up acts suggested the presidents speech would be about unity, the president was more intent on settling scores.

Neither of Arizonas two Republican senators appeared with Trump.

Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, a conservative, has been a frequent target of Trumps wrath.

The president tweeted last week: Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. Hes toxic! Flake has been on tour promoting his book that says the Republican Partys embrace of Trump has left conservatism withering.

Ward attended Trumps rally but did not appear onstage.

In a modest but telling swipe at Ward and, by extension, at Trump, the Senate Leadership Fund, a political committee closely aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, is spending $10,000 on digital ads that say of her, Not conservative, just crazy ideas.

Arizonas other senator, John McCain, is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer. Trump has been critical of McCain for voting against a Republican health-care bill.

Trump went after both Flake and McCain on Tuesday  but refused to mention their names.

Instead, he bemoaned that the Senate was only one vote away from passing a health-care overhaul. Then he called out another unnamed senator with the weak on borders, weak on crime language he has used against Flake.

Trump described his own restraint as very presidential.

The president threatened to shut down the federal government unless Congress provides funding for his promised border wall.

He told the crowd that he had a message for obstructionist Democrats: If we have to close down our government, were building that wall.

The House has passed a spending bill with funding for the border wall, but it faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

Trump also said he thinks the U.S. will end up probably terminating the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico at some point.

Personally, I dont think we can make a deal because we have been so badly taken advantage of, he said, but added he has yet to make up his mind.

The U.S., Mexico and Canada began formal negotiations last week to rework the 23-year-old pact, which eliminated most barriers on trade between the countries.

Repeatedly during his speech, Trump blamed the media for the widespread condemnation of his response to a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organized by white supremacists that led to the killing of a counterprotester.

Trump opened with a call for unity, saying, What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America and tonight, this entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs that perpetrated hatred and violence.

But he quickly trained his ire on the media, shouting that he openly called for healing unity and love in the immediate aftermath of Charlottesville and claiming the media had misrepresented him. He read from his three responses to the violence  getting more animated with each one.

Democrats and fellow Republicans had denounced Trump for placing blame for the Charlottesville violence on both sides.

Trump spoke after Vice President Mike Pence and others called repeatedly for unity.

Housing Secretary Ben Carson and Dr. Alveda King, the niece of civil-rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., were among the openers. Franklin Graham, son of the evangelist Billy Graham, led the rally-goers in prayer, saying, Were divided racially, and were adrift morally.

Outside the Phoenix Convention Center, shouting matches and minor scuffles erupted between Trump supporters and protesters gathered near the site of his latest campaign rally.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked Trump to delay his political event to allow for more time of national healing after Charlottesville.
After conducting a nationwide search for the next permanent leader of Tucsons largest school district, the TUSD Governing Board on Tuesday selected the guy whos already doing the job, interim superintendent Gabriel Trujillo.

Trujillo, who temporarily took over the superintendents post in March after the board forced out former superintendent H.T. Sanchez, beat out three other finalists for the position, including former C.E. Rose K-8 School principal Stephen Trejo, TUSDs director of elementary and preK-8 schools Maria Marin and Donna Hargens, the former superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky.

Trujillo said he was eager to begin the job permanently, with the ability to do some long-term planning within human resources, budgeting and relationship building.

Now I can really dig in and do a lot of that work. Instead of just sort of managing from agenda-to-agenda and making sure to get us through our current budget cycle, I can now look long-term, he said.

In a surprise move, the Tucson Unified School District board majority decided to publicly name Trujillo at its Tuesday meeting rather than sticking to its previous plan to keep the finalist secret until the board and candidate had negotiated the contract.

Mark Stegeman was the lone vote against Trujillos nomination from the five-member board. Stegeman said he voted against the nomination because he disagreed with the decision to name the candidate publicly before the terms of his contract had been worked out.

Stegeman compared the decision to announcing a wedding before the proposal.

It just doesnt make sense, he said after the meeting.

TUSD Board President Michael Hicks said he voted for Trujillo because he has faith that given a chance, Trujillo can succeed permanently.

I just think he can do the job," Hicks said. "The community likes him, all the community likes him, or at least 98 percent of the community likes him.

Trujillo will be paid a base salary ranging from $180,000 to $230,000 to oversee more than 47,000 students in 89 schools and programs. The board hopes to have the terms of Trujillos contract ironed out by its next meeting on Monday, Aug. 28.

TUSD has spent at least $9,725 in consultant fees for the superintendent search.

Trujillo has been with the district since last September, when he became assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. In March, the TUSD Governing Board elevated him to interim superintendent, but only after their first choice for the temporary job backed out. Before joining TUSD, Trujillo was director of human resources at Phoenix Union High School District, where he was previously a high school principal. Trujillo holds a doctorate in education from Arizona State University.

Trujillo boasts that he has made a career out of taking a temporary position and making himself indispensable.

In one of his first jobs as a teacher, for example, he started with a 10-day contract, and ended up holding the position for seven years. When he was named interim principal at a troubled school in Phoenix, he originally had a 30-day contract, and ended up staying for 10 years.

As the interim superintendent, Trujillo had a head-start on the other candidates for the job hed already conducted listening tours and visited all of TUSDs 89 schools, hes built relationships with the TUSD Governing Board members and set a series of goals for the district.

Trujillo said his immediate goal will be to focus on recruitment and retention of kids. He also sees a need to tighten the districts curricular focus and ensure standards being taught align with the states standards and standardized testing. He also wants to ensure TUSDs leadership is visible and customer-service oriented, which can be as simple as making sure every call or email is returned.
Paloma Martinez went on a mission, with a purpose: protest President Trump and his policies.

The 16-year-old high school junior traveled with her mother and several friends to Phoenix Tuesday to join thousands of others at the Phoenix Convention Center where Trump appeared in a campaign rally attended by thousands of his supporters.

And while the City High School student was just one in the massive crowd that filled Phoenix's downtown streets surrounding the center, in the late afternoon when the temperature was 107 degrees, the soft-spoken Martinez said her presence still mattered.

"I'm glad to see all these people standing together against racism," she said. "I feel like I'm part of something big."

Martinez, who enjoys cooking and listening to hip hop and The Beatles, said before the rally that she felt compelled to attend, "to stand up for my community and my people, and stand against what he (Trump) stands for."

Trump's appearance in Phoenix was his first since he took office in January and his first since Charlottesvile, Virginia, where Nazi and white supremacist Trump supporters clashed with anti-racist protestors. The weekend disturbance left a woman dead when a man drove his car into a crowd of protestors.

At the Phoenix rally, which was boisterous but peaceful, there were no clashes between protestors and Trump supporters but after the president's talk, when most protestors had left the rally, police fired smoke canisters, pepper spray and flash bangs at a few remaining protestors. Police said some protestors threw rocks and bottles at police near the Herberger Theater Center at Third and Monroe streets.

At the rally, a wide cross-section of Arizonans were present. Many carried signs denouncing Trump and the white nationalists movement that the President was slow to criticize after Charlottesville. Many protestors were also clearly in opposition to the possibility that Trump would pardon former Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio who recently was found guilty for ignoring a judge's order to cease racial profiling of Latino residents. While Trump did not announce Arpaio's pardon, during his speech he hinted that he would.

The Tuesday rally was not Martinez's first large demonstration that she has attended. She attended the large Jan. 21 Women's March in downtown Tucson the day after Trump's inauguration. She said she will continue to be active in opposing the president's polices on the environment, women, minority rights and attacks on individuals' sexual preferences. Martinez said a president should be able to see all sides.

"I hope he hears us," she said. "He's pretending we don't exist."
What about whites who persecuted Indians?

To those of you who approve the tearing down and destruction of statues that are part of our history because you associate them with white supremacy, take a look at another part of our history. In my opinion, this destruction is deplorable. But if you have this mindset, I have to ask you about the white supremacy that approved the slaughter and imprisonment of our Native Americans. Are you going to destroy the statues and memorials of presidents, generals and others who approved or participated in our history toward our Native Americans?

Yes, Im proud to be white, but I respect our history and Constitution and know that our country has millions of good people of all races who are ashamed and horrified about the evil that is dividing our country. God bless America.

Duane Huckleberry

Green Valley

Confederate symbols are a Jim Crow reminder

The symbols of the Confederacy should remain in place to remind future generations how the mindset that had them erected also led to the Jim Crow era. Without these symbols, the Jim Crow era will eventually be denied as a hoax.

Donald Plummer

Northwest side

City Council should solve real problems

Let me get this straight: The Tucson City Council, the same one that told Grand Canyon University we were not interested in them coming to town, the same that cannot seem to deal with streets falling apart, the same that  never mind.

THAT City Council has instead chosen to continue to make political statements as opposed to doing the job we asked them to do by investing their time putting in place a campaign to honor all they have decided we should honor. This is great. We cannot wait for all the new UA, Tohono Oodham, DeGrazia, and people-over-6-feet crosswalks. Pretty soon none of us will even know the streets are falling apart, new companies are not coming to the area, young professionals are leaving town and the statue of Pancho Villa has gone missing.

It seems the City Council and the few that think they are wonderful should be providing leadership to solve real community problems.

TJ Popovich

East side

Whites need to do more than apologize

Re: the Aug. 17 letter to the editor Theres no need for Miller to apologize.

The letter writer is guilty of the same racial blindness as Donald Trump. He asks if Miller were black and had tweeted Im black and proud of it, would she have been asked to apologize? He echoes Trump, who lays blame for Charlottesville on many sides. Both men ignore hundreds of years of enslavement and suppression of minorities by whites. It is in fact a one-way street, folks. Face it. Whites need to do far more than apologize. We need to make amends. Pronto.

Regula Case

Midtown

Rothschild leads economic revival

Re: the Aug. 15 letter to the editor Tucsons economic progress needs change.

I came to Tucson in 1957 and have been an independent for over 30 years. In his letter, the chairman of the Pima County Republican Party solely intends to blame our current mayor and council for poor economic numbers. If youre going to make a political statement, please tell the whole story.

After three terms, the previous mayor, Republican Bob Walkup, had misplaced $200 million in Rio Nuevo funds, with three city managers. Since 2012, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild has led the revitalization of downtown, and if you drive around town, theres construction just about everywhere. The roads are being repaved and Tucson police and fire are ordering new equipment, thanks to the voters approving the half-cent sales tax (which the GOP chairman was against, too).

Some people talk, and some people do.

Paul Discher

Midtown

Make your voice heard against racism

Re: the Aug. 16 column Actions speak louder than words in Va. violence.

Trump is unabashed about showing his true colors. Its not surprising he is supported by the KKK, neo-Nazis and especially the alt-right; hate-mongers like David Duke and Richard Spencer are chortling over his statement regarding Charlottesville. But Heather Heyer is dead and her family mourning, simply because she chose to protest racism and hate. This is not the America we want  and not the Tucson.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Centers hate map, there are three major hate groups active here in town and 15 more in the state. Lets not give them a reason to celebrate. Tucsonans are better than that.

We are a diverse community that celebrates kindness and multiculturalism. Its time to make our voices heard to our legislators, our fellow citizens, and very soon, in the voting booth.

Sarah Mitchell Kim

East side

Dixie cartoon is on the nose

Re: the Aug. 16 editorial cartoon by Mike Lester.

The cartoon in last Wednesdays paper, Ill call it Dixie, could not have been more appropriate considering the feeding frenzy to obliterate all monuments that have any suggestion of the Confederacy. Forget the fact that it is part of the history of this country. Political correctness can cut a very wide swath.

John Trojanowski

SaddleBrooke

Cops should sell guns seized here in Phoenix

Re: the Aug. 18 article Tucson no longer able to destroy seized guns.

Its disturbing that the Phoenix and Republican-controlled Legislature has prevailed and Tucson must now sell seized guns back into the community rather than destroy them. But perhaps there is a solution. The Tucson Police Department can drive to Phoenix, sell the guns there  legislators want them back on the streets, after all  and bring the cash back to Tucson.

Rick Unklesbay
This week it is expected that we will hear a final recommendation from Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke regarding the fate of nearly two dozen National Monuments. My family calls Tucson home because of the stunning public lands surrounding this city. Indeed, it is our landscape that attracts tourists from around the globe to visit our desert home.

The Sonoran Desert and Ironwood Forest National Monuments are treasure boxes. We must protect our special places and we must protect the Antiquities Act, which has designated them as monuments.

Tourists come to enjoy our lands in many ways, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting and bird watching. All of this activity contributes significantly to our local economy. Changing the current protections poses a risk not only to the landscape and its inhabitants but also to our local communities. I urge Sen. Jeff Flake to make a public statement reassuring his constituents that he will stand up to protect our public lands and bolster our economy for the longterm.

Michaeleen McNerney

Midtown
The letter reveals another "history buff" lamenting the end of toleration for the fetish of the Daughters of the Confederacy to glorify the ambitions of the slave holding states, who wished to perpetuate their right to possess other human beings. When I hear this nonsense, I wonder if the complainer would argue to save monuments to other actualities of American history. Would a statue of Lee Harvey Oswald holding his carbine triumphantly in the air be appropriate? Say, on Dealey Plaza? Our history includes the flight of Benedict Arnold down the Hudson to escape justice after betraying the Continental Army. Would bronze statues in his honor in parks everywhere gratify our defender of historical formalism? American scientist Charles Davenport was the inspiration for Adolph Hitler's eugenics onslaught. If medical schools and hospitals had in their lobbies plaques honoring his contributions would their admiration by Neo-Nazis be justification for maintaining them? Personally, I find this pretext laughable. How's about we call a spade a spade?
Vietjet will start a new nonstop service connecting Ho Chi Minh City and the Indonesian capital of Jakarta in December, the Vietnamese low-cost carrier announced on Tuesday.

The opening of the new air service was announced on Tuesday in Jakarta, witnessed by high-ranking Vietnamese and Indonesian dignitaries, during the official visit of Vietnams Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong to Indonesia.

The new route will meet increasing demand for travel between the two countries and boost regional trading and integration, Vietjet said in a press release later the same day.

The three-hour Ho Chi Minh City-Jakarta flight will operate daily from December 20, 2017.

The flight departs from Ho Chi Minh City at 8:40 pm and arrives in Jakarta at 11:40 pm (local time). The return flight takes off at 1:40 am (local time) and lands at 4:40 am.

Vietjets new route from Ho Chi Minh City to Jakarta will boost ties between these two economic, cultural and financial hubs, thus helping to boost regional trading and integration, Vietjets vice president Dinh Viet Phuong remarked.

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Most Southeast Asian stock markets ended higher on Tuesday as Wall Street recorded modest overnight gains, underpinning sentiment in Asia.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.5 percent on Tuesday, after Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 gained on Monday, recovering from two sessions of losses.

"We saw modest gains on Wall Street yesterday. So, that inspired some buying momentum in Asian markets," said Manny Cruz, an analyst with Manila-based Asiasec Equities Inc.

Market participants will watch out for the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting later this week, which will be attended by Fed Chair Janet Yellen, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi and other global central bankers.

Singapore shares rose 0.5 percent after a five-session losing streak, as industrials and financials climbed, with Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp gaining 0.5 percent and Sembcorp Industries up 1.7 percent.

Vietnam was the only market that fell in the region, with a nearly 1 percent drop to hit a near one-month closing low, as consumer staples and financials dragged the index.

Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade fell 1.6 percent, while insurance company Baoviet Holdings lost 2.2 percent.

Indonesian shares closed 0.3 percent higher, supported by financials and materials sectors.

Share markets in Malaysia and Thailand gained 0.2 percent each.
Check out what is in the news today, August 23

Politics

-- Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and a high-ranking delegation arrived in Jakarta to commence his official visit to Indonesia at the invitation of President Joko Widodo.

Society

-- Six drivers have reported to the police their cars had got sabotaged by a stranger allegedly sent by the owner of a restaurant while they were parking in front of a neighboring diner in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday morning.

-- The police division in charge of social crimes (PC45) in Hanoi on Tuesday arrested a 28-year-old man for injuring an attendant at a bike repair shop in Cau Giay District while trying to shoot another with his self-made gun, and summoned a local reporter for investigation.

-- Police in Ho Chi Minh City revealed on Tuesday they had worked with their colleagues from the Department of Narcotic Crimes Investigation Police (C47) under Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security to bust a large ring that smuggled drugs from Cambodia to the southern hub.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee has ordered competent agencies not to grant permits to projects of high-rises to be located in streets prone to traffic jams and lacking in proper infrastructure in a bid to alleviate the worsening plague.

Business

-- The Ministry of Finance has proposed reducing import tariff on components for cars of up to nine seats and light trucks.

-- Low-cost Vietnamese carrier Vietjet announced at a ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday the launch of a new Jakarta-Ho Chi Minh City route starting December 20.

-- Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has approved a list of 406 enterprises in which the Vietnamese government will divest all of its shares in the 2017-2020 period, with the divestment including 135 firms this year.

-- The Peoples Committee of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho has slapped a fine of VND90 million (US$3,917) on a company for operating international tours without a license, and requested the firm cease all its tourism services and compensate its customers.

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The director of a company in the north-central Vietnamese province of Nghe An has expressed his regret and apologized after footage of him slapping a female doctor went viral on social media.

The clip showing his violent actions at the Nghe An 115 General Hospital has sparked outrage after being uploaded to the Internet on Monday.

Relevant authorities later identified the attacker as Nguyen Dinh Hoang Thang, chairman of the management board and director of Tan Thang Construction JSC based in Vinh City, Nghe An.

Thang admitted on Tuesday he was the man in the video footage.

The company director recalled arriving at the infirmary on the night of August 18 after being told that Nguyen Van Nam, 26, Thangs employee and also nephew of Nguyen Xuan Huan, chairman of the administration in Trung Do Ward, Vinh City, had been hospitalized following a road accident.

Believing that doctors and nurses at the facility werent paying enough attention to Nam, who was bleeding severely, Thang became upset and later attacked one of the doctors.

I lost control. I was wrong and am deeply sorry for and ashamed of my behavior. I take full responsibility for my actions, he said.

Thang added that Chairman Huan was also at the hospital during the incident and tried to stop the violence.

According to Dr. Hoang Thi Minh, the victim, doctors at the hospital had examined and evaluated Nams condition.

As we were about to take the patient for a CT scan of his fractured cheekbone, a man yelled at me and started slapping me, Minh recounted. My face was aching and swollen the next morning.

Pham Van Dung, deputy director of the Nghe An 115 General Hospital, said that a report had been submitted to the provincial Department of Health, requesting that relevant authorities solve the case and ensure the safety of doctors and nurses at the infirmary.

Chairman Huan has also written a report to the Vinh City Party Committee, confirming that he had not taken part in the assault.

I was just trying to stop the fight and ensure order at the hospital, the official said.

After the video was posted, several media outlets claimed that Huan was also an attacker given that the clip includes footage of him grabbing a stool and heading toward the room where Dr.Minh had returned to after being slapped by Thang.

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Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City are set to prohibit high-rise construction along several streets in a bid to ease regular congestion at local traffic hotspots.

The municipal Peoples Committee has ordered authorities to stop issuing building permits for high-rise construction along routes with insufficient traffic infrastructure.

The decision is part of the administrations efforts to alleviate serious traffic jams across the metropolis.

Residential areas and apartment complexes have been mushrooming across the southern hub, while local streets are yet to be upgraded to serve the increased traffic pressure.

Such a situation is noticeable in Tan Phu District, where five apartment buildings are located along a one-kilometer section of Trinh Dinh Thao Street, and many other locations.

According to a representative of the municipal Department of Construction, licensing authorities must review whether the design and capacity of a construction is suitable with the local urban environment before granting a permit.

However, the process of upgrading urban infrastructure does not always catch up with the implementation of construction projects, resulting in overloaded roads, the representative continued.

Another official from the transport department said that the agency had not been involved in the decision with regard to building permits in the city as a means of decreasing the amount of time it takes to complete the procedure.

Such authority ultimately belongs to the municipal Department of Planning and Architecture, said Tran Quang Lam, director of the agency.

In one recent change, the two departments have been coordinating with each other in the assessment of local construction projects.

They have asked the developers of high-rise buildings to establish evaluations on the impact of their projects on traffic infrastructure and assist the state in renovating local streets and alleys.

Based on these assessments, the projects will be divided into different phases in accordance with the upgrade progress of road infrastructure.

Prof. Nguyen Trong Hoa, former head of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, suggested that authorities halt the construction of high-rise buildings in downtown areas, which are already crowded and overloaded.

These projects are often approved based on the urban environment 20 years from now, when roads are expected to be upgraded and the metro system complete, Hoa said.

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Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested members of a transnational drug ring that was smuggling ecstasy, methamphetamine and other stimulants from Cambodia to the southern Vietnamese metropolis.

Officers from the municipal Department of Police and Ministry of Public Security have busted an extensive drug ring masterminded by Luu Van Chang, 43, Colonel Ho Tu Sang, head of Ho Chi Minh Citys anti-drug police division, confirmed on Tuesday.

Aside from Chang, seven other members were also apprehended, namely Nguyen Ly, a 48-year-old Australian national, Tran Hong Vu, 50, Nguyen Thanh Tai, 42, Vo Ngoc Thanh Nhan, 38, Tran Long Thang, 35, Tran Thi Hoai Han, 24, and Tran Quoc Cong, 22.

Officers first uncovered the gangs operation in May.

Initial investigations have revealed that Chang was living with Han, his lover, at a house in Hoc Mon District, and were using an apartment in Tan Binh District to manage and monitor their criminal operation.

In early July, investigators became aware that Chang and his gang planned to smuggle a large amount of drugs into Ho Chi Minh City.

The Toyota Fortuner with a TV network logo used to transport the drugs.

At around 6:30 am on July 11, police units followed Vu from his residence in District 1 to a construction site in Hoc Mon, where he received a shipment from a man named Nguyen Van Het.

After ambushing the suspect, officers discovered 12,000 ecstasy pills and 1.5 kilograms of crystal meth, and later confiscated more stimulants and evidence from Vus house.

Another team arrested Chang at around 8:30 am the same day, while he was travelling on his motorbike in Tan Phu District and carrying 18 pills of ecstasy and VND90 million (US$3,958) in cash.

Following a search on Changs homes, law enforcers found nearly VND700 million ($30,785) in cash, a car, and a high-powered motorbike.

Officers then carried out a raid on the residences of Changs accomplices, confiscating 16,000 ecstasy pills, two kilograms of crystal meth and ketamin, VND800 million ($35,183) in cash and three automobiles.

At the police station, Chang said he bought the drugs from a Chinese man living in Cambodia and had transported the products to Ho Chi Minh City through the Moc Hoa Border Gate in the southern Long An Province.

The drugs were often stored in a seven-seater Toyota Fortuner, which was disguised as a TV network vehicle and included its own logo on the outside of the car.

The confiscated drugs are displayed at the police station.

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Huh? The Chases Bradley Walsh as the next Doctor Who companion?

Sounds like fake news to me but according to The Daily Mirror, Jodie Whittaker, 35, will be accompanied on her travels through space and time by former Coronation Street star and quiz-show host Bradley Walsh, 57.

It attributes the theory to the fact that incoming producer Chris Chibnall was the lead writer on ITVs Law & Order UK, which starred Walsh for eight seasons.

An unnamed source said: Bradley is super excited to be joining the cast of Doctor Who in such a key role.

It means that his schedule over the coming months will be jam-packed  so he wont be able to continue with the full range of programmes he currently makes for ITV.

But, crucially, it wont affect his role as presenter of The Chase. He loves that show with a passion and so does the audience, so hes delighted to have found a way to make it all work.

To the concept of having an older companion, a Radio Times poll found more amongst 2,000 fans of the show 67.75% of them said they thought having an older companion was a great idea, while 32.5% of those polled werent so keen.

At least it isnt Mark Labbett. Sorry not sorry.
Reports are emerging that Oaktree has pulled out of the race for TEN, leaving Lachlan Murdoch & Bruce Gordon as the likely buyers.

The Australian suggests US hedge funds Oaktree and Anchorage submitted a joint bit last Friday, but sources tip it has now been withdrawn.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is yet to reveal its decision on whether the Murdoch / Gordon bid can be approved, while the government is yet to pass media reforms.

Previous reporting suggests their bid may include a plan to have a minority equity interest but a majority economic interest, to get around ownership laws.

Meanwhile Fairfax has been reporting some inside Labor concede that the two-out-of-three rule is out of date and irrelevant but because Murdoch clearly wants the changes, Labor cant agree to it.
Help India!

New Delhi, (IANS): A day after Supreme Court banned instant divorce for Muslims, Jama Masjids Shahi Imam Maulana Ahmed Bukhari on Wednesday slammed the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) for its dual stand in the court.

Bukhari said that the AIMPLB took a confusing stand by saying on one hand that talaq-e-biddat was sinful while on the other hand insisting on keeping it intact.

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How can a thing which is sinful be allowed by Shariah? he asked.

Bukhari said had the AIMPLB, which was party to the case, held wide consultations with clerics of other schools of jurisprudence before reaching a conclusion on the stand to be taken in the court, the Muslim community would have been spared this ignominy.

Bukhari nevertheless welcomed the courts decision in the context that it upheld the spirit of the Muslim Personal Law.
Elon Musk CEO of SpaceX, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company, has added his name to an open letter to the UN saying robotic weapons of war could be used by terrorists and despots in the near future. Musk is known for clashing with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg on this very subject describing Zuckerberg as being ignorant of the danger such weapons posed.

Other notables in the field of AI (Artificial Intelligence) have also signed the letter agreeing with Musk's horrifying vision of a Terminator-like future.

Musk stated that "Lethal autonomous weapons threaten to become the third revolution in warfare" and also putting his signature to the letter is Google's Mustafa Suleyman Co-Founder of Deep Mind. The letter points out that developing such weapons like automated tanks, drones, warships, machine guns etc could lead to a new arms race.

116 specialists from 26 nations have also signed the letter but how the United Nations will respond to the letter cannot be known at this time.

BAE Systems already working on AI weapons

Well-known defence contractor British company Bae Systems are already working on automated weapons for the British Armed Forces. So in a sense, tomorrow is already here and there are already robots used by the British Army to defuse bombs.

Also, drones operated by remote controllers have become a terror weapon in themselves costing many a Taliban, AQ, or IS fighter their lives .

The fact though that such weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists, enemy nations or be developed by them, is a sobering thought. As technology gets more sophisticated as the years go by armed warfare could end up solely being about self-reliant weapons with very little human control.

Terminator future

Stephen Hawking well known for his views on alien contact with humankind, which in his opinion could end up with us being wiped out by a more advanced race, has also made his views known about AI. Describing a nightmare scenario where humans are exterminated by intelligent machines certainly, makes one think.

This extermination or replacement of human beings could be either by warfare like The Terminator franchise or the mass sidelining of humans in traditional industries including as described in this article the armed forces.

Technology has always played a part in warfare whether it be gunpowder or the introduction of the machine gun or tank. These weapons of the future like the development of the atomic bomb will increase our power of destruction to even more horrific proportions if left unchecked.
If history dictates the present, there will be no serious damage caused by the constant threats made against one another in this childish and undiplomatic back-and-forth between North Korea and the USA. David Kang, director of Korean Studies Institute at the University of Southern California, said, "The big thing we keep missing about North Korea is that their threats are always the second half of a sentence, and we ignore the first half. North Korea consistently says, 'If the United States attacks us first, we will fight back."

What we need to keep in mind is that the threats made by either party are no indication of a first strike.

This pattern of belligerent rhetoric is similar to previous years. Although the tone has changed with the current administration, the intentions remain the same - to make a move only if attacked.

Why is Kim Jong-un making flamboyant demonstrations with missiles?

To answer this question, we need to look a little deeper into the bubble he lives in. One that might very well be on the brink of bursting. It all started when President Harry Truman ordered ground troops to assist South Korea in their war against the North - the nation that wanted both the Koreas to reunify using sheer force. This was done so that the pervasion of communism would be hindered. Millions of Koreans died and many cities were burnt.

The fighting between the U.S. and North Korea ended in 1953, but it didn't end in a truce or a treaty and instead ended in a ceasefire. The United States has over 30,000 US troops in South Korea, which the other Korea believes is preventing them from unifying with the South. To understand North Korea economically, it is a nation has been bogged down in poverty while being surrounded by prosperity.

With American involvement, countries like Japan, China, and South Korea prospered in wealth while North Korea plunged. This was a bitter pill for North Korea to swallow.

The Kim family dynasty has been, since their coming to power, pushing an anti-U.S. propaganda through different outlets such as media, schools, banners, etc.

Current moves

The tension between the U.S. and North Korea has been rising since the 50s but it became much more significant in the recent years with North Korea making vague but constant threats. This is Kim Jong-un's desperate attempt at staying in power while having minimal support from the people of his nation. He's standing on a precarious platform that could fall apart with one wrong move.

Kim Jong-un's detailed plan to attack Guam was, as expected, not well received by the Trump administration. President Trump boosted the tension by stating that they are "locked and loaded" in the case of an attack made by Kim. North Korea responded by claiming it would unleash "enveloping fire" around Guam.

The best bet for both North Korea and the U.S. right now is to keep their guard up but to never make the first move. Words can be thrown around but without acting, they'll be deprived of any meaning and on this occasion, that seems to be what is necessary for world peace.
Hate and hate speech are not foreign concepts in the United States. With the resurgence of white supremacist groups (17 percent increase in the last year) and rallies, the emphasis on ending hate has reached a critical point with strong support from both democrats and republicans.

Court cases

Between 1919 and 2007 there were twenty-two notable supreme court cases attempting to define what the right to free speech means. Relative to the events of the past few weeks, the following cases deal with the grey area of hate speech. In Schenck v. United States (1919) was determined that freedom of speech can be limited during war time.

This case introduced the term "clear and present danger" that remains important in outlining this first amendment right. In 1942, Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire declared that "fighting words" which cause injury or cause an immediate breach of peace are not protected. Brandenburg v. Ohio in 1969 determined that speech that calls for "imminent lawless action" is also an unprotected form of expression.

Determined by these cases, it is clear that the speech propagated at the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia is an unprotected exception to the first amendment as it resulted in one death, multiple injuries as well as various criminal acts. However, due to the first amendment right to assemble and the fact that you can't be arrested based on the suspicion that you might incite violence, rallies that promote hate and fear are a continuing problem for American citizens.

Ending the hate

Hate speech is not now, nor may it ever be truly illegal. This obstacle doesn't mean that opponents of the problem should give up, but rather approach it from other angles. Shortly after the Charlottesville rally, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote an article outlining "ten ways to fight hate".

1. Act: Do something. Apathy is an unacceptable response to h ate and unless people speak up and address the problem, intolerance and hatred will persist.

and unless people speak up and address the problem, intolerance and hatred will persist. 2. Join forces: reach out to organizations and other groups that will help combat hate .

. 3. Support the victims: let them know you care for and support them. Offer your services and compassion.

4. Speak up: denounce hate groups in any way you can think of. Write letters, post on social media, call friends, family, representatives etc. to express your concerns and questions.

in any way you can think of. Write letters, post on social media, call friends, family, representatives etc. to express your concerns and questions. 5. Educate yourself: do research and don't accept opinions as fact.

6. Create an alternative: draw attention away from hate and towards supporting differences.

7. Pressure leaders: they are there to represent the values of their communities so make sure your voice is heard.

8. Stay engaged: don't turn a blind eye to political conversations and expand your world view.

conversations and expand your world view. 9. Teach acceptance: biases are learned early, make sure you aren't spreading hateful messages.

messages. 10. Dig deeper: check your privilege and examine your own misconceptions about race, gender, ability, sexuality and anything else you might judge without noticing.

Now is the time to end hate once and for all but it can't be done without a universal determination to do so. Ignoring and avoiding the issue is not an option. As a nation, we need to unite and declare a war on hate.
Researchers have observed that the Fish are declining in size. This observation was first confirmed three years back in a research study which revealed that the body size of some fish stocks in the North Sea, such as haddock, herring and sole, had decreased significantly in past four decades. Some scientists suggested Global warming as the culprit behind this new finding, but there was no concrete theory to explain how climate change could result in the shrinking of fish sizes.

Now a new study carried out by researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada suggests this is true, and climate change is playing a major role in shrinking the size of fish.

The study also claims that fish size may shrink by up to 30 percent if ocean temperatures continue to increase due to climate change.

Fish cant regulate their body temperature

Fish are cold-blooded animals, meaning they cant regulate the temperature of their own body. Their body temperature depends completely on environmental temperature. William Cheung, director of science for the Nippon Foundation Nereus Program at UBC and the co-author of the study, reveals that as oceans warm up, the body temperature of fish also increases. This results in speeding up of their metabolism, and therefore they need more oxygen to carry out their body functions. Fish get oxygen through gills that have their own limits to supplying oxygen to the body.

Less supply of oxygen in the body eventually results in stopping the growth of fish body size.

Daniel Pauly, a principal investigator with the Sea Around Us project at UBC and the lead author of the study, suggests that as fish move into adulthood, they become larger in size and so their demand for oxygen also increases. However, their gills dont grow with same speed.

For example, gills of a cod grow only 80 percent or less for a 100 percent increase in its body weight.

Increase in water temperature increases fish's need for oxygen

Pauly further explains that an increase in water temperature increases the need for oxygen by fish, but at the same time, it decreases the amount of oxygen available for fish in the oceans.

This means there is less oxygen for gills to supply to a body that has already grown faster than them. The long-term effect of this oxygen shortage is that fish stop growing to fulfill their oxygen needs. Pauly names this principle as "gill-oxygen limitation theory."

According to researchers, different fish species may be affected differently due to a combination of factors. For example, fast-moving Tuna that require more energy may shrink more with warming ocean waters. The study also suggests that the body size of the Atlantic bluefin tuna is likely to decrease by 30 percent with a 2C (3.6F) increase in water temperature.

Detailed findings of the study have been published in the journal Global Change Biology.
Zimbabwe - Harare International Airport has apparently shut the runways to South African aircraft. A source flying out of Harare, Zimbabwe today bound for Johannesburg on an SAA flight told the reporter that his plane was denied permission to take off this morning, Saturday 19 August. The source who wished to remain anonymous is a Zimbabwean national who booked to travel to South Africa.

Zimbabwe keeps SAA flights on the ground at Harare International Airport

According to information received by the source, there was talk in the airport of SAA, the National Airline of South Africa, sending an unmarked Airbus to collect their passengers who are now stranded in Harare.

Later, while waiting for the flight to take off, the passengers were apparently advised by airport authorities that the plane was delayed because of a power outage. In a new development, unconfirmed reports suggest that a British flight was also refused to take off from the International airport. A passenger in South Africa, at the Oliver International Airport, tweeted that there is definitely some problem involving British flights into Zimbabwe.

Stuck at OR Tambo international no flights going in or out of Harare British Airways  nyasha chiyar (@ndigereBaby) August 19, 2017

While it can be assumed that the South Africans might be legitimate targets for tit for tat retribution, it is unclear how or why the British might also be a target for the Zimbabwean government.

On 18 August, Bulawayo 24 News reported that South Africa had grounded all Air Zimbabwe flights in the country as they owe millions in landing and maintenance fees. Following the decision by South Africa's Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the 7 PM flight out of South Africa bound for Harare was detained on the ground.

Grace Mugabe, tit for tat and diplomatic immunity

Air Zimbabwe, which is operated by President Mugabe's son in-law, Simba Chikore, in which he is the "de Facto" owner has been struggling with safety and financial issues. In May this year, Air Zimbabwe was refused permission to operate flights to the EU because of safety concerns.

The tit for tat grounding of SAA flights does not explain the alleged grounding of a British owned flight at Harare International Airport.

Another source who wishes to remain anonymous said to the reporter via a Watts App message, that it might be possible the flight that was denied departure was a Kulula Flight. Kulula is a South African no-frills airline, operating on major domestic routes from OR Tambo International Airport and Lanseria International Airport. It is operated by Comair and is a subsidiary franchise of British Airways.

Meanwhile, there are rumors arising that indicate there might be more to the grounding of SAA flights than just a tit for tat exercise. This week it was reported that President Robert Mugabe's wife Grace Mugabe was instructed to appear at a South African police Station, following a complaint filed by a model who was allegedly assaulted by Zimbabwe's first lady at an upmarket Sandton hotel.

News 24 reported that after she left South Africa without attending to the summons by the police, she is now seeking diplomatic immunity. According to their report, she has "claimed diplomatic immunity after allegedly assaulting Gabriella Engels nearly a week ago -- the reason for which is not known." One person tweeted, that Mugabe himself is involved.

Give #GraceMugabe immunity or #SAA will be grounded says #RobertMugabe at Harare Airport.  Phetogo H Masemene (@PhetogoMasemene) August 19, 2017

The Zimbabweans on the ground in the Harare International Airport now face a dilemma. Many of them wish to just go back home, but according to this reporters source, as they received an exit stamp when they passed through Immigration, they require an entrance stamp into South Africa before they can be allowed back into the country.

Essentially, Zimbabweans who want to give up and go home simply cannot depart the airport. Effectively this has made them hostages by their own government at their own Airport.

This tiny passenger has been keeping busy at Harare airport while waiting for his stranded @flySAA_US flight to Joberg for about 7 hours. pic.twitter.com/1r9DlHan1n  Sandra Gathmann (@SandraGathmann) August 19, 2017

Why target British Airways?

Another passenger who has been liaising with this reporter via twitter, just said that a British Airways flight is now being boarded as is a flight to Mozambique. In the meantime, SAA passengers are still on the ground.

At Harare International airport, a 7am South African Airlines flight to Joberg is still grounded. Afternoon SA flights delayed. pic.twitter.com/HA7Dr45G4p  Sandra Gathmann (@SandraGathmann) August 19, 2017

There are no new images accompanying this news, as it is against the law in Zimbabwe to take photographs of government infrastructure. At this time there is no response to a Twitter inquiry to British Airways asking for any confirmation.
A saleswoman arranges shelves at a supermarket selling UK foods in Beijing. [A Jing/for China Daily]

British food and drink exports saw record growth in the first half of this year, rising by 8.5 percent year-on-year, buoyed in part by a 35 percent increase in exports to China, according to a report of UK's Food and Drink Federation.

The first half of the year saw exports of British food and drink grow to 10.2 billion pounds ($13.14 billion), up by 8.5 percent and representing the highest first half-year growth on record.

Whisky, salmon and beer remained the UK's top three food and drink exports. Ireland, France and the United States were the top three destinations for British products in terms of overall value.

UK food and drink exports to China from January to June totaled 274.3 million pounds, a 35 percent increase year-on-year. This represents the third-largest growth for an individual market, behind South Korea and Belgium where exports grew 77 percent and 39 percent respectively.

George Eustice, minister of state at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: "We will continue to work with industry to open new opportunities. Last week, we announced further market access to China for pork producers, and UK beef will soon be heading to the Philippines."

On Aug 14, Eustice announced an increase in the number of pork exporters and products from the UK to China. Valued at 45.2 million pounds, salmon was the UK's top food and drink export to China in the first half.

In descending order, pork, milk and cream powders, whisky, beer, crustaceans, milk and cream liquids, waters, coffee and wine rounded out the top export products from the UK to China this year.

In terms of growth, beer was the outstanding performer. Britain exported 23.7 million pounds of beer to China in the first half of 2017. Crustacean and wine exports registered 179.8 percent and 98.7 percent growth respectively.
Hei Yongjun, a resident of Xi'an, Shaanxi province, has been assigned a new role by a district court in the city: to mediate domestic disputes in his community and try to settle them outside the courtroom.

"I rarely connected with the court before, but I've been easing conflicts between family members and neighbors for about seven years," said Hei, of the Hongxing community in the city's Xincheng district.

Hei is one of 111 mediators selected by the court to help reform the handling of domestic disputes.

In the past, residents with domestic conflicts came to the court directly, but judges sometimes could not fully solve their problems because they did not know the root of the problems. Making matters worse, the rising number of domestic cases, led by divorce, often gave judges little, if any, time to understand deeply, the court said in a statement.

"So we decided to call on more people to join us, helping us solve domestic disputes," said Yao Jianjun, president of the court.

According to the nation's top court, Chinese courts concluded 1.75 million domestic disputes in 2016. Of those, 1.4 million were divorces.

Last week, the Xincheng court cooperated with the district's justice bureau and women's federation, selecting the 111 mediators for 111 communities, the statement said.

"All of them have knowledge of mediation or have worked in the communities before," Yao said. "We hope they can help us first understand what the domestic conflict is all about, as well as the family backgrounds of the two parties."

Hei, the mediator, said the mediation process and background survey can serve as a reference for the court.

"Judges can make a comprehensive verdict after reading materials provided by us," Hei said.

The court where Hei works is one of 118 nationwide taking part in a two-year pilot program that began in 2016 to explore new ways to handle domestic disputes.

In addition to mediation, the test courts also provide social workers and psychologists "to solve the conflicts thoroughly", said Wu Gang, the court's vice-president.

"Judges cannot simply say who is right under the law, but should also remove the real conflict behind the lawsuit, as domestic disputes relate to the stability of society," he said.

According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the national divorce rate has risen rapidly since 2002, with 3.64 million couples ending their marriages in 2014. And the number has continued to rise. Most of those getting divorced were born in the 1980s and 1990s.

Zhao Yan, director of the Hongxing district's federation of women, applauded the reform for domestic cases, saying family conflict alleviation needs more focus.

Now, the federation has established "family shelters" in each community of the district, to help those suffering domestic violence to separate from their attackers, she said.
[Photo provided to China Daily]

Many artists today create works on tablets for convenience, such as celebrated British artist David Hockney who draws using an iPad.

Beijing-based artist Sun Rongfang is now showing 38 paintings of her iPad art at the Ici Labas gallery in the capital's 798 art district.

The exhibition, titled From Horizon to Lake Inside, which runs through Sept 17, provides a glimpse of how technology is reshaping an artist' creative process.

"The iPad becomes a moving studio, allowing me to create anytime, anywhere," says Sun.

"To a great extent, the tablet has released me from the limitations of traditional painting  and the need to carry paper, canvases, pigments and brushes  and so I can focus more on thinking and quickly recording my emotions."

The paintings were done by Sun as she traveled around the world.

Sun, who lives in a hutong, travels for several months a year.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro talks to the media in front of images of Venezuela's national hero Simon Bolivar, during a news conference at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela August 22, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

CARACAS - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday that his government is taking steps to defend the country against US economic sanctions.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital, the president said that Washington is planning a "commercial, oil and financial blockade," which would worsen the economic situation in the country.

"The economic measures being prepared by the US government will worsen the economic situation in Venezuela," explained Maduro, adding that bilateral relations are at their worst moment.

A defiant Maduro said that the threats of a military intervention by US President Donald Trump would not stop Venezuela from holding presidential elections in 2018.

"If Trump comes at the head of a military intervention, there will still be presidential elections in Venezuela," he said, before calling on Pope Francis to help scale back the "military threat."

Maduro told the Venezuelan people that their country was at the "center of a global operation" seeking to appropriate national resources.

However, he still said that there was an option to start a dialogue with the US and that he would be sending a letter to his American counterpart.

"I do want to talk with Trump, why wouldn't I want to speak with him? I tell you again, President Trump, whatever the future of our relations may be, you and I should be talking," said Maduro.

"I am certain that if he reads it (the letter), many things can change for the better...I hope he at least answers the letter I am going to send," he said.

Finally, he called for an international arrest warrant and an Interpol red notice against Venezuela's former attorney-general, Luisa Ortega Diaz, and her husband, German Ferrer, who have fled to Colombia, then Brazil.

Maduro called them "fugitives from justice" and blamed them for being involved in an extortion case and acting as foreign agents.
The father of missing Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying read a letter the family sent to US President Donald Trump, asking him to "direct all federal resources to try to find Yingying," on Tuesday at a press conference in Champaign, Illinois.

Zhang Ronggao was joined by Zhang's mother, Ye Lifeng, and younger brother, Zhang Xinyang, who arrived from China on Saturday.

The family said they hope their direct appeal to the president will help advance the search for Zhang. They also said they will not give up until Zhang is found.

Zhang, a visiting Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois, has been missing since June 9 and is presumed dead by the FBI.

The family has met with the FBI numerous times over the past two months. They said investigators had shared some "good news" about the evidence they've collected, but there have yet to be any breakthroughs on Zhang's whereabouts.

"We totally understand and respect their ways," Zhang's boyfriend Hou Xiaolin said at the conference. "But for us it seems that this journey is too long and we don't know where we are. And we don't know when we can get to the end."

Hou said the family would continue to use the more than $137,000 raised through a GoFundMe campaign for the family's living expenses in the US, a $50,000 reward for information about Zhang's location, legal assistance and other expenses. To date, about $70,000 has been spent.

Officials of the University of Illinois also announced a yellow ribbon campaign on campus in support of Ms. Zhang and her family, starting Tuesday afternoon. Robin Kaler, associate chancellor for public affairs of the university, said she hopes it will help raise awareness.

Hou said they would continue to raise money and possibly hire a private investigator for the case, which they have not done yet because they did not want to interfere with law enforcement's investigation. The estimated cost would be between $500,000 and $1 million.

"We will never give up on her," Hou said. "I have no energy or time to be anxious, frustrated or angry. There's only one thought on my mind - that is to try everything I can to find her."

Brendt Christensen, 28, of Champaign, was arrested on June 30 and charged with the kidnapping of Zhang. He pleaded not guilty and will face trial on Sept 12.

At the end of the conference, a copy of Zhang's diary, put together by the university, was presented to her parents by Chancellor Robert Jones. The diary was found by the police in Ms. Zhang's apartment earlier in the investigation. The original diary is still being held as evidence in the case.

"Life is too short to be ordinary," Zhang wrote on the last page of her diary.
The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on Tuesday on 16 entities and individuals, mostly Chinese and Russian, for alleged business ties with the nuclear and missile program in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Such US action is a major distraction from the real issue in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and a reflection of failed US policies.

China has not only endorsed the UNSC Resolution 2371, but earnestly implemented all the relevant resolutions on DPRK. China, however, has opposed unilateral sanctions imposed by the US outside the UNSC framework. China has stated that it opposes such "long-arm jurisdiction" by any other country using their domestic laws against Chinese entities or individuals.

China has made it clear that if any Chinese entities or individuals were found violating UNSC resolutions, they will be investigated and punished according to Chinese laws.

The US has long believed that sanctions are a silver bullet. But its past track records have shown that the majority of sanctions not only failed but caused humanitarian disasters in other countries. It is also not hard to tell that its sanctions and heightened sanctions on DPRK have failed to stop the country from pursuing its nuclear and missile program.

There is little doubt that such secondary sanctions will have any effect on DPRK in changing its course.

However, the Tuesday announcement will greatly undermine the trust and cooperation between the US and China and Russia, the two countries which endorsed the UNSC resolution on Aug 5 and in previous years.

Lack of trust and cooperation between relevant parties, especially between the US and DPRK and between US and China, is a major stumbling block to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The US has always blamed DPRK for the failure in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, and never wants to acknowledge that its own behaviors, such as breaking its promise to deliver two light water reactors to DPRK in time under a 1994 agreement, or imposing financial sanctions on DPRK soon after a joint statement from the Six-Party Talks in 2005, have contributed to the current impasse.

This is not to mention that the US has a lot to do in recovering its credibility after removing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 after he gave up his nuclear weapons program.

Secretary Tillerson's words on Tuesday is welcome when he acknowledges that the DPRK has not conducted missile and nuclear test since the UNSC resolution on Aug 5 and he hopes this would lead to dialogue in the future. But the Treasury announcement on Tuesday directly contradicts to such efforts.

The author is deputy editor of China Daily USA. chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com
It was appalling to learn on Tuesday that remains of US sailors were found on a US Navy destroyer that collided off Singapore the day before. It was even more troubling to realize that the pre-dawn collision was the fourth accident in the Pacific this year involving an American warship, including one that killed seven seamen in June.

The loss of the sailors' lives, plus repeated US warship accidents in the same geographic area, should prompt some people to do more soul searching about whether or not the US Navy is stretching itself too far in trying to police such vast and far off waters.

The deadly mid-sea collisions, following the US Navy's increased "freedom of navigation operations", military exercises and other activities in the South China Sea and surrounding waters, have ramped up concerns that US warships are an increasing threat to navigational safety in Asian waters.

Following the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain's collision with a merchant vessel on Monday morning near the Strait of Malacca, the US Navy ordered an "operational pause" and a fleet-wide global investigation.

The collision happened as the McCain was heading for a stop in Singapore after trespassing through the waters close to a reef of China's Nansha Islands early in the month.

Ridzwan Rahmat, a naval expert at Jane's, said initial indications suggest the US warship may not have been obeying rules designed to separate maritime traffic passing through the Singapore Strait, according to an Agence France-Presse report.

Analysts also pointed out that the US Navy could be overextended.

Rahmat observed that the US Navy has been conducting "a lot of activities" across the South Pacific region, and it brings up the question of whether the force is overextended.

"There is a question of possible crew fatigue. That is the question I would be asking as an investigator - is this tempo of operations sustainable?" he was quoted by the AP.

Another researcher, Vasily Kashin, at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, also said US warships spend too much time on combat service and the crews are overworked.

Maritime accidents are frequent in the Asia Pacific, as there is no other place with a comparable concentration of US warships and scale of commercial navigation, Kashin said, according to Xinhua.

Before Monday's mishap with the McCain, the first six months of the year saw the USS Antietam run aground in January, spilling 1,100 gallons of hydraulic fluid into Tokyo Bay; the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain collide with a South Korean fishing vessel off the Korean Peninsula in May and the USS Fitzgerald collide with a container ship in waters off Japan in June, claiming the lives of seven sailors.

On the 7th Fleet's Facebook page, Cody Murphy, who identified himself as an Arizona resident, said of the accidents: Once is a tragedy; twice is a questionable coincidence; if it happens a third time, then there is something going on.

"A multimillion dollar guided-missile destroyer with the most advanced radar and sensor technology can't see a container ship going what, 25 knots max?" Murphy posted.

It was already shocking and saddening to read about the brutal death of seven US sailors in the flooded berths of the Fitzgerald in June. The 7th Fleet said in a statement last week that collision "was avoidable, and both ships demonstrated poor seamanship".

What will the US Navy do if the deadly Aug 21 collision is found to have been "avoidable" had the crew not been so tired and stretched so thin?

Contact the writer at huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com
State of the Blog

I'm not keeping up the blog like I used to. Posts will be here and there, as the mood strikes. Most of what I have to say is in my book. Thank you for reading.


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HA NOI  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked all ministries, departments and provinces to promote growth by easing the hurdles that businesses face and by helping cut down their bureaucratic expenses.

This was one of the main contents of the PMs conclusions at the governments recent regular meeting on solutions to enhance growth.

The PM requested all ministries and localities to create a favourable environment for investments and businesses, to focus on solving problems related to processes and mechanisms, as well as on policies and regulations to promote production and business.

Hurdles should be tackled without delay; recommendations, reviews should be made quickly; both official and unofficial expenses must be cut down; and administrative procedural reforms must be hastened to reduce costs for residents and enterprises.

Phuc also asked authorities to ensure there is credit for the economy by focusing on priority areas associated with credit quality assurance and striving for 21 per cent credit growth for 2017.

Other recommendations made by the PM include flexible use of tax and credit tools to increase investment and reduce costs for businesses, to promptly handle tax and fee problems, strengthen activities to find markets for consumption of products, trade promotion, investment and tourism.

In addition, Phuc asked for stronger fiscal discipline  in the state budget, by preventing revenue loss, collecting tax arrears, saving money through transfer pricing, ensuring approved estimates are maintained, and vigorously reforming administrative procedures on taxation, customs, state treasury and social insurance.

Tight control of imports needed to reduce trade deficit

According to the PM, exports must rise and imports should be controlled tightly to reduce trade deficit. The export of services must be strengthened on the spot, especially tourism services, and commodities and key markets. Effective measures must be put in place to control imports, especially the application of technical barriers, in accordance with law and international commitments.

Phuc also called for boosting domestic consumption, improving the quality of goods and products produced locally, enhancing the production and distribution of good-quality domestic goods to replace imported goods, and taking strict measures against smuggling and trade frauds.

On the other side, businesses also need to step up their restructuring, and the equitisation of State-owned enterprises and divestment of enterprises must move faster, ensuring that they meet the equitisation target for 2017. Deliberate delays and violations in equitisation and divestment must involve tough punishment.

The PM has asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to coordinate with concerned agencies in expeditiously studying, analysing and evaluating the situation, adopting appropriate GDP calculation methods, constructing a socio-economic situation for 2018 and the following years by ensuring uniformity, feasibility and conformity with the objectives and tasks of the five-year socio-economic development plan 2016-20, adopted in the spirit of the 12th National Party Congress Resolution .  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue has approved a list of 406 State-owned enterprises (SOEs) marked for divestment from now until 2020.

The divestment list, proposed by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, aims to raise funds for the nations public investment plan for the 2016-20 period, and advance the SOE restructuring process.

Under the new schedule, the State will divest from 135 businesses this year, 181 in 2018, 62 in 2019 and 28 in 2020. The total face value divestments from 2017 to 2020 is estimated at VN64.46 trillion (US$2.82 billion).

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, representing the State, will divest 52.47 per cent of its stake from the Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corporation (VEAM) this year, and other 36 per cent by 2020.

VEAM, established in 1990, mainly manufactures agricultural machinery. The company has 20 subsidiaries nationwide, including Song Cong Diesel Limited Company, Southern Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Company Ltd and An Giang Mechanical JSC.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) will divest from two of its major corporations: the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV); and the Vietnam Airlines Corporation (VNA).

From 2018-2020, the MoT will divest 30.4 per cent of its stake from ACV. The State, which currently owns 95.4 per cent, will maintain a 65 per cent ownership after divestment.

The ministry will also sell 35.16 per cent of its 86.16 per cent stake in national carrier Vietnam Airlines by 2019. In February this year, 107.66 million shares in the airline, or 8.77 per cent, was sold to its strategic partner  Japans ANA Holdings. With this sale, the carrier completed 38 per cent of its plan to sell shares to strategic partners.

Deputy PM Hue has asked ministers, heads of Government agencies and chairpersons of major cities and provinces to participate as needed in the divestment process.

They should strictly exercise their representation rights of State-owned capital with the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) as per regulations. After receiving the representation rights from concerned agencies, the SCIC will be responsible for divestment, according to the new decision.

The decision says that before the 25th of the last month of every quarter and before December 25 every year, the ministries and localities will have to send reports on their divestment activities to the Steering Committee for Business Renovation and Development, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Beyond this list, separate decisions will be issued for divestment from certain special businesses in the agriculture and forestry sectors, subsidiaries of economic groups and large State corporations that have not been equitised, some businesses managed by the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, major cities and the SCIC.

This will also apply to companies like the Ha Noi Beer Alcohol and Beverage Joint Stock Corporation (Habeco), Sai Gon Beer-Alcohol-Beverages Joint Stock Corporation (Sabeco), Transport Hospital, Cable TV provider Vietnam Satellite Television (VSTV) and Vietnam Broadcasting Tower Investment Joint Stock Company, the decision says.

ang Quyet Tien, Deputy Director of the Finance Ministrys Corporate Finance Department, said announcement of the list was an important step, allowing prospective investors know about the States divestment plan in detail.

It would help expedite the divestment process by making clear the investment options in equitising SOEs, he added.  VNS
HA NOI  The Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang is actively attracting investors and creating optimal conditions for investors to implement their projects in the province.

This was stated by Nguyen Van Tuan, vice chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, at a meeting between the province and representatives of European firms on Tuesday.

Representatives of the investors included Polands Euro Eco Food, Mekong Pearl JSC and the Netherlands Viet Nam Trade International Company.

At the meeting, Tuan detailed the localitys natural conditions, infrastructure and incentives for investors.

Ngo Phat at, chairman of Mekong Pearl JSC, highlighted Hau Giangs favourable conditions in terms of climate, human resources and material supply for his companys projects to produce Polish Vodka and set up a clean chicken meat factory. The Polish Vodka, fruit cider and beverage project, worth some 20 million EUR (US$23.5 million) is expected to produce from three to five million litres of vodka, while the clean chicken meat project, worth 60 million EUR, will produce 30,000 tonnes of chicken meat.

In addition, investors plan to promote investment for the construction of Viet Nam - Poland industrial parks in the province in the near future.

On the same day, the province also introduced investment opportunities in agriculture and renewable energy at the working session with firms from the Republic of Korea (RoK)s Jeollanam Province.

Hau Giang Province is calling for investment in agricultural production, farm produce processing and clean energies such as solar and wind power. The province would create optimal conditions for RoK firms, particularly those from Jeollanam, to invest in the province, Tuan said.

However, he also noted that investors must observe regulations on environmental protection.

Oh Jang Seon, president of the Jeollanam Business Association, said Korean enterprises were interested in Viet Nams market, adding that many members of the association operated in the fields that Hau Giang was calling for investment in.

He expressed hope that investment promotion events would be organised after the working session, and Hau Giang could help the RoK firms connect with local farmers and promote their products.

The association currently has 50 members, and another 50 plan to join. Most of them operate in agriculture, industry, food, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products processing.

The delegation will visit several agricultural cooperatives and industrial parks in the province after the working session.

Currently, Hau Giang is home to 43 domestic and foreign investment projects in local industrial zones and clusters, including the Hau River 1 Thermo Plant, AquaOne drinking water factory and the White Tiger Beer factory.  VNS
BA RIAVUNG TAU  Five of 11 aquaculture product processing firms from the southern coastal province of Ba RiaVung Tau have paid compensation to 33 fish breeders who had sued the companies for losses caused by waste discharged from the firms plants.

The fish raised by the breeders in boxes in Cha Va River in Vung Tau City had died en masse, according to Tran Van Cuong, director of the provinces Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In 2015, the breeders filed lawsuits against the companies, saying that the farmers fish had died because of waste discharged from the processors plants.

The provinces Peoples Court on August 1 said the 11 companies must pay total compensation of VN5.5 billion ($243,000) to the 33 affected breeders. This amount was agreed to by the companies and 11 breeders.

Last December, the provinces Peoples Court ordered the 11 processors to pay the 33 fish breeders a total compensation of VN13.2 billion. But an appeal was filed by the companies.

Two firms, Hoa Thang and ong Hai, paid total compensation of VN802 million ($34,000) on August 22. Three other firms paid earlier this month.  VNS
HA NOI  Remarkable programmes and figures who appeared on Viet Nam Television channels during the year will be honoured at VTV Awards in a ceremony on September 7.

There are 11 categories such as Impressive Actor, Impressive Actress, Impressive Comedian, Impressive TV Serial, and Figure of the Year.

The winners will be determined by audiences votes on the official website of the awards, www.antuong.vtv.vn, and the jurys scores.

The 11-member jury includes directors Phan Gia Nhat Linh, Nguyen Quang Dung and Khai Hung, journalists Lai Van Sam and Ho Quang Loi, and musician Quoc Trung.

Currently, Olympic champion Hoang Xuan Vinh leads in the category of Figure of the Year.

Two blockbluster TV series Song Chung Voi Me Chong (Living with Mother-in-Law) and Nguoi Phan Xu (The Arbitrator) compete for first place as the number of votes for them is equivalent.

The awarding ceremony next month will be broadcast live on VTV3 channel. Launched in 2014, the annual award has received much attention from audiences and specialists. It has become a prestigious award honoring popular programmes and faces who won audiences hearts.  VNS
Viet Nam is deeply concerned and strongly condemns the series of terror attacks in Europe, including the knife attack on civilians in the Finnish city of Turku on August 18, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo EPA

HA NOI  Viet Nam is deeply concerned and strongly condemns the series of terror attacks in Europe, including the knife attack on civilians in the Finnish city of Turku on August 18, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said yesterday.

She was responding to reporters questions about the attack that killed and injured several people.

We offer our condolences to the Government and people of Finland and the bereaved, and believe that the terrorists will be duly punished, she said.

No Vietnamese citizen was a victim in the attacks, she said, adding that the Foreign Ministry had asked the Vietnamese embassy in Finland to keep a close watch on relevant developments and prepare emergency support in case Vietnamese citizens face difficulties, she said.  VNS
JAKARTA  Speaker of the Peoples Representative Council of Indonesia Setya Novanto met with Viet Nams Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong yesterday in Jakarta, saying his country attaches importance to enhancing co-operation with Viet Nam.

Welcoming the Vietnamese leaders official visit, Novanto expressed his admiration for the countrys struggle for national independence and its achievements over three decades of reforms, especially in spurring economic growth, maintaining political and social stability and improving peoples living standards.

General Secretary Trong shared his good impressions of Indonesia and recalled meetings between late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Sukarno. He congratulated Indonesia on its achievements, voicing his belief that Indonesian people would go from strength to strength.

Viet Nam and Indonesia play important roles in ASEAN and are trustworthy partners of each other and share many similar viewpoints, according to the leaders.

The countries should expand relations via Parties, Governments, parliaments and peoples organisations, helping to reinforce their friendship and strategic partnership, the leaders said.

They agreed to work to boost bilateral trade to US$8 billion in 2018 and $10 billion in the near future. The figure stood at $5.6 billion in 2016.

At the meeting, General Secretary Trong and Speaker Novanto lauded the relationship between the National Assembly of Viet Nam and the Peoples Representative Council of Indonesia.

Both sides needed to step up co-operation in all spheres, including increasing delegation exchanges between subordinate committees and enhancing activities of parliamentary friendship groups, aiming to foster co-operation and experience sharing between the two legislative bodies.

They should also step up information exchanges, co-ordination and mutual support at international and regional forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum, the leaders added.

Party General Secretary Trong hopes the Peoples Representative Council of Indonesia and the National Assembly of Viet Nam, as the representative agencies of the two countries people, will contribute more to the bilateral friendship, co-operation and strategic partnership.

On this occasion, he delivered an invitation to visit Viet Nam from National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to Speaker Novanto, who accepted the invitation.

Novanto asked his guest to convey his invitation to Chairwoman Ngan to attend the IPU Assembly in Bali on September 6.

On the same day, Party General Secretary Trong met with Speaker of Indonesias Regional Representative Council Oesman Sapta Odang.

The two sides agreed that Viet Nam and Indonesia have long-standing relations and as members of ASEAN, they have many opportunities to enhance their relations.

The deepening of the bilateral strategic partnership would not only aid their people but also help build an ASEAN of solidarity, unity and strength, thus promoting peace, stability and development in the region and beyond, they said.

They added that the development of co-operation between their State agencies at central and local levels as well as between groups of parliamentarians would help increase the operational efficiency of Viet Nams National Assembly and Indonesias legislative bodies.

This would also increase political trust and reinforce bilateral friendship and co-operation, they said.

Party leader Trong congratulated Indonesia on its achievements in recent years and the countrys growing position in the international arena.

The Indonesian Speaker pledged to contribute to enhancing the two nations co-operative ties, including experience exchanges in monitoring the governments activities and boosting co-operation among localities.VNS
Chairman of the Viet Nam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group, Pham Minh Chinh, yesterday proposed increased exchanges between young legislators of both countries as a way to advance bilateral relations.  VNA/VNS Photo Duong Binh

Ha Noi  Chairman of the Viet Nam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group, Pham Minh Chinh, yesterday proposed increased exchanges between young legislators of both countries as a way to advance bilateral relations.

He was speaking at a reception organised in Ha Noi for a delegation from the Youth Division of Japans Liberal Democratic Party led by Keisuke Suzuki.

Chinh also called for organising activities to promote co-operation in economy, investment and trade, as well as encouraging more Japanese businesses to invest in Viet Nam in manufacturing, energy, hi-tech agriculture and support industries.

He expressed his pleasure at the strong, comprehensive and intensive development of the extensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Japan, saying it would foster peace and prosperity in Asia.

He affirmed that Viet Nam always considered Japan a top foreign policy priority. He thanked the Japanese Government for providing official development assistance (ODA) for Viet Nam to boost its socio-economic development, reduce poverty, cope with climate change and develop infrastructure, energy and agriculture.

Keisuke Suzuki noted that 2017 had been a busy year for the two countries with a series of visits by their leaders. Among those were the Viet Nam visits by the Japanese Emperor and Empress and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and most recently the visit to Japan by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

He called on Viet Nam and Japan to enhance multifaceted co-operation, particularly in economy and trade, for the benefit of both peoples. Also yesterday, head of the Party Central Committees Commission for Information and Education Vo Van Thuong, hosted a reception for the Japanese guests.  VNS
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) recevies Egyptian Minister of Investment and International Co-operation Sahar Nasr in Ha Noi yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat

HA NOI  Viet Nam and Egypt should effectively exploit opportunities to further develop bilateral trade, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said yesterday.

Receiving visiting Egyptian Minister of Investment and International Co-operation Sahar Nasr and Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority and the Suez Canal Economic Zone General Mohab Mamish in Ha Noi, he noted Viet Nam-Egypt relations had developed steadily, but had greater co-operation potentials.

He highlighted garments, agricultural processing and fisheries as areas with particular promise.

Two-way trade turnover between the two countries had averaged around US$400 million per year, but the figure was modest and could be improved upon, he said.

Phuc said Viet Nam was looking to export its products to big supermarket chains in Egypt and consume Egyptian products here.

He said he wished Egypt would create favourable conditions for businesses of both countries to co-operate in oil exploitation and related services.

The PM expressed his delight at the upcoming visit to Viet Nam by the Egyptian President, saying it would open up new co-operation opportunities.

Sahar Nasr informed the Prime Minister of the outcomes of her meetings and working sessions with officials and authorised agencies.

Egypt has many areas with potential for collaboration that Vietnamese businesses may be interested in, such as shipbuilding and seaports, she said.

Mohab Mamish said Egypt had put into operation an economic zone that serves as a bridge between the Mediterranean and Asian region. He said Vietnamese businesses should seek investment opportunities in this economic zone.  VNS
HA NOI  Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim arrived in Ha Noi yesterday, beginning a three-day official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The visit aims to develop wide-ranging relations between the two countries. The two sides will seek measures to deepen their co-operation in many areas including trade and investment, science and technology, transport, education and training.

The leaders are also expected to discuss international issues of shared concern.

Viet Nam and Turkey set up diplomatic relations on June 7, 1978. In February 1997, Turkey established its embassy in Ha Noi. In October 1999, Viet Nam opened a Trade Representative Office in Istanbul and in July 2002, its Consulate General. The Consulate Generals office was upgraded to an embassy and moved to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, in October 2003.

Turkey is Viet Nams leading trade partner in the Middle East. Last year, two-way trade reached US$1.51 billion, with Viet Nam earning $1.36 billion from exports to Turkey. Currently, Turkish firms have invested in 15 projects worth $704 million in Viet Nam, ranking 26th among foreign investors in the country.

In June 2016, Turkish Airlines opened an air route connecting Ha Noi and Istanbul through HCM City with seven flights per week. Earlier, the two countries had signed agreements on aviation, maritime transportation and double tax avoidance.

At the seventh meeting of the Viet Nam-Turkey Joint Committee on economic and trade co-operation held in Ha Noi last July, the two sides agreed to support each other at international and regional forums, strengthen exchange of delegations at all levels, and raise trade revenues to $4 billion in 2020.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and foster co-operation in several fields including investment, customs, quality standards, energy, food processing, construction and machinery.  VNS
HCM CITY  More than 1,200 healthcare managers will need new jobs when provincial centres for preventive health, HIV/AIDS, malaria and others are merged into one general Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in each province, as required by the Ministry of Health by 2021.

Speaking at a meeting last week in HCM City, Pham Van Tac, head of the ministrys staff arrangement department, said it was necessary to establish the CDCs, but provinces were now faced with finding new jobs for laid-off managers.

The meeting, organised by the ministry, was held to provide guidance on a government circular that outlines the functions, authority and organisational structure of the provincial CDCs in the southern region.

Each province has six preventive health centres which have a total of six directors and 18 deputy directors. However, only one director and three deputy directors will remain at each centre after the CDCs are formed.

At least 1,200 managers will need to be placed in new jobs, excluding the thousands of officers in other departments such as administration, accounting staff and drivers.

Le Van Tam, vice chairman of Mekong Deta Can Tho Peoples Committee, said Can Tho has five preventive health centres, each of which has around 180 staff. The city has no choice but to wait for leaders to retire before the new merger is completed, he said.

Ton That Ngoc Hanh, vice chairman of Central Highland ak Nong Provinces Peoples Committee, said that since his province was established only 13 years ago, the staffing issue was more serious as younger employees would not retire for many years.

HCM City has seven preventive health centres, all of which will be gradually closed and merged with the CDC before 2012, according to Nguyen Tan Binh, director of the HCM Citys Department of Health.

However, the city has many state-owned companies, so employees can be shifted to other state-owned service units or medical establishments.

He said the citys Department of Health would not appoint new people if managers or directors at the centres retired from now to 2021.

At the conference, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long asked localities to cut ineffective and unnecessary units but to retain the number of doctors at preventive health centres.

Twenty-seven of the countrys 63 provinces and cities have already set up a CDC by merging their preventive health centres, according to the ministry.

Local authorities should embrace the changes, even if there are difficulties, Long said, adding that the ministry was reforming the healthcare system to provide better care to the public.  VNS
HA NOI  The Peoples Court in Ha Noi has sentenced four men to death for illegally transporting 75 bricks of heroin.

They are Tran Van ong, 26, and Tran Van Truong, 32, residents of Ea Kar District in the Central Highlands province of ak Lak; and Nguyen Minh Truong, 20, and Nguyen Trieu Vy, 21, from Cam Lam and Cam Ranh District in the central province of Khanh Hoa.

According to indictment, on April 14, 2016, the drug prevention police under the Ministry of Public Security found Vy and Truong behaving suspiciously while driving a motorbike. The police asked them to stop and seized 30 bricks of heroin.

With the help of the testimony of Vy and Truong, the police urgently arrested two more members of the ring - Tran Thanh ong and Nguyen Minh Truong.

Following investigation, the police clarified that on April 12, 2016, Truong travelled to Ha Noi following ongs directions to meet Vy, and then both went to Chuong My District of Ha Noi to get the drugs.

On the way to the meeting place, they received a strange phone call asking them go to Mai Chau District in northern Hoa Binh Province on motorcycles to collect the drugs.

Vy and Truong on the way to Hoa Binh Province delivered their motorbikes to two strange people to hide drugs in the trunk.

After waiting a while, they got back the two motorcycles. They were caught red-handed during their return.

Expanding the investigation, the police also discovered four more defendants transporting 45 bricks of heroin from the end of 2015 to April 2016.

The total quantity of illegal drugs transported by ong and his accomplices reached 75 bricks of heroin, equivalent to more than 20kg.

In court on Monday, the defendants admitted to the serious crime.  VNS
A NANG  Three workers sustained injuries when they were installing an advertising board on the fourth floor of a house on Ngu Hanh Son Street in the central city on Tuesday.

The citys fire-fighting police force said the three men were installing scaffolding under high-voltage power lines when a steel bar touched the cabling.

The short circuit caused burns over the body of Vo Tan Vuong, 22, while Huy, 27, and Hoang, 26, suffered burns on their legs and hands, respectively.

Police and medical teams were called to rescue the wounded workers before taking them to hospital.

The police said the house was designed for the breeding of swifts, so no staircases had been fitted on the third and fourth floors.

The team spent a lot of time carrying the most seriously injured victim from the fourth floor.

Nearby houses or people managed to escape harm.

The police are investigating the case.

In April this year, a fire at a house in Ngu Hanh Son District killed the residents living there.

In 2015, a short-circuit on the high-voltage grid killed one man and damaged electrical equipment in 300 households in Lien Chieu District.

A worker was killed when he suffered an electric shock on touching exposed power lines near a construction site in Son Tra District in 2014.

According to fire-fighting police force, at least six fires have occurred in the city since early 2017.  VNS
MADRID  A suspected member of the terror cell that unleashed carnage in Spain last week admitted to a judge on Tuesday that the jihadists had planned to hit monuments in an even bigger attack.

Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 21, said he knew of the plans two months ago, as he, and three other suspects, appeared in court for the first time following twin attacks that killed 15 people and wounded more than 100.

The four are the only surviving suspects from what was believed to be a 12-man terror cell that rammed a van into pedestrians on a tourist-packed boulevard in Barcelona on Thursday. Hours later, members of the the group carried out a similar attack in Cambrils further south.

After a full day hearing before the judge, Chemlal and another suspect, Driss Oukabir, 27, were remanded in custody and charged with terror related offences.

But the third man who owns the car used in Cambrils, Mohamed Aallaa, was granted conditional release, with the judge saying evidence against him was weak.

The judge gave himself three more days to decide if the fourth suspect, Salh El Karib -- who manages a store that allows people to make calls abroad -- should be remanded or released from custody.

Chemlal, a Spaniard, told the judge that the cell was planning "an attack on an even greater scale, targeting monuments" using bombs, a judicial source said.

He had known of the plans for an attack "at least two months ago", he added.

Imam wanted to blow himself up

Chemlal was injured in an accidental explosion at the groups makeshift bomb factory on Wednesday evening. One of those killed in the blast was an imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, who is thought to have radicalised him and other young suspects.

He had only survived because he was out on the porch when the blast occurred, the judicial source said.

Chemlal, dressed in hospital pyjamas and with his right hand bandaged, was brought in after a doctor determined he was fit for interrogation, a court spokesman said.

While Chemlal told the judge the imam had wanted to blow himself up, two other suspects "blamed the imam for the plot while another two denied knowing him", the source added.

Earlier, police had revealed that the suspected jihadists had been preparing bombs for "one or more attacks in Barcelona".

Josep Lluis Trapero, head of police in Catalonia, said 120 gas canisters and traces of TATP components -- a homemade explosive that is a hallmark of the Islamic State group that claimed the attacks -- had been found at their bomb factory.

The accidental explosion in the house in Alcanar, south of Barcelona, forced the suspects to alter their plans.

The victims of the attacks were from three dozen countries, including Australia, China and the United States.  AFP
CEDAR FALLS  The citys efforts to build a new nearly $11 million public safety building in the south part of town to house fire and police operations could proceed in December.

Details of the plan and proposed timetable were outlined for the City Council Monday.

In May, council members unanimously approved a contract for about $611,000 with InVision Architecture of Waterloo to design the building, which would be built on the site of the existing south fire station near the intersection of Greenhill Road and South Main Street.

The citys capital improvements plan calls for construction in fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

The city is considering housing all fire and police administrative offices as well as the police station  all now at City Hall  and the main fire station in a single building.

For several years, the city looked at building a facility on the site of the current Iowa State Patrol Post 9, 1510 W. First St., as soon as the state is ready to move that facility. Land at that site is owned by the city. But the city has waited several years with no action by the state.

Mayor Jim Brown said its time to proceed with the project at the South Main site, and he believes theres enough public support for it as well.

There was enough diligence, before my tenure, to discuss it  to have council ask questions and have staff get input, Brown said. The key trigger, as I understand it, was not waiting for the state trooper building to come to fruition, he said.

Of the existing fire station, he said, Its in a flood zone, its not big enough. It pollutes the inside for our great firefighters from exhaust, and he noted police are crammed into the basement of City Hall.

Something needs to be done. Cedar Falls deserves better than what we have, Brown said. A public hearing on building plans could come before the council in November

City staff and consultants outlined the need for the project:

The existing main fire station at East 18th and Main streets, built in 1957, is in a flood zone, and some of the floor has been replaced due to water damage. Parking is limited; vehicle exhaust is improperly ventilated. The bay doors are narrow for modern trucks and the building will need to be replaced soon. It would remain in operation as a fire substation if the new building is built.

The current police department, in the basement of City Hall, is cramped. Officers have to write incident reports and take statements in hallways; there is only a one-stall sally port; the prisoner temporary holding facility is close to victim and witness areas and prisoners sometimes have to share cells; staff is scattered in different parts of the building; there is a lack of storage space and other departments in City Hall would like additional space. Police also use multiple buildings for storage of tactical gear, evidence and other items.

Architects and planners have met with public safety employees, administrators have been visiting other public safety departments, and a public safety employee design committee has been formed to look at building needs. The building size has been winnowed from 42,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet.

The existing south fire station and adjacent property is on land owned by the parent company of Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo.

Public Safety Director Jeff Olson and Jennifer Rodenbeck, the citys director of finance and business operations, have said the city has saved up operational savings over several years to pay for the building without bonding, raising taxes or a referendum. Olson indicated a grant may be sought from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association for a portion of the cost.
CEDAR RAPIDS  A Cedar Rapids city employee armed with a shotgun and apparently intent on harming himself entered the City Services Center on Wednesday morning, prompting an evacuation.

The incident ended approximately an hour later with the man in custody. The gunman  who is not being identified by police or city leaders due to medical confidentiality concerns  has been hospitalized at UnityPoint Health-St. Lukes Hospital, according to public safety spokesman Greg Buelow.

We are very fortunate this had a peaceful resolution, Buelow said, noting no shots were fired and no one was injured.

City officials said the man works in the building permit inspection area in the City Services Center, 500 15th Ave. SW. He drove to work Wednesday morning and at 10:38 a.m. presented himself with a shotgun in the public foyer by the building permit counter on the second floor. It is unclear if the man entered the public entrance or an employee entrance.

The individual this morning, early in the morning, was acting in a completely normal fashion, talking with and meeting with colleagues about work-related matters, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said at an afternoon news conference. There were no signs this morning, as well as any signs weve detected previously.

He came to work with the weapon and then showed the weapon to several employees and threatened his own life, Pomeranz added, noting the matter remains under investigation.

Police Respond

Employees and visitors began evacuating quickly, and an employee used a panic button to alert police, Pomeranz said. Police arrived a few minutes later and formed a perimeter around the building. The police departments Special Response Team and negotiators responded to the scene, as well.

Buelow said police are not aware of the man making any threats against anyone inside the building.

Buelow said the man retreated to a workplace area inside the building. Police entered the building and cleared every room to ensure everyone had gotten out safely and there were no other threats. Negotiators were eventually able to make contact with the employee.

They talked with him for several minutes and eventually convinced him to put down the weapon and allow himself to be placed into custody for transport to St. Lukes for evaluation, Buelow said. The man was taken into custody at 11:35 a.m.

The man was not injured during the incident.

Pomeranz said they believe the man is dealing with significant personal issues and dont believe it was work related.

I believe this is a situation where he was dealing with significant personal issues and as occurs at times, people find these issues insurmountable, Pomeranz said.

Cedar Rapids police Deputy Chief Tom Jonker said police plan to work with the county attorney to determine what, if any, criminal charges should be filed. That would happen after the man has received medical treatment.

Investigators will determine if charges are appropriate, Jonker said. At this point the individual is considered a patient that was transported to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment.

Buelow confirmed police searched the mans vehicle, but he was not aware of any significant findings inside the car. Buelow was uncertain if the mans residence had been searched but said that would be a logical extension of the investigation.

Building evacuated

The City Services Center, which is about a half mile south of downtown, is home to the Building, Parks and Recreation, Streets, Information Technology, Health Services and Public Works departments. About 375 employees work in the building, though some of them were likely out in the field at the time of the incident, and about a dozen visitors were in the building at the time, Buelow said.

It was calm. We simply walked out down the steps, said Scott Foens, of Marion, who works in the information technology department at the building.

He said he was told somebody was in the building with a firearm and he was asked to leave immediately.

Those who evacuated gathered along Fourth Street SW, some calling their loved ones to let them know they were OK as they waited for more information.

Beth Weeks, city assessor, said she heard from others in the building that an employee had a gun, pointed it and said, Get out. 

It was really, really frightening, she said. I was anxious to get everyone out of the building. My stomach is churning.

The City Services Building closed for the remainder of the day Wednesday, but Buelow said it is expected to open for normal business hours on Thursday.

counseling available

Employees were reminded that counseling is available, Buelow said.

Its not anything unusual to have reactions to a stressful incident like that, he said.

Pomeranz praised police and employees for their calm, quick and professional response to a stressful and troubling situation.

Employees in the City Services Building had received emergency incident training as recently as June or July, and they responded appropriately, said Police Lt. Charlie Fields. He said employees are trained to escape, evade and engage in active shooter situations, but thankfully only the first step was necessary on Wednesday.

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett urged people dealing with extreme stress to explore counseling services offered through their employer or through the United Way if the employer doesnt sponsor services.

Theres no shame in seeking help and seeking support, Corbett said. The last thing you want to do is hurt yourself or hurt others because you are having a difficult time dealing with extreme stress.
ORANGE CITY -- The Sioux County Sheriff's Office is seeking any information about thefts of hogs from two separate farms.

Sheriff Dan Altena's office was called Monday to investigate a theft from a hog building seven miles northwest of Rock Valley. According to a news release, deputies discovered that someone had entered the property and stolen 35 White Large Landrace pigs, each weighing about 250-280 pounds. The theft is believed to have taken place sometime from May to August.

Last week, Sioux County deputies investigated the theft of 30 hogs, all weighing 250-280 pounds, from a building four miles southwest of Inwood. That theft is believed to have taken place sometime from Aug. 3 to Aug. 17.

Anyone who has information about either theft is asked to call the Sioux County Sheriff's Office at (712) 737-2280.
WATERLOO  The city and Hawkeye Community College have reached a deal for students to build infill houses on vacant lots.

Waterloo City Council members voted unanimously Monday to approve the program which was developed over the past 18 months by City Councilman Ron Welper and Hawkeyes sustainable construction and design program.

Hawkeyes Board of Trustees approved the agreement Tuesday.

Waterloo, HCC may partner on infill housing construction WATERLOO  The city may team up with Hawkeye Community College on a program to build new hom

I believe this is a win-win situation for our community, Welper said. Were now going to start building houses on these vacant lots we havent been able to do anything with, and well start getting them back on the tax rolls.

Its also going to give our young people an opportunity to hone their skills in building trades, he said. Im really looking forward to building that first house.

Mayor Quentin Hart attended Hawkeyes board meeting along with Welper and Michelle Weidner, the citys chief financial officer.

Its a great opportunity, a great partnership to do so many great things, said Hart, of the agreement.

We are very grateful to have this opportunity for our students, said Linda Allen, Hawkeyes president. She said students will get started building either this fall or spring.

The arrangement will allow HCC to acquire vacant lots from the city for $1. Construction trades students will build houses on the lots.

Well sub (-contract) out plumbing and electrical and just focus on the building techniques, said Allen.

The city would buy the homes for the materials cost only and would then sell them to generate revenue for the next project.

From a financial standpoint we would love to cover our cost of building the houses, said the citys Community Planning and Development Director Noel Anderson.

Ben Strickert, program adviser for the sustainable construction and design program, said the college and city will work together to identify lots and build homes that will appraise for sale.

The college would have two homes under construction at once, one being worked on by first year students and the other for students in the final year of the program.

We want to build super energy efficient small homes that are practical, Strickert said.

Welper and Hawkeye staff have been working to identify construction sites, a move that has generated some concerns from neighbors.

Anybody that wants to buy the lots were looking at, well be more than happy to move to another lot if they build a house on it, Welper said. Theres no problem there.

Councilman Tom Powers also referenced neighbor concerns when voting to support the program.

I think its a great project, but its not going to be without potential challenges on certain locations, Powers said. That debate needs to come yet.
When things arent going well, President Donald Trump likes to go on Twitter and attack those whom he sees as adversaries. Last week, he directed his ire toward Amazon in an apparent effort to stick it to CEO Jeff Bezos (most likely because Bezos owns The Washington Post, which has closely covered the administrations missteps and particularly the behind-the-scene drama in the Trump inner circle). In the wake of the Charlottesville protest and terrorist attack, the tweet didnt get all that much attention from the public. Thats a shame because it should have.

Heres what the president wrote: Amazon is doing great damage to tax paying retailers. Towns, cities and states throughout the U.S. are being hurt  many jobs being lost!

Like most of Trumps social media postings, he got a lot of that wrong. Amazon does pay taxes. Most likely, the president was trying to imply that Amazon doesnt collect sales tax on internet transactions, a common complaint of brick-and-mortar retailers. And that was certainly true five years ago, but its become far less true over the years. This spring, Amazon expanded its sales tax collection to cover the District of Columbia and all 45 states that collect some form of sales tax (Delaware, Alaska, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon dont have one).

The company does not, however, collect sales tax on behalf of third-party companies that sell products on its website. Nor is such a tax collection obligated by law. Under a 1992 Supreme Court decision, internet sales arent subject to state sales taxes unless the vendor has a physical presence where the product is being shipped, so Amazon actually should be applauded for going above and beyond the legal requirements.

As for the business about job losses, President Trump has a point  to an extent. As Amazon has grown, other companies have diminished, particularly big-box retailers like Circuit City, Tower Records or Borders bookstores, all now gone. Amazon isnt the only successful internet competitor (and internet competition isnt the only factor shaking up the sector), but its the 800-pound gorilla of retailers. Retailing jobs arent being lost so much as shifted by competition. Amazon is hiring. Best Buy has been downsizing. And, of course, if Trump is going to complain about Amazons expansion, he probably ought to stop bragging about whatever portion of the U.S. job expansion Amazon has provided since January.

But if Trump is serious about internet sales and Amazon, there are at least two real remedies he could advocate. The first would be to support legislation pending in Congress to overturn Quill Corp. v. North Dakota and require all online sales to be subject to the appropriate state sales tax (although Senate and House versions differ somewhat). They are the Remote Transactions Parity Act (H.R. 2193) and the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017 (S.B. 976). Both have bipartisan support. Either would be legally acceptable under Quill, the Supreme Court having ruled that Congress is free to decide whether, when, and to what extent the States may burden interstate mail-order concerns with duty to collect use taxes.

Trumps support might make a difference too. Congress has been sitting on this issue for years. There are billions of tax dollars at stake, but, alas, its all to benefit the states and none the federal budget, which has likely tempered support particularly given Republican anti-tax dogma. But it isnt really a tax increase but a closing of a loophole that should be done simply as a matter of fairness. Online retailers might have complained in the past that sales taxes are too complicated a business for them to navigate (with differing rates and exemptions), but Amazon has demonstrated that it can be done. Why should an internet purchase be tax exempt? Why should local mom-and-pop retailers face the tax burden when so many of their competitors do not?

Meanwhile, there is a legitimate question about Amazons size and potential to become so dominant a player in the retail industry that fair competition is no longer possible. Thats why antitrust laws exist and why the federal government ought to be prepared to take action if Amazons share of e-commerce grows too great. At the very least, that means more closely scrutinizing its pending takeover of Whole Foods. President Trump has suggested Amazon has an antitrust problem in the past, but is his personal animosity enough for him to take action? Its the wrong reason, but it might be the right policy.
By The Associated Press Aug. 21, 2017 | 09:00 PM | WASHINGTON, DC

A leader of the GOP's non-interventionist wing says it's a "terrible idea" to send any more American troops to Afghanistan.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky issued a statement ahead of a prime-time address by President Donald Trump to unveil his updated Afghanistan policy. It is expected to include a few thousand more U.S. forces.

Paul says the mission in Afghanistan "has lost its purpose."

He also wants Congress to more aggressively assert its war-making powers. Paul is planning to propose an amendment next month to the annual defense policy bill that would repeal the war authorizations that Congress granted after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Paul says if the White House and Congress "want to continue the war in Afghanistan, then at the very least Congress should vote on it."
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It reached +30 for a few days in Moscow, Russia. Not bad, for in the shade it was nice and comfy. But it got warm enough to effect Bozas eyes and I had to struggle some to keep everything under control. We did it and today, as the wind blows, the rain falls and the temperature stays low. His eyes are really good. He is actually seeing some this morning and that my friend makes walking him so much better

+30 C. is +86 F.  That is hot for us Russians  Now -30 C.? That is Russian for you

* * * * *

Still struggling to find that perfect 44, but I will always struggle and one day find it. The money donated sits patiently waiting in PayPal, safest place actually. Always something wrong with each machine looked at. Mainly it has to do with papers. Many vehicles are sold in Russia that do not have proper paperwork, if they are from around the Soviet Era. It makes them hard to get tagged properly. 44s are especially bad in this aspect. Off road and for villages, no one cares to register them, past or present. It is what makes Russia so fun to live in and that I mean by a good way. Just like America was many years ago

* * * * *

So true and so true

* * * * *

I am watching what happened to WtR many years ago. We were on Blogger Blogspot and Blogger destroyed Windows to Russia. That was the start of a terrible many years trying to keep WtR online and no one cared, you all let the blog go from 6,000,000 readers a day (sorry) a month to 2000 readers a day and never gave a crap

I gave a crap and never stopped writing and am happy with 2000 new unique visitors a day

Google did not succeed, the USA Gov did not succeed and I am still here

This is the original WtR

[contentcards url=https://kylekeeton.blogspot.ru/]

It took years to get it back online and it has sat unused for all this time. Blogger murdered the blog and Google was behind it all. The fact that Gov was the instigator means nothing, Google still killed us at Govs desire

It took many more years to get everything under control, no money and no experience Hurts badly

Now people are starting to wake up. Not because of what happened to me, but to what is happening to them. This man in article below, won for now. I suggest that he gets busy and moves to a self hosted site. Google may not let him back the next time and all his writings will be gone

[contentcards url=http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-08-22/google-folds-restores-accounts-statistics-professor]

It is all good. No one really cares, for they will never block sock monkey lovers? Or will they?

Have a nice day

WtR
[contentcards url=http://nrt24.ru/en/news/hate-rising-white-supremacy-america-special-nrt24-edition-video]

Special NRT24 Edition With Video ~ Hate Rising: White supremacys rise in the U.S.

In all of our years of tracking, weve never seen this many [hate] groups, Heidi Beirich told CBS correspondent Tony Dokoupil. Beirich is the director of Southern Poverty Law Centers (SPLC) Intelligence Project, which monitors hate group activity online. Weve never seen their ideas penetrating the mainstream the way they are. I would say most Americans dont realize how much of this there is.

Its been a little over a week since neo-Nazis marched in the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, chanting Jews will not replace us. In the intervening days, debate has raged over just how Americas national conversation has become a real-time discussion of white supremacy and its place in the U.S., muddied by President Trumps ambiguity on the matter. The groups in question  who openly espouse racist views and have felt newly emboldened since the recent presidential campaign  find themselves firmly back in the mainstream.

CBS News correspondent Tony Dokoupil traveled to Alabama for CBSN: On Assignment to speak with Beirich, before heading to Boston for last weekends rally.

The flashpoints of this debate have been, for once, out in the open  manifesting as public protests and counter-protests in the streets of major cities. Saturday saw a so-called free speech protest on Boston Common, organized by right-wing elements but dwarfed by its anti-supremacy counter-protest from the left. A similar, if smaller, pair of gatherings clashed in a shouting match in Laguna Beach, California.

The nation witnessed whats considered one of the largest white supremacy marches in decades as hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Charlottesville. During the rally, a car rammed into a crowd of anti-fascist protesters, injuring dozens and killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer. All this against a backdrop of a national debate around the rights and wrongs of maintaining statues that celebrate the Confederacy.

The SPLC estimates that there are currently more than 900 hate groups  organizations with beliefs that attack an entire group of people  operating in the country. Many of these hate groups subscribe to the ideals of white supremacy.

In fact, Beirich says the number of hate groups has doubled over the past two decades  a trend that appears to follow the impact of minorities, financial crisis and political elections have on society.

According to the SPLC, theres a new generation of so-called white nationalism being run by millennials. Matt Heimbach, one of the main organizers of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, is the face of this movement.

Well, we have energy, I think, because Donald Trumps election showed that the majority of white Americans social, working class America believes in sovereignty, Heimbach told CBSN: On Assignment.

Heimbach represents a minority who feel strongly that white America is under growing threat. A recent Huffpost/YouGov poll found that Trump voters are more likely to believe that discrimination against whites is worse than discrimination against any other group. In the aftermath of Charlottesville, white supremacists feel re-energized. Their goal: to infiltrate the mainstream.

Heimbach, along with many other self-proclaimed white supremacists, deny that the Holocaust ever happened. He says his intent is to create an all-white nation  excluding African Americans, Jews and homosexuals.

Starting this fall, Heimbach will begin recruiting candidates to run in local elections. At this time, he claims about 1,000 people have joined his political party.

Were going to be running through our local school board, for county council, he said. Being able to have an influence in the community to show nationalists can have better governments than the two broken political parties.

* * * * *

http://nrt24.ru/en/news/hate-rising-white-supremacy-america-special-nrt24-edition-video

To reprint and to use materials from the site is allowed only with an active link to NOVOROSSIA TODAY. Internet sites may use all materials and videos from the resource with hyperlink to NOVOROSSIA TODAY.

WtR
Despite the still sweltering heat of the Southern Baja Desert, that beautiful time of year has arrived! Lots of the migrant birds are starting to return to Mexico. Some in great numbers, some, just a single bird or two. I counted over 600 Western Sandpipers out on the tidal flats last Sunday, and on the same day, got a visit to my hide from a very cute little Orange-crowned Warbler. None of these birds are rarities, and would never be considered a species to get all twitter-pated about. I mean not like Coreys Jabiru, for gosh sakes! None the less, fresh new birds to photograph is always a great thing for me!

I was a little surprised to see the large number of Great Egrets, well over 150 birds in four flocks that flew over the tidal flats. There were a few Snowy Egrets mixed in but still, a surprising number of Greaters in one area like that.

Later in the morning, I made the short trip across the highway to have a quick visit to the local Agua Negra, or sewer ponds as you might know them as. Again, there were lots of new birds here, and I was not even surprised to have a large group of white herons fly right over my head. The real shock came, when at the last minute, I realized that they were not Greater Egrets, nor the smaller Snowy Egrets, but Cattle Egrets  Bubulcus ibis. With one chance to fire off a quick shot, my camera fixed with the 500MM lens, thru the trees over my head, I was rewarded with a blurry, terrible shot, of Cattle Egrets!

This is another one of those rather common birds, seen all across the southern USA, but not only had I never seen one, I had not even heard of them being here on the Baja. I went tearing thru the trees, out to the road, and running like a mad man, looking to see where they went. There they were, out in the middle of a very large field, hanging out with, if you can imagine, a bunch of cattle.

I kept thinking about them all day Monday at work, and when Tuesday morning rolled around, and I just couldnt help it. I told the boss, I had to go out for a bit. Now, of course my lovely wife was not fooled for a minute, especially when she saw me loading up the tripod, and camera. Just an hour or so, I told her, I have to make sure the Cattle Egrets dont move on before I get a chance to shoot them. She smiled, said have fun, and make sure to stop at Home Depot to get some paint while you are out there.

I was there for 45 minutes, and below are what I was able to come up with.

I got to watch a bit of a game like King Of The Hill played out on a fence post. First of all, the egret had to get up on the fence post. Its not as easy as it looks.

OK, I made it now I can relax.

Dang it, here comes trouble.

Ok, now I am on top, and none of you can do anything about it!

Ah, never mind. I am going go back and hang with the cows!
Aug 23, 2017 | By Tess

Making wine is an age-old science that has gone through many changes over the centuries. Even today, winemakers and researchers are searching for new ways in which the winemaking process can be improved and optimized in terms of cost and production time.

Recently, a winemaking research project being conducted by a team from the University of Adelaide turned to 3D printing technologies for the creation of a redesigned airlock device for wine testing.

In the winemaking process, it is often necessary to understand how a wine will react kinetically when it is produced on a large scale. Of course, it is not viable for producers to make large quantities of wine to test, so winemakers must be able to simulate the kinetics of volume production using only small quantities of the wine.

To do this, winemakers have traditionally used water-filled airlocks in testing flasks which allow for small-batch fermentation to mimic the conditions of volume production.

As a case study on the project explains, The airlocks keep oxygen away from yeast during the fermentation process while allowing carbon dioxide to escape. This helps simulate large tank kinetics in a small-batch process.

Traditional airlock system

The design for the water-filled airlock, which has been used for decades, is effective, though as Professor Vladimir Jiranek and Dr. Tommaso Watson from the University of Adelaide noted, is perhaps not the most efficient.

The researchers believed they could improve this efficiency by further automating the wine testing process through the robotic redesigning of certain lab components, such as the airlock.

As part of their plan to improve the efficiency of wine testing by eliminating certain manual steps, the researchers laid out plans to use a robotic arm to draw samples from the testing flasks. Normally, a human technician would be needed on site to sample the flasks manually and test the fermentation kinetics.

To make the process even more efficient, the researchers saw the need to redesign the airlock to ensure that a large number of flasks could fit on a static test platform. As you can see from the original airlock system, it is not spatially optimized in the slightest.

Part of the challenge then was to redesign the airlock in a way that reduced the footprint of the component so that more flasks could be tested at once and so that a robotic arm could more easily test the samples from an overhead contraption.

In making the airlock part, the researchers tested a number of manufacturing methods, including machining stainless steel which, while robust, made for a difficult to manufacture and expensive airlock. FDM 3D printing offered lightweight properties but could not meet the stringent temperature and leak-proof requirements necessary for the wine testing, while Carbons Digital Light Synthesis 3D printing technology was also tested.

The researchers, who partnered with The Technology House (TTH) in using Carbons 3D printing method, found that the resin-based 3D printing method was the best suited for their airlock manufacturing needs as it demonstrated a 60% lower cost and 67% lower development time than the other two processes.

In the end, the airlock was produced using Carbons Cyanate Ester resin (CE 220), which showcased a number of advantages over the other manufacturing methods. For one, the researchers claim Carbons 3D printing tech offered a superior finish to FDM printing and say the part demonstrated that it was sealed against water and CO2 leaks. In terms of temperature, the 3D printed airlock met the autoclavability requirement at 121C.

Further, the University of Adelaide researchers lauded Carbons technology for its quick production times and manageable costs. In fact, the technology has allowed for the researchers to fit a total of 384 flasks onto the testing platform, way more than their initial goal of 96.

The researchers have said they plan to work with TTH to 3D print many more airlocks using Carbons resin-based technology.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Jacob Heilbrunn in The National Interest:

In August, 1776, a large crowd gathered in front of a grand neoclassical mausoleum. It was designed by Scotlands greatest architect, Robert Adam, and stood on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. One observer sardonically noted that it almost seemed as though the attendees had either expected the hearse to have been consumed in livid flames, or encircled with a ray of glory. To prevent the tomb from being desecrated by the devout, guards were stationed around the mausoleum for several days after the burial ceremony. A few years later, Adam Smith told a companion that the tomb was too ostentatious: I dont like that monument. It is the greatest piece of vanity I ever saw in my friend Hume.

But this was an isolated reproach. No one went to greater lengths to defend David Humes posthumous reputation than Smith. Always more prudent than Humewho was known as the Great Infidel and deemed unfit for tutoring the youngSmith, a venerated professor of moral philosophy at the University of Glasgow, was guarded in conversation about his religious skepticism. But after Humes death, Smith shed his habitual caution and composed a highly controversial supplement to Humes brief memoir My Own Life. It was called a Letter to Strahan. In it, Smith described Humes final months, emphasizing his affability and serenity in the face of illness and impending death. He observed,

Though Mr. Hume always talked of his approaching dissolution with great cheerfulness, he never affected to make any parade of his magnanimity. He never mentioned the subject but when the conversation naturally led to it, and never dwelt longer upon it than the course of the conversation happened to require.

Boswell, who visited Hume on his deathbed and wrote a famous account of it, was astounded by Humes phlegmatic acceptance of his demise. Dr. Johnson was not. After Boswell described his interview with Hume, Johnson, who was always beset by a profound fear of death and regarded Humes irreligiosity with abhorrence, commented that he had a vanity in being thought easy.

More here.
Book looks into 52 cases unsolved murders with ties to South Dakota

Christine Wevik started researching cold cases in South Dakota thinking there were about 30. She found 155.
A Texas based American Couple is launching an Essay Competition to Give Away a Private Island near Costa Rica!

An American couple from Houston Texas has announced that they are giving away a private island called Isla Nica to the winner of an upcoming essay writing competition. They are now seeking community support on the crowdfunding platform of Indiegogo to raise funds for getting the word out. The funds raised will be used in the marketing and distribution of a press release at the global level. The purpose of the contest is to promote tourism, and help to create ECO friendly jobs in the region. The creators of this project are therefore welcoming everyone to generously back and support this project so that a maximum number of people can participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

There are several great features of this tropical private island. The area of this amazing island is 4.20 acres and it is home to several species of wildlife including many tropical birds. The winner of this essay contest will get a chance to own this island and build their eco-friendly dream vacation home here. Furthermore, all the funds raised through this Indiegogo campaign will play a major role in getting the word out for this upcoming contest and registration begins September 1st. on the website www.islandcontest.com.

The Indiegogo Campaign is located on the web at:

www.indiegogo.com/projects/private-island-near-costa-rica-giveaway and supporters from all over the world can help by making contributions to this project that can range from pledges of $25 to $250. Each pledge offers a great reward and the goal of this project is to raise $9500, and to create ECO friendly jobs in the region.

About Isla Nica

Isla Nica is a beautiful tropical island near Costa Rica that is small but mesmerizing and uninhabited by the mankind. Owned by a Texas based American couple, the Island is home to several amazing birds as well as breathtaking flora and fauna. The couple is giving away this private island in an essay writing contest and they are seeking support to raise funds for the marketing of this competition via Indiegogo.

Media Contact

Company Name: Island Contest

Contact Person: Tom Eardley

Email: tom@brazenhomebuilders.com

Phone: 8327791429

City: Houston

State: Texas

Country: United States

Website: www.indiegogo.com/projects/private-island-near-costa-rica-giveaway


WiseTech Accelerates Growth, FY17 Revenue Up 49%, EBITDA Up 71%, NPAT Up 127%

Sydney, Aug 23, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - WiseTech Global Ltd ( ASX:WTC ) announced accelerated growth, with FY17 revenue up 49%, EBITDA up 71%, NPAT up 127%.



Key results (FY16 statutory vs FY17 statutory)



- FY17 revenue of $153.8m, up 50%



- Net profit attributable to equity holders of $31.9m, up 1371%



- Fully franked final dividend of 1.2 cents per share



Key results (FY16 pro forma vs FY17 statutory)



- Revenue $153.8m up 49%



- Revenue (excluding F/X) $156.9m up 52%



- EBITDA $53.9m, up 71%



- Recurring revenue 99% (excluding recent acquisitions[1])



- Net profit attributable to equity holders of $31.9m up 124%



- Annual attrition rate of <1% by CargoWise One customer, as it has been for 5 years



- Over 680 product enhancements added to our global CargoWise One platform



- 7 targeted acquisitions announced across Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Australasia and Brazil



Strong, high quality growth in revenues while expanding global platform and operations



CEO, Richard White, said "Our global business continues to deliver high-quality growth with revenues up 49% to $153.8m and EBITDA up 71% to $53.9m while we continued to focus on executing significant strategic actions to drive future revenue growth and global expansion."



"Our high-quality earnings growth and 127% increase in net profit has been fuelled by significant growth in revenue from existing customers across transactions, modules and geographies and new sales worldwide, further accelerated by our targeted acquisitions."



"We have achieved FY17 revenue up 49% year-on-year, with 31% CAGR over 5 years, and EBITDA up 71% year-on-year, with 57% CAGR over 5 years - all delivered while enlarging our global platform and geographic footprint to further build our leadership position."



"Our 7,000+ customer base across 125 countries continues to grow transactions and users, expand into new modules and regions and use our platform as a tool of consolidation."



Highlights from execution of strategic growth initiatives



- In FY17, we invested over $50.4m, representing 33% of our revenue and over 50% of our people in product development, significantly expanding our platform. Over the last 5 years, we have invested $167m in R&D.



- Continued, powerful organic revenue growth with existing customer revenue up $27.2m



- Existing customers provided 78% of the FY17 organic growth, with global penetration still in the early stage.



- 32 of the top 50 global 3PLs are now customers.



- New customer wins across small-mid market plus large 3PLs eg Morrison, CLASQUIN, Allport Cargo Services.



- We now have over 200 external WisePartner organisations across the world, actively referring, promoting or implementing our platform.



- We have progressed product development and commenced early adopter sales for our integrated acquisitions in China and South Africa and, since January 2017, we have announced 7 further acquisitions in Italy, Germany, Brazil, Australia and Taiwan.



Innovation and expansion of our global platform



We invest heavily in product development and have achieved strong and profitable growth during our history. Through innovation and acquisition, we are expanding CargoWise One's integrated global platform.

- In FY17, our continued relentless investment in R&D further expanded our pipeline of commercialisable innovations, delivering over 680 product upgrades and enhancements seamlessly across the CargoWise One global platform.



- These hundreds of upgrades include initiatives such as global container tracking, automations in supply chain security for air cargo screening to reduce risks at the border and in the air, WiseRates rating and pricing automation engine, integrations in shipping port and cartage, carrier connectivity electronic booking and global address validation and master deduplication to ensure compliance and prevent futile trips, risks and fines.



- Larger pipeline components include our architecture engine, GLOW, which we utilise internally to deliver more rapid development capability for our teams and which is accelerating our new product pipeline commercialisation, and the Universal Customs Engine which is designed to deliver complex, multi-year customs localisation projects in a fraction of the time and which is accelerating the pace of integration of the customs solutions businesses we are acquiring in key regions.



- PAVE, our Productivity Acceleration and Visualisation Engine, is nearing completion and is in the process of commercialising, having delivered significant productivity improvements in development partner tests. We expect this to be rolled out across the global platform later in FY18.



- We have added to our considerable pipeline of development initiatives by investing research and development resources into machine learning, natural language processing, robotic process automation and guided decision support, driven by vast volumes of transactional and border agency data sets to enable enhanced compliance, due diligence, risk assessment and risk mitigation.



Greater usage by existing customers



- Strong existing customer revenue growth of $27.2m, delivering 78% of the FY17 organic revenue growth.



- In FY17 revenue growth was achieved across all customer cohorts for CargoWise One.



- We continued our global rollout programmes with the world's largest global forwarding groups, including DSV, Geodis/OHL, Yusen, Mainfreight, DHL GF and JAS which are in various stages of global rollout for the freight forwarding module.



- 32 of the top 50 global 3PLs are customers and, during the year, we experienced significant growth in revenue from larger customers, yet our top 10 customers contribute only 27% of revenue (FY16: 21%).



- Continued transition of customer licensing with 92% of revenues (excluding recent acquisitions) generated from On-Demand licensing, an access-as-needed, monthly payment based on usage licence.



Increasing new customers on the platform



We continued to enjoy strong new customer growth as our On-Demand commercial model encourages customers of all sizes to migrate from outdated platforms. New customer wins in FY17 progressed in the mid-market as did sign-ons with larger 3PL customers, including Morrison, CLASQUIN, and Allport Cargo Services who commenced on-boarding and will roll-out over the coming years.



Stimulated network effects



We harness important natural network effects that exist because of the necessarily collaborative nature of supply chain execution and the inherent effect of our deeply integrated global platform. We further stimulate these effects with targeted partner programs across high-GDP trade routes and target regions. We now have over 200 external WisePartner organisations across the world, actively referring, promoting or implementing our platform.



In addition, each new geography and adjacency we acquire adds a valuable point on our strategic map, accelerates the network effects and makes CargoWise One even more compelling to local and global logistics providers and their customers.



Accelerating organic growth through acquisitions



In addition to strong organic growth from our existing technology platform, we have progressed product development and commenced early adopter sales for our integrated acquisitions in China and South Africa and we announced further acquisitions in Italy, Germany, Brazil, Australasia and Taiwan. These acquisitions are at various stages of completion and integration and, once fully integrated, they will expand the functionality, scope and value of our industry-leading technology and provide a strong base for further accelerating our organic growth.



Throughout FY17 and to August 2017 we announced 7 acquisitions across 5 countries:



- We acquired and commenced integration of German customs software vendor, znet group GmbH, and Italian customs software vendor ACO Informatica S.r.l. These acquisitions will provide valuable footholds in key European geographies and will enhance the value of our technology platform by providing customers with increased functionality and efficiency opportunities in key European trading geographies. The initial product interface for both are integrated to our platform and we have commenced building out the embedded customs component for each.



- We gained control of, and further increased our ownership share in Softship AG (Softship) to 77%. Softship is a leading provider of logistics software solutions to the global ocean-carrier industry. On 18 August, we announced our intention to move to full ownership and a Frankfurt Stock Exchange on-market offer to acquire any and all remaining outstanding shares.



- In July and August 2017, we announced the acquisition of Bysoft Solucoes em Sistemas Para Comercio Exterior Ltda (the largest provider of customs and logistics compliance solutions in Brazil), the Digerati business (a leading provider of tariff research and compliance tools utilised by the Australasian customs broking community which we will utilise to enhance our pipeline on cross-border compliance), the Prolink business (a leading provider of customs and forwarding solutions across Taiwan and China which gives us additional regional strength to accelerate our growth throughout Asia) and CMS Transport Systems Pty Ltd (a leading Australasian provider of road transport and logistics management systems).



We have also invested in developing our potential acquisition pipeline of near, mid and long-term opportunities and in building out our internal M&A capabilities and integration processes to execute and embed acquisitions.



Dividend



We declared a final dividend of 1.2 cents per share in-line with our dividend policy - a payout ratio of up to 20% of annual statutory NPAT. The dividend will be fully franked and the record date is 11 September 2017.



Outlook



CEO, Richard White, said "Heading into FY18, our advances in product development, expanded global footprint, increased financial strength and ever more efficient business model ensure that we are exceptionally well-placed to meet the needs of our customers, leverage macroeconomic conditions and drive the competitive dynamics of the logistics execution globally."



"For our customers, industry dynamics such as increasing regulatory burdens, business complexity, savage competition, exponential growth in transaction volumes, capital constraints and razor-thin margins, increasingly drive logistics providers out of legacy systems to our flagship integrated execution platform, CargoWise One."



"Our leading global logistics software and open-access, usage-driven business model work to remove revenue growth constraints. Our relentless focus on product development, positions us at the forefront of technology in managing international logistics and cross-border compliance challenges, changes in trade patterns and evolving logistics regulation."



"We have a long term, high growth plan for FY18 and well-beyond, supported by continued improvements in our core business, a strong balance sheet and significant pipeline of new innovations and acquisition opportunities." "We will continue to drive our '5 levers of growth' across the business: relentless innovation and product development, growing revenue from existing customers, acquiring new customers, stimulating network effects and accelerating organic growth through targeted acquisitions in new geographies and logistics adjacencies."



Guidance for FY18 earnings outlook



CEO, Richard White, said "The strong momentum of the Group's performance during FY17 combined with 99% recurring revenue (excluding acquisitions), annual customer attrition rate of less than 1% and continued expansion across our global business gives us confidence to expect, subject to currency movements,



- FY18[2] revenue of $200m - $210m, revenue growth of 30% - 37%,

- EBITDA of $71m - $75m and EBITDA growth of 32% - 39%."



Investor Presentation Please refer to the WTC FY17 Results Investor Presentation released today for detailed financial data and analysis.



Analyst Briefing The results presentation webcast to discuss WiseTech Global's FY17 financial results will be held at 10.30am (Sydney time) today. The webcast and briefing audio will be available at http://webcast.openbriefing.com/3770/



[1] Recent acquisitions are those executed in FY17: Softship AG, znet group GmbH, ACO Informatica S.r.l.



[2] Our revenue is invoiced in a range of currencies, reflecting the global nature of our customer base and as a result is impacted by movements in foreign exchange rates. Our FY18 guidance is based on rates provided within the Investor Briefing Materials released to the ASX on 23 August 2017.



To view the Results FY17 Investor Presentation, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/E6QCTOKG





About WiseTech Global Ltd





WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX:WTC) is a leading developer and provider of software solutions to the logistics execution industry globally. Our customers include over 17,000 of the world's logistics companies across 160 countries, including 41 of the top 50 global thirdparty logistics providers and all of the 25 largest global freight forwarders worldwide2. Our flagship platform, CargoWise, forms an integral link in the global supply chain and executes over 50 billion data transactions annually.

At WiseTech, we are relentless about innovation, adding over 4,000 product enhancements to our global platform in the past five years while bringing meaningful continual improvement to the world's supply chains. Our breakthrough software solutions are renowned for their powerful productivity, extensive functionality, comprehensive integration, deep compliance capabilities, and truly global reach.

For more information about WiseTech Global or CargoWise, please visit wisetechglobal.com and cargowise.com
BBR Music Group If youve been waiting for the track listing for Dustin Lynchs new album, it turns out that it's been hiding in plain sight.

Since the beginning of August, Dustins been sharing photos of himself on social media wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the disc's song titles.

He was even sporting one when he sat down with ABC Radio to talk about Current Mood.

This is 'I'd Be Jealous Too,' which is the opening track to my album, Dustin explained. I had a friend of mine make up shirts for all the song titles, so I've been rockin' those around town a little bit.

So far, theres no word on whether the designs might one day be part of Dustins Stay Country line of apparel.

Heres the complete song list for Dustins third studio album, Current Mood, which comes out September 8:

Id Be Jealous Too

Seein Red

Small Town Boy

Why We Call Each Other

Here We Come

Love Me or Leave Me Alone

Back on It

I Wish You Were Beer

State Lines

Party Song

New Girl

Why Not Tonight

Sun Don't Go Down on That

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Eastool to provide local support for Malaysia and surrounding region



Xped Sign Agreement with Eastool

Melbourne, Aug 23, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Xped Limited ( ASX:XPE ) ("Xped" or "the Company") is pleased to announce they have signed an agreement with Eastool Solution ("Eastool") of Malaysia.



Highlights



- Eastool to provide local support for Malaysia and surrounding region



- Support BD, local technical support for clients, and logistical support



The agreement is for Eastool to provide local resources within Malaysia and surrounding region to assist Xped with business development activities, local client technical support, and logistical support. Eastool is also able to provide SIRIM certification services for our smart devices.



The initial agreement is for a short term to support current business development activities. The companies have commenced discussion to form a longer-term partnership.



The Company believes there is a terrific opportunity within this region to sell our Smart Home Solution and license our IoT platform. We look forward to providing updates to the market as material events occur.



About XPED Ltd





XPED Ltd (ASX:XPE) is an Australian Internet of Things (IoT) technology business. Xped has developed revolutionary and patent-protected technology that allows any consumer, regardless of their technical capability, to connect, monitor and control devices and appliances found in our everyday environment. Xped provides technology solutions for Smart Home, Smart Building, and Healthcare.

At Xped, were Making Technology Easy Again(TM)
Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile USA/Africa: No Policy? Bad Policy? Or Both? AfricaFocus Bulletin

August 23, 2017 (170823)

(Reposted from sources cited below) Editor's Note "Africa is terra incognita for the Trump Administration: a continent it cares little--and understands even less--about. With no dyed-in-the-wool Trumpian Africa hands available, the administration appears ready to cede Africa policy making to career civil servants and a few mainstream Republican appointees." - Matthew T. Page The headline to Page's article in Quartz Africa states that "Donald Trump could be getting his US-Africa policy right by simply not having one." His view is actually more nuanced, in judging that no policy would likely be only "less bad" than explicitly "bad policy" that might result from greater White House interest in Africa. There is no doubt, however, that analysts are left to speculate about how much personnel appointments might actually shape Africa decisions on the ground. This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains three well-informed articles analyzing the state of play in Africa-related personnel appointments under this administation, including this one by Matthew Page, until recently the U.S. intelligence community's top expert on Nigeria (see his website http://www.nigeriaknowledge.com/), as well as commentaries by Richard Dowden of the Royal African Institute and Reed Kramer of AllAfrica.com. August 29, 2017 - "Must-read" update on U.S. Africa personnel and policy from Reed Kramer.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201708290974.html Twitter updates from Reed Kramer this morning (23 Aug 2017): "Retired senior diplomat & ex U.S. ambassador to #Ethiopia Don Yamamoto to be acting Assistant Secretary for #Africa @StateDept. Starts Sep 5" "Appointment of 'acting' Assistant Sec likely means no nominee for top #Africa post @StateDept soon. Senate opposition blocking Peter Pham." Although the notion of a unified "Africa" policy is largely a fiction under any administration, there is no doubt that the Trump administration is unusually bereft of authority and personnel at the State Department, which has the task of making sense of the policies of different departments and providing local knowledge to adapt policy to Africa-specific realities and changing circumstances. In general, the incoherence of policy making under Trump, rapid staff turnover in his immediate entourage, lack of staffing in government agencies, and the ongoing investigations into his administration make even the immediate future of any foreign policy highly uncertain. It is also highly debatable whether continuity of policy guided by knowledgeable "adults" rather than zealots would actually produce "good policy." That said, the consequences for Africa of U.S. global policy on climate change, counter-terrorism, health, corruption and illicit financial flow, human rights norms, and development goals, to name only a few such areas, will inevitably have fallout effects for Africa. These effects will surely be as great as, or greater than, the impact of policy decisions on Africa-specific issues. And the policy directions on domestic issues across the U.S. Government will set the context for each agency's international engagement in Africa as well as in multilateral institutions. Thus it is quite possible to have no policy on "Africa" and disastrously worse policies than the "less bad" (continuity) policies of previous administrations. As readers are aware, AfricaFocus particularly features such issues on which global and U.S. policy has particularly negative effects on Africa. This AfricaFocus Bulletin accordingly includes below a partial list of issues and cabinet officials who are shaping U.S. policy, with brief references to AfricaFocus coverage and a few other additional links from current news sources. For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on the USA and Africa, visit http://www.africafocus.org/country/usa-africa.php ++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++ Better Off Donald Trump could be getting his US-Africa policy right by simply not having one Matthew T. Page August 09, 2017 Quartz Africa https://qz.com/1049923/donald-trump/ Last week, secretary of state Rex Tillerson made one of his rare press appearances to give a tour d'horizon of US foreign policy priorities. In his lengthy and candid remarks he touched on North Korea, China, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela, among other issuesbut made no mention of Africa. This omission reflects the reality that Africa is terra incognita for the Trump Administration: a continent it cares little--and understands even less--about. With no dyed-in-the-wool Trumpian Africa hands available, the administration appears ready to cede Africa policy making to career civil servants and a few mainstream Republican appointees. Guided by this team of low-key professionals, could president Trump's Africa policy turn out to be more pragmatic than extreme? Could it steer clear of Trump's trademark controversies and missteps? Many of the signs point to yes: with luck, bureaucratic effort, and Congressional top cover, US Africa policy under Trump might remain relatively fumble-free. Adrift on Africa? During Trump's first six months in office, US-Africa policy has been adrift. At no time since before the creation of the State Department's Africa Bureau in 1958--a time when most African nations were still European colonies--has Washington been so distracted and disengaged. Trump poses with African leaders following family photo of the G7 Summit expanded session in May.

L -R: Kenya's president Uhuru Kenyatta, Guinea's Alpha Conde, Donald Trump, AfDB's Akinwumi Adesina,

Nigeria's Yemi Osinbajo and Ethiopia's PM Hailemariam Desalegn. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst) Prospective budget and organizational cuts suggest Trump--unlike George W. Bush--does not see promoting good governance, human rights, and socioeconomic development as a strategic US interest. Trump's senior officials reportedly do not take Africa-related issues seriously, urging subordinates to keep them off their plate. They have thus far shown little interest in engaging with African countries beyond making business deals and leveraging military ties. Perhaps because of this ambivalence, ambassador John Campbell's prediction last December that "career civil servants and diplomats, together with Congress, will play a big role in setting policy" has largely borne out. Key Republican senators derisively view secretary Tillerson's proposal to make deep discretionary cuts to his department; Democrats call Tillerson's plan "a devastating assault on American interests and values". Congressional pushback from Republican Africa stalwarts like Sen. Jeff Flake, and Rep. Ed Royce and Rep. Chris Smith will also intensify if Trump tries to undermine longstanding bipartisan programs, like the President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Congress will also weigh in on Trump's forthcoming Africa appointments. Personnel Problems At least one of these appointments--Trump's new senior director for Africa Cyril Sartor--started work at the National Security Council last week. After a painful ten monthlong vacancy, Sartor--a dour but Africa-savvy CIA mandarinstepped into the breach. Tasked with advising senior administration officials and coordinating interagency decision-making on Africa, Sartor is a veteran bureaucratic gladiator that will resist any effort to politicize his portfolio. Beyond naming Sartor, the Trump administration has failed to fill out its Africa team. At the State Department, the job of assistant secretary of state for African Affairs remains unfilled. Career diplomat Peter Barlerina trained economist that has yet to serve as an ambassadorhas been treading water as Acting Assistant Secretary for several months. As a result, the Bureau and its 45 embassies across Africa continue to operate much as they did before with little--if any--new country-specific guidance. The likeliest candidate for assistant secretary is Vatican-diplomat-turned-Africawonk Dr. J. Peter Pham. A prolific writer with a hard-nosed Africa policy strategy ready to go, Pham lacks strong ties to his prospective boss. Secretary Tillerson reportedly has vacillated over naming Pham, despite his preeminence among the GOP's miniscule cadre of Africanists. At the Department of Defense (DOD), seasoned civil servant Amanda Dory stepped down as deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Africa earlier this year. Dory's unexpected departure thrust her newly-minted deputy Michelle Lenihan into an acting role. On the military side, Air Force Major General Curtis L. Williams recently became chairman of the joint chief's in-house Africa advisor. Over at the embattled US Agency for International Development (USAID)still in danger of being dismantled by Trumpcareer professional Cheryl L. Anderson has been Acting Assistant Administrator for Africa. Newly confirmed USAID administrator Mark Green, a widely respected former ambassador to Tanzania, likely will pick her replacement soon. Dabbling Donald? As new appointees slowly come on board, US-Africa policy will regain some of its shape and direction. Less liberal and ambitious than under previous administrations, its focus on democracy, development, and human rights will diminish. Guided by apolitical professionals, it almost certainly will not reflect Trump's bigoted, antihumanist world view. But what if Trump tries to dabble in Africa policymaking? How would these policy professionals cope? After all, Trump's penchant for praising autocratic leaders could, for example, complicate efforts by US officials to nudge the continent's strongmen leaders to relinquish power and hold credible elections. Trump's 'hashtag diplomacy' could also spark an international incident. If Trump and his top lieutenants continue to show as little interest in Africa as they do now, the chance of one of these scenarios playing out seems remote. If this dynamic changes, however, Washington's beleaguered Africa policymakers will have just one option left: damage control. Peter Pham: President Trump's perfect pick for top Africa post? By Richard Dowden African Arguments, August 1, 2017 Richard Dowden is the director of the Royal African Society and the author of Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles. http://africanarguments.org - Direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/y84em5n3 If Pham becomes Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, it would likely mark a shift in the tone and priorities of US-Africa relations. If Donald Trump has a to-do list and Africa is on it, it must come a long way down. It is seemingly impossible to find anyone on his team that has an interest in the continent. And the crucial position of Assistant Secretary of State for Africa remains empty, though perhaps not for much longer. Over six months into his administration, there are growing noises suggesting the US president may finally be ready to put forward a name for the government's top Africa post. J. Peter Pham's name has already been doing the rounds as the most likely candidate. He is director of the Atlantic Council's Africa Centre and a prolific former academic with close links to the Republican Party. A one-time Washington outsider who challenged the consensus on US-Africa relations, Pham has reportedly been trying to broaden his connections in departments whose staffs are more likely to lean Democrat than Republican. He is working hard to establish relationships with experts across the spectrum, trying to build a policy consensus. Twitter exchange: Matthew Page, Reed Kramer Pham has written profusely on Africa and rejects the previous approach  espoused by Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama  that insisted democracy and human rights should be the cornerstone of US support. Instead, he argues that economic growth should take precedence, though he has recently emphasised security and good governance too. He urges US companies to grasp business opportunities on the continent. New and un-realities This approach may suit Trump well, though if appointed, Pham will be hard-pressed in trying to work out exactly what his boss' Africa policy is. Previous US presidents have typically talked the talk regarding respect for human rights, democratic accountability and a free civil society when it comes to Africa. But Trump is from a different planet. His policy-light "America First" agenda, his incontinent outbursts, and his wilful ignorance about the world make it difficult to understand what he might want from the continent. The content of his phone calls to half a dozen African presidents meanwhile have not been made public. Access to oil seems to be one of Trump's priorities, so Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria may be important. Though less so their democratic and human rights records. This uncertainty will mean that Pham's job, if he gets it, will not be easy. In fact, the language of the current administration is reminiscent of America's mood in the 1980s. At that time, a senior unnamed US official told historian Niall Ferguson: "The judicious study of discernible reality is not the way the world really works any more. We're an empire now, and when we act we create our own reality." This sounds close to Trump's dismissal of reality as "Fake News" and his programme of creating new realities. "Overly optimistic notions" The US has a number of large-scale projects in Africa. Its power to enhance or undermine national economies and governments remains immense. Militarily, the US military command known as Africom has bases across the continent and engages in the training of soldiers, especially in the Sahel where Islamist militant groups operate. Tackling this security threat was a priority in Trump's campaign. It has also been identified by Pham as an area of possible bipartisan support in which the US can forge ahead. Another crucial programme in Africa is the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) through which the US has spent billions each year since 2003. Started under Bush Jr. and extended by Obama, the programme today supports around 11.5 million people with life-saving antiretroviral medicines. The US government recently agreed to maintain current levels of spending in 2018 despite the White House's attempts to cut it back. The US also sees Africa as a source of raw materials and a trading partner. The African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), first signed into law in 2000, provides a framework for this commerce and offers certain trade preferences for African countries. In 2016, US imports from sub-Saharan Africa under AGOA totalled $9.3 billion, 56% of which was petroleum products. In the opposite direction, Pham wants to create more demand for American products on the continent and believes that "advancing US economic interests in Africa will, and must be, driven primarily by the private sector". Pham says he wants Africa to take control of its destiny. But whether that means helping African states reach a mutually beneficial relationship with the US is not clear. He talks of "earned engagement" with the US, implying that African governments must first win America's respect, or at least its favour. He preaches stability and economic growth over democracy and human rights. And he insists that the US must correct its long-held and "overly optimistic notions of what African partners are capable of and willing to do". If Pham takes charge as many are expecting him to, it would likely mark a significant shift in the priorities and principles typically espoused by the US in dealing with Africa. The space for discussion and negotiation open to African governments would likely narrow even further. And under Pham, it seems policies would not be crafted alongside African leaders and their people, but unapologetically designed to fit the needs of Trump's America. For the president, his appointment may make perfect sense. Third Trump Try to Fill Senior Africa Policy Post by Reed Kramer AllAfrica, July 25, 2017

http://allafrica.com/stories/201707251159.html See also Reed Kramer, "White House Choices Shape Africa Policies" AllAfrica, April 1, 2017

http://allafrica.com/stories/201704010135.html After two abandoned attempts to fill the highest Africa position in the White House, the Trump team is considering a career intelligence officer. No announcement has been made, but sources with access to the selection process say Cyril Sartor, deputy assistant director for Africa at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), is the front runner to be senior director for Africa at the National Security Council (NSC). On April 1, AllAfrica was the first to report the choice of Air Force veteran and former Pentagon Africa counter-terrorism director Rudolf Atallah for the NSC Africa job. Buzz Feed, which wrote about the Atallah selection 12 days later, reported on June 23 that the offer to Atallah had been "yanked"  after he had been introduced at an 'all-hands' NSC meeting and had been actively working on African issues for the administration. No reason has been advanced for the reversal on Atallah, who was the second person named to direct Africa at NSC. The first, Robin Townley, was blocked from taking the job after his security clearance reportedly was rejected by the CIA. Among the positions Sartor has held, according to a brief biography posted online by the Aspen Security Forum in July 2016, are serving as briefer for two National Security Advisors and as acting intelligence officer for Africa at the National Intelligence Council (NIC), which produces strategic forecasts for the U.S. government. The bio says he earned an MA in African History from Boston University in 1984. Sartor is among the small group of African Americans at senior level in the intelligence community. No official government biography is available online. The information posted by Aspen accompanied Sartor's participation in a public panel on terrorism in Africa at the Aspen forum in July 2016, a relatively rare appearance by an intelligence analyst. "It feels a little weird for a CIA officer to be live streaming on YouTube," Sartor joked, as he began his prepared remarks. "Violent Islamic ideology is a foreign import to sub-Saharan Africa and as such it only thrives where it can co-opt local grievances," Sartor said, citing complaints among nomadic Tuareg people in Mali and "clan frustrations" that spur the insurgency in Somalia. The socioeconomic roots of popular grievances must be addressed, he told the Forum, adding, "I sincerely believe the international community can defeat terrorism in sub Saharan Africa with a robust mix of long-term development and security assistance." He said defeating terrorism in Africa "will take a long time"  in part because insurgencies typically last "more than a dozen years" and also because the youth population across Africa is growing faster than anywhere else in the world. Africa director at NSC is one of two high-level Africa jobs that remain unfilled more than five months into the Trump administration. No formal nomination has been put forward to head the Africa Bureau at the State Department, a front-line position tasked with managing U.S. diplomatic relations with the continent. Africa experts who track policy developments believe a nomination for the senior Africa post at State could be nearing. The choice for Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian was announced on July 19  only the third nomination to date for one of the 22 assistant secretary positions in the department. After several names were discussed within the administration to be nominated as Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, well-connected sources say that J. Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council, is being vetted and that his name could be one of the next submitted by the White House to the Senate for confirmation. That these key posts remain empty is widely seen as part of the reason for the U.S. response to the 'Compact for Africa' put forward by German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20 Summit earlier this month. Riva Levinson, a Republican and a Washington DC-based government relations consultant with extensive African experience, writing in The Hill, labeled as "utterly tone-deaf" President Trump's decision to leave the Summit during the session on 'Partnership with Africa, Migration and Health', the focus of which was "the well-being of Africa's 1.6 billion people." His daughter and advisor, Ivanka Trump, took his place at the table with the Summit principals, primarily heads of state and of international organizations, Grant T. Harris, who was senior director for African Affairs in the Obama White House, sees 'de-prioritization' of Africa by the Trump administration as creating an opening In Africa for other powers. "Chinese leaders must be salivating" - the country now takes in $50 billion a year or more from African investments, he wrote in The Hill. "North Korea has sold weapons to African countries, in violation of UN sanctions, to fund its weapons of mass destruction programs, and Russia is looking to Africa to hedge against U.S. sanctions," he wrote. Peter Pham, the presumed nominee to head the Africa Bureau at the State Department, is a prolific author of analytical essays and books whose work has focused on African security issues. He prepared a strategy paper published by the Council and submitted to the Trump transition team in December, which advocated - among other recommendations -reassigning four north African nations (Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) to the Africa Bureau at the State Department, where they currently fall under the Bureau of of Near Eastern Affairs. This reorganization took place at the NSC soon after Trump assumed office. In a blog he wrote in January, Pham gave this assessment of how the U.S. needs to respond to the proposed German 'Marshall Plan' for Africa. "If the United States is to pursue a foreign policy of America First, then there is a lot of catching up to be done in bringing the public and private sectors together to forge a robust US approach to the new Africa, whose rising geopolitical importance and burgeoning economic dynamism ought to make it a strategic priority in the new administration." Setting the Context for Africa Policy Climate Change (Scott Pruitt, E.P.A. Administrator) AfricaFocus coverage: http://www.africafocus.org/intro-env.php

Also of interest: http://tinyurl.com/ydckwkc2 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Pruitt Health (Tom Price, Health and Human Services Secretary AfricaFocus coverage: http://www.africafocus.org/intro-health.php

Also of interest: http://www.africafocus.org/docs17/health1705.php Kleptocracy and Illicit Financial Flows (Steven Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary)

AfricaFocus coverage: http://www.africafocus.org/intro-iff.php

Also of interest: http://tinyurl.com/hcu5ymg and http://tinyurl.com/hhzk3qe (on Mnuchin's wife Louise Linton, of "white savior" and "Instagram" fame) Security and Peacekeeping (James N. Mattis, Defense Secretary; H.R. McMaster, National Security Adviser; Mike Pompeo, C.I.A. Director; Nikki Haley, U.N. Ambassador)

AfricaFocus coverage: http://www.africafocus.org/intro-peace.php

Also of interest: http://tinyurl.com/yb3w8f82 and

http://www.newsweek.com/us-military-boko-haram-torture-639524 Human Rights and Democracy(Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State; Nikki Haley, U.N. Ambassador)

AfricaFocus coverage: http://www.africafocus.org/polexp.php Economic Development (Wilbur Ross, Commerce Secretary; Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Trade Representative)

AfricaFocus coverage: http://www.africafocus.org/intro-econ.php Agriculture (Sonny Perdue, Secretary of Agriculture) AfricaFocus coverage: http://www.africafocus.org/intro-ag.php Education (Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education) AfricaFocus coverage: http://www.africafocus.org/educexp.php Migration (Jeff Sessions, Attorney General; Gen. John Kelly, Former Secretary for Homeland Security; Nikki Haley, UN Ambassador) AfricaFocus coverage: http://www.africafocus.org/migrexp.php

Also of interest: http://www.africafocus.org/docs16/migr1610.php AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see http://www.africafocus.org
On November 4, 2008, Lt Colonel Shrikant Purohit, a serving Army officer was arrested for his involvement in the blasts. Subsequently the investigation by Maharashtra ATS revealed that several of the accused may have been involved in other attacks such as the Modasa blast in Gujarat, the Malegaon blast of 2006, the Mecca Masjid Blast in Hyderabad in 2007 and the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast. The matter soon took a political turn with the BJP and the Shiv Sena alleging the ATS of harbouring political motives behind the arrests and the Congress for using the ATS for political gains. Well, in nine years, many things have changed even the government in Maharashtra too and also the ATS officer who arrested Purohit was killed by Pakistani terrorist.

Now, the Supreme Court has granted bail to Lt. Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit, one of the key accused of the 2008 Malegaon blasts case that killed seven and injured 79 people. Purohit had spent nine years in prison. His bail plea was earlier rejected by the Bombay High Court following which he approached the apex court. If you join the dots Purohits case sends shockwaves. At the time when Malegaon bomb blast case investigation was in progress, Purohit was undergoing a course in Arabic language in the AEC (Army Education Corps) Training College and Centre at Panchmarhi in Madhya Pradesh. He had specifically requested this 18 months long course in writing and the same was strongly recommended by the Commanding Officer of Southern Command Liaison Unit of Military Intelligence, based on his service profile, experience and performance. Before that he was posted in Devlali in district Nashik as an Intelligence Officer of the Southern Command Liaison Unit, Pune. Purohit was deputed to the Intelligence Wing of the Indian Army after he suffered a serious knee injury during anti-terrorist operations in Kashmir. His knee had to be reconstructed and the doctors advised him not to undertake any serious physical activity such as running or mountain climbing. That made him unfit for resuming his earlier job in the Infantry Division of the Army.

Even while undergoing the Arabic Language course at Panchmarhi in MP, he remained professionally active since intelligence gathering is a continuous process. This was recorded in the form of statements by witnesses who have been examined during the court of inquiry conducted by the Army after his arrest. By all accounts, Purohit had developed an effective intelligence network and was successful in putting together useful information about the infamous terror group, SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) and its links with Pakistans intelligence agency, the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence). Purohits service record shows that he had received several commendation certificates for good performance. The Confidential Reports (CRs) by his seniors were also consistently positive.

Meanwhile the Anti-Terrorism Squad, Mumbai, arrested Purohit in January 2009 on charges under Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999, a special law to combat organised crime and terrorism. In 2011, the probe was taken over by the National Investigation Agency and in 2015, the apex court had denied him bail since serious charges were made under the MCOCA. In 2016, the agency in a supplementary chargesheet dropped charges under the MCOCA after which Purohit made a fresh plea for bail in the Supreme Court.

The NIA argued against his bail plea, saying they have preliminary evidence against Purohit. NIA has relied upon the transcription of the conversations of the meetings obtained from the laptop of Swami Amrutanand, another accused in the case.

Now the question remains here is, the consideration before this court is whether in the present facts and circumstances of the case, the Purohit has made out a case for grant of bail or not? The court said that since the NIAs supplementary chargesheet is at variance with the one filed by the ATS, the trial is likely to take a long time and given that Purohit has been in prison for about eight years and eight months, he makes a case for granting bail. Purohits bail order shows that the cases trajectory has vastly shifted since his arrest. Probe agencies have differed with each other and the inscrutable delay in filing of a comprehensive chargesheet for eight years is hard to explain. The apex court is currently hearing a plea opposing bail granted to Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, another accused in the case.

If you look at the chronology of the events and where the investigation took place, the mindset of the people etc. it is so easy to make a case weak or strong. Courts are partially biased and corrupt as disclosed by former justice of Supreme Court Justice Katju and many others. The government can influence a case to the extent that even if one has proof like black and white, while representing the case the fact will either not presented to the court or may be presented. Considering the intent of present Federal government, it is highly unlikely, a case like this is going to proceed leading to the conviction. You have seen it repeatedly in Gujarat and Mumbai. Not surprised by the decision of the court, the court may be right if proper proofs are not presented. One can never expect true justice in India. Democracy is a hoax.

Meanwhile, there are different interpretations of the same case by different courts. The army would know much more than the courts about the case. The Army bosses at the time of Malegaon blast should tell the truth whether the officer was a rogue or a hero. If he is indeed innocent, then the judicial system should compensate him for the loss of honour, money, promotions, family life and above all dignity. In any case, it is inhuman to deny someone bail for so long without charge sheeting or trial. Late Hemant Karkare, a respected, brilliant and valiant IPS officer was the one who booked Lt Colonel Purohit. Therefore; the whole case is confusing to say the least.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
The bail granted to Lt. Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit has raised questions about the manner in which shoddy investigations were conducted to conceal the truth. The investigations carried out by ATS and NIA reveals contradictory reports which have further weakened the Malegaon bomb blast case. Opposition party leaders said that the government is trying to politicise this issue by giving it a religious colour. According to them, action must be taken against accused irrespective of the religion they belong to. They also added that this case must be investigated thoroughly to ascertain the truth.

When AV spoke to Brinda Karat, CPI (M) politburo member and Rajya Sabha MP she said, Its very unfortunate that after the Modi government came to power bail is being granted to culprits in the Malegaon bomb blasts case. This is a politically motivated decision. The public prosecutor has issued a statement that NIA Delhi is imposing pressure on them. Karkare had done hard work to gather evidence but they are destroying it. Thus injustice is being meted against him.

Justice BG Kolse Patil retired judge of Bombay High Court said, The government has not presented concrete evidence before the court. Even though Modi had committed several crimes but no action has been taken against him due to lack of evidence. The tape recorded conversation between Sadhvi Pragya and Purohit to conduct bomb blast at various part of the county by using RDX has been destroyed. Court can deliver verdict based on proper evidence provided by the investigating agency. It is unfair to conduct two investigations. Bomb blast incidents and Anna Hazares agitation is responsible for the BJP coming to power in the country.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP, Husain Dalwai said, I dont look into Hindu or Muslim terrorism and I will only comment about terrorism. BJP should not teach nationalism to citzens. This nation follows the principles of Gandhi and not the views of Savarkar. Karkare had done a good work and he was not working under pressure. Its unfortunate that he has passed away as he had made several revelations which would have affected the outcome of the case.

Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik said, We have faith in Indian judiciary. I would like to congratulate Lt col Purohit as bail has been granted to him after 9 years. The court had delivered judgement on the basis of the evidence provided by the investigating agency.

Advocate Abbas Kazmi said, The bail granted to Purohit has not be delivered on merit but due to inefficiency of ATS and NIA. NIA is working on the pressure of central govt.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said, I cant comment about the verdict issued by the court. I can only say that achche din has arrived for Sanatan ideologists and Hindu terrorism.

Advocate Majeed Memon and NCP Rajya Sabha MP said, The two special investigating agencies ATS and NIA have investigated 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case. Both have moved in different directions and are making contradictory claims. One of them is bound to be false. This contradiction in such a sensitive terror incident has made a mess of investigation resulting in gross miscarriage of justice.
Qatar Airways Cargo has signed an agreement with DoKaSch Temperature Solutions to offer the Frankfurt-based equipment specialists Opticooler range of temperature-controlled containers for transporting pharma products.

The chief officer cargo of the Middle East Gulf carrier, Ulrich Ogiermann, said: We understand the intricacies of a seamless cool chain and always aim to provide value to our customers. Through this agreement with DoKaSch, we have now expanded our active container offering for customers, presenting our business partners with more options to transport their pharmaceuticals globally.

Andreas Seitz, managing director of DoKaSch, said: We are convinced that with Qatar Airways Cargos extensive and rapidly-growing network, and our joint commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, this partnership will provide a great solution for the global Pharma cool chain.

DoKaSch Group runs a fleet of Opticoolers RAP (5 pallets) and RKN (1 pallet), that are rentable for shipping temperature-sensitive cargo. The units are equipped with electric, battery-powered cooling compressors and heaters and require no dry ice.

The active containers keep the cargo within a temperature range of 2 to 8 degrees celsius or 15 to 25 degrees celsius. The system features a touchscreen interface for dependable temperature setting.

Qatar Airways Cargo announced in May this year the launch of its Climate Control Centre, a 2,470 sq m airside transit facility for temperature-sensitive cargo at its Doha hub.

The facility features two temperature-controlled zones operating at both 2 to 8 and 15 to 25 degrees celsius with a capacity to hold a total of 156 unit load devices (ULDs) at a time.

Segregated sections within the facility enable storage of pharmaceutical products in compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines.

The significant investments in the cool chain and expansion of its pharma network have seen the cargo carriers QR Pharma volumes grow by 42% in 2016-17 over 2015-16.

Qatar Airways Cargos expanding Pharma network spans 73 stations, with the recent addition of Colombo on in May and Dublin in June this year. It pioneered Pharma Express flights from the key pharmaceutical hubs of Basel, Brussels, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, supporting pharmaceutical exports from these destinations.

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South American air cargo carrier Trans American Airlines (TACA Peru) has launched freighter services to South America via Miami International Airport (MIA).

The Avianca Holdings subsidiary will operate four times a week scheduled freighter flights with an Airbus A330-200F between MIA and five South American cities: Lima, Santiago, Bogota, Medellin and Buenos Aires.



TACA Peru is the second airline to begin all-cargo service at MIA this year, and the fifth since January 2016, helping freight tonnages at the US gateway to is register a 4.8% volume growth in the first half of 2017.

TACA Perus Miami launch will add to the significant growth trend we are experiencing in both international and domestic cargo traffic, said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio Gonzalez.

With more all-cargo airlines expected to begin service in 2017, we look forward to shattering our record from last year and strengthening our position as Americas busiest international freight airport.



In February, Qatar Airways launched two weekly cargo flights to Doha, with stops in Luxembourg, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Quito, and Liege.

Mexican freighter airline AeroUnion began two weekly flights to Mexico City and Merida in December 2016, while US freighter airline Northern Air Cargo launched four weekly charter cargo flights to San Juan, Saint Martin, Santo Domingo and Port-au-Prince in November.

The same month also saw US carrier 21 Air began six weekly frequencies between MIA and Bogota, and two weekly flights on a triangular route between MIA, Panama City and Guatemala City, also last November.

Canadian airline KF Cargo launched six weekly charter freight flights to Bogota, Caracas and Lima in April 2016.

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August 18, 2017

CAIRO  The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities announced Aug. 3 that it has begun renovations on the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue on Nabi Daniel Street in Alexandria at a cost of 100 million Egyptian pounds ($5.6 million).

Eliyahu Hanavi is one of the oldest and most famous synagogues in Alexandria. Built in 1354, it was shelled during the French campaign in 1798, when Napoleon gave orders to raid it to build an artillery barricade between the Kom el-Deka fortress and the sea. The house of worship was rebuilt in 1850 upon the order of Muhammad Ali Pasha, who ruled Egypt from 1805 to 1848, and with contributions from his family.

Former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass told Al-Monitor that Eliyahu Hanavi is one of the biggest synagogues in the Middle East, and it is characterized by its unique architecture. The ceiling of the womens prayer room collapsed in January 2016 due to bad weather. At that time, the Ministry of Antiquities formed a committee  led by Mohamed Mahran, the head of the Central Administration for Antiquities under the ministry and responsible for preserving Jewish heritage  to draft a plan to restore and protect the temple.

Magda Haroun, the head of the Jewish community in Egypt, has fought many battles to preserve Egypts Jewish heritage, including one to renovate temples  10 historical ones remain  and turn them into tourist sites. The walls of the temples have been weakened through deterioration due to lack of funding for maintenance.

The Ministry of Antiquities has suffered from low budgets and has therefore not been of help. Haroun, an anti-Zionist, opposed accepting foreign funding on the grounds that most Jewish associations abroad that might be interested in donating such funding are groups supportive of Israel.

The funding to renovate Eliyahu Hanavi became somewhat controversial when on July 5 Saeed Helmy, the head of the Ministry of Antiquities Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Monuments Department, pointed out that Article 30 of Law No. 117 (1983), on antiquities, and amendments to it in Laws Nos. 3 and 61 (2010) state that the Jewish community, being occupants, shall bear all renovation costs for synagogues. Some have therefore argued that the Ministry of Antiquities footing the bill for renovation of Eliyahu Hanavi is a violation of the law.

According to the statute, the head of the Jewish community in Egypt  for the time being Haroun  is in charge of the maintenance and renovation of Jewish temples, whereas Egyptian churches and the Ministry of Awqaf (or Religious Affairs) are in charge of renovating historic churches and mosques. Maintenance and renovation have in the past been funded by foreign Jewish figures and organizations given the small and declining number of Jews in Egypt. Today only six Jews live in Cairo, and another 19 are thought to reside in Alexandria.

In 2015, the Ministry of Awqaf called on the Cabinet to amend Article 30, which the ministry considered to be unjust. The ministry cannot cover the project renovation costs, often in the millions of dollars, which are based on decisions and recommendations of the Ministry of Antiquities. Thus, the Ministry of Awqaf argued that its role be restricted to providing funding to hire Muslim preachers (Christians are responsible for their own), while the renovation of mosques becomes the responsibility of the Ministry of Antiquities. Article 30, however, remains in force.

The Ministry of Antiquities does not receive an allocated share of the state budget. Rather, it is provided funding from revenues from Egyptian antiquities expositions and tourism at shrines and museums. After the January 25 Revolution (2011), revenues dropped due to the decline in tourism resulting from the security situation.

In July, the Ministry of Finance decided to allocate 1.27 billion Egyptian pounds (about $70 million) for eight renovation projects, including the Alexandria synagogue. The others were the Greek-Roman Museum, Mohammad Ali Beshbara Palace, Baron Palace, King Farouk Rest House, Kassan Palace, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Giza Plateau.

Hawass told Al-Monitor, The listed Jewish temples in Egypt amount to 10, nine of which are in Cairo, including the Adly Street Synagogue [or Sha'ar Hashamayim] and Ben Ezra Synagogue, while Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue is in Alexandria. The Ministry of Antiquities is equally interested in Jewish, Pharaonic, Islamic and Coptic antiquities as part of Egypts cultural heritage. Prayers are still occasionally conducted at Adly Street and Eliyahu Hanavi as well as other synagogues not listed by the Ministry of Antiquities for historic preservation such as the Ezra Synagogue in Cairo.

Hawass said that misunderstanding of Article 30 is responsible for the funding controversy surrounding Eliyahu Hanavi. Preserving antiquities is primarily the responsibility of the Ministry of Antiquities. He explained that in the absence of worshippers from a community or their inability to bear the renovation costs, in this case the Jewish community, the Ministry of Antiquities is supposed to assume responsibility for preserving historical structures. By Hawass accounting, the number of Jewish worshippers in Alexandria stands at 18 elderly women and one man, Youssef Bin Jaoun. The last time prayers were held in Eliyahu Hanavi was in 2012.

Hawass asserted that this is not the first time the Ministry of Antiquities has renovated a synagogue at its own expense. The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue was restored in 2010 with ministry funding. The government refused to take donations from the Israeli government for the project.

Moses Ben Maimon was established at the end of the 19th century and is dedicated to the theologist commonly known as Maimonides, who was born in Cordoba, Spain, in 1135 and excelled in medicine, mathematics and philosophy. He escaped persecution and fled to Egypt, where he became the personal doctor of the ruler, Salah al-Din (or Saladin). He died in Egypt in 1204.

Mohammad al-Kahlawi, the secretary-general of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists, told Al-Monitor, Jewish antiquities are an indispensable part of Egypts cultural heritage. We lost many of them, just like we lost around 30% of [other] Egyptian antiquities, due to negligence and lack of a strategic vision to benefit from antiquities and raise peoples awareness of their importance.

Kahlawi said that the renovation of Eliyahu Hanavi would take around eight months. The Arab Contractors Company and Orascom Group will handle the work, which will include architectural, structural and general upgrades.

Mohammad Abdul Hadi, a professor of renovation at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor, Israeli Ambassador to Egypt David Govrin visited Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in 2016 and offered to renovate it in cooperation with the competent Egyptian authorities, but the Ministry of Antiquities rejected Govrins offer and announced a comprehensive plan to renovate the synagogue as part of Egypts cultural heritage using Egyptian funds and including several projects without discrimination based on religion.
August 22, 2017

The leadership of Hamas has confirmed it is reviewing a proposal from its armed wing that suggests creating a political and security vacuum in Gaza as a way of dealing with the inhuman conditions there.

After some Hamas members initially professed no knowledge of the plans existence, Khalil al-Hayya, deputy head of Hamas political bureau, confirmed Aug. 15 that the Hamas leadership was carefully reviewing the plan and would make a decision accordingly.

Under the proposal, Hamas would give up its role of managing the Gaza Strip, and civil police would continue to provide the services assigned to it. This is while Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and other undetermined Palestinian military wings would control the security situation on the ground in the Gaza Strip.

The plan comes in answer to the West Bank-based Palestinian Authoritys (PA) tightening of sanctions imposed on Gaza since June, and Hamas inability to fill the deficit resulting from the sanctions. The sanctions cut Gaza civil servants salaries, shut off funds to serve ministries such as the Ministry of Health and ended payment for fuel to run the Gaza power plant.

The Turkish government-run Anadolu Agency news outlet on Aug. 10 quoted an anonymous Hamas source as saying that in early August, the al-Qassam Brigades submitted the plan to Hamas leadership. However, Salah al-Bardawil, a member of Hamas political bureau, said Aug. 11 he had not been aware of the plan previously, but subsequently said it sounded unrealistic. It wasnt until Aug. 15 that Hayya confirmed the plan was under review.

So far, nothing explains the contradictory Hamas positions and why some officials are still denying the plan. This could indicate the plan caught the Hamas political leadership off guard.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Monitor, Al-Qassam Brigades plan is a proposal, among others, put forward by officials within the Hamas leadership, to develop ideas on how to handle the current situation and the upcoming stage, in light of the crises troubling the Palestinian people. However, no final decision has been made yet.

The plans surfacing raises questions about a potential lack of progress being made on understandings proposed in June between Hamas and a former rival, dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan, to jointly manage Gaza. Hamas fears  without acknowledging any exact reason  that Egypt might delay implementing the understandings.

Hamas also reached several understandings with Egypt in July, including that Hamas would control the security situation on the Gaza-Sinai border in exchange for Egypts opening the Rafah crossing and easing the blockade Egypt and Israel have imposed on Gaza since 2007.

Hussam al-Dajani, a Hamas expert and political science professor at Al-Ummah University in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, The al-Qassam Brigades plan carries different messages. For instance, it conveys to Israel the message that Hamas has had it with the calm-for-calm situation while the Gaza Strip continues to suffer under the tight siege. The Hamas political leadership might end up approving the plan, which would lead to two options: The movement could either wage war against Israel, or the latter could lift the siege. This is why the plan needs to be carefully examined; all possible outcomes should be studied, as mistakes are not forgiven when it comes to strategic issues.

Al-Qassam Brigades plan can be seen as Hamas thinking outside the box, which could turn the tables on all parties concerned with the Palestinian situation, including Israel, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Egypt and Dahlan. Although this may be a scary option, it could be Hamas way of pushing the parties into an understanding before it actually resorts to this destructive scenario of giving up its grip over Gaza to create chaos. That scenario would threaten security on the border with Israel, and its specter could thus pressure the latter to ease the blockade on Gaza.

Abdullah al-Abdullah, chairman of the Palestinian Legislative Council's (PLC) Political Affairs Committee and a member of Fatahs Revolutionary Council, told Al-Monitor, Al-Qassam Brigades plan may be a shock within Hamas, [especially] following the recent understandings about jointly managing Gaza with Dahlan, who, until recently, was leading an insidious current, in Hamas eyes. However, the movement ended up allying with him. This is why there were conflicting positions within Hamas regarding the plan.

Abdullah added, In addition, the plan may constitute a desperate cry from al-Qassam Brigades in light of [Hamas] inability to solve the problems plaguing Gaza, although it would be better for the movement to reach an understanding with President Abbas instead of resorting to security chaos.

London-based al-Araby al-Jadeed reported Aug. 16 that al-Qassam Brigades plan had been formed in July, but was recently leaked to the media to pressure the parties manipulating Gaza, particularly the PA and Abbas, who does not want Hamas to implement its understandings with his archrival Dahlan.

Ahmed Youssef, a former political adviser to Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas political bureau, told Al-Monitor, The idea of a political vacuum suggested by al-Qassam Brigades is not supported by a national consensus. It is a reckless attempt to fly without wings. Such ideas reflect a catastrophic problem, because the military and security leaders provide the political leadership with ideas on war and defense. Yet, leaking these ideas by al-Qassam reflects a weakness and carelessness that never previously existed within Hamas institutions and political authorities.

Palestinian political analyst Saleh Naami told Al-Monitor, Al-Qassam Brigades initiated their plan as Israel is erecting a physical barrier along the border with the Gaza Strip to destroy the tunnels, which could indicate that al-Qassam Brigades plan serves as a warning to Israel that Hamas will not allow it to target their combat tunnels. Meanwhile, al-Qassam Brigades clearly want to show the PA that Hamas will not allow Abbas to achieve his desired goals by imposing sanctions on Gaza.

Naami added, It could also be a message to express the lack of confidence in Hamas ability to achieve its desired objectives by reaching an understanding with Dahlan. Regardless of the plans motives, creating a vacuum in Gaza is very risky.

Despite the ongoing Palestinian debate over al-Qassam Brigades plan, no one really knows how or when it could be implemented and whether it could lead to an armed military confrontation. This dangerous development may reshuffle the cards and bring Hamas closer to options it had wanted to avoid, but at the same time help it evade internal Palestinian anger in Gaza over the worsening humanitarian situation.
August 22, 2017

On Aug. 20, the Iranian parliament voted to approve all of moderate President Hassan Rouhanis proposed ministers  except for one Reformist minister. This has drawn the ire of Reformist activists who now slam Omid (Hope), the sole Reformist faction in parliament, for its disappointing performance during the votes of confidence for Rouhanis second-term Cabinet.

The only proposed minister who did not obtain a vote of confidence was Habibollah Bitaraf, a Reformist figure who served as energy minister during President Mohammad Khatamis second term (2001-2005). This has led some Reformist activists to accuse Reformist members of parliament of blackmailing the proposed minister, claiming that Bitaraf refused to accept certain requests by parliamentarians. Javad Emam, a Reformist figure close to Khatami, tweeted Aug. 21, [The] not giving a confidence vote to Bitaraf is the result of [his] honesty, being uncorrupt and his negative answer to the requests of the gentlemen T, V, H, N. By T, V, H, N, Emam meant four senior members of the Omid faction, namely Gholamreza Tajgardoon, Mohammad Ali Vakili, Elyas Hazrati and Ali Nobakht.

However, Vakili denied this accusation and claimed that he did his utmost in favor of Bitaraf.

Moderate newspaper Jomhuri Eslami joined critics and slammed lawmakers for their attempts to gain concessions in return for their support for the proposed ministers. The results of the parliaments vote on the proposed ministers of President Rouhani for the 12th government indicates that the most independent and neutral proposed minister cannot win parliaments approval, and as can be seen, being willing to cooperate [with members of parliament] is an important factor in gaining a vote of confidence, argued Jomhuri Eslami on Aug. 21.

Another issue that has been brought up against the Omid faction is that Reformist members of parliament voted mostly in favor of conservative Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, who was slammed by Reformists for appointing conservative and hard-line governors; Reformist Ali Rabiee, who was slammed for reaching a deal with hard-liners and for not reopening the International Journalists Association; and Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, who has been accused of involvement in the Intelligence Ministrys surveillance of private citizens.

Describing the Omid factions actions as disappointing, Sadegh Zibakalam, a prominent analyst, told local media Aug. 20, These 110 to 150 MPs who have entered parliament as members of the Omid faction and close to Reformists havent displayed a good performance during the last two years. He added, We cant ignore [the fact] that a proposed Reformist minister didnt win the confidence vote in parliament, which has a large number of Reformists, while the [proposed] conservatives received high votes.

Added to this mix, moderate Entekhab news site criticized the Omid faction, arguing that the Reformist members of parliament made a deal with controversial proposed ministers such as Fazli and Rabiee to vote for them. If these dealings [between the members of parliament and ministers] continue, we will face a very negative effect on people as a quick look at peoples reaction on social networks to [the Omid factions performance during confidence vote sessions] indicate how the roots of the nations trust in the Omid faction is on the verge of being lost, reported Entekhab Aug. 21.

In other news, newly confirmed Minister of Information and Communication Technology Jahromi stated that negotiations will likely begin with Twitter to unblock the site in Iran.

In an interview published in the government-run Iran newspaper Aug. 22, Jahromi said, This social network took a position against Irans establishment in 2009. During that time and based on the remarks of the then CEO of Twitter, the Iranian government assumed that they were interfering in the internal affairs [of Iran].

He then added that Twitter has announced its readiness to begin talks with the Iranian government to resolve outstanding issues. The ground is ready for interaction and dialogue. The atmosphere on Twitter is not [a place] with immoral contents that must remain blocked, because the atmosphere of this social network is logical. Then the only way for unblocking this social network is through confidence building measures.

It should be noted that Twitter was blocked in Iran during 2009 when the country was facing unprecedented protests under the leadership of presidential candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who believed the ballot was rigged. They have been under house arrest since 2011.
August 23, 2017

After 14 years of ruling Tehran, Principlists have relinquished power to Reformists, giving the mayorship and chairmanship of the city council to their rivals.

On Aug. 21, Tehran City Council members decided to elect Mohsen Hashemi Rafsanjani, the former head of Tehrans subway system and son of late two-time President Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, as head of the council, and Mohammad Ali Najafi, a former economic adviser of moderate President Hassan Rouhani, as the mayor.

In the last two decades, Tehran mayors have both stirred controversy and used the post as a stepping stone to the presidency. Hard-line Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was elected as Tehran mayor in 2003 by the then-conservative council, ran in the 2005 presidential election, which led to his landslide victory. Moreover, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, whose mayorship lasted for the past 12 years, unsuccessfully ran for the presidency twice after taking charge of the management of the capital (2013 and 2017). He also ran for office in 2005.

Ghalibaf was subject to many accusations of misconduct, including sales of public property at below-market prices to his allies and municipality directors. Instead of putting him under scrutiny, the previous conservative-dominated city council was accused of fully cooperating with Ghalibaf. Mehdi Chamran  an ally of Ghalibaf  was the chairman of Tehrans city council for 14 years, a man who played a crucial role in Ahmadinejads rise to seniority and a figure who is also seen as the man behind keeping Ghalibaf in power in Tehran for 12 years.

However, in the May 2017 village and city council elections, which were held concurrently with the presidential vote, Reformists won all the seats in Tehran, delivering a heavy blow to conservatives as none managed to cling to their seats.

Mohsen Hashemi Rafsanjani, addressing Tehran City Council members on the first day of the new councils term on Aug. 23, described the empowerment of Reformists in the capital as a sign of the publics demand for the dismissal of the conservative Ghalibaf, saying, Undoubtedly, Ghalibafs performance and record has weaknesses and positive [points], the same as any other official, and it should be assessed fairly. [But] the high and meaningful vote of Tehrans citizens to the [electoral] Omid [Hope] ticket, which was based on the publics trust in the leaders of the Reformist [camp], suggests a tendency [of the people] toward a change in the management of Tehran.

Meanwhile, the new mayor of Tehran explained his priorities, which are mostly focused on solving the air pollution problem and improving public transportation. I will attend my office from [the coming] Saturday, and my first job will be to appoint the officials of the municipality. Moreover, making a list consisting of the priorities and urgent [issues] will be on my agenda, said Najafi on Aug. 23.

Tehran mayors have had frosty relationships with presidents during the past two decades, but this time it looks like the ties between the new mayor and president will be better than ever as they share views on an array of issues and since Najafi previously served as an adviser to Rouhani. I should state that for the first time after 14 years, the [Tehran] mayorship and the government are coordinated with each other. During these 14 years, the differences between the mayors and government werent in the interest of the people, but we are [now] fully coordinated with each other, and this coordination is in the interest of the government and municipality, because there are many issues that must be resolved through the government and municipalitys [mutual] aid [to each other], Najafi added, further noting, If the president asks [me] or allows [me] to attend [relevant Cabinet sessions], we will welcome it as it is in the interest of the city and citizens.
August 23, 2017

TEHRAN, Iran  Iran and Turkey are among the oldest rivals in the Middle East. This rivalry between the former Ottoman and Persian empires has calmed in recent decades, yet, with the spark of the Arab Spring, the two nations with opposing alliances revived their bitter race for influence and power in the region.

It was clear that the 1823 and 1847 Treaties of Erzurum still have an effect on todays Turkey and Iran. Therefore, despite all the tension, blood and proxy collision, Ankara and Tehran remained resilient and have always looked for ways to reach compromises. Political relations between the two preserved a level of warmth. Now that the wars in Iraq and Syria, from an Iranian point of view, are coming closer to an end, a common threat in Iraqs Kurdistan Region is prompting both sides to put aside differences and unify efforts to prevent a domino effect that might harm their national security  namely the Kurdish dream of an independent state.

On Aug. 15, Irans Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri made a rare official visit to Turkey to meet his counterpart, Gen. Hulusi Akar, and senior Turkish officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to Bagheri, the visit was necessary to exchange views and more cooperation on the military subjects and different regional issues, issues related to the two countries' security, security of borders and fighting against terrorism.

The Iranian and Turkish sides were keen to reflect the importance of the visit by talking to the media on several occasions, both during the visit and after, giving hints on what the talks were about  the referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, the situation in Syrias Idlib province, both countries desire to combat terrorism  without missing Erdogans Aug. 21 revelation that his country and Iran are discussing a joint military campaign in northern Iraq against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK).

Erdogans words were later denied by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Prior to the denial, Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Qassemi told reporters, The trip was exceptional in that we did not have such visits at such levels for the past 40 years.  The talks were important and decisive. Maj. Gen. Bagheri had a productive meeting with the Turkish president.

According to a well-informed source in Tehran, the meetings in Turkey were "very important to tackle issues that are eminent and have dire consequences on the national security of both countries. The referendum on [Iraqi] Kurdistan is a matter that concerns Tehran for several reasons. The same applies to Turkey; therefore, all options  literally all options  were on the table of discussions. The source added, Both countries are going to take necessary steps to make sure Iraqi Kurdistan doesn't split from Iraq, by any means necessary," and the officials in Erbil received the message.

Both countries are going to take necessary steps to make sure Iraqi Kurdistan doesn't split from Iraq, by any means necessary.

On the matter of the military campaign Erdogan suggested, the source told Al-Monitor, This was the Turkish presidents initiative. The PKK is a threat to Turkeys national security as well as to Irans, while PJAK, which we are already fighting, is the one posing a threat to Iran's [national security]. He wanted to see both his country and Iran launching the campaign against both groups, and in return, hes ready to be more helpful in Syria. Idlib could be a step of goodwill; still, Iran doesnt see the PKK as an enemy.

To Iran, ending the war in Syria needs Turkish assistance, given Ankaras good ties with several groups that Tehran describes as terrorists. Either Turkey abandons these groups or convinces them to disarm, and then an everlasting political solution will become a reality. The side agreement on Idlib, which Turkeys Daily Sabah called a joint mechanism, was agreed upon within the framework of the Astana talks meeting in Tehran on Aug. 8 and 9. The Tehran meeting was held away from the media, upon Ankaras request.

Kurdistans planned referendum is a matter of mutual concern to both Iran and Turkey. To Tehran, the referendum  and later the possible independence  introduces three main threats. First, a Kurdish state in Iraq could ignite a Kurdish domino effect in the region, which would enhance the dreams of Syrias, Turkeys and maybe Irans Kurds. Bitter memories from the days of the 1979 Revolution cant be forgotten when Iranian Kurdish militants attempted to secede; this was followed by an insurgency that is still active in areas on the countrys northwestern borders.

The second threat is that an independent Kurdish state would mean the division of Iraq and a possible Iraqi Sunni tendency to call for a similar referendum, ending up with at least three small nations in the neighboring country with all the vulnerabilities that might result from such a situation. Iraqi Shiites arent fortified against possible internal strife, given the renewed divisions among them with Saudi Arabias thriving attempts to attract some factions to its camp. Another issue to worry about if Iraq gets divided is Syria  borders are going to be loose once again, and theres no guarantee the de facto government will be ready to cooperate with the Iranians and their allies.

The third and final threat from Tehrans point of view is that an independent Kurdistan, given the Kurdish autonomous regions good ties with Israel, will give Israel the chance to spy on Iran and interfere and conspire against it; this will pose a great threat to the Islamic Republic, the Islamic revolution and, thus, to Irans national security and stability.

Given the above threats, as well as the Turkish reasons to be worried, Turkey and Iran seem to be on the same page and facing almost similar threats, except for Syria. The existential threat the Kurds pose to Ankara and the threat to Irans national security in this regard makes it inevitable for both sides to join forces and cooperate, despite differences, to prevent themselves from facing an imminent threat that might have dire consequences.
August 22, 2017

As the Islamic State weakens in Iraq and Syria, the forces fighting the group are eyeing each other more critically. The United States and Iran are vying for influence in Iraq, and accusations are flying.

In the battle to control the Iraqi-Syrian border, the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, an armed faction of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) came under attack Aug. 7. In a strongly worded statement the same day, the group accused US forces of attacking their positions in western Iraq and vowed to avenge the casualties.

The statement said US forces had heavily bombed the brigades positions on and near the border, killing and wounding many of our forces. The group called for an urgent meeting of leaders of the Islamic resistance factions in Iraq to consider an appropriate response.

Denials came from many quarters. On Aug. 8, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command denied any attack on PMU positions in the area and stressed, Incidents reported by the media occurred outside the Iraqi border. Coalition spokesman US Army Col. Ryan Dillon stated via his official Twitter account, Allegations of #coalition strikes vs. Popular Mobilization [Units] near #Iraq-#Syria border are INACCURATE. No coalition strikes there [at this time]. Even the leadership of the wider PMU issued a statement the next day echoing the coalitions denial.

IS immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, publishing footage of the ambush showing the flag of the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades.

The Iraqi faction had been accompanied by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), and IS captured and killed one of them, Mohsen Hajji. In contrast to what the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades claimed, the IRGC deputy commander-in-chief, Brig. Gen. Hussein Salami, said in an Aug. 14 TV interview that the attack had taken place on Syrian territory and was carried out by IS.

Martyr Hajji was with other fighters in their headquarters in an area between al-Tanf and Abu Kamal, which was targeted by IS terrorist forces using several car bombs. At the same time, an offensive force managed to circumvent the headquarters and ambush the fighters, Salami said.

It seems that despite the obvious falsehood of their accusations, some Shiite factions are trying to stir up anti-US sentiment to rid Iraq of US forces in the post-IS stage.

Ahmed al-Maksousi, assistant secretary-general of the brigades, said in an Aug. 8 TV interview, If we do not deter the Americans and dont respond to them, they will continue to overstep their bounds. This is why we must have a clear response.

Meanwhile, the semi-official Iranian Fars News Agency reported that the United States is building a base in western Mosul province; neither the Iraqis nor the Americans have confirmed this.

Michael Knights, a fellow at the Washington Institute, told Al-Monitor, Sayyed al-Shuhada Brigades and their mother faction, the Hezbollah Brigades [which is also part of the PMU], have taken it upon themselves to monitor the movements of US forces in Iraq in the areas where the PMU are located. The brigades are stationed outside US forces military bases, keeping a close eye on them in an attempt to intimidate them.

The Iraqi-Syrian border became the focus of this conflict as the Shiite factions close to Iran, with the help of advisers and fighters from the IRGC, sought a foothold at the border to prevent the US from taking control there. The Hezbollah Brigades, which is also close to Iran and present in both Iraq and Syria, has declared its objective of preventing the United States from gaining control of the Iraqi-Syrian border.

Another military base, al-Tanf, is also involved in the controversy. US forces use the base near the Iraqi-Syrian-Jordanian border to train the Revolutionary Commando Army, a Syrian faction established in 2015 for the purpose of fighting IS.

In an Aug. 3 statement, the Hezbollah Brigades said, After a series of tactical operations by the Islamic Resistance/Hezbollah Brigades and other factions, al-Tanf base lost its importance in carrying out the alleged American project. It added, The Americans and their allies have to retreat to the Jordanian border.

In June, Iraqi Shiite factions fighting alongside Syrian regime forces were able to reach the Iraqi-Syrian border, blocking the road between al-Tanf and the areas under IS control. But the recent attack on Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades showed how tenuous the Shiite factions' hold is, positioned in a narrow corridor north of al-Tanf with insufficient logistical support and a lack of aerial cover and artillery support in an open desert.

A source in the Iraqi army told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, The Hezbollah Brigades and Asaib Ahl al-Haq [another Iraqi Shiite faction close to Iran] tried to find a corridor to connect the Shiite factions from both the Syrian and Iraqi sides, but could not do so in the absence of support, aerial cover or even armored vehicles from the Iraqi forces.
August 22, 2017

Some 3,000 Israelis, the vast majority of them Jewish, answered the call to rally on Aug. 9 in support of an Israeli family. Members of the Likud came in droves, many of them bussed in, to demonstrate their solidarity with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, who portray themselves as besieged by the media and the liberal left, which they say is plotting a coup against the Israeli government.

Thousands of other Israelis have been going out every Saturday night for almost 40 weeks to demonstrate against corruption. On Aug. 18, dozens of demonstrators gathered in Jerusalems Palestinian Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood to express solidarity with the Shamasna family, who faced an eviction order from their hovel of a home. Had Israel been merely the state of the Israeli people, the willingness of its citizens to leave their air-conditioned homes at the height of the summer months would have been a commendable display of civic involvement.

But even 70 years after its founding, Israel is not content with what it has. It keeps boasting of being the Jewish state, and its leadership is currently striving with the Nationality Law to anchor its status as the state of the Jewish people. Such a title implies responsibility for the fate of the Jewish people in the Diaspora. Responsibility devoid of involvement is like a demonstration devoid of demonstrators  like the empty town squares in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv while American Jewry is experiencing one of its hardest moments.

Many in Israel tut-tutted and cringed at the sight of Americans in Charlottesville marching in swastika-printed T-shirts raising their arms in Nazi salutes toward the cameras and waving Nazi flags. They were shocked to hear protesters shouting, Jews will not replace us, blood and soil and other Nazi-era slogans.

The pro-Israel AIPAC lobby deviated from its usual practice of avoiding public comment on events unrelated to Israel and condemned the pro-Nazi displays. In a clear reference to President Donald Trump, it urged all elected officials to reject moral equivalence between those who promote hate and those who oppose it. For decades, Jewish organizations with AIPAC as their leader have taken strong public stands against presidential moves they deem harmful to Israels interests. Empathy with American Jews is the least that American Jewry and its institutions could expect from their Israeli brethren. It would have been only natural for Israelis to express solidarity with the millions of Americans whose president refuses to differentiate between violent neo-Nazis and their opponents, who he simplistically dubs the alt-left.

A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center provides a possible explanation for this betrayal by Israelis of American Jewry. The poll was conducted in 37 countries around the world, between January and May 2017, among 40,000 respondents. Its results indicate that Israel is one of only two countries  the other being Russia  where Trump enjoys more sympathy than did his predecessor, Barack Obama (56% compared with 49%). Trump garnered the support of a little less than 25% of Jewish voters in the November 2016 elections. The rate of support for Trump among Israelis is double that among Jewish citizens of the United States.

Manifestations of anti-Semitism abroad can always be counted on to prompt calls by some senior Israeli politician for Jews to immigrate to Israel. Take, for example, the performance by Netanyahu on the day after the January 2015 terror attack at the Jewish supermarket in Paris.

When terror strikes in Trumps country and the assailants are not called Mohammed or Ahmed, Netanyahu does not dare draw the Holocaust weapon from his arsenal. The only reference by the Netanyahu family to Trumps outrageous equivalency between the neo-Nazis and their opponents came from his son Yair. He stepped up to defend the president, writing on Facebook that neo-Nazis are a thing of the past, whereas the thugs of Antifa and BLM who hate my country (and America too in my view) just as much are getting stronger, referring to the leftist anti-fascist and Black Lives Matter organizations.

In an Aug. 16 interview on Israels Channel 2 television, Richard Spencer, one of the heads of the so-called alt-right movement, told the interviewer, As an Israeli citizen, someone who understands your identity, who has a sense of nationhood and peoplehood and the history and experience of the Jewish people, you should respect someone like me who has analogous feelings about whites. I mean, you could say that Im a white Zionist in the sense that I care about my people. I want us to have a secure homeland that for us and ourselves just like you want a secure homeland in Israel.

To quote the much reviled 1975 UN resolution, Zionism equals racism. And racism, according to Spencer and his cohorts, is a noble idea. According to their version of Zionism, the place for American Jews is in the Jewish state. According to Spencer, American Jews wield an outsized influence in the US government and the economy, stemming from their great contribution to the advancement of American society.

But if they were to leave the United States, where should American Jews who want to raise their children in a country that guarantees equal rights for all its citizens regardless of religion, race and sexual orientation go? What awaits liberal American Jews in a country like Israel, whose leadership seeks to legislate the theft of private Palestinian land, delegitimize peace organizations and undermine the authority of law-enforcement entities?

The Charlottesville events will go down in the annals of Israeli history as one of the grimmest chapters in ties between the Jewish state and the strongest Jewish community in the world. When Israel is in trouble, American Jews, whether Reform, Conservative or Orthodox, stand by its side. When American Jews found themselves in trouble, Israeli Jews, whether secular or religious, left wing or right, saw nothing, heard nothing, said nothing. Israeli citizens can only hope that the Jewish community in Virginia and the AIPAC offices in Washington have not heard the motto favored by the prime minister of Israel, who presumes to lead the Jewish people in the conflict with the Palestinians: If they give, they will get; if they dont give, they wont get.
August 22, 2017

In the run-up to municipal and governorate elections on Aug. 15 in Jordan, expectations for nationwide voter turnout were low. In addition to electing members of more than 100 municipalities across the kingdom, voters were asked to select the members of 12 newly formed governorate councils. The aim of the councils is to decentralize government decisions and empower local representatives to plan and approve projects and services at the governorate level. At the end of the day, only 31% of the 4.1 million eligible voters had cast ballots, with the major urban centers of Amman, Zarqa and Irbid experiencing exceptionally low turnout.

The biggest surprise, however, was the unexpected gains made by Islamists. Running under a broad coalition  the National Alliance for Reform  the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, announced that its candidates had won 76 seats across the kingdom, including the presidency of three municipalities. A prominent IAF figure, Ali Abu al-Sukar, scored a major victory by winning the presidency of the municipal council of Zarqa, Jordans second largest city, a largely conservative urban center and a traditional Islamist base.

The Islamist-led coalition also claimed 25 seats in the governorate councils, plus five seats on the coveted Greater Amman Municipality Council. It also announced that 11 women on its lists had won seats. Women voters, said to make up 53% of the voter base, failed to turn out in big numbers, according to the Independent Election Commission (IEC). In Amman, the figure was less than 5%.

The IAF had boycotted previous municipal elections in protest of what it considered to be unfair elections laws. Its breakthrough in the Aug. 15 elections followed years of internal divisions, defections and splits that were thought to have weakened the movements base. The same coalition had won 15 out of 130 seats in the September 2016 legislative elections. Ironically, the newly formed Muslim Brotherhood Society (MBS) and other splinter groups were absent from the recent elections, as were most of the kingdoms political parties.

While most voters in urban centers, especially in affluent West Amman, stayed home, participation was higher in smaller towns and remote governorates. As in previous elections, this year tribal and family affiliations and candidates with cash to spend determined the outcome. While a number of monitors said the elections were free and fair, a nongovernmental elections-monitoring body, Rased, registered more than 500 illegal incidents, including an episode near Amman in which supporters of candidates raided a polling station and destroyed ballot boxes.

In addition to focusing on the strong message that the IAFs results send, underlining its relevancy and popularity, commentators questioned the continued absence of strong political parties in Jordanian politics and the phenomenon of voter apathy. Writing in Al-Ghad on Aug. 15, the political commentator Muhammad Abu Rumman blamed the government and so-called political elites for failing to explain the Decentralization Law and its contribution to political reforms to the public.

In addition, Abu Rumman raised the question of why residents of West Amman, who are mostly of Palestinian origin, and other urban areas have become indifferent to legislative and local elections. While failing to provide a definitive answer, he suggests that the problem could be related to the states message to its citizens in regard to their rights.

Another columnist, Fahd al-Khitan, picked up on the same problem in an Aug. 16 Al-Ghad article. He suggested that the problems of low voter turnout in West Amman, about 20%, while influenced by the capitals mayor being appointed rather than elected, and major urban centers suffering from an unfair allocation of electoral districts compared to rural areas should be examined from a historical and political context. He added that there is a need to analyze the behavior of a huge social bloc whose awareness has been shaped by complex factors resulting in what is now called the problem of citizenship and specifically the relationship of Jordanian citizens of Palestinian origin to the state.

It was a bold assessment of an issue that is seldom discussed in public. Khitan went on to pose the question of whether refusing to participate in elections is basically an act of protest against the state  where a group of people subconsciously sees itself outside the state and its institutions.

Discussion of the rights of Jordanians of Palestinian origin, who make up at least half of the population, is typically a taboo subject, avoided by both the regime and the political elite. It is considered an issue tied to the outcome of a final settlement between Israel and the Palestinians, with most local politicians preferring to kick the can down the road rather than discuss the problem and its ramifications on Jordan's political reality. The issue has been approached by key figures in the past as a major hurdle in accelerating political reforms in the kingdom.

The Decentralization Law passed in 2015 was supposed to represent a major step in political and economic reforms by devolving powers related to planning public services, approving development projects and exercising oversight of provincial councils. The law has failed, however, to trigger public enthusiasm.

Critics charge that it fell short of empowering local representatives, leaving key powers in the hands of appointed governors. In addition to governorate councils, 75% of whose representatives are elected, the government has created 12 executive councils, headed by appointed governors. The latter are responsible for budgeting and for drafting strategic plans, which have to be approved by the governorate council.

Adding to voter apathy, Jordanians have become increasingly frustrated with the recently elected Lower House, which in their view continues to underperform despite last Septembers legislative elections being held under a new multi-vote system that replaced the controversial single-vote law in place for more than a decade. Turnout in those elections was also low, at 37%.

The worsening economy, which has been posting modest growth rates for almost a decade amid rising unemployment and poverty rates, is another reason for growing voter apathy.
August 23, 2017

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis pledged support to Turkey in its ongoing fight against rebels of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) during talks with the countrys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish and US officials said today.

The daylong visit was intended to help smooth fraught relations between the two NATO allies. The biggest thorn is the United States partnership against the Islamic State with the PKKs Syrian franchise, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG). Erdogan expressed anger over that alliance to Mattis during a half-hour meeting at the presidential complex. Mattis, in turn, repeated assurances that the US partnership with the YPG is solely tactical and confined to the campaign against IS.

Sources familiar with the substance of the talks confirmed reports in the Turkish media that Mattis had also discussed assisting Turkey against PKK militants based in the Qandil Mountains on the Iraq-Iran border and in the mainly Yazidi-populated Sinjar region on the Iraq-Syria border. The sources told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that US support would be mainly on the intelligence and targeting side. They dismissed claims by the Turkish press that US troops would carry out a joint ground offensive against the PKK in Sinjar. The Kurdistan Regional Government, a top US and Turkish ally, would also welcome US action to uproot the PKK from Sinjar.

The United States has been sharing intelligence on the PKK since the 1990s, long before the campaign against IS started. The CIA played a critical role in the capture of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan by Turkish special forces in 1999.

There is discussion of upgrading the capacity of a so-called intelligence fusion center in Ankara to help Turkish officials better identify and track PKK activities with the help of drones.

Turkey is currently pressing the Pentagon to help it determine the location of what the sources called high value targets in Qandil and Sinjar. Though they declined to comment on this point, some administration officials have floated the idea of assassinating PKK leaders, notably Cemil Bayik, the PKKs top commander in the field, as a sweetener for Turkey. Those advocating this approach also entertain what YPG officials term the fantasy that the Syrian Kurdish outfit can somehow be spun away from the PKK. If anything, the YPG would more likely break off its relationship with the United States than that with the PKK, a YPG commander told Al-Monitor via WhatsApp.

Other topics that came up included demands for the United States to train Turkish air force pilots. More than 300 pilots were purged after last years coup attempt, many of them F-16 fighter pilots. The operational units wont be able to absorb recent graduates and youll have units filled out with inexperienced people, which often leads to broken units, Aaron Stein, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who closely follows Turkey, told Al-Monitor. Turkey has sought help with training from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands, among others.

Sources briefing Al-Monitor said the Pentagon had not yet signed off on providing instructors for the air force. It may well be holding out for better cooperation at the Incirlik Air Base, from which much of the air campaign against IS is directed. Turkey has been making life difficult for the coalition by, for example, obstructing deliveries of jet fuel to coalition planes flying missions in support of the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces fighting IS on the ground.

Despite such tensions, Mattis is said to be personally invested in improving ties with Turkey. The sources confirmed that the former general had been planning to discuss joint action against al-Qaeda-linked militants in Idlib as a platform for renewed cooperation in Syria.

By all accounts, the visit went better than expected.

Mattis first meeting was with his Turkish counterpart Nurettin Canikli. The talks were scheduled to last for an hour but ran over to 90 minutes because the Turkish president was behind on his own schedule. Erdogans office asked Canikli to keep Mattis at the Defense Ministry.

Mattis and Canikli were meant to confer in the presence of their respective delegations, but the pair met alone instead, speaking through interpreters. The energy between them was good, said a source who spoke to the interpreters. Mattis, perhaps fearing otherwise, did not want to hold a press briefing after the meeting. Canikli then accompanied Mattis in his car to the presidential complex.
August 21, 2017

Why is my birth control pill making me fat? How can I pleasure my wife more? How can I find a doctor who will give me medical advice without judging me? These are some of the questions callers ask the counselors of the hotline called The A Project.

In Lebanon, sex education in schools is uncommon. While contraception methods such as birth control pills and condoms are available through doctor's offices and in some public places, people in general do not have easy access to information about contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or the option to just to talk about their sexual issues. The hotline of The A Project provides a sympathetic and informed ear; it allows people to call in anonymously and ask their questions about sexual health and sexuality, from what kind of condom or birth control pill brand is best, to how to handle a difficult breakup. Launched officially in November 2016, the hotline is open daily from 5-11 p.m. and aims to reach in particular women, those who identify as transgender and nonbinary people.

We aim to reach people who have restricted access to information and sexual health services, Rola Yasmine, a co-founder of The A Project, told Al-Monitor, One of our priorities is reaching marginalized groups whose bodies and sexuality are subject to societal control or condemnation.

One of our priorities is reaching marginalized groups whose bodies and sexuality are subject to societal control or condemnation.

She added, There is a gap in terms of research and information about sexuality in Lebanon. Sexuality is considered a taboo that is difficult to address as there is no actual representative data. Therefore, a hotline that addresses and anonymously documents the concerns of callers is important. Not only do we help callers clear up the vagueness around sexuality, we also talk to them on issues that are considered taboo.

Yasmine said that for a long time, the sexual preferences of the LGBTQ community have been regarded as "an illness," which made people reluctant to ask questions or seek help when facing problems. She added that heterosexual women in Lebanon also face social challenges in the expression of their sexuality or sexual desires.

Unlike many health-care providers, we do not pretend we know when we dont. It is about having a real conversation without looking down on the caller," she added.

The hotline is the result of three years of preparations. Yasmine and her team modeled the hotline on the Indian organization TARSHI, which is a pioneer in terms of providing sexual health advice over the phone. TARSHI trained the first counselors of The A Project and other people who were interested without wanting to become counselors. The members of The A Project developed their own training as well as ongoing learning methods through discussions and sessions facilitated by experts.

TARSHIs team has been working in this field for more than 15 years and is very successful, so now they give training sessions, Yasmine said. Given their success, we thought we can learn from them. If TARSHI can cover a country as big as India, then why not do the same thing in Lebanon?

Yara, who preferred to use her hotlines alias, has been a counselor since the launch of the hotline after being trained by TARSHI. She has dealt with a variety of questions from people who do not have the chance to access sexual health information easily. It is important to ensure that doctors aren't the only professionals to answer questions on sexual health, she told Al-Monitor. It is too much power in the hands of people not necessarily trained to deal with gender identity and psychology.

She underlined the need to be sympathetic rather than appear to teach lessons. We are humans just like the people who call; we try to have a conversation. When you talk about sex, the conversation is loaded with shame  many doctors would appear to pass judgment or condemn you if you are not married, too young, too old, trans or gay. Sometimes, people just want to talk. We do not only provide answers but a listening ear and a validation of a persons feelings.

Yara talked about the calls and WhatsApp conversations she has had with callers. She said, A lot of people want to talk about contraception and STIs; some about sexual pleasure. One of the callers admitted having a premature ejaculation problem; I then talked about other ways to pleasure his wife. One woman wanted to change her birth control pill because it was making her gain weight, so we discussed body image and self-esteem. It is very important to take the conversation to another level  to reach a broader perspective. For example, I talked with a young woman who had sex for the first time with her boyfriend  also a virgin  and who was afraid of having caught an STI even though they had used a condom. When I dug a little deeper, I realized she was feeling guilty about having had sex. It is just so much more than a Q&A.

Providing confidential and anonymous services related to sexual health already exists in Lebanon. Sexual health center Marsa, which was opened in 2011 in the west Beirut neighborhood of Hamra, provides an anonymous counseling service and testing of STIs, as well as medical consultations, treatments, and psychological and social counseling. It also has a specialized branch dealing with transsexuals. For Diana Abu Abbas, the executive director of Marsa, a hotline is important in case of emergency, so its possible to be referred to someone with expertise or have a professional answer your questions.

She told Al-Monitor, We dont have sex education in Lebanon. It is crucial to have access to information if we want people to have a healthy sex life and not be discriminated against for their sexual identity or preference. I think the most important topics to address first are the stigma on people being sexually active and on people with AIDS or an STI, and communication between partners.

Marsa and The A Project are collaborating in their effort to help people.

The A Project wants to extend its mission now that it has launched its hotline. Yasmine collects data from the conversations to gain comprehensive knowledge about sexuality in Lebanon. Her team has also started a survey of doctors and their practices in Lebanon, so that they can refer the callers to medical professionals who will help them without prejudice.
August 22, 2017

After being absent from the divided Libyan political landscape for months, Moscow again made headlines by hosting Gen. Khalifa Hifter for a three-day visit earlier this month, meeting with the foreign and defense ministers, his usual Russian interlocutors. Once again, the generals visit had experts debating exactly what role Russia plays in mentoring Hifter and whether Russia really sees him as its point-man in Libya.

The focus of Hifters visit resembled that of his previous trips to the Russian capital, touching on the security situation in Libya. The general reiterated his request for Russian military aid to his Libyan National Army, despite countless previous rejections. His request remains unfulfilled. Speaking to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Hifter expressed the hope that Russia would become involved in the process of national reconciliation in Libya. All in all, it would have been a routine visit, absent any remarkable developments, had it not been for the context in which the trip took place.

Hifter, who leads one of the sides vying for control of the Libyan government in Tobruk, was greeted at the airport by the Libyan ambassador to Russia, who represents the interests of the other side, the UN-backed so-called unity government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. It was not an effort by Sarraj to reach out, but Russias attempt to generate a dialogue between the two sides. The Tripoli government formally took over the Libyan Embassy in Moscow in early August, with Russias consent, and representatives of the Tobruk-based authorities followed soon thereafter to claim space of its own.

Lev Dengov, head of Russias contact group for a Libyan settlement, explained in a recent interview with the Interfax news agency, They share the same building, by way of which we are bringing them closer to each other and making them work together.

Ahead of Hifters trip, Russian officials suggested that perhaps both the general and Sarraj could make it to Moscow for simultaneous talks. That idea was quickly dismissed, however. While commenting on Hifters meetings with Lavrov and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Dengov said that Sarraj might travel to Russia as soon as September  he last visited in March  to discuss a new round of direct talks with Hifter in Moscow. Having Moscow emerge as the main intermediary for Tripoli and Tobruk is probably the desired, and arguably the most realistic, outcome of the Libyan policy Russian diplomats are working toward at the moment.

Russias timing in expediting talks between Hifter and Sarraj in Moscow is curious. It is probably because movement to settle the Libyan conflict has accelerated significantly in recent weeks, while Russia has remained relatively uninvolved. Moscow had publicly welcomed the emergence of a new platform for Libyan dialogue in Paris, where the two sides agreed on a cease-fire July 25. Moscow felt, however, that France, which had previously played only a marginal role, was trying to hijack the mediation effort Russia had been making for the past year. While the Kremlin boasts of having established strong ties with all parties to the Libyan conflict, it has not managed to position itself as the main mediator, while France as well as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have succeeded in doing exactly that.

After Hifter and Sarrajs Paris meeting, which observers interpreted as a diplomatic success, the conflict quickly escalated, as Sarraj reportedly authorized Italian naval vessels to sail into Libyan waters to help control the flow of migrants heading for Italy. The move sparked dissent in both Tobruk and Tripoli, with Hifter accusing Sarraj of authorizing an invasion of the countrys territory. Sarraj responded that he had only requested limited support.

While Italian vessels are only supposed to patrol the Libyan coast, this is an alarming development for Russia, which has mulled making its own presence known along the coast since 2015. A short detour to Tobruk by the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov in January 2017 was the boldest statement by the military in Libya, as no one was expecting such a move.

Moscow is not ready to commit to maintaining Libyas maritime security, as it sees no clear political benefit in doing so as long as the flow of migrants from Libya to Europe can be used as leverage in talks with the European Union. In the meantime, against all odds, Italy took matters into its own hands and decided to stop the influx of migrants from Africa. This killed Russias hope that no country would opt for a military deployment to Libya and thereby allow it to stake sole claim to leading the effort to resolve the Libyan crisis.

With Ghassan Salame replacing Martin Kobler as head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, hopes are high that the political peace process will now start gaining traction. Salame, a former Lebanese culture minister, is, however, a dark horse to the Russians. He has no prior experience engaging with Russian diplomats. In fact, a Russian diplomat told Al-Monitor that Salame's background is chiefly with Western nongovernmental organizations, such as the International Crisis Group and the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, which Russia treats with a great deal of suspicion. Salame is expected to visit Moscow soon, Lavrov told the media during Hifters visit.

By hosting Hifter in Moscow ahead of the new envoys visit, the Kremlin is emerging on his radar and sending him a very clear message that Russian support for Salames Libyan initiatives will be crucial. Moreover, having Hifter meet the Russian defense minister in Moscow again makes it look as if Russia is flirting with the idea of getting involved in the conflict militarily, something that worries Western powers.

The trip to Moscow allowed Hifter to pursue his own interests as well. No doubt he has noticed that Russia has significantly changed its stance on the Libyan conflict and has moved to somewhat distance itself from the general, at least publicly. On the one hand, the Kremlin has gone to great lengths to keep Hifter in the diplomatic domain, but on the other hand it has not given him what he has asked for in return, and this appears to be unsettling to him. The Tobruk general marketed himself in Russia as the conqueror of extremists in Libya, and in return he expected a real show of support from Russia.

You probably know that the Libyan National Army is making a huge sacrifice to destroy terrorism, Hifter told Lavrov. The fierce battles have been ongoing for three months despite the continuing arms embargo and unlimited support of terrorists by finance and weapons.

Hifter was talking about the UN-backed international arms embargo against him and his army. The United Nations says the United Arab Emirates has been supplying Hifter with weapons in violation of the embargo.

Russia faces a dilemma in its relations with the general. In his recent interview with the daily Kommersant, Dengov dismissed Hifters claims of having liberated 90% of eastern Libyan from terrorists. Commenting on the contact groups efforts to communicate with all forces fighting IS in Libya, Dengov said, We wanted to see them [the anti-IS militias] get to know these people and verify the information that they played the decisive role in destroying IS in Libya  and not Khalifa Hifter, who attributed these merits to himself.

At the same time, Moscow cannot drop its support of the general. He is the best chance Russia has to remain relevant in Libya. Without a hard element to its Libya policy  which at this time is Hifters army  the Kremlins international standing decreases significantly, both in Libya and in the broader region.

Meanwhile, Hifter is dealing with the same conundrum in his relations with Moscow. He is desperate for Russian weapons that would solidify his alliance with the Kremlin and position him above his domestic competitors. By going too far with his demands, however, the general risks alienating Moscow entirely, especially ahead of looming talks on potential amendments to the Libyan Political Agreement, the pact signed in 2015 creating the unity government.
August 22, 2017

ALEPPO, Syria  A large number of mosques in Aleppo province were destroyed by fighting that raged between the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the Turkish army and the Islamic State (IS) as part of Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield. To restore stability to the newly liberated area, the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation embarked on a mission to rebuild and renovate these mosques, to open Sharia education workshops and to provide jobs for hundreds of people.

Many mosques were destroyed by IS mines and explosives, especially in al-Bab, where IS turned some mosques into military headquarters and used the rooftops and minarets of others as sniper platforms, which drew heavy fire.

More than 66 mosques have been restored since April 1 in the main cities, including Azaz, Marea, al-Bab, Souran, al-Rai and Akhtarin. This month, workers have begun rebuilding mosques in small villages.

The Turkiye Diyanet Foundation is a Turkish religious institution affiliated with the government. It was founded in 1975 and has nearly a thousand branches in Turkey. It provides humanitarian services in 135 countries to people affected by natural disasters, wars, violence and famine, regardless of their religion, race or language. It also carries out many educational, charitable, social and cultural activities.

Sheikh Ali Mohammed, the mufti of Marea, told Al-Monitor, As soon as the battle ended and IS was expelled from the region, officials from the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation started examining the damage suffered by the mosques. The restoration work included painting the mosques, repairing the cracks, walls and roofs, fixing the electricity networks inside the mosques, replacing old carpets with new ones, waterproofing the roofs and providing bathrooms.

Mohammed explained that the restoration work isn't limited to the destroyed or damaged mosques but also includes mosques that had been neglected since the beginning of the Syrian revolution and that required services such as water, along with furniture, paint and other necessities that were not available due to lack of funding.

The main goal behind the rehabilitation and restoration of these mosques is to attract residents, strengthen their faith and prompt them to attend seminars held therein," Mohammed said. "The aim is to spread the correct Islamic principles that are devoid of any impurities and that are full of tolerance and love, to expel extremist and strange ideas that IS promoted when it controlled large areas of the countryside of Aleppo."

The Turkiye Diyanet Foundation also recruited 500 preachers, imams and muezzins (who conduct the calls to prayer) and has paid their monthly salaries since June. Islamic scholars of the area warmly welcomed the move, as they hadn't been paid since 2012, when the regime lost control of the province. They relied on some donations from the FSA and local residents. Now, preachers and imams receive $150 (500 Turkish liras) a month, while muezzins are paid $120.

Since the beginning of June, religious education seminars have been held in these mosques for boys and girls aged 8 to 15. The teachers had to take an admissions test, and 1,000 were accepted. Al-Monitor attended several Islamic education sessions held in Marea during the summer and noted they attracted a large turnout of more than 2,000 students in the city alone. There were about 150 teachers.

Hisham Abbas, who works at Omar Ibn al-Khattab Mosque in Marea, told Al-Monitor, I have been working as a Quran teacher since June. I get a monthly salary of 300 Turkish liras [$90]. The Turkiye Diyanet Foundation pays my salary and the salaries of hundreds of Sharia and Islamic education teachers."

The foundation is developing the public services and religious facilities in cooperation with Syrian opposition Islamic institutions, such as the Syrian Scholars Association and the Syrian Islamic Council, in a bid to help the area recover.
August 22, 2017

Turkish-German ties continue their downward spiral. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains on the warpath against Berlin, despite concerns within his Justice and Development Party, especially among quarters overseeing the economy.

The angry tone in German retorts to Erdogan is also escalating as Chancellor Angela Merkel unfolds a series of measures including pressurizing the European Union to act against Turkey and punish Ankara economically.

Merkel has announced that they want the EU Commission to curb funds to Turkey and not enhance the EU-Turkey Customs Union. Nevertheless, she remains opposed to ending Turkey's EU membership talks for pragmatic reasons.

Tensions, which seem to be nearing a point of no return, are also expected to make life for Germanys estimated 3 million ethnic Turks more difficult, especially for Erdogans hundreds of thousands of supporters in that country.

None of this worries Erdogan, though. He upped the ante last week when he labeled mainstream German political parties and their leaders  including Merkel  enemies of Turkey and called on Turks not to vote for them in Germanys federal elections Sept. 24.

Talking to reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul Aug. 18, Erdogan maintained that the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU) were bashing Turkey for the sake of votes.

I in turn call on all my kin in Germany not to make a mistake and support these parties. The Christian Democrats, the SPD or the Greens  they are all enemies of Turkey. Support those parties that do not show enmity toward Turkey, Erdogan said. He added that this had become a matter of honor for Turks in Germany.

Erdogans anger increased recently over reports that the fugitive Adil Oksuz, who Ankara says was one of the principal conspirators of last years failed coup attempt, was spotted in Germany.

Ankara demanded that Berlin find and arrest Oksuz and extradite him to Turkey. Germany has thus far refused to extradite any members of the so-called Fethullah Gulen Terror Organization, which is accused of planning and executing the coup attempt.

Professor Huseyin Bagci, a German-educated academic who heads the faculty of International Relations at Ankaras prestigious Middle East Technical University, points to the clash of legal systems here.

As long as emergency rule in Turkey introduced after the coup attempt continues, there is no chance that Germany will extradite anyone, Bagci told Al-Monitor. There is no confidence in the Turkish legal system under emergency rule, he added.

For its part, Berlin is fuming over the arrests and imprisonment of German-Turkish journalists Deniz Yucel and Mesale Tolu, as well as German human rights consultant Peter Steudtner, on terrorism charges. Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said recently that Yucel was being held hostage by Turkey.

This characterization by Berlin clearly applies to other German-Turks detained in Turkey. Erdogan said in April that Yucel will never be released as long as I remain in this office, repeating emphatically, Never!

News that Spain had detained German-Turkish author Dogan Akhanli last week in response to an Interpol warrant issued by Turkey poured more fuel on the anger felt in Berlin. Akhanli is also being sought by Ankara on terrorism charges.

Merkel accused Turkey of abusing Interpol privileges, a criticism seconded by the EU Commission. Spain subsequently released Akhanli, but only on condition that he remain in the country until the matter is resolved.

The arrest of German citizens is only one of Berlins grievances against Ankara. Others include Ankaras tit-for-tat refusal to allow German deputies to visit German soldiers stationed at the Incirlik Air Base, where they are part of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State. Berlin is in the process of redeploying its forces to Jordan.

Ankaras many grievances against Berlin, on the other hand, include the Armenian genocide resolution adopted by the Bundestag in 2016 and the permission local authorities have given to rallies in support of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, while refusing permission to Erdogan and Turkish government ministers to hold rallies in Germany to canvass Turks.

Erdogans call on Turks in Germany not to vote for mainstream parties raised hackles on the German side, as expected. Merkel rejected this as meddling in the German elections and underlined that German voters had the right to vote freely, regardless of background.

SPD leader Martin Schulz tweeted that Erdogan had lost any sense of proportion, adding that they would stand all the more on the side of all those who are struggling for a free and democratic Turkey."

Gabriel condemned the "unprecedented act of interference" by Erdogan, only to be dressed down by Erdogan. "Who are you to talk to the president of Turkey? Know your limits. He is trying to teach us a lesson.  How long have you been in politics? How old are you?" Erdogan said angrily as he hit back at the German foreign minister.

It is not clear how Erdogans call will resonate with Turks in Germany, 59% of whom voted for his executive presidency in the constitutional referendum in April.

Bagci believes most Turks will heed his call. This is a matter of social hypnosis, he said.

If they are not to vote for the CDU, the SPD (the party they traditionally vote for) or the Greens, Germanys Turks have hardly any options left. There are suggestions that they may veer toward the liberal Free Democrat Party (FDP), which Erdogan has not targeted.

The problem, however, is that the FDP is not enamored with Erdogan either. Earlier this year, its chairman, Christian Lindner, likened Erdogans purge in Turkey against his opponents to the actions of the German Nazi Party in the 1930s. He said Erdogan was using the coup attempt the way the Nazis used the Reichstag fire in 1933.

Other than that, all that is left for the Turks is the far-right Alternative for Germany and the Christian Social Union, which they are not likely to support.

Some say Erdogan is trying to herd his supporters toward two parties established by disgruntled Turks: the Alliance of German Democrats (ADD)  a name that has angered German nationalists  and the Renewal and Justice Party (BIG).

BIG, which has said it will not contest these elections, has called on Turks to boycott the balloting, while ADD will only run in North Rhine-Westphalia, reportedly to test the waters.

According to Bagci, these parties remain insignificant.

Many agree that Erdogans call will not only make life more difficult for Germanys Turks, but it will also have negative consequences for Turkey.

The dramatic change in Turkish-German ties is not to Turkeys advantage both in terms of bilateral relations or on the global level, where Berlin often acted as an advocate for Turkey in the past, Bagci said.

He said Germany had also made mistakes, especially with regard to allowing pro-PKK advocacy on its soil, and he indicated that Erdogan had turned this into an advantage.

Erdogan is a successful polarizer and has managed to draw Germany into the kind of fight that Berlin refused to be drawn into by Polands [Jaroslav] Kaczynski, Bagci said, referring to the former Polish prime minister. This works to his political advantage at home he added.

Bagci does not believe, however, that Turkish-German business ties will be affected from this crisis to the extent that some fear. Turks may admire Erdogans defiance against a major power like Germany, but they are not prepared to give up on their Mercedes, he said.
August 21, 2017

As much of the world watched anger spiraling out of control Aug. 11-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia, some Turks were rather pleased with the events. Even before US President Donald Trump fully indulged white supremacists with his words and before US media outlets mentioned fears of a possible civil war, several pro-government voices in the Turkish media said they were certain the United States is destined for a civil war or is even on the brink of one.

In the pro-government Turks' commentaries, three features are evident. First, most of these statements are brewing with a rather new type of anti-Americanism, rejoicing in the possibility of American suffering. Second, the statements reflect limited knowledge of US politics, and that knowledge sometimes is intentionally distorted. Last, the comments don't mention white supremacists hatred of Islam or Turkish-Americans; rather, the focus has been mostly on the supremacists' slogan Jews will not replace us.

Here are a few examples:

The most provocative piece came Aug. 14 from Hilal Kaplan, a columnist for the pro-government Sabah daily. The piece, titled To the privileged, equality is torture, claims that white supremacists are similar to White Turks. White Turk was a term coined by a journalist in the early 1990s to define the rich, secular ruling elite of Turkey. On the other side, then, are Gray or Black Turks, who are the poor, pious Muslim majority. In her piece, Kaplan struggles to explain how the White Turks and American white supremacists resemble each other, as she further claims white supremacists are middle or lower class  therefore logically more like Gray Turks of the 1990s. Then she says they are also WASPs, branding white, Anglo-Saxon Protestants as racists.

Kaplan writes in sound bites, posing a series of questions highlighting white privilege. She claims the United States has not been this close to civil war since the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s. Her conclusion is that, to overcome domestic tension, Trump may become more aggressive in the international arena. Her bitterness against the United States on the social level comes out, particularly toward white Americans. Hence, she announces the approaching civil war without any proof other than the events in Charlottesville.

Another interesting example is an Aug. 14 piece by columnist Melih Altinok, also writing for Sabah, asserting hypothetically that an attempt to overthrow Trump would result in a civil war. After offering a muddled explanation of US domestic politics, Altinok says the possibility of a US civil war doesn't bother him because the busier the United States is with internal matters, the less energy it will have to stage coups in places like Turkey. Altinok concludes, I cannot help but say it is a good thing that Trump, not [Democratic presidential candidate] Hillary [Clinton], won the election.

On the same day, the English version of Sabah published a piece from Ilnur Cevik, a senior adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Cevik had made headlines in May for saying, Turkey may hit US forces in Syria by accident. Cevik now argues that US domestic problems such as Charlottesville arose as the United States meddled abroad, and because of what he says is US support for terror organizations. In a way, this piece was a softened version of several other columns expressing that the United States being on the brink of collapse would be a sort of heavenly justice. Cevik finishes his column, which was based solely on the rhetoric of extreme-right movements, by saying, Those who preach high values in the US seem to be at a loss [regarding] the white supremacist movement.

On Aug. 15, Islamic daily Yeni Akit featured a stunning headline  Bells of Civil War in the US  claiming that white supremacists are demanding a return to slavery. The report starts with the accusation that the United States has helped provocateurs in Venezuela and Pakistan turn their streets into war zones, and now it is being pulled into a civil war.

Several pro-government social media accounts also helped spread this idea of fast-approaching civil war in the United States. For example:

One Twitter account echoed a common sentiment among a determined, bitter group on the social media network. Replying to prominent columnist Umit Kivancs tweet highlighting the realities of the Ku Klux Klan, someone using what most likely was a troll Twitter account said, We want civil war in the US, long live the racists, long live the resisting blacks, fight for your honor.

Another message that was retweeted hundreds of times was about US Secretary of State Rex Tillersons comments on how Alevis are discriminated against in Turkey. The tweet said, His country [US] is on the brink of civil war and division, still he is trying to divide Turkey. How many endless enemies we have [internally and externally].

Another post that was retweeted more than 180 times said, They [protesters] burned the US flag. We are waiting for a civil war and division of the US. We will give all our support [for that].

Several social media users were in awe of the body armor and guns of the white supremacist groups, noting they are civilians. One wrote, The US is ready for a civil war. God willing, they will start consuming each other ... I support the Yankees.

In all of these posts we see a deep pleasure derived from US domestic problems. An expat American social scientist who has been living in various Turkish cities for the past two decades spoke to Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity. He said: For years, Pew [Research Center] polls indicated persistent anti-Americanism here; however, there is also another dimension. A few years ago it was mostly directed against US government policies. Now we see a more intense hatred toward the people of the US and this is, sadly, coming from mostly those who have lived in the US and who are still connected. They make special shopping trips seasonally or even go to the US to give birth, so that their kid can be a US citizen. But then you see them brewing with strong hatred against all things American in social media or during your daily interactions.

Indeed, over the last year several Americans have mentioned similar encounters in Turkey from vendors or acquaintances.

The scholar continued: They do not hide their wish and even prayers for the US to experience civil unrest or turmoil, if not an all-out civil war. One technocrat joked how fast the US is becoming Syria. He openly declared his wish to see Americans suffer. The vengeance is real and deep. Once I confronted him saying, But look, your family [son and grandchildren] lives in the US. He shrugged his shoulders and said, 'Well, they will move to Canada or the UK  we have money. And indeed this is a common sentiment across the board. The US is an easy target and US bashing has no consequences.

Until the Qatar crisis erupted in early June, pro-government media were careful not to direct their criticism toward Trump. But now, Turks see the United States as working with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others against Qatar. Anything American has become fair game for blame in Turkey. In previous years, people would say, Well, we criticize the American government, not the people. But white supremacists make them feel justified in hating all Americans openly.
An 84-bed assisted living facility in Hoover is closing, leaving some residents scrambling to find a new place to live.

Ridgeview at Meadowbrook, located at 700 Corporate Ridge Road, notified residents on Tuesday, the family of a resident told AL.com. The facility is licensed for 32 nursing home beds and 52 assisted living beds, state records show.

When AL.com contacted the Ridgeview and asked why the facility was closing, the man on the line would not give his name and said the facility wouldn't be commenting. When asked how many residents currently lived there, he hung up.

John Matson, spokesman for the Alabama Nursing Home Association, said the main concern when a nursing home closes, for any reason, is finding a place for the residents to stay that can meet their individual needs.

"You want the transition to be as expedient and helpful as possible," Matson said.

Matson suggested family members of residents contact the Alabama Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-243-5463 for advice on making the transition as easy as possible.

Managing Producer Jeremy Gray contributed to this report.
Now that she's back home in Beaumont, Texas, Alyssa Baker keeps imagining the young boy on the beach in Alabama, playing in the water and practicing with his new GoPro. He reminds her of her own older brother.

"All I can think about is if that was my brother on the shore when he was little, and how much he loves the water and fishing," she said. "If he lost his GoPro, he would be devastated!"

She doesn't know much about the boy, but she knows he was at the beach when he lost his camera. And her brother, Tim Baker Jr. - the one who loves fishing - found that camera last Friday.

*****update 8/25/17***** The little boy has been found! Thank you everyone for the love and support y'all have shown!... Posted by Alyssa Ann Baker on Sunday, August 20, 2017

Alyssa, a registered nurse, and her family were vacationing in Orange Beach last week when Tim found something in the sand while snorkeling beneath the pier at Four Seasons condos, where they were staying.

It was a first-generation GoPro Hero camera, covered in barnacles and hermit crabs. The waterproof case was "really beaten up," and both buttons on the outside were rusted. They couldn't get the camera out of the case, but the serial number was visible on the back.

Tim cleaned it off and connected it to Alyssa's laptop. They saw a message that said, "Your GoPro clock was off by 1,318 days." The last video was time-stamped Jan. 1, 2014.

The footage made it immediately clear that a boy owned the camera. There are videos of a woman who doesn't appear to know she's being filmed - perhaps she's his mother - as well as scenes of the boy riding his bike through a neighborhood.

The videos "look like they're trying to figure it out," Alyssa said. "It's not steady. He's a first-timer."

In the last few videos, the boy is playing on the beach with some other kids. And then, the camera seems to be floating on top of the water, filming the sky and the waves and children in the distance.

"You can see people swimming, but they don't know it's there," Alyssa said. "You can tell he lost it. You know he was crying. He was so excited about that GoPro, and I'm sure he never would have thought someone would find it."

Alyssa Baker and her family were vacationing in Orange Beach, Ala., last week, when her brother, Tim Baker, found a GoPro in the sand beneath a fishing pier. From left, at Pirate's Cove, are Alyssa's boyfriend, Johnny Gonzalez; Alyssa; her father, Tim Baker Sr.; her mother, Silvia Baker; her sister-in-law, Jordan Baker; and Tim, who found the camera while snorkeling. (Courtesy Alyssa Baker)

Alyssa and her boyfriend had joined her recently married brother and sister-in-law, who live in Tyler, Texas, for a few days in Orange Beach with their parents, also from Beaumont. It was their first trip to Alabama, and they had "a really awesome experience." They went on an offshore fishing trip, parasailed and saw the Blue Angels.

But since she returned to Texas on Tuesday, Alyssa hasn't been able to stop thinking about the boy who lost his GoPro. She posted a screen shot of him on The OBA Community Website's Facebook page and shared he stoiry, and her post has been shared more than 7,000 times.

She also called GoPro on Wednesday morning and gave the serial number to a customer service representative. "When I told her the serial number, she said, 'Wow, this is an old GoPro.'" Unfortunately, the number wasn't registered.

She's not giving up hope, though.

"I want to find him," she said. "I'm determined."
Tuesday's election for the nine-seat Birmingham Board of Education provided a number of story lines.

At least two-thirds of the board will be new this fall. One former board member was leading going into a runoff for his old seat that he was forced to give up after a conviction on ethics violations. And one former school official failed to gain a seat on the board that had rejected his request to become superintendent.

Board President Wardine Alexander - one of only four incumbents in the race - failed in her bid for re-election in District 7. District 4 incumbent Daagye Hendricks is heading to a runoff with Edward Maddox, who was forced to step down from the board in 2012.

All elected offices in the city of Birmingham were contested in the 2017 municipal election on Tuesday.

Five BOE races - Districts 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8 -- are headed to an Oct. 3 runoff, according to unofficial election results.

Birmingham City Clerk Lee Frazier said winners won't be declared until next Tuesday when provisional ballots are reviewed by the Board of Registrars.

Tuesday's election, which will dramatically change the makeup of the school board, came just three months after the Board of Education voted to hire Lisa Herring as the Birmingham City Schools' new superintendent. Herring's hiring came about eight months after the board - in a controversial move - fired superintendent Kelley Castlin-Gacutan in September 2016. She served only 16 months on the job.

Board members Cheri Gardner, Sherman Collins Jr. and Daagye Hendricks were the only ones to vote against Herring's hiring. They all spoke out against the search process when no internal candidates were selected as one of the five finalists for the post.

Gardner won her District 6 back receiving 79.24 percent of votes - 2,946 actual votes -- in her contest against Ervin Philemon Hill Sr.

Collins didn't seek re-election, opting to run for a seat on the Birmingham City Council. He lost in that race.

Incumbent Sandra Brown easily won her District 9 seat back on the board receiving 68.10 percent of the vote on Tuesday. She received 3,136 votes. Her opponent Lawrence Jackson received 1,469 votes or 31.90 percent.

District 1

Cedric Small and Douglas Lee Ragland will face each other in a runoff. Small, the senior pastor of New Mt. Zion Baptist Church, received 1,497 votes or 37.10 percent of the votes cast in the five-candidate race. Ragland, who retired after serving as superintendent of Midfield City Schools, received 1,027 votes or 25.45 percent of the votes cast.

Collins, the incumbent, didn't run for re-election.

District 2

In the two-person race, Terri Michal received 1,717 votes or 50.18 percent of votes cast. Brandon McCray received 1,705 votes or 49.82 percent.

Michal is the founder of the nonprofit group Support Our Schools. McCray is an administrative assistant for the Birmingham City Council.

Due to the close race, no winner can be declared yet.

Incumbent Lyord Watson didn't see re-election.

District 3

Mary Boehm overwhelming won the District 3 seat on the board over long-time Birmingham City Schools employee Larry Contri in the two-person race.

Boehm received 2,763 votes or 70.99 percent of the votes cast in the race. Contri received 1,129 votes or 29.01 percent.

Boehm recently retired from A+ Education Partnership, a non-profit group that fosters innovation and improvement of Alabama public schools.

Contri worked for Birmingham City Schools for 50 years before retiring in June. He served as interim superintendent from August 2016 to May 2017. He agreed to retire under the terms of the settlement in his 2014 lawsuit against the Birmingham City Board of Education over a salary dispute.

Incumbent Brian Giattina didn't seek re-election.

District 4

Two candidates vied for the District 4 seat against incumbent Hendricks.

Maddox, who is headed to a runoff with Hendricks, received the most votes on Tuesday. He received 1,790 votes or 46.92 percent of votes cast. Hendricks received 1,308 votes or 34.29 percent. Amber Country, who works in the city of Birmingham Department of Community Development, came in third with 717 votes or 18.79 percent.

Maddox's possible return to the board could come as a surprise to some. He was charged with two ethics violations involving using his public office for personal gain in 2012. He resigned from the board as part of a plea agreement with the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office.

As part of the plea agreement, Maddox received two years of unsupervised probation and had to pay court fees. No fines were imposed.

According to Maddox's arrest warrants, while on the Board of Education, he voted for funds from the city of Birmingham for Woodlawn Missions and More, a charity he founded. Also, Maddox voted to increase his daughter Melody Alston's salary by $17,000. Alston is an employee of Birmingham city schools. Board members cannot vote on personnel matters regarding family members, and are required to abstain from the vote.

District 5

Eight candidates vied for the District 5 seat to be vacated by Birmingham mayoral contender Randall Woodfin. Michael "Mickey" Millsap received the most votes with 1,236 or 30.23 percent of the votes cast. Millsap currently teaches entrepreneurship and innovation in the Collat School of Business at UAB.

Millsap will face David T. McKinney in a runoff. McKinney received 628 votes or 15.36 percent of votes cast.

McKinney currently works as an instructor of speech at Jefferson State Community College.

District 7

Patricia Spigner McAdory, a retired teacher and library media specialist for Birmingham City Schools, received the most votes in the race for District 7 with 1,836 or 40.24 percent. She will face Walter "Big Walt" Wilson is a runoff. Alexander, the incumbent, received the least amount of votes: 1,197 or 26.23 percent.

Wilson is a Jefferson County constable and works for Birmingham Public Works. He received 1,530 votes or 33.53 percent of the ballots cast in the race.

District 8

Sonja Q. Smith will face Patricia Bozeman Henderson in a runoff. Four candidates competed for the District 8 seat on the board.

Incumbent April Williams didn't run for re-election.

Smith, a project coordinator at AIDS Alabama, received the most votes with 1,252 garnering 31.44 percent. Henderson, a coordinator at Birmingham Municipal Court, received 1,178 votes or 29.58 percent.

Candidates D. Tyrone Silmon and Antwon Bernard Womack came in third and fourth, respectively.
Several federal and local law enforcement authorities are raiding a Hoover's doctor's office on Tuesday.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration along with the FBI, Alabama Pharmacy Board and Hoover police have been raiding the Hoover Alt MD office on South Shades Crest Road since 10 a.m. No arrests have been made in the ongoing investigation, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bret Hamilton said.

Hamilton could not comment on what caused the investigation or what evidence was taken out of the office. The U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.
Indias Supreme Court has ruled that triple talaq, the process of instant divorce practised by some Muslim men, is unconstitutional.

It is a verdict that has been praised by activists and described as historic by the countrys prime minister, Narendra Modi, who tweeted that the ruling grants equality to Muslim women and is a powerful measure for women[s] empowerment.

The judges said the law violated Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution, which are related to equality, and protection of life and personal liberty respectively.

Muslims in India are governed by Muslim Personal Laws. India has a provision for personal laws for all religious communities. Personal laws cover marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance, maintenance, custody of children and adoption. Civil laws, by contrast, are applicable to all faiths.

So what will ending the law that allows Muslim men to divorce their wives by uttering the word talaq three times mean for Muslim women?

Al Jazeera asked Faizan Mustafa, the vice-chancellor of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad and a leading expert on constitutional law.

Al Jazeera: What do you think of the courts judgement?

Faizan Mustafa: The judgement is progressive.

Two judges held it unconstitutional [and] in violation of the right to equality [Article 14 of the constitution]. They said that they were not going into the question of whether triple talaq is Islamic or un-Islamic since it was arbitrary and gave too much power to the husband.

One judge said it is not part of Islam [and] thus not protected by the freedom of religion. Judge Kurian Joseph said that since triple talaq is contrary to the Quran, it wont be allowed.

While the other two judges said it [triple talaq] has been an essential part of Islam for 1,400 years, [and is] therefore protected by the freedom of religion.

Al Jazeera: The judgement suggested the government consider appropriate legislation. What does that mean?



Mustafa: This suggestion has no meaning since there is a majority judgement [with three out of the five judges ruling against the law]. The judgement says triple talaq is bad and [therefore] it goes.

Al Jazeera: What will be the impact of the judgment?

Mustafa: Court judgments do not bring about social reforms. Now the only thing is if a Muslim male does triple talaq and if the wife goes to the court, the court wont recognise the divorce. Now, will the girl go back [into the marriage]?

In this case, the leading petitioner in the current case, Shayara Bano, just told NDTV network that she is not going back to her husband because he has taken another wife even though the divorce has been held unconstitutional or invalid in law. Marriage is a relationship of love; the courts cannot force you to love each other. Thats why I say in these matters courts have a limited role.

Al Jazeera: Should those elements of the personal laws of all the different faiths that are seen as regressive also face the same fate? And should there be one uniform law in India rather than different personal laws for different faiths?

Mustafa: I have been saying, since I teach constitutional law and my commitment is to constitutional provisions and constitutional morality, that there should be reforms in personal laws. Now the question is how are these reforms to be made? I think it cannot be done in a top down manner. It should be done internally [within communities], only then there will be a better impact. My opinion is that the Muslim community should take this initiative and start reforming their laws.

We should not be going for a uniform law because uniformity, in my opinion, is not of great value but we should get a just code. All laws must be just.
After Sierra Leones deadly mudslides, the race is on to retrieve the body parts of the victims before disease sets in.

Freetown, Sierra Leone  A group of young men wearing protective suits and face masks pace the riverbanks looking for body parts.

One of them removes his mask and starts to chant, if you smell something bad then tell us, if you smell something bad then tell us.

Somebody upstream calls and the team rushes forwards, rolling out a body bag as they do so.

A man is standing on the riverbank pointing to a ball of branches, mud and plastic. He gestures that there is a bad smell.

The body collectors wade through the water and start searching under the rubble. After five minutes one of them pulls out a foot; mangled, white and rotting. They drop it into the body bag.

This group of volunteer body collectors, all of whom are young men from neighbouring communities, has been working for seven days to gather the remains of those killed by a deadly mudslide in Sierra Leone on Monday, August 14.

So far, 499 bodies have been unearthed. More than 600 people remain missing. Those who know the affected communities estimate that the real number of victims could be well over 1,000.

The problem, says body collector Mohamed Jalloh, is that many of the bodies were torn up by boulders and trees.

READ MORE: Sierra Leone mudslide: What, where and why?

After weeks of heavy rain, the side of Sugar Loaf Mountain collapsed, crushing the settlement below called Regent.

The mudslide sent a torrent of water, mud and rocks tumbling down the valley and swept away houses in two other communities; Kaningo and Kumayama.

Some of the people living higher up the riverbanks were able to escape their flooded houses by climbing onto their roofs. But those on the lower flats had no chance.

With body parts still strewn around the riverbanks a week after the disaster, there is a high risk of diseases, including cholera and typhoid, spreading.

The Ministry of Health has issued a statement urging the public to drink only water collected from a safe source and to wash all fruits and vegetables well with clean water before eating. They say that this will help to reduce outbreaks of water borne diseases.

In Regent, volunteer body collector Aruna Momoh says they are still unearthing body parts. There are still people buried, he says. We have managed to get the ones in shallow ground out, but there are more deep down.

He has been at the site every day since the disaster. I live nearby and rushed here on the morning of the mudslide. It happened around 5:45am. By the time I reached there were government ambulances and NGOs. Machinery didnt arrive until Tuesday. By Thursday the place started to stink, the smell of rotting flesh was everywhere, he says.

Fesellie Marah, a young man from Kumayama, says that ambulances and stretchers didnt reach his community until Monday afternoon. All we had were gloves and some lappas [sheets of colourful material]. We were pulling masses of bodies out of the rubble and piling them up in the front room of a broken house, he says.

Wed use the lappas to collect body parts  feet, legs, hands  once they were full, we would tie them up and put it in the same room as the bodies. In the afternoon government ambulances and The Red Cross came and collected the corpses.

READ MORE: Is climate change to blame in Freetown?

He remembers how families were crowding the bodies, crying and screaming. Some were trying to identify their family members, but it was almost impossible because of the condition the bodies were in. Many were crushed, and they were all covered in mud.

Marah says he saw a boy being swept down the river, screaming and holding on to a floating fridge. We couldnt reach him, but we were all shouting encouragement, telling him to hold on tight. Further downstream he caught on to a palm tree and managed to climb out. He survived.

IN PICTURES: Sierra Leone reels from deadly mudslides

In Kaningo, Mohamed Jalloh and his friends are still working to collect bodies. Jalloh works as a night guard in an NGOs compound. Since the mudslide, he has been working his regular job at night and collecting bodies by day.

Since Monday I have hardly slept, he says. Each day I finish work at 6:30am and come here by 7. Then I sleep for just two hours in the late afternoon. I have so much sympathy for my brothers and sisters who were killed. I want to help reduce the health risk by collecting all the body parts. If we sit down and do nothing, then more people will die from diseases.

Although Jalloh and his colleagues have worked hard to try and collect all the corpses from the wreckage, there are still decaying body parts strewn around, one week on.

Further down the river, a group of boys is watching a dog eat something beside a pile of muddy branches and plastic. A sharp, sickly smell hangs in the air. The dog is chewing on a piece of human flesh.

There are bodies under there, says one of the boys, pointing to the rubble. But we cant get to them, the dogs went in and started pulling out bits of bodies.

An old man arrives, groans in disgust and throws a stone towards the dog. It runs away, dropping the muddy flesh on the ground.
White House senior adviser, and President Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner is leading a US delegation on a Middle East tour that includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. Alongside Kushner, the delegation also includes envoy of international negotiations, Jason Greenblatt, and national security adviser, Dina Powell.





The goal of this tour is to discuss the next steps to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, according to a White House official. While Kushner might eventually be able to arrange some meetings between Palestinian and Israeli leadership, no peace deal will be achieved under this administration and Trump will [not] get it done, as he previously promised.

The most important shortcoming of Trump administrations efforts to achieve peace is that it does not have a clear vision for that peace. He lacks even the most basic understanding of what he really wants to achieve, a two-state, one-state, or no-state solution. Im looking at two-state and one-state and I like the one that both parties like. Im very happy with the one that both parties like, he once stated. As 24-years of failed American mediation in this conflict shows there is nothing that both parties like. Benjamin Netanyahu likes only one thing: keep building Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and obstructing the establishment of a Palestinian state at any cost, as he promised during his 2015 election campaign.

READ MORE: Trump-Abbas meeting an exercise in futility

Though it failed to achieve it, the Obama administration had a clear position on the two-state solution and worked hard towards that goal. This administration has failed to take a position. Trumps lack of vision has confused the Palestinian side, which still lacks a strategy to deal with this administration. Just before the arrival of the Kushner delegation, a spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas stated that the Palestinian Authority President wants clarity on the American position on the two-state solution. This confusion is definitely going to reflect itself on the talks that Kushner will be having with the Palestinian leadership soon.

Another obstacle in front of this administration's success is the lead mediator Mr Kushner himself. He is young and has no experience in the world politics as most of his career was in real estate development. by

The second major reason why Kushner is set to fail is the fact that Trump administration is in disarray  or in Abbas words his entire administration is in chaos. Given the frequent resignations and high turnover in his administration, it is questionable whether Trump even has time to think about the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. It is unclear how he would sustain efforts to achieve a peace deal with this much instability in his own office.

Also, just like the previous US administration that failed to achieve a peace deal, this administration uses a facilitation strategy rather than an interactive strategy in mediation. Facilitation lacks the necessary power and assertiveness to achieve a deal, while interactive efforts can successfully respond to any development that may take place the mediation process. Facilitation can only work when both parties are willing and eager to achieve a deal, but that is definitely not the case here. One major reason behind the failure of the Obama administration to achieve a deal was its refusal to exert any pressure on the intransigent Israeli government, which always opted for expanding the scope of its settlements rather than achieving peace. Trump administration is likely to repeat the same mistake. To be sure, just before the Kushner teams arrival in the Middle East, Netanyahu government announced that it allocated $1.5m to build a fence around Beit El settlement.

Another obstacle in front of this administrations success is the lead mediator Mr Kushner himself. He is young and has no experience in the world politics as most of his career was in real estate development. It is not easy to jump from construction work to mediating one of the most complicated conflicts in the world. Even more worrisome is Kushners pro-Israel bias, which is not a secret to anyone. This blatant bias contradicts the very basic principles of mediation: neutrality and impartiality. With this kind of credentials, success becomes more elusive for Mr Kushner.

In order for Trump to succeed, he has to make it incredibly clear that he is committed to the two-state solution. He needs to firmly reject Israels settlement expansions in the West Bank. Toothless mediation is not going to work for this type of conflict. He needs to apply pressure, especially on settlements, as they have been the primary reason behind the failure of previous US mediation efforts.

Palestinians should not waste their time by expecting concrete results from this administration. This is not to suggest that they should boycott Trumps envoys and not talk to them. They should work with this delegation as if they are really going to make a peace deal, but they should also develop national strategies to end the occupation as if there is no American intervention in the first place. The status quo is in favour of Israels colonial project and every day that passes with Israeli occupation in place is making it a little bit harder to build a viable Palestinian state in the future.

Ibrahim Fraihat is Associate Professor of International Conflict Resolution at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and Afifiliate Scholar at Georgetown University in Qatar. He is the author of Unfinished Revolutions (Yale University Press, 2016). Follow him on Twitter: @i_fraihat

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
This week, the United States and its ally South Korea began large-scale military exercises, and North Korea responded by threatening merciless retaliation. This follows Pyongyangs recent back-and-forth over whether to strike Guam and President Trumps warning that North Korea was facing a future of fire and fury.

Not surprisingly, people are a little worried. I received an email from an old high school friend. We had not corresponded in a while. The email comprised two words: Save us.

My friend knows that I have worked on North Korea and nuclear weapons for more than 15 years and that I have, in fact, been to the DPRK (Democratic Republic of Korea) to discuss nuclear policy.





Im on vacation in Maine. Youre going to have to handle this one, I replied with a smile.

He wasnt the only one asking. Facebook friends, journalists, relatives. There was even a guy at the Home Kitchen Cafe in Rockland, Maine who recognised me and asked a waitress to approach me on his behalf. I walked over, and we chatted for a minute. He explained that he thought it was a bad time for the US and South Korean military exercises before returning to his Reuben sandwich.

To no ones surprise, I cant save us, but I can give you a sense of where things stand, where they might be going, and a few things we might want to do. Consider this the inside scoop from that high school buddy who happens to be a nuclear weapons and North Korea expert.

How dangerous have things gotten? Are we about to get into a war?

No, we are not about to get into a shooting war with the North Koreans  or at least probably not. Well, not for now, anyway. The military exercises and President Trumps impromptu threats do not suddenly make a military conflict more likely today than it was last month or last year. In history, major wars  not nuclear wars, just plain old large-scale, bloody conventional wars that kill millions of people  dont happen every day. Big wars like WWI or the Korean War  and nuclear wars  are low probability, high consequence events. They dont happen very often, but when they do 

And for the most part, the fundamentals have not changed. Secretary of Defense James Mattis is correct to say that the US and South Korea maintain an overwhelming military advantage over North Korea. If war were to break out, North Korea would lose and lose badly. It would be the end of the Kim Jong-uns regime, and the one thing Chairman Kim wants is to remain in power.

OPINION: Why a war with North Korea is unlikely

That does not mean the situation is set, let alone stable. Pyongyang is on a course to develop a nuclear missile that can hit the US homeland. Though its not quite there yet, at their current pace of testing, that day is coming sooner rather than later. Obviously, that would be an unwelcome development, but it wont be any different from the situation our treaty allies Japan and South Korea and the 80,000 US troops and their families who live there have been facing for some time now. And its worth remembering that, today, Russia and China have nuclear weapons aimed at American cities  just as the US has their nuclear weapons pointed at them  and have so for decades. So its not a good situation, but its not a totally new one either.

But if North Korea doesnt want to attack us with nuclear weapons, why are they rushing as fast as they can to build them?

Thats a great question, and its tough to answer. It can be hard to judge the intentions of an adversary, but it is even more challenging in the case of North Korea, arguably the most closed country on the planet. North Koreas official policy consists of two parts: become an accepted nuclear weapons state and build its economy. Why nuclear weapons? Analysts differ. Some argue that Pyongyang honestly fears that the US seeks regime change, and by their calculation, the only way to ensure survival and avoid the fate of Iraqs Saddam Hussein is to possess the ultimate weapon. Others argue that North Korea wants nuclear weapons for bargaining. Still others think Pyongyang will use nuclear weapons as military cover for new provocations.

I dont think we really know, and their thinking may have changed over time. What we do know is that Chairman Kim controls the country, he doesnt plan on giving that up anytime soon, and a war would put that in jeopardy.

So everythings OK, then. Its not as crazy-dangerous as it seems, right?

Actually, thats not true either. Its crazy-dangerous.

The bluster and bluffing by both the US and the North Koreans have increased the chances of conflict, including nuclear war. The odds may still be low, but they are now greater than they were before, and if there is anything people should have learned over the last year is that improbable does not mean impossible. Improbable events actually happen  just not as often as other events.

An agreement that would freeze testing would not mean an end to the North's weapons programs, but it will stop them from progressing further at a moment when they are on the verge of developing a nuclear capable intercontinental missile (ICBM). by

So while no country wants to commit suicide by launching a war they know they will lose, leaders can make mistakes. They can miscalculate or misperceive the situation and take actions that precipitate a war that neither side actually wants. What feeds miscalculation and misperception, you may ask? Bluster and bluffing.

Mr Trumps threat to attack North Korea if they made more verbal threats was called by the young Mr Kim in fewer than 24 hours, when North Korea announced new plans to attack Guam. The US response was neither fire, nor fury. Pyongyang followed by announcing it would take a position of wait and see on the eve of yet another round of US-South Korea military exercises.

Absent some change, there are certain to be more missile tests and perhaps a nuclear test. So what happens the next time, a month from now or a year from now when the American leader makes a threat  a serious threat that he intends to carry out? Will Kim believe it, or will he err and think its posturing.

Alternatively, we may find ourselves in a real crisis with North Korea, following some naval incident or the shelling of an island. President Trump might make a threat he does not intend to carry through but this time, the North Koreans might take him seriously, believe that the US is on the verge of attack, and conclude that the only logical option is to strike first before the Americans take out most of their military assets. Threatening the survival of a weaker country can encourage an itchy trigger finger.

Well, that doesnt sound good. And I hear we have no good options to stop this. We pass sanctions all the time; they arent working. A military strike would be a catastrophe. What are we going to do?

Well, you make an important point. It should be clear by now to everyone that North Korea can build missiles faster than we can impose sanctions that would impede their programme. And a military attack, in the view of most analysts, would risk a full-scale conventional and probably a nuclear conflict of unimaginable devastation.

OPINION: Is North Korea really a hollowed out state?

But there is some good news here. Diplomacy might achieve what sanctions cannot, an immediate freeze on further testing of North Koreas missiles and nuclear devices. The Trump administration has already successfully employed diplomacy with Pyongyang, and the presidents own official North Korea policy calls for engagement  an approach also favoured by China and US ally South Korea.

To be clear, an agreement that would freeze testing would not mean an end to North Koreas weapons programs, but it will stop them from progressing further at a moment when they are on the verge of developing a nuclear capable intercontinental missile (ICBM). Diplomacy has other advantages as well. History suggests that Pyongyang is better behaved when its in a negotiation, rather than on the outside looking in. Perhaps most important of all, talks  even if they do not result in an agreement  provide a mechanism for reducing the dangers of misperception and miscalculation.

Another idea worth considering? Stop embarrassing your most important ally. President Trumps impulsive threat of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula didnt sound like a great idea back in Seoul, not surprisingly. It made the president of South Korea look weak and compelled him to promise in a nationally televised speech that No one should be allowed to decide on a military action on the Korean Peninsula without South Korean agreement.

And while were on the subject of the US-South Korea alliance, how about going ahead and appointing a US ambassador to South Korea? This critical position remains vacant despite the obvious risks we face.

OK. So there are some things we can do. But I want to ask you, as you work on this all the time, whats the big takeaway here?





For decades, from the 1950s through the 1980s, Americans rightly feared that the existence of nuclear weapons was a pointed gun aimed at their entire civilization  regardless of who owned them. One bad leader, one awful mistake, and the world could face fire and fury and the end of the world as we know it.

Then a funny thing happened. The Soviet Union with its thousands of nuclear weapons collapsed, and the biggest threat largely receded  out of mind anyway. The new problem wasnt nuclear weapons, it was proliferation. Proliferation meant their nuclear weapons and those of their friends were fine; it was that those bad countries might get nuclear weapons that was the real threat, we were told.

What President Trumps impetuous comments remind us is that all nuclear weapons are dangerous, including our own. An American president  not some rogue dictator  could make a mistake, overreact, or bluff themselves into a nuclear war they did not intend. Leaders, all leaders, are human. To err is human, but to err with nuclear weapons would be catastrophic. Perhaps it is time to take the danger posed by nuclear weapons seriously  all nuclear weapons, even our own.

OK. Got it. The real danger is nuclear weapons, no matter who has them. But while Ive got you here, I was wondering if you could help me with this little problem I have, you see 

Im on vacation in Maine. Youre going to have to handle this one.

Jim Walsh is an expert in international security and a senior research associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Security Studies Program. Walshs research and writings focus on international security, and in particular, topics involving nuclear weapons.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
An air attack on a hotel near the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, has killed at least 35 people, according to a local medic.

Physician Ali al-Rakmi who was helping at the site of Wednesdays strike in Arhab towns Qaa al-Qaidhi district, said there were more than 100 people inside at the time of the attack, all farmers who work in growing qat  a plant widely used for a stimulant effect.

At least 35 bodies were retrieved so far, he said.

Fahd Marhab, head of the Umrah hospital about 10km from the site, said there were no wounded and that all the people in the hotel were killed in the air raid.

Almaseera, a television channel run by the countrys Houthi rebels, who control Sanaa, blamed the Saudi-led military coalition allied with the Yemeni government for the attack on Wednesday.

It said 41 civilians were killed and that the death toll was expected to rise further.

Officials and witnesses told the Associated Press news agency that the death toll had reached 60 and that the majority of those killed were Houthis rebels.

Reuters news agency reported that a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition was not immediately available.

Hakim Al Masmari, a journalist with the Yemen Post, told Al Jazeera from Sanaa that air raids hit several areas of the city.

It is probably the biggest massacre Yemen has witnessed by the Saudi-led coalition, Al Masmari told Al Jazeera by phone.

The air strike targeted a motel late early this morning. It was part of at least 25 air strikes that targeted Sanaa and the outskirts of the city since midnight. The air strikes attacked every part of Sanaa. It was a deadly night, he added.

More than 10,000 people have been killed and three million displaced from their homes since February 2014, according to the UN.

The UN could not confirm Wednesdays attack, but rights officials were investigating the reports, according to the spokesman of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

What is clear is that any attack on civilians is unacceptable. This is a message we have often repeated and we will continue to repeat, Stephane Dujarric said in New York.

Stephen OBrien, the UN humanitarian chief, called the conflict between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis a deplorable, avoidable, completely man-made catastrophe in a briefing to the UN Security Council last week.

The number of air strikes per month is now three times higher than last year and monthly reports of armed clashes are up 50 per cent, he said, adding that only the Saudi coalition has the means to carry out aerial attacks.

Yemen, which is on the southern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, has been engulfed in war since September 2014, when Houthi Shia rebels swept into the capital and overthrew President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadis internationally recognised government.

In March 2015, the Saudi-led coalition began a campaign against Houthi forces allied with overthrown President Ali Abdullah Saleh in support of Hadis government.

Since then, the Iranian-backed Houthis have been dislodged from most of the south, but remain in control of Sanaa and much of the north.
Vote will see millions of Angolans elect a new president as longtime leader dos Santos retires after 38 years in power.

Millions of Angolans are voting for their first new president in 38 years.

Wednesdays election will see President Jose Eduardo dos Santos quit after nearly four decades in power, with the outgoing leader praised by some of leading the country to recovery after the end of its civil war in 2002, and accused by others of authoritarianism.

Polls opened at 06:00 GMT and will close at 17:00 GMT. First results are expected on Thursday.

About 9.3 million Angolans are registered to vote for the 220-member National Assembly, and the winning party  five are vying to lead the country  will then select the president.

Defence Minister Joao Lourenco, the ruling party candidate, is widely expected to win Wednesdays vote, though it remained uncertain whether his party, facing discontent over the state of the economy and allegations of corruption, would secure the two-thirds majority needed to govern alone.

The ruling MPLA won 72 percent of the vote at the last election in 2012.

Dos Santos is expected to remain party leader.

Lourenco, whose association with 74-year-old outgoing president dates to the war against Portuguese colonial rule, has pledged to fight corruption if elected.

Questions remain about how much control Lourenco would have if he wins the presidency, given that dos Santos will continue as head of the MPLA and have potentially sweeping powers over decision-making.

Members of dos Santos family hold top jobs in the country, with his daughter Isabel heading national oil producer Sonangol, and his son Jose Filomeno in charge of the state investment fund.

Al Jazeera applied for visas to be able to cover the elections but these were not granted.

Lourenco wishes for economic miracle

Lourenco said on Tuesday, the eve of the election, that he wanted to lead an economic miracle and would consider seeking help from the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund.

In a rare press conference, Lourenco prioritised the economy which, after years of rapid growth, contracted 3.6 percent last year as Africas second-largest oil producer was hit by a fall in crude prices.

I think I will have all the power. I only wouldnt have all the power if there were two presidents of the country, which is not the case, Lourenco told foreign media in Luanda.





The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) party, a former rebel force that fought the MPLA in the civil war, is the main opposition challenger and won nearly 19 percent in the election five years ago.

Isaias Samakuva, 71, took over UNITA after longtime rebel leader Jonas Savimbi was killed in 2002, a death that marked the beginning of the end of a 27-year civil war.

Samakuva, who also contested the last election, has promised to tackle corruption and high unemployment, which officially stands at 20 percent but observers say is much higher.

Angolan critics have alleged that the ruling party has unfairly used state machinery before the election, noting that most campaign coverage on radio and television stations has focused on the campaign of the MPLA.

Election observers from other African countries will monitor the vote, but the European Union is only sending a small team instead of a full-fledged observer mission because it says the Angolan government wanted to impose restrictions, including limited access to polling stations around the country.
Khmer-language stations, Maha Nokor and Voice of Democracy, ordered closed as more media face legal threats.

The government of Cambodia has shut down two independent radio stations and ordered the foreign staff of an American NGO to leave the country in the latest move against critics ahead of a general election next year.

The orders on Wednesday came a day after long-time Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened the Cambodia Daily, one of the countrys few remaining critical newspapers, with closure over an alleged unpaid tax bill of more than $6m, calling them thieves.

Maha Nokor and Voice of Democracy, two Khmer-language radio stations, were ordered to close on Wednesday by the ministry of information.

Maha Nokor, which leases programme time to US-funded broadcasters, is one of the few outlets for the opposition to express their views.

The station said it received a letter from Information Minister Khieu Kanharith cancelling its authorisation to operate.

WATCH: Cambodias Deadly Politics

Yim Sovann, a spokesman for the Cambodia National Rescue Party, the stations main backer, confirmed the governments order.

I cannot guarantee whether or not the upcoming general election in 2018 will be free and fair, he said.

The manager of Voice of Democracy, primarily an online radio station that bought time on a separate broadcasting station, also said that the stations owner told him he could no longer lease time because of technical and administrative issues.

The manager, Pa Nguon Tieng, said the Voice of Democracy was given seed money by the US government and has since received funds from the European Union and the Danish and Swedish governments.

The closures were announced on the same day the Cambodian foreign ministry ordered the foreign staff of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to leave the country within a week and halt operations.

The government has accused the institute of violating laws on non-governmental organisations and taxes. It receives funding from the US Democratic Party and promotes democracy and election monitoring worldwide.

Wider crackdown

The move against NDI was foreshadowed last week by the appearance of a mysterious Facebook page that accused it of conspiring with the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party against the government.

Emails and phone calls made by AFP news agency to the institute for comment were not immediately answered.

The government has recently announced a crackdown on organisations it says are delinquent in paying taxes, including foreign and local media and civil society organisations.





On Tuesday, Hun Sen demanded that the English-language The Cambodia Daily pay $6.3m in alleged back taxes and interest by September 4 or face being shut down.

Apart from the American-owned newspaper, the US-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America have also been legally targeted. Both stations lease broadcast time from local radio stations.

All have denied wrongdoing and said they are being targeted for their independent reporting.

In a statement, the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia has called for transparency, fairness and due process over the threatened closure of The Cambodia Daily.

The organisation said the targeting of the paper could be part of a wider crackdown on media outlets and civil society ahead of the elections.

Analysts said the cascade of legal cases is straight from the political playbook of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has cornered opponents throughout his three-decade rule.

Hun Sens ruling party is expected to face a strong challenge from the opposition in the 2018 elections.
Reactions pour in over cover showing a van running over people with the caption: Islam: religion of peaceeternal.

Critics have taken to the internet to condemn the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, over a front-page cartoon linking Islam to a recent deadly attack in Spain, saying it risked fanning Islamophobia.

The latest edition of the magazine, which was attacked by gunmen in 2015, shows two people lying in a pool of blood having been run over by a van next to the words: Islam: religion of peaceeternal.

A dozen fighters of Moroccan origin are believed to have plotted last weeks attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils.

In Barcelona, at least 14 people were killed and more than 100 injured after a van drove into crowds.

Critics of Charlie Hebdo saw its cover as tarring an entire religion, practised by around 1.5 billion people worldwide, by implying it was inherently violent.

mais qui defend encore Charlie Hebdo aujourd'hui ?  ahouefa (@Beninoise229_) August 23, 2017

Translation: But who defends Charlie Hebdo today?

As the cartoon became one of the top trending topics on Twitter in France, prominent Socialist MP and former minister Stephane Le Foll called it extremely dangerous.

When youre a journalist you need to exercise restraint because making these associations can be used by other people, he said.

The latest Charlie Hebdo cover is worse than the worst of anti Irish racism in the UK media following Provo attacks.  Mark Malone (@soundmigration) August 23, 2017

Charlie Hebdo editor Laurent Riss Sourisseau explained the choice in an editorial, saying that experts and policymakers were avoiding hard questions out of concern for moderate, law-abiding Muslims.

The debates and questions about the role of religion, and in particular the role of Islam, in these attacks have completely disappeared, he wrote.

On l'attendait, la voici: une autre petite couv de Charlie Hebdo pour inciter a la haine anti-musulman.ne.s #Nausee pic.twitter.com/5havDBbam3  Philippe Marliere (@PhMarliere) August 22, 2017

Translation: We were expecting it. Another Charlie Hebdo cover to incite anti-Muslim hatred #nausea

Charlie Hebdo lampoons all religions and religious figures, but its depictions of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed  an act considered sinful under Islam  led to outrage, death threats and, ultimately, violence.

J'aime l'islam qu'on m'a inculque

Je denonce son ignoble instrumentalisation par les terroristes

Je respecte la liberte de TOUT caricaturer pic.twitter.com/QJZdaQS3qg  Mabrouk Sonia (@SoMabrouk) August 22, 2017

Translation: I love the Islam that taught me. I denounce its exploitation by terrorists. I respect the freedom of all caricaturists

Two gunmen who claimed allegiance to al-Qaeda killed 12 people in an attack on its offices in January 2015 which left many of its star cartoonists dead.

Hundreds of thousands of people marched through the streets of France afterwards, rallying behind the slogan Je suis Charlie (I am Charlie) in defence of the right to free speech.

Riss said in the wake of the violence that the magazine would stop depicting the prophet, leading one top journalist to quit and accuse its new management of going soft on Islamist extremism.
Five die and dozens suffer injuries as fighting between rival groups continues in Lebanons largest Palestinian camp.

At least five people have been killed and 35 wounded in nearly a week of fighting in the largest Palestinian camp in Lebanon.

Two members of the Palestinian group Fatah were killed on Wednesday during clashes with other armed groups in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, according to medical sources.

The fighting began last Thursday after the leader of an armed faction sympathetic to the Bilal Badr group fired at the headquarters of the joint security force for the camp.

Since then, fighters have clashed with the joint security force comprising the main Palestinian factions, including Fatah, which is responsible for the camps security.

READ MORE: Lebanon freezes plan for Ain al-Hilwehs racist wall

The Bilal Badr group has been described by the Lebanese government as an Islamist group, with a number of factions supporting its wanted leader.

The fighting escalated on Wednesday, when gunfire wounded three people, including two Lebanese security personnel, outside of the camp, according to a security source.

Turf war

Al Jazeeras Imtiaz Tyab, reporting from Beirut, said that essentially, what we are seeing here [Ain al-Hilweh] is a turf war.

There are people who are trying to fight over these very narrow lanes and streets of this refugee camp, which is home to around 50,000 Palestinian refugees.

The two sides agreed to a ceasefire deal later on Wednesday, but Tyab said such agreements continue to unravel.

A witness told Reuters news agency that a war calm prevailed over the camp on Wednesday, with parts of the area suffering severe destruction.

Houses were burned, and the camps water and electricity networks were damaged, other witnesses said.

Al Jazeeras Tyab said that the camp is a very densely populated and poverty-stricken place that has seen violence consistently for many years now.

Palestinians in Lebanon are not allowed to own land and are prohibited from many professions, leading to a mix of uncertainty, unrest and poverty, Tyab said.

Palestinians not allowed regular jobs or to own property. Latest fighting underscores how vulnerable refugees are, especially to violence  Imtiaz Tyab (@ImtiazTyab) August 23, 2017

In April, seven people were killed and dozens were injured in similar fighting between the same two groups.

Lebanons Palestinian camps, which date back to the 1948 war between Israel and its Arab neighbours, largely fall outside the jurisdiction of Lebanese security services.

There are some 450,000 Palestinian refugees living in 12 camps in Lebanon.
At least 800 killed in two weeks, and more than 20 million affected by severe flooding as aid agencies struggle to cope.

Almost 1,000 people have been killed over a period of two weeks in some of the worst flooding to hit South Aisa in decades, with residents running out of food and clean water, officials said.

Bangladesh, India and Nepal have put the combined death toll at at least 800 since August 10.

The Red Cross said on Tuesday that 24 million people have been affected by the floods, with large areas of land submerged in water.

The situation is going from bad to worse, said Jagan Chapagain, Red Cross undersecretary-general, as he confirmed the death toll given by regional authorities.

This is the worst flooding that parts of South Asia have seen in decades.

READ MORE: Indias Bihar state reels under unprecedented flooding

Flood waters in the three countries have killed hundreds of people who were stranded and cut off from road access. Many villages are now only accessible by boat.





The Red Cross says it needs more than $3.5m to help people in Nepal.

The charity is planning to launch a separate campaign to raise funds to help people in Bangladesh.

But the organisation said India has the resources needed to respond, without foreign help.

Victims in India blame the governments inability to respond adequately.

There is water everywhere. Houses are under water, but no government help has reached us, Kheya Ram, a resident of Bihar district Darbhanga, told Al Jazeera.

Almost one-third of Nepal and Bangladesh is flooded, leaving residents vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria, dengue fever and encephalitis.

We have to sleep on the side of the road, and we will have to die on the side of the road. We dont have a house, nothing to eat, everything was swept by the flood, Mohammad Sahi Muddin, a flood victim from Nepals Birgunj city, told Al Jazeera.

The heavy rain has also taken a toll on wildlife, with rescue teams pulling stranded animals from raging waters in Indias Kaziranga National Park, including rare one-horned rhinos and other endangered species.
Presidents son-in law and White House adviser, Jared Kushner, to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

White House adviser Jared Kushner is leading a delegation to the Middle East on behalf of US President Donald Trump to discuss the possibility of resuming the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Kushner, who is also Trumps son-in-law, is expected to hold separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday.

The talks are aimed at helping forge a path to substantive peace negotiations, but no major breakthrough is expected.

Meanwhile, Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry cancelled a Wednesday meeting with the US delegation. The move came after the United States announced on Tuesday that it would punish Egypt for human rights abuses by withholding aid.

Kushner was still expected to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

The US delegation also includes Jason Greenblatt, envoy for international negotiations, and Dina Powell, deputy national security adviser.

The trio has been involved in a behind-the-scenes process to help Trump broker peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, which the president has called described as the ultimate deal.

READ MORE: The battle for al-Aqsa has just started

They spent Tuesday in the Gulf before heading to Egypt on Wednesday.

Kushner met Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, before flying to Doha for a meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The two Gulf neighbours are embroiled in a months-long diplomatic dispute.

A Saudi-led bloc severed ties with Qatar in June after accusing it of supporting terrorism, an allegation Doha strongly denies.

Kushners talks with Saudi and Qatari leaders focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the state news agencies of the two Gulf countries said. No mention was made of the row between Riyadh and Doha.

The US delegation also met leaders of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Foreign minister of Iran says the visits could take place after the Hajj pilgrimage ends in first week of September.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Wednesday said that delegations from Iran and Saudi Arabia would exchange diplomatic visits soon, according to the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).

In an interview with ISNA, Zarif said the visits could take place after the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia ends in the first week of September.

The visas have been issued for both sides to make this trip, Zarif said.

We are waiting for the final steps to be completed so diplomats from the two countries can inspect their embassies and consulates, he added.

READ MORE: Is the time right for Saudi-Iran rapprochement?

The visits would be the first sign of a thaw in relations since they severed diplomatic ties last year.

Relations between the two countries are at their worst in years, with each blaming the other of subverting regional security and backing opposite sides in conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and several other Arab governments have cut ties with Qatar, citing its support of Iran as one of the main reasons.

Iran has accused Saudi Arabia of being behind deadly twin attacks on June 7 in the capital, Tehran, claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) armed group.

At least 18 people were killed and more than 40 wounded in the attacks, in which Riyadh has denied any involvement.

Thousands of Iranian pilgrims are currently undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Zarif held brief talks with his Saudi counterpart, Adel al-Jubeir, on the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting in the Turkish city of Istanbul on August 1.

He later said that the short meeting was a diplomatic norm, according to Iranian media.
Social Democrat MP for Halle says he will not allow racists to intimidate him on social media.

Karamba Diaby, who in 2013 became one of the first two black members of the German parliament, has pressed charges against racist Facebook users commenting on a post by a far-right party, according to Germanys Deutsche Welle (DW) media network.

The racist comments were left underneath a post published on Monday by the National Democratic Party (NPD).

It featured a picture of one of Diabys election campaign posters and a caption that read: German representative of the people, according to the SPD. Who betrayed us? The Social Democrats.

READ MORE: Germany  Confronting the colonial roots of racism

Diaby, the Social Democrats (SPD) MP for the eastern city of Halle, responded by saying neither the skin colour nor the origin decides who is a parliament member in Germany.

A black monkey, traitor and the N-word are just some of the insults currently on the NPDs Facebook page under the post of my election campaign picture, he wrote on his Facebook page.

I wont allow myself to be intimidated and I wont give up working for the solidarity of our society.

The NPDs post has not been taken down, but the partys lawyer, Peter Richter, told DW that the party had not broken any laws and any prosecutable comment are immediately deleted by the NPD.

Yet, Diaby said the fact that the comments were no longer there did not change his determination to file criminal charges.

In an email interview with DW, he said it was important to him not to just allow [the incident] to slide.

I get the impression that with these racist comments people are trying to intimidate democratic people, and silence them, he said. It is important to me because we cant just allow it to slide  we have to take it seriously and stand up to it.

Diaby said he had often fielded racist comments on social media, but it had become worse in recent years.

Many people do not even bother to hide their identities any more, he added.

Thats the new thing about it, Diaby said. People have started to see the internet as a lawless space. And thats exactly why we have to do something against it.

Born in Marsassoum, Senegal in 1961 and orphaned at age seven, Diaby came to East Germany in 1985 for studies. He holds a doctorate in chemistry.

Following his election in 2013, he became the deputy chairman of the committee for human rights and humanitarian aid and a full member of the committee on education, research and technology assessment.

Cultural openness in our society is at an infant stage, Diaby told Al Jazeera ahead of the 2013 elections.

We are a developing country in this regard. The political parties havent managed to identify the potential of immigrants. They dont use their abilities and their experiences of their different cultural backgrounds  they could really enrich the political process.

Germany is heading to the polls on September 24.
US President Donald Trump held a political rally in Phoenix, Arizona, which is being described as a campaign-style event to drum up support.

Trump has held a series of 2020 re-election campaign stops despite only having taken office in January.

The event on Tuesday at the Phoenix Convention Center is Trumps first trip as president to Arizona, which he won in the 2016 election.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, had asked Trump to postpone the rally, while the nation healed from outrage and division after the deadly protest in Charlottesville.

The president addressed supporters for over one hour, as protests continued outside the venue.

Here are some of the subjects he covered:

On the media

On his old foe, the mainstream media, Trump said: The media can attack me, but where I draw the line is when they attack you. When they attack the decency of our supporters.

He added: You are honest, hard-working, tax-paying  by the way, you are overtaxed but were going to get your taxes down  its time to expose the crooked media deceptions and to challenge the media for their role in fomenting divisions.

These are truly dishonest people. Theyre bad people. I really think they dont like our country, Trump said.

The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media.

On Charlottesville

Under fire for saying both sides were to blame for the violence between white supremacists and left-wing counterprotesters in Virginia on August 12, Trump accused television networks of ignoring his calls for unity in the aftermath.

I didnt say I love you because youre black, or I love you because youre white, Trump said. I love all the people of our country.

He said the very dishonest media mischaracterised his response to the protest organised by white supremacists.

He re-read the statements he delivered on various days, insisting, I did this three times.

This entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs that perpetrated hatred and violence, Trump said.

On foreign policy

On North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un, Trump said: I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us, I respect that fact very much. I respect that fact. And maybe probably not, but maybe something positive can come about, they wont tell you that. But maybe something positive can come about.

On Afghanistan, he said: Last night, as you know, I laid out my vision for an honourable and enduring outcome in a very tough place, a place where our country has failed, Afghanistan. This is a place where terrorists are trained, where we have people who are not exactly United States fans, can I say that?

And I will tell you, that what were going to do, with our incredible military, theyre going to make unbelievable sacrifices and theyve already made, in some cases, the ultimate sacrifice. But were fighting for them, our war fighters deserve the tools they need and the trust theyve earned to fight and to win. Fight and to win.

Elsewhere, Trump said he thinks the US will end up probably terminating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico at some point.

Personally, I dont think we can make a deal because we have been so badly taken advantage of, the president said, but cautioned he had yet to make up his mind.

On immigration

Trump threatened to shut down the federal government unless Congress provides funding for his promised border wall.

Trump said he had a message for obstructionist Democrats. If we have to close down our government, were building that wall, he said.

The wall was one of Trumps most popular campaign vows, prompting frequent rally chants of Build that wall!

Trump had promised Mexico would pay for the wall, but Mexico has so far refused.

On healthcare

Trump complained repeatedly about the one vote that stopped the Senate from repealing and replacing Obamacare, the signature domestic policy of his predecessor, Barack Obama.

He said: They have 48 Democrats, we got no votes. We got no votes and it wouldve been great healthcare. And by the way, wouldve been great healthcare for Arizona; wouldve been great. So the Democrats have no ideas, no policy; no vision for the country other than total socialism and maybe  frankly  a step beyond socialism from what Im seeing.

Under their plan for America, your taxes will double or triple, your services will diminish and your borders will be left wide open for everybody to come in and enjoy our country. Obamacare is a disaster and think  think! We were just one vote away from victory after seven years of everybody proclaiming Repeal and Replace. One vote away.

But we are going to get rid of Obamacare. I will never stop. One vote! I will never stop. Were going to get rid of Obamacare.

Sheriff Joe

Trump has signalled his willingness to pardon former Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio over his conviction for intentionally disobeying a judges order in an immigration case.

Arpaio, 85, who had targeted those he believed were illegal immigrants in the Phoenix area, was found guilty last month of criminal contempt for violating the terms of a 2011 court order in a racial profiling case.

Do the people in this room like Sheriff Joe? Trump asked, sparking loud applause and a chant of Pardon Joe!

Was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? Trump asked, before predicting that Arpaio would be just fine.

I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe can feel good, he said.

The White House said on Tuesday that Trump would not issue a pardon for Arpaio during the rally.
How social media came together to campaign against the execution of Marcellus Williams.

Anti-death penalty campaigners in the United States on Tuesday hailed Missouri Governor Eric Greitens decision to stay the execution of Marcellus Williams, a man convicted in 2001 of the murder of Lisha Gayle.

Despite new DNA evidence that Williams lawyers argue supports his claim to innocence, Missouri courts decided to continue with the execution.

But in his statement, Greitens said he would appoint a Board of Inquiry to examine the new evidence and recommend whether he should commute Williams sentence.

To carry out the death penalty, the people of Missouri must have confidence in the judgment of guilt, Greitens said, just four hours before Williams was scheduled to be put to death.

READ MORE: Missouri halts execution of Marcellus Williams

Before the governors statement, more than 200,000 people had signed a petition asking for the governors intervention.

At the same time, an energetic social media campaign helped bring the case to the attention of the wider public  and for some, this played a key part in Greitens decision.

The attention this got was really important, Ken Gipson, Williams lawyer, told Al Jazeera. The decision showed that when people speak, politicians want to listen.

Staci Pratt, executive director of human rights organisation Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, agreed.

The voices of the people definitely mattered. Over 200,000 people have signed the petition, calls have been ringing, and his [Greitens] voicemail box was often full.

One of the most influential figures in the campaign was Sister Helen Prejean, who has been advocating for the abolishment of the death penalty for decades.

Prejean rose to fame after she wrote Dead Man Walking, a book-turned-Academy Award-winning film that describes her experiences while fighting against the death penalty.

Prejean took to Twitter last week after Missouri courts refused to look at the new DNA evidence that might prove Williams innocence.

DNA says Marcellus Williams didn't kill Felicia Gayle, but the Missouri Supreme Court wants to let his execution go ahead anyway. Thread:  Sister Helen Prejean (@helenprejean) August 16, 2017

READ MORE: Marcellus Williams faces execution despite new evidence

After Prejeans tweet, the story gained traction, leading to further media attention.

On Tuesday night, Prejean took again to Twitter to thank everyone who used social media to bring Williams story to the attention of many people.

Acknowledging the power of Twitter in such cases, she said: It took me a while to embrace social media, but its been a very positive force in our work to stop executions and end capital punishment.

It took me a while to embrace social media, but it's been a very positive force in our work to stop executions and end capital punishment.  Sister Helen Prejean (@helenprejean) August 23, 2017

Others also argued that it was mostly the massive campaign on social media that led to Greitens decision.

Andrew Stroehlein, media director for Human Rights Watch Europe, also acknowledged the role of social media in Greitens decision to name a Board of Inquiry, saying it was Twitter that helped save Williams life:

For those who missed it: Apparently Twitter helped save a life last night  Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) August 23, 2017

Social media literally saved the life of #marcelluswilliams .They were planning on executing an innocent man  Tariq Nasheed  (@tariqnasheed) August 22, 2017

Read more: Marcellus Williams faces execution despite new evidence

After the postponement, civil rights activist Shaun King, who tweeted several times about Williams in the lead-up to the planned execution, advocated for the abolishment of the death penalty, saying it is mostly poor people who cannot afford expensive lawyers who end up on death row.

Abolish the death penalty. At least call it what it truly is: A penalty for poor people who can't afford designer legal defense teams.  Shaun King (@shaunking) August 22, 2017

Others thanked Greitens for deciding to appoint a Board of Inquiry to look at the case, with many saying the governor had made the right decision, as Orange is the New Black actress Danielle Brooks put it.

Really, really good news. Nice to see a politician with a spine. https://t.co/HYdtM9xxM3  Leonard Pitts, Jr. (@LeonardPittsJr1) August 22, 2017

READ MORE: Marcellus Williams and the US broken justice system

In a statement, Missouri State Senator Jamilah Nasheed said she was extremely grateful that Governor Greitens stayed the execution but that the state of Missouri owes it to both Williams and murder victim Lisha Gayle to find the answers that have eluded them for so many years.

My statement on todays stay of #MarcellusWilliams pic.twitter.com/I4jAvn86sF

A Board of Inquiry consisting of five former Missouri judges will now look at Williams case again, including the new DNA evidence.
At least seven killed and dozens injured in Taliban-claimed suicide attack near police headquarters in Lashkar Gah.

A Taliban suicide bomber killed at least seven people and wounded 42 others in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, an official said, in an attack targeting police.

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive-filled car in a car park near the main police headquarters in Lashkar Gah, Omar Zhwak, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand province, told reporters.

In addition to four soldiers, a girl and two women were among those killed, Zwak said, expressing fears that the death toll could rise further.

Children were studying at a nearby mosque when the explosion took place, Zhwak said, adding they were injured in the violence.

READ MORE: World reacts to Trumps new strategy on Afghan war

Authorities said that a group of police officers who had lined up to collect their pay were the target, according to Al Jazeeras Jennifer Glasse, reporting from Kabul.

As there have been so many threats on Afghan banks that pay out government and security forces, there is actually a bank branch inside the police station, she said. Police officers were lined up when the attack happened.

Ismail Jan, whose shop was damaged by the blast, said the explosion happened when a white car rammed into a convoy of six armoured military vehicles as they passed through a checkpoint inside the car park.

I was thrown [by the blast], and when I got up I saw women and children covered in blood, Jan told the AFP news agency. I also saw a number of wounded children taken out of a nearby mosque.

The Taliban effectively controls or contests 10 of 14 districts in Helmand.

Intensified fighting

Intensified fighting last year forced thousands of people to flee to Lashkar Gah from neighbouring districts.

Early in July, an American soldier was killed, and two others were wounded in an attack in Helmand province while conducting operations against the Taliban.

Since it launched an annual spring offensive in late April, the Taliban has been mounting lethal assaults on the Afghan army and police outposts in Helmand.

The attack comes a day after US President Donald Trump announced that the US would continue fighting in Afghanistan to avoid the predictable and unacceptable results of a rapid withdrawal from the country.

In response, the Taliban said that Afghanistan would become a graveyard for American soldiers.

Trump did not provide the number of additional troops that would be sent to the conflict, the US longest war, although US officials said before the speech they expected him to go along with a Pentagon recommendation for nearly 4,000 new troops.
Rohingya refugees arrive in overcrowded camps, fearing violence after the deployment of Myanmar troops to Rakhine state.

Thousands of Rohingya Muslims have crossed into Bangladesh since Myanmar announced a military buildup in violence-hit Rakhine state earlier this month, according to community leaders.

Rohingya leaders in Bangladesh told AFP news agency on Wednesday that at least 3,500 had arrived in recent weeks, piling pressure onto already overcrowded refugee camps in the Coxs Bazaar area near the Naf river that divides the two countries.

That is despite stepped-up patrols by Bangladeshi border and coast guards, who said this week they had pushed back a boat carrying 31 Rohingya, including children.





In the Balukhali camp alone, some 3,000 Rohingya arrived from their villages in Rakhine, said Abdul Khaleq, referring to the camp nearest the river, where most of the migrants stay when they first arrive.

Kamal Hossain, a Rohingya elder in another, camp, said nearly 700 families had arrived in Bangladesh in the past 11 days.

Many were sleeping in the open because there was no more space in the camps, he said.

On August 12, authorities in Myanmar sent hundreds of troops into Rakhine in to boost security, drawing criticism from UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee, who warned the deployment was cause for major concern.

Rakhine, in northern Myanmar, has been gripped by violence since October, when armed men attacked police posts.

Following the incident, Myanmar authorities have reportedly cracked down on the Rohingya community, which the United Nations believes may amount to ethnic cleansing of the Muslim minority group.

Deen Mohammad, another Rohingya man who entered Bangladesh on August 13, said Muslim villagers in Rakhine were not allowed to visit neighbours without prior permission from the army.

The 45-year-old farmer said he left home with his family after the army killed his 23-year-old son for travelling to a nearby village.

Report of atrocities

Details of other alleged abuse last year have been recorded by the UN, which has documented mass gang rape, killings, including of babies and children, brutal beatings and disappearances. Rohingya representatives have said approximately 400 people were slain during the security forces operation in October.

Myanmar launched its own probe into possible crimes in Rakhine and appointed former UN chief Kofi Annan to head a commission tasked with long-simmering divisions between Buddhists and Muslims.

On Wednesday, Annan presented his report to President Htin Kyaw in the Myanmar capital of Naypyidaw. The report is expected to be made publicly available on Thursday.

Azeem Ibrahim, a senior fellow with the Center for Global Policy, told Al Jazeera that while the likely recommendations of Annans report wont be controversial, the restrictions placed on the former UN chief during his investigation have been criticised by many.

[Annan] was not permitted to look at any of the human rights violations, which would argue are the basis for the conflict and the tensions in the Rakhine district, Ibrahim said.

He added that those who have been sceptical of the advisory commission itself argue that it is just a way for Aung Sun Suu Kyi to pacify the global public opinion and try to demonstrate to the international community that she is doing what she can to resolve this issue, and it was just a mechanism to get sanctions [on Myanmar] lifted.

Deeply concerned

Buddhist-majority Myanmar has long faced criticism for its treatment of the more than one million Rohingya who live in Rakhine, who are seen as interlopers from Bangladesh and are denied citizenship and access to basic rights.

Bangladesh estimates that nearly 400,000 Rohingya refugees are living in squalid refugee camps and makeshift settlements in Coxs Bazar.





They include more than 70,000 who arrived in the months that followed the crisis in October, many bringing stories of systematic rape, murder and arson at the hands of Myanmar soldiers.

But Rohingya are also increasingly unwelcome in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, where police often blame them for crimes such as drug trafficking.

Dhaka has floated the idea of relocating tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees to a remote, flood-prone island off its coast, despite opposition from rights groups.

On Wednesday, the UN refugee agency said it was deeply concerned by the reports of a boat carrying Rohingya being turned back.

UNHCR is deeply concerned by this incident, which as the coastguard reported, involved women and children who said they were fleeing violence, an agency spokesman told AFP.
In an official visit to Baghdad and Erbil, Turkeys foreign minister lobbies Kurds to cancel next months referendum.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has urged Iraqi Kurds to cancel an independence referendum planned for next month.

Speaking to reporters in Baghdad on Wednesday, Cavusoglu called the referendum a mistake and said he had travelled to Iraq to underline the importance of the countrys territorial and political integrity.

Our expectation from Erbil is clear, that is the cancellation of the referendum, as the interests and future of the Kurds lie in a united Iraq, he said.

Cavusoglu will meet Massoud Barzani, president of the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), in Erbil later in the day.

READ MORE: The looming question of Kurdish independence in Iraq

Kurds have been seeking an independent state since at least the end of World War One, when colonial powers divided up the Middle East and left Kurdish-populated territory split between modern-day Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Turkey, which has a large Kurdish population and is battling Kurdish rebels, has close ties with Iraqs autonomous region but is strongly opposed to an independent Kurdish state.

Iran and Syria also oppose an independent Kurdistan.





Prime Minister Haider al-Abadis government has rejected the planned referendum as unilateral and unconstitutional.

The United States and other Western nations fear the vote could ignite a fresh conflict with Baghdad and possibly neighbouring countries, diverting attention from the ongoing war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

When is the right time?

Earlier this month, Rex Tillerson, the US secretary of state, formally asked Barzani to postpone the referendum.

But Kurdish leaders said they have already waited too long.

In 100 years we havent had the right time, when will be the right time for the referendum? Sadi Ahmed Pire, a spokesman for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, told Al Jazeera.

We have our weaknesses, but they are our own, not imported from somewhere else.

The referendum is expected to take place on September 25.

Kurdish officials emphasise that a yes vote would not lead to an immediate break with Baghdad, but rather a long process of negotiating an amicable secession.

With a population of about 5 million, Iraqs Kurdish region already enjoys a high degree of autonomy, including its own parliament and armed forces.

Since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, relations between the region and Baghdad have become strained over a range of issues.

Baghdad stopped payments to the KRG in 2014.

Contentious issues include the sharing of oil revenues and control of some areas, such as the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.
At least 12 people have been killed as hurricane-strong winds head towards the mainland.

At least 12 people have been killed and one missing after Typhoon Hato swept through southern China and the territory of Macau, leaving many millions of dollars worth of destruction.

At least eight were killed in Macau, according to AFP news agency. The Macau government said that 153 were also injured in the gambling enclave.

Chinas official Xinhua News Agency said on Wednesday another four were killed in the neighbouring province of Guangdong.

Local media and social media showed severe flooding had left cars underwater and people swimming in Macaus city streets, with the territorys mega-casinos running on backup generators.

A 30-year old man in Macau was reportedly hit by a wall that collapsed in the strong winds, according to the Macau government.

A man and a woman also reportedly drowned in an underground car park, while a Chinese tourist was killed in a hit-and-run incident during the typhoon.

Typhoon Hato has hit HK/Macau pic.twitter.com/cbXsc731uf  Nick the Saver (@nickts68) August 23, 2017

Apple Daily news website showed footage of people swimming through muddy water in what are usually roads, and being swept off their feet by winds.

Macaus sprawling Venetian casino resort was on backup power, and without airconditioning or proper lighting, a source told AFP.

One employee of Sands, which owns the Venetian and the Parisian, said power had been out across the whole of Macau but was beginning to return.

All transportations  air, ground, sea  have halted, so customers who have checked out cannot leave yet.

Residents took to social media to complain about city-wide power and mobile phone network outages.

At least 50 flights in Macau were also cancelled. By evening, parts of Macau were still without power.

Destruction in Hong Kong

Hurricane-strength winds and heavy rain had earlier hit Hong Kong, leaving more than 80 injured.

One 83-year-old man earlier thought to be a victim of the weather committed suicide during the typhoon.

Hato sent metres-high waves crashing into Hong Kongs shorelines with flooding knee deep in some areas.

The typhoon shut down the stock market and forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights in the worst storm the city has seen for five years.





Meteorologists raised Hong Kongs most severe Typhoon 10 warning as the storm hit, only the third time in the past 20 years.

The South China Morning Post reported that damages, as well as the loss to Hong Kongs economy, could go as high as $1.02bn.

The typhoon passed as close as 60km and made landfall at 04:00 GMT in the southern mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai.

Thousands of people were evacuated on Tuesday in parts of southern China in preparation for the typhoons arrival, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Swaths of marine rubbish washed up on beaches and in coastal residential areas, including white globs of palm oil which have been coming ashore since a massive spillage at sea earlier this month.

Gusts of up to 207 kilometres per hour brought flying debris, tearing down trees and scaffolding and smashing skyscraper windows.

Fallen trees cut off roads to parts of the territory.

Hato also reportedly brought as much as 400mm of rainfall.

More than 400 flights were cancelled, with flag carrier Cathay Pacific axing most of its departures until 09:00 GMT.

As of 13:00 GMT, the storm signal had been downgraded from 10 to 1 in the city.

Hong Kong is regularly besieged by typhoons between July and October, but direct hits are rare.

The city saw its strongest storm in 1962 when the eye of typhoon Wanda passed over it and gusts of 284 kilometres per hour were recorded.

It killed 130 people and destroyed thousands of residential huts, leaving 72,000 people homeless.

Al Jazeeras weather presenter Rob McElwee reported that Typhoon Hato is now heading to mainland China, and is expected to bring heavy rains in the next to days.
Luisa Ortega tells conference in Brazil she has evidence implicating Venezuelas president in corruption.

Venezuelas former chief prosecutor has resurfaced in Brazil, warning that her life remains in danger and claiming to possess a lot of proof of President Nicolas Maduros corruption.

Speaking at a crime-fighting conference in the capital, Brasilia, Luisa Ortega said on Wednesday: I have received threats that there may be an attempt against my life and I hold the Venezuelan government responsible if this happens.





Ortega, who fled Venezuela to Colombia with her husband German Ferrer last Friday and flew into Brasilia from Panama late on Tuesday, said Maduro enriched himself in a massive corruption scheme uncovered at Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht.

I have a lot of proof, concretely in the Odebrecht case, which implicates many high-ranking Venezuelans, starting with the president of the republic, she said. The rule of law has died [under Maduro].

For his part, Nicolas Maduro has asked Interpol to put out a red notice arrest warrant for Ortega.

He said on Tuesday that Ortega and Ferrer had committed serious crimes and should be apprehended. Ferrer is accused by Maduros government of corruption and extortion.

Al Jazeeras Daniel Schweimler, reporting from neighbouring Argentinas capital Buenos Aires, said it was not clear when Ortega would release any evidence against Maduro, but the president would already be very nervous.

The fact that she is coming out with this kind of allegations is going to hit Maduro very hard, he said.

A number of leaders and senior politicians across the Latin American region have been caught up in the Odebrecht scandal. It has already sent several people to prison.

Schweimler also reported that Ortega and her husband were planning to live in the United States.

READ MORE  Venezuela crisis: All the latest updates

Maduro was elected in 2013 after the death of his mentor, Hugo Chavez.

Venezuela has since descended into a political and financial crisis, exacerbated by a fall in world prices for its oil exports which has left it short of dollars for vital imports.

Clashes between protesters and police this year have left 125 people dead, according to prosecutors.

Maduros critics accuse him of clinging to power by hijacking state institutions amid shortages of food and medicine. The president accuses protesters of seeking a violent coup and says he is the victim of a US-backed capitalist conspiracy.

Ortega broke ranks with Maduro to become his most high-ranking domestic critic as international pressure on the president mounted.

Last month, Maduro set up a new constitutional body packed with his allies, which a few days later removed Ortega from her post.

Neighbouring Colombia and Brazil have both firmly condemned Maduros handling of the unrest and economic collapse.

Brazils prosecutor general said in a statement on Wednesday that he had personally invited Ortega to the country.
US will cut $95.7m in aid and delay another $195m due to Egypts failure to make progress on respecting human rights.

The United States has decided to deny Egypt $95.7m in aid and to delay a further $195m because of its failure to make progress on respecting human rights and democratic norms, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

The decision reflects a US desire to continue security cooperation as well as frustration with Cairos stance on civil liberties, notably a new law that regulates non-governmental organisations that is widely seen as part of a growing crackdown on dissent, said the sources, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

US officials were especially unhappy that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in May allowed the NGO law to go into effect.

Human rights groups and activists have said that it effectively bans their work and makes it harder for charities to operate.

READ MORE: Why is Egypts new NGO law controversial?

Egyptian officials had assured US officials earlier this year that the law, which restricts NGO activity to developmental and social work and introduces jail terms of up to five years for non-compliance, would not go through, the sources said.

Spokespeople for the White House and the Department of State were not immediately available for comment.

Al Jazeeras Heidi Zhou-Castro, reporting from Washington, DC, said the news was surprising, given that Sisi had visited the US in April and been praised by Trump, who did not publicly raise the issue of human rights with the Egyptian president.

It shows that the US is walking a fine line in hoping to maintain security cooperation with Egypt  which is a key ally in the Middle East  while at the same time expressing its frustration with Cairos stance on these civil liberty issues, she said.

Reprogramming the funds

Egypt is an important Middle East partner for the US because of its control of the Suez Canal and its border with Israel.

The sources said the administration had decided to reprogramme $65.7m in fiscal year 2017 Foreign Military Financing funds (FMF) and $30m in fiscal year 2016 Economic Support Fund (ESF) funds.





Reprogramming means these funds would be used for other purposes and would not go to Egypt.

The administration made a separate decision to withhold $195m in fiscal year 2016 Foreign Military Financing funds which, had it not acted, would have expired and ceased to be available at the end of the current fiscal year on September 30.

The second decision also illustrated the administrations ambivalence towards Egypt.

Under US law, the administration is required to withhold 15 percent, or $195m, of the $1.3bn it gives Egypt annually in FMF funds unless it can certify that Cairo is making progress on advancing human rights and democracy. However, the administration can issue a national security waiver that allows the funds to go through.

This year, the administration again decided it could not certify Egyptian progress on rights, and it chose to issue the national security waiver but it is still going to withhold the $195m.

That money will now go into an account where it will be held pending Egyptian improvement on human rights and democracy. This means that Egypt could eventually get the money if its record on democracy and civil liberties improves.

READ MORE: Uighurs arrested in Egypt face unknown fate

Strengthened security cooperation with Egypt is important to US national security, said one source, adding that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson felt it was in the interests of the US to exercise the waiver.

We remain concerned about Egypts lack of progress in key areas, including human rights and the new NGO law, the source said.

Egyptian rights activists have said they face the worst crackdown in their history under Sisi, accusing him of erasing freedoms won in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that ended Hosni Mubaraks 30-year rule.

Egyptian legislators have said the NGO law was needed to protect national security.

The Egyptian government has long accused human rights groups of taking foreign funds to sow chaos, and several are facing investigation over their funding.
Student Government senators began the Fall semester by supporting UF President Kent Fuchs decision to prevent white nationalist Richard Spencer from renting space on campus.

Brett Oehrle (Impact, District B) said he decided to write the bill after seeing students complaining about it through posts on social media and letters to the editor in the Alligator.

It was clear students were upset about his potential visit to campus, Oehrle said. I thought it was important for SG to reiterate we condemn hate speech.

Zachariah Chou (Independent, Infinity) raised questions about SGs visibility. He said he only saw one senator at the student march supporting two separate buildings for the Institute of Black Culture and the Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures in July.

Chou also said SG didnt release a statement regarding Spencers potential visit to UF.

Theres a lot of room for senators to become activists for what they believe in, but most are not doing it, Chou said.

UF Student Body President Smith Meyers said SG had been advocating for students by hearing their concerns and relaying them to UF administrators.

Chou said Meyers should be more transparent. He said SG should release more statements on social media as issues are debated, instead of after theyre resolved.

Lots of things the Senate does seem reactive, rather than proactive, Chou said.

Meyers said his office would look into using social media more often.

Senators also passed a resolution written by the disability advocacy committee congratulating UFs Disability Resource Center for their hard work.

@taveljimena

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jtavel@alligator.org
UFs decision to ban Richard Spencer and his National Policy Institute from speaking on campus is a grave mistake, and one the university will come to regret. In a statement released last week, UF President Kent Fuchs defended his decision because of safety concerns. While the safety of those on campus is obviously a legitimate concern, so is the concern of free speech, which has now been shunned as a result of this decision.

It goes without saying that Spencer is a despicable and racist individual whose views represent the worst ideas in society. His beliefs, and those of the NPI, are disgusting, bigoted and repugnant. However, it must be said that Spencer and his company certainly have a right to hold these views.

As a believer in absolute free speech, it is my duty to defend ones right to free speech in any and all circumstances, regardless of whether I agree or disagree with the speakers views. If you support the universitys decision to deny Spencer, I invite you to entertain the following solution: Do not attend, and do not protest his speech. As it is, the cancellation has given Spencer more national media coverage than his speech alone ever would have. This is precisely what these white supremacist groups feed off of  attention. By attending or actively protesting Spencers speech, you are giving him the attention that he craves. The truth is, Spencer and his sympathizers represent a fringe group in America despite what the media would have you believe.

Furthermore, it is the duty of law enforcement in this country to defend the free speech rights of all individuals, regardless of what potential protests or violence may arise. If law enforcement cannot or will not protect Spencers right to speak, then whose speech will they protect? Speech from a speaker they deem decent? Or whose views they deem acceptable?

Consider this: In 2016 alone, campuses across the country banned several notable speakers for threats of violence. But these speakers werent Richard Spencer or David Duke. They were conservatives such as Ann Coulter, Milo Yiannopoulos, Ben Shapiro and, yes, even U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. These conservatives were met with protests, and in some cases riots, simply because they articulate viewpoints that college liberals disagree with. Even here at UF, some students were very vocal in their opposition of allowing Shapiro to speak on campus because he was a purveyor of hate speech.

While it is true that security is a legitimate concern for Spencers proposed visit to campus, it is also true that the announcement of his visit was met with opposition. From planned protests on Facebook to emails and calls to UF, UF has given the appearance that it has caved to the hecklers veto. This act undeniably sets a precedent and a message for future campus speakers. If hecklers and protesters object enough, then speech wont be protected.

We have seen campus liberals across the country demonstrate an unwillingness to differentiate a conservative from a racist. In fact, they would rather make the two synonymous. At UF alone, Ive seen students who have worn Make America Great Again hats labeled racists. Ive also seen advocates of a stronger immigration policy labeled bigots in a class lecture. So how can we trust the masses to be responsible enough to make an obvious distinction between Spencer, a racist, and Coulter, for example, a conservative? The truth is, we cant. How do we know that a conservative wont be banned the next time that they come to UF, regardless of whether protests or violence might occur? We dont. Any student body that attempts to equate conservatives with racists while also attempting to ban racists clearly has immense power in determining who is and who isnt allowed to speak on campus. That should alarm everyone, no matter where you fall on the political spectrum. For this reason, the university should reconsider its decision to deny Spencer.

Eduardo Neret is a UF finance senior. His column appears on Wednesdays.

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Lucid Nightlife, an electronic music events company based in Gainesville, is hosting its third edition of their Back To School Bash concert Thursday at Simons Nightclub, located at 8 S. Main St. The biannual event is held during the first week of each semester, and has been consistently growing since its inception in August 2016.

As for Thursdays edition of the Back To School Bash event, production duo Dusty Bits will headline, with local artists Tyler Anthony and FLTHYVBZ providing opening support. Tickets range from $8 to $20, with Simons offering various drink specials throughout the night. Doors open at 10 p.m., with the concert running until 2 a.m.

Throughout the past year, Lucid Nightlife has brought electronic producers of varying genres from all around the country to Gainesville. In addition to Thursdays headliner, theyve brought artists like Tchami, Candyland, Herobust, Eptic and more. The company is expected to bring various concerts to Gainesville this semester in addition to Thursdays show.

Thursdays headliner, Dusty Bits, hails from Buffalo, New York. The duo has been consistently on the rise for the past year now, presenting intense bass house singles and remixes for various artists. Their most recent remix of future funk producer GRiZs My Friends & I premiered this past Friday, and has already climbed to nearly 25,000 plays across music streaming platforms.

Matt Collins, the owner and creator of Lucid Nightlife, said Dusty Bits originally caught his attention at Asteria Music Festival. The company co-hosted this boutique festival located in Osteen, Florida, for its debut run in April of this year.

We loved their live performance and wanted to see them come to Gainesville, so thought this would be a good fit, he said. They play high-energy music and are very diverse in other genres, so we feel they can play to a college crowd well.

Collins said that the Back To School Bash has steadily gotten bigger over the course of the past year, with more inquiries coming in over the summer about Thursdays event. He said that he hopes to see the event continue to grow over time.

In five years from its inception it would be great to see it as more of a block party or festival that really sets the bar in Gainesville for the semester when it comes to partying, he said.
At the end of August, Ed Sheeran will make a long-awaited return to Florida, performing in three cities on the North American leg of his Divide tour. This comes as exciting news for fans who have not seen Sheeran perform live since 2012, as he overlooked Florida when touring the U.S. after the release of his sophomore album, X (pronounced multiply).

In just over a week, Tampa will welcome Sheeran to the Amalie Arena on Tuesday, Miami will host him at American Airlines Arena on Aug. 30 and the Amway Center in Orlando will bid him farewell Aug. 31.

The last time Sheeran headlined a show in Florida was the first time he performed as a headliner in the U.S. His small-scale and intimate performance at Orlandos House of Blues was the first stop he made while touring for his album + (pronounced plus).

There is no telling what this years experience will be like for fans who have avoided the internets circulation of concert videos from this and his previous tour.

For many, checking the setlist to a concert feels like seeking out a spoiler. Having waited so long to see my favorite artist, I am hoping the songs he performs will cover all bases, making up for time and tours lost. Thus, I peeked, and I reviewed.

Castle on the Hill: This song is a perfect opener and was a flawless lead single on  (pronounced divide), even while shared with its dichotomous Shape of You. I expect its anecdotal quality and anthemic feel will create an atmosphere of escape, setting the tone for the show. Eraser: Eraser is the only track on  to feature Sheeran rapping. Sheeran shows this skill on previous albums, so although this is not the crowd favorite of the bunch, the hook is catchy enough to leave attendees satisfied. The A Team: The A Teamis one of those songs that will stick with an artist past their careers end. If you dont think you know it, youre wrong. I cannot say I am thrilled about this necessary evil of a choice, but I will most definitely be caught singing along. Dont/New Man: There was no question Sheeran would turn these into a mashup. New Man might remind fans of the single Sheeran called Niall Horan and Ellie Goulding out on during his last album run. Nonetheless, a sequel to Dont was always welcome. Dive: If people still take out their lighters and wave them and their bodies side-to-side in coordination with the rhythm of a song, Divewill most definitely be the time during which we see this cliche at play. I cannot wait to participate. Bloodstream: Im convinced Sheeran chose Bloodstream over Runaway on the set list of his last tour, and I was almost relieved to know I would not see the offense at play in person. I spoke two years too soon. Happier: Happier is that sad song you resonate with even though youve never had your heart broken. Its beautiful, and I cannot wait to fake cry at it in person. Galway Girl: If you know how to do an Irish jig, this is the one appropriate time (besides St. Patricks Day) to show it off. Feeling Good/I See Fire: Sheeran is expected to cover Michael Bubles Feeling Good in a mashup with Sheerans own I See Fire, which he wrote for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. At some shows, however, he has substituted this mashup for other, less worthy songs on , so the anticipation is killing me. Choice Song: Sheeran has surprised fans with a different song each night to fill this space. The possibilities hold strong potential for either a happy surprise or major letdown. Photograph: Photograph is the song that shouldve never been made a single because it ruined many future brides hopes of being the first dance track at their wedding, including mine. As it made the rounds on the Multiply Tour, I thought I would never hear it played live, so this is a huge deal. Perfect: Perfect is the Thinking Out Loud of  and another slow song I am not ecstatic about but will still loudly sing along to. Nancy Mulligan: If you have not heard Nancy Mulligan, you have not heard the single cutest song on the album that might also make you want to do an Irish jig. Thinking Out Loud: You will sing along to this song. The concessions staff will sing along to this song. The moms waiting in the car outside of the arena will sing along to this song. If this song was not on the set list, it may as well not have existed. Sing: Sing confused fans when it came out as the lead single on X, especially after +" gave fans the idea that Sheeran would never delve into this territory. Fans forgave him when the rest of the album came out, but then Shape of You was introduced as a lead single on . Shape of You: You never thought you would dance to an Ed Sheeran song at the club, and then Shape of You was released. Expect your local arena to feel precariously like your favorite Midtown bar for about four minutes. You Need Me, I Dont Need You: The best moment of Sheerans House of Blues show in 2012 was his live version of You Need Me, I Dont Need You. It ran almost 10 minutes long, and, when it was over, the audience wanted an encore from a breathless Sheeran. The fact that he is potentially bringing back this full version (which can be heard on Sheerans 5 extended play) is a gift.

If Sheeran could have taken any song from +, I am glad it was You Need Me, I Dont Need You, though one thing I will never forgive Sheeran for is that no live performance of Wake Me Up from + exists, and probably never will. However, the set list is not missing many important tracks from , and Im satisfied with the choices it took from X.
Music fans unable to attend this years III Points Festival in Miami should look no further than one of the four cities hosting its own prologue to the main event. From aesthetic to music to a vibe only electronic music lovers can summon when dancing side by side, the Road to III Points will give attendees a taste of what the three-day affair in October holds.

III Points Festival was founded as a Miami-based music experience by UF alum David Sinopoli in 2014. This years pre-festival tour begins on the Florida State University campus Friday at Club Downunder and will travel to Gainesvilles The Florida Theater and Realm, located at 233 W. University Ave., on Saturday, then to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando on Sept. 1 and Sept. 9, respectively.

Each year, III Points partners with local promoters, venues and organizations in each city to produce each event. This years stop in Gainesville, an undervalued hub for electronic and independent music, is once again spearheaded in part by Over Easy Creatives Les Voss.

Voss began Over Easy Creative in 2014 when he put together a lineup of Gainesville-based artists for a small-scale music festival at an old college town stomping ground, The Jam.

Voss has taken the company to new heights by teaming up with the creators of III Points for a third year, having hosted past Road to III Points events at The Jam in 2015 and Visionary Crossfit in 2016. This years venue will hold a larger capacity than before, an exciting accomplishment for Voss and his partners.

Im amazed every day at how much Over Easy has grown since we started as a single art and music festival at The Jam, Voss said. Its really surreal to me, and Im excited to keep pushing the envelope with the artists and parties we host.

The Gainesville lineup features local acts from Miami that will be playing at the festival Oct. 13 to Oct. 15, and local supporting acts curated by Over Easy Creative, Swamp Records and Lucid Nightlife, each organization bringing one act that is aligned with the III Points brand. One of the three is Voss himself.

Having Retrolux on board (as a local supporting act) felt like an obvious fit, with their electronic based live set, Voss said. They have a huge reach and Anna of Retrolux has attended both of the past Road to III Points events, so the fact that this is the first time theyre performing is very exciting. Also, Side Trakd has something special planned and will offer a more traditional DJ set.

Of the featured talents giving Gainesville a preview of what will come in October, Nick Leon is a significant highlight.

Leon began producing music when his brother gifted him with production software when he was 12 years old. Eleven years later, Voss calls him the best producer coming out of Miami right now. He has produced for Denzel Curry and POORgrrrl, and recently started his own label, Space Tapes, Voss said.

Leon stays humble despite his years of experience over most of his contemporaries.

I would say participating in the industry for the last couple of years is learning experience after learning experience. You learn how to talk to people, how to articulate your vision and sound, Leon said. III Points to me is always a chance to showcase yourself and show peers how far youve come in the last year. Its exciting but also nerve-wracking.

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Leon recently helped score the film Beach Rats, which debuted at Sundance Film Festival and will be released Friday. He will be playing on the main stage at III Points again this year.

Previewing their work alongside Leon at Gainesvilles Road to III Points are Ascendants, Jeremy Ismael, Skeleton Boy, Sinopoli, True Vine and DJ THPS.

Tickets for Road to III Points: Gainesville can be purchased for $7 at eventbrite.com and for $10 at the door. Doors open at 9 p.m. at The Florida Theater and Realm.
Credit: Andreas Neumann Queens of the Stone Age has always been known for their sense of humor, and that streak continues with a video sketch in which the band's older albums "review" the upcoming new LP, Villains.

In the clip, a focus group tester asks the previous six albums in the Queens discography what they think of Villains. The camera then cuts to the vinyl records sitting in a chair, as frontman Josh Homme voices their responses off-screen.

Along with the skit, QotSA has also shared a preview of the Villains song "Villains of Circumstance," which you can listen to now via Billboard.com.

Villains, which features the lead single "The Way You Used to Do," arrives this Friday, August 25. Queens will launch a North American tour in support of the album September 6 in Port Chester, New York.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The title of this column reflects the first thought I had on the news of Steve Bannon's resignation last Friday as President Trump's strategic advisor.

Although I do not know Mr. Bannon personally, the impression I have gotten from reading biographies of him, as well as my knowledge of his enunciated beliefs, his patriotism, and the pivotal role he played in galvanizing Donald Trump's presidential campaign, caused me to believe that he was the one individual with the intellectual firepower, intestinal fortitude, and strategic vision to check the unchecked growth of our government.

Now, with his resignation, I fear that that the barely-begun battle to retake control of the government and pare it back to something resembling sanity, is lost.

Could Britain have survived the Nazi onslaught if Churchill had resigned? Could America have held together had Lincoln quit?

Granted, Bannon was not the head of state. But he clearly had the ability to apply a deep understanding of historical events and inflection points to contemporary trends and issues. Trump, while seeming to have the gut-level instincts to recognize the erosion of the sources of America's greatness, has never demonstrated or articulated a strategic vision to get us back to the societal model envisioned by the Founders: that quaint notion that the government answers to the people, rather than the other way around. He needed someone like Bannon to provide that.

For someone whose career is now spent in the trenches of the war against the Deep State, I looked forward with great anticipation to the launch of the Trump administration. I expected many rapid victories once Trump assumed office. I was sorely disappointed. A couple examples will illustrate the point.

A seemingly easy early win, which it appears the Trump administration could have effected, would have been the many government records that Judicial Watch had been battling the Obama administration in court to release through its Freedom of Information Act requests. After all, it would seem to be in the Trump administration's ideological and political interests to have records disgorged which would have exposed the Obama team's malfeasance, incompetence, and criminality. Yet the Trump Justice Department and other agencies are as dug in as any good Obama apparatchik in denying the release of those records.

The Benghazi disaster is a case in point. Judicial Watch has been fighting for years to expose the purpose of the U.S. operation in Benghazi, the events that led to the 2012 attack on the U.S. compound there, the reasons for the non-response by the Obama team to our diplomats and intelligence operatives in extremis that day, and the reasons behind the subsequent cover-up.

We've had much success to date in certain aspects of the investigation by, for example, uncovering Obama's Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes's "talking points email," wherein Rhodes doctored talking points to show that the Benghazi fiasco was not a "failure of policy." Those revelations in turn forced John Boehner to constitute a House Select Committee to look into the Benghazi matter.

However, Judicial Watch has had to continue to fight the government, now Trump's, to provide other basic records surrounding that event. It was only under court order this month that Trump's State Department has been forced to review the official State Department email accounts of Hillary Clinton's aides Cheryl Mills, Huma Abedin, and Jake Sullivan for communications relating to the Benghazi disaster and provide them to us. Why didn't Trump's secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, not call his Freedom of Information Act officers on his first day, in his first week, or even in his first six months in office and order the records released?

Another example of the Trump administration's seeming powerlessness or unwillingness to oppose the Deep State bureaucracy also comes courtesy of the State Department. As Judicial Watch reported recently, the State Department, through its Agency for International Development (USAID), has been funneling millions of dollars to George Soros-sponsored hard-left non-governmental organizations that seek to undermine pro-American governments in multiple foreign countries.

One such case we highlighted was Macedonia, which thanks largely to the United States, was a model of success after it threw off communism in 1991. It had a highly successful economy, strong free market policies and a conservative, pro-American government. That was until Barack Obama came along and started shoveling millions of U.S. tax dollars to some of Soros's 60-plus leftist, rabble-rousing organizations in Macedonia that sought to unite the members of the leftist SDSM party (former communists) of that country with the country's sizable Muslim minority population to undermine the conservative Christian government. Sadly, they were successful.

Obama's ambassador to Macedonia, Jess Baily, and his State Department colleagues at the U.S. Mission in Skopje, whom a Macedonian official described to me as being hardcore leftists in the mold of Barack Obama, have worked closely with the country's leftists. Yet Ambassador Baily is still in place, and the U.S. continues to funnel those millions of dollars to Soros's organizations there and in other countries through its Civil Society Project. Why hasn't President Trump replaced Baily and ended the money flow to Soros and Company? Soross organizations are receiving U.S. tax dollars in other countries as well, such as Albania, for the same leftist-fomenting purposes.

Perhaps I was naive to think that the Deep State, the Leviathan of Big Government, could really be brought to heel, even by a brash, successful businessman like Trump, who had zero experience, and even less of a vested interest in, the political world. But the presence in Trump's inner circle of a deep thinker like Bannon with a belief system rooted in the recognition of Americas unique and revolutionary founding principles, which exalted the individual over the state, was cause for hope. I should have remembered that hope was the thing the last guy in the White House was selling.

Has the Deep State really won? I hope my pessimism is unfounded and short-lived. And perhaps Bannon can be more effective from the outside, if rumors are true that he plans to build a media network (Breitbart or otherwise) to replace the increasingly liberal Fox News as the voice of Conservatism. After all, when God closes a door, he opens a window, right? Maybe a window will open from which we can toss the Deep State.

William F. Marshall has been an intelligence analyst and investigator in the government, private and non-profit sectors for over 30 years. Presently he is a Senior Investigator for Judicial Watch, Inc. (The views expressed are the authors alone, and not necessarily those of Judicial Watch.)
Some conservatives may have issues with Hollywood director Oliver Stone. But in the wake of the recent horror in Charlottesville and the uproar over Confederate statues, Im reminded of the segment in his 2017 The Putin Interviews when Stone ventures out into Red Square to visit the Kremlin Wall Necropolis. He strolls past the graves of Brezhnev, Dzerzhinsky, Andropov, and then comes upon the resting place of one Joseph Stalin, heavyweight contender for the title of Historys Biggest Monster. Standing before Stalins grave with its accompanying statue, Stone said this (source, pdf-page 31):

The most famous, uh, villain in history next to Adolf, according to many people, Joseph Stalin. To the people on the, of the revolution in the left, for which, uh, communism meant a change, and better change for the workers, he was a disaster in the sense that he left a horrible reputation, uh, and stained the ideology forever.

That reminded me of the scene in Stones 1994 Natural Born Killers where two longhaired teen boys are asked for TV what they think about Mickey and Mallory, the movies glamorous celebrity killers:

BOY 1: I'm not saying, you know, I believe in mass murder or that shit, but  don't get us wrong. BOY 2: Yeah, you know, we respect human life and all. BOY 1: But, if I was a mass murderer, I'd be Mickey and Mallory.

Yes, but isnt which mass murderer one wants to be really just a matter of taste, i.e. personal preferences? Watch this video for 12 seconds if the dialog amuses you. And now back to Oliver Stone in Red Square:

Uh, wh-- it's mixed with blood and, and terror. But he did play a huge role in World War Two, and was a very close ally with, uh, the U.S. during World War Two. M-Mister Trotsky, no? Where is he? Ask -- no Trotsky, right? Stalin, uh, managed to erase, uh, Trotsky's memory. He ended up being killed in Mexico by Stalin's agents. Let's go. On Stalin. He said that, you know, he's said negative things about Stalin, uh, and of course, he's widely condemned in the world. But, at the same time, we all know that he led, uh, Russia to victory over Germany, over fascism. And, uh, what does he make of that, by, by, uh, let's say that ambiguity?

Confession: Despite his leftist politics, I admire some of Stones films; e.g. I think he did a fine job on Nixon, (my favorite progressive). I couldnt find a video of his stroll in Red Square, but heres a short video of where Stone was; youll notice the bust of Uncle Joe, as FDR was fond of calling him.

I cannot confirm whether history is being taught properly in post-Soviet Russia, but if there are any Russians who still revere Stalin, Id bet they have one foot in the grave, but maybe not. And Stalins not the only monster honored in death; the mummified remains of Lenin are nearby, (which Stone visited, as I recall). One doubts that Russians think highly of Napoleon Bonaparte, who brought ruin to much of Europe. The French, however, still seem to lionize him, even naming a pastry and a cognac after him. And lest we forget, on May Day the Chinese are treated to Maos image, another world leader lackadaisical about human life.

The point of dragging The Putin Interviews (trailer) into the current flap over Confederate monuments is to show that other nations -- that many in the Left think are ever so much nicer than America -- continue to honor mass-murdering tyrants through their statuary. And the crimes of these still-celebrated thugs are far worse than anything military leaders of the Old South ever committed.

Everyone in America now agrees that slavery is a monstrous crime. But is it as monstrous as deliberately starving millions of citizens as Stalin did in Ukraine?

Americans who think the most important thing we can do right now is to pull down a bunch of statues might consider that what they want to do with rebel monuments is exactly what Stalin did do: erase history. Stalin was known for airbrushing out every new persona non grata from official photos. The murderous Khmer Rouge also had ways of nullifying history:

The idea behind Year Zero was that the existing society within Cambodia had to be completely destroyed or discarded and a new revolutionary culture had to replace it from scratch. All history of the nation [before] Year Zero was deemed largely irrelevant and had to be purged and replaced from the ground up.

Ideas like Year Zero are old; French revolutionaries had their Year One, and even started their own calendar. (The past must go.) I dont know if any statues of Pol Pot exist in todays Cambodia, but his method was all about destroying the past, and starting over. We should hope that is not who we are.

Stone speaks of ambiguity with regard to Stalin. The ability to grapple with ambiguity has never been the strong suit of the Left. One wonders if any in the anti-Confederate statues mob ever dons a Che Guevara T-shirt. And consider the rich ambiguity of tax scofflaw Reverend Al Sharpton complaining of how tax dollars are being used to pay for the maintenance of rebel statuary.

Nowadays, many Americans seem to be offended by just about everything. But we have no God-given right not to be offended. Conservatives were offended by the inane utterances of Barack Obama for eight years, but we soldiered on. Before the South seceded, Johnny Reb was our fellow countryman, even our brother. We must learn to live with uncomfortable ambiguities, such as this one: The greatest political minds in history were Americas Founders, and some of them owned slaves. So get over it. Its time for the mob to move on.

America has so many huge problems right now -- dysfunctional government, terrorism, stealth jihad, the rollover of federal debt (which starts in earnest in October), the opioid crisis, you name it -- that one might think that folks wouldnt have time to worry about nonthreatening things like old statues. But no, the Left wants to control the narrative, the language, and the past.

As they say in the upper reaches of Westeros: the North remembers. And so should we all, especially our history.

Jon N. Hall of Ultracon Opinion is a programmer/analyst from Kansas City.
After having several Confederate statues recently removed late at night, Baltimore's Mayor Catherine Pugh stated, "I don't know why they were put there  I wasn't here at the time[.]" As a former resident of Maryland, I find it tragic to observe history being literally hauled away in the middle of the night. Baltimore had a stormy Civil War history, and its citizens at the time strongly sympathized with the South. Abraham Lincoln received only 2.5% of the vote in Maryland during the 1860 presidential election.

The first blood of the Civil War was shed during the Baltimore Riot of 1861, when citizens protested against Union troops marching through Baltimore. After this, President Lincoln declared martial law in Baltimore and suspended the writ of habeas corpus (determining if the detention of a prisoner is lawful). The Lincoln administration then quickly had Baltimore's Mayor George Henry Brown, Congressman Henry May, the Baltimore police commissioners, the Baltimore city council, and several newspaper editors arrested without charges. Marylander Roger Taney, chief justice of the Supreme Court, ruled Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus "unconstitutional." Lincoln ignored Taney's ruling. Baltimore newspaper editor Frank Key Howard wrote an editorial denouncing Lincoln for the unlawful arrests and was then also arrested without charges. Ironically, Howard was the grandson of a famous Marylander, Francis Scott Key (composer of "The Star-Spangled Banner"), and was first detained at, of all places, Fort McHenry. Howard was outraged at his unlawful detention, and as he viewed the flag flying over Fort McHenry, he lamented the words from his grandfather's song "over the land of the free." Howard detailed his ordeal in his book, Fourteen Months in American Bastilles, declaring, "we had been seized and were held by the Government in utter violation of all law." To add further insult, two publishers of this book were also arrested.

"Maryland, My Maryland" is the Maryland state song and was inspired in protest of one of the civilian victims of the 1861 Baltimore Riot. The song is supportive of the South and calls for Maryland to fight the Union. Lincoln is called a "tyrant," "despot," and "vandal." There have been recent calls to have this song removed as the state song.

The 145-year-old statue of U.S. chief justice Roger Taney has now been removed from the Maryland State House grounds in Annapolis on the justification that his legacy was marred by the Dred Scott case.

Incidentally, Francis Scott Key was a slave owner. So should the National Anthem be scrapped, too?

I think not.

As any country has, we have dark chapters in our history. Even iconic Lincoln could be vilified for directing unconstitutional arrests and imprisonment of innocent people. Should we take down Lincoln statues, too?
The Navy announced that Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin has been dismissed as commander of the Seventh Fleet following the second fatal collision of a U.S. naval warship with a civilian vessel in the last three months.

USA Today:

Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, dismissed Aucoin "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command," the U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement. It said Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer will assume command of the 7th Fleet immediately. Aucoin had expected to retire this year, but his superiors decided to push his departure date due to concerns over his leadership skills, the New York Times reported. Aucoin has commanded the Japan-based fleet since September 2015. ... The collision came two months after USS Fitzgerald was badly damaged in a collision on June 17 that killed seven sailors off the coast of Japan. In lesser incidents that caused no reported injuries, the USS Lake Champlain was involved in a collision with a South Korean fishing boat near the Korean Peninsula in May, and in January the USS Antietam ran aground while attempting to anchor in Tokyo Bay. "While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation," Swift said. The Navy's top officer on Monday ordered a pause in operations around the world.

Not only does the rash of incidents call into question the leadership skills of Aucoin, but the collisions have also stoked fears of some kind of cyber-attack on the electronics of U.S. Navy ships.

McClatchy:

The Pentagon won't yet say how the USS John S. McCain was rammed by an oil tanker near Singapore, but red flags are flying as the Navy's decades-old reliance on electronic guidance systems increasing looks like another target of cyberattack. The incident  the fourth involving a Seventh Fleet warship this year  occurred near the Strait of Malacca, a crowded 1.7-mile-wide waterway that connects the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea and accounts for roughly 25 percent of global shipping. "When you are going through the Strait of Malacca, you can't tell me that a Navy destroyer doesn't have a full navigation team going with full lookouts on every wing and extra people on radar," said Jeff Stutzman, chief intelligence officer at Wapack Labs, a New Boston, New Hampshire, cyber intelligence service. "There's something more than just human error going on because there would have been a lot of humans to be checks and balances," said Stutzman, a former information warfare specialist in the Navy. Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson, did not rule out cyber intrusion or sabotage as a cause of the fatal collision. "No indications right now ... but review will consider all possibilities," Richardson said in a tweet on Monday.

A cyber-attack would explain why radar and guidance systems on the ship failed to detect the other vessels in time. But what about the human element? There are supposed to be lookouts on deck to alert senior officers of a threat. It's hard to believe that on both the McCain and the Fitzgerald, the watch collectively fell asleep.

Unless there was lax discipline and poor leadership at the top. That appears to be the conclusion reached by the Navy, who dismissed the Fitzgerald's senior officers  twelve sailors in all. You would expect similar disciplinary measures taken against the officers of the McCain.

Given the horrific consequences of an enemy being able to penetrate the U.S. Navy's electronic navigation systems, a cyber-attack cannot be ruled out. If it were an enemy government responsible, it would appear that during war, they could exploit a vulnerability that could cost many lives and ships.

If the McCain and Fitzgerald were victimized by a hack, I doubt very much we'll ever hear about it through official channels. The Navy is not in the habit of announcing how vulnerable it is to cyber-warfare.
On Monday, 22 August, President Trump revealed his Afghanistan policy. Some highlights from CBS News:

- The U.S., he announced, will shift from a "time-based approach to one based on conditions" in which he said his administration will "not talk about numbers of troops" or plans for further military operations. He said that "conditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables, must guide our strategy from now on." - Mr. Trump said that Afghanistan will require the integration of diplomatic, economic and military solutions in which one day, a political settlement could occur that might involve elements of the Taliban. - The president said that the U.S. must change its approach on how to deal with Pakistan, which he said provides safe havens for terrorists. The president added that the U.S. must further develop its relationship to India so that it can help with economic assistance to Afghanistan. - Mr. Trump emphasized that the U.S. would no longer engage in "nation-building" overseas and is instead mainly interested in decimating terrorist groups and defending the U.S. from national security threats. - The president vowed not to engage in a rapid exit from Afghanistan, whose consequences, he said, would be "predictable and unacceptable." He said that it would create a "vacuum" that terrorists like al Qaeda and ISIS would instantly fill. Mr. Trump criticized the Obama administration for the 2011 decision to "hastily" withdraw from Iraq.

Why do most conservatives (except libertarians) applaud this old-new policy? Maybe liberals can learn something that makes us tick. It all starts with one's view of human nature and proceeds from there.

1. Conservatives believe that human nature is fundamentally flawed and bad. If one believes that human nature is basically good, then conflict and war seems so needless. Every conservative wishes war were not necessary, much as parents wish their children would not fight (and maybe some are better behaved than others), but they also realize that human nature is restless and prone to do wrong. On a citywide level, some people commit crimes, like gangs. On a national level, some people commit horrendous crimes, as terrorists do. Whether one reaches this belief based on the Bible, on one's own experience grappling with his human nature, or on the evolutionary animal nature of humans, the results are the same.

2. Some people become so degenerate that no one can negotiate with them or improve their environment to improve their souls. Neville Chamberlain thought he could do so with Hitler, but that didn't work out. State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said in 2015 that terrorists need jobs, which would improve their behavior  make them "undegenerate," so to speak. Conservatives agree that a new environment might turn some people in the right direction, like petty gang members. Church life, for example, can work miracles. But our political leaders had better not apply some successes to everyone. Then the leaders come across as naive and silly.

3. Conservatives believe that when better people (not flawless or perfect people) do not confront moral or human evil, then really bad people, like terrorists, interpret the inaction as consent or weakness. Osama bin Laden said America looked like a paper tiger. He said people, when faced with a choice between a strong horse and a weak one, naturally choose the strong one. Obama came across as weak, so our global enemies became more aggressive. Now Trump is conveying the message that America is strong and powerful. This is good.

4. As to Pakistan, we have been giving it monetary support, and the billions of dollars now need to be contingent on its behavior and cooperation with American interests. Pakistan can no longer harbor terrorists, as it did for bin Laden and still does for the Taliban and others.

5. As for Afghanistan, the old part of the policy announcement repeated what George W. Bush said. Stay until the job is finished. The new part is that we will not announce ahead of time our strategy or give anything else away. Mr. Trump has also removed restrictions imposed on our military by our previous president. This is an improvement because now the U.S. can appear unpredictable and therefore stronger.

The policy announcement is the right step in the right direction. Mr. Trump always did come across as a strong man during the campaign, which freaked out liberals who believe that America already has an "outsized" (Obama's term) influence on the globe and who believe that America is no better or worse than any other nation. A strong man in a dog's world is the right demeanor for America and our allies.

Now watch the prissy, tassel-toed pundits howl at jingoism and nationalism. For them it's America the Suckiful that has no business leading the world. But conservatives realize, accurately and correctly, that since WWII, America has been in a leadership role  greatness has been thrust upon her  and had better act like it, for the benefit of humanity.

James Arlandson's website is Live as Free People, where he has posted Rhoda and the Executioner.
Iran can enrich uranium within five days if the U.S. imposes more sanctions on Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's atomic agency head, warned this week. He claimed that Iran could achieve 20% enriched uranium in five days  a level at which it could then quickly be processed further into weapons-grade nuclear material.

Last week, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran could abandon its nuclear agreement with world powers "within hours" if the United States imposes any more new sanctions.

"If America wants to go back to the experience of imposing sanctions, Iran would certainly return in a short time  not a week or a month, but within hours - to conditions more advanced than before the start of negotiations," Rouhani told a session of parliament broadcast live on state television.

In response, U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley said Iran should not be allowed "to use the nuclear deal to hold the world hostage."

The Obama administration argued that there was no better alternative to its controversial nuclear agreement with Iran. The argument was that the deal is good, as it potentially delays Iran's ambition to acquire nuclear weapons for at least ten years; it requires Tehran to reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium by 98 percent, disables the Arak facility from producing weapons-grade plutonium, reduces the number of centrifuges by two thirds, converts the Fordow facility into a research center, and allows for unprecedented intrusive inspections.

In addition, the deal would lengthen, from a few months to a year, the time frame in which Iran could reach the breakout point, providing the U.S. more time to act, even militarily. Finally, the Obama administration suggested that a more prosperous and secure Iran might give up its drive to obtain nuclear weapons and may even become a constructive player in the community of nations.

Two years after the deal, the question is, will those claims still hold? Did the deal "potentially" delay Iran's ambition to acquire nuclear weapons for at least ten years? And did it make Iran "more prosperous and secure to give up its drive to obtain nuclear weapons and may even become a constructive player in the community of nations"?

The reality is that the deal not only has not curbed Iran's ability to obtain nuclear weapons, but also granted billions of dollars to Iran's malicious activities. Two years after the deal, it is Rouhani who is confessing to this fact and saying Iran is capable of reaching the same point and even "conditions more advanced than before the start of negotiations" in a matter of few days.

"In an hour and a day, Iran could return to a more advanced [nuclear] level than at the beginning of the negotiations," Rouhani told a parliamentary session.

At the same session, a new bill was passed, a testament to the hollow claims of Iran's change of behavior as "a constructive player in the community of nations."

In retaliation to new U.S. sanctions, with lawmakers chanting "Death to America," the state's military budget will be increased by almost $500 million, and $260 million will be pumped into the missile program alone.

A further $300 million will be added to the Quds Force's budget. The bill charges the government to confront "threats, malicious, hegemonic and divisive activities of America in the region."

One might argue that their action is in reaction to new U.S. sanctions. This might be true, yet it doesn't change the fact that Iran has maintained its capability of advancing its nuclear program, as Rouhani acknowledged.

The Iran apologists' take from Rouhani's threat is more concessions and to stop placing pressure on Iran. A realistic approach, however, would be to take Rouhani's words seriously and put more pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear program once and for all.

Iran is following the same path as North Korea, and the nuclear deal with Iran must not fool us into imagining that the Iranians have stopped their ambition of becoming a nuclear power.

For the mullahs in Iran, the atomic bomb is the only guarantor of survival. That is why they will never relinquish their ambition of becoming a nuclear power.

The only means to stop Iran is to support the Iranian people and their organized opposition for a regime change.
Since 1992, when then-governor Clinton had his wife Hillary vouch for his matrimonial character on 60 Minutes, the Clintons have been a wrecking crew in our politics.

They've been a timeline of destruction, from the 1994 midterm losses to not delivering Arkansas and the presidency to V.P. Gore in 2000.

In other words, what have the Clintons done other than improve themselves or put cash in their pockets? When will Democrats learn that this man and this woman are out to for themselves, and everybody else is a convenient step to achieve their goals?

The latest example of Clinton corruption is the Post Office. It's hard to believe but true. The Clinton wanted to turn your friendly postman into a campaign operative.

This is the latest in what we could call "postman-gate":

Republican lawmakers are casting a wider net in their search for wrongdoing at federal agencies in past election cycles, after learning the Postal Service violated the law by allowing employees to do union-funded work for Hillary Clinton's campaign while on leave. The lawmakers blasted out letters on Monday to 10 other federal government agencies questioning their unpaid leave policy for union-related political work. Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis., led the charge on the review of agencies' practices after spurring an investigation by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) beginning in October 2016. That inquiry revealed that the USPS violated federal law by letting employees perform union-funded work for Clinton's campaign and other Democratic candidates while on leave from the agency. House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., joined Johnson's efforts this week by penning joint letters to the departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, Defense, Justice, Labor, Transportation, Treasury, Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration Monday. The letters concerned what's known as "union official Leave Without Pay (LWOP)" for political campaign activity. The letters cited the OSC's findings regarding the USPS that "only [employees] who wanted to campaign for the [union's] endorsed candidates were given the opportunity to take several weeks of leave on short notice, over the objections of local supervisors who raised concerns about potential operational impact." The OSC's findings revealed that the USPS violated the Hatch Act, a federal law that limits certain political activities of federal employees. While employees are allowed to do some political work on leave, the report said the USPS showed a "bias" favoring the union's 2016 campaign operation.

The GOP is exactly right here. Keep looking, because if there's a scandal, then we know there's a Clinton!

On a more serious note, it's time to revisit public-sector unions and the bureaucracy. They are one and all devoted to the Democrats. How else could the Clinton campaign have exploited federal workers?

Interestingly, none other than President Franklin D. Roosevelt feared public-sector unions. This is what George Meany, the former president of the AFL-CIO, said about it: "It is impossible to bargain collectively with the government."

We've learned a few things about the Deep State since the last election. First, they are very Democrat. Second, they are scared to death that President Trump and the GOP are about to spoil their party, or the power that they've enjoyed sitting in a bureaucracy.

The Clintons should have taken their act to Brazil years ago. This is how they win elections down there.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
The ongoing national discussion of medical care issues is missing the essential element of assuring medical care effectiveness.

We spend more annually per person than any other country, yet our average lifespan is decreasing.

While partially due to lifestyle issues, this mismatch surely indicates that we are not getting sufficient value for our medical dollars. We are spending a great deal for treatments of little benefit.

Congress is not going to correct this situation. Its bread is heavily buttered by the pharmaceutical, insurance, and medical care industries, who all profit tremendously by selling us extremely expensive treatments whose effectiveness is of no material interest to them. It is relevant only to us, the patients who consume their products. So forget about Congress looking out for our best interest in a grand medical plan. It won't happen.

Remediation is up to us, and we fortunately have the information we need readily available. Now, understand that I am not suggesting that we should be our own doctors. I am arguing that we must do sufficient study so as to be capable of questioning our doctors and making our own treatment decisions based on their answers and attitudes. Doctors stay very busy, and they usually don't have the time to stay current regarding the results of recent studies. So you need to prompt them with pertinent questions to assure that you obtain evidence-based medical treatment.

We should all understand the difference between relative and absolute risk. When we are told that a treatment will reduce our chances of a heart attack by 50%, does that actually mean our chances are reduced from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 2,000? Relative risk reduction often sounds quite promising, while absolute risk reduction may be insignificant. They are not interchangeable. Know and ask so that you understand what you are being told.

Number Needed to Treat, or NNT, is a metric developed in every clinical trial for pharmaceuticals. Ask your doctor or find it yourself for every medication you are offered. Thennt.com website provides basic information and references the pertinent studies supporting it. Become familiar with either this or a similar site. As an example, the NNT for statins preventing heart attacks is 60. Sixty people without prior heart disease must take a statin for five years to prevent one nonfatal heart attack. The NNT for statins preventing stroke is 268. And the NNH, or Number Needed to Harm, is only 10 for causing muscle damage and 50 for developing diabetes. Hmm...

If you have cancer, research, then ask your oncologist about the Australian chemotherapy study. A massive study with detailed results determined that overall, chemotherapy makes about a 2% contribution to five-year survival. But everyone experiences the poisonous side effects. And chemo can be quite effective for a few types of cancer.

Popular procedures for which the expected harm exceeds the benefit include mammograms, stents, and PSA tests. Again, do the research on every test or treatment suggested to you, then discuss with your doctor and make your decision. Most doctors are not upset when you decline a proffered treatment; they merely document with a CYA note in their file for possible future legal protection.

It is your life, thus your responsibility to understand the possible benefit or harm of prescriptions and procedures. And not insignificantly, it is your money. Don't spend it on ineffectual treatments.
Shropshire Hospital rejects donations from fund-raising transvestites

Many men like dressing up as women: sailors, rugby players, the headmistress at St Trinians school, East German athletes and Glamour magazines woman of the year. So too men on a fundraising drive for Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust. The lads dressed up as female nurses and shook their tins in the streets of Ludlow, Shropshire. People dug deep in their pockets and donated a none-too-shabby 2,500.

But the money is no good. Its dirty. The hospital has rejected the cash, saying the way it was earned was highly-sexualised and demeaning.

The Trusts letter to the Ludlow Hospital League of Friends, which raised the cash, opines: The presentation of men dressed as female nurses in a highly-sexualised and demeaning way is wrong, very outdated and insulting to the profession.

Indeed. If nurses are to be demeaned by anyone it will be by pen pushers, male doctors and MPs, which is far more modern and progressive.

Anorak

Posted: 23rd, August 2017 | In: Money, News Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
Seized: 5,000 bright orange MDMA tabs modelled on Donald Trumps head

How many have looked at Donald Trump and thought, Whats he on? and Was it fully tested? In Germany, police have seized 5,000 Ecstasy tablets modelled on President Donald Trumps head and skin tones.

Police in Osnabrueck, northwest Germany, say they found the drugs while checking an Austrian-registered car on the A30 highway Saturday. They say the people in the car, a 51-year-old man and his 17-year-old son, told officers they had been in the Netherlands to buy a vehicle but hadnt succeeded so were returning home.

The Dutch love orange.

Officers said they found about 5,000 of the orange, Trump-shaped Ecstasy tablets along with a large, but unspecified quantity of cash. A judge on Sunday ordered the father and son kept in custody. The car was seized.

You kind of wonder who wants to eat Donald Trumps head. Maybe someone that orange counts as one of your five a day?

Anorak

Posted: 23rd, August 2017 | In: Politicians, Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
ROME - European parliament president Antonio Tajani will be in Sicily on Friday to visit the Frontex regional task force and the Pozzallo hot spot. On his arrival in Catania, Tajani will meet with the commander of the financial police, General C.A. Giorgio Toschi, Frontex executive director Fabrice Leggeri and the central director for the border police and immigration, Prefect Massimo Bontempi.

At 10:30 AM, Tajani will be visiting the Frontex task force in Catania followed by a meeting at the port with national and EU nationals involved in Frontex operations.

Among them will be the crew of a Norwegian ship and one of a financial police patrol boat. At 12:15 there will be a press conference held by Tajani and Leggri, with speeches by General Toschi and Prefect Bontempi. At 3:30 PM, Tajani will be going to Pozzallo to visit the hot spot there, accompanied by Ragusa prefect Maria Carmela Librizzi.


ROME - Italian ambassador to Libya Giuseppe Perrone and defense attache Captain Patrizio Rapalino on Wednesday gave 5,000 hygiene and first aid kits to the mayor of the Libyan city Zuwarah. The material was provided by on its the Italian Cooperation and transported by the Italian Navy on its Durand de La Penne ship to the edge of Libyan waters, where it was transboarded onto the Libyan motorboat Kifa to be taken to the Tripoli port. A ceremony in honor of the delivery was held at the Italian embassy in the presence of a large group of representatives from the Zuwarah administration. The same quantity of materials were on Tuesday provided to the Libyan Navy and Coast Guard. In recent days, Libyan authorities had asked for these kits to be handed out to migrants intercepted within the country's search and rescue operations waters and then taken back to Libya. ''With this donation, the Italian Cooperation has responded at an appeal from the Libyan authorities. This is a gesture that confirms our country's humanitarian commitment at the international level,'' Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said, adding that ''I would also like to thank Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti for the important collaboration between the ministry she leads and the foreign ministry.''


BEIRUT - More than 30 people have been killed in an airstrike by the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen, near the capital Sanaa, reported Al Jazeera on Wednesday.

Whereas anonymous sources quoted by AP say that the death toll may rise as high as 60.

Al Jazeera added that initial reports suggested that most of the casualties were civilians. Apparently the bombing had targeted a military camp of Houthi Shia rebels near the capital. Al Jazeera quoted eyewitnesses and local media who said that the airstrike occurred in the Arhab area about 35 kilometers north of Sanaa. Dozens of people were injured. Over 10,000 people have been killed and three million have been displaced in the country since February 2014 due to a civil war between Houthi rebels linked to Iran and forces loyal to the ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh and - on the other side - troops under the internationally recognized government led by president Abd Rabbo Mansur Hadi, who is backed by the Saudi-led coalition. A two-story building was destroyed in the attack, reported the Houthi-controlled local television station Al Maseera, which noted that there had been ''over 30'' victims. Hakim Al-Masmari, a journalist with the Yemen Post daily, told Al Jazeera from Sanaa that the late morning airstrike in Arhab was only one of 25 airstrikes carried out starting at midnight by the Saudi-led coalition on the Houthi-controlled capital and on the surrounding area. It is not clear why the hotel was hit or how many of the casualties were civilians. Sources quoted by AP report another airstrike on a Houthi checkpoint not far from the hotel.


40 Italian firms to be at GreenMedSummit in Tel Aviv WATEC Israel opens to hi-tech businesses

(ANSAmed) - ROME, AUGUST 23 - The GreenMedSummit will be held September 12-13 in Tel Aviv to promote Italian technology in the sectors of water treatment, renewable energy and environmental protection and monitoring.



The event will be part of WATEC Israel 2017, a biannual conference and business platform to foster debate and business focusing on the main technological advances linked to water resources. The initiative will include workshops between Italian and Israeli institutions and firms as well as business-to-business meetings and visits to both research centers and technological hubs. About forty Italian firms are expected to take part in this year's GreenMedSummit. (ANSAmed).




MADRID - Criticism has been raised in Spain over mistakes made in investigations and measures that were not taken to prevent attacks. The Civil Guard and National Police unions have said that national security forces were not included in the investigation in order to give ''the image of a self-sufficient Catalan state''. The two unions - the AUGC and the SUP - noted in particular problems with the investigation into an explosion of a terrorists' hideout in Alcanar, which was initially thought by Catalan police to have been due to a gas leak. Catalan investigators did not seek assistance from the national police or the Civil Guard, both of which have more experience, they said. The two unions noted an ''information block'' by the Catalan police and said that ''if the initial explosion had been properly investigated, they would have found that a terrorist attack was being prepared. Even the terrorists knew this, and this was why they rushed the attacks.'' The unions also criticize the fact that the Catalan police did not know that the Ripoll imam, who was later found to be the head of the cell, ''had been the disciple of one of the main detainees in the 2007 Chacal national police operation against jihadist terrorism''. ''The weakness of institutions and the political leaders of our country,'' he said, ''has led to the experience and structure at the national level present in the national police and the Civil Guard as part of anti-terrorist activities being marginalized in a painful way by the investigation with the sole objective being that of the image of a self-sufficient Catalan state.'' Catalonia is led by the pro-independence government under President Carles Puigdemont.
Italian ministries send first aid kits to Libya Ceremony with ambassador and defense attache

(ANSAmed) - ROME, AUGUST 23 - Italian ambassador to Libya Giuseppe Perrone and defense attache Captain Patrizio Rapalino on Wednesday gave 5,000 hygiene and first aid kits to the mayor of the Libyan city Zuwarah. The material was provided by on its the Italian Cooperation and transported by the Italian Navy on its Durand de La Penne ship to the edge of Libyan waters, where it was transboarded onto the Libyan motorboat Kifa to be taken to the Tripoli port. A ceremony in honor of the delivery was held at the Italian embassy in the presence of a large group of representatives from the Zuwarah administration. The same quantity of materials were on Tuesday provided to the Libyan Navy and Coast Guard. In recent days, Libyan authorities had asked for these kits to be handed out to migrants intercepted within the country's search and rescue operations waters and then taken back to Libya. ''With this donation, the Italian Cooperation has responded at an appeal from the Libyan authorities. This is a gesture that confirms our country's humanitarian commitment at the international level,'' Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said, adding that ''I would also like to thank Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti for the important collaboration between the ministry she leads and the foreign ministry.'' (ANSAmed).




WASHINGTON - The US administration has blocked 96 million dollars in aid money to Egypt and frozen 195 million dollars in military aid for lack of progress in human rights and for Egypt's friendly relationship with North Korea, according to the New York Times.



It said the decision came as a surprise to analysts following the warm reception Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received during his visit to Washington in April.



The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement it regrets the measure, which it says will have negative effects on the strategic relationship the two countries have shared for decades, according to MENA news agency.



Cairo also lamented the lack of American understanding for its essential need to maintain stability in Egypt.



The US's decision came on the eve of the arrival in Cairo on Wednesday of a delegation led by Kushner to the Middle East to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.



The American delegation includes Jason Greenblatt, the president's envoy for international negotiations; and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy Dina Powell.


Tunisian PM announces government reshuffle Three vacant ministries to be filled

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, AUGUST 23 - Tunisia's national unity government prime minister Youssef Chahed has said that new ministers to fill three vacant spots will be announced ''at the proper time''.



Wided Bouchamaoui, the head of the UTICA employers' organization representing industrial, trade and craft sectors, has said that it supports the idea of appointing ministers with ''technical'' skills. After the resignation of Development Minister Fadhel Abdelkefi last week, there are three positions to be filled in Chahed's government: finance minister, minister of development, investment and international cooperation and education minister, (ANSAmed).






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Having a bicultural family means that I have two cultures to keep under one roof. My husband is Italian and since we live in his country, I am the one who has to familiarize him and our kids to the Philippine traditions that I grew up with. Asia and Europe are two far continents with completely diverse cultures and combining them in one family can have fascinating outcome. Like traveling, I believe that the best approach to understanding a different culture is always through its gastronomy because if you look at it closely, the story of a country can leave imprints in the food they eat. The Philippine cuisine for one, tells us about the beauty of its 7,107 islands through the unique flavors and aromas the dishes encapsulate.

Last month, at the initiative of the Office of the Agriculture Attache at the Philippine Embassy in Rome, a food event that lasted for three days (7-9 July 2017) entitled Philippines - Italy Gastronomic & Culinary Exchange: Taste of the 7,107 Islands, was organized in Eataly Rome. It was to commemorate the 70th year of good Philippine and Italian diplomatic relations because according to Philippine Ambassador Domingo P. Nolaso, sharing food is one of the best ways to experience the culture of ones friends.

Sinigang na Pula (Tamarind-Based Soup with Shrimp, Squid and Vegetables)

Eataly is the largest Italian food hall in the world that focuses on Italian quality products and collaborates with the Slow Food movement. There was no better venue to hold such a special gastronomic event between the Philippines and Italy. Imagine how beautiful it was to see some Filipinos wearing the traditional costumes of barong tagalog and saya offering a taste of the beloved Philippine dried mangoes dipped in Italian chocolate to everyone who walked in. And try to think how extraordinary it was to step out of the elevator and see Philippine products on display in different stalls.





Boneless Lechon (Boneless Roasted Suckling Pig)





But the best was yet to come upon walking towards the doors of the restaurant on the third floor, a melange of delightful oriental aromas was permeating the air. The familiarity of all the warm smells, the language hitting back and forth in the kitchen and the food on the buffet table were enough to give me a sentimental flight back to the cuisine that is a part of me. I love Italian food but I will always have a special spot for the food that grips me with fond memories of the place I used to call home.

Salpicao sa Patis: Beef cubes cooked Philippine rum, lemons and fish sauce (similar to the Italian colatura di alici)

Chef Timothy Abejuela of Kabisera Restaurant flew from the Philippines for the occasion. It was to promote the Philippine cuisine as well as to create unique dishes amalgamating both Italian and Philippine gastronomy. I quick scan of the buffet table showed me the most-loved components of the Filipino kitchen - lechon, sinigang, rice, lumpia, ube, and mangoes.

Left: Merluzzo Inasal: Grilled merluzzo marinated like how do they with chicken in the Bacolod region which is usually annato, lime, vinegar & pepper Right: Gising Gising (Stringbeans and shrimp cooked in coconut milk with crispy pork skin)





Chef Timothy chose a good line-up of Filipino dishes to highlight and all of them were deliciously executed, just like how it is back in the days in the Philippines, but some were even better. Like any Filipino buffet table on special occasions, a lechon (roasted suckling pig) takes center stage on the table and this one was boneless. Sinigang na pula is tamarind-based soup with shrimp, squid and vegetables with just the right touch of tartness. There are also the Gising Gising which is a dish of stringbeans and shrimp cooked in coconut milk with crispy chicharon (pork skin); Salpicao sa Patis which is beef cubes cooked Philippine rum, lemons and fish sauce (similar to the Italian colatura di alici); Adobo Baby Back Ribs are very tender pork ribs slow cooked with soy sauce, vinegar and peppercorns.





The desserts were traditional ones that were reformatted to more creative ways. The Ube Truffles are purple yam sweet balls; the Dried Mango Bark dipped in chocolate; and the exceptional Mango Spring Rolls with Dulce de Leche Sauce.





Philippine cuisine is not among the well-known Asian food that is familiar to the Italian palate. The occasion of showcasing the dishes in Eataly was a great way to give the curious non-Filipinos an open door towards acquainting themselves to the food culture of an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands where the contrast and aromas and flavors are one of a kind.

Eataly Rome

00154 Rome, Italy

(Metro B - Fermata Piramide)

Email: eatalyroma@eataly.it

Website: https://www.eataly.net/it_it/negozi/roma/

Tel: +39 06 90279201

Facebook Piazzale XII Ottobre 149200154 Rome, Italy(Metro B - Fermata Piramide)Email: eatalyroma@eataly.itWebsite: https://www.eataly.net/it_it/negozi/roma/Tel: +39 06 90279201




Summer has simply sped by and I havent even really gone on vacation yet (thats coming up at the end of September). There was that trip to London (and Malta) in May, as you may recall, which now seems so long ago. But I did intend to write here about my visit on that trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum, which was holding members preview days for Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion.

I took a lot of pictures with an eye to sharing them here, and was worried that the show might be over. Surprisingly, as I was there on May 26, Balenciaga is not only still on, it runs until next February 18. Thats quite a long time for special exhibitionas confirmed by a look at the other special shows at the V&A. Im not sure why.

For the most part, I liked the exhibition and the way it was displayed, as you can see here.

Among the pluses: beautiful display of many path-breaking garments that made the case for a comment quoted there by Christian Dior: Haute Couture is like an orchestra whose conductor is Balenciaga. We other couturiers are the musicians and we follow the direction he gives. Plus, along with the now common additions to garments of archive sketches, patterns, photographs, fabric swatches, the V&A included some x-rays of Balenciagas constructions (at left). Even the curators could not explain how some costumes worked before seeing the X-rays. And the X-rays are even more sorely needed by many people today.

As the The Guardian wrote:

For the fashion nerd, much of the appeal of Balenciaga is in its unique internal construction. Clients were known to send dresses back pleading that they were impossible to pee in. Museum curators have admitted to leaving pieces hanging in archives for decades after being unable to decide which way up they should go. It is difficult to communicate to a modern audience how much work went into these clothes, because if you buy fast fashion, you have no concept, says [Cassie] Davies-Strodder. Her team have addressed this by exploding dresses, so that a Tulip dress is displayed on a mannequin next to an X-ray of its construction, which immediately unpacks the secrets of its complex seaming.

On the other hand, the show also included the now nearly requisite opportunity to try something on (at right)in this case a garment that could be a skirt or a cape. While I was there, people mostly passed up the opportunitywhich in my experience at other, similar stations is typicalbut no harm done, really. The Guardian liked it, praising it as a selfie opportunity:

visitors can leave with a Balenciaga selfie: two mock-ups of a multifunctional piece from 1956 which can be worn as either an evening skirt or a cape are laid out for trying on, against a mocked-up wall of the 50s salon.

My larger concern was that, for so important a designerBalenciaga has been one of the greatest influences of fashion in the world, as a quote from Josep Font, creative director of Delpozo, says in a statement on the wall to the exhibitions upper floor (and there similar quotes from other fashion greats upstairs)the actual number of his creations is small, compared with previous fashion exhibitions Ive seen. The entire upstairs galleries are devoted to his admirers.

I personally would have rather seen more by the master. Here are some exhibition shots from both floors. You can tell which are the masters.
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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday restrained Vodafone Group's arbitration proceeding against India, under a treaty with the United Kingdom, in connection with a Rs 11,000 crore tax demand raised against the company in relation to its USD 11 billion deal acquiring stake of Hutchinson Telecom.

Justice Manmohan restrained Vodafone or its subsidiaries from going ahead with arbitration under the India-UK Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) as the telecom major had initiated similar proceedings on the same issue under the the India-Netherlands BIPA.

"This court is of the prima facie view that in the present case, there is duplication of the parties and the issues. In fact, the reliefs sought by the defendants under the India-UK BIPA and by the Vodafone International Holdings BV (VIHBV), the subsidiary of defendants (Vodafone group), under the India-Netherlands BIPA are virtually identical.

"This court is further of the prima facie view that there is a risk of parallel proceedings and inconsistent decisions by two separate arbitral tribunals in the present case. In the prima facie opinion of this Court, it would be inequitable, unfair and unjust to permit the defendants to prosecute the foreign arbitration," the court said in an interim order.

It also issued notice to Vodafone and sought its response by October 26 on the central government's plea seeking a permanent injunction against the telecom major from proceeding with the arbitration under the India-UK BIPA.

In its interim order, the court was also of the prima facie view that "India constitutes the natural forum for the litigation of the defendants' (Vodafone and its subsidiaries) claim against the plaintiff (Centre)".

The court noted that government was of the view that the USD 11 billion acquisition of stake of Hutchinson Telecommunications International Limited (HTIL) in Hutchinson Essar Limited (HEL) by Vodafone was liable for tax deduction at source (TDS) under the Income Tax Act.

As Vodafone had not deducted the tax at source, the government had raised the demand of Rs 11,000 crore which was subsequently quashed by the Supreme Court on January 20, 2012, the high court said. Thereafter, the government made a retrospective amendment to the Income Tax Act which re-fastened the liability on Vodafone, the high court order noted.

Aggrieved by the imposition of tax, VIHBV invoked the arbitration clause under the BIPA between India and Netherlands through a notice of dispute of April 17, 2012 and notice of arbitration of April 17, 2014, the 10 page order said.

While the proceedings under the India-Netherlands BIPA was pending, Vodafone initiated arbitration under the India-UK BIPA on January 24 this year. Challenging the second arbitration, the government, represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, has said the two claims are based on the same cause of action and seek identical reliefs but from two different tribunals constituted under two different investment treaties against the same host state.

The ASG, assisted by central government standing counsel Sanjeev Narula, argued before the high court that the arbitration proceedings initiated under the India-UK BIPA was an abuse of the process of law.

The government lawyers argued that disputes encompassing tax demands raised by a host state are beyond the scope of arbitration provided under the bilateral investment treaty as taxation is a sovereign function and the same can only be agitated before a constitutional court of the host state.

They also contended that laws passed by the Parliament cannot be adjudicated by an arbitral tribunal and do not fall within the ambit of BIPA or any other international treaty.
Modi addressed on Tuesday young CEOs at 'Champions of Change' initiative organised by Niti Aayog.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday exhorted corporates to gift khadi coupons during Diwali as it would greatly help the poor. This gesture on the part of corporates, Modi said, will create an atmosphere that will encourage people to take care of the poor.

The prime minister was addressing CEOs at the 'Champions of Change - Transforming India through G2B partnership' initiative organised by the Niti Aayog.

"You people give coupons for purchasing of goods, why can't you give khadi coupons? Why can't you give khadi gifts this Diwali? I am not saying people will start wearing khadi after receiving the gifts. If you have 50 kinds of fabric, there can be one of khadi also," the prime minister stressed.

He laid a big pitch for creating an atmosphere for helping the poor. "... we should do at least one activity that can help in addressing the problem of poverty. We need to address poverty in a positive manner. You will see change will happen on its own. I am not saying you should compromise on quality, but we need to create an atmosphere for helping the poor," Modi said.

In the past, the prime minister urged Indians to embrace the indigenous fabric khadi through various platforms, including his radio programme Mann Ki Baat. The sale of khadi products jumped 35 per cent in 2016- 17.
The decision to set up the AM follows SBI merging its five associate banks, as also the Bharatiya Mahila Bank, with itself.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Alternative Mechanism will oversee the proposals coming from boards of PSBs for consolidation. Photo: AP

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday decided to set up an Alternative Mechanism to oversee proposals for expeditious consolidation of public sector banks (PSBs) so as to create large, strong lenders.

The move aims at meeting the credit needs of the growing Indian economy and building capacity in the PSB space to raise resources without dependence on the state exchequer, the government said.

The Cabinet has given in-principle approval for PSBs to amalgamate through an Alternative Mechanism (AM), said an official release. "The decision would facilitate consolidation among the Nationalised Banks to create strong and competitive banks," it said.

Briefing about the decision, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the AM will oversee the proposals coming from boards of PSBs for consolidation. "You have large number of banks in the public sector. The object is to create strong banks. Our experience of consolidation has been positive so far," he said, adding that an AM "enables a quick facilitation".

The decision to set up the AM follows State Bank of India merging its five associate banks, as also the Bharatiya Mahila Bank, with itself.

Jaitley said the decision regarding creating strong and competitive banks will be "solely based on commercial considerations".

He said the process to facilitate consolidation amongst nationalised banks must come from the boards of the banks.

The proposals received from banks for in-principle approval to formulate schemes of amalgamation would be placed before the AM. On rationale behind consolidation, Jaitley said this will add commercial strength and prevent multiplicity of resources being spent in same area.

Consolidation would also improves the capacity of banking system to absorb shocks that the markets may cause to it, he said.

The finance minister said there will be a ministerial committee to oversee the mechanism. The Prime Minister will decide the members who the panel.

After in-principle approval for consolidation, the banks would take steps in accordance with the law and Sebi requirements. The final scheme will be notified by the Central government in consultation with the RBI, Jaitley said.

When asked if there could be some consolidations among banks in the current fiscal, Jaitley did not give any number.

To a question if banks should be nudged to come up with proposals for consolidation, Jaitley quipped, "What do you think I am doing?".

In 1991, the release said, it was suggested that India should have fewer but stronger PSBs. "However, it was only in May 2016 that effective action to consolidate public sector banks began to be taken by announcing amalgamation of six banks into the State bank of India," it said.

"The merger was completed in record time, unlike earlier mergers of State Banks of Indore and Saurashtra," it added. There are now 20 PSBs other than SBI.

The banking scenario has changed since 1970/80 when banks were nationalised, with more private banks, NBFCs, Regional Rural Banks, payment banks and small finance banks.

"The decision is expected to facilitate the creation of strong and competitive banks in public sector space to meet the credit needs of a growing economy, absorb shocks and have the capacity to raise resources without depending unduly on the state exchequer," the release added.
Kajol returned to the Tamil industry with VIP 2 almost after a gap of 20 years.

Actor Ajay Devgns dates seems to be packed till September 1 as his period film Baadshaho is all set to hit the theaters. But this doting husband wants to catch up on his wife Kajols latest Tamil film VIP 2 first. He reveals, I havent had the time to see VIP 2 yet. My schedule is packed till September 1, so I am eager to watch the film.

The actor is mighty impressed with his trailer. He says, The trailer was really nice. She sounded funny when she spoke Tamil. I dont mean to say that she is a bad performer but its just that when you know somebody so well and see them talking in a different language for the first time, it is different.

Kajol returned to the Tamil industry with VIP 2 almost after a gap of 20 years. Kajols last Tamil film was 1997 Minsara Kanavu, in which she shared screen space with Arvind Swamy and Prabhu Deva.
Though very protective and supportive of her sister Nupur, the actress believes that she should make her own path in the industry.

Kriti Sanon has a pretty looking sister Nupur Sanon who also seems to be interested in becoming an actress. However, this doting and protective sister believes that Nupur should have her own journey rather than she recommending her name to producers and directors. Kriti says, She wants to make it on her own. When I look back, I am proud of my journey, and I am glad that she wants to do it her way.

She adds, There is nothing that she has been offered as yet. Right now, she is exploring things. She likes singing, and she is also learning acting. She is actually taking workshops of all kinds. I have advised her to take up whatever she wants to. Nupur should follow her heart.

Kriti, who is currently enjoying the success of Bareilly Ki Barfi, reveals that she was often told that she wouldnt get a lot of projects in Bollywood because of her looks. She says, I was told that you need to have some sort of flaw. There has to be something off about you to be a heroine, only then will you be relatable. I think sometimes it becomes difficult for certain people to see you in a role where they dont want a good-looking face.

She adds, Sometimes people dont want actors who look good to play the role of a common girl since it is difficult for them to imagine it like that. Having said that, I think it is the make-up artist who has to work on it. Alia did Udta Punjab. Anyone can transform a beautiful girl into different characters. You just need to believe as an actor.
The 'Friends' actor said he is ready to retire now that he has reached the milestone age of 50 and not do anything.

London: Actor Matt LeBlanc said he is ready to retire now that he has reached the milestone age of 50.

The 'Friends' star said he is looking forward to doing "nothing".

"I would love that. I would like to retire earlier than later, because I think I would like to do not a thing. That's what I would like to do. Just nothing. Nothing! Zero," LeBlanc said during an appearance on 'Conan'.

Conan questioned that the actor would have to do something and asked him to elaborate on his retirement plans.

The 'Top Gear' presenter then said he would just like to have the freedom to make choices based on his mood.

"On a typical day, you would sleep as long as you want ... Or get up early, if you want. It's just not having to go somewhere, or someone else telling you what you have to do. Maybe you go to the gym, or not go to the gym. Maybe you have nine cups of coffee, or none," he said.
TTV moves loyalists to Puducherry resort till trust vote.

Chennai: A day after the AIADMK emerged stronger with the merger of its two factions, as many as 19 party MLAs loyal to T.T.V. Dhinakaran told Tamil Nadu Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao on Tuesday that they no longer had confidence in chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and withdrew their support to him.

Soon after, Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin appealed to the Governor to direct the chief minister to prove his majority in the Assembly immediately.

The 19 legislators who support Mr Dhinakaran, nephew of V.K. Sasikala, the partys jailed general secretary, were immediately moved to Windflower resort in Puducherry.

Sources said that the legislators will stay at the resort till the vote of confidence on the floor of the House. Tight security has been arranged at the resort.

In identical letters submitted to Mr Rao, the 19 AIADMK MLAs accused Mr Palaniswami of being corrupt and encouraging corruption at all levels and also took a dig at the merger of EPS and OPS factions of the AIADMK.

I hereby express my lack of confidence on Mr Edappadi K. Palaniswami and withdraw my earlier support given to him... I hereby submit that I have not given up my membership of the AIADMK and I am only doing my duty as a conscious citizen to express the abuse and misuse of the Constitution provision, the letter submitted by the MLAs said.

In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, which was reduced to 233 after the death of former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa and the cancellation of the RK Nagar by-polls, the AIADMK needs at least 117 votes to remain in power.

Right now, AIADMK has 134 seats in the Assembly, excluding the House Speaker and Jayalalithaa. While O. Palaniswami claims to have 104 MLAs and Mr Panneerselvam 10, Mr Dhinakaran is alleged to have 22 to 25, including three Independent MLAs.

In his letter to the governor, Mr Stalin said that consequent to the MLAs letter, expressing lack of confidence in Mr Palaniswami, an unprecedented constitutional crisis had erupted. He asked the governor to uphold the constitutional norms and the parameters laid down by the Supreme Court in the famous SR Bommai case, and ask the chief minister to prove his majority in the Assembly immediately.

Political observers say that the no-confidence letter by the 19 MLAs is a pressure tactic to stop any punitive action against Ms Sasikala.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christian Senyk/Released(NEW YORK) -- The Navy announced it is expanding its search for 10 missing sailors from the USS John S. McCain on Wednesday just hours after the commander of the 7th Fleet was relieved of duty.



Ten sailors are missing after the USS John S. McCain collided with a commercial vessel on Monday. The Navy said Tuesday the remains of "a number" of the missing sailors were found within the ship but had yet to be identified.



Additional divers will join the search area east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, where the ship originally crashed into the tanker, according to a statement. The Royal Malaysian Navy recovered the remains of a sailor in that location on Tuesday.



The Navy also said it will continue to search within the USS John S. McCain itself.

#USSJohnSMcCain Update: Divers continue to search the ship for the missing. At sea, the search area is expanding. https://t.co/EThaNhWpP0 pic.twitter.com/BpR12oFYzq  7th Fleet (@US7thFleet) August 23, 2017



The U.S. Navy announced early Wednesday it had relieved from duty the three-star admiral in charge of the U.S. 7th Fleet after a string of four accidents this year, including Monday's disaster. Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin was removed and replaced by Phil Sawyer, the Navy announced.



Seven sailors were killed in a similar accident in June when the USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship. In May, the USS Lake Champlain, a guided missile cruiser, collided with a fishing boat in the Sea of Japan. The USS Antietam ran aground off the coast of Japan in February.



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The train travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi collided with the dumper at around 2:50 am between Pata and Achhalda railway stations.

Kaifiyat Express travels between Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi and the collision has impacted the train operations on the Delhi-Howrah route. (Photo: PTI)

Lucknow: As many as 100 passengers were injured as ten bogies of the Kaifiyat Express derailed in UP's Auraiya district early on Wednesday after dashing against a dumper carrying construction material for railway work, officials here said.

However, the railways said 25 people were injured in the incident and that the dumper did not belong to them.

Superintendent of Police, Auraiya, Sanjay Tyagi said 10 bogies of the train derailed of which one overturned leading to injuries to 100 passengers of which four with serious injuries were rushed to Saifai and Etawah hospitals.

Some of the injured were discharged from hospitals after first aid, the SP said, adding that there is no report of any casualty so far.

The train travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi collided with the dumper at around 2:50 am between Pata and Achhalda railway stations, a spokesperson for the North Central Railway (NCR) said.

Secretary, Home, Bhagwan Swarup said the accident took place due to a loader carrying material for work on dedicated freight corridor.

"The accident took place because of loader carrying sand for track working for dedicated freight corridor. It overturned and came on the track," he said.

"It was not an unmanned crossing. But there was a road parallel to the track on which the loader overturned," he said.

DRM Allahabad S.K Pankaj, who reached the accident site, told newspersons that prima facie it was the fault of the driver of the private dumper who has fled.

The disrupted rail route between Kanpur and Etawah will be restored by Thursday, he said and added that repair work on the route was going on.

As back-to-back accidents in the last five days triggered demands for his resignation, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and took full moral responsibility for the recent train accidents.

Prabhu said he was "extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives".

Kaifiyat Express travels between Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi and the collision has impacted the train operations on the Delhi-Howrah route.

Five trains including the Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani have been diverted and seven trains including Kanpur-New Delhi Shatabdi express have been cancelled. Since both UP and DOWN lines are blocked, around 40 local trains were also being diverted.

A spokesman for NCR said rescue operations have been concluded and all injured were sent to hospitals nearby.

Additional forces and ambulance were rushed to the spot from Auraiya, Etawah and Kannauj while NDRF team was dispatched from Lucknow to provide succour to the passengers.

This is the second train accident in Uttar Pradesh in five days. On Saturday, a passenger train derailed in Muzaffaragar district leaving over 22 dead and 156 others injured.
Although, Singh has been asked to appear before the court in person, he may choose a videoconferencing instead, reports said.

According to media reports, a special CBI court in Haryana will on Friday decide if the self-styled godman is guilty of raping two women followers about 15 years ago. (Photo: File)

Chandigarh: Haryana and Punjab were maintaining maximum alert ahead of the court judgement in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Friday.

As a precautionary measure, government has ordered closure of schools and colleges in Panchkula district on August 24 and 25, Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Gauri Parashar Joshi told PTI on Wednesday.

Over 35,000 followers of the Dera are estimated to have already reached and many more are still arriving at the sect's Sector-23 based 'Naam Charcha Ghar' (congregation/prayer centre) in Panchkula to show their solidarity with the sect chief, who has been asked to appear in person in the special CBI court on Friday. Joshi said that the administration and police were keeping an eye to ensure that law and order is maintained.

There is heavy police and para forces deployment near the routes leading to the district court complex in Panchkula, where the lawyers have suspended work for three days from today to avoid inconvenience to the public visiting the courts.

When asked if Dera chief will appear before the court in Panchkula on Friday, a spokesman of Dera Sacha Sauda on Wednesday said that the sect and its head has always followed law and will do so in future also.

"We have always followed due process of law, never have we gone out of law's purview and never ever will we do so," he said.

When asked if Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will appeal to his followers to help maintain law and order and peace, he said, "during his Satsangs (at sect head in Sirsa) in mornings and evenings, Guru ji always talks about humanity and things which will benefit humanity. He talks about tree plantation, organ donations, blood donation and helping out weaker sections".

Security forces in Haryana and Punjab have been taking out flag marches at many sensitive places. Haryana government has already clamped prohibitory orders in all its districts as a precautionary measure.

Police have set up barricades at several places in the two states, besides their common capital Chandigarh, where security has been further tightened ahead of the court verdict.

Amid reports that the Dera followers could stock petrol, 'lathis' and other weapons at 'Naam Charcha Ghars', Punjab police has asked all its SSPs and other top ranking police officials to be alert against any such action by the followers if the court verdict goes against the Dera chief.

Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas said that carrying of any kind of stick or weapon has been prohibited at 'Naam Charcha Ghar' of Dera followers in the state.

Authorities in Haryana are making every effort to ensure foolproof security arrangements, with a senior official firmly saying they will not allow a repeat of things as witnessed in November 2015 when there was a two-week tense standoff between the self-styled 'godman' Rampal's followers and the police in Hisar during which five women and a child had died.

Rampal was later arrested and close to 15,000 of his followers were evacuated from his sprawling premises in Hisar.

While Haryana DGP B S Sandhu has already toured sensitive districts in the state including Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar and other places during the past few days, his Punjab counterpart Suresh Arora yesterday took a whirwind tour of Bathinda, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali districts, and checked preparedness.

Heavy police has been deployed in Bathinda, which shares its border with Sirsa, where the Dera headquarters in Haryana.

The Dera head has had a run-in in the past with Sikh radicals who had accused him of having allegedly dressed-up as the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in 2007, following which Punjab had remained on boil for many days.

Union Territory Chandigarh's Home department has declared the cricket stadium in Sector-16, which was associated with early training days of legendary Kapil Dev and has hosted several domestic and international matches, as 'temporary jail' on August 25.

Officials have said the 'temporary jail' can be used to confine people suspected of creating law and order problem on Friday.

Senior cops and administrative officers of Haryana, Punjab and UT Chandigarh have been holding confabulations to take stock of the security arrangements.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has also held parleys with top police and administrative brass.

Haryana government has also requested the Centre to provide 115 companies of paramilitary forces, out of which many have already reached the state.

Duty Magistrates have been deployed at all locations in Haryana.

While Punjab had already received 75 companies of central forces, Haryana got 35 companies to maintain security.

Police along with paramilitary forces, the CRPF and Rapid Action Force (RAF), SSB held the flag marches at vulnerable places including Moga, Bathinda, Sangrur, Barnala, Patiala, Ludhaina, Panchkula, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Ambala and Hisar.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh warned against any attempts to disrupt the state's law and order in view of the upcoming judgement by Panchkula court.

"All steps were being taken to ensure that law and order is not disturbed in any way in the wake of the court orders", the chief minister said on Tuesday.

The CBI had registered the sexual exploitation case against Singh in 2002 on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after anonymous letters were circulated about the alleged rape of two 'Sadhvis' (female followers) by Singh.

However, Dera Chief has denied these charges.
Patkar was on indefinite strike since July 27 to demand proper rehabilitation of Sardar Sarovar Dam project oustees.

On August 9, the renowned activist was arrested when she was on her way to Dhar after being discharged from Indore's Bombay Hospital. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)

Indore: The Indore High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar two weeks after she was arrested on her way to Dhar from Indore's Bombay Hospital.

Patkar was on indefinite strike since July 27 to demand proper rehabilitation of Sardar Sarovar Dam project oustees. However, she and her co-activists were reportedly taken to the hospital on advice of physicians.

On August 9, the renowned activist was arrested when she was on her way to Dhar after being discharged from Indore's Bombay Hospital and was booked under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

According to police, their sources had revealed that Patkar was going to Dhar to incite people to disrupt law and order.

As per the press note, Patkar, despite of clear orders by the Supreme Court, has been trying to disrupt the law and order situation in and around the Sardar Sarovar Dam area.

Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat is one of the biggest dams on the river and was one of the first focal points of the movement. It is one of the many dams under the Narmada Dam Project.

The main aim of the project is to provide irrigation and electricity to people in these states.
VK Sasikala has been lodged in Bengaluru central jail since Feb when the SC convicted her in a DA case.

Sasikala had moved the Supreme Court in May, seeking re-examination of its verdict holding her guilty in a disproportionate assets case. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea filed by AIADMK interim general secretary VK Sasikala, seeking review of her conviction in a disproportionate assets case.

Sasikala had moved the Supreme Court in May, seeking re-examination of its verdict holding her guilty in the case and sentencing her to 4-year imprisonment.

Sasikala has been lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru since February. The Supreme Court had on February 14 convicted her in a disproportionate assets case along with her two relatives VN Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi.
Singh promptly swang into action and directed the district administration and state education authorities to look into the matter.

Singh further informed that the concerned chief education officer and the zonal education officer have flung into action. (Photo: PTI/File)

New Delhi: The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North-Eastern Region, Jitendra Singh, has taken cognisance into the issue of absenteeism of teachers at a government-run primary school in a far-flung area of Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur.

Singh promptly swang into action and directed the district administration and state education authorities to look into the matter.

"Thanks for this input. Have asked the District administration and State Education authorities to look into it," Singh quoted the tweet by ANI and tweeted.

Singh further informed that the concerned chief education officer and the zonal education officer have flung into action.

Concerned CEO and ZEO have flung into action. There are two teachers held responsible, against whom prompt action is being initiated. https://t.co/5N9O5V3wSG  Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 23, 2017

The absenteeism of the two teachers came to light when ANI posted a series of tweets - of the students' parents - and furnished a story on the same.

Reportedly, the students in the Nanansoo village of Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur have been, for days, waiting for their teachers outside their primary school even as they haven't turned up since August 15.

Parents claim that the students wait outside the locked school for two hours every day.

A local, Bittu Ram, said, "No teacher has come to the school since August 15. The children are really troubled and there is no other school nearby."

Another local Sushil Kumar said that absenteeism has become a routine of the teachers deputed here.

"The teachers visit school once in a blue moon but after 1 p.m. and close the school after one hour," he added.

Responding to the matter, Udhampur's Chief Education Officer J.R. Bhardwaj said an appropriate action will be taken in this regard.

"I have come to know that two teachers deputed at school are not teaching. I have sought a detailed report on this and an appropriate action will be taken," he added.

The said school was established in 2004.
Oppn Cong and RJD raised slogans and demanded resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi.

RJD members trooped into the Well of the House raising slogans and demanding resignations of the CM and the deputy CM. (Photo; PTI)

Patna: The alleged NGO scam in Bhagalpur rocked both Houses of the Bihar legislature for the second day on Wednesday with Opposition Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) raising slogans and demanding resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi.

As soon as the Assembly met for the day, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav drew the attention of Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary to an adjournment notice given by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) over the alleged scam and urged him suspend the Question Hour and take up the issue.

The Speaker said the adjournment notice would be allowed at a proper time and urged the agitating members to allow the House to run.

However, RJD members trooped into the Well of the House raising slogans and demanding resignations of the CM and the deputy CM. Congress MLAs too joined them in the Well.

The protesting members claimed that pictures of Kumar and Modi were used at a function of NGO 'Srijan' in Bhagalpur.

They alleged government money was fraudulently transferred to bank accounts of the NGO by a "well-oiled racket comprising government employees and bank officials".

The chief minister was not in the House at the time. But, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi was present.

As the opposition MLAs continued raising slogans, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister Nand Kishore Yadav rebutted Tejashwi saying "those acquiring benami properties through corrupt means have no moral right to speak on such a subject".

In the Legislative Council, the matter was raised by Congress member Dilip Kumar Chaudhary. RJD and Congress members tropped into the Well of the Upper House shouting slogans against the government.

RJD leader Rabri Devi attacked Sushil Modi in the Legislative Council over the alleged scam. Later, talking to reporters outside the House, she demanded resignations of the chief minister and his deputy.

Modi had earlier said, "They should show documentary evidence in support of the charge against me or the CM. Merely shouting (slogans) by showing some photographs of some events showing our participation does not mean our involvement in the scam.
It is learnt that the agency sleuths posed over 100 questions to Karti during his questioning.

New Delhi: Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P. Chidamabaram, on Wednesday appeared before the CBI for questioning in connection with investigation into the alleged manipulation of a tax probe against INX Media. Karti Chidambaram was directed by the Supreme Court to appear for questioning before the CBI.

CBI officials were tight-lipped about the questioning. Sources, however, said he was questioned for nearly eight hours and is due to appear before the agency for questioning again, on August 28.

It is learnt that the agency sleuths posed over 100 questions to Karti during his questioning. Over 100 questions on various aspects pertaining to the case were drafted by the investigators which were put to 45-year-old Karti, a source said. The agency wanted to examine him in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to media group INX Media for allegedly receiving funds from Mauritius when his father was the Union finance minister, they added.

There are allegations that a firm indirectly controlled by him received money from INX Media, run by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea. The CBI had issued a notice to Karti to appear for questioning in June but he had sought more time. Later, a look out circular was issued against him to prevent him from leaving the country, sources said.

Karti had then approached the Madras high court, which stayed the circular. The Supreme Court later put on hold the high court order. During a hearing before the apex court, Karti told the court he was willing to appear before the CBI. The court then directed him to appear before the agency on August 23. A bench comprising Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud allowed Karti to be accompanied by a lawyer at the CBI headquarters during the questioning.

The CBI had registered the case on May 15 against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and the Mukerjeas.

The Mukerjeas, also charged with killing Indranis daughter, Sheena Bora, are currently in jail.

P. Chidambaram had issued a strong statement in response to the FIR, saying the government was using the CBI and other agencies to target his son. The FIPB approval was granted in hundreds of cases, the senior Congress leader had said.

The Congress on Wednesday termed CBI questioning Karti and probe into a land scam allegedly involving a company of Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of party president Sonia Gandhi, as pure political vendetta.

This is nothing but political vendetta of the worst kind that has sunk to a new low, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.

Mr Tewari, without naming the government or the ruling BJP, said political rivals were being targeted, which was fair game going by political standards. But now they have dragged families into it, he said. They have taken it to a new low, Mr Tewari added.
The visit takes place at a time when China is actively wooing the Nepalese with massive financial investments.

External affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, left, receives Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and wife Arzu Rana Deuba at the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a meeting with visiting Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba ahead of formal talks on Thursday.

Happy to welcome Rt Hon Shri Sher Bahadur Deuba ji, PM of close & friendly neighbour Nepal. Look forward to more extensive talks tomorrow, PM Modi tweeted, with a photograph of the meet. Official sources were cited by news agencies as saying it was an unscheduled meeting.

Mr. Deuba had arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a four-day official visit to India, and was received by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj at the airport. A special welcome for a close neighbour! EAM @SushmaSwaraj receives @PM_Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba on his arrival on a State Visit to India, the MEA tweeted.

Mr Deuba took over as Nepal Prime Minister in June 2017. During his four-day visit, he will also travel to Hyderabad and Bodh Gaya. The Nepalese PM will also call on the President and the vice-president.

The visit takes place at a time when China is actively wooing the Nepalese with massive financial investments.

Indias relationship with Nepal is now largely back on tracks. The ties had begun well in 2014 after the Modi government took office. India was prompt in rushing assistance during the earthquake that rocked Nepal.

But ties sharply deteriorated towards the end of 2015 when the Madhesi (residents of the Nepalese plains) started protests in Nepal. Several Nepalese politicians belonging to the dominant hill-areas accused India of being behind the stir which affected trade between the two countries due to the blockade imposed by the Madhesi agitators on the Nepalese side, even as India denied the allegations as baseless.

India has often pointed out that the two countries enjoy roti-beti" ties, a reference to thousands of Nepalese earning their livelihood in India and strong people-to-people relations.
PM to also meet Japanese counterpart to launch projects in poll-bound state.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to celebrate his 67th birthday on September 17 in his home state Gujarat, where Assembly elections are scheduled this year.

Mr Modi, who visits his mother every year on his birthday to seek her blessings, is also expected to dedicate the Narmada dam to the people of Gujarat on that day.

Sources disclosed ahead of this, Mr Modi will also accompany his Japanese counterpart Sinzo Abe, who is visiting Gujarat on a three-day visit from September 13 to launch various projects.

Assembly elections in Gujarat are likely to be held in November and the Model Code of Conduct is likely to be enforced by October. This is the first time Gujarat will go to poll since both Mr Modi and his close confidante and BJP chief Amit Shah came to the national politics.

Mr Modi, himself, was the chief minister since 2001 till May 22, 2014, when the BJP, under his leadership, got a thumping majority in the Lok Sabha elections.

Already in a strong position, the BJP, which has been ruling the state since 1998, got a boost recently when many senior Congress leaders, considered close to partys tallest leader Shankarsinh Vaghela, joined it. Mr Vaghela also quit the grand old party though he has not joined any outfit as yet. Speculation is that his exit will only impact the Congresss poll prospects.

Though unsuccessfully, the BJP also fielded Mr Vaghelas relative Balwantsinh Rajput, former leader of the opposition, in the Rajya Sabha elections. Already in an election mode, the BJP will start the candidate selection process from Navratri, said sources.

Meanwhile, Mr Modi and Mr Abe will participate in various events, including the inauguration of another Japanese industrial park, stone-laying of a bullet train project, an international Buddhist festival among others.
Officers said they found about 5,000 of the orange, Trump-shaped ecstasy tablets along with a large, but unspecified quantity of cash.

Berlin: German police say they have seized thousands of tablets of the party drug ecstasy in the shape of Donald Trump's head, a haul with an estimated street value of 39,000 euros ($45,900.)

Police in Osnabrueck, in northwestern Germany, say they found the drugs while checking an Austrian-registered car on the A30 highway on Saturday.

They say the people in the car, a 51-year-old man and his 17-year-old son, told officers they had been in the Netherlands to buy a vehicle but hadn't succeeded so were returning home.

Officers said they found about 5,000 of the orange, Trump-shaped ecstasy tablets along with a large, but unspecified quantity of cash.

A judge on Sunday ordered the father and son kept in custody. The car was seized and towed away.
The board also ratified the decision to set up 50 mohalla clinics on its land in different JJ Resettlement colonies.

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Tuesday cleared the construction of 5,012 houses for the economically weaker sections (EWS) at an estimated cost of Rs 654 crore at three locations in the city.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), chaired by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Delhi urban development minister Satyendar Jain also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the board granted administrative approval and expenditure sanction for Rs 654.33 crore for construction of the EWS houses.

As many as 3,780 EWS houses will be constructed in Pocket-F Bhalswa in Jahangirpuri expenditure of which will be Rs 493.40 crore, 784 EWS houses at Dev Nagar in Karol Bagh costing Rs 102.28 crore and 448 EWS houses will be built at Kasturba Niketan in Lajpat Nagar at an expenditure of Rs 58.65 crore, an official statement said.

All these housing complexes will be 14-storeyed each. The board will request the Delhi government to allocate Rs 500 crore as seed money for taking up the proposed projects.

The DUSIB budget for the financial year 2017-18 was Rs 381.47 crore  Rs 165.72 crore under the non-plan head and Rs 215.75 crore for plan funds.

The board also ratified the decision to set up 50 mohalla clinics on its land in different JJ Resettlement colonies. It also approved setting up of Early Childhood Care and Education Centre by allotting 10 Basti Vikas Kendras to the Ambedkar University in association with the directorate of higher education.

It also approved setting up of Early Childhood Care and Education Centre by allotting 10 Basti Vikas Kendras to the Ambedkar University.
The police also seized a roulette machine, gambling tables, casino tokens worth crore, playing cards and liquor bottles from the spot.

Earlier last year, the South District Police raided an illegal casino in the Sainik Farm and arrested 36 persons. (Photo: Pixabay/Representational)

New Delhi: The Delhi Police have busted an illegal casino-cum-bar at a farmhouse (used earlier for shooting TV soaps and movies) in South Delhi's Fatehpur Beri area.

At least 30 people including 14 players and five female casino-cum-bar attendants were apprehended and 13 luxury cars have been seized from 36, Raj Mahal, Dera Mandi Road in Fatehpur Beri area, said.

Not only this, the police also seized a roulette machine, gambling tables, casino tokens worth crore, playing cards and liquor bottles from the spot.

Earlier last year, the South District Police raided an illegal casino in the Sainik Farm and arrested 36 persons.

The police also seized 11 luxury cars and a manhunt was launched for Harnendra Kaushik, the owner of the premises, and Kunal Chandra, the proprietor of the casino.

Acting on a tip, the casino was raided in Neb Sarai of South Delhi.
The victim was stabbed in his ribs after which he succumbed to his injuries in a hospital.

The two accused are on the run. (Photo: Representational/File)

New Delhi: A 23-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death following a dispute over Rs 2,000 in south Delhi's Lodhi Colony, the police said on Tuesday.

On August 18, one Sonu informed the police that while he was sitting with his cousin Akash in a park, two men, Ajay and Anil approached them.

While Anil held Akash, Ajay allegedly stabbed the latter in his ribs and fled from there. Akash was admitted to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.

Akash had lent Rs 2,000 to one Umesh on Anil's guarantee.

Akash was demanding his money back and Ajay was not helping him and they had quarrels over the issue a couple of times.

The two accused are on the run.
The chief ministers move however came after the GNLF, a Hill-based political party, appealed in a letter to her for intervention.

Kolkata: Rattled by the two guerrilla-style attacks in Darjeeling recently, chief minister Mamata Banerjee finally called for a peace meeting with all the political parties to tackle the violence and restore peace in the Hills. On Tuesday, she announced that the meeting would be held at 4 pm on August 29 at Nabanna, the state secretariat, in her presence.

The chief ministers move however came after the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), a Hill-based political party, appealed in a letter to her for intervention. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has so far maintained silence about its participation to the meeting. The GNLF, which was earlier a rival of the GJM, joined hands with GJM in observing the indefinite shutdown that crossed two months demanding Gorkhaland.

Reading out the letter at a press meet in Nabanna, Banerjee said, GNLF president Man Singh mailed the letter to me on Monday. He wrote that the party is deeply concerned over the deteriorating condition in the Hills, which caused extensive damages and affected public life. Seeking a high-level intervention he urged to me to initiate a dialogue process to end the stalemate, restore normalcy resume the development works.

She elaborated, We have responded to the GNLFs plea because we are always with those people who want peace and development. The government is ready to talk to them at any time. The dialogue process is a political courtsey. We also want development. I see the request for opening the dialogue as a good and constructive sign. Normalcy has started slowly in the hills as shops have started opening up and works have resumed.

I call upon all the major political parties and development councils to the meeting. Those who endorse the GNLFs stand are welcome to the discussion, she added.

Siginificantly, there was hardly any reference of the GJM in her comments, which mostly focused on the GNLFs appeal. It is not however clear if the GJM would send any representative to the meeting. GJM leader Swaraj Thapa said that the governments call would be discussed in the party.
Lt. Colonel Purohit's bail plea was earlier rejected by the Bombay High Court saying the charges against him were of a grave nature.

The Supreme Court had on Monday granted bail to Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. (Photo: File)

Mumbai: Malegaon blast accused Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit Shrikant Prasad Purohit was on Wednesday released from the Taloja prison in Navi Mumbai after being granted bail by the Supreme Court.

He was driven out of the prison in a car at around 10.45 am. A team of Military Police and Quick Response Team of the Army escorted Purohit out of the jail.

Purohit was in jail for almost nine years for his alleged role in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

#WATCH: Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit released from Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai #MalegaonBlastCase pic.twitter.com/LLjfAuFuwu  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

The Supreme Court had on Monday granted bail to Lt. Col. Prasad Shrikant Purohit accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

While granting bail, the apex court said, "we set aside order of Bombay High court."

The apex court said the bail has been granted subject to certain conditions.

A bench of Justices RK Agrawal and AM Sapre said they are setting aside the Bombay High Court order by which the bail was denied.

Lt. Colonel Purohit's bail plea was earlier rejected by the Bombay High Court saying the charges against him were of a grave nature, after which he moved the top court.

Read: Want to wear my uniform, says Shrikant Purohit

The 4,000-page chargesheet had alleged that Malegaon was selected as the blast target because of a sizeable Muslim population there.

It had named Thakur, Purohit and co-accused, Swami Dayanand Pandey as the key conspirators.

However, Thakur was in 2016 given clean chit by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Sadhvi Pragya has been granted relief in the case by the Bombay High Court.

Seven people were killed in a bomb blast on September 29, 2008, at Malegaon, a communally-sensitive textile town in Nashik district of north Maharashtra.
Unauthorised work was carried out, weakening structure.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) released the probe report of the Ghatkopar building collapse on Wednesday. The report stated that unauthorised work carried out by Sunil Shitap on the ground floor of the Siddhi Sai building had worked as a trigger for collapse of the structure. Hence, he is solely responsible for the loss of life and property. The final report included the analysis of previous structural reports and statements recorded from different people and authorities associated with the collapse.

The report was tabled before the civic chief Ajoy Mehta on Wednesday. He accepted the 32-page report and later ordered it to be uploaded online on the BMC website, so that the public could access it.

On July 25, a ground-plus-four structure, Siddhi Sai residential building had come crashing down, killing 17 people and leaving many families homeless in a day. The residents of the building had blamed Shitap for the incident as he had carried out alterations on the ground floor of the premise. Although the Parksite police arrested Shitap, the civic body had ordered for a high-level inquiry probe to know the cause of the collapse. A three-member committee headed by additional municipal commissioner Vijay Singhal, along with Chadrashekhar Chore, deputy municipal commissioner and Vinod Chithore, chief engineer (roads) had done the probe. After much delay, the committee presented the final report on Wednesday.

Also, the BMC had appointed a structural consultant, whose report states, The structure did not collapse on his own but due to the modifications carried out on the ground level of the building. Age related distress is not the cause of the collapse.
Hajj, has always been seen as a kind of spiritual death, for it is a meeting with God.

Hajj is a few days away, and millions of Muslims from all over the world have left for perform the pilgrimage. Hajj, literally means,to set out for a higher destination. Muslim believe that Adam, built the Kaaba at Mecca, and it was later rebuilt by prophet. Making the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if physically and financially able, is one of the five pillars of Islam. In the old days, it took most people several months of travel by land and sea to reach Mecca. The journey was long and difficult, many would never return to their lands. In a sense when they left for Hajj, they were prepared to die.

Hajj, has always been seen as a kind of spiritual death, for it is a meeting with God.

The two unstitched pieces of white cloth that men wear during the Hajj, strips them of clothes that could reveal worldly status. This ihram, that male pilgrims wear resembles the shroud used to wrap a body before it is lowered into a grave. This serves as reminder of death and the afterlife.

A whole chapter of the Quran is devoted to Hajj, warns of the Day of Judgement where each soul will have to account for its deeds. Hajj is a spiritual awakening where pilgrims renew their covenant with Allah. It is intended to make one move away from the involvement of this world to an engagement with the Almighty. Hajj is an invitation from God to liberate the soul by submission to Him alone. It is a kind of spiritual rebirth, because a sincere Hajj is said to wash all of ones sins away. The Prophet said, that a person who performed the Hajj with a good intention and solely for the sake of Allah, is  as pure as one the day his mother gave birth to him.

Muslims believe that God instructed Adam to build the Kaaba, directly beneath His throne in the Heavens. Adam became the first to perform circumambulations around the House of God. Then called,  Bait al Mamur, the Kaaba remained in Makkah till it was raised to the celestial world during Noahs flood. Then, God called upon Abraham to rebuild the Kaaba and establish the Hajj rites. Later, when Makkah fell to paganism, Prophet Muhammad re-established the Hajj rites after cleansing the Kaaba of false idols.

One of the rituals during Hajj is running seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, following the footsteps of Hajar, Abrahams wife and mother of Ishmael, his first-born son. Abraham was commanded by God to leave mother and son in the barren valley near the Kaaba. When provisions ran out, Hajar became desperate for water to quench the infants thirst. Invoking Gods mercy, Hajar ran between the two hills. On her seventh round, water sprang from the ground where the baby kicked. This water source came to be known as the well of Zam Zam.

The most important of the Hajj rites is on the 9th day of Zilhajj, when pilgrims travel from Makkah to the grounds of Mount Arafat. This gathering symbolises the Judgement Day in the Hereafter, where all of humanity will be resurrected on one ground. Pilgrims spend the afternoon standing in earnest supplication and devotion, seeking forgives by invoking Gods abundant Mercy.
The Note 8 is supposed to be the most expensive smartphone in Samsungs portfolio along with the most advanced specifications.

The Note 8 is also expected to carry the Exynos 8895 octa-core chipset found in the Galaxy S8, which could be running at a higher clock speed to justify a possibly higher price tag. (Image : Evan Blass)

We have been going through numerous leaks of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 over the past few months and we already have a pretty fair idea of what the Note 8 could be shaping up to be. Its been less than an hour before the successor to the infamous Galaxy Note 7 is unveiled and we round-up our expectations from the Korean giants next big smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is expected to sport a 6.3-inch curved Infinity Display, just like the Galaxy S8+. Rumours have also pointed towards a pressure-sensitive display like the iPhone 7 that should enhance the productivity of the S Pen.

The Note 8 is also expected to carry the Exynos 8895 octa-core chipset found in the Galaxy S8, which could be running at a higher clock speed to justify a possibly higher price tag. It should also come with 6GB RAM and come with three storage variants  64/128/ 256GB variants.

Various leaks have also suggested the presence of dual-camera at the back, which is a first for a Samsung smartphone. We have to wait and see whether Samsung utilises the secondary camera for achieving higher optical zoom or higher detail levels through a monochrome sensor.

Apart from these, the Note is expected to come with Samsungs proprietary Bixby smart assistant. It should run on Android Nougat 7.1 out-of-the-box. The Note 8 could start at Rs 77,000, which is higher than that of the most expensive Galaxy S8 variant. You can watch the live stream of the Note 8's launch here.

(source)
Fernando Collor, who was in office from 1990-1992 was charged formally with 'passive corruption', money laundering and racketeering.

Collor, who resigned as president amid corruption allegations, became the third senator to be formally charged in the investigation of the mega-scandal. (Photo: AFP)

Brasilia: Brazilian ex-president Fernando Collor was formally charged Tuesday in connection with the massive Petrobras corruption scandal, allegedly taking some nine million dollars.

Collor, who was in office from 1990-1992 and is now a senator, was charged formally with "passive corruption", money laundering and racketeering. That followed the federal Supreme Court's unanimous decision to allow Collor to be tried despite his immunity as a lawmaker. It did, however, reject additional obstruction of justice and embezzlement charges.

Collor, who resigned as president amid corruption allegations, became the third senator to be formally charged in the investigation of the mega-scandal, after Gleisi Hoffmann and Valdir Raupp.

Prosecutors say Collor took bribes worth about nine million dollars between 2010 and 2014 in connection with a number of transactions at BR Distribuidora, a Petrobras subsidiary.

Collor, who was the first democratically elected president after the 1964-85 military regime, did not immediately comment on the latest development in his case.

Dozens of senior leaders across the political spectrum and high-ranking businessmen have been investigated or convicted since the sprawling corruption scandal began in 2014.

The investigation has centered on Petrobras, the state-run oil company, where inflated construction contracts were used by business leaders and politicians to siphon off billions of dollars.

In July ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was convicted of graft and vowed an appeal in the largest scalp yet of the investigation and a stunning blow to the leftist's prospects for political comeback.
Trump administration official said, the Pakistani government has been guilty of 'active direct support' for terrorist groups.

President Trump also left the door open to an eventual political deal with the Taliban. (Photo: AP)

Washington: Pakistan is using a perceived threat of encirclement by India as an "excuse" to continue its support to terrorists, a Trump administration official has said, dismissing concerns over Indian development activities in the war-torn country.

"What India is doing in Afghanistan is not a threat to Pakistan. They're not building military bases. They're not deploying troops," National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Michael Anton said yesterday.

This is an "excuse" on the part of Pakistan, Politico quoted Anton as saying.

"In the worst case," the Trump administration official said, the Pakistani government has been guilty of "active direct support" for terrorist groups.

"(Indians) are not doing the things that would constitute encirclement, for lack of a better term, which is one of the things that the Pakistani's complain about," he said.

His comments came after US President Donald Trump laid out his policy for Afghanistan and the larger South Asian region. Trump sought a greater involvement from India while criticising Pakistan for tolerating terrorist safe havens and for its support to terrorists.

The US president has preferred a regional approach for peace in Afghanistan and said the US "can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond."

Pakistan's foreign office reacted to Trump's announcement of the new strategy, saying the threat to peace and security "cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies."

"Non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region."

The foreign office asked the US to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism, instead of relying on the "false narrative of safe havens.
Democrats and fellow Republicans had denounced Trump for placing blame for the Charlottesville violence on 'both sides'.

Outside the Phoenix convention center, shouting matches and minor scuffles erupted between Trump supporters and protesters gathered near the site of his latest campaign rally. (Photo: File/AFP)

Phoenix: President Donald Trump blamed the media on Tuesday for the widespread condemnation of his response to a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organized by white supremacists that led to the killing of a counter-protester.

Trump opened his political rally in Phoenix with a call for unity, saying, "What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America and tonight, this entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs that perpetrated hatred and violence."

But he quickly trained his ire on the media, shouting that he "openly called for healing unity and love" in the immediate aftermath of Charlottesville and claiming the media had misrepresented him. He read from his three responses to the violence - getting more animated with each one.

Democrats and fellow Republicans had denounced Trump for placing blame for the Charlottesville violence on "both sides." Trump omitted that part of his reaction from his recap Tuesday night. "You know where my heart is," Trump said. "I'm only doing this to show you how damned dishonest these people are."

Trump spoke after Vice President Mike Pence and others called repeatedly for unity.

Housing Secretary Ben Carson and Dr. Alveda King, the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., were among the openers. Franklin Graham, son of the evangelist Billy Graham, led the rally-goers in prayer, saying, "We're divided racially, and we're adrift morally."

Outside the Phoenix convention center, shouting matches and minor scuffles erupted between Trump supporters and protesters gathered near the site of his latest campaign rally. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked Trump to delay his political event to allow for more time of national healing after Charlottesville.

Trump teased a pardon for former sheriff Joe Arpaio, asking the crowd what they thought of him. Loud cheers erupted. The former Maricopa County sheriff is awaiting sentencing after his conviction in federal court for disobeying court orders to stop his immigration patrols. "So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?" Trump asked. "I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine."

Earlier, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump wouldn't discuss or take action on a pardon "at any point today," even though the president had told Fox News he was considering it.

Trump said at the rally that the only reason he wouldn't pardon Arpaio from the stage was to avoid controversy for the moment.

In the comfort of his most fervent fans, Trump often resurrects his free-wheeling 2016 campaign style, pinging insults at perceived enemies such as the media and meandering from topic to topic without a clear theme.

Although Trump's high-profile warm-up acts suggested the president's speech would be about unity, the president was more intent on settling scores. He skewered both of Arizona's Republican senators but coyly refused to mention their names, describing his own restraint as "very presidential."

Instead, Trump bemoaned that the Senate was only "one vote away" from passing a health care overhaul. Sen. John McCain, who is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer, voted against a Republican health care bill.

Trump called another unnamed senator "weak on borders, weak on crime." Trump has lashed out at Sen. Jeff Flake, a frequent critic, using the same language in the past.

The president tweeted last week: "Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He's toxic!" Flake has been on tour promoting his book that says the Republican Party's embrace of Trump has left conservatism withering. Ward attended Trump's rally, but did not appear onstage.

In a modest but telling swipe at Ward - and, by extension, at Trump - the Senate Leadership Fund, a political committee closely aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, is spending $10,000 on digital ads that say of her, "Not conservative, just crazy ideas."

Trump began his Arizona visit with a brief trip to the southern edge of the country. While touring a Marine Corps base in Yuma that is a hub of operations for the US Border Patrol, Trump inspected a drone and other border equipment on display in a hangar.

Trump shook his head as he was shown a series of everyday objects, such as a fire extinguisher, that had been refashioned to secretly transport drugs across the border.

Afterward, he spent about 20 minutes greeting service members in the grueling, 106-degree heat, signing caps with his "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan and posing for selfies on the tarmac just steps from Air Force One.
The position has been lying vacant since January 20 when Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

White House said that Kenneth I Juster, 62, a top economic aide of Trump and an expert on India, will be America's new ambassador to India. (Photo: File)

Washington: An influential US lawmaker has urged President Donald Trump to appoint America's new ambassador to India on a priority basis, saying that Washington's relation with New Delhi is of utmost importance.

The position has been lying vacant since January 20 when Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. In June, the White House said that Kenneth I Juster, 62, a top economic aide of Trump and an expert on India, will be America's new ambassador to India.

"As the co-founder and former chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India, Indian issues and representing one of the largest Indian-American constituencies in Congress, the relationship between our two great nations is of the utmost importance to me and my constituencies. I urge you to make the appointment of a US ambassador to India a top priority of your administration," Congressman Frank Pallone said in a letter to Trump.

The letter to Trump dated August 22 was posted by Pallone on twitter. "After more than seven months in office, this critical appointment is long overdue and should be an immediate priority," Pallone said a day after Trump sought India's increasing role in Afghanistan.

India is "our strongest ally" in South Asia, "which you referred in your address" to the nation on Monday, he said. "These are among the reasons the United States has long supported India's permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. It is in our immediate national interest to send an accomplished American to serve as our country's senior diplomat in India," Pallone said.

The White House refrained from responding to questions on delay in ambassadorial appointment to India. However, without mentioning India, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson refuted the reports that the absence of officials at key position is having an impact on the efficiency of the State Department.

"In terms of our footprint on the ground, we have very competent, capable, experienced people there now," Tillerson told reporters at a news conference. "Do you have enough people, given the fact that there are not Trump-confirmed diplomatic appointees in many of these positions in the region," he was asked.

"We are looking at a couple of different people for the special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan position. It is open currently; it is being filled with a very experienced individual today. So we are ready to get going with very competent people we have, and I am not at all concerned about the competency level or the experience of the people that we have working on this. I am quite confident with them," Tillerson added.
Trump had warned that Pakistan's support for the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani extremist network would have consequences.

US State Secretary Tillerson said Washington wants to work with Pakistan as it expands its own support for Kabul in the battle against the Taliban (Photo: AP)

Washington: The United States warned an angry Pakistan on Tuesday that it could lose its status as a privileged military ally if it continues giving safe haven to Afghan militant groups.

One day after President Donald Trump unveiled a new strategy to force the Taliban to negotiate a political settlement with the Kabul government, his top diplomat upped the heat on Islamabad.

Trump had warned that Pakistan's support for the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani extremist network would have consequences, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has now spelled these out.

"We have some leverage," Tillerson told reporters, as he fleshed out Trump's speech, "in terms of aid, their status as a non-NATO alliance partner -- all of that can be put on the table."

As one of 16 "Non-NATO Major Allies," Pakistan benefits from billions of dollars in aid and has access to some advanced US military technology banned from other countries.

This year, the United States has already withheld $350 million in military funding over concerns Pakistan is not doing enough to fight terror, but the alliance itself was not in question.

Tillerson said Washington wants to work with Pakistan as it expands its own support for Kabul in the battle against the Taliban, but warned it to close militant safe havens.

Some of Pakistan's critics in Washington have urged Trump to go further, by authorising US strikes against militants inside Pakistan or declaring Pakistan a "state sponsor of terror."

Officials have not yet brandished the designation threat, which could lead to severe sanctions and legal threats to Pakistani officials, but Tillerson did not rule out strikes.

The United States has hit targets within Pakistan before, most famously when Trump's predecessor Barack Obama ordered US special forces to kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.

"The president has been clear that we are going to attack terrorists wherever they live," Tillerson said.

"We have put people on notice that if you're providing safe haven to terrorists, be warned -- we are going to engage those providing safe haven and ask them to change what they are doing."

And Tillerson added that, aside from the Afghans, Pakistan has more to gain "than any other nation" from an end to the fighting.

Both Tillerson and Trump also called on Pakistan's long-standing rival and fellow nuclear power India to become more involved in Afghanistan, an idea that is anathema to Islamabad.

- 'Scourge of terrorism' -

All this drew a hurt response from Pakistan, which has been a US ally since the Cold War, despite tensions over its rogue nuclear program and clashes with emerging great power India.

Seeking to rebut Trump's "disappointing" allegation that it had harbored "agents of chaos," Pakistan's foreign ministry re-stated its commitment to fighting terrorism.

"No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders," it said in a statement.

"It is, therefore disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort," it continued.

During the 1980s, Pakistan worked with the United States and Saudi Arabia to support Islamist rebels against what was the then pro-Soviet Afghan regime in Kabul.

But after the rise to power of the Pakistani-backed Taliban and the Al-Qaeda attacks on US cities of September 11, 2001, the US has pressured Islamabad to cut its links with the militants.

Pakistan has conducted campaigns against the Pakistani branch of the Taliban -- which threatens its own stability -- and turned a blind eye to a US drone campaign against Al-Qaeda leaders.

But it fears the rise of an Indian-backed government in Kabul, and maintains support for some Taliban and other factions to keep its influence across the long, lawless border.

"As a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country," the foreign ministry said.

"Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism."

Beyond the stand-off with Pakistan, Trump's new strategy also authorizes US generals to deploy more American troops to support Afghan government forces in what is now a 16-year-old conflict.
Meanwhile, China has urged the US to 'immediately correct its mistake' of sanctioning Chinese firms over North Korea.

US President Donald Trump signed into law a new batch of sanctions on Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow. (Photo: AP)

Washington: The United States has slapped new sanctions on Chinese and Russian entities, accusing them of advocating North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programme.

Specifically, the sanctions are aimed at 16 entities and individuals that assist "already designated persons who support North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, deal in the North Korean energy trade, facilitate its exportation of workers, and enable sanctioned North Korean entities to access the US and international financial systems," reported CNN, quoting the Treasury Department.

Coupled with the United Nations Security Council resolution passed earlier this month, Tuesday's sanctions are intended to further isolate the entities outside of North Korea that are facilitating Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

"It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region," CNN quoted Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as saying.

The move follows a war of words between Washington and Pyongyang over recent missile tests that show North Korea is capable of reaching the US mainland.

The sanctions effectively block their targets from accessing much of the global financial system, as well as freezing any US assets.

US President Donald Trump signed into law a new batch of sanctions on Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow.

Meanwhile, China has urged the US to 'immediately correct its mistake' of sanctioning Chinese firms over North Korea.

The sanctions target restrict dealings with Russian banks and energy companies.

The law also limits the US president's ability to ease any sanctions on Russia by requiring Congress' approval to lift any restrictions.

Earlier, President Donald Trump's grudging signature on new sanctions punishing Russia for alleged meddling in last year's US election sparked an explosive rhetorical response in Moscow.

Trump acknowledged the sharp worsening of the crucial relationship between Russia and United States and blamed lawmakers for forcing his hand on sanctions.

The sanctions target Russia's defense, intelligence, mining, shipping and railway industries and restricts dealings with Russian banks and energy companies.
North Korea has pursued its weapons programmes in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions and ignored all calls.

New York: North Korea and the United States clashed at a UN forum on Tuesday over their military intentions towards one another, with Pyongyangs envoy declaring it would never put its nuclear deterrent on the negotiating table.

Japan, well within reach of North Koreas missiles, said the world must maintain pressure on the reclusive country to rein in its nuclear and missile programmes and now was not the time for a resumption of multi-party talks.

North Korea has pursued its weapons programmes in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions and ignored all calls, including from major ally China, to stop, prompting a bellicose exchange of rhetoric between the North and the United States.

North Korea justifies its weapons programmes, including its recent threat to fire missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam, by pointing to perceived US hostility, such as military exercises with South Korea this week.

US disarmament ambassador Robert Wood told a UN-sponsored Conference on Disarmament in Geneva US President Donald Trumps top priority was to protect the United States and its allies against the growing threat from North Korea and America was ready to use the full range of capabilities at its disposal.

The path to dialogue still remained an option for Pyongyang and it had the choice between poverty and belligerence on the one hand and prosperity and acceptance.

North Koreas envoy told the same forum the Norths nuclear deterrent would never be up for negotiation, echoing Pyongyangs regular denunciation of US aggression.

The measures taken by the DPRK to strengthen its nuclear deterrence and develop inter-continental rockets is justifiable and a legitimate option for self-defence in the face of such apparent and real threats, diplomat Ju Yong Chol told the forum, referring to constant nuclear threats by the United States.

DPRK stands for the Norths official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Regarding joint US-South Korean military exercises that began on Monday, he warned: The ongoing military adventure would certainly add gasoline to the fire, driving the current tense situation to further deterioration.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said pressure must be maintained until the North demonstrated it would give up its nuclear programme. Its not the time to discuss (the resumption of) six-party talks, Kono said, referring to stalled negotiations involving both South Korea and North Korea, the United States, Russia, China and Japan. Its time to exert pressure, he told reporters.

'Crazy To Share Timeline'

The head of the US militarys Pacific Command said diplomacy was key. Admiral Harry Harris was in South Korea to observe annual joint military drills with the South Korean military, which the North called a step towards nuclear conflict masterminded by war maniacs.

So we hope and we work for diplomatic solutions to the challenge presented by Kim Jong Un, Harris told reporters at a US air base in Osan, about an hour from Seoul, referring to the North Korean leader.

He said diplomacy was the most important starting point in response to the Norths threat, when asked what actions by North Korea might trigger a preemptive US strike against it.

As far as a timeline, it would be crazy for me to share with you those tripwires in advance. If we did that, it would hardly be a military strategy, he said.

The United States and South Korea began the long-planned exercises on Monday, called the Ulchi Freedom Guardian, which the allies have said are purely defensive.

The drills involve tens of thousands of troops as well as computer simulations designed to prepare for war with a nuclear-capable North Korea.

The United States and South Korea are technically still at war with the North because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. Delegations from about 20 countries spoke at the four-hour UN session, including Britain, France, Australia and South Korea, all of which criticised North Korea.

I would like to repeat the appeal to the DPRK to listen to the fact that there is no alternative to stopping the different provocations and to return to dialogue, South Korean ambassador Kim Inchul said. We have never threatened the DPRK with any attacks and we have never promoted the use of force.
National Court Judge Fernando Andreu questioned the four about the vehicle attacks as well as the fatal explosion.

People flee from the scene after a white van jumped the sidewalk in the historic Las Ramblas district of Barcelona. (Photo: AP)

Madrid: An extremist cell was preparing bombs for an imam who planned to blow himself up at a Barcelona monument, a key suspect in the attacks that killed 15 people in northeastern Spain told a judge Tuesday, according to a judicial official.

The suspect, Mohamed Houli Chemlal, was one of four men taken before Spain's National Court in Madrid to testify about the Islamic cell that attacked pedestrians in Barcelona and the nearby seaside town of Cambrils last week.

National Court Judge Fernando Andreu questioned the four about the vehicle attacks as well as the fatal explosion at a bomb-making workshop that police said scuttled the group's plot to carry out a more deadly attack at unspecified Barcelona monuments.

After the session, the judge ordered two of the surviving suspects held without bail, another detained for 72 more hours and one freed with restrictions.

A Spanish judicial official said Houli Chemlal, 21, and suspect Driss Oukabir, 28, identified imam Abdelbaki Es Satty as the ideological leader of the 12-man cell.

Oukabir and the other two surviving suspects who testified, Mohamed Aalla and Sahal El Karib, denied being part of the cell, said the court official, who was not authorized to discuss the case and insisted on speaking anonymously.

The cell's other eight members are dead. Police shot five during an attack Friday and one more Monday after a manhunt. Es Satty and another accidently blew themselves up while preparing explosives in a house in the coastal town of Alcanar, south of Barcelona.

Es Satty preached in a mosque in the northeastern town of Ripoll, home to most of the 12 pointed to by police as suspected members of the cell. Police identified his remains amid the rubble of the Aug. 16 explosion that destroyed the house in Alcanar.

Police found in the house over 100 tanks of butane gas and materials to make TATP, an explosive frequently used in attacks by Islamic State militants. The group has claimed responsibility for both attacks on pedestrians - one Thursday by a van that mowed down people on Barcelona's famed Las Ramblas promenade and another early Friday in Cambrils. The attacks and a bloody getaway in which a man was stabbed to death left 15 dead and over 120 wounded.

Houli Chemlal, the only survivor of the Alcanar blast, told the court Tuesday that he is alive because he was on the ground floor of the house washing dishes after dinner. He testified from a wheelchair without lifting his eyes up from the ground, according to the court official. He has been hospitalized under guard since his arrest Thursday.

The second suspect interrogated, Oukabir, testified he rented the vans used in the attacks on pedestrians but said he thought they were going to be used for a house move. His brother Moussa was one of the five radicals shot dead Friday by police in Cambrils.

According to another person who attended Tuesday's interrogation, Oukabir told the prosecutor that his first version of events - telling police his documents were stolen by his brother - was something he had done out of fear. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the hearing.

The third suspect, Aalla, said an Audi A3 used in last week's attack in Cambrils was registered under his name but used by another sibling, the judicial official said. Police say one of Aalla's younger brothers died in Cambrils and another one is believed to be the second casualty in the Alcanar house blast where the imam died.

The last surviving suspect, El Karib, the owner of a cybercafe in Ripoll, told the judge that he was only trying to make a profit when he bought at least two plane tickets for two alleged members of the cell.

Police later Tuesday raided the cybercafe in Ripoll as well as a house in Vilafranca del Penedes, searching for more evidence.

After the questioning, the judge said there was enough evidence to hold Houli Chemlal and Oukabir on preliminary charges of causing homicides and injuries of a terrorist nature and of belonging to a terrorism organization. Houli Chemlal also has an additional charge of dealing with explosives.

However, the judge ruled the evidence was "not solid enough" to keep holding Aalla, who was freed on condition he appear in court weekly, relinquish his passport and not leave Spain.

El Karib will remain in custody for at least 72 more hours while police inquiries continue, the judge said.

The lone fugitive from the initial attack, 22-year-old Younes Abouyaaqoub, was shot to death Monday west of Barcelona after a big, dayslong manhunt. Police say he flashed what turned out to be a fake suicide belt at two officers who confronted him in a vineyard.

Police said they had "scientific evidence" that Abouyaaqoub drove the van that barreled through Barcelona's crowded Las Ramblas promenade and that he hijacked a car and fatally stabbed its driver while making his getaway.

Abouyaaqoub's brother and friends made up the rest of the 12-man extremist cell, police say.

Chemlal was born in Melilla, one of Spain's two North African coastal enclaves that have borders with Morocco. Spanish media say the other 11 suspects are all reportedly Moroccans who lived in Spain.
The goal of the meetings is to prepare the ground for peace between the Syrian government and the emerging opposition front in Syria. And to achieve a ceasefire throughout the country. The Russian army announces the "complete liberation" of Aleppo from "terrorists". In the last 24 hours, US jets have killed 42 civilians in the Islamic State stronghold.

Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The next round of peace talks between Iran, Turkey and Russia, scheduled for Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, at the end of August with the aim of reaching a ceasefire in Syria have been postponed to mid-September. This is according to Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister who adds that the exact date will be established during a meeting between delegates from Moscow, Ankara and Tehran scheduled in the coming days.

Kazakh Foreign Minister, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, reports that the change of date is a result of "information received from Russia". His Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov added that the next meeting, at the level of "experts", should draw up the agenda of the Astana summit, which will be held at the latest "by the beginning of September".

During the last meeting in the capital of Kazakhstan, leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran have agreed on the creation of areas of "de-escalation" of the conflict. Last week the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said he hoped the launch of "real, substantial" peace talks between the government of Damascus and the still-to-be-formed unified Syrian opposition in October.

Meanwhile, Russia's chief of military operations in Syria, General Sergey Rudskoy, said the Syrian province of Aleppo was "completely liberated" from terrorists. The Syrian government, he added, has "severely defeated" the Islamic State (IS, former Isis) and " 50 centers and an area of more than 2700 sq. Km have been liberated." He also anticipated that "all Central Syria will soon be liberated".

In the face of the struggle against Isis, there is news of more civilian casualties in the raids carried out by the US-led international coalition on Raqqa, the stronghold of Daesh [Arabic acronym for SI] in Syria. Sources from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights report that in the last 24 hours US jets have killed "dozens of civilians, at least 42" according to the latest toll. There are also 19 children and 12 women among them. Since August 14, at least 167 civilians have died under US bombs.

Hussam Essa of Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, a group that has documented the jihadists atrocities in the city these years, confirms that "unfortunately, civilians have no way to protect themselves. All they can do is try to hide in whatever shelter they can and avoid going out into the street as much as possible. "

At the beginning of June, the US-led international coalition said that 22,983 air strikes in Syria and Iraq have been launched since 2014, where at least 624 civilians died - accidentally. However, human rights activists and associations dispute the figures provided by saying that the number of victims is far greater.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The importance of the collaboration of the two Churches to support Christians in the Middle East reiterated. The pilgrimage of St. Nicholas's relics, "a small brick in building a new relationship". Hilarion: There was no talk of a meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - "Joint support to Middle Eastern Christians will help bring the Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church closer at the highest level," said the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill during his meeting with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, held yesterday afternoon in the patriarchal residence of the monastery of St. Daniel in Moscow.

"Our Church actively participates in the destination of humanitarian aid for the victims of the conflict in Syria and the other states of the Near East. And in this work it is very important to count on the widest support of the whole Christian world. I believe that the mutual relations between the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church in securing humanitarian aid in the Middle East would be an important unifying factor. Our shared positions give us the opportunity to make concrete plans in this sense, "Kirill said.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church recalled that a joint working group for the provision of humanitarian aid was launched in 2016 and he expressed the hope that the continuation of the joint work would push for new projects to bring relief to the Christians in the Middle East region. "I think that by developing collaboration in this area, we can lay the foundations for common projects linked to the lives of those who suffer from war conflicts in the Near East," the Patriarch reiterated.

During the meeting, representatives of the two main Christian Churches also discussed the situation in Ukraine. According to the Patriarch, the Church must be a factor of pacification and not to interfere in the conflict: "When human beings are in conflict with one another, the Church can play no other role than that of peace-maker. If the Church does not participate directly in the conflict and maintains its potential for reconciliation, it can become an important factor for understanding men. "

The two sides exchanged views on the outcome of the pilgrimage of the relics of Saint Nicholas the Taumaturgo, whose translation Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis had agreed during the historic meeting of Havana in February 2016. As the Vatican Secretary of State noted, this event has had a great impact on relations between the Churches.

"This aspect accelerates our forward movement in the relations between our Churches. Of course I was very happy to see that this event took place, and as it was welcomed by the Russian Orthodox Church, and I am delighted with the results of it. It can be said that one of the consequences of the arrival of the relic is the new climate, the new positive atmosphere that helps us to communicate, a small brick in building a new relationship, "observed the Holy See representative.

At the end of the meeting, Patriarch Kirill gave Card. Parolin an icon of the Mother of God and his book "Freedom and Responsibility" in Italian, a collection of his "social" speeches, in which "the relations of Christians with modern liberal values are discussed", as metropolitan Hilarion, the patriarchs primary collaborator, explained.

Answering a question about a possible encounter between Pope Francis and the Patriarch of Moscow, Hilarion said that the issue was not addressed during the interview: "For now this idea was not brought up by either side. We are faced with the great challenges that have been identified during the Havana encounter, and we must address these, "added the metropolitan.
by Loula Lahham

Worshippers used a building as a temporary church to pray. On Sunday, police surrounded it, preventing people from entering because it did have an official permit. On the same day, in Alexandria, a Coptic woman was stabbed as she left a church.

Cairo (AsiaNews)  Sunday morning, 20 August, security forces prevented Coptic worshippers and their pastor from celebrating Mass in a building in Al Forn, a small village in Minya governorate, 245 km south of Cairo.

The building had been dubbed The Church of the Virgin after the village church, which had been shuttered in 2004 for unknown reasons.

The police rejected the use of the building as a place of worship for Christians because it lacked a building or usage permit for such a purpose.

A source in the Orthodox Coptic diocese, who asked for anonymity, provided some information about the incident.

The village of Al Forn (literally The Oven) has about 400 Copts but no functioning church. For several years, they used a building in the village, in the middle of the Christian area, as a temporary church.

Religious services were always celebrated respectfully, with the verbal consent of security officials, which is why they went on years. The Coptic bishop had assigned one of his priests, Father Boutros Aziz, to serve the congregation.

Everything appeared to be going smoothly with the authorities and local Muslims, including the few Muslim fundamentalists. Until last Sunday.

When the pastor arrived at the church at 6 am, he found it surrounded by police. The latter barred Fr Aziz and his parishioners from going inside because they did not have an official permit to worship.

As a result of this, the feast day of the Assumption was celebrated yesterday, 22 August, according to the Coptic calendar, in a neighbouring village, a few kilometres away, too far for many seniors, pregnant women and children, especially because of the intense heat in this part of Upper Egypt.

Now, for the daily rituals, Copts pray four times a day in the streets. This is happening without any problems, an excellent answer to those who speak of tensions between Christians and the Muslims in Al Forn.

Meanwhile, on the same day of the feast of the Assumption, a Christian woman was stabbed as she left a church in Alexandria (on the Mediterranean coast), and then taken to hospital. The attacker fled the scene of the crime and remains at large.
by Huong Duong

The Virgin appeared for the first time in the forest in 1798, to comfort the Catholics persecuted by the king. Bishop Dominic Nguyen Van Manh, auxiliary bishop of a Lat: "Here we meet Mary in a more special way, because she promised, 'Anyone who comes here to pray to me will be heard.'" Vietnamese devotion to Our Lady.

Hanoi (AsiaNews) - More than 100,000 people took part in the 31st edition of the pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Our Lady of La Vang, organized by the archdiocese of Hue (central province of Thua Thien Hue) between August 13 and 18. The event, with the theme "Living with the Spirit of Fatima's Message", saw the participation of many non-Catholics.

Every year the Vietnamese Church celebrates the apparitions of Our Lady over two centuries ago in the forest "Cay La Vang" (La Vang woods), in the province of Quang Tri (territory of the Huid Archdiocese). In their faith, the Vietnamese are very devoted to Mary and often pray the Rosary. The Mother of God represents maternal love for the poor, the afflicted and the miserable. This year marks the centenary of Virgin's apparitions in the Portuguese village of Fatima. In this way, the two anniversaries were combined.

At the end of the 18th century, a Royal Edict banned Catholicism from Vietnam, beginning with fierce persecution of the faithful. The Virgin Mary appeared for the first time in 1798 to comfort a group of Vietnamese Catholics who had fled to the forest. Later, the place became an important pilgrimage destination and a Marian shrine was built.

Last August 14, Msgr. Dominic Nguyen Van Manh, a new auxiliary bishop of of a Lat Diocese, met more than 1000 children at the La Vang sanctuary for a meeting on Fatima's centenary. The bishop told them: "Today we come to Our Lady of La Vang. We are not like the tourists who come here to find new things and to satisfy their curiosity. When you come on pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of La Vang, each of us tries to think and reflect on the recommendations of Our Lady. Here she taught us 200 years ago, as she did at Fatima 100 years ago. "

Ms. A Lir, of the parish of ak Mut (diocese of Kontum), told to a local Catholic site: "Our group arrived yesterday at the sanctuary of La Vang. We tried to repair from rain and lightning. We are all very happy. This is the first time I come to La Vang. I just want my children to follow Jesus. "

Joseph, a parishioner of the parish of Gia Hung of Vinh diocese, said, "I have five children. My wife is ill. She wanted to come to La Vang but could not. I do not have money to stay in a motel, residence or hotel. However, poor people can stay in the area around the square. I came for the pilgrimage, sleeping on the ground is just a small sacrifice. When I come here, I pray to Our Lady.

In this way or in another, I'm sure the Virgin Mother gives a lot of blessings to my family, my children, and my wife."

Msgr Dominic Nguyen Van Manh exhorted those present: "We are here, first of all, to meet Our Lady, join the pilgrims, to praise and glorify Our Lady on the 31st La Vang pilgrimage. We know that Our Lady of La Vang is always present and accompanying us. Here we meet her in a more special way, because in this place she promised, 'My children, what you have asked me I have granted you, and from now on anyone who comes here to pray to me will be heard' ".

The cult for Our Lady of La Vang has spread not only among Catholics, but also among the faithful of other religions, including Buddhists and Protestants, who pray to the Virgin Mary for special graces.
by Papa Francesco

At the general audience in Paul VI hall, Pope Francis emphasizes the foundation of the future positivity of Christians: God who makes "all new things". "There is a Father weeping with tears of infinite pity for his children. A Father who waits for us to console us, because He knows our sufferings and has prepared a different future for us. " "It is not Christian to walk with a downward gaze, without looking up at the horizon." Present pilgrims from Lebanon, Syria, Middle East, India, Vietnam.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - We Christians " are a people of spring time rather than autumn: we see the sprouts of a new world rather than the yellowed leaves on the branches." This was the message that Pope Francis shared at the general audience today in the Paul VI hall, filled with pilgrims from all over the world, including from Asia: Lebanon, Syria, India, Vietnam, ...

The theme of today's audience - in the series dedicated to Christian hope - was a commentary on the words of Revelations, "Behold, I make all things new" (Acts 21: 5). The pontiff illustrated in many ways this power of novelty and hope in the lives of Christians: "We believe that our most beautiful days are yet to come ... We do not cry in nostalgia, regrets and lamentations: we know that God wants us to inherit a promise and be tireless dream-makers. " Here is the complete text of Pope Francis's catechesis.

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

We have heard the Word of God in the Book of Revelation: "Behold, I make all things new" (21: 5). Christian hope is based on faith in God who always creates novelties in man's life, history, and cosmos. Novelty and surprise.

It is not Christian to walk with a downward gaze, without lifting our eyes to the horizon. As if all of our paths extinguished themselves there, in the breadth of a few meters of journey; As if there was no destination and no port in our lives, and we were forced to an eternal wandering, without any reason for so much effort.

The final pages of the Bible show us the last horizon of the believer's journey: Heavenly Jerusalem. It is imagined above all as an immense tent, where God will welcome all men to live definitively with them (Acts 21: 3). And what will God do, when we are finally be with Him? He will have infinite tenderness for us, like a father who welcomes his sons who have long struggled and suffered. John prophesizes in Revelations: "Behold, Gods dwelling is with the human race! [...]He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away [...]Behold, I make all things new! "(21, 3-5).

Try to meditate this passage of Sacred Scripture not in an abstract way, but after reading a chronicle of our day, where sad news is brought to the attention of all of us. Try thinking about the faces of children afraid of war, mothers crying, broken dreams of so many young people, refugees who face terrible trips ... unfortunately this too is life. Sometimes, we could be led to say that life is above all this.

But There is a Father weeping with tears of infinite pity for his children. A Father who waits for us to console us, because He knows our sufferings and has prepared a different future for us. This is the great vision of Christian hope that expands over all the days of our existence, and it wants us to rise again.

God did not desire our lives by mistake, forcing Himself and us to hard nights of anguish. He has created us because He wants us happy. He is our Father, and if we here, now, experience a life that is not what He wanted for us, Jesus assures us that God Himself is operating His redemption.

We believe and know that death and hatred are not the last words pronounced on the parable of human existence. Being a Christian implies a new perspective: a gaze full of hope. Some believe that life retains all its happiness in youth and in the past, and that living is a slow decay. Others still feel that our joys are only episodic and passing, and in the life of men is written without sense. But we Christians do not believe this. We believe instead that in the humanitys horizon there is a sun that shines forever. We believe our most beautiful days have yet to come. We are more people of springtime than of autumn: we see the sprouts of a new world rather than the yellowed leaves on the branches. We do not cry in nostalgia, regret and lamentation: we know that God wants us to inherit a promise and be tireless dream-makers.

The Christian knows that the Kingdom of God, its lordship of love is growing like a great field of grain, even though there are the weeds in its midst. And in the end evil will be eradicated. The future does not belong to us, but we know that Jesus Christ is the greatest grace of life: it is the embrace of God who is waiting for us in the end, but who already accompanies us and consoles us on our journey. He leads us to the great "tent" of God with humanity (cf. Acts 21: 3), with many of other brothers and sisters, and we will bring to God the memory of the days lived down there. And it will be nice to find out at that moment that nothing was lost, no smile and no tears. However long our life may have been, it will seem to us to have been lived in a breath. And that creation did not stop on the sixth day of Genesis, but continued tirelessly, because God has always been worried about us. Until the day when everything will be done, in the morning when the tears will extinct, at the very instant in which God will utter His last word of blessing: "Behold, I make all things new" (v. 5). Yes, our Father is the God of novelty and surprises. And that day we will be truley happy, and we shall weep with joy.
by Sergio Ticozzi

The pressure and violence of the civil authorities control and suffocate the official Church. Underground Catholics wonder whether the Holy See has married the government's thesis, to eliminate them. The "unrealistic" hope in an agreement between China and the Holy See. The appeal of a PIME missionary, a great expert on China.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews / HSSC) - Some conversations I had during my last visit to the mainland upset me and gave me pause. I fully realized the worries that trouble the heart of so many brothers and sisterswhether clandestine or attending the open churcheswho truly want to be loyal to their faith and to the Catholic Church.

First of all, they are deeply aggrieved by the cunning pressure of civil authorities and the people who collaborate with them. Through enticements, as well as oppression, and even violence, the authorities try every means to control and to choke the official section of the

Church; on the other hand, the authorities try to eliminate the unofficial Church through mandatory control and registration of its members.

In their daily life, these brothers and sisters have to deal with opportunists and two-faced people who lie to them, or give them the runaround.

In their work, they have to suffer from undue interference and abuses of corrupt local authorities. Within the Church, these brothers and sisters frequently feel quite confused in their interactions with bishops and clergy. There are bishops who are recognized by the Holy See, but who also take up posts in the Patriotic Association which publicly proclaims principles

incompatible with Catholic doctrine. Then there are bishops who take part in illegitimate episcopal ordinations, and who concelebrate with ex

communicated bishops. There are priests who proclaim themselves bishops. And there are priests who are ordained by illegitimate bishops,

etc. Consequently, many ask, Who is our true shepherd? and Can we receive sacraments from them? or Do they still belong to the Catholic Church?

Observing the behaviour of the Holy See, some brothers and sisters are shaking their heads too; they feel doubtful and suspicious. Some unofficial priests even asked me if Rome had accepted the government policy to eliminate the underground Church; or whether it is still necessary to refuse to join the Patriotic Association. Mistrust is rather widespread.

These our brothers and sisters are suffering, sad, confused and apprehensive. Some of them put their hope on the eventual agreement between China and the Vatican, believing perhaps unrealistically that that will bring an end to all their worries and sufferings. Others close themselves off in their small community, and rely on the clergy to provide them a secure basis for their faith.

Yet, the Holy Spirit continues to work in them and strengthen their faith. It is deeply touching to see these brothers and sisters live the Christian faith in simple yet extraordinary ways.

Only their sincere faith guarantees the perseverance of the life of the Church in the country.

We must show our full solidarity with them through prayer and support.
by Sumon Corraya

They had exchanged their land with a Muslim developer for flats. Now they are forced to rent and have had their lives threatened.

Dhaka (AsiaNews)  Three Catholic women have received death threats because they dared to ask a wealthy Muslim developer what they had been promised, namely flats. The story came to light last week.

A Catholic attorney, Rita Giomes, is one of the victims of the latest property dispute in Bangladesh. She spoke to AsiaNews about it.

"We are women and Christians. This is why the developed has threatened us instead of giving us our due. He said he would shoot at us like birds if we ask for our flats. Tearful, she said on camera what happened to her and her family.

After a lot of sacrifices and hard work, her father had bought a small plot of land in Kafrul, a neighbourhood in Dhaka, where he had built a modest home. When he died eight years ago, Rita, her mother Uasha and her sister Jhomur decided to sell the land on which they lived to a company owned by a Muslim, Md Ishak Migha.

According to the agreement, the developer was going to build an eight-storey residential complex and give 11 flats to the Catholic women. This would have allowed them to have more hope for a better future without the man of the family.

But once the land was handed over, Migha renegued on his pledge and told the women that he would not give them any flat.

Recently, Rita Gomes took the case to court in the capital and at a press conference called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to do something.

"According to the property deed, we were supposed to get a new flat within the first six months, she explained. Instead, years have gone by, and we have received only death threats. This situation shows how Christians live in this country: in fear. Even though I am a lawyer, I cannot beat injustice."

Contacted by AsiaNews, the Muslim developer defended himself and rejected all the charges. On the contrary, he claims that the Catholic women are harassing me. There are no roads to the building I built so I can never sell the flats."

"He is lying," Gomes said, noting that anyone who visits the site can see it. In fact, the building is served by a road wide enough for a bus to drive through.

The Gomeses have asked for the mediation of Catholic authorities and Christian leaders, but nothing has been done against the developer.

"On several occasions we went to Migha's home, said Noel Gomes, a Christian leader. We tried to talk to him, but his reactions have always been aggressive and he has used foul language against Christians.

We are peaceful people, said Uasha Gomes. "We want to live in peace and we thought that by giving our land to the developer we could do so. Instead, we have been forced to rent. I am sick and I dont have the money to buy medicines.
The missions goal is not to build democracy but to kill terrorists. The Afghan government and NATO praise the decision. The Taliban promise to continue the jihad until the last US soldier is out. Until them they will turn the country into a US graveyard. Source tells AsiaNews that the Taliban will not stop. Analyst says Trump is a manikin of the military.

Washington (AsiaNews)  US President Donald Trump said he wants to send fresh troops to Afghanistan, not to construct democracies but for the purpose of killing terrorists".

The Afghan government and NATO praised the decision, whilst the Taliban promised to turn the country into another graveyard for the United States.

Trumps decision is a major about-face in view of what the president said during his America first campaign.

Trump announced his new strategy on Monday in front of the troops at the Fort Myer military base in Arlington (Virginia).

For the US president, pulling US troops out of Afghanistan too quickly could create a vacuum that the terrorists could fill. So, despite his initial instinct of getting out, he decided instead to stay and "fight to win".

The president also put pressure on neighbouring Pakistan, warning that the US would no longer tolerate it offering "safe havens" to agents of chaos  an accusation swiftly dismissed by a Pakistani army spokesman

Finally, the president did not rule out a "political settlement that includes elements of the Taliban" after an "effective military effort".

Trump's speech did not indicate any the number for the US deployment, but some reports indicate that the president has approved 4,000 troops.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani welcomed the plan, saying "The US-Afghan partnership is stronger than ever in overcoming the threat of terrorism that threaten us all."

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also praised the move and said that the alliance, which has about 12,000 troops in Afghanistan, would not allow the country to become "a safe haven for terrorists who would attack our own countries".

The Talibans response was different. "If America doesn't withdraw its troops from Afghanistan, soon Afghanistan will become another graveyard for this superpower in the 21st century," said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The Islamist group also vowed that it would continue its "jihad" as long as American troops remained in the country.

A source told AsiaNews that "as long as foreign soldiers remain, the Taliban will continue their offensive." Although it is true that the Afghan army cannot on its own defeat the Taliban, the source noted that Trumps plan is unclear.

The president says they will not leave until they have destroyed the enemies, but that is easy to say. The terrorists know the terrain. Some generals know Afghanistan well; they know very well that many areas have never been reached by NATO troops. This is not a prospect for peace."

For analyst Finian Cunningham, Trump's decision to continue Americas "longest war" is rooted in his administrations growing militarism.

Trump himself had bashed Obama for his military involvement in Afghanistan, pledging in his electoral campaign to channel economic resources to revive "forgotten" communities at home rather than fund wars abroad.

For Cunningham, Trump now is a mere manikin who sits in the White House taking orders from his generals."

This explains the timing of the removal of Stephen Bannon from the Trump team. Last week Bannon expressed views opposed to Trumps militaristic policy vis-a-vis North Korea and had in the past warned the president against embracing militarism abroad, especially in Afghanistan.

For the analyst, "It is no coincidence that Trump decided to get rid of Bannon while huddled with military generals and intelligence chiefs at Camp David last weekend."

In 2010 the United States had upwards of 100,000 U.S. military personnel to Afghanistan. Today that figure is down to 8,400 U.S. troops.

The situation however is as deadly as ever. More than 2,500 Afghan police and troops have been killed already this year.
Guest Commentary

Peter Paul De Groote

Over the last two years, more than 100 medical facilities managed or supported by the international medical humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) have been bombed in conflict zones around the world. That's almost one hospital every week.

Unfortunately, it is only the tip of the iceberg. According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, there were 896 attacks on healthcare facilities between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016. In addition to hospital bombings, the estimate includes the violence, abductions, arson and lootings health workers are routinely exposed to in conflict zones such as Yemen, South Sudan and Iraq.

An estimated 1,377 people have died in this epidemic of attacks. But its effects cannot be measured in death tolls and the loss of infrastructure alone. When hospitals, ambulances and health workers are dragged onto the battlefield, patients are deprived of medical care when they need it most.

Hospitals in conflict zones are necessary not just for treating war-time injuries, but also delivering primary healthcare, combating the spread of infectious diseases and providing reproductive care. These essential services  already scarce in a conflict zone  are interrupted whenever a hospital is attacked, with far-reaching consequences for patients.

Unable to access the healthcare they need, patients are faced with an impossible choice: Risk their lives in trying to get to the closest functional medical facility, or avoid hospitals altogether.

Our teams see the consequences of both these choices. After an MSF-supported facility in northern Yemen was targeted last year, deliveries in the maternity room stopped  pregnant women felt safer giving birth in caves rather than risk coming to the hospital.

When MSF's trauma centre in Kunduz, Afghanistan, was destroyed by airstrikes in October 2015, 42 people  including 24 patients and 14 colleagues  were killed while simply receiving and providing medical care. Moreover, a lifeline was snatched away from patients in the region. They had to make perilous journeys once again to receive the healthcare they needed.

Hospitals are a place of humanity, a sanctuary amidst the brutality of war. We have a no-weapons policy at all our clinics so patients don't have to fear for their safety while receiving treatment.

When this policy is violated and hospitals get militarised, the consequences are deadly for everyone.

On July 11, two armed men arrived at Zemio hospital in the Central African Republic where around 7,000 internally displaced people had sought refuge in the previous weeks to escape fighting. The men shot at a woman holding her baby, striking the child in the head and killing her instantly. The child was shot in her mother's arms, inside a medical facility  the two places where she should have been safest.

Even when people are able to flee violence, war and persecution in their home countries, they are unable to escape the insecurity. The number of people dying trying to reach Europe is comparable to what we are used to seeing in warzones, with the UN Migration Agency recording at least 5,000 deaths in the Mediterranean Sea last year. Faced with this crisis, MSF launched search and rescue activities in the Mediterranean Sea in 2015.

Last week, Libyan authorities announced the establishment of a search and rescue zone and restricted access to humanitarian vessels into the international waters off the Libyan coast. This is an attack on search and rescue operations, and will lead to more deaths at sea.

On this World Humanitarian Day , we denounce the repeated attacks on healthcare  on land and at sea. If hospitals and health workers continue to be targeted, where do the wounded and sick go?

(Peter Paul De Groote is the General Director, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) India.)
People sure love Italian food. The two toughest restaurants to get into this summer were both Italian.

One was a modest, 75 seater including al fresco dining with views of Ventnor Avenue; the other a mammoth, multi-million-dollar, 300-plus-seater by an Iron Chef inside a casino.

And while the buzz of the summer certainly goes to Michael Symons Angeline at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa as the hottest new restaurant of the summer, runner-up  in Atlantic County, at least  goes to Tutto Fresco Italian Grill in Ventnor, which couldnt accommodate us for more than a month.

Soft doubles versus hard doubles in blackjack My old blackjack-playing friend Bob has a son named Mike who is more or less a chip off the 

The wait was worth it.

If the name Tutto Fresco sounds familiar, it should. Co-owner Carmine Lamarras father Franco owned a Tutto Fresco location in Ventnor from 1998 to 2003 where Sage currently resides, along with another in Northfield for a few years.

And if youre a traveler to Port St. Lucie, Carmines brother Pasquale owns a 350-seat Tutto Fresco there.

My family has been in the restaurant business since we moved here in 1977, says Carmine, who grew up with his parents and two brothers in Margate and actually operated Portobello in the same exact location the new Tutto Fresco is. The kitchen and cooking were always a big thing for us. We were always in competition at home and in the restaurants. I always worked in the restaurants; they are part of me.

After owning and operating five restaurants in Florida for seven years, Carmine Lamarra came home to the Jersey Shore where he managed three restaurants for LDV Hospitality at the former Revel and also was a manager at Vic & Anthonys in Golden Nugget.
A2 Milk Company strikes liquid gold, almost triples annual profit





The A2 Milk Company has nearly tripled its net profit after tax for its 2017 financial year thanks to strong Australian and Chinese demand for its infant formula.

Announcing its 2017 financial year results, the A2 Milk Company revealed that 72 per cent of its revenue for the year came from infant formula. This was a 61 per cent increase on A2 Milk Companys 2016 financial year figures.

Within Australia, branded A2 fresh milk achieved growth in sales, along with A2 branded whole milk powder.

The A2 Milk Companys Managing Director, Geoffrey Babidge, said the business growth reflects increasing consumer acceptance of the A2 brand.

We have continued to support and expand our brand proposition through effective marketing and promotional activities in each of our markets, Babidge said.

Our support for relevant scientific research and continued investment in intellectual property are also key aspects of this strategy.

Building the A2 brand in the US

The A2 Milk Company said further progress was made throughout the year building the A2 brand in the United States. There was a continued focus on California and expansion through the South East of the country through a premium retailer. Brand awareness and rate of sale increased during the year in the region.

Strong focus on Chinese regulation

Babidge reported the A2 Milk Company is strongly focused on Chinas evolving regulatory regime, in particular the requirement for registration of infant formula brands by Chinas Food and Drug Administration from January 2018.

UK growing

UK fresh milk sales grew when compared to the 2016 financial year with A2 investing in marketing and customer engagement in the UK.

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Latest FY17 results: Inghams flies, MG $370 million loss





Dairy processor Murray Goulburn and poultry producer, Inghams have both reported their 2017 financial year results.

Murray Goulburns $370 million loss

Dairy co-operative, Murray Goulburn, has reported a net loss of after tax of $370 million in announcing its 2017 financial year profit results.

Murray Goulburn (MG), which owns the Devondale brand, also reported that it received 2.7 billion litres of milk for the year, a 21.8 per cent reduction on the 2016 financial year.

Chief Executive Officer of MG, Ari Mervis, said MG experienced a difficult year because of the significant reduction in milk and adverse seasonal conditions.

In order to mitigate the resulting impact, a number of important initiatives have been undertaken, Mervis said.

These include implementing the manufacturing footprint review, de-recognising the contentious Milk Supply Support package, and delivering on previously announced cost initiatives.

Furthermore, a new management team is now in place, and a comprehensive strategic review covering all aspects of MGs strategy and corporate structure, including the Profit Sharing Mechanism and capital structure, is accelerating. These are all necessary steps to strengthen and improve the performance of MG, Mervis stated.

Inghams profits fly high

Demand for healthy and value-driven chicken products has seen Inghams report strong results for its first ASX end of financial year profit announcement.

Poultry producer, Inghams, first listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in November 2016. The company announced its financial results for its 2017 financial year, delivering better than expected results.

Inghams statuary net profit after tax was AUD $59.1 million and revenue AUD $2, 383.9 million.

Inghams Chief Executive Officer, Mick McMahon, said the 2017 financial year was a landmark one for Inghams.

The Group has delivered against prospectus forecast, supported by good progress on implementing our strategy. McMahon said.

Our results reflect continued strong demand for Inghams quality products supported by consumer preference for great value, healthy and versatile poultry products.

Inghams said it expects poultry volumes to keep growing.

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By Michael J. Biercuk, Professor of Quantum Physics and Quantum Technology, University of Sydney

Michael Biercuk, Author provided

Its no surprise that quantum computing has become a media obsession. A functional and useful quantum computer would represent one of the centurys most profound technical achievements.

For researchers like me, the excitement is welcome, but some claims appearing in popular outlets can be baffling.

A recent infusion of cash and attention from the tech giants has woken the interest of analysts, who are now eager to proclaim a breakthrough moment in the development of this extraordinary technology.

Quantum computing is described as just around the corner, simply awaiting the engineering prowess and entrepreneurial spirit of the tech sector to realise its full potential.

Whats the truth? Are we really just a few years away from having quantum computers that can break all online security systems? Now that the technology giants are engaged, do we sit back and wait for them to deliver? Is it now all just engineering?

Why do we care so much about quantum computing?

Quantum computers are machines that use the rules of quantum physics  in other words, the physics of very small things  to encode and process information in new ways.

They exploit the unusual physics we find on these tiny scales, physics that defies our daily experience, in order to solve problems that are exceptionally challenging for classical computers. Dont just think of quantum computers as faster versions of todays computers  think of them as computers that function in a totally new way. The two are as different as an abacus and a PC.

They can (in principle) solve hard, high-impact questions in fields such as codebreaking, search, chemistry and physics.

Read More: Quantum computers could crack existing codes but create others much harder to break

Chief among these is factoring: finding the two prime numbers, divisible only by one and themselves, which when multiplied together reach a target number. For instance, the prime factors of 15 are 3 and 5.

As simple as it looks, when the number to be factored becomes large, say 1,000 digits long, the problem is effectively impossible for a classical computer. The fact that this problem is so hard for any conventional computer is how we secure most internet communications, such as through public-key encryption.

Some quantum computers are known to perform factoring exponentially faster than any classical supercomputer. But competing with a supercomputer will still require a pretty sizeable quantum computer.

Money changes everything

Quantum computing began as a unique discipline in the late 1990s when the US government, aware of the newly discovered potential of these machines for codebreaking, began investing in university research

The field drew together teams from all over the world, including Australia, where we now have two Centres of Excellence in quantum technology (the author is part of of the Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems).









AINST, Author provided





But the academic focus is now shifting, in part, to industry.

IBM has long had a basic research program in the field. It was recently joined by Google, who invested in a University of California team, and Microsoft, which has partnered with academics globally, including the University of Sydney.

Seemingly smelling blood in the water, Silicon Valley venture capitalists also recently began investing in new startups working to build quantum computers.

The media has mistakenly seen the entry of commercial players as the genesis of recent technological acceleration, rather than a response to these advances.

So now we find a variety of competing claims about the state of the art in the field, where the field is going, and who will get to the end goal  a large-scale quantum computer  first.

The state of the art in the strangest of technologies

Conventional computer microprocessors can have more than one billion fundamental logic elements, known as transistors. In quantum systems, the fundamental quantum logic units are known as qubits, and for now, they mostly number in the range of a dozen.

Such devices are exceptionally exciting to researchers and represent huge progress, but they are little more than toys from a practical perspective. They are not near whats required for factoring or any other application  theyre too small and suffer too many errors, despite what the frantic headlines may promise.

For instance, its not even easy to answer the question of which system has the best qubits right now.

Consider the two dominant technologies. Teams using trapped ions have qubits that are resistant to errors, but relatively slow. Teams using superconducting qubits (including IBM and Google) have relatively error-prone qubits that are much faster, and may be easier to replicate in the near term.

Which is better? Theres no straightforward answer. A quantum computer with many qubits that suffer from lots of errors is not necessarily more useful than a very small machine with very stable qubits.

Because quantum computers can also take different forms (general purpose versus tailored to one application), we cant even reach agreement on which system currently has the greatest set of capabilities.

Similarly, theres now seemingly endless competition over simplified metrics such as the number of qubits. Five, 16, soon 49! The question of whether a quantum computer is useful is defined by much more than this.









Jayne Ion/University of Sydney, Author provided





Where to from here?

Theres been a media focus lately on achieving quantum supremacy. This is the point where a quantum computer outperforms its best classical counterpart, and reaching this would absolutely mark an important conceptual advance in quantum computing.

But dont confuse quantum supremacy with utility.

Some quantum computer researchers are seeking to devise slightly arcane problems that might allow quantum supremacy to be reached with, say, 50-100 qubits  numbers reachable within the next several years.

Achieving quantum supremacy does not mean either that those machines will be useful, or that the path to large-scale machines will become clear.

Moreover, we still need to figure out how to deal with errors. Classical computers rarely suffer hardware faults  the blue screen of death generally comes from software bugs, rather than hardware failures. The likelihood of hardware failure is usually less than something like one in a billion-quadrillion, or 10-24 in scientific notation.

The best quantum computer hardware, on the other hand, typically achieves only about one in 10,000, or 10-4. Thats 20 orders of magnitude worse.

Is it all just engineering?

Were seeing a slow creep up in the number of qubits in the most advanced systems, and clever scientists are thinking about problems that might be usefully addressed with small quantum computers containing just a few hundred qubits.

But we still face many fundamental questions about how to build, operate or even validate the performance of the large-scale systems we sometimes hear are just around the corner.

Read More: Compute this: the quantum future is crystal clear

As an example, if we built a fully error-corrected quantum computer at the scale of the millions of qubits required for useful factoring, as far as we can tell, it would represent a totally new state of matter. Thats pretty fundamental.

At this stage, theres no clear path to the millions of error-corrected qubits we believe are required to build a useful factoring machine. Current global efforts (in which this author is a participant) are seeking to build just one error-corrected qubit to be delivered about five years from now.

At the end of the day, none of the teams mentioned above are likely to build a useful quantum computer in 2017  or 2018. But that shouldnt cause concern when there are so many exciting questions to answer along the way.

Professor Michael J. Biercuk receives funding to support research in quantum computing from US Government Agencies including the Army Research Office and IARPA, as well as the Australian Research Council and the Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Originally published in The Conversation.
Hi everyone,



I have received my ens 186 visa after paying all the costs upfront.



The costs are refunded by my future employer when i arrive and settle in Australia.



My future employer has now cancelled my job and has asked for me and my family to travel to australia to sit another job interview (after passing the last one) at my own cost.



There is now no guarantee of a job, this has caused immense stress for the family and we don't know where we stand.



The employer has stated medically i am out of date despite being passed medically fit for the visa this year which was more indepth than the job medical.



Help please?



Thank you!
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Photo courtesy of LUXnow

LUXnow, a peer-to-peer platform for luxury carsharing, has announced its official launch. Available via its mobile app and website, LUXnow provides members with a selection of luxury vehicles through its community marketplace. Vehicle owners can list their vehicles to be rented out.

Launching initially in South Florida with exotic cars  from such brands as Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Range Rover  LUXnow will soon expand nationally to also include villas, yachts, and private jets.

As co-founders of Carefree Lifestyle, a Miami-based exotic car rental and luxury concierge service founded in 1999, Anthony and Gary Marotta noticed a void in the luxury rental market. Owners' idle assets were incurring expenses, and renters didn't have a clear-cut path to obtain luxury vehicles.

"We recognized an opportunity in the market to provide consumers with a frictionless, on-demand luxury rental experience, while at the same time providing owners with a pipeline to securely and efficiently loan out their idle assets while generating passive income  removing the burden that is associated with ownership today," said Anthony Marotta, co-founder of LUXnow. "Through this new platform, we look forward to delivering the same exceptional service, consistent portfolio, and extraordinary experiences that our customers have come to know and trust."

LUXnow plans to expansion to New York in fall 2017  with plans to expand to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas afterward, according to the company.
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.
A Tampa man had sex with a 12-year-old girl inside a church Aug. 20, police investigators say.

Le'Angelo Wilkerson, 27, charged with sexual battery on a child

Witness says she walked in on Wilkerson, girl in bathroom

Wilkerson has 12-year-old daughter of his own, mom says

LeAngelo Wilkerson, 27, is accused of having sex with the girl in a bathroom and then a classroom at Rehoboth Faith Cathedral Church on N. 40th St., Tampa Police said.

Tushara Jones said the girl was her 14-year-old daughters friend and that girl was visiting the church for the first time. She said her daughter walked in on the act.

My daughter walked in the bathroom with the girl that was missing. She said she was going to the bathroom, Jones said. My daughter walked in the bathroom and caught them having sexual intercourse, and he groped my daughters butt and told my daughter to come and show her how it was supposed to be done.

Jones said she was shocked that this allegedly happened with someone she trusted to be around children at church.

My daughter is the one that told him, 'No, he needs to stop. Were in church and thats a grown man. Youre not supposed to be doing that,' and thats when he grabbed her, Jones said.

Jones said after the girls got home from church, her daughter told her what happened, and she contacted police.

Wilkersons mother said she leads Sunday school service at the church and that she drove the two girls to the church on Sunday. She said the incident allegedly occurred when church leaders were praying in the front.

She added that she was shocked to hear the allegations because her son, Wilkerson, also has a 12-year-old daughter.

Members of this Tampa church community, meanwhile, told us this isnt the message they want to send.

Disgusting," Donnie Maynor saod. "Its a shame, especially in the church to give us a big bad name that this is what allow [sic] in church instead of whats really going on."

Wilkerson is in jail and faces a number of charges, including sexual battery on a child 12 years or younger.
Ingram Publishing/iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- One of the State Departments science envoys has announced his resignation on Twitter, citing President Trump's "attacks on core values of the United States."

Dr. Daniel Kammen, a professor of energy at the University of California, Berkeley, wrote in a long letter that he is resigning because of the presidents "failure to condemn white supremacists and neo-Nazis," calling it "a pattern of behavior that enables sexism and racismand disregards the welfare of all Americans, the global community, and the planet."

Kammen also argued that by pulling out of the Paris climate accord, Trump has "abdicate[d] the leadership opportunities and the job creation benefits" participating in the agreement could have represented.



In his letter, Kammen included an acrostic, in which the first letter of each paragraph spelled out IMPEACH. This is a move similar to the resignation letter from members of the Presidents Committee on the Arts and Humanities, who spelled out RESIST.

Mr. President, I am resigning as Science Envoy. Your response to Charlottesville enables racism, sexism, & harms our country and planet. pic.twitter.com/eWzDc5Yw6t  Daniel M Kammen (@dan_kammen) August 23, 2017

"Today, Dr. Daniel Kammen made a personal decision to resign. We appreciate his dedicated service to U.S. scientific diplomacy during his appointment working on energy efficiency and renewable energy in Africa as a Science Envoy," a State Department official told ABC News.

Kammen was not the State Department's science envoy, but one of three unpaid scientists and engineers who have been working with the agency on key scientific issues. Science envoys are different than the special envoy roles filled by full-time employees at the State Department, in that they work with the agency to foster cooperation with foreign governments, businesses, universities and others.

Since 2010, 18 science envoys have worked with the State Department and visited 41 countries, according to a State Department official. Their terms last about one year.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Seven Astounding Sights Along N. Oregon Coast's Tillamook County; Video

Published 08/23/2017 at 4:53 AM PDT - Updated 08/23/2017 at 2:23 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Oceanside, Oregon)  There are of course dozens if not hundreds of stunning spots along the part of the north Oregon coast known as Tillamook County. If you were going to pick seven outstanding sights, however, it might go something like the video featured here.

Pacific City's Haystack Rock. That much-loved iconic and ancient sentinel of the north Oregon coast has two distinctive facts that will surprise.

One: it is literally a kind of sentinel, in geologic terms. Its sturdier, basalt makeup is one of the reasons that Cape Kiwanda is still around. Haystack keeps the battering, eroding power of the tides at bay to some degree, and the soft sandstone of famed Kiwanda would likely be a lot smaller now if not for the offshore rock.

Two: yes, there is another Haystack Rock on the north Oregon coast at Cannon Beach. There are actually three by this name in Oregon: the third is down on the southern coast. More....

Secret Canyon at Cape Kiwanda. Head to the very northwestern edge of the cape and you'll see this wild and weird sight. For a long time you were able to walk up to this section where the jumbled mass of soaring rock structures sit in front of the the windswept icon. It may not always be possible these days and you may be forced to look at it from a distance.

In order to find this you have to walk the entire width of the dune to the other side or trudge almost a mile from the McPhillips Beach entrance, which is a mile north of Pacific City. More....

Oceanside. So much is going on in this tiny town you literally cannot visit all of it in a day. From the tunnel, the trippy Star Trek Beach on the other side, the tiny, winding streets that meander to the top to all that Cape Meares and Short Beach promise  it's a tangled mess of massive fun. More....

Rockaway Beach, Northern End. At the Nedonna Beach and Manhattan Beach sections of northern Rockaway Beach, these are not exactly hidden spots but they're out of the way enough that it feels like it. Plus, you more often than not encounter few others. This section is the first Rockaway Beach scene in the video, with the massive driftwood construct and Twin Rocks in the distance. More....

Rockaway Beach's Southern End. The closest you can get to Twin Rocks is at Minnehaha Street, seen in the video with a vibrant glow amid moody clouds. There's a good seven miles of straight, soft sands here, punctuated by a handful of creeks. More....

Manzanita. About eight miles up the road from Rockaway Beach, Manzanita is one of the Oregon coast's most awesome secrets that's hiding in plain sight. At once sleepy yet buzzing with creative energy, the highlight here is the simple and direct beach. More....

Neahkahnie Overlooks. One of the most photogenic spots along the entire Oregon coast, here you're about 400 feet in the air looking down on Manzanita and a vast expanse of ocean. On a clear day, you can see some 40 miles to the south to Oceanside, which almost brings this Tillamook County journey full circle. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this - Where to eat - Maps and Virtual Tours

















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Southeast Texans looking to watch -- or play -- live music have a few more options thanks to local bars.

Portus Lounge will now have live music on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, starting this Thursday when Tim Burge and Pug Johnson perform.

Music starts at 7 p.m. The lounge, located at 6632 Phelan Blvd. in Beaumont, is 21 and up only.

Check the Portus Facebook page, "Portus Lounge," for upcoming lineups.

For musicians looking to get more stage time, Bar Local is the spot to be.

The bar will kick off its weekly acoustic open mic nights Wednesday with guest host Don Rollins.

A different guest host will be featured each week. A PA system and mic will be provided, but musicians need to bring their own instruments.

The show is from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Bar Local is located at 6358 Phelan Blvd. in Beaumont.

For those who just love singing, Rikenjaks Brewing Company in Vidor plans to host weekly karaoke nights.

Starting Sept. 1, anyone ready to sing at the top of their lungs can do so from 8 p.m. to midnight every Friday.

There will be no cover to get in.
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On the day senior White House officials said at least 3,900 additional U.S. forces will be deployed to Afghanistan, more than 2,500 armored tanks and trucks arrived at the Port of Beaumont to be shipped overseas.

The tan military tanks and green camouflage armored trucks were shipped by rail from Fort Riley, Kansas. Port employees on Tuesday loaded some of the vehicles onto the ship Endurance, which is scheduled to leave soon for Central Europe.

The tanks and trucks will be dropped off in places like Germany, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, according to Maj. Joseph Komanetz.

Komanetz did not say where the vehicles, which belong to the Second Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division, will go from there.

In a national address Monday night, President Donald Trump reversed his past calls for a speedy exit from Afghanistan and recommitted the United States to the 16-year conflict, saying U.S. troops must "fight to win." He warned against the mistakes made in Iraq, where an American military withdrawal led to a vacuum that the Islamic State group quickly filled.

"My original instinct was to pull out, and historically, I like to follow my instinct," Trump said during his prime-time address from Fort Myer, Virginia. "But all my life I've heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk in the Oval Office."

Busiest port for military

The military vehicle deployment from Beaumont was planned before Trump's Monday address, according to Lt. Col. Donald Santillo.

"This deployment has nothing to do with the president's remarks," said Santillo, a member of the 842nd Transportation Battalion based in Beaumont.

Loran Doane, public affairs officer for the U.S. Army, called the Beaumont operation a "stress test," saying the Army is testing its ability to mobilize quickly.

"It's not about the number of vehicles we're moving, but the speed at which we're moving," Doane said.

The purpose is to decrease the time transports of this size take, Santillo said. The Army would like to shorten the time from 170 days to 50, he said.

In the 16 years since the war in Afghanistan began, many experienced Army professionals have left, Santillo said. The operation happening at the Port of Beaumont is about re-learning skills, he said.

The port, built in 1916, handles more military cargo than any other port in the United States, Santillo said. It's a fact he thinks some Southeast Texans might be surprised to learn.

"I don't think people understand how crucial this port is," Santillo said.

Santillo said local port employees are helping load the tanks and trucks.

"You see civilians, guys with beards who can't do that in the Army, driving these tanks," he said.

Afghanistan troops

While Trump would not confirm how many more service members he plans to send to Afghanistan, Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday cited Pentagon plans from June calling for 3,900 more troops.

U.S. officials said there was no fixed number, but they said the Pentagon has told Trump it needs that many fresh forces in addition to the roughly 8,400 Americans in the country to accomplish Trump's objectives of "obliterating ISIS, crushing al-Qaida, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan and stopping mass terror attacks against America before they emerge."

The 3,900 figure includes a combination of trainers, security forces and other support troops, according to the officials, who weren't authorized to publicly discuss details about the military planning and spoke on condition of anonymity. The exact number of arriving forces can vary as conditions change.

Gen. Joseph Votel, the top U.S. commander for the Middle East, said he expects the first reinforcements to arrive "pretty quickly," within days or weeks.

At its peak involvement in 2010-2011, the U.S. had roughly 100,000 troops in Afghanistan. President Barack Obama then started bringing them home, drawing criticism for the advance timetables he provided for his planned drawdown and ultimate withdrawal of forces.

Trump was among those who argued that Obama was aiding the enemy by telegraphing U.S. intentions. On Monday, Trump said he wouldn't discuss troop numbers, military tactics or timetables. "America's enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out," he said.

Obama reversed himself on withdrawing from Afghanistan as security worsened. Taliban militants have made gains across the country, and the fractious Afghan government currently controls about half the country.

Afghanistan's U.S.-backed government welcomed Trump's strategy, with President Ashraf Ghani saying it will help stabilize the region.

Allies responded positively, too.

Germany, which contributes 950 troops in northern Afghanistan, approved the U.S. readiness for a "long-term commitment" and agreed the military's continued deployment should be "linked to the conditions on the ground."

Lolita C. Baldor and Matthew Pennington work for the Associated Press.
The U.S. Senate is holding bipartisan hearings with state governors and health insurance commissioners in an attempt to stabilize the individual health insurance marketplace, the Tennessean reports.

Here's what you should know:

1. The hearings will center on the ACA, in light of failed attempts to repeal and replace the ACA.

2. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said by the end of September, he hopes to provide the 18 million Americans with insurance purchase coverage through ACA exchanges "peace of mind" that options will be available at a "reasonable price."

3. The hearings will be a bipartisan effort with senators from both parties present.

4. Mr. Alexander reiterated his support for the bipartisan effort saying, "Any solution that Congress passes for a 2018 stabilization package will have to be small, bipartisan and balanced."
In today's age online reviews are as important as they are beneficial. Online reviews can quickly add a level of trust and legitimacy to any business. The Medical field can particularly benefit from patients and physicians providing online feedback.

After hearing about an ambulatory surgery center, whether from word of mouth or the ASCs own marketing, today's tech savvy aware physicians will take to the internet to perform a quick search on the suggested ASC. The online realm can seem daunting; however, ASCs can control and manage much of what comes up in search results.

While the medical field comes with a level of sensitivity for patients, depending on the doctor or procedure, patients that genuinely had a positive experience will be happy and willing to share their experiences. You can conduct a quick search and see for yourself that people do in fact leave detailed medically related reviews (physician offices, plastic surgery, surgery centers, hospitals and more). The growth of social media has aided in the variety of options/different platforms where patients and physicians can share a review of their experiences.

Here are 4 foundational tips to garner those online reviews:

1. Social Media Maintenance - There are several social media platforms to choose from. Reviews are not an option for every social media site, so ASCs should make sure to have a presence on sites where patients are able to leave reviews such as Facebook, Google My Business, and Yelp (to name a few). If your ASC is not on any social media sites or medically related platforms, start with the above listed sites first. While medical practices and ASCs should be on a handful of well maintained social sites, operations should be sure their social media manager thoughtfully posts regular content, photos, or videos on the aforementioned sites.

Facebook, Google My Business, and Yelp in particular aid in search engine optimization (SEO). Meaning when a potential physician or patient googles your practice, those three sites would rank on the first displayed SERPS (search engine result pages). Once you create and verify your business online, your online visibility and rankings will dramatically change. To emphasize the importance of ownership, on Yelp doctors and medical establishments are "reviewed like restaurants". Your ASC can be reviewed without you even verifying your business page, so be sure to be proactive and create or verify your page(s) as soon as possible.

Additionally, depending on how much time your office staff has or if you have a social media manager, other sites that add to your legitimacy and digital reach include: LinkedIn, YouTube, Bing Business, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. However, it should be noted that each site has its own "personality" and type of audience that should be kept in mind when posting content.

2. Make The Right Collateral - While the reviews your ASC should be seeking are online, consider creating a variety of print collateral to provide to physicians and their patients to let them know to go online to check out your sites or remind them to please review. Marketing collateral such as social media graphics and signs displayed in the waiting room where patients and their families can read while waiting and having your post-op nurses include the social media graphic in given materials are some ideas to keep reviews on the minds of patients or physicians.

Beyond print collateral consider making creative "review videos" that digitally showcase your reviews across a variety of platforms. You can upload your created review video on YouTube and share your video on Facebook, LinkedIn, your website, Instagram and more. Additionally, you can have the review video looping in your waiting room. Giving new and seasoned physicians or patients alike further confidence in your ASC as they view your 5 star reviews from others. This also serves as a reminder that your ASC is on social media and that they too can review their experience.

3. Follow Up - This is important for a variety of reasons. Apart from social media, ASCs should have some sort of relationship management (CRM) tool or system that they can use to encourage reviews. This includes communication methods, such as semi-regular emails to physicians beyond pertaining to surgery.

Emails are also helpful in efforts to keep negative reviews offline. Just as a glowing positive review can be the impetus for scheduling a tour or booking a surgery, a scathing negative review can have the opposite effect and simply doesn't look good. In your CRM methods, incorporate workflows. Workflows are a series of emails that relate to a campaign or objective. Your first follow-up email can include a link to a yes or no question, such as "Would you recommend our ASC to colleagues?". If the answer is "no", consider sending a survey for physicians to provide further feedback. Medical practices and ASCs are people based, so take heed to any suggestions and constructive feedback, and be sure to address it with your physicians and if necessary your office. For those that selected "yes" send them an email providing links to each social media site where they can share their positive experiences at your ASC.

Also to keep your ASC relevant to physicians, be sure to send them Holiday emails or notifications of new posts on your practice blog so they continue to be engaged and aware of any new or exciting ASC updates.

4. Make It An Important Part Of Your ASC Culture - Have a people focused mentality. From office staff, to schedulers and nurses, each one of your ASCs personnel that a physician or patient could interact with impacts the outcome of a review. Patient and physician satisfaction and quality care should be at the heart of an ASCs practices.

Really, garnering reviews starts on the phone or the moment the patient or physician walks through your ASC doors. Your staff should be courteous and have the utmost level of customer service and training, they are a reflection of the business. And if your team is rude, people will post about it. A customer service attitude will help to seamlessly tie in requesting reviews from patients and physicians.

Any questions, feel free to leave a comment below!

Kelsey Tricoli

Marketing Manager

Advanced Ambulatory Surgery Center (AASC)

The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of Becker's Hospital Review/Becker's Healthcare. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The copyright of this content belongs to the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with them.
Ophthalmologist Ralph S. Hamilton, MD, died at 87, according to The Commercial Appeal.

Here are four takeaways:

1. Dr. Hamilton was a founder of University of Tennessee Health Science Center's Hamilton Eye Institute in Memphis.

2. He earned his medical degree at age 23 from University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

3. In 2004, Dr. Hamilton and his wife made a substantial contribution that led to the launch of Hamilton Eye Institute.

4. Since its inception, Hamilton Eye Institute has had more than 75,000 outpatient visits and 40,000 surgical procedures.
Oswego (N.Y.) Health's General Surgery Associates added Yuriy Zhurov, MD, PhD, according to Business Journal News Network.

Here are four key notes:

1. General Surgery Associates is an ASC offering laparoscopic surgery services.

2. Prior to joining Oswego's team, Dr. Zhurov practiced in Michigan. He was a clinical assistant professor at Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine in Lansing.

3. He completed a fellowship at the Kharkiv Institute of General and Emergency Surgery in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

4. Dr. Zhurov finished an additional fellowship at New York Medical College in Valhalla.
CMS closed the comment period Monday for its 2018 proposed rule for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act's Quality Payment Program.

Here are comments on the proposal from five industry organizations.

1. The Federation of American Hospitals lauded the "glide path" to ramping up clinician participation in the proposed rule. FAH said it supported raising the low-volume threshold for participation in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, the additional flexibility for hospital-based physicians and bonus points for small provider practices' complex patients. It suggested allowing low-volume clinicians to opt-in to MIPS participation, adding bonus points for rural providers and increasing educational resources and feedback.

As for the Advanced Alternative Payment Model, FAH felt more options should be made available, but that CMS should be cautious about counting Medicare Advantage toward Advanced APM participation.

2. The American Medical Group Association was more critical of the proposed rule, as it would slow the transition to value-based care. In particular, AMGA was critical of the proposed exclusion of MA from Advanced APMs, the decision to determine on an individual basis if physicians qualified for all-payer APMs and the increase in the low-volume threshold for MIPS.

"In a well-intentioned effort to make the transition to value-based care as smooth as possible, CMS is delaying this transition," Ryan O'Connor, AMGA's interim president and CEO, said in a statement. "Excluding two-thirds of providers from the MIPS program does not meet Congress' goal to transform Medicare into a value-based purchaser of care."

3. The American Medical Association felt CMS' proposal was an improvement as physicians work to adjust to the program's changes, but sought additional paths to simplify the program and additional opportunities for Advanced APM participation.

"When physicians are asked to move to a new program, we expect some bumps along the way. CMS has been a good partner in smoothing out the bumps but the program still needs to be more understandable and less burdensome," AMA President David Barbe, MD, said in a statement. "The complexity is an obstacle to the goal of promoting innovative approaches to encourage higher value care. We applaud CMS' decision to allow for another transition year for MIPS, recognizing the challenges physicians face both bureaucratic and technological. The willingness to compromise will help physicians and patients alike."

4. The American Hospital Association applauded the flexibilities added for hospital-based physicians and the slower path to adoption allowed by the proposed rule. "However, we urge CMS to better align the meaningful use requirements of EHRs for hospitals with those of clinicians, enhance its approaches to risk adjustment and provide additional opportunities for clinicians to earn incentives for collaborating with hospitals to enhance the quality and efficiency of care through APMs," Ashley Thompson, AHA senior vice president for public policy analysis and development, wrote in the AHA letter to CMS.

5. Utilization Review Accreditation Commission, an accreditation organization that certifies patient-centered medical homes, said it supported the slower implementation in CMS' proposed rule, as well as the changes to help even the playing field for small practices. "We believe that many of the changes in the proposed rule, including bonus points for small practices, are positive steps; but more must be done to promote the types of changes within these practices required for success in a value-based reimbursement system," the URAC letter to CMS read.

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The defined-benefit pension plan for thousands of current and former Rhode Island nurses is in temporary receivership, reports The Providence Journal.

Here are four things to know.

1. The issue affects more than 2,000 current and former nurses at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and the former St. Joseph's Hospital, both in North Providence, R.I. The hospitals were sold in 2014 as part of a joint venture between Providence, R.I.-based CharterCare Health Partners and Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical Holdings.

2. The retirement benefits were put in temporary receivership because the plan is "severely underfunded and requires additional capital of over $43 million to reach a 100-percent funding level," St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island said, according to the report, which cites a court petition.

3. The Providence Journal reports St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island called for appointing a receiver and approval for decreasing pension benefits by 40 percent across the board.

"Absent judicial intervention, [St. Joseph Health Services] anticipates that the plan will be terminated and its funds distributed in a manner that will result in current Plan beneficiaries receiving approximately 60 percent of their accrued benefits and all others receiving nothing," the petition states, according to the report.

4. The report states attorney Stephen Del Sesto will now serve as temporary receiver for the retirement benefits, per order by Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein. The judge expects a recommendation by Oct. 11.

Read more on this story, including the background of the defined-benefit pension plan, here.
Plano, Texas-based Neuron Shield Partners, a physician group monitoring patients' nervous systems during procedures like spine surgery, sued Medical Practice Solutions, a third-party billing company also in Plano, for allegedly exaggerating the out-of-network payments it could recoup from payers, The Dallas Morning News reports.

In its lawsuit filed Aug. 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Neuron Shield Partners alleged Medical Practice Solutions promised the physicians reimbursements of $50,000 or more for out-of-network claims. However, the physicians claimed Medical Practice Solutions recouped less than $11 million of $190 million the providers billed to insurers since approximately 2015.

Medical Practice Solutions and Neuron Shield Partners did not immediately respond to The Dallas Morning News' request for comment.

To view the full report, click here.



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Albuquerque, N.M.-based Lovelace Health System settled allegations it defrauded the state's Medicaid program roughly $300 million in taxes beginning in 1989 and spanning nearly two decades, according to a Santa Fe New Mexican report.

In November 2009, Duke Rodriguez, who previously served as Lovelace's CFO and then as COO before leaving in 1993, filed a whistleblower suit sealed in a New Mexico district court. In his lawsuit, Mr. Rodriguez claimed Lovelace fraudulently collected about $300 million in gross receipts taxes from the state's Medicaid program despite the health system's exemption from paying gross receipts taxes to the state.



New Mexico's Office of the Attorney General contacted Lovelace, its parent company Ardent Health Services in Nashville, Tenn., and Lovelace's former parent Cigna in Bloomfield, Conn., regarding its investigation of Medicaid claims data in June 2015. The office told the three companies it found Lovelace collected at least $142.6 million in fraudulent gross receipts taxes from Medicaid, according to the report.



However, the office reached a settlement with Lovelace within the next year to pay New Mexico $2 million and Mr. Rodriguez $500,000 under the whistleblower lawsuit. Cigna paid the state roughly $39,000 and Mr. Rodriguez approximately $8,000, Santa Fe New Mexican reports. All of the companies denied the allegations in the settlements.



In addition, Lovelace claimed the state's Medicaid program paid gross receipts taxes to Lovelace despite having "full knowledge" the system was excluded from the taxes. Following the June 2015 notification, the AG office received information from Lovelace and the New Mexico Human Services Department indicating Lovelace erroneously retained only $1.6 million of the gross receipts taxes.

"We collected well beyond  the gross receipts tax that were paid" in error to Lovelace, Sharon Pino, deputy attorney general for criminal affairs, told Santa Fe New Mexican. She said Mr. Rodriguez's allegations were unproven.
Chicago-based Rush University Medical Center late last week filed a lawsuit over a patient monitoring system that allegedly put patient safety at risk, reports Chicago Tribune.

Here are five things to know.

1. The medical center is suing the system's creator  Telford, Penn.-based Draeger  claiming alarms intended to notify clinicians of patient issues were often unreliable or inaccurate. The false alarms caused alarm fatigue among clinicians and required them to reassure uneasy patients they were OK, "all of which limited clinicians' ability to respond to truly serious alarms for other patients," according to the suit.

2. The patient monitoring system also spontaneously erased numerous patient records, according to Rush.

"These (and other) problems endangered patients, severely disrupted Rush's operations, and caused Rush clinical, technical and engineering professionals to waste thousands of hours of time," the lawsuit reads. "But rather than effectively remediating these problems, Draeger largely, and inaccurately, blamed them on Rush."

3. No patients were harmed by the system, Rush spokesman John Pontarelli told Chicago Tribune via email Tuesday.

4. While Mr. Pontarelli said Rush does not comment on pending litigation, Draeger issued a statement Tuesday, saying patient safety is the company's top priority.

"We value our long-standing relationship with Rush University Medical Center and are committed to working through this matter with our customer," Draeger said in the statement cited by Chicago Tribune.

5. Rush spent $18 million to implement the system between 2012 and early 2016. Upon implementation, the medical center expected the monitoring system to last ten years. However, Rush said numerous issues with the system forced the medical center to replace it after five years for a cost of $30 million. The medical center is seeking compensation for the losses it incurred due to the system's issues, according to the suit.

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Physicians at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora will initiate 25 clinical trials within the next six months following the passage of the RACE for Children Act, according to The Denver Post.

The RACE for Children Act, signed by President Donald Trump earlier this month, aims to increase the number of clinical trials available to pediatric cancer patients. While there are almost 900 cancer drugs in development for adults, only a small portion of the treatments are targeted toward pediatric patients. The new law, which was backed by more than 250 advocacy organizations and received bipartisan support from federal legislators, allows for experimental drugs being tested in adults that display possible efficacy in the treatment of pediatric cancer to be used in clinical trials with children.

Children's Hospital Colorado on Tuesday hosted a celebration of the bill's signing. Scott Gottlieb, MD, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and Colorado's Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, who sponsored the legislation, were among those in attendance.

Mr. Bennet described the bill as "a breakthrough for kids fighting cancer," according to The Denver Post.

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Patients across the globe are bracing themselves for the price of CTL019, a new leukemia drug deemed a "breakthrough" by physicians, according to Kaiser Health News.

Although Switzerland-based Novartis, the drugmaker, has yet to announce the price of the leukemia drug, a single treatment is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. British health authorities have said that a price of $649,000 per treatment could be justified based on the drug's benefits.

"From what we're hearing, this will be a quantum leap more expensive than other cancer drugs," Leonard Saltz, MD, chief of gastrointestinal oncology at New York City-based Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, told Kaiser Health News.

CTL019 belongs to a class of medications called CAR-T cell therapies, which genetically alters patients' immune cells to attack cancer. A clinical trial revealed that 83 percent of patients treated with CAR-T cell therapy have gone into remission.

A patient advocacy group, Patients for Affordable Drugs, is asking to meet with Novartis officials to discuss a fair price for the drug prior to the price announcement.

The advocacy group president, David Mitchell, said that CTL019 has the potential to become one of the most expensive drugs ever sold on the market. The group is urging Novartis to charge no more for the drug in the U.S. than other developed countries.

Novartis officials agreed to meet with the patient advocacy group and emphasized that they are carefully considering the appropriate price based on the value it represents to patients, society and healthcare, according to Kaiser Health News.

The FDA is expected to decide on Novartis' CTL019 approval by Oct. 3, the FDA advisory committee already approved the drug earlier this year. The agency is also considering Kite Pharma's CAR- T cell drug.
The St. Louis-based Washington University School of Medicine is a new clinical study site for Asterias Biotherapeuturics SCiStar clinical trial of AST-OPC1 stem cells in patients with severe cervical spinal cord injuries.

Here are seven takeaways:

1. Patients participating in the trial are categorized into:

 AIS-A patients: those who have lost all motor and sensory functions below their injury sites.

 AIS-B patients: those who have lost all motor function but have minimal sensory function below their injury site.

2. The stem cells are administered 21 to 42 days post injury and patients are followed by neurological exams and imaging procedures to asses the progress and safety of the trial.

3. W. Zachary Ray, MD, a neurological and orthopedic surgery associate professor at Washington School of Medicine, will lead the site's investigation.

4. Asterias Biotherapeuturics receive FDA clearance to progress its clinical study after phase one of the trial showed five patients with neurologically complete thoracic spinal cord injuries improved motor function after being administered 2 million AST-OPC1 cells.

5. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine granted Asterias Biotherapeuturics $14.3 million in funding for the clinical trial and other product development activities for AST-OPC1.

6. There are now nine centers across the U.S. participating in the clinical trial.

7. Asterias Biotherapeuturics is a biotechnology company focuses on developing regenerative medicine.
The Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kan., is creating an orthopedic clinic after hiring three orthopedic surgeons, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.

Here are five things to know:

1. The three physicians from the Kansas City-based University of Kansas Medical Center will come together to create the Kansas City Joint Replacement. The physicians include Kelly Hendricks, MD; Cameron Ledford, MD, and David Anderson, MD.

2. The new clinic will specialize in hip and knee replacements, as all three physicians are experts in revision surgery after joint replacements.

3. Dr. Hendricks previously served as an associate professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center and was on the orthopedic education committee.

4. Dr. Ledford was an associate professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He has special interests in adult hip and knee reconstruction.

5. Dr. Anderson was an orthopedic surgery assistant professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He completed fellowship training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
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Four men in South Africa have reportedly been arrested in Estcourt, a town in South Africas eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal after one of them handed himself over to the police saying he was tired of eating human flesh. The man then reportedly led police to a house where more human remains were found. Reportedly, the men were charged with murder and possession of human organs and tissue.
A Belfast steakhouse is expanding with a second restaurant in the city, creating 15 jobs. Stix & Stones will open its newest branch at the Balmoral Hotel on Blacks Road.

Its first restaurant is at Upper Queen Street in Belfast city centre.

John Trainor, director and joint owner of Balmoral Hotel, said: We hope to build on the brand that Stix & Stones has currently in our Upper Queen Street branch so we can continue to deliver great tasting food, a memorable dining experience and the excellent service we are best known for.

The new restaurant will open in September and weve already had bookings.

The feedback so far has been really encouraging and there is great demand from both our current customer base and the local community to avail of a new dining experience on their doorsteps.

Stix & Stones serves up a range of dishes, but is known for serving its steaks on a hot stone, which are then cooked by the customer at their table.

The restaurant is now hiring new staff. That will include chefs and front of house employees.

Its holding a recruitment night at the Balmoral Hotel tonight (6pm).

Our ethos works on the philosophy of fresh quality food sourced locally, Mr Trainor said.

We ensure ingredients for all our dishes come from local suppliers where possible.

In addition to this, organic, free range and top producers are reviewed on a regular basis, with our own chefs inspecting off-site premises to find the very best ingredients.

It comes as another Northern Ireland restaurant, praised by one top food critic as utter joy, has also confirmed that its expanding into Belfast.

The Bull & Ram in Ballynahinch, Co Down, is the brainchild of head chef and owner Kelan McMichael.

Earlier this year the Belfast Telegraph revealed the restaurant was to open its second operation in Belfast, which the restaurant has now confirmed on Twitter.

Speaking about the restaurant in a review, Observer food critic Jay Rayner said: This is food for cold nights and roaring fires; for sofa comas, and waking up with a jolt to something on the telly you dont want to watch and the sweet breathy memory of perfect grilled and glazed meats.
The Eikon centre hosted the MCM ComicCon event in June featuring Liyah and Stevie Lavery as Storm and Wolverine

Parading the cattle around the ring at the Balmoral Show

Northern Ireland could play host to major UK and Irish events amid plans to build another exhibition centre at the home of the Balmoral Show.

The new expansion at the former Maze prison site, which is located outside Lisburn, would see a new 5,000 sq metre building erected to complement the current Eikon centre.

And according to Colin McDonald, chief executive of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS), which is behind the scheme, it would allow large-scale UK events to come to Northern Ireland.

The new building will sit adjacent to the Eikon centre at Balmoral Park.

He said some events have already shown an interest in setting up. And it could be ready in time for next year's Balmoral Show - the largest agricultural event here.

"It's a new building, which is the same size of Eikon, and will double exhibition space," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"The exhibitions and events which have come from Belfast down to the Balmoral Park site have enjoyed increased attendances, mostly from the Republic of Ireland.

"Most are saying if they had additional space, they would increase the size.

"There are UK events which would need the size and have expressed the interest."

Mr McDonald said that the new space could also be used for other RUAS events.

The latest development is the third phase of the Balmoral Park scheme and has already gone through a public consultation process.

"It's another example of the funds being ploughed into Balmoral," he said.

"We would like to have it all ready for the Balmoral Show for 2018."

Around 100,000 visitors attended this year's event.

The event also added a fourth day this year, helping increase numbers.

The Eikon centre has also played host to a number of other major events over the last few months.

These included MCM Northern Ireland Comic Con, in which Flash Gordon, actor Sam J Jones, topped the bill.

Eikon was also the home of two counts for the snap general election in June.

RUAS also owns the King's Hall, which formerly played host to the Balmoral Show.

The show moved from the King's Hall in Belfast to the former site of the Maze prison in 2013.

Meanwhile, the King's Hall itself is facing its biggest transformation yet, being turned into the largest healthcare facility of its kind in Northern Ireland, worth 100m.

The huge 16-acre site in south Belfast will include a care home, hotel and leisure areas and is aiming to be a "one-stop shop" for healthcare.

It is being run by Benmore Healthcare Developments.

Belfast elderly care providers Abbeyfield will operate the care home facility at the site.

The scheme will include 32 apartments, made up of one and two bedrooms, designed "specifically for the elderly, to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of every resident can be met to exacting standards", the developers have said.
A packaging giant which has two businesses in Northern Ireland has taken on a new Russian firm as part of its expansion. Smurfit Kappa has acquired the Russian corrugated packaging company Soyuz, reinforcing its position in the region.

Soyuz, based in Moscow, produces corrugated packaging for a range of sectors and has around 300 employees.

Smurfit Kappa has two sites in Northern Ireland, including one in Newtownabbey and Lurgan.

The company also already has three plants in St Petersburg.

Speaking about the latest acquisition, Pim Wareman, chief executive of Smurfit Kappa for north east Europe, said: "I am delighted with the acquisition of Soyuz and welcome its employees into the Smurfit Kappa Group.

"Russia is an attractive growth market for us with exciting potential. We are pleased to expand our footprint in this market and in particular within the growing Moscow region."

Earlier this month the firm said it was in the advanced stages of a number of potential bolt-on acquisitions, but was also on the lookout for a larger deal to complement its global business.

"There are a few bits that are quite advanced at this stage and might come off in the second-half," chief financial officer Ken Bowles said.
Fans in the pouring rain at the cancelled Belfast gig.

Kasabian fans vented their anger last night after the English rockers pulled out of their Belfast concert just minutes before they were due to take to the stage.

The Leicester band were to perform a sell-out show at Custom House Square. But, after two warm-up acts and with anticipation building toward the main event, an announcer took to the stage to apologise to the stunned crowd that the band would not be appearing.

The announcement was met with loud boos ringing out across the Belfast night sky.

In a tweet the band blamed illness.

The organisers said work had already begun on finding an alternative date and urged the thousands of concert-goers to hold on to their tickets.

"Absolute joke," said Belfast man Matthew Creasey. "The band could not come out and say to their soaking fans it was cancelled."

The 28-year-old - who booked a day off work for the show - said there was a great atmosphere in the crowd during the evening with fans singing the band's greatest hits in the "lashing rain".

"Everyone stayed positive and there was plenty of drink bought with big queues at the bar," he said.

"A lot of people were very disappointed that we were left to stand out in the rain, especially given no one from the band could come out to explain the situation."

Many fans took to social media to complain at how they waited in the pouring rain to see the show and questioned why the announcement was so late.

Others said they had flown in from Britain to see their favourite rockers.

"It costs holidays from work and flight expenses, hotel, etc," said Tom Wells.

Ryan Scott added: "Ten minutes before you're supposed to come on! I've been paying five quid for pints for two hours!"

Others, however, wished the band well, hoping the illness was not something serious.

Linfield FC, in a cheeky tweet, pointed out there was still 15 minutes left of their ladies' game against Finns PK-35 Vantaa and fans could still make it.

Ahead of the show the band had said they were "buzzing" to play the city.

Announcing the cancellation, Kasabian tweeted: "It is with great regret, due to illness, we cannot perform at Customs House Belfast tonight."

Show organisers added: "We are working on scheduling a new date for Belfast. We will communicate with all ticket buyers via Ticketmaster and on the Custom House Square social media. Tickets remain valid for the new date. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Kasabian are in the middle of an international tour following the release of their sixth studio album, For Crying Out Loud.

They are scheduled to headline the Reading and Leeds Festival at the weekend.
The DUP has bluntly told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar he is "playing with fire" by threatening to veto the next phase of Brexit negotiations.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson warned the latest "megaphone diplomacy" from the Fine Gael leader could threaten decades of improved relations between the Republic and the UK.

"If he wants to go down as the Taoiseach who delivered a hard border he is going the right way about it," the DUP MP added.

Mr Varadkar was also accused of trying to block Brexit for his own party political reasons ahead of the next Irish general election.

Sir Jeffrey's attack came after the Taoiseach - on a tour of the US-Canadian border - said he "doubted" the other EU states will allow the Brexit talks to progress to the next stage dealing with trade unless Dublin was happy with progress on three key issues.

These were listed by the EU as the Irish border, the so-called 'divorce settlement', and the rights of EU and UK citizens - all of which must be progressed satisfactorily before trade talks commence.

"That will be our decision," Mr Varadkar said. "We will decide whether the UK has made sufficient progress when it comes to citizens' rights, the financial settlement and issues pertaining to Ireland, and only if we are satisfied that sufficient progress has been made on those three areas will we then give the go-ahead to talks about trade.

"So I think that puts us in a strong position as I doubt our European colleagues would come to the view that sufficient progress had been made if we didn't think so."

But Sir Jeffrey blasted the comments as "very unhelpful" and added: "This appears to be further evidence that Dublin is not interested in co-operating in trying to find a pragmatic approach addressing ideas around customs and trade.

"It seems what they are dong is trying to block Brexit and that is very unhelpful."

The Lagan Valley MP said it seemed Dublin was determined to thwart the democratic will of the British people who voted last year to leave the EU.

"If so, that will raise serious questions over the good relations that have built up between the two countries in recent years," he added.

Sir Jeffrey said the Irish Government could exercise a veto but in the end the EU will decide on the need to make progress towards agreeing with the UK the terms on which it will leave.

"He (Mr Varadkar) is putting it up to Brussels as much as he is to London and he really needs to be careful," he added.

"He is playing with fire and posturing for the benefit of his own domestic audience, lining himself up for the next Irish general election."

Sir Jeffrey also said Mr Varadkar's comments did not make economic sense, with almost 50% of all Irish meat products going to the UK.

"How is he going to explain putting party political interests before the interests of Irish farmers?" the DUP man asked.

"It is an extension of the megaphone diplomacy we have seen from Dublin in recent times, only this time he has taken the megaphone to Canada."

Ulster Unionists also criticised Mr Varadkar for "playing politics" and insisted the Republic will be just one voice among the other 27 EU countries.

Steve Aiken MLA said: "Unfortunately, Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney are yet again playing politics with very serious issues.

"Rather than looking at the suite of UK Government policy proposals and assessing clearly how this could support trade and relationships across all these islands, they yet again appear to be trying to set Dublin as the arbiter of the relationship between London and Brussels.

"Anyone with any understanding of the process would see it is clear that Ireland is just one voice of 27 and rather than carping from the sidelines, Ireland should realise it is in their interest - probably more than anyone else's in the EU - to secure an equitable and sustainable future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union."

The latest spat comes less than a month after the DUP accused Mr Varadkar of playing "high wire politics" with Northern Ireland over the form of a so-called hard border which both have said they want to avoid.

Mr Varadkar had said he did not intend to help devise a system for the border for Brexiteers, and that if the UK wanted technological solutions to the border it was a matter for it.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney welcomes Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire to a meeting at The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin

Secretary of State James Brokenshire is to convene a fresh round of political talks at Stormont next week in another attempt to restore power-sharing.

He acknowledged that "differences do remain" between the political parties, but insisted that he was moving forward with "positive intent".

Unionist sources remain deeply pessimistic about the outcome of the talks.

Mr Brokenshire was speaking in Dublin after meeting Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.

They discussed Brexit and the ongoing political stalemate in Northern Ireland.

Mr Coveney will travel to Belfast next week to meet local politicians.

The Secretary of State warned that while he wanted the talks to resume as soon as possible, the situation at Stormont was rapidly reaching "a critical point" where the Government would have to step in.

"If things don't change I will need to consider those issues over a lack of a budget in Northern Ireland, what that actually means in terms of certainty for public services," he said.

Although Mr Brokenshire did not set an exact date for the resumption of negotiations, he said he had kept in touch with the parties over the summer "and I will be bringing them together over the next week as we enter a new phase of talks".

He continued: "My priority is to see the restoration of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, working on a sustainable basis to deliver good government for everyone.

"Urgent progress is required.

"The lack of an Executive making key decisions on matters including health and education means that public services in Northern Ireland are suffering.

"We need to find a way forward that will allow an Executive to be formed."

Mr Brokenshire said that the key to breaking the deadlock lay with the local parties.

"We must ensure that politicians locally are working together to strengthen the economy, to deal with the challenges and opportunities of EU Exit, and build a stronger, shared society based on respect for everyone.

"Ultimately, it is for Northern Ireland's political parties to find a way to make this work," he added.

Mr Coveney said that a speedy conclusion to the talks was in everybody's interests.

""We don't want talks that are ongoing for a long period of time," he said. "Northern Ireland needs a voice through a government of its own".

The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister said that the onus lay with local politicians.

"The parties who have the enabling electoral mandates need to reach the necessary agreement to form a new executive," he said.

"Both governments will leave no stone unturned in the weeks ahead in supporting the parties to achieve that essential objective."

Northern Ireland has been without a functioning devolved government since January.

The coalition led by the two biggest parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein, collapsed over a botched green energy scheme.

Formal talks were suspended without agreement in July.
A pensioner from Londonderry who had a narrow escape after her home caught fire has warned householders to get a working smoke alarm fitted.

Gemma McDaid's house was gutted after the accidental blaze that was possibly caused by an electric heater setting clothes on fire.

Returning to her home yesterday after spending the night with relatives, 77-year-old Ms McDaid was clearly shocked as she surveyed the blackened walls and ceilings left by an inferno that destroyed almost everything she possessed.

Ms McDaid didn't have a working smoke alarm.

But she wants people to learn from her experience just how important they are and get one fitted.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, she said: "I've lost everything; what's not burnt has been destroyed with smoke but I am alive and that's the important thing.

"I can't get over how lucky I am - when you look at this mess it is a wonder I got out. I can replace all these things but I might not have been here.

"It is unbelievable how fast the fire caught. I came into the bedroom, pulled down my quilt, drew the curtains and put on the wee electric fire to heat the room.

"I had things hanging over the chair and something must have caught fire. My television has been burnt to nothing, even the very bedside lamp, but they can all be replaced.

"I went out to the kitchen to get my tea and toast before bed and I noticed the light flickering and went back out to the hall and I noticed the smoke.

"I opened the bedroom door and the flames were leaping up. I ran into the kitchen and grabbed a wee bowl of water. I was in a panic and thought I could put out the fire with a tiny bowl of water - it's ridiculous now, but I wasn't thinking straight at the time.

"I ran outside and shouted: 'Someone help me'. And just at that Kathleen from across the street appeared.

"I know I am lucky, but I know too I should have had a working smoke alarm, and I want anyone who hasn't got one to get it right away.

"I won't make that mistake again and it will be the first thing I do when I get back here."

David Nicholl from the NI Fire and Rescue Service echoed Ms McDaid's call for people to install alarms.

He said the Fire Service will install a device free of charge for pensioners and disabled people.

"The fire was well established when we were alerted and destroyed the bedroom," he said.

"It had spread to other rooms and the damage was extensive.

"Ms McDaid was very lucky in that she was still awake when she noticed the smoke and was able to get out of the property.

"Ms McDaid had a smoke alarm a number of years ago but removed it.

"However, she told me she regretted that.

"We will carry out a home safety check and fit a smoke alarm free of charge to anyone over the age of 60 or who is disabled and will offer this service to Ms McDaid when she returns to her property."

Councillor Gary Donnelly, who lives nearby, was among those who came to Ms McDaid's assistance.

"The Fire Service did a great job here and that needs to be recognised, but also this shows the importance of having a working smoke alarm fitted," he said.

"If there is any good to come out of this it is to get people to check their smoke alarms or for anyone who doesn't have one to get one installed immediately."
Airline Jet2 has announced that it is set to recruit for 50 positions based at Belfast International Airport.

This comes as part of a UK-wide recruitment drive to fill over 1,700 pilot, cabin crew and ground operations roles.

Jet2 is hosting a recruitment roadshow at the Maldron Hotel Belfast International Airport on Tuesday September 19.

The recruitment drive comes as part of a planned expansion for summer 2018, with a 13% increase in seat capacity and the addition of flights to Belfast from bases in Birmingham and London Stansted.

Next year's summer programme will offer 200,000 seats to 23 destinations from Belfast International Airport.

The Belfast roadshow is targeted at those interested in pilot and cabin crew positions. Those attending the roadshow will have the opportunity to meet members of the Jet2 team and find out more about the company.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: "We are delighted to be creating so many opportunities to join our award-winning team at Belfast International Airport. If you care passionately about looking after customers, we would love to see you at one of our upcoming roadshows and we look forward to welcoming you on board."

Jet2 is in the process of expanding its fleet to include 34 new Boeing 737-800NG aircrafts between 2016 and 2019.

The airline has said it is particularly interested in recruiting first officers with experience of this type of aircraft.

As part of its summer 2018 programme Jet2 will also fly to destinations in the Mediterranean, the Canary Island and a number of cities around Europe.

All of the jobs can be viewed on Jet2's career's website.
Only 537 people were arrested after being stopped and searched.

New figures released by the police show that almost 7,500 people were stopped and searched by officers within a three month period this year.

Between April 1 to June 30, 7,431 people were stopped and searched, equating to over 80 people a day.

And of those thousands stopped only 537 or 7% were arrested.

People can be stopped and searched or stopped and questioned under various laws in in Northern Ireland. Powers include the Police and Criminal Evidence order, Misuse of Drugs Act, Firearms Order, Justice and Security Act and the Terrorism Act.

Most of those stopped were in Belfast at the time. Over 1,000 were aged under 17 with most questioned under the misuse of drugs. While just over 3,000 were aged between 18 and 25.

The majority - 59% - of all stops were for suspicion of drugs offences.

Compared to the previous quarter there were 923 fewer people stopped. During that period between January and March 6% were arrested.
A complaint against Edwin Poots has been dropped after the Assembly's standards watchdog said the DUP politician had not been acting in his capacity as an MLA in a controversial tweet about homosexuality.

The Green Party NI is now calling for changes to the Stormont Code of Conduct.

Last week, Green Party deputy leader Clare Bailey submitted a formal complaint to the Assembly Commissioner for Standards, Douglas Bain, alleging that a tweet by Mr Poots linked the LGBTQ community with paedophilia and was contrary to the Code of Conduct.

Mr Poots' tweet followed controversy over Prince George being branded a "gay icon" by the PinkNews LGBT website.

The Lagan Valley MLA had tweeted: "Totally supporting Jim (Allister) on this one, making children an icon of sexuality today, pedophilia (sic) tomorrow. Absolutely disgusting."

Mr Poots' tweet contained a link to a letter from TUV leader Jim Allister to Benjamin Cohen, the chief executive of PinkNews, which was published in the Belfast News Letter.

The letter condemned PinkNews for posting a picture of Prince George on a helicopter with his face in his hands, accompanied by the statement: "Prince George has become a gay icon overnight."

Ms Bailey has now opted to discontinue the formal complaint which she submitted to the Assembly Commissioner over the issue.

Her decision came after Mr Bain wrote to her saying: "Having carefully considered the supporting material you submitted with your complaint I can find nothing to satisfy me that at the relevant time Mr Poots was acting in his capacity as an MLA."

Mr Bain requested more evidence from Ms Bailey to show that Mr Poots had been acting in his capacity as an MLA at the time of the tweet, and to clarify which parts of the Code of Conduct Mr Poots allegedly broke.

However, the Greens stated that Ms Bailey had decided to discontinue the complaint "given that all available evidence had been previously provided".

Ms Bailey commented: "The Assembly Code of Conduct must be reformed to embrace a wide interpretation of when and how MLAs are acting in an official capacity.

"Mr Poots describes himself as 'MLA' through his Twitter handle. Yet, his Twitter statement was held to fall outside the scope of his capacity of a MLA.

"I think most people out there would see the lack of logic around the application of the Code of Conduct in this instance.

"We find ourselves in a situation where the Assembly is not sitting.

"Coupled with a narrow interpretation of the Assembly Code of Conduct, MLAs are relatively unaccountable at present.

"Let's take a proactive and common sense approach to improving standards amongst political representatives."

Mr Poots had previously denied that his tweet linked homosexuality with paedophilia.

The DUP declined to comment yesterday.
Sinn Fein has been accused of wanting to tear down the statue of Sir Edward Carson at Stormont as part of a "cultural war" on unionism.

Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson made the claim after the party proposed that a memorial to Winifred Carney should be erected at Belfast City Hall.

Speaking on Radio Ulster's Stephen Nolan Show yesterday, Sinn Fein councillor Deirdre Hargey said the Irish Congress of Trade Unions had first raised the idea of a statue dedicated to Carney, a women's rights activist and trade unionist who took part in the 1916 Easter Rising.

Ms Hargey said the aim was to celebrate history "in a way that would broaden the understanding of where we've come from and to look at the complexity of our history".

She insisted the memorial would be in addition to what already existed at City Hall.

But Bryson hit out at the proposal on Twitter calling it "the opening salvo in a new front in the cultural war", adding "they want to smash Sir Edward Carson's statue to pieces".

Ulster Unionist councillor Jeff Dudgeon also claimed the Sinn Fein's proposal had complicated proposals to create a memorial for almost 1,000 people killed in the 1941 Belfast Blitz.

Bryson went on to criticise council group leader Jim McVeigh after he referred to the statue of a British monarch in disparaging terms.

He wrote: "If we have Queen Victoria at Belfast City Hall, the Famine Queen, why can't we have James Connolly?"

Asking if Mr McVeigh was at odds with Ms Hargey's inclusive tone, Mr Bryson said: "Is Jim McVeigh flying his own kite? I don't think so; I think he shows the true sectarian republican agenda."

Sinn Fein responded: "We have no intention of adding credibility to the latest nonsensical rantings of Jamie Bryson which have no basis outside his own imagination.

"Councillor Deirdre Hargey clearly set out Sinn Fein's position in her interview."
An Irish "fantasist" who posed as a barrister to trick a terminal cancer sufferer out of her life savings has been jailed for eight years.

Michael Cremin conned Sandra Burch out of 92,000 in a fraudulent property deal to buy a 29,000 Volkswagen Scirocco.

Ms Burch (51), from Salisbury, Wiltshire, quit her job when she was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and was relying on her pension when she fell victim to the fraudster.

She was forced to return to work part-time after Cremin robbed her of her life savings.

Cremin, who is originally from Co Cork, carried out other frauds to purchase at least 14 cars which Gloucestershire Police believe total more than 330,000.

The 41-year-old, who advertised himself as a lawyer and advocate but has been described by police as a fantasist, was listed on a legitimate chambers website and falsely claimed to have a law degree from the University of London. In reality, while Cremin worked on several cases as a legal representative, he had no legal qualifications but had a history of using his knowledge of the legal system to threaten people.

Expensive cars were a recurring theme, with Cremin also found guilty of making fraudulent representations to acquire finance for top-of-the-range vehicles including Toyota, Lexus and Volkswagen models.

Cremin, of Buncombe Way, Cirencester, was found guilty of six counts of fraud and one count of pretending to be a barrister following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

David Nathan QC, defending, said: "The impact upon Ms Burch is horrific. When you read her impact statement it is impossible not to be moved.

"Ms Burch is very poorly and nothing I can say can change that. This is not a man with a large record for fraudulent activity and in my submission there is a balance to be struck."

Jailing Cremin for eight years, Judge Michael Longman said he had used "bluff and bluster" to defraud his victims.
Britain's Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has welcomed President Donald Trump's pledge to beef up the US military presence in Afghanistan, saying that the allies must "stay the course" in the conflict.

However, it is thought unlikely that the UK will increase its deployment to the country.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was critical of the US President, saying more troops and bombs will continue the failure of military action in Afghanistan.

Mr Corbyn said: "The war in Afghanistan has failed."

In a dramatic turnaround from his election campaign calls for the 16-year war to be brought to an end, Mr Trump unveiled a new south Asia strategy designed to prevent a Taliban takeover, target Islamic State and al Qaida and stop mass terror attacks in the USA.

He said he was "confident" that Nato allies - which include Britain - would hike troops and funding in line with the US.

But in a statement responding to the announcement, Sir Michael gave no indication that the UK is considering an increase to its 500-strong deployment, and stressed that an additional 85 troops were committed as recently as June.

Sir Michael was briefed by US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, ahead of the president's announcement, in the first of a series of phone calls to Nato allies.

But it is understood that London has received no formal request from the US for further military support, and UK sources played down the prospects of an increase in British boots on the ground.

Sir Michael said: "The US commitment is very welcome. In my call with Secretary Mattis yesterday we agreed that, despite the challenges, we have to stay the course in Afghanistan to help build up its fragile democracy and reduce the terrorist threat to the West.

"It's in all our interests that Afghanistan becomes more prosperous and safer: that's why we announced our own troop increase back in June."

Mr Trump made repeated calls ahead of his election for US troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan, where they have been involved in military operations since the 2001 war to topple the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks.

But in an address on Monday night, the president acknowledged that he had changed his mind on the issue and decided to go against his "original instinct".
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham thinks the north is getting a raw deal from the government on rail ltransport (Peter Byrne/PA)

People in northern England are tired of clapped-out trains while billions are poured into rail projects in the south, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said ahead of a transport summit.

The meeting of political and business officials in Leeds on Wednesday shows the patience of people in the north of England has run out, he added.

It comes after a series of rail links in the North, Wales and Midlands were axed or downgraded as Government supports plans for a new 30 billion Crossrail 2 scheme in London and the South East.

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But Transport Secretary Chris Grayling argued that, while improving northern transport links was one of his biggest priorities, they must be designed and managed by the north itself.

Writing in the Yorkshire Post, he said: It is central governments responsibility to provide funding and a delivery structure that ensures efficiency, value for money and accountability. But, beyond this, I want the north to take control.

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Mr Grayling sparked anger last month by supporting a new 30 billion Crossrail 2 scheme days after rowing back on upgrade plans for the North.

More than 83,000 people have signed a petition from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) North think-tank calling on Government to fund Crossrail for the North.

It made several demands of the Transport Secretary:

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:: An immediate commitment of at least 59 billion over the next decade in catch-up cash to close the gap on per-head public spending in London;

:: His backing of the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme  including a Crossrail North 30-minute link between Manchester and Leeds;

:: Transport for the north to get the same powers as those enjoyed by Transport for London so private finances can be raised.

The think-tank added: Crossrail 2 was not in the Conservative Party manifesto  whereas Northern Powerhouse Rail was.

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This is not just a matter of fairness. This is not special pleading  But lack of government spending on northern transport is holding the whole economy back. Northern prosperity is national prosperity.

Mr Burnham, who will speak at the summit, said: We are not against our capital city developing world-class infrastructure but it cannot be at the expense of the North. People here have put up with clapped-out trains and congested roads for long enough.

Todays event shows that the patience of people in the North of England has run out.

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Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake said: Transforming rail connections across the North was part of the original plan to create a Northern Powerhouse and was estimated to bring 100 billion in economic growth as well as 850,000 new jobs.

She added that failure to invest would hold back the potential of the North for decades to come.

Leaders of Sheffield, Newcastle and Manchester councils, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and business representatives will be among delegates attending the conference.

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Transport Minister Paul Maynard said funding had been provided for the development of detailed proposals for transport upgrades in which the Government could invest.

He said: I keep hearing demands for investment in the North but I should point out they come from some of the very same people who we have asked to help develop plans.

We all want to improve rail in the North and we are all getting on with the work that needs to be done.
A new paper will set out a range of alternative models for dealing with legal disputes ( Lauren Hurley/PA)

The European Court of Justice could continue to exercise jurisdiction over UK law during the transition to Brexit, under the terms of a new position paper published by the Government.

And any new dispute resolution mechanism created to adjudicate on post-Brexit rows between the UK and EU could be required to take account of, or even be bound by, the rulings of the Luxembourg-based court.

The paper released by David Daviss Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU) ruled out any direct ECJ jurisdiction over UK law following Brexit, which ministers branded unnecessary, inappropriate and unprecedented.

It said that legal disputes involving individuals and businesses should in future be decided within the UK judicial system, with the Supreme Court as the final arbiter.

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And it said a new dispute resolution mechanism  which could involve a joint committee or arbitration panel  will have to be created to deal with disagreements over the interpretation and application of the Brexit deal. The mechanism could be triggered if either side believes the other is failing to implement the terms of the agreement or has introduced legislation which breaches it.

But the DExEU document did not rule out the ECJ maintaining its authority during the transitional period which is expected to last a number of years after the March 2019 deadline for Brexit, saying only that Britain will work with the EU on the design of interim judicial arrangements.

And it set out a range of existing arrangements involving the ECJ which could act as possible models for the new mechanism.

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These include the EUs agreement with European Free Trade Association (Efta) states like Norway and Iceland, which demands that due account be paid to the courts rulings, and a treaty with Moldova which requires an arbitration panel to be bound by its interpretation of EU law.

The DExEU document makes clear that Britain is not committed to following any of these existing models. But it does not explicitly rule out any scenario other than direct ECJ jurisdiction.

Speaking shortly before the papers publication, Prime Minister Theresa May insisted that the UK would take back control of its laws after Brexit.

Expand Close Theresa May, seen touring a factory in Guildford, said "we will take back control of our laws" (Jack Taylor/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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What is absolutely clear, when we leave the European Union we will be leaving the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, she said during a visit to Guildford in Surrey. What we will be able to do is to make our own laws.

Parliament will make our laws. It is British judges who will interpret those laws and it will be the British Supreme Court that will be the arbiter of those laws.

The DExEU document states that Britains aim is to maximise certainty for individuals and businesses and to ensure that they can effectively enforce their rights in a timely way, while respecting the autonomy of UK and EU legal systems.
The PM met survivors to discuss concerns over the handling of the aftermath of the fire at Grenfell Tower (Rick Findler/PA)

Theresa May admitted there were flaws in the response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy as she confirmed that the organisation responsible for the high-rise building was being stripped of responsibility for the estate where it is located.

The Prime Minister attended a private meeting with residents of the west London tower block on Tuesday night to discuss concerns over the handling of the aftermath of the fire, which killed more than 80 people.

Mrs May, who faced criticism for initially failing to meet survivors and was booed during a later visit, told residents that Kensington and Chelsea Council did not respond quickly enough after the fire, Downing Street said.

She said the meeting attended by 60 or 70 people was very dignified and residents were pleased that the organisation responsible for managing the building is being stripped of its involvement.

Speaking during a visit to Guildford in Surrey, Mrs May said: It was a very good meeting last night, it was very dignified, a very respectful meeting, and obviously people did have concerns that they were raising and I was pleased that I was able to tell them  because the Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) is one of the issues that residents have been very concerned about  I was able to tell them that the TMO will no longer have responsibility for the Lancaster West housing estate. People were pleased to hear that.

The PM heard about ongoing challenges including housing, bereavement support and the distribution of donations, which are not reaching survivors quickly enough, according to the Charity Commission.

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A Downing Street spokesman said: The Prime Minister acknowledged residents concerns about the culture of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the TMO.

She confirmed that the TMO will be removed from the management of the Lancaster West estate and she recognised that the council did not respond quickly enough after the fire.

She agreed that it was important that the council listen to and respond to the issues residents face about the support and information they were receiving, including from key workers and housing officers.

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Mrs May also backed the independent probe into the disaster, led by retired Court of Appeal judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick, which has faced criticism for failing to consider the broader social and political issues raised by the tragedy.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn recently wrote to Mrs May, raising fears that the probes focus was to avoid criticism for policy failures rather than secure justice for Grenfell survivors.

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Her spokesman said: The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the independence of the inquiry, including on questions about how it was run. She reiterated that any resident who wanted to take part would be able to and that the Government would fund any legal representation required.

She explained that, while the judge had not proposed including wider questions related to social housing within the terms of reference, the Government recognised that these should be taken forward elsewhere and had asked the Housing Minister, Alok Sharma, to begin this by holding conversations with social housing tenants across the country.
Gangs of migrants have been involved in multiple brawls on roads approaching Calais (Chris Radburn/PA)

UK lorry drivers are being put at risk by violent clashes in Calais, according to an industry body.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) issued the warning after gangs of migrants were involved in multiple brawls on roads approaching the French port and Eurotunnel terminal.

Up to 200 migrants have been involved in the clashes over the past two days.

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A number of police officers and migrants have been injured in the incidents, which have involved Afghans and Eritreans.

The prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais region said up to 150 migrants were involved in a fight on Tuesday afternoon.

RHA director of policy Rod McKenzie said: Our members are terrified and angry. Gangs of marauding migrants, often armed with iron bars, are attacking their vehicles. The police are heavily outnumbered and its clear that they can no longer cope with the ever-increasing numbers trying to make the crossing to the UK.

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Mr McKenzie added that some drivers are refusing to make the journey between Calais and Dover, with many hauliers diverting their vehicles via longer routes.

The RHA has a long-running campaign calling for the deployment of the French military in Calais.

Some 7,000 migrants were cleared from a makeshift camp in the city last autumn.
Around 60 people are thought to have been killed in the air strike in Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition has carried out several air strikes in Yemen, hitting a small hotel near the capital of Sanaa and killing dozens of people, Yemeni officials and witnesses said.

There were conflicting reports on the victims, with doctors saying they were farmers and officials and witnesses saying they included Houthi rebels.

The fighter jets targeted a two-storey hotel in the Qaa al-Qaidhi district, located in the town of Arhab, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Sanaa, officials said.

The building sustained extensive damage and bodies were still being retrieved from under the rubble, witnesses said later on Wednesday.

Another air strike hit a checkpoint manned by the Houthis, a few kilometres from the hotel, they added.

Footage of the area aired on al-Masirah TV, a Houthi-run satellite news network, showed bodies hanging out of a simple building.

Bystanders wrapped mangled corpses into blankets to try to carry them away.

The TV network said 41 civilians were killed and that the death toll was expected to rise further.

Officials and witnesses told The Associated Press that the death toll had reached 60 and that the majority of those killed were Houthi rebels.

Physician Ali al-Rakmi, who was helping at the site of the hotel strike, said there were more than 100 people inside at the time of the attack, all farmers who work in growing qat.

The plant's leaves are chewed for a stimulant effect, a widespread tradition among Yemeni men.

Mr al-Rakmi said they had retrieved 35 bodies so far.

Fahd Marhab, head of the Umrah hospital about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the site of the air strike, said there were no wounded and that all the people in the hotel were killed in the air strike. He also said that they were mostly farmers.

It was not possible to reconcile the discrepancies in the accounts and the different number of fatalities reported by the officials and the TV.

There was no immediate comment from the coalition.

The Saudi-led coalition has been waging an extensive air campaign against the Houthis and forces loyal to ousted Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 2015, seeking to push the rebels from lands they captured, including Sanaa, and restore the internationally recognised government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to power.

However, the air strikes have also hit civilian targets, such as schools, hospitals, and markets, killing thousands and prompting rights groups to accuse the Saudi-led coalition of committing war crimes.

Activists have also called upon Western countries, including the United States and Britain, to cease military support for the coalition.

Yemen's conflict began after the Houthis swept into Sanaa in 2014 and overthrew Mr Hadi's government, forcing it to relocate to the southern port city of Aden and prompting Mr Hadi to seek military support from Arab Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia.

The conflict has so far killed over 10,000 civilians, displaced three million people and pushed the impoverished nation to the brink of famine.

AP
Angolans have begun voting in an election in which the defence minister is the frontrunner to succeed President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who will step down after 38 years in power.

Around 9.3 million Angolans are registered to vote for the 220-member National Assembly; the winning party will then select the president.

Mr dos Santos' chosen successor is Joao Lourenco, the defence minister and a former governor who fought in the war against Portuguese colonial rule as well as the long civil war that ended in 2002.

The outgoing president, accompanied by wife Ana Paula dos Santos, and Mr Lourenco voted separately in Luanda, the capital, reported the state-run Agencia Angola Press.

The main opposition leader, Isaias Samakuva of the UNITA party, cast his ballot at a university in a Luanda suburb.

Angolan rights activists have alleged that MPLA, the ruling party, unfairly used state machinery ahead of the election, noting that most media coverage focused on its campaign.

Election observers from other African countries are monitoring the vote, but the European Union is not sending a full-fledged observer mission because it says the Angolan government wanted to impose restrictions, including limited access to polling stations around the country.

Some voters said they were satisfied with the voting process, which they described as calm and orderly.

"It was very fast," Luanda voter Francisco Joao Lopes told the Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Another voter, 20-year-old Solange Moangongo, proudly showed an index finger marked with indelible ink, a measure designed to prevent people from trying to vote more than once.

"I feel like I am an adult because for the first time I was able to exercise my right to vote," Ms Moangongo told the Lusa agency.

"I hope that my vote will make a difference in these elections."

MPLA, whose Portuguese acronym means Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, won the 2012 election with 72% of votes amid allegations of irregularities.

UNITA, or the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, a former rebel force that fought the MPLA in Angola's civil war, is the main opposition challenger.

Angola is beset by poverty, corruption and human rights concerns, though some analysts believe new leadership could open the way to more accountability.

Mr Lourenco, 63, has pledged to fight graft and is seen as a symbol of stability and even incremental change.

Critics, however, point to entrenched patronage networks benefiting an elite that includes Isabel dos Santos, the president's daughter and head of the state oil company Sonangol, and Jose Filomeno dos Santos, a son in charge of the country's sovereign wealth fund.

Additionally, the 74-year-old president is expected to remain ruling party leader, although there are concerns about his health since he received medical treatment in Spain this year.

There are opportunities for fiscal reform if Mr Lourenco becomes Angola's new president as expected, said a senior analyst at Exotix Capital, an investment bank that focuses on developing economies.

"While we expect broad continuity, investors will be hoping to see further measures to improve transparency and a boost for the private sector," analyst Stuart Culverhouse said in a statement.

AP
The Danish navy's ship Fyrholmen in Koge Bay, south of Copenhagen, during the search for Swedish journalist Kim Wall (Per Rasmussen/Ritzau Foto via AP)

DNA tests on a headless torso found in the Baltic Sea matched missing Swedish journalist Kim Wall, who is believed to have died on an amateur-built submarine that sank earlier this month, Danish police have said.

Ms Wall, 30, was last seen alive on August 10 on Danish inventor Peter Madsen's submarine, which sank off Denmark's eastern coast the following day.

The 46-year-old, who was arrested on preliminary manslaughter charges, denies having anything to do with the reporter's disappearance.

The headless torso was found by a member of the public who was cycling on Copenhagen's southern Amager island on Monday, near where Ms Wall was believed to have died.

Copenhagen police said on Tuesday that the arms and legs had been "deliberately been cut off" the body.

Police investigator Jens Moeller Jensen told reporters on Wednesday that the body was attached to a piece of metal, "likely with the purpose to make it sink".

The body "washed ashore after having been at sea for a while", he said.

He added that police found marks on the torso indicating that someone had tried to press air out of the body so it would sink to the bottom and not float.

Dried blood was found inside the submarine which also matched with Ms Wall, he said.

"On August 12, we secured a hair brush and a toothbrush to ensure her DNA. We also found blood in the submarine and there is a match," said Mr Moeller Jensen.

The cause of the journalist's death is not yet known, police said.

Madsen, who remains in police custody, initially told officers that he had dropped Ms Wall off on a redeveloped island in Copenhagen's harbour about three-and-a-half hours into a night-time trip and that he did not know what happened to her after that.

But he later told authorities "an accident occurred on board that led to her death" and he "buried" her at sea.

Ms Wall, a Sweden-born freelance journalist, studied at the Sorbonne university in Paris, the London School of Economics and at Columbia University in New York, where she graduated with a master's degree in journalism in 2013.

She lived in New York and Beijing, her family said, and had written for The New York Times, The Guardian, the South China Morning Post and Vice Magazine, among other publications.

AP
A memorial for the victims of Friday's stabbings in Turku (Lehtikuva/AP)

Finnish police have arrested two more suspects over last week's stabbings that killed two people and wounded eight in the south-western city of Turku.

Officers said they arrested two men on suspicion "of preparation of an offence to be committed with terrorist intent".

On Tuesday, a regional court ordered that an 18-year-old Moroccan asylum-seeker be detained on suspicion of terrorist crimes, including two counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder.

Three alleged accomplices also were ordered to be held on suspicion they helped plan the attack.

The main suspect, who has acknowledged the stabbings but denies murder, was named as Abderrahman Mechkah, although police said they believe he is using a false identity.

Investigators have said they are exploring possible links to last week's extremist attacks in Spain.

Detective Superintendent Markus Laine told national broadcaster YLE on Wednesday that there were signs Mechkah had become "radicalised" but declined to give any details.

Mechkah was shot in the thigh by police during the knife rampage in Turku, 170 kilometres (105 miles) west of the capital Helsinki, and was treated for his wounds at a local hospital before a planned move to a prison hospital, police said.

The nationality of the new suspects was not clear, police said, because they gave contradicting information.

They told Finnish officials they were Algerian citizens but had earlier told Swedish authorities that they were from Morocco. It was unclear when they were in Sweden.

The main suspect arrived in Finland last year, but his application for asylum was denied, police said.

Earlier, the German Interior Ministry said the man entered Germany at the end of 2015, leaving there in early 2016.

He did not apply for asylum in Germany, the ministry said.

Investigators and the main suspect's lawyer Kaarle Gummerus have said they were not aware of a motive for the attack, in which most of the victims were women.

AP
Iraqi forces have reached the outlying urban areas of the Islamic State-held town of Tal Afar, a military commander has said.

US-trained elite troops, known as the Counter Terrorism Service, entered the al-Kifah neighbourhood on the south-west edge of the northern town, according to Lieutenant General Abdul-Amir Rasheed Yar Allah.

Brigadier General Haider Fadhil, of Iraq's special forces, said the troops did not face tough resistance from IS fighters, though they did fire rockets, sent suicide bombers and used roadside bombs.

He said he expected the fighting to get heavier as they push into the town's centre about three miles away. Civilians were not seen fleeing the area.

The US-backed operation was launched on Sunday, a month after Iraq declared victory over IS in Mosul, the country's second largest city. Tal Afar, about 90 miles east of the Syrian border, is in one of the last pockets of IS-held territory in Iraq.
Participants try mixed reality technology applications at the 25th China International Financial Exhibition held from July 27 to 30 in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

Money transfer, payment services among major drivers of fast growth

China ranks top among 20 world markets in terms of fintech adoption, with 69 percent of surveyed consumer respondents saying they are actively using fintech services, 33 percentage points higher than the global average.

According to the report by consultancy services provider EY, based on more than 22,000 online interviews in 2017, global fintech adoption has been growing fast since 2015 when EY did its first study on the issue.

Money transfer and payment services are major drivers of the fast growth, said the report.

Around 64 percent of fintech users said they prefer using digital channels to manage "all aspects of their life". And 13 percent of polled consumers said they are regular users of five or even more fintech services, which include money transfer and fintech, wealth planning, deposit and investment, borrowing and insurance.

The report said it is expected that the fast growth of fintech adoption will continue to rise and reach 52 percent globally in the next two years.

"Even though it's easier said than done, the best thing to do is to build a product that resonates clearly with people's needs," said George Lucas, founder and CEO of Acorns Australia, a fintech services provider, when asked about customer traction.

"Once you have that, your early adopters will recommend you to friends  and you can get viral growth through word of mouth", said Lucas.

Although fintech adoption in the insurance sector is relatively lower than that in payment and money transfers, its growth is obviousfrom 8 percent in 2015 to 24 percent in 2017, and is expected to grow to more than 50 percent in the next few years.

Analysts said technologies will help to handle risk exposure amid rising fintech adoption around the world, and regulation will also take advantage of technologies in the sector.

Jack Chan, managing partner of EY Financial Services' China operation, called for greater activity from regulators and policymakers for some market support fintech services. "For example, as a new service or product using financial technologies is to be launched, regulators and policymakers can run it in a 'regulatory' box, which tests the product or service within a limited scale and observe what risks could emerge and what loopholes must be taken care of," said Chan.

In China, regulators have strengthened regulation of peer-to-peer lending, online payment, and virtual currency trading in the past two years.

According to Chan, the moves support the fintech sector as they help the market keep outstanding players with a strong focus on effectiveness, transparency, compliance and efficiency, and rule out unqualified players.

Fintech adoption rates in other markets with active users are 52 percent in India, 42 percent in the United Kingdom, 40 percent in Brazil, 37 percent in Australia and Spain, 36 percent in Mexico, and 35 percent in Germany and South Africa. The fintech adoption rate in the United States is 33 percent, which is the same level as the global average.
A prisoner received a stay of execution just hours before he was due to be put to death

Protesters rejoiced after a US state governor stopped the planned execution of an inmate who maintains his innocence.

A small group of protesters who travelled to the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City from Kansas City wrote the governor a thank-you note on the spot after learning on Tuesday that Eric Greitens was issuing a stay of execution for Marcellus Williams.

Williams was convicted of fatally stabbing former St Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Lisha Gayle during a 1998 burglary at her suburban St Louis home.

Williams had been scheduled for execution at 6pm local time on Tuesday.

The governor's decision comes after Williams' lawyers cited DNA evidence found on the murder weapon that matched another unknown person, but not Williams.

But St Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch said there was "zero possibility" the inmate is innocent.

Mr Greitens says he will appoint a five-member board of inquiry to make a recommendation concerning whether Williams should be executed.

AP
As memorials to generals who fought for the pro-slavery Confederates during the American Civil War continue to topple like dominoes across the southern United States, it's only a matter of time before some politically correct smart alec in Northern Ireland calls for the statue of Sir Edward Carson up at Stormont to be pulled down, too.

Is the founder of the Ulster Volunteers and staunch opponent of Home Rule really the right person to stand in front of a devolved parliament that now works (when it works, which isn't that often these days) on the basis of equality between unionist and nationalist traditions?

The Nolan Show could get hours of airtime out of this.

Carson wouldn't exactly have been welcome at the recent Belfast Pride march, either.

As a barrister in the 1890s he was instrumental in ruining the reputation of Irish playwright Oscar Wilde.

The author of The Importance Of Being Earnest was financially ruined by the libel action he took to defend himself against accusations of sodomy, which was illegal at the time.

He was subsequently jailed for "gross indecency" and died a few years later penniless in Paris.

Let's just say that, when it came to championing gay rights, Edward Carson left a lot to be desired.

So, should his statue be removed for that reason as well, just because our attitude to homosexuality has, thankfully, changed?

At the risk of upsetting one interest group or another, let's hope not.

The place wouldn't look the same without him. And if he's to go, why not Stormont itself?

Nationalist critics have long grumbled that the history of the "Protestant parliament for a Protestant people" makes it an unsuitable home for a power-sharing Assembly.

Sinn Fein northern leader Michelle O'Neill surely wouldn't need much encouragement to revive the party's doomed campaign to up sticks and move to a new one instead - perhaps somewhere up the Falls Road with a huge idol of one of the dead IRA volunteers she's so fond of honouring standing guard outside?

All this proves two things.

One is that the acrimonious debates about the past which are causing friction across the Atlantic are not exclusive to the USA (as if we needed further proof of that).

The other is that there are no easy answers.

Carson is remembered as the founder of Northern Ireland, but the Dublin-born statesman was as disillusioned by how it turned out as many Irish nationalists.

As for Oscar Wilde, yes, he was a literary genius who suffered terribly at the hands of the British Establishment; but his attraction to young rent boys from the poorest parts of London would have justifiably ruined his reputation in our age, too.

Should the writer's statue near his childhood home in Dublin be torn down as a mark of our disapproval?

It's easy to denounce people in the past who had less progressive and enlightened attitudes. Without wanting to sound like President Trump, there is blame on "many sides".

That's the problem with history. It refuses to be - no pun intended - black and white. No one was perfect then, any more than we're perfect now.

That goes for Carson also. He stands on the avenue leading to the Northern Irish parliament. In the grounds of the Dublin parliament, Leinster House, there's a statue to Arthur Griffith, founder of Sinn Fein, who infamously defended the even more infamous anti-Semitic boycott of the Jewish community in Limerick in 1904.

James Larkin, the acclaimed trade unionist, also allowed anti-Jewish material to be published in his Irish Worker newspaper, but 'Big Jim's' statue still stands proud on O'Connell Street.

In Fairview Park, north of the city, there's even a statue to IRA leader Sean Russell, who enthusiastically collaborated with Nazi Germany. The subjects of other statues dotted around the Irish capital include 18th century political philosopher Edmund Burke (who made a number of unflattering remarks about Jews in his day and was ambivalent about slavery) and writer Oliver St John Gogarty (another notorious anti-Semite).

Many of those who led the Rising, meanwhile, were proto-fascist crackpots who believed in the words of Padraig Pearse that "bloodshed is a cleansing and sanctifying thing".

That didn't stop them being lauded as great men during last year's centenary down south.

Nationalists of old didn't want their beloved Gaelic, Catholic Ireland diluted by alien influences, and, if we met them today, we'd no doubt consider them a fearful bunch of bigots.

But while people in the past may have said and thought and done things that would be considered unacceptable by today's standards, that shouldn't detract from their other achievements.

Take Winston Churchill. He was in favour of using poison gas against "uncivilised tribes" in Africa and believed in the triumph of the "Aryan race".

Even at the time his views were considered extreme.

But, in its darkest hour, Churchill also help save Europe from the Nazis.

Which of these versions of the statesman is celebrated by his statue outside the House of Commons? Which of them should prevail in deciding whether Churchill was, in crude terms, a 'good' or 'bad' man?

And, if his statue is an affront to the many victims of the British Empire, should we also posthumously take away his Nobel Prize for Literature for the same reason?

It's complicated, to say the least.

History wasn't always pleasant, but it makes no more sense to denounce people in the past for opinions they held at the time than it does to insist we would have thought and acted any differently than they did. That's impossible to say.

Perhaps eastern Europe has the best solution. Following the collapse of communism, former vassal states of the Soviet Union had a problem: what to do with all those effigies of Lenin and Marx which once presided menacingly over public spaces?

In the Hungarian capital Budapest the answer was Memento Park, where the statues are displayed alongside other reminders of totalitarianism. It's now a popular tourist destination.

In Lithuania there's a similar attraction, known colloquially as 'Stalin's World'.

They're not celebrations of communism. Far from it. They're simply acknowledgements that communism happened.

Pretending otherwise would be silly.

Public monuments represent history as it was, not as we might wish it to be.

The only thing you can do is try to provide a context and see the bigger picture.

If 'Troubles tours' can rake in cash from revisiting the scenes of some of Northern Ireland's worst atrocities, there's certainly no reason why Carson should have to give up his traditional place outside Stormont just to appease the perennially affronted.
Why is it that human beings invariably think they can settle their differences by killing one another? From Ireland to India and beyond, we have this common experience of murdering each other whenever we cannot manage our differences in a civilised fashion.

Last week saw the commemoration of the partition of British India and the creation of the dominion of India and the dominion of Pakistan. Seventy years ago, the massive sub-continent of India was divided, principally on the basis of religious difference.

It was a cruel and barbaric process in which an estimated one million people were slaughtered in sectarian violence and at least six million people were forcibly transferred from the predominantly Hindu parts of India to the predominantly Muslim areas of the new state of Pakistan and vice versa.

On our television sets last week we heard and watched, in remarkable detail, the individual experiences of people tragically caught up in this genocide. These were moving and disturbing recollections by elderly people of appalling attacks by one community on another.

Neighbours murdered neighbours in towns and villages across the land despite the fact that they had co-existed together peacefully for decades. Even now the survivors appear still to be traumatised by these ghastly events.

Whether Muslim or Hindu, their tears flowed copiously in recalling these gruesome crimes. They did so with enormous dignity and, quite surprisingly despite their suffering, with little hint of revenge.

The standard narrative by the British media is that the Indian people could not agree on independence, the Hindus seeking to maintain an undivided India while the Muslims sought a separate state for themselves because they feared the dominance of the large Hindu majority in India.

It was this religious difference that led to the idea of partition as a solution and the creation of two separate states based on religion.

On the face of it all of that was true, but it was not the whole truth. The British were not just some hapless referee, trying to control the insane violence of two viciously opposed religious groupings that could no longer co-exist together in peace.

It was in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War that partition took place, with a war-weary British Government without the military or financial resources necessary to rule its increasingly rebellious colony.

Partition was seen by the British as an expedient way of leaving India after 200 years there with as little bother as possible for themselves.

It is doubtful that the British could have anticipated the unprecedented and massive scale of sectarian violence that accompanied partition. Nonetheless, they cannot wash their hands completely of responsibility in carrying out what was an inept and reckless process of disengagement.

The question arises as to why there was such a phenomenally violent breakdown of relations, literally between neighbours, whereas before Indians of all religious and ethnic identities had lived together in peace for many centuries before and, indeed, after the British took over India and made it the "Jewel of the British Empire".

Indian society was historically noted for its tolerance and the ability of its diverse peoples to live together in peaceful co-existence. Also, although there was a huge difference of culture, language and social customs, Indians did not necessarily identify themselves in stark religious terms.

Was this religious identification the result of the British using the time-honoured imperialist strategy of "divide and conquer" so as to weaken the increasing demands by Indians for greater self-rule and, ultimately, independence?

Did the British deliberately exploit religious divisions, particularly between Muslims and Hindus, in order to maintain control over their rich and profitable imperial possession?

There is little doubt that, after the First World War, Muslims were courted by the British in order to provide support for their continued rule in India.

Certainly, the British openly used the differences between Ghandi and Nehru (the Congress Party leadership) and Ali Jinnah (the leader of the Muslim League) in order to thwart the goal of Indian independence. Whoever's fault it was that brought about partition, it was for millions of ordinary people simply an appalling human tragedy.

It was also a formative political event that created two new rival and mutually hostile states out of a previously united colonial entity.

As in Ireland, partition spectacularly failed to solve the problem of managing difference between peoples. In Ireland partition simply froze, but did not resolve, the fundamental conflict of competing loyalties between nationalism and unionism.

In India partition also froze the conflict between Hindus and Muslims and thereby forged the current hostile and sometimes dangerous relationship between these two Asian nuclear powers.

It is this tragic legacy that has brought about three wars and still threatens the fragile peace in that region today.
Rohingya refugees fleeing from Myanmar sit in a boat on the Naf River after the Bangladesh Coast Guard stopped them from entering the country, Aug. 19, 2017.

Updated at 6:30 p.m. ET on 2017-08-23

The leader of Southeast Asias newest insurgent group struck a diplomatic tone as he expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya refugees and pledged not to harm the countrys honor and interest, in a video uploaded to YouTube earlier this month.

Ata Ullah (also known as Abu Ammar Jununi), chief of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), said in a 19-minute video that his group would take extreme care and caution not to harm Bangladesh, describing it as a great neighbor.

The government of Bangladesh leads all the host countries who did not think twice in extending their helping hands to our destitute people in this very needy time, said Ata Ullah, who emphasized that ARSA was not affiliated with any foreign terror network.

On Oct. 9, 2016, militants launched coordinated attacks on police posts and killed nine officers in Myanmars northern Rakhine state. ARSA, which was then known as Harakah al-Yaqin, subsequently posted videos on YouTube claiming responsibility.

More than 75,000 Rohingyas fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh after the attack, which resulted in a military crackdown in Rakhine, a state long riven between ethnic Rahkine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims.

Soldiers hunted for militants in torched villages as terror-stricken refugees fled on foot, witnessing gang-rapes of women and killings of children, according to a United Nations report.

In the video, Ata Ullah spoke while seated before a lush forest backdrop, guarded by four masked men clutching assault rifles. It was not clear where the footage was filmed.

Our primary objective under ARSA is to liberate our people from dehumanized oppression perpetrated by all successive Burmese regimes, he said.

He claimed that in late July, security forces and ethnic Rakhines sealed off a village in Rathedaung township in Rakhine state, resulting in the eventual starvation of the villagers.

Radio Free Asia, a sister entity of BenarNews, reported on Aug. 1 that Rathedaung township authorities had found three mutilated bodies in a river. They claimed Rohingya militants were targeting Muslim villagers who worked with authorities during and after the crackdown.

RFA tried to get in touch with officials in the Myanmar government Wednesday to respond to Ata Ullah's video post, but to no avail.

Min Aung, a spokesperson from the Rakhine state government, said the central government was the appropriate authority to respond.

Thousands more Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh since the latest military build-up in Rakhine earlier this month, Rohingya community leaders in Bangladesh were quoted saying by AFP Wednesday.

In Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw Wednesday, a government-appointed Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, submitted its final report to President Htin Kyaw.

The commission had been tasked with proposing concrete measures for improving the welfare of all people in Rakhine state, uncovering lasting solutions for the conflict-torn region, and addressing deep wounds felt by Buddhist and Muslim communities in the region, it said.

Crossing into Bangladesh

Ata Ullah and ARSA, which formerly called itself Faith Movement (Harakah al-Yaqin), captured worldwide media exposure in December 2016 when the Brussels-based think tank International Crisis Group (ICG) issued a lengthy report about the new armed challenge faced by Myanmar.

Ata Ullah, according to the ICG report, was born in Karachi, Pakistan to a migrant father who fled religious persecution in his native Rakhine State. His family moved to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where he was enrolled in an Islamic religious school.

The report said Ata Ullah claimed to have left Saudi Arabia in 2012 shortly after serious ethnic clashes between Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists erupted, killing more than 100 people.

Though not confirmed, there are indications he went to Pakistan, and possibly elsewhere, and that he received practical training in modern guerrilla warfare, ICG said.

ARSA has been in Arakan for three years without bringing any harm or destruction to the life and properties of Rakhines, Ata Ullah claimed in the video, which contains English subtitles.

Security analysts have not determined the exact number of ARSAs forces and Myanmar has not officially acknowledged its existence. But BenarNews sources in refugee camps said militants had been crossing into Bangladesh.

There are more than 150 members of Myanmars separatist Rohingya groups in Ukhiya-Teknaf areas, who go back and forth across the borders, said a high-ranking source at a refugee camp who requested anonymity.

More than one million Rohingya Muslims live in northwestern Rakhine, where they are despised by the Buddhist majority, according to U.N. officials. Human rights activists said the Rohingya  who have been dubbed as the most oppressed people in the world"  are denied citizenship, freedom of movement and access to basic services and healthcare.

A community leader at the Kutupalong refugee camp recently confirmed to BenarNews that ARSA supporters had been seen at the camp for a few days. The source declined to say if they were armed.

But they do not do anything that might harm Bangladeshs image, the source said, referring to the insurgents.

Kutupalong is one of two UN-registered refugee camps in Coxs Bazar. Its combined Rohingya population with Nayapara Refugee Camp is about 30,000, officials said. At least 350,000 more Rohingya refugees live in vast settlements nearby, according to estimates.

Myanmar, with almost 60 million people, sits in the corner of Southeast Asia between India and China.

Bangladesh security officials expressed doubts on the presence of insurgents in the area, telling BenarNews security forces on high alert would have blocked free movement.

In this side, there is no activity of any Myanmar-based revolutionary group, said Lt. Col. Ariful Islam, a border battalion official. Stronger monitoring in the Rohingya camps is already in place.

Policy of no interference

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam said he was not aware of Ata Ullahs video and Bangladesh has no ties with insurgent groups.

As per our foreign policy, we never interfere in Myanmars internal affairs, he said. The policy of the current government is that the land of Bangladesh is not for any militant group.

Security analysts said ARSA is active in the jungles of the northern Rakhine State, where their presence could stoke religious tensions. They said ARSAs emergence as an armed group signals a dangerous phase that could attract the attention of extremists in Pakistan and the Middle East.

On Aug. 14, Myanmar government ministers met 11 Buddhist monk leaders from the administrative capital Sittwe and discussed security issues in Rakhine, border affairs minister Lt. Gen. Ye Aung said.

The meeting came four days after the Myanmar government dispatched hundreds of soldiers from an army battalion to Rakhine to increase security in the region.

The military will use armored cars and helicopters in its operation against militants in northern Rakhine state, Ye Aung told reporters.

An earlier version of this story contained background about ARSAs impact on Myanmars democratic transition that could not be confirmed.
Indian Supreme Court advocate Farha Faiz speaks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in New Delhi following the split ruling against the Muslim triple talaq divorce practice, Aug. 22, 2017.

The traditional Islamic practice of unilateral divorce that allows a man to part with his wife by uttering the word talaq (divorce) three times is unconstitutional, Indias top court ruled Tuesday.

The three-two split among the five-member Supreme Court bench came amid growing clamor over petitions filed by Muslim women who challenged the validity of the practice.

In view of the differing opinions recorded by a majority  the practice of talaq-e-biddat (triple talaq) is set aside, the court said in its judgment.

It is clear that this form of talaq (divorce) is manifestly arbitrary in the sense that the marital tie can be broken capriciously and whimsically by a Muslim man without any attempt at reconciliation so as to save it. This form of talaq must, therefore, be held to be violative of the fundamental right contained under Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

The practice of triple talaq has been facing growing criticism in India over the past few years on grounds of inequality.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the ruling through a Twitter post, saying, Judgment of the Honble SC on Triple Talaq is historic. It grants equality to Muslim women and is a powerful measure for women empowerment.

The chief of Modis Hindu nationalist ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Amit Shah, also hailed the verdict.

It is the beginning of a new era for Muslim women in India, Shah said.

Muslim woman sought ban

The issue grabbed headlines in 2015 when Shayara Bano, a Muslim woman, filed a petition seeking a ban on the practice.

Banos husband annulled their 15-year marriage by sending a letter with the word talaq written three times.

Although the judgment was largely welcomed, many were guarded with their opinion.

Today is it the Muslims, tomorrow it will be other minorities. The court should have taken a view keeping all women into consideration rather than just Muslim women, senior lawyer Gulnaaz Sadar Amin told BenarNews.

Meanwhile, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said it was not ready to respond to the ruling.

We need time to study it. We have meeting scheduled next month. We will discuss it then and explain the meaning of the judgment to our Muslim brothers, AIMPLBs Kamal Faruqui told BenarNews.
Felda Global Ventures Holding Berhad Chairman Isa Samad points to a digital display showing share prices after the listing debut of Felda Global on the Malaysia Stock Exchange in Kuala Lumpur, June 28, 2012.

A corruption probe at the listed arm of Malaysias state-owned Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and the arrest of a high-profile politician last week have thrown the spotlight on a government agency set up to eradicate poverty among rural Malay farmers.

Today, Felda has blossomed into a mega business enterprise, being the worlds biggest producer of crude palm oil by volume through its listed unit, Felda Global Ventures (FGV).

But FGV has been mired in a scandal over questionable foreign and local deals that could haunt Prime Minister Najib Razak and his United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in upcoming polls, some analysts say.

Corruption busters last week held the former boss of Felda and FGV over a probe into FGV's overpriced purchase of a London hotel and a local hotel, highlighting what some groups believe are possible misappropriation of funds and abuse of power.

Isa Samad, a senior member of UMNO who was once suspended by the party for money politics, was remanded for five days for questioning by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) before being released over the weekend.

Earlier, four other senior executives had been told to go on an indefinite forced leave pending an internal investigation at the beleaguered FGV.

The unwelcome focus on alleged mismanagement in Felda comes ahead of general elections that Najib must call before the middle of next year. He lost the popular vote in the last elections in 2013 but his UMNO-led coalition managed to win enough seats in parliament to maintain power.

Politically linked

Feldas humble beginning in 1956 was the brainchild of Abdul Razak Hussein, Najibs late father and Malaysias second prime minister. It was set up to distribute farm land to ethnic Malays under a poverty elimination program.

Najib and UMNO have been banking on votes from rural settlers in Felda schemes to maintain power since the country gained independence in 1957.

ANAK, a non-governmental organization which represents the second and third generations of Felda settlers, said Isas arrest indicated evidence of issues related to misappropriation and abuse of power.

The group said it had raised the issues after Najib decided to retain Isa as chairman for five years until 2016.

It is a huge mistake, Mazlan Saliman, ANAKs president and a settler, said in a statement.

ANAK is extremely sad because the time it took [for the situation to be investigated] was too long and the resulting [financial] damage was terrible.

The NGO last month called for a royal commission to investigate allegations of wrongdoings within Felda.

Some believe Feldas troubles began after the landmark public listing of FGV in 2012, when shares traded as high as 5.46 ringgit.

Many rural farmers had taken loans to participate in the initial public offering, when the firm raised $3.1 billion in Asias biggest and the worlds second largest IPO after Facebook.

FGV share price has since plummeted and stood at 1.62 ringgit per share as of Tuesday.

Economist Azrul Azwar Tajuddin when contacted said overvaluation of the IPO could be among reasons why FGV share prices may not regain IPO levels for a very long time.

Other factors, whether perceived or real, such as the management and board of directors capabilities, various corporate governance-related issues and scandals, being one of the most politically linked public companies, among others, may continue to dog share price performance, he told BenarNews.

A force to be reckoned with

Although the general election is not due until mid-2018, politicians and analysts have indicated Najib may dissolve parliament by the end of this year to prevent the newly formed opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan from gaining any foothold in rural areas.

Farmers from Felda make up the majority of voters in 54 out of 222 constituencies in parliament. The three states with the biggest numbers of settlers  Pahang, Johor and Negeri Sembilan  are under the control of Najibs Barisan Nasional coalition.

There are 112,645 registered settlers with Felda nationwide who continue to benefit from subsidized fertilizer and low-interest loans from the government

But the new generations of Felda settlers are close to 2 million, making them a force to be reckoned with in any elections, according to a Felda official who declined to be named.

A situation close to a real collapse could occur if these rural voters, mostly Felda settlers, can be convinced that the escalating cost of living that they have been grappling with for quite some time now, has a lot to do with everything that has gone awfully wrong with Felda since the FGV listing, Azrul said.

Ibrahim Suffian, Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research executive director, said although the opposition has increased visits to settler communities, its winning chances are limited.

Despite concerns over the issue, they are more concerned about their daily lives, debts and financial problems they are facing, and the six incentives announced by Prime Minister Najib Razak has given hope that their problems have been resolved, so their support for BN/UMNO will not decline that much, he told BenarNews.

Najib announced special incentives in July for Felda settlers, including, among others, an interest-free home renovation loan valued at 40,000 ringgit each for 70,000 settlers.

 As long as I hold the position of the Prime Minister, God-willing, I will ensure Feldas progress is improved and the welfare of the settlers are guaranteed, he said in his blog.

Shifts in Support

Invoke, a research outfit run by the opposition Peoples Justice Partys vice-president Rafizi Ramli, said only seven seats with Felda settlements have seen big shifts in support for the ruling coalition.

At least 46 other seats which had sizeable Felda communities showed a drop in support for the ruling coalition, Rafizi said, citing results of a research project conducted on 200,000 voters including Felda settlers announced in June.

Rafizi said factors that contributed to the declining support were the Felda crisis, the rise in consumer prices and a national scandal involving Najibs administration.

Najib has been linked the scandal-ridden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which is the subject of money-laundering investigations in at least six countries.

Najib denied taking money from 1MDB after it was reported that investigators traced nearly $700 million to his bank accounts. Authorities cleared him of any wrongdoing, saying the money was a donation from Saudi Arabia.

Hata Wahari in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.
A Philippine senator on Wednesday said she had taken protective custody of three witnesses  two of them minors  in the death of a 17-year-old during President Rodrigo Dutertes drug war.

The key witnesses could provide testimony on Kian Loyd delos Santos killing last week, when police launched one time, big time anti-drug operations that left almost 100 people dead in the bloodiest five days yet of Dutertes campaign to rid the country of suspected drug pushers and addicts.

Police claimed delos Santos was shot and killed when he engaged policemen in a shootout, but footage from a closed-circuit television camera appeared to belie their statements. The footage showed two men  believed to be police officers in civilian clothes  dragging the boy away before his body was found.

The boys death placed Philippine police under pressure to explain the killings. Church leaders decried the boys death and Dutertes allies in the Senate agreed to start an inquiry.

Earlier, Duterte praised police for gunning down 15 people  including a local mayor on the presidents list of 150 officials allegedly engaged in drugs  in the southern Philippines.

Anger over the boys death spilled onto the streets on Monday, with many joining protests despite heavy rain to call for accountability.

On the same day, Duterte told reporters he had seen the footage.

I agree that there should be an investigation. If there is liability, they will go to jail, Duterte said. I instructed police to put the officers in custody.

But Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who said the three witnesses were under protection of her security team, attacked Dutertes promise of a full and impartial investigation into the case, saying it was too little, too late.

She also said the president was complicit in the boys death because he repeatedly urged those in the uniformed services to kill suspects rather than be shot themselves.

Currently, my office, with the help of several concerned groups and church leaders, are providing protection and sanctuary to three key witnesses to the killing of Kian, she said.

Two of them are minors ages 13 and 16, and one is an adult. They are in our care since Saturday, she said.

The children feared for their lives and exhibited signs of trauma, she said, adding they are represented by a lawyer and gave their sworn statements to be included in the filing of cases against the boys suspected killers.

She plans to present the same document to the Senate on Thursday when it convenes a hearing into the incident.

The most important thing now is to protect and secure the witnesses and give justice to the extra-judicial killing of Kian, the senator said.

Duterte, who unleashed a deadly crackdown against drug users and dealers as soon as he took office on June 30, 2016, said he would not interfere in the investigation.

So far, more than 8,000 deaths have been logged, but police said only about 3,500 have died as a result of gun battles during police raids. The rest were considered deaths under investigation or killings blamed on vigilantes.

A resolution signed by Hontiveros and five other opposition senators on Tuesday said Dutertes war unjustly targets the poor and the helpless while failing to address the root causes of the drug menace in the country.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes, one of Dutertes staunchest critics, said the probe should not be aimed solely at purging the police ranks of abusive cops, but also at providing some accountability.

Relieving certain personnel without making them suffer the consequences of their action will not make a dent, Trillanes said.

U.S. ambassador calls for accountability

The U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim, on Tuesday echoed calls for full accountability after the boys death.

My condolences go out to the family and friends of Kian. Hope that the investigations lead to full accountability, Kim said on his Twitter account.

Facing some of the stiffest criticism to date of his war on drugs, Duterte on Wednesday clarified that he did not order security personnel to kill suspects already on their knees and begging for their lives, according to the daily Philippine Star.

The president said police and soldiers should shoot suspects only if the criminals violently resisted and threatened their lives, the report said.

What I reminded again the military and the police is that it should be in the performance of your duty. You are not allowed to kill a person who is kneeling down begging for his life. That is murder, the newspaper quoted Duterte as saying during the inauguration of a solar cell factory in Batangas, south of Manila.
After an 18-year run in Goose Creek and unforeseen challenges presented by COVID-19, Dreamalot Books has gradually  but decidedly  gained a steady foothold in the Moncks Corner community as a welcoming haven of second-hand books for both area bibliophiles and those traveling in from Myrtle Read moreThe 'happy place' for used books: Dreamalot Books emerging as a go-to hot spot in Moncks Corner
For Immediate Release, August 23, 2017 Contact: Mollie Matteson, (802) 318-1487, mmatteson@biologicaldiversity.org Study: Rare Migratory Songbird Severely Threatened by Climate Change Habitat for Demure Bicknell's Thrush is Being Destroyed NORWICH, Vt. The rare, mountaintop-dwelling Bicknells thrush has one of the smallest populations of any migratory songbird in North America and will likely lose half its habitat to climate change, according to a study released yesterday by the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. In response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will decide whether the thrush should be protected under the Endangered Species Act by Sept. 30. Climate change is stealing habitat from the Bicknells thrush with disturbing speed, said Mollie Matteson, a senior scientist at the Center. These incredibly imperiled birds clearly need endangered species protection, but with the Trump administration making decisions, its not clear what will happen. Surveys of the highest summits in New York and New England conducted by trained citizen scientists over the past six years found that the thrushs population is only about 71,000 adult birds in the United States. The White Mountain National Forest, Baxter State Park and the High Peaks Wilderness Area in the Adirondack Mountains account for more than half of the U.S. population. Scientists estimate the total global population at fewer than 120,000. The Bicknells thrush breeds and raises its young in the subalpine zone of the Northeasts highest mountains, and coniferous forests and coastal lowlands of southeast Canada. Climate change threatens the species habitat in all cases. As a result of increasing temperatures, deciduous trees are moving upslope into the coniferous forest favored by the Bicknells thrush. Ridgetop development, logging and air pollution constitute the other major threats to the species summer habitat. Logging, subsistence farming and other disturbances also imperil the species winter range, found on several Caribbean islands.
For Immediate Release, August 23, 2017 Contact: David Henkin, Earthjustice, (808) 599-2436, dhenkin@earthjustice.org

Makaala Kaaumoana, Hui Hoomalu i Ka Aina, (808) 346-5458, kaaumoana@gmail.com

Marjorie Ziegler, Conservation Council for Hawaii, (808) 284-3071, mz@conservehi.org

Brian Segee, Center for Biological Diversity, (805) 750-8852, bsegee@biologicaldiversity.org Lawsuit Filed to Prevent Hawaii's Airport, Harbor Lights From Killing Endangered Seabirds Bright Lights at State-operated Facilities Continue to Kill, Injure Rare Birds Honolulu, Hawaii Conservation groups today filed a lawsuit against the Hawaii Department of Transportation for failing to address the injuries and death to critically imperiled seabirds from bright lighting at state-operated airports and harbors on Kauai, Maui and Lanai. The Newells shearwater is a threatened species, and Hawaiian petrels and band-rumped storm petrels in Hawaii are endangered species. The transportation departments failure to protect these native seabirds from harmful operations at its facilities violates the federal Endangered Species Act, according to the lawsuit filed by Hui Hoomalu i Ka Aina, Conservation Council for Hawaii and the Center for Biological Diversity. The groups are represented by nonprofit law firm Earthjustice. The seabirds are attracted to bright lights, like those at the departments airport and harbor facilities. Indeed, those facilities are among the largest documented sources in the state of injury and death to the birds. The seabirds become disoriented and circle the lights until they fall to the ground from exhaustion or crash into nearby buildings. On Kauai, which is home to most of the threatened Newells shearwaters remaining on the planet, bright lights have contributed significantly to the catastrophic 94 percent decline in the Newells shearwater population since the 1990s. At the same time, Hawaiian petrel numbers on Kauai have plummeted by 78 percent. Remnant breeding populations of the imperiled seabirds cling to survival on Maui and Lanai. Our ancestors depended on the ao (Newells shearwater), uau (Hawaiian petrel) and akeake (band-rumped storm-petrel) to help locate schools of fish, to navigate from island to island and to know when the weather is changing, said Kauai fisherman Jeff Chandler of Hui Hoomalu i Ka Aina, which works to protect cultural and natural resources. We filed this lawsuit because weve had enough of the Department of Transportation ignoring its kuleana (responsibility) to protect these culturally important creatures. The tragic deaths of these endangered seabirds were preventable, said Brian Segee, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. The Department of Transportation cant keep ignoring the Endangered Species Act. The department needs to do right by these amazing birds and improve conditions on the ground to offset the real harm caused over the years by these very bright lights. Last October, the department abruptly broke off discussions with federal and state wildlife agencies regarding its participation in an island-wide habitat conservation plan to minimize and mitigate harm to the rare seabirds on Kauai. It is incredibly saddening to know how endangered these seabirds have become, said Marjorie Ziegler of Conservation Council for Hawaii. They are integral parts of our island ecosystem and native Hawaiian culture. We hope this lawsuit will finally spur our government to take the necessary steps to protect them. The groups seek to compel the department to comply with its obligations under the Endangered Species Act to minimize and mitigate harm to the imperiled seabirds by securing incidental take permit coverage of its activities on all three islands. As required by the Act, on June 15, the citizen groups provided advance notice of their intent to sue. Our notice letter prodded the department back into talks over participating in the island-wide habitat conservation plan on Kauai, said David Henkin, an Earthjustice attorney representing the groups. Thats a good start, but talk alone will do nothing to save these rare and important animals from extinction. Its long past time for the department to take action, not only on Kauai, but everywhere in the state that its operations illegally kill seabirds.
For Immediate Release, August 23, 2017 Contact: Shaye Wolf, (510) 844-7101, swolf@biologicaldiversity.org Trump Administration Urged to Protect Pacific Walrus as Arctic Sea Ice Melts Fish and Wildlife Service Must Decide on Endangered Species Act Listing Soon SAN FRANCISCO Conservation groups representing millions of Americans urged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect the Pacific walrus under the Endangered Species Act. The letter from more than 20 organizations comes as the Service has until the end of the September to either begin the process of listing the imperiled species or withdraw its candidacy, based on the 2011 settlement of a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. The Pacific walrus  which the Service has previously said warrants listing under the Act, although it has failed to do so  is threatened by the rapid loss of Arctic sea ice caused by human-induced climate change. Strong federal protections are critical for the survival of the Pacific walrus, an iconic species whose homes are literally melting beneath them, said Shaye Wolf, a scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. With sea ice hitting record lows this year, its becoming harder for walruses to survive in their Arctic habitat. If the Trump administration doesnt act, these animals face a truly dismal future. Last week thousands of Pacific walruses hauled out of Arctic waters near Point Lay, Alaska due to declining sea-ice levels. This is the earliest haul-out that federal officials have ever seen, in a region thats warming twice as fast as the global average. Scientists fear that haul-outs may result in more stampedes that have previously killed hundreds of walruses in recent years. The Fish and Wildlife Service knows the Pacific walrus is in trouble. The only thing preventing its protection is politics, Wolf said. We hope officials do the right thing and give this majestic animal the protections it needs to survive. Groups signing the letter include the Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, Mission Blue, Endangered Habitats League, Molokai Community Service Council, Klamath Forest Alliance, Wildcoast, Blue Sphere Foundation, Los Angeles Waterkeeper, 350 Louisiana  New Orleans, WildEarth Guardians, Ocean Defenders Alliance, World Animal Protection, Oceanic Conservation Society, Environmental Protection Information Center, Ocean Conservation Alliance, San Francisco Baykeeper, Animal Welfare Institute, Turtle Island Restoration Network and Louisiana Bucket Brigade.
For Immediate Release, August 23, 2017

Contact: Clare Lakewood, (510) 844-7121, clakewood@biologicaldiversity.org

Public Records Sought on Trump's Withdrawal From Paris Climate Agreement

WASHINGTON The Center for Biological Diversity submitted Freedom of Information Act requests today seeking public records from three federal agencies to shine a light on the Trump administrations decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.

The request seeks all reports and memoranda that the administration relied upon when it made its decision, as well as related emails, telephone logs and notes from meetings involving President Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and other administration officials.

As the international community prepares for this Novembers United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany, the Center hopes to determine how Trumps Paris decision was influenced by a poor understanding of climate science and lobbying by the fossil fuel industry. The Center also looks to uncover whether any new scientific or economic analysis was used in justifying the withdrawal.

We need to know if Trump put any real thought at all into this profoundly dangerous decision, said Clare Lakewood, a staff attorney at the Center. Withdrawing from the Paris agreement isolated America by highlighting this administrations reckless contempt for our planets future. Americans have a right to learn how Trump officials were influenced by scientific ignorance and fossil fuel industry lobbyists.

Todays requests were sent to the Department of State, EPA and Office of Management and Budget.

On June 1, 2017, Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from the Paris agreement. A recent survey found that 71 percent of Americans support the agreement, which acknowledges the urgent need to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Starting your day with a cup of mushroom coffee can give a much-needed twist to your daily regimen. Many speak of its benefits, and some even prefer it to regular coffee. But given its unique
The Zimbabwe Chartered Institute of Customer Management (CICM), in partnership with Contact Centre Association of Zimbabwe (CCAZ), will be co-hosting the Zimbabwe Customer Experience and Service Delivery Symposium on August 30, in Harare, to address service delivery.

According to the organisers, the meeting will bring new insights into effective service delivery in both the public and private sectors: The conference will set a stage for an inclusive framework that will help improve service delivery across all sectors of the economy.

The significance of a Customer Experience and Service Delivery Symposium at this juncture is critical insofar as increasing competition has made it more difficult for organisations  both public and private  to retain customers against the backdrop of shrinking disposable income.

It will bring together the corporate community and Government departments to discuss the service delivery status of Zimbabwe at a macro level and find out ways on how best to improve it, said Chartered Institute of Customer Management CEO, Dr Ricky Harris.

Delegates expected to attend the event include directors, CEOs, general managers, policy makers, local authorities, departmental heads from public and private sectors, contact centre and customer service personnel.

The thrust of the Customer Experience and Service Delivery Symposium is in line with Government-led initiatives to enhance the efficiencies of state entities and local authorities. Government, through the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) is undertaking several economic reforms in the context of ease of doing business to transform the business environment to be more transparent, fair, honest, cost effective and competitive.

Economic transformation

The goal is to project Zimbabwe as a competitive investment destination, and attract much needed foreign direct investment and economic transformation. The current reform processes involve the amendment of any regulations that are deemed to be a hindrance to business growth.

The Zimbabwe government is also in the process of promulgating a consumer protection law, which will provide for the setting up of a national complaints handling body.

Speakers will include, Minister for Information, Communication and Technology and Courier Services, Supa Mandiwanzira; Ambassador Mary Sibusisiwe Mubi, senior principal director in the Department of Public Affairs and Knowledge Management in the Office of the President and Cabinet; Denny Marandure, CEO of ZOL; Rosemary Siyachitema, executive director of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe; Memory Nguwi and Reuben Gwatidzo, president of the Information Society Initiatives Trust, among others.

The Chartered Institute of Customer Management (CICM) is a globally-recognised customer service and call centre professional board, which carries out a series of customer-centric conferences across Africa. Other events hosted in the country include the Customer Service Week which is tabled to run from the 2-6 October 2017.

This will include a breakfast meeting on the 4 October , where the Customer Satisfaction Index for all sectors will be presented. Annual Service Excellence Awards will be held on 30 October.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) rewards scientific excellence by women researchers at its annual Women in Science Awards (WISA). The winners were announced on 17 August 2017.

Natural and Engineering Sciences

Winner: Professor Alta Schutte (North West University): Schutte was the first researcher to investigate the correlation between high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in black African populations. Her work has influenced health policy across the continent. She is chair of the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Early Detection and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease programme, funded by the Department of Science and Technology. She is the director of the Medical Research Councils Extramural Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease and VP of the International Society of Hypertension. Schutte sits on the Expert Advisory Panel of TAG Tobacco, Alcohol and Gambling Advisory, Advocacy and Action Group.

Humanities and Social Sciences

Winner: Professor Azwiihangwisi Mavhandu-Muduzi (University of South Africa): A professor in the department of health studies and a nurse, Mavhandu-Muduzis research focuses on new HIV infections and improving the quality of life of HIV-positive students at rural universities. She developed new guidelines for advocacy, care and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender, intersex and queer students. These new guidelines and the management model she developed have helped to empower HIV-positive women as well as gay and non-gender conforming women in the workplace.

Research and innovation leading to socioeconomic impact

Winner: Professor Henrietta de Kock (University of Pretoria): De Kocks research into the sensory properties of food and beverages contributes to the wellbeing of African consumers. With a growing urban population to feed, her work looks at ways to use Africas biodiversity to create food that is nutritious and appetising.

Distinguished young woman researchers

Natural and Engineering Sciences - Winner: Dr Philiswa Nomngongo (University of Johannesburg): A lecturer in analytical chemistry, Nomngongos nanotechnology research focuses on environmental pollution monitoring, desalination and water treatment.

Dr Philiswa Nomngongo (University of Johannesburg): A lecturer in analytical chemistry, Nomngongos nanotechnology research focuses on environmental pollution monitoring, desalination and water treatment. Humanities and Social Sciences - Winner: Professor Roula Roula Inglesi-Lotz (University of Pretoria): An associate professor in the department of economics, Inglesi-Lotz runs a research methodology course for honours students and has supervised 12 MCom students. She sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Energy of Southern Africa and developed the first course on energy and environmental economics at masters level.

Professor Roula Roula Inglesi-Lotz (University of Pretoria): An associate professor in the department of economics, Inglesi-Lotz runs a research methodology course for honours students and has supervised 12 MCom students. She sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Energy of Southern Africa and developed the first course on energy and environmental economics at masters level. Research and innovation leading to socioeconomic impact - Winner: Dr Lephoto Tiisetso (University of Witwatersrand): Last year Tiisetso was one of 87 women selected to participate in the TechWomen Emerging Leaders programme. She is also one of the Mail and Guardians 200 Young South Africans to watch. Her research in molecular genetics involves finding insect killing nematodes to naturally control pests in agriculture.

Tata Masters scholarships

Nomabhongo Masana (Central University of Technology): Masanas research focuses on the benefits of cloud-based computing and how the technology can be integrated into the public sector health service.



Yonela Mgwebi (University of the Witwatersrand): Mgwebis research involves non-corrosive coatings for metals used in power generation. Her research aims to find cost effective ways to produce energy and steel.



Emily Muller (University of Cape Town/African Institute for Mathematical Sciences South Africa): Muller is researching how social networks influence student performance with the hope of building predictive models to improve organisational structures.

Tata Doctoral scholarships

Marilize Everts (University of Pretoria): A published researcher, Everts is looking at ways to improve heat transfer in power generation equipment.



Loretta Magagula (University of Cape Town): A PhD student, Magagula is researching cancer-causing mutations in African populations. She is concentrating an breast and colorectal cancers, which are widespread in the black African population.



Funeka Nkosi (University of Johannesburg/Council for Scientific and Industrial Research): Working from the councils labs, Nkosi is reasearching ways to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. She is testing manganese oxide-based metals to find ways to use locally mined minerals.

The theme for the 2017 WISA was Womens economic empowerment in the changing world of work, which is the 2017 priority theme for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW).

The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, remarked, The Women in Science Awards shows that women and girls can succeed and excel in science and research. Our nalists are in engineering, genetics, conservation, health, education and information technology, among other elds. I hope that, by showcasing their exceptional achievements, younger women will be inspired to follow in their footsteps.
South African designer Gavin Rajah and homeware retailer @home will launch a limited edition collection of hand crafted linen and scented candles in store on 23 November 2017. The range, Pret A Vivre (ready to live), is available for pre-order online from 17-31 August 2017.

Homeware inspired by fashion

Known for its couture creations, the Gavin Rajah brand has followed what it believes to be a natural progression from fashion to homeware. Inspired by the joy of living, and a nod to the historical roots of the couture movement, the collaboration forms an integral part of the greater vision to make couture more accessible to those who love style.

Throughout the creative process, the Gavin Rajah and the @home team says they kept one important factor central to all that they did: the customers well-being. This pushed them to find a balance between entrenching the luxurious aesthetic in the market and being commercially sensible, particularly when it came to finding the ideal price point.

@home says it is proud to be the first to offer their customers top tier, proudly South African designs that have been locally manufactured and hand-embroidered. Gavins team, who often works on homeware solutions for clients and events, was afforded complete creative freedom, from product and packaging design, right down to the creative direction of the shoot.

Linen range

Launching with a French-inspired collection, rich with intricate hand embroidery and fine detailing, the unique designs stand out as a top tier offering within the @home ranges. Incorporating 2018s key trends, customers can expect to see an evolution of the geometrics and metallics that have dominated the last few seasons, as well as vintage floral embellishment.

While the range draws strongly from SS18 fashion trends, the collection seeks to transcend these themes, creating pieces that stand the test of time in terms of both style and function.

Hand-poured massage candles

Inspired by Rajahs love for travel, alternative healing and flowers, the range of scents has been designed to comfort and uplift, creating a sense of opulence in any room. With scents named Versailles, La Belle Epoque and Rajahstan, the candles are made from 100% soy wax and essential oils and, once melted, can be used as a moisturiser or massage oil.
Shoprite's result for the financial year to 2 July contained good news for everyone except its competitors. For management and shareholders, the good news included a 12% rise in diluted headline earnings and a 11.5% increase in dividends.

For an economy battered daily by reports of job losses, the good news was that Shoprite created 4,000 jobs, securing its position as the largest private-sector employer in SA with more than 140,000 employees, according to Shoprite chairman Christo Wiese.

He said he was proud of the fact that despite operating in a depressed economy the company was still creating thousands of jobs every year. "We can rightfully claim to be a world-class company."

Analysts said this would be particularly discomforting news for its leading competitor, Pick n Pay, which was forced to shed about 4,000 jobs during its financial 2017.

For investors concerned that the proposed deal with Steinhoff Africa (Star) would threaten the sustainability of Shoprite's sterling track record, CEO Pieter Engelbrecht repeated his earlier assurance that Shoprite's management and operations "will continue to operate independently to drive its own focused strategic vision to create value for all shareholders".

The proposed transaction will result in Star taking a controlling stake in Shoprite.

Engelbrecht did refer to some synergistic potential with Steinhoff, including possible growth opportunities in eastern Europe, where Steinhoff has a large footprint. But Engelbrecht cautioned that growth outside Africa would be pursued cautiously.

Shoprite's share price rose 8% to close at R217.11 on Tuesday on the substantially better-than-expected results.

"I was expecting an improvement in margins, but what they've produced is so much more than I expected," said Sasfin analyst Alec Abraham. The analyst attributed the extent of the increase to the group's centralised distribution system and the aggressive application of technology to stock management.

This has helped to reduce shrinkage to record low levels and ensured stock outages were kept to a minimum. Finance director Marius Bosman said shrinkage levels were the lowest recorded by the company. "It's an excellent result and is way below international norms."

The strong results were underpinned by a 10.6% increase in turnover to R141bn. South African supermarkets lifted sales 10.5%, gaining 0.45% market share to a seemingly unassailable leadership position of 31.9%.

The performance was helped by big promotions. On Black Friday (November 2016), Shoprite sold 1,389 products for each second it was open. At a results presentation on Tuesday, Engelbrecht compared this achievement with Amazon's Prime promotion day in July 2016 when 636 (much more valuable) products per second were sold.

Supermarkets outside SA, helped by particularly strong performances in Angola and Nigeria, did even better with a 13.5% increase in turnover. In constant currency terms, which allow for the slump in the Nigerian and Angolan currencies against the rand, the performance was much stronger with growth of 33.8%.

Bosman said furniture sales were hit by the introduction of stringent regulations requiring affordability assessments of customers. "The requirements make it very difficult for informally employed [people] to buy furniture and that represents an important part of OK's target market," Bosman said.

Engelbrecht would not be drawn on the group's performance in the first six weeks of financial 2018 other than to say the environment was tough but that Shoprite was "doing much better than its competitors".

Source: Business Day
Creating services or products in industries that are highly regulated or controversial is obviously difficult. However, with proper planning it can be done in a proper way. The idea is to basically strategise company growth with complete objectivity in mind. You have to prepare for the changing and new laws while having a really good program in place to deal with PR issues. What basically counts the most is what is presented below.

Remaining compliant with regulations and laws

One of the sure recipes for failure as you want to promote or launch a controversial service or product is to not be careful about different changing laws and regulations. Being in regulated markets automatically means that investing into being aware of everything happening at a regulatory level is a necessity. No matter what happens, you have to remain complaint in order to shield yourself from potential lawsuits.

A thing you have to be particularly careful about since it is one of the reasons why most companies in such an industry fail is selling in other places than where everything started. It is always possible that different laws and regulations are in place when you want to expand to other areas. As the business grows you have to also focus on monitoring where you sell, which is quite a big extra expense.

Focus on market education and public relations

Advocacy is something that many companies do not consider when they operate in controversial markets. This is a mistake. Just as with all businesses out there you want to stand out and get known among potential customers. You do this through PR campaigns and advocacy. For instance, lets say that you launched a new product that helps deal with steroid side effects appearing in athletes. Since this is really controversial, you want to advocate knowledge about other reasons why people would use steroids and even launch educational materials like ebooks about how to get rid of gynecomastia. The more you advocate and the more you educate, the easier it will be for your business to grow!

Invest in quality customer service

Treating your current and potential customer's right is vital in any controversial industry. You want to invest money in a system that works really well, offers high quality information to anyone requesting it, solves problems really fast and is overall effective in the shortest possible time frame. You might have to deal with various questions coming from people so you do want to be sure that you answer every single one in a highly professional manner.

One of the main focuses you can have is to offer proper customer support through social media. This does not mean that you need to talk to people through private messages. It practically means you need to monitor media and get involved in conversations. Let people know when they are wrong about something and always aim to educate. This is one of the most important things possible at the end of the day. Being polite and educational helps so much more than what you may think.




The US African Development Foundation (USADF), in collaboration with partners Power Africa and GE, recently announced the winners of the 2017 Women in Energy Challenge in Uganda, where only 20% of the population is connected to electricity.

US Ambassador Deborah Malac, Power Africa coordinator Andrew Herscowitz, and Irene Muloni, minister of energy and mineral development, award CEO of CODE Uganda.

Joint Energy and Environments Projects (JEEP) and Conservation and Development Uganda Limited (CODE) will each be awarded a grant of $100,000 to expand their renewable energy enterprises to reach women beneficiaries. Dr Maria Bawabya Senkezi, JEEPs chairwoman, says investing in women entrepreneurs is critical because women invest money back into the community.

The Women in Energy Challenge, part of the Off-Grid Energy Challenge, was launched in 2016 by USADF and GE to identify and accelerate enterprises either led by women or benefiting women, and help African entrepreneurs compete in the global economy. The Off-Grid Energy Challenge is a part of Power Africas Beyond the Grid initiative, which aims to drive private investment in off-grid and small-scale renewable energy solutions.

Solar-powered cold storage facilities

Joint Energy and Environments Projects (JEEP) is a 100% women-owned enterprise in central Uganda. With a $100,000 grant, it will install six green power units in Kalangala district, a remote island district in Lake Victoria. Fishing is the main industry in the island district but commercial ice to preserve fish is both expensive and limited. As a result, a significant amount of fish is lost before it can be sold in the market. The green power units will each have solar-powered cold storage facilities for preservation, phone charging and solar home systems for sale, and each will be run by a womens group trained in bookkeeping. The green power units will each repay a portion of their profits to JEEP to be used to replicate the model throughout the region. This will not only provide local jobs, but will increase incomes for local women.

Alternative, safer fuel sources

Conservation and Development Uganda Limited (CODE) is a majority-women owned enterprise in western Uganda where surrounding national parks limit the amount of available firewood, and as a result, women bear the brunt of energy poverty, walking long distances in search of firewood and cooking fuel. Through the grant, CODE will sell an initial 350 Agro-Eco kits using a flexible repayment financing model, which will provide alternative and safer fuel sources. Using a low-cost distribution system using Village Savings and Loan Associations, CODE will collect revenues and expand their business to impact more and more households in the region.

We launched this Women in Energy Challenge to find the best and the brightest female entrepreneurs that are making a difference in bringing electricity to rural communities. We are very pleased to see that these women-led enterprises are showing promise in finding alternative solutions to Ugandas energy crisis, says C.D. Glin, USADF president and CEO.

Providing energy access to Africas population is a priority for us, says Jay Ireland, president and CEO of GE Africa. The Women in Energy Challenge is one of our commitments towards supporting local entrepreneurs and we are delighted that African women-owned enterprises are solving local challenges.

For more info about the USADF Off-Grid Energy Challenge, go to www.USADF.gov/off-grid.
While there was a general decline in poverty between 2006 and 2011, poverty levels in South Africa increased in 2015.

The Poverty Trends in South Africa report, released at a media briefing in Tshwane by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) showed that the proportion of the population living in poverty increased to 55.5%, or 30.4-million, people in 2015. In 2006, the proportion of those living in poverty declined from 66.6% (31.6-million people) to 53.2% in 2011.

Poverty was declining but now it is starting to pick up, and from 2011 to 2015 poverty has actually swung up. If we think about the drought, the negative growth that South Africa is facing, the number of the poor is increasing as a consequence, said Statistician General Pali Lehohla.

According to the report that provides statistics on the current levels of poverty in the country, the number of persons living in extreme poverty (people living below the 2015 Food Poverty Line of R441 per person per month) in the country increased by 2.8-million from 11-million in 2011 to 13.8-million in 2015. However, this was lower than in 2009, when people living in extreme poverty were 16.7-million.

The report showed that children were the most vulnerable to poverty. According to the report, the youngest age group (0 to 17) had the highest proportion of people living in poverty.

As far as poverty is concerned, the children are in the majority of those who are poor and I think that is a key challenge. If children are poor, they are less likely to go to school or even if they are in school, they will perform badly. The majority of children are poor because they are in poor households, said Lehohla.

Women and children at most risk

The report further found that in general, black African females, children, people from rural areas, those living in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, as well as those with no education are the main victims in the ongoing struggle against poverty.

Females are much more exposed to poverty than males, said Lehohla.

The proportion of females living below the upperbound poverty line (UBPL) in 2015 was at 57.2%, while that for men was at 53.7%.

In terms of poverty and population groups, the report found that the poverty headcount for black Africans increased to 64.2%, meaning that nearly three out of five blacks are poor. Coloureds had the second highest population of people living below UBPL. In 2015, only 5.9% of the Indian/Asian population was living below the UBPL.

The report noted that there is a relationship between poverty and education, with 79.2% of individuals with no formal education being poor compared to only 8.4% of individuals who had a post-matric qualification.

In terms of inequality, this continued to persist with black Africans having the highest level of income inequality. According to the report, white-headed households spent five times more than black African-headed households and three times more than the national average when coming to the average annual household consumption expenditure and income.

Meanwhile, poor households spent 30% of their total expenditure on food compared to just 10.5% in non-poor households.
Sub-Saharan Africa has huge potential to become a global food basket, but it is far from being realised. The region is estimated to have 60% of the globally available and unexploited arable land yet it remains food deficient

TEMISTOCLE LUCARELLI via 123RF

Even when arable land is cultivated, hurdles such as limited irrigation, small sized farms, lack of fertiliser and modern agro-technology has kept productivity low. Currently, Africas shortfall in agricultural output is met by food imports that are expected to grow from USD$35 billion in 2015 to approximately USD$110 billion in 2025.

Low productivity and increasing food demand  due to a 3% per year population growth rate  requires that food production be increased by 60% over the next 15 years.

Indias Green Revolution could be a useful model if adapted to African conditions. Half a century ago the country too had an underdeveloped agriculture sector. In the mid-1960s and early 1970s, it faced serious food shortages. And then severe famines in 1965-1966 in eastern India compelled the country to look to food aid.

The severity of the crisis gave birth to a new approach to agriculture. Known as the Green Revolution, the policy involved improvements in technology combined with state led initiatives to support farmers. Less than 10 years later India was self-sufficient in cereals.

Though imperfect, the Green Revolution model offers important lessons for countries in the sub-Saharan region. It underscores the importance of government support for agriculture as well as investment in technology such as irrigation, mechanisation and inputs to improve yields. Sub-Saharan Africa could learn from the Indian experience.

The Indian Green Revolution

India began to increase budget allocation to the agriculture sector when it realised that excessive dependence on food imports wasnt viable. In 1961, at the outset of the Third Five Year Plan, it set about increasing agricultural productivity with limited land. Interventions focused on modernising the agricultural sector by:

introducing high yield varieties of seeds,

making fertilisers and insecticide more widely available,

manufacturing farm equipment,

upgrading irrigation practices, and

providing institutional support to farmers.

Institutional support played a critical role. It included government subsidies for inputs, research and development to produce new varieties of seeds and provision of irrigation facilities. Access to credit and markets, extension of minimum support prices and good infrastructure were key to the success of the Green Revolution.

A combination of increased investments and institutional support led to an overall increase in productivity.

Today, India is self-reliant in food grains. It has a shortfall in a few agro-commodities, mainly oilseeds and pulses, which are imported from various sources, including countries in Africa.

In 2015, Indias prime minister Narendra Modi, called for a second Green Revolution. This is set to engage new strategies to revitalise the agricultural sector.

Weaknesses

Indias Green Revolution came with its own limitations. Its effects were selective as only a few pockets in the country benefited. Only irrigated areas benefited while water scarce drylands lagged behind.

The states of Punjab and Haryana, which were suitable for wheat cultivation and had access to irrigation, flourished. The rice producing areas in the south and east of the country, trailed behind.

The Green Revolution also exacerbated the rural divide. Most agriculturists were smallholder subsistence farmers who could not afford expensive inputs and capital investments. This segment of farmers couldnt access credit in the same way as large farmers who are generally landowners from the higher caste. As a result rich farmers were the main beneficiaries of increased productivity and profits.

Other problems emerged too. The capital intensive technology led to soil erosion, reduced genetic diversity and soil fertility, displacement of small farmers, rural impoverishment and increased conflict in rural settings.

Lessons for Africa

African countries could benefit from Indias triple A approach. This denotes appropriate, adaptable and affordable technology for equipment and irrigation. With some adaptation to local rural conditions, these triple A technologies can benefit large numbers of small holder farmers who depend heavily on income from agriculture.

And countries on the continent can avoid the shortcomings of the Green Revolution by planning ahead and ring-fencing pitfalls from the outset. This would include managing the high costs of inputs and the negative effects of excessive use of chemical fertilisers. It needs to be recognised that the shift today is towards organic farming.

Political will, state and institutional intervention are essential. This is to ensure that farmers with small farms and meagre incomes can also be part of the Green Revolution.

The crucial questions African governments should ask are:

Should the agriculture sector be viewed solely as a business sector?

What approaches should be adopted for financing smallholder agriculture?

How can small holder farmers with limited collateral (or none), access credit to combine agriculture and entrepreneurship, and also be able to add value to agricultural products?

One key lesson is that governments need to work with the private sector by providing incentives to invest in agriculture and allied industries. This partnership will ensure that small farmers enjoy access to markets, price stability, minimum post-harvest losses and value-addition to their agricultural products.

At the same time, the private sector has to be closely regulated to ensure that the social agenda and profit making motives are carefully balanced.

Africa has the benefit of hindsight in learning from Indias Green Revolution- its advantages and shortfalls. Countries can objectively weigh the pros and cons of technological intervention and adapt them to suit the local conditions, to attain food sufficiency and shape the future of food in the local contexts and the world.

Rhea DSilva, an M.Phil. candidate at the Department of Sociology, University of Mumbai, and a research associate at the Centre for African Studies contributed to this article.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
The Wits Business School (WBS) has appointed Professor Brian Armstrong to head up the WBS/Telkom Chair in Digital Business. WBS established the Chair in Digital Business in 2016 through a five-year funding commitment from Telkom.

The Chair will ensure that WBS is at the forefront of developing important research, as well as teaching programmes that are essential for doing business in todays digital world. The flagship programme will be a Masters degree in Digital Business, but there will be other offerings, including a postgraduate diploma, and online and executive education courses.

Armstrong has had a long career in the telecoms industry in South Africa and Africa. After 15 years at the CSIR, where he was involved in ICT research and development, he joined British Telecoms Global Services as VP: Middle East and Africa. He then joined Telkom in 2010 and was there until March 2017, when he resigned as chief commercial officer.

It is an honour to have someone of Armstrongs standing in the telecoms industry to lead this important portfolio. With his knowledge of the industry, his passion for the subject of digitalisation and its transformative capacity in all aspects of business and society, I cannot think of a better person for the job, says Kalu Ojah, Professor of finance and deputy head of WBS.

Armstrong, who describes himself, interchangeably, as a business scientist and a scientific businessman, has a passion for the science behind digitalisation and how it applies to the business context from a business model/strategy point of view. He completed his BSc (Eng) and MSc (Eng) at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1982 and 1984 respectively, and obtained his PhD from University College London in 1992.

In the past five years or so, there has been much hype around digitalisation. However, while it is a real part of our world and applies to every aspect of business, it is a concept that is over-traded but under-researched. Most of the information we have about digitalisation is anecdotal  there is no body of knowledge available which is underpinned by rigorous academic research, says Armstrong. New and rigorously conducted research will underpin curriculum development, and there will be exciting opportunities for people to participate and share in this research.

Vision for Africa

His vision for the Chair is threefold: to be a centre of excellence in digital business in South Africa and Africa, to become fully sustainable, and to have an impact on society. Our outputs must be seen and felt in our society; the Chair must have an impact on the South African and African business communities.

There have been significant changes in digital business and this role affords me the opportunity to explore the industry through research, while bringing to the table my practical, business experience. Wits was my first choice because it is a top research institution and likewise WBS, which is at the forefront of emerging market research and shares my vision for the Chair, Amstrong concludes.
Ford has issued an urgent safety recall after yet another fire threat to its luxury Kuga SUVs, this time near its front seatbelts.

The recall was announced on Tuesday. Hundreds of owners received e-mails urging them to bring their car to a dealer because of fears that insulation near the front seatbelts could catch alight in a collision.

The recall is the third in the past eight months.

Reshall Jimmy was killed when his Kuga caught fire while he was on holiday in the Wilderness, in the Western Cape, in December 2015.

Since his death, 64 other Kugas have caught fire in South Africa, two of them within the last two months. The first two recalls were for faulty coolant systems, which Ford said led to the vehicle's cylinder head cracking, allowing oil to leak onto the hot engine and catch fire.

The latest recall notice states: "In the event of an impact which deploys the front seatbelt retractor's pre-tensioner there is a possibility that the insulation material on the inner face of the lower 'B' pillar trim could be subjected to a concentrated heat source that could ignite the insulation material, resulting in fire.

"Please note that, as the owner of the vehicle, you have possession and control of the vehicle and as such, the onus is on you to act upon the receipt of this notification," Ford told drivers.

"While this recall is not related, customers that are already bringing their vehicles in for the phase 2 action will be able to have both recalls conducted at the same time," said Ford SA spokesman Alisea Chetty.

Customers not affected by the previous Kuga recall, or those who have already had Phase 2 of the recall completed, should contact their dealer to schedule an appointment, Chetty said.

Kuga owners are furious and are demanding that Ford remove its entire Kuga range from the country's roads and reimburse drivers.

The National Consumer Commission is investigating Ford for the fires.

Durban grandmother Yvonne Nagouran, after receiving the recall e-mail, said she was petrified of her Kuga.

"I am too scared to drive with my eight-month-old grandson inside.

"When I go out in my Kuga I carry a steel stick with me. It's always in my car in case I have to smash open one of the windows in case my car catches fire," she said.

Her car had gone through the two previous recalls.

"Now it's this recall. Surely they can get this vehicle sorted out once and for all. We fear driving our Ford. We simply do not know if it is going to kill us," she said.

The repair work for this recall should not take more than an hour to complete, Ford said.

For more information, contact Ford Customer Service at 0800 204 688 or 012 843 5824 or e-mail moc.drof@3CRC

Source: The Times
The Fak'ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival is back in Johannesburg from 6 to 16 September 2017 to celebrate technology, creativity, collaboration and innovation from across the African continent. This year, the festival will open with the launch of the Fak'ugesi Digital Africa Exhibition, which will take place on 8 September, and ending the festival off with the Fak'ugesi Beats Bloc Party.

For the first time, the festival will have a dedicated new media and technology art exhibition focusing on the latest digital practices.

Fakugesi is not just a festival where you can come to see and hear, but a festival that is a location for learning, making, developing and innovating. As always, the festival will be at the cutting edge of collaboration, innovation and creativity and we look forward to welcoming everyone for another successful year, says Tegan Bristow, the 2017 festival director.

Festival collection of works

The exhibition will run for the duration of the festival to showcase a collection of works that will include the work of Fakugesis resident artists from the SADC region, supported by Pro Helvetia and the ANT fund; Dananayi Muwanigwa and Kombo Chapfika from Harare, Zimbabwe and Julia Hango of Windhoek, Namibia.

The festival will also have a selection of VR films from Kenya and Senegal from New Dimensions presented by Electric South and the Goethe-Institut  included is the VR work of Kenyan photographer Ngendo Mukii, who produced a poetic city symphony on Nairobi in the VR piece Nairobi Berries, consisting of her lyrical voice-over alongside surreal, layered images of the city.

Senegalese fashion designer Selly Raby Kane presents a magical 360 piece, in which a little girl is chosen to discover the invisible Dakar. Kenyan, The Nest Collective, created an interactive work set in the distant future titled Let this be a warning, when a group leaves Earth to create a new colony. The exhibition will further debut a brand-new collaboration between songstress Nonku Phiri and All Hail the Honeys Rendani Nemakhavhani. This will be presented alongside works by artists Tabita Rezaire, supported by Goodman Gallery, Brooklyn J. Pakathi, Rick Treweek and Anthea Pokroy.

Featured exhibition events

The opening event will feature a special one-day-only showcase of Painting with Music by Yann Seznec and Cukia Kimani in partnership with the British Council ConnectZA. Each of these exhibition events will take place at the newly built Accelerator building within the Tshimologong precinct. This years Fakugesi Festival launch and exhibition will coincide with the FNB Joburg Art Fair ensuring that Johannesburg will be buzzing with arts, creativity and inspiration.

After ten days of festivities, the festival will conclude with the Fakugesi Beats Bloc Party, which will take place on 16 September, bringing together Fakugesi Festival labs and workshops, with an afternoon and evening of interactive installations, animations, game arcades, including content from A MAZE Johannesburg.

The festivals finale will include a musical line up curated by the Weheartbeat, who present headline acts such as trap-house-jazz polymath Masego, beatstrumentalist MNDSGN, and the Afro-electric Zaki Ibrahim and Fakugesi Beats Lab luminaries Hannath Faith and Evil Needle.
Bongani Mthombeni was trying to apply for a bursary to study, but couldn't because he ran out of airtime after his Vodacom data disappeared on Monday.

The story has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook, with Mthombeni the face of frustration with the service provider.

Vodacom confirmed yesterday that an IT glitch led to the sudden disappearance of airtime and data balances.

"The issue was caused by a configuration change on our prepaid and top-up billing system. We were able to isolate the cause and roll back this process," the company said.

Vodacom apologised yesterday and returned data to customers. Because many people had bought extra data, spokesman Byron Kennedy said Vodacom was ensuring all data would have a 30-day expiry window.

Even if customers bought a fortnightly data bundle or an hourly bundle, it will last 30 days and then roll over for another 30 days.

The National Consumer Commission was inundated with calls yesterday.

"We urge consumers to lodge complaints with us so they can be assisted," said NCC spokesman Trevor Hattingh.
The latest subscription box offering in SA delivers local, craft gin to one's door. The Gin Box , founded by Jean Buckham, is a gin club that aims to introduce South Africans to the multitude of local craft gin brands, their unique stories and how best to enjoy them.

Members of The Gin Box will receive on a monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or ad hoc basis (gifts, for example) a box showcasing a small batch of craft gin with unique tonics that accompany the gin and hand-picked gourmet food items that complement the taste journey of the month. No two months will be the same.

Gin has long been enjoyed in South Africa and, for decades, we have been drinking many imported British gins, because, up until recently, we had never really South Africanized it. In addition, it had always been drunk with a simple tonic, but it could be adapted and made more original by adding hints of flavour, garnishes like pomegranates or rosemary, through to even changing the colour of the gin, says Buckham.

Star player of the drinks cabinet

Global growth of gin has increased year on year, accelerating dramatically for the past three. New consumers and product innovation are the driving forces behind the sectors international success. According to The Guardian, British drinkers have been quaffing gin in record amounts during 2016, buying 40 million bottles in a spending spree that outstripped sales growth in beer and sparkling wine.

SA, however, has the benefit of a massively diverse flora that provides botanical ingredients unlike anywhere else in the world, rooibos and fynbos among two of the most common examples. In fact, SA is the only country in the world with an entire plant kingdom inside its borders. This, together with a local appetite for entrepreneurship has seen many distilleries popping up, crafting often adventurous, small batch gins to satisfy any palate.

There are more than 75 local gin brands being produced by 50 local gin distillers dotted around the country. While many drinkers are apprehensive to try new brands, not knowing where to start, The Gin Box eases the confusion by acquainting its members with a new brand each month.

Theres no doubt that theres more bravery and fun with gin drinking, because theres more versatility with it. In the same way that whisky experienced its own period of popularity, which will always endure, and craft breweries exploded onto the scene, gin has rapidly emerged as the new star player of the drinks cabinet and bar scene, adds Buckham.
GABORONE, Botswana - A new trade and investment hub funded by USAID opens in Botswana.

 Gerald Mashonga via 123RF

The US Ambassador to Botswana, Earl Miller, will preside over the official opening ceremony of the new Botswana office of the USAID Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub.

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development, the USAID Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub works throughout the region to improve the livelihoods of Southern Africans by increasing access to trade and broadening investment.

The USAID Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub is the fourth generation of USAID projects focused on these goals. The previous version of the Southern Africa Trade Hub made many contributions on behalf of the US Government to develop growth sectors, including agribusiness, food processing, textiles and apparel, and infrastructure in Botswana and the entire SADC region.

The new Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub will continue to work closely with the Government of Botswana and in particular the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry to break down barriers to trade to increase exports, achieve regional economic integration, increase uptake in utilisation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act by Botswana businesses, improve productivity, and facilitate robust regional trade and global market access.
LangBot, a gamified and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered language teaching chatbot, has been named the winner of the Ethiopian leg of global early-stage startups competition Seedstars World, earning the chance to pitch at the grand final in Switzerland next year.

Seedstars Ethiopia.

Seedstars World, which is hosting local events across Africa ahead of the global final, has already picked winners in Mozambique, Tunisia, Tanzania, South Africa and Uganda.

LangBot will now join the winners from those countries at the final, where it will pitch for the chance of securing US$500,000 in equity investment. This came after seven Ethiopian startups pitched to a panel of judges at local innovation hub, iceaddis.

Offline learning startup SRE was second, while on-demand taxi app ZayRide came third. The other startups pitching were individualised teaching platform Mak-Addis Tutors, chat-based money transfer service Meda Messenger, business automation startup SemayDocs, and news provision service smsCrush.

The jury comprised of Marc Lepage, Africa knowledge and innovation advisor at UNDP Ethiopia; Eleni Gabre-Madhin, chief executive officer (CEO) at Ethiopia Commodity Exchange; Shem Asefaw, entrepreneur and angel investor at ShemTECH Ventures; Eyob Tolina, director at Schulze Global; and Fanny Dauchez, associate for Africa at Seedstars World.

Previous years winners of the Ethiopian edition of Seedstars World have included software development startup AhadooTec, for its e-learning and school management system Fidel; and last years winner Hulubet  an online events marketplace and aggregator.
Several villages in Kayin (Karen) State may soon be hooked up to the electrical grid once a new sub-station comes online, according to an official from the State Electric Power Enterprise.

We are trying to distribute power to Myawady, Kawkareik, Kyondoe, Sukali and Waw Lay Myaing from the 230-kV Mawlamyine power station via the Thin Gan Nyi Naung sub-station, which is 95 percent complete. We are trying to provide 24-hour electricity in Myaing Gyi Ngu within this year, said U Thein Shwe, a deputy chief engineer at the Kayin State Electric Power Enterprise.

Myanmar has among the lowest electrification rates in the world. Less than a third of the population has access to a reliable electricity supply, according to the 2014 census.

Among the 308,000 households in Kayin State, more than 45 percent rely on candlelight  a fire hazard  for light. Less than 30% are connected to the national grid, which currently reaches only centralized villages proximate to power stations  like those Hpa-an, Hlaingbwe, Zar Ta Pyin, Thandaunggyi, Thandaunglay, and Bawkali towns.

U Thein Shwe said that will soon change with the Thin Gan Nyi Naung sub-station. He added that plans are also in place to distribute power to Ka Ma Maung and Hpa-pun via Kaw Lon Island. A planned 33/11 kV sub-station would also distribute power to Kya-in Seikkyi township.

Myanmar generates far less electricity than it needs to meet the demand, especially in the ballooning commercial capital, Yangon.

The energy master plan, drafted in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, envisions 100% electrification by 2030, in part by massively scaling up coal power plants, and connecting homes to the national grid.

In rural villages, only the lucky few have access to electricity through costly diesel generators or solar panels. State media reported in March that one hour of diesel power in rural Myanmar costs almost as much as running electricity for 24-hours in Yangon.

Everyone is waiting for the government [to provide] electricity, said U Naing, a resident of Win Yaw from Kya-in Seikkyi Township.

Our village only receives power from the community electricity generator from 7pm to 9 pm. It is a burden for us since we have to pay K700 per unit. It would help the economic growth in the region if everyone had electricity  and could run small businesses like grinder mills and animal feed processing mills, he added.

Under the $5.8 billion National Electrification Project (NEP), the World Bank is subsidizing a solar panel project. The Department of Rural Development sold and installed the reduced-cost panels at 11,442 households in five townships in Kayin State last month.

The state government and [private companies] have signed contracts to carry out projects for increasing power distribution. If the coal-fired power plant is successfully built in Wut Gyi, then electricity can be provided to many factories and workshops, said U Tin Myo Oo, the State Hluttaw MP from Kya-in Seikkyi township.
U Ant Maw, director of the Kayah State Government Office, said the region cannot be developed if residents stand in the way of factories, which would bring much-needed jobs and industry.

If they [the residents] are going to object like this, our country cant do anything. [The cement factory] will bring job opportunities to the local residents. Also, the products from here will support the countrys GDP, he said.

The 4,000-ton cement factory would be built in Pa Kyal Taung Thone Lone, Loikaw township by the Square Power Group (SPG) Company Limited. The company says it was granted a license by the Myanmar Investment Commission in 2011 under the previous administration.

This factory project has been delayed for a long time. The previous government wanted to carry it out and they awarded compensation for the land. But [the project] was suspended in response to local residents objections, U Ant Maw said.

The Karenni National Progressive Party and local civil society groups have been lobbying the government to more proactively engage with the public, before trying t press ahead with building the factory. During an August 14 meeting in Loikaw, Khu Nyeh Reh, who runs the KNPPs liaison office, pointed out the factory plans may also violate the terms of the bilateral ceasefire, as the government is supposed to consult with the KNPP on any big development projects.

After an August 15 press conference about the factory, protesters planted cardboard signs along the road to the project site, denouncing the plans.

Ko Too Reh, chair of the Karenni State Farmers Union, expressed skepticism that the cement factory would be much of a boon for the local residents.

I think they would only employ us to work as security guards, cleaning staff, and manual laborers. They wont give us any high-ranking positions, he said.

With the opposition movement growing by the day, and local organizations raising awareness about the factory, he added that he thinks its unlikely the plans will move ahead.

I dont believe [the government] will continue to carry out this project. We will hold a protest if they do, reminding them that they have full accountability and responsibility [to the public], he said.
PR Newswire

SAN RAMON, Calif., Aug. 22, 2017

SAN RAMON, Calif., Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Creativity is a quality regarded highly by employers and parents. But creativity is more than just something someone has or not. It's a practice that can benefit anyone. Creativity, especially when practiced regularly, is good for mental health and overall wellness. But if you haven't felt creative or if you've been stuck in your routine for as long as you can remember, creativity doesn't come easy. The Financial Education Benefits Center, which offers a variety of benefits for physical, mental and financial wellness, will soon provide resources that can help their members develop creative habits to boost mental health and wellness.

A 2010 study by IBM reported that a key factor in the success of a company is creativity in addressing complex circumstances surrounding the business. While the study focused on corporations, the same principles can be applied to individuals. In fact, creativity can increase mental health and wellness in many ways.

"We've all had those days where we feel brain dead and unproductive," said Jennifer Martinez, Manager at FEBC. "Maybe we don't get enough sleep or we're especially stressed. We often assume the solution is more caffeine or a more regular sleep schedule. It's interesting that being creative could be another way to improve our mental health."

A creative mind has similar benefits to meditation: reduced stress, improved focus, increased confidence and more. In fact, practicing creative expression is similar to meditating in that you are focusing on something specific for a period of time and training your mind to let go of stressors or negative thoughts in the process.

Sounds like a good deal, right? But how do you do it? It's not always as simple as picking up a pencil and drawing, or grabbing a camera and channeling your inner photographer. For those not in the habit of being creative, it can be intimidating to start, like when you try to learn a new skill or start a new exercise routine.

Being creative doesn't just mean taking up art. Any of the following activities will flex your creativity muscles:

Picking up any new habit can be hard, and the same goes for creative habits. The same way there are tricks for starting a new exercise routine, there are things you can do to help you get creative. Techniques like setting aside time and starting slow will help in establishing regular creative habits. Either way, it takes focus and effort  you are changing your routine after all. However you do it, you'll be experiencing improved mental health in no time.

"Though it's hard to pick up new things and change your set schedule, it's worth it if it means you'll have better mental health," said Martinez. "FEBC will soon offer resources that target mental health and improve things like sleep and concentration. Being aware of what helps is important to addressing wellness. Things like creativity can either help you achieve other goals, or it can be a goal that our resources can help you achieve."

About the Financial Education Benefits Center

The Financial Education Benefits Center is located in San Ramon, California. The Company has already helped thousands of people save money and obtain the necessary education required to live a financially free life.

The Financial Education Benefits Center has partnered with several name brand third-party companies to expand the financial and educational products and services available to its members and to provide a variety of wellness services as well.

Contact

To learn more about The Financial Education Benefits Center, please contact:

Financial Education Benefits Center2010 Crow Canyon Place Ste. 100San Ramon, CA [email protected]

Related Links

FEBC home page

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/financial-education-benefits-center-encourages-developing-creativity-to-boost-mental-health-and-wellness-300508243.html

SOURCE Financial Education Benefits Center
PR Newswire

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 23, 2017

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Public interest groups are urging the California Senate Rules Committee to demand answers about oil and gas well safety breaches from Governor Brown's top oil and gas aide and to not confirm him to the Public Utilities Commission without them.

The groups called upon Senate leader Kevin de Leon and the Committee not to confirm Cliff Rechtschaffen unless he could adequately explain why he fired tough oil well regulators and weakened well safety standards, at the behest of Occidental Petroleum, leading to many safety scandals, including the Aliso Canyon methane leak.

The groups stated that the reopening of the Aliso natural gas reserve recently, without any public release of findings about the cause of the largest methane leak in US history, brings even more import to de Leon's rejection of Rechtschaffen's confirmation.

Consumer Watchdog, Food & Water Watch, Rootskeeper, Save Porter Ranch, and public interest attorneys Aguirre & Severson LLP wrote to de Leon that Rechtschaffen has a record of ignoring federal laws and state regulations to aid the oil and gas industry while jeopardizing the environment and public health.

"Rechtschaffen's record shows that he will pander to the largest energy companies in the state at great expense to the public, to the proper role of government, and to fair play," the groups wrote.

To read the full letter, see: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/cliffrechtschaffenopposeltrfinal5-3-17.pdf

"Rechtschaffen's dismissal of tough oil and gas regulators in the state on behalf of one of its largest oil companies is one of the saddest chapters in this state's unapologetic obeisance to Big Oil," the letter said. "It should not go without full and complete public disclosure in the confirmation process and thorough questioning of Mr. Rechtschaffen about details yet to be in the public record."

Cliff Rechtschaffen fired two top oil and gas regulators in 2011, after Occidental Petroleum and its attorney, former Governor Gray Davis, pressured Governor Jerry Brown to speed up the granting of oil industry permits without proper environmental review, according to court papers. His actions, and subsequent restructuring of the Department of Conservation's Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR), eventually led to the drilling of more than 2,400 oilfield wastewater disposal wells into federally protected aquifers. In the wake of the firings, and granting of a Kern County fracking permit, Occidental contributed a total of $500,000 to Proposition 30, Brown's initiative to raise taxes.

Rechtschaffen's actions killed emergency regulations that the fired regulators were drafting to improve the safety of cyclic steaming, a common method of hydraulic fracturing. Cyclic steaming in wells with damaged casings can affect nearby wells and open up sinkholes like one in which a Chevron worker had died earlier in 2011.

"Without the regulations in place, oil companies carried on the dangerous practice of cyclic steaming without having to report everything from well pressures and conditions to proper posting of when and where cyclic steaming was taking place," the letter said. "By undermining well rules as the Governor's point person on oil and gas issues, Rechtschaffen put public health and safety at risk."

The letter raised many questions about Rechtschaffen's role in the blowout at Aliso Canyon, the natural gas reserve owned by Southern California Edison and parent Sempra. Kathleen Brown, Jerry Brown's sister, sits on the board of Sempra and made more than $1 million for her board work there since taking the office two years into Brown's gubernatorial term.

"Rechtschaffen's ignoring of DOGGR standards may have directly led to the failure of injection well SS 25 in Aliso Canyon," the letter said.

The letter also raised red flags about Rechtschaffen's role in Governor Jerry Brown's emergency proclamation on Aliso Canyon in 2016. "That proclamation swept aside any public investigation into the causes of the blowout that only the PUC has the authority to open, and gave SoCalGas direct cover to hire and direct consultants to determine the cause of the debacle, and to control when and what the public learns about it. As Brown's trusted energy advisor, Rechtschaffen would have had to be a party to the proclamation's nuances."

Families in Porter Ranch and the Northern San Fernando Valley who have been sickened by the Aliso Canyon blowout are up in arms about the nomination of Rechtschaffen traveled to Sacramento to testify that he does not belong on the panel that regulates utilities. They say Rechtschaffen ignored regulations that could have avoided the 2015 Aliso Canyon Gas Storage facility blowout that released 100,000 tons of methane into the air.

Alex Kim, who emigrated from Korea in the mid-1970's, says he hadn't protested since his student days in Seoul but has been forced to speak out because his wife suffers ongoing nosebleeds and his grandchild suffered rashes which he attributes to the blowout.

Melanie Demont is a retired school teacher who was forced to evacuate for months until the leak was capped. Like many residents near the gas fields, she has ended up in the ER and urgent care with respiratory symptoms.

"The blowout at Aliso Canyon has changed my life in ways I never would have imagined," said Demont. "My ongoing health problems have me considering whether to sell the house that was supposed to be my retirement, because I can't live somewhere I can't breathe. Cliff Rechtschaffen is responsible for shutting down well safety rules that could have prevented this disaster that has ruined my life. That's why I'm traveling to Sacramento to plead with the Senate to reject his confirmation to the PUC. We deserve better."

Consumer President Jamie Court wrote de Leon yesterday to point out that just because he and Brown are both Democrats there should be no favoritism towards Rechtschaffen.

"Appointees and governors must know that when they do harm to the public and the public interest they will be questioned and not confirmed if their answers are not satisfactory," Court said. "Governor Brown holds huge power in this state but he is not a king and the Senate must not treat his appointees as though he were."

To read Court's letter see: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/ltrkdl8-21-18.pdf

The public interest groups' letter also called into question Rechtschaffen's role in rolling California into a larger Western regional electric.

"The push to fold California into a Western grid risks opening it up to imports of dirty coal power from Warren Buffett's PacifiCorp, which owns more coal-fired power plants than any other US company, and also subjects California to the same possible swindle of consumers and the environment as we had during the California electricity crisis caused by a thoroughly discredited experiment in deregulation at the turn of the century," the letter said. "A regional grid puts the system into the regulatory hands of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, taking away the state's ability to control its own energy destiny."

The letter concluded: "It is vital that any commissioner appointed to the PUC bring a strong record of acting in the public interest, and not of acting on behalf of industry, be it oil and gas producers, or investor-owned utilities pushing fossil fuels at the expense of ratepayers and the public health. Cliff Rechtschaffen has no such demonstrated record. For all the above-explained reasons, we urge you not to confirm Rechtschaffen to the PUC."

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/public-interest-groups-urge-ca-senate-to-deny-govs-point-man-confirmation-to-puc-after-he-fired-tough-oil-well-safety-regulators--weakened-safety-rules-300508641.html

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
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SHANGHAI - Shanghai customs said Tuesday that it had seen a surge in imports from the United States from January to July this year.

Imports from the United States were worth 153 billion yuan ($22 billion), up 27.1 percent year on year, according to the customs. Marked growth was seen in imports of automobiles, pharmaceuticals and integrated circuits, the customs said.

Imports of US automobiles were worth 16.25 billion yuan ($2.3 billion), up 20 percent. Pharmaceutical imports grew by 76.1 percent to reach 8.69 billion yuan ($12 billion).

The customs attributed the growth of imports to improved living standards in China and an aging society causing surge for demand in medicines.

Exports to the United States in the first seven months this year were worth 448.2 billion yuan ($66 billion), up 13.9 percent year on year.

Mechanical parts, garments, textiles and furniture were the main exported goods.

Shanghai is a key portal for trade between China and the United States.


An internet imagery.

BEIJING (PTI): China's second aircraft carrier is likely to start its first sea trials soon with the development to be presented as a key achievement of President Xi Jinping at the ruling Communist Party's Congress expected to take place in October.



The "key project" team has completed tasks ahead of schedule, Hu Wenming, the head and Party chief of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), the manufacturer of the Type 001A said.



China has one aircraft carrier in operation now the 'Liaoning', which went into commission in 2012. The Type 001A is the country's first home-grown aircraft carrier.



The Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corp (DSIC) where it was built will greet the 19th CPC National Congress by delivering key achievements on a special product in this special time," DSIC Chairman Liu Zheng was quoted as saying by state-run Global Times today.



The Congress which is held every five years is expected to be held in October here. Xi, 64, who is completing his five year tenure as party general secretary, President and head of the Army, is widely believed to get a second term.



As per the practice of the CPC, top leaders will have a ten year tenure.



Liu said all personnel working on the key project led by the CSIC will stick to the directions of Xi to provide world- class naval equipment for a world-leading navy.



The "special time" refers to the 19th Congress, which marks the opening of a new phase of China's reforms. And the enhancement of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy's combat capabilities is an important part of the country's military reforms," Li Jie, a Beijing-based naval expert, told the Daily.



Zhang Ye, a research fellow at the PLA Naval Research Institute said that if the Type 001A made in China can start its sea trials before the event, which is the last stage prior to turning the warship over to the navy, it would mark a huge step forward in China's development of a stronger navy.



China has successfully tested the Type 001A's power system and the carrier will undergo a mooring test in September ahead of schedule, meaning that the ship's power system is all set.



Zhang said he believed part of the mooring test has already started even during the power test, so the mooring test period could be shorter than expected.



The schedule for the sea trials will depend on how long the mooring test takes, Zhang noted.



The sea trials will include an even more comprehensive performance test, which would cover the propelling and communications systems under different maritime conditions, which would usually take two years, Zhang said. He added the trials would not be limited to a specific weather condition.



"The Type 001A is an improved version of the Type 001 Liaoning, so the similarity and experience can largely speed things up," Song Zhongping, a military expert who served in the Rocket (Missile Force) said.



China's 'Liaoning' is a refurbished aircraft carrier built from the hull of a Soviet ship bought from Ukraine in 1998. Regarded as an experimental vessel, it is taking part in battle group exercises in different seas.



The second ship, Type 001A weighs about 70,000 tonnes, is 315 metres long, 75 metres wide and has a cruising speed of 31 knots.




A representational photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian Navy has issued global request for information (RFI) for procurement of 111 utility and 123 multi-role helicopters under the recently-launched strategic partnership model for defence procurement.



Official sources said the RFI has been issued to identify original equipment maker for both the utility helicopters as well as multi-role choppers which are being procured as part of the Navy's modernisation plan.



The procurement of both categories of choppers totalling 234 would cost the government in excess of USD 15 billion, according to experts who said that these two contracts could be one of the largest globally in recent times.



They said the defence ministry is likely to soon issue RFI to select the Indian defence manufacturer which will join hands with the foreign entity or entities (OEMs) for production of the choppers as mandated under the strategic partnership (SP) model.



The last date to respond to the RFI issued on Monday by the Navy is October 6.



The Naval Multi Role Helicopters (NMRH) are being procured particularly to enhance the Navy's anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities.



The Navy has been pressing the government to procure new utility and multi-role helicopters to add teeth to its existing capability and replace its ageing fleet of choppers but the procurement process has seen years of delays.



The government had issued RFI for it in 2011 as well as in 2013.



In May, the defence ministry had finalised the SP model under which select private firms will be roped in to build military platforms like submarines, fighter jets and choppers in India in partnership with foreign entities.



The policy envisages establishment of long-term strategic partnerships with Indian defence majors through a transparent and competitive process wherein they would tie up with global OEMs to seek technology transfers to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.



Initially, the strategic partners will be selected in four segments - fighter aircraft, helicopters, submarines and armoured fighting vehicles/main battle tanks. It is expected to be expanded to other segments at a later stage.




An internet imagery.

SEOUL (AFP): North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered more production of rocket engines and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) nosecones, Pyongyang state media said today.



Tensions over the North's weapons programmes have mounted this year and it carried out two ICBM tests last month, overseen by Kim, that apparently brought most of the United States within range.



A series of threats followed from both sides, and while the rhetoric has since eased, the US and South Korea this week kicked off their annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian military drills, which the North always condemns as dress rehearsals for invasion.



Earlier this week the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described President Donald Trump as a "mad guy" in a commentary, referring to "the master of the White House who frequently posts weird articles of his ego-driven thoughts in his twitter and spouts rubbish to make his assistants have a hard time".



Kim inspected the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science, which develops the North's missiles, KCNA reported today.



"He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips," it said.



Questions remain whether the North has mastered the technology needed to ensure a ballistic missile warhead survives the intense heat generated by re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, although it says it has done so.



The manufacturing process included carbon fibre weaving, chemical deposition and high pressure liquid deposition, KCNA said.



The North has threatened to fire a salvo of missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam, but has since backed away from the plan.



US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson yesterday added momentum to tension reduction, praising the North for showing a "level of restraint" in not conducting nuclear or missile tests since new UN sanctions were imposed.



He also expressed hope that it was a sign of Pyongyang's readiness to enter peace and disarmament talks with Washington "sometime in the near future."


The country's first Muslim TD has said we have a "very poor" level of political diversity, despite the fact that nearly one in five people living here was not born in Ireland.

The change in our population has not been reflected in our politicians according to Dr Moosajee Bhamjee, who believes people usually want to become part of the community before entering political life.
Update 2pm: A major clear-up operation is under way in the north-west of Ireland and the North after heavy rain left a trail of destruction.

Bridges collapsed, roads gave way and cars were washed away in overflowing rivers during a night when 63% of August's average rainfall fell within nine hours.

More than 100 people had to be rescued from vehicles caught in flash floods. Firefighters saved 93, with the Coastguard helping dozens of others.

Police, ambulance crews and search and rescue teams were also involved in the response.

Temporary accommodation centres have been opened to house those whose homes were flooded.

Counties Donegal, Derry and Tyrone were worst hit.

There were some dramatic images of devastation on Wednesday as the rescue operation turned to clean-up and repairs.

Downpours swept in from the Atlantic Ocean, hitting Co Donegal on Tuesday afternoon before moving across the North.

Firefighters responded to 85 separate flooding incidents on Tuesday night and into the early hours of Wednesday.

Alan Walmsley, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Firefighters rescued 93 people who were trapped by flood water either from their cars or from properties.

"Our regional control centre (RCC) received 402 emergency 999 calls between 7pm last night and 4am this morning.

"At its peak time, between 9pm and 11pm, RCC handled an emergency call every 45 seconds.

"Firefighters worked in extremely challenging circumstances to reach people.

"A number of roads were impassable due to flooding and crews had to take alternative routes to attend some incidents.

"We worked closely with colleagues from the Irish Coastguard Agency, PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland), ambulance service, Foyle Search and Rescue and local councils to respond to incidents to assist members of the public.

"Our specialist teams, including the water rescue teams and specialist rescue team from Belfast, were deployed and worked alongside local operational crews.

"This was a very busy and challenging night for fire crews and our regional control centre personnel.

"I commend them for their professionalism in responding to such challenging circumstances as efficiently as they did throughout the night."

Trees and vehicles in the river Faughan in Drumahoe, Derry. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Donegal TD Joe McHugh said the response to the Donegal flooding would be a priority.

Mr McHugh said: "My first thoughts this morning are with the families affected by this severe weather event.

"I also want to thank the emergency services, Donegal County Council and the incredible volunteers who worked through the night to save property and to save lives.

"Inishowen has been badly affected with some roads and bridges washed away.

"Many roads across the east of the county are also affected.

"It is important now that an initial assessment of the damage caused is carried out and I've been in contact overnight with a number of officials including the Office of Public Works."

Update 10.10am: Some 3,500 properties are without electricity in Donegal this morning due to lightning strikes and flooding.

The ESB said the poor weather conditions knocked out supply to 25,000 customers in the northwest, midlands and Dublin regions last night. Crews are now working to restore supply.

Anyone who finds fallen cables is urged to contact the emergency number 1850 372 999 immidately.

Update 8.45am: A number of roads and bridges have been washed away on the Inishowen Peninsula in Co Donegal after heavy rain and floods overnight.

One of the worst affected routes is the Muff to Greencastle Road, which usually sees large volumes of traffic.

Gardai are advising people not to make unnecessary journeys and that, if travelling on back roads, to slow down and expect delays.

The majority of the water has now subsided and the council is expected to begin assessing the damage to the roads and bridges.

Earlier:

Efforts are underway to restore power to hundreds of homes around the country.

The ESB says lightning strikes knocked out supply to around 2,000 properties last night.

Services in Roscommon, Dublin, Limerick, Louth, Wexford and Donegal are affected.

Many homes were restored to power last night, but hundreds are still without power this morning, as floods and heavy rain hit the north-west and west.

A nationwide status orange thunder warning was issued by Met Eireann yesterday, on top of a separate status yellow rainfall warning for Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal.

The weather forced some homeowners to stay in their homes, while others were trapped in their cars by rising waters.

The outlook for today is better, though some showers are forecast. Met Eireann says it will be mainly dry and bright this morning but with cloud gradually building up towards midday.

Showers will be well scattered at first but they will be more frequent during the afternoon and evening, with some heavy. Top temperatures will be 18C.

The weather will remain mixed tomorrow and Friday, but will turn drier over the weekend, with just an occasional shower before rain returns to the west on Sunday evening.
A 44-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a mother of three who was found with serious head injuries at a flat in Cork city earlier this year.

Cathal O'Sullivan who is originally from Charleville, was charged with the murder of Nicola Collins at his flat at Popham's Road, Farranree on March 27.
Nursing homes are denying charging residents for Mass.

Reports today claim that a 20 fee is being demanded for religious services in some nursing homes and the Health Minister is being urged to name and shame those responsible.

Independent councillor Christy Burke highlighted the issue at the HSE Regional Health Forum for Dublin and North East.He says he will fight for this charge to be removed.

"I'll not be holding back until I get answers. Senior citizens paying 20 for Mass must stop."

Minister for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly says he is aware of the concerns and he is committed to ensuring older people are protected and receive the care they need.

This is the latest in a series of 'top-up' charges for pensioners that can include incontinence pads.

The CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland Tadhg Daly says Mass is never a separate charge.

"The religious services may be included as part of a bundle of services, but the idea that someone would be charged for Mass or that an older person may be prohibeted from entering the day room when some sort of religious service is on, I don't believe that's the case at all," he said.
President Donald Trump returned to calls for unity and love as he spoke to veterans at an American Legion conference.

"We are here to hold you up as an example of strength, courage and resolve that our country will need to overcome the many challenges that we face," Mr Trump told the veterans in Reno, Nevada, speaking in measured tones and adhering to his prepared remarks.

He said all Americans must learn the same work ethic, patriotism and devotion as veterans.

Mr Trump had opened his Tuesday rally in Phoenix much the same way but quickly erupted in anger, blaming the media for the widespread condemnation of his response to violence at a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organised by white supremacists.

At the Phoenix rally, he read from his three responses to the racially charged violence, becoming more animated with each one.

He withdrew from his suit pocket the written statement he had read the day a woman was killed by a man who had ploughed a car through counter-protesters, but he skipped over the trouble-causing part that he had freelanced at the time: his observation that "many sides" were to blame.

That, as well as his reiteration days later that "both sides" were to blame for the violence that led to the death of Heather Heyer and two state troopers, led Democrats and many Republicans to denounce Mr Trump for not unmistakably condemning white supremacists and other hate groups.

The president awoke on Wednesday still thinking about the rally, as evidenced by his Twitter account. "Last night in Phoenix I read the things from my statements on Charlottesville that the Fake News Media didn't cover fairly," he wrote. "People got it!"

By the time he arrived at the American Legion conference, Mr Trump seemed more congenial.

He even thanked Senator Dean Heller, a Nevada Republican with whom he has openly and repeatedly feuded.

He discussed his early efforts to restructure and improve the Veterans Administration.

But Mr Trump was not able to stick to his unity theme on Tuesday night.

His broadside against the media, and the "fake news" he says is out to get him, was one of several detours he took from remarks prepared for the Phoenix rally.

Mr Trump unabashedly acknowledged that his own advisers had urged him to stay on message, and that he simply could not.

He suggested he intends to pardon former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is awaiting sentencing in Arizona after his conviction in federal court for disobeying court orders to stop his immigration patrols.

After whipping up the crowd about Arpaio, he said he wanted to avoid "controversy" by not speaking about the pardon, but added: "I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine."

He followed up on Wednesday morning on Twitter, writing: "Phoenix crowd last night was amazing - a packed house. I love the Great State of Arizona."

As for how he would assist with the upcoming Herculean tasks facing Congress, passing tax reform, raising the debt ceiling, and agreeing on a budget, Mr Trump offered little detail.

He did threaten that if legislators force a government shutdown "we're building that wall", a reference to his campaign promise to close off the border with Mexico.

He also said he thinks the US will "end up probably terminating" the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico "at some point", though he said he has not made up his mind.

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal because we have been so badly taken advantage of," Mr Trump said.

In the comfort of his most fervent fans, Mr Trump often resurrects his free-wheeling 2016 campaign style, pinging insults at perceived enemies such as the media and meandering from topic to topic without a singular theme.

This was Mr Trump's eighth rally since taking office in January, and each event is attended by supporters screened by his campaign.

His comfort-level was apparent: As he discussed his responses to Charlottesville, he interrupted himself. "I didn't want to bore you. You understand where I'm coming from. You people understand."

AP
Update 6pm: Egypt's president and foreign minister have met with White House adviser Jared Kushner, just hours after the Trump administration cut or delayed hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Cairo over human rights concerns.

Mr Kushner, who is also President Donald Trump's son-in-law, was in Cairo as part of a Middle East tour aimed at exploring ways to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which last collapsed in 2014.

A modified version of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry's schedule had earlier showed the meeting with Mr Kushner cancelled, which was widely seen as a snub in protest at the aid cuts.

However, Mr Shoukry later sat in on Mr Kushner's meeting with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and met with the American delegation separately at the Foreign Ministry.

Mr Kushner's delegation includes Jason Greenblatt, the US envoy for international negotiations, and Dina Powell, the deputy national security adviser.

Earlier: White House adviser Jared Kushner and visiting US officials have been snubbed by the Foreign Ministry in Cairo in apparent protest over the Trump administration's move to cut and delay aid to Egypt.

Egypt's top diplomat Sameh Shoukry was to meet with the US delegation headed by Mr Kushner, but a modified version of the minister's schedule showed the meeting had been called off, shortly after the Americans landed in Cairo.

The protest came after the Trump administration cut nearly 100 million US dollars (78 million) in military and economic aid to Egypt and delayed almost 200 million dollars (156 million) more in military financing, pending human rights improvements and action to ease harsh restrictions on civic and other non-governmental groups.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi was still due to meet with the American delegation, which also includes Jason Greenblatt, US envoy for international negotiations, and Dina Powell, deputy national security adviser, according to the presidency.

That meeting was due later on Wednesday.

The Egyptian ministry said in a separate statement that Egypt regrets the US decision to reduce the aid funds and considered it "a misjudgment of the nature of the strategic relations that binds the two countries over decades, and reflects the lack of understanding of the importance of supporting the stability and success of Egypt".

The American delegation, headed by Mr Kushner, who is also the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, stopped in Cairo as part of a Middle East tour to press Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Egypt is among the top recipients of US military and economic assistance. It receives 1.3 billion dollars (1 billion) annually in aid, plus hundreds of millions in economic assistance.

Egyptian authorities have clamped down on civil society, particularly human rights groups and other organisations that receive foreign funding.

Such groups played a central role in the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak, and pro-government media often present them as part of a conspiracy to undermine the state.

The authorities also arrested thousands of people in the months following the 2013 overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi, mainly his Islamist supporters but also a number of secular and liberal activists.

When Mr Trump met with Mr el-Sissi in the White House in April he made no mention of Egypt's human rights record in the post-meeting statement, an omission that many took as a sign that the issue was not a priority for the administration.

Yet, two months later, two senators from Mr Trump's Republican Party slammed as "draconian" a new Egyptian law that effectively bans the work of non-governmental organisations and urged that it be repealed.

The law has triggered wide international backlash and raised concerns over human rights conditions in Egypt.

However, Egypt has defended the law, saying it was drafted and passed in accordance with constitutional provisions.

Mr el-Sissi is grappling with an insurgency by Islamic militants in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, an economy struggling to keep up with demands and employment needs of Egypt's surging population, and a sustained campaign of violence against the country's Christian minority.

AP
UPDATE 10pm: Police in Rotterdam stopped a van with Spanish licence plates containing a number of gas bottles close to the venue of a concert by an American rock band that was cancelled following a threat, the mayor of the Dutch port city said.

Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said at a hastily arranged press conference that the van's driver had been detained and was being questioned.

Allah-Las are a four-piece band from Los Angeles.

In an interview with The Guardian last year, band members said they chose the word Allah, Arabic for God, because they were seeking a "holy sounding" name.

They said they did not realise it might offend Muslims.

Lead singer Miles Michaud told the newspaper the group received emails from Muslims around the world who said they were offended.

Michaud said the band usually wrote back and explained its intentions were honourable "and mainly they understand".

EARLIER: A concert in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam by American rock group Allah-Las was cancelled on Wednesday night because of a "terror threat", police said in a statement.

The mayor of Rotterdam said the driver of a van from Spain had been detained after a warning from police in that country which itself suffered weekend terror attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils.

"Police took this information seriously enough that after discussion with organisers it was decided to cancel the event," a Rotterdam police statement said.

An investigation was under way, but no arrests have been made, police said.

Concert organiser Rotown said earlier on Twitter that the concert venue, a former grain silo called Maassilo, was being evacuated because of the unspecified threat and concertgoers would get their money back.

The show had not yet started when the decision to cancel it was made.

Dutch television showed officers in body armour outside Maassilo and what appeared to be members of the band leaving the venue in a white van with a police escort.

The band did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Allah-Las is a four-piece band from Los Angeles.

In an interview with British newspaper The Guardian last year, band members said they chose the word All, Arabic for God, because they were seeking a "holy sounding" name and did not realise it might cause offence.

"We get emails from Muslims, here in the US and around the world, saying they're offended, but that absolutely wasn't our intention," lead singer Miles Michaud told the newspaper.

"We email back and explain why we chose the name, and mainly they understand."

Rotterdam (file pic)

The mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb, said police stopped a van with Spanish licence plates containing a number of gas bottles close to the venue.

He said the van's driver was being questioned.

AP
A day of noisy but largely peaceful protests at Donald Trump's speech in Phoenix turned unruly as police fired pepper spray at crowds.

Police said rocks and bottles were thrown at them.

A haze enveloped the night sky as protesters and police clashed outside the convention centre where the president had just wrapped up his speech.

Mr Trump had opened his political rally with calls for unity and an assertion that "our movement is about love", but he then erupted in anger.

He blamed the media for widespread condemnation of his response to deadly violence at a white supremacists' protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, and shouted that he had "openly called for healing, unity and love" after the tragedy and had been misrepresented in news coverage.

Protesters outisde the Phoenix event fled the scene coughing as an officer in a helicopter used a speaker to urge them to leave the area.

Officers responded with pepper spray to break up the crowd after people threw rocks and bottles and dispersed gas, police spokesman Jonathan Howard said.

Four people were arrested on charges related to the protest, and one was arrested on an unrelated warrant, Police Chief Jeri Williams said.

Inside the convention centre, Mr Trump had read from his responses to the racially charged violence in Charlottesville when a woman was killed by a man who ploughed a car through counter-protesters, but he skipped over his controversial observation that "many sides" were to blame.

That assertion prompted Democrats and many Republicans to denounce him for not unequivocally calling out white supremacists and other hate groups.

"You know where my heart is," Mr Trump told the crowd of thousands into the Phoenix hall. "I'm only doing this to show you how damned dishonest these people (the media) are."

"They don't want to report that I spoke out forecefully against bigotry, hatred and violence."

President Trump also claimed his hard line against North Korea has had a positive impact:

"I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us. And maybe, probably not, but maybe something positive can come about," he said.

Earlier, North Korea condemned Mr Trump as a leader who frequently tweets "weird articles of his ego-driven thoughts" and "spouts rubbish" to give his assistants a hard time.

The official Korean Central News Agency made the comments in response to tough talk in Washington and Seoul over threats posed by the North's nuclear and missile programmes.

It criticised South Korea's "puppy-like" defence minister, who it said was "running wild" while relying on the "master of the White House".

Well after his appearance had ended, Mr Trump sent a tweet saying: "Not only does the media give a platform to hate groups, but the media turns a blind eye to the gang violence on our streets."

The broadside against the media was one of several detours he took from his prepared remarks at a rally where he was introduced by vice president Mike Pence and other speakers appealing for unity and healing.

He acknowledged that his own advisers had urged him to stay on message, but he simply could not.

He said he had aimed to avoid "controversy" by not immediately pardoning former sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is awaiting sentencing in Arizona after his conviction in federal court for disobeying court orders to put a stop to his immigration patrols, but the president left little doubt he wanted to do it.

"I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine," he said.

And he skewered both of Arizona's Republican senators, insisting that his refusal to mention their names showed a "very presidential" restraint.

He said his aides had begged him, "Please, please, Mr President, don't mention any names. So I won't." Yet clearly described John McCain as the reason Congress did not repeal and replace the much-maligned Affordable Care Act, and he labelled Jeff Flake as "weak" on borders and crime.

Authorities were on high alert as thousands lined up in powerful heat to attend Mr Trump's first political rally since the violence in Charlottesville.

The outdoor temperature remained in the late 30s as the rally began and Phoenix Fire Department, said at least 48 people were treated for heat-related problems, most for dehydration.
Update 5pm: Saudi police have released a 14-year-old boy who was filmed dancing to hit song Macarena at an intersection in the Red Sea city of Jiddah, according to local media reports.

The video, which went viral on social media in the kingdom in recent days, shows the boy wearing headphones, grey shorts, a striped T-shirt and neon green and yellow Crocs.

He is swaying his hips and arms to the song, smiling and giggling throughout the dance.

The state-linked Al-Riyadh news website quoted Colonel Aati bin Attiyah al-Qurashi as saying the 14-year-old Arab national was brought to police along with his father, who was asked to sign a pledge vowing to protect his son and not to violate public morals.

Mr al-Qurashi said the boy was then swiftly released from custody.

Police said the video appeared to be a year old.

On Tuesday, state-linked news websites reported that the boy had been detained for disrupting traffic and improper public behaviour after the video resurfaced.

Earlier: Saudi police have arrested a 14-year-old boy who was filmed dancing to a 90s hit song at an intersection in the Red Sea city of Jiddah, according to local media reports.

The video, which went viral on social media in the kingdom, shows the boy with headphones and wearing grey sweat shorts, a striped T-shirt and neon green and yellow Crocs on his feet.

He is swaying his hips and arms to the song Macarena, and appears to be smiling and giggling throughout the dance.

The state-linked Sabq news website quoted Colonel Aati bin Attiyah al-Qurashi as saying police arrested the young man on Tuesday and were preparing to refer him to prosecutors for disrupting traffic and improper public behaviour.

Western music and dancing is taboo in Saudi Arabia, but such incidents in the past have not necessarily led to lengthy imprisonment or serious punishment.

The young man may be asked to sign a police form vowing to not disrupt traffic again.

Traditional dance, however, is permitted. Saudi King Salman and US President Donald Trump were filmed taking part in a traditional all-male Saudi sword dance in May when the president visited the kingdom to boost ties.

Saudi Arabia's young heir to the throne, 31-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has pushed for greater openings for entertainment in the kingdom, including allowing a limited number of musical concerts after a more than 20-year ban.

He has also encouraged young Saudis to become more physically active as part of a wide-reaching reform agenda that includes raising life expectancy in the country.

AP
An award-winning record producer behind classics from Cold Chisel, INXS, AC/DC and the Divinyls has joined the Australian National University's School of Music as a visiting fellow.

Mark Opitz was invited to the university on a 12-month contract - an achievement he labelled his "greatest honour" in a career defined by ARIAS and gold and platinum albums.

Mark Opitz will join the ANU's School of Music. Credit:Stuart Hay Australian National University

The role will see Mr Opitz travel to the ANU to help guide students through recording projects. He hopes to next year help shape the curriculum and bring in some of his famous friends to share their experiences.

"I've done a lot in my life, worked in a lot of places with a lot of artists, but to be recognised by the number one uni in Australia ... and to think I can contribute something to the School of Music is fantastic," Mr Opitz said.
But psychologists labelled the idea dangerous and disturbing and aired concerns about privacy issues. Rathbone, along with co-developers, his brother Dayne Rathbone and software engineer Monish Parajuli, shelved the idea.

The premise, then, was users could create a public profile for themselves, and review others, and those reviewed could then respond to both praise and criticism.

Two years ago Rathbone was panned by psychologists and cyber bullying experts over the controversial website that promised to be "like Yelp or TripAdvisor for humans".

"We were probably a bit naive about the concept, which was, in all honesty, an abstract concept, when we did the first media in 2015," Rathbone admits.

"We always knew that the content in Karma was going to be overwhelmingly positive, we just had to create the right space."

And so know Karma has been relaunched. And it's morphed into that space Rathbone knew it could be, a place for people to express gratitude to others in their life, through letters and stories. Close to 3000 letters have been posted, to family, to friends, to work colleagues, mentors and team-mates. People are writing for birthdays and weddings, on sadder occasions when someone is ill, or has died, people are writing for no reason at all, other than to say thanks.

"It's so rare to sit down and actually meditate on the positive impact someone has made on your life and to express that is a powerful thing," Rathbone said.

"I think the motivations are twofold, one you want to give a unique, powerful gift but more and more users are telling us that the benefits to them, as the author, are really powerful as well. The whole science around gratitude is becoming more mainstream and this taps into that."
A Nigerian-born man accused of importing drugs after police found more than 10 kilograms of ice inside a golden statue of a fish has told a court two men threatened to destroy him if he didn't take the haul to Sydney.

Police allegedly found broken pieces of the statue in a green wheelie bin beside a Kaleen house after they intercepted the package and arrested Jackson Igwebuike, 34, moments before he boarded a Murrays bus bound for Sydney in 2015.

Jackson Igwebuike, 34, pleaded not guilty to importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and is on trial in the ACT Supreme Court. Credit:Facebook

He was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and pleaded not guilty. He is on trial in the ACT Supreme Court.

Commonwealth prosecutor Caroline Dobraszczyk said in her opening address the drugs were discovered when three 20 kilogram statues that arrived in a shipping crate from China were x-rayed by Border Force officers at Port Botany on October 8.
The Commonwealth Bank faces a potential investor class action over its disclosure of more than 53,000 alleged breaches of anti-money laundering laws, following a sharp fall in its share price when the scandal emerged earlier this month.

Plaintiff law firm Maurice Blackburn, backed by listed litigation funder IMF Bentham, said on Wednesday it would investigate a potential class action on behalf of CBA shareholders, citing the hit to the bank's share price.

Maurice Blackburn said it was "astounding" that the bank did not tell investors about the alleged breaches earlier.

The law firm said it could be the largest shareholder class action in Australian history. The current record for a shareholder class action was a $200 million settlement for Centro shareholders of 2012.
New Zealand Opposition Leader Jacinda Ardern. Credit:Charlotte Curd Look at the way Ardern handled the surprise diplomatic incident generated by Australia's Foreign Minister last week, with Julie Bishop accusing NZ Labour of helping Bill Shorten bring down Barnaby Joyce over his Kiwi status. While Australian MPs floundered around, trying to manufacture some outrage, the New Zealand Opposition Leader acted like she dealt with this kind of stuff all the time: calmly asking for a meeting with the high commissioner to register her "disappointment" and declaring herself free to take a call from Bishop to "clarify matters". There's also the way Ardern responded to questions about her baby plans, the day after she was elected leader. In a radio interview, presenter Mark Richardson said Ardern's possible future pregnancy was a "legitimate question" for New Zealanders because she could be the prime minister: "if you are the employer of a company you need to know that type of thing from the woman you are employing ... the question is, is it OK for a PM to take maternity leave while in office?"

Ardern hit back hard: "That is unacceptable in 2017. It is a woman's decision about when they choose to have children. It should not predetermine whether or not they are given a job or have job opportunities." It's rare these days to find a politician who can communicate clearly without relying on an endless loop of talking points. Who comes across as serious and focused on the job but also as a real person (along with the requisite constituent selfies, her Instagram feed includes cute pictures of her cat). Jennifer Curtin is associate professor in political studies at the University of Auckland, and has spent a large part of her career studying women in politics. "I think what we're seeing is real," she says of Ardern. "She's very impressive ... What you see is what you get." The excitement, of course, must be tempered  Ardern is still largely untested on the big stage.
Could we please have a postal survey to establish whether we agree to further commitment of Australian troops to Afghanistan? Naomi Roseth Mosman Australia aiding and abetting US As a citizen of the United States, I am greatly disappointed that Australia is taking part in large U.S. war games in Korea (Letters, August 23). North Korea has for a long time seen such military exercises as a threat, and as such the exercises further encourage North Korea to develop nuclear weapons. We must negotiate with North Korea, and these war games make such negotiations harder to initiate, because they anger North Korea. As with all United States military actions abroad, the participation of other countries gives our government political cover at home. This is particularly true with the Trump administration, which regularly demonstrates considerable incompetence in foreign and domestic policy. It saddens me that Australia is aiding and abetting our aggression in Korea and giving political cover to our inept administration. Lawrence Reichard Belfast, Maine, USA

Grim outlook for generation of kids The terrorist events in Barcelona are bought into sharp focus for us by the murder of little Julian Cadman with his innocence, his smile and his Aussie hat ("Barcelona attack fugitive shot dead", August 23). However we must not forget that there will be long term implications on his school friends at St Bernadette's as they are confronted with the disturbing images of those dreadful events and the heart-rending reality of the empty desk. Our young children and grandchildren must be perplexed at these events and wondering what sort of world we have thrust them in to. At present the outlook is grim with the potential for a dark and dangerous place. We have no answers. Prayers for the counsellors and teachers and Julian's school and all who must console, comfort and advise this current generation of children. Geoff Dornan Beecroft What next Gladys? High-speed NBN? Electric cars? Who knew about this high-speed rail idea, why did no one tell us? Gladys, and the Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester are starting to think about high-speed rail that apparently speeds up the entire rail network ("Premier warms to fast trains", August 23). This change of thought was after trips to the backwaters of China and Japan. Next they'll be suggesting high-speed internet and electric cars. Forget this wishful infrastructure thinking and focus on extra roads and airports. I'm emailing from the XPT train service from Sydney to Melbourne  11 hours, when no repairs are occurring.

Duncan Bourne Ultimo Overseas visits demonstrate the benefits of high-speed rail. When doing our calculations on, say, a Sydney to Melbourne route I wonder do the figures include what could be saved by not building a second airport at Badgerys Creek in Sydney. Anyone travelling by air between Melbourne and Sydney will see the very busy schedule for flights between the two cities. Maybe high-speed rail would take the pressure off Kingsford Smith airport? I'll bet the airport owners would hate it if it was to happen. Terry Beath Melbourne, Vic. Of course Luke Foley is right the B-line project for the northern beaches will hardly, if at all, improve travel times ("Blows traded over B-Line bus capacity", August 23). I note elsewhere the Premier in Japan is now supportive of high-speed rail. Now if only she'd change her mind on rail for the northern beaches. Even a slow train would be better than what is currently planned. Denis Goodwin Dee Why

Dole crackdown evidence of elitism Why can't our politicians accept that many of those on the dole are the direct result of the failure of government policies ("Welfare crackdown will move drug problem closer to the heart of the city", August 23)? That their numbers serve as a measure of the well-being of our society; that they are a disproportionate cohort of those in our communities with mental health problems; that demonising and penalising them isn't a solution, it's a recipe for increased crime rates. More weasel words about "caring" to disguise a prejudicial policy only serve to put another black mark against this heartless and elitist government. Bert Candy Glenvale, Queensland When the government was faced with the problem of the ice epidemic, they had to choose between taking the advice of the experts in the field or just bashing the dole bludgers. It was a no-brainer for them. John Truman St Leonards

There aren't very many Centrelink new starters in the Double Bay to Watsons Bay sweep, I guess  how could they afford to live there?  but it'll be interesting to see whether residents of that "millionaire mansions" belt will ever be randomly selected for the drug testing soon to be (outrageously) imposed on Canterbury-Bankstown jobseekers. Somehow I suspect not. Suzanne Russell Rivett, ACT If Alan Tudge thinks the Centrelink automated screening system is so good, maybe he should expand it to automate the screening of our politicians for dual citizenship status and peremptorily estimate the debt they must repay due to earning government payments to which they weren't entitled. It would free up the High Court for other matters. Paul Wilson Winston Hills

Governor-General must act on oath Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Credit:Andrew Meares Where is the Governor-General in this citizenship issue ("High Court urged to bring hearing forward," August 23)? The Governor-General swears on taking office: "I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of the Commonwealth of Australia, without fear or favour, affection or ill will." There are currently two ministers, and a number of MPs who, prima facie, are dual citizens and unable to hold parliamentary positions. The actions of the ministers since their referral to the High Court will be very likely invalidated if the High Court finds against them. They refuse to stand aside. Sir John Kerr felt Australia's governance was endangered by Whitlam's inability to get supply, so he sacked the Whitlam government. When will our current Queen's representative act in accordance with his oath? Peter Leonard Tweed Heads South It's a bit rich of the Turnbull government to volunteer the taxpayers to pay the legal costs of Barnaby Joyce and co in the High Court. Why should taxpayers pay for Joyce and co to make their "the dog ate my homework excuses" regardless of whether they win or lose? Surely this is a matter for the individuals or, at best, their political parties.

Jim Pearce Rushcutters Bay Why is the taxpayer picking up the tab for the High Court hearing on citizenship? The error was made by the MPs as private citizens before being elected to Parliament. They are responsible for the error committed and should be billed for the cost of the High Court hearing, not the taxpayer. Alternatively, let the various political parties and independents pay the costs. As an added bonus for the taxpayer, it might persuade future political hopefuls to be more careful when filling in forms. Jill Phillips Ettalong Beach Glitch cause for concern I just called the AEC to confirm my enrolment to vote in the marriage postal vote. The initial voice introduction advises callers to request a receipt for the call when connected. I did just that and asked for a receipt once I had confirmed I was on the electoral roll  just to be sure I have a recourse to follow up if I do not receive my postal survey  but the person I spoke with could not provide me a receipt. I just thought I should flag this given that there is a two-day window until they close the roll and if people are stuffed around by this process and missed, they will not have a recourse because the AEC is not able to provide a call receipt.

Martin Davies Russell Lea Premier's priorities out of whack I add my voice to Mathew Stevens' (Letters, August 23). It is surely morally indefensible to splash $1.8 billion on new stadiums when there are fellow Australians sleeping on the streets in the cold this winter, isn't it, Gladys Berejiklian? Care to answer? Jennifer Briggs Kilaben Bay Miserable game of musical chairs

As a retiree I am thankful that I didn't have to experience shared desks, with a locker to store personal items ("Hot-desking isn't going away," August 23). However, our grandson, aged 10, is being prepared for this eventuality. To do his year 5 NAPLAN test, his group of 35 were allocated a room with 25 single desks and told to find somewhere to sit and write. The floor would be OK, or cramming in with a classmate on a small desk. They will be well prepared, and probably learn to get to work early to fight for the limited number of available desks. Doug Hewitt Hamilton An embarrassing welcome for visitors Parking pain ("Foreign traveller's keep Sydney Airport aloft", August 23) at Sydney International airport is not just a function of its exorbitant fees but also the chaotic exiting system. Yesterday, I could have flown half way to Melbourne in the time it took to get out of the car park. What a waste of time and an embarrassing way to welcome new visitors to Sydney. Manuela Epstein Pyrmont

Cup full of Australia Day "Maaaate!!" Don't come the raw prawns! Australia Day (Letters, August 23) is Melbourne Cup Day, when Australians are truly united, in lustily gambling, then drinking and having a lark, while skiving off work while watching the televised horse race. What could be more Australian? Pasquale Vartuli Wahroonga Joseph Abraham's suggestion that January 1 was the day "we became an independent nation and were no longer dictated to by our colonial masters" is a bit fanciful. It seems to me that when the UK or the US (even Donald Trump) says "jump" the conga line in Canberra says "how high?" Bill Holley Mayfield
Same-sex marriage supporters are in a last-minute flurry to sign up young voters ahead of the electoral roll closing on Thursday night, amid concerns too many young people are still off the system.

The Australian Electoral Commission said 54,545 new voters had joined the roll as of Tuesday night, and more than 520,000 people had updated their enrolment details.

That compared to 132,000 new voters who signed up in the fortnight after the last election was called, and about 555,000 changing their details.

That meant new voters represented just 10 per cent of enrolment transactions over the past fortnight, compared to about 20 per cent in the period before the 2016 election.
Then there is the fact, shown in so many studies, that attractive people generally have a better time of it and snaffle all the perks. Pretending that beauty doesn't matter, or as Naomi Woolf put it in The Beauty Myth, that our attitudes and behaviour around beauty doesn't matter, is a little redundant. I love Zadie Smith, but her beauty is undeniable. To be blithe about the problem with the world's fixation on beauty (and it is a fixation) or to not acknowledge that women are penalised by a make-up tax (i.e. the godawful amount of time women spend applying make-up because the world isn't really ready for make-up free faces that don't look like Smith's) ignores the privilege of beauty. As Moya Sarner notes in The Guardian, a 2016 study found that the average British woman spends 38 minutes putting on her slap in the morning. Over a lifetime of wearing make-up this equates to two whole years spent curling one's eyelashes and trying to figure out contouring. But as The Atlantic pointed out in 2015, despite the world/men saying they prefer women to look "natural" (a fact that Amy Schumer perfectly parodied in her skit Girl You Don't Need Make-up showing what men really think when they realise looking natural actually takes a lot of work) studies show that women are seen to be more attractive and, worse, competent, when they're wearing make-up.

Then think of an exchange that Smith wrote in On Beauty: "This was why Kiki had dreaded having girls: she knew she wouldn't be able to protect them from self-disgust. To that end she had tried banning television in the early years, and never had a lipstick or a woman's magazine crossed the threshold of the Belsey home to Kiki's knowledge, but these and other precautionary measures had made no difference. It was in the air, or so it seemed to Kiki, this hatred of women and their bodies  it seeped in with every draught in the house; people brought it home on their shoes, they breathed it in off their newspapers. There was no way to control it." We are at the tyranny of the billion dollar beauty industry, one that sells us solutions to problems we didn't know we had and promises self-esteem in a bottle (and note, there are "sharp increases" in the use of cosmetics among tween girls). We are at the mercy of our own self-disgust when we look in the mirror  whether it is for 15 minutes or 55 minutes. So how to be free of it? It's not easy. As Lena Dunham wrote in her Lenny newsletter this week, even her profound  and famously so  sense of self was impacted by the onset of rosacea and acne in her 30s. Until then, she had enjoyed that privileged and rare position of not really caring about beauty.

In the article, titled My Perfect F---ing Skin, Dunham admits that, finally, she caved. To the insidiousness of the pressures of the beauty industry and Hollywood and being tagged in photos on Instagram and comparing her looks to that of others. "I had to conclude it was none of these: I had finally found my vanity. Seven years of being treated in the public eye like a punch line about female imperfection may not have felt like it was wearing me down, but it had actually forced me to rely emotionally on my one area of fully conventional beauty: my perfect f...king skin," she writes. "They could tag me in a picture of a beached whale. They could call me a bag of cottage cheese. But they couldn't take away the fact that I was able to eat seven slices of pizza, a wine spritzer, and three quarters of a chocolate cake and still look like my face was kissed by sweet, sweet angels when I woke up. I wasn't just mourning my easy skin-care routine or my "No filter? No problem" lifestyle. I was mourning a life raft that had kept me, silly as it was, bobbing above the fray." For most of us are bobbing somewhere between feeling fine about putting on lipstick, and feeling resentful about it. Liking our looks and hating them. Comparing ourselves to others. We can try and limit mirror time or revel in the political act of "letting ourselves go", but it's probably a temporary solution to a problem that will always exist  beauty, or the lack of it or the want for it.
Even the most beautiful women in the world are made to feel faulty. The body-shaming that is common to Hollywood and reflective of a big issue we all face, is a sure-fire way to make our weight issues worse.

In a podcast titled "It's a Man's World", British actor Gemma Arterton revealed the "traumatic" time a producer deemed her weight an "emergency" during a film shoot.

British actor Gemma Arterton has described the body-shaming she experienced in Hollywood.

"There was one film that I was on and we were out in Morocco and a couple of weeks went past and they literally were like, 'We need a personal trainer  stat.'

"And they flew someone out overnight that gave up their whole life to be with me and be my personal trainer," the 31-year-old told Guilty Feminist.
A final appeal against the murder conviction of Sue Neill-Fraser will go ahead in October, despite three witnesses crucial to her defence being charged this month with perverting the course of justice.

Neill-Fraser, 62, is serving 23 years in prison for the murder of her partner, Bob Chappell, who disappeared from the couple's yacht, the Four Winds, while it was moored off the Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay on January 26, 2009.

Sue Neill-Fraser has spent the past seven years in jail. Credit:'Sue Neill-Fraser Is Innocent' page/ Facebook

Fairfax Media revealed on Tuesday that Neill-Fraser's last bid for freedom would rely heavily on information in a "white paper", a confidential dossier that her supporters believe contains enough fresh evidence to support her appeal.

A statutory declaration in the dossier signed by Tasmanian woman Meaghan Vass states that she was on the yacht on the night of the disappearance but Neill-Fraser was not there.
Faye and Mark Leveson arrive at the NSW Coroner's Court for the resumption of the inquest into the death of their son Matthew. Credit:Kate Geraghty His mother, who brought him up in a devoutly Catholic home, also didn't know he was gay, Mr Atkins told police. In summarising Mr Atkins's 21-page statement, Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin said the 44-year-old claimed he woke up on the morning of September 23, 2007, and found Mr Leveson dead in bed. Michael Atkins and Matthew Leveson before Matthew's disappearance in 2007. The pair had had a "falling out" at ARQ Nightclub in Darlinghurst the night before and had slept in separate rooms.

Mr Atkins told police he saw a bottle of the drug GHB in the kitchen and assumed Mr Leveson had had a drug overdose. The parents of Matthew Leveson, Mark (left) and Faye (right) at the site in the Royal National Park at Waterfall. Credit:Kate Geraghty He stayed with his body for a few hours before going to Bunnings Warehouse and buying a mattock and duct tape. "He waited until it got dark, around midnight, he wrapped Matt's body in a blanket or sheet and carried it down to the car port," Inspector Jubelin explained. NSW Police Forensic Services officer (left) and Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin (2nd from left) at the crime scene in the Royal National Park in May. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Mr Atkins told detectives he pulled the boom box out of Mr Leveson's car boot and put his body in there. From his Cronulla unit, he drove south until he pulled off McKell Road, near a hairpin bend, in the Royal National Park. Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin at the NSW Coroner's Court. Credit:James Brickwood "He went into the bush and determined that was a suitable place to bury Matt's body," Inspector Jubelin said. For the next 30 minutes, Mr Atkins worked on digging a hole about two metres long by one metre wide.

Matthew Leveson, 20, was last seen leaving a Sydney nightclub in 2007. He then rolled his boyfriend's body into the grave and filled it in with dirt before dumping Mr Leveson's car at a gay beat nearby. A few days after that, Mr Atkins travelled to Newcastle and had sex with another man, a move Detective Jubelin labelled "morally bankrupt". When Mr Atkins was asked about the impact Mr Leveson's death had on his life, he told police: "I don't think I could love anyone like I loved him ... it weighs on me everyday." Mr Leveson's parents, Mark and Faye, listened intently as the chilling claims were recounted.

Mrs Leveson wiped away tears as she emerged from court and raised questions about Mr Atkins's honesty. "He had him (Mr Leveson) in the unit with him for hours and didn't even call triple 0," she said. "That's if you can believe what he said and I don't..." Counsel assisting the coroner Tim Game, SC, raised concerns about the credibility of Mr Atkins's assertions and said it wasn't being "relied upon for hearsay purpose". The court heard there was no forensic examination that could prove Mr Leveson died of a drug overdose. After he provided his statement to police last year, Mr Atkins drew a diagram of the approximate whereabouts of the grave site.

He also underwent hypnosis in a bid to remember the exact location of the grave after initial searches were fruitless. He also travelled with homicide detectives to the national park where he walked through the bush drawing on memories from nine years before. At one point, a 70 kilogram mannequin was brought to the search site. Mr Atkins was then asked to demonstrate how he carried Mr Leveson's body from the car to where he buried him. It wasn't until the third search on May 31 that a backhoe uncovered Mr Leveson's skeleton. Mr Atkins's immunity deal hinged on him making sure police found Mr Leveson's body.

He was compelled to give evidence at the inquest after he was issued a section 61 certificate under the NSW Coroner's Act last year. That meant his evidence could not be used against him in future proceedings. It didn't protect him from perjury or contempt of court charges. Inspector Jubelin said police believed Mr Atkins then lied during his evidence at the inquest and police used that as a negotiating tool. The NSW Attorney General agreed to grant Mr Atkins immunity from perjury charges if he told police where the body was. Mr Atkins made an induced statement, which gave him an extra layer of protection. Information in that statement couldn't be used against him.
Logan mayor Luke Smith has accused the Turnbull government of having an "atrocious" understanding of his city after it was named as the second site of the Commonwealth's drug-testing trial for welfare recipients.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter and Human Services Minister Alan Tudge will make the announcement in Beenleigh, south of Brisbane, on Wednesday.

Logan mayor Luke Smith said he had no idea about drug testing in Logan until a journalist told him. Credit:Robert Shakespeare

But Mr Smith said he had been given no information on the trial or why the city was chosen.

"We didn't even know this was happening in the city of Logan," Cr Smith told ABC radio.
Beatles legend Paul McCartney would need to show his ID in Queensland bars, Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said, as he "apologised unreservedly" for the Prince Frederik debacle.

And Mr Stewart admitted his police officers asked staff at the Jade Buddha bar to break the law, but said they would not be prosecuted.

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart has apologised "unreservedly". Credit:Samantha Manchee/AAP

It comes after Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik was able to bypass the ID scanning requirements introduced to make Queensland's night spots safer, after his police security detail arranged for him to enter.

The incident made international headlines when the Jade Buddha bar's co-owner, Phil Hogan, was quoted saying the prince had been turned away because he did not have ID.
Queensland's crime-fighting canines are about to get more protection from crooks who lash out while being apprehended.

The state's 75 police dogs will be equipped with stab-resistant vests to protect them from knives, kicks and punches.

Queensland Police Acting Senior Sergeant Trevor O'Neil with police dog Kaleb. Credit:Samantha Manchee/AAP

They are fitted with layered polymer panels to shield vital organs, with the design made from millispec nylon and material that does not absorb moisture.

The vests, designed to be worn during an entire shift, also have room for ice packs to be inserted to keep the pups cool in Queensland's often hot weather.
Self-driving cars will begin taking test laps this December on the site of a famous World War II airplane factory in Michigan where "Rosie the Riveter" helped produce a shiny B-24 Liberator bomber every hour more than seven decades ago. Driverless cars  some without steering wheels, accelerators or brake pedals  will race at speeds of up to 113km/h around a four-kilometre loop that includes a triple-decker overpass, a 210-metre tunnel and a decommissioned federal highway. The test track, known as the American Centre for Mobility, is under construction on the grounds of the former Willow Run factory that was a critical cog in Detroit's famed Arsenal of Democracy during World War II. Rosie the Riveter is back in business in Detroit. Credit:act\lawrence.dutrieux The facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is one of 10 test beds around the country the US has designated as official sites for validating driverless technology. Automakers, suppliers and technology companies will share the $138 million facility to accelerate the arrival of autonomous cars. Eventually, the 200 hectare centre will feature fake suburban neighbourhoods, rural country roads and urban streets with robot pedestrians darting into traffic. The test track will include a full-size freeway interchange with looping on and off ramps. "Here's the reality: These vehicles are going to happen and it is going to transform mobility in the world," Debbie Dingell, a Democratic congresswoman from Michigan, said. "And it's either going to happen in America or it's going to happen in China or India or western Europe. And we are not going to let that happen."

Earth movers and front-end loaders are now building bridges and overpasses on the vast site where the factory was levelled a few years ago. The test track spills out onto the adjoining US-12 highway, where autonomous test cars will take over two eastbound lanes as regular traffic is re-routed to the westbound lanes on a 2.4-kilometre section of the lightly travelled roadway. Visiting the site, Dingell was accompanied by Bob Latta, an Ohio Republican who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection panel. In a rare show of bipartisanship, Latta's panel last month unanimously approved legislation that allows manufacturers to test thousands of self-driving vehicles on public roads while safety regulators come up with rules for driverless rides. The bill would also prohibit states from regulating the mechanical, software and safety systems of autonomous cars. "We're looking five and 10 years out," Latta said. "We don't want to have legislation out there or regulations that are going to stymie development of autonomous vehicles." Latta said developing self-driving cars was imperative because US roadway deaths jumped 14 per cent over the past two years, with more than 40,000 people dying in crashes in 2016. Federal statistics show that 94 per cent of highway fatalities are the result of human error. "I'd like to think right now that the United States is on the forefront" of developing self-driving cars, Latta said. "We want to stay at the front, so we don't want to put roadblocks up."
Two schoolgirls barricaded themselves in a bathroom as a mob of fellow students threatened them at a Catholic college in Melbourne's south-east on Tuesday.

Footage of the incident was broadcast live on Facebook, shocking staff and parents at Springvale's Killester College.

The video shows several girls banging on the doors of toilet cubicles while shouting "come out now" as at least two students barricade themselves inside.
She successfully battled cancer in 2013 and returned to become the nation's first minister for the prevention of family violence. Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks launched Fiona Richardson's election campaign in 2010. Credit:Wayne Taylor Her death comes just one day after she announced she was taking more time off after being diagnosed with multiple tumours. She said she had intended to return to work part-time, but her recovery was not progressing as planned. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson at the release of the Royal Commission report at Parliament House. Credit:Eddie Jim

The 50-year-old is survived by two children, Marcus and Catherine, and husband, Stephen. "She achieved so much for victims in a short space of time," her family's statement said. Fiona Richardson on Australian Story. Credit:ABC TV Australian Story Ms Richardson oversaw the Royal Commission into Family Violence, championed family violence leave for public sector workers and developed the state's first gender-equality strategy, which the nation is now working to emulate.

She shared her own family's experience with domestic violence on ABC's Australian Story - a move which her family said "took guts". "Her strength and insight ... touched the lives of many people and allowed them a glimpse of why she was such a fearless champion for victim-survivors," the family said. "Fiona had unfinished business. She wanted violence in the home to stop and she knew for that to happen it would take dedication and leadership over the course of a generation." Mr Andrews said Ms Richardson exposed Victoria's "dark and silent" tragedy of family violence through the royal commission.

"The 2000 pages of that commission's final report are her greatest legacy to public life," he said. "Victoria has a different system now. Our state will never be the same. Lives have been saved. And I know who to thank." The Premier said Ms Richardson also paved the way for other women to enter parliament. "Before she had even stepped foot in Parliament, she had busted the party's sexist back rooms and committees wide open," he said. "She made things that much easier and fairer for the next generation of Labor women. And for the one after that."

MPs wore purple in parliament on Thursday as a mark of respect for their colleague. Mr Andrews told parliament Ms Richardson had busted up Labor's "smoke-filled back rooms" as she fought for greater equality. "Fiona cannot be replaced. Not in this government, not in this movement," he said. Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said many young Victorian girls would grow up in a safer state because of the work Ms Richardson had done.

"Fiona was dignified, strong, held enormous poise in this chamber," he said. Mr Guy reached out to his opponents, saying Coalition MPs grieved for them and offered their heartfelt sympathies. "Her legacy will be one that our state will never, ever forget." Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten described Ms Richardson as a dear friend to him and his wife, Chloe. "For those of us privileged to know her, she was a steely-eyed legend," he said.

"She was as tough as they make them, persevering through such adversity and accomplishing so much, especially when it came to tackling the scourge of family violence." Mr Shorten said his friend was a fighter until the end, "strong and resilient". "This is a terrible shock - I thought we had more time. Chloe and I will miss Fiona immensely. We ask Victorians to keep Stephen and their children in their hearts." Government minister Philip Dalidakis praised Ms Richardson as "tenacious and principled". "She was a very private person and yet understood the power of publicly talking about what would have been a very painful recount of her family story and her experience with family violence," he said.

"Her legacy will continue to live on. We are better for her living and poorer for her passing." Mr Dalidakis credited Ms Richardson with encouraging him in his career. "She was a mentor of mine and played a large part in me being a member of parliament and indeed joining the ministry," he said. Campaigner against domestic violence Rosie Batty said she was devastated by her friend's passing. "Huge support to me during my journey and for all victims," she said. "Thoughts with family, staff and all"

Fiona McCormack, the chief executive of the peak body Domestic Violence Victoria, said Ms Richardson had been a fearless advocate for women and children. Ms McCormack said Ms Richardson had drawn on her painful experience to advocate for and empower survivors of family violence. "This is such a huge loss," she said. "She wanted to work to create change, she dedicated her life to protecting women and children. "Central to her effort was ensuring that the voice of survivors of family violence was at the heart of any reform, of any new systems or models of development. "I can speak on behalf of the entire family sector in paying our condolences to her family when I say we are so terribly shocked and sad at the news, but that we're very grateful for the incredible work she undertook."

Premier Andrews said Ms Richardson had fought "until the very end". "She did all of this not for herself, but for others. In one of her first speeches as minister, she said 'We can do more, and we must'. In her memory, we will." With Ben Preiss, Debbie Cuthbertson, Melissa Cunningham
BANGKOK - Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft design contract of the Thailand-China railway project to pave the way for the signing early next month.

"Thailand will use this contract to hire China's state enterprise to do the detailed design for the railway project, including elevated tracks, tunnels, bridges and stations," Kobsak Pootrakool, vice minister at the Prime Minister's Office told media after the cabinet meeting.

Kobsak said the planning phase will take 10 months and the design work will cost Thailand some 1.7 billion baht ($51 million).

According to Chinese Embassy in Bangkok, China and Thailand plan to sign the design contract and the supervision contract early September in order to finally start the construction in October.

The first phase, a 253 km high speed railway running from Bangkok to the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, is approved by Thai cabinet in July.

The first phase is scheduled to be operational by 2021.

A planned second phase will run from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai on Thai-Lao border to be connected with the the China-Laos railway to form the artery railway from Bangkok to Kunming in southern China.

Sections of the planned cross-border railway outside Thailand are already under construction.

Thai government reiterated that the second phase will be built in the near future while the Chinese embassy said on Saturday that "the preparation work for the second phase of the project will start soon."
The trouble-plagued Perth Children's Hospital has suffered another setback, with executive director Gervase Chaney moving on.

According to ABC News hospital staff was told in an email that Dr Gervase, who oversaw the commissioning of the hospital, was leaving to take up the role of dean at the University of Notre Dame School of Medicine.

Dr Gervase Chaney is taking up a role with Notre Dame University. Credit:Twitter/@ChaneyGerv

Dr Chaney has worked for more than 25 years at Princess Margaret Hospital.

It follows the departure of former Princess Margaret Hospital executive director Michelle Dillon, who resigned in July following the release of a damning report on management at the hospital.
WA Police are hunting three men who forced their way into a Bunbury home and brutally assaulted the 23-year-old resident in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The incident occurred at around 3am on Prince Phillip Drive, when the three men broke into the residence.

Police are calling for witnesses to help find the three men. Credit:Marina Neil/Fairfax Media

The men then assaulted the victim, and left him with serious facial injuries and lacerations.

It is unclear if anything was stolen during the attack, and the three men left the property in a black Holden Commodore.
China's trade with North Korea fell in July from a month earlier, data showed on Wednesday, as a ban on coal purchases from its isolated neighbour slowed imports amid growing pressure from the United States to rein in Pyongyang's missile programme.

The world's second-largest economy imported and exported goods worth $456 million in July, down from $489 million in June, according to data from China's General Administration of Customs.

China is also pressuring its iron ore traders to stop buying the commodity from North Korea, tightening the screws on Kim Jong-un. Credit:KRT

It was up from $426 million in July last year, according to data on the customs website.

Year-to-date, trade was up 10.2 percent at $3.01 billion.
Phoenix: At a campaign-style rally the Phoenix mayor wished hadn't happened, US President Donald Trump reiterated his promise of building a border wall with Mexico to stop illegal migration.

In front of hundreds of carefully screened supporters, Trump indicated nothing would stop this campaign pledge.

"If we have to close down the government, we are building that wall," he said.

"One way or the other, we're going to get that wall."
Washington: President Donald Trump issued an extraordinary challenge to his own party late on Tuesday night, threatening to shut down the government in a matter of weeks if Congress did not fund a wall on the southern border that was a signature promise of his campaign for the White House.

Mr Trump followed up on that threat on Wednesday by going after a key Republican senator on Twitter who has been skeptical of building a border wall between the United States and Mexico. Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona is also one of two Republican senators up for re-election next year in a swing state, and the president has put his finger on the scale toward a primary challenger, Kelli Ward.

On Tuesday night, he told a rowdy crowd in Phoenix, "If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall."

"We're going to have our wall," he added. "The American people voted for immigration control. We're going to get that wall."
A federal judge struck down Texas's restrictive photo voter-identification law and Republican lawmakers' most recent attempt at fixing it, finding neither version corrects provisions that intentionally make it harder for poor and minority citizens to vote.

"Not one of the discriminatory features" of Texas's original photo ID law "is fully ameliorated by the terms" of the measure Texas lawmakers passed earlier this year, US District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christi said in the ruling Wednesday.

US District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos previously found a Texas voter ID law disenfranchised as many as 600,000 registered black, Hispanic and low-income voters. Credit:AP

Furthermore, the 2017 version of the voter ID law "trades one obstacle to voting with another - replacing the lack of qualified photo ID with an overreaching affidavit threatening severe penalties for perjury," Ramos said.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to ask the US Court of Appeals in New Orleans to reinstate the law, calling the ruling "outrageous." He noted that the US Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, doesn't oppose Texas's law, although the Obama administration fought against it.
The Iraqi army, backed by US airstrikes and special operations commandos, punched through an outer ring of Islamic State defences Tuesday in a 3-day-old push to reclaim Tall Afar, the militants' last major stronghold in northern Iraq.

Fighting in oven-like temperatures, Iraqi tanks and armored vehicles stormed across the desert and Iraqi special forces moving in from the northeast breached a thick city wall, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.

Iraqi security forces and allied Popular Mobilization forces fire artillery during fight against Islamic State militants in Fallujah. Credit:AP

U.S. commanders say the offensive against the estimated 2,500 militants in and around Tall Afar will be grinding because Islamic State fighters built extensive defenses. Among them: They lined up derelict vehicles to push invading forces into a kill zone strewn with booby traps.

Recapturing Tall Afar would cut off one of Islamic State's last routes to move supplies and fighters to and from Syria, about 60 miles farther west, and mark a milestone in the bitter three-year effort to defeat the group that once controlled a third of Iraq.
Commissions in the broking industry have been criticised by one former industry veteran as encouraging brokers to push higher loans on clients.In an interview with Four Corners aired on Monday (21 August), ex-broker Philip Dempsey said that targets forcing brokers to lend a certain amount per month or cross sell products such as insurance were causing serious issues for brokers.Those who dont meet those targets are transitioned out of the industry, being unable to survive financially, he said.He claimed this pressure incentivised negative behaviour towards consumers.There have definitely been cases where brokers have lent more money or encouraged people to apply for more money than they can comfortably afford to repay.One reason for this is the connection between the amount lent out and the commissions brokers received, Dempsey said.There's that immediate need to fill your own financial requirements, and it's very difficult sometimes. The lines can become blurred as to what's right: right for the client or right for me.While industry standards for borrowing used to be between three and four times the amount of combined gross income, this had doubled in recent times to seven or eight times, Dempsey said.So, if someone came to you and said, We need to borrow seven and half eight times, that's not a big deal for most brokers.They're going to get paid a commission on more dollars lent not on more clients in, just on more dollars lent.In the same Four Corners segment, Yellow Brick Road chairman Mark Bouris admitted there were rogue brokers in the industry.There's rogue in any industry, but there's definitely rogue brokers out there because you get industries growing really fast and there's money to be made. It's going to attract, on the odd occasion, the wrong type of people.While fraud did not dominate the industry, Bouris said there had been an increase in a cowboy type mentality where some brokers assume they can start up, make a quick buck and then leave.The report claimed that brokers, lenders and developers encouraging people to borrow more than they could afford were one reason why Australia is so leveraged towards property.Four Corners reporter Michael Brissenden interviewed Carlene Stafford who was approved to borrow $445,000 through ANZ despite the banks estimates of her financial commitments leaving her with $9.17 per month.She said her broker filled in all parts of the application form including the sections she was meant to complete herself.He just got me to sign it afterwards and there's a little box on there on one page that said Could there be anything that would change financially coming up? One of the questions was impending retirement sort of thing and I never ticked that either.Unable to earn enough rent to cover her mortgage repayments, she has been forced to sell the investment property. When interviewed, Staffords owned home would also be repossessed when she dies.However, ANZ CEO Shayne Elliot who was also interviewed by Four Corners, said he had spoken to Stafford in person to learn more about the case.In a statement released after the interview, ANZ said both parties had agreed upon a revised settlement plan as a result of the meeting.Shayne and Ms Stafford had a good meeting of minds and Ms Stafford acknowledged that she was responsible for declaring her estimated expenses and advising ANZ her financial position was not likely to change in the near future.Ms Stafford also accepted ANZ was not responsible for introducing her to either the developer or the broker and that we had written to her advising she was overpaying for her investment. Ms Stafford now understands ANZ was not able to provide her advice on her investment plans.For ANZs part, Mr Elliott recognised she has not missed an interest payment and had been targeted by aggressive sales tactics by both the developer and broker.
Bucks County schools help Give a Christmas reach local families in need

In its 64-year history, the Give-a-Christmas drive has raised $5.26 million to help thousands of families at the holiday season.
State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) presented a check to Yardley Borough Police Chief Joseph Kelly for $68,600 for the purchase of a new police vehicle and motorcycle during a visit to the station. Our police put themselves on the line every day to keep our community safe, said Sen. Santarsiero. Dating back to when I was a Lower Makefield Township Supervisor more than...
In this episode of The Bold Type, titled The End of the Beginning, there is a lot of anxiety for everyone at Scarlet magazine. There are layoff rumors circulating, and Kat knows something that she cant share with Sutton and Jane. And on top of possible layoffs, putting out feelers and continuing to work, each of the girls also deals with their complicated love life. This is one tense episode for Jane, Sutton and Kat.

The Bold Type Interview: Dan Jeannotte Says Its Her Story, Not His >>>

Layoff Rumors

In this episode, things start off icky as Kats apartment has been infested with bed bugs. She comes to stay with Sutton and Jane, and they make her strip down before letting her in. Inside, the three girls discuss that they are all single at the same time. Jane reminds everyone of a promise they made to do group Tinder if this were to happen. Kat and Sutton reluctantly agree to take part.

At Scarlet, Alex tells Jacqueline that he has been approached by another magazine. Jacqueline says that he should take the meeting and keep her posted. In the fashion department, Sutton and her co-worker Cassie get good news: Oliver is stuck in Cuba, which means they will be styling the fall coats. Meanwhile, Richard informs Jacqueline that there are going to be layoffs at Scarlet. Jacqueline starts formulating a plan to bring the fight to the board.

When she returns to the office, she asks Jane if she can get traction and write something for a bigger audience. As Kat is on her way to meet with Jacquline, she gets a call from Adena but doesnt answer. Jacquline wants Kat to host a focus group. She informs Kat that the company is having a hiring freeze, print sales are down and the layoff rumors are true. While she assures Kat that her job is safe, she instructs Kat not to divulge this information to anyone else.

Later, Jane talks to Kat about what Jacqueline said about her writing, and Kat tries to push her in the right direction without hinting that she knows whats going on. Alex also discusses these layoff rumors with Sutton. Kat calls Adena back and, afterward, reveals to the girls that shes talking to Adena at least once a day.

That night, the three girls head out on their group date. Things dont go so well for Sutton and Jane, and only turn worse when Kat mentions her focus group. Jane realizes that Kat knows something that they dont. When Jane and Sutton decide to leave, Kat, whose date is going well, decides to stay. She and her date walk along the water where they see the violin player that she saw with Adena. Kats date doesnt have the same appreciation for his music, and Kat breaks off the date and leaves.

The Rumors Threaten the Girls Friendship

When she returns to Sutton and Janes apartment, she drunk calls Adena, telling her how difficult it is that she knows her friends might be fired. Jane overhears Kats phone call. The next morning, Jane, Sutton and Alex discuss what to do about the layoff rumors. Alex thinks they should put out feelers for other jobs, while Jane wont go down without a fight for her job at Scarlet. When Alex asks Sutton to ask Richard about the layoffs, Sutton reveals that she and Richard have broken up.

Jane pitches sticky stories to Jacqueline, and Jacqueline agrees to let her write a story on butt facials. Sutton, on the other hand, struggles to deal with Cassies indecisiveness about the fall coats. Later, at the apartment, Jane freaks out on Kat about what she knows about the layoffs. Kat explodes and reveals that she knows her job is safe, but Sutton and Janes are not.

At the fall photo shoot the next morning, Cassie is freaking out and Sutton tries to help, but ultimately she hits Cassie with the hard truth that shes been all over the place. Cassie leaves the shoot, and Sutton is left in charge of everything. She gets to work and kills it.

Jane gets a call from Insight, wanting to meet with her about a job. Jane initially declines the meeting but reconsiders and agrees. Kat holds her focus group, and Alex tells Jane he met with Insight. With the fall coat photos in, Jacqueline tells Cassie and Sutton that she loves their work, and Cassie takes all the credit.

Quiz: Who is Your Ideal TV Boyfriend? >>>

Other Possibilities

Kat calls Adena and talks about what she would do if she got laid off. When Kat asks, Adena confirms that things arent going well with Coco. Jane meets with Insight, and they discuss having her write her own column and present her with the opportunity to really be herself. Later, Jacquline calls Sutton in her office and tells her the photographer told her the truth about what happened at the photo shoot. She reminds Sutton that she needs to speak up for herself.

After meeting with Sutton, Jacqueline calls in Kat and tells her that there will be layoffs, but fashion and editorial are safe. They are going to be ramping up digital, so not only will Kat be able to hire an assistant but also two additional team members. Sutton, in tears, calls Richard but deletes the message. Adena calls Kat and says that she is going to return to New York.

The girls meet up to cheers at having their jobs and tease Jane that her butt facial story got the most clicks of the week. As the episode ends, Jane gets a phone call. She is offered the job at Insight.

This was a very stressful episode of The Bold Type.

What did you think about the layoff rumors? Should Jane accept the job offer? Will Kat and Adena finally reunite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

The Bold Type season 1 airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Freeform. Want more news? Like our Facebook page.





(Image courtesy of Freeform)
To reward members of its team who have demonstrated remarkable customer service, Graham Plumbers Merchant is asking customers to once again nominate their Graham Customer Hero as part of their Graham Heroes Awards.

The Graham Heroes Awards recognises members of the Graham team for their outstanding work and excellent customer service in seven different categories. These include Community Hero, Knowledge Hero and the Rising Star Hero Award.

The plumbers merchant is looking for nominations in the Customer Hero Award category, with those in the trade invited to put forward a staff member who they feel has excelled in their role this year. The Customer Hero Award is an ideal opportunity to highlight those individuals that go the extra mile, always display a fantastic attitude or just brighten their customers day with a positive and helpful approach.

To nominate a member of the Graham team for the Customer Hero Award, email heroes@grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk by 30th September 2017 with a few details, including:

Who you are nominating (name and location)

Why you are nominating that particular member of staff

Your name, company and contact details.

The top three short-listed Customer Heroes will be invited to the companys awards ceremony and dinner at Grahams annual conference in December.

Ian Kenny, Marketing Director at Graham Plumbers Merchant said: The Graham Heroes Awards are all about celebrating members of our team who deserve recognition for their outstanding customer service. Year after year this category shines a light on the great work our teams across the country do on a daily basis.

To be nominated for the Graham Customer Hero category is a particular honour because it demonstrates that their hard work is appreciated not only by the business as a whole but by their customers as well.

To find out more information about Graham Plumbers Merchant visit: www.grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk
The current skills shortage is one of the biggest challenges facing the construction industry today, as the sector continues to struggle in meeting the demand for skilled professionals.

Getting into the construction trade has been ideal for a stable and rewarding career. The current demand for new young workers has never been higher.

According to CITB, almost 25,000 people started a construction apprenticeship in 2015/16 across England, Scotland and Wales. Research has also shown that over 179,000 new workers are needed in the next five years.

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has highlighted the extent of the construction skills crisis and often called on the Government to address it in a way that benefits every region in the country. We believe that in order to tackle the skills shortage, apprenticeships need to be better targeted, and SMEs should be given more purchasing power so that they are able to develop their own training provisions. Many members of the NFB have called on for more support in sourcing apprentices for work.

NFB members based in the North East have expressed their need to recruit apprentices and have sought out relationships with local colleges and schools to help bridge the gap.

The NFBs Yorkshire Builders Federation (YBF) has a long history of supporting construction companies in the region. As part of its strategy to support skills growth, the federation recognises the need to provide additional funding to break down barriers that could prevent young people entering or sustaining employment in the construction industry.

The YBF Bursary is available for NFB members to support local apprentices. There is funding of up to 500 available per apprentice, to help overcome any barriers within their construction related learning. For instance, this could include such things as tools, driving lessons to commute to construction sites, or any potential additional requirements that can be submitted to the YBF Committee for sponsorship consideration.

The YBF also sponsors Hull College and Leeds College of Building awards ceremonies, to promote how positive learners are from these well established and respected educational facilities for the North East region.

The NFB continues to work with their members to help support local colleges and construction apprenticeships.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB said: There are many skilled trades which require a high-level of technical ability, and apprenticeships enable young people to learn on the job, gaining hands-on experience whilst getting paid at the same time. Education is a force for positive change and we must invest in our future workforce in order to tackle the current skills shortage.
Democrats largely prevail in SJ, but reversals loom in two townships

Democratic incumbents held on to many seats, but GOP challengers made inroads in two large townships
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The Aussie taking aerial photography to mesmerising new heights

It's something of a cliche, but Gab Scanu's best work really does exist on Instagram. But as his 309,000 followers would suggest, the photo-sharing app is the perfect platform for discovering his incredible aerial beach landscapes. Whether taking aim at one of Sydney's countless beach scenes or endless miles of Californian coastline, Gab's work is focused primarily on the most Australian of fixations - where ocean meets sand. Magnifying the raw, astonishing beauty of familiar places like Bondi, Maroubra and Freshwater, Gab's aerial shots are a shining example of what one can do with a camera, a drone and some sharp photoediting skills.

The Australian photographer may only be in his early twenties, but he's already caught the attention of Samsung, who recently welcomed Gab into their family of Makers. We sat down with the artist to learn more about his craft and how he's planning to utilise Samsung's best technology for his work.

How long have you been doing photography?

Since I was about 12. I was introduced to a DSLR camera and have been shooting ever since.

What's your background - did you study photography or fine arts?

I never studied photography. My father is a cinematographer and a lot of what I learnt about photography I learnt from him.

I'm guessing a lot of work goes into setting up your incredible aerial photography shots - what methods do you primarily use to capture the images?

A lot of the time it can be hit and miss. To find an awesome location I'll sometimes scope it out via Google maps or some sort of satellite. A lot of the time it's just a matter of flying over a certain area and seeing whether it works or not.

Name five of your favourite landscapes that you've shot.

- Sydney beaches

- Zermatt Swiss mountains

- Californian coast

- Bahamas

- Australian desert

Which travel spots are on your bucket list?

I really want to shoot Dubai and the Maldives.

How has being aligned with Samsung helped your photography?

It's benefited my work in a major way. The Samsung Galaxy S8 has incredible camera features allowing me to do awesome video work with a portable device. I've also been playing around with the Samsung 360 camera and finding ways to experiment with that using drones.

What Samsung gadgets do you use?

I use the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the 360 camera.

Your work offers a new perspective on familiar landscapes, what is it about coastlines that draws you in?

For me, it's the fact that the water colours and textures are constantly changing and act almost as an abstract painting, so shooting the same location everyday can still result in a different and unique outcome.

How much digital work is done to your photos after being shot?

I do a fair bit of editing to my images, obviously depending on the scenario. A lot of the time it's just a matter of a simple clean up in Photoshop and then into Lightroom to do my colour work.

Which photographers or artists are you inspired by?

I'm really inspired by the work of Australian based artist Mitch Gobel, who creates amazing abstract pieces of art using resin.

Digital has had a huge influence on photography as a medium. Where would you like to see photography evolve to in the future?

I think photography is naturally going to evolve into the 3D/virtual space in the future, making imagery all the more realistic and interactive.
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After months of negotiation, Indias largest real estate firm, DLF, is likely to announce its 40 per cent stake sale of DLF Cyber City Developers (DCCDL), for Rs 13,000 crore, to an affiliate of Singapores GIC in its next board meeting on August 25.
The income tax department is open to lowering the withholding tax rate for foreign which have income in India, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Sushil Chandra also urged firms and MNCs operating in India to pay their due share of taxes and said adequate safeguards have been put in place to ensure that anti-abuse provisions like GAAR are not misused.

He also asked industry experts to come forward with suggestions on withholding tax.

"I would like to be informed in which areas the TDS (tax deducted at source) is high so that we can think of reducing that also. We are absolutely open to any suggestions which can make the life of a genuine taxpayer easy," he said speaking at an International Tax Conference organised by Assocham here.

Foreign entities having income in India, as well as domestic companies, are required to withhold taxes on any payment to another party and deposit that tax with the government. usually have to withhold taxes interest, royalties or fees paid for technical services.

Assocham Chairman National Council on Direct Taxes Rahul Garg said the tax department issues refunds to the tune of Rs 40,000-60,000 crore every year and hence the industry chamber has suggested a relook of the withholding tax scenario.

"Withholding tax deducted by various segments of business vary somewhere between 1-42 per cent. Since the refund quantum is so large, we have suggested the department to analyse the class on investors to whom refund is due every year and reduce the TDS rate for them," Garg said.

Chandra said the General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) will be used in exceptional circumstances and only to ensure that the country gets its due share of taxes.

GAAR will be invoked only if the tax provisions are misused, he said, adding that companies, firms or MNCs should believe in fair taxation.

Chandra said the policies of income tax department have been very transparent and are being decided after considering the concerns of stakeholders.

Under GAAR, which has come into effect from April 2017, the taxmen may potentially want to know whether the transaction was done in the normal course of business or conducted simply with the intention to avoid taxes.
India has granted Pfizer Inc a patent for its powerful pneumonia vaccine Prevenar 13, in a blow to some health groups that said this would put the treatment out of reach of thousands in poorer nations.

The decision by India's patent office bars other from making cheaper copies of the vaccine and allows Pfizer to exclusively sell it in India until 2026.

It's a big victory for the US drugmaker in a market that has the world's largest number of pneumonia cases, a lung disease that kills nearly a million children a year globally.

The decision also has international implications, as several poorer nations rely on India's robust drugs industry to supply cheaper copies of medicines and vaccines.

It also comes at a time of ongoing US pressure on India to tighten its patent laws. The United States Trade Representative expressed concerns about India's intellectual property laws in a report in June, and listed it among countries whose IP laws unfairly favour local .

Pfizer's vaccine protects children and adults from 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria, and a full vaccination course costs about $170 on India's private market.

India started giving out the vaccine for free under its national immunisation program earlier this year, but the rollout like that of most vaccines in the program, is in phases, so only about 2.1 million of the 25 million eligible people in the country will get it this year.

The patent grant means Indian won't be able to make the vaccine for domestic use, or exports.

"Manufacturers will have to find new routes to develop a non-infringing (pneumonia) vaccine, which may delay the availability of competing products in the pipeline from Indian producers," the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said in a statement.

MSF filed an objection to Pfizer's patent request last year on the grounds that a patent would deprive many developing nations of cheaper copies.

At least one Indian company, Panacea Biotec Ltd, is developing a cheaper form of the vaccine, and had also filed an opposition to Pfizer's patent request last year.

A source familiar with the matter said Panacea is considering filing a post-grant opposition. Separately, MSF said it was reviewing its legal options in the matter.

Pfizer's patent on the same vaccine was revoked by the European Patent Office last year, and is being challenged in South Korea and the United States, MSF said.

The pharmaceutical giant has made the vaccine available at discounted prices under the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) - an international public-private partnership to improve access to vaccines in the world's poorest countries. More than 50 countries are eligible to procure the vaccine through GAVI, according to the organization's website.

Following criticism over the high price of Prevenar 13, Pfizer reduced the vaccine price to non-governmental organisations last November, seeking to protect vulnerable people from illness in humanitarian crises.

Pfizer welcomed the granting of the patent, saying each dose of Prevenar 13 takes two-and-a-half years to produce, and the vaccine was launched in India in 2010.

"Pfizer remains committed towards further enhancing access of this vaccine in India, both in the market as well as through partnership with the Government to expand introduction in the public program," a spokeswoman in India said.
The battle between McDonalds and its estranged partner Vikram Bakshi is expected to intensify further, with the latter alleging that the two nominee directors on the board of Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Limited (CPRL) were aware that the royalty payments were not being made to McDonalds Corporation and the cash was being used to pay for a steep increase in loan repayment approved by nominees.

On Monday, McDonalds slapped CPRL, an equal joint venture between Bakshi and the US-based quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain, with a notice cancelling the franchise agreement for running stores in North and East India. The move is set to lead to the closure of 169 stores and make the future of over 6,500 direct employees uncertain.

Challenging McDonalds contention, Bakshi told Business Standard: The nominee directors of McDonalds knew that royalty was not being paid and the cash was being used to repay loans. It was endorsed by them; they did it to show default and use it as their last silver bullet to terminate the agreement. Bakshi has also questioned as to how, with McDonalds having a 50 per cent shareholding and two nominees on the board, it is possible to have two different plans for investment in the same company.

Sources close to Bakshi said the average interest payout was earlier pegged at around 2.5 per cent of CPRLs revenues. In the past two years, in a plan cleared by Aysel Melbye, one of the McDonalds directors overseeing finances, it was decided that the loans would be paid off at a faster pace  as much as Rs 46 crore worth of loans were repaid in two years. This accounted for a substantial 25 per cent of the companys total Rs 186-crore debt.

The banks to which the payouts were made include RBS, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd, and Bank of America.

Sources say the two nominee directors had been abreast of the weekly cash flow; all major payments were released only after informing them. There even was monthly correspondence telling them about the cash required for loan repayments and they would approve all such payments.

Responding to the allegations, a McDonalds spokesperson said: It is not our practice to comment on CPRLs internal matters. We need to note that these allegations have been made by someone with whom we have a highly publicised legal dispute. CPRL is aware of the consequences of breach.

He added that this action brought uncertainty to many, including CPRL, and it would take time to bring the current situation to a final resolution. We are already looking at the necessary steps to rebuild the brand and find the right developmental licensee partner for North and East India. We will focus our efforts on that while exercising our contractual rights consequent on termination, the spokesperson added.

The battle has been running for over five years.

And, amid legal cases, both sides have failed to reach a solution.

An offer by McDonalds to buy out Bakshi in the joint venture was rejected by the latter as the offer price did not meet his expectations. The crisis deepened a few months ago after over 43 of 53 outlets were forced to close in Delhi-NCR after Bakshi refused to sign on the papers seeking permission for renewal of their licences from the government.

Also, Bakshi recently won a temporary reprieve as the National Company Law Tribunal reinstated him as the managing director of CPRL, a position from which he had been removed by the McDonalds nominees on the board.
A defiant Infosys Founder NR Narayana Murthy will interact with investors on Wednesday through a conference call to tell his version of the software major's boardroom battles that led to the exit of its technocrat Vishal Sikka as CEO on last Friday.

"Murthy will address and interact with the company's investors across the world on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. through a conference call we are hosting," said the Indian arm of the global asset management group Investec in a statement from Mumbai on Tuesday night.

Investors from Britain, Hong Kong, India, Singapore and the US can join the con-call by pre-registering with the facilitator and dialling the given numbers.

Though the 70-year-old Murthy declined to respond to the company's Board charge that his continuous attacks led to Sikka's exit, he decided to explain his stand on the tussle to restore investors' confidence in the iconic IT major.

"I have read the statement issued by the Infosys Board of Directors. I am anguished by the allegations, tone and tenor of its statements," said Murthy in an e-mail to the media on Friday, adding it was below his dignity to respond to such insinuations.

The promoters group, led by Murthy, holds 12.92 per cent of the equity shares, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) 37.33 per cent, Indian retail, corporate and other investors 23.08 per cent, Indian FIs, Banks and Mutual Funds 9.63 per cent, American Depository Receipts (ADRs) 16.69 per cent and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) 0.52 per cent.

Following Sikka's abrupt exit as the firm's first non-founder executive, the company's shares of Rs 5 face value took a heavy toll, losing 15 per cent since Friday and slipped to 11th from BSE's top 10 most valued firms, with its market capitalisation declining a whopping Rs 33,912 crore to Rs 2,01,479 crore from Rs 235,390 crore in the last three trading days since August 18.

The Board's announcement on Saturday to buy back 11.3-crore shares at Rs.1,150 each worth Rs.13,000 crore ($2 billion) failed to halt the slide.

"Murthy is likely to bare all, explaining his stand to analysts on the values, culture, transparency and corporate governance with which he built the company over three decades till he stepped down in 2014," said a source familiar with the events and developments in the company.
Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthys address to investors has reportedly been postponed to next Tuesday as he is unwell.





Also read: Infosys saga: What markets want to hear in NRN Murthy's investor call
Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani is likely to return to the helm of Infosys, sources familiar with the developments said. He could take the role of non-executive chairman, becoming a bridge between the board and Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy, who had suggested to Nilekani that he take on a role in Infosys, the sources said.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) will conduct a fresh probe into corporate governance complaints against Infosys in connection with the Panaya acquisition. Sources said the role of several board members of the information technology giant could also come under the market regulators scanner.
Deployment of funds by the Macquarie and Tata Housing joint venture (JV) is delayed by almost a year due to various issues, said a source involved in the venture.
Much to the delight of the Indian flyers, Asia's biggest budget carrier, AirAsia is offering discounted fares for the selected routes. The fares start at Rs 999 (all-inclusive) for one-way flights and are only valid for new purchases.
American technology and power giant GE on Wednesday announced the appointment of Vishal Wanchoo as president & chief executive officer of from October 1, 2017. Vishal succeeds Banmali Agrawala, who is moving on from GE to join Tata Sons as president of its infrastructure, defence and aerospace verticals.
Terming the lingering uncertainties due to Brexit and protectionism in the US as "media hype", veteran business leader A M Naik on Wednesday said major markets have settled down to "business as usual" now.

"In the recent past, there has been lots of talks about protectionism in the US and uncertainties arising from the Brexit. This has resulted in many adopting a 'wait and watch' attitude," he said, addressing Technology Services ((LTTS) annual general meeting in Mumbai.

"Much of this uncertainty has been the result of media hype, and the major markets seem to have settled down to 'business as usual'," Naik told the shareholders at his last annual general meeting.

It can be noted that Britons' desire to leave the Eurozone has in the past led many tech to report reverses in business, while the protectionist tendencies in the US have also forced to move for cover by increasing the local hiring.

Naik, the chairman of LTTS, said the US, the company's focus market, has seen industrial production rising for five consecutive months and added that the Trump administration's local manufacturing drive will help revive the capital expenditure in the coming months.

The European economy is forecast to grow at two per cent annually and crude prices are also stabilising, bringing the focus back on to reviving manufacturing and production, Naik said.

It can be noted that the 75-year-old Naik, who has led into the largest EPC player in the country, retires on October 1 after serving the company for as many as 53 years.

However, unlike on Tuesday, where he showed an emotional side at his last AGM as the chairman of the parent L&T, today's meeting was a quick-paced, business-like one.

Naik reminisced about the genesis of LTTS, which got listed last year, saying in 2009, the parent decided to incubate engineering services as a separate line of business.

"In a short span, we managed to get a global recognition for this business by way of strong traction of relationships with many global majors, each a leader in its own space," he said, adding this led to a confidence of spinning it off as a separate company.

He termed these as times of "intense business change" involving continual transformation and disruption which is driving several industries to a tipping point, creating new markets and opportunities.
While India grapples with a booming digital market and increasing data security concerns, messaging app WhatsApp wants to ensure bare minimum access to user data to prevent misuse. The messaging app, like its parent company Facebook, has been accused of misusing as well as allowing fake and spam messages to proliferate unchecked data globally.
The Modi government, true to its intentions of divesting of Air India, has put apartments owned by the airline across Mumbai on the block. These apartments, most of which are concentrated in upmarket South Mumbai, are expected to fetch at least Rs 305 crore. According to the companys auction documents, the minimum prices (called the reserve price from which bidding shall start) ranges from a little under Rs 1 crore to above Rs 10 crore.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to conduct an inspection of Hauz Khas village area to chart out a site plan indicating the width of the street, location of restaurants as well as positioning of their exits.

A division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal also asked SDMC to file a status report on a fire that broke out in August last year in one of the buildings in Hauz Khas village areas killing a 37-year-old man.

Questioning the feasibility of running a number of restaurants in the area, the bench said: "It should be enough that if a fire happen, there is no way to get out of there."

Hauz Khas Village -- a hub of restaurants, pubs, art galleries and fashion studios -- in south Delhi came under the scanner of the High Court after PILs said that a number of restaurants were running illegally, bars serving liquor without licence and no safety norms were being followed by them.

There is gross violation of emergency exit, according to the pleas. In all, 120 restaurants and pubs have come up in the area in the past 10 years without any building plan approval from the SDMC.

The high court said it was concerned about the safety of public who visit the area.

The Delhi Police informed the court that there are around 5,000 footfalls on weekdays and over 15,000 on weekends.

The court has now fixed the matter for further hearing on September 5.

The pleas sought a complete ban on pubs and bars running illegally in the village.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday questioned Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, for over eight hours in New Delhi in a case related to the alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media in 2007.

The CBI has asked him to appear before it again on August 28 for further questioning.

Karti was questioned at the CBI headquarters on Lodhi Road soon after he appeared before the investigators on Wednesday morning.

" reached the CBI headquarters around 10.40 am and was questioned till 7 pm," a CBI official said.

CBI sources said that Karti, who was accompanied by his lawyers, faced over 100 questions prepared by the agency.

On August 18, the Supreme Court had directed the former Finance Minister's son to appear before the CBI which examined him in a case related to the FIPB clearance given to INX Media for allegedly receiving funds from Mauritius when his father was in office.

As per the apex court order, the CBI will also question four more persons namely Ravi Vishwanathan, Mohnan Rajesh, Bhaskar Raman and C V N Reddy on August 28. Vishwanathan, Rajesh and Raman will be questioned in Delhi, while Reddy will be questioned at the CBI's Chennai office, said sources.

On May 15, the CBI had registered a FIR against Karti on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, accepting gratification by corrupt or illegal means, influencing public servants and criminal misconduct.

Karti is said to have received Rs 3.5 crore from the Mumbai-based INX media, now 9X Media, for helping it in getting the FIPB clearance when it was run by Peter and Indrani Mukherjea, both accused in the Sheena Bora murder case.

The FIR (First Information Report) does not mention the name of Chidambaram senior, though it said he cleared the FIPB approval for Rs 4.62 crore Foreign Direct Investment in the FIPB meeting on May 18, 2007.

Earlier, the CBI had issued three notices to Chidambaram junior, but he did not depose before the probe agency.
Police have formed as many as 20 teams to look into the sighting of a drone-like object flying twice at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here on Sunday, leading to disruption in operations twice.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sanjay Bhatia told IANS that they had formed 20 teams of three police officers each, headed by Sub-Inspector level officers, to look into the matter.

"The teams are made of officers from south-west Delhi and airport police officers," Bhatia said.

The DCP said that an FIR had been filed against unidentified persons, adding that a similar incident had happened in 2015 as well.

"Till now we have not found any lead on the incident, but we're hopeful to nab the accused soon," he added.
The recent directive of the government to smartphone companies, a majority of them from China, to share the security architecture they followed while making devices came after a few international reports cited instances of data theft by Chinese firms.
Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani was on Wednesday appointed the head of the Railway Board. The appointment comes at a time when Indian Railways is passing through one of its most turbulent periods in recent times.
The Cabinet has approved a mechanism to oversee consolidation in the state-run banking sector, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday.

Jaitley said a ministerial panel will be set up to supervise merger proposals from banks' boards, adding that the objective of the planned consolidation was to create strong banks.

The Cabinet gave in-principle nod to the constitution of the mechanism which will clear proposals of banks for mergers and amalgamation, he said.

The government aims to create strong and competitive banks in public sector space to meet the credit needs of the growing economy, absorb shocks and have the capacity to raise resources without depending on the state exchequer, he said.

The decision regarding creating strong and competitive banks would be solely based on commercial considerations, he added.

After the in-principle approval, Jaitley said, the banks will take steps in accordance with law and Sebi's (Securities and Exchange Board of India) requirements.

The final scheme will be notified by the central government in consultation with the Reserve Bank.
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has issued an order to appoint an interim resolution professional (IRP) to take charge of the management of the Chennai-based listed pharmaceutical firm Orchid Pharma Ltd.

The company, in a regulatory filing, said that the order issued by the Chennai bench, admitting the petition filed by an operational creditor Lakshmi Vilas Bank Ltd, initiates corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) against the pharmaceutical firm.
With its eye on the December ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), India is expected to push its proposal on trade facilitation agreement on services (TFS) at an upcoming meet in October.

The WTOs biennial ministerial meet, to be held in December in Argentina, will see nations discussing trade and investment issues.

However, negotiations have heated up over the agenda of discussion in December, as richer nations led by the United States and the European Union have supported the introduction of a proposed set of global rules for e-commerce. On the other hand, another motley group of nations, led by China, is parallelly pushing for a similar trade facilitation agreement (TFA) on investment.

As a result, the has broken conventional practices to call a mini-ministerial in October to hammer out the exact agenda of the December meet, a senior commerce and industry ministry official said.

At this earlier meet in Marrakesh, Morocco, the TFS will be pushed by India, he added.

Based on the similar TFA on merchandise goods, this proposes to expedite the global trade in services, by allowing for easier movement of skilled workers between countries, among others.

In July, India had revised its proposal on TFS at the and told other nations that the proposed agreement will only apply to the existing commitments scheduled under the General Agreement on Trade in Services.

India will also stick to its stand that the development-based issues of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) need to be uniformly reaffirmed.

This had not occurred at the earlier Nairobi ministerial conference in 2015. And, the contentious issues of public stockholding of food and a special safeguard mechanism in agriculture have also not seen much progress.

The DDA, adopted in 2001 at the fourth ministerial conference, had always struggled to find common ground between richer nations and poorer ones. With not much progress in 14 years, richer nations want new issues to replace the DDA. Developing nations, especially least developed countries (LDCs), oppose this, demanding trade concessions in the form of reduced tariffs and market access.

Foreign Trade Policy review to take in GST-related developments

In a related development, a commerce ministry official suggested that the government was trying to meet the September deadline for finishing the mid-term review of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) (2015-2020).

The policy was earlier scheduled to coincide with the July 1 roll-out of the goods and services tax (GST) regime but had been deferred in order to take into account changing trends in trade owing to GST, he added.

Earlier, senior officials had suggested that the reviewed policy may see the current target of $900 billion worth of exports by 2020 rolled down.
A file photo of US President Donald Trump with South Korean President Moon Jae-In (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Japan is home to six US navy vessels and the US Armys Second Infantry Division is based in South Korea

An influential US lawmaker has urged President to appoint America's new ambassador to India on a priority basis, saying that Washington's relation with New Delhi is of utmost importance.

The position has been lying vacant since January 20 when Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

In June, the White House said that Kenneth I Juster, 62, a top economic aide of Trump and an expert on India, will be America's new ambassador to India.

"As the co-founder and former chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India, Indian issues and representing one of the largest Indian-American constituencies in Congress, the relationship between our two great nations is of the utmost importance to me and my constituencies. I urge you to make the appointment of a US ambassador to India a top priority of your administration," Congressman Frank Pallone said in a letter to Trump.

The letter to Trump dated August 22 was posted by Pallone on twitter.

"After more than seven months in office, this critical appointment is long overdue and should be an immediate priority," Pallone said a day after Trump sought India's increasing role in Afghanistan.

India is "our strongest ally" in South Asa, "which you referred in your address" to the nation on Monday, he said.

"These are among the reasons the United States has long supported India's permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. It is in our immediate national interest to send an accomplished American to serve as our country's senior diplomat in India," Pallone said.

The White House refrained from responding to questions on delay in ambassadorial appointment to India.

However, without mentioning India, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson refuted the reports that the absence of officials at key position is having an impact on the efficiency of the State Department.

"In terms of our footprint on the ground, we have very competent, capable, experienced people there now," Tillerson told reporters at a conference.

"Do you have enough people, given the fact that there are not Trump-confirmed diplomatic appointees in many of these positions in the region," he was asked.

"We are looking at a couple of different people for the special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan position. It is open currently; it is being filled with a very experienced individual today. So we are ready to get going with very competent people we have, and I am not at all concerned about the competency level or the experience of the people that we have working on this. I am quite confident with them," Tillerson added.
India this week allowed Pfizer a patent on its pneumonia vaccine despite opposition by more than one civil society group. But in April, the Delhi High Court had shot down an application from Bayer for extension of patent of a kidney and liver cancer drug, creating space for local companies to produce the medicine at a cost 90 per cent less than the original.
Various government departments as well as State Bank of India (SBI) have shown interest in buying the properties to be auctioned by Air India in Mumbai, sources in the know said.
As the of India ordered the Tamil Nadu government to comply with the NEET merit, the rural students were dismayed. The NEET merit list is prepared to give admission to medical and dental courses in 2017. The stage government will begin the counseling, as per the NEET rank list, on August 24 (Thursday). Last week, the mystery over Tamil Nadu seeking to get exemption from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) had ended State Health Minister C Vijayabaskar voiced the States decision to pass an Ordinance that will exempt Tamil Nadu from the NEET for MBBS and BDS admissions to government medical colleges. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday had said the Centre is set to cooperate with the State government for this one-time exemption. The Centre in Tuesday stated to the Court it did not wish to stand by the State Ordinance. Venugopal said the Ordinance would not stand any legal scrutiny.
The Union Public Service Commission is inviting applications for the post of Specialist Grade-III to be hired by the concerned department under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Candidates willing to take up the post can apply for the same till August 31, 2017 (Thursday). The number of vacancies are eight for Unreserved Category (4), OBC (3) and ST (1) only. The qualified candidates would be offered the salary as per PB-3 i.e. Rs.15, 600-39,100 with Grade Pay Rs.6600/- plus N.P.A as admissible (Pre-Revised). The post carries probation of one year.
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Nidu has paid r ich tributes to Andhra Kesari, Tanguturi Parkasam, the first Chief Minister of Andhra State on his birth anniversary today.

Recalling the stellar role Shri Prakasam had played in the freedom struggle, the Vice President said that he was an embodiment integrity and honesty. He further said that like many leaders of his time, he left lucrative practice as a lawyer and plunged into freedom struggle. Tanguturi Prakasam earned the sobriquet Andhra Kesari after he bared his chest and dared the British to open fire upon him during the visit of Simon Commission to Madras, he added. The Vice President called upon the people to strive for realising the ideals of the late leader.
As new employees were brought into Apples secret effort to create a self-driving car a few years ago, managers told them that they were working on the companys next big thing: A product that would take on Detroit and disrupt the automobile industry.
After a torturous and protracted White House review, President Trump unveiled what was billed as a new Afghanistan policy on Monday night. But what exactly was new?
Over the last couple of months, representatives from Ireland, France and Germany have come to India pitching their nations as possible investment destinations for Indian companies, apprehensive of changes in tax and company law in a post United Kingdom. However, in India to hold discussions on boosting trade and investments, Catherine Raines, Director General of International Trade and Investment of the UK government tells Subhayan Chakraborty that inbound investments from India continue to go up.
There are those who say that comparing President Donald Trumps rhetoric to that of Adolf Hitler is alarmist, unfair and counterproductive.
Police in Denmark's capital Copenhagen on Wednesday said the DNA profile of a body found earlier matches that of missing Swedish journalist .

Wall went missing after having boarded a privately built submarine on August 10 as she was working on a story about the owner and inventor of the vessel, Peter Madsen, Xinhua news agency reported.

The 18-metre vessel, UC3 Nautilus, sank on the same night in waters near Koge Bay of Denmark.

Madsen was rescued and brought back to Copenhagen, claiming the vessel had met a technical problem. He told the police that Wall had disembarked from the vessel before it sank.

The police on Monday said Madsen on August 12 admitted to burying "Wall at sea" after she died aboard due to an "accident".

Madsen was accused of causing Wall's death on suspicion of manslaughter.

The body was found washed up on shore near Copenhagen on Monday, with its arms, legs and head missing, according to the police.
Donald Trump has done many things to tarnish Americas reputation, but his decision to walk away from the Paris Agreement is probably the most internationally symbolic and damaging. That a US president can put climate change denial at the centre of his climate and energy policy is truly unprecedented, and it is difficult to remember an administration that has been so intent on undermining the intellectual and scientific findings on global warming.
Pentagon chief arrived in Ankara on Wednesday for talks with Turkish leaders expected to focus on Washington's arming of a Syrian Kurdish militia, which Turkey views as a terror group, in the fight against Islamic State.

Mattis flew in for the one-day visit after stopping in Iraq to review progress in the campaign against IS militants, where he urged coalition partners to prevent other political issues from disrupting the growing momentum against the jihadists.

In Ankara, he will hold talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli.

Turkey, an important NATO ally of the United States and part of the coalition against IS, is incensed that Washington has been arming the Kurdish Peoples' Protection Units (YPG) militias in the assault on the jihadists' stronghold Raqa, in northern Syria.

Turkey regards the YPG as the Syrian affiliate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In May, the Pentagon said it had begun transferring small arms and vehicles to the YPG to support their role as part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-Syrian Arab alliance fighting IS.

The weapons include AK-47s and small-calibre machine guns.

The SDF is currently leading the assault on Raqa, with artillery and air support from US-led coalition forces.

US officials yesterday said the grinding fight was the "priority" in the counter-IS campaign since the fall of Mosul last month, the jihadists' Iraqi hub.

The Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq -- which is also playing a key role in the fight against IS -- is planning its own independence referendum in September.

On Tuesday, Mattis met Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani in Erbil to express US opposition to the referendum.

On the same day, Erdogan vowed Turkey would thwart any attempt by the YPG and its political wing the Democratic Union Party (PYD) to carve out a Kurdish state in northern Syria.

"We do not and will never allow a so-called state to be established by the PYD, YPG in northern Syria," Erdogan said.

The US is also concerned about warming ties between Iran and Turkey. Iranian armed forces chief General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri visited Turkey last week.

Erdogan on Monday said a joint operation with Iran against Kurdish militants which "pose a threat," including the PKK, is "always on the agenda." Iran's Revolutionary Guards, however, denied the claim.
Denying that it provides safe havens to terrorists, Pakistan said that a complex interplay of geopolitics and the pursuit of "hegemonic policies" were to blame for the threat to peace and stability in South Asia.

After being slammed by US President Donald Trump for its support to terrorists, Pakistan's Foreign Office said the "non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region."



The late-night reaction came after Trump announced his new policy for Afghanistan and the larger South Asian region, calling on India to step up its role in the war-torn country and warned Pakistan against providing safe havens to terrorist groups.

The foreign office said the new US strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia was discussed at a Cabinet meeting held late last night and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will take up the issue during a National Security Committee meeting on August 24 for a comprehensive policy response.

In its initial response, it expressed disappointment over the accusations.

"No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders," it said. "It is, therefore disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort."



"Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism," the foreign office said.

It said the threat to peace and security "cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies", reiterating that there was no exclusive military solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.

Pakistan supports an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned politically negotiated solution for sustainable peace in Afghanistan, it said.
US President Donald Trump's threat to scrap the Nafta trade pact is little more than a negotiating tactic, aimed at his political base, that should neither scare nor surprise Mexico, the country's foreign minister said on Wednesday as the peso weakened.

In a speech in Phoenix on Tuesday night, Trump reiterated his threats to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying the pact's future looked bleak. Trump has long called the 1994 pact a bad deal that hurt American workers, saying it should be re-negotiated or ended.

Initial talks to re-negotiate Nafta between Mexico, the United States and Canada ended in Washington this weekend with no sign of a breakthrough and further discussions are due in Mexico City in September.

Following Trump's remarks on Tuesday, Mexico's peso weakened more than 1 per cent in early trading on Wednesday before paring losses, as market jitters on the future of Mexican exports to the United States continue to plague the currency.

Videgaray, speaking on local television, sought to brush off the threat, saying Trump's comments were simply a negotiating tactic and Mexico would keep negotiating as well. The comments were not a surprise, nor would they scare Mexico, he added.

"He's negotiating in his own particular style," Videgaray said.

He added that Trump's proposed wall along the southern US border with Mexico was not part of the bilateral agenda between the two countries.

Mexico's currency fell to record lows in the wake of Trump's victory in the US presidential election last November, with investors scared he could hurt Mexican exports and cause a recession south of the border.

However, the peso has recovered since then, as many of investors' worst fears seemed to subside.

In recent months, peso traders increasingly appeared to pay little heed to some of Trump's comments, helping a recovery in the currency.

But Trump's speech on Tuesday night showed traders remain skittish about the future of Nafta, and highlighted the complexity of the talks to re-negotiate the treaty with Trump looming over proceedings.

The peso was down 0.58 per cent early on Wednesday, at 17.7690 pesos per dollar.
The concept of Indian-style women-only carriages on UK trains should be adopted to combat sexual offences against women which have nearly doubled recently, a British MP has said.

Labour MP for Derby North Chris Williamson believes it is "worth consulting" on the policy after such crimes nearly doubled in the past five years.

The concept, which is in force on trains in India, Japan, Brazil and Mexico, had been first raised for the UK to emulate by Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2015 but had been shot down as a move that would promote "segregation".

"It [women-only carriages] would be worth consulting about. It was pooh-poohed (when Corbyn suggested it), but these statistics seem to indicate there is some merit in examining that," said Williamson, who serves as the shadow fire minister in the Oppositon.

"Complemented with having more guards on trains, it would be a way of combating these attacks, which have seen a very worrying increase in the past few years. I'm not saying it has to happen, but it may create a safe space. It would be a matter of personal choice whether someone wanted to make use of it," he said.

Williamson was citing official figures issued by British Transport Police (BTP) showing that 1,448 sexual offences on trains had been reported in 2016-17, compared with 650 incidents in 2012-13.

So-called "ladies only" compartments were phased out on British railways in 1977 and the latest suggestion has again come under attack from within the Labour party itself.

Responding to the comments, Labour MP Jess Philips said it was "an absolutely terrible idea" that amounted to "giving up on trying to prosecute assaults".

"Also men should be incredibly annoyed by suggestion they can't control themselves. Sexual violence isn't about urges it's about power. If you take your feminist cues from Saudi Arabia you've gone wrong," she said.

Another Labour MP Stella Creasy said, "Doesn't keep women safe to restrict their movements - it normalises attacks".

Labour's former transport minister Lord Adonis also described women-only train carriages as an "absolutely crazy idea" and "grossly insulting".

"The idea that they would be herded into separate carriages when the point at issue is a very tiny number of men who don't behave properly. And I doubt that many women would use them, so what you'd find is that the carriages would be empty," he said.
If there is a compelling case to be made for deepening the United States military involvement in Afghanistan, where the 16-year-old war has already lasted longer than any other in American history, President Trump did not make it in his speech Monday night.
Echoing US President Donald Trump's charges that was backing terrorists in Afghanistan, a leading Afghan newspaper on Wednesday said Islamabad cannot be trusted anymore.

"Terrorists (are) infiltrating to Afghanistan from Pakistan, a hostile neighbour that has been supporting and harbouring insurgency," the Afghanistan Times said in an editorial.

"This is another chance for to mend its ways by shunning supporting militants and stand sincerely with Afghanistan in the fight against terror," it said.

"But Islamabad deserves no chance as it always stabs at the back," it said, adding that had every time betrayed the community and the US in particular on the issue of insurgents.

The editorial came two days after Trump warned Pakistan not to keep backing terrorists fighting American forces in Afghanistan.

Trump said that the US can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorists.

The editorial said the US administration appeared to be getting tougher against Pakistan. "So the end of Pakistan double game is very much close."
A Russian court ruled on Wednesday that conglomerate Sistema should pay more than 136 billion roubles ($2.3 billion) to oil major in a dispute over oil producer Bashneft.

Sistema controlled Bashneft until 2014 when the government seized its stake, saying Bashneft's privatisation had been illegal. bought a controlling stake in Bashneft from the government in 2016 and in May filed the lawsuit seeking compensation from Sistema, saying assets were removed from Bashneft.

Sistema has rejected these claims as groundless.

The court battle has hit Sistema shares and rekindled broader fears about investor rights in Russia. is headed by Igor Sechin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin and one of the country's most influential businessmen.

Sistema shares have almost halved in price since early May, when Rosneft lodged its claim. After Wednesday's verdict, the shares fell by around 3 per cent in Moscow, while Sistema global depositary receipts in London were up 2.5 per cent.

Sistema spokesman Sergei Kopytov said the company would appeal the decision by an arbitration court in the city of Ufa. "On the whole, the process has been one-sided without any impartiality at all, which had predetermined today's ruling," he said.

The amount the court ordered Sistema to pay was less than Rosneft's initial claim of almost 171 billion roubles. A Rosneft spokesman said the company was satisfied with the ruling but would decide on whether to pursue further damages once the court publishes its full verdict. In June the court froze more than $3 billion of Sistema'sassets, including part of its 50 per cent stake in telecoms company MTS as an interim measure while considering Rosneft's lawsuit.
A Taliban suicide car bomber targeted a military convoy in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Wednesday, killing at least seven people, a provincial official said.

The attack comes just days after President Donald Trump announced his new strategy for Afghanistan, which involves maintaining a US military presence in the country and upending a campaign vow to end America's longest war.

According to Omar Zwak, the spokesman for the Helmand provincial governor, Wedneday's explosion in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, also wounded 42 people, mostly civilians.

Initial reports show that those killed included a small girl, two women and four soldiers, Zwak said, expressing fears that the death toll could rise further.

"This is from our initial reports, I am afraid the casualty tolls might change once we get a final report form the attack," he added.

The bombing took place near the police chief's headquarters. Local TV broadcast footage showing several military Humvees, which the Afghan army also uses, destroyed as a result of the attack.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a posting on his twitter account.

Senior Afghan government officials on Tuesday welcomed Trump's strategy announcement from Monday. Senior US officials said Trump may send up to 3,900 more troops, with some deployments beginning almost immediately.

Trump also had harsh words for Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of giving extremists a safe haven, while next door in Afghanistan they kill US troops. He said he wanted "immediate" results without saying what actions the United States might take against Pakistan if it ignored his warning.

The United States and Afghanistan have routinely accused Pakistan and particularly its powerful intelligence agency of harboring insurgents and of waging a selective war, attacking those militants Islamabad considers its enemy and allowing those it has been known to use as proxies, either against hostile neighbors India or Afghanistan, to flourish.

Taliban attacks have stepped up all across Afghanistan since the withdrawal of foreign combat forces from the war- torn nation at the end of 2014, and the insurgents have lately been constantly expanding their footprint.

Earlier this month, the Taliban in an "open letter" to Trump, reiterated their calls for the withdrawal of all remaining US troops. The United States has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, who support local forces and carry out counterterrorism operations.
Donald Trump has defied expectation by pledging to increase the number of US troops in Afghanistan. In an address from Arlington, Virginia, the president announced that, following a review of the US strategy in Afghanistan, he had concluded that hasty withdrawal would be a mistake and that our nation must seek an honourable and enduring outcome worthy of the tremendous sacrifices that have been made.
President Trumps appeal for Indias help on Afghanistan set off alarm bells on Tuesday in Pakistan, where officials warned that the approach risked jolting a tumultuous relationship. They also expressed relief that Mr. Trump did not call for abrupt reductions in military aid to Pakistan, which the United States has long accused of going easy on militants.
US President has threatened to shut down the government, if necessary, to make sure his proposed wall along the Mexican border is approved and funded by lawmakers.

The President told supporters at a "Make America Great Again" rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday that the opposition Democrats were being "obstructionist", The Hill magazine reported.

"Build that wall. Now the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me if we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," said.

Funding for Trump's proposed border wall, a promise that was at the centre of his 2016 presidential bid, is poised to be at the centre of debate when Congress negotiates a new government funding bill. If a new bill is not passed, the government will shut down on October 1.

wants Congress to finance his controversial plan to build a "big, beautiful" wall along the US's border with to keep out .

But Republicans will need the support of Democrats to secure funding for the wall in a government spending bill, which they are unlikely to get, reports said.

Democrats are staunchly opposed to funding for the wall, setting up a challenge and tense negotiations over the government's funding.

In his speech, Trump said the Democrats were "putting all of America's safety at risk" by opposing the wall. He said immigration officers who worked in the area said it was "vital" to stem the flow of .

The Department of Homeland Security accepted designs for the wall earlier this year. Vendors were instructed that the wall should be at least 18 feet high, have features to prevent climbing over and tunnelling beneath the structure, and to make the designs "aesthetically pleasing" on the US side, the report said.
The United States has slapped new sanctions on Chinese and Russian entities, accusing them of advocating North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programme.

Specifically, the sanctions are aimed at 16 entities and individuals that assist "already designated persons who support North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, deal in the North Korean energy trade, facilitate its exportation of workers, and enable sanctioned North Korean entities to access the US and financial systems," reported CNN, quoting the Treasury Department.

Coupled with the United Nations Security Council resolution passed earlier this month, Tuesday's sanctions are intended to further isolate the entities outside of North Korea that are facilitating Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

"It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region," CNN quoted Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as saying.

The move follows a war of words between Washington and Pyongyang over recent missile tests that show North Korea is capable of reaching the US mainland.

The sanctions effectively block their targets from accessing much of the global financial system, as well as freezing any US assets.

US President Donald Trump signed into law a new batch of sanctions on Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow.

Meanwhile, China has urged the US to 'immediately correct its mistake' of sanctioning Chinese firms over North Korea.

The sanctions target restrict dealings with Russian banks and energy companies.

The law also limits the US president's ability to ease any sanctions on Russia by requiring Congress' approval to lift any restrictions.

Earlier, President Donald Trump's grudging signature on new sanctions punishing Russia for alleged meddling in last year's US election sparked an explosive rhetorical response in Moscow.

Trump acknowledged the sharp worsening of the crucial relationship between Russia and United States and blamed lawmakers for forcing his hand on sanctions.

The sanctions target Russia's defense, intelligence, mining, shipping and railway industries and restricts dealings with Russian banks and energy companies.
Shortly after President Trumps speech on Monday, a retired Afghan general recalled a Taliban fighter who had taken up arms after six of his sons were killed, one by one. The same AK-47 was handed down to each.
Internet censors have a new target. The Chinese and Russian governments recently announced plans to block the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which are a key tool for people trying to avoid internet restrictions and surveillance.
The public spat between the Board and Narayana Murthy, one of the co-founders of Infosys, has taken a heavy toll on not only the stock, but its public image as well. In a latest, co-founder N R Narayana Murthy planned to to reach out to investors on Wednesday evening to explain his stand on the developments. However, the call has now been rescheduled to August 29.



Also Read: Murthy takes battle to investors to explain his stand on Infosys
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has refused to rule out the use of military action, involving air strikes, on terror groups in Pakistan and cutting off its status as a privileged military ally if Islamabad doesn't crack down on the Taliban and other extremist groups.

"We are going to attack terrorists wherever they live, and we have put people on notice that if you are harboring or providing safe haven to terrorists, be warned, be forewarned," Washington Examiner quoted Tillerson as saying.

"All those things... are on the table for discussion, if, in fact, they are unwilling to change their posture or change their approach to how they're dealing with the numerous terrorist organizations that find safe haven in Pakistan," he added.

"Pakistan must adopt a different approach, and we are ready to work with them to help them protect themselves against these terrorist organizations. We are going to be conditioning our support for Pakistan and our relationship with them on them delivering results in this area.

"We have some leverage in terms of aid, their status as a non-NATO alliance partner -- all of that can be put on the table," he further said.

Reinforcing U.S. President Donald Trump's warning issued to Pakistan over its alleged support to extremist groups in the region, the U.S. Secretary of State said, "There's been an erosion in trust because we have witnessed terrorist organizations being given safe haven inside of Pakistan to plan and carry out attacks against U.S. servicemen, U.S. officials, disrupting peace efforts inside of Afghanistan."

Meanwhile,U.S. National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Michael Anton has warned that President Donald Trump is planning to impose sanctions on terrorists including the Haqqani network having links to the Pakistan Governemnt and has outrightly dismissed its allegations against India's encirclement through Afghanistan.

While announcing U.S. policy on Afghanistan and South Asia, President Trump has vowed to win the war in Afghanistan by committing more US troops as he called on Nato allies such as Britain to increase troop numbers "in line with our own".

"We will ask our Nato allies and global partners to support our new strategy with additional troop and funding increases in line without own - we are confident they will," Trump said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday night clarified that immersion of Durga idols on Dashami will be halted only for 24 hours.

The decision was taken after Mamata met Pooja and Muharram committees of the state.

"This year Durga Puja and Muharram fall on same day. Except 24 hour period on Muharram day, immersions can take place on October 2, 3 and 4," she tweeted.

Earlier in the day, the West Bengal Chief Minister issued an order against the immersion of Durga idols on Dashami during the procession of Muharram which will be observed on October 1.

"No idol immersion after 6 pm on Dashami (September 30) till October 1 due to Muharram processions, immersion will resume from October 2," Banerjee had said in an official statement.

The Chief Minister had also issued a similar order last year, however, it was stayed by the Calcutta High Court.

The directive, however, did not go down well with the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) who accused Banerjee of doing vote bank politics sidelining the high court's order.

BJP leader Sambit Patra said, "She cares about politics of appeasement. In the year 2016, she put a similar restriction on the immersion of Durga idol which was reprimanded by the Calcutta High Court.

The high court had said that this is nothing but appeasement politics and gave instructions to Mamata Banerjee to not do this again. This year again Banerjee is doing vote bank politics, sidelining the high court's order. This is not right.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Defence expert P.K. Sehgal on Wednesday said that India should not send its troops to join American or NATO forces in Afghanistan as it would be detrimental to Indian interest in the long run.

His statement came a day after United States President Donald Trump asked India to provide more financial assistance to bring peace and stability in war-torn Afghanistan.

"India is absolutely and totally unlikely to place any ground troops. Possibly America wants us to do a lot more. India was wanting to do a lot more but Obama government never allowed India the type of space it wanted and that space is now being provide by the Trump adminstration. However, India needs to be very careful that we do not induct ground troops there as part of the American or NATO forces because that would be detrimental to Indian interest in the long run," Sehgal told ANI.

Speaking from the Fort Myer military base in Arlington, Va., the US President yesterday sought more help from India in Afghanistan.

"We will develop a deeper strategic partnership with India, but we want them to help us more in Afghanistan," he said.

"We appreciate India's important contribution to bring stability in Afghanistan. But, India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan especially in the area of economic consistence and development," he added.

It is notable that India has been actively helping Afghanistan in the reconstruction of the terror-torn country.

India aided the overthrow of the Taliban and became the largest regional provider of humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan. Indians are working in various construction projects, as part of India's rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Guizhou government has banned serving of all alcohol at official functions for civil servants effective from Sept 1.

Rolling out the strictest regulation, the government said no alcohol, including those offered by individuals or organizations, will be served at official receptions and functions.

It bans civil servants from using public money to buy alcohol for official receptions and drinking during office hours and lunch break.

It also bans individuals from paying for alcohol for official functions as some people think it's OK as long as officials are not using public money.

Qiao Xinsheng, professor of law at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, said drinking by civil servants during working hours or at official receptions violates the rules as alcohol may affect their job performance. It's worse if public money is used.

But there are exceptions. The regulation specifies grand official receptions or those intended to attract investment that need to provide alcohol have to report to people in charge of the events and forward the records to discipline inspection commissions.

Guizhou is not the first region to ban alcohol. Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Anhui and Xinjiang already have similar move in place.

The ban aims to build awareness about the adverse effects of alcohol on those performing official duties. In 2013, the central government issued a regulation banning expensive delicacies, cigarettes and fine liquors at official receptions.
The Kerala opposition party MLAs boycotted the Assembly session and took to protests outside the Assembly hall, on Wednesday.

Five MLAs were on strike demanding the resignation of Health Minister K.K. Shailaja over self-financing medical colleges issue.

Earlier, the state fee regulatory committee headed by Justice R. Rajendra Babu provisionally fixed the fees for MBBS courses at private self-financing medical colleges in the state (both government and management quota) for 2017-18 at Rs. 5.5 lakh.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) along with the Department of Health and Family Welfare of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India signed a MoU with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), South Korea to collaborate on vaccine research and development in the recently held tripartite meeting. The Memorandum of Understanding will strengthen the relationship between IVI and India.

The MOU was signed between Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Director General of ICMR & Secretary, Department of Health Research; Manoj Jhalani, Additional Secretary & Managing Director, Health Mission and Dr. Jerome H. Kim, Director General of IVI.

With a long history of scientific collaboration with IVI, India officially became a signatory to the treaty of the Seoul-based international organization in 2012. IVI has 35 signatory countries. With this partnership, India is committing an annual contribution of US $5, 00,000 to IVI and joins Sweden and South Korea as financially contributing signatories to IVI.

IVI has been partnering with Indian vaccine manufacturers, research institutes, government, and public health agencies on vaccine development, research, and training. The vaccine was licensed in India in 2009 and WHO-prequalified in 2011. IVI successfully collaborated with health authorities in Odisha State to introduce the oral cholera vaccine for the first time in India in 2011.

The partnership will promote further collaborative research activities and training programs between India and IVI and will ensure IVI achieves its goal of improving health outcomes for the world's poor by improving vaccine access. It will also accelerate capacity-building initiatives that will synergize with and benefit India's vaccine industry, public health and immunization programs.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Jerome H. Kim, Director General of IVI, said, "India is a vaccine industry powerhouse that supplies 60% of the world's vaccines for vaccine preventable diseases and 60-80% of annual UN vaccine purchases (2012). The signing of the MoU is a continuation of our partnership with India to provide safe, effective and affordable vaccines for people around the world".

"With this agreement, India once again shows its capacity for leadership in global health, and we hope this action will add significant momentum to IVI's drive for greater support in the world community. We look forward to having India's representation on the IVI Board of Trustees which will increase engagement with Indian academia and industry even further", he further added.

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Director General of ICMR, said, "We have been working closely with IVI in India for more than a decade now. We are confident that this collaboration will elevate the vaccine R&D capacity at IVI as well as Indian labs and further benefit India's vaccine industry."

It is worth mentioning that the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is the world's only international organization devoted exclusively to developing and introducing new and improved vaccines to protect the world's poorest people, especially children in developing countries.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said that the country's former military dictator Pervez Musharraf should face the trial like the one faced by ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

He said that if elected prime ministers can appear before the courts and are bound to abide by their orders, the same should hold for "the retired general," who is facing a treason trial.

Reacting to a question, he said that there is no reason for any citizen to escape trial as no one is above the law.

"It is unfortunate that a person who is responsible for the country's dismal affairs [and] who is now giving interviews on television is not facing the courts. He left the country after the courts granted him permission. We will fulfill our responsibility through any and every legal process that is available," Dawn quoted Iqbal as saying.

"It doesn't matter if the accused is a president, a prime minister or an ordinary citizen: if someone has broken the law and pushed the country towards chaos, he must be held responsible as the rule of law is the same for everyone," he added.

Referring to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remarks about Pakistan, Iqbal said that Islamabad commitment to eliminate terrorism is not bound to please or anger a second or third country.

He added that no other country has suffered more from terrorism than Pakistan.

Emphasising that Pakistan wants peace in the entire region, Iqbal said that elimination of terrorism is vital for the economic development of the country.

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Sher Bahadur Deuba, the Prime Minister of Nepal, accompanied by his spouse Arzu Deuba, will be on a state visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, beginning today.

This is his first visit abroad after assuming the office of Prime Minister of Nepal in June 2017. A high-level delegation will accompany the Prime Minister of Nepal.

During the visit Sher Bahadur Deuba will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other Ministers will call on Prime Minister Deuba.

Apart from official engagements in New Delhi, Deuba will also visit Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya.

In recent years, India-Nepal partnership has witnessed a significant growth in all areas of cooperation.

The visit will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest and advancing age old, special ties of friendship between our two countries.

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Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan says punctuality should be one's ultimate 'Lakshya' to become 'Kaabil' in life.

The actor, who is a brand ambassador of luxury watch brand Rado, attributes his time management skills to his father, renowned filmaker Rakesh Roshan.

"Time management and being punctual is extremely important. My father has always stressed upon this thing and has repeated its importance several times," the 43-year-old told ANI as he recently launched a new collection of the brand.

"According to my father, whatever good has happened in his life is because he was punctual. That is why he gives a lot of importance to time and I think I have inculcated that from him. I truly believe that if you're not punctual, it is impossible for you to be successful," he signed off.

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Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday said that in his talks with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, they emphasized on the development agenda, adding the goal is to look forward to the future rather than the past.

"Our aim is to advance our goals, greater prosperity and build strong social ties. Nepal is truly open for business. With rise of India and China as the global economic powers with all major growth powers in Asia, within a few hours of flying distance from Kathmandu, Nepal can be a new melting pot for tourists, traders and investors. My goal is to look for the future than the past. My talks with PM Modi emphasized on development agenda that is defined by collaboration of our societies," Prime Minister Deuba said while addressing a joint business meeting.

He added that in the past few months, Nepal has enacted the laws and policies for foreign investments, public-private partnership and industrial entrepreneurship.

"Nepal is an attractive platform for export oriented investment in products that are highly valuable. Our labour force is loyal, disciplined and affordable. I am hopeful that we will elevate our relationship to a level that has been never seen before," he asserted.

In a special warm gesture, Prime Minister Naredra Modi received his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence, in an unscheduled meeting Wednesday afternoon.

The brief meeting took place a day ahead of delegation-level talks between the two sides.

Prime Minister Modi, after the brief meeting, tweeted, "Happy to welcome Rt Hon Shri Sher Bahadur Deuba ji, PM of close & friendly neighbour Nepal. Look forward to more extensive talks tomorrow."

Nepal Prime Minister Deuba, who is on a five-day state visit to India, landed in New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj received him at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The Nepal Prime Minister attended a programme in the Nepali Embassy where he addressed the Nepali community in India and business event organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

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In a special warm gesture, Prime Minister Naredra Modi received his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence, in an unscheduled meeting Wednesday afternoon.

The brief meeting took place a day ahead of delegation-level talks between the two sides.

Prime Minister Modi after the brief meeting tweeted, "Happy to welcome Rt Hon Shri Sher Bahadur Deuba ji, PM of close & friendly neighbour Nepal. Look forward to more extensive talks tomorrow."

Nepal Prime Minister Deuba, who is on a five-day state visit to India, landed in New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj received him at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The Nepal Prime Minister attended a programme in the Nepali Embassy where he addressed the Nepali community in India and business event organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Paris Saint Germain (PSG) have been left surprised by Barcelona's move to start legal proceedings against star striker Neymar for breach of contract.

Barcelona have announced that they are suing Neymar after alleging that the Brazilian failed to fulfill his agreement with the team.

The 25-year-old was brought by the PSG for a whopping amount of 222 million Euros. The five-year deal for the Brazilian smashed the previous record set when Paul Pogba returned to Manchester United from Juventus for 89 million Euros in August 2016.

The Catalan club 's complaint relates to Neymar signing a new contract through 2021 in October of last year, with the club hoping to recoup his "renewal premium" as well as 8.5 million Euros in damages and a further 10 percent in arrears, reports goal.com.

In a statement released on Tuesday, PSG reiterated that they have done nothing wrong regarding Neymar's transfer.

"Paris Saint-Germain was surprised to learn of FC Barcelona's statement today announcing the start of legal proceedings in Spain against its former player Neymar Jr. and indicating that should Neymar Jr. fail to pay the monies claimed by his former club, Paris Saint-Germain will be held responsible to pay the outstanding sum," the statement read.

"Paris Saint-Germain reiterates that, like Neymar Jr., it has always respected all applicable laws and rules in its dealings and, once again, regrets the attitude of FC Barcelona," it added.

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Round Table India in association with NGO Robin Hood Army distributed 70,000 food packets among the underprivileged as part of their ongoing campaign 'Freedom from Hunger'.

Christopher Aravinth, President, Round Table India added, "RHA has provided over 70,000 food packets among needy in 20 cities. RTI believes bringing together the different sections of society is the first step toward defeating a systemic problem like hunger, illiteracy and lack of basics - which goes beyond caste, religion and nationality. We promise to be a platform for the youth to set a strong example for creating widespread impact. This could potentially shape the way future generations act when it comes to giving back to society."

(RTI), a non-political and non-sectarian organization of young men of age group of 18 and 40 who strive to promote Service Through Fellowship. Through fellowship endearing young men of this organization have been serving the community for over 50 years.

RTI has and continues to put in colossal efforts to create and refurbish primary FTE school blocks by establishing processes, systems and providing educational tools in the hands of young aspiring India through its established network.

Round Table India has been truly living up to it's mission of Freedom Through Education and has been working relentlessly for the upliftment of the underprivileged children of the society!

Round Table India is happy to help in spreading education to the underprivileged children of our society. In the past 20 years we have built over 2300 classrooms with an outlay of Rs. 212.50 crore rupees. This will help impact the lives of more than 6.3 million children who are the present and future of a strong and resurgent India. RTI prides itself to be a Zero Overhead Organization.

It ensures that every rupee donated / raised goes for Freedom through Education projects, while the administration costs are met with internal funding from members. This uniquely positions RTI differently from other service organizations, since it creates 100 percent value to its stakeholder. Every rupee received by RTI from any donor is stretched to create maximum value and impact. Apart from this Round Table India and its members have also been actively involved in providing relief in every natural catastrophe like Earthquake, Floods, Epidemics and other natural disasters.

Round Table India reinforces that children are the future of tomorrow and we need to empower these lives for nation building in the real sense.

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The Indore High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar two weeks after she was arrested on her way to Dhar from Indore's Bombay Hospital.

Patkar was on indefinite strike since July 27 to demand proper rehabilitation of Sardar Sarovar Dam project oustees. However, she and her co-activists were reportedly taken to the hospital on advice of physicians.

On August 9, the renowned activist was arrested when she was on her way to Dhar after being discharged from Indore's Bombay Hospital and was booked under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

According to police, their sources had revealed that Patkar was going to Dhar to incite people to disrupt law and order.

As per the press note, Patkar, despite of clear orders by the Supreme Court, has been trying to disrupt the law and order situation in and around the Sardar Sarovar Dam area.

Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat is one of the biggest dams on the river and was one of the first focal points of the movement. It is one of the many dams under the Narmada Dam Project.

The main aim of the project is to provide irrigation and electricity to people in these states.

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Congress President Sonia Gandhi condoled the demise of former Manipur chief minister Rishang Keishing, who passed away at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, on Tuesday evening.

The Congress president said that she was "deeply saddened by the demise of one of the senior most leaders with a sterling record of public service of nearly 70 years and who was member of India's first Parliament."

"In his death, we have lost an important connect with our glorious past that will be hard to recoup," she said.

Sonia offered her prayers and condolence to Keishing's friends and family and the people of Manipur at this loss and hoped that his good work and endearing commitment to people would always find a place in the working of future generations.

Former Manipur chief minister and a member of the first Lok Sabha Keishing passed away yesterday following brief illness. The veteran Congress leader was 96.

Keishing, a Naga, served as the chief minister of Manipur from 1980 to 1988 and from 1994 to 1997.

Keishing was hospitalised on July 1. He is survived by two sons and four daughters.

Keishing, who hailed from the Bungpa village in Manipur's Ukhrul district, was elected to the Lok Sabha in the first Parliamentary elections held in 1952.

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The Spanish High Court has ordered two of the four suspects detained in connection with the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, which claimed 15 lives, Mohamed Houli Chemlal and Driss Oukabir, to jail, according to the court ruling.

A third suspect, Salh El Karib, will remain in police custody for 72 more hours for the pending further investigation.

The fourth suspect, Mohamed Aalla, will be released on certain conditions.

The Spanish Police had gunned down suspected driver behind the Barcelona terror attack, Younes Abouyaaqoub.

Spain's Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido on August 19 stated that the terror cell behind Spain's deadly twin attacks cell was believed to have consisted of at least twelve persons.

The four suspects are the only survivors of the 12-man terrorist cell.

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Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi congratulated the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Central Government for raising the creamy layer ceiling for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) for central government jobs and also for setting up of Commission to examine sub-categorisation of OBCs.

"I want to congratulate PM Modi ji first of all. Today he gave rights and opportunities to backward societies and communities. When we were in government in 2005 that time we gave power to backward sides. In that similar direction today Modi ji government gave 27 percent reservation to them. Prime Minister Modi is more concerned for below backward communities," he told ANI.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday increased the creamy layer ceiling for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category to eight lakh rupees per annum from the existing six lakh for central government jobs.

The cabinet also announced setting up of a commission to examine sub-categorisation within Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for a "more equitable distribution of reservation benefits".

The Commission will take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes, sub-castes, communities and synonyms in the Central list of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories. The Commission will submit its report within 12 weeks from the date of appointment of Chairperson.

Briefing media in New Delhi today, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, the decision is based on the recommendation of Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).

The 'creamy layer' is a ceiling which bars members of the Other Backward Classes from availing reservations in employment.

Presently, if an OBC family's income is up to Rs 6 lakh then it is entitled for 27 per cent reservation in government jobs and seats in educational institutes.

There had been three revisions of the creamy layer bar which was fixed at Rs one lakh in 1993 and hiked to Rs 2.5 lakh in 2004 and Rs 4.5 lakh in 2008.

The present ceiling of Rs six lakh came into being in 2013.

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After the two factions of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu announced a merger, former chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) and Chief Minister Edappady K Palaniswami (EPS) hailed late former chief minister J Jayalalithaa's stronghold in the state, stating that no one has the power to topple the government brought together by Amma.

Panneerselvam took to his Twitter handle to say, "No one has the power to topple this government. And, AIADMK government will stand rigid for years."

On MGR's birth centenary celebrations in Ariyalur, Panneerselvam said, "I thank Amma for giving all the opportunities which made me stand here today. I also thank Chief Minister Palaniswami for giving me this opportunity as well. Amma made this government in a way that no one has the power to topple it. I'm grateful to how happy you all are."

Panneerselvam did not speak anything about AIADMK Deputy general secretary T T V Dinakaran or the party's jailed chief V K Sasikala during his speech.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Palaniswami also lauded Amma's contribution towards the state government in holding it together.

"Amma had defeated many conspiracies during her time that is why she lives in hearts of millions, so no one can make this government fall. Some have always been trying to cause trouble to our government but that will never happen. This party was created and guided for long by M G Ramachandran (MGR) and J Jayalalithaa. As long as Amma's soul with us, nothing will happen to our party nor the state," Palaniswami said.

Earlier on Monday, the two warring factions of the AIADMK, one led by Palaniswami and the other led by Panneerselvam, announced a merger, citing that "MGR always wanted to see us united, not split."

The striking part of the merger is that EPS has taken a backseat in the party, declaring OPS as the convenor of the party. EPS will be the co-convenor.

Palaniswami will continue to be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, while OPS took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister under the merged AIADMK government in the state.

Following the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured all support from the Centre to the Tamil Nadu government.

The Prime Minister took to Twitter and said, "Centre assures all possible support to CM Edappadi K Palaniswami & Dy CM O Panneerselvam for the growth of Tamil Nadu."

However, the decision did not go down well with AIADMK leader T T V Dinakaran, who dubbed the merger as a "business agreement between power hungry people."

Dinakaran's supporters will also meet Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Tuesday seeking withdrawal of merger.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, ahead of US President Donald Trump's maiden campaign rally in downtown Phoenix, put a full stop to the speculations that Trump will make any decision on former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio's pardon.

"President Donald Trump will not declare a decision on whether to pardon former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio," CNN quoted Sanders as saying.

"I can tell you that there will be no discussion of that today at any point, and no action will be taken on that front at any time today," Sanders said.

Arpaio, who is high-profile supporters of Trump, has not been invited to Trump's Phoenix rally.

The controversial former Arizona sheriff was convicted of contempt by a federal judge last month for disregarding a court order in a racial profiling case.

He was accused of violating a court order by continuing patrols targeting immigrants.

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United States President Trump has slammed media for bringing disregard to America and has accused it of "trying to take away our history and our heritage" at a campaign-style rally at Pheonix, Arizona.

Trump labelled the media as "the source of division" in the United States. He claimed that the media "would rather getting ratings and clicks than tell the truth."

"The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news," Trump added.

He then mocked the media present at the rally, accusing news outlets of "turning the cameras off" at the rally and cutting off coverage of the event.

"For the most part honestly, these are really, really dishonest people, they're bad people," Trump said of the media at the rally in Phoenix.

"I really think they don't like our country, I really believe that."

He called out more media outlets by name, but praised Fox News and Sean Hannity for their "fair" coverage of his presidency.

President Trump strongly defended his response to violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, at his first public rally in Phoenix since his remarks initiated a national debate about whether his astatement had emboldened racists.

Trump taunted the "anti-fascist" protestors known as "antifa" that clashed with the white supremacists in Charlottesville in which three people died.

"All week the media are talking about the massive crowds that are going to be outside. Where are they?" Trump asked.

"It's hot out. It is hot. I think it's too warm. They show up in the helmets and black masks and they have clubs and everything.

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United States on Tuesday once again termed India as its very important regional strategic partner.

Addressing reporters on President Donald Trump's Strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said, "India is emerging as very important regional strategic partner with United States. India has played an important role in supporting the Afghan government, particularly supporting their economy. India has provided developmental assistance, economic assistance. They are hosting an important economic conference in India this week. All of that are important in stabilising Afghanistan as a nation."

It is notable that India has been actively helping Afghanistan in the reconstruction of the terror-torn country.

India aided the overthrow of the Taliban and became the largest regional provider of humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan. Indians are working in various construction projects, as part of India's rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan.

US President's desire for an increased role of India in Afghanistan is a blow for Pakistan as it is opposed to Indian presence in Kabul.

Tillerson's remarks came a day after when U.S. President Donald Trump termed India as an important partner and sought New Delhi's more help in Afghanistan.

Speaking from the Fort Myer military base in Arlington, Va., Trump said, "We will develop a deeper strategic partnership with India, but we want them to help us more in Afghanistan."

Tillerson also warned Pakistan that US forces are going to attack terrorists wherever they live.

"We are going to protect US Interests and servicemen. We are going to attack terrorists wherever they live. We have put people on notice that if you are harbouring and providing safe havens to terrorists, be forewarned," Tillerson said.

He also said that United States has decided to give Pakistan 'conditional' support based on Islamabad's approach towards terrorism.

"We are going to be conditioning our support Pakistan and our relationship on them delivering results in this area. We want to work with Pakistan but they must change their approach," Tillerson said.

He admitted that there has been erosion in trust between Pakistan and U.S. because of anti-U.S. terror organisations in the country.

"Pakistan and U.S. have very good relationships but over the last few years there has been erosion in the confidence between the two governments; there has been erosion in trust because we have witnessed terrorist organisations being given safe havens inside Pakistan to plan and carry out attack against US servicemen, US officials disrupting peace inside of Afghanistan."

He added that Pakistan must adopt a different approach and we are ready to work with them, to help them protect themselves from these terrorist organisations, but certainly to begin end their attacks that are disrupting our efforts of peace".

Tillerson said that U.S. would engage with them who are providing havens to terrorists to ask them change what they are doing.

"The greatest benefactor other than Afghan people themselves in achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan are people of Pakistan. They will benefit more than any other nation."

United States President Donald Trump on Monday pulled up Pakistan for providing safe haven to terrorists and exhorted Islamabad to exhibit more commitment to fight terror.

Speaking from the Fort Myer military base in Arlington, Va., Trump said, Pakistani people have suffered from terror, but at same time Pakistan has been safe haven for terrorists."

He further exhorted Islamabad to exhibit more commitment to fight terror.

It's time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to fight terror, said Trump, while unveiling America's strategy in Afghanistan where the US troops have been fighting the war on terror, which was started by former US President George W. Bush.

"Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose to harbour criminals and terrorists. In the past, Pakistan has been a valued partner and our militaries worked together against the common enemies. We recognize those contribution and sacrifices. But, Pakistan has also provided shelter those organsiations who try to kill our people," said Trump.

He further added, "We have been paying Pakistan billions of dollars and the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. No partnership can survive if a country is harbouring militants and terrorist to target US service members and officials. It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilization and peace."

Pakistan, a US ally in War on Terror, is accused of misusing the US aid mean for fighting terror.

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U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the United State is open for discussion with North Korea.

Tillerson made this comment about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) while talking to the reporters about the Trump administration's strategy in Afghanistan.

"I think it is worth noting, we have had no missile launches or provocative acts on the part of, or provocative actions, on the part of North Korea since the UN Security Council resolution" sanctioning Pyongyang on August 5," CNN quoted Tillerson as saying.

"I am pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has demonstrated restraint," Tillerson said.

"We hope this is the signal we have been looking for, that they are ready to restrain provocative acts. And perhaps we are seeing a pathway in the near future to having some dialogue."

Tillerson made the remarks a day after the US began yearly military exercises with South Korea which often annoy the DPRK.

The Secretary of State also spoke just hours after the Treasury Department declared the new sanctions against Russian and Chinese companies that carry out business with North Korea, enabling it to fund its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, CNN reported.

The tension in Asia was on rim in July, after North Korea tested two ICBM missiles that could in theory reach the US mainland.

Then again the tensions soared in early August after Trump declared that North Korea would face "fire and fury like the has never seen" if it continued to threaten the US. Pyongyang responded the next day with more threats, including a warning that it would target Guam. The threats have only continued.

Trump had earlier warned North Korea, saying that Pyongyang will face "fire and fury" if it continues to threaten the U.S.

However, North Korea has termed Trump's warning of "fire and fury" against Pyongyang a "load of nonsense."

But as Tillerson pointed out Tuesday, the DPRK has not taken any action. "I want to take note of that and acknowledge it," Tillerson said.

"We need to see more on their part but I want to it acknowledge the steps they have taken thus far. That it's important to take note of it.

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US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale has said his country values Pakistan's role in the war against terror and is seeking Islamabad's cooperation to resolve Afghan issue.

Ambassador Hale made these remarks during meeting with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ on Wednesday.

He briefed the Army Chief about the new US policy.

General Bajwa said that peace in Afghnaistan is as important for Pakistan as for many any other country.

"We have done a lot towards that end and shall keep on doing our best, not to appease anyone but in line with our national interest and national policy," he added.

The army chief said that Pakistan was not looking for any material or financial assistance from USA but trust, understanding and acknowledgement of their contributions.

He further said that collaboration and synergy of effort between all stakeholders was the key to bring the long drawn war in Afghanistan to its logical conclusion.

United States Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale briefed Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday on the statements made by President Donald Trump regarding Pakistan in his South Asia policy announcement earlier in the day.

A Pakistan Foreign Office press release said Ambassador Hale had informed Foreign Minister Asif that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would spell out in greater detail the various aspects of the bilateral relationship between the two countries and explain America's South Asia policy.

Ambassador Hale was told of Pakistan's desire for peace in Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Asif told the envoy that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community to eliminate the menace of terrorism; the Dawn quoted the press release, as saying.

Asif also informed that he had accepted Tillerson's invitation to visit Washington.

Earlier in the day, President Trump described Pakistan as a country that continues to offer safe haven to "agents of chaos".

"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations," Trump said as he cleared the way for the deployment of thousands more US troops to Afghanistan, backtracking from his promise to swiftly end America's longest war.

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. That will have to change and that will change immediately," President Trump said.

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The White House has expressed gratitude to the Malaysian and the Singapore Navy for the rescue efforts of the US guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain which collided on August 21 with merchant vessel near Singapore.

The White House statement read, "We are grateful for the rescue and recovery efforts of the officers and crew of the USS John S. McCain, the Malaysian Coast Guard, Royal Malaysian Navy, and Republic of Singapore Navy."

The White House has also expressed "great sadness" on learning its sailor fatalities following the August 21st collision of the US warship USS John S. McCain near Singapore and offered prayers for the fallen sailors.

The Department of Defense will conduct a thorough and complete investigation of the incident.

Earlier, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said that there was no indication as of yet if the warship collision in the Pacific was intentional.

The U.S. Navy has ordered an operational pause of its fleets globally and a wide-ranging review of the U.S. Pacific-based 7th Fleet post the warship's collision.

It was the second U.S. destroyer involved in a collision in the past two months.

In June, the USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship in waters off Japan, leaving seven sailors dead.

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Amidst Opposition's demand for his stepping down from the position of Union Railway Minister over derailment of the Puri-Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express, Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday informed that though he takes moral responsibility of the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked him to wait.

Prabhu took to his Twitter handle to post a thread, where he says, "In less than three years as Minister, I have devoted my blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I tried to overcome decades of neglect through systemic reforms in all areas, leading to unprecedented investment and milestones."

"New India, envisioned by Prime Minister Modi, deserves Railways, which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path on which Railways is progressing now," he further said.

Adding, "I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to the passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish. I met Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, taking full moral responsibility. He has asked me to wait."

The Congress on Monday demanded Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu's resignation after the derailment of the Puri-Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express, which claimed the lives of 23 people and left more than 100 injured, at Muzaffarnagar's Khatauli region on August 19 evening.

In a press conference held here, the Congress cited previous examples of ministers, who resigned after such tragedies and asked Prabhu to do the same.

"When a similar incident happened four decades ago, the then Railway Minister stepped down. When a flight crash landed in Delhi, the former civil aviation minister Late Madhavrao Scindia resigned. The government should take moral responsibility for the accident," Congress leader Manish Tiwari said.

He added that the incident points to gross negligence on the part of the government.

"On 11th June, the villagers stopped a train going towards that direction as repair work was being done. Two months later, an accident happens in the same place. This is unacceptable," Tiwari said.

He also pointed to the fact that a number of promises were made by the current government, but on the contrary, the normal standards of the railways are going down as well

Earlier, the Congress said that the railways accident has become the continuing story in the last three years of Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

"We are not at all satisfied. In last three years of this NDA Government, 27 major accidents took place including this one. No single accident was investigated properly. Today, the railways accident is the continuing story. Let this minister and the government think whether they should take moral responsibility or not," Congress leader PC Chako told ANI.

Another grand old party leader Brijesh Kalappa said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) knows how to blame the Opposition, instead of accepting theirown mistakes.

"Who will take the responsibility of this tragic accident in Muzaffarnagar? In Modi government, there is no one to take the responsibility. They only know to how to blame the Opposition, to demand resignations from others instead of giving on their own mistakes," Kalappa said.

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Shares of Eris Lifesciences will be in focus. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notified after market hours yesterday, 22 August 2017, that that foreign institutional investors (FIIs)/foreign portfolios investors (FPIs) investment limit under portfolio investment scheme in Eris Lifesciences has increased from 24% to 49% of its paid up capital. Further, it is notified that the NRI investment limit under portfolio investment scheme in Eris Lifesciences has increased from 10% to 24% of its paid up capital.

Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) said it will seek shareholders' nod for raising borrowing limits to Rs 1.80 lakh crore from Rs 1.50 lakh crore at present. It will also seek shareholders' nod to raise funds upto Rs 20000 crore from domestic market under private placement in up to 20 tranches. The company's shareholders will meet at the annual general meeting on 19 September 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 22 August 2017.

Visa Steel announced that movement of raw materials to the company's plant site at Kalinganagar was abruptly suspended by local Truck Owners Union, backed by local politicians for pressing their unreasonable demands. In absence of raw materials, operation at the company's plant site at Kalinganagar have come to grinding halt. The matter was escalated to the Office of the Chief Minister of Odisha. The company expects to resume production at various units soon. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 22 August 2017.

Balaji Telefilms' board approved allotment of 2.52 crore equity shares at Rs 164 for a total consideration of Rs 413.28 crore to Reliance Industries on a preferential basis through a private placement. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 22 August 2017.

Subros said it raised Rs 50 crore by allotting 500 rated, listed, secured, redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) of face value of Rs 10 lakh each. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 22 August 2017.

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Market may edge higher in early trade on positive global cues. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could gain 32.50 points at the opening bell.

Overseas, Asian stocks edged higher following overnight gains on Wall Street. US stocks closed higher yesterday, 22 August 2017 on renewed hopes of US tax reform. Reports suggested that President Donald Trump's top aides and congressional leaders have made significant strides in shaping a tax overhaul, moving far beyond the six-paragraph framework pushed out in July that stoked fears about their ability to deliver on one of the GOP's (Republican Party) top priorities. There is broad consensus on some of the best ways to pay for cutting both the individual and corporate tax rates, reports suggested.

Meanwhile, the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium is scheduled for this Friday in Wyoming. Representatives from the central banks of more than 40 countries will attend the annual gathering, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

Closer home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 828.69 crore yesterday, 22 August 2017, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 435.05 crore yesterday, 22 August 2017, as per provisional data.

Among corporate news, Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) said it will seek shareholders' nod for raising borrowing limits to Rs 1.80 lakh crore from Rs 1.50 lakh crore at present. It will also seek shareholders' nod to raise funds upto Rs 20000 crore from domestic market under private placement in up to 20 tranches. The company's shareholders will meet at the annual general meeting on 19 September 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 22 August 2017.

Key benchmark indices registered small gains in a range-bound trading session on bargain hunting yesterday, 22 August 2017. The Sensex had risen 33 points or 0.11% to settle at 31,291.85, its highest closing level since 18 August 2017.

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Infosys rose 2.05% to Rs 895.20 at 14:20 IST on BSE on buzz the company's co-founder Nandan Nilekani is likely to return as the head of the IT bellwether.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 127.85 points, or 0.41% to 31,419.70.

High volumes were witnessed on the counter. On the BSE, 17.49 lakh shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 4.79 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 904 and a low of Rs 874.55 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 1,080.70 on 14 October 2016. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 861.50 yesterday, 22 August 2017.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 22 August 2017, falling 10.49% compared with 2.3% decline in the Sensex. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one quarter, dropping 8.61% as against Sensex's 2.36% rise. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one year, declining 13.62% as against Sensex's 11.81% rise.

The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 1148.48 crore. Face value per share is Rs 5.

The developments come a few hours after Narayana Murthy postponed his conference call with Infosys investors citing health issues, as per reports. Murthy, who was slated to hold the conference at 18:30 IST today, 23 August 2017, now will hold the call on 29 August, reports added.

Nilekani was Infosys' CEO for five years till 2007. He left the software major in 2009 to become Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

Vishal Sikka, the first non-co-founder CEO of Infosys, stepped down on 18 August 2017 citing continuous distractions and increasingly personal attacks on him. The Infosys board blamed Murthy's continuous assault as the primary reason for Sikka putting down his papers. Shares of Infosys had tumbled 14.45% in two trading sessions to settle at Rs 873.50 on 21 August 2017, from its closing of Rs 1,021.15 on 17 August 2017. Shares of Infosys had risen 0.42% to settle at Rs 877.15 yesterday, 22 August 2017.

Infosys' consolidated net profit fell 3.3% to Rs 3483 crore on 0.2% decline in revenue to Rs 17078 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q4 March 2017.

Infosys is a global leader in technology services and consulting.

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Market registered impressive gains, extending small gains clocked in the previous trading session. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex rose 276.16 points or 0.88% at 31,568.01, as per the provisional closing data. The Nifty 50 index advanced 86.95 points or 0.89% at 9,852.50, as per the provisional closing data. Market sentiment was positive on renewed hopes of US tax reform by the Trump administration.

Realty stocks advanced. DLF rose after the company said that a meeting of the audit committee is scheduled to be held on 25 August 2017 to consider and review the status of the proposed sale of cumulative, compulsory, convertible preference shares (CCPS) held by CCPS holders to a GIC affiliate including the key terms and conditions and make appropriate recommendations to the board.

Software major Infosys gained on buzz the company's co-founder Nandan Nilekani is likely to return as the head of the IT bellwether. FMCG major Hindustan Unilever dropped.

Key indices had opened higher and traded in a narrow range with modest gains till mid-afternoon trade. Indices extended intraday gains in late trade.

The Sensex surged 301.54 points or 0.96% at the day's high of 31,593.39 in late trade, its highest level since 21 August 2017. It rose 87.40 points or 0.27% at the day's low of 31,379.25 in early trade. The Nifty advanced 92.35 points or 0.94% at the day's high of 9,857.90 in late trade, its highest level since 21 August 2017. It gained 21.20 points or 0.21% at the day's low of 9,786.75 in early trade.

Among secondary indices, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index provisionally rose 1.38%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index provisionally advanced 1.18%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

The breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On the BSE, 1,616 shares rose and 963 shares declined. A total of 135 shares were unchanged.

The total turnover on BSE amounted to Rs 3095.98 crore, higher than turnover of Rs 3063.18 crore registered during the previous trading session.

Realty stocks advanced. Indiabulls Real Estate (up 6.9%), HDIL (up 3.11%), Unitech (up 2.79%), D B Realty (up 1.28%), Prestige Estates Projects (up 1.08%), Sobha (up 0.68%), Oberoi Realty (up 0.52%) and Godrej Properties (up 0.29%) gained.

DLF rose 5.31% at Rs 184.60 after the company said that a meeting of the audit committee is scheduled to be held on 25 August 2017 to consider and review the status of the proposed sale of cumulative, compulsory, convertible preference shares (CCPS) held by CCPS holders to a GIC affiliate including the key terms and conditions and make appropriate recommendations to the board. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 22 August 2017.

FMCG major Hindustan Unilever fell 1.05% at Rs 1,188.20. The stock hit a high of Rs 1,197.50 and a low of Rs 1,184.05 in intraday trade.

Software major Infosys rose 2.02% at Rs 894.85 on buzz the company's co-founder Nandan Nilekani is likely to return as the head of the IT bellwether. The developments come a few hours after Narayana Murthy postponed his conference call with Infosys investors citing health issues, as per reports. Murthy, who was slated to hold the conference at 18:30 IST today, 23 August 2017, now will hold the call on 29 August, reports added.

Nilekani was Infosys' CEO for five years till 2007. He left the software major in 2009 to become Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

Vishal Sikka, the first non-co-founder CEO of Infosys, stepped down last Friday citing continuous distractions and increasingly personal attacks on him. The Infosys Board blamed Murthy's continuous assault as the primary reason for Sikka putting down his papers. Shares of Infosys had tumbled 14.45% in two trading sessions to settle at Rs 873.50 on 21 August 2017, from its closing of Rs 1,021.15 on 17 August 2017. Shares of Infosys had risen 0.42% to settle at Rs 877.15 yesterday, 22 August 2017.

Among other news, the proposed anti-profiteering authority that will monitor pricing behaviour of businesses under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be up and running in a fortnight, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) chairperson Vanaja N. Sarna? reportedly said yesterday, 22 August 2017.

During the two-year transition into the GST regime that started in July, the National Anti-profiteering Authority will step in and ask businesses that have not passed on full benefits of a reduced tax burden to consumers to make up for it with interest.

Overseas, European and Asian stocks were mixed. In economic news, the manufacturing sector in Japan continued to expand in August, and at a faster pace, the latest survey from Nikkei revealed today, 23 August 2017 with a flash Manufacturing PMI score of 52.8. That's up from 52.1 in July.

US stocks closed higher yesterday, 22 August 2017 on renewed hopes of US tax reform. Reports suggested that President Donald Trump's top aides and congressional leaders have made significant strides in shaping a tax overhaul, moving far beyond the six-paragraph framework pushed out in July that stoked fears about their ability to deliver on one of the GOP's (Republican Party) top priorities. There is broad consensus on some of the best ways to pay for cutting both the individual and corporate tax rates, reports suggested.

Meanwhile, the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium is scheduled for this Friday in Wyoming. Representatives from the central banks of more than 40 countries will attend the annual gathering, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

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Key benchmark indices trimmed gains after hitting fresh intraday high in afternoon trade. At 13:16 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex rose 143.30 points or 0.46% at 31,435.15. The Nifty 50 index advanced 36.30 points or 0.37% at 9,801.85. Market sentiment was positive on renewed hopes of US tax reform by the Trump administration. Earlier, key indices had opened higher and traded in a narrow range with modest gains so far.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.72%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index advanced 0.79%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

The breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On the BSE, 1,505 shares rose and 896 shares declined. A total of 115 shares were unchanged.

Metal shares rose. Hindustan Copper (up 2.38%), Steel Authority of India (up 1.70%), JSW Steel (up 1.57%), Jindal Steel & Power (up 1.32%), Bhushan Steel (up 0.95%), NMDC (up 0.66%), Vedanta (up 0.61%), Tata Steel (up 0.17%) and National Aluminium Company (up 0.14%), edged higher. Hindalco Industries (down 0.39%) and Hindustan Zinc (down 0.61%), edged lower.

Meanwhile, copper price edged lower in the global commodities markets. High Grade Copper for September 2017 delivery was currently down 0.30% at $2.978 per pound on the COMEX.

Most FMCG shares rose. Godrej Consumer Products (up 1.93%), Britannia Industries (up 0.96%), Jyothy Laboratories (up 0.35%), Tata Global Beverages (up 0.29%), Marico (up 0.17%), Nestle India (up 0.14%), Bajaj Corp (up 0.10%) and Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care (up 0.01%), edged higher. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (down 0.04%), Colgate Palmolive (India) (down 0.05%), Hindustan Unilever (down 0.98%) and Dabur India (down 1.13%), edged lower.

Engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro was up 0.07% to Rs 1,119.95. The company announced during trading hours today, 23 August 2017, that it received shareholders' approval to appoint S.N Subrahmanyan as chief executive officer, managing director. The shareholders also approved to raise funds worth up to Rs 4000 crore via issue of securities to qualified institutional buyers. Further, the The shareholders also approved issue of non-convertible Debentures (NCDs) worth Rs 6000 crore.

Tata Power Company was down 1% to Rs 79.15. The company announced during trading hours today, 23 August 2017, that its renewable portfolio in India has registered a healthy consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 142.18 crore in Q1 June 2017, a 329% increase from Q1 June 2016. The renewable business capacity of Tata Power crossed 2000 megawatts (MW) and non-fossil fuel portfolio stood at 3144 MW, a 92% increase from the corresponding quarter last year. Another 500 MW of capacity is under construction by Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL), Tata Power's wholly-owned subsidiary. The operating renewable portfolio of TPREL has grown to 1457.2 MW, comprising 530.2 MW wind and 927 MW solar respectively.

Real estate major DLF jumped 5.96% to Rs 185.75 after the company said that that a meeting of the audit committee is scheduled to be held on 25 August 2017 to consider and review the status of the proposed sale of cumulative, compulsory, convertible preference shares (CCPS) held by CCPS holders to a GIC affiliate including the key terms and conditions and make appropriate recommendations to the board. The board will in its meeting scheduled to be held later on 25 August 2017, consider the said recommendations and take appropriate decisions, as required. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 22 August 2017.

On 1 March 2017, the audit committee after due deliberations and with due consultations with the CCPS holders, approved entry into the next phase of the process to negotiate definitive transaction documents and execution of an exclusivity agreement with an affiliate of GIC Singapore.

The board of directors had authorized the audit committee to determine and finalise the terms of CCPS sale transaction including selection of unrelated third party institutional investors in consultation with the CCPS holders, as appropriate, to negotiate and finalize the transaction documents and to oversee and facilitate the CCPS sale transaction.

On 8 October 2015, board had approved the proposal of three promoter group companies or CCPS holders to sell 15.96 crore CCPS of DLF Cyber City Developers to unrelated third party institution investors subject to certain conditions.

Among other news, the proposed anti-profiteering authority that will monitor pricing behaviour of businesses under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be up and running in a fortnight, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) chairperson Vanaja N. Sarna? reportedly said yesterday, 22 August 2017.

During the two-year transition into the GST regime that started in July, the National Anti-profiteering Authority will step in and ask businesses that have not passed on full benefits of a reduced tax burden to consumers to make up for it with interest.

Overseas, most European stocks rose in early trade. Most Asian stocks edged higher following overnight gains on Wall Street. In economic news, the manufacturing sector in Japan continued to expand in August, and at a faster pace, the latest survey from Nikkei revealed today, 23 August 2017 with a flash Manufacturing PMI score of 52.8. That's up from 52.1 in July.

US stocks closed higher yesterday, 22 August 2017 on renewed hopes of US tax reform. Reports suggested that President Donald Trump's top aides and congressional leaders have made significant strides in shaping a tax overhaul, moving far beyond the six-paragraph framework pushed out in July that stoked fears about their ability to deliver on one of the GOP's (Republican Party) top priorities. There is broad consensus on some of the best ways to pay for cutting both the individual and corporate tax rates, reports suggested.

Meanwhile, the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium is scheduled for this Friday in Wyoming. Representatives from the central banks of more than 40 countries will attend the annual gathering, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

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After a higher opening on positive global cues, key benchmark indices traded with modest gains in the morning trade. At 10:15 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex rose 126.37 points or 0.4% at 31,418.22. The Nifty 50 index advanced 33.35 points or 0.34% at 9,798.90. Market sentiment was positive on renewed hopes of US tax reform by the Trump administration.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.4%, matching the Sensex's gains in percentage terms. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index advanced 0.79%, outperforming the Sensex.

The breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On the BSE, 1,341 shares rose and 579 shares declined. A total of 83 shares were unchanged.

Realty stocks advanced. DLF (up 3.76%), HDIL (up 2.77%), Indiabulls Real Estate (up 2.65%), Unitech (up 1.26%), D B Realty (up 1.13%), Sobha (up 0.4%), Godrej Properties (up 0.39%) and Oberoi Realty (up 0.31%) gained. Prestige Estates Projects (down 0.14%) declined.

Telecom stocks gained. Bharti Airtel (up 1.55%), Reliance Communications (up 0.44%) and Idea Cellular (up 0.4%) rose. Bharti Infratel was down 1.02% at Rs 383.35. Bharti Infratel is a telecom tower infrastructure subsidiary of Bharti Airtel .

Gati jumped 5.93% at Rs 114.25 after consolidated net profit surged 258.32% to Rs 18.31 crore on 5.89% rise in total income to Rs 453.13 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q1 June 2016. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 22 August 2017.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals rose 0.5% at Rs 604.40 after the company announced that Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA has been granted final approval by the United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for Triamcinolone Acetonide Ointment USP, 0.1%, the generic version of Kenalog Ointment, 0.1%, of Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. The announcement was made before market hours today, 23 August 2017.

According to IMS Health sales data for the 12 month period ended June 2017, the Kenalog Ointment, 0.1% market achieved annual sales of approximately $26.3 million in the US.

Overseas, Asian stocks witnessed a mixed trend. In economic news, the manufacturing sector in Japan continued to expand in August, and at a faster pace, the latest survey from Nikkei revealed today, 23 August 2017 with a flash Manufacturing PMI score of 52.8. That's up from 52.1 in July.

US stocks closed higher yesterday, 22 August 2017 on renewed hopes of US tax reform. Reports suggested that President Donald Trump's top aides and congressional leaders have made significant strides in shaping a tax overhaul, moving far beyond the six-paragraph framework pushed out in July that stoked fears about their ability to deliver on one of the GOP's (Republican Party) top priorities. There is broad consensus on some of the best ways to pay for cutting both the individual and corporate tax rates, reports suggested.

Meanwhile, the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium is scheduled for this Friday in Wyoming. Representatives from the central banks of more than 40 countries will attend the annual gathering, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

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Pfizer rose 2.46% to Rs 1,796.55 at 11:15 IST on BSE after report suggested that India has granted the company a patent for its blockbuster Prevenar 13, a vaccine that helps prevent pneumonia.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 150.77 points or 0.48% at 31,442.62. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 105.26 points or 0.71% at 15,031.15.

On the BSE, 1,714 shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 2,177 shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 1,829.25 and a low of Rs 1,781 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 2,055 on 9 September 2016. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 1,625 on 8 June 2017.

The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 22 August 2017, falling 2.4% compared with 2.3% decline in the Sensex. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one quarter, rising 1.59% as against Sensex's 2.36% rise. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one year, dropping 8.22% as against Sensex's 11.81% rise.

The mid-cap company has equity capital of Rs 45.75 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

Indian government has reportedly granted US drug giant Pfizer a patent for its blockbuster Prevenar 13, a vaccine that helps prevent cases of pneumonia, one of the leading causes of deaths of children under five years of age. The approval comes more than a decade after the company applied for the patent in the country, report said.

The stock exchanges have sought clarification from the company about the said news.

Global medical humanitarian organisation Mecins Sans Fronties (MSF) reportedly said it is a major setback to hopes for an affordable vaccine and is likely to legally challenge the patent approval.

Prevenar 13 helps prevent pneumococcal pneumonia and infections caused by 13 strains of streptococcus pneumonia bacteria.

This vaccine and GlaxoSmithKline's Synflorix are the only two pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) available in the country. In the private market, Prevenar 13 is priced at Rs 3,800 per dose, and Synflorix at Rs 1,800 per dose, report added.

Pfizer's net profit dropped 28.6% to Rs 57.17 crore on 16% decline in net sales to Rs 420.91 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q1 June 2016.

Pfizer is a leading biopharmaceutical company.

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More than a thousand years ago, people in Bengal and in Scotland were transferring the ownership of property in "almost exactly similar" ways, says a Scottish historian.

By unravelling the sources for landholding and lordship in early medieval Bengal and medieval Scotland, one might be able to peep back in time into the origins of democracy.

"People in India in Bengal and people in Scotland, 6,000 miles away, areas with no immediate connection or influence, were transferring the ownership of property in almost exactly similar ways," John Davies of the University of Glasgow, Scotland, told IANS here on the sidelines of a lecture at the Indian Museum.

Davies was talking about the research collaboration between the University of Glasgow and the University of Calcutta on "Land-holding and the recording of property transfer: The comparative experience of medieval Scotland and early medieval Bengal".

He drew parallels between the Sanskrit inscriptions of Bengal and the Latin characters of Scotland (ninth to 13th century) with regards to the records or charters of property transfer transactions.

Noting the similarities in the modalities of property transfer, Davies also highlighted the difference between the processes in the two regions.

"In Scotland, the record of these transactions were written in the Latin language, in ink on animal skin. In India it was going on for a longer period... hundreds of years longer, and it was written in Sanskrit language, engraved on copper plates or stones," he said.

Further elaborating on the similarities in these transactions, Davies pointed out that it's not just the simple fact that many of the forms of text are similar, but the language in which it was done and the concepts were also related.

"Latin and Sanskrit are related languages. If you want to give land to someone forever, it was done in Scotland... in Bengal they used the same concept. In both concepts you have kings giving away land usually to religious communities. Doing this, they (communities) would pray for his (king) soul, the gift would be forever tax free and the same thing is happening in both situations," he said.

In India these texts always start with big poems praising the king, reciting his genealogy (called Prashasthis).

"In Scotland that element doesn't occur in the charters, it occurs somewhere else. The genealogy with the kings of Scots is never put in the charters but it is read out at the crowning of the king."

"What's going on in Scotland is that the king... by reading out his genealogy... that makes him the legitimate king and therefore land can be granted and confirmed and guaranteed."

The research collaboration helps to offer insights into perennial questions about who rules us, why and how and what rights do they have over our properties.

"The roots of a society where people owned property developed in one particular way. We are working together with colleagues in Kolkata to understand this more thoroughly, how government developed, what the relation between the ruler and the ruled was. What the impetus was. Did change happen when people on the ground wanted change or whether everything came from the top?"

The findings of the project are being documented in the forthcoming book "Copper, Parchment, and Stone". It will be launched in Kolkata in November.

Davies added: "The more we look at it we see perhaps there has always been a tradition of people, as it were, making demands from the government. We might be able to see, as it were, roots of democracy."

(Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at sahana.g@ians.in)

--IANS

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Seven criminals involving in various cases of murder, robbery and rioting in Bihar, have been arrested here, Delhi police said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Julum Panjiara, Suraj, Nand Kishore Panjiara, Ram Charan, Prakash Panjiara, Panchu Panjiara and Dalip Panjiara, are natives of Bihar's Banka district and had been evading arrest for the last one year.

"After committing crimes in Banka during the years 2010 to 2016, they had come to Delhi and started working as casual labourers like rickshaw puller to evade their arrest. They were staying in Majnu Ka Tilla area in north Delhi from where they were arrested on a raid following a tip off," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Jatin Narwal.

"During interrogation, they told police that they had a dispute over a piece of land in their native place in Bihar with one of their relatives identified as Mahender Panjiara. This rivalry took a bloody turn and till now has led to five deaths on both sides," he added.

The seven were later handed over to Bihar Police, police said.

--IANS

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The Delhi government on Wednesday said it has seized nearly 8,000 kg of polythene bags thinner than 50 microns, two weeks after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned them.

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain said that beside the huge seizure so far, 492 fines and notices were issued, while about Rs 3 lakh was collected as environmental compensation under the drive to ban plastic in the national capital.

According to a 2015 report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), plastic comprises 10.14 per cent of total waste generated in the city.

The plastic bags with thickness below 50 microns are the un-recyclable lot of solid waste, which are often not collected leading to direct pollution.

On Wednesday, the Minister held a meeting with the senior officials from municipal corporations, Revenue Department, Urban Development Department, Environment Department and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

"As per the reports submitted by various departments, a total of 7,739 kg of plastic carry bags (less than 50 microns) have been seized, 492 challans and notices have been issued and a total of Rs 2,90,000 has been realised as environment compensation," a government statement said.

At the meeting, Hussain directed the officers to strictly implement the directions of NGT regarding sale, storage and use of less than 50 micron plastic bags at shops, markets and other establishments.

The NGT on August 10 reiterated its earlier ban on polythene in Delhi.

Earlier, the tribunal asked the city government to ban the low grade plastic with effect from January 1. But the directive could not be implemented.

For now, the tribunal has put an interim ban on low grade plastic bags.

The bench has also asked the Delhi government and the DPCC to file an affidavit and inform it about how its directions were being implemented in the city. The matter will be heard in NGT on August 29.

--IANS

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23 people were arrested for attacking and stone pelting at former Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union President Kanhaiya Kumar's rally in West Bengal's Hoogly district on Wednesday, police said.

The agitators tried to stop Kanhaiya Kumar from going to a public meeting organised at the Town Hall in Hoogly district's Serampore, calling him "anti-national" and threw stones at the rallyists.

"We have arrested 23 people for attacking the rally, pelting stones and violating the law and order situation in the area. One police officer has been injured in the stone pelting by the agitators," a senior police officer from Chandannagar Police Commissionerate told IANS.

However, the officer could not provide any information about the protestors' political affiliation.

The protestors also tried to stop Kanhaiya Kumar's car and showed him black flag in district's Uttarpara and Rishra but police dispersed the crowd.

The former JNUSU president, who is travelling to various parts of Bengal since the last three days as part of the All India Student Federation and All India Youth Federation sponsored Long March, held multiple public meetings in Hoogly including Uttarpara and Serampore.

A major scuffle took place during Kanhaiya Kumar's public meeting in South Kolkata's Jadavpur on Tuesday evening where an RSS activist allegedly tried to throw ink at him and got severely beaten up by the AISF activists present there while another incident of ink throwing on the rally took place near the Jodhpur Park area.

On Monday, nearly 100 slogan shouting BJP activists had staged a demonstration against Kanhaiya Kumar in Midnapore town of West Midnapore district, calling him an IS terrorist group's agent and "anti-national" .

They had also thrown rotten eggs at him, but the missiles missed the target, as police cordoned off Kanhaiya Kumar and barricaded the protestors.

The AISF and AIYF - the student and youth wings of the Communist Party of India - have taken out a "Save India- Change India" long march across the country from July 15.

Kanhaiya Kumar has been the main crowdpuller throughout the long march, that began from the country's southernmost landmass Kanyakumari and would end on September 2 at Hussainiwala of Punjab close to the India-Pakistan border.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hit by massive flooding of the Brahmaputra river, the Assam government on Wednesday said it has urged the Centre to take up with China at the diplomatic level the issue of sharing hydrological data with India.

Assam Minister and government spokesman Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday expressed concern at the revelation by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) last week that China has not shared hydrological data with India from May 15 this year.

He said the issue assumes significance due to the fact that the magnitude of the third wave of floods in Assam which hit the state after August 8 does not correlate with the amount of rainfall Assam and other northeastern states have received during that period.

"We have already urged the Central government to take up the matter with China in this regard. The hydrological data is the riparian right of India and Bangladesh, and we must have data on how much water they have released from the dams upstream and all the other relevant details," said Sarma while addressing a press conference on Wednesday.

He said that under the India-China Expert-Level Mechanism which was started in 2006 China is supposed to share hydrological data during the flood season for Brahmaputra and Satluj rivers between May 15 to October 15 every year. There is also a memorandum signed between the two countries in 2013 that agrees to share 15 hydrological data between the period.

"However, China had not shared any data from May 15 this year," Sarma said while quoting a recent press briefing by the MEA in New Delhi.

"The third wave of flood has wreacked havoc in Assam submerging 24 districts also affecting over 3.2 million people. Over 70 people have died due to flood related incidents. However, there had not been any unnatural amount of rainfall in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh during that period. From where did the flood water come?" he said.

He said the hydrological data from China is required basically for early warning system so that states can handle flood related incidents and prepare for it. "If there is heavy rainfall in upper reaches of Brahmaputra it takes about three to four days time for the water to reach Assam. If we have the hydrological data, we could prepare better to handle the situation," he said.

Sarma, who is also the Finance, Education and Health Minister of Assam urged the people of the state to create an awareness movement about the issue so that the Chinese government could be pressurized through the government of Assam.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Australia is open to sending more troops to Afghanistan if the Trump administration asks the country to boost its commitment to the conflict, Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull said on Wednesday.

Responding to Trump's Monday announcement that the US would reorient the mission towards "killing terrorists" rather than nation building, Turnbull promised to "work through" any request for an increased troop commitment, ABC News reported.

"Australia is a substantial contributor to the US-led coalition in Afghanistan and is willing to consider sending more troops to bolster the US-led coalition forces," Turnbull told reporters in the town of Tumut, 410 km from Sydney.

"The President (Donald Trump) has not set out precisely what additional US resources will be deployed. So we'll be having close consultation with the US ... the outcome of those consultations may result in additional resources being deployed to Afghanistan, but I don't want to speculate on it," Turnbull said.

The Prime Minister also praised Trump's declaration the US would not allow terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and Islamic State to regain a stronghold in Afghanistan.

Earlier this year, Australia agreed to send another 30 troops to training missions in Afghanistan, taking the country's total troop deployment to 300.

The Opposition did not rule out backing a troop increase, but Labour leader Bill Shorten said on Tuesday he would not write a "blank cheque" to Trump.

Turnbull had been a staunch supporter of US foreign policy under Trump.

Earlier this month, he committed that Australia will be involved in any conflict in the event North Korea attacks the US, earning a sharp rebuke from North Korea that supporting Trump would be "suicidal".

Asked on Wednesday about whether it was wise to be "joined at the hip" with the US, Turnbull said: "The US alliance is the bedrock of our national security, we are staunch allies, strong allies, none stauncher or stronger."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Wednesday suggested that Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should join hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the development of the state.

"Being a yoga man, I wish Naveenji and Modiji join hands," Ramdev told media persons here.

Ramdev, who attended a convention by his firm Patanjali in Bhubaneswar, said the expected output in Odisha is yet to be witnessed.

"Odisha is a very potential state, economically, spiritually, socially and politically. But in comparison to its existing strength and potential, the expected output is not seen here."

With Ramdev proposing an alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Biju Janata Dal, senior BJD leader and Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout advised him to quit yoga and join .

"Ramdev should quit yoga and do from now. That will be good. What proposal can he give? He should know that India is a federal country," said Rout.

"Ramdev should rather tell the Prime Minister to understand the Constitution and extend cooperation to the state government."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BJP on Wednesday urged the Chief Election Commissioner A.K. Joti to de-recognise Aam Aadmi Party for violating model code of conduct during the by-poll to Delhi's Bawana constituency by pasting posters spreading disharmony in the constituency.

The delegation, led by its Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari, also said that the matter of the poster calling for communal polarisation by Muslims during voting is very grave and defeats the spirit of secularism as prescribed by the Constitution.

The delegation requested the poll panel to ask police officials to take speedy action to arrest Delhi Minister Imran Hussain and other accused including the AAP's National Convener and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal whose picture was there in the posters.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China on Wednesday said it hoped the upcoming BRICS summit will be a success with the concerted efforts of all parties.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said this when it was asked whether or not Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the three-day summit in Xiamen in the backdrop of the Doklam border row between India and China.

"China is confident that with the concerted efforts of all parties, the Summit will achieve success and scale a new high level for BRICS relations," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

"Preparation for BRICS Summit in Xiamen is underway. Preparation has proceeded in an orderly faction and has reached an advanced stage," Hua added.

"You also mentioned illegal trespass of Indian border troops. Our stand has been very clear.

"Unconditional withdrawal of all trespassing personnel and equipment serves as the prerequisite and the basis for settlement of this incident."

The BRICS Summit will be held in Xiamen from September 3 to 5.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US Navy plans to relieve the commander of the fleet that has sustained four collisions in Asia and deaths of over a dozen sailors in 2017, an official said.

Vice Admiral Joseph P. Aucoin, the head of the Seventh Fleet in Japan, the US Navy's largest overseas fleet, will be removed on Wednesday in connection with four collisions since January, including two fatal ones in the past two months, The New York Times quoted the official as saying on Tuesday.

Admiral Aucoin was scheduled to retire in September, but his departure was pushed up as his superiors lost confidence in his leadership.

Admiral Scott H. Swift, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet, flew from Singapore to the Seventh Fleet headquarters in Japan, where he will relieve Admiral Aucoin, who has commanded the fleet since September 2015.

The removal comes as the Navy prepares to conduct a rare suspension of ship operations worldwide for a day or two in the next week to review safety and operational procedures.

Navy officials have also been investigating the role that training, manning and crew communications may have played in the collisions.

Divers have found remains of missing American sailors in the flooded compartments of the Navy destroyer John S. McCain, which collided with an oil tanker on Monday off the coast of Singapore, The New York Times quoted Admiral Swift as saying.

"It is premature to say how many or what the status of the recovery of those bodies is."

Admiral Swift said the search at sea would continue despite the discovery of remains in the ship. "The focus of the US Pacific Fleet is our 10 sailors and their families."

The collision was the second in two months involving a destroyer from the Seventh Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan.

In June, the destroyer Fitzgerald collided with a cargo ship off Japan that left seven sailors dead.

After Monday's collision, Admiral John Richardson, the Navy's top officer, said all 277 Navy ships worldwide would take an "operational pause" to review basic seamanship, teamwork and other "fundamentals".

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said an inquiry into the collision had begun.

The destroyer is named after John S. McCain Sr. and John S. McCain Jr., Navy Admirals who were the grandfather and father of Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Senator McCain, who is the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a statement here endorsed the operational pause.

"I agree with Admiral Richardson that more forceful action is urgently needed to identify and correct the causes of the recent ship collisions," he said.

The collision between the McCain and the Alnic MC, a Liberian-registered tanker about three times its size, occurred east of Singapore.

Andrew Tan, the chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, said about 250 people from various Singapore agencies were involved in the search.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Delhi Police Assistant Sub-Inspector allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service revolver on a secluded area on the banks of the Yamuna river, police said on Wednesday.

Police said the incident took place in Jaitpur area of south Delhi on Tuesday night, and the officer was identified as Devender, 55 posted in Jaitpur police station. They said they came to know about it were informed by some local residents.

"As per Devender's family members, he was going through depression due to some family problems. He was issued his service pistol for emergency duty and then went to a isolated place at the bank of Yamuna near Kalindi Kunj and shot himself," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Romil Baaniya.

"Last month, Devender's brother-in-law died due to which his wife was going through a rough phase. This affected Devender and he too was under depression. As per his colleagues, he got isolated from few days and was not interacting with many people.

"His family members met senior officers at Delhi Police Headquarters and have submitted a representation along with the copy of a note left behind by him before committing suicide. The same has been marked to Additional Deputy Commissioner Rank officer for enquiry," he added.

"They also requested for recruitment of his son with Delhi Police on compassionate grounds which is being looked into and they have been asked to apply formally for the same," said Baaniya.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of the CBI court verdict which is likely this week in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the central government has provided "requisite" assistance to Haryana and Punjab to maintain law and order.

"The Home Ministry has discussed the issue with both the states (Haryana and Punjab) and has provided requisite assistance," sources in the Home Ministry here said.

The official did not elaborate about the exact central assistance provided to the states but said over 100 companies of paramilitary forces have already been given to Haryana and Punjab jointly as well as intelligence support to maintain law and order measures and handle any unprecedented situation.

The central government's step came after top officials of Punjab and Haryana last week apprised the Home Ministry of the situation in the two states ahead of the impending verdict of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court in Haryana's Panchkula city adjoining Chandigarh, which has been hearing the case since 2007.

The Home Ministry sources said the states were provided helping hand from the central government after its officials sought central forces in case the CBI court's verdict went against the sect chief.

Authorities in Punjab and Haryana had already asked police in both states to be on alert ahead of the verdict.

The sect chief, who has lakhs of followers in Punjab, Haryana and other states, has been accused by a former female follower of raping her more than once inside the sprawling Dera campus on the outskirts of Sirsa town in Haryana, 260 km from Chandigarh.

Despite charges of murder, conspiracy, and rape against him, the Dera chief enjoys Z-category security provided by Haryana Police and moves around in a fleet of bulletproof luxury sport utility vehicles.

Anti-social elements or any other person who would try to disturb law and order would be arrested, police sources in both the states said, adding that leave of police personnel has been cancelled and home guards would be called on duty.

"All borders of the state have been sealed and inter-state and inter-district activities of vehicles are being closely monitored," the official said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Celine, a luxury French fashion House founded by Celine Vipiana in 1945, made its entry in India on Wednesday with an exclusive tie up with Le Mill, a multi designer boutique.

Known for its ready-to-wear and leather luxury goods, the brand's Fall/ Winter 2017 collection will now be available at Le Mill, a statement said.

"I have always been a huge fan of the iconic French label and its creative director Phoebe Philo. Her understanding of the modern woman is unlike any living designer," said Cecilia Morelli Parikh, co-founder Le Mill.

The designs have fall colours such as white, black, beige and grey and a few pieces which feature the warm colours of red, pink and blue give the collection a healthy glow.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Islamic State (IS) militants beheaded nine soldiers and two civilians in a checkpoint attack in southern Libya, an army spokesman said on Wednesday.

"The IS attacked Al-Fag'ha gate in Al-Jufra this morning, slaughtering nine soldiers and two civilians," said spokesman Ahmad al-Mesmari, Xinhua reported.

The checkpoint was located some 500 km south of the capital Tripoli, he added.

The army has been engaged in a violent war against extremist groups in eastern Libya for more than three years.

Earlier in July, the army said it had taken control of Benghazi, the second largest city in Libya.

Last December, forces allied with the UN-backed government of national accord in Tripoli freed Sirte, a city some 450 km east of Tripoli, after nearly seven months of fighting against the IS.

However, the IS remnants remain present in parts of Libya despite defeats.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In major relief to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the state High Court on Wednesday exonerated him in the SNC Lavalin case, relating to an agreement inked 20 years ago with Canadian company SNC-Lavalin when he was the state Power Minister.

Delivering the judgement, Justice P Ubaid said it was not fair that while a few state ministers had handled the power portfolio, only Vijayan was being singled out. The judge also pointed out that Vijayan was hounded by the CBI.

While exonerating Vijayan, the court pointed out that three Kerala State Electricity Board officials will have to face trial.

The case pertains to an agreement with SNC-Lavalin in 1997 to repair three generators, which allegedly caused a loss of Rs 266 crore to the state exchequer.

Vijayan was arraigned by the CBI as the seventh accused in the case, leading to political furore.

On November 5, 2013, the CBI court in the state capital exonerated all the accused, without taking the case for trial.

However a year later, the CBI filed a revision petition against the CBI court's exoneration.

The case then went into a limbo with a few judges deciding not to hear the case. But in 2016, the trial started and Vijayan brought in high-profile lawyer Harish Salve to defend him.

Vijayan was forced to seek the service of Salve after the CBI brought in former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai as a witness in the case.

The trial in the case got over in March this year and Ubaid posted the case for delivering the judgement.

When he came to deliver the judgement at 1.45 p.m., the judge asked the media not to give out news until the judgement is read out.

In the judgement, the CBI has been taken to task for hounding Vijayan as there were other ministers also who had dealt with SNC Lavalin company.

After he was arraigned as an accused by the CBI, his party - Communist Party of India-Marxist - leadership came to his defence and said there was no reason for him to step down as Secretary of the party's Kerala State Committee, as it was not a constitutional post.

Vijayan's getting a clean chit can also be seen as a setback for his arch rival and former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, as the two had on a few occasions openly clashed over this case during 2006-11, which led to the suspension of both from the politburo.

While Vijayan was reinstated, Achuthanandan was not.

Reacting to the judgement, State CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the case was a political one.

"In 2006, it was the then Congress-led UDF government which transferred the case to the CBI. This decision was taken after the State Vigilance department after a probe gave a clean chit to Vijayan. The CBI was used as a tool to target political rivals after the CPI-M withdrew its support to the first UPA government."

He termed the judgement as a "huge setback for the CBI as it tried to target a political leader". Balakrishnan said that it has been proved again that CPI-M is a party which does not indulge in corruption.

(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.)
Fashion designer Manav Gangwani presented his "India @ 70" latest couture collection at the Stockholm Culture Festival, hosted by the Ambassador of India Monika Kapil Mohta.

Gangwani on August 17 showcased his collection to celebrate India's 70 years of Independence at the festival. The collection comprised of handcrafted ensembles of over 70 exquisite styles for women.

"I am thrilled to have showcased my collection 'India @ 70' at the Stockholm Culture Festival hosted by the Embassy Of India, Sweden and Latvia in partnership with India unlimited," Gangwani said in a statement.

The designer, who has styled the likes of Kangana Ranaut, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, presented a collection which "was specially created in celebration of India's 70 years of Independence".

"I have taken inspiration from every region of India to create this uniquely dynamic collection. I have used techniques silhouettes and designs that together create a perfect amalgamation of traditionalism and authenticity," he added.

The designer tried to encapsulate design elements from different states of India using various techniques.

The collection showcased is an amalgamation of the rich heritage of India along with modern edgy elements that are incorporated in each garment. Gangwani incorporated elements of design from different regions like Kashmir reflecting Jamawars, Bandhanis of Rajasthan, Kathakali from Kerala and Brocades of Varanasi.

Using different techniques like Badla, Chikankari, Zardosi and Parsi, the colour palette for this collection are hues that are most commonly seen in India -- royal blue, crimson, ivory, orange and green.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday alloted around 1.5 acres of land in the capital's diplomatic enclave to the Madhya Pradesh government for constructing its state guest house in the national capital, an official statement said.

The allotment of 1.478 acres of land on the T-Junction of Jesus and Mary Marg with Dr. Radhakrishnan Marg in Chanakyapuri area "will benefit the Madhya Pradesh government for construction of its State Guest House with all modern facilities keeping in view their present and future requirements", it said.

However, the state government would have to surrender 0.89 acres of land alloted to it at Gopinath Bardolai Marg in Chanakyapuri after completion of the construction of its guest house and would pay for the difference in the area at present rates, it added.

"The Madhya Pradesh government will not utilise this land for any purpose other than for construction of its State Guest House. While constructing the building, the Madhya Pradesh government will adhere to all existing building bye-laws, Master Plan norms," the statement said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On the verge of a growth take-off after years of instability, Nepal on Wednesday invited Indian industry to invest in the country to help create jobs and boost economic growth in the Himalayan nation.

"After years of policy stalemate and instability, Nepal is on the verge of a growth take-off. We welcome you to do business in Nepal, invest there, create jobs and nurture a new climate of innovation and entrepreneurship," Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba told a gathering of industry at a business interaction here organised by the Indian industry bodies Assocham, CII and Ficci.

"Two years ago, we ended political transition by adopting a highly progressive constitution. The mood in Nepal is to turn a page and move forward," said Deuba, who is on his first official visit to India in this stint.

With the rise of India and China as global economic powers, "all major growth poles in Asia are within a few hours flying distance from Kathmandu," the Prime Minister added.

Nepal is concerned about its large trade deficit with India and wants more Indian investment in its economy. Currently, more than 38 per cent of foreign direct investment in Nepal originates from Indian companies.

Elaborating how Nepal is "truly open for business", Deuba said that the country hosted an investment summit earlier this year, which attracted FDI pledges of $14 million, representing almost half the GDP of the landlocked nation.

"For a landlocked country, I am convinced that intense physical connectivity through roads, rail and air is key to lowering business costs," he said.

"We are optimistic that we can revive manufacturing and create jobs in larger numbers by partnerships with industries from India," he added.

The Nepali Prime Minister also thanked Indian Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was present on the occasion, for the latter's offer to extend the natural gas pipeline from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh to Nepal. State-run GAIL is building the proposed pipeline from Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh to Haldia in West Bengal, which crosses Gorakhpur.

"Our pipeline will go to Gorakhpur. If you can take it to Sunauli (Nepal), it will bring clean fuel for Nepal's industrialisation. I reiterate that I am prepared to stretch the pipeline and take it to Sunauli," Pradhan said in his address.

He also said that he had agreed to extend the India-Nepal petroleum product pipeline from Raxaul to Amlekhganj further onwards to Chitwan on the request of Nepal. Work on the pipeline is due begin later this year.

India has been a traditional supplier of fuel to Nepal, which receives its entire demand of about 200,000 kilolitres of fuel every month by road from Indian Oil Corp.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On the verge of a growth take-off after years of instability, Nepal on Wednesday invited Indian industry to invest in the country to help create jobs and boost economic growth in the Himalayan nation.

"After years of policy stalemate and instability, Nepal is on the verge of a growth take-off. We welcome you to do business in Nepal, invest there, create jobs and nurture a new climate of innovation and entrepreneurship," Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba told a gathering of industry at a business interaction here organised by the Indian industry bodies Assocham, CII and Ficci.

"Two years ago, we ended political transition by adopting a highly progressive constitution. The mood in Nepal is to turn a page and move forward," Deuba, who is on his first official visit to India in this stint.

With the rise of India and China as global economic powers, "all major growth poles in Asia are within a few hours flying distance from Kathmandu," he added.

Nepal is concerned about its large trade deficit with India and wants more Indian investment in its economy. Currently, more than 38 per cent of foreign direct investment in Nepal originates from Indian companies.

Elaborating how Nepal is "truly open for business, Deuba noted that the country hosted an investment summit earlier this year, which attracted FDI pledges of $14 billion, representing almost half the GDP of the landlocked nation.

"For a landlocked country, I am convinced that intense physical connectivity through roads, rail and air is key to lowering business costs," said Deuba.

"We are optimistic that we can revive manufacturing and create jobs in larger numbers by partnerships with industries from India," he added.

The Nepali Prime Minister also thanked Indian Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was present on the occasion, for the latter's offer to extend the natural gas pipeline from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh to Nepal. State-run GAIL is building the proposed pipeline from Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh to Haldia in West Bengal, which crosses Gorakhpur.

"Our pipeline will go to Gorakhpur. If you can take it to Sunauli (Nepal), it will bring clean fuel for Nepal's industrialisation. I reiterate that I am prepared to stretch the pipeline and take it to Sunauli," Pradhan said in his address.

He also said that he had agreed to extend the India-Nepal petroleum product pipeline from Raxaul to Amlekhganj further onwards to Chitwan on the request of Nepal. Work on the pipeline is due begin later this year.

India has been a traditional supplier of fuel to Nepal, which receives its entire demand of about 200,000 kilolitres of fuel every month by road from Indian Oil Corp.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba arrived here on Wednesday on a five-day state visit, with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj receiving him at the airport in a mark of the importance India places on its relations with the close neighbour.

"A special welcome to a close neighbour! EAM @SushmaSwaraj received @PM_Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba on his arrival on a State Visit to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with a picture of the two leaders

Deuba's visit, his first abroad after assuming office in June, comes days after Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang was in Nepal during which the two sides inked several major agreements to boost energy and economic ties.

The visit also comes amid the standoff between Indian and Chinese troops on the Doklam plateau in Sikkim sector, that has led to escalation in tension between New Delhi and Beijing.

Nepal Prime Minister Deuba and Sushma Swaraj had met in Kathmandu earlier this month, when the two sides are known to have discussed the Doklam issue.

On Thursday, Deuba will hold delegation-level talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi following which the two leaders will remote launch power transmission lines from India to Nepal. Some agreements are expected to be signed following the talks.

The Nepal Prime Minister will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu while Sushma Swaraj and union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will call on the visiting dignitary who is accompanied by a high-level delegation.

Apart from his official engagements in New Delhi, Deuba will also visit Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The creamy layer ceiling for Other Backward Classes candidates for securing government jobs was on Wednesday raised to Rs 8 lakh as the union cabinet cleared a proposal for a commission to work out sub-categorisation within OBCs for a "more equitable distribution of reservation benefits".

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said after a cabinet meeting here that OBC families earning up to Rs 8 lakh per annum will not be considered in the creamy layer. Earlier, this ceiling was Rs 6 lakh per annum.

"The cabinet was apprised that the creamy layer criterion limit has been raised to Rs 8 lakh annually for the central government," he said.

Asked if the raised limit will also be applicable to public sector undertakings, Jaitley said the issue was under "active consideration of the government".

Jaitley said the cabinet approved a proposal for setting up of a commission under article 340 of the Constitution to examine the issue of sub-categorisation of the OBCs.

He said the commission will examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes or communities included in the broad category of OBCs, with reference to the OBCs included in the Central list.

It will work out the mechanism and parameters for sub-categorisation within such OBCs, identify the respective castes or communities or sub-castes in the central list of OBCs and classify them into their respective sub-categories.

"With this, those in the broad category of OBCs who were till now devoid of benefits of reservation, will get the benefits. There will be more equitable distribution," he said.

The commission will submit its report within 12 weeks from the date of appointment of the Chairperson.

Jaitley said the National Commission for Backward Classes had given its recommendation in 2011 that there should be sub-categorisaion and the Parliamentary Standing Committee had also given such a recommendation.

The Supreme Court, in its November 1992 order, had observed that there is no Constitutional or legal bar to a state categorising backward classes as backward or more backward.

The Minister said 11 states have already implemented the sub-categorisation for state level services. These are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Puducherry, Haryana, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Jammu and Kashmir (for Jammu region).

On whether the government is going to review the reservation mechanism, Jaitley said: "There is no such proposal... there will be no review."

On caste census, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot, who was also present at the press meet, said the information about the census is with the Home Ministry.

He said the central OBC list has over 5,000 castes and communities.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The sub-categorisation within Other Backward Class (OBC) will help the most backward sections in getting benefits of the reservation especially government jobs, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Wednesday.

The Lok Janshakti Party President dismissed allegations that the decision was taken keeping in mind political gains and ruled out any move of sub-categorising the Scheduled Castes (SC).

"I welcome the historic decision taken by the Cabinet. There are many backward castes, which are in less number. But they exist. So benefits of reservation should reach to them. They also had participated in the movement for reservation," he told reporters.

"It will help the most backwards in getting government jobs, which raises the social status."

The Minister said the move would not have any adverse impact on the dominant castes in the OBC.

Paswan said there were provisions of reservation for the most backward castes in nine states but there was no such system at the Centre.

The Minister said the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) had recommended the sub-categorisation of the OBC list.

Asserting that the Centre was not in favour of categorising Scheduled Castes since it was based on untouchability, he said: "There is no economic aspect to the Scheduled Castes reservation. It is totally based on social parameters. No question arises of subcategorising them."

"Some states, including Bihar, experimented with it but the experience was not good," he said.

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had repeated several times that there would not be any rethink on reservation.

The government on Wednesday raised the creamy layer ceiling by Rs 2 lakh and announced setting up of a commission to work out sub-categorisation within OBCs, while mentioning that there will be no review of reservation.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over 80 per cent voters cast ballots in the by-election to Nandyal assembly constituency in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, which passed off peacefully barring minor incidents.

For the first time, the Election Commission is using the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in the election.

As many as 77.66 per cent turnout was recorded till 5 p.m. Though polling came to an end at 6 p.m., those standing in queues were allowed to cast their votes. Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal said the turnout could be 81-82 percent. The final figures will be made available after receipt of reports from all polling stations.

He told reporters in Hyderabad that this would be the highest polling in "years or decade".

Tension prevailed at Atmakaur in the evening when family members of TDP and YSR Congress party candidates clashed. Police had to intervene to bring the situation under control.

Earlier, long queues were seen when polling booths opened at 7 a.m.

Over 2.19 lakh voters were eligible to exercise their franchise at 255 centres.

The VVPAT helps the voters know the candidates they voted for. The VVPAT attached to the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) displays for seven seconds the name of the candidate the voter cast ballot for. Bhanwarlal said there were no complaints about the functioning of VVPAT.

Tight security arrangements were made across the politically sensitive constituency to ensure peaceful and fair polling.

More than 2,500 police personnel, six units of central paramilitary forces, 15 platoons of the Armed Reserve and Special Police were deployed.

The by-poll was necessitated after the death of Bhuma Nagi Reddy, who had quit the YSR Congress party to join the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) last year.

There are 15 candidates in the fray, including Bhuma's nephew Brahmananda Reddy of the TDP, Silpa Mohan Reddy of the YSR Congress and Abdul Khader from the Congress.

It is a direct fight between the TDP and the YSR Congress. Both the parties are treating it as a fight for prestige.

The constituency witnessed high-voltage and acrimonious campaign led by Chief Minister and TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu and YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.

The stakes are high for both the parties as the result will be seen as a referendum on the performance of TDP-BJP government and indicate which way the wind will blow in the 2019 election.

The counting of votes will be taken up on August 28.

--IANS

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The Congress on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that after the "creamy layer" ceiling for OBC candidates was raised to Rs 8 lakh, the concept carved out by the Supreme Court is "not defeated" and the poor are not excluded.

It also asked the PM if consultations were held with other political parties and sections of backward classes on the issue.

"Surprisingly, the government has raised the threshold limit to Rs 8 lakh today. Prime Minister needs to ask himself did he consult other political parties or sections of backward classes on the issue," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"If you keep raising the income limit for backward classes, then what would happen to sons and daughters of those who are genuinely poor and are entitled to the benefit of this reservation for which 27 per cent reservation was carved out," he added.

"We request the PM to seriously look into this issue so that the concept of creamy layer carved out by the SC is not defeated and genuine backward classes who are deserving and poor are not excluded in the process for they will not be able to compete with those who are more resourceful.

"As far as reservation within reservation is concerned, we will study the notification in detail and make a comment."

The creamy layer ceiling for Other Backward Classes candidates for securing government jobs was on Wednesday raised to Rs 8 lakh as the Union Cabinet cleared a proposal for a commission to work out sub-categorisation within OBCs for a "more equitable distribution of reservation benefits".

--IANS

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Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is heading a delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting, on the sidelines of which he is likely to hold bilateral meetings with ministers of some member countries, which include China and Pakistan.

During the two-day meeting at Choplon Ata on August 24-25 the SCO member states will consider and approve the draft Action Plan for 2018-2019 for the implementation of the agreement on cooperation in providing assistance in the elimination of emergency situations, a Home Ministry statement said on Wednesday.

The Indian delegation comprises of senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of External Affairs.

India got full membership of SCO earlier this year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO annual Summit meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, in June.

The participation of India as SCO Member will open additional opportunities for giving new impetus to the development of international cooperation in the field of protecting the people and territories from emergency situations within the framework of the SCO and bring it qualitatively new positions in regional and global formats, the statement said.

The SCO member countries are: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. Pakistan and India were inducted as full members this year.

--IANS

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Reliance Capital Ltd, part of the Anil D. Ambani-led Reliance Group, on Wednesday announced the launch of the Employees' Stock Option (ESOP) Scheme 2017.

In a statement here, the company said that under the scheme it has granted ESOPs with a notional value of approximately Rs 300 crore to 500 employees across its various group units, and eligible employees have received options on Reliance Capital listed stock and/or phantom shares of its unlisted operating businesses.

The ESOPs comprise of 9,21,000 shares of Reliance Capital plus shares/ phantom shares of operating subsidiaries and associates.

The grants have been approved by the Board of Directors of Reliance Capital and the respective group companies.

The scheme is part of Reliance Capital's Rewards Programme aimed at retaining and incentivising key employees for their contribution to the growth and profitability of the company, the statement said.

"We are delighted to offer ESOPs that will enable our key talent to participate in the long term wealth creation opportunities, linked to the growth of the Company.

"The Scheme will help us attract, retain and reward talent and also align the employees' sense of ownership with the company," Anmol Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Capital, was quoted as saying in the statement.

The scheme will be applicable to employees of Reliance Capital and its businesses -- including Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management, Reliance Commercial Finance, Reliance Home Finance, Reliance Nippon Life Insurance, Reliance General Insurance and Reliance Securities.

The options vest over a period of four years, with customary lock-in period.

--IANS

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Sri Lanka's Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe resigned on Wednesday amid constant pressure from his party and President Maithripala Sirisena following accusations of pressurising the Attorney General's office to hold off investigations against the country's previous regime.

Various ministers of the United National Party (UNP), part of the ruling coalition, had threatened to bring a no-confidence motion against Rajapakshe in Parliament and had urged Sirisena to sack him, Efe news reported.

"The President has sent the Justice Minister a letter informing him about the UNP request to remove him from his post. The Minister has accepted the letter and the President's decision," Cabinet Spokesperson Gayantha Karunathilaka said at a media briefing.

Rajapakshe, who also held the post of Buddhist Affairs Minister, has been accused of trying to influence the Attorney General's department to delay corruption cases opened against members of the regime of ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He is also accused of violating the government's collective responsibility by opposing the lease of the strategic southern port of Hambantota given to China at the end of July. Rajapakshe has denied all allegations.

His exit comes barely two weeks after Ravi Karunanayake resigned as the country's Foreign Minister for alleged corruption in a bond scam case dating back to 2015, for which he faced a no-confidence motion.

--IANS

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US President Donald Trump has defended his white supremacist response to the Charlottesville violence, omitting that he blamed "many sides" for the clashes.

Trump on Tuesday holding the campaign-style rally with Vice President Mike Pence and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson in Phoenix, said he strongly condemned "neo-Nazis, white supremacists and the KKK", CNN reported.

In retelling his remarks on the August 12 violence that left one woman dead, Trump omitted his reference to "many sides" in his first response to the clashes, and also his reference to "both sides" later on Tuesday -- both seen as equating neo-Nazis with counter-protesters.

"What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America. And tonight, this entire arena stands united against the thugs who perpetrate hatred and violence," Trump said.

"I hit 'em with neo-Nazi, I hit 'em with everything. KKK? We have KKK. I got 'em all," Trump said in reference to calling out specific groups in his statements.

The President also hinted that he could pardon Joe Arpaio, the former Maricopa county sheriff.

"So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? ... You know what, I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine, OK? But I won't do it tonight (Tuesday) because I don't want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe should feel good."

In anticipation of Trump's first trip to Arizona after winning the White House and his first to the West amid criticism for his remarks, the political world was abuzz with not just whether Trump would set off controversy in Phoenix -- but which specific hot-button clash he could wade into.

Trump last week mocked Arizona Republican Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain, while avoiding their names.

"One vote away, I will not mention any names," he said, referring to McCain's vote against Republicans' healthcare bill.

Moving on to Flake, Trump said: "Nobody wants me to talk about him. Nobody knows who the hell he is. And now, we haven't mentioned any names, so now, everybody's happy."

Trump earlier in the day near the border viewed equipment used by US Customs and Border Patrol agents to track illegal crossings.

The President's aides planned his visit to the US-Mexico border but scrapped the visit over security concerns, a person in the know of things said.

Arizona's top Republicans -- including Flake and McCain, were not present in the rally.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican who is up for re-election in 2018, greeted Trump at the airport but did not attend the rally.

Thousands from across Arizona flocked to Phoenix Convention Centre to protest the rally, carrying signs, megaphones and water bottles to stay hydrated in the 41 degrees Celsius weather.

Democrats including Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton lambasted Trump for even visiting the state.

Anti-Trump protesters put up an inflatable Trump -- in a white robe with a Nazi symbol -- and a giant sign that read "white supremacy will not be pardoned".

Anti-Trump protesters yelled out chants including "Shame" and "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA".

--IANS

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Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau said on Tuesday that the city had experienced "very few" cancellations of hotel bookings in the wake of the terrorist attacks which claimed 15 lives on August 17.

Fourteen of the deaths were in Barcelona, with 13 of them on Las Ramblas street, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the capital, Xinhua news agency reported.

There were 34 different nations represented among the 120 victims.

In a press conference, Colau said that for the moment, the effect of the attacks on Barcelona's economy had been minimal and that a feeling of normality remained in the city's business sector despite the attacks.

However, the mayor, who appeared alongside key representatives of the city's business sector, admitted that this was only a short-term judgement and that the city would be closely following how its economy developed in the future before drawing conclusions over the effect of the attacks.

Jaume Collboni, president of the Socialist Party in the Barcelona Town Hall, explained that it would take several months before a true impact of the terrorist attacks on the city's economy could be measured.

Joan Gaspart, the vice-president of Barcelona Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association (and former FC Barcelona president) said he did not think the attack would have a long term effect, saying "Barcelona is Barcelona."

--IANS

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Several members of Narendra Modis Council of Ministers are currently a bundle of nerves. A Cabinet reshuffle and expansion looks imminent and there is speculation that some of the ministers could get dropped. Some say the reshuffle is unlikely to take place on August 25, the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. Others conjecture it could occur on August 27, the day Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad holds his Opposition Unity rally in Patna. News of the reshuffle would neutralise the media space the Opposition rally might occupy. Amid all this, a meeting of the Council of Ministers has been called on August 30. This has led some within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to surmise that the reshuffle can take place only after August 30 but before September 3, when the Prime Minister leaves for China to attend the BRICS Summit. What is certain is that the process will be complete by September 5, when the fortnight-long pitru paksha or shraadh begins, which is considered an inauspicious period.
With reference to Gajendra Haldeas article, Monumental failures of RBI (August 23), I fully agree with him that the Reserve Bank of India has failed to perform its role as regulator of the banking system in India. One reason might be the invisible intervention by vested political and government agencies and people.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav would attend the here on August 27 and Mayawati's absence from the event was not a "setback", party chief Lalu Prasad said on Wednesday.

"I had a talk with Mayawati. She said senior BSP leader Satish Mishra would come for the rally," he told reporters.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief said senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and C P Joshi would also attend the rally with a message from All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi.

Asked about the chances of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi attending the event, Prasad said, "He could also be there."



He also claimed that Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee and rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav would be on the dais that day.

At the time of announcing the 'BJP Bhagao Rally' (oust BJP rally) at the Gandhi Maidan here, Prasad had boasted of bringing Mayawati and Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav together on one platform, which would mean the "end of the match for the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls".

Back then, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar was in the Grand Alliance, also comprising the RJD and the Congress, and Prasad, while heralding his coming together with Kumar in Bihar, had said joining hands by the SP and the BSP -- the two arch rivals in Uttar Pradesh -- would spell doom for the BJP in the next general election.

Asked about Kumar's and JD(U) principal general secretary K C Tyagi's comments that if Sharad Yadav attends the against the party line, he would lose his Rajya Sabha membership, Prasad claimed that there was no such provision.

"Is there any provision like this in any party?...Political party leaders attend rallies organised by others...It does not come under the anti-defection law," he said.

Prasad further said, "Sharad Yadav represents the true JD(U)."



Sharad Yadav, who had attended a parallel 'Jan Adalat' meeting, instead of attending the JD(U) executive meeting on Saturday, had asserted, "Mahagathbandhan jaari hain (the Grand Alliance is continuing)."



The RJD chief is criss-crossing the state to mobilise people for the August 27 rally, which he has claimed would be a major occasion to bring together the secular forces on one platform against the BJP ahead of the 2019 polls.
In its campaign for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had promised 'achhe din', or better days. But its 2019 Lok Sabha, already in the works, is expected to shift the goalpost to the building of a 'New India'.
Amidst Opposition's demand for his stepping down from the position of Union Railway Minister over derailment of the Puri-Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express, Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday informed that though he takes moral responsibility of the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked him to wait.

Prabhu took to his Twitter handle to post a thread, where he says, "In less than three years as Minister, I have devoted my blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I tried to overcome decades of neglect through systemic reforms in all areas, leading to unprecedented investment and milestones."

"New India, envisioned by Prime Minister Modi, deserves Railways, which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path on which Railways is progressing now," he further said.

Adding, "I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to the passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish. I met Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, taking full moral responsibility. He has asked me to wait."

The Congress on Monday demanded Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu's resignation after the derailment of the Puri-Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express, which claimed the lives of 23 people and left more than 100 injured, at Muzaffarnagar's Khatauli region on August 19 evening.

In a press conference held here, the Congress cited previous examples of ministers, who resigned after such tragedies and asked Prabhu to do the same.

"When a similar incident happened four decades ago, the then Railway Minister stepped down. When a flight crash landed in Delhi, the former civil aviation minister Late Madhavrao Scindia resigned. The government should take moral responsibility for the accident," Congress leader Manish Tiwari said.

He added that the incident points to gross negligence on the part of the government.

"On 11th June, the villagers stopped a train going towards that direction as repair work was being done. Two months later, an accident happens in the same place. This is unacceptable," Tiwari said.

He also pointed to the fact that a number of promises were made by the current government, but on the contrary, the normal standards of the railways are going down as well

Earlier, the Congress said that the railways accident has become the continuing story in the last three years of Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

"We are not at all satisfied. In last three years of this NDA Government, 27 major accidents took place including this one. No single accident was investigated properly. Today, the railways accident is the continuing story. Let this minister and the government think whether they should take moral responsibility or not," Congress leader PC Chako told ANI.

Another grand old party leader Brijesh Kalappa said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) knows how to blame the Opposition, instead of accepting theirown mistakes.

"Who will take the responsibility of this tragic accident in Muzaffarnagar? In Modi government, there is no one to take the responsibility. They only know to how to blame the Opposition, to demand resignations from others instead of giving on their own mistakes," Kalappa said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An alleged would-be suicide bomber arrested one day before the planned bombing of a popular family attraction in the Indonesian capital should spend a decade in prison, prosecutors said today.

Dian Yulia Novi and her husband Nur Solihin were among four suspected militants arrested in December after police detected a plot to bomb a guard-changing ceremony at the presidential palace in Jakarta.

Chief prosecutor Juhana Nurhisyam told the East Jakarta District Court that Novi, a former migrant worker in Singapore and Taiwan who is nine months' pregnant, admitted during her trial that she took orders from Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian with the Islamic State group in Syria accused of orchestrating several attacks in Indonesia.

Police say Novi, 28, planned to detonate a 3-kilogram bomb that would have exploded as crowds of people gathered to watch the ceremony, a popular family attraction in Jakarta.

"She has been convincingly proven guilty," Nurhisyam said.

Novi said in a television interview after her arrest that she learned about jihad on social media and was influenced by articles written by Aman Abdurrahman, a radical cleric who police on Tuesday declared was the key suspect behind a suicide bombing and gun attack that killed eight people in Jakarta last year.

Novi and her lawyers will respond to the prosecution's case on Friday.

In a separate trial at the same court, prosecutors are seeking 5 years in prison for Tutin, who is accused of radicalizing Novi and encouraging her to become a suicide bomber. She was also the person who introduced Novi to Solihin.

Solihin, the alleged leader of a small extremist cell in Central Java's Solo city, told Indonesian TV following his arrest that he married Novi to facilitate her desire to become a suicide bomber.

Prosecutors are requesting 15 years in prison for Solihin and eight years for a fourth suspected militant, Agus Supriadi.

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Pakistan will face consequences like losing the major non-NATO ally status if it continues to provide safe heavens to terror groups, two top US leaders have warned, a day after President Donald Trump put Islamabad on notice for harbouring militants.

Trump came down heavily on Pakistan for its support to terror groups, saying the country receives billions of dollars in US aid but continues to harbour militants.

By providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan, Trump warned Islamabad that it has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists.

Defence Secretary James Mattis said that the Trump administration will surely take action against Pakistan in this regard this time.

He was responding to a question on a similar rhetoric in the past, but the US had shown reluctance in taking action against Islamabad.

"The words (of Trump) were very tough, but those words have been said before. What's actually going to be done to sort or align that with the strategy?" Mattis was asked.

"I understand the question. You'll just have to watch it unfold in order to really get the answer to it," Mattis who is currently on a trip to the Middle East told reporters travelling with him.

Mattis has directed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to make preparations to carry out Trump's strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"I will be in consultation with the Secretary General of NATO and our allies-several of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers. Together, we will assist the Afghan Security forces to destroy the terrorist hubs," he said.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson acknowledged that Pakistan's status as a non-NATO ally is now in question.

"We have some leverage that's been discussed in terms of the amount of aid and military assistance we give them; their status as a non-NATO alliance partner. All of that can be put on the table.

"But at the end of the day, Pakistan has to decide what is in Pakistan's best long-term interest from a security standpoint for themselves and for their people," he said.

The Taliban and other organisations inside Pakistan seem to be growing their numbers and their presence to the point that at some point they would become a real threat to the stability of the Pakistani government itself, he said.

Tillerson said that the Trump administration is adopting conditions-based diplomacy.

"Pakistan and the US historically had very good relationships. But over the last few years, there's been a real erosion in the confidence between our two governments.

"There's been an erosion in trust because we have witnessed terrorist organisations being given safe haven inside of Pakistan to plan and carry out attacks against US servicemen...," he said.

Tillerson did not rule out use of American military resources to attack terrorists if there were actionable intelligence.

"We're going to attack terrorists wherever they live and we have put people on notice if you're harbouring and providing safe haven to terrorists," he said.

The greatest benefactor other than the Afghan people themselves, to achieving stability and peace in Afghanistan are the people of Pakistan. They will benefit more than any other nation, Tillerson said.

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Three persons were charred to death when their car caught fire after hitting a cement block near here in the wee hours today, police said.

As per preliminary information, the three persons were on their way to Otur town in Pune district.

The car driver apparently lost control over the wheels following which it hit a cement block and immediately caught fire at around 1.30 am near Wadgaon Anand village in Junnar tehsil, about 95 kms from here, a police official said.

Some locals rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire. They informed the police who rushed to the spot and the victims were pulled out of the car, he said.

The police rushed the three men to a hospital where they were declared dead, the official said.

He said a technical examination by officials of the regional transport office would reveal the exact cause of the fire, and the reason why the occupants could not come out of the car when it got engulfed in flames.

The deceased were identified as Naresh Wagh, Dilipchandra Navale and Prashant Chaskar, all residents of Alephata town in the district, police added.

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The new Afghan strategy of the US seeking an enhanced role for India is an opportunity for New Delhi to work together on the kind of Afghanistan it wants to see and a signal that Pakistan was no longer a dominant player in the matter, analysts say.

Trump laid out his South Asia policy yesterday, saying a "critical part" of it was to develop US' strategic ties with India and called out Pakistan for supporting terrorist groups.

Bharath Gopalaswamy, director of the South Asia Centre, said the call for a larger Indian role in Afghanistan means the US wants New Delhi's greater economic involvement in the war-torn country.

Gopalaswamy said the new strategy also "gives India an opportunity to work with the US to determine what kind of Afghanistan it wants to see".

India is a key security and economic partner of the US, he said.

Trump had cited India's "billions of dollar in trade with US" as one of the reasons why New Delhi should step up its economic and development assistance to Afghanistan.

Gopalaswamy said India was already involved in development projects such as building dams and parliament in Afghanistan.

But, he added, Trump has "challenged" India to take a bigger role in Afghanistan than it currently has.

Sadanand Dhume, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, described the new strategy as a welcome step. "India should welcome being called out as a US partner in Afghanistan. This is a clear signal that Washington will no longer pay much heed to Islamabad's sensitivities, and Afghanistan is vital to India's broader security interests too," he told PTI.

Some were less than optimistic about the success of the new strategy in ending the 16-year war in Afghanistan.

Vikram Singh, who played a key role in the AfPak policy during the previous administration of Barack Obama, wondered how the US would implement its new strategy on Pakistan.

"Indians will welcome the tough language on Pakistan, but the fundamental American dependence on Pakistan for basics - like access for supplies - will not change, so neither will US policy," he said.

Singh is the vice president for Security and International Policy at Centre for American Progress.

"Good to welcome India's positive role and contributions to Afghanistan but not clear from Trump how he plans to proceed. Not different from Obama. And no actual strategy behind the aspirations," he said.

Jagdish Sewhani, president of the American India Public Affairs Committee, said Trump's Afghan strategy vindicates India's policy of development and peace in that country.

"It (would be) a game changer," he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Angry and offended Pakistanis fired back today against Donald Trump's accusations that their country harbours militants, highlighting the heavy toll they have paid fighting extremism and slamming his embrace of arch-rival India.

The US president unleashed blistering criticism of Pakistan this week as he unveiled his new Afghanistan policy which paves the way for the indefinite deployment of more troops to the war-weary country.

Trump lashed out at US ally Pakistan, accusing the country of playing a double game as it accepted American aid but gave safe haven to insurgents who kill Afghan and NATO troops.

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting," Trump said.

Pakistan sees nuclear-armed India as an existential threat but cannot defeat its much larger neighbour on the battlefield, so has instead crafted a strategy of supporting militant proxies -- including the Afghan Taliban.

Such groups tie down India in the contested Himalayan region of Kashmir and, in Afghanistan, help prevent the rise of an Indian-backed government.

Pakistani civilians have little power over regional strategy but have lost homes and loved ones to militant violence which has killed thousands in their own country since 2007. Trump's remarks provoked hurt and outrage among many.

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Authorities investigating a paramilitary Christian sect for child sexual abuse say they looking into whether the New Mexico group brought children into the country illegally.

Former group members say leaders kept them and the children living at sect's compound in "slavery."



Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace told The Associated Press yesterday that investigators found numerous children during a Sunday raid of the armed Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps in remote Fence Lake.

Exactly where the children came from is unknown because the sect apparently kept members from reporting births to state officials, Mace said.

A former sect member says the group illegally brought at least one child to the United States from one of its foreign missions, which according to its website were operated in Africa, India and the Philippines.

"The children were trained not to talk to law enforcement or to hide from law enforcement," Mace said.

During the raid, authorities arrested three sect members in connection with a child abuse and child sex abuse investigation. A former group member was arrested in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

Sect co-leader Deborah Green was arrested on charges that included failure to report the birth to child abuse and sexual penetration of a minor.

Peter Green, also known as Mike Brandon, faces 100 counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child on suspicion of raping a girl "at least four times a week" from the time she was 7, according to court documents.

Joshua Green, the son of sect founders Deborah and James Green, was charged with failure to report a birth. Stacey Miller faces one count each of intentional abuse of a child age 12 to 18, bribery of a witness and not reporting a birth.

The group in a statement called the allegations "totally false."



"We don't know who all the accusers are, but the accusations are just re-runs of old lies that have been investigated and shown to be malicious attacks against a legitimate ministry," the statement said.

The raid followed a two-year investigation of the sect by the Cibola County Sheriff's Office in connection with the 2014 death of Miller's 12-year-old son, Enoch Miller.

Mace said deputies surprised the sect's Fence Lake compound during church services to ensure they arrested all group members at once. He said authorities were worried that armed group members would try to block the arrests.

The sheriff said deputies found weapons and silencers that they turned over to the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Former group adherents said they were relieved to learn of the arrests. They said sect leaders had physically abused adult members and children and forced them to work in slave- like conditions.

"It was slavery," said 50-year-old Julie Gudino, 50, a sect member from 1984-2004. "(Deborah Green) told me, 'God was angry at you,' and she made me pull weeds, move rocks and do all kinds of physical work for punishment."



Gudino said Green kept her 8-year-old son and threatened him harm if she didn't complete her chores and later learned that sect members had physically abused the boy.

"They hit him over the head with a board," she said. "It gave him a gash."



Former follower Maura Alana Schmierer said she was forced to live in a shed with no toilet and with little food. She eventually escaped and successfully sued the sect in California before leaders relocated to New Mexico.

"I'm so glad (Deborah) Green is in jail where she belongs," said Carla Dechant Behr, whose brother Chris Dechant was a sect member who died at the compound in 2013. "All they have done is break up families and cause pain."



The organisation describes itself as "aggressive and revolutionary for Jesus" and offers a free spiritual "ammo pack" to anyone who writes.

Photos on the group's website show members in military- style clothing and on missions in Africa.

The site is laced with anti-Semitic language and anti-gay tirades about same-sex marriage, prompting the Southern Poverty Law Center to list the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps as a hate group.

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: Elected representatives in Puducherry, particularly in rural areas, must visit government schools, to ensure 'students do not suffer from any handicaps in their academic career,' Lt Governor Kiran Bedi today said.

In a WhatsApp message after visiting a government school here, she urged MLAs to visit government schools in rural areas in their constituencies.

"It is responsibility of all people's representatives to ensure our children do not suffer from any handicaps in development of skill," she said.

Bedi noted she had visited two government schools yesterday and today in keeping with her promise to improve standard of education.

The Lt Governor asked the Director of Education to make surprise visits to schools, particularly in rural areas daily to know about the areas for development.

She said there was a vast difference in standard of education between students in villages and those in urban schools.

She urged the Director of Education L Kumar who accompanied her today to the school in town limits to partner with Labour Department to provide after school skill training programmes for students.

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The toll in Bihar flood today rose to 367 with 26 more deaths even as 1.58 crore people are affected by the deluge in 19 districts of the state.

The flood toll stood at 341 till yesterday in the state.

Siwan was added to the list of flood-affected districts, a state disaster management department statement said here.

Around 7.76 lakh people have been shifted to safer areas, and with water receding in some places, many people have returned to their homes.

The statement said 1.67 lakh people are putting up in 696 relief camps.

Araria district alone accounted for 80 deaths, followed by Sitamarhi and West Champaran (36 each), Katihar (35), Madhubani (24), Kisanganj (23), Darbhanga (22), Madhepura, East Champaran and Gopalganj (19 each), Supual (15), Purnea (9), Khagaria, Saran and Muzaffarpur (7 each), Sheohar and Saharsa (4 each) and Samastipur district (1).

Meanwhile, a baby was born on a rescue boat of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the flood-hit East Champaran district today.

This is the third child born on NDRF boat in the current flood in Bihar.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is touring flood-hit districts of Kisanganj, Araria and Katihar, inspected a centre distributing flood relief to victims at Milia Engineering College in Kisanganj.

Kumar handed over a cheque of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of four deceased in Kochadhaman II block.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said here that all BJP legislators will donate at least one month's salary of about Rs 30,000 for flood relief while BJP ministers would contribute at least three months' salary of around Rs one lakh.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit the state on August 26 to take stock of flood situation.

A total of 28 teams of the NDRF comprising 1,152 personnel are engaged in flood relief and rehabilitation work with 118 boats.

Likewise, the Army's seven teams comprising 630 personnel are rendering services with the help of 70 boats and 16 State Disaster Response Force teams giving service with the help of 92 boats.

The MeT department office said that rains or thunder showers are likely to occur in Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnea districts tomorrow.

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The Chhattisgarh government today formed a cabinet sub-committee to review the arrangements at cow shelters following death of large number of cows in some state-aided facilities.

The panel will have four ministers and its mandate is to take stock of the arrangements and facilities in the cowsheds across the state, Urban Development Minister Amar Agrawal told reporters.

The decision to constitute the committee was taken during the Cabinet meeting held at Mantralaya here, he said.

Besides Amar Agrawal, the other minister-members of the panel are Brijmohan Agrawal (Agriculture and Animal Husbandry), Ajay Chandrakar (Panchayat and Rural Development) and Premprakash Pandey (Higher Education).

The Raman Singh government has come under sharp attack from the opposition Congress over the death of large number of cows at "gaushalas" in two districts of the state.

One of these state-aided shelters was run by BJP leader Harish Verma in Durg district.

According to the state officials, over 200 cows died in three gaushalas located in Durg and Bemetara districts last week due to "starvation and lack of care".

Four persons, including Verma, have been arrested in connection with the deaths.

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Several people including civilians were killed in an air strike on Wednesday in the Yemeni capital, witnesses and local media said.

A local television channel run by the country's Huthi rebels, who control Sanaa, reported more than 30 civilians killed in a raid by the Saudi-led military coalition that is allied with the Yemeni government.

The number could not be immediately independently confirmed.
Jammu and Kashmir government today removed the principal of a women's college which has been rocked by a student protests for two days over alleged imposition of "dress code" and "unnecessary diktats" by the management.

The government has also ordered an inquiry into the allegationsof students against the principal of the government college here.

"Pending inquiry into the matter, Anita Sudan Principal government college for women, Parade Jammu is hereby attached with Director College Higher Education department with immediately effect," Additional Secretary, higher education department, Mohmmad Ashraf Hakak said in an order.

Geetanjali Andhotra had been postedas incharge- principal of the college, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Rajiv Rajan, said that a probe has been ordered and a senior officer put on thejob.

"We have ordered probe. An officer has been assignedthe task. However, the principal has not been suspended," the DC said.

Earlier, students of the Government Women's College took to the streets for the second day today to press for removal of the principal, who had said that "wild allegations" had been levelled against her.

Sudan had claimed that she had taken several steps likestrict adherence to the college uniform and timing on recommendations of the parents of several students after four women went missing in the recent past, of whom one was tracedin Allahabad.

Joined by students of different colleges including leaders of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the protesting students including male members were stopped by the policemen at the main gate of the Deputy Commissioners office today, officials said.

The students staged a sit-in and later met the DC.

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The CPI(M) today handed over two cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of Junaid Khan, who was allegedly stabbed to death on a Mathura-bound train in Haryana's Ballabhgarh.

CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat led the delegation that gave the cheques to Junaid's parents at their home in Khatawali village on behalf of the party's Kerala unit, the Left party said in a statement.

The CPI(M) said its Kerala state committee arranged the funds after Junaid's parents, Jalaluddin and Saira, met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during his visit to the national capital last month.

Saira had then said she wanted to start a school for girls and name it after Junaid, the statement said.

"At a solemn and moving solidarity meeting, the delegation handed over two cheques of five lakh each to Junaid's parents on behalf of the Kerala State Committee," it said.

The funds are only a token of the strong feeling of solidarity in the time of grief, the statement quoted Karat as having said.

She also criticised the "subversion" of justice in the case, saying four of the six people arrested in connection with the incident had already been released on bail.

Junaid was stabbed to death and two of his brothers severely injured following an altercation on a Delhi-Mathura train on 23 June.

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The Enforcement Directorate today attached assets worth Rs 48 crore of the chairman of an educational trust in connection with a money laundering probe against him.

The central probe agency issued a provisional order attaching agricultural lands in Thiruttani, residential plots in Sriperumbudur and a land in Guduvancheri in Tamil Nadu, in the name of the chairman--T D Naidu, who allegedly duped aspiring medical students in lieu of admissions.

Naidu is the Chairman of the Thiruvallur-based Deen Dayal Medical and Educational Trust, which also runs a medical college.

He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2015 under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency is also investigating Naidu in a bank fraud case.

"In a case of bank fraud of about Rs 136 crore and cheating of students to the tune of Rs 16 crore, ED has further attached properties of about Rs 48 crore of Naidu, Chairman of the Deen Dayal Medical and Educational Trust, Thiruvallur under the provisions of the PMLA," the agency said in a statement.

It said the state police had registered several cases against Naidu based on complaints filed by students and their parents alleging that they were cheated to the tune of over Rs 16 crore in lieu of getting medical seats in the college run by him.

"Basic allegations are that he (Naidu) has taken huge amounts from them (students/parents) for medical admission in the Deen Dayal Medical College, Thiruvallur without having necessary permission from the Medical Council of India (MCI) and refused to pay back the same and threatened the people seeking refund," the ED alleged.

The CBI has also been probing Naidu in an alleged bank fraud case where the Andhra Bank was defrauded to the tune of Rs 69 crore and the Union Bank of India to the tune of Rs 67 crore by "fraudulently obtaining the loans with forged or fake documents".

The ED has earlier attached assets worth Rs 104 crore in the case and has also filed a charge sheet before a special anti-money laundering court here.

"During investigations, several other properties were noticed and it was observed that few of them were transferred in the name of his (Naidu's) children to evade recovery action from the banks.

"Some are in the name of Deen Dayal Educational and Health Trust, which is also controlled by Naidu only," the ED said.

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The first phase of the Musi Riverfront Development Project would commence by this year end, chairman of Musi Riverfront Development Corporation, Prem Singh Rathore said today.

A plan worth Rs 1,665 crore is being prepared for the riverfront development project on Musi river, which will be taken up in three phases.

Musi is a tributary of Krishna river, which cuts across Hyderabad, has now become one of the most polluted rivers in the country.

"We are starting this project before this year end. There will be a time-frame and it will be completed (as per schedule)," Rathore said, without specifying a time limit of completion of the project.

"We have taken services of reputed firms and there is a plan to install 32 sewerage treatment plants along side Musi. Besides, 72 lift irrigation (check-dams) system has been proposed to ensure maintenance of water in Musi round the year," Rathore told reporters here.

He was talking at the formal inauguration the office of the newly constituted Musi Riverfront Development Corporation.

Abatement of pollution, river conservation, riverfront development, beautification of the river are main components of the project.

River cleaning, bank stabilisation, river walkway, Musi nature grove, bridges, rowing course and water pools are also proposed under the riverfront development.

To a query, Rathore said, "Encroachments are there.. it will be dealt with accordingly as per law."



The Telangana government is expected to contribute Rs 500 crore for the project, while the remaining amount will be raised from banks and other financial institutions, according to corporation officials.

Earlier in the day, Telangana Home minister N Narasimha Reddy inaugurated the office.

The state government had earlier created a special purpose vehicle and appointed Prem Singh Rathore as chairman for the development and rejuvenation of Musi river.

It plans to take up the river's beautification on the lines of banks of Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad.

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Five policemen were injured today in an accident on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, the police said here.

A police vehicle, on way from here to Kulgam in south Kashmir for special duty, overturned on the highway near an Army camp in Awantipora area of the district, a police official said.

He said five policemen were injured in the accident which also left the vehicle damaged.

The injured policemen have been shifted to sub-district hospital Pampore for treatment, the official said.

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The State Election Commission has organised a four-day training at Gandhinagar for a group of returning officers to prepare them for the upcoming assembly polls, to be held later this year.

The training, which culminates tomorrow, is being conducted as part of a certification programme, launched recently by the Election Commission of India.

The first batch of 105 returning officers (ROs), from North Gujarat and Saurashtra-Kutch region, is being trained in election processes, including operating Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Train (VVPAT), among others, Chief Electoral Officer B B Swain said.

The programme was formulated by the Election Commission ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections early this year.

As part of the certification programme, 182 returning officers and 600 assistant returning officers will be provided four-day training in different batches. Training for assistant returning officers will be conducted next month, Swain said.

A month after the training, evaluators from outside the state will take interview of the ROs to assess their election preparedness, after which they will be given certificates, he said.

The Election Commission had recently told the Supreme Court that it will be able to conduct state assembly polls, using EVMs with paper trail, while hearing a petition, seeking direction for the use of VVPAT machines in election due later this year.

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The Bombay High Court today refused to issue any orders on regulating cattle vigilantes or on maintaining law and order ahead of the festival of Bakrid.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and M S Karnik said that it was "satisfied" with the state's and the Mumbai Police's preparedness on preventing and tackling unwarranted incidents of cattle vigilantism ahead of Bakrid.

The judges said considering the guidelines and various circulars issued by the state, and the Mumbai Police, they believed the authorities had kept in mind the "constitutional principle of secularism," and had "taken necessary steps to ensure people of all religions celebrate without causing any disturbance to one another."



The observations were made while the HC was disposing of a public interest litigation seeking that the court issue guidelines against cow vigilantes, or 'gau rakshaks'.

The plea had expressed the apprehension that cattle vigilante groups might "create trouble" during Bakrid.

It had also urged the court to issue directions to the state to ensure the safety of citizens, especially of cattle traders, and those who own or work in slaughter houses and meat shops.

The bench, however, said it felt no need to interfere, or "legislate judicially upon an issue that was the prerogative and the duty of the executive."



"The state has submitted before us the communication issued to all authorities concerned by the State Intelligence Bureau. The DGP, and the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, have also issued various circulars to their subordinates on maintaining law and order on and ahead of Bakrid," the bench said.

"This year, Bakrid coincides with Hindu festivals of 'Anantchaturdashi' and 'Gauri visarjan'.

The Maharashtra government and the Mumbai Police have issued necessary guidelines to ensure that people celebrate the festivals without causing any disturbance to those belonging to another religion," it said.

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The Delhi High Court today upheld a CIC order directing the Centre and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to give a copy of a report regarding alleged harassment and false cases filed against IFS officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi for exposing graft during his tenure as forest officer in Haryana.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva dismissed the IB's plea challenging Chief Information Commission's (CIC) April 2016 order directing them and Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to provide a copy of the IB report in relation to the harassment, human rights violation and false cases filed against Chaturvedi.

"The appeal is dismissed," the court said. The detailed order is awaited.

While staying the CIC decision, the court had asked the 2002 batch Indian Forest Service officer of the Haryana cadre to file his reply to the IB's petition.

Appearing for the IB, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain had told the court that the report cannot be made public as the agency is protected under section 24 of the RTI Act, which provides that intelligence and security agencies cannot be forced to make any information public.

However, Chaturvedi, who served as the chief vigilance officer at AIIMS from 2012-14, had relied on the proviso to Section 24 which goes on to say that though intelligence and security agencies are exempt from the Act, they cannot claim exemption if the information sought from them relates to corruption and human rights violation.

Chaturvedi, who is currently posted as Conservator of Forest at Haldwani in Nainital District of Uttarakhand, had had sought through RTI, a copy of the IB report submitted in relation to false cases filed against him by "corrupt" officers exposed by him during his term as divisional forest officer (DFO) in Haryana.

MOEF had sought the opinion of the IB, which had objected to the disclosure. Chaturvedi had then approached the CIC.

The officer in his application to the CIC had said that obtaining the report would help him fight the violation of his human rights caused by those public servants whose corruption he had exposed as part of his duties as an IFS officer.

He had argued that the harassment and false allegations against him were directly linked to his exposure of corruption in the Haryana government, as well as at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The CIC had held that even though the IB is exempted from sharing information under the RTI Act, under Section 24 of the Act it has to share information pertaining to allegations of corruption and human rights violations.

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The Kerala High Court today upheld the discharge of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the SNC Lavalin graft case, saying the CBI had "wrongly picked" him as prima facie there was no case against him.

Justice P Ubaid, who also upheld the discharge of two others in the Rs 374.50-crore graft case, rejected the CBI's plea that their full-fledged trial was necessary to prove the conspiracy.

The court gave its verdict in a revision petition filed by the CBI in the Kerala High Court in 2014 challenging the discharge of Vijayan and six others in the case by a special CBI court in Thiruvananthapuram.

The CBI special court, Thiruvananthapuram, had in November 2013 discharged Vijayan and others in the case of alleged corruption in awarding a contract to the Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin when Vijayan was power minister in 1996 that allegedly caused a loss of Rs 374.50 crore to the state Exchequer.

"The CBI wrongly picked and chose Pinarayi Vijayan without any material in the case," the judge said today.

The CBI, which had filed the charge sheet in the case, had argued that there was sufficient evidence to prove the charges against the accused.

The discharge by the special court was 'illegal', CBI had stated in its revision petition.

The special judge had ruled that the CBI had failed to prove the charges of conspiracy and corruption levelled against Vijayan and other accused.

The CBI had in March argued before the court that a trial was must to prove the conspiracy in giving the contract to revamp the power projects to the Canadian firm when Vijayan was power minister in 1996.

Claiming that the conspiracy was hatched at different stages in awarding the contract, the CBI had assailed the lower court order discharging Vijayan and six others and said a full-fledged trial was necessary to prove the conspiracy.

In a criminal case, the actual trial begins only after framing of charges in the case by the court on the basis of prima facie evidence existing against the accused.

The accused is discharged by the court in absence of any such evidence.

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Haryana and Punjab were today put on high alert and prohibitory orders imposed ahead of the court verdict in a sexual exploitation case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh with authorities not ruling out taking Army's help to maintain law and order.

The Centre has also assured all possible help to the Punjab and Haryana governments to deal with any situation.

"We are in regular touch with the governments of Punjab and Haryana. Whatever help is required, will be provided," a home ministry spokesperson said in Delhi.

Security forces were carrying out flag marches at many sensitive places in both the states. Paramilitary forces have already reached Punjab and Haryana and many more are on way to sensitive places there.

Terming the situation dynamic, Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas said the state has got eight additional companies of paramilitary forces and an additional 2,500 police personnel from internal sources have also been mobilised for deployment in different parts of the state.

Responding to reporters' questions, he said, "The state government would also call in the Army, if necessary, impose curfew according to time and circumstances and initiate all steps required to maintain law and order in the state."



The state administration is continuously in touch with Dera followers for maintaining peace, Niwas said.

Dera followers have been assembling in large numbers at the sect's Sector 23 based "Naam Charcha Ghar" (congregation/ prayer centre) in Panchkula to show their solidarity with the sect chief.

With the arrival of Dera followers, including women, in Chandigarh's neighbouring city Panchkula, the Union Territory has been declared "sensitive".

"One lakh 'premis' (dear followers) have already arrived in Panchkula," Chandigarh DGP Tejinder Singh Luthra said and asserted that nobody will be allowed to disturb law and order.

He said elaborate security arrangements have been made with over 5,000 security personnel being deployed at sensitive and vulnerable points to maintain peace.

Gauri Prashar Joshi, the Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula, which has been declared a highly sensitive zone, said there is a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces near the routes leading to the district court complex in Panchkula.

The Haryana government has directed that Deputy Commissioners, Sub Divisional Officers (Civil) and other Haryana Civil Services officers would not avail leave till further orders.

All district administrations need to be in full strength, a spokesperson of the Haryana personnel department said, adding, "The leave, if already sanctioned, stands cancelled."



Haryana Health Department too has cancelled leave of all its medical and para-medical staff up to August 30.

As a precautionary measure, educational institutes would remain closed in Panchkula district and its neighbouring city Chandigarh until Friday, officials said.

The Haryana government said except for offices of essential services, August 24 and 25 would be observed as gazetted holidays in government offices, boards, corporations, and banks in Sectors 4, 5 and 6 of Panchkula only.

Teaching work in all the universities and colleges in the state will remain suspended on August 25, a spokesperson of Haryana's Higher Education department said.

According to officials, interviews to be conducted by the state's service selection board on August 24 and 25 have been rescheduled.

In Punjab, all schools and colleges have been ordered to remain shut on Friday.

A complete ban has been issued on carrying of firearms, with orders to shut down private gun houses selling arms and ammunition to license holders, a spokesperson said after a meeting convened by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh this evening to review the state's security arrangements.

The chief minister also ordered withdrawal of 1,000 police personnel from VVIP security for deployment on field duty to strengthen the security blanket in the state, the spokesperson said.

State-owned Punjab Roadways will not run its buses towards Sirsa, where the headquarter of Dera is located, from tomorrow, while PRTC will stop plying of buses towards Haryana on Friday.

The Haryana Roadways too have decided to suspend its bus service to Chandigarh and Panchkula depots for two days from tomorrow, a spokesperson of the transport department said.

To keep a close vigil on law and order situation, security agencies in the two states and their joint capital Chandigarh will resort to videography and aerial surveillance using drones, officials said.

The situation which is building up ahead of Friday's verdict has also prompted several families in sensitive districts of the two states to reschedule the marriages which were slated to be solemnised on August 25.

The Haryana government is also keeping a close eye on social media to prevent spread of rumours and Ram Niwas said the DCs and the SPs have been given the authority to monitor social media wherever required.

Meanwhile, Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim took to Twitter to give a message of "selfless service and meditation" to his followers.

"Selfless service, meditation and firm belief are the ornaments in spirituality," he said in a tweet and also shared a link to a Facebook video of one of his discourses.

When asked if the Dera chief will appear before the court in Panchkula on Friday, a spokesperson of the sect said its head has always followed the law and will do so in future also.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, in Amritsar, asked Amarinder Singh to ensure law and order in Punjab.

He also asked members of the Sikh community to maintain peace and harmony and keep strict vigil on all Gurdwaras round the clock to protect those from anti-social elements, who may take advantage of the situation.

Amid reports that the Dera followers could stock petrol, 'lathis' and other weapons at 'naam charcha ghars', Punjab Police have asked all its top ranking police officials to stay alert.

Punjab DGP Suresh Arora, who yesterday made a whirlwind tour of Bathinda, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali districts, today visited Sangrur to check security arrangements.

Various hotels and guest houses in tricity area of the two states comprising Panchkula, Chandigarh and Mohali are being checked by the security personnel.

Heavy police has been deployed in Bathinda, which shares its border with Sirsa -- the Dera headquarters in Haryana.

The Dera head has had a run-in in the past with Sikh radicals who had accused him of having allegedly dressed up as the tenth Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh, in 2007, following which Punjab had remained on boil for many days.

The special CBI court in Panchkula will pronounce the judgment in sexual exploitation case against the Dera chief on August 25 and he has also been asked to appear in person before the court on the same day.

The case was registered in 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after anonymous letters were circulated about the alleged sexual exploitation of two 'sadhvis' (female followers) by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

However, the Dera chief has denied these charges.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The clamour to bring Infosys co- founder Nandan Nilekani back to the company grew louder today with the firm's former CFO V Balakrishnan and a group of 12 major institutional investors seeking his return for the 'clean up'.

Nilekani, who was CEO of the company between 2002 and 2007, has so far refused to comment on the crisis Infosys is facing after Vishal Sikka last week abruptly resigned as chief executive citing slander by promoters.

The current management as well as the founders are said to be seeking support of key investors. The founders, insiders say, may want an EGM to be called to vote out the board.

Co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, who has been leading the campaign against the board accusing it of governance lapses, postponed his conference call with investors today citing health issues. The call is now scheduled for August 29.

Talking to PTI, Balakrishnan (ex CFO) said Chairman Seshasayee and co-chairman Ravi Venkatesan should be asked to go for "letting down shareholders" and Nilekani be made the Chairman.

A dozen institutional investors in Infosys including HDFC Asset Management, ICICI Prudential Asset Management and Birla SunLife Asset Management, have written to the board saying Nilekani's return would be welcomed as he enjoys the confidence of clients, shareholders and employees.

Nilekani - under whom Infosys had seen a 42 per cent CAGR in dollar revenue - is seen as someone who the co-founders, led by Murthy, would listen to and one who can restore order in the troubled company.

He fought the last Lok Sabha election from Bengaluru on a Congress ticket and lost. Yet, he was made advisor by the Narendra Modi government to oversee the drive for a less-cash economy after demonetisation.

Considered an execution man, he was one who rolled out India's biggest tech project, Aadhaar, under the previous UPA government.

Those seeking ouster of the current management say Nilekani has the credibility and political capital to act as a conduit between the warring board and the founders.

Infosys, in an emailed statement, said the company does not have any further updates to share at this point of time.

"We will not be making any comments on speculation and rumours," it added.

Emails sent to Murthy and Nilekani went unanswered, even as another founder S Gopalakrishnan said he did not wish to comment on issues related to Infosys.

Balakrishnan said given the current situation, the board should consider getting Nilekani at the helm.

"Nilekani is a good face to have ... I personally think if at all he comes back, he should come in as the chairman and try to identify a good CEO. That will be ideal situation," he said.

Balakrishnan argued that Nilekani had "done well" during his tenure at Infosys and was well connected with customers.

"Nilekani is a good global face and is most respected. Moreover, he has worked in large government projects... Aadhaar... He has the right credentials to come to the board," Balakrishnan said, but hastened to add that Nilekani's return is a "speculation" at this point.

The dozen investors, who together own roughly 10 per cent of the Infosys shares, in their letter to the board said, "Given his (Nilekani's) credentials, we feel, that his joining the board at this stage, will restore confidence of stakeholders in the company and also facilitate resolution of the contentious issues that Infosys is facing presently."



The founders and their families holds about 12.75 per cent stake.

Meanwhile, Infosys' third largest institutional investor OppenheimerFunds (2.16 per cent stake) has said its views on the company have not been "materially" impacted by Sikka quitting.

"The investment team's thesis on Infosys has not been materially affected by the CEO resignation," OppenheimerFunds spokesperson Kimberly Weinrick told PTI.

Another fund, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) - which owns 1.32 per cent stake in Infosys - declined to respond to a detailed questionnaire on the developments at the company.

The day Sikka announced his resignation, Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAS) had spoken out in favour of Nilekani being brought back on the board as its non-executive chairman.

IiAS had said the Infosys board has been "unable to protect its CEO" and to select a successor, it must begin by "reinventing itself".

"It must convince Nandan Nilekani to join the board once again as its non-executive chairperson," it had said in a report, adding that Nilekani should not see this as any other corporate job as Infosys is at the heart of Indian IT and its success will foretell how the sector will position itself for future.

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Iraqi forces today recaptured several districts and advanced towards the centre of Tal Afar, one of the Islamic State group's last strongholds in the country, as aid workers braced for an exodus of civilians fleeing the fighting.

Armoured personnel carriers full of soldiers and fighters of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition moved into Al- Nur district early in the morning as warplanes flew overhead, said an AFP photographer on the ground.

They encountered trucks parked across roads with earthen embankments aimed at stopping them, as well as sniper fire from rooftops and mortar shelling.

Six weeks after routing the jihadists from Iraq's second city Mosul, Iraqi forces launched an assault Sunday on Tal Afar, where an estimated 1,000 jihadists are holed up.

They retook three first districts of the city on Tuesday, but as with the gruelling nine-month campaign to recapture Mosul, their convoys face an onslaught of suicide and car bomb attacks.

Today, they "entered the neighbourhood of Al-Kifah North... And headed towards the centre of the city," said Ahmed al-Assadi, spokesman for the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition fighting IS alongside the army and police.

"All the lines of IS defence outside the city have been broken and the troops are advancing from all directions towards the inner quarters of the city," he added.

The Hashed also announced the capture of the districts of Al-Tanak and Al-Sinaai in eastern Tal Afar.

As government forces advanced, troops said they discovered a network of underground tunnels used by the jihadists to launch attacks behind lines of already conquered territory, or to escape.

In a bid to counter these surprise attacks, the Iraqis dropped leaflets overnight calling on civilians to help by marking houses where the jihadists are located.

The International Organization for Migration said "thousands of civilians" had fled Tal Afar since the offensive began.

But around 30,000 civilians are trapped in the fighting, according to the United Nations.

Caught between the two sides, those still inside the city have been pounded by Iraqi and US-led coalition aircraft for weeks, as well as intense artillery fire since Sunday.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) fears they could be "used as human shields" and that "attempts to flee could result in executions and shootings," said the spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The United Nations and aid agencies are working to establish shelters for the displaced.

Those who flee through desert areas face temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius (109 Fahrenheit), sometimes for periods of more than 10 hours, putting them at risk of dehydration, said Viren Falcao of the Danish Refugee Council.

Tal Afar was once a key supply hub for IS between Mosul -- which lies around 70 kilometres to the east -- and the Syrian border.

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Key WTO members, including India, will meet in Morocco to deliberate upon the agenda which will be formally discussed at the forthcoming ministerial conference in Argentina, a senior official today said.

Geneva based officials will soon work on the draft agenda for October meeting in Morocco, ahead of the Argentina ministerial meeting in December.

"It will be a mini-ministerial kind of meeting at Marrakesh, Morocco. The ministers will talk about the agenda which will go to the ministerial conference in Argentina," the commerce ministry official said.

Perhaps this is for the first time that key WTO members are meeting just before the ministerial conference, the highest decision making body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), to finalise the agenda.

India is pitching to fulfil the pending agenda which includes finding a permanent solution to the issue of food stockpiling.

The country also wants the WTO members to deliberate upon a proposal submitted by India in trade facilitation in services.

On the other hand developed countries, including the US, are pushing for inclusion of certain new issues like investment facilitation and e-commerce in the World Trade Organisation agenda.

India has stated that discussions on new issues could divert attention from priority areas.

Procurement and public stock-holding for food security are invaluable instrumentalities used in developing countries where agriculture is mainly rain-fed and markets are imperfect and not integrated.

The food security issue concerns several developing nations which provide subsidised foodgrain to their poor.

A peace clause exists till a permanent solution is found for the food stockpiling issue.

This clause has enabled India to continue procurement and stocking of foodgrain for distribution to the poor under its food security programme without attracting any kind of action from WTO members even if it breaches the 10 per cent subsidy cap as prescribed by the multilateral trade body.

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A Scottish man has been put on trial over racism charges in the UK after he refused to be treated by an optician of Indian and Pakistani-origin, saying the Manchester terror attack "was the last straw" for him.

Eric Greene, 58, visited the Lanark branch of a British optical retail chain when he told Sarah Kerr that he would "rather be seen by a white person", a court has heard.

Greene was branded a bigot by Sheriff Nikola Stewart who told him, "Charlottesville is what happens if you don't take this kind of thing seriously," the Scotsman reported.

Greene, of Lanarkshire, had gone to the store when he was asked by the employee to join her at her desk.

The appointment was two days after the Manchester Arena bombing of May 22 that saw 22 people killed at an Ariana Grande concert.

Trainee optician Kerr noticed Greene looked hesitant but was left stunned when he told her, "I don't mean to sound impersonal but I'd rather be seen by a white person".

Greene pulled down his t-shirt to show he was wearing a Star of David necklace and added, "I'm sorry but Manchester was the last straw for me".

Horrified staff overheard the outburst and asked him to leave before police were called and Greene was arrested.

On being interviewed, he repeated that Manchester was the last straw for him and told police he had family living there.

Greene has appeared at Lanark Sheriff Court and admitted a racist breach of peace, the report said.

"The complainer is of Indian and Pakistani origin but British born, and is employed in the store as a trainee," Depute fiscal Ziad Hassan said.

"She asked him to join her at her desk and she would book him in as is standard procedure. She noted he appeared hesitant but eventually he came and sat down," Hassan was quoted as saying.

The accused asked her if she would be his optician for the day but she explained she would only be booking him in, according to Hassan.

"He then stated, 'I'm sorry to be impersonal but I'd rather be seen by a white person'. The complainer was taken aback by this and other staff in the shop overheard the comments," he said.

"The accused stated 'Manchester was the last straw' and he was asked to leave and police were contacted," Kathleen McNulty, defending, said.

"His wife says his filter has gone but I'm not trying to diminish what was said to this lady...He spent time in the cells as a result and this will now follow him," she said.

Sheriff Stewart said, "I'm shocked and I think everybody in this courtroom is shocked by that utterly bigoted and prejudicial narration."



"Prejudice is a cancer which eats away at society and stops it being a place in which we feel safe," Stewart said. Greene would be sentenced next month.

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As a leadership crisis continues at Infosys, an investor advisory firm on Wednesday said the IT firm's founders have not always been in sync with each other and N R Narayana Murthy's public criticism of the management may not necessarily represent that of the entire promoter group.

Citing the voting pattern of promoters on various management proposals that have faced criticism in past three years, Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAS) said the founders have never voted against any resolution.

"In case they do not acquiesce with what the management proposes, they express their unhappiness by abstaining; all the while vocalisation their reservation," it said.

The report comes amid a tussle between some of founders, including N R Narayana Murthy, and the management over a range of issues like alleged corporate governance lapses at the firm, higher compensation paid to CEO Vishal Sikka and severance package extended to certain former executives.

Vishal Sikka, the first non-founder CEO of Infosys, resigned on August 18 from the company following months of acrimony with high-profile founders, led by N R Narayana Murthy, citing "malicious" and "personal attacks" on him.

While Sikka did not name Murthy for his exit, the board of the $10 billion firm blamed him for "continuous assault" through "factually inaccurate" and "already-disproved rumours" for the sudden resignation "despite strong board support".

Murthy, who left all board positions at before Sikka began his five-year term in August 2014, launched a counter-offensive saying that all he wanted as a shareholder was good governance and had neither questioned Sikka's work nor sought money or position for his children.

IiAS said the voting pattern of promoters' shares in resolutions presented by the company over the past 36 months is "unmistakable evidence" of an internal difference of opinion.

Not all founders vote on all resolutions suggesting that they are in not always in sync with each other, the investor advisory firm said.

"Therefore, one could well conclude that not all promoters share Narayana Murthy's concerns or even support his public criticism of the company and its board," it said.

According to IiAS, the voting over this 36-month period shows that even as the public debate over Sikka and the board's behaviour raged, another discussion was taking place, away from the bright lights.

"And just like there have been strong but opposing views regarding all decisions in public, the founders too have been at odds," IiAS added.
Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today left for India on a five-day state visit at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Leading a 59-member delegation, Deuba, on his first official trip abroad, departed for New Delhi at around 10 AM (local time).

The prime minister's delegation comprises four ministers, 12 lawmakers from various political parties and nine secretaries. A separate business delegation is also accompanying him.

Deuba's wife Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Finance Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, Tourism Minister Jitendra Dev and Commerce Minister Meen Bishwakarma are also in the delegation.

It also includes National Planning Commission vice- chairman Swarnim Wagle and National Reconstruction Authority CEO Govinda Raj Pokharel, secretaries of various ministries and 21 lawmakers.

Deuba is scheduled to address Indian business community in New Delhi today. Tomorrow, he will attend the ceremonial reception and inspect the Guard of Honor at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also hold an official meeting with Modi.

Deuba is scheduled to visit Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and Bodh Gaya in Bihar before returning to Nepal on Sunday.

Main opposition leader KP Sharma Oli yesterday urged Deuba to discuss the issues of Nepal's national interest during his India visit, including the problem of floods in border areas, energy development and the 1950 bilateral treaty.

Deuba took over from Prachanda as the prime minister of Nepal in a power-sharing deal in June.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba, who arrived here today on a four-day visit, his first trip abroad after assuming office in June.

Modi and Deuba will review the entire gamut of bilateral ties tomorrow and are likely to deliberate on ways to further deepen the Indo-Nepal relationship in a range of areas including trade and investment.

Deuba was received at the airport by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, reflecting the importance India attaches to his visit.

"A special welcome for a close neighbour! EAM @SushmaSwaraj receives @PM_Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba on his arrival on a State Visit to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with a photo of Swaraj greeting Deuba.

The Nepalese prime minister is expected to apprise Modi of the political situation in his country, particularly on the steps being taken by his government to fulfil aspirations of the Indian-origin Madheshi community.

"The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on the issues of mutual interest and advancing age-old special ties of friendship between our two countries," the External Affairs Ministry had said on Monday.

Nepal has been facing a political crisis since the adoption of a new Constitution in September 2015. Madhesis, mostly of Indian origin, have been opposing the new statute as they fear it would marginalise them by dividing the country into seven provinces.

Madhesi protests from October 2015 to February 2016 had resulted in the closure of key trading points with India, triggering shortage of essential supplies in the land-locked country.

The blockade of trade points with India ended in February after more than 50 people were killed in clashes with the police.

Deuba took over as prime minister in June 2017. During his four-day visit, he will also travel to Hyderabad and Bodh Gaya.

The Nepal PM will also call on the president and the vice-president.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today said Iran wielded growing influence in Syria that was a "threat" to his country as he met Russian President Vladimir Putin, a figure in the Syrian crisis.

"Iran is putting in great efforts to fortify its presence in Syria. This is a threat for Israel, for the Middle East and, I believe, for the whole world," Netanyahu said in remarks translated into Russian posted on the Kremlin's website.

"Iran has furthered its control and influence on Iraq, on Yemen. In practice, it in many ways has real control over Lebanon," he said as the two met in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.

"Where we overcome ISIL and it disappears, Iran comes in," Putin said, referring to an acronym for the Islamic State jihadist group, also known as ISIS and Daesh.

"We cannot forget for a minute that Iran continues to threaten to destroy Israel on a daily basis," Netanyahu said, accusing Tehran of "arming terrorist organisations."



Putin supports the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which is also strongly backed by Iran.

Since Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, Israel has maintained a policy of attacking arms convoys intended for its Lebanese arch-foe Hezbollah, which backs the Syrian regime and fought a devastating war against the Jewish state in 2006.

Netanyahu had also opposed a ceasefire agreed by Russia and the US in southwest Syria last month over Iranian presence there.

Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

Around 510 sq. Km. Remain under Syrian control.

Israel and Iran regularly accuse each other of being a threat to stability in the region.

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A 43-year-old Pakistani-origin man, who tried to smuggle a pipe bomb on to a flight from Manchester to Italy, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison, a media report said today.

Nadeem Muhammad was found to be carrying the "crude explosive device" when he was searched as he tried to board a flight to Bergamo on January 30. Security officers found the bomb, made from batteries, tape, a marker pen and pins, in the zip lining of a small green suitcase he was carrying, Guardian reported.

Sentencing him, judge Patrick Field was quoted by the report as saying that the court had heard no evidence of a motive - whether political, religious or terrorist - but that Muhammad's actions had shown an intention to cause harm to life and therefore deserved a long prison sentence.

During the trial at Manchester crown court, the jury heard that Muhammad, who was born in Pakistan but had an Italian passport, had intended to detonate the device on the Ryanair flight, the report said.

Airport security swabbed the confiscated device but found no trace of explosives, so concluded it was not dangerous.

Muhammad was questioned by police and said the device could have been put into his bag by somebody else, possibly his wife.

He missed his flight, but was not arrested, and was able to board another flight to Italy a few days later on February 5. On February 8, when the device was examined again, suspicions were raised and a bomb squad called.

Explosives experts found it was a "crude but potentially viable improvised explosive device" containing nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose. Muhammad was arrested when he returned to the UK on February 12.

Muhammad, who claims to have had no knowledge of the device, wept in the dock as the majority verdict of 10 to two was read to the court earlier this month.

Field said: "There is simply an absence of evidence here of motivation and I am therefore not in a position to be sure that you were pursuing a terrorist purpose, therefore I cannot conclude this was an offence with a terrorist connection".

Muhammad was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment with an extension period of five years on licence.

Following the sentencing, Field criticised airport security for making the "wholly erroneous and potentially dangerous" decision that the bomb was not viable.

He said he was unlikely to be the only one to have been alarmed by some of the evidence in the trial and that he hoped security and policing at the airport would be reviewed at the highest level.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly constructed gates of Narmada Dam on September 17 during his visit to Gujarat on his birthday, state BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said today.

The new gates raise the height of the dam to 138.68 metres.

"Modi will inaugurate Narmada Dam at Kevadiya in the presence of religious leaders and others. Later he will address people at Dabhoi in Vadodara district," Pandya said.

The Narmada Control Authority in June this year granted permission to the state government to close the gates, which will raise water level in the Sardar Sarovar reservoir, after being convinced that rehabilitation of the people displaced due to the project was complete.

This will be Modi's sixth visit this year to his home state where Assembly elections are due by year-end.

Ahead of Modi's visit, the state will organise Narmada Mahotsav Yatra from September 6 to 15.

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The police today claimed to have busted an illegal casino-cum-bar being run in a 13-acre farmhouse in south Delhi's Fatehpur Beri with the arrest of 30 people.

The Delhi Police raided the facility last night and nabbed 14 players and five women casino-cum-bar attendants, among others. The owner of the property was also arrested, the police said.

Thirteen luxury vehicles were also seized, they said.

Yesterday, the Vigilance Branch of south district had received tip off about the high-profile racket following which a team was formed under Assistant Commissioner of Police (South) Ram Singh and a trap was laid around 11 PM.

The team recovered gambling chips worth crore of rupees from there, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ishwar Singh. During inquiry, it was found that the property belongs to one Suresh Yadav, who was also arrested.

Police have also seized gambling coins worth over a crore from the spot and 56 liquor bottles and playing cards, said the DCP.

Police said the casino was being run for the last two months from the farmhouse that was also rented out for shooting of various TV serials and films earlier.

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An illegal casino-cum-bar, being run in a 13-acre farmhouse in southwest Delhi's Fatehpur Beri area, has been busted and 30 people have been apprehended, the police said today.

Last night, the Delhi Police raided the casino and apprehended 30 people, including 14 players and five woman casino-cum-bar attendants, they said.

The police has also seized 13 luxury vehicles from the spot.

The sprawling farmhouse was also being used for shooting of various TV serials and films.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Chandigarh administration has submitted a proposal to the Centre to convert PEC University of Technology here into an IIT, city's administrator V P Singh Badnore said here today.

"A proposal to convert PEC University of Technology into an IIT has already been sent to the Union government," Badnore said while addressing a press conference here on the completion of one year in office as Chandigarh Administrator and Punjab Governor.

"Besides expanding primary and secondary education by opening new schools, I want to focus on the quality of education being imparted at every level," he said.

The idea to convert PEC University into an IIT has been a long-standing one. After being shelved for years, the issue has picked steam again in the last three years.

If PEC manages to gain the IIT status, it will be equipped with better facilities and get independent funding, although the institute will then have to do away with the 50 per cent reservation for applicants from Chandigarh union territory.

Badnore also said Chandigarh should assess the total carbon footprint and make an action plan of reduction of carbon footprint in accordance with the steps taken by various developed cities in the world conforming to the principles of climate change.

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A former Beijing lawyer pleaded guilty to subversion in court on Tuesday and confessed to receiving Western training that sparked ideas of "overthrowing China's current political system".

Jiang Tianyong, 46, stood trial at the Changsha Intermediate People's Court, in Hunan province, for inciting the subversion of State power. He expressed remorse and asked for leniency.

Jiang denied rumors that he was tortured in detention, and he admitted to fabricating such rumors about former lawyer Xie Yang in an effort to smear the image of the Chinese government and judiciary.

Jiang said he realized "that my behavior to subvert State power and overthrow the socialist system was counter to Criminal Law and constituted a crime. I deeply regret what I've done and plead guilty".

A verdict will be handed down at a later date, according to the court.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Jiang repeatedly attacked the Chinese government, judicial organs and political system on the internet and in overseas media.

Since 2009, he wrote more than 33,000 social media posts, 214 of which incited subversion, prosecutors said.

He intentionally exaggerated "sensitive cases", unscrupulously distorted facts and incited others to gather and cause trouble in public areas, according to the indictment.

In July of 2016, Jiang used Telegram, an overseas instant messaging application, to organize and incite others to gather at the gate of a local court in Tianjin on Aug 1, where a subversion lawsuit would be held several days later, prosecutors said.

He colluded with anti-China forces overseas and incited hostility against the government, according to the indictment.

Jiang confessed in court that he went abroad five times to receive Western constitutional system training and that this prompted him to try to overthrow China's political system.

The training "had an impact on me, helping develop ideas of overthrowing China's system and implementing the Western system in China", he said.

Jiang confessed to being behind multiple rumors of the torture of another former lawyer, Xie Yang.

"I deliberately fabricated torture details of Xie while he was in police detention and played to Western media's taste, aiming to tarnish the image of the government and judicial organs," he said.

Jiang became a lawyer in Beijing in 2004 but was barred from practicing law by the Beijing Justice Bureau in 2009.

He was placed under surveillance on Dec 1, 2016, and formally arrested on May 31, according to prosecutors.

Jiang said his legal rights had been fully protected. "Judicial authorities have handled the case in strict accordance with the law," he said, adding that the rumors he was tortured are untrue.

About 40 people attended his trial, including his relatives and attorneys, as well as legislators, political advisers and journalists.

Jiang's father attended the trial, though his wife, Jin Bianling, who is now overseas, did not, despite being informed of the hearing, according to the court.

Video footage of the trial was broadcast on the Changsha Intermediate People's Court's Sina Weibo micro blog.

luowangshu@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/23/2017 page3)
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today directed the home and judicial department to examine and implement in a time-bound manner the recommendations of the Justice Gill Commission regarding the "false" cases lodged during the previous BJP-SAD regime.

The chief minister, who received the interim report from Justice (Retd) Mehtab Singh Gill here today, directed the Commission to monitor the implementation of the report, with the help of Secretary Home and Director Prosecution.

The Mehtab Singh Gill Commission of Inquiry, constituted by the chief minister on April 5, has so far examined 172 of the over 4200 cases/complaints received by it.

"In 79 cases, it has, after a thorough examination, found that Enforcement Department of the Government of India had correctly and impartially concluded the cases to be false," an official spokesman said.

"In another 19 cases, the Commission has recommended cancellation of FIR/withdrawal of case against the accused, and has recommended that the Home and Judicial Department should make a request to courts concerned, in a legal and proper manner, to cancel FIRs," he said.

In the remaining cases, the Commission has recommended prosecution of the complainant while suggesting that adequate compensation be recovered from the Investigating Officer.

In some cases, Gill has also recommended action against police officers responsible for instigating the false case, calling for dismissal of the officers, including at the DSP level.

The commission was mandated with probing alleged false police cases filed during the regime of Shiromani Akali Dal- BJP rule in Punjab.

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The desert state of Rajasthan will soon give the country an alternative to green tea - brewed from olive leaves.

State Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini said the brand -- named Olitia, The Olive Tea -- will be launched "very soon" by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

"The process has been completed and we will launch it as soon as we get time from the chief minister. It will be the first time in the country and the world that a green tea alternative will be produced out of olive leaves," he told PTI on the sidelines of an event in the city.

Rajasthan started cultivating olives in 2007 in collaboration with Israel and now the state cultivates them on 5,000 hectares, the minister said.

"And we have made a lot of progress since then. An olive refinery is operational in the state at Bikaner, also the country's first. We have also began production of olive honey," he said.

Asked how the state got the idea of producing "Olive green tea", Saini said, "I am a PhD in Agriculture myself, and I knew olive leaves have several health benefits. So I decided to get some study and lab testing done about it."



He showed several papers with findings of the lab studies.

A lab test, conducted in July, confirmed the presence of several anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and other such substances in the olive leaves.

One of the substances found was Luteolin.

"Experiments with Luteolin show that it suppresses bacteria-induced inflammation. Luteolin is an oxygen scavenger," reads the report.

He said the lab tests confirmed the presence of "such strong anti-oxidant" in olive leaves that they can help prevent several types of cancer -- blood cancer, prostate cancer and ovaries cancer.

After the studies and lab tests confirmed these properties of the olive leaves, the decision to process them was taken, he said.

"It will medically benefit those who suffer from mental stress, cardiac disease. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well," he said.

The Olitia, The Olive Tea, packet also claims it has zero caffeine, builds immunity, fight fatigue and has anti-ageing properties.

Saini said the "olive green tea" will come in multiple flavours which are in vogue these days like exotic, lemon and mint.

"We are trying to diversify and produces other flavours like ginger, Tulsi etc," he said.

"We have received proposals from various countries including the UK, the USA and from the Gulf, that they want to sign MoUs in this regard," he said.

The agriculture minister said that 66 per cent of "our state has arid or semi-arid climatic conditions. But we are among the leaders in the country as far as agricultural innovation is concerned thanks to the chief minister, scientists, officials and the people".

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Ahead of the 8th edition of the Mountain Echoes literary festival that begins tomorrow, an exhibition showcasing the traditional designs of Rajasthan was inaugurated here today.

Curated by Indian fashion designer Prasad Bidapa, the show titled "Handmade in Rajasthan" is being hosted at the Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre here.

With collections inspired by traditional 'kota doria' and handloom cotton saris, the exhibition celebrates the indigenous craft forms that give Rajasthan its distinctive identity and aims to present a 360-degree view of the state's textiles.

"Mountain Echoes presents a carefully curated segment of beautiful clothes which are handmade in Rajasthan. Each garment reflects the heritage aspect of Indian textiles and craftsmanship, creating a resonance that is luxurious and extremely collectible.

"From the finesse of the kota doria sari to the robust hand-woven khadi... From the exquisite precision of our hand- blocked printing to the finesse of our embroidery, this collection is an emphatic tribute to the spinners, weavers, dyers, printers and embellishers of the beautiful state of Rajasthan," Bidapa said.

The show sets the stage for the literary festival that will witness literary discussions with speakers from across the globe including Shashi Tharoor, Markus Zusak, Karma Gelay, Pema Abrahams among others.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the eastern Himalayas, Mountain Echoes literary festival is an initiative of the India-Bhutan Foundation, in association with the Indian literary consultancy, Siyahi.

The festival will come to a close on August 27.

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Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on disaster prevention and relief in Kyrgyz Republic beginning tomorrow during which he will have bilateral meetings with member nations.

"During the visit, the home minister is likely to have bilateral meetings with the ministers of some of the SCO member states," an official statement said today.

Founded in 2001, the SCO member countries are: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan, and the bloc is headquartered in Beijing.

When asked whether the home minister will meet his Chinese counterpart, a home ministry spokesperson said as of now no meeting has been fixed.

If Singh meets his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO meeting, it will bear significance as India and China has been engaged in a stand-off at Dokalam near the Sikkim sector.

On Monday, the home minister had said a solution to the ongoing stand-off between India and China at Dokalam would be found soon and hoped that Beijing would make a positive move in this regard.

China, however, yesterday said the only way to end the standoff in Dokalam was for India to unconditionally withdraw its troops from the area.

India and Pakistan had joined the SCO, the China- dominated security grouping, in June in Kazakhstan capital Astana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended the summit.

Today's statement said Singh is leading a delegation to attend the 9th meeting of heads of governments of SCO member states to be held at Choplon Ata in Kyrgyz Republic on August 24-25.

The meeting will deal with the prevention and elimination of emergency situations.

The participation of India as SCO member will open the additional opportunities for giving new impetus to the development of international cooperation in the field of protecting the population and territories from emergency situations within the framework of the SCO and will bring it qualitatively new positions in regional and global formats, the statement said.

The meeting will consider and approve the draft action plan for 2018-2019 for the implementation of the agreement between the governments of the SCO member states on cooperation in providing assistance in the elimination of emergency situations, it said.

The Indian delegation includes senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of External Affairs.

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Saudi police have arrested a 14-year- old boy who was filmed dancing at an intersection in the Red Sea city of Jiddah.

The video, which went viral on social media, shows the boy with head phones and wearing grey sweat shorts, a striped T-shirt and neon green and yellow Crocs on his feet. He is swaying his hips and arms to the 90s hit song "Macarena," and appears to be smiling and giggling throughout the dance.

The state-linked Sabq news website quoted Col Aati bin Attiyah al-Qurashi as saying police arrested the young man and were preparing to refer him to prosecutors for disrupting traffic.

Saudi police has arrested this 14 year old boy for his fantabulous performance. pic.twitter.com/hNE4woT7dR    (@indiantweeter) August 23, 2017

Western music and dancing is taboo in Saudi Arabia but such incidents in the past have not necessarily led to lengthy imprisonment or serious punishment.
The Supreme Court today mulled over the issue of pollution caused by light and smoke emitting firecrackers and formulating of guidelines to deal with them.

The apex court sought to know which chemicals should not be used beyond a limit in the firecrackers and observed that guidelines on this have to be laid down.

"Somebody should tell us that firecrackers should not have chemicals like chlorine, potassium and titanium beyond a limit of say 5 per cent," a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said.

The bench said there were firecrackers which emitted sound, while there were others which emitted light and smoke.

"Somebody has to lay down the guidelines for pollution from such firecrackers," the bench said.

The firecracker manufacturers told the bench that they were using chemicals which were within the prescribed limits and not at all hazardous.

They claimed they were facing serious consequences due to the apex court order banning the sale and stockpiling of firecrackers in the national capital region (NCR).

The scientists from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) also elaborated in the court on the effects of pollution from firecrackers.

The apex court had in November last year directed the Centre to suspend all licences permitting wholesale and retail sale of fireworks within the NCR territory and said the suspension shall remain in force till further orders. It had also directed that no such licences shall be granted or renewed till further orders.

At the hearing today, the counsel for the petitioner contended that firecrackers were one of the reasons for pollution and the CPCB has not given any conclusive study on its effects.

The petitioner also referred to the pollution from firecrackers during Diwali.

The PESO counsel said that CPCB was the body to set standards for pollution and it would give its full support in formulating guidelines on the issue.

The apex court had earlier pulled up the CPCB and PESO for "lack of clarity" on environmental impact of pollution from firecrackers.

It had expressed concern over air pollution in Delhi-NCR, especially from crackers during the festive season of Diwali and Dussehra, and said the authorities have to take steps to regulate firecracker industries.

The apex court had earlier refused to modify its order banning the sale and stockpiling of firecrackers in Delhi and the NCR. It had refused to revoke the suspension of licences of traders dealing in such explosive material.

It had also directed CPCB to prepare an inventory of existing firecrackers with the traders and suggest measures for their disposal.

CPCB had earlier told the court that chemical composition of firecrackers which are commonly used exceeded some of the prescribed parameters which may have harmful effects.

The board, in its report, had said that most of the firecrackers carried large amount of sulphur which was one of the major causes of air pollution.

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A presidential retreat on the lines of Shimla and Hyderabad may come up in the Northeast with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today urging the PMO to do the needful for setting up such a residence for the first citizen of the country in the region.

The issue was discussed when Sonowal had a meeting with Nripendra Mishra, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, here.

"Setting up of the President of India retreat centre in Assam was also discussed in the meeting," a statement issued by the state government said.

The chief minister said the retreat symbolises unity of the country, its diverse cultures and people.

Sonowal had already discussed the issue with President Ram Nath Kovind when he called on him last fortnight.

The chief minister earlier said a presidential retreat in the Northeast, besides the existing ones in the North and South, will symbolise the unity of the country apart from signifying the unity of the diverse cultures and people of the country.

At present, there are two presidential retreats - the Retreat Building in Shimla, and Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad - where the president moves in, at least once a year, and is seen as an extension of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The retreat building in Shimla is located on the hilltop of the Mashobra. The building was taken over during 1895 by the British Viceroy.

A thousand feet higher than the Shimla ridge top, the retreat is located in a picturesque surrounding. The architectural pattern and the natural beauty of the place have made the retreat a tourist attraction in Shimla.

A key feature of this building is that it is purely a wooden structure with 'Dajji Wall' construction. The Rashtrapati Nilayam building in Hyderabad was taken over from the Nizam of Hyderabad after India attained independence and handed over to the President's secretariat.

Constructed during 1860, this building has a total land area of 90 acres. A single storied building, it has in its premises 11 rooms. It also has a dining hall, cinema hall, Darbar hall, morning room, and dining room.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Some 50 million people are at risk of arsenic poisoning from contaminated groundwater in Pakistan's Indus Valley far more than previously thought, according to a new study.

Pakistan is aware of the growing problem, with arsenic levels rising in some areas as people increasingly and indiscriminately draw from the country's underground aquifers, said Lubna Bukhari, who heads the government's Council for Research in Water Resources.

"It's a real concern," she said. "Because of lack of rules and regulations, people have exploited the groundwater brutally, and it is driving up arsenic levels."



The authors of the study developed a map highlighting areas of likely contamination based on water quality data from nearly 1,200 groundwater pumps tested from 2013 to 2015, and accounting for geological factors including surface slope and soil contents. They determined some 88 million people were living in high-risk areas.

Given that about 60-70 per cent of the population relies on groundwater, they calculated that roughly 50 million maybe even 60 million were potentially affected. That's equal to at least a third of the 150 million already estimated by the World Health Organization to be drinking, cooking and farming with arsenic-laced water worldwide.

"This is an alarmingly high number, which demonstrates the urgent need to test all drinking water wells in the Indus Plain," with hotspots around the densely populated cities of Lahore and Hyderabad, said the study's lead author, Joel Podgorski, of the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, known as Eawag.

The findings were published today in the journal Science Advances.

The high-risk area mapped out in the study broadly covers the middle and lower reaches of the Indus River and its tributaries, before they empty into the Arabian Sea.

Scientists had expected this area might be affected. Similar geographical areas along the Ganges River in neighboring India and Brahmaputra in Bangladesh also contain pockets of arsenic contamination.

Normally, that arsenic would stay in the ground. But in the last few decades, South Asian countries concerned with pathogen-infused surface water have been pumping enormous volumes of groundwater, causing the water tables to drop drastically and tapping into new water pockets tainted by the colorless, odorless toxin.

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US President Donald Trump indicated that a deal could be struck with North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme, soon after his top diplomat said Pyongyang has demonstrated some level of restraint in recent days.

At a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said he "respects" that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un "is starting to respect us."



"I respect that fact very much," Trump told the crowd.

"And maybe - probably not - but maybe something positive can come about," he said, but did not explain what kind of an agreement he was expecting to reach with North Korea.

Tensions between the US and the North have been quite high since Pyongyang tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles in July that could reach the US mainland.

In response, the UN Security Council unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea on August 5. Trump warned North Korea that if it persisted with its threat to the US it would face "fire and fury" and escalated the rhetoric saying that US military solutions against the North were "locked and loaded."



But last week the North Korean leader backed off from a plan to launch four ballistic missiles towards the American territory of Guam.

Trump's comments today came after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the North Korean regime has demonstrated some level of restraint in recent days, "that we've not seen in the past".

"I think it is worth noting that we have had no missile launches or provocative acts from the part of North Korea since the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution. I want to take note of that. I want to acknowledge it," Tillerson told reporters at a conference here.

He hoped that this could be the beginning of the signal the US has been looking for.

"Perhaps we are seeing our pathway to some time in the near future to having some dialogue," Tillerson said.

"We need to see more on their part but I want to acknowledge the steps they've taking thus far," he said.

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President Donald Trump mounted an aggressive defense today of his response to a deadly far right march in Virginia, using a rally speech to condemn "dishonest" media coverage of his widely criticized remarks.

Trump faced bipartisan outrage after blaming "many sides" for violence at the rally in Charlottesville that took the life of an anti-fascist protester.

Re-reading his statements following the clashes at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, he railed at reporters for misrepresenting his remarks -- but omitted the equivocation that had sparked the backlash in the first place.

"The very dishonest media... And I mean truly dishonest people in the media and the fake media, they make up stories. They have no sources in many cases. They say a source says there is no such thing," he said.

"But they don't report the facts. Just like they don't want to report that I spoke out forcefully against hatred, bigotry and violence and strongly condemned the neo-Nazis, the white supremacists and the KKK."



Trump dedicated around half an hour of his 78-minute speech in Phoenix, Arizona, to attacking the "sick people" in the media, before turning his fire on his own side.

Speculation had been building that Trump would use the rally to formally endorse a challenger to incumbent moderate Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake, in a shot across the bow of skeptical Republicans.

He mocked both Flake and fellow Arizona Republican senator John McCain, implying McCain had sabotaged Republican healthcare reforms, but elaborately avoided mentioning either by name.

Veering off script, Trump shied away from issuing a pardon for Joe Arpaio -- a former sheriff in Arizona who was convicted of willfully violating a court order to stop targeting Hispanics in immigration roundups.

But he gave strong hints that he was preparing a future pardon, saying: "I think he's going to be just fine, okay? I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy."



White House press secretary Sarah Sanders had earlier told reporters there would be "no discussion" of Arpaio at the rally.

Trump voiced optimism over improvements in relations with North Korea following an escalation in aggressive rhetoric on both sides concerning Pyongyang's nuclear program.

"I respect the fact that he is starting to respect us. And maybe -- probably not, but maybe -- something positive can come about," Trump said of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, although the president repeated his opinion that he had not gone far enough in his condemnation of Kim.

The speech came at the end of a trip to Arizona the White House hopes will re-energize core supporters cooling to Trump's crisis-riddled presidency and build momentum for a controversial border wall.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In military terms, Donald Trump's long-awaited new Afghanistan strategy looks very much like the old one. But, on the diplomatic front, he took a risk in confronting unruly, nuclear-armed Pakistan.

Washington has long been frustrated by Pakistan's provision of cross-border safe havens to some of the Taliban factions and armed Islamist groups fighting against US troops and their Afghan allies.

Trump's predecessor Barack Obama risked triggering a breakdown in the long US alliance with Islamabad when, without forewarning, he sent commandos into Pakistan in 2011 to kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.

But, rhetorically at least, Trump's much anticipated national address on Monday, in which he laid out a new strategy to win the United States' longest war, marked a dramatic increase in pressure on Pakistan.

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting," Trump said.

"That will have to change and that will change immediately."



Following up on Trump's speech on Tuesday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that Pakistan could lose its status as a major US ally and see its US military aid halted.

While Washington may hope that this motivates Islamabad to crack down on the groups that launch attacks into Afghanistan and Indian-administered Kashmir, it does not come without risk.

Pakistan holds the Muslim world's only known nuclear arsenal and its government is a sometimes shaky balancing act between elected civilians and a powerful military that maintains ties with the militants.

Harsh US measures could provoke Pakistan and, if the government feels its Cold War-vintage pact with America is under threat, it could turn towards China -- the great rival of both India and America.

And, much more than the implied threat to cut military aid to Pakistan, Trump's request that India play a greater role in stabilizing Afghanistan will rattle New Delhi's most bitter and long-standing foe.

But, US experts agree, Pakistan is unlikely to step up its support for the Haqqani extremist group and the Afghan Taliban if that would mean the collapse of the Kabul government and driving out US troops.

Instead, despite some of his more vainglorious rhetoric, Trump's revamped strategy could lay the basis for dealing with Afghanistan as a long-term chronic problem rather than an imminent threat.

James Jeffrey, a fellow of the Washington Institute and former senior national security adviser to the George W. Bush White House, said: "There's really no way to pressure Pakistan."



Pakistan has made the decision that keeping Kabul out of India's orbit is more important that clamping down on cross- border militancy, and cutting aid would only be counterproductive, he argues.

Beyond Afghanistan, the United States has an interest in preventing Pakistan from going to war with India or collapsing and allowing its government or nuclear weapons to fall into the hands of extremists.

And, while the US footprint is smaller now that it was at the height of the occupation, its forces still need access to Pakistani supply lines and airspace.

"There's really very little we can do," Jeffrey said. "To cut all aid or, even more dramatically, to start striking the Haqqani network and all that ... Doesn't guarantee that they'll do what we say."



But Pakistan also has no interest in driving the United States out, and Jeffrey saw Monday's speech as confirmation that Trump has come around to the idea of a strategy of "long-term containment."



"Other than the unfortunate reference to 'winning' there -- that's something that nobody can promise because no one can achieve it -- I think that this is basically sensible strategy," he said.

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A UN committee tasked with combatting racism has issued a formal "early warning" over conditions in the United States, a rare move often used to signal the potential of a looming civil conflict.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said it had invoked its "early warning and urgent action procedure" because of the proliferation of racist demonstrations in the US.

It specifically noted the unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a woman was killed after an avowed white supremacist ploughed his car into a group of anti-racism counterprotestors.

The racism committee, part of the UN human rights office, can issue a formal early warning to help prevent "existing problems from escalating into conflict" or to "prevent a resumption of conflict where it has previously occurred", according to the rights office website.

President Donald Trump has been widely criticised for his response to the Charlottesville clashes, after he said "both sides" were to blame for the violence.

The UN committee urged Washington, "as well as high-level politicians and public officials, to unequivocally and unconditionally reject and condemn racist hate speech", without mentioning Trump by name.

"We are alarmed by the racist demonstrations, with overtly racist slogans, chants and salutes by white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and the Ku Klux Klan, promoting white supremacy and inciting racial discrimination and hatred," committee head Anastasia Crickley said in a statement.

The committee monitors compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which the US ratified in 1994.

The US warning marks the seventh such alert issued in the past decade.

They mainly concern countries gripped by ethnic and religious strife, including Burundi, Nigeria, Iraq and Ivory Coast.

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The alleged NGO scam in Bhagalpur rocked both Houses of the Bihar legislature for the second day today with opposition Congress and RJD raising slogans and demanding resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi.

As soon as the Assembly met for the day, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav drew the attention of Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary to an adjournment notice given by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) over the alleged scam and urged him suspend the Question Hour and take up the issue.

The Speaker said the adjournment notice would be allowed at a proper time and urged the agitating members to allow the House to run.

However, RJD members trooped in to the Well of the House raising slogans and demanding resignations of the CM and the deputy CM. Congress MLAs too joined them in the Well.

The protesting members claimed that pictures of Kumar and Modi were used at a function of NGO 'Srijan' in Bhagalpur.

They alleged government money was fraudulently transferred to bank accounts of the NGO by a "well-oiled racket comprising government employees and bank officials".

The chief minister was not in the House at the time. But, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi was present.

As the opposition MLAs continued raising slogans, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm.

BJP minister Nand Kishore Yadav rebutted Tejashwi saying "those acquiring benami properties through corrupt means have no moral right to speak on such a subject".

In the Legislative Council, the matter was raised by Congress member Dilip Kumar Chaudhary. RJD and Congress members tropped into the Well of the Upper House shouting slogans against the government.

RJD leader Rabri Devi attacked Sushil Modi in the Legislative Council over the alleged scam. Later, talking to reporters outside the House, she demanded resignations of the chief minister and his deputy.

Modi had earlier said, "They should show documentary evidence in support of the charge against me or the CM. Merely shouting (slogans) by showing some photographs of some events showing our participation does not mean our involvement in the scam.

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The International Solar Alliance (ISA) remains hopeful of partnership with the US despite its withdrawal from the Paris Accord on climate change.

"Yesterday, I have received a mail from the US saying, "we are examining." India and the US are equally interested in the ISA. We both have collaborative projects in the renewable energy sectors," ISA interim Director General Upendra Tripathy said on the sidelines of the Bengal Chambers organised Environment and Energy Conclave here.

He further said US had shown keen interest in partnering in the ISA programme and projects but for 'formal membership' they might have their internal processes.

In June, President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change and renegotiate the deal arguing that countries like China and India are benefiting the most from it.

The accord was agreed upon by over 190 countries during the previous Obama administration.

Tripathy said economic reasons and market push would drive countries in joining the ISA.

He indicated that ISA was more interested in bringing China into the alliance.

So far 38 countries are signatory of which eight countries have ratified. ISA needs minimum 15 countries to become a legal body which is likely to be formalised on December 9.

This is a long journey. In 1000 GW of solar, China will be the biggest beneficiary out of this as they are selling the panels. They do realize that. They will love to come. On December 9, a solar summit is proposed where French President and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to attend, Tripathy said.

ISA will be aggregating demand of solar pumps and solar products across their potential 121 countries as its members and pricing will be arrived. But ISA will not get involved in procurements.

ISA is also woking on insurance risk pool of USD 300b in over next 10 years to derisk the solar projects under ISA.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Inspite of the USA withdrawing from the Paris Accord on climate change, International Solar Alliance (ISA) remains hopeful of partnership with that country.

"I had received a mail from US yesterday saying, 'We are examining'. India and the US are equally interested in ISA. They both have collaborative projects in the renewable energy sectors," ISA interim Director General Upendra Tripathy said on the sidelines of The Environment and Energy Conclave here today.

The USA has shown keen interest to partner in the ISA programme and projects but for formal membership it may have its internal processes, he said.

In June President Donald Trump had announced his decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change and renegotiate the deal arguing that countries like China and India are benefiting the most from it. The accord was agreed upon by over 190 countries during the previous Obama administration.

Tripathy said economic reasons and market push will drive countries to join ISA and indicated that the alliance is more interested about China being in it.

So far 38 countries are signatories of the alliance and among them eight countries have ratified. ISA needs minimum 15 countries to become a legal body which is likely to be formalised on December 9 and is right now a de facto body.

On December 9, a solar summit is proposed where French President and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend, Tripathy said.

ISA will be aggregating demand of solar pumps and solar products across 121 countries, who are its potential members and pricing will be arrived at. But ISA will not get involved in procurements.

ISA is also woking on insurance risk pool of USD 300b over the next 10 years to derisk the solar projects under it, Tripathy added.

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Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has said he would seek international cooperation to arrest a fired chief prosecutor who fled the country after defying him amid a deadly political crisis.

"Venezuela is going to ask Interpol to issue a red notice against these people involved in serious crimes," Maduro told a conference, referring to ex-chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega and her lawmaker husband.

The couple faces court action by Maduro's allies which they have denounced as politically motivated.

They fled first to Colombia and were bound on Tuesday for Brazil, Colombian migration authorities said.

Both those countries have echoed Ortega and the United States in condemning Maduro's handling of the crisis.

A loyalist of late socialist president Hugo Chavez, Ortega broke ranks with his successor Maduro to become his most high-ranking domestic critic as international pressure on the president mounted.

Ortega, 59, was fired from her post this month after being earlier charged with misconduct by authorities loyal to Maduro.

She and her husband, German Ferrer, fled on Friday after the pro-Maduro Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant against Ferrer for alleged corruption and extortion.

The Venezuelan courts had already frozen Ortega's assets and banned her from traveling abroad.

Maduro has faced months of deadly mass protests by opponents who blame him for an economic crisis and are demanding elections to replace him.

International pressure has also grown, with US President Donald Trump even saying this month that the United States reserved the option of military intervention in the Venezuela crisis.

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Beauty and wellness firm VLCC today announced strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia's Cigalah to set up VLCC Wellness centres in the country.

The plan is to launch six such centres in Saudi Arabia in the next 3 years with an estimated investment of over AED (Arab Emirates Dirham) 30 million (around Rs 52 crore).

The first facility is scheduled to open in Jeddah by November this year.

"We have been very keen to enter the Saudi market with our VLCC Wellness centres for some time now... VLCC, which is committed to 'transforming lives', strives to make a positive impact on the health of citizens of Saudi Arabia," VLCC Group Chairman Mukesh Luthra said.

VLCC said its entry into Saudi Arabia will further strengthen its position in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region where it has already established itself as a pioneer in the beauty and wellness industry.

VLCC operates 20 VLCC Wellness centres across the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

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The National Green Tribunal has slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 each on the Environment Ministry (MoEF) and the Delhi government for not submitting a status report on rejuvenation and restoration of the Yamuna river.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar passed the order after counsels of the MoEF and the Delhi government failed to appear before it and no report was placed on record.

"Nobody is present on behalf of NCT Delhi and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and no status report has been filed by them. Our order dated August 8, 2017 was peremptory. Let both these pay Rs 50,000 as cost. List this matter for compliance within one week," the bench said.

The matter will be heard next on August 29.

The tribunal had earlier asked Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and the Central Pollution Control Board to submit a detailed report on rejuvenation and restoration of the Yamuna in three weeks, saying pollution in the river was of serious concern as it was highly contaminated by industrial effluents and sewage.

It had also directed the pollution control boards of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to jointly conduct a study on water quality and flow of the Yamuna at the point where it enters Haryana, and submit a list of industries located in the catchment area of the river.

The tribunal had earlier banned open defecation and dumping of waste on the floodplains of the Yamuna and announced an environment compensation or penalty of Rs 5,000 for those who violated the order.

It had also constituted a committee headed by the Delhi Jal Board CEO to oversee the execution of work pertaining to the cleaning of the river and asked it to submit reports at regular intervals.

The green panel had said almost 67 per cent of the pollution reaching the Yamuna would be treated by two sewage treatment plants (STP) located at Delhi Gate and Najafgarh in the first phase of the 'Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project 2017'.

The NGT was hearing a plea on the monitoring of implementation of the project.

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The transaction should be concluded by mid-2018 and could involve the sale of new stock to help replenish the capital of Eletrobras, as the holding company is known, Mines and Energy Minister Fernando Coelho Filho told .

While the plan involves the end of federal government voting control at Eletrobras, it remains to be decided how much of its 51-percent voting stake will be sold and how, deputy Finance Minister Eduardo Guardia said. Proceeds should help cut the deficit, he said, noting the plan could also bring recurring revenue under certain conditions.

President Michel Temer has rushed to sell state assets and shrink the size of Brazil's government before leaving office in December 2018. Investors cheered his efforts to reduce state meddling in an economy hobbled by a three-year recession, lifting the benchmark Bovespa stock index on Tuesday past 70,000 points for the first time in almost seven years.

Common shares in Eletrobras closed 49 percent higher on Tuesday, their biggest daily gain in more than 24 years, boosting the company's market value by almost 9 billion reais ($2.8 billion).

Class B preferred shares , the company's most widely traded class of stock, rose 32 percent - the biggest jump since January 1999. American depositary receipts , which trade in tandem with common shares, rose 49 percent in New York.

The plan comes as Chief Executive Officer Wilson Ferreira Jr's turnaround has taken longer than expected because of years of mismanagement at Eletrobras and massive operational losses between 2012 and 2015.

"The overall perception is that the company can finally free itself from state control and that it will adopt meritocracy and negotiate better terms with suppliers," Ferreira told on Tuesday.

Rivals, including the Brazilian units of EDP Energias de Portugal SA and Engie SA , said industry players will remain attentive to terms of the transaction, noting that they would be interested in some Eletrobras assets.

"Our duty is to analyse all the opportunities that this transaction could bring about," EDP Chief Executive Officer Miguel Setas told reporters in Sao Paulo.

Investors said the Eletrobras plan stoked optimism that Temer remains committed to shrinking the role of the state in the economy, regardless of political resistance to his administration.

"This could be extended to other state firms, which is good for fiscal and market reasons," said Victor Carvalho, a partner at fund manager LAIC-HFM in Sao Paulo.

According to Coelho Filho, Eletrobras's privatisation could raise up to 20 billion reais. The federal government will remain a shareholder and reserve the right to veto some strategic decisions.

Analysts said that, while the privatisation plan faces legal challenges and potential opposition from opposition parties, civil servants and trade unions, it could benefit the industry by luring long-term investment, and enhance transparency in a sector long hobbled by inefficiency and corruption.

"Eletrobras has historically operated under the political influence of various political figures who may not be so enthusiastic about the company's privatisation," analysts at Itau BBA wrote in a client note.

STATE FIRMS

The rally on the Bovespa index was bolstered by state-controlled Banco do Brasil SA and Petroleo Brasileiro SA - which rose as much as 4.4 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.

Other state power firms also surged, with debt-laden Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais SA adding 8.5 percent. The company, known as Cemig, is selling assets to repay 4 billion reais in debt due over the next year.

The Mining and Energy Ministry compared the Eletrobras proposal to the examples of planemaker Embraer SA and miner Vale SA , where government influence evaporated in 2006 and this year, respectively.

Yet for many Brazilians, earlier privatisations in the 1990s were marred by allegations of mismanagement. The subject remains politically fraught even as the government has put airports, highways and ports up for sale in recent years.

A protest briefly interrupted the government conference on Tuesday, highlighting likely resistance from Brazil's opposition parties and powerful unions. Ferreira sought to allay concerns spread by Temer's opponents that the Eletrobras plan could put power supply in Brazil at risk.

The decision to privatise Eletrobras could have negative implications for the company's debt ratings because the process introduces uncertainty over state support, Moody's analyst Cristiane Spercel said in a Tuesday note.

The proposal will be formally presented to the council of the government's Investment Partnership Program on Wednesday.

As part of the privatisation process, Eletrobras may spin off a nuclear power unit and the Itaipu hydroelectric dam, a joint venture with Paraguay. The privatisation could generate at least 40 billion reais in value for Eletrobras through cost-cutting and downsizing, the Itau analysts said.

The value of Eletrobras' equity stood at 31 billion reais at the end of May. Brazil's federal government owns 51 percent voting shares, equal to 41 percent of the company's equity. State development bank BNDES also owns about 20 percent of common shares and 14 percent of preferred shares.

Coelho said the plan will not allow a single group or investor to hold big Eletrobras stakes. "We will create a series of rules to democratize capital of the company, possibly limiting the maximum stake per investor," he told .

(Reporting by Leonardo Goy in Brasilia and Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro; Additional reporting by Luciano Costa in Sao Paulo; Writing by Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Brad Haynes; Editing by Nick Zieminski, Lisa Shumaker and Diane Craft)

(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.)
(Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was willing to shut down the government to get funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, complicating two must-pass measures Congress will take up in September: a spending package and raising the debt ceiling.

Here is what you need to know about both, and the potential for a shutdown of the U.S. government:

WHAT IS A SHUTDOWN?

Congress must pass annual spending bills around the end of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30 to fund much of the U.S. government. When disagreements prevent that, which is frequent, lawmakers often pass a temporary bill extending existing spending levels with no changes for days, weeks or months, while they work on a longer-lasting deal. When they cannot agree on either a new spending plan or a short-term extension, the government shuts down. That has happened many times since the 1970s, usually for a few days, and can rattle markets.

Congress will return from its long summer recess on Sept. 5. At the time, it will have only about 12 working days to approve spending measures to keep the government open.

WHAT IF CONGRESS FAILS?

If spending measures are not passed before Oct. 1, portions of the government will begin to shut down and non-essential employees will go without pay until an agreement is reached.

The government most recently shut down for about two weeks in October 2013 over funding for former President Barack Obama's healthcare law. There were three shutdowns in the 1990s, the longest lasting 21 days. In the 1970s and 1980s, there were 14 shutdowns, some partial and most lasting only a few days.

WHAT IS THE DEBT CEILING?

The "debt ceiling" is a legislative limit on how much money the federal government can borrow through debt issued by the U.S. Treasury. Once the limit is reached, Congress must raise it or the government cannot continue borrowing money and would default, or be unable to pay its bills.

The Treasury has said it wants Congress to increase the debt ceiling by Sept. 29, although default likely could be staved off until mid-October, thanks to "extraordinary measures" the Treasury put in place in March to delay a debt reckoning.

Legislation to raise the debt limit will need to be adopted, at the very latest, by early to mid-October.

WHAT IF THE CEILING IS NOT RAISED?

If the debt ceiling is not raised, the government would not be able to borrow more money or pay its bills, including payments on its debts, which could hurt the U.S. credit rating.

Political gridlock has never led to the United States reaching its debt ceiling and its bills going unpaid, but there have been close calls. An August 2011 standoff cost the country its top-notch bond rating from the credit rating agency Standard & Poor's and caused the most jarring two weeks in financial markets since the 2007-2009 global financial crisis.

HOW ARE BUDGET, DEBT CEILING RELATED?

The two move on separate tracks, but are likely to get tangled together, with Republican opponents of a debt ceiling increase likely demanding federal spending cuts. Some analysts say Congress may try to tackle both issues at the same time.

WHAT ARE THE POLITICS?

Both the spending and debt ceiling bills can pass the Republican-led House of Representatives by a simple majority vote, but will need 60 votes to pass the Senate, where Republicans hold 52 of 100 seats, meaning they will need some Democratic support.

Trump made his U.S.-Mexico border wall a central promise of his 2016 presidential campaign. He also promised that Mexico would pay for the wall, but Mexico has steadfastly refused and Trump has largely stopped talking about that pledge.

Conservative House Republicans agree with the Republican president on the need for a wall and say border-wall funding should be a priority in any spending legislation. Some of them have already indicated they are willing to shut down the government to get it.

Moderate Republicans have called a shutdown unwise and Republican leaders are determined to prevent one, fearing it would worsen doubts about the party's ability to govern.

Democrats are uniformly opposed to Trump's wall and say the responsibility for a shutdown would rest solely with Republicans.

The Trump administration reversed course earlier this month and said it would back a "clean" raising of the debt ceiling, meaning it would not be tied to other policy measures.

Democrats and moderate Republicans also support a clean debt-ceiling increase. But conservative Republicans, especially in the House, often use debt-ceiling legislation to insist on changes to spending, making them opposed to a clean bill.

(Reporting by Amanda Becker in Washington; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Peter Cooney)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - India's largest power transmission company Sterlite Power Grid Ventures Ltd will invest around $1 billion per year in the next few years to build power lines in Brazil, a source with direct knowledge of the plan told on Wednesday.

The source, who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak publicly about the plan, said Sterlite is looking to build a large portfolio of power transmission projects in Brazil as part of a long-term strategy in the country. Sterlite is also a major manufacturer of equipment for the electricity industry.

(Reporting by Luciano Costa; Writing by Marcelo Teixeira; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Gabriel Stargardter and David Ljunggren

MEXICO CITY/OTTAWA (Reuters) - Mexico and Canada on Wednesday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threat to scrap NAFTA, describing it as a negotiating tactic aimed at winning the upper hand in talks to update one of the world's biggest trading blocs.

At a campaign-style rally in Arizona on Tuesday night, Trump cast doubt on any deal to improve the North American Free Trade Agreement and said "we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point."

Initial talks between Mexico, the United States and Canada to update NAFTA ended in Washington over the weekend amid signs of deep division on key issues. Further discussions are due to start in Mexico City on Sept. 1.

Trump has long called the 1994 treaty a bad deal that hurt American workers, saying it should be renegotiated or ended.

Trump's top trade official, Robert Lighthizer, underscored the NAFTA termination threat on Wednesday, saying the United States was seeking "substantial changes to address its fundamental failures."

"President Trump has been clear from the very beginning that if the NAFTA renegotiation is unsuccessful, he will withdraw from the agreement," Lighthizer said in a statement issued by

the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Trump's comments initially pushed Mexico's peso currency down more than 1 percent but it later recovered its losses. The peso has been sensitive to Trump's anti-NAFTA rhetoric, touching record lows shortly after his election in November 2016 on fears that he would raise tariffs on Mexican goods.

Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray sought to brush off Trump's threat, saying the comments would not scare Mexico in the negotiations.

"He's negotiating in his own particular style," he told Mexican television.

Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo added in a statement that Mexico has a "Plan B very clearly defined" in case NAFTA talks fail, but declined to provide details.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking to reporters in Montreal, said his officials would "stay focussed on the hard work we have ahead of us at the negotiating table ... I don't see anything changing in that."

He did not directly refer to Trump's remarks.

A Canadian official earlier said the government had been bracing for moments of turbulence.

"This was always a card we knew the president would likely play ... it may have been a bit earlier than expected," said the official, who declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the situation.

(Additional reporting by Veronica Gomez in Mexico City and David Lawder in Washington; Editing by Frances Kerry and Tom Brown)

(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.)
Reliance Industries Ltd's annual naphtha exports will rise by 500,000 tonnes in the current financial year as it switches to ethane at its petrochemical projects, a company executive said.

Asia is structurally short of naphtha and relies on the West and the Middle East to fill most of the gaps.

Reliance, owner of the world's biggest refining complex and also a leading petrochemical player, on an average, exports more than 200,000 tonnes of naphtha in a month.

Reliance aims to import 1.4 million tonnes of ethane from North America in 2017-18 and the imports will rise to 1.6 million tonnes from the next financial year, said Vipul Shah, chief operating officer for petrochemicals at Reliance.

The conglomerate will use ethane at its crackers at Dahej, Hazira and Nagothane in western India. Previously the Dahej and Nagothane plants were running on gas while Hazira was using naphtha as feedstock.

"Since we will be able to bring in 1.4 million tonnes of ethane our operating profit can go up by $300 million this fiscal year," Shah said at a conference.

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance has been posting robust petrochemical margins. The company posted a petrochemicals operating profit margin at an all-time high of 15.8 percent in the June quarter, it said last month.

(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.)
JEDDAH (Reuters) - Saudi Aramco is expected to sign a final deal with PetroChina, China's second-largest state-run refiner, within six months to invest in its Yunnan refinery, Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told on Wednesday.

The world's top oil exporter aims to push ahead with its oil investments in China to become the country's biggest source of crude supply and a major player, Falih said.

"Yunnan (talks) have reached advanced stages ... We aim to finalise Yunnan within six months," Falih, who is also the chairman of Aramco, said.

Aramco will own a "big stake" in the 260,000-barrel per day Anning plant in Yunnan province, he added.

Aramco is looking to invest $1 billion-$1.5 billion in the refinery as well as the retail assets of PetroChina, sources told in 2015.

PetroChina aims to start operating the new refinery in the in October after several delays, boosting the nation's already-surging crude imports.

PetroChina will also will consider taking part in Aramco's initial public offering (IPO) set for next year based on market conditions, the Chinese oil major said in March.

A PetroChina official told in March that if the refinery deal was finalised with Aramco, the Saudi state oil giant would supply at least part of the refinery's crude oil requirements.Saudi Arabia has lost out to Russia as the top crude supplier to China.

Falih said Saudi Arabia aims to break the slow pace in the progress of Saudi projects in China and push for more investments between the two nations.

"The goal is that not only the Kingdom will be China's largest crude exporter but the largest in-market investor," Falih said, one day ahead of a Chinese-Saudi investment forum to be held in Jeddah on Thursday.

In May, Chinese defence conglomerate China North Industries Group Corp (Norinco) signed a framework agreement with Aramco to build a refinery and chemicals complex in northeast China.

That investment would boost Aramco's presence in China's massive refining industry, adding to its 25 percent stake in the Fujian refinery in southeast China operated by state refiner Sinopec Corp.

(Reporting by Reem Shamseddine; Writing by Rania El Gamal, editing by David Evans)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Samsung is set to unveil its flagship galaxy Note 8 today at a splashy media event in New York. The device is expected to be launched online on August 23 at 8:30 p.m. While the South Korean tech giant's fans are excited about the latest launch, the memory of explosive Note 7 is etched deep. Will Samsung Notebook 8 supersede the troubled Note 7 smartphone from 2016 and win buyers over again?
Two year old domestic craft beer brand Bira 91 is going global. The company has announced plans to open distribution network in five overseas markets - the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and UAE. It is already present in the US.

The two year old firm that was started by 36 year old Ankur Jain has already made strong headway in the Indian beer market. It doubled its sales to 5 million cases in 2016 and is targeting a four-fold jump this year at 20 lakh cases. That would Bira a serious player in the 300 million cases plus market. While United Breweries that sells the Kingfisher brand is the undisputed leader with sales of over 150 million cases, the others like SAB-Miller and Carlsberg sell less than 100 million every year.

"We always wanted to take on the big boys in the market. But at the end of the day it is really about the consumer and what he likes. So what we figured out with the premium consumer is equally applicable in my view to the mass market consumer too," says Jain.

"We feel there is a big gap in the market for beers that are taste oriented in the strong beer category."

Jain is banking on the global foray to also yield dividends to its brand building exercise in India. The entry into US, considered the toughest market for craft beers, was against the advice of its investors but Jain has held firm.

"Our ambition is to become the first global brand from India. In that ambition, New York City was the first city we got into because it gives us international validation. New York was the perfect tier I city for us to start instead of an Africa, Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand. You can be successful in Singapore but that does not guarantee success in London.

It is the toughest market in the world for craft beer. We are shipping the beer straight from India," he says. "With the entry into London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Dubai, we expect to embark on this journey towards achieving that ambition of creating the first global brand of craft beers " Bira's global foray would be managed by Anshul Agarwal and Vijay K Nadkarni.
Now that Infosys is looking for a CEO after Vishal Sikka's resignation, many are suggesting that Nandan Nilekani should take up the job. The Infosys co-founder who has worked in different sectors, ranging from corporate to bureaucracy, has already served Infosys as CEO from March 2002 to April 2017.

Recent additions to the list of supporters rooting for Nilekani are the 12 fund managers representing institutional investors in Infosys. Investor advisory firm Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAs) had recently made similar suggestions.

Even Infosys shares fared well in comparison to the past few days on cues that Nilekani might make a comeback. With the growing support for the Infosys co-founder, here's why he could be the man for the job:

Markets trust Nilekani

Infosys stocks tanked 15 per cent two straight trading sessions last week, wiping out Rs 34,000 crore of its wealth forever. With chances that Nandan Nilekani might once again assume the office of Infosys CEO raised investors' hopes, as company stocks rose two per cent, or 17 points , on Bombay Stock Exchange. Infosys shares worth Rs 18,901 lakh were traded with the stock seeing 47,758 trades today.

Even institutional investors are hopeful that Nilekani might be able to turn things around for good in Infosys. As many as 12 fund managers from institutional investors in the company have reportedly suggested bringing Nilekani back on the board of the IT major to restore confidence of stakeholders and help resolve the ongoing debacle.

They said Nilekani enjoys confidence of various stakeholders, including customers, shareholders and employees. This is the second major pitch for Nilekani's return. The first was from IiAS. The investor advisory firm said the co-founder should be brought back on the Infosys board as its non-executive chairman.

Inside man

Nandan Nilekani is not only one of the co-founders who formed India's biggest IT company, but he has also been the CEO of Infosys for five years. He understands the company better in terms of its workforce, business, and culture. He also holds a keen understanding of the technology sector and businesses Infosys deals with.

Also Infosys will find it tough to find a competent CEO from outside the company, given high probability of regular tussles between an outsider and the co-founders. Infosys co-founders are known to keep a close watch on the company operations, and Nilekani is the closest they can get to a satisfactory CEO.

Moreover, Chairperson NR Narayana Murthy has been known to listen to what Nilekani has to say. This might help keep the tussles, even if they arise, between the board and co-founders under check.

Man of many talents

From corporate to bureaucracy to politics, this man has done it all. After wrapping up his stint at Infosys as CEO, Nandan Nilekani went on to work as the Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under Manmohan Singh government, where he headed the biggest biometric identification project in the world.

He even tried his luck in politics in 2014 - he became a member of Indian National Congress - but it was short-lived. He later went on to join a committee, on a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to find ways how to make digital economy a possibility in India. So he already has worked well with opposing factions.

As of now, he invests in start-ups and newbie firms. This shows his interest in supporting new technologies and those who propagate it, something which Infosys can too benefit from.

Also watch:




UIDAI has joined hands with CSC India for launching door step enrolment facility in the national capital for the elderly, patients and others who cannot travel the Aadhar centres.

"Today we are starting a mobile van in partnership with CSC India which will go and enrol people who are unable to travel to Aadhaar centres for enrolment like elderlies, patients, small children etc," UIDAI Chief Executive Officer Ajay Bhushan Pandey said at the 'National Conference on Emerging Opportunities through CSC'.

The van was flagged off by Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

CSC India provides permit and monitors operations of common service centres across India which are meant to provide government services in rural area. There are about 2.5 lakh CSCs operational across country.

"The van will provide Aadhaar enrolment service at door step in Delhi area but I would like CSC India to support this service in major cities. This facility should be also available for people in rural area in coming days," Pandey said.
Forbes has finally released the much-awaited list of world's top 20 highest paid actors, and to much of our delight it includes three Indian stars in the top 10 spot. Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan is in the eighth spot, the highest ranked Indian actor, followed by Salman Khan in the ninth spot and Akshay Kumar on the 10th rank. 'Transformers' actor Mark Wahlberg has topped the list.

According to Forbes, Shah Rukh Khan has earned $38 million in 2017, as compared to $33 million last year. Salman Khan made $37 million (Rs 237 cr) - significantly more than the $28.5 million he made last year and Akshay Kumar took home $35.5 million (Rs 227.5 cr) this year. He made $31.5 million last year. All three of them have been constant on the Forbes list for the past three years. Last year, Shah Rukh was on the eighth spot same like this year. Salman was on the 14th spot and Akshay Kumar was on the 10th spot.

However, Aamir Khan's absence from the list is surprising as his last film Dangal has broken the worldwide collection records for any Indian film. It is India's top grossing film. The movie collected over Rs 2000 cr in China alone. The only explanation that can be given behind his absence is that he only makes one film in a year or two years and is quite choosy about endorsements. Amitabh Bachchan, who made into the list last year, could not make through this time.

Forbes list is topped by Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg at $68 million, thanks to movies such as Transformers: The Last Knight and the forthcoming Daddy's Home 2. Last year's topper Dwanye Johnson slipped off a spot. This time he took home $65 million.

The 3rd, 4th and 5th spot on the list is occupied by Vin Diesel ($54.5 million), Adam Sandler($50.5 million) and Jackie Chan ($49 million) respectively. The Iron Man superstar Robert Downey Jr and Tom Cruise took the 6th and 7th position.

Forbes said that this year, newcomers comprise one fifth of the list, including Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo.

In this year's list of highest paid actresses in the world, Emma Stone topped the list followed by Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lawrence. Deepika Padukone, who was 10th highest paid actress in 2016, could not make it to the list this year.

Also watch:




For GRM Overseas Ltd, a public-listed basmati rice exporter based in Panipat, Haryana, the first quarter of the financial year 2017/18 has been exceptionally good. Its net revenue has increased nearly four times to `334.7 crore during April-June compared to `85 crore in the year-ago period.

The burst of growth has a solid foundation. GRM has shipped a larger chunk of its inventory to its new global clients, especially those in Iraq, Iran and Western Europe. Large private-label contracts have been signed with strong and stable buyers in the Middle East. And finally, there has been a stronger production base.

"2016/17 was phenomenal. We (the promoter family, which holds 73.62 per cent stake in GRM) drew up a medium- and a long-term growth strategy as we wanted to modernise our business, introduce futuristic products and go global," says Hukam Chand Garg, the 74-year-old Founder-Chairman of GRM.

The company posted Rs 591.2 crore in revenue in 2016/17, up from Rs 355.7 crore in 2015/16. Net profit was up to Rs 5.6 crore from Rs 2 crore during the period. GRM offers a wide range of basmati varieties, including the traditional basmati, 1121 long-grain, and Sharbati and Sugandha basmati, among other. It also owns three export-only basmati brands - Himalaya River, 7 Express and Jaipure.

Garg, an engineer by training, entered the basmati business four decades ago after quitting his job at Haryana State Electricity Board. His first export consignment was to Saudi Arabia in 1989, and it remained GRM's key destination till 2001 when other Middle East markets started gaining prominence. "Today we are the third or fourth largest Indian exporter of basmati to Iran and Iraq," he says.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Iraq and Kuwait are the top five export destinations (in that order) for Indian basmati, as per data from Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.

GRM, which had shipped 86,000 metric tonne (MT) of basmati in 2014/15, had seen a dip in its supplies to 76,000 MT the next year (2015/16). According to the promoters, they had deliberately stayed out of the volume game at the time as volume growth made no sense against the backdrop of low price realisation, caused by 'unhealthy' competition among Indian rice exporters. A shake-up in the sector, however, saw several unscrupulous players leave the market, helping GRM consolidate its supply base for the Middle East. The company revved up its export volume to 100,988 MT in 2016/17.

Growing Beyond Tradition

GRM is currently exploring high-profit channels, including branded basmati, ready-to-eat, value-added rice products, pickles and spices, which appeal to Indian-origin people across Europe and the US. The driving spirit behind its global ambitions is the second generation - Garg's sons Rohit, 45, and Atul, 38.

"Around seven months ago, we supplied two containers of branded rice to Asda Stores, Walmart's UK arm. The stock was sold out in a couple of days from all the 60 stores where it was sent. That proved the potential of the UK market for India's branded basmati," points out Rohit Garg, Managing Director, GRM. "Very few Indian companies are listed with biggest retail chains like Asda, TJ Morris and Hyperama."

Interestingly, around 10 per cent of the last fiscal's revenue has come from GRM's new branded business, carried out through a UK-based subsidiary that the company set up in November 2016.

While Rohit is focussing on production, Garg Senior is overseeing paddy sourcing. Atul, who is a Director, is heading the global expansion.

Atul says GRM is working on organic rice to capture the US and European markets. It has already developed speciality rice products such as smoked rice. Retort rice, the latest entry in the heat-and-eat market, is another area of interest. The company is also looking at inorganic growth in the US and Europe to speed up product development and market penetration. GRM is close to acquiring international marketing rights of well-known local spices and pickle brands.

"We hope to sustain the first-quarter growth for the rest of the year. We want to become a billion-dollar company in the next five-six years," says Atul. At `184.2 a share, the GRM stock was at its year's peak on August 10, 2017. The market seems to be responding positively to the company's growth plans.

@joecmathew
Sadashivan Nair's response was typical of gold buyers in the weeks before the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was implemented from last July 1. The retired schoolteacher in Chengannur, a small town in central Kerala, had fixed his daughter's wedding for the first week of September. In the weeks before the wedding, he intended to sell some 50 sovereigns (about 400 gm) of old gold jewellery his family had, and adding some more funds to the sale proceeds, buy 70 sovereigns of fashionable new jewellery for her.

His regular jeweller, however, warned him about this scourge called GST that was in the offing, claiming that once it came into force, Nair would have to pay 3 per cent GST on the old jewellery he sold and another 3 per cent on the new jewellery he bought. Nair promptly advanced his plans and, borrowing hastily from friends and relatives, completed all his transactions two days before GST kicked in.

In fact, no GST has been imposed on the sale of old jewellery, while the increased tax on gold purchases is only 1.5 per cent. "Earlier, there was value-added tax (VAT) of one to 1.5 per cent," says T.S. Kalyanaraman, Chairman and Managing Director, Kalyan Jewellers. "That has been replaced by GST at 3 per cent." No doubt, for gold bought through legal channels, there is also 10 per cent import duty in place since 2013. But like Nair, many others also succumbed to the rumour that gold prices would soar once GST came in, and bought in large quantities before the July 1 deadline.

2016 was a slump year for gold in India, with sales plummeting to their lowest in seven years. The jewellers' strike of March-April, alongside the government's continuing efforts to unearth undeclared income, kept sentiment dampened for most of the year. November saw a huge spike, but hardly for the right reasons - demonetisation had those with unaccounted cash scrambling for ways to rid themselves of their old currency notes and gold in exchange became a preferred option. Yet despite the increase, overall sales of 2015 remained underwhelming.

The first half of 2017, however, saw a dramatic change. Demand for gold rose 28.6 per cent by value to Rs43,600 crore, and 30 per cent by volume to 298.4 tonne, compared to the first half of 2016, according to Delhi-headquartered World Gold Council data. Even more impressive has been the April to June quarter rise, as the July 1 deadline drew closer - value growth was 36 per cent over the same quarter the previous year, with volume growth at 41 per cent. The Akshaya Thritiya festival in April this year, during which Hindus traditionally buy gold, saw a 30 per cent rise in sales. Investment in gold bars and coins in the quarter also grew by 21 per cent.

Some experts ascribe other reasons as well. "Positive sentiment returned as cash supply was restored after the disruption of demonetisation, as well as with the expectation of a good monsoon," says P.R. Soma- sundaram, MD, WGC. "Demand was also supported by a relatively higher number of auspicious wedding days during the quarter."

Impact of GST

The implementation of GST is expected to have two diametrically opposite effects on the gold trade. As is well known, much gold changes hands through unofficial channels - only 30 per cent of the trade is organised. Thus on the one hand, GST implementation is expected to benefit the organised segment by introducing greater transparency and accountability. "GST gives an advantage to gold jewellers," says Mukesh Mehta, President, India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA). "The VAT they paid on purchases earlier was not refundable. But now, with GST, they can get input credit for their inter-state business."

The GST regime will also pressure many in the unorganised sector to move into the organised. Straddling both worlds - buying some smuggled gold and some legitimate, selling some items with proper receipts but many without - as many jewellery makers and traders do at present, will become extremely tough. "The GST framework requires businesses to report every transaction if the benefit of input credit is to be claimed," says Kalyanaraman of Kalyan Jewellers. "Without input credit, business is not likely to be viable. In this scenario, the unorganised segment is likely to find it very difficult to operate."

But on the other, it may also prompt some jewellers to move entirely into the unorganised area, buying cheaper smuggled gold and selling without any bills. India's gold import is estimated at 700-800 tonne annually, of which around 30 per cent is smuggled, mostly from Dubai. With the coming of GST, the difference in price will be a substantial 13 per cent, which in turn may lead to a spurt in smuggling. "The government should now think of reducing the import duty from 10 to 6 per cent, as it was in the past, which would make smuggling of gold unprofitable," says Surendran Koduvally, Secretary, All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association.

Gold Loan Companies

How has GST affect the gold loan business, as distinct from the gold trade? Opinions differ. "GST hasn't impacted the gold loan business because the processing fee it lays down is minimal," says Oommen K. Mammen, Chief Financial Officer, Muthoot Finance, the largest gold loan company in the country. But smaller gold loan dealer Gigimon Ummachan of Vithayathil Enterprises, in Varapuzha village near Kochi, feels differently. "Very little disbursements are happening despite there being a demand as there are now restrictions of distributing cash above Rs20,000," he says.

The big gold loan companies are thriving. Muthoot Finance's gold loans under management rose 8 per cent in the April to June quarter this year to Rs27,775 crore over the corresponding quarter the previous year. Muthoot saw a record 30 per cent growth in net profit in the second quarter, reaching Rs351 crore against Rs270 crore in the same quarter a year ago. Its main competitor, Manap- puram Finance is also going strong, having disbursed gold loans of Rs11,124 crore in 2016/17 against Rs10,080 crore in 2015/16. In the first quarter this year, it had consolidated revenues of Rs854 crore, a 13.86 per cent increase over the same quarter in 2016/17, though net profit was marginally lower at Rs155 crore, a 3.72 per cent drop from the same period the previous year.

Future Worries

Not many analysts expect the gold boom to last. "GST in India will be a game changer in the long run; however, short-term distortions towards the complexity of the tax structure will lead to slow demand for gold in the near-term,' says a recent Angel Commodities research report by Prathamesh Mallya and Anuj Gupta. To combat smuggling, some gold importers are looking to getting the precious metal from countries such as South Korea, with which India has free trade agreements, which will obviate the 10 per cent duty. Meanwhile, Roopali Golecha, a retail gold jewellery merchant in Mumbai, says that the only worry for the small players is economic volatility rather than GST. "Around 90 per cent of my buyers have moved to digital payments," she adds.



@pb_pbjayan


South Korean carmaker Hyundai on Tuesday launched an all new version of its Verna in India with an introductory price starting at Rs 7.99 lakh (exshowroom Delhi) to take on Honda City and Maruti Suzuki's Ciaz in the fight for a higher market share in the mid-size sedan segment. The petrol versions of the Verna are priced between Rs 7.99-12.23 lakh, while the diesel variants carry a price tag between Rs 9.19-12.61 lakh.

The prices of Honda City, on the other hand, range from Rs 8.46 lakh to Rs 13.37 lakh for the petrol models, while its diesel variants are priced between Rs 10.68 lakh and Rs 13.43 lakh. The prices of Maruti Ciaz are lower at Rs 7.65 lakh to Rs 10.41 lakh for the petrol variants , while the diesel models carry a price tag between Rs 9.42 lakh and Rs 11.55 lakh (all prices are ex-showroom).

We are aiming for the leadership position in the segment. With the kind of features the new Verna has, we are confident of achieving it, Hyundai Motor India MD & CEO YK Koo told journalists here. The company has set a target of selling 4,000 to 5,000 units a month for the model, he added.

In the last 17 days, we have received 45,000 enquiries and we expect at least a conversion of 20 per cent of these into actual sales, Koo disclosed. As competition brought in full model changes of their models like City, sales of Verna had dropped to around 700 units a month from a peak of around 49,000 a year in period between 2011 and 2013, he added.

However, Hyundai said the introductory prices will be applicable for first 20,000 customers only. "We will take a price increase after 20,000 units,'' HMIL Director Sales & Marketing Rakesh Srivastava said. The latest Verna comes with 1.6 litre petrol and diesel engines mated with both manual and automatic transmissions.

The model is based on a newly developed K2 platform and has been developed with an investment of Rs 1,040 crore. he new Verna comes with various features like sunroof, rear curtain, standard dual airbags and ABS, eco coating for AC vents and rear parking sensors.

When asked about increasing the production capacity, Koo said that with flexibility in manufacturing the company would be able to pull on till around 2020. So there is no plan for a new factory right now. After 2020 we will look into it, he added. Overall, Hyundai has sold 3.17 lakh units of Verna in India since the introduction of the model in 2006.

Globally, around 88 lakh units of the sedan have been sold. With fierce competition in the mid-size segment, the Honda City has recently received a mid-life facelift while the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz which has a price advantage has been promoted from the company's standard dealership network to the more exclusive Nexa level.
BEWARE! If you are booking your air tickets with the help of an agent, you could be duped and fooled with a fake e-ticket. The trouble would double-fold when you will be nabbed by the CISF and have to undergo detention.

According to sources at IGI Airport, forged e-tickets have emerged a new threat to the Delhi airport security as it has become difficult for the CISF officials to identify the difference between original and forged e-tickets.

In almost 95 per cent cases, the CISF officials allow the passengers to enter the airport premises on the basis of the e-tickets. Later, either the airlines counter identifies those tickets as forged or their suspicious movements alert the staff.

In some cases, a passenger is duped by the agent who had booked the ticket on his/her behalf, while in other cases, people use the cancelled tickets to enter the airport premises.

A similar case was reported at IGI airport in which a passenger was duped of over a lakh by an agent, who is absconding. On Friday, Kalagaradath Olavanna, 25, wanted to deport to Sharjah by Air Arabia flight. He was given entry to the airport premises on the basis of the e-ticket printout, a passport and an ID.

However, when he showed his tickets to the airlines counter staff, he refused the entry as his ticket was not genuine and his name was not in the passengers list. Then he contacted his ticketing agent Kapil who had sent one Shyam Babu with the real ticket.

"When Shyam reached IGI Airport, he gave him the similar ticket that was again refused by the airlines counter. Shyam was arrested and he provided police the whereabouts of Kapil. Teams have been sent to nab him. A case under the sections 420, 468, 471 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered," a police officer told Mail Today. There is no proper system to identify the authenticity of a ticket at the entry gate itself.

"It is dangerous since a person is allowed to enter the airport building when he shows the e-ticket and an ID. If the provision of installation of PNR readers at the gate is provided, it can reduce the risk," the officer said.

In August, a Sri Lankan has been caught at IGIA for entering a terminal allegedly using a fake ticket. He told CISF personnel that he had come to see off his mother, who was travelling to Colombo from the IGIA.

In association with Mail Today


The Union Cabinet has approved the framework for merging state-owned banks. Plans are to consolidate a total of 21 public sector banks, with the details of these banks still awaited. The mergers will be to bring the number of public sector banks from 21 down to somewhere between 10 and 15.

An alternative mechanism will be brought up to give in-principle approval to the proposals of banks to prepare schemes of amalgamation, statement Ministry of Finance. A panel of ministers will look after the entire process of merger of PSU banks, said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Following this, banks will prepare their merger schemes in accordance to legal boundaries and SEBI regulations. The final scheme will be notified by the Central Government as consulted with Reserve Bankk of India.

The motive behind the decision is to modify public sector banks according to suit the credit needs of the growing economy that is India, Also, the entities formed after merging PSU banks will be able to absorb shocks and can generate capital without depending on the state exchequer.

The Cabinet decision comes shortly after State Bank of India merged with five of its other associate banks and Bharatiya Mahila Bank to form the 45th largest bank in the world. While the consolidation faced minor hiccups, if any, it did led to SBI's gross non-performing assets climbing to 10 per cent, the report said.

SBI is also rationalising branches and re-deploying staff to cut costs. This, however, has seen little resistance from the SBI employees or those from the banks that were merged with it.

Meanwhile, State Bank of India chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya too called for more consolidation among the public sector banks, saying this could reduce their dependence on government for capital.

The merger of the state-run banks should open up more capital generation avenues, both internally and from market, for the merged entity, she said while in an interview with the news agency PTI.

The merger, however, has also led to a massive spike in SBI's provisions and its gross non-performing assests that reportedly came close to 10 per cent in the first consolidated results announced earlier this month. These problems are expected to be seen when government goes on with merging other public sector banks in the country too.

"From a government point of view, besides an increased stream of dividends, which forms a part of their non-tax revenue, mergers of state-run banks can also reduce dependence of the merged bank on government for the future capital infusion," Bhattacharya said while delivering the 14th Nani A Palkhivala memorial lecture here this evening.

Merger of public sector banks must increase the role of internal and market resources and thus reduce government's dependency, she explained.

From an institutional and investors point of view, the available market float of a merged bank's shares must appreciate, she said, adding that these considerations have at least guided the merger decision of SBI. As of today, shares of SBI, Punjab National Bank, bank of Baroda rose after Cabinet's nod to merger of PSU banks.

Bhattacharya also pointed out that mergers in the banking sector will lead to greater concentration of payment and settlement flows as there will be fewer parties in the financial sector.

"Now, is this also a hindrance or is this going to be beneficial, but given the cyber security risks that we currently run, probably this could also be beneficial," Ms Bhattacharya said.

However, operational risks could increase post-merger as the size of operations grows and since the distance between management and operational personnel is greater, the administrative systems become more complex, she warned.

(With PTI inputs)



Also watch:




State Bank chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya called for more consolidation among the public sector banks, saying this could reduce their dependence on government for capital.

The statement comes after SBI merged all its five subsidiaries and Bharatiya Mahila Bank, which resulted in a massive spike in its provisions and bad loans ratio that touched double digits in the first consolidated results announced earlier this month, though this led to the creation of the 45th largest bank in the world.

The merger of the state-run banks should open up more capital generation avenues, both internally and from market, for the merged entity, she said.

"From a government point of view, besides an increased stream of dividends, which forms a part of their non-tax revenue, mergers of state-run banks can also reduce dependence of the merged bank on government for the future capital infusion," Bhattacharya said while delivering the 14th Nani A Palkhivala memorial lecture here this evening.

Merger of public sector banks must increase the role of internal and market resources and thus reduce government's dependency, she explained.

Stating that the banking sector is at critical juncture and is faced with challenges like capital constraints due to their government ownership, Bhattacharya said, "these issues call further consolidation".

From an institutional and investors point of view, the available market float of a merged bank's shares must appreciate, she said, adding these consideration has at least guided the merger decision of SBI.

Bhattacharya said after the merger, SBI has moved to a return on equity (RoE) based budgeting, along with risk based budgeting in managing its portfolio.

She said that consolidation in the banking sector will lead to greater concentration of payment and settlement flows as there are fewer parties in the financial sector.

"Now, is this also a hindrance or is this going to be beneficial, but given the cyber security risks that we currently run, probably this could also be beneficial," Bhattacharya said.

However, she warned that operational risks could rise post-merger, as the size of operations enlarge and since the distance between management and operational personnel is greater, the administrative systems become more complex.

"There is a view that exercise of market power by larger merged banks can also alter the monetary transmission operating through bank lending or borrowers without direct access to financial sector," she said, adding, "so mergers may increase systemic risks and mergers guided only by pure capital adequacy considerations are ill-advised".


Infosys after Vishal Sikka: Major developments so far

In less than a week after Vishal Sikka resigned as Infosys CEO and MD, India's second largest software company has become the talk of the town in IT industry. What triggered the talk was Vishal Sikka's letter that he addressed to Infosys employees, putting the blame -for his exit- squarely on founders, especially NR Narayana Murthy. What followed after Sikka's letter was Infosys board's six-page note that set the tone for another round of founder-management battle. The board in the letter said: "Mr Murthy's continuous assault, including his latest letter is the primary reason that the CEO, Dr. Vishal Sikka has resigned despite strong board support." NR Murthy was 'extremely anguished' by the Board's allegations and said: "I will reply to these allegations in the right manner and in the right forum and at the appropriate time." But, that is not all that has happened in past few days. Here are some other developments that have taken place:



INFOSYS LOST OVER RS 30,000 CRORE AFTER SIKKA'S RESIGNATION

The day Vishal Sikka resigned, Infosys lost over Rs 17000 crore from the market capitalisation. The Infosys stock which closed with a market capitalisation of around Rs 2,29,285 crore a day earlier, was down by up to 10 per cent, leading to a fall in its market capitalisation to Rs 2,12,262 crore. The free-falling of stock prices continued on second day of trading and lost over Rs 30,000 crores in just first two days of trading after Sikka's resignation.



INFOSYS OUT OF TOP TEN COMPANIES IN MARKET CAPITALIZATION

Due to continues fall in stock prices, Infosys has slipped out of the list of top 10 companies by market capitalisation on the Bombay Stock Exchange or BSE. Infosys was replaced by state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation or ONGC with the market capitalization of Rs 204433.44 crore. As on Tuesday, Infosys' market capitalisation was - at Rs 877.15 per share - Rs 201478.46 crore. Not only on BSE, the company also moved out of the list of ten most valued companies on the NSE. It was replaced by state-owned Indian Oil Corporation on NSE.



CALL FOR NANDAN NILEKANI AS INFOSYS CHAIRMAN GROWS

Amidst charges and counter-charges between Infosys founders and the board members, investor advisory firm Institutional Investor Advisory Services or IiAS favoured the company's co-founder and former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani as its non-executive chairman. The advisory firm said that the Infosys board couldn't protect its CEO and to select a successor it must begin by reinventing itself. "It must convince Nandan Nilekani to join the board once again, as its Non-Executive Chairperson," IiAS said. Nilekani served the company as its CEO between March 2002 to April 2007. Citing a source, the CNBC-TV18 today reported that Nandan Nilekani was likely to return as the head of the company. "Clarity on Nilekani's role is expected in the next 48 hours," the report said.



TEPID RESPONSE TO INFOSYS' SHARE BUYBACK OFFER

Last week on Saturday, the Infosys Board had approved its first ever share buyback offer of Rs 13,000 crore. However, it couldn't lift the shareholders' confidence. On the first day of trading - after Sikka's exit - on Monday, Infosys suffered over 5 per cent drop in the value of its shares. The fall in stock prices was primarily due to uncertainty over the company's next CEO. The buyback offer failed to impress institutional investors, who own nearly 58 per cent of Infosys stock.



INFOSYS BOARD UNDER FIRE FOR NOTE AGAINST NR MURTHY

After Sikka's resignation, the Infosys put out a six-page strongly-worded note in which it blamed Murthy for running a campaign against the board and the company. It said: "Mr Murthy's campaign against the board and the company has had the unfortunate effect to undermine the company's efforts to transform itself." However, the Board's act did not go well with some of the institutional investors, proxy advisory firms and top executives who are now asking the board if they had so much confidence in Sikka they should have protected him. "It was pathetic. It was offensive and not befitting the board of a company like Infosys," the Live Mint quoted one of the founders who spoke on condition of anonymity.



NARAYANA MURTHY TO ADDRESS INFOSYS INVESTORS TODAY

Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy who was scheduled to address Infy investors today at 6:30 has postponed the conference till August 29 . It will be his first interaction after Sikka's sudden departure. He may also take some questions from investors and assuage their concerns especially after the company has lost over Rs 30,000 crore in a matter of week.


Samsung revealed the Galaxy Note 8 at its Unpacked event in New York today. While its predecessor had a rough run last year, Samsung seemed to have plans to carry on the momentum it gained from Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, fitting the new Note with an Infinity Screen that boasts even smaller bezels.

Samsung claims to have made the S Pen, a defining feature for the galaxy Note series, even better than the previous versions. This might even give the Galaxy Note 8 an edge when it goes toe to toe with other flagships launched earlier this year like OnePlus 5, Nokia 8, and iOS contenders like Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

The camera is another feature to look for, with this being the first dual camera set-up seen on a Samsung device.

Here's a look at what Samsung brings with the new Samsung Galaxy Note 8:

Display

The edge-to-edge Infinity display is back with the newest member of the Galaxy family by Samsung, and it's even bigger. Samsung has trimmed the bezels around the 6.3-inch screen on Note 8 even further than what was seen on S8 or S8 Plus, leaving the screen with an aspect ratio of 18.5:9. The screen comes with an eye-pleasing resolution of 2960x1440 pixels.

Camera

This is the first time a dual camera system has been seen on a smartphone by Samsung and it comes loaded. About the dual camera on Samsung Galaxy Note 8, the first is wide lens whereas the other is a telephoto lens. This also is the first dual-camera system to feature Optical Image Stabilisation in both camera units, enhancing image quality by that much.

Along with with dual camera, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 also comes with dual pixel sensor for better photos in low light conditions. For capturing instantaneous moments, it also comes with Quick Launch, which allows the camera to be accessed easily. The camera itself is dust and water resistant, making it a perfect to capture a beach adventure. Leaks suggest that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 to be two 12-megapixel in the back and a 8-megapixel snapper in the front.



The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 also come with a feature called Live Focus which allows the user to decide how prominently the subject stands out by the adjusting the background blur levels, before or after the picture is taken.

S Pen

Paired with the large screen and wider Infinity Display, the prospects of the S Pen have also grown manifold. Equipped with a finer tip and higher pressure sensitivity, it can now be used to create anything from fine art pieces to day-to-day tasks.

The S Pen now comes with Live Message feature which allows you can animate anything you write or draw, including scribble on photos. These animations can also be messaged for personalised touch.

The Screen Off memo feature has been improved too, allowing users to write for 100 pages without switching on the screen and edit text with double tap. Now entire texts can be translated from one language to another by moving the S Pen over them.

Bixby and Samsung DeX

Samsung's home-grown voice command application Bixby continues to grow and learn, allowing fluent conversations, with a present footprint across 200 English-speaking markets, the company claims. With Quick Commands under Bixby, you can use simple commands or phrases to do complex jobs on your Samsung Galaxy Note 8. These functions can also be customised as required.

Bixby will soon allow users to play music on Spotify, courtesy a partnership between Samsung and the digital music service. Samsung promised more exciting news in its Developers' Conference in October.

With Samsung DeX, the company is making efforts to create an ecosystem of utility and game applications, by partnering with their respective creators, specifically optimised for use on desktop, and form a seamless interface.

Performance

Although the exact processor was not disclosed at the Unpacked event, Samsung did say that the Galoaxy Note 8 will run a SoC based on 10nm architecture. This could mean a Snapdragon 835 or a Exynos processor. The phone will come with 6 GB of RAM though, which makes it able to compete with flagships from other companies.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will come with 64 GB internal memory which can also be expanded using a microSD card.

Features

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 comes with a host of security features including fingerprint sensor, iris scan, facial recognition and more.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and the S Pen both are IP68 water resistant which allows them protection against occasional splashes. Samsung is offering wireless charging with the device which will charge the 3300mAh battery which runs it all.

Official Launch

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be available in markets from September 15 and the pre-orders are expected to begin shortly. However, the price of the phone has not been declared yet. Reports suggest that the new Note 8 will be priced in the UK markets at 869 euros (over Rs 65,600). There is no word on the India launch either.
The Chinese Embassy in Thailand has announced that construction work on a high-speed railway linking China and Thailand is slated to begin as soon as October, once the two countries sign two contracts that cover design and supervision expenses. Above, a group of migrant workers from Hebei province work on a high-speed rail project in Baolan, Shaanxi province. Photo: IC

After two years of setbacks and delays, construction is set to begin in October on a high-speed railway linking China and Thailand.

The projects first phase, a 253-kilometer (157-mile) rail line, will be the first high-speed rail line in Thailand. The Thai cabinet and National Legislative Assembly, which approved the first phase in July, estimated that it will cost 35.7 billion yuan ($5.36 billion) and take four years to complete.

The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok announced that construction work is slated to begin as soon as October, once China and Thailand sign two contracts that cover design and supervision expenses, according to a statement published on Saturday.

The two contracts will be signed during Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-chas visit to China on Sept. 4-5, a source at the national rail operator, China Rail Corp., told Caixin.

According to the statement, China will provide expertise and supervision, while Thailand will provide equipment and materials. China also promised to use a number of Thai engineers and architects as part of an effort to help the Southeastern Asia country master maintaining, operating and managing high-speed railways.

The first phase will link the Thai capital, Bangkok, with the northeastern city of Nakhom Ratchasima. The railway was designed to handle trains running as fast as 250 kph (155 mph). The projects second phase will connect to the China-Laos rail line, which is currently under construction. Once complete, the project will connect Chinas southern city of Kunming with Bangkok and Vientiane, the capital of Laos, by high-speed rail.

Since it was announced in 2014, the China-Thailand high-speed railway has run into several setbacks. Despite at least four announcements that work would begin soon, the start of construction was repeatedly postponed because China and Thailand couldnt find their way to an agreement on financing issues.

The railway is part of Chinas Belt and Road initiative, which aims to promote the countrys investment and infrastructure along a modern silk road connecting Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Earlier this month, China also announced a $12.8 billion rail link in Malaysia under the initiative.

Contact reporter Song Shiqing (shiqingsong@caixin.com)
Lei Shing Hong Machinery Ltd. will buy mining equipment business WesTrac China Co. Ltd., in a move to consolidate its market position in China. Above, Lei Shing Hong employees maintain machinery in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, in January 2016. Photo: IC

Australias Seven Group Holdings Ltd. said it will sell its China-based mining equipment business to Lei Shing Hong Machinery Ltd. for A$540 million ($426 million), as it looks to recoup capital for new investments in its home market.

The sale comes as the company, WesTrac China Co. Ltd., is performing well in an industry that is prone to cycles due to changing government policies and volatility in global commodity prices. Founded in 2001, WesTrac sells equipment in Shanxi, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjang and Jilin provinces, as well as the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and the cities of Beijing and Tianjin.

Both WesTrac and new owner Lei Shing Hong have a close relationship with global mining and heavy equipment supplier Caterpillar Inc.

The sale will provide Seven Group with money to invest closer to home in its Australian businesses, CEO Ryan Stokes said in an announcement on Tuesday.

We are proud to have built a market leading position in Northeast China and we are confident that under the ownership of Lei Shing Hong Machinery  a major Caterpillar dealer in China  our customers will continue to benefit from innovation and first-in-class service, he said.

The purchase will help Lei Shing Hong consolidate its market position, CEO Lawrence Po said.

The deal comes as Chinas mining industries could be poised for an uptick, following a weak period during a global supply glut. But China has also signaled it wants to consolidate its coal mining sector, closing down smaller operations in a bid to make the industry more efficient and also reduce its dependence on the heavily polluting fossil fuel.

That consolidation drive has prompted some coal industry specialists to try to move into other areas.

In May, Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery Group Co. Ltd. said it would pay 545 million euros ($640 million) for a major unit of leading global car parts maker Robert Bosch GmbH, in its own drive to diversify amid the ongoing coal industry consolidation. Zhengzhou Coal announced the deal just six months after saying it would buy six car parts makers for 2.2 billion yuan ($330 million).

Contact reporter Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)
| BY Ricki Green |

Jack Daniels is celebrating its provenance with a new campaign via Sydney-based agency Mr. Wolf, highlighting that every drop of Jack Daniels still comes from Lynchburg, Tennessee.

The multi-channel campaign was shot in Lynchburg and developed locally by Mr. Wolf. Media planning and buying is out of long term agency partner Starcom, and 31st Second is responsible for shopper marketing.

Says Natalia Kowalczyk, senior brand manager Jack Daniels: Its great to be working with the team at Mr. Wolf on a campaign as pivotal as this  throughout the pitch process they demonstrated a deep understanding of our brand, and weve loved putting those skills to the test in developing the Every Drop campaign together.

Says Tony Singleton, managing partner, Mr. Wolf: Jack is one of the most fascinating brands on the planet. It delivers authenticity and craftsmanship in spades while never losing that independent edge. You really feel the responsibility of being true to Jack and its simply great to be helping the Australian team again.

Says Michael Stevenson, managing partner, Mr. Wolf: Its fantastic to be reunited with the Jack Daniels team and were thrilled to be a part of a campaign that celebrates something as important to the brand as their spiritual homeland of Lynchburg.

The copy in the second ad reads: A Postcard From Lynchburg Tennessee. Funny how we never get any return to sender  Lynchburg, Tennessee may not be on everyones radar, but its the only place in the world to make every drop of Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey. Some say its something in the water, but its Jacks charcoal mellowing process that really puts our stamp on it. It might not be the easy way to make whiskey, but its Jacks way. So keep an eye out for one of our postcards, we send them all over. Every drop from a single source. Lynchburg, Tennessee.

The win punctuates an impressive year for Mr. Wolf, having helped Taylors Wines win multiple Marketing Team of the Year awards with the Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor campaign, as well as adding Rest Industry Super and Tourism Fiji to its list of clients.

Agency  Mr Wolf

Strategy: Tony Singleton

Managing Partner: Michael Stevenson

ECD: George Betsis

Senior Copywriters: Andy Healy, Tom Spicer

Senior Art Directors: Kelli Anderson, Matt Smith, Mikey Lind

Producer: Tanja Perl

Finished Artists: Simon Flynn, David Murray

Client  Brown Forman Australia

Marketing Manager: Marisa Murray

Senior Brand Manager: Natalia Kowalczyk
"A number of issues were identified in the reporting procedure for this incident, including that it took more than 20 minutes for the allegations to be reported," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car

I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ...
For contributions promoting Chinese books and writings to global audiences, 20 international authors, translators and publishers were honored in Beijing with the Special Book Award of China on Tuesday.

The ceremony, with Vice-Premier Liu Yandong presenting the awards, also marked the opening of the 24th Beijing International Book Fair, in which some 1,000 book events will be held from Wednesday to Sunday.

The fair, the world's second-largest, has attracted 2,500 publishers from 89 countries and regions, and they brought 300,000 titles.

One of the winners was British translator Paul White, who has been working with China International Publishing Group for 31 years.

Among the books he worked on are Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and The Chinese Path and the Chinese Dream.

"I stay here because of the huge changes China has experienced," White said.

White said Chinese culture presents topics that are popular with global audiences. But as interest grows, international readers also want to read about China's progress in technology and politics.

Alicia Relinque Eleta, the Spanish translator of The Peony Pavilion, received an award for her long dedication to making Chinese classics available to the Spanish world. "When I was pursuing the Chinese language in the 1980s, people thought I was crazy. But Chinese culture had the magic to cheer up a middle school teacher of mine, who had never smiled at us until after a trip to China."

From that moment, Relinque Eleta said, "I've dedicated my life to pondering the best Spanish rhythms to convey the Chinese original".

Lebanese publisher Mohamad El Khatib has cooperated with 20 Chinese publishers to present 100 Chinese titles in his native market.

"From the books, the Lebanese people see they share the same values with Chinese, especially in family and relationships with kids," he said.

Zhao Haiyun, of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, said the winners, selected from more than 200 candidates, "have greatly contributed to spreading Chinese culture as well as Chinese stories to the world".

Established in 2005, the award has honored 88 such writers, publishers and translators from 40 countries.

Zhao said this year, 10 of the 20 winners are from countries involved with the Belt and Road Initiative, "a sign of much closer publishing cooperation with those countries", he said.

The initiative is also the featured topic for the Beijing International Publishing Forum, an annual key gathering held one day ahead of the book fair held on Tuesday, attracting publishers from home and abroad to share insights into global publishing exchanges.

Wu Shangzhi, deputy minister of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, noted that copyright trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative has grown by 20 percent since 2014.

Wu also said the Chinese publishing industry grossed 2.3 trillion yuan ($350 billion) in 2016, a 9 percent year-on-year increase.

Wang Yiwei, professor at Renmin University of China in Beijing, said of the forum: "The Belt and Road Initiative is a promise Chinese leaders made to the world: not only will China achieve its rejuvenation, it will encourage these countries to rejuvenate and thus create shared prosperity for all."

meijia@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/23/2017 page3)
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.
Just as Toyota Motor Philippines updated the specs of the Hilux pickup truck , theyve done the same for the Fortuner as well.
No, youre not looking at the new Jeep Wrangler. Instead, what you see here is the BAIC BJ40 from China and as the title reads, it is now available in Mexico.

And in case youre wondering, that windshield price sticker isnt USD but Mexican pesos with $531,900 equaling around US$33,000. The real Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (5d) starts from MX$614,900 or about US$35,000.



Carscoops reader Daniel stumbled upon the Chinese rip-offs at a dealership in San Pedro Garza Garcia and was understandably shocked that they arent the Jeep models they appear to be.

In his email, Daniel wrote:

Hey guys, so I was driving today and I came across what I thought was an odd looking Jeep Wrangler, I even thought for a second that it might be the redesigned Unlimited. After a quick google search I learned that its a chinese copy called the BAIC BJ40. Ive never heard of it before, and it just amazes me how FCA lets them get away with them copying their jeeps. Anyway this was in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico, so chinese cars are really just miles away from reaching the US and Canada, he said.

Those with a keen interest in industry will know that Chinese automakers love to take inspiration from Western vehicles, much to the displeasure of the original manufacturers, like Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Sadly for them, it is the Chinese governments unwillingness to recognize the often obvious trademark and design infringements that allows the lookalikes to be sold.

Compared to the real Jeep Wrangler, the BJ40 is recognizably different, particularly from the front. At a glance however, it is east to understand why motorists could be confused.

PHOTO GALLERY
This 2017 Ford Ranger XLT apparently suffered a serious mechanical issue, causing the accelerator pedal to jam, sending its occupants into a frenzy.



The owner of the car states that the issue began while the Ranger was still in motion on the motorway, so he quickly pulled over and exited the vehicle, fearing that it was going to explode.

The incident occurred earlier this month in Nicaragua, and aside from the car, nobody got hurt during the Rangers rage outburst. The owner of the truck didnt say if and how his ride was damaged.

Still, in his words, heres how it happened:





My Girlfriend and I were driving our brand new Ford Ranger XLT 2017 with under 7,000 km from Rivas to Managua on Carretera Masaya at 12:30 pm when the accelerator stuck at full throttle speeding us up basically on a highway rampage with no visibility from the instant white smoke.

We seriously thought it was going to blow up, so we quickly pulled over when visible, put on the emergency brake and ran out as fast as possible. Heres the video moments after we exited the vehicle. We are so grateful nobody was seriously injured during this tragedy and we hope that one one should ever go through the same situation we did with a brand new vehicle.

Having seen the videos, we cant help but wonder how come they didnt at least put the car into Neutral and save the tires.

VIDEO




Photo: Moms Stop the Harm Stephanie lost her boyfriend Dustin Martindale to an overdose.

With 780 recorded overdose deaths between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2017, B.C. is on pace to hit more than 1,400 overdose deaths this year.



Moms Stop the Harm is trying to stop this crisis.

The group is made up of people from across Canada - moms, dads, spouses, siblings and grandparents of those who have lost a family member due to an overdose.

Arlene is a retired supervisor with Interior Health. She lost her son Steve on Jan. 31, to a fentanyl-related overdose. She has decided to share how her life is forever altered from this devastating loss.

Moms Stop the Harm is holding an International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 to honour those that lost their lives and the many still suffering with the loss of a loved one.

An education and awareness conference is being held at Kelowna's Evangel Church from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

That same evening a Candle Light Vigil will proceed at The Sails in Downtown Kelowna from 8 to 10 p.m.
Photo: Google Maps

West Kelowna residents are advised of blasting that will commence Wednesday in the Thacker Drive area.

Blasting will continue for one week and will be be conducted weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The work by T & A Rock Works Inc. will accommodate the extension of Wales Road and related underground services for a 14-lot subdivision.

The company says a series of 12 warning honks will sound within two minutes of each detonation, and a five-second long all-clear sound will go off afterwards.
Photo: CTV

A five-month old baby has died and his 29-year-old mother was in hospital with life-threatening injuries after an early morning house fire in Edmonton.

Police say firefighters responded to the fire in southwest Edmonton just before 4 a.m. Tuesday.

Eight people were in the home at the time and six escaped safely.

Police say all eight were taken to hospital, where the baby boy died.

The people in the residence are not all related.

Police say the fire is suspicious and the arson squad along with homicide detectives are investigating.

An autopsy of the baby is scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Photo: Google Maps

Members of the public in Washington state are being asked to help mop up a spill of Atlantic salmon from an imploded net holding 305,000 fish at a Cooke Aquaculture fish farm near Cypress Island.

Washington state's Department of Fish and Wildlife is urging the public to catch as many of the fish as possible after Lummi fishers out for chinook on Sunday near Samish were surprised to pull up the Atlantic salmon  escapees that turned up in their nets again on Monday.

The fish are about 4.5 kilograms each, and the department is asking people to catch them with no limit on size or number.

No one knows yet how many escaped, but Ron Warren of Fish and Wildlife said the net had some 1,360 tonnes of fish in it when it imploded Saturday.

Warren said the spill was caused by tides pushed unusually high by Monday's approaching total solar eclipse.

The department has been monitoring the situation and crafting a spill-response plan with New Brunswick-based Cooke Aquaculture.

The company could not be reached for comment, but on its website it says Atlantic salmon "have safely and sustainably grown" in Puget Sound for more than 30 years in waters it says are "ideal" for growing the fish.

Lummi fishers were incensed at the Atlantic salmon intruding in home waters of native Washington Pacific salmon.

"It's a devastation," said Ellie Kinley, whose family has fished Puget Sound for generations. "We don't want those fish preying on our baby salmon. And we don't want them getting up in the rivers."
Madison Erhardt

Phase two of the Mission Creek restoration project is almost complete.

Work crews and heavy equipment are on site from August 21 to the 23.

Phase 1 was designed and built recognizing there would be ongoing changes to the restoration components resulting from high freshet flows, explains Mission Creek Restoration Initiative project coordinator Steve Matthews.

"The second component was creating some habitat features along the edge of Mission Creek. This involves creating some meanders and pools, along that stretch where the setback dike is."

The heavy floods this spring caused some changes to the creek that required some work.

Well go in to maintain the floodplain and to modify three of the four meander notches that were built to provide fish spawning and rearing habitat for kokanee and rainbow trout," Matthews said. "To that end, well rebuild and reinforce berms along the old dike footprint to minimize erosion and prevent overflow into the side channel."

To learn more about this and other creek restoration work, visit www.missioncreek.ca.
Photo: Twitter

B.C.'s NDP government says poverty remains a reality for many people in the province despite a stronger-than-expected budget surplus in the last fiscal year.

Public accounts released Tuesday show the province ended 2016-17 with a surplus of $2.7-billion thanks to a bigger-than-expected jump in revenues.

Finance Minister Carole James says struggling British Columbians haven't been seeing the benefits of the strong economy but some of the key spending decisions by her government will be reflected in next month's financial update before a full budget is released in February.

Liberal finance critic Shirley Bond says the NDP still hasn't released a plan on how to keep B.C.'s economy growing to ensure it doesn't end up going on a one-time spending spree the province can't afford.
Photo: Contributed There will be more talks this week about the tainted water issue in Spallumcheen's Hullcar Valley.

Members of Spallumcheen council and senior township staff are meeting with Ministry of Environment officials Wednesday to talk about how to resolve the tainted water issue in the Hullcar Valley.

The new provincial government has promised a review, acknowledging the frustration of residents on the Hullcar aquifer whose drinking water is laced with cancer-causing nitrates.

"All they've told us is that it is a priority," said Mayor Janice Brown who is hopeful the new government will explain what direction it is taking in relation to the issue. "We don't know where we're at. Will they be redoing or reviewing the studies that have been done?"

Meanwhile, later this week, members of the Save the Hullcar Aquifer Team will have a face-to-face meeting with an assistant deputy minister of the environment ministry to discuss the ongoing issue.

Brown said the ministry has promised "a verdict" by the end of September.

Meanwhile, the mayor has requested a meeting with Environment Minister George Heyman at next month's Union of BC Municipalities meeting in Vancouver.
Photo: hellobc.com

BC Ferries is banning smoking on all its vessels and at all terminals starting on Jan. 22.

The corporation says it's providing advance notice of the new smoke-free policy to provide time for customers and employees who smoke to adjust to the ban, which applies to tobacco, marijuana and e-cigarettes.

President Mark Collins says the new policy will support the health of customers and employees by controlling their exposure to second-hand smoke.

BC Ferries has also announced that starting in October, it will no longer allow passengers on the lower decks of major vessels to remain in their vehicles.
Photo: pixabay

Penticton City Council held a special meeting Tuesday to ratify a $45,000 emergency loan to the Penticton Curling Club.

The interest-free loan will be repayable over five years at $750 per month, with interest charged only on delinquent payments.

The club appeared before council last week to request support in repairing its ice plant as it enters what could be the club's biggest season ever. They will host a World Curling Tour event in November, attracting 24 teams from around the globe, and be a practice facility for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Council heard that the club had already sunk $7,400 into the 42-year-old ice plant this year, before a technician recommended they replace the unit. The loan will fund the replacement of one refrigeration unit and a major rebuild of a second.

Im hoping that we dont get into the business of lending money, Coun. Campbell Watt said Tuesday, adding he hopes the loan doesnt open the doors to other community groups to come forward requesting interest-free loans.

Coun. Helena Konanz agreed, and said the city needs to make sure local non-profit operators are setting money aside for large expenses like this in the future. The clubs lease with the city dictates they handle all maintenance of the facility.

A report is due to council next month that will outline possible changes to the citys facility lease policy, specifically the possibility of the city taking over maintenance of some buildings.

Chief Financial Officer Jim Baur noted the loan doesnt cost the city anything, and will be filed on the balance sheet as a receivable item.
Photo: Contributed

A Connecticut nanny accused of burning a three-year-old's hand and leg on a hot stove, lifting her up by her hair and trapping her inside a toy chest has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The News-Times reports a defence attorney called Lidia Quilligana's actions "unfathomable" at Tuesday's sentencing, but said she was "a sad person who lost control." The attorney said Quilligana was abused as a child and was using the only discipline she knew.

An advocate for the victims said the abuse suffered by the three-year-old and her one-year-old twin siblings could only be described as torture.

The judge said 15 years "doesn't even come close to fitting the crime."

Police say Quilligana was arrested in 2015 after a hidden camera captured the abuse.
Photo: Twitter

Federal NDP leadership contender Niki Ashton is rejecting an endorsement from a supporter who's been accused of holding anti-Semitic views, including denying the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Ashton says she "in no way" supports such views and does "not accept support from people who hold such views."

Ashton posed for a photo with Nazih Khatatba at a fundraiser in Mississauga, Ont., earlier this month hosted by the Palestine Aid Society.

Khatatba subsequently used the photo in an endorsement of Ashton on Facebook; she also got a front page endorsement in an Arabic language newspaper edited by Khatatba.

B'nai Brith Canada, which is dedicated to combating anti-Semitism, drew Ashton's attention to what it says is Khatatba's long history of anti-Semitism.

The group says Khatatba has called Jewish suffering "a fairy tale" and has denied the extermination of millions of Jews by Nazis during the Holocaust.

B'nai Brith also says the newspaper Khatatba edits has supported acts of terrorism, including a 2014 massacre at a Jerusalem synagogue in which one Canadian citizen was among those killed.
Photo: Twitter

More than 63,000 Hydro-Quebec customers were without electricity early Wednesday after severe thunderstorms ripped through southern Quebec, Montreal and the Laurentian region north of the city.

Most of the outages were in the Montreal area affecting more than 42,000 homes and businesses, with another 8,000 blackouts reported in the Laurentians and a further 7,500 in communities south of Montreal.

Hydro-Quebec spokesman Mathieu Rouy says the wind gusts were so violent, fallen trees and branches littered the streets, making it difficult for repair crews to get through.

In Montreal, the greatest damage appeared to be in the Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighbourhood where pictures posted on social media showed numerous trees snapped in two by the wind and streets littered with branches and debris.

A spokesman for the Montreal Fire Safety Authority said about 20 residences on one street in NDG had to be evacuated after snapped branches fell on transformers and homes.

Other pictures posted by residents also showed downed trees and wind-blown debris as far north as Lachute, about 85 kilometres north of Montreal.

Environment Canada had issued a severe thunderstorm warning on Tuesday morning, saying severe thunderstorms were capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.
Photo: The Canadian Press Jenny Kwan

The Liberal government is misleading people when it says there's no advantage to crossing illegally into Canada to seek asylum, NDP MP Jenny Kwan says.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made those comments over the weekend as the Liberals have become more assertive in their efforts to tamp down the volume of asylum seekers. Nearly 7,000 have arrived in the last six weeks, mostly via Quebec.

But in a letter to Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, Kwan suggests there is in fact an advantage.

If they go the legal way, she says, they'll be turned away, because of the agreement between Canada and the U.S. that precludes people from making asylum claims at official land border crossings.

"Under international law, once they have crossed the border Canada must take them in and process their refugee claims," Kwan said in the letter, sent late Tuesday.

"If the prime minister was serious about reducing unsanctioned border crossings, let alone truly welcoming refugees, he would have already suspended the Safe Third Country Agreement."

The Liberal government has repeatedly insisted there's no reason to suspend the deal, noting that the asylum system in the United States is still functioning and the country remains open to granting people refuge.

In her letter, Kwan points to violent clashes between white nationalists and counter protesters in Virginia earlier this month as a sign of increased insecurity for all minorities.

But more so, she said, the influx of people into Canada makes it clear they no longer feel the U.S. is safe.

The government is ignoring what should be a manageable issue, she said.

"Given the current trend of anti-immigration and anti-refugee rhetoric throughout the developed world, maintaining the highest degree of public confidence in Canada's immigration system should be a top priority for your government to reduce the risk of those views taking hold in Canada," she wrote.
Photo: Castanet File Photo

Drought conditions in the Okanagan could get worse as hot, dry conditions continue across the region.

The valley is currently at a Drought Level 2, meaning conditions are dry and there is a potential for water supply problems. A voluntary 10 per cent reduction in water use is requested.

Regions to the east and west, including the Kettle, Similkameen and Nicola are at Drought Level 3.

According to the Okanagan Basin Water Board, conditions have worsened despite late spring rains and flood conditions that affected the valley through May, June and July.

The Okanagan has seen just a sprinkle of rain since late June.

In a drought bulletin released this week, the OBWB says at least two streams, Vaseux Creek and Inkaneep Creek are experiencing low flows.

Only two water systems, Kelowna, and Greater Vernon, have moved to higher water restrictions.

Kelowna has moved to Stage 1 because the system is running close to capacity due to high demand, while Greater Vernon has also moved to Stage 1 restrictions because the Duteau Creek reservoir is below average.

The OBWB says it is in close communication with the province concerning the possibility of moving to a Drought Level 3.

Long-range forecasts are calling for above normal temperatures into October.
Photo: Contributed

UPDATE: 11:20 a.m.

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to a small surface fire in the area on Oyama Lake.

Three firefighters have been dispatched to the fire, burning on the northwest side of the lake.

There are structures in the area, however, they are not being threatened.

The fire is less than a hectare in size.

ORIGINAL STORY: 9 a.m.

Castanet is receiving reports of a small grass fire in the Oyama Lake area.

According to one report, a campfire in the area may have sparked the fire.

The fire has shown up on the BC Wildfire Service map as a person caused fire, however, no word yet as to whether crews have been sent.

The fire is outside the jurisdiction of the Lake Country Fire Department.
Photo: RespectFEST 2017 Art About Town and art projects are part of RespectFEST 2017.

There are some free tickets and free transit for people who want to check out RespectFEST 2017, a multicultural festival taking place in Vernon Sept. 18-24. There are plenty of events scheduled during the week-long event.

Beginning Friday, Aug. 25, free tickets to all events will be available through the online service, Eventbrite. With just a month to go, the public is encouraged to check out the calendar of activities available on the RespectFEST website.

The festival is funded in part by the federal government and marks Canada 150th birthday while celebrating respect and diversity in the North Okanagan.

Events includes Art About Town, Mural and History Respect tours, Peek behind the Curtains of the Performing Arts Centre, RaptorFest at Allan Brooks Nature Centre, Kikinee Festival, The Caetani Chronicles, Pollinators of the Okanagan, outdoor art shows, Family GypsyFest, community appreciation pancake breakfast, and more. Organizers advise that tickets will be required for some of the tours and events due to limited space.

The busiest day of the festival will be the multicultural celebration in Civic Plaza, by city hall, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be two stages for dancing and music as well as food and free activities for all ages.

The City of Vernon will provide free transit for festival goers on Sept. 23, to improve accessibility to and from the event and manage traffic and parking demands in the downtown core.
Contributed

A black bear has been spotted prowling backyards in Kelowna's Kettle Valley neighbourhood.

Kristin Martineau captured some cellphone video of the bear Tuesday morning.

Martineau says she was just about to walk out to her yard when she saw the bear creeping towards her.

''I was just about to leave the house, until I noticed there was (something) in the backyard," she said.

The bear was sniffing around the yard for about a minute until it ran off.

"I guess I might need to fix up my fencing," Martineau added.
She has swum 38 kilometres and biked 1,800 km, now ultra triathlete Shanda Hill of Vernon is on the run.

Hill, who's competing in the Deca Ultratriathlon Continuous, a race that is the equivalent of 10 Ironman triathlons, began a 422 kilometre run around 9 a.m. local time.

The competition in Buchs, Switzerland began Aug. 16 and must be completed by the 31st. Only sixteen people are taking part in the gruelling race.

"Hey to everybody back home," said Hill, in a live Facebook post. "I'm going to head out on the run and get some stuff done."

Hill gave no indication as to how she was feeling physically but, mentally, she appears to be strong.

Hill, 35, raced the Quintuple Anvil last year in Virginia, a race half the distance of the Deca, and became the first Canadian female to take part, finishing in first place for woman and fifth overall.
Photo: Twitter

A bride and groom spent their first night of wedded bliss in jail when Edmonton police arrested them after a post-wedding brawl in a downtown bar.

Its unclear how it all started, but photos and videos posted on social media show the fight on the weekend spilling out of the Denizen Hall bar and onto the street.

Witnesses say the bride was right in the middle of it. Police say she was charged with assault and the groom was charged with mischief. Their names have not been released.

Witness Matt Machado told CTV Edmonton that the doors to the bar just exploded open and bodies started piling out.

It was just absolutely ridiculous and absolutely absurd, Machado said.

The bride is just swinging and the melee ends up on the sidewalk, said another witness.

As were watching, you just see this girl in a wedding dress right in the middle of it, a third witness recalled.

Images and videos of the brawl were posted online. Your wedding is trash, one user wrote in a tweet, which included a photo of the bride sitting outside next to security staff.
Photo: Contributed James Armstrong Richardson International Airport

RCMP say a passenger tried to bring a semi-automatic handgun onboard a flight from Winnipeg to Toronto.

Police say the restricted weapon was found inside a carry-on garment bag as a man passed through security on Tuesday at the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

They say screening agents found the firearm and called RCMP, who have a detachment at the airport.

RCMP spokeswoman Tara Seel says the gun was not loaded and the passenger was not carrying any ammunition.

Mohammad Peyawary, who is 35, faces several charges, including unlawful transport of an unsecured restricted firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.

He remains in custody.
Photo: Contributed

People with memory impairment or early Alzheimers disease are invited to participate in an investigational medication study.

Okanagan Clinical Trials is conducting the study to determine the medication's effectiveness.

Memory impairment and Alzheimers disease are devastating conditions with very few viable treatment options, said Dr. Paul Latimer, psychiatrist and principal investigator for Okanagan Clinical Trials. With an aging population and numbers on the rise, it is very important to continue searching for safe and effective treatments.

Alzheimers is the most common form of dementia and affects almost 39 million people worldwide. Typically, it begins by affecting an individuals short-term memory.

Eligible volunteers for the study should be between the ages of 50 and 85.

More than 750 participants are being sought.

Effects of the study medication will be measured over two years, with the possibility of an open-label extension study. Participation will not affect provincial medical coverage, and all study-related costs will be paid for by the sponsor. Participants are free to leave the study at any time.

Okanagan Clinical Trials can be reached at 250-862-8141.
Photo: Big White

UPDATE: 7:15 p.m.

Crews had the fire knocked down as of 6 p.m. and were monitoring and sweeping through the building.

Big White has organized a dinner for the firefighters.

"We're so grateful for their help," said spokesperson Avery Price.

UPDATE: 5:30 p.m.

As of 5 p.m., fire crews had opened up the side the roof at Monashee Inn on Big White and were hitting a stubborn roof fire hard with water.

There is no word on how many units of the building may be affected by the fire.

UPDATE: 4:45 p.m.

Support fire teams have arrived at Big White from Kelowna.

They're working with the Big White Fire Department, Joe Rich Fire Department, and BC Ambulance.

UPDATE: 4:25 p.m.

Big White spokesperson Avery Price says crews have the blaze under control.

Kelowna crews are still en route to the site.

Flames are no longer visible, only smoke, says Price.

The building was empty at the time the fire broke out, other than construction workers, none of whom were injured.

UPDATE: 4:15 p.m.

Crews continue to fight the fire at Monashee Inn.

They are using a construction lift to elevate firefighters so they can soak the roof with a hose.

Additional crews from Kelowna have been called in.

UPDATE: 3 p.m.

Firefighters continue to work on a rooftop fire at Big White Resort.

Staff on site say there are still active flames coming out of rooftop windows at the Monashee Inn.

UPDATE: 2:15 p.m.

Big White security reports there was a building crew at the Monashee Inn, working on the decking with a torch.

"The fire started and went into the attic, and there are currently firefighters inside the building with water in the attic," says Big White's Michael J. Ballingall.

"It looks like they might have it under control," he said.

UPDATE: 2:10 p.m.

The fire at Monashee Inn on Big White is burning in the attic of the building.

Two fire trucks and personnel are on scene.

The building is currently undergoing renovations.

ORIGINAL: 1:55 p.m.

Firefighters are battling a structure fire at the Monashee Inn on Big White.

Big White senior vice-president Michael J. Ballingall says the fire is on the third floor, in the middle of the structure.

The Big White Fire Department has requested assistance from the nearby Joe Rich firehall to fight the fire, in what Ballingall says was one of the first, if not the first, accommodation buildings on the mountain.

Ballingall says the building does not have sprinklers, necessitating the call for extra manpower.

The building is a wooden structure, situated at the top of Big White Road, right next to the firehall.

More details as they become available.

Send your news, photos and video to [email protected]
Dog owners in the Vernon area are howling to be let in to Polson Park.

During interviews with dog owners at BX Dog Park on Wednesday, everyone walking a pet said it was a great idea although many of them rarely, if ever, went to the downtown park.

The owners were commenting on a proposed two-year trial in the downtown park that would allow canines in  if they were on a leash. Currently, dogs are banned.

City of Vernon staff are investigating the idea.

You just have to come to (BX) Park to see how much it's used and Polson Park would be used way more if they allowed dogs, said one Coldstream man. I've never been in Polson Park because I can't take my dogs.

If (the park) were used more I think the street people would be less likely to be inhabiting it and I think it would be good for everything.

One man who admitted he hadn't visited Polson Park for 17 years said he'd rather use BX Park where his animals could run off-leash and play in the creeks.

But he still liked the idea as long as owners kept their dogs on-leash and cleaned up after them.

Definitely not being able to take him prevents me from taking my kids to the park, said one young mother whose dog, Gunner, sat shyly by her side. Kelowna has run a similar project in City Park and they've had great success with it so I think it's about time they allowed dogs into Polson Park.
Photo: Google Street View The Salvation Army is appealing for help as food items run low on the shelves.

Vernon's Salvation Army has issued an appeal for help from the community due to a lack of food items for the poor.

"We need your help," said a tweet. "Our food bank shelves are extremely empty. Can you help us help others?"

"We're running out of a lot of things including spaghetti, noodles, pasta sauce, all kinds of stuff," said Lt. Stefan Reid, manager of the House of Hope at 3303 32nd Avenue. "Now we need the community's help."

Reid acknowledged the community has been generous over the summer, especially with financial donations, but that cash went to help the thousands of evacuees across the province who were affected by wildfires.

"The donations that we did get were monetary and they went directly to the wildfire efforts."

Reid said some items that usually go into food hampers for a household struggling to get by will be substituted by what's available but that will only last so long.

"The need seems to be greater in the last little while. I don't know if its because of the wildfires or some other reason."

He said about 25 households per day, which are screened to see if they qualify, are receiving support.
Update: Aug.23

A man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant has been arrested at a local hotel.

Kelowna RCMP responded to a report of a disturbance at a hotel in the 1100 block of Harvey Avenue around 6:30 a.m. Friday morning. Apparently a man was running up and down the hallways, screaming and swearing. That individual turned out to be Jeremi Crowe, who had a warrant issued for his arrest after failing to return for his curfew Wednesday night.

He remains in police custody at this time.

Photo: Crime Stoppers Jeremi Ahsley Crowe, wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant. Call your local police or Crimestoppers if you know Crowe's whereabouts.

Police are asking for the public's assistance in locating a 28-year-old Okanagan man who has a long criminal history in BC.

A Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for Crowe after he apparently failed to return for his curfew last night.



On Aug 21 2013, Crowe allegedly breached the conditions of his parole and is now unlawfully at large with a Canada-wide Warrant for his arrest. Crowe has been known to frequent the downtown area of Kelowna, including City Park, and has ties to other Okanagan cities.



He is described as:

Caucasian

5' 7" and 190 lbs with a slim build

Short brown hair

Blue eyes

Very distinctive face and neck tattoos

Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of Jeremi Ashley Crowe is asked to call their local police.

If located, do not approach him, rather call 911 immediately. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.
If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,...
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Looterkings, like Voodoo, is giving new meaning to starting off with nothing at all. Quite literally, you and up to three friends get to run around a dungeon naked while starting off with a random weapon to assist you in collecting experience. With these experience points you get to level up and acquire enough gold in order to at least put some pants on for a bit of modesty.

The premise behind the dungeon crawl is not a new one, but its implementation has some thought put into it. If you really want to, you can explore the dungeons on your own but with the amount of enemies that spawn even in the beginning room coupled with how fast they move, youll want friends or even some random people along for the ride. Looterkings really is a co-op experience and with permadeath turned on even just on a normal difficulty? Youll need it.

Every character starts off with a naked goblin, a random weapon and a God Power before they start to kill off the dungeons residents and loot their hordes. While not being so bad with a melee weapon, this can take some time to get used to with a ranged one as there is no reticle or cross-hairs available. You have to guesswork how to fire and the angle that should be taken for your shots. It eventually becomes second nature but in the beginning, especially if you decided to try at it on your own before embarrassing yourself online, its not easy.

The dungeons that youll be exploring are a tad on the crazy side. Split into a slew of different rooms on different floors, youll never know whats behind the next door. Is it fiery exploding rats? Elemental crazy knights? Goblin Skeletons? Wizards? Rivers of freaking lava which was not cool to fall into or spikes that are only waiting for you to miss your jump across a set of chains. Does the room make it easy to move around in or is it designed to allow the enemy to swarm you and your group if you have one? The answers to these youll never know until you open the door which makes the whole thing exhilarating.

As you move through the room, kill off the residents and loot their stashes, youll need to spend some of that hard earned cash. Available whenever youre not walking into a brand new room because you get locked into a death match, you can either go about it the old fashioned way and walk back or you can simply teleport and hopefully remember the path to where youve already been. By the way theres no map and everything looks alike so finding your way around can take some time.

The shop itself is a simple interface with multiple tabs for the different types of gear that can be acquired. You want swords, go to the swords tab. You want headgear, go to the headgear tab. It is designed to allow players to quickly go in and out and not waste time that could otherwise be spent inside of the rest of the dungeon. This said, the starting inventory of the shop has some rather slim pickings which is where leveling up comes into play. The more that you level up the more than the shop opens its inventory over to you. Youll still need to loot the hell out of the dungeon mind you to afford anything but I mean one problem at a time right?

Something interesting, and another reason to play co-op, is that one player can jump onto another players shoulders to piggyback around the dungeon through a two is better than one approach in a literal sense. Together you not only become stronger but your abilities are also boosted meaning that if you used to summon one ghost of the last thing you killed to act as a decoy youll now summon two. Other God Powers such as turning invisible and healing up are also powered up making it easier to stay alive. As a last note on the subject, the names are merged and change depending who is on the top and who is on the bottom.

Other interesting elements are more from a streaming perspective and players have the chance to join in on their favorite streamers, if they play, channels and either help them out or make them lose. Like Fortnite its interesting to see that developers are adding in that little bit extra to bridge in those that do use services like Twitch for a bit of a different experience.

The one thing that I constantly kept coming back to while going through Looterkings is how awesome this could be in a Virtual Reality environment. While I myself dont yet have one it feels like the type of experience that could be really cool to run around in even if its in a third person view.
Poets from over 30 countries will gather in Chengdu city, Southwest China's Sichuan province for an international poetry week in September.

According to Chengdu federation of literary and art circles, the festival will last from Sept 12 to 16, and will attract 38 foreign poets from 32 countries including the United States, Britain, Russia and Italy, and 52 Chinese poets, poem critics and translators.

The event, jointly hosted by the federation and Chengdu culture, radio and TV, press and publication bureau, will feature activities such as poetry reading, themed forums, poetry writing and artistic performances.

Organizing committee head Liang Ping said, "We want to rediscover Chengdu's cultural identity through poetry, and build the poetry week into a brand activity with international influence."

The festival will become a biennial event, and the second one is expected to be held in 2019.
Five Minutes With Damien Geter Audio Article Vocalist, composer and Richmond Symphony artist in residence Damien Geters musical roots sprouted when he was a boy in the Matoaca District of Chesterfield County, where he was raised and...
Chicago-based Truss, an AI-powered platform that simplifies the process of finding and leasing small- to medium-sized office space, announced Wednesday that it has raised $7.7 million in new funding.

The Series A funding round brings the total capital raised for Truss to more than $9 million since launching in March of 2016. Among its co-founders are Andrew Bokor, who also co-founded Chicago-based cybersecurity firm Trustwave, and Bobby Goodman, a former vice president at Chicago-based commercial real estate firm JLL.

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Truss currently only operates in Chicago and Dallas. But co-founder Tom Smith, who's based in Dallas along with a fourth co-founder, Marshall Hudes, said it will use the Series A funds to expand in Texas, then along the west and east coasts.

In addition to launching in new markets, Truss plans to use the funds to further develop its AI-powered chatbot named Vera, while also growing its business to include more than just office listings, Smith said.

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"We're debuting the platform focused on the office type of commercial real estate," he said. "We're going to be adding retail and industrial support with these Series A proceeds."

Landlords can list their available inventory on Truss for free. There's also no charge to the prospective tenants who use the Truss platform to search through its thousands of properties or schedule tours.

One type of business that might currently use Truss, Smith said: A tech startup that's grown out of a co-working space and looking for larger space for its future needs.

If tenants have any questions while hunting for their perfect office, they can consult Vera. The chatbot provides feedback, highlights potential spaces on a 100-point scale and also helps negotiate leases. Smith said Vera communicates with minimal real-estate jargon.

Truss only makes money when a lease is signed. Even then, it gives some of that money back to the tenant.

"The landlord pays Truss the going rate for landlord-represented commissions in a given market for closed leases," Smith said. "Truss then turns around and gives 30 percent back to the tenant."

Navitas Capital, based in California, led the Series A round. Other investors included Hyde Park Angels, which previously contributed to the Truss seed round. Truss provides virtual tours of office spaces through a partnership with Matterport, another Navitas Capital portfolio company.

Truss' Chicago presence includes a research and development facility in Evanston and office space in River North, Smith said. The company has 15 total employees.

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Robert Holly is a freelance writer.

Twitter @robertwadeholly
When Elvira Lopez's son Javier was born in March 2016, the Amazon.com warehouse employee took advantage of a perk that few U.S. hourly workers enjoy: She took 20 weeks of paid maternity leave, and after that, a six-week gradual ramp-up back to work.

"I was able to go to appointments. You know how hard that can be," said the 28-year old Lopez, who lives in Phoenix, Ariz. The time off also gave her the opportunity to spend time with her older daughter, 11, during the summer and to visit California, where she's from. "We went to Disneyland. Twice."

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Lopez is one of 11,000 U.S. employees to have enjoyed Amazon's overhaul of parental-leave benefits in November 2015. About 72 percent of them are, like Lopez, operations and logistics workers paid by the hour and on the lower end of the salary scale, according to data released for the first time by the company.

Amazon's move to revamp its parental-leave benefits coincided with a wider wave of perk enhancements among booming U.S. technology companies concerned about retaining talented employees, especially women, who are underrepresented in tech. Microsoft and Netflix had announced major improvements to their parental-leave policies earlier that year.

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It also came at a time when the fast-growing company started making its way to the top of the list of major employers among the Fortune 500, mostly due to furious hiring at its warehouses.

Amazon currently employs 382,400 around the world, and if the company completes its takeover of Whole Foods, it could become the second-biggest employer on the list after Wal-Mart.

What's interesting about Amazon's policy, though, is that the Seattle e-commerce giant extended to its burgeoning army of relatively low-paid warehouse workers the same enhanced benefits that its highly paid software developers and executives get.

That gives the majority of Amazon's U.S. workforce access to generous leave policies that are rare beyond the upper echelons of American workers or among those living in the few states with paid leave laws. (Washington state's paid family-leave law takes effect in 2020).



According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics last November, close to a quarter of private-industry workers in management and professional occupations had access to paid family leave. In contrast, only 7 percent of people in service occupations, and 6 percent of workers in transportation and production activities had the same benefit.

"Privately offered paid leave has grown most in sectors that recruit from a small group of highly skilled workers," wrote the authors of a Brookings Institution paper published in May. That inequality can be seen even within large companies that employ people at both ends of the skill spectrum.

When Starbucks earlier this year said it would expand its parental benefits starting in October, it gave nonstore employees a much better deal than it did baristas. Wal-Mart, Amazon's archrival and America's largest private employer, also has a two-tier system.

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Parental benefits are available to Amazon employees who work more than 26 hours per week. To moms who give birth, Amazon offers 20 weeks of paid leave. Four of those weeks can be taken before the baby comes.

That part of the policy was designed with warehouse employees in mind, said Steve Winter, an Amazon human-resources director.

Winter said that his group heard from employees and managers at fulfillment centers that it was difficult for expecting mothers in the later stages of pregnancy to stand for hours at a time and move around the floor. "We wanted to make sure we gave moms the opportunity to be able to rest," he said.

After the baby is born, new moms can take up to 16 weeks off at full base pay.

Six of those weeks can be shared with their partner  meaning that if the employee returns to work, the other parent gets paid the equivalent of the Amazon employee's salary to stay at home with the baby.

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That allows partners of Amazon employees who work at companies who don't offer paid parental leave to take time off.

New dads, or employees who have adopted a child, are eligible for six weeks paid leave. That leave can also be shared with a significant other.

In addition to parental leave, Amazon allows new parents of either gender up to eight weeks of a flexible work schedule. The program is called "Ramp Back," and was also the result of employee feedback obtained through focus groups, Winter said.

"New moms expressed 'it could be nice if I could transition back to work so I could manage the day-care situation, pickups, drop off,'" Winter said.

Lopez, the Phoenix warehouse employee, took six of the eight weeks of flexible scheduling available to her, working three eight-hour days a week instead of her usual four 10-hour days.



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To handle leave requests from employees, Amazon created a new role: "parent ambassadors," a group of some 40 human-resource staffers who act as concierges for the new parents and stay in touch through the leave.

"The ambassador stays with them until they come back to work," Winter said.

About 60 percent of Amazon employees who have taken paid parental leave are men, like Aaron Toso, a Seattle-based public-relations specialist whose third child, a daughter, was born last September.

He took two weeks off and shared the last four weeks with his wife, Megan, who runs her own insurance brokerage and doesn't have access to paid leave. That means that the company paid Megan the equivalent of Toso's base salary for that time.

"When my second child was born, she was closing a deal from the hospital," Toso said in an interview. But now, because of Amazon's leave policy, "my wife didn't have to rush back to her business," he said.

"We really just wanted to enjoy spending time with her, spend time together as a family."
Consumers who post negative reviews on sites like Yelp have new protections under Illinois law. (Richard Vogel / AP)

Consumers who post negative reviews on sites like Yelp have new protections under Illinois law.

A bill signed into law last week by Gov. Bruce Rauner prohibits businesses from including or enforcing nondisparagement clauses in contracts for the sale or lease of consumer goods or services. Such so-called "gag" clauses are meant to dissuade customers from posting critical reviews by threatening them with fees if they do.

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It isn't clear how many businesses insert such clauses into consumer contracts, which are typically found in the "terms and conditions" language consumers often accept without reading. But moving companies, dentists, retailers and hotels are among the businesses that have been reported to have such clauses. Last year, a Dallas-based pet-sitting company sued a couple for $1 million after they posted a one-star review on Yelp; the case was dismissed.

"The rise of Yelp, TripAdvisor, Facebook, Twitter and other social platforms requires this consumer protection," said state Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, who sponsored what has been called the "right to Yelp" legislation. California and Maryland have similar laws, according to his office.

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Companies can still sue for defamation if a consumer's review is untrue.

The Illinois law is similar to the Consumer Review Freedom Act, a federal law that then-President Barack Obama signed last year. But the federal law is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, so consumers can't sue a company directly for violating it, according to Vince DiTommaso, an attorney based in Oakbrook Terrace who represents consumers in class-action consumer fraud litigation.

By contrast, the Illinois law, which amends the state's Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, allows consumers to sue companies for damages and attorneys' fees, DiTommaso said.

"That opens up a whole other area of benefit to consumers," he said. And, he said, "it creates new litigation for me, which is wonderful."

Still, the state law doesn't seem to be ruffling the business community. Neither the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce nor the Illinois Retail Merchants Association had positions on the bill, which passed unanimously in the House and Senate.

"None of our members objected to it," said Rob Karr, CEO of the retail merchants group.

aelejalderuiz@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @alexiaer
The owner of one of the city's most prominent buildings, the Merchandise Mart, is planning an apartment tower on a parking lot it has owned for almost 20 years at the southwest corner of Kinzie and Canal streets. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

After transforming the Merchandise Mart into a top destination for technology firms and big headquarters relocations, the owner of the River North behemoth is turning its attention to an obscure property it owns nearby: a parking lot where it wants to build an apartment tower.

Vornado Realty Trust is ramping up plans for the site it owns across the Chicago River from the Mart, at Kinzie and Canal streets, according to sources. The surface parking lot is along the north side of a Cassidy Tire & Service building.

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Under current zoning for the site, Vornado could build a tower of 30-plus stories, with more than 200 apartments. The firm could seek changes to the zoning, which has been in place since 2001, if it wants to include more units on the site in the Fulton River District.

New York-based Vornado's efforts to kick-start the development come almost two decades after the real estate investment trust bought the property as part of its 1998 acquisition of the 4.2 million-square-foot Merchandise Mart.

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Vornado's exact plans for the parking lot are unknown. Chicago-based Vornado executive Myron Maurer, chief operating officer of Vornado's Merchandises Mart Properties unit, declined to comment.

In a 2015 letter to Vornado's zoning lawyer for the project, John "Jack" George, the city's Department of Planning and Development confirmed that zoning for the 26,189-square-foot site allows a tower as high as 365 feet, with as many as 228 apartments, public records show.

If Vornado kicks off construction relatively soon, it will do so amid an apartment boom in the area, and throughout downtown Chicago. A combined 12,500 new apartments units are expected to be completed downtown in 2017, 2018 and 2019, according to Chicago-based consulting firm Appraisal Research Counselors. That would be a three-year record for apartment construction downtown.

"We're seeing record numbers of apartment deliveries, but we're also seeing record absorption," said Gail Lissner, a vice president at Appraisal Research Counselors. "Leasing numbers are very strong for new product."

Although Vornado will face competition from thousands of new units, building apartments is an opportunity to cash in on thousands of jobs it has brought to the area by modernizing the Mart.

The development also could capitalize on close proximity to two recently completed office towers along the river and the rise of the Fulton Market district to the west, which includes Google's Midwest headquarters and the future McDonald's headquarters now under construction. Other apartment developments in recent years include the five-tower K Station project by Chicago-based Fifield Cos. and, just across the river, the recent completion of the first of a planned three Wolf Point towers.

"It's a walk-to-everything location, and there's good connectivity to transportation, whether it's the CTA, Metra or expressways," Lissner said. "It's a very interesting location because it's on the edge of three markets. It's the far eastern edge of the West Loop and it's adjacent to River North and the Loop. We've seen significant office development in the area, along with demand for office space in the Mart."

Vornado has converted huge blocks of former Mart showroom space into offices in recent years, making way for Conagra Foods, Motorola Mobility and Beam Suntory to move their headquarters into Chicago. The Mart also has signed leases with other tech tenants such as Yelp, Braintree, the 1871 incubator and an innovation center for insurer Allstate.

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The Mart has about 3.6 million square feet of rentable space, which is almost 99 percent leased, according to Vornado public filings. Recent renovations have added a 50-foot-wide marble staircase, tenant lounges, outdoor spaces, restaurants and bars.

Vornado acquired the parking lot and the Mart in a 1998 deal with the Kennedy family. The $625 million deal also included the former Apparel Center  which Vornado has since sold  and other land near the River North buildings, as well as properties in Washington, D.C.

The family of Chris Kennedy, who's now seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the Illinois governor's race, kept the Wolf Point land that it's now developing on the river near the Mart.

Vornado, a big real estate investor in other cities including New York and Washington, is best known in Chicago for its ownership of the Mart. Vornado also has developed land in Chicago, including a 452-unit apartment building on LaSalle Street that it sold in 2005.

rori@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @Ryan_Ori
Newly hired WMAQ-Ch. 5 news anchor and reporter Patrick Fazio and his wife, Lindsay, on Aug. 14 paid $930,000 for a four-bedroom, 4,125-square-foot vintage house in Wilmette. (Vicki Nelson / Coldwell Banker)

Newly hired WMAQ-Ch. 5 news anchor and reporter Patrick Fazio and his wife, Lindsay, on Aug. 14 paid $930,000 for a four-bedroom, 4,125-square-foot vintage house in Wilmette.

On July 31, Fazio started work at NBC 5 after serving as a morning news anchor in Kansas City, Mo. He was initially assigned to work as a weekend news anchor, but he filled in last week on the early morning weekday news, and starting Monday, he will anchor on the station's 4 p.m. weekday newscasts.

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"We lived in Flossmoor about a decade ago, and we're excited to be back in the Chicago area," Fazio told Elite Street. "Some of my Valparaiso University classmates wanted us to move to their neighborhoods, but we chose Wilmette to be close to my wife's job."

Built in 1931, the Fazios' new three-story white brick house in Wilmette has a peaked roof and English Tudor Gothic touches. Features include 3 1/2 baths, a newer kitchen with an adjoining breakfast room, a large family room with a fireplace, a mud room, a living room with a fireplace, a large master suite with a dressing area, a basement with an office and a recreation room, and a new roof.

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The house was listed last fall for $1.05 million, and its price was reduced to $998,000 in March and then to $960,000 in June.

Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.







Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 (VHT Studios)

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 Billionaire Ken Griffin, Illinois richest man, paid $58.75 million in November for the top four floors in the Near North condominium building at 9 W. Walton St., known as No. 9 Walton. This photo shows a rendering of the lobby. (JDL Development / E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune (inset))
Two Aurora area men  a parolee and a probationer  face felony charges after police say someone in California mailed one of them a package containing thousands of grams of marijuana.

Kenny M. King, 27, of Yorkville, is accused of having the package mailed to him, while Robert Burns Jr., 35, of Aurora, allegedly picked it up from King's home, said Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Joseph Stavola.

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The box contained more than 3,000 grams of marijuana with a street value of about $75,000, and police believe at least one similar shipment took place in the past, Stavola said.

The United States Postal Service alerted local authorities to the package on its way, with the investigation also involving the Kendall County Cooperative Police Assistance Team, Kendall County sheriff and Yorkville police, Stavola said.

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Police executed a search warrant shortly after the box arrived at King's apartment on the 500 block of Kendall Drive in Yorkville, he said.

At about the same time, authorities arrested King at the residence and Burns down the street, Stavola said. Court records associate Burns with an address on the 1300 block of Pearl Street in Aurora.

Each man was booked in the Kendall County jail and charged with manufacture or delivery of between 2,000 and 5,000 grams of marijuana.

Indictments were also filed Tuesday against each man. Both are next due in court Sept. 14.

The Kendall County public defender assigned to represent King could not be reached. An attorney for Burns, Brian Erwin, has not returned a message left with his firm, Camic Johnson.

Court records show bail for Burns is set at $100,000, while Judge Timothy McCann ordered King's reduced from the same amount to $25,000 on the condition he wear an electronic GPS monitor that would cost $8 per day.

Burns' past felony convictions include cocaine dealing and being an armed habitual criminal. Illinois Department of Corrections records show he was released to parole in June 2016 and was supposed to be discharged in August 2018.

King was on probation from Kendall County, where records show his past convictions include manufacture or delivery of heroin, retail theft and forgery.

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Robert Burns Jr. (Kendall County Sheriff's Office )

Kenny M. King (Kendall County Sheriff's Office )

hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
It's just after 10 a.m. on a subzero morning in Logan Square, and my hands are wrapped around a hot cup of black coffee. It's cold. Really cold.

Sitting across from me is Martin Cate, wearing a tiki-print short-sleeved shirt and a trio of necklaces that include seashells, a rum jug and a tiki idol. It would appear that for Cate, owner of San Francisco's celebrated rum temple Smuggler's Cove, tiki isn't just a style of cocktail, it's a mindset.

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Cate is in town to meet with his new partner, Paul McGee, who left his post heading up River North's Three Dots and a Dash last month to become the beverage director for Land and Sea Dept. His first project? Lost Lake, a neighborhood tiki bar that he and Cate joined forces to open Tuesday.

Take a photo tour of Lost Lake here.

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Before heading off to a rum tasting/tiki history lesson for Lost Lake's new staff, McGee and Cate sat down to discuss their new venture as well as Chicago's tiki legacy. The following is an edited transcript of our conversation.

Q: Martin, rum-lovers in San Francisco are certainly familiar with you, but folks in Chicago might not be. Can you share a little about how you ended up running one of the country's best tiki bars?

Cate: I came to bartending not from being a lifelong hospitality guy but being a tiki enthusiast. I started getting really passionately into tiki and the history of tiki bars and cocktails in the '90s. I had a home bar and we threw big tiki parties at our house. At the same time I was discovering this whole tiki community of like-minded people. It was all just a big hobby. In the meantime I had a white-collar job and was downsized. So I decided to have my midlife crisis early and open a bar. My first place opened in 2006 (in Alameda, Calif., and was) called Forbidden Island. After a couple years there, I left my partners and started my own place in San Francisco in 2009. That'd be Smuggler's Cove. Now when some places started doing new tiki bars, they focused on the irony of the situation and drinks were an afterthought. But for those of us that were really passionate about tiki, it wasn't ironic and the drinks weren't an afterthought. (Smuggler's Cove) was really the first place in America where we brought it all together.

Q: Paul, was this around the same time that you started to get into tiki?

McGee: I'd been bartending for a very long time but I was only into the craft cocktail scene since 2006. I knew about Martin prior to Smuggler's Cove from Forbidden Island, but when Smuggler's Cove opened that was when it was like, "Oh, this is a serious thing that is going to stick around." After doing some tiki nights at The Whistler and seeing how very successful it was, I wondered why Chicago didn't have a craft tiki bar. Flash forward to when the Melmans (of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants) came to me and asked what I would do with a concept. I told them I'd do tiki. When they green-lit that, that's when I really started to understand the significance of tiki in Chicago.

Chicago a tiki 'battleground'

Donn Beach's Don the Beachcomber opened at 101 E. Walton St. in 1940. Victor Bergeron's Trader Vic's opened at the Palmer House Hilton in 1957. Stephen Crane's Kon Tiki Ports opened at the Sheraton Chicago (now Michigan Avenue's InterContinental hotel) in 1961.

Cate: The Kon Tiki Ports was here. Trader Vic's was here. Don's was here. There was a chain at the Marriott called the Kona Kai. There were probably six big ones. And by big I mean 200-plus and 300-plus seaters. Thousands of cocktails a night. Nine to 12 bartenders working assembly lines. Chicago is important  I mean really important  in the heyday of the tiki craze because this was where there were the most large-scale, major national tiki chains all within a few blocks of each other. It was the main battleground. This was the city you wanted to be in. They were all trying to win bragging rights and figure out who could top who in the grand tiki wars of Chicago. It's Chicago's history: There's always a fight.

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McGee: I think it was the Kon Tiki Ports that I once did the math on the sales. In the 1960s they were doing the equivalent of $16 million a year in sales. That's crazy! And these were bars that lasted for, in the case of Trader Vic's at the Palmer House, almost 50 years. You don't really see that happen much.

Cate: You still have some remnants of that golden era with Chef Shangri-la (in North Riverside) and Hala Kahiki in River Grove. This was a real ground zero for tiki in part because here it's extra special. The further you are removed from sunshine and palm trees the more special tiki is. It feels more like a genuine escape. The first place I ever went was Trader Vic's, (in) Washington, D.C. It was December and it was icy cold outside. But you'd walk in and enter a complete transformation. I thought they were magic. They were something special.

Q: These big tiki palaces all sort of set a template for this. It's not just drinks. It's a look. It's music. It's a style of food. They came up with it. At Three Dots and a Dash there are elements taken from Chicago's last Trader Vic's and there are historic elements at Smuggler's Cove too. How does that play in when you are making your own thing yet trying to pay respect to what was?

Cate: There is no other part of the history of American drinking that has an entire world of art, music, and culture like this. Nobody goes to vodka conferences, nobody listens to vodka music. There's nothing else like this. So when you are opening a new place you have a certain amount of pressure to create an atmosphere that is, first-off, escapist. You've gotta take people out of the snow and put them somewhere else. I don't want you to see outside. I want you to feel like it is Waikiki at dusk now and forever.

Q: There is a bit of a spectrum of tiki-bar styles where Smuggler's Cove and Foundation Bar in Milwaukee are on one end while sleeker spots like Three Dots and a Dash and Louisville's El Camino are on the other. Where do you see Lost Lake?

McGee: Well, it's been really fun to work with Robert (McAdams) and Cody (Hudson) at Land and Sea. Cody's design work is really distinct and Robert was really into tiki and wanted to do a tiki bar that wasn't the standard kit. So it's been fun to bring their sensibilities in and let them put their spin on it. For example, Robert's uncle had an aquarium with piranhas in it, so the first thing he said was, "If we are doing a tiki bar, we're gonna have piranhas." So we have some piranhas.

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Cate: It's esoteric to get into, but it's interesting that tiki has reached a point where you could say, "We're gonna do a space that pays more homage to the 1930s tail end of the bamboo bar era and the introduction of the Don Beach era." A time when there were these big nightclubs in southern California like the 7 Seas that were full of bamboo and palm trees but just looked like island huts. Don came in and brought this "beachcomber" thing of fishnets, floats and old fish traps. Lost Lake really sits on this straddle point of the end of the bamboo bar/beginning of the beach bar aesthetic. Lost Lake really speaks to the era before the iconography of the tiki itself was even a part of tiki bars, which was basically around the rise of the Luau in Beverly Hills. That starts in the mid-1950s. Before that you didn't really see it. At first, Trader Vic's didn't really have tikis in it. The first Don the Beachcomber didn't really have tikis in it. In this big tiki revival, Lost Lake is going to stand out as a unique vision that is paying historical homage, but is a little bit different than what everybody else is doing. That's fun.

Q: What can you tell us about the menu at Lost Lake?

McGee: You're going to see the same kind of sensibilities I had at Three Dots and a Dash and even The Whistler. I really like to delve in and find "new" old drinks. In doing research for this menu I knew I could get a little bit weirder with the drinks. One of the appeals about coming back to Logan Square was the open-mindedness that consumers have here. I remember that from The Whistler.

Cate: It's not just being open-minded but having cocktail savvy too. This neighborhood is full of smart, educated consumers who are drinking at places like Billy Sunday and Longman & Eagle and Analogue. They're savvy.

McGee: That's really something that I'm going to appreciate because it's been three years since I've worked in Logan Square and a lot has changed. With Billy Sunday and Analogue and all of these great bars that have opened, this new cocktail revival has happened very, very quickly. Especially in this neighborhood. So I'm excited about doing some oddball drinks  using fernet and Cynar in a cocktail with some coffee and coconut. Being able to change the menu more frequently. But you are going to see some of the same sensibilities. It'll be a tight menu  16 drinks. The drinks you'll see will have a lot of flair, with garnishes and swizzle sticks and glassware.

Q: You both are into educating people about rum and that's a huge part of Smuggler's Cove. I understand that will be a big part of Lost Lake too.

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McGee: Definitely. You go to craft cocktail bars, and they'll have all these different whiskeys and gins and then maybe they have 12 different rums. It's one of those spirits that's always a little misunderstood because it doesn't have a lot of rules to it.

Cate: Very sporadic rules and made in over 100 countries. It's the most diverse spirit in the world. It's complicated but I love making a smart, educated rum consumers. I like making someone who can say, "I've tasted 50 different rums at Lost Lake and I know what I didn't like and I know what I did like." The more smart rum consumers we can make, the better. We will have a rum club where you'll earn titles and ranks and rise up through it. There will be perks and rewards.

'Craft-minded' food

Lost Lake will have adjacent Chinese takeout-inspired restaurant, Thank You, led by chef Gabriel Freeman (Ruxbin, Mott St.)

Cate: There is this wonderful tradition going back to Donn Beach where they wondered what food they were going to serve and they asked themselves, "What seems exotic?" Well, Cantonese food seemed exotic. So they served Cantonese food. And then so many tiki places opened and that was the default food of choice. Then you'd have Chinese places where they said "Hey, all these tiki bars are stealing our food, why don't we just steal the tiki bar?" And then all these Chinese restaurants put tiki bars in Chinese restaurants. So I love this idea of going back to Chinese but doing really interesting, craft-minded Chinese.

Q: Taking the same approach you take to the drinks 

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Cate: Yes. Bringing Chinese back but with a really interesting approach. Tropical drinks and Chinese food just taste amazing together.

McGee: I think there will be a lot of nice foils in there with almost umami flavors that are going to work well with the sweeter components of some of the drinks. Gabe is a great guy that makes great food and he's really fun to work with. He's really passionate so I think it's going to be a really good tandem.

Cate: The whole thing is that nothing is so ponderous with tiki. It's just a good time. It's relaxing. You just came off your cruddy job and you walk into this place with piranhas and you order a drink and maybe it has fernet in it or whatever but it doesn't mean it's very serious. That's the best part about tiki. It's helping the self-serious cocktail world kinda shake it off and remember that this was supposed to be fun. So let's all have a good time.

kmarlatt@tribpub.com

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

Twitter: @kenneymarlatt

Lost Lake

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Address: 3152 W. Diversey Ave.

Price range: $8-$12 for cocktails, $25-$40 for punch bowls

Accepted payment: Cash or credit cards accepted

Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday-Friday; 4 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturdays

Signature drink: The Lost Lake (Jamaican rum, passion fruit, lime, pineapple, Maraschino liqueur and Campari)
Grilled salmon meets its match among a range of wines that all pull the flavors of the fish and dill together. (Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times )

Coax out the dish's dill with the herbal and floral qualities of a soave, go more hearty with a complementing rose, or opt for the bold fruit and brooding earthiness of the little known red grape variety persan. Red wine with fish? Yes. Pink wine and white wine, too.

MAKE THIS

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Grilled salmon with dill

In a bowl, whisk together 2/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste. Brush the spread over 4 (6-ounce) center-cut salmon fillets on all sides. Heat a grill over medium-high heat until hot. Place the fillets flesh-side down on the grill. Grill, 6 minutes. Flip the fish over and continue grilling until the fish is cooked to desired doneness, about 6 minutes more. Serve garnished with lemon wedges. Makes: 4 servings

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Recipe by Noelle Carter

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

DRINK THIS

Pairings by sommelier Alan Beasey of The Purple Pig, as told to Michael Austin:

2016 Inama Vin Soave, Veneto, Italy: Made from the garganega grape, this is a traditional wine with hints of camomile and wild flowers that will accentuate the dill on the salmon. Also, flavors of candied lemon and hints of almond will pull the flavors of the salmon together, bringing lightness to this savory dish.

2016 Chateau Gassier Le Pas du Moine Rose, Cotes de Provence Sainte-Victoire, France: This rose is a blend of syrah, grenache, cinsault, rolle and ugni blanc. Aromas of dill, lychee, gooseberry and grapefruit leap from the glass, and those flavors are joined by savory elements and a slight brininess  a hearty rose for a hearty, grilled fish.

2011 Domaine Nicolas Gonin Persan, Isere, France: Made from the persan grape variety, this wine has bold fruit, brooding earthiness and subtle tannins  red wine that's perfect with fish. Notes of plums, pomegranate seeds, blackberry compote and savory herbs will harmonize with the smoky, grilled salmon and make the dill sing.

food@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @pour_man






When chef Nate Henssler was designing the menu at the Fifty/50 Restaurant Group's new restaurant in the Dana Hotel, his partners gave him one piece of advice: "They told me to cook what I want."

That freedom led to a dinner menu driven by seafood, but with some unexpected flavor combinations. "I got to pull from my experience working at great seafood restaurants around the country, and pull in Indian flavors and Southeast Asian flavors," says Henssler of Portsmith, which opened Aug. 15 on the ground floor of the Dana Hotel. The chef comes to the job from Homestead on the Roof, another Fifty/50 restaurant, but he's cooked all across the globe, including with Michael Mina in San Francisco.

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Portsmith's crispy octopus ($14) is coated with Vietnamese rice flakes and served with kalamansi mayonnaise (made from the citrus fruit sometimes referred to as a Philippine lime) and a sweet chili jam. The restaurant's take on the classic Italian pasta dish cacio e pepe ($16) includes uni butter and caviar.

Henssler also understands that customers will expect certain dishes from a seafood restaurant, so instead of refusing to serve them, he decided to put his own twist on them. That includes the charred shrimp cocktail ($14). "Obviously, people are going to look for a shrimp cocktail," he says. "Instead of poaching the shrimp, we grill it. I think we made it as interesting as we could."

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You'll also find fish and chips on the menu, though it won't look a bit like the delightfully stodgy English fried favorite. Instead, Portsmith throws quotation marks around its "fish and chips" ($29), cluing you in to the fact that some liberties will be taken. Instead of fried fish with fries on the side, Henssler combines the two, affixing the potatoes to the fish. "We take cylinders of potatoes and then cook those, slice them thin, and place them on top of the fish, so they look like scales," says Henssler. "When an order comes in, we saute the fish until the potatoes are golden brown."

Portsmith does have some options for the ocean-averse, including a 35-day dry-aged grass-fed ribeye ($62) and a wild mushroom pie ($12). But it's clear Henssler is most excited about the seafood dishes.

Continuing the nautical theme, pastry chef Chris Teixeira's dessert menu plays with the theme of the seven seas. Don't worry  there's no fish involved. Instead he's drawing inspiration from countries that border different bodies of water. The Colombia ($12) is a flan with guava gel and passion fruit sorbet, while Greece ($12) is a phyllo cake with ground pistachios and frozen yogurt.

Breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch are coming soon. Guests can also head up a flight of stairs to find Leviathan, an intimate mezzanine bar serving mythology-inspired cocktails from the talented Benjamin Schiller (Berkshire Room, The Sixth, Apogee).

Portsmith, 660 N. State St., 312-202-6050, www.portsmithchicago.com

nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @nickdk






Ravinia has been hit hard this summer by an abnormally large spate of classical music cancellations, the chief casualties being conductors Gianandrea Noseda and Christoph Eschenbach, pianist Lang Lang and the Beethoven quartet cycle that was to have been played by the Pacifica Quartet.

The latest dropout, announced earlier this week, is the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela. A political war of words between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and conductor Gustavo Dudamel resulted in Maduro's scrapping the four-city U.S. tour Dudamel was to have directed with the gifted, El Sistema-bred young musicians next month.

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But there also have been silver linings. Right on schedule, the members of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra took their places on the stage of the Ravinia pavilion Tuesday night for the first of two concerts marking the ensemble's U.S. debut. Scoring this exclusive American engagement by Switzerland's oldest symphony orchestra (founded in 1806) was something of a coup for Ravinia, facilitated by the friendship of festival CEO Welz Kauffman and Lucerne Symphony artistic director Numa Bischoff Ullmann.

With an international roster and a prominent representation of women musicians (both the concertmaster and principal oboe are female), the Lucerne Symphony is out to move up the international ranks from second tier to first. The shapely, vitamin-rich performances elicited by James Gaffigan, the up-and-coming American who has served as the orchestra's chief conductor since 2011, suggested that the galvanizing podium leadership the Swiss players need to take them to bigger and better things is there.

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The orchestra may be unfamiliar to local listeners but Gaffigan is not. The 38-year-old conductor has been gracing the guest roster at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since his debut in 2009, has also conducted at Grant Park and is due to make his Lyric Opera debut (in Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte") next season. He is one of the most promising members of the European-based American baton brigade.

As much as one can tell from a single performance in the not-so-great outdoors, he and his musicians appear to have found their mutual comfort level. An apparent attraction of opposites  his energized, physically demonstrative manner combined with their natural reserve  clearly can succeed in breathing life into even so standard a symphonic program as the one that launched their two-night run here.

Some 20th or 21st century music  or a contemporary Swiss piece, for that matter  would have been welcome, but the Lucerners opted instead for 19th century favorites by Rossini, Bruch and Brahms that every orchestra plays. (Wednesday's scheduled agenda of Rachmaninov, Wagner and Beethoven was no more adventuresome.) One's interest thus lay more in how the orchestra played than what.

The answer: Most respectably, both technically and musically  more than that in the case of the Brahms First Symphony that concluded Tuesday's program.

Gaffigan's way with this romantic masterpiece began as a mainstream, somewhat anonymous interpretation  tempos sensibly chosen, rhythms taut, long architectural spans firmly drawn and sustained  that took on greater depth and character with each movement.

The burbling clarinet accompaniment to the string passages emphasized the gracioso quality of his urgent third movement, and the finale brought the most gripping and spontaneous playing of the evening, even if the principal horn faltered at times. You felt all 72 musicians  malleable strings, characterful winds, sturdy brass  playing as one, and that was the most important thing. Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G minor made a winning encore.

I didn't find quite the degree of Italianate grace in this orchestra's account of Rossini's "William Tell" Overture that I recall from Riccardo Muti's readings with the CSO, yet under Gaffigan's fluid direction the storm episode raged furiously, and both the cello-led opening section and English horn solo were spot-on. The Swiss players really tore into the "Lone Ranger" climax, and who should be playing triangle as a "ringer" but the CSO's own Cynthia Yeh.

Ravinia honored one of its own by bringing together the orchestra and the gifted young South Korea-born violinist InMo Yang, a former fellow of the Steans Music Institute (where Miriam Fried was his mentor) and a member of the institute's touring ensemble, now a student at the New England Conservatory.

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As soloist in Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1, Yang displayed a depth of musical feeling beyond the "wow" technique one expects to hear from competition winners such as he. The sweetness of his tone, the elegance of his bow work and the accuracy of his intonation were much to be admired. It was not his fault that the overly assertive orchestral tuttis felt rather brash alongside his smaller-scaled lyrical approach.

John von Rhein is a Tribune critic.

jvonrhein@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @jvonrhein

[ RELATED: In Salzburg, Muti's return to 'Aida' was worth the wait  ]

[ RELATED: Trombone soloist Mulcahy superb in forgettable CSO world premiere  ]

[ RELATED: A memorable 'Creation' from James Levine at Ravinia  ]







Watch the latest movie trailers.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Villapalooza music fest is back in the Little Village neighborhood, on the southwest side of Chicago, for the 6th consecutive year, now with two days of music, arts, culture and community.



Founded in 2011 by La Villita natives, Villapalooza draws both local and international musicians. Along 26th Street and Central Park Avenue, the festival will run from noon to 10 on Saturday and noon to nine on Sunday promoting non-violent spaces for arts, culture and community engagement.



Lopez said the festival doesnt have any corporate sponsors and is instead largely funded by the community. With the help of padrinos, profits from t-shirt sales and community donations, the event is free to the public.

Quintino Rios, who attended Villapalooza last year, said that it was amazing, [because] you could feel community instead of just big sponsors.

Lopez continued that they often get equipment for the festival by borrowing from family and neighbors.

Villapalooza this year features artists like Fidel Nadal, Combo Chimbita, AJ Davila and The Chamanas who come from across the Americas. It also provides the community the opportunity to get to know your neighbor said board member Hector Teto Lopez.



The festival is meant to bring people together to start having conversations about their community he added, The more people you know the safer you will feel.
Reporting from Phoenix  As protesters massed on the streets of Phoenix, President Trump on Tuesday unleashed a vitriolic, 76-minute speech mocking those who considered his response to the Charlottesville white supremacist march racist, adopting racially charged language and hinting that he would pardon former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, long accused of brutality against Latinos.

He re-read for more than 16 minutes the remarks he had uttered after violence in Virginia claimed the life of a woman protesting the white supremacists, omitting the remarks in which he said that both sides were to blame and occupied the same plane in his view.

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"The words were perfect," he said.

But even as he sought to dismiss one racially fraught controversy, he ignited another with words that seemed to promise a pardon to Arpaio, who last month was convicted of contempt of court for refusing to halt his habit of stopping Latinos based solely on a suspicion that they might be living in the United States without proper papers.

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"Do the people in this room like Sheriff Joe?" Trump asked a crowd of thousands in the Phoenix Convention Center of Arpaio, who served 24 years as Maricopa County sheriff before being defeated in November. "So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?"

"I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine," Trump said, eliciting a roar. "But I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy." He added that Arpaio should "feel good."

Trump's defense of his own words and his repeated suggestion that it was time to return to law and order carried the whiff of past campaigns, such as those carried out by George Wallace, the late segregationist presidential candidate and governor of Alabama.

Trump suggested it was folly for Republicans to wish for the one thing many keenly wanted  for him to revert to the moderate, sober president who only 24 hours earlier had acknowledged the need to change his mind on Afghanistan with a patient speech.

It was clear Tuesday, in both Trump's rhetoric and his freewheeling, far more enthusiastic visage, that the man who came to office tossing jaw-dropping assertions at voters would continue to favor that approach as president.

He saved his greatest criticism for the media, whom he blamed for misconstruing his remarks after Charlottesville. His supporters backed him up by screaming at reporters at the rally.

"It's time to expose the media  for their role in fomenting divisions in the country," he declared.

"They are trying to take away our history and heritage  we're smart people and these are truly dishonest people."

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He added: "I really think they don't like our country. The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself."

For all the mockery and bluster, however, there was a subtext of political fear.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 22 Police fire tear gas at protesters outside the convention center where President Trump is speaking in Phoenix. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Recent polls have indicated that even among Republicans, Trump is losing strength. He was introduced Tuesday with a bevy of friends  Vice President Mike Pence, preacher Franklin Graham, Martin Luther King Jr.'s niece Alveda King and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.

Their multiracial tableau seemed intended to bolster Trump's image. When he took the stage, he took pains to try to recreate the "silent majority" who he has long said delivered him the presidency.

"The media can attack me, but where I draw the line is where they attack you," he said, after almost half an hour of defending himself.

He described his supporters as "honest, hard-working, taxpaying" Americans whose dreams he shared. "You always understood what Washington, D.C., did not  our movement is a movement built on love," he said.

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The protests that greeted Trump in Phoenix were largely peaceful, although later in the night the actions grew more violent and tear gas was fired.

Still, the signs of division were many. When Trump arrived in Phoenix after stopping at an immigration facility in Yuma, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey greeted him at the airport. But he did not attend the rally.

"Gov. Ducey's focus has been working with law enforcement toward a safe event in downtown Phoenix," his spokesman said in a written statement to the Arizona Republic.

Trump did his best to sow division elsewhere in the state's politics.

Besides the possibility that he might pardon Arpaio, Republicans feared Trump would use the occasion to endorse a challenger to GOP Sen. Jeff Flake, a longtime nemesis. Trump also has fought recently with the state's senior senator, John McCain, even after the Republican's recent diagnosis of brain cancer.

Trump last week praised the sole GOP challenger at the moment, former state Sen. Kelli Ward, and many Republicans here worried he would ignite an internal party conflagration that would deliver the Senate seat to Democrats.

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He did not endorse Ward  or any others considering the race  but mocked the two senators from his party.

Raising the subject of the failed GOP effort to repeal and replace Obamacare, Trump repeatedly noted that the Senate fell "just one vote away from victory after seven years of everyone proclaiming 'repeal and replace.' One vote," he said, referring to McCain.

At that, a member of the audience screamed "Traitor," seemingly referring to the Navy veteran who spent years as a Vietnam War prisoner before going into politics.

Trump, in a sarcastic tone, characterized Flake as an inconsequential senator.

"Nobody wants me to talk about him," Trump said. "Nobody knows who the hell he is.... See, I haven't mentioned any names and now everyone is happy."

The president arrived in Arizona, which he won handily nine months ago, with his administration reeling, most recently at his own hand.

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The president, top aides and family members remain embroiled in a special prosecutor's investigation into Russian influence in the November election. Unified Republican control of Washington has led to few if any major legislative victories, although he claimed again Tuesday to be the most successful president considering his first six months.

A poll released in Arizona this week said 74% of Republicans supported Trump, meaning he has lost a significant quarter of his own party base.

For any previous president, that would have meant buckling down and working with Republican leaders in the Senate and the House.

Instead, true to form, Trump on Tuesday criticized the GOP leaders on Capitol Hill, obliquely. He also did something worse: Not until more than an hour into his speech did he mention with any detail his own party's prime goal this fall  tax reform.

It was a passage replete with the Trump approach. First he blasted a threatened Republican senator, Flake  whose loss would give Republicans only 51 seats, the thinnest majority  and then he suggested that Capitol Hill do his bidding.

"We need the help of Congress," he said. Providing no details, he added, "We're giving you the biggest tax cut in the history of the country."

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Times staff writer Kurtis Lee contributed to this report from Phoenix.

cathleen.decker@latimes.com

@cathleendecker

The latest from Washington

Updates on California politics

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No nation-building in Afghanistan? Easier said than done, experts say

Kushner heads to Israel for latest attempt at peace deal

Outside Trump's rally, thousands take to the streets in mostly peaceful protests

UPDATES:

9:50 p.m.: The article was updated with details from Trump's rally in Phoenix.

3:25 p.m.: The article was expanded and updated with additional details of Trump's visit to Arizona.

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The story was first published at 9:30 a.m.
A statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee stands in the center of Emancipation Park on Aug. 22, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. A decision to remove the statue caused a violent protest by white nationalists, neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan and members of the alt-right. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images )

"You can't rewrite history" is perhaps the cliche I loathe the most.

When it comes to the way we intersect with history, I prefer Faulkner's take: "The past is not dead. It's not even past."

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No, you can't change what's already happened, but our assessment of events requires constant revision. The record of history is more of a process than a product, a quest to arrive at a more thorough understanding.

As we learn more about the natural world, we expect scientific knowledge to progress. So should history.

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Because as Faulkner's observation shows, our history remains with us always, something brought home by the white supremacists marching in Charlottesville, Va., and chanting Nazi slogans.

Like many others, I was shaken by these events. These were not the impotent neo-Nazis marching in Skokie when I was a teenager  and later lampooned by The Blues Brothers as ineffectual idiots. These were hundreds, perhaps thousands of young men apparently attracted to an evil ideology. This shouldn't be happening, and yet it is.

Thankfully, we have history books that shed light on the past that is not past.

Kelly J. Baker's "Gospel According to the Klan: The KKK's Appeal to Protestant America, 1915-1930" examines the "second incarnation" of the Klan, a period during which the Robert E. Lee statue the white supremacists used as a pretext for protest was erected.

Baker makes use of primary sources generated by the Klan itself that demonstrate a concerted effort to mainstream white nationalism as a kind of "Protestant value," and then extend its appeal beyond its white Christian base. It is a culture that remains obviously at work in today's society, as recent events make clear.

Kevin M. Kruse, professor of history at Princeton, has become an increasingly prominent expert onthe effects of the Civil War on 20th-century history. Much of his work explores how the war and subsequent reconciliation did little to address the original sin of slavery.

Kruse's "White Flight: Atlanta and the Making of Modern Conservatism" takes a close look at Atlanta in the civil rights era, in some ways held up as a model of the times. But Kruse argues that "white flight" allowed for re-segregation, which has been expressed through mainstream conservative causes, such as school vouchers and tax cuts. Pair this book with Richard Rothstein's "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America" to see how what can look like economic political philosophies from the outside are inextricably entangled with issues of race.

And if you're wondering how an unabashed hedonist, congenital liar and multitime bankrupt television personality could've become president, I recommend Kruse's "One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America." Following FDR's New Deal, corporations and religious leaders joined forces in the quest for more power and cultural influence, leading to, in Kruse's argument, the religious right, which has been one of President Donald Trump's strongest sources of support.

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Because history is constantly being revised, I don't suggest these books are infallible. I find them all both interesting and persuasive, but others might find them provocative, even offensive.

But history should provoke  not just inform  by challenging our perceptions. Engaging with argument does not require agreement, merely open-mindedness.

John Warner is the author of "Tough Day for the Army."

Twitter @biblioracle

Book recommendations from the Biblioracle

John Warner tells you what to read next based on the last five books you've read.

1. "A Little Life" by Hanya Yanagihara

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2. "Milk and Honey" by Rupi Kaur

3. "Americanah" Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

4. "The Sellout" by Paul Beatty

5. "100 Love Sonnets" by Pablo Neruda

 Marilena K., Brighton, U.K.

There's some love stories here, which brings to mind a different love story with an international flavor: "The Solitude of Prime Numbers" by Paolo Giordano.

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1. "Commonwealth" by Ann Patchett

2. "Into The Water" by Paula Hawkins

3. "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman

4. "Big Little Lies" by Liane Moriarty

5. "My Name Is Lucy Barton" by Elizabeth Strout

 Frank W., Westchester

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Celeste Ng has a new one coming out soon ("Little Fires Everywhere") that I'm looking forward to, but for now, we only have her debut novel, "Everything I Never Told You," which is my recommendation for Frank.

1. "Lincoln in the Bardo" by George Saunders

2. "Arthur and Sherlock: Conan Doyle and the Creation of Holmes" by Michael Sims

3. "Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right" by Jane Mayer

4. "The Art Forger" by B.A. Shapiro

5. "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

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 Christina S., Chicago

Mrs. Biblioracle is reading over my shoulder and wants to take this one: "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant.






"Building a Bridge" by James Martin, HarperOne, 160 pages, $19.99

James Martin had to know, even before he typed a single word of "Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter Into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion and Sensitivity," that no matter what he wrote, he was walking into a minefield of criticism. Which makes his courage  and his compassion  all the more powerful.

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While plenty have applauded, especially progressive Catholics, he's been barraged from the right, from conservative Catholics who denounce his embrace of the LGBT community, anathema to strict church doctrine. And he's been criticized by some within the LGBT community as well for not going far enough to push church leaders.

Martin counters the criticism with a simple, some might say unassailable, defense: "Still, love is everyone's duty, because Jesus Christ calls for it." He adds: "For with Jesus, there is no us and them. There is only us."

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The essential message here is long overdue: Martin urges the Catholic church  and by extension, all believers in the gospel of love  to treat members of the LGBT community with "respect, compassion, and sensitivity." And in return, he asks the LGBT community to reciprocate, to treat the institutional church with those same core values.

It's a proposition that shouldn't be radical.

"Life Lessons" by Julia Cameron, TarcherPerigee, 114 pages, $15

Of all the spiritual practices, the one that might prove hardest  to figure out how and where to start, let alone to make a habit  is the simple act of putting words to prayerful petition. Julia Cameron  artist, director, poet, playwright and author of some 40 books, including the best-selling "The Artist's Way"  pens here 125 short prayers, all places to begin, and begin richly. In her introduction, Cameron writes: "I have called this little book Life Lessons because each entry is a corrective to our commonly held ideas about the divine. Like the postures assumed in hatha yoga, they stretch us gently. As we assume the positions indicated, each entry becomes a lesson. We learn more of God  and of ourselves."

These prayers, she says, "are not a one-way street;" they work both ways  words for us to reach toward God, and at the same time words from God toward us. Each one can be read as God speaking, or as any one of us speaking to the divine. Here's one: "Whisper my name and I will respond. Listen for me and you will hear the still, small voice. Let us start."

Be it the hollow ache of loneliness or the invocation to bring tenderness to this broken world, Cameron's words will burrow deep inside. In time, you might find a daily practice launched. Certainly, these "little prayers" will guide you toward scripting your own home-spun prayerfulness. And that's a mighty big mission for a little book of soulfulness.

"The Art of Living" by Thich Nhat Hanh, HarperOne, 224 pages, $25.99

Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the great living spiritual masters, the Zen Buddhist monk once called "an apostle of peace and nonviolence" by Martin Luther King, Jr., has been teaching the ways of mindfulness for decades, long before the word wove its way into the everyday vernacular.

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But since suffering a massive stroke in 2014, he's been unable to speak. "The Art of Living" is all the more priceless as it binds his last dharma talks before the stroke.

Hanh, now 90 and living quietly at Plum Village, the monastic Buddhist community he founded near Bordeaux in southwest France, writes: "To meditate is to look deeply and see the things that others cannot see, including the wrong views that lie at the base of our suffering." His aim is to teach us to break free from those "wrong views" and illuminate the way to "touch heaven here on Earth."

In elegant prose, stitched with stories from his Vietnamese homeland, his travels and his years in Paris, Hanh lays out wisdom that flows seamlessly from the poignant to the practical. He begins by describing the Listening to the Rain Veranda at his meditation center in Plum Village. In language that almost allows the reader to hear the pit-a-pat of rain, we're drawn into a quietude and stillness that sets the stage for all that follows.

Weaving in the basic teachings of Buddha, "The Art of Living" offers an exit ramp from the madness of the modern-day overdrive, and, indeed, just might let us grasp the heaven here on Earth.

Barbara Mahany is the author of "Motherprayer: Lessons in Loving."






Empowering teen girls was the focus of Step Up's 7th annual Shine & Dine held at Revel Fulton Market on Aug. 10. More than 600 guests enjoyed an evening filled with inspiring success stories from Step Up alumnae, tasting stations from 24 restaurants and a live performance by recording artist Jenna Paulette, all to raise money for the nonprofit's local mentorship programs.

After a reception, the program opened with remarks from Step Up CEO Jenni Luke, who spoke about the organization's goals and achievements.

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"We have access to new data proving that there is a direct correlation between the number of years a girl participates in Step Up during high school, the more likely she is to complete four years of college," Luke said. "My dream, and Step Up's vision, is to have reached 12,000 girls by 2020."

Currently there are mentoring programs serving girls ages 13 to 18 in Dallas, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

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Luke acknowledged Step Up alum Paris Scales as the organization's latest success story, saying, "Paris' dream in life is to become a NASA engineer, and she's well on her way to achieving her goal." Scales, a senior at Kettering University, said, "Step Up has been with me through it all, from losing my brother to finding out I was adopted and even through a serious illness. They've always been so supportive." She is majoring in engineering and has already secured a job in her chosen field that will also underwrite graduate school.

Musical artist Jenna Paulette sings her debut single "Coolest Girl in the World" for the Shine & Dine crowd.

Shine & Dine 2017 honoree Natalie Avila was introduced by Kenia Rodriguez, a graduate of DePaul University and last year's honoree. Avila, a Step Up member since her freshman year in high school, spoke of the program's impact on her life and how she was inspired by her father, who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in 1991. She credits Step Up's mentoring program for her confidence and networking abilities. "From my experience, the best opportunities are the ones that make you feel uneasy," she said. Avila is pursuing a degree in physics from Coe College and is committed to environmental protection and renewable energy.

During the reception and following the program, attendees enjoyed small bites from some of Chicago's top restaurants. Christine Cikowski, chef and partner at Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Dinner Club restaurants, returned as the event's chef chair, hosting a tasting station alongside ASAP Poke, bellyQ, Duck Duck Goat, Bang Bang Pie Shop, Floriole Cafe & Bakery, Le Colonial, Nico Osteria, The Butcher & Larder, The Winchester and Troquet River North, among others. ULTA's Beauty Bar makeup artists offered guests touch-ups.

Recording artist Paulette closed out the evening singing her debut single, "Coolest Girl in the World."

"I wrote this song because I think every girl needs a reminder to keep the things that make them feel like the coolest girl in the world close to her at all times," Paulette said.

Shine & Dine honoree Natalie Avila shares her story and the impact Step Up has had on her life.

Chaired by Andrya Smith, the event raised over $370,000 to fund Step Up Chicago's after-school mentorship programs for teen girls living or going to school in under-resourced communities.

This fall the Chicago chapter, led by board chair Marcy Twete, will add two new partner high schools, placing Step Up in eight schools throughout the Chicago area and 29 high schools nationally. Over the course of the school year, the organization will welcome 540 girls into its local programs.

Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.

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More coverage: Find more photos and events at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace. Visit Candid Candace's website at www.candidcandace.com, or follow her on Twitter @CandidCandace.

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This week, after posting a labels-strewn Instagram photo of her stepping off a government plane, Louise Linton, the wife of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, was roundly criticized for showcasing a lavish lifestyle. Her initial post included hashtagged designers.

Criticized first for a labels-heavy post snapped while stepping off a trip hosted by a government plane, then for her response calling a commenter "out of touch," Linton later apologized in a statement, saying her post was "inappropriate and highly insensitive."

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Most people don't need to worry about thinking through whether ritzy lifestyle posts could be criticized after they step off a government plane. But many love to scroll swanky Instagram feeds, and people often post their own humblebrag posts  "loving poolside life" or "my new favorite" with five-star backgrounds and designer labels.

Of course, despite an age where someone's job title on "Bachelor in Paradise" can be "social media influencer," not everyone's life involves the question of whether or not to post #hermes with a perfectly lit scarf photo.

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But for those who enjoy posting glam grams, is there a way to showcase a luxe life without vexing others?

This labels-strewn Instagram post by Louise Linton, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchins wife, drew criticism. (Instagram)

First, consider context. Politicians and those who travel with them are responsible for what they put on a public platform, said Irvine, Calif.-based social media consultant Neal Schaffer.

"Unless you have a protected account, which few people do, everything you say and do is open for public consumption," he said.

But he says nongovernment-related people can, and do, cater to a horde of likes.

"It's totally OK to flaunt things without looking like a jerk  people do it all the time," he said.

The key to Instaboasts, said Ali Katz, author of "Hot Mess to Mindful Mom: 40 Ways to Find Balance and Joy in Your Every Day," is think of it not as bragging but a celebration.

"I think that there's nothing wrong with celebrating with people, as long as the undertone is gratitude," she said.

Posting from a five-star resort at Turks and Caicos, for example, avoid #lavishlife. Instead, pen something like, "I've been looking forward to this for 12 months. I'm soaking up every minute."

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"If you get a little bit of an icky feeling in your stomach, like, 'Should I be doing this?' or 'Should I not?' The answer is probably no," said Katz, who spoke by phone from a water park near her Houston home, where she was about to shut off her phone and be present  no "best mom" humblebrags planned.

Everyone is building their own "micro-community" on social media, said Schaffer. So whatever you post, followers who enjoy it will, well, follow. "If you want to flaunt your wealth, you will attract others who enjoy seeing wealth. Those who don't want to see it will unfollow you."

Tagging designer brands is a way for people to be found through hashtag searches of like-minded people. Sometimes people use them because they want a brand or company to repost them.

In general, Schaffer advises not hashtagging every word in a post, which can look "spammy."

Chicago psychotherapist Kelley Kitley advises clients that social media is theirs to enjoy. Flaunt away.

"You're not responsible for how somebody else perceives your post," she said. "Besides, it might actually inspire someone else to save up for that flashy vacay."

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And she counsels those who scroll to remember that these are just snippets  maybe a child's meltdown came right after that poolside post.

"If someone has a negative reaction to what someone else is posting, that is their issue," Kitley said. "They can keep scrolling."

abowen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @byalisonbowen

[ Treasury secretary's wife apologizes for 'highly insensitive' Instagram post  ]

[ Did Steve Mnuchin and Louise Linton really 'give more to the economy' than they took? The record says no  ]






Chicago librarian Celia Perez is author of the new young adult novel "The First Rule of Punk," about a 12-year-old Latina girl figuring out how to be herself. (Celia Perez)

Twelve-year-old Malu, the protagonist in "The First Rule of Punk," Celia Perez's delightful new middle grade novel, calls herself a "weirdo pie chart kid."

She feels sliced into lots of different parts and unsure whether they add up to meet anyone's expectations  including her own. People keep telling Malu to just be herself, but what does that even mean at 12? At any age?

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Maybe you know a kid who can relate.

"The First Rule of Punk" is the book Perez, a Chicago librarian, was looking for when she was 12.

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"At its heart, it's a book about identity," Perez told me. "As a child of immigrants, as someone who is bicultural  my dad is Cuban, my mom is Mexican  I definitely experienced a lot of similar questions."

Malu is the new kid at school, having recently moved to Chicago with her mom. Her punk aesthetic doesn't line up with her school dress code and the popular kids aren't sure what to make of her. To add insult to injury, her beloved, record store-owning dad now lives 1,000 miles away. (Her parents split up when she was a baby.)

The book isn't autobiographical, exactly, but it fills a void that Perez felt deeply as a kid.

"I was a pretty hard-core reader growing up and I distinctly remember the first time I found a book that mirrored my own experiences," she said. "And it wasn't until my third year of college."

"The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Perez (Viking Books for Young Readers)

That book was "Pocho," by Jose Antonio Villarreal, the story of a Mexican-American boy living in Depression-era California.

"It was the first book I read that had a Latino character who was a first-generation, born in the United States child of immigrants, struggling with where his place was and how to navigate these two worlds," Perez said. "That's one of the reasons I wanted to write this book."

Perez grew up in Miami. She moved to Chicago in 2001, and she lives in Andersonville now with her husband and their 11-year-old son. She said reading to her son every night got her thinking about writing for kids.

"There are definitely more Latino characters in books now than when I was a child," she said. "But a lot of times they're sidekicks. Or they have a Latino name but you don't really know much about them or their cultural identities. I wanted to write a book where the protagonist is Latina and a lot of the characters that surround her and her story are Latino."

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It's fun to read a story set in Chicago, which Perez writes as a vibrant, culturally rich place.

"It's sort of a patchwork of different settings and locations," she said. "It's not set in any one place. I was thinking of Pilsen. I was thinking of Lincoln Square, where I used to live. I threw a little bit of everything in there."

Malu loves to create, and she fills her world with zines and music and other artistic endeavors.

"I think of punk not so much as an aesthetic but as a philosophy," Perez said. "It's not just about being oppositional but a way to figure out ways to do things yourself and create what you don't see in the world. It's saying, 'This is something I don't see, so I'm going to create it myself.'"

Like Perez did. Like Malu does.

"Being punk meant a lot of different things, just like being Mexican meant many things," Malu decides in the book. "Sometimes those things don't seem to match. And that was OK because I'd discovered that maybe the first rule of punk was to make your own rules."

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Celia Perez will read from "The First Rule of Punk" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Women & Children First bookstore, 5233 N. Clark St.

hstevens@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @heidistevens13

[ Related: Chicago writer's book woven with fear and kindness, like the city itself  ]

[ Seeing Monica Lewinsky in a new light, thanks to novel inspired by her saga  ]

[ Enlisting young adult fiction in the battle against racism  ]






Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I've been intrigued when I browse high-end shops or go window shopping by those teeny little cross-body purses. They're adorable, but they couldn't be more than 3 inches by 3 inches  maybe 4  and I'm wondering what purpose they serve and what makes them desirable? I'll admit it, I'd love to have one but I can't figure out why or what I would put in it.

 Claire D.

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Dear Claire: Nobody ever would argue that fashion, especially high-end fashion, has to be practical to be popular, even coveted. I too have seen these micro-purses and wondered what purpose they serve. The answer is  none. They're just cute. You could fit a credit card in there, I suppose, a couple of Tic Tacs and maybe a $20 bill. Perhaps $2.25 bus fare (as if anyone who paid $18,000 for one at Hermes would take the bus). Many of those I've seen are so skimpy they couldn't even hold a lipstick. I think we've always been fascinated by miniatures. Why are dollhouses with realistic-looking tiny furnishings popular through the ages? If you're really dying for a cute but impractical purse, shop fast fashion stores like Forever 21 and H&M for knockoffs.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Help! I got an oily stain on good linen. I tried a pre-soak laundry stain remover, but it did nothing. And it's a cold water wash top, not to be dry-cleaned. Any ideas?

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 Babs

Dear Babs: I recently discovered a laundry bar soap called Zote made in Mexico that worked wonders for me when other washing techniques failed miserably. I got oil paint on my shirt, and an artist friend told me she gets paint stains out with Zote. I bought the white laundry bar soap (they also make pink and blue bars, but I was afraid it would turn things pink or blue), rubbed the big bar onto the stain, rinsed  and lo and behold, the stain was gone. Same for every stain I've tried it on. And I've barely made a dent in the huge bar. It looks like it will last forever. It's made for hand washing  its website says it was common in rural Mexico to see women washing their clothes with Zote in rivers. The price? I've seen it for $1.32 for a huge14.1-ounce bar on walmart.com. You also can also find it in some grocery stores, especially ones that carry Hispanic goods.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I've worn eyeliner and mascara for years with no problems. But lately, I find I am unable to wear mascara any longer as my eyes become irritated. I use OTC drops for dry eye and have tried Almay mascara  no luck. Do you know of any mascara product for sensitive eyes?

 Mary M.

Dear Mary: I've had the same problem but with eye shadow. I wore the same brand/color for years and all of a sudden my eyelids became red and sore. Clearly I had become sensitive to some ingredient that had never bothered me in the past, and you seem to be enduring the same puzzling reaction to your tried-and-true mascara. Here are some brands and products to try: Clinique (sephora.com, department stores), Jane Iredale (janeiredale.com), Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100 % Natural Origin Mascara (walmart.com, ulta.com), Reviva Labs HypoAllergenic Mascara (amazon.com), VMV Hypoallergenics (vmvhypoallergenics.com) and La Roche-Posay Respectissime mascaras (amazon.com.)

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I love the look of vintage eyeglasses, but the new ones I've seen that are made to look like they're vintage somehow don't do it for me. Where can I buy the originals?

 Pamela J.

Dear Pamela: A Google search will turn up plenty of old ones and many that are "new old stock," that is, eyeglasses never worn but that date back to the era you're looking for. I've tried that route and never found it satisfactory. I feel like glasses are a really persona choice and I have to try them on. Glasses that look great in a picture look idiotic on my face. What I do is haunt antique malls and vintage stores, both of which often charge premium prices. But thrift stores will surprise you. They might have a big box of old glasses where you can find a treasure for a few dollars. Don't be put off by glasses that have prescription lenses in them. They can easily be replaced with your prescription at any optical shop.

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Angelic Readers

Mary Pat writes: "I read your recent column where reader Candace P. complained about moths, and I wondered if she has a cat! To my wonder, I discovered that natural kitty litter (grain based) is a haven for pantry moths!!! Just talk to PetSmart and they will tell you! The larvae live in it and hatch!!! This has happened to several of my friends."

Reader Rant

From Marilyn S.: "I enjoy your column, but I must disagree with your advice against sending or giving flowers to a busy hostess that aren't already pre-arranged in a vase, requiring the recipient to do the "work" of cutting the stems and arranging them. I don't want another plain glass vase from a florist. I have at least 15 beautiful vases  ranging from wedding gifts to cherished hand-me-downs. I love getting flowers (there's nothing more romantic than a box of roses) and I love arranging them in my own vases. P.S. For those with too many vases, you can always donate them to your local florist.

Now it's your turn

Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds  on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty  to answerangelellen@gmail.com.

[ Lipstick lessons for thinning lips: A little lip liner goes a long way  ]

[ Personality and flair: How kids are customizing school uniforms  ]

[ Fashion advice for a precocious preteen  ]






When the North Korean regime of Kim Jong Un threatened to fire a nuclear weapon toward the U.S. territory of Guam, President Trump predicted that the added attention from the threat would increase tourism to the tiny island in the Pacific Ocean.

And some tourism officials agree. But they don't think the increase will be substantial.

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After the threat from North Korea, Trump spoke to Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo last week and not only assured him that the island would be protected by the U.S. military, but also encouraged him to consider the benefits of the showdown.

"I have to tell you, you have become extremely famous all over the world," Trump told Calvo, according to a transcript released of the call.

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"They are talking about Guam; and they're talking about you." And when it comes to tourism, the president added, "I can say this: You're going to go up, like, tenfold with the expenditure of no money."

Guam, an island known for its white-sand beaches and coral reef snorkeling, broke a 20-year record for visitation in July, with nearly 133,000 visitors. Guam is also home to two U.S. military bases, occupied by about 7,000 troops.

The new tourism record surpasses the previous high visitation mark set in 1997 and represents an 8.1% increase from the same month in 2016. Tourism represents about 50% of the island's economy.

The two biggest sources of visitors to Guam in July were Japan and South Korea, according to the Guam Visitors Bureau. Japanese visitors made up 39% of all visitors while South Korean tourists made up 46% of visitors in July. U.S. visitors made up only 6% of all tourism to the island.

Guam is home to about 160,000 people and is about 2,000 miles from North Korea. Surveys find that visitors are drawn to the island by its beaches and tropical climate.

Travel and tourism experts say it is possible that the attention brought to Guam by North Korea's threat could result in more visitors  assuming the harsh rhetoric between North Korea and the U.S. is resolved peacefully.

"All of this publicity is going to be good for Guam," said Carl Winston, the director of the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University.

In fact, the travel site Hipmunk.com reported a 438% increase in searches of flights from the U.S. to Guam from Aug. 8 to 13, compared with the week earlier.

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Bjorn Hanson, a professor at New York University's Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism, agreed, saying "Guam has gained substantial awareness and added curiosity and the attention could be very favorable."

But experts say it is highly unlikely that the North Korean threat  even after it is resolved  will boost visitation tenfold, as predicted by Trump.

Winston dismissed the prediction as hyperbole, while Hanson added that Guam probably doesn't even have the hotels, restaurants or airline capacity to handle a tenfold increase in tourism.

Henry H. Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group, was even more skeptical. He noted that flights from the U.S. to Guam are 17 hours long and are typically more expensive than flying to Hawaii.

"I'm not sure there will be a rush of tourists from America or elsewhere," he said.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

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To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.
Former Republican state Treasurer Dan Rutherford 's ill-fated 2014 gubernatorial bid has long faded from public memory, but a civil trial this week at the Daley Center has placed a spotlight on the explosive allegations that damaged his campaign.

And taxpayers are footing the bill, with attorneys defending Rutherford in two civil cases already charging over $500,000 in legal fees before the first day of the first trial began this week, according to the legal team for the plaintiffs, citing state records.

Rutherford is being sued in Cook County Circuit Court by three workers in the treasurer's office who say they were fired in retaliation for participating in a probe looking into allegations of sexual harassment and political pressure made against their then-boss, Rutherford. Attorneys for the ex-state treasurer have denied the allegations in the lawsuit, saying the trio was let go after an inspector general's report recommended they be fired over allegations of falsifying timekeeping records.

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As the trial got underway Monday, Rutherford took the stand and fielded questions about missing text messages  something attorneys for the three plaintiffs were seeking to determine whether the conversations might bolster their clients' claims. But Rutherford testified that he couldn't turn over texts after March 2014  around the time of the gubernatorial primary and several months before the three were terminated  because his cellphone fell in a toilet, leaving the electronic messages irretrievable, according to attorneys involved in the case.

Rutherford also was questioned about whether state workers had to pitch in at his gubernatorial campaign events while still on the taxpayers' dime. Rutherford testified that there were days when state employees took him to campaign events, but those employees were off the state clock while he was politicking, attorneys on both sides of the case told the Tribune.

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The ex-staffers allege they were let go after they were identified as witnesses who corroborated another employee's claims that he faced sexual harassment and political pressure at the hands of Rutherford.

But Rutherford's attorney Daniel Fahner said his client fired the three  logistics manager Patrick Carlson, community affairs and marketing director George Daglas and investment director Ashvin Lad  only after a treasurer's inspector general's report recommended they be fired over allegations they had falsified timekeeping records.

"This is not a complicated case," he said.

David L. Wells, then the office's inspector general but now retired, found that the three shared their computer logon information in order to sign in and out of the office timekeeping system for each other.

According to court records and Wells' report, the "scheme surfaced" on May 21, 2014, when Lad sent a Snapchat message to co-workers of himself at Wrigley Field at 2 p.m. with the caption "I'm playing Hooky.... SHHHHH." The report said records show Lad clocked in to work at 7:21 a.m. and clocked out at 3:03 p.m., though staff members told Wells they did not recall seeing Lad that day.

But their attorney Dana Kurtz said the three were fired not long after being identified as witnesses in a claim brought by former aide Ed Michalowski, whose own lawsuit alleging Rutherford made unwanted advances and then unfairly overlooked him for promotion is pending in federal court.

The offenses for which her clients were fired were unproved, Kurtz said, and other employees had incorrectly filled out timecards without being fired.

During his campaign for governor, Rutherford held an unorthodox news conference, saying he wanted to directly address misconduct allegations that were trickling out at the time, but details hadn't publicly surfaced. He said he wanted to detail why the allegations were false, but declined to do so, saying the matter was under investigation. Eventually, Michalowski's allegations emerged.

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The allegations didn't help his political prospects. He finished last in the four-way GOP gubernatorial primary race.

In an interview with the Tribune last year, Rutherford declined to address the allegations against him or even talk about his political future. He did say he was having great fun leading trips to Cuba through his travel business, Global Relations Travel Club.

"On one trip I said 'I can't have another lobster!'" Rutherford, of Chenoa, said at the time. "I've had enough!"

The trial, which is being heard by Cook County Circuit Judge James Snyder, is expected to go through week.

sschmadeke@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @SteveSchmadeke
Instead of turning herself over to immigration officials, Francisca Lino is taking sanctuary in the same Chicago church that protected immigration activist Elvira Arellano.

Lino, 50, a Bolingbrook resident and mother of six children  five of them U.S. citizens  was scheduled to meet with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials Wednesday. Instead, she held a West Side news conference at Adalberto United Methodist Church in Humboldt Park.

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"I feel sad that I had to do this and defy the law to be with my children, but we're going to keep fighting this case," Lino said.

The small church was packed with about 50 supporters, including Arellano, who said she would "have her back." Several people cheered "si se puede," or "yes we can," as Lino addressed reporters.

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Her lawyer, Chris Bergin, said he showed up to Lino's appointment and delivered a letter to immigration officials explaining that she had decided against self-deportation.

"I made it clear that she will not be hiding from the ICE officers but that she is asking instead for protection from her God," Bergin said.

Though churches can't guarantee protection, they are generally off limits to law enforcement raids. A 2011 memo from the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement instructed federal agents to avoid "sensitive locations" including hospitals, schools and houses of worship unless there is an imminent risk.

Critics say sanctuary spaces are unfair to the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who emigrate to the U.S. legally each year. Americans who believe immigration laws need to be enforced more rigorously helped elect President Donald Trump.

Lino, who was deported once before, was arrested in 2005 during an interview to obtain her green card because her application did not disclose she had been arrested at the border in 1999, according to Bergin. But he said Lino was the victim of notary fraud and that she had been honest with immigration officials from the start.

She was handed a deportation notice in March during a scheduled ICE check-in and was told to return to the immigration office Wednesday with a plane ticket for Friday.

Lino is among many immigrants who the government knows are living in the country illegally and have been allowed to stay, provided they check in with immigration officials every six months to a year. Under the previous administration, they were not considered priorities for deportation because of their clean criminal records or sympathetic cases.

"Under President Obama I was allowed to stay with my children. I checked in as required. I work, pay taxes and raise my children with my beloved husband. I do not believe that the policies of the current administration represent the hearts and minds of the majority of the people in this nation," she said.

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Lino illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in 1999 but was caught, fingerprinted and released after a few hours. At the time, low-level immigration officers could expeditiously deport anyone who crossed the border without due process, Bergin said.

"Those laws were brand new. They didn't give her any kind of access to an attorney or explain what was going on or what the ramifications were," he said. "We are going to try to explore every legal and political means to get her right with the law."

After a few days, she made a second attempt and successfully crossed the border. She eventually settled in Bolingbrook with her husband, Diego Lino, a U.S. citizen. The couple had four children, though both Diego and Francisca had children from previous relationships.

Once they were married, Lino applied for a green card in 2005. Immigration officials accepted their money, brought the couple in for an interview and arrested Lino, Bergin said.

By that point, Lino had obtained a work permit, driver's license and social security number through a notary public who Lino said had apparently withheld mention of her initial arrest at the border.

"She told me that everything was going to work out, that I'd have to pay a fee for entering the country illegally but that everything was going to be fine," Lino said. "I was fine until the day I showed up for my final immigration appointment."

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An immigration officer asked her if she had ever been arrested and she admitted that she had. But her application said otherwise.

"I told them I didn't know why it said that because I was honest with the person who filled out the application. But he said 'No, you're lying to me. You have to go,'" she said.

Lino plans to stay in sanctuary for at least 90 days, after which she'll be considered a fugitive by law. But Bergin said he would contest that label.

"I don't think she is a fugitive because I told them she's not hiding from them," he said. "I gave them the address and the location. She isn't hiding on a train like a fugitive, she's here in plain sight."

Lino has checked in with ICE at least three times in the last six months, Bergin said.

"Mrs. Lino is the perfect example of someone that you would not prioritize for deportation but things have changed recently," he said. "Right now, we want to make this right. We want to explore any federal legal action but it's been difficult so far."

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In the meantime, Lino will live with Pastor Jacobita Cortes at the Humboldt Park church. Her husband will stay with their youngest children, twin 15-year-olds, in Bolingbrook.

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Arellano said she met Lino in 2003 while working on immigration advocacy efforts. She said the Lino family were there for her while she was in sanctuary in Humboldt Park and that it's now time to return the favor.

In August 2006, Arellano was told to report to the Department of Homeland Security for removal but instead sought refuge at the Humboldt Park church with her then-7-year-old son, Saul, a U.S. citizen.

A year after taking sanctuary in the church, Arellano was arrested in Los Angeles at an immigration reform rally. She returned to the U.S. in 2014 with her son and his then-infant brother and is still awaiting a hearing on her petition for political asylum, which she filed three years ago.

Saul Arellano, now 18, also spoke at the news conference. He said there are "millions of other people going through the same thing."

"If we need to get arrested, then that's what we will do," he said. "But what I know is that we are a family and we are going to fight as one. So to all of the people who ever told me that they will have my back  now is the time to have mine and hers."

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nmoreno@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @nereidamorenos
One of the Chicago area's top Jewish funeral homes botched a burial so badly  spilling the casket into the grave so the cover toppled off  that dozens of mourners began to scream, cry and run to their cars, according to a lawsuit filed by the deceased man's family this week.

Over 100 family and friends gathered in April for the burial of Chicago tax attorney Paul Horowitz at Shalom Memorial Park in Arlington Heights, a Jewish cemetery operated by Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, according to the lawsuit.

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As the casket was being lowered into the ground, it "crashed and plummeted suddenly," causing the top to be dislodged and exposing the white burial shroud the body was buried in, according to the lawsuit and the family's attorney.

The rabbi conducting the service and others jumped into the grave to try and right the casket, which was left sticking diagonally up out of the ground, according to the family's attorney, Henry Phillip Gruss. Horowitz's wife and children watched in horror.

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"During the moment of my most overwhelming grief...while I was standing at the grave site with my family and friends...due to the negligence of the cemetery/funeral home my husbands casket plummeted or was dropped suddenly into his grave," the deceased man's wife, Ronnie Horowitz, wrote in an emailed statement. "It was too horrific for words...we are devastated."

Gruss said he doesn't believe the family has been back to visit the grave since the burial, which was completed after a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.

The lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court on Wednesday alleges the funeral home was negligent and seeks more than $50,000 in damages. It alleges the trauma of seeing Horowitz's body "desecrated in this fashion" has inflicted "severe mental anguish and suffering" requiring "counseling, therapy and professional help."

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A manager at the funeral home declined to comment on the lawsuit or allegations.

Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, director of the National Association of Chevra Kadisha  a coalition of Jewish burial societies  said while the incident may have been horrible for the family, it's not unheard of.

He said often the problem is workers dig a hole that's too small for the casket, which causes the top to pop off as it's lowered.

"Is it a good thing? Absolutely not. But is it the worst thing in the world?" Zohn said in a phone interview with the Tribune. "The body didn't fall out, it was rectified. It's not a terrible thing, but it can certainly cause grief to a family.

"To me having a body cremated is a far more disrespectful thing to do."

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sschmadeke@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @SteveSchmadeke
This video from a dashboard camera of a Chicago police squad car shows Officer Marco Proano shoot at a moving car, wounding two teens inside it, on December 22, 2013 near 95th and LaSalle streets in the Princeton Park neighborhood. (Courtesy of the Chicago Reporter) (Chicago Tribune)

A lawyer for a Chicago police officer on trial on civil rights charges defended his shooting into a car full of teens, calling the decision a "split-second" choice that cops must make in the city's most dangerous neighborhoods.

In opening remarks to a federal jury, attorney Daniel Herbert emphasized that the shooting in 2013 unfolded in just a few seconds and that Officer Marco Proano had "no time to stop and reassess."

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A prosecutor, meanwhile, alleged that Proano violated basic principles of policing and abused his police powers when he emptied his gun into the Toyota Avalon.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgia Alexakis ridiculed Proano's defense of the shooting that night  that he opened fire to help a teen who was hanging outside the car when a back-seat passenger put the Toyota into reverse by pushing on the accelerator with his hands. She noted that a bullet fragment was recovered inches from the teen he claimed to be helping.

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The trial marks the first time in at least 15 years that a Chicago police officer is facing federal criminal charges stemming from an on-duty shooting. The civil rights charges against Proano, 42, an 11-year veteran, allege he used unreasonable force.

An 18-year-old was shot in the shoulder and another passenger wounded in the thigh and foot.

Prosecutors wasted little time Tuesday playing police dashboard camera video of the shooting  first at regular speed and then in slow-motion  before calling their first witness.

The nearly three-minute video footage  taken by a camera mounted on a squad car  showed Proano walking quickly toward the Toyota within seconds of arriving at the scene while he held his gun pointed sideways in his left hand.

Proano can be seen backing away briefly as the car went in reverse, away from the officer. He then raised his gun with both hands and opened fire as he walked toward the car, the video showed.

Jurors watched intently as the video was displayed in U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman's courtroom. Proano looked on as well without displaying any noticeable reaction.

In his remarks to jurors, Herbert noted the shooting took place three days before Christmas 2013. He said Proano was in the last place he wanted to be: on duty in Roseland, a rougher part of town with drugs, gangs and crime.

Proano was looking forward to celebrating the next couple of days off with his wife and three children, but he did what cops do when when another officer called for help about a possibly stolen car, quickly responding to the scene, Herbert said.

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After seeing a BB gun fall out of the Toyota that was reversing away from him, Proano opened fire.

"Is there police abuse out there? Absolutely," Herbert said. "Do police ... fire more than they're supposed to in some situations? Absolutely. But that's not the case here. And the government won't be able to prove that's the case here."

Herbert criticized the government's lawyers for claiming that Proano's actions went against his training while noting that the U.S. Department of Justice had slammed the Police Department for its training policies, among other issues, in a scathing report earlier this year.

"How can they do that? Is that fair?" Herbert said.

Herbert depicted Proano as a family man who was born in Ecuador, worked the same Roseland neighborhood for 10 years and served the residents there "with dignity."

In her remarks to jurors, Alexakis held Proano's handgun as she recounted how he quickly drew his weapon when stepping out of his squad car and opened fire, mimicking how he held the gun in an unorthodox manner by cocking her hand sideways.

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Alexakis repeated over and over again that Proano had fired 16 shots.

"He emptied his clip. He used up every bullet in his gun," she said.

Of all the officers present, Alexakis said, Proano was the only one who opened fire.

She told jurors they would hear testimony that Chicago police officers are trained not to shoot at a moving vehicle unless someone's life is in danger and not to keep shooting unless danger persists.

"Think about that disconnect," Alexakis said. "Think about what that tells you."

The openings were delayed a bit because of a dispute between prosecutors and the defense over the jury's makeup.

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All 12 jurors had tentatively been chosen when prosecutors alleged the defense unfairly excluded a potential juror over race.

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After an extensive debate with the lawyers at a private sidebar, Feinerman sustained the prosecution objection to the defense's peremptory challenge of a black juror who works security at Chicago Public Schools.

That man was then placed on the jury. He is the only African-American on the panel.

How Proano's trial plays out could provide a preview of defense tactics in the high-profile case of Officer Jason Van Dyke, charged with first-degree murder for shooting African-American teen Laquan McDonald 16 times in October 2014 shooting. The court-ordered release in November 2015 of a police dashboard camera video of McDonald's shooting sparked heated protests, political turmoil and promises of systemic change from Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Both Proano and Van Dyke are represented by Herbert, who has argued vehemently in each case that his client acted well within the use-of-force guidelines set by the Police Department.

While the two cases are unfolding in different venues  Van Dyke awaits trial in Cook County Criminal Court  the outcomes could both hinge on a jury's interpretation of the dashcam video.

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gpratt@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @royalpratt
This video from a dashboard camera of a Chicago police squad car shows Officer Marco Proano shoot at a moving car, wounding two teens inside it, on December 22, 2013 near 95th and LaSalle streets in the Princeton Park neighborhood. (Courtesy of the Chicago Reporter) (Chicago Tribune)

A teen who was shot by a Chicago police officer now on trial on charges of using unreasonable force testified Wednesday that the officer told him after the shooting that he was lucky he didn't kill him.

Officer Marco Proano faces civil rights charges for shooting 16 times into a car full of teens as it backed away from him a few days before Christmas in 2013.

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Delquantis Bates, who was 15 at the time and shot in the shoulder and grazed on the head, testified that police pulled him from the Toyota Avalon and onto the ground after the shooting ended. He said Proano spoke to him.

"He's telling me ... I'm lucky that he didn't kill me. And I said something back, and he said, he said he'd kill me ..."

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The trial marks the first time in at least 15 years that a Chicago police officer is facing federal criminal charges stemming from an on-duty shooting.

Testimony started Wednesday in the trial. Officer Kenneth Flaherty, who was also at the scene of the shooting on the Far South Side, said he didn't open fire himself because he was focused on a teen whose leg was caught between the Toyota and a squad car.

In opening statements Tuesday, prosecutors pointed out that Proano was the only officer who fired his gun.

In a quiet and at times inaudible and tentative voice, Bates, now 19, testified he and the others in the Toyota were just "riding around" when police drove the wrong way down a street to stop them. Officers believed the car was possibly stolen.

Bates said he heard Jaquon Grant, the teen who stole the Toyota, cry out that his leg was trapped by the door of the squad car.

Bates, who was in the back seat, said he climbed over the center console and pressed down the accelerator using his hands.

"I was trying to get away from the police," he told jurors.

That's when Proano opened fire, one of the teens told the FBI.

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Bates said he jumped into the back seat and "balled up" to try to avoid the gunfire, but he was wounded in the shoulder and suffered the graze wound to his head.

He admitted that he has been convicted three separate times in juvenile court.

On cross-examination by Proano's lawyer, Bates said he didn't hear another teen yelling about being stuck in a window when the Toyota moved backward. But Daniel Herbert, Proano's lawyer, pointed out that he had told detectives that after the shooting.

"I don't know what I told (detectives)," Bates testified. "That was a long time ago."

Under questioning by Herbert, Officer Flaherty, a 12-year veteran, said the teens weren't cooperating with police commands before the shooting. He also acknowledged feeling some fear that night because his partner had chased after the Toyota's driver on foot after he took off running, leaving him alone with the car full of teens before Proano's arrival.

"I was by myself, there was multiple people in the vehicle, Mr. (Jaquon) Grant was outside the vehicle," Flaherty said. "You could say, yes, I could be in fear, yes."

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While focusing on Grant with his leg stuck between the two vehicles, Flaherty said, he kept telling the others in the car to stay still and keep their hands visible, but they didn't listen.

When Proano and his partner arrived, Flaherty said he heard the partner give verbal commands but not Proano.

As soon as the car went into reverse, Flaherty said he heard the sound of metal hitting the ground and saw what he later learned was a BB gun falling from the Toyota.

He also testified police dashboard camera video that captured the shooting doesn't show what he or Proano saw from their vantage point.

Later Wednesday, another passenger in the Toyota testified  Kevon Brown, now 16, who was hanging out of the car and the reason that Proano told authorities he opened fire. The officer said he fired 16 shots at the car out of concern for Brown's safety  a claim ridiculed by prosecutors in opening statements.

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The video showed Brown ducking as the shots were fired, and he testified he tried to shield himself with the car "'cause it was a lot of gunshots."

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Prosecutors also called Chicago police Detective Stanley Kalicki, who testified Proano said that night he'd fired after seeing a teen halfway out the back door "screaming, 'Stop, stop.'"

Proano also said he'd heard an officer say "gun" when he noticed the BB gun, Kalicki said.

On cross-examination, Kalicki said he considers the area where the shooting took place to be "dangerous."

Kevin Norris, who was working as a police evidence technician that night, used a marker to illustrate for jurors where all the bullet holes struck on a poster board version of the Toyota  including the doors and windshield.

gpratt@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @royalpratt
A woman was shot and killed Wednesday in Logan Square and at least 11 other people were wounded in shootings, more than half of them occurring within two hours, according to Chicago police.



The fatal shooting happened about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 3600 block of West Cortland Street in the Logan Square neighborhood.



Witnesses said the woman was standing near Spaulding Avenue and Cortland when a black Dodge Charger approached with tinted-windows. Someone got out and started chasing her, firing repeatedly before fleeing in the Dodge, police said.



The woman was struck 12 times and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 11:02 a.m., police said.

She was identified as Laquesha Holmes, of the 6700 block of South Chappel Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.



The gunman was described as black with a medium complexion, about 20 and wearing a red T-shirt, police said.



Other shootings:

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 About 10:40 p.m. Wednesday on the South Side, a 25-year-old man was wounded in the left leg during a drive-by shooting in the 4400 block of South Prairie Avenue in the Bronzeville neighborhood, police said. He was standing behind a parked car when someone in a silver Lexus car opened fire, police said. The man went to Mercy Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.



 About 10 p.m. on the West Side, a 26-year-old man was shot in the right leg while standing in the 500 block of North Springfield Avenue in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, police said. His condition was stabilized at Mount Sinai Hospital.



 On the Far South Side, two people were shot about 9:50 p.m. in the 11700 block of South Yale Avenue in the West Pullman neighborhood. A 23-year-old man was grazed in the face, and a 24-year-old man was shot in the left arm, police said. Their conditions were stabilized at Roseland Community Hospital.



 About 9:30 p.m. on the South Side, a 34-year-old man was shot in the right hand in the first block of West 79th Street in the West Chatham neighborhood, near the CTA Red Line station. The man's condition was stabilized at St. Bernard Hospital. Police said the victim was being uncooperative with investigators.



 In the West Side's South Austin neighborhood, a 36-year-old man was shot in the leg while sitting on the front porch of a home in the 4900 block of West Hubbard Street. About 9:15 p.m., a person the man knew opened fire, striking him in the leg. He was taken in good condition to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.



 In the Near West Side neighborhood, someone shot a 21-year-old man in the left wrist while he was in the front passenger seat of a car traveling west in the 2100 block of West Van Buren Street, police said. The shooting happened about 9 p.m., and the man went to Rush University Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition.



 In the West Side's Lawndale neighborhood, a 26-year-old man was shot in the arm and hip during a robbery in the 3900 block of West Grenshaw Street on the West Side. Just before 8:30 p.m., two people got out of a car, robbed the man and shot him twice, police said. He was taken in serious condition to Mount Sinai Hospital. Detectives were questioning persons of interest.



 On the South Side about 8:30 p.m., a 21-year-old man was shot in the knee in the 5400 block of South Wolcott Avenue in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. He was walking when someone in a car opened fire, police said. He was taken in good condition to Holy Cross Hospital.



 On the South Side, a 35-year-old man was shot in the ankle about 1:15 p.m. in the 200 block of East Garfield Boulevard in the Washington Park neighborhood. He was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.



 About 9:20 a.m. on the Southwest Side, a 23-year-old woman suffered a graze wound to the left hand in the 6900 block of South Artesian Avenue. She was taken in good condition to Holy Cross Hospital, police said.
Chicago Public Schools launched its new high school application website on Wednesday, allowing students and guardians a first opportunity to research programs through the online process before a three-month bidding period begins in October.

That means eighth-graders who will begin classes next month can see which high schools they're eligible to apply for and attend during the 2018-19 school year.

It's the latest step in a district effort to transform an application system that has often vexed parents.

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Now, students who want a ninth-grade seat in a charter school or district-operated building other than the one they're assigned based on their address will have to complete the new CPS electronic application.

To start that work online, current CPS families will need an activation code sent home with students at the end of last school year, district officials said.

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Parents can contact the district's enrollment office at 773-553-2060 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to have activation codes reissued if necessary. The district said it would also distribute codes to students once classes begin.

The new application will allow families to rank their choices of up to 20 schools. The district then would offer each student a seat at one of their school choices based on the rankings.

Applications cannot be submitted until Oct. 2, though families can verify that student records are accurate and begin marking programs they're interested in applying to before then.

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Students will receive only one offer based on their choices and qualifications, though students who use the new site to file a separate application for one of the district's competitive programs will receive up to two offers  one for a selective school and one for a nonselective seat.

Students who are not happy with their offer can file another application. Students who reject the second offer will be assigned to their designated neighborhood high school.

Students who have not been accepted to a school or filed an application will be assigned to a high school based on where they live.

CPS will distribute offers to students beginning in March.

The application website is online at www.go.cps.edu.

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Twitter @PerezJr
A jury awarded Tierney Darden, of Vernon Hills, $148 million in her lawsuit against the city of Chicago after she was partially paralyzed by a poorly maintained pedestrian shelter at O'Hare International Airport in 2015. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune) (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)

A Cook County jury on Wednesday awarded $148 million to a suburban woman who was partially paralyzed by a collapsing O'Hare International Airport bus shelter during an August storm two years ago.

Tierney Darden, 26, of Vernon Hills, the woman injured by the falling shelter, held her left hand up to her face and cried as Judge Clare McWilliams read the jury's decision in a downtown Chicago Daley Center courtroom. The trial lasted seven days and the jury deliberated four hours.

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"Tierney was truly a victim of wrongful conduct by the city at O'Hare, resulting in the shelter causing a devastating injury to her," her attorney, Patrick Salvi, told reporters outside the courtroom. "We're very, very grateful that the jury recognized the severity of her injury and the long road that she has ahead of her."

The $148 million verdict is the largest against the city in a personal injury case, according to a spokeswoman for the Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard law firm.

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On the afternoon of Aug. 2, 2015, Darden, then a dance student, was standing with her mother and 19-year-old sister outside the airport on a lower-level street that accesses Terminal 2, according to the law firm.

The three women had just returned to Chicago from Minneapolis, where they were shopping for bridesmaid dresses for an upcoming wedding, Darden's lawyers said. A storm rolled through the area as the women were waiting to be picked up, and a pedestrian shelter came loose and fell onto Darden.

Darden's spinal cord was severed, and she was left paralyzed from the waist down, her lawyers said. Before the incident, Darden had lived independently in Chicago and was attending Truman College. She now lives in Vernon Hills with her father, according to the law firm.

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It was determined the shelter that injured Tierney had missing bolts, Darden's lawyers said. An investigation later found other shelters at O'Hare were poorly maintained, with missing bolts, corroded parts or broken brackets, her lawyers said.

Tierney Darden, center, listens to her attorney Patrick A. Salvi speak at the Alise Hotel on Aug. 24, 2017, during a news conference to discuss the $148 million jury verdict awarded to her Wednesday. At left is Tierney's mother, Trudy Darden. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

The city of Chicago admitted liability for the conduct that caused Darden's injuries, her lawyers said. The trial was to determine damages only.

The city did not have an immediate comment on the verdict.

mwisniewski@chicagotribune.com

sschmadeke@chicagotribune.com

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Rafael Paz-Hernandez, 20, was charged in Little Village crash on Sunday that killed a man and injured another, police said. (Chicago Police Department )

A man was charged with two felonies in connection with a Sunday crash that killed a 30-year-old man riding in a different car down the same alley in Little Village, authorities said.

Rafael A. Paz-Hernandez, 20, of the 2300 block of South Avers Avenue in Little Village, was arrested Monday afternoon, police said.

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He was charged with failure to report an accident involving death and failure to report an accident involving an injury. Paz-Hernandez is scheduled to be in central bond court on Wednesday.

Police accused Hernandez of driving a blue Dodge Dakota pick-up truck north through an alley in the 2700 block of South Komensky about 6:55 p.m. and colliding with a Chevy Trailblazer that was traveling westbound on 28th Street.

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A 30-year-old passenger in the Trailbazer was killed and a 28-year-old passenger was seriously injured, police said.

Following the crash, the driver of the Dodge didn't help the victims and ran away.
The two women, mothers of young men, cried and shouted as they stood near the Discount Mega Mall in Little Village on Tuesday night.

Both heard their sons had been shot. People around them spoke of a dead boy lying somewhere at the mall on 26th and Whipple streets, killed by police. Someone said four people had been shot. Others drove off to check hospitals.

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Finally, an officer yelled to the growing crowd: "Nobody was shot. You can all go home. Nobody was shot."

But the yelling and confusion continued into the night, fueled by rumors that drew more and more angry people to the streets. Scattered skirmishes broke out with police as Facebook posts titled "Rest in Peace" named two neighborhood men supposedly shot by officers.

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When things calmed down two hours later, eight officers had been sent to hospitals with injuries ranging from a broken hand to cuts on the face.

Eleven people, including three 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old, were arrested and charged with counts ranging from aggravated battery to a police officer to resisting arrest and reckless conduct, according to police.

"It just shows you the mentality of folks in some of our neighborhoods," police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Wednesday as he once again denied police shot anyone. "The majority of the people that live in these neighborhoods are really good people. And they're sick and tired of seeing that kind of crap."

The confrontation started just after 8:50 p.m. when officers heard gunfire near the 2400 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, an area claimed by the Satan Disciples, and saw a car speeding away. The corner has seen dozens of shootings in a decades-long conflict between the Disciples and the Latin Kings to the west.

Last week, a young man was killed in an alley in an area claimed by the Latin Kings. Since then, there have been at least four shootings in neighborhoods next to Little Village claimed by rivals of the Latin Kings, including one a block from where police answered the call Tuesday night.

Responding officers chased a car along 26th to Albany, near the Discount Mega Mall, where a crowd had apparently gathered after a funeral for a Latin King.

Police have not provided details about the chase, except to say officers at some point fired at the car as it sped toward them and they feared "they would be pinned between vehicles."

The department said no one was hit by the shots. Officers asked for dogs and a helicopter to help search the area. On 26th, police stretched tape from the mall parking lot to shops north of there, leaving the crowd to gather under the arch that welcomes people to La Villita.

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Young men in the crowded identified themselves as Latin Kings and shouted "CPDK," short for "Chicago Police Department Killer."

As more people showed up, a young man known to neighborhood residents as "TMZ" told people police killed a small boy in the mall parking lot. He said he trying to call the TV stations. As news crews from the stations showed up, after most of the commotion was over, he promised to send them videos.

In one  shared more than 400 times on Facebook and viewed more than 37,000 times as of Wednesday morning  he claims the video shows several things it does not:

 "Elderly women, look at this. The police hitting women now." (The video does not show that.)

 "(Expletive) M-16s here pointing them at people." (Police don't carry M-16s, and the video does not show them being shouldered or aimed.)

 "Over there, by Albany. Shot and killed someone over there." (Police have repeatedly denied that, and the video doesn't show that.)

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 "I'm leaning on my car." (The person who shot the video got to the scene on a moped.)

The man said Wednesday morning he did not want to comment.

TMZ was not the only person to shoot video. At every outburst, a few phones went up. Some people held them chest high to record the interactions with police. Many of the officers wore cameras of their own.

One video, shot by someone else, showed a young woman in the mall parking throwing a beverage at an officer from 6 to 8 feet away.

As the night wore on, "Rest in Peace" messages were posted to Facebook. The common thread among the posts was that two young men were shot, one nicknamed Frosty and the other Papas.

Police brought one man in handcuffs to a squad car at the edge of the crime scene. He yelled that his brother's car had been shot up and he couldn't find him.

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"Calm down. Calm down," an officer said.

"I am calm," the young man yelled.

"My camera's rolling," the officer said. "I said it four times. Nobody died."

"Look man, somebody got blown down not even two blocks away and you only blocked off the alley," the man said before the officer placed him in the car. "You got six blocks taped off out here."

"Nobody died."

"Well, I just want to make sure."

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The crowd moved north. One man said his friend Papas just got knocked out by police with one punch, referring to a young man being held facedown until police stood him up and walked him to a waiting prisoner van. Another man was arrested about the same time.

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The crowd moved west from Kedzie Avenue along 25th Street toward Trumbull Avenue. With just a few onlookers left, a woman tried to find out what happened.

Two officers and a sergeant explained to her no one was shot.

"And if your son's not here, then he's probably in jail," the sergeant said. "Nobody got hurt here tonight, except some police by morons who threw beer bottles."

A lieutenant eventually walked to talk with the woman. He sounded exasperated. He and others had been telling people a version of this for two hours: "I promise you, no one is shot."

Among those arrested were four residents of the 2400 block of South Sawyer Avenue. Antonia Perez, 22, was charged with aggravated battery to police, Daniel Perez, 30, was charged with disorderly conduct and Ezekiel Perez, 24, was charged with reckless conduct. Jeremiah Perez, 28, faces charges of aggravated assault, fleeing and multiple traffic violations.

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Celeste Perez, 19, of the 2500 block of South Trumbull Avenue, faces charges of aggravated battery to a police officer along with two counts of resisting or obstructing a police officer.

Tribune reporter Elyssa Cherney and Tribune photographer E. Jason Wambsgans contributed.
SPRINGFIELD  House Speaker Michael Madigan abruptly canceled plans for lawmakers to return to the Capitol on Wednesday and vote on an override of Gov. Bruce Rauner's education funding veto, citing "progress" made during several hours of closed-door negotiations.

"I am hopeful we can finish our negotiations shortly to ensure schools around the state can receive the money needed to operate schools throughout this school year," Madigan said in a statement late Tuesday.

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The group spent most of Tuesday working toward an agreement, and Republicans after the meeting called on Madigan to skip the override vote Wednesday so talks could continue.

Now, the group is scheduled to meet again on Thursday in Chicago to keep negotiating, but Madigan said the House would hold an override vote next week if a compromise isn't reached.

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Tuesday marked the second negotiating session among the four leaders since the Senate voted to reject Rauner's amendatory veto of a measure to overhaul how the state distributes tax dollars to schools. While Rauner said he supported major parts of Democrats' proposal aimed at helping poorer districts and reducing schools' reliance on local property taxes, he took issue with parts that would provide more money for Chicago Public Schools.

His rewrite, though, has brought criticism from education officials who say it was too broad and could hurt districts across the state in future years. Rauner has since said there's no specific part of his veto that must be included in order for a deal to be reached.

The governor has not participated in legislative leaders' meetings, but Republicans say they have briefed his office throughout the process.

"We're exchanging information with the governor, we are trying to find the right balance with a bill that will pass both chambers," said House Republican leader Jim Durkin. "We are in constant communication with the governor over this issue and we will continue to do that because we want to be able to have a bill presented to him that he will sign with enthusiasm."

It's likely the veteran speaker didn't have the votes to override Rauner on Wednesday anyway. Not only would Madigan probably have to put all 67 House Democrats on the override, but he would need at least four Republicans to break ranks with their governor. The minimum to override is 71. So far, no House Republicans have publicly said they're willing to do so on the schools bill.

Without a new funding formula in place, the state is unable to cut checks for schools. Districts have already missed two payments, and many have said they will have to cut programs or close their doors should the fight drag on through the fall.

Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel sought to link CPS academic gains he was touting at a Northwest Side school to the need for Rauner to approve the Democratic school funding bill. Doing that, Emanuel said, would provide fairer funding for CPS in comparison with the rest of the state.

"There's an academic gap that's been dramatically closed here in Chicago," Emanuel said during a news conference at Canty Elementary School. "There needs to a funding gap closed in Springfield."

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"I'm not going to continue as the mayor of the city and allow Springfield, when it comes to funding education, to be dead last and punish kids simply because of the color of their skin and the income of their parents," Emanuel added. "That is wrong, and it has to end, and it started in the Senate, and it's now in the House."

Chicago Tribune's Hal Dardick contributed.

mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White greets a supporter after announcing he'll run for a sixth term, on Aug. 17, 2017, at the annual Democratic Chairmen's Brunch in Springfield. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.

Topspin

Democratic governor hopeful J.B. Pritzker is set to be endorsed by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White on Wednesday.

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The long-serving, popular White is the first statewide-elected Democrat to endorse in the party's crowded governor contest. The backing comes less than a week after White's announcement that he would seek a sixth term in 2018 rather than retire as he'd initially indicated last year.

Also scheduled to attend the campaign event at a West Town park are five Chicago aldermen: Walter Burnett Jr., 27th; Michael Scott Jr., 24th; Chris Taliaferro, 29th; Pat Dowell, 3rd; and Michelle Harris, 8th.

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The lineup is a way for Pritzker to show he's making inroads in eroding Democratic foe Chris Kennedy's support in the African-American community. Black voters are a key bloc in a statewide Democratic primary.

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel will appear at a Clark Street bridge ribbon cutting and speak at a school funding news conference with other mayors.

*Gov. Rauner's public schedule wasn't available.

*The Illinois House will not meet Wednesday, as it turns out.

*U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin will give a lunchtime talk to the City Club of Chicago.

*The City Council's Aviation and Finance committees will hold a joint hearing to talk about residential window installation issues near Midway Airport.

*U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley will hold an Affordable Care Act roundtable discussion in the morning at the Cook County Health & Hospitals System in Chicago.

*Democratic candidate for governor and state Sen. Daniel Biss will continue his statewide tour with events in LaSalle, Normal and Bloomington.

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From the notebook

*GOP help for Wynes in 10th Congressional District: Kyle Haevers, who gained plaudits for his work in defending a top Republican target of state House Democrats last year, is joining the congressional campaign of Republican Jeremy Wynes.

Wynes is running in the North Shore 10th District. Haevers was the campaign manager for Republican state Rep. Michael McAuliffe of Chicago, who held onto his seat in a multimillion-dollar campaign against Democratic activist Merry Marwig, 56 percent to 44 percent, last November.

In 2014, Haevers ran the field program in Lake and McHenry counties for Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's successful bid for the office. Rauner racked up pluralities of more than 30,000 votes in each of the two counties over Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn.

Haevers, a native of Gurnee, now joins the candidacy of Wynes, who is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider of Deerfield. Wynes, an attorney from Highland Park, announced his candidacy in May. (Rick Pearson)

*Quick spin: Gov. Rauner signed dozens of bills into law Tuesday, including one to expand HIV testing of pregnant women

What we're writing

*Madigan cancels Wednesday's session, delaying school funding override vote as talks continue.

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*State election officials put off decision on Trump panel's request for voter data.

*Rauner will sign immigration bill on Monday, later tries to clean up administration's mess on Illinois Policy Institute political cartoon.

*Trial underway in lawsuit filed by ex-state Treasurer Rutherford aides.

*Ex-Lake in the Hills village president guilty of two domestic battery charges.

What we're reading

*Powerball jackpot rises to $700 million.

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*Decatur sailor among the missing from USS McCain.

*Most workers at Foxconn plant will be Wisconsin residents, Walker aide says.

Follow the money

*A week after announcing her candidacy for state attorney general, Republican Erika Harold has filed paperwork to set up a campaign fund.

*Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti reported $1,250 from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce PAC.

*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

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Beyond Chicago



*McConnell wonders if Trump can salvage presidency.

*Trump could get more involved in Arizona's U.S. Senate primary.

*Speaker Ryan faces heat back home.

*Civil War lessons vary across the country.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday added a dozen suburban mayors to his ongoing appeal to state lawmakers to override Gov. Bruce Rauner 's veto of a state education spending package, saying they also want an end to the impasse.

The mayor has spent weeks saying Democrats' version of a rewrite of Illinois' school funding formula will benefit many communities, while suggesting Republican lawmakers in the Illinois House should buck the governor and override his changes.

Wednesday's Loop photo opportunity at the quarterly meeting of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus gave Emanuel a chance to hammer familiar criticisms of Rauner while standing with other municipal leaders to try to underscore his point that school funding is not a "Chicago vs. Downstate" fight.

"We have, obviously, a cross section of mayors from different cities across the Chicagoland area all supporting the education bill the governor vetoed," Emanuel said, while standing with mayors from Fox River Grove , Hazel Crest, Park Forest and elsewhere.

When a reporter asked any of the mayors at the news conference to discuss conversations they've had with local Republican legislators about the potential override, there was a brief silence during which Emanuel quietly said, "I have."

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A spokesman later said the mayor had spoken to state Rep. Michael McAuliffe , R-Chicago, who voted in favor of the bill in May.

And Palos Hills Mayor Gerald Bennett took the mic to say party shouldn't matter.

"Again, we're asking the citizens of the state of Illinois, this is beyond politics," Bennett said. "Education shouldn't be on political boundaries, it should be on boundaries of what's fair."

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The mayors at the meeting didn't represent the kinds of rural Downstate municipal leaders and legislators who can be wary of the political consequences of appearing to help or praise Chicago.

Fox River Grove Village President Robert Nunamaker, for instance, defended cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools getting a financial boost, calling Chicago "the financial driver for northern Illinois."

House Speaker Michael Madigan late Tuesday called off a veto override vote that had been set for Wednesday, as he and other legislative leaders hold closed-door talks on a compromise. Emanuel did not respond directly about what he would be willing to give up in order for such an agreement to be reached, instead saying he's focused on getting the original school funding plan approved.

jebyrne@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @_johnbyrne
Sailors with ties to Illinois, Michigan and Ohio are among 10 who are missing after a U.S. warship collided with an oil tanker in Southeast Asia.

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis said he was informed by Logan Palmer's family that the central Illinois man is missing. In Michigan, April Brandon said the military informed her that her son, Ken Smith, is also missing.

The family of Jacob Drake, 21, was told that the western Ohio man was among the missing, the Columbus Dispatched reported Tuesday.

The USS John McCain collided with an oil tanker off Singapore on Monday. Adm. Scott Swift said some bodies have been found in a flooded compartment of the warship. No other details have been released.

Brandon said Smith's father, stepmother and grandfather served in the Navy. She said Smith, 22, grew up in Novi, Mich., and moved to Norfolk, Va., as a teen with his father.

"His father and I couldn't be prouder of our son," Brandon said. "He's a great kid. He's a hero."

Davis, a Republican whose district includes the Decatur area, said Palmer comes from a "patriotic family." He enlisted in 2016.

"Our military must do whatever necessary to minimize incidents like this and protect those who risk their lives each day in service to our country," Davis said.
AUSTIN, Texas  A federal judge who has compared Texas' voter ID requirements to a "poll tax" on minorities once again blocked the law Wednesday, rejecting a weakened version backed by the Trump administration and dealing Texas Republicans another court defeat over voting rights.



U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos rejected changes signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott this summer as not only lacking but also potentially chilling to voters because of new criminal penalties. The new version didn't expand the list of acceptable photo identifications  meaning gun licenses remained sufficient proof to vote, but not college student IDs.



Instead, the changes would allow people who lack a required ID to cast a ballot if they signed an affidavit and brought paperwork that showed their name and address, such as a bank statement or utility bill. Those revisions were supported by the U.S. Justice Department, which under President Barack Obama had joined Democrats and minority rights groups in suing over the law.



But that position has changed with President Donald Trump in charge, who has established a commission to investigate allegations of voter fraud in the 2016 elections. In February, the Justice Department abandoned the argument Texas passed voter ID rules with discrimination in mind and said changes signed by Abbott should satisfy the courts.



Texas first passed the voter ID law in 2011, the same year the GOP-controlled Legislature adopted voting maps that were also struck down as discriminatory.



Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the latest ruling "outrageous" and said an appeals court should void the decision.



"The U.S. Department of Justice is satisfied that the amended voter ID law has no discriminatory purpose or effect. Safeguarding the integrity of elections in Texas is essential to preserving our democracy," Paxton said in a statement.



But Gonazles Ramos, who first struck down the law in 2014, said Texas didn't go far enough with its changes and said that criminal penalties Texas attached to lying on the affidavit could have a chilling effect on voters who, fearful of making an innocent mistake on the form, simply won't cast a ballot.



Nor was she swayed by Texas clarifying under the revised law, known as Senate Bill 5, that both U.S. passport books and cards would be accepted. "This feature remains discriminatory because SB 5 perpetuates the selection of types of ID most likely to be possessed by Anglo voters and, disproportionately, not possessed by Hispanics and African-Americans," she wrote.



It was another major ruling over voter ID laws this year. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court shut the door on efforts by North Carolina to revive a state law that mandated voter identification. The Texas voter ID law could now be the high court's next opportunity to weigh in.



The decision also leaves open the potential of Texas becoming the first state dragged back under federal oversight since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 gutted the federal Voting Rights Act, which had required states with troubled racial histories to submit election changes for approval. Gonzales Ramos left that question open for consideration later.



Texas has spent years fighting to preserve both the voter ID law  which was among the strictest in the U.S.  and its voting maps. Earlier this month, a separate federal court found racial gerrymandering in Texas' congressional maps and ordered voting districts to be partially redrawn before the 2018 elections.



"From discriminatory gerrymandering to discriminatory voter ID laws, it has become entirely clear that Texas Republicans are rigging our election system," said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.
President Donald Trump assured us Monday night  repeatedly  that the United States will win the war in Afghanistan. But his secretary of state would apparently like to set the bar considerably lower than that.

In a classic case of Trump's big talk running into stubborn realities  almost immediately  Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday afternoon played down the idea that the U.S. military would walk away from Afghanistan with a victory.

He addressed the Taliban directly: "You will not win a battlefield victory. We may not win one, but neither will you."

"We may not win one" is quite a different tune than the one Trump was singing Monday night. "We will always win," he began one thought. "I'm a problem-solver, and in the end, we will win," he added.

Also: "Our troops will fight to win. We will fight to win. From now on, victory will have a clear definition." And: "The men and women who serve our nation in combat deserve a plan for victory. They deserve the tools they need and the trust they have earned to fight and to win."

Win. Win. Win. Win. Victory. Victory. Win.

This is Trump's mode, of course, and he apparently can't shake it. Everything is winning  so much winning that people will get tired of winning. Winning isn't so much an outcome as it is a strategy. What's your plan for the economy? To win, of course. For health care? To have the best coverage at reduced costs; to win. The Islamic State? To "obliterate" it  a total victory. Afghanistan? A "clear" win.

But a clear victory is something that basically any military expert will tell you is very difficult to foresee (much less predict) in Afghanistan  especially with only a few thousand more troops on top of already-far-reduced troop levels and an apparently limited amount of patience from the commander in chief. In light of Trump's comments, The Washington Post's Carlos Lozada noted what Maj. Gen. Bill Mayville, who was then Gen. Stanley McChrystal's chief of operations, said in that fateful (for McChrystal) 2010 Rolling Stone article: "It's not going to look like a win, smell like a win or taste like a win," Mayville said. "This is going to end in an argument."

That's too much nuance for Trump, but Tillerson recognizes it. And the secretary seemed to walk back Trump's comments in another portion of Tuesday's press conference.

"We believe that we can turn the tide of what has been a losing battle over the last year and a half or so and at least stabilize the situation and, hopefully, start seeing some battlefield victories on the part of the Afghan forces," Tillerson said.

"At least stabilize the situation." Again, that's wildly different from the tone Trump set Monday. It's almost as if they aren't even working together on this. It's almost as if Trump's top aides are completely uncomfortable with his tendency to over-promise, especially when it comes to what many have labeled a quagmire.

The question is which definition of success will prevail and bring an end to the war. Is the goal "stabilizing the situation" and preventing the Taliban from winning, or is it total and complete victory for the U.S. military? Tillerson's goals are more based in reality, but they're not exactly inspiring for troops who are deployed or will be in the future. And Trump is clearly bent on declaring victory, no matter how resounding the eventual outcome is.

Add it to the pile of things that are still very unclear after the president's speech Monday night.
The conflict between President Donald Trump and Congress escalated a day after he threatened to shut down the federal government over funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall and targeted opponents in Congress, aggravating tensions as a difficult legislative agenda looms.

Trump is now at odds not only with Democrats, who cemented their objections to funding the wall Wednesday, but also with Republicans, who must reconcile his brash rhetoric with the governing realities of Congress.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., played down the prospect of a shutdown, telling reporters Wednesday that even if the wall debate remains unresolved, Congress probably would pass a stopgap extension of funding to prevent a lapse when the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.

Other lawmakers chided the president for the attacks he fired off during a campaign-style rally in Phoenix on Tuesday evening  including indirect references to Arizona's two senators, Jeff Flake and John McCain.

"It's entirely counterproductive for the president to be picking fights with Republican senators who he will need for important agenda items that they both agree on," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa. "Does he think that Democratic senators will be more cooperative than John McCain and Jeff Flake and Susan Collins? It doesn't seem to make any sense."

Republicans face a litany of high-stakes deadlines when they return to Washington after Labor Day: to extend funding for government agencies, raise the nation's borrowing limit, and reauthorize programs for flood insurance and children's health. GOP leaders also hope to kick off an ambitious effort to rewrite the federal tax code in a bid to rescue their foundering legislative agenda.

"So I don't think anyone is interested in having a shutdown," Ryan said at a tax policy event in Oregon. "I don't think it's in our interest to do so."

Both Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell moved to dispel reports of a relationship that has frayed through mutual frustrations  McConnell's exasperation with Trump's response to deadly violence at a white-nationalist rally in Virginia, and Trump's frustration with a stalled congressional agenda.

Both men issued statements Wednesday saying they remained committed to working together on Republican priorities.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we are committed to advancing our shared agenda together, and anyone who suggests otherwise is clearly not part of the conversation," McConnell said.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the two men "remain united on many shared priorities, including middle class tax relief, strengthening the military, constructing a southern border wall, and other important issues" and plan to meet when the congressional recess ends after Labor Day.

The gesture of detente came after a New York Times report highlighted their rocky relationship and after Trump's salvo in Phoenix  an ultimatum aimed squarely at Capitol Hill.

"Build that wall," he said. "Now, the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it. But believe me, if we have to close down our government, we're building that wall."

At other points in the rally, Trump urged McConnell to ditch the long-standing Senate rules that give the minority party the ability to block major bills. He hinted that he would pardon former Arizona county sheriff Joe Arpaio, a divisive figure who has been found in criminal contempt by a federal judge. And without naming them, he referred to the opposition he has faced from Flake and McCain.

"I will not mention any names  very presidential, isn't it?" he said, only to take aim at Flake as "weak on crime & border" in a tweet hours later.

The shutdown threat is a response to the leverage granted to the minority party in the Senate. While Republicans control the House, Senate and White House, Democrats have enough votes in the Senate to filibuster any spending bill  giving them the power to make demands on what is or isn't included in a funding package.

Democratic leaders reiterated their opposition to Trump's proposal Wednesday. Both Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Trump would be responsible if the government shuts down over the impasse.

"If the President pursues this path, against the wishes of both Republicans and Democrats, as well as the majority of the American people, he will be heading toward a government shutdown which nobody will like and which won't accomplish anything," Schumer said in a statement.

Public opinion leans against the border wall, though most Republicans support it. Rasmussen Reports, a conservative-leaning firm, conducted an automated poll of likely U.S. voters late last month and found that a solid majority of Americans oppose building a border wall "to help stop illegal immigration," with 37 percent supporting Trump's proposal versus 56 percent against. That is similar to a poll conducted in February by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center that found Americans opposed the wall 62 percent to 35 percent.

Ryan said the border wall should ultimately be funded, reflecting the wishes of most congressional Republicans, including key conservatives who have rallied to Trump's side. But he has refrained from engaging in Trump's red-meat "build the wall" rhetoric, in what GOP aides described as an effort to avoid poisoning upcoming negotiations with Democrats.

"We do agree that we need to have the physical barrier on the border. We do need to have border control. We do need to enforce our borders," Ryan said. "We completely agree on that."

McConnell has avoided direct calls for a wall while supporting tougher border security generally. While Trump claimed Wednesday that the two men share that goal, McConnell did not mention the wall in his statement.

Aides also took note on Tuesday that while Trump threatened to "close down our government" over the border wall issue, he stopped short of an explicit threat to veto any spending bill that did not include wall funding.

A veto threat could box in GOP leaders as they prepare to negotiate with Democratic leaders who have pledged never to support wall funding. Trump clearly placed the border wall at the center of those negotiations, increasing pressure on congressional Republicans to deliver.

Conservatives, however, already smarting from the GOP's failure to pass health-care legislation, say the party is rightly under pressure.

"Obviously no one wants a government shutdown, but if Charles Schumer thinks it's more important to hold up a bill that does what the American people elected their government to do, then let's have that debate," Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a leader of the conservative bloc in the House, said Wednesday.

In recent years, when Democrat Barack Obama was in the White House and Republicans held one or both chambers of Congress, partisan demands over federal spending were hashed out among top leaders in closed-door negotiations. While leaders on both sides set out aggressive positions, they typically refrained from issuing hard ultimatums to preserve space to bargain.

The White House hasn't reached a decision about whether Trump would agree to a stopgap spending bill, a senior administration official said, as he still needs to see details from lawmakers. Trump could choose to block such a measure or agree to a short-term extension in the hopes that it gives lawmakers more time to agree on funding for a new wall.

Jordan said Wednesday that conservatives would be inclined to support an extension but are wary of any attempt to set up a high-stakes deadline ahead of the year-end holidays.

"Is this going to come due at Dec. 23 at midnight? Usually when you do those things you sometimes get some things that aren't the best for the taxpayer," he said. "I think the timing's important."

During the presidential campaign last year, Trump vowed to force Mexico to fund construction of a wall along the U.S. border that he said could be up to 50 feet tall. Since the election, he has changed course, saying that Congress instead needs to spend taxpayer funds to begin construction on new segments of the wall. There is already a wall or fence along parts of the U.S. border with Mexico.

On Wednesday, a committee that raises money for Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee sent an email to supporters calling on them to pressure Senate lawmakers that "the American VOTERS want this beautiful, impenetrable wall constructed" and asked them to digitally sign an "Official Build The Wall Petition."

House Republicans voted last month to provide $1.6 billion in seed funding for the wall as part of a larger spending package. That bill is not expected to be taken up in the Senate.

Spending legislation that passed into law earlier this year did not include wall funding after Democrats refused to accept it. That impasse increased pressure on Republicans to deliver wall funding in future spending battles.

Dent, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, accused Democrats of being unreasonable in drawing a hard line against any wall funding  particularly, he said, because many of them supported a 2005 law mandating an expanded border fence. But he said he was concerned about the lack of specifics about what the Trump administration is planning for the border.

"It would be nice to know exactly what we we're talking about and how much money," he said. "If you're asking me if it's worth shutting the government over $1.6 billion, I think that would be a mistake. It would be very bad for the country, terrible politically, and completely counterproductive."
Jeanne Clark, deputy superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, was the highest ranking woman at the department in 2001. She is seen at police headquarters a month before retiring (Erik Unger / Chicago Tribune)

Jeanne Clark was the first female deputy superintendent at the Chicago Police Department, which was the capstone to a career full of firsts.

"She loved being with the Police Department," said Clark's sister Rosie Weissmueller, a retired Chicago police detective. "She bled blue."

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Clark, 68, died July 17 of complications from pneumonia at a hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A resident of Buchanan, Mich., and formerly a longtime resident of Chicago's North Center neighborhood, Clark had been traveling on a cruise from New York to London when she fell ill, and her ship diverted to Halifax, where she was admitted to a hospital.

Born Jeanne McGough, Clark grew up on Chicago's West Side. She was one of seven children born to her police-officer-turned-pipefitter father and her homemaker mother.

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After graduating from Siena High School, Clark earned a bachelor's degree from St. Xavier University on the Southwest Side with a double major in English and German. She then earned a master's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and began teaching English as a Second Language at Joliet Junior College.

Clark called her entry into law enforcement years later a "fluke." While teaching, Clark found herself in need of a summer job. She took civil service tests, including a police exam, and was chosen to enroll as one of the city's first female officers.

In 1975, Clark graduated from the first co-ed Chicago police academy class as one of "maybe 20" women," she told the Tribune in 2001.

For Clark, the job was fascinating. "Once I got out on patrol, I loved it. I didn't want to be off," Clark told the Tribune in 1998. "It was like living a page in the most exciting novel that has ever been written. Every day was a new experience."

Clark rose quickly through the ranks, becoming the department's first female district commander in 1988, overseeing the auto theft section. She was commander of the Belmont District on the North Side, and then was promoted in 1993 to be the commander of the Prairie District on the South Side, which included the south lakefront and Hyde Park. In 1995, then-police Superintendent Matt Rodriguez promoted Clark to be an assistant deputy superintendent.

Kathleen McChesney, a former FBI special agent and sex crimes detective, recalled Clark's "extraordinary leadership skills."

"As I got to know her, first as the deputy superintendent and then as a good friend, I found that all that I had heard actually understated her extraordinary abilities and her strength of character," McChesney said. "She was more than a role model to other law enforcement officers  she was an inspiration and a woman with a great sense of adventure and wonder."

In 1998, then-Superintendent Terry Hillard promoted Clark to be the department's deputy superintendent of staff services, overseeing the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) community-policing program. Other duties included overseeing all police training, labor relations, neighborhood relations and employee recruitment.

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"I promoted her because she was so qualified. This was a woman who not only was a good policewoman but she knew how to lead people, how to manage people and really how to interact not only with people on the Police Department but also in the community and the elected officials she had to work with," Hillard said. "She just had that knack."

During her time as deputy superintendent of staff services, Clark focused heavily on improving hiring and trying to demonstrate the benefits of police careers, particularly reaching out to women and minorities. "I made it my passion, trying to get outreach off the ground," Clark told the Tribune.

The Rev. Dan Brandt, the department's chaplain, got to know Clark through her husband, Patrick, who had been a police captain.

"She was brutally honest in the way that a good friend needs to be, and in the way that a good supervisor needs to be," Brandt said. "She was a wonderful woman and a real trend-setter and a pioneer."

"When you fly with eagles, you have to fly high to keep up," Clark told the Tribune. "If I've succeeded, it's because of the superior officers who really mentored me and the people I commanded who made me look good."

After retiring in 2001, Clark was hired in 2002 to help set up the federal Transportation Security Administration's operations at Midway Airport as its security director, her sister said.

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In 2004, Clark transferred to Indiana's South Bend Regional Airport to oversee TSA passenger screening and other security functions at the Ft. Wayne, Gary and Lafayette, Ind., airports. Driving the move was the fact that her full-time home was in southwest Michigan.

After retiring from the TSA, Clark edited police training manuals and assisted McChesney in her work for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Child and Youth Protection, and also worked with McChesney on a project for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

"Jeanne could analyze any problem and come up with the right solution, but I was most impressed with her understanding of the challenges that face Chicago's youngest citizens and the things they need to be safe and to thrive," McChesney said.

Outside of work, Clark held season tickets to the Lyric Opera and also enjoyed classical music, literature and theater.

Clark was married from 1991 until her husband's death in 2014.

In addition to her sister, Clark is survived by three other sisters, Mary Schultze, Patricia Rung and Joan Sheehan; a brother, Jim McGough; a stepdaughter, Bridgett Clark Castrejon and two step-grandchildren.

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Services were held.

Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.
Lilette Rohe began her ballet career dancing in Paris as a teenager and went on to teach classical ballet in the Lilette Rohe School of Ballet in Evanston for more than 40 years.

In her school and in her life, she shared her love for and knowledge of ballet, and also shared herself, according to longtime friend, student and co-teacher Deanna Gotta.

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"Not only did she teach you, but she became a friend and helped you with whatever you were doing in life," Gotta said. "She sometimes didn't charge people to take classes because she was so wanting to help them."

Rohe, 95, died of natural causes August 4 at the Presbyterian Homes, the retirement community where she lived, according to her son Chris Rohe. She had previously lived independently in a house in Evanston, where she'd resided for more than 45 years.

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Rohe was especially good at working with teenage girls, helping them through some difficult years, said Gotta, who is still teaching a class a week at the Lilette Rohe School. For the time being, the school is continuing under the leadership of some students.

Rohe was born Lilette Crenshaw in Paris in 1921, the daughter of an American father and a French mother. She started dancing early, and in her teens studied with famed Russian ballet star Lyubov Yegerova, eventually dancing with Yegerova's Ballets de la Jeunesse, her family said.

She moved with her family to the U.S. in 1939, settling in New York. There she danced with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and the Radio City Corps de Ballet, both since disbanded.

Her first marriage, to Robert Sorlien, ended in divorce. She later met and married Paul Rohe, who worked in publishing. The couple moved around the country, with stops that included California and Massachusetts. They came to Evanston in the late 1960s, where her husband eventually established a business in rare used books. Paul Rohe died in 2005.

In the mid-1970s, Rohe, who had done little dancing after leaving New York, reconnected with her passion for dance, opening her Evanston ballet school and running it until earlier this year.

"She was still actively teaching until June of this year," her son said.

At its peak, the school offered 10 classes a week to more than 100 students, ranging widely in age and experience. Her children said some of Rohe's students have gone on to dance with the best-known companies in the United States, including the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theater.

Rohe always did more than simply teach ballet, Gotta said. "There were many children she taught, now adults, for whom ballet changed their lives  and she changed their lives because she got invested in their lives and taught them not just ballet but about life."

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Students, many of whom attended multiple sessions each week for years, came not just for the ballet but for Rohe, Gotta said.

"She was an incredible lady who had this gift, this community spirit of helping others in whatever way was necessary and inspiring them in their lives."

In addition to her son Chris, survivors include a daughter, Janet Sorlien Wolf; sons Parker Sorlien and Gregory Rohe; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services were held.

Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter.
Only 24 hours after he read a serious speech off a teleprompter committing to send more young men and women to fight in Afghanistan, President Donald Trump reverted to form, delivering a rambling, rage-filled, 77-minute harangue that was alternately defensive, angry, accusatory and just plain weird. Like a trapped animal, he lashed out in every direction, trying unsuccessfully to draw blood.

The opening 15 minutes or so were devoted to relitigating  and lying about  his response to the Charlottesville incident. He omitted his words a few days after the death of Heather Heyer in which he claimed that there were "fine people" on both sides and that there was blame on "many sides." But once again, he dwelled on himself, not on the death of a young woman or the flare-up of anti-Semitic, racist groups. He railed at the media, claiming that they did not cover the crowd (they did, revealing a modest gathering) and that there were not many protesters outside (there were thousands). The sight of the president, eight months into office, still lying about crowd size and whining about the media was stunning but not surprising.

He insisted that he was all about unifying the country, and then launched into a diatribe against his perceived enemies, painting himself as simultaneously the most successful president (repeating the lie that he has signed more legislation than anyone) and the victim of Democrats, the filibuster (which he wrongly blamed his loss on health-care legislation that could not garner even 50 votes) and always, always the "sick" media (whom he accused of not liking America).

After his press secretary vowed he would not raise the topic of Joe Arpaio, he promised that the former Arizona sheriff would be "just fine," although he wouldn't announce something at that moment. In doing so, he linked arms with a man convicted of both racial profiling and contempt of court, one more show of solidarity with the alt-right to whom Arpaio is a hero. He castigated Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., although not by name, calling him "weak on borders, weak on crime." Without naming Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., he pointedly told the crowd he was one vote away from getting health care passed. And he railed about illegal immigrants, vowing to shut down the government if Congress did not commit taxpayer money to pay for the wall he once vowed Mexico would fund. He predicted he would fail to renegotiate NAFTA and instead withdraw.
This week, the well-to-do wife of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, former actress Louise Linton, shared a heated exchange on Instagram over photographs of her wearing (and flaunting) expensive clothing brands, where she appeared to insult another woman for having lesser means. Linton, who once gave an interview about the dozens of diamonds and other jewels she would be wearing to wed Mnuchin, asked the commenter if she had "given more to the economy than me and my husband? Either as an individual earner in taxes OR in self sacrifice to your country?" and concluded with a final barb: "Your life looks cute."

Linton may not think very much of people who don't "give" as much to "the economy" as she and her husband. It wouldn't be any big surprise: After all, Linton and Mnuchin are both creatures of Hollywood, a territory none too friendly to poor people.

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It's unusual to see people struggling to get by on the big screen. By my count, in the entirety of American cinema, there are fewer than 300 movies that significantly concern themselves with poverty or homelessness. When they do, the result is predictable, insulting in ways that not only reflect but propagate unfair stereotypes and misleading prejudices about people who live in poverty.

Faking poor

Oftentimes, movies that seem to be about poor people are actually about rich people. If you know "My Man Godfrey," "Oliver Twist" or "My Own Private Idaho," you may remember them as being about, respectively, a Depression-era hobo, a hungry orphan boy or two homeless hustlers. But in each instance, the central character is actually a rich man in poor drag: Godfrey is a well-to-do Bostonian hiding away in a Hooverville while recovering from a broken heart; Oliver's true parentage, and inheritance, is eventually revealed; and Keanu Reeves' hustler, who comes into his own fortune, is the mayor's son. I think of these kind of characters (and they abound) as Impostor Tramps.

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And there's another way in which movies may care less about poverty than they would have you believe. You may remember "The Soloist" as being about a homeless Juilliard-trained musician played by Jamie Foxx. But the narrative actually centers on the reporter (Robert Downey Jr.) and how he finds new meaning in his work, saves his marriage and repairs his relationship with his son  all thanks to the Important Lessons he learns by helping Foxx. In such films, (think of "The Fisher King" and "Resurrecting the Champ") poor people are objects, not subjects: They are the means toward someone else's end. It's one way in which old doctrines show themselves, counseling us to aid The Poor because it's a way to achieve our own salvation.

When the main characters are genuinely destitute, they are often objects of fear. "C.H.U.D." is one notorious case, in which homeless men literally rise up from the sewers to slaughter the upper classes. While many horror flicks with "vagrants" as the villain were made in the 1980s, as widespread homelessness emerged for the first time since the 1930s, the bigotry that inspired them endures: Kevin Drum, a political blogger at Mother Jones, recently insisted that it is "perfectly understandable" to be disgusted by homeless people.

Miserable poor people

When they are not monsters, poor people on film are often irredeemable and irresponsible. Take "Precious," which purports to care about its characters but nonetheless traffics in the ugliest racist stereotypes about welfare recipients and poor African-Americans.

Alternately, poor people onscreen are broken and need to be fixed ("The Saint of Fort Washington," "Being Flynn"), or lost and in need of rescue, as with movies ("Dangerous Minds," "Freedom Writers") that feature a nice white lady coming to inspire and save black and brown children, who merely need to be motivated  to find some reservoir of pluck or grit  so that they can improve their lot. These stories are especially insidious because they teach viewers that poverty, as Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said recently, is a "state of mind" rather than a condition we create through our politics and public policy. In the movies, poverty is rooted in individual failure (or one dramatic, tragic event), and the larger political and economic forces that constrain people's opportunities are absent.

Indeed, the way to escape poverty in cinema is never public aid or even private charity. Accepting help (or, heaven forbid, demanding it) marks characters as undeserving; refusing aid, by contrast, even if it means your children go hungry, is a sign of moral fiber (see Jeff Bridges in "Hidden in America" or "Cinderella Man," in which the final heroic act is ostentatiously repaying the public relief that saved the family from ruin).

Finally, despite the fact that poverty is higher outside metropolitan areas than within them, and highest in the South, in the movies it is concentrated in big cities, and especially among African-Americans in New York City. That gives us a wildly distorted sense of where most poverty is and who experiences it.

The exceptions

"The Grapes of Wrath," still among the best movies about poverty, is an exception, showing audiences rural families in need. So does "The Glass Castle," along with better films like "Winter's Bone," "Frozen River" and "Wendy and Lucy." But these conform to their own pattern: When movie poverty is rural, it is white (with exceptions, like "Ballast" and "George Washington"). And this white, rural poverty is much more likely to be portrayed sympathetically. As recent events remind us  from the extravagant efforts mainstream media have made to humanize racist, homophobic and xenophobic white Trump voters, to violent public rallies by neo-Nazis  we still inhabit a white supremacist culture, so this should probably not be surprising, even it we find it troubling.

The newly released "The Glass Castle," based on author Jeanette Walls' memoirs of growing up poor, offers a fresh opportunity to watch whiteness work, given how much it deviates from the book to make the alcoholic father blameless and the neglectful mother merely eccentric. It softens this family's poverty in a common way too. In Walls' memoir, the children spend much of their time hungry, cold and dirty. But in Hollywood's version, they are never too cold, too hungry or too dirty. American movies often pull their punches in this way, avoiding giving filmgoers a realistic sense of what deep poverty is like, thereby making it easier for people like Linton and her husband to dismiss and easier to deny the need for policies to reduce it. "The Glass Castle" takes a brutally unsentimental, clear-eyed accounting of growing up poor and turns it into a maudlin movie about a woman's troubled relationship with her father and their reconciliation. And another opportunity to show movie audiences something about the reality of poverty in America is squandered.

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The Washington Post

Stephen Pimpare is the author of "A People's History of Poverty in America" and the forthcoming "Ghettos, Tramps, and Welfare Queens: Down and Out on the Silver Screen." He teaches American politics and public policy at the University of New Hampshire.
President Donald Trump has fired nearly all the White House senior staff (aside from his daughter and son-in-law) with whom he began his presidency. He has declared war on the media so many times, it's no longer noteworthy. His former senior strategist Stephen K. Bannon's Breitbart News operation excoriated Trump for a middle-of-the-road Afghanistan plan and openly attacks Ivanka and Jared Kushner.

Meanwhile, some Senate Republicans are openly criticizing Trump, suggesting he lacks the capacity and moral authority to govern. His war of words with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., plays out in the pages of The New York Times:

"Mr. McConnell has fumed over Mr. Trump's regular threats against fellow Republicans and criticism of Senate rules, and questioned Mr. Trump's understanding of the presidency in a public speech. Mr. McConnell has made sharper comments in private, describing Mr. Trump as entirely unwilling to learn the basics of governing.

"In offhand remarks, Mr. McConnell has expressed a sense of bewilderment about where Mr. Trump's presidency may be headed, and has mused about whether Mr. Trump will be in a position to lead the Republican Party into next year's elections and beyond, according to people who have spoken to him directly."

Apparently, Trump thinks it is in McConnell's power (and job description) to protect him from the Russia probe.

Critics of Trump are frustrated by mere fuming behind closed doors, but honestly, McConnell has left little doubt what he thinks about Trump. Unlike House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., he avoids public apple-polishing for the president. One almost gets the sense that if special counsel Robert Mueller found real evidence of wrongdoing, McConnell would preside  if not happily, then with much relief  over an impeachment trial.

To recap: A president who lost the popular vote, winning only 46 percent of the electorate, has picked fights with and/or been rebuked by some of the alt-right, the business community, organized labor, many if not most GOP senators, GOP moderates (in federal and state offices), the mainstream media, a chunk of the conservative media, the vast majority of nonwhite voters, a majority of college-educated whites, Rust Belt voters and independents. It's increasingly difficult for TV bookers to get Republicans to go on the air to defend him. And all of this is at the seven-month mark of his presidency.

Consider how much worse things could get in just the next month or so  even apart from the Russia investigation (which now reportedly includes squeezing Paul Manafort in an effort to "flip" him). In order to keep his presidency from going completely off the rails, he will need to get the debt ceiling increased and a budget. He will need to be well on his way with a tax reform bill, which is hard to do with reconciliation instructions for the budget when there is no budget. He'll also need to decide if he wants to keep funding Obamacare subsidies (a month at a time, which further destabilizes markets). There are, to put it mildly, many pitfalls directly ahead at a time when his administration is in critical condition.

Trump could very well end the year with no health-care repeal (other than an Obamacare fix), no tax bill, no infrastructure bill and no border wall, despite his promises to his die-hard fans. (His Muslim ban has not resulted in a revamped "extreme vetting" program  or has it?  and remains partially disabled.) As has been the case his entire adult life, only his family and paid staff (and only some of those) may be left to defend him. For both his lack of accomplishments and his lack of support, he will have only himself to blame.
Lyndon Johnson, deciding whether to fire FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, famously reasoned that "it's probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in."

President Donald Trump has made a different choice, opting to fire Steve Bannon, the nationalist envoy of the "alt-right" in the White House. And now Bannon, who only last week was boasting that his rivals within the administration were "wetting themselves," is on the outside, fly unzipped.

Bannon has returned to Breitbart News, his former haunt and the voice of the white right, and on Monday night, when Trump addressed the nation about Afghanistan, Bannon's Breitbart hit Trump with three unfriendly headlines:

Trump "defends flip-flop in somber speech"

"His McMaster's voice: Is Trump Afghanistan policy that different from Obama's?"

"Donald Trump echoes Obama's 'Blank Check' rhetoric in Afghanistan speech"

Which way the flow goes now in these early days of the post-Bannon White House could well be determinative  not just for the Trump presidency but for the country as it grapples with a re-emergence of white supremacists. Can Trump control the wave of racism he has released?

Monday night brought an encouraging sign. Trump announced a responsible Afghanistan policy that was essentially a continuation of existing strategy  that is, not the pullout Trump had wanted nor Bannon's cockamamie idea of turning the war over to the scandal-prone company formerly known as Blackwater. Just as important was the way he announced it, with an appeal to unity that had none of Bannon's "American carnage" influence.

"We cannot remain a force for peace in the world if we are not at peace with each other," he said. "As we send our bravest to defeat our enemies overseas  and we will always win  let us find the courage to heal our divisions within."

But is that what Trump really wants? Or was Bannon right when he told The Weekly Standard after his dismissal that Trump's "natural tendency  and I think you saw it last week on Charlottesville  his default position is the position of his base, the position that got him elected." But Bannon's cause for despair  "I think they're going to try to moderate him ... I think it'll be much more conventional"  is my cause for hope.

The consequences could hardly be greater, because there are signs the country is on the cusp of a new wave of racial violence. Arie Perliger, who wrote an authoritative report on rising violence by right-wing extremists while teaching at West Point and who now is director of security studies at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, says the recent violence in Charlottesville and elsewhere "is just the tip of the iceberg."

There have been a few hundred such incidents of domestic terrorism annually in recent years by far-right-affiliated perpetrators, but the previously gradual increase in violence is accelerating under Trump, for three reasons. They feel the election validated their worldview and indicated popular support for their views; they believe the Trump administration will be more tolerant of their actions; they are frustrated that, so far, Trump's agenda has been largely thwarted.

And now, Charlottesville. "Here, for the first time ever, they were able really to penetrate the American political system. Suddenly their views are less marginalized, and the president himself says there are fine people there," Perliger tells me. "For 100 years, nobody could imagine an American president saying that. That he's willing to endorse the leaders of the Confederate side of the Civil War, for them that's an indication that their agenda has some seeds of support."

Trump has much say over whether these seeds take root. The new Washington Post/ABC News poll finds that 9 percent of Americans believe it's acceptable to hold Nazi or white-supremacist views. But because Americans make so many judgments through a partisan lens, any position Trump takes drives most Republicans to embrace the same position. In a SurveyMonkey poll, when respondents were told that Trump had said people on both sides in Charlottesville were responsible for the violence, Republicans reflexively agreed, 87 percent to 11 percent.

Bannon was all about exploiting this, using the campaign and presidency to stoke racial grievances, to convince people that immigrants and "globalists" were to blame for their troubles.

But now Bannon is outside the tent, doing what LBJ talked about. Trump is the one who matters. He can do what George W. Bush did, honorably, after 9/11, preaching tolerance. Or he can prove beyond any doubt that his "natural tendency" is as base as Bannon believes it to be.

Washington Post Writers Group
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents detain an immigrant in October 2015 in Los Angeles, Calif. Under a bill on Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk, local police officers would not honor a request from ICE to hold someone unless a judge issued a warrant. (John Moore / Getty Images)

Gov. Bruce Rauner has spent nearly two months deciding whether to sign a bill meant to keep local law enforcement officers from acting as federal immigration agents. We're happy to hear that he's planning to break out the pen.

We'd be urging him to break out the chain saw for an amendatory veto  or to simply reject the measure entirely  if any of the earlier versions had landed on his desk. But the current bill, as Rauner noted last week, is "very reasonable." It has the backing of business leaders and support from some big names in state law enforcement. It will make our communities safer and our economy stronger.

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The original measure was an extravagant Christmas tree of a bill, decked with thou-shalt-nots directed at police officers, public schools and universities, health care facilities, state agencies and local governments.

There were prohibitions on what local police could say and with whom they could speak. There were instructions for judges to provide to criminal defendants who had opted to plead guilty. There were rules about who could provide legal assistance to immigrants and what they could or must say, rules about how notaries public could describe themselves on their stationery, rules against local governments allowing privately run detention centers within their borders.

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Of course there was a 13-member state compliance board. And there was no way for a local government to opt out.

It was an epic overreach. Lawmakers knew Rauner wouldn't sign the earlier versions of the bill, some of them dozens of pages long. So they sat down with stakeholders and pared the measure to two pages. Rauner plans to sign the Illinois Trust Act into law Monday.

Under the revised bill, state and local police would not arrest or hold a person based solely on immigration status. They would not honor a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold someone unless a judge issued a warrant. That's consistent with a U.S. District Court judge's ruling last December that federal detainers  which ask local cops to hold suspects who would otherwise be eligible for release  are unlawful. And it's tailored to avoid conflicts with the U.S. Department of Justice, which has threatened to withhold federal law enforcement grants from so-called sanctuary cities. It says explicitly that local police can communicate freely with the feds.

It's a perfectly reasonable framework that local governments are nonetheless free to reject.

What's left is a measure that would give immigrants some peace of mind as they go about their lives  working, shopping, paying taxes and contributing to their communities. It would promote trust between immigrants and police. In a letter to Rauner, several law enforcement leaders pointed out that crime victims and witnesses are reluctant to come forward for fear that they or a family member could be deported as a result. That means crimes go unreported, and residents are less safe.

The unfortunate truth is that our economy depends on workers who are in the country without permission. It makes sense to accommodate those workers and their families if they are otherwise law-abiding. We can't rely on our broken immigration system to provide the labor we need. Efforts to repair that system have been stalled in Congress for well over a decade, with no resolution in sight. That's the reality that makes the Trust Act a smart move for Illinois.

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a speach to the parliament in Tehran on Aug. 20, 2017, as Iran's parliament prepares to vote on the President's cabinet. Iran's President said the top foreign policy priority for his new government was to protect the nuclear deal from being torn up by the United States. (STR / AFP/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump sounds hellbent to rip up the nuclear deal with Iran negotiated by President Barack Obama and international partners. Trump reportedly has told national security aides to "find a rationale" to decertify the deal in October, when it next comes up for a 90-day review.

We're sure that axing one of Obama's signature foreign policy achievements would thrill Trump and his devoted following of Obama critics.

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But it's the wrong move for America's national security.

Why? Because even though the accord is not a great deal for the U.S., it is evidently working. Remember, the deal was about one thing only: Blocking Iran from building a nuclear weapon. That's even more crucial now with another rogue power, North Korea, developing its ability to launch nuclear missiles capable of hitting the U.S. mainland.

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Iran would love to join the nuclear weapons club. The main thing standing in its way for the next decade or so is this nuclear accord.

In decertifying the deal, Trump would open the possibility that the U.S. could reimpose strangling economic sanctions on Tehran. But that move could backfire. Iran could toss out inspectors, crank up its nuclear weapons program and dare the world to stop it  just like North Korea did more than a decade ago. Iran's atomic chief recently warned that Tehran needs only five days to ramp up its uranium enrichment levels. From there it's only a short jump to typical weapons grade.

A threat of North Korean nuclear missiles could then be joined by a threat from Iranian nuclear missiles.

If Trump takes this step, he should tell Americans how, short of war, he plans to restrain Iran from kick-starting its nuclear program. And why he thinks Russia and China and even allies like France would agree to go along and abandon their business with Iran. Because they likely wouldn't. And without their cooperation, economic sanctions likely won't bite hard or fast.

"You can only tear the agreement up one time," says Republican Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, one of the architects of the 2015 bill that requires regular certification. "You want the breakup of this deal to be about Iran, you don't want it to be about the United States because we want our allies with us."

Trump administration officials argue that even if Iran is complying with the accord, it is violating the "spirit" of the deal. "Iran's other malign activities are serving to undercut whatever 'positive contributions' to regional and international peace and security were intended to emerge" from the nuclear agreement, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert has said.

She's right. Iran continues to finance terrorist groups across the Middle East.

Tehran also continues to develop its ballistic missile program, defying United Nations sanctions. Iran deserves more sanctions for its continued missile building and testing. That's why the U.S. Treasury Department recently blacklisted 18 individuals and entities for supporting Iran's military and its Revolutionary Guard Corps for its ballistic missile programs and also its efforts to pilfer U.S. computer software.

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President Trump, keep slapping sanctions on Iran for its rogue missile program and its malign support for terrorists. But keep the nuclear deal  for now.

For years, the U.S. tried and failed to stop North Korea from advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Now the U.S. faces a growing threat from Pyongyang and has few good options because of those nukes. Think the mullahs in Iran haven't noticed? Yes, the Iran nuclear deal begins to taper off after several years. But while it's in place, international inspectors monitor Iran's compliance and can presumably detect any moves it makes to break out and build bombs.

Once the accord ends, Iran may push to quickly build a nuclear arsenal, North Korea style. That would require a strong U.S. response. Prematurely ending the accord could unwisely hasten that day. If there are strong reasons to abandon the treaty, let's hear them. If not, keep the pressure on Iran to live up to every detail of its bargain.

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It's hard to imagine that mob violence over a Confederate statue in Charlottesville, Va., has any bearing on business groups organized by the White House, but the president's two CEO panels ended up toppled in the chaos of the past week anyway.  (T)he resignations are another version of the social ritual of exclusion. They are passive-aggressive in that they explicitly indicate that the CEOS are separating themselves from the administration, but implicitly they are an exile of Trump from the society of well-meaning, open-minded souls.

We are polarized as never before, but while in the past we understood the two camps in political terms, left and right, liberal and conservative, increasingly we see it cast in personal terms, the enlightened vs. the ignorant, respectable vs. deplorable, tolerant vs. bigoted. Given this division, how will we ever reconcile with one another in a shared democracy?

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Mark Bauerlein, CNN

Sanctions were already an overused tool of foreign policy before President Trump peevishly signed into law a measure imposing new penalties on Russia, Iran and North Korea. The House had passed the legislation 419-3; the Senate voted 98-2. ... Congress also gave itself the power to review any presidential attempt to undo the Russia sanctions, specifically. Trump appended a signing statement arguing that the legislation was "significantly flawed" because it "improperly encroaches on executive power." It's heretical to say so, but he may be right. This legislation limits presidential flexibility at the very time it may be most needed to conduct delicate negotiations with these adversaries.

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If this were any other president than Trump, and any other antagonist but Russia, I suspect Trump's arguments would have gotten more support. When he wrote in the signing statement that "the framers of our Constitution put foreign affairs in the hands of the president," he was hardly an outlier. That has been the traditional consensus view.

David Ignatius, The Washington Post

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After watching Donald Trump's campaign rally in Phoenix, it became clear that we in the media owe the president a sincere apology.

Trump used Tuesday night's rally to denounce the "fake news" media for being mean, dishonest, bad, America-hating and an all-around pain in his keister.

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Referring to controversial comments he made in the wake of a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Trump said: "The words were perfect."

He even quoted his own perfect words, cleverly omitting the part where he blamed the Charlottesville tragedy on "many sides" rather than just on the Nazi side, creating the controversy in the first place.

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After spending 15 or so minutes complaining about the media, he said of the media: "For the most part, all they do is complain.  These are really, really dishonest people and they're bad people and I really think they don't like our country. I really believe that."

Well, I, for one, feel just terrible. It was never my intention, as a journalist, to make the president of the United States feel like he's under some form of scrutiny or that he should be held accountable for the words that fall out of his mouth.

I wasn't able to reach all my fake news brothers and sisters after the rally  the instant-messaging system George Soros has us use was on the blink  but I feel confident most would concur with this formal apology.

President Trump:

As a fake news media member in good standing, I would like to sincerely apologize for forcing you to hold a campaign rally eight months into your first term as president.

I'm sorry that in the course of that rally I forced you to misquote yourself and to devote one reference to Heather Heyer, the woman killed during the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, versus an inordinate number of references to the journalists who cover you and your administration.

I definitely should not have made you fail to mention the 10 American sailors who died or are missing from the Navy destroyer USS John S. McCain after it collided with an oil tanker Monday.

That was callous of me, and I am deeply sorry.

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I also showed poor judgment in making you seem almost annoyed that you had to properly denounce the various hate groups that marched in Charlottesville chanting, "Jews will not replace us!"

And I definitely shouldn't have had you say this during the rally: "I hit 'em with neo-Nazi. I hit them with everything. I got the white supremacists, the neo-Nazis. I got them all in there, Let's see. KKK, we have KKK."

That almost made it sound like condemning hate groups made you the victim. Please accept my apology for that bit. It was callous and wholly inappropriate.

While I'm apologizing for Nazi stuff, I'm sorry I entered your brain and forced you to express sympathy for Jeffrey Lord, a commentator who was recently fired from CNN for tweeting "Sieg Heil!" at the head of a liberal watchdog group.

In retrospect, that was a weird and dreadfully timed thing to have you say, and I hope you will forgive me.

I regret having you say the following about clean coal: "They're going to take out clean coal, meaning they're taking out coal, they're gonna clean it."

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Upon further reflection, that statement made it sound like you haven't the foggiest idea what the term "clean coal" means and are quite unintelligent. That is 100 percent my bad. Perhaps with time we can mend the damage my recklessness has done to your reputation.

On two occasions, I lied to you via telepathy and convinced you that the cameras broadcasting your rally had been shut down because the media were too frightened to share your criticism of CNN and other outlets. That was transparently false, particularly since I watched the rally in its entirety on CNN. I'm sorry I made you lie about that. Twice.

Rather than have you refer to Republican Sen. John McCain, a war hero currently battling brain cancer, by name, I took the cowardly and childish path of instructing you to mock and taunt him using the phrase, "One vote away." That was a reference to McCain's deciding vote against your health care bill, which would have repealed Obamacare.

Hearing you screeching, "One vote away!" like an insolent child did not set the presidential tone I hoped it would. It was a terrible decision by me, and I am drowning in my own shame.

Convincing you to say that you will, if necessary, shut down the government in order to build your preposterous border wall was folly of near-biblical proportions, framing you as either: stubborn and narcissistic to the point of jeopardizing the country's fiscal well-being and doing real harm to Americans who rely on government services just to save face, or a liar.

I will never live that one down.

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I could go on and apologize for the lies I implanted in the left frontal lobe of your brain, including, but not limited to: CNN's ratings are down (they're up); a historic increase in defense spending (your proposed increase is neither historic nor a done deal); and there weren't many protesters outside the rally (there were thousands).

But what's the point? I have clearly failed you and, along with all media members, am responsible for your divisive rhetoric and mind-boggling unwillingness to step outside yourself for even one fraction of a moment and notice that you sound like an infantile madman.

I promise, from here on, to pamper you, to coddle your ego, to deflect all blame on others and to never accurately report on you, because that causes you to call me fake news.

Please accept this apology. I am not at all proud of the things I've made you do.

And America shouldn't be either.

rhuppke@chicagotribune.com
A recent photograph in the Tribune of a statue of an anonymous Confederate soldier atop a monument in the Oak Woods Cemetery brought to mind three of my great-grandfathers, who fought in the Confederate army. (A fourth, anti-war and anti-slavery, walked from western North Carolina to Indiana to wait out the war years.)

Like most of their compatriots, these three men were not wealthy plantation owners. The ancestor I faintly remember lived in a two-room house and had farmed his small acreage without help from slaves. On Aug. 20, Clarence Page wrote about "... Confederate monuments truly aimed at memorializing history, not distorting it." I suggest that the cemetery memorial remain, standing over the graves of men who died miserable deaths far from home and family.

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 Durema Kohl, Wheaton
With all of the talk about repeal of Obamacare, consider a separate thought experiment: Repeal of the 17th Amendment.

The U.S. Constitution established a House of Representatives to represent the people and a Senate to represent the states through the state legislatures.

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In 1913, there was a very significant change. The 17th Amendment eliminated the state legislatures from the election process and instead required that senators be directly elected by the people. What's wrong with this? Plenty. Would the state legislatures have supported Obamacare in the first place?

The Framers intentionally established a tension between federal and state responsibilities to avoid an all-powerful federal government. Where are we today? What do you think?

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With celebration of Constitution Day on Sept. 17 approaching (it was signed 230 years ago!), let's start a dialogue to repeal the 17th Amendment.

 Karl Kamena, Northfield
Workers load statues of Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson on a flatbed truck in the early hours of August 16, 2017, in Baltimore, Md. Statues of key figures in the U.S. Confederacy were removed overnight in Baltimore as a campaign to erase symbols of the Civil War-era, pro-slavery secessionist republic gathers momentum across the United States. (Alec MacGillis | AFP/Getty Images)

Somehow, people are not yet marrying their pets.

More than 16 years after the Netherlands became the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage, more than two years after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the United States, bestiality remains illegal.

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Despite all the anguished "what next?" bleating about gay weddings that filled my inbox back when this debate was still a thing, men and women aren't going off to the altar with their cats. Neither are they exchanging "I do's" with their siblings or their children, and the push for legal recognition of polygamous relationships remains marginal.

Why? Because there tends to be traction on the dreaded slippery slope. Because it turns out society isn't captive to the brute, simple logic that says, "If we allow A we must allow B, from which C follows and then D, which is clearly absurd."

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I've been thinking a lot about slippery-slope arguments in the wake of the renewed fuss about statues and symbols on public land that venerate the Confederacy. Move a statue of Robert E. Lee from a place of honor in a park into the context of a museum, the argument goes, and the next thing you know we'll be tossing the Founding Fathers into the bonfires of history in a spasm of revisionist political correctness.

Sometimes rather than slippery slopes you'll hear references to dominoes, camel's noses under tents and the thin ends of bad wedges. I often think of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," author Laura Numeroff's classic 1985 children's book in which a boy's offer of a treat to a domestic rodent leads, step by step, to hijinks, merriment and exhaustion.

If you give a liberal a concession about a Confederate icon, he's going to want the destruction of a monument to a slave-owning former president to go with it 

Such arguments are logical fallacies and ought to set your antennae quivering every time you hear one.

Each link in a theoretical chain of events leading toward absurdity needs to bear its own weight and survive its own scrutiny.

For example, when the federal voting age dropped to 18 in the 1970s and more than 30 states accordingly lowered their legal drinking age, it was not the first inevitable step toward giving 16-year-olds, tweens or even infants the franchise and a seat at the bar. To the contrary, the de facto national drinking age subsequently went back up to 21 in the mid-1980s after the federal government threatened states with the loss of highway funds if they didn't raise it.

Lawmakers and the public aren't prisoners to the superficial reasoning that suggests one change compels another.

But to say that slippery-slope arguments are fallacies and therefore weak doesn't mean they're always wrong.

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Those who contended that legalizing civil unions between same-sex couples paved the way for gay marriage were absolutely right, as were those who worried that giving women the right to vote would lead to demands for all manner of gender equality and those who feared that an expansive definition of a "well-regulated militia" under the Second Amendment would one day result in Nazi sympathizers ominously toting military-style weapons at protests.

And when I wrote last week that removing Confederate statuary does not put us on a slippery slope toward Islamic State-like obliteration of inconvenient history, of course I didn't mean that opportunists wouldn't seize the day and suggest renaming or destroying monuments to Americans of antiquity who owned slaves or oversaw the commission of atrocities.

Many readers sent along links to articles about fresh demands for the removal of tributes to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson and others, along with triumphant messages along the lines of I've got your slippery slope right here!

But no.

There's a huge difference between honoring those who are famous solely for fighting to preserve slavery and those who, despite their flaws, are famous for building and defending the nation.

If there's a case to be made to strip honor from the Founders, which there really isn't at this time, that argument doesn't rise or fall on what happens to statues that glorify Robert E. Lee.

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No amount of disingenuous hand-wringing can or should take the focus off the issue. We should never fear to do the right thing because opportunists may see (or pretend to see) in it license ultimately to do the wrong thing.

Giving in to slippery-slope arguments can take you straight to the dogs.

Not literally, of course.

ericzorn@gmail.com

Twitter @EricZorn
Dr. Marjorie Fujara is one of two full-time child abuse pediatricians working at the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center. They see 60-80 children a month who are believed to have been sexually abused. She speaks about the intricacies of investigating child sexual abuse in Chicago and what it takes to help families heal. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Whimsically designed to suggest the gingerbread castle a child might build, the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center has earned national acclaim for its investigations of sex assault and abuse cases involving victims as young as a few months old.

In the bright facility on South Damen Avenue, police detectives and prosecutors team with child welfare investigators, doctors and therapists to bring abusers to justice and remove children from dangerous homes.

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But even as the center's caseload has steadily grown  to a record 2,450 child abuse reports during the 12 months ending in June  staff cutbacks have strained its operations and alarmed some of the specialists working there, the Tribune found in an analysis of government records and interviews with workers.

The number of police assigned to the Special Investigations Unit based at the center fell from 38 detectives, officers, sergeants and lieutenants in 2011 to 21 in June of this year, according to police rosters obtained by the Tribune under open records laws.

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The arrest rate for the child sex crimes handled at the center also declined from 24 percent in 2011 to 13 percent in 2016, according to a Tribune analysis of police data on 5,800 cases closed during those six years. The newspaper's analysis excluded open investigations as well as those in which police concluded that no crime occurred.

Former police Det. Bob Midlowski, who was assigned to the center when it opened in 2001 and worked there until 2014, said he left because he felt he could not do his job anymore.

"As people retired they weren't replaced," he said. "As equipment broke down it wasn't replaced. As cars broke down they weren't replaced. It basically went downhill and it never got any better. It is a shadow of what it used to be."

High caseloads also have been a problem in the state Department of Children and Family Services unit that teams with police at the center. Eighteen DCFS child protective investigators staffed the center in 2001, but in June there were only 11, state records and interviews show. Several of the DCFS investigators handled as many as 30 open cases in recent months  well above nationally recognized standards  and one had 50 open cases in March, internal agency case-tracking records show.

"Their caseloads are crazy," said Dr. Majorie Fujara, who heads the center's medical unit and works closely with the DCFS investigators. "I will talk to them about a (victim's) medical exam and they will say, 'Which case is that?'"

Fujara's medical staff at the center has dropped from four doctors to two, although she plans on hiring a third physician this month. "There is more work with fewer staff and we can't maintain the quality we had 10 or 15 years ago," said Fujara, a physician who has worked at the center's medical unit for 17 years and run it since 2016.

Arrest rate falls for child sex crimes Percentage of cases handled by Chicago police at the Chicago Childrens Advocacy Center that resulted in arrests 2010 2012 2014 2016 Note: Excludes open cases as well as unfounded cases in which police determined no crime occurred. Police say the 2016 arrest rate is likely to rise as officers complete investigations. Officers assigned to Chicago Childrens Advocacy Center 38 35 29 28 28 27 21 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Note: 2017 data are through July. Source: Chicago Police Department Arrest rate falls for child sex crimes Percentage of cases handled by Chicago police at the Chicago Childrens Advocacy Center that resulted in arrests 24.1% (225 arrests) 19.9% (189) 19.8% (186) 17.8% (165) 16.2% (157) 12.8% (107) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Note: Excludes open cases as well as unfounded cases in which police determined no crime occurred. Police say the 2016 arrest rate is likely to rise as officers complete investigations. Officers assigned to Chicago Childrens Advocacy Center 38 35 29 28 28 27 21 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Note: 2017 data are through July. Source: Chicago Police Department Arrest rate falls for child sex crimes Percentage of cases handled by Chicago police at the Chicago Childrens Advocacy Center that resulted in arrests 24.1% (225 arrests) 19.9% (189) 19.8% (186) 17.8% (165) 16.2% (157) 12.8% (107) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Note: Excludes open cases as well as unfounded cases in which police determined no crime occurred. Police say the 2016 arrest rate is likely to rise as officers complete investigations. Officers assigned to Chicago Childrens Advocacy Center 38 35 29 28 28 27 21 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Note: 2017 data are through July. Source: Chicago Police Department

Chicago police and DCFS told the Tribune the center is functioning smoothly with no drop-off in effectiveness, though center executive director Char Rivette expressed concern about staffing cutbacks.

"Any lack of resources in any one of the partnerships creates an immediate domino effect on timeliness, to get stuff done," Rivette said. "People are working a lot  long hours, sacrificing their own personal lives, sacrificing spending time with their own families. There is just stress on the system."

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National headlines have focused on Chicago's gun violence, which last year took the lives of 36 children and teens under the age of 17 and left at least 288 others wounded, according to Tribune reports.

The sexual attacks represent a less visible pattern of violence against Chicago children, one that typically takes place behind closed doors but also scars hundreds each year. Some 60 percent of the center's incoming sexual assault and abuse reports concern children age 12 or younger, said spokesman Trevor Peterson.

The nonprofit center is part of a statewide network of 39 similar facilities where government agencies and center workers coordinate child abuse investigations. With its leafy courtyard, blue slide in the playground and toys and books scattered about, the facility is designed to put young victims at ease.

In a waiting room on a recent morning, two preteen girls played the board game Candy Land with a staffer as the movie "Horton Hears a Who!" ran on a nearby monitor.

Then a center worker took one girl's hand as they walked down a hallway to one of four forensic interview rooms. Equipped with a microphone and cameras, these rooms are the stage for wrenching dramas as children sit one after the other to recount details of abuse.

Behind a two-way mirror, detectives, DCFS investigators and prosecutors take notes and assist the interviewer during short breaks.

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"We explain to the children everything before we start," Peterson said. "We tell them who is on the other side and why they are here."

Tough cases to investigate

Chicago police said their staffing at the center was adequate and the effectiveness of the detectives working there has not diminished.

"Everyone would like additional resources," said Lt. Patricia Casey, commanding officer of the police department's Special Investigations Unit at the center. She said the department anticipates assigning more detectives to the center by the end of the summer.

"I'm not sure exactly how many detectives they had years ago, but I can tell you that our detectives that are here will work around the clock if they have to in order to make sure that a child is getting the utmost attention when they are a victim of sexual assault or trauma," Casey said. "No matter how many detectives are in this building I can assure you that they are getting the job done."

The police also disputed the Tribune's arrest-rate analysis, saying the results do not match their own statistics.

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The Tribune based its analysis on data from Clearmap, the city's public portal to data on all crimes committed since 2001. Police said they purge from Clearmap all reports for which officers ultimately concluded that no crime occurred  known as "unfounded" cases  but include such cases in their own calculations of arrest rates.

At the Tribune's request, police provided detailed internal data on the 2,450 unfounded child sex abuse cases that were handled at the center since 2010. After these cases were added, the arrest rate still fell, but less dramatically: from 15.4 percent in 2011 to 11.6 percent last year.

Adding a wrinkle to these calculations: Chicago police in 2014 tightened their definition of what constituted an unfounded child sex abuse report, meaning more unsolved cases were included in the Clearmap data.

Chicago Children's Advocacy Center is a center where sexually abused children and their family can go to get help from advocates, police investigators, medical and mental health professionals, DCFS workers, and much more. When interviewed about staff and funding cuts to their public partners, Char Rivette, the executive director of the center said, Any lack of resources in any one of the partnerships creates an immediate domino effect on timeliness, to get stuff done, Rivette said. People are working a lot  long hours, sacrificing their own personal lives, sacrificing spending time with their own families. There is just stress on the system. (Stacey Wescott)

Experts say low arrest rates are to be expected with child sex crimes.

"All of these cases are difficult to investigate and prosecute," said Margaret Ogarek, supervisor of the Cook County state's attorney's office at the center.

South Sider Frank Nateras, 30, was charged in July 2016 with raping a 3-year-old relative over a one-month period but pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery in March after his attorney successfully challenged the statement the girl made at the center. He was released after spending 240 days in jail while awaiting trial.

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Only a fraction of the cases include physical evidence, national experts note, and a child's account may be challenged not just by the alleged offender but also by other family members.

"A victim's outcry could destroy a family, make the family homeless if the perp is the sole breadwinner," said Fujara. "Many times mothers don't believe their daughter when they say that a trusted person  a brother or stepfather  sexually assaulted them. These kids feel guilty that what they've done has disrupted their whole household. They are very aware of what happens as a result of their outcry."

Fujara said she has seen some young victims become suicidal after the impact of their report becomes clear.

That's why it's critical to conclude the investigation as quickly as possible  something that has become increasingly difficult at a center with fewer staff and resources, Fujara said.

"Time is the enemy," Fujara said. "What happens is, you deal with the case in front of you. The other ones  the case you saw yesterday and you need more information on  goes on the back burner and sometimes people forget about them."

Meanwhile, the heinous nature of the crimes can haunt even the most experienced detectives. The job can be so intense that the center has a "breathing room" where child protection specialists can decompress.

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"For some of the detectives it was very difficult," said Virginia Zic-Schlomas, a former police youth division officer who worked at the center for about two years. "There is no way you don't take it home with you."

Chicago police Detectives Charlie Hollendoner, left, and Ron Jasica investigate potential sex crimes against children in Chicago. Both detectives work out of the Chicago Childrens Advocacy Center. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune )

'We get confessions'

DCFS officials at the center told the Tribune that they have managed to reduce investigator caseloads in recent months and could temporarily assign additional investigators there if needed. The worker who in March shouldered 50 pending cases recently had 21, said agency spokeswoman Veronica Resa. There are currently three child protection workers with 30 or more open cases, Resa said.

The Tribune has reported that DCFS administrators last year began directing the center's child welfare investigators to rapidly increase the percentage of cases they closed within 14 days, in order to cull out frivolous allegations and focus agency workers on the most serious instances of harm.

But amid the push to speed investigations, DCFS saw a drop in the percentage of cases in which they found evidence to substantiate abuse allegations, a Tribune analysis of agency data shows.

The DCFS investigators at the center "indicated" more than 30 percent of their abuse cases in 2015  meaning investigators found credible evidence of harm to children in these instances  while last year the "indicated" rate dropped to 25 percent, according to the agency data. The agency declined to comment on that change.

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DCFS' decisions on indicating cases are separate from the police's process of determining whether a crime occurred, reflecting the agencies' different missions. DCFS aims to protect children, while police are tasked with bringing abuse perpetrators to justice.

Resa said police officials cooperate closely with DCFS investigators and readily share reports and information. But some DCFS child protection investigators told the Tribune they have had trouble getting basic Chicago police reports that help their investigations.

In 2011, then-DCFS Director Richard Calica led an effort to draft a legal agreement between Chicago police and DCFS to speed the sharing of reports and information, but that effort stalled when Calica died in 2013 and then was shelved as eight subsequent directors moved through the troubled child welfare agency.

When DCFS investigators, police detectives and doctors collaborate, "we get confessions," said Dr. Jill Glick, medical director of the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital Child Advocacy and Protective Services team, which evaluates and treats some of the young victims brought through the center.

But collaboration is difficult amid high caseloads and staff churn at the center, she said. Glick recalled working with the same seasoned detectives on case after case, but now, "If I have five different kids in the hospital, I have five different police officers and often five different DCFS workers," Glick said. "That makes it very difficult to communicate, coordinate and exchange vital information about these cases."

Chicago Tribune's Dan Hinkel contributed.

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dyjackson@chicagotribune.com

gmarx@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @poolcar4

Twitter @garyjmarx @dhinkel
Members of Kuumba Lynx dance during auditions for a chance to perform at the Teens in the Park fest held in July by the Chicago Park District on Saturday, March 11, 2016 in Chicago. (Kristen Norman / For the Chicago Tribune)

Tatiana Serrato is a junior at Harold Washington College, but before she was a college student, she was a young artist with Kuumba Lynx, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to developing the artistic skills of the city's youth.

"I've been with Kuumba Lynx since I was 10 years old. I've grown up with Kuumba Lynx," Serrato said.

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Since working with Kuumba Lynx for almost a decade, Serrato has traveled to Atlanta, New York City and as far as Morocco.

"Working with Kuumba Lynx helps me to own my knowledge and use it in the world," Serrato said. "We can't change the world, but we can influence it."

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Before Serrato came on board, the organization was created in 1996 by three Chicago artists Jaquanda Villegas, Leida Garcia-Mukwacha and Jacinda Bulliewhen they realized there were few artistic outlets for students in the Chicago public school system.

Since then, the organization has worked with more than 10,000 young Chicago artists, competed in national poetry competitions and won the Louder Than A Bomb competition six times. Volunteers within the organizationanyone from electricians to designers to administrative assistantsmay facilitate artist workshops and work on maintaining two Kuumba Lynx storefronts in Uptown and Englewood.

For Northern Illinois University junior Ariel Salgado, Kuumba Lynx is a space to explore new mediums and hone new skills.

"It's been a space where I can express myself and become who I am and figure out what I want to be in this world," Salgado said. "With Kuumba Lynx, I can stop hiding behind walls and actually speak. That's where I found out that I can dance and try poetry and any other kind of art form."

The Kuumba Lynx art spaces operate three days a week in Uptown between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. as well as for annual events such as Chicago Hip-Hop Theater Fest, Half Pint Poetics and Stomping Grounds. For more information, visit kuumbalynx.com.

@shelbielbostedt | sbostedt@redeyechicago.com
Tocino poutine at Hapa Chicago. The Filipino pop-up concept, will serve its first dinner of 2017 this weekend, then move into Emporium's indoor food truck Sept. 2. (Joseph Hernandez / Chicago Tribune)

Hapa Chicago doesn't have its own storefront, but the local restaurant concept has been popping-up around the city since late 2014, serving their menu of Asian-street-food-meets-American-comfort-food at various venues and events throughout Chicago, as well as doing a little catering.

So far, 2017 has been a quiet year event-wise for the pop-up and its three founders Gilbert Paule, JR Runez and Kevin O'Connor. That changes starting this weekend, when Hapa will host its first pop-up dinners of the year: a pair of six-course, Asian-takeout-inspired feasts at Naansense (171 N. Wells St.).

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The dinners begin at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and include some intriguing creations, such as a "Kung Pao Foie Gras" with fried lotus root, Fresno chilies, and scallions and a "Som Tum Salad" with king crab, green papaya, corn veloute, gooseberries and ginger shallot oil. Even better: Both occasions are BYOB, so brush up on your pairings!

Then, starting Sept. 2, Hapa will take over the food truck inside Emporium Logan Square (2363 N. Milwaukee Ave.) on weekends. The pop-up concept will serve their usual selection of Filipino-fusion food but hasn't finalized the menu yet.

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You can at least be sure to find favorites like the Thai fried chicken and waffles, a coconut-ginger waffle served with marinated fried chicken, lemongrass Thai chili syrup, a sriracha butter and other unusual accouterments, as well as the tocino poutine, French fries topped with white adobo gravy and fatty nuggets of three-day cured pork shoulder. So, whether you're there for an early evening or until the early morning, you've got options.

Hapa will be cooking at the arcade bar Friday through Sunday "for the foreseeable future," per a PR rep.

Meanwhile, tickets are still available starting at $65 (plus tax) for this weekend's pop-up dinners. If you have been feeling the urge for some pan-Asian food, Hapa has reappeared with several dining options for you to get your fill.

@lucheezy | adlukach@chicagotribune.com

UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect that arcade bar Emporium Logan Square is not a Barcade brand business.

[ Still hungry? More of RedEye's restaurant coverage  ]
Chicago has one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States, and while there are select delis that have thrived here, the deli is not nearly as prevalent as it is in New York City, where bagels and pastrami on rye are as symbolic of the city as the Statue of Liberty.

With their new BYOB restaurant, Steingold's (1840 W. Irving Park Road), opening in North Center at the end of the month, Aaron Steingold (Table 52, Farmhouse Tavern) and his wife Elizabeth Abowd are seeking to both boost the relevance of New York City-style Jewish delis in Chicago and reinvent the deli with modern twists.

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The first step in that reinvention is combining traditional Middle Eastern dishes with traditional deli fare. Abowd, who is Lebanese, was the inspiration for the merging of the cuisinesand because of the close proximity of Lebanon and Israel and the similarity between the countries' foods, the menu additions make sense. Steingold's maternal side being Greek played a role in the merge as well.

Steingold believes that the inclusion of Middle Eastern foods will increase interest in the deli in Chicago.

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"We live in a neighborhood with a lot of great Middle Eastern food and we eat it often. Though we are firmly rooted in traditional Jewish deli cuisine, the highlights and influence of (Lebanon) are going to come out," he said.

Lamb and chicken shawarma, a Middle Eastern dish typically served rolled in pita, will be a weekly special at Steingold's. The pita itself will be homemade at the deli.

Labneh, a Lebanese cheese resembling Greek yogurt, will be served on latkes, which will be made with other root vegetables like parsnips, in addition to potatoes. The deli will also serve labneh in lieu of sour cream with its caviar service, one of the aspects Steingold is most excited foran interest which stems not only from his personal taste for it, but also from his Eastern European Ashkenazi roots.

"Caviar is such a specialty item, and I've been a huge fan for a long time," Steingold said. "There aren't a lot of places in Chicago to eat it. It's a very special occasion (when you get to eat it.) My heritage is Eastern Europeanmy father's side is from Poland, Lithuania and Bulgaria. We are going to be offering the type of caviar that you can't just purchase at Whole Foods."

Caviar served on blinis, a common food eaten during holidays in Russia and surrounding countries, was popularized in the United States by Eastern European Jewish immigrants. Steingold's stock will come from Rare Tea Cellara wholesale company in Chicago selling rare food and drink items. In addition to caviar, Steingold's will also sell Rare Tea Cellar's tea and spices.

Rare Tea Cellars isn't the only collaboration Steingold's will have in Chicago. The deli will work with Paulina Meat Market to offer an affordable lunch option, the "Urban Achiever"a wink at one of Steingold's favorite films, "The Big Lebowski." The special will include your choice of either a beef hot dog or a "traditional wiener" on a challah bun with caramelized onions, peppers and mustard. The $6 special also comes with a side of schmaltz potato chips and a Dr. Brown's soda.

Steingold is heavily invested in the concept of approachability at his deli, both in price points and atmosphere. The restaurant will be counter service, but with attentive staff walking the floor ready to refill your glass, grab you a coffee or clear your tray. The presentation of the food itself is also an important aspect of service.

"I've worked in several casual dining restaurants and at almost all of them, I tried to bring a lot of elements of high-end, fine diningthe service techniques and models, while still being casual," Steingold said. "When you eat here you will get a beautiful tray with your food and deli paper. Just little touches. Very casual counter service with touches of luxury is my goal here."

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Steingold wants to reach both the customers coming in for a sit-down meal and a chat, and the commuters rushing to grab lunch on the way to the trainbeing only steps away from the Brown Line, he thought a lot about how to please them.

Of course, when you're not in a rush, Steingold wholeheartedly welcomes you to make his deli your own. He even wants to be present at your holidays and family meals. Besides looking to cater Seders (Passover feasts), weddings and bat and bar mitzvahs, Steingold's will offer a Thanksgiving package, which you can pick up the morning of the holiday. It includes a turkey and sideswith all the hard work done for you so you can enjoy a delicious meal without fret.

Though Thanksgiving isn't inherently religious, some may find it interesting that a Jewish deli would offer a special for the holiday. One look at the menu, however, shows that Steingold's is all about reaching every customer, Jewish or not. An embracement of the long-time stereotype of Jewish people loving Chinese food, particularly on Christian holidays when most other restaurants are shut down, is something Steingold plans to poke fun at around Christmastime.

"There's always some truth in stereotypes," he said. "At Christmastime we are going to do a Peking duck special. I think it's better to have fun with stereotypes; it's easier to embrace the less negative ones than it is to fight them."

The "Uncle Paul," Steingold's version of a BLT, may also cause some head scratching. Steingold hadn't planned on offering pork on the menu until he visited a deli in Brooklyn that did so.

"If a Jewish deli in Brooklyn can have pork on the menu, surely in Chicago I can get away with it," Steingold said of the controversial menu item. "The Uncle Paul is named after my Uncle and my brother-in-law, who is also named Paul.  I think a lot of Jewish families have a Christian uncle that married into the family, so that's where we are offering bacon."

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Family plays a big part in the rest of the menu items as well. Perhaps the most inventive sandwich is the "Sister In Law."

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"My sister-in-law is Korean, and she's an amazing cook. I'm pretty competitive when it comes to cooking, and she blew me out of the water," he said. "(The sandwich) is kind of a play on the Reuben, but using kimchi as the sauerkraut and we're also using a hot Chinese mustard. I think people are going to be pretty excited about it."

Besides their names, Steingold will borrow a few other things from his family. The matzo ball soup is his great-grandmother's recipe, and the brisket, which uses cola spices, is a tribute to his grandmother, who cooked her brisket in Pepsi. His father's nanny's fried chicken is also on the menu and speaks to Steingold's southern upbringing.

"Growing up Jewish in Greensboro, North Carolina was a unique experience. Being Jewish in the South is a huge part of the menu," he said.

For many of us who grew up eating matzo ball soup and our mothers' perfected brisket recipe, Steingold's serves as a focal point for both nostalgia and ideals of the American Jewish community. But with modern menu additions and global influence, Steingold's refuses to be put in a corner.

"We want to appeal to everyone," Steingold said. "We want to appeal to the grandmother that goes to temple every Friday night and the guy that comes to pick a bong up at the head shop next door. If you can get you what you want and get it fast, or be able to order a bottle of champagne and caviar and sit here for five hours, I love that as well. I hope people do both."

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Steingold's is set to open Aug. 29.

@AudreyGorden | agorden@redeyechicago.com
Benefit gospel concert planned in Aurora

A scholarship benefit gospel concert is planned at 4 p.m. Sunday at Progressive Baptist Church, 275 S. Barnes Road in Aurora.

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The concert will feature Willie Wilson of television's "Singsation!," Barbetta Neil, Progressive Baptist Choir and Gayles Memorial Male Chorus.

Tickets cost $15. To purchase tickets, call 630-291-7681, 815-715-6465 or 630-892-3430.

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The leaders of Fox Valley Christian Ministerial Alliance over the last several years have given qualified high school students an opportunity for a college scholarship. Each fall a banquet helps fund this effort, but the current alliance leadership felt that an expansion of the college scholarship program was needed to encourage Aurora students, according to a press release from the group.

To raise additional funds, the alliance developed a plan to have a benefit gospel concert.

"I'm so excited for this concert. It brings together great gospel music and support for our scholarship program.," said Peggy Hicks, president of Fox Valley Christian Ministerial Alliance, in the release.

College fair at West Aurora High School

West Aurora School District 129, in partnership with the NAACP, will host the seventh annual College and Career Readiness Fair at 8 a.m. Saturday at West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York St. in Aurora.

The event is free and open to families with students in sixth through 12th grades, and is open to students in all area school districts.

The College and Career Readiness Fair will have 50 recruiters from major colleges and universities, which will allow students and parents to have a better understanding as to what their options are, organizers said in a press release.

The fair will be set up with various workshops that individuals can attend to gain insight on a specific topic, including financial aid, scholarships, college readiness, military recruitment and more.

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Author Norma Richards will also be giving tips from her book, "Free Ride to College: A Guide to Grooming Your Kids for a Full Academic Scholarship." She will be sharing her experiences as to how she was able to send her children to college on full academic scholarships, according to the release.
A purple-sand pottery displayed at the 9th Yixing International Ceramic Culture and Arts Festival & the Belt and Road Initiative National-Gift Purple-Sand Pottery Arts Exhibition Tour[Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

The 9th Yixing International Ceramic Culture and Arts Festival & the Belt and Road Initiative National-Gift Purple-Sand Pottery Arts Exhibition Tour were launched together in Beijing on Aug 18.

Altogether, 24 purple-sand tea pots that were presented as State gifts were showcased at the Kempinski Hotel by the Yanqi Lake.

According to the event organizer, the pieces were works by the Jiangsu-based Ziyujinsha Tea Art Co and artists or scholars from the Art School of Tsinghua University, Peking University, and other institutions around China.

They were either given to foreign heads of state, such as former British prime minister Tony Blair, the United Nations, or used at important State occasions.

As part of the Belt and Road Initiative and to promote traditional Chinese culture, Yixing in Jiangsu province, which is often celebrated as the "capital of ceramics" in China, has organized exhibitions of its purple-sand pottery both in China and abroad since 2016.

In April 2016, purple-sand pottery was exhibited at the British Museum in London.

The exhibition will move to cities such as Linyi in Shandong and Dongguan in Guangdong province, before being taken abroad to Hungary, the Czech Republic and Italy.
Police ask those who witnessed the "slaying" Friday of a 28-year-old man in Gary to contact detectives, according to a release.

Gary police responded to a call of shots fired in the 1000 block of Utah Street around 1 a.m. Friday, the release from Lt. Dawn Westerfield, Gary police spokeswoman, states.

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Allen Williams, of Gary, died just after 6:45 a.m. the same day at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill., as the result of "multiple gunshot wounds," according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. His death was ruled a homicide.

Police ask any witnesses and those with information about the shooting to call detectives with the Lake County/Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3855 or the crime tip line at 866-274-6347.

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rejacobs@post-trib.com

Twitter @ruthyjacobs
Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, right, and his attorney, Bryan Truitt, arrive at federal court in Hammond, Ind., on Aug. 7. (Jim Karczewski/Post-Tribune )

The trial of Lake County Sheriff John Buncich began to wind down Tuesday as attorneys presented the last bits of testimony.

The sheriff's corruption trial continued into its 12th day with only three witnesses taking the stand. The bulk of the testimony focused on cash deposits in the sheriff's personal bank account. Buncich's defense team and prosecutors are expected to make closing arguments Wednesday.

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Benson introduced an exhibit showing money reportedly received by Buncich during transactions with tow operators, cash deposits to the sheriff's personal bank account and the Buncich Boosters account. The chart shown in court ran from April 2014 to October 2016.

During the more than two-year period, the exhibit showed Buncich, 71, allegedly took $26,000 in cash payments from tow operators. During the same two-year period, $58,100 in cash was deposited in his personal account and $11,240 in the campaign account.

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Benson pointed out an August 2016 transaction where Buncich received $1,000, and asked if it was fair to say that never showed up in the campaign account.

"That is correct," said Gerard Hatagan, an IRS agent.

Benson asked about $7,500 the sheriff took from Scott Jurgensen, of Samson's Towing in Merrillville in September 2016, and if Hatagan expected to see that show up in the campaign account.

"Yes," Hatagan said.

In testimony last week, Buncich said he used Jurgensen's payment for campaign fundraiser tickets to repay a loan he made to Buncich Boosters. Buncich said he put a notation in his campaign finance material that the $7,500 would be used as repayment.

Benson pointed out that Indiana law requires that money should have been reported as a donation before being paid out as repayment.

Defense attorney Larry Rogers asked if during the review Hatagan knew if Buncich had any hobbies, or money he might have inherited that could explain the cash deposits.

Hatagan said he did not.

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Rogers pointed out that the amount of cash being deposited into Buncich's personal account was above the amount of money he allegedly took from tow operators. Rogers asked if Hatagan was suggesting that $1,000 turned into $16,000.

"No," Hatagan said.

Benson asked if Hatagan's review of the bank accounts and tax returns could determine the source of the cash deposits into Buncich's account.

"I would say it came from an illegal source," Hatagan said.

Rogers asked if it is possible those deposits came from some sort of cash that's not reportable income.

"There could be a non-taxable source that could be the explanation of the cash," Hatagan said.

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Judge James Moody had previously excluded information about Buncich's personal finances from being entered into evidence, but after it came up during the sheriff's testimony, he allowed it.

Defense attorneys presented one witness Tuesday to clarify testimony from a tow operator who testified last week.

During testimony from John Nauracy, of JAN's Towing in East Chicago, the tow operator said he drove to Jurgensen's house and his business to take video with an East Chicago activist and blogger.

The defense sought to explain that was done without any direction from Buncich.

Ricardo "Streetwise" Moreno said he asked Nauracy to drive him to Jurgensen's house and tow yard to get video for a blog post.

Rogers asked if Moreno did that at the request of Buncich.

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"No way, Jose," Moreno said.

Rogers asked if anyone else asked him to do that.

"No way, Jose," Moreno said. "I don't play that way."

clyons@post-trib.com

Twitter @craigalyons
Dezimon and Adriane Alicea stand in front of their home in the 3600 block of Jefferson Street in Gary. (Carole Carlson / Post-Tribune)

For Dezimon and Adriane Alicea, putting down roots in Gary is a statement of their commitment to the struggling city that's trying to regain its bearings.

For Lathreasia Ruffin, it represents a fresh start after her son departed for college.

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They were all winners Tuesday in Gary's Dollar Home lottery that awarded homes to eight applicants who agreed to bring the property up to code in six months and live in the house for five years.

"This allows us to increase the number of homeowners in the city," said Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson, before city council assistant Karen Lane drew the winning lottery balls.

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The first winner, Octavia McLaurin, had her choice of nine properties. She chose a house in the 3600 block of Adams Street.

Ruffin, who's an X-ray technician at Franciscan Health Hammond, won the fifth pick and chose a two-bedroom brick home in the 3600 block of Polk Street, near Indiana University Northwest. It's the first house she's owned.

Lathreasia Ruffin stands in front of her new home in the 3600 block of Polk Street. (Carole Carlson / Post-Tribune)

Ruffin said she scoped out her home's block carefully before opting to enter the lottery. "I came by at night and I came during the day and checked it out. It seems quiet," she said.

She'll have plenty of work ahead as she eyed the home's gutters and roof she plans to replace. Inside, she said all the appliances, including the bathtub and toilet, have been taken by thieves. Even the fuse box was gone.

For the first time, Gary Community Development Director Arlene Colvin said the city is partnering with First Financial Bank that has set aside money for renovation loans to dollar home owners.

Applicants, who must have a minimum income of $35,250 a year for a single person, must also show they have sufficient funding to renovate the home.

"You don't have to be a contractor or have particular skills, you just have to have desire to put your own sweat into rehabbing your home," said Colvin.

The Aliceas got their first look at their new three-story home, in the 3600 block of Jefferson Street, Tuesday afternoon.

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The couple have three children, ages 7, 4, and 3 so Dezimon Alicea said they need the space. He owns his own marketing business, DA Enterprises, and he serves as pastor of the Move Church, 5016 Broadway. His wife works in Chicago for the American Library Association.

"We both grew up in Gary and do a lot of community work," said Dezimon Alicea. "I want to make sure not only my dollars are spent here, but my physical body too because I believe in Gary."

The other winners were Lucille Dotson, Clarence Green, Shireen Mohiuddin, Felix Sherwood and Anissa Smith.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
A judge has recused himself from a murder case in light of a disciplinary complaint he filed against the defendant's attorney.

Lake Superior Court Judge Salvador Vasquez on Tuesday granted a request by defense attorney Jamise Perkins to disqualify himself from presiding over the case involving William Galloway.

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Vasquez praised Perkins' skills as a defense attorney, saying she "represents clients diligently, fairly and honestly," but said that it was the proper thing to do "in light of additional information I'm privy to with the co-defendants."

Perkins' motion said that Vasquez filed a disciplinary complaint/grievance against her relating to two co-defendants of Galloway. Kendall Vaughn, 21, is charged with assisting a criminal, and his girlfriend, Tamarashea Jones, 21, is charged with misdemeanor false informing. The complaint alleges a violation of the rules of professional conduct.

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During the hearing, Perkins said because of the open investigation, there was a possibility that both she and Vasquez could be called to testify.

"I'm concerned about what's going on and I'm concerned that what's going on is reportable (to the disciplinary commission). I would not treat you differently that I would any other defense attorney," Vasquez said. Perkins, who was admitted to practice law in Indiana in 2005, had been a Lake County deputy prosecutor before she left for private practice.

In May, Perkins filed a motion for waiver of conflict and attempted to enter her appearance to represent Jones, but Vasquez granted a request by prosecutors to disqualify her from that representation, according to an online docket entry.

Meanwhile, Galloway, 24, has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder charges filed in a Nov. 12 shooting at 49th Avenue and Massachusetts Street in Gary that killed Jonquell Golida, 23, and wounded Timothy Fryerson. A second man, Nicholas Pelissier, 19, of Chicago, was charged in February with murder in Golida's death and attempted murder involving Fryerson.

The cases for Galloway and Pelissier were joined and both were scheduled for trial starting on Sept. 25, but Vasquez ordered the Galloway case transferred from his courtroom and Galloway's trial canceled. A docket entry indicates the case has been transferred to Judge Diane Ross Boswell, who has the option of accepting or refusing it.

Vasquez added Pelissier's case to the docket for Wednesday morning. Pelissier, who is represented has pleaded not guilty.

Neither Vasquez nor Perkins could not be reached Tuesday afternoon.

Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
A row of incoming Valparaiso University students sign the colleges honor code during the 89th annual Opening Convocation, held Tuesday in the Chapel of the Resurrection. (Amy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso University's incoming class of freshman, graduate and transfer students was told to embrace the challenges ahead of them on a campus that will support them along the way.

Mark Heckler, the university's president, and Hussein Shahine, president of the student body, talked about the things that set the university apart and bring the students together during the 89th annual Opening Convocation, held Tuesday in the Chapel of the Resurrection.

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"Every one of us in this room has faced an obstacle that made us want to give up, but you wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for that perseverance," Heckler said. "Valpo is distinguished from other universities in our shared desire to seek truth, serve generously and cultivate hope."

University marshal Steven Engerer, chairman of the chemistry department, led the students, many of whom wore Valpo T-shirts, into the chapel.

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The convocation also included recognizing newly tenured faculty, bestowing "shield of character" pins to students, and signing the university's honor code, which Heckler said has been in place for more than 70 years.

Heckler said the incoming students included 223 new graduate and law students and 1,070 freshmen and transfer students, who represent communities across the United States and around the globe.

"It is exciting to see such diversity among you because Valpo is a place that intentionally brings people together from myriad backgrounds," Heckler said. "Our increasingly diverse student body offers unique opportunities for meaningful dialogue across differences, cultures and experiences."

College won't be easy, Heckler said, and the students could expect both obstacles and the support to overcome them.

"Through the people you meet, the friends you make and the experiences you have, you will learn how to rise above those obstacles, to achieve your goals to experience the world through new eyes," and become part of a diverse community on a collective journey, Heckler said, "no matter how hard at times it may be."

Shahine, who graduates at the end of the academic year, roused the crowd with the college cheer before sharing his own experience as a new student, when he arrived with two suitcases, feeling lost.

He met the Rev. Charlene Cox, the university pastor.

"She welcomed me, and she set the tone for kindness at this university," he said.

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He urged his fellow classmates to live with genuine intentions and to always be a good person.

"Realize that others have challenges they hold on their shoulders but may never speak about," he said, "so crack a smile, offer help when you can and always think the best of others and you will never go wrong. You will never be alone."

Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd while speaking at a Tuesday rally at the Phoenix Convention Center. (Rick Scuteri/AP )

What's Quickly? It's where readers sound off on the issues of the day. Have a quote, question or quip? Call Quickly at 312-222-2426 or email quickly@post-trib.com.

The president repeatedly portrayed the news media as an enemy of the American people. This is a dangerous lie and needs to be stopped. He is the one that promotes lies. and they correct him. Therein lies the problem.

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Trump has the "best people" at his rallies  said no one ever in the history of this planet.

Tuesday night the president saluted a racist sheriff who is a convicted criminal and then trashed a war hero who has brain cancer.

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It's getting pretty bad when Fox News contradicts Trump and confirms thousands of anti-Trump protesters outside of the Phoenix rally.

I'm starting to think Trump really believes he is the star of a political TV reality show. And that the cable news shows are the TV critics judging his performance.

I guess two flattery folders a day for Trump isn't enough. Now he has to have his ego stroked by his adoring fans at a campaign rally. Yes, a campaign rally. He isn't running for any office, he already won. But instead of governing he is pontificating. I suppose that's a good thing since I disagree with most of his policies.

What is Ben Carson doing speaking at a campaign rally? Trying to stay awake since he has nothing else to keep him busy.

When Steve Bannon joined this administration, he promised to take this government apart. He said he would deconstruct it beyond recognition, a complete deconstruction of the administrative state. He got exactly what he wanted before he was fired.

Trump and Senator Mitch McConnell had a very heated phone call over the bungling of the health care repeal. He was also extremely irate that McConnell refused to protect him from the Russian investigation. There would be no reason to run interference in the Russian investigation if you did nothing wrong.

Trump has a war on the press, a war on civil rights, a war on Congress, a war on immigrants, a war on Islam, a trade war with China and a war with Afghanistan. Is there anything peaceful about this president?

Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

HOORAY! Trump says he may discontinue NAFTA and may shut down the Government to get border wall funding. NAFTA is bad for the American worker and we want our borders secured. A physical border wall/barrier is only one piece of border security. Additional measures like more border patrol agents, expanding E-verify nationally and other measures must be implemented.

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Trump is not a president. He is a showman. Nothing but hot air, BS and empty promises.

A good friend asked where out thou Breitbart and I replied that Breitbart is getting jacked up on Jack Daniels.

Watching the Chicago news and reading Quickly everyday gave me the impression that everything in America is doom and gloom. But, watching the Trump rally in Phoenix yesterday shows that America has risen again. These people at the rally loved America and were not shy in showing it. This gives me new hope that better days are ahead.

Donald Trump is using these campaign rallies to sow absolute chaos  at taxpayer expense. Get a move on, Mueller.

Andrean playing Bishop Noll is the same as Griffith joining the GSS conference. Anything for a easy win.

Read more at www.post-trib.com/quickly.
President Donald Trump delivers remarks on Americas military involvement in Afghanistan at the Fort Myer military base on Monday in Arlington, Virginia. Trump was expected to announce a modest increase in troop levels in Afghanistan, the result of a growing concern by the Pentagon over setbacks on the battlefield for the Afghan military against Taliban and al-Qaeda forces. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

What's Quickly? It's where readers sound off on the issues of the day. Have a quote, question or quip? Call Quickly at 312-222-2426 or email quickly@post-trib.com.

If I hadn't taken an early retirement from the work force like I had I wouldn't have been able to have taken the vacation like I had and finished it off by traveling to Carbondale, Ill., to see the eclipse. What a vacation it was.

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You notice how quiet Donald J. Trump Jr has been lately? Talk about a total eclipse of the son!

Mike Pence wants to be our next president. But every time he opens his mouth, he sounds like a yes-man bumbling fool. The present fool is one too many.

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The Secret Service will run out of money to protect the president and his family by September 30. This is what you call abusing the system. Of course, the GOP is suddenly silent.

Tucker Carlson from Fox News said "Trump looking at the eclipse without eyewear was perhaps the most impressive thing any president has ever done." If serious, that was a pathetic attempt at hero worshipping. If joking, that was a serious fail.

I'm sure if legislation is ever presented that would actually make America better, like infrastructure or a good health care bill, Democrats would be happy to vote for it.

Paul Ryan says that House Republican "did their jobs." it seems that he thinks their job is to kick 22 million off of health care.

Why all the fuss about the eclipse. If you want to see it get dark during the day, don't pay your NIPSCO bill.

Trump gets credit for reading a speech on a teleprompter that others wrote, articulating a policy which others designed.

The California congressman is proposing a law to have the president mentally evaluated, which does not make him unpatriotic. Members of Congress and the Senate of both parties have been questioning Trump's mental capabilities. This means that they take their duties seriously. This law should apply to everyone in Washington, not just the president.

I love it when the writers of the Quickly column read a Quickly that gets under there skin, and they feel the need to lash out on the same day they print the comment. Its like you said it and I am getting the last word in this conversation buster. Those people must be the wave of the future.

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Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Trump says that Afghanistan and Pakistan pose the biggest terrorist threat to America. Interesting that his travel bans didn't include either of these countries.

Are we being played? Donald had a horrible week, so he rushed into this military decision. Why were there no specifics, too big of a hurry to put this in place?

The Religious right is a political operation using a charitable tax subsidy to manipulate the GOP while self appointed "clergy" take their cut.

These punks leading these white supremacists marches are not men, but scared little boys posing as men. Real men don't make excuses, they get jobs, they get an education and they settle down with a family.

I wish that everyone would stop using the euphemism "alt-right." It's a made up cleansing of the nasty, dirty "white supremacy" that is the rightful name.

The protesters that crack me up are the ones holding a Love Trumps Hate sign while they're being interviewed by Fox News. The love factor jumps right out the window and the hate factor jumps right off the sign, and stupid takes over. But it's really all about the love, right ?

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Pueblo East, Pueblo West football teams knocked out of playoffs

Both Pueblo West and Pueblo East high schools had their faced stiff competition Friday night on the road.
By Moliang Jiang

The concept of a paperless office is trending in Chinese workplaces. For companies that want to cut costs, and make operations more efficient, electronic contracts seem to be an attractive alternative for traditional paper contracts that can be difficult to organize and store.

However, contract disputes over the validity of electronic contracts have become more frequent. Although some cases upheld the legal validity of electronic contracts, there has not been a consensus on the legal status of electronic contracts in practice.

The use of electronic contracts, albeit convenient, can give rise to nuanced legal implications.

For any companies that want to use electronic contracts in China, it is crucial to understand their legal technicalities. Firms should make sure that they create valid electronic contracts to avoid legal hurdles. A strong understanding of how electronic contracts function in China can help businesses mitigate the potential for disputes.

RELATED: Electronic Chops: Unauthorized Use and Legal Risk Management in China

Electronic contracts in China

An electronic contract is a contract comprised of a data message. Some examples of data messages are telegram, fax, electronic data exchange (EDI), and email. Chinas Contract Law recognizes data messages as a written form of contract.

A standard electronic contract should comprise terms and conditions as well as electronic signatures. An electronic signature  something unique to electronic contracts  serves to verify the identity of the signatory and shows the signatorys acknowledgement of the data contract message. Normally, an electronic signature consists of three elements: digital certificate, credible time stamps, and other information.

Chinas upgraded Electronic Signature Law, which came into effect in 2005 and was modified in 2015, regulates creation and use of electronic signatures. The law stipulates that if both parties agree to use data message and electronic signature in a contract, it cannot be denied legal validity solely because of its electronic nature.

Generally, the electronic form can apply to most contractual relationships. However, companies should keep in mind that Chinas Electronic Signature Law bans the use of electronic contracts in four circumstances:

Documents concerning personal relationships;

Documents concerning trade of immovable estates;

Documents concerning termination of public services;

Documents concerning other inapplicable situations as stipulated by laws or administrative regulations.

In these circumstances, companies should use a physically signed or sealed contract.

Even though Chinese laws acknowledge the legitimacy of electronic message as a form of contract, many companies struggle to establish the legal validity of an electronic contract when disputes arise. Businesses can manage this risk by ensuring their electronic contracts are consistent with best practices.

Essentials for a valid electronic contract

A valid electronic contract must follow the Electronic Signature Law in addition to fulfilling legal requirements for traditional paper contracts.

Employers can use these approaches to help strengthen the validity of electronic contracts:

Implement reliable methods for creating, storing, and transferring electronic contracts;

Carefully review controls designed to ensure the contracts are tamper-proof;

Clearly delineate the original issuers and receivers of the electronic contracts, as well as the points of time when the contracts are issued and received;

Ensure all electronic signatures in the contracts are valid.

An authentic and viable electronic signature is key to the legal validity of any electronic contract. The four criteria below specify what a reliable electronic signature should contain:

The signatory is the sole owner of data that generates electronic signatures used for electronic signatures;

Data that generates the electronic signature is controlled exclusively by the signatory during the process of signing;

Any modification of the electronic signature after signing is discernable by the signatory;

Any modification of the format or content of the electronic data message is discernable by the signer after signing.

Companies should also remember to keep evidence related to creation of electronic contracts. Records on how both parties communicate are important if disputes ever arise.

Legal & Financial Due Diligence Services from Dezan Shira & Associates

Key considerations for electronic contracts

As the use of electronic contracts grows, the government is likely to issue clearer guidelines or rules of implementation. Presently, companies should understand both benefits and problems of electronic contracts before making any transition.

Signing contracts by hand can be an inconvenience, as companies would have to invest a lot of time and money in communicating and meeting with the other signatories, managing vast amounts of paperwork, and shipping paper contracts to different places.

Electronic contracts come in handy for companies that:

Have to create and store a large number of contracts;

Make low-value, but high-volume transactions;

Have employees working in different locations;

Interact frequently with suppliers or purchasers within a limited timeframe;

Need to sign contracts for internal activities of the company.

Allan Xu, Manager of Business Advisory Services at Dezan Shira & Associates, notes, Without professional assistance, it is difficult to confirm the authenticity and effectiveness of electronic data, as they are prone to be lost, manipulated, or tampered. In circumstances where using electronic contracts is risky, such as high-stake transactions, paper contracts are preferable.

In order to make the most of electronic contracts benefits, without increasing the risk of legal disputes, companies must guarantee that their electronic signatures are valid. Although not required by law, companies should always find a third party Certificate Authority (CA) to authenticate the digital certificate, as well as a third party Time Stamp Authority (TSA) to validate the time stamps.

Companies should use reliable third-party electronic contract providers to sign their contracts if applicable. Credible third-party electronic contract platforms use a number of methods to ensure that the electronic signatures are valid and the contracts are free from disclosure or tampering.

For instance, reliable third-party providers often ask for IDs, verified bankcards, and confirmation via text message for the purpose of confirming the identity of the signatory. Some of them also incorporate block chain and encryption technology to safeguard the confidentiality of the contract.

In contrast, unreliable online electronic contract platforms use informal and unstandardized contract templates. Many of them do not possess the technology to support creation of valid contract. What is more problematic is that these providers might intentionally tamper the contracts.

Electronic contracts can be a convenient tool to cut costs and speed up repeated business operations for foreign companies that are looking to establish or expand in China. However, legal practices in China pertaining to the use of electronic contracts are not mature at this stage. As Xu highlights, Grey areas that do not have specific legal guidance can be companies sore points. Legal requirements for electronic contracts also differ from region to region in China. Without carefully planning out and keeping track of every procedure in the creation of electronic contract, companies might get embroiled in contract disputes. Companies should seek legal advice if they are unsure about how to create electronic contracts properly.



About Us China Briefing is published by Asia Briefing, a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. We produce material for foreign investors throughout Asia, including ASEAN, India, Indonesia, Russia, the Silk Road, and Vietnam. For editorial matters please contact us here, and for a complimentary subscription to our products, please click here. Dezan Shira & Associates is a full service practice in China, providing business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax, IT, HR, payroll, and advisory services throughout the China and Asian region. For assistance with China business issues or investments into China, please contact us at china@dezshira.com or visit us at www.dezshira.com

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

This Dezan Shira & Associates 2017 China guide provides a comprehensive background and details of all aspects of setting up and operating an American business in China, including due diligence and compliance issues, IP protection, corporate establishment options, calculating tax liabilities, as well as discussing on-going operational issues such as managing bookkeeping, accounts, banking, HR, Payroll, annual license renewals, audit, FCPA compliance and consolidation with US standards and Head Office reporting.
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The 15th Asia Arts Festival will be held in Ningbo in east China's Zhejiang Province from September 23 to October 23, the Ministry of Culture announced Tuesday.

The festival, jointly hosted by the ministry and the provincial government, will include a Lancang-Mekong cultural forum, in which culture ministers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and China will gather to discuss exchanges and cooperation.

A tour will also depart from Zhejiang visiting important cities along the Maritime Silk Road, including the capitals of Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, bringing diverse cultural activities to local people.

The Asia Arts Festival was first held in 1998 in Beijing, and the last festival was held in Quanzhou in east China's Fujian Province in 2015.
A former Beijing lawyer pleaded guilty to subversion in court on Tuesday and confessed to receiving Western training that sparked ideas of "overthrowing China's current political system".

Jiang Tianyong, 46, stood trial at the Changsha Intermediate People's Court, in Hunan province, for inciting the subversion of State power. He expressed remorse and asked for leniency.

Jiang denied rumors that he was tortured in detention, and he admitted to fabricating such rumors about former lawyer Xie Yang in an effort to smear the image of the Chinese government and judiciary.

Jiang said he realized "that my behavior to subvert State power and overthrow the socialist system was counter to Criminal Law and constituted a crime. I deeply regret what I've done and plead guilty".

A verdict will be handed down at a later date, according to the court.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Jiang repeatedly attacked the Chinese government, judicial organs and political system on the internet and in overseas media.

Since 2009, he wrote more than 33,000 social media posts, 214 of which incited subversion, prosecutors said.

He intentionally exaggerated "sensitive cases", unscrupulously distorted facts and incited others to gather and cause trouble in public areas, according to the indictment.

In July of 2016, Jiang used Telegram, an overseas instant messaging application, to organize and incite others to gather at the gate of a local court in Tianjin on Aug 1, where a subversion lawsuit would be held several days later, prosecutors said.

He colluded with anti-China forces overseas and incited hostility against the government, according to the indictment.

Jiang confessed in court that he went abroad five times to receive Western constitutional system training and that this prompted him to try to overthrow China's political system.

The training "had an impact on me, helping develop ideas of overthrowing China's system and implementing the Western system in China", he said.

Jiang confessed to being behind multiple rumors of the torture of another former lawyer, Xie Yang.

"I deliberately fabricated torture details of Xie while he was in police detention and played to Western media's taste, aiming to tarnish the image of the government and judicial organs," he said.

Jiang became a lawyer in Beijing in 2004 but was barred from practicing law by the Beijing Justice Bureau in 2009.

He was placed under surveillance on Dec 1, 2016, and formally arrested on May 31, according to prosecutors.

Jiang said his legal rights had been fully protected. "Judicial authorities have handled the case in strict accordance with the law," he said, adding that the rumors he was tortured are untrue.

About 40 people attended his trial, including his relatives and attorneys, as well as legislators, political advisers and journalists.

Jiang's father attended the trial, though his wife, Jin Bianling, who is now overseas, did not, despite being informed of the hearing, according to the court.

Video footage of the trial was broadcast on the Changsha Intermediate People's Court's Sina Weibo micro blog.
The trade scenario with India

In the fiscal year of 2016-2017, Nepal's imports from India were worth US$ 6.6 billion, which is around 70 percent of Nepal's total imports. Due to the "inhuman Indian economic embargo" against Nepal in 2015 (right after the devastating earthquake), the imports from India to Nepal declined to some extent.

Yet still India occupies 63 percent of the Nepalese market. Contrary to it, Nepal's exports to India during the fiscal year of 2016/17 was worth only US$660 million. This, for LLDC Nepal, was 60 percent of the country's exports.

In the last ten months of the fiscal year of 2016-17, Nepal's foreign trade increased by 30.7 percent and out of Nepal's US$10 billion trade volume, only US$3 billion of it was with other countries apart from India.

The tragedies from the past to the present

Nepal is not only a land-locked developing country, but she is more or less, an "India- locked" country.

During British rule, Nepal didn't allow the trade-route via her soil planned by the East-India-Company to exploit then Tibet. As a result, post 1811 Nepal faced the "first" Indian economic blockade.

Later, the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-1816 broke out. Then Nepal was compelled to sign the infamous Treaty of Sugauli with British-India. Nepal lost one-third of her soil in this Treaty. Today, Nepal has a 1780 km long open-border with India on her three sides: south, east and the west. This is a privilege for Indians to dominate Nepal's exports and imports, legally or illegally.

In terms of fair trade, the Indo-Nepal open border has proved to be a curse to Nepal. It has been a haven for India for massive illegal trade as well as political infiltration to Nepal.

The force of India's 1.3 billion population compared to Nepal's 28.4 million people means huge pressure on Nepal. When Nepal signed three new treaties with China in 1956, 1960 and 1963, Nehru was upset with Nepal.

He even gave pressure to King Mahendra not to construct the Kodari High Way opening the door for trade with China. The scenario post the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the construction of Kodari High Way in 1967 and expulsion of "Indian Security Network" from the northern border points of Nepal  adjoining to China in 1969  made India nervous against her monopolistic third largest-trade market Nepal.

Despite signing an arms agreement with Nepal in 1965, India again plotted an "Economic Embargo" in 1969-70, when Nepal was a non-Permanent Member in the UN Security Council. It is well known to the world that Nepal suffered the longest "Economic Blockade" again in 1989 when she bought cheaper weapons from China in 1988. Therefore, trade and transit rights of Nepal are always curtailed by India in the name of the "Big Brother" of Nepal!

Even though Nepal deserves fundamental transit rights from India, being a member of the WTO, SAARC, LDC, LLDC, BIMSTEC, UN, etc., trade and transit regulations are performed by bilateral agreements only.

The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement came into force in 2006, but India, due to conflict with Pakistan, even threatened the survival of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) itself. Similarly, the BFTA-BIMSTEC-Free-Trade-Area passed as a framework agreement in 2004, was also challenged by India due to disagreements with Thailand. Thus, countries like Nepal are compelled to remain under such hegemonic apprehensions from the past and until the "inhuman economic embargo" of 2015.

Nepal's most important products for exports are: hydropower (83,000MW), water (second largest after Brazil) and minerals, which are all curtailed by India under the Koshi Agreement (1954), Gandak Agreement (1959), Mahakali (now Pancheswore after Modi came to power) Treaty (1996).

Every year Nepal's Terai is flooded and half of Nepal's population, fertile land and products are affected due to India's dams in 39 locations and the 1700 km road to the Indian side blocking floods adjoining the Nepal border.

BRI: the only hope for Nepal

Due to lack of proper connectivity and development of infrastructure on the Nepal side, Nepal's trade volume with China is only 14 percent of the $10 billion.

Under BRI, China has agreed to provide US$8.3 billion for Nepal's all-round development and another US$8 billion for joining up the Kerung/Gyrung-Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini Him Rail.

This is huge money for Nepal in comparison to India's US$317 million and America's $500 million investment. During Vice Premier Wang Yang's recent Nepal visit, RMB1 billion was announced to repair the Kodari High Way and an additional commitment to construct roads in the Nepal side joining seven points on the1400 km long Nepal-China border.

This BRI trajectory helps tremendously to promote Nepal/South Asia-China trade, tourism, transportation, transfer of technology, FDI and hydropower/energy generation.

Dr. Bishnu Hari Nepal is a theorist and practitioner in international relations, peace, conflict, security and development studies.
The Barcelona terror attack shows that militants are finding soft targets in Europe with ease and leisure. Their gory operations have also become very simple. What they need is just one or two perverted heads to mount on a vehicle that is big enough to do the maximum damage.

The rest is all too familiar.

The so-called Islamic State once again claimed the responsibility for these attacks in which at least 14 were killed, including 13 in Barcelona's Las Ramblas and one in the town of Cambrils.

The ISIS-inspired terrorists are using the vehicular attacks frequently.

It started with the horrible killing of French people in Nice in 2016 and repeated in London, Berlin and Stockholm. More than 100 people from various nationalities have been killed so far in the attacks involving a vehicle.

The merciless tactics by ISIS in Iraq and Syria are well known but they have expanded their bloody business worldwide. There is hardly any continent, barring the Antarctica, where this group has not spilled the blood of innocent people.

It has been able to find support abroad even at a time when ISIS suffered its heaviest setbacks in Iraq and Syria. It lost Mosul to Iraqi forces in July after resisting for over nine months. Its controlled area has shrunk in Syria where its stronghold of Raqqa is under attack.

The attacks in Europe may be part of strategy to shore up the international support for the group when it is feeling the heat in the Middle East. The 24/7 media coverage of the Barcelona attacks has been going on for days, providing free of cost publicity to the terror outfit.

Media worldwide has been unable to come up with the coverage policy which should report the terror attacks but at the same time avoid a kind of marketing of terror. If some people feel revulsion for the individuals and groups involved in militancy, there may also be some feeling the sadistic pleasure after watching the coverage.

I think prolonged coverage with minute details provides what former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once termed as the "oxygen of publicity" to rebel organizations. In her speech to the American Bar Association, on July 15, 1985, about terrorism, she said: "And we must try to find ways to starve the terrorist and the hijacker of the oxygen of publicity on which they depend."

Let us persuade the global and local media to stop the non-stop coverage of terror-related incidents on an experimental basis for some time and see the result if it helped to stave out the terrorists of their promotional news coverage.

Coming back to the Barcelona attacks, it is not for the first time that Spain has been targeted. More than a decade ago it suffered the horrendous commuter train bombing of 2004 in which at least 191 people were killed and over 2,000 injured. Al-Qaeda-inspired North Africans syndicates were also involved then.

Why has Spain been targeted again?

The country has the fifth biggest Muslim population in Europe and Muslims are far better integrated than many other countries in Europe. Many Muslims are second generation Spaniards who economically and culturally are part of the society. Hence, a comparatively lesser number of them travelled to Middle East to fight for ISIS.

But for the fundamentalists, Spain was the last post of Muslim rule. There is a romantic appeal even among many moderate Muslims for the Spain of Middle Ages when Arab Muslim rulers transformed it into a highly developed society.

There are reports that Salafist-led radicalization has been going in Spain for some years. It is primarily inspired by the propaganda of ISIS which has become the main attraction from the radicals after the decline of al-Qaeda.

Since Spain is part of the efforts against ISIS, and has a large Muslim population and a history of terror related incidents, it can be an attraction for militants. But Spanish security agencies should have shown a more dedicate approach to deal with any such danger.

Neither are militants born in a day nor do the militant attacks take place suddenly. There is a series of lengthy processes which transform individuals who embed with cohorts involving in militancy. The execution of a terror plan is the last of the events.

If the intelligence agencies are alive to the dangers and ready to implement preventive strategies, a lot of terrible incidents can be avoided.

Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

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

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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China hopes that India will take practical and positive actions to correct its incorrect words and deeds, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at the press conference on Aug. 22, 2017. [Photo/www.fmprc.gov.cn]



Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the comments after Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Monday that even though India is not aggressive and has never initiated an attack, it will not compromise on security.

Singh said a solution would soon be found to the ongoing stand-off between India and China at Doklam and that he hoped Beijing will make a positive move in this regard.

Hua reiterated that the prerequisite and basis for resolving the incident is that India immediately and unconditionally withdraws its trespassing border troops and equipment to the Indian side of the boundary.

Although China is a peace-loving country and firmly upholds peace, it will resolutely defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and never allow any country to violate its territorial sovereignty for any reason, she said.

Singh said global opinion is that India has never cast an evil eye on any country, nor does it harbor an expansionist attitude that threatens its neighbors.

However, Hua said the facts are that Indian troops have illegally crossed the delimited boundary which has been recognized and abided by for nearly 130 years by both China and India, have continued to stay in the Chinese territory, and India has invented various excuses to justify its illegal actions.

"We hope that India can match its words with actions and immediately withdraw its troops and equipment that have encroached into Chinese territory," she said.

The Times of India reported Monday that Indian officials have recently discussed the situation in Doklam with their Russian counterparts, reiterating India's position that by constructing a road China was unilaterally changing the status quo and that this had serious security implications for India.

The Dong Lang (Doklam) area is undisputed Chinese territory, said Hua, noting that India's intrusion into Chinese territory under the pretext of China's road building lacks legal grounds and India's arguments are simply untenable.

According to a position document on the Indian border troops' illegal trespass into Chinese territory, China's road building on its own territory is aimed at improving local transportation. China did not cross the boundary in its road construction, and it had notified India in advance.

Following India's logic, if China feels that India's infrastructure construction in border areas threatens Chinese security, China can openly send troops to Indian territory to stop it, said Hua.

She warned that If India's absurd logic is tolerated, international norms will be undermined.

China has so far exercised a high degree of restraint, she said, hoping that India will act like a big country and come up with a responsible and reasonable attitude towards the resolution of the incident.
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U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday welcomed "some level of restraint" showed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with its nuclear program, seeing a possible pathway to a future talk between Washington and Pyongyang.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks during a press briefing in Washington D.C., the United States, Aug. 22, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

"We have had no missile launches or provocative acts from the part of North Korea (DPRK) since the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution," said Tillerson in a press briefing in the State Department.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution imposing new sanctions on DPRK for its continued intercontinental ballistic missile testing on Aug. 5.

Tillerson said he was pleased to see Pyongyang "has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that we have not seen in the past."

"We hope that it is the beginning of the signal that we are looking for -- that they are ready to restrain their level of tensions, they're ready to restrain their provocative acts," said the U.S. top diplomat.

"Perhaps we are seeing our pathway to some time in the near future having some dialogue," but "need to see more on their part," Tillerson added.

Tillerson's remarks came amid an ongoing joint military drill held by the United States and South Korea.

The two-week-long war games mobilized about 17,500 U.S. soldiers and some 50,000 South Korean troops.

Pyongyang said on Monday the U.S.-South Korean joint military drill had plunged the Korean Peninsula into a critical phase.
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Spanish judge Fernando Andreu Tuesday decided to send to prison two of the 4 surviving terror suspects in connection to last week's twin attacks.

According to a Sky News report, Andreu made these rulings after the hearing.

The two suspects -- Chemlal and Driss Oukabir -- have been charged with murder, membership of a terror organization and the possession of explosives. They are being held in prison without bail.

A third suspect, Salah el Karib, will be detained for another 72 hours while he is investigated further. The fourth, Mohammed Aalla, has been freed because the evidence against him is weak.

The quartet of the 12-man terrorist cell responsible for last week's attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils appeared at the Spanish National High Court here on Tuesday.

The four suspects arrived at the court at around 8:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) Tuesday after spending Monday night in the cells of the Civil Guard Headquarters in the town of Tres Cantos just north of Madrid.

Houli Chemlala, who was the first to speak before the judge, is reported to have testified that the terrorist cell had planned to destroy "important monuments in Barcelona" before a gas explosion in the house where they were preparing the attacks left him injured and two members of the cell dead.

Those replies matched what he told the Catalan regional police in the five days he had been maintained incommunicado under their custody.

Chemlal was accompanied to the court in Madrid by Mohamed Houli Chemal, Dris Oukbar, Mohammed Alla and Salh Karib, all of whom were detained in the town of Ripoll, in Girona province, to the north of Barcelona.

Dris is the older brother of one of the terrorists who was shot by police during the attack on Cambrils in the early hours of Friday morning.

He handed himself into police on Thursday, saying his brother had stolen his driving license, which was used to rent the van that killed 13 people on Barcelona's Las Ramblas street on Thursday afternoon.

El Karib, who is the owner of a call center in the town of Ripoll, where three of the terrorists were arrested, told the court he had only helped members of the cell buy air tickets in order to earn a commission on the sale.

Aallaa, whose brother also died in Cambrils, told the judge that the although the Audi A3 used in the attack in which 5 terrorists, including his brother, were shot dead, was in his name, it was only for "insurance issues".
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Iraqi security forces battling Islamic State (IS) militants on Tuesday pushed into the first urban areas in the third day of an offensive to drive out IS militants from the city of Tal Afar in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, the Iraqi military said.

In the morning, the commandos of the Counter Terrorism Service forces initiated a new push into the neighborhood of Kifah in southwestern Tal Afar, as heavy clashes against the extremist militants continued during the day, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Amir Yarallah from the Joint Operations Command said in a brief statement.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi army's 9th Armored Division teamed up with paramilitary members of Hashd Shaabi units and broke into the eastern side of the city under fierce clashes with IS militants, Yarallah said in a separate statement.

The troops, covered by Iraqi and international aircraft, continued clearing areas surrounding Tal Afar and recaptured six villages, along with seizing al-Kasak oil refinery east of the city, Yarallah noted.

The Hashd Shaabi intelligence said in a report that the IS group resistance is weak and its militants are fleeing to the center of the city instead of confronting the security forces, though they sent suicide bombers to hamper the advance of the security forces.

The International Organization of Migration (IOM) said that it has received some 3,200 people since Aug. 18 in its emergency refugee camps in Haj Ali and Qayyara, both located some 60 km south of Mosul.

"Thousands more are expected to flee in the coming days," IOM, the UN migration agency, said in a statement.

It said that most of the displaced people from Tal Afar "had to walk for hours in arduous conditions before reaching safe areas. Many arrived exhausted and in poor health, often with critical levels of malnutrition among children, some unable to move."

On Aug. 20, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of Iraqi forces, declared the start of an operation to retake control of the northern city Tal Afar and nearby areas from IS militants.

"We announce the launch of an operation to liberate Tal Afar. I say to Daesh (IS militants) -- either you surrender or die," Abadi said.

The targeted area of Tal Afar is about 3,206 square km, which consists of the city of Tal Afar itself and two districts of Ayadhiyah and Mahalabiyah, in addition to about 47 villages scattered in the area, according to information obtained from the official Iraqiya television.

Tal Afar, some 70 km west of Mosul, is the last IS redoubt in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh. Up to 350,000 to 400,000 people used to live in the city and surrounding areas, including 250,000 people in Tal Afar. But most of them left their homes either due to the sectarian strife during the years after 2003, or after the city fell to the IS in 2014.

The majority population of Tal Afar area are Sunni and Shiite Turkomans, in addition to the minority of Kurds and other minorities.

IOM estimates that some 10,000 to 40,000 people are still living in the city of Tal Afar and surrounding areas.

Earlier, the army's Major General Najim al-Jubouri, commander of Nineveh's Operations Command, told reporters that he estimated there were between 1,500 and 2,000 IS militants left in Tal Afar.
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Following U.S. President Donald Trump's turn-about announcement that he is sending more troops to Afghanistan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday expected to find a political solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.

An Afghan security force member stands guard at a security checkpoint in Ghazni province, eastern Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2017. The Afghan Taliban on Tuesday said that the insurgents will continue the war against U.S. and its allies until the U.S.-led forces leave Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Sayed Mominzadah)

"I think for the secretary-general what we want to stress is our hope that the international community will come together and help Afghanistan find a political solution that will bring peace to the country," said UN chief's spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

"And that's also through, obviously, the support and effort of the UN Mission there," he added, referring to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, a political mission established by the Security Council in 2002 to assist the Kabul government.

The presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan dated back from 2001.

Trump's announcement Monday night he had decided to send more troops -- he did not say how many more or when -- flies in the face of his campaign pledge to get the United States out of Afghanistan. It's the longest war in U.S. history.

When Dujarric was asked by a reporter if Guterres would help in finding a political solution, the spokesman responded: "as a matter of principle secretary-general's good offices are always available for any two parties who ask. That's a statement of principle. Our focus is on finding a political solution to the current crisis in Afghanistan and help the Afghan people who have suffered so much for decades."
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China has opposed secondary sanctions related to the DPRK announced by the US Treasury Department on Tuesday and called on the US government to correct the "mistake".

The US Treasury announced on Tuesday new sanctions on 16 entities and individuals, mostly from China and Russia, for alleged business ties with the missile and nuclear weapons program in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The sanctions of 10 entities and six individuals came less than two months after a June 29 announcement of sanctions by the US Treasury on a bank, a shipping company and two individuals from China.

The US Treasury statement claims that the actions complement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2371 on the DPRK, enacted on Aug 5.

"Treasury will continue to increase pressure on North Korea by targeting those who support the advancement of nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and isolating them from the American financial system," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement.

"China opposes unilateral sanctions out of the UN Security Council framework, especially the 'long-arm jurisdiction' over Chinese entities and individuals exercised by any country in accordance with its domestic laws," the Chinese embassy in Washington said in a statement on Tuesday.

It said that China faithfully implements UN Security Council resolutions on the DPRK in their entirety and fully observes its international obligations.

"If there are any Chinese companies or individuals suspected of violating Security Council resolutions, they will be investigated and treated in accordance with China's domestic laws and regulations," it said.

"We strongly urge the US to immediately correct its mistake, so as not to impact bilateral cooperation on relevant issues."

China and Russia also have proposed dual suspension  the US and South Korea halt their military drills while DPRK halts its nuclear and missile tests  as a way to ease the tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The US has rejected such a proposal.

Jonathan Pollack, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and an expert on the Korean Peninsula, said that despite the UN Security Council resolutions, China and the US disagree sharply about the sanctions process and on how Beijing and Washington view the available tools to constrain the DPRK's ability to access foreign currencies.

"Unless the two countries can truly reach agreement on rules of the road, then North Korea will take advantage of these differences, and this will be highly detrimental to the vital interests of both the US and China," Pollack told China Daily on Tuesday.

"I see a pressing need for the American and Chinese leaderships to undertake much deeper, private discussions to address these differences. If they do not, North Korea will be the big winner," he said.

The announcement on Tuesday by the US Treasury came a day after the US and South Korea began their annual Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military drills, with DPRK threatening a "merciless strike" ahead of the drills.

The renewed tension followed a war of words between US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un. Trump shocked the world on Aug 8 by saying that the DPRK best not make any more threats to the US or it "will be met with fire and fury". He then tweeted that the US military is "locked and loaded". The DPRK responded by saying it planned to fire four missiles into the waters off Guam.

That tension was defused after the DPRK said it will assess "the foolish and stupid conduct" of the US before firing missiles toward Guam, and Trump then tweeted last Wednesday that "Kim Jong-un of North Korea made a very wise and well-reasoned decision. The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable."

Just hours after the US Treasury announcement on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he was "pleased" to see the DPRK had "demonstrated some level of restraint that we've not seen in the past," referring to the fact that the DPRK has not conducted any test since the Aug 5 UN Security Council resolution.

"We hope that this is the beginning of this signal that we've been looking for  that they are ready to restrain their level of tensions, they're ready to restrain their provocative acts, and that perhaps we are seeing our pathway to sometime in the near future having some dialogue," he told a daily briefing at the State Department.
Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu referred to Donglang, the site of an on-going standoff between China and India, as a disputed area and said no country should change the status quo by force in an interview with Indian media on Friday.

These remarks, interpreted by local media as being in India's favor, since India claims the road China is constructing in the area will change the status quo, are ill-grounded and misleading.

As a diplomat, Hiramatsu should not be so ignorant of the fact that there is no territorial dispute in the Donglang area, and that the root cause of the standoff stems from Indian troops' trespassing across the already delimited Sikkim section of the China-India boundary into Chinese territory. As Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying has rightfully pointed out, it is India, not China, that is trying to create trouble and change the status quo. Thus, there must be a hidden agenda behind Japanese diplomat's deliberate distortion of the facts.

Considering the neutral stance taken by other Western countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, the Indian media was naturally elated by Hiramatsu's remarks, immediately interpreting them as Japan's stance being in India's favor.

Since it is locked in maritime disputes with China in the East China Sea, Japan's stance is not that surprising. It has long taken a confrontational approach toward China on other regional issues. This time, by throwing its weight behind India, Japan intends to discredit China and portray as bullying its neighbors.

Instead of easing the current tensions between China and India, Japan's interference will likely only add more fuel to the flames.

But Japan's superficial support should not mislead India into believing that its trespassing into Chinese territory can be justified, and that it can get away with it without facing any severe consequences. If India still wants to resolve the issue in peace, the only realistic solution is to immediately withdraw its troops and equipment from China's territory.
The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on Tuesday on 16 entities and individuals, mostly Chinese and Russian, for alleged business ties with the nuclear/missile programs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The decision came less than two months after the US Treasury imposed such so-called secondary sanctions on a bank, a shipping company and two individuals from China.

The US Treasury claims that its actions complement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2371 enacted on Aug 5.

China has not only endorsed UNSC Resolution 2371, but earnestly implemented all the relevant resolutions on the DPRK. However, it opposes the unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States outside the UN Security Council framework. China has also stated that it opposes such "long-arm jurisdiction" by any other country using their domestic laws against Chinese entities or individuals.

The US has long believed that sanctions are a silver bullet. But the majority of sanctions have not only failed but also caused humanitarian disasters in other countries. And there is little doubt that such secondary sanctions will have little effect in persuading the DPRK to change course.

However, the Tuesday announcement highlights the lack of trust and cooperation between the US on the one hand and China and Russia on the other.

The announcement comes at a time when the US has repeatedly ignored the calls from China and Russia for a dual suspension - the US and the Republic of Korea halt their large military drills while the DPRK halts its missile and nuclear tests.

The US always blames the DPRK for the failure to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and never wants to acknowledge that its own behavior, such as breaking its promise to deliver two light water reactors to the DPRK in time under a 1994 agreement, or imposing financial sanctions on the DPRK soon after a joint statement from the Six-Party Talks in 2005, has contributed to the current impasse.

Its approach is part of the problem rather than being a means to find a solution.
SHANGHAI - Chinese tourists spent about 153,000 room nights in Sweden in the first half of this year, up 19.9 percent year on year, according to Li Chunmei, chief representative of Visit Sweden in China.

China is one of Sweden's fastest-growing sources of tourists, Li said on Monday. "Stockholm, Skane, West Sweden and Lapland are the most popular destinations," Li said.

More Chinese visitors are turning from traditional sightseeing to in-depth traveling, seeking to experience the local lifestyle, she said.

Visit Sweden released a three-episode mini-film last week to showcase the authentic Swedish lifestyle.

Since 2016, Visit Sweden has introduced "soft adventure" for Chinese tourists, including biking, car hire and parent-child products.
Pakistan wants to work with China to ensure the earliest implementation of the Gwadar Port project, as it is "extremely important" for people of that area as well as for the entire country, Pakistani Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua said on Tuesday.

"It should be a symbol that indicates the close relationship between our two countries, as well as how this relationship affects the people of Pakistan," she told China Daily.

Tehmina Janjua, Pakistan's foreign secretary. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Janjua is on her first visit to China, from Monday to Wednesday, after becoming foreign secretary in March.

"China and Pakistan are not only iron brothers as President Xi Jinping has said, but also steel sisters," she said.

As an active supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative, Pakistan has completed several early projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries.

Last year, $1.8 billion from China, Pakistan's largest investor, was used to implement many CPEC projects, especially in energy.

"CPEC has greatly helped us move forward on fulfilling the requirements of Pakistan," she said, adding that the Sahiwal Power Plant has produced 1,300 megawatts of electricity to cover areas that traditionally have suffered energy deficiency.

According to Janjua, Gwadar Port is a CPEC project of strategic and national interest and is moving ahead quickly.

"We want to work with China to ensure that the earliest implementation of that project can be completed. It is extremely important not only for the people of that area, but also for the entire country and region," she said.

According to the foreign secretary, Pakistan will prove that it has the full capability and human resources to implement these projects with the help of our Chinese friends and partners.

Speaking of expectations for the future China-Pakistan relationship, Janjua said she hopes the bilateral ties will be increasingly stronger, and "both of us will stand by each other at all times and situations".
Technicians inspect bullet trains in Shanghai. China's new-generation bullet train, the Fuxing, will make seven round trips each day between Beijing and Shanghai from Sept 21 at 350 kph. [Photo/Xinhua]

Firm to buy 500 bullet trains, speed limit to rise to 350 kph

China Railways Corp, the country's rail operator, plans to purchase 500 bullet trains with an operating speed of 350 kilometers per hour from China Railway Rolling Stock Corp by 2020, it said in a statement on Monday night.

This move indicates that China is raising the operating speed of its high-speed trains from 300 kph since 2011.

China will also release a new schedule on Sept 21 to improve its rail passenger service and operational efficiency.

China's new-generation bullet train, the Fuxing, will make seven round trips each day between Beijing and Shanghai from Sept 21 at 350 kph. It will be the world's fastest commercial bullet train, cutting the travel time between the two cities from 5.5 hours to 4.5 hours.

Eager to compete with rivals in Japan and Germany, CRC and CRRC, China's railway vehicle manufacturer, also signed a cooperation agreement in Beijing on Monday to deepen relations in every link of the railway industry chain, from research and development to design, manufacturing, installation, maintenance and financing.

CRRC Chairman Liu Hualong said the partnership will improve China's railway industry, optimize the allocation of resources, modernize the current financing mode in the sector, and deepen the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as lead to the export of more new-generation bullet trains.

China started to run its first 350 kph high-speed train between Beijing and Tianjin in August 2008 and opened at least three more high-speed lines nationwide in the following years, until the government limited the maximum speed at 300 kph in 2011.

The Fuxing trains were unveiled in June and are capable of top speeds of 400 kph.

CRC and CRRC will explore a new mode of cooperation to lower maintenance costs for high-end equipment.

This cooperation will also result in the repair and maintenance of trains without the involvement of any outside party.

In term of supplying train parts, the two groups will work closely from resource supply to logistics.

"The ongoing State-owned enterprise reform has encouraged them to optimize their resources to gain more profits and a greater share of the global market," said Feng Hao, a railway development researcher at the National Development and Reform Commission.

Feng said CRC and CRRC are likely to seek opportunities to expand overseas, especially in the fields of rail vehicle supplies, research and development, and maintenance.

CRC and CRRC will establish a supplier management platform in order to efficiently share information and build a credit evaluation system to ensure the quality of suppliers.
A retail store displays Chinese fashion brand Urban Revivo in Fuzhou, capital of East China's Fujian province. [Chen Hao/for China Daily]

Chinese clothing brand Urban Revivo will open its first store outside Asia, in the United Kingdom, early next year as the "fast fashion" label expands.

The company will roll out a branch in West London's Westfield shopping center in March, and then plans stores in Japan, France, the United States and the Middle East as part of a 600 million pound ($792.5 million) international expansion.

Urban Revivo has 160 stores in China and one in Singapore.

The company operates on the "fast fashion" model, releasing new designs twice a week. Founder Leo Li established the brand in 2006.

"London is going to be UR's first step to expand into the European market and is a strategic priority for building a fashion empire," said a spokeswoman from the company.

Karl McKeever, a retail analyst and director of retail agency Visual Thinking, pointed out that Urban Revivo would have noted London's status as a "key global fashion center".

"It's a great coup that the UK is getting the first store outside of Asia," McKeever said. "London, specifically, is one of those places where all international brands want to be established."

He felt the company will need to differentiate itself from similar brands in London's crowded fashion market. He noted that the now hugely popular Japanese brand Uniqlo failed to catch on in the UK when it first entered in 2001, but returned with a distinct image.

But McKeever was surprised by Urban Revivo's choice of location, electing to open a branch in the Westfield mall, rather than a high-profile high street location, such as on Oxford Street or Regent Street.
A Chinese clerk counts US dollar banknotes at a bank in Huaibei city, East China's Anhui province. [Photo/IC]

HONG KONGChina's major State-owned commercial banks are raising tens of billions of dollars to fund the country's Belt and Road investment push, according to people familiar with the matter.

The people said China Construction Bank Corp, the country's second-biggest bank by assets, was raising at least 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) for a fund to specifically finance Belt and Road investment.

The people added CCB was raising cash onshore and offshore, and has already been running roadshows with investors.

Bank of China, another major State bank, aims to raise around 20 billion yuan for a similar fund, according to two of the people.

The cash, raised via banks' private equity or other investment platforms, is part of a broader push sponsored by China's central bank to use onshore yuan capital for offshore investments, including Belt and Road deals, according to one of the people.

The other two of China's "big four" banksIndustrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd and Agricultural Bank of China Ltdare considering similar fundraising plans, two of the people said.

The people could not be identified as they are not authorized to speak to the media.

The four banks and the People's Bank of China did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

President Xi Jinping pledged in May to boost financial support for the Belt and Road Initiative.

An additional 100 billion yuan will be injected into the Silk Road Fund, while China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China will set up special lending plans respectively worth 250 billion yuan and 130 billion yuan to support Belt and Road cooperation.

Beijing is trying to contain overseas deals after some extravagant purchases in recent years, but while private spending on deals has slumped, acquisitions by Chinese companies in countries that are part of the Belt and Road Initiative are soaring, totalling $33 billion as of mid-August.

That compares with a $31 billion tally for all of 2016, showed Thomson Reuters data.

The sources said CCB and BOC would raise US dollars for the offshore portion of their funds and yuan from onshore investors. Some of the onshore capital could be used offshore for Belt and Road deals overseas, two of the people said.

REUTERS-CHINA DAILY
The net profit of Hong Kong-listed commercial real estate company SOHO China Limited hit 3.98 billion yuan ($597 million) in the first half year, compared with 599 million yuan last year, its 2017 interim results showed Tuesday.

The surge in net profits is mainly due to the selling of investment properties, SOHO said in a statement.

The company sold Hongkou SOHO of Shanghai in June for 3.57 billion yuan, at a unit price of 51,000 yuan per square meter, it said. And the selling price was 53 percent higher than its cost, which brought much cash flow to the company, the company said.

"This is our latest efforts in transforming SOHO China from a heavy-asset company to be a light-asset one, and also reduce our debt ratio," said Pan Shiyi, chairman of SOHO China.

The company's rental income reached 818 million yuan, up 17 percent year-on-year, according to the interim report. And the average occupancy rate for investment property under lease achieved about 97 percent, except for one center that just started leasing in Shanghai.

SOHO 3Q, the office space provider subsidiary to SOHO China, now has 19 centers in operation and more than 17,000 seats.

Its clients included some big names such as Sina, Mercedes-Benz and Meitu.

Pan said SOHO in the third quarter would expand to more cities with focus on projects of at least 4,000 sq m in size located in the core areas of city centers to increase scale and attract more young people.
WASHINGTON - US newspaper Wall Street Journal published an editorial Tuesday, criticizing the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for his mercantilist view of trade.

"Steve Bannon may be gone from the White House, but his trade agenda survives in the form of Robert Lighthizer," said the Journal. Lighthizer emphasized before the first round of negotiations of updating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) last week that reducing US trade deficits with Mexico and Canada was his priority.

"But what good is success for Mr Lighthizer if it means failure for President Trump's agenda of faster growth?" questioned the Journal. Economists have long argued that sudden changes of the current supply chains in North America would not only hurt Mexican companies but also American businesses.

Reducing trade deficits was one of Trump's core campaign promises. The president, together with his Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Trade Representative Lighthizer, has repeatedly chastised Mexico and China for stealing US wealth and jobs through trade deficits.

"This bizarre economics is dangerous to American prosperity," said the Journal in an editorial titled "Lighthizer's Economics Deficit."

The Trump administration also accused Mexico for stealing auto jobs from the US and urged auto manufacturers like Toyota and Ford to move production lines back to the States. Toyota said in early August that it would move the production lines of its bestselling car Corolla from Mexico to the US despite of additional costs.

Lighthizer also wanted to require auto manufacturers to use more US-made auto parts in the renegotiations of NAFTA, hoping the move would save US auto industry. The suggestion was not only resisted by Mexico and Canada, but also opposed by US auto manufacturers who worry the move could raise costs.

"It is not an exaggeration to say that free-trade access to labor and capital across North America is largely responsible for the survival of the US auto industry," said the Journal.
DHAKA - Wigs can be an amazing way for people to alter their appearance and look more stylish if they choose.

The everyday look of women in particular can become spectacular and varied if she has a stunning collection of wigs.

A Chinese company in Bangladesh has been making such wigs for years, especially for women in Europe, America, Canada and Australia.

The MGL Company BD Ltd, operated by Chinese business man Liu Cheng, has also created employment opportunities for nearly 2,000 Bangladeshi people, mostly female, who work in their factory in western Bangladesh.

Founded in 2013, the MGL factory is located in Bangladesh's Ishwardi Export Processing Zone in the Pabna district, about 216 km west of the capital city of Dhaka.

The factory makes different sorts of stylish hair extensions composed of both human and artificial hair.

Also in the factory, wigs are glued to the heads of plastic dolls before being exported to developed markets in Europe, America and elsewhere in the world.

The factory's workers process hair into a variety of styles, including curly extensions and full wigs.

Ziaur Rahman, assistant general manager of MGL Company Bangladesh Ltd., said their dolls featuring real human hair are very famous.

Such dolls are used in barber shops for basic training of novice hair dressers and beauticians, he said.

They practice cutting hair and putting the hair into stylish designs on these dolls, he added.

"It's very popular all over the Europe, the US, Canada, Japan and Australia as we are really focused on improving the products' quality and production."

Rahman said they collect raw materials for making wigs from China.

Company insiders say MGL has seen robust production growth over the years as the company ensures an excellent work atmosphere by offering competitive wages to its hundreds of workers and staff who are mostly Bangladeshis.

Nasima, one of the MGL workers, said it was the Chinese company that helped her to secure employment.

"Thanks to this Chinese company building their factory in Bangladesh, I was hired to work in the hair section. It's great for us because we have reliable employment here," she said.

Another factory worker Zahura said that apart from her decent salary, she is also given performance bonuses.

"I can now buy many things for my daughter and I, as well as contribute money to my family to keep it running well. So, I love this job," she said, adding that her Chinese bosses are kind and gentle.

The general supervisor of the factory Rafiqul Islam said MGL has developed a lot over the years.

"Our production levels have nearly doubled compared with the past. The quality of our products is good and the living standards of our workers has also improved a lot," he said.

He added that the factory's neat and clean appearance and timely payment of salaries and other financial benefits, including overtime pay, made it one of the best Chinese factories in Bangladesh.

MGL really has earned a good name in Bangladesh for China and its manufacturers, Rafiqul said.
KUALA LUMPUR - Though rail infrastructure has always played an important role in a country's economic development, unfortunately, it is nowhere to be seen in the scenic East Coast region of Peninsula Malaysia.

This is set to be changed by the 688-km East Coast Rail Link (ECRL). After longing for years, residents in Malaysian state of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang on the East Coast region can soon see the first train running from the country's northern border with Thailand to Malaysia's busiest Port Klang on the Strait of Malacca, connecting the East Coast to the more developed region centered on the capital of Kuala Lumpur.

Jointly launched by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong earlier this month, the railway will be built by China Communications Construction Company Ltd, a leading transportation infrastructure group that also built a landmark bridge in the country's northwestern state of Penang.

New economic spur

Analysts and business communities see the 55-billion ringgit ($13 billion) mega project as a new spur to the region's economy.

"The immediate economic growth is fairly positive," said Standard Chartered Bank's ASEAN economic research head Edward Lee.

In the short term, Chinese contractors may put forward competition in Malaysia's construction sector, but this may raise the overall productivity in the long run, he said.

Furthermore, Chinese companies have the technology and management know-how on infrastructure projects as they have rich experience handling projects locally and overseas, he said.

The ECRL will be an electric railway line crossing Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor states. It will accommodate passenger trains at a maximum speed of 160 km per hour and goods trains at a maximum speed of 80 km per hour. Construction of the rail link is expected to be completed by 2024.

The Malaysian government has estimated that ECRL will contribute an additional 1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) growth annually in the East Coast region over the next 50 years.

Local benefits

Construction firms are the immediate beneficiary of the mega project, prompting analysts to upgrade the outlook of the sector. Local contractors and engineering consulting firms are expected to benefit from the subcontracts totaling 16.5 billion ringgit.

"The construction of ECRL will spur construction GDP growth between 2018 and 2024. The multiplier effect will also support overall GDP growth," Affin Hwang Capital Research analyst Loong Chee Wei told Xinhua, adding that building material suppliers will also be benefited.

Last week, BMI Research of Fitch Group has upgraded its five-year forecast for Malaysia's construction industry annual growth to 6.3 percent.

Currently, Malaysia has more than 83 on-going construction projects worth $100 billion. Rail projects account 19 percent of the total value.

IJM Corp, one of Malaysia's leading construction companies, sees the building of ECRL timely with the ongoing expansion of Kuantan Port on the East Coast to be connected to the ECRL.

The development of Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP), a flagship cooperation between Malaysia and China, will also be boosted.

"ECRL would link all the key economic and industrial areas with the East Coast Economic Region such as the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park," said IJM Corp's chief executive officer and managing director Soam Heng Choon in an email to Xinhua.

Currently, the group and its Chinese partner Guangxi Beibu Gulf Group aims to double the capacity of the Kuantan port to 52 million in handling freight weight tons upon completion of its upgrading plan.

Soam said the railway can shorten the time and cost of shipping from East Coast region to ports in China.

The rail link is set to shorten the travelling time between East and West, from seven to 12 hours to less than four hours.

Meanwhile, WZ Satu's executive chairman and chief executive officer Uzir Bin Ubaidullah believed that the improvement of transport infrastructure will spur the economic activities in the area, and eventually enhance property values in the region.

"Inter-connectivity is the greatest advantage provided by ECRL," the Kuantan-born entrepreneur told Xinhua over the phone.
Demolition works takes place at the Nine Elms Square construction site in London, Aug. 22, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda has pulled out of plans to buy part of the Nine Elms Square site in central London.

The company said it has transferred its interest in the 470-million-pound ($603 million) development to Hong Kong-listed R&F Properties and CC Land.

Wanda had been planning to make the purchase from a joint venture between British companies St Modwen Properties and Vinci.

The 40,500-square-meter Nine Elms Square plot has outline building consent for 1,821 flats across three towers of between 32 and 54 storeys.

The consent was previously obtained by St. Modwen and Vinci, which had plans to develop 230,700 square meters of land around the Nine Elms area.

Earlier this year, R&F acquired a mixed-used development at Vauxhall Square, London, for 157.8 million pounds. The site sits adjacent to Nine Elms Square, meaning the developer controls two schemes at the Vauxhall end of the approach to Battersea Power Station.

CC Land is known in the UK for its 1.15-billion-pound purchase of The Leadenhall Building, commonly known as the Cheesegrater, in May.

Wanda last month agreed to sell most of its domestic theme park and hotel assets for $9.4 billion, while shares of the group's Wanda Film Holding Co unit have been suspended from trading since early July, pending a restructuring of the company.

In 2013, Wanda invested in One Nine Elms, an 88.8 million pound project with plans to build 437 homes across two towers in London rising to 42 and 58 storeys. Construction of One Nine Elms is underway, the site is located next to Nine Elms Square.
LAGOS - The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Tuesday said the phase one of a rail transit project in Nigeria's Abuja will be commissioned by December.

The rail transit, which costs $823 million, has a length of 45 km with 12 designed passengers' stations, Project Manager Kong Tao told reporters who were on tour of the site.

The rail links the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Central Business District (CBD), he added, noting that the rail features double-track line of right side running.

"Work on the large scale project is going on smoothly," the manager said.

According to him, it will be test-run by November and be commissioned for public use in December.

He said the project, after completion, would generate employment, boost the commercial activities of the host communities and accelerate the nation's economic growth.

"The realization of this large scale project will definitely deliver much benefits to the general public, such as better investment environment," he said.

"It will also enhance better living condition, more employment, land value enhancement, energy saving and greater social responsibility," he added.

Kong, however, expressed concern about the vandalism of the rail facilities of the company, noting that the perimeter fencing built to prevent trespassing on the rail track were often destroyed.
Tencent's Wechat app. [Photo/IC]

Tencent Holdings Ltd, the operator of China's largest social media network WeChat, is extending into e-commerce by empowering industry players through its 8-month-old in-app feature.

The Shenzhen-based company is opening up the functions of its Mini Program' a built-in assortment of apps, to help online shopping platforms with improved traffic, marketing might and payment capabilities built around the entire WeChat ecosystem.

By adopting the Mini Program, brands and vendors can offer cash rebates, group-buying options, virtual gift cards and livestreaming services to 962 million users on WeChat, the most popular daily point of contact by Chinese since its debut in 2011.

A host of e-commerce platforms, including JD.com Inc, the second-largest player to Tencent's rival Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's sites, have embraced their namesake "mini programs", Chen Hao, product manager of Mini Program, told a WeChat-themed open class in Shanghai.

The key to increased traffic is sharing product information among WeChat contacts. For example, a buyer can only receive cash incentives when forwarding their recent purchase record to a number of group chats, Chen said.

Users can access such "mini programs" via WeChat's other functionalities, including Public Accounts, a publishing portal widely adopted by brands for digital marketing and customer relations management, and WeChat Moment, which allows for ad placement to be inserted in friends' updates.

Introduced in January, Mini Program was designed to change the traditional app store model by allowing users to instantly find and use an application through WeChat without downloading and later scrapping unused apps.

Mogujie, an online shop-ping community for young women, saw the addition of 3 million new users after launching its "mini program" in late June. Compared with its indigenous app, the site's conversion ratethe percentage of people placing orders among all browsersmore than doubled in the past two months.

"About 70 percent of our new customers come from group-buying business, which is heavily reliant on the sharing feature backed by the vast WeChat network," said Wang Fei, Mogujie's marketing head overseeing Mini Program development.

In addition, young buyers are increasingly turning livestreaming platforms into avenues for treasure hunting. Wang said the "mini program" helped double the average viewership duration of live shows on skincare tips and significantly drive sales, without disclosing numbers.

UK's luxury brand Stella McCartney used the "mini program" to get a clear picture of customer profiles based on data provided by Tencent. It can also decide which big-ticket categories are suitable for online channel sales, said Yuan Zheng, Stella McCartney's senior communications manager in China.

The Mini Program would effectively reduce the number of apps people already store on devices as they deal with an overload of information, said Zhou Jiajun, investment director at Sinovation Ventures.

This is also another step forward to monetize the all-in-one app. According to Tencent, WeChat-fueled social advertisements revenue jumped 61 percent in the quarter ended June 30.
Mark Wahlberg arrives for world premiere of Transfomers, The Last Night, at a cinema in central London, Britain, June 18, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

Actor Mark Walhberg is Hollywood's highest-paid leading man, earning $68 million before tax in a 12-month period, according to Forbes magazine.

The rapper-turned-actor Boston native has blockbuster hits Transformers: The Last Knight and upcoming Daddy's Home 2 to thank for his soaring earnings.

Last year's top-ranked star, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, made $65 million this year. Johnson continues to remain one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood for parts in Baywatch and forthcoming Jumanji.

Vin Diesel from the Fast and Furious franchise followed at the third spot with $54.5 million. Adam Sandler is at number four with $50.5 million, and China's kung fu superstar Jackie Chan sat at number 5 with $49 million. Sandler returned to the Forbes list thanks to his lucrative deal with video streaming platform Netflix. Chan, who ranked third last year with $61 million pretax, fell two spots this year, but continues to make bank in China.

Earnings by world's 20 highest-paid actors tallied to $720 million between June 1, 2016, to June 1, 2017, all before fees and taxes.

Hollywood's highest-paid actors continue to outdo their female counterparts. The top 10 actors raked a sum of $488.5 million, roughly three times that earned by 10 top-earning women ($172.5 million).

Here's the top 10.
BEIJING -- The State Council, China's cabinet, announced the appointment and removal of several senior officials Tuesday.

Wei Shanzhong was appointed vice minister of water resources; Ye Zhenqin replaced Chen Xiaohua as vice minister of agriculture.

Wang Xiaodong was appointed vice president of Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralymic Winter Games, replacing Xu Ning.

Wu Daohuai will no longer serve as vice minister of human resources and social security; Yang Huanning was removed as head of the State Administration of Work Safety.

Li Gang will no longer be deputy director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council and Fang Jianmeng will no longer hold the post of deputy head of State Oceanic Administration.
Selected mediators are awarded certificates by the Xincheng district court in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, last week. They will lighten the load of judges by handling domestic disputes.[Huo Yan/China Daily]

Hei Yongjun, a resident of Xi'an, Shaanxi province, has been assigned a new role by a district court in the city: to mediate domestic disputes in his community and try to settle them outside the courtroom.

"I rarely connected with the court before, but I've been easing conflicts between family members and neighbors for about seven years," said Hei, of the Hongxing community in the city's Xincheng district.

Hei is one of 111 mediators selected by the court to help reform the handling of domestic disputes.

In the past, residents with domestic conflicts came to the court directly, but judges sometimes could not fully solve their problems because they did not know the root of the problems. Making matters worse, the rising number of domestic cases, led by divorce, often gave judges little, if any, time to understand deeply, the court said in a statement.

"So we decided to call on more people to join us, helping us solve domestic disputes," said Yao Jianjun, president of the court.

According to the nation's top court, Chinese courts concluded 1.75 million domestic disputes in 2016. Of those, 1.4 million were divorces.

Last week, the Xincheng court cooperated with the district's justice bureau and women's federation, selecting the 111 mediators for 111 communities, the statement said.

"All of them have knowledge of mediation or have worked in the communities before," Yao said. "We hope they can help us first understand what the domestic conflict is all about, as well as the family backgrounds of the two parties."

Hei, the mediator, said the mediation process and background survey can serve as a reference for the court.

"Judges can make a comprehensive verdict after reading materials provided by us," Hei said.

The court where Hei works is one of 118 nationwide taking part in a two-year pilot program that began in 2016 to explore new ways to handle domestic disputes.

In addition to mediation, the test courts also provide social workers and psychologists "to solve the conflicts thoroughly", said Wu Gang, the court's vice-president.

"Judges cannot simply say who is right under the law, but should also remove the real conflict behind the lawsuit, as domestic disputes relate to the stability of society," he said.

According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the national divorce rate has risen rapidly since 2002, with 3.64 million couples ending their marriages in 2014. And the number has continued to rise. Most of those getting divorced were born in the 1980s and 1990s.

Zhao Yan, director of the Hongxing district's federation of women, applauded the reform for domestic cases, saying family conflict alleviation needs more focus.

Now, the federation has established "family shelters" in each community of the district, to help those suffering domestic violence to separate from their attackers, she said.
For contributions promoting Chinese books and writings to global audiences, 20 international authors, translators and publishers were honored in Beijing with the Special Book Award of China on Tuesday.

The ceremony, with Vice-Premier Liu Yandong presenting the awards, also marked the opening of the 24th Beijing International Book Fair, in which some 1,000 book events will be held from Wednesday to Sunday.

The fair, the world's second-largest, has attracted 2,500 publishers from 89 countries and regions, and they brought 300,000 titles.

One of the winners was British translator Paul White, who has been working with China International Publishing Group for 31 years.

Among the books he worked on are Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and The Chinese Path and the Chinese Dream.

"I stay here because of the huge changes China has experienced," White said.

White said Chinese culture presents topics that are popular with global audiences. But as interest grows, international readers also want to read about China's progress in technology and politics.

Alicia Relinque Eleta, the Spanish translator of The Peony Pavilion, received an award for her long dedication to making Chinese classics available to the Spanish world. "When I was pursuing the Chinese language in the 1980s, people thought I was crazy. But Chinese culture had the magic to cheer up a middle school teacher of mine, who had never smiled at us until after a trip to China."

From that moment, Relinque Eleta said, "I've dedicated my life to pondering the best Spanish rhythms to convey the Chinese original".

Lebanese publisher Mohamad El Khatib has cooperated with 20 Chinese publishers to present 100 Chinese titles in his native market.

"From the books, the Lebanese people see they share the same values with Chinese, especially in family and relationships with kids," he said.

Zhao Haiyun, of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, said the winners, selected from more than 200 candidates, "have greatly contributed to spreading Chinese culture as well as Chinese stories to the world".

Established in 2005, the award has honored 88 such writers, publishers and translators from 40 countries.

Zhao said this year, 10 of the 20 winners are from countries involved with the Belt and Road Initiative, "a sign of much closer publishing cooperation with those countries", he said.

The initiative is also the featured topic for the Beijing International Publishing Forum, an annual key gathering held one day ahead of the book fair held on Tuesday, attracting publishers from home and abroad to share insights into global publishing exchanges.

Wu Shangzhi, deputy minister of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, noted that copyright trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative has grown by 20 percent since 2014.

Wu also said the Chinese publishing industry grossed 2.3 trillion yuan ($350 billion) in 2016, a 9 percent year-on-year increase.

Wang Yiwei, professor at Renmin University of China in Beijing, said of the forum: "The Belt and Road Initiative is a promise Chinese leaders made to the world: not only will China achieve its rejuvenation, it will encourage these countries to rejuvenate and thus create shared prosperity for all."
BEIJING - The Chinese public has called for harsher punishment for those found guilty of sexual harassment, according to a recent survey.

The China Youth Daily research showed that of 2,023 people surveyed, 71.5 percent wanted harsher punishment for people committing sexual harassment.

Over 53 percent of women said that they or someone they knew had been sexually harassed on the subway.

Beijing police launched recently a crackdown on sexual harassment on the subway and arrested more than 20 suspects over two weeks.

"Despite the current achievement, a single crackdown far from tackles the root cause of the problem. More laws and regulations are needed and law enforcement should be intensified," said Zhang Lingxiao, a lawyer with Jingsh Law Firm.

Under Article 44 of the law on public security administration, a person who molests another person or intentionally exposes their body in public shall be detained for at least five but no more than ten days.

Article 237 of the criminal law states that those who act indecently or threaten woman with violence or coercion shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of up to five years.

Zhang said the current laws dealing with sexual harassment were not specific enough in terms of definition or punishment.

Interviewees were also concerned about the difficulty of judging if sexual harassment had actually been committed, with 68.7 percent worried that the common physical contact on the subway during peak hours could be used an excuse for sexual harassment.

A total of 63.2 percent of those surveyed pointed out that it was difficult for subway cameras to record harassment; 41.1 percent said the reluctance of victims to call the police or provide evidence posed difficulties in fighting sexual harassment; 29.6 percent said victims might be unsafe if they overreacted.

Zhang called for more subway supervision, quicker police response and punishment, as well as better education on sexual harassment.
Liu Tongfeng poses with local kids for a photo during his trip. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

From embracing the country's first sunshine at Fuyuan, the most eastern part of China, to enjoying the unique natural landscapes of the Pamirs Plateau in the westernmost part of the country, Liu Tongfeng completed his train trek across China in a month.

Liu, 20, a junior at Heilongjiang College of Business and Technology, spent two months designing his tour route and raising money for it with a part-time job before departing at the beginning of his summer vacation.

Starting from Fuyuan, he traveled west through Beijing, Shanxi, Ningxia, Gansu and Qinghai, then he arrived in Xinjiang's Kashgar.

With his camera, he took more than 3,000 photos to record the 6,000-kilometer trip.

"I seldom stayed in the scenic areas," said Liu, "I like walking around the alleys and lanes where the local residents congregate."

"I like chatting with them and listening to their stories," he said. "The photos and the stories will be the most interesting things I can share with my classmates in the new semester."

The people he met also touched him deeply during the trip.

Liu Tongfeng poses for a photo during his trip. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I still remember when I arrived in a village of Guyuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, I felt the strong warmth of the whole village," Liu said. "The children gave me apricots they picked from the trees and the kind villagers asked me to have dinner with them."

"They refused to take any money, even though they live in an economically under-developed area," he said.

Travel and photography are his favorite hobbies. Before this trip, he had traveled to most parts of China since he started college.

To save money, he chose to travel by train for the entire trip, except the return journey.

"Usually, I would choose the night train, which would help me save money on hotels and not waste time on traveling," said Liu. "Therefore, it cost me only 6,500 yuan ($975) for the month."

While still on the trip, he made plans for his upcoming winter vacation.

"I want to do volunteer work at the Youth Hostel in Yunnan," he said. "I hope I can get some experience and open a Youth Hostel next year."
Bi Feiyu. [Photo/VCG]

The French Ministry of Culture awarded the Order of Arts and Letters to a Chinese writer, Bi Feiyu, at the General Consulate of France in Shanghai on Aug 21.

The order is in recognition of significant contributions to the arts and literature, or the propagation of these fields.

Bi Feiyu was born in 1964 in Xinghua, Jiangsu province.

Consul-general of France Axel Cruau said, in his award presentation speech, Bi Feiyu maintained a close tie with France. In 2003, Bi's novel Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day was introduced and published by Actes Sud of France, which marked the beginning of popularity for Bi's work in France, where he has since published seven works.

In 2004, Bi attended the Paris Book Fair and was rated as "the most popular Chinese writer among French readers".

In 2010, Bi's French-language Planitia then won the Literature Prize of Le Monde.

Moreover, Bi has been active in promoting Sino-French literature exchanges in China. He held multiple activities to share his understandings in literature and French literature's impacts on himself with Chinese and foreign readers.
The 24th Beijing International Book Fair, which opened on Wednesday, will present over 300,000 books from 89 countries during its five days. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

A five-day spree of book events kicked off with a flourish on Wednesday as the 24th Beijing International Book Fair in Beijing opened featuring guest of honor Iran and its theme "The Colorful Dream of the Silk Road".

Mohammad Rasoul Almasieh, cultural counselor of Iranian embassy in Beijing, said: "It's our honor to have this chance at the fair, which is a grand cultural event. The Belt and Road Initiative has already brought unprecedented development in our infrastructure, and we're expecting it to have more cultural exchanges."

Iran brought more than 100 publishers, writers, illustrators and artists to the fair.

Majid Jafari Aghdam, director of the Iranian Pol Literary & Translation Agency, said he has been doing business with Chinese publishers and agencies for two years.

"I want to introduce Iranian titles to the Chinese market, and hope to get more familiar with the Chinese one, and that I can introduce more Chinese authors to Iranian readers," he told China Daily.

He said his readers would like to read children's books, novels telling stories of present-day Chinese life, books for young adults from Chinese writers, and "maybe the translations of Chinese ancient classics rewritten in contemporary languages".

The fair this year is held together with the 15th Beijing International Book Festival "to highlight international the copyright trade with professionals as well as promote the delight of reading among general readers", said Lin Liying, of China National Publications and Import & Export (Group) Corp, one of the fair's organizers.

Lin said about 2,500 publishers from 89 countries and regions will attend, publishers from Oman, Azerbaijan and Ukraine for the first time.

Of the 300,000 titles on exhibit, 10,000 were selected for display in a special area of influential books published in the past five years. One group among these books in Chinese and foreign languages represents the Party's governing philosophy, China's progress in multiple areas in the past five years, and how Chinese titles are being read globally.

Anecdotes and Sayings of Xi Jinping, published by People's Publishing House, is one such publication.

Foreign Languages Press released English and French versions of President Xi's Up and Out of Poverty on Wednesday.

Also from the press, Xi Jinping: the Governance of China has sold 6.42 million copies worldwide and in 21 languages.

"The Beijing International Book Fair is a window on the world of publishing and also of Chinese publishing's global presence," said Zhao Haiyun, of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

"The fair grows stronger over the years because Chinese publishing is growing, and China-foreign cultural exchanges deepens" Zhao said.

Literature holds an honored place in the fair, whose Literary Salon has drawn more than 70 writers from around the world to Beijing.

Literary masters Mo Yan and Jia Pingwa were at the fair. Jia released his new English-title Happy Dreams.

"I'm glad more foreign readers will be able to read and know genuine contemporary Chinese stories through literature," Jia said.
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On Monday, a man allegedly suffering psychiatric problems deliberately rammed a stolen van into pedestrians at two bus stations in Marseille, France, which caused one death and another injury.

That incident has not been confirmed as terrorist attack yet, but it largely deepened the nervousness of Europe about security. Especially, as the attack happened after the Aug 17 attack in Barcelona, Spain, which left 13 people dead and over 100 injured. The last known perpetrator of the Barcelona van attack was killed on Monday.

The Barcelona attack was carried out in a way similar to the previous attacks in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom: Terrorists drove unarmed civilian automobiles into pedestrians and caused casualties. In the first such attack in Nice, southern France, on July 14 last year, 84 people were killed. The Barcelona attack is the latest in this round of attacks in Europe that have used automobiles as weapons.

The Barcelona attack is also the biggest terrorist attack in Spain since 2004. For years, Spain was relatively safe and had not suffered from the new round of terrorist attacks, but the Barcelona attack has broken that illusion.

The latest news reports suggest that the terrorists' original plan was to attack the Sagrada Familia, the famous local landmark, with self-made bombs. However, on Aug 16, one night before their attack, an unexpected explosion that killed two of the members of the terrorist cell ruined their "bomb making workshop" and made their original plan impossible. Had they successfully bombed the Sagrada Familia, it would have cast an even deeper shadow over Spain.

But that does not mean using a car as an attack weapon is less powerful than a bomb. It should be noted that terrorists and extremist groups tend to use any available tool to launch attacks for their own political purposes. For them, the only difference between a civilian car and a bomb is that the former is easier to get and easier to hide, while the latter could inflict deeper psychological wounds upon people who witness it or see it on TV.

But whatever weapons terrorists employ, they target ordinary civilians. And it is the vulnerability of modern infrastructure that makes it possible for them to launch the attacks. It is very hard to put bus stations, shopping malls and cinemas under strict security measures because there are so many people visiting them. Any attack on such public venues could cause heavy casualties and create a psychological shock for the whole of society.

There are at least two reasons for terrorists attacking bus stations and shopping malls. First, people's confidence in the public transportation system will be ruined, and the running costs of the whole society will be higher because stricter security measures are needed in these public spaces.

Second, if it is always one specific group that attacks other groups, the ethnic and religious conflicts will be made fierce, posing grave challenges to the building of a plural society. That's already evident in Western European countries, where attacks by Islamic terrorists have made people challenge their countries' loose immigration policies and turned the general political tendency to the right.

But there are reasons not to despair. The frequency of the car attacks is still relatively low. And the fact that terrorists are resorting to cars instead of bombs is proof that gun control in Western Europe is successful. It also shows that terrorist groups are loosely organized and they lack an effective logistical support network.

For the past several years, Western European countries have made progress in monitoring terrorist groups and fighting terrorism, but they need to do more to ensure that there are no major terrorist attacks, like those against the United States on Sept 11, 2001.

The author is an associate professor at School of International Studies, Nanjing University.
US President Donald Trump signs a memorandum of understanding on addressing China's laws, policies, practices and actions related to intellectual property, innovation, and technology at the White House, August 14, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

The United States has launched an investigation to determine whether China has indulged in "forced transfer of American technologies and theft of American intellectual property". US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer subsequently announced an investigation into IP issues relating to China under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974.

US President Donald Trump has termed it "a very big move". And he is right. It indeed is a big movebackwards.

Since the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Trump at Mar-a-Largo in Florida, both governments have established official channels for dialogue and working-level cooperation, including on IP issues. In fact, bilateral cooperation on IP protection has been yielding results for many years. The US and China both are signatories to the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) under the World Trade Organization regime and other relevant international conventions. As such, the Trump administration can simply refer any IP issue to the WTO for resolution, instead of taking unilateral action under Section 301.

Section 301 authorizes the US Trade Representative to investigate if a US business has suffered unfair treatment in overseas markets, and to take action if it has. But Section 301 is a US law and does not apply to China or any other country. Therefore, any action on Chinese companies based on Section 301 will not have jurisdiction in China.

On the other hand, the WTO has a special agreement on IP in the form of TRIPS, which is binding on all WTO members, including the US and China. So IP issues involving China-US trade should be dealt with by TRIPS. Also, IP disputes between WTO members can be referred to the WTO Dispute Settlements Mechanism.

Apart from not being of any help to the US, the US Trade Representative's investigation under Section 301 will severely harm its relations with China. The US Trade Representative may seek consultation with China before the investigation. But it will not be a friendly consultation, as it is likely to be backed by a threat, which is uncalled for. And any punitive action by the US will result in a similar action by China, which will do neither country any good.

Moreover, it is a misunderstanding that high-tech foreign companies are forced to transfer technologies to their Chinese partners when investing in China. This has been denied both by Premier Li Keqiang and Minister of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei.

If a case of forced transfer is proved, the concerned US company can provide evidence to the Chinese government to seek redressal.

According to the annual report of the US Chamber of Commerce's Global IP Center, China's IP index is 42 out of 100, which means China is ranked 17th among the 45 economies surveyed. China's score was less than those of the US, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Japan, but far higher than many developing countries'. The report noted that over the past year, China has introduced new mechanisms for IP protection and established IP courts, which has helped curb IP infringement and piracy.

The 2015 white paper of the US Chamber of Commerce in China said that only 22 percent of the members believed China's IP protection was satisfactory. But 82 percent of them praised China's progress in IP protection. In its 2017 white paper, the top five concerns of its members with regard to China were inconsistent regulatory interpretation, rising costs, increasing protectionism, shortage of qualified management, and difficulty in obtaining required licenses. IP issues have not been among the top five concerns in the past six years.

The findings show China's IP protection, though far from adequate, has been making great progress.

So instead of proceeding with the Section 301 investigation, the US Trade Representative should initiate an IP dialogue between Washington and Beijing as part of the bilateral dialogue mechanism based on WTO rules. And instead of raising trade tensions, the two countries should come together to reach an amicable solution.

The author is vice-president of and senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization.

Source: chinausfocus.com
While not forgetting to continue lambasting his immediate predecessor for what he did regarding Afghanistan, the sitting US president has actually followed in his predecessor's footprints by choosing to boost the United States' military presence there.

This, as he conceded, goes against his original instinct to pull out. And his vow on the campaign trail, when he said the US' presence in Afghanistan was sheer "nonsense".

Yet Donald Trump eating his own words may not be that bad in this instance. That the US president has opted to defy his own instincts and embrace a move he would have vehemently refused to make earlier in his presidency is a precious bow to reason. This, along with the recent ousting of Steve Bannon, whose controversial orientations sowed too much tension on too many fronts, gives the impression that Trump is learning the ropes. At least he is coming to terms with the cruel reality in Afghanistan that Obama was concerned about, and the dire consequences of "a hasty withdrawal".

Although George W. Bush, who launched the "war on terror" in retaliation for the terrorist attacks on the US in 2001, declared "mission accomplished" two years later, the war is still far from over, not least in Afghanistan.

Trump's latest idea of seeking Afghan, Indian, NATO and Pakistani assistance in fulfilling the US' goals there is a rare awareness of the limitations of US capabilities and the value of international partnerships. Only it will be quite another thing to get Pakistan's cooperation via the unprecedented pressure he promised, or to convince NATO allies to send more troops, and India to help economically.

Even if he manages to assemble the international coalition he aspires to, Trump may still not succeed where both Bush and Obama failed, because military intervention alone will not do the trick. And he has no intention of going beyond that. "We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists," he said.

While China welcomes efforts to improve the security situation in Afghanistan and hopes the US policy will help to achieve that and promote stability, it has steadfastly called for national reconciliation and development to be advanced at the same time.

Overwhelming US military prowess may stop terrorist resurgence and deny terrorists access to weapons of mass destruction. However, even if it is against President Trump's wishes, unless the US presence in Afghanistan proves conducive to the war-torn country's process of nation building and addressing the problems of anarchy, poverty and factional strife, the day may never come when Washington can assuredly claim the war is won.
A pedestrian using a smartphone walks past stores selling mobile phones and accessories at the Nehru Place IT Market in New Delhi, India, May 30, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Indian home minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday he believed the border standoff with China would end soon. Yet what the trespassing Indian troops did to their Chinese counterparts last week belies that belief.

The same day Singh made that remark, the Chinese foreign ministry confirmed that some Chinese border troops, who were carrying out normal patrols on the Chinese side of the line of actual control in the Pangong Lake area, suffered injuries from a "fierce assault" by Indian troops who obstructed their passage on Aug 15.

The Indian home minister also said that India wanted peaceful relations with its neighbors. Yet what the Indian troops did in the Pangong Lake area and the trespassing by Indian troops in Chinese territory in an attempt to block Chinese troops from building a road on Chinese soil in the Donglang area where the border is delimited are provocations that fly in the face of that sentiment.

If India really wants to have peaceful relations with China and settle its border disputes with China through negotiations, it must, as the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, show it is responsible, law-abiding and reasonable. It can only do that by withdrawing its troops from Chinese territory.

By saying that it wants peaceful relations with China, India is not only paying lip service to a settlement of the stand-off that has lasted more than two months, it is also seeking to shift the responsibility onto China for the likely consequences of its insistence on staying in Chinese territory.

Unless it pulls its troops out of Chinese territory, no words will convince China that India is serious and earnest about seeking a peaceful solution to the stalemate.

From the belligerent remarks India defense minister made at the very beginning of the crisis to the appeasing words uttered by the home minister on Monday, what India actually wants are concessions from China. Yet it is being naive if it expects China to give in to its unreasonable demands and its patience never to be exhausted.

No country should ever underestimate this country's resolve to defend its territorial integrity.
Visitors watch a screen showing smart sorting technologies at a JD.com booth at an expo during World Intelligence Congress in Tianjin, June 30, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

TTKEXPRESS, AN EXPRESS DELIVERY COMPANY, announced on Thursday it is suing its partner Jingdong, one of the largest e-commerce companies in China, claiming it is interfering in its business. Southern Metropolis Daily comments:

Ttkexpress claims Jingdong is trying to restrict it to doing business with only clients designated by Jingdong.

Jingdong operates its own logistics company, as well as 16 contracted express-delivery companies, including Ttkexpress. The other 15 delivery companies have so far not made any similar complaints against Jingdong, which suggests that the e-commerce company is not trying to elbow out all of its contracted express delivery companies, so as to benefit its own delivery company.

The fact is Jingdong's own logistics company, though efficient and reliable in many big cities, still cannot meet all the delivery needs of the company. It has to cooperate with the other express delivery companies, especially to cover the remote areas.

To protect the interests of the consumers as well as its partners, Jingdong is justified in taking measures to minimize the negative influence caused by any of its partners, be they retailers or delivery companies.

Jingdong has said it will "resolutely" respond to the law suit, making the counterclaim that Ttkexpress had broken the contract between them because of the flood of complaints about the poor service provided by Ttkexpress.

There should be clear stipulation of the rights and obligations of Jingdong and the express delivery companies in their contracts, which should serve as the foundation to settle the disputes between the two parties.

The dispute between the two business partners is confined to a breach of contract. Neither the Antiunfair Competition Law nor the Antitrust Law is applicable. It is too early for the Ttkexpress to overstate the routine bickering as a legal case related to unfair competition in an attempt to win the public's sympathy.
US President Donald Trump signs a memorandum of understanding on addressing China's laws, policies, practices and actions related to intellectual property, innovation, and technology at the White House, August 14, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE expressed strong discontent on Monday with the United States' initiation of a Section 301 investigation into so-called Chinese intellectual property theft, pledging China will take all measures necessary to defend its lawful interests. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Tuesday:

The investigation has raised deep concerns that it might sabotage China-US trade ties, as the domestic statute invoked represents an obsolete, unilateral approach to bilateral trade issues. By pressing ahead with this course of action, which is essentially symbolic, the Trump administration apparently has more than just the investigation in mind.

In the face of mounting pressures at home and abroad, from the criticism of his response to the Charlottesville unrest to the nuclear ambitions of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, President Trump has felt the urge to distract public attention. China, not surprisingly, is in his cross hairs.

Seven months into his presidency, Trump seems to be stuck in second gear while pursuing his campaign goals. But his portrayal of China is in line with US right-wing politicians, who tend to blame the Korean Peninsula crisis and US trade deficit on Beijing. The decision to kick start the 301 investigation against China, therefore, is also about securing his political base.

The truth is that the investigation is not likely to reverse the progress made by both sides in deepening bilateral cooperation. On the one hand, Trump's scheduled visit to Beijing later this year will add more certainty to China-US coordination on the DPRK nuclear issue.

On the other hand, it is evident that a trade war between the world's largest and second-largest economies will spill over into the global market, particularly in Asia.

Beijing is right to practice patience and caution, but it will not shy away from using countermeasures if the investigation triggers extra tariffs on Chinese imports and the suspension of trade exchange deals.

Beijing's enhanced protection of intellectual property rights aside, the bulk of Washington' allegations are about striking a balance between investing in the Chinese market and the transfer of US technologies, so a consensus should be reachable during the yearlong investigation.
Visitors watch a robot dance at the 3E-Beijing International Consumer Electronics Expo, July 8. [Photo/VCG]

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency published in China Daily on August 18, 2017, under the title of "China is leading way with global AI revolution in full swing", a leading Australian artificial intelligence scientist at University of New South Wales, Professor Toby Walsh said, "China is making a very sensible bet here on AI. It is very well-placed to take advantage of the coming AI revolution. It has a lot of data, it has lots of big tech companies which are well positioned to develop." Walsh is absolutely right when he said that China is extremely well-placed in the AI sphere and possibly surpasses all others in the pursuit of AI technological eminence.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is widely seen as the next frontier of innovation and growth, expected to be the biggest driving force in human history in the next 30 to 50 years with China assuming world leadership. With its considerable strength in AI research and development, it has become a powerhouse of innovation in deep learning, sensors, predictive maintenance, medical imaging and intelligent robotics.

According to the Wuzhen Institute in Hangzhou, China was the world's second-biggest investor in AI enterprises last year, injecting $2.6 billion into the sector compared to US' $17.9 billion. That still leaves a big gap, but China's rapid progress in AI industry indicates that it may soon surpass the US.

According to a report by the China Internet Network Center in late January, as of December 2016, China had 731 million internet users, equal to the population of the European Union, with an internet penetration rate of 53.2 percent. Chinese internet users are highly responsive to new technologies. This creates a clear edge in artificial intelligence no other country can rival. Indeed, in recent years, China has been playing an important role in innovation and growth.

According to a report of the consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, AI will contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030 and China will be among the biggest beneficiaries, with a 26 percent boost in its GDP by then.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to Artificial Intelligence 2.0. The 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), and the Made in China 2025 program, Robotics Industry Development Plan and Three-Year Guidance for Internet Plus Artificial Intelligence Plan (2016-2018) are all contributing to boosting AI research and development.

During the opening meeting of the fifth session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) on March 5, Premier Li Keqiang announced in his Government Work Report China's strong determination to support AI growth. "We will accelerate R&D on and commercialization of new materials, artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, bio-pharmacy, 5G mobile communications, and other technologies, and develop industrial clusters in these fields," the report read. This was a clear message China intends to assume worldwide leadership in technology.

As part of the "Made in China 2025" plan, the government has pinpointed AI as a key area for advancement. During the first World Intelligence Congress in Tianjin, north China, on June 29, 2017, Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang revealed the intention to roll out a slate of important artificial intelligence projects and step up efforts to cultivate AI talents to gain a lead in the cutting-edge technology.

It should be noted here that on July 20, 2017, China's State Council released the "Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan", which outlines China's aims to lead the world in AI. The plan will give funds to AI-related projects, such as the CAS Institute of Automation, a Beijing consortium of companies and universities. China intends to pursue a first-mover advantage to become the premier global AI innovation center pushing the domestic AI level to a more international approach challenging US dominance.

China's top economic planner, National Development and Reform Commission launched its first national engineering laboratory for big data distribution and exchange technologies on March 11. It is formed by China's biggest online search engine, Baidu, in partnership with the elite Tsinghua and Beihang universities, working together to boost the country's digital economy to compete in the global market.

According to Xinhua, China plans to expand its artificial intelligence products market to over $15 billion by 2018 by speeding up the manufacturing of products like robots, home appliances and mobile phones as part of efforts to develop new technologies to upgrade the structure and performance of the real economy.

Chinese technology companies, large and small, have already created AI systems in their core businesses with measurable impact on human lives and are not lagging behind in artificial intelligence applications offered by American high-tech giants - Google, Microsoft, IBM, Facebook and Amazon.

Undoubtedly, China's top three Internet companies, Baidu, Tencent Holding and Alibaba Group, are playing an important role in advancing artificial intelligence, from facial recognition to more futuristic incarnations like self-driving vehicles.

The Baidu online search engine is investing billions of dollars annually in AI technology. Baidu has an advantage especially in voice and image recognition, with recognition rates just below 100 percent. Its AI "Baidu Brain" beat top human contestants in voice and image recognition last January 6.

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has launched "City Brain," an artificial intelligence hub using big data to help build smart cities. In September 2015, Tencent stunned the media world with its robot journalist, called "Dreamwriter." According to media reports, the robot produces a 1,000-word news report in one minute. Tencent achieved a record face recognition rate of 99.65 percent in LFW (Labeled Faces in the Wild) Database last June.

Undoubtedly, in recent years, China is much ahead of any other BRICS countries in AI domain, in terms of resources like infrastructure, research and talent pool. According to the Global Innovation Index 2017, China is number one in high-tech export in knowledge output domain. And India has been ranked the top exporter of information and communication technology (ICT) services.

As per a report in World Economic Forum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) 2017, the AI Maturity Index score of companies in India and China is much higher than of US companies. As such China and India should work together under the framework of "Digital India" and China Internet Plus (CIP) plan to induce AI in BRICS. This cooperation can improve the life of almost 42 percent of the world's population.

However, AI technology may lead the world in the fields of transportation system, education, medical care etc, but with it comes the responsibility towards humankind, as President Xi Jinping warned in his speech at the 12th G20 Hamburg Summit on July 7, 2017. He said: "According to the projections of the World Economic Forum, artificial intelligence will wipe out more than five million jobs in the world by 2020, requiring adherence to the principle 'AI for the people, by the people'."
The Ministry of Commerce on Monday termed US investigation into Chinese intellectual property practices irresponsible and biased. Washingtons protectionist, unilateral approach to bilateral trade issues, it said, risks undermining the progress made by both sides during earlier negotiations and sending out the wrong signals. Three experts shared their views on the issue with China Dailys Cui Shoufeng. Excerpts follow:

No need to panic or overreact

The exit of Steve Bannon, one of the loudest China critics and trade war proponents in the Donald Trump administration, from the White House is being read by some optimists as a temporary relief to Beijing. To the discerning eyes, that is illusory.

Shortly before he was removed as White House chief strategist, Bannon told The American Prospect magazine that the United States and China are locked in an existential battle for domination of the global economy. Bannons White House stint ended on the same day that US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer formally launched the investigation into so-called unfair Chinese trade practices, likely a farewell gift from the US president he advised.

With Bannon and a string of other political confidants gone, Trump will have to learn how to work with the Republican establishment and return to the mainstream. This is not to say Washingtons trade policymaking is in safe hands. The latest probe into intellectual property allegations targeting Beijing was bound to happen on the pretext of correcting the US trade imbalance, with or without Bannon in office.

Bannons endorsement of economic nationalism and white supremacy contradicts principles of globalization and cultural diversity enshrined in US politics. His departure was a matter of time, especially after he decided to offer trade war ammunition. But he and his pro-establishment rivals in the divisive Trump administration want the same thing  Beijings concessions and a major cutback in Washingtons trade deficit.

Beijing is right to emphasize the role of non-government organs in bilateral trade exchanges and the need to cooperate. A mainstream Trump team could become more aggressive in dealing with the trade deficit with China, as inside the White House opinions were largely divided and undermined by Bannons call for a trade war. And Trump could be tempted to employ sophisticated negotiation tactics to demand his end of the bargain.

Despite the challenges, China need not panic or overreact. The Trump administrations policymaking mechanism is still fraught with uncertainties and divisions. That said, China should keep interacting with the US trade policymakers and seek consensus on outstanding issues. It could also try to cooperate with decision-making entities outside the White House to make sure the US overall China policy is fully debated and balanced.

China-US relations will continue making headlines before and during Trumps visit to China scheduled for later this year, when Beijing will get an opportunity to further explain the relationships reciprocal nature to the US public and media.

Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations, China Foreign Affairs University
An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier keeps watch at a checkpoint in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 22, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

In a rare prime time national address outlining his Afghanistan strategy on Monday night, US President Donald Trump ruled out a quick withdrawal of US troops, saying that a rapid exit of the US troops would have unacceptable consequences and create a vacuum that the Islamic State and al-Qaida would fill.

Instead, Trump is expected to beef up the United States military presence in the country. Although Trump stopped short of mentioning a number, he authorized US Defense Secretary James Mattis in June to deploy as many as 3,900 extra troops.

Currently, the US has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, part of an international force that is roughly 13,500 strong that is training and assisting Afghan forces to fight the Taliban, and conduct counter-terrorism missions. But, even with the proposed increase in US troops, the Taliban is unlikely to be contained, let alone rooted out.

Yet compared with what the US has done to fight terrorists in the Middle East in recent years, the new US strategy does represent a greater willingness to shoulder more security responsibilities in Afghanistan. Military aid and airstrikes, but no ground troops, marked the previous US administrations strategy in the Middle East, with Barack Obama unwilling to maintain a military presence in the region.

Despite that, much headway has been made this year in the international campaign against the Islamic State terrorists in both Iraq and Syria. Under such a backdrop, a greater US presence in Afghanistan will help Afghanistan forces improve the countrys security situation and prevent defeated IS terrorists from entering into the country and colluding with the Taliban.

However, since Trump asserted, We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists, his Afghanistan strategy obviously lacks a long-term commitment to the Central Asian country. Many in Afghanistan and elsewhere are justified to feel disappointed about it as the US has a responsibility to clean up the mess it has created in Afghanistan.

Despite the fact that George W. Bush claimed mission accomplished two years after he unleashed the Afghan war against the Taliban in Oct 7, 2001, and Obama announced an end of the war and the US withdrawal at the end of 2014, the war in Afghanistan has never come to an end.

The countrys security situation has continued to worsen after Obama withdrew the majority of the US forces. Now, hardly a day has passes without civilian casualties in Taliban instigated attacks, and the country has set one record after another in humanitarian disasters over the past few years.

For the US, its longest war has been fought at a formidable price: Some 2,400 Americans have died in the war, more than 20,000 have been wounded and the conflict is estimated to have cost almost $1 trillion

Yet, despite the toppling of the Taliban regime in late 2001, the US and its allies have spent most part of the 16-year-old war playing cat and mouse games with the Taliban. And, more ironically, over the years the land controlled by the terrorist group in Afghanistan has increased instead of being diminished.

As such, dispatching a further several thousand troops to Afghanistan will not be enough to end the conflict in the country once and for all. Instead, the US should learn the lessons from Iraq.

After the US invaded and toppled Saddam Hussein, its withdrawal left a political and security vacuum in the country. Political instability and factional rifts in post-war Iraq provided a hotbed for the rapid growth of the IS group, which later spread into Syria, and inspired terrorist attacks elsewhere.

The US should understand no country alone can tackle the challenge of terrorism. Before it plunges deeper into another Afghanistan quagmire, the US should truly reflect upon its anti-terror strategy and cooperate with other countries in jointly fighting terrorism.
China Daily and Wuxi government sign a strategic cooperation agreement in Wuxi on Aug 23.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

China Daily signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Wuxi government on Aug 23, marking a new stage in the two sides partnership.

China Daily and Wuxi plan to work together more closely on several projects and deepen exchanges in a number of different fields to gain a win-win result.

The two sides have maintained a close relationship since China Daily set up a wholly owned subsidiary of China Daily Website in Wuxi National Hi-tech District in 2013. The subsidiary is still the only legally independent branch of China Daily in the Chinese mainland, apart from the companys Beijing headquarters.

This partnership was cemented in 2014, when China Daily and Wuxi signed a cooperation framework that saw China Daily take on responsibility for promoting Wuxi internationally through a number of different channels.

Zhou Shuchun (middle), editor-in-chief of China Daily, and Wang Quan second from the left, mayor of Wuxi, visit the Wuxi subsidiary of China Daily website on Aug 23. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

China Daily has been Chinas main window to the outside world since the China Daily newspaper, the first English-language Chinese newspaper in the country, was set up in 1981. The paper now has a global circulation of more than 900,000 copies per issue, of which two thirds are published abroad.

The total number of subscribers across all China Dailys media channels has exceeded 72 million, as of August 2017. It now publishes content via more than 10 channels, including the newspaper, websites, Facebook, Twitter and WeChat.

China Daily has attracted more than 27.43 million followers on Weibo, 22 million fans on Facebook, and 1 million Twitter followers.

The China Daily app has been downloaded by more than 7 million users and its WeChat feed has 2.64 million subscribers.

The China Daily Website went online in 1995 and has developed into Chinas most comprehensive English website.

Zhou Shuchun (middle), editor-in-chief of China Daily, and Wang Quan, mayor of Wuxi, talk to a foreign staff during their visit to the Wuxi subsidiary of China Daily website on Aug 23. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Its Wuxi subsidiary is responsible mainly for building and operating official websites, mobile apps and social media accounts for government agencies and institutions across the country.

It is also creating innovative content, including short videos, live streams and HTML5 mini-games to help its clients raise their global profiles.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks during a press briefing in Washington DC, the United States, Aug 22, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday welcomed "some level of restraint" showed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with its nuclear program, seeing a possible pathway to a future talk between Washington and Pyongyang.

"We have had no missile launches or provocative acts from the part of North Korea (DPRK) since the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution," said Tillerson in a press briefing in the State Department.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution imposing new sanctions on DPRK for its continued intercontinental ballistic missile testing on Aug 5.

Tillerson said he was pleased to see Pyongyang "has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that we have not seen in the past."

"We hope that it is the beginning of the signal that we are looking for -- that they are ready to restrain their level of tensions, they're ready to restrain their provocative acts," said the US top diplomat.

"Perhaps we are seeing our pathway to some time in the near future having some dialogue," but "need to see more on their part," Tillerson added.

Tillerson's remarks came amid an ongoing joint military drill held by the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

The two-week-long war games mobilized about 17,500 US soldiers and some 50,000 ROK troops.

Pyongyang said on Monday the US-ROK joint military drill had plunged the Korean Peninsula into a critical phase.
A photo of Zhang Yingying released by the police. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The father of a missing Chinese scholar in the US has asked US President Donald Trump to direct all available Federal law enforcement and investigatory resources to help find his daughter Zhang Yingying.

"As a loving father to your own children, you can understand what we are going through," said Zhang Ronggao in a letter to the US president. Zhang is the father of Yingying who was a visiting scholar of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and went missing in June.

He said Yingying's dream was to finish her studies in the US and return to China to become a university professor. "Yingying means the whole world to us. She has always made us proud."

Zhang Ronggao expressed his grief and desperation in the letter, saying "with each passing day, the chances of finding Yingying alive decrease."

"We cannot image returning to China without her," the letter said.

The letter was read out by Yingying's family at a press briefing on Tuesday.

"We will not go back (to China) unless we find Yingying," the family told Xinhua in an interview Monday.

The family also explained the usage of the funds raised under the name of Zhang Yingying at the press conference. Besides the 50,000-dollars reward for clues to whereabouts of Yingying, part of the fund has been used to finance the daily life of the family members in the US, under strict supervision.

Zhang Yingying went missing on June 9 after entering a black Saturn Astra. FBI arrested Brendt Christensen, the car owner, on June 30, accusing him of kidnapping Zhang on June 9 in Urbana, 225 km southwest of Chicago. The police and FBI believe Zhang is dead, but her body has not been found.

Christensen has pleaded not guilty at the courthouse.

UIUC has the largest Chinese student population studying in the US, totaling 5,600.
Martial arts superstar and wildlife champion Jackie Chan called for an end to consume pangolin products in a new public service announcement for WildAid and The Nature Conservancy.

The 30 second video spot was released on Tuesday in Beijing to support a ban on all international trade in pangolins that was approved last year under the UN CITES treaty.

The video, entitled "Kung Fu Pangolin," and a billboard campaign will be distributed widely in China and Vietnam, the main pangolin consuming nations.

It features Chan training the scaly anteaters to protect themselves using kung fu, but he finds that curling up is the only thing they are able to do. Behind Chan's back the pangolins develop ninja-like skills to defend against a would-be poacher.

Chan spreads the message that pangolins are now all protected by law, and he urges viewers not to consume pangolin products. The animated pangolins were created by the leading special effects house Tau/PHD Films, which did the CGI work for the film "Life of Pi."

While many people may have never heard of pangolins, they are the most heavily trafficked mammals on the planet. An estimated one million have been poached from the wild over the past decade. In some countries, pangolin meat is consumed as a delicacy, and the animals' scales are used in traditional Asian medicine. These shy, nocturnal creatures are seldom seen, but are often hunted down using dogs. When threatened, pangolins instinctively curl into a ball rather than try to escape, making them especially vulnerable to poaching.

Guests attending the launching ceremony of Jackie Chan's new charity video calling for protecting pangolins in Beijing on Monday. [Provided for chinadaily.com.cn]

"It's crazy in this day and age that people are still eating these wild animals and threatening them with extinction. I hope we can persuade people that it's the wrong thing to do," Chan said.

"The priority for pangolin conservation is reducing consumer demand and improving enforcement," said WildAid CEO Peter Knights. "Jackie reaches a vast audience across Asia and there are clear signs these campaigns have had an impact and attitudes are changing. Shark fin imports to China went down 81% in three years. Ivory seizures there were down 80% last year, and ivory and rhino horn prices have fallen by more than 50%."

However, pangolins are heavily smuggled from Africa and Asia. Central African forests alone may be losing up to 400,000 pangolins per year to poachers, according to a recent estimate. As pangolins do not often survive in captivity, let alone reproduce, commercial breeding is not a viable option to supply the medicinal trade.

Pangolin scales are sometimes used in traditional Asian medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, skin disorders, wound infections and even cancer. Like rhino horn, pangolin scales are largely composed of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and fingernails. Pangolin meat is served as a delicacy in some exotic meat restaurants.

Earlier this month, officials in Malaysia seized 8 tons of pangolin scales. In June, Hong Kong customs officers seized 7.2 tons of scales, and late last year Shanghai authorities intercepted 3.1 tons, which represented up to 7,000 pangolins.

Also at the event, the China Wildlife Conservation Association awarded Chan the title of Wildlife Conservation Ambassador in recognition of his contribution to the protection of wildlife. Chan has worked with WildAid on projects since 1995.

The Nature Conservancy China Chief Conservation Officer Zhao Peng said: "Pangolins are one of the oldest mammals on Earth. A pangolin weighing just 3kg can help protect roughly 16 hectares of forest from being overrun with ants. Protecting pangolins is not just about saving an endangered species, but also about healthy ecosystems."
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the 1977 Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The two Additional Protocols, adopted at a Diplomatic Conference in 1977, are amongst the most widely ratified international instruments, with 174 States Parties to Additional Protocol I and 168 to Additional Protocol II. The first Additional Protocol relates to international armed conflicts, while the second Additional Protocol deals with non-international armed conflicts. They not only supplemented the four 1949 Geneva Conventions, but also developed new rules to reflect the changing face of modern conflicts. The Additional Protocols along with the four Geneva Conventions, form the foundations of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Yves Sandoz, Honorary Member of the ICRC

China was one of the vanguard states that became parties to both Additional Protocols in 1983 in the Asia Pacific region. Over the years, in its capacity as a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council and a global power, Chinese government has actively participated in the global process related to the implementation and development of IHL.

Mr. Yves Sandoz, an honorary member of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), attended the Diplomatic Conference as an ICRCs lawyer and had first-hand experience in the negotiation process that led to the adoption of these two Additional Protocols. We met him during his last visit to China to attend a Conference Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Additional Protocols, organized by the ICRC in collaboration with Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS). In an exclusive interview, he shared with us the history of the adoption of the Additional Protocols in 1977.

The four Geneva Conventions were adopted in 1949, why was it important to adopt the two Additional Protocols to these Conventions?

To answer this question we have to go back in 1949 and remind ourselves of the circumstances surrounding the adoption of the Geneva Conventions. During the World War II, the IHL was badly violated and the civilian population whose protection was not secured by any specific convention suffered terribly. In view of this, four new Conventions were elaborated to protect the victims of war, with each Convention covering a specific category of victims. Among them, the fourth Geneva Convention on protecting civilian populations was of course a great development. But, there are still some gaps in the four Geneva Conventions, such as the rules governing aerial bombings are not stipulated in the Conventions.

Because of the loophole mentioned above and some new circumstances including the decolonization conflicts, the proliferation of new States and non-international armed conflicts, and the rapid advances in means and methods of warfare, the reaffirmation and development of rules governing the conduct of hostilities was felt as an urgent necessity.

The next step then was to decide on the format  whether to revise the existing 1949 Geneva Conventions or to elaborate new treaties? The idea to revise the Geneva Conventions was rejected, because people was afraid that, in a very tense political climate, some important achievements in 1949 Geneva Conventions would be weakened by a new negotiation. For this reason it was decided to prepare two Additional Protocols while keeping the Geneva Conventions unchanged.

What are the main difficulties encountered during the diplomatic Conference which led to the adoption of 1977 Additional Protocols?

The Additional Protocols were negotiated and agreed in the thick of Cold War polarization, amid nuclear-level anxiety, and at a table where newly independent States sat facing their recent colonial powers. Despite the geopolitical landscape, States in the 1970s worked hard to clarify the principles of IHL in practice. The Protocols are not the product of humanitarian idealism  they strike a balance between military necessity and humanity. They remain very much relevant today.

The Diplomatic Conference took place in Geneva between 1974 and 1977, in a very complex international context, at the end of the Vietnam War and in the midst of the Cold War. Two claims from some newly independent States were very delicate because they could have put into question basic principles of IHL.

The first one was related to the concept of wars of liberation, which are wars fought to gain or recover independence. The main problem was whether or not to concede to freedom fighters more rights and less duties under IHL, than to the combatants of the colonial or occupying power. Accepting to do so would have ignored the fundamental values of IHL. Finally, a solution was found, which is to upgrade the liberation wars and consider them as international armed conflicts. In this way, all IHL rules would be applied, and both parties would have the same obligation to respect those rules.

The second main difficulty was linked to the method of fighting. In opposition to organized and well equipped armies, the so called freedom fighters had no chance to win if they were to fight using traditional methods and wearing uniforms. The famous formula attributed to Mao Tse-tung according to which a guerrilla fighter must be in the civilian population as a fish in the water, was very much in evidence during the negotiations. However, it was considered important to recognise the legitimacy of these fighters as combatants, with belligerent rights, entitled to prisoner of war status in case of capture. At the same time, it was crucial to safeguard the principle of distinction, which is at the core of IHL and essential to ensure the protection of the civilian population during armed conflict. Finally, after long and difficult negotiations, a compromise solution was reached. It was accepted that guerrilla fighters could live amongst the civilian population without wearing a special uniform, as long as they carried arms openly when attacking the enemy.

This interview was conducted in Beijing by Dr. Liu Xinyan is Legal Communication Officer, Regional Delegation for East Asia, International Committee of the Red Cross.
USS John S. McCain (L) is seen at sea off Singapore's Changi Naval Base, on Aug 21, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

TOKYO - The commander of the US Navy's 7th Fleet was relieved of his duties following a number of accidents involving warships, local media reported on Wednesday.

According to Japanese news reports, Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin was relieved of his duties due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.

Adm. Scott Swift, commander of US Pacific Fleet, dismissed Aucoin on these grounds, and Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer, who has been promoted to Vice Adm., will take over the responsibilities with immediate effect, local media reported.

The dismissal follows four Navy-linked accidents in the Pacific, including two fatal collisions that left some sailors dead and missing.

The string of accidents have occurred since late January.

Swift was quoted as saying that the accidents cannot be viewed in isolation and that the Navy will review all of its ships in the Pacific in terms of training and assessments of each vessel, as well as focusing on its ships' navigation and mechanical systems.

He also said that bridge resource management will also be a focal point in the reassessment, local reports stated.

Among the Navy's major incidents of late, a collision between the US Navy's guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald and a Philippine container vessel in waters about 100 kilometers southwest of Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, in June, became major headline news in Japan.

Seven sailors lost their lives in the collision that left the Fitzgerald heavily damaged and needing to be towed back to its port in Yokosuka.

The US Navy, according to local media, said that serious mistakes had been made by crew members on the Fitzgerald and that its bridge team had lost situational awareness.

Other than the Fitzgerald's captain, other crew members are also facing non-judicial punishments.

The 7th Fleet comprises up to 70 ships and submarines, 140 aircraft and some 20,000 sailors.

The home port of the 7th Fleet is the Yokosuka Naval Base, located about 65 kilometers south of Tokyo.
At a time when American public life feels increasingly fractured and divisive, Christians are uniquely positioned to step into the gaps. Take Latasha Morrison, for instance: A self-described bridge-builder and leadership developer, Morrison founded the non-profit Be the Bridge to help the Church cultivate a distinctive and transformative response to racial division. Through actions such as prayer, social media groups, and in-home gatherings, members of the organization take on the hard work of reconciliation by building friendships across cultural divides.

On this weeks episode of The Calling, Morrison joins CT managing editor Richard Clark to talk about her calling as a bridge-builder and why she thinks relationship is the first step toward lasting unity.

On learning how to name injustice: You think things are fair, even growing up as an African American. You see injustice, but you dont necessarily know how to name it. Its not something thats taught in school, and its not something my parents talked about. But with Trayvon Martin, you saw these narratives, and youre like, this is so unjustthat was a turning point for me to start leaning into this conversation and educating myself on what was going on around me.

On remaining teachable: People dont know what they dont knowbut what you dont know cannot be an excuse for not learning. When you tap into relationships and you engage with other people who are not like you culturally, ethnically, who maybe have different theological views, you will develop empathy.

On mourning together: We are a collective culture. When something happens, thats very personal for us. One of the things in American culture we dont do well is lament. We try to move on to the very next thing. Sometimes we need you to sit in that grief with us. We want you to sit and lament with us.

On bridge-building and the road forward: Its policy that has done the injustices, so it would have to be policy to unravel the injustices. But you dont start there. You cant start the relationship-building with that conversation. There has to be transformation of peoples heart before you can get there.

Subscribe to The Calling on iTunes.

The Calling is produced by Richard Clark and Jonathan Clauson.

Theme music by Lee Rosevere, used under Creative Commons 4.0.
August 18, 2017

RAMALLAH, West Bank  Relations between Saudi Arabia and Hamas have been teetering on the brink of complete collapse in light of recent stances by Saudi officials and media outlets against the Palestinian movement.

The Saudi daily Al-Riyadh called the Palestinian movement "terrorist" in the headline of a website story the day after a Hamas delegation attended the Aug. 4 inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The website soon removed the story, however, after it prompted a storm of angry tweets, especially in response to Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee, who took to Twitter to support the terrorist label for Hamas.

Hamas condemned the article in a statement Aug. 6.

This was not Saudi Arabias first attack against Hamas. In a July 11 TV interview, Saudi Ambassador to Algeria Sami Saleh also described Hamas as a terrorist group.

Hamas seeks to spread problems in the region. It is classified as a terrorist group, Saleh said. These statements angered Algerians, who took to social media. Some demanded an apology and others went so far as to demand that Algerian authorities expel the Saudi ambassador. Algeria and its political parties are staunch supporters of the Palestinians and Hamas.

The Saudi-backed Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported July 17 that Hamas is searching for a foothold in Algeria to shelter its officials who left Qatar in early June, when Saudis and others in the Gulf imposed an embargo on Qatar for allegedly supporting terrorism. Hamas has officially asked to establish a representative office in Algeria but has not received a response.

During the May 21 Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, US President Donald Trump called Hamas a terrorist group and said it practices the same brutality as the Islamic State (IS). Saudi Arabia apparently saw this as a green light to start its attack on Hamas.

Abdel Hamid Hakim, who heads the Jeddah, Saudia Arabia-based Institute for Middle East Studies, said during a June 5 interview with Israeli Channel 2 that Saudi Arabia will fight against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement.

On June 6, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir called on Qatar to stop supporting Hamas, saying Enough is enough.  Qatar has to stop supporting groups like Hamas.

A Hamas leader told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Trump's speech in Saudi Arabia encouraged some Saudi media and diplomatic parties to attack Hamas  the spearhead of the Palestinian resistance.

Hamas leader Ahmad al-Hajj slammed the Saudi position toward Hamas. He told Al-Monitor, Whoever attacks the resistance and accuses Hamas of terrorism has no shame. This is a sign of ignorance. He added, Since when is a movement that defends its land labeled as a terrorist group? If Saudi Arabia was occupied, and the Saudis resisted, would they be called terrorists?"

He continued, Labeling Hamas as a terrorist group is a sign of erratic thinking. Whoever makes such claims is surely associated with [Israel]. We hope the statements expressed in Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadh do not represent the Saudi regime or the Saudi people.

Mustafa al-Sawaf, a writer and political analyst close to Hamas, told Al-Monitor, The fact that a Saudi newspaper describes Hamas as a terrorist group is immoral and does not reflect the position of the Saudi regime. No Arab regime would dare describe the Palestinian movement as a terrorist group, although some of these regimes, including Saudi Arabia, are secretly fighting against Hamas.

Sawaf was referring to the Egyptian regimes anti-Hamas stance and the strict measures imposed on the Gaza Strip before signs of rapprochement emerged recently, Also, in light of the Gulf crisis and attempts to isolate Hamas, Qatar had called for the expulsion of Hamas leaders.

The Arab leaders are seeking to consolidate their rule by remaining silent on Trump's statements. They believe he will protect their regimes and power, Sawaf said, referring to Trumps speech at the Riyadh summit.

He noted that Hamas' relationship with Iran has nothing to do with Saudi Arabias attack against the Palestinian resistance movement. A few days ago [Aug. 13], Iraqi Interior Minister Qasim al-Araji revealed that Saudi Arabia asked Baghdad to mediate between Riyadh and Tehran. Does this mean that Saudi Arabia is a terrorist state, or is it entitled to establish relations with Iran? Why isnt Hamas entitled to do so?

Saudi Arabia's hostility toward Hamas is due to the movements relations with Qatar, its old and renewed alliance with Iran, its affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood and most importantly, its unyielding stance on its right to resistance. Hamas rejected a Saudi-led settlement with Israel through an Arab peace initiative presented at the Arab summit in Beirut in 2002.

Islamic Jihad spokesman Daoud Shihab told Al-Monitor, Some Saudi parties made statements against Hamas to ingratiate themselves with Trump, which reflects the monarchys fear of collapse if it fails to respond to Trumps political approaches, which are leaning toward Israel in the region.

Shihab said Saudi Arabias stance on the Palestinian resistance factions has nothing to do with their relations with Iran. Saudi Arabia has never supported the resistance factions and describing them as terrorist has nothing to do with their association to Iran," he said. Saudi Arabia is being hostile toward the resistance because the groups refuse to take part in any settlement with Israel, he added.

Kaid al-Ghoul, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestines political bureau, told Al-Monitor, Saudi Arabias stance on the resistance factions is incorrect and dangerous. By labeling Hamas as terrorist, Saudi Arabia is seeking to take sides with Trump and be in line with the American administrations point of view on this issue.

He said, Saudi Arabias statements reflect its readiness to switch sides and start normalization with Israel. This is actually happening, given the recent declared and undeclared meetings between Israelis and Saudis, which aim at preparing the domestic Saudi and regional arena for declared relations between the two sides in the future. Saudi Arabia is also working to save face for Israel and to forge an alliance with it, against an imagined and a more dangerous enemy in the mind of Saudis: Iran.

Since the Riyadh summit, Saudi Arabia has been increasingly antagonizing Hamas. Riyadh has been involved in the Palestinian process in the region according to Trumps plan, which seeks to normalize Arab relations with Israel. This would prompt Saudi Arabia to pressure the so-called moderate Arab countries to take similar stances on Hamas. The tightening noose around the Palestinian resistance movements neck is likely to push it to pick up its old alliances with Iran, which have seen a recent improvement, not to mention its good relations with Lebanons Hezbollah, while waiting for a breakthrough in Syria.
Righting a Terrible Wrong: D. James Kennedy Ministries Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Southern Poverty Law Center



FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 23, 2017 /



The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the SPLC illegally trafficked in false and misleading descriptions of the services offered by DJKM and committed defamation against DJKM arising from the publication and distribution of false information that libels the ministry's reputation and subjects the ministry to disgrace, ridicule, odium, and contempt in the estimation of the public.



In a statement released today, Dr. Wright said: "We embarked today on a journey to right a terrible wrong. Those who knowingly label Christian ministries as 'hate' groups, solely for subscribing to the historic Christian faith, are either woefully uninformed or willfully deceitful. In the case of the Southern Poverty Law Center, our lawsuit alleges the latter."



Wright went on to say: "These false and illegal characterizations have a chilling effect on the free exercise of religion and on religious free speech for all people of faith. After having given the SPLC an opportunity to retract, we have undertaken this legal action, seeking a trial by a jury of our peers, to preserve our own rights under the law and to defend the religious free speech rights of all Americans."



About DJKM: D. James Kennedy Ministries is a Christian media ministry that seeks to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ through every available electronic medium. Its four-fold mission is: 1) to proclaim the good news of the Gospel throughout the Earth; 2) to teach and nurture Christ's followers; 3) to equip and encourage believers to live out their faith; and 4) to defend religious liberty, encouraging believers to lovingly engage the culture with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ.



Share Tweet Contact: Matt Krepcho, D. James Kennedy Ministries , 954-334-4304FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 23, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- Dr. Frank Wright, President & Chief Executive Officer at D. James Kennedy Ministries (DJKM), announced that DJKM filed suit today in the United States District Court against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the SPLC illegally trafficked in false and misleading descriptions of the services offered by DJKM and committed defamation against DJKM arising from the publication and distribution of false information that libels the ministry's reputation and subjects the ministry to disgrace, ridicule, odium, and contempt in the estimation of the public.In a statement released today, Dr. Wright said: "We embarked today on a journey to right a terrible wrong. Those who knowingly label Christian ministries as 'hate' groups, solely for subscribing to the historic Christian faith, are either woefully uninformed or willfully deceitful. In the case of the Southern Poverty Law Center, our lawsuit alleges the latter."Wright went on to say: "These false and illegal characterizations have a chilling effect on the free exercise of religion and on religious free speech for all people of faith. After having given the SPLC an opportunity to retract, we have undertaken this legal action, seeking a trial by a jury of our peers, to preserve our own rights under the law and to defend the religious free speech rights of all Americans."About DJKM: D. James Kennedy Ministries is a Christian media ministry that seeks to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ through every available electronic medium. Its four-fold mission is: 1) to proclaim the good news of the Gospel throughout the Earth; 2) to teach and nurture Christ's followers; 3) to equip and encourage believers to live out their faith; and 4) to defend religious liberty, encouraging believers to lovingly engage the culture with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ.
Machu Picchu, Peru Site of Freedom Challenge's September 2017 Climb Women's Justice Ministry Prepares for its 12th Climb since 2012



Contact: Nicole Turner, 770-692-5185,



ATLANTA, Aug. 23, 2017 /



Led by Freedom Challenge Director Tracy Daugherty, the Machu Picchu climb will be Freedom Challenges' 12th climb in its five-year history. With more than $5 million already raised, the climbers hope to raise as much as $550,000 more to support the prevention, rescue, and restoration of human trafficking victims around the world.



Freedom Challenge first entered Daugherty's life through the enthusiasm of friend and founder Cathey Anderson who had a vision to "climb for freedom for women who could not do it for themselves." Along with Anderson, Daugherty help gather women from across Southern California to pray, climb, raise funds and spread anti-slavery awareness. This vision became a larger mission to help end modern day slavery and human trafficking. In January of 2012, 48 women from seven different countries first gathered in Tanzania and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to declare freedom for those who could not. Since then, Freedom Challenge has led women to climb the Rockies, Alps, Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu and Everest Base Camp, while raising millions of dollars to support more than 60 projects worldwide.



Based in Tyrone, GA Freedom Challenge remains a movement of passionate women dedicated to the prevention of modern day slavery and human trafficking, and to the rescue and restoration of its victims.



About Freedom Challenge

Freedom Challenge is an initiative of Operation Mobilization committed to the prevention of modern day slavery and human trafficking, in addition to the rescue and restoration of its victims. The women who lead and participate in this growing movement partake in physical challenges such as mountain climbs to raise funds and awareness to combat these social injustices and help oppressed women and children on the pathway to freedom. To learn more visit



Share Tweet Contact: Nicole Turner, 770-692-5185, nicole.turner@om.org ATLANTA, Aug. 23, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- On September 10, 2017 approximately 40 women from seven different countries will to begin a one-week trek across the mountain ranges in Cusco, Peru to reach the lost city of Machu Picchu. The event, organized by Operation Mobilization's Freedom Challenge ministry, will raise money and awareness to fight the enslavement of women and children.Led by Freedom Challenge Director Tracy Daugherty, the Machu Picchu climb will be Freedom Challenges' 12th climb in its five-year history. With more than $5 million already raised, the climbers hope to raise as much as $550,000 more to support the prevention, rescue, and restoration of human trafficking victims around the world.Freedom Challenge first entered Daugherty's life through the enthusiasm of friend and founder Cathey Anderson who had a vision to "climb for freedom for women who could not do it for themselves." Along with Anderson, Daugherty help gather women from across Southern California to pray, climb, raise funds and spread anti-slavery awareness. This vision became a larger mission to help end modern day slavery and human trafficking. In January of 2012, 48 women from seven different countries first gathered in Tanzania and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to declare freedom for those who could not. Since then, Freedom Challenge has led women to climb the Rockies, Alps, Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu and Everest Base Camp, while raising millions of dollars to support more than 60 projects worldwide.Based in Tyrone, GA Freedom Challenge remains a movement of passionate women dedicated to the prevention of modern day slavery and human trafficking, and to the rescue and restoration of its victims.About Freedom ChallengeFreedom Challenge is an initiative of Operation Mobilization committed to the prevention of modern day slavery and human trafficking, in addition to the rescue and restoration of its victims. The women who lead and participate in this growing movement partake in physical challenges such as mountain climbs to raise funds and awareness to combat these social injustices and help oppressed women and children on the pathway to freedom. To learn more visit www.thefreedomchallenge.com
home World Chilean court upholds law that legalizes abortion in some circumstances

Chile's highest court has upheld a measure that is aimed at allowing abortion in cases of rape, fetal disability and danger to the pregnant woman's life.

In a 6a4 vote on Monday, the high court justices ruled that the legislation that legalizes abortions in certain circumstances is constitutional. Court secretary Rodrigo Pica said that the details of the ruling would be released on Aug. 28.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has promised to sign the bill that narrowly passed Chilean Congress earlier this month.

For decades, Chilean law restricted abortion to exceptional cases until the procedure was entirely banned in 1989 under Dictator Augusto Pinochet. Despite the ban, the law does not penalize saving the life of the mother even if it indirectly results in the death of the child in her womb.

The court decision was described by the pro-abortion group Miles in Chile as a "historic moment" for women.

Giselle Carino, who runs the International Planned Parenthood Federation in the Western Hemisphere Region, also hailed the court ruling and criticized Chile for its total ban on abortions.

"The ban was an outrageous, cruel, and blatant violation of human rights. Similar laws are currently on the books in several countries including El Salvador, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic," Carino said according to Life News.

When the Senate approved the legislation in July, pro-life Sen. Jacqueline van Rysselberghe expressed her disappointment with the vote and promised to block the measure in the courts if it is signed into law.

"It has been a sad day for Chile. We are going to take it to the constitutional tribunal (to try to block it)," the senator said at the time.

However, the challenge was not successful and news reports have indicated that the high court ruling cannot be appealed, which means that the decision will stand until there are enough new court justices willing to repeal it.

According to Life Site News, the legislation was introduced by Bachelet who previously served as the former executive director of the United Nations office of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.

Bishop CristiAn Cordero of Puerto Montt decried the measure, saying it "contradicts the first human right that is to the protection of life ... as indicated in the Chilean Constitution."

"The reason given is the 'right of the woman to decide,'" the bishop stated as the law was being debated. "To decide on the life or death of your child? Who gave you that right?" he added.

Following Monday's court decision, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Suriname are the only countries left that completely outlaw abortion, according to Amnesty International.
home World ISIS affiliate poised to carry out attacks across Europe, report claims

The Moroccan terror group that was responsible for the recent attacks in Spain is reportedly just a part of a much larger group affiliated with the Islamic State that is poised to launch more attacks in at least six European countries, according to a report from DEBKAfile.

Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido has reportedly assured that the terrorist network responsible for the recent attacks in Cambrils and Barcelona had been "fully dismantled" and no longer posed a threat. But independent security and intelligence journalists at DEBKA had warned that there are "troubling signs" that the recent attacks were "no more than the opening shots of a major onslaught" in preparation by the ISIS affiliate.

According to DEBKAfile's intelligence and counterterrorism sources, the dismantled terror cell was only "one branch of a broad terror network stretching out from Morocco across at least six European countries: Spain, France, Germany, Belgium Holland, and as far north as Finland."

In May, Spanish and Moroccan intelligence agencies working together have reportedly uncovered a terror network that had deployed cells across Europe. The jihadists, who crossed the Mediterranean from Tangiers, Morocco, to Melilla, Spain established their new base of operations in Catalonia, according to the report.

DEBKAfile further noted that most of the perpetrators of the attacks in Catalan were local residents of Moroccan descent, some of whom had direct links to ISIS contacts in Syria and Iraq. Some were reportedly discovered leaving Spain to fight with the jihadists in Syria.

On May 22, Spanish and Moroccan anti-terror agencies working in conjunction have apprehended a group of terror suspects in Essaouira on Morocco's Atlantic coast. They were reportedly found in possession of large amounts of weapons and preparing to strike a famous music festival that attracts a large number of tourists.

The report stated that the Spanish authorities knew that the Catalan cell, which operated as part of the broad terror network, was run by the "Wilaya of the Islamic State in the Maghreb al-Aqsa-Morocco," which takes orders from ISIS central command in Syria.

Despite the arrests of local Muslim extremists on their way to Morocco or Syria, no high-security alerts were issued by the authorities during the peak season at Catalonia's holiday resorts.

According to The Guardian, up to 1,000 jihadists are believed to have been smuggled back to Morocco and Tunisia from the battlefields in the Middle East.

A former leading member of the extremist group's external operations arm has recently said that he believes some Moroccan jihadists who sneaked back into North Africa could use its proximity to Spain to launch further attacks or infiltrate further into the continent.

Moroccan authorities have claimed that they were able to prevent several large-scale terror attacks in Casablanca and Rabat, but they are not capable of stopping their nationals from conducting operations on foreign soil.
home US New Mexico public school paints over mural with Biblical quote following complaint from atheist group

A public school in New Mexico has painted over a mural that includes a biblical quote following a complaint from a prominent atheist group that advocates for the separation of church and state.

The Clovis Municipal School District decided to paint over a mural on a public school hallway wall that features an anchor and a dove along with a biblical inscription after receiving a letter from the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).

The organization, which boasts of 29,000 members across the U.S. including more than 240 members in New Mexico, said that it heard about the mural from a concerned parent. "They felt that the school shouldn't be doing this and we agreed," said FFRF representative Chris Line.

The biblical quote in question reads, "hope anchors the soul - Hebrews 6:19," according to the letter from FFRF.

"The district violates the Constitution when it allows schools to display religious symbols or messages. Public schools may not advance, prefer or promote religion," the letter stated.

The letter, dated Aug. 15, warned that courts have continually held that school districts are not allowed to display religious messages or iconography in public schools.

The atheist group argued that the display was "particularly inappropriate" because it alienates nonreligious students. The organization went on to ask the district to remove the mural to adhere to a neutrality toward religion.

The group further claimed that the display violates the Constitution by "creating the appearance that the District prefers religion over nonreligion and Christianity over all other faiths."

In response to the FFRF's complaint, Clovis Municipal Schools Superintendent Jody Balch advised via email that the school was working on painting over the display.

The mural was reportedly painted in 2013 in the halls of the Freshman Academy by a former art teacher. The school painted over the display within 24 hours of receiving the complaint, according to KRQE News 13.

Most people interviewed by KRQE News 13 in Clovis said that they were not offended by the mural. "As far as being on a wall at my school I'd have no problems with that," said Clovis resident Kim Caine.

Following the removal of the mural, the FFRF commended the district for its quick response regarding the issue.

"We are pleased that the school district reacted with alacrity to remedy this violation," FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor said in a statement. "This action ensures that all of its studentsaof any religious background or no religious backgroundafeel welcome and included," she added.
home World Sudanese authorities evict two church leaders from their homes

Sudanese authorities have reportedly evicted two church leaders and their families from their homes in the city of Omdurman last week.

According to Morning Star News, the police conducted a raid on two houses belonging to the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC) on Aug. 15. The first house was located near the Omdurman Evangelical Church, while the other was attached to Omdurman Evangelical School. Both houses were reportedly close to each other in the city across the Nile River from Khartoum.

The authorities evicted the families of the Rev. Yahia Abdelrahim Nalu, who serves as a SPEC moderator, and the Rev. Sidiq Abdalla, a SPEC pastor with two children.

Sources claimed that the eviction was part of a government-aided effort to help Muslim businessman Hisham Hamad Al-Neel to take over the church property for investment.

The families recounted that the police pounded on the doors and shouted threats during the raid. "They came and knocked on the door strongly, then said, 'Should you not open, we will have to break it by force to get in,'" said Nalu, who has a 1-year-old son.

He said that he and his family have yet to find shelter elsewhere. "The situation is very difficult, and we are living on the street," he remarked.

SPEC leaders have reportedly filed an appeal to nullify the evictions, but they are not expecting the issue to be resolved anytime soon.

The sources of Morning Star News have noted that the leadership of SPEC remains in the hands of government-appointed committee members, despite a court ruling in November 2016 that declared the appointments illegal.

The Sudanese government has designated at least 25 churches for destruction, but the Minister for Religious Endowments had promised to delay the demolition plans in March following a visit from the EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, JAn FigeA. However, the minister has since been replaced, and at least two churches have already been demolished. One church worker was reportedly killed when he attempted to defend the church property from government takeover.

The government has claimed that the demolished churches were built on land that was intended for residential or other uses, or were on government land, but church leaders contended that it was a part of a wider crackdown on Christianity.

Sudan has been labeled by the U.S. State Department as a Country of Particular Concern since 1999 due to its treatment of Christians and other human rights violations. The country is also ranked fifth on the watchdog organization Open Doors' 2017 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution.
Finland has reportedly seen a flood of conversions from Islam to Christianity, with hundreds of asylum seekers from the Middle East turning to the Christian faith, officials in the Evangelical Lutheran community said.

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

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

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

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

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

Many of the Imatra confirmation students reportedly cited a disillusionment with the Islamic faith, and say they will probably never return to Afghanistan.
Houston intellectual property lawyer Sharon A. Israel is joining Shook, Hardy & Bacon.

Israel was most recently a partner at Mayer Brown where she led the Houston intellectual property practice.

Israel, who has a degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, represents clients in oil field services, consumer electronics, medical devices and wireless communication systems.

RELATED: Law firm exports Houston's cost advantages to Silicon Valley

Shook, Hardy & Bacon has 11 offices in the United States and one in London.
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NRG Energy will be moving its downtown Houston offices into the One Shell Plaza tower, the company confirmed on Wednesday.

The move will bring NRG's Houston-based employees under one roof, instead of housing them in buildings scattered across the city, said Jennifer Wallace, NRG's senior vice president of administration.

NRG will vacate its offices in the GreenStreet building, also downtown, where more than 1,500 employees work in the merchant power company's Houston headquarters. (NRG's second headquarters is in Princeton, New Jersey.)

Shell Oil Co. has put a substantial portion of its namesake building at 910 Louisiana on the market for sublease as it consolidates offices to west Houston. Shell has about 800,000 square feet of space at One Shell Plaza.

RELATED: NRG to divest up to $4 billion in assets following board shake-up

The building, owned by Busycon Properties, is 98 percent leased. Colvill Office Properties, which handles leasing for Busycon, declined to disclose the size of NRG's sublease.

Earlier this week, Porter Hedges, a law firm and a long-time tenant of NRG in a downtown building at 1000 Main, announced through the firm's real estate broker that it had switched its sublease from NRG to the building's landlord.

Last month, NRG announced that it plans to divest up to $4 billion in assets. In early August, the company began nation-wide layoffs, although it would not disclose how many people lost their jobs. But a group of around 80 workers to serviced NRG power plants in the Houston area confirmed that they had been laid off.

NRG said the planned office move is unrelated to the company's efforts to downsize.

Houston lawyers Patrick Sharkey and Amanda Sheneman of Jackson Walker advised NRG on the sublease deal along with in-house lawyer Scott Thomas.
Matthew Brown/Associated Press

Fort Worth's Double Eagle Energy is coming back to life after selling its business earlier this year to Austin's Parsley Energy for $2.8 billion.

The Permian Basin-focused oil and gas explorer is again working with the Apollo Global Management private equity firm to create the new Double Eagle Energy III Holdings.
An 18-year-old woman is behind bars after she was accused of stabbing a teen Monday in northeast Houston.

The woman - Vinshala Franzis - was charged Tuesday with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
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A trademark dispute swirling between two portable-toilet vendors since last year has been settled.

Texas Outhouse of Houston, which trademarked its logo incorporating Texas and its lone star last year, had sued rival Texas Waste in May 2016, claiming the Alvin company's use of similar iconic Texas images diluted Texas Outhouse's brand, making it difficult for users to distinguish the difference.
Pelican Builders begins testing the market today for a condominium building near River Oaks with units priced as high as $2.6 million.

The Houston developer opened a sales center Wednesday for the proposed nine-story luxury condo building called The Revere. The 32 units would range from 2,800 to 3,800 square feet.
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Keith laid across the curb and concrete. Then he stood and walked over by the trees and looked up. Then he turned to his left, and to his right. The young elementary student did everything he possibly could to take in a historical moment as he joined millions across the country gazing at the first solar eclipse in almost four decades.

"I'm having fun," little Keith Vollert told the Dayton News. "This is really cool!"

He arrived early for the eclipse at Liberty Middle School and when everyone else had left to go inside, Keith was still outside gazing up. He wasn't missing a single thing with the eclipse.

His mom was parked just a few feet away in front of the school allowing the youngster to experience everything his little mind could absorb.

It was one of those beautiful teachable moments that warmed the heart of LMS principal Rhonda Smith.

In her seventh year at the school and 26th year in the district, Smith was overwhelmed.

"This was spectacular!" she said. "And to have shared it with 1,000 members of our community was special."

Students weren't even in school at Liberty at the time, but it was a rare teachable moment with a solar eclipse party at the school.

"This started out kind of small only involving our campus," she said. "We don't start back until tomorrow and so this is a teacher workday getting ready for their students."

Last week, Smith's brain went into overdrive and thought teachers should have a Total Eclipse of the Heart luncheon, a take on the Bonnie Tyler song.

"I decided that we'd have a video with the staff with stats on the solar eclipse," she said.

Then for lunch, the staff was treated to crescent chicken salad sandwiches, sun chips, moon pies, and sun tea.

On her invitation list, of course, was LISD Superintendent Dr. Cody Abshier, who listened to Smith explain her idea and he thought it was so genius he ordered 1,000 pairs of glasses that were distributed to faculty members at all the campuses and shared with community members and students who wanted them.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in a press release, the partial eclipse duration in the Houston and Liberty County areas lasted approximately 2 hours, 59 minutes, reaching its maximum level of 70 percent at 1:16 p.m. CDT.

The umbra, the moon's shadow, passed over the earth at a rate of speed of 3,000 miles per hour racing across the nation's heartland in a 70-mile swath.

In the lead-up to a total solar eclipse, most of the attention is on the sun, but Earth's moon also has a starring role.

"A total eclipse is a dance with three partners: the moon, the sun and Earth," said Richard Vondrak, a lunar scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "It can only happen when there is an exquisite alignment of the moon and the sun in our sky."

In the press release, Vondrak said during this type of eclipse, the moon completely hides the face of the sun for a few minutes, offering a rare opportunity to glimpse the pearly white halo of the solar corona, or faint outer atmosphere. This requires nearly perfect alignment of the moon and the sun, and the apparent size of the moon in the sky must match the apparent size of the sun.

On average, a total solar eclipse occurs about every 18 months somewhere on Earth, although at any particular location, it happens much less often.

The path of totality crossed 14 states only in the continental U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina.

"It was a fun day," the principal said. "We had a family who drove over from Huffman to watch with us and they had heard about it on social media."

From retired teachers to current faculty, community members, students and even a city councilwoman from Dayton, the event attracted a number of folks to join in with the millions around the country to enjoy the unique astronomical event.

"Knowing that tomorrow we start school and our faculty and kids were able to experience something so rare, I'm sure tomorrow our science department will be showing their photos to students," she said.

While students endure first day jitters and getting to a class late here and there, Smith said the faculty will use Monday's experience as a conversation starter to relieve any cold starts and get students engaged immediately with their teachers.

"If they didn't watch it, we'll share the videos and photos that were taken," she said.

Smith also enjoyed the day for another reason.

"I was happy to see so many from the community here," the principal said proudly. "We need more activities to bring our community together and this was special," she said.

Smith was so touched to see LES student Keith on her campus enjoying the event.

"It would be so awesome if this was a spark for him to become an astronomer," she said.

Keith and a few millions of his eclipse buddies won't have to wait long for a repeat performance.

On April 8, 2024, another solar eclipse will run through Mexico up through Texas to the west of the Houston area. Scientists at NASA say the path of totality will likely run through the San Antonio and Austin areas in a northeastern pattern out of the state.

What makes these such gifts to the American public?

NASA says in the very distant future, the spectacular shows put on by total solar eclipses will cease. That's because the moon is, on average, slowly receding from Earth at a rate of about 1-1/2 inches, or 4 centimeters, per year. Once the moon moves far enough away, its apparent size in the sky will be too small to cover the sun completely.

"Over time, the number and frequency of total solar eclipses will decrease," said Vondrak. "About 600 million years from now, Earth will experience the beauty and drama of a total solar eclipse for the last time."

With that knowledge, who can blame little Keith for taking in as much as he can.
Ed Sheeran inspires big emotions in many fans. But there was no one quite like Caroline Ryder during Sheeran's Saturday show at Toyota Center.

The 23-year-old hairdresser and lash technician from Ruston, La. was overcome with feeling during Sheeran's set. And she shared it throughout the night on her Snapchat account.

See some of the videos above. (And excuse her language. She was going through it, y'all.) I even mentioned her in my review of the show.

ALL THE FEELS: Ed Sheeran enraptures a sold-out Houston crowd

"He's literally, like, my bucket list concert. I'm engaged but I still love Ed," Ryder says. "I didn't know how to process what I was feeling, so I just talked and cried a lot."

Ryder is getting married in two months and says the ticket was an early wedding gift from one of her bridesmaids. This was her first time seeing Sheeran onstage.

She fell "in love with him when I was 15 and he was posting YouTube videos." And she's stuck by him as he's ascended into superstardom.

"I just feel like these days a lot of what is mainstream music isn't really of substance," Ryder says. "He's somebody who's figured out how to be mainstream and to be well-spoken in his music and his artistry.

"He's one of a kind to me."

She chose to share her tears on Snapchat knowing it might get some laughs. But also to put something positive out into the world.

"All you see on social media is negative nonsense. Why not share something that's funny and also super real? she says. "I can have a good laugh at myself. But the part that makes it more funny is that was truly how I was feeling."

Her night ended with more tears -- but not the happy kind.

Ryder says she was booted from the concert after losing her ticket in the bathroom.

"I was outside hysterically crying," she says.

Ryder says she's in contact with Toyota Center about a possible refund. A concierge at the venue tried to help and even offered tickets for another show.

But this girl only has eyes for the ginger man.

"I don't care about anybody else," she says. "There's nothing else that could make up for this as far as I'm concerned. He's my boo."
Courtesy

The annual State of the County Luncheon presented by Generation Park will be held at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, at Kingwood Country Club.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett will speak at the event, which will share insight with community members and leaders about Harris County.
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Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 FamilyTime Women of Achievement awards in the following categories: the Arts, Business, Community Activist, Education, Entrepreneur, Homemaker, Human Services, Medical, Women's Advocate, Visionary, Volunteer and Special Recognition.

The 2017 FamilyTime Women of Achievement Honorees will be recognized at a gala dinner event Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Hyatt Regency downtown Houston.

"Nominate a family member, a neighbor, your co-worker  anyone who makes a difference in your life and others," said Susan Meinholz, FamilyTime Women of Achievement Gala chairwoman. "The FamilyTime Hearts of Gold Gala is a wonderful opportunity to recognize women who give their hearts and countless hours to make our community a better place to live, raise our children, work and play."

To nominate a woman for this year's Women of Achievement, visit the events section of the FamilyTime website at www.familytimeccc.org/events.html to download the nomination form or e-mail gala@familytimeccc.org. Nominations must be received no later than Oct. 17. Previous winners are not eligible for an award. A list of previous winners is available on the website.

"The FamilyTime Women of Achievement honorees are role models to the many women FamilyTime serves. By contributing to the gala, individuals and businesses are supporting the FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center and helping these women find the strength to make a new life for themselves and their children," Meinholz said.

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, FamilyTime will again host The Purple Ribbon Luncheon at the Kingwood Country Club on Oct. 13. All former Women of Achievement will be recognized. A candlelight vigil and Open House will be held Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Details on both events may be found at www.familytimeccc.org.
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Schools in Texas are rated by the Texas Education Agency in four categories - student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness.

The Katy Independent School District received a grading of "Met Standard" in the TEA's recently released 2017 accountability summary.

"We look at assessments as a diagnostic tool and not necessarily a punitive tool. Fortunately, we're not in a position where there is any punitive action by the state," said Katy ISD Superintendent Lance Hindt.

Hindt said he was glad they received an across the board passing grade from the state officials but stressed that a single test would not define the district.

"We have multiple measure we use to determine the success of this school district and the success of our schools and the success of our students," Hindt said.

State officials said eight campuses in Katy ISD, like 400 other secondary schools throughout the Texas, also received a grade of "all possible distinctions" for academic achievement in topics such as English, mathematics, science and social studies. The schools that received the designation were: Taylor High School; Mayde Creek High School; Seven Lakes High School; Mayde Creek Junior High School; Garland McMeans Junior High School; Beckendorff Junior High School; Tays Junior High School and McRoberts Elementary School.

"Amazing work takes place in classrooms across our state every school day but especially on these campuses where every possible distinction has been earned," Commissioner of Education Mike Morath said in a statement.

The other school districts surrounding the Katy area received similarly "Met Standard" scores but Hindt said he does sympathize with those that fell into the "needs improvement" category on the latest test.

"Great things are happening in those schools but unfortunately the state is using one test to determine whether or not they are successful," Hindt said.
Lone Star College-Kingwood's Career Services Department invites job seekers to attend its first Job Fair for fall 2017.

The free event is Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 12-2 p.m. in the Student Conference Center (SCC) atrium. Companies will be on-site to recruit for a variety of entry-level positions, such as business administration, teachers and childcare, customer service representatives, restaurant and banquet staff, police officer cadets, firefighters/EMTs, bus drivers and lifeguards.

"The purpose of this Job Fair is to connect local area businesses with our students as well as other community members to benefit the Houston economy," said Donna Washington, career services program manager.

LSC-Kingwood's Career Services department hosts two job fairs each semester and provides free resources to students and the business community. Career services is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and is in the SCC room 205. For more information, call 281-312-1624 or email Kingwood.CareerServices@LoneStar.edu.
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The Houston area is currently awash in lovebugs, those amorously-named species of flies that emerge twice a year to generally annoy the population and maybe bring about awkward conversation between parents and small children.

The black-bodied insects, which have a reddish-orange thorax, are called lovebugs or honeymoon flies because of their midair copulation ritual. They came to the United States via South America and were first noted in our area in 1940.

LONE STAR FEELS: 17 things we Texans are completely used to

The bugs (scientific name Plecia Nearctica) become locked in embrace with their mates as they flit through the air, not unlike teenagers on dates at your local movie theater.

Those relationships typically only last 56 hours, which is likely an eternity in the bug world.

During a particularly rowdy lovebug season Evan Siemann, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Rice University, told Chron.com in 2013 said that they only live long enough to eat nectar, copulate, lay eggs and die.

Sounds like a solid life.

Butterfly entomologist Kathryn Hokamp with the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science told Chron.com this week that there is no reason to use pesticides on the bugs.

"Lovebug swarms are often so large that pesticides will not be very effective," Hokamp said.

Lovebugs don't bite, they don't sting, and they are much like maggots. The female plants her eggs in moist soil, and when hatched, the larvae consume the detritus that surrounds them. Ditches and swampy areas are their kingdoms.

"Lovebugs won't hurt you, so the best thing to do is to wait their mating season out," Hokamp added.

Let them do their thing. They are only alive for two and half days anyway.

THE WORLD OF TEXAS: Texas towns and their old world counterparts

They also seem to have a sweetheart deal with the car wash industry in the humid southern United States where they are prevalent in the late spring and late summer months.

They are attracted to car emissions and black top roads, which is a deadly combination for a living thing so small and delicate.

The bugs' bodies can wreak havoc on paint jobs and other surfaces on cars after they meet their end at a high rate of speed. Windshields and grills are their killing fields.

The faster they are removed the better. Don't let the bugs cook overnight in the Texas heat into your paint. It's important to choose a bug remover that doesn't harm car paint or strip wax.

Check out the slideshow above to learn some obscure facts about lovebugs, one of nature's cutest pests...
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Regents at the Texas A&M University System cheered the systems flagships decision to cancel a White Lives Matter event on Sept. 11 at a Wednesday board meeting.

In the afternoon, the board approved a resolution expressing support for the decision.

Chairman Charles Schwartz, a longtime attorney in Houston, said that A&M consulted with law and public safety experts and had a firm factual basis" to expect violence at the event before cancelling the permit.

HoustonChronicle.com: Campuses are targets of alt-right speakers. How should they respond?

He said the university is committed to free speech, as evidenced by the December event featuring white nationalist Richard Spencer.

Violence has no place in a university setting, he said. "I support our administration and condemn those who claim a right under the First Amendment to incite violence and those who would put the safety of our campus community at risk."

The resolution approved by trustees read:

"We, the members of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, express our full support for Texas A&M University's recent decision to cancel the events scheduled for Sept. 11, 2017. Across the system, we strongly embrace the First Amendment and believe that a university is a marketplace of ideas. However, we do not believe that the First Amendment requires us to allow violence on our campuses, and our obligation to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff is first and foremost."

Earlier Wednesday, event organizer Preston Wiginton said he had filed a complaint with the ACLU, alleging that his free-speech rights had been threatened.

I ask you to reconsider your decision on banning my event, he said in a press release directed at regents. If you silence me, the issues of hatred toward white people, destroying their heritage taking down statues and rapidly changing demographics will not go away.
Oil prices had started to climb in 2010 when University of Houston regents approved a master's degree in petroleum completion and well intervention engineering, expecting to draw as many as 50 students in a semester.

But zero students enrolled in fall 2016. The degree is now one of 18 that UH regents will consider eliminating at Thursday's board meeting.

Many of the 18 degrees are shells of old offerings that the university no longer advertises. For example, UH offers master's of science degrees in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, geology and physics, while its master's of arts degrees in the same fields are no longer publicized. The six master's of arts degrees will be voted on for closure on Thursday.

"These programs should have been removed from the inventory years ago," said Bruce Jones, vice provost for academic programs.

Still, a few changes are more substantive. That petroleum degree just didn't catch on, Jones said. A linguistics degree for years has been "moribund," English department chair James Kastely said.

Space-related research, once conducted in a master's of science in human space exploration that is up for elimination, is now housed in other entities, like the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture.

"When faculty roll out these programs, there is some judgment that goes into what they feel is marketable, relevant, what is desired by students," Jones said. "It's not an exact science. Sometimes you have anomalies, (but) it doesn't happen a lot."

Three of 18 degrees up for elimination are in UH's English department: a bachelor's in linguistics, a master's in applied English linguistics and a master's in English creative writing and literature.

Linguistics and applied English linguistics graduated no students from the 2014 fiscal year through 2016, according to the state's higher education coordinating board.

The department will try to rebuild a linguistics curriculum that could offer certificates in English as a Second Language and create a minor program. These initiatives would offer linguistics in other areas outside of the cancelled degrees, Kastely said.

Kastely said the master's in creative writing has been "non-functioning" for more than a decade. Master's of fine arts and doctorate programs in creative writing remain strong, he said. The regents' decision for that degree, he said, will amount to a change in bookkeeping instead of any cutback.

UH evaluates academic degrees for closure periodically. The university recommended that regents discontinue a doctorate program in Hispanic literature and language and a master's program in speech communications in November 2015, for example.

"Our driving force here is to maintain an updated inventory," Jones said.

The state's higher education coordinating board recommends closing programs that for three years do not graduate enough students.

Nearly 200 programs in Texas didn't meet the board's requirements last year, the coordinating board says, and the vast majority of those programs have been low-performing by the coordinating board's standards for three years.

Regents on Thursday will also evaluate the productivity of new degrees launched from 2009 to 2015.

On average, those 28 degrees  including two that regents will consider closing on Thursday  are under-enrolled by 26 students. Just three degrees exceed the target enrollment set out when they were approved.
Police said three suspects turned to stealing from unlocked cars after they were confronted for trying to use a counterfeit $100 bill at two different Magnolia restaurants in a row.

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to the Jack in the Box at 6734 FM 1488 on Sunday about a possible counterfeit bill. While en route, the deputies were told three males attempted to use a counterfeit $100 bill at a nearby Denny's.
The provost at the University of St. Thomas announced he is stepping aside at the end of the fall semester, three days after a lawsuit challenged his handling of a lewd email allegedly sent by another administrator to him, a female colleague and a priest.

Dominic Aquila said he will leave the provost's position at the private Catholic university but will continue to work with home-schooled children and teach as a faculty member. His decision to step aside, he said in an email to faculty, has been "long in the making."

Adam Martinez, associate director of the university's Faith and Culture program, is accused in the lawsuit of sending an email that included a photo of male genitalia on Aug. 20, 2015 to Aquila, associate vice president Siobhan Fleming and a priest who leads Martinez's department.

Aquila did not respond to requests for comment and Martinez declined to comment. St. Thomas officials said in a statement that they believe the men deny the allegations set out in the lawsuit.

Fleming, the university's associate vice president of institutional assessment, filed the lawsuit Friday against Aquila and Martinez, accusing them of "extreme and outrageous" conduct.

"As a devout Catholic, I think it was very shocking to her, that this was going on," said attorney David Tang, who is representing Fleming. "She's got a lot of anxiety. This bothers her. You can't un-ring the bell."

St. Thomas lawyer Carter Crow of Norton Rose Fulbright said the university investigated in 2015 whether the incident broke policies including but not limited to sexual misconduct. Later, he said, St. Thomas took "appropriate action," declining to specify any steps.

St. Thomas policy, which is available online, forbids "sex-based cyber-harassment," "distribution of pornographic material" and "sexual intimidation and indecent exposure."

Tang, however, said the university did not evaluate the email as sexual misconduct under Title IX, the federal gender nondiscrimination law, and he said Fleming was not interviewed for any university investigation in 2015.

The lawsuit comes as universities nationwide are under tight scrutiny for how they handle allegations of sexual misconduct, a broad category that the Department of Justice has defined as sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence and sexual exploitation.

Federal investigators are probing hundreds of campuses nationwide for allegedly breaking federal law that dictates how universities are required to respond to these allegations on campus.

And the issue has particular resonance in Texas. The federal Office for Civil Rights is investigating 14 complaints on 12 Texas campuses, not including St. Thomas. Multiple lawsuits accuse Baylor University of mishandling sexual assault complaints.

Resolution sought

Aquila, Martinez and Fleming are longtime employees of the university. Aquila has held top positions  including vice president for academic affairs and provost  since 2008. A university organizational chart on St. Thomas' website shows he reports directly to the president.

Martinez has worked at the university's Faith and Culture Center since 2009, according to his LinkedIn profile.

University publications say that Fleming is a St. Thomas alumna. She returned to the university as an administrator in 2013.

Crow, St. Thomas' lawyer, said the university thought the matter was settled after it took action in 2015. Fleming renewed the complaint in June and the university tried to "get an amicable resolution," Crow said.

"Ultimately that was not possible and Ms. Fleming decided to file," he said.

At HCC: Red flags during trustee's time on HCC board didn't bring intervention

Tang attributes the delayed filing to his client's growing stress about the complaint, which he said "was eating up at her." Over the last two years, Fleming has continued to work with both men but noticed a changed professional relationship with her colleagues, Tang said.

A university crime log indicates that a report was filed on June 23, 2017 of an obscene display or distribution from Aug. 20, 2015. Tang confirmed that the report describes the email in the lawsuit.

Though St. Thomas is a private university, its police reports are public records under state law.

When the Houston Chronicle submitted an open records request to obtain the police report, however, the university appealed the request to the Texas Attorney General, calling the information "highly intimate or embarrassing, such that its release would be highly objectionable to a reasonable person" and "of no legitimate public interest."

That appeal is still pending.

'Extra scrutiny'

As a Catholic university, St. Thomas includes moral standards as part of its mission statement and conduct code.

Faculty, staff and administrators, the university says, "should be ready to educate students about goodness, discipline (and) knowledge."

The university says moral indiscretions including sexual activity are "moderate violations" of a student handbook.

Charissa Dvorak, an attorney at Spencer Fane law firm in Dallas who focuses on church and university responses to sexual misconduct, said it is challenging to create a campus culture that encourages reporting and investigation of sexual misconduct at religious universities.

"There is a lot of extra scrutiny for an institution that has a faith-based mission," Dvorak said. "Many individuals and institutions rightly hold them to a higher standard."

Responding to the added scrutiny, campuses and other institutions may attempt to keep allegations quiet, she said.

"Christian institutions and faith-based institutions have the opportunity to lead the way," she said. "They miss out on that opportunity when they don't speak out right away."
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The Barbers Hill Independent School District (BHISD) will not alter its dress code policy for a Houston-area boy shut out because of his long hair.

Superintendent Greg Poole told Chron.com that the district "should justifiably be criticized if our district lessened its expectations or longstanding policies simply to appease" Jessica Oates who will not cut her 4-year-old son Jabez's hair.

"Parents have a right to seek an appropriate educational setting for their child, just as Ms. Oates has the right to place her child in a district that reflects her personal expectations for standards of appearance. There are procedures in place for addressing concerns over policy if it is Ms. Oates' desire to have her son educated in Barbers Hill ISD," Poole added in a statement.

BARBERS HILL LIVES UP TO ITS NAME: Houston-area boy banned from school because of long hair

Jabez's hair resulted in his removal from Barbers Hill kindergarten center Friday afternoon because it was too long. The student handbook, which Oates signed, states that boy's hair "will not extend below the eyebrows, below the ear lobes, or below the top of a t-shirt collar. Corn rows and/or dread locks are permitted if they meet the aforementioned lengths."

Now Playing: Mom says her son is being denied an education because of his long hair Video: Brandpoint

Oates, 25, believes the district is discriminating against her son, who has stayed home all week.

"My child, being that he was accepted into the government funded program, has every right to the schooling here in BHISD without discriminatory policies. Policies that blatantly disregard culture, religion and sex," Oates told Chron.com Wednesday morning. "The policies in place for rectifying the situation have been addressed on my end. I will do everything I can to afford my child the right to an education here without being discriminated against."

Dress code policies policing boys with long hair is nothing new. In Sept. 1970, Elton Martin was a student at South Laurel Senior High School in Pennsylvania when the administration passed a new dress code prohibiting boys from sporting long hair.

BAD LOOK: A Florida high school is in the spotlight after posting 'sexist' prom dress code flyers

"Everyone else [cut their hair] but I resisted and contacted the ACLU," Martin told Chron.com. "I was suspended and eventually reinstated with an injunction from the federal judge until we had a hearing in the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh."

In Jan. 1971, a Pennsylvania judge ruled in Martin's favor, citing the 14th Amendment, specifically that the government, a public school in this case, could not take away his property (hair) without due process and compensation, Martin said.

Oates plans on visiting Barbers Hill administrators Wednesday to discuss her options.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Joe Gamaldi Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Joe Gamaldi Show More Show Less 3 of 3





More than 100 law enforcement officers gathered from across Texas to walk Kevin Will from his house to Willow Creek Elementary School in Tomball ISD Tuesday where he would start his first of kindergarten. Joe Gamaldi, second vice president of the Houston Police Officers' Union, said he and his fellow officers wanted Will to know his blue family would be there for him after his Will's father, Kevin Will, a Houston police officer, was killed in 2011 while on duty.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the house," Gamaldi said. "The first day of kindergarten is a very special day."
A century after the violent Houston clash between black Army soldiers and white civilians and police that left three dozen people dead or wounded, two servicemen lost in the Camp Logan mutiny were honored with military headstones.

Grave markers for Sgt. Vida Henry and Private Bryant Watson, who died on Aug. 23, 1917, were unveiled Wednesday morning at the historic College Park Cemetery beneath a temporary gazebo. About 100 people attended the ceremony.

SCARS: 100 years later, scars from Camp Logan riots remain in Houston

The program was part of a centennial week of Camp Logan commemorative events arranged by the Houston-based Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. Black drapes on the headstones were ceremoniously removed by members of the Houston chapter of the Montford Point Marine Association, which honors the first 20,000 black recruits into the U.S. Marine Corps trained from 1942 to 1949.

The Camp Logan Riot, as the mutiny came to be known, was one of the darkest days in Houston's history. Black soldiers from the Army's Third Battalion of the 24th Infantry Regiment left camp at what is now Memorial Park against orders and exacted revenge for humiliating and sometimes physically abusive treatment by local white citizens and police officers.

In the end, 16 people died  including five police officers  and 22 others were wounded (although numbers vary in historical accounts). The riot also begot murder trials resulting in 19 men hanged and 53 handed life sentences. The episode was a lasting stain on the U.S. military and particularly the 24th Infantry, whose proud history would henceforth contain a horrible chapter.

"No one here today would want to live in Houston 1917. Being separated from one another along a color line makes for an oppressive society for the ones being oppressed as well as for the ones enforcing the law. No one wins," said Angela Holder, a history professor at Houston Community College whose great uncle was among the executed men. "They took it upon themselves to fight for the basic dignity all of us as human beings are entitled to, but unfortunately some innocent people died in that struggle. No one wins."

Watson died as the result of friendly fire, Holder said, and Henry is believed to have taken his life the night of the riot.

Private Wiley Strong has received a third military headstone and is buried at a local Catholic cemetery, according to J.M. Hedge, assistant director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Houston regional benefit office. He helped arrange for the veteran headstones.

"I want to honor the service and sacrifice of the two men who are laying here with us right now," he told those gathered. "It's our hope that these burial markers will allow us and future generations to pay our respects for their service and to never forget their sacrifice."

College Memorial Park Cemetery (known as College Park Cemetery) is a historic burial ground on West Dallas near River Oaks. Some of the earliest black settlers of Houston are interred there including the Rev. Jack Yates  a legendary leader who came to Houston after slavery was abolished and was among the founders of Emancipation Park and the school that evolved into Texas Southern University.

Mayor Sylvester Turner will be among those attending a 5 p.m. Camp Logan Marker Rededication Ceremony on Wednesday in Memorial Park at Haskell and Arnot.
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After a massive effort requiring more than 2,000 inmate transfers in two weeks, the Texas prison system over the weekend came into compliance with a federal court order in a closely watched lawsuit over sweltering living conditions at a Navasota facility.

"The moves happened seamlessly," said Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark, speaking just days after a federal appeals court upheld class certification for the case in what one legal expert described as a "strong" and "significant" ruling.

In addition to the 1,025 heat-sensitive inmates U.S. District Court Judge Keith Ellison ordered moved out of the overheated Pack Unit, the state transferred another 1,089 prisoners to make room in other facilities.

Although the judge's preliminary injunction set a strict three-week deadline for the transfer, TDCJ finished the moves a week early.

TOO SLOW: Families, advocates complain about dragging transfers

"Plaintiff's counsel are pleased that TDCJ followed the court's order and they look forward to making this injunction permanent now that the 5th Circuit has made it crystal clear that the class action for all inmates can proceed," said Jeff Edwards, the Austin lawyer representing the inmates who sparked the legal battle in 2014.

The inmates at the center of the ongoing legal saga scored a victory Friday when the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed class certification after the state appealed Ellison's decision.

Among other things, Texas argued in its appeal that the class certification was in violation of the Prison Litigation Reform Act, a 1996 law aimed at reining in prisoners' legal actions.

The state also argued that other heat-mitigation measures could work depending on inmates' age and health, so it wasn't possible to determine whether the excessive heat really presented a risk of serious harm to all of the unit's inmates.

But the 5th Circuit upheld the district court's finding that cooled respite areas, more frequent showers, cold water and fans were ineffective to reduce the risk, pointing out that the lower court's decision came after a four-day hearing that included a Pack Unit tour.

From the typically conservative 5th Circuit, it's a notable decision, according to one legal expert.

"The case really deals on a fundamental level with the question of the authority of courts to protect constitutional rights in prison litigation," said Austin-based appellate attorney Kurt Kuhn. "If you can't prove a class unless everybody has the same reaction to the same temperature at the same moment, at some point you're saying you can't effectively litigate things."

MOONLIGHT RIDES: Prisoners moved to cooler quarters

But that's not what the court found, and the ruling effectively helps draw a line in the sand regarding class certification of prison condition lawsuits.

"The reasoning of it will play to other circuits," Kuhn said. "If the 9th Circuit did this a lot of people wouldn't blink, but if the 5th Circuit does this, it's a big deal."

The suit filed three years ago on behalf of six inmates accused the state of violating their constitutional right against cruel and unusual punishment and the Americans with Disabilities Act after a series of heat-related deaths. None of the 22 inmate deaths in Texas prisons since 1998 were at the Pack Unit, although some of the more than 100 inmates struck by heat-related injuries were housed in the facility that's home to a disproportionate number of geriatric inmates.

Though parts of the Navasota facility are air-conditioned, the inmate housing areas are not, so indoor temperatures can spike up over 100 degrees in the summer months.

Instead of getting air-conditioning in housing areas, TDCJ shipped the inmates to cooled quarters in other state prisons. The court order expires in 90 days, and state officials have indicated the inmates will return to the Pack Unit once temperatures cool off.

While the state has filed paperwork showing its intent to appeal both the August preliminary injunction and a searing 101-page opinion the month before, the reaffirmed class certification paves the way for inmates' lawyers to try winning a permanent injunction.

"We're going to move forward as quickly as we can," Edwards said, "so that the inmates have some certainty in their lives."
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An apparent communist flier purportedly found at the University of Houston campus is making waves on the internet.

A Reddit user recently posted an image of the alleged flier online, drawing commentary from the website's small Houston community.

"We must stand united against Trump's fascist regime and its Nazi henchmen," reads the flier, asking students to organize. "Our university is a safe place for people of all ethnic backgrounds and is not safe for racist, terrorist hate groups."

FUTURE OUTLOOK: How the Soviets in 1960 imagined 2017: Interstellar travel, socialism everywhere

Many Houston users on the discussion website poked fun at the flier's misspelling of the word "organized," but most expressed concern for the communist ideology.

The flier promotes the University of Houston's Young Communist League, a "youth-led organization that seeks to activate and mobilize youth and students in the struggle for democracy, justice and human rights," according to the group's Facebook page, which appears to advocate for the removal of Confederate monuments in Houston.

COMMUNIST STATUE: In Seattle, people are protesting monuments to the Confederacy - and communism

While some might be surprised by the communist flier in the deep-red state of Texas, the call for leftist organization in the University of Houston may be part of a larger, nationwide trend.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Donald Trump's election has energized socialist and leftist groups across the country. The Democratic Socialists of America is said to have tripled its membership over the last year.

The Houston Young Communist League could not be immediately reached for comment.

See above for a running list of where Confederate monuments have been removed.
A Texas lawmaker wants the University of Texas at Austin to give him the statue of a former governor that was removed from campus Sunday night along with three others representing the Confederacy.

State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, (R)-Angleton, sent a letter to the university calling the removal of James Stephen Hogg, Texas' first native-born governor, "disrespectful."
If you're thinking about taking a Mexican beach vacation this fall, the State Department warns against it because of increased violence toward Americans in 2017.

"U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican states," the State Department warning issued Tuesday, August 22 reads. Tuesday's warning replaces the previous warning for Mexico issued December 8, 2016.
A federal court temporarily blocked Houston from enforcing its fledgling ban on public encampments Tuesday, dealing a blow to city efforts to minimize homeless camps that have drawn residents' ire in recent months.

The three-month-old law outlaws the unauthorized use of temporary structures for "human habitation" and empowers police officers to arrest violators if a series of diversion tactics prove unsuccessful.

Enforcing that prohibition could, U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt wrote, violate the homeless plaintiffs' Eighth Amendment right to avoid cruel and unusual punishment.

"The plaintiffs have demonstrated that they are subject to a credible threat of being

arrested, booked, prosecuted and jailed for violating the city of Houston's ban on sheltering in

public," Hoyt said. "The evidence is conclusive that they are involuntarily in public, harmlessly attempting to shelter themselves  an act they cannot realistically forgo, and that is integral to their status as unsheltered homeless individuals."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, which is representing the homeless plaintiffs, welcomed Hoyt's temporary restraining order.

"We're delighted the court recognized that homelessness is not and should not be a crime," Trisha Trigilio, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas, said in a statement. "Seeking shelter is not only a right; it's also a fundamental human necessity. We call on the city to stop enforcing ordinances that criminalize such a basic human need and seek more compassionate and effective methods for solving Houston's homelessness problem."

Mayor Sylvester Turner called the order disappointing.

"The intent of the ordinance is to take our most vulnerable Houstonians from the streets and place them in permanent supportive housing," he said in a statement. "It is our hope that the court will ultimately conclude that the city of Houston has the right to manage public space by regulating what can be erected there, especially when items impede on the space and pose risks."
A Houston lawyer acting on behalf of a San Antonio death row inmate is seeking a last-minute reprieve with a newly filed motion citing a need for more DNA testing on evidence from the 2003 lovers' lane slaying.

Juan Castillo is set for execution on Sept. 7 for his role in the murder of Tommy Garcia during a bungled robbery turned fatal. But on Tuesday, David Dow, a University of Houston law professor with the Texas Innocence Network, filed a motion to withdraw the execution date.

The case centers around the death of a 19-year-old rapper, who was shot repeatedly after Castillo's then-girlfriend lured him to a secluded spot with the promise of sex and drugs. Castillo was one of four people convicted in the crime, but he was fingered as the trigger man and was the only one hit with a capital sentence.

In April, Castillo's counsel filed a motion requesting DNA testing on a knit cap sent to a crime lab back in 2003, a few weeks after the slaying. The Bexar County District Attorney's Office filed a response opposing the testing, but the court has not yet issued a decision - and that's why lawyers are asking to cancel the death date.

"Given today's date, and the certainty additional proceedings will be needed to ultimately resolve Mr. Castillo's motions, the court should exercise its power to withdraw the imminent execution date," Dow wrote in the latest court filings.

"If the court grants the motion, more time will obviously be needed for the forensic analysis to be completed. Once completed, it will be necessary to determine whether, in view of the results of the testing, the outcome of Castillo's trial would have been different if the results had been known to the jury."

And, Dow notes, if the court denies the request for DNA testing, Castillo should still be entitled to an appeal.

Prosecutors are filing a response in opposition to Dow's motion, the district attorney's office said Wednesday.

Previously, Castillo had an execution date set for May, but Bexar County prosecutors asked to have it reset. "Notice to the defense of the scheduled execution did not arrive within the 90 day threshold required by law," the district attorney's office said in a statement.

The latest motion in Castillo's case comes just days after an appeals court found in favor of a Texas inmate slated for execution Aug. 30.

Steven Long was sentenced to death for the 2005 murder of an 11-year-old girl in Dallas County. Long was convicted after he confessed when police found his bloody fingerprint near the body, stuffed under a vacant home.

But in light of claims of intellectual disability - at least one expert pegged Long's IQ as somewhere in the 60s - and the Supreme Court's groundbreaking decision in Bobby Moore's case earlier this year, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals this week stayed the execution.
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.
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Military investigators are trying to piece together the cause of a crash that killed 15 Marines and a sailor in Mississippi in July, but it could be a year or more until any information becomes public.

In the meantime, the Marine Corps fleet of KC130T transport planes remains grounded. That plane is similar to the one that crashed near Itta Bena on July 10.

April Phillips, a spokeswoman for the Naval Safety Center, said Monday that final reports often dont become public for 12 to 18 months following a crash. Even then, much of the information in the reports is often withheld from public view.

Ours are done solely to ensure what happened doesnt happen again, Phillips said, saying that various military commanders must endorse the report before its finished.

Marines and other investigators finished collecting debris Aug. 3, recovering all of the planes major components, said Marine Forces Reserve spokeswoman Lt. Stephanie L. Leguizamon. She said last week that theres still work going on to clean up the crash area.

Naval Safety Center investigators are both reconstructing the wreckage and interviewing witnesses. Their report will ultimately include recommendations to enhance safety.

Victims included nine Marines based at Stewart Air National Guard base in Newburgh, New York, who flew and crewed the plane, plus six Marines and a Navy Corpsman from an elite Marine Raider battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The passengers were headed for pre-deployment training in Yuma, Arizona. Cargo included at least some ammunition.

Brig. Gen. Bradley S. James has told reporters that whatever went wrong began when the plane was at cruising altitude. Most of the plane pancaked upside down into a field, but part of it, including the cockpit, broke off and landed far from the fuselage and wings. Debris was scattered for miles over fields, woods and ponds.

Witnesses said they saw the plane descend from high altitude with an engine smoking, with some describing what pilots call a flat spin, where a plane twirls around like a boomerang.

Phillips said the plane didnt have an in-flight data recorder. That, plus the lack of survivors, could make the debris crucial to determining what happened.

A lot it, in this case, is likely to come from forensic evidence, she said.

Phillips said the C-130 and its variants have historically been one of the safest planes operated by the Marine Corps. The Navy classifies its most serious incidents as Class A mishaps, involving death, permanent disability or more than $2 million in damage. Only two in-flight Class A mishaps were recorded before the Mississippi crash, both in 2002. A KC-130R experienced a flash fire and crashed into a mountain in Pakistan while nearing an airfield, killing seven people. A KC130F crash landed shortly after taking off in California, causing injuries but no deaths.

The New York squadron is the last Marine unit flying the KC-130T version and is scheduled to upgrade to a newer version in 2019. Only the remaining 12 KC-130Ts are affected by the grounding.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A Los Angeles, Calif., jury on Monday ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a record $417 million to a hospitalized woman who claimed in a lawsuit that the talc in the companys iconic baby powder causes ovarian cancer when applied regularly for feminine hygiene.

The verdict in the lawsuit brought by the California woman, Eva Echeverria, marks the largest sum awarded in a series of talcum powder lawsuit verdicts against Johnson & Johnson in courts around the U.S.

Echeverria alleged Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately warn consumers about talcum powders potential cancer risks. She used the companys baby powder on a daily basis beginning in the 1950s until 2016 and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, according to court papers.

Echeverria developed ovarian cancer as a proximate result of the unreasonably dangerous and defective nature of talcum powder, she said in her lawsuit.

Echeverrias attorney, Mark Robinson, said his client is undergoing cancer treatment while hospitalized and told him she hoped the verdict would lead Johnson & Johnson to put additional warnings on its products.

Mrs. Echeverria is dying from this ovarian cancer and she said to me all she wanted to do was to help the other women throughout the whole country who have ovarian cancer for using Johnson & Johnson for 20 and 30 years, Robinson said.

She really didnt want sympathy, he added. She just wanted to get a message out to help these other women.

Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said in a statement that the company will appeal the jurys decision. She says while the company sympathizes with women suffering from ovarian cancer that scientific evidence supports the safety of Johnsons baby powder.

The verdict came after a St. Louis, Missouri jury in May awarded $110.5 million to a Virginia woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012.

She had blamed her illness on her use of the companys talcum powder-containing products for more than 40 years.

Besides that case, three other trials in St. Louis had similar outcomes last year  with juries awarding damages of $72 million, $70.1 million and $55 million, for a combined total of $307.6 million.

Another St. Louis jury in March rejected the claims of a Tennessee woman with ovarian and uterine cancer who blamed talcum powder for her cancers.

Two similar cases in New Jersey were thrown out by a judge who said the plaintiffs lawyers did not presented reliable evidence linking talc to ovarian cancer.

More than 1,000 other people have filed similar lawsuits. Some who won their lawsuits won much lower amounts, illustrating how juries have wide latitude in awarding monetary damages.

Johnson & Johnson is preparing to defend itself and its baby powder at upcoming trials in the U.S., Goodrich said.

(Associated Press writer Amanda Lee Myers in Los Angeles contributed to this report.)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If you can't take another cryptic message from Taylor Swift on social media, shake it off because new music from the pop queen is apparently on its way.

Update: Taylor Swift's new song comes out Thursday, new album due Nov. 10

According to Variety, Swift will release the new single off her next album on Friday, though the story says it's also possible she drops the entire album itself that day.

There's another rumor the music video for the new song will premiere during MTV's annual Music Video Awards show on Sunday. The speculation is partly due to the brief videos of a snake Swift has posted to her social media accounts the last three days.

Let's explain: the MVAs are hosted by Katy Perry. Swift as the snake emoji has become a recurring meme stemming from her very public beefs with a number of celebrities, including Perry. So obviously, right?

Not much is known about the new single, Swift's first solo song since the Grammy-winning album "1989" in 2014, but Internet sleuths believe it will be called "Timeless."

FINALLY!!!!!



According to Genius, Taylor Swift's new single is called "Timeless".

A website with the name was created. #TS6 pic.twitter.com/rLdGFqnedG  Taylor Swift Updates (@TheReputation13) August 21, 2017

While US Weekly says the song is "poppy," it reportedly sounds unlike anything she has recorded before.

"The single is very different. It goes from very soft, to hard, to soft again," a source told the magazine. "Taylor is overhauling her image."

Swift wiped her social media pages clean last Friday, a signal interpreted by fans as evidence her hiatus from the spotlight was nearing an end. Her last single, "I Don't Want to Live Forever" with Zayn Malik, hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February.
AVON, Ohio - A familiar face is back in Avon. Veranda Bistro & Bar is up and running with Tony Calanni behind the month-old eatery.

Calanni, who most recently used to own Tonino's in Brecksville and was general manager of Bistro 2182 wine bar in the same spot, worked at the famed New York Spaghetti House for 25 years.

Veranda is in the space formerly occupied by Rue 254 at 32045 Detroit Ave., across from Avon Oaks Country Club. It's near the Avon-Westlake border and just west of Crocker Park.

The deal came about suddenly, and it didn't take long for Calanni to jump at it.

"I was at a funeral," he said. "One of my friends was an insurance agent for this space: 'It's kind of big, you might not be interested, it's five times the size of Tonino's.' "

He was interested. He reached out to partners, and before you knew it, Bolognese was simmering and fresh seafood was cooking.

The entire experience has been a bit of a homecoming for Calanni.

"I had a history of working in Avon after Spaghetti House closed in 2001," he said. "I worked at Nemo's Grille (also on Detroit Road in Avon) for about seven years. The nicest people in this part of our state are here - Westlake, Avon, Avon Lake, Amherst, Sheffield - just wonderful.

"People haven't seen me in literally a decade ... but whatever - they left a mark."

Calanni's welcome-with-open-arms feeling is reciprocated with his approach to cooking.

The restaurant, which started up July 16 and is open seven days a week, features "upscale American dining," said his daughter, Nellie Calanni, who is helping out with the restaurant's social media.

"My dad has always been incredibly passionate about putting out the best quality ingredients," she said.

With Mike Miller as chef, the restaurant features seafood dishes, meat entries and has some vegetarian and vegan options. Calanni's wife makes the desserts. The Buffalo mozzarella comes from Campagna, Italy.

"My purveyor said I am one of the few who uses it," he said. "It's triple the cost."

From flatbreads to what he describes as "blue-ribbon meats," Calanni embraces fresh ingredients and eschews national chains. Instead, he sticks with "two or three top-notch purveyors."

"I want people to taste the quality over something you can have anywhere else," he said.
LAKEWOOD, Ohio - When Owen Russell Teets, 18, recently graduated from Lakewood High School, his family knew better than to have a party to celebrate the milestone.

"Our son has special needs and parties aren't his thing," said Teets mother, Sarah Russell. "Instead, we decided to do a snail mail party. We sent out announcements saying he loves to get mail. He loves seeing his name on things.

"So getting one more letter in our mailbox is just one more smile on his face. He looks every day for the mail. It could be anything with his name on it. I think it's just his way of autonomy - this is me, this is mine, it belongs to me."

So far Russell said her son has received close to 100 cards. One that recently stood out was from a complete stranger, who after hearing about the announcement and seeing Teets' smile took it upon herself to send the young man a graduation card.

"I know it must have been a struggle for him to graduate," said Elyria resident Mary Ann Janda. "He looks very proud of himself, and it's a big deal."

Not only was the kindness well received by Teets, but Russell said she was overwhelmed by the fact Janda would go out of her way to make Owen's day.

"I've been known to be a talker and she rendered me speechless," Russell said. "Owen has spent the majority of his life isolated, whether by choice or circumstances. He doesn't have a lot of friends. He doesn't have relationships outside of us. To have him make a connection with another human being that wasn't the result of therapeutic services, education intervention, family or friends, that was him on his own.

"His smile connected with another person. We waited 18 years for that, for him to make that kind of difference in someone else's life. That's all we want for our children is for them to make a difference in some way. So having somebody else's day be better because of my child is pretty profound."

Janda said she didn't send the card for publicity. In her mind, she's just following the golden rule.

"I just think people need to be kind to each other," Janda said. "Any time you can be kind to someone, you should do so."

For those who want to make Teets' day, his address is:

Owen Russell Teets

2077 Elbur (up)

Lakewood, Ohio, 44107
CABLE, Ohio -- A man from central Ohio has been identified as one of 10 U.S. sailors missing after a Navy destroyer collided with a tanker on Monday, reports say.

Jacob Drake, 21, is a 2013 graduate of Triad High School in Champaign County, which is located about 45 miles northwest of Columbus, the Dispatch reports.

Drake was aboard the McCain when the guided-missile destroyer and the Liberian-flagged merchant vessel Alnic MC collided near the Strait of Malacca near Singapore.

The sailor's fiancee, Megan Partlow, 20, tells the New York Post she and Drake's family are clinging to hope.

She tells the Post, though, she became concerned on Sunday when Drake didn't respond to a text message.

"I had a feeling he was one of the ones missing that night when he never messaged me back because he always messaged me back no matter what," she said.

"I worried constantly," Partlow tells the Post. "He always promised to come home safe but when it comes down to it he would do anything to save his fellow brothers even if that means risking his life."

Drake is an electronics technician 2nd class with the Navy, the Springfield News-Sun reports.

"He was, maybe still is hopefully, coming home for leave in November," Drake's sister, Veronica Drake, tells the News-Sun. "In December he was going to be back in the United States for good."

The Navy said on Tuesday that some remains had been recovered from sealed compartments on the ship, but none had been identified, CNN reports. One body also was found at sea by the Malaysian Navy.

"Until we have exhausted any potential of recovering survivors or bodies, the search and rescue efforts will continue," Navy Adm. Scott Swift said.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio issued a statement Tuesday saying he and his wife, Connie Schultz, are "praying for Jacob's well-being and safety."

"Service members like Jacob represent the very best of our state, and I'm hopeful the divers searching for these brave sailors can find him and bring him home safely," Brown said.

The White House also issued a statement, expressing "great sadness" about the incident, CNN reports.

"As the Navy begins the process of recovering our fallen sailors, our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends," the statement says.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Broncos' rookie initiation also featured a bit of Ohio State flavor when tight end Jeff Heuerman shaved a Block O and "0-4" into the hair of rookie TE and former Michigan Wolverine Jake Butt.

Heuerman posted the photos of Butt's new haircut onto an Instagram story on Tuesday.

Butt was a fifth-round draft pick of the Broncos in April's draft.

Heuerman, a third-round pick of the Broncos in 2015, played against Butt twice when Heuerman was at Ohio State.
PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Parma Heights police are searching for a man who offered to give three children a ride home in his pickup.

The incident happened Friday about 3:30 p.m. in front of the Parma Heights Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library on Pearl Road east of Stumph Road, Capt. Steve Scharschmidt said.

The children, a 10-year-old boy, an 11-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl, were walking home from Greenbriar Middle School on Huffman Road near Stumph Road, police said.

The man told the children as they passed his truck that he could give them a ride home, police said. The children quickly walked away.

A parent of two of the children was told the driver was an older, heavier set man with balding gray hair and a scruffy beard. The children told police that man drove a silver and white older model pickup with a cap on the truck bed.

The children made a good decision in walking away, Scharschmidt said.

"If children are confronted by a stranger and feel uncomfortable get to an adult, get inside where there's people around," he said. "Let an adult know what's taking place so at least they're safe before we arrive."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Luke Berry and Det. Luke Wittasek at 440-884-1100.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section.


The summer break is now well past its peak for many regions. For telecom operators, traffic must be carried whether the whole country is on holiday or not, and this is surely the case for Telia Company. The recent news from Stockholm was not good. A disappointing financial report for Q2 2017 issued on July 20th forced the company to announce a 3% cut in employment, or roughly 850 people, just before the summer holidays and precisely the time many new graduates are looking for opportunities. Telia is a major employer for Sweden and has a local payroll of about 21,000 employees.





For those unfamiliar with the company, Telia was once the state telephone monopoly of Sweden with roots back to 1853. After privatisation, Telia was merged with Sonera, the Finnish incumbent operator, in 2002 and the company was known for a while as Telia-Sonera, before eventually simplifying to just Telia. The government of Sweden still owns a 37% stake in Telia, while the government of Finland is believed to hold a 3% stake.





The disappointing news - flat to declining





Key numbers for Q2 include:





 For Q2 2017, Telia's net sales in local currencies, excluding acquisitions and disposals, fell 0.4%. In reported currency, net sales fell 6.3% to SEK 19,801 million (21,130). Service revenues in local currencies, excluding acquisitions and disposals, fell 0.6%. For Q2 2017, Telia's net sales in local currencies, excluding acquisitions and disposals, fell 0.4%. In reported currency, net sales fell 6.3% to SEK 19,801 million (21,130). Service revenues in local currencies, excluding acquisitions and disposals, fell 0.6%.





 The number of subscriptions decreased from 26.7 million from the end of the second quarter of 2016 to 23.4 million. During the quarter, the total number of subscriptions increased by 0.2 million to 23.4 million. The number of subscriptions decreased from 26.7 million from the end of the second quarter of 2016 to 23.4 million. During the quarter, the total number of subscriptions increased by 0.2 million to 23.4 million.





 Adjusted EBITDA declined 3.3% in local currencies, excluding acquisitions and disposals. In reported currency, adjusted EBITDA fell 4.6% to SEK 6,095 million (6,389). Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 30.8% (30.2). Adjusted EBITDA declined 3.3% in local currencies, excluding acquisitions and disposals. In reported currency, adjusted EBITDA fell 4.6% to SEK 6,095 million (6,389). Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 30.8% (30.2).





 Capex increased to SEK 5,180 million (3,773) and the capex-to-service revenue ratio to 30.3% (20.9). Capex excluding license and spectrum fees increased to SEK 4,718 million (3,773) and capex-to-service revenue ratio, excluding license and spectrum fees, increased to 27.6% (20.9). Capex increased to SEK 5,180 million (3,773) and the capex-to-service revenue ratio to 30.3% (20.9). Capex excluding license and spectrum fees increased to SEK 4,718 million (3,773) and capex-to-service revenue ratio, excluding license and spectrum fees, increased to 27.6% (20.9).





Several factors are putting stress on the business. First, Telia's FTTH business in Sweden is starting to 'reach the end of the fibre rollout potential'. The company says it is struggling with red tape in connecting new households to its fibre network. Specifically, 45,000 new fibre households were connected in the quarter of which 12,000 were single home, down from 22,000 a year earlier. The lower number of single home campaigns resulted in declining installation revenues of SEK 164 million compared to the corresponding quarter last year. At 1.6 million homes passed, Telia is the nations largest player. On a positive note in Sweden, Telia's mobile subscriptions grew by 77,000, of which 31,000 were for machine-to-machine services. Meanwhile, fixed broadband subscriptions fell by 1,000 in the quarter. The number of TV subscriptions increased by 10,000 in the quarter, largely driven by the acquisition of C-Sam.





Secondly, management has concluded that operational costs are simply too high. Sweden is an expensive country to do business and to employ large numbers of people. Thirdly, there is the long-term problem impacting nearly all former incumbents  legacy telephony services continue to decline at faster rate than new services are growing.





Telia's job cuts impact 650 positions in Sweden, equal to 8% of the company's Swedish employees. These cuts are expected to yield a 5% reduction in expenses for the second half of 2017. Further structural initiatives are being planned to achieve a reduction of the targeted cost base of at least 3% in 2018.





While Telia is experiencing problems in Sweden, its other Nordic markets are doing better. Revenues in Finland are growing and there is double-digit growth in Norway. Revenues in Lithuania grew 13.5% year over year, but there was a 1.5% revenue decline in Denmark. Revenue is Estonia was stable.











Finally exiting the Eurasian entanglement





Telia also now believes that by the end of 2017 it will have completely disposed of its Eurasian assets, including the disposal of its stake in Tcell in Tajikistan, and the sale of its shares in Turkcell Iletism Hizmetleri (Turkcell).





The controversies regarding the companys alleged illegal activities in Eurasia, including bribery and money laundering in Uzbekistan, now date back over a decade and have yet to be fully resolved, despite the resignation of Lars Nyberg as CEO in 2013 along with the dismissal of involved employees. Telia still has pending legal cases with the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and with the Swedish and Dutch authorities. Most likely there will be a financial sanction to pay. In its Q1 2017 report, Telia said it was looking for a likely settlement to be in the range of US$1 billion.





The longer term strategy





Along with the divestiture or disposal of its businesses in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkey, Telia has also sold its 77% interest in the Spanish operator Yoigo to MASMOVIL, bringing in Euro 479 million. Telia also sold its 100% stake in Sergel Group, a debt collection company, to Marginalen for SEK 2.1 billion. Its new strategy is to transform itself into a next generation telco focused on the Nordic and Baltic regions. New areas of interest include IoT, IT services, media and content. This week, Telia announced the acquisition of Data Logistics Center, one of the biggest data logistics operators in Lithuania, from Lietuvos Energija (Lithuania Energy) and Litgrid for an undisclosed sum. The deal includes a state-of-the-art Tier III data centre. Telia owns eight other data centres in the Baltics.
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Falmouth harbours multi-million pound dredging project has hit another stumbling block as the organisation which will make the final decision raises concerns over the potential damage to the environment.

It was hoped a decision would have been made earlier this year, giving approval in principle so the project could go forward, but it is now unlikely to happen until late autumn.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), a Government body, will have the final say on whether it feels there will not be significant harm to the environment by digging up 700,000 tonnes of silt from the seabed.

The MMO has resisted calls for dredging, saying it would have a negative impact on the maerl beds, areas of coralline algae which lie within a special area of conservation (SAC).

Last year those behind the project submitted an updated Habitats Regulation Assessment of the potential impact, which the decision hinges on, and asked the MMO to review it along with all the other updated evidence.

But Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC), which is leading the application, said the MMO disagreed over the interpretation of case law - law set out in similar previous situations.

Following discussion of the MMOs draft response to this request earlier this year (May 2017) it was evident that there was disagreement over the application of case law which led to both parties reaching different conclusions, said FHC chief executive Mark Sansom.

We have now agreed with the MMO to jointly commission an independent consultant to provide an impartial review of the interpretation of the case law relevant to this proposal and report their findings to both parties.

The dredging project, which is seen as vital for the docks business to grow and move forward, was first put forward 16 years ago but permission has still not been granted.

A&P Falmouth, which manages the dockyard, and FHC have always maintained that in order for the business to move forward, dredging must happen. Without it, they said, the yard may not survive.

They argue that Cornwall as a whole reaps the benefits of the dockyard's success, as well as Falmouth. It has a turnover of about 50 million a year and A&P said that it alone spends about half that much in the local economy.

One of the biggest problems is that because of the depth of the seabed and the fact ships are getting larger, many cannot get from the bay to the wharves, which means some ship repair work going elsewhere and cruise liners not visiting because passengers have to be ferried ashore in smaller boats.

Mr Sansom said: We have been in contact with the MMO to identify where we have a difference of opinion on the way the case law is applied and try to agree on it.

We have had several exchanges about the way they think and the way we think and we disagree. We are trying to get to a common position before they firm up their view.

He said it was a complex process and until this issue was resolved, any further work on the project has halted.

We expect a result in the autumn," he added. "That will decide what work needs to be done. If the (independent consultant) agrees with us, we will be in an entirely different position.

The habitat regulation and assessment test has always been fundamental obstacle to be resolved. Whichever way it goes, it is an easier process if we agree.

But he said the urgency of getting permission has lessened after the Growth Deal pulled its funding for the scheme.

This project always been difficult to talk about milestones, he said. But as long as we are discussing it with the MMO, its work in progress. We are trying to resolve the questions around it.

I have been doing this an awfully long time and there have been various positives moves and setbacks. It is really difficult to know how these things will turn out, but I am concentrating on what needs to be done now.
CORNWALL, Ontario  The Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH) has announced that it is closing its Sleep Lab.

The reason given for the closure is that both physicians who operated the lab have resigned their hospital privileges, although no reason has been given by the hospital for the resignations, they have said that efforts to recruit other doctors to operate the lab have be unsuccessful.

We had originally suspended the service temporarily, hoping to recruit the medical support required for the program, said Jeanette Despatie, President and Chief Executive Officer, these efforts were unsuccessful and we have now worked with our partners within the region, including Winchester District Memorial Hospital, to ensure that patients from our community have access to Sleep Laboratory services.

Despatie went onto explain that the doctors in the Sleep Lab are Respirologist Specialists and recruitment in that field is difficult.

There are approximately 600 patients who were served by the Sleep Lab at the CCH and wait times for the service were at some points as long as one-year.

According to the CCH, the Sleep Lab was used to help doctors diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

We will do whatever we can to ensure good access to these services, stated Jeanette Despatie.

The closure of the Sleep Lab has resulted in the loss of two full-time positions at the CCH and three part-time positions.

Anyone with any inquiries regarding the Sleep Lab are asked to call the Diagnostic Services Department at 613-938-4240 ext 2340.
Close

Eva Echeverria, a resident of California was the latest person to receive a total of $417 million regarding a talcum powder accusation that caused her ovarian cancer in accordance with a Los Angeles Superior Court order. The verdict was announced on Monday as the purported Johnson & Johnson company, neglected to provide customers enough information about the risks of having cancer from using talcum-based products.

Echeverria's lawyer, Mark Robinson said, "We are grateful for the jury's verdict on this matter and that Eva Echeverria was able to have her day in court."

According to Echeverria, she has contracted life-threatening ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson's products for many decades. The 63-year-old Californian woman's lawyers claimed that the company inspired women regardless of the fact that their products could inhibit cancer development. However, the company contradicted that research and federal agencies were not able to find if talcum products can really cause cancer, Reuters reports.

The total amount of $417 million that Echeverria will receive composes of compensatory damages costing $70 million and $347 million for the punitive damages. It was a significant expense on the part of Johnson & Johnson which currently deals with 4,800 related accusations statewide and was ordered by juries in Missouri to pay more than $300 million to complainants. The company said the will appeal the jury's verdict since they are being directed by Science which abides the safety of Johnson's Baby Powder, as reported by CNN.

Prior to Echeverria's complaint, five trials had been conducted already in the Missouri state court where many cases are awaiting. Johnson & Johnson lost four of the five together with the talc supplier and need to pay $307 million in adjudication and before Monday was ordered to compensate $110 million.

On Thursday evening, a complainant from Wise, Virginia, 62-year-old Lois Slemp won the favor of jury against Johnson & Johnson and was awarded a total amount of $110.5 million. Prior to her victory, the jury has ordered the company to pay roughly $197 million to 3 women with related allegations.

At present, there are about 2,000 cases open in both state and federal courts concerning the safeness of the talcum powder for a long term use including the many names that Johnson & Johnson as well as the French mineral talc manufacturer Imerys as litigants. Not only in Missouri have that class-action lawsuits been filed but also in Canada.

Johnson & Johnson will appeal the cases where it lost based on the scientific studies which produced varied results. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, the genital use of talc-based body powder could cause cancer to humans. On the other hand, the American Cancer Society stated that it's not certain if the products boost the person's risk to cancer.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
ORGANISE, AGITATE, EDUCATE!

In its latest move against organised labour, the government brazenly lies that its Ensuring Integrity bill to amend the Registered Organisations Act protects the interests of workers and complies with International Labour Organisation Conventions.

Photo: Anna Pha

The Bill, introduced to Parliament on August 16, sets out to give the Employment Minister, Fair Work Commission, other individuals and even employer bodies, punitive powers to initiate proceedings for the disqualification of union officials from holding office; for the deregistration of trade unions; to put a union into administration; and to prevent unions amalgamating.

This bill applies to all trade unions operating under the so-called Fair Work Act, although there are specific provisions designed to prevent the amalgamation of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the Clothing, Footwear and Textile Union (CFTU).

It is based on the false premise that a culture of lawlessness pervades the trade union movement. This so-called lawlessness largely refers to breaches of industrial relations legislation or what is otherwise referred to as legitimate trade union business in the interests of workers  in fact the democratic right of workers and their unions to organise, agitate and educate their members in their own class interests.

The growing arsenal of anti-union laws can be turned on workers involved taking unprotected industrial action when an employer refuses to pay award rates of pay, or to address safety issues. Or it might relate to a union official seeking to enter a workplace to speak to members or for recruitment purposes.

The laws work in favour of the employers against workers interests, including health and safety.

The governments Heydon Royal Commission, a politically motivated witch hunt against trade unions, made a number of recommendations to further undermine trade unions and criminalise legitimate trade union activity.

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash states that the legislation is in response to the recommendations of the Heydon Royal Commission. In fact it goes further than Heydon in his report.

Disqualification from office

The bill provides for the Federal Court to prohibit union officials from holding office if they contravene industrial and a range of other laws, are found in contempt of court, repeatedly fail to stop their organisation from breaking the law or are otherwise not a fit and proper person to hold office in a registered organisation.

The definition of fit and proper person includes refusal, revocation or suspension of a right of entry or WHS [Workplace Health and Safety] permit, certain criminal and civil offences and the catch-all Any other matter the Court considers relevant.

The onus of proof is on the union official to satisfy the Court that the order is not justified. These provisions only apply to events after the Act comes into force, but the Court can take previous conduct into consideration.

Incredibly, just about anyone can initiate proceedings  the Minister, the Registered Organisations Commissioner, or a person with sufficient interest. As it stands it could be an employer, a former disgruntled union member or rival candidate for the officials position.

These catch-all provisions seek to punish officials for the conduct of their members, such as when they take action against bosses who breach enterprise bargaining agreements (EBAs). They also undermine other rights such as the right of entry, picketing, political actions, the holding of union meetings, etc.

It is nothing short of a signal to employers who are not already breaching agreements and ignoring safety regulations, that it is OK to do so, that union officials will be disqualified if union members attempt to fight back.

It also makes it an offence to continue to stand for office or continue to hold office, or influence the affairs of the union after being disqualified. Standing for office or continuing to hold office becomes a criminal offence punishable by a penalty of $210,000 or two years jail or both.

These provisions breach ILO Convention 87, Freedom of Association and Protection of Right to Organise which gives workers the right to elect their representatives.

Deregistration

The Federal Court may cancel registration of a union or divisions of branches if they have become dysfunctional or are no longer serving the interests of their members.

The Court must cancel registration of a union on a range of grounds including corrupt conduct by officials, repeated breaches of a range of industrial and other laws by the organisation or its members, non-compliance with orders or injunctions or the taking of obstructive unprotected industrial action by a substantial number of members.

This latter point reinforces the provisions for disqualification from office, as a deterrent to protecting wages and conditions in EBAs and awards and other legitimate union activities.

Once again the Minister or anyone with sufficient interest can apply for deregistration and the onus of proof is reversed.

And again it is an open invitation to employers to clobber workers. The pros and cons of registration are a debate in themselves. With the trade union movement on the back foot at the moment, there are seemingly a number of benefits in registration. These include the safety net provisions of legally binding awards, minimum wage and leave provisions and enterprise agreements for those who have them.

Administrator takes over

The Bill allows the Court to place trade unions or divisions or branches into administration or deregister them if they become dysfunctional or are no longer serving the interests of their members.

Dysfunctional includes multiple contraventions of the laws that result in disqualification of officials  i.e. breaches of bad laws restricting legitimate trade union activity and leadership from officials.

Dysfunctional might also be the engagement in financial misconduct by one or more officers  a crime better dealt with by police dealing with the offender.

Amalgamations

Finally, the Bill introduces a so-called public interest test for union amalgamations which has nothing to do with the public interest. Like all the other provisions in the Bill it is all about serving employer interests at the expense of trade unions and workers.

If the Fair Work Commission considers that a union has a record of not complying with the law then it must decide that any amalgamation is not in the public interest.

The question of what compliance with the law means is along the same lines as the provisions for disqualification from office and deregistration  disobeying bad laws and fighting for interests of workers.

As with the other provisions this runs roughshod over Australias legal obligations under international law. It denies the right of trade union members to express their wishes in democratically held ballots.

It gives a range of parties the right to interfere in the internal affairs of the unions involved by expressing their view in the Commission.

This section of the Bill expressly targets the proposed amalgamation of the CFMEU, MUA and TCFU.

When announcing the Bill, Cash said there were very real concerns about the CFMEU and MUA. I mean, both of them have shown a long term disregard for the law, she said on Melbourne radio 3AW.

Theyve been essentially lawless.

One of the reasons they feel theyve been able to get away with it is because of their size, Cash added either ignorantly or dishonestly. The MUA is not a large union.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus, made the point in respect of the so called public interest test, that the Bill does not even pretend to be about protecting union members interests or guaranteeing the democratic functioning of organisations, but instead it cites ill-defined economic justifications for overriding members democratic rights.

She summed the Bill up saying, Effectively it is about giving corporate Australia a say over what unions look like and how they operate. This is fundamentally undemocratic and will only result in achieving what all big companies want for themselves, even lower wages growth.

This is not an in the public interest test, it is an in big business interest test.

The Bill is wholly opposed by the union movement. It is politically motivated.

Just last week a father of four died and another young worker was critically injured on building sites. So, while the government continues to turn a blind eye to the ongoing scandals in the banking industry that cost workers their savings at the same time it is stepping up its attack on trade unions to make it even more difficult for them to ensure workers can return home to their loved ones or receive their legal entitlements.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee which is due to report on October 9, 2017.
Welfare card no remedy

The cashless welfare card is not a remedy to complex social problems, according to the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA). The peak body for Aboriginal health in WA, AHCWA is challenging the outgoing Police Commissioner Karl OCallaghan, who wrote in an opinion piece for The West Australian about sexual abuse of children in remote Indigenous communities.

OCallaghan said that extending the Coalition governments cashless welfare scheme to Roebourne would mean the amount of money available in the town to facilitate criminal activity would significantly decrease.

AHCWA chairperson Michelle Nelson-Cox said there has been no conclusive evidence to date that cashless welfare cards  introduced on the recommendation of billionaire miner Andrew Forrest  play any role in reducing the impact of issues such as illicit drug use or child sexual abuse.

While AHCWA supports the governments commitment to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal people and prevent child sexual abuse, we do not support the ill-conceived idea that cashless welfare cards can turn the tide on the abhorrent abuse of children, she said.

Instead, greater investment is needed in programs that address social determinants and build strong families and communities.

Ultimately, we need to see an increase in community programs and comprehensive support services to help address these complex social issues in Aboriginal communities.

Nelson-Cox said OCallaghans admissions that his officers could not protect children in remote communities was gravely concerning.

At what point does the buck stop with police and governments to keep communities safe? Why have the high instances of sexual abuse not been addressed earlier? she asked.

Lack of commitment

There is a large police presence in Roebourne, and admissions by Commissioner Karl OCallaghan that police were not capable of protecting children in those communities and neither the police nor government can guarantee protection of these children shows a lack of commitment to work with communities to effectively address these issues.

The reality is there are a huge number of people very unhappy with the way they have been affected by the cashless welfare system imposed by the federal government.

If anything, this is a failure of policing in the Roebourne area to address these crimes.

The cashless welfare card does not need to be expanded. The solution does not lie in the disempowerment of Aboriginal people, but rather additional police resources and a greater commitment to stamp out these shocking and abhorrent crimes.

A recent independent review of the cashless welfare card found the debit card has had some minor success in reducing alcohol consumption, illegal drug use and gambling but that trial participants had limited awareness of local drug and alcohol support services, as well as financial and family support services.

Crime in one of the other trial sites, Ceduna in South Australias west, increased significantly after the card was brought in.

Last month Kimberley Land Council chair Anthony Watson said there remained no clear evidence of the cashless welfare cards success in the East Kimberley.

This card is a band aid solution, which does not go to the heart of addressing the real systemic issues of alcohol and drug abuse, he said.

Koori Mail
Call for action on abuse of youth

The Change the Record Coalition has called for a national response to end the abuse of children in detention, following allegations of violence and mistreatment in ACT youth detention facilities. The most recent reports add to a growing list of revelations of abuse of children in detention around Australia, including Queenslands Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, the Northern Territorys Don Dale Detention Centre and Victorias Barwon Prison.

Change the Record co-chair Cheryl Axelby said the whistleblower reports from the ACT are extremely concerning, alleging over six years of violence inside the Bimberi Youth Detention Centre.

These appalling accounts highlight an extremely concerning state of affairs for Australias youth justice systems, she said. We urgently need federal leadership to shine a light on abuses in all jurisdictions, and immediate action to ensure the protection of all children in the justice system.

Co-chair Antoinette Braybrook said the over-representation of Indigenous children in detention was a national crisis that demands a national response. We call on the Prime Minister to urgently commit to developing justice targets, and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop a national, holistic, whole-of-government action plan, she said.

Governments at all levels must begin to focus on investing in effective early intervention, prevention and diversion programs.

We need to focus on supporting, rather than punishing, our young people to maximise their chances of achieving their full potential.

Human rights lawyers have also expressed their alarm over the allegations.

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) vice-president Kerry Weste called for a review into the procedures and practices at Bimberi. If these allegations are accurate, there is clearly a very deep concern over long-standing systemic misconduct in the ACTs youth justice sector, she said.

The allegations involve what would amount to incredibly disturbing human rights abuses against the most vulnerable people ... our children.

The ACT government must do all it can to ensure that any such systemic abuses are completely weeded out.

Immediate steps must be taken to ensure our youth justice system complies with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention Against Torture and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice.

ALHR ACT convener Sangeeta Sharmin called on people with more information to come forward by contacting the ACT Human Rights Commission.

Koori Mail
Stop drift to war

Donald Trumps fire and fury statement, directed at the Democratic Peoples Republic of (North) Korea, and reinforced by even more intemperate language last Thursday, is the height of irresponsibility and increases the danger that some unforeseen incident will lead to a major war on and around the Korean Peninsula.

The DPRK is pursuing a nuclear weapons program because they think it is the only way to ensure national sovereignty and prevent an overthrow of their government by the United States.

Trumps erratic and unstable behaviour, the alt-right gang with fascist ties who surround him, the presence of so many hard-line military figures, the calls for military action by far right extremists in and out of government, and the many lies, distortions and hysteria promoted by media sources, increase the danger exponentially.

Trumps bellicose statements and policies are being repudiated around the world. Seventy-five percent of the American people want to exhaust all options diplomatically and nearly 60 percent oppose a pre-emptive military strike. Only a global outcry for peace will stop the drift to war.

The Communist Party of the USA stands in solidarity with the peoples of North and South Korea and with all those who seek a diplomatic, peaceful solution to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula.

War would be catastrophic for the inhabitants of both Koreas, for the region, for the United States and for the world. In addition to direct casualties caused by combat activities by the belligerents, there would be mass starvation and a huge refugee crisis, in a world already awash in refugees. The economic damage would be incalculable. The lesson of the regime change war in Iraq should not be forgotten.

Many people are not familiar with the context of the present conflict.

From 1910 to 1945, the Japanese Empire occupied Korea, imposing an especially cruel and exploitative regime. This regime was bravely resisted by the Korean people. After World War II, when the Japanese were defeated, the peninsula was divided and the United States and the USSR supported different factions in the South and North of the country respectively.

In the South, the United States supported a despotic right-wing regime, headed by Syngman Rhee, in which officials who had collaborated with the Japanese occupation continued serving. Rhees regime carried out violent repression of all dissent. In the North, the Soviet Union and the Peoples Republic of China supported the government led by Kim Il-Sung, which embarked on a socialist oriented path.

The Korean people sought reunification of their country, but this was blocked, principally, by the United States. This was the root of the Korean War of 1950 to 1952.

The Korean War devastated both North and South Korea, but its impact on the North was far worse. Saturation bombing raids by the US and its allies, acting in the name of the United Nations at that time, levelled the Norths infrastructure, stopping its economy and killing hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of innocent civilians, in addition to loss of life of military personnel of both Koreas, of the US and its allies, and of China. The United States dropped more bombs on North Korea than it did in all of the Pacific theatre of the Second World War.

Over two million Koreans and 50,000 US military personnel died in the conflict.

The Korean War never ended. In 1953, actual fighting was stopped by an armistice but no peace treaty formally ending the war has ever been signed. Many of the regimes in the South that the United States subsequently supported used the fear of the North to perpetuate themselves in power and to suppress all dissent against their despotic and corrupt policies.

The DPRK is pursuing a nuclear weapons program because they think it is the only way to ensure national sovereignty and prevent an overthrow of their government by the United States, a concern heightened by regime change in Iraq and Libya. In fact the DPRK has vowed to put their nuclear weapons systems on the negotiating table if the US threat to their country ends.

However, the testing of nuclear weapons and delivery systems by the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and threats to use them wont guarantee a peaceful resolution of the present tension, especially given the current occupant of the White House.

The 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was a major step forward for humanity. However, the United States and its allies have resisted all attempts to take the next logical step of achieving worldwide nuclear disarmament, and have confined themselves to stopping any other countries from joining the nuclear club. This will not make things any safer  on the contrary  the real safety lies in abolishing nuclear weapons altogether. It is incumbent on all nations, including the United States and the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, to do the utmost to achieve this goal. But the United States and its allies have not supported such a goal up to now.

On December 23, 2016, the United Nations General Assembly voted 113 to 35, with 13 abstentions, to begin the process of creating a treaty calling for nuclear disarmament. The United States voted no; all its NATO allies either voted no or abstained. Of the other nuclear powers, China, India and Pakistan abstained, while France, Israel, Russia and the United Kingdom voted no. The DPRK voted yes in committee, but its vote in the plenum is not recorded. South Korea, then under a far right wing government, voted no. Then on July 7, 2017, the draft treaty was approved in the General Assembly by a margin of 122 voting yes, 1 voting no and one abstention. This time, the United States and most of its allies (and both Koreas) simply did not vote. No wonder so many people around the world see our governments stance as hypocritical!

The Communist Party USA expresses its firm solidarity with the people of both Koreas and of the United States in this dangerous situation. We call upon the people of this country to exert pressure on the Trump administration and the United States Congress to carry out a radical change of course, by adopting the following measures;

Put an end to all provocative acts, including fiery, sabre rattling speeches and military manoeuvres in and around the Korean Peninsula.

Renounce first use of nuclear weapons; no pre-emptive military strikes.

Renounce the policy of bringing about regime change in other countries; the nature and personnel of a government are exclusively the affair of the people of the country in question.

Remove all US military bases in the area and in other countries worldwide.

Return to the position that the disagreements and frictions in the area, whether economic, political or military, should be solved by peaceful negotiations between the two Koreas, without self-interested outside interference.

Oppose sanctions that end up hurting ordinary people while also contributing to tensions.

Join the vast majority of humanity by ending US opposition to nuclear disarmament efforts, as stipulated in the new United Nations Treaty On the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Actively support the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, by signing onto it and facilitating its implementation.

Communist Party USA
Journalism is not a crime

Journalists in Turkey are some of the most courageous people I know.

They work in conditions where they face daily threats and intimidation from the Turkish state and the constant fear of arrest. Newsrooms are often raided, equipment seized or destroyed and staff arrested and physically attacked by the authorities.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is more afraid of a pen and a camera than he is of a bullet or a bomb.

In 2016 he advocated a change in the definition of a terrorist to include MPs, civil society campaigners and journalists. Its not only the person who pulls the trigger, but those who made that possible who should also be defined as terrorists, he said.

The country is ranked 155 in the 2017 World Press Freedom Index and a third of the worlds total jailed journalists are in Turkish prisons.

Most of them are held on trumped-up charges of terrorism, including respected investigative journalist Ahmet Sik whose book The Imams Army exposed the extent of the Gulenist movements infiltration of key parts of the Turkish state.

Former editor of the Cumhuriyet newspaper Can Dundar was jailed in absentia over the publication of a story linking the government with the supply of arms to ISIS fighters in Syria.

Both Sik and Dundar are accused of terrorism; the latter was charged with revealing state secrets and trying to bring down the government.

Bizarrely in Siks case, he was initially accused of supporting a range of organisations, including both the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Gulenist organisation, which the state frequently refers to as the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO).

My friend and comrade Fatih Polat faces prosecution and a lengthy criminal trial for insulting the brutal and authoritarian Erdogan after questioning him over his familys business dealings following revelations in the Malta Files  Ill be writing more on this in next weeks Morning Star.

Attacks on the Evrensel newspaper are intensifying. Last year I attended the trial of two of its reporters who faced lengthy prison sentences after they were arrested when they covered a pro-Kurdish demonstration in the southern Turkish city of Mersin.

Their trial was absurd and the only evidence against them was the sharing of a Facebook post, a press release about the demonstration and a fake one dollar note found in one of the reporters bedrooms.

The journalists defence lawyer Tugay Bek was arrested days before the trial and held in jail, where he was tortured and beaten.

Bek is currently representing another Evrensel journalist, Yusuf Karatas, who was arrested in the city of Diyarbakir in the largely Kurdish south-east of Turkey. His detention came after he had given evidence as part of government investigations into the Democratic Society Congress (DTK).

The DTK was a legitimate organisation made up of pro-Kurdish organisations and is seen as laying the foundations for the development of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (HDP).

Karatas was quizzed over his attendance at the Mesopotamia Seasonal Agricultural Workers Assembly, which was part of the DTKs Commission for Labour, Migration and Poverty held in Urfa province four years ago.

The assembly, which brought together trade unions and other organisations discussed the issue of workers rights. It is now considered a terror activity.

He was also questioned over his attendance at a demonstration over the 2011 Roboski Massacre when the Turkish state bombed and killed 34 innocent Kurdish villagers.

Bek said Karatass arrest is politically motivated and the Turkish authorities had spied on him between 2009 and 2013 where they monitored his whereabouts and tapped his phone, listening to his conversations.

Bek also confirmed that the DTK was recognised as a legitimate organisation and had been visited by senior government ministers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) during that time.

Karatas is also a member of the Labour Party of Turkey which released a statement demanding his release.

General secretary Selma Gurkan said: We will not accept this illegal process against our party member Yusuf Karatas.

We will continue to struggle against all illegality, arbitrary arrests and attempts to criminalise innocent people.

Karatas denies charges of terrorism and in a defiant message from his prison cell said: It doesnt matter whether we are inside or outside, we will continue to speak the truth.

In a letter sent to the Evrensel newspaper Karatas wrote: Dear friends, the gloomy regime hanging over the country desires to take our future hostage. To this end, it is seeking to repress and silence all the people that line up with labour, peace, democracy and freedom.

Yet, we will not keep quiet, no matter whether we are behind bars or outside. We will keep telling and writing the truth, and shouting out the justice demand.

Besides, we made a promise to [Evrensel photographer] Metin Goktepe [who was killed in police custody in 1996]. This heart will not keep silent! Greetings and love to all.

His arrest has caused an international outcry and saw the launch of the Freedom for Yusuf Karatas campaign in Britain.

Initiated by Solidarity with the People of Turkey (SPOT) and backed by a growing number of trade unions, the campaign is demanding the immediate release of Karatas and all journalists jailed for simply doing their job.

You can sign Spots statement demanding Yusuf Karatass release at spotturkey.org.uk. Further details and updates on the case can also been seen at evrensel.net/daily. Steve Sweeney is a Morning Star reporter.
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!)
Networking News

Buffalo Americas Cuts Out Consumer Business To Focus On SMB Channel Partners

Mark Haranas

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Buffalo Americas is shifting its focus away from consumer selling to doubling down on its SMB partners by increasing its sales and channel marketing staff tied to a slew of new network and storage products at a price point customers can't resist.

"They're bringing 10-GbE in at a cost which is below $200 per port  now that's almost a no brainer for a customer in that market space, where before you were looking at $600 to $800 a port," said Alex Bichuch, managing partner at IPConnectx Corp., a Ontario-based solution provider and Buffalo partner.

Partners are applauding the Austin, Texas-based global network and storage provider for its revamped product line and its shift away from consumer selling.

[Related: Avi Networks CEO On Citrix And F5's Technology 'Gap', New Cisco Reseller Agreement And 440% Bookings Growth]

"There's much less consumer product out there now, which is good. You can't easily find Buffalo in Best Buy anymore," Bichuch said.

Bill Rhodes, director of channel sales for Buffalo Americas, said the vendor began shifting away from the consumer market about two years ago.

"We just shifted everything away from our consumer focus and doubled down on all the B2B efforts to just make sure we were taking care of partners better, giving more emphasis to them," said Rhodes, in an interview with CRN. "We're taking the emphasis away from the retail or E-tail presence."

Buffalo has doubled its sales and channel marketing team over the past year and built a 24/7 support center in Texas.

Earlier this year, the vendor launched 10-GbE native storage and switch products, including the Buffalo TeraStation 5010 series NAS and the BS-XP20 series of switches, aimed at providing an affordable 10-GbE platform to the SMB market. The combined solution features a full-metal chassis, simple plug-and-play configuration, and a lifetime warranty.

"Trying to bring 10-Gig into the small business market is a pretty big initiative for Buffalo in general," said Rhodes. Buffalo made 10-GbE switches in Japan for years, Rhodes said, "so we brought those in, and the price points are just incredible. Full MSRP is $500 on an 8-port, 10-GbE switch."

Buffalo's drive towards improving channel enablement and profitability will only continue for years to come, said Rhodes. Bichuch said the new products are "helping us get in the door" in new opportunities, while channel support is at an all-time high.

"They dont have these layers of people to go through to get everything done. I deal with the local rep, and stuff just gets done. We wanted to run a marketing campaign, and they stepped up. We wanted to have special promos for our customers, and they stepped up. For deal registration, they stepped up," said Bichuch. "I'm excited to see where they're heading."
Storage News

HPE Americas Channel VP: SimpliVity Sales Momentum Is Off Charts, Surpassing Initial Aruba, 3Par Sales Strength

Steven Burke

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Vice President, Americas Channel Jeremiah Jenson on Tuesday told CRN the SimpliVity hyper-converged channel sales momentum in the U.S. is off the charts with growth, exceeding even the robust initial channel numbers from red-hot past acquisitions like Aruba and 3Par.

"The growth we are seeing with SimpliVity is hotter than previous acquisitions whether it is 3Par  which was incredibly successful (out of the gate) or Aruba  which was even more successful," said Jenson in an interview with CRN. "This acquisition is even hotter than those and the [sales] ramp is going that much faster. The market acceptance has been greater. The partner uptake has been greater. This is a $6 billion market and we intend to take more than our unfair share. This is the fastest growing acquisition we have had in the channel."

[Related: HPE Chief Richardson On 100 Percent Channel Pledge For Nimble And SimpliVity, Dell EMC And Distie Commitment]

The $650 million HPE SimpliVity acquisition  which was completed in February  is already on a strong sales ramp in the channel in the Americas with deal registration up triple digits in the most recent quarter both year-over-year and sequentially, said Jenson. "This is already a multimillion dollar business in our first full integrated quarter (with SimpliVity)," he said. "It's an eight-figure business almost immediately. We have been really, really pleased with the [sales] ramp."

HPE's sales momentum comes with Cisco announcing this week that it is acquiring hyper-converged software provider Springpath Inc. for $320 million.

HPE is fueling the SimpliVity sales momentum with a 100 percent commitment to drive all of the SimpliVity sales through partners. In addition, HPE has come out of the gate with a heavy investment in incentives to drive sales growth including a new spiff program, effective August 1, that rewards partners up to 10,000 points in additional rewards, said Jenson.

In addition, HPE is offering customers up to $400 for every older server and appliance take out that is returned to HPE. That incentive helped close a $1.2 million deal that included SimpliVity. "We are seeing $100,000 transactions on a daily and weekly basis at this point," said Jenson.

Dan Sytsma, vice president and general manager of Melillo Consulting, one of HPE's top Platinum enterprise partners, said Melillo added SimpliVity to its portfolio after the HPE acquisition and expects the product to account for as much as 25 percent of its sales within a year.

Melillo, No. 306 on the CRN SP500, has already closed two SimpliVity deals and has a half dozen more in the pipeline, said Sytsma. One of the deals was with a telecom service provider on a fast growth path looking for a more flexible and agile infrastructure with expansion capabilities, said Sytsma.

The SimpliVity hyper-converged product is providing a "huge ROI (return on investment)" for customers looking to consolidate infrastructure into a more "manageable and more cost effective" platform, said Sytsma.

"The technology is a definitely a difference maker for us and customers," he said. "What we see is the ROI customers are getting is huge. HPE has done a great job stepping up into the marketplace, seeing what was out there and offering a great solution to customers."

The 100 percent channel commitment with SimpliVity is also helping fuel sales, said Sytsma. "That is huge," he said. "HPE is 100 percent behind the channel to deliver this value to customers. There is no direct conflict. Having that confidence from HPE that this is a channel focused only solution is huge for Melillo and other partners."

Snowcap Technologies, one of HPE's top enterprise partners, expects its HPE business to be up about 30 percent this year as a result of what the systems integrator is calling the flat out best and most complete storage and compute portfolio with the addition of SimpliVity and Nimble, said Matt Cavanagh, a partner and vice president of engineering at Lynnfield, Mass.-headquartered Snowcap Technologies.

"SimpliVity is a winner," Cavanagh said. "We like the way it manages data and extends capabilities to remote offices with backup and replication."

Snowcap is also excited about the acquisition of Nimble with the InfoSight predictive analytics functionality moving across the complete HPE portfolio, said Cavanagh. "InfoSight is a game changer," he said. "We love the fact that HPE is making investments to improve customer experience and get at root cause issues faster."

Steve Hilts, a managing partner at Snowcap, said the SimpliVity and Nimble acquisitons have provided a "big competitive advantage" for customers and HPE partners. The new offerings are signs of a faster moving and more agile HPE, he said.

Hilts praised HPE CEO Meg Whitman for getting partners and HPE laser-focused on driving next generation software defined infrastructure sales. "Meg has righted the ship and helped move our business forward," he said. "Over the past year, we have seen fantastic growth with HPE."

HPE's field engagement with partners has improved considerably over the last year, said Hilts. "We see the field more in lock step with us," he said. "We have more converations in lockstep with HPE. We are fighting the fight more together than separately. We are seeing great things in the field."

Erik Krucker, CTO at Comport Consulting, an HPE Platinum partner and No. 379 on the CRN SP500, said Comport's HPE storage sales will be up 20 to 30 percent this year with acquisitions like SimpliVity and Nimble. "SMB customers are really starting to gravitate toward Nimble and SimpliVity," he said. "I see more SMB conversations around Nimble and SimpliVity. As an HPE partner, we are able to accomplish a lot of different things for customers when you look across the entire HPE portfolio.

HPE is moving faster than competitors into new disruptive technologies, said Krucker. "Customers sometimes look at the big OEMs as old stodgy companies that are unwilling to change," he said. "By bringing SimpliVity and Nimble into the conversation it shows customers that HPE is willing to adapt to the marketplace so customers can get the most value out of their IT investments."
Avi Networks CEO On The Record

Over the past 12 months, Avi Networks grew bookings by 440 percent and increased its customer base by 270 percent, with a massive channel surge insight thanks to a new reselling agreement with Cisco.

Touting itself as the leader in next generation application services, Avi CEO Amit Pandey said his startup is driving sales through innovative technology not offered by competitors F5 Networks and Citrix. Pandey is the former CEO of Zenprise which was acquired by Citrix in 2013.

In an interview with CRN, Pandey talks about "doubling down" on public cloud through integrations with AWS, Google and Microsoft, technology differentiator and why Cisco partners should be pumped about Avi.
The European Unions (EUs) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) went into full effect May 25, 2018, and it impacts any company, worldwide, that processes or stores personal data of EU residents.

The new rules grant people more rights regarding how companies handle their personally identifiable information (PII), and it imposes heavy fines for non-compliance and data breaches--up to 4 percent of a companys yearly revenue. The GDPR also requires that companies report data breaches within a 72-hour window. (See General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements, deadlines and facts for more specifics on the regulation.)

Even if you dont do business with the EU, its likely to have impact on global security standards going forward. Consequently, companies working in the EU or with GDPR-impacted data are quickly trying to come into compliance ahead of time. For security teams, this means making sure that PII is adequately protected and that the proper reporting processes are in place.

As Brian Vecci, Technology Evangelist for Varonis says, Most companies arent prepared at all. Youve got companies sitting in the midwest of the United States, that because someone from the EU signed up for their newsletter, are suddenly subject to one of the most onerous privacy regulations ever. Thats what I so grand about the GDPR. It cuts across all verticals. It doesnt just impact financial organizations, or hospitals. If you have PII from one of the 28 member states, then it impacts your organization.

For good or bad, GDPR does not define any specific data protection controls that an organization must follow. Each organization is allowed to determine, for itself, the necessary security controls for the collected data, confidentiality and risk.

Olivier Van Hoof, Pre-Sales Manager of Europe for Collibra says GDPR starts with data governance, Youve got to put a data governance platform in place before you can really begin to secure the data. Its a lot more than just technically securing the data. Most organizations are beginning by looking at their business processes first, then looking at the logical processes that collect the data, and then to the physical data itself. GDPR is also about understanding that the data is really owned by the individual. Youre really just hosting the data.

What does GDPR mean by personal data?

The definition of personal data under the GDPR is very broad, far more so than most other countrys current or previously existing personal data protections. It includes any information relating to a specific individual, whether that data is private, public, or professional in nature. It applies not only to names, addresses and financial information, but anything that could identify an individual (e.g., IP addresses, logon IDs, biometric identifiers, geographic location data, video footage, customer loyalty histories, social media posts and photos). If it is identifiable to a specific individual, its included.

The impact of the GDPR means that you not only are going to have to protect more types of data in the future, but expend more effort in identifying existing data that perhaps wasnt considered PII before. Vecci says, Before even if you had PII from one of the EU states, what you had collected might not have been considered PII in that country. Now, all of sudden starting in May, it is PII.

GDPR-impacted companies will need to identify, to the best of their abilities, information that was not tracked or indexed before. For example, a recorded customer support call may need to be located, protected, tracked, and reported.

What are the new user rights for PII?

Documented opt-in consent must be given for every person (or their legal guardian). The consent must explicitly identify the data collected, what it is used for, and how long it will be kept. Further, participants can remove their consent at any time and request that their personal data be deleted (as long as they supply one of the approved reasons).

Under the GDPR, individuals may also control what happens with their PII. Besides the ability to request that it be deleted, they can get factual errors corrected, see what data of theirs is stored, and even export it for their personal review and use. These important rights are net new for most organizations.

Vecci sees most companies initially just trying to understand how big of an GDPR issue they have. They dont know what they dont know. They need to find out where the data is stored and whether it is covered by GDPR. Then they have to least-privilege protect it and track it. Luckily, my company Varonis has been doing exactly that since the beginning. We specialize in not only finding the data, but determining who has access to what, and whether they need access to the data. With other data protection regulations it was enough to keep the data safe from the outside. Now it has to be better secured on the inside, because Article 25 of the GDPR says the data has to be least privilege protected by design and by default. And you cant do that without first understanding where it is and who can access it.

What do consumers think about protecting their PII

Companies have consistently favored ease of use over security when designing online systems that interact with consumers. They understandably want consumers to have have a positive experience, especially during a transaction such as a purchase or accessing an account. They believed that consumers had the same priorities.

That might be changing. A recent study by identity verification company Trulioo found that more consumers are worried that companies prioritize speed over security. In fact, 71% of respondents said that security was the most important factor when opening a new account. Fear of being a victim of fraud is the main driving factor, as 76% percent of the respondents said they felt at greater risk than a year ago.

Only 49%, however, said transparency around the collection and use of their PII was now more important to them. This is despite the fact that 72% said they believed their personal information was for sale online.

Can hackers exploit GDPR rules around PII?

Yes! Security researcher and Oxford University student James Pavur demonstrated at the recent Black Hat conference how he was able to gather his fiance's PII from multiple organizations using GDPR requests (with her permission).

This bit of social engineering proved effective and not very challenging for Pavur. Of the 150 GDPR requests sent, 24% of the organizations accepted his fiance's email address and phone number as proof of identity. He was able to get her social security number, credit card number and expiration date, account passwords, date of birth, and mother's maiden name--enough to do some real damage.

How does the GDPR affect the structure of security teams?

The GDPR defines multiple roles with rules and responsibilities for each role. A data subject is an individual whose personal data is being collected. A data controller is the organization that collects the data. A processor is an organization that processes the data on behalf of a data controller. Controllers and processors must maintain written records of what data was collected, how it was appropriately collected, how it was used, and when it was disposed of.

Although great for data subjects control and privacy, most companies do not already have these types of data protection tracking systems. Security teams will have to not only protect the data against traditional threats, but do so in a way that is transparent, documented, and retrievable to possibly large numbers of data subjects, all while maintaining strong security of the data. Every computer security team member will have to be trained in GDPR compliance and what it means to the organizations existing and future security controls.

Many of the participating enterprises, private and public, must have an official data protection officer (DPO). The DPO is a key figure in not only maintaining legal compliance to the GDPR, but needs the technical knowledge or staff to secure data and ensure business continuity. The DPO is expected to operate independent of the organization that employs him or her. The EU felt the DPO position was crucial enough that they issued a separate, more detailed 18-page document about the position.

The DPO position might seem a natural fit for a CSO, and it might be. CSOs are certainly familiar with technical computer security requirements and controls, as well as interfacing with top management. But a DPO has to have a strong understanding of privacy and compliance requirements, which is typically better understand by chief privacy officers (CPO) or other privacy advocates. On the other hand, privacy officers may not understand the technical side of things. Smaller businesses, with much smaller management teams, may end appointing the employee with the best fit, like a comptroller, or even choose an external DPO, which may or may not work with other companies, as well. In all cases, the GDPR requires that the DPO be an independent auditor of compliance and be directly accessible to the data subjects, the complying organization, and GDPR supervisors. When data is collected from the subject, the contact details of the entitys controller and DPO must be given.

Van Hoof says, Most large European companies have already hired DPOs, but Ive seen outsourced DPOs or shared DPOs by smaller and medium-sized businesses.

Data protection and processing records must be kept and made available for routine and regular inspection, not only by auditors, but by individual data subjects. How will a complying entity ensure that the records are available for individual private inspection, while at the same time kept secure from unauthorized viewers? Will each individual subject require a new identity management tracking and access control system, for what could be potentially millions of data subjects? Probably, at the very least. Or could an organization meet the GDPR requirements by simply printing out an individuals records and mailing a hard copy to them? These are the important details the DPO, management and security team must work out.

[Related: What are the GDPR requirements?]

National data protection authority

Each participating country (also known as a member state) has a national data protection authority (DPA). DPAs are responsible for determining compliance and enforcing relevant laws at a national level, but are required to be very independent, even of their nations own government control. Tricky stuff.

Member states may have one or more national DPAs for complying entities to choose. Each entity can choose one DPA, which regulates GDPR compliance for the entire entity, regardless of how many member states the company operates in or derives its data from (something known as one-stop-shop). The lead supervisor authority has the ability to control data processing and protection happening in other member states. Some critics correctly note that companies operating in multi-member states may shop for the most flexible DPA with which to operate, much like they already do for lower taxation and organizational independence today.

Some experts arent sure how much benefit would be gleaned by DPA shopping. Van Hoof says, Youre going to see a lot of coordination and communication among DPAs from the different countries. Although there are going to be some differences among DPAs in each country because of their local laws and regulations, 95 percent of what they do will be general and the same no matter what country.

DPAs were established under a previous EU data protection law, but significantly strengthened under the GDPR. The DPAs are essentially the official regulators, and police in the GDPR scheme. The DPA helps decide on matters of law, and it can investigate companies for potential violations and hold controllers or processors legally responsible for GDPR violations and assess penalties. It also decides if an entity can transfer data outside of the EU, and if so, what protections must be applied. For a particular organization, their DPO is likely to be the primary contact to the DPA and vice-versa. Because of the inherent responsibilities, both the DPO, and especially the DPA, are likely to be composed of teams of people and not a single person.

If a data subject feels a violation has occurred they can contact either the DPO or DPA, which was selected by the involved company and communicated to the subject. This can be awkward in practice, as a controllers or processors DPO or DPA may not be in the same country or speak the same language, as the subject.

Data breaches must be reported quickly

Personal data breaches (including theft, data loss, destruction, or adulteration) must be reported immediately, or at least within 72 hours, to the lead supervisor authority (i.e., DPA). The impacted individuals must be notified if an adverse impact is expected. However, if the data is appropriately encrypted or anonymized, and that ultimate protection has not been breached, then the individuals do not have to be notified.
The latest forecast from Gartner Inc. says worldwide information security spending will grow 7 percent to reach $86.4 billion (USD) in 2017 and will climb to $93 billion next year.

Gartner's forecast concentrates on corporate IT and includes categories such as IT security outsourcing, managed security services, consulting and implementation, infrastructure protection, application security testing, data loss prevention (DLP), endpoint protection, security information and event management (SIEM), secure email and web gateways, identity governance and administration, web access management, and other IAM.

Lawrence Pingree, research vice president, Technology and Service Providers - Security Technologies at Gartner, said in an email exchange that the forecast includes all end-user spending, both by enterprises and by consumers.

The consumer security subsegment of the market covered by the Gartner forecast includes stand-alone suites of endpoint security products, including antivirus, anti-spyware, personal firewalls and host-based intrusion prevention systems (HIPSs), parental control, fraud detection, and mobile security  plus desktop and subscription antivirus sold or rented to the small office/home office segment and consumers.

Information security is a subset of the broader cybersecurity market, which is predicted to exceed $1 trillion in cumulative spending over the next five years, from 2017 to 2021, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.

Cybersecurity includes IT security, consumer security products such as biometrics and personal malware protection, medical device security, IoT and embedded systems security, Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) security, automotive cybersecurity, aviation cybersecurity, military cyber defense technology, and others that dont fall under the traditional IT umbrella.

The Gartner forecast doesnt cover IoT security and ICS security, said Contu Ruggero, a research director based in Italy, and chair of the Gartner India Security and Risk Summit, in an email exchange.

IoT security and ICS security are fast-growing markets. Together, just those two security sectors are estimated to be worth upwards of a combined $43 billion annually by 2022, according to one market research firm.

Taken as a whole, Cybersecurity Ventures anticipates 12-15 percent year-over-year cybersecurity market growth through 2021.

What's driving the spending?

Within the information security sector, Gartner points to growing board level involvement and compliance mandates as spending drivers.

"Rising awareness among CEOs and boards of directors about the business impact of security incidents and an evolving regulatory landscape have led to continued spending on security products and services," said Sid Deshpande, a principal research analyst at Gartner out of Singapore.

Battening down the IT hatches does not necessarily mean spending more money on IT security products and services.

"Organizations can improve their security posture significantly just by addressing basic security and risk-related hygiene elements such as threat-centric vulnerability management, centralized log management, internal network segmentation, backups and system hardening," said Deshpande, previously a Gartner senior research analyst in Bangalore, India, for more than seven years.

Security services will continue to be the fastest-growing segment, especially IT outsourcing, consulting and implementation services, according to Gartner.

The cybersecurity workforce shortage is forcing IT shops to look for third-party help. There will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally by 2021, up from a Cisco forecast of 1 million openings in 2014.

Cyber crime costs continue to drive demand for cybersecurity products and services. The world will suffer $6 trillion in cyber crime damages annually by 2021, up from $3 trillion in 2015, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.

Visit SteveOnCyber.com to read all of my blogs and articles covering cybersecurity.

Follow me on Twitter @CybersecuritySF, or connect with me on LinkedIn. Send story tips, feedback and suggestions to me here.
Contributed Photo City Center Danbury / Hearst Connecticut Media

DANBURY  Savings Bank of Danbury will be the only bank in the Northeast to be featured in an episode of Behind the Scenes, a documentary program hosted by James Earl Jones and aired on public television.

Savings Bank of Danbury, one of five banks to be featured in the program, was chosen for its reputation for being dedicated to the community, according to a release issued by the bank. The episode focuses on community banking and airs this month on public pelevision.
Contributed Photo / Contributed Photo

SEYMOUR  Police arrested an Ansonia man in connection with a weekend robbery at TD Bank in the Klarides Village Shopping Plaza on Route 67.

According to a Tuesday news release, police arrested and charged Steven Gomez-Maya, 21, of May Street in Ansonia, with first-degree robbery, said Deputy Police Chief Paul Satkowski. Gomez-Maya was held on $250,000 bond and arraigned Monday in state Superior Court in Derby.
If you love Chipotle and youre looking for a reason to stop by an establishment for some food on Thursday, now you have one.

The Chipotle Mexican Grill is hosting a fundraiser across more than 20 of its Connecticut locations in support of the Connecticut Humane Society.

The fundraiser will take place on Thursday between the hours of 10:45 a.m. and 10 p.m. Chipotle will donate 50 percent of its sales to the organization for each purchase from a customer that mentions the fundraiser.

Chipotle is looking forward to supporting the (Connecticut Humane Society), the oldest and most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the state that helps thousands of pets every year, a news release said.

In order to ensure your purchase goes toward the fundraiser, customers are instructed to either mention the fundraiser at the register, show the flyer to the cashier on a smartphone or printed out or show the fundraiser social media posts from the Connecticut Human Society to the cashier.

Milford, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Westport and Shelton are among the 22 Chipotle locations in Connecticut participating in the fundraiser.

The Chipotle in Milford can be found at 1319 Boston Post Road.

More Information Other locations participating in the fundraiser: 1094 North Colony Road, Wallingford 110 Albany Turnpike, Canton 3575 Berlin Turnpike, Newington 1457 New Britain Ave., West Hartford 966 Farmington Ave., West Hartford 2165 Dixwell Ave., Hamden 910 Chapel St., New Haven 354 Saw Mill Road, West Haven 7 Backus Ave., Danbury 115 Mill Plain Road, Danbury 140 Glastonbury Blvd., Glastonbury 50 Hale Road, Manchester 7 Hazard Ave., Enfield 71 Post Road, Darien 1233 East Putnam Ave., Riverside 49 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich Connecticut Welcome Center, Interstate 95 northbound, Darien See More Collapse

The one in Fairfield can be found at 340 Grasmere Ave.

The one in Bridgeport is located at 275 East Main St.

The Westport Chipotle can be found at 370 Post Road East.

And the one in Shelton is located at 701 Bridgeport Ave.

There are locations across Connecticut  in New Haven, Wallingford, Newington, Glastonbury, Manchester and more  participating in the fundraiser.
Connecticuts hospitals still havent received expected state funding this summer because of the ongoing budget impasse in Hartford.

The hospitals expected to get up to $30 million in August, but the Connecticut Hospital Association said those payments have not been made while the state operates under Gov. Dannel P. Malloys executive order.

Hospital officials are also worried because the end of the fiscal year is approaching on Sept. 30.

Now they are confronted with closing their books without knowing in fact if those payments are going to be made, said Stephen Frayne, the hospital associations senior vice president of health policy.

Running a complex, 24/7 community health operation such as Stamford Hospital is measurably harder when promised payments, which we count on to insure the highest level of patient care, are not made, said hospital spokesman Craig Andrews. We continue to work with the legislature to provide relief to hospitals.

Frayne said hospital officials remain hopeful and optimistic that the payments will come through once the governor and the Legislature agree on a budget, now nearly two months late.

Each year, the state collects taxes from the hospitals and returns part of the proceeds, along with some federal funds, in quarterly supplemental payments. Last year, the state collected about $556 million in taxes and returned about $118 million.

Budget or no budget, the hospitals will owe the state about $139 million in taxes in October, since the tax is set by statute and cannot change under executive authority.

The tax was originally assessed as a way for the state to generate the funds needed to obtain matching federal grants, which would then be redistributed to the hospitals. In 2012, the hospitals paid about $350 million in taxes and received about $400 million in state and federal funds.

But in recent years, as Connecticuts budget situation worsened, the state started collecting more in taxes than it was returning to the hospitals. In November 2015, the hospital association and several hospitals filed documents with the state departments of revenue and social services asserting that the tax violates state and federal laws, as well as the state and federal constitutions.

The filings requested that the two agencies issue declaratory rulings that the tax is invalid and unenforceable. The state rejected that request last September.

About two months later, the hospital association asked a state Superior Court to toss out the tax. They also filed a petition with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, arguing that the states reimbursement and tax schemes violates the federal Medicaid Act.

This spring, the state and CHA confirmed that settlement talks had begun.

Connecticut hospital officials and advocates have repeatedly said the hospital tax costs them millions of dollars and forced hospitals to cut services and staff.

The state has countered by saying that Medicaid payments to hospitals have increased over the last decade, and that hospitals see fewer patients without coverage because of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.
Richard Stephens takes great pride in his front yard and says he'd like nothing more than to remove the giant, HOA-bashing sign that has dominated it for days.

But the Colorado retiree says a message needs to be sent.

Particularly this one: "If you are considering purchasing a home in Alford Meadows You may want to RECONSIDER . . . YOU could be the next target of the HOA!"

For emphasis, the professionally printed red-and-white sign is accented with a drawing of a target behind the word "YOU."

A neighborhood squabble over nine decorative milk jugs, some planter buckets and an artistic rendering of an early American flag has escalated to a sign-sized war of words that has consumed the Alford Meadows neighborhood in Loveland, just north of Denver.

The conflict motivated Stephens to walk into a printer's shop and drop $300 on the sign, which is bolted to a frame in the front yard he mows twice a week.

The dispute has morphed into a case study of what happens when homeowners clash with the boards set up to maintain exacting community standards and protect property values.

And there seems little chance that this brouhaha will end in a neighborly handshake: Stephens told The Washington Post that speaking through lawyers may be the only way to ensure that his concerns aren't swept under the rug.

Well, that and the 32-square-foot yard sign he erected in front of his house.

"We tried talking to the members, but they shut me down," the former New York state corrections officer told The Post. "I'm not a legal scholar. I came here to retire, not to put up with some bulls--- from a homeowners association."

The controversy started in April, according to correspondence the homeowner shared with The Post. Alford Meadows notified Stephens and his wife that their yard was a little, well, busy.

The letter alluded to "additions to the outside of your property, which are growing in number and type. . . . You have visible from the roads and sidewalks, approximately nine milk churns, thirteen buckets and cans, plus tables, chairs, statue-type items, plus other assorted items, and attached to the side of your house, a star and a painted wooden object."

Colleen Stephens had hand-painted many of the items, including the antique-looking milk cans and a wooden shipping palette that depicted a Revolutionary War-era American flag.

The HOA's letter said it wanted most of the objects gone.

Attached to the letter were pages from the community covenant that lays down the law on lawn decorations.

It goes into exacting detail about the amount of "living plant material" required in a yard (75 percent) the coloring of rain gutters (muted) and whether residents can have gazebos (nope).

The letter, sent by certified mail, says the Stephenses were welcome to request a hearing. If not, they needed to address the matter in seven days.

Do nothing, the letter said, and "the Association has the authority to ensure compliance."

Stephens described the letter as "bullying."

The HOA disputes that characterization, saying it's doing exactly what it was formed to do: enforce community standards that make Alford Meadows a nice place to live.

The association's attorney, Michael Krueger, said the letter wasn't that different from others the association sends to people who violate community covenants. The HOA tried to address the issue in a meeting with the Stephenses, who walked out when he was told he couldn't record the conversation. Not recording meetings is a "uniform policy," of the HOA, Krueger said in an interview.

Krueger said he and the HOA are flummoxed about why this "relatively routine matter" has exploded.

"It's a very minor dispute that frankly I don't think anyone other than the owners know the reason for it becoming so big," he said. "It's not political. It's not personal. It's a board of directors that was following its processes - and that was prepared to discuss the matter."

And while intelligent people can disagree on just how many decorative milk jugs crosses into distasteful territory, Krueger said the sign is definitely harmful to Stephens' 387 neighbors, particularly anyone who's trying to sell a house.

That's why the HOA sent another letter to the Stephenses, telling them their protest sign needs to go.

"The Stephens, not the board, made a fairly routine disagreement into a spectacle that appears to be by both design and effect harmful to the neighborhood," the HOA wrote in a letter to residents about the dispute.

But Stephens believes there's more at play than a simple effort to enforce the rules.

In an interview with The Post, he used terms such as "personal vendetta" and "political retribution."

He explained that he is an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump. Many of his neighbors, he said, are not.

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton won 48.1 percent of the vote in Colorado; Trump received 43.2 percent. Clinton also won Larimer County, which includes Loveland, 46.9 percent to 42 percent.

Before the election, Stephens said, people stole Trump signs from his yard and sent him hate mail.

"Dear d--bags," one letter began, according to Stephens. It continued: "Take your NEW YORK bigotry, hate-filled & mean-spirited ugliness back to the deplorable state that you came from. We don't want you in our neighborhood."

That ship has pretty much sailed, Stephens said.

He doesn't plan to move, and he won't take down the sign until the HOA apologizes and rescinds the violations.

He does, however, plan to discuss the story behind the sign with anyone who stops by for a chat - and, he says, will go to court if necessary.

Stephens said some of his neighbors have supported his battle against the HOA and others have asked him to take his sign down, including one neighbor who said it was hurting her efforts to sell her house. They talked for a few minutes one day, Stephens said, and "when she left she wished me good luck."

Others have criticized Alford Meadows for sinking money from HOA dues into attorney fees to wage a battle over a few milk jugs and planters.

They just want the battle to stop, according to Stephens and the HOA, who both have received messages to that effect.

Krueger said that in taking the debate to the extreme, Richard Stephens has become the antagonist.

"This owner is doing what HOAs are derided for from coast to coast," Krueger told The Post. "He's making the neighborhood worse."

James Laumann, the president of HOA-USA, which keeps a directory of HOAs and provides educational resources, said most people never have issues with their community associations; but problems crop up when buyers don't do enough research before moving in.

"You are talking about typically the largest investment in someone's life, which is their home," Laumann said. "And many people buy into a community not really understanding the fact that there is an HOA and that there are restrictive covenants. And everything goes along fine until they realize I can't do such and such. They say it's their property, and think they can do what they want."
Great Allegheny Passage improvements coming

The bids were opened Nov. 1 and Adam Eidemiller's was the lower of two bids received. The project will take two weeks starting within the next week.
The younger sister of a teenage boy who tragically died after he was struck down with meningococcal has spoken of his harrowing final moments.

Lucy Dunham and her 19-year-old brother Lloyd were on their way to the airport when he suddenly fell ill in the backseat of the car over the weekend.

The young man, who lives in Western Australia, was visiting his sister in Tasmania for the week when he failed to regain consciousness.

Earlier on Saturday, he had suffered flu-like symptoms - but he later died in hospital after contracting a deadly W strain of the disease.

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Lucy Dunham has opened up about her brother Lloyd who died after he was struck down with meningococcal has spoken of his final moments (pictured together)

Lucy (pictured) revealed her brother had failed to regain consciousness when they were heading to the airport after he visited her

'He had been vomiting and I tried talking to him, but he couldn't talk to me. He was just making noises so I knew something was wrong,' she told Southern Cross News.

'I just said "are you alright?" but he didn't say anything. He just looked at me.'

The young woman had asked her brother to come visit her after she recently moved to Hobart to live on her own.

'I asked him to come visit me so he did just for the week because he knew I was scared I guess... It was a big move,' she said.

'He's one of my best friends so it's what you do.'

The young man (pictured in Tasmania last week) was visiting his sister after her recent move

His condition deteriorated on the day he was due to fly back home.

'It kind of looked like he was about to have a fit or something,' Lucy told 7 News.

'We quickly pulled him out of the car and called the ambulance, and he was unconscious for about 20 minutes.'

But after he was taken to hospital, doctors were unable to save him.

His father Terry Dunham has also paid tribute to his son on Facebook, saying: 'My heart and soul is shattered into pieces by your sudden departure from this world'

She has since paid tribute to her brother, describing him as a 'very funny' person.

'He made people laugh wherever he went. Very kind and generous. I could always ask him for help with anything and he would help me,' she said.

His father Terry Dunham has also paid tribute to his son on Facebook.

'Love you forever Lloyd. My heart and soul is shattered into pieces by your sudden departure from this world. my son, my blood. Love you,' he wrote.

'Thank you for all the friendship and smiles you gave everyone. you are a legend always. Cheers. My sadness will never end.'
They've been voted the 'world's best' croissants in the past - and boast a social media following akin to a minor celebrity.

And now, the incredibly popular Melbourne bakery, Lune Croissanterie, is bringing 500 of their finest and doughiest croissants to Sydney for one day only.

The delicious baked goods will be on sale at the Paramount Coffee Project in Surry Hills from midday on Thursday 24 August, until the 500 croissants are sold out.

The incredibly popular Melbourne bakery, Lune Croissanterie, is bringing 500 of their finest and doughiest croissants to Sydney for one day only (pictured)

The delicious baked goods will be on sale at the Paramount Coffee Project in Surry Hills from midday on Thursday 24 August, until the 500 croissants are sold out

A lot of work goes into the croissants - they are folded, rested, fermented and proved for three days - using rulers, thermometers and detailed notes (pictured before baking)

The pop-up is being run in conjunction with Gourmet Traveller magazine, whose new issue goes on sale that morning.

So just why have the croissants made headlines around the world? First up, a lot of work goes into them.

After three days of folding, resting, fermenting and proving, the bakers use rulers, thermometers and detailed notes to make sure their pastries are perfect.

The bakers also come up with all sorts of weird and wonderful popular flavours (pictured)

Led by former aerospace engineer, Kate Reid, the team use the best possible ingredients available to them (pictured: the croissants being made)

Led by former aerospace engineer, Kate Reid, the team use the best possible ingredients available to them.

According to Gourmet Traveller, this results in two kinds of butter: Pepe Saya for the dough and Beurre d'Isigny for laminating the pastry.

'Equal care is taken with the other ingredients: flour from Laucke, Sungold Jersey milk and free-range Villa Verde eggs, while Andrew McConnell's butcher Meatsmith is the go-to for any croissants that use ham or other meaty ingredients,' the publication adds.

Since they launched five years ago, Lune Croissanterie have become more and more popular - they currently sell around 1,200 pastries each day

Not only this, but the croissant team riff on all sorts of different foodie creations - from a Yorkshire pudding-style Danish with rare beef to a peanut butter jelly cruffin.

Since they launched five years ago, Lune Croissanterie have become more and more popular.

They currently sell around 1,200 pastries a day - with queues forming around the block in their Melbourne patisserie.
If ever there was a divisive vegetable among the great British viewing public, it's the humble brussels sprout.

Love 'em or hate 'em though, one thing everyone can generally agree on is that the nutritious green festive favourite has probably never been seen before on a pizza.

Until the latest episode of The Big Cooking Showdown aired last night that is... when enthusiastic contestant Sam, from Hampshire, decided it was culinary genius to offer the BBC2 programme's judges, Michelin-starred Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli and cookery teacher Rosemary Shrager, a slice.

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Cookery doyenne Rosemary Shrager tries a piece of the sprout and chorizo pizza offered up from the Dawes family, who hail from Hampshire...and quickly she doesn't look impressed

Another morsel goes in but for Rosemary, it's a slice of pan-fried sprout too far

Ellie Dawes and her boyfriend Sam nervously await the verdict, watched by Ellie's mum

The show, presented by Zoe Ball and 2015 Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain, sees multi-generational families face a series of foodie challenges as they try and impress Locatelli and Shrager.

So how did sprout pizza go down? While a 'pleasantly-surprised' Locatelli told smiling scientist Sam that he was 'converted' he admitted that the notion of putting pan-fried sprouts atop a pizza would see him 'crucified in Naples'.

A disgruntled-looking Rosemary, however, was having absolutely none of it, and told Sam in serious tones that: 'brussels sprouts should not be on pizzas'.

'Why not?' A sassy Sam, supported by girlfriend Ellie, fired back.

Crime against pizza? Plenty of viewers of last night's Big Cooking Showdown certainly thought so

Locatelli told the Dawes family he was 'converted' to the unconventional take on pizza toppings but said that the dish might see its creator 'crucified' in Naples

Rosemary Shrager on the other hand was firm in her view that sprouts and pizza should never meet

A smirking Sam responded to Rosemary's criticism of his dish, saying that he thought pan-fried sprouts DID work...but there was only one winner in the argument...and it wasn't him

'Because it doesn't work' riposted Rosemary.

'It works for me', he offered, before he was shut down completely by the no-nonsense cookery doyenne with a sharp: '...but it doesn't work for me'.

Twitter almost universally agreed with Shrager and enough tweets to fill Rome's Trevi Fountain poured in on the subject.

@LauraClemmy added: 'What has to happen to you in your life to think putting Brussel sprouts on a pizza is a good idea.'

@Ariadne_Griffin posted: 'If my mother put Brussels sprouts on a pizza I would actually emancipate myself #CookingShowdown'

@1deaftranslator wrote: 'BrusselS sprouts have no place on the face of the Earth, let alone in a pizza.'

@Wagnerian1979 penned: 'Sprouts on pizza? Abomination!'

Alice Magee played it straight, saying what the rest of the world seemed to be thinking. 'Why on earth would you put brussels sprouts on pizza?'

It wasn't quite all naysaying when it came to never-heard-of-before topping. @senoJ_asiL thought it was a great idea: 'I love sprouts, I think it would be good on a pizza. Sorry not sorry Rosemary.'
The Neopanamax vessel CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt, which measures 1,200 feet in length and 158 feet in beam and has a container carrying capacity of 14,885 TEUs, on Aug. 22 became the largest ship to ever transit the Central American waterway.



A nearly 15,000 TEU containership, similar to the one above, transited the expanded Panama Canal locks for the first time ever this week.

On Aug. 22, the Panama Canal welcomed the largest capacity vessel to ever transit its 14-month-old expanded locks, the CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt, which can carry up to 14,885 TEUs.

The Neopanamax containership, which began its voyage from Asia, measures 365.9 meters (1,200 feet) in length and 48.2 meters (158 feet) in beam.

Todays transit not only represents the growing success and adoption of the expanded canal, but also its impact on reshaping world trade, Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano said.

According to ocean carrier schedule database BlueWater Reporting, the CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt is deployed on the OCEAN Alliances new weekly Asia-U.S. East Coast South Atlantic Express (SAX) service. Commenced in early April, the SAX loop operates with 11 vessels  four from CMA CGM, five from COSCO and two from OOCL  with an average capacity of 13,386 TEUs. The full port rotation of the service is Hong Kong, Yantian, Ningbo, Shanghai, Colon (Panama), Norfolk, Savannah, Charleston and back to Hong Kong.

By traveling through Panama, the Theodore Roosevelt saved 29,561 tons of CO2 emissions in bypassing the Cape of Good Hope, according to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). In its first year of operation, the expanded canal contributed to the reduction of 17 million tons of CO2 because of the shorter traveling distance and larger cargo carrying capacity that it offers to customers, ACP said.

The canal authority said the Theodore Roosevelt is also expected to call the Port of New York and New Jersey, which recently completed a four year, $1.6 billion project to raise the Bayonne Bridge to 215 feet, thereby allowing ships larger than 9,500 TEU to dock at three of its four primary terminals located west of the bridge.
A teacher who ghosted an ex-girlfriend of three years has had a seriously awkward run-in with his former flame - because she's now his boss.

The anonymous man wrote in to website Ask A Manager seeking advice after he discovered his new boss is a woman he broke up with in a cruel way.

He lived with a woman called Sylvia for two years but moved out of their shared house while she was away on holiday.

After his old boss left, he discovered that their replacement was Sylvia, and is now panicking about what to do. He asked the experts on the website, who told him what he did was cruel and that he should leave the job.

A teacher has reunited with his ex girlfriend as she becomes his boss years after they dated

He said: 'Sylvia wanted to settle down but I was not ready to commit so young. We clearly had different expectations from the relationship. I did not know what to do and, well, I ghosted her.

'Over the Christmas break, while she was visiting her family, I simply moved out and left the country.'

He now admits that he shouldn't have 'ghosted' Sylvia, which means suddenly disappearing and dropping contact with someone you're dating.

'I understand that this would not have happened if I did not ghost her back then, but I cannot do anything about it now,' he said.

The man admitted he shouldn't have ghosted Sylvia, but it's too difficult to leave his job

'I gathered from the comments that readers usually have a go on people like me for 'bad behavior' but I am really looking for constructive comments how to deal with the situation.'

The man claims Sylvia then became 'obsessed' with the relationship and tracked him down through talking to family and friends, but they hadn't spoken for a long time.

The teacher, who works in an international school in a foreign country, then discovered that Sylvia was about to become the school director.

He says he cannot leave the job because there aren't any other suitable schools in the region where he works, meaning he'd have to leave the country to find other employment.

He said: 'I am happy and settled here so do not want to move. To make the situation worse, the expat community here is very small and tightly knit so teachers also socialise a lot.'

What would YOU do? Man finds out his scorned ex girlfriend is now his boss I was hoping you would be able to help me with a conundrum I got myself into. I have been an expat since graduating and have been moving a lot. More than a decade ago, when I was still young, I was in a relationship with a woman, Sylvia, in a country where we both lived. Sylvia wanted to settle down but I was not ready to commit so young. We clearly had different expectations from the relationship. I did not know what to do and, well, I ghosted her. Over the Christmas break, while she was visiting her family, I simply moved out and left the country. I took advantage of the fact that I accepted a job in other country and did not tell her about it. I simply wanted to avoid being untangled in a break-up drama. Sylvia was rather emotional and became obsessed with the relationship, tracking me down, even causing various scenes with my parents and friends. Anyhow, fast forward to now. I now work as a math teacher in an international school. I have been in other relationships since, so Sylvia is a sort of forgotten history. Sadly, till now. This week, I learnt that our fantastic school director suddenly resigned due to a serious family situation and had to move back to her home country over the summer. The school had to replace her. We are getting a new director. I read the bio of the new boss and googled her and was shocked to discover it is Sylvia. We have not been in touch and do not have any mutual friends anymore. I am not a big fan of social media and had no idea what she had been up to since the unpleasant situation a long time ago. I have no idea what to do and how to deal with this mess. It is clear this will be not only embarassing but I will also be reporting to my ex. I am not in a position to find another job at present. There are no other international schools so finding another job in this country is not an option. Even finding a job elsewhere is not possible on such a short notice. These jobs usually open for school terms so I have to stay put for few months. But more importantly, I am happy and settled here so do not want to move. To make the situation worse, the expat community here is very small and tightly knit so teachers also socialize a lot. Do you have any suggestions for me how to handle it and what should I do? I understand that this would not have happened if I did not ghost her back then, but I cannot do anything about it now. I gathered from the comments that readers usually have a go on people like me for bad behavior but I am really looking for constructive comments how to deal with the situation. Source: Ask A Manager Advertisement

The manager, who responded to his post, criticised him for ghosting Sylvia - and told him to prepare to leave the job.

They said he inflicted some 'serious emotional destruction' and said he wasn't surprised that his ex contacted his family and friends; because she was probably worried about whether he was alive or not.

He said: 'Really, think about it. If you came home one day and your long-time partner was gone and had left no note, would you just shrug and go on with your life, or would you try to figure out if she were okay or not?'

They added: 'I don't know that you can salvage this! It's not reasonable to ask Sylvia to manage someone who she has this history with. You can try and see what her take on it is, but I'd be prepared to have to move on, whatever that might look like for you.

'I get that it's going to be inconvenient  maybe even quite hard  but there may not be an alternative here.'
Most parents have wondered what their little ones get up to when they're not around, and this hilarious new video gives finally gives an insight.

A group of children were filmed enjoying their lunchtimes when they discussed everything from future careers to what they really think of their folks.

One little girl said she wanted to be a teacher so she can 'boss everyone around' but her friend suggested that she be a lunchbox instead.

Another girl said she loved her parents because they let her 'wake them up', while her classmate said she loves getting cuddles from them.

Child psychologist Dr Sam Wass revealed that the conversations children have over lunch are preparing them for the rest of their lives.

A cute new clip has revealed what children speak about when their parents are gone

One girl said: 'I want to be a policeman because I want to defeat bad guys.'

While her classmate said she wanted to be a doctor so she can 'fix people' and another is planning to be a horse-rider, but 'doesn't really know what they do'.

After one of the girls said she wanted to be a teacher so she could be bossy, her male classmate suggested a more unique career.

He said: 'You can be a lunchbox.'

The group discussed their future careers, their parents and even secret boyfriends

Talk then turned to what the children thought of their parents, with one girl saying she liked to wake her parents up.

Another child was a little more kind about her parents, saying: 'I love my parents because they cuddle me all the time.'

Some of the conversations were a little more surprising, with one little girl bragging that she had a boyfriend - but the relationship wasn't going well. She said: 'I have a boyfriend and I see him at the park. Every time I see him he hides from me.'

The makers of Hartley's Jelly Pots have created a web series called Little Ones Who Lunch revealing what children talk about at lunchtime.

One girl wanted to a policeman so she could catch 'bad guys' while another wanted to be a teacher so she could be bossy

One cheeky little boy told the girl who wanted to be a teacher to be a 'lunchbox' instead

HOW KIDS' LUNCHTIME CONVERSATIONS ARE SHAPING THEIR FUTURES: A PSYCHOLOGIST'S VIEW The company worked with a child psychologist Dr Sam Wass, who is behind Channel 4's Secret Life of a Four Year old, and revealed that conversations children have on their lunch breaks are actually preparing them for their real world. Dr Wass said: 'Kids pick up on everything around them so it is no wonder that they like to talk to their friends at lunchtime about the same things they hear their parents chatting about. 'From the research we know that almost half of kids love to speak to their friends for up to 30 minutes over their lunchbox. Having an exciting and interesting lunch will help stimulate this conversation and give them new and exciting topics to discuss. 'School lunches are preparing kids for the dinner parties of the future, learning important social and communication skills that makes it one of the most important parts of the school day.' Advertisement
Loose Women star Saira Khan has defiantly posted more bikini snaps on her Instagram account after revealing that she received a death threat in response to a provocative bikini picture she posted on social media.

On Wednesday, the presenter continued to flood her social media with a string of bikini-clad snaps, captioning the first of four: 'Now where did I put my clothes? #bikini'.

Another snap saw her donning her turquoise bikini atop a cliff with the caption: 'How can we live on this earth surrounded by so much natural beauty and still feel hate?'

She told her followers that 'we could all learn lessons from nature', which has 'changed and adapted over the years, shaped by the changing environment in order to survive and fit in.'

Her latest posts come after the 47-year-old, who is Muslim, shared the Instagram photo of herself sunbathing on holiday alongside a caption blasting a female Muslim preacher who decreed it was 'sinful' for Muslim women to pluck their eyebrows. Ms Khan ended the ended the defiant post with the words: 'Here's my response - kiss my [bottom]'.

In response, an anonymous Instagram user posted a comment threatening the mother-of-two, writing: 'If you value your life keep the f*** out of Islam.'

Ms Khan, who has previously publicly shamed social media users for criticising her religion, later called out the troll in a tweet and tagged the official Twitter account for the Metropolitan Police, urging them to 'check it out'.

Saira Khan has defiantly posted more bikini snaps on her Instagram account after revealing that she received a death threat in response to a provocative bikini picture she posted on social media

The presenter posted four snaps of her wearing a blue bikini. One showed her atop a cliff with the caption: 'How can we live on this earth surrounded by so much natural beauty and still feel hate?' and another showed her leaping into the sea

The new images come after the Loose Women star shared this bikini picture on Instagram yesterday alongside a caption criticising a conservative Muslim preacher

The television presenter, who is Muslim, slammed a Muslim preacher who claimed it was 'sinful' for Muslim women to pluck their eyebrows, adding: 'Kiss my [bottom]'

In response an anonymous user, posting under the account 'silverbengle', wrote an expletive-ridden comment criticising the Muslim mother of two over the post

Ms Khan shared the comment on Twitter and tagged the Metropolitan Police

Loose Women star Nadia also read out a text from Saira on today's show, which she sent from her holiday.

It read: 'I just have to speak out for us women. They do it to make us feel so shameful and guilty for our bodies and desire and dreams. I am strong because I have friends like you.'

Speaking on the matter, Nadia said: 'Saira is very,very brave. No matter how many threats she gets she will keep on saying what shes saying, she doesnt want her daughter growing up in a world where she's ashamed of her body.'

Ms Khan spoke out after a YouTube video emerged of Australian preacher Umm Jamaal ud-Din that showed her criticising women who pluck their eyebrows.

In the two-hour long sermon the teacher, who wears a burqua, claimed the practice was 'sinful'.

Posting the bikini picture on Instagram yesterday, Saira wrote: 'I woke up to news that A Muslim Preacher is saying that "plucking eyebrows" for Muslim women is a sin - here's my response - kiss my [peach emoji] you backward prehistoric dinosaur.'

The 47-year-old posted a lengthy caption to her pictures, telling her followers: 'Even the sea, rocks and plants have changed and adapted over the years, shaped by the changing environment in order to survive and fit in - we could all learn lessons from nature - doing it's own thing, quietly, determined and strong - when nature shows it's true colours - we humans with all our bright ideas and progressive technological advances cannot compete'

The defiant star captioned her snap 'Now where did I put my clothes?' and her followers supported her, with some calling her a 'role model'

Dozens of users praised Saira for speaking out against the conservative preacher.

One wrote: 'Best response I've seen in a while @iamsairakhan to something so silly.'

Another posted: 'Well said Saira, I love how you speak up for what you believe in on something like you say is so prehistoric.'

Muslim preacher who believes plucking eyebrows is sinful Saira Khan posted in response to comments by a female burqa-wearing Muslim convert teacher who said it is sinful for Islamic women to pluck their eyebrows. Umm Jamaal ud-Din's fiery, two-hour sermon covered the delicate topics of female grooming and obeying Allah. The Islamic instructor from western Sydney, who is also known as Mouna Parkin, said it was sinful, or haram, for women to pluck their eyebrows, even if they believed it was hygienic. Advertisement

However others criticised Saira's attack, including anonymous user 'silverbengle', who wrote the threatening post.

The comment, which has since been removed from Instagram, read: 'Keep your f****** mouth shut! Your not a Muslim nor do you represent anything to do with Islam!!! Your white masters have given you what you desire as a sell out reporter!!! If you value your life keep the f*** out of Islam [sic].'

Ms Khan, a mother of two, shared a screenshot of the comment on Twitter, tagging the official Metropolitan Police account with a message urging officers to 'check it out'.

The Twitter post received further supportive messages from followers, with one writing: 'Disgusting. I hope this is followed through Saira. Don't let it get to you'.

Praised: Saira, pictured in May, was hailed by followers after she stood up to the preacher

Another added: 'Words fail me...you shouldn't have to receive and deal with this stuff...awful.'

It is not the first time Ms Khan has hit back at vicious online trolls.

In May the star publicly called out a Muslim man who criticised her for baring her body in a candid shoot alongside her fellow Loose Women panellists.

In an impassioned online posted she told the troll to 'go and do one' and dubbing him a 'narrow minded, misogynistic, brainwashed, backward idiot'.

Responsibility: Ms Khan has used her high profile to support of a positive view of Islam

The most recent example comes just days after Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), called for a surge in prosecutions against anyone suspected of committing 'hate crime' on social media.

She said wanted to see online abuse taken as seriously as assault or daubing vile graffiti on peoples houses.

There have been several high-profile instances of successful prosecutions of people who had abused lawmakers and other public figures online.

A spokesman from the Metropolitan Police said: 'The Met's digital contact team @MetCC have DM'd a 47 year old woman with a view to formally reporting an allegation of malicious communications. Enquiries continue.'
Landing the cover of Vogue is a crowning achievement for any fashion fan in the public eye.

To celebrate the magazine's 125th anniversary, several cover stars have shared just how excited to learn that they'd scored the coveted spot for the first time.

Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Aniston, Kendall Jenner, Selena Gomez and more star in a new video in which they recall their shock, excitement, and pride upon getting the good news.

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Flashback: In a new video, Cindy Crawford describes how excited she was to land her first Vogue cover in 1986

Learning curve: Jennifer Aniston admitted that in the beginning of her career, she knew nothing about fashion

Surprise! Upon learning about her 2002 cover, she said it felt like winning the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes

Cindy Crawford, 51, has been on quite a few Vogue covers in her long modeling career, including international editions. But she'll never forget her first, in August of 1986, when she was 20 years old.

'When I first saw this cover, and I was so excited, and I went to the magazine place, I took it up to the lady and I put it down, and she was just like, "Do you know you have three of the same magazine, honey?"

'And I just wanted her to say, "It's you on the cover!" and she never did. She wasn't the only one who bought extra copies, either. Her mother saved one and scribbled Cindy's name on it, which Cindy the model off in the video.

Jennifer Aniston, meanwhile, had already been on Friends for seven seasons when she landed the August 2002 cover of American Vogue.

'It's kind of like when that guy knocks on the door and [says], "You've won the million-dollar sweepstakes,"' she says of the feeling.

Wow! When Kendall learned about her first cover, Vogue was there to film the moment

So exciting: Her family  and Ryan Seacrest  surprised her with balloons and a poster

Totally in awe: She said her reaction, as seen in the clip, was genuine

Big honor: Kendall was on the cover of the September 2016 issue

Kendall Jenner experienced a doubly-exciting honor, with her first Vogue cover being on the September issue.

'The first time I saw the September issue was [while filming] the little video that we did for my family for Vogue, where we recreated Sixteen Candles at my mom's house,' she explains.

The clip then cuts to the video, showing Kendall walking outside the backyard, where Kim, Khloe, Kylie, Kris, North, and Penelope are waiting with balloons and a giant blown-up poster of her cover.

Kendall opens her mouth wide in shock, unable to contain how thrilled she was.

'That was a genuine reaction at the end,' she says, as the video shows her posing with the cover.

While Kendall might have suspected she'd get a cover soon, though, Selena Gomez had her doubts after a few false alarms.

Worth the wait: Selena Gomez had a few false alarms before covering the April 2017 issue

Looking back: Kirsten Dunst first earned her cover in 2004 but reminisced about her September 2006 shoot

What a train! She posed for a Marie Antoinette-themed shoot at Versailles and couldn't believe this 'spectacular' dress

'There were a few phone calls where the team called me and I thought I was gonna be the cover of Vogue, and it wasn't. A lot of times I was really disappointed,' she says.

Finally, in April 2017, a photo of her in a floral bustier top and huge hoop earrings landed the prime spot.

'It's a little-girl fantasy dream of mine. It was kind of amazing. Weird,' she says of the accomplishment.

Kirsten Dunst got her first cover in July 2004, around the time she was promoting Spider-Man 2. But it seems that her September 2006 left a more lasting impact, since the shoot paid homage to her biggest film that year: Marie Antoinette.

'The Marie Antoinette cover, we flew to Paris and we shot at Versailles,' she says, adding that the 'trash bag dress' John Galliano made for her to wear was 'pretty spectacular'.

Pumped: Elle Fanning admits she lost her cool  and control of her body  when she got her good news this year

Thrilled: She 'freaked out' over her June 2017 cover

Pure happiness: Ruth Negga felt 'unadulterated joy' after earning her January 2017 cover

Iconic: Gwen Stefani had already been on plenty of covers by the time she fronted Vogue in January 2013

Her co-star in this year's The Beguiled, Elle Fanning, got her first cover in June 2017  and retelling it, she can't contain her excitement.

'I freaked out I think more than I'd ever freaked out in my whole life,' she says. 'They said, "You're gonna be on the June cover of Vogue and I was like, "Oh my god!" I was freaking out. I lost control of my body basically.'

Ruth Negga, who covered the January 2017 issue, says: 'I remember having to ring my publicist over and over again to make sure that it wasn't, like, a joke... but I remember the feeling of pure, unadulterated joy.'

In January 2013, Gwen Stefani was already a major star  in fact, she had been famous for nearly two decades  so she was pretty used to being on covers.

'I think by that point I had been on a few magazines, but Vogue is the one that you want to be on, because then you feel like you've done it all,' she says.
Louise Linton's outfit that she showed off on Instagram in a post that prompted a social media firestorm and has been widely bashed as tone-deaf cost close to a whopping $15,000.

Linton, 36, shared a photo of herself getting off a taxpayer-funded plane with her husband, 54-year-old Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, on Instagram on Monday. She took care to tag the luxury designers she was wearing on the shot, including Tom Fort, Hermes, Valentino and Roland Mouret.

A mother of three from Oregon named Jenni Miller called out Linton in the comments section, telling her the post was 'deplorable' and saying ironically, presumably on behalf of taxpayers: 'Glad we could pay for your little getaway.' She received a long, angry rant from Linton in return, in which the actress accused Miller of being 'adorably out of touch'.

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Big bucks: Louise Linton's outfit that she showed off on Instagram in a post that prompted a social media firestorm and has been widely bashed as tone-deaf cost close to $15,000

As revealed by a closer examination of Linton's outfit, her handbag, a white Hermes 35cm Birkin, retails for around $11,900.

The actress' Roland Mouret pants, meanwhile, are the second priciest element and cost an impressive $955.

Next in line are her shoes, ivory-colored Valentino Rockstud pumps worth $845.

Linton's scarf also comes from Hermes, and added $395 to the total.

Her sunglasses, which she indicated are from Tom Ford with the hashtag #tomford sunnies, can be purchased for $445.

This brings the total of Linton's outfit to a staggering $14,540.

Arguably her most valuable accessory, however, is her husband - whose net worth is estimated at an impressive $300 million.

Sharing: Linton, 36, posted a photo of herself getting off a taxpayer-funded plane with her husband Steven Mnuchin, on Instagram on Monday and tagged the designers she wore

Naming: In her original post, Linton described the expensive brands she was wearing thanks to hashtags such as #tomford sunnies and #hermesscarf

Follower of fashion: Linton posted the photo of her and Mnuchin visiting Fort Knox on Monday. That led to a comment by user jennimiller29, and a response from Milton (pictured)

Apology: On Tuesday, Linton offered a curt apology, writing: 'I apologize for my post on social media yesterday as well as my response. It was inappropriate and highly insensitive'

Linton's picture shows her and her new hubby, whom she married in June, stepping out of a government-owned plane during his official visit to Fort Knox on Monday.

The image was innocuous, but Linton made the questionable decision to segue from the standard cheerful hashtags to a systematic namedrop of all of the brands in her outfit.

'Great #daytrip to #Kentucky!' she wrote. '#nicest #people #beautiful #countryside #rolandmouret pants #tomford sunnies #hermesscarf #valentinorockstudheels #valentino'.

She concluded with a perfunctory-looking '#usa'.

A screengrab from account posted by a CNN journalist showed a second image of Linton and Mnuchin leaving the plane.

That one had apparently had the fashion hashtags removed - and had the companies she'd name-dropped tagged in the picture itself instead.

That post invoked Miller's ireand things went downhill from there.

'Cute! [kissing face emoji] Aw!!! Did you think this was a personal trip?!' replied Linton, who recently concluded a Europe-trotting honeymoon with Mnuchin.

'Adorable! Do you think the US Govt paid for our honeymoon or personal travel?'

'Lololol. Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband?' continued the minor TV and movie actress whose new, second husband's net worth was estimated by Forbes to be more than $500 million.

'Either as an individual earner in taxes OR in self sacrifice to your country?'

In touch? Linton (seen wearing $30,000 of clothing with Mnuchin in Edinburgh at the start of their honeymoon) called the mother-of-three 'out of touch' and boasted about taxes she pays

Style star: The high-end label lover has always been keen on fashion, and even walked in a 'Dressed to Kilt' charity fashion show in New York City back in 2010

'I'm pretty sure we paid more taxes toward our day "trip" than you did,' she addedthe quote marks around 'trip' being hers, despite the fact that she had hashtagged #daytrip in her initial comment.

'Pretty sure that the amount we sacrifice per year is a lot more than you'd be willing to sacrifice if the choice was yours. [arm flex emoji, kissing face emoji]' she continued.

Linton, who grew up in a castle in Scotland, then told the mother of three: 'You're adorably out of touch.'

She then used a heart-eyes emoji before writing, with no apparent irony, 'Thanks for the passive-aggressive nasty comment.'

However, at that point the tone of her response changes abruptly, to be more positive and conciliatory.

Perhaps she noticed how brusque she had beenbut decided to leave the first part of the message in anyway.

'Your kids look very cute,' she wrote, 'Your life looks cute. I know you're mad but deep down you're nice and so am I.

'Sending me passive aggressive Instagram comments isn't going to make life feel better. Maybe a nice message, one filled with wisdom and hunanity [sic] would get more traction.

'Deplorable': Miller went on the attack after Linton closed her Instagram account, dismissing her as 'an aspiring Penthouse model'

Private: After the fuss created by her remarks, Linton set her Instagram account to privatemeaning that her posts cannot be seen by anyone unless she gives them permission

'Have a pleasant evening. Go chill out and watch the new Game of Thrones. It's fab!'

Screenshots of the photos and comments then did the rounds on Twitterleading to much mockery and derision.

Finally, on Tuesday afternoona day after the social media showdownLinton's publicist offered this curt apology: 'I apologize for my post on social media yesterday as well as my response. It was inappropriate and highly insensitive.'

Meanwhile, Miller, 44, who was the target of Linton's angry rant on Instagram, spoke out during an interview with CNN on Wednesday.

She explained she usually refrains from posting comments on social media, but couldn't resist speaking up after seeing Linton's post.

'Honestly, it was probably just a weak moment for me,' she said.

'I was frustrated already by some stories I had just read about the Secret Service running out of overtime money because of the excesses of the administration's travel schedule, and then saw this woman who I didn't know who she was.'

She then explained that she recognized the Treasury Secretary and correctly assumed the woman in his photo was his wife, whom Miller said was 'getting off of a government plane for what I assumed was a government trip and basically advertising for all of these European, you know, high-end brands that your average person couldn't afford'.

Linton's post, she said, seemed especially wrong because the actress was in Kentucky, 'one of the poorest states in our country'.

After reading Linton's response, Miller told CNN she found herself both 'a little bit amused and a little bit horrified'.

Mom: Mother Jenni Miller (seen left with her youngest son, and right) said she shouldn't have let Linton upset her, and questioned why she would show off her expensive labels

Spotted: Although it was ostensibly just a family visit, Mnuchin and Linton seemed happy to be photographed on the trip last month, before continuing on to mainland Europe

'But mostly just confused as to why she would take the time or effort or energy to put together such a response,' she added.

The mother then pointed out she has no respect for Linton.

'You know, if I had any respect for her, it probably would have been hurtful, because she was very condescending,' Miller said. 'She made a lot of assumptions about me and my husband and my life and my family.'

As of Monday evening, Linton's Facebook account had been set to private, and new followers were being screened before they were allowed to see the images.

Miller posted her own response on Instagram after the virtual encounter.

'Apparently I offended this deplorable girl I had never heard of until today,' she wrote alongside a screenshot of a June article titled 'A "white savior" memoirist widely mocked in Africa has married Trump's treasury secretary.'

'According to my 20 second Google search, she's an aspiring Penthouse model who married an old rich guy in a wedding officiated by a homophobe and attended by other couples of similar age and beauty gaps,' Miller continued.

'She says she's a nice person. I doubt it. There weren't any Nazi sympathizers at my wedding. #byelouise'

The encounter between the two women led to complaints by others on Twitter, as users denounced Linton's post and her response.

'Never forget': Linton's Wikipedia page was also edited to include a link to a Twitter update with pictures of her offending Instagram post and comment

Linton's own Twitter account has been set to 'protected,' stopping outsiders from seeing it.

Her Wikipedia page was also edited to include the line 'Never forget she posted this on Instagram' with a link to a Tweet showing copies of the offending post and comment.

A Treasury Department spokesman told The Washington Post that the Mnuchins paid for Linton's travel on the flight, which was cleared on the proper channels.

He also said Linton didn't get any 'financial compensation' for the items that she tagged in the image.

Linton has been doing her best to increase her profile and be perceived as a style star in the past few weeks, beginning with her honeymoon trip to Scotland.

She managed to cut through the gloomy weather on the day she arrived back in her home country wearing a $3450 white wool coat which she draped over a $1290 long-sleeved v-neck top and $890 black slacks, with a pair of $735 stiletto pumps rounding out the look.

That entire look was courtesy of Ford, with Linton perhaps taking advantage of the ocean separating her from new friend Melania Trump to pull out the luxurious threads given the contentious relationship between the designer and the First Lady.

For bit of label contrast, the Hollywood producer also accessorized the look with an $11,500 black Hermes Birkin bag and $700 over-sized Chanel sunglasses.

She finished off her entrance look with an unexpected bit of color thanks to her $5,000 Goyard cloth bag, which likely had her change of clothes for the couple's next outing.

Newlyweds: Mnuchin and Linton are seen here at their wedding on June 24, with President Trump, the First Lady, and VP Mike Pence and his wife

Home away from home: Linton grew up in Melville Castle (pictured), which is based outside of Edinburgh in Scotland, and is owned by her family

That brought the price tag of that look to $23,565, a whooping sum that dos not even include the bracelets Linton has piled on her wrists or her massive engagement ring.

Louise made stops outside the airport and the pair's hotel for waiting photographer's before she and Mnuchin headed into their hotel.

The pair were quickly in and out of the Caledonian Waldorf Astoria Hotel however, with Mnuchin reappearing in the same outfit as earlier that day.

And like his wife, it looked to be a mostly Tom Ford ensemble, with Mnuchin appearing to have on a pair of $690 jeans, the $3800 Blue O'Connor Slim-Fit Wool Suit Jacket and a $585 slim-fit blue shirt by the designer.

Linton was feeling a different vibe by midday however, managing to undergo a quick change inside inside the couple's hotel.

She went with a grab bag of designers for her lunchtime look, with a $975 hydrangea print pussybow blouse by Dolce & Gabbana taking center stage over a pair of $2000 black trousers from The Row.

To top off her lunch look, Linton kept the Tom Ford stilettos but swapped out her Birkin for an over-sized Chanel, opting for the label's $6,000 large classic handbag in black.

That ensemble put that look at well over $10,000, a number that again did not account for the jewelry worn by the diamond-loving actress.
As their relationship heats up so do rumours of their engagement with the world eagerly anticipating the marriage of Prince Harry to girlfriend Meghan Markle.

And while some predicted that the royal might pop the question on Meghan's birthday at the beginning of August royal insiders predict that we could be looking at a Christmas proposal.

Former chef to Princess Diana and her two sons Darren McGrady anticipates that the couple will announce their marriage plans this December.

A former member of the royal household has predicted that Prince Harry will pop the question to Meghan Markle in December

Speaking to Hello! Darren said: 'I really do think they would have been engaged by now. But Princess Diana's 20th anniversary this month in August, they can't trump that.

'And then November is the Queen and Prince Philip's platinum wedding anniversary so they can't trump that either, whereas December they can announce the engagement and they'd be free to marry next year; I think that's what's going to happen.'

McGrady, who describes the US actress as 'naturally like Diana' added that if Harry does propose in December Meghan will be able to join the family at Sandringham for their traditional Christmas celebrations.

Former chef to Princess Diana Darren McGrady says December would be the ideal occasion as it wouldn't outshine any other royal celebrations

If Harry did propose in December Meghan would be able to join other members of the royal family for their traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham

Harry and Meghan have been dating for over a year now, maintaining a long distant relationship between their two homes of London and Toronto.

Earlier this month Harry, 32, took the Suits actress on a safari to Botswana for her 36th birthday after she flew in from her Toronto home in Canada having filmed the last episode of Suits.

According to reports Meghan plans to move to the UK and give up much of her acting after being introduced to the prince by Soho House director Markus Anderson in London.

Former US marine Kirstie Ennis, a close friend of Harry's, last month said a wedding was on the cards.

Rumours continued swirl over a possible engagement with former US Marine Kirstie Ennis recently hinting at a wedding between Harry and Meghan

Kirstie, 26, whose leg was lost in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan and hopes to compete in the Paralympics, reportedly nodded after journalists asked her whether she'd by going to Harry's 'upcoming wedding'.

She said: 'I dont think Im worried about the wedding. Im worried about the after-party.'

The 1772 Royal Marriages Act, amended in 2013, means the Queen must consent to the weddings of the first six people in line to the Throne, with Prince Harry being fifth.

Meghan, who divorced film producer husband Trevor Engelson four years ago, will be permitted to marry in the Church of England's Westminster Abbey following the General Synod Ruling of 2002.
A British junior doctor who was raped while on holiday in St Lucia says she believes her attacker will forever be at large thanks to a 'woeful' response from police on the island.

Mother-of-two Georgina Mortimer, 45, from Herefordshire, was brutally attacked in February 2016 on the second night of a sailing trip that she'd treated herself to following the death of her father and the break-up of her marriage.

Speaking as part of a fresh campaign to highlight violent crime on the Caribbean island this week, Mortimer reveals that the way she was treated by authorities after the attack leaves her with 'no expectation' that her rapist will ever be caught.

Campaign: Georgina Mortimer has joined forces with other victims of violent crime on the Caribbean Island of St Lucia to try and protect tourists visiting the holiday isle

The British mothe-of-two paid 1,300 for a sailing holiday on the island but was raped by a local man on her second night; she has blasted police on the island for the way they treated her in the aftermath of the attack

NIGHT OF TERROR

On February 6th 2015, the 46-year-old decided to spend a night on land in luxury villa accommodation offered by the holiday company she'd booked with, Girls For Sail.

Georgina had joined some of the women from the trip and Girls For Sail instructors at a street party in nearby Gros Islet, but at around midnight, she took a taxi back to the villa with another guest.

However, she woke up in complete darkness at the Rodney Bay villa to find a man with his hand around her throat, raping her.

She says: 'I could hardly breathe. The terror was overwhelming, but also the utter disbelief. I couldnt believe what was happening. I was sure he was going to kill me.'

Eighteen months on, and the events of that night still haunt the former City of Norwich School pupil. But she has waived her right to anonymity to highlight what she claimed to be a sub-standard response from St Lucian police authorities to the crime.

Hell on paradise: Mortimer says she doesn't want to 'malign' the people of St Lucia but that tourists need to be aware of the Caribbean's high crime rates

'It was one of those things where you can't believe it is actually happening, it was terrifying. I was thinking about all of the people I loved and thought that I was going to be snuffed out.'

'But when something like that happens you have this laser-like focus on survival.

'I felt that the only thing I had to do was to not fight this person, because I was only just getting enough air into my lungs. I was saying to him that I couldn't breathe.'

SAVING GRACE

She was saved only when another man knocked on the door to her bedroom after hearing that she was struggling to breathe.

As he opened the door, the attacker ran out of the room and fled the scene.

As soon as I started doing research, I found there were lots of unsolved crimes [on St Lucia]. I don't think for a second they will catch the man who attacked me... Georgina Mortimer

But her ordeal was far from over. After going to hospital for further examinations, police asked her to return to the scene of the attack to provide a statement.

Bizarrely, Mrs Mortimer claimed it was done so in the presence of the police officer's four-year-old daughter.

'The response from authorities was just woeful,' Mrs Mortimer said in a video produced by the Justice for Roger Pratt campaign. Mr Pratt was murdered while on a yachting holiday to the island with his wife Margaret in 2014.

Mortimer says in the film: 'I was told in June [2016] that police had still not processed my DNA samples because there was no lab on the island. They then said there was no point processing it until they had DNA from the suspect.'

DNA from the crime scene was mishandled, says Mortimer, with police telling her that her attacker left no trace of his own DNA behind, something that she finds 'inconceivable'

Mrs Mortimer, whose surname has been changed to protect her identity, said she eventually heard that the samples had been tested, but was told no DNA evidence was found.

'As far as I am concerned, that is inconceivable,' she added.

'But the way the police were out there, they were so useless and I just thought from the beginning it was not going to happen.

'As soon as I started doing research, I found there were lots of unsolved crimes.

'I don't think for a second they will catch the man who attacked me.'

BACK ON HOME GROUND

On her return back to the UK she was required to take a 28-day course of medication to stop any potential spread of HIV.

But she had to wait a further three months to find out that she was all clear.

Speaking about the impact it had on her life, Mrs Mortimer said: 'It was horrendous having to go back to work.

'I still feel nervous coming into my house when I get back and I lock my bedroom door if I am home on my own.'

Mortimer travelled to the island with Girls For Sail, who she says failed to offer adequate security for guests in their on-land accommodation in Rodney Bay

FACTS AND FIGURES

According to latest figures from the Royal St Lucia Police Force, there were 44 rapes on the island in 2014 and seven attempted rapes.

Her story comes just months after Norwich widow Margaret Pratt revealed that she was still fighting for justice after her husband, Roger, was murdered on the island in January 2014.

Now, Mrs Mortimer has taken part in a round table discussion with Mrs Pratt to warn other holiday-makers about the dangers of travelling to the country.

She said: 'I don't think it [the Foreign and Commonwealth Office page] gives an idea of the gravity of the risks for tourists travelling to the country.

'This is an island that relies on tourism for its income. The island needs those tourist dollars which is why crime is swept under the carpet.'

'The last thing I would want to do is malign the general population of St Lucia because I was treated very kindly by the staff at the hospital.'

MailOnline has contacted St Lucia police for comment is awaiting response.
Appropriately, South Carolina was one of 14 states in the path of totality

Instead, they decided to name her after the first coast-to-coast Eclipse North America got to witness in nearly 100 years

Her parents Freedom and Michael Eubanks had planned to name her Violet

The newborn girl was not due until September 3

Eclipse Alizabeth Eubanks was unexpectedly born in Greenville, South Carolina, at 8:04am on August 21st, just hours before the eclipse was set to begin

A newborn baby girl has been named Eclipse in honor of the rare celestial event that captivated North America on the day of her birth.

Eclipse Alizabeth Eubanks was unexpectedly born in Greenville, South Carolina, at 8:04am on August 21st, just hours before the first coast-to-coast solar eclipse to hit the U.S. in almost a century was set to begin.

Her parents, Freedom and Michael Eubanks, from Spartanburg, were surprised by the early arrival of their baby girl, who wasn't due until September 3.

A real total eclipse of the heart! Freedom and Michael Eubanks were surprised when their daughter was born on the day of the rare celestial event and decided to name her after it

Rare: Eclipse Alizabeth Eubanks was born in Greenville, South Carolina, just hours before the coast-to-coast total solar eclipse was set to begin

They rushed to Greenville Memorial Hospital near their home in Spartanburg, South Carolina, shortly after Freedom went into labor around midnight.

That's when Michael had a timely idea about their daughter's moniker that, he admitted, actually started as a joke.

'Just on the drive here, trying to keep her mind off the contractions, I was like, "Hey! If she's born during the eclipse, we're going to name her eclipse,"' the dad told CBS affiliate WSPA-TV.

The couple was planning on naming their baby girl Violet, but Freedom liked what her husband was thinking, and felt that, since the baby had changed her mind on when she would be worn, they could change their on her name as well.

Never mind! The parents of baby Eclipse, who was due on September 3, were planning to name her Violet

Everyone had eclipse fever: Employees at the Greenville, South Carolina, hospital where Eclipse was born handed out themed onesies to her and other 11 babies born on Monday

'I kind of felt like it was meant to happen, to have her on this day, she said to ABC News.

And maybe it was: South Carolina was coincidentally one of 14 states on the path of totality. Eclipse's parents were planning on watching the much-anticipated event with their 2-year-old daughter, Grayson.

Employees at the Greenville hospital were ecstatic to deliver babies on the day of the eclipse, and even handed out Total Solar Eclipse onesies to the 12 babies born there on Monday.


Her husband may be touching down in Salzburg to help reinvigorate European Union unity but it was his 64-year-old wife who commanded all the attention on day one of the couple's tour.

Brigitte Macron upstaged her husband thanks to her rather racy sartorial choice at Salzburg airport on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister's wife showcased her toned legs in a thigh-skimming red dress, which was embellished with a hem-to-neckline zip. The youthful blonde offset her look with vertiginous heels and oversized shades.

The couple were greeted by Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern and his wife Eveline Steinberger at the Salzburg airport ahead of the Salzburg Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Republic of Austria, the French Republic, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

Brigitte Macron upstaged her husband thanks to her rather racy sartorial choice at Salzburg airport on Wednesday. Macron and his wife were greeted by Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern and his wife Eveline Steinberger-Kern

The Prime Minister's wife showcased her toned legs in a thigh-skimming red dress as she stepped off the plane at Salzburg airport

French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron (R) and Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern's wife Eveline Steinberger-Kern shared a laugh

The couple are in Austria to see a recital by Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim

Selfie time: The French president poses with a fan

All smiles: The president was warmly received by some in Salzburg

French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with the leaders of Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia as part of a tour of central and eastern Europe aimed at reinvigorating European Union unity after Britain's decision to leave.

Macron is also pushing for tighter rules to protect workers in prosperous countries in Western Europe from cheaper labor.

The French leader is set to raise concerns over so-called "posted workers" - those who are temporarily posted abroad by companies in their home countries - as he makes his first visit to the region.

He is to speak with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Salzburg on Wednesday.

Other issues on Macron's agenda during his three-day visit are European defense and migration policies.

French President Emmanuel Macron poses for selfies after arriving in Salzburg, Austria

Brigitte Macron sits in the back of her car as she arrives with her husband in Salzburg

The 64-year-old offset her look with vertiginous heels and oversized shades for the occasion

French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with the leaders of Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia over the next few days

French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R), Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern (C) and their their wifes Brigitte Macron (2nd L) and Eveline Steinberger-Kern (L) listen in during a piano masterclass by French pianist Dominique Merlet

The French couple were treated to a brief tour of the sights ahead of a concert

The couple's appearance comes after it was announced on Monday that Brigitte is to carry out charity work as France's unofficial First Lady.

Brigitte, 64, who earlier this week opened up on the age difference between she andMr Macron, 39, will focus on helping children and handicapped people.

She will have two presidential advisors, as well as her own cabinet, and will be at her husband's side during international summits.

Proposals to give her official First Lady status were shelved due to opposition but an online petition to grant her the title - which would have require a change in the law - has been signed by more than 300,000.

The couple's appearance comes after it was announced on Monday that Brigitte is to carry out charity work as France 's unofficial First Lady

At the start of the week she spoke for the first time about being married to a man 25 years her junior, saying: 'The only problem is that he's younger than me'.

In a brutally honest interview, she admitted that she was reminded of the age gap every morning when she looked at the boyish Mr Macron.

'Of course, we have breakfast, me with my wrinkles, him with freshness, but that's how it is,' said Mrs Macron.

She also spoke out after public pressure forced the Macrons to abandon their plans to give Mrs Macron the official title of First Lady  claiming she was not too bothered.

'I don't feel like a First Lady,' said Mrs Macron. 'That's the translation of an American expression, and I don't like anything about it.'

Brigitte, 64, who yesterday opened up on the age difference between she and Mr Macron , 39, will focus on helping children and handicapped people

An opinion poll in early August showed the majority of French people were against her getting the title even though she is a popular figure.

She said in an interview with Elle magazine last week that she would be an unofficial First Lady in the mould of previous presidential spouses.

'Like all of those before me, I will take on my public role, but the French people will know the resources at my disposal,' she said.

She accompanied the president to a G7 summit in Italy and was also by his side when he welcomed US President Donald Trump to Paris in July.

Macron's office had promised a 'transparency charter' which would make clear how much her role would cost.

Proposals to give her official First Lady status were shelved due to opposition but an online petition to grant her the title - which would have require a change in the law - has been signed by more than 300,000

Monday's statement confirmed that she would not be paid but did not reveal the overall bill or the number of staff at her disposal.

'In legal terms, the first lady still does not have any status,' Jean-Joel Governatori, a constitutional lawyer, told AFP.

'In the end, it doesn't change anything, other than giving the illusion of transparency.'

President Macron has made a mixed start to his five-year term, which has seen his approval ratings topple to the mid-30 percent range after 100 days in office, according to recent opinion polls.

In her interview with Elle, Brigitte Macron also spoke about her marriage with Macron, who is 25 years younger than her and a former pupil in her drama classes at a Catholic high school in the northern city of Amiens.

'When I read about us, I always have the impression I'm reading someone else's story,' she said. 'Our story is so simple.'

Despite the difficulties their relationship caused - the mother-of-three divorced her first husband in 2006 - she said she had no regrets.
Americans are growing increasingly divided over whether statues honoring Confederate leaders are Toxic or not  but one southerner has come up with a novel way to deal with the problem.

Kassie Thibodeaux from Rayne, Louisiana has launched an online petition on Change.org asking Governor John Bel Edwards to replace Confederate statues in New Orleans  with new statues of home state hero Britney Spears.

The petition already has over 4,000 supporters and is quickly earning national attention.

Scroll down for video

Me Against the Confederacy! A Britney Spears fan has started a petition asking for New Orleans' Confederate statutes to be replaced with ones of the pop star

If You Seek Amy, racism! The petition's author, Kassie Thibodeaux, calls Britney an 'inspiration' and points to all the charitable donations she's made to Louisiana

They're Toxic! Statues like this one of P.G.T. Beauregard were taken down earlier this year

Slave 4 U? So far, 4,000 people have signed the petition, calling for Britney to stand in for Confederate leaders

'Do the right thing: Replace the Confederate statues with an actual Louisiana hero and influential human being, Britney Spears,' the petition reads.

'Not only has Britney proven her talent, but she's proven her strength of character by not only overcoming highly publicized mental breakdown, but by continuously working towards improving herself. She's an inspiration to millions,' the page goe son.

And lest anyone thing the plea is a joke, self-professed Britney superfan Kassie made sure to list the pop star's achievements and charitable activity.

She cites several fundraising efforts by the Britney Spears Foundation, noting that it donated to Hurricane Katrina victims. In 2016, she donated $250,000 to Louisiana flood victims, and she's also currently donating $1 from every ticket sold to her Las Vegas shows to Louisiana public schools.

'She's already earned her star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and now it's time for her home state to honor her with the tribute that she deserves,' the petition concludes.

Get in the zone: The author also pointed out that Britney showed 'strength' by overcoming a public mental breakdown

Local: Britney grew up in Kentwood, Louisiana, about an hour and a half from NoLa

Use this one? She's already been immortalized with wax statues at Madame Tussauds

Not like this: In 2006, artist Daniel Edwards sculpted the star  without her permission  showing her giving birth

Fans from all over the world have signed the petition, writing that 'she's the only QUEEN in Louisiana' and 'She's a legend, she's legit, a true hero of the South.'

The petition really seems to be advocating for homage to be paid to Britney in the city, as the most prominent of New Orleans' Confederate statues have already been removed.

In May, the city took down a monument to Robert E. Lee. Three other statutes were also removed, including one of Jefferson Davis.

'This is not about politics. This is not about blame or retaliation,' Mayor Mitch Landrieu said, according to Nola.com. 'This is not a naive question to solve all our problems at once.

'This is, however, about showing the whole world that we as a city and as a people are able to acknowledge, understand, reconcile and most important, choose a better future for ourselves, making straight what has been crooked and making right what was wrong.'

More monuments: Another petition is calling for a statue in Portsmouth, Virginia to be replaced with one of Missy Elliott

Context: The current Confederate monument in Portsmouth represents Infantry, Artillery, Navy, and Cavalry

Suggestions: Petition author Nathan Coflin said that he'd like the statue to depict Missy during her earlier years but joked that it may not be able to 'stand the rain', referencing her 1997 song

Britney isn't the only music artist that some have proposed as a replacement for Confederate leaders.

Nathan Coflin of Virginia started a Change.org petition of his own, calling for a Confederate monument in Portsmouth to be replaced with one to Missy Elliott.

'We believe it is time to finally replace the Confederate Monument in Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia near the intersection of Court and High streets with a new statue of a true Portsmouth native hero,' says the petition.

'Who better to encapsulate the culture and spirit of the city enshrined in a new monument than Grammy Award winning rapper, dancer, and record producer Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott?'

Missy, who was born in Portsmouth, 'is everything the Confederacy was not,' the petition, which has over 30,000 signatures so far, adds.

Being that Missy is black and grew up in the South  where many still honor the Confederacy, which clung to slavery  the call for a Missy Elliott statue is, of course, a bit different than that for a Britney Spears statue.
GEDDES  With the 2017 New York State Fair underway, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is already looking ahead to the next big project at the fairgrounds.

At opening day of the fair Wednesday, Cuomo and Howard Zemsky, president and CEO of Empire State Development, outlined plans for a 133,000-square-foot exposition center that could host year-round events at the fairgrounds in Onondaga County and be used during the 13-day fair.

The facility would be the largest of its kind north of New York City and between Boston and Cleveland, Cuomo said. It will be equipped to host car shows, equestrian competitions and motocross races. The center will have a capacity of no less than 4,000 people.

Construction could begin as early as November. It's expected to be completed by the beginning of the 2018 state fair.

Cuomo said the expo center will help the fairgrounds become a year-round economic generator.

"We can attract national shows to come to this venue and that's good for the entire metropolitan region," he said. "You bring people to come to see a car show or a horse show or an equipment show. That's good for Hotel Syracuse, that's good for the restaurants, that's good for the shops."

The cost of the project will be "roughly $50 million," Zemsky said. That figure is identical to the amount allocated in the state budget for a second round of improvements at the fairgrounds.

When the funding was included in the budget, the initial plan was to invest $35 million to construct an expo center and the remaining $15 million would be used to build an aerial gondola linking the fairgrounds to the nearby Lakeview Amphitheater.

There was opposition to the gondola and the state didn't follow through with its plan. Instead of funding the gondola, the $15 million will support the construction of the expo center and other improvements, such as revamped parking lots.

The state issued a request for qualifications in July and three upstate New York teams are eligible to advance to the request for proposals. The teams include a partnership between Hueber-Breuer Construction of Syracuse and The Pike Company of Rochester. LeChase Construction of Rochester and Welliver Mcguire Inc. of Montour Falls also qualified for the RFP.

The proposals will be due in October.

Building the expo center is expected to create more than 700 construction jobs, according to the governor's office. Once the expo center is built, it will be managed by an outside entity.

Cuomo's plan for the site includes privatizing the promotion of non-fair events at the expo center. The state will seek a private operator for the facility by issuing a separate request for proposals this fall.

While the fair draws large crowds every summer, non-fair events are a key part of the fairgrounds' business model. The fairgrounds drew 529,000 people for non-fair events in 2016.

This year, 560,929 people have attended non-fair events at the fairgrounds in Geddes. The total includes an estimated 90,000 attendees at the Syracuse Nationals classic car show and two horse shows.
She has spent her summer flitting from one society wedding to the next, including her own, so it is no wonder Pippa Matthews is adopting a more laid back lifestyle of late.

The newlywed, who married James Matthews in May, stepped out for a relaxing stroll with her two canine companions in West London on Wednesday.

The sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, 33, looked laid back as she walked her two pooches around her local neighbourhood.

So fetching! Pippa Matthews looked chic as she took her two dogs out for a walk in West London on Wednesday

Her black cocker spaniel, Rafa, was on one leash while her husband James Matthews's black Labrador was on the other.

And while she may have been dog-walking Pippa was sure not to let standards slip looking perfectly polished as she stepped out this afternoon.

Pippa opted for a monochrome ensemble in the form of an elegant Kate Spade blouse in black and a pair of casual cream chinos.

Anticipating a lengthy walk with her hounds Mrs Matthews slipped into a pair of Adidas trainers for comfort purposes.

Posh pooches: On one lead was Pippa's black cocker spaniel, Rafa, while her husband James Matthews's black Labrador was on the other

Sure to keep her hands free in the case of unruly dogs Pippa was spotted wearing a plum cognac coloured over the shoulder bag from Pop & Suki priced at 157.

Known for her cool aesthetic Pippa completed her look with a pair of dark shades, sweeping her glossy locks back into a casual top knot.

Pippa has been enjoying a more lowkey existence at her home in the capital following a somewhat whirlwind of a summer.

Pippa married banker James Matthews in a lavish ceremony in the countryside in May

After marrying banker James Matthews in a lavish countryside ceremony attended by Prince Harry, Roger Federer, and - naturally - the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, she jetted to French Polynesia to enjoy a luxury honeymoon.

This was followed by a stint in Sweden to attend a society wedding in Stockholm in a floor-length Erdem - not to mention three headline-grabbing appearances at Wimbledon in June.

Pippa has since been keeping a relatively low profile as she settles into married life back home with husband James Matthews.
Vicki McNelly was days from giving birth to her first baby  a much-wanted daughter she had already named Evie  when she crept downstairs at 3am one morning, unable to sleep.

I had felt Evie moving only hours earlier, says Vicki, 29, who lives with husband Stephen, 30, an engineer, near Reading. But that morning, as I stroked my bump, I knew instinctively that something wasnt right.

Vicki reached for her home doppler, a handheld device similar to the ultrasound machines midwives use, which can detect a babys heartbeat.

Many expectant women use home dopplers to check on their babies heartbeat. Vicki McNelly, 29, (pictured) and Kirsty Meredith, 42, shared their experience using them.

Named after the 19th-century physicist Christian Doppler, they can cost anything from 10 to nearly 600 and are being used by an increasing number of expectant mothers.

Id borrowed mine from a friend and used it a few times for the novelty of hearing our babys heartbeat, says Vicki. But now, I wanted reassurance that she was alive.

I could hear something  although it sounded different to the sounds Id heard before. But I convinced myself there was a heartbeat.

Vicki felt sure her baby would move after shed had breakfast, and sent her husband to work as usual.

Yet, even after eating, she didnt feel any movement. I kept reminding myself Id heard her on the doppler and that everything would be fine.

Tragically, everything was far from fine. At 10am, Vicki was still concerned and went to hospital for a check-up.'

'Before each check-up and scan, I would use it to check if there was a heartbeat and mentally prepare myself for the worst' says Kirsty Meredith (pictured right)

When the midwife said: Im sorry, I cant hear a heartbeat, the world fell from underneath me, she says. Another midwife performed a second scan and, on the screen, I could clearly see that the chambers of Evies heart were still, so black and empty.

I was distraught. Stephen arrived and we both cried. It was horrible. The family we had longed for had just slipped through our fingers.

Vicki had to be induced and gave birth to her daughter that evening. She was perfect and gorgeous, sobs Vicki. The post-mortem could find no cause for her death. Ive wondered, if I hadnt used the doppler, would I have gone into hospital sooner?

The pain of a stillbirth or neonatal death is one endured by 6,500 mothers every year in the UK. Many expectant women use home dopplers to reassure themselves their baby is alive and well. But some medical experts warn they do more harm than good, offering false reassurance to mothers whose babies might actually be in danger.

Now, a campaign is under way urging a ban on the sale of home dopplers. The Government has set a target to reduce the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths by half by 2030, says Elizabeth Hutton, CEO of the charity Kicks Count, which has launched a petition. The banning of home dopplers will be a vital step towards that.'

'A mother might hear her babys heart beating at 90 beats per minute (bpm) and assume everything is all right  but a midwife would know a healthy range' says Midwife Hannah Harvey founder of askthemidwife.co.uk

An untrained pregnant woman does not have the necessary skills to understand what shes hearing. The placenta and mothers heartbeat can both easily be mistaken for a foetal heartbeat  and women can be falsely reassured.

Midwife Hannah Harvey, founder of askthemidwife.co.uk, says: Around half the mothers I see have dopplers at home  and its on the increase.

But a trained midwife looks for all kinds of things from a doppler reading, such as acceleration and deceleration of the heartbeat, which can be a sign the baby is in distress and could result in a stillbirth. A mother might hear her babys heart beating at 90 beats per minute (bpm) and assume everything is all right  but a midwife would know a healthy range should be between 110 and 160 bpm.

Some are paying hundreds for their dopplers, and they can lull you into a false sense of security.

'When it looked like my son could be born early, my midwife urged me to stop using the doppler' says Kirsty (pictured)

Instead, we advise women to get used to their babys movements and recognise whats normal. If there is any change, they should call their midwife. Becca Underwood, a company director from Cannock, Staffordshire, misread a doppler in 2014 while pregnant with her first child. I was about 22 weeks pregnant when I felt my first movement. I had read something on Facebook about dopplers, so I bought one, says Becca, 27, who lives with husband Matt, 34, a civil servant.

I used it for reassurance, sometimes a few times a day. When I heard the whoosh, whoosh of the heartbeat, Id feel everything was OK. But it turns out I wasnt listening to my babys heartbeat, but the sound of my placenta. In fact, my baby wasnt growing properly. A midwife picked up a problem at a routine check. She feared my placenta was failing and my baby was in danger. She was horrified Id been using a home doppler.

She asked me to show her what Id been doing  thats when she pointed out the sounds I was hearing were not my babys heartbeat at all. Becca ceased using her doppler and, instead, monitored her babys movements. She was also checked regularly by the hospital. When it became clear her baby was in distress, Becca was induced at 34 weeks and Minnie arrived safely in October 2014, weighing 3lb 12oz.

Becca, who has since had Ronnie, six months, adds: Had I continued using the doppler, there could have been a very different outcome, and Minnie might not be here today.

Some women admit becoming addicted to using dopplers, and the Royal College of Midwives is concerned the devices can cause unnecessary stress in mothers.

Kirsty Meredith, 42, a telesales adviser from Essex, says she became obsessed with using a doppler during her pregnancy nine years ago with son Conwy.

After Id had my daughter in 2003, my husband and I struggled to conceive for years, she says. When we finally did, I was so anxious to ensure everything was all right that I bought a doppler.

When I became pregnant again, the fear of walking into a scanning room and seeing the baby dead on the screen was overwhelming, which is why I wanted a doppler. Before each check-up and scan, I would use it to check if there was a heartbeat and mentally prepare myself for the worst- Kirsty Meredith

I started using it sometimes three or four times a day, for peace of mind  but it had the opposite effect. Id get in a state if I couldnt locate the heartbeat, and it created a lot of tension between me and my husband.

She adds: I had high blood pressure, which is common in pregnancy, but I wonder if using the doppler increased that. On a number of occasions, I rang the hospital in a panic.

When it looked like my son could be born early, my midwife urged me to stop using the doppler. At around 28 weeks, I made a conscious decision to stop and monitor movement instead. I felt calmer, and my son was born healthy at full term.

Yet, despite the concerns of professionals, the use of dopplers continues to rise. There are even phone apps claiming to be able to mimic the machines, though their effectiveness is questionable, as phone microphones are not thought to be sensitive enough to pick up a babys heartbeat.

Online forums are full of debate, with some women arguing the devices provide vital reassurance when they feel most vulnerable.

They seem particularly popular with women who have lost a baby in the past. Photographer Kristy Ranson, 37, is pregnant with her sixth child and has been using a home doppler.

Midwife Hannah Harvey, founder of askthemidwife.co.uk, says: Around half the mothers I see have dopplers at home  and its on the increase'

I lost my fourth pregnancy, a son, at nearly 17 weeks. When I went for my scan, I knew by the look on the midwifes face Id lost him, she says. But she wanted to check with her colleagues, so other midwives came to look.

Before I knew it, there were lots of people in the room, all knowing that my son was dead  and yet I was the last to know. I felt humiliated, as if I hadnt got my private moment to grieve.

When I became pregnant again, the fear of walking into a scanning room and seeing the baby dead on the screen was overwhelming, which is why I wanted a doppler. Before each check-up and scan, I would use it to check if there was a heartbeat and mentally prepare myself for the worst.

Vicki McNelly  who became pregnant with her second daughter, Florence, born last July  now pleads with expectant mothers not to use the devices. I urge any friend who gets pregnant not to use them. In any future pregnancy, Ill trust my gut.

Visit kickscount.org.uk
Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco might be just two years old, but the twins performed their royal duties just like grown-ups when they accompanied their mother, Princess Charlene, on an official visit.

Gabriella and her brother went with her to greet residents of the Hector Otto Foundation, which helps the young and the elderly, on Saturday.

Photos of the visit, released by the Palace on Tuesday, show the young siblings, both with long, curly hair, in their mother's arms as she entered the dining room.

Royals: Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco, two, accompanied their mother, Princess Charlene, during a visit to the Hector Otto Foundation on Saturday

Mother-daughter: Charlene held her daughter Gabriella in her arms and ran her hand through her short blond hair as they completed their visit to the foundation

Jacques, who was wearing a white shirt, dark pants and fashionable Adidas Stan Smith sneakers on the occasion, seemed a little shy and opted to stay at the entrance of the dining room, Hello Monaco reported.

Gabriella, on the other hand, went inside along with her mother to hand out presents to the residents.

'Hello! I am very pleased to be here today. Let me introduce you to Jacques and Gabriella,' Charlene said after arriving with her two children.

She then told her daughter: 'Come with me', at which point the little girl, donning a flowery dress, followed her among 40 residents.

Mingling: Photos of the visit, released by the Palace on Tuesday, show the young siblings, both with long, curly hair, in their mother's arms as she entered the dining room

Greetings: Charlene told her daughter: 'Come with me', at which point the little girl, donning a flowery dress, followed her among 40 residents

Presents: Together, Charlene and Gabriella handed out photos and vegetables grown in the family's estate of Roc Agel, purchased in 1957 by Prince Albert II's parents

High praise: The Foundation's director, Jerome Breton, deemed the visit 'a great honor' and pointed out that Charlene has visited twice in the past

Together, Charlene and Gabriella handed out vegetables grown in the family's estate of Roc Agel, purchased in 1957 by Prince Albert II's parents.

In addition to the vegetables, Charlene gave each resident a photo of Jacques and Gabriella as a keepsake.

The Foundation's director, Jerome Breton, deemed the visit 'a great honor' and pointed out that Charlene has visited twice in the past, though never with her children.

When time came to say goodbye, Jacques blew a kiss with his hand, while Gabriella told the attendance: 'Bye everybody!'
An estimated 17.6million Americans live within one mile of an active oil or gas well, a study has revealed.

That means more than five percent of the US population is exposed to harmful toxins on a daily basis.

Experts say the report should be a red flag to public health officials that protective regulations and policies need to be improved to help prevent exposure.

The wells contaminate the quality of the air, water and soil and increase harmful toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde.

People living within a mile of these toxic fumes have an increased risk for getting cancer, heart disease, dementia or a neurological problem.

Birth defects such as pre-term birth, low weight and congenital heart defects have also increased around the areas with active oil and gas production.



This map shows where all the active wells are located in the United States. Roughly 50 percent of West Virgina's population lives near an active gas or oil well

Researchers from at PSE Health Energy, the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvey Mudd College looked at the nationwide measurement for the number of people living near active oil and gas wells.

'Our study was specifically designed to determine how many Americans have increased health risks from potential exposure to pollutants emitted from oil and gas development,' said Eliza Czolowski, a research associate at PSE and lead author on the study.

When people live within a mile of these operations, they have a higher risk of being hospitalized for numerous medical issues, including heart and neurological problems, cancers and asthma.

Residential proximity to these operations has also increased adverse birth outcomes, including pre-term birth, lower birth weight, neural tube defects and congenital heart defects.

So pregnant women living near these wells could be putting their fetuses at an increased risk to have one of these defects.

In the US, 17.6million people live a mile or closer to oil and gas wells. This is a picture of oil workers in Tioga, North Dakota. The state comprises of mostly oil wells

In addition to calculating a national population total, researchers produced a state-by-state comparison to see which ones had a high amount of people living near these wells.

West Virginia topped the list with roughly 50 percent of residents living near an active oil or gas well.

Oklahoma was close behind with 47 percent of residents near one.

Living near a fracking site DOUBLES the risk of developing lung and skin conditions A study by Yale University revealed that people were more likely to have lung and skin conditions if they lived near active wells. The researchers studied 492 people in Pennsylvania who lived near a gas well. They looked at the amount of times people self-reported skin and lung issues and compared that to proximity. The researchers found the prevalence to skin and lung symptoms increased the closer the person lived to a fracking site. One issue that could be occurring is how the wells are built. Experts said the building of the wells in the US are not regulated to prevent exposure to harmful toxins. Advertisement

'When one in two members of a population are potentially exposed to a health risk, that's a significant public-health concern,' Czolowski said.

Other notable figures included 24 percent of Ohioans living near active wells and Texas having the highest number of residents near these harmful sites at 4.5million people.

Researchers also looked specifically at children aged 5 or younger because of how vulnerable they are to environmental exposures.

They found that 1.4million are living near and active well site in the US.

This means that Texas contributes to one fourth of the US population living a mile or less away from these harmful sites.

Both conventional and unconventional wells were included in the study as long as they were currently active.

Unconventional wells are hydraulic fracturing (fracking) wells, which is a use sand, water and chemicals to release oil or gas from rock formations.

Conventional wells use natural pressure to pump the gas and oil out of the ground.

'Despite the differences in conventional and unconventional oil production techniques, the health risks can be very similar,' Czolowski said.

Many air pollutants, including benzene, formaldehyde and particulate matter, are emitted from both conventional and unconventional operations.

Acute exposure to these air pollutants can cause irritation in the eyes, nose, throat and lungs while causing chronic conditions for people around them long term.

The study states that protective regulations and policies are necessary considering the large number of people exposed to these chemicals daily.

These policies should include a regulated distance between operations and places where people live, play and learn.

There should also be deployment of the best available air pollution-reduction technologies to help eliminate the toxic fumes.
A birth technique designed to protect babies from asthma and allergies could actually harm newborns, experts warn.

Doctors said there was no evidence that transferring protective bacteria from the mothers birth canal after a caesarean section helped babies fight infection.

Instead they warned that the procedure  microbirthing or vaginal seeding  could give babies deadly infections and sepsis.

Doctors said there was no evidence that transferring protective bacteria from the mothers birth canal after a caesarean section helped babies fight infection

The practice became popular among British mothers after a documentary called Microbirth was screened in 2014.

It said that because babies born by caesarean section did not pass through the birth canal, they did not pick up any of the protective bacteria from their mother that could help to kickstart their immune systems.

As a result, concerned mothers began asking for swabs from the birth canal to be applied to their newborns eyes, face and skin after a caesarean section. The procedure can either be carried out by the mother, her partner or a nurse.

As one in four British babies are now born by caesarean section  one of the highest rates in the world  microbirthing has become increasingly popular.

But a review by the Danish Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology said it could put babies at risk.

Lead author Dr Tine Dalsgaard Clausen, a consultant obstetrician, said: There is no evidence to show that the potential long-term benefits of vaginal seeding outweigh the risks or costs.

Instead they warned that the procedure  microbirthing or vaginal seeding  could give babies deadly infections and sepsis

But she said there was a chance that babies could be put at risk of sexually-transmitted diseases and serious infections, including HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, group B strep and E.coli  a leading cause of sepsis in newborns.

Screening mothers for bacteria ahead of birth could help reduce this risk, but tests for bacteria such as group B strep are not generally available on the NHS. Instead, the doctors recommended placing the newborn baby on the mother or fathers skin and breastfeeding, both of which boost babies immune systems.

Professor John Thorp, of the journal BJOG, which published the study, said: This research should help reassure women whove had a caesarean section that the practice of vaginal seeding is unnecessary and there are other ways to help give their baby the best start in life.

Dr Patrick OBrien, consultant obstetrician and spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: There is no robust evidence to suggest that vaginal seeding has any associated benefits, and we would therefore not recommend it until more definitive research shows that it is not harmful and can in fact improve a childs digestive and/or immune system.

It is also important to note that some vaginal bacteria can be passed on to the baby, occasionally causing illness.
Cold sores, athlete's foot, fungal nails, thrush - they may not be life-threatening but they can really get you down. In the fourth part of our unique series, we ask the experts what you can do to shift those niggling infections.

How to get rid of athletes foot

Dry, flaky, red, and unbearably itchy  athletes foot is a highly contagious fungal infection affecting the soles of the feet and in between the toes. Skin can look white and soggy or small blisters can form.

The fungus tinea pedis, to give it its proper name, can be hard to shift and is right at home on human skin. It dines on keratin, a protein that is one of the main parts of the outer layer of skin and thrives in sweaty trainers and between toes.

In and of itself its not dangerous, says Walayat Hussain, a consultant dermatologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and a spokesman for the British Association of Dermatologists. But it becomes very itchy and you can get a secondary infection if youre scratching.

In many cases ignored or poorly treated fungal infections will continue to spread and over time become harder to shift.

Dry, flaky, red, and unbearably itchy  athletes foot is a highly contagious fungal infection affecting the soles of the feet and in between the toes. Skin can look white and soggy or small blisters can form

Meticulous hygiene is key when it comes to tackling athletes foot, says Mr Hussain  especially after sweaty exercise. And it rarely gets better on its own. So dont just blame your worn-out running shoes and hope for the best.

Its any warm and moist environment that the fungus or yeast like, so if youve got athletes foot, no matter what trainers youre wearing, you are always going to have that problem. If youve got a really old pair of trainers, its good to get a new pair. But I wouldnt be ditching those really expensive new Nikes just because youve been diagnosed with athletes foot.

More important is to treat it with an over-the-counter anti-fungal product, which come as creams, sprays and powders.

Make sure you wash and dry feet thoroughly, and allow them to breathe by choosing cotton socks and shoes made of natural, breathable materials, such as leather. A GP can also prescribe steroid cream if an infection is particularly sore and itchy.

As athletes foot is so contagious, dont share towels and wash them frequently.

Its possible to pick up fungal infections from weights at the gym, or from skin-to-skin contact with someone already infected. Thats why its advisable to wear flip-flops in public spaces, such as showers, pools, and changing rooms. Other steps to prevent its return are to avoid wearing the same shoes for more than a couple of days and dont use moisturiser on your feet  more moisture is not what you need.

Cold sores: a curse for life

Herpes  most widely experienced as a dreaded cold sore on the lips that starts with an ominous tingle and bursts into an scabby blister  is the contagious infection that keeps on giving. Once youve caught it, says Mr Hussain, youve got it for life.

According to the World Health Organisation more than 67 per cent of humans carry the herpes simplex virus, which can be passed on in secretions from the mouth, eyes or genitals.

There are two varieties  type 1, an oral infection, and type 2, which is genital herpes.

Cold sores usually last a week or more from the first tingle to the blister clearing up  until the next time. That might be months or even years away, but the virus will always be there, lurking

The warning you shouldnt kiss babies when you have a cold sore is sound advice, but clearly widely ignored: most people with herpes type 1 are believed to have contracted it by the age of two.

You may know nothing about it when youre first infected  often it produces only a short-lived redness of the skin, rather than a tingle and blister, according to the British Association of Dermatologists. Or it may come with a temperature, swollen lymph glands and soreness and blisters, in the mouth and on lips.

Once youve been infected, the virus enters sensory nerves near the surface of the skin and takes up residence in the central nervous system, where it is protected from the bodys immune response. Here, it will lie dormant until it is reactivated by anything from sunlight to a bout of flu, at which point it travels back along the nerve to the skin.

Its not known why UV rays wake up the virus, but use of sunscreen every day can prevent this happening. Running a fever can also bring the virus back into action  indeed, cold sores used to be known as fever blisters.

Cold sores usually last a week or more from the first tingle to the blister clearing up  until the next time. That might be months or even years away, but the virus will always be there, lurking.

There are no preventive treatments, but hope may be on the horizon.

Some people report that a cream containing penciclovir [an anti-viral drug] will prevent cold sores; others prefer to prevent outbreaks with a herbal cream containing lemon balm mint, such as LomaHerpan, says Marian Nicholson, director of the Herpes Viruses Association. New tablets and possible vaccines are in the pipeline, but it is still anyones guess if they will work well enough to bring to market.

Over-the-counter treatments for cold sores, which contain the anti-viral drug aciclovir, rarely have much impact unless applied the moment that first telltale tingle is felt, says Mr Hussain. Though if treatments are applied in time, the length of an outbreak can be shortened by 12 per cent.

Its not a lot  down from an average of seven days to six and a bit.

Other over-the-counter creams, such as Lidocaine BP, containing 5 per cent of the anaesthetic lidocaine, are designed to numb the cold sores tingling sensation.

One study, published in The Lancet, found such lidocaine preparations stopped 50 per cent of outbreaks in their tracks, shortening the course of the rest from an average of 4.9 days to 1.9.

Theres no detailed research as to why, says Marian Nicholson. One could speculate that numbing the nerve stops the flow of nutrient fluids on which the virus rides down to the skin surface.

Anti-viral drugs such as aciclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir work better in tablet form, says Mr Hussain, as they attack the virus from within. But he adds: I wouldnt prescribe anti-virals for a run-of-the-mill case, as by the time the patient goes to the doctor its probably too late to do any good.

However, for patients who get many cold sores throughout the year, prescription anti-virals taken regularly at a low dose may be an option.

As a doctor, one needs to find the lowest dose of aciclovir someone needs to take, maybe one or two tablets a week, to keep the virus switched off, says Mr Hussain.

It is possible to establish an effective regime in some who are getting ten to 12 outbreaks a year, which is quite debilitating. The number of episodes can drop down.

Ask your GP if this sounds like you.

The truth about thrush and sex

Thrush  which can affect both men and women  is a yeast infection caused by Candida albicans, a fungus found naturally in and on the body. It leads to redness and itching at the head of the penis or soreness at the entrance to the vagina, some discharge and a stinging sensation when passing urine in men and women.

Candida albicans is normally kept under control by the immune system and the balancing effect of other bacteria. But that balance can be disrupted when your immune system is weakened or if you take antibiotics, causing candida to multiply.

Contrary to popular belief, says Mike Kirby, professor of mens health at the University of Hertfordshire and The Prostate Centre in London, thrush is not a sexually transmitted disease, nor should it be associated with sexual promiscuity.

Thrush  which can affect both men and women  is a yeast infection caused by Candida albicans, a fungus found naturally in and on the body. It leads to redness and itching at the head of the penis or soreness at the entrance to the vagina, some discharge and a stinging sensation when passing urine in men and women

It is a candida yeast infection which is in the environment, he says. However, it can be passed from person to person so men should wear a condom if they or their partner has it.

Women who get thrush frequently are advised to avoid perfumed products, including shower gels, soaps, wipes and vaginal deodorants.

Good hygiene is the best way to prevent thrush, says Professor Kirby. When they do catch it, men need to keep the area clean and use an anti-fungal drug, such as Fluconazole, available over the counter as tablets.

Women can treat thrush with over-the-counter anti-fungal medicines, available as pessaries and creams inserted into the vagina with an applicator, or as capsules.

These may cause upset stomachs, and shouldnt be taken by women who are expecting or breastfeeding, as the active ingredient fluconazole has been shown to cause harm when taken extensively during the first three months of pregnancy.

What's causing that bumpy rash?

An itchy rash, often with small, flat-topped, raised bumps, lichen planus is noncontagious and can appear almost anywhere on the arms, legs or body, but may also crop up in the mouth or on the sex organs. It is seen most often over the age of 40, and affects about one person in 100.

Superficially similar to other conditions, its easy to diagnose for a dermatologist, but can be tricky for non-experts, says consultant dermatologist Anton Alexandroff. It can be mistaken for warts, or eczema.

The signs are itchy red or pink flat bumps, or papules, often grouped together, he says. They measure about 3mm to 5mm across.

An itchy rash, often with small, flat-topped, raised bumps, lichen planus is noncontagious and can appear almost anywhere on the arms, legs or body, but may also crop up in the mouth or on the sex organs. It is seen most often over the age of 40, and affects about one person in 100

The clue is in the name: lichen means small bumps and planus means flat. Though most frequently found on the wrists, ankles and lower back, It can also pit and even destroy nails, adds Mr Alexandroff.

In bad cases, nails may split along their length or be eaten away, as if by a fungus.

The scalp is also vulnerable, but this is rare. Here, the condition can permanently damage follicles and cause hair loss.

The diagnosis of lichen planus may be made by a dentist. It often creates lacy changes on the mucous membrane on the inside of cheeks and lips, and can also give oral ulcers, says Mr Alexandroff. These ulcers  normally more widespread than the mouth ulcers we all get  may be extremely painful but can be tackled with antimicrobial and painkilling mouthwashes, available over the counter.

More rarely, it is found on the penis, where it causes purple or white ring-shaped patches. Unlike other patches of lichen planus, these often do not itch, says consultant dermatologist Walayat Hussain.

Lichen planus can affect the genital area in women too, but this is less common. The cause is not fully understood, says Mr Hussain, but it is thought to usually be a reaction to drug treatments or an anti-inflammatory response.

It has been linked to antimalarial tablets and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) injected into some arthritis patients.

There is no cure. But you can alleviate symptoms with steroid creams and ointments, which can be bought over the counter; stronger versions must be prescribed. In severe cases a GP or dermatologist may prescribe antihistamines, light treatment with an ultraviolet B lamp, or drugs such as acitretin, a retinoid (derived from vitamin A) which works by slowing cell growth in the skin, and cyclosporine, which suppresses the immune system.

Left alone, it will heal in about 18 months, though it can recur. It will persist longest in the scalp, nails or mouth, where it can last for several years.

From worms to scabies, could unwanted guests be whats making you itch? Threadworms  so-called because they look like tiny pieces of white thread, about 1cm long  are parasites that infect the large intestine and are the most common worm infection in the UK. They are harmless  if unpleasant. The main symptom is an itchy bottom and you may see the white worms in stools or on bedsheets. Threadworms are unusual in adults because they are due to poor hygiene [scratching the bottom and putting your fingers in the mouth], and usually we only see them in children, says Dr Ana Wilson, a consultant gastroenterologist at St Marks Hospital, Harrow. But if someone is infected in a family, its best to treat everyone. Threadworms  so-called because they look like tiny pieces of white thread, about 1cm long  are parasites that infect the large intestine and are the most common worm infection in the UK (stock image) Threadworms eggs can easily be transferred to bedsheets, towels and clothing  and then can be picked up by others. A course of the antibiotic mebendazole will get rid of them, adds Dr Wilson. If youre planning an exotic holiday, beware of catching a roundworm infection. Roundworm is often picked up through eating unwashed salads and fruit in developing countries in Africa and parts of Asia, explains Professor Chuka Nwokolo, a consultant gastroenterologist at Spire Parkway Hospital in Solihull. Anyone who doesnt pay careful attention to washing their hands or making sure the food they eat is either boiling hot  or in the case of fruit and vegetables washed carefully  is at risk. Its also possible for eggs to be transferred from your hands to your mouth after touching contaminated soil  roundworm is common in cats and dogs and its eggs are released in faeces of infected animals. A parasite which lives in the gut, roundworm rarely causes symptoms at first. Often the first anyone will know they have one is when they see a worm which looks like a piece of string and can be up to three or four inches long in their stool, adds Professor Nwokolo. Left untreated, the condition can start to cause diarrhoea, says Dr Richard Pollok, a consultant gastroenterologist at St Georges Hospital and Medical School, London. It can also cause asthma-type symptoms such as wheezing or coughing because the roundworm switches on a side of the immune system which produces this kind of reaction. Its treated with a three-day course of the drug mebendazole, which stops the roundworms using glucose, without which they die. A serial offender when it comes to itchy infections is ringworm. The first thing to say about ringworm is that its a misnomer. Its not actually a worm at all, its a fungus. Different branches of the tinea family, to give ringworm its formal name, colonise different parts of the body. For example, tinea pedis, better known as athletes foot, is a form of the fungus that thrives in sweaty trainers and between toes. Tinea cruris  affecting the groin, and sometimes called jockstrap itch  has equally dubious tastes, while tinea capitis colonises the scalp, tinea barbae likes bearded regions and tineas manus and faciei are at home on our hands and faces, respectively. Ringworm infections such as these show themselves in roughly circular fairy rings of red or silvery inflamed skin, often as large as a 50p piece. Different symptoms, though, crop up in different parts of the body. Ringworm on the face lacks the rings but appears as a collection of small red spots, often pus-filled. Likewise, there are no rings between the toes in athletes foot (see cover). Ringworm wont kill you, but it can be infuriatingly itchy. Its important not to self-diagnose, says Walayat Hussain, a consultant dermatologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. One of the problems we have is that people over-diagnose themselves with fungal infections of the skin, he says, when, in fact, its eczema or some other skin condition. If you are worried you have one, go to your GP first. You can have circular patches of eczema, which get labelled ringworm simply because they are circular. A rash of tiny red, intensely itchy spots and silvery lines on the skin can be a sign of scabies, caused by tiny eight-legged parasitic mites that burrow into human flesh. Smaller than the point of a needle, and all but invisible to the naked eye, the silvery tracks the females leave as they eat and tunnel their way under the top layer of skin to lay their eggs can be seen  and most certainly felt. This creates a very, very itchy rash, says consultant dermatologist Juber Hafiji, a spokesman for the British Skin Foundation. I see patients absolutely at the end of their tether with scabies. Although over-crowding and poor hygiene make it more likely, scabies is no discriminator, says Dr Hafiji. Anybody can get it any time because it is highly infectious, usually through close contact  children in nurseries often pass it on. It is also common in care homes. Creepily, victims rarely become aware of the mite until about a month after it has moved in, which is when the itching usually starts. Resisting the urge to scratch is almost impossible and the infected skin can end up covered in crusty sores, which can become infected. The mites are found mainly in the folds of skin between fingers and toes, the palms of the hands, the wrists, ankles and soles of the feet, groin and breasts. T He good news is that scabies can be dealt with using over-the-counter treatments, including permethrin cream and malathion liquid. The bad news is that this is a major undertaking, and many people fail to see it through, says Walayat Hussain. Because the mites can lurk anywhere, treatment must be applied to all areas of skin below the neck in adults, and all areas of skin in children, including the scalp. And all treatments must be left on for at least 12 hours before they can be washed off. If you wash any part of your body during that time, youll have to re-apply the treatment there. And once is never enough  the whole procedure has to be repeated a week later, to make sure youve caught any mites that have hatched out since the first treatment. Not infrequently, I see students who have just started at university, and I have to convince them that they have to get a room-mate or one of their best mates to apply this in the areas they cannot reach, says Mr Hussain. Proper application of scabies treatment needs someone else to help you. Infected clothing and bed linen should be washed at the highest possible temperature. Advertisement

Fungal nails CAN be saved (but you'll have to be patient)

Thick, discoloured and crumbly nails are easily forgotten during the winter months  but harder to ignore once the sun comes out.

But by then it will be too late to do anything about them, other than bury your toes in the sand, as curing fungal toenails can take up to a year.

The fungus that attacks toenails is usually the same one that causes athletes foot, from the tinea family. However, some infections can be caused by yeasts, such as candida, and other moulds.

Thick, discoloured and crumbly nails are easily forgotten during the winter months  but harder to ignore once the sun comes out

These cases are much harder to treat, says consultant dermatologist Walayat Hussain, as most treatments are targeted chiefly at fungus, but can work on yeasts, too.

Fingernails can be affected, but far more people  one in four of the population  develop infection of the toenails. This is because hands are rarely in the same warm, moist conditions beloved of funguses as our feet often are, tucked away in socks and shoes most of the time.

People who run a lot may think that they have a fungal nail infection  but, in fact, its just repeated trauma to the toenails that can look similar.

If you do have an infected nail, dont ignore it, says Mr Hussain, as it will never clear up by itself.

Once you get something colonising your nail, its like a lodger  really hard to get rid of it, he says. I always tell my patients: There is no miracle cure here, lets see how far you want to push it in terms of treatment.

To others I say: Look, its unsightly, but its not going to do you any harm. Better to just leave it well alone. 

When treatment is considered an option, a two-pronged attack is best: a topical treatment, applied directly to the infected nail, combined with antifungal tablets.

Treatments applied directly to the nail  such as amorolfine nail lacquer, ciclopirox and tioconazole nail solution, available over the counter  are not very effective. In fact, the success rate for topical treatments alone is no better than 30 per cent, says Mr Hussain.

You dont have to be a doctor to realise that the nail is a hard surface, and that if youre putting something on the top of it you arent going to get much penetration, he adds.

Dandruff is neither harmful nor contagious, but can be embarrassing and stressful, says consultant dermatologist Anton Alexandroff

As over-the-counter varnishes often require daily application, sticking to the necessary regime is another problem. Patients get fed up, says Mr Hussain. They think: Crikey, Im not going to put this on every day for three months, life is too short. Lots are not willing to do that; everyone just wants a quick fix.

Tablet versions of the same antifungal drugs contained in the topical treatments, which can be prescribed by GPs, are more effective because they enter the bloodstream and attack the fungus from within. But even these work only in about half of cases.

When a fungal or yeast infection has been confirmed by lab testing, dermatologists may prescribe the antifungal drugs terbinafine and itraconazole. These are taken for six weeks for fingernails and 12 weeks to six months for toenails.

As the drugs remain in the nail cuticle for several weeks, there are two treatment sessions three weeks apart, each a week long. The drugs are taken once a day during the sessions.

Sometimes this does not work, says Mr Hussain. In desperation, people may have had the drugs and its still not clearing, so you literally just strip their toenails out and say: Right, lets start again from the beginning.

But it would have to be a very severe case. Surgically removing nails is not something we take lightly, because walking afterwards is very painful for the patient. And, he says, it still offers no guarantee of success, like the drugs.

To prevent a fungal nail infection, the key is hygiene and keeping feet clean and dry. Wear cotton socks so feet can breathe, keep nails short and dont share nail clippers.

Always wear flip-flops at the gym, pool or in changing rooms, throw away shoes that may have been previously contaminated with fungus  and if you get athletes foot, make sure its treated promptly to stop it taking hold in the nail.

What really works on dandruff? Dandruff is neither harmful nor contagious, but can be embarrassing and stressful, says consultant dermatologist Anton Alexandroff. Though easy to cure, it often comes back, he says. Dandruff is a product of several possible conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and a fungal infection of the scalp. The chief suspect, however, is a type of eczema called seborrhoeic dermatitis. The rash affects greasy, or sebaceous, areas of skin, such as the face, scalp and middle of the chest. The cause is thought to be an over-growth of a harmless yeast. Treatments are aimed at suppressing the yeast growth. Medicated shampoos with zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide or ketoconazole are available in pharmacies (these are in Head & Shoulders, for example). A descaling preparation, with coal tar, coconut oil and salicylic acid, can be prescribed for use overnight. It can be messy, but usually works well, says Mr Alexandroff. If there is irritation a GP can prescribe a gel or shampoo containing steroids. Advertisement

Livid hives that flare up for no reason

Red spots or itchy raised white or pink weals, similar to nettle rash, appearing over large areas of the body could be hives.

Hives, also known as urticaria, is very common  one in five people will get it, though it is more common in adults than children.

While the cause is an excess of histamine released by cells in the skin, it is not clear what triggers this chemical release.

Histamine is usually unleashed by the body to provoke itching, sneezing and other responses in reaction to an invasion by a foreign substance, such as pollen.

Red spots or itchy raised white or pink weals, similar to nettle rash, appearing over large areas of the body could be hives

Of course, patients want to know what has triggered hives and what they can do to prevent it coming on again, but a lot of the time we cant actually find a cause, says Juber Hafiji, a consultant dermatologist and spokesman for the British Skin Foundation.

This is idiopathic, or unexplained, spontaneous urticaria, which generally comes and goes within 72 hours  but it can be three days of hell.

Patients are otherwise fit and well, and for no rhyme or reason their immune system has been activated, causing them this itchy, unsightly misery, says Dr Hafiji.

This can be a one-off, or patients may have recurring bouts of urticaria that fizzle out after a short time. But some suffer chronic urticaria, which can remain or come and go for weeks or even years. In either case, the rash can range from very small red spots, barely a few millimetres across, to patches the size of a hand or more, appearing anywhere over the body.

Triggers are sometimes identified and can range from a common cold and contact with an animal to sunlight or certain foods  shellfish, nuts, apples and peaches are common culprits  and medicines. Bee and wasp stings can also spark the condition. Generally, though, allergy is not a common cause of urticaria, according to the British Association of Dermatologists.

Common cardiac and blood pressure drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), given to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, can aggravate urticaria, as can antibiotics.

There are, says Dr Hafiji, many rare types of urticaria with known causes, reflected in their names  including solar, cold and aquagenic (water-triggered) urticaria.

I saw a patient a few weeks ago who only gets urticaria when he exercises. Another only gets it when he gets into a freezer van, which he has to do daily as part of his job.

As with many skin conditions, urticaria can be treated but not cured. Antihistamine tablets, available over the counter, can reduce the rash and itching, but wont work for everyone.

In severe cases a GP or specialist might prescribe a drug such as ciclosporine, which works by suppressing the immune system.

Who knew? Looking at an image of someone scratching can make you itch as it causes the body to notice 'itchy' signals we normally ignore Advertisement

A new drug called omalizumab has recently been approved for use in people suffering from chronic spontaneous urticaria (if welts appear for longer than six weeks or recur many times over a long period of time).

This is a biologic drug, so-called because it mimics natural molecules in the body, unlike medicines that are chemically synthesised. It works by blocking specific antibodies that would otherwise trigger allergic reactions.

Omalizumab is injected into the thigh or buttocks once every four weeks for up to six months. It is given in hospital outpatient clinics, where patients are monitored for an hour or more in case there is an allergic reaction.

Clinical trials found half the participants noticed a good improvement or complete resolution of symptoms after three mon- ths of injections.

As a short, sharp fix, steroid tablets can be very handy to help that person who is getting married or going on holiday to control their symptoms in an acute situation, says Dr Hafiji.

But all steroids have long-term consequences in terms of weight gain, raised risk of diabetes and cataracts and stomach ulcers, to name a few, he adds, so for the minority of patients who have chronic, long-term urticaria you need other solutions.

In about 10 per cent of cases, hives is associated with angioedema, a swelling beneath the skins surface. This is not itchy, but can be painful.

It can affect the hands, feet, skin around the eyes and genitals, but can also cause swelling in the lips and on the tongue and throat. This has greater ramifications in terms of breathing difficulties, says Dr Hafiji, but is very unlikely to cause serious problems.

But take no chances. Rapid swelling, combined with difficulty breathing and swallowing and a raised heart rate might not be hives but the onset of anaphylactic shock, a severe reaction to an allergy  call 999 immediately.

Blisters that spread rapidly

Sores and blisters that turn into oozing patches and scabs could be impetigo.

Caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, impetigo is the most common skin infection suffered by children, but can affect people of all ages.

The germ thrives in humid conditions, and while it can invade normal skin, it is quick to exploit broken skin damaged by cuts, head lice, scabies, cold sores or eczema. We see a lot of this, says Dr Hafiji. Adults can get it but its usually children, because the skin barrier needs to be breached and, of course, theyre always falling over.

Sores and blisters that turn into oozing patches and scabs could be impetigo

The condition can spread rapidly through families and school classes by skin-to-skin contact or, less often, by bedding, clothing and towels, according to the British Skin Foundation.

However, impetigo can also arrive out of the blue, with no hint of where it came from.

In rare cases, says Dr Hafiji, people taking immunosuppressant drugs, perhaps to prevent transplant rejection or treat other skin problems, may contract impetigo even with an intact skin barrier because their immunity is compromised.

Children with impetigo should be kept off school until scabs have fallen off  usually a week after the start of treatment  and hands washed immediately after touching infected skin patches.

Always get a proper diagnosis from a doctor  in very rare cases what appears to be a simple dose of impetigo can mask cellulitis, a serious infection of the deeper layers of the skin which will respond to antibiotics but, if left untreated, can be life-threatening.

Sore, itchy and unsightly while it lasts, without treatment it will clear up in about two to three weeks, leaving no scars. With treatment, however, the bug and all signs of it can be eradicated in about half that time.

Antibacterial soap and water should be used to gently remove any crusting that has formed, then over-the-counter antibiotic creams or ointments containing mupirocin or fusidic acid are rubbed on and around the patches two or three times a day.

If the condition is widespread, slow to respond or keeps coming back, oral antibiotic tablets such as flucloxacillin, erythromycin and cephalexin may be prescribed by a GP at the same time.
Students are being urged to get themselves vaccinated to protect against meningitis before starting university amid 'rapid increases' of cases of the deadly bug on campuses.

Meningitis or meningococcal is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Health leaders in the UK are encouraging soon-to-be university students to get vaccinated to protect against a deadlier strain of meningitis known as group W meningococcal disease (Men W). This strain can cause meningitis and septicaemia.

Several adults with Men W have had mainly gastrointestinal symptoms but without the typical rash that most people associate with meningitis.

As as a result, they have progressed rapidly to death.

Cases of meningitis and blood poisoning caused by the highly virulent strain of Men W bacteria increased from 22 cases in England in 2009/10 to 210 in 2015/16.

Meningococcal in general has spread across the world - with five cases reported in just one week in New South Wales, Australia, in 2016.

The alarm was raised by NSW Health after 39 cases of the invasive disease and four deaths were recorded last year  compared to 27 cases and zero deaths in 2015.

Between March 2013 and February 2016 there were outbreaks on five US campuses.

In 2015 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approved a vaccine for meningococcal disease - but it was estimated that many of the 20.5 million college students are still not vaccinated.

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Lauren Sandall died from meningitis just weeks after she was denied the life-saving vaccine at her local GP because supplies were too low

MENINGITIS FACTS Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. This infection causes these membranes (the meninges) to become inflamed, which in some cases can damage the nerves and brain. It is considered a medical emergency and can lead to death, or long term complications like limb amputations and blindness. The disease has spread across the world - with five cases were reported in just one week in New South Wales in 2016. The alarm was raised by NSW Health after 39 cases of the invasive disease and four deaths were recorded last year  compared to 27 cases and zero deaths in 2015. In 2015 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approved a vaccine for meningococcal disease - but it was estimated that many of the 20.5 million college students are still not vaccinated. Between March 2013 and February 2016 there were outbreaks on five US campuses. Advertisement

Men W is one of the most aggressive forms

Older teenagers and university students are encouraged to get the vaccine to protect themselves against the deadly bacteria.

This group is thought to be at a higher risk of infection because they mix closely with lots of new people - some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their noses and throats.

Public Health England (PHE) said cases of meningitis and septicaemia caused by the aggressive meningococcal W strain are still rising.

While more than two million eligible young people have received the MenACWY vaccine, some remain unvaccinated, PHE added.

It warned Men W is one of the most aggressive and life-threatening forms of meningococcal disease and can be fatal.

Many survivors are left with life-changing disabilities, including brain damage and loss of limbs.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE said: 'The MenACWY vaccination programme will save lives and prevent lifelong and devastating disability.

'We have seen a rapid increase in Men W cases across England in recent years and vaccination is the most effective way of protecting against infection.

'Young people are particularly at risk from the Men W strain. Being in confined environments with close contact, such as university halls, pubs and clubs increases the chances of infection if unprotected.

Charlotte Hannibal, 21, from Nottingham, had both of her legs amputated as her body was ravaged by meningitis

MENINGITIS W: THE FACTS In the UK, six different strains of bacterial meningitis - A, B, C, W, X, and Y - cause the most disease. For decades meningococcal B (MenB) has been the main group, and meningococcal C (Men C) was also common until the Men C vaccine was introduced, reducing cases to just a handful each year. However, cases of meningococcal W (Men W) have risen steadily. It often has different symptoms to other kinds of meningitis. Several adults with Men W septicaemia have had mainly gastrointestinal symptoms, but without the typical rash that most people associate with meningitis. As as a result, they have progressed rapidly to death. University students up to the age of 25 are now offered a vaccine to protect against Men W. It protects against four different causes of meningitis and septicaemia  meningococcal (Men) A, C, W and Y diseases. Source: Meningitis Now Advertisement

People need to get vaccinated

'We urge anyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

'Remain vigilant and seek urgent medical help if you or someone you know may be showing signs of infection.'

Earlier this month, a student who left one of her lectures early with a sore throat ended up fighting for her life after being diagnosed with meningitis.

Charlotte Hannibal, 21, from Nottingham, had both of her legs amputated as her body was ravaged by the deadly infection.

The business student at Nottingham Trent University also lost most of her left hand and the finger tips on her right from the Men W strain.

She said: 'I left one of my lectures early with a sore throat, headache and tiredness; similar to having a bad hangover.

'But 48 hours after my first symptoms, I was in hospital and doctors realised my body was shutting down. I spent three months in hospital.

'In that time, I lost part of my hearing, dealt with kidney failure, dialysis, and had both my legs amputated below the knee, along with all my fingers from my left hand.

'I'm making progress every day now, but I'm encouraging everyone starting university this year to get vaccinated so they don't have to go through what I have.'

In May a heartbroken mother was pleading with parents to protect their children from a deadly strain of meningitis following the death of her 18-year-old daughter.

Lauren Sandall died from meningitis just weeks after she was denied the life-saving vaccine at her local GP because supplies were too low.

Lauren's mother Sharon, 47, (right, with Lauren, left) is urging parents to get children vaccinated against the disease after it was revealed just one third of school-leavers have had the jab

It started with a headache

The 18-year-old, from Woodford Green in London , had just started her first week at university when she caught the deadly bacterial infection.

It started with a headache and aches and pains, and just 48 hours later she developed septicaemia - a deadly form of blood poisoning triggered by meningitis.

Her mother Sharon, 47, is urging parents to get their children vaccinated against the disease after it was revealed that just one third of school-leavers have had the jab.

Ms Sandall said: 'We lost our beautiful daughter Lauren to meningococcal W meningitis and septicaemia in October.

'She was just 18 years old. I only heard about the MenACWY vaccine the week that Lauren was due to start at university in Bournemouth.'

The younger sister of a teenage Australian boy who tragically died after he was struck down with meningococcal has today spoken of his harrowing final moments.

Lucy Dunham (right) and her 19-year-old brother Lloyd (left) were on their way to the airport when he suddenly fell ill in the backseat of the car over the weekend

I just said "are you alright?" but he didn't say anything

Lucy Dunham and her 19-year-old brother Lloyd were on their way to the airport when he suddenly fell ill in the backseat of the car over the weekend.

The young man, who lives in Western Australia, was visiting his sister in Tasmania for the week when he failed to regain consciousness.

Earlier on Saturday, he had suffered flu-like symptoms - but he later died in hospital after contracting a deadly W strain of the disease.

'He had been vomiting and I tried talking to him, but he couldn't talk to me. He was just making noises so I knew something was wrong,' she told Southern Cross News.

'I just said "are you alright?" but he didn't say anything. He just looked at me.'




Cheese is a guilty pleasure for many of us, but it now seems we don't have to feel regretful for enjoying it - as long as it's Swiss.

Scientists have found a link between a probiotic found in the tasty treat and longevity.

They found that the bacteria - used in the fermentation of Emmental cheese - decreases inflammation and boosts the immune system.

Also found in other dairy products, such as milk, it can also improve signs of ageing, according to researchers at Korea University in Seoul.

There is one caveat with the study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports - it was carried out on roundworms.

But the authors state: 'It is possible that the mechanisms identified in this study may apply to other species including humans.'

A probiotic in Swiss cheese has been found to boosts the immune system and longevity in roundworms - which scientists say may apply to humans too (file photo)

Key findings

Emmentaler contains the bacterium Propionibacterium freudenreichii which was found to make the worms live longer.

The team explain that it turns lactate - the compound which makes muscles burn - into three substances - acetate, propionate and carbon dioxide.

Acetate and propionate have been shown to enhance human gut immunity in studies, they say.

Furthermore, particular lactic acid bacteria, such as Weissella koreensis and W. cibaria, extend the lifespan of roundworms and 'improve biomarkers of ageing'.

The team concludes that the probiotic extends the lifespan by dampening down the body's stress response, and triggering an anti-inflammatory effect on the immune system.

Why does Swiss cheese have holes in?

P. freudenreichii is responsible for the fermentation process that produces Emmental's unique flavours, as well as the formation of holes (known as eyes).

According to Culture magazine, flavour intensity and eye size are inter-related: the larger the eyes, the stronger the taste of the cheese.

Once in the vat, the bacteria, consume lactic acid and release bubbles of carbon dioxide gas.

These air bubbles become trapped in the rind of the cheese and gradually form eyes.

Cheesemakers can control the size of the holes by changing the temperature.
Sufferers of vertigo will know how debilitating it can be - and how frustrating it is when it persists.

But if your doctor keeps sending you away with medication after it's been ongoing for a month, know that experts have now warned they will do no good.

Instead, patients who experience chronic symptoms - which can include dizziness, loss of balance and feeling sick or being sick - should be given exercises to do.

In a study published by the British Medical Journal, a team of researchers recommend that doctors prescribe vestibular rehabilitation, a form of 'brain retraining'.

It involves carrying out a special programme of activities that encourage your brain to adapt to the abnormal messages sent from your ears.

Experts say that chronic vertigo should not be treated with medication but with vestibular rehabilitation, a form of 'brain retraining' (file photo)

Vertigo - defined as a false sensation that the body or environment is moving - is a symptom, rather than a health condition itself.

Each year around 1 in 20 people experience vertigo, according to the study's authors from the University of Bristol and VU University Medical Center Amsterdam.

Around 80 per cent of sufferers find that it severely impairs their daily functioning.

It is commonly caused by a problem with the way balance works in the inner ear, although it can also be caused by problems in certain parts of the brain.

Some cases improve over time, without treatment. However, some people have repeated episodes for many months, or even years, such as those with Meniere's disease.

Medicines, such as prochlorperazine and some antihistamines, can help in the early stages or most cases of vertigo - but not after four weeks say the team.

Key findings

The team examined the medical literature and found that there is 'moderate evidence' - partly from general practice studies - that vestibular rehabilitation 'is a safe and effective treatment for chronic vertigo'.

On the other hand, they say, there is 'low evidence' that patients with chronic vertigo can find relief with anti-vertigo drug betahistine compared with a placebo.

The experts recommend doctors initially offer patients presenting with vertigo specific treatments - which may include drugs - for the disorder they suspect they have.

But if vertigo symptoms persist for more than a month they make clear: 'There is no place for betahistine or any other anti-vertigo drugs in the treatment of chronic vertigo: stop all anti-vertigo drugs that the patient is using for acute vertigo and offer vestibular rehabilitation to all patients with chronic vertigo.'

They also note that a recently published trial on patients accessing the exercise methods online was shown to be 'effective and well liked by patients with chronic vertigo'.

Patients who need more support should be offered referral to physiotherapists or audiologists they say.
Two mothers have made it their mission to spread awareness of a rare strand of meningitis after each lost a teenage daughter to the disease.

The strand, called meningitis B, is not protected by the meningitis vaccination the CDC recommends all children get.

Patti Wukovits, from New York State, lost her 17-year-old high school senior Kimberly Coffey, who wanted to be a pediatric nurse, to meningitis B in 2012.

And Michigan mother Alicia Stillman lost her daughter, 19-year-old aspiring comedian Emily, the next year.

Neither Patti nor Alicia knew that their children were not fully protected from meningitis after getting the vaccination for the disease recommended to American families.

Tragic: Kimberly Coffey died of meningitis B during her senior year of high school in 2012 (pictured, left, in her senior photo). Emily Stillman (right) was a sophomore at Kalamazoo College in Michigan when she died of meningitis B in 2013

And at the time of their daughters' deaths, a vaccination for the strand that killed them was not available.

The US has since approved two different meningitis B vaccinations. However, they are not recommended by the CDC as strongly as other vaccinations that prevent fatal diseases.

Patti and Alicia both said that the reason for this 'soft' recommendation is because the government does not think it is cost effective to make every child get the vaccination when the strand of meningitis that killed their daughters is so rare.

But the mothers are now doing everything in their power - creating foundations, organizing fundraisers and educating other parents - to spread awareness of meningitis B.

Here, they share their experiences of how the preventable virus shattered their worlds.

ASPIRING PEDIATRIC NURSE KIMBERLY DIED 3 DAYS BEFORE HER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

Patti Wukovits was sure her 17-year-old daughter Kimberly Coffey had the flu when she came home from her Long Island high school feeling sick on Wednesday June 6, 2012.

Her daughter was a healthy teenager completing the last two weeks of her senior year.

Kimberly had been accepted to Long Island's Molloy College's nursing program and she was headed there in the fall of 2012 for her freshman year.

Her dream was to be a pediatric nurse.

Patti described her daughter as 'the go to friend for all of her friends.'

She said Kimberly's smile and laugh were contagious and that her daughter was 'probably the silliest person I ever knew'.

That day five years ago, Kimberly came home and complained of body aches. Her temperature was 101.

Patti, a registered nurse, knew these were tell-tale signs of the flu but she called Kimberlys pediatrician's office anyways to see what they recommended.

Patti got married in September of 2012. Kimberly, who was supposed to be her maid of honor, died three months before the wedding. This photo of Patti and Kimberly was taken in 2009 when Kimberly was 15

Her doctor agreed it was probably the flu and said to bring her in the next morning.

But when Kimberly woke up the next morning, on Thursday June 7, three tiny purple dots had appeared on one of her ankles.

I knew when I saw these dots she had something going on in her blood, Patti said.

She rushed her daughter to the emergency room at Good Samaritan Hospital where she was immediately diagnosed with meningitis. Kimberly was given antibiotics to treat the disease.

When a hospital staff member told Patti her daughters diagnosis she did not believe it because Kimberly had gotten the meningitis vaccination.

I told her thats impossible, Patti said.

Patti added that she had made sure that her children were protected with every vaccine they should have.

But, as Patti found out that morning, the meningitis vaccination Kimberly had gotten did not protect her from a rare strand of the disease called meningitis B.

Patti Wukovits (right) was shocked to find out that giving her kids Kimberly (left) and Chris (middle) the meningitis vaccination did not mean they were protected from all strands of the life-threatening disease. This was the last photo taken of Patti and both of her children in 2012

WHAT IS MENINGITIS? Meningitis is caused by bacteria and results in an infection in the spinal cord and brain lining. It can also lead to blood infections. The disease commonly occurs among people who seem perfectly healthy and its onset is without warning. You can catch the disease by being in close contact with someone who has it - such as kissing them or absorbing their germs when they cough. It is easily spread among people living in tight quarters. For this reason, it is commonly perceived as a disease that mainly affects students living on college campuses. Even when treated, the disease kills 10 to 15 of every 100 infected people. And 10 to 20 of every 100 survivors will be disabled after contracting the disease. These disabilities include: hearing loss

kidney damage

brain damage

nervous system complications

amputations

scarring from skin grafts Advertisement

It only protected Kimberly from meningitis A, C, W and Y. Patti was shocked.

After Kimberlys diagnosis, her health deteriorated rapidly.

Things happened very, very quickly, Patti said. Kimberly's heart and lungs started failing and she went into cardiac arrest.

This is a healthy girl - who was just in school the day before - in cardiac arrest, Patti said.

Doctors were able to resuscitate Kimberly.

But as her organs continued to fail, she ended up in a coma and on life support.

Her arms and legs became completely black because her blood was infected. Patti knew that if her daughter survived, she would have to have all her limbs amputated.

Nine days after Kimberly complained of body aches, on Friday, June 15, doctors declared her brain dead.

Pattis son, Chris, who was 22 at the time, was in an army boot camp in Oklahoma when his younger sister became sick.

He was not allowed to talk to his mother on the phone but Patti contacted the Red Cross, which reached Chris and told him that he needed to travel home to Long Island to say goodbye to his sister.

Once he arrived, Patti then made the heart-breaking decision to take her daughter off life support and Kimberly died that Friday.

At first, Patti and her family thought Kimberly would pull through, but her daughter was in the 15 percent of people who are treated for the disease but just do not survive.

I buried Kimberly in her senior prom dress she never got to wear, three days before graduation, Patti said.

Kimberly was very full of life. She had a heart of joy, Patti said.

COLLEGE SOPHOMORE EMILY WHO DREAMED OF BEING ON SNL DIED AT 19 AFTER COMPLAINING ABOUT A HEADACHE

Emily's dream was to be a comedian on Saturday Night Live. But her parents told her that she needed to have a back-up plan in case that did not work out. So she double-majored in theater and psychology at Kalamazoo College in Michigan

The following year, Alicia Stillman, a mother-of-three from Michigan, got a call from her daughter, 19-year-old Emily Stillman, who was a sophomore at Kalamazoo College in her home state.

The call came on Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 10.15pm, Alicia recalled. She was already ready for bed, relaxing and reading a book.

Emily called her mom and said she had a headache was feeling achey.

Alicia said to her: I bet youre getting the flu.

Emily told her mom that she thought it was just from a lack of sleep because she had stayed up late studying the night before.

She had been preparing for two huge tests, which she had taken that Thursday.

Emily, whose dream was to be a comedian on SNL, was double majoring in psychology and theater.

She chose psychology because her parents told her that she needed to have a back-up plan in case working in show business did not work out.

But Alicia admitted that her daughter was 'very, very funny.' She added that Emily was accepting of everyone.

'Emily didn't see color. She just didn't care. She was very accepting,' Alicia said.

That night while Emily and Alicia talked on the phone, Alicia told her daughter to take a couple of Motrin and get some sleep.

That was the last time I ever spoke to her, Alicia said.

Emily lived in a suite with four other people and around midnight she woke up and asked her roommates, who had not yet gone to bed, to take her to the hospital because her headache was extremely painful.

However, she did not call her mother, as her roommates took her to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Alicia suspects that her daughter did not call her that night because she was not worried that the headache was anything too serious.

She walked into the hospital and she wasnt going to die, Alicia said.

Since Emily was 19 - and a legal adult - doctors did not have to call Alicia when they treated her daughter.

They treated Emily for a migraine, which she had never had before.

Within hours, Emily lost consciousness. Doctors did a spinal tap and found out that Emily had meningitis.

Alicia got a phone call from the hospital on the morning of Friday, February 1. She was told about Emily's diagnosis.

Emily (left) is posing with her older sister Karly on a lake in Charlevoix, Michigan, where the girls went to summer camp each year

WHO NEEDS A MENINGITIS VACCINATION? The CDC says that all children between 11 and 12 should get a meningococcal conjugate vaccine. There are two types of this vaccine: Menactra and Menveo. The CDC recommends that children get a booster dose of the vaccine when they are 16. The vaccinations for meningitis B, Bexsero and Trumenba, are not recommended as strongly as the other meningitis vaccinations. But the CDC says children aged 10 years old who have an increased risk of getting meningitis B should get one of the two approved vaccines. Those who have an 'increased risk' include: children prone to meningitis B because of their proximity to an outbreak

children who have a damaged spleen

children who have had their spleen removed

children taking a medicine called Soliris

children who have complement component deficiency Advertisement

I really felt it was a misdiagnosis, Alicia said. She remembered saying: Its not possible she has bacterial meningitis.'

She, like Patti, had no idea that her daughter was not fully protected from meningitis since Emily had gotten the recommended vaccination.

I knew nothing about it, Alicia said.

Alicias husband was out of town and Emilys older sister, Karly, was studying abroad in South America at the time.

So Alicia got in the car alone and drove to Kalamazoo, which was two-and-a-half hours away from her Bloomfield, Michigan, home, by herself to see Emily.

I kept thinking: This is wrong,' Alicia said about her car ride to the hospital.

'Shes very sick, thats what they kept saying, Alicia remembered.

I had no idea how serious this was going to be.

During her car ride she called Emilys pediatrician to make sure that her daughter had, in fact, gotten the meningitis vaccination.

I wanted to make sure I was right, Alicia said. And she was.

But when she got to the hospital doctors explained to her, as they had done to Patti, what happens when someone who has had the meningitis vaccination contracts the B strand.

Emilys health went downhill quickly. It progresses so, so fast, Alicia said.

The next day on Saturday February 2, before Alicia had wrapped her head around her daughter's life-threatening diagnosis, Emily passed away.

Emily's family members made the decision to have Emily's organs donated to patients who needed them.

Alicia said that her daughter, who was the middle child of her family, was always making people laugh.

When Emily would walk into a room, the room lit up, Alicia said. When she smiled, her eyes smiled too.

WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MENINGITIS VACCINATIONS AND THE CDC'S RECOMMENDATIONS

At the time of Kimberly and Emilys deaths there was no meningitis B vaccination in the US. But other countries had vaccinations for the rare strand.

Soon after they died two meningitis B vaccinations were approved in the US, Trumenba and Bexsero, in 2014 and 2015.

But the recommendations for the vaccinations that that the CDC gives are complicated.

The CDC does not suggest that parents give their children the meningitis B vaccination in the same way that it suggests they give them the vaccination that protects their children from meningitis A, C, W and Y.

I don't want another parent to feel their child is protected when they are not

While the CDC recommends that all children get a vaccination that protects them from meningitis A, C, W and Y, it only recommends that certain children get the meningitis B vaccine.

Among those are children who are more prone to meningitis B because of their proximity to an outbreak.

The 'soft' recommendation that the CDC gives is extremely frustrating for Patti and Alicia, whose lives would be drastically different now had their late daughters received the meningitis B vaccination.

And both mothers now advocate for the requirement of the meningitis B vaccine for everyone.

The CDC reported that there were 375 cases of meningococcal disease in 2015.

Meningitis B makes up one-third of the reported meningitis cases in the US, according to the National Meningitis Association.

Even when treated, meningitis will kill 10 to 15 people out of every 100 who become infected.

The CDC has also reported that 60 percent of meningitis cases among children less than five years old are caused by meningitis B, specifically.

The CDC does not recommend the vaccination that protects people from meningitis B, which killed Emily and Kimberly, as strongly as it recommends the vaccination that prevents meningitis strands A, C, W and Y

The risk is small but the tragedy is 100 percent. It should never happen, Patti said.

Alicia said: I see the argument. I am an accountant. I see things in black and white like they do. But when its your kid that might be the one, it doesnt matter if its one or a million.

[The CDC] kind of said: You can have it,' Alicia added, saying that this was opposed to its stance on the other meningitis vaccination, for which it says people should have it.

Both mothers now spend their time educating parents and doctors about the dangers of meningitis B.

They both created foundations honoring their daughters that raise awareness of the disease.

This photo was from a 2016 Kimberly Coffey Foundation fundraising event. From left to right, the picture feature's Patti's step-son John, 26, her son Chris, 27, Patti, her step-daughter Jaclyn, 28, and her husband John

The Kimberly Coffey Foundation funds a scholarship for a student from Kimberlys high school  East Islip High School on Long Island  each year.

The scholarship goes to a student who wants to study nursing, since that was Kimberlys dream.

But all eligible applicants must prove that they have had the meningitis B vaccination.

I dont want another parent to feel their child is protected when they are not, Patti said about why she spends her time raising awareness.

Alicias family created the Emily Stillman Foundation, which started out educating people about the lifesaving power of the meningitis B vaccination but has since made its mission to educate people about all vaccine-preventable diseases.

I speak to kids, doctors, parents. If the doctor isnt going to educate the parents, if the university isnt going to educate the parents, who is? Alicia said.

Before the first meningitis B vaccination was approved in the US in 2014, Alicia arranged for people to travel to Canada by bus to get vaccinated there.

People flew in from all over the country to Michigan, where she lives, to cross the border and get vaccinated.

This photo was taken during a family vacation in December 2012, right before Emily (second from left) died in February 2013. Pictured are Emily's father (left), her older sister Karly (middle), her younger brother Zachary (second from right) and her mother, Alicia (right)

While we were doing that, we met with the FDA. We said: This is not okay, she said, referring to the fact that American citizens were having to leave the country to get a life-saving vaccination.

The Emily Stillman Foundation also encourages people to learn about becoming an organ donor since Emily's organs were donated. 'That's a big part of what we do,' Alicia said.

She added that while some doctors are taking it upon themselves to educate parents about the meningitis B vaccine, even though it is not strongly recommended by the CDC, others are not.

To put it bluntly, they just dont want to be bothered, Alicia said.

Both mothers are hopeful that in the future, others will not have to experience the pain of losing a child to a vaccine-preventable disease the way they did.

Patti thinks that eventually, the vaccine that could have saved her daughter's life will be required for everyone.

I believe it will happen someday. And thats my hope, Patti said.

Alicia said: I know that nothing I do will ever be enough for my Emily  but there are millions of other Emilys out there who still do not know the protection is available.
A Republican-aligned group launched a national radio ad campaign this week urging 34 GOP members of Congress, including three from New York, to pass tax reform legislation.

The American Action Network funded the ads for the next two weeks. It's part of the organization's Middle Class Growth Initiative and is the latest in a series of advertising campaigns that seek to build support for tax reform in Congress.

Corry Bliss, executive director of the American Action Network, said tax reform should be the top legislative priority for Congress.

"We will continue to urge Congress to put American families and job creators first, members who fail to do so will be held accountable," Bliss said. "It's past time for members of Congress to put politics aside and work together to deliver results that move our country forward."

The ads target some top Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan. The radio commercials are also airing in three New York districts: the 19th, 22nd and 24th. Those districts are represented by U.S. Reps. John Faso, Claudia Tenney and John Katko.

American Action Network previously launched a $2.5 million television ad campaign that targeted 24 members of Congress, including Katko, R-Camillus, and Tenney, R-New Hartford, in New York.

President Donald Trump has made tax reform a top priority early in his term. Congressional leaders also want changes to the tax code.

In early August, Katko told The Citizen that tax reform legislation can help the economy, especially in district.

"I really believe that if we do that, jobs will start coming back to New York state," he said.
In 2016, more than 200,000 Americans got a nose job.

The procedure, a rhinoplasty, can be performed in many ways - from shaving down the skin to breaking the bones.

One of the most common approaches involves the dorsal hump, lowering the 'bridge' of the nose and lifting up the 'tip'.

And this animation graphic offers an insight into how it is done.

Not all nasal bridge humps are equal.

The bridge comprises one third bone, at the top, and two thirds cartilage, at the bottom.

Some people with a 'hump' have more bone than others, causing it to protrude higher up. Others may have excess cartilage pushing out lower down. Many have a combination of factors.

This animation graphic shows removal of cartilage, not bone.

First, the patient is put under general anesthetic.

The surgeon makes an incision inside the nostrils and under the nasal tip to lift up the skin from the hump.

They slice a section of the upper cartilage and the dorsal septum, the cartilaginous dividing line in the middle of the nose.

Here, they also shave off part of the columella, a fleshy protruding piece of tissue which sits on top of the dorsal septum.

To round off this section, they make incisions in the surrounding skin.

Then they move down to slice a section of the lower cartilage, with incisions around it.

These skin flaps are then pulled together over the now missing pieces of cartilage.

The nose skin is pulled down, and stitches are sewn over the incision spots.

The entire procedure, sped up in this video, usually takes about one to two hours.

It takes about seven to nine months for the initial swelling to go down.

Step one: The surgeon makes an incision inside the nostrils and under the nasal tip

Step two: The surgeon can that lift up the skin from the hump, exposing the cartilage

NEW TRENDS IN THE NOSE JOB WORLD

TIP OR NO TIP

A rhinoplasty can be subtly tailored to a patient's desires.

These days, women prefer a 'supra-tip break' while men want a completely straight bridge, according to Dr John Hilinski, a board-certified plastic surgeon in San Diego.

'A nasal profile with a supra-tip break should not be mistaken with the scooped, or ski slope, bridge that was popularized in the 1970s,' he says.

The supra-tip break 'reflects a slight shift in direction', he says. The scoop and ski slope, however, gave patients a continuous curve.

MORE WANT TO PRESERVE ETHNIC OR FAMILY TRAITS

According to Dr Hilinski, there is an increasing number of rhinoplasty patients who are now requesting partial hump removal.

'Instead of desiring simply a straight profile view, these patients aim to have their hump altered while leaving a residual bump, or convexit,' he says.

'This is most often done in patients who are looking to have their nose reshaped while preserving more of their ethnic identity, which sometimes emanates from the nasal dorsum.

'In fact, I have now revised several rhinoplasty patients who had surgery elsewhere and desired at least partial replacement of the bump that was originally removed.'

Danger spots: The surgeon needs to be acutely aware of the balance between the dorsal septum and the upper lateral cartilage in the top third of the nose to prevent a 'pinch'

HOW IT CAN EASILY GO WRONG

While it may seem straight-forward, experts insist it is one of the most complicated to pull off, since the nasal cartilage can dramatically alter somebody's facial appearance.

It is incredibly difficult to achieve absolute symmetry and balance from the profile and front.

There are two classic mistakes, he says.

First, the surgeon needs to be acutely aware of the balance between the dorsal septum and the upper lateral cartilage (the first part of the animation graphic). A misguided incision can cause the structure to collapse.

And yet, Dr Hilinski warns, due to the swelling for months after, it can be hard to tell until about a year later whether it collapsed or not.

In the event that something did go wrong, it would likely take more than nine months for the patient to see the tell-tale 'pinch', when the middle third of the nose starts to slope inwards. This can create a bizarre slope from the eyebrow down to the nose.

To avoid that, Dr Hilinski recommends finding a surgeon that can insert cartilage grafts during the procedure to ensure the structure doesn't sink.

Second, if bone is being broken to shave or remove it, this needs to be done after the hump reduction. If it is not done at the right time, the bridge may appear too wide afterwards.


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In military terms, Donald Trump's long-awaited and much-maligned new Afghanistan strategy looks very much like the old one. But, on the diplomatic front, he took a risk in confronting unruly, nuclear-armed Pakistan.

Washington has long been frustrated by Pakistan's provision of cross-border safe havens to some of the Taliban factions and armed Islamist groups fighting against US troops and their Afghan allies.

Trump's predecessor Barack Obama risked triggering a breakdown in the long US alliance with Islamabad when, without forewarning, he sent commandos into Pakistan in 2011 to kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.

US President Donald Trump, who has unveiled his Afghanistan strategy, marked a dramatic increase in pressure on Pakistan

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan (left) speaks with White House Advisor Ivanka Trump (centre) before US President Donald Trump announces his strategy for the war in Afghanistan

But, rhetorically at least, Trump's much anticipated national address on Monday, in which he laid out a new strategy to win the United States' longest war, marked a dramatic increase in pressure on Pakistan.

'We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting,' Trump said.

'That will have to change and that will change immediately.'

While Washington may hope that this motivates Islamabad to crack down on the groups that launch attacks into Afghanistan and Indian-administered Kashmir, it does not come without risk.

Pakistan holds the Muslim world's only known nuclear arsenal and its government is a sometimes shaky balancing act between elected civilians and a powerful military that maintains ties with the militants.

Harsh US measures could provoke Pakistan and, if the government feels its Cold War-vintage pact with America is under threat, it could turn towards China - the great rival of both India and America.

And, much more than the implied threat to cut military aid to Pakistan, Trump's request that India play a greater role in stabilizing Afghanistan will rattle New Delhi's most bitter and long-standing foe.

India's orbit

US troops at a base in Afghanistan

But, US experts agree, Pakistan is unlikely to step up its support for the Haqqani extremist group and the Afghan Taliban if that would mean the collapse of the Kabul government and driving out US troops.

Instead, despite some of his more vainglorious rhetoric, Trump's revamped strategy could lay the basis for dealing with Afghanistan as a long-term chronic problem rather than an imminent threat.

James Jeffrey, a fellow of the Washington Institute and former senior national security adviser to the George W. Bush White House, said: 'There's really no way to pressure Pakistan.'

Pakistan has made the decision that keeping Kabul out of India's orbit is more important that clamping down on cross-border militancy, and cutting aid would only be counterproductive, he argues.

After a strategy review finalized with top advisors at Camp David, Trump revealed what he called a 'path forward' and a 'dramatically' different approach

Beyond Afghanistan, the United States has an interest in preventing Pakistan from going to war with India or collapsing and allowing its government or nuclear weapons to fall into the hands of extremists.

And, while the US footprint is smaller now that it was at the height of the occupation, its forces still need access to Pakistani supply lines and airspace.

'There's really very little we can do,' Jeffrey said. 'To cut all aid or, even more dramatically, to start striking the Haqqani network and all that ... doesn't guarantee that they'll do what we say.'

But Pakistan also has no interest in driving the United States out, and Jeffrey sees Monday's speech as confirmation that Trump has come around to the idea of a strategy of 'long-term containment.'

'Other than the unfortunate reference to 'winning' there - that's something that nobody can promise because no one can achieve it -- I think that this is basically sensible strategy,' he said.

'Our troops will fight to win. We will fight to win,' the president told soldiers at Fort Myer outside Washington

Stepping on toes

Sadanand Dhume, an Indian commentator and resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, argued that Washington has many tools at its disposal to turn up the pressure on the Pakistanis - from cutting military aid, to stripping them of allied status or declaring them a state sponsor of terror.

But the biggest stick may be the outreach to India.

'The US have always encouraged Indian involvement in Afghanistan, but it was careful not to step on Pakistani toes,' he said.

US forces in Afghanistan

'What we're seeing now, is the US feeling it no longer needs to be that careful about Pakistani sensitivity,' he said, admitting that, after 16 years of war, it is hard not to be skeptical about Trump's chances of success.

Seth Jones, a former senior Pentagon official and now director of RAND Corporation's International Security and Defense Policy Center, sees room for a more stable future with a better balance of power.

'Pakistan certainly doesn't want Afghanistan to collapse and nor do they want an Afghan government that is strongly and closely tied to New Delhi,' he said.

'I think what they'd like is a relatively stable Afghanistan, and one whose government -- and some of the tribal and sub-tribal actors near the border -- have at least decent relations with Islamabad.'

And key to all of this, all experts agree, is that the US military remain in Afghanistan for the long haul.

How Pakistan fits into Trump's Afghan plans

In announcing his strategy for Afghanistan, US President Donald Trump lashed out at neighboring Pakistan, an ostensible US ally, ordering it to stop giving sanctuary to 'agents of chaos, violence and terror.'

His predecessors have aired similar complaints, and US officials and analysts have long accused Pakistan of playing a double-game with Islamic extremists -- supporting those that threaten its rivals in India and Afghanistan while cracking down on those who target its own citizens.

Pakistan has been at war with the Pakistani Taliban and homegrown extremists for years, but it has long tolerated the Afghan Taliban and the allied Haqqani network, which are battling U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan.

Pakistan has also struggled to combat other forms of extremism. Blasphemy against Islam is punishable by death and has been known to incite mob lynchings. Around 1,000 women are murdered each year in so-called honor killings, and attacks on Shiites and other religious minorities are on the rise.

How did the US come to ally itself with Pakistan, and where do they go from here?

Fighters with Afghanistan's Taliban militia stand with their weapons in Ahmad Aba district on the outskirts of Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, on July 18

A longtime ally

The US backed Pakistan during the Cold War, and in the 1980s the CIA used it as a staging area for efforts to aid the Afghan Mujahedeen, who were then fighting to drive out Soviet troops. At the time, the U.S. viewed the Mujahedeen and Pakistan's president, Gen. Zia-ul Haq - a military dictator who promoted a harsh version of Islam - as allies.

The US renewed the alliance after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, as Pakistan again emerged as a key staging ground and supply route in the war to overthrow the Taliban and eliminate al-Qaida. The US has since given Pakistan billions of dollars in military aid.

A double game

Since the days of Zia and the Mujahideen, Pakistan's security apparatus has supported or turned a blind eye to extremist groups in Afghanistan and the disputed Kashmir region, viewing them as a weapon against India, its main rival.

Pakistan has long feared that Afghanistan would ally with India against it, and sees the Taliban as the best tool for thwarting such an alliance.

Hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center and explodes at 9:03 a.m. on September 11, 2001 in New York City

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were the only three countries to recognize the Taliban when they ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s.

That approach became increasingly problematic as the US waged its war on terror. Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency is widely believed to maintain close ties to the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network.

Their leaders live relatively freely in Pakistan - as long as they aren't seen as acting against Islamabad's political interests.

The ISI has long said it has limited influence over such groups, and uses it to pursue regional stability.

Bin Laden

Al-Qaida's top leaders, Osama Bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri, also found refuge in Pakistan after the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, but they went into hiding. Whether Pakistan was ever able or willing to track them down remains the subject of heated debate.

US-Pakistan tensions came to a head in 2011 when American commandos killed Bin Laden in a secret raid in Abbottabad, just a few miles away from one of Pakistan's premier military academies.

Pakistan once again insisted it had no idea about his whereabouts, and expressed anger over the US carrying out the raid without giving it prior notice.

Shortly after the raid, Pakistan arrested a local doctor accused of running a fake vaccination program in order to gather DNA from Bin Laden, which he then allegedly passed on to the CIA.

Pakistan has refused US demands to release the man.

Power broker

Relations remained chilly in the following years, as the US repeatedly pushed Pakistan to do more to eliminate militant sanctuaries and trimmed military aid when it did not.

But Pakistan remains a major player in Afghanistan, and will need to be on board if Trump hopes to end America's longest war.

Pakistan has used its close ties to the Taliban to bring them to the peace table in the past and could do so again, but it will want to preserve its own interests, which appear to be in conflict with the US-backed Afghan government.

Kabul and Islamabad routinely accuse each other of turning a blind eye to Islamic militants operating along their porous border, and relations plunge with every deadly attack.

Limited options

Senior administration officials said ahead of Trump's speech that he was considering further cuts in aid to Pakistan unless it reins in the Taliban and the Haqqanis, but that approach has failed in the past.

Pakistan could respond by revoking US transit rights, shutting off the main supply route to US forces in Afghanistan.

Trump said he hoped to pursue closer ties with India, remarks that were sure to anger Pakistan.

But whether that would lead Islamabad to re-evaluate its ties to militant groups - or double down on its support for them - remains to be seen. A tougher US line might also push Pakistan into the arms of Russia, China and neighboring Iran.
A quiz trending on social media as part of Congress's 'Know Your Legacy' campaign aims to counter BJP's attack on the grand old party by asking followers questions on old schemes 'renamed' by the BJP government and initiatives brought in by former PMs Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi.

The quiz that drew much traction around I-Day and is set to be carried on by the party as an ongoing campaign, aims not just to familiarise the youth with the party's 'glorious past' but also to highlight the party's achievements in governance over the past seven decades.

Question like 'which dam was described as the 'new temple of resurgent India' by PM Nehru, at its inauguration in 1963' (answer: Nehru) and 'which PM lowered the voting age for elections from 21 to 18 years, for Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies of States' (answer: Rajiv Gandhi) are thrown out at the audience by the party's official twitter handle with four options to choose from.

The quiz aims to familiarise India's youth with the party's 'glorious past'

Not limiting the quiz to personalities from the party, it also brings into perspective the schemes introduced by Congress and 'renamed' and 'packaged' by BJP as original ideas.

Through the question, 'What is the present name of the sanitation program that was known as 'Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan' under the UPA government in 2012?' the party takes a dig at PM Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

'The BJP has been spreading blatant lies that no work has been done in the last 70 years. This campaign is mainly to dispel that mistruth and spread awareness of what the Congress party has done for this country.

'Also the post-Independence generations are not familiar with the legacy and history of Congress and this campaign will help familiarise them,' SV Ramani, Congress leader and media coordinator told Mail Today.

Mumbai Congress unit chief Sanjay Nirupam, added, 'Modi ji has been blaming Congress for all ills in the country. It has become extremely important to tell the new generation about the party's contribution to the country.

Congress are using Twitter quizzes as part of a 'Know Your Legacy' campaign (pictured - Rahul)

'Nehru was PM for 17 years and is rightly known as the architect of modern India. Thereafter Indira Gandhi brought in several path-breaking initiatives followed by Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. It was because of Singh that the economy opened up.

'Let's not forget that the J&K rail tunnel is because of Congress. The youth needs to be retold our history and contribution to the nation.'

With clear instructions from the party's top leadership to counter Modi and the BJP, Ramani said, 'In our public meetings and interactions and speeches by leaders, our focus will now be on dispelling these falsities.'
The case surrounding Akhila, renamed Hadiya (after marriage), has two conflicting dimensions: liberty and terrorism.

The backstory in brief: Akhila is a 24-year-old homeopath from Kottayam in Kerala. Her father K.M. Ashokan is a former serviceman.

During her studies Akhila became close to Islamic groups. Her parents petitioned the Kerala High Court to restore her to their custody. The petition was rejected by the court in January 2016.

A Muslim youth from Kerala moved the Supreme Court, challenging a high court order that quashed his marriage with a Hindu woman - who converted to Islam (pictured - Akhila, renamed Hadiya right)

The court rightly held that, as an adult, Akhila was free to choose where and with whom to live.

In August 2016, Akhila's parents moved the Kerala High Court with a new petition, again seeking their daughter's custody, claiming she was being indocrinated by radical Islamic groups with terror links.

Parental demand

During the pendency of the case Akhila appeared in court and declared she had married a 27-year-old man named Shefin Jehan who had earlier worked in the Gulf.

She said she had converted voluntarily to Islam and her name was now Hadiya.

Days later, her parents filed an affidavit in the Kerala High Court claiming that Shefin Jehan was a member of a radical Islamic group and had been involved in three criminal cases.

The affidavit said their daughter's indoctrination and marriage to Jehan was part of a larger plot to send her to Syria (as 21 other young Indian women had earlier been) to serve the terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS).

The Kerala High Court ordered a police inquiry into the allegations and counter-allegations.

On receiving the police report, the court on May 24, 2017 annulled the Hadiya-Jehan marriage and sent her back to her parents' home.

In July 2017, Jehan filed a petition in the Supreme Court to re-establish his 'conjugal rights' with Hadiya, calling the Kerala High Court order a serious human rights violation.

On August 16, 2017, the day after India celebrated 70 years of Independence, the Supreme Court ordered the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe whether there was a 'love jihad' dimension to the Hadiya case.

The NIA's investigation is to be conducted under the supervision of retired Supreme Court Justice R.V. Raveendran.

That is where the case rests today, a week after the Supreme Court's order. Human rights groups have questioned the Supreme Court's intervention, terming it as one more example of judicial overreach.

As an adult, they argue, Hadiya has every right to lead the life she chooses and with whomever she chooses. In principle, this argument is faultless. Inter-faith marriages are not the court's business.

Personal liberty supersedes parental demand for custody. The court must always protect free choice of an adult against forcible custody by his or her guardians.

Zeenat Ali Siddiqui, a victim of Triple talaq, speaks with media after verdict on it, outside the Supreme Court (file pic)

That though is true if there is no larger public interest involved which, in exceptional circumstances, could supersede private interest.

Hadiya's case, her parents allege, is precisely one such case. The Kerala police concur.

The Kerala High Court has endorsed the police report on Jehan's alleged links with radical Islamic groups in India serving as a conduit for recruiting women to serve ISIS in Syria.

Sleeper cells

In the emotional reaction to the Hadiya-Jehan case - exacerbated by the Supreme Court wondering if it is a case of 'love jihad' - the larger issue has been lost: the proliferation of sleeper terrorism cells that operate under the radar in Kerala.

In normal circumstances, the Kerala High Court should not have annulled an inter-faith married.

In Hadiya's case, it is important the Supreme Court decides on Jehan's petition as swiftly as possible.

If Justice Reveendran's inquiry report points to an organised conspiracy to radicalise Indians and export them to medieval terrorist groups like ISIS in Syria - or enlist them in proscribed Indian terror outfits like the banned Islamist group SIMI and Indian Mujahideen - the case assumes an entirely different dimension.

India must have zero tolerance to terrorism. That includes stopping radicalisation by sleeper Islamist cells across the country. India must also have zero tolerance to the government infringing on individual rights and freedoms.

The courts must protect those rights, not erode them.

Terror links

Media personnel outside the Supreme Court before the verdict on triple talaq

Whether or not the Hadiya case is the exception that merits court intervention will be decided by the Justice Raveendran-monitored NIA probe into the specific circumstances of Shefin Jehan and Hadiya.

The case must not be turned into a proxy for communal, political or ideological arguments. The use of the term 'love jihad' by the Supreme Court was unfortunate because it feeds into established prejudice on both sides of the ideological fence.

The only operative word should be jihad. Individual liberty is sacrosanct. Inter-faith marriages (I have one myself) are nobody's business but the couple's.

However, when the Kerala police and a Kerala High Court bench, neither known for a majoritarian bias, provide prima facie evidence of terror links involved in the Hadiya-Jehan case, we must hold our judgement till the full facts are determined by the Supreme Court-appointed investigation.

Just as India's commitment to individual rights is inviolate, so must be our commitment to confront and defeat terrorism.
Since the turn of the year, British drivers heading across the Channel have been alerted to the requirement for a Crit'Air anti-pollution sticker on their car windscreens to avoid on-the-spot fines when entering Paris.

However, the vehicle emissions reduction scheme is now being rolled out further across the country, meaning motorists are at greater risk of penalties if they haven't got one.

So far, Paris, Grenoble and Lyon have been enforcing the Crit'Air scheme. This month, Lille has confirmed it will employ the same emissions strategy with Strasbourg and Bordeaux - both popular holiday destinations - due to do the same by the end of the year.

Anti-pollution scheme spreading: The Crit'Air scheme has been running in Paris permanently since January 2017. And now it is spreading wider across France

Research by the RAC found that a third of Britons planning to drive to France this year are unaware of the new Crit'Air emissions regulations, despite it enforcing bans on some cars from entering particular locations and fines of 68 to 135 (62 to 124) for drivers who fail to display a sticker.

The latest destination to enforce the vehicle emissions sticker system is Lille - a much-visited former European Capital of Culture that is just a 90 minutes' drive from Calais.

It has launched an 'emergency emissions control scheme' in its city centre and 11 other districts within the Haut-de-France region.

The restrictions only apply during so-called 'pollution peaks', and the city has plans to introduce a permanent scheme - similar to that in Paris - as early as this autumn.

While the scheme in the French capital runs permanently, affecting drivers every weekday, the other cities employing the government-backed scheme only restrict vehicles when pollution reaches a certain level, for now.

Lille, which has a popular Christmas market visited by Britons during the festive season, is one of the new city additions to the Crit'Air scheme

Only one week after the introduction of the Crit'Air anti-pollution vignettes, Grenoble banned the most-polluting vehicles on January 24. Here a police officer is seen checking the paperwok of one driver

The RAC warned that for most drivers it will be difficult to predict exactly when these peaks will occur.

As a result, drivers heading across the Channel are being urged to apply for a Crit'Air sticker now if there is any chance they will visit any of these destinations.

WHAT IS THE CRIT'AIR SCHEME? The Crit'Air scheme requires all vehicles entering particular locations  including those arriving from the UK  to display a 'vignette' or sticker that shows how polluting it is based on its Euro emissions category. The cleanest vehicles display a green sticker, the dirtiest that still qualify for the scheme a dark grey one. Cities and towns can then choose to restrict access only to those vehicles that are displaying particular stickers, in an attempt to improve local air quality. Those vehicles that do not qualify for any sticker also face restrictions. Nearly 50,000 UK drivers have already applied for Crit'Air stickers, according to French media reports.

Along with Lille, Strasbourg, a major tourist centre in the east of France, has announced it will also adopt the scheme from 1 November 2017 to control emissions.

The restrictions will apply to the city centre plus 32 other areas within the wider Strasbourg region.

The RAC said Bordeaux, a favourite among Britons in the south west, is also set to introduce a scheme before the end of the year.

By 2020, a total of 25 cities are expected to restrict vehicles using the Crit'Air scheme as France attempts to tackle its poor air quality.

RAC European Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: 'With Lille now joining the scheme, and plans afoot in popular tourist destinations including Strasbourg and Bordeaux, our message to drivers is simple  if there is even a small chance of you visiting any of the places which are affected then apply for a Crit'Air sticker now.

'Presuming you don't change your car you only have to do it once as the sticker stays with the vehicle.

'It's also important to remember that France is in effect operating two different types of emission control schemes, both of which rely on vehicles displaying a Crit'Air sticker.

'Paris and Grenoble have started operating permanent schemes that apply to particular times during the week, while others such as Lyon and Lille currently only use emergency schemes  giving the cities power to ban vehicles when pollution is expected to reach a certain level.

'But we expect as time moves on that an increasing number of towns and cities will probably opt for permanent schemes.'

The picturesque city of Strasbourg (pictured) and popular holiday destination Bordeaux will also introduce the emission sticker scheme before the end of the year

Drivers need to fix their Crit'Air vignette to the windscreen of their car, van or motorcycle

The cleanest vehicles display a green sticker, the dirtiest that still qualify for the scheme a dark grey one. There's also a blue vignette for electric-vehicle owners

A Crit'Air sticker costs 4.80 - around 4.40 - and British motorists have to apply for one at the Certificat-air website, which the RAC described as a 'simple, if not particularly fast, process'.

Drivers should ensure they only apply via the official French government website (linked above) as a number of third-party scamming sites have been set up charging up to 30 for one of the emissions badges.

When applying for a Crit'Air sticker, a scan (or photo) of the car's registration form will need to be uploaded, and it will also be necessary to check the Euro emissions category of the vehicle.
Epic is for once the right word to describe the crisis unfolding at Provident Financial, which saw the doorstep lenders shares plunge in the biggest one day fall ever to have been registered by a FTSE 100 listed company.

Some of Britains biggest City shareholders including top investors Neil Woodford and Invesco, which between them own nearly half of the Bradford-based lender, got caught on the hop after the shares dived 66 per cent, wiping 1.7 billion from the companys value.

Thats a loss of 326 million for Woodford and 359 million for Invesco, and savers who invest in their funds will suffer too. Other investors fared rather better.

Epic is for once the right word to describe the crisis unfolding at Provident Financial, says Maggie Pagano

Hedge funds Lansdowne and AQR who short sold the stock some time ago are enjoying paper profits of more than around 130 million.

What did they see at the 127-year-old business that others did not? Two years ago Providents shares were changing hands at 35, making it worth 5.3 billion. Four months ago the shares were still 32 each and today they are 589p.

With hindsight, the red light was flashing in June when Peter Crook  the now departed chief executive  issued Providents first profit warning, claiming problems in the home credit collection business would slash consumer credit profits.

He admitted that a restructuring of the business had left Provident without enough sales agents to collect debts but that the new operating model would be up and running by July. Investors will be asking whether Crook gave as full a picture as he could.

By Tuesday, the picture had become crystal clear. The new collecting system and the software system behind it were a colossal disaster. The result: losses of between 80 million and 120 million and Julys interim dividend is to be scrapped saving 200 million.

Alarm bells: Peter Crook - the now departed chief executive - issued Providents first profit warning in June

If that was not enough to spook the market, chairman Manjit Wolstenholme revealed the Financial Conduct Authority is investigating one of its Repayment Option Plan products provided by its Vanquis Bank subsidiary. Vanquis suspended sales of this ROP more than a year ago but this is the first time the market was told.

Provident says the problems stem from switching its part-time army of 4,500 self-employed agents, who used to go door-to-door collecting payments, to full-time customer experience managers.

Using this expression alone should have sent out alarm bells. Anyone describing debt collectors as experience managers should have been shown the door.

But Crook said door-to-door agents were outdated, and he wanted debt collectors to be more like grocery delivery men, arranging to see customers through a booking system arranged through an app.

He got his comeuppance. Not enough people wanted to be full-time debt collectors, while the software system did not work either, and is still not functioning properly.

The question for Mrs Wolstenholme is whether this can be made to work, and in time to stop Providents capital base from being eroded.

The news that Eric Daniels, chief executive of Lloyds Bank, is suing the Black Horse is 'breathtaking in its arrogance', says Maggie

Theres another, potentially much bigger, problem. As part of the FCAs most recent review into soaring levels of consumer credit, the watchdog is investigating high-cost credit services, exactly the sort of loans that Provident provides. Many of their loans charge an astonishing APR. One loan for 100 charges an APR of 1,557 per cent.

This cannot be right on moral grounds. Most of its 2.5 million customers, many of whom do not qualify for standard bank loans and are categorised as sub- prime, are amongst the most vulnerable in society. They need protecting.

The FCA, which has had some success in controlling the more egregious payday lenders by setting a cap, is due to report back by spring next year. This inquiry needs speeding up and far tighter credit controls should be brought in.

Bonus for Daniels

The news that Eric Daniels, chief executive of Lloyds Bank, is suing the Black Horse for hundreds of thousands of pounds in unpaid bonuses is breathtaking in its arrogance.

Daniels, along with his former colleague, Truett Tate, have filed legal claims in the High Court relating to bonuses going back to 2012. They claim that despite hitting performance targets within the incentive scheme, parts of the bonus were not paid.

Daniels was in charge of Lloyds when it rescued HBOS  leading to its own emergency rescue  and also during the mis-selling of PPI payments.

Shareholders should be suing them instead for missing the performance they will have been hoping to see.
Shore Capital has hired Amber Wood from rival brokers Cenkos to be its new head of compliance.

A glance at Wood's LinkedIn account reveals she previously worked as a compliance officer for something call MSIL.

What's that? It stands for Madoff Securities International Ltd, and was famous Ponzi scheme fraudster Bernie Madoff's London business until his 2008 arrest.

Small wonder Amber prefers to keep it abbreviated.

Is Provident Financial chief Peter Crook regretting a 2011 interview in which he said he was 'smiling' after a bump in his company's share price caused short-selling hedge funds to lose 100million?

Fast forward six years, and Provident Financial's share collapse has bagged the short sellers 150million while Crook's out of a job. Porky Peter's not smiling now.

Female barristers at Southwark Crown Court, which handles the City of London's most serious financial crime trials, were this week granted access to the courthouse's all-male 'robing room', where lawyers change into their robes and wigs.

Up until now, women had to change into their ceremonial garb in a much pokier side room. Still, not all of them are celebrating.

Sarah Forshaw QC, a fiery blonde who often pops up on the BBC, comments: 'Without wishing to be ungrateful, I once saw an old male Silk in there strip to his vest and grey underpants. I'm happy in the small room.'

Oily US hedge fund wally Anthony Scaramucci, 53, whose comically short-lived period as media adviser to Donald Trump coincided with his wife Deidre high-tailing it from the marital home, gamely tweets a picture of a T-shirt emblazoned with the message: 'I was communications director for 10 days and all I got was this lousy shirt.'

A fellow Twitterer replies: 'And a divorce.' So unnecessary.

Ludicrous job title of the week goes to Vance Crowe, of agrochemical giant Monsanto, who answers to the title of 'director of millennial engagement'.

Aptly-named Crowe, 35, breezily describes his working day as 'hanging out online with different tribes.' Twerp alert!
I called out 24|7 Home Rescue under our insurance contract because our boiler was not firing up. I am a carer for my husband, who is seriously disabled, so we need the boiler to work.

The insurer told me that as the boiler is more than 11 years old, I would have to pay a 75 excess charge, though I can find no mention in our contract.

The engineer who came took photographs and said we would need two new parts. I received a call the following day to say it was not economically viable to repair the boiler.

One reader said she called out 24|7 Home Rescue under her insurance contract because her boiler was not firing up. She was then charged 245 for repair and is yet to be reimbursed

They said they could arrange for an engineer from the boiler company to repair it to the minimum standard, but this would cost a further 245.

I agreed  however, when the engineer called, he said there was nothing wrong, but that the jets needing cleaning. I have asked 24|7 to refund the additional 245, but it said there was no error on its part. Mrs S. B., Rutland, E. Mids.

24|7 Home Rescue says the external engineer it sent reported that components were required with a total cost of 399.28.

Due to the age of the boiler and the cost of the repair, 24|7s technical department declined the claim on the basis that it was beyond economical repair.

They suggested a specialist from the boiler manufacturer could carry out the repair. This service is offered outside the terms of the insurance agreement. However, it was arranged by 24|7 at a cost of 245.

Fired up: Another reader found herself in a pickle over her energy bills

The manufacturers engineer carried out work that was different to that suggested by the first engineer. 24|7 accepts that there is a difference of opinion between the diagnosis made by the first and second engineers.

Id go with the diagnosis of the specialist, rather than a third party who might have something to gain by racking up the bill. Incidentally, the manufacturers engineer did carry out work costing 210, 24|7 Home Rescue says.

The firm has queried the diagnosis from the first engineer, who stands by his assessment.

A spokesman says: We appreciate the distress caused. We have refunded 35, which is the difference between the quoted cost and the repair cost, and have reached out to offer 50 as a gesture of goodwill.

One other point: 24|7 Home Rescue says the 75 excess for a boiler of this age is in its terms and conditions. I checked and it is under the heading Excess Payments in Section 23 on page 11.

YOU HAVE YOUR SAY Every week, Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails about our stories. Here are some from our report on Gideon Roseman, a barrister who turned the tables on fraudsters by tracking down the 20,400 he lost in a banking scam Not only is my nursery not offering free hours, but it hasnt registered for the tax-free childcare scheme. That means I get nothing. Nurseries should be forced to sign up to give parents the vital support they need. R. S., Rickmansworth, Herts. My little boy is one, and I pay 650 a month for childcare so he can go three days a week. It is ruining me financially. Im 28, and my generation need both parents in work just to survive. A. G., West Midlands. I understand that childcare is expensive, but how many couples without children get tax perks? You shouldnt automatically get help just because you choose to have children. M. Y., Aberdeen. I can't stand it when parents scream for more help. They receive child benefit, tax credits and free school meals. Why should taxpayers fund childcare, too? If you want children, make sure you can afford them. O. D., Reading. This strikes me as another brilliant idea that fails as the Government doesnt have the expertise to carry it out properly. Politicians need to plan these initiatives carefully, because the effects can be devastating. E. B., Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Write to Tony Hazell at Ask Tony,Money Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or email asktony@dailymail.co.uk  please include your daytime phone number, postal address and a separate note addressed to the offending organisation giving them permission to talk to Tony Hazell. We regret we cannot reply to individual letters. Please do not send original documents as we cannot take responsibility for them. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail for answers given.

I moved into my current address on April 18 last year. First Utility had supplied gas and electricity at my previous home, so I requested that it take over at my new one.

The electricity switch went ahead, but there was a problem with the gas.

I am led to understand the national gas database had flats 1 and 2 wrongly assigned, so it would appear my neighbour had their supply incorrectly taken over. I told First Utility, which, after considerable delay, arranged for a test.

The engineer confirmed the correct meter details together with the readings. It seemed that First Utility had mistyped one of the meter number digits and assigned a number to my property that doesnt actually exist.

At this point, I was officially a customer of another supplier, which conducted its own test. The other company credited me 120 and admitted it should have corrected the database.

The Ombudsman has referred me back to First Utility  but I wish to sever ties with it.

I am often housebound due to a long-term back condition. I also have Asperger syndrome, which affects my ability to cope with life in general. I am reliant on support from third parties. R. X., Ramsgate, Kent.

My head was spinning by the time I finished your letter. The energy industry has made a right mess of supplying your property, which has disrupted both you and your neighbour.

I went to First Utility, as it was the firm to which you tried to move your new supply. Most importantly, it has sent abject apologies for the trials you suffered. A spokesman explains that there is an industry database which links all the properties in the UK to the gas and electricity meters. This is something you had already worked out.

As you said, the details of the gas meter for your new property were incorrect, which meant First Utility took over a different meter. Once this became clear, it ran the test you describe to determine which was the correct meter for your home, updated the database and brought the correct gas meter on to its supply.

I know you said you no longer wish to be with First Utility, but that is where you are right now. You could move, but now the issue is resolved, I suspect you may prefer to stay put.

First Utility has produced an up-to-date invoice and offered you 75 as a gesture of goodwill to apologise for your experience.
BHP Billiton plans to sell off its disastrous US shale oil and gas division  in a victory for activist investor Elliott which has been calling for a sale.

The Anglo-Australian miner announced the move as it returned to the black with profits of 5.2 billion, slashed debt by nearly 8 billion and tripled its final dividend to 43 U.S. cents per share.

The worlds largest miner has endured a months-long battle with Elliott, which has accused BHP of under-performing the sector and not paying out enough to shareholders.

BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser (left) speaking as BHP chief executive officer Andrew Mackenzie (right) listens during one of the company's annual general meetings in Perth

The group has admitted its foray into shale just before the oil price collapsed was a mistake and yesterday said it was actively pursuing options for exit.

Analysts value the shale business at up to 8.5 billion but it could fetch far less.

Chief executive Andrew Mackenzie said: We certainly have plenty of people interested in taking a look.
The City was awash with rumours that another wave of consolidation could be heading for the UKs gambling sector yesterday.

The FT reported that Isle of Man-based GVC Holdings, which owns Sportingbet and Foxy Bingo, recently tabled an offer of as much as 3.6 billion for Ladbrokes Coral, with the aim of creating one of the worlds largest gambling firms.

The two businesses previously entered talks towards the end of last year as Ladbrokes was merging with Coral, but the deal ultimately fell apart.

On the cards: The FT reported that Isle of Man-based GVC Holdings, which owns Sportingbet and Foxy Bingo, recently tabled an offer of as much as 3.6 billion for Ladbrokes Coral

The Mail understands the latest deal was spurned by Ladbrokes as a result of its concerns around GVCs large revenue base in Turkey, which is heading towards a large regulatory crackdown.

Despite their failure, some feel the talks have fired the starting gun for more tie-ups among UK gambling firms as the industry prepares for the governments upcoming  and potentially damning  sector review.

Last years wave of gambling mergers saw Ladbrokes and Coral agree a surprise 2 billion merger, while Paddy Power and Betfair joined to form a FTSE giant worth around 8 billion.

Ladbrokes Coral fell 0.2 per cent, or 0.2p, to 119.8p yesterday while GVC Holdings was down 0.1 per cent, or 0.5p, to 750.5p.

Travel group Hostelworld soared yesterday after a jump in mobile phone users and growing numbers of tourists flocking to Asia helped to push revenues 16 per cent higher

But the pairs peers advanced, with William Hill up 1.9 per cent, or 4.5p, to 244.5p, Paddy Power Betfair up 0.6 per cent, or 40p, to 7195p, and Playtech ahead 0.1 per cent, or 1p, to 989.5p.

Travel group Hostelworld soared yesterday after a jump in mobile phone users and growing numbers of tourists flocking to Asia helped to push revenues 16 per cent higher to 42.7 million in the first half of the year.

STOCK WATCH: Premier Oil Premier Oil rose after announcing it will sell its stake in Western Europes largest onshore oilfield for around 156.2 million to an un-named buyer. The sale of its stake in Wytch Farm in Dorset forms the latest step in Premiers attempts to pay down its 2.1bn debt pile. Premier said the transaction will likely require shareholder consent. It comes despite Premier increasing its stake in the massive field by 3.8 per cent to 33.8 per cent just last month. Shares rose 1.4 per cent, or 0.75p, to 55.5p.

The company, which features Charlie Sheen in its adverts, saw total bookings rise 11 per cent to 3.9 million over the period, with trips sorted by mobile phones now representing 50 per cent of all bookings, up from 43 per cent in H1 2016.

Revenues were especially strong in the Asia, Africa and Oceania regions, jumping to 8.7 million from 6.9 million. Shares rose 15.3 per cent, or 44.5p, to 335p.

The FTSE 100 rose 0.9 per cent, or 62.9, to 7381.7 despite a spectacular nosedive at sub-prime lender Provident Financial, following a second profit warning.

The distraction of Provident  whose shares plunged 66.2 per cent or 1155.5p to 589.5p  even allowed education publisher Pearson to sneak away unscathed from another damning sell note, this time from analysts at Berenberg.

Berenberg said it is currently very hard to tell whether Pearson will be able to successfully address problems in the US higher education market. The business, which has issued five profit warnings in four years, has struggled to compete against online competition and growing numbers of US students choosing to rent textbooks rather than buying them.

Although Pearson soared when it floated the idea of selling its US business, Berenberg said such cost-cutting measures will make it harder to hire talent. Regardless, shares rose 0.4 per cent, or 2.5p, to 621.5p.

Edinburgh-based Cairn Energy started generating revenue again in the first half of 2017 after Kraken, a large North Sea development which it owns a stake in, produced its first oil.

The oil and gas explorer made revenues of 8.4 million in the first half of the year, compared to no revenues in the same period the year before.

Turnover was also boosted by royalties paid to the firm from oil giant PetroChina in July, which arose from producing fields in Mongolia.

Cairn shares rose 3.6 per cent, or 6.3p, to 180.2p.
Prints by Reginald Gammon that explore aspects of African American life and history. Runs through 9/30.

Reginald Gammon (1921-2005), originally from Philadelphia, moved to New York City in 1951. He taught in the New York public schools and for 21 years at Western Michigan University. When he retired to New Mexico in 1992 he became active in the arts scene here. Gammon's paintings and prints often explore aspects of African American life and history. He was a member of the black artists' collective, Spiral, with Romare Bearden, Norman Lewis, Hale Woodruff and Emma Amos, among others. He was an avid jazz fan and saw many concerts in New York. Gammon made his own bold interpretations of such artists such as Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong and Lester Young performing. The expressiveness of his lines and color suggest the sounds and cadences of the performances represented on these silent sheets of paper. The juxtaposition of his sensuous nudes with the jazz portraits in this exhibition reflect the multisensory element of jazz syncopation. Gammon once said, "The human physiognomy is as great a landscape as you can find or as great a still life as you can find." These prints were created at New Grounds Print Workshop & Gallery in Albuquerque located just blocks from the Outpost. Gammon was a founding member of New Grounds in 1996. While in New York the artist had worked as a commercial artist, painter and printmaker. Known mainly as a painter, Gammon revived his interest in making prints when he moved to Albuquerque. In 2007-8 New Grounds Gallery and the Albuquerque Museum and the African American Performing Arts Center held exhibitions to honor Gammon and his legacy. In 1997 Gammon showed in the original Inpost Artspace Gallery at the old Outpost on Morningside Dr. Dr. Kymberly Pinder, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico has the curated this show on the 20th Anniversary of Gammon's last Inpost Artspace show. FREE!
Private equity tycoon Guy Hands faces tough demands on how he spends investors cash after his disastrous takeover of EMI

Private equity tycoon Guy Hands faces tough demands on how he spends investors cash after his disastrous takeover of EMI.

Terra Firma lost around 2 billion when it bought the record company at the start of the financial crisis.

Hands, the private equity groups founder, then attempted to sue his banker Citigroup for 1.5 billion over claims he was misled, but dropped the lawsuit last year because he could no longer remember some technical details of what happened.

The 57-year-old Oxford-educated art and wine buff is now asking investors for 2.7 billion for a new flagship fund.

He is said to have secured support from several institutions  but only on condition that no more than 15 per cent is invested in one business, and the cash is not put into multiple funds.

Described by one investor as an acquired taste, like marmite, Hands moved from Kent to Guernsey in 2009 to avoid tax.

The following year, he claimed not to have set foot in the UK since leaving.
Homeware and clothing retailer Laura Ashley, once popularised by Hollywood beauties such as Audrey Hepburn and Katharine Ross, posted a sharp fall in profits and said it will not pay a full-year dividend.

Having warned twice this year that profits would be materially below market expectations, the retailer today said pre-tax profits tumbled to 6.3million for the year to the 30 June, from 22.8million the year before  a 72 per cent decline.

That is considering that the previous reporting period ran over 74 weeks, instead of 52.

Fashion flop: Laura Ashley reported a 72 per cent slump in profits as shoppers shunned its clothes

Shares in the company fell by more than 2 per cent at the open and then recovered to trade 0.1 per cent lower at 8.7p.

Laura Ashley, which is more than 50 per cent owned by Malaysian Chinese businessman Khoo Kay Peng, blamed the sharp profit fall partly on the collapse of the pound following the Brexit vote.

It comes as Laura Ashley issued a profit warning earlier this month and one in February for the 2016 Christmas period.

Like-for-like sales fell 3.1 per cent, hit by challenging trading conditions and the closure of 22 concessions operated by Homebase during the period. Online sales did better, rising by 5.6 per cent on a like-for-line basis.

Falling profits: Laura Ashley said the impact of the lower pound contributed to the fall

Decorating sales fell 5.9 per cent and furniture sales by 7.2 per cent. Sales from home accessories, such as lighting and bed linen, increased by 1.3 per cent.

Chairman Khoo Kay Peng said: Trading conditions have been challenging for the year ended 30 June 2017.

The impact of weak sterling has also contributed to the overall fall in profit which the group has experienced.

Laura Ashley paid a 0.5p dividend at its half year but today said it would not pay a full-year dividend.
Decades of top-quality stock picking have led Neil Woodford to become one of the most well-known and highly respected fund managers in the UK.

But with Provident Financial this week becoming the latest disaster to hit Woodford's investments, is it now time to ask whether the golden boy has lost his Midas touch?

Indeed, over the last year, Woodford's popular Equity Income fund has lost 2.6 per cent of savers' money, which makes it the worst performing fund among all of its peers.

It is also the worst performing Equity Income fund over the last six months and three months.

Tough week: Star fund manager Neil Woodford lost 326m when shares in doorstep lender Provident  in which he owns a 19 per cent stake  plummeted 66 per cent

This has led some experts to worry whether Woodford bit off more than he could chew when he left Invesco to set up shop on his own in 2014.

The manager saw a whopping 326million slip through his fingers in just one day when shares in doorstep lender Provident  in which he owns a 19 per cent stake  plummeted 66 per cent.

The firm issued its second profit warning in two months, axed its dividend and announced the departure of chief executive Peter Crook.

Woodford staunchly defended the firm, shifting the blame back to the market, saying: 'I believe Provident Financial shares started the day undervalued, and have become even more so as a result of the market's reaction.'

He added: 'I am hugely disappointed by what has happened to the consumer credit division but I continue to believe that it will get back on track.'

Several of his investments have also gone south in recent months.

Last month, drug pioneer AstraZeneca  the biggest holding in Woodford's Equity Income fund  suffered its largest-ever one-day fall, plummeting by 15 per cent, which followed the failure of a highly-anticipated lung cancer drug trial called Mystic.

Inventions firm Allied Minds, in which Woodford is the largest shareholder with a 27.8 per cent stake  also suffered its largest ever one-day fall in April after cutting funding for seven subsidiaries.

The firm is down by 74 per cent so far this year.

This month shares in roadside assistance firm AA  13.1 per cent-backed by Woodford  tanked after its chief executive was sacked after an alleged bar brawl.

Imperial Brands is down 9.9 per cent this year after regulatory changes by the US health watchdog.

And on the same day as Provident fell, monitoring device maker Sphere Medical Holding  a smaller Woodford bet  fell more than 80 per cent after saying it could run out of cash by next month.

When assessing the performance of fund managers it is important to remember they usually invest for the long-term. Savers are usually advised to leave money in a fund for at least three years.

And despite acknowledging his funds could be rocked by market volatility in the coming months, this very much remains the message from the Woodford camp, which released a bullish update to investors earlier this week.

'Our long-term approach to investment management is encapsulated in a patient capital investment style,' Woodford said. 'We look beyond market volatility and focus on the long-term fundamentals of businesses.'

Although it may have had a shocker over the last year, the Woodford Equity Income fund has grown savers' cash by 27.6 per cent since opening in June 2014.

This compares to an average return of 24 per cent among his peers. However, the manager's Patient Capital trust has made just 3.1 per cent for investors over the last year, compared to its peers' average return of 15.8 per cent.

Since launching in April 2014, it has lost 3.2 per cent, while peers have made 20.8 per cent.

Ben Yearsley, director at Shore Financial Planning, said Woodford could be focusing too much on small companies.

He added: 'Maybe he should spend more time on the large cap stocks as it is these that have been causing all the recent problems.

'Prior to these recent falls in performance we had made the decision to reduce the exposure to the Woodford Equity Income fund.'

Darius McDermott, managing director at Chelsea Financial Services, said Woodford's preference for big investments puts him at greater risk of big losses.

He said: 'If you look at his top ten holdings he really takes large positions in the stocks he favours compared to other managers.

For example, he has 8 per cent in AstraZeneca. Woodford's approach is driven by the courage he has in his convictions.'

With Woodford launching a third fund  called the Income Focus fund  in April this year, Tom Becket, investment director at Psigma Investment Management, said some may feel he has attracted too much money and launched too many products.

However, Becket believes Woodford's extremely strong record  a saver who invested 10,000 with Woodford in 1988 would now have more than 300,000  means he could easily bounce back.

Woodford's eye for gems can still be seen. He is the largest investor in estate agent Purplebricks, which is up more than 300 per cent since December 2015.

According to Jason Hollands, managing director at Tilney Investment Management, Woodford is a victim of his own high profile, which towers above that of most UK fund managers.

'When he hits a bad patch, he is firmly in the limelight,' said Hollands.

'The truth is that even the very best fund managers will periodically go through periods of poor performance  legendary American investor Warren Buffett has had a few setbacks this year.'

Likewise, Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said Woodford has always been able to reward long-term investors despite rough patches throughout his career.

He said: 'People tend to focus on the poor performers because they make headlines, rather than looking at the portfolio as a whole.

'In the short term, luck can play a large role in the outperformance or underperformance of an active manager.

'But in the long term it is skill that shines through, and Neil Woodford has amply demonstrated that in a fund management career spanning 30 years.'
A Honda Civic on the production line at the company's plant in Swindon

CAR TALLY A total of 136,397 new cars rolled off British production lines last month  a 7.8 per cent rise on July last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

TESCO COMPENSATION Supermarket Tesco has opened its 85million compensation scheme for shareholders affected by its misleading trading statement in August 2014, which overstated expected half-yearly profits by more than 300million.

BHP DEPARTURE A former Shell executive, Malcolm Brinded, is standing down from the board of BHP due to his 'involvement in ongoing legal proceedings in Italy relating to his prior employment,' BHP said yesterday.

ZINC BOOST Profit at miner Vedanta Resources has risen to 606million, up from 411million the year before, boosted by higher zinc production, with renewed demand for the metal due to higher steel production in China.

REVENUE RISE Mining royalty fund Anglo Pacific Group saw a 295 per cent boost in first-half revenue, to 16.1million, up from 4.1million in 2016, boosted by higher commodity prices and the fall of the pound.

REVENUES HIT Profits have slumped 20 per cent at Independent News and Media, the Irish media group whose publications include the Irish Independent and Belfast Telegraph.

Profits for the six months ending June 30 fell from 17million to 13.7million, with revenues down 8 per cent to 136million.

SHELL START Production has started at a key Shell oil and gas project in Nigeria, which is expected to produce around 175,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2019.

PROFITS WOE Profits at plastic packaging manufacturer Robinson have slumped to 2,000 for the six months to the end of June, compared with 284,000 during the same period last year, partly due to a rise in resin costs.

RENTAL RISK Landlords are switching from long-term rentals to holiday lets because of a tax squeeze, the Residential Landlords Association claims.

It said there was a 75 per cent rise in the number of people advertising more than one property on the holiday website Airbnb in London.

It said this hurt tenants by creating a shortage of properties.
Whole Foods shareholders have given their backing to Amazon's 10.7bn all cash offer

Internet goliath Amazon is on the brink of a dramatic shake-up of the grocery market after shareholders waved through its 10.7billion take-over of Whole Foods.

The US supermarket chains investors gave their backing to the all-cash offer in a vote last night.

It paves the way for a merger which will give Amazon a bricks and mortar presence for the first time, as it looks to extend its domination to food as well as consumer goods and books.

The deal was unveiled in June, sending supermarket shares plummeting.

In Britain  where Whole Foods has just nine stores  1.5billion was wiped from the value of Tesco, Sainsburys and Marks & Spencer in a single day.

The deal is still waiting for approval from regulators, although insiders expect it to go through by the end of the year.

 US consumers will be able to buy Walmart products using Googles voice-activated assistant software from next month onwards.

Walmart also owns cut-price British grocer Asda, although the scheme is not yet being introduced in the UK.
A suspected car thief has fallen 160 feet to his death from a crane which he climbed to evade cops during a police pursuit.

James Llamas, 23, drove into the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday night during a police chase, then climbed to the top of a loading crane, stripped naked and dangled over the edges.

The man plunged to the ground and died in a hospital about three hours later from his injuries.

It's not clear whether he slipped or jumped deliberately, Los Angeles fire officials said.

James Llamas, 23, drove into the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday night during a police chase, then climbed to the top of a loading crane, stripped naked and dangled over the edges

Police in Los Angeles spotted the Subaru SUV reported stolen from a dealership in San Bernardino, and an hours-long chase ensued, the LAPD said.

Eric Nosser, a salesman at the Subaru dealership where the SUV was stolen, said he saw the man but steered clear.

'I let him be, because he seemed on edge,' Nosser told KNBC-TV. 'I figured he'd just kind of walk off and go about his business.'

Instead the man found an SUV with the keys in it, got inside and took off.

Several television stations broadcast the chase live, showing the vehicle swerving at high speed through freeway traffic in Los Angeles and Long Beach, sometimes crossing into oncoming lanes.

Llamas drove through a security gate and into a container terminal at the vast Port of Los Angeles property, circling back and forth under giant loading cranes and next to a docked ship before jumping out of the still-moving SUV and racing up the stairs of the crane.

Police waited below for him for hours, worried that if they approached he might slip or jump

He broke a window and climbed into the crane cab, then climbed out, walked to the end of the crane over water as darkness fell.

Port workers stopped working and watched the scene, some with binoculars.

Police waited below for him for hours, worried that if they approached he might slip or jump.

As news helicopters hovered above, he shed his Lakers jersey and shoes, then later took off the rest of his clothes. He dangled and nearly fell several times before eventually plunging to the ground.

'Our officers were nowhere near to close proximity of the suspect at the time that he fell,' Detective Meghan Aguilar said.

Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino said Thursday he's concerned with how easily the SUV was able to blow past the port's security gate.

Port spokeswoman Rachel Campbell said port police launched an investigation 'into all circumstances regarding Wednesday evening's incident, including the security breach at the container terminal.

'This thorough review, including protocols necessary to address improvements, will be completed as soon as possible.'
Advertisement

A 36-year-old piece of cake, a signed photo of John Travolta, resort keys and a used bar of soap.

These are items proudly owned by a 44-year-old Florida man who has been collecting memorabilia of Princess Diana for most of his life.

John Hoatson's home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is filled with more than 13,000 pieces of Princess Di-related memorabilia. In 2011, a museum valued his collection at $500,000.

Hoatson is the alumni director at Keiser University. Outside the school grounds, he devotes his time to Princess Diana.

Early on the morning of July 29, 1981, then-eight-year-old Hoatson was planted in front of the TV to watch Lady Diana marry Prince Charles.

His mother said it was something he needed to see 'for historical purposes.'

'I fell in love with Diana right then. She was the prettiest person in the world,' Hoatson told DailyMail.com. 'I followed her entire life. I loved her humanitarian work. I had a photo of her on my nightstand throughout college.'

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencers Wedding Day: Everything you need to know

Princess Dianas Wedding Gown: Details on the Dress of the Century

Charles and Dianas Wedding: Minute-by-minute Timeline of the Big Day

John Hoatson is pictured holding photo from private tea with Sarah, Duchess of York in 2005. The photo was given to the Duchess of York in 2006 to autograph

Hoatson's collection includes a piece of cake from the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. The box was signed by Dianas bridesmaids India Hicks and Clementine Hambro. Hambro was five years old at the time of the wedding

A framed photograph shows Diana dancing with John Travolta at the White House in 1985. Travolta signed the image

Princess Diana brought this bar of soap back from a trip to Barbuda in 1997. She gave it to her friend Simone Simmons, who gave it to Hoatson. The keys are from the suite where Diana stayed at the K Club

A spotlight illuminates a portrait of Diana in Hoatson's home. It sits atop a glass case filled with trinkets

Hoatson fell in love with Diana when he watched her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981

Diana is pictured the 1983 royal tour in Toronto, Canada. 'She was the prettiest person in the world,' Hoatson said

Hoatson went to England in 1996 and tried to see the Princess of Wales, but was 'always one step ahead of or behind her'.

She died the following year in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997.

'It was kind of like losing a family member,' he said. 'After the initial reports said she was injured I sat up all night long. When it came across that she had passed, I didn't believe it.'

'I drove to the local convenience store at four or five am and saw one of the earliest morning newspapers had the headline "Diana Dead". That's when it really hit me,' he said.

Hoatson doesn't see any merit in the conspiracy theories surrounding Diana's death.

'I think the hardest part was "how does the most famous woman in the world die in such an ordinary way?"' he said. 'That was the most shocking part.'

Following Diana's death, Hoatson decided to take his collection in a more personal direction.

He started by writing to people who knew Diana with the hope of gathering signatures, along with remembrances. The internet was just taking off, so he Google searched for various people in her life to track them down.

More often than not, people obliged his requests. To his surprise, many started sending other items.

Her friend and confidante Simone Simmons sent signed birthday cards, Diana's T-shirt and a notepad Diana got when she vacationed at the K Club in Barbuda in 1996.

She also gave him a bar of soap from that trip that Diana had washed her hands with.

Simmons and Hoatson still talk every day.

'It's been a labor of love. I've gotten to connect with so many people who knew her. The collection really shows the personal side of her,' he said.

Pictured above is a zipper from the dress Diana wore to the 1985 premiere of the film Back to the Future along with two sequins from another dress she wore

The box pictured above contains a piece of fruitcake from the royal wedding in 1981. John said he has never tasted the cake

Pictured above is a sketch of the famous 'revenge dress' that Diana wore after she and Prince Charles separated and he announced that he had committed adultery. Designer Christina Stambolian signed the sketch for Hoatson

Hoatson fell in love with Diana when he watched her wedding to Prince Charles as an eight-year-old

Henry Kissinger signed this photo of him and Princess Diana specifically for John Hoatson. It was taken at the Christies dress preview in 1997

Diana is pictured at a Christies dress auction preview in 1997 in New York with Lord Hindlip, the company's CEO and auctioneer that night. Hindlip signed the photograph for John Hoatson

The cards above contain specific instructions for guests at Lady Diana and Prince Charles's wedding in 1981

A floor plan of St. Paul's Cathedral in London shows where guests sat during Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding

Hoatson says the market for Diana items is busy because the 20th anniversary of her death is at the end of this month. However he thinks that people gifted items to him because they knew they could trust him with her legacy.

'People know I'm not going to sell any of it,' he said. 'That's not what this is about.'

Hoatson's favorite item is the slice of fruitcake from Diana and Charles's wedding. The box is signed by two of Diana's bridesmaids, India Hicks and Clemmie Hambro. He said it's probably the most expensive piece of the collection.

People often ask Hoatson if he's tried any of the cake, but he hasn't.

'It's 36-year-old fruitcake, and it looks really bad,' he said.

Hoatson also loves the letters and cards.

'She was a huge card writer,' he said. 'I have an engagement letter from right after she was engaged to Charles. It's signed "Lady Diana".'

The collection includes a Christmas card with a photo of Di and Prince Charles, signed by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip

This is the birthday card given to chauffeur Steve Davis from Diana and young Prince Harry

Pictured above is an engagement letter signed by Lady Diana Spencer on Buckingham Palace Stationary

Pictured in the top left is an invitation to a BBQ at Highgrove written in Dianas handwriting. This invitation was from Trevor Jacobs, a gardener at Highgrove House. In the top right is a handwritten thank you letter from the Lord Chamberlain to Delores Monreal for all of her help coordinating the Royal Wedding details. Bottom left is a special Christmas Card from the Prince and Princess of Wales

Hoatson doesn't have his eye on anything right now, but he is always looking for new items.

'As a collector you know whats out there that you would like to have. I look for the affordable things, and make sure what I do find is needed for the collection,' he said. 'As time goes on since her death it's going to get harder and harder to find things.'

'I always have to keep it in check. It's sometimes tough to remember that you have to live, too,' he added.

As his collection grows, he has had to start sticking photographs on the ceiling to make space in his home.

Hoatson said he couldn't possibly estimate the amount of money he's spent on the collection in the last 36 years. He did, however, say it was nowhere near $500,000.

'I've seen signed pictures of her, and people are asking $20,000, or cards are going for $8,000. I dont like people who are trying to cash in on her,' he said.

'Memorabilia should be affordable because thats what she would have wanted,' he said.

Hoatson estimates that a little less than half of the collection was gifted to him. The remaining items were bought on Ebay, at auctions, or just whenever he came across them.

The weirdest item in his collection, he said, is a knife with her picture on the blade. He found it in Tampa shortly after her death.

Hoatson said that when he ran out of space he started hanging photographs on his ceiling

This chair is part of a furniture collection made in the style of Dianas family home the Althorp estate. It was signed by her brother Charles Spencer when he visited Tampa, Florida to promote the furniture collection

The photo above was taken by Mario Testino. It hangs in Hoatson's living room next to other pieces of Diana memorabilia

He said that there was a drought in coverage of Diana in recent years, and he's happy that it has increased in 2017 because of the 20th anniversary of her death.

In 2010, Hoatson displayed his collection in a museum in Branson, Missouri, along with a few of her dresses. Unfortunately the location wasn't great, so the museum was closed after a year.

He currently has a few items on loan at an exhibit in Long Beach, California.

Hoatson said he has noticed a change in the younger generation.

'I was in a store and I told the cashier that I had a 13,000-piece collection of Princess Diana items and she said "Who's that?" Sometimes I forget that this generation didn't grow up with her the way I did.'

Hoatson attended the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.

He is excited that William, Kate, Harry, George and Charlotte are carrying on the royal legacy.

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencers Wedding Day: Everything you need to know

Princess Dianas Wedding Gown: Details on the Dress of the Century

Charles and Dianas Wedding: Minute-by-minute Timeline of the Big Day

Hoatson looks adoringly up at a tapestry of Diana, who is pictured at an armistice service in Paris in November 1988

Diana is photographed walking in a mine field. This photo was signed by Guy Willoughby, former CEO of the Halo Trust, who is barely visible in the left of the picture

Hoatson has several items from when Prince Charles and Princess Diana went on their world tour in 1983

A large wedding banner of young Diana and Charles hangs in John Hoatson's house in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

This is a presentation photo of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1992. Hoatson said it is sad to see the separation between the two of them in the photograph

Hoatson has been collecting Princess Diana memorabilia for 36 years

An invitation for the wedding breakfast following the main event on Wednesday, July 29, 1981, is pictured left. A table plan for the luncheon marked for guest Michael Pattison is pictured right

The card pictured is a personalized piece of the invitations to the royal wedding in 1981

Pictured above is a notice referring to the special telephone that was installed in St. Pauls Cathedral for the wedding. This notice once belonged to Delores Monreal, coordinator of the Royal Wedding

Pictured above is a menu booklet from Charles and Diana's honeymoon flight from London to Gibraltar. This was donated to the collection by one of the stewards on the flight

Pictured above is an invitation to the wedding reception on the night of Diana's wedding, addressed to Dolores Monreal
This is the Capitol Hill IT aide suspected of stealing congressional data - pictured at home for the first time since he was arrested on bank fraud charges at a Virginia airport while attempting to flee to Pakistan, in an exclusive DailyMail.com photo.

Imran Awan, the former computer administrator who worked for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and scores of other Democrats, is currently on bail.

He is under a high-intensity supervision program and must wear a monitoring device and stay within 50 miles of his house.

The 37-year-old was spotted looking relaxed in a casual white tee shirt and earbuds, after getting out of a blue Mitsubishi outside his home in northern Virginia.

Imran and his family members - including his wife, who is also indicted - ran IT for at least 60 Democrats in congress over the past decade and for the House Democratic Caucus, giving them access to emails and computer data from an estimated 800 lawmakers and staffers.

Now they are at the center of a probe into what happened to the data they had access to - and one of their relatives told DailyMail.com: 'For the sake of money they would have done anything.

'There are possibilities that [Imran] or them might have been selling this information to anybody who is not authorized to have them.'

Charged: Imran Awan was Debbie Wasserman Schultz's IT aide but now faces years in prison if found guilty of the four charges against her

Employer: Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who is no stranger to controversy, employed Imran Awan at the same time as her chairmanship of the DNC ended in catastrophe, with leaked emails revealing how she aided Hillary Clinton instead of being neutral. Awan had password access to her phone and iPad

Piles of cash: A police record left on display by Awan shows that he was carrying almost $10,000 in cash when he tried to flee to Pakistan. He had previously wired nearly $300,000 to the country. He was indicted on Thursday

The group was blocked from accessing the House computer network in February, after police began investigating them for potential data and equipment theft, including suspicions that they transferred data to an off-site server.

The investigation has many staffers questioning whether their secrets could have been compromised by the group or even given to outside sources.

Imran was arrested on mortgage fraud charges by the FBI on July 24, while trying to board a flight to Pakistan at Dulles International Airport with just under $10,000 in cash. He had previously wired nearly $300,000 to the country. He was indicted on Thursday.

Imran is now living at the house with his brother, Abid Awan, and sister-in-law Natalia Sova, who also worked as IT aides for congress. They are also under investigation for unauthorized activities on the House network.

Abid, 33, declined to comment on the investigation or his brother's arrest when asked by DailyMail.com.

He is also facing claims from a relative that he told her he had tapped her phone.

Imran, a naturalized citizen who was born in Faisalabad and raised in the U.S., started working as a computer administrator on Capitol Hill in 2005 after getting hired by Reps. Robert Wexler and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

He later helped his wife Hina Alvi; his brothers Abid and Jamal; his friend Rao Abbas; and Abid's wife Natalia Sova all get IT jobs for members of congress.

It was a lucrative enterprise: public records show that between 2009 and 2017 the Awans took home a total of over $4 million from taxpayers.

They also had access to emails and computer files from Democratic members of Congress and their staffers, including three members of the House Intelligence Committee and five members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

That all ended in February, when Capitol Hill Police opened an investigation into the potential theft of data and banned Imran and his family members from accessing the House network.

Most Democrats terminated the IT workers, but Wasserman Schultz continued to keep Awan and his wife on her payroll for unspecified tasks.

Over the years, Wasserman Schultz has shown an unusual loyalty toward Imran, according to sources on Capitol Hill.

With her support, Imran and his family were hired by over 60 Democratic offices and the House Democratic Caucus, the committee that oversees the party's congressional leadership.

Fired: Abid Awan and his wife Natalia Sova were also working for Dems but were fired as the investigation emerged

Links: Imran Awan used his social media account to boast of his access to top Democratic figures - and worked for Debbie Wasserman Schultz at a time when she ran the party's National Committee. It was hacked, allegedly by Russians, producing devastating leaked emails

Imran also had exclusive password access to the iPhone and iPad used by Wasserman Schultz last May while she was running the Democratic National Committee, according to internal emails.

Thousands of these private DNC emails were published by Wikileaks last summer. The DNC and U.S. intelligence agencies believe the emails were stolen by Russian hackers, but Wikileaks claims it received them from an inside leaker.

Wasserman Schultz kept Imran on her payroll after he came under investigation and was barred from accessing the House IT network, only letting him go after his arrest on bank fraud charges in July.

Imran's wife, Hina Alvi, already absconded to Pakistan in March with the couple's young children and over $12,000 in cash.

The congresswoman has defended her decision to keep Imran on her staff. She said the Capitol Hill Police computer probe appeared to be motivated by racism against Imran, who is Muslim.

'When their investigation was reviewed with me, I was presented with no evidence of anything that [the Awans] were being investigated for,' Wasserman Schultz told the Sun Sentinel. 'And so that in me gave me great concern that [Imran's] due process rights were being violated. That there were racial and ethnic profiling concerns that I had.'

Capitol Hill Police turned down repeated requests to respond to the racial profiling allegations, or to comment on the investigation. They said the probe is ongoing.

Others who know the Awans disagreed that religion or ethnicity played a role in the investigation.

'They are not being picked up because they are Muslims. They are being picked up because they did something wrong,' said Syed Ahmed, who is related to them through their stepmother.

She accused her stepsons of domestic abuse earlier this year.

'There are possibilities that [Imran] or them might have been selling this information to anybody who is not authorized to have them. For the sake of money they would have done anything,' he added.

'They were not living an honest life. They were living like they were gangsters.'

Ahmed said Imran would often travel to Pakistan to tend to his father's business interests, and would boast about his ties to Pakistani officials and getting an around-the-clock police escort while visiting Faisalabad.

'He would tell [officials] in Pakistan that he had big connections back in the U.S. and he can do a lot of good for them,' said Ahmed. 'The [Pakistani] police were escorting him, providing him protection.'

The Awans' stepmother, Samina Gilani, told DailyMail.com that Imran and Abid forcibly imprisoned her in her own home in Virginia earlier this year.

She claimed they blocked her from speaking to or visiting her terminally ill husband at Reston Hospital Center for two weeks before his death on Jan. 16.

During this time, she said the Awans pressured their father into giving them his $50,000 life insurance policy.

She also claims her stepsons monitored her private conversations to keep tabs on her.

'I felt like I was a prisoner,' said Gilani, speaking in Urdu to the DailyMail.com.

'They told me they were bugging my telephone calls and had recorded me talking around the house with secret recorders.

'I didn't have a cell phone and I wasn't allowed one. I had to use the landline and I was always scared about what they might do.'

Gilani, who is from Pakistan and does not speak English, called the police on Jan. 5 to report that her 'step children were denying her access to her husband.'

After police arrived at her home, Abid showed up and 'was obviously upset with the situation,' according to the police report.

'He statedSamina is causing more stress upon him and the family,' said the report. 'He refused to disclose his father's location. I was further advised that her husband did not want contact with her at this time but was scheduled to return to the house within a week.'

Her husband died at Reston Hospital Center eleven days later. Gilani said her stepsons never allowed her to see him.

She also said Imran and Abid threatened to harm her relatives in Pakistan if she called the police again.

'Imran Awan threatened that he is very powerful and if I ever call the police again Mr. Shahid Imran Awan will do harm to me and my family members back in Pakistan and one of my cousins here in Baltimore,' said Gilani, in a statement she filed on Feb. 9 with her late husband's life insurance company.

Bail conditions: Imran Awan is living with his brother Abid after being charged by the grand jury. An investigation into what possible data theft is continuing

Previous home: Imran Awan and his wife had lived in this house until she fled to Pakistan with cash. It is this address they are accused of having used for the alleged bank fraud both are indicted on

'Imran Awan threatened that he has power to kidnap my family members back in Pakistan,' she added. 'Imran Awan did admit to me that my phone is tapped and there are devices installed in the house to listen to all my conversations.'

While employed in congress, Imran and Abid also ran a used car dealership called Cars International A, which they did not list in their financial disclosure reports.

The company was mired in financial problems, and faced lawsuits from car customers who claimed they were sold duds.

Business associates at the dealership described Imran's younger brother Abid  who worked for Reps. Gregory Meeks and Ron Barber  as a flashy dresser who always seemed to have money and would drop thousands of dollars at DC nightclubs.

'When he would go to DC, [Abid] would spend $3,000 or $4,000 a night,' said Ajmad Khan, a former business partner. 'Abid would say, I work for the government, I don't care. I have a $120,000 job and my wife is working, my brother's working, this one's working, that one's working.'

Abid married a blonde Russian-speaking woman named Natalia Sova, who another former business partner described as 'a good looking young Russian girl.'

Who they worked for: Robert Wexler (left) hired Awan in 2005. He held Florida's 19th district from 1997 to 2010. Among the Democrats he and his family also came to provide IT services for were Gregory Meeks, who has represented New York's 5th district since 1998.

Also on their books: The Awans provided IT services to Democratic Congressmen including (from left) Ron Barber (Arizona's 8th, then 2nd district, 2012-2015); Ted Deutch (has held Florida's 22nd 19th, then 22nd district, from 2010); and Emmanuel Cleaver (has held 5th district of Missouri since 2005)

Sova later obtained IT jobs working for Reps. Ted Deutch, Emanuel Cleaver, and other members.

Associates said Cars International A was mismanaged and faced serious money troubles. By 2012, the brothers decided to accept an outside loan of $100,000 from a man named Dr. Ali al-Attar, a Virginia doctor and Iraqi political figure.

The doctor was born in Iraq to Iranian parents, had been educated in Beirut, and was revealed in 2013 to have been a significant figure in the lobbying by expatriate Iraqis for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein which led to the Iraq War.

By 2012, he had in fact fled the United States after being suspended from practicing medicine and charged with tax fraud. At the time, the federal government was also suing al-Attar to recover over $800,000 in fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid billing.

Al-Attar's $100,000 loan to the Awan brothers was arranged through a third party investor, Nasir Khattak.

But the car dealership continued to lose money and the Awan brothers ended up defaulting on the loan. Abid also filed for bankruptcy in 2012, claiming over $1 million in debts. Financial records show he earned a six-figure salary from congress that year.

Another business partner at the dealership said Abid rarely seemed to go into work on the Hill and spent most of his time working on the car business.

'[Abid] would just go in [to the Hill] a couple times a week for a couple of hours, just to show his face. In paper I think [Abid and Imran] were both working, but in reality only one was working the other was running the [car] business,' said the former business partner.

The car dealership wasn't their only side-business. Imran also moonlighted as a real estate agent, acting as a broker in at least four home sales since 2011, according to the real estate tracking website HomeLight.com.

Watchdog groups said the fact that the Awans did not disclose these outside jobs in their financial disclosure reports raises questions about whether they were hiding other sources of money.

'When there are such extensive and longstanding violations of disclosure laws, it usually means there is an attempt to cover up underlying criminality or improper activity,' said Tom Anderson, the director of the Government Integrity Project at the National Legal and Policy Center.

Imran and his wife Hina Alvi were indicted on four charges related to mortgage fraud on Thursday.

They were charged with making false statements on a loan application, unlawful monetary transactions, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.

Hina Alvi has been in Pakistan with the couple's children since March, and federal authorities said they do not expect her to return to the United States.

The FBI said Imran and his wife made false statements to obtain a $165,000 home equity loan from the congressional credit union in January.

Days after receiving the loan, they wired nearly $300,000 to two individuals in Pakistan, according to the FBI affidavit.

Imran initially told the credit union that the purpose of the wire transfer was 'funeral arrangements.' When told this was not a valid reason, he allegedly said the money was for 'buying property.'
Madeleine McCann, three, vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal in May 2007

The parents of Madeleine McCann are urging supporters to help stop trolls who continue to plague them with vile web abuse which they say is 'so awful and upsetting.'

Kate and Gerry, who face fresh agony as the police hunt into their daughter's disappearance is set to be shelved next month, have approved a set of rules to help curb the online haters.

The couple told recently how they still try to shield their 12-year-old old twins from cruel, false and libellous taunts being made against the family, which Kate describes as 'shocking, striking and quite hard to get your head round.'

Now the McCanns, whose daughter was snatched from a Portuguese holiday resort 10 and a quarter years ago, are pleading with well wishers not to post anything to encourage tormentors.

It comes as a Government launches a crackdown on online abusers. The Crown Prosecution Service has revised its guidelines and is now pressing for the growing trend in cyberspace hate to be treated as seriously as face to face abuse.

Kate and Gerry are backing a new 'Rules of the Road' on the official Find Madeleine Campaign website which promotes positive, helpful comments and is now trying to ban trolling.

The digital co-ordinator, a friend of the couple who runs the Facebook page on their behalf, states: 'Please do not feed trolls. Trolls feed on havoc and causing chaos. If we do not feed them they will starve for attention and hopefully spread their hate someplace else.'

Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann (pictured), have vowed to never give up searching for their daughter

The Find Maddie website has been targeted by trolls criticising the couple for leaving their daughter alone

MADDIE PARENTS' AGONY AT BEING TAUNTED BY TROLLS Madeleine McCann's parents are targeted by 150 vile tweets every day, according to research into online abuse. The cruel remarks, directed at Kate and Gerry, were found to be made mostly by women. Psychologist Dr John Synott, who carried out the first study of its kind and revealed his finding in March, said: 'Most trolling behaviour has a lifespan of a couple of days. 'This has gone on for ten years, and you cannot see it ever ending. That is the legacy of the McCann case. 'In the physical world there are repercussions. You couldn't get away with saying these things in the street. But in the virtual world there are no consequences.' He estimated there were between 100 and 150 abusive comments directed on Twitter, Facebook and online McCann message boards daily.. Much of the abuse blames the couple for being responsible for her their daughter's disappearance. Dr Synott called for action to be taken against the trolls, including taking away pseudonyms that allowed people to make abusive comments anonymously. Advertisement

And is bold red type the un-named web controller warns: 'Please don't post your opinion on leaving children alone. Doing so will result in you being banned. No questions asked.'

Three-year-old Maddie vanished from a Praia da Luz in May 2007. She had been left alone sleeping with her younger siblings while her parents were dining with pals in a nearby tapas restaurant.

In a TV interview to mark the milestone decade anniversary in May Kate told how the abuse has been 'shocking,' adding: 'Why would someone in a position of ignorance write that, add to someone's upset? It is so awful and upsetting and it becomes more of a talking point.'

Kate, 49, a former GP who has taken up a new medical post, told BBC presenter Fiona Bruce they have 'tried to educate Sean and Amelie a little bit because it's not just us that has fallen victim to the downside of social media.'

Although she and Gerry try avoid to social media, apart from for the Maddie campaign, Kate said: 'We are aware of things that get said because people alert us to them. Our worry is for our children.'

Heart doctor Gerry, 49, added: 'We have told them that people are writing things that are simply just untrue and they need to be aware of that. People just need to think twice before what they write.'

Among rules on their campaign page are: 'Do not use obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or excessively violent language.

'Do not harass, insult, taunt, provoke, demean or personally attack other people on the page. Be friendly even if others are not.

'Do not ask questions about the investigation.'

The web page, which is endorsed by Kate and Gerry from Rothley, Leicestershire, states: 'We ultimately have the say on content and tone. We do not ban on a whim.'

Kate McCann described the tenth anniversary of her daughter's disappearance as a 'horrible marker of time, stolen time'. Pictured: Kate and Gerry McCann with an image of Madeleine as she would look now

A heartbreaking image of Maddie in a pumpkin costume released by the official Madeleine McCann campaign

amily in any way will be banned. This is not a place for you to post your negative opinions about the McCann family.

'We are not a debate page, nor a place to analyse the investigation. This is a support and information page for Madeleine's family and the Official Find Madeleine Campaign.'

It adds: 'A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for supporting Gerry, Kate, Sean, Amelie and most of all Madeleine. Let's get her home!'

Maddie's parents have just six weeks left of guaranteed funding for British detectives to find their daughter. They are anxiously waiting to find out if Operation Grange, the 12million inquiry into her disappearance, will be extended with a new cash boost in October.

Scotland Yard announced two months ago their 'investigation is continuing with focus and determination' but as yet no new significant clues have been unearthed.

As time could be running out for police to solve the case, the family still cling onto a glimmer of hope that Maddie could be found alive. She would now be aged 14.

Met Police have Home Office funding in place until the end of September to try and crack the world's biggest ever child disappearances.

They must submit an application if they need further money during the second half the current financial year which will then be considered but not guaranteed by a Special Grants committee.

The British police inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance has cost 11million, since it was launched in May 2011. Pictured, UK detectives at the scene in Praia da Luz, Portugal

Officers were given an extra 85,000 in April to extend Operation Grange to cover six months amid speculation detectives were closing in on a suspect.

A Scotland Yard force spokesman told MailOnline: 'Funding is in place until the end of September. Any details about future funding will be released when appropriate.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The level of funding provided is a reflection of the wide-ranging and complex nature of the investigation which the police have deemed necessary to undertake.

'Any further requests from the Metropolitan Police Service will be considered. The resources required are reviewed regularly and as with all Special Grant applications careful consideration is given before any new funding is allocated.'

Maddie's parents are said to be 'buoyed up' and 'extremely grateful' by the Met's continuing efforts to find their daughter. In their latest anniversary message to mark 'a decade of pain' they said: 'Thankfully there is an active police investigation to try and find Madeleine and bring her abductor to justice.'
The US State Department has warned tourists against visiting two of Mexico's most popular resorts following a surge of violence in the area.

It issued an advisory saying 'turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas' which include Cancun and Los Cabos.

It officially upgraded the warnings for the states of Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur, where innocent bystanders have been killed in shootings.

The US State Department has warned tourists against visiting two of Mexico's most popular resorts following a surge of violence in the area. Pictured: Armed soldiers patrolling Cancun

Both areas have seen a spike in deaths having largely been untouched by gang violence for years, according to the LA Times.

But in January, five people were killed in a Playa del Carmen nightclub while gun battles in Cancun are believed to be common.

Meanwhile three were shot dead at the entrance to a heavily packed beach in Los Cabos last month.

The travel warnings have also been extended to the Gulf coast state of Veracruz and the southern state of Chiapas, which were previously fine to travel to.

The department warned 'US government personnel' not to use public transport in Chiapas and urged them to stay in tourist areas.

The warnings for Baja California Sur state were changed to reflect violence occurring throughout the state, which includes the resorts of Los Cabos. The previous advisory had mostly mentioned the capital La Paz.

It officially upgraded the warnings for the states of Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur, where innocent bystanders have been killed in shooting. Pictured: Armed soldiers patrolling a beach in Acapulco, on Mexico's Pacific coast

The department also extended a total ban on personal travel by US government personnel to the violence-wracked state of Guerrero.

The warning could harm Mexico's tourist industry which makes up around seven per cent of its GDP, raking in around $20-billion-a-year.

'This is a very bad news for Mexico,' said Rafael Fernandez de Castro, director for the Center for US-Mexican studies at UC San Diego.

He told the LA times how Mexico's had already economy stagnated after Donald Trump's threats to scrap their free trade agreement and build a wall along their border.
AUBURN  Five candidates remain for the Cayuga County administrator position following a review process of more than 60 applicants from "all over the world," said Andrew Dennison, county legislator for District 2.

Dennison gave a hiring update to the county Legislature Tuesday night, spurring a debate on how the body should move forward with the final interviews.

The county has been without an administrator  a position that oversees county departments and agencies, among many other important functions  for about five months following the resignation of Suzanne Sinclair. In that time the body has updated the position's job description and a local law establishing the administrator.

Dennison, who was part of a search committee interviewing candidates and reviewing resumes for about the last two months, said five people will come before the full body for interviews.

"We didn't always agree," he said of the hiring committee. "But, we agreed to disagree, and we came up with five really good candidates."

Though the interview process can be done in executive session, some legislators appeared to want more involvement from the public. Legislators were asked to sign a confidentiality agreement stipulating that they could not reveal information about the candidates, and they could not discuss the process for hiring. A copy of the confidentiality agreement was not readily available to The Citizen Tuesday night.

Cayuga County Attorney Fred Westphal said the main reason for the agreement was to protect the privacy of the candidates.

"What happened in the county once before is some legislators got ahead of the curve during an interview process," Westphal said. "They reached out to the employer and that caused the individual to be fired from their employment, and we do not want that to happen in this situation."

Legislator Tucker Whitman said he didn't have an issue with keeping the candidates' identities secret, but he did have issue with keeping some of the process for hiring secret. Legislator Joe Bennett was unclear why counsel felt legislators needed to sign an agreement at all. Legislators Tim Lattimore and Ryan Foley also expressed concerns. Legislature Vice Chair Ben Vitale deferred questions to Human Resources Administrator Mike Russell and the county attorney's office for after the meeting.

Foley said he was concerned that if members of the body did not sign the confidentiality agreement, Russell had told them they would not be privy to the candidates' resumes.

"That's basically what it does, it restricts our ability to do our job up here if we don't sign this document here tonight, and that's where this is an issue," Foley said.

Dennison said constituents don't need to know the names of the five candidates, where they're from or how many children they have.

"We got five people," he said. "We're going to interview them. Eventually, we're going to have one. We're not recreating the wheel here, and it seems like we're trying to and making it square."

Russell added that perhaps if legislators cannot decide on a single candidate following the closed interview process that a third step could be to bring the public into the conversation.

In the meantime, legislators are expected to meet with the five candidates at the beginning of September for interviews.

In other news:

 The county honored two individuals Tuesday night for their role in saving a man who almost drowned on Cayuga Lake this summer. Navigational Deputy Sheriff Daniel Emmi and Navigational Assistant Kevin Gauthier assisted a man after his kayak capsized, entangling him in his anchor and about 50 pounds of lake weeds. Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould called the two heroes, and said the man would have died had they not been there.

Gauthier said it was a great honor to be recognized, especially considering law enforcement and emergency responders save people every day.
Chilling footage of an entire campsite disappearing into a giant freak campsite at one of Australia's most popular locations has been revealed.

Aired on Tuesday's episode of Network Seven's Towies, the frightening images showed Clayton's Towing employee, Spoony, and his wife Mel come head to head with nature at Queensland's Inskip Point.

Parts of the ground began falling away in the middle of the night and the couple were forced to battle to retrieve their caravan, car and camper trailer.

The chaotic clips show the ground at the iconic campsite sucking in entire vehicles and caravans while campers frantically try to save them.

'It was, grab what you can and get out,' Spoony recalled.

'What I saw was just big walls of sand falling into the water, and it was just getting bigger and bigger.'

Shocking footage showed Clayton's Towing employee, Spoony and his wife Mel's (pictured above) campsite being rapidly swallowed by a sinkhole at Queensland's Inskip Point in 2015

More than 140 campers were evacuated from the area before a massive 150 metre wide crater was revealed in the morning

'It was like a scene from a Hollywood movie the way I look back on it, you probably couldn't set it up that well.'

'We managed to just get out in the end, and literally when I got my van out in the end and my car, the whole sand gave way, so we were pretty lucky to get away.'

More than 140 campers were evacuated from the area that night, before a massive 150 metre wide crater was revealed in the morning.

Campers scrambled to save their belongings when a freak sinkhole threatened take everything

The video shows a camper desperately tugging at the bull bar of the front of a 4WD as he tries to save it from being sucked into the ground.

Trees came crashing to the ground as cries for help echoed through the campsite.

Campers scrambled to save their belongings but some were forced to watch as their camper trailers and caravans disappeared into the water.
A trio of drag queens who rushed to the aid of a Sydney man during an alleged homophobic attack said the assailants were shocked and scared when they came face-to-face with the unlikely heroes.

Ivan Flinn, originally from New Zealand, was on a night out in Darlinghurst on Oxford Street's infamous gay strip when he claims he was targeted by a group of rowdy people.

Mr Flinn, 34, said the group called him a series of homophobic slurs before he was savagely coward punched - dislocating his jaw - and shoved to the ground.

'There were heaps of homophobic slurs, 'you fu***** fa****, you queer c**,' I heard fa**** so many times,' Mr Flinn told Daily Mail Australia.

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Three drag queens who rushed to the aid of a Sydney man during an alleged homophobic attack said the assailants were shocked when they came face-to-face with the trio of unlikely heroes (from left to right is Vybe, Ivy League and Coco Jumbo)

Sydney man Ivan Flinn said he was savagely coward punched in an alleged homophobic attack while on a night out in Darlinghurst on Oxford Street's infamous gay strip

Ivy League (right) and her performing colleagues Coco Jumbo (left) and Vybe (centre) had just treated themselves to a kebab following work when they witnessed the altercation

Drag queens Ivy League, Coco Jumbo and Vybe told Sunrise on Wednesday they had just treated themselves to a kebab following work when all hell broke loose.

'I noticed this rowdy group of people coming into the kebabs shop and screaming all kinds of insane things that should not be said on our street,' Ivy said.

The trio were quick to offer a lending hand and fought off Mr Flinn's attackers, ruining a wig, clothing and their nails in the process.

'Oh Honey, they were scared, they did not know what was going to hit them  and we didn't even know that we we're going to hit them,' Coco laughed as she told Sunrise hosts Sam Armytage and David Koch.

When asked what the attackers' faces looked like when the drag queens stepped in, Coco mimicked their 'terrified' expression.

'Bless them,' she said.

'Oh Honey, they were scared, they did not know what was going to hit them  and we didn't even know that we we're going to hit them,' Coco laughed (pictured right)

The trio are performer's in Darlinghurst. Ivy (centre) was injured during the altercation but has since healed

'When I noticed the drag queens, all I could think of was 'thank God,'' Mr Flinn (pictured) said

Mr Flinn said he was stunned when he saw his dolled up knights in shining armour came to the rescue.

'After the punch I was stunned but the next thing I knew Ivy went in and was scrapping with the guy who punched me. They're in the middle of the road, cars swerving around them, tooting, and I saw the guy rip her wig off,' he said.

'I really thought I was going to die, I was praying for a hero and I got three angels.

'When I noticed the drag queens, all I could think of was 'thank God,'' he added.

At the time, Ivy told The Advertiser she 'said, you want to pick on little guys, you'll need to fight the big freak. I'm a man underneath all of this, so let's go.'

'Like Destiny's Child they strutted in and saved me. Punches were flying. Hair was flicking. Nails were breaking. I was stunned on footpath, thankful drag queens exist,' Mr Finn later wrote online.

As a thanks for their support, IT project manager Mr Flinn (pictured) took it upon himself to set up a Go Fund Me page to help recuperate some money for the trio's damaged outfits

Coco, whose real name is Luke Waqa, claims to have flung one man into the gutter after he saw Ivy in a spot of bother.

Ivy claims to have been enraged after overhearing the homophobic slurs and witnessing the alleged unprovoked attack on Mr Flinn.

And the alias' two companions also waded in to support as one revealed a sporting history allowed for an air of confidence when approaching the attackers.

'I don't think they knew what they were getting themselves into. I used to play rugby league. Plus I have an older brother,' Coco said.

Vybe and her two companions were left to save the day after the alleged coward punch

Ivy claims to have been enraged after overhearing the homophobic slurs and witnessing the alleged unprovoked attack on Mr Flinn

Coco revealed a sporting history allowed for an air of confidence when approaching the attackers

Oxford Street is one of Sydney's most vibrant streets and has a range of nightspots along its long stretch from Bondi Junction to the CBD

The three dancers claim their presence scared the 'burly men' off as their fighting skills left little to be desired.

Ivy claims to have suffered minor injuries but has since recovered.

However, the performer's wigs, outfits and nails were damaged during the altercation.

'The most important thing is that Ivans ok and that this doesnt happen again,' Vybe told Sunrise

As a thanks for their support, IT project manager Mr Flinn took it upon himself to set up a Go Fund Me page to help recuperate some money for the trio's damaged outfits.

The page was an instant success and has since raised over $1,000 dollars from dozens of donations.

A NSW police spokesperson has confirmed they are investigating the incident and said homophobic attacks are taken very seriously.

'The police came just in the nick of time really, they came just to clean up the mess at the end,' Ivy joked on Wednesday.

'We love a man in uniform.'
A Muslim-convert preacher from Queensland claims it is sexual harassment to make him shake hands with a woman.

Sharia law supporter Sheikh Zainadine Johnson used the Arabic term for sin to describe the idea of making physical contact with a female who isn't his wife.

'I don't shake hands with women and believe it to be haram however some women insist,' the former rock band guitarist said on Facebook.

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Muslim Sheikh Zainadine Johnson likened shaking hands with a woman to sexual harassment

Queensland Muslim convert preacher says it is sinful for a man to shake hands with a woman

Sheikh Zainadine Johnson says shaking hands with a woman is like being touched on the bum

'Isn't that sexual harassment? I mean really I feel sexually harassed when they try to force me.'

The red-headed Sunni imam, a Sunshine Coast-bred surfer previously known as Zean Johnson, went further and likened shaking hands with a woman to being touched on the bottom.

'I'm talking about someone who insists and basically forces us to shake,' he said.

'It's my body and I should have the right to decide who can touch and who can't.

'You see it as innocent however there are many men who feel a whack on the bum is innocent . And that is classed as sexual harassment.'

The Sharia law-supporting sheikh engaging in a social media sword fight over shaking hands

Sarah Halls suggested Sheikh Zainadine Johnson needed help for his stance on shaking hands

Sheikh Johnson's comments were too much for some on social media, with one woman describing his sentiments as disturbed.

'You are turning shaking hands - an interaction of friendliness and trust - into something perverse. I think you might need counselling,' she said.

'Seriously? Do you touch and shake men's hands? Sexual harassment?'

However, Sheikh Zaindine, a 44-year-old former bass guitarist with Brisbane rock ban Grinder, urged her to 'please respect differences'.

Sheikh Zainadine Johnson compared shaking hands with a woman to a whack on the bottom

The Muslim convert, who is now an imam at Logan south of Brisbane, lives by Sharia law and last year likened it to Christianity's Ten Commandments.

Secular Muslims reject the Islamic legal system which discriminates against women.

Islamic Council of Queensland spokesman Ali Kadri, who shakes hands with women, defended Sheikh Johnson.

'I am not a bad Muslim for shaking hands on occasion and neither are you an extremist for not shaking hands,' he said.

Sheikh Johnson's comments were made on Ali Kadri's Facebook page, under a Tuesday post arguing religiously-conservative Muslims weren't necessarily extremists.

Islamic Council of Queensland spokesman Ali Kadri said it was OK for men not to shake hands
Sales of burgers have slumped by a quarter amid a lack of barbecue weather and a switch to veggie alternatives.

The fall was equivalent to a reduction of 8million in sales over the 12 weeks to August 13 compared to a year ago.

The figures relate to sales through supermarkets, which have been pushing vegetable alternatives, including burgers made with beetroot, quinoa and mushrooms.

Sales of burgers have slumped by a quarter amid a lack of barbecue weather and a switch to veggie alternatives

The fall fits into a wider trend away from eating red meat with over one third of evening meals now meat free.

Some 28per cent of Britons say they have cut back on meat consumption over the past six months, according to a study by retail analysts Mintel.

As many as one in five under the age of 25 say they do not eat red meat or poultry, rising to one in four women in this age group.

The main reasons given are concerns for health, the environment and animal welfare.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel said: Supermarkets have expanded their barbecue ranges to include products like marinated meats, pre-made kebabs, posh sausages and fish.'

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, believes poor weather was the main reason for the fall in burger sales.

Sales of burgers slumped by 25per cent  an 8 million loss year on year  as rain dampened the nations appetite for barbecues, he said.

Although generally were seeing falling meat consumption  over a third of all evening meals are now meat free  the dip in burger sales over the past month is a result of the poor weather we have experienced. That said, patties are now facing tougher competition on the shelves.

Supermarkets have expanded their barbecue ranges to include products like marinated meats, pre-made kebabs, posh sausages and fish. Were seeing consumers more likely to try new things, putting old favourites under pressure.

Supermarkets and restaurants are trying to turn around the slump with promotions and events linked to National Burger Day tomorrow.

Bizarrely, McDonalds has signed a partnership with celebrity designer Julien Macdonald to promote the nationwide roll-out of its thick gourmet Signature Collection burgers.

The man who has dressed Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian, will now dress the fast food chains burgers.

He has been asked to design the boxes for the upmarket burgers, which are intended to see off the threat posed by the likes of Byron and Gourmet Burger Kitchen - and are much cheaper at 4.89 each.

The designer boxes will be in a limited run of 1,000 and only available at a series of McDonalds showcase events.

One special box, embellished by the designer himself, will be unveiled today (wed) at the chains Leicester Square restaurant and then auctioned for charity.

He said: I drew inspiration from my fashion creations and iconic embellished red carpet dresses. This was translated into a gold baroque crystal encrusted box.

Emily Somers, a vice president at McDonalds, described the packaging initiative as brave and exciting.

She said: To partner with such an iconic designer as Julien Macdonald is fantastic. Juliens limited edition box is a great way to mark our nationwide launch of The Signature Collection.
Police have released images of 10 potential witnesses to an incident in which officers shot dead an armed man.

Strike Force Derowrie is investigating the shooting of 30-year-old Danukul Mokmool at Sydney's Central Station on July 26.

Investigators hope to identify and speak to the witnesses depicted in the photographs and are urging people with information to come forward.

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Police have released images of 10 witnesses (two pictured) to an incident in which officers shot dead an armed man

Strike Force Derowrie is investigating the shooting of 30-year-old Danukul Mokmool at Sydney's Central Station on July 26 (pictured is a witness sought by police)

Investigators hope to identify and speak to the witnesses (pictured is one witness) depicted in the photographs and are urging people with information to come forward

Police wish to speak to this witness (pictured) who may have seen the shooting of Danukul Mokmool

The CCTV pictures are of 10 people (two pictured) police believe may have seen the incident or filmed it on their mobile phones

Police are appealing for anyone who recognises the people in the images (pictured) to contact police, and anyone with video footage of the incident to upload it to Crimestoppers

The CCTV pictures are of 10 people police believe may have seen the incident or filmed it on their mobile phones.

A critical incident team from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad is conducting the investigation as part of the strike force.

Police are appealing for anyone who recognises the people in the images to contact police, and anyone with video footage of the incident to upload it to Crimestoppers.

Crimestoppers can be contacted on 1800 333 000 and video can be uploaded on the online reporting page at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Mr Mokmool is seen inside the florist (left) before he appears to run towards on officer (right) and is shot dead just moments later

Mr Mokmool threatened and cut a florist with a glass bottle and armed himself with scissors.

He was then shot as he charged towards officers who had arrived on the scene after reports of an armed robbery.

NSW Police said 'the investigation will be subject to independent review and all information will be provided to the Coroner'.

Mr Mokmool (pictured) was shot as he charged towards officers who had arrived on the scene after reports of an armed robbery
Toby Robyns, 52, (pictured) was arrested at Milas-Bodrum Airport after he found 13 coins which are 'historical treasures'

A British tourist is facing up to three years in a Turkish jail after he picked up some ancient coins while snorkelling in the sea.

Toby Robyns, 52, was arrested at Milas-Bodrum Airport as he and his family prepared to fly home from their holiday.

He was stopped when security staff deemed that 13 old coins in his hand luggage were 'historical treasures'.

The father-of-five could now face a three-year jail sentence after he was held on suspicion of 'finding Turkish artefacts without notifying authorities'.

The ambulance driver from Southwick, West Sussex, is understood to have picked up the coins while snorkelling during a two-week break in Turgutreis. James Stoneham, a friend of the family, said Mr Robyns had been 'dragged' off a flight.

'He found a number of coins among the rocks and sand,' Mr Stoneham told The Sun. 'When he went to get his flight home they dragged him off and searched his hand luggage.'

The next day, Mr Robyns reportedly appeared in court, where he was remanded in custody until a decision can be made on whether he will be charged.

But as Turkey has a judicial holiday this month, the process could take between four and six weeks.

It is understood that Mr Robyns is being held at Milas Prison, a compound that holds about 70 inmates and has guards stationed at the front gate and on the roof of the building.

His wife Heidi, 43, a doctor's receptionist, and their two sons Baxter, nine, and Brodie, seven, have since flown home. They are said to be 'distraught' about what has happened. Mr Stoneham added: 'They are accusing him of taking Turkish artefacts which he was obviously unaware of.

He was diving when he stumbled across the 13 coins and was later stopped at Bodrum airport

The ambulance driver was snorkelling off the Turkish coast (pictured) when he found the coins

'It was a huge shock for everybody. This was harmless fun on a holiday you've enjoyed  and now he has been put in prison.'

Mr Robyns found the coins four miles from Yassi Ada island, off the coast of Bodrum, where there are said to be around 25 shipwrecks dating from between the 4th and 16th centuries.

It is possible that a recent 5.3-magnitude earthquake in the region may have shifted the coins closer to the shore.

A family member, who asked not to be named, said: 'Toby is always snorkelling. It's his hobby. He's definitely not a smuggler and that's what I think they are trying to say.

'They are making a mountain out of a molehill  I thought he would get a slap on his wrists, they would confiscate the coins and send him on his way.'

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are assisting a British man following his arrest in Bodrum, and remain in contact with his family and the Turkish authorities.'

It is understood that Toby is being held at Milas Prison (pictured), a compound which holds about 70 inmates
Four cowboys have been cleared of charges of conspiracy to form a self-styled militia to support Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy who was involved in an armed stand-off with federal agents in 2014.

A federal jury acquitted Ricky Lovelien and Steven Stewart of all ten charges while they returned not guilty verdicts on most counts against Scott Drexler and Eric Parker.

All four men were photographed carrying assault rifles during the armed stand-off.

Eric Parker, kisses his wife Andrea after he was cleared of most charges in connection with an armed standoff with federal prosecutors at Cliven Bundy's ranch in Nevada in 2014

Parker his co-accused including Scott Drexler, pictured hugging Cliven Bundy's sister Margaret Houston, were released from federal custody following yesterday's verdict

Andrea Parker and Carol Bundy pose for a selfie outside the Las Vegas federal courthouse

All four men were retried after an earlier hearing failed to return a verdict. Now federal prosecutors must decided whether to retry Drexler and Parker for a third time.

The four men had been held in federal custody since their arrest early in 2016. Drexler and Parker were photographed outside the court later.

Supporters of the four defendants broke into applause after Chief U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro ordered Lovelien and Stewart freed immediately.

She will decide today whether Parker and Drexler should remain jailed pending a government decision whether to seek a third trial.

Montana resident John Lamb who supports the four men spent almost five weeks in the Las Vegas court room. Speaking outside, he said: 'Random people off the streets, these jurors, they told the government again that we're not going to put up with tyranny.'

Bundy family matriach Carol Bundy said: 'They've been tried twice and found not guilty. We the people are not guilty.'

More than 30 supporters broke into applause after a jury found two of the accused not guilty and failed to return verdicts on two others who face a possible third trial on the charges

Parker, pictured, was tried a second time after the first jury failed to return a verdict in April. He still faces a possible retrial on accusations he assaulted a federal officer and two related counts of use of a firearm, while Drexler also faces similar charges for a third time

A first trial earlier this year lasted two months and ended in April with a different jury finding two defendants - Gregory Burleson of Phoenix and Todd Engel of Idaho - guilty of some charges but failing to reach verdicts against Drexler, Parker, Lovelien and Stewart.

Prosecutors characterized the six as the least culpable of 19 co-defendants arrested in early 2016 and charged in the case, including Bundy family members. With the release of Lovelien and Stewart, 17 are still in federal custody.

The current jury deliberated four full days after more than 20 days of testimony. The six men and six women returned no verdicts on four charges against Parker - assault on a federal officer, threatening a federal officer and two related counts of use of a firearm - and also hung on charges of assault on a federal officer and brandishing a firearm against Drexler. Navarro declared a mistrial on those counts.

Supporters of the four men have called for the remaining charges against Drexler and Parker to be dropped although federal prosecutors will decide on a possible third trial later this week

None of the defendants was found guilty of a key conspiracy charge alleging that they plotted with Bundy family members to form a self-styled militia and prevent the lawful enforcement of multiple court orders to remove Bundy cattle from arid desert rangeland in what is now the Gold Butte National Monument.

Bundy stopped paying grazing fees decades ago, saying he refused to recognize federal authority over public land where he said his family grazed cattle since the early 1900s. The dispute has roots a nearly half-century fight over public lands in Nevada and the West, where the federal government controls vast expanses of land.

Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre declined immediate comment on the verdicts. He said he'd make a determination later whether to seek a third trial for Parker and Drexler.

Stewart became emotional and reached for tissues as the jury findings were read. He and Lovelien were later taken with their lawyers, Richard Tanasi and Shawn Perez, to be processed by U.S. marshals for release.

Stewart, 38, lives in Hailey, Idaho. Lovelien, 54, is from Westville, Oklahoma, but he led a militia group called Montana State Defense Force.

Scott Drexler, left and Steve Stewart kept an armed guard on a bridge near the Bundy ranch

Eric Parker from Idaho brandished his assault rifle during the armed stand off in April 2014

Scott Drexler also openly carried his assault rifle during the armed stand off in 2014

All four men were photographed carrying assault-style weapons during the standoff near the Nevada town of Bunkerville, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Each had faced the possibility of decades in federal prison if they were convicted.

Jurors saw images of Parker and Drexler in prone shooting positions looking down their rifles through slots in the concrete barrier of an Interstate 15 freeway overpass toward heavily armed federal agents guarding a corral of cows below.

Defense attorneys noted that no shots were fired and no one was injured. They cast the tense standoff with more than 100 men, women and children in the potential crossfire as an ultimately peaceful protest involving people upset about aggressive tactics used by federal land managers against Bundy family members.

Drexler, 46, is from Challis, Idaho, and Parker, 34, is from Hailey, Idaho.

Parker's attorney, Jess Marchese, said he hoped Myhre will dismiss the two charges remaining against his client.

Drexler's attorney, Todd Leventhal, referred to defense teams' complaints that Navarro set such strict rules of evidence that defendants weren't able to tell why they traveled to the Bundy ranch.

The judge rejected testimony from five prospective defense witnesses, and Drexler and Parker were the only defendants to testify in their defense. However, the judge struck Parker's testimony for what she said was a deliberate failure to keep his testimony within her rules.

All four defense attorneys declined on August 15 to make closing arguments, a gesture of standing mute that Leventhal said may have had an effect on the jury.

He said: 'As much as we were shut down from bringing anything up, the jury saw through it.'
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Homelessness among women veterans is expected to increase at greater rates as more women in the military reintegrate into their communities following their military service, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

While women currently make up eight percent of the total veteran population and 14.6% of the active duty military, those figures are expected to increase to an estimated 16% by 2035.

In light of these trends, the number of homeless women veterans has doubled from 1,380 in 2006 to 3,328 in 2010.

Now a new photo essay offers an unvarnished glimpse into the lives of those women who served in the armed forces only to find themselves without a roof over their head in their post-military lives.

US Air Force veteran Lurae Horse was a 19-year-old B-29 bomber mechanic when she was raped by an anonymous member of her squadron

She never reported the brutal sexual assault. 'I just pulled up my pants and went back to work,' she said

Homeless, she shelters in a corner of a friend's dining room in Paramount, California

Homeless veteran Darlene Matthews has been living in her car for over two years while she waits for a housing voucher from the Department of Veterans Affairs

She joined the US Army in 1976 and was sent to Fort McLellan, Alabama. She is seen above near her car in Costa Mesa, California

'I was going to join this all women's army and there would be no sexual problems, but I joined and there were sexual problems,' she said

Alishaa Dell, 25, spent five years in the US Navy. Homeless, she lives off a disability check from the VA and has been couch surfing with friends until she wears out her welcome

Even after her discharge from the Navy, she is not ready to discuss her experience as a victim of sexual assault

'I'm treating all the problems that come with Military Sexual Trauma without talking about the MST. I'm treating the symptoms and repercussions,' she said

They tell horrific stories of sexual assault at the hands of their male comrades and superiors as well as the subsequent post-traumatic stress that impairs their personal lives and economic well-being.

The images and stories were brought to the public consciousness by award-winning photographer Mary F. Calvert.

Calvert has used her lens to 'affect meaningful social change and is known for producing work on gender based, human rights issues,' according to her website.

Lurae Horse served in the United States Air Force as a mechanic who worked on the B-29 bomber.

According to Horse, she was raped by an anonymous member of her squadron. Afterward, she declined to file an official complaint.

'I just pulled up my pants and went back to work,' she said.

Another female veteran, Alishaa Dell, is also homeless after spending five years in the Navy.

Former US Marine Sarah Jenkins, high on drugs and on the street, accepts a bag of food and water from the National Veterans Foundation outreach van

Jenkins says she has a place to stay in Anaheim, California

Melissa A. Ramon clutches her US Air Force uniform under the watchful eyes of her dog Princess

Ramon spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen

Ramon walks past a man waiting to sell drugs outside her room at a motel she calls 'The Jungle' in Pomona, California

Ramon and her son, Sam, rest at her grandmother's grave after his eighth grade graduation ceremony in Pomona

While Ramon gets ready to to go to the VA, her US Air Force uniform hangs in the closet of her room in 'The Jungle'

Ramon's predicament is particularly difficult given that she is not only suffering from the aftereffects of her trauma but is also a single mother

Ramon is on a cocktail of pills prescribed by her doctors at the VA to treat the symptoms of her condition

Ramon is seen above with her son while he holds what appears to be a gun. She has sought help from the VA and several veteran NGOs

Ramon recites the Pledge of Allegiance with other veterans at the 4th Annual Heroes in the Shadows, San Gabriel Valley Veterans Stand Down. The purpose of a stand-down is to offer a safe retreat for homeless veterans

Ramon is seen above cheering for Sam during his 8th grade graduation ceremony

In preparation for the graduation ceremony, Ramon attempts to tie a knot in Sam's tie

'I am worth so much f***ing more than what I got paid to do in the military,' she said. 'I got tired of getting sand kicked in my eyes for doing what I was supposed to do.'

Dell has refused to discuss details of her falling victim to sexual assault.

Sarah Jenkins completed her military service in the US Marine Corps. She, too, is a survivor of Military Sexual Trauma, whereby soldiers are victimized in the armed forces while on active duty.

Jenkins has succumbed to the grip of drug addiction. She lives on the street and relies on food handouts from the National Veterans Foundation.

Women who fall victim to sexual assault in the armed forces may find themselves marginalized after coming forward to complain.

Paula Anderson, who enlisted in the US Army, once told her superiors that she was drugged and raped by a fellow soldier.

Sandra Sherman, 51, left, salutes the color guard at the Goodwill Industries Los Angeles stand-down, an event for local homeless veterans that gives them access to medical and housing services

Sherman had only been in the US Army for a few weeks when she was drugged and raped at a party that she attended with her female buddies from basic training. She never reported the assault to her command

Homeless women veterans sleep in women's tents at the San Diego Veteran's Village Stand Down. 'It was well known if you reported rape you would be killed or chaptered out with a less than honorable discharge,' Sherman said. 'To this day if I have a male supervisor, I am apprehensive, nervous and afraid'

Debra Filter has been homeless for 10 years despite having a Master's Degree. Having enlisted in the US Army in 1978, she says she and other female friends in her unit were raped at a graduation party. She was given an honorable discharge after symptoms of post-traumatic stress forced her to cut short a planned career in the military

Liz Luras competed in the Ms. Veteran America pageant and used the opportunity to share her story with the other contestants. She is seen above in Leesburg, Virginia

Luras was raped three times during her military career and received a personality disorder discharge

She has struggled with the ramifications of her discharge and has found it difficult to find a job and has had stints of homelessness

Glendy Golden, 58, enlisted in the US Army to escape a sexually abusive home life. She said the Army 'was a way out'. She was sexually assaulted several times during her 18 month military career and when she told her chaplain about it, he simply sent her to medical where she says, they tied her down and beat her

US Army veteran Wilma M. Herndon watches TV in her room at the Mary Walker House for homeless women veterans in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. She was married to another soldier who beat and sexually assaulted her

At the conclusion of the San Diego homeless veterans stand down sponsored by Veterans Village of San Diego, Paula Anderson (left) and Patricia Butts (right) carry their belongings in the pouring rain with the help of an unidentified man on the far left

Butts was a young US Army soldier stationed in Ft. Devens, Massachuetts, when she witnessed a steady campaign of rape within her unit. At night a sergeant or a lieutenant would come in and take a woman to the bathroom. 'You could hear them struggling and screaming and they would come back crying,' she said

When Karen Scott joined the US Army in 1985, she was a lithe, slender and attractive young woman who attended and finished flight school and had a bright future in telecommunications and arial observation

Instead, she became a target for sexual assault and over the next seven years was raped several times and endured a steady campaign of innuendoes, threats, harassment and sexual badgering. She is seen above in Long Beach, California

The Army subsequently decided to redeploy Anderson to Korea. Another homeless veteran, Darlene Matthews, has been living in her car for more than two years while she waits for the Department of Veterans Affairs to extend her a housing voucher.

Matthews, who enlisted in the US Army in 1976, says that her time spent at Fort McLellan, Alabama was a harrowing one.

'I was going to join this all women's army and there would be no sexual problems, but I joined and there were sexual problems,' she said.
A notorious French politician facing trial and prison with his British-born wife over an embezzlement scandal has landed a big money finance job.

Francois Fillon, the 63-year-old former conservative prime minister, is accused of stealing the equivalent of more than 750,000 from taxpayers by falsely claiming Penelope Fillon, 62, was his parliamentary assistant.

The so-called Penelopegate affair destroyed Fillon's hopes of becoming President of France in May, and both he and his wife have been charged with a number of corruption offences.

But this has not stopped Tikehau Capital, the asset management and investment company which has offices in the City of London, from hiring Fillon.

Francois Fillon is accused of stealing the equivalent of more than 750,000 from taxpayers by falsely claiming his wife Penelope (pictured together) was his parliamentary assistant

From early September, he will be helping the French company manage some 9billion-worth of assets.

'Former Prime Minister Francois Fillon will join the company as a partner on September 1st 2017, bringing the number of partners to 30,' reads a Tikehau Capital statement.

'His international experience' and 'knowledge of French and European economic problems are major assets to assist the development of the management and investment company,' the statement adds.

The company did not comment on the on-going criminal process against Fillon and his wife.

Fillon was widely pilloried during his presidential campaign, during which he was beaten by both the current President, Emmanuel Macron, and far-Right National Front leader, Marine Le Pen.

It was the first time that a candidate representing the so-called Gaullist conservatives - who are now known as the Republicans - failed to reach the second round of the presidential election.

Both Fillons had appeared on camera denying that Penelope Fillon ever worked as a parliamentary assistant, before official records showed she had been helping herself to a salary for decades.

The couple then changed the facts, saying that Penelope Fillon had worked 'discreetly' in the background, and fully deserved the money.

This is despite her never once getting a security badge for the French parliament, or even signing up for an official email account.

In media interviews, the Welsh-born solicitor's daughter always projected herself as a housewife who preferred looking after her five children on their country estate close to Solesmes, in the Sarthe department of France.

Fillon was beaten by both the current President, Emmanuel Macron (pictured), and far-Right National Front leader, Marine Le Pen

The couple are devout Roman Catholics who met while Ms Fillon was teaching English in Le Mans in the 1970s.

Ms Fillon is also accused of pretending to be a literary consultant to a magazine owned by a billionaire friend of her husband's.

Despite doing next to no work, she was able to draw a sizeable monthly salary, which prosecutors suggest was used to simply transfer unearned money into the family accounts.

Two of their children - Charles and Marie - at one stage faced charges after Fillon also made them his assistants in the French Senate - but their legal status is now 'assisted witness'

The Fillons deny all charges, and insist that nobody can prove that they did anything wrong.

Despite this, Fillon has apologised for putting family members on his payroll, conceding that many were rightly enraged.

President Macron has already introduced legislation aimed at preventing this kind of abuse, saying the Paris political establishment has been on the gravy train for far too long.
Princess Dianas sister said she remained haunted by questions over her death  including her uncharacteristic failure to wear a seatbelt.

Lady Sarah McCorquodale, 62, said her youngest sister was religious about wearing seatbelts and questioned why she would have failed to do so on her fateful last car journey through Paris.

Neither Diana nor her companion Dodi Fayed, nor their chauffeur Henri Paul were wearing seatbelts when their car smashed into a pillar in an underpass in Paris and all three were killed.

Lady Sarah told the BBC documentary Diana, 7 Days: She was religious in putting on her seatbelt. Why didnt she put it on that night? Ill never know.

Lady Sarah McCorquodale, pictured centre at the Paris hospital where sister Diana died with her other sister Lady Jane Fellowes, left, and Prince Charles, right, said the Princess of Wales was 'religious' about wearing a seatbelt and does not understand why she wasn't on the night she died

Lady Sarah said Diana would always wear a seatbelt, pictured, and is 'haunted' by unanswered questions about the crash

Dianas bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, who wore a seatbelt, survived with serious injuries.

A 2008 inquest found the failure to wear a seatbelt had contributed to Dianas death, although it identified Henri Pauls driving as the main cause.

Dianas oldest sister told of her torment at hearing news broadcasters reporting official statements that Diana was injured but expected to recover, when her family knew she had died.

Initial reports from the crash said Diana was badly injured and in hospital, and her death was confirmed almost four hours later.

Lady Sarah said: There was a period of two hours and I was talking obviously to other members of my family and learned that she hadnt made it.

And for these two hours the presenters on every news channel were saying injured but expected to make a full recovery. And I have no idea why but it made me so angry.

Dianas brother Earl Spencer said he had initially believed the car accident was a minor bump.

He was in South Africa but said his sister Lady Jane Fellowes had then called to say it was more serious.

Diana, centre, was in the back seat when the Mercedes she was travelling in crashed. Also pictured are bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, left, who survived, and driver Henri Paul, right, who was also killed

Earl Spencer was still talking to his sister when her husband, Lord Robert Fellowes, was told Diana had died. At the time Lord Fellowes was a private secretary to the Queen.

Earl Spencer said: My sister Jane called again and said it was looking quite serious, really quite serious.

She was on one line to me but because of her husbands job as the Queens private secretary I could hear him on another line and I heard him go, Oh no, and then Jane said: Im afraid thats it.

The BBC documentary also features candid interviews with William and Harry and is the third television special one or both of the princes have spoken about their mother's death on in recent months.

Meanwhile there have been another three major documentaries covering Diana's death in the past few weeks that they were not involved in.
Charities have accused the makers of 13 Reasons Why, which charts the suicide of teen Hannah Baker, of 'romanticising' the act

The Netflix teen drama 13 Reasons Why has been linked it to a jump in Google searches about suicide.

The series centred on a 17-year-old girl who kills herself, and leaves a series of cassette tapes addressed to her classmates telling them about the part they played in her decision.

Charities have already accused Netflix of romanticising suicide, and warned that the US video streaming service could end up with blood on its hands because of the programme.

And now mental health scientists have uncovered new evidence that will only reinforce those fears.

Dr Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, said that Google searches for suicide rose after 13 Reasons Why was released  a potential indication that more people were thinking about killing themselves.

He said it was impossible to say whether the people searching for suicide went on to harm themselves, but drew parallels with a German television programme which aired in the 1980s.

That show, Death of a Student, showed a 19-year-old man taking his own life on a railway. Some 62 young men and boys killed themselves in the same way in the 70 days after the series aired  nearly double the usual rate.

Although we cannot infer causality from this study, the identified associations are consistent with a potential Werther effect, which describes media-induced self-harm, Mr Niederkrotenthaler said.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, he and his colleagues have now called for a crackdown on the way that film and television companies show suicide on screen.

Production companies should undergo training about how to deal with suicide, and try and include more discussion about prevention in their storylines, he said.

Programmes should also be reviewed and tested by independent experts before being released, and must be rigorously monitored by agencies, he added.

The 13-part series, released in March, was rated 18 by the British Board of Film Classification. However, younger viewers are easily able to access the series by ticking a box confirming that they are old enough.

Dr Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, warned the show has caused a spike in Google searches for suicide and could prompt needless deaths

What is more, the high school setting of 13 Reasons Why makes it feel like other teen dramas targeted at children. Critics have compared it to Gossip Girl, 90s-classic My So Called Life and Pretty Little Liars.

Even Netflix admits in its blurb: After a teenage girls perplexing suicide, a classmate receives a series of tapes that unravel the mystery of her tragic choice.

The teenager at the heart of the drama, Hannah Baker, sets her reasons for suicide out piece by piece, giving the drama the feel of a whodunit.

Over the course of tapes she offers a litany of ordinary teenage problems, such as feeling left out, falling out with friends, being objectified by boys in her class, and branded a slut for getting physically involved with the wrong person.

Critics of the series have been unsparing in their condemnation.

Stephen Habgood, chairman of youth suicide charity Papyrus, said when the show was first released: It is irresponsible of Netflix to put this out.

Those who are vulnerable will be attracted to [suicide] if you glamourise it and make it seem like it will get you attention.

The problem is, if suicide is portrayed in this kind of way, I think it will attract attention from young girls who are vulnerable.

Reed Hastings, chief executive of the video streaming company, has admitted that the series is incredibly controversial but said in February that he was willing to pay that price for a show that would change the way people think.

The streaming giant has now commissioned a second series, following the programmes success.

Yesterday, Netflix defended its decision to air the programme and insisted that it has had a positive impact.

A spokesman said: Weve heard from our members that 13 Reasons Why has opened up a dialogue among parents, teens, schools and mental health advocates around the intense themes and difficult topics depicted in the show.

We knew the material covered sensitive topics, as the book did when it was published in 2007, and we worked with mental health experts to show how these issues impact teens in real and dramatic ways.

It added that Netflix subscribers can use parental controls to restrict access to certain programmes, and that it offers an after show, Beyond the Reasons that examines some of the controversial topics in more detail.
Nigel Garrett admitted crimes under the federal hate-crimes statue to magistrates

A gang used Grindr to meet gay men so they could assault them and rob them, a court has heard.

Two of the four men, Nigel Garrett and Cameron Ajiduah, admitted crimes under the federal hate-crimes statue to magistrates in Plano, Texas, on Tuesday.

Garrett, 21, and Agiduah, 18, said that they, along with Anthony Shelton, 19, and Chancler Encalade, 20, used the dating website to meet gay men and then assault and rob them.

After being invited into the victims' homes they would bind the men with tape and physically assault them.

The victims were also taunted about their sexuality before their homes were robbed, magistrates heard.

According to the indictment, they used at least one firearm during the crimes.

The men could be sentenced to up to life in prison and fined up to $250,000. Shelton and Encalade still await trial.

Garrett, 21, and Agiduah (left), 18, said that they, along with Anthony Shelton, 19, and Chancler Encalade (right), 20, used the dating website to meet gay men in the victims' homes

'The Justice Department will not tolerate hate crimes against any individual based on sexual orientation,' said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore.

'Hate crimes are violent crimes, but also attack the fundamental principles of the United States.

'The Justice Department will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute hate crimes.'
Mahmoud Hrouk, 16, was brutally raped and murdered in 2015 - but his mother, Maha Dunia, says she wants people to remember him for who he was, not how he died

Household items turned into weapons were some of the final pieces of the puzzle when it came to the murder of a 16-year-old Sydney boy.

A bloodied Breville toaster was found in the abandoned house where Mahmoud Hrouk was murdered on May 16, 2015.

It was covered in the teenagers blood, but inside was the DNA of his killer, Aymen Terkmani.

Also found in the home on Belmore Street in Fairfield East was Mahmoud's partially naked and beaten body, The Daily Telegraph reported.

With the help of this evidence, a jury convicted Terkmani, 24, of the teenager's rape and murder at the NSW Supreme Court on Monday afternoon.

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Pictured: The toaster covered in Mahmoud's blood which was used by Aymen Terkmani to bash him to death

Mahmoud's mother said she felt 'numb' as the guilty verdict was read out, and described it as a 'shocking moment'.

After the trial concluded, she told the Telegraph she would not comment on her son's killer, positively or negatively.

'Honestly I don't want to say anything about [Aymen Terkmani],' Maha Dunia said.

'He didn't show any emotion during the trial and I'm not going to show him anything. Let him think whatever he wants.'

Ms Dunia said she wanted her 16-year-old son to be remembered for who he was, and not how he died.

'Everyone that knew him, knew he had a big heart  he cared a lot about everyone, he didn't like to see anyone crying I love him so much,' she said.

'I love him so much': Maha Dunia (pictured outside NSW Supreme Court) says she was 'numb' when her sons killer was convicted of his crime, and will never reveal her true feelings to Aymen Terkmani, who was convicted of killing her son

It comes as newly released footage shows the convicted killer visiting Fairfield Police Station on May 16, 2015, just hours before he sexually assaulted and killed 16-year-old Mahmoud Hrouk.

The video, obtained by 9News, shows the now 24-year-old dressed in a white t-shirt and sunglasses as he attended the station around 4pm for bail conditions related to a prior drugs charge.

On Monday, a NSW Supreme Court jury found Terkmani guilty of sexually assaulting and murdering Mahmoud at an unoccupied Fairfield East home.

On Monday, a NSW Supreme Court jury found Terkmani guilty of sexually assaulting and murdering Mahmou, who was reportedly beaten with a toaster and strangled

Footage shows Aymen Terkmani (pictured) visiting Fairfield Police Station on May 16, 2015, just hours before he sexually assaulted and killed 16-year-old Mahmoud Hrouk

Mahmoud had reportedly been affected by ecstasy when he was beaten with a toaster and rolling pin, before he was then strangled and sexually assaulted.

His numerous injuries included a skull fracture, brain damage, fractured ribs, fractured eye socket, collapsed lung and internal injuries.

The teenager's half-naked body was reportedly discovered the following morning in a pool of blood.

Mahmoud's family had frantically searched the neighbourhood for him following his disappearance, with his mother Maha Dunia last speaking to him at 9.42pm.

The teenager had whispered 'Mum, I'm with Aymen,' before their call was cut off.

Mahmoud's family had frantically searched the neighbourhood for him following his disappearance, after he told his mother 'I'm with Aymen,' in their last phone call

The now 24-year-old Terkmani claimed he parted from the teenager at 7.30pm after they ate at McDonald's

Ms Dunia testified she was in bed when Mahmoud left for his labouring job about 5.30am and asked her: 'Mum do you need anything before I leave?'

She replied no and said 'God bless you' as he left the house and later phoned him around 9pm to tell him to come home.

He replied he was with a friend and would come home on his pushbike, but in a second call, she told him: 'Don't worry about the bike I'm coming to pick you up.'

The family began searching the neighbourhood and reported Mahmoud missing to police.

During the search, Ms Dunia allegedly saw her son's pushbike outside Terkmani's house but by the next morning it was in a nearby street.

Terkmani showed no reaction to the verdict and is due to be sentenced in October

Mahmoud's father, Azzam Hrouk, told the jury that during the search he kept looking for someone on the ground next to a bicycle.

'I thought he might have fallen, had an accident,' he said.

After he was told the bike was seen outside Terkmani's house, Mr Hrouk went there around 4am and spoke to Terkmani who said 'I don't know any Mahmoud'.

Terkmani later claimed he parted from the teenager at 7.30pm after they ate at McDonald's.

His father testified his son was at home at the time of the murder, with Terkmani showing no reaction to the verdict as it was handed down.

Terkmani is due to be sentenced on October 27.
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Anti-Donald Trump protests turned into skirmishes with police in Phoenix on Tuesday, as cops unloaded on the crowds gathered outside his rally with tear gas.

In one wince-inducing moment screened on CBS5 and captured on Twitter, one protester - clad in a gas mask - kicked a canister of tear gas back at police.

Seconds later a cloud of dust mushroomed up from his groin and he doubled up in agony.

'A guy just got shot with a rubber bullet,' remarked one host, as the other lapsed into a pained silence. It has since emerged the man was hit with a tear gas canister.

'So... er... yeah, the officers are not, are not messing around at all,' the host stuttered as the stricken protester was dragged away by an ally.

He was just one of many caught up in the post-rally violence, as cops used nonlethal methods to disperse crowds who had thrown rocks and bottles at them.

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An anti-Trump protester was filmed kicking a tear gas canister (both pictured left) towards police after a Trump rally in Phoenix on Tuesday. He was then shot in the groin (right)

Newsreaders said he had been hit by a rubber bullet as he collapsed in agony, and was later helped to his feet and taken away by a friend. It has since emerged he was hit with a tear gas canister

The violent scenes came after police tried to disperse crowds of anti-Trump protesters with tear gas following the rally. The anti-Trump crowd were vastly outnumbered by Trump fans

Police fired pepper spray to disperse protesters outside a rally by U.S. President Donald Trump in Phoenix, Arizona

Protester kicks tear gas back at police. Police shoot him with a rubber bullet on live TV. VIDEO: pic.twitter.com/5qyHDZlpNF  Tim Ring (@timringTV) August 23, 2017

The unrest broke out after Trump swung through the city for a rally designed to fire up his base - which it did, his fans vastly outnumbering anti-Trump protesters.

Supporters and opponents alike gathered in the 107-degree heat, but it was only after the rally that violence broke out.

Police say that protesters threw water bottles and rocks at their lines, causing them to respond in kind with tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and pepper balls.

Clouds of the gas filled the night air as the president's supporters began leaving the downtown Phoenix Convention Center.

At around 11:20pm, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said that three people had been arrested on charges related to the protest.

She added that one person was arrested on an unrelated warrant, and that two officers were treated for heat exhaustion.

Police have not given an estimate of the number of protesters, but Arizona media said there were several thousand

Four people were arrested during the protest, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams later said during a news conference

The unrest broke out after Trump swung through the city for a rally designed to fire up his base. Pictured: Police prepare to advance on protesters

Supporters and opponents alike gathered in the 107-degree heat, but it was only after the rally that violence broke out

Police say that protesters threw water bottles and rocks at their lines, causing them to respond in kind with tear gas

A haze enveloped the night sky as protesters and police clashed outside the convention centre where the president had just wrapped up his speech

Police were seen with riot shields and tear gas guns, and reportedly used rubber bullets and pepper balls on the crowds

Several protesters were seen leaving the scene with tears streaming down their faces, using water to wash the painful chemicals from their eyes

A contingent of protesters stayed behind after the clash with police had ended. Their numbers were small.

Trump beat Hillary Clinton in Nevada by a tenuous 3.5 percentage points last year, and is now polling 7 points lower there than his election total.

So his visit on Tuesday was apparently an attempt to boost that falling number.

In contrast with Monday's calm, measured speech about the prolonged war effort in Afghanistan, Tuesday night's Trump performance was a raucous affair akin to the campaign events that forced America's election prognosticators to rewrite every political rule book.

The president's first audience members began arriving 10 hours before the rally's appointed starting time, standing in Phoenix's concrete city center in temperatures that reached 107 degrees.

Mr Trump had opened his political rally with calls for unity and an assertion that 'our movement is about love', but he then erupted in anger

He blamed the media for widespread condemnation of his response to deadly violence at a white supremacists' protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, and shouted that he had 'openly called for healing, unity and love' after the tragedy

Protesters outside the Phoenix event fled the scene coughing as an officer in a helicopter used a speaker to urge them to leave the area

The Phoenix Fire Department said it treated 56 people for heat exhaustion and dehydration at the convention center, while twelve people were taken to the hospital

President Donald Trump swung through Phoenix on Tuesday for a campaign rally designed to fire up his base in a state where he beat Hillary Clinton by 3.5 percentage points last year. Trump (right) and Vice President Mike Pence deplane Air Force One in Phoenix on Tuesday

Arizona's Republican governor Doug Ducey (left) greeted Trump at the Phoenix airport but he did not attend the evening rally

Police separate protesters from a line of Trump rally-goers that stretched six city blocks before the campaign rally outside the Phoenix Convention Center

Pro-Trump activists gave as good as they got, cheering for Trump and shouting back at his detractors

Two-dollar cold water bottles outsold three-dollar tacos on street corners. Trump fans took turns holding each other's places in line for bathroom breaks and visits to a cool spray mist descending from a nearby Hyatt hotel's entryway overhang.

The most common sight, other than 'Make America Great Again' hats, was umbrella after umbrella sticking up above the crowd  not to protect against much-needed rain, but used as a parasol to tame the heat.

The heat took its toll, too, on a promised mass-protest that threatened to bring thousands who stayed home.

A combined 7,400 people had indicated that they plan to show their disgust for the president, via RSVPs on two Facebook advertisements for anti-Trump rallies.

Only about 500 showed up, and found pro-Trump activists creating just as much noise. They shouted 'Walk of shame!' in response as the rally-goers made their way to the front of a line that snaked for six city blocks.

An hour before Trump was scheduled to speak, there were an estimated 8,000 inside the convention center.

The anti-Trump protesters were energetic and loud, but far outnumbered and kept at bay by police

Some 7,400 people had indicated that they plan to show their disgust for the president, via RSVPs on two Facebook advertisements for anti-Trump rallies, but only about 500 showed up to protest. Anti-Trump protesters inflate a balloon depicting Trump as a KKK member

One protester outside patrolled back and forth, parading a sign before news cameras that read: 'Looks like we've taken this 'Anyone can grow up to be president' thing just a bit too far.'

Another carried a First Amendment message: 'It's only 'Fake News' if he doesn't like it. Support freedom of the press!'

One small group inflated a 20-foot-tall Trump effigy dressed as a Ku Klux Klan member.

On the other side of a police-patrolled barricade stood a man in a T-shirt proclaiming that 'AntiFa is Satan,' a reference to leftist 'Anti-Fascist' protesters who wear black masks and carry mace and clubs.

He held signs denigrating both the Black Lives Matter movement and the Muslim faith.

'BLM are racist thugs,' one read. The other, which included the Muslim crescent with a red line through it, said that 'Every real Muslim is a jihadist!'

At its peak the left-wing protest crowd reached into the hundreds, a far cry from the thousands expected by organizers who collected RSVPs on Facebook

Behind him stood Trump supporter Ray Martinez in a campaign t-shirt bearing an unusual tagline: 'TRUMP 2016: F**k your feelings.'

He held a sign aloft as a warning to anti-Trump activists: 'Don't start no s**t, won't be no s**t.'

A woman in the protest crowd was heard yelling, 'F**k you racist!' over and over again.

Trump has spoken at the Phoenix Convention Center before, a late-October 2016 rally where his establishment-rattling immigration message was temporarily overshadowed by a fan who appeared to chant 'Jew-S-A' at reporters as he left the venue.

The man, George Lindell, later claimed he was misunderstood.

'When you pronounce 'USA' in Spanish it sounds like 'Jew S. A.',' Lindell said, adding: 'We need to integrate the Spanish lingo, the Spanish language into our society.'

An anti-Trump protester holds a sign outside the Phoenix Convention Center

Trump's return to Phoenix on Tuesday came with its own newer set of controversies.

The White House diffused the most explosive one by telling reporters aboard Air Force One that there would be no announcement of a presidential pardon for embattled former sheriff Joe Arpaio, a Trump endorser who faces a possible prison term for defying a judge's order related to illegal immigration in 2011.

'There will be no discussion of that today at any point, and no action will be taken on that front at any point today,' White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

Trump's Arizona swing started with a reminder of his laser focus on illegal immigration, visiting with Yuma, Arizona-based Marines who work with U.S. Border Patrol agents and inspecting a Predator drone that they use to patrol the border U.S. with Mexico.

Administration officials who briefed reporters on Tuesday pointed to a fortified border fence along the section of border nearest to Yuma, and said it was largely responsible for a dramatic drop in people illegally making it from Mexico to the United States.

The president started his Arizona swing in Yuma, meeting with U.S. border Patrol agents and inspecting the hardware they use to fight illegal immigration and human trafficking

Southern Arizona Militia, a private group (left), stood guard outside the Phoenix Convention Center before the rally for Trump. Separately, a left-wing group called the John Brown Gun Club (right) brought its own armed watchdogs

That number was down 46 per cent in the first seven months of 2017, compared to 2016.

The fence has been up since 2008, however, and numbers have been steadily decreasing since at least 2005.

Republican partisans and Trump himself have suggested that his election victory by itself signaled a coming change in policy that made human traffickers re-think their strategies.

Yet the president missed a chance to pose in front of the imposing border barrier that was just 15 miles away from his stop in Yuma, with one administration official blaming unspecified 'security concerns.'

Trump's visit to Arizona brought the state's sometimes smashmouth GOP politics to a head since there is no love lost between Trump and Arizona's two U.S. senators, both Republicans.

Sen. Jeff Flake faces a stiff primary challenge next year from former state lawmaker Kelli Ward, whom Trump has cheered on Twitter as he called Flake 'WEAK on borders' and 'toxic' in the Senate.

Trump has battled with arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake, who was among the 'Gang of Eight' who proposed in 2013 giving legal status to millions of illegal immigrants

Trump called Flake 'toxic' and said he's 'WEAK' on borders and crime

Coming into Tuesday's rally, the president had all but endorsed Flake's primary challenger Kelli Ward, and an intra-party war has broken out over what promises to be a bruising primary race

Flake's recent anti-Trump manifesto 'Conscience of a Conservative' rankled the president. In the first half-dozen pages he calls Trump's famed Twitter feed 'all noise and no signal,'

'Volatile unpredictability is not a virtue,' Flake adds. 'We have quite enough volatile actors to deal with internationally as it is without becoming one of them.'

Most telling, Flake skewers his fellow lawmakers who went along with Trump's rise to power as the lesser of two evils  the greater being Hillary Clinton.

'We pretended that the emperor wasn't naked,' he writes.

'Even worse: We checked our critical faculties at the door and pretended that the emperor was making sense.'

Despite his stinging critiques, Flake has sided in Congress with many of Trump's proposals, including two votes to repeal the Obamacare law.

Still, Trump seems prepared to throw one brushback pitch after another at Flake's head, sending a message to other recalcitrant Republicans to get in line and follow his lead. The Republican establishment is firing back.

Trump greeted U.S. Marines on Tuesday in Yuma, Arizona before departing for Phoenix

Then-candidate Trump was joined by Joe Arpaio, then the sheriff of metro Phoenix, at an Iowa campaign event in January 2016. Despite Trump coming back to Arizona at a crucial moment in his presidency, Arpaio will not be the beneficiary of his first presidential pardon on Tuesday

On Tuesday the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC run by a former chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, released a vicious digital ad targeting Ward as a lunatic with 'crazy ideas' who engages in 'embarrassing behavior.'

In a sign of battle lines being drawn, Trump donor Robert Mercer  the billionaire whose money funds the Breitbart News website  donated $300,000 to a pro-Ward super PAC.

Arizona's Republican governor Doug Ducey found a way to avoid alienating either side of the spat on Tuesday, saying he would greeting Trump at the Phoenix airport but skipping the evening rally.

At least three Arizona Republican members of the House of Representatives were on hand: Andy Biggs, Trent Franks and Paul Gosar.

Phoenix's Democratic mayor called on Trump last week to cancel or postpone Tuesday's rally.

Despite garnering precious op-ed space in The Washington Post, he found himself screaming into a stiff wind.
Nick Gibb said the first tranche of reformed exams, results of which are out tomorrow are necessary to end the unacceptable scandal of young people reaching lower skills levels than their grandparents

Today's teenagers will benefit in the end from tough new O-Level-style GCSEs, the School Standards Minister has said.

Nick Gibb said the first tranche of reformed exams, results of which are out tomorrow are necessary to end the unacceptable scandal of young people reaching lower skills levels than their grandparents.

The Tories are making difficult decisions to reverse years of decline and stagnation in the education system under Labour, he added.

He also hit out at critics of the changes, including Left-wing teaching unions, who he said dont believe in raising standards in the way we do.

And responding to claims that universities should ignore the new top 9 grade of GCSEs, he stressed that it is meaningful and recognises exceptional performance.

Tomorrow hundreds of thousands of teenagers will pick up their GCSE results after becoming the first year group to sit new, tougher exams in English and maths.

The new qualifications contain much more challenging content and are assessed through end of course exams rather than by coursework or on a module basis.

School leaders have said they are the most difficult since the end of O-Levels in the 1980s, which were designed to stretch the most able students.

The reforms were pioneered by former education secretary Michael Gove following concerns that teenagers here are falling behind peers in high-performing Asian countries.

Mr Gibb told the Daily Mail: The reform programme was designed to deal with long-term complaints from employers, colleges and universities that the education system was not equipping young people with the knowledge and skills that they needed.

It has taken us six or seven years to get to this point. Im very confident that all our reforms will result in young people being better educated than before they were introduced.

It is unacceptable that in a modern economy you have 18 to 24 year olds who are performing less well than previous generations and I am confident that our reforms address those shortcomings.

In 2013, a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found levels of basic skills had worsened over the last 40 years in England, with school leavers registering lower scores in tests than their parents or grandparents generation.

England was the only country in the developed world in which adults aged 55-to-65 performed better in literacy and numeracy than those aged 16-to-24

England was the only country in the developed world in which adults aged 55-to-65 performed better in literacy and numeracy than those aged 16-to-24.

In the OECDs Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) rankings, British teenagers have consistently lagged behind peers in countries such as Singapore and Japan in science, maths and reading.

Mr Gibb said the reforms had been influenced by these studies as they suggested weaknesses and shortcomings in the system.

He added: Previous governments were not prepared to take the difficult decisions that you need to take if you are going to reverse years of decline and stagnation in the education system.

When youre trying to raise standards to the degree to which we are doing, it is inevitably controversial.

But we have taken difficult decisions that the previous Labour government were simply not prepared to take.

You see constant criticism of various details of our policy reform and this is because there is opposition to what were trying to do from people who dont believe in raising standards in the way we do.

But we are determined to plough on because its hugely important for the individuals concerned and for Britains economy.

Britain has always been a globally trading nation and post-Brexit this will become even more important.

If we want our young people to be able to compete in a global economy, we need to make sure that they are educated to the best of their ability.

In the new reformed maths GCSE, there is enhanced content in topics such as ratio, proportion and rates of change.

In the new English language GCSE, there is greater emphasis on spelling and grammar  while in English literature a wider range of reading is required.

In these three reformed qualifications, a new numerical system  from 1 to a maximum of 9  will replace the alphabet system and will allow greater differentiation between high-performing students.

The new GCSEs are being phased in gradually, with the first exams in the other subjects sat next year and in following years.

This week, Barnaby Lenon of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) said the new GCSEs contain questions of a level of difficulty that we have not seen since the abolition of O-Levels in 1987.

However, he called on universities to ignore the new grade 9 until it can be proved that it does pinpoint top talent rather than those who can simply write fast.

But Mr Gibb said yesterday: Those students that do achieve a 9 should be very pleased with what theyve achieved. It is designed to recognise exceptional performance.
Europe has been warned ISIS terrorists will slip unchecked into the continent unless Western powers do more to stop them.

The prime minister of Libya said the EU will be accountable if jihadis are able to 'move freely' through Europe and stage attacks.

It is understood the country is putting together a five-point plan to present to Brussels to 'solve the crisis' and police its borders.

The warning comes after attacks in Barcelona and Finland last week. Fourteen people died in the Catalan city after a van ploughed into tourists in La Ramblas while another was killed in nearby Cambrils when a group of people were run down by an Audi driven by armed jihadis.

Libya's prime minister has warned the EU that terrorists could be among tens of thousands of migrants entering the country as a means to get to Europe. Pictured are migrants at the Illegal Immigration Authority in Tripoli. There is no suggestion anyone pictured is involved in terrorism

Meanwhile in Finland, two women were stabbed to death with an 18-year-old Moroccan asylum-seeker suspect shot in the leg and subsequently arrested in connection with the killings.

According to The Times, Libyan leader Faiez Serraj said terrorists were passing unvetted among tens of thousands of migrants entering the country via its southern borders.

He told the paper: 'When migrants reach Europe, they will move freely. If, God forbid, there are terrorist elements among the migrants, a result of any incident will affect all of the EU.'

Mr Serraj added his plan would recruit the EU to help secure Libya's southern border and lift a UN arms embargo to allow the country's coastguard to be better armed.

Faiez Serraj called on the EU to help Libya secure its border and prevent more migrants passing through in a bid to reach Italy. Pictured are migrants after they were rescued from the Mediterranean Sea earlier this month off the coast of Libya

He told the paper: 'The EU must do more to us help face smuggling. We can't put the burden on Libya and Italy alone as it is important for all of Europe.'

Almost 100,000 migrants have left Libya for Italy so far in 2017 and around 700,000 more are believed to still be in the north African country.

Meanwhile anti-migrant feeling is on the rise in Italy where the Five star Movement, which campaigns against allowing migrants into the country, is expected to strongly challenge the Democratic Party currently in power at elections next year.

Luigi Di Maio, who is expected to run as Five Star's candidate for prime minister, told The Times Italy was becoming a 'refugee camp'

He said: 'We have ten million Italians living in poverty, while migrants are being given 38 a day to live. It's a pressure cooker that could explode.'

Meanwhile Italy's foreign minister Angelino Alfano has claimed the country has been 'abandoned' by the EU over the migrant crisis and said 'Italy cannot cope with the burden alone'.

Mr Serraj said Libya and Italy 'could not face the burden alone' and will present a plan to the EU to try to deal with the crisis which includes allowing its coastguard to be 'better armed'

The abuse migrants who make the journey are being subjected to coupled with the potential terror threat make The Times special investigation doubly worrying.

Once they get to Libya, having travelled largely from the Middle East and other parts of Africa, many fall into the dangerous hands of gangs who keep them as slaves.

Male migrants are forced into back-breaking labour while the women are kept as sex slaves, and the majority are tortured in an attempt to squeeze ransom money from the prisoners' families, according to The Times.

Women who refuse to go into forced prostitution, without seeing a penny of what they earn, are repeatedly gang-raped by groups of up to eight men.

Groups of human traffickers pay as little as 550 for a person, and they are herded like cattle in their hundreds across the country in water tanks convoys protected by 150 militants with sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles.

The end goal for the majority is to escape the brutality for mainland Europe, initially Italy, by jumping into dinghys and crossing the Mediterranean.

As a result, the anti-migrant Five Star Movement has pulled up level with the Democratic Party ahead of the elections next year.

Other parties with an anti-immigration stance have also seen a rise in the polls with the 200,000 places in Italian refugee centres already full.

In an attempt to combat the crisis, Serraj's five-point plan includes securing the southern border of Libya in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants from the rest of Africa.

Also in the plan is to lift a UN arms embargo so that the coastguard can be more effective and putting more pressure on other African nations to take back migrants.

Armed group stopping migrant boats setting off across the Mediterranean sparks sudden drop in departures this month

An armed group is stopping migrant boats from setting off across the Mediterranean from a city west of Tripoli that has been a springboard for people smugglers, causing a sudden drop in departures over the past month, sources in the area said.

The revelation throws new light on the sharp reduction in migrant arrivals from Italy, which took over from the Aegean route as the main focus of European concerns in the crisis.

Arrivals in Italy from North Africa, the main route for migration to Europe this year, dropped by more than 50 percent in July from a year earlier, and August arrivals so far are down even further. July and August are peak months for migrant boats because of favourable sea conditions.

Sources in Sabratha, 70 km (45 miles) west of the capital, said the sudden drop had been caused by a new force in the seaside city, which is preventing migrants from leaving, often by locking them up.

The group in Sabratha 'works on the ground, the beach, to prevent the migrants leaving on boats towards Italy,' said a civil society organiser from the city, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Migrants sit at the port of Tarifa, southern Spain, as they wait to be transported to a police station in Algeciras after being rescued in the Strait of Gibraltar, Wednesday, August 16, 2017

The group is made up of several hundred 'civilians, policemen, army figures,' he said. It is conducting a 'very strong campaign' that was launched by a 'former mafia boss', said a second Sabratha source who follows smuggling activity closely.

A third source with contacts in Libya, who also asked not to be named, said the Sabratha group was making 'a significant effort to police the area'.

The two Sabratha sources said the group was running a detention centre for migrants who are turned back or taken from smugglers.

One sent a picture of hundreds of migrants sitting in the sand in front of a high wall.

One of the sources said he thought the group was seeking legitimacy and financial support from Tripoli, where European states have tried to partner with a U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) to stem migrant flows.

An official from the interior ministry's department for combating illegal migration in Sabratha did not respond to a request for comment.

It was not possible to contact the group, which the third source said was called Brigade 48, although other sources did not confirm this.

Italy has been trying to bolster the GNA's ability to stop people smuggling with cash, training and by sending a ship to help repair Tripoli's coastguard and navy vessels.

Some 600,000 migrants have reached Italy by sea from North Africa since 2014, testing the country's ability to cope. More than 12,000 have died trying.

Some 600,000 migrants have reached Italy by sea from North Africa since 2014, testing the country's ability to cope. More than 12,000 have died trying. Pictured here, Civil guard members carry an injured migrant to an ambulance at the port of Tarifa, southern Spain, after being rescued with others in the Strait of Gibraltar

Most leave from Libya's western coast. Following a local backlash against smugglers in Zuwara in the west in 2015, Sabratha became the most frequently used departure point.

Italy wants to replicate a deal with Libya that the EU struck with Turkey last year, largely shutting down the migrant route through Greece and the Balkans.

With a national election looming during the first half of next year, the government in Rome is under pressure to show it can stop, or at least slow, migration.

But any progress in Libya is likely to be fragile, with the country in a state of conflict since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted six years ago. Rival governments are vying for power and local militias battle each other for territory and smuggling profits.

Last week Italy seized on the drop in arrivals, with Interior Minister Marco Minniti saying he saw a 'light at the end of the tunnel'.

Migrants rescued last week in the Mediterranean confirmed that conditions had changed in Sabratha, according to a spokesman at the International Organization for Migration, which interviewed migrants who arrived in Trapani, Sicily, on Saturday.

Refugees and migrants are seen swimming and yelling for assistance from crew members from the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) 'Phoenix' vessel after a wooden boat bound for Italy carrying more than 500 people capsized on May 24, 2017 off Lampedusa, Italy

'They said that it was very difficult to depart from Sabratha.

'There are people stopping the boats before they set out, and if they get out to sea they're immediately sent back,' said Flavio Di Giacomo, an IOM spokesman in Rome.

Some migrants were also turned back before reaching Sabratha, he said.

The European Union's border control agency Frontex last week said 'clashes in Sabratha' contributed to July's decline, also citing changeable weather and increased Libyan coastguard presence.

The Sabratha sources were not aware of any clashes.

Another shift in recent weeks has been a clampdown on smuggling of Bangladeshi and North African migrants through Tripoli's Mitiga airport, after a militia that controlled the trade was forced out by a GNA-aligned armed group at the start of July, Libyan and European officials said.

But that, like a slowing of flows into Libya through Niger, might take time to take effect. Hundreds of thousands of migrants are already in Libya.

In Sabratha, the changes may not stick.

In the past, with no central authority to constrain them, smugglers have adapted and routes have shifted, as already is happening.

Last week smugglers moved departures to east of Tripoli, near Al Khoms, Chris Catrambone, co-founder of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) charity, told Reuters. Three large rubber boats set out from the east, he said, while only a small boat with 26 people was found west of Tripoli.

'The sea was like a lake last week and yet there were few boats,' Catrambone said.

Everyone on the Phoenix, a rescue vessel operated by MOAS, was taken aback because it was so unusual, he said.

The GNA has little control over armed groups in western Libya, including the capital, and none over factions that control the east of the country.

The civil society member from Sabratha said the new group there might stop working if it does not receive support from Tripoli.

The power of the smuggling networks would not be broken until there was a 'legitimate source of order' in Libya, said a senior diplomat, speaking of the change in Tripoli airport and comparing the situation to broken vase.

'In one corner we stuck it together, but everything else is in pieces.'
The biggest legal class action in Australian history has been launched against the Commonwealth Bank following accusations it breached anti-money laundering laws.

Lawyers Maurice Blackburn and litigation funder IMF Bentham have launched the class action on behalf of Commonwealth's 800,000 shareholders over a big share price drop.

More than $4.5 billion was wiped from the market value of Australia's biggest mortgage lender in early August, following revelations the federal government's anti-money laundering agency AUSTRAC had launched legal action against it.

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The Commonwealth Bank will have to deal with a class action over breaching money laundering requirements

Maurice Blackburn's class actions boss Andrew Watson accused the Commonwealth Bank of withholding information from shareholders.

'It now appears that the CBA completely failed to honour its obligations to transparency and openness to its shareholders,' he told reporters on Wednesday.

'Our investigations and analysis show that this drop was in the top one per cent of price movements that CBA experienced in the past five years, making it apparent that the news was of material significance to shareholders.'

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre filed civil charges against Commonwealth Bank on August 4, and are seeking damages for a total of 53,751 financial breaches.

Ian Narev is the head of a bank accused of allowing criminals to launder money into accounts

Maurice Blackburn's head of class actions Andrew Watson says CBA failed to be transparent

'Each contravention can carry a maximum penalty of $18 million,' a spokesman for the agency told Daily Mail Australia.

However, the Commonwealth Bank blamed a 'system error' after more than $44 million was deposited into the company's accounts by alleged criminals.

Criminals including members of an ice drug syndicate and people with potential links to terrorist organisations were involved in depositing $44.77 million cash between June 2014 and February 2016.

Commonwealth Bank allegedly failed to report the thousands of suspicious transactions which continued after the first error was spotted.

The bank rolled out smart deposit machines in 2012, which AUSTRAC alleges allowed criminals to launder money unchecked.

Ian Narev will finish as Commonwealth Bank chief executive following the laundering scandal

The Commonwealth Bank has blamed a coding error for financially dubious transactions

However, it wasn't until an 'unrelated software update' that the issue was noticed by Commonwealth Bank in 2015, according to a statement.

'The vast majority of the reporting failures alleged in the statement of claim (approximately 53,0000) relate specifically to this coding error,' Commonwealth Bank said.

Commonwealth Bank chief executive Ian Narev announced last week he would quit at the end of June 2018, following the scandal.

He finishes his term facing the largest class action in Australian corporate history.

This one looks set to dwarf a 2010 case against all the big banks for siphoning money from customers.

ANZ faced another class action in 2014 for overdraft and credit card fees.
Connie Johnson has opened up about talking to her children about her battle with terminal cancer and how their conversations have changed from 'there's still options' to 'mummy's going to die.'

Ms Johnson, who is in the final stages of breast and liver cancer, told The Age this week she is hopes to live long enough to see her youngest son turn 10 at the end of September.

'I would be very surprised if I was still around at Christmas. I'm just hoping against hope that I'm still around for Hammie's birthday on September 26,' the 40-year-old said she told her children, Willoughby, 12, and Hamilton.

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Canberra mother Connie Johnson has opened up about discussing cancer with her two sons, and how their conversations have changed from 'there's still options' to 'mummy's going to die' (pictured with her husband Mike and sons Willoughby and Hamilton)

Ms Johnson, who is in the final stages of breast and liver cancer, said this week she is hopes to live long enough to see her youngest son turn 10 at the end of September (pictured with Willoughby)

Connie Johnson (pictured) shared the heartbreaking reality of her life in hospice care in a post Tuesday, as she nears the end of her fight against terminal cancer

Although she has been open with her family about her life-long battle with cancer, Ms Johnson said discussions with her children have changed since she was admitted to a hospice in Canberra in July.

'The conversation has had to change from, "We're still working, there's still options" to "There's no options left and we have to come to terms with the fact mummy's going to die".'

Ms Johnson said Willoughby told her to keep fundraising for her charity Love Your Sister and drafted a business plan for her.

'And he's very much focused on that side of things, where he feels he is doing things he can help, whereas Hammie has gone into himself a bit. It's very difficult for both of them to cope,' she said.

She said Hamilton often comes to visit her in her hospice room, which has been decorated with family photos and balloons.

Her oldest son, Willoughby, has stayed the night on several occasions, she told The Age.

The 40-year-old's condition was dire when she was admitted to Clare Holland House but has since become stable.

Ms Johnson said that although the hospice has brought her some peace, she wants to die at her family's Canberra home.

On Tuesday, the sister of actor Samuel Johnson described how she has been 'mourning the loss of my bodily function' in a post made to the Love Your Sister page Tuesday.

The 40-year-old's condition was dire when she was admitted to Clare Holland House but has since become stable (pictured with her sons)

The mother-of-two revealed that while she can no longer walk and finds breathing difficult, she has been doing her best to 'find the positives'.

'I can't walk anymore. Breathing has become difficult with the swelling of the liver. Sitting up is difficult with the swollen abdomen,' she wrote.

Ms Johnson even revealed that eating had become 'a bit of a chore' and had left her feeling 'cheated out' of such everyday experiences.

But ever the optimist, she pointed out all the things that she was still lucky enough to have.

'I still have my mind, there's no cancer there. I still have my hands and arms for hugging my children,' Ms Johnson wrote.

'I still have eyesight for seeing my friends, I still have my hearing for lovely conversations and music.'

She finished off her note by stating how she 'celebrated' these moments and despite her battle with breast and liver cancer still managed to be 'wonderfully happy'.

The sister of actor Samuel Johnson (pictured together) described how she has been 'mourning the loss of my bodily function' since moving into hospice care

The mother-of-two revealed in the Love Your Sister post that she can no longer walk and finds breathing difficult, but has been doing her best to 'find the positives'

The post drew an overwhelmingly show of support, with more than 64,000 reactions and thousands of comments.

People praised Ms Johnson for her honesty and for sharing her story with others around the world.

'I am so amazed at your positivity and courage. I don't think you will ever know what a huge inspiration you are to so many people,' one person wrote.

Another added: 'Thank you for reminding us no matter how hard life is we still have the simple things.'

Ever the optimist, Ms Johnson pointed out all the things that she was still lucky enough to have, including 'arms for hugging my kids' and 'eyesight for seeing my friends'

Ms Johnson and her brother (pictured together) have been vigorously campaigning to raise funds and awareness to beat cancer following her diagnosis four years ago

Her letter comes just days after the brave mum 'broke out of hospice' to take part in a fundraiser for the Hearts As Big As Yours campaign.

Ms Johnson attended the art project in Canberra on Sunday, sporting a pink beanie and big smile as she took to Instagram.

'About to break out of the hospice now. I'm on my way. Can't wait to see Marie and all the villagers. See you there soon,' she wrote.

The venture was founded by Sydney artist Marie Ramos and involves collecting fingerprints shaped like love hearts.

Ms Johnson and her brother have been vigorously campaigning to raise funds and awareness to beat cancer following her diagnosis four years ago.

The Gold-Logie winning actor rode around Australia on a unicycle in 2013, raising $1.6 million for breast cancer awareness and research.

Her post came just days after the brave mum 'broke out of hospice' to take part in a fundraiser for the Hearts As Big As Yours campaign

Ms Johnson decided to end all treatment earlier this year, having gone through a double mastectomy and gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation

While this year the pair's Big Heart Project, where five cent pieces were made into a giant heart, raised more than $2 million.

Ms Johnson decided to end all treatment earlier this year, having gone through a double mastectomy and gruelling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.

She had previously suffered bone cancer at age 11 and a tumour in her womb at 22, before she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

'That's 10 to 11 years of cancer treatment in a 40-year lifespan and I guess my organs are just saying, 'No more. No more',' Connie told The Canberra Times.

The Love Your Sister social media accounts document her brave journey and her brother's never-ending support.


Former colleagues of a long-serving NRMA patrolman have paid a touching tribute to their co-worker by escorting his hearse through Sydney.

Barry Wilson worked for the roadside assistance service for 28 years and was much-loved with at least 300 people turning up for his funeral service on Monday.

What made the service even more emotional were the dozens of NRMA patrol cars surrounding his hearse as it made its way through the streets on the way to Pinegrove Memorial Park in Minchinbury, in Sydney's west.

Mr Wilson's death was deeply mourned by locals and his colleagues, after the 55-year-old lost a battle with a rare blood disease he contracted during surgery for an unrelated injury.

NRMA workers turned out in droves to farewell their colleague Barry Wilson after he died from a rare blood disease

Patrolmen from the local area, who worked alongside Barry for 28 years were covered by their colleagues from the south of Sydney so they could take the time off work to attend the service

His boss and co-worker Tim Moggridge told Daily Mail Australia he was 'really popular' among the co-workers - and his local community.

'Baz was just that real knockabout bloke from Western Sydney,' he said.

'He loved his cars, he loved a beer - a humble guy, a true Mount Druitt boy. You'd go to his house and everyone would be "Hi Barry, hey Barry," - everyone knew him.

'He loved to help people, he epitomised that.'

Mr Moggridge said an NRMA escort is offered for all deceased former or current employees, but the turnout for Barry was particularly high.

'Barry was a current employee who became sick, and so he was well known,' he said.

'He worked in the north west of Sydney, and he'd been there for the whole 28 years.'

The patrol cars met at a central location, surrounding the hearse as it toured past his home and on to Pinegrove Memorial Park.

Many joined the hearse procession in their patrol cars as it travelled past his house and to Pinegrove Memorial Park (pictured)

More than 300 people attended the funeral, including dozens of NRMA staff (pictured)

Barry was hailed on social media as a skilled mechanic and good friend to all

Mr Moggridge explained employees had come up from the south of Sydney to allow their northern colleagues to attend the service.

'It's coming up to 95 years [of the NRMA], so there's a bit of brotherhood... a fallen comrade so to speak,' he said.

Mourners on social media hailed the man as a skilled mechanic and good friend to all.

One woman, who appears to be his sister, left a touching tribute to a man who was averse to fuss and bother and will be deeply missed.

'I'm sure you're looking from above, thinking what's all this fuss about,' Kathryn Williams wrote.

'Your memory lives on, and this is a testament of your friendships, the people who honoured you and respected you.

'You gave so much to all and they today blessed you and sent you on your way. I lost count at 300 people.'
Cayuga Community College held "instant admission" events this summer during which prospective students could apply for admission, have their paperwork processed and register for classes. Wells College studies data on students who express an interest in enrolling to help it better predict how many of them will actually follow through.

Those are just two examples of the marketing, promotion and study that goes into the competitive nature of college admissions. Other factors, such as fluctuations in the economy and shifts in demographics, are out of the hands of education professionals.

So while direct cause and effect can be difficult to determine, things are moving in the right direction for CCC and Wells, as both colleges are anticipating a more than 10 percent increase in enrollment this fall.

That's great news for both of Cayuga County's higher education institutions, but it's not a sign that anybody should relax, either.

A wild card in the enrollment game is New York's new programs offering various amounts of tuition assistance to both public and private schools for students whose families make less than $100,000 a year. When fully implemented in two more years, the income limit will increase to $125,000.

Officials from both CCC and Wells say it's too early to tell whether those programs are having any impact this year or whether they might in the future, so everyone will need to keep a close eye on the numbers over the next two years and prepare to make their cases to the state regarding possible changes.

If the new state tuition programs help increase enrollment across the board, great. But the jury is still out as to whether there will be any negative impacts, and the programs will only be successful if they benefit both students and colleges.
A 103-year-old Cambodian woman became a United States citizen on Tuesday after surviving starvation, suffering and war in her native country.

Hong Inh was the oldest of more than 10,000 people who took the oath of allegiance at the downtown Convention Center in Los Angeles.

She came to the United States when she was 97 years old to join a daughter and other relatives.

Inh survived years of war and violence under Pol Pot's genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, where almost two million people were killed.

'During that time she was so suffering. They didn't have anything to eat,' her granddaughter said.

Inh has 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren living in the U.S. and Cambodia.

Hong Inh waves an American flag and smiles after taking the oath to become a United States citizen at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Tuesday

Hong Inh, center, and her grandchildren Kim Ngoun Taing, left, and Siv Taing recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Inh has 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the U.S. and Cambodia

Inh always wanted to come to America.

It was 'just a dream because she wished to live in a peaceful country,' said her grandson, Kim Ngoun Taing, 36.

Relatives were able to bring her to the U.S. five and a half years ago. She had to be a legal permanent resident for at least five years to apply for citizenship.

'Our family is so proud and amazed. It's so unbelievable that my great-grandma achieved one of her dreams,' 15-year-old Melissa Tea said.

'She really likes it,' she said. 'She likes how she can do a lot of things freely. ... She can watch Chinese dramas by herself.'

Hong Inh, in wheelchair at front, waves an American flag and waits to become a United States citizen. At 103, she was the oldest of more than 10,000 people who took the oath of allegiance

Hong Inh waves an American flag as she takes the oath to become a United States citizen

Three generations of her family, from her 80-year-old daughter Hieng Meng to 13-year-old great-granddaughter Melissa Tea attended the ceremonies.

Her relatives helped Hong Inh up from a wheelchair and she stood waving a flag high receiving the oath.

Her grandson spoke the words but she joined in the roar of applause at its conclusion.

'She says she's so excited and happy,' said her granddaughter, Siv Taing, 40.

Later, Hong Inh stood with her hand over her heart for the Pledge of Allegiance and 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.

Hong Inh was presented with her naturalization certificate by Donna Campagnolo, director of the Los Angeles district office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

'She's just an absolute joy,' Campagnolo said. 'I think the glow and the smile on her face are just inspirational, really.'

Hong Inh is not the oldest person to become a U.S. citizen.

Manik Bokchalian, a Turkish immigrant who lived in Los Angeles, was 117 when she took the oath in 1997.
They are the only Wonder of the World still standing today - but for Australians, the Pyramids might be closer to home than originally thought.

That's according to a group of amateur archaeologists who claim that before Captain Cook and the First Fleet, the mainland of Australia was visited by Egyptians.

Arriving at Cape York in about 3,000BC, it is claimed the group then made their way through Queensland, along the east coast and then down into New South Wales.

Now more than 5,000 years on from their arrival, it is believed a pyramid built by the Egyptians may have been discovered hidden under a mountain near Cairns, in north Queensland.

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Walsh's Pyramid (pictured), located outside Cairns in north Queensland, is reportedly the site of a man made pyramid that was built by a group of Egyptians who visited Australia in 3000BC

Heiroglyphics found in Gosford, NSW, reportedly point to their being two pyramids in Australia - one at Gympie (pictured), which has now been demolished, and another which was in an unknown location

'Walsh's Pyramid', located 30 minutes west of the popular coastal city, stands at 922 metres tall.

But while to most who drive by it seems like nothing more than an odd shaped hill, a bunch of keen 'Egyptologists' believe there is more to it than initially meets the eye.

Hieroglyphics discovered at Gosford, an hour north of Sydney, include carvings of a number of traditional Egyptian images and symbols.

According to Ray Johnson, who claims to have been able to read and transcribe the carvings, they give insight into the happenings of the Egyptians while in Australia.

Mr Johnson claims that the hieroglyphics point to Lord Nefer-ti-ru - a member of the Egyptian royals - being buried beneath the site at Gosford.

But he also claims the writing and drawings indicate to two pyramids being built in Australia - one of which was reportedly at Gympie, in central Queensland.

That was demolished, leaving the location of the other unknown - reportedly until now, claim the Egyptologists.

After translating the carvings, Mr Johnson believes a second man made structure is hidden beneath the earth at the site outside of Cairns known as Walsh's Pyramid.

Hieroglyphics discovered at Gosford, an hour north of Sydney, include carvings of a number of traditional Egyptian images and symbols (pictured)

According to Ray Johnson, who claims to have been able to read and transcribe the carvings, they give insight into the happenings of the Egyptians while in Australia

After translating the carvings, Mr Johnson believes a second man made structure is hidden beneath the earth at the site outside of Cairns known as Walsh's Pyramid

But although the hieroglyphics point to a pyramid being located in that area, the site in the Wooroonooran National Park has never been examined.

Defined as a 'natural, independent, granite peak', the Egyptologists claim it could be a similar pyramid to one discovered buried beneath a hill in Bosnia, eastern Europe.

In fact the mountain is even described by the reserve as: 'appearing to be the shape of a pyramidal structure'.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Queensland Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing for comment about the Walsh's Pyramid site.
A council boss has been slammed by the Ombudsman for urging an employee to wave a pensioner's parking fine.

Marion chief executive Adrian Skull breached his council's code of conduct when he told an employee to waive the 76-year-old's $253 fine for parking in a bicycle lane, Ombudsman Wayne Lines found.

The unnamed pensioner illegally parked outside an Ascot Park property, in Adelaide's south west, in March last year while visiting a disabled neighbour, The Advertiser reported.

Marion chief executive Adrian Skull (pictured) was found to have breached his council's code of conduct when he told an employee to waive the 76-year-old's $253 fine for parking in a bicycle lane

A council boss has been slammed by the Ombudsman for urging an employee to wave a pensioner's parking fine (stock image)

Councillor Jason Veliskou, who is a friend of the pensioner, offered to help the elderly man by writing a letter to Mr Skull on his behalf.

In the letter it was argued the pensioner did not see the sign and had only parked in the spot for a short amount of time.

When Mr Skull received the letter he forwarded it to an employee in the complaints handling department with a note which read: 'Can we please waive this fine? I think there is a compelling case for consideration of this.'

When questioned Mr Skull and the complaints department employee said the letter did not influence the decision to wave the pensioner's fine.

But Ombudsman Wayne Lines disagreed.

Mr Skull told The Advertiser he was acting in good faith and felt his actions were 'appropriate at all times'.

'I have never, and would not, instruct a staff member to waive a fine,' he said.
Supermarket giant Woolworths has posted a mammoth $1.53 billion full year profit, a dramatic turnaround from last year's $1.23 billion loss.

The 6.4 per cent rise in food sales for the final quarter is an encouraging sign for the company, which beat rival Coles for the third quarter in a row.

Big W did not fare so well, suffering before-tax earnings losses of $150 million with sales dropping 5.8 per cent.

Supermarket giant Woolworths (pictured, stock image) has posted a mammoth $1.53billion full year profit, a dramatic turnaround from last year's $1.23billion loss

The 6.4 per cent rise in food sales for the final quarter is an encouraging sign for the company, which beat rival Coles (pictured, stock image) for the third quarter in a row

Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci described Big W's results as 'extremely disappointing' but is pleased with the progress made in the 2017 financial year.

'FY17 was a year of rebuilding the foundations of our business and we are pleased with our progress over the last 12 months, particularly in the second half,' he said.

'Encouragingly, we still see many opportunities to improve our business going forward and are focused on our five key priorities.'

Woolworths' chief competitor Coles released its own figures on Thursday, reporting a 13.5 per cent decline in full-year profits.

Woolworths (pictured, stock image) chief executive Brad Banducci described Big W's results as 'extremely disappointing' but is pleased with the progress made in the 2017 financial year

Coles saw comparable food and liquor sales rise by 1.6 per cent but boasted double digit sales growth in Coles Online.

Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder said in a statement Coles was pursuing a customer-led strategy aiming for long term growth.

'In a very competitive environment, Coles invested in value, service, and better quality and availability in Fresh, to deliver continued growth in sales, he said.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Woolworths and Coles for comment.
Despite being publicly skeptical about the suitability of high-speed rail travel in NSW, premier Gladys Berejiklian is now saying she would like to see interstate bullet trains introduced in Australia.

Ms Berejiklian told the Sydney Morning Herald that she fully supports a high-speed rail link connecting major cities.

'Of course we would love to see high speed rail servicing our State but for this to be viable it would need to travel beyond NSW and it would require federal involvement,' she explained.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian says she would like to see bullet trains connect NSW and VIC

The NSW Premier recently returned from Tokyo, where bullet trains travel at 240-320 km/hr

Berejiklian was accompanied by Australian Olympian Ian Thorpe as she travelled around Japan

The NSW Premier recently returned from a trip to Tokyo, where bullet trains travel at 240-320 kilometres an hour.

At that speed, a train could cover the distance between Sydney and Melbourne in approximately three hours.

Ms Berejiklian also acknowledged her change of heart on the issue as she toured Japanese transport facilities with Olympian Ian Thorpe.

As Transport Minister in 2013, she said 'don't hold your breath' waiting for fast rail travel to be an option in Australia.

However, Ms Berejiklian told an audience in Tokyo that 'it is getting closer and closer to the time we can start thinking about having fast rail services in NSW'.

She also said that she was inspired by the punctuality and selflessness of Japanese transport staff, and that she wanted to change the culture of NSW transport for the better.

Newly-developed trains in China will soon be able to reach a maximum speed of 600km/h

Chester said two weeks ago that bullet trains were 'a long way off', but has changed his mind

Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester said two weeks ago that bullet trains were 'a long way off' in Australia, but a trip to China seems to have changed his mind.

After visiting China in July, he said that travelling by high-speed rail was 'quite staggering', and that Australia was 'envious' of the quick travel times between cities.

An report repared by Infrastructure Australia has indicated that a Sydney-to-Melbourne high-speed rail link may be viable by 2032, but should be planned by 2020 before it becomes unaffordable.

A Sydney-to-Melbourne high-speed rail link may be viable by 2032, according to a report

The estimated cost of a high-speed line between Sydney and Melbourne will be $720 million

The Turnbull government is expected to call for proposals next month, according to Fairfax.

The estimated cost of the line will reportedly be $720 million, but Ms Berejiklian is not ready to commit to the project yet.

She is still considering 'all relevant options' such as improving the current transport system, before committing to any new infrastructure.
A defiant President Donald Trump defended himself against charges of racism, a week after he touched off a national firestorm following white supremacist violence that claimed a life in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Speaking at a campaign-style rally in Phoenix, Virginia, the president recounted a trio of separate statements that he gave, highlighting the words that he said 'the very dishonest media' twisted in order to make a case that he is a bigot.

'What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America,' he said, adding that 'I spoke out forcefully against hatred, bigotry and violence, and forcefully condemned the white supremacists and the KKK.'

'I openly called for healing and love, and they all know it since they were all there,' he said of the political press corps.

Reporters heard 10,000 people chanting 'CNN sucks!' 'Shame on you' and 'Tell the truth.'

President Donald Trump insisted Tuesday in Phoenix, Arizona that a 'dishonest' political press corps had distorted his words following the Charlottesville violence

A crowd of about 10,000 greeted him at the Phoenix Convention Center, including men dressed in revolutionary garb

A sea of people chanted 'CNN sucks!' and 'Tell the truth!' as Trump bashed the media for what he claimed is an institutional bias against him

'I said "racism is evil"! Trump recalled. 'Did they report that I said racism is evil? No? You know why? Because they are very dishonest people.'

Trump ultimately charged that 'the only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news.'

'I believe they really don't love our country,' he said.

'I'm really doing this to show you how damned dishonest these people are,' Trump told his crowd, recounting the initial statement ten days ago when he declared that 'we condemn in the strongest personal terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence.'

'You can't do much better, right?' Trump asked, then bashing journalists who insisted that, 'he didn't say it fast enough. He didn't do it on time. Why did it take a day? He must be a racist.'

Reading aloud from subsequent statements, Trump emphasized the messages of love and compassion that were largely overlooked, and recalled how he had said 'thugs' among white supremacists in Charlottesville were 'hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold true as Americans.'

Trump singled out Fox News as an outlet that has shied away from bashing him gratuitously, praising the 'Fox & Friends' program and host Sean Hannity by name.

'You have some great networks. Fox has treated me fairly,' he said.

Trump blamed reporters for framing him as a racist, and thousands lavished praise on him for defending himself in the face of feirce media criticism

Protesters outside included some masked 'AntiFa' activists, whom Trump called out by name as a group from on stage

Tuesday night's rally began with a lineup of speakers seemingly chosen to back up Trump's claim of comfort and solidarity with black voters.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, Trump's lone African-American cabinet member, warmed up the crowd by saying that 'the purveyors of hatred and division, they want to divide us on the basis of race, income, age, religion.'

'But you know what? We are much too smart to fall for that garbage!'

'Growing up, I saw the hatred of people who didn't like the newfound equality in a changing society,' he said, 'people who were afraid of moving forward.'

'But with the help of God most of us have left that fear and hatred behind. ... America has always left those cancerous ideologies in the rear view window.'

After brief remarks from Alveda King, a niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Franklin Graham declared that America is 'divided politically, we're divided racially, and we're adrift morally.

'We ask tonight for your help,' Graham said in a prayer. 'There are those in this country who want to divide, who want to preach hate. And, Father, it's my prayer that you'll just shut their mouths like you shut the mouths of the lions years ago.'

Trump also pledged Tuesday to put pressure on Democrats and recalcitrant Republicans to turn his campaign promises into law.

'We are fully and totally committed to fighting for our agenda, and we will not stop until the job is done.'

Trump swung through Phoenix on Tuesday for a campaign rally designed to fire up his base in a state where he beat Hillary Clinton by 3.5 percentage points last year. Trump (right) and Vice President Mike Pence deplane Air Force One in Phoenix on Tuesday

Arizona's Republican governor Doug Ducey (left) greeted Trump at the Phoenix airport but he did not attend the evening rally

As Trump took the stage at the Phoenix Convention Center, a sea of cell phones rose above a standing crowd that strained to fit inside the space's walls.

In a place that is 2,300 miles distant from Washington  and seems a universe away from the seat of his recent troubles  he told his base that they 'understood what D.C. did not.'

'Every American is entitled to a government that puts their needs first,' Trump said, calling on his supporters to back him in a move 'to rebuild our country, to take care of our people.'

At that note a quartet of protesters began yelling. As close as 15 feet away, it was impossible to tell what they were saying before police led them out.

But Trump reinforced his populist message while he stressed national unity.

'We are all on the same team,' he said. 'We are all Americans. And we all believe, right now, in "America first."'

Trump's swing through Phoenix, the site of his first big 2015 campaign rally, was designed to fire up his base in a state where he beat Hillary Clinton by a tenuous 3.5 percentage points last year but is polling 7 points lower there than his election total.

In contrast with Monday's calm, measured speech about the prolonged war effort in Afghanistan, Tuesday night's Trump performance was a raucous affair akin to the campaign events that forced America's election prognosticators to rewrite every political rule book.

Police separated protesters from a line of Trump rally-goers that stretched six city blocks before the campaign rally outside the Phoenix Convention Center

Pro-Trump activists gave as good as they got, cheering for Trump and shouting back at his detractors

The president's first audience members began arriving 10 hours before the rally's appointed starting time, standing in Phoenix's concrete city center in temperatures that reached 107 degrees.

Two-dollar cold water bottles outsold three-dollar tacos on street corners. Trump fans took turns holding each other's places in line for bathroom breaks and visits to a cool spray mist descending from a nearby Hyatt hotel's entryway overhang.

The most common sight, other than 'Make America Great Again' hats, was umbrella after umbrella sticking up above the crowd  not to protect against much-needed rain, but used as a parasol to tame the heat.

The heat took its toll, too, on a promised mass-protest that threatened to bring thousands who stayed home.

A combined 7,400 people had indicated that they plan to show their disgust for the president, via RSVPs on two Facebook advertisements for anti-Trump rallies.

Only about 500 showed up, and found pro-Trump activists creating just as much noise. They shouted 'Walk of shame!' in response as the rally-goers made their way to the front of a line that snaked for six city blocks.

An hour before Trump was scheduled to speak, there were an estimated 8,000 inside the convention center. That crowd grew to more than 10,000.

The anti-Trump protesters were energetic and loud, but far outnumbered and kept at bay by police

At its peak the left-wing protest crowd reached into the hundreds, a far cry from the thousands expected by organizers who collected RSVPs on Facebook

The last time Trump spoke at the Phoenix Convention Center, supporter George Lindell chanted 'Jew-S-A!' while reporters looked on in horror

Trump has spoken at the Phoenix Convention Center before, a late-October 2016 rally where his establishment-rattling immigration message was temporarily overshadowed by a fan who appeared to chant 'Jew-S-A' at reporters as he left the venue.

The man, George Lindell, later claimed he was misunderstood.

'When you pronounce "USA" in Spanish it sounds like "Jew S. A.",' Lindell said, adding: 'We need to integrate the Spanish lingo, the Spanish language into our society.'

Trump's return to Phoenix on Tuesday came with its own newer set of controversies.

The White House diffused the most explosive one by telling reporters aboard Air Force One that there would be no announcement of a presidential pardon for embattled former sheriff Joe Arpaio, a Trump endorser who faces a possible prison term for defying a judge's order related to illegal immigration in 2011.

'There will be no discussion of that today at any point, and no action will be taken on that front at any point today,' White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

Trump's Arizona swing started with a reminder of his laser focus on illegal immigration, visiting with Yuma, Arizona-based Marines who work with U.S. Border Patrol agents and inspecting a Predator drone that they use to patrol the border U.S. with Mexico.

Administration officials who briefed reporters on Tuesday pointed to a fortified border fence along the section of border nearest to Yuma, and said it was largely responsible for a dramatic drop in people illegally making it from Mexico to the United States.

The president started his Arizona swing in Yuma, meeting with U.S. border Patrol agents and inspecting the hardware they use to fight illegal immigration and human trafficking

Southern Arizona Militia, a private group (left), stood guard outside the Phoenix Convention Center before the rally for Trump. Separately, a left-wing group called the John Brown Gun Club (right) brought its own armed watchdogs

That number was down 46 per cent in the first seven months of 2017, compared to 2016.

The fence has been up since 2008, however, and numbers have been steadily decreasing since at least 2005.

Republican partisans and Trump himself have suggested that his election victory by itself signaled a coming change in policy that made human traffickers re-think their strategies.

Yet the president missed a chance to pose in front of the imposing border barrier that was just 15 miles away from his stop in Yuma, with one administration official blaming unspecified 'security concerns.'

Trump's visit to Arizona brought the state's sometimes smashmouth GOP politics to a head since there is no love lost between Trump and Arizona's two U.S. senators, both Republicans.

Trump has battled with arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake, who was among the 'Gang of Eight' who proposed in 2013 giving legal status to millions of illegal immigrants

Trump called Flake 'toxic' and said he's 'WEAK' on borders and crime

Coming into Tuesday's rally, the president had all but endorsed Flake's primary challenger Kelli Ward, and an intra-party war has broken out over what promises to be a bruising primary race

Sen. Jeff Flake faces a stiff primary challenge next year from former state lawmaker Kelli Ward, whom Trump has cheered on Twitter as he called Flake 'WEAK on borders' and 'toxic' in the Senate.

Flake's recent anti-Trump manifesto 'Conscience of a Conservative' rankled the president. In the first half-dozen pages he calls Trump's famed Twitter feed 'all noise and no signal,'

'Volatile unpredictability is not a virtue,' Flake adds. 'We have quite enough volatile actors to deal with internationally as it is without becoming one of them.'

Most telling, Flake skewers his fellow lawmakers who went along with Trump's rise to power as the lesser of two evils  the greater being Hillary Clinton.

'We pretended that the emperor wasn't naked,' he writes.

'Even worse: We checked our critical faculties at the door and pretended that the emperor was making sense.'

Despite his stinging critiques, Flake has sided in Congress with many of Trump's proposals, including two votes to repeal the Obamacare law.

Still, Trump seems prepared to throw one brushback pitch after another at Flake's head, sending a message to other recalcitrant Republicans to get in line and follow his lead.

Trump greeted U.S. Marines on Tuesday in Yuma, Arizona before departing for Phoenix

Then-candidate Trump was joined by Joe Arpaio, then the sheriff of metro Phoenix, at an Iowa campaign event in January 2016. Despite Trump coming back to Arizona at a crucial moment in his presidency, Arpaio will not be the beneficiary of his first presidential pardon on Tuesday

The Republican establishment is firing back.

On Tuesday the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC run by a former chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, released a vicious digital ad targeting Ward as a lunatic with 'crazy ideas' who engages in 'embarrassing behavior.'

In a sign of battle lines being drawn, Trump donor Robert Mercer  the billionaire whose money funds the Breitbart News website  donated $300,000 to a pro-Ward super PAC.

Arizona's Republican governor Doug Ducey found a way to avoid alienating either side of the spat on Tuesday, saying he would greeting Trump at the Phoenix airport but skipping the evening rally.

At least three Arizona Republican members of the House of Representatives were on hand: Andy Biggs, Trent Franks and Paul Gosar.

Phoenix's Democratic mayor called on Trump last week to cancel or postpone Tuesday's rally.

Despite garnering precious op-ed space in The Washington Post, he found himself screaming into a stiff wind.
A 47-year-old man has been repeatedly kicked and punched outside a Melbourne hospital after allegedly refusing to give a cigarette to a group of three men.

The man, who is believed to be a medical professional, was approached by the trio as he stood outside Dandenong Hospital, south-east of the city, around 3.30pm on Tuesday, Victoria police said.

The group asked the man for a cigarette but he declined, officers said.

'A verbal altercation took place before the victim was struck by one of the males causing him to fall onto the ground where he was kicked numerous times,' a police spokeswoman said.

A 47-year-old man has been repeatedly kicked and punched outside a Melbourne hospital after allegedly refusing to give a cigarette to a group of three men (pictured is Dandenong Hospital)

The attack comes just months after Melbourne surgeon Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann (pictured), 41, died after allegedly being coward punched outside Box Hill Hospital

The alleged attackers ran away when a stranger intervened, police said.

The 47-year-old didn't receive life-threatening injuries.

In similar circumstances, Melbourne surgeon Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann, 41, died in June after allegedly being coward punched outside Box Hill Hospital  less than 30 minutes' drive from Dandenong Hospital.

Police claim Dr. Pritzwald-Stegmann was leaving the hospital when he asked Joseph Esmaili, 22, not to smoke near the front entrance.

Officers allege Mr Esmaili punched the father-of-two from behind, knocking him unconscious.

On Tuesday, the group of three men asked the 47-year-old for a cigarette but he declined, officers said (stock image)

Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann, a German-born specialist, (pictured) was described as a wonderful father during his funeral.

The doctor was on life support for four weeks before his wife, Christine, made the heart-breaking decision to turn it off.

The German-born specialist was described as a wonderful father during his funeral.

'I will miss the way his eyes lit up when he saw (the girls) and he often said to me he would be happy being a full-time dad,' Christine told hundreds of mourners.

'He was so proud of his daughters.'

A scholarship fund established in honour of Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann will name its first recipient in November.

Mr Esmaili, 22, faces four charges of intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury over Dr Pritzwald-Stegmann's death and will face a committal mention on October 2.
Kim Jong-un has stepped up his ballistic missile programme as North Korea releases images of at least one new warhead.

The dictator reportedly told scientists to speed things up, as he visited the plant that makes solid-fuel engines for the country's ballistic-missile program.

Photos of Kim's tour of the so-called Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science appear to show the designs of one or possibly two new missiles in the background.

North Korea's leader is supposedly stepping up the production of rocket engines and nosecones, state media reports.

Kim Jong-un stands with his back to a new design of a missile which is displayed on a wall

Off his rocker-t: Concept diagrams of new missiles were seen behind Kim Jong Un while he visited a plant that makes solid-fuel engines for the country's ballistic-missile program

Sun's out, guns out: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un studies what appears to be a missile during a visit to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science

One of the photos clearly showed a diagram for a missile called 'Pukguksong-3,' which appears to be the latest in its Pukguksong, or Polaris, series.

The other was harder to discern, though it carried a 'Hwasong,' or Mars, designation name.

The diagram suggests it might be designed to fly farther and to be launched from protective canisters, which allow missiles to be transported more easily and makes them more difficult to locate and destroy in advance.

Solid-fuel engines add to that difficulty because they allow for quicker launches than liquid-fuel missiles.

Kim was briefed about the process of manufacturing intercontinental ballistic missile warhead tips and solid-fuel rocket engine during his tour institute, the North's official KCNA news agency said.

Heading on: The leader is shown some of the weapons produced at the Institute

This is how:LKim was riefed about the process of manufacturing intercontinental ballistic missile warhead tips

Kim reportedly told scientists to speed things up in terms of manufacturing intercontinental ballistic missile warhead tips and solid-fuel rocket engine

Listen up: The rotund dictator instructed the institute to produce more weapons

It is not yet known whether North Korea has mastered the technology needed to ensure a ballistic missile warhead can re-enter the Earth's atmosphere

'He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips by further expanding engine production process and the production capacity of rocket warhead tips and engine jets by carbon/carbon compound material,' KCNA said.

TRUMP: HE'S STARTING TO RESPECT THE U.S. U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed his aggressive stance on North Korea has worked and its leader Kim Jong-un has started to 'respect him'. 'Some people said it was too strong. It's not strong enough,' he told a gathering of thousands of supporters at a campaign style rally in Phoenix, Arizona. 'But Kim Jong-Un, I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us. I respect that fact very much.' His Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said peaceful talks between the nations were now possible 'in the near future' and welcomed the restraint the North had showed in its weapons program. He said: 'We have had no missile launches or provocative acts on the part of North Korea since the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution. Advertisement

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and dozens of missile tests since the start of last year, significantly raising tensions on the heavily militarised Korean peninsula.

Two tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles in July resulted in a new round of tougher global sanctions.

The last missile test on July 28 put the U.S. mainland in range, prompting heated exchanges that raised fears of a new conflict on the peninsula.

The KCNA report said Kim had given 'special thanks and special bonus' to officials of the institute, calling them heroes.

A photograph showed Kim in a grey pinstriped suit, smiling before a large flow chart that described some kind of manufacturing process.

Questions remain whether the North has mastered the technology needed to ensure a ballistic missile warhead survives the intense heat generated by re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.

But it says it has done so, and the KCNA report said the nosecones and engine jets were made of 'carbon/carbon compound material'.

The manufacturing process included carbon fibre weaving, chemical deposition and high pressure liquid deposition, it added.
Pauline Hanson has slammed her opponents for ignoring her warnings about the burqa after news a sandwich shop was robbed by a person wearing the garment.

The One Nation senator took to social media to demand to know why her warnings about full-face veils are being ignored.

'Don't worry about people wearing burqas the Government, opposition and Greens say,' she wrote on Facebook.

Pauline Hanson (pictured) has slammed her opponents for ignoring her warnings about the burqa after news a person wearing the Islamic garb allegedly robbed a sandwich shop

The One Nation senator took to social media to demand to know why her warnings about full-face veils are being ignored (pictured)

Police say a person wearing a full-face burqa robbed a Subway restaurant with a knife (pictured is a stock image of an Islamic veil)

'Yeah right! Tell that to this takeaway store in Croydon where a burqa wearing person, allegedly held the shop up with a knife.

'When will politicians take my warnings on full face coverings seriously?'

Ms Hanson told Daily Mail Australia 'The security risks associated with full-face coverings, like the burqa, are obvious to me and many Australians. Today's incident makes this very clear.'

'While many people agreed with me that the burqa is oppressive and has no place in western society, many laughed off my security concerns. It's safe to say they are not laughing now.'

The burqa-clad person allegedly entered the fast-food restaurant (pictured) in Croydon, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs at 5:30pm and threatened workers

Police say a person wearing a burqa allegedly robbed a Subway restaurant in Croydon, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, at 5:30pm on Saturday.

The person allegedly entered the eatery waving a knife and threatened workers.

Subway employees handed over cash and the alleged offender - wearing an Islamic full-face covering and a beige gown - fled the scene.

No one was injured during the alleged armed robbery.

Karen, whose granddaughter works at the eatery, says police viewed CCTV footage on Sunday morning and were shocked to see the burqa-clad suspect.

'A woman came in in a full burqa, brandished a knife, asked for the money,' a relative of an employee who saw CCTV footage said

'A woman came in in a full burqa, brandished a knife, asked for the money,' she told 3AW.

'She asked to see the safe, he [a male Subway employee] said they didn't have a safe, and she proceeded to take the money and put it into a Coles bag.'

Karen said the woman then got into a car waiting on the main road outside.

Police have charged 38-year-old Frankston man with armed robbery and associated offences, and a 21-year-old woman from Narre Warren is assisting with inquiries.

The man will face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.

Police have also charged them with three other armed robberies at Morwell and Traralgon on Monday.

The incident comes amid fierce debate about whether the burqa should be banned in parliament after Pauline Hanson entered the Senate wearing the Muslim garment.
He was the cop who became a robber.

Now Randy Adair, 73, has revealed the motives behind the bank robbery spree that shocked lawmakers.

'It was the quick, fast way to solve the problem,' Adair told Los Angeles magazine journalist Jeff Maysh in an exclusive interview.

'I started playing video slot machines on the iPad. It only cost five or ten bucks to buy a million points or something like that.'

But coupled with horse-racing losses, Adair was soon broke and struggling to pay the rent.

Ex-LAPD Detective Randy Adair, 73, (pictured) aka 'the Snowbird Bandit' has spoken for the first time about his five bank robberies from the federal prison on Terminal Island, California. Adair was a decorated detective with the LAPD (right) who went on a five-month robbing spree in 2015 before he was caught (left)

Adair didn't wear a disguise when he robbed the banks, just a pair of his wife's sunglasses and a hat. He was finally captured on July 22, 2015 after his family recognized his face on the TV news

Starting his five-month robbery spree on March 20, 2015, Adair stole up to $9,000 by holding up four banks near his home in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

He even robbed one branch twice, because it was so 'easy', he said.

Adair was finally arrested by the FBI on July 22, 2015, and sentenced to seven years.

Adair's exclusive interview with Los Angeles magazine journalist Jeff Maysh is published in the September issue of the magazine

Speaking from the federal prison on Terminal Island, California, Adair said he thought he could get away with his crimes.

'Nobody will ever know,' he recalled thinking, 'And then right back in the soup again.

'Another month or so later, when you get right down to the wire, they're gonna start saying, "Where's the rent?" and you're gonna have to tell the family, "I lost this bet over here." I had a lot pouring down on me like that.'

Adair took a revolver into the banks and passed a note to tellers.

'I thought that if they thought I had a weapon, they would not look at me,' he said.

For months the FBI had no leads, and nicknamed him the 'Snowbird Bandit' because of his age and white hair.

Once his arrest was made public, Adair's remarkable career in law enforcement was revealed.

Despite Adair's police pension, he and his wife had to unload their house in a short sale in 1990, walking away with nothing. The IRS pursued them for $60,000, and marshals arrived to evict the family from the rental home they'd moved into. Adair is pictured at a family function

It was his wife Susan (right) and his daughter Kateri (right) who worked with the FBI to trap him in 2015

Born in 1944, Adair graduated from the LAPD academy at the top of his class and was soon promoted to detective with the LAPD's Metropolitan Division, an elite mobile crime-fighting unit.

One of its primary occupations was catching bank robbers.

'At one time I was involved in seven bank robbery arrests,' Adair recalled.

As a rookie cop, Adair was called to the scene of Robert Kennedy's assassination in June 1968, and helped to arrest the killer, Sirhan Sirhan.

'We got to the pantry, and you could see that Kennedy was down on the floor,' Adair recalled.

'He's lying face up, and I saw fluid, you know, from the head injurybrain matter looks kinda like snot, you know?'

Adair says he then helped Kennedy's wife Ethel, and astronaut John Glenn to find the Central Receiving Hospital in Los Angeles, where he saw Kennedy's body on a gurney.

Adair graduated from the LAPD academy at the top of his class and was soon promoted to detective with the LAPD's Metropolitan Division, an elite mobile crime-fighting unit. One of its primary occupations was catching bank robbers

At age 65, after suffering an aneurysm, Adair endured a nine-hour surgery that nearly killed him. In 2012 he developed a serious bacterial infection and he said doctors only gave him a five percent chance to live. Then, in 2013, Adair survived five heart attacks

In a distinguished career, Adair was commended for saving 25 people from a burning building; he caught numerous bank robbers; and tracked down the killer of a four-year-old girl, whose body was found stuffed in a refrigerator.

In a 21-year long career, Adair spent much of his time working in LA's crime-ravaged Rampart area.

There, the stress of investigating homicides soon weighed on the detective.

Adair admitted that he became an alcoholic: 'I started sneak drinking...I wouldn't drink on the job,' he said. 'I didn't go out and party with the guys. I wasn't a bar drinker.'

Once he retired, money and health issues became a constant problem.

Despite Adair's police pension, he and his wife had to unload their house in a short sale in 1990, walking away with nothing. The IRS pursued them for $60,000, and marshals arrived to evict the family from the rental home they'd moved into.

At age 65, after suffering an aneurysm, Adair endured a nine-hour surgery that nearly killed him.

He suffered another blow in 2012, when he developed a serious bacterial infection.

'They gave me a five percent chance to live,' he said. Then, in 2013, Adair survived five heart attacks.

In a distinguished career, Adair was commended for saving 25 people from a burning building; he caught numerous bank robbers; and tracked down the killer of a four-year-old girl, whose body was found stuffed in a refrigerator

Adair spent much of his time working in LA's crime-ravaged Rampart area. There, the stress of investigating homicides soon weighed on the detective. Adair admitted he became an alcoholic

It was his health and money problems that drove him to commit the robberies, Adair said.

The former cop didn't wear a disguise when he robbed the banks, just a pair of his wife's sunglasses and a hat.

His police experience helped him know how to get away fast. He described his speedy technique as: 'Zip. Bam. Boom. In. Gone.'

As Adair sped away from one robbery in his SUV, he recalled seeing flashing red lights zooming past him. He told his former colleagues: 'Have a nice day, guys!'

Adair was finally captured after his family recognized his face on the TV news.

'I'm [in prison] because of what I did,' Adair said, 'My family turned me in.'

It was his wife Susan and his daughter Kateri who worked with the FBI to trap him, in a bizarre operation that culminated in his arrest outside an Orange County family restaurant.

Once he was in custody the 'Snowbird Bandit' told FBI agents: 'I'm cooked.'

Adair's family believes that his seven-year prison term is like a death sentence, due to this failing health.

He is also caged in the prison's general population, which is dangerous for a former police officer.

However Adair is keeping busy by writing his memoirs, and has received interest from film and television companies about his life story.

He described his life as: 'seventy-one years of goodness and four months of idiot.'

The September edition of Los Angeles is out now.
A town hall was held in Auburn on Monday, Aug. 14. Eighty people attended the event sponsored by Indivisible Cayuga, CNY Solidarity and the CNY Chapter of the National Organization for Women. The purpose was to allow citizens in the 24th Congressional District to share concerns, thoughts and viewpoints on John Katkos voting record, and the direction in which the Trump Administration is taking the country. John Katko was identified because he will not hold an open town hall meeting and he supports Donald Trump. His congressional votes align with the Trump agenda over 90 percent of the time. He is not a moderate.

Participants asked questions and raised concerns about Betsy DeVos and public education; the Farm Bill, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, WIC and Child Nutrition Programs; the environment and the many votes John Katko has taken to damage water, air and land; health care including Medicare, Medicaid, womens health, and Trumps proposal to stop ACA subsidies; civil rights including voting rights and a free press; campaign finance reform, dark money and the influence of lobbying on elections; transgender rights and protection; immigration, refugee and sanctuary cities; and net neutrality.

Anne Messenger, who has announced her candidacy for the 24th Congressional District House seat, was present to hear concerns expressed and to respond. Dana Balter, a potential candidate, was also on hand with responses to questions asked by attendees. Balter spoke about the town hall that Katko held at Onondaga Community College where seating and questions were limited. He will not hear constituents.

While neither The Citizen nor Mr. Katko cared to attend, the National Republican Congressional Committee did send a paid videographer. He recorded the entire session. Furthermore, Representative Katko did not even reply to multiple invitations to hold a town hall in Auburn or attend this one that was finally planned, and to which he was invited.

Mr. Katko prefers to hold town hall sessions where he selects the topics and invites a panel to talk. He is not willing to meet with constituents in an open town hall. It is apparent to all but Mr. Katko that citizens in the 24th Congressional District are frustrated that he will not meet with them in an open town hall setting where they are free to ask him questions. He wants the power to control the message and not listen to constituents.

Mickey Belosi

Owasco
The mother of the woman who received the majority of a dead RAAF mechanic's superannuation said the couple was so in love, she thought they would get married.

Sharon Farquharson, the mother of Kirsty Lewis, who was awarded the majority of Daniel Leverton's superannuation over his two young daughters, has slammed reports that the couple's relationship was 'just a fling' claiming they 'first got together in 2012'.

'It wasn't a fling - they had been together for years, we knew him, he came to my ex-husband's 60th birthday,' Ms Farquharson told Daily Mail Australia.

Sharon Farquharson, left, the mother of Kirsty Lewis, right, claims her daughter planned on marry Daniel Leverton before his sudden death in 2015 which left her as the main beneficiary of his $451,500 super account

Ms Lewis, pictured here with her sister, had been dating the father-of-two since 2012, according to her family

Daniel Leverton (pictured with his two daughters) passed away suddenly while surfing with his father in Arrawarra, on the New South Wales north coast

The mother said she was in 'terrible shock, and very angry' when her daughter's battle with Mr Leverton's young family became public, and claims his father Geoff, who posted a moving video about the fight, hadn't told the whole story.

'Kirsty was there when he passed, he didn't say that,' Ms Farquharson said.

'They had gone down there (to Arrawarra on the NSW north coast), to the beach together for the Easter weekend. They arrived the Friday and he passed on the Saturday.

'Kirsty had been out taking photos of him in the water, when he came in he told his dad he wasn't feeling well and then he collapsed.

'She and Geoff tried to resuscitate him, she was devastated.'

Ms Farquharson claimed her daughter had planned to marry the 40-year-old before his sudden death and that she was so shocked at his passing that she 'cried every time his name was mentioned for a year after his death'.

'Kirsty, left, had been out taking photos of him in the water, when he came in he told his dad he wasn't feeling well and then he collapsed,' her mother said

Ms Farquharson claimed her daughter, left, had planned to marry the 40-year-old before his sudden death

'It was so horrible losing him, it is horrible losing anyone so young and I feel for Craig and Helen. I could never imagine losing a child.'



Mr Leverton's father, Geoff, told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that Ms Lewis offered his two granddaughters $50,000 each, leaving herself the remaining $350,000 of his son's superannuation account.

She then increased the offer to $100,000 for each of the children, leaving her with more than 50 per cent of the estate, he claimed.

'We rejected it of course,' Geoff said.

'She offered my granddaughters $50,000 each, $50,000 per child is a pittance compared to what it's going to cost them to make their markers in life.

'It's not fair to the girls, it's a travesty of justice.'

Angela Watson turned down Daniel Leverton's new girlfriend Kirsty Lewis's offer of $50,000 each for her daughters

Angela Watson is pictured in happier times before the dispute over her ex-husband Daniel Leverton's $451,500 superannuation

Ms Watson, Mr Leverton's former partner and the mother of his two daughters, believed she was the sole beneficiary and executor of his will and thought her daughters' future was secure.

But his new girlfriend of five months, Ms Lewis, filed a claim through Military Super entitling her to $352,170 of the $451,500 of his superannuation account.

The claim left his two daughters, who were aged seven and nine at the time of his death, with just $49,664 each.

'It should have been a three way split between the young lady and the girls,' Geoff said.

'We're not gold diggers, we just want the right thing to happen.'

Ms Lewis (pictured left) and right, a Facebook display picture

Ms Watson remained good friends with Mr Leverton after their split, his father Geoff said

Geoff said the girls were offered $50,000 on top of the initial settlement, $100,000 under the sum the Leverton family asked for.

'We rejected it because it still left Kirstie with $250,000 and that's the reason they said no,' he said.

'She'd only been with him for five months,' he claimed.

Geoff said the family did not wish to drag Ms Lewis's name through the mud, and that they simply wanted an appropriate outcome for the girls.

'Education, how much does a young person's education cost over 15 years, primary, secondary school, university  it's got to be at least $120,000 each,' he said.

'They're beautiful kids, beautiful kids.

'It's sour grapes what's happened to us  the character of this young lady who's taken advantage of us.'

Geoff said Mr Leverton and his ex-wife remained very good friends and that he had always wanted the best for his young family.

'Now Angela's trying to protect the girls from all the rubbish going on,' he said.

A servicewoman known by the name Kirsty Lewis is at the centre of a controversial will dispute

Mr Leverton was surfing with his father in Arrawarra when he complained of chest pains and suddenly collapsed.

News Corp first reported this week that Ms Watson was shocked when she later learned that there was less than $100,000 remaining from his estate to split between their two daughters, and appealed to the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation. Her appeal was denied and the decision upheld.

In conversations, friends also reiterated Ms Lewis was legally entitled to his superannuation payout.

Geoff also recently starred in a short online video where he described the Corporation's decision as 'morally wrong'.

'The girls are missing out on Daniel's wishes,' he claimed, explaining he had recently written to the Minister responsible for assistance. He said he was posting the video for his deceased son and his two daughters.

In the video, he told how Mr Leverton made a statutory declaration in mid-2014 that his new girlfriend was his 'independent partner'.

This was done as he was about to be posted to Katherine, in the Northern Territory, but did not want to move away from his daughters.

So he used a loophole to declare he was in a de facto relationship and he wouldn't have to be relocated.

Mr Leverton died shortly after returning from deployment in Vanuatu helping the country recover from the devastation of Cyclone Pam

'It put a terrible burden on Daniel... he asked if there was a way around it,' Geoff said in the video.

'He had a casual relationship with a young lady at the time, so they advised him that even though it was well below the de facto relationship civil laws of Queensland which is two years, if he signed a stat dec, they could be recognised as de facto and therefore being in such state, Daniel didn't have to be transferred and could stay at Amberley, in Queensland, therefore close his girls.'

It is not suggested Mr Leverton's girlfriend knew of the statutory declaration.

On Tuesday, a friend of the couple, who asked not to be named, characterised their relationship in a different light.

'It definitely wasn't a 'casual relationship' like his father stated,' the friend claimed.

The friend pointed to the extensive requirements for a couple to be recognised as de facto by the Defence Department.

A Defence fact sheet seen by the Daily Mail said couples must provide documents that prove they live together on a genuine basis, including rental agreements, joint bank accounts, bills and statutory declarations.

'It put a terrible burden on Daniel because he didn't want to be away from his girls, and he asked if there was a way around it,' Mr Leverton's father Geoff told News Corp

The friend said: 'It's not like she wasn't legally entitled to his super.

'The only people who know the truth about their relationship is the two of them, but he doted on her.

'He used to bring her coffee, lunches, had flowers delivered for her birthday, he seemed to be head over heels...both of them were.'

Ms Lewis's lawyer told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Leverton did not get to choose who he nominated as the beneficiary of his superannuation.

'Military Super do not allow their members to nominate beneficiaries. It is Military Super's own scheme rules that determine who receives the payment of the benefit in the event of a member's death. It was completely beyond our client's control as to the decision that was reached by Military Super.

'Further, what is failed to have been mentioned, is that when the Military Super decision was originally handed down, our client made an offer to the mother of Mr Leverton's children, via her Solicitor, to gift a significant sum to the children from the benefit she was due to receive. This offer was made on 17 July 2015 and was never accepted by the mother of the children.

'Our client was in a meaningful relationship with the deceased. The material published contains many inaccuracies with respect to the type of relationship and duration of the relationship that our client shared with the deceased, among other things.'

The Defence Department was also approached for comment, although a spokesperson said they would endeavour to respond as soon as possible.
Education Minister Rob Stokes is 'furious' that seven students at Coonamble High School have been taught the incorrect maths course

The state's education minister is 'furious' that rural NSW high school has taught senior students the wrong maths lessons for the past eight months.

Year 11 and 12 students at Coonamble High School in the state's central western plains have reportedly been taught the incorrect Mathematics General syllabus since the beginning of the year.

The school's principal and a representative from the Department of Education met on Tuesday night to discuss a solution and reportedly advised students to do their best in the upcoming final exams.

Education Minister Rob Stokes is 'furious' that seven students at Coonamble High School were reportedly taught General Mathematics 2 after signing up for General Mathematics 1.

The General Mathematics 1 exam counts towards a student's ATAR and is examined during the HSC in September, but General Mathematics 2 is not.

Students at Coonamble High School have reportedly been taught the incorrect maths lessons

Seven students were taught General Mathematics 2 after signing up for General Mathematics 1

This means that two Year 12 students have just eight weeks to cram for the HSC exam, according to the ABC.

The Australian reported that 'utterly negligent' mistake was not exposed until a distraught parent called The Ray Hadley Morning Show to complain about the 'gross oversight'.

Families of the affected students met with faculty yesterday met with the area education director and the school principal, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The results from the Year 11 do not directly affect a student's HSC or ATAR mark but the lessons provide a necessary foundation for the final year of schooling, AAP understands.

Students and parents alike were understandably furious when the school told them that they would have to cram almost a year's worth of material into two months.

Pupils were reportedly advised by the school to study before and after class, and during holidays, for the next two months to catch up - which Minister Stokes slammed as 'no acceptable'.

'Another solution offered was that if they do not do well this year they can do it again next year  that's clearly a laughable solution,' he told Radio 2GB.

Mr Stokes said he has instructed a representative of the Education Standards Authority to visit Coonamble High School and find a solution to ensure the students are not disadvantaged.

It is now the responsibility of Education Secretary Mark Scott to ensure that the students receive a 'fair outcome'.

'I've made it clear that I want disciplinary matters looked into,' he added.

Seven pupils taught the wrong maths were reportedly advised to study outside of class time

Rob Stokes has sent a representative of the Education Standards Authority to visit the school

'My heart goes out to those students and their parents, I am angry on their behalf,' Minister Stokes said.

He acknowledged that the seven students caught up in the wrong class were failed by the education system, and says that it needs to be made up to them.

'Through some oversight they are not being taught what they are about to be examined on,' Mr Stokes said. 'If this was my child I would be furious.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Coonamble High School for comment.
His two brothers, girlfriend, son and associates were arrested just a fortnight ago - but trouble looks a world away for Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim.

Daily Mail Australia spotted 'Teflon John', 46, enjoying the early morning sun at his oceanfront mansion in Sydney's east early on Wednesday.

He ripped off his shirt to soak up some rays while admiring his new autobiography, Last King of the Cross.

Meantime, as John sunned himself in balmy Dover Heights, his lesser known siblings Fadi and Michael were believed to be facing a third week in stifling hot Dubai jail cells.

Good morning! The Kings Cross identity stripped off his shirt to catch some early morning rays on a cloudless morning at his Dover Heights mansion

Oblivious to the camera, Ibrahim (left and right) settled in for some light reading on his top-level porch, which has expansive views of the Pacific Ocean

Ibrahim is pictured here kicking back and relaxing on Wednesday morning

He set down his autobiography, Last King of the Cross, as well as a mobile device as the sun rose in the east

A nightclub owner in Sydney's Kings Cross, Ibrahim (left) rose to fame after his portrayal in the 2010 TV series Underbelly: The Golden Mile. Ibrahim's pleasant morning came after a visit from his model girlfriend Sarah Budge (right), who was charged with possessing a loaded gun earlier this month

Fadi and Michael were dramatically arrested in Dubai earlier this month as part of a massive operation where police smashed what they said was an international drug smuggling syndicate.

The arrests were part of a coordinated police operation across Australia, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates. The brothers can remain behind bars in the UAE for 60 days, local officials have said.

Fadi's lawyer, Michael Bennett, told the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday he could not attend a hearing concerning a property dispute with a brothel madam because he was 'indisposed in the most public way'.

The two brothers have reportedly been held in underground cells in the notoriously overcrowded Al Barsha jail.

But John's lifestyle hasn't changed one bit since the raids. While Fadi and Michael look set to swelter in 42 degree Celsius temperatures on Wednesday, it was a cool and breezy 19 degrees on John's front deck.

He has not been arrested, charged or accused of any criminal offence.

Ibrahim pottered around in his front yard as the sun rose on Wednesday. He hasn't been arrested or charged with any offence

Won't let it go: Before the arrests, Ibrahim had embarked upon a publicity tour for his new book including interviews with top Sydney media identities

Ibrahim was sitting at the top of his palatial pad - well above the supposed 'secret tunnel' out of his home

Fadi Ibrahim (pictured with his wife Shayda) was dramatically arrested in July earlier this month

The calm scene at his home on Wednesday - which followed a visit from Ms Budge - was stark contrast to the chaos of a fortnight ago.

Dozens of police scoured his clifftop home - even taking apart light fittings - and officers reportedly discovered a secret tunnel to the boardwalk below.

A Sydney council this week announced it will investigate the existence of the tunnel which is said to run underneath the multi-million dollar property.

Waverley Council confirmed it had never approved such a structure.

The nightclub identity turned author was spotted striding around his expansive mansion

A pair of reading glasses dangled from his mouth as he appeared to flick through his book and electronic device

Pictured here is the exit to a tunnel (pictured) seemingly coming out of his multi-million dollar clifftop mansion

The door into the hidden passageway lies on public land, just metres from a popular boardwalk along the rugged coastline at Dover Heights, in Sydney's lavish eastern suburbs

'Waverley Council has not received or approved a development application for a tunnel [from the home] in George Street, Dover Heights,' a council spokesperson said.

'This matter has only just been brought to councils attention and accordingly it is considering what action, if any, should be taken.

'If such a tunnel does exist and is contained exclusively on private land, the council may merely seek structural certification and an application for a building certificate.

'At this stage, no formal complaint has been received concerning the alleged tunnel.'

Fadi Ibrahim's lawyer did not respond to a request for an update on the circumstances of the jailed Dubai siblings.
Since escaping jail he's claimed to be everywhere from The Netherlands to Thailand, and now it seems Shaun Davidson has once again given police the slip.

The 33-year-old Australian made headlines in June after digging his way out of Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison, before jet-setting off around the world on the run.

Through a public Facebook page Davidson has kept followers up to date with life as a prison escapee, checking-in across Asia and regularly posting light-hearted memes.

But just as Bali police claimed the criminal had not even made it out of Indonesia and that they were close to catching him, Davidson took to social media and claimed to be at a cafe in the Caribbean.

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Prison escapee Shaun Davidson (pictured) has claimed to be in Barbados, despite Bali police claiming they are close to capturing him

Through a public Facebook page Davidson has kept followers up to date with life as a prison escapee, checking-in across Asia and regularly posting light-hearted memes (pictured)

'Dinner time I'm starving,' he wrote alongside the check-in at Cafe Luna Barbados.

Seemingly in a jovial mood after his meal, just hours later he posted a mock photo of him on a Shawshank Redemption movie poster alongside Morgan Freeman.

His posts came as police said they believe Davidson is somewhere near Indonesia's border with East Timor.

'The Australian has not yet (fled out of country) and is still in Indonesia,' Bali Provincial Police Chief Petrus Golose said.

'(He is) the focus of a search on the border between Indonesia and Timor-Leste.'

Recent Facebook posts from Davidson's account have taunted the authorities over their inability to snare him.

Despite the claims of officers, Davidson checked-in on Facebook as being in Barbados on Wednesday

Davidson, 33, could still be in Indonesia - and officers claim they are close to recapturing him

'Run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man,' he posted on Tuesday

'Run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man,' he posted last week.

The post was met with an outpouring of support from his more than 6,000 followers.

Davidson tunnelled out of the overcrowded Bali prison with three other inmates in June.

Two escapees were caught within days, while Davidson and another man remain on the run.

Since his escape Davidson has continued to taunt the police with bizarre and provocative Facebook posts.

Davidson, from Perth, has amassed somewhat of a cult following on Facebook since his escape, where he taunts the police about not having yet caught him

Davidson tunnelled out of the overcrowded Bali prison with three other inmates in June

Davidson also created his own 'wanted' posters offering a 'huge reward' award for his capture.

In the posters, which were met with a huge amount of support from his followers, he called himself a 'gangsta, hustler, outlaw, ladies' man and hide and seek champion'.

Davidson has also made a series of posts on Facebook claiming to be in various exotic locations across the globe.

'Living the dream,' he wrote in June, claiming to be in Amsterdam.

In the posters, which were met with a huge amount of support from his followers, he called himself a 'gangsta, hustler, outlaw, ladies' man and hide and seek champion'

'Straight outta Kerobokan': Davidson created fake 'wanted' posters claiming there was a 'huge reward' for his capture

Shaun Edward Davidson, 33, (pictured) broke out of the notorious Kerobokan prison on June 20 through a tunnel burrowed underneath the jail walls

He also went on a bizarre rant in early July.

'I'm a real life action movie star, nah I'm just normal b, there ain't no way a penitentiary is every holding me from Oz to Bali, Amsterdam to Germany, you better believe it when I say my life is no lie. I'm sipping on this cocktail on the beaches of Dubai [sic],' he said.

Balinese authorities said in July they were 'close' to finding the fugitive.

After the announcement, Davidson messaged Interpol, the world's largest police organisation, asking them how close they really were to catching him.

After the announcement, Davidson messaged Interpol, the world's largest police organisation, asking them how close they really were to catching him

Since his escape from Kerobokan prison (pictured) Davidson has continued to taunt the police with bizarre and provocative Facebook posts

Davidson and three other inmates escaped from Kerobokan prison through a muddy tunnel (pictured) on June 20

'How how's it going, just wondering, when you say close, how close are you really?' he wrote.

Davidson claimed he was not trying to taunt police with his Facebook activity, instead just '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,' he said.
The Navy will relieve the Seventh Fleet's admiral of his command after four of his ships suffered collisions this year.

Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, the three-star commander of the fleet in Japan, will be made to step down on Wednesday in connection with the crashes, sources have revealed.

Aucoin was expected to retire in a few weeks anyway, the insiders told The Wall Street Journal, but is going now because his superiors have lost confidence in him.

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Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin (pictured) will be relieved of his command on Wednesday, insiders said. Four crashes have happened to the Seventh Fleet in the Pacific under his watch this year

An investigation into why the John McCain (pictured after collision) was hit is ongoing. Aucoin hasn't been blamed for anything - but his superiors have lost confidence in him so he must go

On Monday the USS John McCain (pictured in the foreground) suffered massive damage after it was struck by a commercial vessel while heading into Singapore for a port visit. Ten sailors are missing

Aucoin is expected to be relieved of his command by the commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott Swift.

The sources stressed that the three-star-general's removal isn't due to any specific findings in the ongoing investigations.

Those investigations are examining what effect training, manning and other internal fleet processes may have had on the crashes.

But under the Navy's rules of public accountability, the doubt that Aucoin's superiors have in his leadership mean that he cannot continue.

On Monday, the Navy announced that it was imposing an operational pause across the planet after the USS John S McCain, on its way to a port visit in Singapore, hit the commercial vessel the Alnic MC.

Ten sailors were left missing in the crash, and a search and rescue operation is now underway to locate them.

On Tuesday, remains were found in the John McCain; here, Navy sailors cover an unidentified body, believed to be one of those found in the wreckage after it was recovered

In June the USS Fitzgerald was struck by another commercial vessel near Yokosuka, Japan. It suffered damage under the waterline, causing sleeping compartments to flood

Seven US Navy sailors were killed in the Fitzgerald collision in June. They were (top row, left to right) Fire Controlman 2nd Class Carlos Victor Ganzon Sibayan, 23, from Chula Vista, CA; Gunner's Mate Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby, 19, from Palmyra, VA; Sonar Technician 3rd Class Ngoc T Truong Huynh, 25, from Oakville, CT; and Yeoman 3rd Class Shingo Alexander Douglass, 25, from San Diego, CA. Bottom row (left to right): Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr., from Elyria, OH; Personnel Specialist 1st Class Xavier Alec Martin, 24, from Halethorpe, MD; and Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Noe Hernandez, 26, from Weslaco, TX

Deadly: The USS John McCain collided with a tanker off the coast of Singapore on August 21 and the USS Fitzgerald was hit by a freighter on June 17 - the USS Seventh Fleet, which is based in Tokyo has responsibility for the western Pacific and is the largest forward deployed American fleet

Just two months before, on June 17, the USS Fitzgerald hit a commercial ship, the ACX Crystal, near Yokosuka, Japan.

Seven sailors, aged 19-26, were killed as water flooded the ship's sleeping quarters.

Those were the third and fourth crashes in the area this year.

In May, another crash saw the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain colliding with a South Korean fishing boat.

And in January the cruiser the USS Antietam ran aground off the coast of Yokosuka, near where the Fitzgerald collision took place.

No-one was killed in either of those incidents.

On Tuesday, it emerged that bodies had been found in the flooded compartments of the USS John S McCain.

The compartment was sealed after a collision tore a hole in the left rear hull, filling the crew's sleeping area and communication rooms with water.

As well as the ten missing crewmembers, five others were injured.

The first crash to occur in the waters happened in January, when the USS Antietam (pictured in 2016) ran aground while anchoring near Yokosuka base, the Seventh Fleet's home port

On May 9 the USS Lake Champlain (pictured in 2016) was struck by a South Korean fishing boat off the Korean Peninsula

Photos released by the Royal Malaysian Navy shows personnel covering up the remains of a missing sailor with a body bag, on the deck of KD Lekiu frigate, after the body was recovered in the waters off the Johor coast of Malaysia.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the servicemen and women whose bodies have been recovered from the flooded ship.

It was also announced Tuesday that the possibility of a cyberattack will be examined by authorities investigating how so many ships in the area suffered collisions.

Admiral John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, said yesterday that there were 'no indications right now' that the two ships were hacked, but added investigators 'will consider all possibilities'.

The top three commanding officers on the Fitzgerald have been relieved of their command and more than a dozen other sailors will be punished.

The US Navy said that commanding officer Cmdr Bryce Benson; executive officer Cmdr Sean Babbitt and Master Chief Petty Officer Brice Baldwin would be removed from the ship after the 'avoidable' night-time collision.
President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday night that he might shut down the federal government unless Congress provides funding for his promised border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.

'Now the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it,' the president said during a rally speech in Phoenix, Arizona.

'But believe me: If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall.'

Trump also accused congressional Democrats of putting American security at risk for not supporting the proposal, which was one of his marquee campaign pledges.

'We are building a wall on the southern border, which is absolutely necessary,' he said.

'Let me be very clear to Democrats in Congress who oppose a border wall and stand in the way of border security,' Trump continued: 'You are putting all of Americans' safety at risk.'

President Donald Trump (seen above at a campaign rally in Phoenix on Tuesday) threatened Tuesday night that he might shut down the federal government unless Congress provides funding for his promised border wall between the U.S. and Mexico

'Now the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it,' the president said during a rally speech in Phoenix, Arizona. 'But believe me: If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall'

Tuesday night's crowd, thousands strong, erupted at one point in chants of 'Build that wall!'  a repeat of audiences at countless campaign events.

Trump promised repeatedly during his run for the White House that Mexico would pay for the wall, but America's neighbor to the south has rejected the idea.

The administration has since suggested that although taxpayers will fund the wall's construction, Mexicans will foot the bill in the long term through fees charged to border-crossers and taxes levied on monetary remittances sent from U.S. residents to Mexicans.

The House of Representatives has passed a spending bill with partial funding for the border wall amounting to $1.6 billion, but it faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

The House of Representatives has passed a spending bill with partial funding for the border wall amounting to $1.6 billion, but it faces an uncertain future in the Senate. A portion of the metal border fence separating Mexico and Arizona is seen in the above stock image

The Department of Homeland Security has already begun to accept design proposals for a border wall, requiring a minimum of 18 feet in height and anti-climbing and tunneling features.

Potential vendors were also instructed to make designs 'aesthetically pleasing'  on the side that faces the United States.

Trump said Tuesday that illegal immigration was a major reason voters set him to the White House, and reminded a national TV audience that he had met repeatedly with 'angel moms,' parents of people killed by criminal aliens.

'I promised these families the deaths of their loved ones will not have been in vain,' he said.
President Donald Trump unleashed another diatribe against the media during a campaign rally in Phoenix on Tuesday which included a crude attack on 'little' George Stephanopoulos.

'All the networks, I mean CNN is really bad but ABC this morning - I don't watch it much but I'm watching in the morning and they have little George Stephanopoulos talking to [US ambassador to the United Nations] Nikki Haley,' Trump said.

The president then repeated the nickname 'little George'. He also held his hand parallel to the ground as if to drive home the point that Stephanopoulos is short.

The broadside against Stephanopoulos was part of Trump's rant in which he took the news media to task for its criticism of the president's response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, on April 12.

The president's targets included past favorites like 'the failing New York Times,' 'pathetic' CNN, and 'the lobbying tool for Amazon'  The Washington Post.

President Donald Trump (left) unleashed another diatribe against the media during a campaign rally in Phoenix on Tuesday which included a crude attack on 'little' George Stephanopoulos (right)

Both Amazon and the Post are owned by Jeff Bezos.

Trump accused the media of stoking hatred in the wake of the Charlottesville violence.

'They're bad people,' the president said of journalists. 'And I really think they don't like our country. I really believe that.'

Trump's attack on Stephanopoulos was a reaction to the ABC News anchor's interview on Tuesday morning with Haley.

Stephanopoulos asked Haley for her reaction to the president's comments in which he insisted that there were 'very fine people' among the white nationalists who staged the rally in Charlottesville and that 'both sides' were to blame for the violence.

'I picked up the phone, and I had a private conversation with the president about Charlottesville, and it was taken very well,' Haley told ABC News.

The UN ambassador said that Trump clarified his initial response 'so that no one can question that he's opposed to bigotry and hate in this country.'

Last month, it was reported that Good Morning America got a redesigned anchor desk earlier this summer, with two wide panels added to the front side of the set piece so that Stephanopoulos' legs would be less prominent

Stephanopoulos' height has reportedly been a sensitive subject at ABC News.

Last month, it was reported that Good Morning America got a redesigned anchor desk earlier this summer, with two wide panels added to the front side of the set piece.

That addition resulted in viewers no longer being able to see the legs of the ABC morning show's hosts, which was exactly the point according to one source.

An insider tells Page Six that the panels were added so that George Stephanopoulos' legs would be less prominent, adding that as the shortest of the three main hosts he looked 'awkward' at times.

'He's 5ft 7in and is dwarfed by human trees Robin Roberts (5ft-10) and Michael Strahan (6ft-5),' said the insider.

'GMA initially thought using an anchor desk with elevated chairs would help the problem. Still awkward, George's little-boyish mini-legs were seen dangling.'
A couple who turned their backs on Islam after moving to Australia have declared how lucky they are to have escaped Pakistan.

Comedian Sami Shah and his wife Ishma Alvi arrived in the small Western Australian town of Northam, north-east of Perth, in 2012 with their young daughter Anya.

Ms Alvi, a psychologist, was able to bring the family to Australia on a skilled migration visa to leave behind a country which executes people for blasphemy and disbelieving in God.

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Ishma Alvi (left) and her husband Sami Shah (right) moved to Australia from Pakistan with their daughter Anya in 2012

Ishma Alvi (left) and Sami Shah (right) both left Islam after arriving in Australia from Pakistan

In an upcoming episode of Australian Story, she tells of counselling Pakistani refugees at a local detention centre.

'It was just a stroke of luck, luck of birth, that they were sitting in the chair across from me and not the other way around,' she told the ABC program airing on Monday.

Her husband, who was a television producer and satirist in Pakistan, struggled with being unemployed in their new adopted country.

However Shah was soon making regular trips to Perth to perform stand-up comedy and before too long, he became a big name at international comedy festivals across Australia.

Ishma Alvi (pictured with her daughter Anya) told the ABC about helping Pakistani refugees

He has since written a book about how they became ex-Muslims, The Islamic Republic of Australia.

Shah and Ms Alvi, who became Australian citizens in January and now live in Melbourne, said violent fundamentalism and anti-women attitudes turned them off the religion they were raised under.

The couple also explained the reasons for their transition by citing passages from the Koran, which Mr Shah has described as 'maddening as a text'.

In their native Pakistan, blasphemy and atheism are punishable by death.

Sami Shah is now an atheist in Australia but in Pakistan, blasphemy is a capital offence

Sami Shah is now a Melbourne-based comedian who condemns sexism in the Koranic verses

However, Shah is now living openly as an atheist.

Growing up in Pakistan, he found himself questioning Islam, angered by fundamentalist violence.

'What stood out for me wasn't just the mass murder and carnage initiated by the extremists but also their religious justification for it,' he said in his book.

'The religion I had been told my entire life was a religion of peace - an argument I myself had propagated when confronted with Islam's critics while studying in America - was comfortably being used as a religion of war.'

Ms Alvi said she came to regard Islam as an anti-women faith when she was 17.

Australian Story airs on ABC television on Monday at 8pm
Matthew Leveson died after overdosing on a 'bottle of drugs' he had taken on a night out, his older boyfriend Michael Atkins - who dumped his body the next day - claims.

After taking the drug GHB the 20-year-old had argued with his boyfriend inside ARQ nightclub, in Sydney, before the pair went home with Mr Leveson sleeping in his bed and Atkins on a couch.

But when Atkins woke the next morning he found his lover's lifeless body lying on the floor, the Glebe Coroners Court heard on the first day of an inquest into Mr Leveson's death.

The dramatic claims were made by Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin, the man in charge of the search for the body of Mr Leveson who disappeared after the night out in 2007, News.com.au reported.

Michael Atkins (left) was hypnotised, drew a diagram and re-enacted dumping the body of Matthew Leveson (right), his former lover whose body he admitted to dumping in 2007

After a decade of heartache for his parents Mark and Faye (left), Mr Leveson's body was discovered in the Royal National Park in Sydney's south in May this year

Det Chief Insp Jubelin told the court Atkins had claimed he covered up the death of Mr Leveson because he was worried about him only recently coming out as gay.

'He (Mr Atkins) had concerns about his reputation,' Det Chief Insp Jubelin said.

'He was the older partner of a young male, had only recently come out as a homosexual.

'His (Mr Atkins) mother didnt know he was homosexual.'

The extraordinary lengths police went to in an effort to find Mr Leveson's body in the Royal National Park were also revealed on the first day of the inquest.

Atkins was hypnotised, drew a diagram and even drove Mr Leveson's car for several days in an effort to remember where he buried his body in 2007.

Atkins, 44, last year admitted to dumping his former boyfriend's body, but only after being offered an immunity deal in return for details that led to Leveson's body being found.

But the Glebe Coroners Court heard on Wednesday that after taking the plea deal he led police to an area where the body was not found - leading Atkins to be taken back to the site and re-enact how he remembered disposing of his body.

NSW Police Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin said Atkins went with police into the Royal National Park site in Sydney's south in 2016.

Atkins and Mr Leveson had been on a night out to Arq Nightclub in Darlinghurst, Sydney, on the night the 20-year-old died

Atkins described the hole he dug for Mr Leveson as two-metres long, one-metre wide and 800 millimetres deep, the inquest heard

There he was asked to show where he thought he parked a car before disposing of Mr Leveson's body.

Atkins described the hole he dug for Mr Leveson as two-metres long, one-metre wide and 800 millimetres deep, Det Chief Insp Jubelin told the inquest.

However, when they initially failed to find any remains, police suggested alternative nearby sites to Atkins and had him try hypnosis.

They got Atkins to carry a 70-kilogram mannequin from a car boot, at which point he agreed it was unlikely he carried Mr Leveson's body as he initially suggested.

In another attempt to jog Atkins' memory, police had him drive Mr Leveson's car for several days after it was provided by his parents, Mark and Faye Leveson.

In another attempt to jog Atkins' memory, police had him drive Mr Leveson's car for several days after it was provided by his parents, Mark and Faye Leveson

Atkins was still confident about the initial search site, and Det Chief Insp Jubelin said it was there on May 31 this year where police found the 20-year-old's remains.

They were in a position consistent with Atkins' diagram, he said.

Atkins co-operated with police after being offered immunity from perjury and contempt of court charges.

Det Chief Insp Jubelin on Wednesday said Atkins couldn't be prosecuted on the statement he gave to police about the location of Mr Leveson's body.

The inquest continues.
First Lady Melania Trump publicly thanked Chelsea Clinton late Tuesday for coming to Barron Trump's defense again after he was criticized by a conservative news site for dressing too casually.

'Thank you, Chelsea Clinton,' the first lady tweeted on Tuesday. 'So important to support all of our children in being themselves!'

The tweet ended with the hashtag #StopChildhoodBullying.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Melania Trump pledged to use the office of the first lady to combat cyber bullying.

The 11-year-old youngest son of President Donald Trump was the subject of an article titled 'It's High Time Barron Trump Starts Dressing Like He's In the White House'.

The Daily Caller article, published on Monday, was written by Ford Springer, who berated Barron for his attire.

First Lady Melania Trump publicly thanked Chelsea Clinton late Tuesday for coming to Barron Trump's defense again after he was criticized by a conservative news site for dressing too casually

Barron Trump, 11, was criticized for dressing too casually in an article titled: 'It's High Time Barron Trump Starts Dressing Like He's In the White House'. Barron is pictured with his father as they returned to the White House Sunday from Bedminster, New Jersey

Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton came to Barron's defense on Twitter Monday, saying the media needs to 'let him have the private childhood he deserves'

Chelsea Clinton is pictured at her book signing for 'She Persisted' at BookHampton on August 4 in East Hampton, New York

Former first daughter Chelsea tweeted in response to the article, saying: 'It's high time the media & everyone leave Barron Trump alone & let him have the private childhood he deserves'.

She included a link to the article, which says 'Barron looked like he was hopping on Air Force One for a trip to the movie theater' while his parents, the president and First Lady Melania 'traveled in their Sunday best' on their way from Bedminster, New Jersey, back to the White House on Sunday.

Barron wore a red t-shirt, khaki shorts and suede loafers, Springer points out, while his father wore a suit and his mother wore 'an elegant dress'.

He concluded the article by saying: 'The youngest Trump doesnt have any responsibilities as the presidents son, but the least he could do is dress the part when he steps out in public.'

The article says 'Barron looked like he was hopping on Air Force One for a trip to the movie theater' while his parents, the president and First Lady Melania 'traveled in their Sunday best' on their way from Bedminster, New Jersey, back to the White House on Sunday (pictured)

Barron wore a red t-shirt, khaki shorts and suede loafers, the writer points out, while his father wore a suit and his mother wore 'an elegant dress'

Chelsea's Twitter defense on Monday isn't the first time she's stood up for Barron.

In January, after Barron was subjected to taunts from internet bullies after his father's inauguration, Chelsea called for the public to lay off the then-10-year-old.

On Twitter and on Facebook, she wrote: 'Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does-to be a kid.'

Her statement became political after that, when she concluded: 'Standing up for every kid also means opposing @POTUS policies that hurt kids.'
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart admitted the police officers who accompanied Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik into a Brisbane bar on Friday night 'technically' breached the law.

'Has there been a breach of the legislation? Technically yes, and that's why I apologise to anyone who's been affected by this,' he told reporters on Wednesday.

'I apologise to anyone who was at the Jade Buddha if the prince's presence there caused any concern, or if the way our officers acted created a perception of intimidation,' Commissioner Stewart told reporters at state parliament.

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart (pictured above) admitted the police officers who accompanied Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik into a Brisbane bar on Friday night 'technically' breached the law

Jade Buddha co-owner Phil Hogan demanded an apology after Mr Stewart on Tuesday contradicted his claims the prince had been initially turned away by security on Friday night.

New liquor laws require venues to scan the IDs of all patrons entering after 10pm.

But the commissioner stood by his claim the prince himself had not been turned away.

He said plain clothes police went to the venue first and were initially rebuffed by security before they returned and the issue was cleared up.

'At no time was the prince actually stopped at the security desk or anything like that.'

Jade Buddha co-owner Phil Hogan demanded an apology after Mr Stewart on Tuesday contradicted his claims the prince had been initially turned away by security on Friday night

The Danish Prince's entourage first come into the CCTV cameras at 11:20pm on Friday evening. His security can be seen shaking the hands of the Jade Buddha Bar bouncers before conversing about his imminent arrival

In Tuesday's press conference, Mr Stewart defended the need for identification scanning and argued that staff at the bar had full intentions of allowing Prince Frederick entry.

'The club certainly knew that his royal highness was who he was and that he was going into their club,' he said.

'It was certainly my understanding that they had no concern as long as we vouch for his profile.'

Released CCTV footage showed the future king's entourage being turned away, before returning to the establishment shortly after with Prince Frederik.

Prince Frederik (pictured in dark shirt with white shoulders) can then be seen entering the bar at 12:18am early Saturday morning

Queensland's strict nanny state laws have been slammed following Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik being refused entry to the Brisbane bar on Friday night.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls questioned whether the prince would have met his Australian wife, Princess Mary, under the strict laws.

Mr Nichols used a joke to help get his point across: 'Have you heard the one where a Danish prince walks into a Queensland bar?'

MP Tim Nicholls has questioned whether Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik would have met his Australian wife, Princess Mary, under Queensland's strict nanny state laws

'You know what, Mr Speaker, he doesn't, he can't even get in the door.'

The Denmark royal was visiting Australia during the 2000 Olympic Games when he met Mary at Sydney's Slip Inn bar.

But Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath has hit back at critics, telling parliament the event had 'not created a diplomatic incident'.

The two (pictured) famously met in a Sydney pub during the Olympics in 2000

Prince Frederik and his entourage were denied entry to the Jade Buddha Bar (pictured) just before midnight on Friday evening because they did not have identification

She defended the right of the bar to turn the prince away and suggested the events of the evening had been blown out of proportion.

Prince Frederik, 49, and his entourage were denied entry to the Jade Buddha Bar just before midnight on Friday because they did not have identification, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The group were granted entry 15 minutes later after they returned to the establishment with Queensland Police Service's dignitary protection unit.

Australia's draconian liquor laws are sure to now attract international attention after Danish Crown Prince Frederik was turned away from a Brisbane bar

Ms D'Ath argued there had been no official complaints made by the prince and therefore alterations to the State's strict security measures weren't necessary, The Brisbane Times reports.

'The prince obviously did not take great offence to this as he returned a short time later and was granted entry,' she told parliament.

'The fact is this has not caused a diplomatic incident as some would have you believe.'
Police investigating the death of a Swedish journalist are now looking into an unsolved murder from 1986, where the body parts of a Japanese tourist were found in Copenhagen harbour.

Kim Wall's headless torso found in a Copenhagen bay yesterday, with the limbs having been 'deliberately cut off' before being weighed down with metal, police say,

Inventor Peter Madsen, 46, has admitted that the 30-year-old died on his submarine, but still claims her death was an accident and that he then buried her at sea, before deliberately sinking the vessel he had spent years building.

Dead: The headless torso found in Copenhagen is that of Kim Wall, 30, (left) who had gone along for a voyage on the submarine of Peter Madsen (right), who has now admitted to 'burying her at sea' after she died on the vessel

Further search: Police and other authorities search a waterway for further remains related to the ongoing Kim Wall investigation at the west coast of Amager, Copenhagen, Denmark

Police search a waterway for remains related to the ongoing Kim Wall investigation at the west coast of Amager close to Copenhagen, Denmark

Members of the Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) (Danish: Beredskabsstyrelsen) assist police at Kalvebod Faelled in Copenhagen

Ongoing: The search continuing earlier today

Today, Danish police say they have re-opened a case from 1986 as part of the investigation into the death of Miss Wall, Aftonbladet reports.

Kazuko Toyonaga, 22, from Tokyo, Japan, disappeared while travelling through northern Europe in the autumn of 1986.

Some 25 days after her disappearance, her legs and lower body were found floating in plastic bag by Islands Brygge, Copenhagen, and several days later, her torso was found in the Christianshavn Canal.

'We have noted one case from 1986 where the torso of a Japanese tourist was found in Copenhagen harbour,' Copenhagen police investigator Jens Moeller Jensen said today.

'We are looking into it'.

It took eight months to identify Miss Toyonaga, who died when submarine inventor Madsen was 15 years old, and her killer was never found.

Copenhagen police investigator Jens Moeller tells a press conference that a DNA test found that the headless torso found in the Baltic Sea matches with Kim Wall

Investigation: Police involved in Kim Wall's case are looking into a similar death from 1986

A police officer holding an evidence bag and a fire fighter at the scene of the isle of Amager, in Kge Bay, Copenhagen, where the remains of Kim Wall was found on Tuesday

Police have found traces of Miss Wall's blood inside the submarine, despite having had to retrieve it from the bottom of a Copenhagen bay where it sank on August 11.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning, Moeller Jensen said that they had been able to match both the blood and the torso to DNA retrieved from a toothbrush and a hairbrush belonging to Kim Wall.

He added that police had found that the torso had been subjected to some form of force, in order for air to be pushed out of the lungs so it would not float.

Police believe the metal found on the torso had the purpose of ensuring the body sunk and remained on the seabed.

Madsen's lawyer Betina Hald Engmark said on Wednesday that her client stands by his 'explanation that an accident happened'.

The torso was found by a passing cyclist at the water's edge in Kge Bay in Copenhagen, where Madsen had informed police that he had 'buried' Miss Wall's dead body.

Last moments: One of the last images taken of Miss Wall shows her on board the sub alongside Madsen on Thursday August 10

Speaking after the gruesome discovery on Tuesday, Danish pice said the arms and legs had been 'deliberately been cut off'

Tragedy: Journalist Kim Wall died on the submarine, Madsen has admitted, but he claims it was an accident

Divers continued to search the area where the torso was found for the remains of Miss Wall, Moeller said.

Today, Miss Wall's family has paid tribute to the freelance journalist, who grew up in Sweden but was mainly based in New York and Beijing.

In an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday,, the family says it received the confirmation of her death 'with boundless sadness and dismay.'

'The tragedy has hit not only us and other families, but friends and colleagues all over the world.'

Her parents and brother said Miss Wall, 'found and told stories from different parts of the globe, stories that have to be written,' ranging from the Haitian earthquake to ousted dictator Idi Amin's torture chamber in Uganda and mine fields in Sri Lanka.

They say said he journalist, who wrote for publications including The Guardian and New York Times, gave 'a voice to the weak, the vulnerable and marginalized people,' adding that such a voice had been 'needed for a long time. Now it will not be.

Extended search: A Swedish Sea Rescue Society unit searches for the remains of Kim Wall at Lundakra Bay between Barseback and Landskrona, in Sweden, last week

'Hot-tempered': Peter Madsen, pictured with fellow enthusiast Kristian von Bengtson and one of their rocket prototypes in 2010, allegedly has a history of lashing out at journalists

Miss Wall was last seen on board the UC3 Nautilus with amateur builder Madsen on August 10, but until Monday, he insisted he had let her off that evening.

Madsen was picked up by the Danish navy on August 11, when his submarine sunk in Copenhagen harbour.

He was photographer making a 'thumbs up' as he made it to the shore, but was later arrested after Miss Wall's family reported her missing.

Danish investigators say they have found evidence the Nautilus was sunk deliberately.

The freelance reporter boarded the sub, which was built by Madsen, on the evening of Thursday 10th August in order to write a story about the inventor.

On Friday morning the Danish Navy were scrambled to help the stricken sub, before reporting it sunk at 10.45am.

Madsen claims he was the only one on board at the time, and that he dropped Miss Wall off at the mouth of the harbour shortly after 10pm the previous night.

But Danish police on Sunday said he has given them several conflicting accounts of what had happened, without elaborating further.

Passionate: Madsen's biographer has revealed that the hobby rocket builder has made enemies of the people he has worked with, and that his temper can flare unexpectedly

Police raised the wreckage of UC3 Nautilus two days after it went down, but failed to find a body or any other signs of Miss Wall

Around the time he claimed to have dropped Miss Wall off, Madsen sent a mysterious text to a friend saying she had left the vessel and cancelling a trip he was supposed to be taking on the submarine the following day, according to local reports.

He did not respond to questions from the friend about why he had dropped Miss Wall off or why the trip was being cancelled.

Madsen was arrested on manslaughter charges the following Saturday before a judge ordered that he be held in custody while investigations are carried out.

He is charged with having killed Miss Wall 'in an unknown way and in an unknown place sometime after 5pm on Thursday.'

Before the first court hearing, which was held in private and attended by his relatives, Madsen smiled, and chatted with both his lawyer and reporters.

If convicted, Madsen faces between five years and life in prison.

Madsen, an amateur enthusiast who had built the UC3 Nautilus himself, has a history of lashing out at journalists who gave his project bad press, his biographer has said.

'He often ends up in conflicts, and has a lot of enemies,' says Thomas Djursing, a journalist who has written a book about Madsen.

'He can throw tools at you. But at the same time, he's not a violent person. I've never been afraid of him,' he told Aftonbladet.

Mr Djursing adds that Madsen would often become angry with journalists who wrote about his ambitious projects in a negative way, and says 'I don't know a journalist who has not been in conflict with him'.

In Mr Djursing's book 'Rocket Madsen', the inventor describes himself as a 'nerd with few friends' who grew up with his elderly father after the parents' separation.

The UC3 Nautilus was raised from the bottom of Copenhagen harbour where it had been under 8m (24ft) of water since sinking on Friday morning

Despite not finding Miss Wall's body, Danish investigators are continuing to search in water and on land for any sign of her

Police technicians are pictured investigating the rescued private owned submarine UC3 Nautilus today

Madsen claims he dropped Miss Wall off at the mouth of the harbour and was the only one on board when his craft (pictured right) sank

The 40-ton, 18-meter long Nautilus, one of three subs built by Madsen, was found by divers under 7m (24ft) of water, though they were unable to enter it safely

Early on, he joined several rocket and space travel clubs, but his lack of patience and short fuse saw him excluded from the societies in his teens.

'The past few years, he has been driven by a kind of vengeance. To show those he has worked with in the past, but who has since become his adversaries, that he can beat them,' Mr Djursing toldExpressen.

'He is a crazy person,' photographer Bo Tornvig tells the newspaper.

'I mean, making space rockets and sailing around in home-made submarines is not normal behaviour. But I've never seen him lay a hand on anyone. This whole story really stinks.

The 40-ton, 18-meter long Nautilus, one of three subs built by Madsen, was found by divers under 7m (24ft) of water, though they were unable to enter it safely.

A salvage ship, the Vina, has now raised the sub from the sea bed close to Copenhagen's south island of Dragoer and brought it back to shore to be inspected.

Kristian Isbak, who had responded to the Navy's call to help locate the ship, sailed out immediately Friday and saw Madsen standing wearing his trademark military fatigues in the submarine's tower while it was still afloat.

Divers had located the submarine underwater on Friday but were unable to enter it safely

The submarine was reported missing early on Friday by Miss Wall's boyfriend after she failed to return home, prompting a major search operation by the Danish Navy

Madsen, pictured above in 2008 in front of his submarine, was seen standing the tower of the still-floating submarine moments before it sank, according to a rescuer

Peter Madsen, who built the submarine himself before inviting Miss Wall along for the maiden voyage, is still under investigation for negligent manslaughter as investigators say there is evidence it was wrecked deliberately

'He then climbed down inside the submarine and there was then some kind of air flow coming up and the submarine started to sink,' Isbak told The Associated Press.

'(He) came up again and stayed in the tower until water came into it' before swimming to a nearby boat as the submarine sank, he added.

Madsen said there was a valve error that became serious when he tried to repair it.

Footage aired on Denmark's TV2 channel showed Madsen, 46, getting off what seemed to be a private boat and making a thumbs up sign as he walked away.

Upon his rescue from Kge Bay, Madsen said: 'I'm fine. But I'm sorry because 'Nautilus' has gone down.'

The submarine was Madsen's third attempt at building such a structure and was the largest privately built submarine in the world at the time of its launch.

The Nautilus was a diesel-electric submarine. The diesel engine is uses when sailing or propelling just below the surface, while the electrical engine is used when the submarine is deep below the water's surface.

It was built like a post-World War II submarine, with a galley, crew bunks, officer's mass, bridge and engine room.

It's named after the famed submarine manned by Jules Verne's Captain Nemo character in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
Muhammed Ali was knifed six times to the head and torso by a schizophrenic attacker

A commuter stabbed in the head by a man screaming 'I want to kill all Muslims' as he sat next to his burka-clad wife has revealed the attack's devastating impact.

Muhammed Ali was knifed six times to the head and torso by schizophrenic attacker Adrian Brown, 38, on a London Overground train in South London.

The Muslim victim suffered severe blood loss and also a punctured lung, and said he had not left his house since the attack on December 12 last year.

Yesterday at Southwark Crown Court, Brown was detained indefinitely in hospital after being found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity.

And Mr Ali, who was attacked between Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill, said in a statement read to the court: 'I have not left the house since this happened.

Police officers at Forest Hill train station in South London after the attack in December last year

Police detain a man in Forest Hill after the attack on the London Overground train in 2016

'I struggle to sleep... because every time I shut my eyes I have flashbacks to the whole thing. I can only assume it was me because my wife was wearing a headscarf.

'I am so shocked and scared about what took place and I am nervous about leaving the house and travelling on the train again.'

Fellow passengers managed to save Mr Ali's life by giving him emergency first aid

Fellow passengers, including an off-duty police officer, a doctor and a nurses managed to save Mr Ali's life by giving him emergency first aid.

Before the attack Brown threatened a support worker at the hostel he was living in then headed to the train station.

The court heard Brown had been suffering a psychotic episode and believed that by stabbing the victim he would 'save humanity' and exorcise a Muslim demon haunting him.

When on board the train he was heard saying: 'Where are all the Muslims? I am going to kill all the Muslims', before holding a knife to the throat of another woman, who was unhurt.

Brown accepted carrying out the attack but pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder on the grounds of insanity.

The victim had been travelling back from a trip to the mosque and the shops with his wife when the assault took place.

Yesterday, a jury found Brown not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity following a two-day trial of issue.

He was also found not guilty by reason of insanity of possession of an offensive weapon and of assault by beating of the support worker.

Police attend Forest Hill train station last December. The victim had been travelling back from a trip to the mosque and the shops with his wife when the assault took place

The London Overground train had been travelling between Honor Oak Park and Forest Hill (file)

The court heard when off-duty police officer David Pearson faced Brown down and told him to put down the knife, the defendant told him: 'No, you are OK, you are a Christian.'

The officer helped Mr Ali to safety and gave a detailed description of the attacker to police over the phone before trying to persuade Brown to put down his weapon.

Detaining Brown indefinitely under section 37 of the Mental Health Act, Judge Deborah Taylor QC said: 'You have a long history of psychotic illness and on that day you were suffering and you continue to suffer from paranoid schizophrenia.'

She continued: 'You attempted to kill (Mr Ali) by stabbing him repeatedly.

Schizophrenic attacker Adrian Brown was found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity at London's Southwark Crown Court (file picture) and detained indefinitely in hospital

Brown appeared via video link from Broadmoor Hospital (file picture) during the hearing

'There's no doubt that if it had not been for the prompt intervention of an off-duty police officer and two medical practitioners that he may well have died such were the severity of his injuries and the loss of blood.'

Judge Taylor also imposed an order under section 41 of the Mental Health Act meaning Brown can only ever be released from hospital on the order of a judge or Secretary of State.

Brown, of Brockley Rise, South East London, appeared via video link from Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire during the hearing, wearing a brown tracksuit.
A Connecticut nanny accused of burning a 3-year-old's hand and leg on a hot stove, swinging her by the hair and trapping her inside a toy chest has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Lidia Quilligana, 32, learned her fate during an emotionally charged sentencing hearing on Tuesday, six weeks after she pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, which was reduced from first-degree assault in exchange for pleading guilty to 24 counts of risk of injury to a minor.

Quilligana pleaded guilty to some charges under the Alford doctrine, meaning she doesn't agree with all the evidence but acknowledges there's enough for a conviction.

Nanny punished: Lidia Quilligana, 32, (pictured in court Tuesday) has been sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to abusing and torturing three children, ages three and one, in 2015

Crocodile tears: Quilligana sobbed in court and apologized for losing control while looking after her employers' children, who prosecutors say were burned, beaten and tortured

The caretaker, an immigrant from Ecuador with three children of her own, was arrested in 2015 in Danbury after she was caught on a hidden camera repeatedly abusing her employers' 3-year-old girl and 1-year-old twin siblings, according to The News-Times.

Prosecutors say she also ripped hair out of the children's heads.

A defense attorney called Quilligana's actions 'unfathomable' at Tuesday's sentencing, but said she was not a 'monster' but 'a sad person who lost control.'

The attorney also said Quilligana was abused as a child at the hands of her drunkard father and was using the only discipline she knew.

Plea deal: Quilligana, pictured in her mugshot, pleaded guilty in July to second-degree assault and 24 counts of risk of injury to a minor

An advocate for the three victims said the abuse suffered by the 3-year-old girl and her younger siblings could only be described as torture.

Quilligana had worked for the family for about a year when the abuse came to light. At the time of her arrest in March 2015, she was pregnant with her third child.

The family had set up the nanny camera in December 2014 after suspecting that something was happening to their eldest daughter.

On March 27, 2015, the child's mother had come home from work when she saw her daughter's burned hands and black eye and asked Quilligana what happened, according to court records.

An arrest warrant said the nanny lied to the mother that the child had placed a chair next to the stove and accidentally burned her hands before falling and injuring her head on one of the stove's knobs.

But surreptitiously recorded video showed that it was Quilligana who dragged the toddler to the hot stove and placed her hands and legs against the burners.

The girl suffered from second-degree burns, according to The News-Times.

There was an amount of sustained and depraved cruelty that Ive never seen before, said attorney Sharon Dornfeld, who was appointed to represent the victims. She tortured those children.

According to the prosecution, the nanny cam recorded 10 days worth of abuse in March 2015, showing Quilligana, among other things, causally picking up the three-year-old girl by the hair and swinging her around, 'much like a track star swing a hammer,' said Assistant State's Attorney Warren Murray.

Her excuse: A lawyer for Quilligana, pictured in court in March 2015, said she was abused as a child at the hands of her drunkard father and was using the only discipline she knew

At another point in the recording, which has been sealed by the judge, Quilligana could be seen letting the toddler out of a toy box, where she had been confined, and ordering her to go upstairs, only to viciously slap the child across the face.

I couldnt control myself, Quilligana said Tuesday through an interpreter. Believe me, I loved those children with all my heart. Im sorry a thousand times.

The victims' mother rejected the nanny's apology and said in a statement there was no excuse for her conduct.

The judge agreed, telling the defendant 15 years 'doesn't even come close to fitting the crime.'
Former Home and Away and All Saints star Martin Lynes has been found guilty of sexual assault.

The 50-year-old actor had pleaded not guilty to three charges over attacks in 2015 and 2016 on a woman at a home in Bateau Bay, north of Sydney.

His bail was revoked following the Gosford District Court verdict, Nine News reported.

More to come

Former Home and Away and All Saints star Martin Lynes (pictured) has been found guilty of sexual assault
The Queensland city of Logan will be singled out in the Commonwealth Government's new drug-testing trial for welfare.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter and Human Services Minister Alan Tudge announced on Wednesday that the two-year trial will start in Logan from January.

The city will become the largest site for the trial after it was revealed it had a 570 per cent higher number of people starting on the dole.

It was announced Wednesday that the Queensland city of Logan, whose Centrelink office is pictured, will be singled out in the Commonwealth Government's new drug-testing trial for welfare

The trail will see 5000 new recipients of Newstart and Youth Allowance be tested for illicit substances across three locations - with Bankstown in NSW also revealed as one of the sites.

It is expected that more than half of those tested will come from Logan though, with the the city reportedly chosen to make it better rather than stigmatise it, according to the federal government.

However, Logan City Mayor Luke Smith was furious he wasn't consulted and said he fears the trial will vilify the city.

'Drugs are a nationwide problem, so why isn't there a nationwide trial? Don't single out one city in Queensland,' Mr Smith told AAP.

Those who return a positive test in the trial will have 80 per cent of their benefit payment put onto a Basics Card, which limits the amount of money people can withdraw as cash.

The remaining funds will be reserved for essentials such as rent, child care, food and household needs.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter announced the two-year trial will start in Logan from January, and that the higher numbers of people starting on the dole was a significant contributing factor

The city of Logan (pictured) reportedly has a 570 per cent higher number of people coming onto the Newstart allowance system

After a second positive test, the person will have to see a doctor at the government's expense and undergo any proposed treatment in order to continue receiving benefits.

Mr Porter said it's clear there is an issue with drug abuse in Logan and it would be folly to avoid that reality.

'This is a great community that we're hoping to make better,' Mr Porter said.

'The problem is quite elevated consumption of highly addictive and dangerous drugs like ice.

'Recognising a problem is not to stigmatise a community, it's to try and take the first step to offering practical solutions to a problem we all know exists.'

He added Logan's large catchment area for people coming into unemployment benefits had been a large part in deciding why it had been selected for the trial.

'There's about a 570 per cent higher number of people coming into the Newstart system here in Logan,' he said.

Logan City Mayor Luke Smith said he was furious he wasn't consulted and admitted he fears the trial will stigmatise the city

Opposition frontbencher Jim Chalmers, whose electorate includes Logan, said the trial was about 'bagging the community' and headline-chasing rather than getting people jobs.

'This program has been tried elsewhere and it's failed dismally,' Mr Chalmers said.

AMA President Michael Gannon also said the trial wouldn't work and that it was 'unfair' to single out specific towns.

'It's simply unfair and it already picks on an impaired and marginalised group. It's not evidence-based. It's not fair,' he told the National Press Club.

Mr Porter defended the scheme, saying it had taken lessons from similar programs overseas and was a completely new model to those from the past.
A 96-year-old American veteran decorated with the highest military honours for taking part in one of the most daring D-Day assaults on the Nazis has admitted he made it all up.

George G Klein was handed the Purple Heart and Bronze Star in the US and the French Legion d'honneur for his part in the assault on Pointe du Hoc where 225 men scaled 100ft cliffs before taking out German artillery positions.

Klein claimed to be among an elite group of 2nd Ranger Battalion soldiers asked to storm and secure the Normandy coast between Omaha and Utah beaches on June 6 1944.

This year he was a star of the 73rd anniversary celebrations where he signed hundreds of autographs and was photographed with his medals on the French cliffs he claimed to have climbed in 1944 having been flown there from America thanks to charitable donations.

But Second World War historians Gary Sterne and Marty Morgan were perplexed because they failed to find any trace of him at Pointe du Hoc and he was finally forced to admit his D-Day heroism was all a lie.

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George G Klein on the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc this year where he claimed to spend D-Day - but he has been forced to admit he made it all up

Klein (pictured) was not in Normandy and instead he was in the 46th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, in a field in Northern Ireland and would enter France a month after D-Day

225 men clambered up 100ft cliffs before taking out German artillery positions in one of the most daring and dangerous missions on June 6 1944 (pictured after it was successfully completed)

Marc Laurenceau, head of the Overlord D-Day association, told French newspaper La Renaissance Le Bessin: 'George Klein arrived in Normandy in July 1944. I'm in contact with his family with whom I have become friends. They are devastated.

He added: 'So are we, as we believed his story. We put in a lot of effort to get him to Normandy.'

This year the D-Day Overlord Association crowdfunded $4,000 (3,120) to fly him from his Illinois home back to Pointe du Hoc where he was called ''one of the great celebrities' of the 73rd anniversary celebrations.

He paid tribute to his comrades and said: 'I'm not a hero. The real heroes are those who have lost life here'.

It was only when he got home to America that he admitted it was all a lie and he had been unable to be a Ranger having broken his ankle in 1943.

Instead he was in the 46th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, in a field in Northern Ireland, and would enter France a month after D-Day.

Despite the shame of being outed as a liar the Overlord D-Day Association has still been supportive.

They said he should 'not be ashamed of his real contribution to the liberation of Europe' because he was wounded in action in Germany on November 17 1944.

'Trapped into a lie that shaped him in the eyes of his entourage, and from which he could no longer escape, he finally resolved to tell the truth,' they said.

The cliffs (pictured) were a point of attack by the United States Army Ranger Assault Group during Operation Overlord

He is not the first US veteran to be exposed in this way.

Until 2009 Howard Manoian was a local hero in the Normandy village that he had retired to - feted for his tales of sacrifice in liberating France from the Nazis and even had a plaque in his honour.

The American was happy to tell how he was wounded in action twice after parachuting into nearby Sainte-Mere-Eglise on D-Day in the fierce battle later depicted in John Wayne's film The Longest Day.

Numerous admirers heard how he was shot in the hand and legs by a German machine gun during a fire fight and then again by a Messerschmitt which strafed the field hospital where he was recovering.

But it later emerged that he was only minding a supply dump in Northern France and providing showers for war-weary soldiers.
The former partner of Martin Place's 'homeless mayor' Lanz Priestley has had a win in court, with a magistrate dismissing her stealing charge.

Nina Wilson, 20, who is the mother of Mr Priestley's 12th child, was charged with stealing an iPhone 6 from a person in Doonside, in Sydney's west.

Police said Ms Wilson stole the phone from a person between 6pm and 9pm on June 1, 2016.

Nina Wilson, right, the former partner of Martin Place's 'homeless mayor' Lanz Priestley, left, has had a win in court, with a magistrate dismissing her stealing charge

But in the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, Ms Wilson's charge was dismissed.

Mr Priestley, 72, celebrated by posting on Facebook: 'Nina Wilson not guilty, life goes on.'

Mr Priestley spoke to Daily Mail Australia after the birth of the couple's daughter in July, and says despite the pair separating they are still 'good friends'.

He described the newborn as 'perfection' in a doting interview.

'She is a dream baby who sleeps six or seven hours a night,' he said.

'She is content and smiles a lot - I am so proud of them both.'

Mr Priestley, 72, celebrated by posting on Facebook 'Nina Wilson not guilty, life goes on'

Ms Wilson, originally from Nowra, previously lived on the street where she met the father-of-12

Ms Wilson, originally from Nowra, previously lived on the street where she met the father-of-twelve. They soon became romantically involved before Ms Wilson secured permanent housing.

She now claims Mr Priestley isn't the father of her child, despite naming her after him in a doting social media post after her birth.

The former couple happily posed in front of cameras after the Martin Place tent city was pulled down the first time, and expressed their joy at the impending birth.

The tent city and street kitchen has been torn apart twice since June - but Mr Priestley says he will continue to fight for it.
Disturbing video captured the moment a speeding car mowed down a man outside a restaurant after he inadvertently filmed the incident.

Emre Temel, 26, was waiting to buy meatballs in Turkey with wife Tugba, 25, outside the eatery in the Ilkadim district of Samsun Province.

After parking his motorcycle outside the Black Sea coast restaurant, Mr Temel livestreamed the queue and recorded a white car ploughing into him after stepping into the road.

His wife is heard screaming as it rams into Mr Temel after speeding so fast its tyre burst.

Mrs Temel says her husband is in critical condition at Ondokuz Mayis University Medicine Faculty Hospital's Brain Surgery Service after hitting his head on the ground.

Emre Temel accidentally livestreamed himself being hit by a car while queuing in Turkey

'At the moment my husband is still fighting for life,' she said. 'I hope he will be alright.'

She hopes the footage will help convict the driver, who she confronted after the crash.

The car was going so fast it burst its tyre after hitting Mr Temel outside the restaurant

'That night I went out with my husband.

'Then on our way to home we wanted to buy raw meatballs. There was a queue in front of the restaurant so we started waiting.

'All of a sudden the accident happened. I saw my husband on the ground.

The vehicle can bee seen speeding as it grows nearer to the couple queuing for meatballs

'He never does livestreaming but that night he wanted to do. Fortunately he did.

'This became the strongest proof. I cannot describe what I felt those moments.'

One witness described how Mrs Temel raged at the driver while her husband lay injured on the floor.

The car ploughed into Mr Temel with the footage also capturing his wife screaming in terror

'He tumbled and hit the ground with his head,' he said. 'We called an ambulance.

'The paramedics intervened. The police came. The tyre of the car burst from the hit.

'The victim showed her reaction to the driver.'

It is not known whether the unnamed driver was arrested.
A hotdog doing pirouettes and plies does not exactly scream graceful - but this little girl in Texas might have just pulled it off during her fancy dress ballet class.

Little girl Willow, who attends ballet class in Austin, Texas, is seen in a video at her dance lesson where the students were asked to dress up as 'what they want to be when they grow up'.

In among the princesses, including at least one Snow White, there's Willow, a giant hotdog covered in mustard.

Her parents, who shot the video, said Willow was determined to be a hotdog.

They said: 'There was really no negotiating about this outfit, regardless of how hot she became the more she danced in it.

'My daughter has always been incredibly strong-willed, and decisive.'

Students at a ballet class in Austin, Texas were asked to dress up as 'what they wanted to be when they grow up. Little Willow was determined to be a hotdog

All the children looked great! Many dressed up as princesses, including one Snow White, pictured left

Willow didn't care about how hot she would get in her costume - she was determined to dress up as a hotdog

The video is said to have been taken last year.
City staff have begun the search for a consultant to create the citys first climate action plan, which will be centered on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and identifying and mitigating effects of climate change on vulnerable communities identified within the city.

The planning process came as a result of the city councils goal to take meaningful action against climate change, and the council allocated $100,000 to hiring a consultant in its budget for the 2018 fiscal year, which began in July.

Jenny Niemann, the citys climate and energy specialist, said the plan will set a goal to reduce Flagstaffs greenhouse gas emissions and specific steps for reducing emissions, outline actions to prepare for climate change and actions that can be taken to adapt to changing climate.

Its more cost-effective to be prepared for climate change rather than to try to respond to effects, Niemann said, citing the Schultz Fire and flood, which cost $130 million in response, as compared to the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project, which costs $10 million, which could avoid a similar situation that could cost $500 million in damages.

Greenhouse gas emissions per Flagstaff resident have increased in most years since 2009, Niemann said in her presentation to the council, decreasing only in 2010 and 2015. In 2016, the citys per capita emission of carbon dioxide equivalents increased to its highest point in the seven years listed.

Fort Collins, Colo., Phoenix and Salt Lake City can all be used as models to create the plan, Neimann said. Phoenix, which created a municipal plan similar to what Flagstaffs plan would be, exceeded the goals set in the plan three years early, Niemann said.

So far in her conversations with citizens, Niemann said it became clear people would like to see a plan specific to Flagstaff, which would do vulnerability assessment to identify neighborhoods and populations most susceptible to the effects of climate change, as well as mitigation strategies and analysis on return on investment.

The council will award a contract to a consultant in September, Niemann said. After the contract is awarded, the consultant and the city will spend the next eight months doing community outreach, technical analysis, developing the plan and completing the plan. By the end of summer 2018, the plan is expected to be ready for public comment and approval by the city council.

Three community members addressed the council to voice their support for the plan, and said some citizens had recently formed a group called the Flagstaff Climate Action Council, which they said they hoped would serve as a resource for the city as the plan is created.
A car used in the Barcelona terror attack was caught speeding in Paris just days before the atrocity, as jihadi perpetrators stayed in a hotel and went 'shopping', it has emerged.

The revelation has prompted fears that members of the ISIS cell may have had links with terrorists in the French capital.

Among those known to have visited France is Younes Abouyaaqoub, the mass murderer who drove a van down Las Ramblas in the Spanish city, leaving 13 dead and 130 more wounded.

The Audi A3 seized by police in Cambrils, where five members of the terror cell were shot dead, was caught by a speed camera on its way to Paris days before the Barcelona attack

The sighting of the car in the French capital has prompted fears that the jihadis had links with terror groups in France

The killers drove the 650 miles from Barcelona to the French capital and arrived on Saturday, August 12.

Their car, an Audi A3, was flashed speeding in the Essonne department, west of Paris, just before they reached Paris itself. There is also evidence placing them in the centre of the city.

Among those who travelled to France was Younes Abouyaaqoub, the mass murderer who drove a van along Las Ramblas

After spending Saturday and Sunday in France, the group then drove back to Spain in the same car.

Confirming the development in the investigation, French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said: 'This group came to Paris, but it was a quick arrival and departure.'

Security sources meanwhile told the BFMtelevision channel that the men 'spent the night in a hotel in the Paris region. They went on to make purchases in Paris 'at a major department store'.

Among those spotted in Paris was Abouyaaqoub, the 22-year-old Moroccan, who was shot dead on Monday after being cornered by police while wearing a fake suicide vest outside the Spanish town of Subirats.

Four days earlier it was Abouyaaqoub who drove a van along the crowded Las Ramblas. He then fled on foot, and hijacked a car by murdering its owner, 34-year-old aid worker Pablo Perez.

Five other members of the cell - including Abouyaaqoub's brother Houssaine - were shot dead by officers in the coastal town of Cambrils last Friday.

All had been travelling in the same Audi A3 that had been to Paris and back.

Brothers Said and Youssef Aallaa, who died after the Barcelona terror attack, are believed to have been among those in Paris

The revelation has prompted fears that the group behind the Barcelona atrocity (pictured) had links with similar terror cells across Europe

Mr Collomb said all the information about the Paris link had been passed over to his Spanish counterpart, Juan IgnacioZoido.

On November 15, 2015, Paris washit by a series of coordinated attacks by Islamic State terrorists that left 130 people dead, including 89 at the Bataclan music venue.

All of the killers were heavily armed with weapons including Kalashnikov assault rifles and explosives.

Surviving members of the same cell stuck four months struck four months later in Brussels, carrying out suicide bomb attacks that this time left 32 civilians dead.

Anti-terrorist investigators have pointed to the cell having contacts across Europe, enabling them to get hold of guns and ammunition relatively easily, as well as other logistical support.

Mohammed Aallaa, 27, whose car was used in the Cambrils attack, was released from custody on Tuesday

Collomb said French and Spanish services were in tight cooperation over the attacks, but the French 'didn't know the cell which was exclusively Spanish'.

His Spanish counterpart is to pay a visit to Paris today.

The latest revelation comes as a Spanish judge ordered one of the four Barcelona terror suspects to be freed just hours after they appeared in court for the first time.

Mohammed Aallaa, 27, whose car was used in the Cambrils attack, has been released on bail after a Madrid judge ruled there was not enough evidence to hold him.

Mohammed Houli Chemlal, 21, who was pulled from the ruins of a suspected bomb factory, and Driss Oukabir, who rented the van used to attack Barcelona, have been charged with terror-related murder and ordered held without bail.

Sahal El Karib, who owns an internet cafe in the town of Ripoll where the cell allegedly operated, will be held for another 72 hours while further investigations are carried out.

Karib denied being a member of the terror cell as police raided his cafe. Raids were also carried out in a town called Vilafranca del Penedes on Tuesday night.

Mohammed Houli Chemlal, 21, who was pulled from the ruins of a suspected bomb factory, and Driss Oukabir, who rented the van used to attack Barcelona, have been charged with terror-related murder and ordered held without bail

Police were given 72 hours to strengthen their case against Sahal El Karib, who owns an internet cafe in Ripoll, the town where most of the attackers came from

As a condition of Aallaa's release he must report to a courthouse every Monday, has been forced to hand over his passport, and cannot leave the country.

The judge also revealed that an ISIS document was found inside the suspected bomb factory, providing the first connection to the terror group which had earlier claimed responsibility for the atrocities which killed 15 and wounded 120.

The piece of paper was entitled 'A brief letter from the soldiers of the Islamic State on the territory of Al Andalous to the crusaders, the sinners, the unjust and the corrupters'.

Al Andalous is the name of the territories governed until 1492 by Muslims better known as Moors.

Court documents also revealed the Cambrils attackers bought knives and axes to be used against innocent civilians just minutes before they killed one and injured 16.
Thousands of Iranian-backed fighters are battling their way through the Middle East in a bid to secure a corridor from the Tehran through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to the Mediterranean.

If secured, the route would be the biggest prize yet for Iran in its involvement in Syria's six-year-old civil war and would provide unhindered land access to its allies in Syria and Lebanon for the first time.

It would facilitate movement of Iranian-backed fighters between Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon as well as the flow of weapons to Damascus and Lebanon's Hezbollah, Iran's main proxy group.

It also positions Iran to play a prime and lucrative role in what is expected to be a massive rebuilding effort in both Iraq and Syria, which have been devastated in their ongoing wars.

Previously, the route has not been possible due to Iraqi resistance, but success would prove to make Tehran a much bigger player in the Middle East but Israel has warned it is merely filling the vacuum left by Islamic State.

Thousands of Iranian-backed fighters are battling their way through the Middle East in a bid to secure a corridor from the Tehran through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to the Mediterranean. If secured, the route would be the biggest prize yet for Iran in its involvement in Syria's six-year-old civil war and would provide unhindered land access to its allies in Syria and Lebanon for the first time. It would facilitate movement of Iranian-backed fighters between Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon as well as the flow of weapons to Damascus and Lebanon's Hezbollah, Iran's main proxy group

The thousands of Iranian-backed fighters are currently in central Syrian desert, pictured here

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani takes part in a news conference near the United Nations General Assembly in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., September 22, 2016

The Iranian-backed fighters are currently in central Syrian desert, and the potential for a physical artery for Iran's influence across the region is raising concern in predominantly Sunni Arab countries and in Israel, the nemesis of both Iran and Hezbollah.

It poses a challenge to the Trump administration, which has vowed to fight Iran's growing reach.

The route is largely being carved out by Iran's allies and proxies, a mix of forces including troops of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Hezbollah fighters and Shiite militias on both sides of the border aiming to link up.

Iran also has forces of its own Revolutionary Guard directly involved in the campaign on the Syrian side.

Concerns over their advances are expected to come up when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks Wednesday in the Russian resort of Sochi with President Vladimir Putin, whose country is an ally of Iran and Assad.

Concerns over their advances are expected to come up when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds talks Wednesday in the Russian resort of Sochi with President Vladimir Putin, whose country is an ally of Iran and Assad

According to Netanyahu, Iran's growing role in Syria poses a threat to Israel, the Middle East and the world.

Talking to Putin, he said: 'Mr. President, with joint efforts we are defeating Islamic State, and this is a very important thing.

'But the bad thing is, that where the defeated Islamic State group vanishes, Iran is stepping in.

'We cannot forget for a single minute that Iran threatens every day to annihilate Israel.

'It (Iran) arms terrorist organisations, it sponsors and initiates terror.

'Iran is already well on its way to controlling Iraq, Yemen and to a large extent in already in practice in control of Lebanon.'

The talks will focus 'first and foremost on preventing Iran's military entrenchment in Syria,' David Keyes, a spokesman for Netanyahu, said.

'Iran's aggression in the region continues to grow. The regime is trying to entrench itself militarily on Israel's border. Israel cannot and will not allow this,' he said.

'Any cease-fire which allows Iran to establish a foothold in Syria is a danger to the entire region.'

A corridor would be a boost for Israel's powerful enemy Hezbollah, which has an arsenal of tens of thousands of rockets and missiles.

Iran currently ships weapons to Hezbollah mostly by flying them to Syria to be shipped on the ground to Lebanon.

Israel has warned it would do what it can to keep Iran from threatening its borders and has carried out airstrikes in Syria against suspected weapons shipments bound for Hezbollah.

Israel pushed hard for a US- and Russia-brokered truce that came into effect recently in southern Syria to keep Iranian-backed militias at a distance from the Golan Heights, which Israel has occupied since 1967.

If secured, the land route is likely to be a frequent target by Sunni insurgent groups.

But Iran's allies are making progress on both sides of the border, taking territory from the Islamic State group.

ISIS pictured pictured in the central Syrian desert ahead of a mass execution back in 2015 when the terror group had more of a hold on the country

In recent months, Syrian troops and allied militiamen have marched forward on three fronts toward areas bordering Iraq.

One of their main targets is the ISIS-held eastern city of Deir el-Zour, where the militants have imposed a siege for years on a small government-held pocket.

Syrian troops and pro-Iranian Iraqi militiamen do already meet at one small area on the border - at the Jamouna region on the Iraqi side and Wadi al-Waer on the Syrian side.

But the area is too dangerous to be used as a corridor, since militants continue to launch hit-and-run attacks.

Syrian troops reached another part of the border in June, but much of the adjacent territory on the Iraqi side is still IS-held.

Inside Iraq, Iranian-backed Shiite militiamen are gaining more influence in predominantly Sunni areas bordering Syria.

Militiamen are involved in the battle to retake the Iraqi town of Tel Afar, which would boost the militias' hold on the nearby border region.

The Shiite militiamen are also present in Iraq's western Anbar province bordering Syria.

'Our aim is to prevent any barriers from Iraq to Syria all the way to Beirut,' said Jaafar al-Husseini of Iraq's Kataeb Hezbollah militia.

'The resistance is close to achieving this goal.'

Al-Husseini warned that if the Americans try to act against the advances on the Syrian side, Iraqi militiamen will target US troops in Iraq.

US-backed Syrian fighters had aimed to move up from southeastern Syria to the north through IS-held territory along the Iraqi border, an assault that would have blocked pro-Iranian forces' moves to link up.

But in June, Assad's forces succeeded in reaching the border first, cutting them off.

Now the American allies are preparing to try to from the other direction, moving south along the border from the northeastern province of Hassakeh, according to Syrian activists.

In addition to hundreds of members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard corps, thousands of pro-Iranian fighters are deployed in Syria and have played instrumental role in shoring up Assad's forces.

They include Lebanon's Hezbollah, Afghanistan's Fatimiyoun, Pakistan Zeinabiyoun as well as Iraq's Nujbaa and Kataeb Hezbollah groups.

Iranian leaders avoid publicly speaking about their aim to link to so-called 'axis of resistance,' referring to Iran, Hezbollah, Syria and other anti-Israel forces.

But its allies have no qualms about showing their ambition.

'The aim is for a geographical connection between Syria, Iraq and the axis of resistance,' Syrian Information Minister Ramez al-Turjuman said in a TV interview.

A US military convoy drives through the Anbar desert toward the town of al-Qaim at the Iraqi-Syrian border back in 2005. A similar pathway could be created by the corridor

Earlier this year, Washington helped broker a deal between the Iraqi government and Olive Green, an American private security company, to secure the highway linking Baghdad with the Jordanian border.

That was seen by Iran's allies as an attempt to impede the land link.

Qais al-Khazaali, who heads the Iranian-backed Iraq militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq, warned that the Iraqi people 'will not allow the return of American security companies.'

The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdurrahman, said it is almost impossible to prevent Iran from achieving its goal, after it spent hundreds of millions of dollars and sent arms and fighters to help keep Assad in power.

'Iran's influence in Syria is unstoppable even if Bashar Assad leaves power because Iran has deep links and presence in Syria,' Abdurrahman said.

'Had it not been for Iran, the regime would have collapsed in 2013.'
The Irish PM has goaded Theresa May over her Brexit plan for an invisible border in Ireland after visiting the 'hard border' between the US and Canada.

Leo Varadkar has rejected Mrs May's proposal for the UK-Ireland border to be policed without any physical infrastructure, relying instead on rules about employment and sale of products.

Mr Varadkar made his latest intervention on the thorny issue after visiting the US-Cananda frontier to see an example of border controls between close allies.

Both Britain and the EU are committed to finding a solution that allows goods and people to travel freely between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

But Dublin has warned this could mean placing the UK-EU border in the Irish Sea - meaning customs checks between Britain and Northern Ireland.

Irish Premier Leo Varadkar made his latest intervention on the UK-EU border after visiting the US-Cananda frontier (pictured left with a Canadian official and right with a sniffer dog team at a check point) to see border controls between close allies

Mr Varadkar tweeted 'just visited Canada-US border. It's high tech and highly efficient, but make no mistake - it's a hard border.'

He tweeted: 'Just visited Canada-US border. It's high tech and highly efficient, but make no mistake - it's a hard border.'

Mr Varadkar, who took office earlier in the summer, told later Canadian TV he remained confused about what Britain wanted from the Brexit talks.

He said: 'What trade agreement does the United Kingdom want with the European Union?

'At the moment they have the best trade deal possible, the best one imaginable which is the customs union and access to the single European market and the European Economic Area.

KEY POINTS FROM THE UK POSITION PAPER No checks on goods or people crossing the border, no CCTV or hi-tech monitoring Keeping the Common Transit Convention so Northern Ireland and Irish companies can move goods freely A 'cross-border trade exemption' to avoid new customs processes at all for smaller traders A 'trusted trader' arrangement for larger businesses Advertisement

'What they seem to be suggesting, all along really, from the last 14 months now is that they want to have all the advantages from being in the EU but none of the responsibilities and costs and that's not a realistic position so we're waiting to see what they would like to see.'

The Government unveiled its position on the Irish border last week, ahead of the resumption of face-to-face Brexit talks next week.

Identifying a settlement for the Irish question is one of three questions Brussels is demanding progress on before it will discuss future trading rules.

Publishing the paper, Mrs May said: 'There should be no physical border infrastructure of any kind on either side of the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

'I want people to be absolutely clear: the UK does not want to see border posts for any purpose.'

Theresa May (pictured with Team GB atheletes in No 10 last night) has proposed the UK-Ireland border be policed without any physical infrastructure, relying instead on rules about employment and sale of products

Britain says there should be no check points on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Brexit

Mrs May also moved to reassure nationalists living in Northern Ireland that Brexit will not see the UK turn its back on its 'unique and special relationship' with Ireland.

She insisted rights enshrined under the Good Friday peace accord, such as the right to claim Irish citizenship, would be protected after the exit from the European Union.

The paper reaffirms the Government's commitment to maintain the century-old Common Travel Area (CTA), which allows for free movement of UK and Irish citizens around the island.

There have been concerns that this means EU nationals will be able to come to Ireland, and then enter the UK through the 'back door' unchallenged. But the document says ministers are 'confident' they can enforce a new immigration system without a hard border.

Controlling access to things such as the labour market and welfare systems form an integral part of the UK's immigration system.

The document says: 'Along with many other member states, controlling access to the labour market and social security have long formed an integral part of the UK's immigration system.

'The nature of this range of control mechanisms means that the UK is confident that it will be able to: maintain existing movement to the UK from within the CTA without requiring border controls, as now; respect Ireland's ongoing EU free movement obligations; and put in place a new UK immigration system and controls for EEA (European Economic Area) citizens.'
A chef was allegedly stabbed to death by a homeless man he had taken home after his Grindr date could not make their meeting, a court heard.

Phillip Owen, 42, from Umston, Greater Manchester, was found dead on the living room floor of his flat with a deep knife wound to the neck just hours after he was seen walking along the street with 24-year old Ashley Bosson.

In the hours before his death, Mr Owen had texted a friend saying: 'I helped this homeless person, now he's here... I'm scared'.

Phillip Owen, 42, (pictured) from Umston, was found dead in his flat with a deep knife wound to the neck just hours after he was seen walking with 24-year old Ashley Bosson

Later a neighbour heard the victim shout 'Stop it' three times before overhearing another man singing rap music in the victim's bathroom and rambling to himself.

Bosson, who was about to evicted from his own flat, was arrested later after he met up with his grandfather who described him as 'laughing like a hyena and acting as if he was possessed.'

Officers's found the suspect's boxer shorts and training shoes had been stained with the victim's blood and his fingerprint was on a shot glass recovered from Mr Owen's flat.

His DNA was also found on a hooded top and in the bathroom sink. He claims to have no memory of what happened.

Ashley Bosson (pictured) was arrested after he met up with his grandfather who described him as 'laughing like a hyena and acting as if he were possessed'

Manchester Crown Court heard the tragedy occurred last October 30 after Mr Owen, a Welshman nicknamed 'Taff', had spent the evening drinking with friends in Urmston town centre ending up at Champs Bar.

Prosecuting Mr Alaric Bassano said: 'One of Mr Owen's friends noticed Owen was using his mobile phone to send texts and, knowing that Mr Owen used the website Grindr to hook up with other men for casual sex, made a jocular comment to him about it.'

Later Mr Owen began exchanging messages on the site with Ciaran McSorley who was known as 'Average Irish.' Mr Bassano added: 'These texts at these times were when Mr Owen was still out at the various pubs and bars.

'Mr Owen flirted with Mr McSorley, inviting him to his flat for sex and offered to pay his taxi fare. Mr McSorely was willing but ultimately unable to attend because he was otherwise engaged. The two of them thus never met.

'Mr Owen's friends left Champs Bar before Mr Owen, who left at 1.13am. At 1.15am he was seen walking away with the defendant and soon thereafter the defendant walked away alone.

'At 1.35am and 1.36am Mr Owen texted Mr McSorely to inform him that he had just arrived home. They then exchanged further messages and then at 2am Mr Owen texted 'I helped this homeless person now he's here. I'm scared'.

A police car outside Mr Owen's flat after the discovery of his body by concerned friends

'It is to be observed that the defendant, having recently been served with a notice to quit his tenancy, believed that he was soon to be homeless and it is surely to be inferred that Mr Owen's reference to the homeless person frightening him was a reference to the defendant.'

Next door neighbour Simon Cooper later heard Mr Owen speaking inside his flat and heard him utter the words 'Stop it' three times in a commanding tone at around 8am.

The prosecutor said: 'Mr Cooper didn't hear Mr Owen's voice again. Later that morning Mr Cooper heard another person singing from Mr Owen's bathroom.

'And later in the day Mr Cooper heard a male voice coming from Mr Owen's flat. It appeared to Mr Cooper as if the male was making a telephone call, the male declared that he had to be back in Liverpool and then the male started singing rap.

A next door neighbour heard Mr Owen (pictured) speaking inside his flat and heard him utter the words 'Stop it' three times in a commanding tone at around 8am but did not hear him again

'Would the killer stay at the flat after such a gruesome event?

'Well it is clear from Cooper's observations that the killer did just that, even, bizarrely, singing in the aftermath of the killing. He engaged in bizarre and erratic behaviour, sometimes hallucinating, seeing and hearing things that were unreal.

'Mr Cooper sensed that the male he heard was speaking on the telephone about travelling to Liverpool. But we say, what Cooper actually heard was the irrational ramblings of the defendant talking to himself.'

Friends found Mr Owen's body that evening when he failed to respond to call or texts.

The murder weapon and the keys to his flat were never recovered.

Mr Bassano said on November 1 Bosson was seen by his grandfather to be angry, agitated, frustrated, talking to himself and laughing like a hyena, acting as if he was possessed and unstable.

When he was taken to a hospital to be assessed he said: 'I've done something stupid granddad'.

Bosson refused to answer questions in police and he denies murder and manslaughter.

The case continues.
An eight-hour riot by inmates at a high security jail in Adelaide ended with prisoners demanding guards order them 20 Domino's Pizzas to end the violence.

A riot broke out at Yatala Labour Prison in South Australia about 3.30pm on Tuesday in the jail's B Division, where some of the country's most dangerous and notorious criminals were housed.

Prisoners barricaded themselves inside a cell, lit fires with matches, ripped cell doors off the hinges and smashed appliances before reportedly negotiating with guards to end the protest in exchange for 20 pizzas.

Scroll down for video

Authorities announced the protest ended shortly before midnight, around the time the pizza delivery car arrived at the prison

The riot kicked off when a group of prisoners refused orders to return to their cells, Nine News reported.

The violent riot lasted about eight hours before a Domino's pizza delivery car was filmed driving into the precinct.

Special Tasks and Rescue officers were called to the prison to assist guards with negotiations.

Ambulance crews were also on standby at the prison.

Authorities announced the protest ended shortly before midnight, around the time the pizza delivery car arrived at the prison.

When probed about the delivery, the Domino's delivery man told Seven News 'a variety of different pizzas' were ordered.

When probed about the delivery, the Domino's delivery man told Seven News 'a variety of different pizzas' were ordered

Special Tasks and Rescue officers were called to the prison (pictured) to assist guards with negotiations

Authorities insisted the delivery was ordered for the guards and not for the rioting inmates.

No staff or prisoners were injured during the riot, but there was significant damage to the precinct, with Seven News reporting 23 beds were rendered unusable.

Correctional Services Department Chief Executive David Brown said the riot started because some of the prisoners were unhappy with arrangements to move them to another area within the prison.

South Australia police said they were investigating the incident.

The police said prisoners responsible could face charges or be moved to a different prison.

Prisoners involved were transferred to the maximum security division of the prison on Wednesday.

Ambulance crews were also on standby at the prison in case any prisoners or guards was injured
Two men will stand trial after pleading not guilty to plotting a Christmas Day terror attack, allegedly targeting key Melbourne landmarks and using bomb-making instructions from an al-Qaeda magazine.

Hamza Abbas, 22, his brother Ibrahim Abbas, 23, Ahmed Mohamed, 24, and Abdullah Chaarani, 26 have faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court this week for a committal hearing to determine if they should stand trial.

On Wednesday, both Mohamed and Chaarani denied the charges and were ordered to face the Supreme Court of Victoria next week for an administrative hearing before the trial.

Friends and family (pictured) of four young men accused of plotting a Christmas Day 2016 terrorist attack in Melbourne refused to stand for a magistrate during a preliminary court hearing on Wednesday

Almost a dozen supporters (pictured) of Hamza Abbas, 22, his brother Ibrahim Abbas, 23, Ahmed Mohamed, 24, and Abdullah Chaarani, 26, disobeyed protocol on Tuesday when they refused to stand for Magistrate Peter Mealy as he entered or left the court room

CCTV footage was played to the court showing Mohamed and Hamza Abbas purchasing hydrogen peroxide from the Campbellfield Chemist Warehouse on December 2.

The four men were also shown having a meeting on the steps of Federation Square on December 20.

A lawyer acting for Hamza Abbas argued there was no evidence linking him to the plots and it was only 'conjecture' that he was part of the alleged plans with the other three.

However, prosecutor Patrick Doyle argued Hamza Abbas had been brought 'into the fold' of the other men by the time he attended Chemist Warehouse with Ibrahim Abbas and met the others at Federation Square.

Mr Doyle also said images from al-Qaeda magazine, Inspire, were found on Chaarani and Mohamed's mobile phones.

The magazine had instructions on how to prepare an 'iron pipe' explosive, which the four men were following, he added.

Policemen (pictured) guard Melbourne Magistrates Court as the four men faced terrorist plot charges

Mr Doyle said in doing so, they purchased Ramset power load cartridges, galvanised pipe elbows and other galvanised materials from Bunnings.

Also on Wednesday, magistrate Peter Mealy reprimanded a group of women in court supporting the men.

He scolded the women, wearing burqas, for failing to show 'simple acts of courtesy' as a 'sign of respect for the law and justice' by standing as requested when he entered the room, as is court protocol.

Most of the women stood when asked twice to do so.

'It is sad that the simple act of failing to stand demonstrates views that are not consistent with the general views of respect in the community,' Mr Mealy said.

The men are accused of plotting a terrorist attack on Flinders Street Station, Federation Square and St Paul's Cathedral on Christmas Day 2016, using an improvised explosive device and other weapons.

The court has previously been told that the men, who were arrested during raids by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team in Melbourne's north on December 22, were allegedly found with a mixture made of sparklers and match heads.

The committal hearing continues on Thursday.
Suleiman Abdirizak, 42, 'freaked out' when the woman told him she was infected with the disease and doused his penis with water from a squash bottle, it is claimed

A distraught Uber driver washed his genitals with a bottle of water after a passenger he tried to rape said she had HIV to stop him attacking her.

Suleiman Abdirizak, 42, 'freaked out' when the woman told him she was infected with the disease and doused his penis with water from a squash bottle, it is claimed.

He was so upset his victim had to comfort him and reassure him he would not contract the virus, Snaresbrook Crown Court was told.

Abdirizak is alleged to have raped the woman as he drove her home from a night out in Hoxton, east London.

Prosecutor Sarah Morris said the victim had been out of a meal and drink at Hoxton Bar and Grill on November 10 last year and felt unwell after drinking a bottle of wine.

She ordered an Uber and Abdirizak picked her up but took her on the wrong route home, jurors heard.

He suggested she cancel an Uber pool request, where passengers ride together for a cheaper rate, so that she was his only customer.

He then made some 'fairly inappropriate' comments to his passenger, Miss Morris said.

During the journey Abdirizak turned off into a dead end in Stepney, and pulled up as the woman slept to fondle her thigh.

Miss Morris said: 'He got into the back and put his penis into her mouth.

'He said: "I'll only drive you if you suck my d***".

'She told him a lie, she told him she had HIV to keep him away from her.

'He immediately left her alone and rinsed out his mouth and penis with water.

'She started comforting him and reassured him that she could not get it by touching.

Uber driver Abdirizak is alleged to have raped the woman as he drove her home from a night out in Hoxton, east London (file photo)

'She told her flatmate about what had just happened when she got home and he telephoned the police.

'The journey should have taken about 20 minutes. They were in that cab for 43 minutes.

'His telephone shows that for nine minutes they were in fact in Buckle Street.

'That's where the rape took place.'

Abdirizak said it was the woman who told him to stop the car because she was going to be sick.

'He said she got into the front seat next to him, getting close to him, asking what perfume he was wearing.

'He said it was her idea that they should go somewhere more private to be sick.

'He knew she was drunk, he described her as "annoying".

In her police interview the woman said she was 'scared inside' as she told the driver she had HIV.

She said: 'I remember the car stopped and by the time I woke up I could feel him touching the side of my leg.

'I said ''what are you doing?'' He said: "You a pretty girl, you must get that a lot".

'He got off his seat and then came to the back and by the time he came to the back he had already got his penis out.

'I said ''stay away from me.''

She added: 'I don't know how I thought of this idea to lie to him, I said I have an illness and you don't want to sleep with me.

'He thought it was an STD or something, I told him I have HIV and have had it for five years.

'I touched your penis, I don't know what could happen.

'He got out a squash bottle from his car and started washing his mouth and penis because he though he was contaminated.

'I told him: "I won't say anything, just drive me home. You won't get contaminated."

'He asked: "Are you sure?"

'I said ''I'm sure just drive me home.''

'I know he was freaked out. I said "I'll walk you through it, I have had it for five years, don't worry about it.

'Inside I was scared.'

The trial continues.
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It was the military operation that turned the tide of World War II.

Now, more than 70 years later, these coloured photographs uncovered in the National Archives of Canada show the daily struggles of the Invasion of Normandy.

Code-named Operation Overlord, the invasion was launched on 6 June, 1944 with the Normandy landings also known as D-Day.

These images show infantry soldiers readying themselves for the shores of Normandy, young men manning tanks and machine guns travelling through the countryside, as well as the devastation left behind after Allied forces bombed towns and villages to retake France from Nazi Germany.

The Day: Canadian infantry soldiers are seen disembarking several craft tank ships in a low tide on June 6, 1944, surrounded by armored tanks and beach obstacles, the men walk on a carpet of wooden slats on the sand

Battle poses: Soldiers man a gun as they pose for a war photographer near Juno Beach in 1944

Captured: Two Canadian soldiers hold up a Nazi flag which they captured in the galleries of the Aucrais Haut-Mesnil quarry.The Nazi pennant did not seem to have served much and was probably folded in the saddle bag lying at their feet

Destruction: The town of Saint-Lo saw destruction of up to 95 per cent when U.S. forces bombed it during Operation Overord

Daily fight: Three American soldiers are seen on their Half-track M3A1, left, and right, a Canadian crew of a Sherman tank resting before the battle south of Caen on July 28, 1944

Off to France: Jeeps embarked on a craft tank ship around D-Day, the operation that started the Invasion of Normandy

Allied fighters: Soldiers of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division ready themselves to travel to Normandy across the English Channel

Leaving England: Assault landing crafts are filled to the brim with troops, pictured in the beginning of June in 1944

Ready to fight: Rangers of the 2nd Battallion embarked for Normandy on June 1, 1944, and remained on board five English vessels for security purposes. Seen in this image are some soldiers carry Bangalore torpedoes

Time off: Private Larry Mason of Brooklyn, New York, Private 1st Class Norman Rausch of Cliona, Pennsylvania, and Sergeant Henry Krawczyk of Milwaukee, Wisconsin play darts while waiting to leave

Canadian soldiers are seen manning a Bofors Cannon, named as Sergeant Traplin, Bombardier Heldon and Sergeant Kennedy

Time to eat: U.S. troops receive donuts and coffee distributed by the Red Cross in a tent in Weymouth, Dorset, before embarking on ships set to cross the Channel before D-Day

What was to come: In the foreground two sailors of the US Navy have personalized their jacket as they sit onboard an amphibious assault craft carrying personnel and vehicles across the water

Exercise: This image shows soldiers of the 17th Cavalry Squadron (Mechanized) of the XX US Corps according to the registration of the Jeep, during an exercise somewhere in the UK before D-Day

After the battle: American soldiers, an officer at the head of a Lt (white vertical line on the helmet) cross a farmyard among civilians, including children in Normandy

Remains: Two French nuns, two women and three children look upon the church Saint Malo after the bombardments carried out by the American sappers

Managing weapons: Three Canadian soldiers are examining German guns captured in the galleries of the Aucrais a Haut-Mesnil quarry, left, and right, three others pose for the photographer with a mortar

Free France: A street in Cherbourg after liberation, sees the French flas above 'La Maison du Prisonnier', a Vichy organization on Rue du Chateau, going from Place De Gaulle to Place de la Fontaine

Ruins: A couple of civilians crosses what remains of the Rue Carnot towards the old Prefecture in the ruins of Saint-Lo

Crossing the Channel: This shot of the British LCA-1377 shows U.S. troops travelling with medical staff ahead of D-Day

This photo, taken in England at the beginning of June 1944, contains a host of interesting details. There are soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division US, armored troops and special brigades of genius as well as vehicles equipped with camouflage nets where jute canvas strips

Time to go: Embarkation on ships, beginning of June 1944, ahead of Operation Overlord, sending personnel to Omaha Beach

Heading out: These U.S. and Canadian forces are set for one of the embarkation ports for Omaha Beach; Weymouth, Portland, Poole, Plymouth, Falmouth, Helford River and Fowey

Bombed out: A long column of American vehicles arrives from the north, from the direction of the beaches of Omaha and Utah and rolls on the road of Carentan, Saint-Lo, Normandy

A road in Saint-Lo has been cleared and is used by columns of American vehicles skirting the city from the north to continue south.In the center is the lake formed by the overflow of the Dolle, whose bed is obstructed by the ruins of the houses
Four students who got into the two top universities in China were given a parade by their town to celebrate their achievements.

The parade was held on August 18 in Bobai County in China's Guangxi province.

The students had scored highly in the Gaokao or college entrance exam often referred to as the 'world's toughest exam.'

A celebration: The parade featured motorbikes, trucks and SUVs carrying the students

The four students had been admitted to the two top universities in China

Footage posted by the People's Daily Online shows the four students being paraded around the town.

According to reports, the parade lasted some 40 minutes.

The students can be seen standing through the sunroofs of four separate SUVs as a truck also joins them saying their achievements.

The students were pictured in the SUVs as they were paraded around Bobai County

It's thought that the parade was organised by family and townsfolk to celebrate the four students' achievements

Colourful flags can also be seen.

It's thought that the parade was organised by family and townsfolk to celebrate the four students' achievements.

The students have been admitted to Peking and Tsinghua Universities known to be the two top schools in the country.

Over nine million high school graduates sit the exam every year. The test, known as 'gaokao' in China is known for being difficult and examines students on their Chinese, maths and English along with a science or humanities subject of their choice.

If students fail the Gaokao, it will make it hard for them to get a good paying job. Because of this students spend hours studying for the test with some revising for 16 hours a day in extreme cases.
A Tinder date swiped a dog from a teenage when he was invited to a house where she was pet-sitting.

The man arrived at the Leonia, New Jersey home the 18-year-old was watching after the pair met on the popular dating app on Sunday evening.

According to the woman her date brought a friend along with him.

The teen claimed she was distracted by one of the men and shortly after they left she discovered a number of things missing - including two-year-old white Maltese Maggie.

Two-year-old white Maltese Maggie (pictured) was stolen by a pet-sitter's Tinder date

A Leonia Police Department said: 'The caller was an 18-year-old female who was house sitting for a Leonia resident.

'While the resident was out of state, the 18-year-old female was responsible for watching the house and family dog.

'The house sitter used the social media app Tinder and met a male subject online, whom she had not previously met. She invited the subject to the house and he arrived with another male subject.

'While the house sitter was distracted by one of the subjects, the other was alone in the house.'

The teen claimed she was distracted by one of the men and shortly after they left she discovered a number of things missing - including Maggie

The officer added that he wanted to remind the public not to share 'personal or financial information' on social media and to 'meet in a public place when meeting for the first time.'

No arrests have been made.

The Leonia Police Department is asking for anyone who may have seen Maggie or who has information about this case to call (201) 944-0800 or email tips@leoniapd.org
Editors note: Fourth in a series of stories on Flagstaffs Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical Corps and the work they do in Flagstaff and in Haiti.

On a cold night in early December large suitcases lay open around the living room floor, on couches and coffee tables, on the dining room table and in the hallways of the Flagstaff home of Dr. John Bull" Durham and Lisa Jobin.

A group of 15 medical professionals is milling about trying to be both helpful and at the same time not in the way because, in addition to the suitcases and people, the house contains a huge assortment of medical supplies. Present is everything needed to do surgery, from sterile surgical gowns and drapes to nitrile surgical gloves, scalpels, sutures and surgical implants to mend shattered bones and lives.

The group is preparing for the 17th trip by the Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical Corps (NAVMC) to the Bernard Mevs hospital in Port au Prince, Haiti.

Each member of the team pays their own way, buying air tickets to Miami and then on to the island of Hispaniola, where the country of Haiti occupies one end of the second largest island in the Caribbean. The team members also pay for vaccinations against tropical diseases, travelers insurance and a donation to the organization Medishare that oversees volunteer medical trips to the Bernard Mevs hospital to cover room and board.

Each team member will bring all of the personal items that they need for the 11-day trip as carry-on luggage because their checked baggage will contain nothing but medical supplies. At the airport 30 suitcases are carefully weighed to check that they come in at just under the weight limit of 50 pounds. But despite the bags being packed with three-quarters of a ton of medical supplies, they will not be enough and excess baggage fees are paid for the additional suitcases the team ended up bringing.

Its a huge operation and a huge investment in time and money, but the team is heading to a hospital very different from the one that they are used to working in.

There are no resources and there is no healthcare system in Haiti. Most people dont have insurance and the state hospitals have no equipment or supplies. There is simply no money to support it, said Durham, a Flagstaff orthopedic surgeon who leads the trips to Haiti.

Last year all state hospitals were closed for nine months because of a general strike. Thats the first kind of impediment to treatment that Haitians deal with, Durham said. The second impediment is that when the hospitals are open the water or power may be off and they wont have the supplies or equipment to do surgery. So if you are one of the very few who have money you go out on the streets and buy the implant, the plates and screws needed to fix your forearm fracture.

During this trip the team includes two orthopedic surgeons, one plastic surgeon, one general surgeon, an anesthesiologist and a certified registered nurse anesthetist, a hospitalist doctor, a physicians assistant, three operating room nurses, a scrub tech and a surgical assistant.

One thing that separates the NAVMC team from the other medical teams that visit the Bernard Mevs hospital is NAVMCs focus on education.

We are there to teach and work with the resident doctors and so our emphasis is different, Durham said. You are teaching them how to fish rather than simply bringing in the fish.

Added Durham: If you go down and work on one person, you improve the life of one person. If you go down and train one orthopedic surgeon, then you improve the lives of a thousand people.

This training focus is not limited to the surgeons. During the trip each member of the team worked with their Haitian counterparts to share knowledge and techniques, from sterile practices in the operating room to how to have equipment ready for the surgeons during surgery in a safe way.

During the week that the team was at the hospital they completed 27 surgical procedures, from fixing cleft lips and repairing hernias to saving the life of a young girl with bone infections in her legs.

For many of those patients, NAVMC paid the hospital for their treatment. It may seem strange that on top of bringing all of the supplies and paying their own way from Flagstaff , the organization then also pays the hospital to work in its operating rooms, but this isnt even a concern for Durham.

Even though we bring our staff and supplies with us there is still a cost to run the hospital, the administrative staff, security and maintenance for the building and paying the Haitian staff who are also operating.

During the December trip Durham paid $12,000 to the hospital for the 27 procedures the team did while there.

On the last day as the team was packing up to make way for a different medical team to arrive, all of the supplies that were not used were catalogued and placed in large Tupperware tubs for the next visit. There is still plenty of need in Haiti and the team will be back the following year to continue the work and to track down former patients and see how they have healed.
Former CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson is trying to buy Twitter so she can ban Donald Trump from the social media site.

To achieve her goal Wilson, whose cover was blown in a leak during George Bush's administration, has started a crowd sourcing campaign to raise $1billion.

'Donald Trump has done a lot of horrible things on Twitter,' Wilson, 54, says on the GoFundMe page which has raised just over $5,000 of her total so far.

Former CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson (left) is trying to buy Twitter so she can ban Donald Trump (right) from the social media site

Wilson, who accuses Trump of 'emboldening white supremacists', says his tweet are putting the country in harm's way

She adds: 'From emboldening white supremacists to promoting violence against journalists, his tweets damage the country and put people in harm's way.

'The bad news is Twitter has ignored growing calls to enforce their own community standards and delete Trump's account. The good news is we can make that decision for them.

'Twitter is a publicly traded company. Shares = power. This GoFundMe will fund the purchase of a controlling interest in Twitter.'

'At the current market rate that would require over a billion dollars  but that's a small price to pay to take away Trump's most powerful megaphone and prevent a horrific nuclear war.'

Her campaign has been met with mixed reviews on Twitter, with some arguing she is trying to stifle free speech and others simply mocking her astronomical fundraising goal.

Twitter has previously defended Trump's use of the platform, with CEO Jack Dorsey claiming it is important for people to 'hear directly from our leadership'

Her campaign has been met with mixed reviews on Twitter, with some arguing she is trying to stifle free speech

With Twitter currently valued at around $12billion, and its shares worth $16 each, the $1billion does not seem enough for a controlling stake.

Wilson says that if this is the case, she will explore options for buying a 'significant stake' and 'champion this proposal at the annual shareholder meeting'

And if she fails entirely, the money will be donated to Global Zero, a nonprofit organization leading the resistance to nuclear war.

Twitter has previously defended Trump's use of the platform, with CEO Jack Dorsey claiming it is important for people to 'hear directly from our leadership'.

Her efforts come at a time of unprecedented tensions between the US and the reclusive nation of North Korea.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump pledged to respond with 'fire and fury' if Kim Jong-Un made another threat at the US.

Wilson's efforts come at a time of unprecedented tensions between the US and the reclusive nation of North Korea. Pictured: Leader Kim Jong-un

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump pledged to respond with 'fire and fury' if Kim Jong-Un made another threat at the US. Pictured: A North Korean rocket being launched in February

It came mere hours before the North Korean dictator threatened to level Guam, an American territory around 2,100 miles from the Korean Peninsula.

And only yesterday, the North released a chilling propaganda video in which Trump was seen standing at a burning cemetery in Guam.

In recent days Kim has also threatened to turn the US into 'a heap of ashes' in a typically aggressive response to the American war games in the neighbouring South.

Despite the venomous saber rattling, Trump today said his aggressive rhetoric towards North Korea was working and that Kim had come to 'respect him'.
Female Labour MPs have condemned a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn for suggesting trains could run with women-only carriages to prevents sexual assaults.

Chris Williamson said the idea 'would be worth consulting' on after statistics revealed a surge in assaults against female passengers.

But the shadow minster was slammed by MPs Stella Creasy and Jess Phillips who warned segregation could make the problem worse.

Mr Williamson was accused of taking his policy inspiration from Saudi Arabia but he insisted in Twitter replies to the MPs he was only interested in offering choice.

MPs Stella Creasy (left) and Jess Philips (right) have condemned Labour shadow minister Chris Williamson for suggesting women-only train carriages could be considered

Mr Williamson said the idea 'would be worth consulting' on after statistics revealed a surge in assaults against female passengers

The row is a revival of a similar clash in 2015 when Mr Corbyn himself mooted women-only train carriages.

Figures revealed by the BBC last month showed 1,448 sexual offences on UK trains were reported in 2016-17 - up from 650 in 2012-2013.

Mr Williamson told Politics Home: 'It would be worth consulting about it. It was pooh-poohed (when Jeremy Corbyn suggested it), but these statistics seem to indicate there is some merit in examining that.

'Complemented with having more guards on trains, it would be a way of combating these attacks, which have seen a very worrying increase in the past few years.

'I'm not saying it has to happen, but it may create a safe space. It would be a matter of personal choice whether someone wanted to make use of it.'

After his remarks, Walthamstow MP Ms Creasy tweeted: 'Hi @DerbyChrisW can we make all carriages safe for all passengers rather than restricting where we can go?

'It's not us, it's them honest.'

In a series of Twitter posts, Ms Creasy said the focus should be on making all carriages safe and not telling women where to sit

The two MPs continued to clash over the issue which is a revival of an earlier row on the subject triggered by Jeremy Corbyn

Mr Williamson insisted this was a misrepresentation of his position as the two MPs exchanged tweets.

He said: 'I didn't suggest restrictions Stella merely consulting on offering a choice in view of the statistics showing increased attacks.'

But Ms Creasy told him: 'Why don't we consult on men only carriages and those men who sit elsewhere risk police caution for harassment?

'That would be a choice.'

Birmingham Yardley MP Ms Phillips weighed in to brand the idea 'absolutely terrible' and a surrender to perpetrators

Ms Phillips said the issue was about power and not that individual men were unable to control themselves

Ms Phillips jibed that Mr Williamson was taking 'feminist cues from Saudi Arabia'

Birmingham Yardley MP Ms Phillips offered her own 'hot take' to Mr Williamson.

She said: 'Absolutely terrible idea. It is essentially giving up on trying to prosecute assaults.

'Also men should be incredibly annoyed they can't control themselves.

'Sexual violence isn't about urges it's about power.

'If you take your feminist cues from Saudi Arabia you've gone wrong.'

In 2015, Mr Corbyn triggered a row on the same subject.

He said: 'My intention would be to make public transport safer for everyone from the train platform to the bus stop to the mode of transport itself.

'However, I would consult with women and open it up to hear their views on whether women-only carriages would be welcome - and also if piloting this at times and [on] modes of transport where harassment is reported most frequently would be of interest.'
Olympian Allyn Condon and wife Jenny Condon are pictured leaving Avon Coroners Court where they previously attended an inquest into the death of their child

A former Olympic sprinter has been told he could face criminal harassment charges after distributing leaflets outside the hospital where his son died claiming there was a 'cover up'.

Baby Ben Condon died in April 2015 after developing a lung condition just days after his parents were told it was 'just had a cold', an inquest last year heard.

The premature baby was not prescribed antibiotics until just over an hour before he died after suffering two cardiac arrests - his parents claim this was a fatal error.

His father Allyn Condon, 42, has been handing out leaflets outside Bristol Children's Hospital titled 'NHS COVER UP'.

Complaints of harassment against Mr Condon were made by two doctors among several staff at the trust who were named and photographed on the pamphlets.

In an email to him, police said a decision would be made 'around both offences with regards to whether you go to court'.

Mr Condon said: 'I don't believe for one second that we've done anything to the individuals that constitutes harassment.

Speaking to the BBC, he added: 'We're just trying to make the public aware of Ben's case.'

Ben Condon was born at 29 weeks at Southmead hospital in Bristol in February 2015 and spent seven weeks being cared for in the intensive care unit.

He returned home to Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, with his parents, Allyn and Jenny, but became poorly and was re-admitted to hospital.

Baby Ben Condon died in April 2015 after developing a lung condition just days after his parents were told it was 'just had a cold', an inquest last year heard

His parents said they were repeatedly assured that Ben would be given antibiotics in the days leading up to his death.

Ben was eventually prescribed antibiotics at 3pm on the day he died, but these were not administered until 8pm, an inquest in 2016 heard.

By that time he had suffered a cardiac arrest and he died an hour later on 17 April having suffered a second cardiac arrest.

Two doctors told the inquest at Flax Bourton nea Bristol they would have given antibiotics earlier.

Complaints of harassment against Mr Condon were made by two doctors among several staff at the trust who were named and photographed on the pamphlets

His parents believe Ben should have been given antibiotics in the days leading up to his death but the coroner's court heard also this would not have prevented it.

Mr Condon started an online petition calling for an investigation into Ben's death and has been handing out the leaflets outside the hospital.

He has now been interviewed by Avon and Somerset Police who are considering whether to take him to court.

It comes after a recording emerged in 2015 of senior hospital staff apparently discussing deleting a recording where they appear to admit errors.

The recording was taken during a meeting the parents had with senior hospital staff and the comments were made when the Condons left the room.

A neonatologist told an intensive care consultant 'they are absolutely right* these are not misinformed bolshy parents' and they replied 'They've got a point'.

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust 'failed to provide Ben's family with clear answers to a number of questions' (Pictured: Bristol Royal Hospital for Children)

One then apparently realised their own recorder was still taping and is said to have asked a manager 'any possibility of taking off [the last section] because that could get us into difficulty'.

An independent report, commissioned by hospital bosses, later concluded 'there was a failure [...] to recognise one of the most serious allegations being made by the parents - why a clinician would want a conversation deleted and why a senior manager would agree to do it'.

It found University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust 'failed to provide Ben's family with clear answers to a number of questions'.

Report writers consultancy firm Verita said it had 'not seen conclusive evidence to prove or disprove the charge of a conspiracy to cover up what happened to Ben'.

But it commented added 'little the trust did was well directed at disproving' the existence of a conspiracy.

Speaking about the latest harassment allegations, the hospital apologised for 'missing significant opportunities to engage proactively' with the Condons.

A spokesman for the trust said: 'We have tried hard to give comprehensive answers to Ben's parents and are truly sorry that Mr and Mrs Condon remain so severely dissatisfied with our responses.

'Over a year ago we apologised unreservedly for missing a number of significant opportunities to engage proactively with them and be more open and to understand the seriousness of their allegations.

'We repeat that apology today.

'At the same time we must support the staff who provide that care, and in particular those staff who have felt it necessary to take personal steps to protect themselves in this very difficult situation.'

Speaking about the latest harassment allegations, the hospital apologised for 'missing significant opportunities to engage proactively' with the Condons

Mr Condon was the seventh person to have competed for Great Britain in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games

At the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games he competed as a bobsleigher having already competed in the Sydney Olympics in 2000 as a sprinter.

Maria Voisin, senior coroner for Avon, reached a narrative conclusion in June 2016 and said Ben's death was caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome, hMPV and prematurity.
Bill Shorten has led the tributes for Victorian MP Fiona Richardson who tragically passed away from cancer a day after she announced she was quitting parliament next year to focus on her health.

Ms Richardson announced on Tuesday she was taking more time off after being diagnosed with multiple tumours, but passed away on Wednesday night.

'We've lost a remarkable, brave and inspirational woman. This is so sad. Thinking tonight of everything Fiona Richardson achieved', the Labor leader tweeted.

And it wasn't long until social media was awash with comments echoing Shorten's sentiment.

Victorian MP Fiona Richardson has tragically passed away a day after she announced she was quitting parliament next year to focus on her health

Labor Leader Bill Shorten described Ms Richardson as a 'remarkable, brave and inspirational woman'

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews were among several high-profile politicians to touch on the matter, with many offering their deepest condolences to her family.

'It is my sad and solemn duty to confirm that Fiona Richardson has passed away at the age of 50', he wrote.

Ms Richardson, 50, was diagnosed with a serious illness before the winter break and gave notice yesterday that she would be taking leave from her parliamentary duties.

The mother-of-two successfully battled cancer in 2013 and returned to parliament to become Victoria's first minister for the prevention of family violence.

Ms Richardson announced on Tuesday she was taking more time off after being diagnosed with multiple tumours, but she passed away on Wednesday night

Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, Matthew Guy, was among the first to post a tribute to Ms Richardson.

'Vale Fiona Richardson MP. The sadness at Spring Street will be immense. To her family, friends, colleagues, my thoughts, sympathy and love,' he tweeted.

Philip Dalidakis described the member of Northcote as 'a friend and mentor.'

'Fiona Richardson was my friend & mentor. She called it how it was, even when I didn't want to hear it. A formidable, amazing woman. 140 characters doesn't do Fiona Richardson justice. Better for her living, poorer for her passing. Wishing her friends/family a long life.'

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews were among several high-profile politicians to touch on the matter, with many offering their deepest condolences to her family

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Brendan O'Connor went with a similar theme commending her fighting qualities

Writer Anne Summers spoke of Richardson's efforts with gender equality in a moving post

Victorian State Parliament MP Louise Staley referred to Ms Richardson as a 'warrior.'

'Vale Fiona Richardson. A warrior for her causes, a woman of outstanding ability, an MP of conviction. Rest in peace,' she posted to social media.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Brendan O'Connor went with a similar theme commending her fighting qualities.

'Vale Labor warrior, Minister and friend Fiona Richardson. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Jodi and Brendan', he shared to social media.

Writer Anne Summers spoke of Richardson's efforts with gender equality in a moving post.

'We *owe* Fiona Richardson so much. Mourn her by acknowledging her pioneering contribution to gender equity & #VAW. Vale Fiona', she said.

2015 Australian of the Year and domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty touched on Richardson's contributions to her career.

'Devastated at friend Fiona Richardson's passing. Huge support to me during my journey & for all victimes. Thoughts with family, staff & all', she shared.

2015 Australian of the Year and domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty touched on Richardson's contributions to her career.

She successfully battled cancer in 2013 and returned to parliament to become Victoria's first minister for the prevention of family violence

Ms Richardson, 50, was diagnosed with a serious illness before the winter break and gave notice yesterday that she would be taking leave from her parliamentary duties

Philip Dalidakis described the member of Northcote as 'a friend and mentor.'

'Fiona Richardson was my friend & mentor. She called it how it was, even when I didn't want to hear it. A formidable, amazing woman. 140 characters doesn't do Fiona Richardson justice. Better for her living, poorer for her passing. Wishing her friends/family a long life.'

Victorian State Parliament MP Louise Staley referred to Ms Richardson as a 'warrior.'

'Vale Fiona Richardson. A warrior for her causes, a woman of outstanding ability, an MP of conviction. Rest in peace,' she posted to social media.

Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, Matthew Guy, was among the first to post a tribute to Ms Richardson

Victorian State Parliament MP Louise Staley referred to Ms Richardson as a 'warrior'

The Labor MP for Northcote announced yesterday she was planning to leave politics as her conditioned worsened.

'I have been diagnosed with multiple tumours for which I am receiving treatment,' Ms Richardson said yesterday.

'I intended to return to work part time next week, however my recovery is not going the way I had planned.

Ms Richardson said she would be taking time off work after her health didn't go to plan

'I have been diagnosed with multiple tumours for which I am receiving treatment,' Ms Richardson said yesterday

'I am grateful that the premier has agreed to an extended period of leave from my portfolio to enable me to concentrate of my health.'

Ms Richardson posted her regards on her social media accounts, thanking everyone for their support during the difficult time.

'Thank you to everyone for your kind words of encouragement and support,' she posted.

The Family Violence Prevention Minister (pictured) first took time off from politics in 2013 to fight breast cancer

Victorian MP Fiona Richardson has tragically passed away from cancer a day after she announced she was quitting parliament next year to focus on her health

'While I haven't been able to respond to you each individually, I think you for your well wishes while I focus on recovery.'

Premier Daniel Andrews said Ms Richardson had been an 'unwavering advocate' against family violence.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Fiona and her family and we will do everything we can to support her during this difficult time,' he said in a statement yesterday before her death.
Rat and cats aren't famous for their friendship, but a New York cafe is challenging that stereotype.

The Brooklyn Cat Cafe on Atlantic Avenue has recruited two rodents to help care for orphaned kittens.

Rats Emile and Remy now look after the cafe's lonely or sick kittens and even help out with the grooming.

Manager Anne Levin said: 'We started Brooklyn Cat Cafe as a way to have an adoption space, it allows us to have anywhere between 20 to 25 cats fostering in this location, so the cat cafe has been very successful in terms of getting pets adopted.

The Brooklyn Cat Cafe In New York has recruited two rodents to look after orphaned kittens

The interspecies relationship began after introducing an unwell black kitten, Ebony, to a white rat called Ivory

TheBrooklyn Cat Cafe (pictured was started as a way to have an adoption space and allows its owners to have anywhere between 20 to 25 cats fostering at the location

'When we started in May 2016 we had almost 300 adoptions our first year.

'It's a great opportunity for us to speak with individuals about cat issues and things they can do in their local neighbourhood to help cat and dog population.'

The interspecies relationship began after introducing an unwell black kitten, Ebony, to a white rat called Ivory.

Ebony had been diagnosed with feline leukaemia and was unable to be exposed to her kitten peers, becoming desperately lonely.

The staff at the Cat Cafe decided to rescue a rat companion, immune to the disease, and along came Ivory.

After the unusual duo formed a solid friendship, there was no looking back for the cafe.

Ivory died in February and Remy and Emile were brought in to help care for the kittens.

Ebony was diagnosed with feline leukaemia and was unable to be exposed to her kitten peers, becoming desperately lonely

Rats are immune to feline leukaemia and the paternal rats even groom the young kittens

Ms Levin said: 'We reached out to HALT (Help All Little Things), it's a New Jersey rescue that does essentially what we do for cats for small mammals.

'They had two rats that had been raised around cats and weren't scared of them so we adopted them for our new cafe cats and Remy and Emile have been here ever since.'

Along with the new rodent employees came more surprises, and the rats even have their own unique personalities.

While Emile is very paternal with the kittens, 'Remy likes to play with them and share their food.

The cafe rescued the rats from HALT (Help All Little Things) in New Jersey and brought them to the cafe

While rat Emile is very paternal with the kittens, 'Remy (pictured) just likes to play with them and share their food

The Brooklyn Cat Cafe manager said: 'They have a great time hanging out with the kittens, it turns out that Emile especially has become very paternal and he likes to groom and comfort the kitten.

'Remy just likes to play with them and share their food.

'We do hope that Remy and Emile can act as ambassadors to people who don't have any experience with rats outside of the subway. Turn that bad reputation into something more positive.

'Most of our customers think its really interesting and great. Everyone likes to see some sort of cross species relationship, I think it gives us hope that we can all get along in peace is a possibility.'
Jobless single mother-to-be Jessica Gormley, pictured, stole a shopper's purse from a designer clothing boutique

A jobless single mother-to-be carried out a callous theft at an upmarket clothing boutique as she collected a pair of designer shoes she bought with her state handouts.

Heavily pregnant Jessica Gormley, 24, had been on one of her 'regular' trips to celebrity hangout Flannels in Manchester when she spotted a purse left unattended on a counter.

But rather than hand it in, Gormley took it and she and a friend used bank cards inside to go on further shopping trips to ASDA, Tesco and McDonalds.

The victim of the theft Wei Yu, a Chinese woman living in the UK reported the theft to Flannels staff and when CCTV of the theft was played back an assistant recognised regular customer Gormley - as the store had her contact details.

But when the brunette was contacted and asked to return the purse she retorted: 'F*** off.' The purse was eventually returned to Miss Yu's minus 160 cash, a reward card worth 100, an Oyster Card worth 35 and a 40 gift card.

The victim's biometric card which allowed her to return to her native, China, in an emergency was also missing.

Heavily pregnant Gormley (above) was on a 'regular' trip to Flannels in Manchester where she was picking up designer shoes. She spotted the shopper's purse on the counter and took it

Gormley (left) and Samantha Hackett (right) both pleaded guilty to two counts of theft at Manchester Magistrates Court

Flannels (pictured) in Manchester is a favourite haunt of celebrities and footballers

In a statement Miss Yu said: 'No person has the right to steal any of my items, I was very upset and distressed and cried many times. All I wanted was my property returned and to have an empty wallet was an insult. My biometric card was the most important thing, I can't travel to China in an emergency. The human cost should be taken into account.'

At Manchester Magistrates Court, Gormley from Newton Heath and Samantha Hackett, 27, from Moston pleaded guilty to two counts of theft. Gormley, who is eight months pregnant was ordered to pay 300 in compensation and fined 250 - all of which will be deducted from her benefits payments.

Victim statement Victim Wei Yu, a Chinese woman living in the UK, said: 'No person has the right to steal any of my items, I was very upset and distressed and cried many times. 'All I wanted was my property returned and to have an empty wallet was an insult. My biometric card was the most important thing, I can't travel to China in an emergency. 'The human cost should be taken into account.' Advertisement

Hackett was also ordered to pay 300 in compensation at the rate of 50 a month and complete 40 hours of unpaid work. Both women will have to pay a victim surcharge of 30 and prosecution costs of 85 each.

The incident occurred on July 6 after Gormley had gone to the Spinningfields branch of Flannels with Hackett to pick some shoes up after being informed they had arrived in store.

Prosecuting Miss Sabrina Sohota, said Miss Yu had been on the ground floor cash desk but had left her purse on top of the counter unattended.

'The defendant picked up the purse and took it's contents. The victim was unaware until the following day when she couldn't find her purse. She returned and informed staff of the loss.

'They saw the CCTV and a witness named Miss Gormley, she had been in the shop due to a previous complaint about an item.

'The witness phoned Miss Gormley and instructed her to return the purse and was told to 'f**k off'. The victim blocked her bank cards and whilst accessing she noticed a cash amount of 136.24 had been made in a number of contacteless patments.

Gormley, above left and right, from Newton Heath in Manchester, was contacted and asked to return the purse but retorted: 'F*** off.'

Gormely (pictured) used the victim's bank cards to go on further shopping trips to ASDA, Tesco and McDonalds

'The defendants returned the purse the same day (July 7) in the afternoon but the purse was empty of all the contents. A cash card and gift card were recovered and the purse was recovered.

'There's one charge of theft for 611 and another of 136.24, the victim provided a statement and there's payments made to ASDA, Tesco, McDonalds and also a further 70 pending. She asked the bank to stop the pending transactions but it was already done.'

Defending Gormley, Phil Reid, said: 'She is a regular shopper at this particular store. She went to collect some shoes which she had previously returned and were being repaired to pick them up.

'The irony is she knew the store had both her address and contact details. She saw the purse and initially thought it was for sale and she picked it up and looked at it and realised it must have been somebody's.

'Rather than do the right thing and hand it in she simply left it and her friend took it and went outside. They then went and had a discussion, she never physically had the purse in her possession but when it was used she was present and knew what was going on.

Gormley (above), who is eight months pregnant was ordered to pay 300 in compensation and fined 250 - all of which will be deducted from her benefits payments

A court heard pregnant Gormley is a single woman who lives alone in council accommodation

'She was contacted by the store and the store gave the Chinese lady her contact details. Together they went back with the purse.

'Almost immediately she realised they shouldn't have got themselves involved. They didn't know who's purse it was. They used it in an illegal way and for that she is very, very sorry.

'She is a single lady who lives on her own in council accommodation, she's pregnant and her baby is due on October 1 this year.

'It seems because of my clients advanced state of pregnancy the options are extremely limited. It's not her fault she's pregnant. Because of her condition I don't think she should be particularly criminalised'.

Defending Hackett, Matthew Wallace told the court: 'This was not a planned incident, the purse was left when they were stood there for the return of some shoes by Miss Gormley.

'The purse is pointed out to Miss Hackett by Miss Gormley and she takes it and they both leave together. Items are paid for but I don't believe they knew what the card was that stopped the lady getting into China.

Gormely (pictured) arriving at Manchester Magistrates' Court, where she admitted theft

Jessica Gormley (left) and Samantha Hackett (right). The pair stole a shopper's purse

Jessica Gormley (left) and Samantha Hackett (right) were fined after admitting theft

'It was clear when contact was made that the purse should be returned, Miss Hackett did go on to return it.

'It was an impulsive action, they did not go in intending to steal an item, they were stood and the purse was left their unattended. It was a very foolish decision.

'This is something that may impact on her future. This is something she did without appreciating the impact. Had she appreciated it properly it's something she would never have done.

'It was something that snowballed from one thing to the next. They were always going to be detected from the CCTV and the fact that Miss Gormley was known because of the returning of the shoes.

'She works three days a week as it stands but doesn't work weekends. The two didn't appreciate this was a theft from a person. Miss Hackett is a person with no previous convictions, the return of the handbag goes some way to detecting that remorse.'

Passing sentence JP Julia Cawson, said: 'We have taken into account the value of goods stolen and the nature of this act as an opportunistic act, but we also took into account the harm to the victim which has caused significant inconvenience.

'We do consider this to be a more serious theft from a person. Whilst it was opportunistic we do have to take into account the additional harm and stress.'
A man in China miraculously survived after he crashed his scooter and impaled his torso on a four-foot crash barrier.

The incident took place in Wenling, Taizhou City in eastern China when the man Xiao Wu came off his bike.

He suffered damage to his lung as well as several broken ribs with the long metal bar missing his heart by just one centimetre.

Doctor Zhang said: 'The metal bar passed one centimetre under the patient's heart.'

The incident occurred when Xiao Wu, 26, was carrying a friend when the scooter slammed into a metal barrier.

The pair were flung into the air with one of the dividers snapping in half and impaling Xiao Wu's upper body.

He can be seen sitting on the ground with the entire bar lodged in his body.

He can be seen sitting on the ground with the entire bar lodged in his body.

The man can be seen pierced through the man's body as he receives treatment

Wu was rushed to Taizhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine where scans were conducted.

Lead surgeon Zhang Rongwei said that members of the fire service were called in to help have the four-foot-long bar cut down before the operation.

Doctor Zhang said: 'The metal bar passed one centimetre under the patient's heart. He was very lucky.'

The metal bar was removed in a three-hour-long surgery.

Wu suffered damage to his lung as well as several broken ribs. He remains in intensive care where he is in a stable condition.
Alex Andreou, who runs the Sturdy Beggars Theatre Company, had travelled two hours to Hackney to adopt the cats after responding to an advert by a woman on Gumtree

A writer and actor has claimed he was refused two cats that 'desperately needed re-homing' because he was gay.

Alex Andreou, who runs the Sturdy Beggars Theatre Company, had travelled two hours to Hackney to adopt the cats after responding to an advert by a woman on Gumtree.

The pet owner didn't refuse outright but sent him a text message when he was ten minutes away informing him that she had decided to leave the cats with a neighbour instead.

According to a text exchange Mr Andreou posted on social media, he was asked 'how comes you're single, are you gay?'

He confirmed this was the case and asked if that was an issue.

The pet owner replied saying: 'I am religious so I strongly disagree with the lifestyle. I am sorry if I hurt your feelings.'

Mr Andreou, who lives in Bermondsey, wrote back: 'Darling, I've been beaten and called a "fa***t" since I was 8. My feelings are quite robust. And, yes, sorry is what precisely what you are.'

The owner of the cat then inquired: 'Are you not afraid of going to hell when you die?'

Mr Andreou explained how he had been turned down from re-homing cats because he was gay

The writer was left 'sobbing' after the incident yesterday and said he was refused the cats by the owner after making a two hour journey

After sharing the exchange on Twitter Mr Andreou said 'What the f*** is wrong with people?'

He added: 'So I'm on the bus and I'm sobbing and people are staring at me because the truth is it hurts as much as when I was 8 years old.

'Followed by much loveliness from all of you, followed by the inevitable "you made this up for attention" trolling part of the cycle.'

He said he didn't want to 'name and shame' the 'hateful old lady' as 'that would make me a little more like her and I am nothing like her.'

Mr Andreou said he was only told about the rejection when he was on the pet owner's street but insisted he would not name and shame her as that would 'make me a little more like her'

Mr Andreou, who was born in Greece but now lives in London, was met with hundreds of supportive messages from well-wishers after his post went viral.

Author Peter Jukes told him: 'Oh Alex. You're going to heaven. Those guys are already in hell.'

Labour MP Stella Creasy said: 'Fwiw Alex that's horrifying, and if you want a kitten know @charlie_jale has some gorgeous ones in need of new home?'

The RSPCA also responded saying: 'We have lots of cats awaiting furever homes - perhaps we can help find you a feline friend?'

He was met with hundreds of messages of support from people on social media

Despite the initial rejection there appeared to a happy ending as a few hours later, Mr Andreou tweeted to say a friend was going to pick up the cats for him on Thursday.

He said: 'I am so happy. I may then have to festoon the cats in Rainbow Flags and send her photos. Is there a company that makes pink litter? Pride cat bowls?'

He added that he was thinking of naming the cats 'Freddie Purrcury' and George Meowchael' and there would be 'cushions everywhere and a fridge full of protein'.

But he told his followers on Twitter today that his friend who was collecting the cats on his behalf had been informed the owner had performed a U-turn.

He said: 'She's been advertising for months and said she has rejected a lot of people, but only out of love for the cats. She also said the reason she used a stock photo is that she doesn't have a camera and all cats look the same.

'I told her that I reported her ad so it's taken down, alerted the police in case it's part of a scam and to get a f***ing life. And hung up.'

However there was a happy ending, with Mr Andreou saying a friend was going to collect the cats for him
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has claimed his country is at risk of a U.S. invasion - and has called for Pope Francis to help him stop it.

Speaking at a press conference in Caracas on Tuesday, Maduro asked the head of the Catholic church to prevent Donald Trump from 'sending troops' to Venezuela.

Maduro has faced months of deadly mass protests by opponents who blame him for an economic crisis and are demanding elections to replace him.

Help me father! President Nicolas Maduro called for Pope Francis to 'help us prevent Trump from sending troops to invade Venezuela'

International pressure has also grown in recent weeks, with President Trump saying that the U.S. reserved the option of military intervention in the Venezuela crisis.

The United States has also applied economic sanctions directly targeting Maduro, which he has blamed for the collapse of his country.

However, Maduro's political opponents blame his economic management for the crisis.

'May the pope help us prevent Trump from sending troops to invade Venezuela,' Maduro told a news conference.

'I ask for the pope's help against the military threat from the United States.'

Protests: Government supporters perform a parody involving a Venezuelan militia up against 'Uncle Sam' during an anti-imperialist march to denounce Trump's talk of a 'military option' for resolving the country's political crisis, in Caracas, last week

Maduro pointedly highlighted his alliance with Russia, which had rejected Trump's recent threat as 'unacceptable.'

The Venezuelan leader said he wanted to 'keep strengthening the military cooperation agreement' between the two countries 'for the sovereign defense of Venezuela.'

'Venezuela has the full and absolute support of Russia,' he said, adding that he would soon go to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Maduro told the news conference that talks would touch on energy, defense and food issues, calling Putin is the world's most popular leader and a 'man of peace'.

Threat? President Trump has previously said that the U.S. reserved the option of military intervention in the Venezuela crisis

Madudo has called for military drills next weekend as a show of strength after Trump's threat.

Since Maduro was elected in 2013, Venezuela has descended into chaos that has raised fears for regional stability.

The fall in world prices for its oil exports has left it short of dollars for imports of food and medicine.

Venezuela is the third-biggest seller of oil to the United States, which is the destination for 42 percent of the South American country's crude exports.
Britain could be bound by the rulings of EU judges for years after Brexit, the government admitted today.

Ministers have left the door open for the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to continue to have jurisdiction over Britain for an 'interim period' of up to three years after March 2019.

And the UK may still be forced to abide by ECJ rulings even after we quit the Brussels club for good under one model being considered by British officials.

Under the 'Modolva model' arbitration panels considering disputes between Britain and the bloc which involve EU law would have to refer the case to the ECJ and be bound by its ruling.

The revelations, contained in a Government Brexit position paper published today, could spark accusations Theresa May has watered down on her promise to end the court's jurisdiction in Britain.

They come just an hour after the Prime Minister insisted the UK will 'take back control of our laws' after we leave the EU.

Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, a prominent Brexiteer, told the Mail Online: 'Once we leave there must not be any direct effect of the ECJ judgements otherwise we have not left.'

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Theresa May (pictured today in Guildford) has insisted Britain would take back control of its laws after Brexit after she was accused of watering down her pledge to escape EU judges

The Prime Minister (pictured on a tour of the Alexander Dennis bus and coach manufacturers factory today) is unveiling a policy paper outlining Britain's view on how disputes the UK and EU can be resolved in future

Theresa May, pictured today on a visit to the port at Teeside , has repeatedly said that Britain will leave the jurisdiction of the ECJ when we quite the European Union

The revelations are contained in the latest paper published by David Davis' department for Exiting the European Union.

It does not rule out the ECJ continuing to reign supreme for an interim period.

It states: 'The UK will work with the EU on the design of the interim period, including the arrangements for judicial supervision, enforcement and dispute resolution.'

It does rule out the ECJ continuing to have 'direct jurisdiction' over the UK after this period.

And in future, legal disputes will be settled by committees or arbitration panels and it singles out the 'Moldova model' as one that could be emulated.

Under this, the arbitration panel would have to refer the matter to the ECJ if it involves the interpretation of EU law and 'be bound by its interpretation'.

Remain supporters have claimed Mrs May has climbed down from a hard-line position on the ECJ in search of a more pragmatic solution.

But the Premier, speaking today in Guildford, insisted the system would mean British law was supreme.

She said: 'Parliament will make our laws, it is British judges who will interpret those laws and it will be the British Supreme Court that will be the ultimate arbiter of those laws.

'We will take back control of our laws.'

Mrs May said business wanted to know how disputes would be resolved under the future trading relationship between Britain and the EU.

The PM, pictured meeting apprentices during her trip to Teeside today, has been accused of overseeing a 'climbdown camouflaged in jingoistic rhetoric' by the Labour peer Lord Adonis

Mrs May, pictured today on a visit to Teeside, is releasing a series of position papers this week outlining her government's position on a range of issues relating to Brexit

Mrs May (pictured second left today promoting sales of red buses to Mexico) said there were a 'number of ways' the new arrangements could be set up and the final version would be subject to negotiation with the EU

The Premier (pictured today on her factory tour in Guildford) insisted the system would mean British law was supreme after Brexit

She said there were a 'number of ways' the arrangements could be set up and the final version would be subject to negotiation with the EU.

But she said: 'We are very clear we won't have the European Court of Justice but we will put in place arrangements to ensure businesses have the confidence of knowing they can continue to trade across the EU.'

Justice Minister Dominic Raab earlier admitted British courts would want to keep 'half an eye' on rulings in Europe to ensure laws were kept aligned.

But he insisted the principle of removing direct interference from the EU court would be maintained by the Government in the Brexit negotiations.

David Davis will today warn Brussels it would be 'unnecessary, inappropriate and unprecedented' for European judges to have power over British courts after we leave the EU

Lord Andrew Adonis, leading supporter of Remain-backing campaign group Open Britain, said: 'Not much is left of David Davis's so-called 'red line' of taking back control from European judges.

'This paper is frustratingly vague, to the point that it barely counts as a negotiating position.'

He added: 'This is a climbdown camouflaged in jingoistic rhetoric. Even if we leave the single market, European judges will still have considerable power over decisions made in the UK.

'It would make far more sense for the Government to negotiate continued membership of the customs union and Single Market.

'Otherwise, we get the worst of all worlds  a worse deal on trade and jobs than now, yet no extra control over anything for real.'

Tory MP Peter Bone, a leading Brexiteer, said the paper has made it clear the Government is 'staying completely loyal' to the British people and how they voted last year.

He told the Mail Online: 'The whole point of this is we are coming out of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice when we leave the EU and there are different models they are talking about, but that is without any doubt the conclusion.

'The detail of it is important and has to be worked out, but the principle is fundamental.

'For instance EU citizens in this country will be bound by our Supreme Court.'

He added: 'We are ending free movement, we are making our own laws in our own country to be judged by our own judges, we wont be paying the EU billions of pounds each year when we leave the EU.

'All the fundamental issues the government has absolutely stayed solid on.'

The Brexit Secretary will declare that Britain 'will take back control of its laws' as the judges in Luxembourg will no longer have supremacy over the country's courts

The paper rules out the ECJ having direct jurisdiction over Britain after we fully leave the EU.

It states that such an deal would be 'incompatible with the principle of having a fair and neutral means of resolving disputes' and flout the principle of 'mutual respect for the sovereignty and legal autonomy' of the parties.

It points out that 'no state has submitted to the direct jurisdiction of a court in which it does not have representation'.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable last night claimed it was a 'climbdown' by the Government as he argued that Theresa May's Brexit 'red lines are becoming more blurred by the day'.

Osborne mocks May's ex-aides George Osborne has mocked the Prime Minister's former advisers  saying his Northern Powerhouse idea had outlived their careers. The ex-Chancellor accused them of trying to erase all mention of the investment scheme since he was sacked last summer. However, he pointed out that Theresa May's joint chiefs of staff  Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill  had since been forced to resign following the election in June. Writing in the Financial Times, he said: 'I left office and there was a risk that the Northern Powerhouse would end with my own political career. 'It very nearly did. We know that there was a systematic attempt by Mrs May's advisers (apparently without her knowledge) to eradicate all mention of the initiative. Thankfully, the idea has proved more enduring than those advisers.' Mr Osborne  who is chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership  has also demanded the Prime Minister commit to building high-speed rail links across the North to unlock its economic potential. Mr Timothy last night responded with a swipe at Mr Osborne. He posted on Twitter: 'Sorry George Osborne repeated lies about my views. In government, I supported the Northern Powerhouse. I ' could hardly do otherwise having lived in Midlands and North for longer than George Osborne.' Advertisement

But Eurosceptics said they would be happy with the plan as long as Parliament and British judges have the choice of whether to follow rulings made by European judges.

Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'The key point is that there should not be any direct effect of decisions by the ECJ or any new tribunal on the UK.

'As long as that is the case it is a matter of detail not principle.

'In terms of historic ECJ rulings, they will have effect on continuing UK law and that is perfectly reasonable because that provides continuity from the day before we leave to the day we leave.

'Thereafter our courts may look to them in the way they look to other courts as a source of information, but not as a source of authority. That again is perfectly reasonable.'

The paper will set out various models of how disputes are resolved over existing international agreements, such as trade deals between countries.

One example will be the European Free Trade Agreement court, which oversees the EU's relationship with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

However, Whitehall sources last night stressed that they were not looking to replicate any of the existing models as they do not want an 'off the shelf solution'.

A UK Government spokesman said: 'We have long been clear that in leaving the EU we will bring an end to the direct jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the UK.

'It is in the interests of both the UK and the EU, and of our citizens and businesses, that the rights and obligations agreed between us can be relied upon and enforced in appropriate ways.

'It is also in everyone's interest that, where disputes arise between the UK and the EU on the application or interpretation of these obligations, those disputes can be resolved efficiently and effectively.'

George Osborne pointed out that Theresa May's joint chiefs of staff  Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill  had since been forced to resign following the election in June

Ministers have launched a bid to protect Britain's legal sector by calling for courts here to be allowed to hear cross-border cases in the same way after Brexit. They want to keep arrangements with Brussels on some disputes that involve more than one European country.
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A powerful typhoon is causing chaos in southern China today, leaving at least four people dead.

Terrifying video clips have emerged on social media showing the devastating destruction brought by Typhoon Hato in populous cities like Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Zhuhai on the Chinese coast.

Footage shows high winds, with gusts of up to 207 kph (129 mph), blowing pedestrians off their feet, overturning vans, ripping roofs off buildings and destroying construction cranes on top of high-rises.

Several buildings, thought to be temporary dormitories on a construction site, can be seen being pushed by winds like toys. One clip shows huge waves crashing straight into people's living room.

People walk in the rainstorm caused by Typhoon Hato on August 23, 2017 in Hong Kong. The powerful typhoon is causing chaos in southern China today. Video footage shows pedestrians in Hong Kong and Zhuhai being blown of their feet

A collapsed wooden wall caused by Typhoon Hato sit on a street in Hong Kong on Wednesday. The powerful typhoon barrelled into Hong Kong today, forcing businesses, government offices, schools and the stock market to close

Waves triggered by Typhoon Hato are seen in Hong Kong. The storm has left flooded streets, shattered windows and hundreds of cancelled flights in its wake in the coastal region in southern China

At least three deaths were reported in Macau on Wednesday, according to local authorities in the Chinese gambling enclave.

Three men, aged 30, 45 and 62, were killed in falls and accidents related to the heavy rain and gusting winds from Typhoon Hato, and two other people were listed as missing, Macau's Government Information Bureau said.

One driver in Zhongshan, a city in Guangdong Province, died after his van was overturned by winds and fell onto him, according to BJ News.

The typhoon came within 60 kilometres (37 miles) of the nearby financial centre of Hong Kong before heading westward into mainland China, where it was gradually weakening.

Huge wave caused by typhoon Hato hits a dock in Shenzhen city, south China's Guangdong province. China's weather service said the storm made landfall at around noon on Wednesday in the Pearl River Delta city of Zhuhai

A citizen rides in the rain on August 22 in Shenzhen as Typhoon Hato approached the coastal city. On Tuesday, China's State Oceanic Administration issued a red alert, the highest warning, for ocean waves in sea areas off the coast of Guangdong

A Chinese commuter struggles with his umbrella in heavy rain and strong wind caused by Typhoon Hato in Shenzhen today

A tree is uprooted by strong wind caused by typhoon Hato on a road in Shenzhen on Wednesday. More than 4,000 people had been evacuated by Tuesday from parts of the mainland coast ahead of the storm's arrival, according to Xinhua News Agency

A broken branch falls on a car after Typhoon Hato lands on August 23, 2017 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China

China's weather service said the storm made landfall at around noon on Wednesday in the Pearl River Delta city of Zhuhai in the neighbouring province of Guangdong.

On Tuesday, China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA) issued a red alert for ocean waves in sea areas off the coast of Guangdong. Red is the highest level in China's four tier system for disastrous weather.

More than 4,000 people had been evacuated by Tuesday from parts of the mainland coast ahead of the storm's arrival, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Train services were cancelled, fishing boats returned to harbour and more than 4,000 fish farmers and their families came to shore, Xinhua said. Waves up to 10 metres (33 feet) high were expected in the South China Sea, the agency said

Hato knocked out power in Macau, including at its famed casinos and a hospital, where backup generators kicked in.

Flooding and injuries were reported in Hong Kong, which lies across the water 64 kilometres (40 miles) from Macau, but there were no reports of deaths.

A man plays with strong wind caused by typhoon Hato on the waterfront of Victoria Habour in Hong Kong. The storm made landfall around noon today in the Pearl River Delta city of Zhuhai in the neighbouring province of Guangdong

People play in the strong wind from Typhoon Hato on the waterfront of Victoria Habour in Hong Kong. Typhoon Hato came within 37 miles of Hong Kong. It was headed towards the Pearl River Delta on the Chinese mainland

People play in the strong wind from Typhoon Hato on the waterfront of Victoria Habour in Hong Kong. Hato's fierce gales brought down trees, overturned bins and blew out windows on skyscrapers, raining shattered glass onto the streets below

People play with strong wind caused by Typhoon Hato on the waterfront of Victoria Habour in Hong Kong. More than 4,000 people have been evacuated on the Chinese mainland and hundreds of flights cancelled in the region ahead of the storm

Mainland Chinese tourists take pictures against the wind caused by Typhoon Hato on the waterfront of Victoria Habour in Hong Kong. At least four deaths have been reported as a result of the disastrous storm, three in Macau and one in Zhongshan

In Hong Kong, Hato forced the closure of businesses, government offices, schools and the stock market, leaving the city's normally bustling streets eerily quiet. Airlines cancelled 450 flights and ferry operators halted commuter services and routes to Macau and cities in the delta.

Hato's fierce gales brought down trees, overturned trash cans and blew out windows on skyscrapers, raining shattered glass onto the streets below.

Weather authorities in Hong Kong raised the No. 10 hurricane signal, the highest level, for the first time in five years.

By midday on Wednesday, Hato was packing maximum sustained winds of 126 kilometres (78 miles) per hour, with gusts of up to 207 kph (129 mph) on some outlying islands.

The No. 10 signal has only been hoisted 14 other times since 1946, or one for every 72 storms, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. The last time it went up was for Typhoon Vicente in 2012.

The observatory warned residents to be prepared for destructive winds, possible flooding and landslips, and advised people to stay away from low-lying areas because storm surges could cause severe flooding. Streets and village laneways in areas near the sea were submerged by waves crashing ashore, according to local TV news footage.
The 21-year-old woman who allegedly raided a Subway while wearing a burqa has been unmasked.

Felicity Chafer-Smith, 21, allegedly robbed a Subway franchise and threatened staff with a knife in Croydon, Melbourne's east, about 5.30pm on Saturday.

Subway employees were allegedly forced to hand over cash before Chafer-Smith, who was reportedly wearing a full Islamic face covering, fled the scene.

Felicity Chafer-Smith, 21, allegedly robbed a Subway franchise in Croydon, in Melbourne's east, with a knife and threatened staff about 5.30pm on Saturday

Chafer-Smith's 38-year-old boyfriend Clinton Phillips was allegedly alongside her during the alleged armed-robbery.

Police allege Chafer-Smith and Phillips were responsible for a string of robberies across Melbourne in recent days, including a jewellery store heist in Traralgon and a robbery at a Shell service station at Morwell.

Victoria police allege the pair were also behind a robbery at a second Subway store.

There were no reports of injuries during any of the alleged incidents.

Chafer-Smith, from Narre Warren, was charged with armed robbery and was remanded to appear in court at a later date.

Phillips was charged with armed robbery and other related offences.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.

Chafer-Smith's 38-year-old boyfriend Clinton Phillips was allegedly involved in the armed-robbery as well

Subway employees were allegedly forced to hand over cash before Chafer-Smith, who was reportedly wearing a full Islamic face covering, fled the scene

Karen, whose granddaughter was an employee at the eatery, was horrified to learn what happened.

'A woman came in in a full burqa, brandished a knife, asked for the money,' she told 3AW.

'She asked to see the safe, he [a male Subway employee] said they didn't have a safe, and she proceeded to take the money and put it into a Coles bag.'

The burqa-clad woman allegedly entered the fast-food restaurant (pictured) in Croydon, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs at 5:30pm and threatened workers

'A woman came in in a full burqa, brandished a knife, asked for the money,' a relative of an employee who saw CCTV footage said

Karen said the woman then got into a car waiting on a main road outside.

The incident comes amid fierce debate surrounding the full-face burqa after Pauline Hanson entered the Senate wearing the Islamic garb on Thursday.

Ms Hanson told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday 'the security risks associated with full-face coverings, like the burqa, are obvious to me and many Australians. Today's incident makes this very clear'.

'While many people agreed with me that the burqa is oppressive and has no place in western society, many laughed off my security concerns. It's safe to say they are not laughing now.'

The One Nation senator took to social media to demand to know why her warnings about full-face veils are being ignored (pictured)
A mother has shared the heart-warming moment a till assistant made her daughter's day, after she let the little girl become a shop helper.

Kate Hiscock posted online that she had a 'long, horrible day' when she had to take her daughter along with her on a supermarket shop to Tesco Metro in Chippenham.

Eager Edith was keen to be a 'shop helper', running to get behind the checkout before they had even done their shopping, but to Ms Hiscock's surprise, staff were only too happy to let her help.

Edith, aged two, skillfully scanning the shop through the till as Melanie and Leslie look on, at the store in Chippenham

Ms Hiscock took a photo of the heart-warming moment and shared it with the supermarket on Facebook.

She shared the picture of her daughter helping with the caption: 'When you have had a really long, horrible day and then your toddler asks so nicely if she can "be a shop helper" and then this happens.

'Thank you Tesco Chippenham you made one little two-year-old's day. Outstanding customer service.'

Ms Hiscock explained that she had a particularly 'long, horrible' day when the till assistants helped turn it around

'She walked out of the shop saying "I'm a real and proper shop helper now! Best day EVER!"'

Tesco were quick to respond, adding: 'This is really nice to see. Your daughter seems to be really enjoying herself.'

And other Facebook users tracked down the kind sales assistants in the picture, who have been identified as Melanie and Leslie.

Melanie wrote: 'We like to try and give all our customers a good shopping experience and that includes young and old. She was adorable and a pleasure having her.'

Ms Hiscock told the MailOnline: 'We'd had a rubbish day, it was just one of those days.

Edith, who is aged two, said declared the day the best ever after she left the store, thanks to being allowed to scan the shop

'The laptop and the kettle had broken within half an hour, I'd had to be on the phone all day and she was being a two-year-old and having tantrums as they do.

'Before we went into the shop, she said "Today have been a grumpy day", which it had, she'd had to be good and quiet, and she was not in a great mood.

'As we got there she said she wanted to help the ladies on the tills and ran behind the checkout, so I went to get her.

'But they let her stay there as I did the shopping. The smile on her face - you would think she had been to Disneyland.'

Ms Hiscock, 38, explained that they regularly shop at the Emery Gate store in Chippenham, and so she felt comfortable leaving the toddler in the safe hands of staff while she dashed through the store.

The mother-of-two, who has a 14-year-old son called Jacob, added: 'When I came back she was saying "look at me, look at me, I'm being a shop helper".

'They asked if she wanted to scan mummy's shopping, and she was so excited.

'She went from being in a grumpy, bad mood, to being so happy, skipping and singing as she left the store.

'She was over the moon.

Ms Hiscock said the act of kindness helped turn the day from a grumpy one into a happier one

Ms Hiscock said the little act of kindness had completely changed their day and she had even been speaking about it the next morning.

She said: 'They didn't know that we had a stressful day, and that she was missing her friends from toddler group, but it really changed her day.

'She wanted to send the photos to her nan and granddad.

'They could have been doing any number of things, but taking out their time to make hers and my experience pleasant was just so nice.'

She also praised the 'personal' feel of the store, remarking that she often overhears staff speaking with customers about personal news, and that the employees always remember Edith's name.

A Tesco spokesman said: 'Wed like to congratulate our youngest and newest colleague on her outstanding service. She is an absolute natural who is welcome to come back and help out in our store anytime.'
The two sons of a US Army defector who fled to North Korea in 1962 have threatened Donald Trump that they will 'wipe the land of the US from the earth forever'.

Appearing on a propaganda video released by North Korea, Ted and James Dresnok confirmed the death of their father James, aged 74 earlier this year.

Both Ted and James Dresnok Jnr are thought to be the only white North Korean citizens in the country.

James Dresnok's sons, James, left, and Ted, right, threatened the United States in a bizarre video released to announce the death of their father who defected in 1962

James Dresnok, looking at a statue of late North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung, in Pyongyang was believed to be the last living US serviceman who defected to North Korea in 1953

Dresnok, right, pictured in June 2004 with fellow defector Charles Jenkins, left, was supplied a wife by the North Korean secret service who abducted Romanian woman Doina Bumbea

Their father appeared in several propaganda videos for the evil regime after he crossed the heavily-fortified Demilitarized Zone.

Several US personnel defected in the aftermath of the 1950-53 Korean War. Desnok was the last known defector to remain in the country.

According to Ted Dresnok, 'US imperialists' were raising 'war hysteria madness' while knowing little about the North's military or people.

He predicted in the event of war: 'We will not miss the opportunity and wipe the land of the US from the earth forever.'

In the video, posted Friday, his brother James, whose Korean name is Hong Chol, added: 'We have our dear supreme commander Kim Jong-Un. If he is by our side, our victory is certain.'

Dresnok, who died in November is said to have married Doina Bumbea, a Romanian who was reportedly abducted by North Korean agents and smuggled into the country

In a video interview posted on the state-run Uriminzokkiri website, Ted and James Dresnok, his two adult sons, confirmed that their father suffered a fatal stroke in November last year.

'Our father was in the arms of the republic and received only the love and care of the party until his passing at age 74,' said Ted Dresnok, the elder of the two.

Brown-haired and hazel-eyed, he wore a Korean People's Army uniform in the video like his brother, adorned with a badge depicting the North's founder Kim Il-Sung and his son and successor Kim Jong-Il.

Both men were born in North Korea and spoke Korean with a thick Northern accent.

'Our father asked us to render devoted service to our great leader Kim Jong-Un,' said Ted Dresnok, who also goes by the Korean name Hong Soon-Chol.

Their comments were similar to those of ordinary North Koreans, who normally only ever express officially approved sentiments when speaking for a foreign audience.

It was the brothers' second appearance on the programme, after they praised the country in a May 2016 interview.

Dresnok had numerous discipline problems while serving with the US military

North Korean agents abducted artist Doina Bumbea. She died of cancer in 1997. Her brother Gabriel, pictured right, raised her case with the United Nations in 2014

Their mother is said to have been Doina Bumbea, a Romanian whose family say she was kidnapped by Pyongyang.

In a searing 2014 report on human rights in North Korea, a UN commission of inquiry said: 'Women abducted from Europe, the Middle East and Asia were subjected to forced marriages with men from other countries to prevent liaisons on their part with ethnic Korean women that could result in interracial children.'

Another American soldier defector, Charles Jenkins, married Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga within weeks of meeting her in the North.

Soga was allowed to leave in 2002, and Jenkins and their two daughters followed suit two years later. He was court-martialled for desertion and given a 30-day custodial sentence. They now live on a small Japanese island where he makes a living selling rice crackers.

Four other post-1953 US army deserters are all believed to have died in the North.

Reports of Dresnok's death emerged earlier this year but the brothers' video is the first official confirmation.

Tensions have been mounting in the region since Pyongyang tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles last month that appeared to bring much of the US within range.

That sparked a volley of threats between Pyongyang and Washington, with President Donald Trump warning the North of 'fire and fury' while Pyongyang threatened to fire a salvo of missiles towards the US territory of Guam.

The late James Dresnok, known as Joe, was 21, newly divorced and reportedly facing a court-martial when he made his way through the minefields that litter the DMZ to reach North Korea.

He was the subject of a 2006 British documentary, 'Crossing the Line', which was nominated for a Grand Jury prize at the Sundance film festival.

In it he expressed satisfaction with his life in Pyongyang, where citizens enjoy better standards of living than people elsewhere in the isolated country.

Co-director Nick Bonner told AFP: 'Joe seemed to have accepted he was going to remain in the north due to politics and ill health.

'Also his memory of life in the US was not so rosy, having grown up in an orphanage and not established himself.'

Dresnok once told a CBS interview he would not leave the North even if 'you put a billion damn dollars of gold on the table'.
A middle school student's backpack that reeked of marijuana led police in Florida to his family's house, where they discovered a small grow house run by his parents.

Rolando Naranjo, 41, and 33-year-old Betsy Espinoza were arrested on Monday during a raid on their Hialeah home and were charged with multiple drug and child neglect counts.

Police were tipped off about the couple's illegal side business when a Palm Springs Middle School teacher noticed the smell of marijuana wafting from the backpack of Naranjo and Espinoza's 11-year-old son during the first day of school on Monday.

Growing pains: Rolando Naranjo (left), 41, and 33-year-old Betsy Espinoza (right) have been arrested on drug and child neglect charges after their son's teacher smelled pot on his bag

Funny smell: A Palm Springs Middle School teacher noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the backpack of Naranjo and Espinoza's 11-year-old son on the first day of school Monday

Drug raid: Police obtained a search warrant and raided the family's home in the 5800 block of West 28th Court in Hialeah, Florida (pictured)

The teacher notified a Miami-Dade Schools police officer, sparking an investigation.

A police report says the boy told officers there are marijuana plants in his house and his dad uses his backpack to transport the drug. He also said people go to his house to buy marijuana, reported Miami Herald.

Police got a search warrant and raided the family's home in the 5800 block of West 28th Court.

Inside, they found 10 marijuana plants weighing more than 30lbs, plastic baggies for packaging, two heat seal vacuum machines and two digital scales, according to police.

Naranjo and Espinoza were taken away in handcuffs, charged with marijuana trafficking; possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school; possession of a place for trafficking purposes; possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use; two counts each of possession of a place for manufacturing a controlled substance with a minor present; and child neglect with no great bodily harm.

Perp walk: Espinoza is seen being led away by police in handcuffs after the drug raid

Police say Naranjo (left) and Espinoza (right) slept with their two sons in a single bed in one room. Another bedroom in the house had been converted into a hydroponic lab

Espinoza (pictured) has been charged with drug counts and child neglect

Video taken during the arrest showed Espinoza being led away by an officer with her hands restrained behind her back, sporting a tank top with the word 'Hustle 99' printed across the front.

Their two sons, ages four and 11, were removed from the apartment and placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

Hialeah Sgt. Carl Zogby called conditions inside the residence 'deplorable.'

According to a police report, the house smelled of marijuana, there was little food for the family to eat and the refrigerator had mold inside, reported CBS Miami.

The family have been squatting in the apartment after being evicted from another unit in the building, and their landlord was in the process of having them removed again.

Tell-all: The couple's 11-year-old son (pictured right) told officers his dad uses his backpack to transport the drug

Squatters: The family have been squatting in the apartment after being evicted from another unit in the building

The parents and children all slept in the same bed in one bedroom, according to the station Local10, while another bedroom has been converted into a fully functional hydroponic marijuana cultivation room, complete with two high-wattage lamps.

Espinoza and Naranjo appeared in court on Tuesday and were ordered held on $10,000 and $56,000, respectively.

A judge ruled that Espinozas mother will be granted permanent custody of her 11-year-old grandson and temporary custody of his 4-year-old brother.

Espinoza had served 21 months in state prison in 2002 on a robbery charge. Naranjo's criminal record includes convictions for burglary, marijuana possession and grand theft.
Police are searching for this woman after a 'nasty incident' in Oswestry, Shropshire

A robbery suspect suspect has been branded as 'Britain's sexiest crook' after police released an e-fit of her on social media.

The sketch of the woman was published by West Mercia Police after a driver managed to escape from a man and a woman who tried to rob him in Oswestry, Shropshire.

But after the appeal was shared on social media, men across the country soon flocked to declare their admiration for the 'beautiful' suspect.

The wanted woman is described as being white, around 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build with blonde hair and spoke in a European accent.

Liam Connors said: 'She can try and get into my car anytime. There's just something about a bad-girl you can't help but love.'

Neil Jones added: 'That's the best looking girl on an e-fit I think I've ever seen. Britain's sexiest crook. Defo.'

Max Bennington wrote: 'She is mega-hot. Please catch her so I can get her number. Slim, 5ft 8ins, blonde, European - its like a dating profile.'

Police say she is wanted in connection with a 'nasty incident' which took place at 8.30pm on June 7.

The victim, aged in his 30s, was travelling towards Glyn Ceirog along the B4580 when the woman appeared by the roadside looking distressed.

When the motorist stopped and wound down his window to speak to the lady, her male accomplice opened his door and used his seatbelt to restrain him.

At the same time the woman opened the passenger door but the driver managed to take control of his vehicle and drove away without anything being stolen.

The woman is also described as wearing a blue Puffa style jacket and had what is believed to be a European accent. There is no description of the man.

PC Diane Langford, of West Mercia Police, said: 'This was a nasty incident that was very distressing for the victim.

'We are still trying to piece together exactly what happened and would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to please come forward.

'We would remind drivers to be vigilant at all times and if you see another driver in distress, to report this to police by calling 999.'

Earlier this year, Katie Curtis won hearts on the internet after Hertfordshire Constabulary posted her mug shot online.

She was wanted by police for failing to turn up to a court appearance.

In 2014 American criminal Jeremy Meeks' life changed when he was arrested for gun possession and his mug shot went viral.

Since his release from prison he has been signed by a modelling agency.
An exact replica of the first ever motorcycle has been constructed and is now set to sell for 15,000.

The wooden contraption is in full working order and is a homage to the seminal Daimler Reitwagen, which was built in 1885.

The master craftsman, who is not named, created the Reitwagen replica by looking at detailed drawings and photographs of the original.

His replica is the closest anyone will ever get to the Gottlieb Daimler's engineering accomplishment, as the original was destroyed in a workshop fire in 1903.

An exact replica of the first ever motorcycle has been constructed and is now set to sell for 15,000 (pictured). The prototype model employed a steel-reinforced timber frame, iron-tyred cart wheels and a horse-type saddle

Having completed the build in 2015 and enjoyed the fruits of his labour for two years, the builder and owner has now decided to cash in on the unusual collector's item by consigning it for auction with Bonhams.

An auction house spokesman said: 'The Reitwagen was the first modern motorcycle and thus of great historical significance, so it's no surprise that someone was compelled to build a replica.

'There is an even greater demand for examples such as this because the original was destroyed in a fire, so no one will ever get their hands on it.

'The build of the one we're selling now has been completed to an exceptional standard, the craftsmanship is quite incredible.

'It would have taken countless man hours and endless dedication to complete.

'Something like this will be of interest to any motorcycle enthusiast as well as those interested in the early history of vehicle production.'

The wooden contraption is in full working order and is a homage to the seminal Daimler Reitwagen, which was built in 1885 (shown, the rear wheel and a light fixed to the front stem)

German industrial designer Daimler, whose name is famously linked with that of Benz, is often called 'the father of the motorcycle' for the Reitwagen.

In the early to mid-1880s he and 'the king of designers' Wilhelm Maybach built a 264cc, 0.5hp air cooled engine.

It was not powerful enough to propel a four-wheel vehicle as the pair had envisaged so instead they installed it in a handbuilt two-wheeled test frame.

The prototype model employed a steel-reinforced timber frame, iron-tyred cart wheels and a horse-type saddle.

Stabiliser wheels were fitted either side because no rider's feet would have been able to reach the ground.

On November 10 1885, Daimler's 17-year-old son Paul made history by completing the first journey by motorcycle when he rode the Reitwagen on a 7.5-mile round trip from his father's workshop.

The motorcycle was kept at Daimler's factory in Cannstatt, a city district of Stuttgart, until 1903 when a fire tore it apart and destroyed the Reitwagen.

The Reitwagen replica will be sold at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, in Hampshire on September 2.
Homeless residents living in a 'dangerous' British shanty town have revealed some residents are beaten up and urinated on.

Tents have been erected near to the site of the former Groves school in Wrexham and the council has paid for a portable toilet for the camp.

They say they are 'tolerating the situation' to prevent 'other problems arising in other areas'.

But people living in the area are furious, with one branding the situation 'disgraceful'.

A 'shanty town' of homeless people has popped up at the site of a former school in Wrexham. A row has broken out over the camp, with one resident describing it as 'disgraceful'

Desperate: Barry Roberts (right) and Laura Masters (centre) are living rough in tents. Mr Roberts has been homeless for a year after he lost his job and his relationship broke up

The 'shanty town' (pictured) near to the site of the former Groves school in Wrexham. The council has been slammed after they paid for a portable toilet to be placed in the camp

According to The Sun, one camp resident said the area is 'segregated' and added some people living there 'cause trouble' and 'fight'.

The man, in his 30s, told the website: 'It's quite segregated. Some of the lads don't do anything and just walk around with their tops off and cause trouble and fight with us.

'I'm a lad's lad, I'm not arsed. But it's dangerous at night. People will just come and p*** on you.'

The resident, who wished not to be named, said: 'I think it is disgraceful they are being allowed to stay there.

'If they are being pandered to there, how are they going to get their life restarted?They are not going to want to move on.'

Robert Williams said: 'Shanty towns have no place in our town.

'Many of these unfortunate folk are drug abusers and the health hazard and safety issues of a shanty town could affect the whole town. Plus the former school borders on a residential area.

'The council must house these persons and tackle the problem full on.'

Local group Help Wrexham's Homeless is taking food and supplies to the camp, opposite the town's police station, as the council and other agencies look for a solution to the problem.

Tracey Jones and Nick Claffey (both above) of Help Wrexham's Homeless, have been handing out food, clothes and camping supplies which have been donated to the group

Barry Roberts (pictured) lives at the camp. He said 'It keeps everybody off the streets in one place. The Wrexham homeless people are like a community. We are like a family'

The homeless camp in Wrexham has caused uproar with local residents. One said: 'Shanty towns have no place in our town'

Barry Roberts, 42, from Wrexham, currently lives at the camp and has been homeless for a year after he lost his job and his relationship broke up.

He said: 'It keeps everybody off the streets in one place. The Wrexham homeless people are like a community and we try to support each other. We are like a family.'

He added: 'We don't want to cause problems or be in anybody's way, but we need more support and help to get somewhere to live and start again.

'If this goes then people will start to drift back around the town centre, and we don't want that.'

Nick Claffey, of Help Wrexham's Homeless, was at the former school on Monday to hand out food, clothes and camping supplies which have been donated to the group.

He said: 'I think they need to be housed. Growing up in Wrexham, I have never seen so many homeless people around the town centre as in the last couple of years.

Pictured: The former Groves school in Wrexham. A 'shanty town' of homeless people has popped up at the site

'They need to find somewhere for them to live. We will help and encourage them to use the services available.'

The council had wanted to demolish the Groves building and build up to two new schools, but campaigners fought to save it and it was listed by Cadw following a complicated legal wrangle.

Councillor Hugh Jones, Wrexham said: 'We want to provide security for residents living near the Groves, and we have a responsibility to protect the building.

'The council and its partners also have to consider the welfare of the people living on the site.

'The people camping there have a complex range of issues, like homelessness, substance misuse and poor mental health - things that can't be addressed overnight.

'Helping them change their circumstances is crucial to managing these issues in Wrexham.

'Moving them on without attempting to help will just create problems elsewhere.'

He added: 'We know we need to find a way to better support them in a more suitable environment, as it's not appropriate for people to be camping on the site. We all want to see a successful resolution.'
A Lamborghini which mysteriously vanished after being hired from Switzerland and driven 600 miles to an IKEA car park in Britain has finally been reunited with its rightful owner.

The 250,000 supercar was leased from an exclusive rental company in Zurich by a woman, described as 'smartly-dressed and Irish', who claimed she would be driving it to Germany.

But the black Lamborghini Huracan Spyder was later traced to London, only to disappear after its last GPS signal linked it to IKEA's store in Tottenham.

A detective then tracked it down to a yard where it was being held in a shipping container bound for West Africa.

Now the stolen Lamborghini has finally been reunited with its owner Adriano Scheiwiller, the managing director of Scheiwiller Automotive Luxury Car Rental in Schlieren.

He said: 'I am so happy and grateful. It is a true miracle. I had a queasy feeling about it from the beginning. When I then saw on the GPS that my Lambo was in London, I realised that something was wrong.'

The stolen Lamborghini has finally been reunited with its owner Adriano Scheiwiller

He said that in the future he would be more careful renting out his luxury cars

Lost and now found: The Lamborghini Huracan Spyder which went missing after arriving in Britain from Zurich

This map shows where the Lamborghini travelled from after being hired from a rental company in Switzerland, before being spotted at an Ikea in London and later found on its way to Africa

The car went missing on July 14 when the woman with Irish identity card claimed to be driving it to Strasbourg for a meeting then back to Zurich.

The driver left a deposit of 2,500 Swiss francs - around 2,000 - and the identity card which Mr Scheiwiller believed was fake.

He said: 'She looked well-groomed and had luggage, she said she wanted to attend a meeting in Strasbourg.

'Instead of returning she headed for London, the GPS had betrayed her, she showed how she was shipping the car to Calais and transported it to England.'

He initially offered a reward of 10,000 Swiss francs to anyone who was able to help find a car but was pleasantly surprised when an investigator managed to locate it last week.

He said: 'I was blown away when I saw my lambo in the container. It was like a dream.'

There were 'just a few scratches on the rims and on the front' according to the Swiss director, who said it will cost him around 4,300 to repair.

He added: 'At last my baby is back again.'

He said that in the future he would be more careful renting out his luxury cars.

Pictured: This is the spot in Ikea, north London where the Lamborghini last used its GPS tracker before it was placed in an African-bound shipping container
The head of Australia's overseas intelligence agency has bizarrely been snapped posing with a clenched fist beside controversial president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte.

Nick Warner, director-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, held talks with the leader at Malacanang Palace in Manila on Tuesday.

And during the meet the pair posed for a ludicrous photo which pictures the two men fist-pumping, an act associated with the notorious Filipino leader.

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The head of Australia's overseas intelligence agency has bizarrely been snapped posing with a clenched fist beside president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte

Nick Warner (fourth left), director-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, held talks with the leader (centre) at Malacanang Palace in Manila on Tuesday

The president's office released video of the meeting, with separate photos showing the pair talking and making Mr Duterte's signature hand gesture.

Warner's actions have been met with a wave of criticism, with many condemning his apparent support of a man who has killed thousands of drug users, including 80 in three days this month, in an attempt to 'clean up' his country.

The radical leader insists he is not a killer, despite the country's streets being littered with dead bodies due to his crackdown on illicit drugs.

And his controversy doesn't end there, as he recently joked about his troops raping women while taking a dig at Chelsea Clinton who had criticised his crude remarks.

Warner's actions have been met with a wave of criticism, with many condemning his apparent support of a man who has killed thousands of drug users and suppliers, including 80 in three days this month, in an attempt to 'clean up' his country

The radical leader insists he is not a killer, despite the country's streets being littered with dead bodies due to his crackdown on illicit drugs

The 72-year-old even threatened to kill his own son if he ever touched drugs.

A spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop told AAP the director-general meets with leaders and ministers of regional countries regularly 'to advance co-operation in information sharing to counter terrorism'.

According to a palace official, it was 'basically a courtesy call' that 'touched on regional security issues and declaration of mutual support'.

OUTSPOKEN LEADER: PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE IN QUOTES The outspoken President Rodrigo Duterte Comparing his drugs war to the Holocaust - 'Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now, there is three million drug addicts. I'd be happy to slaughter them. At least Germany had Hitler. The Philippines wouldn't.' Insulting President Obama after he criticised the violence in the Philippines - 'You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a w****, I will curse you in that forum. Instead of helping us, the first to criticize is this State Department, so you can go to hell, Mr Obama, you can go to hell.' Reacting to an EU resolution condemning his drugs crackdown - 'I say to them, f*** you. They're taking the high ground to assuage their feelings of guilt. But who did I kill? Assuming it to be true, 1,700, who are they? Criminals. You call that genocide. Now the EU has the gall to condemn me. So I repeat it. F*** you.' Criticising Pope Francis after his visit to the country caused heavy traffic in Manila - 'We were affected by the traffic. It took us five hours. I asked why, they said it was closed. I asked who is coming. They answered, the Pope. I wanted to call him: "Pope, son of a w****, go home. Do not visit us again".' Pleading to rid the country of drugs during his election campaign - 'Forget the laws on human rights. If I make it to the presidential palace, I will do just what I did as mayor. You drug pushers, hold-up men and do-nothings, you better go out. Because I'd kill you. I'll dump all of you into Manila Bay, and fatten all the fish there.' On admitting to killing a man by throwing him out of a helicopter - 'I've done that, why won't I do it again?' Advertisement

Many Filipino nationals have protested the killings of drug users in the country and are strongly against Duterte's leadership

Social media was awash with comments baffled with Warner's actions, with many questioning the decision to stand in solidarity with the controversial leader.

'Sickening to see head of Australias spy agency fist-pumping a man who has instigated the killing of thousands,' Human Rights Watch Australia director Elaine Pearson tweeted.

'Seriously? Come on Nick Warner?! I mean, with Duterte?' another Twitter user wrote.

Social media was awash with comments baffled with Warner's actions, with many questioning the decision to stand in solidarity with the controversial leader

It comes just a week after the federal government moved to formally list Islamic State in East Asia as a terrorist organisation, with the group responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in the Philippines.

Attorney-General George Brandis said IS was using the conflict in Marawi as a 'call to arms', with foreign fighters believed to be actively fighting against Philippine security forces.

'Only last week, ISIL released a propaganda video of Australian-accented extremist Abu Adam Al-Australi urging fighters to go to join the conflict in Mindanao,' he told parliament last Wednesday.

The head of the domestic intelligence agency ASIO, Duncan Lewis, has previously said one of the greatest terrorist threats to Australians is in South East Asia.
Sex offender notification

The Coconino County Sheriffs Office is notifying the public of a registered sex offender in Ash Fork.

Roland Cruz was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child in 1997 after he assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Texas.

Cruz lives at 3119 Joyce Rd.

This notification is meant to inform the public of sex offenders in the area. Harassment of sex offenders will not be tolerated.

DUI

 Clarence Baptisto was arrested at the intersection of Northwestern Street and Route 66 for an extreme DUI on Thursday.

When asked to take a field sobriety test Baptisto said, I do not doubt I would not pass so Ill take the DUI.

He consented to a breathalyzer test where he recorded a BAC of 0.254 and 0.234 percent.

 Geri Derrick was arrested for a DUI at the intersection of Route 66 and San Francisco Street on Saturday after she was seen driving with her headlights off. She had a BAC of 0.129 and 0.130 percent.

 Juan Valtierra was arrested for an aggravated DUI with a suspended license on Monday at 3715 N. Kaspar Drive. He had a BAC of 0.086 and 0.093 percent.

Voyeurism

A woman reported someone videotaping her while she was in the shower on Friday in the 90 block of East Camille Drive.

The woman said she saw a cellphone being used to record her while she was showering, but could not see who was using the phone.

When police arrived they could not find any immediate suspects.

Aggravated assault

A man was arrested for aggravated assault of a police officer, criminal damage, disorderly conduct, littering and resisting arrest after he was seen repeatedly kicking a trashcan at the Chevron gas station on Fourth Street.

When police tried to arrest him for criminal damage, the man swung his left arm at an officers body. The officer then hit the man in the face five times. The man responded to the punches by hitting the officer in the face with his palm. The officer then hit the man in the face again before he was finally arrested.

The man had swelling in both eyes, as well as a bloody mouth.

The man arrested was identified as Sergio Gutierrez.

City and county residents who want to report a crime but wish to remain anonymous may call Silent Witness at 774-6111 or (877) 29-CRIME, submit a tip online at www.coconinosilentwitness.org, or text the word Flagtip along with your information to 274637 (CRIMES). Rewards of up to $2,000 are given for information that leads to an arrest.
Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was born in 1859 and died in 1930

A fascinating series of real-life murder cases believed to have inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write Sherlock Holmes has been revealed in a book.

An author has drawn remarkable parallels between the crime of Doyle's teacher who killed his wife, and one case solved by the fictional detective.

Doyle was also fascinated by the cases of suspected 'animal ripper' George Edalji and that of Oscar Slater, who it was thought murdered an elderly spinster in her Glasgow home.

The book also looks at how Doyle was one of the most famous spiritualists of his day and had a fascination with the supernatural and seeing ghosts.

When Doyle was a seven-year-old boy at Newington Academy in Edinburgh, a French emigre named Eugene Chantrelle was hired to teach modern languages there. But a decade later, Chantrelle was hanged for poisoning his wife.

In his new book 'The Man Who Would Be Sherlock', author Christopher Sandford highlights the similarities between this murder and Doyle's first Sherlock tale 'The Study In Scarlet', in which the detective solves the murders of two men who were themselves poisoned.

And this case involved Doyle's future lecturer and friend Doctor Joseph Bell, a forensic scientist who is popularly acknowledged as one of the models for Holmes.

A French emigre named Eugene Chantrelle (left) was convicted of murdering his wife, with whom he had initially had an affair when she was aged 15. Meanwhile it was thought that Oscar Slater (right) murdered a woman in her home - but Doyle was convinced of his innocence

Slater was thought to have murdered an elderly spinster in her Glasgow home (pictured)

In September 1866, Doyle was dispatched to Newington Academy, an Edinburgh school just three streets away from his family home.

Shortly before Doyle arrived there, the school had appointed Chantrelle to teach languages.

Doctor Joseph Bell was a forensic scientist who is popularly acknowledged as one of the models for Sherlock Holmes

By the time Doyle came to know him in 1866, Chantrelle was already carrying on an affair with an academy fifth-former named Elizabeth Cullen Dyer, aged 15.

The relationship was undetected until the winter of 1867 when Dyer fell pregnant. Both parties were dismissed from the school. Chantrelle, 34, and then 17-year-old Dyer married in Edinburgh in 1868 and they had four sons.

It was rumoured that Chantrelle had wives in several North American cities, as well as one at home in France, and that his sexual relations tended to the sadistic.

The Chantrelles' subsequent marriage was unhappy. In December 1876, Elizabeth complained to the police that Chantrelle had thrashed her 'unmercifully' on her bare buttocks with a horsewhip. He received an official caution.

The following October, he took out a policy for 1,000 (roughly 90,000 today) with the Scottish Star Assurance Company in the event that his young wife should die before him.

Albemarle Street in London, where Slater used an address at the semi-derelict building on the left, just a few yards away from both Doyle's publisher and the hotel where he often stayed

Doyle was photographed while supposedly being visited by a spirit in a photo later debuked

At Chantrelle's trial it was noted that he had gone to some trouble to understand the definition of 'accidental death' in the contract, and specifically whether 'cramps' and mishaps with 'noxious vapours or fumes' would be included.

Doyle's cousin Arthur Vicars, the man at the heart of the case with a Holmes-like plot involving stolen jewels, miscarriages of justice and murderous revenge

On the morning of January 2, 1878, a servant girl found Elizabeth lying unconscious in her bed.

There was a strong smell of gas in the room, apparently caused by a broken valve in a nearby fireplace.

After being examined by a local doctor who diagnosed a then not unusual case of coal poisoning, the victim was taken to the Royal Infirmary, where she died later that afternoon without regaining consciousness. She was 26 years old.

This case was brought to the attention of Dr Bell and his clerk Dr Henry Littlejohn who together discovered the vomited matter found on Elizabeth's bedclothes showed the presence of opium, which had combined with the effects of gradual gas inhalation to induce death.

Chantrelle was put on trial for his wife's murder, found guilty and executed on May 31, 1878.

Dr Littlejohn was required to attend Chantrelle's execution and Chantrelle is said to have turned to Littlejohn and muttered: 'Give my compliments to Joe Bell. He did a good job in bringing me to the scaffold.'

The Langham Hotel (left), which played a significant part in Conan Doyle's own detective's life, and a statue of Holmes (right) in Picardy Place, Edinburgh, close to the site of his author's birth

The statue in Edinburgh is inscribed as being in memory of Doyle and was unveiled in 1991

Spirit writing made by Lady Conan Doyle in the words of Harry Houdini's late mother, Atlantic City, in June 1922

The London Globe published a long account about the frequent arguments between Elizabeth and her husband, highlighting how he had behaved more 'smoothly' towards her in the last weeks of her life, apparently to lull her into a false sense of security.

William J Burns, the pioneering midwest detective who enjoyed the title of 'America's Sherlock Holmes' before retiring to write mystery stories in Florida

Cambridge-born Mr Sandford, 60, who is now residing in Seattle, Washington, said: 'The Chantrelle case involved his future lecturer and friend Doctor Joseph Bell, who is popularly acknowledged as one of the models for Holmes.

'And, of course, it was of interest to Doyle because it revolved around a particularly fiendish husband mistreating his wife, specifically by the use of poison.

'One way or another, marital disharmony and the resort to poisoning are both themes pretty well throughout the Holmes canon.

'Poison of course recurs at regular intervals as a plot device in the Holmes stories, beginning with his very first appearance in A Study in Scarlet.

'So those are probably the two enduring themes or links of the Chantrelle affair.'

In his book, Mr Sandford has also analysed in some detail two real life crimes Doyle became very engaged with.

These were the cases of suspected 'animal ripper' George Edalji and Oscar Slater, who it was thought murdered an elderly spinster in her Glasgow home.

In both instances, Doyle was convinced of the innocence of the men accused believing there had been cases of 'mistaken identity' and actively sought to defend them.

Mr Sandford said: 'I think what most stood out for me was Doyle's sheer tenacity - or possibly stubbornness - when roused to action.

A newspaper cutting about Doyle's spiritualist activities, saying they 'may use the radio'

Harry Houdini demonstrates an apparent seance. Doyle had a big interest in the supernatural

'He first involved himself in the Edalji affair for instance in 1907 and he was still regularly firing off letters to the press, demanding interviews with the Home Secretary and raising petitions on the subject very nearly up to the moment he died 23 years later.

Published by The History Press, The Man Who Would Be Sherlock by Christopher Sandford

'He was not a man to be easily shaken off his chosen course in life.

'The Slater case is slightly different because of course Doyle eventually fell out with his own beneficiary, largely about the costs of the latter's defence.'

Doyle was born in 1859 in Edinburgh into a prosperous Irish family.

He trained as a doctor, gaining his degree from Edinburgh University in 1881.

He worked as a surgeon on a whaling boat and also as a medical officer on a steamer travelling between Liverpool and West Africa.

He then settled in Southsea, Portsmouth, on the English south coast and divided his time between medicine and writing.

Doyle is best known for the 60 stories he wrote about Sherlock Holmes.

His body of work includes nearly 200 novels, short stories, poems, historical books and pamphlets.

The Man Who Would Be Sherlock: The Real Life Adventures Of Arthur Conan Doyle, by Christopher Sandford, is published by The History Press and costs 20
The BBC today appointed Sarah Smith to take over a flagship Sunday morning politics show just weeks after she protested about unequal pay at the broadcaster.

Smith will take over the Sunday Politics from Andrew Neil when the show returns on September 17 for the autumn conference season.

The programme holds one of the most high profile slots in the hotly-contested Sunday morning broadcast round.

Smith, currently the BBC's Scotland Editor, was missing from the list of high-earning stars revealed for the first time by the broadcaster last month.

Sarah Smith (pictured left with Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson last month) has been appointed as anchor of the BBC Sunday Politics show

Newsnight host Emily Maitlis - who was also missing from the high pay list - had been named as a possible successor to Neil.

Neil was present on the controversial run down of salaries as he earns up to 249,000 a year for his BBC work.

Smith was among a group of high-profile women who wrote to BBC Director General Tony Hall demanding action to address the corporation's gender paygap.

After her appointment was revealed, Smith said: 'Andrew is one of the great political interviewers who leaves big shoes to fill.

'I am thrilled to take on this role at such an exciting time in British politics.

'I am very much looking forward to working with the Sunday Politics team. For me now, if it is a Sunday it's the Sunday Politics.'

Neil said: 'I loved presenting Sunday Politics, it was a privilege and honour to hold the political discourse up to the light for all those years and while I will miss it greatly I am delighted to continue to work for the BBC on This Week, Daily Politics and other projects.

'I wish Sarah the best of luck with this challenging and wonderful production.'

Smith will take over the Sunday Politics from Andrew Neil (pictured) when the show returns on September 17 for the autumn conference season

Following the announcement, he tweeted: 'Congratulations, Sarah. Great choice! You'll find the Sunday Politics team is the best in the business.'

Smith also tweeted sharing her excitement to be taking over from the 'brilliant' Neil.

Smith worked as a graduate production trainee at BBC Scotland, contributing to programmes including Good Morning Scotland and Head On, before working for the BBC in Northern Ireland.

She has produced Newsnight and also hosted BBC Scotland's current affairs TV programme Scotland 2014 ahead of the Scottish independence referendum.

Smith also worked as a Channel 4 News presenter before returning to the BBC in 2015 as the broadcaster's first Scotland Editor.

Smith was among a group of high-profile women who wrote to BBC Director General Tony Hall (file image) demanding action to address the corporation's gender paygap

Speaking at a business conference last month, Smith slammed the BBC over its handling of the pay revelations.

She said: 'The BBC has known for over a year that it was going to have to publish these salaries and appeared to have done very little.

'I am told that they had a couple of meetings with two or three female presenters a week before the salaries were published, and offered them fairly derisory pay rises that would have knocked them up a band by about 5,000.

'They knew they were going to get this amount of publicity and yet they seem to have done absolutely nothing about it. It's astonishing.'
Spanish police have found a live suicide vest in the remains of the house used as a makeshift 'bomb factory' by the Islamist extremist cell that carried out last week's terror attack.

The belt with viable explosives was found at a house in Alcanar, south of Barcelona, where the imam named as the 'mastermind' behind the attacks died in an explosion last Wednesday prior to the attacks.

Six of the attackers involved in the twin attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils which claimed 15 lives and saw 120 people injured, were all wearing fake suicide belts when they were shot dead by police were wearing fake suicide belts.

Master of evil: The suicide belt was found at a house in Alcanar, south of Barcelona, where imam Abdelbaki Es Satty died in an explosion last Wednesday

Officers carried out new raids overnight to root out a possible support network for the men, after a suspect admitted the jihadists were targeting monuments in Barcelona in an even bigger attack.

The scale of the assaults being prepared by the jihadist suspects emerged during a preliminary court hearing Tuesday, when Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 21, told the judge the group was planning 'an attack on an even greater scale, targeting monuments' using bombs.

At least 500 litres of acetone, large quantities of nails and detonators as well as gas canisters were been found at a house in the town of Alcanar, court documents said.

They are ingredients of TATP - the explosive of choice of the Islamic State group, which has claimed its 'soldiers' carried out the attacks.

Chemlal was injured in the Alcanar explosion that killed an imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, who is thought to have radicalised him and other young suspects.

Testimony: Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 21, was pulled alive from the rubble and appeared to still be wearing hospital pyjamas as he appeared in court today

'Bomb factory': Es Satty died in an accidental blast at this suspected bomb-making factory hours before the attacks were launched

Chemlal only survived because he was out on the porch when the blast occurred.

He told the judge the imam had wanted to blow himself up. The judicial source said that among the four suspects, 'two blamed the imam for the plot while another two denied knowing him'.

After losing their bombs and two cell members in the blast that was so powerful that 'the mushroom cloud that was generated was visible several kilometres around', the jihadists put plan B into action.

They rented a van the next day, but again suffered a false start as it was involved in an accident not far from Cambrils.

A second van was used two hours later in the Barcelona rampage.

The suspects then bought four knives and an axe that were used to slash at pedestrians in Cambrils in the early hours of Friday.

Arrested: Driss Oukabir, left, and Mohamed Houli Chemlal are taken to the Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid for the first hearing on Tuesday

Taken away: Salah El Karib, 34, and Mohamed Aallaa, 27, were detained last week over their alleged role in the attack on Barcelona and Cambrils which left 15 dead and 130 wounded

Thursday's van attack on the crowded Las Ramblas boulevard in Barcelona killed 13 people and injured more than 100.

After a full day court hearing, Chemlal and another suspect, Driss Oukabir, 28, were remanded in custody and charged with terror-related offences.

A third man, Mohamed Aallaa, 27, who owns the car used in the Cambrils attack, was granted conditional release, with the judge saying evidence against him was weak.

GERMAN POLICE PROTECT COLOGNE CATHEDRAL German police has placed concrete barriers in front of Cologne's world famous gothic cathedral on Wednesday after reports that Islamist militants sought to target Barcelona's La Sagrada Familia. 'We took the decision to act as quickly as possible after looking at attacks in Europe,' a police spokeswoman said. 'Our job is to protect sensitive points, and the cathedral is a symbol of Cologne, known around the world.' Cologne's immense cathedral, the work of unidentified medieval masons, towers over the Rhine river city. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the cathedral was one of the few buildings in Cologne's centre to survive World War Two bombings. In the German capital Berlin, barriers remain in place around the site of a Christmas market where a militant drove a stolen truck into crowds and killed 12 people last year, but few other visible measures have been implemented. Advertisement

The judge gave himself three more days to decide if the fourth suspect, Salh El Karib should be remanded or released. His shop, which allows people to make calls abroad, was among targets of police raids late Tuesday.

An apartment in the village of Vilafranca del Penedes, 30 miles west of Barcelona, was also searched, a police spokesman said. The men in court Tuesday were the only surviving suspected members of the terror cell, which Spanish police claimed they had dismantled after gunning down the last man at large, Younes Abouyaaqoub, on Monday.

The 22-year-old Moroccan was the van driver in the Barcelona rampage which claimed 13 lives. While on the run, he also hijacked a vehicle and killed its driver.

With the cell made up of mostly Moroccan nationals who lived in Spain, focus is turning to their links abroad.

Spanish press reported arrests in Morocco in relation to the case, but Rabat declined comment when contacted by AFP.

In Belgium, the mayor of the Vilvorde region told AFP that Satty spent time in the Brussels suburb of Machelen - next to the city's airport - between January and March 2016.

And French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said the Audi used to kill people in Cambrils had been detected speeding in the Paris region while making 'a very rapid return trip' days before the Spanish attacks.

At least one of the suspects also spent a night in Zurich in December, according to Swiss police.
A truck carrying pasta sauce crashed and rolled over in Akansas smearing its cargo across the carriageway forcing the closure of the road for four hours.

Police in Camden, Arkansas were forced to close the road near the intersection of US 278 and Arkansas 24 following the smash on Monday.

Investigators believe the truck's driver became distracted by his GPS unit and let the vehicle drift from its lane.

The truck carrying a large load of spaghetti sauce crashed outside Camden in Arkansas

The crash, pictured, is the third time this month that food has ended spattered across Arkansas roads, following a truck-load of frozen pizza and hundreds of bottles of bourbon

The truck jack knifed after the driver over-corrected his error.

Camden police Sergeant Cory Sanders said the spaghetti sauce truck was headed to Dallas about 3 a.m.

He confirmed the driver suffered minor injuries following the incident.

On August 9, an 18-wheel truck containing DiGiorno and Tombstone frozen bridge struck a bridge on Interstate 30 which sliced open the trailer. The contents were dumped across the carriageway.

The I-30 is a busy road which goes around the south side of Little Rock and links Dallas to Memphis, Tennessee.

On August 2, a vehicle carrying bourborn crashed and also lost its load in Arkansas.

Frozen pizza littered the highway after the crash in Arkansas earlier this month
A mother-of-three was shoved onto the tracks of a New York City subway station Tuesday night by a man who said he 'wanted to die'.

The New York Police Department is searching for a suspect who attacked Kamala Shrestha in the East Village as she waited on an F train at the 2nd Avenue station shortly before 9pm.

According to police, the stranger told Shrestha he was going to push her - and then did it.

Mother-of-three, Kamala Shrestha (pictured), was shoved onto the tracks of a New York City subway station Tuesday night by a man 'who wanted to die'

The NYPD is searching for the suspect who attacked Shrestha in the East Village as she waited on an F train shortly before 9pm. Police said the man told Shrestha he was going to push her - and then did it. Shrestha is pictured with her husband Nam Shrestha

Shrestha told the New York Daily News that she was on her way home from her job at a nail salon when the attack occurred.

She said she was drinking water and waiting for the train when the man spoke to her.

'He said something I don't understand, he said "Do you want to die with me?" or something. I didn't understand what it was.'

No trains were approaching at the time and two Good Samaritans pulled Shrestha to safety.

Medics took Shrestha to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries, including a cut on her head, cops said.

Her husband, Nam Shrestha, said she required about 10 stitches in her head.

'He should be punished. He tried to kill her. He pushed her to die on the train tracks,' Nam Shrestha said.

Kamala Shrestha said she 'didn't want to die' and feels like she 'got a new life'.

No trains were approaching at the time and two Good Samaritans pulled Shrestha (pictured) to safety. Medics took Shrestha to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries, including a cut on her head, cops said

The suspect escaped while Shrestha was being pulled to safety. Police described him as a black man in his 20s wearing a black T-shirt and dark pants. A file image of the subway station shows the area near where Shrestha was pushed

The suspect escaped while Shrestha was being pulled to safety.

Police described him as a black man in his 20s wearing a black T-shirt and dark pants.

Within the last few months, other incidents involving commuters being shoved onto subway tracks have transpired.

On July 19, a rider tried to shove a conductor into the path of a train at Columbus Circle.

In April, actress Bonnie Currie was groped and shoved onto subway tracks in Manhattan's West Village.

Kimani Stephenson, 24, was arrested for the terrifying attack and charged with attempted murder, assault and sex abuse, on Sunday morning.

Currie suffered a broken wrist, a torn ligament in her shoulder and deep bruising on her leg after Stephenson allegedly grabbed her breast and crotch before intentionally pushing her onto the tracks.
Richard Gathercole, pictured, was indicted for an August 2014 Nebraska robbery on Tuesday

The suspected 'AK-47 bandit,' who investigators believe robbed banks in five states has been charged with robbery in Nebraska.

Richard Gathercole, 39, was indicted Tuesday for an August 2014 bank robbery in Nebraska City, according to court records.

FBI officials have been looking for years for the man they believe robbed banks in California, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska and Washington while carrying an AK-47 rifle.

Gathercole also faces weapons charges.

The AK-47 Bandit typically wore a balaclava mask and body armor, and carried the eponymous assault rifle equipped with a drum magazine during the heists.

Investigators believe Gathercole pulled off his first robbery on February 29, 2012, in Chino, California.

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After robbing the California Bank & Trust, Gathercole, carrying an AK-47 rifle and wearing a ski mask, opened fire on a Chino police officer who was outside, said Chino Police Chief Karen Comstock.

The officer was seriously injured, but has since recovered and returned to the force, Comstock said.

Authorities believe the last robbery linked to the AK-47 Bandit took place in Mason City, Iowa, in July 2015.

The FBI released surveillance images of the 'AK-47 Bandit' and offered a $100,000 reward to anyone with information that could lead to his arrest and conviction

Gathercole was first arrested after an 'interaction' with the Musselshell County Sheriff's Department and the Montana Highway Patrol on June 14.

He posted bail but was rearrested on June 20 at a gas station in Lexington, Nebraska, in connection with an incident during which a Kansas State Trooper who was trying to pull a vehicle over was shot at. The trooper was not injured.

He was stopped after he was found driving a stolen vehicle that was linked to that shooting.

A search of the vehicle yielded two Ruger 9mm handguns and one Bersa .380 handgun.

After his arrest, a jailhouse phone call transcript showed Gathercole asked his mother to clear his home of 'all the guns.'

Investigators searched the residence in the town of Roundup, Montana, about 50 miles north of Billings, on Saturday and found numerous improvised explosive devices, authorities said.

The 'AK-47 bandit' carried out multiple robberies wearing a ski mask and body armor

Gathercole faces weapons charges along with his Nebraska robbery charges

'There was nothing about this bank robbery series that was average,' Woolery said during a press conference on Tuesday. 'Most bank robbers stay local, within the same state, and thankfully we rarely see assault rifles and actual IEDs used during bank robberies.'

Gathercole is being held on state theft and possession of stolen firearms charges in Nebraska, and Woolery said federal charges were pending against him.

Prosecutors in San Bernardino County, California, said they planned to file a charge of attempted murder of a peace officer against Gathercole in connection with the 2012 shooting.

The FBI previously offered up to $100,000 reward for information leading to the man's arrest and conviction.
The SNP was today accused of selling 'false hope' to Scots over independence after new figures reveal it relies on the rest of the UK to plug its public spending.

Scotland's 13.3billion deficit is 8.3 per cent of gross domestic product - over three times higher than the rest of the UK at 2.4 per cent, according to figures out today.

And while Scotland's public sector revenue is lower than the rest of the UK spending is far higher, meaning every Scot enjoyed a 1,750 'union dividend'.

Kezia Dugdale said the numbers show Scotland would have faced 'unprecedented' levels of austerity if Nicola Sturgeon had succeeded in her threat of break up the UK.

The Scottish Labour leader said: 'These figures prove once and for all that the SNP sold false hope to the poorest people in Scotland.

'Scotland's own accounts show that the first year of an independent Scotland would have meant unprecedented levels of austerity.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, pictured today on a visit to a science lab in Edinburgh, has been accused of selling poor Scots false hope after she insisted during the run up to the independence referendum in 2014 that the Scottish economy was in a strong state and that the country did not need the financial support of the rest of the United Kingdom

'These cuts would not only have been the largest ever felt by Scottish public services like schools and hospitals, the nationalists' plan would have taken a sledgehammer to the welfare state as we know it.

'Nicola Sturgeon knew the sums didn't add up. But she offered false hope, especially to the poorest people in Scotland.

'Thousands of Scots voted Yes on the basis of a falsehood the SNP knowingly sold them.'

Scotland's 13.3bn deficit - the difference between what the region raises and spends - was revealed Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland report.

In the run up to the 2014 referendum the SNP estimated a much lower deficit and significantly higher oil and gas revenue in 2016/17.

This would have been the first year of independence if the area had voted 'Yes'.

Scottish Conservatives finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said: 'Today's figures confirm the facts  Scotland is better off as part of the United Kingdom.

'All of us last year received a Union dividend of 1,750 per head.

'The truth is that when times are tough  as they have been in Scotland over the last few years  we can rely on the weight of the whole UK to ensure schools, hospitals and public services remain decently funded.

'These figures also confirm just how wrong the SNP got it during the referendum campaign.

'In 2014, Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon looked Scottish families in the eye and insisted we'd be better off.

'In fact, in the first year of independence, Scotland would have been staring at the biggest deficit in Europe.'

But the collapse in oil prices has hit the region's economy badly and has been blamed for the country's deficit.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, and Scottish Tory finance spokesman Murdo Fraser both said today's deficit figures show that Scotland benefits from staying in the United Kingdom and would have to make deep public sector cuts if it became independent

An oil rig supply vessel shelters from bad weather off the island of Foula in Scotland last year. The country's high deficit has been blamed on the collapse in oil prices

Ms Sturgeon, Scotland's First Minister, said she did not accept 'in any way, shape or form' that the SNP's prospectus for leaving the UK had misled voters.

She said: 'Nobody foresaw the decline in the oil price.

'That was a change in circumstance that happened after the publication in the figures in the white paper.

'The white paper figures that were published were based on the best available evidence at the time.'

She said the improvement in the overall fiscal balance for 2016/17 was 'encouraging', with the deficit down by 1.3 billion from 2015/16.

She said: 'Scotland's economy remains strong. In the last quarter, our economy grew nearly four times faster than the UK and the number of people in employment is at a record high.'

'These figures reflect Scotland's finances under current constitutional arrangements.

'However, they show that our investment in key industries, such as the life-science sector, is providing a real boost to our onshore economy.'

The report shows that while North Sea revenue rose from 56 million in 2015/16 to 208 million over the past year, this slight rise followed a sharp drop from 1.4bn in 2014/15.
Fiona Richardson's family has paid a heartbreaking tribute to the 'quiet women's rights champion' after she died one day after quitting politics to focus on her health.

The 50-year-old Victorian MP tragically died from cancer on Wednesday, after announcing she would take time off from her parliamentary duties for health reasons after being diagnosed with multiple tumours.

Ms Richardson left behind two children Marcus and Catherine and her husband Stephen.

'She was an unwavering advocate on behalf of victim-survivors and every Victorian touched by the tragedy of family violence,' the family said.

Victorian MP Fiona Richardson has tragically passed away a day after she announced she was quitting parliament next year to focus on her health

Ms Richardson served as the Minister for Women and the first ever Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence.

Ms Richardson's family said her passion for the job was unparalleled.

'Fiona had unfinished business. She wanted violence in the home to stop and she knew for that to happen it would take dedication and leadership over the course of a generation,' they said.

Since she was elected to Parliament in 2006, Ms Richardson oversaw the Royal Commission into Family Violence, funding Victoria against Violence, and developing the state's first Gender Equality Strategy.

'She achieved so much for victims in a short space of time,' her family said.

'Fiona was a quiet champion of women's rights, with an all-woman Ministerial office devoted to her.'

Fiona Richardson's husband Stephen Newnham pictured on Australian Story in 2016

Ms Richardson's family commended her for sharing her personal story with Australia.

'Her decision to talk about her own family's experience on Australian Story took guts,' they said.

'Her strength and insight  the love between her, mother Veronica, brothers Hamish and Alastair  touched the lives of many people and allowed them a glimpse of why she was such a fearless champion for victim-survivors.'

Ms Richardson appeared on Australian Story in March 2016 where she revealed she was physically abused by her father.

Labor Leader Bill Shorten described Ms Richardson as a 'remarkable, brave and inspirational woman'

Ms Richardson announced on Tuesday she was taking more time off after being diagnosed with multiple tumours, but she passed away on Wednesday night

The mother-of-two successfully battled cancer in 2013 and returned to parliament to become Victoria's first minister for the prevention of family violence.

Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, Matthew Guy, was among the first to post a tribute to Ms Richardson.

'Vale Fiona Richardson MP. The sadness at Spring Street will be immense. To her family, friends, colleagues, my thoughts, sympathy and love,' he tweeted.

Philip Dalidakis described the member of Northcote as 'a friend and mentor.'

'Fiona Richardson was my friend & mentor. She called it how it was, even when I didn't want to hear it. A formidable, amazing woman. 140 characters doesn't do Fiona Richardson justice. Better for her living, poorer for her passing. Wishing her friends/family a long life.'

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews were among several high-profile politicians to touch on the matter, with many offering their deepest condolences to her family

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Brendan O'Connor went with a similar theme commending her fighting qualities

Writer Anne Summers spoke of Richardson's efforts with gender equality in a moving post

Victorian State Parliament MP Louise Staley referred to Ms Richardson as a 'warrior.'

'Vale Fiona Richardson. A warrior for her causes, a woman of outstanding ability, an MP of conviction. Rest in peace,' she posted to social media.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Brendan O'Connor went with a similar theme commending her fighting qualities.

'Vale Labor warrior, Minister and friend Fiona Richardson. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Jodi and Brendan', he shared to social media.

Writer Anne Summers spoke of Richardson's efforts with gender equality in a moving post.

'We *owe* Fiona Richardson so much. Mourn her by acknowledging her pioneering contribution to gender equity & #VAW. Vale Fiona', she said.

2015 Australian of the Year and domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty touched on Richardson's contributions to her career.

'Devastated at friend Fiona Richardson's passing. Huge support to me during my journey & for all victimes. Thoughts with family, staff & all', she shared.

Ms Richardson revealed on Tuesday she would take time off to focus on her health

2015 Australian of the Year and domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty touched on Richardson's contributions to her career.

She successfully battled cancer in 2013 and returned to parliament to become Victoria's first minister for the prevention of family violence

Ms Richardson, 50, was diagnosed with a serious illness before the winter break and gave notice yesterday that she would be taking leave from her parliamentary duties

Philip Dalidakis described the member of Northcote as 'a friend and mentor.'

'Fiona Richardson was my friend & mentor. She called it how it was, even when I didn't want to hear it. A formidable, amazing woman. 140 characters doesn't do Fiona Richardson justice. Better for her living, poorer for her passing. Wishing her friends/family a long life.'

Victorian State Parliament MP Louise Staley referred to Ms Richardson as a 'warrior.'

'Vale Fiona Richardson. A warrior for her causes, a woman of outstanding ability, an MP of conviction. Rest in peace,' she posted to social media.

Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, Matthew Guy, was among the first to post a tribute to Ms Richardson

Victorian State Parliament MP Louise Staley referred to Ms Richardson as a 'warrior'

The Labor MP for Northcote announced yesterday she was planning to leave politics as her conditioned worsened.

'I have been diagnosed with multiple tumours for which I am receiving treatment,' Ms Richardson said yesterday.

'I intended to return to work part time next week, however my recovery is not going the way I had planned.

Ms Richardson said she would be taking time off work after her health didn't go to plan

'I have been diagnosed with multiple tumours for which I am receiving treatment,' Ms Richardson said yesterday

'I am grateful that the premier has agreed to an extended period of leave from my portfolio to enable me to concentrate of my health.'

Ms Richardson posted her regards on her social media accounts, thanking everyone for their support during the difficult time.

'Thank you to everyone for your kind words of encouragement and support,' she posted.

The Family Violence Prevention Minister (pictured) first took time off from politics in 2013 to fight breast cancer

Victorian MP Fiona Richardson has tragically passed away from cancer a day after she announced she was quitting parliament next year to focus on her health

'While I haven't been able to respond to you each individually, I think you for your well wishes while I focus on recovery.'

Premier Daniel Andrews said Ms Richardson had been an 'unwavering advocate' against family violence.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Fiona and her family and we will do everything we can to support her during this difficult time,' he said in a statement yesterday before her death.
President Donald Trump can always get what he wants, as he continues to play the Rolling Stones at various events, despite the band repeatedly telling him to cease use of their music.

Trump used the band's songs several times in the past week. After an hour and a half long speech in Phoenix, Arizona Tuesday Trump played 'You can't always get what you want' by the Stones.

He used the legendary British bands song 'Start Me Up' at a rally Thursday night in West Virginia as well. The Stones released a statement via their publicist immediately following the rally.

President Donald Trump reacts to the song as he arrives at a rally at the Phoenix Convention Center, Tuesday

Left to right: Ronnie Wood, singer Mick Jagger, musicians Charlie Watts and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform. The Stones have asked Trump to stop using their songs at events

'The Rolling Stones have never given permission to the Trump campaign to use their songs and have requested that they cease all use immediately,' the Stones' publicist said in a statement to CNN.

It is not the first time they've asked him to stop. It's also not the first time he ignored their request.

In January the President and first lady Melania Trump walked out to 'Heart of Stone' at the inaugural concert despite being told to cease usage in May of 2016.

At that time an identical statement was released to the BBC to a just campaigning Trump: 'The Rolling Stones have never given permission to the Trump campaign to use their songs and have requested that they cease all use immediately.'

When he was asked about using the Rolling Stones music in May 2016, Trump responded: 'I have no problem with that. I like Mick Jagger.'

Yet with Trump acknowledging their snub he again used the the Stones' song 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' after his acceptance speech at the Republic National Convention and yet again when he won the election on November 9, 2016.

The band's front man Mick Jagger took a jab at Trump being elected in the first place: 'Everyone outside the US is kind of mystified,' before adding 'that's the polite way to say it.'
Thousands of tourists had to face massive traffic jams in Gobi Desert caused by camels last week.

A social media video shows hundreds of camels, hired by travellers, forming a long queue to go up the sand dunes at the Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake, a popular tourist attraction in north-west China.

Staff at the attraction said the congestion was caused by an overwhelming volume of tourists during the summer holiday.

The tourists were trying to see the Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake (pictured), a popular attraction outside ancient Dunhuang city in north-west China's Gansu Province

According to the video, circulating on Twitter-like Weibo by Huaxi Civilisation Newspaper, a large number of frustrated tourists were trapped in the middle of the desert as they waited for the ships of the desert to move.

Employees familiar with the matter have confirmed the authenticity of the video to MailOnline.

They told MailOnline that the video was taken last week and it was the peak season for the attraction.

Around 30,000 people were said to visit the site every day in mid-August, and the management had prepared about 400 camels, raised by local farmers, to take them on safari tours.

The safari tour costs 100 yuan (11) per person and typically takes an hour to finish.

The staff said because all of their scenic spots were located on top of the sand dunes, tourists might have to wait on camels when there were too many visitors.

Hundreds of camels queue up waiting to take tourists up the sand dunes last week. It's said the congestion was caused by an overwhelming volume of tourists during the summer holiday

They also confirmed that during the peak hours last week, visitors waited between one and two hours for the queues to move.

However, the tourist attraction said the number of visitors had decreased since last week, and there was no congestion any more.

They also explained that all of the camels were well-trained by local farmers, and every five of them were looked after by one trainer during the trek, so there weren't any safety issues during the jam.

Located six kilometres (3.7 miles) outside of Dunhuang city, a historic trading town on the ancient Silk Road, Echoing Sand Mountain and Crescent Lake is highly popular among Chinese tourists who wish to see desert.

The Crescent Lake is named after its unique shape and is surrounded by a number of sand dunes, called the Echoing Sand Mountain.

The dunes gained its poetic name as it's claimed that echos could be heard when winds blow over them.
A TV debate surrounding milk allergies quickly turned sour after a toddler clambered onto the desk of newsreader Alastair Stewart during an interview with her mother.

Iris Wronka stole the show while appearing on ITV News alongside her older brother George and her mother Lucy during the lunchtime bulletin.

The family was taking part in a segment about new guidelines surrounding testing for milk allergies in babies when young Iris became impatient and left her chair.

The camera lingers on as Iris edges around the desk of a stunned Alastair Stewart, eventually climbing on top of the table and trying to high-five the anchor.

The toddler circles the ITV News desk as she prepares to climb on

The presenter then informed viewers that Iris 'will do whatever she chooses to do for the next couple of minutes', before trying to continue with the interview.

The little girl's brother George then struggles to answer questions on whether or not he missed drinking milk, obviously distracted by his sister's antics.

The girl's mother also managed to keep a straight face, giving her views on raising children with the allergy.

Having stifled laughter throughout the broadcast, the veteran newscaster joked: 'Mary Nightingale, I think, will have a more peaceful time at 6.30pm.

'From all of us, a very good afternoon to you.'

Speaking to the Daily Mail Mrs Wronka, who works as a professional development manager, described Iris was 'a very independent toddler, who does exactly what she wants to do.'

She said: 'It was about that time in the day when Iris is usually napping.

'It had been a very exciting day and we had already done a pre-recorded interview with Channel 5.'

The little girl's brother George struggled to answer questions on whether or not he missed drinking milk, obviously distracted by his sister's antics

Alastair struggles to continue interviewing her brother as she prepares to jump on the desk

Mrs Wronka, who initially had Iris on her lap, said her daughter started 'wriggling' almost as soon as she sat down.

'I thought 'I can either put her down or have her screaming and crying with frustration,' she said.

'She was in a green screen room with lots of TV cameras pointing at her. It was all very exciting.

'Alistair was a consummate professional. He is an extremely kind man.'

Mrs Wronka, lives with husband Richard, 35, who works for Ofcom, and their two children in Forest Hill, in south-east London.

Viewers and journalists took to Twitter to share their amusement about the ITV Lunchtime News incident.

The interview on milk allergy was almost derailed by the toddler takeover on ITV News

Lucy Wronka is pictured with her son George, who admirably tried to concentrate during the interview as his younger sister ran riot

ITV News political correspondent Paul Brand praised his colleague, Tweeting: 'TODDLER TAKEOVER! Best lunchtime news ever.

'Well done @ alstewitn for holding fort!'

ITV News' royal editor Chris Ship said: 'What happens when mum comes into the studio with the kids. Live on @itvnews. Top work by @alstewitn.'

Responding to Ship's message, BBC's Today presenter Nick Robinson wrote: 'Nice. One of my kids licked the desk when they came in.'

And NBC News's Alastair Jamieson said it was the 'best ever ITV Lunchtime News as @ alstewit battles rogue toddler guest,' and BBC News correspondent hailed the 'tremendous chaos'.

Viewer Julie Matthias congratulated Alastair's composure, writing: 'A serious interview with happy children', adding: 'High five at the end. Good man!'

Another user claimed to have 'Tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks!'

Lucy Wronka managed to keep a straight face during the interview, giving her views on raising children with the allergy

Finally, she climbs onto the desk as her mother struggles to remain composed

Alastair was asking the girl's brother how he felt about his milk allergy and whether it changed his sister's behaviour

The hilarious incident is reminiscent of the interview with South Korean expert Robert Kelly, which was gatecrashed by his two young children.

As Kelly is discussing questions on the country's president being ousted from power, a toddler bursts into the room and performs a comical dance behind him.

The professor focuses entirely on the camera as he attempts to blindly hand off his daughter, who is clearly curious as to who he is talking to.

And his parental problems soon double as a baby also excitedly makes his way into the room under his own power in a walker.

To complete the farce, his wife Jung-a Kim then comes skidding through the threshold.

She grabs the two youngsters and attempts to drag them out of the door, but one of them can be heard wailing and the baby's walker suddenly won't fit back through the door.

Kelly, an associate professor at Pusan National University in Busan, and his offspring became an overnight sensation after the interview aired on BBC News.
Finnish academic who received a letter said she felt like a 'common criminal'

Government said the letters were sent 'in error' and being urgently looked into

Home Office sent deportation letters to 100 EU nationals living in the UK

Home Secretary Amber Rudd's officials have mistakenly sent out a letter warning 100 EU nationals they face deportation

The Home Office has mistakenly informed around 100 EU nationals that they are to be deported from the UK.

The letter told the recipients that a decision had been taken to remove them from the UK under immigration laws.

And it warned them that they would be 'liable to be detained' for failing to provide evidence that they are entitled to be in the UK.

The Home Office said the letter has been sent 'in error' they are 'urgently' looking into the issue.

The letter, which was signed by UK Visas and Immigration, states: 'A decision has been taken to remove you from the United Kingdom in accordance with section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.'

It says the person is entitled to appeal the decision, but adds: 'Your are therefore a person who is liable to be detained under paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Act 1971.'

Finnish academic Dr Eva Johanna Holmberg, who is based at Queen Mary University in London, received the letter telling her she had just one month to lave the UK.

She told the Evening Standard: 'It makes you feel like you are being treated like a common criminal.

'Even if I were a criminal there are certain requirements that should be met before you are deported.

'How can an EU National be deported from the UK? There is free movement of people.

'I am a historian - I believe in the strength of paperwork and I like security and thought this of paper would be a way to show that.

'It turns out it has spiralled into some Kafkaesque nightmare.

'It is just unbelievable. All for a piece of paper I don't even need. It would be funny if it were not so draining and stressful.'

Yvette Cooper, chairwoman of the Home Affairs Select Committee said: 'This is disgraceful - and will have caused huge anxiety and distress for families who suddenly fear being split up even though they are fully entitled to be here.

'We cannot afford for the Home Office to make mistakes like this.

'Ministers will need to set out how many other errors have been made, and what is being done to remedy them. I am very concerned about the Home Office's capacity and capability to deal with changing arrangements for EU citizens.

'The Home Affairs Select Committee will be taking evidence on this when Parliament returns.'

Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Ed Davey said the letter smacks of incompetence and called for Home Secretary Amber Rudd to apologise to everyone who received it

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Ed Davey called for the Home Secretary Amber Rudd to apologise over the error.

He said: 'These letters shame Britain. EU nationals who have made their lives here are already facing huge uncertainty over Brexit.

'It is appalling that some are now being officially threatened with deportation. 'This catastrophic error is a sign of the chaos and incompetence at the heart of this Conservative government.

'Amber Rudd should personally write to apologise to each of those affected and ensure they are fully reimbursed for any legal costs incurred.'

James McGrory, executive director of Open Britain, the remain-backing campaign group, slammed the letter.

He said: 'This is shameful stuff from the same department that gave us the disgraceful 'go home vans' a few years ago.

'It's little wonder that many EU citizens feel worried about their future status in the UK when they hear of people with every right to be here getting letters threatening their deportation.

Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier - pictured in Brussels together last month, are leading talks to settle Britain's future relationship with the bloc

'The Home Office show scant sign of being able to get a completely new immigration regime up and running by 2019.

'Ministers should drop their damaging rhetoric about an immigration target and instead come forward with proposals that recognise the work of EU nationals already in this country, and others who we will undoubtedly need in the future.'

A Home Office spokesman said: 'A limited number of letters were issued in error and we have been urgently looking into why this happened.

'We are contacting everyone who received this letter to clarify that they can disregard it.

'We are absolutely clear that the rights of EU nationals living in the UK remain unchanged.'
A 16-year-old girl whose remains were found in a burn pit after she was allegedly murdered by her biological mother had been severely abused in the months prior to her death.

Police confirmed on Monday that burned human bones found on a rural Missouri property belonged to missing teenager Savannah Leckie.

Savannah, who had autism, had been given up for adoption at birth but had returned to live with her birth mother Rebecca Ruud at the property less than a year ago.

Ruud, 39, was charged on Tuesday with her daughter's murder.

Rebecca Ruud (left in her mugshot) was charged on Tuesday after authorities confirmed that burned human bones found on her Missouri property belonged to her 16-year-old daughter Savannah Leckie (right)

In the lead up to Savannah's death, authorities say Ruud had allegedly taken to extreme forms of punishment to discipline her daughter.

The criminal complaint reveals Ruud forced the teen to roll around in a hog pen on at least one occasion and wade into a muddy pond and dunk under.

She also allegedly used a water hose on her daughter.

Ruud also told police that Savannah had once deliberately cut her own arm 'in a suicidal gesture', according to the complaint. To punish her, Ruud poured alcohol and salt on the wound twice a day and rubbed it in until the scabs came off.

She had also smashed Savannah's cell phone and banned her from using Facebook as a form of punishment, according to the complaint.

Ruud also admitted to making her teen daughter remove her pants so she could spank her bare bottom.

Authorities are not yet clear on how Savannah was killed but they believe she died on or around July 18 at Ruud's property.

Her remains were discovered on August 4 when police started searching Ruud's 81-acre farm property.

Investigators found bone fragments, two intact finger bones, a large vertebra bone and several items that appeared to be teeth when they sifted through ash in a burn pit on the property.

Savannah had been reported missing from the home in July where the teenager had been living with her mother and her mom's boyfriend

In the lead up to Savannah's death, authorities say Ruud had allegedly taken to extreme forms of punishment to discipline her daughter (pictured together)

Forensic testing and other evidence confirmed the remains belonged to Savannah this week.

During the search of the property, police had seized a meat grinder, a knife and 26 bottles of lye, which can be used to speed up the breakdown of human tissue.

Savannah had been reported missing from the home on July 20 where she had been living with her mother and her mom's boyfriend.

She was adopted at birth and grew up in Minnesota with her adoptive parents Tamile Montague and David Leckie. The couple have since divorced.

The teenager went to live with her biological mother in Missouri 11 months ago after not getting along with her adoptive mom's new boyfriend Robert E. Peat Jr.

In a text message exchange between Ruud and Savannah's adoptive mother in June, the biological mom allegedly complained about having her daughter on the farm.

Ruud is alleged to have told Tamile that it was difficult to get things done because her daughter was 'treating me like crap'.

'It's to the point that I either need more help to care for her, or I can do nothing with her.

'I am severely limited in the work I can by having Savannah...'

In another text message, Ruud allegedly said Savannah was costing her too much money and she was afraid she would lose the farm.

Savannah (right) was adopted at birth and grew up in Minnesota with her adoptive parents Tamile Montague (left)) and David Leckie. The couple have since divorced

The teenager went to live with her biological mother in Missouri 11 months ago after reportedly not getting along with her adoptive mom's new boyfriend

During the search of the remote property (above), police had seized a meat grinder, a knife and 26 bottles of lye, which can be used to speed up the breakdown of human tissue

Ruud was arrested on Monday at a Greyhound bus station in Springfield after buying a ticket to flee the state, according to the Ozark County Sheriff's Office.

She had bought a ticket to Kansas City and her partner, who has not been charged, had a ticket to Memphis, Tennessee. Ruud had three large suitcases with her, some of which contained blankets and quilts.

Ruud and her partner, who is not the teen's biological father, got married on the same day Savannah's remains were found on the property. Married couples don't have to testify against each other but it isn't always the case if the victim is under the age of 18, according to the sheriff.

The criminal complaint details the lead up to Savannah's supposed disappearance, saying that Ruud had contacted the local fire department on July 18 and asked for help putting out a fire on her property.

Ruud had told fire crews that both she and Savannah had suffered burns but she allegedly refused to let anyone see her daughter. Ruud was treated for burns to her left arm but she told the fire crew that her daughter was fine and was taking a shower.

Two days later on July 20, Ruud called the sheriff's office and reported her daughter missing.

'I need to report a missing child, I think she's a runaway,' Ruud is alleged to have said.

'I had a fire two days ago, Savannah is blaming herself for the fire. I got burnt, I think that's why she ran away. She took her pillow and blanket and her favorite coloring bag. We can't find her anywhere.'

Ruud had told police that Savannah was home when she went to bed the night before but had disappeared by the time she woke.

Ruud (left) and her boyfriend Robert E. Peat Jr. (right), who was also living at the farmbut is not the teen's biological father, got married on the same day Savannah's remains were found on the property

Ruud had told police that Savannah was home when she went to bed the night before but had disappeared by the time she woke

Officers searched the property extensively and subsequently listed Savannah as a missing person.

Police said Ruud had told relatives varying stories about the fire. She allegedly told some she was burned trying to save Savannah, while she told others she was injured removing a chainsaw from the fire.

She started a GoFundMe page to raise money for a lawyer after revealing she was a suspect in her daughter's disappearance. The page has since been taken down.

Ruud is charged with first and second-degree murder, abuse of a child resulting in death, tampering with physical evidence and abandoning a corpse.

A judge denied bail for Ruud on Tuesday after ruling she was a flight risk.

Savannah's adoptive mother issued a statement on Tuesday following news of the arrest and confirmation of Savannah's death.

'Our family is in deep grief and is mourning Savannah as her remains were identified yesterday. This is not the outcome that we were hoping or praying for,' she said.

'We are grateful for the countless hours that the Ozark County Sheriff's office has dedicated in searching for Savannah. We know that their work continues as they investigate her death.

'We ask that Savannah is remembered as a beacon of light and her light will always shine.

Savannah's adoptive father David Leckie posted a tribute to his daughter on August 9 revealing news of her death.

'My daughter Savannah has passed away in Missouri. I would like to thank everyone that has prayed for her and our family. My Faith in God will get us through this and I will forever miss.my sweet girl,' he wrote.
A gang is accused of raping and sexually abusing vulnerable girls as young as 13 after plying them with alcohol and drugs.

Six 'naive' victims were lured to parties at houses and flats, where they were expected to carry out sexual favours and services in return, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Soran Azizi, Palla Pour, Ribas Asad, Saman Obaid and Heiman Mohammed, all from Newcastle, are alleged to have committed a string of sex crimes including rape, paying for the sexual services of a child and trafficking.

Heiman Mohammed (left) and Ribas Asad (right) are two of the men charged with sexually abusing the young girls. Pictured, they leave Newcastle Crown Court today

The men, who spoke through interpreters, denied all 31 of the charges against them at a hearing today.

Some of the sexual acts were carried out by the victims consensually, because they were 'in thrall' to their abusers, in return for 'rewards' of drink and drugs, the jury was told.

But prosecutor Anne Richardson said the victims were 'forced' at other times or were so intoxicated they were unable to consent to what happened to them.

Miss Richardson claimed the women and girls were treated as 'commodities', passed around various men and sometimes believed they were in relationships with their abusers.

She told jurors: 'The case involves allegations of sexual exploitation and trafficking of young women and girls in the Newcastle Upon Tyne area of the North East of England.

'The alleged offences occurred over a number of years, namely between 2007 and 2014 and those who makes these allegations are, for the most part, immature and vulnerable people.

'It is the Crown's case that these personality traits were exploited by the defendants and that each of the young women were lured to various houses and flats where drugs and/or alcohol were made freely available to them.

'It is perhaps easy to make assumptions about the complainants based on their relative youth and their somewhat unusual lifestyles.

'But in due course, when you have heard all the evidence, you may consider that they were young, naive women, who were in the thrall to and under the control of these, for the most part, older and more worldly wise defendants.

'It is not always apparent to someone that what they are engaged in is in fact abusive and the law exists to protect those who cannot or do not want to protect themselves.

Saman Obaid (left) and Palla Pour (right), along with with Soran Azizi, are the other members of the gang. Pictured, leaving Newcastle Crown Court

'In return, the Crown would say, these complainants were expected and encouraged to provide sexual favours and services, not because they wanted to do so, or through their own free and unencumbered will, but because they were beholden and in thrall to these men.'

Azizi, 28, from Newcastle, denies charges of rape, sexual activity with a child and trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation. Pour, 25, from Newcastle, denies offences of sexual activity with a child, paying for the sexual services of a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, supplying controlled drug to another and permitting his premises to be used for the supply of drugs.

Asad, 29, from Newcastle, denies sexual assault, paying for the sexual services of a child, conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the prostitution of a child, supplying a controlled drug, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual activity with a child.

Mohammed, 26, from Newcastle, denies charges of sexual activity with a child, paying for the sexual services of a child and supplying a controlled drug.

Obaid, 26, from Newcastle, denies sexual activity with a child, paying for the sexual services of a child, conspiracy to arrange or facilitate the prostitution of a child and supplying a controlled drug.

Azizi, 28, from Newcastle, denies rape, sexual activity with a child and trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation

All five men, who prosecutors say are all associated with each other but had varying roles in the offending, are being tried by a jury.

Miss Richardson said the alleged victims in the case were not all connected but all, to some extent, had experienced a difficult upbringing.

She added; 'All of them, on the Crown's case, were vulnerable people who were exploited by these defendants.

'On many occasions the sexual acts they performed with some of the these defendants were entered into on a consensual basis, due to the lure and promise of reward in the form of drink and/or alcohol.

'The Crown suggests this was because they felt compelled to return to the defendant's houses due to their addiction to alcohol and drugs and the hold the men had over them.

'Other times, the sexual acts were forced upon them, without their consent, and on still further occasions these complainants were so intoxicated with drink and/or drugs that they were totally incapable of giving consent at all.'

The court heard one alleged victim claims she passed out drunk, when aged around 14 or 15, at Azizi's flat and believes he had sex with her while she was unconscious.

Another woman claims she was kissed, twice, by Pour when she was just 13.

A third victim claims she was groped by Asad, while she was getting dressed after having consensual sex with Azizi at a party.

A fourth woman claims she was given speed, cocaine and cannabis while a teenager and 'gave in' to having sex with Asad due to pressure.

During one of the parties, the same alleged victim said she also had sex with Mohammed, who had plied her with drink and cannabis, when she was 15.

The court heard the behaviour became a habit and Mohammed would 'turn nasty' and verbally abuse her if she refused to have sex with him.

The same complainant said she was also sexually assaulted by Obaid, who told her he 'wanted something back' in return for the drink and drugs she had been given.

She said she continued to have sex with Obaid.

A fifth alleged victim said she was given 'whizz' by a man, who is not on trial, and Asad.

She said Asad asked her and her friend to have sex with Obaid in return for cannabis but both girls refused.

The alleged victim, who was a virgin, claims she was sexually assaulted by Asad and had consensual sex with Azizi because she was 'out of it' through drink.

The sixth alleged victim said she was about 14 when she had sex with Pour while high on drink and drugs.

The same woman would be transported to parties by Azizi, who knew she would be having sex with one of his pals when she got there, it is claimed.

Prosecutors claim Asad and Obaid conspired to turn two of the alleged victims into prostitutes, with the hope of making money for themselves

The trial, which is expected to last up to six weeks, continues.
Baroness Hale (file image) said there was a case for a minister and a leading opposition figure to sit on the committee responsible for appointing the senior judiciary

The new President of the Supreme Court has said politicians should help choose Britain's most senior judges.

Baroness Hale said there was a case for a minister and a leading opposition figure to sit on the committee responsible for appointing the senior judiciary.

Currently top judges are selected via a strictly independent process despite claims major cases inevitably stray into politics.

The Supreme Court became a highly politicised subject earlier this year when it was forced to rule on whether Theresa May had the power to invoke Article 50 and start Brexit talks without a Commons vote.

Lady Hale will be sworn in as the court's first female president in October. She revealed her idea for political involvement in selection at a speech in Belfast.

The judge said: 'Many, perhaps most, members of the judiciary would be very uncomfortable with increasing the involvement of politicians, whether by way of reintroducing an element of ministerial selection or by way of confirmation hearings in parliament.

'Does the country really want the ministers' political advisers trawling through the judgments of the recommended candidates so as to select the one with whom they are most comfortable?'

But she added: 'We have gone too far . . . in excluding virtually all political involvement in the process of selecting individuals, especially for the most senior appointments.'

Lady Hale's appointment involved an independent panel made up of judges and lay members.

Justice Secretary David Lidington (file image) is currently consulted on people appointed as top judges but is not involved in the selection of nominated individuals

David Lidington, the lord chancellor, was among those consulted before the appointment was signed off by the prime minister and the Queen.

Barrister and former MP Jerry Hales said she suggestion was 'playing with fire' and was a 'slippery slope' towards a US system where judges are appointed and vetted by politicians.

He wrote on his blog this morning: 'Let's keep the politicians at arms length from judicial appointments.

'Feeding politicians is like feeding sharks. Once they smell blood they will go in for the kill.

'Now you may find this hard to believe, but you can't always trust a politician.'
The woman who was targeted by Louise Linton after she criticized her Instagram post on Monday is speaking out against the wife Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a new interview.

Jennifer Miller, 44, revealed that she almost never comments on social media posts, but could not stop herself when she saw that Linton had shared a photo of herself getting off a government plane and tagged her designers wears from Tom Ford, Valentio, Hermes and Roland Mouret.

'Honestly, it was probably just a weak moment for me,' said an incredibly composed and well-spoken Miller on Tuesday in an interview with CNN.

'I was frustrated already by some stories I had just read about the Secret Service running out of overtime money because of the excesses of the administration's travel schedule, and then saw this woman who I didn't know who she was.'

Miller continued: 'I knew who the Treasury Secretary was, so I assumed it was his wife, getting off of a government plane for what I assumed was a government trip and basically advertising for all of these European, you know, high-end brands that your average person couldn't afford.

She went on to add that it was even worse because it had been done in Kentucky, which is 'one of the poorest states in our country.'

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Speaking out: Jennifer Miller (above) was mocked by Louise Linton on Instagram when she called the wife of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin 'deplorable'

Fashion forward: Linton, 36, posted a photo on Monday of herself exiting a government plane and tagged her high-end wears from the likes of Tom Ford, Hermes and Valentino

Miller, who has three sons and supported Hillary Clinton in the most recent election, wrote on Linton's post: 'Glad we could pay for your little getaway. #deplorable'

That resulted in Linton firing back in a condescending comment to Miller, who is six years older than the Scottish-born actress.

In her response, Linton wrote at one point: 'I'm pretty sure we paid more taxes toward our day "trip" than you did.'

She then followed that up with:' Pretty sure that the amount we sacrifice per year is a lot more than you'd be willing to sacrifice if the choice was yours. [arm flex emoji, kissing face emoji].'

And to close it all out, Linton called Miller 'adorably out of touch.'

That last comment left many and disbelief and caused a bit of ire in others, especially since it was made by a woman who grew up in a Scottish castle and then married a billionaire to a working mother from Oregon.

Miller admitted that she found both humor and reason for concern in Linton's words.

'Well, once I found out about the response, I was a little bit amused and a little bit horrified,' revealed Miller.

'But mostly just confused as to why she would take the time or effort or energy to put together such a response.'

Miller then added: 'You know, if I had any respect for her, it probably would have been hurtful, because she was very condescending. She made a lot of assumptions about me and my husband and my life and my family.'

Things got even more surreal and overwhelming for Miller when the feud began drawing increased media attention.

'I don't sit on Twitter or Instagram all day. I have a full-time job and three children,' noted Miller.

When asked again about the claim by Linton that she was 'out of touch,' Miller said that she though the statement was rather 'ironic' in light of the situation.

'I find that to be probably the most out-of-touch statement of her whole response because I certainly am not the type of person who would try to display my wealth or brag about it in any way,' explained Miller.

'It is - it was deplorable, what she wrote in the first place, and then her response was even worse because if anyone's out of touch, it's certainly the person using taxpayer money to go on day trips to visit fort Knox.'

She then quipped: 'Apparently, they were going to stare at the gold bouillon. I don't know what the deal was.'

Rage response: 'I was frustrated already by some stories I had just read about the Secret Service running out of overtime money,' revealed Miller of why she went after Linton (abiove with Mnuchin earlier this month in Scotland on their honeymoon)

Family: Miller, a working mother with three sons (above with her husband), is now using her newfound 15 minutes of fame to get people to donate to a friend who recently had a stroke

A statement was later released by a spokesperson for Mnuchin, which said: 'The Mnuchins are reimbursing the government for [Linton's] travel, and she does not receive compensation for products she mentions.'

That was enough to satisfy Miller, who said of the White House's response: 'I'm actually glad. I'm glad that, you know, they are reimbursing all of us, the government, the taxpayers for this trip that she used to advertise for brands that, I don't know, if her friends own them or what.'

Linton, it should be noted, is not close personal friends with Ford, Mouret, Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino or Nadege Vanhee-Cybulski of Hermes.

She was also not advertising on behalf of any of those companies either, with the four high-end labels eschewing that sort of promotion except in rare instances involving supermodels or A-list stars.

The clothes were instead tagged to promote Linton herself and her own person style.

Miler also said she is also taking advantage of her newfound 15 minutes of fame for a bit of self-promotion.

'It's given me a chance to have a lot of followers on Instagram who I've shared a fund-raiser with for a friend of mine who recently had a stroke and a lot of people are donating to that,' revealed Miller.

'And so I'm trying to make some good out of this situation.'

That You Caring page can be found here.

Linton made her Instagram private on Tuesday, while releasing a statement saying:'I apologize for my post on social media yesterday as well as my response. It was inappropriate and highly insensitive.'

Miller meanwhile got in one more dig at Linton with a post on Tuesday that also took aim at President Trump.

'Apparently I offended this deplorable girl I had never heard of until today,' she wrote alongside a screenshot of a June article titled 'A "white savior" memoirist widely mocked in Africa has married Trump's treasury secretary.'

'According to my 20 second Google search, she's an aspiring Penthouse model who married an old rich guy in a wedding officiated by a homophobe and attended by other couples of similar age and beauty gaps,' Miller continued.

'She says she's a nice person. I doubt it. There weren't any Nazi sympathizers at my wedding. #byelouise'

New pals: Linton and Mnuchin werre married in June in front of the Trumps and Pences

Going clear: Linton responded by calling Miller 'adorably' out of touch, then later issued an apology and made her Instagram private (above)

Linton has been doing her best to increase her profile and be perceived as a style star in the past few weeks, beginning with her honeymoon trip to Scotland.

She managed to cut through the gloomy weather on the day she arrived back in her home country wearing a $3450 white wool coat which she draped over a $1290 long-sleeved v-neck top and $890 black slacks, with a pair of $735 stiletto pumps rounding out the look.

That entire look was courtesy of Ford, with Linton perhaps taking advantage of the ocean separating her from new friend Melania Trump to pull out the luxurious threads given the contentious relationship between the designer and the First Lady.

For bit of label contrast, the Hollywood producer also accessorized the look with an $11,500 black Hermes Birkin bag and $700 over-sized Chanel sunglasses.

She finished off her entrance look with an unexpected bit of color thanks to her $5,000 Goyard cloth bag, which likely had her change of clothes for the couple's next outing.

That brought the price tag of that look to $23,565, a whooping sum that dos not even include the bracelets Linton has piled on her wrists or her massive engagement ring.

Louise made stops outside the airport and the pair's hotel for waiting photographer's before she and Mnuchin headed into their hotel.

The pair were quickly in and out of the Caledonian Waldorf Astoria Hotel however, with Mnuchin reappearing in the same outfit as earlier that day.

And like his wife, it looked to be a mostly Tom Ford ensemble, with Mnuchin appearing to have on a pair of $690 jeans, the $3800 Blue O'Connor Slim-Fit Wool Suit Jacket and a $585 slim-fit blue shirt by the designer.

Linton was feeling a different vibe by midday however, managing to undergo a quick change inside inside the couple's hotel.

She went with a grab bag of designers for her lunchtime look, with a $975 hydrangea print pussybow blouse by Dolce & Gabbana taking center stage over a pair of $2000 black trousers from The Row.

To top off her lunch look, Linton kept the Tom Ford stilettos but swapped out her Birkin for an over-sized Chanel, opting for the label's $6,000 large classic handbag in black.

That ensemble put that look at well over $10,000, a number that again did not account for the jewelry worn by the diamond-loving actress.
A Welsh Tory mayor has today been charged with rape and six sex attacks on two children under 13 in the 1990s.

Dai Boswell, 56, who is the Conservative mayor of Pembroke, West Wales, is accused of attacking two victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, more than 20 years ago.

The Army veteran and local politician has been charged with six counts of indecent assault and one charge of rape.

They relate to two people, said to be under the age of 13, in allegations dating back to the early nineties.

Dai Boswell, 56, who is the Conservative mayor of Pembroke, West Wales, is accused of attacking two victims more than 20 years ago

The Conservative county councillor served in the Army for more than 12 years and is a marshal for the Royal British Legion.

He won the Pembroke St Mary North election in May by just six votes.

Boswell will appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on September 13.
A BBC correspondent has gone on trial charged with criminal defamation in Thailand over a news report which alleged a British ex-pat had been defrauded by his Thai wife.

The case against Jonathan Head, the BBC's Southeast Asia correspondent, has been criticised as an example of how Thailand's harsh criminal defamation laws can be used to intimidate journalists.

Head had reported about a British expatriate whose Thai wife allegedly defrauded him of properties on the southern resort island of Phuket by forging his signature on multiple occasions.

BBC foreign correspondent Jonathan Head is facing five years in prison over a story he covered alleging an ex-pat Briton had been defrauded in a property scam

The complaint was made by Thai lawyer Pratuan Thanarak, who was alleged to have notorised Ian Rance's forged signature concerning property transfers on the island of Phuket

Ian Rance, left, claimed his wife forged his signature to transfer property out of his name

The criminal complaint against Head and the expatriate, Ian Rance, was brought by a Thai lawyer, Pratuan Thanarak, who says he was defamed by an allegation in the report that he had notarised Rance's forged signature, allowing the wife to transfer properties.

If found guilty, Head could face up to two years in prison for online criminal defamation and five years under a law regulating online content.

Rance was charged only with criminal defamation, which carries a one-year maximum sentence.

Mr Pratuan's complaint said the BBC report caused the public to perceive him as a 'deceitful lawyer' and 'an unethical lawyer'.

In February, the American-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called for an end to the use of criminal defamation charges against journalists in Thailand.

'The use of criminal defamation complaints in Thailand has a chilling effect on journalists who fear being bogged down in time-consuming and expensive litigation,' Shawn Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative, said in a statement.

The statement also mentioned a 2013 criminal defamation case filed by the Royal Thai Navy against Phuketwan, a small news website, for republishing a Reuters report that Thai naval forces had profited from trafficking ethnic Rohingya.

Phuketwan was forced to close for financial reasons during the trial, with one of its reporters saying he had spent nearly a third of his work time preparing his defence and that local advertisers had stopped taking ads on Phuketwan for fear of official reprisals, the statement said.

Earlier this month, a prominent Thai journalist was charged with sedition and violation of the country's computer law for online postings concerning politics.
Four years ago an Australian mother woke up in agonising pain, finding her mouth clamped shut thanks to a dislocated jaw.

Nearly half a decade later, her torment continues with little hope of improvement.

Tamara Minge, from Mount Gambier in South Australia, has been in and out of hospital since 2013 and is now on her third jaw replacement which has set her back an eye-watering $50,000.

The 29-year-old was living a healthy, happy life until one day disaster struck.

Tamara Minge, from Mount Gambier in South Australia, has been in and out of hospital since 2013 and is now on her third jaw replacement which has set her back an eye-watering $50,000

The 29-year-old suddenly woke up one day in agonising pain, which later turned out to be arthritis in the jaw after dislodging. She was forced to undergo surgery

'It pretty much happened overnight, I woke up one day and couldnt open my mouth, physically couldnt open it, and was in so much pain', she told The Daily Telegraph.

She was only able to open her mouth 'a finger-width wide', which made eating and talking major problems.

Ms Minge's troubles have been made all the worse by trying to raise her young daughter Ayva as tasks she once took for granted have become a serious struggle.

'I didn't want to read to my daughter, it sounds terrible - reading was always worse than just talking so reading to her was horrible,' she revealed.

And despite her daughter's brave approach, there are times it gets a little too much for the seven-year-old.

'It upsets her when I go away for seven to 10 days,' Ms Minge told Daily Mail Australia.

'When I come back from surgery I try not to speak in front of her because she gets upset.'

In search of answers she turned to her dentist who referred her to a specialist.

But her troubles were far from over, and after surgery, complications arose as her body rejected the initial replacement (x-rays of her jaw pictured)

She now will undergo further procedures on the right side of her face in an attempt to finally eradicate the problem once and for all

And despite her daughter's brave approach, there are times it gets a little too much for the seven-year-old (pictured in her mother's arms)

And her physical ordeal is the least of her worries as her constant hospital visits have come at a considerable cost

Her excruciating pain had been diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, thanks to a disc displacement in the right side of her jaw.

She was left no choice but to have a jaw replacement.

But her troubles were far from over, and after surgery, complications arose.

Her body rejected the replacement, reacting badly to the nickel in the titanium replacement, forcing her to go under the knife once more to replace it with a pure titanium fixture.

'The left side is now fine, pain-free, but the allergic right side is still agonising at times and affects my daily life constantly,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

She now will undergo further procedures on the right side of her face in an attempt to finally eradicate the problem once and for all.

'The cost has been huge, one operation was $17,000. With a few more operations coming up at $10,000 the costs will exceed $50,000', Ms Minge said

And her physical ordeal is the least of her worries as her constant hospital visits have come at a considerable cost.

'The cost has been huge, one operation was $17,000. With a few more operations coming up at $10,000 the costs will exceed $50,000.'

'It's so difficult as a single mum and having to take time off work.'

One friend couldn't sit back and watch as Ms Minge struggled to pay the bills and has taken it upon herself to raise the much-needed cash for her treatment.

Via a Go Fund Me page, Kristyn Norton is looking to raise a modest $5,000 to make ends meet and so far $2,210 has been raised.

'As you can imagine a single mum working to support her daughter is hard enough without adding 3 replacements with no help with funding,' she wrote online.

With donations steadily coming in and hope this latest operation will finally fix the burdening problem, there may just be some light at the end of the tunnel for Ms Minge and her daughter Ayva.

One friend couldn't sit back and watch as Ms Minge struggled to pay the bills and has taken it upon herself to raise the much-needed cash for her treatment (several stages pictured)
A computer glitch led to the spill of hundreds of thousands of gallons of raw sewage into a Massachusetts lake.

Worcester city officials issued a no swimming advisory for Lake Quinsigamond until further notice, due to the sanitary sewer overflow into the lake that occurred Tuesday morning between 7 and 7.30am.

Recreational activities, including boating, were also prohibited.

A computer glitch led to the spill of hundreds of thousands of gallons of raw sewage into a Massachusetts lake. Worcester city officials issued a no swimming advisory (flag pictured) for Lake Quinsigamond until further notice

The sewage release occurred for about an hour and 15 minutes, after the computer glitch shut down pumps at a city sewer pumping station near Belmont Street.

Philip D. Guerin, the director of water and sewer operations for the city of Worcester, told the Telegram & Gazette that officials have not yet determined how much sewage spilled.

'What we encountered was a glitch in the computer operating system that was telling the system that it had very little flow, so it told the pumps there was very little flow when in fact the flows were at their normal level early in the morning,' Guerin said.

Bacteria from the overflow can increase the risk of getting sick by consumption of contaminated water, which is what prompted the no swimming advisory.

A few people said when they arrived at the lake, which is a part of a state park, they were not told at the gate that the lake was closed to swimming.

The Lake Avenue station is the largest pumping facility in the city, and it's capable of pumping 20 million gallons a day.

City officials said they will continue to monitor and sample water to ensure recreational 'water quality standards are within acceptable limits' before allowing swimming (file image) and other activities

According to Guerin, the facility was rebuilt and went back into operation in 2015.

'What we have now is probably the most high-tech, sophisticated facility we own and manage. It has lots of instrumentation, all run by computer, and makes adjustments depending on what is happening,' he told the Telegram.

City officials said they will continue to monitor and sample water to ensure recreational 'water quality standards are within acceptable limits' before allowing swimming and other activities.

The system was brought under control around 8.45am.
A Michigan man convicted in the 1995 murder of a man who expressed a romantic interest in him on the Jenny Jones Show has been released from prison.

Jonathan Schmitz, 47, was released on parole on Tuesday from the Parnall Correctional Institution in Jackson, Michigan.

Schmitz had been sentenced to 25 to 50 years back in 1995 for second degree murder.

He was 24 when his acquaintance Scott Amedure, 32, revealed he was romantically interested in him during a Chicago taping of the Jenny Jones Show in 1995.

Jonathan Schmitz, 47, was released on parole on Tuesday from the Parnall Correctional Institution in Jackson, Michigan over the 1995 murder of Scott Amedure

Schmitz, who said he wasn't gay, fatally shot Amedure in Lake Orion three days later.

He turned himself in to police saying he shot Amedure because he had embarrassed him on national television.

The felon was granted parole after a March hearing.

The victim's older brother, Frank Amedure Jr., said he was troubled by the parole decision and that he is unsure Schmitz 'learned what he should have' in prison.

'I wanted assurance that the (parole board's) decision was not based on just good behavior in prison,' he said.

Schmitz (right) was 24 when his acquaintance Scott Amedure, 32, (left) revealed he was romantically interested in him during a Chicago taping of the Jenny Jones Show in 1995

Schmitz (pictured right after finding out Amedure was interested) said he wasn't gay and fatally shot Amedure (left) in Lake Orion three days later

Schmitz had been sentenced to 25 to 50 years back in 1995 for second degree murder

'I'd like to know that he learned something, that he's a changed man, is no longer homophobic and has gotten psychological care.'

Geoffrey Fieger, who served as an attorney for the Amedure family at the time, said that everybody involved in the Jenny Jones Show also deserved imprisonment.

'That show set him (Schmitz) up and certainly took Scott Amedure's life for no reason,' Fieger said.

The episode never aired but clips were shown on news shows.

The Jenny Jones show was cancelled in 2003 after recording the lowest ratings of any daytime talk show.
President Donald Trump hailed the 'amazing' crowd at his Phoenix rally Tuesday night  after an evening where he repeatedly jumped off script to attack the media and political rivals.

As he did Tuesday night, Trump also went after GOP Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who is among a handful of Republicans to have publicly raised criticisms about him, calling Flake 'weak and crime.'

'Phoenix crowd last night was amazing - a packed house. I love the Great State of Arizona. Not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!' Trump tweeted.

On Tuesday night, Flake was among Trump's many targets. He also referenced brain cancer-stricken McCain's vote against a Senate GOP Obamacare repeal, without mentioning either man by name.

President Donald Trump praised the 'amazing' crowd at his Phoenix rally, where he flew off the handle against the media and took shots at Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona

'One vote away, I will not mention any names -- very presidential. And nobody wants me to mention your other senator, who's weak on border, weak on crime. Nobody knows who the hell he is! See, I haven't mentioned any names, so now everybody's happy.'

Trump spent considerable time at his rally rehashing his remarks about Charlottesville  and blasting the 'fake news' media for treating him unfairly.

He ran through many of his public comments on the subject, but left out his comment where he blamed violence on 'many sides' and said there were 'very fine people' at a white supremacist rally.

He also read about the times he referenced the KKK and white supremacists in a condemnatory fashion, but didn't mention that this comment came during his second comments on the topic, intended to clean up his omissions of the first. Saturday statement.

Trump referenced the 'packed house' at his Phoenix rally and called Sen. Jeff Flake, who has criticized him, 'weak on crime'

'I hit him with neo-Nazi. I hit them with everything. I got the white supremacists, the neo-Nazi. I got them all in there, let's say. KKK, we have KKK. I got them all,' Trump said in his speech.

The president returned to the topic online Wednesday, tweeting: 'Last night in Phoenix I read the things from my statements on Charlottesville that the Fake News Media didn't cover fairly. People got it!'

Trump also launched a series of verbal grenades at the media who were there covering his rally, which drew thousands on a day that hit 107 degrees outside.

'These are dishonest people. They are bad people. The only people giving a platform to hate,' Trump said.

Not all the reviews of the rally were as positive as Trump's. Former director of national intelligence James Clapper said it led him to question Trump's ''fitness to be in this office.'

President Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the Phoenix Convention Center, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Trump blamed reporters for framing him as a racist, and thousands lavished praise on him for defending himself in the face of feirce media criticism

Trump also in effect threatened to shut down his own government in order to force Congress to fund construction of a border wall he called for during the campaign, although he said at the time that Mexico would pay for it.

'If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall' Trump said.

The House has passed a bill that would fund the wall but it faces an uncertain future, with a limit on expiration of the nation's debt limit just weeks away.
Royal Navy ships have been involved in a stand-off with a Spanish police boat and a trawler fishing illegally in British waters off the coast of Gibraltar.

The trawler had entered UK waters for the third day in a row, and when its crew refused to leave, this reportedly led to a confrontation which saw the Spanish Guardia Civil boat become involved.

After nearly an hour-long stand-off, which local marine traffic enthusiasts describe as 'unusual', the Guardia Civil vessel chased out of Gibraltar waters.

Stand-off: Royal Navy vessels in blue, can be seen chasing after a red Spanish trawler in the strait of Gibraltar on Wednesday

This is reportedly the third day in a row the same trawler - Virgin Carmen 1 - has entered British Gibraltar territory to fish illegally in as many days.

Michael J Sanchez, founder of Gibraltar Coast Watchers, noted that the trawler was there both on Monday and yesterday morning, before reappearing on a marine traffic tracker service again Wednesday.

Posting on Twitter, Mr Sanchez said that several Royal Navy vessels had approached Virgin Carmen 1.

Mr Sanchez tweeted: 'HMS Penzance HMS Scimitar RGP GDP & HMC vessels involved in serious confrontation off Eastside #Gibraltar with Spanish fishing boat.'

A Guardia Civil boat later joined, which led to further confrontation which saw Royal Navy operatives 'read out sovereignty warning to leave Gibraltar waters immediately'.

HEADS UP HMS Penzance deploying to assist RN RGP in standoff with Spanish trawler off Eastside #Gibraltar  Michael J Sanchez (@key2med) August 23, 2017

However, shortly afterwards, the situation diffused with the Virgin Carmen 1 leaving Gibraltar waters and Royal Navy vessels withdrawing.

Mr Sanchez noted that the confrontation ended with the HMS Scimitar 'chasing out' the Spanish police boat.

A Royal Navy press spokesperson confirmed that the incident took place, but said: 'this is nothing unusual, these things happen often. It is another territorial display, similar to what we have seen in Gibraltar over the past years.'

However, Gibraltar Coast Watchers' Mr Sanchez disputes this, saying: 'The Ministry of Defence always try to water things down so as not to upset Spain.

'There hasn't been a standoff like today for quite a long time.'

Disputes between Gibraltar and Spain over the waters are frequent but are particularly poignant following UK's Brexit vote last year and the triggering of Article 50 in March.

Boatrace: The trawler Virgin Carmen 1 had been fishing illegally in UK waters off Gibraltar, and when Royal Navy vessels confronted them, the situation turned into a stand-off

Ongoing squabble: Disputes between Gibraltar and Spain over the waters in the Straits are not unusual. Pictured here is HMS Westminster in the Straits of Gibraltar in 2014

In April this year, British vessels were forced to chase off Spanish navy ships on no less than three occasions.

On April 29, the The P78 Cazadora, from the Spanish navy's Descubierta Class, deliberately entered the northern side of the Bay of Gibraltar.

Earlier that same month, on April 4 and April 1, the the Royal Navy HMS Scimitar intercepted Spanish navy shop Infanta Cristina off the Gibraltar coast.

Earlier this month, Spain's foreign minister has said his country will not block a post-Brexit agreement between the UK and European Union to push its sovereignty claim on Gibraltar.

Alfonso Dastis said Spain would not 'jeopardise' any future deal by making demands to alter the British overseas territory's status.

It comes after fears that Brussels negotiating guidelines may give Spain a veto over the Rock's inclusion in any UK-EU trade deal.

Prime Minister Theresa May reacted to those suggestions by insisting Gibraltars status was not up for discussion during withdrawal negotiations.

Gibraltar was captured by Britain in 1704 and ceded to Britain in 1713 under the treaty.

In a 2002 referendum, Gibraltarians rejected by 98 percent a proposal for joint British-Spanish sovereignty.
Max Kennedy screamed, threw himself at the wall, and smashed a cabinet on the ground, before he was arrested at a rowdy house party on Sunday, a police report obtained by DailyMail.com has revealed.

The son of late senator Robert F Kennedy was taken into custody after he refused to cooperate with police who responded to a noise complaint at a rental home in Hyaniss Port, Massachusetts - just outside the family's historic Cape Cod compound.

His daughter, Caroline Summer Rose Kennedy, 23, was also arrested after she allegedly opened the door of the police cruiser where her father had been placed in handcuffs.

According to Barnstable Police Officer Armando Feliciano, who arrived at the scene just after 1am, the father-daughter duo 'incited...an angry mob' among members of the party.

Matthew 'Max' Kennedy, 52, and his daughter Caroline, 23, were taken into custody for disorderly conduct and a noise violation on Sunday in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts

They were partying at a rental home close to the historic Kennedy compound (pictured) in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, which was bought by RFK's father in 1928

The 23-year-old reportedly refused to give police her information and admitted to being drunk while she was booked.

Her father, 52, was described to be 'sweating profusely' and had 'noticeably' blood-shot eyes.

They were charged with disturbing the peace and violating a noise ordinance. Both of the Kennedys were bailed out that same night.

Details of their arrests emerged a day after the father-daughter duo's mugshots were revealed.

Police busted the loud party on Sunday at 172 Irving Avenue, in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, after receiving multiple calls complaining about a 'loud party and fireworks.'

In his report, Feliciano described seeing people 'drinking and singing music on a microphone,' once he arrived at the scene.

The officer made his way to the front door of the home where he asked a woman if he could speak to the person in charge of the party.

According to Feliciano, a sweaty and 'glass-eyed' Max Kennedy then came to the door and 'immediately became angry' with the officer.

Caroline Summer Rose Kennedy, pictured, goes by the name Summer

Matthew 'Max' Kennedy (pictured), son of Robert F Kennedy, was arrested along with his daughter on Sunday at around 1am after complaints about a loud party

'He appeared to be very unsteady on his feet and his movements were erratic,' - and had been 'sweating profusely' the police report stated.

After he asked Kennedy for identification, the 52-year-old began to scream at the officer to not enter the home.

Party guests allegedly turned the music back up while Feliciano attempted to bring the disturbance under control.

He writes that at that time, 'I had made several efforts with several different guests to end all the noise disturbance to no avail,' so Feliciano proceeded to enter the home.

However, Max Kennedy reportedly responded by 'screaming incoherently and throwing himself at the wall.'

'When he hit the wall, he grabbed a wall cabinet (filled with glass valuables) and threw it smashing its contents.'

After a brief struggle, the officer put Kennedy in handcuffs in front of members of the party who began to yell 'you don't know who you're messing with.'

Max Kennedy (who was born Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy)the son of Senator Robert F Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, is a writer and previously worked as a district attorney in Philadelphia.

The party was held here, at a home once used by Judy Garland on her summer holidays. Locals had complained about the noise and fireworks, and police asked them to turn the volume down

The Garland House is seen top-right here; the Kennedy compound far left. Police say they arrested the Kennedys after they refused to turn down the music. No-one else was arrested

Kennedy's arrest, sparked outrage among the party guests who went outside and into the middle of the road as he was put in custody. Feliciano then requested additional back up.

He said a woman, who was later identified to be Kennedy's daughter Caroline Summer Rose, approached his cruiser and opened the door - which flared up the crowd even more.

Caroline was handcuffed and placed into a separate cruiser.

No-one else was arrested at the party.

According to reports, the 23-year-old refused to cooperate with police during her booking and admitted she was drunk.

She told officers, 'I went to Brown and I'm a teacher, sweetheart!' before sticking out her tongue and bursting into tears.

Max Kennedy, who was also believed to be drunk, was given a breath test, but no alcohol was detected.

Barnstable Police Lt John Murphy told the Boston Herald that the law was punishable by a $100 fine and arrest.

If found guilty, they will not face jail time, as neither of them has a criminal record, police said.

Both Kennedys were released on their own recognizance the night they were arrested, and Max was arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Monday.

His pretrial hearing on the disorderly conduct charge is set for November 22.

Caroline Kennedy's arraignment has been set for the same date. It's unclear why she was not arraigned around the same time as her father.

The property does not belong to the Kennedys - although Max lives elsewhere in Hyannis Port.

It is a nine-bedroom rental home known as the 'Judy Garland House' after the actress, who used to spend her summers there.

Max is probably best known for the book he wrote about his grandfather, 'Make Gentle the Life of This: The Vision of Robert F Kennedy.'

He is one of nine children born to Robert and Ethel Kennedy.

His arrest, and that of his daughter, comes eight months after his nephew - Conor Kennedy, son of RFK Jr - was arrested.

Conor Kennedy, an ex-boyfriend of Taylor Swift, was charged with disorderly conduct after he punched a man outside a nightclub on December 29 in Aspen.

However, he avoided going to court after agreeing to a plea deal that saw him given a six-month deferred sentence.

The Kennedy compound was purchased by Joseph P. Kennedy Sr, father of RFK and John F Kennedy, in 1928. It was expanded upon, but the original structure was built in 1904.
Meghan McCain shut down a cruel Donald Trump supporter who wished for her father's death ahead of the president's rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night.

'This Trump supporter is shouting at protestors: 'McCain needs to die now!' reporter David Catanese tweeted shortly before 4pm Tuesday afternoon.

A short time later, McCain's daughter called out the vile message from the Trump supporter on Twitter.

'I wouldn't wish seeing this about your own father on my worst enemy. May God help these people who inflict such cruelty in the world,' she wrote.

Meghan McCain shut down a cruel Donald Trump supporter (pictured far right in black) who wished for her father's death ahead of the president's rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night. Reporter David Catanese tweeted out this photo shortly before 4pm Tuesday afternoon

A short time later, McCain's daughter called out the vile message from the Trump supporter on Twitter (pictured)

Arizona Sen John McCain was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of cancer called glioblastoma last month, just days before he was set to cast his vote against the 'skinny repeal' of Obamacare. The pair are pictured on Monday preparing to watch the solar eclipse

Trump has repeatedly clashed with McCain, even taunting the senator on his home turf in Phoenix. McCain cast the deciding no vote that killed the repeal-and-replace bill 49-51. 'One vote. Speak to your senator,' Trump said. 'Please. speak to your senator'

Arizona Sen John McCain was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of cancer called glioblastoma last month, just days before he was set to cast his vote against the 'skinny repeal' of Obamacare.

In a public statement, McCain suggested he did not believe the repeal would 'actually reform' the health care system or ensure coverage for individuals.

'While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacare's most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens,' McCain said at the time.

Trump has repeatedly clashed with McCain, even taunting the senator on his home turf in Phoenix.

On Tuesday night, Trump said he would 'not mention any names' but added that Republicans were 'one vote' short on a Republican bill to overhaul parts of Obamacare.

Trump was also referring to Arizona Sen Jeff Flake, who voted no against the Republican bill.

But McCain cast the deciding no vote that killed the repeal-and-replace bill 49-51.

'We were one vote away. Think of it seven years. one vote away from repeal,' said Trump, without mentioning McCain by name.

But Trump did say: 'One vote. Speak to your senator,' he said. 'Please. speak to your senator.'

Since McCain was diagnosed with the brain tumor, he and his daughter Meghan (pictured), have consistently posted sweet snaps during their weekly hikes

The pair spent the weekend in Cornville, Arizona, where they took this photo between August 11-13

Over the weekend, the father-daughter duo met up with former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman (left) and South Carolina Sen Lindsey Graham (right) for a hike

In recent weeks, McCain was one of several Republicans pressuring Trump to make clear that there is not a 'moral equivalency' between white nationalists and the counter-demonstrators that turned out in Charlottesville, Virginia, on August 12.

'There's no moral equivalency between racists [and] Americans standing up to defy hate [and] bigotry. The President of the United States should say so,' McCain wrote on Twitter.

Last week, Trump slammed the 'alt-left,' which he said violently confronted neo-Nazi and white nationalist groups in Charlottesville.

That remark came after Trump claimed 'many sides' should take the blame for the clashes that erupted during the demonstrations.

Before the senator was diagnosed with cancer Trump joked about his 'crusty' condition. But upon hearing the news the president changed his tone and sent well wishes to McCain and his family.

Since McCain was diagnosed with the brain tumor, he and his daughter Meghan, have consistently posted sweet snaps during their weekly hikes.

The pair were even out and about to witness the coast-to-coast solar eclipse since on Monday.

'Watching the #SolarEclipse17 with @meghanmccain on a hike in #Arizona!' the senator wrote on Twitter.

Over the weekend, the father-daughter duo met up with former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman and South Carolina Sen Lindsey Graham for a hike.
Aussie Rules umpires are threatening to go on strike as they claim they are getting bad backs from bouncing the ball.

The AFL Umpires Association have presented information to the rules committee over discontinuing the centre bounce after three-quarters of current officials say they have suffered injuries as a result of the action.

Umpires are paid up to $150,000 per year to officiate games in the AFL.

Aussie Rules umpires are threatening to go on strike as they claim they are getting bad backs from bouncing the ball

The AFL Umpires Association have presented information to the rules committee over discontinuing the centre bounce after three-quarters of current officials say they have suffered injuries as a result of the action

Umpires Association boss Peter Howe told the Herald Sun 25 of the 33 senior officials in the AFL had suffered injuries in the past few years as a result of the centre bounce.

The injuries range from back, shoulder and stress-related problems.

Mr Howe has asked the AFL to reconsider implementing the bounce for next season, and if it does continue, the league's umpires may strike.

'The umpires association wants the AFL to take a holistic view of the bounce which includes fairness, recruitment and retention and injury,' Howe said.

Jarrod Witts and Shane Mumford tussle for possession during the GWS Giants versus Gold Coast Suns match

'In terms of whether we would accept the Commission's decision, I would have to put that to the members.'

Several umpires have thrown the ball up to begin games or restart play throughout the current season and very few have taken notice.

An Occupational Health and Safety report has been conducted analysing the health ramifications of the centre bouncer.

It will be presented to the AFL Commission.
Prison escapee Shaun Davidson has revealed that he has 'retired' from his criminal ways and would not 'resist arrest' should authorities ever find him.

The 33-year-old Australian, who made headlines in June after digging out of Bali's notorious Kerobokan jail, also issued an apology to Indonesian authorities.

Through messages from his public Facebook page to The Daily Telegraph, Davidson revealed his motives for fleeing jail had been because of his lack of faith in the Australian justice system.

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Shaun Davidson (pictured) has revealed that he has 'retired' from his criminal ways since escaping from Bali's Kerobokan prison in June

'If I wasnt going to be deported to face the system in Perth I would never have escaped and Im sorry to the Indonesians for that,' Davidson or someone acting as him said.

The messages also stated that he was not currently in Indonesia and was instead someplace where his story was not news.

'I just want to live the rest of my life happily Ive retired and arnt (sic) doing anything that affects anyone else badly Im living a normal life in a new place and am happy doing so,' he said.

Davidson also claimed he would not resist arrest 'when if ever Interpol come knocking,' and that he was happy people still believed he was in Indonesia.

'I want to get on with my life This shouldnt define who I am,' he said.

Despite his multiple posts and comments no new photos of Davidson have been posted since his escape.

Through messages from his public Facebook page to The Daily Telegraph, Davidson (pictured) revealed his motives for fleeing jail had been because of his lack of faith in the Australian justice system

The escapee claimed he would not resist arrest 'when if ever Interpol come knocking,' and that he was happy people still believed he was in Indonesia

Since escaping jail Davidson has claimed to be everywhere from The Netherlands to Thailand, and most recently in a cafe in the Caribbean.

'Dinner time I'm starving,' he wrote alongside the check-in at Cafe Luna Barbados.

In further comments he even gave the meal he was having, which he stated was: 'rack of lamb grilled with sweet potato crust and balsamic syrup'.

Seemingly in a jovial mood after the meal, just hours later he posted a mock photo of him on a Shawshank Redemption movie poster alongside Morgan Freeman.

His posts came as police said they believe Davidson is somewhere near Indonesia's border with East Timor.

'The Australian has not yet (fled out of country) and is still in Indonesia,' Bali Provincial Police Chief Petrus Golose said.

'(He is) the focus of a search on the border between Indonesia and Timor-Leste.'

The 33-year-old (pictured) broke out of the notorious Kerobokan prison in June and has been using social media to taunt police since

Through a public Facebook page Davidson has kept followers up to date with his life as a prison escapee, checking-in across Asia and regularly posting light-hearted memes (pictured)

Other recent Facebook posts from Davidson's account have taunted the authorities over their inability to snare him.

'Run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man,' he posted last week.

The post was met with an outpouring of support from his more than 6,000 followers.

Davidson also created his own 'wanted' posters offering a 'huge reward' award for his capture.

He alsomade a series of posts on Facebook claiming to be in various exotic locations across the globe.

'Living the dream,' he wrote in June, claiming to be in Amsterdam.

Despite the claims of officers, Davidson checked-in on Facebook as being in Barbados on Wednesday

Davidson has yet to provide any new photos of him since his escape from the Bali prison

'Run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man,' he posted to his Facebook page Tuesday

Davidson tunnelled out of the overcrowded Bali prison with three other inmates in June, with just 10 weeks left on his sentence.

Two escapees were caught within days, while Davidson and another man remain on the run.

The other inmate is believed to be in Malaysia, with problems brewing in getting him extradited.

His popularity has increased since his escape, with a fan page also established in his name.

It has so far garnered nearly 1,400 followers and claims to 'show support for this all round good guy'.

In a series of posters, which were met with a huge amount of support from his followers, he called himself a 'gangsta, hustler, outlaw, ladies' man and hide and seek champion'

Davidson created fake 'wanted' posters claiming there was a 'huge reward' for his capture

Balinese authorities said in July they were 'close' to finding the fugitive.

After the announcement, Davidson messaged Interpol, the world's largest police organisation, asking them how close they really were to catching him.

'How how's it going, just wondering, when you say close, how close are you really?' he wrote.

Davidson claimed he was not trying to taunt police with his Facebook activity, instead just '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,' he said.

Davidson had previously messaged Interpol, the world's largest police organisation, asking them how close they really were to catching him
A geography student has one of the first people to be sentenced under new laws for peddling bag full of potentially fatal 'hippy crack' at a festival.

Nicholas Chroussis was charged with possession of the legal but psychoactive drug after being found with almost 250 nitrous oxide canisters, a dispenser and 250 balloons.

The 22-year-old was stopped by security staff at Boundary Festival in Brighton, East Sussex, and claimed the large amount was for personal use.

Discarded nitrous oxide canisters and balloons litter the floor at Glastonbury Festival in 2015

When Sussex Police revealed text messages on his phone that showed that he was planning on selling the canisters to other festival goers, he admitted the offence.

The student, from Wood Green, North London, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court to six months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service.

Possession with intent to supply a psychoactive substance became an offence under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and came into force in May last year.

Revellers inhale nitrous oxide from balloons at Glastonbury Festival in Somerset two years ago

Detective Constable Julian Harrison-Jones said: 'This is believed to have been one of the first prosecutions of its kind in the country. The maximum sentence for the offence is seven years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.'

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: 'A geography student from Wood Green, London, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, after admitting that he had attended the Boundary Festival in Stanmer Park, Brighton, in September 2016 with intent to supply a psychoactive substance - nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, Nos or hippy crack.

'Chroussis was stopped by security staff as he tried to enter the festival and was found to be in possession of 245 nitrous oxide canisters, a dispenser and 250 balloons.

'The canisters were intended for legitimate use in the catering industry for the production of whipped cream. Nitrous oxide is also cleared for use in medical and dental applications, for example as an anaesthetic.'
A Texas officer funded his failed political campaign with drug money, officials have claimed.

Geovani Hernandez ran for sheriff in Hidalgo County in 2012 and 2014, promising the locals he could protect them from the drugs and violence spilling over the border from Mexico.

'What happens here affects the rest of the United States of America,' Hernandez, 43, told the Rio Grande Guardian at the time.

During a year-long investigation in which informants wore hidden recording devices, he admitted to working with the Mexico-based Gulf Cartel and using it to finance his political career, the Washington Post reports.

Geovani Hernandez funded his failed political campaign with drug money, officials have claimed. Hernandez (pictured in a campaign video) ran for sheriff in Hidalgo County in 2012 and 2014, promising the locals he could protect them from the drugs and violence spilling over the border from Mexico

He even appeared in a music video in 2016 for a 'narcocorrido' - a genre of of Mexican folk songs which celebrate criminals - in which he played the part of a corrupt cop.

He could be seen performing a raid in the song '6000 kilos' by Gerardo Hernandez which also featured several busy and scantily clad women lounging by a luxurious swimming pool.

The case against Hernandez began in August 2016 when a confidential informant received a tip that police officers - Hernandez included - were helping drug runners.

The informant approached the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations division and so began 'Operation Blue Shame'.

Hernandez (left) even appeared in a music video in 2016 for a 'narcocorrido' - a genre of of Mexican folk songs which celebrate criminals - in which he played the part of a corrupt cop

A second informant was sent to meet with Hernandez in May this year. During the meeting, the cop allegedly boasted that he was 'close friends' with slain Gulf Cartel boss Juan Manuel Loza-Salinas.

He said the connection allowed him to travel into cartel territory 'without any problems' and that he needed money to fund his campaign for Hidalgo County Constable.

Hernandez then agreed to run license plate checks for some non-existent cars the informant said he wanted to sneak across the border for $1,000, according to court papers.

Once he had established trust with Hernandez, the informant reportedly asked for help in transporting a car with 'items' across Texas for split of $10,000

The cop told him 'not to tell him what the vehicle would be transporting, not to discuss any details on their current cellphones, and to buy new cellphones,' court documents stated.

Authorities loaded the car with 10kg of powder, one of which was actual cocaine, in July and Hernandez did indeed help its transport.

The case against Hernandez (pictured in the music video) began in August 2016 when a confidential informant received a tip that police officers - Hernandez included - were helping drug runners

He was arrested and brought before US Magistrate Judge Dorina Ramos on August 14 and now faces charges of aiding and abetting, attempt to posses with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession with attempt to distribute more than 5kg of cocaine.

If proven, it will be a dramatic fall from grace for a decorated cop who first began working as a jailer with the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office in 1996, according to KRGV.

By 2010, he had allegedly worked as a police officer in six departments: Progreso, Alamo, Pharr, La Joya, Weslaco and La Villa.
These are the magical monochrome images from around the world that have won in the 2017 Black and White Photography Awards.

Celebrating the art of simple black and white images, the MonoVisions Photography Awards allow amateur and professional photographers the opportunity to show off their best monochromatic photos.

The awards covered 12 categories, from conceptual and nude photography to wildlife and architectural images and prizes are given to single images, as well as photographic series.

Winners compete for $5,000 rewards and are judged by an expert panel of photographers, critics, and gallerists.

This year, Kars Tuinder took home the single image grand prize for an expertly framed photograph of a fish market in Africa.

British photographer Anup Shah won the grand prize for his series The Mara, which is a set of stunning wildlife photos shot in Kenya.
The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday, Aug. 22:

There are places in the world so potentially volatile that the U.S. cannot leave them to the ebb and flow of geopolitics. The Korean Peninsula and the Middle East come immediately to mind. Afghanistan also belongs on that list  something President Donald Trump has finally come to realize, seven months after taking office.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Trump is poised to authorize sending roughly 4,000 more U.S. troops to the South Asian country, the site of the longest war in Americas history. Like their countrymen already in Afghanistan, these Americans wont be a combat force. Theyll carry out counterterrorism missions and advise Afghan officers fighting on the front lines against a resurgent Taliban.

Until Monday, Trump had said little about the Afghan conflict, and had not acted on pleas from top military advisers to beef up the U.S. military contingent in Afghanistan. Instead, he had focused on the Islamic States presence in northern Iraq and Syria, while keeping Afghanistan as a policy to be determined.

Trump was right to continue helping the Iraqi government root out Islamic State from that countrys second largest city, Mosul, and right to arm Syrian Kurdish fighters in their bid to defeat Islamic State in Raqqa, the militant groups Syrian stronghold. The Islamic States footprint in Iraq and Syria has shrunk considerably, and continues to shrink.

We also think hes right to broaden the U.S. role in Afghanistan. That country matters  this war matters  because America can pay a high price when it glances away from lands vulnerable to terrorist takeover. Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama, paid that price in Syria and Iraq. Obamas troop withdrawal from Iraq in 2011 left that country in a state of chaos, and Islamic State rose from the ashes of al-Qaida in Iraq. Obamas policy in Syria was halfhearted and troubled  recall the $500 million train-and-equip program for Syrian rebel fighters that yielded only a handful of troops. Many factors contributed to the Islamic State burgeoning into the worlds most feared terrorist group, but Obamas reluctance to take stronger stands in Iraq and Syria played a part.

Is there a danger of Afghanistan again becoming a terrorist haven, as it once was for al-Qaida before 9/11? Without a doubt. Afghan President Ashraf Ghanis military cant tamp down the carnage, and only 8,400 U.S. and 5,000 NATO troops are there now to train and support them. Ambushes and suicide bomb attacks kill Afghan security forces and civilians with harrowing regularity. According to the United Nations, 11,418 civilians were killed in the country last year  the most since the U.N. started tallying casualties in 2009. Taliban insurgents now hold sway over vast stretches of territory  the most since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

Islamic State militants also have established a foothold in the eastern province of Nangarhar. Last week a booby trap laid by the terror group killed an American soldier from Utah and injured 11 fellow troops.

While Trump inherited the chaos that is Afghanistan, its his watch now. Its a relief to see him finally forging an Afghan strategy, because so much is at stake.

Allowing the Taliban, Islamic State and other groups to succeed there creates two perilous scenarios: It turns the country into a rogue state, and thus an ideal training ground for terrorists with designs on attacking targets in the U.S., Europe and beyond. And it supplies militant leaders fodder for their online propaganda to inspire new attacks by lone wolves or sleeper cells.

Left on its own, the fractured, inept Afghan government likely wont be able to turn the tide against the Taliban. The Afghan army needs a stronger boost from U.S. and NATO troops, who can help Kabuls military hurt the insurgency enough that Taliban leaders see the value in beginning peace talks. Those talks are the only way Kabul and Washington can break free from the quagmire the Afghan conflict has become.

Every president who faces deployment decisions knows the danger of sending more young men and women into war zones. But letting rogue groups dig deeper into Afghanistan is the greater long-range danger to America. Trump is correct to increase the U.S. role there.
Calls to pull down a number of Sydney monuments honouring key figures in Australian history have been slammed as 'Taliban-like'.

Statues of Captain Cook and Arthur Phillip have come under scrutiny because of their association with the 'discovering' of Australia.

But suggestions to remove the monuments have been met with resistance from Shooters and Fishers MP Robert Borsak, who labelled the idea as 'Taliban-like'.

Aboriginal leader Warren Mundine suggested a continued push to rectify history was a 'Stalinist approach'.

Calls to pull down a number of Sydney monuments honouring key figures in Australian history have been slammed as 'taliban-like'

Aboriginal leader Warren Mundine, suggested a continued push to rectify history to a 'Stalinist approach'

'What's going to be next? Are they going to tear down the Anzac memorials in every municipal park in Australia?' Mr Borsak asked the The Daily Telegraph.

The idea was brought to public attention when indigenous ABC journalist Stan Grant hit out at the wording chosen on the base of Cook's statue which says the British explorer 'discovered this territory in 1770'.

He was enraged that the inscription made no reference to the existence of Aboriginal people who lived in the country before the arrival of the British.

He also attacked on Arthur Phillip, the first governor of NSW, and his comments will be submitted to Mayor Clover Moore for consideration.

'The Lord Mayor has referred Stan Grant's comments to the City of Sydney's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory panel for their consideration and advice,' Ms Moore's spokesman said.

Yet several public figures have spoken out regarding the suggestions to edit or remove the iconic landmarks.

The idea was brought to public attention when indigenous ABC journalist Stan Grant hit out at the wording chosen on the base of Cook's statue which says the British explorer 'discovered this territory in 1770.'

A statue of Arthur Phillip, the first governor of NSW has also been attacked as comments will be submitted to Mayor Clover Moore for consideration

'The City of Sydney should focus on working for its ratepayers and not rewriting history,' Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton said.

Liberal Upper House MP Peter Phelps said men such as Cook and Phillip should be lauded as icons.

'Attempts to rewrite our public history for the sake of political correctness  which is what these activist want to do  is little better than Stalin erasing his political opponent from photographs.'

Mr Mundine was in agreement who instead suggested for a different approach, erecting monuments to indigenous people.

'All this nonsense about changing things  we cannot look back at history with our modern minds otherwise we would have to tear down the pyramids because they were built by slaves,' said Mr Mundine.
Secret plans to extradite John Ibrahim's brothers Fadi and Michael, as well as four of their associates, from Dubai to Australia on private jets will reportedly cost the taxpayer $1 million.

The alleged underworld figures will reportedly be flown out of Dubai on several Global Express jets, with the most dangerous of them flown separately because it was considered the 'safest' option.

Each Global Express jet would cost $250,000 to charter, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Alongside the prisoners, each jet would ferry a nurse, doctor, four police officers and a government official, from Dubai to Sydney.

Fadi Ibrahim (pictured with his wife Shayda) remains behind bars in a Dubai prison

A representative from the police told the publication there were various options on the table but private jets were one of them.

The police source said it was possible one or some of the men were in danger and the private jets 'would be the safest option all around  for them, passengers and police officers'.

'It's not beyond the realms of possibility that there are contracts on their heads, although there is not specific intelligence.'

The 'Dubai Six' have been locked behind bars since their August 8 arrests, when Dubai officers together with Australian Federal Police and NSW officers targeted an alleged crime ring spanning across Sydney, the Netherlands and Dubai.

The 'Dubai Six' includes Fadi and Michael Ibrahim, Mustapha Dib, Stephen Elmir, Hakan Arif and Koder Jomaa.

While no date has been set for their extradition, the million-dollar plan was reportedly already in the works.

John Ibrahim (left) is seen with brother Michael (second from right), son Daniel (right), and friend Margaret Staltaro

The 'Dubai Six' includes Fadi and Michael Ibrahim, Mustapha Dib, Stephen Elmir, Hakan Arif and Koder Jomaa (pictured)

Mustapha Dib remains behind bars in Dubai

Meanwhile, a senior police officer revealed some of the 'Dubai Six' planned to escape possible jail by applying for dual citizenship.

Five of the six men locked up in Dubai are of Lebanese descent and reportedly planned to become Lebanese citizens in a bid to escape extradition to Australia - where they could face life in prison.

Because there is no extradition treaty in place between Australia and Lebanon, the men would not be forced back to Australia.

Migration Institute of Australia's George Lombard said the dual citizenship request was a logical move for the men if they wanted to escape the Australian judicial system.

'Theoretically they could be declared Lebanese citizens, kicked out of Dubai and live anywhere in the world where there is no extradition agreement with Australia or Lebanon to bring them back home,' he said.

John Ibrahim is not accused of any committing any offence.

Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim, who was not accused of any involvement in the alleged drug ring, was pictured at his Sydney property on Wednesday reading his own book
Two men who were arrested after their two roommates were murdered, are being investigated by the feds for their ties to a neo-Nazi group.

The four men, who were living together in Tampa, Florida, bonded over their connection as members of an obscure neo-Nazi group called Atomwaffen Division.

Devon Arthurs, the group's 18-year-old co-founder, told detectives that he killed his friends to thwart a terrorist attack by Atomwaffen.

'I prevented the deaths of a lot of people,' Arthurs said in a rambling statement about shooting his roommates Andrew Oneschuk, 18, and Jeremy Himmelman, 22 on May 19.

Devon Arthurs (left) was arrested on murder charges for the shooting death of two roommates and Brandon Russell (right) FBI agents have filed explosives charges against Russell

Jeremy Himmelman was fatally shot along with his friend Andrew Oneschuk, 18, by a roommate in the Tampa apartment the men all shared

Andrew Oneschuk during his 18th birthday at his family's home in Massachusetts. Arthurs told police detectives he killed his roommates Oneschuk Jeremy Himmelman

Their other roommate, Brandon Russell, 21, was at his Florida National Guard duties, when the shootings occurred and Arthurs said knew nothing about the killings.

However Arthurs told authorities Russell was stockpiling explosives to bomb power lines, nuclear reactors and synagogues.

FBI agents have filed explosives charges against Russell, who was dressed in a military uniform and crying outside the apartment when Arthurs led officers to the grisly scene.

Asked why his roommates would plan such an attack, he responded, 'Because they want to build a Fourth Reich.'

Inside the apartment the friends shared, authorities said they found guns, ammunition and bomb-making material, along with a framed picture of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh on a bedroom dresser.

Atomwaffen is German for 'atomic weapon.'

The victims' families insist, however, that the two slain young men were transitioning to new phases in their lives.

And another Atomwaffen member characterizes the group as simply a band of trolls who delight in provoking outrage with stunts like picketing at a vigil for victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.

Jeremy Himmelman and his girlfriend Kianna Kaizer

Kianna Kaizer, of Walpole, Mass., girlfriend of 22-year-old murder victim Jeremy Himmelman

'I'm a neo-Nazi. I'm not a monster,' a fried of the men, William Tschantre, said.

Atomwaffen doesn't have near the numbers or the notoriety of some of the white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups that gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia, for this month's deadly rally.

Tschantre and others estimate that it has only a few dozen members nationwide.

But federal investigators say they believe the May 19 shooting exposed evidence of a credible threat to the public.

In the condo's garage, they say they found volatile explosive material stored in a cooler, near homemade detonator components and several pounds of ammonium nitrate. Two sources of radiation also were detected on the premises, they say.

FBI agents have filed explosives charges against Atomwaffen's leader, 21-year-old Brandon Russell, who was dressed in a military uniform and crying outside the apartment when Arthurs led officers to the grisly scene.

Arthurs said Russell, who had just returned home from his Florida National Guard duties, knew nothing about the killings. But he accused Russell of stockpiling explosives to bomb power lines, nuclear reactors and synagogues.

Russell told investigators that he had used the material to boost homemade rockets, but a federal judge agreed he posed a risk to the public and ordered him detained.

The judge added, however, that he was troubled investigators hadn't presented more evidence to corroborate Arthurs' claims about Atomwaffen.

The slain men's relatives and friends reject any neo-Nazi labels, but do not dispute that they shared an interest in right-wing ideologies.

Kianna Kaizer, Himmelman's girlfriend, called his 'political side' only a small part of his life but acknowledged he held decidedly far-right beliefs.

'Jeremy went through a lot of struggle in his life, and national socialism offered him the rigidity he desired, and offered him solutions for the things out of his control,' she wrote in an email.

Walter Oneschuk said that when Andrew was 15, he had blocked his son's computer from accessing sites rife with racist and anti-Semitic content. But he said Andrew changed after briefly joining the French Foreign Legion last November, just six months shy of turning 18.

Andrew's fervor for far-right extremism waned after his return from France, Oneschuk said. 'He realized this stuff was not his future,' the father said.

It was the lure of free rent and bountiful fishing opportunities that convinced Himmelman and Oneschuk to leave Massachusetts and spend part of the summer in Florida.

Himmelman had toyed with joining the military, but instead planned to use the time to plot his next move, friends and family said.

Andrew Oneschuk's father said his son had met with a Navy recruiter in April and looked forward to a military career.

Tensions between the four roommates quickly mounted. Kaizer said Himmelman and Oneschuk often teased Arthurs for having no job and spending most of his time playing video games.

Oneschuk told his father that he was tired of Arthurs' attempts to convert him to Islam.

Arthurs' religious rhetoric also annoyed other Atomwaffen members, according to Tschantre. T

The night before the shooting, Arthurs argued with them about his conversion during an online chat, Tschantre said.

Himmelman and Oneschuk didn't join in the chat, but Tschantre said he suspects the heated exchange could explain how Arthurs' anger turned into violence the next evening.

In anonymous internet posts, Atomwaffen members hailed Oneschuk and Himmelman as fallen heroes and assailed Arthurs as a race traitor. A tribute on IronMarch, a website for the 'global fascist fraternity,' included swastika-stamped photos of the slain men.

Days following the murder of the two men, Atomwaffen posted an ominous video on YouTube depicting members standing with arms extended in 'Heil Hitler' salutes and posing with guns in front of a swastika flag, their faces obscured by images of skulls. It ended with a stark slogan: 'Join your local Nazis.'

In a 2015 post on IronMarch, Russell had described Atomwaffen as a 'fanatical, ideological band of comrades who do both activism and militant training.'

'Keyboard warriorism is nothing to do with what we are,' he wrote.








Twenty suspected slaves have been rescued by police during several raids across the West Midlands.

Five suspected slavery victims were found at Ming Moon Chinese restaurant in Wolverhampton and three were discovered at an address on Anthrobus Road in Handsworth yesterday.

Police also found 12 men at Wing Wah restaurant in Coventry. They said the men, who are mainly from Slovakia and Romania, were living in 'poor conditions'.

Five suspected slavery victims were found at Ming Moon Chinese restaurant in Wolverhampton during a police raid. Pictured is a man being led away from Ming Moon by two officers

Police said the men, who are mainly from Slovakia and Romania, were living in 'poor conditions'

Those found at the premises will now be supported by the police and partner agencies including the Salvation Army to get them into safe accommodation

A man, 49, and a woman, 45, from Slovakia have been arrested on suspicion of slavery offences.

They are suspected of providing staff through a recruitment consultancy.

A spokesman for Ming Moon declined to comment on the raid, but said the restaurant would be open for business as usual.

Detective chief inspector Sally Simpson, who is the West Midlands Police modern slavery lead, said: 'Unfortunately we hear all too often of cruel individuals making large sums of money on the back of the misery of others.

'These "gang masters" promise a job, accommodation and money, but people end up working long hours, living in poor conditions and being paid next to nothing.

'This is the 21st century and we are committed to tackling people trafficking and modern slavery. We are continually looking to raise awareness of what is still a hidden crime.

'We need the public to help us stop such exploitation and report anything suspicious; which can help us take firm and decisive action such as this operation today.

'There are some tell-tale signs to look out for such as large groups staying in multi-occupancy houses and being transported to and from addresses in vans or minibuses from early in the morning and not coming back until late at night.'

The Red Cross, HMRC, Hope for Justice, Gang Masters Licencing Abuse Authority and the National Crime Agency all worked with police on the swoop

A man, 49, and a woman, 45, from Slovakia have been arrested on suspicion of slavery offences (A victim is seen being led away by police)

A spokesman for Ming Moon declined to comment on the raid, but said the restaurant would be open for business as usual

Those found at the premises will now be supported by the police and partner agencies including the Salvation Army to get them into safe accommodation.

The Red Cross, HMRC, Hope for Justice, Gang Masters Licencing Abuse Authority and the National Crime Agency all worked with police on the swoop.

Between May 2016 and April 2017 West Midlands Police recorded 208 slavery offences, up from just over 100 in the previous year  with more than 40 people arrested on suspicion of slavery offences.

Anybody who suspects slavery or trafficking offences are happening in their community is urged to call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700, visit the website www.modernslaveryhelpline.org or call West Midlands Police on 101.
Anti-terror units foiled the Sydney plane plot after an alleged terrorist repeatedly used the same excuse as to why he was flying to the Middle East, Lebanese authorities say.

Amer Khayet allegedly told security he was flying to his hometown of Tripoli, not far from the Syrian border, for his wedding.

Lebanese officials discovered a pattern in the Sydney-based man's reasons for travel, learning he had made the same claims of flying home for his wedding several times before, The Australian claimed.

Forces reportedly found that Amer would marry, then soon after get divorced. This process was allegedly repeated multiple times before he was questioned at Beirut Airport in July, when the plot was unearthed.

Amer Khayet allegedly told security he was flying to his hometown of Tripoli, not far from the Syrian border, for his wedding

Lebanese officials allegedly discovered a pattern in the Sydney-based man's reasons for travel, learning he had made the same claims of flying home for his wedding several times before

Conversations between Amer, his older brother and ISIS Commander Tarek, and two brothers back in Sydney Mahmoud and Khaled, were reportedly being monitored for a year leading up to the arrests.

Lebanese intelligence claim they discovered the bomb plot while questioning Amer, who allegedly told them it had only failed because the explosives packed into a barbie doll and meat mincer had weighed 7kg too much to be checked in.

Amer allegedly informed them the barbie doll was a back-up to the larger meat mincer in case the bomb didn't deploy.

Alleged conversations between Amer, his older brother and ISIS Commander Tarek, and two brothers back in Sydney Mahmoud and Khaled, were being monitored for a year leading up to the arrests

Amer allegedly informed them the barbie doll was a back-up to the larger meat mincer in case the bomb didn't deploy (stock image)

Amer is currently being held in Roumieh prison near Beirut. Brothers Khaled, 49, and Mahmoud, 32, were charged following terror raids in Sydney on July 29

Police allege the plan was to detonate the bomb 20 minutes into Etihad flight EY455 from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, meaning the explosion would occur near Dubbo in central New South Wales. The attack was scheduled to occur at 9:40pm.

All 400 passengers aboard the flight would have been killed, and potentially further chaos on the ground as the debris from the exploded aircraft would scatter from 33,000 feet.

Amer is currently being held in Roumieh prison near Beirut.

Brothers Khaled, 49, and Mahmoud, 32, were charged following terror raids in Sydney on July 29.
A high-profile French TV journalist died after she fell from her horse while riding in the Loire valley.

Marlene Seguin, 27, who worked as an equestrian correspondent for the television channel LCI died after her horse bolted in Champdieu on Monday.

Police investigating the incident have not yet ruled out foul play, but say the current evidence strongly suggests her death was a result of a tragic accident.

High-profile French TV journalist Marlene Seguin, 27, died after falling from her horse

The popular presenter was riding her own horse near Champdieu in the Loire valley

Police investigating Seguin's death have not ruled out foul play but believe it was accidental

According to France Bleu, locals found Seguin's horse walking on its own along the road from Jobert to Champdieu.

A few moments later they found the journalist lying in a ditch unconscious and not breathing at around 5.20pm on Monday.

Emergency workers attempted to resuscitate Seguin without any success.

Investigators have determined that when Seguin, who was an accomplished rider, left her home at 4pm, she was wearing her safety helmet.
Chelsea Manning shut down a Twitter user who sent her a violent message on the social media site.

The transgender activist, who posed for a profile in the coveted September issue of Vogue, is constantly on the receiving end of rude and vicious messages ever since she released sensitive government documents related to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars in 2013 while working as an Army intelligence analyst.

As a result of her actions, she received a message on Monday night from a Twitter user who told her 'You should have been shot for treason.'

But Manning's clever response was having none of it.

The 29-year-old wrote: 'instead i (sic) got shot for @voguemagazine #WeGotThis'.

Chelsea Manning completely owned a Twitter troll who sent her a violent message on the social media site

She received a message on Monday night from a Twitter user who told her 'You should have been shot for treason.' But Manning's clever response was priceless. The 29-year-old wrote: 'instead i got shot for @voguemagazine #WeGotThis'

Manning spent seven years of her 35-year prison sentence confined and was freed from prison earlier this year after her sentence was commuted by former President Barack Obama.

Vogue.coms Sally Singer helped Manning by packing a bag of clothing for her departure from prison, and helped her redefine her style on her own terms as they also went vintage clothing shopping. with her after, and how Chelsea is redefining her style on her own terms.

Since being released, Manning has used her newfound platform to raise awareness to the injustices in the trans and gender-nonconforming communities.

The Oklahoma native most recently blasted President Donald Trump for his controversial ban on transgender people in the military.

Manning opened up about her feelings in a Yahoo Beauty essay published on Wednesday where she wrote that she would have been 'better' at her military job had she already come out as transgender.

'I loved my job and I took my military career very seriously,' Manning wrote.

Manning also opened up about her feelings in a Yahoo Beauty essay published on Wednesday where she wrote that she would have been 'better' at her military job had she already come out as transgender

The 29-year-old posed in a swimsuit for the coveted September issues of Vogue (above)

'There's this idea out there that, had I not been trans, the leaks and stuff would never have happened. But to my mind those are two completely separate things.

'Had I been out, I think I still would have been attracted to the military, but I would have been more comfortable and gotten along with people better.

'Being closeted often put me in situations where I couldn't concentrate or even think straight.'

She added, 'I loved my job, and had I been out, I think I would have been even better at it.'

The 29-year-old also noted 'private circles of conversation' that made her feel uncomfortable during her military time.

'They'd say ridiculous, raunchy things about women,' Manning wrote.

'I'd try to avoid those kinds of macho conversations because that's inevitably what would come up. I'd get very, very distant.'
The body of an Australian man has been discovered by a roadside near a resort in north-west India.

Michael James O'Toole, 59, was found dead with an injured lower back in the city of Udaipur on Sunday.

His family, from Melbourne, have been contacted by Indian police through the Australian High Commission in India, The Herald Sun reported.

The body of an Australian man has been discovered by a roadside near a resort in north-west India

Michael James O'Toole, 59, was found dead with an injured lower back in the city of Udaipur on Sunday

Mr O'Toole's sister gave the go ahead for doctors to perform an autopsy, which was conducted Tuesday night.

Authorities are yet to receive the doctors' report.

His body was found by a passing Ambulance who informed police.

'We received the information of dead body around 8am and within 15 minutes we were on the spot,' Investigating Officer Ram Singh said.

Police confirmed his clothes were intact and was in possession of his wallet, which ruled out a case of theft.

'As far as I know, his sister is coming to India. She has told us that Michael loves India and family is planning to do his last rites in India only,' Officer Singh said.

His family, from Melbourne, have been contacted by Indian police through the Australian High Commission in India

'The family is in shocking condition, they are disturbed with the news.'

It is believed his sister was present for his last rites on Wednesday.

Police said Mr OToole arrived in Udaipur on June 6 and stayed in several locations.

They confirmed they were trying to piece together his movements by circulating his images in nearby hotels in an attempt to gather information.
Armed guards were forced to beef up security as tempers flared at a magistrates court where five suspected cannibals appeared in front of a judge.

Their arrests came after one of the suspected killers handed himself into police with a piece of an arm and a leg saying he had lost the taste for human flesh.

It prompted villagers in South Africa to hold a meeting, where three hundred residents allegedly admitted eating humans and digging up graves.

Armed police stand guard outside the magistrates court in Estcourt, South Africa, where crowds gathered following the brief court appearance of men accused of killing and eating human flesh

The suspect entered a police station in Estcourt, South Africa, telling shocked officers 'I'm tired of eating human flesh', as he gave up the body parts.

A trio of alleged cannibal killers aged 22, 29 and 32, were subsequently arrested, after more gruesome remains were found in a nearby house, leading to the discovery of a woman's mutilated body.

But after a meeting was held in the village of Esigodlweni, home to just 971 people, it emerged almost a third of the population had been digging up graves or eating residents.

In the aftermath of the arrests, villagers gathered in the community hall allegedly admitted tasting human flesh.

Two of the men arrested are witch doctors, or traditional healers, a third was on parole from jail.

Police are now following up reports that the cannibals robbed graves to source flesh and bones.

Cannibals: The three men were arrested in after one of them handed himself over to police, admitting that he had grown tired of eating human flesh, and officers were led to a house, pictured, where bodyparts and a mutilated body of a woman was found

Ward councillor Mthembeni Majola, who held a meeting at the Esigodlweni community hall on Monday morning said that around 300 residents had confessed to visiting the two witchdoctors and knowingly eating human flesh given to them.

Mr Majola told News24 website: This has happened within our community.

'Families, people we know and live with have now confessed to eating this woman.'

He added that community members had also allegedly confessed to digging up graves under the orders of 33 year-old Nino Mbatha, and giving him the bones.

He told them that digging up the graves would make them strong and protect them from harm and that bringing him the bones would bring them wealth in the future.

Gone vegetarian: One of the killers walked into the police station in Estcourt, pictured, and told officers that he had become 'tired of eating human flesh'

Three men arrested by police initially allegedly raped and murdered the woman before butchering the body and eating the flesh.

Crowds of residents gathered outside Estcourt magistrates court Monday as the trio appeared on murder charges alongside a fourth man, 31, accused of possessing human flesh and tissues.

They were all remanded in custody and are due to reappear in court next week.

Stunned local councillor Mthembeni Majola said one of the suspects led community members and police to the woman's body.

'It was buried under big rocks and we had to call a machine to remove the rocks,' he told News24.

'They showed us the body parts in one of the houses.

Mr Majola added that authorities fear the group had killed more victims, saying: 'it cannot only be one.'

'When the police were following this matter they discovered eight ears in a pot where one man was staying. That means there is much more to this.'

Police spokeswoman Captain Charmaine Struwig said: 'Three of the suspects face charges of murder and charges relating to the possession of human organs and tissue.

Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said the man handed over bodyparts during questioning

'A fourth suspect faces charges relating to the possession of human organs and tissue.

'The three suspects are alleged to have murdered a woman and then cut her body up.

'Allegations are that some consumed some of her flesh while some of her body parts were shared with the fourth suspect in Amangwe.

'Human remains were found at one crime scene in Estcourt and another crime scene at Amangwe.

'At this time only one person is suspected of having been killed and her identity is as yet unknown.'

Another spokeswoman, Colonel Thembeka Mbhele, said the three main suspects were arrested on Friday night after one walked into Estcourt police station with his 'tired of eating human flesh' bombshell.

She said: 'When he was questioned, he produced part of a human leg and a hand.

'Further investigation led police to a house where they were met with a foul smell, and more human remains were found.

'A second suspect was also arrested in Estcourt and a third in the Amangwe area. More body parts were found.

'It is alleged the suspects raped, killed and cut up the body of a woman, which they then consumed.'

Muti medicine, a term used to describe traditional practices in South Africa is common, and so called muti killings have been reported from time to time, where people are killed for their body parts to be used by witchdoctors.

People with albinism are particularly at risk of muti killings due to the belief held by some that their body parts impart power and health to those who consume them.

Earlier this month, a man was found in Durban, 100 miles from the scene of the latest incident, with a human head in his backpack.

He was thought to be attempting to sell the head to a witchdoctor.
Thank you for publishing the AP article in the August 9 issue: "Trump rebutted on climate." It defies logic and rationality to say that the vast majority of scientists around the world are wrong, to say that carbon emissions are causing the problem is a "hoax" and "a con job." The only scientists agreeing with Trump are "industry-funded think tanks." And they are a small minority.

Thirteen federal agencies conclude that global warming is being driven by human activities. It is "unambiguous" they say. They warn "...that burning fossil fuels is already driving a steep increase in the United States of heat waves, droughts, and floods."

So what would these federal agencies have to lose by taking this stand. They could lose their jobs. Trump doesn't believe the government experts.

We can't say that what we are experiencing is a natural cycle. Natural cycles takes thousands of years. The present cycle started about 50 or60 years ago. Maybe a little longer.

I grew up in the 1930s and '40s in a Pittsburgh suburb. The word "smog" wasn't invented yet. There was no smog, but plenty of black soot on the new fallen snow in the winter.

Business is the primary concern of the Republicans. Well, business is important. But it's not more important than the planet we live on. I don't have any kids, but I'm still concerned about the future. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania. Fortunately, I had an uncle who was a corporation lawyer. He stopped the stripping of coal on our farm. But the neighbors weren't so lucky. When I go back for a visit now, there are very few corn fields. The coal was stripped and the huge gouges were not filled back in. The fines were small.

I wonder if Trump will allow the tops of mountains to be blown off again in Virginia and West Virginia to get at the coal easier.

BOB BOWSER

Flagstaff
Nadeem Muhammad, 43, has been jailed for 18 years at Manchester Crown Court for possessing an explosive with intent to endanger life after a pipe bomb was found in his luggage

A would-be terrorist who attempted to carry a pipe bomb on to a flight at Manchester Airport has today been jailed for 18 years.

Nadeem Muhammad was jailed at Manchester Crown Court for possessing an explosive with intent to endanger life after a pipe bomb was found in his hand luggage.

Muhammad, 43, was attempting to board a Ryanair flight to Bergamo, Italy, on January 30 when security officers found the device, made from batteries, tape, a marker pen and pins.

When the object was swabbed there was no trace of explosive on the outside and officers did not believe it was a viable device.

It was only after further forensic examination weeks later that it was found to be dangerous and Muhammad was charged with a bomb plot.

CCTV shows Muhammad, wearing a dark parka coat and jeans, stroll between crowds of other passengers as he gets off a shuttle and walks through the airport's entrance.

Muhammad was found guilty of possessing explosives with intent to endanger life at Manchester Crown Court.

After sentencing, Judge Patrick Field QC criticised airport security for making a 'wholly erroneous and potentially dangerous' conclusion that the bomb was not viable after it was seized by officers.

Judge Field said: 'I cannot have been the only person alarmed by some of the evidence in this case and the lack of concern that was expressed that lead members of staff to reach a wholly erroneous and dangerous conclusion that that device was not a bomb and was not dangerous.

'As a result, one member of staff even put the device into her pocket and tested it in the shoe x-Ray machine.

'It occurred to me that by acting in that way she put herself, fellow members of staff and the public at risk.

'When the police became involved they too readily accepted an assurance the bomb was not dangerous and an early opportunity to arrest the defendant was missed.

'There was risk that he could have escaped justice all together. It was therefore as a result of good luck rather than good judgement that this matter came to a satisfactory conclusion.

'In these dangerous times there is no room for complacency and I express a hope that security at the airport is subject to a thorough review of the highest level.'

The judge told Muhammed: 'You carried an improvised explosive device, a pipe bomb concealed within the front compartment of your hand luggage to terminal three of Manchester airport.

'Had you not been intercepted at the airport by security you were undoubtably have carried that bomb onto a plane bound for Bergamo were it was to be detonated.

'It included a number of pins that were in no doubt to increase the harm caused by the explosion.

'If it had exploded it would have had the potential to hurt individuals and danger property very close at the time of explosion.

'If detonated in the confines of the cabin in a commercial airliner would have posed considerable danger and injuries to those close to the device and therefore this is a very serious and grave offence.'

The court had heard that airport staff swabbed the device, which was later found to contain nitroglycerin, but found no trace of explosive and terminal three security manager Deborah Jeffrey initially put it into her pocket.

The judge said the situation was 'compounded' by police who accepted the assurance that the device was not viable and missed an 'early opportunity' to arrest Muhammad - who was allowed to board a flight to Italy five days later and another back to the UK before he was arrested on February 12.

Earlier this month a jury reached a majority verdict of 10 to two on the charge following 15 hours and 45 minutes of deliberations.

During the trial it was revealed Muhammad was released shortly after being questioned by counter terrorism officers when the bomb was first found.

He was then allowed to board another flight to Bergamo, near Milan, five days later.

The court also heard Muhammad, who was born in Pakistan but had an Italian passport, was planning to detonate the bomb once on board the Boeing 737.

Muhammad from Bury, Greater Manchester, was questioned by officers from the counter terrorism unit but released.

He returned to the airport the following day to collect his mobile phone, which had been taken by police, and then again on February 5 when he boarded another flight to Italy.

It was only on February 8 when the device was examined by forensics officers that suspicions were raised and the bomb squad was called.

The explosive was then sent for examination by expert Lorna Philp, who found it was a 'crude but potentially viable improvised explosive device'.

The device contained double base smokeless propellant, normally found in firearms ammunition, which was made up of nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose.

CCTV captured Muhammad walking through the airport with the pipe bomb in his luggage

Italian police raided Muhammad's home and workplace on February 9 and took him to a police station.

But he was released again after a couple of hours and on February 12 boarded another flight back to the UK.

He was arrested when he arrived back at Manchester Airport.

Muhammad had told the trial he was surprised to see the bomb when it was found in his bag and it had nothing 'at all' to do with him.

He told the court: 'I had never seen it before.'

Following the sentencing, Sue Hemming, head of the special crime and counter terrorism division in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: 'Despite extensive investigation, Nadeem Muhammad's motive for attempting to take this device onto a plane remains unknown.

'However it is clear that the consequences, had he been successful, could have been disastrous.'

A Manchester Airport spokesman said: 'Security is our number one priority and we work closely with Government, the police and other agencies to provide passengers with a safe and secure environment.

'In this instance, our security team successfully detected a device hidden inside the lining of a suitcase. It was deemed to be a suspicious item and passed to police to investigate further.

'These actions prevented a potentially dangerous item being taken on board an aircraft and, ultimately, to a successful prosecution.'
The FBI and Pennsylvania state police are searching for a 'tall' man who robbed a bank while wearing a purple dress, a mask and an ivory scarf.

Witnesses said the man entered the SPE Federal Credit Union in State College at 3.54pm on Tuesday and placed a bag on the counter with a note saying he had a bomb and a gun and demanding cash.

After staff members gave him cash, the man fled on foot, leaving the bag he claimed had a bomb at the scene. The amount of money stolen has not been released.

Surveillance footage shows a man walking into a bank wearing a purple dress and white scarf

The man allegedly said that he had a gun and a bomb but never revealed either. He demanded that the SPE Federal Credit Union tellers give him cash before fleeing on foot

A bomb response team and tactical response unit examined the scene and determined there was no threat.

Police posted a picture from the bank's surveillance cameras on the department's Facebook page. Local departments, state police and the FBI are searching the area for a suspect.

Bank employees said the suspect was a man about six feet tall.

Police said because of the threats made by the suspect, he should be considered armed and dangerous.

A bomb threat also was received at a nearby Walmart prior to the robbery on Tuesday afternoon.

Walmart was evacuated and police spent more than four hours searching the building with bomb sniffing dogs.

Penn State Police also reported at about 7.50pm that a 'credible bomb threat' had been received at the Penn State University Research West building.

Research West was declared safe after a suspicious device found by police was determined to be of no danger.

Police do not know if Tuesday bomb threats at a Walmart and Penn State Research West in the area are linked to the heist.
Austin Bohanan, 18, went missing while hiking with his stepfather in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A teenager who went missing in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains National Park for 11 days is now back with his family after he walked out of the park on Tuesday and flagged a passing boat for help.

Austin Bohanan, 18, became separated from his stepfather on August 11 while hiking and was reported missing August 13.

Even though he had a cellphone, he couldn't get a signal to call and ask for help.

Park spokeswoman Jamie Sanders previously said Austin had light food and water, but was not anticipating spending the night in the park.

After realizing he was lost, Austin tried to follow two creeks both upstream and downstream looking for the highway.

More than 100 searchers scoured a 6,700-acre area in the southeastern section of the park, aided by search dogs and a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter equipped with an infrared device.

Dense vegetation and blowdowns from previous storms make the search for the teen a painstaking process for Search and Rescue team members

Austin heard the helicopter at one point and tried to climb to where he could be seen.

Scroll down for video

Austin's stepmother Brooke Bohanan embraces a Great Smoky Mountains Ranger after learning her stepson had been found

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans 6,700 acres in Tennessee

The teen eventually walked out of the backcountry on his own unharmed.

'We are so grateful for all the love, prayers and support from everyone,' said his aunt Carrie Bohanan.

His family had gathered near the site each day throughout the search.

'I serve an almighty God! Praise be given unto him!' Brooke Bohanan, Austin's stepmother, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon

Austin was assessed at Blount Memorial Hospital and released a few hours later.

He was found in remote Blount County, about 40 miles south of Knoxville.

Courtesy of WATE

More than 100 searchers scoured a 6,700-acre area looking for Austin (pictured). It is unclear what uniform he is wearing
A Michigan man who stabbed his five-year-old stepdaughter to death before setting her on fire has been sentenced to life in jail without the possibility of parole, after being found guilty of first-degree murder last month.

Thomas McClellan, 25, of Holt, Michigan, will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing Luna Michelle Younger on November 1, 2016, after she refused to leave his room until he gave her food.

Michigan law requires a mandatory life sentence for the murder conviction.

Before the sentence was passed, members of Luna's family took to the stand to make their impact statements.

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Thomas McClellan, 25, of Holt, Michigan, admitted to killing Luna Michelle Younger on November 1, 2016, after she refused to leave his room until he gave her food

McClellan's three-day trial took place in July. He was found guilty of open murder, first-degree child abuse and first-degree arson and will now spend the rest of his life in jail without parole

McClellan stabbed Luna, 5, at least five times while his wife Victoria King  the child's mother  was at work

'Tom, I forgive you and I pray for you,' said Paula McKay, who spoke on behalf of Luna's family. 'And I desire peace and hope for you.

'There exists a sadness like none we have ever known,' she continued as reported by Freep.com. 'A sadness at the loss of so many hopes and dreams. Hopes for the future of you and Victoria. Hope for the future of a little girl  our lovely Luna. Hope for two mothers who saw their children happy and content in a new marriage. Hope for two families who had come together on a day not so far away in the past.'

'This was a wicked act by a man but he's not a wicked man,' said Patrick Crowley, McClellan's attorney. 'I can't say enough how unfortunate this is for multiple families.'

When Judge Joyce Draganchuk offered McClellan a chance to speak he declined.

'I understand how people sometimes who are not evil do evil things,' Draganchuk said before sentencing McClellan. 'I think everyone sort of sees that as the picture that took place here. The tragedy is just unspeakable and the pain on all sides.

'I think the whole community, beyond just the affected families, the whole community is asking 'why, why?' And the answer is, we need to leave 'why' behind because there is no 'why,' and it will only torture everyone trying to understand why.

'Because what reason would possibly justify this, where we would say, 'oh that's an explanation of why?' There is none. There is none, and we will only hurt ourselves by dwelling on the 'why.''

McClellan, left, told the detective that he had spent the day arguing with Luna's mother, Victoria King, who he had married three months earlier

In a taped confession aired during the trial, McClellan said he killed the girl because she interrupted his nap and asked for something to eat

During his July trial, the court heard that McClellan was 'tipped over the edge' when Luna woke him from a nap and asked for a snack, despite it not being 'dinner time'.

Shortly after firefighters found Luna's burned body in the apartment McClellan shared with the girl's mother, Victoria King, McClellan turned himself in to police, telling officials that he killed the girl around 5pm, after she gave him 'attitude'.

McClellan was also of first-degree child abuse and first-degree arson by Ingham County Circuit Judge Joyce Draganuchuk.

Shortly after Luna's body was found, McClellan told detectives that he had spent the day arguing with King, who he had married three months earlier, and was watching the young girl while his wife was at work.

He was taking a nap when Luna knocked on his bedroom door at 5pm on November 1 and asked if she could have a snack.

Shortly after firefighters found Luna's burned body in the apartment McClellan shared with the girl's mother, McClellan turned himself in to police, telling officials that he killed the girl around 5pm on November 1, after she gave him 'attitude'

'What was so awful about Luna today that you had to kill her,' Buckland asked. 'I don't wanna guess something, Tom. I wanna hear it from you. What'd she do, Tom?'

McClellan responded: 'I told her it wasn't dinner time.'

He said Luna stayed in the room and continued asking for food.

'It tipped me over the edge,' McClellan said. 'She gave me more attitude.'

It was then that McClellan sat on top of Luna's chest and stabbed her at least five times before covering her body with sheets, pouring vodka on it and setting it on fire.

He had set her body on fire to hide the evidence, WLSN reported.

As the flames spread through the ground-floor apartment, the Delhi Township fire department were called in to extinguish the blaze.

McClellan sat on top of Luna's chest and stabbed her at least five times before covering her body with sheets, pouring vodka on it and setting it on fire, prosecutors say

Firefighter Corey Drolett said he thought Luna might be hiding from the fire at first, and search a closet and under the bed before finding her under the smoldering blankets.

The court heard that McClellan 'did not run out of his room bloody, scared or panicked' or call 911 after stabbing the girl, according to Assistant Ingham County Prosecutor Elizabeth Allen.

Instead, he took a shower, packed a bag, and set the girl's body on fire. He then threw out his cell phone, bought a new phone and checked into a local motel.

McClellan's attorney said that his client's actions were 'inefficient', 'panicked' and 'haphazard'.

It was King who convinced McClellan to turn himself in.
The supermarket that might have unintentionally sold sausages infected with hepatitis has now been identified as Tesco.

It followed a study which found some people infected by the virus - symptoms of which vary from tiredness to liver damage - had been eating pork from the retailer.

Public Health England (PHE) previously resisted pressure to name 'Supermarket X' because it claimed 'the association with the supermarket does not infer any blame'.

The supermarket that may have unintentionally sold sausages infected with hepatitis has now been identified as Tesco by Public Health England

Scientists at Public Health England found some Brits infected by the virus - symptoms of which vary from tiredness to liver failure - have been eating sausages from 'Supermarket X'

But they backtracked today, with a spokesman saying: 'The risk to public health in England from hepatitis E infection is low, it is usually a mild, self-limiting illness which most people will clear without any symptoms.

'Tesco was not named in our study because we attach no fault to the company.

'This study was a statistical analysis that found an association between clinical hepatitis E and sausage and ham products rather than direct causation.

'Most of the cases involved the G3-2 hepatitis E strain, which has not been found in UK pigs, and the appearance of this strain is likely to reflect complex animal health practices within Europe, rather than any processes used by the retailer.

'PHE understands all sausages sold under the Tesco brand are exclusively sourced within the UK.'

The number of cases of HEV have been on the rise since 2010.

The shopping habits of sixty infected people and no history of travel outside the UK were traced, and it was found that study participants who purchased ham and/or sausages (file pic) from 'Supermarket X' were more likely to have the infection.

The shopping habits of sixty infected people and no history of travel outside the UK were traced, and it was found that study participants who purchased ham and/or sausages from 'Supermarket X' were more likely to have the infection.

Imported pork infects 150,000 to 200,000 people a year with HEV in the UK, the study estimated.

WHAT IS HEPATITIS E? Hepatitis E is generally a mild and short-term infection that doesn't require any treatment, but it can be serious. Symptoms range from tiredness to liver failure. In rare cases, it can prove fatal, particularly in pregnant women or those with a weakened immune system. Normally the infection will clear by itself. But the virus can result in a persistent infection which in turn can cause chronic inflammation of the liver. The number of cases in Europe has increased in recent years and it's now the most common cause of short-term hepatitis in the UK. There is no vaccine for hepatitis E. Source: NHS.uk and gov.uk Advertisement

Authors of the report, who include Bengu Said and Professor Richard Tedder, said the nature of the infection is 'dynamic' and have called for complex animal husbandry practices involved in meat production to be explored further.

Professor Tedder told the Sunday Times: 'Something appears to have changed in animal husbandry so too many pigs are infected at slaughter. This is a problem for meat producers and all retailers, not just one.'

HEV usually produces mild symptoms but in rare cases it can prove fatal, particularly in pregnant women or those with suppressed immune systems.

Some 85 per cent of British pigs are known to be anti-HEV antibody positive, so infected products from places such as Holland and Germany are thought to be the cause.

A Tesco spokesperson said: 'Tesco welcomes PHE's statement that recognises Tesco products were not the cause of the hepatitis E infections in its research.

'The sausages on sale at Tesco at the time of the research were sourced from the UK and continue to be today.

'We do of course recognise the risk of hepatitis E in pork and work very closely with farmers, suppliers, PHE, FSA and the industry to reduce its risk.

'We also provide customers with easy to follow advice on the packaging of all our pork products setting out how to handle it safely and cook it thoroughly.'
The mayor of Florence has apologised after yelling 'Allahu Akbar' as a joke at the end of a meeting with the mayor of Venice.

Dario Nardella said it was 'not my intention to cause offence' after the remark provoked anger online after it was caught on video then circulated on social media.

His Venetian counterpart, Luigi Brugnaro had said that anybody caught yelling 'Allahu Akbar' in the city would be shot, to which Mr Nardella repeated the phrase for laughs.

Florence Mayor Dario Nadella (left) has apologised after shouting 'Allahu Akbar' at his Venetian counterpart Luigi Brugnaro (right) after a meeting during which the two discussed terrorism

Mr Nardella had been at a meeting with Mr Brugnaro in the city of Rimini on Tuesday when the pair discussed the issue of terrorism.

'A year ago, I said (they'd be shot) after four steps, now I'm saying it would happen after three,' Mr Brugnaro said according to a translation by The Telegraph.

After the meeting was over, Mr Nardella was leaving when Mr Brugano ran up and grabbed him, at which point he shouted the phrase - which means God is greatest in Arabic and is often shouted by terrorists during attacks.

The two men then shared a laugh about the moment alongside aides who were walking along with them.

However, not everybody found the moment so amusing, prompting Mr Nadella to issue an apology.

Nardella was caught on video making the joke, which then caused upset on social media and prompted him to issue the apology

Viewers criticsed the remark for being insensitive and offensive coming just six days after 15 people were killed in terror attacks in Spain.

Writing on Facebook, he said: 'I apologize for some remarks in an online video.

'It was not my intention to offend anyone, not least the Muslim community, nor to joke about its religion, nor to evoke the tragic events of recent days.

'In fact, during that video, I distance myself from the statement by my colleague Brugnaro about Muslim during his speech at the meeting in Rimini.

'Anyone who knows me and knows my administration knows how to speak with all religious communities, including the moderate Muslim one.'
Delores Amorino, 40 (pictured), and her daughter, Sarah, 17, face multiple charges including assault after abusing Delores' mother over the volume of a football game on the radio

Authorities say a senior citizen's daughter and granddaughter beat her and shaved her head because they thought she was listening to the Pittsburgh Steelers' game too loudly on the radio.

State police told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Delores Amorino, 40, and her 17-year-old daughter, Sarah, turned down the TV volume when the unnamed, grandmother was watching Sunday's preseason game in the Youngwood, Pennsylvania home they share.

The older woman, said to be in her 70s, then went into her bedroom, locked the door and turned on the radio so she could listen to the rest of the Steelers v. Atlanta Falcons game.

Police say Delores and Sarah broke through the door and assaulted the grandmother.

In a court document, a trooper said that the grandmother's abuse likely began on Sunday and continued into Monday.

According to the trooper, the grandmother told him that Sarah hit her in the face with a metal-handled broom, while Delores twisted her arm and stomped on her foot on Sunday.

The woman was reportedly also hit in the chest and the back of the head with the broom.

Then, on Monday, Sarah allegedly shaved her grandmother's head, using scissors and a shaver, before choking her with both her hands and a scarf. At one point, the trooper said, Sarah pulled on the scarf while it was tied around her grandmother's neck and told her to, 'come here puppy.'

The unnamed grandmother was choked and had her head shaved by her daughter and granddaughter because she locked herself in her bedroom and was playing Sunday's Steelers v. Falcons game (pictured) on the radio too loudly

Among the older woman's injuries were a bruised and fat lip; bruising and swelling on her forearm, face and chest; bruising on her stomach, the backs of her lower legs and injury to her neck.

The trooper said in the court document that the grandmother was told that any efforts she made to try to leave the home to get help would result in her being beaten again. It is unclear how authorities managed to discover that the woman was being abused by her daughter and granddaughter.

Delores and Sarah were arraigned on Wednesday and are scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on September 1.

They have been charged with aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, strangulation, terroristic threats, false imprisonment and harassment, among other charges.

Sarah is being charged as an adult, but is being held in a juvenile facility. Delores is in county jail. Both women have $200,000 bonds.
Boris Johnson today announced 9million of aid for Libya as he pledged Britain's support to stop the war-torn country becoming a 'fertile ground for terrorists'.

The Foreign Secretary said the extra cash will help fund the removal of improvised explosives and landmines and pay for food and medicine for Libyans.

He said the measures will help in the battle to bring stability to the country which has been in the throws of civil war since Muammar Gadaffi's death in 2011.

It comes after the Libyan Prime Minister warned Europe is at growing risk from ISIS terrorists unless it does more to help the country stem the massive tide of immigrants.

Faiez Serraj said murderous jihadis are among the tens of thousands of migrants passing through his country's borders determined to head for Europe.

His stark warning comes after terror attacks in Barcelona and Finland last week left 17 dead.

Boris Johnson met with members of the Libyan coastguard as he visited Tripoli today. he announced 9million worth of aid for the war-torn country

The Foreign Secretary, pictured meeting the LIbya coastguard today, said the country is 'on the frontline' of problems which if they go unchecked could increase the UK terror threat

The Foreign Secretary met with Libya's Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj (pictured right) and Libya's foreign minister Mohamed Taha Siala for talks during his visit

Speaking from Tripoli today, Mr Johnson said: 'Libya is the front line for many challenges which left unchecked can pose problems for us in the UK - particularly illegal migration and the threat from terrorism.'

'That's why it is so important that we work with the Libyan government and our partners to help bring stability to Libya, stopping it from becoming a fertile ground for terrorists, gun runners and people traffickers in close proximity to Europe.

'This means supporting the new UN Representative and the political process.

'But it also means practical efforts too  including the new kit we are providing to make Sirte safer for Libyans and the work we are doing to ensure that the Libyan coastguard can secure their own borders, reducing the number of illegal migrants heading for Europe.'

The money includes 3 million to remove improvised explosive devices from Sirte, following the success in pushing ISIS out of the city earlier this year.

Another 1million will fund demining training across Libya, including in Sirte and Benghazi.

While 1million to help rebuild critical infrastructure and restore basic public services and 2.75 million to support womens participation in peacemaking and rebuilding Libya.

Boris Johnson joined the British ambassador to Libya Peter Millett in helping to hoist the union jack flag on the spot where the former British embassy building was destroyed in Tripoli

Boris Johnson, pictured with the Libyan foreign minister Mohamed al-Taher Siala, also spoke to the government about what more the UK can do to help the UN-backed peace process

Another 1.29 million of new UK aid funding over the next two years to provide people with desperately needed food and medicine.

The package of aid announced by Mr Johnson following talks with the Libyan Prime Minister.

The pair talked about what more the UK could do to support Mr Al-Serraj's Government of National Accord and the UN-led peace and stabilisation process.

Ahead of Mr Johnson's visit, Mr Al-Serraj warned that would-be terrorists could be entering Europe among the tens of thousands of migrants making the perilous Mediterranean crossing,

He told The Times: 'When migrants reach Europe, they will move freely.

'If, God forbid, there are terrorist elements among the migrants, a result of any incident will affect all of the EU.'

He added: 'The EU must do more to us help face smuggling. We can't put the burden on Libya and Italy alone as it is important for all of Europe.'

Mr Johnson also met members of the Libyan Naval Coastguard to hear about their UK training in search and rescue, boarding and inspecting vessels, human rights and the treatment of migrants.

Libya's prime minister has warned the EU that terrorists could be among tens of thousands of migrants entering the country as a means to get to Europe. Pictured are migrants at the Illegal Immigration Authority in Tripoli. There is no suggestion anyone pictured is involved in terrorism

His visit followed talks in Tunisia on Tuesday with UN Special Representative Ghassan Salame, whose recent appointment was hailed by the UK as an opportunity to break the political deadlock in Libya.

Mr Johnson also met Tunisia's tourism minister to discuss moves to strengthen security and economic ties.

It comes after the Foreign Office's decision to lift advice against travel to the country introduced after the 2015 Sousse beach massacre, which left 30 Britons dead.

The Foreign Secretary also visited the Bardo Museum in Tunis, to pay his respects those who died in a terrorist attack in 2015.

Mr Johnson said: 'Tunisian security improvements, supported in part through UK assistance, meant we could change our travel advice last month.

'The UK is a steadfast partner for Tunisia in building its prosperity and security and combating terrorism, and I look forward to even stronger ties between us.'

Faiez Serraj called on the EU to help Libya secure its border and prevent more migrants passing through in a bid to reach Italy. Pictured are migrants after they were rescued from the Mediterranean Sea earlier this month off the coast of Libya

Almost 100,000 migrants have left Libya for Italy so far in 2017 and around 700,000 more are believed to still be in the north African country.

Meanwhile anti-migrant feeling is on the rise in Italy where the Five star Movement, which campaigns against allowing migrants into the country, is expected to strongly challenge the Democratic Party currently in power at elections next year.

Luigi Di Maio, who is expected to run as Five Star's candidate for prime minister, told The Times Italy was becoming a 'refugee camp'

He said: 'We have ten million Italians living in poverty, while migrants are being given 38 a day to live. It's a pressure cooker that could explode.'

Meanwhile Italy's foreign minister Angelino Alfano has claimed the country has been 'abandoned' by the EU over the migrant crisis and said 'Italy cannot cope with the burden alone'.

Mr Serraj said Libya and Italy 'could not face the burden alone' and will present a plan to the EU to try to deal with the crisis which includes allowing its coastguard to be 'better armed'

The abuse migrants who make the journey are being subjected to coupled with the potential terror threat make The Times special investigation doubly worrying.

Once they get to Libya, having travelled largely from the Middle East and other parts of Africa, many fall into the dangerous hands of gangs who keep them as slaves.

Male migrants are forced into back-breaking labour while the women are kept as sex slaves, and the majority are tortured in an attempt to squeeze ransom money from the prisoners' families, according to The Times.

Women who refuse to go into forced prostitution, without seeing a penny of what they earn, are repeatedly gang-raped by groups of up to eight men.

Groups of human traffickers pay as little as 550 for a person, and they are herded like cattle in their hundreds across the country in water tanks convoys protected by 150 militants with sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles.

The end goal for the majority is to escape the brutality for mainland Europe, initially Italy, by jumping into dinghys and crossing the Mediterranean.

Migrants jump into the Mediterranean sea from their overcrowded boat in August last year. Many die making the perilous crossing, while there are fears that ISIS jihadis determined to murder Westerners could be hidden among the massive wave of migrants heading for Europe

As a result, the anti-migrant Five Star Movement has pulled up level with the Democratic Party ahead of the elections next year.

Other parties with an anti-immigration stance have also seen a rise in the polls with the 200,000 places in Italian refugee centres already full.

In an attempt to combat the crisis, Serraj's five-point plan includes securing the southern border of Libya in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants from the rest of Africa.

Also in the plan is to lift a UN arms embargo so that the coastguard can be more effective and putting more pressure on other African nations to take back migrants.

Armed group stopping migrant boats setting off across the Mediterranean sparks sudden drop in departures this month

An armed group is stopping migrant boats from setting off across the Mediterranean from a city west of Tripoli that has been a springboard for people smugglers, causing a sudden drop in departures over the past month, sources in the area said.

The revelation throws new light on the sharp reduction in migrant arrivals from Italy, which took over from the Aegean route as the main focus of European concerns in the crisis.

Arrivals in Italy from North Africa, the main route for migration to Europe this year, dropped by more than 50 percent in July from a year earlier, and August arrivals so far are down even further. July and August are peak months for migrant boats because of favourable sea conditions.

Sources in Sabratha, 70 km (45 miles) west of the capital, said the sudden drop had been caused by a new force in the seaside city, which is preventing migrants from leaving, often by locking them up.

The group in Sabratha 'works on the ground, the beach, to prevent the migrants leaving on boats towards Italy,' said a civil society organiser from the city, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Migrants sit at the port of Tarifa, southern Spain, as they wait to be transported to a police station in Algeciras after being rescued in the Strait of Gibraltar, Wednesday, August 16, 2017

The group is made up of several hundred 'civilians, policemen, army figures,' he said. It is conducting a 'very strong campaign' that was launched by a 'former mafia boss', said a second Sabratha source who follows smuggling activity closely.

A third source with contacts in Libya, who also asked not to be named, said the Sabratha group was making 'a significant effort to police the area'.

The two Sabratha sources said the group was running a detention centre for migrants who are turned back or taken from smugglers.

One sent a picture of hundreds of migrants sitting in the sand in front of a high wall.

One of the sources said he thought the group was seeking legitimacy and financial support from Tripoli, where European states have tried to partner with a U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) to stem migrant flows.

An official from the interior ministry's department for combating illegal migration in Sabratha did not respond to a request for comment.

It was not possible to contact the group, which the third source said was called Brigade 48, although other sources did not confirm this.

Italy has been trying to bolster the GNA's ability to stop people smuggling with cash, training and by sending a ship to help repair Tripoli's coastguard and navy vessels.

Some 600,000 migrants have reached Italy by sea from North Africa since 2014, testing the country's ability to cope. More than 12,000 have died trying.

Some 600,000 migrants have reached Italy by sea from North Africa since 2014, testing the country's ability to cope. More than 12,000 have died trying. Pictured here, Civil guard members carry an injured migrant to an ambulance at the port of Tarifa, southern Spain, after being rescued with others in the Strait of Gibraltar

Most leave from Libya's western coast. Following a local backlash against smugglers in Zuwara in the west in 2015, Sabratha became the most frequently used departure point.

Italy wants to replicate a deal with Libya that the EU struck with Turkey last year, largely shutting down the migrant route through Greece and the Balkans.

With a national election looming during the first half of next year, the government in Rome is under pressure to show it can stop, or at least slow, migration.

But any progress in Libya is likely to be fragile, with the country in a state of conflict since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted six years ago. Rival governments are vying for power and local militias battle each other for territory and smuggling profits.

Last week Italy seized on the drop in arrivals, with Interior Minister Marco Minniti saying he saw a 'light at the end of the tunnel'.

Migrants rescued last week in the Mediterranean confirmed that conditions had changed in Sabratha, according to a spokesman at the International Organization for Migration, which interviewed migrants who arrived in Trapani, Sicily, on Saturday.

Refugees and migrants are seen swimming and yelling for assistance from crew members from the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) 'Phoenix' vessel after a wooden boat bound for Italy carrying more than 500 people capsized on May 24, 2017 off Lampedusa, Italy

'They said that it was very difficult to depart from Sabratha.

'There are people stopping the boats before they set out, and if they get out to sea they're immediately sent back,' said Flavio Di Giacomo, an IOM spokesman in Rome.

Some migrants were also turned back before reaching Sabratha, he said.

The European Union's border control agency Frontex last week said 'clashes in Sabratha' contributed to July's decline, also citing changeable weather and increased Libyan coastguard presence.

The Sabratha sources were not aware of any clashes.

Another shift in recent weeks has been a clampdown on smuggling of Bangladeshi and North African migrants through Tripoli's Mitiga airport, after a militia that controlled the trade was forced out by a GNA-aligned armed group at the start of July, Libyan and European officials said.

But that, like a slowing of flows into Libya through Niger, might take time to take effect. Hundreds of thousands of migrants are already in Libya.

In Sabratha, the changes may not stick.

In the past, with no central authority to constrain them, smugglers have adapted and routes have shifted, as already is happening.

Last week smugglers moved departures to east of Tripoli, near Al Khoms, Chris Catrambone, co-founder of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) charity, told Reuters. Three large rubber boats set out from the east, he said, while only a small boat with 26 people was found west of Tripoli.

'The sea was like a lake last week and yet there were few boats,' Catrambone said.

Everyone on the Phoenix, a rescue vessel operated by MOAS, was taken aback because it was so unusual, he said.

The GNA has little control over armed groups in western Libya, including the capital, and none over factions that control the east of the country.

The civil society member from Sabratha said the new group there might stop working if it does not receive support from Tripoli.

The power of the smuggling networks would not be broken until there was a 'legitimate source of order' in Libya, said a senior diplomat, speaking of the change in Tripoli airport and comparing the situation to broken vase.

'In one corner we stuck it together, but everything else is in pieces.'
A shocking home-security video has been released showing a California man ramming into his landlord with a pick-up truck.

Stephen Maciel, 26, was arrested for allegedly running over his landlord of one week during a money dispute.

In the video, a white pick-up truck is seen going down a driveway towards a man, believed to be Maciel's landlord.

He appears to be speaking with the driver through the window, before the truck suddenly jolts forward and rams into a fence as the victim tries to flee.

San Jose Police Lieutenant Mike Sullivan said the victim was knocked back and suffered 'a severe leg injury'.

Stephen Maciel, 26, was arrested for allegedly running his landlord over with a pick-up truck

According to police, Maciel was a tenant for just one week and the dispute was over money

There were gun shots fired which alerted police to the scene, though they are not heard or seen in the video

The white pick-up truck Maciel was driving was reported stolen and had bullet holes on the outside with shell-casings on the inside

Not seen or heard in the video are shots that were fired which alerted police to the scene.

Maciel sped off and drove four miles, where witnesses say he appeared bloodied and shirtless with a wound on his hand and said he was shot.

San Jose police said residents helped Maciel bandage his wounds and called 911.

Dispatchers realized he was the same suspect from the pick-up truck, which was reported stolen and had bullet holes on the outside and empty shell casings inside.

Sullivan told The Mercury News that dispatch did a great job piecing it together. 'They made it safer for us and the community. We went from looking for a victim to looking for a dangerous felon.'

Maciel ran off upon seeing police and went inside a home through the garage where he remained for a nine-hour standoff.

SWAT officers joined San Jose police because the suspect was believed to be armed.

They spent hours trying to make contact with the him, using flash-bang grenades and a police robot to flesh him out.

A nearby elementary school was even put on lock-down until staff released the students from the back exit of the school.

Schallenberger Elementary School (pictured) was put on lock-down during the stand-off. The lock-down lasted until the students were released from a back exit of the school

Sullivan said: 'Eventually they had to do a slow search of the house. Sometime after 10pm they found him inside.'

After police went room-by-room, they found the suspect asleep in a bedroom. He had apparently drank one of the homeowner's beers and was arrested without struggle.

Maciel was booked into the Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, driving a stolen vehicle, and obstructing or delaying police officers, and was also wanted on an arrest warrant for fraud-related crimes, according to police.

The landlord is believed to be in stable condition and his identity is not confirmed.
Howard University students will be greeted back to school next month by one of the most famous faces in the current political world, that of ex-FBI Director James Comey.

The historically black university announced Wednesday that Comey would be the school's Opening Convocation keynote speaker and would be delivering a lecture series throughout the year.

That honor, the Gwendolyn S. and Colbert I. King Endowed Chair in Public Policy, comes with a $100,000 salary, which Comey has already committed to giving back.

Scroll down for video

Former FBI Director James Comey has accepted a part-time position at Howard University this year, where he'll be delivering a series of lectures

James Comey will work at the historically black college, Howard University, located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

He'll put the money toward scholarships for students coming from an upbringing in foster homes.

Comey won't be hurting for cash, as he signed a $2 million book deal with publisher Flatiron Books of New York, a division of Macmillan, earlier this month.

Other then that, the Howard University part-time position is the first work Comey's announced since being fired from his position at the FBI by President Trump on May 9.

A month later, on June 8, Comey came to Capitol Hill to testify before Congress on his dismissal, though hasn't spoken out publicly since.

Comey's first address, to the entire student body, will take place on September 22.

The school is located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

'I am pleased to welcome Mr. Comey to Howard,' the university's president Wayne A.I. Frederick said in a release. 'His experience and understanding of the challenges we continue to face today will go a long way in sparking rich discussion and advancing meaningful debate across campus.'

Soon after, he'll start his lecture series, the subject of which will be decided after the ex-FBI chief converses with student leaders and other campus stakeholders, the release said.

As part of that, he'll address Howard's students five times.

'I am honored to hold the King Chair this school year,' Comey said in a statement. 'Howard has a longstanding history of being a vibrant academic community and the perfect place to have rich dialogue on many of the most pressing issue we face today.'

'I look forward to contributing to this remarkable institution and engaging students and faculty alike,' he added.

Comey became a controversial figure in American politics last year over decisions he made in the handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation.

Clinton, herself, assigned Comey some of the blame for her loss in the presidential election.

This year, Comey's notoriety was heightened by his high-profile firing by the president, with questions swirling over whether it had to do with the FBI boss' handling of the probe into Russian meddling and connections to the Trump campaign.

Comey wasn't the only ex-official in Trump's orbit to take an academic position this week.

Mike Dubke, the president's first communications director, who kept a very low profile, will be a fall fellow at Georgetown's Institute of Politics and Public Service.
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A bizarre Japanese tourism advert filled with explicit innuendos has been pulled for being 'too sexy.'

The video, uploaded to YouTube in July, was intended to promote the Miyagi Prefecture, around 200 miles north of Tokyo.

The strange clip shows the actress Mitsu Dan - who is known for playing sexually provocative roles - wearing a kimono and caressing the head of a large rice ball mascot.

She says to the character, 'Miyagi, I-cha-u?' which can be interpreted as 'let's go to Miyagi,' however, the word 'ichau' also means 'to ejaculate,' according to IBT.

In a later scene, the model and actress can be seen riding on the back of a flying turtle after asking, 'Can I get on top of you?'

The turtle blushes and its head grows in size. In Japanese, the word for 'turtle head'  'kamegashira'  can also be read as 'glans' in English.

The clip, which has been viewed more than 4 million times, has so far received hundreds of complaints.

A bizarre Japanese tourism advert filled with explicit innuendos has been pulled for being 'too sexy'

The video, uploaded to YouTube in July, was intended to promote the Miyagi Prefecture, around 200 miles north of Tokyo

The local government has agreed to pull the video after the backlash.

'We need to be considerate toward those who are unhappy and have negative feelings about it,' said Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai, according to South China Morning Post.

He added: 'But I have no doubt the video played its role of attracting visitors to Miyagi prefecture.'

The strange clip shows the actress Mitsu Dan - who is known for playing sexually provocative roles - wearing a kimono and caressing the head of a large rice ball mascot
A New Jersey man facing a second trial for allegedly killing his 3-year-old son out of fear that his teenage girlfriend would leave him pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated manslaughter.

David 'DJ' Creato Jr's plea came just weeks before he was due to stand trial again on murder charges.

He admitted in court that he 'recklessly caused his son's death under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life by depriving Brendan of oxygen.'

Surprise plea deal: David 'DJ' Creato Jr, 23 (pictured in May, left), on Wednesday pleaded guilty aggravated manslaughter in the 2015 death of his son, Brendan (right)

Stumbling block: Prosecutors said Creato killed Brendan because the toddler had become an impediment in his relationship with his then-17-year-old girlfriend

Camden County prosecutors will recommend Creato, 23, receive a 10-year prison term when he's sentenced September 29.

Prosecutors have said Creato killed his son, Brendan Creato, in 2015 because the toddler had become an impediment in his relationship with his then-17-year-old girlfriend, who was away at college.

She had made it clear she didn't want to be around his son and wanted him to give up custody.

The girlfriend, who is now 19 years old, was never charged in Brendan's death and the couple has since broken up.

Creato had maintained that his son wandered away from his Haddon Township home on October 13, 2015. The father called 911 around 6am to report the toddler missing.

Brendan's mother, Samantha Denoto (pictured together) were on hand during Wednesday's plea hearing

The boy's body dressed in a pajama, neon green socks and Mickey Mouse slippers, was found hours later in a wooded area by the Cooper River, about a mile from the home.

During the first murder trial, which ended in a mistrial in May when jurors could not reach a verdict, Camden County prosecutors said the boy's socks were clean, which would be impossible if he had wandered away from home and walked over mud and dirt.

A medical examiner had testified Brendan died from 'homicidal violence' but couldn't determine where or when the death had occurred.

Brendan's brain showed an abnormality consistent with oxygen deprivation that can be caused by asphyxiation, drowning or strangulation, but it couldn't be determined which of those led to his death.

Brendan's mother, Samantha Denoto, and other relatives were on hand during Wednesday's plea hearing.
The first vice president of the European Commission has attacked nationalism, saying the ideology makes countries weaker, poorer, and morally insecure.

Frans Timmermans compared the ideology and what he called its 'Siamese twin' of protectionism to alcohol dependency, saying they create 'a short period of exaltation followed by a long period of headaches.'

While striding through war graves in Europe, Mr Timmermans argued that nationalists cannot be true patriots because they undermine their home countries.

Frans Timmermans, the first vice president of the European Commission, launched a scathing attacking on nationalism, saying it makes countries 'weak'

Mr Timmermans released the video to commemorate Black Ribbon Day, which remembers the victims of totalitarian regimes in Europe.

He posted the video message to Facebook, along with the caption: 'European cooperation, patriotism and our values make us who we are.

'Let's reject extreme nationalism which weakens member states individually and collectively.

'Nationalists are un-patriotic. A true patriot is proud of his nation, needs unity, openness, cooperation with others, the strength found in compromise and debate.

Mr Timmermans, who was commemorating European victims of totalitarian regimes, said nationalists could never be true patriots

'Today, on the European Day of remembrance for victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, I want to send a clear message that to be a patriot is to be European, to be European is to be a patriot.'

A spokesman for the commission later had to clarify that Mr Timmermans had not been talking directly about Brexit.

Earlier in the day it was revealed that European courts could have jurisdiction over the UK for three years under a transitional arrangement following Britain's departure from the EU.

The deal was exposed despite Prime Minister Theresa May championing the Conservative pledge to take back control of British law after Brexit.

The proposal was contained in a paper laying out possible options for Britain's future legal relationship with the European Union after March 2019.
An 18-year-old has been arrested after police say he blew up his mother's new apartment so they wouldn't have to move.

The teen, who hasn't been named, was arrested on Tuesday the day after a huge blaze broke out in an apartment in the north German town of Velen.

Police say he covered the flat in gasoline before setting it alight, causing an explosion which destroyed five other homes and two shops.

An 18-yer-old boy has been arrested after police say he covered an apartment in this building in north Germany with gasoline and then set it on fire on Monday

The ensuing blaze caused an explosion which destroyed six apartments and two shops, caused 1million euros worth of damage, and took 65 firefighters to put out

A 69-year-old woman, who lived in one of those homes, had to be taken to hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation, Westfalische Nachrichten reports.

In total 65 firefighters from four districts were needed to extinguish the blaze, which started on Monday morning.

Police say the boy torched the apartment because he did not want to move there from his old home in Borken, located a 15 minute drive away.

He was tracked down after witnesses described seeing him leave the scene in a car.

Police arrested the boy after tracking down the vehicle, and say he gave contradictory statements when questioned and could not explain what he had been doing at the property.

The teen has now been charged with attempted murder, arson, grievous bodily harm and setting an explosion over the fire.

Witnesses told police they saw the teen leave the scene in a car. When officers caught up with him they say he failed to explain what he had been doing there
A State Department science envoy has left his post by tweeting out a resignation letter with the first letter of each paragraph spelling out the word 'I-M-P-E-A-C-H.'

Daniel Kammen follows a host of other members of President Donald Trump's advisory councils who resigned following the president's response to Charlottesville.

'Mr. President, I am resigning as Science Envoy. Your response to Charlottesville enables racism, sexism, & harms our country and planet,' wrote Kamen, an energy expert who runs the University of California at Berkeleyl's Renewable and Appropriate Energy Lab.

'I am resigning my position as Science Envoy,' Kammen's letter begins, getting the 'I' covered to begin his acrostic flourish.

Daniel Kammen tweeted out his resignation letter from a State Department science advisory post with a letter that spelled out 'I-M-P-E-A-C-H'

'My decision to resign is in response to your attacks on core values of the United States,' he continues.

Subsequent paragraphs spell out a 'pattern' of behavior of sexism and racism. Together, the first sentence of each paragraph spells out a IMPEACH  the political remedy where the House and Senate can remove a sitting president from office.

The letter also notes Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement.

'Your actions to date have, sadly, harmed the quality of life in the United States, our standing abroad, and the sustainability of the planet,' Kammen wrote.

According to the State Department, science envoys 'leverage their expertise and networks to forge connections and identify opportunities for sustained international cooperation. Science Envoys focus on issues of common interest in science, technology, and engineering fields and usually serve for one year.'

Kammen's letter sent a subtle message to President Trump, who has faced a raft of resignations from outside advisors following his Charlottesville remarks

Trump mocked critics and the media who scrutinized his comments about a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville

Kammen's departure follows other presidential advisors who have called it quits since Trump's comment on Charlottesville, where he mentioned violence on 'many sides' and said there were 'very fine people' at a white supremacist rally protesting the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue.

Earlier this month, Trump's arts and humanities council resigned with a letter that spelled out 'R-E-S-I-S-T.'

Trump disbanded his business and advisory councils earlier this month after CEOs began to quit in protest.

Thank you all! he wrote in a tweet announcing the move, which preempted one of the councils decision to disband on its own.
Louise Linton is drawing comparisons to Marie Antoinette after casually engaging in a bit of class warfare while attacking a working-class mother on social media earlier this week.

And it seems that the role of a French royal is one that Linton was born to play, with the still-floundering actress actually landing a part as a French tutor who plays Marie Antoinette in a 2007 episode of 'CSI: NY.'

It was a brief performance for Linton but a memorable one, with Shailene Woodley starring as a student who is tutored by Linton's character.

The student played by Woodley also portrays the executioner in the benefit play within the TV episode, and three minutes into the episode the actress who has fought for Native American rights at Standing Rock and protested President Trump at every turn gets to drag the wife of the sitting Treasury Secretary to the guillotine and chop off her head.

Linton's character dies at that exact moment, not from the blade though but as a result of being poisoned in a plot that was set in motion by Woodley's character.

A rep for Woodley did not respond to a request for comment about filming that 2007 episode and Linton's Instagram comments.

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Method acting: Louise Linton played a French tutor who was portraying Marie Antoinette in a benefit performance on a 2007 episode of 'CSI' (above)

Taking a stand: That episode also starred a then-15-year-old Shailene Woodley (above) as the tutor's student who in the benefit played Marie's executioner

People over pipeline: Woodley, a vocal proponent of Bernie Sanders and opponent of President Trump, drags Linton's character to the guillotine three minutes into the episode

Hitting the dead ceilling: The mock beheading down not kill the tutor, who instead dies at that same moment after being poisoned as part of a plot put in motion by her student

The last queen to rule over France, Marie Antoinette lost her head at the start of the French Revolution after years of ignoring the concerns of her country's increasingly marginalized lower class citizens.

She was 37 at the time, and prior to that had led a life that was remarkably similar to Linton's over the years.

The two women both grew up in castles before leaving home and travelling to a new country, showing a love for jewels and theatrics in their adult years.

And soon after arriving in these strange new lands both women also married men who held high-ranking roles in the ruling class and were extraordinarily wealthy.

Those marriages were nothing alike however, with Marie's being an arranged union she did not consummate for the first seven years of the relationship.

Marie, 15, wed Louis XVI of France, also 15, in her first and only marriage while Linton, 36, took her second trip down the aisle when she said 'I do' to the twice-divorced Mnuchin this June.

Mnuchin, who at 54, is 18 years his wife's senior.

The newlyweds have been inseparable ever since their June wedding, and on Monday Linton accompanied her husband on a business trip, which she shared pictures of on Instagram.

She tagged her designer outfit in the post as well, a mix of high-end brands that included Tom Ford, Valentino, Roland Mouret and Hermes.

'Great #daytrip to #Kentucky! Ms. Linton, 36, wrote under the photograph. She then added hashtags for various pieces of her expensive wardrobe, listing #rolandmouret, #hermesscarf, #tomford and #valentino,' wrote Linton.

Star search: A rep for Woodley did not respond to a request for comment about filming that 2007 episode and Linton's Instagram comments

Activist activated: Woodley would go on to star in the hit films Divergent and The fault in Our Stars

DOA: Linton has landed scattered roles in a handful of little-seen productions over the course of her decade-long career

Unadorable: Linton shared a scene with Oscar-nominee Gary Sinise in the episode

Linton's decision to flaunt her wealth and husband's government position did not sit well with some however, including mother-of-three Jennifer Miller who wrote in the comments: 'Glad we could pay for your little getaway. #deplorable.'

Then, in a 'let them eat cake' moment for the 21st century, Linton responded by openly mocking Miller's financial situation and suggesting and her Mnuchin were more valued members of society because of their wealth.

'Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband?' asked Linton in response to Miller's comment.

'Either as an individual earner in taxes OR in self sacrifice to your country?'

A statement was later released by a spokesperson for Mnuchin, which said: 'The Mnuchins are reimbursing the government for [Linton's] travel, and she does not receive compensation for products she mentions.'

That was enough to satisfy Miller, who said of the White House's response: 'I'm actually glad. I'm glad that, you know, they are reimbursing all of us, the government, the taxpayers for this trip that she used to advertise for brands that, I don't know, if her friends own them or what.'

Let them eat my rock-studded Valentino heels: Linton, 36, has been getting compared to the infamous French queen following the comments she made to a working-class mother on three on Instagram

Deploring from a distance: 'Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband?' asked Linton in response to Jennifer Miller's comment (Miller above on CNN Tuesday)

Playhouse soild seperately: The Scotish-born wife of Treasury Secretary, 36, seemed to suggest and she her spouse were more important citizens since they made more money

Linton made her Instagram private on Tuesday and released her own statement, saying:'I apologize for my post on social media yesterday as well as my response. It was inappropriate and highly insensitive.'

Miller meanwhile still seemed to be in disbelief that her comment had resulted in a this very public feud.

'Honestly, it was probably just a weak moment for me,' said an incredibly composed and well-spoken Miller on Tuesday in an interview with CNN.

'I was frustrated already by some stories I had just read about the Secret Service running out of overtime money because of the excesses of the administration's travel schedule, and then saw this woman who I didn't know who she was.'

Miller continued: 'I knew who the Treasury Secretary was, so I assumed it was his wife, getting off of a government plane for what I assumed was a government trip and basically advertising for all of these European, you know, high-end brands that your average person couldn't afford.

She went on to add that it was even worse because it had been done in Kentucky, which is 'one of the poorest states in our country.'

The actress has several other credits to her name. She walked in a charity fashion show in 2010, left, and attended a DVD release party for her film She Wants Me in 2012
A Texas couple will receive $3.4million from the state for being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for more than two decades on prosecutors' claims that they sexually abused children as part of satanic rituals at the day care they operated.

Dan Keller, 75, and his 67-year-old wife Fran learned on Tuesday that they'll receive the seven-figure compensation from a state fund for the wrongly convicted.

A judge in June approved a request from Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore for a declaration of innocence for the Kellers.

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Compensated: Dan Keller, 75, and his 67-year-old wife Fran learned on Tuesday (pictured) that they'll receive $3.4million from the state for being wrongfully convicted of satanist child abuse

Fran Keller (pictured in foreground in 1992) and husband Dan (seen behind her), were convicted of sexually abusing a toddler at their day care and sentenced to 48 years in prison

The married couple, who purportedly have been struggling to makes ends meet ever since they were released from prison in 2013, are planning to use the multimillion-dollar payout to buy a house, a car and health insurance policies.

'This means we dont have to worry about pinching pennies on Social Security and late bills, an overjoyed Mrs Keller told The Austin-American Statesman on Tuesday. It means we will actually be free. We can start living, and no more nightmares.'

Their long-time defense lawyer Keith Hampton, who has been working on their case for years on a pro bono basis, said in an email to KXAN he is very happy for the Kellers, who will no longer have to fear homelessness and can now look forward to living out their days 'in peace and quiet.'

Dan and Fran Keller were found guilty in 1992 of sexually assaulting a 3-year-old girl after children in their day care told investigators of dismembered babies, tortured pets and other tall tales.

Dan and Fran were ultimately freed in 2013 after the Texas County of Criminal Appeals found a doctor was mistaken in determining there was physical evidence of assault.

Vindicated: The Kellers were ultimately freed in 2013 after the Texas County of Criminal Appeals found a doctor was mistaken in determining there was physical evidence of assault

The appeals court ruled the doctor's testimony during the Kellers' trial was false. The physician himself also had recanted.

Judge Browns determination of outright innocence has made Dan and Fran Keller each eligible for $80,000 in compensation for every year they were wrongfully imprisoned, which amounts to about $1.7million apiece, for a total of $3.4million.

'It seems like we can breathe again,' Fran told Austin American Statesman in June. 'We can go out without having to worry about people recognizing us in the grocery store.'

Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore told The Associated Press her office had to review the evidence that remained in the case after removing the false testimony.

We were left with the determination that there was not sufficient credible evidence upon which a reasonable juror could be expected to convict, she said.

Further bolstering the Kellers' case was an interview the victim provided in 2013 in which she acknowledged having no memory of being abused, Moore said.

Children made wild claims of abuse that occurred as part of satanic rituals at the day care the Kellers operated out of their three-bedroom South Austin home (pictured)

The couple was sentenced to 48 years in prison after three young children made wild claims of abuse that occurred as part of satanic rituals at the day care the Kellers operated out of their three-bedroom South Austin home.

Some of the young accusers claimed to have witnessed the husband and wife cut up babies, torture animals, including a gorilla at a local zoo, dig up and desecrate corpses in a graveyard, videotape orgies, serve Kool Aid mixed with blood, and even throw kids into a shark-infested pool, reported Fox 7 Austin.

No proof of such rituals was found, but the Kellers' attorney, Keith Hampton, said notorious claims of abuse at other day care centers nationally were part of a hysteria known as the 'satanic panic' that began in the 1980s about secretive cults targeting children.

Day care panic or the satanic panic began to occur and it reached a fever pitch around the time the Kellers were prosecuted, Hampton said. And like most hysterias, it thereafter died away.

Pro bono: Attorney Keith Hampton has been working on the Kellers' case for free for many years to get them exonerated

The couple had been convicted in 1992 after therapists testified that they helped the three alleged victim recover memories of satanic rituals and sexual abuse suffered at the hands of the Kellers.

However, an appeals court found that the only physical evidence came from Dr. Michael Mouw, a young emergency room physician who examined the 3-year-old accuser in 1991 and testified that internal lacerations on the child's hymen were evidence of abuse.

In court documents filed in 2013, Mouw acknowledged that what he had thought at the time were cuts were actually normal physiology.

That prompted prosecutors in Travis County to agree to release the Kellers on bond and to ask the courts to throw out their convictions.

'I forgave everybody,' Mr Keller said in 2013.

As they awaited their exoneration, the elderly couple struggled to piece their lives back together because of the stigma associated with their high-profile case.

'You cant get a job as a "child molester,"' said Mrs Keller. 'They wont even talk to you. Would you hire me? Would your neighbors hire me? Would you let me live next door to you and youve got kids? No you wouldnt. Nobody would.

Hampton, who has been working on the case for free, said Dan Keller, aged 75 and in poor health, and Fran Keller, 67, don't fault those who made allegations decades ago as young children. They instead appreciate the state compensation that will free them from financial struggle.
Wayne Lotter (pictured), who helped set up the PAMS Foundation, was shot dead in Tanzania last week

The Duke of Cambridge has condemned the killing of a wildlife conservationist as a 'senseless loss'.

Wayne Lotter was shot in the Masaki district of the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam on August 16.

He helped set up the PAMS Foundation in 2009, which backs conservation work in Tanzania and is credited with helping to arrest thousands of poachers and traffickers.

But his high-profile role in protecting endangered wildlife in Tanzania led to numerous death threats against himself and his family.

In a statement William, who has campaigned globally to end the illegal wildlife trade, said: 'Wayne Lotter's violent and apparently targeted murder shows just how dangerous the situation has become in relation to the big money that is associated with the illegal ivory and rhino horn trades.

'Rangers and conservationists put themselves in harm's way every day to stop organised criminals destroying Africa's natural resources.

'Governments and NGOs must win this fight for the sake of all of us, especially those in communities whose livelihoods are being plundered by murderous criminals.

Prince William paid tribute to Lotter and people like him who 'put themselves in harm's way every day to stop organised criminals destroying Africa's natural resources'

PAMS Foundation said Mr Lotter helped to train thousands of game scouts throughout Tanzania and developed an 'intelligence-based approach' to anti-poaching. Pictured: William helps rangers apply a tracking collar to a wild elephant

'My deepest condolences to Wayne's family and all those at PAMS Foundation for this senseless loss.'

The foundation said Tanzanian police are investigating.

The foundation said Mr Lotter helped to train thousands of game scouts throughout Tanzania and developed an 'intelligence-based approach' to anti-poaching that has had success in countering wildlife trafficking there.

He is survived by his widow and two daughters.

A vehicle drives past the crime scene marking the spot where Lotter, 51, was shot and killed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Poachers have killed tens of thousands of elephants in Tanzania in the past decade.

Mr Lotter had 23 years of professional experience in wildlife management, conservation and environmental management.

On Wednesday last week he landed at the airport of the capital Dar es Salaam and was being driven to his hotel when his car was forced off the road and into a ditch.

Two gunmen got out and shot him repeatedly in the head and body then stole his laptop which is believed to contain sensitive information about poachers.

Police say the fact that luggage and his wallet was left behind suggests that robbery was not a motive and that a price could have been put on his head.

William said: 'Governments and NGOs must win this fight for the sake of all of us, especially those in communities whose livelihoods are being plundered by murderous criminals.' Pictured: Wayne Lotter

He was remembered by friend and fellow leading conservationist Dr Jane Goodall as a 'hero' for the way he devoted his life to protecting Africa's wildlife in the face of stiff opposition and personal threats.

She said his anti-poaching efforts made a big difference in the fight to save Tanzania's elephants from the illegal ivory trade, adding: 'If this cowardly shooting was an attempt to bring the work of the PAMS Foundation to an end it will fail.

'Those who have been inspired by Wayne will fight on. But he will be sadly missed by so many.'

A memorial service is to be held in his home town of Nelspruit, South Africa on Saturday.
A huge fire has gutted a Poundland store - with 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters fighting the blaze at its peak.

Social media photos showed plumes of smoke billowing from the discount shop on Old Church Road, Chingford, while the roof of the flats above has caved in.

Police are treating the blaze as suspicious, with three suspects seen fleeing the area shortly after it broke out.

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This photo shows the gutted remains of the Poundland store in Chingford and is filmed from the rooftop

A huge fire erupted at the store earlier this evening, with 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters at the scene during the fire's peak

Social media photos showed fire and huge plumes of smoke billowing from the discount store on Old Church Road, Chingford

Jonathan Boyce, 37, described seeing smoke coming out of the shutters at 7pm as firefighters arrived.

As the flames grew, he heard tiles from the roof of the two-storey building, which also houses flats, falling onto the pavement.

He told MailOnline: 'About 40 minutes after the fire took hold, the roof of the building collapsed. I could hear roof tiles clattering onto the ground.

'There are so many firefighters here, I'd never seen so many. They kept putting water on the flames, but it wasn't making any difference at all.'

Describing the fire at 9.10pm, he added: 'Luckily there's no ambulance or anything like that. The flames seem to be dying down.'

All people inside the building have been accounted for and there are no casualties.

Jonathan Boyce, 37, described seeing smoke coming out of the shutters at 7pm as firefighters arrived. After around 40 minutes, the flames had taken hold

This image shows firefighters on an aerial ladder hosing down the roof of the discount store

Other witnesses described chaotic scenes.

Kerri McDonagh wrote on Twitter: 'Chingford is absolutely crazy right now. I hope no one has been hurt in the fire. Looks like it's not gonna be put out for a while.'

Mitchell Robinson wrote: 'Shop burning down at Chingford Mount! Pray there's no one in there Horrific!'

A Met Police spokesman said: 'Police on patrol in Waltham Forest came across a fire at a shop in Chingford Mount at 18:55pm.

'Officers, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade attended and found the store ablaze. At this early stage, there are no reported injuries.

'Nearby properties have been evacuated as a precaution. No arrests have been made.

'At this early stage, the fire is being treated as suspicious. Three suspects were seen to leave the area soon after the fire started.'

Anyone with information can contact police on 101.

It is not clear at the moment if anyone remained inside the building when it caught alight

Kerri McDonagh wrote on Twitter: 'Chingford is absolutely crazy right now. I hope no one has been hurt in the fire. Looks like it's not gonna be put out for a while'
craigslist: thailand jobs, apartments, for sale, services, community, and events

craigslist provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, services, local community, and events
A 13-year-old boy has been busted driving a car in Colorado with 25 pounds of meth inside.

The boy was behind the wheel of a Dodge Avenger when he was pulled over during a traffic stop on Interstate 70 in Fruita, just outside of Grand Junction, on Tuesday.

A Mesa County Sheriff's Office deputy said two adult passengers - German Michel-Arreola, 22, and Irene Michel-Arreola, 19 - were also in the car with the boy at the time.

The 13-year-old driver and his two passengers were caught with 23 packages of methamphetamine weighing 25 pounds in Colorado on Tuesday

During a search of the car, authorities found 23 packages containing a crystalline substance consistent with methamphetamine.

The boy and his two passengers were all arrested and charged with various felony drug charges including manufacturing, possession and distribution of the drug.

The 13-year-old also faces additional charges of failing to drive in a designated lane and driving without a valid driver's license.

Two adult passengers - German Michel-Arreola, 22, (left) and Irene Michel-Arreola, 19 (right) - were also in the car with the boy at the time

The boy is being held at the Grand Mesa Youth Services Center in Grand Junction.

His adult passengers are both being held in the Mesa County Detention Facility.

Authorities say the trio are all from Los Angeles.
An American blogger harassed the parents of children involved in discredited satanic paedophile ring allegations and posed outside their primary school saying he was armed with a knife, a court heard.

Rupert Quaintance, 38, a self-styled political activist and investigative journalist, allegedly posted a YouTube clip in which he warned he would: 'Kick down doors to take blood.'

He denies five counts of harassment by putting four mothers and a father of pupils at Christ Church Primary School in Hampstead, north west London, in fear of violence between February 1 and September 30 last year.

Organisational Management graduate Quaintance, travelled from his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, and was staying at an address in Erith, south east London where he was arrested on September 13 2016.

Rupert Quaintance (pictured) denies five counts of harassment and is on trial at Southwark Crown Court

Supporters allegedly financed the trip after hearing him on the 'American Freedom Radio' announcing: 'I don't want to kill them, just beat them up pretty good.'

One of the mother's told Southwark Crown Court: 'Things were put next to my daughter's name that were horrifying, her photo was all over the internet.

'I was petrified. This man's coming across quite violently, everything that comes out of his mouth is a violent attack.

'I have CCTV outside my house because my daughter has been identified. What do I do if I am seen outside with her? How do I keep her safe if he approaches me or comes to my house?

'My name was on the internet on a list of twenty parents and our addresses and he was coming to kick out doors down.'

The school photograph was posted by Quaintance on his Facebook page on the first day of term.

The mother added: 'I was putting everything in place to protect my child and he was just feet from the entrance to the school and said he had a knife on him.'

Martyn Bowyer, prosecuting, told the jury the father targeted by Quaintance was the parent of a girl, aged nine, and a boy, aged eight, known as 'P' and 'Q' who were at the centre of the allegations.

Quaintance uploaded a photograph of him outside the Christ Church Primary School on the first day of term

He said: 'The allegation was they were part of a large group of children in Hampstead, who had been sexually abused as part of a satanic cult in which there were human sacrifices and paedophile behaviour.

'At the centre of the allegation was Christ Church and the father of P and Q was said to be the head of this satanic cult.'

The children were taken into temporary care, but all the allegations were dismissed by a High Court judge in March, 2015, who heard evidence from police, doctors and social workers.

Quaintance has blogged and broadcast extensively on the case and under his Christ Church selfie photograph, posted: 'This is what my defiant face looks like.'

Mr Bowyer added: 'He gave the distinct impression he had in his possession a knife outside that school, but says it has all been a dreadful misunderstanding.

'He says it was an 'in joke' with a Facebook friend in the US and blamed differences in the cultures between the UK and USA.'

Police found Quaintance's Excel spreadsheet titled 'Cult Details' which had mostly blank columns headed with names, addresses, emails and phone numbers of parents, teachers and children.

The trial continues.
A Maryland man has stabbed to death a religious leader after he became convinced he was 'spiritually controlling' his wife.

Daniel Patrick Degoto, 41, told police he had used to car to run down Pastor Raphael Michael Happy-Ikenwilo, before finishing him off with a hunting knife.

Happy-Ikenwilo, of Maryland, was rushed to hospital with 'multiple deep lacerations to his head' but pronounced dead that afternoon on Saturday.

Daniel Patrick Degoto, 41, (left) told police he had used to car to run down Pastor Raphael Michael Happy-Ikenwilo, (right) before finishing him off with a hunting knife

Degoto has since been charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bail, WBALTV reports.

The 41-year-old, who turned himself in on Saturday, explained he'd attacked the pastor because he'd noticed a change in his wife Rosine since she started attending Rahamis Ministry-International Church last year.

Degoto thought Happy-Ikenwilo was 'spiritually controlling his wife's thoughts and actions,' according to charging documents.

'I tried to control it, but I can't control it,' he told police. 'It was too much. Today was the end of it. Something had to be done.'

Police said Degoto had dropped off his wife at Happy-Ikenwilo's Windsor Mill home (pictured) on Saturday morning but as the pastor was in the parking lot, taking items out of his trunk, Degoto ran him down

Degoto (left) thought Happy-Ikenwilo (right) was 'spiritually controlling his wife's thoughts and actions,' according to charging documents

'That's a terrible and horrible thing,' Frank House, another pastor who lives near the crime scene, told Fox.

'It's just a sad time we're living in right now. The value of life is just not seeming important. We have to see and realize all lives are important.'

Happy-Ikenwilo, who described himself as a 'prophet', came to the U.S. from Africa in 2012.

A fundraising page for his ministry says it's focus is 'the fulfillment of God's promise to heal the African continent and the black race.'

Happy-Ikenwilo believed he was on a special assignment from God to investigate and cure cancer that originates from the fourth dimension.

In a post on IndieGogo he claims, he attended the spiritual university in 2005 as 'Doctor of Spiritual Sciences, having been taught by the angels for 12 years'.

He claims that God spoke to him and sent him to the US for a special assignment to heal cancer sufferers.

Police said Degoto had dropped off his wife at Happy-Ikenwilo's Windsor Mill home on Saturday morning but as the pastor was in the parking lot, taking items out of his trunk, Degoto ran him down.

He then repeatedly stabbed him in the the head, leg and neck.

Degoto said he'd tried to stop himself but 'I can't control it.

'It was too much,' he told police. 'Today was the end of it. Something had to be done.'
An anti-hate campaigner has slammed the mayor and police of a small Quebec village after they told him he couldn't remove swastikas from a park, because they are part of the local history.

Corey Fleischer, the founder of Erase Hate, goes around Montreal and the surrounding areas removing hateful graffiti.

Fleischer was called to the small town Pointes-des-Cascades by a concerned citizen who wanted to paint over the Nazi symbols on an anchor that dates back to the Second World War.

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The founder of a local anti-hate group was barred from removing two swastikas from a park in a small town in Quebec, Canada

Police arrived and stopped Fleischer from covering them up (pictured)

The open-air museum in the small town features dozens of historical anchors, including one with a swastikas engraved on it.

'I decided to remove the paint around the swastika that the city had painted on this ancient World War Two anchor,' Fleischer told CTV Montreal. 'To have such a sign of hate in a public space is completely unacceptable.'

The local mayor, Gilles Santerre, spotted Fleischer and called the Quebec provincial police, saying the swastikas were part of local history and could not be removed.

Police then arrived and stopped Fleischer from covering them up.

There is a small plaque below the anchor but it does not give a lot of historical context.

It identifies it as a 'souvenir of Nazism' and says it was used in Europe at the end of War, probably on a merchant boat, and found in 1980, and therefore is not a Nazi relic.

Corey Fleischer, who goes around Montreal and the surrounding areas removing hateful graffiti, is pictured in the park with police

The mayor of Pointe-des-Cascades, Gilles Santerre, said that the symbol predates Nazism and is part of local history

The local mayor, Gilles Santerre (right), spotted Fleischer (left) and called the Quebec provincial police

'The village of Pointe-des-Cascades does not endorse Nazism,' said Mayor Gilles Santerre in a statement online.

'Our village has a beautiful community and family spirit, and creates events that bring people together.'

The mayor also argued that before 1920 the swastika was a peaceful symbol.

Fleischer countered when he said: 'There is zero place for any swastikas in any public parks, right across the world.

'It is no longer a sign of peace. It is no longer a sign of joy.'

The village has about 1,500 people and is located about 50 miles from Montreal.
Authorities are investigating a secret cell of anti-vaccination doctors amid claims they are helping families dodge compulsory immunisation of their children.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and Victoria's Health Department are looking into allegations that at least three Melbourne GPs are offering services to those against vaccinations, the Herald Sun reports.

They include Dr John Piesse, who works at the Natural Healing Centre in Mitcham, and was captured on camera bragging about helping hundreds of families avoid getting immunised.

At a screening of controversial documentary Vaxxed earlier this month, Dr Piesse railed against 'no jab no play' regulations on childcare and 'no jab no pay' rules on family assistance payments.

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Dr John Piesse (pictured), who works at the Natural Healing Centre in Mitcham, is one of the GPs being investigated

He was filmed telling attendees that doctors can get around both and the clip was subsequently posted on an anti-vaccination Facebook page.

'I am a doctor who has been working hard for 18 months to try and help parents get exemption from 'vaccinated pain for vaccinated play,' with mixed success,' he claimed.

'I want you to know it is possible to get the exemption so there is hope,' he told the crowd.

He explained that they needed a doctor's letter of 'contrary indication'  provided the GP has the qualifications required for 'no vax no play' or is a registered medical practitioner for 'no vax no play.'

Dr Piesse, second left at the back, spoke at a screening of controversial documentary Vaxxed earlier this month

Dr Piesse said he had been told he didn't have the necessary qualifications  but he managed to get in writing from the Health Department that he did.

Naturapathic physician Nerida James  who is Dr Piesse's colleague from the Natural Healing Centre and president of the Church of Scientology's Melbourne Narconon drug rehabilitation centre  also spoke at the screening on August 3.

She told attendees that they could help them like they have helped about 600 families.

'We can support you. We have been supporting about 600 families thanks to Dr John Piesse,' she said.

He was reportedly referred to the AHPRA a year ago after he applied for immunisation exemptions for patients by claiming the shots would damage their health, the Herald Sun reports.

The agency has attracted criticism for taking so long to investigate the claims, including from Victoria's Acting Health Minister Martin Foley.

'It is deeply disappointing and concerning that after 12 months an investigation into Dr Piesse's practice has not yet been concluded by AHPRA. It's not good enough,' he told the Herald Sun.
An Aspen couple has been found dead below a Colorado mountain summit two days after they went missing.

Ryan Marcil and Carlin Brightwell are believed to have plummeted to their deaths while hiking Capitol Peak, a 14,000-foot-tall mountain in Aspen.

The couple had been dating up to seven months and were reported missing on Sunday. A helicopter found their bodies at the base of the mountain on Tuesday.

Marcil and Brightwell, who were in their mid- to late-20s, had moved in together and talked about how they were going to get married, friends close to the couple said.

Ryan Marcil (left) and Carlin Brightwell (right) were found dead on Tuesday. The couple in their 20s had been climbing Capitol Peak, a 14,000-foot-tall mountain in Aspen, Colorado

They had been dating for the past seven months and had plans to get married, friends claimed. They were reported missing on Sunday. Officials believe they may have fallen off the mountain

The couple had reportedly hiked to a high camp on Saturday with plans to continue hiking the 14er to the mountain peak on Sunday, reported the Aspen Times.

Some thought the two had stayed an extra day to witness the solar eclipse, an once-in-a-lifetime event, which occurred on Monday.

They were expected to return on Sunday.

Brightwell worked at Aspen Emporium and Flying Circus for about two years and Marcil was working in the city for his family's business, which is based in Florida, reported the Denver Post.

Video courtesy of CBS 12

Marcil's sister wrote in a tribute to her brother: 'To my fearless bro... we had so much more to accomplish together, I will live through and for you every single day. I love you'. Pictured: Marcil and Brightwell on a beach

Some thought the two had stayed an extra day to witness the solar eclipse on Monday

Marcil was also on the board of a local mental health advocacy group called Aspen Strong.

Marcil's sister wrote in a tribute to her brother: 'To my fearless bro...we had so much more to accomplish together, I will live through and for you every single day. I love you.

'Thank you all for the love and support I feel it and so does he. Rest easy my very best friend.'

The couple were 'fully in love' and talked about getting married, a close friend said to the Denver Post.

Their deaths mark the third and fourth of the summer on Capitol Peak, which is 14,130-foot tall mountain.

It is ranked as one of the most dangerous climbs in the state, according to Westword.
A Utah woman has been charged with poisoning her husband using eye-drops over a period of 'several months.'

Chandra Vayu Stevens Read, 33, was charged with surreptitious administration of a substance, which is a class A misdemeanor, earlier this month in Davis County.

Charging documents obtained by DailyMail.com state that between June 1, 2017 and August 1, 2017 that Read 'did surreptitiously or by means of fraud, deception, or misrepresentation, cause another person to unknowingly consume or receive the administration of any deleterious substance or an alcoholic beverage.'

Read's husband, Dallen Tubbs, stayed home from work on August 1 as he was sick and had 'been ill for several months,' documents state.

Chandra Vayu Stevens Read, 33, has been charged with poisoning her husband using eye-drops over a period of 'several months.' She is pictured above in an arrest photo in 2006

He described his symptoms as headaches, nausea, blurred vision, diarrhea, and a 40-pound weight loss.

Tubbs decided to search his home for a cause to his strange illness that had seemed to plague him for sometime.

He eventually found a black cloth bag which contained many empty eye-drop bottles with their tops removed.

Tubbs then decided to research the active ingredient of the eye-drops and found on the internet that if Tetrahydrozoline is ingested it causes symptoms that mirrored exactly what he was experiencing.

Read's (above) husband, Dallen Tubbs, confronted her about being poisoned and she reportedly told her husband, 'It wasn't just for you. It was for someone else too.' She is set to appear in court on October 30

He then confronted his wife while his brother was present.

Read reportedly told her husband, 'It wasn't just for you. It was for someone else too.'

He reported what he suspected to the police who investigated and executed a search warrant on their home.

Authorities found 11 empty boxes of Kroger brand eye drops, 10 empty bottles of the eye drops and six unopened boxes of the eye drops.

Tubbs also told authorities that he was worried his two children had also been poisoned.

'He stated that the children had a dramatic change in behavior over a short period of time. He claims that the children have become more irritable and less consolable than they normally have been in the past,' the warrant states.

A motive for as to why Read would allegedly poison her husband's drinks with eye-drops has not been revealed.

She will appear in court on October 30.
A man has been stabbed in the chest during an early-morning dispute in Melbourne's south-east.

Emergency services were called to a home on Warrigal Road, Oakleigh, following reports of a domestic incident on Thursday at around 7am.

Victoria Police allege that a 'dispute erupted' inside the home, resulting in a violent altercation between two men aged in their 30s.

A man has been stabbed in the chest during an early-morning dispute in Melbourne's south-east. Emergency services (pictured) remain at the scene

Victoria Police allege that a 'dispute erupted' inside the home, resulting in a violent altercation between two men aged in their 30s. Police are currently speaking with both parties (pictured)

One man sustained a 'non-life threatening stab wound' and was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a stable condition, a spokeswoman for Victoria Ambulance said.

The other man was also taken to hospital with 'assault-related' injuries.

Police are currently speaking with both parties and the investigation continues.

According to 9 News, a person who witnessed the fight frantically flagged down a bus driver (pictured) for help. The bus driver was interviewed by police and left the scene just before 8am.

It was initially reported that one of the men could have suffered a gunshot wound, with paramedics waiting for clearance from police before treating the man.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is yet to offer his condolences to the family of Victorian MP Fiona Richardson, instead taking to social media to promote the postal plebiscite.

Bill Shorten led the tributes for Ms Richardson after news of her death broke, just one day after she announced she was quitting parliament next year to focus on her health.

Ms Richardson revealed on Tuesday she was taking more time off after being diagnosed with multiple tumours.

It wasn't long until social media was awash with comments echoing Shorten's sentiment - except for Mr Turnbull, who had yet to acknowledging her passing on Twitter or Facebook by 10am on Thursday.

The prime minister instead focused his attention of the upcoming plebiscite on marriage equality.

'Today is your last chance to enrol and have your say in the postal plebiscite. Update and check your details at aec.gov.au,' he tweeted.

Victorian MP Fiona Richardson has tragically passed away a day after she announced she was quitting parliament next year to focus on her health

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) has yet to offer his condolences to the family of Ms Richardson

The prime minister instead focused his attention of the upcoming plebiscite on marriage equality (pictured)

Yellow flowers are placed on the seat of Ms Richardson in Parliament House in Melbourne (pictured)

Staff paid their respects to Ms Richardson, wearing purple in her honour

Mr Turnbull also retweeted a comment from Minister for the Environment & Energy Josh Frydenberg criticising Victoria MP Daniel Andrews.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Turnbull for comment.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews were among several high-profile politicians to touch on the matter, with many offering their deepest condolences to her family.

'It is my sad and solemn duty to confirm that Fiona Richardson has passed away at the age of 50', he wrote.

Ms Richardson, 50, was diagnosed with a serious illness before the winter break and gave notice yesterday that she would be taking leave from her parliamentary duties.

The mother-of-two successfully battled cancer in 2013 and returned to parliament to become Victoria's first minister for the prevention of family violence.

2015 Australian of the Year and domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty touched on Richardson's contributions to her career.

'Devastated at friend Fiona Richardson's passing. Huge support to me during my journey & for all victims. Thoughts with family, staff & all', she shared.

Ms Batty told The Age Ms Richardson gave hope to those who have been victims of violence.

'She not only gave victims a voice, but she gave them a voice in parliament and that was really such a unique thing,' she said.

'She gave them hope things could change. She reached the hearts of politicians from both sides of politics. But what she really set out to achieve, was to make them understand that victims need to be part of the solution, that their stories are essential, that they can help inform the government, lead reforms and change society and the world.'

Ms Batty described Ms Richardson as a 'lovely, dynamic, fun and caring' woman who loved to walk around her own office barefoot.

Bill Shorten led the tributes for Ms Richardson (pictured) after news of her death broke

Ms Richardson announced on Tuesday she was taking more time off after being diagnosed with multiple tumours, but she passed away on Wednesday night

2015 Australian of the Year and domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty touched on Richardson's contributions to her career.

Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, Matthew Guy, was among the first to post a tribute to Ms Richardson.

'Vale Fiona Richardson MP. The sadness at Spring Street will be immense. To her family, friends, colleagues, my thoughts, sympathy and love,' he tweeted.

Philip Dalidakis described the member of Northcote as 'a friend and mentor.'

'Fiona Richardson was my friend & mentor. She called it how it was, even when I didn't want to hear it. A formidable, amazing woman. 140 characters doesn't do Fiona Richardson justice. Better for her living, poorer for her passing. Wishing her friends/family a long life.'

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews were among several high-profile politicians to touch on the matter, with many offering their deepest condolences to her family

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Brendan O'Connor went with a similar theme commending her fighting qualities

Writer Anne Summers spoke of Richardson's efforts with gender equality in a moving post

Victorian State Parliament MP Louise Staley referred to Ms Richardson as a 'warrior.'

'Vale Fiona Richardson. A warrior for her causes, a woman of outstanding ability, an MP of conviction. Rest in peace,' she posted to social media.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Brendan O'Connor went with a similar theme commending her fighting qualities.

'Vale Labor warrior, Minister and friend Fiona Richardson. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Jodi and Brendan', he shared to social media.

Writer Anne Summers spoke of Richardson's efforts with gender equality in a moving post.

'We *owe* Fiona Richardson so much. Mourn her by acknowledging her pioneering contribution to gender equity & #VAW. Vale Fiona', she said.

She successfully battled cancer in 2013 and returned to parliament to become Victoria's first minister for the prevention of family violence

Ms Richardson, 50, was diagnosed with a serious illness before the winter break and gave notice yesterday that she would be taking leave from her parliamentary duties

Philip Dalidakis described the member of Northcote as 'a friend and mentor.'

'Fiona Richardson was my friend & mentor. She called it how it was, even when I didn't want to hear it. A formidable, amazing woman. 140 characters doesn't do Fiona Richardson justice. Better for her living, poorer for her passing. Wishing her friends/family a long life.'

Victorian State Parliament MP Louise Staley referred to Ms Richardson as a 'warrior.'

'Vale Fiona Richardson. A warrior for her causes, a woman of outstanding ability, an MP of conviction. Rest in peace,' she posted to social media.

Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, Matthew Guy, was among the first to post a tribute to Ms Richardson

Victorian State Parliament MP Louise Staley referred to Ms Richardson as a 'warrior'

The Labor MP for Northcote announced yesterday she was planning to leave politics as her conditioned worsened.

'I have been diagnosed with multiple tumours for which I am receiving treatment,' Ms Richardson said yesterday.

'I intended to return to work part time next week, however my recovery is not going the way I had planned.

Ms Richardson said she would be taking time off work after her health didn't go to plan

'I have been diagnosed with multiple tumours for which I am receiving treatment,' Ms Richardson said yesterday

'I am grateful that the premier has agreed to an extended period of leave from my portfolio to enable me to concentrate of my health.'

Ms Richardson posted her regards on her social media accounts, thanking everyone for their support during the difficult time.

'Thank you to everyone for your kind words of encouragement and support,' she posted.

The Family Violence Prevention Minister (pictured) first took time off from politics in 2013 to fight breast cancer

Victorian MP Fiona Richardson has tragically passed away from cancer a day after she announced she was quitting parliament next year to focus on her health

'While I haven't been able to respond to you each individually, I think you for your well wishes while I focus on recovery.'

Premier Daniel Andrews said Ms Richardson had been an 'unwavering advocate' against family violence.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Fiona and her family and we will do everything we can to support her during this difficult time,' he said in a statement yesterday before her death.
An alleged terror plot to bring down a passenger plane jetting out of Sydney Airport involved blowing up an Etihad jet 20 minutes into a flight to Abu Dhabi  causing the burning wreckage to rain down on Dubbo.

Anti-terror units foiled the plot after an alleged terrorist repeatedly used the same excuse as to why he was flying to the Middle East, Lebanese authorities say.

Amer Khayet allegedly told security he was flying to his hometown of Tripoli, not far from the Syrian border, for his wedding.

But authorities foiled a plot to destroy the A380 airliner as it travelled over NSW using a Barbie doll and a meat mincer filled with explosives, the Australian reports.

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Amer is currently being held in Roumieh prison near Beirut. Brothers Khaled (pictured), 49, and Mahmoud, 32, were charged following terror raids in Sydney on July 29

The plan was to detonate the bomb 20 minutes into Etihad flight EY455 from Sydney to Abu Dhabi, meaning the explosion would occur near Dubbo in central New South Wales.

The attack was scheduled to occur at 9.40pm.

All 400 passengers aboard the flight would have been killed, and potentially further chaos on the ground as the debris from the exploded aircraft would scatter from 33,000 feet.

Amer is currently being held in Roumieh prison near Beirut.

Alleged conversations between Amer, his older brother and ISIS Commander Tarek, and two brothers back in Sydney Mahmoud and Khaled, were being monitored for a year leading up to the arrests

Amer allegedly informed them the barbie doll was a back-up to the larger meat mincer in case the bomb didn't deploy (stock image)

Brothers Khaled, 49, and Mahmoud, 32, were charged following terror raids in Sydney on July 29.

Lebanese officials discovered a pattern in the Sydney-based man's reasons for travel, learning he had made the same claims of flying home for his wedding several times before, The Australian claimed.

Forces reportedly found that Amer would marry, then soon after get divorced.

This process was allegedly repeated multiple times before he was questioned at Beirut Airport in July, when the plot was unearthed.

Australian Federal Police and NSW Police officers are seen during counter-terrorism raids in Surry Hills, Sydney, on July 29

Conversations between Amer, his older brother and ISIS Commander Tarek, and two brothers back in Sydney Mahmoud and Khaled, were reportedly being monitored for a year leading up to the arrests.

Lebanese intelligence claim they discovered the bomb plot while questioning Amer, who allegedly told them it had only failed because the explosives packed into a Barbie doll and meat mincer had weighed 7kg too much to be checked in.

Amer allegedly informed them the Barbie doll was a back-up to the larger meat mincer in case the bomb didn't deploy.
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Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov, who is known to be exceptionally close with the Russian premier, dramatically said there needs to be 'peace by the will of God' between the two nations. The bishop, who is widely seen as Putin's spiritual adviser called the war, which began with Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in February, an 'unprecedented tragedy' and said it 'should end with peace'. The remarks are an extraordinary intervention by the clergyman and have sparked suggestions that Putin may be open to a deal after his humiliating defeat in Kherson. Russian troops were forced to abandon the city late last week amid a counter-offensive by Ukrainian troops, with reports that some disguised themselves as civilians as they attempted to flee. In what appeared to be a final act of retaliation, the despot's troops blew up the Nova Kakhovka dam as they retreated across the Dnipro River, as well as allegedly destroying the Antonovsky Bridge, which is the other main crossing point over the river in the Kherson region. In an interview with Rossiya 1 channel, and presumably speaking with Putin's permission, the 64-year-old bishop admitted the conflict is beginning to weigh heavily on the minds of Russians.
The man from the stag party boarded the 8am EasyJet flight from Spain to London Gatwick with bloodshot eyes, wearing a flamenco dress with a red frill that barely covered his bottom.

Glugging back miniature bottles of rose wine, and egged on by his rowdy friends, he leered at the air hostess, tried to smoke in the toilet and attempted to break into the planes cockpit.

But his lewdest offence was directed at the unfortunate woman seated next to him. About 90 minutes into the flight he stood up to find the lavatory before urinating on me instead, recalls Sally Howard, 40.

Tracey Bolton, 39, a mother-of-three from Bolton, was pictured straddling sous chef Shaun Edmondson, 31, on a Manchester to Ibiza Ryanair flight in a 'drunken moment of madness'

I was shocked, angry and upset. He had intimidated me throughout the flight and was so drunk I was surprised he was allowed to fly in the first place.

Sally is far from alone in having an unpleasant ordeal on a flight because of a drunken passenger. As highlighted by a BBC Panorama documentary last week, the number of air passengers arrested for drunken misbehaviour on British flights or at British airports has risen by 50 per cent in the past year.

A survey of 4,000 cabin crew by Unite, meanwhile, found that one in five has been assaulted during a flight, and more than half have either experienced or witnessed verbal, sexual or physical harassment.

Last week also brought the story of newlyweds Darren and Nadia Stanway, who got so drunk before their honeymoon flight to Malta that concerned airline staff called the police.

Darren, 39, from Congleton in Cheshire, said he had been drinking beer and that Nadia, 34, had downed three bottles of wine in their taxi to Manchester Airport last month. Arriving too late to board their plane, the couple had a furious row and Darren was charged with public disorder.

Back in May, a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Jamaica had to make an unscheduled landing in Bermuda after a drunken man allegedly became abusive to cabin crew.

In June, a smartphone video clip of mother-of-three Tracey Bolton, 39, straddling sous chef Shaun Edmondson, 31, on a Manchester to Ibiza Ryanair flight went viral on social media. Tracey, an ordinarily respectable cafe owner, described herself as mortified by the incident and blamed drunken madness.

A voluntary code of conduct introduced by the aviation industry last July, in which airlines and airports agreed to policies such as requesting that staff didnt sell alcohol to drunken passengers, and warning passengers not to consume duty-free purchases on board, appears to have fallen on deaf ears. But why?

Charlotte Harris, 30, an accounts assistant from London, rowed with boyfriend James after having too much to drink

Airside licensing laws that allow us to quaff champagne at airport cafes at the crack of dawn, and a demob-happy holiday mentality compelling us to celebrate with booze before we even take off, certainly play a part.

Then there are the budget airlines that appear keen to subsidise ever-decreasing flight prices with alcohol sales. Meanwhile, beleaguered cabin crews often seem powerless to stop passengers drinking.

A toxic mix, then, that many of us will encounter this summer  if we havent already  and one that is still etched on Sallys mind four years afterwards.

After spending a week holidaying with friends in June 2013, Sally, an author from London who has a one-year-old son, Leo, with partner Tim, 36, a lawyer, had viewed her return journey as a chance to collect her thoughts as she travelled home alone.

But, entering the departure lounge at Barcelona airport, she realised that this was unlikely to happen.

There was a stag party of around ten middle-aged British men, all drinking alcohol. They looked like they had been awake all night, recalls Sally, whose heart sank when one of the party  the man in the flamenco dress  sat next to her on the plane.

He made sexist advances like youre all right looking, arent you love? and tried to grab the air hostesss bum.

She told him and his friends to stop misbehaving but they didnt listen. I tried not to engage but it was intimidating.

Despite the partys drunkenness, cabin crew were still willing to let them order alcohol  and after an hour the man next to Sally was barely coherent.

Hed already been caught staggering to the toilet with cigarettes, she says. He got up to go back to the lavatory but was too drunk to realise he hadnt made it and relieved himself at his seat instead.

'The urine came out from under his dress and onto my trousers. Afterwards he mumbled an embarrassed apology. I was too shocked to speak.

As a concerned male passenger swapped seats with Sally, the man stumbled off to open the door to the planes cockpit.

Cabin crew told him hed be arrested if he didnt sit down. It seemed to finally sink in that he could be in trouble and he obeyed, says Sally.

Darren and Nadia Stanway, from Congleton, in Cheshire, arrived blind drunk and too late for their flight before and argument broke out and Darren was charged with disorder

Had I not seen how stressed the airline staff were, I would have complained. The man shouldnt have been allowed on in the first place and shouldnt have been able to carry on drinking.

With airside cafes, bars and duty-free shops exempt from licensing laws, passengers spend around 300 million on alcohol at UK airports each year  about a fifth of total retail sales.

A House of Lords report this April recommended that restrictions on alcohol sales at airports should be applied, but the idea has been deemed too difficult to implement.

Last April, 47-year-old Kieran Bright shared his EasyJet flight from Bristol to Alicante in Spain  statistically one of the most drunken routes, along with Ibiza and Palma de Majorca  with four stag and hen groups.

They milled around bars in the departure lounge wearing fancy dress, which would have been normal if it were Saturday night. But it was 6am, says Kieran, a learning disability support worker.

On board, the groups conducted lewd conversations across the aisles.

Kieran recalls: They swore constantly and boasted of how much sex they were going to have. One hen talked about how she was going to get a tattoo of a cat on her genitals. Another was swigging Bombay Sapphire gin that she seemed to have brought on board from duty free.

I think the crew were too scared to refuse service

At one point there were 20 men standing up and shouting aggressively. None of them could walk in a straight line and one lurched across my legs whenever the trolley came past. I worried that hed pummel me if I asked him to move or suggested he keep quiet.

What riles Kieran most is that the cabin crew appeared to do nothing to stem the drunkenness. All the parties were served vodka throughout the flight, which was outrageous, he says.

Each airline sets its own rules about alcohol and there is no limit on how much passengers can drink on a flight. It is a criminal offence to be intoxicated on board, however, and passengers are not permitted to drink alcohol they purchase duty-free.

Sometimes passengers who wouldnt dream of losing control in the real world drink to alleviate the stress of flying. Take Charlotte Harris, 30, a usually demure accounts assistant from London, for whom fear and excitement at her first holiday with boyfriend James proved ruinous.

The couple had been together for three months when they took their 9.45am EasyJet flight from Gatwick to Benidorm, Spain, in March 2015.

I was nervous about flying as Id only been on a plane once before, says Charlotte. I would never normally drink at that time of day but I decided a couple of vodka, lime and tonics would help steady my nerves.

As well as loading up with drinks served at all hours in airport bars, passengers can partake of larger, cheaper bottles purchased at now-ubiquitous duty free shops

After the plane took off, she and James, 29, carried on drinking because, she says, we were euphoric with the excitement of going away.

Charlotte says it wasnt until an hour into her flight that she was tipped over the edge by the five vodka and tonics she had consumed: I suddenly felt very tipsy and unsteady on my feet. I wouldnt normally have been this affected by that amount of alcohol  Im not sure if it had something to do with being up in the air.

She might be right. According to flight industry regulator the Civil Aviation Authority, low air pressure when flying effectively thins the blood, making us feel drunker quicker. Other experts say the dehydration experienced on planes can make us more inebriated.

James, who had four vodkas himself, also felt the effects and made a remark that triggered an unprecedented row between the two. He said the stewardess had a nice bottom, recalls Charlotte.

Drunk, she saw red: I accused him of looking at other women. He said I was being silly and that he had only been joking. Our voices grew louder and louder and people kept turning round to look at us.

When the stewardess in question asked them to keep their voices down, a jealous Charlotte grew further enraged. I told her to mind her own business, she admits, and we carried on arguing.

Five minutes later, the air hostess returned with a stark warning. She told us we were upsetting other passengers and that if we werent quiet we would be detained by security on landing.

The couple kept quiet for the rest of the flight. I ate, slept and started to sober up, says Charlotte.

As she did, she realised what a fool she had made of herself. Mortified, I apologised to the air hostess. My behaviour was completely out of character.

People shouted, spat and swore at me when drunk

During her two years with Virgin Atlantic, former air hostess Stephanie Davenport, 35, says three of her passengers were so inebriated they required the airlines restraint kit, which renders them immobile with handcuffs and a belt attached to their upper body.

One was a man in his 30s flying to Jamaica who exposed himself to a female passenger next to him. He was arrested on landing and banned from flying with Virgin for life, says Stephanie, from Buckinghamshire.

Another was a middle-aged man who became abusive and agitated. We couldnt work out how hed got into this state until we found an empty whisky bottle in the toilet bin that hed obviously bought from duty free.

Since resigning in 2010, Stephanie, now a lecturer, says behaviour in-flight has only grown worse. The last few times Ive travelled have been atrocious, she says.

On a Jet2 flight from Birmingham to Girona recently, my husband and I were surrounded by a group of middle-aged men who were making racist remarks and leering at the female cabin crew.

One had three whiskies, a gin and a cider and was still allowed to order more. I think the crew were too scared of confrontation to refuse service.

Could staff morale be an issue? Stephanie, whose basic air hostess salary was just 12,000 a year, believes low morale plays a part in lapsed discipline.

Cabin crew get paid a pittance in return for dreadful abuse, she says. I think theyve lost all confidence to say no.

An EasyJet spokesman said it is airline policy to refuse service to those who who appear to be intoxicated and they have a duty to protect both passengers and staff

Mandy Smith, who worked for Virgin Atlantic between 1996 and 2012, says her job was made a misery by drunks on board.

People shouted, spat and swore at me when drunk, she says. Lots thought it was funny to stick their hands up my skirt  they wouldnt have had the nerve if they hadnt been drinking.

The first time it happened I was shocked but I learnt to bash their hands away and, sadly, saw it as part of the job, says Mandy, 43, from Brighton, who is married with a six-year-old daughter.

On one long-haul flight to Las Vegas, a couple who were flying out to get married with their wedding party had a massive argument in the aisle after the groom-to-be accused his bride of sleeping with the best man. They were escorted off as soon as we landed and immediately deported.

Mandy  who has written a book, Cabin Fever, about her experiences as an air hostess  had tried to stop the bride drinking.

I told her I wouldnt serve her more alcohol unless she ate but later discovered shed stashed her dinner under her seat.

She says she and the other crew did everything they could to limit drunken behaviour. We confiscated alcohol brought in from duty free and kept notes on a board that flagged up the seat numbers of those whod had too much drink.

Steps are finally being taken to tackle the problem. The Home Office has said it is considering tougher rules on alcohol, while Ryanair has demanded that airports ban sales of alcohol before 10am and limit passengers to two drinks before boarding.

Fellow low-cost airline Jet2 has already banned alcohol sales on flights before 8am.

A spokesman for EasyJet told the Mail it has a duty to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all on board and that its staff are trained to evaluate and act quickly on all disruptive incidents.

He said EasyJet does not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour and refuses alcohol to those who appear to be under the influence, adding: Typically it is the alcohol consumed and/or bought in the airport that is the major factor of disruption in the air, so we strongly believe licensing laws need to be introduced at airports to control the sale of alcohol  and the consumption of duty-free alcohol on board should be made illegal.

Mandy is adamant that better regulation is required. You shouldnt be able to buy champagne with your breakfast at airports, she says.

And passengers who abuse cabin crew should be banned from flying for life.
The sinister past of an ardent Trump supporter who has been glimpsed behind the president on several occasions - including at his Phoenix rally on Tuesday - has begun to emerge.

Michael Symonette - also known as Maurice Woodside, Mikael Israel and 'Michael the Black Man' - is a mainstay at the president's rallies, often seen waving signs for his website 'Blacks for Trump 2020' and 'Gods2.com'.

But Symonette is no ordinary Trump supporter: He's also a former cult member who was once charged with conspiring to kill two people and blinding a third.

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Fan: Michael Symonette (seen holding 'Blacks for Trump' sign at Phoenix rally on Tuesday) has made several appearances supporting Trump - but he has a shady past

Arrested: Symonette first appeared supporting Trump in October (Trump seen left on October 12 with placard), but his history includes a string of arrests (2010 mugshot seen right)

Symonette and his Blacks for Trump posse first emerged at rallies in October, just before Trump's win.

Since then, he has been seen at a series of Trump events, frequently in the prime spot behind the president, where he can advertise his websites on placards and T-shirts.

Trump even held up a Blacks for Trump placard for the cameras in October last year.

But in the early 1990s, Symonette was living a very different - and less high profile - life, as a member of the Nation of Yahweh, a cult run by Hulon Mitchell, Jr., also known as Yahweh ben Yahweh.

Mitchell set up his cult in Liberty City, Florida, in 1979, claiming that the prophets of the bible were black and that whites and Jews were their oppressors.

In 1991, Mitchell was hauled in by cops in connection with 14 killings - including a beheading in the Everglades - two attempted killings, extortion and arson.

Symonette and 15 other cult members were brought in as well, and charged of conspiracy to murder two people, Miami New Times reported.

Cops said that Mitchell had persuaded his followers to murder white people as an initiation, as well as slaughtering followers who disagreed with him.

In court Symonette's brother, who was also in the cult, testified that Symonette had beaten up a man who was later murdered, and had stabbed another man in the eye with a sharp stick.

Conspiracy: Symonette (seen behind Trump in October last year) was found not guilty of conspiring to murder two men in 1991, when he was part of the Nation of Yahweh cult

Cult: Symonette followed Yahweh ben Yahweh (pictured), aka Hulon Mitchell, Jr. Mitchell was accused of involvement in 14 killings related to the cult he ran, and sentenced to 20 years

Mitchell was found guilty of conspiracy to murder and sent to prison for 20 years. He was released on parole in 2001 and died of prostate cancer in 2007.

But Symonette and six others were acquitted of the conspiracy charges and walked free.

Since then, Symonette has appeared on TV and in person as an anti-gay, pro-Republican preacher, supporting Rick Santorum at rallies.

In one video, Symonette says: 'The Democrats, they're the worst thing that ever happened to the black man, they're the slave masters.'

He has also been charged with grand theft auto, carrying a weapon onto a plane and threatening a cop, although he's never been convicted.

And he's also established a string of websites - including Gods2.com and BlacksForTrump2020.com, both of which link to his main site, Honestfact.com.

That site is a near incomprehensible collection of conspiracy theories, including a page in which he claims the KKK was started not by whites, but by Cherokees.

'Black& White Americans are really Hebrews,(Hos.4:6)&were in America before Cherokees,' the page claims.

'Solve America's Debt. make all Indians pay Taxes! Trick: we're all mixed with them, we pay taxes they don't & they Hate us.'

In an interview with Chicago's WLS radio on Wednesday, he said: 'Bill Clinton, he's a Cherokee Indian, you probably already know that.

'Even John McCain himself is a full-blooded Cherokee Indian. The men that are blocking President Trump that are in the Republican and Democrat Senate and Congress are all Cherokees and theyre in unity.'

Reinvented: Symonette (seen cheering Trump in Miami in June) reinvented himself as an anti-gay preacher, and supported Rick Santorum. Now he runs a bizarre conspiracy website

Conspiracy: Symonette's sites all lead back to his main page in which he claims Trump is fighting a conspiracy run by Cherokees (who include Bill Clinton and John McCain)

He's also made bizarre claims that Oprah Winfrey is the devil and Barack Obama is 'The Beast,' according to the Washington Post.

In an interview with the Miami New Times last October, Symonette claimed that he now loves white people, and that despite police claims about Mitchell's teachings, the Nation of Yahweh led him to that conclusion.

'Yahweh is the one who told me white men are your brothers,' he said. 'Before that, I hated all white people. I hated their guts and wanted them dead.'

He also said that he hates Hillary Clinton because her 'last name is Rodham, and their family members are Rothchilds, who enslaved 13,000 slaves as collateral.

'She's also on camera kissing the head of the Ku Klux Klan and saying, "That's my mentor." That's all on my website.'

He also claims that Clinton runs the KKK, and that she is plotting with ISIS to kill 'all black and white women with MS-13.'

Now he's focused on supporting Trump - something he's able to do from his prime position behind the president at a number of rallies.

But he said that his appearance at Phoenix on Tuesday was not down to Trump's team.

'I wasnt placed [behind Trump], I put myself there,' he told WLS.

'I'm glad I was there so I could get the message out, tell people whats going on with Democrats and the Cherokee Indians that are absolutely destroying the black man and the white man of America.'
An Emirates pilot called for help on Thursday morning after landing at the Melbourne Airport.

Flight EK406 'landed normally' at the airport at the scheduled time of 5.25am after taking off from Dubai, an airport spokeswoman said.

It is unknown why the pilot called for assistance but the 'aircraft was towed into position by emergency services and passengers were held up 10 minutes,' she said.

The spokeswoman said the incident was not an emergency.

The aircraft was scheduled to go on to Auckland from Melbourne at 12.45pm, but has reportedly been cancelled, according to The Herald Sun.

The Auckland flight is listed as still scheduled on live air traffic radars.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Emirates for comment.
After cutting back the speed of the Beijing to Shanghai bullet train following a deadly crash, China is set to again make it one of the world's fastest.

New generation trains will service the route starting next month, making the 1,250-kilometer (777-mile) journey from the capital to Shanghai in just 4 hours, 30 minutes.

The latest trains were unveiled in June and have a top speed of 400 kilometers per hour (250 mph), according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

Railway workers pose for photos with the Fuxing, China's latest high speed train capable of reaching 400kph (248mph) during its maiden service from Beijing. China is relaunching the world's fastest bullet trains in September 2017, running at 350 kilometers (217 miles) per hour.

China first ran trains at 350 kilometers per hour in August 2008, but cut speeds back to 250-300 kilometers per hour in 2011 following a two-train collision near the city of Wenzhou that killed 40 people and injured 191.

China has laid more than 20,000 kilometers (12,400 miles) of high-speed rail, with a target of adding another 10,000 kilometers (6,214 miles) by 2020.

China has spent an estimated $360 billion on high-speed rail, building by far the largest network in the world.

Zhao Jian, Beijing Jiaotong University professor and a leading researcher on Chinas high-speed railway network, told the South China Morning Post that in order to avoid more accidents at higher speeds, the railway operator will need to reduce the number of trains in use at one time.

The line is also one of the most profitable in China. China Railway has not released financial data for specific lines, but a bond issuance prospectus last year said the corporate entity running the line made a profit of 6.6 billion yuan in 2015, or about US$1 billion.
Every few months, the Earth is hit by powerful solar eruptions that can cause power cuts, destruction of electronic devices, and increased cancer risks.

And scientists fear that someday a 'doomsday' solar flare could be on the way.

But the risks of solar storms could soon be reduced, as scientists are building the world's most advanced space weather radar in the Arctic.

The radar will be used to probe the upper atmosphere and near-Earth space, helping scientists to understand the effects of space weather storms on technology, society and the environment.

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Scientists are building the world's most advanced space weather radar in the Arctic. The radar will be used to probe the upper atmosphere and near-Earth space, helping scientists to understand the effects of space weather storms on technology, society and the environment (artist's impression)

THE EISCAT_3D RADAR One of the key capabilities of the radar will be to measure the entire 3D volume of the upper atmosphere in unprecedented detail. Understanding this will shed light on how energetic particles and electrical currents from space affect both the upper and the lower atmosphere. Scientists will also be able to take measurements across scales from hundreds of metres to hundreds of kilometres, providing vast quantities of data. This isn't the first EISCAT radar  there are already several in the northern hemisphere, that take measurements in a region of the Earth's upper atmosphere called the ionosphere  from about 70 to 1000 km altitude. These existing radars sample the electron concentration and temperature, and the ion temperature and velocity at a range of altitudes along the radar beam direction. But, unlike the EISCAT_3D radar, the current EISCAT radars provide a single beam, so researchers can only look at one small portion of the sky at a given time. Advertisement

The radar, which has been dubbed EISCAT_3D, will be built in the Arctic by an international partnership, thanks to new investment of 6 million ($7.7 million) from NERC.

It comes shortly after the UK government placed space weather on the National Risk Register, due to the potential damage it can do to satellites, communications and power grids.

A separate recent study predicted solar storms could cause massive blackouts across America and cost the country up to $41.5 billion a day.

Dr Craig Heinselman, EISCAT Director, said: 'We are very excited to be starting construction of the new EISCAT_3D radar system.

'Building on over three and a half decades of scientific observations with the legacy EISCAT radars, this new multi-site phased-array radar will allow our international user community to investigate important questions about the physics of the near-Earth space environment.

'The radar will make measurements at least ten times faster and with ten times finer resolution than current systems.'

While scientists already know that solar storms drive space weather, it is still not clear how the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere responds to this.

But researchers hope that EISCAT_3D will give them the means to understand these connections.

One of the key capabilities of the radar will be to measure the entire 3D volume of the upper atmosphere in unprecedented detail.

Understanding this will shed light on how energetic particles and electrical currents from space affect both the upper and the lower atmosphere.

Scientists will also be able to take measurements across scales from hundreds of metres to hundreds of kilometres, providing vast quantities of data.

One of the key capabilities of the radar will be to measure the entire 3D volume of the upper atmosphere in unprecedented detail

EXPLOSIONS ON THE SUN Two main types of explosions occur on the sun: solar flares and coronal mass ejections, or CMEs. Unlike the energy and x-rays produced in a solar flare  which can reach Earth at the speed of light in eight minutes  coronal mass ejections are giant, expanding clouds of solar material that take one to three days to reach Earth. CMEs are cloud like structures that are influenced by solar winds as they pass to Earth, found researchers from the University of Reading. This makes their movements much harder to predict than if they were single bubble-like entities as was previously thought. CMEs are capable of damaging satellites, destroying electronic devices and potentially exposing people at high altitude, such as astronauts and aviation crew and passengers, to cancer-causing radiation. Advertisement

This isn't the first EISCAT radar  there are already several in the northern hemisphere that take measurements in a region of the Earth's upper atmosphere called the ionosphere  from about 70 to 1,000 km altitude.

These existing radars sample the electron concentration and temperature, and the ion temperature and velocity at a range of altitudes along the radar beam direction.

But, unlike the EISCAT_3D radar, the current EISCAT radars provide a single beam, so researchers can only look at one small portion of the sky at a given time.

Dr Andrew Kavanagh, UK EISCAT Science Support, based at the British Antarctic Survey, said: 'The new EISCAT_3D radar will measure the ionosphere in lots of different directions simultaneously.

'It will be like having hundreds of dishes all operating together, looking in different directions.

'This means we can easily see changes in the ionosphere and don't miss important data: when our measurements change we will be able to say whether something had just appeared or faded or if something was moving through the beams.

While scientists already know that solar storms drive space weather, it is still not clear how the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere responds to this. But researchers hope that EISCAT_3D will give them the means to understand these connections

'This is really important as it gives us information about how space weather effects evolve.'

The facility is predicted to cost 63 million ($80 million), and will be distributed across three sites in northern Scandinavia  in Skibotn, Norway, Kiruna in Sweden, and Kaaresuvanto in Finland.

The project will start this September, with site preparations beginning in summer 2018.

The radar is expected to be operational by 2021.

The facility is predicted to cost 63 million ($80 million), and will be distributed across three sites in northern Scandinavia  in Skibotn, Norway, Kiruna in Sweden, and Kaaresuvanto in Finland

The site in Skibotn will have a transmitter and receiver array, while the two other sites will have receiver arrays.

These will generate beams that will 'look into' the transmitted beam and give researchers many intersection heights.

NERC's chief executive, Professor Duncan Wingham, said: 'EISCAT_3D will give us a 3D picture of interactions between space weather and our upper atmosphere with a detail we've not seen before, giving us answers to questions researchers have about the impacts of space weather on the upper atmosphere.

'We need this information to reduce the risks posed by space weather on our communications systems, satellites and power grids, which we all rely on.'
Disagreements among Apple's top brass and a 'lack of clearly defined vision' have led to a dramatic scaling back of the firm's plans for a self-driving car.

Apple was rumoured to be working on an ambitious fleet of autonomous vehicles, to be built by the company.

That long-term dream, part of project Titan, now appears to have been abandoned in favour of developing technology to allow other vehicles to drive themselves.

In the short term, the firm is working on a self-operating shuttle service to ferry employees from its current campus and newly built headquarters, according to industry insiders.

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Disagreements among Apple's top brass have led to a dramatic scaling back of the firm's plans for a self-driving car, industry insiders have claimed. Apple was rumoured to be working on an ambitious fleet of autonomous vehicles, to be built by the company (concept image)

APPLE'S SELF-DRIVING CARS Apple officially secured a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California on April 14. Rumours began sweeping the web last year that Apple was toying with the idea of developing its own self-driving car. But Apple executives have been coy about their interest in the vehicles. Chief Executive Tim Cook has suggested that Apple wants to move beyond integration of Apple smartphones into vehicle infotainment systems. But the latest news to emerge from the firm suggest it is scaling back it's ambitions. Advertisement

Creative differences among management are responsible for the change of direction, according to reports from New York Times journalist Daisuke Wakabayashi.

Five people familiar with Project Titan spoke anonymously to the New York Times about the debates within the company.

Apple design guru Jony Ive is said to have favoured a fully autonomous vehicle, along the lines of efforts from Google's Waymo and Uber.

Project Titan's original head Steve Zadesky, who worked on the on the iPod and iPhone before leaving the firm in 2016, preferred a semi-autonomous approach similar to Tesla's vehicles.

But plans for building a car from scratch were reportedly shelved by hardware engineering expert Bob Mansfield, who took over the project last year.

Apple will instead focus on the underlying technology behind self-driving vehicles.

This will be used in a project codenamed PAIL, which stands for Palo Alto to Infinite Loop in reference to the company's two main bases of operation.

The shuttle, which has never been reported before, is expected to a commercially built vehicle adapted with Apple's autonomous driving technology.

One of Apple's fleet of self-driving test vehicles was captured emerging from a Silicon Valley research facility back in April.

The kitted-out white Lexus RX450h SUV was snapped by a passerby just two weeks after Apple was granted permission to test its autonomous vehicles in California

Apple joins a growing list of traditional car-makers, technology companies, and small start ups to test drive cars in California.

Apple will instead focus on the underlying technology behind self-driving vehicles. This will be used in a project codenamed PAIL, which stands for Palo Alto to Infinite Loop in reference to the company's two main bases of operation. This image shows the new Cupertino campus

Five people familiar with Project Titan spoke anonymously about the debates within the company's senior staff, including Project Titan's original head Steve Zadesky and design guru Jony Ive. This stock image shows Apple CEO Tim Cook

All are vying to be the first company to bring self-driving cars to the masses.

Companies that have been issued permits also include Alphabet Inc's Google unit, Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG, Tesla Motors Inc and General Motors Co.

Many companies have said the first cars will launch in 2020 but some experts believe it may take much longer due to regulatory challenges.

Apple executives have been coy about their interest in cars.

Chief Executive Tim Cook has suggested that Apple wants to move beyond integration of Apple smartphones into vehicle infotainment systems.

Rumours began sweeping the web last year that Apple was toying with the idea of developing its own self-driving car.

And along with news word of mouth, came radical visual designs.

Apple joins a growing list of traditional car-makers, technology companies, and small start ups to test drive cars in California. This stock image shows one of Apple's self-driving vehicles snapped at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in 2013

A concept released by Luca Wrede showed a build that mirrored the minimalist design common to Apple products.

A wraparound dashboard screen shows speed, traffic predictions, and answers calls.

The vehicle can pull up Apple Maps, Safari, and Siri, which are indicated all on the interactive dashboard.

The concept car can even connect to the Apple Watch.

This video was one of many unravelling rumours surrounding 'Project Titan,' and opened the door for more questions than it answers.

The firm could see offering consumers its own car as a way to push their technology into the driver seat.

However, shortly after, Apple announced it would be shifting its focus to another venture.

The tech giant said it would put more energy into creating the software for an autonomous vehicle, opening the door to the possibility of partnering with other car companies.
North Korea could soon have the ability to hit a major US city with a nuclear weapon, granting leader Kim Jong-un a chilling new influence over the west.

While launching a strike on the United States would prove deadly for North Korea, the technology could help deter an invasion and establish the North as a global military power.

Experts estimate North Korea could develop missiles capable of hitting the US as early as next year, and some suggest it already has them.

Here are some of the key technological challenges the North faces before reaching that goal, as reported by the New York Times.

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North Korea could soon have the ability to hit a major US city with a nuclear weapon, granting leader Kim Jong-un a chilling new influence over the west. But the North still faces key technological challenges (pictured) before reaching that goal

A small enough bomb - probably already completed

Experts have long debated whether North Korea has developed a powerful nuclear bomb that is also small and light enough to fit into the nose cone of a missile.

The smaller and lighter the missile's payload is, the further it can travel.

Last year, officials released a press photo of Kim Jon-un next to what appeared to be a small, shiny bomb.

The bomb appeared to be around two-feet wide, making it small enough to fit inside an ICBM warhead.

North Korean said in July it had successfully tested (pictured) an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time

While we can't know whether the photo shows a real missile, a mock-up or a fake designed to strike fear in the west, nuclear experts say that the North likely has succeeded in making a small enough nuclear bomb to fit inside an ICBM.

Joshua Pollack, a leading expert on nuclear missile proliferation, told the New York Times: 'Any country that has conducted five nuclear tests can probably do it.

'I give them the benefit of the doubt.'

While launching a strike on the United States would prove deadly for North Korea, the technology could help deter an invasion and establish the North as a global military power. Pictured is North Korea leader Kim Jong-un during an ICBM test in July

NORTH KOREA'S ICBM PROGRAMME The intercontinental ballistic missiles North Korea tested in July are likely capable of reaching 3,400 miles (5,500 km). Pyongyang is subject to multiple sets of United Nations sanctions over its atomic and missile programs, which it says it needs to protect itself against a possible invasion. It regularly issues bloodcurdling threats against its 'imperialist enemy' Washington, and has long sought a rocket capable of delivering a warhead to the continental United States. The progress has accelerated especially after young leader Kim Jong-Un took power following the death of his father, longtime ruler Kim Jong-Il, in 2011. Pyongyang has staged five atomic tests - including two last year - with the regime stepping up efforts to produce a nuclear warhead small enough to fit into a missile. Advertisement

Surviving re-entry - expected next year

Building a missile warhead that can withstand the extreme heat and forces of atmospheric re-entry is exceptionally difficult.

Upon re-entering Earth's atmosphere from space, warheads will travel as fast as four miles (6.5 km) per second.

The friction against the planet's atmosphere that this generates means that poorly designed warheads will burn up long before they reach their target.

Experts estimate North Korea could develop missiles capable of hitting the US as early as next year, and some suggest it already has them. It currently does not have missiles capable of re-entry through the Earth's atmosphere, but should have developed the technology by 2019

Some ICBMs are coated with thick materials to create a shield that deflects heat into the missile's wake.

But the forces at work are so great that even the slightest production fault can lead to uneven burns that throw the missile off-target.

Experts claim that if North Korea keeps up its current rate of missile testing, it will likely have a warhead capable of re-entry by next year.

North Korea successfully tested two Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in July this year. Experts say the second of these tests appeared capable of reaching the US West Coast, with major cities Denver and Chicago potentially in range

Reaching the US mainland - probably already completed

HOW FAR WOULD A MISSILE HAVE TO TRAVEL FROM PYONG YANG TO HIT MAJOR CITIES? US Naval Base in Guam: 2,114 miles (3,402 km) Hawaii: 4,727 miles (7,670 km) London (over mainland Europe): 5,379 miles (8,657 km) San Francisco: 5,588 miles (8,993 km) Los Angeles: 5,935 miles (9,551 km) New York: 6,783 miles (10,916 km) Washington, DC: 6,857 miles (11,035 km) Advertisement

North Korea successfully tested two Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in July this year.

Experts say the second of these tests appeared capable of reaching the US West Coast, with major cities Denver and Chicago potentially in range.

The missile reached an altitude of about 1,900 miles (3,000km) and landed in the sea off Japan.

The tests follow years of rejected long-distance models and empty claims made by North Korean officials.

A powerful new engine design is likely behind the sudden technological advances seen this year, making the North's missiles more durable and reliable than ever before.

It potentially puts the US in range of North Korean missiles for the first time since the country began building long-range missiles in 1984.

Better accuracy - good enough but not perfect

Accurately guiding a missile halfway around the world is no easy task, and North Korea's aim has historically been poor.

Countries with advanced ICBM programmes can consistently hit within 200 metres (650 ft) of a target.

Estimates put North Korea's ICBM accuracy closer to a 3-5 kilometre (2-3 mile) range, though this figure is difficult to confirm as most of the nation's missiles land in the ocean, and analysts know little of their designated targets.

Last year, officials released a press photo of Kim Jon-un next to what appeared to be a small, shiny bomb (pictured). The bomb appeared to be around two-feet wide, making it small enough to fit inside an ICBM warhead

But despite the North's inferior accuracy, 'thats good enough if youre aiming at a city,' Ian Williams, a missile defence expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, told the New York Times.

North Korea will have to improve the accuracy of its missiles if it wishes to reliably hit smaller targets, such as military bases, Mr Williams said.

Experts say that while North Korea currently uses a cheap, blunt warhead that limits speed and accuracy, it appears to be developing more streamlined, conical warheads.

INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILES An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a guided ballistic missile with a minimum range of 3,400 miles (5,500 km) - further than any other missile. ICBM missiles were first developed during World War II, and countries around the world have now worked to create their own missiles and defence systems against them. ICBM launches have three distinct phases of flight. During the boost phase, a rocket launches the warhead at high speeds above the atmosphere, where it continues in free-fall through the vacuum of space. The second, 'midcourse' phase begins with the rocket separating from the warhead, which continues unguided and unpowered, hundreds of miles above the Earth. The reentry, or terminal, phase sees the warhead descend at high speeds back through the Earth's atmosphere toward the ground. The missiles are primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery, though they can also be used to deliver conventional, chemical or biological weapons. Advertisement

The isolated, impoverished country has made great progress in its missile capabilities since the ascension to power of Kim (pictured), who has overseen three nuclear tests and multiple rocket launches

Get past US anti-missile defences - nobody knows

An anti-missile system has never been used on an ICBM beyond choreographed tests, and even then the costly systems have often missed their mock targets.

If North Korea were to fire three or four ICBMs at the same US city, security systems would likely be overwhelmed and miss at least one of the incoming warheads.

Analysts say the North is currently looking to improve its ICBMs' anti-missile system penetrative abilities.

In March it fired four missiles in a salvo, which would make it extremely difficult for US systems to shoot every missile down.

North Korea recently displayed a missile warhead that had fins, suggesting it is investing in ICBMs that can zigzag through the air to avoid defence systems.

Despite the imperfect accuracy of North Korea's latest test missiles (pictured), they are likely good enough to reliably hit a major US city provided they can make the distance

A more powerful bomb - much more work needed

Based on nuclear detonations at North Korea's underground test sites, experts say Kim Jong-un currently possesses bombs with the same destructive power as the Hiroshima nuclear explosion.

The bomb destroyed an entire city and killed 70,000 people with its initial blast, with tens of thousands more following as a result of radioactive fallout.

Making a more powerful ICBM than this that is still small and lightweight requires thermonuclear fuel, which would upgrade North Korea's arsenal into hydrogen bombs.

Based on nuclear detonations at North Korea's underground test sites, experts say Kim Jong-un currently possesses bombs with the same destructive power as the Hiroshima nuclear explosion. Pictured is the world's first nuclear bomb, 'the gadget', tested in August 1945

This would be extremely difficult to achieve, but could produce weapons with up to 1,000 times the destructive power of the North's current warheads.

North Korea has shown great interest in developing hydrogen bombs, but experts are clueless as to how far off they are from developing one.

The clearest indicator would be the detection of a very large underground blast from one of the North's testing sites.
If you receive post in London this month, there's a good chance it arrived to your door via an electric postal truck.

Royal Mail is trialling nine British-made fully electric commercial vehicles this month, transporting packages between mail and distribution centres in the capital.

The firm hopes that the trial will increase Royal Mail's efficiency, and reduce vehicle emissions.

While the trucks will have human drivers, they are 'autonomous-ready', which suggests that Royal Mail deliveries could one day be made by driverless vehicles.

However, Royal Mail says it has 'no current plans' to roll out the technology.

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Royal Mail is trialling nine British-made fully electric commercial vehicles this month, transporting packages between mail and distribution centres in the capital

ROYAL MAIL'S ELECTRIC FLEET The firm will begin trials using 3.5, six and 7.5 tonne trucks from their Mount Pleasant depot in central London. The vehicles will be used to transport packages between mail and distribution centres in the city. The trucks themselves are made of ultra-lightweight composite materials that significantly reduce the weight. By combining this technology with Arrival's power electronics and motors, the cost of operating has been reduced by more than 50 per cent. The trucks also feature batteries that are optimised for inner city deliveries, and allow the vehicles to produce zero emissions for up to 100 miles. Advertisement

Royal Mail has joined forces with Arrival, an automotive technology firm based in Oxfordshire, to create the electric vehicles.

Mr Paul Gatti, Royal Mail Fleet's Managing Director, said: 'Royal Mail is delighted to be collaborating with Arrival and pioneering the adoption of large electric commercial vehicles.

'We will be putting them through their paces over the next several months to see how they cope with the mail collection demands from our larger sites.

'We have trialled electric trucks before but not of this type of innovative design and look forward to see what additional benefits they can bring to our existing fleet of around 49,000 vehicles.'

The firm will begin trials using 3.5, six and 7.5 tonne trucks from its Mount Pleasant depot in central London.

While they are autonomous ready, a spokesperson for Royal Mail said: 'Royal Mail has no current plans to use the trucks autonomously. They will be driven by our professional drivers.'

The vehicles will be used to transport packages between mail and distribution centres in the city and surrounding area.

The trucks themselves are made of ultra-lightweight composite materials that significantly reduce the weight of the vehicle.

The trucks themselves are made of ultra-lightweight composite materials that significantly reduce the weight of the vehicle. By combining this technology with Arrival's power electronics and motors, the cost of operating has been reduced by more than 50 per cent

The firm will begin trials using 3.5, six and 7.5 tonne trucks from their Mount Pleasant depot in central London. Pictured are two of Arrival's electric vehicles

By combining this technology with Arrival's power electronics and motors, the cost of operating has been reduced by more than 50 per cent.

The trucks also feature batteries that are optimised for inner city deliveries, and allow the vehicles to produce zero emissions for up to 100 miles.

They also comply with the Mayor of London's Direct Vision Standard for lorries in the city making the streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

The trucks feature batteries that are optimised for inner city deliveries, and allow the vehicles to produce zero emissions for up to 100 miles

Mr Denis Sverdlov, CEO of Arrival said; 'We are thrilled to partner with Royal Mail using our electric vehicles.

'Cities like London will benefit hugely from a switch to electric, in terms of both pollution and noise.

'Most importantly we are priced the same as diesel trucks removing the main barrier to go electric.'
We now have our first glimpse at what astronauts may be wearing on SpaceX's crewed missions to the ISS next year.

Elon Musk today revealed a new space suit design on Instagram, adding that more details will be released in the next few days.

The suit is stylish and simple, with Musk admitting that its 'incredibly hard' to balance the look and its function.

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We now have our first glimpse at what astronauts may be wearing on SpaceX' crewed missions to the ISS next year. Elon Musk today revealed a new space suit design on Instagram, adding that more details will be released in the next few days

WHEN WILL IT BE READY? The suit will be worn by NASA astronauts for the commercial crew program when SpaceX starts launching people to and from the International Space Station. SpaceX has been flying cargo capsules to the International Space Station for three years. The company is due to launch its first crewed mission with NASA in June next year. The firm also hopes to send two space tourists on a flight around the moon next year. Advertisement

It features accents and lines that make it more stylish than current designs. It also appears to be more tight-fitting than anything Nasa has produced.

'Worth noting that this actually works (not a mockup),' Musk wrote in a caption. 'Already tested to double vacuum pressure.'

The suit will be worn by NASA astronauts for the commercial crew program when SpaceX starts launching people to and from the International Space Station.

SpaceX has been flying cargo capsules to the International Space Station for three years.

The company is due to launch its first crewed mission with Nasa in June next year.

The firm also hopes to send two space tourists on a flight around the moon next year.

SpaceX chose to develop their its suit for their astronauts in-house.

This is in contrast to the approach taken by Boeing which partnered with spacesuit specialist David Clark Company.

Its inspiration may have come from Jose Fernandez, the designer of costumes for Iron Man, Spider-Man, Batman and Captain America.

The suit is stylish and simple, with Elon Musk (pictured) admitting that its 'incredibly hard' to balance the look and its function

Last year, Musk revealed that he had contacted Fernandez to create a space suit.

Boeing unveiled its own version of a space suit in January.

The bright blue spacesuit will be worn by astronauts aboard the CST-100 Starliner.

It is designed to be comfortable while still providing functionality, with the helmet attached to the suit itself, touchscreen-sensitive gloves, and vents to keep the astronauts cool.

The 20 pound spacesuit is far lighter than other launch-and-entry suits, and its material allows water vapour to escape while keeping air inside.

Boeing has unveiled the bright blue spacesuit that astronauts will wear aboard the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. It is designed to be comfortable while still providing functionality, with the helmet attached to the suit itself and touchscreen-sensitive gloves

According to Boeing, the Starliner spacesuit is roughly 40 percent lighter than other suits.

But, the trim design still meets NASAs safety and functionality requirements.

The most important part is that the suit will keep you alive, astronaut Eric Boe said.

It is a lot lighter, more form-fitting and its simpler, which is always a good thing.

NASA'S CURRENT SUIT: THE EXTRAVEHICULAR MOBILITY UNIT Spacesuits are in short supply at Nasa and a replacement is still years away. The bulky white spacesuits, currently worn by US and European astronauts when they explore outside the International Space Station, were developed more than 40 years ago and intended to last just 15. Known as the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), they were introduced in 1981. The two-piece semi-rigid suits are made of 14 layers of protective materials, including for thermal insulation and pressure resistance. The mobile life support system has an oxygen supply, electrical power, water-cooling equipment, a ventilating fan and an in-suit drink bag. Known as the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), Nasa's current spacesuits (pictured) were introduced in 1981. The two-piece semi-rigid suits are made of 14 layers of protective materials, including for thermal insulation and pressure resistance Each suit has been refurbished over the years, with new features like glove warmers, improved helmet cameras and lights added. But they have suffered an increasing number of problems, such as water leaking inside the helmets. In 2013, the helmet of Italian space-walker Luca Parmitano's suit began filling with water, an emergency that risked drowning him. He quickly ended his spacewalk and returned to the space station to remove his headpiece, rattled but unharmed. Advertisement

'Complicated systems have more ways they can break, so simple is better on something like this.

The new Starliner suit has zippers in the torso and materials in the elbows and knees that will give the astronauts a greater range of movement, and allow them to transition from standing to sitting more easily.

It also has a communications headset inside of the helmet, along with a wide visor for better peripheral vision.

The new Starliner suit has zippers in the torso and materials in the elbows and knees that will give the astronauts a greater range of movement, and allow them to transition from standing to sitting more easily
Bosses with big egos are worse for companies as they are more likely to get sued, research has found.

Narcissistic chief executives are also more likely to trigger legal action and engage in protracted lawsuits, a study suggests.

Bigheaded bosses are more likely to disregard expert advice and act irrationally  which can prove financially costly to a companys fortunes.

Bosses with big egos are worse for companies as they are more likely to get sued, research has found (stock image)

The character traits of grandiosity and overconfidence make cocky CEOs indifferent to losing lawsuits, and less likely to settle legal action.

An example of a boss keen to engage in legal action was the late Robert Maxwell  who used the threat of lawsuits to stifle journalists reporting on his crooked business dealings.

The findings could help new bosses more accurately weigh up the pluses and minuses of hiring an arrogant leader for the top job.

Researchers at Stanford University carried out a survey of 32 high technology firms  97 per cent of which were on the Fortune 1000 list.

They asked employees to rate their bosses on a scale of narcissism.

The 250 employees were asked for instance to rate on a scale of 1-7 how arrogant, assertive, boastful, conceited, egotistical, self-centred, show-off, and temperamental the bosses were.

An example of a boss keen to engage in legal action was the late Robert Maxwell (pictured)  who used the threat of lawsuits to stifle journalists reporting on his crooked business dealings

They also examined company reports for information on how many lawsuits the company was involved in.

They also collected information that has previously been found to be linked to narcissim  how often the CEO uses the word I in letters to investors, and how big the CEOs signature was.

Overall the authors found firms with more narcissistic CEOs have more lawsuits filed against them and the lawsuits endure for longer periods of time.

HOW WAS THE STUDY DONE? Researchers at Stanford University carried out a survey of 32 high technology firms  97 per cent of which were on the Fortune 1000 list. They asked employees to rate their bosses on a scale of narcissism. The 250 employees were asked for instance to rate on a scale of 1-7 how arrogant, assertive, boastful, conceited, egotistical, self-centred, show-off, and temperamental the bosses were. They also examined company reports for information on how many lawsuits the company was involved in. They also collected information that has previously been found to be linked to narcissim  how often the CEO uses the word I in letters to investors, and how big the CEOs signature was. Overall the authors found firms with more narcissistic CEOs have more lawsuits filed against them and the lawsuits endure for longer periods of time. Advertisement

In two further studies, the authors recruited subjects for an online experiments. These volunteers were presented with scenarios where the subject had to imagine they were a CEO launching a new product, but were being advised that there was a chance they might be sued.

Narcissists were more likely to launch and ignore expert advice, the study found.

The researchers said that the highly narcissistic were overconfident in their abilities, less sensitive to the costs of failure, less trusting of experts and more confident of their ability to win.

The authors say in their conclusions that the results suggest that the narcissistic traits that help propel a person to power  such as overconfidence  may come at a significant cost.

The researchers led by Harvard professor Charles OReilly in Leadership Quarterly said that their findings add to a growing body of evidence that organisations led by narcissistic CEOs experience considerable downsides, including evidence of increased risk taking, overpaying for acquisitions, manipulating accounting data, and even fraud.

Robert Maxwell has widely been cited in studies of leadership as exhibiting classic signs of narcissism.

One book, Narcissistic and Psychopathic leaders by Sam Vaknin cites Maxwell as an example of a perniciously exploitative narcissist who uses, abuses devalues and discards even his nearest and dearest in the most chilling manner who needs to secure a a constant supply of his drug  attention and who went on to raid his employees pension funds.
From machine-gun wielding to video-recording, many different kinds of autonomous drones are currently being developed.

But autonomous planes are also being developed for a variety of applications.

Silicon Valley startup Pyka is developing an autonomous plane to make agricultural chemical application safer, faster and more precise.

The plane, which was presented at the 25th Y Combinator Demo Day in Mountain View, California, is an auto-piloting, single person plane

THE PYKA PLANE Silicon Valley startup Pyka is developing an autonomous plane to make agricultural chemical application safer, faster and more precise. The plane, which was presented at the 25th Y Combinator Demo Day in Mountain View, California, is an auto-piloting, single person plane. It can cruise over hills and other terrain spraying agricultural chemicals at over 70 miles per hour (112.5 kilometers per hour). The autonomous flying system allows the pilot to stay on the ground, while the plane itself flies close to the land's surface - a type of flying that is normally very dangerous. Advertisement

The plane, which was presented at the 25th Y Combinator Demo Day in Mountain View, California, is an auto-piloting, single person plane.

According to Pyka's website, the plane can cruise over hills and other terrain, spraying agricultural chemicals at over 70 miles per hour (112.5 kilometers per hour).

The autonomous flying system allows the pilot to stay on the ground, while the plane itself flies close to the land's surface - a type of flying that is normally very dangerous.

While it's not yet clear how much the plane will cost, the company says that their technology enables 'extremely fast and affordable application.'

The plane's onboard sensors allow it to self-regulate its position, flying precise paths while spraying at the right times.

This allows the plane to compensate if there's wind and drift, leading to using less chemicals per acre while also decreasing accidental exposure of chemicals to other areas.

The plane's onboard sensors allow it to self-regulate its position, flying precise paths while spraying at the right times. This allows the plane to compensate if there's wind and drift, leading to using less chemicals per acre while also decreasing accidental exposure

According to Tech Crunch, the company has already built a 400-pound (181-kilo) that flies autonomously and can take-off and land in 90 feet (27 meters).

However, regulators need to conduct tests before allowing humans on board, so the company has developed an additional business conducting crop dusting - the spraying of insecticide or fertilizer on crops - in New Zealand.

This lets the business earn $600 per hour, while also logging the hours required to test and prepare the plane for human transportation.
For the past two decades, researchers have documented a gradual lowering of the frequency of blue whale calls and they haven't been sure why.

But a new study has shed light on this mystery, and how whales even do this.

While researchers used to think that baleen whales generated their calls by resonating sounds in large chambers in their upper respiratory system, new research has revealed that whales can control the frequency of their calls by blowing air through their vocal cords at a faster or slower rate.

This also suggests that whales are choosing to make their calls higher or lower in response to an environmental stimulus - for example an increase in ambient noise in the ocean.

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New research has revealed that whales can control the frequency of their calls by blowing air through their vocal cords at a faster or slower rate. This also suggests that whales are choosing to make their calls higher or lower in response to an environmental stimulus

WHY BLUE WHALES ARE CHANGING THEIR CALLS For the past two decades, researchers have documented a gradual lowering of the frequency of blue whale calls and they haven't been sure why. Other baleen whales in the North Pacific have, in recent years, been recorded generating vocalizations that are missing the 'overtone' portions of their calls. To find out how and why whales changed their vocalizations, researchers based at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center began using a clear call from a blue whale off Yaquina Head near Newport. They recorded the call using an undersea hydrophone, which was also used to monitor the environmental impacts of wave energy. They then developed acoustic models of the whale sound and incorporated anatomical models of a blue whale's respiratory system. By creating a model to reproduce the sound, they showed whales can control the frequency of their calls by blowing air through their vocal cords at a faster or slower rate. Dr Joe Haxel, a researcher at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center, says that the changes in whale vocalizations may be due to an increase in ambient noise off the Pacific Coast. 'We conducted a year-long study of sound off the Oregon Coast and at times it can be really noisy out there,' Dr Haxel said. Advertisement

Some studies have showed that blue whales are lowering the frequency of their calls, and others have shown that baleen whales in the North Pacific have are generating vocalizations that are missing the 'overtone' portions of their calls.

A new study, conducted by researchers at Oregon State University, tried to understand these mysteries by recording a blue whale call and then creating a model to reproduce that sound based on a series of controlled air bursts from the animal's vocal cords.

By doing this, the researchers showed that whales can control the frequency of their calls by blowing air through their vocal cords at a faster or slower rate.

'Our study shows that blue whales in particular  and perhaps other baleen whales in in general  may be making their harmonious sounds in a much different way than previously thought, said Dr Robert Dziak, an acoustics scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and lead author on the study.

'It was long thought that they generated their calls mostly by resonating sound in large chambers or cavities in their upper respiratory system.'

'But this implies that the frequency of the whale's calls are dictated by the size of the animal  the lower the frequency, the bigger the animal.

'We show that blue whales can make these low frequency sounds, and even change frequency in the middle of their call, by pulsing air through their vocal cords.'

'That also suggests that the change in the frequency might be cognitive.

'They are choosing to make it higher or lower in response to some sort of environmental stimulus.'

One of the theories about why blue whales are lowering their calls is that as blue whale populations recover from commercial whaling, there are more of them and the lowering frequency of the calls may be related to changes in population.

But Dr Joe Haxel, a researcher at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center, says that the changes in whale vocalizations may be due to an increase in ambient noise off the Pacific Coast.

'We conducted a year-long study of sound off the Oregon Coast and at times it can be really noisy out there,' Dr Haxel said.

'In addition to vibrant natural sounds  especially waves breaking on the beach  a few long-term studies have documented a substantial increase in ocean noise over several decades from expanding container shipping traffic.

'It may be possible the whales are modulating their vocalization frequency in response to an increase in human-generated noise.

A new study , conducted by researchers at Oregon State University, tried to understand changes in whale calls by recording a blue whale call and then creating a model to reproduce that sound based on a series of controlled air bursts from the animal's vocal cords

'They are essentially trying to find a radio channel that has less static to communicate in.'

Dr Dziak and his colleagues created similar acoustic tools to replicate the sounds of icebergs scraping across the seafloor, and explosions from undersea volcanic eruptions.

To recreate the sounds of a blue whale, the researchers began using a clear call from a blue whale off Yaquina Head near Newport that they recorded using an underseas hydrophone, which was also used to monitor the environmental impacts of wave energy.

They then developed acoustic models of the whale sound and incorporated anatomical models of a blue whale's respiratory system.

To recreate the sounds of a blue whale, the researchers began using a clear call from a blue whale off Yaquina Head near Newport that they recorded using an underseas hydrophone, which was also used to monitor the environmental impacts of wave energy

'We tried to envision a mechanism whereby whales could gradually lower the frequency of their calls through time, or produce calls with unusual harmonic structure, by only resonating sound in their upper respiratory chamber  and it was physically impossible,' said Dr Dziak.

'Only when we pulsed air through the process of opening and closing the vocal cords did we get a way to produce sounds that can change frequencies in mid-call as well as remove overtones.

'And this method produced models that matched the natural Yaquina Head blue whale call very, very closely.

'Lower-frequency sounds can be produced at lower intensity by the animal than high-frequency sounds and yet low-frequency sound still travels further.

'Those factors may also play a role in the vocalization changes over the past two decades.'




Samsung has confirmed the firm will 'soon' release a smart speaker designed to take on Amazon's Echo, Google's Home and Apple's HomePod.

DJ Koh, the president of Samsung's mobile division, told CNBC a smart speaker was on the way.

'Maybe soon we will announce it. I am already working on it,' Koh said.

In the hopes of keeping up with its rivals, Samsung is rumoured to be working on a new smart speaker featuring its voice assistant, Bixby

BIXBY'S KEY FEATURES - Operates through 'Quick Commands' - a feature that allows users to create custom voice commands - Uses deep learning technology to understand the way you speak, ask questions and make requests - Improves over time to recognise your personal preferences and style of speaking - Acts as an intelligent interface, and can be integrated into other apps - When an application becomes Bixby-enabled, the assistant will support almost every task that the application is capable of performing using voice, touch or text Advertisement

'As I mentioned I wanted to provide a fruitful user experience at home with Samsung devices, and I want to be moving quite heavily on it,' he added.

The secret project is believed to be codenamed Vega, although little is known about the details of the device.

It will use Bixby, the company's digital personal assistant currently found on the flagship Galaxy S8 smartphone and Note 8 device.

After months of delays, Samsung finally launched its Bixby voice assistant in more than 200 countries worldwide this week.

Among the countries with access to the smart assistant are the UK, Australia, Canada and South Africa  although it can only understand American English and Korean.

The launch will come as a huge relief to Samsung, which suffered major delays as Bixby 'struggled to understand English.'

Bixby is a smart assistant, similar to Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana.

It operates through 'Quick Commands'  a feature that allows users to create custom voice commands.

Koh said that this first version of Bixby is 'just a baby', but the long-term ambitions is to have the digital assistant able to control all sorts of devices.

Samsung's speaker will face stiff competition from both Apple's HomePod (pictured left), which was revealed last month, and Amazon's Echo (pictured right) and Echo Dot speakers

Apple's $349 HomePod speaker will work with Apple Music and has several speakers and a built in woofer

'In Samsung, there are many customers using Samsung TVs, refrigerators, washing machines and smartphones.

'If those kinds of devices are connected and then you can control by just using voice, that is my vision,' Koh told CNBC.

For example, users can use the command 'good night' as a shortcut for 'Turn on Do-not-disturb mode, set an alarm for 6:00am and turn on blue light filter.'

The voice assistant can also use deep learning technology to understand the way you speak, ask questions and make requests.

Sriram Thodla, senior director of services and new business at Samsung, speaks about the new voice agent named 'Bixby' that is featured on the new Samsung Galaxy S8 during a launch event, March 29, 2017 in New York City. The firm has now confirmed it is working on a speaker using the technology

For example, if you take a photo and then tell Bixby to 'send the picture just taken to Mum,' the assistant will know which photo you are referring to and will text it to your mum.

Bixby also improves over time to recognise your personal preferences and style of speaking.

A report in the Wall Street Journal previously claimed that Samsung is working on a smart speaker.

Details are very minimal, and the report does not mention any specifications, features or a release date.

THE SMART SPEAKER WARS The Samsung speaker will take on Apple's HomePod, Amazon's Echo and Google Home. Apple's speaker will have a higher price tag than the Amazon Echo range, which begins at $49 (49) for the Echo Dot. The speaker will provide a hub for appliances via Apple's HomeKit system and establish a centre inside the home to lock people in to using other Apple services, according to the report. A speaker might help customers stay loyal to other services such as Apple Music, Apple Watch, Apple TV and AirPods. Google's $130 (105) Home speaker is triggered by the phrase 'Hey Google' while Amazon's Echo uses 'Alexa'. Amazon's smart speaker is available in two versions - the full sized $180 (145) Echo shown here, and a smaller, $50 (40) version called the Echo Dot. Amazon Echo uses Microsoft's Bing search engine to provide additional information, while Google Home uses the company's own Google Search. Both Home and Echo are continually listening for commands, though Google and Amazon say nothing gets passed back to them until the speakers hear a keyword  'OK, Google' for Home and 'Alexa' for Echo. Google's Assistant software is also able to answer follow-up questions on the same topic, in a near-conversation style, but Echo as yet cannot. However, Amazon's Alexa software has a wider range of skills on offer that enable it to link up with and control more third-party devices around the home. A light comes on to remind you that it's listening. You can turn off the microphone temporarily, too. Advertisement

The WSJ now says Samsung sees the full release of Bixby voice support available for the Galaxy S8 as 'unlikely before the second half of July.'

Samsung's speaker will face stiff competition from Apple's HomePod, which was revealed last month, Amazon's Echo and Echo Dot speakers, and Google's Home speaker.

MailOnline has contacted Samsung for comment.

The connected speaker market has been growing steadily in recent years.

Amazon released its Echo range of speakers in 2014, followed by Google Home appeared a year later.

Microsoft has also opened up its Cortana assistant for use in third-party speakers.

Meanwhile, last month, Apple said its Siri-powered HomePod will be available by the end of the year.
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On the surface, Bangkok boasts a shimmering shoal of snazzy skyscrapers, the latest one being the impressively tall 77-storey MahaNakhon tower.

But take a closer look and there is a sprawl of abandonment lurking, with unused buildings slowly crumbling under the shadow of their newer neighbours.

One of the most famed dilapidated buildings in the Thai capital is the Sathorn Unique, which has become known as the Ghost Tower, with tourists flocking to take photographs of its haunting concrete carcass.

Bird's eye view: On the surface, Bangkok boasts a shimmering shoal of snazzy skyscrapers. But take a closer look and there is a sprawl of abandonment lurking

Lonely landmark: One of the most famed dilapidated buildings in the Thai capital is the Sathorn Unique, which has become known as the Ghost Tower, with tourists flocking to take photographs of its concrete carcass. Above, a view from the roof

Loo with a view: The 49-storey high-rise was supposed to feature luxury condos for hundreds of newly affluent Thai families, but it was abandoned unfinished when the Asian financial crisis struck in 1997

The 49-storey high-rise - started in 1990 - was supposed to feature luxury condos for hundreds of newly affluent Thai families, but it was abandoned unfinished when the Asian financial crisis struck in 1997.

Now it is a monument to mistakes made and an object of curiosity to a steady stream of visitors.

Sathorn Unique, named after the up-and-coming neighborhood next to the Chao Phraya river it towers over, draws dozens of foreigners daily who come to gawk at the decrepit, stained concrete edifice.

It is home to bats, birds, weeds and trees instead of the well-heeled dwellers it was intended for.

Sathorn Unique, named after the up-and-coming neighborhood next to the Chao Phraya river it towers over

Domino effect: About 500 big construction projects came to a screeching halt during the Asian financial crash. Above, an escalator from a shopping mall complex is left to rot with the ceiling caving in

Standing tall: The Ghost Tower is an impressive structure, today it is adorned with advertising banners and large swathes of graffiti

Party spot: The building is monitored in a bid to deter squatters but trespassers have managed to sneak their way in

Head for heights: The owner of the building warns that it is not safe and is in a state of mid-construction. Above, a balcony appears to be half-finished, with the structural rods exposed

In the booming 90s, Bangkok's skyline was surging skyward and studded with construction cranes, mostly due to architect and property developer Rangsan Torsuwan, who was flush with cash from selling ornate, high-rise condos along the beach in Pattaya.

It was Rangsan who was behind the development of the Ghost Tower.

Then came what Thais call the 'Tom Yum Goong' crash - referring to the famous local sour and spicy soup. It started in Thailand when the over-leveraged government unexpectedly devalued the baht.

Investors rushed to pull their money out as quickly as they could, setting off a regional financial crisis.

About 500 big construction projects - from shopping malls to elevated railways - came to a screeching halt.

Most later resumed, but not the Ghost Tower.

Flashback: In the booming 90s, Bangkok's skyline was surging skyward and studded with construction cranes but then the financial crisis hit

Past reminders: The banking disaster started in Thailand when the over-leveraged government unexpectedly devalued the baht. Investors rushed to pull their money out as quickly as they could, setting off a regional financial crisis

Walking away: Work on the Ghost Tower was never resumed. It was owned by architect and property developer Rangsan Torsuwan, who ran into trouble with the law. It is now managed by his son, Pansitr

In limbo: Most abandoned structures cannot be demolished due to disagreements over contracts and proceedings. And due to poor structural quality, the majority aren't suited to redevelopment

Rangsan was charged in 1993 with attempting to murder the president of Thailand's Supreme Court, a twisting case that dragged on until he was found guilty 15 years later, then acquitted in 2010.

Potential investors stayed well away.

Rangsan's son Pansit is now in charge of the Ghost Tower and a security team is employed to keep squatters at bay.

Elsewhere across the bustling city there are abandoned shopping malls, factories and homes.

Most abandoned structures cannot be demolished due to disagreements over contracts and proceedings.

And due to poor structural quality, the majority aren't suited to redevelopment. Many people predict the buildings will stand for many years to come, as it will be too costly to address the matter.
He's making his way through a group of hopeful suitors on The Bachelor.

And Matthew 'Matty J' Johnson has discussed why he eliminated contestant Leah Costa, who labelled him an 'actor' who isn't genuinely looking for love.

The 30-year-old spoke with Hit105s Stav, Abby & Matt with Osher on Wednesday about 'not having an issue' with Leah's career as a topless waitress but insisted she never told him of her past.

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Farewell: Matthew 'Matty J' Johnson has discussed why he eliminated contestant Leah Costa, who labelled him an 'actor' who isn't genuinely looking for love

Co-host Abby asked Matty J about Leah claiming she told him about her topless waitress past 'the first night she went into the house', rather than it being revealed later as shown.

'She told me she was an architecture student and that was it. She might have said she was a party planner but didn't go into detail that it was bucks weekends!' he said.

She then asked Matty how he was feeling with Leah booted out of the house.

'I completely underestimated just how different it is in the mansion when there's a group of guys versus a group of women,' he explained.

'It was nice to have Leah leave, to let the drama settle down a bit,' he continued.

'It was nice to have Leah leave, to let the drama settle down a bit,' he continued

The hosts then played Matty an interview they previously did with Leah the day after she was eliminated, where she told them: 'I never was a Matty fan, to be honest.'

'I was a bigger Matty fan before I met Matty!' she added, then labelled him an 'actor'.

After hearing her harsh comments, Matty joked they 'cut deep'.

Critical: The hosts then played Matty an interview they previously did with Leah the day after she was eliminated, where she told them, 'I never was a Matty fan, to be honest'

'I would be naive to think everyone is going to fall in love with me and obviously she didn't. It's a shame, but it wasn't to be,' he added.

Matt asked Matty if Leah wasn't the one 'causing drama' in the mansion, could he date someone with her 'past'.

'It's not illegal, she's paying her taxes, making a living, it's not something I have an issue with,' he stated.
They got engaged on Sunday while on a romantic safari holiday together in Africa.

And two days after the accepted proposal, Miles Teller's fiancee Keleigh Sperry shared pictures to her Instagram page from the special moment.

Keleigh, 24, officially announced the engagement on her social media on Tuesday - 24 hours after her sister Christie Sperry revealed the news.

Two days after the engagement, Miles Teller's fiancee Keleigh Sperry shared more pictures to her Instagram page from the special moment

The model shared three photos on Tuesday- although two were already posted by Christie.

Keleigh simply captioned the slideshow as 'Africa,' adding a heart emoji and a ring one as well.

The Instagram star flaunted her large square-cut diamond ring in one photo - which Christie had not previously shared.

In one photo, Miles is snapped as he lovingly carried the petite Keleigh in his arms.

Diamonds are a girls best friend! The Instagram star flaunted her large square-cut diamond ring in one photo - which Christie had not previously shared

Absolute bliss: Although her sister Christie Sperry already revealed the engagement on Monday, Keleigh officially announced it on her social media- 24 hours later

The stunning brunette wowed in her colorful printed dress, which featured a different pattern on the skirt.

Keleigh kept her nails a neutral tone while sporting taupe colored boots in the engagement photos.

She styled her long brunette tresses in waves, opting for just minimal makeup.

What a rock: They got engaged on Sunday while on a romantic safari holiday together in Africa

Views: The twosome have been together for four years

Beaming Miles, 30, kept it casual in a long-sleeved blue shirt, adding denim bottoms and brown shoes.

Keleigh's sister shared snaps of the duo posing together in Africa, including pictures of the ring as well as one shot of the beauty holding a rose with a small note.

The paper had: 'KS & MT 5/11/13 - 8/20/2017' - which seemingly means May 11, 2013 is the first time they met or perhaps their first date.

Based on the note, the lovebirds have been together for four years and three months.

Christie shared the images on Monday with the caption: 'These two got engaged while on an African Safari over the weekend!! Can't believe the last Sperry girl is engaged.'

Adding: 'Love both of you guys to pieces and so incredibly happy for this new chapter in your love story! Now come home so we can celebrate @keleigh_sperry.'

Time to celebrate: Keleigh's sister shared snaps of the duo posing together while showing off the ring, as well as one shot of the beauty holding a rose with a small note
A federal judge sentenced a Billings man to 10 years in prison on Wednesday for the 2016 armed robbery of the Valley Federal Credit Union in the Billings Heights.

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters also ordered the defendant, David Lee Brown Jr., 40, to pay $2,812 restitution to the credit union.

Brown pleaded guilty in April to bank robbery and to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. There was no plea agreement.

The robbery occurred on Sept. 7 at the Valley Federal Credit Union, 1445 Main St.

Prosecutor Colin Rubich said Brown and his wife picked up their daughter from school and went to the credit union after having been there earlier. Brown then covered his face with a camouflaged balaclava, armed himself with a semi-automatic gun and entered the business.

Brown pointed the gun at a teller and ordered her to fill an empty Doritos bag with money, Rubich said. The teller complied and included bait bills, which have serial numbers that are tracked by the credit union. Brown fled.

The investigation led to Brown, who confessed. He told officers he tossed the money off the porch behind his house, but the money was never found.

Rubich recommended a 10-year sentence calling Browns conduct shocking and dangerous for the community and the teller. This is a nightmare scenario, he said.

Being a meth addict did not excuse Browns conduct, Rubich said. Brown also had a criminal record that included burglary convictions, he said.

Assistant Federal Defender Mark Werner recommended an eight-year sentence saying Brown was remorseful, a meth addict and determined to rehabilitate himself while in prison.

In imposing a 10-year sentence, Watters said she considered Browns conduct, his criminal records and his meth addiction. She also noted Brown had an extremely chaotic and dysfunctional childhood, was on the street at age 10 and had been physically and sexually abused by adults as a child.

Watters imposed three years for the robbery and a mandatory consecutive seven years for the firearms count.
Celebrity Big Brother housemates were baffled when an explosive row broke out between Sarah Harding and Chad Johnson over minced beef.

And continuing the trend of bizarre rows Jemma Lucy was gunning for the newest reality couple as a spat started over ownership of a bottle of red wine.

The tattooed model's ire was drawn when Sarah, 35,and Chad, 30,decided to carry a bottle of house red out to the smoking area, without, in her mind, properly consulting with the rest of the group.

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Booze bombshell: Continuing the trend of bizarre rows CBB rows Jemma Lucy was gunning for the newest reality couple Sarah Harding and Chad Johnson as a spat started over ownership of a bottle of red wine

Chin chin: The tattooed model's ire was drawn when Sarah, 35,and Chad, 30,decided to carry a bottle of house red out to the smoking area, without, in her mind, properly consulting with the rest of the group

Spitting venom to Amelia Lily, Jemma, 29, spouted:My goodness me will you just f*** off, its so irritating, look theyre going to go and sit on their own. Shes got the whole bottle.

With Sarah taking the bottle to have a 'pre-dinner red and then a post dinner red' Gemma continued 'I just think its bang out of order, dont be sneaking it to your f****** corner with your second boyfriend'

'And she's smoking my cigarettes. Are they 12? She took the bottle and hid it outside.'

Jemma then marched outside, and said. Guys do you mind, if we put that bottle back in there. I dont think its fair youve taken it, I might want it later Chad' before storming off.

Annoyed: Spitting venom to Amelia Lily, Jemma, 29, spouted:My goodness me will you just f*** off, its so irritating, look theyre going to go and sit on their own. Shes got the whole bottle'

Irate: With Sarah taking the bottle to have a 'pre-dinner red and then a post dinner red' Gemma continued 'I just think its bang out of order, dont be sneaking it to your f****** corner with your second boyfriend'

Cheers: Sarah gave Derek Acorah a small tipple before saying that red wine made her feel 'cosy and homely'

Not happy: Jemma then marched outside, and said. Guys do you mind, if we put that bottle back in there. I dont think its fair youve taken it, I might want it later Chad' before storming off

Row:A bemused Chad then poked his head into the bathroom to ask Jemma if they were 'cool'

A bemused Chad then poked his head into the bathroom to ask Jemma if they were 'cool'

She bit back: 'People do feel like they cant come up to you. You're secluding yourself so much.

So you dont have to respect other people because youre up for eviction?

When Chad asked why she wasn't speaking to Sarah, she responded I dont give a f*** about Sarah thats why.

Anger: She bit back: 'People do feel like they cant come up to you. You're secluding yourself so much'

Dressing down: When Chad asked why she wasn't speaking to Sarah, she responded I dont give a f*** about Sarah thats why'

Candid: Some people they feel uncomfortable, feel as if you're having an intimate moment and they can't go and sit there'

When you're sitting there lying all over her, some people, not me, you could be lying there f****** her and I wouldnt give a f***

Some people they feel uncomfortable, feel as if you're having an intimate moment and they can't go and sit there

'Thats called secluding yourself,' and Chad responded 'thats called living your life, I like to live my life and do what I want to do'

Biting back: Jemma then said like I need to tone it down a little bit you probably should tone it down. Go and f****** do it in the bedroom'

Jemma then said like I need to tone it down a little bit you probably should tone it down. Go and f****** do it in the bedroom

As a placid Chad backed down Jemma fired a parting shot of so we f****** agree you little d***

Chad then said: 'Woah dont talk s*** to me.'

The boozing comes days after Sarah vowed to tone down her boozy behaviour, saying there would be no more 'cider Sarah'.
Earlier this month, throwback photos surfaced of The Bachelor's Matthew Johnson looking VERY different with prominently protruding ears.

Now, Matty has finally come clean about his dramatic makeover, telling KIIS FM's The Kyle And Jackie O Show he went under the knife to have his ears pinned back.

'I used to have wingnut ears. I pinned them back,' Matty J, 30, told the radio shock jocks on Wednesday.

'I used to have wingnut ears. I pinned them back': Matty Johnson has come clean about his makeover, telling KIIS FM on Wednesday he went under the knife to have his ears pinned back

'In high school I was pimply and pretty gangly,' he confessed.

When quizzed about whether he had undergone any other cosmetic procedures sine his teenage years, Matty simply responded: 'Just the Dumbo ears!'

Prior to Matty's confession, Dr Jeremy Hunt MBBS FRACS, a spokesperson for the Australian Society of Plastic Surgery, told Daily Mail Australia he believed Matty had an otoplasty.

Will he find The One? Matty is now known for his dashing good looks. Pictured above on The Bachelor, which is currently airing on Network Ten

'It does appear that he has had an otoplasty (ears pinned back),' Dr Hunt said on Monday after viewing before and after photos of Matty.

'The ideal ear will sit in a line that parallels the face as is seen in the after,' he added.

'In the before, the middle third of the ear is prominent, resulting in an ear that protrudes beyond the scalp.

'In the after, the prominence of the ear is back within the normal limits.'

Throwback! Recently, old Facebook photos surfaced of Matty J looking very different with curly hair and wearing daggy clothes; his ears also appeared to be a different shape

It comes after Daily Mail Australia discovered old Facebook photos of the Sydney marketing manager, 30, in his younger days.

The Bondi-based heartthrob looked almost unrecognisable with long, curly hair and daggy early 2000s clothes.

In one social media snap, the reality TV star is seen pulling a dorky expression while partying with a group of friends.

Another throwback picture shows him with shaggy locks styled to one side.

Party boy! It comes after Daily Mail Australia discovered old social media photos of the Sydney marketing manager, 30, in his younger days

WHAT IS OTOPLASTY? 'Otoplasty' refers to plastic surgery performed to correct prominent ears by re-shaping the ear folds and setting the ears closer to the head, in a natural and subtle manner. The aim of surgery is to create a very natural, 'not operated on' appearance of the ears. Source: Pure Aesthetics

Matty previously told The Daily Telegraph he used to be 'skinny with bad acne' back in the day.

'I was pretty skinny and weedy in high school  I had really bad acne as well,' he said.

'I had to go to a lady to see my skin. I also had a growth spurt really quickly and so I was kind of gangly and with pimples.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Matty's representatives for comment.
She welcomed her sweet daughter Polly back in April.

And Amy Childs revealed she was beginning to introduce her little girl to solid foods on Tuesday, four months after giving birth.

However, confirming the move on Twitter, the reality star soon received backlash from trolls who claimed she was weaning too early - causing fans rushed to her defence.

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Next step: Amy Childs revealed she was beginning to introduce her daughter Polly to solid foods on Tuesday, four months after giving birth

Backlash: However the reality star soon received backlash from trolls who claimed she was weaning Polly (above) too early - causing fans rushed to her defence

The redhead, 27, took to social media to share a snap of Polly's first weaning bowls and spoons, beside a delicious fruit smoothie.

Confirming she was beginning to introduce her daughter to foods other than breast milk, she wrote to her 1.5 million followers: 'Weaning ready !!!', before adding playfully: 'To all you mum police out there no hate.'

Despite her message however, the former TOWIE star was soon criticised by trolls, who claimed she was weaning Polly too early.

'To all you mum police, no hate': The redhead, 27, took to social media to share a snap of Polly's first weaning bowls and spoons, beside a delicious fruit smoothie (above)

One user wrote: 'Your child, your decision. But really no need to publicise the fact that you're going against NHS guidelines... #justsaying'

Before another adding: 'The reason the guidelines changed to 6 months is because mum's were weaning at 2/3 months which is dangerous.'

However, Amy's devoted fans were quick to defend the star and lash out at the trolls - telling them only she knows what is best for her child, as her mother.

Critical: However former TOWIE star was soon criticised by trolls, who claimed she was weaning Polly too early (above)

One kicked things off by writing: 'Ignore the mum police! You know what's best for your child....'

While another added fiercely: 'Good luck, do what ever makes it easy for you xxx'

A further fan then chimed in of her own experience: 'Weaned both mine at 4 months and they are perfectly healthy without any allergies.'

As another added protectively: 'Your little Polly is adorable & you are a real credit to single Mummies everywhere.'

Protetcive: However, Amy's devoted fans were quick to defend the star and lash out at the trolls - telling them only she knows what is best for her child, as her mother

The NHS recommends mothers should start their baby on solid foods at six months old - as breast milk until this point will help protect the tot from illness and infection.

They state that breast milk, or first infant formula, will provide energy and nutrients throughout the baby's first year, but that fruit, vegetables and starchy foods should be introduced half way through.

However they also claim on their website that every baby is different - and for mothers to speak to their health visitors if they believe their newborn is ready earlier.

MailOnline has contacted Amy's representatives for comment.

My girl: Amy welcomed her daughter Polly back in April, and has been every inch the doting mother since - often sharing snaps of them together on social media (above)

Amy welcomed her daughter Polly back in April, and has been every inch the doting mother since - often sharing snaps of them together on social media.

However, the reality star is tackling motherhood as a single woman, having split from Polly's father Bradley Wright, 25, just six weeks after the birth.

In a recent interview, Amy appeared to hit out at her jailbird former beau, claiming he is 'not a good father'.

Riding solo: However, the reality star is tackling motherhood as a single woman, having split from Polly's father Bradley Wright, 25, just six weeks after the birth

She took aim at Bradley - who also has a daughter, Lexi, from a previous relationship - for not being up to scratch as a parent, but claimed she would never stop their newborn daughter from seeing him.

Asked whether he was a good father in New! magazine, Amy replied: 'In my opinion, no, not really. I hope he becomes a better dad, as his kids deserve it.

'When he was with me he was getting better. I'd seen them getting a bit of a bond. Lexi loves Brad but is he going to see her now? I don't think so.'
Indias Partition: The Forgotten Story (BBC2)

Rating:

Impossible Engineering

Rating:

Everything is your fault. But theres no need to say sorry, because the BBC is busy apologising on your behalf.

Barely a week goes by without its guilt-ridden liberals blaming Britain for all the worlds woes. Self-loathing is their hobby  it makes them feel better.

Film-maker Gurinder Chadha, brought up in Southall, London, was at pains throughout Indias Partition: The Forgotten Story (BBC2) to emphasise that Britain alone was responsible for millions of deaths and decades of conflict following the separation of Pakistan in 1947.

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Film-maker Gurinder Chadha, brought up in Southall, London, was at pains throughout Indias Partition: The Forgotten Story (BBC2) to emphasise that Britain alone was responsible for millions of deaths

She returned to this theme repeatedly, even though all her evidence contradicted the claim. Whenever the facts indicated that the sundering of India was due to ego clashes between its leaders or the aftermath of World War II, Gurinder nodded grimly and blamed Britain.

She especially accused Sir Winston Churchill, who she said despised Hindus. He was the epitome of the British Establishment, she sneered  though anyone who knows the first thing about Churchill will realise he was an outsider in every society.

Clever shot of the night As fake doctor Cath Hardacre (Jodie Whittaker) confessed that she had stolen another womans identity in Trust Me (BBC1), we saw her face multiplied into three, through the prism of a glass lamp. Nicely done. Advertisement

The British Raj deliberately promoted hatred between Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus, she claimed, in a policy of divide and rule. But to prove her point she travelled to Delhi and Calcutta, two of the most multi-cultural cities on Earth  a living legacy of British policies for a united India.

Unforgiveably, she claimed that when rioting broke out in Calcutta in 1946, the British government could have stopped the violence like that  snapping her fingers. The hundreds of deaths were a real victory for Divide and Rule, she jeered.

Yet moments earlier, Gurinder had been explaining that this country with its vast population was uncontrollable, and that the Raj was hopelessly undermanned.

The historians she interviewed were just as biased. One claimed that the British scuttled the ship of India and swam away like rats. Thats very moderate language!

Her family history seemed to fuel her anger: her Sikh mother and aunts were forced to flee Kashmir following partition.

Her Aunt Balwant said with tearful poetry: People write in golden and silver words, but this history is written in blood. But the family sought refuge in London and found it. Britain welcomed them and saved their lives.

Elon Musk, who set up a visionary site outside San Francisco

Pakistan, on the other hand, still refuses to give Gurinder a visa, even to film this programme.

If the Beeb blames Britain for everything, the Yesterday channels documentaries, made mainly for the U.S., seem barely aware that we exist. Impossible Engineering (Yesterday) felt it had to point out that Bristol and Coventry are in England.

Perhaps because they are aware that the show will mostly be watched by Americans, the writers also make sure that any complicated concepts are explained by animated cartoon characters.

I feel much more knowledgable about the economics of mass production, now that Ive seen Impossible Engineerings doodles of knights in armour and blacksmiths.

Much of the show, centred on the California factory where Tesla electric cars are built, consisted of digressions.

But the comparisons between Fiats first production line, in an architectural masterpiece created in 1920s Turin, and the visionary site set up outside San Francisco by internet billionaire Elon Musk, were fascinating.

No doubt battery-powered automobiles wont be able to reverse global warming. But there will probably be a BBC science show along soon, to explain why thats all Britains fault too.
Video has been released of Michael Lohan's wife Kate Major's shocking racist and homophobic rant while being detained by police over the weekend.

The appalling body camera footage was released by TMZ on Tuesday as it features the 34-year-old former journalist calling a black police officer a 'monkey' and a female one a 'dyke.'

She also made light of the recent racial tension in the US by telling the officers: 'I'd love to be more a part of White Supremacy because you all are a bunch of f***ing monkeys.'

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Tough times: TMZ has released video of Michael Lohan's wife Kate Major's shocking racist and homophobic rant while being detained by police over the weekend, as the two are pictured together in July 2010

Major's face cannot be seen in the footage as her head was covered in a white bag as police sources told TMZ that she was spitting at them.

For most of the video, 57-year-old Lohan's was pressed up against the law enforcement vehicle while the female officer was checking her for weapons.

When asked by the officer if she has anything in her pockets Major yelled: 'No I don't and get off my t**s you f***ing lesbian.'

Custody: The appalling body camera footage was released by TMZ on Tuesday as it features the 34-year-old former journalist calling a black police officer a 'monkey' and a female one a 'dyke'

After the search she is then moved into the back of the squad car but not without yelling even more insults to the law enforcement officials.

The publication also released the 911 call she made prior to being detained as she says: 'Hi 911, my husband [Lohan] is literally kidnapping my children!'

Kate and Michael share two sons together: four-year-old Landon and two-year-old Logan. They were married in 2014.

Mug shot: She also was arrested in April 2015 after getting into a heated physical argument with her husband

Major could be heard whimpering as she is asked questions by the operator as she tried to explain: 'Ma'am he literally took them against their will, they don't want to be with him. He was beating me up in front of them, I don't know how many times I have to say that.'

Major grows increasingly annoyed at the questions by the 911 operator as she yells: 'I can't f***ing live like this and you guys aren't going to help me and question me a million f***ing times!'

The operator responds that she needs to ask questions for the officers to respond and Major begins screaming very loudly before making death threats.

She then exclaims: 'I will f***ing charge you all responsible if my kids are dead, I will kill you all! Okay, you hear me? Get my f***ing children home!

Better days: Kate and Michael share two sons together: four-year-old Landon and two-year-old Logan. They were married in 2014

'F*** you and get my kids home because I called 911 because I have a f***ing sociopath trying to f***ing kill me do you hear that!?'

On Sunday TMZ reported that Major had been taken to a mental health facility for an 'involuntary psychiatric evaluation' after that call to report a kidnapping.

Boca Raton Police confirmed to the website they did respond to a domestic violence call, and Major was taken into custody under Florida's Baker Act, which allows for the involuntary institutionalization and examination of an individual.

Lohan also has daughters Lindsay, 31, and Ali, 23, with his ex-wife Dina.

Major filed for legal separation from him in 2015, though Lohan told TMZ he and Major had been living together following their estrangement.

Family matters: Lohan also has daughters Lindsay, 31, and Ali, 23, with his ex-wife Dina (pictured 2013)

Last year Major was sentenced to six months behind bars by a judge for probation violation stemming from her alleged assault last month on a police officer.

The star triggered the violation with her arrest in Florida for assault on an officer and disorderly intoxication, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Major was on probation for a November 2015 incident in New Orleans when she allegedly threatened a flight crew while aboard a plane from New Orleans to Los Angeles.

She also was arrested in April 2015 after getting into a heated physical argument with her husband.
Mel B's nanny has won the right to a jury trial in the defamation case against the former Spice Girl - raising the prospect of yet more revelations surrounding her private life being aired in court.

Lorraine Gilles, 26, who is suing Americas Got Talent judge Mel, 42, after the star claimed she had an affair with her now estranged husband, Stephen Belafonte, also 42, was told by a judge she can make her case at a trial next July.

Mels legal rep had tried to stop Gilles defamation action at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles on Tuesday, arguing Mel had no choice in naming the former nanny to get a restraining order against Belafonte.

But Judge Dalila Lyons said the case now has to go to civil trial on July 23.

The expected ten-day trial will include details of Mel and Belafontes sex life including how they enjoyed threesome sex with Gilles.

Gilles and her legal team consider the ruling a victory.

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Standing together: Lorraine Gilles put on a united front with her husband Michael Bleau as they left court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, amid their legal battle with Mel B

Serious: The pop star's former nanny, 26, cut a melancholy figure in a sophisticated white blouse and patterned trousers, as she left the Stanley Mosk courthouse

Although the pretty German-born blonde, accompanied by her husband Michael Bleau, refused to comment when she left court, her attorney Daniel Holzman said outside the courtroom: 'Were pleased.'

Gilles, dressed in a cream-colored shirt, patterned trousers and cream high heels, sat in the public gallery with her husbands arm around her as her and Mels attorney, Harry Chamberlain, spoke to the judge.

Judge Lyons also said she 'strongly urged' the warring parties to reach an out-of-court settlement before the trial date.

Mel has claimed that Lorraine was having an affair with her then husband but Gilles launched the defamation case saying that while she did have sex with Belafonte and had an abortion, her main lover was in fact Mel.

Support system: Lorraine appeared glad to be in the company of her husband, who she was seen leaving court with arm-in-arm

Smart chic: The German-born blonde was incredibly sophisticated for the outing in a soft cream peasant blouse, paired with retro patterned flares

Natural: However sweeping her hair off her face, her serious expression was clear to see as she left the courthouse with her events manager husband

Dressing up: Meanwhile Michael was equally smart in a grey suit jacket and burgundy trousers, as they left the court side-by-side

Tense: The pair were spotted after a judge denied 42-year-old Mel's attempt to have her defamation lawsuit overthrown - meaning the lengthy divorce battle with ex Stephen rages on

Gilles claims in legal docs that Mel seduced her when she was aged just 18 and they had a seven-year sexual relationship.

Mel has hit back saying Stephen paid the nanny 'in excess' of $300,000 over three years for her work.

She says Lorraine was made pregnant by Belafonte in 2014 and that he used her money to pay for Gilles to have an abortion.

Lorraine says Mel has made her out to be 'a homewrecker, prostitute, and extortionist.'

In legal documents she said that Mel 'seduced a naive and a curious 18-year-old foreign exchange student  with alcohol, fame, and casual sex.'

She says: 'Belafonte was not present during most of the sexual encounters' and that when she and Belafonte did have sex, it would be filmed by Mel.

She added that her 'sexual and employment relationship with Brown continued for approximately seven years.'

She also says she 'personally witnessed both Brown and Belafonte bring different women into their home and engage in group sex on multiple occasions.'

Working it out: The court's ruling will see the case go to trial in July next year, unless the matter is settled privately between the parties

Side by side: Michael was seen planting a tender kiss on his wife's cheek outside the court, proving to be supportive throughout the difficult case

Teamwork: The pair were also joined by their lawyers Daniel Holzman and Cory Barari, after an undoubtedly tense afternoon battling the pop star's defamation lawsuit

Gilles also says she became pregnant as a result of a one-night stand with another man, not from having sex with Belafonte, and she did have an abortion.

She claims to have confided this with Mel and that Mel helped arrange for her to have the abortion and care for her afterwards.

Gilles is seeking unspecified damages and is suing for libel, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Mels divorce battle with Belafonte is also ongoing after announcing the end of her ten-year marriage in March.

He denies inflicting years of mental and physical abuse on her during their time together.

Scandal: The mother of Lorraine (L) the nanny in the midst of Mel B's scandalous divorce, ripped the star, 42, for her actions involving her daughter

Scapegoat? Angelika Gilles said that Mel B 'portrayed Lorraine in such a bad way as if it was her fault that this marriage fell apart'

The couple and their reps are set to face each other in the coming weeks over access to their daughter, Madison, five.

Eddie Murphy, father of Mels daughter Angel, ten, could also be drawn into the battle after a judge said that Belafonte could apply to see the little girl who he says regards him as a father figure.

Belafonte is currently allowed to see daughter Madison but only under heavy supervision.

Court hearings have also heard that Mel has wiped out much of her $50million fortune thanks to an extravagant lifestyle.

The full divorce hearing takes place on September 25.
She was spotted flirting up a storm over the weekend.

And Georgia Harrison made sure she continued to court the limelight as she stepped out in a transparent lace jumpsuit on Tuesday.

The braless Love Island star, 22, guaranteed she was the centre of attention as she arrived at Neighbourhood bar in Manchester.

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Garnering attention: Georgia Harrison made sure she continued to court the limelight as she stepped out in a transparent lace jumpsuit on Tuesday

Putting on a racy display, Georgia showed off her slender pins underneath the semi-sheer jumpsuit.

Flashing her high-waist underwear, the frilled sleeveless piece teased more than a glimpse of her bare decolletage.

And opting for bold brows and lashings of mascara, she left her ombre locks loose as she posed for the camera.

Subtle: The braless Love Island star, 22, ensured she was the centre of attention as she arrived at Neighbourhood bar in Manchester

Her appearance comes after Georgia appeared to be settling back into single life after being spotted flirting with both Joey Essex and Roman Kemp while at V Festival on Sunday.

The Essex lass reportedly seemed to be having a whale of a time with the two handsome chaps.

A source told the Mirror of her cosy chat with Joey: 'Forget Love Island, Georgia might have more luck finding the L-word closer to home.'

Racy: Putting on a racy display, Georgia showed off her slender pins underneath the semi-sheer jumpsuit

Adding, 'Joey kept kissing her cheeks and whispering in her ear'adding that 'they left hand-in-hand together' that night.

A spokesperson for Joey told MailOnline the pair are just 'friends' adding: 'Joey and Georgia have been family friends for many years and this is still the case.'

Meanwhile, Georgia also met Capital DJ Roman Kemp at the festival and immediately hit it off with him, according to reports.

A source told The Sun: 'She thinks Roman is great fun. After meeting at V Festival they got on so well, he really makes her laugh.

Doing it for the frills: Flashing her high-waist underwear, the frilled sleeveless piece teased more than a glimpse of her bare decolletage

Former flames: Georgia recently revealed she had parted ways with Geordie lad Sam Gowland

'It's been a horrible few days for her so watching her have a laugh with someone who'll treat her well is great to see.

'They've swapped numbers and want to go out again soon.'

MailOnline has contacted Georgia and Roman's representatives for comment.

Georgia recently revealed she had parted ways with Geordie lad Sam.

She penned: 'Would like to confirm that myself and Sam are no longer together. Unfortunately for some men one girl isn't always enough'.

Moving on? Georgia appeared to have the smile put back on her face, as she was seen to flirt up a storm with handsome presenter Roman Kemp, 24, at V Festival over the weekend

Handsome chaps: The Essex beauty seemed to be having a whale of a time with reality star Joey (left) and Capital presenter Roman (right)

The pair sparked their romance after Sam was reintroduced to the villa for a second time after failing to find love in the first few weeks.

The couple hit it off immediately, and it appeared to be the real deal, as they even jetted off to Marbella for a romantic holiday together shortly after leaving the show last month.

However, the pair's love story appeared to ground to a halt after Sam was spotted enjoying the new found throes of his fame on nights out flanked by various women.

It looked optimistic: Sam Gowland and Georgia struck up a romance after Sam was reintroduced to the villa for a second time after failing to find love in the first few weeks

It didn't work out: However, the pair's love story appeared to ground to a halt after Sam was spotted enjoying the new found throes of his fame on nights out flanked by various women

One snap uploaded by the oil rig worker depicted him surrounded by a group of lads and bevy of beauties while in a club, including Ex On The Beach star Kayleigh Morris.

Sam even uploaded another photo with the brunette beauty, looking intimate as he wrapped a tattooed arm around her while she reclined against him in a busty bodycon white dress.

Sam captioned the since-deleted post 'Love making new mates @kayleighmorris', hinting at his newly struck up bond with the reality star.
They're the Texas-based brand with 'Australian roots'.

And Understated Leather took centre stage in Victoria's Secret's new Winter Holiday campaign, featuring several well-known supermodels.

Founded by Jennifer Kassell, the brand makes a splash with its sultry custom-made pieces, including crotchless chaps.

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Not a secret anymore! Understated Leather took centre stage in Victoria's Secret's new Winter Holiday campaign, featuring several well-known supermodels

The western-themed campaign was set on a $100 million dollar ranch in Aspen.

Five models in the campaign donned designs from the cult leather label, with the 'Angels' dressed in chaps, skirts and jackets.

British-New Zealand model Stella Maxwell and Martha Hunt posed in cowboy hats, bras and racy black and denim crotchless chaps.

Double trouble: British-New Zealand model Stella Maxwell and Martha Hunt posed in cowboy hats, bras and racy black and denim crotchless chaps

Veteran Victoria's Secret star Adriana Lima also wore custom-made leather pieces from the brand.

Sydney-born Jennifer Kassell told Daily Mail Australia that while the label has a 'distinct Texan feel', her Australian style 'comes through'.

'Especially with our playful slogans on our personalised leathers, that is definitely my Aussie sense of humour,' she said.

Fiery: Veteran Victoria's Secret star Adriana Lima also wore custom-made leather pieces

She explained how celebrity stylist Elizabeth Sulcer secured placement for her company in the star-studded shoot.

'It was such an amazing surprise to find - you don't expect to see Adriana Lima in a jacket you hand painted every day!' she gushed.

The Victoria's Secret campaign was shot in Aspen by famed director, Michael Bay.
Game of Thrones stars Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner get on a nostalgic kick during their episode of Carpool Karaoke: The Series which debuts Tuesday on Apple Music, quoting lyrics from Sir Mix-A-Lot's Baby's Got Back as their show's late Ned Stark.

And while neither Sophie, 21, who plays Sansa Stark, or Maisie, 20, plays Arya Stark, had been born when the song had been released in 1992, the on-screen sisters did a brilliant job of deadpanning lines in the style of the late lord of Winterfell, played by Sean Bean.

'Oh my God, Becky, look at her butt,' said the blonde beauty Turner, spurring Williams to riff on her words with equal humor and enthusiasm. Williams added, 'O-M-G Becky, look at her butt! What the f--- is going on with her butt!'

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Lots of laughs: Game of Thrones stars Maisie Williams, 20, and Sophie Turner, 21, quoted lyrics from Sir Mix-A-Lot's Baby's Got Back as the show's late Ned Stark in a preview for Carpool Karaoke: The Series

The co-stars continued playing on another's words, bursting out into laughter as they clearly fed off one another.

Earlier in the segment, Williams introduced the hilarious bit in telling Turner, 'I'm gonna give you a little sentence, right. And then you gotta say it, like you was in Game of Thrones!'

Turner kicked off in reciting a line from 1994's The Lion King: 'Hakuna Matata - what a wonderful phrase; Hakuna Matata - ain't no passing craze.'

The young starlets filmed the segment earlier this year when they attended the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas this past March.

Infectious humor: The HBO stars cracked each other up with deadpan lines from two 90s classics

On top: The Game of Thrones stars are among a slew of clever pairings on The Late Late Show spin-off

Nostalgic: Both Maisie and Sophie did amazing jobs of reciting the lyrics of the tunes, which were both released before either was born

In a previous teaser for the appearance, the ladies of Winterfell delivered an emotional performance of Justin Bieber's Sorry and Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball, with Sophie in particular looking tortured during her heartfelt delivery on the latter.

The actresses then took a break from warbling to pay a surprise visit to a Game Of Thrones exhibit.

Into it: Sophie, who plays elder sister Sansa, cannot sit still in her seat as she shimmies to the earworm

One less lonely a girl: Maisie meanwhile, who plays baby sister/assassin Arya, doesn't miss a beat as she claps along with the percussion

'They are the most loyal fans in the world and I think we should go and surprise them,' Sophie announces.

The pair then hide beneath a fur blanket beside a frozen body amid a snowy replica of the North, before leaping out on unsuspecting fans yelling, 'Winter is coming!'

The Apple series is a spin-off from James Corden's massively-popular segment from the Late Late Show.

Swinging: The ladies of Winterfell had an emotional performance of Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball

Haunted: Sophie in particular looked tortured during her heartfelt delivery

Take five: The actresses paid a surprise visit to a Game Of Thrones exhibit

Winter is coming: 'They are the most loyal fans in the world and I think we should go and surprise them,' Sophie said

Surprise: The pair hid beneath a fur blanket beside a frozen body amid a snowy replica of the North, before leaping out on unsuspecting fans yelling, 'Winter is coming!'
School District 2 will lose a trio of counselors specializing in addiction and mental health in middle schools this year as the Rimrock Foundation grapples with budget cuts.

The foundation had provided the counselors in middle schools for the past two years, and will continue to supply four high school counselors  one for each high school. But after state revenue projections came in lower than expected, the group is dealing with cuts of more than three percent to Medicaid reimbursement, upon which the majority of their clients rely.

Counselors were trained to help students deal with mental health issues and substance abuse. The middle school counselors were added after high school employees felt like students were entering higher grades with already entrenched habits.

"Any given day, we have 15-year-olds that are using illegal substances," said Rimrock Foundation CEO Lenette Kosovich. "We feel that early intervention is a key to turning a kid's trajectory early in life... (but) we really had to look at 'how are we going to re-deploy to fill other gaps?'"

School District 2 superintendent Terry Bouck announced the cuts at Monday's school board meeting, saying the district found out last week. He emphasized that other district-provided counseling services aren't being cut.

"We're going to have to go back to the drawing board on that," he said. He wasn't critical of Rimrock's decision, citing their budget cuts.

"Frankly, I'm glad they can still fund our high schools," he said.

The cuts were announced in July after revenue came in $75 million lower than expected.

The Department of Health and Human Services proposed passing on costs to Medicaid service providers in the form of a 3.47 percent decrease in the rate they are reimbursed. Providers roundly criticized the move.

The three counselors were spread across SD2's five middle schools in operation last year.

The upcoming school year will be a critical year for mental health interventions in middle schools as SD2 rolls out "Signs of Suicide," a survey-based program aimed at identifying at-risk students sooner and getting them help. The program has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the likelihood that students will harm themselves. The survey will be given to all sixth- and ninth-graders.

Studies on the effect of traumatic childhood experiences have linked experiencing trauma to substance abuse later in life.

"Disruption in early development of the nervous system may impede a childs ability to cope with negative or disruptive emotions and contribute to emotional and cognitive impairment," a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report says. "Over time, and often during adolescence, the child adopts coping mechanisms, such as substance use."

That can interfere with student learning and influence students' job prospects and parenting later in life, Kosovich said.

"It makes every part of their life harder," she said. "Even getting to school is harder."
Amber Rose put her unique fashion sense and famous curves on display Tuesday while out and about in Los Angeles.

The 33-year-old video vixen wore a funky black coat with large shoulder pads and ruffled panel while heading to a radio station.

She teamed her chic top with skintight black trousers that accentuated her tiny waist, hips and peachy derriere.

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Lady in black: Amber Rose showed her curves and quirky fashion sense Tuesday while out and about in Los Angeles

Amber sported her trademark cropped blonde hair and added a splash of color with bright red lipstick.

She completed her outfit with open-toed black gladiator heels.

Amber underneath her stylish coat donned a low-cut black top with spaghetti straps over a black lace bra.

The Philadelphia native was nearly unrecognizable when she stepped out Monday night in Hollywood with gal pal Blac Chyna, 29.

Video vixen: The music video star donned tight black trousers that showed her peachy derriere

Full sleeve: Amber wore a spaghetti strap black top that showed her arm tattoos

Amber covered up her platinum buzz cut with a long brunette wig.

Her heavy arm tattoos revealed her identity as Amber stepped out in a black mini dress with spaghetti straps.

Chyna and Amber attended a party hosted by SKAM Artist owner Sujit Kundu at Avenue in Los Angeles.

Pop of color: The mother of one added a pop of color with bright red lipstick

Amber married rapper Wiz Khalifa in July 2013 a few months after their four-year-old son Sebastian was born and she later filed for divorce in September 2014.

She previously dated Kanye West from 2008 to 2010.

Amber last year competed on Dancing With The Stars and finished in ninth place with pro partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
They're renovating a whole house in just weeks.

And on The Block on Wednesday, the contestants had a special challenge when they got to transform rooms in the Ronald McDonald House in Melbourne's Parkville.

Georgia, 33, broke down in tears after the teams met a family who were living at the Ronald McDonald House, revealing that she felt their heartbreak, as her little sister was diagnosed with leukemia at five years old.

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'This really hits home for me': The Block's Georgia breaks down in tears as she completes the Ronald McDonald House challenge revealing her sister was diagnosed with leukemia at just five years old

'This really hits home for me, this challenge,' Georgia said as she broke down on camera.

'My little sister, when I was thirteen, she was five and she was diagnosed with leukemia. It's a really, really hard time for families.'

'You basically live at the hospital as you're there everyday with your child. Honestly, I don't even care about the prize today, I just want to produce a very beautiful room for a very deserving family,' she said.

Emotional: She also called her mother at one point, to tell her about the challenge and meeting one of the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House

A good cause: The contestants had a special challenge when they got to transform rooms in the Ronald McDonald House in Melbourne's Parkville

She also called her mother at one point, to tell her about the challenge and meeting one of the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

'It took me back to what we all went through and I started crying,' Georgia said.

At the start of the show, the teams were told they had to transform a room each, and had six hours to do it.

They could win a $5,000 prize, and a one point bonus, with Rebecca Judd being a judge.

Tough: Georgia, 33, broke down in tears after the teams met a family (pictured on the right, Mother Hannah and her sons) who were living at the Ronald McDonald House

The teams met mother Hannah and her children, Seth and Isaac, who spoke about her son Aaron being in hospital with a brain tumour.

Hannah revealed they were in hospital for six weeks last year, and five months this year.

'September last year, we took our then 10-year-old son to have an MRI scan and we got the news that he had a brain tumour,' Hannah said.

'There's nothing that can prepare you for that. And since then it has just been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs and hospitals, and it's quite horrendous honestly.'

'But being here and having somewhere so close to hospital to stay, really makes it so much more doable,' she said.

Sad: At the end, contestant Hannah (seen) broke down to camera after hearing her family's story

They did it: Rebecca named Josh and Elyse (pictured) as winners of the challenge

At the end, contestant Hannah broke down to camera after hearing her family's story.

'What they are going through is unimaginable pain...I can't even begin to imagine what she must be feeling,' she said.

Josh and Elyse were named winners of the challenge, while Jason and Sarah took too long and failed to finish on time.

However nurse Sarah and her man decided to stay back after hours and in their own time that night, to complete their room for the house.
He's the Australian television icon who has suffered a series of health scares this year.

But on Monday, Bert Newton was a picture of health, and a perfect gentleman, when he picked up wife Patti up from a dentist's office in Melbourne.

The 79-year-old looked well and cheerful as he held open the door of their black car to allow his 72-year-old wife to be seated first.

Well: On Monday, Bert Newton was a picture of health, and a perfect gentleman, when he picked up wife Patti up from a dentist's office in Melbourne

Looking good: The Australian television icon has suffered a series of health scares this year

Both were rugged up against the cold, rainy weather, with Bert donning a brown woolen coat and Patti in a black, quilted jacket.

The Logie Hall of Fame inductee looked neat, with a black shirt under his jacket and a pair of retro, tinted glasses on.

Patti held a red, patterned umbrella in her hand that perfectly matched her classic brown, white, yellow and red scarf.

The blonde matriarch had been visiting a prosthodontist, a type of dentist who specialises in false teeth and braces.

Helpful: The 79-year-old looked well and cheerful as he held open the door of their black car to allow his 72-year-old wife to be seated first

Warm! Both were rugged up against the cold, rainy weather, with Bert donning a brown woolen coat and Patti in a black, quilted jacket

Trendy: The Logie Hall of Fame inductee looked neat, with a black shirt under his jacket and a pair of retro, tinted glasses on

Baring teeth: The blonde matriarch had been visiting a prosthodontist, a type of dentist who specialises in false teeth and braces

Matching: Patti held a red, patterned umbrella in her hand that perfectly matched her classic brown, white, yellow and red scarf

On the way home, Patti dropped into a bakery and cafe, picking up coffee and lunch for the pair.

She was seen leaving the store carrying a takeaway hot drink cup in her hand and a large box, which seemed to contain several food items.

Balancing the box along with her Gucci handbag, the grandmother placed her coffee on top of the rain-soaked car as she climbed back in.

Peckish: On the way home, Patti dropped into a bakery and cafe, picking up coffee and lunch for the pair

Delicious cargo: She was seen leaving the store carrying a coffee in her hand and a large box, which seemed to contain several food items

Cold weather: Balancing the box along with her Gucci handbag, Patti wore grey leather boots

Loaded up: Patti picked up bakery items for herself and her husband

Balancing act: The grandmother placed her coffee on top of the rain-soaked car as she climbed back in

Waiting: Bert waited in the vehicle while the errand was run, and the couple then headed home to enjoy their meal

Bert waited in the vehicle while the errand was run, and the couple then headed home to enjoy their meal.

The TV legend has had somewhat of a tumultuous year health-wise with the icon finding himself in and out of hospital battling pneumonia.

However he looked fighting fit when he celebrated his 79th birthday with family and friends at swanky Melbourne eatery Georges in July.

Many happy returns: After recent health scares, Bert looked fighting fit when he celebrated his 79th birthday with family and friends at swanky Melbourne eatery Georges

Patti 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 are one of Australia's most fashionable celebrity couples.

And Terry Biviano and Anthony Minichiello didn't disappoint with their appearance at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week on Tuesday.

The dashing lovebirds, who were married in 2012, attended celebrity chef Kylie Kwong's 'Fabulous Feast' in casually chic ensembles.

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Dashing duo: Terry Biviano and Anthony Minichiello didn't disappoint with their appearance at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week on Tuesday

Terry, 42, exuded island charm in a short floral dress that flaunted her enviable tan and svelte figure.

She paired the frock with Tony Bianco sandals and wore her signature brunette locks slicked back in a straight style with a middle part.

The mother of one wore a vampy plum shade on her nails and toes and selected a neutral makeup palette with a bright red lip.

Summer vibes: Terry, 42, exuded island charm in a short floral dress that flaunted her enviable tan and svelte figure

Her former NRL star beau donned a crisp white shirt, beige jacket, navy corduroy pants and leather moccasin shoes.

The event was also attended by another high-profile duo, Ned O'Neil and Deborah Symond.

The eastern suburbs 'It' couple were clothed in contrasting bright outfits, with online fashion retailer Mode Sportif founder Deborah selecting a graphic cocktail dress.

'It' couple: The event was also attended by another high-profile duo, Ned O'Neil and Deborah Symond

Another romantic pair, Darren Palmer and Olivier Duvillard, channeled the night's red oriental theme and selected dark blue jackets to complete their relaxed look.

Founder of Beard Season Jimmy Niggles and Producer Emma Metcalf, who have shared numerous photos together on social media, also made for a debonair twosome.

Editor of InStyle Australia, Emily Taylor, and her guest also posed for photos in the idyllic setting at Coca Chu restaurant.

Lovebirds: Another romantic pair, Darren Palmer and Olivier Duvillard, channeled the night's red oriental theme and selected dark blue jackets to complete their relaxed look

Dapper duo: Producer Emma Metcalf and Founder of Beard Season Jimmy Niggles, who have shared numerous photos together on social media, also made for a debonair twosome

Paradise: Editor of InStyle Australia, Emily Taylor, and her guest also posed for photos in the idyllic setting at Coca Chu restaurant

Former swimming champion Andrew Baildon and his wife Karen made a rare appearance at the VIP event, decked out in an understated palette of navy and gray.

Perth-born entertainer and veteran television personality Jo Beth Taylor was dressed in a chic black ensemble with a sheer top accented with detailed designs.

A staple of the Hamilton Island annual event, Nicky Tindill, donned one of her signature short dresses as she posed with high-profile fashion blogger Nadia Fairfax.

Twosome: Former swimming champion Andrew Baildon and his wife Karen made a rare appearance at the VIP event, decked out in an understated palette of navy and gray

Elegant: Perth-born entertainer and veteran television personality Jo Beth Taylor was dressed in a chic black ensemble with a sheer top accented with detailed designs

Stunners: A staple of the Hamilton Island annual event, Nicky Tindill, donned one of her signature short dresses as she posed with high-profile fashion blogger Nadia Fairfax

Attendees also posed for sepia-toned portrait shots, which honored Audi's two latest ambassadors Teresa Palmer and Andrew McConnell.

Australian chef and Audi ambassador Kylie Kwong was featured, after sharing her food philosophy and present a curated menu of Billy Kwong favourites at the event.

Other celebrities who chose to have their portrait taken included Channel 10 newsreader Sandra Sully and model twins Jordan and Zac Stenmark.

Honoree: The attendees posed for sepia-toned portrait shots at the event, which honored Audi's two latest ambassadors Teresa Palmer (pictured) and Andrew McConnell

Main event: Australian chef and Audi ambassador Kylie Kwong was featured, after sharing her food philosophy and present a curated menu of Billy Kwong favourites on the night

Captured: Other celebrities who chose to have their portrait taken included Channel 10 newsreader Sandra Sully (pictured)

Seeing double: Model twins Jordan and Zac Stenmark posed for a portrait at the Audi event on Hamilton Island

Strike a pose! Nadia Fairfax cut a sultry figure in an elegant off-shoulder black dress
They've been together for just under eight months.

And Ruby Rose and Jessica Origlasso are still going strong.

The loved-up pair are currently enjoying a trip to Shanghai, China together.

Still going strong! Ruby Rose and Jessica Origlasso look more in love than ever as they enjoy a romantic trip in Shanghai

The 31-year-old Orange Is The New Black star is supporting her partner Jessica as The Veronica's tour Asia.

The couple are currently in Shanghai, where they have continued to share Instagram snaps, showing the happy couple exploring and looking totally in love.

Jessica, 32, praised Shanghai for its beautiful Buddhist temples, and gave her partner Ruby a touching shout out in an intimate photo, in which the pair are seen gazing into each other's eyes.

Look of love: The couple are currently in Shanghai, where they have continued to share Instagram snaps, showing the happy couple exploring Asia and looking totally in love

Support: The 31 year old Orange Is The New Black star is supporting her partner Jessica through The Veronica's tour of Asia

'It's been a dream of mine since I was a little girl to visit the Buddhist temples in China. So Ruby took me away for the week, and I'm visiting them all with her by my side,' she captioned.

In the snap Ruby is seen wearing a black low-cut dress and high-top white socks, teamed with shiny black sneakers.

Meanwhile, Jessica is kit out in a camouflage top, heavy ripped denim jeans and some polished Doc Martens.

Ruby also didn't shy away from making her feelings about the Australian pop star known, posting a photo captioned with 'Babe'.

The sweet escape comes after a month of turmoil for Jessica.

She recently returned to Australia with twin sister Lisa to be by their mother Colleen's side, after she was admitted to hospital with a mystery illness.

Jessica revealed in an interview last year that her mother had been sick for quite some time, and that the support of Ruby had been nothing short of amazing, with the actress even flying Colleen first class to New Zealand to watch her daughters perform.

'Our mums been sick and shes always been an amazing support system in our life and our familys life,' she explained.
Rebecca Judd has previously been dubbed the 'Queen' of the AFL WAGS and is a fan-favourite.

And on Wednesday's episode of The Block, contestant and former NRL star Clint Amos revealed his crush on the 34-year-old beauty - who appeared on the show as a guest judge - making his wife Hannah, a little annoyed.

'She's just gorgeous, she's just so,' Clint said to camera about Rebecca, trailing off.

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'Your infatuation is not healthy!' The Block's Hannah (pictured) gets annoyed at husband Clint as he gushes over 'gorgeous' Rebecca Judd...as the WAG makes an appearance on the show

Clint interrupted Hannah as she was also gushing about Rebecca, and told him off for interrupting her.

'Rebecca Judd is definitely someone I look up to,' Hannah, 31, said.

She told Clint: 'Can I finish what I'm saying please? You and your Rebecca Judd infatuation. It's not healthy!'

Familiar face: Rebecca Judd (pictured) has previously been dubbed the 'Queen' of the AFL WAGS and is a fan favourite

Rebecca made an appearance as a guest judge on Wednesday's episode, where the contestants had a challenge.

They had six hours to transform a room in the Ronald McDonald House in Parkville, Melbourne.

They would win $5,000 cash and a bonus point.

Rebecca named Josh and Elyse as winners.

They did it: Rebecca named Josh and Elyse (pictured) as winners of the challenge

'Wow, I feel like I'm in a luxury hotel here, I'd love for my bedroom at home to look like this,' Rebecca said as she walked around their room.

'The styling in this room in particular, is another level.'

Rebecca said she loved the raw wood shelves, and noticed that Elyse and Josh had used pillows from her Adairs range.

It's a winner: Rebecca said she loved the raw wood shelves, and noticed that Elyse and Josh had used pillows from her Adairs range

'The cushions are perfection, I actually designed those euros, so extra points,' she said with a laugh.

'I'm super impressed...I'm very heavy,' she finished.

New Idea previously reported that Elyse might have a 'distinct advantage' during Wednesday's challenge, as she and Rebecca are friends in real life.
Combine designer-loving Roxy Jacenko, 37, with socialite Francesca Packer, 22, and you have a shopping power couple to remember.

Spotted at Sydney airport together on Wednesday, the long-time pals appeared in high spirits as they enjoyed a little shopping spree before they headed to the boarding gate.

Roxy wore a leopard print dress teamed with a denim jacket and white Converse.

Shopping spree! Spotted at Sydney airport together on Wednesday, the long-time pals Roxy Jacenko and Francesca Packer were seen enjoying a little shopping spree before they headed to the boarding gate

What's so funny? The duo appeared to be in high spirits

Designer baggage: The duo wheeled their luxury bags through the terminal

The niece of James Packer also donned a denim jacket, which she paired with a black jumpsuit and matching heels alongside an orange Hermes Birkin bag.

The duo were seen looking in the electronic goods section, before they wheeled their Louis Vuitton luggage through the terminal.

Both ladies wore their long locks out and shielded their eyes with oversized shades.

They appeared to be in high spirits as they were seen laughing and giggling with one another.

Say what? Roxy shot her pal a look

Shopping! Roxy in the electronic goods section

I'll take three of these! The PR maven loves to shop

What's this? Roxy appears to play around with the merchandise

Set to board the plane to Hamilton Island, the pair are due to enjoys a girls' getaway.

Next week the actress will celebrate her father-in-law's birthday.

Roxy previously told Daily Mail Australia, 'Oli (her husband) and I are headed to Qualia (in the Whitsundays) to celebrate his father's 60th.'

And they're off! Set to board the plane to Hamilton Island, the pair are due to enjoy a girls' getaway

Celebrations: Roxy previously told Daily Mail Australia, 'Oli (her husband) and I are headed to Qualia (in the Whitsundays) to celebrate his father's 60th'

The PR maven also mentioned she's been busy exercising in preparation for the event.

'So I'm doing a few extra sessions to be bikini-ready and to enjoy the food while I'm there,' she continued.

It's Chanel darling! Roxy carries a designer garment bag

Qualia is a luxurious resort based on Hamilton Islands owned by the affluent Oatley family.

Prices start from $4,000 per night to stay in their luxurious pavilions.

Girls just wanna have fun: The pair could not stop laughing

It's so funny! Francesca is in hysterics

Laughing: Francesca throws her head back in peels of laughter

Luxurious trip: The pair will be staying at luxury resort Qualia

Having fun: Roxy and Francesca are long time pals
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Roxy Jacenko and her jailbird husband Oliver Curtis are known to throw lavish parties.

So it's no wonder the couple have been planning a particularly decadent island getaway at Qualia Resort to celebrate the 60th birthday of Oliver's father Nick next week.

The likes of media heiress Francesca Packer will reportedly be joining Roxy and Oliver for the festivities.

A happy birthday indeed! Roxy Jacenko and her jailbird husband Oliver Curtis have been planning a particularly decadent island getaway at Qualia Resort to celebrate the 60th birthday of Oliver's father Nick

Located on the largest inhabited island in the Whitsunday's, Qualia is known for its luxurious villas, award-winning cuisine and for its close proximity to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.

The six-star Hamilton Island getaway is security gated and boasts 60 private pavilions, with prices ranging between $1,800 and $4,000 a night.

Guests attending private functions at Qualia have the option of gathering at the Pebble Beach precinct's 'waters edge' restaurant, the Long Pavilion restaurant, or the more intimate Beach House venue setting.

Tight-knit family! Millionaire Nick Curtis, the former chairman of resources giant Lynas Corp, supported Oliver throughout his insider trading trial last year, telling the court that he is 'very close' to his son

Sprawling: The six-star Hamilton Island getaway is security gated and boasts 60 private pavilions, with prices ranging between $1,800 and $4,000 a night

Take a dive! Guests are able to explore the surrounding tropical waters by taking a snorkeling or diving trip

Smooth sailing! Guests are encouraged to take the helm of a yacht charter or to kick back on board Qualia's 45ft luxury cruiser, which is exclusively reserved for patrons

Sumptous: Guests attending private functions at Qualia have the option of gathering at the Pebble Beach precinct's 'waters edge' restaurant

Ritzy: Nestled in lush woodlands, the resort's private pavilions feature a dining room seating 10 people, a spacious lounge room, a king bedroom, an en-suite bathroom, and a kitchenette

Nestled in lush woodlands, the resort's private pavilions feature a dining room seating 10 people, a spacious lounge room, a king bedroom, an en-suite bathroom, and a kitchenette.

Rooms are equipped with a fully stocked bar and pantry, as well as a 12 metre infinity swimming pool that boasts panoramic views of the Whitsunday islands.

During their stay, guests can also indulge in additional luxuries - such as a private chauffeur service, electronic buggy rides across the island and access to a gym and spa.

Spoiled for choice! Guest can also dine at the Long Pavilion restaurant or the more intimate Beach House venue setting

For high-fliers! The resort can be accessed via helicopter thanks to Qualia's private helipad

Lush: Rooms are equipped with a fully stocked bar and pantry, as well as a 12 metre infinity swimming pool that boasts panoramic views of the Whitsunday islands

Back to nature: Guests are encouraged to explore the island's pristine waters and white sand-covered shoreline

Guests are also encouraged to take the helm of a yacht charter or to kick back on board Qualia's 45ft luxury cruiser, which is exclusively reserved for patrons.

'As soon as the (resort's) gates close behind you, you're in a world of understated elegance and privacy, yet unlike many resorts in this range, we're not ostentatious,' Qualia general manager Matt Boileau recently told the Australian Financial Review.

Many Australian and international celebrities have stayed at the lavish getaway, with the likes of Toni Collette, Miranda Kerr, Jessica Hart, Naomi Watts, Chris Hemsworth, Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett all having graced the property in recent years.

However, in April this year, Qualia was forced to close its doors due to the destruction caused by Cyclone Debbie.

'As soon as the (resort's) gates close behind you, you're in a world of understated elegance': Qualia general manager Matt Boileau recently gushed about the location to the Australian Financial Review

Setback: In April this year, Qualia was forced to close its doors due to the destruction caused by Cyclone Debbie

New and improved! After a large-scale clean-up effort, the resort was re-opened with even better facilities than ever

'We used this as a chance to improve many aspects of the island and resort': Hamilton Island Enterprises CEO Glenn Bourke has revealed that the resort underwent a facelift in the wake of Cyclone Debbie earlier this year

After a large-scale clean-up effort, the resort was re-opened with even better facilities than ever.

'We had to take the positives from what was a devastating event. We used this as a chance to improve many aspects of the island and resort,' Hamilton Island Enterprises CEO Glenn Bourke told the Australian Financial Review.

'It was the highest point of our evolution, in many ways,' he said.
It began as a surprise pairing that ascended to a whirlwind romance, before turning into a harsh game of pass the buck.

But now, Megan Marx has accepted the blame for her split with former Bachelor co-star Tiffany Scanlon.

'I regret the way that I publicised the relationship, because I think essentially, it broke it down,' she told TheFIX on Wednesday.

'I regret the way I behaved': Megan Marx has revealed the REAL reason behind her breakup with Tiffany Scanlon

The comments come just days after the 28-year-old denied she 'hooked up,' with one of Tiffany's male exes following the couple's breakup.

Tiffany made the claims in a candid piece for Mamamia on Friday.

Now, after strongly denying the allegations in a statement to Daily Mail on Saturday, it appears Megan is intent on putting the saga to rest.

The personality said she 'regretted' the way she behaved and condemned her decision to 'publicise' their romance.

'I regret the way that I publicised the relationship, because I think essentially, it broke it down,' Megan said in an interview on Wednesday

Some time to think: The personality said she 'regretted' the way she behaved and condemned her decision to 'publicise' their romance

Compared to Tiffany's piece released Friday, the reality star's comments read like a line in the sand.

'One of the risks you run in dating a woman after always dating men is that two of your exs [sic] can hook up,' Tiffany wrote last week.

'To me that was probably the most disrespectful and hurtful thing that could happen and absolutely decimates any chance of a future friendship with the ex.

Advice: Meanwhile, having been through the ups and downs of being the world's first lesbian Bachelor couple, Megan also offered some advice for Alex Nation and Maegan Laxa

Meanwhile, having been through the ups and downs of being the world's first lesbian Bachelor couple, Megan also offered some advice for Alex Nation and Maegan Laxa.

'It makes it hard because you know that when you go on a show like that that you are opening yourself up to scrutiny. Youve gotta expect it,' she cautioned.

Tiffany and Megan met while competing for Richie Strahan's affections on The Bachelor in 2016.

Richie dated Alex for over a year, but this month their split was confirmed with current reports and pictures indicating she's moved on with a woman.
As part of normal annual budgeting, state agencies under the governors authority have been asked to submit plans for how they would reduce spending by 5 percent next year on top of cuts and layoffs made earlier this year.

This spring, the Republican-controlled Montana Legislature cut some budgets as the state struggled with a decline in revenue, largely a result of slowed oil and gas development.

Additional cuts were made this summer under a plan negotiated with the Legislature. Gov. Steve Bullock and Budget Director Dan Villa identified an additional $70 million in reductions to plug budget holes because of continued revenue stagnation. About half of that amount came out of the fund the state uses to pay for wildfire suppression.

Montana Television Network reported Tuesday that Villa had asked agencies to submit plans for an additional 5 percent, citing a state law that allows the governor to reduce spending up to 10 percent without having to call legislators back to Helena for a special session.

Bullocks office told Lee Newspapers the reduction plans were actually requested not for this year, but for the next fiscal year. Villas request was a routine part of budget planning, Spokeswoman Ronja Abel said in an email.

She said the initial MTN report cited the wrong law. (MTN later changed its story after talking with the governor's office.) She said the governor's request was made under a different provision that outlines normal budget planning authority and allows the governor to ask for 5 percent reduction plans. The authority to actually make those cuts is separate.

The administration is ensuring it is ready to responsibly manage the budget as it was handed to us by the Legislature, wrote Abel. This includes identifying additional savings and efficiencies at all agencies in the event revenues are lower than expected.

Bullock, who was flying over the Lolo Peak fire Tuesday with a photographer, declined to answer questions about the request. Villa was unavailable for comment or to immediately provide copies of the plans, the governor's office said.

If required to make deeper cuts, agencies would be hard pressed. Reductions implemented for the fiscal year that started July 1 already resulted in 20 part- or full-time jobs being cut; reduced hours and services at the Montana Historical Society; fewer social services for the elderly, people with disabilities and children in foster care; and left local school districts without long-awaited increases to special education funding, among other reductions.

Commissioner of Higher Education Clay Christian, who was in Helena Tuesday for a legislative meeting, said that any additional cuts to his agency would force the university system to look at all kinds of options and said students would likely face tuition increases to balance the budget.

Theres no way it doesnt have an impact on students and programs, he said.
Shannen Doherty showed off short stylish locks as she shopped for pet supplies Tuesday in Sherman Oaks, California at The PetStaurant.

The 46-year-old actress was nicely put together on the late summer day, wearing a textured creme top with denim blue jeans, brown sandals and black sunglasses, carrying a black Chanel tote bag.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 star exited the store - which specializes in organic and all-natural food for dogs and cats - with a bag full of dog food and carried large rawhide dog bones.

Out and about: Shannen Doherty showed off her short cropped locks as she shopped for pet supplies in Sherman Oaks, California at The PetStaurant

Shannen seemed to be in an animal-loving mood on Tuesday, as she uploaded a shot on her Instagram page from when she was a child, feeding a carrot to a horse.

'Some things never change. Animals have always brought me great joy,' the Charmed star wrote in the post.

The resilient actress earlier shared a shot of a lone seagull perched on beach sand, adding the caption, 'Current mood.....'

Shannen was diagnosed cancer-free in April after a long struggle which she documented via social media, as she underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation in her long and hard road to better health.

Earlier this month, Shannen shared an emotional message via Instagram as she was on the set of the Heathers reboot, a 10-episode series from the Paramount Network based on the 1988 film she appeared in with Winona Ryder and Christian Slater.

On the move: The beauty carried a black tote by Chanel as she made her way out of the store

Resilient: Shannen has been inspirational as she's battled cancer, and was declared cancer-free in April

She said she 'was back on set' following 'a rough two years,' adding that she felt a bit sidelined by Hollywood amid her health battle. She wrote: 'As an actor, people bench you. They assume you're [too] weak, not able etc etc. and yet it's something like work that invigorates and renews strength to conquer the unimaginable beast.'

She thanked the show 'for letting [her] play and be someone else today,' adding that she was 'grateful' for the opportunity to get back in her wheelhouse in front of the camera.

Shannen, who was previously married to actor Ashley Hamilton and poker player Rick Saloman, is set to celebrate her sixth wedding anniversary with husband Kurt Iswarienko in October.

Throwback: Shannen showed this shot from her youth in which she's feeding a horse, noting that she's been a lifelong animal lover
She's the beloved member of the close-knit team behind The Kyle & Jackie O Show.

But producer Sophie Hallwright got told to 'F*** off' after parking across three car spaces on Wednesday.

Speaking to Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson about the incident, she revealed someone taped the curse words across her windscreen.

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Dispute: Known as 'Nine', The Kyle & Jackie O Show's Sophie Hallwright explained how she had parked across three car spaces in Bondi Beach and faced the ire of a disgruntled driver

Known as 'Nine', the producer explained how she had parked across three car spaces in Bondi Beach and faced the ire of a disgruntled driver.

'I got to the car this morning and there was what had been like a piece of art with, like gaffer tape, that said: "F*** Off",' the New Zealand-born talent recounted.

'There were finger marks all over my windscreen,' she continued.

'I may have parked on angler parking. I know it was dumb and obviously in hindsight it was stupid,' she offered.

'I got to the car this morning and there was what had been like a piece of art with, like gaffer tape, that said: "F*** Off",' the New Zealand-born talent recounted

She described whoever left the note as being 'really, really p***ed off' and added that a Post-It note with the words 'Seriously, ridiculous parking' was also left on the car.

'Its terrifying getting those notes - it ruined my day today,' she told the hosts.

After Nine's video from the incident was posted to the show's Instagram, a number of fans took to the comments section to tell her she 'deserved' what happened.

Controversy: Producer Sophie Hallwright talked with hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson on Wednesday about someone taping the words 'F*** Off' across her windscreen

'[She] deserves it, I would've taken all the wheels off,' admonished one follower.

'I would have done the same!' added another of the show's fans.

'You couldn't possibly accidentally park in three spots unless you are on drugs!' offered one observer.
They walked down the aisle during their star-studded wedding in Idaho last month.

And Julianne Hough, 29, along with Brooks Laich, 34, made their first public appearance since being declared man and wife on Tuesday.

The two stars looked looked a picture of wedded bliss as they celebrated the Harper By Harper's Bazaar September issue in West Hollywood.

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Big debut! Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich made their first public appearance asince being declared man and wife at the Harper By Harper's Bazaar event in West Hollywood on Tuesday

Enjoying a rather stylish date night, Julianne shined in a copper Jenny Packham dress as they attended the gala at Rosaline presented by Sephora.

The stunner's cute midi featured a white patterned design over it which highlighted her enviable dancer's legs.

She finished off the look with black strappy stilettos and a clutch which had 'universal love' embroidered on it.

Gorgeous: Julianne, 29, shined in a copper dress as they attended the gala at Rosaline presented by Sephora

Stunning: The stunner's cute Jenny Packham midi featured a white patterned design over it as she showed off her dancer's legs

Keeping it cool: She finished off the look with black strappy stilettos and a clutch which had 'universal love' embroidered on it

Just us: Her blonde locks were pulled back in an elegant ponytail as she accentuated her porcelain skin with nude lip and smokey eye

Her blonde locks were pulled back in an elegant ponytail as she accentuated her porcelain skin with nude lip and smokey eye.

Canadian ice hockey player Brooks looked handsome in a white short-sleeved button down, khaki trousers, and brown suede brogues.

While he finished off the look with a brown belt as his matching locks were combed to the side.

BFF: Also at the event was Julianne's gal pal Nina Dobrev who happened to be the cover girl for the issue

Woman of the hour: The 28-year-old actress looked stunning in a form-fitting clinging black midi by Ralph Lauren Collection featuring a white collar and brown lace up heels

Breathtaking: She wore her brunette tresses down as she added a pop to her make-up with ruby red lipstick

Proud: She showed off her cover at the gala

No sibling rivalry here: Julianne was also joined by her older brother Derek Hough

Dapper: The 32-year-old professional dancer sported a blue patterned button-down undone over a white shirt, indigo wash jeans, and beat up black leather boots

Dynamic duo: Nina posed for a snap with blonde beauty Claire Holt

Brooks and Julianne married in a star-studded ceremony in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on July 8.

The couple then embarked on an epic honeymoon through sand and sea, with stops in Seychelles followed by an African safari in Kenya.

The blonde beauty also celebrated her 29th birthday during the sun-soaked honeymoon.

Wow factor: Victoria Justice looked absolutely gorgeous a the event

Taking the plunge: The actress wore a low cut frilly gold and black mini dress

Pretty: She definitely turned heads at the star-studded occasion

Wow factor: Julianne and Victoria posed for a snap with Jessica Szohr

Fantastic four: Jessica, Derek, Julianne, and Victoria - pictured from left to right - were pictured socializing together

Va va voom: Kat Graham scintillated as always

Wow factor: She wore a sequined multi-colored kimono-style dress

Tremendous trio: Kat, Nina, and Jessica checked out the latest issue together

The couple started dating in December 2013 and announced their engagement in August 2015.

Also at the event was Julianne's BFF Nina Dobrev who happened to be the cover girl for the issue.

The 28-year-old actress looked stunning in a form-fitting clinging black midi featuring a white collar by Ralph Lauren Collection and brown lace up heels.

Pretty in patterns: jessica showd off her legs in a dizzying mini dress

Social butterfly: Jessica seemed to be friendly with many of the other attendees as she posed with Danielle Campbell

Reading the articles: Jessica posed with one of the magazines

Keeping it simple: Jennifer Meyer looked pretty in a navy patterned midi

Happy: She beamed at the occasion

Burgundy beauty: Claire Holt sported a burgundy kimono-style number

Her medium-length brunette tresses as she topped off her make-up with red lip as she proudly showed off the front of the magazine.

Julianne's older brother Derek Hough was also in attendance as they posed for a cute sibling snap together.

The 32-year-old professional dancer sported a blue patterned button-down undone over a white shirt, indigo wash jeans, and beat up black leather boots.

Also in attendance were Victoria Justice, Kat Graham, Jennifer Meyer, and Jessica Szohr.

Party's here: Nina stunned as she arrived at the gala

Friendly to fans: She gave a wave to her loyal followers

Stealing the show: Victoria beamed from ear to ear in her leggy number

Brunette beauty: The former Disney-star looked happy to attend the gala for her palVogue:
Her sexy shoot featured in V magazine that hit newsstands in July.

And clearly proud of her stunning look Bella Hadid couldn't help but share another glimpse at the sizzling photoshoot on her Instagram on Tuesday.

Sharing the snap with her 14.5million followers, the 20-year-old supermodel wowed her loyal fans as she posed in a pair of jeans, seductively covering her assets with her arm.

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Diamonds and denim! Bella Hadid shared a snap from her sexy V magazine shoot on Tuesday

Upping the ante, the catwalk star modeled a number of beautiful pieces of BVLGARI jewellery including diamond clusters on her ears and an ornate snake wrapped around her wrist in the saucy photo.

She worked her glossy raven locks into a voluminous style off her face while her mane cascaded down her back.

Meanwhile, the Californian beauty and rumored beau Jordan Barrett appeared on the front of this month's issue of Vogue Australia.

The younger sister of Gigi Hadid and the Aussie hunk couldn't hide their chemistry in the cover shoot, where Bella wrapped her long legs around the male model while she embraced his well-built torso.

Covering their bases! Bella and rumored beau Jordan Barrett are on September's cover of Vogue Australia just one month after sister Gigi and her beau Zayn Malik were on Vogue US

The 5ft9in beauty didn't hide her affection for the IMG model as she placed a slender stem over the blond while he unbuttoned his shirt to reveal his tan, smooth chest.

Bella's flapper-inspired frock offered plenty of drama, showcasing her bare back and accentuating her bust with slinky beads and wild feathers on bottom.

Though neither Bella or Jordan have confirmed they're dating, the photogenic pair have been getting very, very close since back in April.

Copycat? Middle Hadid sister Bella might be copying her older sister's career moves. Last month Gigi and her former boy band boyfriend Zayn covered Vogue's flagship US publication

There's a spark! The 20-year-old beauty and the Aussie hunk couldn't hide their chemistry in the shoot, where Bella wrapped him with her long legs and embraced his well-built torso

The duo were seen lounging on a luxury yacht in Cannes back in May where the ex of rapper The Weeknd dressed to impress in a lacy thong swimsuit as the Byron Bay native sipped on a Bloody Mary.

While in June, the duo were spotted getting intimate at Bella NYC apartment where they romped around in their underwear and took selfies together on her balcony.

Earlier this month relationship rumors began to swirl around Jordan and fellow Aussie model Montana Cox after both walked in David Jones fashion show in Sydney.

Cannes you dig it? The duo were seen lounging on a luxury yacht in Cannes back in May where the ex of rapper The Weeknd dressed to impress in a lacy thong swimsuit

But on Wednesday, the Australia's Next Top Model winner stepped in to 'categorically' deny any such pairing.

Talking to The Daily Telegraph, she said: 'I can categorically say I am not dating Jordan, we are just friends.'

'It is so funny you can have a photo standing next to somebody and they say you're dating.'
He's a New Zealand-born actor who took Hollywood by storm, eventually landing three Oscar nods and one win.

And taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Russell Crowe shared a black and white image in which he's a foppish, trendy teen in cowboy boots, skinny jeans and an even skinnier tie.

The actor, who made his name in Australia before heading to Hollywood, amusingly captioned the throwback image: 'Hahahaha #cringe'.

Guess who? Russell Crowe shared a flashback snap of himself to Instagram on Wednesday

Cringe! The actor, who made his name in Australia before heading to Hollywood, amusingly captioned the throwback image: 'Hahahaha #cringe'

The photo, which appears to have been taken in the late 1970s or 1980s when the star was in his teen years, shows him standing in the doorway of a dilapidated terrace house.

Grafitti on the wall names the popular New Zealand new wave rock band Mi-Sex, that was largely active from 1977 to 1986.

Further scrawls proclaim that 'disco is dead' a phrase popular in the late 1970s, indicating the image may date to that era.

The image could have been taken when Russell began his career as a musician in the early 1980s, performing under the stage name 'Russ Le Roq', under which he released three unsuccessful singles.

Household name: Russell is now an A-lister with Oscar nods under his belt

The Insider star turned to acting, moving to Australia and attending NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) at the age of 21.

He soon made his name in Australia, starring in films like Proof, Romper Stomper, and The Sum of Us in the early 1990s.

Hollywood called, and the now-adopted Aussie became a household name after roles in films such as The Insider, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind.

Rocker: The image could have been taken when Russell began his career as a musician in the early 1980s, performing under the stage name 'Russ Le Roq', under which he released three unsuccessful singles (pictured in 1995)

New path: The Insider star turned to acting, moving to Australia and attending NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) at the age of 21. He soon made his name in Australia, starring in films like Proof, Romper Stomper, and The Sum of Us in the early 1990s (pictured in 1992)

Move: Hollywood called, and the now-adopted Aussie became a household name after roles in films such as The Insider, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind

Those three films lead three Academy Award nominations, and one win, Best Actor for Gladiator in 2001.

Despite his fame however, over the weekend the star was refused entry from a Souths Juniors match at Mascot Oval because he had his blue heeler puppy, QueBlue, in tow.

Winners are grinners: Russ won an Oscar for Best Actor in Gladiator in 2001

The Sunday Telegraph reported the Gladiator star was 'apparently' not recognised by a female official at the dog-free ground and was politely told he could not enter with the animal.

However, it wasn't all bad news for the footy fan, with a friend stepping in to mind the adorable pup while Russell watched the match.

Dog day: Despite his fame however, over the weekend the star was refused entry from a Souths Juniors match at Mascot Oval because he had his blue heeler puppy, QueBlue, in tow
She's recently designed a line of clothing for budget supermarket Lidl.

And Heidi Klum showed off her eye for fashion when she pulled off another sexy evening ensemble at the America's Got Talent Live Show in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Germany's Next Top Model host, 44, put her svelte figure on display in the form-skimming deep blue satin dress.

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Wow: Heidi Klum, 44, put her svelte figure on display in the form-skimming deep blue satin dress at the America's Got Talent Live Show in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Dressed to impress, Heidi also teased a glimpse of her ample assets in the plunging neckline of the racy garment.

The model made the glamorous venue her catwalk when she walked with grace in metallic sky-high heels, which added to her statuesque height.

For sparkle, the fashionista scraped her long locks into a high half up-do ponytail to best showcase her chandelier earrings which caught glimmers of the spotlight.

Dressed to impress: Heidi also teased a glimpse of her ample assets in the plunging neckline of the racy garment

Heidi put the ultimate drama into her look as she touched up her youthful features with heavy make-up.

The starlet cosied up to Howie Mandel and Mel B ahead of the program.

And Mel B - who is in the middle of a divorce battle with estranged husband Stephen Belafonte - courted attention when she stormed off the stage during the show.

She hurled a water over Simon Cowell after he likened a disappointing magic trick to the former Spice Girl's wedding night claiming it had 'no promise or delivery'.

Team: The starlet cosied up to Howie Mandel and Mel B ahead of the program

Heidi is the doting mother to youngsters Leni, 13, Henry, 13, Henry, 11, Johan, 10, and Lou, seven.

The beauty juggles raising her children with her stellar television presenting roles and racy modelling career.

Her latest fashion collection, 'Heidi & The City' will debut at New York Fashion Week on September 7, before launching in 760 Lidl stores across the UK on September 18.

Soaking wet: Mel B threw a cup of water on Simon Cowell during America's Got Talent on Tuesday and walked off the stage after he cracked a crude joke at her expense

Boasting staples like bomber jackets and skinny jeans, it also includes statement pieces like a leopard-print trench coat, dress and shoes.

Speaking about her own dress sense, Heidi told Vogue.com: 'I dress very colourfully nowadays and lots of print. My closet is too small I think.

'I think the leopard print is a new classic!

'For me fashion is fun and I would love for every woman to have fun with cool clothes.'
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Alex Kingston has put her sprawling Lake Hollywood house up for rent at an eye-watering rate of $15,000 per month.

The British actress, who is well known for her roles in Doctor Who and ER, initially purchased the property, which boasts a stunning view of the Hollywood sign, in 2013 for a staggering $1.23 million.

The 54-year-old talented star, who is married to British producer Jonathan Stamp, obviously has an eye for design, as she has transformed the simple ranch house to a two-story contemporary vision - no doubt, making it an in-demand luxury lease for future occupants.

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Luxury lease: Alex Kingston has put her sprawling Lake Hollywood house up for rent at an eye-watering rate of $15,000 per month

LA based: The British actress, 54, who is well known for her roles in Doctor Who (R) and ER, initially purchased the sprawling property, located above Lake Hollywood with a stunning view of the Hollywood sign, in 2013 for a staggering $1.23

The sleek and sophisticated property, which is just over 3,800 square feet, boasts five bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms.

The entrance into the mansion is like no other, with the foyer heading into the loft-like living room - a true feast for the eyes, boasting hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings and an exposed brick fireplace.

An extensive collection of sliding glass doors make up one side of the wall - providing exquisite and panoramic views of sun-kissed California.

The second floor is no less impressive and encompasses an envy-inducing en suite bathroom, with its adjoining bedroom featuring every girl's dream: a walk-in closet and a balcony that provides leafy views over Lake Hollywood.

Stunning property: The talented star, who is married to British producer Jonathan Stamp, obviously has an eye for design, as she has transformed the simple ranch house to a two-story contemporary vision - no doubt, making it an in-demand luxury lease for future occupants

Residence: The sleek and sophisticated property, which is just over 3,800 square feet, boasts five bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms

Welcome home: The entrance into the mansion is like no other, with the foyer heading into the loft-like living room

If residents want to get the true feel for the California outdoors lifestyle, the backyard also features a gigantic swimming pool and a luxury spa.

Epsom born Alex has been a critically acclaimed actress since bursting onto the screens in the eighties with roles in Grange Hill and The Bill.

She then gained mainstream attention for her role as River Song in Doctor Who and Dr. Elizabeth Corday in hospital drama ER.

In 2015, the star married her TV producer lover Jonathan Stamp in a romantic Italian ceremony.

Sensational: An extensive collection of sliding glass doors make up one side of the wall - providing exquisite and panoramic views of sun-kissed California

Wow: Its adjoining bedroom features every girl's dream: a walk-in closet and a balcony that provides leafy views over Lake Hollywood

This marks Alex's third marriage, having most notably been wed to Skyfall actor Ralph Fiennes.

Ralph and Alex, who met while mastering their acting craft at RADA, tied the knot after 10 years together in 1993, but went their separate ways in 1997.

The actress then wed German writer Florian Haertel, with whom she has 16-year-old daughter Salome.

Alex is based in Los Angeles and has previously opened up to the Daily Mail about the difficulties of juggling work and motherhood.

Hosting: A large table to accommodate friends and family is centred near the swimming pool and shielded from the scorching sun

Going for a dip: If residents want to get the true feel for the California outdoors lifestyle, the backyard also features a gigantic swimming pool and a luxury spa

Loved-up: In 2015, the star married her TV producer lover Jonathan Stamp in a romantic Italian ceremony. He is her third husband

Former flame: Alex's most notable wedding was to Skyfall actor Ralph Fiennes. Ralph and Alex, who met while mastering their acting craft at RADA, tied the knot after 10 years together in 1993, but went their separate ways in 1997

'Im constantly racked with guilt about going away to work for long periods of time, but my daughter says, "Mummy, its completely fine", she said.

'That makes me feel even more guilty  that shes the one who is having to placate me. Its not easy being away from her, but I think its probably always more heartbreaking for the mum.

'As parents, you make it work, because its what is best for your child.'
She's the former beauty queen who is no stranger to the red carpet.

And Tegan Martin looked every bit the pageant princess on Wednesday, showing off her stunning figure in a blue mini dress.

The 24-year-old joined host Ksenija Lukich at the launch of Pandora jewellery's new Geometric Glow collection in Sydney.

Blooming beauty! Tegan Martin shows off her slender legs a in blue mini dress at Pandora launch

Tegan, who appeared on I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!, cut a glamorous figure at the Danish brand's product launch.

The blonde beauty showed off her slim pins in a revealing blue frock, which featured strategic panels and tasseled sections.

Wearing her blonde locks up in a chic messy ponytail, Tegan paired her outfit with patent black heels.

Stylish: The blonde beauty showed off her slim pins in a revealing blue frock, which featured strategic panels and tasseled sections

Showing Richie what he is missing! Also in attendance was 2016 Bachelor contestant Olena Khamula, who showed off her golden tan from her recent holiday in Greece

Model act: Olena wore her sunkissed hair in waves, the stunning socialite sported a bold shade of red lipstick

Also in attendance was 2016 Bachelor contestant Olena Khamula, who showed off her golden tan from her recent holiday in Greece.

The model, who failed to win Richie Strahan's heart last year, showcased her holiday glow in a crisp white ensemble and nude accessories.

Olena wore her sunkissed hair in waves, the stunning socialite sported a bold shade of red lipstick.

Hosted the event: Woman of the hour Ksenija Lukich was also there to sample the new range of jewellery, hosting the Pandora event

You beauty! Ksenija accessorised with Pandora jewellery and paired her outfit with a pair of nude pumps

Hourglass figure: The brunette beauty, who hosts E! News in Australia, showcased her killer figure in a feminine blue frock

Woman of the hour Ksenija Lukich was also there to sample the new range of jewellery, hosting the Pandora event.

The brunette beauty, who hosts E! News in Australia, showcased her killer figure in a feminine blue frock.

Ksenija accessorised with Pandora jewellery and paired her outfit with a pair of nude pumps.

Stunning: Wearing her brunette locks in stylish waves, the former model enhanced her natural beauty with a smoky eye

Summer ready: Miss World Australia 2016 Madeline Cowe was also at the Pandora event, embracing the warmer weather in a pretty floral dress

Blushing beauty: The pageant princess acessorised her frock with pretty pink heels

Wearing her brunette locks in stylish waves, the former model enhanced her natural beauty with a smoky eye.

Miss World Australia 2016 Madeline Cowe was also at the Pandora event, embracing the warmer weather in a pretty floral dress.

TV presenters Teigan Nash and Georgia May Davis rounded up the product launch's guest list.
They are two of Hollywood's hottest young stars - lending their talents to acting, singing and dancing.

And Victoria Justice and Kat Graham ensured to flaunt their style credentials as they arrived at the Harper By Harper's Bazaar September issue party in West Hollywood on Tuesday.

Victoria, 24, looked smoking hot in a plunging frilly gold and black mini dress, while Kat, 27, made an eye-catching statement in a colourful sequinned dress.

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Glamorous: Victoria Justice, 24, and Kat Graham, 27, ensured to flaunt their style credentials as they arrived at the Harper By Harper's Bazaar September issue party in West Hollywood on Tuesday

Victoria put on an incredibly sartorially savvy display in the daringly low-cut MILLY FW/17 'Diagonal Lurex Agnes' dress, which showed off her ample assets.

The glitzy number cinched in her tiny waist with a stylish black belt before falling at a saucy thigh-skimming level.

Her enviably toned legs were boosted in a pair of black stilettos and she accessorised with a gold ankle chain.

The gorgeous brunette enhanced her features with a simple slick of make-up, concentrating on blusher and lashings of mascara.

Style star: Victoria looked smoking hot in a plunging frilly gold and black mini dress which showcased her enviable frame

She's got front! Victoria put on an incredibly sartorially savvy display in the daringly low-cut MILLY FW/17 'Diagonal Lurex Agnes' dress, which showed off her ample assets

Pins on parade: The glitzy number cinched in her tiny waist with a stylish black belt before falling at a saucy thigh-skimming level

Victoria was rivalled on the style front by Kat, who is best known for her role as Bonnie Bennett in The Vampire Diaries.

The Switzerland born actress also opted for a perilously plunging dress which boasted streaks of different colours.

The striking number featured a soaring thigh high split and she strutted her stuff in a pair of black strappy block heels.

Beauty: The gorgeous brunette enhanced her features with a simple slick of make-up, concentrating on blusher and lashings of mascara

Wow: Victoria was rivalled on the style front by Kat, who is best known for her role as Bonnie Bennett in The Vampire Diaries

Eye-catching: The Switzerland born actress also opted for a perilously plunging dress which boasted streaks of different colours

Walk this way: The striking number featured a soaring thigh high split and she strutted her stuff in a pair of black strappy block heels

Striking: Knowing full well the emphasis was on her dress, the beauty opted for effortless waves and low-key autumnal inspired make-up

Knowing full well the emphasis was on her dress, the beauty opted for effortless waves and low-key autumnal inspired make-up.

They were joined at the event by Julianne Hough, 29, along with Brooks Laich, 34 - who made their first public appearance since being declared man and wife last month.

They were joined at the event of other Hollywood hotties - Jessica Szohr, Derek Hough and Nina Dobrev, dressed in Ralph Lauren Collection.

Pals: Victoria looked icnredibly leggy as she posed with (L-R) Jessica Szohr, Derek Hough and Julianne Hough

Talented: Victoria is one of Hollywood's hottest young stars - lending her talents to acting, singing and dancing
Utah authorities have apprehended a man accused in a Helena carjacking, local police said Tuesday afternoon.

Just after 5 p.m., police said Eddie Sanchez of Helena is in custody in Salt Lake City on warrants stemming from the Sunday carjacking. He is being held in lieu of $250,000 bond. His charges include robbery, aggravated assault and criminal endangerment -- all felonies.

Around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, a 67-year-old Texas man was getting ready to leave a hotel in the 3100 block of Washington Street in Helena when someone attacked him and stole his Crown Victoria. The victim was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle with unknown injuries.

Authorities said Sanchez was found Tuesday in the car stolen in Helena.

Officials believe Sanchez was involved in a police pursuit and crash in a different vehicle earlier Sunday morning. A trooper began the pursuit shortly after midnight Sunday, when a vehicle failed to stop for a stop sign on Sierra Road in the Helena Valley. The Helena Police Department used spike strips on the vehicle, which crashed on Interstate 15 near Custer Avenue, and the suspect fled on foot.
It's a privilege usually reserved for the top four contestants.

But in a Bachelor series first on Wednesday night, Matty Johnson revealed he would be meeting the parents weeks earlier than usual in the competition.

The shock decision took the girls by surprise, with even Matty shedding a tear as the girls were emotionally reunited with their parents.

'I'm shaking!' The Bachelor's Matty J sheds tears as contestants are reunited with their parents on emotional group date

The episode began with Osher Gunsberg dropping off a date card, with Jennifer Hawke, Elise Stacey, Cobie Frost and Simone Orhmesher all scoring a spot on a the group date.

The four women were in for the shock of their lives when Matty revealed one of their parents would be coming on the date too.

'Last week when I had the chance to catch up with my sister, it made me realise that you must be missing your family as well,' he explained.

Surprised: The four women were in for the shock of their lives Matty revealed one of their parents would be coming on the day too

Happy: 'This is, like, the best day ever,' Jennifer said as she wiped back tears, while an equally emotional Simone revealed: 'I'm shaking!'

They became emotional as they realised they would be reunited with their parents after weeks of separation.

'This is, like, the best day ever,' Jennifer said as she wiped back tears, while an equally emotional Simone revealed: 'I'm shaking!'

After Matty correctly matched each parent to the contestant, the girls were tasked with preparing lunch alongside their mother or dad and Matty.

'She's not looking to sort of, you know, be led on or anything': Elise's dad was quick to whisk Matty aside and get the lowdown on what was going on

Updated: Reunited after weeks of separation, their parents were keen to find out how they were faring in the house

Reunited after weeks of separation, their parents were keen to find out how they were faring in the house.

Elise's dad was quick to whisk Matty aside and get the lowdown on what was going on between the pair of them.

'She's pretty keen to get to know where she is after getting to know you a little bit more and... ..she's not looking to sort of, you know, be led on or anything,' Elise's dad told him bluntly.

Time for dessert: After also spending some time with Simone and Cobie's parents in the kitchen, Matty cooked dessert with Jennifer and her mum

Family reunion: After cooking a meal, the group headed to the garden for lunch

Why Elise? The decision left Jennifer fuming that she was 'p***ed off' with Matty's decision

'She'd prefer just to know up-front.'

After also spending some time with Simone and Cobie's parents in the kitchen, Matty cooked dessert with Jennifer and her mum.

After sampling each family's dish, Matty chose Elise for some extended one on one time after lunch.

The decision left Jennifer fuming and 'p***ed off' with Matty's decision.

'Sometimes it's hard to hone in on someone and allow that rapport to build': Elise and Matty connected over a bottle of sparkling wine, Matty explained why he hadn't chosen her for a single date sooner

'I think the more I get to know about you, the longer that we spend together': Matty revealed he was looking forward to more time together

'I cannot believe this. Elise? The least impressive dish there, and Elise gets it -I'm shocked,' she said.

As Elise and Matty connected over a bottle of sparkling wine, Matty explained why he hadn't chosen her for a single date sooner, presenting her with a rose.

'I guess with so many people, sometimes it's hard to hone in on someone and allow that rapport to build and allow that connection to build,' he said.

'There's Matty on a camel, because things can't get any more weird in this house': The next day the girls were having breakfast when they spotted an unexpected visitor

Another date! Whisking Tara away on a second single date, Matty's decision left Jennifer furious for the second time that week

'I think the more I get to know about you, the longer that we spend together, it does make me excited for where it can go.'

The next day the girls were having breakfast when they spotted an unexpected visitor in the garden.

'There's Matty on a camel, because things can't get any more weird in this house,' Laura Byrne said.

Having fun? Meanwhile Matty and Tara headed off on their camel to a Moroccan-themed date in the woods

Dance time: As a snake-wearing dancer appeared, the Bachelor explained the pair would be learning a new skill - belly dancing

Whisking Tara Pavlovic away on a second single date, Matty's decision left Jennifer fuming for the second time that week.

'Are you kidding me, mate? She's already had one. Seriously? I'm in absolute shock,' she sniped.

Meanwhile Matty and Tara headed off on their camel to a Moroccan-themed date in the woods.

That's different: As a snake-wearing dancer appeared, the Bachelor explained the pair would be learning a new skill - belly dancing

Showing off their moves: The two quickly got into the groove of their date

The two got to know each other as they sampled an array of exotic teas, before Matty revealed another surprise.

As a snake-wearing dancer appeared, the Bachelor explained the pair would be learning a new skill - belly dancing.

After some joking the pair got serious about their feelings for each other, with Matty revealing he admired Tara's strong connection to her family.

Likes her: After some joking the pair got serious about their feelings for each other, with Matty revealing he admired Tara's strong connection to her family

'From the very first moment I picked you up on the tandem bike, like, you had me laughing': Matty and Tara's chemistry was palpable during the date

'I'm gonna be really honest. Leading into our first date I didn't know which way it was going to go. Like, from the very first moment I picked you up on the tandem bike, like, you had me laughing,' Matty said.

'It was really surprising because the more that we talked the more I was like, 'Wow. 'Tara's actually got really amazing connection with her family'.'

Pucker up: The two shared another passionate kiss, with Matty soon producing a rose

'It's scary that each time I'm with him I like him more and more': After their date, Tara revealed she was falling hard for the handsome Bondi marketing manager

The two shared another passionate kiss, with Matty soon producing a rose.

After their date, Tara revealed she was falling hard for the handsome Bondi marketing manager.

'It's scary that each time I'm with him I like him more and more and I'm more sure that he is someone I can be with,' she said.

Dessert time: Meanwhile at the cocktail party, Jennifer revealed her grand plan to win Matty's heart

'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach after all': Jennifer presented Matty with some of her favourite desserts

Meanwhile at the cocktail party, Jennifer revealed her grand plan to win Matty's heart.

'I've been a little bit concerned that Matty has friend-zoned me, so I'm presenting Matty with a smorgasbord of some of my favourite desserts,' she explained.

'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach after all.'

During the rose ceremony Matty sent police officer Michelle Paxton home after the pair failed to connect.

'I really hope that you find someone that makes you really happy because you deserve nothing less,' Matty said as he kissed Michelle goodbye.
She enjoyed a steamy kiss with Matty J during their first single date last week.

And on Wednesday night's episode of The Bachelor, Tara Pavlovic, 27, was chosen for yet another solo outing - leaving her fellow bachelorettes fuming.

The show's 'villain' Jen Hawke bluntly said 'are you kidding me?' in a piece-to-camera when Matty asked Tara to join him on a camel ride.

Not happy: On Wednesday night's episode of The Bachelor, Tara Pavlovic, 27, was chosen for yet another solo outing - leaving her fellow bachelorettes including Jen Hawke (pictured) fuming

'And the date goes to Tara. Are you kidding me, mate? She's already had one. Seriously? I'm in absolute shock,' Jen complained.

Even Tara expressed shock at the second date invitation.

'I'm so excited to have another date with Matty. I wasn't expecting it,' she said

Really? Even Tara expressed shock at the second date invitation - 'I'm so excited to have another date with Matty. I wasn't expecting it,' she said

Off they go! Shortly after Tara accepted the invitation, the Gold Coast Nanny was whisked away on a camel ride as the disappointed bachelorettes watched on

Shortly after Tara accepted the invitation, the Gold Coast Nanny was whisked away on a camel ride as the disappointed bachelorettes watched on.

'I can't believe he picked her for a second date,' Jen said later.

South Australian police officer Michelle Paxton added: 'As somebody who hasn't had a first single date, Tara getting a second single date is a little bit of a slap in the face.'

Exotic entertainment: During their Moroccan-themed date, Tara and Matty enjoyed flavoured tea and later danced with a belly dancer holding a snake

Flirting: The pair couldn't stop laughing during their date

Busting a move: They eventually attempted to belly dance

Terrified! Both Matty and Tara appeared nervous when the belly dancer wrapped the snake around their necks

Jen noted: 'Tara and Matty. I just don't get it. I'm mortified.'

During their Moroccan-themed date, Tara and Matty enjoyed flavoured tea and later danced with a belly dancer holding a snake.

'I'm really happy to be spending the day with Tara. She is just so beautiful, inside and out,' Matty gushed.

'The more I get to know you... ..the more I really view you as somebody who is so beautiful inside and out.'

Smitten: Matty gazed adoringly at the ombre-haired beauty

Smooches: Matty then leaned in for a kiss, marking the second time that Tara has locked lips with the reality TV hunk

Safe: He then presented her with a rose, which she happily accepted

Matty then leaned in for a kiss, marking the second time that Tara has locked lips with the reality TV hunk.

'I feel like I'm a lot more emotionally involved now with Matty,' Tara said after the passionate embrace.

'It's scary that each time I'm with him I like him more and more and I'm more sure that he is someone I can be with. I think I could definitely see myself falling in love.'

Final two: Elora (L) and Michelle (R) appeared nervous as they became the final two

He then presented her with a rose, which she happily accepted.

During the rose ceremony Michelle was sent home.


She's known for her enviable sartorial displays while on the red carpet and attending cinematic award ceremonies.

And while a glitzy event wasn't in sight, Thandie Newton, 44, still brought her style A-game as she stepped out make-up free after enjoying a bite to eat at Republic restaurant in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The acclaimed actress put her best fashion foot forward before indulging in a spot of retail therapy, dressed in a semi-sheer floral number by Ulla Johnson.

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Fashion forward: Thandie Newton, 44, still brought her style A-game as she stepped out make-up free after enjoying a bite to eat at Republic restaurant in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Thandie's stylish midi dress oozed bohemian vibes as it teased at her black bralet while she soaked up the sunshine.

Her garment's plunging neckline showcased her decolletage and her eye-catching rose quartz necklace.

The charming piece cinched in her narrow-waist as it fell into a tiered A-line skirt, highlighting her eclectic woven sandals.

Crash actress accessorised her fashionable piece with a yellow oversized leather tote while she worked her tresses off her face, to showcase her natural beauty.

Natural: The acclaimed actress put her best fashion foot forward before indulging in a spot of retail therapy, dressed in a semi-sheer floral number by Ulla Johnson

Boho babe: Thandie's stylish midi dress oozed bohemian vibes as it teased at her black bralet while she soaked up the sunshine

The British star plays a human-looking android on HBO's sci-fi series Westworld and has spent much of the time naked on the hit show.

And in an interview with Oprah Winfrey for Variety's Actors On Actors series in June, the actress spoke about how she'd embraced the nudity required and in fact, found it liberating.

'It felt like having that fourth baby because it was a moment of such intense self-affirmation, not for me Thandie, but female power,' said, who gave birth to her third child just weeks before filming started.

The mother-of-three - who is married to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel screenwriter Ol Parker - said she has never felt that way about a part before.

Getting chic done: The charming piece cinched in her narrow-waist as it fell into a tiered A-line skirt, highlighting her eclectic woven sandals

All in the details: Her garment's plunging neckline showcased her decolletage and her eye-catching rose quartz necklace

Style savvy: Crash actress accessorised her fashionable piece with a yellow oversized leather tote while she worked her tresses off her face, to showcase her natural beauty

'It's ironic that I was standing there stark naked for a lot of it because I felt more in control than I've ever done because I said yes to this,' she explained. 'I said yes, I will stand here with nothing on and I will speak these words.'

She went on: 'I was so committed to this character's trajectory. I felt it had secrets for how we need to survive as a humanity which is to fight for the truth.'

Having attended Comic Con in San Diego in July, Thandie reunited for a panel discussion with co-stars James Marsden, Ed Harris, Rodrigo Santoro, Jeffrey Wright, Luke Hemsworth and Ben Barnes.

And HBO released an intriguing teaser for the show's second season at the event, revealing the fates of many characters in the wake of the program's explosive season one finale.

First look: A sneak peek at Westworld's second season, featuring The Man in Black (played by Ed Harris), debuted Saturday at San Diego Comic-Con

The preview kicked off to one of the saloon's player pianos, drenched in blood as it spurts out a rendition of Sammy Davis Jr.'s I've Gotta Be Me, before the real version kicks in.

It showed a montage of images occurring presumably after the violent finale, which saw the robots of the futuristic amusement park rebelling after Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) fired a fatal shot into the head of the park's co-creator, Dr. Robert Ford, played by Anthony Hopkins.

Among the images seen in the preview include Dolores and Teddy (James Marsden) riding horseback while firing their weapons at a fleeing group of human visitors to the park; and Bernard (Jeffrey Wright), who was revealed to have been a droid toward the end of the first season, looking weathered as he stood by a river with a dead tiger in front of him.

Surveying the damage: Lee Sizemore (Simon Quarterman) and Maeve (Thandie Newton) look to be the last ones standing amid the carnage season two opens in

In another sequence, the show's resident madam Maeve, played by Thandie, is seen standing inside the park's control center alongside storywriter Lee Sizemore (Simon Quarterman), surrounded by dead bodies left in the wake of her earlier escape with the help of the deadly duo of Hector Escaton (Rodrigo Santoro) and Armistice (Ingrid Bols Berdal).

The series ended with a shot of the show's cult hero - The Man in Black, played by Ed Harris - smiling as he's drenched in blood after Ford's unveiling went awry.

The program, which began production last week and is slated to air next year, was the subject of a panel that included showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, and stars including Wood, Newton, Wright, Harris, Santoro and Ben Barnes.
She's the South Australian police officer who made an unforgettable debut on The Bachelor, when she arrived to the mansion in a cop car.

But Michelle Paxton's memorable entrance wasn't enough to hold Matty J's attention, with the 31-year-old becoming the latest to be sent packing on Wednesday's episode.

'Hey, Michelle. I really hope that you find someone that makes you really happy because you deserve nothing less,' Matty said after choosing to give his final rose to Elora instead.

Out: Michelle Paxton's memorable entrance wasn't enough to hold Matty J's attention, with the 31-year-old becoming the latest to be sent packing during Wednesday's episode

Michelle kindly replied: 'Thanks, Matty,' before making a graceful exit.

As the blonde beauty departed, the show's 'villain' Jen Hawke showed her softer side as she wiped tears.

'Hey, don't cry,' Jen's pal Michelle insisted.

Earlier in the episode, Matty revealed he would be meeting the parents weeks earlier than usual in the competition.

The shock decision took the girls by surprise, with even Matty shedding a tear as the girls were emotionally reunited with their parents.

Who will it be? Elora and Michelle appeared tense as they became the bottom two

Safe: Elora beamed with delight as she accepted the final rose

Disappointment: While Elora looked elated to be safe, Michelle was understandably devastated

Well wishes: 'Hey, Michelle. I really hope that you find someone that makes you really happy because you deserve nothing less,' Matty said after choosing to give his final rose to Elora instead

The episode began with Osher Gunsberg dropping off a date card, with Jennifer Hawke, Elise Stacey, Cobie Frost and Simone Orhmesher all scoring a spot on a the group date.

The four women were in for the shock of their lives Matty revealed one of their parents would be coming on the date too.

'Last week when I had the chance to catch up with my sister, it made me realise that you must be missing your family as well,' he explained.

'I'm shaking!' Matty J shed tears as contestants were reunited with their parents on an emotional group date

Surprised: The four women were in for the shock of their lives Matty revealed one of their parents would be coming on the day too

Happy: 'This is, like, the best day ever,' Jennifer said as she wiped back tears, while an equally emotional Simone revealed: 'I'm shaking!'

They became emotional as they realised they would be reunited with their parents after weeks of separation.

'This is, like, the best day ever,' Jennifer said as she wiped back tears, while an equally emotional Simone revealed: 'I'm shaking!'

After Matty correctly matched each parent to the contestant, the girls were tasked with preparing lunch alongside their mother or dad and Matty.

'She's not looking to sort of, you know, be led on or anything': Elise's dad was quick to whisk Matty aside and get the lowdown on what was going on and didn't mince his words

Updated: Reunited after weeks of separation, their parents were keen to find out how they were faring in the house

Reunited after weeks of separation, their parents were keen to find out how they were faring in the house.

Elise's dad was quick to whisk Matty aside and get the lowdown on what was going on between the pair of them.

'She's pretty keen to get to know where she is after getting to know you a little bit more and... ..she's not looking to sort of, you know, be led on or anything,' Elise's dad told him.

Time for dessert: After also spending some time with Simone and Cobie's parents in the kitchen, Matty cooked dessert with Jennifer and her mum

Family reunion: After cooking a meal, the group headed to the garden for lunch

Why Elise? The decision left Jennifer fuming that she was 'p***ed off' with Matty's decision

'She'd prefer just to know up-front.'

After also spending some time with Simone and Cobie's parents in the kitchen, Matty cooked dessert with Jennifer and her mum.

After sampling each family's dish, Matty chose Elise for some extended one on one time after lunch.

The decision left Jennifer fuming that she was 'p***ed off' with Matty's decision.

'Sometimes it's hard to hone in on someone and allow that rapport to build': Elise and Matty connected over a bottle of sparkling wine, Matty explained why he hadn't chosen her for a single date sooner

'I think the more I get to know about you, the longer that we spend together': Matty revealed he was looking forward to more time together

'I cannot believe this. Elise? The least impressive dish there, and Elise gets it -I'm shocked,' she said.

As Elise and Matty connected over a bottle of sparkling wine, Matty explained why he hadn't chosen her for a single date sooner, presenting her with a rose.

'I guess with so many people, sometimes it's hard to hone in on someone and allow that rapport to build and allow that connection to build,' he said.

'There's Matty on a camel, because things can't get any more weird in this house': The next day the girls were having breakfast when they spotted an unexpected visitor

Another date! Whisking Tara away on a second single date, Matty's decision left Jennifer fuming for the second time that week

'I think the more I get to know about you, the longer that we spend together, it does make me excited for where it can go.'

The next day the girls were having breakfast when they spotted an unexpected visitor.

'There's Matty on a camel, because things can't get any more weird in this house,' Laura Byrne said.

Having fun? Meanwhile Matty and Tara headed off on their camel to a Moroccan-themed date in the woods

Dance time: As a snake-wearing dancer appeared, the Bachelor explained the pair would be learning a new skill - belly dancing

Whisking Tara away on a second single date, Matty's decision left Jennifer fuming for the second time that week.

'Are you kidding me, mate? She's already had one. Seriously? I'm in absolute shock,' she sniped.

Meanwhile Matty and Tara headed off on their camel to a Moroccan-themed date in the woods.

That's different: As a snake-wearing dancer appeared, the Bachelor explained the pair would be learning a new skill - belly dancing

Showing off their moves: The two quickly got into the groove of their date

The two got to know each other as they sampled an array of exotic teas, before Matty revealed another surprise.

As a snake-wearing dancer appeared, the Bachelor explained the pair would be learning a new skill - belly dancing.

After some joking the pair got serious about their feelings for each other, with Matty revealing he admired Tara's strong connection to her family.

Likes her: After some joking the pair got serious about their feelings for each other, with Matty revealing he admired Tara's strong connection to her family

'From the very first moment I picked you up on the tandem bike, like, you had me laughing': Matty and Tara's chemistry was palpable during the date

'I'm gonna be really honest. Leading into our first date I didn't know which way it was going to go. Like, from the very first moment I picked you up on the tandem bike, like, you had me laughing,' Matty said.

'It was really surprising because the more that we talked the more I was like, "Wow. "Tara's actually got really amazing connection with her family".'

Pucker up: The two shared another passionate kiss, with Matty soon producing a rose

'It's scary that each time I'm with him I like him more and more': After their date, Tara revealed she was falling hard for the handsome Bondi marketing manager

The two shared another passionate kiss, with Matty soon producing a rose.

After their date, Tara revealed she was falling hard for the handsome Bondi marketing manager.

'It's scary that each time I'm with him I like him more and more and I'm more sure that he is someone I can be with,' she said.

Dessert time: Meanwhile at the cocktail party, Jennifer revealed her grand plan to win Matty's heart

'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach after all': Jennifer presented Matty with some of her favourite desserts

Meanwhile at the cocktail party, Jennifer revealed her grand plan to win Matty's heart.

'I've been a little bit concerned that Matty has friend-zoned me, so I'm presenting Matty with a smorgasbord of some of my favourite desserts,' she explained.

'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach after all.'

During the rose ceremony Matty sent police officer Michelle home.

'I really hope that you find someone that makes you really happy because you deserve nothing less,' Matty said as he kissed Michelle goodbye.
She's best known for her racy role in the dark erotica saga Fifty Shades Of Grey.

But Dakota Johnson was letting her hair down on Tuesday, when she was pictured messing around on the back of her truck after a day out in West Hollywood.

The actress, 27, looked worlds away from her character Anastasia Steele, swamping her slender figure in a baggy jumper and boyfriend jeans.

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Fifty Shades Of Fun: Dakota Johnson, 27, let her hair down once again when she messed around on the back of her truck after a day out in West Hollywood on Tuesday

The Fifty Shades Of Grey beauty embraced her natural beauty and pulled off a loosely-tousled hairdo as she let her hair down.

Smiling Dakota was in high spirits and showed off her true adventurous spirit when she goofed around on the back of the vehicle in the blazing sunshine.

Earlier on in the day, she was in the good company of her television actor pal Jeremy Allen White and his Shameless co-star girlfriend Addison Timlin.

In good company! Earlier on in the day, she was joined by her television actor pal Jeremy Allen White and his girlfriend Addison Timlin

The trio enjoyed the afternoon catching up by heading out for lunch nearby in the A-list hotspot.

The actress has been in Georgia shooting her upcoming movie The Peanut Butter Falcon.

The Peanut Butter Falcon stars Zack Gottsagen as 22-year-old Zak, who has Down syndrome and who - in hopes of going to wrestling school - flees his nursing home.

He soon winds up with an outlaw played by Shia LaBeouf and the character played by Dakota, a nursing home employee.

But Dakota seems to have some time on her hands after filming wrapped for the third installment of the Fifty Shades Of Grey saga.

Keeping her look simple: The movie star cut a casual figure in three-quarter length blue jeans for added comfort

She reprised her role of Anastasia for the last time in Fifty Shades Freed, which follows the lives of Mr Christian (Jamie Dornan) and Mrs Grey as a married couple.

But Anastasia's life is in danger when her former boss Jack Hyde vows revenge for being fired while Elena returns to plague fresh havoc on the lovebirds.

Cinemas will play the upcoming flick in February 2018 in the US.
He's currently up to his neck in acting roles and property deals with a bitter legal battle on the side.

And now Johnny Depp has had to deal with the fact that he has been nudged off Forbes' annual highest paid actors list for the first time in years.

But Depp, 54, had his game face on whilst on the set of his newest film project, Richard Says Goodbye, on Tuesday, chatting to a preened-looking blonde co-star while they took a break from shooting.

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Johnny Depp put on a brave face and chatted to a blonde co-star on set of new movie... as he is knocked off the Forbes highest paid actors list for the first time in years amid financial woes

The Edward Scissorhands actor, dressed sharply in a black suit and tie, removed his blazer for the filming break, hoping not to get too hot in the blazing sun on location in Victoria, Canada.

He was seen in conversation with the the actress, who beamed at the From Hell star as he spoke to her.

He whipped his jacket back on and returned to work on the project - which sees him star alongside the likes of Zoey Deutch, Rosemarie DeWitt and Odessa Young.

This appearance comes on the eve of Forbes revealing their top 20 highest paid actors - a list Depp ordinarily features in the top five of.

But 2017 has been a different matter for the Pirates Of The Caribbean star.

Depp is currently embroiled in a bitter lawsuit with his former business managers who have detailed what they describe as his lavish spending habits.

On a break: The Edward Scissorhands actor, dressed sharply in a black suit and tie, removed his blazer for the filming break, hoping not to get too hot in the blazing sun on location in Victoria, Canada. He was seen in conversation with the the actress, who beamed at the From Hell star as he spoke to her

Tops: Mark Wahlberg soared to the top of the world's highest paid actors on an annual Forbes magazine. He earned an estimated $68 million in 2017 thanks to his pay days for movies Daddy's Home 2 and Transformers: The Last Knight. Seen in June

Last December, before the May 2017 release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Forbes named Depp the most overpaid actor for a second straight year as films such as Alice Through the Looking Glass and Mortdecai did not fare well.

TOP 20 FORBES 1. Mark Wahlberg ($68m) 2. The Rock ($65m) 3. Vin Diesel ($54.5m) 4. Adam Sandler ($50.5m) 5. Jackie Chan ($49m) 6. Robert Downey Jr ($48m) 7. Tom Cruise ($43m) 8. Shah Rukh Khan ($38m) 9. Salman Khan ($37m) 10. Akshay Kumar ($35.5m) 11. Chris Hemsworth ($31.5m) 12. Tom Hanks ($31m) 13. Samuel L Jackson ($30.5m) 14. Ryan Gosling ($29m) 15. Ryan Reynolds ($21.5m) 16. Matt Damon ($21m) 17. Jeremy Renner ($19m) 18. Chris Evans ($18m) 19. Chris Pratt ($17m) 20. Mark Ruffalo ($13m) Advertisement

He has steadily been selling a collection of condos in Los Angeles that he owns - last week finailising the sale of the fourth of the five luxury apartments.

It's presumably these issues that have led to Depp's sensational fall from financial grace where the Forbes list is concerned - which features Mark Wahlberg in the top spot.

Wahlberg soared to the top of the list that highlighted a huge disparity between male and female Hollywood stars.

At 46-years-old, he earned an estimated $68 million in 2017 thanks to his pay days for movies Daddy's Home 2 and Transformers: The Last Knight, according to the Forbes ranking released on Tuesday.

The rapper-turned-actor knocked 2016 leader Dwayne The Rock Johnson into second place, with estimated 2017 earnings of $65 million.

Vin Diesel came in at number three with $54.5m for films such as xXx: The Return of Xander Cage and Marvel's hit sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Number four went to Adam Sandler with $50.5m because he has a lucrative deal with Netflix and Jackie Chan grabbed the fifth spot with $49m. He makes film-after-film in China.

Depp's latest project sees him play the titular character of Richard, who receives some devastating news and sets out to live his life to the full.

Not on the list: Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp, who for years has been among the top five paid actors, did not make the top 20 this year, Forbes said

No 2: The rapper-turned-actor knocked 2016 leader Dwayne The Rock Johnson (pictured in Baywatch) into second place, with estimated 2017 earnings of $65 million

Depp has spent time to greet fans and visit the local children's hospital during his stay in Canada as well.

Meanwhile, Forbes magazine named La La Land and Oscar winner Emma Stone as the world's highest paid actress with an estimated 2017 take of $26 million.

Forbes said the 10 highest-paid leading men earned a combined $488.5 million before tax in its June 2016-June 2017 scoring period, nearly three times more than the $172.5 million earned by the top 10 scoring women, leading to more outcry about equality in Hollywood.
Their marriage was reported to be 'essentially over' amid claims that Katie Price couldn't forgive Kieran Hayler for cheating on her with two of her best friends.

And the former glamour model, 39, appeared to make a sly dig at Kieran's deceitful past as she declared on Loose Women: 'Once a cheat, always a cheat'.

Her cryptic comments on Wednesday come after she admitted she had ditched her wedding ring while getting ready for the appearance in an Instagram live video.

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Cryptic: Katie Price, 39, appeared to make a sly dig at Kieran's deceitful past as she declared on Loose Women: 'Once a cheat, always a cheat'

Katie made the comment about cheating while discussing how important it is to have a 'spark' in a relationship.

'When you're in love you shouldn't be complacent. All my relationships ended despite having the spark. I want a happy home, not an eggshell home,' she said.

'For some people it's all about sex, but it's not. I think once a cheat always a cheat,' she added.

Meanwhile, during the livestream, she told viewers, 'I've got no wedding rings on,' as she flaunted her derriere and cleavage in her underwear.

Later in the clip, someone said she was 'girlfriend material' but she hit back, saying cryptically: 'I'm not girlfriend material, I'm wifey material but well, we won't comment on that.'

Defiant: Katie Price , 39, defiantly hit out at rumours of a split from Kieran on Monday, as she shared a sweet selfie with the builder, 30, from their current holiday in Cyprus

Mysterious: 'When you're in love you shouldn't be complacent. All my relationships ended despite having the spark. I want a happy home, not an eggshell home,' she said

Mysterious: 'For some people it's all about sex, but it's not. I think once a cheat always a cheat,' she added

It comes after Katie defiantly hit out at the split rumours on Monday, as she shared a sweet selfie with the builder, 30, from their current holiday in Cyprus.

Another photo showed Katie cuddling up to Kieran, as they enjoyed a dinner out with Harvey, 15, and Kieran's kids with Katie - daughter Bunny, three, and son Jett, four.

She captioned the snap: 'Last night on our holiday in Cyprus @officialkieranhayler thanks for having us @jomantell @mantelljulian '.

Scarlet siren: The mother-of-five rocked a red off the shoulder top and strappy heels teamed with ripped skinny jeans

Double trouble: Katie cosied up to Celebrity Big Brother star Paul Danan during the show

And Kieran has also been dispelling the split rumours on social media, sharing a shot of him cuddling Katie while she lies in his lap.

He captioned it: 'Chilling back at the villa.'

The PDA-packed displays come amid reports Katie is deliberately pushing Kieran 'to the brink' so that he will quit their marriage - meaning she can cash in on a series of post-divorce interviews and magazine deals.

'It's becoming clear Katie's increasingly unhappy in her marriage and is looking for a get -out clause to end things without appearing like the bad one,' a source told Closer magazine.

Not bothered: Katie appeared completely relaxed as she left the Loose Women studios later on, after her comments about Kieran

Casually cool: The beauty, known for her glam sense of style, slipped into a casual jeans and T-shirt combo as she headed home after the show

Finishing touches: She tied the ensemble together with a Louis Vuitton handbag, slung over one shoulder, and an oversized pair of mirrored shades

Off we go: Katie appeared in good spirits as she checked her phone on her way out

Mwah! She blew one final kiss at cameras before getting into her car

Star-studded: Joey Essex was also seen leaving the studios in a trendy boiler suit

Retro: The former TOWIE star layered a denim jacket on top and accessorised with round sunglasses

'She seems to be pushing Kieran to the brink so that he'll leave her and she can then ride the wave of being the poor victim left at home with five kids to look after,' the source added.

It is also alleged that Katie might not be over Kieran's affairs after he cheated with two of her best friends.

'She's constantly trying to test him, asking him who he fancies and if he's speaking to any women on social media. She's trying to catch him out all the time to see if she can find an excuse to end the marriage,' the source added.

Rumour has it: Katie has been plagued with rumours that her marriage to Kieran was 'essentially over', amid reports that she couldn't forgive his cheating

Family affair: The photo showed Katie cuddling up to Kieran, as they enjoyed a dinner out with Harvey, 15, and Kieran's kids with Katie - daughter Bunny, three, and son Jett, four

Other sources claimed Katie risks financial ruin as she is reportedly spending tens of thousands of pounds - despite her companies allegedly banking less than 100,000.

She is allegedly spending 10,000 a month to maintain the family home she shares with Kieran and her five children - as well as expensive gifts for her relatives, Now magazine claimed.

The publication reported that Katie's company KDC trading only have 9,000 of funds left, while KP Bling has even smaller assets of just 100.

'Katie has been a director of loads of companies over the years. The ones she's active in now don't seem to be performing on paper, but she's still spending like she always did,' a source claimed.

She is reportedly trying to bring in extra revenue with her reality show My Crazy Life and a failed attempt at launching a singing career with her tanked single I Got U.

'Chilling back at the villa': Kieran has also been dispelling the split rumours on social media, sharing a shot of him cuddling Katie while she lies in his lap

Sweet display: Kieran shared another snap of Katie cuddling up to her children during the sun-soaked getaway

It comes amid claims Katie has allegedly informed friends she won't stay with Kieran, who is the father to the two youngest of her five children.

Ex lad's pin-up Katie - once known as Jordan - already has two failed marriages with Australian pop star Peter Andre and mixed martial artist Alex Reid.

According to friends, Katie has been unable to forgive and forget after Kieran bedded her best friends Jane Poutney and Chrissy Thomas in 2014.

A source told The Sun: 'The marriage is essentially over. Pals are speaking openly about the fact she plans to end things officially soon.

'She has said she doesn't trust him and can't see them having a future together.'

Katie and Kieran married in the Bahamas in January 2013, just a few short months after they first met.

The couple have two children together  three-year-old Jett Riviera Hayler and two-year-old Bunny Hayler.

Loving life: The former glamour model has been taking a break from the spotlight with the family holiday in Greece

'My boy': Katie took a break from her poolside activities to snuggle up to her four-year-old son Jett, whose father is Kieran

Katie has three more children, 14-year-old Harvey with Dwight Yorke as well as 11-year-old Junior and nine-year-old Princess both with Peter.

MailOnline has contacted Katie's representatives for comment.

The claims about Katie and Kieran's reportedly rocky marriage comes after her rumoured one-time fling Scotty T said she was 'fit'.

Katie and the Geordie Shore star set tongues wagging after they were pictured leaving a hotel in Newcastle last October.

Scotty has since rubbished the claims, insisting he only drove her to a salon so she could top up her tan.

Oh dear: The claims about Katie and Kieran's reportedly rocky marriage comes after her rumoured one-time fling Scotty T said she was 'fit' and that he would 's**g' her

'She's genuinely just my pal. I literally took her for a sunbed at my friend's salon and that was it,' he told Radio Aire while rehearsing for an appearance in new panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

But Scotty hit the headlines again on Tuesday after saying the fact that Katie is married 'wouldn't stop' her sleeping with him.

'She's a lovely girl, I've not seen her recently but I would get in touch with her,' she told The Sun.

'She's fit! You can write that! Write that I think she's fit and I totally would s**g her.'

When reminded that Katie was married to husband Kieran Hayler, the cheeky 29-year-old replied: 'Yeah that wouldn't stop her!'

Unforgivable: According to friends, Katie has been unable to forgive and forget after Kieran bedded her best friend Jane Poutney and Chrissy Thomas in 2014

Loved up: Katie and Kieran married in the Bahamas in January 2013, just a few short months after they first met

Things appeared to be rocky when she flirted up a storm with Love Island 's Chris Hughes when she came face to face with him on Loose Women earlier this month.

And Katie reportedly continued her flirty antics by sending a series of 'inappropriate' private messages on Twitter, The Sun reported.

Chris later told Closer magazine: 'She's a little bit full on! She's funny, but interesting. She tried to message me on Twitter a little bit, but I just didn't reply.'

Chris, 24, will no doubt face tough questions from his beloved Olivia Attwood, 26, who was 'completely knocked backwards by Katie's messages,' according to the source.

Katie and Kieran were alleged to have recently gone through a rocky patch after she was discovered sending a series of flirty texts to DJ Tom Zanetti.

Former loves: Katie enjoyed a short-lived marriage to cage fighter Alex Reid, which ended in 2011 after 11 months

In the past: Katie was previously married to Peter Andre from 2005 till 2009 - after they met in the I'm A Celebrity! jungle

Katie and Chris first met on ITV's Loose Women shortly after the Love Island star left the famous villa.

Flirting up a storm with the hunk, the mother-of-five seemed to have ignored warnings from both her husband and Chris' girlfriend Olivia Attwood, leaving Coleen Nolan to intervene.

As Coleen repeatedly told Katie 'you're married!' the former glamour model brazenly announced: 'If I wasn't married you would be my type on paper, 100 percent to a tee!

Cheeky! Chris claimed Katie sent him 'full-on' messages on Twitter - which he ignored

Pucker up! After meeting on Loose Women last month, Katie reportedly continued her flirty antics with Love Island's Chris Hughes by sending a series of 'inappropriate' private messages on Twitter

Outraged: Chris, 24, will no doubt face tough questions from his beloved Olivia Attwood, 26, who was 'completely knocked backwards by Katie's messages,' according to the source

'But she's [Olivia] got you, lucky girl! And I'm married!'

Unable to resist flirting some more, Katie added: 'He thought I was 31, but I'm 39... and I'm a MILF!'

Katie's flirty comments came after Chris' girlfriend Olivia issued her a warning, tweeting: 'My cherub @chrishughes_22 is on @loosewomen this morning iv always been a @KatiePrice fan, hope that doesn't change today.'

But the former Page 3 girl laughed off the comments, and even hit back at a video warning from her husband Kieran.

Cheeky: Flirting up a storm with the hunk, the mother-of-five seemed to have ignored warnings from both her husband and Chris' girlfriend Olivia Attwood, leaving Coleen Nolan to intervene

The former stripper sent in a strict message to his wife as he begged her to be on her best behaviour and encouraged her to think about the vow renewal that was aired on Monday's episode of their reality show.

But Katie laughed off his pleas, shooting back: 'Reality TV is filmed in advance, we renewed our vows months ago, not last week!'

Katie announced the month before she met Chris that she has her eye on him for a future husband.

Brazen: As Coleen repeatedly told Katie 'you're married!' the former glamour model brazenly announced: 'If I wasn't married you would be my type on paper, 100 percent to a tee!'

Despite already being married to Kieran, Katie put her thought process down to suffering 'mid-love crisis'.

'Chris on Love Island is going to be my next husband,' she declared brazenly to her fellow panelists Andrea McLean, Linda Robson and Saira Khan.

'I'm in love with Kieran and he's perfect. I'm just looking at everything at the minute. Kieran laughs it off but I'm like 'I don't know why you're laughing Kieran he's going to be good with the sheep'

'I don't know if it's because I want attention. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't care I'm turning 40 next year. I have no problem with that.'

Brazen: As Coleen repeatedly told Katie 'you're married!' the former glamour model brazenly announced: 'If I wasn't married you would be my type on paper, 100 percent to a tee!'

She added 'It's like 'will I be able to pull again?'' before swiftly adding 'not that I want to!'

Upon leaving the villa, news of the statement reached Olivia, who told MailOnline: 'I love Katie Price as well although she has said she's going to steal my man!'

She also discussed the possibility of becoming the new Katie and Peter, joking that she was a big fan of the former married couple in their reality heyday.

'It's not something we've openly talked about, but we're open to anything. I thought Katie and Peter were great in their heyday, the reality dream, so I'll take [the comparison] as a compliment', Olivia said.
He was recently named the 12th-highest paid actor by Forbes.

And Hollywood heavyweight Chris Hemsworth, 34, is using his star power to encourage Australians to vote 'yes' in next month's postal plebiscite on same-sex marriage laws.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the Thor hunk urged fans to 'vote now for marriage equality' with the hopes of legalising same-sex marriage Down Under.

Vote for equality: Hollywood heavyweight Chris Hemsworth, 34, is using his star power to encourage Australians to vote 'yes' in next month's postal plebiscite on same-sex marriage laws. Also pictured: Chris' wife Elsa Pataky, 41, at the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California

'Dear open minded, free speaking, laid back, life loving aussies,' he wrote.

'Marriage is about love and commitment and, in a country based on equal citizenship, it should be available to everyone! Vote now for marriage equality #equality.'

He shared an image reminding his followers that they have '24 hours' to update their electoral details in preparation for next month's plebiscite.

Taking action: Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the Thor hunk urged fans to 'vote now for marriage equality' with the hopes of legalising same-sex marriage Down Under

Heartfelt plea: 'Dear open minded, free speaking, laid back, life loving aussies,' he wrote. Marriage is about love and commitment and, in a country based on equal citizenship, it should be available to everyone! Vote now for marriage equality #equality'

Melbourne-born Chris has been happily married to Spanish actress Elsa Pataky, 41, for six years and the couple share three children India Rose, six, and three-year-old twin sons Tristan and Sasha.

Chris is just the latest of many stars, who have thrown their support behind various marriage equality campaigns.

Also calling for marriage equality in Australia on Wednesday was The Wolf of Wall Street star Margot Robbie, who voiced her support on Instagram.

Voicing her support: Also calling for marriage equality in Australia on Wednesday was The Wolf of Wall Street star Margot Robbie, who voiced her support on Instagram

Equality for all: Margot shared this snap on Instagram story, as a reminder for fans

'Hey Australia today is the last day for you to enrol/update your details to make your vote count towards marriage equality - vote yes,' her post read.

Love Child actress Miranda Tapsell, who plays Martha Tennant on the hit show, recently told Yahoo Be: 'What I'm really wanting now is for everyone to have the chance to get married.'

Showing support: Love Child actress Miranda Tapsell, who plays Martha Tennant on the hit show, recently told Yahoo Be : 'What I'm really wanting now is for everyone to have the chance to get married'

'I've still got a lot to learn about the LGBTQI community and I'm really wanting to listen to what they have to say,' she said.

She continued: 'But coming from another minority where Martha lived in a time where it wasn't really, she wasn't really legitimised, there was a bigger challenge to Martha getting married that she was going to have to live with,' Miranda tells Be.

On Tuesday, reality TV star Matty 'J' Johnson took to Instagram to post a promo photo from The Bachelor, captioning it with a plea for his followers to vote 'yes.'

Vote yes: Matty J Johnson has become the latest celebrity to throw his support behind the campaign for marriage equality

'Not every Australian will get the chance to date 22 people on national TV but they should all have the opportunity to marry the person they love and be treated equally under the law,' he said.

Matty added: 'If you support marriage equality make sure you enrol to vote or update your details by midnight August 24 at aec.gov.au,' punctuating the sentiment with the hashtags #voteyes and #marriageequality.

Many of Matty's fans were overjoyed with the sentiment with one fan saying: 'Ok even if you pick someone I don't like at the end I will still love you because of this post!'

Fair's fair: 'Not every Australian will get the chance to date 22 people on national TV but they should all have the opportunity to marry the person they love and be treated equally under the law,' he said.

Another follower offered a heartfelt thanks with: 'Me and my mums love you so much more for this, their love has been alive for 27 years and has not yet been legalised, I say, as a rainbow baby to two beautiful mothers, that it's time for change. Thank you Matty.''

Beau Ryan also made his thoughts on the issue quite clear when he took to the social media platform on Tuesday.

'LOVE is LOVE. Sending nothing but LOVE to EVERYONE out there. LOVE always wins. #MarriageEquality' he wrote on Instagram.

Thanks: oNE follower offered a heartfelt thanks with: 'Me and my mums love you so much more for this, their love has been alive for 27 years and has not yet been legalised, I say, as a rainbow baby to two beautiful mothers, that it's time for change. Thank you Matty,'

Support: Former NRL star Beau Ryan also threw his support behind the marriage equality campaign on tuesday.

He clasped his hands together in the shape of a heart, while a rainbow-flag with an outlined image of Australia as well as a love heart and equal sign in the middle was placed underneath him.

Beau's post follows Sunday's results in Newspoll, where it was claimed that 63 per cent of Australians will be voting yes in the postal vote.

Matty and Beau join a long list of Australian celebrities to endorse marriage equality via social media including Margot Robbie, Delta Goodrem, Jennifer Hawkins, David Campbell, Guy Sebastian, and Lisa Oldfield.

In tears: On Tuesday morning's Today show, Australian actor Magda Szubanzki also shared her thoughts on the issue with a heartfelt address to the public

On Tuesday morning's Today show, Australian actor Magda Szubanzki also shared her thoughts on the issue with a heartfelt address to the public.

Magda gave a passionate speech before breaking down in tears.

She spoke about the effects of the debate on her own well being, and how growing up gay in a society that was much less accepting before, impacted her greatly.

'I barely made it through my childhood, and I don't want that to happen to any of these kids,' she said.

Equal Love: Magda has been vocal for years on her views on same sex marriage in Australia

'I want to send a strong message too, we all do. We'll get through this, we'll survive it.'

Magda came out as gay publicly in 2012 and has been a staunch supporter for marriage equality ever since, claiming on Channel Ten's 'The Project' in 2012 that she 'absolutely identifies as gay.'

She also offered solidarity with the Australian LGBTI community, claiming that the Australian community needs to stick together and support one another.

'We need young LGBTQI people to know to not isolate themselves, to reach out, find the support and we are there, we've got their backs and so have so many straight Australian allies.'
Yolanda Hadid has had an intense battle with Lyme Disease.

On Wednesday the former Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star shared talked about her five-year struggle, which she has documented in new memoir Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisibility of Lyme Disease (out September 12), to People.

The mother to supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid - who is now in remission - admitted that at one point she even thought of taking her own life due to the pain from the disease.

Her truth: Yolanda Hadid has had an intense battle with Lyme Disease. She talked about taking her own life because of it to the new issue of People; seen here in July

The 53-year-old star was was diagnosed with 'severe, chronic neurological Lyme disease' in 2012, she told People.

She took antibiotics, but she still suffered from joint pain, exhaustion, insomnia and anxiety, according to the site.

Soon the former model, who was married to music producer David Foster, had to spend most of her time in bed.

Her angels: She decided to not take her own life because she wanted to be there for her three kids; here she is seen with Bella and Gigi in November

'Im such a fighter, but I had to surrender,' she said.

In 2014 she told her then husband Foster she could not handle the pain.

'I take off my clothes and slip into the dark blue ocean, which is cool and comforting,' she wrote in her book.

Her boy: She also has son Anwar, who is also a model. Pictured 2015

'The waves gently wash over my naked body, and I can feel the current tugging at me.

'Tears pour out of my eyes, roll across my cheeks, and meld with the salt water as I try to still my mind to become one with the waters ebb and flow.'

She then added: 'God please just take me away in a wave. I cant live like this one more day. Please carry my body away. I just want to disappear.'

Tops: Both Gigi. left, and Bella, right, have been on the cover of Vogue

Hadid wrote: 'My next thought is a clear image of my three children. It shifts my consciousness immediately and thats the only thing that keeps me from letting myself drift and drown.'

The former cover girl said that she has learned a lot from her fight.

'As difficult as these past five years have been, I am so grateful that this journey has led me to living in the light.

'I have had it all and lost it all, only to realize that less is more, money cant buy you health or happiness, and one day at a time is good enough.'

Hadid has been spending most of her time in New York City where all three of her children work as fashion models. Bella has also been fighting Lyme Disease.
She always looks glamorous when she heads out to work.

And Myleene Klass brought a touch of sunshine to an overcast London when she made a stylish arrival at Global Studios on Wednesday.

Rocking an effortlessly elegant vibe, the Smooth radio personality, 39, showcased her sensational figure in the form-fitting canary yellow dress.

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She's a Klass act! Myleene Klass, 39, brought summer to an overcast London when she made a stylish arrival in a canary yellow lace dress at Global Studios on Wednesday

Myleene elongated her enviably long legs with the midi dress which featured a cheeky split at the back, to also draw attention to her peachy derriere.

The television queen was the picture of confidence as she added to her statuesque height in towering platform sandals.

Keeping in line with the summer look, the stunning beauty pulled on her rectangle sunglasses in the hope the sun would make an appearance.

Myleene dramatically pulled her trademark brunette tresses off her face, scraping her glossy locks into a neat bun.

Going for a Klassy vibe: The Smooth radio personality, 39, showcased her sensational figure in the form-fitting midi dress which hinted at her hourglass curves whilst remaining demure

The Smooth radio star has been working at the station since 2014 and presents a Saturday show between 10am-2pm.

Model Myleene embarked on a career in presenting in 2005 after finding fame as a member of Hear'Say and as a solo artist.

The songstress' fame also soared when she came second in the 2006 series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

She's in a Klass of her own: The television queen was the picture of confidence as she added to her statuesque height in towering platform sandals to strut into the studios

Klass curves: Myleene elongated her model-honed legs in the cheeky split at the back of her midi dress, which also drew attention to her peachy derriere

The mum-of-two is fresh from her sun-soaked family getaway to Portugal with her girls, Ava, nine and Hero, six.

The beauty raises her daughters as a single mum following her heartbreaking split from her former bodyguard husband Graham Quinn in 2012.

Graham left the star on her 34th birthday in April 2012 putting an end to their relationship, with their divorce finalised in 2013.

Myleene has since put her heartache behind her as she has been moving on with hunky fashion PR Simon Motson.

The pair, who enjoy a low-key romance, have been a happy item since 2015
She's a doting mother to her three beautiful children; Ava, 17, Deacon, 13, and Tennessee, four.

And Reese Witherspoon has now opened up on her family dynamic during an interview with the September issue of Southern Living magazine.

The Big Little Lies star, 41, said her doppelganger daughter - from her marriage to ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, 42 - is like 'another mother' to her youngest child Tennesse, who she shares with talent agent husband Jim Toth, 47.

Happy: Reese Witherspoon has discussed her family dynamic in a stunning shoot for the September issue of Southern Living magazine

Joking that even the tot gets confused by the similarities between her and Ava, Reese told the publication: 'The he kids all have funny and unique relationships with each other.

'Ava is like another parent to Tennessee, like his other mother. I think sometimes he even gets confused - he told Ava "Happy Mothers Day!"'

Tennessee is equally close with big brother Deacon, who Reese also shares with ex-husband Ryan.

She added: 'Tennessee is just sort of like Deacons protege. He follows his older brother around the house all day.'

Doting: The mother-of-three pictured in December 2016 with daughter Ava, 17, sons Deacon, 13, and Tennessee, four, and husband Jim Toth

Another mother: The Big Little Lies star, 41, said her doppelganger daughter - from her marriage to ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, 42, is like 'another mother' to her youngest child

But the actress joked that one thing her youngest is struggling with is the spelling of his complicated name.

Aside from Reese's home state - she was born in New Orleans - the childs moniker is a nod to Tennessee Williams, one of her 'favorite playwrights'.

'My own Tennessee is trying to learn how to spell his name right now,' she shared. 'We were over at the preschool, and the teachers were saying that sometimes he just quits and writes Toth instead.'

The Legally Blonde star said that while her family stays close, there's always room for more people at the table.

Seeing double: The actress joked that even little Tennessee can't tell the difference between her and doppelganger daughter Ava

Plenty to smile about: Reese was pictured leaving New York City's JFK Airport on Thursday after enjoying a break in The Hamptons

She told Southern Living: 'On Mother's Day, we had lots of people over for lunch, including Laura Dern and her mom, [actress] Diane Ladd, who has become friends with my mom.

'Its pretty cute - they really love each other and talk all the time. Theyre even planning on taking a road trip together!

The Nashville native admitted that while storytelling is an art form in her family, she doesn't mind listening to a good fable with friends.

'I dont even bother to interrupt,' the actress said 'I think theres nothing better than a Southern person as they age. The stories get better and better and less and less true.'

Happy couple: Reese started dating talent agent Jim, 47, in February 2010 and tied the knot at the star's country estate in Ojai, California, in March 2011 (pictured in February)

Southern charm: The star opened up to the September issue of Southern Living magazine

Reese is constantly inspired by her southern roots and plans to launch a lifestyle book in the coming year.

'I think the South is also a quintessentially very funny place - people dont take themselves too seriously,' she said. 'The ability to laugh at yourself is a real survival instinct.'

Reese was married to first husband Ryan for seven years.

The couple met at the star's 21st birthday party in 1997, before tying the knot near Charleston, South Carolina, in June 1999 at Old Wide Awake Plantation.

After welcoming Ava and Deacon into the world, the pair announced their separation in October 2006.

Reese started dating talent agent Jim in February 2010 and tied the knot at the star's country estate in Ojai, California, in March 2011.
They've just returned from a sun-kissed family getaway to Greece.

And Ronan Keating, 40, and his wife Storm, 35, continued their smitten display in a sweet Instagram snap on Tuesday, which also featured their adorable three-month-old son Cooper.

The proud parents looked thrilled in the beaming snap which saw the youngster accompanying them on set ahead of filming for the Boyzone reunion.

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'On set with daddy!' Ronan Keating, 40, and his wife Storm, 35, continued their smitten display in a sweet Instagram snap on Tuesday, which also featured their adorable son Cooper, three months

Storm put on an incredibly leggy display in the snap which saw her sport a stylish striped top and white shorts.

Ronan also dressed in a trendy all-black denim ensemble as he played with the youngster who looked comfortable on a mat.

The stunning blonde captioned the snap: 'Little Coop on set with daddy for the first time #BZ25 #Boyzone #Photoshoot #25yearAnniversary #CooperKeating.

With a filming set in the background, Ronan seemed in high spirits as he embarked on the early stages of the eagerly anticipated Boyzone reunion.

They're back! Earlier this year, the popular Irish boyband confirmed their reunion for 2018 for their 25th anniversary L-R: Keith Duffy, Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham

'This time last week': Storm recently shared a throwback snap of Ronan holding Cooper as they witnessed the blissful sunset in Greece

Earlier this year, the popular Irish boyband confirmed their reunion for 2018 for their 25th anniversary.

This comes after Storm proved that parenting suited her down to the ground on Sunday, as she enjoyed a Greek getaway with her husband and son.

Storm recently shared a throwback snap of Ronan holding Cooper as they witnessed the blissful sunset.

During the getaway, the stunning blonde could not hide her beaming smile as she cosied up to her musician lover and their tot in the sweet family selfie, posted to Instagram.

New parents: Storm and Ronan have been incredibly hands-on parents after welcoming their son Cooper into the world on April

Family portrait: During the getaway, the stunning blonde could not hide her beaming smile as she cosied up to her musician lover and their tot in the sweet family selfie, posted to Instagram

The golden-haired star was positively glowing in the Mediterranean sunshine, proving her natural beauty in minimal make-up, and a retro pair of sunglasses.

Cuddling up to her man, the pair looked more loved-up than ever as they beamed widely for the camera - with their sweet son Cooper nestled in Ronan's arms.

Clearly indulging during their time away, Ronan also appeared to be sharing a delicious chocolate ice-cream with his boy, finished with a patriotic Greek flag on top.

Sensational! Storm showed off her incredible post-baby body while posing beneath the Mediterranean sun on Monday with three-month-old Cooper in her arms

Revelling in yet another day of her Greek holiday, the model looked sensational in a red bikini as she cradled her son beside the sea.

The Australian-born fashion designer flashed her ample cleavage in the sizzling two-piece, which also boasted barely-there bikini bottoms.

Her sexy swimwear style was arguably overshadowed by her adorable tot however, who was clad in a cute blue wet-suit.

The snap comes just a few short days after Ronan shared a snap of the mother-son duo reclining on their sun lounger with a comical filter.

Just a few hours later, Storm shared a snap of the lower half of her svelte frame lying on a blue towel next to a shirtless Ronan, who gazed adoringly into his youngest child's eyes as the baby sucked on a dummy.

Body: Storm showed off her sensational post-baby body as she uploaded a snap of her own

Gush: Storm's followers flocked to the comments section to gush over her sensational body

Storm wrote beside the image: 'Poolside #intheshade #chillin #giggles #cooperkeating #daddy #summerdayz #greece.'

Former Boyzone frontman Ronan already has three children - Jack, 18, Missy, 16 and Ali, 11.

Ronan shares his older children with his ex-wife Yvonne Connolly, who he split from in 2010 after 12 years of marriage.

Their divorce was finalised in March 2015, five months before he tied the knot with Storm.

Ronan lavished praise on the Aussie TV producer before the birth of their son, saying that she was 'looking good'.

Smitten kittens: The loved-up spouses have shared a number of adorable snaps from their getaway




They dated for four years before calling it quits in 2015.

But rumors continue to swirl that Emma Stone, 28, and Andrew Garfield, 33, still have 'romantic' feelings for one another amid claims they are on the brink of reuniting as a couple.

'They never stopped caring about each other,' a source told this week's People magazine.

'They never stopped caring about each other': It's been claimed Emma Stone, 28, and Andrew Garfield, 33, still have 'romantic' feelings for one another

'Even when they split, Emma and Andrew had great love and respect for each other.'

Despite being apart for so many years, the La La Land star and Spider-Man actor still have 'romantic' feelings for each other.

The source added: 'The feeling between them is still romantic.'

Emma and Andrew have been spotted spending quite a bit of time together in recent weeks.

Still supporting each other: Despite being apart for so many years, the La La Land star and Spider-Man actor still have 'romantic' feelings for each other (pictured in December 2014)

Secret visits: The Oscar-winning actress has reportedly been seen making multiple trips to watch Andrew's play, Angels In America, at London's National Theatre

The Oscar-winning actress has reportedly been seen making multiple trips to watch Andrew's play, Angels In America, at London's National Theatre.

The star, who was named the highest paid actress by Forbes last week, has reportedly been slipping into the audience to watch her former beau perform and goes backstage every time - even leaving the theater with him holding hands.

A source told The Sun newspaper: 'Andrew's feelings for Emma never softened and now they are growing close once again.'

'There is a lot of history between them but they are both so busy. At the moment they are just seeing what happens.'

Talented twosome: The star has reportedly been slipping into the audience to watch her former beau perform (pictured July 2014)

Despite their split, the pair have never been bitter toward each other, says another source: 'They care about each other and encourage the other's career. They're great friends.'

While Andrew has been working in London on the stage, Emma has been in New York filming and executive producing a new dark comedy Netflix series called Maniac, alongside Jonah Hill.

The duo split in 2015 after a four-year romance, but have always maintained an amicable relationship.

Unrequited love: Rumors continue to swirl that Emma and Andrew could be headed towards a reconciliation and have been spending more time together

In fact, Emma has been vocal about her ongoing feelings for her former beau.

The stunning redhead told Vogue magazine last year: 'He's still someone I love very much... It's been interesting. It's been a good year. And sad. Pros and cons.'

Andrew repaid the compliment that same year, telling The Hollywood Reporter that he would pick Emma to come live with him on a desert island if he was only allowed one companion.

'I love Emma. Shes all right. She can come,' he said.

It's not the first time they've sparked rumours they could re-kindle their romance: in February, they were reported to have 'cuddled and held hands' after meeting up at the BAFTAs in London.
The soap world has been governed by an influx of dramatic Coronation Street storylines.

But it looks as though Eastenders may be fighting its way back to the top, if reports of dramatic upcoming scenes are anything to go by.

Life in Albert Square will take a turn for the worse when residents are rocked by a gas explosion during a flower festival.

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Explosive: It looks as though Eastenders may be fighting its way back to the top, if reports of dramatic upcoming scenes are anything to go by

According to The Sun, the horrific incident will take place at the Walford In Bloom event, with everyone from the mayor to a whole host of Eastenders favourites present.

And amid the chaos, Max Branning's sinister plans to get his own back are set to be exposed over the coming weeks after a huge explosion claims the life of a fan favourite.

The conniving businessman - portrayed by Jake Wood - has been on a mission to get revenge on everyone who has done him wrong since he made a dramatic return to Albert Square after being wrongly accused of murdering Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater).

Deadly: According to reports, life in Albert Square will take a turn for the worst, when residents are rocked by gas explosion during a flower festival

But his wicked ways will be revealed after a horrific gas explosion tears through Walford and leaves at least one resident dead and others fighting for their lives.

A source told publication: 'It's a bold stunt and has taken months of planning. It'll trigger a load of other storylines off the back of it, but the explosion itself will be a major talking point.

'Viewers will be left wondering whether it was set off on purpose or by accident, and bosses are staying tight-lipped about who will die but at least one is looking like they will. Fans will be hoping it's not one of their favourites who is being killed off.'

Drama: The horrific incident will take place at the Walford In Bloom event, with everyone from the mayor to a whole host of Eastenders favourites present

Although it's not known which characters will get caught up in the explosion, Aaron Sidwell - who plays deranged Steven Beale and has lied about having a brain tumour to convince Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) to marry him - is leaving.

A source said recently: 'Obviously this storyline has caused a lot of controversy. Things are coming to a head on screen, but it's going to be the end of Aaron's time on the show. He's got offers of parts in the West End and a tour of the musical 'Wicked', and he loves working in theatre, so that's on the agenda.

'The outcome of the storyline is being kept under wraps. He's sworn to secrecy and so is everyone else in the cast and crew.'
She shot to fame playing the aristocratic Lady Mary Crawley in the hugely-popular British period drama Downton Abbey.

But Michelle Dockery looked worlds away from her high society alter-ego in new promotional shots for Netflix's epic seven-part western series Godless, set in New Mexico.

The actress, 35, traded in her corsets and expensive jewels in favour of a gun and cowboy boots.

What would Lady Mary say? Michelle Dockery looked worlds away from her high society alter-ego in new promotional shots for Netflix's epic seven-part western series Godless

Change of scenery: The actress, 35, traded in her corsets and expensive jewels in favour of a gun and cowboy boots

Michelle looked every bit the western lady in a large hat and long black skirt, with her costume also featuring a bandana scarf.

Other images display the vast New Mexico landscape where the series is set and show Michelle gazing out into the distance with fellow British actor, Jack O'Connell, 27, close by her.

Steven Soderbergh, who is known for dramas such as Traffic and Oceans 11, will executive produce the epic historical series.

Epic! Steven Soderbergh, who is known for dramas such as Traffic and Oceans 11, will executive produce the epic historical series

Stellar cast: Godless being helmed as Netflix's first-ever limited series and also stars Jeff Daniels and Jack O'Connell

The show, set to air on the streaming service on November 22, is being helmed as Netflix's first-ever limited series and also stars Jeff Daniels, 62.

The series is about notorious criminal Frank Griffin (Daniels) and his gang of outlaws are on a mission of revenge against Roy Goode (OConnell), a son-like protege who betrayed the brotherhood.

While on the run, Roy seeks refuge with hardened widower Alice Fletcher (Dockery), an outcast herself, in a worn-down, isolated mining town of La Belle, NM, governed mainly by women.

When word reaches La Belle that Griffin is headed their way, the town bands together to defend against the murderous gang in a lawless western frontier.

Revenge is sweet: The series is about notorious criminal Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) and his gang of outlaws are on a mission of revenge against Roy Goode (Jack OConnell)

Girl power! While on the run, Roy seeks refuge with hardened widower Alice Fletcher (Dockery), an outcast herself, in a worn-down, isolated mining town of La Belle

Skilled riding: When word reaches La Belle that Griffin is headed their way, the town bands together to defend against the murderous gang in a lawless western frontier.

In an interview with Vogue back in May, Michelle reveals just how different her latest role is to her breakout character of Lady Mary in the iconic ITV drama.

'The first thing we all did when we arrived was to go on cowboy camp,' Michelle recalls of her time on set.

'I remember when I shot a gun  the adrenaline was crazy. On Downton Abbey we had the shooting parties, but the women just stood back and wore a nice outfit and assisted the men.'

'People are calling it a feminist western. It was a joy to work with so many women.'

Although Michelle is trading in her heels for boots, she could soon be revisiting the aristocratic character that made her famous.

Gender equality? Women are featured predominantly in the series, both as gun-toting criminals and 'ladies'

Although Michelle is trading in her heels for boots, she could soon be revisiting the aristocratic character that made her famous as rumors swirl of a Downton Abbey film

The film version of Downton Abbey was greenlit back in May with production slated to begin in September.

A source told The Sun newspaper: 'Film bosses have requested the services of crew members and accountants to work on the picture.

'A budget has been set and now its a case of getting everything in place to start shooting. It would take something big to stop the project from happening now.'

Discussing the secrecy surrounding the project, Downton creator Julian Fellowes, quipped: 'There is a film script which weve all been sent but then it disappeared Mission Impossible style from our emails.'
They have eight years of marriage under their belt and a son named Jack, aged five. So it's only natural that exes Anna Faris and Chris Pratt would be trying to stay together.

And that's what a source told the new issue of Life & Style magazine as the 40-year-old Mom actress and the 38-year-old Jurassic World action star are hashing out their issues in couples counseling.

The timing is good as he just completed filming Avengers: Infinity War as well as Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and appears to have time on his hands.

Working it out: Anna Faris and Chris Pratt, seen in April, are trying to save their marriage, according to Life & Style magazine

'Its the first time theyve ever been in counseling together and it only happened after they split,' an insider revealed.

'They have committed to it. They are trying to keep the pressure low by doing it out of the spotlight, but there is still a lot of love between them.'

Another source said it helps that they are still living in the same Los Angeles house together that they share with Jack.

Their love: Another source said it helps that they are still living in the same Los Angeles house together that they share with Jack; seen in April

Before mega fame hit: Anna and Chris with baby Jack in 2013 in LA

Turns out they have to talk about their changing careers. When she met Chris he was not famous but she was.

Now he is a major movie actor thanks to Guardians Of The Galaxy and Jurassic World as well as his work in Avengers.

'Its been very intense, with Anna discussing how she feels isolated with Chris gone so much of the time and her career taking a backseat,' said the source.

'Chris gets frustrated because Anna is in the industry, too, and knew the commitments involved when she married him.'

On August 6 the actors released a joint statement on social media which read: 'We are sad to announce we are legally separating,

'We tried hard for a long time, and were really disappointed. Our son has two parents who love him very much and for his sake we went to keep this situation as private as possible moving forward. We still love each other and will always cherish our time together.'

His big movie career: The actor has been off making Jurassic World (left) and Passengers (right) for the past few years

Time with mommy is a thumb's up: The blonde beauty with Jack in July in Hollywood. Her son was born two-and-a-half months early and spent a month in the NICU before he went home

Break: On August 6 the actors released a joint statement on social media revealing the news they're separating

Her first comments after the split were made on her Unqualified podcast: 'Hey, dear listeners!' she said. 'I just want to thank you all so much for all the love I've been receiving, and I truly love you.'

Last week Faris went on a podcast where she proved all is not well with the two by saying: 'Life is too short to be in relationships where you feel this isn't fully right or somebody doesn't have your back, or somebody doesn't fully value you.'

The blonde beauty, who wed Pratt in 2009, was not speaking specifically about her relationship with Chris, but rather was giving advice to a caller on the podcast My Favourite Murder.

They didn't jump to have baby no 2: The couple have said they wanted a second child. In 2016 she said: 'We both love kids, Chris and I have both dreamed about having a big family. But I didn't love pregnancy.' Seen in 2013

But her choice of words suggested she was using her own failed romance as an example. Anna continued her heartfelt message: 'Don't be afraid to feel your independence if things aren't right.'

Meanwhile, Chris, 38, was spotted leaving LA on a private jet with an unidentified blonde female companion on Monday.

On his own: The action star was seen with his son on August 13; he announced his separation from Anna a week earlier

It's not known where Chris was going or if the mystery blonde was an assistant or production coordinator, but she boarded the plane with the star.

Chris made his first high-profile appearance at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday to accept his award for Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actor.

The Parks And Recreation star didn't touch on the split at all, but did joke about his rise in Hollywood, something many sources say lead to his split with Anna.

Chris made his first high-profile appearance at the Teen Choice Awards in mid August to accept his award for Choice Sci-Fi Movie Actor

The speech, which was an attempt at self-deprecation, saw Chris detail how his career in the industry began.

'When I came to Los Angeles,' Pratt said, 'I came from Hawaii and I had all of this blond hair and I was tan and I met an agent because I really wanted to be an actor and get an agent.'

He then said that the agent asked, '"Wow. Bro you must surf?" And I said "Yeah" and that was the first of many lies I told to get where I am today. Thank you.'

While he did not thank his soon to be ex wife, he did leave on a religious note: 'I would not be here with the ease and grace I have in my heart without my lord and savior, Jesus Christ.'




Friends of Rebecca Gayheart fear for her mental health following the death of her younger sister.

Rachel Gayheart, 38, died on August 11 while locked up in a Kentucky jail on drugs charges.

Sources close to the Beverly Hills, 90210 star are now worried the latest incident may push her over the edge.

Worried: Friends of Rebecca Gayheart fear for her mental health following the death of her little sister

'Rebecca has tried hard to keep it together since the accident,' a source told the National Enquirer.

The accident the insider is referring to took place in 2001. The actress was charged with vehicular manslaughter after hitting and killing a nine-year-old boy at a Hollywood intersection.

More recently, her actor husband Eric Dane went on hiatus from his show The Last Ship to battle severe depression.

'Eric's problems, combined with losing her sister, has everyone worried she might not have the strength anymore,' added the source.

Tragic: Rachel Gayheart (R) 38, died on August 11 while locked up in a Kentucky jail on drugs charges (pictured with her son Ethan)

She had a record: Here Rachel is seen in her Pikeville, Kentucky mug shot in March

Last week Rebecca posted a family photograph at her sister's funeral.

'My baby sister Rachel "ray " has sadly passed away,' she wrote. 'We buried her on the hilltop in Kentucky along with my grandparents and cousins.

'She was loved by everyone and had a wicked sense of humor and the most loving heart. Life has not been easy for you sis but now you can be peaceful.

'I'm so grateful that I was able to be with my family during this time and want to say thank you to everyone for all of the love and support you've sent to me and my family,' she continued.

RIP: Last week Rebecca posted a family photograph at her sister's funeral

Family: Rebecca and husband Eric Dane have two daughters, seven-year-old Billie and five-year-old Georgia; seen in June

'Let this be a reminder that every day is precious and we must live our best life NOW. Let your loved ones know how much you care as there is no guarantee that you will get another day to do so . #RIP #heartbroken #mypeople #lifeishard #racheldeannegayheart #mifamilia #godbless.'

As far as her 2001 accident, Rebecca was sued by the parents of Jorge Cruz, Jr after their sons death.

In the suit, they claimed a car had stopped at the intersection to allow the little boy cross, and that Gayheart passed the car and struck him, alleging she was talking on a cell phone at the time.

She has weathered a lot: Rebecca also suffered a scandal in 2009 when a video of her partying with Eric as well as beauty queen Kari Ann Peniche was leaked; seen in late June

Her old pal: Peniche is seen here in 2007 at a Los Angeles party

She denied negligence and pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter; she was sentenced to three years of probation, a one-year suspension of her license, a $2,800 fine, and 750 hours of community service.

Rebecca also suffered a scandal in 2009 when a video of her partying with Eric as well as beauty queen Kari Ann Peniche was leaked.

Dane seemed out of it as did Rebecca, who is seen with a suspicious looking pipe as she took a bath.

Eric seemed enamored with party girl Peniche - a former Miss United States Teen who has appeared on Celebrity Rehab - and called her a 'good hang.'

Her career: Rebecca is best known for her movie roles Urban Legend and Scream 2

Kari has since said that she did not have sex with either star.

Dane was at the center of another controversy as he checked himself into rehab in 2011 after he became addicted to medication prescribed to him for a sports injury.

In 2014 Dane told People: 'We have two beautiful kids and our marriage is stronger than ever'; seen in 2016

In 2014 he told People that appearing in the video was a 'mistake.'

He added, 'We've all made mistakes. My one regret is that I got the person I love most wrapped up in all that: Rebecca. But we worked through it and put it behind us.

'We have two beautiful kids and our marriage is stronger than ever.'

He told the weekly: 'I was given copious amounts [of pills] to deal with the injury, and being a recovering alcoholic, it wasn't a great thing to do.'

'I had to cowboy up and take care of the problem.'

Though he told the publication he doesn't consider himself as sober, the star insists that he has put the past behind him thanks to his loved ones.

'I honestly think I am exactly where I'm supposed to be at this moment in time,' he explained. 'And I'm really happy.'
Charlotte Crosby put on a brave face to attend the launch of her Flique Cosmetics in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday.

Just hours earlier she had broken down in tears live on TV that morning, after being questioned about her ex-boyfriend Gaz Beadle's recent baby news.

Yet the reality star, 27, seemed keen to move on from the distressing incident as she beamed broadly at the event in the Morgan Hotel Penthouse.

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Not bothered: Charlotte Crosby appeared to have cast her sorrows aside on Wednesday night, as she made a confident arrival at her Flique Cosmetics launch in Dublin, Ireland

Heartbroken: Charlotte broke down live on TV that morning, when asked about her ex Gaz Beadle's pregnancy news - which comes one year after she lost his baby

Charlotte - who suffered an ectopic pregnancy last year with Gaz's baby - was all-smiles at the make-up launch, no doubt a welcome distraction from her ex's news.

Posing up a storm for pictures, the former Geordie Shore starlet looked lovely in a pair of red shorts, adorned with a feminine frill across the front, which she teamed with a fluffy black T-shirt.

Effortlessly tying her look together, the blonde added towering black heeled boots and a simple gold bangle as she posed on her way inside.

Moving on: The reality star, 27, seemed keen to move on from the distressing incident as she beamed broadly at the event in the Morgan Hotel Penthouse

Chirpy: Charlotte - who suffered an ectopic pregnancy last year with Gaz's baby - was all-smiles at the make-up launch, no doubt a welcome distraction from her ex's news

Lovely: Posing up a storm for pictures, the former Geordie Shore starlet looked lovely in a pair of red shorts, adorned with a feminine frill across the front

She left her hair in loose, bouncy waves and added a bronzed, dewy make-up look to accentuate her naturally striking facial features to all.

Seeming very excitable and animated, Charlotte looked in good spirits as she chatted away with the likes of Vogue Williams and Love Island's Shannen Reilly McGrath.

Beaming widely for cameras, Charlotte showed no signs of strain from her taxing day - which saw break down live on TV that morning.

Loving life: Seeming very excitable and animated, Charlotte looked in good spirits as she chatted away with the likes of Vogue Williams

Gal pals: The duo seemed in great spirits as they chatted away together over the decks

Pretty in pink: Vogue dazzled in a pink midi dress that she wore over a pair of high waisted black control pants that could be seen through the flimsy fabric

Blonde bombshell: Vogue looked in high spirits as she strutted down the street

Floral fancy: Love Island's Shannen Reilly McGrath looked stylish in a black bardot top and a pair of skinny embroidered jeans with patent nude heels

Lovely ladies: Hannah Saunder (L) looked lovely in a plunging navy dress whilst Emily McKeogh (R) rocked a floral bardot top and skinny jeans for the launch

Charlotte had burst into tears on Ireland AM, when asked about the news her ex Gaz, 29, is set to become a father - just 16 months after conceiving and eventually losing his baby.

Presenters Alan Hughes and Sinead Desmond asked the former Geordie Shore starlet how she was feeling about yesterday's announcement - but the clearly fragile star soon erupted into tears.

Clearly upset, she also alluded to the troubles she has had with current boyfriend Stephen Bear - who has since jetted off on a lads' holiday.

'It's a hard time': Charlotte broke down in floods of tears on live TV as she thanks fans for their support following ex Gaz Beadle's baby news...after losing his baby 16 months ago

Bear, also 27, took to social media to confirm he was jetting to the States to see the Conor McGregor Vs Floyd Mayweather fight, which takes place on Saturday.

During her television interview, Charlotte mentioned her troublesome relationship with Bear, leaving host Alan to comfort her.

She said, through her tears: 'Honestly I get so overwhelmed by all the support, it's just so amazing. I've gotten so many nice messages over the past couple of days.

'I'm going to Vegas for five nights. I'm going with Mad Rob. I'm going to watch the boxing. It's going to be wicked. Sorry for everyone at home, I suppose... noooot!' he gushed, taking to Snapchat

'Not only just the situation with Gary but me and Stephen have had some hard times lately as well. I just can't even describe how grateful I am for all the support.'

Charlotte went on to explain that she doesn't see Gaz any more and that she only still speaks to Aaron Chalmers out of her various male Geordie Shore co-stars.

She did 'wish [Gaz] all the best' and dwelled on her much-discussed ectopic pregnancy of last year.

'It wasn't very nice, no. It wasn't very nice. But obviously I came through the other end, I had a lot of great support from great people, but I'm moving on to bigger and better things.

Fighting back the tears: Appearing on Ireland AM, presenters Alan Hughes and Sinead Desmond asked the former Geordie Shore starlet, 27, how she was feeling about yesterday's announcement

Getting emotional: She also mentioned her troublesome relationship with current boyfriend Stephen Bear, leaving host Alan to comfort her

Brave face: She said, through her tears 'Honestly I get so overwhelmed by all the support, it's just so amazing. I've gotten so many nice messages over the past couple of days

'It was a bad time, but I had a good support system to help us through that.'

Charlotte , who lost Gaz's baby in April 2016 after suffering an ectopic pregnancy, had already taken to Instagram to declare her love for 'every single one of' her almost 6 million followers as they showered her with kind words.

In response to the reality star's post, one follower wrote: 'I know it's hard to hear, but your time will come and your heart will be so full of love, because it was planned and the right time in your life. Unlike it being an accident with someone you don't even know who will stick it out with you. No names... But yeah stay strong.

Happy news: Her post comes a day after her ex Gary 'Gaz' Beadle announced he is expecting a baby with his girlfriend Emma McVey with a sweet snap on Instagram

'Not only just the situation with Gary but me and Stephen [pictured earlier this year] have had some hard times lately as well. I just can't even describe how grateful I am for all the support,' Charlotte said

Another told Charlotte: 'When I heard the news yesterday I instantly thought of you. How you must be feeling and what feelings it probably brought back about what you went through.

'Keep your head up because you get back what you put in and I'm sure you only have good things coming your way. You are a lovely girl with a bright future so just look at the good stuff and the amazing life you have.'

'No doubt you'll be going through all sorts of emotions right now,' noted a third. 'Try and see it as a turning point and finally getting closure.'

Little one on the way: Gary went on to share a second snap of their first baby scan on Tuesday - alongside a white Dior dummy, and another pair of baby shoes

Supportive messages: In light of Gaz's news, Charlotte - who lost her ex's baby in April 2016 after suffering an ectopic pregnancy - received an outpouring of supportive messages

However, amid the sea of outpouring of sympathy and support, one follower pointed out that the erstwhile Celebrity Big Big Brother champ has a happy life of her own, writing: 'Stop talking about Gaz she does not care.

'She's been happier since I left the show. She has moved with her life for some time. Nothing better than peace on yourself... Seriously stop writing old things. It's 2017.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Charlotte Crosby for comment.

New chapter: The Geordie Shore lothario, 29, gushed to fans in the caption: 'SO SO SO excited to eventually be able to tell you all this... I AM GOING TO BE A DAD!'

Happy: Amid the sea of messages, one fan pointed out that Charlotte is now happy with her life

Her post comes a day after Geordie Shore Lothario Gaz, 29, took to his Instagram page to confirm his happy news, with a sweet snap of him cradling brunette beauty Emma's blossoming belly.

Overwhelmed with excitement, he gushed in the caption: 'SO SO SO excited to eventually be able to tell you all this... I AM GOING TO BE A DAD!'

Holding a pair of tiny white baby shoes across her stomach, the reality star could not stop himself from beaming in the snap, as he announced their happy news for the first time.

Baby on the way: Emma, 24, shared the same snaps to her own social media, writing: 'So excited to share our news and begin our new adventure, we can't wait to meet you little one!'

Keeping them on their toes: It was only last week that Emma had shared a sizzling bikini snap to her Instagram - flaunting her slender frame, and giving away no signs of her pregnancy

He wrote to his 3.3 million followers: 'SO SO SO excited to eventually be able to tell you all this... I AM GOING TO BE A DAD!

'WE ARE HAVING A BABY... I love kids and literally can't wait for this new adventure... argghhhh literally no words SOOOO HAPPY!!!' (sic)

In his excitement, he went on to share a second snap of their first baby scan - alongside a white Dior dummy, and another pair of baby shoes, emblazoned with the words: 'I love Mum' and 'I love Dad'.

He added to his followers: 'I made this for you all to see the scan meet my little baby... it's crazy but I am soooooo excited' followed by the playful hashtag: '#gazthedad'

Turbulent: Gaz and Emma first began dating in August last year, and were together for nine months until revealing they had split in May this year, amid claims he had been unfaithful

Furious: Embarking on an explosive Twitter rant (above), the brunette beauty revealed he had dumped her via text - and claimed he had enjoyed flings with a number of other women

Meanwhile Emma, 24, shared the same snaps to her own social media, writing in an emotional statement: 'So excited to share our news and begin our new adventure, we can't wait to meet you little one. We are having a baby!!!'

Gaz and Emma first began dating in August 2016 and were together for nine months until revealing they had split in May this year, amid claims he had been unfaithful.

Embarking on an explosive Twitter rant, the brunette revealed to fans he had dumped her via text - and claimed he had enjoyed flings with a number of other women.

Emma went on to confess she felt relieved after becoming single, adding in rage: 'A leopard never changes its spots and Gary will always be a selfish narcissist who cares about no one but his one night stands and himself.'

On again: However speaking to MailOnline in July, Gary revealed the pair have since worked out their issues - which stemmed from his stint on Hell's Kitchen Australia

Besotted: Revealing he has now learned to balance his career with the relationship, he said: 'I have cheated on past girlfriends but with Emma I changed my whole life for her'

However speaking to MailOnline in July, Gary revealed he had proved Emma wrong, and that the pair have since worked out their issues - which stemmed from his stint on Hell's Kitchen Australia.

His trip Down Under was immediately followed by Geordie Shore filming - meaning the pair spent months apart, and were unable to resolve their tensions.

Yet, confirming the pair were back on good terms last month, he said: 'I mean, me and Emma were fine. We were living together. There was no cheating.

'The only strain on our relationship was Australia. I didn't know how intense the filming schedule was going to be so I said: 'You can come, it will be fine.'

End of an era: Gaz's relationship with Emma follows his five year on/off romance with former co-star Charlotte, which came to an end last summer

Admitting he was filming for thirteen hours a day, six days a week, he explained: 'It was hard for her, she came out there to support me and at the same time, it was her first time in Australia and she was by herself. By the end of the trip, we were arguing.'

However Gary, who has cheated on girlfriends Charlotte Crosby and Lillie Lexie Gregg in the past, went on to reveal he has now learned to balance his career with the relationship, and that Emma has changed him for the better.

He said: 'I have cheated on past girlfriends and people know that but with Emma I changed my whole life for her.'

Foreseeing the future, the Geordie native even revealed that he saw marriage and children on the cards - and gushed he would 'love' to be a dad.

Difficult: The blonde quit the MTV reality show in June to escape the relationship - weeks after revealing she had suffered an ectopic pregnancy, while Gaz filmed Ex On The Beach

Discussing marriage, he added to MailOnline: 'My Facebook is just full of people with kids, marriages and engagements, I'm thinking: 'S**t I'll have to catch up.'

'But yeah, I'd love that. I love kids and I love all that so it's going to happen one day and when it does I'll be ready to take a step back and let it ride to be a dad.'

Gaz's relationship with Emma follows his five year on/off romance with former co-star Charlotte Crosby, which came to an end last summer.

The blonde, 27, quit the MTV reality show in June to escape their toxic relationship - mere weeks after revealing she had suffered an ectopic pregnancy, while Gaz appeared on Ex On The Beach, in April.

The pair ended things when it emerged Gaz had slept with a contestant on the reality show prior to finding out about Charlotte being pregnant - and in hospital.
Her Love Island co-star Olivia Buckland dismissed claims the brunette beauty had split from Scott Thomas.

And Kady McDermott was enjoying a girls' night out with her close pal Emma Jane Woodhams on Monday night, as speculation about the state of her relationship continued to mount.

The 21-year-old beauty was looking lovely in a scarlet jumpsuit as she went arm-in-arm with her pregnant friend.

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Brushing off the drama: Kady McDermott was enjoying a girls' night out with her close pal Emma Jane Woodhams on Monday night, as speculation about the state of her relationship continued to mount

Kady was showing her support for fellow Love Island 2016 alumni Emma, 20, who was spotted in public for the first time since her big pregnancy announcement.

Emma looked impossibly slender in her black crop top and coordinating trousers.

The star debuted her growing stomach for the first time on Instagram this month - having announced she was expecting just five months after splitting from co-star ex Terry Walsh.

The pair fell for each other on ITV2's Love Island last year, but they called it quits in February, with Terry insisting he and Emma had remained 'friends' in the wake of their break up.

Baby joy: Kady was showing her support for fellow Love Island 2016 alumni Emma, 20, who was spotted in public for the first time since her big pregnancy announcement

Emma then shocked fans by announcing she was 'incredibly excited' to be pregnant at the start of August, revealing she was expecting her first child with her childhood sweetheart Jordan.

The girls' outing comes after former co-star Olivia Buckland claimed Kady and Scott are still an item - because they haven't told any of their friends about their alleged break-up.

The buxom blonde - who found love herself with fiance Alex Bowen last year - weighed in on the speculation in her New! magazine column.

Still going strong? Olivia Buckland, who also appeared on the 2016 edition of Love Island, claimed Kady and Scott are still an item - despite split rumours

Split claims: Scott and Kady were alleged to have broken up, with the pair unfollowing each other on social media earlier this month and spending party boy Scott's birthday apart

Olivia said: 'As far as I know, they're still very much together. Kady would have told us on our group WhatsApp if anything had happened.

'I haven't spoken to her a lot recently, but as far as I'm aware they just aren't getting to spend as much time together at the moment because of work and stuff. I hope they'll be OK!'

Kady, 21 - who has remained tight-lipped about the 'split' - put in a glamorous appearance in Leicester Square the night before.

Going solo: Kady further fuelled speculation when she put in a solo appearance at the Logan Lucky premiere in London on Monday night

Looking good: Kady, 21 - who has remained tight-lipped about the 'split' - put in a glamorous appearance at the event

Donning an eye-catching red jumpsuit, the petite beauty walked the red carpet alone.

Last week, Scott, 29, valiantly defended Kady after vile trolls criticised one of her photos on Instagram, slamming her for her 'duck lips'.

The club promoter from Manchester gallantly commented to one nasty user: '@danproctor85 I'd love to give you a slap lad', after their now-deleted comment which cruelly attacked the Essex-born beauty.

Gallant: Last week, Scott valiantly defended Kady after vile trolls criticised one of her photos on Instagram, slamming her for her 'duck lips'

Artistry: The photograph in question depicted Kady demonstrating her deft hand at make-up, placing a 'before and after' shot of her visage after using heavy contouring to accentuate her bone structure

The photograph in question depicted Kady demonstrating her deft hand at make-up, placing a 'before and after' shot of her visage after using heavy contouring to accentuate her bone structure.

However, rather than focusing on the artistry of her technique, users called out her pouty expression, calling the reality star out for her 'duck lips'.

'What's with the lips??!!... She looks well different... Does it make you look like a duck as well? Quack quack!'

Critique: However, rather than focusing on the artistry of her technique, users called out her pouty expression, calling the reality star out for her 'duck lips'

Clearly pleased with her rumoured ex's courageous gesture, Kady screenshot the comment in question and uploaded the photo to her Instagram story.

The comment could have reignited something for the brunette beauty, as she also drew a pink heart next to Scott's comment, indicating her still-warm feelings towards him.

Kady appeared to confirm her split from Scott last week, after a year of being together after meeting on the 2016 series of Love Island.

Defence: The club promoter from Manchester gallantly defended Kady. Clearly pleased with her rumoured ex's courageous gesture, Kady screenshot the comment in question and uploaded the photo to her Instagram story with a pink heart

While hitting back at claims that she ignored his birthday on Friday, the 21-year-old reality starlet said that despite their 'situation' she did wish him a happy birthday.

She made the telling comment in a Snapchat video as fans questioned whether the couple had broken up after they unfollowed each other on social media.

Speaking in a series of defiant clips, Kady began: 'Regardless of my situation with Scott, I did wish him a happy birthday.'

Is it over? Kady has appeared to confirm that she has split from her Love Island boyfriend of one year

'Just because I haven't tweeted it or put in on Instagram, doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Remember guys, things do happen in real life not just social media. I have definitely said happy birthday to him, so you can all sleep at night. Ok guys? Rant over.'

Fans picked up on the fact that Kady was active on Twitter all day but failed to acknowledge Scott's birthday on social media - despite her sister Kirsty sending her love to him.

While refusing to comment outright on their relationship status, she did reveal that she showered Scott with custom-made cakes as well as several presents.

Vocal: While hitting back at claims that she ignored his birthday, the 21-year-old reality starlet said: 'Regardless of my situation with Scott, I did wish him a happy birthday'

Hitting back: While refusing to comment outright on their relationship status, she did reveal that she showered Scott with custom-made cakes (right) as well as several presents

'I got two cakes made, one for Adam [Scott's twin] and one for Scott as you guys are all so concerned. Also got him some Yeezys, a card and a memory box and something else, so you can all relax now.'

The brunette beauty then branded her fans 'nosy' and begged for them to 'respect her privacy'.

'I love the fact that you guys care, whether you care or you guys are nosy, whatever it is, I understand that being in this industry the downfall is that you don't have any private life.

'But if I'm not Snapchatting or Instagramming please respect that I might want something to be private. I just feel like I have to explain myself about everything and I'm just not in the mood at the moment, so please respect that.'

Wading in: Kady seemed to send a thinly-veiled message about the split rumours as she shared this snap on Thursday evening, which she captioned: 'Be happy, it drives people crazy'

Rmour mill: Kady has stripped her accounts of photos with Scott - although Scott did keep a photo of them looking cosy on a night out from the weekend

Her social media rant came after Kady hinted on Thursday that she may have split from Scott as she posted a cryptic tweet that read 'new chapter'.

The reality starlet and 28-year-old club promoter, who reached the finals of the ITV2 dating show, added further fuel to the rumours by unfollowing each other on social media.

Kady posted the cryptic tweet as it emerged the couple had unfollowed each other on both Twitter and Instagram.

After Katy's post, alarmed fans flocked to the comments to question whether they had split.

One wrote: 'As long as you and Scott are together I'm fine,' while another added: 'Surely they've not split. They were still doing things together like two days ago from what I can see.'

Oh dear: The reality star and club promoter, who reached the finals of the ITV2 dating show, added further fuel to the rumours after unfollowing each other on social media

Alarming: Kady posted the cryptic tweet as it emerged the couple had unfollowed each other on both Twitter and Instagram

Kady has also stripped her accounts of photos with Scott - although Scott did keep a photo of them looking cosy on a night out from the weekend.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Scott and Kady for comment.

On Friday morning Kady appeared on BBC breakfast, but didn't address her rumoured split.

Speaking about the pressures social media put on women, Kady- who boasts almost 1M Instagram followers, denied using photoshop on her images.

Revealing that she doesn't edit her body of facial features, she confrimed: 'I don't photoshop I just use filters.

Hot stuff! On Friday morning Kady appeared on BBC breakfast, but didn't address her rumoured split

Blushing beauty! Speaking about the pressures social media put on women, Kady- who boasts almost 1M Instagram followers, denied using photoshop on her images

'I snapchatted last night at 1am without a filter but if people feel more confident with a filter why shouldn't they?'

'People accuse me of making my eyes more blue all the time but I don't edit my pictures at all, I just use a filter,' she added.

Meanwhile Kady previously hinted that she and Scott felt there was a lot of pressure on their relationship because they shot to fame on Love Island.

She told new! magazine: 'Yeah, I feel like there is a bit (of pressure).

'Liv [Buckland] and Alex [Bowen] do put a lot of their relationship on social media, which is fine, but when we don't everyone's like: 'Have they split?' or 'They're not real'.

Sweet: The pair began dating on the second series of the renewed show and hit it off right away - despite an array of arguments threatening their romantic bliss

Romantic: While he was an original cast member, the brunette beauty was a late arrival yet she instantly caught Scott's eye and was lauded the 'fittest girl in the house'

'Scott and I are so busy and sometimes you want to put your phone away because it takes over your life.'

The pair began dating on the second series of the renewed show and hit it off right away - despite an array of arguments threatening their romantic bliss.

While he was an original cast member, the brunette beauty was a late arrival yet she instantly caught Scott's eye and was lauded the 'fittest girl in the house'.

Smitten: Admitting it was love at first sight, Scott revealed: 'Pretty much right away we knew. I'd been single six years before and I didn't think I'd meet anyone on there'

Under the spotlight: Kady previously hinted that she and Scott felt there was a lot of pressure on their relationship because they shot to fame on Love Island

Following the show, presenter Caroline Flack revealed bright hopes for the future as she said: 'I think Kady and Scott will get married first, and they'll stay together, 100 per cent.'

Admitting it was love at first sight, Scott revealed: 'Pretty much right away we knew. I'd been single six years before and I didn't think I'd meet anyone on there.'

The duo first got together while starring on Love Island in 2016 and viewers saw Scott ask Kady to be his girlfriend in a sweet display, as he wrote the question out using towels and candles for her to see from the villa's balcony.

Future wedding? The pair have openly spoken of their hopes to marry in the past, with Kady detailing her 'dream proposal' in an interview with OK! magazine

Candid: Kady said: 'I'd want it just us two, preferably in a hot country, on the beach with rose petals and candles everywhere! Romantic, cute and private would be perfect'

Since then, their relationship has gone from strength to strength and Kady now lives with Scott in his hometown of Manchester,

The pair have openly spoken of their hopes to marry in the past, with Kady detailing her 'dream proposal' in an interview with OK! magazine.

She said: 'I wouldn't want it to be in front of anyone because I'd get embarrassed.

'I'd want it just us two, preferably in a hot country, on the beach with rose petals and candles everywhere! Romantic, cute and private would be perfect.'

Scott joked that it would 'have to involve towels again' in tribute to his first romantic gesture on the ITV dating show.

Cheeky: Scott joked that it would 'have to involve towels again' in tribute to his first romantic gesture on the ITV dating show
There's nothing like a brush with death to give you a new lease on life.

Maria Menounos has revealed she wanted to get married and start having kids straight after her successful brain tumor surgery.

The TV and Sirius XM host told Us Weekly she is planning on tying the knot with fiance Keven Undergaro 'sooner rather than later.'

'I can't wait anymore': Maria Menounos has revealed she wanted to get married and start having kids straight after her successful brain tumor surgery; seen in April

'A few weeks after I was home from the surgery, I was like "We need to get married! We need to have kids! I can't wait anymore,"' she said.

She added: 'But it's like "alright, let's get better first."'

The former E! host revealed in June she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor while caring for her mother, who has stage IV brain cancer.

'First of all, I'm just happy that I'm alive and functioning great, It would be silly if it was all for nothing,' she told the magazine of her new approach on work-life balance. 'Now, the second I overheat I'm like "Okay, I'm taking a break."'

Ready: The TV and Sirius XM host told Us Weekly she is planning on tying the knot with fiance Keven Undergaro 'sooner rather than later.'

Bad news: The former E! host revealed in June she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor

The 39-year-old revealed she was excited about returning to work after Labor Day, and is working on getting her strength back.

'It's a bit of a process. I'm not doing anything other than walking as I build my strength,' she said.

'As you can imagine, brain surgery has you lying down for a long time. The surgery affected my balance nerves, so any running is difficult.'

She also revealed that the couple have discussed a few options for their impending nuptials.

We talked about a Star Trek wedding in LA, a carnival in Connecticut and something massive in our village in Greece where we invite the entire country. I was like "yup that's probably why we're never getting married. These are three monster weddings."
The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a judgment against a former state lawmaker from Bozeman who was fined $68,000 for having been found to have accepted and failed to report illegal corporate contributions.

The courts ruling affirmed a Lewis and Clark County jury decision in April 2016 against former Republican Rep. Art Wittich of Bozeman.

In a statement on Wednesday, Commissioner of Political Practices Jeffrey Mangan praised the court's ruling and said Montana's campaign finance and disclosure laws "remain a strong and powerful ally for openness and transparency in Montana's election process."

Bozeman attorney Michael Rabb, who represented Wittich in the appeal, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

The civil case was brought against Wittich, then a state senator, by Montanas Commissioner of Political Practices, who at the time was Jonathan Motl.

After a five-day trial, 10 of 12 jurors found that Wittich violated campaign finance laws during his 2010 state Senate campaign for District 35 by accepting nearly $20,000 in in-kind contributions from the National Right to Work Committee.

District Judge Ray Dayton denied Wittichs motion for a new trial and trebled the verdict amount. The total judgment was $68,232, which included $9,435 in penalties for violations that had been determined in a prior summary judgment order.

Wittich had filed a motion for a new trial in July 2016, arguing jurors relied on faulty evidence and cost estimates provided by a witness. His motion also argued that the states definition of a campaign contribution was unconstitutional.

Justice Beth Baker, writing the opinion, said the high court affirmed the district courts decisions to deny Wittichs motions to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction, to exclude expert testimony and to have a new trial. The Supreme Court also backed the district courts decision to treble the verdict in imposing the penalty.

Wittich had appealed, arguing the district court abused its discretion by denying his motions to exclude two witnesses from testifying as experts and denying his motion for a new trial and whether the court had acted within its discretion in trebling the verdict amount. He also appealed whether the COPP had satisfied legal procedures for filing a judicial action against him.

Concurring in the opinion were Chief Justice Mike McGrath and Justices Laurie McKinnon, Michael Wheat and Jim Rice.
He's the Myer model no stranger to attention from beautiful women.

But on Tuesday Kris Smith was in the company of another gorgeous brunette, personal trainer Sarah Boulazeris, who resembles Kris' ex-girlfriend Maddy King.

The 39-year-old was spotted at Sydney International Airport departing for a a sun soaked Indonesian holiday with Sarah in tow.

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Holiday time: On Tuesday Kris Smith was in the company of another gorgeous brunette, personal trainer Sarah Boulazeris, who resembles Kris' ex-girlfriend Maddy King

Sarah, wearing a casual sundress that showed off her cleavage and toned physique, was seen kneeling on the floor as she helped Kris organise his luggage.

Wearing jeans and a beige shirt with an unusual backpack emblazoned with a roaring lion graphic, Kris appeared relaxed in her company.

Once they landed and settled in, Sarah shared a series of videos and snaps on her Instagram and Instagram story showing the pair indulging in the good life at Mulia Resort in Nusa Dua, Bali.

The five-star, award-winning, beachfront resort offers villas at an average cost of $600 per night.

Helping hand: Sarah, wearing a casual sundress that showed off her cleavage and muscular physique, was seen kneeling on the floor as she helped Kris organise his luggage

Casual: Wearing jeans and a beige shirt with an unusual backpack emblazoned with a roaring lion graphic, Kris appeared relaxed in her company

Sarah uploaded images of the pair heading in to get massages and sharing a delicious, fresh meal.

She also posed for a beach snap, perhaps taken by Kris, in which the gym bunny showed off her incredibly toned figure and six pack abs in a bikini.

Kris is also seen in the footage, smiling widely and clearing enjoying his pal play's company.

Cosy! Once they landed and settled in, Sarah shared a series of videos and snaps on her Instagram and Instagram story showing the pair indulging in the good life at Mulia Resort in Nusa Dua, Bali

Fun in the sun! Kris is also seen in the footage, smiling widely and clearing enjoying his pal play's company

Fit! She also posed for a beach snap, perhaps taken by Kris, in which the gym bunny showed off her incredibly toned figure and six pack abs in a bikini

Both appeared to know each other well, chatting animatedly as they continued their stroll along a promenade beside the beach.

Bondi-based Sarah is a trainer at Base Body Studio, a Women's Only Training Facility in Kensington, in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.

In April, it was reported Kris had a new 'girlfriend', Network Ten research executive Hannah Scott.

Hard worker: Sarah is a trainer at Base Body Studio, a Women's Only Training Facility in Kensington, in the eastern suburbs of Sydney

Mate date? Sarah uploaded images of the pair heading in to get massages and sharing a delicious, fresh meal

Kris shared a loved-up snap of the 'couple' on Instagram, with several friends congratulating them on going public.

After being evicted from I'm A Celebrity... the father-of-one, said he was 'trying to work things out' with his ex-girlfriend, model Maddy King.

Tried? After being evicted from I'm A Celebrity... the father-of-one, said he was 'trying to work things out' with his ex-girlfriend, model Maddy King

Speculation: In April it was reported he had found himself a new 'girlfriend', Network Ten research executive Hannah Scott.

Kris and Maddy, 28, dated for four years before he confirmed they had split in October last year.

Kris also shares a six-year-old son Ethan with Dannii Minogue, who he dated for three-and-a-half years before breaking up in 2012.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kris' representatives for comment.
They have presented This Morning together since 2009, and have accumulated a legion of fans over the years.

But according to the Mirror, Holly Willoughby has recently received a pay rise, meaning she now earns the same as her co-host Phillip Schofield.

The paper claims the 36-year-old has bagged a 200,000 increase to her salary, after ITV producers realised she and Phillip, 55, earned the same for Dancing on Ice, but not the morning magazine show.

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Success: Holly Willoughby has reportedly received a pay rise for This Morning, meaning she now earns the same as her co-host Phillip Schofield.

Level: According to the Mirror, Holly has bagged a 200,000 increase, after ITV producers realised she and Phillip (above) earned the same for Dancing on Ice, but not the morning show

Three incomes Yentob Alan Yentob still earns up to 500,000 a year from the BBC, which includes his salary for fronting little-known arts series Imagine. He resigned from his 183,000-a-year role as the broadcasters creative director in 2015, but that has done little harm to his finances. Mr Yentob, 70, enjoyed a BBC salary of up to 249,999 and a 220,000 pension last year. If someone were to buy the same pension today, it would cost them about 6.9million. He also has a deal with the BBCs commercial arm, handing him a slice of the revenues every time an episode of Imagine is sold to an overseas broadcaster. It pushes his earnings to around 500,000. One BBC news correspondent said: And how is Alan Yentob in the same bracket as Laura Kuenssberg when she works so hard and no one is sure what he does? Advertisement

Holly has reportedly bagged an additional 200,000 for her hosting role on This Morning, meeting Phillip's current salary of a whopping 600,000.

A source claimed ITV decided on the increase during negotiations for the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice - which the pair will also be fronting.

It is thought that producers felt it unfair the duo are paid the same for the reality ice-skating show, but not for their weekly duties on the hugely popular This Morning.

The news of Holly's pay rise comes a matter of weeks after the huge pay gap between men and women at the BBC emerged.

The shocking list revealed a third of its highest-paid stars were women, with seven male stars paid more than the BBC's biggest earning female presenter, Claudia Winkleman, who is on up to 500,000.

More than 40 well-known female presenters have already written to BBC boss Lord Hall demanding he put men and women on equal levels of pay immediately.

An ITV insider said, of Holly and Phillip's situation: 'It seemed ridiculous they were going to get paid the same fee for Dancing on Ice but Holly was lagging behind on This Morning.'

Speaking to The Mirror, they added: 'Quite rightly, that has now been rectified and they both earn exactly the same.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Holly and Phillip for comment.

On track: Holly's salary for her hosting role on This Morning is now thought to meet Phillip's, at a whopping 600,000

Throwback: ITV allegedly decided on the increase during negotiations for the new series of Dancing On Ice - which the pair will also be fronting, after hosting the original in 2006 (above)

Holly and Phil are one of the most popular presenting duos on TV, having first met when they hosted the original series of Dancing On Ice back in 2006.

Proving a hit with viewers, the blonde went on to join Phillip on This Morning in 2009, as replacement for Fern Britton - who reportedly quit due to the pay gap between her and Phillip.

The pair have since become known as firm friends, and are currently enjoying a holiday together in Portugal.

Dream team: An insider told the Mirror: 'It seemed ridiculous they were going to get paid the same fee for Dancing on Ice but Holly was lagging behind on This Morning'

Recently speaking to Radio Times, the silver fox admitted their on-screen chemistry was down to their close personal bond.

He explained: 'I think that if you watch This Morning on a regular basis then you get an insight into our friendship, which is the same on screen as off. We have a laugh.'

Addressing their frequent laughing fits on the show, he went on: 'They're never planned. Because we have the same sense of humour, it works at the same speed, we think the same thing, more or less, we laugh at the same stuff.'

Say cheese! The pair are known for being firm friends, and are currently enjoying a holiday together in Portugal (above)
The Today show has been teasing her anticipated karaoke performance for the past week.

And after Karl Stefanovic recently admitted he may have 'angered female viewers', his sister-in-law, news reporter Sylvia Jeffreys, performed a rendition of 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' on Thursday for charity.

Dressed in a bouffant wig and 1980s style dress, the 31-year-old covered the Bonnie Tyler classic to raise money for Queensland-based charity Youngcare.

Is this the moment the Today show officially died? Sylvia Jeffreys wears a wig and belts out 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' in car crash karaoke moment after Karl Stefanovic admitted he had 'angered' female viewers

Sylvia accepted the challenge after Karl committed to donating $2,000 to Youngcare, dedicated to helping to get young people out of aged care.

Ahead of the segment, Karl joked he was worried Sylvia, who is married to his brother Peter, would perform and 'sully' the reputation of his family name.

'I had a phone conference, a phone call with my brother last night, Peter, who is happily married to Sylvia,' he said.

Cause: Sylvia accepted the challenge after co-host Karl Stefanovic committed to donating $2,000 to Youngcare, dedicated to helping to get young people out of aged care

Joking: Ahead of the segment, Karl joked he was worried Sylvia, who is married to his brother Peter, would perform and 'sully' the reputation of his family name

'We are concerned that by doing this she may sully and water down the terrific brand Stefanovic name and we are worried,' he continued.

'How do I have that conversation with her because we don't want the name to be sullied,' he repeated.

Supported by the Australian Girls Choir and fellow Nine Network personality David Campbell, Sylvia said she was 'filled with nerves' leading up to her performance.

Anticipation: Supported by the Australian Girls Choir and fellow Nine Network personality David Campbell, Sylvia said she was 'filled with nerves' leading up to her performance

She described it as a 'mission accomplished', having raised $15,000 for Youngcare and pleading with viewers to help get the total to $20,000 by the end of the day.

'It is for a very good cause, a very good reason, I promise I'm not just doing this to live out a lifelong dream of being a rock star!' she told viewers.

She revealed she hadn't been able to sleep in the lead-up to the segment, explaining how she would go to bed every night 'with the song in a loop in my head'.

Jokingly calling it 'all Karl's fault' in a column penned for 9news.com.au afterwards, Sylvia wrote she felt 'minutes away from total humiliation' before the karaoke song.

'Did I mention I'm a shocking singer, verging on tone deaf?' she acknowledged.

'It is for a very good cause, a very good reason, I promise I'm not just doing this to live out a lifelong dream of being a rock star!' she told viewers

Sylvia's performance for charity comes after Karl admitted to Stellar magazine his public relationship woes left 'some women out there angry'.

The father of three, who announced his break-up with ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn in October 2016, opened up about taking a hit with female viewers after the split.

'I know maybe there are some women out there who are angry with me, but I've never tried to be anything other than myself,' he said.

Opening up: Sylvia's performance for charity no doubt pleased female viewers after Karl admitted to Stellar magazine his public relationship woes left 'some women out there angry'

'I have to hope that the audience, and particularly females if that is true, that one day they're OK and they come back and say "I'm giving him another go",' he added.

Sylvia's rendition of the song comes after Today previously struggled in the ratings against TV rival Sunrise.

However, the program is steadily making a comeback in the ratings war against Sunrise, climbing back in recent weeks.

Challenging: Sylvia's rendition of the song comes after Today previously struggled in the ratings against TV rival Sunrise

In the last two weeks Today has performed better than Sunrise, coming out on top nine times in 12 days.

Previously Today's ratings had struggled behind rivals Sunrise, particularly in regional areas, as host Karl's personal life and new relationship made headlines.

Audience figures showed Nine's breakfast show being regularly battered in the ratings by Channel Seven's flagship, which was notably getting strong support outside of the five-city metro market.
President Trump delivers his address

Afghanistan Tuesday welcomed President Donald Trump's move to commit thousands more troops to America's longest war, reversing earlier pledges to pull out, but Taliban insurgents vowed to make the country a "graveyard" for US forces.

President Ashraf Ghani, speaking to troops in southern Kandahar, birthplace of the Taliban, said Trump's first formal address as commander-in-chief late Monday showed that America was "with us, without any time limit".

"You cannot win this war," Ghani told the Taliban, calling on them to join talks and saying his country wants peace with neighbouring Pakistan, long accused of fuelling the insurgency.

Trump pilloried Pakistan in his speech for offering safe haven to "agents of chaos" -- words welcomed by Islamabad's arch-enemy India but rejected by its ally China.

For its part, Pakistan released a carefully worded Foreign Office statement late Tuesday in which it called for peace in Afghanistan and pledged to work with the international community to "eliminate the menace of terrorism".

The US president also discarded his previous criticism of the nearly 16-year-old war as a waste of time and money, admitting things looked different from "behind the desk in the Oval Office".

"My instinct was to pull out," Trump said as he spoke of his frustration with a war that has killed thousands of US troops and cost US taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.

But following months of deliberation, Trump said he had concluded a rapid exit would predictably create an unacceptable vacuum which terrorists "would instantly fill".

He refused to offer detailed troop numbers, but senior White House officials said he had already authorised his defence secretary to deploy up to 3,900 more troops to Afghanistan.

Trump warned that security assistance to Afghanistan was "not a blank cheque", adding: "We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists."

In response, the Taliban vowed to make the country "a graveyard" for the US and said it would continue its "jihad" as long as American troops remained in the country.

- Pakistan's 'double game' -

US troop deployments in Afghanistan since 2001

The US has grown increasingly weary of the conflict that began in October 2001 as a hunt for the 9/11 attackers and has turned into a vexed effort to keep Afghanistan's divided and corruption-plagued democracy alive amid a brutal Taliban insurgency.

The fatigue extends to its dealings with Pakistan, criticised by successive US administrations for links with the Taliban and for harbouring leading jihadists -- like Osama bin Laden.

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting," Trump said, warning that vital aid could be cut. "That will have to change and that will change immediately."

"We want peace from Pakistan, they cannot provide safe havens to anyone anymore," Ghani said in Kandahar, as Afghan civilians who spoke to AFP praised Trump for illuminating the "double game" which they said Islamabad was playing in their country.

The Indian foreign ministry said it welcomed Trump's effort to confront Pakistan. India has vied with Pakistan for influence in Afghanistan, and Islamabad's policies in the country are driven by its desire to keep New Delhi at bay.

But China, which is investing around $50 billion in Pakistan, said its South Asian neighbour deserves the international community's support after the "great sacrifices" it has made in fighting extremism.

- About face -

Trump for the first time also left the door open to an eventual political deal with the Taliban.

"Someday, after an effective military effort, perhaps it will be possible to have a political settlement that includes elements of the Taliban in Afghanistan," he said.

"But nobody knows if or when that will ever happen," he added.

The Trump administration had originally promised a new Afghan plan by mid-July, but the president was said to be dissatisfied by initial proposals to deploy a few thousand more troops.

His new policy will raise questions about what, if anything, can be achieved by making further deployments, or repeating the demands of previous administrations in more forceful terms.

A Pakistani resident watches his tablet device showing a live broadcast of Trump's address

In 2010 the United States had upwards of 100,000 US military personnel deployed to Afghanistan. Today that figure is around 8,400 US troops and the situation is as deadly as ever.

Trump's announcement comes amid a month of turmoil for his administration, which has seen several top White House officials fired and revelations that members of Trump's campaign are being investigated by a federal grand jury.

He sought in his address to convince Americans weary of his controversial off-the-cuff remarks of his seriousness.

"I studied Afghanistan in great detail and from every conceivable angle," he said -- though his effort was undermined when he later referred to Afghanistan's non-existent "Prime Minister".

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Afghan forces have struggled to contain a resurgent Taliban

President Donald Trump has opened the door to the deployment to Afghanistan of thousands more US troops, in his first speech outlining American policy after nearly 16 years of grinding war.

Reversing course from an earlier assertion that he would end US involvement in a conflict that has cost thousands of lives and trillions of dollars, Trump also hit out at neighbouring Pakistan, which he said was offering safe haven to "agents of chaos".

Here are some key questions about the impact Trump's strategy could have in a country known as "the graveyard of empires".

What has Trump announced?

He refused to give figures or details. But the strategy appears to amount to around 4,000 new troops, largely freed from Obama-era restrictions and thus able to take on greater frontline combat roles to target "terrorist and criminal networks".

The 8,500 US personnel currently in-country are largely restricted to NATO's mission of training the Afghan Army and offering strategic support on certain missions, though some are already conducting frontline operations.

The other main plank of Trump's outline strategy was to pressure Pakistan, a move which has already been attempted repeatedly attempted by Washington.

Analysts point out that US administrations have for years complained that Islamabad talks a good game about helping to defeat extremists, but in fact offers refuge to the Afghan Taliban in particular, and stokes the insurgency.

Will more boots on the ground make a difference?

Not on the face of it. Former President Barack Obama authorised a massive surge that saw troop numbers top out at over 100,000, a move that decreased violence but did not result in a decisive blow.

US forces in Afghanistan

If the might of the US military could not defeat the militants then, many analysts argue that 12,500 are unlikely to secure a lasting victory.

"Probably the greatest contradiction that emerged from (the speech) is the claim we will learn from history and yet none of the policies have not been tried before," said James Der Derian of the Centre for International Security Studies at the University of Sydney.

Others point out however that Afghan forces are now at a point where a smaller number of advisers more strategically deployed could make a difference.

How will the Taliban react?

With predictable violence and from a position of relative strength, observers say.

They are likely to seek to send an early message, perhaps with a major urban attack -- the like of which they proved themselves capable with a massive truck bomb in Kabul's diplomatic quarter in May.

"The Taliban and other belligerents are likely to respond with a new wave of violence across the country," including in urban areas, said Javid Ahmad from West Point's Modern War Institute.

The Taliban has strengthened in recent years, and Afghan forces, beset by spiralling casualties, have struggled to contain them since NATO ended its combat mission in 2014.

A US watchdog says Afghan forces control less than 60 percent of the country, with the rest either in Taliban hands or being violently contested.

Unlike the war-weary United States, the Taliban has an almost endless capacity to absorb loss of life among its ranks.

Nor does the group need -- as Washington does -- to "win" a grinding conflict that US commanders have described as a "stalemate".

"(The militants) can wait out another 4,000 troops. The Taliban have survived much worse," said Der Derian, echoing a proverb long attributed to the Taliban about the war: "You may have the watches, but we have the time".

Will the pressure on Pakistan work?

Trump returned to the theme that has been a near-constant refrain from Washington since shortly after the 9/11 attacks: Pakistan must stop supporting extremists.

With its long, porous border and poorly policed tribal areas, Pakistan makes a near-perfect refuge for Taliban, out of the range of Afghanistan's under-performing army and its American protectors.

Despite being a signed-up ally in the US "War on Terror", Pakistan stands accused of fuelling the insurgency next door, in part as a bulwark against the influence of India -- a modern-day "Great Game" reminiscent of the imperial rivalry between Britain and Russia in the 19th century.

Years of pressure from Washington have not changed Pakistani policy, and experts say that sharp words from political neophyte Trump are unlikely to make much difference.

"Pakistan's enemy is India and it sees India as an existential threat, and Pakistan believes that the Taliban and the Haqqani network can help keep India at bay in Afghanistan," said Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center in Washington.

"No matter what threat or punishment the US throws at Pakistan, Pakistan is not going to change these ironclad, immutable strategic interests."

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At least 250 US-led air strikes have pounded the Syrian city of Raqa and surrounding territory in the past week, the coalition fighting the Islamic State group said

At least 250 US-led air strikes have pounded the Syrian city of Raqa and surrounding territory in the past week, the coalition fighting the Islamic State group said Tuesday.

Coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told AFP that the air raids targeted the greater Raqa area.

Activists and monitoring groups have reported that intensifying coalition bombardment of the city has left scores of civilians dead.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 42 civilians had been killed in US-led strikes on Raqa Monday, taking the civilian toll for the past eight days to 167.

Dillon told AFP that the allegations would be taken seriously and investigated.

Since a US-backed offensive ousted IS from Mosul in neighbouring Iraq in July, the coalition has had more available aircraft to strike Raqa, he added.

"We have increased our strikes recently especially since the end of the Mosul battle," Dillon said.

Earlier this month, the coalition acknowledged the deaths of 624 civilians in its strikes in Syria and Iraq since 2014, but rights groups say the number is much higher.

The international alliance says it takes all possible measures to prevent unnecessary deaths.

"The avoidance of civilian casualties is our highest priority when conducting strikes against legitimate military targets with precision munitions, unlike the indiscriminate nature of ISIS tactics which result in an enormous number of avoidable civilian deaths," the coalition told AFP in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
Iraqi forces launched their assault on Tal Afar, the last major bastion of the Islamic State group in northern Iraq, was launched on Sunday

Thousands of civilians have fled Iraq's Tal Afar since an offensive against the jihadist stronghold was launched two days ago, but thousands more remain stuck in the city, the United Nations said Tuesday.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said its teams were "responding to thousands of civilians fleeing Tal Afar since the launch of the military campaign to retake the city".

The assault on the last major bastion of the Islamic State group in northern Iraq was launched at dawn Sunday, only weeks after Iraqi forces seized the country's second city Mosul from the jihadists.

Since Friday, more than 3,000 people have arrived at two emergency sites run by IOM, many turning up with just the clothes on their back, the UN agency said in a statement.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said it had received around 1,500 families, or some 9,000 people, from Tel Afar at the Hamman Al Alil transit centre in the past week.

And it said it was preparing to accommodate nearly 30,000 more people displaced from the city in the coming days.

Tel Afar was once home to around 200,000 people, but it remains unclear how many civilians remain inside the ravaged city, with humanitarian actors unable to gain access since it was seized by IS in 2014.

- Human shields? -

UNHCR said it estimated that thousands of people could still be in the city, warning that civilians are likely to be held as "human shields again" by IS fighters, as was the case in Mosul.

Conditions inside the city are believed to be "very difficult," UNHCR said in a statement, pointing to diminishing food, water and health facilities and a lack of electricity.

"People are said to have been surviving on unclean water and bread for the past three to four months," it said.

Families who flee also face huge risks, with many reporting seeing dead bodies along the way, some believed to have been killed by extremist groups and others likely dying from dehydration or illnesses, UNHCR said.

Many are forced to walk long distances to reach safety "without food or water, at times for up to 20 hours and in scorching heat," the agency said, in an area where temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).

UNHCR said many children, elderly and other vulnerable people are being left behind in Tal Afar since they are unable to make the arduous journey.

Among those who do make it to safety, many suffer from dehydration and large numbers are suffering wounds from sniper fire and exploding mines, it said.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington has "some leverage" over Pakistan

The United States warned an angry Pakistan on Tuesday that it could lose its status as a privileged military ally if it continues giving safe haven to Afghan militant groups.

One day after President Donald Trump unveiled a new strategy to force the Taliban to negotiate a political settlement with the Kabul government, his top diplomat upped the heat on Islamabad.

Trump had warned that Pakistan's support for the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani extremist network would have consequences, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has now spelled these out.

"We have some leverage," Tillerson told reporters, as he fleshed out Trump's speech, "in terms of aid, their status as a non-NATO alliance partner -- all of that can be put on the table."

As one of 16 "Non-NATO Major Allies," Pakistan benefits from billions of dollars in aid and has access to some advanced US military technology banned from other countries.

This year, the United States has already withheld $350 million in military funding over concerns Pakistan is not doing enough to fight terror, but the alliance itself was not in question.

Tillerson said Washington wants to work with Pakistan as it expands its own support for Kabul in the battle against the Taliban, but warned it to close militant safe havens.

Some of Pakistan's critics in Washington have urged Trump to go further, by authorizing US strikes against militants inside Pakistan or declaring Pakistan a "state sponsor of terror."

Officials have not yet brandished the designation threat, which could lead to severe sanctions and legal threats to Pakistani officials, but Tillerson did not rule out strikes.

The United States has hit targets within Pakistan before, most famously when Trump's predecessor Barack Obama ordered US special forces to kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.

"The president has been clear that we are going to attack terrorists wherever they live," Tillerson said.

"We have put people on notice that if you're providing safe haven to terrorists, be warned -- we are going to engage those providing safe haven and ask them to change what they are doing."

And Tillerson added that, aside from the Afghans, Pakistan has more to gain "than any other nation" from an end to the fighting.

Both Tillerson and Trump also called on Pakistan's long-standing rival and fellow nuclear power India to become more involved in Afghanistan, an idea that is anathema to Islamabad.

- 'Scourge of terrorism' -

All this drew a hurt response from Pakistan, which has been a US ally since the Cold War, despite tensions over its rogue nuclear program and clashes with emerging great power India.

Seeking to rebut Trump's "disappointing" allegation that it had harbored "agents of chaos," Pakistan's foreign ministry re-stated its commitment to fighting terrorism.

"No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders," it said in a statement.

"It is, therefore disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort," it continued.

During the 1980s, Pakistan worked with the United States and Saudi Arabia to support Islamist rebels against what was the then pro-Soviet Afghan regime in Kabul.

But after the rise to power of the Pakistani-backed Taliban and the Al-Qaeda attacks on US cities of September 11, 2001, the US has pressured Islamabad to cut its links with the militants.

Pakistan has conducted campaigns against the Pakistani branch of the Taliban -- which threatens its own stability -- and turned a blind eye to a US drone campaign against Al-Qaeda leaders.

But it fears the rise of an Indian-backed government in Kabul, and maintains support for some Taliban and other factions to keep its influence across the long, lawless border.

"As a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country," the foreign ministry said.

"Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism."

Beyond the stand-off with Pakistan, Trump's new strategy also authorizes US generals to deploy more American troops to support Afghan government forces in what is now a 16-year-old conflict.

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SUMMERSET, S.D.  A Montana woman accused of killing her roommate in the South Dakota town of Summerset has pleaded not guilty.

Thirty-eight-year-old Stormy Marsh, of Miles City, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 49-year-old Phyllis Mastin, who was found dead in her mobile home Aug. 2. Marsh entered her plea Monday.

Authorities say Mastin was stabbed several times and that a knife and gun were found under her body. Police say they found Marsh at a Rapid City motel with the victim's car and cellphone.

Marsh maintains Mastin was alive when she left the home after witnessing a fight between Mastin and her ex-boyfriend.

Second-degree murder is punishable by up to life in prison.
Campers prepare for the Army Corp's deadline to leave the Oceti Sakowin protest camp on February 22, 2017 in Cannon Ball, North Dakota

The operator of a controversial US oil pipeline, which was the focus of months of protests by Native American tribes, on Tuesday sued several environmental groups, claiming they spread false information and incite violence.

Energy Transfer Partners launched broad accusations against Greenpeace and other environmental groups, alleging racketeering, defamation and inciting violence that amounted to "eco-terrorism" among other charges, for actions taken against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Greenpeace rejected the claims, saying they amounted to "harassment by corporate bullies."

The $3.8-billion, 1,172-mile (1,886-kilometer) oil pipeline was the focus of months-long protests in 2016 by dozens of North American tribes and environmental groups.

Their numbers at times swelling into the thousands, protestors camped on land in North Dakota near the pipeline's planned path under a river and man-made lake -- the source of drinking water for the nearby Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

Among other accusations, the lawsuit claims environmental groups made false charges, including that the pipeline operator did not properly consult tribes near the route.

The environmental groups "manufacture sensational and grossly misrepresented causes designed exclusively to perpetuate and enrich" themselves through donations, the lawsuit alleged.

Greenpeace responded with its own broadside against the legal firm representing the pipeline operator, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP. The firm's managing partner is US President Donald Trump's longtime attorney.

"This is the second consecutive year Donald Trump's go-to attorneys at the Kasowitz law firm have filed a meritless lawsuit against Greenpeace," the non-profit's attorney Tom Wetterer said in a statement, adding that the lawsuit "repackages spurious allegations."

"They are apparently trying to market themselves as corporate mercenaries willing to abuse the legal system to silence legitimate advocacy work."

While the pipeline is now operating, the legal battle over its future remains unresolved.

In January, Trump issued an executive order directing federal officials to reconsider further delays in the project, which was quickly followed by the Army Corps of Engineers issuing final permits.

But a federal judge ordered a new environmental review in June, saying officials did not fully consider the effects of a possible oil spill on the fishing and hunting rights of the Standing Rock Sioux.
Trump dedicated around half an hour of his 78-minute speech to attacking the "sick people" in the news media, before turning his fire on his own side

President Donald Trump on Tuesday mounted an aggressive defense of his response to a deadly far-right march in Virginia, using a rally speech to condemn "dishonest" media coverage of his widely criticized remarks.

Trump faced bipartisan outrage after blaming "many sides" for violence at the rally in Charlottesville, in which one anti-fascist protester was killed.

Re-reading his statements that followed the clashes, he railed at reporters at the rally in Phoenix, Arizona, for misrepresenting his remarks -- but omitted the equivocation that had sparked the backlash in the first place.

"The very dishonest media... and I mean truly dishonest people in the media and the fake media, they make up stories. They have no sources in many cases. They say 'a source says' -- there is no such thing," he said.

"But they don't report the facts. Just like they don't want to report that I spoke out forcefully against hatred, bigotry and violence and strongly condemned the neo-Nazis, the white supremacists and the KKK."

Trump dedicated about half an hour of his 78-minute speech to attacking the "sick people" in the news media, before turning his fire on his own side.

The speech was cheered raucously by supporters inside the conference center, though thousands of anti-Trump protesters, who had lined up under a blistering sun in Phoenix hours before Trump's arrival, later clashed with police outside the venue.

Police deployed tear gas to disperse them, according to AFP reporters at the scene.

Jonathan Howard, a spokesman for the city's police force, said that five arrests had been made and that protesters had thrown rocks, bottles and tear gas at police.

- Shot across the bow -

The speech was cheered on by supporters inside the conference center, though thousands of anti-Trump protesters clashed with police outside the venue

Speculation had been building that Trump would use the rally to formally endorse a challenger to Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, a moderate incumbent, in a shot across the bow of skeptical Republicans.

He mocked both Flake and fellow Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, implying that McCain had sabotaged Republican healthcare reforms, but elaborately avoided mentioning either by name.

Veering off script, Trump shied away from issuing a pardon for Joe Arpaio -- a former sheriff in Arizona who was convicted of wilfully violating a court order to stop targeting Hispanics in immigration roundups.

But he gave strong hints that he was preparing a future pardon, saying: "I think he's going to be just fine, okay? I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy."

Trump voiced optimism over improvements in relations with North Korea following an escalation in aggressive rhetoric on both sides over Pyongyang's nuclear program.

"I respect the fact that he is starting to respect us. And maybe -- probably not, but maybe -- something positive can come about," Trump said of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, though the president repeated his opinion that he had not gone far enough in his condemnation of Kim.

- Fitness questioned -

Jonathan Howard, a spokesman for the Phoenix police force, said protesters had thrown rocks, bottles and tear gas at police, resulting in five arrests

The freewheeling speech left some critics dumbfounded, with former national intelligence director James Clapper questioning Trump's fitness to lead and his access to the country's nuclear codes.

"I really question his ability to be -- his fitness to be -- in this office, and I also am beginning to wonder about his motivation for it," he told CNN television early Wednesday, adding that he found parts of Trump's rhetoric "downright scary and disturbing."

"In a fit of pique he decides to do something about Kim Jong-Un, there's actually very little to stop him," Clapper said. "The whole system is built to ensure rapid response if necessary. So there's very little in the way of controls over exercising a nuclear option, which is pretty damn scary."

Trump's speech came at the end of a trip to Arizona that the White House hopes will re-energize core supporters who are cooling to his crisis-riddled presidency, and build momentum for a controversial border wall.

The president began his day in Yuma, touring a US Border Patrol operations base, where he met with border agents. He then traveled to Phoenix for the campaign-style rally in the evening, introduced to the crowd by Vice President Mike Pence.

His visit to the Republican state aimed to tout the benefits of a border fence with Mexico, turn up the heat on reluctant allies and demonstrate the president's determination to realize a central campaign pledge.

Trump had insisted that Mexico would pay for the wall, estimated to cost about $22 billion.

Having failed in that bid, he has turned to equally reticent Republicans in Congress to get US funding.

But with his plan running into political quicksand, Trump is trying to generate public pressure on reluctant lawmakers to support him.

In Phoenix, Trump told the rally crowd his message for "obstructionist" Democrats was that he was building the wall "if we have to close down our government."
Actor Matt LeBlanc (center) with Kathleen Rose Perkins (L) and Mircea Monroe (R) attending the premiere of First Two Episodes of the Final Season of the Showtime Comedy Series 'Episodes' in Beverly Hills, California

If ever an actor were made for a part, it's surely former "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc, who plays a former "Friends" star called Matt LeBlanc in the inside-Hollywood sitcom "Episodes."

If that sounds confusingly meta, LeBlanc also wasn't exactly sure what he was getting into when he was approached by "Friends" co-creator David Crane and partner Jeffrey Klarik in 2010 to star in their ambitious new farce.

"I thought, 'That's a show I would watch,'" the 50-year-old recalls of meeting up with the writers over lunch in Santa Barbara to discuss the idea of a comedy series satirizing the US television industry.

"My only question was, 'What do you mean, I'm playing myself? I don't understand. That's a little strange.' They said, 'We're not making a documentary -- it's a character with your name on it.'"

In fact, LeBlanc does play himself -- or at least a fictionalized, vainglorious, funhouse mirror image of himself -- in the weekly half-hour Showtime comedy.

"Episodes" tells the story of a husband-and-wife writing team -- played by Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig -- who have a nightmarish experience adapting their award-winning British comedy show for American TV.

LeBlanc amplifies himself as an outrageously unsuitable and untrustworthy choice for the lead part, foist upon the writers by network executives who still remember the money "Friends" made.

"To get my head back into this, to promote the show, it's like putting on an old leather jacket that fits just right," LeBlanc told AFP backstage at a Q&A in Beverly Hills to preview the fifth and final season.

- Glorious decade -

LeBlanc -- alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer -- had the world at his feet in 2004 when "Friends" ended a glorious decade that had earned them $1 million an episode and propelled them to global stardom.

His first major setback came when the spin-off series "Joey" -- relocating his beloved "Friends" character Joey Tribbiani to Los Angeles -- was canceled after just two seasons.

He is on the record as being very happy with the reported $15 million a season fee, but regretting that he didn't insist on Crane and Klarik coming on board as writers.

When they came calling for "Episodes," LeBlanc had been on a six-year break at his ranch in southern California, cut off from showbiz but enjoying the fortune that "Friends" and its spin-off had earned him.

"I had a less than spectacular experience coming off of 'Joey' and for me the idea of working with these two guys -- who are like family, they really are, we get along great, I really have so much respect for them as writers -- that was a big part of it," he told the audience in Beverly Hills.

To play the part of his puffed-up caricature, often the butt of the joke, LeBlanc was required to leave his ego at the door, and being able to trust Crane and Klarik was essential.

"I knew something that I was uncomfortable with at the outset would be safe in their hands, and that they wouldn't throw me under the bus," he said.

- 'Car nut' -

"Episodes" has received 10 Emmy nominations since it debuted in 2011, including four for LeBlanc, and the actor won a Golden Globe for the first season in 2012.

A self-confessed "car nut," he was unveiled last year as the new co-presenter of the BBC's revamped "Top Gear" motoring show and has just started filming the second season of CBS sitcom "Man with a Plan."

After 23 years playing Joey -- in "Friends," then solo Joey, then Matt LeBlanc living off the spoils of playing Joey -- the actor could be forgiven for wanting to leave the character far behind.

"I think it's futile to try and do that. That show's going to follow all six of us forever," he told AFP.

"And I don't want to -- I'm proud of it. It was a great thing to be a part of."

He added however that Joey Tribbiani, a character that has brought him stardom, riches, a small measure of opprobrium and a great deal of acclaim, is unlikely to be put back to work any time soon.

"Everyone asks about a 'Friends' reunion -- is there going to be another show. My opinion is that the book is better than the movie," he told AFP, speaking figuratively.

"I think it's best left to everyone's imagination as to their own opinion of what those characters are doing now."

"Episodes" began its final season on Showtime on Sunday and will air on BBC2 in Britain in the fall.
North Korea carried out two ICBM tests last month, overseen by Kim Jong-Un

North Korea revealed plans for the development of its missile programme on Wednesday, as leader Kim Jong-Un ordered stepped-up production of rocket engines and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) nosecones.

Under Kim, Pyongyang has made rapid strides in its ballistic missile technology, which it is banned from pursuing under United Nations resolutions that have slapped it with seven sets of sanctions.

Last month it carried out two successful ICBM launches, overseen by Kim and apparently bringing most of its sworn enemy the United States into range for the first time.

A series of threats followed from both sides, and while the rhetoric has since eased, the US and South Korea this week kicked off their annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian military drills, which the North always condemns as dress rehearsals for invasion.

The North says it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself against the US, and analysts said pictures released Wednesday of Kim's visit to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science revealed major technological advances and ambitions.

Kim, in a black suit, was shown next to a large brown tube that Joshua Pollack of the US Middlebury Institute of International Studies said on Twitter was a "wound fibre cylinder, evidently a large-diameter solid-rocket motor casing in the making".

North Korea's recent missile tests: estimated capability

It appeared to be made of Kevlar or fibreglass, added independent missile and nuclear analysts George Herbert.

Other pictures carried by the Rodong Sinmun, the official mouthpiece of the North's ruling party, included missile schematics and what appeared to be production processes.

"We have diagrams and names on two apparent new solid fuel multistage North Korean nuclear capable missiles," one of them an ICBM and the other a medium- or intermediate-range device, said Herbert.

Wound-filament casings are significantly harder to manufacture than metal ones but much lighter, giving a missile longer range and the ability to carry a heavier payload for a given distance.

Many of the elements on show were objectives rather than currently existing technology, analysts said, but even so Jeffrey Lewis, of the armscontrolwonk.com website, noted: "It's all bad."

"If I understand North Korean propaganda, this is their way of telling us what we'll see in the air in the coming year."

- Carbon compound -

The Academy of Defence Sciences develops the North's missiles, and the official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim said it was "the pride of our Party to have such unassuming heroes".

"He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips," it added.

A photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Hwasong-14 being lauched at an undisclosed location in North Korea

Questions remain whether the North has mastered the technology needed to ensure a ballistic missile warhead survives the intense heat generated by re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.

But it says it has done so, and the KCNA report said the nosecones and engine jets were made of "carbon/carbon compound material".

The manufacturing process included carbon fibre weaving, chemical deposition and high pressure liquid deposition, it added.

In recent weeks the North has threatened to fire a salvo of missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam, but has since backed away from the plan and tensions have eased.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday added momentum to tension reduction, praising the North for showing a "level of restraint" in not conducting nuclear or missile tests since new UN sanctions were imposed.

He also expressed hope that it was a sign of Pyongyang's readiness to enter peace and disarmament talks with Washington "sometime in the near future".

Wednesday's North Korean reports were largely factual and made none of their habitual threats of "catastrophic consequences" of military confrontation between it and the US.

"Through today's report, the North is touting its capability of manufacturing Hwasong-14 missile's re-entry vehicles and boasting of its preparedness to launch a submarine launched ballistic missile with a larger calibre, Pukguksong-3," Lee Chun-Geun of South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute told AFP.
As a child Tony de Brum witnessed US nuclear bombs being tested in the Marshall Islands

Pacific climate change campaigner Tony de Brum, who was instrumental in forging the 2015 Paris accord on global warming, has died aged 72, the Marshall Islands government said Wednesday.

De Brum, whose tireless advocacy pricked the world's conscience over the fate of low-lying Pacific island nations threatened by rising seas, passed away Tuesday in the Marshalls' capital Majuro after a long battle with cancer.

"He was a giant of history, a legend in every meaning of the word, and a custodian of our shared future," President Hilda Heine said.

Over a career in politics spanning more than 30 years, de Brum helped negotiate the Marshall Islands' independence from the United States and also served as a minister in portfolios ranging from health to foreign affairs.

As a child in the 1950s, he witnessed US nuclear bombs being tested in the Marshalls and campaigned throughout his life for justice for affected islanders.

As the impact of climate change became apparent, he gave voice to the remote, sparsely populated islands on the frontline of the threat, criss-crossing the globe to address international forums and push for action.

He was the driving force behind the "High Ambition Coalition" of more than 100 nations, which successfully pushed for strong aspirational goals at the UN climate talks in Paris in 2015.

"I refuse to go home from Paris without an agreement that allows me to look my grandchildren in their eyes and say: 'Papa's home, I've got a good deal for you'," he had said.

Heine said De Brum died at home surrounded by his family, including 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
India's railway network is the world's fourth largest and remains the main form of travel in the vast country, with 22 million passengers commuting daily

At least 42 passengers were injured Wednesday after several cars of an express train derailed in northern India, police said, four days after another rail accident killed 23 people in the country.

The train crashed into a truck in northern Uttar Pradesh before dawn, causing 12 carriages to flip over, Indian Railways spokesman Anil Saxena told AFP.

"We have rushed emergency teams for rescue and relief operations and all the injured have been taken to hospital," Saxena said.

District police chief Sanjeev Tyagi told AFP from the scene of the accident that "around 42 people were injured in the accident, most of them with simple injuries."

The accident is the second to hit India's most populous state in less than a week after a high-speed train derailed and crashed into residential buildings on Saturday, killing 23 people and injuring 150 others.

India's railway network is the world's fourth largest by distance and remains the main form of travel in the vast country, with 22 million passengers commuting daily.

But the network is poorly funded and deadly accidents often occur, with experts blaming under-investment and poor safety standards for the frequency of incidents.

Less than a year ago 146 people died in a similar accident in Uttar Pradesh.

A 2012 government report described the loss of 15,000 passengers to rail accidents every year in India as a "massacre".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged $137 billion over five years to modernise the crumbling railways and his government has signed numerous upgrading deals with private companies.

Japan has agreed to provide $12 billion in soft loans to build India's first bullet train, with Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tipped to break ground on the project in September.
United Nations aid chief Stephen O'Brien briefs the Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York, on August 18, 2017

United Nations aid chief Stephen O'Brien told the Security Council on Tuesday there are early signs of genocide in the violence-plagued Central African Republic, according to diplomats.

O'Brien made his remarks in a closed-door meeting -- which was not on the official council agenda and was called for by France -- following his recent visit to the country, one of the diplomats told AFP.

The aid chief's warning echoed what he said earlier this month, when he told a UN meeting "the early warning signs of genocide are there" and urged more troops and police to bolster the UN peacekeeping mission in the strife-torn country.

The United Nations maintains some 12,500 troops and police on the ground to help protect civilians and support the government of President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who was elected last year.

The number of displaced in CAR -- a country of 4.5 million people -- has soared to 600,000, O'Brien said according to the diplomat, who added the tally was 40 percent higher than last year.

The UN official also warned the council of violence targeting humanitarian actors on the ground, forcing them to drop many of their duties. Violence is spreading in the country, including in the region of Bangassou in the southeast, the same diplomatic source said.

One of the world's poorest nations, Central African Republic was pitched into a war between Muslim and Christian militias in 2013, unleashed when President Francois Bozize, a Christian, was overthrown by a coalition of Muslim-majority rebel groups called the Seleka.

They in turn were ousted by a military intervention led by France, which was followed by bloody reprisals by the mainly Christian anti-Balaka militia.

Groups on both sides are now fighting for control of natural resources, including gold and diamonds, as well as regional influence.

According to another diplomatic source, during Tuesday's exchanges some members of the council proposed a visit to gain better understanding of the situation.

At the beginning of August O'Brien told the UN "we must act now, not pare down the UN's effort, and pray we don't live to regret it."

On Tuesday, according to diplomats, he reaffirmed that the UN's request for $497 million to finance humanitarian aid this year to the country was far from being fulfilled.
Their rivalry has stretched 13 years and 37 matches but Rafael Nadal (R) and Roger Federer have never met at the US Open

Their rivalry has stretched 13 years and 37 matches but Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have never met at the US Open, a staggering anomaly which seems certain to be corrected at 2017's concluding Grand Slam.

Nadal, back on top of the world rankings for the first time in three years, is a two-time winner in New York, his 2010 and 2013 titles forming part of his 15-Slam portfolio which was embellished by a record 10th French Open in June.

Federer, the five-time US champion from 2004-2008, is bidding for a 20th major and third of the year after capturing the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles.

Victory in the men's final on September 10 would also make the 36-year-old the oldest US Open champion of the modern era and oldest overall since Bill Tilden in 1929.

The path to the title for Nadal and Federer has been eased by the removal of two-time champion Novak Djokovic, the former world number one who has shut down his season to recover from an elbow injury.

Also out of the way is defending champion Stan Wawrinka, another long-term casualty who is facing knee surgery.

Alexander Zverev has never got beyond the fourth round of a Slam and was a second round loser in New York in 2016

Add into the mix the ongoing hip problems of 2012 champion Andy Murray, and all the indications point to a tournament where the sport's two most durable warriors are likely to be amongst the last men standing.

Not that they are getting carried away by their prospects.

Nadal, 31, heads to New York on the back of a quarter-final loss to Nick Kyrgios in Cincinnati and a Montreal last-16 defeat to Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov.

"New York is a completely different event," said Nadal, who has not got past the fourth round at the US Open since 2013.

"Different ball and in the history of my career in New York I played much better.

- 'Completely insane' -

"I believe that I did the things well enough during the whole year to be ready to compete at the highest level in New York."

Federer, meanwhile, is looking to move beyond Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors by claiming a sixth US Open and reach a first final in the city since his sensational 2009 loss to Juan Martin del Potro.

His record-blazing eighth Wimbledon title in July was followed by a Montreal final defeat to Alexander Zverev and a pull-out from Cincinnati with a back injury.

But with a 2017 record of five titles, 35 match wins and just three losses, the evergreen Swiss remains the sentimental favourite.

"Winning my third of the year, my 20th Grand Slam, would be completely insane. I just hope I'm going to be 100% ready when the moment arises," said Federer who missed the 2016 US Open to rest a knee injury.

When Murray stunned Djokovic to win the 2012 title, he became the first British man to lift a Slam singles title in 76 years.

A hip injury contributed to a quarter-final exit at Wimbledon and he has been sidelined since, although he made the trip to New York and expects to play.

With Djokovic, Wawrinka, as well as 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori out of action, the tournament should also present the perfect opportunity for the widely-touted 'NextGen' to step up.

Alexander Zverev, the world number six, downed Federer for the Montreal title but slumped first time out in Cincinnati to US teenager Frances Tiafoe.

Zverev has never got beyond the fourth round of a Slam and was a second round loser in New York in 2016.

Kyrgios, the runner-up in Cincinnati, made the quarter-finals at the Australian Open in 2015 and Wimbledon in 2014 but his US Open best is a run to the third round.

World number eight Dominic Thiem, a semi-finalist at Roland Garros in 2016 and 2017, has never got beyond the last 16 in New York.
A collision between USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker off Singapore left a huge gash in the side of the guided-missile destroyer

A spate of incidents involving US warships in Asia, including a deadly collision this week off Singapore, has forced the navy to consider whether cyberattackers might be to blame.

While some experts believe that being able to engineer such a collision would be unlikely, given the security systems of the US Navy and the logistics of having two ships converge, others say putting the recent incidents down to human error and coincidence is an equally unsatisfactory explanation.

The USS John S. McCain collided with a tanker early Monday as the warship was on its way for a routine stop in the city-state, tearing a huge hole in the hull and leaving 10 sailors missing and five injured.

The Navy announced Tuesday that remains of some of the sailors were found by divers in flooded compartments on the ship.

The Chief of US Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said on Monday he could not rule out some kind of outside interference or a cyberattack being behind the latest collision, but said he did not want to prejudge the inquiry. His broader remarks suggested a focus on "how we do business on the bridge".

"We're looking at every possibility," Richardson said, when asked about the possibility of a cyberattack, adding "as we did with Fitzgerald as well."

US Navy ship collision

Just two months earlier in June, the USS Fitzgerald and a Philippine-flagged cargo ship smashed into each other off Japan, leaving seven sailors dead and leading to several officers being disciplined.

There were also two more, lesser-known incidents this year -- in January USS Antietam ran aground near its base in Japan and in May, USS Lake Champlain collided with a South Korean fishing vessel. Neither caused any injury.

Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, has refused to rule out sabotage in Monday's incident, saying all possibilities are being examined.

"We are not taking any consideration off the table," he told reporters in Singapore Tuesday, when asked about the possibility of a cyberattack in the latest incident.

- High tensions -

Analysts are divided on the issue, with some believing US Navy crews may simply be overstretched as they try to tackle myriad threats in the region, and pointing to the difficulties of sailing through waterways crowded with merchant shipping.

Questions after US Navy collission

But others believe something more sinister may be going on.

Itar Glick, head of Israeli-based international cybersecurity firm Votiro, said the spate of incidents suggested that US Navy ships' GPS systems could have been tampered with by hackers, causing them to miscalculate their positions.

"I think that hackers could try to do this, and if they are state sponsored they might have the right resources to facilitate this kind of attack," he told AFP.

Glick, who says he used to work on cybersecurity for Israeli intelligence, said that China and North Korea would be the most likely culprits.

Tensions are running high between North Korea and Washington as Pyongyang makes strides in its weapons programme, conducting two successful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launches in July.

Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, said all possibilities were being considered in the latest incident

Pyongyang has also been blamed for recent cyberattacks, including the 2014 hack of Sony Pictures and the theft of millions of dollars from the Bangladesh central bank.

The US has repeatedly accused China of carrying out cyberattacks on American companies, particularly to steal intellectual property. Beijing however says it is also the victim of such attacks.

- 'Spoofing' -

Glick pointed to a recent incident in June of apparent large-scale GPS interference in the Black Sea to illustrate that such disruptions are possible.

Seven sailors died when the guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with a Philippine-flagged container ship on June 17

The interference -- known as "spoofing", which disrupts GPS signals so ships' instruments show inaccurate locations -- caused some 20 vessels to have their signals disrupted, according to reports.

Jeffery Stutzman, chief of intelligence operations for US-based cybersecurity firm Wapack Labs, told AFP he thought the possibility of a cyberattack being behind the latest incident was "entirely possible".

"I would be very doubtful that it was human error, four times in a row," he said, referring to the four recent incidents.

Still, other observers believe such a scenario to be unlikely.

Zachary Fryer-Biggs, from defence consultancy Jane's by IHS Markit, said that even if something went wrong with the GPS system of a ship, other safety mechanisms should stop it from crashing, such as having people on watch.

"The collision only occurs if several other safety mechanisms fail," he said.

Daniel Paul Goetz, from US-headquartered cybersecurity firm Lantium, added that causing a collision would be complicated, as it would involve knowing the exact location, speed and bearing of both ships involved.

Goetz, who says his background is in US military intelligence, also pointed to the level of technology used to protect the navy from such threats.

"The US military uses a GPS system that is highly secured, highly encrypted -- the chances that somebody could take over US military ship is very close to zero," he said.
Gasps echo across the hall as the Myanmar school kids trial virtual reality goggles, marveling at a device that allows some of Asia's poorest people to walk on the moon or dive beneath the waves.

'In Myanmar we can't afford much to bring students to the real world experience,' beamed Hla Hla Win, a teacher and tech entrepreneur taking virtual reality into the classroom.

'If they're learning about animals we can't take them to the zoo... 99 percent of parents don't have time, don't have money, don't have the means,' she added.

The data recorded by drones allows those with virtual reality headsets to explore Myanmar's temples, their crumbling centuries-old walls so close it feels like you can touch them

Few countries in the world have experienced such rapid discovery of technology than Myanmar which has leapfrogged from the analogue to the digital era in just a few years.

During the decades of outright junta rule, which ended in 2011, it was one of the world's most isolated nations, a place where a mobile phone sim card could cost up to $3,000.

For half a century its paranoid generals cut off the country, restricting sales of computers, heavily censoring the Internet and blocking access to foreign media reports.

Nyi Lin Seck (R) uses virtual reality technology to preserve a digital replica of Myanmar's archaeological treasures

But today phone towers are springing up around the country and almost 80 percent of the population have access to the Internet through smartphones, according to telecoms giant Telenor.

Budding startups

Tech startups are emerging around the commercial capital Yangon, many seeking to improve the lives of rural people, most of whom still live without paved roads or electricity.

'The increase in activity from last year till now -- new startups, more people determined to become entrepreneurs and working in the tech sector in general - is significant,' said Jes Kaliebe Peterson, CEO of community hub Phandeeyar.

Nyi Lin Seck (L) shows some of the 3604K video camera footage he took of the crumbling 700-year-old walls of the ancient city of Bagan to women and children residing in a Buddhist monastery located nearby

Virtual reality is the latest advance to cause a stir, with a handful of entrepreneurs embracing tech for projects including preserving ancient temple sites to shaping young minds of the future.

The Phandeeyar incubator works with more than 140 startups. Among them Hla Hla Win's virtual reality social enterprise 360ed which is using affordable cardboard VR goggles attached to smartphones to break down barriers in Myanmar's classrooms.

She founded the non-profit last year after 17 years working in the woefully underfunded education system in a bid to bring learning to life.

'I see it as an empathy machine where we can teleport ourselves to another place right away,' she told AFP.

And it's not just school children who benefit from stepping into places they could only ever dream of visiting.

A drone carrying a 360 4K video camera lifts off the ground at the ancient city of Bagan as a team of virtual reality experts document the crumbling 700-year-old walls of the ancient city

360ed has used virtual reality to help Myanmar teachers attend training courses in Japan and Finland and is working on setting up deals with schools in India, Pakistan, China and Bangladesh.

'With VR there's no divider, there's no distance,' Hla Hla Win said.

Mapping the past

While 360ed is thinking about the future, Nyi Lin Seck is obsessed with the past.

Some 600 kilometres (372 miles) north of Yangon, the budding tech entrepreneur and founder of 3xvivr Virtual Reality Production launches a large drone into the skies above Bagan, one of Myanmar's most famous tourist sites.

The drone, which carries a 360-camera, circles one of the many ninth-to-thirteenth century temples that dot the landscape of what was once a sprawling ancient city.

The data it records allows those with virtual reality headsets to explore the temples, their crumbling centuries-old walls so close it feels like you can touch them.

A former head of the local TV station, Nyi Lin Seck says he makes most of his money providing virtual reality footage for hotels and luxury apartments.

But after an earthquake damaged the Bagan site last year, he vowed to use the tech to preserve a digital replica of Myanmar's archaeological treasures.

'A lot of artworks on the pagodas collapsed and were lost. Using this technology, we can record up to 99 percent of the ancient art,' he says.
LINCOLN, Neb.  Robbery charges have been filed in Nebraska against a Roundup man suspected of being the "AK-47 bandit," who investigators believe robbed banks in five states.

Court records show 39-year-old Richard Gathercole was indicted Tuesday for an August 2014 bank robbery in Nebraska City, about 50 miles south of Omaha. His attorney didn't immediately return a call Wednesday from The Associated Press.

The charges include bank robbery, possession of a weapon and transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines and transporting a stolen firearm across state lines in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to a release from the FBI.

FBI officials have been looking for years for the man they believe robbed banks in California, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska and Washington state typically while carrying an AK-47 rifle.

Gathercole, of Roundup, was arrested June 20 near Lexington, Nebraska, after a sheriff's deputy spotted a pickup truck that Kansas authorities had reported stolen by a man who fired at a state trooper.
SpongeBob Squarepants (L) and Dora The Explorer are popular characters on the Nickleodeon Network

American children's television network Nickelodeon said Wednesday it had abandoned plans for a themed resort on an island known as the Philippines' last ecological frontier following a backlash from environmentalists.

Nickelodeon said in January that it would build an "undersea attraction and resort" on Palawan island that would let fans "interact with the brand and the iconic characters they love", including SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer.

The announcement triggered fierce criticism from environmental campaigners who said it would destroy the area's world-famous marine ecosystem, and an online petition calling for the project to be scrapped attracted more than 260,000 signatures.

Viacom International Media Networks, which owns Nickelodeon, said Wednesday it had abandoned the project.

"(Viacom) and Nickelodeon will no longer be involved with this proposed development," the company said in a statement sent to AFP.

Viacom said the decision was "mutually agreed" with its Philippine partner, Coral World Park.

The statement did not say why Viacom had pulled out and its regional spokeswoman would not elaborate when contacted by AFP.

Conservation groups call Palawan "the last frontier" because of its pristine coastlines and forests, which are among the oldest and most diverse in Southeast Asia.

It is home to two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, a subterranean river and the Tubbataha coral reefs.

Viacom's initial statement in January promoted the project as its first resort in Southeast Asia that "would give a significant business opportunity for our partners across multiple platforms".

However Viacom and Coral World Park also highlighted the project's "ocean conservation focus" and plans for a giant marine sanctuary.

Environmental group Greenpeace on Wednesday hailed Viacom's decision as a victory.

"We commend Viacom for heeding the call of more than 200,000 online petitioners and the offline community campaign," Vince Cinches of Greenpeace Southeast Asia told AFP.

"They were able to dodge the bullet that has a huge reputational backlash for Nickelodeon which has been claiming it is children oriented."

The Nickelodeon resort was meant to be part of Coral World Park's 400-hectare (1,000-acre) development.

Coral World Park did not immediately to respond to AFP emails on whether it would pursue the project following Viacom's withdrawal.

The executive director of environmental group Save Philippine Seas, Anna Oposa, told AFP the campaign against the development would not let up.

"Our position and strategy will not change: we'll continue to call on the local government of Coron and provincial government of Palawan to reject the project," she said.
The latest accident happened before dawn in busy shipping lanes around the Strait of Singapore, and sent water flooding into the ship

The US Navy confirmed Wednesday it had sacked the commander of its Seventh Fleet after a deadly collision between a destroyer and a tanker off Singapore, the latest of several accidents involving an American warship in Asian waters.

Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin was relieved "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command", a navy statement said.

The navy is undertaking a fleet-wide global investigation after Monday's incident involving the USS John S. McCain, which left 10 sailors missing and five injured after a gaping hole was torn in the warship's side.

The Seventh Fleet, headquartered at Yokosuka in Japan, is the centrepiece of the US military presence in Asia, undertaking sensitive missions such as operations in the South China Sea and around the Korean peninsula.

Aucoin, who had held the post since September 2015, had been in the navy for almost four decades and US media reports said he had been due to retire in weeks.

He was replaced by Rear Admiral Phil Sawyer.

Monday's accident was the second fatal collision in two months -- both involving ships from the Seventh Fleet -- after the USS Fitzgerald collided with a cargo vessel off Japan in June, leaving seven sailors dead.

There have been four accidents in total in the Pacific this year involving American warships, sparking concerns the US Navy could be overstretched as it tackles China's rising assertiveness and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

The latest happened before dawn in busy shipping lanes around the Strait of Singapore, leaving a big hole in the hull of the warship and flooding it with water.

A massive search involving planes and aircraft was launched and US Navy divers joined the hunt Tuesday, scouring the ship's flooded compartments.

The divers had found remains of some of the sailors, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott Swift, said Tuesday without giving further details.

- Major search -

Malaysian authorities, which have deployed 10 ships and two helicopters for the search, also said they found a body and a US Navy helicopter collected it on Wednesday.

Five countries -- the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia -- are now involved in the search covering an area of about 2,600 square kilometres (1,000 square miles).

Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, speaks to reporters Tuesday

The accident happened as the McCain headed for a routine stop in Singapore after carrying out a "freedom of navigation operation" in the disputed South China Sea earlier in August, sparking a furious response from Beijing.

On Monday the Chief of US Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson ordered commanders within a week to set aside time, perhaps "one or two days," for crews to sit down together for discussions.

A "comprehensive review" of practices would also begin.

The admiral did not rule out some kind of outside interference or a cyber-attack being behind the latest collision, but said he did not want to prejudge the inquiry. His broader remarks suggested a focus on "how we do business on the bridge."

The damaged vessel is named after US Senator John McCain's father and grandfather, who were both admirals in the US navy.

The tanker involved in the collision, which was used for transporting oil and chemicals and weighed over 30,000 gross tonnes, sustained some damage but no crew were injured and it did not leak oil.

burs-sr/sm
From 2006 to 2016, ExxonMobil was led by Rex Tillerson, currently Secretary of State under US President Donald Trump

US oil giant ExxonMobil knowingly misled the public for decades about the danger climate change poses to a warming world and the company's long-term viability, according to a peer-reviewed study released Wednesday.

An analysis of nearly 200 documents spanning decades found that four-fifths of scientific studies and internal memos acknowledged global warming is real and caused by humans.

At the same time a similar proportion of hundreds of paid editorials in major US newspapers over the same period cast deep doubt on these widely accepted facts.

The study also cites ExxonMobil calculations that capping global warming at under two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) -- the goal enshrined in the landmark Paris climate accord -- would impose sharp limits on the amount of fossil fuels that could be burned, and thus potentially affect the firm's growth.

Both findings are relevant to ongoing investigations by state and federal attorneys general, along with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on whether the company deceived investors on how it accounts for climate change risk.

The fossil fuel industry is especially vulnerable to questions about climate risk as the race to decarbonise the world economy gathers pace

The new study was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

Earlier reporting by InsideClimate News, nominated last year for a Pulitzer, unearthed the internal documents and came to much the same conclusion.

In response, the company -- the largest oil producer in the United States, with revenue of $218 billion dollars (185 billion euros) last year -- denied having led a four-decade disinformation campaign.

"We unequivocally reject allegations that ExxonMobil suppressed climate change research," it said at the time. "We understand that climate risks are real."

- Systemic bias -

The company slammed journalists for having allegedly "cherry-picked" data in a way that unfairly put the company in a bad light.

The new study pushes back on that characterisation.

"We looked at the whole cherry tree," Geoffrey Supran, a researcher at Harvard University and co-author of the study, told AFP.

"Using social science methods, we found a gaping, systematic discrepancy between what Exxon said about climate change in private and academic circles, and what is said to the public."

As early as 1979, when climate change barely registered as an issue for the public, Exxon was sounding internal alarms.

"The most widely held theory is that... the increase in atmospheric CO2 is due to fossil fuel combustion," an internal memo from that year read.

A peer-reviewed study by Exxon scientists 17 years later concluded that "the body of evidence... now points towards a discernable human influence on global climate."

At the same time, however, the company was spending tens of millions of dollars to place editorials in The New York Times and other influential newspapers that delivered a very different message.

"Let's face it: The science of climate change is too uncertain to mandate a plan of action that could plunge economies into turmoil," Exxon opined in 1997, as the Bill Clinton administration faced overwhelming opposition in Congress to US ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.

Natasha Lamb, managing partner of investment management firm Arjuna Capital, said the new analysis could bolster the lawsuits accusing ExxonMobil of deliberately downplaying climate change risks.

"The Harvard research shows systemic bias in sowing public doubt, while acknowledging the risks privately," she said after reviewing the study's main findings.

"That is at the heart of the investigations."

- 'Deception and denial' -

Lamb's firm filed the first shareholder proposal in 2013 asking ExxonMobil to assess whether imposing a 2C limit on warming would result in the company not being able to exploit its reserves.

Those efforts were swatted down, but four years later a decisive 62 percent of shareholders called on ExxonMobil, in a non-binding vote last May, to detail how climate change will affect its future.

In three other lawsuits, coastal communities in California are suing 37 oil, gas and coal companies, including ExxonMobil.

Marin and San Mateo counties, along with the city of Imperial Beach, assert that these fossil fuel purveyors knew their product would cause sea level rise and coastal flooding but took no action to inform the public or curtail their carbon emissions.

The new study "confirms some of the central tenets of our cases," said Vic Sher, a senior partner at Sher Edling and a lawyer in the case.

"We will prove that Exxon and the fossil fuel industry knew for decades that greenhouse gas pollution would case warming of the air and oceans, sea level rise, and other consequences," he told AFP.

"The industry engaged in deception and denial while aggressively marketing and making enormous profits."

From 2006 to 2016, ExxonMobil was led by Rex Tillerson, currently Secretary of State under US President Donald Trump.
A torn poster bearing the portrait of Yemen's ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh and announcing the 35 year anniversary of the establishment of his party, the General People's Congress, is seen in Sanaa, on August 21, 2017

Yemen's Huthi rebels on Wednesday warned former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, their main ally in the country's war, that he would "bear the consequences" after calling the Iran-backed rebels "militias".

Fears are now mounting that violence could break out in Sanaa around a rally scheduled for Thursday to mark 35 years since the founding of Saleh's General People's Congress party.

Cracks began to surface this week in the alliance between rebel chief Abdul Malik al-Huthi and strongman Saleh, allied since 2014 against Yemen's government, with the two exchanging mutual accusations of back-stabbing in televised speeches.

A statement released by the Huthis early Wednesday hit back at Saleh, calling the ex-president a "traitor" after he dismissed the group as a "militia" in a speech on Sunday.

"We have been stabbed in the back and called a militia, which is treason in its purest form," read the statement.

"What he (Saleh) said crosses the red line... and he will have to bear the consequences of his words."

Tension has been rising for days in the Yemeni capital, which is jointly controlled by Saleh and the Huthis, and eyewitnesses say armed supporters of Saleh and Huthi have intensified their presence across the city.

Yemen's war, which pits the Saudi-backed government against the Saleh-Huthi alliance, has claimed thousands of lives since 2015 and pushed the country to the brink of famine.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un visiting the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is "starting to respect" the United States, President Donald Trump declared, even as Pyongyang revealed plans for its missile development Wednesday and Kim ordered a production boost.

Trump's remarks, at a rally in Phoenix, came hours after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said talks with the nuclear-armed North over its banned weapons programmes might be possible "in the near future".

The comments are a marked contrast to the rhetoric of recent weeks, when Trump spoke of raining "fire and fury" on the North, and come as tensions have eased after Kim pulled back from a plan to send a salvo of missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam.

But Washington also imposed new sanctions on Chinese and Russian firms suspected of doing business with the North.

Pyongyang, meanwhile, revealed significant technological advances in its missile programmes and ambitious plans to further improve its capabilities.

On a visit to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science, Kim ordered stepped-up production of rocket engines and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) nosecones, state media reported.

US President Donald Trump tells supporters in Phoenix, Arizona, that Kim Jong-Un is 'starting to respect' the United States

At a campaign-style rally in Phoenix, Trump said his aggressive rhetoric was starting to bear fruit.

"Some people said it was too strong. It's not strong enough," he told thousands of supporters. "But Kim Jong-Un, I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us. I respect that fact very much.

"And maybe, probably not, but maybe something positive can come about."

Earlier Tillerson acknowledged Pyongyang's recent "restraint" in not carrying out fresh nuclear or missile tests in response to tough new United Nations sanctions, the seventh set imposed on it.

"I am pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that we've not seen in the past," Tillerson said at a rare press conference, adding that talks may be possible "in the near future".

US officials told AFP that Tillerson was not thanking Pyongyang, nor making any concession on Washington's determination to halt Kim's missile programme and negotiate the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

N. Korea's missile programme

The Trump administration's rhetoric has been highly variable but Washington has said it would be open to dialogue if Pyongyang took steps to calm tensions.

The North regards current joint military exercises by Seoul and Washington as a rehearsal for an invasion.

In a commentary released early Thursday Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency said statements from US that fewer troops were participating in the exercises were aimed at "craftily trying to defuse the caution" of Pyongyang.

It went on to urge the US and its allies to "act with discretion if they want to evade the historic moment of death".

KCNA had earlier described Trump as a "mad guy" who "frequently posts weird articles of his ego-driven thoughts in his twitter and spouts rubbish".

- Carbon compound -

Tensions between North Korea and the United States and its allies soared last month after Pyongyang tested two missiles that appeared to bring most of the US mainland within range.

The North says it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself against the US.

It has made rapid technological strides under Kim, and released pictures Wednesday of a visit by him to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science, which develops the North's missiles.

Analysts said the images revealed major advances and ambitions.

A photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Hwasong-14 being lauched at an undisclosed location in North Korea

Kim, in a black suit, was shown next to a large brown tube that Joshua Pollack of the US Middlebury Institute of International Studies said on Twitter was a "wound fibre cylinder, evidently a large-diameter solid-rocket motor casing in the making".

Such casings are harder to manufacture than metal ones but are much lighter, enabling longer ranges and heavier payloads.

Other pictures included missile schematics and what appeared to be production processes.

"We have diagrams and names on two apparent new solid fuel multistage North Korean nuclear capable missiles," one of them an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and the other a medium- or intermediate-range device, said independent missile and nuclear analyst George Herbert.

KCNA said the nosecones and engine jets were made of "carbon/carbon compound material", and that Kim "instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips".

Many of the elements on show were objectives rather than currently existing technology, analysts said, but even so, Jeffrey Lewis, of the armscontrolwonk.com website, noted: "It's all bad."

"If I understand North Korean propaganda, this is their way of telling us what we'll see in the air in the coming year."

Trump has urged Beijing, North Korea's only major ally, to bring greater pressure to bear in reining in its neighbour's nuclear efforts, suggesting that the United States may offer concessions on trade in return.

On Tuesday the US Treasury slapped sanctions on 16 Chinese and Russian individuals and companies, accusing them of supporting North Korea's weapons programmes and attempting to evade US sanctions.

Beijing said Wednesday the move "will not help the solution of the problem", nor would it enhance mutual trust.
Hun Sen is seen as cracking down on critics before the next election

Cambodia on Wednesday closed a prominent American NGO and ordered its foreign staff to leave the country, the latest salvo by Prime Minister Hun Sen against perceived critics before a general election next year.

The order comes a day after the strongman premier threatened the Cambodia Daily, one of the country's few remaining critical newspapers, with closure over an alleged unpaid tax bill of $6.3 million, calling them "thieves".

In a statement on Wednesday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said foreign employees of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have seven days to leave after the group allegedly failed to formally register or pay correct taxes.

"Authorities are geared up to take the same measures against any foreign association or non-government organisation that fails to abide" by Cambodia's laws, the statement added.

In recent weeks a string of foreign-funded organisations including the NDI have been named in Cambodia's pro-government press or by officials as facing tax or regulatory probes.

Analysts say the cascade of legal cases is straight from the political playbook of Hun Sen, who has cornered opponents throughout his three-decade rule, in the run-up to elections.

Cambodians are due to go to the polls in just under a year in a poll which many expect to be a close-run affair.

Apart from the Cambodia Daily, which is owned by an American, the US-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America have also been legally targeted.

All have denied wrongdoing and said they are being selected for their independent reporting.

In a statement the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia said the Cambodia Daily "has a history of running stories that have angered the government, leading many to believe the tax department is being used to target critics" before the poll.

Two Khmer-language radio stations -- Maha Nokor and Voice of Democracy -- were also ordered to close on Wednesday by the Ministry of Information.

The NDI, which says it works to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide, has been operating in Cambodia since 1992.

In recent weeks pro-government media have accused the organisation of helping Cambodia's opposition party to try to topple the government.

The NDI, chaired by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

But they have previously declared themselves as "strictly non-partisan", adding they also trained many members of Hun Sen's ruling party.

To supporters Hun Sen, one of the world's longest serving leaders, has brought growth and stability to an impoverished country ravaged by decades of war.

But critics say corruption, inequality and rights abuses have also flourished.

In recent years he has grown closer to China while criticising the US, one of Cambodia's largest donors.

In 2015 the government passed a broadly-worded law regulating NGOs. Critics warned the legislation would make it much easier to shutter organisations deemed critical of the government.

Impoverished Cambodia is home to some 5,000 NGOs.
Hong Kong's skyline seen across Victoria harbour had a dark, foreboding air as Severe Typhoon Hato smashed through the city

Typhoon Hato ripped a path of destruction across southern China on Wednesday, killing 10 people after battering Hong Kong skyscrapers, flooding streets and forcing thousands to flee to shelters.

The storm had raised Hong Kong's most severe Typhoon 10 warning, only the third time a storm of this power has pounded the financial hub in the past 20 years.

Five people were killed in the gambling mecca of Macau, where local media showed cars underwater and people swimming along what are normally streets. The enclave's famed mega-casinos were running on backup generators.

One man died after being injured by a wall that blew down, another fell from a fourth floor terrace and another was a Chinese tourist hit by a truck, the Macau government said. Details on the two other victims there were not immediately available.

The powerful storm earlier swept through neighbouring Hong Kong, where an 83-year-old man died after he fell into the sea, police said. More than 120 were injured as the territory was lashed with hurricane winds and pounding rain.

In the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, at least four people died and 26,817 people evacuated to temporary shelters, the official Xinhua news agency said. Nearly two million households were briefly without power.

Authorities issued alerts over possible landslides and flooding as the typhoon continued on a path inland.

While some people braved the storm in Hong Kong, most heeded warnings to stay indoors

In Macau, people swam through muddy water on what are normally roads, as others were swept off their feet by winds, footage from Apple Daily showed.

The sprawling Venetian casino resort was on back-up power and without air conditioning or proper lighting, according to one source.

An employee of Sands, which owns the Venetian and the Parisian, said power had been out across the whole of Macau but was beginning to return.

Heavy rains and driving winds brought localised flooding to parts of Hong Kong, but neighbouring Macau fared much worse, with at least three people known to have died in the huge storm

"Because many guests come in the summer, a lot of them have been stuck in the major resorts and casinos," the employee said.

"All transportations -- air, ground, sea -- have halted, so customers who have checked out cannot leave yet."

Residents took to social media to complain about city-wide power and mobile phone network outages.

Typhoon Hato brought huge waves when it hit Zhuhai in China's southern Guangdong province

Brian Chan, 31, said authorities had failed to give enough notice of the impending storm and were not properly prepared, describing the territory as "totally lost" in the typhoon.

Water supply was also limited, authorities said, and 50 flights cancelled from its international airport.

By evening, parts of Macau were still without power.

"Some have no tap water supply. The city looks like after an attack," Harald Bruning, editor of the Macau Post Daily, told AFP, describing it as the worst typhoon he had experienced in 30 years.

- 'Flying trees' -

The typhoon passed as close as 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Hong Kong and made landfall at noon (0400 GMT) in the southern mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai.

The typhoon shut down the stock market in the territory of 7.3 million people, and forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

Hato sent metres-high waves crashing into Hong Kong's shorelines with flooding knee deep in some areas.

Swathes of marine rubbish washed up on beaches and in coastal residential areas, including white globs of palm oil which have been coming ashore since a massive spillage at sea earlier this month.

Typhoon Hato

Gusts of up to 207 kilometres per hour brought flying debris, tearing down trees and scaffolding and smashing skyscraper windows.

Fallen trees cut off roads to parts of the territory.

More than 400 flights were cancelled, with Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific axing most of its departures until 5 pm (0900 GMT).

The airline said it had begun to reschedule the flights with some taking off Wednesday evening.

A man tries to walk against the wind from Typhoon Hato as Hong Kong's weather observatory raised the storm warning to the city's highest Typhoon 10 signal -- the first such alert in five years

Hong Kong is regularly besieged by typhoons between July and October, but direct hits are rare.

The city saw its strongest storm in 1962 when the eye of typhoon Wanda passed over and gusts of 284 kilometres per hour were recorded.

Much of the city's transport network was at a standstill, and few people were venturing out onto the streets

It killed 130 people and left 72,000 people homeless.
Washington has provided weapons such as AK-47s to the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) which is fighting IS in Syria, but Turkey is furious, viewing the milita as a terror group

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis arrived in Ankara on Wednesday for talks with Turkish leaders expected to focus on Washington's arming of a Syrian Kurdish militia, which Turkey views as a terror group, in the fight against Islamic State.

Mattis flew in for the one-day visit after stopping in Iraq to review progress in the campaign against IS militants, where he urged coalition partners to prevent other political issues from disrupting the growing momentum against the jihadists.

In Ankara, he will hold talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli.

Turkey, an important NATO ally of the United States and part of the coalition against IS, is incensed that Washington has been arming the Kurdish Peoples' Protection Units (YPG) militias in the assault on the jihadists' stronghold Raqa, in northern Syria.

Turkey regards the YPG as the Syrian affiliate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In May, the Pentagon said it had begun transferring small arms and vehicles to the YPG to support their role as part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-Syrian Arab alliance fighting IS.

The weapons include AK-47s and small-calibre machine guns.

The SDF is currently leading the assault on Raqa, with artillery and air support from US-led coalition forces.

- Kurdish referendum concerns -

When US Defence Secretary James Mattis met Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani, he told him the US opposed plans to hold an independence referendum next month

US officials on Tuesday said the grinding fight was the "priority" in the counter-IS campaign since the fall of Mosul last month, the jihadists' Iraqi hub.

The Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq -- which is also playing a key role in the fight against IS -- is planning its own independence referendum in September.

Mattis met Tuesday with Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani in Erbil to express US opposition to the referendum.

On the same day, Erdogan vowed Turkey would thwart any attempt by the YPG and its political wing the Democratic Union Party (PYD) to carve out a Kurdish state in northern Syria.

"We do not and will never allow a so-called state to be established by the PYD, YPG in northern Syria," Erdogan said.

The US is also concerned about warming ties between Iran and Turkey. Iranian armed forces chief General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri visited Turkey last week.

Erdogan on Monday said a joint operation with Iran against Kurdish militants which "pose a threat," including the PKK, is "always on the agenda." Iran's Revolutionary Guards, however, denied the claim.
A Saudi-led coalition has repeatedly targeted Yemen's capital Sanaa with air strikes

Several people including civilians were killed in an air raid Wednesday on the Yemeni capital, witnesses and local media said.

A television channel run by the country's Huthi rebels, who control Sanaa, reported more than 30 civilians killed in a raid by the Saudi-led military coalition that is allied with the Yemeni government.

The number could not be immediately confirmed with independent sources.

Witnesses told AFP multiple air strikes had hit the capital on Wednesday, including at a housing unit for workers from a nearby qat farm. There were reports that members of the Huthi rebel group had been staying in the area.

The war between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-backed rebels has killed more than 8,300 Yemenis since 2015 and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

While the rebel alliance, which includes former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, controls the capital, the pro-government Arab coalition controls Yemen's airspace.

Northern Yemen has come under aerial attack in recent months. In June, 24 civilians were killed when an air strike hit a market in northern Yemen that was a centre for trafficking in qat, a leafy stimulant plant that is widely used in Yemen but banned by neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

Local sources, including hospital officials, blamed the June strike on the Saudi-led Arab coalition. The coalition has not claimed responsibility for the attack.
The sale of Hambantota has proved controversial

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena sacked his controversial justice minister Wednesday for speaking out against a billion-dollar deal to sell a stake in a loss-making deep sea port to China.

Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had publicly denounced the government's $1.1 billion sale last month of a 70 percent stake in Hambantota port to state-owned China Merchants Port Holdings.

"He (Rajapakshe) had violated collective cabinet responsibility by openly speaking against the deal," said government spokesman Gayantha Karunathillaka.

The minister was sacked a day after facing sanctions from his own party for alleged breaches of discipline.

His United National Party has also accused him of stalling the prosecution of more than 100 former regime figures accused of murder and corruption under president Mahinda Rajapakse, who ruled Sri Lanka for almost a decade until 2015 and ended the war with Tamil separatists.

Rajapakshe is the second minister to fall from grace within a fortnight.

Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake was forced to step down after being linked to a controversial bond dealer under investigation for allegedly causing huge losses to the state.

Negotiations over the port deal were held up for months amid opposition from trade unions and political parties.

India and the United States are also known to be concerned that a Chinese foothold at the port could give it a naval advantage in the Indian Ocean.
Chief operating officer for the KrisEnergy group Kelvin Tang (L) shakes hands with Cambodia's Energy Minister Suy Sem at the signing ceremony

Cambodia on Wednesday signed a deal with a Singaporean energy company to develop its first-ever oilfield, the latest move in the impoverished country's much-delayed plan to become an oil-producing nation.

KrisEnergy signed the agreement with the government in the capital Phnom Penh to develop an offshore field in the Gulf of Thailand which they hope will produce 8,000 barrels a day by 2020.

Energy Minister Suy Sem hailed the signing as a "historic event" and said the nation would become an oil producer country in the future.

The Gulf of Thailand boasts significant oil deposits that have been exploited by Thai and Malaysian companies since the 1980s.

But Cambodia, one of Asia's poorest nations, has been slow to get in on the act.

Chevron first found proven reserves in Cambodian waters in 2005.

The kingdom was soon feted as the region's next potential petro-state. Its government estimates there are hundreds of millions of barrels of crude and vast reserves of natural gas in six blocks off the coast.

But production stalled as the government and Chevron failed to agree over revenue sharing, leading the US oil giant to abandon the project and sell its stake to KrisEnergy in 2014.

Under the deal KrisEnergy will start extraction on one section of a 3,000 square kilometre (1,158 sq mile) block known as the Apsara field to the southwest of Cambodia's coast.

A single platform will be built, with plans for further platforms and the exploration of two more fields if the first becomes lucrative.

The Singaporean firm holds a 95 percent stake in the first block and the Cambodian government the remainder.

Under the agreement KrisEnergy has 60 days to declare a final investment decision.

"This is is a major step. It is Cambodia's first oilfield," Kelvin Tang, chief operating officer of KrisEnergy, said during the ceremony.

Cambodia estimates it will make at least $500 million in royalties and taxes from the first phase of the project.

There are concerns that oil revenues could evaporate into its notoriously corrupt bureaucracy.

But Economy and Finance Minister Aun Pornmonitoth said the oil revenue would fuel economic development.

He said the government was fully prepared to avoid the "resource curse".
A fighter of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force carries his RPG in the Al-Nur district of the town of Tal Afar, the main remaining stronghold in Iraq of the Islamic State jihadist group

Iraqi forces Wednesday recaptured several districts and advanced towards the centre of Tal Afar, one of the Islamic State group's last strongholds in the country, as aid workers braced for an exodus of civilians fleeing the fighting.

Armoured personnel carriers full of soldiers and fighters of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition moved into Al-Nur district of southeast Tal Afar early in the morning.

An AFP photographer said spotters on the ground called in air strikes to cover the advance.

"Our morale is very high. We are confronting the men of IS, breaking their lines and destroying their arsenals," said Lieutenant-Colonel Monzer Abed.

The pro-government forces encountered trucks parked across roads with earthen embankments aimed at stopping them, as well as sniper fire from rooftops and mortar shelling.

Six weeks after routing the jihadists from Iraq's second city Mosul, Iraqi forces launched an assault Sunday on Tal Afar, where an estimated 1,000 jihadists are holed up.

They first retook three districts of the city on Tuesday, but as with the gruelling nine-month campaign to recapture Mosul, their convoys face an onslaught of suicide and car bomb attacks.

On Wednesday, they "entered the neighbourhood of Al-Kifah North... and headed towards the centre of the city," said Ahmed al-Assadi, spokesman for the Hashed al-Shaabi battling IS alongside the army and police.

Battle for Tal Afar

"All the lines of IS defence outside the city have been broken and the troops are advancing from all directions towards the inner quarters of the city," he added.

The Hashed also announced the capture of the districts of Al-Tanak and Al-Sinaai in eastern Tal Afar.

As government forces advanced, troops said they discovered a network of underground tunnels used by the jihadists to launch attacks behind lines of already conquered territory, or to escape.

- Leaflet drop -

In a bid to counter these surprise attacks, the Iraqis dropped leaflets overnight calling on civilians to help by marking houses where the jihadists are located.

The International Organization for Migration said "thousands of civilians" had fled Tal Afar since the offensive began.

But around 30,000 civilians are trapped in the fighting, according to the United Nations.

Smoke billows as Iraqi government forces supported by fighters from the Abbas Brigade, which fights under the umbrella of the Shiite popular mobilisation units, advance towards the city of Tal Afar, the main remaining stronghold of jihadists

Caught between the two sides, those still inside the city have been pounded by Iraqi and US-led coalition aircraft for weeks, as well as intense artillery fire since Sunday.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) fears they could be "used as human shields" and that "attempts to flee could result in executions and shootings," said the spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The United Nations and aid agencies are working to establish shelters for the displaced.

Those who flee through desert areas face temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius (109 Fahrenheit), sometimes for periods of more than 10 hours, putting them at risk of dehydration, said Viren Falcao of the Danish Refugee Council.

Tal Afar was once a key supply hub for IS between Mosul -- which lies around 70 kilometres (45 miles) to the east -- and the Syrian border.

The Iraqi forces massed around Tal Afar on Tuesday before the jihadists responded with artillery fire.

Army, police and of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition later took "full control" of the Al-Kifah, Al-Nur and Al-Askari districts, the Hashed said

The Iraqi forces had encircled the city despite what Hashed spokesman Assadi called "intense" fighting. He said the battle for the city would probably last weeks, in contrast to the months-long battle for Mosul.

- 'On the run' -

After meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad on Tuesday, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said the jihadists were "on the run".

"Cities have been liberated, people freed from ISIS, from Daesh," Mattis said, using alternative names for IS.

The jihadists had not been able "to stand up to our team in combat, and they have not retaken one inch of ground that they lost," he said.

A handout picture released by the Iraq Ministry of Defence on August 22, 2017 shows Iraq's Defence Minister Erfan al-Hayali welcoming US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis

IS jihadists in June 2014 overran Tal Afar, a Shiite enclave in the predominantly Sunni province of Nineveh.

At the time, its population of around 200,000 was overwhelmingly Turkmen, one of Iraq's largest ethnic minorities.

Tal Afar's Shiites were directly targeted by IS, while some members of its Sunni minority joined the jihadists and went on to form a contingent with a particularly brutal reputation.
Air raids on Yemen's rebel-held capital killed more than 30 people, including civilians, local and international aid organisations said

Air raids on Yemen's rebel-held capital on Wednesday killed more than 30 people, including civilians, local and international aid organisations said.

Hussein al-Tawil, head of the Sanaa branch of Yemen's Red Crescent, said at least 35 people were killed in raids on the northern outskirts of Sanaa, as rescuers continued to pull bodies from the rubble.

An official with an international aid organisation confirmed to AFP that at least 30 people had been killed in a series of strikes on Sanaa, which is home to the country's anti-government Huthi rebels.

At least 13 others were wounded and have been admitted to local hospitals, Tawil told AFP.

At least one strike targeted a housing accommodation unit where workers from a nearby qat farm were staying, according to witnesses and the unit manager, Taher al-Ahdal.
The travel group Thomas Cook suspended its holidays to Tunisia in June 2015 after a gunman killed 38 people, including 30 British tourists, in a shooting spree in the resort town of Sousse

British travel group Thomas Cook, one of the world's biggest tour operators, said it would resume organising holidays to Tunisia, more than two years after a terror attack in which 38 people were killed.

"At the end of July this year, the UK government changed its advice for Tunisia meaning that British holidaymakers can now travel to the majority of the country," Carol MacKenzie, head of customer welfare at Thomas Cook said in a blog post late on Tuesday.

"As a result, and reflecting the interest we've had from customers, we are restarting our flight and holiday programme from 13 February next year.

"We're starting in just a few resorts, mainly near to Hammamet, and only eight hotels, where we're confident we can offer the high quality our customers expect," she added.

Thomas Cook brought more than 200,000 British tourists to Tunisia in 2014 across the summer and winter seasons.

The travel group suspended its holidays to Tunisia in June 2015 after a gunman killed 38 people, including 30 British tourists, in a shooting spree in the resort town of Sousse, in the north-east of Tunisia.

The attack came three months after two gunmen shot dead 22 people at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis and prompted the British government to advise its citizens against all travel in the country.

Britain's Foreign Office (FCO) relaxed its stance late last month noting that the "Tunisian government has improved protective security in major cities and tourist resorts".

However, it continues to advise against all travel to southern Tunisia, along the border with Libya.

It also advises against all but essential travel along the western border with Algeria.

"Terrorists are still likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia. Security forces remain on a high state of alert in Tunis and other places," said the Foreign Office travel advice.
Israel will strip 20 citizens who left to fight with the Islamic State (IS) group of their citizenship, a minister said, with reports saying all but two are Arab

Israel will strip 20 citizens who left to fight with the Islamic State (IS) group of their citizenship, a minister said Wednesday, with reports saying all but two are Arab.

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said an amendment to Israel's nationality act which went into force this month allows those engaged in hostile activity to be stripped of their citizenship in absentia.

"I asked that the citizenship of 20 such Israelis be revoked," he told Israeli army radio.

The Shin Bet security service has in the past estimated that several dozen Israeli nationals had been fighting for IS in Iraq and Syria but now says that "about 20" remain active.

The remainder, it says, were either killed in action or returned to Israel, where they were arrested.

Deri said that the amendment would prevent IS recruits from returning to the Jewish state, while also acting as a deterrent to young Israelis considering similar journeys.

Without the bill, he said, they would return to the country and eventually "carry out another car ramming attack."

He said each individual decision would receive due process.

Private Israeli TV Channel Two reported Tuesday that most of those to be stripped of their citizenship were Arabs -- descendents of those who stayed after the creation of Israel in 1948.

However, it said, two were originally Jews -- immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union who had converted to Islam and joined the fighting in Syria.

The Shin Bet has said that IS sympathisers among the Jewish state's Arab minority pose a "serious security threat" for Israel.

By the end of 2016, 83 people, most of them Arab Israelis, were behind bars in Israel as suspected IS sympathisers, up from just 12 a year earlier, according a recent report in newspaper Haaretz.

Some were arrested for planning to travel to Syria or Iraq to fight alongside the jihadists, or on their return to Israel.

Others were detained for contacts on the internet with IS militants abroad or for planning attacks at home.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi on August 23, 2017

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said Iran wielded growing influence in Syria that was a "threat" to his country as he met Russian President Vladimir Putin, a figure in the Syrian crisis.

"Iran is putting in great efforts to fortify its presence in Syria. This is a threat for Israel, for the Middle East and, I believe, for the whole world," Netanyahu said in remarks translated into Russian posted on the Kremlin's website.

"Iran has furthered its control and influence on Iraq, on Yemen. In practice, it in many ways has real control over Lebanon," he said as the two met in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.

"Where we overcome ISIL and it disappears, Iran comes in," Putin said, referring to an acronym for the Islamic State jihadist group, also known as ISIS and Daesh.

"We cannot forget for a minute that Iran continues to threaten to destroy Israel on a daily basis," Netanyahu said, accusing Tehran of "arming terrorist organisations."

Putin supports the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which is also strongly backed by Iran.

Since Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, Israel has maintained a policy of attacking arms convoys intended for its Lebanese arch-foe Hezbollah, which backs the Syrian regime and fought a devastating war against the Jewish state in 2006.

Netanyahu had also opposed a ceasefire agreed by Russia and the US in southwest Syria last month over Iranian presence there.

Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.

Around 510 sq. km. remain under Syrian control.

Israel and Iran regularly accuse each other of being a threat to stability in the region.
Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi was put under house arrest in 2011

Iranian opposition leaders have been "protected" under house arrest for six years and would regret facing trial, a court chief said Wednesday, amid calls for them to be allowed to face justice.

"A trial will bring regret for these people... because the court and the system do not joke around with anyone and do their legal duty with determination, power and precision," said Mousa Ghazanfarabadi, the head of Tehran's Revolutionary Court.

Quoted by the Dana news website, he was responding to renewed demands that former presidential candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi finally face trial for their part in the Green Movement protests of 2009.

The protests -- known as "the sedition" by hardliners -- followed allegations of rigging in that year's election, which they lost to hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

They were put under house arrest in early 2011 but have never been charged with a crime.

"Under house arrest, the heads of the sedition are protected and cared for," said Ghazanfarabadi.

He suggested that if Mousavi and Karroubi were set free, they may be harmed by someone trying to delegitimise the regime.

The demands of reformists to put them on trial "are not the words of sympathisers of the revolution," he added.

"Those saying it may not be aware, but these are the words of foreigners."

Karroubi went on a brief hunger strike this month to demand a trial and the removal of intelligence agents recently posted inside his home.

Although his family said there had been assurances the intelligence officers would be removed, this was later denied by the conservative-dominated judiciary.

President Hassan Rouhani has repeatedly said he would work for the release of Mousavi and Karroubi, and thousands chanted their names during his re-election rallies in May, but the judiciary has reiterated that he has no jurisdiction over the case.
A Pakistani resident watches a live broadcast of US President Donald Trump delivering his address

Angry and offended Pakistanis fired back Wednesday against Donald Trump's accusations that their country harbours militants, highlighting the heavy toll they have paid fighting extremism and slamming his embrace of arch-rival India.

The US president unleashed blistering criticism of Pakistan this week as he unveiled his new Afghanistan policy which paves the way for the indefinite deployment of more troops to the war-weary country.

Trump lashed out at US ally Pakistan, accusing the country of playing a double game as it accepted American aid but gave safe haven to insurgents who kill Afghan and NATO troops.

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting," Trump said.

Pakistan sees nuclear-armed India as an existential threat but cannot defeat its much larger neighbour on the battlefield, so has instead crafted a strategy of supporting militant proxies -- including the Afghan Taliban.

Such groups tie down India in the contested Himalayan region of Kashmir and, in Afghanistan, help prevent the rise of an Indian-backed government.

Pakistani civilians have little power over regional strategy but have lost homes and loved ones to militant violence which has killed thousands in their own country since 2007. Trump's remarks provoked hurt and outrage among many.

"We have been fighting YOUR war for a decade now, we have lost numerous lives of civilians, our jawans, even our schoolgoing children as well," wrote Farhan Bashir on Facebook. "Today you are saying this to cover up your failures in Afghanistan?"

Some residents in the capital Islamabad said their country was being treated as a scapegoat after being dragged into the conflict following the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

"All the worst things that we are facing is only because (we are) supporting the US in Afghanistan," said Ameer Hamza. "How could a country shelter terrorists which itself is under the grip of terrorism?"

In Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar, which has borne the brunt of vicious militant violence over the years, bank employee Suhail Ahmad said Pakistani troops and police had done their job and cleared the area of militants.

"We Pakistanis were suffering from terrorism, but now the terrorists have either been killed or fled to Afghanistan," the 24-year-old told AFP.

"The power is in the US hands in Afghanistan so why don't they go against terrorists and kill them there?"

Others suggested ditching the US alliance altogether and embracing China, which has been pouring tens of billions into infrastructure investment in Pakistan in recent years.

"They have always pressured us for doing more and more. There may be some pro-US voices but I think we should go closer to China," said Sakhawat Shah, a Peshawar college student.

- 'Trump is a liar' -

Editorials in leading dailies urged Trump to be cautious after he called on Pakistan's arch-rival India to deepen its engagement in Afghanistan, a scenario the Pakistani military establishment dreads.

Pakistan sees India as an existential threat, analysts say, and is unlikely to abandon its Afghan proxies -- especially as the US tilts towards India, as Trump clearly indicated in his speech.

"Like the previous administrations, the Trump administration too believes in unquestioned cooperation, ignoring Islamabad's interests completely," wrote columnist Zahid Hussain in Dawn newspaper.

"Pakistani officials contend that the Trump administration has crossed the red line by making India a part of its Afghan strategy."

Analyst Rahimullah Yousufzai told AFP: "On one side America is asking for Pakistan's support and on the other side asking India.

"How it is possible for Pakistan to provide its support in a matter which will strengthen India's grip in Afghanistan?"

US President Donald Trump delivers his address on Afghanistan

In the bustling port city of Karachi, also long plagued by militant violence, shopowners brushed aside Trump's criticism.

"We need to clean up our own mess, not to rely on any one," said Rashid Mahmood, 40.

Others noted that Pakistanis have bigger problems than even Trump or militants.

"Our daily nightmare is street robbers... we are least bothered by what America is saying," said Momin Khan, a 42-year-old grocery shop owner, adding: "Trump is a liar and he is anti-Muslim."

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An archaeologist works on a 1,500-year-old section of floor mosaic bearing the name of Byzantinian Emperor Justinian, at the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem, on August 23, 2017

Israeli archaeologists on Wednesday unveiled a 1,500-year-old portion of mosaic floor bearing the names of Byzantine Emperor Justinian and a senior Orthodox priest.

David Gellman, director of the excavation in east Jerusalem's walled Old City, said that while the area was rich in archaeological finds, few such inscriptions had been found.

"Direct text and letters from people back then are relatively rare," he told AFP.

The Greek inscription, dated at 550 or 551 AD, commemorates the founding of a building thought to be a hostel for pilgrims near the city's Damascus Gate.

Constantine, the Orthodox priest who founded it, was abbot of the Nea Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the largest church in Jerusalem when it was built in 543 AD.

Gellman said the rectangular section of mosaic, 1.14 metres (3 foot 7 inches) on its longest side, "tells us about the way churches and monasteries worked back then. It makes this piece very unique".

"It tells us that the abbot, the head of the big church in Jerusalem, was not only the head of that specific church," he said.

It was discovered intact about a metre (three feet) below street level as Gellman and his team made a routine exploratory dig ahead of the arrival of workers to lay communications cables.

"We were very close to closing the excavation when I noticed that a few of the mosaic stones, which were otherwise plain white, were at a different angle and seemed to be a little darker," he said.

"I cleaned up that small corner... and found that it was the bottom left corner of the inscription itself," he added.

"At that moment I realised that we have a very unique find here."

The Old City lies in east Jerusalem, seized by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.
A poster bearing the portrait of Yemen's ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh and announcing the 35th anniversary of the establishment of his party is seen in the capital Sanaa on August 19, 2017

An alliance between Huthi rebels and Yemen strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, which jointly controls the capital Sanaa, has begun to unravel, threatening to further splinter a country already ravaged by war.

Witnesses say armed supporters of Saleh and the Huthis have spread across the city on the eve of a mass rally to mark the 35th anniversary of ex-president Saleh's General People's Congress, sparking fears of an intensification of violence in a country already ravaged by war, cholera and famine.

For three years, the Saleh-Huthi alliance has fought the Saudi-backed government for control of Yemen in a war that has decimated the lives of millions and brought the country to the brink of starvation.

Tension between Saleh and the Huthis is at an unprecedented high, threatening an unlikely alliance that has long been viewed as tactical at best.

The two sides have flung mutual accusations of treason over the past week, culminating on Wednesday in an open threat by the Iran-backed rebels who said Saleh would have to "bear the consequences" after he dismissed his allies as "militias" in a weekend speech.

- Enemy of my enemy -

Saleh's history with the rebels is long and complicated.

The Yemeni strongman, now 75, has waged six wars against the Huthis since the late 1970s, when he was president of then-independent north Yemen and allied with Saudi Arabia, which leads the Arab coalition now backing President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

Saleh was elected Yemen's first president when the country unified in 1990 and remained in power until 2012, resigning after a year of protests-turned-clashes in a deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council that guaranteed him and his family immunity.

He was succeeded by Hadi, then vice president, who emerged as his biggest political rival.

Saleh pulled an about-face in 2014 and realigned himself at the side of Abdul Malik al-Huthi, the Zaidi Shiite leader of the rebel Ansar Allah movement with ties to Riyadh's archrival Iran.

The Huthis drove the Hadi government out of the capital and into Aden, Hadi's hometown in southern Yemen.

Saleh and Huthi continue to control the capital, where the former president's influence has not waned five years after his reluctant resignation.

By 2016, Saleh had reached a power-sharing pact with the insurgents and ran a parallel government from Sanaa in an alliance insiders and analysts have long warned would not last.

"On both ends, it has been a common enemy... keeping both sides together," said Adam Baron, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Yemeni soldiers man a checkpoint as authorities tighten security measures ahead of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh's party, in the capital Sanaa on August 21, 2017

"With the expulsion of the Huthis from much of the south, that common enemy has disappeared; thus, it's not shocking that the grudging alliance between southern secessionists and the internationally backed government has devolved into deep tensions."

The common enemy began to come apart at the seams in April, when Hadi fired Aden governor Aidarous al-Zoubeidi and Hani bin Breik, a member of his cabinet.

Both Zoubeidi and bin Breik have historically favoured reinstating southern Yemen's autonomy and went on to announce the establishment of the Southern Transitional Council, with support from local communities and reportedly from the United Arab Emirates, a key player in the Arab coalition.

Saleh for his part is also drawing on his popular reach in Sanaa, which until 2014 had been largely off-limits to the Huthis, confined to the northern Saada province.

Saleh and the Huthis have had a tacit agreement in sharing Sanaa: the ex-president lacks the muscle the insurgents can provide, and Saleh's structural and popular power in the capital is unparalleled.

That delicate power balance may be tested in Thursday's rally, which Saleh has said will be a demonstration of support for "legitimacy" in Yemen.

- 'Mosaic of alliances' -

Analysts say both Saleh and the residents of Sanaa are not happy with the Huthis, who control the defence ministry and military intelligence.

"People are not necessarily coming out in support of Saleh, but in protest against the Huthis," said Yemeni analyst Maged al-Madhaji, director of the Sanaa Centre for Strategic Studies.

"The Huthis are well aware that Saleh needs them, so over the past year-and-a-half they've worked on the military, political and social fronts to try and gain some of the popular support that Saleh has."

Yemen's ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, shown here in 2011, has formed an alliance with Huthis rebels

This, coupled with reports that Saudi Arabia is looking to cut back on its involvement in the Yemen war, may spell the end of what analyst Baron calls an "alliance of convenience" between Saleh and the Huthis.

Speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, a source in Saleh's General People's Congress said attempts to mediate this week with the Huthis had failed.

The source also said Saudi Arabia would be happy to see its former ally split from the Huthis but was not yet ready to take Saleh back into the fold.

"Effectively, the conflict in Yemen has never been a two-sided war -- this is something that's been characterised by a mosaic of alliances of convenience from the start," said Baron.

"All things are possible in Yemen, and there have definitely been feelers going out in all sorts of directions for some time now."
COLUMBIA FALLS  Montanas wealth of public lands are an economic driver that has fueled state job and income growth enough to surpass the national average over the last 15 years, according to a study released Tuesday Commissioned by the group Business for Montanas Outdoors, the study showed the five fastest-growing counties in the state have the highest percentage of the lands protected for public use.

Missoula and Flathead counties are included in that list.

The Headwaters Economics report, Business for Montanas Outdoors Five-year Report: Montanas Public Lands, Jobs, and the Economy shows 102,000 new jobs were created in Montana between 2000 and 2015. About 85 percent of those new jobs were in service-related industries that run the gamut from outdoor recreation, health care and real estate.

Our public lands are a serious business, said Marne Hayes, Business for Montana Outdoors executive director. When you see rising personal income and job growth in communities that are home to protected public lands, it adds to the importance of advocating for this crucial business asset.

The report was officially released Tuesday to a packed conference room at a motel in Columbia Falls that kicked off the Last Best Outdoors Fest celebration co-hosted by the Business for Montanas Outdoor and the Montana Brewers Association. The event featured several speakers, including U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, famed climber Conrad Anker, and Sarah Calhoun, founder of Red Ants Pants.

Montanas public lands are worth more than pictures, Tester said. Our booming outdoor economic economy creates billions of dollars in economic activity and supports businesses on Main Street. This new information will help us make responsible decisions that strengthen this thriving industry and create high-paying jobs.

Headwaters Economics Executive Director Ray Rasker said outdoor recreation provides 71,000 direct jobs in Montana and produces about $7.1 billion in spending annually, which is more than construction and manufacturing combined.

The value of the states public lands doesnt stop there.

Those public lands act as a draw for entrepreneurs who bring new business to the state and help them recruit top-notch employees from all parts of the country, Rasker said.

The service sector accounts for about 60 percent of the total labor earnings in Montana.

While at one time, people considered service jobs to be mostly low-paying, Rasker said the fastest growth in the service sector jobs in Montana now includes more high-paying positions in fields like health care, real estate and engineering.

Public lands also attract retirees to Montana, whose investment payment, Social Security and other compensation account for about 41 percent of the total personal income in Montana. Rasker said that non-labor income helps drive other economic sectors, like construction, retail and health services.

Its all intertwined, Rasker said.

The report found that Flathead County  which is 73 percent federally owned  was booming, with nonresident visitors spending $635 million in 2015 to create 10,070 new jobs. That new economic activity generated $31.4 million in local and state taxes.

During the 15-year period considered by the report, Flathead Countys population and employment each grew by 29 percent and personal income was up by 54 percent.

Statewide, Montanas employment and personal income grew substantially over that time. The states real per capita income grew more than twice as fast as the rest of the country as a whole.

On average, rural counties in the West with more federal lands outperformed their peers with less public land in personal income growth, per capita income and growth in employment and population.

In Montana, the five fastest-growing counties are Gallatin, Yellowstone, Missoula, Flathead and Lewis and Clark  in that order.

The report said Montanas outdoor economy generates $2.2 billion in wages and salaries, $7.1 billion in consumer spending, $286 million in state and local tax revenue and supports 71,000 jobs.

One of the panelists, Ryan Busse of Kalispells Kimber Firearms, said public lands play a huge role when it comes to recruiting and retaining new employees at his firm. In the hundreds of job interviews that hes completed over the 25-year span of building his business, Busse said theres not been one where the discussion didnt turn to public lands or quality of life issues.

Panelist Randy Newberg spends 100 days a year sleeping on the ground owned by the public as part of his job creating the popular outdoors television show Fresh Tracks.

He said that no matter where his travels take him, people tell him that hes so lucky he gets to live in Montana.

We have something here in Montana thats special, Newberg said.

Business for Montanas Outdoors formed five years ago as way to spread that message and protect the public lands that set the state apart from other places in the country. Today it represents 140 businesses in more than 20 different industries responsible for 3,600 jobs.

As we look back on the fifth anniversary of Business for Montanas Outdoors, this report shows that there is an ongoing need to advocate for public lands for our states continued economic growth, Hayes said.

Public lands didnt happen by accident, Tester told the crowd. There are people in Washington, D.C., and around the country who would like to see them sold off to the highest bidder, he said. Once that happens, the gates will go up and the public will no longer be able to access those lands.

On Tuesday, Tester announced he would be introducing legislation that would give Montanans a louder voice in Washington by creating an outdoor recreation advisory committee at the U.S. Department of Interior that would advise the administration on ways to increase public access to public lands.

The legislation is called the Outdoor Economy Act.

Montana hunters, anglers, business owners and outdoor enthusiasts know how important our public lands are, Tester said. By bringing these folks to the table in Washington, we can ensure that future generations will be able to access the treasured places that are driving our economy and creating jobs.
The owner of the world's largest rhino farm says his technique of dehorning the animals under sedation is humane and discourages poachers

South Africa's first online auction of rhino horn opened Wednesday, despite conservation groups protesting that the legal, domestic sale would encourage poachers.

The three-day selloff, organised by the owner of the world's largest rhino farm, kicked off after a last-minute legal tussle pushed it back two days.

"It has started," a representative of Pretoria-based Van's Auctioneers who declined to be named, told AFP after the auction website went live.

John Hume, who owns 1,500 rhinos on his farm north of Johannesburg, has stockpiled six tonnes of rhino horns and wants to sell 264 pieces weighing a total of 500 kilogrammes (1,100 pounds).

He harvests the horns by tranquilising the animals and cutting them off -- a technique he says is humane and wards off poachers.

Activists opposed to the sale fear it will fuel trafficking and undermine a 40-year global ban on the rhino trade.

"There is a strong likelihood that rhino horns sold domestically could be laundered into the black market and smuggled out of the country," TRAFFIC's wildlife trade specialist, Julian Rademeyer, told AFP.

He also said government agencies "simply don't have the capacity to regulate domestic trade" while police resources tracking poaching and smuggling networks are already over-stretched.

"It's hard to understand why anyone would buy rhino horn within South Africa when there are limited numbers of local consumers and it's still illegal to export rhino horn," said Jo Shaw of the WWF.

There was no comment from government following the opening of the auction, which comes after a South Africa's top court lifted an eight-year moratorium on the domestic trade of rhino horns in April.

A legal challenge delayed the auction for two days, but Hume was given a permit for the sale on Monday.

The auctioneers did not set an opening price for bids, but potential bidders need to pay 100,000 ($7,570) just to register and only registered bidders have access to the bidding process.

Environment Minister Edna Molewa had on Monday said the government was closing "any possible loopholes that could pave the way for a circumvention of (international) regulations".

An audit of existing rhino horn stockpiles was underway to "prevent the smuggling of illegally-obtained horns out of the country", she said.

- No 'blood horns' -

Rhino horns are consumed in some Asian countries for their supposed health concerns, fetching a higher price on the black market than the equivalent weight of cocaine and gold

Private rhino owners say so-called "blood horns" from poaching will not enter the market, as each horn is micro-chipped and their origins can be DNA-traced.

Breeders believe open trade is the only way to stop poachers from slaughtering the endangered animals.

They argue that the auction helps to promote "sustainable" use of resources and raise funds for protecting and conserving the rhino.

South Africa is home to around 20,000 rhinos, about 80 percent of the worldwide population, but in recent years the country has suffered record slaughter by poachers.

More than 7,100 rhinos have been killed by poachers in Africa over the past decade.

Rhino horns are highly prized in Asia, where they are estimated to fetch up to $60,000 (50,000 euros) per kilo ($27,250. 22,700 euros a pound) on the black market, exceeding the price of gold or cocaine.

The horns consist mainly of keratin, the same component as in human nails, and are sold in powdered form as a supposed cure for cancer and other diseases -- as well as a purported aphrodisiac -- in Vietnam and China.

Commodity speculators would be able to buy "but may not export the horns," Pelham Jones, chairman of the Private Rhino Owners Association, told AFP.

Any registered buyer will not collect the horns until they obtain special government permits, none of which have yet been issued.
Members of the self-styled Libyan National Army are loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar

At least 11 people were beheaded Wednesday after an attack on a checkpoint controlled by Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar south of Tripoli, a spokesman for his forces said.

"At least nine soldiers were beheaded... in addition to two civilians" at the checkpoint about 500 kilometres (300 miles) south of Tripoli, Colonel Ahmad al-Mesmari said, blaming the Islamic State jihadist group for the gruesome attack.

No group has yet claimed the dawn attack on a checkpoint run by Haftar's forces in the Al-Jufra region.

Libya has been rocked by chaos since the 2011 fall and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed revolution.

Jihadists, arms dealers and people traffickers have gained a foothold there as multiple authorities and dozens of militias vie for power.

Forces allied with the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord drove IS jihadists from their stronghold of Sirte on the Mediterranean coast in December.

The head of the GNA underlined that the battle against Islamist rebels was not over, and IS has claimed very few attacks in Libya since.

Armed groups are continuing to hunt down members of the group who fled Sirte as the city fell.

But analysts and military sources say the group remains active in Libya, particularly the desert south, where the GNA holds little sway.

Haftar, who backs a rival administration that refuses to recognise the GNA, controls much of the country's vast southern desert.

His self-proclaimed Libyan National Army in May seized the Tamenhant base near the southern city of Sebha after driving out a pro-GNA militia.

The following month, they seized Al-Jufra, including a key military air base, from the Benghazi Defence Brigades, a coalition that includes Islamists driven out of Libya's second city by pro-Haftar forces.

That placed the strongman in control of all the major cities and military bases in southern Libya.

Also in July, Haftar announced the "total liberation" of Benghazi, three years after he launched a military operation to seize the city.

But clashes have continued in the city, a bastion of the 2011 uprising that later fell to jihadists.

Forces loyal to Haftar regularly blame attacks against them on IS, particularly in Benghazi.
US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Jared Kushner has been ferrying between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in recent months in attempts to restart direct talks between the sides

Donald Trump's team must commit to a two-state solution and oppose Israeli settlement construction before the US president's peace push can move forward, Palestinian officials said Wednesday.

Their comments came ahead of talks on Thursday with Trump aides, including special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt and the president's son-in-law and Middle East envoy Jared Kushner.

The visit for meetings with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders comes with many analysts expressing little hope that major progress can be made on Israeli-Palestinian peace for now.

Trump's aides have been ferrying between leaders from the two sides in recent months in attempts to restart direct talks, with the aim of achieving what the US president has called the "ultimate deal".

Trump himself visited Israel and the Palestinian territories in May.

But Palestinian officials have become increasingly frustrated with the administration and pessimistic about chances of a breakthrough.

President Mahmud Abbas reportedly told Israeli leftwing politicians recently that despite more than 20 meetings with US officials he was still unclear what Trump's strategy was.

Ahmed Majdalani, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation which Abbas heads, told AFP they were demanding "a clear and frank answer on the position of the administration on the two-state solution and settlements".

"Without a clear American commitment to the two-state solution and stopping settlements and ending the occupation, we don't expect much from this administration."

Jibril Rajoub, a senior member of Abbas's Fatah party, said they would be demanding a clear commitment from Kushner and Greenblatt to an independent Palestinian state.

"We hope that the American administration and the envoys of President Donald Trump that will meet tomorrow with president Mahmud Abbas will announce the American administration's adoption of the two-state solution to move the peace process forward," he told AFP.

"It is time for President Trump to pay serious attention to the establishment of a Palestinian state."

- 'Long odds' -

Kushner and other US officials met on Tuesday evening with Jordan's King Abdullah II.

The kingdom is a key player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the palace said in a statement that Abdullah, Kushner and Greenblatt had stressed the need to start "serious and effective peace negotiations" on the "basis of the two-state solution".

Previous US governments have committed to an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, but Trump broke with longstanding US policy in February by saying he would be happy with either a one-state or two-state solution if the parties were happy.

The administration has also sought to protect Israel at the United Nations from criticism of its occupation of Palestinian land.

Omar al-Ghoul, a Palestinian political analyst, said there was little optimism from the Palestinian leadership.

"The level of optimism from the Palestinian leadership and people towards the Trump administration is zero," he said.

"There is not a glimmer of hope the administration will change its politics and positions."

Dan Shapiro, US ambassador to Israel under former president Barack Obama, said all three leaders -- Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abbas -- were not in a position for any imminent major peace drive.

Netanyahu, facing a graft investigation, is "fighting for his political life" and relying heavily on support from his right-wing base, which strongly opposes any concessions to the Palestinians, said Shapiro, currently a fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies think-tank in Tel Aviv.

Abbas is 82 and unpopular among Palestinians, while Trump faces various crises in addition to domestic controversies weighing on his presidency.

"I dont see him in a position to be forward-leaning and creative and particularly interested in the details of peacemaking, especially given the long odds based on the circumstances of the other two leaders," Shapiro said of Trump.

Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts have been at a standstill since a US-led initiative collapsed in 2014.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) greets US Defense Secretary James Mattis, in Ankara for talks focussed on US arming of a Syrian Kurdish militia, which Turkey views as a terror group. Picture by Turkish Presidential press service.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday told visiting Pentagon chief Jim Mattis of Turkey's uneasiness over Washington arming a Syrian Kurdish militia viewed as a terror group by Ankara, a policy which has strained ties between the NATO allies.

Mattis made the one-day visit after stopping in Iraq to review progress in the campaign against the Islamic State group, urging coalition partners to prevent other political issues from disrupting the growing momentum against the jihadists.

He met with Erdogan at the presidential palace after talks with Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli in Ankara.

Turkey, an important NATO ally of the United States and part of the coalition fighting the IS militants, is incensed that Washington has been arming the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in the assault on the jihadists' stronghold of Raqa, in northern Syria.

Turkey regards the YPG as the Syrian affiliate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), but Washington has been impressed with its ability to combat IS on the ground.

In May, the Pentagon said it had begun transferring small arms, including AK-47s, and vehicles to the YPG to support its role as a leading player in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-Syrian Arab alliance fighting IS.

During the meeting, Erdogan told Mattis that Turkey was "uneasy over the US support" for the YPG, presidential sources said.

The Pentagon said Mattis addressed Turkey's "legitimate" security concerns in the meeting and both men expressed a shared interest for their countries "to create conditions for a more stable and secure region."

- 'Whatever the price' -

Erdogan has repeatedly vowed that Turkey will thwart any attempt by the YPG to carve out a Kurdish state in northern Syria, leaving open the possibility of a cross-border operation to prise the town of Afrin from Kurdish control.

"Turkey will not allow a terror corridor reaching the Mediterranean in northern Syria," Erdogan told reporters on his plane back from a visit to Jordan.

"Whatever the price, we will conduct the necessary intervention," he said, quoted by the Hurriyet newspaper on Wednesday.

Last August, Ankara launched a cross-border operation in northern Syria aimed at clearing the border zone of both YPG fighters and jihadists.

Complaining about Washington's arming of the YPG, Erdogan said up to 1,000 trucks had crossed from Iraq to Syria carrying weapons for the SDF, which Turkey fears will reach the PKK.

The rise of jihadists in the Syrian northwestern province of Idlib has also caused concern in Ankara, Moscow and Tehran.

Erdogan alluded to plans for Idlib, controlled by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadist alliance, but would not elaborate, only saying: "What is there now? There is Idlib."

- 'Cancel Kurdish referendum' -

When US Defence Secretary James Mattis met Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani, he told him the US opposed plans to hold an independence referendum next month

US officials said Tuesday that the grinding fight was the "priority" in the campaign against IS since the fall last month of Mosul, the jihadists' Iraqi hub.

The Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq -- whose peshmerga security forces are playing a key role in the fight against IS -- is planning its own independence referendum in September.

But at the date approaches, the plan is fuelling increasing discomfort in the region.

Mattis met Tuesday with Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani in Erbil to express US opposition to the referendum.

Erdogan and Mattis reaffirmed their opposition to the vote, Turkish presidential sources said on Wednesday.

And Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, in Baghdad to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other Iraqi officials, reiterated Turkey's opposition to the "wrong" decision to hold the referendum.

Cavusoglu also held talks with Barzani in Arbil.

The US is concerned at signs of warming ties between Iran and Turkey, whose relationship in the past has been far from straightforward.

The Pentagon said Mattis and Canikli discussed "concern over Iran's malign influence in the region", without giving further details.

Iranian armed forces chief General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri visited Turkey last week, with both sides agreeing to step up regional security and oppose the Kurdish referendum.

Erdogan on Monday said a joint operation with Iran against Kurdish militants based in Iraq was "always on the agenda", but Iran's Revolutionary Guards denied the claim.
A man at a railway station in Seoul watches a television screen reporting news of North Korea's latest missile test

A Canadian parliamentary committee will hold emergency hearings on the threat posed by North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, an official said Wednesday.

A date for the hearing has not yet been set, but is expected by mid-September, Liberal committee member Mark Gerretsen's office said.

It will hear from government officials and experts on Canada's ability to defend itself against an attack by North Korea, and whether Canada should join the US ballistic missile defense system.

Opposition MPs on the Commons defense committee asked for the hearing amid recent tensions between the United States and North Korea.

Pyongyang tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) last month that appeared to bring much of the US within range.

That sparked a grim warning by President Donald Trump that Washington could rain "fire and fury" on the North.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's regime later postponed a threat to fire missiles towards the US Pacific island territory of Guam, and Washington said it would be open to dialogue if Pyongyang were to take steps to calm tensions.

Canada declined in 2005 to join the US missile defense shield, fearing it would lead to a new arms race.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government reaffirmed that position in a defense policy review in June.

But with concerns growing that a wayward North Korean missile targeting the US could strike Canada, there have been increasing calls to reconsider this stance.
This photo taken on July 24, 2013 shows former Libyan prime minister Ali Zeidan during a press conference in the Tripoli

An armed group has released former Libyan premier Ali Zeidan, nine days after he was kidnapped in Tripoli while making his first visit home for three years, a family member and friend said Wednesday.

Zeidan, 67, who served as premier from November 2012 to March 2014, was snatched on August 13 from his hotel.

He was on his first visit to Tripoli since leaving the country following his ouster by parliament on charges of embezzling public funds.

"Mr Zeidan was released on Tuesday night. He is in very good health and should be leaving Libya" on Wednesday, said Karam Khaled, a close friend.

He declined to give details on the release but has blamed a militia loyal to Libya's UN-backed Government for National Accord (GNA) for the kidnapping.

Zeidan Zeidan, a son of the former premier, said they had spoken several times on the telephone since his release.

"For the time being, we have no details on the circumstances of his detention," he told AFP. "But the most important thing is that he's very well and was not mistreated."

Zeidan returned to Libya in early August for the first time since his dismissal and was planning a Tripoli press conference to respond to the embezzlement charges, according to Khaled, who accompanied him.

He said the former prime minister's visit had been coordinated with Fayez al-Sarraj, the current premier in the GNA.

"It was the GNA that prepared the visit, including protocol at the airport and the hotel reservation," Khaled said, adding that an armed group's initial attempt to seize Zeidan on August 12 had been foiled by hotel guards.

In October 2013, gunmen seized then premier Zeidan from another hotel in the capital but he was released after several hours.

Since a 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, Libya has been plagued by security problems and political actors have had to depend on rival militias battling for control of the country.
Philippine troops ride on their truck on their way to the frontline in the outskirts of Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao

Fighting in the troubled southern Philippine region of Mindanao has combined with extreme weather events to create a "humanitarian catastrophe", French aid groups said Wednesday.

Around one million people have fled their homes in the region, according to Thibault Henry, head of the Philippines chapter of the charity Acted.

"Basic needs are not covered," Henry told AFP.

"Clearly it's a huge humanitarian crisis, a catastrophe, that will affect the region for many years," he said, noting that more than half of the population lives in poverty.

In early July a top government official estimated the number of displaced at 400,000.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group, and government forces, with US military backing, are battling militants who support the Islamic State group (IS) in the region.

Hundreds of IS supporters occupied parts of the city of Marawi in late May in a conflict that has claimed more than 700 lives.

Mindanao was struck by typhoons in 2012 and 2013 and a drought in 2016, Henry noted, adding that other rebel movements affected other parts of the region.

Vanessa Cardamone of Handicap International said conflict combined with extreme weather events had created a "complex crisis".

She said only six percent of those displaced are in camps, while most are lodging with private individuals.

For his part Javad Amoozegar of the French charity Action Contre la Faim said humanitarian aid is falling far short of needs.

"The Philippines is at the bottom of the list... forgotten by the news," he said. "Most donors look at the number of victims before mobilising. Here the people aren't dead yet, but we want to help them so they don't die."

The 10,000-strong MILF has been leading a decades-long rebellion to establish an independent or autonomous homeland in Mindanao for the mainly Catholic Philippines' Muslim minority.

Hardline militants including former MILF members oppose any form of peace with the government, and some have in recent years pledged allegiance to IS.

The MILF has repeatedly warned that if the peace process collapses it will lose many of its younger members to IS-aligned groups.
British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson (L) meets in Tripoli with Fayez al-Sarraj (R), head of Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord

Libya's unity government chief Fayez al-Sarraj urged visiting British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson Wednesday to help lift a United Nations arms embargo in force since the 2011 Libyan revolution.

Sarraj requested "the support of the British government to speed up the lifting of the embargo", according to a unity government statement after their talks in Tripoli.

Sarraj said such a move would help "arm and equip (Libya's) coastguard and border guards to carry out their missions against smugglers, especially people traffickers", it said.

The two discussed the fight against illegal immigration and on cooperation between their two countries in the fields of security, health, energy and education.

Johnson stressed London's support for efforts to reach an agreement between Libya's two rival authorities, the unity government statement added.

Sarraj's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) has struggled to impose its authority in Libya in the face of opposition from a rival eastern-based administration backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.

Sarraj met Haftar near Paris in July in a bid to reach a peace agreement in the conflict-ridden country.

Their commitment to holding elections was endorsed by the UN Security Council, of which Britain is a member.

Johnson last visited Libya in May, holding talks in Tripoli as well as in the eastern city of Tobruk where the rival administration is based.
An ESPN radio host was arrested early Wednesday morning by Jackson police for drunkenly entering another person's house and refusing to leave, police said.

Ryen Russillo, 42, of West Hartford, Connecticut, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass.

Police said the radio host was found at about 3:30 a.m. in someone else's house, apparently drunk.

A Jackson Police Department news release states Russillo was found lying on a bed, with "blood shot glassy eyes, very slurred speech and could not answer questions coherently."

Russillo apparently did not know where he was from or where he was staying. There was no indication that Russillo broke in, and instead entered through an unlocked door, according to the release.

The offense is punishable by a fine of $750.

Russillo hosts an eponymous national show on ESPN Radio Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. eastern time. ESPN's Will Cain was standing in for Russillo on Wednesday. Russillo's podcast also had fill-in hosts this week, one of whom was Cain.

Russillo was being held in Teton County Jail on Wednesday afternoon.
Samsung's director for product marketing Jonathan Wong described the Galaxy Note 8 as it was unveiled at an event in New York

Samsung on Wednesday unveiled a new model of its Galaxy Note as it seeks to leave behind the debacle over exploding batteries in the previous generation of the device, and mount a renewed challenge to Apple and its soon-to-come iPhone 8.

Introducing the Note 8 "phablet" at an event in New York City, executives repeatedly thanked fans who had remained loyal to the device.

"None of us will ever forget what happened last year," said Samsung president of mobile communications business DJ Koh.

"But, I will never forget how millions of dedicated Note loyalists stayed with us; so let me express my deepest gratitude."

The South Korean giant laid claim to being the first smartphone maker to field a "phablet" device -- combining features of smartphones and tablets -- when it introduced the first Note five years ago.

Samsung did not disclose the price of the Note 8, which will hit shops on September 15 but will be available for pre-orders starting Thursday.

Note 8 features include dual cameras on the back, with improved image capabilities, and a signature "S Pen" for drawing or writing on touch screens.

"All in all, it was a good day for Samsung," Moore Insights and Strategy analyst Patrick Moorhead said at the event.

"The Note 7 is clearly behind them and now it's onto the future with the Note 8."

The analyst depicted the Note 8 as Samsung's best opportunity in years to gain market share in the fiercely competitive premium smartphone market.

- iPhone turns 10 -

The Note 8 debut comes on the heels of Samsung launching new Galaxy 8 smartphones, and as the South Korean consumer electronics giant and fellow market leader Apple seek wow factors that can help them fend off challenges from rising Chinese-based manufacturers.

Apple is under particular pressure to dazzle as the culture-changing California iPhone maker looks for a way to maintain its image as an innovation leader in a global market showing signs of slowing.

Apple is expected to unveil a 10th anniversary version of the iPhone in September.

The new Samsung Note 8 smartphone model, displayed on a giant at a launch event in New York

"Clearly, Apple wants to do something different," NPD Group analyst Stephen Baker told AFP.

Reports say the new iPhone will include a high-quality, edge-to-edge screen with a notch in the top for an extra camera supporting 3D facial recognition.

Some speculate that the back of the new handset will be glass and will offer wireless charging.

Meanwhile, Google-made Pixel smartphones that debuted last year will likely get a second generation in the months ahead.

Global smartphone sales saw a modest decline of 0.8 percent in the second quarter of 2017, an IDC survey showed.

Samsung maintained top spot in the crowded field with a 23.3 percent market share, while Apple held onto second place with 12 percent, according to IDC.

"Samsung had the Note 7 debacle, but it appears their troubles are behind them," GlobalData analyst Avi Greengart told AFP. "Samsung is doing some amazing things with its display and design."

- 'Infinity' and beyond -

Note 8 handsets boasted "infinity" screens that span edge-to-edge on handsets, to enhance the viewing of video or help to juggle multiple tasks.

Samsung said it also built its Bixby virtual assistant smarts into Note 8 as it battles to compete with artificial intelligence being meshed into handsets powered by Apple or Google-backed Android software.

Note 8 also boasted water and dust resistance, along with wireless charging capability.

"We appreciate the relentless passion of the Note community," Koh said during a presentation focused almost as much on Note fans as it was on the new handset.

"They've been a constant inspiration to us, and we designed the new Note for them."

In an interview with CNBC, Koh confirmed that Samsung is working on a smart speaker infused with Bixby smarts that will take on home assistant devices fielded by Amazon, Google and Apple.
Members of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

France said Wednesday it wants the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon to stick to its current mandate, opposing US calls to strengthen the force's authority to deal with arms movements by Hezbollah, the Shiite militia.

Anne Gueguen, France's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told reporters her government saw no need to change the 2006 Security Council resolution that sets the mission's current mandate, which expires at the end of August.

"We want to keep the mandate as such," she said, adding that "does mean there won't be any change in the resolution."

Guegen spoke before the start of close door UN Security Council consultations on whether to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for another year.

After the talks, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzi said his government also saw no need to change the mandate for the force, a position he said was shared by many at the session.

"We think this mandate should be renewed in the present form," he said.

The 10,500-strong UNIFIL in Lebanon has been in southern Lebanon since 1978, when it was charged with confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from a demilitarized zone between the two countries.

After a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, the UN force's mandate was expanded to include keeping the peace and helping the Lebanese army reassert its authority in the aftermath of the conflict.

"We are for a reaffirmation of its mandate and the optimal effectiveness of its mission," the French diplomat said.

On August 7, US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said UNIFIL's mandate should be enhanced to prevent the spread of illegal weapons in southern Lebanon, which she blamed on Hezbollah and said threatened the region's stability.

"UNIFIL must increase its capacity and commitment to investigating and reporting these violations," she said.

France, which contributes 800 troops to UNIFIL, plans to submit a resolution extending the force's mandate for another year, Gueguen said.

"UNIFIL plays a decisive role to stabilize the south of Lebanon in a very difficult original context and it has demonstrated a stabilizing effect in the volatile, complex and troubled environment," she said.

In a letter to the Security Council on August 4, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he wanted to look at ways to improve UNIFIL's efforts "regarding the illegal presence of armed personnel, weapons or infrastructure inside its area of operations."

A Security Council vote on renewing UNIFIL's mandate is expected on August 30.
The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has used defamation laws to targeted those percieved to have criticised or mocked Hasina or her father in local press or social media

Thirteen Bangladeshi teachers were charged with sedition Wednesday over a high school exam paper that allegedly equated the leader of mass protests against a Chinese-backed coal plant with the country's revered independence hero.

They were remanded in custody by a court in the southeastern town of Bashkhali on charges of defaming the nation's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is the father of the current premier, according to prosecutor Bikash Ranjan Dhar.

If found guilty the teachers face a maximum life imprisonment, he said.

"What they wrote in the test paper is tantamount to sedition," the prosecutor said.

The teachers are members of a local high school association, whose examination paper praised opposition official Liakat Ali, who led thousands of villagers against the construction of a giant Chinese-financed coal-fired power plant in Bashkhali in March 2016.

The protests, one of the largest over environment in the country's history, left at least four people dead and dozens injured, triggering a police crackdown in the town.

The charges relate to allegations that the test paper drew a link between Ali and Rahman, who led the country to independence from Pakistan in 1971.

Bangladesh does not have lese majeste laws but the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has used defamation laws to targeted those perceived to have criticised or mocked Hasina or her father in local press or social media.

Last month a government bureaucrat was briefly detained after a ruling party member accused him of printing an invitation letter with an allegedly poorly-drawn portrait of Rahman.

The charges against the young bureaucrat were withdrawn following a social media uproar after it was revealed that the drawing was sketched by a primary school student in a tribute to Rahman.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley outlined concerns about the Iran nuclear deal to atomic experts

US President Donald Trump's UN envoy Nikki Haley told the world's atomic watchdog Wednesday that Washington has "concerns" about Iran's adherence to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Haley "praised the IAEA's technical expertise and its credibility, professionalism and seriousness in conducting its monitoring and verification work in Iran," a statement from her office said.

But at the talks in Vienna she and International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano "discussed US concerns about ensuring Iran strictly adheres to its obligations."

The statement said that "IAEA reports (about Iran's adherence to the accord) can only be as good as the access Iran grants to any facility the IAEA suspects of having a nuclear role."

The communique did not elaborate but this is likely a reference to the IAEA visiting military sites where the watchdog might suspect efforts to create an actual nuclear warhead.

Iran denies wanting the bomb and the IAEA is not thought to have requested any such visits since the nuclear deal entered into force in January 2016.

Its regular reports focus on Iran's declared nuclear activities and say only that it is continuing to monitor Tehran's commitments not to conduct any weapons-related research.

The IAEA did not comment after Wednesday's meeting.

The 2015 deal between Iran and six major powers saw the Islamic republic curtail its uranium enrichment and plutonium capacities and submit to closer IAEA inspections.

This is aimed at making any covert dash to make a nuclear bomb extremely difficult.

Most UN and Western sanctions on Iran were lifted in return, but others related to non-nuclear issues have remained in place or been ratcheted up.

With Trump slamming the 2015 deal as "terrible", tensions have risen between the two long-time foes, with each accusing the other of not adhering to the "spirit" of the accord.

Trump is due in October to certify to Congress whether Iran is sticking to the deal.

In July he told the Wall Street Journal he "would be surprised if they were in compliance".

The Washington Post on Tuesday quoted Haley as saying "no decision" has been made on the future of the deal, which also included Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany.

Trump's outspoken remarks about the accord, during last year's election campaign and since he entered the White House, have been sharply criticised by many nuclear experts.

"The Trump administration needs a wake-up call on the costs of sabotaging the nuclear deal with Iran," Arms Control Association analyst Kelsey Davenport told AFP.

"Hopefully visiting the IAEA will allay concerns about monitoring the agreement and demonstrate to Haley that the deal put Iran's nuclear programme under a microscope and keeping it there is the best way to guard against any illicit nuclear activity," she said.
Trinh Xuan Thanh speaks in a clip aired by Vietnam's state television VTV, in Hanoi on August 4, 2017

Czech authorities have agreed to extradite to Germany a Vietnamese national wanted over the alleged kidnapping in Berlin last month of an oil tycoon who subsequently turned up in Vietnam, local media reported Wednesday.

According to German media, 51-year-old Vietnamese oil tycoon Trinh Xuan Thanh -- who was in Germany seeking asylum, but sought by Hanoi for allegedly causing huge losses to a state-run company -- was snatched by armed men on July 23 in Berlin's Tiergarten park.

A Prague court ordered the extradition of a suspected kidnapper, identified only as a 46-year-old Vietnamese national, on August 15, the Czech CTK news agency reported Wednesday.

"We took the decision (extradition) on the basis of a European arrest warrant," court spokeswoman Marketa Puci told AFP, but declined to provide further details about the suspect's identity.

Trinh resurfaced in Vietnam on July 31, where state-owned newspapers reported that he had turned himself in to authorities.

Once a lawmaker, he was stripped of his seat and kicked out of the communist party.

According to German news agency DPA, he has been accused of having caused losses amounting to 125 million euros ($148 million) at PetroVietnam Construction (PVC), a subsidiary of the country's largest state-run oil conglomerate.

The alleged kidnapping has caused a diplomatic rift between Germany and Vietnam, with Berlin summoning Vietnam's ambassador and expelling one of the southeast Asian nation's spies earlier this month.

Germany foreign ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said at the time that Hanoi's actions marked a "breach of trust" as talks had been underway during the G20 summit of world leaders in Hamburg about a "possible extradition in a legal manner".

"We demand that Trinh Xuan Thanh be allowed to travel back to Germany without delay, so that Vietnam's request for extradition and his request for asylum can be thoroughly examined," said Schaefer.

Thanh is one of the highest ranking officials to be sought by the communist government in recent years, as the administration wages an anti-corruption drive to polish its image and clean up bloated state enterprises.

Vietnam's administration in place since last April has vowed to crack down on endemic corruption and clean up its vast and inefficient state-run sector.

But analysts say punishments are often the result of political infighting rather than a genuine commitment to reform.

Transparency International ranks Vietnam 113 out of 176 on its 2016 corruption index, worse than its Southeast Asian neighbours Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is shown preparing to cast his ballot in June elections

The United States expressed "deep concern" Wednesday over the state of Cambodia's democracy after the government there ordered out an American NGO and pursued a crackdown on independent media.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has run the Southeast Asian monarchy's administration for three decades, faces a general election next year and is accused of maneuvering to silence any criticism.

On Wednesday, the government ordered foreign staff from the National Democratic Institute -- a US civil society group -- to leave the country, one day after threatening to close the independent Cambodia Daily.

"The United States government is deeply concerned by the deterioration in Cambodia's democratic climate in recent weeks," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters.

"Two months ago, Cambodia received widespread recognition for running transparent, peaceful local elections," she said.

"In the past two weeks, however, the achievement has been eclipsed by troubling government actions curtailing freedom of the press and civil society's ability to operate."

Nauert said US officials had been in touch with Cambodian authorities to express their concern, in particular about extremely large tax bills recently imposed on US owned or funded media outlets.

"We encourage the government to allow NDI, the Cambodia Daily and other independent media and civil society organizations to continue their important activities so Cambodia's 2018 national elections can take place in a free and open environment," she said.
Members of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

The United States is wrestling with its Security Council partners over renewing the UN peacekeeping mission mandate in Lebanon, which Washington is calling to strengthen against the opinions of Paris and Moscow.

Annual renewal of the mission's mandate, which expires at the end of August, is normally uneventful -- but the Donald Trump administration this year is pushing to bolster the force's authority against arms movements by Hezbollah, the Shiite militia.

"The Security Council cannot adopt a business-as-usual approach when so much is at stake," said US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in a statement Wednesday, released as close door UN Security Council consultations on the topic wrapped up.

"We call on the members of the Security Council to join us in taking real action to make UNIFIL a stronger peacekeeping mission and to stand up against forces of terror in Lebanon and around the region."

She said beefing up the force is necessary as "Hezbollah openly boasts about its illegal stockpile of weapons and publicly threatens" Israel, a key US ally.

But France said Wednesday it wants the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon to stick to its current mandate.

Anne Gueguen, France's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told reporters her government saw no need to change the 2006 Security Council resolution that sets the mission's current mandate.

"We want to keep the mandate as such," she said.

Gueguen spoke before the talks on whether to extend the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon for another year.

After the talks, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said his government also saw no need to change the mandate for the force, a position he said was shared by many at the session.

"We think this mandate should be renewed in the present form," he said.

- 'Decisive role' -

Set up in 1978, UNIFIL was beefed up after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, charged with guaranteeing a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from a demilitarized zone on the Israeli-Lebanese border. It now has 10,500 troops on the ground monitoring the ceasefire and helping the Lebanese government secure its borders.

"We are for a reaffirmation of its mandate and the optimal effectiveness of its mission," the French diplomat said.

On August 7, Haley said UNIFIL's mandate should be enhanced to prevent the spread of illegal weapons in southern Lebanon, which she blamed on Hezbollah and said threatened the region's stability.

"UNIFIL must increase its capacity and commitment to investigating and reporting these violations," she said.

France, which contributes 800 troops to UNIFIL, plans to submit a resolution extending the force's mandate for another year, Gueguen said.

"UNIFIL plays a decisive role to stabilize the south of Lebanon in a very difficult original context and it has demonstrated a stabilizing effect in the volatile, complex and troubled environment," she said.

In a letter to the Security Council on August 4, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he wanted to look at ways to improve UNIFIL's efforts "regarding the illegal presence of armed personnel, weapons or infrastructure inside its area of operations."

A Security Council vote on renewing UNIFIL's mandate is expected on August 30.
SINGAPORE (AP) - The Latest on the collision between the USS John S. McCain guided missile destroyer and an oil tanker east of Singapore (all times local):

8 a.m.

The U.S. Navy says divers are assessing the damage to the hull of the USS John S. McCain after a collision ripped a gaping hole in the ship's side near the waterline.

An American flag is flown off the stern of The USS John S. McCain docked at Changi naval base after its accident Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 in Singapore. The USS John S. McCain was docked at Singapore's naval base with "significant damage" to its hull (blocked by berth) after an early morning collision with the oil tanker Alnic MC as vessels from several nations searched Monday for missing U.S. sailors. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

Aircraft from the USS America and ships and aircraft from the Malaysian and Singaporean navies were continuing to search for 10 sailors missing since the destroyer and an oil tanker collided east of Singapore around daybreak Monday.

The Japan-based 7th Fleet said Tuesday the USS America is also providing meals and sleeping space for the crew of the damaged ship. The collision resulted in flooding of crew berths and machinery and communications rooms on the McCain.

10:15 p.m.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis confirms that the Navy will conduct a broad investigation into the collision in Southeast Asia between the USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker, and other recent Navy accidents at sea.

Mattis tells reporters traveling with him in Jordan that he's sent condolences to families of sailors on the guided missile destroyer. It's the second crash involving a ship from U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet in the Pacific in two months.

Ten sailors are missing and a search is underway.

Mattis says the Navy is putting together a "broader inquiry" that also looks at the USS Fitzgerald accident in waters off Japan in June. Seven sailors died in that accident.

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9:50 p.m.

A U.S. defense official says the Navy's top officer is ordering a broad investigation into the performance and readiness of America's Pacific-based 7th Fleet - after two ship collisions in the past two months.

And there have been four ship crashes in the past two years.

The defense official says Navy Adm. John Richardson - who's the chief of naval operations - has directed Adm. Phil Davidson to lead the investigation. Davidson heads the Navy's Fleet Forces.

The official says Richardson wants to ensure there aren't bigger problems that may be masked by the high pace of ship operations in the Pacific region.

The official wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the investigation and therefore spoke on condition of anonymity.

-Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor in Muscat, Oman.

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7:30 p.m.

The Navy says a U.S. ship has arrived in Singapore to help the USS John S. McCain, a destroyer that was damaged in a collision with an oil tanker that injured five sailors and left 10 others missing.

The Navy's 7th Fleet said the amphibious assault ship USS America will help with damage control efforts aboard the McCain and with the search for the missing sailors. It also will feed and house sailors from the stricken ship.

Monday's collision east of Singapore was the second involving a ship from the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet in the Pacific in two months. The Navy said "significant damage" to the McCain's hull caused flooding in adjacent compartments, including crew berths, machinery and communications rooms.

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5:00 p.m.

The oil tanker involved in a collision with the USS John S. McCain destroyer in busy Southeast Asian waters had four deficiencies including navigation safety violations in its last port inspection.

An official database for ports in Asia shows the Alnic MC was inspected in the Chinese port of Dongying on July 29 and had one document deficiency, one fire safety deficiency and two safety of navigation problems.

The database doesn't go into details and the problems were apparently not serious enough for the Liberian-flagged and Greek-owned vessel to be detained by the port authority.

There has been no explanation of the cause of the accident. The Navy has said it is investigating. Authorities in Singapore and Malaysia have refused to speculate on the cause.

Ten U.S. sailors are missing and four were hospitalized for injuries.

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4:10 p.m.

The chief of Malaysia's Maritime Enforcement Agency says the collision between an oil tanker and the USS John S. McCain guided missile destroyer early Monday occurred at the start of a designated sea lane for ships sailing into the Singapore Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

Zulkifli Abu Bakar said the incident occurred 4.5 nautical miles (8.3 kilometers) from Malaysia's coast. He said a Malaysian warship was in the area monitoring the cleanup of an oil spill from an unrelated collision of two merchant ships and was contacted by the McCain.

Ten U.S. sailors are missing and four were hospitalized in Singapore with injuries.

Both Malaysia and Singapore say the accident happened in their waters, likely reflecting a dispute about ownership of some rocky outcrops in the area.

"It happened in Malaysian territorial waters, specifically in Teluk Ramunia waters," Zulkifli said. "For this moment, we shouldn't argue about whose waters. Most important thing is we focus on the search and rescue."

He refused to speculate on the cause of the collision.

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3:17 p.m.

The U.S. Navy says the USS John S. McCain has arrived at Singapore's naval base with "significant damage" to its hull after a collision early Monday between it and an oil tanker.

The 7th Fleet says in a statement that damage to the guided missile destroyer's hull flooded nearby compartments including crew berths, machinery and communications rooms.

It says damage control efforts prevented further flooding.

Ten sailors are missing and four were hospitalized in Singapore with injuries after being evacuated by helicopter.

A multinational search and rescue effort involving Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the U.S. is underway.

In this Jan. 22, 2017, photo provided by U.S. Navy, the USS John S. McCain conducts a patrol in the South China Sea while supporting security efforts in the region. The guided-missile destroyer collided with a merchant ship on Monday, Aug. 21, in waters east of Singapore and the Straits of Malacca. (James Vazquez/U.S. Navy via AP)

In this photo released by the Royal Malaysian Navy, the U.S guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain is seen after a collision, off Johor, Malaysia, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. A number of U.S. sailors were missing after a collision between the USS John S. McCain and a tanker early Monday east of Singapore, the second accident involving a ship from the Navy's 7th Fleet in the Pacific in two months. (Royal Malaysian Navy via AP)
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca was branded as failing "on all accounts" by a fellow Democrat who was "incredibly frustrated and concerned" with his actions after Barca joined Republicans in voting for a $3 billion tax incentive package for Foxconn Technology Group.

Emails obtained by The Associated Press show that Democratic state Rep. Lisa Subeck of Madison spelled out her grievances to Barca on Friday, the day after the Assembly passed the incentive package backed by Republicans designed to attract Foxconn to build a massive display panel factory in the state.

Barca was one of three Democrats to vote for the measure Thursday, with 28 Democrats against. Barca, of Kenosha, and the other Democrats who voted for it represent southeast Wisconsin, near where Foxconn plans to build a factory that could employ thousands. Reps. Cory Mason of Racine and Tod Ohnstad of Kenosha joined Barca and 56 Republicans in voting for the bill; two Republicans joined all other Democrats in opposition.

FILE - In this May 27, 2010 file photo, a worker looks out through the logo at the entrance of the Foxconn complex in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. Wisconsin Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca was branded as failing "on all accounts" by a fellow Democrat who was "incredibly frustrated and concerned" with his actions after Barca joined Republicans in voting for a $3 billion tax incentive package for Foxconn Technology Group. Barca was one of three Democrats to vote for the measure Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, with 28 Democrats against. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

Most Democrats were outspoken in their opposition to the measure, branding it as a corporate welfare giveaway that also puts Wisconsin's environment in jeopardy because of requirements that would be waived to speed construction of the plant that could open as soon as 2020.

Barca tried to walk a line, criticizing the process of quickly acting on the bill and saying that more improvements could be made to protect taxpayers, Wisconsin businesses and the environment. But ultimately he said he supported the incentive package because of the backing it has from people in his district.

Subeck, in an email sent to all Assembly Democrats obtained by the AP, accused Barca of failing "on all accounts" to differentiate his views on Foxconn with that of the rest of Democrats who voted against the measure. She was particularly upset with Barca for holding an impromptu news conference in the Assembly parlor, right around the corner from his office, shortly after the evening vote Thursday.

"I am also concerned that the message you conveyed," Subeck wrote. "It seems you were trying to justify your own vote rather than share the caucus perspective consistent with our agreed upon message."

She said that Barca's public comments "have not been consistent with the majority position of the caucus and have served counter to our interest."

Barca wrote in response that he hadn't planned to have a news conference but after the Thursday vote "we had one outlet in particular that was very aggressive and several others that wanted to talk." Barca said his staff asked the reporters to move to the nearby parlor, where he and Assistant Majority Leader Dianne Hesselbein of Middleton and Rep. Mark Spreitzer of Beloit answered questions.

Barca did not address her concerns about what he actually said.

Barca spokeswoman Olivia Hwang said in an email that it was known Democrats had different opinions on the Foxconn bill and he supports efforts to oppose legislation they believe is wrong for their district or the state.

Barca does not plan to testify at a public hearing Tuesday in Racine on the bill, she said. Subeck raised concerns in her email about Barca testifying at the hearing scheduled for near where the plant may locate.

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Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sbauerAP
LEBANON, Ohio (AP) - The father of a 4-year-old Ohio boy who died after the boy's stepmother put him in a scalding bath has been denied a motion for a third mistrial.

The Hamilton-Middletown Journal-News reports a Warren County judge ruled Tuesday that Robert Ritchie's third trial will continue. Ritchie's attorneys moved for a mistrial after being provided the wrong witness' transcript used to impeach a police officer in Monday testimony.

The judge says a mistrial is unwarranted based on one witness.

Ritchie is from Franklin. His first two trials ended in mistrials.

Prosecutors say Ritchie failed to get medical treatment that could have saved Austin Cooper's life. The defense says Ritchie's wife covered up her crime.

Ritchie has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child endangering charges.

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Information from: MIDDLETOWN: Hamilton-Middletown Journal News , http://www.journal-news.com
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Angolans vote Wednesday in an election that will see President Jose Eduardo dos Santos quit after nearly four decades in power. Yet the longtime leader has laid the groundwork for a hand-picked successor in an oil-rich country where poverty, corruption and human rights concerns are unlikely to dissipate anytime soon.

Defense Minister Joao Lourenco is the ruling MPLA party's candidate to succeed dos Santos, who is expected to remain party leader. Lourenco, whose association with 74-year-old dos Santos dates to the war against Portuguese colonial rule, has pledged to fight graft if elected. He would likely encounter the entrenched interests of an elite partly dominated by the president's family, including daughter Isabel dos Santos, who heads the state oil company Sonangol although media reports have indicated that she could vacate the post.

Isabel dos Santos is reputed to be Africa's richest woman, hailing from a nation with one of the highest poverty rates in the world. Angola endured decades of civil war that ended in 2002, leaving at least half a million people dead, several million displaced from their homes and infrastructure devastated.

Despite evidence of cronyism, the selection of Lourenco as a successor to dos Santos and the avoidance of a "dynastic transition" to one of the president's children indicates "that internal checks and balances may be stronger than many believed," said Soren Kirk Jensen, an associate fellow in the African program of Chatham House, a London-based institute.

"As the process unfolds, it is clear that Angola is following the pattern of gradual democratization from other governments in Southern Africa headed by former liberation parties that led the armed struggle for independence from colonial powers," Jensen wrote in an analysis.

The MPLA, whose Portuguese acronym means Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, is the election front-runner after winning in 2012 with 72 percent of votes amid allegations of irregularities.

The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) party, a former rebel force that fought the MPLA in the civil war, is the main opposition challenger and won nearly 19 percent in the election five years ago. Heavily reliant on oil production, Angola has since struggled because of the global fall in commodity prices and the opposition seeks to capitalize on what it says is growing discontent in the southern African nation's young population.

About 9.3 million Angolans are registered to vote for the 220-member National Assembly, and the winning party will then select the president. Dos Santos, who has received medical treatment in Spain this year, appeared alongside Lourenco at a weekend rally on the outskirts of the Angolan capital of Luanda.

"I come here just to reiterate my personal support to our candidate" said dos Santos, according to the Portuguese news agency Lusa. "I do not doubt that the MPLA will win the elections, and he, our candidate, will be elected the next president of the republic of Angola."

Lourenco, in turn, praised the president, describing him as "the captain of the team" and saying "he has always been in command."

Dos Santos, who is praised by some Angolans for his role in ending the civil war, has previously indicated that he was considering retirement and then remained at the country's helm, though this time it appears certain that he will relinquish the post of president. The only other African leader who has ruled longer - by about a month - is President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, 75, of Equatorial Guinea. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, 93, has been in power since independence from white minority rule in 1980.

Angolan critics have alleged that the ruling party has unfairly used state machinery ahead of the election, noting that most campaign coverage on radio and television stations has focused on the campaign of the MPLA. Election observers from other African countries will monitor the vote, but the European Union is only sending a small team instead of a full-fledged observer mission because it says the Angolan government wanted to impose restrictions, including limited access to polling stations around the country.

In a statement, Amnesty International said Angola's next leader must work to reverse attacks on freedom of expression and other rights. Criticizing the president is considered a crime against state security in Angola, and peaceful protesters, journalists and others have been jailed for long periods or "forcibly disappeared without a trace," the group said.

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Follow Christopher Torchia on Twitter at www.twitter.com/torchiachris
LONDON (AP) - Shares in Provident Financial, a British subprime lender, more than halved Tuesday after the company issued another profit warning and revealed that its chief executive was leaving with immediate effect.

In late morning London trading, Provident Financial's share price was down 70 percent at 5.17 pounds, meaning the company is not even worth 1 billion pounds ($1.29 billion). It may not be the biggest of companies but its stock market retreat stands to be one of the largest daily falls in the 33-year history of the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares.

Its stock market fall from grace - Provident's share price is down more than 80 percent from a year ago - has conjured up memories of the dark days of the global financial crisis when issues with subprime lending took the banking sector and the global economy to the brink.

"A catastrophic share price drop in a subprime lender - it's like the last 10 years never happened," said Neil Wilson, senior market analyst at ETX Capital.

Tuesday's share price collapse came as Provident, which specializes in lending to individuals with low and variable incomes, revealed a massive deterioration in the outlook for its home credit business. And in further blows to its shareholders, Provident also scrapped its dividend and revealed that its credit card subsidiary, Vanquis Bank, was being investigated by Britain's regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, over a repayment option plan, which has allowed customers with variable incomes to freeze repayments.

Chief executive Peter Crook has resigned over Provident's dire update. He backed plans to introduce the new operating model that is at the heart of the company's woes.

Earlier this year, the company announced plans to change the way it sold and collected money in the home credit division. Instead of using self-employed agents, Provident moved to a model that relied on so-called Customer Experience Managers, who were full-time employees of the company.

There have been issues with the transition to the new model - some agents left earlier than expected while IT issues relating to customer orders have hobbled the transition.

In June, before the July 6 deployment of the new model, the company informed investors that the strategy wasn't going to plan and it issued a first profit warning.

The latest update clearly shows that the company's hope of embedding the new model and restoring customer service and collections performance has yet to come to fruition.

"The rate of progress being made is too weak and the business is now falling a long way short of achieving these objectives," the company said Tuesday.

Collections and sales are both showing "substantial underperformance" with regard to the same period in 2016, it added. Collections are running at just 57 percent against 90 percent last year while sales are some 9 million pounds a week weaker than a year ago. As a result, it now expects the consumer credit division to post a pre-exceptional loss of between 80 million pounds and 120 million pounds against an anticipated 60 million-pound profit before.

"The performance is abysmal and significantly worse than management ever could have imagined," said ETX's Wilson.

In response, the company has launched a "thorough and rapid review" of the home credit division's performance. Provident insists that the other areas of its business, including the Moneybarn car finance business and Satsuma, an online lending business, are still performing in line with expectations.

"My immediate priority is to lead the turnaround of the home credit business," said Manjit Wolstenholme, a former investment banker, who will assume the role of executive chairman following Crook's departure.
BETHEL, Ohio (AP) - Fire officials say two adults died in an early morning blaze at a southern Ohio home.

The fire broke out before 3 a.m. Tuesday at a house in the village of Bethel, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Cincinnati.

Bethel-Tate Fire Chief Rick Stowell tells WCPO-TV that a woman in her 70s and a man in his 40s were found in the back hallway of the home, and both died.

Fire officials say another woman who lives at the property couldn't immediately be located. They were trying to determine whether she was home when the fire occurred.

There was no immediate word on what caused the blaze.
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (AP) - A sheriff says the man who shot a judge outside an Ohio courthouse drove to a neighboring bank, walked quickly toward him from a parked car and fired, and the judge returned fire.

Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla says surveillance video captured the scene Monday in Steubenville (STOO'-behn-vihl).

The suspect, 51-year-old Nathaniel Richmond, was fatally shot by a probation officer. The wounded judge was expected to survive.

FILE - In this March 17, 2013, file photo, Nathaniel Richmond, father of Ma'Lik Richmond, apologizes to the victim and her family after his son and co-defendant Trent Mays, were found delinquent on rape and other charges after their trial in juvenile court in Steubenville, Ohio. A prosecutor said Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, that Nathaniel Richmond was the man who shot and wounded Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, Pool)

Abdalla says Richmond had arrived at the bank a short while before the shooting, left and then returned and shot the judge as he walked into work.

The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register in nearby West Virginia reports the judge was overseeing a wrongful death case that Richmond filed against a housing authority over a fire that killed Richmond's mother and a toddler.

This undated still image from video provided by WTOV-TV in Steubenville, Ohio, shows Jefferson County, Ohio Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. Bruzzese was shot and wounded Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, as he walked toward his county's courthouse in Steubenville, Ohio, and a suspect was killed after a probation officer returned fire, officials said. (WTOV-TV via AP)

Officials consult near the crime scene at the Huntington Bank, next to the Courthouse in Steubenville, Ohio, Monday Aug. 21, 2017, after Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. was ambushed and shot while walking to work early Monday morning. (Darrell Sapp/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)

City of Steubenville manager Jim Mavronatis talks to the media with the Jefferson County Courthouse in the background, in Steubenville, Ohio, Monday August 21, 2017, after Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. was ambushed and shot early Monday morning. Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla says courthouse video shows Bruzzese firing about five shots at the gunman, who also fired about five shots before a probation officer ultimately killed the suspect. (Darrell Sapp/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - New York authorities say a 9-year-old boy fatally shot inside his family's Syracuse home was hit by a bullet fired by his older brother from a gun illegally owned by the boys' father.

The Onondaga County District Attorney's Office says Shaleek Carrears died early Monday morning after being shot by his 10-year-old brother. Prosecutors say the shooting appears to have been accidental but the investigation is continuing.

The district attorney's office says the boys' father didn't have a license to possess the gun, which was unsecured at the time of the shooting. Prosecutors are looking into possible charges against the father.

District Attorney William Fitzpatrick says the 10-year-old boy's case would be handled in family court if charges are filed.
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Nicolas Maduro branded Venezuela's ousted chief prosecutor a fugitive from justice Tuesday as she flew to Brazil promising to "show the world" proof that he is involved in serious acts of corruption.

Maduro said Luisa Ortega Diaz had been hiding behind a "Chavista mask," pledging allegiance to the socialist government installed by the late President Hugo Chavez while working with Washington to damage his administration.

Ortega was removed by a new, pro-government constitutional assembly in early August and arrived with her lawmaker husband in Colombia on Friday, a day after the Supreme Court ordered the legislator's arrest.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro holds a copy of the constitution, as he speaks during a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. Immigration authorities in Colombia announced that Venezuela's ousted chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz is on her way to Brazil. Ortega said that Maduro removed her in order to stop a probe linking him and his inner circle to nearly $100 million in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

"Tell me who you walk with and I will tell you who you are," Maduro told reporters, reciting a popular proverb.

"You keep company with the Colombian oligarchy, Luisa Marvelia," he added, invoking her middle name. "You keep the company of the coup mongering Brazilians, Luisa Marvelia."

The declaration from Maduro came shortly after Ortega announced that she was traveling to Brazil to participate in a meeting of the Mercosur group at which she plans to present incriminating evidence against Venezuela's president.

The South American trade bloc suspended Venezuela in early August for failing to uphold democratic norms.

Ortega did not present any details, but on Friday she told a group of Latin American prosecutors that Maduro removed her in order to halt a probe linking him and his inner circle to nearly $100 million in bribes from the huge Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.

The company last year admitted in a plea agreement with the U.S. Justice Department to paying bribes to officials throughout Latin America in exchange for lucrative contracts.

"This event will allow me to show the world the proof that incriminates Nicolas Maduro and his associates in grave acts of corruption," she said in a statement released to the Venezuelan opposition news site La Patilla.

Ortega and husband, German Ferrer, have been in the cross-hairs of Maduro's government since breaking ranks in recent months with his administration. Ortega and Ferrer are both longtime socialist party loyalists who have been outspoken in criticizing Maduro's call for the constitutional assembly to rewrite Venezuela's charter.

Removing Ortega from her post was one of the new assembly's first acts.

The new chief prosecutor is accusing Ferrer of being part of a $6 million extortion rink that operated under Ortega's watch.

Maduro said Tuesday that he is alerting international police organizations that Ortega and Ferrer are both fugitives from justice.

The couple went into hiding after state security forces raided their home last week. Maduro said authorities found vast "riches" inside that he called "an incredible thing."

"I never imagined such a betrayal as this," he said.

Ortega and Ferrer arrived in Colombia on Friday aboard a private plane from Aruba, adding to a growing list of dissident lawmakers and officials who have fled Venezuela in recent months. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said Ortega is under Colombian protection and she will be granted political asylum if requested.

Chile announced Tuesday that it would grant political asylum to five Venezuelans who have been threatened by the government-stacked Supreme Court after being named to the court by the opposition-controlled congress.

The judges were among 33 appointed by the National Assembly in late July to replace current Supreme Court magistrates. The high court accused them of illegally usurping power and warned they would face consequences. At least one magistrate was jailed after participating in a ceremony announcing the new appointments.

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Associated Press writer Christine Armario in Bogota, Colombia, contributed to this report.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks at a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. Immigration authorities in Colombia announced that Venezuela's ousted chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz is on her way to Brazil. Ortega said that Maduro removed her in order to stop a probe linking him and his inner circle to nearly $100 million in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro shows a solidarity message he received on his mobile phone, during a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. Immigration authorities in Colombia announced that Venezuela's ousted chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz is on her way to Brazil. Ortega said that Maduro removed her in order to stop a probe linking him and his inner circle to nearly $100 million in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - The Latest on jury selection in the upcoming corruption trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (all times local):

Noon

A closed court proceeding has interrupted jury selection for the corruption trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez.

Menendez and his lawyers spent nearly two hours in federal court in Newark on Tuesday morning. Attorneys and court personnel later said the New Jersey Democrat pleaded not guilty to an updated indictment that was handed up last fall.

Such proceedings are public except in rare cases, such as when the identity of a government informant must be kept secret.

The judge didn't immediately explain why the proceeding was closed.

After the proceeding, jurors began entering court to begin questioning by attorneys.

Menendez is charged with accepting gifts from a Florida eye doctor in exchange for lobbying for the man's business interests. The trial is due to start Sept. 6.

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7:30 a.m.

The final stage of jury selection for next month's corruption trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey gets underway in Newark.

Attorneys will question potential jurors Tuesday. A panel of 12 jurors and four alternates could be seated by the end of the week.

The Democrat was charged in 2015 with accepting gifts and campaign donations from a Florida eye doctor in exchange for using his position in Congress to lobby for the man's business interests.

The doctor, Salomon Melgen, is a co-defendant in the case.

Menendez and Melgen have argued in court papers that the gifts and donations were innocent and that there was no bribery agreement. Menendez also claims his actions were legitimate legislative duties.
Ward 3 has many lovely neighborhoods, where families have lived for three or more generations. One lucky man lives in the house his father built in 1953. His son will inherit that home along with all the shared memories and history of family experiences. Our neighborhoods need these families. As our population ages and retires, how will we maintain our wonderful neighborhoods, honor their histories and stories and continue Billings sense of place?

Keeping neighborhoods strong, means providing opportunities for young families to have mortgages and employment that provides those funds. The 2017 Montana Economic Report states that median income for workers over age 24 is $31,800 or 86 percent of the national average of $36,900. That ranks Montana 45th of all states. As the price of housing has doubled in Montana since the early 1990s, this is increasing the local cost of living.

Considering this economic situation, the City Council must be forward in its planning and thinking. Investment in our city from public funds is necessary. We must support, maintain, and develop the infrastructure we have already built. We must support local residents as they grow Billings based businesses. Some businesses in Ward 3 are in buildings that need improvement. Just as West Park Plaza has had a rebirth as the Promenade, other areas need that commitment and planning. I support Ward 3 having a plan with incentives for redevelopment so that disrepair does not take hold.

I support the 2016 Billings Growth Plan. Many groups, business, civic and the general public were a part of developing that plan. It prioritizes growth within the city limits where infrastructure is built and does not stretch city services. Let us start making decisions that are consistent with that plan. Balance the growth throughout the city by recognizing that everything new is not gold. The gold is in the well established neighborhoods, the families that have built and paid for Billings growth. They deserve our respect and continued investment in Ward 3. Young families will be the next generation of residents that will build and pay for our growth. Let us give them the opportunity for that future by investing in areas that will be their neighborhoods.

A economically segregated city cries out for change. Most annexations on the edges of Billings are properties that are segregated by price. Multi-family dwellings are not built next to single family housing. This makes uniform and less diverse neighborhoods. Gated communities are springing up in these expensive properties. In contrast, Ward 3 neighborhoods are economically diverse with welcoming open planning. Neighbors know each other and children walk to school. That is the Billings I learned to appreciate and the future we can build.
PHOENIX (AP) - Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio's critics say a pardon for the retired lawman would remove the last chance to call him into account for a litany of misconduct during his 24 years as metro Phoenix's top law enforcer.

President Donald Trump is mulling a pardon for Arpaio's criminal conviction for disobeying a judge's order in an immigration case.

The former sheriff's critics say Arpaio hasn't been called into account for his investigations of his political foes and a racial profiling case that led to his conviction.

Arpaio says the other alleged misconduct isn't relevant to the discussion of his possible pardon.

He also dismissed criticism that he has been able to wiggle out of his legal troubles in the past as just longstanding complaints from those who opposed him.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - George and Amal Clooney are donating $1 million to fight hate groups.

The couple announced Tuesday that their Clooney Foundation for Justice is supporting the Southern Poverty Law Center with a $1 million grant to combat hate groups in the United States.

George Clooney says in a statement Tuesday that they wanted to add their voices and financial assistance to the fight for equality.

Clooney said, "There are no two sides to bigotry and hate."

The Southern Poverty Law Center monitors the activities of more than 1,600 extremist groups in the U.S. and has used litigation to win judgments against white supremacist organizations.

Last month, the Clooney Foundation announced a $2 million grant to support education for Syrian refugee children.
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The Latest on Bill Cosby's sexual assault case (all times local):

12:15 p.m.

The jury for Bill Cosby's retrial on sexual assault charges will likely come from the Philadelphia suburbs.

Bill Cosby arrives at a pretrial hearing in his sexual assault case at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Montgomery County prosecutors and Cosby's new legal team agreed Tuesday that a local jury could hear the case. The jury in Cosby's first trial came from the Pittsburgh area and spent two weeks in June sequestered 300 miles from home. That jury deadlocked, setting the stage for a retrial early next year.

The 80-year-old comedian is charged with drugging and molesting a woman at his Montgomery County home in 2004. He denies the charges.

District Attorney Kevin Steele said he hopes Cosby's new defense lawyers "get up to speed quickly so we can bring this case to justice."

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10:55 a.m.

A judge has delayed the start of Bill Cosby's sexual assault retrial to allow his new lawyers to get up to speed on the case.

Judge Steven O'Neill said Tuesday that he still expects the 80-year-old comedian to be tried before next summer.

O'Neill granted a request by Cosby's new lawyers to delay the retrial, which had been scheduled to start in November.

"The Cosby Show" star is charged with drugging and molesting a woman at his home near Philadelphia in 2004. He has said their sexual encounter was consensual.

Cosby's first trial ended in a hung jury.

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10:10 a.m.

Bill Cosby's new legal team says it wants to delay the start of his sexual assault retrial, currently set for November.

The lawyers made their first appearance Tuesday on behalf of the 80-year-old comedian, who's charged with drugging and molesting a woman at his home near Philadelphia. Cosby's first trial ended in a hung jury, setting the stage for a retrial.

At a hearing, a judge released Cosby's old lawyers from the case. His new legal team includes Tom Mesereau (MES'-eh-row), the high-profile attorney who won an acquittal in Michael Jackson's child molestation case.

Cosby is being retried on charges that he assaulted Andrea Constand in 2004. He has said their sexual encounter was consensual.

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9:15 a.m.

Bill Cosby is back in court asking for new lawyers ahead of his sexual assault retrial.

The 80-year-old comedian ignored reporters' shouted questions as he entered the courthouse near Philadelphia on Tuesday.

It's Cosby's first time in court since a jury deadlocked on charges he drugged and molested a woman at his home.

Cosby wants a judge to sign off on a new legal team that includes Tom Mesereau (MES'-eh-row), the high-profile attorney who won an acquittal in Michael Jackson's child molestation case. His old attorneys are asking to be let off the case.

Cosby is being retried on charges that he assaulted Andrea Constand in 2004. He has said their sexual encounter was consensual. The trial is scheduled for November.

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12:15 a.m.

Bill Cosby wants a judge to sign off on a swap that would give him a fresh new legal team ahead of his sexual assault retrial in Pennsylvania in November.

Cosby is expected in court Tuesday morning in Norristown as the lawyers who fought to a deadlock in his June trial ask to be let off the case.

A spokesman for the 80-year-old comedian Monday announced the hiring of a new team, which includes Tom Mesereau (MES'-eh-row), the high-profile attorney who won an acquittal in Michael Jackson's child molestation case.

Cosby is being retried on charges that he drugged and molested Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. He has said it was consensual.

Mesereau didn't return a voicemail seeking comment. A district attorney spokeswoman declined to comment.

Bill Cosby arrives at a pretrial hearing in his sexual assault case at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Attorney Tom Mesereau arrives for Bill Cosby's pretrial hearing in Cosby's sexual assault case at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. Cosby wants a judge to sign off on a new legal team that includes Mesereau, the high-profile attorney who won an acquittal in Michael Jackson's child molestation case. His old attorneys are asking to be let off the case. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Attorneys Tom Mesereau, right, and Kathleen Bliss arrive for Bill Cosby's pretrial hearing in Cosby's sexual assault case at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. Cosby's new lawyers, including Mesereau and Bliss, made their first court appearance Tuesday on behalf of "The Cosby Show" star, who's charged with drugging and molesting a woman at his home near Philadelphia in 2004. His first trial in June ended in a hung jury, setting the stage for a retrial. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
HELSINKI (AP) - A Finnish court has ruled that a Moroccan asylum-seeker be remanded in custody after a knife attack that killed two and wounded eight people in the southwestern city of Turku.

The regional court in Turku said Tuesday that the 18-year-old male suspect will be held on suspicion of terrorist crimes. Three alleged associates were named as accomplices in assisting and planning the attack.

The main suspect, Abderrahman Mechkah, has admitted to Friday's stabbings, but the others - all Moroccan - have denied any involvement. The court said they were suspected of "participation in the murders and attempted murders, committed with terrorist intent."

Seen on a court video link screen, Moroccan man Abderrahman Mechkah, lays in a hospital bed during the initial remand hearing, on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism crimes, at court in Turku, Finland, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. 18-year old Mechkah, who was shot in the leg by police during his arrest, stands accused of killing two people and attempting to kill eight others with terrorist intent. (Martti Kainulainen/Lehtikuva via AP)

Police investigators are exploring possible links to last week's extremist attacks in Spain in which most of the perpetrators and suspects are reported to be Moroccans.

Seen on a court video link screen, right, Moroccan man Abderrahman Mechkah, lays in a hospital bed during the initial remand hearing, on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism crimes, at court in Turku, Finland, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. 18-year old Mechkah, who was shot in the leg by police during his arrest, stands accused of killing two people and attempting to kill eight others with terrorist intent. (Martti Kainulainen/Lehtikuva via AP)

Seen on a court video link screen, Moroccan man Abderrahman Mechkah, lays in a hospital bed during the initial remand hearing, on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and terrorism crimes, at court in Turku, Finland, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. 18-year old Mechkah, who was shot in the leg by police during his arrest, stands accused of killing two people and attempting to kill eight others with terrorist intent. (Martti Kainulainen/Lehtikuva via AP)
ENFIELD, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on the shooting deaths of four elderly people in North Carolina (all times local):

12:40 p.m.

Authorities have identified the four people found dead after an apparent home invasion in North Carolina.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp identified the homeowners as 72-year-old Janice Harris and 88-year-old James Harris. The other two victims were identified as 76-year-old James Whitley and 67-year-old Peggy Whitley, both of whom were visiting the house.

Tripp said the two married couples were gathered around a table playing cards when they were shot and killed sometime between Sunday and Monday morning.

Tripp also announced on his Facebook page that his office is offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrests of those responsible for the shootings.

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10:05 a.m.

Authorities say four elderly North Carolina people found dead after an apparent home invasion were shot while playing cards.

News outlets quote Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp as saying the two married couples had been sitting around a kitchen table when they were killed sometime between Sunday and Monday morning.

Tripp says a family member found the bodies after checking on the home in the Glenview community, just off Interstate 95 north of Rocky Mount.

The sheriff says two of the victims lived in the home, while the other two victims were visiting. Tripp says there were no signs of a struggle.

Authorities are still investigating the deaths and have announced no arrests. No names have been released.
TAUNTON, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts judge has ordered a psychiatrist who testified on behalf of a teenager who encouraged her boyfriend to kill himself via text message to stop blogging about details from the victim's confidential medical records.

The Boston Herald reports (http://bit.ly/2wvuUZX ) that Judge Lawrence Moniz issued the order against psychiatrist Peter Breggin on Monday. The judge said he was very concerned, and called it undignified that Breggin would make it the subject of a blog.

Michelle Carter was convicted in June of involuntary manslaughter in the 2014 death of Conrad Roy III.

Breggin testified as an expert witness that Carter was in the grips of a delusion that she alone could help Roy find his way to heaven.

Breggin said the information already was public.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - U.N. humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said Tuesday he saw "the early warnings of genocide" during a recent visit to Central African Republic, which has faced sectarian fighting since 2013.

He said in an interview with The Associated Press that "there's a terrible development of militias now using ethnic or religious" reasons for attacks. He spoke with AP after briefing the U.N. Security Council on his trip behind closed doors at the request of France.

During a visit to the southeastern town of Bangassou last month, O'Brien said, he saw 2,000 Muslims trapped in a Catholic church where they fled after their homes were burned by mostly Christian anti-Balaka militiamen who were "just lying in wait to kill them if they tried to move." By contrast, he said, "every Christian family's house was left standing."

Central African Republic, one of the world's most impoverished nations, has been wracked by violence since predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels overthrew the Christian president in 2013 and seized power. Anti-Balaka militias fought back, resulting in thousands of deaths, the displacement of hundreds of thousands more and the flight of many Muslims to the country's north or across the border into Chad and Cameroon.

Despite peaceful elections in early 2016, violence has continued. Sectarian fighting has moved into the country's central and southeastern regions, prompting warnings of a national conflict roaring back to life. More than 300 people have been killed and over 100,000 displaced since May.

O'Brien's report to the Security Council follows a warning from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in late July that hard-won gains toward lasting peace in Central African Republic are threatened by fighting in the country's southeast and heightened ethnic tensions.

But the U.N. humanitarian chief went further on Tuesday, saying: "The early warnings of genocide are there."

O'Brien noted Central African Republic is twice the size of France, with only 1,300 kilometers (810 miles) of paved roads and just over 12,000 U.N. peacekeepers mandated to protect civilians.

He said that "there are massive flare-ups" not only in Bangassou but in Obo and Bria, also in the southeast, and "the concern is that there's no control."

"The escalation is very real," O'Brien said. "We're looking at things which we haven't heard about for a long time. There's a very deep ethnic cleansing approach."

He said he felt very strongly it was his special duty to tell the Security Council what he saw in Bangassou, where U.N. peacekeeping troops from the Muslim country of Morocco based. Those peacekeepers "were being described as a legitimate target by the various (Christian) militias who saw them as partial to protecting the Muslim community they were trying to get rid of," he said.

O'Brien said the response to the Moroccan peacekeepers was "totally wrong," saying the U.N. force is there to protect all civilians, regardless of their backgrounds.

He said all Security Council members are deeply concerned about escalating ethnic tensions and violence in the Central African Republic.

O'Brien said the government controls only the capital of Bangui and the surrounding area, leaving a pressing need for finding "a way of enforcing some sort of government authority" everywhere. The international community also must find "a very clear, practical methodology to get these individuals to lay down their arms," he said.

As for humanitarian aid, he said, increased donations are necessary for helping those forced from their homes by the conflict.
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) - The Latest on Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder's town hall meeting. (all times local):

7:20 p.m.

About 80 people have gathered outside a town hall meeting for Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder holding signs that both support him and criticize his positions on health care.

The crowd outside City Hall before Tuesday evening's event in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe was quiet. Most appeared to be supporters of the four-term Republican congressman.

Yoder was expected to face tough questions about health care and other issues.

National Democrats already were targeting Yoder before the event. President Donald Trump carried Kansas in last year's election but narrowly lost in Yoder's 3rd Congressional District in the Kansas City area.

It is Yoder's first face-to-face town hall meeting with constituents since Trump's election in November. The event is sponsored by The Kansas City Star.

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6:45 p.m.

Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder says President Donald Trump was "presidential" in outlining his strategy for the war in Afghanistan but still needs to sell his policies because Americans are war weary.

Yoder told reporters Tuesday evening before a town hall meeting in Olathe that he supports Trump's decision not to set a specific timeline for removing U.S. troops.

In a national address Monday night, Trump reversed his past calls for a quick exit and recommitted the U.S. to the 16-year-old conflict. He warned repeating what he said were mistakes in Iraq, where an American military withdrawal led to a vacuum that the Islamic State group quickly filled.

Yoder said Congress has an important oversight role and must make sure money and resources are used wisely.

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2:35 p.m.

A Republican congressman in a Kansas district that President Donald Trump narrowly lost last year is expected to face tough questions about health care and other issues during a town hall meeting.

National Democrats already were targeting Rep. Kevin Yoder before Tuesday night's event in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe.

It was Yoder's first face-to-face town hall meeting with constituents since Trump's election in November. The event was sponsored by The Kansas City Star.

Four of the five representatives in the suburban Kansas City 3rd District in the past 50 years have been Republicans. But the district has in the past had a centrist streak.

Democrats smell an opportunity because Trump struggled in the district and Yoder voted for the House GOP's plan for overhauling health care.
XALAPA, Mexico (AP) - A newspaper reporter in the Mexican Gulf coast state of Veracruz who was enrolled in a government protection program for journalists was killed Tuesday along with two other men, one of his editors and a journalist advocacy group said.

Candido Rios Vazquez, a crime reporter for the newspaper Diario de Acayucan, was at least the ninth journalist slain this year in Mexico.

The State Commission for Attention and Protection of Journalists and Cecilio Perez Cortes, deputy editor at Rios' newspaper, said the reporter was in the federal government's mechanism for protection of journalists and human rights workers.

Perez said Rios had been threatened repeatedly since 2012 by a former mayor of Hueyapan de Ocampo and had a panic button on his cellphone and a security camera at his home. Rios had just finished his work for the day around 3 p.m. and was on his way home, Perez said.

Rios apparently stopped alongside the highway in Hueyapan to speak with a former police inspector he knew who was also killed in the attack, Perez said.

Alex Chang, a Hueyapan councilman, said Rios died on the way to a hospital in Acayucan. Late Tuesday, the state prosecutor's office said it was investigating the killings.

Mexico is now the world's deadliest country for journalists. The killing of the widely respected journalist Javier Valdez in the western state of Sinaloa in May brought renewed international attention to the issue.

Veracruz has been one of the most deadly Mexican states for journalists in recent years. Rios was the second journalist killed in the state this year. Newspaper columnist Ricardo Monlui was shot to death March 19 as he left a restaurant with his wife in the town of Yanga outside Cordoba.

Rios "started to do journalism because of the social struggle," Perez said. "He always protested against injustice." He did not have academic training, but learned on the job, the editor said.

The reporter started his career in a mountainous and largely indigenous area and advocated for farmworkers, women and migrants, Perez said. He founded The Voice of Hueyapan and later joined Diario de Acayucan, where he had worked for 10 years. Perez characterized Rios as "combative" when it came to causes he believed in.

Acayucan and surrounding towns are largely controlled by organized crime, making it a difficult place to do journalism, Perez said.

"We constantly receive threats," he said.

In a short audio message that Rios sent to Perez on Tuesday afternoon, Rios shouts to his boss over loud music about someone being wounded in a neighborhood. A minor story, Perez said. Rios signed off with: "May God take care of me. Good luck."

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Sherman reported from Mexico City.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The least populated state in the nation has seen total eclipses before but likely never as many people.

The amount of traffic during Monday's eclipse suggests Wyoming may have temporarily doubled its population of 585,000 - as some predicted it would.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation counted 536,000 more vehicles than usual on Wyoming's roads and highways - a 68 percent increase.

The International Space Station is seen in silhouette as it transits the sun during a partial solar eclipse, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, near Banner, Wyo. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP)

"I have no doubt that we had hundreds of thousands of visitors," department spokesman Doug McGee said Tuesday. "I would guess that yesterday was the most people that ever have been in Wyoming at one time."

The coast-to-coast total eclipse crossed a strip of Wyoming from the majestic Teton Range to the Torrington feedlots near Nebraska.

If the traffic count did indeed top the estimated 1.1 million vehicles, the state for a time would have surpassed Vermont, Alaska, the Dakotas, Delaware, Montana and Rhode Island to rank 43rd in population.

Traffic began picking up over the weekend and turned into a northbound tidal wave early Monday before the eclipse.

In the Cheyenne area, folks often complain about the traffic in Colorado. Suddenly that traffic was upon them.

The Colorado Front Range has a population of about 5 million - 10 times the number of people in Wyoming. Traffic from that area gave the typically desolate lanes of Interstate 25 the look of an urban freeway.

After the morning eclipse, the southbound lanes got hit with people heading home.

Smartphones used to document the eclipse soon buzzed with calls from friends and family members stuck for hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic in remote areas. Decisions were made: Head home immediately and hope for the best, or wait for traffic to ease up.

Either choice meant slow going. From minutes after the eclipse until well past midnight, traffic was bad from Casper to Loveland, Colorado, according to McGee.

"What really caused a lot of congestion issues, our post-eclipse traffic hit the end-of-workday traffic in Colorado and those combined to create a pretty lengthy logjam," McGee said.

Few accidents were reported, however, and people lined up at gas stations seemed more cheerful than aggravated.

The bump to tourism - Wyoming's second-largest industry after fossil-fuel extraction - is being tallied by the Wyoming Office of Tourism, agency spokeswoman Tia Troy said.

"I would say it was a picture perfect day," Troy said. "It really put Wyoming in this fantastic national and international spotlight."

Wyoming's previous total eclipse was in 1918. The next will come in 2106.

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Follow Mead Gruver at https://twitter.com/meadgruver
I read a recent letter from our area criticizing the governor for not requesting our eastern Montana area an emergency disaster and ask the federal government for assistance through FEMA. Gov. Steve Bullock has already declared our area a disaster months ago.

As for the federal government, there is a lot of help for our farmers and ranchers available now. The Livestock Forage Program pays the cattle producer $30 per head, per month, for up to four months at no cost. The Non-Insurable Agriculture Products covers grass and pastures not covered by federal crop insurance at a cost of only $250 a year or free if you qualify. Dont forget about crop insurance that is subsidized 60 percent to 70 percent by the feds and pays in droughts and disasters.

Low cost loans to help producers, especially beginning farmers and ranchers, are now available.

EQIP funding has been approved for water development in this drought. There is funding available for burned fences and grass. The LIP Program pays livestock owners for losses from fire. There is emergency grazing and haying on CRP land at no cost.

Our Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service do a tremendous job to support and help our agriculture economy especially in a disaster.

To my knowledge, FEMA helps with emergency disasters like floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and fires. How they are going to further help our drought situation puzzles me.

What does seem ironic is that many people considering themselves conservative and want less government actually want more government when it comes to themselves.

Steve Carney

Scobey
MONTREAL (AP) - Men and women with furrowed brows sat in pews alongside their children at a Montreal church as volunteers explained what to expect now that they have crossed into Canada from the United States seeking asylum.

They would receive temporary housing stipends and access to medical care. Their kids could go to school. The volunteers handed out small maple-leaf flags.

"I like Canada very much," 26-year-old Marline Dorisma of Haiti said later. "There are lots of opportunities here."

FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2017 file photo, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer informs a migrant couple of the location of a legal border station, shortly before they illegally crossed from Champlain, N.Y., to Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, using Roxham Road. Authorities say more than 80 percent of the 4,000 migrants who crossed into Quebec recently are from Haiti, and the rest include people from India, Mexico, Colombia and Turkey. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

What they did not get were any assurances that they will be allowed to stay. In fact, many will eventually be told to go back home.

The migrants are part of a recent surge of people crossing over from the United States, including some 4,000 in just the last two weeks, that is straining Canada's immigration system to the point where officials turned a domed stadium into a makeshift shelter.

Many said they left fearing deportation due to increased immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump and believing Canada would automatically give them residence, only to experience a rude awakening upon arrival.

It's a widely held misbelief that Transport Minister Marc Garneau sought to dispel during a recent visit to the international border near Quebec, where migrants have been crossing over from northern New York.

"Unless you are being persecuted or fleeing terror or war, you would not qualify as a refugee," Garneau said, "and it's important to combat that misinformation that is out there."

Like in the United States, rules in Canada allow for asylum for people who can demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution in their homeland based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a group like the LBGT community. People can also be accepted if Canada fears they face torture or cruel or unusual punishment if they are deported.

But those deemed to be economic migrants are given orders of deportation through a process that can range from several months to many years.

Last year Canada granted asylum to 63 percent of applicants, for a total of nearly 16,000, according to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. For Haitians it was 52 percent, said Jean-Nicolas Beuze, the representative in Canada for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. That was similar to the acceptance rate for Haitians in the United States, about 48 percent.

Officials, immigration lawyers and other experts say the false belief that Canada will accept all migrants is particularly common among Haitians.

"If these people were aware of the criteria that need to be met in order to be granted refugee status in Canada, and of the likelihood of being turned down and deported from Canada back to Haiti, it's possible many of them would probably have decided not to have left the United States," lawyer Stephane Handfield said.

Authorities say more than 80 percent of the 4,000 who crossed into Quebec recently are from Haiti. The rest include people from India, Mexico, Colombia and Turkey, according to the provincial ministry of immigration.

The Trump administration is considering ending a program that granted temporary residency to about 58,000 people from Haiti following the Caribbean nation's devastating 2010 earthquake. Canada ended a similar program in 2014.

"We're being threatened so we have to leave the country, because we're illegal," said Dorisma. "I was told that Canada isn't a country that deports people."

At Montreal's Olympic Stadium, recent arrivals are sleeping on some 900 cots in a concourse near a rear entrance. Officials say the shelter is operating at 70 to 90 percent capacity at any given time and will be open until next month.

Migrants said they have been encouraged by the reception they have received so far in Canada, where there have been only minor anti-immigration demonstrations.

Inancieu Merilien, one of hundreds of Haitians at the arena, said he and others were "being taken care of very well" and "being here is like a dream come true."

In January, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted in response to a U.S. ban on travelers from some Muslim-majority nations: "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength."

But the reality is many will be in an uncomfortable limbo while awaiting a decision on their status. Janet Dench, executive director of the Canadian Council of Refugees, said the lingering threat of deportation will make it difficult to build new lives and get good jobs.

"They can't invest in integrating because they don't know what the future holds," Dench said. "So it's an extremely stressful situation."

Also, despite the access to taxpayer-funded medical care and education, the housing assistance doesn't go far. Those subsidies range between about $560 per month for a single adult to $1,900 for a family of four, meaning multiple migrant families often must squeeze in under the same roof.

Joseph Jr. Clormeus, a pastor of Haitian descent who has been helping migrants, said many still prefer Canada to what they faced south of the border.

"Most of them are disoriented, weak, and don't know what the future will bring," Clormeus said. "But they prefer the uncertainty of life in Canada (over) the certainty of being deported from the United States."

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Associated Press writer Patrick Lejtenyi reported this story in Montreal and AP writer Rob Gillies reported from Toronto.

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2017 file photo, a taxi filled with women from various nations pay their fare as they arrive at an unofficial border station across from Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec on Roxham Road in Champlain, N.Y. Many migrants said they left the U.S. fearing deportation due to increased immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump and believing Canada would automatically give them residence, only to experience a rude awakening upon arrival. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

In this Aug. 6, 2017 photo, a woman holds a sign in support of asylum seekers during a rally outside Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada. Migrants are part of a recent surge of people crossing over from the United States, including some 4,000 in just the last two weeks, that is straining Canada's immigration system to the point where officials turned this domed stadium into a makeshift shelter. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

In this Aug. 9, 2017 photo, Canadian soldiers set up tents to house asylum seekers at the Canada-United States border in Lacolle, Quebec. Like in the United States, rules in Canada allow for asylum for people who can demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution in their homeland based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a group like the LBGT community. People can also be accepted if Canada fears they face torture or cruel or unusual punishment if they are deported. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

In this Aug. 2, 2017 photo, asylum seekers get their belongings from a bus after arriving to Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada. Officials say the shelter at the stadium is operating at 70 to 90 percent capacity at any given time and will be open until next month. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Turkey's prime minister said Wednesday he wants to double trade volume with Vietnam to $4 billion in the next three years as his country seeks to boost cooperation with the Southeast Asian country.

Binali Yildirim was making his first visit to Vietnam as prime minister, accompanied by a large business delegation.

"I believe that our bilateral trade volume will reach $4 billion by 2020 and that's doable," Yildirim told reporters during a briefing with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The bilateral trade currently stands at $2 billion a year.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, left, shakes hands with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc before the two headed for talks behind closed doors in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Yildirim is on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian country to boost trade and defense ties between the two countries. (AP Photo/Tran Van Minh)

Phuc told reporters the two committed to creating favorable conditions for businesses from both countries to promote mutual trade and investment.

"There are special areas where our mutual cooperation can immediately be initiated, primarily the defense industry," Yildirim said during talks with Vietnam's prime minister.

Details on defense cooperation were not immediately disclosed, but Vietnam has in recent years sought to modernize its military with the purchase of six submarines and new jet fighters from Russia, its traditional weapons supplier, in the face of Chinese assertiveness in pressing Beijing's territorial claims in disputed South China Sea waters.

China claims most of the South China Sea, which is believed to sit on rich natural resources and occupies important international sea lanes.

The two prime ministers stressed that disputes should be resolved through peaceful means in line with international law.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, center right, and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc, center left, review an honor guard in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Yildirim is on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian country to boost trade and defense ties between the two countries. (AP Photo/Tran Van Minh)
BERLIN (AP) - Austria's foreign minister says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is taking his country in a "false and dangerous direction" away from the prerequisites needed for European Union membership.

Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz was quoted in Germany's Welt newspaper Wednesday saying Erdogan's "dealings with critics, those with different opinions and minorities is absolutely unacceptable."

He added that Erdogan "is showing definite dictatorial features."

Some 50,000 people have been arrested and many more dismissed from government jobs in a broad crackdown following last year's coup attempt.

Kurz was quoted as saying that to join the EU, Turkey has to demonstrate a respect for democracy and human rights.

He says "that hasn't been the case for a long time."
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A man who pointed a fake gun at police at a Florida airport, urging officers to kill him, has been sentenced to 10 months in jail.

Court documents show that Michael Pettigrew was sentenced last week after pleading no contest to charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and carrying a concealed weapon.

Pettigrew was arrested in May after a three-hour standoff at Orlando International Airport ended peacefully with his arrest. Minutes before arriving at the airport, Pettigrew had texted a friend that he wanted to be killed by police officers.

Part of the airport was temporarily evacuated and traffic going into the airport was halted for a short time during the standoff.
MADRID (AP) - The Latest on the investigation into the Spain attacks (all times local):

5:50 p.m.

A Swiss federal police official says at least one of the suspects in last week's attacks in and near Barcelona spent a night in Zurich last year.

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, center right, and his Spanish counterpart Juan Ignacio Zoido Alvarez observe a minute of silence for the victims of the attacks in Spain, at the of the French Gendarmerie headquarters in Issy-les-Moulineaux, outside Paris, Wednesday Aug.23, 2017. Spanish police said they were investigating material found in searches in two northeastern towns, a day after a judge jailed two of the four surviving alleged cell members that carried out the attacks last week that killed 15 people. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Fedpol spokeswoman Cathy Maret said information received from Spanish counterparts led Swiss police to turn up the name of one of the suspects in a Zurich hotel registry from December.

In an email Wednesday, Maret wrote: "We do not know the reasons for this visit to Switzerland. It is too early to issue a thorough analysis of the nature of possible direct links to Switzerland."

Reached by phone, Maret declined to identify the suspect or indicate whether he was in custody or was killed during Spanish police operations following the attacks.

She said the suspect in the Zurich hotel could have been accompanied.

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3 p.m.

France's interior minister says some of the men suspected in last week's deadly attacks in Spain visited the Paris region two days beforehand.

Standing next to Spain's visiting interior minister, Gerard Collomb said Wednesday "we are working to determine why the authors of the attacks came to Paris and what they did in the Paris region."

He said a day earlier an Audi used by the attackers in the Spanish town of Cambrils had been flagged for speeding outside Paris, but did not specify when.

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1:50 p.m.

Portugal's president and prime minister have attended the funerals of a Portuguese granddaughter and grandmother killed in last week's attack in Barcelona.

Maria de Lurdes Ribeiro, 74 years old, and 20-year-old Maria Correia were in the Spanish city to celebrate the grandmother's birthday when a van mowed down pedestrians in Las Ramblas.

Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia sent a message of condolences to the ceremony near Lisbon, calling the Barcelona attack "cruel and despicable."

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1:15 p.m.

The interior ministers of France and Spain have held a minute of silence for the victims of the Spain attacks at the start of a meeting at the French gendarmerie headquarters outside Paris.

French minister Gerard Collomb and his Spanish counterpart Juan Ignacio Zoido are holding talks and signing off on plans for a joint eight-month training program of gendarmes in Spain.

The Spanish minister was also touring the French gendarmerie's Operational Intelligence Center.

Collomb said in a TV interview a day earlier that the two countries were cooperating closely in the wake of last week's deadly attacks in and near Barcelona that killed 15 people. Dozens of French citizens were wounded in the Barcelona van attack.

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12:50 p.m.

Police in northeastern Spain say they have found a belt with real explosives at the house where the terror cell accused of killing 15 people in attacks on Barcelona and another town last week had been preparing a bigger attack.

Six of the attackers shot dead by police were wearing fake suicide belts.

A police spokesman said Wednesday the belt with viable explosives was found at a house in Alcanar, south of Barcelona, where two other cell members died in an explosion last Wednesday prior to the attacks.

Police had already found over 100 tanks of butane gas and materials to make TATP, an explosive used by Islamic State militants, at the house.

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11 a.m.

Spanish police say they are investigating material found in searches in two northeastern towns in connection to the deadly attacks last week that killed 15 people in and near Barcelona.

Police declined to say what they found in raids late Tuesday at a cybercafe in Ripoll and a house in Vilafranca del Penedes. They said Wednesday the operation continued.

Vilafranca is close to where Younes Abouyaaqoub, the suspected driver in the Barcelona attack that killed 13 people, was shot dead Monday by police.

Abouyaaqoub is known to have changed clothes, picked up knives and a fake explosive belt in the time between the attack Thursday and his death.

One of the four surviving suspects worked in the Ripoll cafe.

A judge provisionally jailed two suspects in the attack Tuesday.

Police officers place bags inside a car as they search the premises in a telephone call centre in Ripoll, Spain, Tuesday Aug. 22, 2017. Police in Catalonia said that agents are searching Tuesday a house and a cybercafe in two different northeastern Spanish towns in connection to the deadly attacks last week that killed 15 people in and near Barcelona. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Police block the entrance of a telephone call centre as they search the premises in Ripoll, Spain, Tuesday Aug. 22, 2017. Police in Catalonia said that agents are searching Tuesday a house and a cybercafe in two different northeastern Spanish towns in connection to the deadly attacks last week that killed 15 people in and near Barcelona. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Police block the entrance of a telephone call centre as they search the premises in Ripoll, Spain, Tuesday Aug. 22, 2017. Police in Catalonia said that agents are searching Tuesday a house and a cybercafe in two different northeastern Spanish towns in connection to the deadly attacks last week that killed 15 people in and near Barcelona. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Police block the entrance of a telephone call centre as they search the premises in Ripoll, Spain, Tuesday Aug. 22, 2017. Police in Catalonia said that agents are searching Tuesday a house and a cybercafe in two different northeastern Spanish towns in connection to the deadly attacks last week that killed 15 people in and near Barcelona. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Police work behind a van and screen covering the entrance of a telephone call centre as they search the premises in Ripoll, Spain, Tuesday Aug. 22, 2017. The lone fugitive from the Spanish cell that killed several people in and near Barcelona was shot to death Monday after he flashed what turned out to be a fake suicide belt at two troopers who confronted him in a vineyard just outside the city he terrorized, authorities said. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

A police officer and a dog walk at the entrance of a telephone call centre as they search the premises in Ripoll, Spain, Tuesday Aug. 22, 2017. The fugitive from the Spanish cell that killed several people in and near Barcelona was shot to death Monday after he flashed what turned out to be a fake suicide belt at two troopers who confronted him in a vineyard just outside the city he terrorized, authorities said. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
A Pennsylvania couple accused of tying and weighting down a mattress on top of their toddler son's crib so he couldn't climb out have been charged in his suffocation death.

29-year-old Justin Dwyer and 28-year-old Courtney Stash were charged Tuesday with involuntary manslaughter and other crimes in the April death of their two-year-old son.

Lebanon County detectives say the Myerstown couple told them to hold the mattress in place, Dwyer and Stash placed two 50-pound bags of rock salt on top of the mattress and tied down the objects with a bungee cord.

29-year-old Justin Dwyer and 28-year-old Courtney Stash were charged Tuesday with involuntary manslaughter and other crimes in the April death of their two-year-old son

It appears little Eoin, 2, suffocated after his parents allegedly placed a mattress on top of his crib weight down by two bags of rock salt

According to WGAL-TV detectives say the boy still tried to climb out and got his head above the crib's rail, but became trapped and suffocated by the weight of the mattress and rock salt.

On the day Eoin died, the couple found the boy unresponsive and called 911. It was later determined that Eoin suffocated, according to the report.

An autopsy showed the boy's death was caused by 'asphyxia due to entrapment between crib and overlying twin mattress secured by bungee cording.'

Stash told police when she found her son, he was standing/leaning and slumped over a top railing of his crib, according to court documents.

Stash explained she immediately grabbed the boy and took him into the living room where she performed CPR on him on the living room couch.

On the morning of the boy's death, Stash and Dwyer were overheard talking about how the mattress was 'holding the boy down on his neck so that he could not get out'

An autopsy showed the boy's death was caused by 'asphyxia due to entrapment between crib and overlying twin mattress secured by bungee cording'

When police searched their home and found a mattress and two 50 pound bags of driveway salt and bungee cords in the master bedroom closet.

An inspection of the boys crib showed scuff marks on the crib rails consistent with the size and shape of the hooks from the bungee cords.

On the morning of the boy's death, Stash and Dwyer were overheard talking about how the mattress was 'holding the boy down on his neck so that he could not get out,' according to the criminal complaint.

Dwyer and Stash face felony counts of involuntary manslaughter, conspiracy related to involuntary manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of conspiracy related to aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, conspiracy related to unlawful restraint, endangering the welfare of a child, and conspiracy related to the endangering of a child.

The couple also faces misdemeanor counts for simple assault, conspiracy related to simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and conspiracy related to recklessly endangering another person.

Charges were filed Tuesday and no court dates have been set at this time, according to online court documents.

Online court records don't list attorneys for the couple.
SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) - Macedonia and neighboring Serbia have committed to overcome "possible misunderstandings" following a brief spot of diplomatic tension that saw Serbia remove its entire embassy staff from Skopje.

The two governments said Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke on the phone Wednesday and agreed to work to improve bilateral relations.

A joint statement said the two saw dialogue as the only way forward.

Serbia on Sunday accused Macedonia of planning unspecified "very offensive acts" against Serb interests.

Macedonia denied any impropriety, adding that it had not spied on or planned to spy on its neighbor.

The two former Yugoslav states have drifted apart since Macedonia's new left-wing government took over this spring, replacing an administration seen as more pro-Russian.
BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) - Investigators say three men have pleaded guilty in Texas in a scheme to sell dozens of rare alligator snapping turtles.

Experts say the reptiles are the largest freshwater turtles in the world, weighing up to 200 pounds and living as long as a century.

Authorities say the turtles were caught during Texas fishing trips and hauled to Louisiana. Both states have wildlife laws meant to protect the rare turtles.

FILE - In this July 12, 2014 file photo, The Museum of Science and History (MOSH) celebrates the birthday of Tonca, an alligator snapping turtle in Jacksonville, Fla. Investigators in Beaumont, Texas said Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, that three men have pleaded guilty in a scheme to sell dozens of rare alligator snapping turtles caught during Texas fishing trips and hauled to Louisiana. Prosecutors announced Travis Joseph Leger and Rickey Paul Simon, both of Sulphur, Louisiana, and Jason Gene Leckelt of Wilburton, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to illegally traffic alligator snapping turtles. (Bruce Lipsky/The Florida Times-Union via AP File)

Prosecutors announced Tuesday that two Louisiana men - Travis Joseph Leger and Rickey Paul Simon, both of Sulphur - and Jason Gene Leckelt of Wilburton, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to illegally traffic the turtles. They face up to five years in prison.

Federal agents recovered about 30 of the alligators from ponds in Sulphur. Investigators believe the turtles could have brought up to $1,000 apiece.
MOSCOW (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Russia Wednesday to voice concern about Iran's efforts to expand its foothold in Syria.

Netanyahu said at the start of his talks with President Vladimir Putin in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi that the growing Iranian presence in Syria threatens Israel and others.

"Iran is making an escalated effort to base itself militarily in Syria," Netanyahu said. "That presents a danger to Israel, the Middle East and in my estimation, the entire world. Iran is already in advance stages of the taking over process of Iraq and Yemen, and in practice already controls Lebanon."

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during their meeting in Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russia and Iran back Syrian President Bashar Assad in the country's civil war, and have helped his army win back key areas. Moscow has also maintained friendly ties with Israel and established military-to-military contacts to prevent confrontations in Syria.

"We are all in the immense international effort defeating Daesh (the Islamic State group) and that is a welcome thing, but what is not welcome is that Iran enters the areas which Daesh leaves," the Israeli leader said.

"We don't forget for a moment that Iran continues every day to threaten Israel with destruction," Netanyahu said, adding that "we will defend ourselves with all means against this threat."

Israel was opposed to the 2015 nuclear deal Iran reached with world powers, and has long objected to Iran's support for militant groups across the region, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, which went to war with Israel in 2006.

Putin hailed what he described as an "efficient mechanism of cooperation" between Russia and Israel, but did not mention Iran in comments at the start of the talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during their meeting in Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak during their meeting in Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Most Republicans dont know that inflation is in every country in the world. It was caused by the pandemic and the Russian war. In the U.S. it
Filling a prescription is no longer the simple errand you run after a doctor visit.

With drug prices rising and insurance coverage shrinking, it pays to ask questions and do a little research before handing over your insurance card at the pharmacy counter. Having coverage offers no guarantee that you're getting the best price for your medicine.

Customers of CVS and Walgreens brought that concern to light earlier this month when they sued the drugstore chains over prices paid for generic prescriptions. The lawsuits accuse the companies of charging insured patients more for generic drugs than what people pay without coverage. It also says the drugstores don't tell insured patients about the cheaper option.

FILE - In this Friday, July 8, 2016, file photo, a pharmacy technician fills a prescription for an anti-diarrhea medication at a pharmacy, in Sacramento, Calif. Filling a prescription is no longer the simple errand you run after a doctor visit. With drug prices rising and insurance coverage shrinking, it pays to ask questions and do a little research before handing over your insurance card at the pharmacy counter. Having coverage offers no guarantee that you're getting the best price for your medicine. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

CVS and Walgreens reject the claims and promise to fight them.

Before you fill your next prescription, consider these steps to help find the best possible price.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

Start a habit of asking your doctor about prices whenever you get a new prescription.

If you have insurance, bring information about your formulary, or list of covered drugs, to your visit. Your doctor deals with many different insurers and may not know the costs tied to your coverage. The list can tell your doctor how your treatment or any alternatives might be covered, said AARP drug pricing expert Leigh Purvis.

DO SOME RESEARCH

Approach prescription buying like car shopping. You don't want to do it without some idea of the prices in your market.

Websites like GoodRx and WeRx can show how drug prices without insurance will vary by store. Knowing what's in the market helps you tell quickly if your favorite drugstore is pricey.

"When we talk about the price of a drug, it's sort of an arbitrary estimate instead of a hard-and-fast rule," said Caitlin Morris of the advocacy group Families USA.

When comparing costs online, note that some websites may show the cash price without insurance while others only show the cost if you use one of their coupons.

QUIZ THE PHARMACIST

The best deal you can get may be the price you pay through insurance. This is especially true with brand-name drugs. The price without insurance for those is typically much more expensive than the co-payment or deductible you pay with coverage.

However, most prescriptions filled are generic and the cash price for those drugs may be cheaper than what a person would pay through insurance, depending on your plan.

Ask the pharmacist what your prescription will cost based on your coverage before you have it filled. If the price is too high, ask what it would cost without coverage.

If your research turned up a lower price elsewhere, ask your pharmacist if they would match that price. The drugstore also may offer a discount program.

Pharmacists in some states can substitute a brand-name drug for a cheaper generic. But check first with your doctor about how that may affect your treatment.

UNDERSTAND THE RISKS

Paying cash for prescriptions comes with some side effects.

Those costs won't help you reach your insurance plan's annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, after which the insurer picks up more of the bill.

Paying cash or using different drugstores for the best price also means that your insurer or your regular pharmacist won't be monitoring to make sure your medicines don't conflict and cause a bad reaction. That responsibility will fall largely on you, especially if you have more than one doctor.

If a prescription is still too expensive after all your research and negotiating, you can walk away and not pay for it. But doing so won't help you get better and it could make your condition more expensive to treat later on.

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Follow Tom Murphy on Twitter at @thpmurphy.
ISLAMABAD (AP) - The U.S. ambassador to Pakistan met with that country's army chief on Wednesday, two days after President Donald Trump warned Pakistan to stop harboring insurgents who are battling U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistan's military said Ambassador David Hale briefed Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa on Trump's new Afghan war strategy. The U.S. president announced the new strategy late Monday but provided few details about how he plans to win America's longest war, which began nearly 16 years ago.

The military statement quoted Bajwa as saying Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan.

Pakistani protesters burn pictures of U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Sultan, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. The U.S. ambassador to Pakistan David Hale met with Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa Pakistan's army chief two days after President Donald Trump warned Pakistan to stop harboring insurgents who are battling U.S. forces in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Iram Asim)

U.S. officials and analysts have long said Pakistan tolerates the presence of the Afghan Taliban and the allied Haqqani network, which are leading the insurgency against Afghan and U.S. forces.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Venezuela's recently ousted chief prosecutor accused President Nicolas Maduro and several allies on Wednesday of participating in acts of corruption, saying she would turn over proof that would help other countries prosecute.

Venezuela's government quickly fired back, accusing Luisa Ortega Diaz of "grave moral and ethical infractions."

Ortega spoke during a meeting of Mercosur trade bloc prosecutors in the Brazilian capital, Brasilia. Ortega was removed by a new, pro-government constitutional assembly in early August after breaking with Venezuela's socialist government.

Venezuela's ousted Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz attends a meeting of Mercosur trade bloc prosecutors, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Brazil's attorney general is sharply criticizing the recent ouster of his counterpart in Venezuela. Attorney General Rodrigo Janot said that the removal of Ortega Diaz was "an institutional rape" and that it eroded the independence of Venezuela's justice system. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

She fled abroad with her husband, whose arrest was ordered by the country's supreme court.

"I want to denounce, in front of the world, a grave situation in Venezuela: that of excessive corruption," Ortega said. "Because of that reason, (Maduro's administration) is violating the constitution and law to protect itself."

Ortega said she had evidence implicating Maduro and other top officials in corruption involving Brazilian constructor Odebrecht and other companies.

Ortega told reporters after the meeting that Maduro loyalist Diosdado Cabello received $100 million from Odebrecht via a Spanish company called TSE Arietis, which was owned by cousins of Cabello.

She also claimed that Maduro was the owner of a Mexican company that Venezuela had contracted to provide basic foodstuffs. She said Group Grand Limited was registered in Mexico under the names Rodolfo Reyes, Alvaro Pulido Vargas and Alex Saab, but that Maduro was the real owner.

"It's impossible for cases to be investigated in Venezuela," said Ortega, adding that she was providing documentation to the United States, Brazil, Colombia and Spain.

Ortega's claims could not be immediately verified. Emails sent to Group Grand Limited and TSE Arietis seeking comment were not returned.

Late Wednesday, Cabello said that Ortega's accusations were just an attempt to draw attention away from the corruption investigations she and her husband face in Venezuela.

In a statement, Odebrecht said her allegations were "not true." In particular, the company denied Ortega's allegation that Odebrecht had received money for projects that had been halted.

"Currently 11 projects are underway (in Venezuela), and not one has been abandoned despite an economic crisis that has reduced investments in infrastructure across Latin America," said the statement.

Odebrecht has been at the center of the massive "Car Wash" probe in Brazil involving kickbacks for contracts. Over the last three years, dozens of Brazil's top politicians and businessmen have been jailed, including former Odebrecht CEO Marcelo Odebrecht.

The investigation has led to prosecutions in several countries in Latin America where Odebrecht and other Brazilian construction companies operated.

Hours later Ortega's replacement, Tarek William Saab, told reporters in Venezuela's capital that the accusations "lacked validity" and should presented to Venezuelan authorities.

Saab called Ortega a "world tourist" who had been pushed out because of her own infractions.

Even if Ortega possesses strong evidence, however, it's not clear whether it could hurt Maduro's administration, which is already alienated from many of the region's countries.

While Brazil shares information with other countries related to the "Car Wash" investigation, authorities say they leave the prosecution of foreign nationals to justice officials in those countries.

Ortega's visit to Brazil, Latin America's most populous nation and largest economy, came a day after Maduro claimed that she was working with Washington to damage his administration and said Venezuela would ask for an international arrest warrant for Ortega. It wasn't immediately known if that had been requested or if it would be considered.

Mercosur has suspended Venezuela due to the crisis there.

Brazil's foreign minister, Aloysio Nunes, told Globo News that Ortega would be "immediately" granted asylum if she asked for it. Ortega has not signaled that she would.

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Associated Press writers Fabiola Sanchez in Caracas, Venezuela, and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.

Venezuela's General Prosecutor Tarek William Saab speaks during a news conference at his office in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Tarek William Saab was named by the Constitutional Assembly to replace Luisa Ortega Diaz as chief prosecutor. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuela's ousted Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz, left, and fellow prosecutor Attorney General Rodrigo Janot, right, attend a meeting of Mercosur trade bloc prosecutors, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Janot said that the removal of Ortega Diaz from her post was "an institutional rape" and that it eroded the independence of Venezuela's justice system. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times EDT):

10:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump called for patriotism and national healing as he praised veterans at an American Legion conference in Nevada Wednesday.

President Donald Trump speaks at the National Convention of the American Legion, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump called the veterans an "example of strength, courage and resolve that our country will need to overcome the many challenges that we face."

It was a stark contrast from his rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night. He opened his remarks there with talk of unity but then tore into the media and members of his own party.

The public push-and-pull in Trump's message mirrors the internal dynamics at the White House, New chief of staff John Kelly has organized and regimented the West Wing staff but has been unable to rein in the president's tendency to veer off course.

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6:50 p.m.

The White House isn't walking back President Donald Trump's threat of a government shutdown over his promised Southern border wall.

Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tells reporters traveling aboard Air Force Once that Trump "has made no secret" that getting the wall built is a priority. She says he's "looking forward" to working with Congress to get it done.

Trump threatened a standoff on the issue during a rally Tuesday night, saying, "If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall."

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Wednesday he doesn't think a shutdown is "necessary."

The House has already passed a spending bill with funding for the wall. But the measure faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Democrats and moderates have greater sway.

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6 p.m.

The White House says President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will meet following the August congressional recess amid reports of a vicious feud between the Republican leaders.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the meeting had been previously scheduled and would bring together congressional leaders and members of the president's Cabinet.

She adds that Trump and McConnell "remain united on many shared priorities," including middle-class tax relief, strengthening the military and constructing a Southern border wall.

Trump has criticized McConnell for the Senate's failure to pass a health care overhaul and has suggested he might need to step aside.

People familiar with McConnell's thinking say he has privately expressed dismay over Trump's criticism of fellow Republicans and his response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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2:45 p.m.

President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill that would cut the amount of time the Department of Veterans Affairs takes to decide veterans' appeals of their disability payments.

Trump described the bill as "a big one" as he readied his pen at a signing ceremony at an American Legion event in Reno, Nevada.

The legislation will overhaul the process by allowing veterans to file "express" appeals if they waive their right to a hearing, or allow them to submit new evidence. Veterans currently could wait five years or more to resolve their disability appeals.

The department provides $63.7 billion in compensation annually to about 4.1 million veterans living with disabling conditions suffered during military service.

The changes would apply almost entirely to newly filed appeals, not the existing backlog.

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2:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump is offering kind words to a Nevada senator who is up for re-election and with whom he has openly and repeatedly feuded.

Trump gave a shout-out to Republican Sen. Dean Heller as he kicked off a speech at the American Legion's national convention Wednesday.

Trump said: "Dean Heller is here. Someplace, or will shortly be here" and thanked the senator for attending.

The comments came a day after Trump criticized two other incumbents, Sen. John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona, during an angry rally in their state.

After Heller announced his opposition to an initial health overhaul bill in June, a group linked to Trump launched a hard-hitting ad campaign against him.

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2:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump is saluting the American Legion's commitment to service and urging the nation to follow its example.

Trump was speaking at the group's national convention in Nevada, and he noted the group's diversity. Trump said that those in uniform came from "different backgrounds" and "all different walks of life."

He said that the members are all "on one team" and that the citizens throughout the nation should try to emulate their behavior.

Trump's pitch for unity in Reno stands in stark contrast to his angry, divisive remarks the night before at a campaign rally in Phoenix. During that meandering speech, Trump attacked fellow Republicans and went on a lengthy diatribe against the news media.

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11 a.m.

President Donald Trump is set to speak at an American Legion convention and the White House says he plans to talk about seeking "a new unity."

The White House says the president - in his speech later Wednesday in Reno, Nevada - will say it's "time to heal the wounds that have divided us and to seek a new unity based on the common values that unite us."

Look for Trump to say: "We are one people, with one home, and one flag."

The Nevada appearance is coming after Trump's rally Tuesday night in Phoenix, when he lashed out at the media and criticized Arizona's two Republican senators.

Trump has pushed back against media coverage of his response to the violence at a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organized by white supremacists.

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10 a.m.

President Donald Trump is naming Senate Republican names.

Trump on Wednesday morning tweeted that he loves "the Great State of Arizona." But he added that he was "not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!"

The president woke up in Arizona the day after a campaign rally in Phoenix.

He repeatedly lashed out at the media during the event and skewered both of Arizona's Republican senators, insisting that his coy refusal to mention their names Tuesday night showed a "very presidential" restraint.

But he went after Flake by name the next morning. Flake has been very critical of the president.

Trump has also criticized the state's senior senator, John McCain, for casting the deciding vote that doomed the Republican health care bill. McCain is battling brain cancer.

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3:15 a.m.

President Donald Trump is blaming the media for the condemnation of his response to violence at a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organized by white supremacists.

He opened his political rally Tuesday in Phoenix Tuesday evening with calls for unity, and an assertion that "our movement is about love," but then quickly erupted in anger

Trump shouted he'd "openly called for healing unity and love" in the immediate aftermath of Charlottesville and had simply been misrepresented in news coverage.

The president acknowledged his advisers had urged him to stay on message, and that he simply could not. He left no doubt that he plans to pardon former sheriff Joe Arpaio (ahr-PY'-oh), convicted of disobeying court orders to stop his immigration patrols. He said he had chosen not to on Tuesday to avoid "controversy."

President Donald Trump speaks at the National Convention of the American Legion, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

United States Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev. speaks at the 21st Annual Lake Tahoe Summit, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. The summit is a gathering of federal, state and local leaders to discuss the restoration and to sustain Lake Tahoe.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

President Donald Trump reacts before speaking at a rally at the Phoenix Convention Center, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump struggles to hold a baby as he greets supporters as he arrives in Reno, Nev., Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Animals and plants can be considered endangered even if they are not on the brink of extinction, a judge ruled in overturning the U.S. government's re-classification of a small population of grizzly bears living in the forests of Montana and Idaho near the Canada border.

Tuesday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen said that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is prohibited from narrowing the definition an endangered species in its future decisions without explaining why it wants to make the policy change.

The federal Endangered Species Act defines an endangered species as one that is "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range."

FILE - This June 20, 2014 file photo taken by an automatic trail camera provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows an adult female grizzly bear in the Cabinet Mountains in northwest Montana near Canada. A federal judge ruled Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 that the small population of grizzly bears in Montana and Idaho near the Canadian border can be considered endangered even if they are not on the brink of extinction. U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen's order reversed the 2014 re-classification by U.S. wildlife officials for 40 to 50 bears of the Cabinet-Yaak bear population under the federal Endangered Species Act. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP, File)

In 2014, the Fish and Wildlife Service interpreted that to mean that 40 to 50 Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bears living in the mountainous, remote part of Montana and Idaho are not endangered because they are not "on the brink of extinction" - an explanation used only once before to justify keeping polar bears from endangered status.

The federal agency used that interpretation to upgrade the status of Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bears to "threatened" after the bears spent decades on a waiting list to be classified as "endangered," prompting a lawsuit from the conservation group Alliance for the Wild Rockies.

Christensen ruled that the government effectively changed its policy without explaining it or seeking public input. He reinstated the Cabinet-Yaak bears' status as warranting classification as an endangered species - essentially putting them back on the waiting list.

The federal agency first used the "brink of extinction" interpretation in a memo to explain its decision not to list the polar bear as an endangered species in 2008.

The judge said that memo was only supposed to apply to polar bears and not set a new policy for defining endangered species, but that the agency tried to apply it to the Cabinet-Yaak bears.

In future listings of any animals or plants under the Endangered Species Act, the judge said, the Fish and Wildlife Service must prove that the federal law allows the "brink of extinction" interpretation and provide an explanation of why that interpretation is needed.

"It will apply to all other species when the FWS is considering if a species should be listed as endangered," said Mike Garrity, the executive director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies.

A Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

The Cabinet-Yaak bears are one of six grizzly populations in the Northern Rockies from Washington state to Wyoming.

All are considered threatened, with the recent exception of about 700 grizzlies living in and around Yellowstone National Park, about 300 miles (480 kilometers) southeast of the area with portions of three national forests where the Cabinet-Yaak bears live.

The U.S. government declared Yellowstone grizzlies recovered and lifted federal protections for them last month.

The government agency ruled in 2014 that the Cabinet-Yaak population had stabilized and no longer needed to be considered as an endangered species. The agency acknowledged their numbers were still far short of the 100 bears targeted for a recovered population and still merited "threatened" status.

A "threatened" classification provides many, but not all, of the protections given to endangered species against killing or hurting them and their habitat.

Until that 2014 decision, the Fish and Wildlife Service classified Cabinet-Yaak bears as warranting endangered species status, but ruled that other troubled species had a higher priority, such as the red-crowned parrot in Texas and the Puerto Rico harlequin butterfly.

So the bears spent decades on a list with hundreds of other species waiting for their turn.

The Alliance for the Wild Rockies argued the bears are still endangered because their population is less than half of the recovery target.

The conservation group also argued that they are isolated from other bear populations and they face serious threats to their survival from human activities like mining and logging where they live.

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This version corrects that the judge issued the ruling on Tuesday, not Monday.
LONDON (AP) - The European Union's highest court could still carry weight in Britain after Brexit even though the country will leave its "direct jurisdiction," the U.K. government said Wednesday.

Prime Minister Theresa May's government has repeatedly said Britain will no longer be bound by rulings of the Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice once it quits the bloc in 2019. May said Wednesday that Britain's Supreme Court "will be the arbiter" of British laws.

The reality is more complex, and illustrates some of the challenges involved in disentangling the country from the EU.

People hold up EU flags while the last bell bongs at Elizabeth Tower in London, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. At noon, Big Ben's famous bongs sounded for the last time before major conservation works are carried out. The Elizabeth Tower, home to the Great Clock and Big Ben, is currently undergoing a complex programme of renovation work that will safeguard it for future generations. While this vital work takes place, the Great Bell's world famous striking will be paused until 2021 to ensure the safety of those working in the Tower.(AP Photo/Leonore Schick)

The 27 other EU states want the European court to retain authority over the interpretation and implementation of the Brexit agreement, and have oversight over the treatment of their citizens in the Britain.

Alexander Winterstein, a spokesman at the EU's executive Commission, said Wednesday that the bloc's position was "transparent and unchanged."

The British government, however, says the EU's proposal would not be "fair and neutral."

In a paper released Wednesday, the Department for Exiting the European Union said a new committee or arbitration panel would have to be created to deal with disagreements over the interpretation and application of the Brexit deal.

Outlining a series of precedents without recommending one in particular, it said one possible model was the one used by non-EU countries such as Iceland and Norway, which requires that "due account" be taken of EU court rulings.

Opponents of Brexit said the paper showed the government was softening its stance. Labour peer Andrew Adonis, a supporter of the pro-EU Open Britain campaign, said the paper made it clear that "European judges will still have considerable power over decisions made in the U.K."

Britain is releasing a series of position papers on aspects of Brexit ahead of a new round of negotiations in Brussels at the end of August.

Britain triggered the two-year countdown to leaving the EU in March, and the country's negotiators are eager to move the divorce talks on to details of a future trade relationship with the bloc.

EU officials say that can only happen once there has been "sufficient progress" on key issues including how much Britain must pay to settle its accounts with the bloc, and the status of 3 million EU citizens living in Britain.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A paramilitary Christian sect with members facing child sex abuse charges evaded law enforcement authorities for years by hiding births, physically punishing followers and quietly operating in isolated areas of New Mexico, former members say.

In interviews with The Associated Press and in court documents, the ex-members also alleged that leaders of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps exercised control over followers by forcing them into hard labor and refusing to give their children medical care.

When members complained, sect co-leader Deborah Green would hold "trials" against them for questioning her authority, which Green said came directly from God, former members Maura Alana Schmierer and Julie Gudino said.

The trials led to banishment to isolated sheds without toilets and from the sect's compound without being allowed to take their children, the women said.

"It was a form of brain-washing," Schmierer, who left the group in the late 1980s and sued, winning a $1 million award when it was based in Sacramento, California, told the AP.

The secretive sect in the small ranching community of Fence Lake was spotlighted when authorities raided its compound Sunday and arrested three members, including Deborah Green, in connection with a child abuse investigation.

The Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps describes itself as a group that is "revolutionary for Jesus" and provides a free spiritual "ammo pack" to anyone who submits a written request. Photos of members show them in military-style clothing and on missions in Africa.

Its website is laced with anti-Semitic language and anti-gay tirades about same-sex marriage.

The Southern Poverty Law Center lists the sect as a hate group.

Sect member Peter Green, also known as Mike Brandon, was being held on a $5 million secured bond and faces 100 counts of sexual penetration of a child after being accused of raping a girl at least four times a week from the time she was 7, according to court documents.

Another member, Stacey Miller, who had been told by leaders to leave the compound after she became the target of an investigation into her child's death, was arrested this week on child abuse charges in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, documents said.

On Tuesday, a judge ordered Deborah Green held on a $500,000 secured bond on charges that included failure to report the birth, child abuse and sexual penetration of a minor.

None of the defendants have a lawyer listed in court documents.

In a prepared statement, the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps called the criminal allegations "totally false."

"We don't know who all the accusers are, but the accusations are just re-runs of old lies that have been investigated and shown to be malicious attacks against a legitimate ministry," the statement said.

The group also is denying other accusations by former members.

James Green, a sect leader and husband of Deborah Green, denied that abuse occurred at the compound and also defended his wife against such claims when he spoke Tuesday with reporters outside court.

Heavily armed Cibola County deputies raided the sect's compound during church services and discovered weapons and silencers, Sheriff Tony Mace said.

Deputies also reported finding children who had been trained not to talk to law enforcement, Mace said. He did not know how many children were on the premises among the four dozen or so people at the compound.

Officials from the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department are investigating the children's well-being, and parents have been ordered to provide birth certificates within 30 days, Mace said.

Gudino, a member of the group from 1984 to 2004, told the AP that Deborah Green delivered babies and refused to provide medical care because she didn't want to pay for it.

"She just told us we were being punished for 'spiritual adultery' and all we had to do was pray for our children to get better," Gudino said.

But sometimes, according to court documents, lack of medical care resulted in the death of children.

Gudino also said Deborah and James Green made members raid dumpsters behind stores to retrieve discarded produce and food products to make bread.

Gudino said she and other members would travel to Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma to sell the bread to unsuspecting buyers.

"(Deborah) told us that's what God wanted us to do," Gudino said.

Court documents say member Jamie Bridgewater told deputies that sect leaders tried to keep parents from notifying state officials about births so children could be hidden from police.

Bridgewater also told deputies that James and Deborah Green ordered members to bury photos of children after the Greens were interviewed by deputies investigating allegations of abuse.

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Follow Russell Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras
MOSCOW (AP) - A senior Russian diplomat is warning against expanding sanctions against North Korea, saying it's necessary to focus on a political settlement.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that "the scope of sanctions already endorsed by the U.N. Security Council is such that any possibilities of expanding such measures have been exhausted."

In remarks to the Japanese and Chinese media released by the ministry on Wednesday, he bemoaned Washington's "absolute and boundless" emphasis on developing new sanctions against Pyongyang.

In this undated photo distributed Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, by the North Korean government, leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits the Chemical Material Institute of Academy of Defense Science at an undisclosed location in North Korea. North Korea's state media released photos Wednesday that appear to show the designs of one or possibly two new missiles. Concept diagrams of the missiles were seen hanging on a wall behind leader Kim Jong Un while he visited a plant that makes solid-fuel engines for the country's ballistic-missile program.Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this photo. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Ryabkov said the U.N. Security Council must now focus on a political settlement.

China and Russia have called on the U.S. to suspend annual military exercises with South Korea in exchange for Pyongyang halting its missile and nuclear tests as a first step toward direct talks.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Police in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam detained the driver of a van with Spanish license plates and a number of gas tanks inside after a concert by an American rock band was cancelled Wednesday night following a threat, the city's mayor said.

A Spanish counterterrorism official said the van is not connected to the attacks that killed 15 people in Spain last week.

The official said investigators discarded a possible link between the van's driver and the extremist cell that carried out the attacks in and near Barcelona after questioning the driver and examining the van. Rotterdam police could not be reached for a reaction to the Spanish official's comments.

In this image taken from video a police officer examines a van behind a cordoned-off area in Rotterdam, Wednesday Aug. 23, 2017, after a concert by an American rock band was cancelled Wednesday night following a threat, the city's mayor said. Police detained the driver of a van with Spanish license plates carrying a number of gas tanks inside. (RTL via AP)

Police detained the driver for questioning about two hours after a concert by Los Angeles band Allah-Las was called off after Dutch police received a terror warning. Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said the warning came from Spanish police.

However, Aboutaleb said at a hastily arranged press conference that it was too soon to link the van to the unspecified threat directed at the concert.

"It is not yet good to say that the things are linked," Aboutaleb said. "It still has to be established that there was a link between the van and the threat. We can't say that yet."

Military explosives experts checked the van and a police officer later got behind the wheel and drove the vehicle away, Dutch broadcaster NOS reported.

Police said in a statement that the van contained "a couple of gas bottles."

The Dutch terror threat level, which is at level four of a five-step scale, remained unchanged, Lodewijk Hekking, a spokesman for the country's counterterror chief told the AP in a text message.

The Spanish counterterrorism investigation official said Spain's Civil Guard received "an alert indicating the possibility of an attack today in a concert that was going to take place in Rotterdam."

The Civil Guard shared the information with Dutch authorities and is investigating the threat, said the source, speaking anonymously because the Civil Guard is still probing the threat.

Police in Spain have been investigating the deadly vehicle attacks last week in and near Barcelona. They later found bomb-making equipment that included more than 100 tanks of butane gas, nails and 500 liters of acetone.

Rotterdam police said they took the information about a threat "seriously enough that after discussion with organizers it was decided to cancel the event."

Concert organizer Rotown said earlier on Twitter that the concert venue, a former grain silo called Maassilo, was being evacuated because of the unspecified threat. The show hadn't yet started when the decision to cancel it was made.

Dutch television showed officers in body armor outside Maassilo and what appeared to be members of the band leaving the venue in a white van with a police escort. By around midnight, the area was calm and police had lifted the cordon they earlier put up around the venue, the NOS reported.

Allah-Las is a four-piece band from Los Angeles.

In an email to The Associated Press, the band's label, Mexican Summer, said: "Due to a potential terror threat at The Maassilo in Rotterdam, the Allah-Las show was cancelled tonight.

"Details are not available at this time as the incident is still under investigation. The band is unharmed and are very grateful to the Rotterdam Police and other responsible agencies for detecting the potential threat before anyone was hurt."

In an interview with British newspaper The Guardian last year, band members said they chose the word Allah, Arabic for God, because they were seeking a "holy sounding" name and did not realize it might cause offense.

"We get emails from Muslims, here in the U.S. and around the world, saying they're offended, but that absolutely wasn't our intention," lead singer Miles Michaud told the newspaper. "We email back and explain why we chose the name, and mainly they understand."

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Aritz Parra in Madrid contributed to this story.

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This story has been corrected from an earlier version to show Allah-Las derived its name from Allah, the Arabic word for God, not All.

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016 file photo, Miles Michaud, lead singer of the California band Allah-Las, performs during the second and last day of the Corona Capital Music Festival in Mexico City. A rock venue in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam says it has cancelled a concert by American rock group Allah-Las because of a "terror threat." Concert organizer Rotown says on Twitter that the concert on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 at the Maassilo venue was cancelled on orders of the police because of the threat. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills, file)

In this image taken from video Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb speaks to the media in Rotterdam, Wednesday Aug. 23, 2017, after a concert by an American rock band was cancelled Wednesday night following a threat. Police detained the driver of a van with Spanish license plates carrying a number of gas tanks inside. (RTL via AP)

In this image taken from video a van is examined behind a cordoned-off area in Rotterdam, Wednesday Aug. 23, 2017, after a concert by an American rock band was cancelled Wednesday night following a threat, the city's mayor said. Police detained the driver of a van with Spanish license plates carrying a number of gas tanks inside. (RTL via AP)

In this image taken from video a van is examined behind a cordoned-off area in Rotterdam, Wednesday Aug. 23, 2017, after a concert by an American rock band was cancelled Wednesday night following a threat, the city's mayor said. Police detained the driver of a van with Spanish license plates carrying a number of gas tanks inside. (RTL via AP)

In this image taken from video police officers examine a van behind a cordoned-off area in Rotterdam, Wednesday Aug. 23, 2017, after a concert by an American rock band was cancelled Wednesday night following a threat, the city's mayor said. Police detained the driver of a van with Spanish license plates carrying a number of gas tanks inside. (RTL via AP)

In this image taken from video people and security stand around a van in Rotterdam, Wednesday Aug. 23, 2017, after a concert by an American rock band was cancelled Wednesday night following a threat, the city's mayor said. Police detained the driver of a van with Spanish license plates carrying a number of gas tanks inside. (RTL via AP)
Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

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Aug. 22

China Daily on the United States Navy in Asian waters:

The US Navy, which likes to claim its presence can help safeguard "freedom of navigation" in the South China Sea, is proving to be an increasing hindrance to ships sailing in Asian waters.

Early on Monday, the guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain collided with an oil and chemical tanker in waters east of the Strait of Malacca, causing significant damage to the hull that resulted in flooding to nearby compartments. Four sailors were airlifted to hospital and 10 are missing, according to a statement released by the navy.

No members of the crew on the tanker were injured, but the vessel sustained damage near the bow.

The latest incident occurred just two months after the USS Fitzgerald and a Philippine container ship collided in waters off Japan, killing seven US sailors.

It may be hard for people to understand why US warships are unable to avoid other vessels since they are equipped with the world's most sophisticated radar and electronic tracking systems, and aided by crew members on constant watch.

But investigations into the cause of the USS Fitzgerald collision shed some light on the way US warships tend to sail without observing maritime traffic rules and the sloppiness of their crews. According to the Philippine container ship's captain, it signaled with flashing lights after the Fitzgerald "suddenly" appeared on a course to cross its path. Yet the US warship did not respond or take evasive action.

The US Navy concluded the collision was the result of "poor seamanship and flaws in keeping watch" on the part of the warship, which led to its captain and two other senior officers being removed from their posts and administrative actions being taken against members of the watch teams.

The investigations into the latest collision will take time to reach their conclusions, but there is no denying the fact that the increased activities by US warships in Asia-Pacific since Washington initiated its rebalancing to the region are making them a growing risk to commercial shipping; this is the third collision involving a US naval vessel in the region so far this year. And a US guided missile cruiser ran aground off the coast of Japan.

While the US Navy is becoming a dangerous obstacle in Asian waters, China has been making joint efforts with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to draw up a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea and it has boosted navigational safety by constructing five lighthouses on its islands.

Anyone should be able to tell who is to blame for militarizing the waters and posing a threat to navigation.

Online: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/

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Aug. 22

The New York Times on President Donald Trump's strategy in Afghanistan:

If there is a compelling case to be made for deepening the United States military involvement in Afghanistan, where the 16-year-old war has already lasted longer than any other in American history, President Trump did not make it in his speech Monday night.

Rather than the comprehensive strategy that is called for, his plan amounted to a jumble of ideas that lacked detail and coherence and were often contradictory. Having spent years criticizing America's involvement in Afghanistan, he now appears inclined toward an open-ended commitment, but with no real ways to measure success and no hint of a timetable for withdrawal.

New troops will be required, he suggested, but he did not say how many (there are 8,400 there now). Nor did he explain, much less guarantee, how a few thousand more troops could succeed when the more than 100,000 troops deployed during the Obama administration did not.

The president said that his "original instinct was to pull out" - which would have been consistent with his steady criticism as a private citizen of America's commitment - but that he had been persuaded by the generals who dominate his national security team that a "hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum for terrorists, including ISIS and Al Qaeda." That, he said, would be unacceptable.

With this speech, Mr. Trump has taken ownership of the war, which until now he has essentially fobbed off on the Pentagon. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, told two months ago by Mr. Trump that he could deploy another roughly 4,000 troops to Afghanistan, sensibly declined to do that, at least until the president announced his strategy. Now Mr. Trump has set forth a plan, although it's hard to dignify as strategy an address in which he said, "We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities." He seems not to understand that presidents owe it to voters to be transparent.

What we are left with is a set of intentions, which are what? Nothing less than "victory," he said, because "in the end, we will win." But what constitutes victory, and will Americans fight on foreign soil until every terrorist is dead? "Attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing Al Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan, and stopping mass terror attacks against America before they emerge," he proclaimed, which seemed a million miles away from his earlier doubts about foreign entanglements. (There was no mention of collateral civilian casualties, which have recently gone up and angered local populations.)

The accounting so far shows that American forces have degraded Al Qaeda. But the Taliban is an indigenous group, and during Barack Obama's presidency top generals and officials agreed that the Taliban could not be defeated militarily, and must be brought into a political reconciliation process. Mr. Trump gave short shrift to that approach, saying that a successful military effort was a necessary precondition to political reconciliation.

At the end of his presidency, Mr. Obama began withdrawing troops on a fixed timetable, then stopped the pullout at 8,400 troops because the Afghans wanted the Americans around to train their own forces during a Taliban resurgence. The prospect of a deadline was supposed to pressure the Afghans to get serious about corruption and political infighting. Mr. Trump argued that deadlines allowed the Taliban to wait it out and that he would judge the success of the mission according to "conditions on the ground." So much for engaging the Taliban in talks, or the government in Kabul in reform.

Any successful strategy must consider the regional context and, to some extent, Mr. Trump did that. He took a tough tone on Pakistan, which has long played a double game, taking billions of dollars in aid from Washington while giving safe haven to the Taliban and other militants; the president hinted that some aid could be withheld. Mr. Trump might have further angered Pakistan by urging India to provide more economic aid to Afghanistan; Pakistan is already unsettled by India's $1 billion investment in Afghanistan and will be unhappier still if that is increased.

Not mentioned were Russia, China and Iran, all of which have an interest in Afghanistan and should be enlisted to help promote regional stability. Mr. Trump insisted he would bring diplomatic, economic and military levers to bear on Afghanistan, but his words ring hollow given how he has decimated the State Department with spending cuts and by leaving unfilled important positions, including, remarkably, that of ambassador to Afghanistan.

A case can surely be made for maintaining American troops at current levels to keep the government from being overrun by the Taliban and to offset Pakistan, Iran and Russia as they seek to enlarge their influence. But as to the future? Mr. Trump and his administration need to provide many more answers.

Online: https://www.nytimes.com/

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Aug. 20

The Washington Post on the White House's secrecy:

President Trump's White House appears to be even less transparent than it seemed a few months ago. According to a new lawsuit from the advocacy group Public Citizen, the Trump administration is refusing to release information on even a subset of visitors to the White House grounds. This is likely illegal and certainly wrong.

Public Citizen says it has asked repeatedly that the Secret Service turn over records on who has visited four executive agencies on the White House grounds, including the Office of Management and Budget, which crunches numbers for the president on a wide range of policies, and the Council on Environmental Quality, another important policy department.

But, according to Public Citizen's attorney, the Trump administration rebuffed the organization's requests, citing legal and logistical barriers. Among them: It would be difficult to sort out who visited which agency and, therefore, which records need to be released and which do not. Here's a solution: Go back to releasing all visitor logs, except when doing so would endanger national security.

Public Citizen's suit comes on the heels of another, broader complaint from a separate collection of advocacy groups, charging that all White House visitor records should be, as a matter of course, public, including records on visits to Mar-a-Lago and other places where Mr. Trump routinely sets up shop. This was more or less the approach the Obama administration took, after facing similar lawsuits. The Trump administration nevertheless said in April that an open policy would present "grave national security risks and privacy concerns." At that time, the White House said the Trump administration would, when asked, still release visitor records relating to agencies not technically under the executive office of the president, agencies that are almost certainly subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Now, in turning down Public Citizen's requests, the administration appears to be defying even that policy.

Public Citizen argues that more transparency would reveal that Trump administration staffers are taking a lot of meetings with industry groups. This would not be surprising. Even so, knowing exactly whose counsel the president's staff is taking would nevertheless advance public understanding of its leaders and how those leaders are making policy.

Reasonable public scrutiny, meanwhile, can have a beneficial effect on how staffers behave, particularly when higher-ups are not watching. Former Obama administration officials say that the previous visitor records policy discouraged staff from taking meetings and cultivating associations they probably should not have. Concerns about harm to national security did not bear out.

It should not fall on the courts to enforce basic transparency from the public's elected leaders. But with this administration, the judiciary may have an essential role to play.

Online: https://www.washingtonpost.com/

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Aug. 21

The Wall Street Journal on IRS accountability:

The Obama Justice Department dismissed the IRS political targeting scandal as no big deal, and the Trump Administration hasn't been any better. At least the judiciary is still trying to hold someone to account for this government abuse.

In a little noticed decision last week, federal Judge Reggie Walton ordered the IRS to answer a series of questions by Oct. 16. Notably, the tax agency must finally explain the specific reasons for the specific delays in approving each of dozens of conservative nonprofit applications_delays that stifled free speech during a midterm and presidential election. Judge Walton is also requiring the IRS to name the specific individuals that it holds responsible for the targeting.

These are basic questions of political accountability, even if the IRS has stonewalled since 2013. President Obama continued to spin that the targeting was the result of some "boneheaded" IRS line officers in Cincinnati who didn't understand tax law. Yet Congressional investigations have uncovered clear evidence that the targeting was ordered and directed out of Washington.

Former director of Exempt Organizations Lois Lerner was at the center of that Washington effort, but the IRS allowed her to retire with benefits. She invoked the Fifth Amendment before Congress. One of her principal deputies, Holly Paz, has submitted to a deposition in separate litigation, but the judge has sealed her testimony after she claimed she faced threats. The Acting Commissioner of the IRS at the time, Stephen Miller, stepped down in the wake of the scandal, but as far as anyone outside the IRS knows, no other IRS employee has been held to account. Even if the culprits were "rogue employees," as the IRS claims, the public deserves to know what happened.

Judge Walton's ruling means that "the IRS must finally acknowledge its wrongdoing (and the reasons for it) in the context of a judicial proceeding in which the agency may be held legally accountable for its misconduct," Carly Gammill told Powerlineblog.com. Ms. Gammill is an attorney at the American Center for Law & Justice who represents tea-party groups in the litigation.

The Trump Administration also has a duty to provide some answers. The Justice Department and IRS have continued to resist the lawsuits as doggedly as they did in the Obama era. Attorney General Jeff Sessions can change that by ordering government attorneys to quickly and fully comply with Judge Walton's orders. Seven years is too long to wait for answers over abuses of the government's taxing power.

Online: https://www.wsj.com/

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Aug. 22

The Chicago Tribune on the American Civil Liberties Union's representation of 'Unite the Right':

When white supremacists wanted to hold a "Unite the Right" rally at the site of a Robert E. Lee monument in Charlottesville, the Virginia city insisted they gather in a different park. So the neo-Nazis got help from an organization widely vilified on the far right: the American Civil Liberties Union. It sued the city, and a federal judge ruled in its favor. The hateful assembly occurred where it was originally planned.

We all know what happened next. Fighting broke out between protesters and counter-protesters, and a woman was killed after being run over by a car driven by an alleged white nationalist.

The backlash against the ACLU was immediate. Waldo Jaquith resigned from the board of directors of the organization's Virginia chapter, declaring: "What's legal and what's right are sometimes different. I won't be a fig leaf for Nazis." K-Sue Park, a fellow at the UCLA School of Law who has done volunteer work for the ACLU, wrote in The New York Times, "By insisting on a narrow reading of the First Amendment, the organization provides free legal support to hate-based causes."

But anyone who was surprised that the ACLU would represent such extremists has not been paying attention. The organization endured a storm of criticism and canceled memberships in 1977, after it sued to force the Chicago suburb of Skokie to allow neo-Nazis to march. It has gone to court to defend the right of the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church to protest at military funerals. It sued the Washington, D.C., transit system on behalf of alt-right troll Milo Yiannopolous because the system banned ads for his new book.

The ACLU defends the rights of ideological outliers because it believes, correctly, that the Constitution protects free expression no matter how repellent that speech may be. America doesn't need a First Amendment to ensure the freedom of popular speakers to voice their opinions because those don't get suppressed. We need the amendment to ensure the freedom of speakers whose views are despised by people who dominate agencies of government.

Without the First Amendment, the white supremacists might have been out of luck in Charlottesville. But in many parts of the country, in the absence of constitutional protection, organizations devoted to racial justice or abortion rights might be suppressed.

Liberal commentator Glenn Greenwald noted the myopia at work. "Most levers of state power are now controlled by the Republican Party, while many Democrats have also advocated the criminalization of left-wing views," he wrote in The Intercept, addressing those on the left. "Why would you trust those officials to suppress free speech in ways that you find just and noble, rather than oppressive?"

By protecting freedom of expression on the right, the ACLU bolsters it for everyone - including the "anti-fascist" groups that often show up to demonstrate against right-wing speakers.

The First Amendment, of course, does not protect violence or threats of violence. Cities are entitled to set reasonable rules to safeguard public safety. The permit for last Saturday's "free speech" rally in Boston, for example, prohibited backpacks, sticks, cans, glass containers and any "other item that could be used as a weapon."

Local officials are also obligated to deploy police to keep opponents separated and head off dangerous clashes. Any speaker who tries to incite immediate violence can be arrested.

Allowing open debate, however, is essential to a free and democratic society, even when it includes noxious speakers. Thomas Jefferson wrote, "We are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it."

Thanks to the Constitution, the white supremacists who showed up in Charlottesville and Boston had their say. But in doing so, they only stimulated a national debate that they are bound to lose.

Online: http://www.chicagotribune.com

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Aug. 17

The Seattle Times on marijuana and Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

U .S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is an old school drug warrior, so it came as no surprise that his Department of Justice recently sent Washington and other states with legalized marijuana letters with a fusillade of bullet points on the dangers of legal weed.

What is surprising, however, is how misleading and cherry-picked his data was. Sessions wrongly portrayed Washington's marijuana experiment as a circus, with exploding marijuana-extraction labs and stoned teens weaving across the roadway.

The experiment is a work in progress, but Sessions' letter to Gov. Jay Inslee warrants a rebuttal - and not just because of bad data.

It missed the fundamental point made by voters in Washington and Colorado in the historic 2012 election. It has subsequently been made in California, Oregon, Alaska, Massachusetts, Nevada and Maine.

Legalization is spreading because it is a rational response to the failed policy of prohibition. Arresting and incarcerating marijuana users and growers doesn't make them go away; it drives them underground. Prohibition had a vastly disproportionate impact on black men. Maintaining the ban was a drain on law-enforcement resources; a legalized, regulated market creates a tax source to pay for treatment and teen-prevention campaigns.

Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson, in a letter to Sessions this week, rebutted his litany of problems, which included Washington-grown marijuana being found in 43 other states, an increase in stoned drivers and 17 marijuana labs exploding in 2014 alone.

As Inslee and Ferguson accurately note, that data was gathered before Washington's first licensed and regulated marijuana store opened in 2015. Sessions' data, in fact, comes from the prohibition era he apparently favors.

Since Washington began fully regulating marijuana, state inspectors have cracked down on state stores that sold to minors. They've required licensed growers track every ounce of legal weed.

And since those state-licensed stores opened, the annual state Healthy Youth Survey of Washington students found the number of current underage users is actually down among younger students, and virtually flat for high school seniors. All groups say it has become slightly harder to get.

That's not to say legalization is without challenges, including the normalization of underage pot use. The answer is prevention education, which is paid for with some of the $730 million in state marijuana taxes and fees projected for the next two years.

In his letter, Sessions rattled the sword of prohibition, but did not say the feds were coming to end the legalization experiment. And for good reason. The feds don't have the resources to take on a majority of the country.

Nearly one in five Americans now live in a state with legal recreational marijuana. Three out of five live in states with legal medical marijuana access. The numbers are growing. The prohibition era is done, whether Sessions wants to admit it or not.

Online: http://www.seattletimes.com/
As a 93-year-old lady, with mostly good mental faculties remaining, I was very disappointed in Thursday evenings Navy Band concert. The setting was beautiful, the evening gorgeous, but the music was so unexpected. Preceding the music was an excellent military gun drill. The young Navy members acted and looked sharp in their traditional whites. The band consisted of a bass, an electric guitar, a drum and a keyboard, plus a vocalist with a keen, clear voice. Rhythm-and-blues type music, maybe? But where were the patriotic, traditional classic marches and tributes to all the branches of military service in the kind of concert that sent you home proud to be an American with an In God We Trust affirmation?
WASHINGTON (AP) - James Comey, the FBI director fired by President Donald Trump, will give a series of lectures at Howard University.

The historically black college in the nation's capital announced Wednesday that Comey will be the keynote speaker at the school's opening convocation Sept. 22 and will "lead and conduct" five lectures during the academic year.

The university said Comey will donate his entire compensation of $100,000 to a Howard University scholarship fund

FILE - In this June 8, 2017, file photo, former FBI director James Comey speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Comey will give a series of lectures at Howard University, the historically black college in the nation's capital and the keynote address at the school's opening convocation Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

The school's president, Wayne A.I. Frederick, said in a statement that he hopes Comey's lectures will "go a long way in sparking rich discussion and advancing meaningful debates across campus."

The lecture topics were not announced. In the school's statement, Comey credited Howard for what he called a "long-standing history of being a vibrant academic community and the perfect place to have rich dialogue on many of the most pressing issues we face today."

Comey was appointed FBI director in September 2013 by President Barack Obama. The traditional 10-year term for FBI chiefs was cut short when he was fired by Trump in May amid an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

Prior to becoming FBI director, Comey held positions at an adjunct professor at the University of Richmond Law School and as a specialist in national security law at Columbia University Law School.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Federal authorities on Wednesday issued a permit to a politically conservative group for a Saturday afternoon rally in San Francisco that local officials fear could turn violent.

The National Park Service had earlier told Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson that he had permission for the event, but withheld issuing the permit until the group agreed to several conditions, which include banning guns, tiki torches and other items that can be turned into weapons.

The park service said denying Patriot Prayer a permit would violate the organization's free speech rights. San Francisco's mayor, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi were among the Democratic politicians who had called on the federal agency to reject the permit.

Mayor Ed Lee said Wednesday he was "disappointed" with the park service's decision to issue the permit.

The event is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Saturday at Crissy Field, a federal park along the San Francisco Bay.

Patriot Prayer says the rally is scheduled in support of free speech and that hate groups aren't welcome.

Nonetheless, extremist groups have attended previous Patriot Prayer events. One of its scheduled speakers, Kyle Chapman, was charged in nearby Alameda County last week with possession of an illegal baton. Chapman was captured on video swinging a baton at counter demonstrators protesting a Berkeley, California rally in support of President Donald Trump earlier this year.

Gibson said he launched Patriot Prayer after several Trump supporters were beaten at a Trump campaign stop on San Jose, California last year.

Several groups that oppose Trump are organizing counter demonstrations Saturday in San Francisco.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - A Georgia truck driver has been sentenced to prison in a 2015 highway collision that killed five people after the trucker fell asleep at the wheel.

A State Court judge in Savannah sentenced 61-year-old David Jerald Gibbons of neighboring Pooler to two years in prison and three years on probation. The Savannah Morning News reports Gibbins was convicted Tuesday of misdemeanor vehicular homicide and other counts.

Prosecutors said Gibbons was driving a tractor trailer on Interstate 16 when he fell asleep and slammed into vehicles stopped in a work zone on May 19, 2015.

The crash killed 72-year-old Glenda Faye Adams and 71-year-old Jerry Wayne Earnest of Cohutta; 16-year-old Brittanie Denise Altman of Claxton; 39-year-old Wendy Melton of Reidsville; and 19-year-old Virgil Stephen Moody of Hagan.

Gibbons suffered minor injuries.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A former Tampa police detective faces up to 10 years in prison for her part in a tax-refund scheme.

A U.S. attorney's office news release says 51-year-old LaJoyce Houston pleaded guilty Wednesday to receiving stolen government property. A sentencing date hasn't been set.

Authorities say Houston received goods, services, money orders and cash from debit cards loaded with fraudulently obtained tax refunds in 2011 and 2012. The accounts connected to these debit cards contained more than $284,000 in fraudulent refunds. Payments to Houston came from Rita Girven, who was sentenced in 2015 to 12 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Houston's husband, former Tampa detective Eric Houston, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen government property in March. His sentencing is set for Oct. 25.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A Texas woman whose car fell from the seventh floor of a parking garage last month has filed a lawsuit against the garage's owner and management.

The Austin American-Statesman reports that 49-year-old Christi Bowmer's lawsuit alleges that GTT Parking LP and owner Sheldon Kahn were negligent in not upgrading the cable barrier system meant to keep cars from falling off the Littlefield Garage in Austin.

Bowmer nearly died in the July accident and is seeking more than $1 million in damages.

The police report says Bowmer told an officer that she may have accidentally hit the accelerator instead of braking while attempting to park her vehicle.

This is the second vehicle in less than a year to go over the side of the Littlefield Garage.

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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A federal judge who has compared Texas' voter ID requirements to a "poll tax" on minorities once again blocked the law Wednesday, rejecting a weakened version backed by the Trump administration and dealing Texas Republicans another court defeat over voting rights.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos rejected changes signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott this summer as not only lacking but also potentially chilling to voters because of new criminal penalties. The new version didn't expand the list of acceptable photo identifications - meaning gun licenses remained sufficient proof to vote, but not college student IDs.

Instead, the changes would allow people who lack a required ID to cast a ballot if they signed an affidavit and brought paperwork that showed their name and address, such as a bank statement or utility bill. Those revisions were supported by the U.S. Justice Department, which under President Barack Obama had joined Democrats and minority rights groups in suing over the law.

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2014 file photo, an election official checks a voter's photo identification at an early voting polling site in Austin, Texas. A federal judge Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, again threw out Texas' voter ID requirements that she previously compared to a "poll tax" on minorities, dealing another court setback to state Republican leaders over voting rights. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

But that position has changed with President Donald Trump in charge, who has established a commission to investigate allegations of voter fraud in the 2016 elections. In February, the Justice Department abandoned the argument Texas passed voter ID rules with discrimination in mind and said changes signed by Abbott should satisfy the courts.

Texas first passed the voter ID law in 2011, the same year the GOP-controlled Legislature adopted voting maps that were also struck down as discriminatory.

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the latest ruling "outrageous" and said an appeals court should void the decision.

"The U.S. Department of Justice is satisfied that the amended voter ID law has no discriminatory purpose or effect. Safeguarding the integrity of elections in Texas is essential to preserving our democracy," Paxton said in a statement.

But Gonazles Ramos, who first struck down the law in 2014, said Texas didn't go far enough with its changes and said that criminal penalties Texas attached to lying on the affidavit could have a chilling effect on voters who, fearful of making an innocent mistake on the form, simply won't cast a ballot.

Nor was she swayed by Texas clarifying under the revised law, known as Senate Bill 5, that both U.S. passport books and cards would be accepted. "This feature remains discriminatory because SB 5 perpetuates the selection of types of ID most likely to be possessed by Anglo voters and, disproportionately, not possessed by Hispanics and African-Americans," she wrote.

It was another major ruling over voter ID laws this year. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court shut the door on efforts by North Carolina to revive a state law that mandated voter identification. The Texas voter ID law could now be the high court's next opportunity to weigh in.

The decision also leaves open the potential of Texas becoming the first state dragged back under federal oversight since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 gutted the federal Voting Rights Act, which had required states with troubled racial histories to submit election changes for approval. Gonzales Ramos left that question open for consideration later.

Texas has spent years fighting to preserve both the voter ID law - which was among the strictest in the U.S. - and its voting maps. Earlier this month, a separate federal court found racial gerrymandering in Texas' congressional maps and ordered voting districts to be partially redrawn before the 2018 elections.

"From discriminatory gerrymandering to discriminatory voter ID laws, it has become entirely clear that Texas Republicans are rigging our election system," said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.

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Follow Paul J. Weber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pauljweber
DORAL, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on Vice President Mike Pence's visit in South Florida to meet with Venezuelan exiles. (all times local):

6:40 p.m.

Vice President Mike Pence addressed a sympathetic crowd of Venezuelans in South Florida and pledged the U.S. will use its economic and diplomatic power to push for free elections.

Vice President Mike Pence speaks at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Pence spoke at a church in the city of Doral, the exile enclave, to a crowd of about 300 on Wednesday. The crowd occasionally shouted "freedom, freedom" and cheered every time the vice president spoke of President Donald Trump's interest in Venezuela.

Calling President Nicolas Maduro's government, a "dictatorship," Pence threatened there were more sanctions to come against the South American country.

Pence last week visited Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Panama in an attempt to rally the region against Venezuela. On Wednesday he said, "We will not stand by as Venezuela crumbles."

_____

5:20 p.m.

Vice President Mike Pence has met with 15 Venezuelan exiles in South Florida who told him more help is needed to restore democracy in the socialist regime.

Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart joined Pence in listening to testimonies of established leaders of the Venezuelan diaspora and recently exiles politicians and judges.

Ramon Muchacho was the mayor of the municipality of Chacao since 2013 but fled in July saying he was being persecuted by the government. He told Pence that Venezuela is a dictatorship. "There is no way to get out of it by democratic means," Muchacho said, pleading for more help from Latin America, the U.S. and Europe.

Two other mayors asked for the U.S. government to impose more sanctions.

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11:00 a.m.

Vice President Mike Pence is visiting the Venezuelan diaspora in South Florida after traveling to Latin America to win over allies unnerved by a possible U.S. military intervention in the socialist nation.

Pence met Wednesday with Venezuelan community leaders and activists who say President Nicolas Maduro's increasingly authoritarian regime is to blame for the worsening conditions.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio will also join Pence in Doral, the exile enclave.

President Donald Trump's explosive remarks earlier this month that he would not rule out a "military option" in Venezuela came two days before Pence had previously scheduled his Latin America tour.

The vice president traveled to Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Panama to rally friends in the hemisphere, but switched to damage control in a region scarred by past U.S. invasions.

Vice President Mike Pence shakes hands with U.S. service members at U.S. Southern Command, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
One person has died and seven people are unaccounted for after a 3.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Italian resort island of Ischia, police said.

Giovanni Vittozzi of the civil protection department told Sky TG24 that several buildings in Casamicciola town had collapsed.

He said one woman was killed and seven people are unaccounted for, and the Rizzoli Hospital has been evacuated, except for patients on respirators.

News reports suggested the hardest-hit area was Casamicciola, on the northern part of the island

The quake rattled the island at the peak of tourist season, cutting electricity and sending panicked residents and tourists into the streets.

Italys national volcanology institute said it struck just before 9pm local time, just as many people were having their evening meals. News reports suggested the hardest-hit area was Casamicciola, on the northern part of the island.

A doctor at the Rizzoli Hospital, Roberto Calloca, told Sky TG24 that 20 people were being treated for minor injuries at a makeshift emergency room set up in the hospital grounds.

Debris lie on a road after an earthquake hit the island of Ischia

Dr Calloca said the situation was calm and under control.

Civil protection crews, already on the island in force to fight the forest fires that have been ravaging southern Italy, were checking the status of damaged buildings.

Together with the nearby island of Capri, Ischia  in the Gulf of Naples  is a favourite island getaway for the European jet-set, famed in particular for its thermal waters.

Casamicciola was the epicentre of an 1883 earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people.
Car-maker Ford has announced a scheme to enable drivers to scrap the most polluting vehicles and receive thousands of pounds towards the purchase of new, cleaner models.

The firms UK boss said hundreds of thousands of the dirtiest cars could be taken off the road under the deal, adding that the company shares societys concerns over air quality.

Any car or van registered before December 31 2009 is eligible for the scheme, which runs to the end of the year.

Drivers could receive a 2,000 discount on the purchase of a new Fiesta (Matt Alexander/PA)

Incentives are available on a variety of Ford models, from 2,000 for a new Fiesta to 7,000 for a Transit van.

Air pollution causes an estimated 40,000 premature deaths a year in the UK and is linked to health problems from childhood illnesses to heart disease and even dementia.

The Government last month announced proposals to introduce a targeted scrappage scheme as part of its court-mandated plans for meeting legal European Union limits on harmful nitrogen dioxide pollution.

Approximately 40,000 a year die prematurely from air pollution in the UK every year (Nick Ansell/PA)

It would be focused on drivers who need most support, such as those on lower incomes or living next to a clean air zone.

Ministers also plan to ban the sale of all conventional diesel and petrol cars by 2040 and are considering funding measures to cut pollution with a tax on new diesel vehicles.

Ford of Britain chairman and managing director Andy Barratt said: Ford shares societys concerns over air quality.

Any car or van registered before December 31 2009 is eligible for the scheme (Matt Alexander/PA)

Removing generations of the most polluting vehicles will have the most immediate positive effect on air quality, and this Ford scrappage scheme aims to do just that.

We dont believe incentivising sales of new cars goes far enough and we will ensure that all trade-in vehicles are scrapped. Acting together, we can take hundreds of thousands of the dirtiest cars off our roads and out of our cities.

Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, described the announcement as a shrewd commercial move by a company that has invested heavily in petrol and diesel technology.

He said: Ford is right that the very latest internal combustion engines are miles cleaner than their predecessors but without knowing where, when and how far the scrapped vehicles have been driven, it is impossible to calculate the schemes positive impact on air quality in those very specific urban areas when the problem is at its worst.

A key feature is the offer of good deals on vans which are often key contributors to air pollution and carbon emissions.

The acid test is whether the savings are enough to entice people and businesses who normally settle for second-hand vehicles to now trade up and buy new.
Grime artist Stormzy has hit out at the Metropolitan Police for linking drugs busts to Notting Hill Carnival.

Other Twitter users have also asked what the seizure of what was believed to be a kilogram of uncut heroin in Catford, south east London, had to do with this weekends carnival on the other side of the capital in west London.

The force has been tweeting after carrying out a series of dawn raids on Tuesday, in Lewisham as well as in Kensington and Chelsea, the borough where the world-famous event takes place.

But its tweet about the heroin seizure in Catford led Stormzy to reply: How many drugs did you lot seize in the run up to Glastonbury or we only doing tweets like this for black events?

How many drugs did you lot seize in the run up to Glastonbury or we only doing tweets like this for black events? https://t.co/v7XYvSg29t  Stormzy (@stormzy) August 22, 2017

Many Twitter users were quick to back the musician, with @RxDWHxTEBLxCK writing: Seizing knives or having a knife amnesty would be way better. This is just choosing a hated drug and blaming carnival.

Another, @MrMeeds, tweeted: Lol what does the drug seize in Catford have to do with Notting Hill Carnival? Or is this the standard propaganda youre perpetuating?

But others questioned why the rapper had to bring race into the issue, and pointed out that any local drugs seizures ahead of Glastonbury would be carried out by Avon and Somerset Police, rather than the Met.

As part of the operation, this morning officers from @MPSKenChel & @MPSLewisham carried out further raids & arrested an additional 26 people  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 22, 2017

Officers arrested more than 30 people early on Tuesday morning in a planned, intelligence-led operation.

Since Friday August 11, officers have also made more than 290 arrests for a range of offences, recovering 190 knives and 18 firearms.

Police said the crackdown was targeting and disrupting gang crime, drug supply, knife crime and other offences that could impact on the safety of the weekend carnival.

Man arrested

More than 100 officers from the Met, City of London Police and the British Transport Police have been involved.

Tuesdays arrests were predominantly for possession with intent to supply drugs. If some of those arrested are then bailed, they will be forbidden from attending the carnival, Scotland Yard said.

Officers known as super recognisers will be in the area and monitoring CCTV to help spot those banned from the parade.

Chief Superintendent Robyn Williams said the operation was aimed at preventing trouble at Notting Hill carnival (Yui Mok/PA)

In one of the raided properties, a terraced house in south-east London, three men and two women were arrested, while a young child was taken by police to stay with her grandmother.

Inside, uncut crack cocaine with an estimated street value of 60,000 was discovered, along with multiple bags of powder thought to be heroin.

Chief Superintendent Robyn Williams, the Mets spokesman for Notting Hill Carnival, said: Our officers have been proactive and focused on tackling serious violence and knife crime across London.

Evidence

Todays operation is aimed at ensuring that those who intend to cause trouble at Carnival are prohibited from doing so. We are committed to ensuring that Carnival remains a safe, vibrant and enjoyable event; troublemakers are not welcome.

We will be uncompromising in our operations to keep our communities safe and secure. People can expect to see operational activity right up until and throughout the bank holiday weekend.
Jean-Enice Frederic is looking to get arrested.

"I have lots of family in Haiti and wanted to bring them to the United States, but I don't have residency," Frederic says. "I thought about them every day, my wife and kids."

At a dead end called Roxham Road, Frederic is crossing a narrow ditch that separates the United States and Canada.

Canadian police wait patiently on the other side. They warn anyone who approaches that what they're about to do is illegal, that they'll be arrested.

But that's the first step. Once arrested, Frederic, and the thousands of others who have made this journey across to Quebec in the past few weeks, can apply for asylum in Canada. He hopes that would mean a chance at uniting with his family that remains in Haiti after 17 years apart. Then, he hopes, his family could apply to for asylum to become Canadian residents too.

In the past month, Greyhound and other bus lines have been packed with immigrants -- primarily Haitians -- making this exact trip from the United States into Canada. They have taken trains, buses, often multiple, to get to Plattsburgh, New York.

From there, they hail a taxi to the border. On this day, Frederic is one of a stream of almost 300 crossing, dragging whatever belongings they can with them. Haitians flooded to the United States after a cholera outbreak in 2010, as well as after the devastating earthquake the same year.

Frederic, like 59,000 other Haitians in the United States, has "temporary protected status," known as TPS, given to Haitians after the earthquake.

But the gradual exodus from the U.S. over the past two months has been accelerated, infused with new urgency: the Trump administration has warned it will not renew the TPS, which is currently set to expire in January 2018.

Frederic is fearful that means he would be kicked out of the US.

"I'm scared because every day I hear different news," Frederic says. "That's why I'm leaving the United States for Canada."

Canadian authorities have scrambled to manage an "unprecedented" surge of asylum seekers coming over the border into Quebec province. So many people have been fleeing in the past few months that Canadian police have set up tents for processing and background checks. It has created bottleneck at the border with more than 1,000 people waiting to be processed in Red Cross tents, according to the RCMP.

"We've never seen those numbers," said Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) spokesman Claude Castonguay. "Even though our officers are patrolling 24 hours a day all year long, we've never seen such numbers coming in."

RCMP intercepted almost 7,000 asylum seekers in the last six weeks in Quebec. 3,000 of those were in July, RCMP says, and almost 4,000 in just the first half of August.

Crossings mount, driven by fear

Broadly, asylum seekers point to their growing unease about the Trump administration's attitudes toward immigrants. They also point to the racism they say was unleashed after President Trump's election as motivation for driving them to pick up and head to Canada.

Mimose Joseph and her 13-year-old daughter, Melissa Paul, are trying to find their taxi for the ride from Plattsburgh to the border.

They had taken a series of trains and buses from their home in Belle Glade, Florida, a state Joseph has called home since 2002.

Joseph does not speak any English, but her daughter Melissa was born in Florida and is a US citizen. The 13-year-old explains the pair made this trip to Canada, uprooting her adolescence, because of the growing pressure on her,

"She's been through a lot and has stayed here for almost 15 years, and she doesn't want any stress anymore," Paul says.

They, too, hope Canada will take them in permanently and allow brothers and sisters to join her. But for Melissa, it means leaving the only country she has ever known.

"It's kind of shocking and a little bit sad," she says.

Hundreds have been crossing the border each day in the last two months, according to PRAIDA, a provincial government agency that works under Quebec's Immigration Ministry and focuses on helping new arrivals resettle. Immigration officials say 250 people are coming across the border illegally each day.

"Definitely, there is a movement. People are talking to one another and they are suggesting that it is very easy to cross the border and they think that they will automatically become Canadian," PRAIDA Associate CEO Francine Dupuis says.

Canada has already done away with its version of TPS for Haitians, making it more difficult to claim asylum, Dupuis says.

Just because some asylum seekers are poor, or come from poverty-stricken countries, she says, that does not automatically make them refugees nor guarantee asylum.

"It's not going to be an open door," Dupuis says. "That's definitely not (the case) and it's sad because we do think that many of them believe that they are here to stay, which is not necessarily true."

An Olympic stadium becomes a refuge

So many asylum seekers now see Canada as a more welcoming country to find refuge and rebuild their lives that traditional sheltering options used during slower times are overflowing. 3,200 are in temporary housing in Montreal, Dupuis says.

The numbers have grown so much that Montreal's Olympic Stadium, which was home to the 1976 games, is now housing about 700 newcomers, Dupuis says.

The idea, Dupuis says, is to get them comfortable temporary housing but move them through the system as quickly as possible into more permanent lodging.

The vast majority of asylum seekers these days are Haitian, officials say. There are others from Syria and Yemen, fleeing the wars in their countries.

"What they want is a normal life, they want to study, they want to work, they want to have their families with a perspective of stability and this isn't something they seem to be getting now in the (United) States, unfortunately," Dupuis says. "They don't know what is going to happen and that creates anxiety, a lot of anxiety."

'I still love the USA ... it's just the administration'

The YMCA on Montreal's Tupper Street has long served as the first stop for asylum seekers coming from the United States, but these days it is bursting. Its 600 beds are all full.

Nidal al-Yamani, 26, is standing outside. The Yemeni was living in Alabama on a student visa before he crossed into Canada on July 4. Yemen is one of the six Muslim-majority countries on the Trump administration's travel ban.

"After the ban, everybody knows Yemen. Only the bad things about Yemen," al-Yamani says.

He says he no longer felt comfortable in America and experienced several racist incidents.

"The mood changed and the new administration, they give the green light to the people who were racist (who weren't previously) showing it," al-Yamani says.

Al-Yamani has since moved out of the YMCA into more permanent lodgings as his case is processed. He has a higher chance of succeeding than the Haitians, coming from a country wracked by war, immigration officials say. Already, he says, he feels more at home and accepted in Canada.

"I still love USA. As a people, as a community, as everything. It's just the administration, and maybe the system, that affected me," he says. "Even if I try to go back to the United States I don't think I'm welcome anymore."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government are bracing for more people like Al-Yamani to make their way into Canada. On Wednesday he met with a task force of federal and provincial officials charged with managing the influx of asylum seekers.

Those from nine other countries besides Haiti may begin to make their way north too, as their TPS is currently set to expire in the next year. Among them, Honduras and Syria and Al-Yamani's home country of Yemen. It is unclear if the US will extend the TPS for the other countries.

Trudeau said immigrants were a positive for Canada: "Being welcoming and opening is a source of strength," he told reporters.

But he stressed no one was getting a free pass by entering Canada, especially at unauthorized crossing points.

"There are no advantages in terms of the immigration system to arrive irregularly versus arriving regularly," he says. "The same systems will be followed whether it's the very strong and rigorous immediate security checks or whether it's the careful evaluation of their file."
Naomi Broady will begin her quest to make the main draw at the US Open with a first-round qualifying clash with Jil Teichmann.

The British number three, whose ranking meant she missed out on automatic qualification at Flushing Meadows by one spot, faces the Swiss who beat her at the same stage of qualifying for the French Open in May.

However, Broady, who is seeded 15th in qualifying, should do better on the hard courts and will be favourite to progress past the world 182.

Laura Robson reached the US Open fourth round in 2012 (Steven Paston/PA)

Laura Robson will begin her qualifying campaign against Russian world number 313 Alla Kudryavtseva. Robson, who reached the fourth round in New York in 2012, is currently ranked 210 in the world and will hope to come through the three rounds to make the main draw.

Elsewhere, 21-year-old Katie Boulter hopes to make her first US Open and starts off against the USAs Danielle Collins.

In the mens draw, Cameron Norrie will face Alexander Bublik, the Kazakhstani who Andy Murray beat in the first round at Wimbledon last month. Brydan Klein, the world 228 who lost in the first round at SW19, hopes to make another grand slam appearance and starts off against world 164 Frenchman Vincent Millot.
Police have blamed a loyalist paramilitary gang for a pipe bomb attack in Londonderry.

The suspected sectarian incident took place in Heron Way in the Waterside area of Derry on Monday night. A brick was thrown through the window of a house followed by a petrol bomb and then a pipe bomb. The pipe bomb did not explode.

PSNI superintendent Gordon McCalmont said: "This was a bomb left in the heart of the local community  a reckless act at the hands of what we believe to be a loyalist paramilitary gang. Our investigation is at an early stage and we will be investigating a number of lines of enquiry, including the fact this may well have been a sectarian attack.

A brick was thrown through the window of a house followed by a petrol bomb and then a pipe bomb

Police in Derry/Londonderry are currently in attendance at a security alert in the Heron Way area of the city.  Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) August 22, 2017

"This was an act carried out in a residential area by criminals who have absolutely no regard for other peoples safety. These people have nothing to offer society and no place in a democratic society.

They falsely believe their agenda and their after-dark activities are welcome and wanted in a city where the majority of citizens simply want to live in peace. The community does not want to be woken from its beds and told a pipe bomb had been found near their home, a place where they are supposed to feel safe.

"Today, I will be meeting with colleagues and our partners, and conducting a review of our operational and investigative activities to counter the threat posed by this very small minority of people who were responsible for this.

"I am appealing for the communitys support in identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice and I also want to thank the community for their patience and their understanding while we investigate this attack."
Marcos Rojo trained with Manchester United on Tuesday as he continues his recovery from knee ligament damage, while two other first-team players also gave manager Jose Mourinho a boost.

Argentina defender Rojo suffered the injury in April but travelled with United on their pre-season tour of America and also went with the squad to Skopje for the Super Cup with Real Madrid.

Mourinho said last month that Rojo has no chance before December and that may remain the case, but United made a point of showcasing his presence at training.

Marcos Rojo has spent four months on the sidelines

The Premier League leaders shared a Twitter gallery of pictures with the caption back at it on the training pitch and then followed it up with who do we have here? along with images of Rojo.

In what is further good news for Mourinho, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young also trained with the first-team squad on Tuesday.

The pair have had long-term injuries, Shaw with his foot and Young with a groin, and Mourinho had not expected them back until September and October. But they played in an under-23 draw with Swansea on Monday night and United confirmed their return to the first-team squad in a tweet this morning.
Police are investigating an unexplained death at an event which describes itself as bringing kink to the foreground of festival culture.

The man was pronounced dead on Tuesday morning following the Flamefest festival which took place in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, over the weekend.

An unconscious woman also received medical treatment and was taken to a local hospital by air ambulance, Kent Police said.

Police vehicles at the site of the Flamefest festival in Tunbridge Wells (Gareth Fuller/PA)

It was the second year that Flamefest, which boasts a discreet adult play area and an outdoor dungeon, has been held.

The event, which was furnished with fetish play equipment where campers can explore pain, experience pleasure and fulfil your fantasies, took place from Friday to Sunday.

Organiser Helen Smedley created the festival to bring together the purest, most hedonistic elements of the party scene, according to its website.

Private ambulance at Flamefest

Ms Smedley declined to comment on the unexplained death.

A police spokesman said: Kent Police is making inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding an unexplained death in Tunbridge Wells.

Officers were called by South East Coast Ambulance Service at 6.14am on Tuesday 22 August 2017 to a medical incident at a campsite in Powder Mill Lane, Tunbridge Wells.

Patrols and ambulance crews went to the scene where a man was pronounced dead. The death is being treated as unexplained at this stage.

In addition, an unconscious woman received medical treatment and was taken to a local hospital by air ambulance.
The commander of the US Navys Asia-based 7th Fleet has been dismissed after a series of warship accidents raised questions about its operations in the Pacific.

A two-sentence statement issued by the Navy said Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, had relieved Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.

The move follows four Navy accidents in the Pacific since late January, including two collisions that left sailors dead and missing.

While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation, Admiral Swift said late on Tuesday.

He said the Navy will carry out a deliberate re-set of all its ships in the Pacific, focused on navigation, mechanical systems and bridge resource management.

It will include training and an expert assessment of each ship.

US Navy Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin is to be relieved of duty (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

The Navy said that Rear Admiral Phillip Sawyer, who had already been named as Vice Admiral Aucoins successor, would assume command immediately.

Seven sailors died in June when the destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship off Japan.

On Monday, the destroyer USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker collided off Singapore, injuring five sailors and leaving 10 others missing.

#USSJohnSMcCain Update: Pacific Fleet Commander updates reporters on search and recovery ops @USSJohnSMcCain https://t.co/IE41y9Cqg0  7th Fleet (@US7thFleet) August 22, 2017

Admiral Swift, speaking at a news conference in Singapore where the McCain is now docked, said Navy divers had found remains of some of the missing in a flooded compartment in the ship.

He also said Malaysians assisting in the search had found a body, but it had not been determined if it was a McCain crew member.

At least three of the 10 missing sailors have been identified by relatives.

Cindy and I extend our deepest condolences to the families of the brave USS John S McCain sailors whose lives were tragically lost. RIP.  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 22, 2017

Crew member Logan Palmer is from the Decatur, Illinois, area and his mother identified him as missing, US Representative Rodney Davis said.

April Brandon in Michigan said the military informed her that her son Ken Smith is missing. She said her sons father, stepmother and grandfather served in the Navy. Ms Brandon said: His father and I couldnt be prouder of our son.

The family of Jacob Drake of Ohio was told he was among the missing, the Columbus Dispatched reported.

Megan Partlow told The Associated Press that Mr Drake was her fiance and she had last had contact with him on Sunday in a text message.

The collision at daybreak in a busy shipping area tore a gaping hole in the McCains left rear hull and flooded adjacent compartments including crew berths and machinery and communication rooms.

The cause of the collision has not been determined. The Navy previously said there was no evidence it was intentional, or that it was a result of sabotage or cyberintrusion.

The Navy last week said the Fitzgeralds captain was being relieved of his command and other sailors were being punished after poor seamanship and flaws in keeping watch were found to have contributed to its collision.
DNA tests on a headless torso found in the Baltic Sea matched missing Swedish journalist Kim Wall, who is believed to have died on an amateur-built submarine that sank earlier this month, Danish police have said.

Ms Wall, 30, was last seen alive on August 10 on Danish inventor Peter Madsens submarine, which sank off Denmarks eastern coast the following day.

The 46-year-old, who was arrested on preliminary manslaughter charges, denies having anything to do with the reporters disappearance.

Kim Wall has been missing since August 10 (Tom Wall via AP)

The headless torso was found by a member of the public who was cycling on Copenhagens southern Amager island on Monday, near where Ms Wall was believed to have died.

Copenhagen police said on Tuesday that the arms and legs had been deliberately been cut off the body.

Police investigator Jens Moeller Jensen told reporters on Wednesday that the body was attached to a piece of metal, likely with the purpose to make it sink.

The Danish navy's ship Fyrholmen searches in Koge Bay, south of Copenhagen (Per Rasmussen/AP)

The body washed ashore after having been at sea for a while, he said.

He added that police found marks on the torso indicating that someone had tried to press air out of the body so it would sink to the bottom and not float.

Dried blood was found inside the submarine which also matched with Ms Wall, he said.

Submarine

On August 12, we secured a hair brush and a toothbrush to ensure her DNA. We also found blood in the submarine and there is a match, said Mr Moeller Jensen.

The cause of the journalists death is not yet known, police said.

Madsen, who remains in police custody, initially told officers that he had dropped Ms Wall off on a redeveloped island in Copenhagens harbour about three-and-a-half hours into a night-time trip and that he did not know what happened to her after that.

But he later told authorities an accident occurred on board that led to her death and he buried her at sea.
People in northern England are tired of clapped-out trains while billions are poured into rail projects in the south, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said ahead of a transport summit.

The meeting of political and business officials in Leeds on Wednesday shows the patience of people in the north of England has run out, he added.

It comes after a series of rail links in the North, Wales and Midlands were axed or downgraded as Government supports plans for a new 30 billion Crossrail 2 scheme in London and the South East.

Railway upgrades in northern England: current status

But Transport Secretary Chris Grayling argued that, while improving northern transport links was one of his biggest priorities, they must be designed and managed by the north itself.

Writing in the Yorkshire Post, he said: It is central governments responsibility to provide funding and a delivery structure that ensures efficiency, value for money and accountability. But, beyond this, I want the north to take control.

Need better than this from the Transport Secretary. We are ready to play our part. But can't solve without serious backing from Government. https://t.co/aBInSjmeWO  Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) August 22, 2017

Mr Grayling sparked anger last month by supporting a new 30 billion Crossrail 2 scheme days after rowing back on upgrade plans for the North.

More than 83,000 people have signed a petition from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) North think-tank calling on Government to fund Crossrail for the North.

It made several demands of the Transport Secretary:

Government spending per person on transport infrastructure

:: An immediate commitment of at least 59 billion over the next decade in catch-up cash to close the gap on per-head public spending in London;

:: His backing of the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme  including a Crossrail North 30-minute link between Manchester and Leeds;

:: Transport for the north to get the same powers as those enjoyed by Transport for London so private finances can be raised.

The think-tank added: Crossrail 2 was not in the Conservative Party manifesto  whereas Northern Powerhouse Rail was.

More than half of the Elizabeth lines 81 escalators are now in and stretch to over a mile. Theyll be used by 200m+ people from Dec 2018. pic.twitter.com/WpdzSG3Eva  Crossrail Project (@Crossrail) August 16, 2017

This is not just a matter of fairness. This is not special pleading  But lack of government spending on northern transport is holding the whole economy back. Northern prosperity is national prosperity.

Mr Burnham, who will speak at the summit, said: We are not against our capital city developing world-class infrastructure but it cannot be at the expense of the North. People here have put up with clapped-out trains and congested roads for long enough.

Todays event shows that the patience of people in the North of England has run out.

Proposed route for Crossrail 2

Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake said: Transforming rail connections across the North was part of the original plan to create a Northern Powerhouse and was estimated to bring 100 billion in economic growth as well as 850,000 new jobs.

She added that failure to invest would hold back the potential of the North for decades to come.

Leaders of Sheffield, Newcastle and Manchester councils, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and business representatives will be among delegates attending the conference.

Greater Manchester's Mayor Andy Burnham will speak at a transport summit in Leeds on Wednesday (Peter Byrne/PA)

Transport Minister Paul Maynard said funding had been provided for the development of detailed proposals for transport upgrades in which the Government could invest.

He said: I keep hearing demands for investment in the North but I should point out they come from some of the very same people who we have asked to help develop plans.

We all want to improve rail in the North and we are all getting on with the work that needs to be done.
Theresa May admitted there were flaws in the response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy as she confirmed that the organisation responsible for the high-rise building was being stripped of responsibility for the estate where it is located.

The Prime Minister attended a private meeting with residents of the west London tower block on Tuesday night to discuss concerns over the handling of the aftermath of the fire, which killed more than 80 people.

Mrs May, who faced criticism for initially failing to meet survivors and was booed during a later visit, told residents that Kensington and Chelsea Council did not respond quickly enough after the fire, Downing Street said.

She said the meeting attended by 60 or 70 people was very dignified and residents were pleased that the organisation responsible for managing the building is being stripped of its involvement.

Speaking during a visit to Guildford in Surrey, Mrs May said: It was a very good meeting last night, it was very dignified, a very respectful meeting, and obviously people did have concerns that they were raising and I was pleased that I was able to tell them  because the Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) is one of the issues that residents have been very concerned about  I was able to tell them that the TMO will no longer have responsibility for the Lancaster West housing estate. People were pleased to hear that.

The PM heard about ongoing challenges including housing, bereavement support and the distribution of donations, which are not reaching survivors quickly enough, according to the Charity Commission.

Leaflets on coping with trauma are available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Somali, Urdu, Easy Read. https://t.co/YDhVFnDqZ3 #Grenfell pic.twitter.com/VnSHMeGvFo  Grenfell updates (@GrenfellUpdates) August 23, 2017

A Downing Street spokesman said: The Prime Minister acknowledged residents concerns about the culture of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the TMO.

She confirmed that the TMO will be removed from the management of the Lancaster West estate and she recognised that the council did not respond quickly enough after the fire.

She agreed that it was important that the council listen to and respond to the issues residents face about the support and information they were receiving, including from key workers and housing officers.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick is leading the independent probe into the disaster

Mrs May also backed the independent probe into the disaster, led by retired Court of Appeal judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick, which has faced criticism for failing to consider the broader social and political issues raised by the tragedy.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn recently wrote to Mrs May, raising fears that the probes focus was to avoid criticism for policy failures rather than secure justice for Grenfell survivors.

Theresa May during an earlier visit to the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire (Rick Findler/PA)

Her spokesman said: The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the independence of the inquiry, including on questions about how it was run. She reiterated that any resident who wanted to take part would be able to and that the Government would fund any legal representation required.

She explained that, while the judge had not proposed including wider questions related to social housing within the terms of reference, the Government recognised that these should be taken forward elsewhere and had asked the Housing Minister, Alok Sharma, to begin this by holding conversations with social housing tenants across the country.
A major clear-up operation is under way in the north-west of Ireland and Northern Ireland after heavy rain left a trail of destruction.

Bridges collapsed, roads gave way and cars were washed away in overflowing rivers during a night when 63% of Augusts average rainfall fell within nine hours.

More than 100 people had to be rescued from vehicles caught in flash floods. Firefighters saved 93, with the Coastguard helping dozens of others.

Police, ambulance crews and search and rescue teams were also involved in the response. Temporary accommodation centres have been opened to house those whose homes were flooded. Counties Donegal, Londonderry and Tyrone were worst hit.

There were some dramatic images of devastation on Wednesday as the rescue operation turned to clean-up and repairs. Downpours swept in from the Atlantic Ocean, hitting Co Donegal on Tuesday afternoon before moving across Northern Ireland.

Firefighters responded to 85 separate flooding incidents on Tuesday night and into the early hours of Wednesday. Alan Walmsley, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, said: Firefighters rescued 93 people who were trapped by flood water either from their cars or from properties.

An engineer surveys damage to the road next to the river Faughan in Drumahoe, Londonderry

Our regional control centre (RCC) received 402 emergency 999 calls between 7pm last night and 4am this morning. At its peak time, between 9pm and 11pm, RCC handled an emergency call every 45 seconds.Firefighters worked in extremely challenging circumstances to reach people.

A number of roads were impassable due to flooding and crews had to take alternative routes to attend some incidents. We worked closely with colleagues from the Irish Coastguard Agency, PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland), ambulance service, Foyle Search and Rescue and local councils to respond to incidents to assist members of the public.

Our specialist teams, including the water rescue teams and specialist rescue team from Belfast, were deployed and worked alongside local operational crews. This was a very busy and challenging night for fire crews and our regional control centre personnel. I commend them for their professionalism in responding to such challenging circumstances as efficiently as they did throughout the night.

People look at trees in the river Faughan in Drumahoe, Londonderry, after heavy rain left a trail of destruction

Meanwhile, Northern England has also experienced heavy downpours and flash flooding, leaving commuters facing road closures and delays.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it received 23 flood-related calls between 9am and 11am on Wednesday, of which seven were attended by crews. The callouts, mainly around Leeds, included three people stuck in vehicles, and one lightning strike damaging a property in Wetherby.

First Bus services in York suffered severe congestion after one central A-road was closed due to flooding in the Fishergate area, causing diversions and compounding delays due to extra traffic associated with events at York Racecourse.
UK lorry drivers are being put at risk by violent clashes in Calais, according to an industry body.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) issued the warning after gangs of migrants were involved in multiple brawls on roads approaching the French port and Eurotunnel terminal.

Up to 200 migrants have been involved in the clashes over the past two days.

Gangs of migrants have been involved in multiple brawls on roads approaching Calais

Calais migrants putting the lives of UK-bound truckers at even greater risk, says RHA https://t.co/VvFjvlCpzu pic.twitter.com/HZH9ivqUar  RHA News (@RHANews) August 23, 2017

A number of police officers and migrants have been injured in the incidents, which have involved Afghans and Eritreans.

The prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais region said up to 150 migrants were involved in a fight on Tuesday afternoon.

RHA director of policy Rod McKenzie said: Our members are terrified and angry. Gangs of marauding migrants, often armed with iron bars, are attacking their vehicles. The police are heavily outnumbered and its clear that they can no longer cope with the ever-increasing numbers trying to make the crossing to the UK.

#breaking: reports of more #Calais clashes - police and #migrants. Stones thrown 30 arrests near m-way to port and Eurotunnel @RHANews  Rod McKenzie (@RHARodMcKenzie) August 22, 2017

Mr McKenzie added that some drivers are refusing to make the journey between Calais and Dover, with many hauliers diverting their vehicles via longer routes.

The RHA has a long-running campaign calling for the deployment of the French military in Calais.

Some 7,000 migrants were cleared from a makeshift camp in the city last autumn.
TOKIO -- The Rev. Charles Leute said someone watering flowers found it Monday morning -- broken glass on the stoop at Christ the King Catholic Church, serving tiny Tokio, on the Spirit Lake reservation.

Inside, evidence of an apparent break-in was all around. Missing was a large chrome cross, a chalice and some beadwork. Candles had been damaged, and whoever had broken inside had sprayed fire extinguishers throughout.

Its all covered in chemicals, Leute said. So we have to have that taken down professionally, because its a chemical that, if it gets into your lungs, it can cause damage.

A spokeswoman with the Bureau of Indian Affairs confirmed the incident and said an officer responded to the scene at about 8 a.m. on Monday. No suspects are yet identified.

Leute spoke with a heavy voice, calling the break-in a setback during renovation of the churchs basement, which has been plagued with mold and water problems. The damage and stolen items could cost the church thousands of dollars.

I feel badly that, obviously, if it is a Dakota person, theyre not really being respectful, which is one of the primary virtues that a Dakota person is supposed to exhibit, he said. And Im sad in a sense that they dont understand what the church is all about and what its for.

Its the third time in about 30 years Christ the King has been vandalized, Leute said, with previous incidents in 1987, shortly after he arrived in the area, and last year. He said he couldnt speculate the perpetrators motive.

Im just hoping it has nothing to do with black masses or with devil worship of any kind, he said. I have no idea who it is or why they would choose to do that.

Leute is the priest for three churches in the area.

A Devils Lake cleaner is expected to visit the church this week to survey the chemical damage, and Leute said hes unsure if Masses will be celebrated this weekend.

Im not trying to make an issue out of it, Leute said. But perhaps it might help if people learn about it. They might be more alert.
England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow believes there are still a few tweaks needed to make day-night Test matches work out in the middle.

Edgbaston hosted a first day-night Test with the West Indies, which England won by an innings and 209 runs inside three days.

Despite both the poor weather and collapse by the tourists, who were forced to follow on after England posted 514 for eight declared, the event was deemed to have been a success, with Fridays attendance of 23,922 the best for a non-Ashes Test since 2001.

England will take on Australia under the lights for the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval in December, and there have been suggestions a day-night Test could yet become a permanent fixture in home matches going forwards.

Bairstow, though, feels a few logistical problems need to be ironed out as players adapt to the change in playing conditions with the pink ball.

It was the first time it had really gone dark, obviously earlier on the summer we played, but the lights did not take effect until later on, Bairstow said at a press conference.

Being out in the middle when the ball was perhaps a bit older, it was pretty tough to see.

I am sure there are going to be some adaptations with potential side screens with lighting maybe at the back of the side screens to lighten up the stands.

But as for now, yes it was a good experiment and, yeah, there is (another) one coming soon.
A man has been jailed for 18 years for possessing an explosive with intent to endanger life after a pipe bomb was found in his hand luggage at Manchester Airport.

Nadeem Muhammad, 43, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday after being found guilty following a trial earlier this month.

After sentencing, Judge Patrick Field QC criticised airport security for making a wholly erroneous and potentially dangerous conclusion that the bomb was not viable after it was seized by officers.

Nadeem Muhammad was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court

The court heard Muhammad, of Tinline Street, Bury, had been planning to board a Ryanair flight to Italy on January 30 when security officers uncovered the device, made of masking tape, batteries, the tube of a marker pen, pins and wires, in the zip lining of his small green suitcase. Muhammad claimed that he had never seen the device before and it had nothing to do with him.

Airport security initially believed the bomb was not viable and, after being questioned by counter terrorism officers, Muhammad, who was born in Pakistan but had an Italian passport, was released.

Judge Field said he had been alarmed by some of the evidence in the case. He said: In these dangerous times it seems to me theres no room for complacency. I express hope that security at the airport and policing at the airport will be subject to a review at the highest level.

The court heard Muhammad had been planning to board a Ryanair flight to Italy

The court had heard that airport staff swabbed the device, which was later found to contain nitroglycerin, but found no trace of explosive and terminal three security manager Deborah Jeffrey initially put it into her pocket.

Judge Field said: It occurred to me and Im sure to others listening to that evidence that by acting that way she put herself, her fellow employees and members of the public at risk.

He said the situation was compounded by police who accepted the assurance that the device was not viable and missed an early opportunity to arrest Muhammad  who was allowed to board a flight to Italy five days later and another back to the UK before he was arrested on February 12.

Sentencing, Judge Field said Muhammad would undoubtedly have carried the bomb on to the plane or into the airports departure lounge where he would have detonated it.

He said: If detonated in the confines of the cabin of a commercial aeroplane, this device could have caused not inconsiderable injury and damage to those close to the explosion and this then, on any view, is a particularly serious and grave offence.

Muhammad was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment with an extension period of five years on licence.
President Donald Trump returned to calls for unity and love as he spoke to veterans at an American Legion conference, a night after settling scores with his opponents at a Phoenix rally.

We are here to hold you up as an example of strength, courage and resolve that our country will need to overcome the many challenges that we face, Mr Trump told the veterans in Reno, Nevada, speaking in measured tones and adhering to his prepared remarks.

He said all Americans must learn the same work ethic, patriotism and devotion as veterans.

Donald Trump keeps to the script with unity call at veterans' conference

'But we are also here for another reason. We are here to hold you up as an example of the strength, courage and resolve that our country will need to overcome the many challenges that we face. We are here to draw inspiration from you as we seek to renew the bonds of loyalty that bind us together as one people and one nation,' Trump said.

Mr Trump had opened his Tuesday rally in Phoenix much the same way but quickly erupted in anger, blaming the media for the widespread condemnation of his response to violence at a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organised by white supremacists.

At the Phoenix rally, he read from his three responses to the racially charged violence, becoming more animated with each one.

He withdrew from his suit pocket the written statement he had read the day a woman was killed by a man who had ploughed a car through counter-protesters, but he skipped over the trouble-causing part that he had freelanced at the time: his observation that many sides were to blame.

President Donald Trump read from a teleprompter during his speech to the National Convention of the American Legion

Trump's speech featured a call to unity and left out his attacks from the night before

That, as well as his reiteration days later that both sides were to blame for the violence that led to the death of Heather Heyer and two state troopers, led Democrats and many Republicans to denounce Mr Trump for not unmistakably condemning white supremacists and other hate groups.

The president awoke on Wednesday still thinking about the rally, as evidenced by his Twitter account. Last night in Phoenix I read the things from my statements on Charlottesville that the Fake News Media didnt cover fairly, he wrote. People got it!

By the time he arrived at the American Legion conference, Mr Trump seemed more congenial.

He even thanked Senator Dean Heller, a Nevada Republican with whom he has openly and repeatedly feuded.

He discussed his early efforts to restructure and improve the Veterans Administration.

But Mr Trump was not able to stick to his unity theme on Tuesday night.

His broadside against the media, and the fake news he says is out to get him, was one of several detours he took from remarks prepared for the Phoenix rally.

Mr Trump unabashedly acknowledged that his own advisers had urged him to stay on message, and that he simply could not.

He suggested he intends to pardon former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is awaiting sentencing in Arizona after his conviction in federal court for disobeying court orders to stop his immigration patrols.

After whipping up the crowd about Arpaio, he said he wanted to avoid controversy by not speaking about the pardon, but added: Ill make a prediction: I think hes going to be just fine.

He followed up on Wednesday morning on Twitter, writing: Phoenix crowd last night was amazing  a packed house. I love the Great State of Arizona.

As for how he would assist with the upcoming Herculean tasks facing Congress, passing tax reform, raising the debt ceiling, and agreeing on a budget, Mr Trump offered little detail.

He did threaten that if legislators force a government shutdown were building that wall, a reference to his campaign promise to close off the border with Mexico.

He also said he thinks the US will end up probably terminating the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico at some point, though he said he has not made up his mind.
By Wirat Buranakanokthanasan

BANGKOK, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's Superblock PCL , one of Southeast Asia's biggest renewable energy producers, plans to spend up to 20 billion baht ($602 million) per year on expansion at home and abroad to tap rising demand for green energy, its chairman said.

As part of plans to more than double power generation capacity by 2021 from 845 megawatts (MW) currently, Jormsup Lochaya told Reuters in an interview his company signed a deal to develop new wind power projects in Vietnam last week with combined capacity of 700 MW.

"Over the next three-four years, we want to have more than 2,000 MW, which will come from investment in Thailand and overseas," the executive said, speaking in an interview late on Tuesday.

Jormsup said Superblock also plans massive expansion in China - raising its solar capacity there from just 30 MW to 1,000 MW over the next three years.

Superblock, which previously made building materials, is among Thai firms shifting to renewables like solar and wind to benefit from a government drive to promote renewable energy.

Thailand is leading a nascent boom in Southeast Asian renewable power generation, which has already taken off in countries from China to India and Japan.

Combined global wind and solar power capacity has soared from just 18,600 MW in 2000 to 763,000 MW in 2016, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), outpacing expansion in other fuels.

Superblock plans to invest 15 billion to 20 billion baht per year, largely in renewables.

"We are looking at several power deals but expect to finalise one later this year," he said. Sources of finance will include a 10 billion baht infrastructure fund the firm plans to launch late this year, he added.

The firm aims to grow quickly, targeting revenue of 9 billion baht to 10 billion baht this year, more than double the 3.8 billion baht it booked last year, he said.

As part of its expansion, Jormsup said that Superblock plans to list a subsidiary, Super Solar Energy, on the Thai bourse next year.

Jormsup said demand for renewables was strong in Vietnam, where the deal signed last week covers the development of six wind power projects.

"Foreign direct investment is flowing into Vietnam... so demand for electricity will increase," he said. "Nuclear is banned there and people don't like coal, so they will turn to renewable energy more."

The company also plans to invest in solar power in Vietnam, he said.

Vietnam is struggling to meet its soaring electricity demand growth of around 11 percent a year and wants to boost its renewable energy output amid rising resources scarcity and environmental concerns.

As well as Vietnam and China, Superblock also plans to invest in Japan, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, the executive said. ($1 = 33.23 baht)

(Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Henning Gloystein and Kenneth Maxwell)
SOFIA, Aug 23 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

-- Some 1,15 million Bulgarian residents made tourist trips in the second quarter of the year, an increase of 26.5 percent on an annual basis, the national statistical institute office data showed. Some 83.6 percent of them travelled within the Balkan country, 13.5 percent - only abroad and 2.9 percent - within Bulgaria and abroad (Standart, Trud, Monitor)

-- Sofia municipality began demolition of illegal Roma homes in the Bulgarian capital's district of Zaharna fabrika. More than 140 shacks and six houses were pulled down (Trud, 24 Chasa, Telegraf, Monitor)

-- Bulgarian police and Road Agency Inspectorate officials started large-scale checks of drivers of lorries and cars for the most common offences - speeding, drink-driving and driving after using illegal drugs (Standart, Monitor, Telegraf)

-- Bulgarias Financial Supervision Commission said it has suspended the licence of local insurance company Nadezhda for non-compliance with solvency requirements and gross violations of the Insurance Code
By Tiisetso Motsoeneng and Joshua Franklin

JOHANNESBURG/ZURICH, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The Gupta family agreed to sell their South African mining unit for $225 million on Wednesday, the second disposal this week from the company's portfolio of investments which have been caught up in an influence-peddling scandal.

The sale by the Gupta's Oakbay vehicle is part of plans announced a year ago to sell all their businesses in South Africa, after companies including the country's four largest banks severed links with Oakbay, citing reputational risks.

The Gupta family, business friends of President Jacob Zuma, are accused of using their links with the 75-year old leader to wield undue influence and win lucrative state contracts. Both Zuma and the family deny any wrongdoing.

Oakbay said it would sell Tegeta Exploration and Resources, whose mines supply coal to South African state-owned power utility Eskom, for 2.97 billion rand ($225 million) to a Swiss-based company called Charles King SA.

The sale is the second this week by Oakbay, which said on Monday it had agreed to sell its stakes in the New Age newspaper and the ANN7 television news channel to Zuma ally and former government spokesman Mzwanele Manyi.

Oakbay has been searching for a banking partner after Indian-based Bank of Baroda said it would also cut links with the Guptas at the end of this month.

The Guptas, who are in business with Zuma's son Duduzane, have said stepping aside as owners would help the company restore banking relations and preserve jobs.

Charles King is a little-known Lausanne-based company listed by Switzerland's company register Moneyhouse as involved in trading in clothes and shoes. Oakbay said it had been acquired by Amin Al Zarooni, who it said was a leading businessman in the United Arab Emirates, as a special purpose vehicle for investments such as Tegeta.

"Mining is an excellent growth sector on the continent and with this acquisition, our expansion plans on the African continent kick starts," Oakbay quoted Al Zarooni as saying.

To underscore his credentials, Oakbay also set out a list of what it said were his global commodity businesses and said he was an active participant in global private equity markets.

The deal with Charles King has the support of mines minister Mosebenzi Zwane. "The Department welcomes the undertaking to save employees' jobs in Tegeta's various operations," his office said in a statement.

The three Gupta brothers moved to South Africa from India at the end of apartheid rule in the mid-1990s and went on to build a business empire stretching from technology to mining.

They are now embroiled in a scandal which has drawn in several international companies, including Germany's SAP , and deepened a divide in the ruling African National Congress, with some senior members calling for Zuma to resign. ($1 = 13.2219 rand) (Editing by Louise Heavens and David Holmes)
ANKARA, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday he had conveyed Turkey's concerns about northern Iraq's decision to hold an independence referendum to Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani and his delegation.

Turkey, along with Iraq, Iran and Syria, opposes the idea of Iraqi Kurdish independence, fearing separatism could spread to their own Kurdish populations. Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has waged a three-decade insurgency.

The United States and other Western nations fear the September vote could ignite a new conflict with Baghdad and possibly neighbouring countries, diverting attention from the war against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

"Our expectation from Erbil is clear: that is the cancellation of the referendum as the interests and future of the Kurds lies in a united Iraq," Cavusoglu told a news conference in Baghdad broadcast on Turkish television.

He spoke before traveling to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq.

Cavusoglu later told reporters he conveyed Turkey's concerns to Barzani in a "sincere" meeting in which the two delegations discussed the referendum. Turkey did not impose any demands over the vote but urged dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad, he said.

Kurds have sought an independent state since at least the end of World War One, when colonial powers divided up the Middle East and left Kurdish-populated territory split between modern-day Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's government has rejected the referendum as "unilateral" and unconstitutional.

A delegation representing Iraq's ruling Shi'ite coalition may meet Kurdish politicians again next week to try to convince them to delay or cancel the referendum plan, a negotiator told Reuters on Monday.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis on Wednesday that Turkey felt unease over U.S. support for the Syrian Kurdish militant group YPG.

A Pentagon spokeswoman said Mattis had expressed U.S commitment to bilateral ties with Turkey. Relations between the two NATO allies have deteriorated due to U.S. support for the YPG, which Turkey views as a terrorist group.

In a statement, the presidential sources said Erdogan and Mattis emphasized the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq, as Kurdish northern Iraq gears up for an independence referendum in September.

Both Turkey and the United States have voiced concerns over the referendum. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
By Jane Chung and Haejin Choi

SEOUL, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Traffic was halted, movie screenings interrupted and hundreds of thousands of people across South Korea were directed to underground shelters on Wednesday as part of a civil defence drill to practice in case of an attack by North Korea.

But South Koreans are familiar with such preparations, having seen many over the decades since the height of Cold War tension with a neighbour it is still technically at war with, and many people have become inured to the danger.

This time, the government tried to inject some urgency and get more people taking part amid a surge of tension over North Korea's weapons programmes, and an exchange of dire warnings of nuclear war by both it and its sworn enemy, the United States.

"We need to practise because we're still at war with North Korea and people are insensitive to threats," said Hwang Jae-min, a 30-year-old prison guard who happened to be watching a movie at a Seoul cinema complex when a siren heralded the beginning of the drill.

Hwang was one of about 50 moviegoers led underground to take shelter from an imaginary North Korean air raid.

The siren sounded around the country and government officials and police flagged down traffic and tried to shepherd pedestrians to the nearest shelters.

But sceptics doubted such an orchestrated exercise would be much use if and when it came to a real war.

"I do strongly believe we need this drill but it doesn't seem to be working properly," said Choi In-sook, a 45-year-old housewife strolling down a city street when the siren went off.

She did not run for cover.

"It needs to be performed like it's a real war," she said.

The drill was part of an annual joint military exercise conducted by South Korean and U.S. forces that began on Monday and will run until Aug. 31, and which North Korea denounced as a reckless step toward nuclear war.

North Korea routinely denounces military exercises by U.S. and South Korean forces that it regards as thinly disguised preparations to invade it.

South Korea's state run television broadcast scenes from the 20-minute drill live for the first time in two years in the hope of drumming up some enthusiasm.

Jung Han-yol, director of the Ministry of Public Affairs and Safety's civil defence division, conceded that the fact that participation was voluntary meant the drill might lack some credibility.

Cho Won-cheol, emeritus professor of civil and environmental engineering of Yonsei University in Seoul, said there was always a problem with getting people involved in government preparations for a war few people believe will happen.

"The reason why the drill is not working well is the countrys civil defence drill has always been practiced mostly by the government or civil officials, not by the civilians," Cho said.

South Korea and is main ally the United States are technically still at war with the North because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. (Reporting By Jane Chung and Haejin Choi; Additional reporting by Christine Kim and Cynthia Kim; Editing By Jack Kim, Robert Birsel)
By Jason Szep, Peter Eisler and Tim Reid

WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - One of the biggest commercial threats to Taser Internationals signature weapon could come from a lawsuit the company won.

Across the United States, wrongful death lawsuits involving Tasers have created a body of case law restricting the use of a weapon that reshaped law enforcement.

In the latest key case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that police could lose protection from civil lawsuits if they use a Taser on non-violent suspects. The decision prompted cities in the five-state region from Maryland to South Carolina to adopt new restrictions. It came in a lawsuit in which Taser was dismissed as a defendant, stemming from an incident on April 23, 2011, in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

There, Jinia Lopez took her 43-year-old brother Ronald Armstrong to a hospital after he tried to poke a hole in his leg with a pencil to "let the air out," Lopez said in a deposition. Armstrong, who suffered from schizophrenia, had been off his bipolar medication for five days.

At the hospital, he fled to a tuft of grass on a street corner where he ate dandelions and extinguished cigarettes with his tongue. Three officers arrived in squad cars as hospital security staff jogged over.

Lopez and the officers tried to coax Armstrong back to the hospital. Sergeant Tina Sheppard touted its amenities: good food and television. At 7:18 p.m., an involuntary commitment order was radioed.

As officers approached Armstrong, he wrapped himself around the bottom of a stop sign. Officer Arthur Gatling drew his Taser.

Armstrong, 5 feet 11 inches and 262 pounds, wouldnt budge. "I aint got to go," he said.

Gatling drive-stunned his upper back; Armstrong tightened his grip. A police recording captures the altercation. "Youre going to get it again," an officer shouts, as Lopez pleads, "Ronald, let it go." Gatling drive-stunned him four more times, court papers say.

Lieutenant Jerry McDonald testified he placed a knee on Armstrongs back as others struggled to handcuff him and shackle his legs.

Lying face-down in the grass, Armstrong didnt move. Turned over, he wasnt breathing.

"Ronald, cmon baby, wake up," Shepherd says.

Lopez screamed. "Hes not breathing. Hes dead."

"Dont say that, maam," Shepherd says.

"Breathe, Ronald. Breathe," Lopez wailed. "Breathe, Ronald. Breathe."

He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A lawsuit filed by Armstrongs estate in April 2013 accused the three officers of using excessive force and alleged Taser manufactured a defective and dangerous product.

The officers testified they restrained Armstrong for his own protection, fearing he would flee into traffic.

The estates lawyer, Karonnie Truzy, dismissed Taser from the lawsuit after it documented its product warnings.

The officers won. A federal court in North Carolina granted them "qualified immunity," which provides legal protection unless police violate "clearly established legal principles.

Truzy appealed. Thats when the case took an unusual turn.

A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled in January 2016 that the officers used an excessive, unconstitutional level of force. But the panel said they couldnt have known it because laws on Tasers were murky.

The panel upheld the officers immunity but put departments "on notice" that unless someone poses "an immediate safety risk," Tasers cant be used. "Erratic behavior and mental illness do not necessarily create a safety risk," the judges wrote.

The courts ruling aligns with human rights groups, including Amnesty International, who say Tasers should be used only in situations posing a threat of injury or death. In those situations, police typically reach for their firearm.

"How are officers supposed to go forward based upon this?" asked Michael Newman, a lawyer representing Pinehurst.

Of the 442 Taser-related wrongful death lawsuits examined by Reuters, 34 percent involved allegations the person being shocked, like Armstrong, suffered from mental illness.

Across the five states covered by the ruling - North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia - police are scaling back use. At least eight major cities have adopted more restrictive Taser policies, Reuters found.

In Baltimore, police used Tasers 47 percent fewer times last year than in 2015, according to records reviewed by Reuters. Deployments fell 65 percent in Virginia Beach; 60 percent in Greensboro, North Carolina; 55 percent in Charleston, South Carolina; and 52 percent in Huntington, West Virginia. Norfolk, Virginia, saw deployments plunge 95 percent.

"Initially there was a belief that there was low risk to life," said Mark Newbold, managing attorney of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. "But as time went on, we had seen an increase between the use of the Taser and somebody dying. And so the risk analysis has changed."

Though Pinehurst was off the hook in Armstrongs death, the villages lawyer, Dan Hartzog, said Taser, police departments and law enforcement organizations urged him to appeal the ruling. The case "really sent reverberations through the police community," he said.

Taser declined to comment on whether it pressed Pinehurst to appeal.

In May last year, Pinehurst filed a request to have the U.S. Supreme Court hear the case. Briefs in support of Pinehurst were filed by Taser, the National Fraternal Order of Police and the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, a union representing 30,000 officers.

In October, the Supreme Court declined to hear the villages appeal. So while police won the case, the appeals courts limits on Taser use are now law in the five states.

The company said the Fourth Circuit ruling could increase the fatal shooting rate in the region. "This is of course a tragedy and shows what can happen when judges believe some of the electrocution mythology and media sensationalism surrounding electrical weapons," spokesman Steve Tuttle said in an email.

Some see a different message in the case.

"Armstrong gives us the opportunity to now stand up and say can we walk away or can we at the very least step back," said Ken Wallentine, former chief of law enforcement for the Utah Attorney General. "One of the messages to police departments is, `Guys, slow down. "

(Editing by Ronnie Greene and Michael Williams)
By Syed Raza Hassan

KARACHI, Pakistan, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Pakistan has rejected U.S. criticism of its efforts to fight terrorism, saying it should not be made a scapegoat for the failure of the U.S. military to win the war in Afghanistan.

U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his policy for Afghanistan on Monday, stepping up the military campaign against Taliban insurgents and singling out Pakistan for harbouring them.

U.S. officials later warned that aid to Pakistan might be cut and Washington might downgrade nuclear-armed Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally, in order to pressure it to do more to help bring about an end to America's longest-running war.

Pakistan's powerful military chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, met U.S. Ambassador David Hale on Wednesday and told him Pakistan was actively working for peace in Afghanistan.

"We have done a lot ... and shall keep on doing our best, not to appease anyone but in line with our national interest and national policy," Bajwa was quoted in an army press statement as telling Hale.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif added his voice to a chorus of indignation over the U.S. criticism, reiterating Pakistan's denial that it harbours militants.

"They should not make Pakistan a scapegoat for their failures in Afghanistan," Asif said in an interview with Geo TV late on Tuesday.

"AMERICA IS THE ENEMY"

A group of influential Pakistani clerics including Sami-ul Haq, who runs a Islamic seminary where many senior Afghan Taliban studied, angrily condemned the United States.

"America is the enemy of the Muslim ummah (community)," Haq told a press briefing along with other clerics who preach a jihadist doctrine.

"The government of Pakistan should quit the alliance for war against so-called terrorism," Haq added. "The heavens will not fall if America gets angry with us."

Pakistan has for years been battling homegrown Islamist militants who are seeking to overthrow the state with bomb attacks and assassinations.

But critics say the Pakistani military nurtures other Islamist factions, including the Afghan Taliban, which are seen as useful to Pakistan's core confrontation with old rival India.

Asif said Pakistan had suffered great losses from Islamist militancy - the government estimates there have been 70,000 casualties in militant attacks, including 17,000 Pakistanis killed - since Pakistan joined the U.S. "war on terrorism" after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

The relationship between the two countries has endured periods of extreme strain during the past decade, especially after al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was found and killed by U.S. special forces in Pakistan in a 2011 raid.

Last year, a U.S. drone strike killed then-Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in southwestern Pakistan, an attack Islamabad protested as a violation of its sovereignty. Pakistan has denied knowledge that either bin Laden or Mansour were in the country. (Writing by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Drazen Jorgic, Robert Birsel and Mark Trevelyan)
GRAND FORKS -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., praised President Donald Trumps address outlining an Afghan military strategy during a Tuesday visit to Grand Forks, defending it from criticisms that it lacks details -- like troop levels and benchmarks for success.

I thought it was good, Hoeven said. Clearly, weve been in Afghanistan 16 years, we want to get out, but I think hes proposing something that can work.

In his Monday evening remarks, Trump said a hasty withdrawal could make Afghanistan a den of terrorism and committed to winning the war. His strategy will include placing pressure on Pakistan, which has been long attempted by previous administrations, and suggested India could play a larger role in economic assistance and development in Afghanistan.

We will no longer use American military might to construct democracies in faraway lands or try to rebuild other countries in our own image, Trump said. Those days are now over. Instead, we will work with allies and partners to protect our shared interests.

Trumps strategy did not specify forthcoming troop levels or set clear goals for ways to judge success -- criticisms which Hoeven dismissed.

The conditions on the ground will dictate what we do -- not some arbitrary timeline (or) number that you pull out of the air now, Hoeven said, contrasting Trumps strategy with former President Barack Obamas. Rather than just setting a timeline or setting a troop amount, hes really relying on the generals, and hes saying, The goal here is to achieve our objective. 

In a prepared statement, U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., weighed in as well, calling Trumps strategy pragmatic but also noting the importance of both military and diplomatic solutions.

I agree that withdrawing American troops should be based on conditions, not timelines, Heitkamps statement read. But after years of American lives lost and funds spent in Afghanistan, our country and service members also deserve to know what the definition of success is and how we will promote the political change needed in Afghanistan to create a more stable region while protecting Americans national security.

Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., praised the presidents sobering tone in his address as well as the presidents intentions to work more closely with India.

Im not surprised that some people are criticizing him for lack of specificity, said Cramer. People got used to Barack Obama laying out the whole strategy and withdraw dates.
BERLIN, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday Donald Trump must be shown appropriate respect for holding the office of the U.S. president, even if she may differ with him on policy issues.

Merkel, campaigning for a fourth term in office after a Sept. 24 national election, has refused to bend to pressure from her Social Democrat (SPD) rivals to resist demands by Trump for NATO members to increase their defence spending.

As a committed Atlanticist, she has stressed the strength of German relations with the United States even when flagging differences in opinion on policy.

"If you take the president of the United States, whatever differences of opinion there may be, I know he prevailed in a tough election. It wasn't reserved for him on a silver platter," she told business daily Handelsblatt in an interview.

"In the end, he won the election under American electoral law and that means he is democratically elected and that this person should be shown the appropriate respect, regardless of how I assess his views," she added.

Her SPD challenger, Martin Schulz, has been far more critical of Trump, referring to the U.S. president as "this irresponsible man in the White House".

Merkel, who enjoyed holidaying in the United States before becoming chancellor in 2005, said she missed the opportunity to vacation there now.

"I can't go on holiday in San Diego now as chancellor because the time difference is too much, and that is something I miss a bit, but the work itself is so marvellous that I can afford to miss it."

(Reporting by Paul Carrel; editing by Mark Heinrich)
BUCHAREST, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Romania's justice minister proposed a significant overhaul of the judicial system on Wednesday which the president called an attack on the rule of law that would set the country back a decade.

Romania is seen as one of the EU's most corrupt states and Brussels keeps its justice system under special monitoring.

Attempts by the ruling coalition of Social Democrats and junior partner ALDE to weaken a crackdown on high-level corruption triggered the country's largest street protests in decades at the start of the year.

Justice Minister Tudorel Toader proposed a slew of changes on Wednesday ranging from the way chief prosecutors are appointed to setting up a special prosecuting unit for crimes committed by magistrates.

"The proposals ... constitute an attack against the rule of law, the independence and proper functioning of the judiciary as well as the anti-corruption fight," centrist President Klaus Iohannis said in a statement.

"If this mix of measures is adopted by the government and approved by parliament, Romania's efforts for more than 10 years will be wiped out and the justice system will go back to a time when it was subordinated to politics."

Under Romanian law, the president appoints chief prosecutors who have been proposed by the justice minister and received non-binding approval from the Superior Magistrates' Council (CSM), the top watchdog that safeguards judicial independence.

Toader also proposed that the justice minister, who is politically appointed, take control of the judicial inspection unit from the CSM. Analysts and magistrates have said this would lead to political interference in the justice system.

The Prosecutor General's office said these proposals were an alarm signal, adding that prosecutors had not been consulted.

Toader declined to answer questions but told reporters the proposals were "within normal and necessary parameters for the rule of law."

The proposals will be send to the CSM for an opinion before being submitted to the government and ultimately parliament for approval. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
Aug 23 (Reuters) - WELCOME TO THE RUM REVOLUTION!

Luxury craft rum, led by Zacapa, has never been so popular - its coming to a cocktail near you!

Rum is well and truly shifting its reputation as the spirit only for pirates. It is taking over drinks menus of the hottest bars, being supped by the super sophisticated as an aperitif and converting even the most fanatical after-dinner whisky and cognac drinkers, to become their digestif of choice.

This transformation forms part of the wider cocktail revolution thats emerging, with some bars reporting over 400% increase in cocktail sales over the past five years alone. However, its not just any cocktail, people are turning their attention to the quality of their cocktails, with nearly 80% of UK consumers admitting they would happily pay more for a premium cocktail with high quality ingredients.

Some master mixologists are suggesting that gin and whisky have had their time in the limelight and its now time for rum to take centre stage. Loved by consumers and bartenders worldwide, rum is clearly becoming the go-to spirit to create cocktails for every taste.

Where better to explore this mysterious dark spirit than at this weeks final of the World Class Bartender of the Year, hosted this year in Mexico City. This international summit brought together the worlds best bartenders as well as the industrys leading experts to showcase and predict future trends in mixology.

Sharing some of the secrets behind the success of the worlds leading luxury rum was Lorena Vasquez, Zacapas Master Blender, "Were seeing more bartenders recommending to enjoy rum in the same way as whisky and cognac - straight up - which is introducing this incredible liquid to people all around the world. Zacapa really is the most exquisite luxury tasting rum, especially when served neat, however, its distinctive depth of flavour, rich aroma and versatility also make it perfect for cocktails.

"Today people expect more from their drinks, drinks that tell a story and create experiences. At Zacapa, we do just that and for us theres no greater luxury experience than time. Time is one of our most important ingredients, time to not just possess life but appreciate it.

"We focus on it through every stage of crafting Zacapa. From taking the time to select the finest virgin sugar cane, to our unique maturing process, to the hand crafting of a Mayan `petate band for each bottle*. Time is integral in every part of the journey. Its just as important that everyone takes time to savour that little moment of luxury as they enjoy each sip. Its a philosophy we like to call The Art of Slow and its a philosophy that appears to be working."

And its not just at the bar that rum is winning but at the dinner table too. More of us than ever are switching to rum for an after-dinner moment of luxury indulgence.

Montserrat De Rojas, Global Marketing Director, Zacapa, said: "Zacapa not only lends itself to cocktails, its challenging and take the place of traditional post dinner spirits such as cognac and whisky as an alternative digestif. With recommendations from esteemed chefs, its rich and warming flavour makes it the perfect rum to sip and savour among friends after enjoying a meal."

So next time you are at the bar or finishing a great meal, order a Zacapa 23 neat and be part of the rum revolution.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS For further information, contact: Emma Greene at Smarts Communicate 004428 90395500 / zacapa@smartscommunicate.com

About Zacapa Rum

*Zacapa is the most exquisite tasting rum in the world. It is an award-winning, premium rum from the mystical land of Guatemala and is recognised by the World Luxury Association as one of the `Worlds Top 100 Most Valuable Luxury Brands. Zacapa Rum is owned by Rum Creation and Products Inc. (RCP), which has a global distribution and joint marketing agreement with Diageo.

**Zacapa is produced in the verdant Guatemalan countryside, under a dramatic backdrop of soaring mountains and active volcanoes, At 2,300m above sea level this is one of the highest ageing facilities in the world and what we call `The House Above The Clouds.

The key ingredient is virgin sugar cane honey which combined with the unique `Sistema Solera distillation process results in an exceptional rum with a distinct and remarkable taste.

***Aged using an adapted Spanish sherry maturing process, `Sistema Solera enables rums of varying ages and personalities to be carefully blended by the Master Blender Lorena Vasquez. Old and new rums are carefully combined and matured in a series of casks previously used to store American whiskeys, delicate Sherries and Pedro Ximenez wines, which give an extraordinary depth of flavor. The high altitude, constant average temperature of 14C (58F) allow the liquids to retain distinctive deep, rich flavors and qualities that shape this unique premium rum.

**** Every bottle of Zacapa Rum is wrapped with a `petate, a band hand-woven from dried palm leaves by women from Guatemalan communities. The bands they create are made using a technique passed from mother to daughter within Mayan communities. It is an important part of culture. The craft gives these women a constant source of income, financial support for their families and the assurance of a better future.

For Zacapa, time matters more than anything. It is a focus throughout every stage of the distilling process, from blending spirits of different ages and personalities and storing the liquid in selected barrels during the maturing process, right up to taking the time to sip, savour and enjoy the liquid - this is called the Art of Slow.

Zacapa was recognised as the top trending rum in 2017* by bartenders in many of the best bars around the world (Drinks International Bar Report 2017).

About Zacapas Ownership

Zacapa Rum is jointly owned by Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol and Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala (ILG), one of the largest and most established distilling companies in Guatemala. These two spirits giants work together under the umbrella name of Rum Creation and Products Inc. (RCP).

The partnership came about in 2008 when ILG looked for a partner who could help them extend the footprint of their world-leading rum from Guatemala and several select export markets, to the rest of the world. The joint venture was born and as a result Zacapa is enjoyed in over 120 countries globally.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanans and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff and Ciroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageos global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Enjoy Zacapa responsibly. Visit www.DRINKiQ.com.

Content provided by Smarts Communicate, via Reuters.
TRIPOLI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Former Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has been released after being abducted during a visit to the capital, Tripoli, and held for nine days by an armed group, a relative said on Wednesday.

Zeidan was prime minister from 2012-2014, a period when Libya slid deeper into the political turmoil and armed conflict that has plagued the country since Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown six years ago.

He has since been living in Germany with his family.

It is not clear why Zeidan travelled to Libya or why he was abducted. He was being held by a group aligned with the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli, though he faced no judicial charges, a source said.

The U.N.-backed government has not commented on the case.

Tripoli is controlled by a number of the armed groups that have held power in the capital since 2011. Some have been given semi-official status by successive governments, but the groups remain unaccountable and involved in criminal activity.

A lawyer for Zeidan, Moussa Al-Doghali, told France 24 Arabic TV channel that his client was released without explanation and that he did not know the circumstances of his arrest and detention.

Zeidan was in good health and was staying in a Tripoli hotel following his release, Doghali said.

In October 2013, Zeidan was briefly abducted from a Tripoli hotel room by an armed group allied to the parliament that sacked him just over a year later. (Reporting by Ahmed Elumami and Aidan Lewis; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
LONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur completed their first major signing of the current transfer window, signing Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez from Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old had previously agreed a six-year deal and completed his medical on Wednesday and was given the number six shirt for the London club.

British media had reported that Tottenham were expected to pay a club-record fee of some 42 million pounds ($53.76 million) for the defender, who scored six goals in 45 games for Ajax last season and was their player of the year.

"This is a massive opportunity for me because of what Tottenham represent, not just here in England but around the world," Sanchez told the club's official website (www.tottenhamhotspur.com).

"It is a huge step forward in my career and will allow me to continue developing and achieving big things. This is a great chance," he added.

The defender joined Ajax in June 2016 from Colombian club Atletico Nacional, where he made his debut aged 17, and was part of their Copa Libertadores-winning side last year.

Sanchez made his senior Colombia debut last November and has made two appearances for the national side.

Tottenham won their opening game at Newcastle United but lost their first home game, at temporary home Wembley Stadium, to Chelsea on Sunday. ($1 = 0.7812 pounds) (Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Clare Fallon)
By Peter Apps

Aug 23 (Reuters) - "Not this August, nor this September," wrote Ernest Hemingway in the summer of 1935 as international tensions in Europe and beyond began to simmer. "But the year after that or the year after that, they fight."

He was writing, of course, about the threat of a coming world war - and although it took several years longer than he thought, he was right.

Something alarmingly similar may be happening now. Tensions between the United States and North Korea might be grabbing the headlines, but that isnt the only crisis that could spark a major war. And where the Trump administration should be engaged in tamping down hostilities, it is either escalating them or missing in action.

Almost everywhere you look, relations between countries - particularly potential adversaries - seem to be deteriorating, often alarmingly sharply. Washington, meanwhile, has rarely been more self-absorbed.

The trend has been a long time coming, predating President Donald Trumps arrival in the White House. The chaotic, idiosyncratic nature of the Trump administration, however - most particularly its unpredictability and isolationist, protectionist rhetoric - may well be worsening it.

In most cases, regional acrimony is causing diplomatic difficulties but probably not outright conflict. In the Middle East, the spat between Qatar and its neighbors, principally Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, is serious but probably not lethal. Turkey and Greece may be posturing militarily against each other again, but its very unlikely they will fight.

In other cases, however, peace is much less certain. Indeed, even if the world makes it through 2017 without any of these conflicts erupting, the risk may continue to ratchet higher.

On August 15, as America obsessed over the aftermath of the Charlottesville protests and the ongoing machinations within the White House, Indian and Chinese troops were clashing high in the Himalayas.

Exactly what happened in the remote patch of disputed territory between India, China and Bhutan remains unclear. Video footage shows soldiers grappling with each other with hooks and stones, but the confrontation has yet to be officially confirmed by either side. What does seem clear is that it was one of the most serious incidents between the two nuclear powers in decades.

In the Balkans, Serbia and Macedonia are engaged in a worsening diplomatic spat. Russia is on the brink of its largest military exercise in years, a sign of ever rising tension with NATO.

A handful of threads and constant themes draw these various crises together. A decade into the global financial crisis, leaders in almost every country are facing awkward economic and political realities and there is inevitably nationalist rhetoric to turn anger outward. The rise of emerging economies in recent decades has inevitably led to a geopolitical rebalancing, and countries are testing their newfound strengths.

Nowhere is that more visible than with China and Russia. The Russian economy might be barely the size of New York City, but Moscow discovered with the Georgia war nine years ago that its military prowess - now much modernized - still gave it clout in its own neighborhood. Beijing is making a similar discovery. Earlier this month, it effectively forced Vietnam to back down in a dispute over offshore oil drilling; a development that will inevitably encourage Chinese hawks to push their luck still further.

That also seems the case in other local, smaller conflicts. Saudi Arabia was seen to have taken considerable heart from Trumps visit earlier this year, becoming much more aggressive in both its prosecution of war in Yemen and regional efforts to isolate Qatar. It was probably always a mistake to assume that Washington was ever a truly "responsible adult" keeping other nations in check. Certainly, no one believes it now.

This era was inevitably going to be a strategic nightmare for the United States, one in which it would have to make tough choices about where to put resources and draw its red lines. The administration of Barack Obama struggled to find the right answers. Under Trump, however, the U.S. faces an even tougher challenge when it comes to maintaining international legitimacy and confidence.

It would be wrong to accuse the current president of having no interest whatsoever in foreign matters. On North Korea, Afghanistan, and other issues the president and his national security team have clearly devoted a considerable degree of effort and focus. This presidency, however, is increasingly seen as having little or no grasp of the bigger picture.

A collection of interviews with six senior European officials - all of whom had been in top-level meetings with Trump - published by Buzzfeed earlier this month shows a widespread lack of respect for the U.S. president. The officials described him as ignorant and unpredictable, and they were particularly concerned over his erratic use of Twitter.

If anything, such worries have been dramatically heightened by events of the last month, which have seen Trump firing multiple members of his administration and making polarizing statements about the white nationalist protest that left a counter-protester dead in Charlottesville, Virginia. When the president responded to last weeks militant attack in Barcelona with a factually inaccurate reference expressing support for rumored U.S. abuses against Muslims following the Philippine-American War of 1899 - 1902, few were even surprised.

There remains widespread respect for many of those at the top of the administration, particularly the triumvirate of generals who control much foreign policy. But there are also real worries. Last week, Financial Times Columnist Gideon Rachman described Trumps America as a "dangerous nation," worrying openly that the president might strike North Korea, initiating a war to distract from problems at home.

Shortly after, South Korea President Moon Jae-in took the unusual step of stating that any military action on the Korean peninsula would first have to be approved by Seoul, as close as any major political leader has come to suggesting publicly those concerns are much more widely shared.

Its not too late to turn things around. Few countries are willing to risk outright conflict in an age where it could easily spark nuclear Armageddon. The events of this summer, however, show a world in which nations seem notably closer than before to turning to force. Its a bad time for the United States to look rudderless and poorly led, but thats exactly what is happening. (Reporting by Peter Apps)
By Matthew Ponsford

LONDON, Aug 24 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Food alone cannot solve the world's malnutrition crises but only three countries are looking beyond hunger to the other major driver, according to a global study released on Thursday.

Water, sanitation and hygiene, usually treated by governments and NGOs as a separate policy area from food and nutrition, make up the second leading cause of stunted growth in children, after underweight births, said the report.

But only Cambodia, Niger, and Zimbabwe among the ten countries covered by the report are linking their response to malnutrition and water by bringing together the responsible agencies, according to charity WaterAid.

"Improving child health is a long term issue. It's not as simple as giving food and that improves malnutrition - right?" Dan Jones of WaterAid told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Jones said governments that treat food and water separately cannot prevent malnutrition. Instead, they must tackle the poor sanitation that causes malnutrition, via infection and disease.

In 2016, 155 million children under five were stunted due to a lack of nutrition, according to the United Nations World Health Organization.

Diseases caused by dirty water and lack of sanitation such as gut infections, intestinal worms, and diarrhoea prevent young bodies absorbing the nutrients needed for growth, according to WaterAid, which produced the report with charities Action Against Hunger and SHARE.

Jones said malnutrition can leave children with invisible cognitive, emotional and physical damage.

Yet the effects are clear, and span all areas of development, from economic growth to schooling, said Jones.

"If they have clean water... girls, when they grow up to be mothers are more likely to give birth to healthy children, and to be able to help them to grow and develop and provide them with clean water and food - and those children can go to school and concentrate in school," said Jones

Jones singled out Cambodia for linking up its response.

One in three Cambodian children under five is stunted but Prime Minister Hun Sen has brought together the ministries responsible for nutrition, health, agriculture, and water and sanitation to create a joint response.

"It sounds very obvious but those ministers really talking to each other can make a huge difference," said Jones. (Reporting by Matthew Ponsford, Editing by Lyndsay Griffiths.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The Trump administration is considering additional sanctions against Venezuela's government, including a ban on trading the country's debt, a U.S. administration official with knowledge of discussions said on Wednesday.

"It is just one option that is being talked about," the official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on Tuesday the possibility that the United States could prohibit trading of some Venezuelan bonds, said one option would be a ban on trading of new debt issued by Venezuela or its state-owned entities, with an exemption for debt issued under the authority of the National Assembly that Maduro has stripped of power.

Venezuela bonds fell on Wednesday.

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions against Maduro and senior officials in his administration to punish them for what the United States sees as their role in undermining democracy in the oil-producing country.

On Aug. 9, Washington imposed sanctions against eight more individuals, including the brother of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, speaking in Miami on Wednesday, said the Trump administration was ready to do more.

"You may be assured that under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the United States will continue to bring the full measure of American economic and diplomatic power to bear until democracy is restored in Venezuela," Pence said, urging Latin America to also do more to pressure Maduro's government.

"The United States has already issued three rounds of targeted sanctions against Maduro and his inner circle, and there is more to come," Pence said.

Venezuela's government has around $2 billion in available cash to make $1.3 billion in bond payments by the end of the year and to cover imports of food and medicine, Reuters reported in August.

The funds that could be used for debt payment include $1.3 billion in cash and IMF Special Drawing Rights held in central bank reserves, and $700 million in separate accounts that the central bank lists as "other financial assets," according to a report by local firm Financial Synthesis. (Reporting by Tim Ahmann and Lesley Wroughton; editing by Mohammad Zargham)
By Maximilian Heath

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Argentina is betting on the reopening of the European market to maintain demand for its biodiesel exports after the United States imposed steep duties on imports, the leader of an industry group said on Wednesday.

A day earlier Argentine producers said they would halt exports to the United States as a result of the U.S. Commerce Department's decision to slap countervailing duties of up to 64.17 percent on the imports from the South American country.

The World Trade Organization last year ruled in favor of Argentina in a dispute over anti-dumping tariffs the European Union had applied to Argentine biodiesel, but the European Commission has not yet removed the tariffs.

Luis Zubizarreta, president of Argentina's Carbio biodiesel industry group which includes companies like Bunge and Cargill, told Reuters a decision should be imminent.

"We are confident that in a few weeks we will have this market open. It could compensate," he said in an interview.

The European Union was once Argentina's biggest biodiesel market but that shifted to the United States after the EU set duties in November 2013 of between 22 percent and 25.7 percent for Argentina producers.

In 2016, 90 percent of the 1.6 million tonnes of biodiesel Argentina exported went to the United States, Argentine government data shows.

The U.S. imposition of even harsher tariffs surprised Argentina's producers, Carbio said in a Tuesday statement, after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence pledged to boost two-way trade in a visit to Buenos Aires last week.

Another industry group, the Argentine Chamber of Oil Industry (Ciara), said that the recovery of the European market would prevent oversupply and falling prices of soybean oil - the input used to produce biodiesel in Argentina.

Argentina is the world's top soy oil exporter.

Zubizarreta, of Carbio, said he hoped the U.S. Department of Commerce would reverse its preliminary decision on the tariffs, insisting Argentina does not subsidize biodiesel exports.

Carbio referenced the "established precedent" of the WTO as evidence Argentina was not dumping biodiesel in a Tuesday statement.

Peru, the second-largest export market for Argentine biodiesel, also placed anti-dumping tariffs on biodiesel imports last October.

A source from the Argentine Foreign Ministry said the Argentine government also held out hope of reversing the tariff measure and would cooperate in the final phase of the investigation carried out by the U.S. government. (Writing by Luc Cohen and Caroline Stauffer)
Former Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today he didnt resign from any portfolio but was removed in an attempt to sweep the bond scam under the carpet.

He told the media outside the Justice Ministry that baseless charges had been made against him saying he had struck deals with former government members to delay court cases filed against them.

This is an attempt to sweep the bond scam under the carpet by sacrificing me. In Sri Lanka's history, this is the first time a minister was accused of not influencing the judiciary and the Attorney Generals Department whereas former justice ministers had been accused of influencing the judiciary, he said.

Mr. Rajapakshe said the AG had been summoned to Temple Trees last Tuesday and the UNP backbench MPs had criticized and ridiculed him.

They have urged him to finish, within two weeks, the court cases filed against individuals named and selected by them, he said and added that he was accused of breaching the collective responsibility of the Cabinet when he revealed that the agreement to handover Hambantota Port to China was against the Constitution.

He said according to Article 157 of the Constitution, a two-thirds majority was required Parliament to enter into an agreement like the one to handover the Hambantota Port.

The Cabinet has collectively violated the Constitution by agreeing to the Hambantota deal. When I revealed this as a minister, then I was accused of breaching the collective responsibility of the Cabinet. Today, the agreement is only a paper which is legally null and void, he said.

Mr. Rajapakshe said it was the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) which had the authority to handover operations of the port but not the port.

There is a group of people who are angered by my revelation. On the other hand, according to my conscience there is nothing more shameful than staying in a Cabinet when the assets are being sold, he said and added that the second reason behind his removal was the Central Bank bond scam.

The CB bond scam is the biggest financial fraud ever committed in Sri Lanka since the days of King Pandukabhaya. With a presidential commission being appointed unexpectedly, the names of the big shots behind the scam are being revealed now. When the deals of the footnote gang which attempted to conceal the scam was revealed, people are afraid now. I maintained the independence of the AGs Department. People accept the Bond Commission to recommend more action against more people. When the AGs Department was continueing to function independently under me, those who are involved in the bond scam cant go free. Therefore, they want to break the AG Department's spinal cord, he said.

When asked about the Avant Garde issue, Mr. Rajapakshe said the former Attorney General had said no criminal case could be filed over the issue.

If action is being taken against anyone, then the arrests should begin with the defence secretary because the navy still stores government weapons on an Avant Garde ship docked in the Red Sea. About 500 such weapons are stored there. Therefore, officials beginning with the current defence minister should be held responsible. No action can be taken against me, he said.

Mr. Rajapakshe said a special presidential commission appointed to look into the issue had submitted its report to the President saying the Avant Garde issue was not illegal.

While saying he would reveal his political journey later, the former minister said, I invite people to decide the fate of the government which feeds on national assets,. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Video by Sanjeewa
GRAND FORKS  The University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation pulled in nearly $40 million in donor gifts in fiscal year 2017, according to foundation CEO DeAnna Carlson Zink.

Carlson Zink shared highlights Tuesday, Aug. 22, from the organizations recent fundraising efforts during an annual address at the Gorecki Alumni Center. During that presentation, she likened the foundation, a nonprofit entity with the task of fundraising for the university, to the eternal flame displayed on the UND campus.

The (foundation) is that fire burning, but we couldnt have begun to make a difference without the spark that each one of you provides, Carlson Zink told the audience of UND and Grand Forks community members. Together, we will ignite the future for the students of the University of North Dakota.

For the current fiscal year, the fire could get a lot hotter: Carlson Zink has a fundraising goal of $52 million by the close of fiscal year 2018, which began July 1 and will end June 30, 2018.

That sum would be a significant increase over the foundation gains of the past five years. In the recent fiscal year, nearly 10,000 donors made commitments to the universitys alumni foundation. Those commitments led to more than 12,400 gifts, some of which were matched by a total of $3.3 million from the North Dakota Higher Education Challenge Fund grant program.

Of the total dollars given to the foundation in the past year, $19 million is earmarked for scholarships and $6.6 million for UND programs and faculty. The alumni foundation provided $6.4 million in scholarship support to UND in fiscal year 2017, a sum Carlson Zink said was an 8 percent increase over the year prior. Total direct funding provided to UND amounted to $20 million, a decrease of $6.3 million from the prior fiscal year.

After the last year of donations, the UND endowment stands at $268.4 million. The endowment has grown considerably over the past five years, gaining $79.2 million since 2013.

The most recent year was a good one for the foundation, which posted a total gain of about $6.6 million in donations over the previous year. However, the sum still marked the second-lowest total of the past five fiscal years. The high bar for that period was 2015, in which the foundation hauled in $48.3 million in new gifts, pledges, grants and other commitments.
Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshappriya in an interview with our sister paper Deshaya said that his office had no intention of Gazetting any election before September 30th. He further said that his office will authorize the list of voters only on September 30th. Deshappriya further said that if any election is conducted following the specifications mentioned in the list of voters for 2016, as many as 300,000 voters who are under the age of 19 years and six months will be denied of voting rights. The Elections Commissioner added that his office needed a further 75 days to prepare after the date for the Local Government Elections is announced. If this happens then we can conduct the elections in December. However he cautioned that the conducting of elections in a month like December could be hampered due to the presence of holidays and the conduct of the GCE Ordinary Level Examination. Following are excerpts of the interview.

Q Is the Election Commission of Sri Lanka ready for elections?

Yes. We are counting the dates for the elections.

Q On what system are you going to hold the Local Government Elections?

The winners at the elections who contest under independent groups or political parties will be picked under the prevailing election law and will get to serve the council. The defeated candidates will be selected according to the preferential voting system. Those who have obtained more than 5% of the votes will be allocated slots in the wards of the council. The Election Commission of Sri Lanka will also oversee the appointment of ladies. The order list ensures that 1/4 of the party is represented by females. Sometimes, in one council that has only 20 wards, all the representatives might be ladies. But the laws specify that the appointment of males cant exceed 15. This is the prevailing system.

Elections can be held at the correct time. If somebody wants to receive confirmation regarding the period where elections will be held in 2019 or 2020, they can obtain a clear picture if they refer to the section of the constitution which specifies the term of office

Q Will this system change?

We have informed to rectify the technical errors in the Local Government Act. Accordingly, the 5% barrier has been removed in addition to the rectifying of errors in the act, which has been submitted to the Parliament. In addition, a discussion is in progress within the representatives of parties with regard to new electoral system. We dont know how far this will be successful. The present ratio is 75:25. But it has been proposed that the ration should be 60:40. A complex system has been proposed to select those who get slots in the preferential wards.

Q Minister Sudharshani Fernandupulle states that there is a problem in the system you have mentioned. If its so, they will oppose it. What is this problem?

The Election Commission will ensure that there is a 25% representation by ladies according to the prevailing system. But there is a proposal to appoint 25% from the party as the ladies representatives. The Election Commission has no connection with this. An amendment has been made following discussions with both legislators and the parties to continue with this mixed election system. This system can create a situation where there are overhang seats. The only advantage in this system is obtaining a value for each vote. This mixed preferential system is used in the countries like New Zealand and Germany.

Q Why doesnt the Election Commission of Sri Lanka intervene in the activities of the Government which is not only changing the system of conducting elections but also delaying elections by submitting various drafts?

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka informed the Government to prevent elections being delayed further. It also told the Government to provide youth with the maximum opportunities and certify the representation of ladies without increasing the number of members in the council. We accept that Parliament can pass any legislation. The act of Local Government needs only a general majority. There is no need to obtain a 2/3 majority for this purpose. We could have conducted the elections according to the old system by cancelling the preferential system, even in 2015. But without conducting elections the Government is trying to establish a preferential system. But the people of the country dont like it.

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka informed the Government to prevent elections being delayed further. It also told the Government to provide youth with the maximum opportunities and certify the representation of ladies without increasing the number of members in the council

Q The tenure of three Provincial Councils will end in September. SLFP ministers have made a request to the President to conduct elections without postponing them. Can you hold this election and the Local Government Elections this year in keeping with how Minister Faiszer Musthapha has said?

We are ready to conduct Local Government Elections in due time. Though the 20th amendment has been presented, it hasnt been legalized yet. Therefore the Commission of Election is going to call for nominations to conduct the Provincial Council Elections. After 8 weeks from the date of nominations, the elections can be held. There is an inability to conduct elections at the beginning of December. Therefore elections might be held during the last week of November.

Q It is alleged that some leaders of the political parties are saying that you as the Elections Commissioner is relating various stories to various parties without performing your duty properly.

I havent told anything to any party other than making common statements. I havent spoken to any party. The Parliament has the power to change the law. The Judicial has the power to interpret the constitution. If the Supreme Court informs that a referendum is needed regarding the 20th Amendment, there might be a referendum. The Election Commission cant do anything if the act is passed in the Parliament. The stance taken by the Election Commission is not to agree with the postponing of any election without the consent of the people. Any move taken to extend the period of parliament is against the principles of good governance and democracy. The citizens of the country are also against the postponing of elections. We have gone public with our views regarding this issue. We have also written to the political parties separately, regarding this issue.

Conducting of elections is a sign of democracy. But its important to ensure that a healthy atmosphere prevails when elections are held

Q The Government has gazetted the 20th Amendment now. Local polls should be held within one day accordingly. Is it good or bad if the elections are held within a day?

There is no problem if elections are held within a day. Any Provincial Council Election has so far never been held within a day.

Q Is it good to postpone the elections until the end of the tenure of office of other Provincial Councils?

Its good to conduct the elections all together. But it is a problem if there are possibilities to extend the tenure of office without a proper date. If we had the power, we would have conducted the elections in 2013 in keeping with the preferential system. There have been no elections in 9 local bodies in Batticaloa for the past four years.

The Election Commission will ensure that there is a 25% representation by ladies according to the prevailing system. But there is a proposal to appoint 25% from the party as the ladies representatives. The Election Commission has no connection with this

Q The leaders of the last regime state that they held enough elections during their period. Is that a good sign of a democratic state?

Conducting of elections is a sign of democracy. But its important to ensure that a healthy atmosphere prevails when elections are held. We as the Election Commission of Sri Lanka arent going to respond to statements issued from political platforms by the various political parties.

Q What is this problem that has surfaced regarding the date to conduct the Presidential Elections?

There is no such problem. Elections can be held at the correct time. If somebody wants to receive confirmation regarding the period where elections will be held in 2019 or 2020, they can obtain a clear picture if they refer to the section of the constitution which specifies the term of office. It isnt the duty of the Election Commission to educate people regarding the law and the constitution. What we can say is that regardless whether the period is 5 or 6 years, the Presidential Elections wont be held before 2021. It must be mentioned that polling must take place one month before the official term of office ends.

Any move taken to extend the period of parliament is against the principles of good governance and democracy. The citizens of the country are also against the postponing of elections. We have gone public with our views regarding this issue

Q Some leaders allege that you are keen on implementing the 18th Amendment to the Constitution rather than conducting elections. Whats your response?

A fair atmosphere must prevail to conduct elections. We are working to make the voters aware of democracy. We are keen not only on the 18 Amendment to the Constitution. Its important to conduct elections provided we can ensure that the authority of law prevails and voters can cast their votes in an environment where there is democracy. People shouldnt demolish offices of other parties. Election laws shouldnt be violated. People also shouldnt engage in

illegal activities.
The descendant of Dutugemunu now set to stage a comeback to politics through the Green Party is busy with the spade work to launch a Sangha Balavegaya, they say.



The man had set his heart upon founding this Balavegaya on the advice proffered by someone that he should be a leader of some powerful entity if he is to find a comfortable niche in the Green Party which, by the way, he once turned his back on.



The man is making frequent visits to leading Buddhist temples in Kandy and Colombo these days seeking the blessings of the prelates for his Balavegaya.



However, he is yet to receive the appointment as a Green party organizer of Tissamaharama which is to be the launching pad for his comeback to national politics, they say.
This year the annual historic Bellanvila Esala Perahera will take to the street for the 67th year during August.

This meritorious ceremony includes three days of Dhamma Desana sessions which draws devotees to the historic Bellanwila temple. Invoking of blessings starts with a week - long Pirith chanting. This is followed by the Deva Dootha Perahera, Dorakada Asna, Kumbal Perahera, Mal Perahera, Paawada Perahera, Ransivili Perahera, the final Randoli Perahera and the Diya Kapana Day Perehera and Deva Daanaya along with many other ceremonies.

This perahera which started as a ceremony to invoke blessing on the people and their cattle in times of famine and epidemics in the Bellanvila area, has gradually grown into a month of religious and cultural celebrations. A concept introduced by the Late Ven. Bellanvila Somarathana Thero, this majestic street pageant has come a long way and today under the guidance of Ven. Dr. Bellanvila Dhammarathana Thero, the Chief Sanghanayaka of Singapore.

The Temple also builds cost effective houses for the poor every year. This is an incredible service and support to those from low income families in the area

The incumbent Viharadhipathi of Bellanvila Temple Ven.Prof. Bellanvila Wimalarathana Anu Nayake Thera continues to be the chief architect of this esteemed festival.

In this consumerist society, it is no secret that people deal with stress on a regular basis. A temple is a place that gives them the relief from all that. Particularly a temple such as the Bellanvila Maha Viharaya, which over the years have given the people the confidence to face life is a symbol of spiritual upliftment. In addition to that, the Bellanvila Temple provides many services to the community throughout the year.

Education

There are two Dhamma schools which function in the English and Sinhala media. In addition to giving support to schoolchildren who study Buddhism in both languages, it also enhances their knowledge of English. The Sri Somarathana Memorial Programme also provides scholarships to schoolgoing children from low income families. This is a huge relief to parents who struggle to find the means to pay for school materials.

Technical and vocation training

The Temple provides technical and industrial training to youth which includes lathe work and welding. These trainings along with English and Japanese language classes are offered free of charge to young people in the area. The Vocational Training Centre has been in existence for over 30 years. The number of students who enrol at the centre after Ordinary Level exams has increased over the years. The Centre continues to offer these opportunities and those who have enrolled are reaping benefits of the training.

Housing

The Temple also builds cost effective houses for the poor every year. This is an incredible service and support to those from low income families in the area.

Health

The entire income from the car park goes into the health programme, especially to provide financial assistance to patients who undergo heart surgery. Approximately Rs. 50,000 is granted every month to many people. This service is continually done without any publicity.

The Temple also conducts health clinics where government doctors voluntarily come to serve. Lab tests are also done and this is an invaluable service to low income families. Especially, the cost of diagnostic tests are extremely expensive to get done and this clinic eases that burden. Going to a government hospital at 5 a.m is difficult especially for ailing and ageing patients.

Hence this service is greatly appreciated, as it is a reach out programme for the needy. In addition to this, vision tests are also done and spectacles are donated during the

eye clinic.

The Temple conducts health clinics and doctors voluntarily come to serve

Supporting other Temples

Every year the Nayaka Thera selects a temple in a distant location and supports in many ways. Beginning with an alms giving, essential utensils are gifted to these temples. Saffron robes are offered to the monks while books are also gifted among the children. Individual assistance is also granted to the priests.

Flood relief assistance

During the recent floods, the temple was instrumental in collecting dry rations for the affected people and distributing in collaboration with the Government. While many groups and media institutions sought publicity during this calamity, the Temple did a silent service of helping the flood and landslide victims.

Perahera

Coming back to our main topic this month, it should be acknowledged that the Perahera is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and colourful pageants in the country. The Perahera Committee also ensures opportunities to students of traditional dance to display their talents and most importantly includes dance forms of various parts of the country without any discrimination. Not only hill country dances, but also low country and Sabaragamu dances styles are included. The Perahera in Bellanwila is very unique in providing opportunities for men, women and children to take part. This is most significant as most Temple pageants disallow women from participating. Bellanwila Esala Perahera is indeed very inclusive in all aspects.

This is one event which goes beyond commercial norms of having exclusive sponsorships. Even traditional business rivals come together to sponsor the Bellanvila Perahera. Although there have been many changes in our society, the event as a whole, has protected religious and cultural traditions and passed it on from generation to generation. Also, not only Buddhists, but Hindus, Christians and those of Islamic faith support and in turn benefited from this week long event. It is a time for all to come together. It is also an opportunity for vendors to make significant profits during the perahera time. Pineapple, achchaaru and gram sellers can earn their monthly income during this period as large crowds gather to watch the perahera.

The Perahera will be shown live on a private TV channel and also on the website for international viewers from around the world. As the Perahera Committee hopes to promote this event with the Tourist Board from next year, a high influx of tourists who are expected to visit the Temple and the Perahera in the future. The Perahera will commence on August 20, and continue until the final Randoli Perahera on Saturday, August 26, 2017, culminating with the holding of the Day Perahera on the following day and will conclude with the Deva Dana.

The writer is the Secretary to the Bellanwila Esala Perahera Organizing Committee
The search for the next batch of 160 bright young Sri Lankans to be rewarded with scholarships by Ceylinco Life has commenced with the launch of the 17th round of the life insurance leaders Pranama scholarships programme.



To be presented in early 2018, these scholarships to four recipient categories will amount to more than Rs.11 million in cumulative value, the company said.



The collection of applications from eligible students is now on and will close on 30th November 2017, applications are available at more than 250 Ceylinco Life branches island-wide.



Ceylinco Lifes Pranama scholarships programme rewards academic as well as extra-curricular achievements of children of policyholders with cash prizes for those who achieve the best results in their respective districts at the year-five scholarship examinations, the GCE Ordinary Level, and the GCE Advanced Level as well as for children who excel at the national level in sports, drama, invention or creativity.



The company also pays special cash awards to policyholders children who are placed second, third and fourth at district level at the GCE Advanced Level examinations. Effective this year, Ceylinco Life has announced it is doubling the value of the cash reward to this category.



Scholarship recipients in the Year-five category receive 25 scholarships worth Rs.120,000 each over five years. High achievers at the GCE (Ordinary Level) examination receive Rs.84,000 each over two years, while students who excel at the GCE (Advanced Level) receive Rs.144,000 each over three years.



Students placed second, third and fourth in their districts at the GCE Advanced Level examination will receive a one-time cash payment of Rs.30,000 each. The national merit awards presented by the company are each worth Rs.35,000.



More than 2,200 high achievers have been conferred Pranama scholarships since the programme began, and many past recipients are now excelling as doctors, engineers, lawyers and in academia, Ceylinco Life Managing Director/CEO R.Renganathan said. They have told us that being recognised in this manner was life-changing and extremely motivational, and we are convinced that the Rs.120 million already invested in the future leaders of our country is paying dividends to the individual beneficiaries as well as the community.



One of many benefits available to Ceylinco Life policyholders, the Pranama scholarship scheme underscores the importance accorded by the company to education, which is one of the key areas of intervention in the Ceylinco Life Rewards programme.
Sri Lankas exporters yesterday expressed their appreciation to Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera for deciding to continue with the current Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) despite the plans of his predecessor to the contrary.



The Exporters Association of Sri Lanka (EASL) in a statement said, prior to the implementation of the SVAT system, exporters experienced serious difficulties including cash flow issues, which constrained in multiple ways, their capacity to trade, and compromised their ability to perform



Since 2016, when the sudden proposal to abolish SVAT was announced, the EASL, along with other export industry stakeholders, made collective representation to the government at the highest level, to articulate the importance to continue with the SVAT system, an EASL statement said.



The Finance Ministry in a short statement this week admitted that the Inland Revenue Department was not ready to abolish SVAT system without inconveniencing exporters and disturbing their cash flows.



Exporters are convinced that the current SVAT scheme works seamlessly, efficiently and contributes to significantly reduce the cost of doing business for both direct and indirect exporters, EAST statement added.



Former Finance Minister and recently resigned Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayke proposed to abolish SVAT system with effect from January 1, 2017,

but was postponed to April 1, 2017 subsequent to meetings the private sector has with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.



Exporters were pushing for the SVAT scheme to be retained until the electronic tax portal (RAMIS), which can instantaneously process taxes, becomes reliably operational, since claiming VAT refunds under the normal scheme causes delays, which in turn threatens company cash flows.



However, the RAMIS system to-date remains not fully operational.
The countdown to the announcement of the 2017 shortlist for the Fairway National Literary awards allows a moment of retrospective reflection about the FNLA, the prize and its past winners. The FNLA was launched in 2015 to encourage, recognize and reward creative writing in Sri Lanka by highlighting good creative writing through the shortlist process and by offering emerging authors the opportunity to reach a wider reading audience. By far the richest purse of its kind, the winner in each of the three language categories receives a handsome cash prize of five hundred thousand rupees while the 05 shortlisted authors in each language category will receive one hundred thousand rupees each.

In 2015, the joint winners in the English language category were Its not in the stars by Rizvina Morseth-de Alwis and Rails Run Parallel by Ayathurai Santhan, while the award for the Sinhala language category went to Mahasam by Sepali Mayadunne. The Tamil language prize was not awarded.

Santhans quietly reflective novel focuses on the geographical and social dislocation resulting from the violence of the ethnic conflict and the profound anxiety that accompanies feelings of diminishing physical security. Morseths novel examines the nature of perception and truth in relationships which is skilfully interwoven with the social concerns of the Malay community.

The award for the Sinhala novel was won by Sepali Mayadunne for her novel Maha Sami. Erudite and stylized, Maha Sami was five years in the writing and has been described as a subtle and creative construction of the life of the Kandyan people and literature.

Magic realism and fantastical themes dominated the 2016 awards. The veteran Sinhala writer Tennyson Perera whose creative writing spans six decades, won the Sinhala language category with his novel Maha Ravana. Theena Kumaragurunathan who made his debut with the sci-fi dystopian novella First Utterance won the English language category. The winner in the Tamil language category was Pancham Pilaika Wantha Seemai by M. Sivalingam.

Kumaragurunathans First Utteranceis the first book of his Miragian Cycle, a trilogy based in an alternate universe.

The shortlist for Fairway National Literary Awards 2017 will be announced by the panel of judges on the 31st of August 2017 at the JAIC Hilton.
By Chandeepa Wettasinghe

The Board of Investments (BOI) regulations, which limit companies operating in free trade zones from selling in the local market, may be relaxed, Development Strategies and International Trade State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe said.



Currently the BOI companies operating in the BOI industrial zones can only sell 10 percent of their products in the local market, but in return enjoy benefits on customs duties and foreign exchange.

Those regulations can also change because the Prime Minister is keen on making Sri Lanka a competitive place. We might be able to let them sell 20 percent, 30 percent because Sri Lankans also deserve these good products, Senasinghe said.



He said that currently, high-quality Sri Lankan products are mostly exported and low-quality foreign products are imported for local consumption.



The Sri Lankan public should also have the benefit of buying products for a lower cost. If you see countries that manufacture vehicles, its cheap in that country. So we will do the best for our country, he added.



Companies selling 80 percent of their products overseas can also enjoy a 50 percent subsidy on income taxes under the current Inland Revenue laws. Draft laws attempting to change the qualification for the subsidy to 100 percent exports met with hostility and may be amended this week.



Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had recently accused the BOI companies of illegally selling more than theyre allowed to in the local market and enjoying exporter benefits.

Senasinghe denounced these claims.
(L to R): Jatinder Biala (Immediate Past President, SLIBC / ISIN Lanka), Moiz Mohamedally (Vice President. SLIBC/ Avalon Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd., Dhara Wijayatilake, (Chief Executive Officer, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce), His. Excellency I Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa, (Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Sri Lanka), Kalinga Wijesekara (President SLIBC/ Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd), Cherryl Rodrigo (Secretary SLIBC / Ceylon Chamber of Commerce), Rumi Reyal (Vice President SLIBC/ Geocyc (Pvt) Ltd).

Sri Lanka  Indonesia Business Council (SLIBC) which functions under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce held its 24th Annual General Meeting recently, at Movenpick Hotel, Colombo, re-electing Mr. Kalinga Wijesekara, Head of Marketing & Communications, Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd. as the President of the SLIBC for a second term for 2017-2018. His Excellency I Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia was the Chief Guest.

Addressing the gathering, Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka H.E. I Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa while congratulating the re-election of the President Kalinga Wijesekera appreciated his continuous support and active contribution to strengthening the relationship between Indonesia and Sri Lanka, particularly in business and trade.

Although being positive on trade between the two countries he feels that more could have been achieved given the vast untapped potential available in Indonesia. He stressed the importance of increasing bilateral trade relations, by creating a conducive business environment and expanding business network, as well as maintaining the already close and friendly relations between the two countries.

His. Excellency I Gusti Ngurah Ardiyasa Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Sri Lanka handing over the document to Kalinga Wijesekara ,President SLIBC/ Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd

The re-elected President of the SLIBC Mr. Kalinga Wijesekara addressing the membership emphasized the importance of broad basing the export markets and the significance of Indonesia as an export destination for Sri Lanka. Furthermore, he highlighted the favorable positioning of Asia as an economic powerhouse and the crucial and promising role Indonesia will play as a major economic hub in the region in time to come. He also drew the attention of the gathering to show SLIBC could play an instrumental role in promoting exports, trade and other sectors such as Tourism, Tea, Coffee, Gems and Jewelry etc.

He also spoke on how the business council together with the Chamber & Indonesian Embassy is committed in enhancing bilateral trade via B2B meetings to facilitate and enhance our exports.

Kalinga Wijesekara ,President SLIBC/ Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd addressing the gathering
Oman Air and Industrial Optimizers have signed an agreement concerning. The MP2 Aero Fleet Assigner optimizer, including the functionality for scheduling and Network analysis.

We are very happy with this agreement and excited to work with Oman Air, an airline that is renowned for their high quality of service, says Tore Jenner, CEO at Industrial Optimizers. The cooperation with Oman Air is strategically important to us. This agreement will enable us to strengthen our position in the Middle-East.

Oman Airs fleet consists of a wide range of aircraft types with different seat configurations. Due to the variety of possible aircraft assignments it is a challenge to optimize the aircraft utilization without a proper optimization tool. Oman Air decided to do some research on the various optimization software solutions in the market and decided upon the robust MP2 Aero Fleet Assigner*.

We compared solutions from different providers and became convinced that Industrial Optimizers offers a reliable product, said Paul Gregorowitsch, Oman Air CEO. The many functions of the MP2 Aero Fleet Assigner meet our demands for high quality and cost savings alike which are the key aspects of our continuing success.
The camera phone brand OPPO, today launched an excitingcompetition which gives Sri Lankans the opportunity to win a OPPO phone autographed by OPPOs brand ambassador Deepika Padukone.

A lucky fan will stand a chance to win a OPPO F3 Plus signed by Deepika Padukone by clicking the best and happening moments in a "Group selfie" with his or her clique and by sharing it on the OPPO FB Page or OPPO Instagram page with hashtags #BestGroupSelfie #OPPO tagging all friends.

The youth icon and Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone is OPPOs brand ambassador and has been a part of the OPPO family since early this year. Deepika kick started the Group Selfie trend with OPPO F3 Plus and its only natural for Deepika to be the centre in a great Group selfie competition like this in Sri Lanka commented Tom Zou, Chief Executive Officer, OPPO Lanka.

Today, Deepika Padukone, is one of the highest paid actresses in the world and after a successful career in Bollywood, she has also made her mark in Hollywood with XXX: Return of Xander Cage starring opposite Vin Diesel. Not only stealing millions of hearts around the globe Deepika helped toearn the movie over US$345 million worldwide. Deepika Padukone - a global icon, was adjudged the Woman of the Yearby IIFA and The Most Desirable Woman by The Times of India's. Her final release of the yearBhansali's historical romance Bajirao Mastaniranks among her most successful and is currently working on Sanjay Leela Bhansalis maiden venture Padmavati.

Were certain that the completion is going to create a lot of excitement here in Si- Lanka - after all who doesnt want a great phone that is signed by another great youth icon like Deepika Padukone? further commented Tharanga Weerasinghe, Brand Manager OPPO Lanka.
It is odd to call someone so famous an underrated thinker but indeed Calvin is, says economist Tyler Cowen. One of the reasons Calvin is so underrated is that he is so often misunderstood. Most peoples perception of Calvin is not based on his work but on the most dour members of the group we now call Calvinists (which includes me, though Im not crazy about that label).

Calvin was one of the best minds of his day. From an early age, he was a precocious student who excelled at Latin and philosophy. He was prepared to go to study of theology in Paris, when his father decided he should become a lawyer. Calvin spent half a decade at the University of Orleans studying law, a subject he did not love.

Calvin wrote his magnum opus, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, at the age of 27(!) (though he updated the work and published new editions throughout his life). The work was intended as an elementary manual for those who wanted to know something about the evangelical faiththe whole sum of godliness and whatever it is necessary to know about saving doctrine.

Calvin was a bit of a workaholic. During his ministry in Geneva, he preached over two thousand sermons. He would preach almost every weekday, and twice on Sunday, for more than an hourall without using any notes. And as Christian History notes, when he could not walk the couple of hundred yards to church, he was carried in a chair to preach. When the doctor forbade him to go out in the winter air to the lecture room, he crowded the audience into his bedroom and gave lectures there. To those who would urge him to rest, he asked, What? Would you have the Lord find me idle when he comes?

Along with preaching, Calvin was preoccupied with the creation of a college, an institute for the education of children. Although the school was a single institution, it was divided into two parts: a grammar school called the college and an advanced school called the academie. Within five years there were 1,200 students in the grammar school and 300 in the advanced school. The college eventually became the College Calvin, one of the college preparatory schools of Geneva, while the academie became the University of Geneva.

So while Calvin was a theologian and academic, he wasnt cloistered away in an ivory tower. He was a man engaged with the world and a keen observer of humanity. Not surprisingly, he had a lot to say about economic affairs. (As Cowen says, If you read John Calvin you will find a great deal of what we now call behavioral economics.)

My friend Steven Wedgeworth recently wrote an article examining Calvins thought on economics:

We will begin by laying out Calvins general philosophy of the social nature of humanity and property, then we will examine what Calvin thought about the uniquely Christian duties of charity. We will conclude with Calvins recommendations for how the church and civil magistrate ought to order these ideals in ecclesiastical and political life.

In his conclusion Wedgeworth writes,

Thus we see Calvins economics. They were not unique for his day. While Calvin did introduce an interesting and helpful distinction regarding just and unjust forms of interest on loans, he was not a revolutionary thinker. Its also worth remembering that the population of Geneva never reached more than about 7,000 people in Calvins time. So its polity cannot simply be cut and pasted onto larger and more diverse ones. Still, his ideals and interpretations of natural law and Christian charity are valuable. Seeing how he enacted them in church and state is also a helpful illustration of legitimate applications of those principles. In a time when economic choices are often presented as a variation of Scylla and Charybdis, the older example of Protestant Christendom may help us to find better solutions.

You can read the rest of Wedgeworths article here.
The Government affirmed its position to introduce a new electoral system to the Provincial Council Elections even by delaying it till the middle of the next year latest, it is learnt.

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe chaired a late night meeting of the Government party leaders on Monday night and discussed the matter.

The Government decided to change the electoral system to the Provincial Councils. It will be a mix of the Proportional Representation System and the First Past the Post System (FPP).

Sources said that the elections for the Local Authorities would be conducted soon.

They said that the Government had worked out a piece of legislation to reform the electoral system of the Provincial Councils. (Kelum Bandara)
The All Ceylon Railway Employees General Union staged a protest outside the Railway Headquarters in Colombo today requesting the government to make employees recruited on a temporary basis permanent. Pics by Nisal Baduge
How did some nations, like Japan, China and United Stated become wealthy and powerful, while others remain stuck in poverty? And why do some of those powers, from ancient Rome to the modern Soviet Union, prosper for periods and then collapse?



Politics makes the difference, say economists Daron Acemoglu of MIT and James Robinson of Harvard University in their new book, Why Nations Fail. Countries that have what they call inclusive political governments  those extending political and property rights as broadly as possible, while enforcing laws and providing some public infrastructure  experience the greatest growth over the long run.



By contrast, Acemoglu and Robinson assert, countries with extractive political systems  in which power is wielded by a small elite and family  either fail to grow broadly or wither away after short bursts of economic expansion. Sri Lanka is tragic a case in point.



Politics

Many years ago, as primary students, we were taught that geography matters more than politics. Later they argued the political system is the key component. Some countries at that time demonstrated that good geography could trump bad politics and the best politics require a top effort to offset bad geography.



At the same time they argued that rich countries were in the north of the globe and most poor countries are in the south, but, Australia and New Zealand are part of the southern hemisphere and both are doing fine. You couldnt say this of Papua New Guinea, which is the Asian country closest to Australia and New Zealand.



Later on, when we joined higher education, we were taught that it was not geography alone that causes wealth or poverty. A superficial view is to blame racial differences. Black Africa is the poorest and most disordered part of the world and Haiti, with an almost entirely black population, is the poorest country of the Americas. But the coincidence is accidental.



What makes some countries rich and others prone to poverty is not related to skin colour or racial factors. Many immigrants from poor nations do very well in the US and Canada though one has to admit that both countries make immigration easy only for the best and the brightest of those who hail from the Third World countries.



It is also not the presence or lack of natural resources what makes a country rich or poor in the long run. Japan is a country with very limited natural resources but has been the richest country in Asia for a long time.



Natural resources

On the other hand, it is easy to predict that some Third World countries that currently are rich because of immense reserves of natural wealth while not being burdened with large populations will slide back when the natural resources are depleted. While a handful of countries thanks to great leadership managed to achieve economic prosperity that has helped them to escape the perils of poverty, while many other countries fail in this respect and continue to be trapped in poverty.



Was it chance? Their people? Their products and services? Their markets? The growth experiences of countries from north to south as we all know is filled with success and a great deal of disasters, which has had huge implications for the living standards of ordinary people. Then countries with extractive political systems  in which power is wielded by a small elite  either fail to grow broadly or wither away after short bursts of economic expansion.



Drivers of prosperity

Economics has sometimes a narrow scope. It studies a nations prosperity through trade flows, monetary, fiscal and budget policies. The analysis of companies is a bit broader. It encompasses strategy, structure and finance but also less rational fields such as human resources, corporate culture or consumer behaviours.



Competitiveness provides a broader basis for analysis. It looks at all the elements that can explain the success of a nation. Industries often thrive when they are forced to overcome high labour costs or lack natural resources. When their customers wont accept inferior, outdated products, when their local competitors are murderous and when government offers no protection from their competition and sets tough technical and regularity standards.



For instance, the Italian shoe industry is prodded by sophisticated consumer demand that encourages entry by many new firms. Many of them, family-owned, compete very jealously. The shoemakers are compelled to spew out new models continuously and must keep improving to increase efficiency to stay competitive within Italys quirky, high-cost infrastructure.



When the home market got saturated, Italian manufacturers went overseas and achieved international success. According to Professor Porter, competitive advantage based on only one or two factors is unsustainable. South Koreas construction industry grew rapidly during the mid 80s simply by applying low-cost labour to projects that did not require sophisticated engineering. It lost out when other countries that had cheap labour jumped in.



Resources-based advantages too frequently suffer the same fate. Two additional variables, chance and government, have a big impact. Chance is outside the control of industries; wars and embargoes can reshape the industry structure in a country for or against it. A government can improve or retard competitive advantage.



Vigorous enforcement of antitrust laws encourages competition and stimulates innovation. For an industry to flourish, domestic rivalry is nearly always necessary. It drives companies to move beyond whatever initial advantage that led to the founding of the industry and to develop their international potential.



Strong government

To maintain competitive advantage, the industry must normally broaden and upgrade from its original sources of success and take it to the next level. In the early stage of economic growth, many believe that a country needs a strong government that can mobilize and direct resources that are important.

Therefore, the success of poor countries, according to them, hinges critically on the quality of government leadership, i.e. its development-oriented leadership, its ability to promote good talent to head critical institutions and its approach for policy formulation with industry. China is a case in point.

On the other hand, India, even though is poor in resource, is super rich in human talent and in technology. Knowledge is perhaps the most critical competitiveness factor. As countries move up, it is only knowledge that will ensure their prosperity and help them to compete in world markets. How that knowledge is acquired and managed is each nations responsibility and will determine a nations future prosperity.



(Dinesh Weerakkody is a thought leader)
Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe is likely to resign from his post today, informed sources said yesterday.

According to top government sources the Minister had informed President Maithripala Sirisena that he is willing to resign from the post.

Though it was speculated that Talatha Athukorala was expected to be sworn in as the new Minister of Justice, Ms Athukorala denied the story that she was to be appointed to the post. No one had asked me to take over the Justice Ministry, she said.

Other sources said some Ministers and MPs were pushing for the appointment of MP Jayampathi Wickramaratne to be appointed to the post. (Yohan Perera)
The world over, China is famous for its fake products. Whatever the "original", China is sure to come up with a cheaper, if not so satisfactory, copy. But can this be extended to the realm of "news"? No. Fake news, sooner than later, is revealed to be what it is. Bogus. False.

This applies especially to Chinas standoff with India at Doklam. For China is using its economic and military clout to take over this territory by building a road through it. To this end, it is belting out a barrage of fake news and views. But like its substandard, counterfeit products, no one believes Chinese propaganda either.

Propaganda

If the "Seven Deadly Sins" anti-India video put out by its inept, if overactive propaganda machinery is anything to go by, China is a racist and imperialist state, browbeating and threatening both friends and foes alike to achieve its ends. Who would want to endorse or imitate it? No wonder, few Chinese cultural products or trends have gained worldwide currency.

If Chinese food is an exception it is precisely because it is not politicised or ideologised. The state doesnt interfere with it; that is why it succeeds. Why has Chinas soft power failed miserably? The answer is simple: it usually manifests in the ugliest fashion. Like pulling out hundreds of unflattering articles from the Cambridge University Press published China Quarterly.

Given our eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation with China over Doklam, is it any surprise that Chinese state-controlled media outlets have been spreading disinformation abroad as also creating an anti-India climate within China? Global Times in particular, which is under the control of Peoples Daily, is the main culprit. A recent example is a story called A slap in the face! Bhutan acknowledges that Doklam is a Chinese area.

First appearing on the mobile version of the Peoples Daily, the article is based on misreporting and mistranslating a PTI newsfeed. The only one, it turns out, who made the assertion in the headline was a Chinese official. Naturally! But this fact was conveniently omitted by Chinese media. Naturally! The article was republished by the Global Times, again state-run and known for its hardline stance.

If China is a great power, why doesnt it behave like one? This is a question on every observers mind when they see the contradictory rhetoric emerging from Beijing. Think about the North Korean crisis. Theres Donald Trump on one side, threatening fire and fury on the rogue Pyongyang regime.

And theres North Korea on the other side, formed in 1948 when the Korean peninsula was partitioned on the 38th parallel. North Korea had overrun the South; Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964), the commander of the Allied force, which forced Japans surrender in World War II, then led the UN forces to push back the Communist invaders. An artificial boundary and demilitarised zone, totally sealed, complete with barbed wire fences armed forced massed on both side prevails.

Totalitarian

The great leader, Kim Il-sung, ruled North Korea with an iron fist from 1948 till 1994, followed by his son, Kim Jong-il. Now the latters son, Supreme Leader Marshal Kim Jong-un runs this sad, some would add starving, country. No doubt, it is a totalitarian regime, propped up by China. If China didnt give it oil and food, it would fold in a few weeks. China benefits by a proxy state training its guns on its biggest rival, the United States.

North Korea is now a nuclear state. When it threatens to target Guam, a US territory, it is akin to China saying, We can get you, America! What is more, the subtle subtext says, We are not responsible; North Korea is. How convenient. Closer home, China has border disputes with most of its neighbours  Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, and of course, Taiwan.

China is a great civilisation. Supremely pragmatic, the Chinese have survived the worst odds to become the worlds most populous country, soon the biggest economy too. We respect that. But China must live up to its own ideals if it is to win universal regard.

Subservience

What are these? Respect, discipline, and hard work, instead of domination, bullying, bad behaviour. All over the world, China is increasingly unpopular. It is perceived as selfish and brutish, pushing its own interests over those of its client and allied states. This defies the traditional wisdom according to both Confucian and Daoist principles, let alone Buddhism. If China does not adhere to the dharma of a great power, how can it hope to earn respect and credibility?

China and India should be the best of friends, being the worlds oldest surviving civilisations. Why cant they live up to this ideal? It is because of one simple reason. China does not esteem India. It wants to intimidate us into submission and subservience.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this will prove impossible. Once China accepts Indias peaceful rise, a different equation between the two powers will become possible. It is in Chinas best interests to maintain friendly and peaceful relations with India. President Xi Jinping must overrule his hawks who want to teach India a lesson.

If China wants to play the elder statesman, preaching moderation and rationality on the US-North Korea front, it cannot very well behave like a blundering tyrant in its standoff at Doklam. Be consistent, Big Brother  thats what I would say to China. Let both sides withdraw from the conflict zone.
Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit has been released on bail after nine years in custody for his alleged involvement in the Malegaon blasts of September 2008, which killed seven and injured over a hundred.

Initial investigations indicated the involvement of a hardline pro-Hindu group, Abhinav Bharat. Subsequent investigations led to the arrests of Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Major Ramesh Upadhyay (retired) and Lt Col Purohit, a serving officer of the military intelligence branch of the Army.

There has been a cloud over the investigations from the time they were launched, claiming they were politically motivated. Initial investigations were conducted by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) led by Hemant Karkare, who was subsequently killed in the Mumbai terror attack on November 26, 2008. The case was handed over to the NIA in 2011.

Many have stated that the entire investigation was aimed at creating an impression of the presence of a Hindu terror organisation to appease sections of the public. Pakistan has repeatedly claimed that it was this organisation which was responsible for targeting the Samjhauta Express. There have also been claims that statements of witnesses were coerced and the recovery of RDX used in the blasts was a frame-up. The officer maintained that he was tasked to infiltrate Abhinav Bharat by military intelligence and he was not involved in the blasts.

Image credit: Twitter/Doordarshan

The Army conducted its own court of inquiry (CoI), which had also exonerated the officer. However, the same had no locus standi in the civil court. Since the charges were related to terrorism, he could not be held under Army custody, nor could the Army claim his custody as per Army law. The officer was finally granted bail by the Supreme Court on August 21.

Throughout the nine years of his incarceration, the Army neither suspended him nor terminated his services as they were convinced the officer was innocent, despite pressure from the earlier UPA government, which while in power was aggressively pursuing the case.

While officially the Army never commented on the case, the action of not suspending him proved that they disagreed with investigative agencies and were convinced the officer was innocent.

While the Army could not be involved with the case directly, it provided all facilities to the family. This feeling of support and camaraderie was evident when Purohit on release from prison was collected in Army vehicle and driven to his last unit from where he was arrested. And he would begin serving again.

His first comment was his desire to rejoin service and he was thankful for what the Army had done for him and his family.

Since the officer was neither suspended nor terminated from service, he would be required to join duty within 24 hours of his release on bail. Also, since the officer is on conditional bail, he cannot be posted to any active formation. Hence, he would be located close to where the investigations are in progress, in a fresh posting, once the bail papers have been studied.

Thus, those who have been accusing the Army for not doing enough should realise that despite political pressure, the Army refused to suspend or terminate the services of the officer throughout the period of his arrest.
Minister of railways Suresh Prabhu may have expressed profound grief and deep regret over the most recent accident in Muzaffarnagar which left 23 dead and over 150 wounded. But this was not the first time he was doing so. It was for the 27th time in three years since he was entrusted with the reins of the all-important rail ministry that he was condoling the death of rail accident victims - as if to say it was some kind of a routine exercise.

In order to make it a bit different from any perfunctory affair, he chose to add something new to the ritual  action against some top officials, who were stated to be invariably going scot-free in similar cases. That surely made headlines everywhere as top spokesman of the ruling dispensation went about claiming it to be unprecedented.

What went unnoticed was the fact that Railway Boards member (engineering) AK Mittal  an ex-officio secretary to the government of India  who was told to proceed on leave, is due to retire from service in the next 10 days on August 31. Likewise, the general manager (Northern Railways) RK Kulshreshtha, who was also punished with forced leave is scheduled to leave for an official trip to the US in the next five days.

That has exposed the ministers eyewash in the name of "severe action against top officials for the first time". Some describe it as a convenient escape route that the minster has given to these officials while making it seem like some exemplary step. But logically speaking, this also gives an escape route to the minister, who was desperate to shirk the moral responsibility of not just one but as many as 27 rail accidents in which more than 180 human lives had been lost.

It was for the 27th time in three years since he was entrusted with the reins of the all-important rail ministry that Suresh Prabhu was condoling the death of rail accident victims.

The resignation by the late Lal Bahadur Shastri as railways minister in the early 1960s over a single rail mishap now seems a like a fable. Today, the ministers instant move was to look for scapegoats who were systematically also given safe escape routes.

Evidently, the minister was not only absolving himself of all moral responsibility for the accident, but also his blue-eyed railway board chairman AK Mittal (same name as the member), whom he had also got an extension of two years. Prabhus special preference for Mittal came to the fore when he broke all conventions and took the unprecedented decision to handpick him as the first-ever officer from Indian Railways Stores Service to head the countrys largest public undertaking.

The decision was seen in railway circles as akin to a Chief of Army Staff being picked up from the non-combat wings like Ordnance or the Army Service Corps. The Indian Railways Stores Service is also one of the allied service wings of the Indian Railways, dealing solely with materials management. It has very little to do with the overall functioning of the organisation, which is basically run by members of the traffic or engineering services.

No one knows what special merit the minister saw in the stores service officer whom he not only gave the overall command of the countrys largest public undertaking but also granted him a two-year extension.

The stories doing rounds in railway circles say that Prabhu is very fond of "yes men" and Mittal ideally fits that bill. Therefore, responsibility for the series of accidents could neither be fixed on the chairman nor owned up by the minister. It had to be fixed on someone else; but here too they goofed up - not realising that ordering an officer to proceed on leave barely 10 days before his superannuation would obviously look silly and meaningless.
The Spanish government is currently run by the center-Right Peoples Party, led by Mariano Rajoy. However, should Spains socialist parties return to power, they have announced their intention to remove Catholic education from the curriculum and replace it with a secular curriculum that teaches fidelity to the government.

In place of voluntary religious education, the socialists of Spain would impose secular and progressive Education for Citizenship and Human Rights (EfC). In this way, socialism could use government funding to bring about a change in the nations moral character.

The change could take place despite the fact that the Spanish constitution guarantees parents rights over their childrens education and religious upbringing.

After a brief exile, Pedro Sanchez has reclaimed leadership of Spains Socialist Workers Party (PSOE). In 2015, he promised to eliminate all Catholic catechetical instruction from both public and private schools. He has again announced his commitment to the European doctrine of laicism, a secularist agenda dedicated to erasing Christianity from the public square.

Spain must consolidate its status as a secular state, Sanchezs personal platform states. No confessional religion should be part of curriculum [during] school hours.

Angel Manuel Garcia Carmona discusses the way the Spanish socialists in PSOE and Podemos could halt the influence of Christian principles in Spain in his new essay for Religion & Liberty Transatlantic. He traces Sanchezs history of anti-Catholicism, something he sees as an implicit part of socialist ideology:

In October 2015, two months before the election, he promised to remove the subject of the Catholic religion from school curricula, repeal Spanish national agreements with the Holy See, and erase the Spanish Constitutions pledge to maintain appropriate cooperative relations with the Catholic Church. In a meeting organized by Spanish newspaper El Mundo the following May, Sanchez called for more control by the State over education. Perhaps most clearly, the document containing the campaign promises he made while he was running for General Secretary of PSOE  Si es si. Por una nueva socialdemocracia (in English, Yes is Yes. For a new social democracy)  contains a section titled A laical society. It pledges to remove the Catholic religion from public schools curricula, remove religious symbols from state buildings and schools, and secularize national ceremonies like state funerals.

However, religious instruction is optional in Spanish schools; the socialists would make the controversial Education for Citizenship and Human Rights compulsory nationwide. EfC has stirred public opposition for two reasons. Some say it is not the governments place to teach such issues as gender, sexuality, and other private moral concerns. Others oppose the content of EfCs teaching on these issues, which clash with traditional Catholic beliefs.

Sanchez would make these viewpoints, which contradict the teachings many students receive at home from their parents, mandatory even in Catholic schools. Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares warned in 2007 that EfC would lead Spain downhill towards a totalitarian regime. He added that, by comparison, the relationship between Christianity and Islam would be less troublesome than living under an activist government seeking to use the power of the State to impose secularism on the nation.

Religious organizations, which are always short on resources, are especially tempted to accept public funding for the greater good. But is it possible for a religious group to receive taxpayer funding without accepting government regulations that could vitiate everything it stands for? It is tempting to look to the government to nourish resource-starved religious programs. However, believers may be wiser to refuse such funding sources, as Jesus refused nourishment and power during His 40 days in the wilderness.

Instead, Christians may be better served by working for a limited government with less power over education and society as a whole. A smaller state requires less taxation. The reduced tax burden frees up resources for Roman Catholics  or members of any other religion  to finance their own schools, ministries, and apostolates to the poor. These flourishing ministries will be free to maintain their integrity without fear that a change in government could bring about a change in social morality  a change they will be legally required to instill in their own children.

You can read his full article here.

(Photo credit: Public domain.)
Thomas L. Friedman said in The Lexus and the Olive Tree that no two countries with McDonalds within their borders have ever been in a war since having a McDonalds. Since it was proposed in 1999 this explanation of how globalization affects foreign policy and conflict has become known as the Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention.

There are several examples that prove Friedmans theory is wrong (e.g., India and Pakistan in 1998, Georgia and Russia, 2008). But in general, globalization does tend to reduce conflict between nations. As economist Donald Boudreaux says, one of the most important benefits of freer trade and global economic integration is that it promotes increased prospects for peace. Consider, says Boudreaux, Chinas warning to North Korea that it wont come to their aid if they launch missiles threatening the U.S. and there is retaliation:

>Would Beijing have issued the same warning 50 years ago? While the answer is uncertain, its plausible to suppose that Beijing back then would have been less likely than today to warn a communist ally not to start a war with the United States. If the United States suffers severe damage from nuclear (or even conventional) weapons, China today has far more to lose than it did under Mao Zedong. Unlike China under Mao, the Chinese today have legions of commercial customers and suppliers in the United States. And a pretty good rule of business is Dont kill your customers. Dont even be complicit in such killing. Perhaps we are today reaping one of the unsung benefits of freer trade and the international economic integration that it promotes: a greater reluctance of trading partners to go to war with each other. Maybe, just maybe, the United States much-derided economic integration with China will not only continue to enrich the people of both countries materially, but also  and far more importantly  prevent senseless slaughter.

Read more . . .
 Dictionary.com's Unfortunate Choice of Usage | Main | The Media Misses the Palestinian Crackdown on Palestinian Journalists 

August 23, 2017

The PA and Hamas Employ the Al-Aqsa Libel, Again



Both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas have once again made use of the so-called al-Aqsa is in danger libel.? This is the lie that Jews plan to destroy or defile the al-Aqsa mosque, which sits near Judaisms holiest site, the Temple Mount. Its use by Palestinian leaders often precedes anti-Jewish violence (for some examples, see The Battle over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount,? CAMERA, July 24, 2017).

On Aug. 22, 2017, both the PA, which rules the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, revived the lie that a Jew or Jews were behind the 1969 arson of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by a Christian fundamentalist,? The Times of Israel reported (PA, Hamas rehash lie that Jews planned 1969 burning of al-Asqa mosque,? August 22).

On Aug. 23, 1969, a mentally ill Australian named Denis Michael Rohan set fire to the al-Aqsa mosque, destroying part of its roof and an 800-year-old pulpit. Although Rohan was a Christian fundamentalist, the Palestinians and other Arabs blamed Israel for the arson attackwhich the Israeli government had, in fact, extinguished.

Palestinian leaders have continually revived this lie. In a recent interview with the official PA news site Wafa, Dr. Mahmoud Abbash claimed the fires that erupted in the Al-Aqsa Mosque 48 years ago by a Jewish terrorist of Australian origin are still burning today, as long as the noble sanctuary and the holy city [of Jerusalem] are violated by the Israeli occupation.? Abbash is a top adviser to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who is frequently labeled a moderate? by many in the press.

Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), a non-profit organization that monitors media in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and eastern Jerusalem, highlighted a PA-broadcast documentary that claimed that the 1969 fire was planned by senior Jews of high position.?

Similarly, Hamas released an Aug. 22, 2017 statement claiming that a Zionist criminal? committed the arson attack.

Abbas himself has used the al-Aqsa libel. For example, in a Sept. 16, 2015 statement on official PA TV, Abbas exhorted: The Al-Aqsa [Mosque] is ours, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is ours, and they [Jews] have no right to defile them with their filthy feet. We will not allow them towe bless every drop of blood that is spilled in Jerusalem.?

Abbas remarks were followed by the so-called stabbing intifada, in which Palestinians armed with guns, vehicles, knives, and rocks, among other weapons, attacked Israelis over the course of several months.

Posted by SD at August 23, 2017 11:30 AM

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 Albemarle County beaches at Chris Greene Lake, Walnut Creek and Mint Springs are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day. (434) 296-5844.

 Alex-Zans Childrens All People Matter Rally is held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Washington Park at 1001 Preston Ave. (434) 202-0773.

 American Girl Tea with Elizabeth Monroe for girls ages 6 through 12 will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at Highland at 2050 James Monroe Parkway. Details and registration are available at highland.org. (434) 979-9181.

 Benefit Concert for Southern Poverty Law Center, also providing a local healing opportunity, will be from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Firefly Restaurant at 1304 E. Market St. (434) 202-1050.

 Charlottesville Area Community Gathering  Addressing Trauma Together, for individuals affected by the arrest and indictment of Richard Wellbeloved-Stone, will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Wildrock at 6600 Blackwells Hollow Road in Crozet. Hosted by Sexual Assault Resource Agency. (434) 295-7273.

 Charlottesville Parks & Recreation Pools are open through Labor Day. Onesty Family Aquatic Center at 300 Meade Ave. opens from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The pool is closed on Wednesdays. Washington Park Pool opens from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. (434) 970-3083.

 Childrens Storytime, for children and caregivers of all ages, is held from 10 to 11 a.m. each Friday and noon to 1 p.m. each Saturday at New Dominion Bookshop at 404 E. Main St. (434) 295-2552.

 City of Charlottesville partners with Community Relations Services division of the U.S. Department of Justice in a town hall-style meeting, providing updates on recovery efforts and offing opportunities for public comment on the events of Aug. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center at Charlottesville High School at 1400 Melbourne Road. (434) 970-3333.

 Computers 4 Kids holds its annual showcase of projects from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Ix Building at 945 Second St. SE. (434) 817-1121.

 Hatton Ferry, the last poled ferry still in operation in the United States, operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. each Sunday, weather permitting, through Oct. 30 on Route 625 in Scottsville. $5 per person; $10 per car. (434) 296-1492.

 Historic Court Square Walking Tours, led by Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at 10 a.m. Saturday, meeting at 200 Second St. $5. (434) 296-1492.

 MAD Run 4-Miler, to benefit UVa Breast Care Center, begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Hebron Lutheran Church at 899 Blankenbaker Road in Madison. Details and registration are available at madrun4miler.com. (540) 718-6531.

 Montfair Resort Farm hosts an outdoor screening of the PBS documentary Soul Food Junkies, with proceeds benefiting Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday. 2500 Bezaleel Drive in Crozet. (434) 823-5202.

 Potomac Appalachian Trail Club conducts a work hike, meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Albemarle High School. Bring food, water and appropriate clothing. (434) 986-9854.

 Resilient Charlottesville offers counseling in response to the events of Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Central Library. (434) 979-7151.

 Safe at Home House Party, to benefit Albemarle Home Improvement Project, will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at Morven Farm at 791 Morven Drive. Details: ahip.org. (434) 817-2447.

 Skeet Shoot and Cornhole Tournament to benefit Young Life begins at noon Saturday at Rounton Farm at 10155 Rapidan Road in Orange. orangemadison.younglife.org. (919) 610-8602.

 Splash for a Cure Family Day and 5K will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at ACAC Adventure Central on Four Seasons Drive. Details and registration are available at ishangala.org. (434) 234-4644.

 Spray Grounds Water Parks at Belmont Park, Forest Hills Park and Greenleaf Park are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 17. (434) 970-3072.

 Stanford Spokes America Program, a student-driven STEM program for youth in grades six through 12, is held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Orange County Public Library. Details: spokes2017.wordpress.com. (540) 672-3811.

 Womens Equality Day Reception, celebrating the 97th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Northside Library at 705 W. Rio Road. (434) 963-0669.
Republican Rep. Tom Garrett once again on Tuesday condemned the recent violent acts in Charlottesville and the white nationalists who came to the city, and disagreed with how the president commented on it in the days following Aug. 12.

Garrett  who represents Virginias 5th District, which includes Charlottesville  said his position on not removing Confederate monuments has not changed in light of recent events.

He again disavowed Jason Kessler, the organizer of the Unite the Right rally who met with him at his Washington office in March.

President Donald Trump has come under fire for his remarks about the events in Charlottesville, saying on Aug. 15 at a news conference that there were good people on both sides, referring to those who participated in the Unite the Right rally and counter-protesters.

On Aug. 12, white nationalists and white supremacists were met by counter-protesters in downtown Charlottesville in what turned into deadly violence. Several hundred people marched through the University of Virginia the night before with torches, chanting slogans such as Jews will not replace us.

If there were any good people there, then they were remarkably poor in judgment to make league with people who were overtly and clearly evil, so I havent identified the good people if they existed, Garrett said of the Unite the Right participants. My frustration with the president is Im tired of having to say I think I knew what he meant.

Garrett called those comments from the president a step backward.

When asked if he believes he should condemn Trumps comments, Garrett said he does not think its necessary.

Id like to look at what he says next time, he said.

While many localities across the country have taken steps to remove Confederate monuments in the wake of Charlottesville, Garrett said his stance has not changed and that he believes statues should not be removed. Instead, he thinks they should be contextualized.

I think what we ought to do is contextualize where we were and then honor where we are so that we can continue to move in the right direction, he said. You can have that statue and you can put a plaque at the foot of that statue that speaks to the evil institution that was slavery.

Garrett said its not the role of Congress to make these types of decisions for states and localities.

On Aug. 13, Garrett was asked on Fox News about a photo from a meeting he had with Kessler in March. Garrett disavowed Kessler and said he had no idea who Kessler was prior to that meeting.

On Tuesday, Garrett said he had heard of Kesslers attempts to oust Wes Bellamy from Charlottesvilles City Council over old tweets, but didnt think at the time he took the meeting with Kessler that Kessler was a white nationalist or a bigot.

I knew he was strange. I didnt know that he was someone who was trying to destroy the fabric of our country, Garrett said.
On Monday afternoon, Charlottesville residents will have to opportunity to witness the first coast-to-coast eclipse in 99 years  and plenty of other opportunities to celebrate it.

The path of 100 percent totality will sweep from Oregon to South Carolina, with Charlottesville seeing roughly 86 percent of the sun covered. It will be the areas first partial solar eclipse since Christmas Day in 2000, when roughly a third of the sun was covered. At 1:15 p.m. Monday in Central Virginia, the moon will appear to touch the suns disc, reaching maximum coverage at 2:41 p.m. By 4 p.m., the sun will become full yet again.

While it may be universally understood by now, it always bears repeating: Never look directly at the sun, even when it is partially blocked. Failing to do so could mean burnt retinas and a phenomenon known as eclipse blindness, which could result in temporary or permanent vision impairment.

NASA recommends using an alternative viewing method, such as special eclipse-viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer. Primary Eyecare in Charlottesville similarly recommends using only glasses and viewers manufactured by American Paper Optics, Rainbow Symphony, Thousand Oaks Optical and TSE 17, as they are the only companies that meet international standards and are approved by NASA.

To view the solar eclipse safely, wear special CE- and ISO-tested solar eclipse glasses, the company warns in a news release. Do not use regular sunglasses  they do not offer sufficient protection for your eyes.

While these handy eclipse glasses may be in short supply by now, some may be found at any of the areas eclipse viewing parties.

In Charlottesville, the Central Library is hosting a party from 1:30 to 3 p.m. that offers children and adults alike the chance to decorate an out-of-this-world solar cookie and learn about the eclipse from a local expert. The library will provide viewing glasses, and the actual viewing will be held at Emancipation Park nearby.

Louisa County Library is hosting a viewing party of its own from 1 to 4 p.m., and will be passing out viewing glasses. Libraries located around the University of Virginia also will be lending out glasses, but professor Ed Murphy of UVas astronomy department said the supply is limited. The department itself no longer has any eclipse glasses left, according to a news release from UVa, but some can also be borrowed at the Ask a Librarian! event outside of Alderman Library, which will feature a Sunspotter projection telescope.

UVas Society of Physics Students and the Astronomy Club will be holding their own viewing event on the Lawn from 1 to 4 p.m. According to Murphy, the party will feature one of his departments H-alpha telescopes, a projection telescope and glasses that can be borrowed and shared.

Anyone looking to get away from the city can get an in-depth understanding of the eclipse by heading to Shenandoah National Park, which has hosted its Night Sky Festival since Friday. The festival will culminate with a viewing of the eclipse, accompanied by knowledgeable park rangers who will explain why eclipses happen, what to expect and how to view it safely.

Some of the areas breweries and vineyards will be getting in on the solar phenomenon.

Random Row Brewing Co. on Preston Avenue is celebrating the eclipse with Sundrop Shandies and complimentary Sun Chips and Moon Pies. While it wont open during the eclipse itself, the brewerys eclipse after-party starts at 4 p.m.

Michael Shaps Wineworks will have its doors open during the eclipse, and will have glasses on hand  the viewing variety or the drinking variety.

Hunt County Market & Deli is hosting a post-eclipse celebration on its patio, with live music from 3 to 6 p.m.

Wherever you view the eclipse from, just be sure to bring protection  and hold on to those glasses, if youre able to find some. Virginia will be exposed to another partial solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. That one promises to be of similar magnitude to this years.
Richmond NAACP: Remove Confederate statues

The Richmond branch of the NAACP is calling for the city to remove all of its Confederate monuments from public spaces, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The local branch unanimously voted in a meeting held last week to support removal or relocation of Confederate statues, it announced in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon.

James "J.J." Minor, the organization's president, said in an interview Wednesday that the statues were "offensive to African Americans."

"Those statues represent evil, racism and hate," Minor said.

U.N. panel urges U.S. to reject racism

A top U.N. body on racial discrimination has taken the unusual step of urging the United States to unequivocally and unconditionally reject racist hate speech and crimes. Its chairwoman called for President Donald Trump to take the lead.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination pointed Wednesday in a statement that didnt explicitly mention Trump to the failure at the highest political level to unequivocally reject racist violent events in the United States.

Trump on Tuesday blamed the media for the widespread condemnation of his response to violence linked to the Aug. 12 protest in Charlottesville organized by white supremacists, which included an observation that "many sides" were to blame. He omitted that part of his reaction in a recap of his statements Tuesday night.

Trump told supporters in Phoenix that he had "openly called for healing, unity and love" in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, and had simply been misrepresented in news coverage.

3 charged after UNC statue protest

Three people are facing charges related to a demonstration against a Confederate statue at the University of North Carolina.

University police arrested two people, while Chapel Hill Police arrested a third. Hundreds joined the protest Tuesday night against the bronze Confederate soldier known as "Silent Sam" on the Chapel Hill campus.

A Chapel Hill Police Department report shows 19-year-old Claude Wilson was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest. The report says the UNC student blocked a police vehicle and then pushed officers away when he was told to move. Wilson didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

UNC spokesman Randy Young said neither of the people arrested by campus police were affiliated with the university. Arrest reports listing their charges were to be released later Wednesday.

Neo-Nazi gathering in Wisconsin called off

A Sept. 16 gathering in Eau Claire being planned by a neo-Nazi organization has been canceled.

Spokesman Cory Klicko tells the Leader-Telegram that the event was called off because of controversy surrounding it and because of threats against him and people close to him. He says he has withdrawn his affiliation with the National Socialist Movement.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire College Democrats had begun organizing a counter-protest to the event in that city advertised as an NSM barbecue meet-and-greet. Other groups had similar plans.
Updated at 8:15 p.m.

The University of Virginia Police Department has obtained arrest warrants for Chris Cantwell related to his actions on Grounds on the eve of Aug. 12s Unite the Right rally.

Cantwell, who was slated to speak at the rally, is wanted for three felonies  two counts of illegal use of tear gas and one count of malicious bodily injury.

University police are asking Cantwell to turn himself in to any police agency immediately.

Authorities declined to release further details Tuesday, citing an ongoing investigation.

Cantwell featured prominently as a strident voice for white nationalism in a Vice News segment that aired on HBO on Aug. 14. The segment has been viewed more than 44 million times since it first aired, according to The New York Times.

Cantwell, contacted via email Tuesday, said he fully intends to comply with the law.

Its all just been so confusing since the authorities would rather leak conflicting information to media than communicate honestly with my attorney, Cantwell said.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Cantwell hosts a call-in talk show called Radical Agenda, live-streamed from a home studio in Keene, New Hampshire. He has argued for a white ethno state.

Unite the Right was slated to be a rally at Emancipation Park in protest of the citys decision to remove its statue of Robert E. Lee. In addition to Cantwell, other would-be speakers included UVa alumnus Richard Spencer and Tim Gionet, who goes by the moniker Baked Alaska.

David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan leader, was in attendance Aug. 12, as well.

The rally was scheduled to begin at noon, but an unlawful assembly was declared shortly before after ralliers and counter-protesters clashed in the streets that morning.

Later that afternoon, area resident Heather Heyer was killed near the corner of Fourth and Water streets after a car plowed into a group of counter-protesters. James Alex Fields Jr., of Ohio, was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

In addition, Fields, 20, is charged with three counts of aggravated malicious wounding, five counts of malicious wounding and one count of hit-and-run.

A few hours after the deadly car incident, two Virginia State Police troopers, Jay Cullen of Midlothian and Berke Bates of Quinton, who had assisted in law enforcements rally response, died in a helicopter crash in Albemarle County.
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Corbieres, Minervois and Saint-Chinian might be the darlings of the Languedoc, but growers and winemakers are working hard to upgrade quality across the region. New appellations like La Clape and Pic Saint-Loup, as well as many older regions are making strides to transform Languedoc to showcase the potential of its soils, the grapes and the talent that come from this area.

Delicious wines are materializing across the region, and I've highlighted six trending, inspirational appellations with a few wines to showcase each area.

TERRASSES DU LARZAC AOC

What makes this region special: Set in the foothills of the Causse du Larzac, the vineyards in the Terrasses Du Larzac are indeed unique. On the west side, the vines grow in rock known as ruffe, an extremely iron rich soil that is a beautiful brick color. The east and northward vines grow in limestone and clay soils, and stony terraces of the Herault valley. Winemakers often blend varieties of the Languedoc AOC together--Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache noir, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, to produce excellent quality wine.

2014 Domaine du Causse D'Arboras La Faille Terrasses du Larzac, France ($17)

This is a 75% Syrah, 20% Grenache noir and 5% Mourvedre with rich, intense color. The flavors are foundationally spicy with punchy and jammy overtones. It's delicious, concentrated and lively.

2014 Domaine Saint Sylvestre Rouge, Terraces du Larzac, France ($18)

Soft and smooth with lively flavors of ripe fruit and spices. Finishes medium-long with a tinge of mint. Nicely balanced; good acidity and tannins.

2015 Chateau de Cres Ricards Stecia Les Terrasses du Larzac, France ($14)

Deliciously smooth with nutty, spicy flavors, balanced with bright, interesting raisin toast flavors. Tannins are well integrated, with a good dose of spice and oak. Pair it with your favorite grilled meat or vegetable dishes.

2015 Chateau de Cres Ricards Oenothera Les Terrasses du Larzac, France ($17)

Lovely candied fruit, spices and dark fruits of blackberries and dark sweet cherries complement the chocolate and licorice backbone. It's delicious and structured with a long, silky finish.

2016 Mas Lasta AOP Terrasses du Larzac, France ($23)

I had a barrel sample of this wine, and was blown away by its beauty. It's one of those special wines I rarely find, which produces that wonderful yin-and-yang harmony that is hard to find. Consisting of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 10% Carignan, it's beautifully balanced between a feminine, red fruit feistiness juxtaposed against a masculine, dark fruit undertone. You'll love this wine for its purity, complexity, and subtleness.

LANGUEDOC AOC - PEZENAS

What makes this region special: Pezenas lies in the basalt lava that formed over a million years ago, which, when mixed with other soil formations, gives the terroir and landscape their particularly distinctive flavor. Within Pezenas lies Moliere wine country, where winegrowing is an ancient tradition. The vineyards sit near the Herault River, offering diverse soils of quaternary river pebbles, to schist that sits to the west. You'll love the wines for their expressiveness and freshness.

2012 Le Domaine Pech Rome 'Opulens' Pezenas, Languedoc France ($23)

Pascal Blondel from Domaine Pech Rome makes absolutely fabulous wines. He crafts them to express the quintessence of the terroir, which have elegance and finesse. Velvety and refined, this prestige 'Opulens' cuvee delivers opulent red and black fruit flavors. It's a delicious low yielding, high quality wine that is complex and heavenly.

Pascal Blondel of Domaine Pech Rome

2014 Le Domaine Pech Rome 'Clemens' Pezenas, Languedoc France ($15)

Pascal Blondel's Grenache-based cuvee fully expresses the region it comes from--animated and fresh, its layers of red fruits and olives finishes long and strong, with a hint of herbs on the finish. What a beautiful wine!

2014 Le Domaine Pech Rome 'Florens' Pezenas, Languedoc France ($11)

An easy drinking, fresh Mourvedre that is playful and creative. It's got a lot going on, with fresh fruit flavors that dance in the glass. Culinary pairings are extensive, from pasta and vegetables to steak dishes. Drink now.

LANGUEDOC AOC - LA MEJANELLE

What makes this region special: The Cartulaire de Maguelone was talking about the vineyards owned by the bishops in the region of Mejanelle back in the Middle Ages. Vineyards are woven into the outskirts of the capital of Languedoc, with large estates and beautiful architecture that was built between 1685 and 1771. Wines from here are bold, concentrated, and meaty, with aromas and flavors of ripe fruit, smoke and spice.

2015 Chateau Ministre Coteaux Du Languedoc Tentation Du Pasteur Mejanelle Tete De Cuvee, France ($14)

Classic for the region, this Tete De Cuvee is round, smooth, rich and intense, with ripe fruits, smoke and spice. Pair it with your favorite BBQ dish, roasted meats or full-flavored cheeses.

LANGUEDOC AOC - SOMMIERES

What makes this region special: The kings of France and Aragon, together with the Avignon popes, princes and lords of Languedoc and Provence served wines from this region to their guests. The vineyards back into the foothills of the Cevennes, and share land with olive trees, garrigue and truffle oaks. Syrah and Grenache reign supreme, producing wines that are pleasantly resilient.

2013 Chateau L'Argentier Rouge, Coteaux du Languedoc Terres de Sommieres, France ($14)

The same family has been running Chateau l'Argentier since 1937. Current owners Elisabeth & Francois Jourdan are committed to producing terroir-driven wines from the old vines planted on Silex soils. This particular wine consisting of 70% Syrah, 20% Carignan, and 10% Grenache is soft and pretty, offering layers of red and black fruit notes and a great quality-to-price-ratio (QPR) to boot.

LA CLAPE AOC

What makes this region special: Situated on the outskirts of Narbonne, La Clape was once an island. Know known for its lakes and beauty, this rugged landscape is now connected to the mainland, and produces incredible whites and reds that are nurtured by sea breezes. It's a beautiful place that must be visited, and the wines are simply delicious.

2013 Chateau D'Angles Grand Vin GSM, La Clape AOC, France ($26)

Eric Fabre of Chateau D'Angles was the technical director of Chateau Lafite for eight years before taking on the venture to grow grapes in the south of France. His wines are exquisite and a delight to drink. The Grand Vin Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre (GSM) is complex and brooding with layers of black fruits, spice and licorice. This region also produces wines that have a hint of mint, which is captivating. The finish is silky with integrated tannins and lively acidity. Drink now or cellar for a decade or more. Awesome!!

2015 Sarrat De Goundy Combe Aux Louves, La Clape, France ($23)

This is a beautiful cuvee made primarily from low-yielding Mourvedre. It's fresh, lively and audacious, with aromas and flavors of fresh herbs and red fruits. It has broad culinary applications from light pasta dishes to lamb.

PIC SAINT-LOUP AOC

What makes this region special: Pic Saint-Loup is North of Montpellier on the Cevennes foothills, and the landscape is quite dramatic and rugged. The soil in this region is clay-limestone and marl-limestone, producing some of the finest wines in the Languedoc, known for their finesse and great freshness. Red wines made from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre dominate, but Rose accounts for 10% of its production, producing fresh fruity wine.

2014 Domaine Les Grandes Costes Pic Saint-Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($22)

Lovely, rich and balanced, this red blend is refreshing yet bold, with smooth tannins and a long, enticing finish. It's a perfect food wine that would pair well with so many dishes--from cheese and fruit to meats and pasta.

2013 Domaine Les Grandes Costes Languedoc les 7 Rangees Rouge, Pic Saint-Loup, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($50)

Wow, what a complex wine! It's savory and seductive, with fine, silky tannins--it's a great crowd-pleaser with plenty to like. Pretty notes of red and blue fruits dominate, and it's fresh with a lot of finesse. Drink it, you'll love it.
When U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos increased her familys financial stake in Neurocore this spring, the controversial neurofeedback company was under investigation by an advertising-industry self-regulatory group for making questionable claims about its treatments for such conditions as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and memory loss.

Following a months-long review of the evidence behind Neurocores assertions, the National Advertising Division formally recommended in July that the company stop making a wide range of advertising claims and stop promoting many of its user testimonials.

NAD concluded that the advertisers evidence was insufficiently reliable to substantiate [its] strong health-related claims, according to the groups 17-page decision. As a result, NAD recommended that all of the challenged claims be discontinued.

Neurocore is appealing the decision.

We stand behind the outcomes we deliver to improve peoples lives, company CEO Mark Murrison wrote in an email. From the beginning, we have fully and voluntarily cooperated with the NAD to provide extensive support for the statements we make. We have great respect for the NAD, but we disagree with their decision.

Betsy DeVos and Neurocore

On February 10, the National Advertising Division alerted Neurocore that it was opening an investigation into the companys advertising claims.

That was nearly two months before DeVos or one of her immediate family members invested between $1,000,001 and $5,000,000 in the company, according to financial disclosure forms filed with the federal Office of Government Ethics.

DeVos or an immediate family member invested an additional $250,001 to $500,000 in the company in June.

Neither the U.S. Department of Education nor the Windquest Group, a private-equity investment firm that DeVos previously chaired and that her husband still heads, responded to requests for comment.

The National Advertising Division is an investigative unit of the Advertising Self-Regulatory Council , an ad-industry group formed in 1971. The organization aims to promote truth and accuracy in advertising, settle disputes between competing advertisers, and keep government regulators at bay. The ASRC is administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

The NAD typically investigates about 150 cases per year, most of which are prompted by one company complaining about claims made by a competitor. In most years, only a handful of the groups decisions are appealed.

Neurocore was officially launched in 2006. The company currently operates six brain-performance centers in Michigan and Florida. It purports to treat both adults and children by analyzing their brainwaves and other biological signs, then providing neurofeedback sessions through which they can train their brains to function better. Neurocore charges as much as $2,200 for a 30-session cycle.

DeVos sat on Neurocores board from 2009 until last November. In January, when she was President Donald Trumps nominee for education secretary, she reported a financial stake in the company worth between $5 million and $25 million. Federal ethics officials signed off on DeVos maintaining that stake. They also signed off on the subsequent investments she made in the company this spring.

A number of neuroscientists and researchers consulted by Education Week , however, have questioned what DeVoss growing investment in the company says about her commitment to rigorous scientific research.

Targeting Uniquely Vulnerable Audiences

A spokeswoman for the National Advertising Division said its lawyers initiated their investigation of Neurocore, in part, because the companys claims appear to target two uniquely vulnerable audiences: families with children suffering from conditions such as ADHD and autism, and seniors suffering from memory loss.

Among the claims made by Neurocore that NAD lawyers reviewed, according to the groups July decision:

81% of children who come to us on ADHD meds and complete our program are able to reduce or eliminate their use of medications upon program completion.

Control your anxiety without medication.

25% reduction in reported symptoms on the autism evaluation checklists.

Strengthen your brain to fight depression without medication.

Youll experience improved memory, as well as better sleep, focus, mood, mental clarity, and overall cognitive performance.

A natural remedy for migraines.

As part of its investigation, NAD requested that Neurocore provide evidence substantiating each of its challenged claims, as well as numerous user testimonials promoted on the companys website.

That information consisted of the companys analysis of its own internal data and third-party studies of neurofeedbacks use in treating ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, memory loss, sleep problems, and migraines.

The NAD determined that Neurocores internal evidence, which resulted from observational studies rather than clinical trials, does not provide competent and reliable scientific evidence in support of health-related advertising claims.

The group also determined that the third-party studies submitted by Neurocore either were not relevant to the specific form of neurofeedback the company uses, or did not provide clear evidence in support of that form of neurofeedback.

And the NAD issued a sharp warning to Neurocore over its use of testimonials that suggest clients have reduced or eliminated the need for medication for ADHD, anxiety, depression, memory problems, migraines, or sleep disorders.

What happens next

The nonprofit group Truth in Advertising Inc. has compiled its own database of what it says are more than 100 examples of Neurocore making questionable advertising claims.

The groups executive director, Bonnie Patten, said the National Advertising Divisions strong case against the company makes Education Secretary DeVoss financial stake in Neurocore particularly troubling.

She is giving credibility to a company that may not deserve it, Patten said.

Neurocores appeal of the NADs decision will be heard by a five-member panel convened by the National Advertising Review Board, which is also a unit of the Advertising Self-Regulatory Council.

If the panel sides with NAD, Neurocore will again be asked to stop making the advertising claims and using the testimonials that were deemed unsubstantiated.

If the company does not comply, the case will be referred to the Federal Trade Commission.

See also:
Knoa Software, a provider of user experience management (UEM) software, is helping ABB Mexico, a global provider of power and automation technologies, use SAP User Experience Management (SAP UEM) to solve business operations issues and improve user experience for its SAP applications.

Since the SAP UEM implementation in January 2016, it has been used in conjunction with SAP Learning Hub and the SAP Enable Now solution (formerly SAP Workforce Performance Builder). ABB Mexico has identified a 35% reduction in support tickets.

ABB Mexico began using SAP UEM in 2015 across 11 components of the SAP ERP application, 850+ employees and six location offices, including the Manufacturing Plant.

SAP UEM helped the company manage SAP software implementation projects in a test environment, rapidly trace the cause of errors, identify strategic training areas for employees, reveal the most- and least-used transactions, and more. This same concept can be used in other projects for new functionality of SAP software or SAP software upgrades.

We are proud that SAP UEM by Knoa has helped ABB Mexico reduce its support tickets by such a significant percentage, said Brian Berns, CEO of Knoa Software. ABB joins an ever-expanding list of companies that are using SAP UEM to improve user experience, increase adoption and boost productivity. We have enjoyed working with the team in Mexico, and hope to assist with deployments in additional ABB offices in the future.

Knoa is an SAP partner whose user experience management solution is resold by SAP as an SAP Solution Extension. SAP UEM sheds light on application usage, user adoption and user workflows, helping customers protect and maximize investments in SAP applications and upgrades.

The SAP UEM application provides complete visibility into employee engagement with enterprise applications, enabling the company to pinpoint the causes of system errors, identify gaps in training and improve business processes.

For more information about this news, visit www.knoa.com.
Rural schools face special challenges trying to build good career and technical education programs, especially programs that include postsecondary training, an important element in an economy that increasingly demands more schooling than a high school diploma.

A new brief outlines the difficulties of offering a high-quality career-tech-ed option for students , and examines how four statesNebraska, South Dakota, Mississippi, and Idahoare working to overcome those difficulties. Assembled by four organizations that focus on career tech ed, the paper is the first in a series that will explore issues confronting CTE programs in the rural United States.

The dearth of colleges in rural areas is a pivotal challenge to career and technical education programs, the paper notes. Rural areas are home to half the countrys school districts, but only 16 percent of its two-year degree-granting colleges, the paper says.

That distribution makes it tougher for high school CTE students to go on to earn the certificates and degrees that can boost their earnings and college options. It also means that rural career-tech-ed programs often lack the many benefits of partnership with a local community college, such as a jointly designed curriculum and dual-credit classes.

Rural schools also tend to have fewer resources to support CTE programs that can be costly, and they have a lower density of businesses that can serve as valuable partners to career-tech-ed programs.

Nebraska focuses on the grassroots level to build good quality career-tech-ed programs. Through a 5-year-old statewide program called reVISION, state education and labor officials help local communities think through their CTE offerings and collaborate with businesses to create programs that respond to labor market needs, and have good college pathways, instead of offering courses just because theyve always been offered. The state has made a particular effort to recruit rural districts into that program.

Idaho has focused particular attention on creating a seamless transition from high school career and technical education programs into its state colleges and universities. High school and college instructors meet with business leaders to decide what students should learn and how those skills should be assessed. The state has created articulation agreements that guarantee the transfer of high school CTE credits to college.

For more stories about important issues in career and technical education, see:

Career and Technical Education at a Crossroads

And join us for a webinar that focuses on those issues on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 2 pm Eastern. Click here to register .
Trade unions and Coal India management met for three days from August 17 to 19 in Ranchi.

New Delhi: The Coal India managament has not accepted wage hike demand of worker unions due to "financial constraints", a trade union said on Tuesday.

Four central trade unions at the coal PSU had demanded "25 per cent increase on gross wages as on June 30, 2016 plus four per cent perk", the Indian National Mineworkers' Federation, which is affiliated to INTUC, said in a letter.

D D Ramanandan, General Secretary of CITU-affiliated All India Coal Workers Federation said that the management was of the view that it was not ready for such a hike as the company was facing "fiancial constraints".

"Coal India (CIL) management said that it cannot give such kind of hike as company's financial condition is precarious, coal demand has come down and production of fossil fuel is declining," S Q Zama, Secretary General of Indian National Mine Workers Federation said.

Indian National Mineworkers' Federation further said that due to wrong policies of NITI Aayog and excessive/higher dividend payout to the government the net worth has come down to half from the net worth it was holding in 2012-13.

"The higher dividend and buy-back scheme and lack of scientific assessment and proper planning towards factual demand and supply of coal/power has caused damage to the financial strength of CIL," Indian National Mineworkers' Federation said.

According to Ramanandan in the last wage negotiations which took place in 2011 Coal India's profit was Rs 10,000 crore and "this time it is Rs 16,000 crore plus."

Trade unions and Coal India management met for three days -- from August 17 to 19 -- in Ranchi to deliberate the issue of wage hike. The five operating central trade unions in the coal industry are INTUC, BMS, HMS, AITUC and CITU.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Industries Minister R V Deshpande on Wednesday termed the recent developments at IT major Infosys following sudden resignation of Vishal Sikka as "unfortunate".

"Very unfortunate developments, this should not have happened at Infosys," Deshpande said when asked about the recent events at the city headquartered company.

"I can understand transparency is very important. If there is no transparency there are ways to find out the truth, but unfortunately, according to me, investors' confidence and shareholders' confidence have been shaken," he told reporters.

"Infosys is the pride of the country, it is known to the entire world. We are all proud of Infosys. I can only say such developments are unfortunate," he added.

Last Friday, Sikka, the first non-founder CEO of Infosys, resigned from the company following months of acrimony with high-profile founders, led by N R Narayana Murthy, citing "malicious" and "personal attacks" on him.

While Sikka did not name Murthy for his exit, the board of the USD 10 billion firm blamed the founder for "continuous assault" through "factually inaccurate" and "already-disproved rumours" for the resignation of the CEO.

Murthy, however, maintained that his only concerns were the lapses in corporate governance standards, something that Infosys was admired for at one point.

Sharp decline in Infosys share prices following the developments has wiped out Rs 34,000 crore of investors' wealth in the last two days.

When asked about reports that Nandan Nilekani is likely to return to Infosys, Deshpande said he would not like to comment on it, and it is left to the decision of the board, founders and shareholders of the company.

Nilekani, one of the co-founders of the company had joined the Congress party ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He had also contested and lost the election from Bengaluru South constituency.

Noting that the developments at the company were not healthy, Deshpande said, "founders have struggled for the company, at the same time shareholders have fully cooperated. Vishal Sikka also has good reputation. These things should have been sorted out in-house".

"I think, still time is there. I am confident that they are all people with rich experience, good people. The board, founders and shareholders will come under one roof to resolve this issue," he said.
Representatives for the other mutual fund companies and Uber could not be reached immediately for comment.

New York: Four mutual fund companies have marked down their investments in Uber Technologies Inc by as much as 15 per cent following a scandal-ridden year for the ride-hailing company.

Uber has suffered a series of setbacks in recent months, including a federal probe into its use of technology to evade regulators in certain cities and a trade secrets lawsuit filed by Alphabet Inc's self-driving unit, Waymo.

Chief Executive Travis Kalanick also resigned in June, pressured by accounts of a corporate culture of sexism and bullying.

Vanguard Group, Principal Funds and Hartford Funds marked down their shares in Uber, which is not listed, by 15 per cent to $41.46 a share in June, filings from the companies showed.

T. Rowe Price Group Inc cut the estimated price of Uber shares by more than 12 per cent to $42.73 during the second quarter ended June 30.

Another investor, Fidelity Investments, appeared to have maintained its estimate of $48.77 as of June 30.

Vanguard spokeswoman Arianna Stefanoni Sherlock declined to comment on the reasons for the reduced valuation. Representatives for the other mutual fund companies and Uber could not be reached immediately for comment.

Uber was most recently valued last year at $68 billion. Amid non-stop controversy, it has upended the tightly regulated taxi industry in many countries and changed the transportation landscape.

The new estimates for Uber shares were first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Mumbai: State Bank chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya on Wednesday called for more consolidation among the public sector banks, saying this could reduce their dependence on government for capital.

The statement comes after SBI merged all its five subsidiaries and Bharatiya Mahila Bank, which resulted in a massive spike in its provisions and bad loans ratio that touched double digits in the first consolidated results announced earlier this month, though this led to the creation of the 45th largest bank in the world.

The merger of the state-run banks should open up more capital generation avenues, both internally and from market, for the merged entity, she said.

"From a government point of view, besides an increased stream of dividends, which forms a part of their non-tax revenue, mergers of state-run banks can also reduce dependence of the merged bank on government for the future capital infusion," Bhattacharya said while delivering the 14th Nani A Palkhivala memorial lecture here this evening.

Merger of public sector banks must increase the role of internal and market resources and thus reduce government's dependency, she explained. Stating that the banking sector is at critical juncture and is faced with challenges like capital constraints due to their government ownership, Bhattacharya said, "these issues call further consolidation".

From an institutional and investors point of view, the available market float of a merged bank's shares must appreciate, she said, adding these consideration has at least guided the merger decision of SBI.

Bhattacharya said after the merger, SBI has moved to a return on equity (RoE) based budgeting, along with risk based budgeting in managing its portfolio. She said that consolidation in the banking sector will lead to greater concentration of payment and settlement flows as there are fewer parties in the financial sector.

"Now, is this also a hindrance or is this going to be beneficial, but given the cyber security risks that we currently run, probably this could also be beneficial," Bhattacharya said.

However, she warned that operational risks could rise post-merger, as the size of operations enlarge and since the distance between management and operational personnel is greater, the administrative systems become more complex.

"There is a view that exercise of market power by larger merged banks can also alter the monetary transmission operating through bank lending or borrowers without direct access to financial sector," she said, adding, "so mergers may increase systemic risks and mergers guided only by pure capital adequacy considerations are ill-advised".
Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy has of late raised several questions over corporate governance at the compnay. (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: Days after Vishal Sikka stepped down from Infosys as chief executive and managing director, co-founder N R Narayana Murthy on Wednesday put on hold a conference call with investors and shareholders, according to media reports. News agency IANS on Tuesday had reported that Murthy was expected to put forth his side of the story in the entire Vishal Sikka saga.

In the meanwhile, Murthy has chosen to stay mum and has said nothing as the drama over Sikka's resignation unfolded. Infosys board has concurred with Sikka saying that Murthy's trade slamming "corporate governance lapse" at Infosys was "distraction".

Infosys' global investors' community was expected to attend the event. Apart from Indian stake holders, investors from countries including England, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States were likely to attend through a pre-regitration procedure.

On August 18, Vishal Sikka revealed in an email to Infosys employees that he was resigning as CEO and MD, an announcement that sent shock waves through out the corporate India. Sikka had blamed Murthy for his resignation.

Infosys shares crashed more than 12 per cent on Friday as the news poured in. It triggered company's market capitalisation dwindle by more than Rs 22,000 crore on Friday itself. Stocks continued their losing streak on Monday and the decline went up to 13 per cent after which the company lost around Rs 34,000 crore of its market value.

The tussle between the Infosys board that included Vidshal Sikka and founders led by Narayana Murthy started to surface on the ground when Murthy criticised in public "corporarte governance lapse" at Infosys. Murthy had raised several questions over hefty severance pay and higher remuneration to top bosses.

In 2014, Infosys had said it will give Rajiv Bansal, outgoing chief financial officer, a severance pay of Rs 33 crore, which according to Murthy "was never seen in corporate India's hostory". However, Infosys had later clarified that it did not give Bansal the full identified amount.
The income tax department is open to lowering the withholding tax rate for foreign companies which have income in India.

New Delhi: The income tax department is open to lowering the withholding tax rate for foreign companies which have income in India, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Sushil Chandra also urged firms and MNCs operating in India to pay their due share of taxes and said adequate safeguards have been put in place to ensure that anti-abuse provisions like GAAR are not misused.

He also asked industry experts to come forward with suggestions on withholding tax. "I would like to be informed in which areas the TDS (tax deducted at source) is high so that we can think of reducing that also. We are absolutely open to any suggestions which can make the life of a genuine taxpayer easy," he said speaking at an International Tax Conference organised by Assocham here.

Foreign entities having income in India as well as domestic companies are required to withhold taxes on any payment to another party and deposit that tax with the government.Companies usually have to withhold taxes interest, royalties or fees paid for technical services.

Assocham Chairman National Council on Direct Taxes Rahul Garg said the tax department issues refunds to the tune of Rs 40,000-60,000 crore every year and hence the industry chamber has suggested a relook of the withholding tax scenario.

"Withholding tax deducted by various segments of business vary somewhere between 1-42 per cent. Since the refund quantum is so large, we have suggested the department to analyse the class on investors to whom refund is due every year and reduce the TDS rate for them," Garg said.

Chandra said the General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) will be used in exceptional circumstances and only to ensure that the country gets its due share of taxes.

GAAR will be invoked only if the tax provisions are misused, he said, adding that companies, firms or MNCs should believe in fair taxation.

Chandra said the policies of income tax department have been very transparent and are being decided after considering the concerns of stakeholders.

Under GAAR, which has come into effect from April 2017, the taxmen may potentially want to know whether the transaction was done in the normal course of business or conducted simply with the intention to avoid taxes.
Concerned over rising onion prices, the Centre on Wednesday asked state governments to impose stock limits on traders to check hoarding.

New Delhi: Concerned over rising onion prices, the Centre on Wednesday asked state governments to impose stock limits on traders to check hoarding and curb further increase in rates of the kitchen staple.

The government is also considering restricting exports by imposing minimum export price (MEP) to boost local supply and keep prices stable, sources said.

Retail onion prices in the national capital have risen to Rs 38/kg as of today from Rs 22/kg in the year-ago period. Onion is sold at Rs 34/kg in Mumbai, Rs 40/kg in Kolkata and Rs 29/kg in Chennai, as per official data.

"To control the prices of onion, state governments have been advised to impose stock limits for onion on traders/ wholesalers," Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan tweeted.

A letter in this regard has been sent to state governments, who are empowered to take action against onion traders under the Essential Commodities Act.

Onion prices have shot up in the last few weeks due to depleting old stocks and concerns about this year's output as kharif sowing area is down by 20-30 per cent.

Recently, Paswan had also written to the Commerce Ministry seeking imposition of MEP of USD 450 per tonne on onion to curb outbound shipments and withdrawal of incentives given to traders for its export.

The issue was discussed at the recent meeting of the Committee of Secretaries, which too favoured imposition of MEP. A final decision is expected to be taken soon, sources said.

Onion MEP was scrapped in December 2015. The MEP is the minimum rate below which exports cannot be undertaken.

Last fiscal, India exported 34.92 lakh tonnes of onion.

Onion stock of 2016-17 is being consumed currently. The new kharif crop is expected to arrive in full swing from next month.
Mumbai: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley briefs media about important decisions made by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Watch it here:
A working paper from researchers at Northwestern University and the American Institutes for Research found no evidence that refugee students have a negative effect on the behavior or academic achievement of their schoolmates.

David Figlio, the incoming dean of the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern, and Umut Ozek, a senior researcher at AIR, examined what happened in 100 Florida schools following the Haitian earthquake of 2010.

The natural disaster brought an estimated 4,000 refugee students to four south Florida school districts Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Palm Beach. The researchers investigated the effects of Haitian refugees on a variety of incumbent students, including non-refugee Haitian immigrants, U.S.-born students of Haitian ancestry, other non-Haitian immigrants, and U.S.-born students who arent immigrants.

Examining three years of post-earthquake dataspring 2010, when refugees were still entering the schools and in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 academic years, after the wave of refugee arrivals endedthe team found no changes in test scores or disciplinary problems, and no evidence that the arrival of refugee students led incumbent families to depart schools in large numbers.

The research could be of interest to educators welcoming new immigrant students, many of whom may be English-language learners, to their schools. Education Week has written about the surge of unaccompanied minors that arrived in U.S. schools during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years.

With that said, Figlio and Ozek do note there are several factors that could limit the application of their findings to other schools and regions. They note that Florida has an established, sizable Haitian immigration population with schools that may already have support systemsHaitian Creole-speaking staff among themin place to help recent refugees from the island nation.

In many districts, educators often struggle to find staff who speak the same languages as incoming refugee students and can serve as interpreters and translators to help families understand their rights and responsibilities.

In part because of concerns that refugee and immigrant students will negatively affect the education of their peers, a number of districts have enacted policies that deny these students equal access to classes and schools. A 2016 investigation by the Associated Press found that immigrant children living in the United States as unaccompanied minors have been blocked or discouraged from registering for school in at least 35 districts in 14 states.

In response to these findings and others, civil rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, have filed lawsuits in places such as Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and California on behalf of the students and their families.

Related Stories and Video

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Prior Education Determines How Refugee ELLs Adjust to U.S. Schools

Heres a look at the working paper .


New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the government is not considering banning Rs 2,000 notes, and the Reserve Bank will decide on the timing of issuing the new Rs 200 bill.

The government has given the go-ahead to the RBI to issue Rs 200 notes, a move that is aimed at easing the pressure on lower-denomination currency.

"The whole process regarding by when the notes will be printed, RBI will take care of that issue. Thus, it would be appropriate for the RBI to announce about dates and related matters to the note printing," Jaitley told reporters here.

When asked whether the government is considering to phase out Rs 2,000 notes, he said: "No, there was no such discussion".

Following the demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 9 last year, the RBI had introduced Rs 2,000 notes and new Rs 500 notes with additional security features.
Kim Jong Un visits the Chemical Material Institute of Academy of Defense Science at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (Photo: AP)

Tokyo, Seoul: North Koreas state media released photos on Wednesday that appear to show the designs of one or possibly two new missiles.

Concept diagrams of the missiles were seen hanging on a wall behind leader Kim Jong Un while he visited a plant that makes solid-fuel engines for the countrys ballistic-missile programme.

One of the photos clearly showed a diagram for a missile called Pukguksong-3, which appears to be the latest in its Pukguksong, or Polaris, series. The other was harder to discern, though it carried a Hwasong, or Mars, designation name.

The photos were carried in the morning edition of the Rodong Sinmun, the ruling partys newspaper, and released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) just two days after the US and South Korea began annual military exercises that the North claims are a rehearsal for war.

Tensions on the peninsula generally ratchet up during the manoeuvres and a series of larger exercises held each spring.

The KCNA report on the visit said Kim called on workers at the plant to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips. Michael Duitsman, a research associate at the Center for Non-Proliferation Studies, said the first missile has not been seen before. The Pukguksong-3 is definitely new, he said in an email.

The missile might be designed to fly farther and to be launched from protective canisters, which allow missiles to be transported more easily and makes them more difficult to locate and destroy in advance. Solid-fuel engines add to that difficulty because they allow for quicker launches than liquid-fuel missiles.

It could possibly also boost the Norths submarine-launched missile capabilities.
Globally gold was trading 0.53 per cent lower at USD 1,284.40 an ounce in New York on Tuesday.

New Delhi: Gold prices fell by Rs 27 to Rs 29,078 per 10 gram in futures trade on Wednesday as participants indulged in profit-booking at prevailing levels amid a weak trend overseas.

In futures trade at the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold for delivery in October shed Rs 27 or 0.09 per cent to Rs 29,078 per 10 gram in a business turnover of 383 lots.

Similarly, metal for delivery in far-month December contracts eased by Rs 15 or 0.05 per cent to Rs 29,212 per 10 gram in seven lots.

Analysts attributed the fall in gold futures to profit- booking by traders at existing levels and weakness in the precious metals in global market as the US dollar strengthened against a basket of major currencies ahead of an annual meeting of central bankers this week.

Globally, gold was trading 0.53 per cent lower at USD 1,284.40 an ounce in New York on Tuesday.
New Delhi: Salman Khan will be playing the lead in Race 3 and the superstar will once again share screen space with Jacqueline Fernandez.

The actors have previously worked together in 2014 movie Kick directed by Sajid Nadiadwala.

The 32-year-old actor, who was in the capital to promote her upcoming film A Gentleman, told PTI, "After 'Judwaa 2' I am working on 'Drive', that is Tarun Mansukhani's next with Sushant (Singh Rajput) and then it is Salman's 'Race 3'."

While Salman, 51, has replaced Saif Ali Khan as the lead in the action-thriller, Jacqueline is not new to the franchise. She starred in 2013's Race 2.

Abbas-Mustan directed the first two films, but according to reports, choreographer-director Remo D' Souza has been roped in to helm the third movie. No formal announcements have been made yet.

A Gentleman, featuring Sidharth Malhotra in a double role, will hit the theatres this Friday.
Mumbai: The arrival of Prasoon Joshi at the CBFC post Pahlaj Nihalanis sensational sacking had been welcomed with open hands.

However, the CBFC seems to be stuck in the same old rut, with the very first movie to arrive at its doorsteps after the change of hands being banned.

Toofan Singh, a Punjabi film, was banned by Prasoons team, citing glorification of anarchic terrorism, according to a report by DNA.

Toofan Singh is a terrorist, who goes on a rampage killing corrupt cops and politicians. And theyve compared him to Bhagat Singh. The film is brutal and anarchic. We couldnt empathise with its message of brute power, let alone grant it a censor certificate, the daily quoted a source as saying.

The film, which has already released overseas, has its future in the country in dire straits.

Toofan Singh, a Baghal Singh directorial, shows the protagonist playing a vigilante, embracing terror tactics to fight corruption.
Mumbai: Sana Khan, a model, dancer turned actress, garnered huge eyeballs after participating in Big Boss Season 5. She also grabbed a few Bollywood projects, though none left a mark at the box-office.

Sana and Salman accidentally met on the red carpet of one of the award functions recently, with their picture hugging each other so very coyly becoming the talk of BTown.

Recently, while Sana attended the video launch of, Love Ka Tonic as a special guest, we anxiously quizzed her what the reason behind Salman and herself feeling shy was. Turning red and blue, she instantly gushed, Actually, hum dono jab bhi milte hai ek doosre ko dekh kar aise hi sharma jate hai! (We blush whenever we meet and look at each other)

Is there something more to this than meets the eye? She smiles and says, Aur kya ho sakta hai?

Well, Salman the handsome hunk spoke smilingly even during the reality show Big Boss seasons to a few of the contestants. And the viewers always felt Salman had a soft corner for those contestants. No prizes for guessing one of them was Elli Avram.

In this field of glitz and glamour, all the actors have to work sharing a good camaraderie or else the camera will not show their positive chemistry on screen. Now, getting attracted and sharing a bond for that moment becomes very necessary for the actors be it of the same or opposite sex. And later they need to move on in life.
The Centre told the Supreme Court last week that right to privacy is a fundamental right, but it is a wholly qualified right.

New Delhi: Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that it is not possible to use Aadhaar to track citizens,

The UIDAI, said the systems and law are safeguarded to ensure that the government does not use Aadhaar for surveillance even if the court permits them, NDTV reported.

The agency also added that too much was being discussed of 'privacy' being a fundamental right. "Nothing is private in the online era," Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a nine-judge constitution bench that is considering whether privacy is a fundamental right of every citizen.

The Centre told the Supreme Court last week that right to privacy is a fundamental right, but it is a wholly qualified right.

"Every aspect of it does not qualify as a fundamental right, as privacy also includes the subtext of liberty," Attorney General KK Venugopal had said.

The Supreme Court had set up a nine-judge bench to decide whether right to privacy can be declared a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution.

The apex court had said that right to privacy cannot be an absolute right and the state may have some power to put reasonable restriction, while examining the issue whether it can be declared as a fundamental right under the Constitution.

The apex court had agreed to set up a bench on July 12 to deal with the Aadhaar-related matters after the attorney general and senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for petitioners, had jointly mentioned the matter.

The petitioners had claimed that collection and sharing of biometric information, as required under the scheme, was a breach of the "fundamental" right to privacy. Allowing the Centre's plea, the court had framed various questions, including as to whether right to privacy was a fundamental right, to be decided by a Constitution bench.
She further said that there is an anonymous petition stating that V S Prakash would go inside the jail a number of times without any formal entry or record in visitor-register. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Former deputy inspector general of police (DIG) (Prisons) D Roopa has named another person in connection with the jail perk row involving jailed, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary V K Sasikala.

The report submitted by Roopa to the IGP, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Bangalore, has mentioned V S Prakash, popularly known as Australia Prakash in Bengaluru, who is stated to have arranged meetings between "one Mallikarjun and Sasikala at Bengaluru Jail because he knows jail officials."

"It is a matter of record that Sasikala met her visitors in a special room, again a special treatment, which did not have CCTV and could meet them for hours. Therefore, Mr. V S Prakash is seen to be a conduit for meetings, which led to special treatment to Smt Sasikala," Roopa said.

She further said that there is an anonymous petition stating that V S Prakash would go inside the jail a number of times, sometimes on record and many other times without any formal entry or record in visitor-register.

"He would be assisted by one police sub-inspector of KSISF Gajaraj Makanur guarding the jail in entering the jail without making entry of his name in the register. This can be checked with CCTV images kept at gate 1 and inside gate 2 and CCTV camera no 8. There is a reliable source of information that the jail Chief Supt Krishna Kumar brokered the deal on behalf of DG Prisons Sathyanarayan Rao IPS and obtained Rs. 2 crore from Mallikarjun and TTV Dinakaran," the report added.

Roopa further said that this must be "investigated thoroughly" and said that it is clear that special treatment to the convict Sasikala was a quid-pro-quo in consideration for the pecuniary gains.

"If investigated, it is an offence made out under sections 7, 13(1)(d), 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against DG Prisons Shri Sathyanarayan Rao IPS. The middleman V S Prakash is liable under Section 8 and 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. This needs formal investigation," she wrote.

Roopa added that a statement has been issued under section 161 CrPC before Delhi Police in connection with the election symbol bribery case pertaining to AIADMK party.

Complaining about another convict, D Roopa said that in a similar way, a cot and bed, water-disperser, curtains, LED-TV are also provided to Karimlal Telgi, the convict in fake stamp paper racket.

"This is again special treatment. Apart from this, he has 3 attendants at a time who are under-trail prisoners, in violation of guideline that under-trial prisoners should not be mixed with convicts," she wrote.

On Monday, a video footage was submitted to the ACB allegedly by Roopa showing Sasikala and her relative Ilavarasi, convicted by the Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case, walking into the main entry area of the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in civilian attire.

Roopa submitted the footage on Monday as part of her statement to the ACB of the Karnataka Police.

Following the summons by the ACB, Roopa had submitted 74 enclosures as evidence to substantiate her charges. She received summons on July 31, the day Director General (Prisons) G. Sathyanarayan Rao retired.

Earlier in July, Roopa grabbed headlines when she, in a report, said that Sasikala availed VIP treatment in the prison by bribing jail officials.

Roopa, in a report to the Director General (Prisons), had said there are speculations that Sasikala paid bribe to prison officials to get special facilities for herself with rumours also of the DG being a beneficiary himself.

The report by the DIG (Prisons) had asserted that a bribe worth Rs. 2 crore was given to the prison officials by AIADMK chief VK Sasikala for, including the DG (Prisons), in order to avail special facilities in the Parappana Agrahara central prison.

The DG (Prisons) categorically denied all the charges, where Roopa, maintained her stand, saying that she has no issue with an inquiry taking place into it.

A notice was then sent to Roopa accusing her of "damaging the integrity and reputation of Sathyanarayan Rao," which according to law comes under defamation.

The notice also said that Rao will also be approaching the concerned Income Tax Department to find out the source from where the "alleged Rs. 2 crore were mobilised."

The notice further said that Roopa also alleged that Sasikala had set up a private kitchen, where special food could be made for her, but as she failed to take snaps of the place, it only shows that the place was "non-existent" although she (Roopa) claims that the evidence was erased.

The notice said that Roopa had tried to defame the "whole system" of this country, including the President of the nation.

Subsequently, Roopa was transferred to the Traffic and Safety wing.
Colonel Purohit was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday. (Photo: Debasish Dey)

Mumbai: Malegaon blast accused Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit was released from the Taloja prison in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday after being granted bail by the Supreme Court.

He was driven out of the prison in a car at around 10.45 am.

A team of Military Police and Quick Response Team of the Army escorted Purohit out of the jail.

Purohit was in jail for almost nine years for his alleged role in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

#WATCH: Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit released from Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai #MalegaonBlastCase pic.twitter.com/LLjfAuFuwu  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

The Supreme Court had on Monday granted bail to Lt Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

While granting bail, the apex court said, "we set aside order of Bombay High court."

The apex court said the bail has been granted subject to certain conditions.

A bench of Justices RK Agrawal and AM Sapre said they are setting aside the Bombay High Court order by which the bail was denied.

Lt Colonel Purohit's bail plea was earlier rejected by the Bombay High Court saying the charges against him were of a grave nature, after which he moved the top court.

The 4,000-page chargesheet had alleged that Malegaon was selected as the blast target because of a sizeable Muslim population there.

It had named Thakur, Purohit and co-accused, Swami Dayanand Pandey as the key conspirators.

However, Thakur was in 2016 given clean chit by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Sadhvi Pragya has been granted relief in the case by the Bombay High Court.

Seven people were killed in a bomb blast on September 29, 2008, at Malegaon, a communally-sensitive textile town in Nashik district of north Maharashtra.
Son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Robert Vadra said neither FIR nor chargesheets accuse the companies associated with me in any manner whatsoever. (Phoro: File | PTI)

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra has dubbed the Rajasthan government's recommendation of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged land scams in Bikaner, involving his company, as another "attempt of malicious prosecution."

In a Facebook post, Vadra said, "Another attempt of malicious prosecution exposed. First, Rajasthan police filed an FIR on 26 August 2014. In 3 years, they filed the chargesheets, summoned documents, as also company officials, yet found not an iota of evidence. Neither the FIR nor the chargesheets accuse the companies associated with me in any manner whatsoever."

He alleged that having failed with the police FIR and chargesheets, they (the government) unleashed the Enforcement Directorate to "harass and hound".

"Enforcement Directorate has conducted raids, seized documents and harassed in every possible manner. As they fail, they make one more sinister attempt to rope in the CBI. Has the Rajasthan government lost faith in its own police and investigation?! Please hound, prosecute and harass as much as you want, such lies will never undermine the truth," he added.

The Rajasthan government had on Tuesday written to the CBI for a probe into alleged land scams in Bikaner, including those involving a company of Vadra.

Read : Rajasthan govt wants CBI probe in land scams involving Robert Vadra

"As many as 18 FIRs are registered and four of them are against Vadra's company which was allegedly involved in illegal purchase of nearly 275 bigha land. All the 18 FIRs are in connection with purchase of close to 1400 bigha land in fake names," Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria had said.

The state government, after finding irregularities in the land deals, had cancelled mutations (transfer of land) of nearly 374.44 hectares of land in Bikaner.

The state revenue department had found that the allotments were made in the names of "fake private persons".

The Congress, however, accused the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state of misusing the CBI.

The issue dates back to 2007, when 1,400 acres of land in Bikaner was illegally sold to private companies. The land was meant to be given as compensation to farmers whose plots were acquired by the government to set up the firing range at Mahajan. But instead, it allegedly went to fictitious beneficiaries. Among the companies that bought land was Skylight Hospitality - the firm acquired 60 hectares in 2009.
A prominent LGBT legal group has sued the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice for records related to the agencies decision to withdraw federal guidance on the rights of transgender students in public schools.

Lambda Legal filed its Freedom of Information Act lawsuit Tuesday, seeking all records and correspondence related to the policy shift and its implementation. The federal agencies have not yet provided those documents after the organization made a formal open records request in March, the suit says.

The Trevor Project and National Center for Transgender Equality have also filed open records requests about the guidance and civil rights enforcement for transgender students.

The original guidanceissued by the Obama administrationasserted that Title IX, the federal gender non-discrimination law, guarantees the rights of transgender students to have access the bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity, even if it differs from their sex at birth. The guidance also directed schools to respect transgender students pronoun choices, to protect their confidentiality, and to respond to bullying based on gender identity.

The Trump administration rescinded that guidance in February, leaving it to schools to interpret federal law. The U.S. Department of Education later directed its civil rights investigators to find ways to address transgender students concerns of harassment and bullying, while giving them freedom to bypass complaints about access to facilities like bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.

Advocates for transgender students say ending the Obama-era guidance removed a layer of uniformity and certainty for transgender students around the country. Those groups maintain that Title IX applies to transgender students, regardless of federal guidance, and they have committed to making their case in court.

Trump administration officials and conservative groups say rescinding the guidance returned those decisions to state and local policy makers.

Defendants rescission of the Title IX Transgender Guidance Materials leaves these [transgender] children even more vulnerable to abuse and discrimination in their schools, Lambda Legals lawsuit says. It sends the troubling signal that Defendants will not follow through on their responsibility to enforce Title IX for transgender children. It sends the false message that schools may not be obligated under Title IX to respect and protect their transgender students, including when it comes to access to sex-segregated facilities consistent with students gender identities.

Heres a quick video Education Week made to explain the legal landscape for transgender students.

Related reading on transgender students:

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Congress urged Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to direct Chief Minister K Palanisamy to prove his majority in the House. (File photo)

Chennai: A day after the DMK's demand for a floor test in the Assembly, Congress Legislature Party leader KR Ramasamy on Wednesday backed it and urged Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to direct Chief Minister K Palanisamy to prove his majority in the House.

Ramasamy, in a letter to Rao, claimed that "consequent upon identical letters given by 22 MLAs to the governor, expressing lack of confidence on the chief minister, an unprecedented constitutional crisis has erupted".

Officially, the Raj Bhavan did not, however, confirm if TTV Dhinakaran's loyalists had pressed for a trust vote.

The Congress leader's letter, which was identical to the one written by DMK working president M K Stalin to the governor, was circulated among the media here.

Ramasamy's letter to Rao comes in the backdrop of 19 MLAs, owing allegiance to Dhinakaran, reportedly submitting a letter to the governor on Tuesday, expressing their "lack of confidence" in Palanisamy and seeking his ouster.

Ramasamy claimed that as a result of the letters given by the MLAs to the governor, the incumbent government led by Palanisamy had lost the majority.

MLA Thanga Tamilselvan, a Dhinakaran loyalist who was part of the team that met the governor on Wednesday, had said, "We do not have confidence in the chief minister. We have briefed the governor and said the chief minister should be removed."

Citing the development, Ramasamy said on a previous occasion in Karnataka, the then governor of that state had directed former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa to prove his majority in the House.

"Any inordinate delay in asking the chief minister to prove his majority will pave the way for the continuance of an unconstitutional government," the Congress leader said.

Such a delay, he said, would "destabilise democratic norms and precedents", besides creating room for the "evil practice of horse-trading", which he claimed had "occurred" when the incumbent chief minister had proved his majority in February.

"As the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, I therefore request the governor to direct Palanisamy to prove his majority in the House immediately," Ramasamy said.

He urged the governor to direct Palanisamy to prove his majority and "uphold the constitutional norms and the parameters laid down in the SR Bommai case".

It may be recalled that the Supreme Court, in the SR Bommai case, had held that the only place to ascertain the majority of a government was the floor of the House.
Karti Chidambaram reaches CBI headquarter to appear in connection with INX Media case. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

New Delhi: Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union minister P Chidambaram, on Wednesday reached Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarter in New Delhi in connection with INX Media case.

The Supreme Court had on August 18 directed Karti Chidambaram, to appear before the CBI in New Delhi on August 23 for interrogation in connection with a case involving alleged kickbacks of Rs 5 crore paid by INX Media for obtaining clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in 2007.

Earlier, Karti submitted before the apex court bench that he is willing to appear before the CBI in the case.

"I am not afraid of appearing, but I need protection," Karti told SC.

A bench of Chief Justice of India JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud directed that Karti, who was present in the courtroom, to carry with him all the necessary documents required for his defence in the case.

The apex court had on August 14 said that Karti would not be allowed to leave India without subjecting himself to investigation in the corruption case.
The state cited that NH-207 was acting as a bypass for NH-4 and NH-7, while NICE Road was connecting NH-7, NH-4, NH-209, NH-275 and it was a four-laned carriageway which should be considered as bypass on the south-east side of Bengaluru.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed the petitions filed by owners of liquor outlets in and around M.G. Road, Brigade Road and other roads in the city that are close to National Highway-4 and NH-7, seeking directions to the state government to renew their excise licences by declaring that these roads passing through the city's central areas cannot be treated as national highways because of the changed characteristics of these roads.

Dismissing the petitions, the court said, In view of clear and binding restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court in the case of State of Tamil Nadu Vs K. Balu, this court cannot issue any such direction to the Excise Department of the state to consider the application of the petitioners for renewal of their Excise licences.

The state had proposed to the central government that de facto bypasses would help bars and restaurants.

The state cited that NH-207 was acting as a bypass for NH-4 and NH-7, while NICE Road was connecting NH-7, NH-4, NH-209, NH-275 and it was a four-laned carriageway which should be considered as bypass on the south-east side of Bengaluru. However, the Union Transport Ministry found this argument wrong. On NICE Road, the ministry said, This state road is developed on BOT model by the state government and the concession period is up to 2021. It is difficult to consider the same as a bypass to the NH.

Several owners of bars situated in upmarket areas that are within 500 metres of national highways (inside city limits) had approached the court after their licenses were not renewed by the Excise Department after the Supreme Court earlier this year imposed the restriction.

The state had asked the Union government to denotify 147 isolated stretches of national highways of about 609.65 km. A map of the roads was also submitted by the PWD department to the Centre on August 7, 2017.

But the Union transport ministry said that none of these NH stretches qualified for deemed denotification as per their policy. Denotifying these stretches would tantamount to permitting isolated discontinuities in NH corridors scattered over the NH network within the state. This would not serve the very objective of having NHs. Based on this, the High Court dismissed the petitions by several bars owners.
The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday made it clear in the Supreme Court that it is not favour of any new reservoir to be constructed by Karnataka in Cauvery basin. (File photo)

New Delhi/Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday made it clear in the Supreme Court that it is not favour of any additional or new reservoir to be constructed by Karnataka in the Cauvery basin as it will be a source of fresh dispute.

Giving this clarification before a Bench of Jsutices Dipak Misra, Amitav Roy and AM Kanwilkar, senior advocate Shekar Naphade appearing for Tamil Nadu said, We are not in favour of any new reservoir.

When Justice Misra asked why the state was opposing any construction, counsel reiterated, We dont want any fresh problem.

Naphade brought to the notice of the bench that the Tribunal erred in granting new irrigation areas in Karnataka. He said that by reducing the existing irrigated area in Tamil Nadu and allowing the proposed area to be brought under irrigation by Karnataka were contrary to the principle of equitable allotment of water of the inter-state river.

He said it was Tamil Nadus contention that Karnataka, while not adhering to the stipulated release of water as per the Interim Order of the Tribunal, also appropriated all the waters of the river in Karnataka.

The state has suffered the most, as Karnataka did not release water whenever it was required for irrigating the crops. He wanted the court to reduce 98.8 tmcft of water allocated by the Tribunal to Karnataka in excess of its entitlement. He said out of 270 tmcft allocated, 98.8 tmcft should be reduced in favour of Tamil Nadu.

He said the Tribunal had allowed 3.44 lakh acres to Karnataka without any evidence or material, this area has to be deducted from the area considered by the Tribunal. Out of 18.85 lakh acres allowed, this court should reduce 3.44 lakh acres, he said.

He also wanted the court not to permit Karnataka to draw water from the four reservoirs of Harangi, Hemavathy, Krishna Raja sagar and Kabini during summer season except for the perennial crop allowed for domestic need. Arguments will continue on Thursday.
It was alleged that Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra's company purchased chunks of land in Rajasthan. (Photo: File)

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has written to the CBI for a probe into alleged land scams in Bikaner, including those involving a company of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra.

The Congress reacted to this development by accusing the state government of misusing CBI ahead of assembly elections.

"As many as 18 FIRs are registered and 4 of them are against Vadra's company which was allegedly involved in illegal purchase of nearly 275 bigha land. All the 18 FIRs are in connection with purchase of close to 1400 bigha land in

fake names," Home Minister Gulab chand Kataria said on Tuesday.

He alleged that Vadra's company was third party to purchase 275 bigha land in the year 2010 and it sold the pieces of land to fourth party in 2012.

"When the matter came to light, 18 FIRs were registered. Four FIRs are related with Vadra's company and now the state government has written to the CBI to investigate them altogether. The issue was also raised in the state assembly in 2014," Kataria said.

Reacting to this, state Congress president Sachin Pilot said, "BJP misuses CBI, ED and other agencies for political gains. In this alleged land scam case, the state government had formed a committee but the committee's findings were not disclosed by the government."

He said, "Those who have been arrested in the land scam are connected with BJP. If BJP people are being arrested in the land scam, then we are ready for any probe."

The state government had on December 31, 2014 cancelled 18 mutations (transfer of ownership) in Bikaner after allegedly finding them to be illegal.

The land was illegally allotted or possessed in 2006-07 by some villagers, who were allegedly "wrongfully" shown as farmers displaced by Mahajan Field Firing Range of the Army.

It was alleged that Vadra's company also purchased chunks of land.

The farmers who were actually displaced were allotted land between 1992 and 1996.
In her report to the ACB, D Roopa alleged that the jail authorities gave special treatment to Sasikala without seeking approval of the court and the Karnataka government. (File photo)

Bengaluru: Former deputy inspector general of police (DIG) (Prisons) D Roopa, in her report to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), has alleged that jailed AIADMK interim general secretary VK Sasikala sometimes visits the house of a Hosur MLA.

According to a report in The Hindu, Roopa said that she has reliable information that Sasikala visited the house of Hosur MLA near the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru, where she is lodged.

There is reliable information that she sometimes goes to a house near the Central Jail that belongs to the Hosur MLA. This may be further ascertained by CCTV cameras placed at the entrance of the jail and the cameras placed in between gate 1 & gate 2 of the jail, The Hindu cited an excerpt from Roopas report.

In her report to the ACB, Roopa alleged that the jail authorities gave special treatment to Sasikala without seeking approval of the court and the Karnataka government. They misled the Home Minister and Home Secretary by submitting false details about the facilities given to Sasikala in the prison.

The report further mentioned that the Additional Inspector Generals (Prison) letter to Home Ministers Private Secretary in February presented wrong facts that Sasikala wore white jail uniform and ate jail food.

She [Sasikala] has been provided a luxurious bed and a cot. This has not been brought to the notice of Honble Court and no permission by Court taken even if it is for health reasons, the report said, adding that she wears her own clothes.

"In one video Sasikala is attired in a cotton nightie. In other two videos she is in a mud-color chudidar and Ilavarasi in an orange/red saree. Of the four video clippings, in one of the videos, which is of 25 seconds, she is purportedly seen entering the jail from outside, wherein she is holding bags which look like shopping bags," PTI cited an excerpt from Roopa's report.

In the report, Roopa has also accused then DGP of Prisons Sathyanarayana Rao of not making any efforts to repair phone jammers even though a private company was awarded Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC). The company was even paid for the contract that is worth crores of rupees.

No efforts have been made to repair them as it suits jail officials because the officers, for pecuniary gains, wilfully allow the convicts and under-trial prisoners to use mobile phones in gross violation of the Prison Rules, the report said.

Sasikala has been lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru since February when the Supreme Court convicted her in a disproportionate assets case along with her two relatives VN Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi.
Muslim girls at a market in old Delhi on Tuesday. The Centre is all set to send an advisory to all states asking them to ensure compliance of the Supreme Court order declaring Triple Talaq void, illegal and unconstitutional. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court ruling striking down the practice of triple talaq on Tuesday has come as a major victory for the BJP-led NDA ahead of elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in November.

As the Modi government claimed credit, the Congress, with the contentious three-decade-old Shah Bano case hanging like an albatross around its neck, welcomed the ruling and went into damage control mode.

Congress spokesman Manish Tewari, in a bid to minimise the damage, told the media that if a religious practice is contrary to modern times, efforts should be made to eliminate it with the communitys consent.

The verdict should also help the BJP to make deep inroads into the womens votebank, particularly those belonging to the minority community.

The judgment has given the right to crores of women to live with equality and dignity. This marks the beginning of a new era for women who can now live with self-respect, BJP president Amit Shah said.

For the RSS, the day of judgment should be celebrated as Islam saved from orthodoxy.

Legal luminaries too hailed the verdict by terming it as historic, progressive and path- breaking. Senior advocate Mahesh Jeth-malani said though the judgement had to be welcomed, it was only limited to triple talaq.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said, The judgment is a step towards achieving the ultimate goal of Uniform Civil Code.

In Mumbai, social activists from the Muslim community described the verdict as one of the best reforms after independence.

I am elated to hear about this historical judgement, said Zakia Soman, the co-founder of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, which is also one of the petitioners in the case.
The court also said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was unable to prove that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had gained from the alleged deal. (Photo: PTI)

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday upheld discharge of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and two others in SNC Lavalin graft case.

The court ruled that prima facie there was no case against Vijayan in the 20-year-old corruption case.

The court also said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was unable to prove that the accused had gained from the alleged deal.

Supreme Court lawyer Harish Salve, appearing for Vijayan in the SNC Lavalin case had in March rubbished the chargesheet filed by CBI against Vijayan.

Salve had argued before the Kerala High Court that there was absolutely no material to suggest conspiracy in the charge-sheet filed against the chief minister.

Salve argued that Vijayan had not personally benefited in any manner from the deal.

The allegation related to the award of supply contract to a Canadian company  SNC-Lavalin Inc regarding renovation and modernization (R&M) of three hydro- electric projects -- Pallivasal, Sengulam and Panniar -- by the KSEB in total violation of rules and regulations at an exorbitant rate. Pinarayi Vijayan was the then power minister.
Mumbai: Attributing the Bharatiya Janata Partys victory in the Mira-Bhayandar municipal corporation to muni and money, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that the party is going to lodge a complaint with Election Commission in relation to the controversial remarks made by a Jain monk.

Mr Rauts comment came after reports that the monk had appealed to the community to vote for the BJP, which will support vegetarianism in the society. However, the BJP immediately hit back, asking Sena to contemplate over partys defeat rather than blaming the monk.

In the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation polls, out of the total 95 seats, the BJP won 61, Shiv Sena 22, Congress 10 and NCP zero. The BJP emerged as the biggest party in the civic body. Naypadmasagarji Maharaj, the Jain monk had appealed to the people during the polls to vote for the BJP to support vegetarianism in the society, a news report said.

Terming the appeal by the Jain monk as a violation of the code of conduct, Mr Raut said that the party would be lodging a complaint against this to the Election Commission. These monks are posing a threat to the law and order situation in the state. We are going to register a complaint to the election commission, the Sena MP said.

The BJPs victory is a stigma to the Maharashtra culture. Jain monk had issued fatwas in the Mira-Bhayandar polls on the lines of fatwas by Imam of Jama Masjid. Those who issued such fatwas are political goons, Mr Raut told reporters.

Replying to Mr Raut, BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said that the Sena has been losing elections since 2014. Instead of searching for the reason for its defeat in the local elections, the Sena is crying foul over a Jain muni. In fact, the Sena has no right to speak against the monk who has devoted his life for the society, Mr Bhandari said.
Mars as seen by the webcam on ESA's Mars Express orbiter in 2016. (Photo: AFP)

Mars is buffeted by turbulent snowstorms that occur only at night, according to a study released Monday that revises our understanding of Red Planet weather.

Up to now, it was thought that snow falling from low-lying Martian clouds settled slowly and sparsely to the ground in a environment bereft of violent winds.

The new findings, reported in the journal Nature Geoscience, suggest that ice-water particles swirling in a storm hit the ground within minutes, rather than descending gently for hours.

But future colonists from Earth needn't bother packing snow shoes, the lead researcher told AFP.

"It's not as if you could make a snowman or ski," said Aymeric Spiga, an expert on the dynamics of planetary atmospheres at Universite Pierre Curie in Paris.

"Standing on the surface of Mars you wouldn't see a thick blanket of snow -- more like a generous layer of frost."

The atmosphere of Mars is 100 times thinner than Earth's, though still thick enough to support weather, including clouds and wind.

But there's very little moisture. Indeed, the Red Planet is essentially a bone-cold desert with virtually no liquid water on its surface.

In the Martian arctic, however, water ice lurks just under a layer of dust.

This was detected up close by NASA's Phoenix lander, which scraped below the planet's surface with a shovel in 2008.

The stationary robot lab also analysed local weather, detecting signs of precipitation below water-ice clouds. A pair of orbiting satellites also picked up clues suggesting night-time weather, especially over the northern polar region.

Both observations perplexed scientists at the time.

To probe further, Spiga and colleagues devised a new atmospheric model to simulate weather on Mars, based on more fine-grained data.

Cooling of water-ice cloud particles during the cold Martian night, they found, can create unstable conditions in clouds.

"We have shown that the precipitation of snow below the clouds is transported by very violent, descending winds," said Spiga.

He compared these Martian snowstorms to small, localised weather phenomena on Earth called microbursts, in which cold, dense air carrying snow or rain descend rapidly from a cloud.

The simulations were a better fit with the satellite and lander observations, he added.

The Martian atmosphere is 95 percent carbon dioxide (also present as frozen dry ice), along with two percent each argon and nitrogen, with trace amounts of oxygen, nitrogen oxide, neon, and krypton.

A whispy atmosphere and its greater distance from the sun make Mars very cold, with an average temperature of 63 degrees Celsius (minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit). Earth, by comparison, is a balmy 16 C (61 F).

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The escalating conflict between the Tatmadaw and the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army  North (SSPP/SSAA) comes shortly after the SSPP/SSA announced its resignation from an ethnic bloc that is negotiating terms for signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement.

The SSA-North, the armed wing of the Shan State Progress Party  has a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the government, but has opted not to sign the NCA.

According to a spokesperson for the SSA, the August 22 skirmish lasted around 20 minutes. The Tatmadaw and the SSA fought near Pangkhan Village in an area near Mong Shu township starting around 4pm, said Sai Phone Han, the SSA spokesperson.

Our military camp is located in that area. The skirmish broke out when a joint military column from the Tatmadaws 520th and 521st light infantry battalions comprising 80 troops approached in the direction of our military camp, he said.

He added that both sides suffered casualties, but did not indicate a number.

The Tatmadaw and the SSA also fought in January this year. At the time, state media reported that the Tatamdaw had been attacked while trying to clear opium poppy fields, a claim the SSA denies.

Civilians around Mong Hsu expressed fears that fighting in the area would return to 2015 levels, when more than a thousand residents were displaced.

There used to be a lot of military movement when there was fighting here in the past. Everything is normal in Mong Hsu [now]. I dont want them to continue fighting. Im very afraid of it, said Nan Sein, a local resident.

Leaders of ethnic armed groups, including the SSPP/SSA, are currently meeting in Pangkham, the headquarters of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Myanmars most powerful ethnic armed group. The SSPP/SSA is a member of the new Federal Political Negotiation Consultative Committee, an alliance of ethnic armed groups active in the north, led by the UWSA, and which has renounced the nationwide ceasefire agreement.
Google is hoping Titan will help it carve out a bigger piece of the worldwide cloud computing market.

Alphabet Incs Google this week will disclose technical details of its new Titan computer chip, an elaborate security feature for its cloud computing network that the company hopes will enable it to steal a march on Amazon.com and Microsoft Corp.

Titan is the size of a tiny stud earring that Google has installed in each of the many thousands of computer servers and network cards that populate its massive data centers that power Google's cloud services.

Google is hoping Titan will help it carve out a bigger piece of the worldwide cloud computing market, which is forecast by Gartner to be worth nearly $50 billion.

A Google spokeswoman said the company plans to disclose Titan's technical details in a blog post on Thursday.

Titan scans hardware to ensure it has not been tampered with, Neal Mueller, head of infrastructure product marketing for Google Cloud Platform, said in a recent interview. If anything has been changed, Titan chip will prevent the machine from booting.

Data center operators are concerned that cyber criminals or nation-state hackers could compromise their servers, which are mostly made by Asian hardware companies, before they even reach the United States.

It allows us to maintain a level of understanding in our supply chain that we otherwise wouldnt have, Mueller said.

Neither Amazon.com nor Microsoft - which hold 41 per cent and 13 per cent of cloud market share, respectively, according to Synergy Research Group - have said if they have similar features. In response to inquiries from Reuters, representatives of both companies pointed to the various ways they use encryption and other measures to secure their data centers.

Google holds just 7 per cent of the worldwide cloud market. Titan is part of a strategy Google hopes will differentiate its services and attract enterprise customers from sectors with complex compliance regulations, such as those in financial services and the medical field. Google announced Titan in March.

Having physical safeguards goes a long way of telling the story of how seriously Google takes peoples security, said Kim Forrest, vice president at Fort Pitt Capital Group.

Google has struggled to compete with Amazon Web Services, which has more features, and Microsoft, which has long-standing relationships with enterprises, said Lydia Leong, an analyst for Gartner.

Leong was skeptical of Google's strategy.

"Security is a hallmark for both AWS and Microsoft, she said this week. "Google has a lot more work to do."

Google uses Titan chips to protect the servers running its own services like search, Gmail and YouTube, and the company claims Titan has already driven sales. It points to Metamarkets, a real-time analytics firm, as a customer it landed in part due to Titan.

Dan Cornell, principal at Denim Group, a firm that helps tech organizations build secure systems, said the rise of nation-state hacking makes such a feature timely.

"Those level of adversaries certainly have an incentive to hack or to have influence over the security of hardware. It's interesting of Google to say, 'Here's one part of the hardware that we're going to control.'

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The day has come when HMD Global will finally be releasing its third Nokia-branded Android smartphone Nokia 6 to India customers for purchase at Rs 14,999 exclusively via Amazon. The registration window for the device has been open since last month now, while the sales will begin from 12 noon today.

To recall, Nokia 6 features a 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080) display, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 SoC, coupled with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, which can further be expanded via microSD card, a 16MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. The phone will come packed with a 3000mAh battery and will operate on Android Nougat OS.

The phone falls in mid-segment smartphone category, but cost a little more than the other two models  Nokia 3 and Nokia 5  with which it was launched in June for the Indian market. The two handsets are already available for sale in the country at a price of Rs 9,499 and Rs 12,899 respectively.

In terms of their specifications, the Nokia 5 features a 5.3-inch HD display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 430 processor and Adreno 505 GPU, coupled with 2GB RAM and have 16GB storage option, 13MP rear camera, and an 8MP front camera.

The entry-level Nokia 3 features a 5-inch display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, powered by MediaTek MTK 6737, coupled with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. The front and rear camera have both 8MP sensors.

The firm has also announced its latest offering from the Nokia-Android line-up Nokia 8 and is preparing for its release across the globe. The phone has been touted as a bothie  capable of shooting using both front and rear camera simultaneously and directly broadcast it to live platforms such as Facebook or YouTube. It is expected that the Nokia 8 would come to India a month after its global release in early Septembersometime around early October.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
Malaysian Navy sailors cover an unidentified body on to the deck of KD Lekiu frigate after it was recovered in the waters off the Johor coast of Malaysia. (Photo: AP)

Detroit: Sailors with ties to Michigan, Illinois and Ohio are among 10 who are missing after a US warship collided with an oil tanker in Southeast Asia.

US Rep. Rodney Davis said he was informed by Logan Palmer's family that the central Illinois man is missing. In Michigan, April Brandon said the military informed her that her son, Ken Smith, is also missing.

The family of Jacob Drake, 21, was told that the western Ohio man was among the missing, the Columbus Dispatched reported Tuesday.

The USS John McCain collided with an oil tanker off Singapore on Monday. Adm. Scott Swift said some bodies have been found in a flooded compartment of the warship. No other details have been released.

Brandon said Smith's father, stepmother and grandfather served in the Navy. She said Smith, 22, grew up in Novi, Michigan, and moved to Norfolk, Virginia, as a teen with his father. "His father and I couldn't be prouder of our son," Brandon said. "He's a great kid. He's a hero."

Davis, a Republican whose district includes the Decatur area, said Palmer comes from a "patriotic family." He enlisted in 2016. "Our military must do whatever necessary to minimize incidents like this and protect those who risk their lives each day in service to our country," Davis said.

Drake is engaged to be married next year. His 20-year-old fiancee, Megan Partlow, said she last heard from him on Sunday via text message. Partlow said she wants "him to be safe."
Trump's advisers say his Afghan strategy reflects a consistent world view, both in terms of America's overseas objectives and the tactics to achieve them. (Photo: File/AFP)

Washington: Never tip your hand to the enemy. No timelines for military operations. No free pass for a neighbor who tolerates extremists or enables US foes.

In President Donald Trump's new Afghanistan strategy, elements of a broader approach to America's most pressing national security concerns begin to emerge, consistent with his efforts in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere. Though details are limited, the plan draws on organizing principles that are also woven throughout his plans for defeating the Islamic State group and containing the threats posed by North Korea and Iran.

Trump's advisers say his Afghan strategy reflects a consistent world view, both in terms of America's overseas objectives and the tactics to achieve them. But it's too soon to say whether he is being driven by a well-formed doctrine or merely coining catchphrases on the fly.

"We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists," Trump said in his Monday night speech. He was striving to differentiate his plan from failed approaches of the past.

As a candidate and then as president, Trump has eluded those who have tried to identify core beliefs that can reliably predict how he'll approach any given issue. Critics have painted him as a foreign policy novice, focused only on somehow showing he's winning.

Trump ran on a nationalist pledge to put "America First." But he explained this week that things look different from the Oval Office. Conceding he was overriding an initial instinct to withdraw from Afghanistan, he peppered his speech with vows to empower commanders and to squeeze Pakistan for harboring the Taliban.

While Trump has cast his approach as a fundamental shift from other presidents, he's borrowed more from them than he's inclined to admit. George W. Bush, too, sought to pressure Pakistan to crack down on the Taliban, even as he focused far more on an idea Trump is explicitly rejecting promoting democracy around the world.

And Trump's limited approach owes something to Barack Obama, who in his second term scaled back US military involvement in Afghanistan and settled on a counterterror-focused mission not dissimilar from the new American strategy.

A look at the pillars of Trump's foreign policy:

The days of the US military trying to "construct democracies" are over, Trump declared. Instead, he said "principled realism" will guide US decisions.

That means there will be none of Bush's "nation-building" - no expansive goal to build up Afghanistan's institutions and ensure the education of girls once the US ultimately withdraws.

Trump's approach in Syria is similar. There, as the Islamic State is ousted from its last major strongholds and a power vacuum results, Trump's administration has said it wants to help restore electricity, water and sewage in areas freed from ISIS but no more. In Iraq, the situation is somewhat easier because there's a globally backed central government.

In Afghanistan, some questions still must be cleared up. Despite his vow of non-interference, Trump emphasized he could hold back future military and economic aid unless the Afghan government combats problems including rampant corruption.

"We're not going to tell these countries how to govern, but we're going to condition our assistance on reforms - that's an internal contradiction," said James Dobbins, a senior diplomat in the past three administrations and former special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Of all the critiques of Trump's plan, the loudest is that he declined to tell Americans how many more US troops will be sent to Afghanistan after 16 years of fighting.

His rationale is simple: Deny the Taliban and other extremists the advantage of anticipating US military moves. However, the contours of the Pentagon's plan have been known for months. Senior officials said Tuesday up to 3,900 more troops will go, some possibly within days.

Being unpredictable to US adversaries has been a consistent Trump focus. The president was similarly coy in April in the days before he attacked Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces for using chemical weapons. He has repeatedly refused to entertain questions about a potential pre-emptive attack on North Korea. "We don't talk about that. I never do," Trump has said.

Rather than centralize military decision-making in the White House, a critique often leveled at Obama, Trump has delegated much of the authority to his defense secretary and warzone commanders.

"Micromanagement from Washington, D.C., does not win battles," he said in his Afghanistan speech. Even before he unveiled his Afghan plan, the White House announced he'd given the Pentagon final say on how many troops to send.

And in April, his top commander in Afghanistan was allowed to use the "mother of all bombs," the largest non-nuclear bomb ever dropped in combat. There was no need for the White House signoff.

Trump has similarly ceded decision-making about military actions in Syria and Iraq to his commanders, along with decisions about counterterror strikes against targets in several countries.

"He clearly is much more willing to give the military latitude on tactical decision than President Obama was," said Ambassador James Jeffrey, Bush's former deputy national security adviser. "That's all in all a good thing for this kind of conflict."

As Trump vowed to get tough on Pakistan, accusing it of giving "safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror," diplomatic and military officials heard echoes of his plan for North Korea.

For more than a decade, the US has pressed Islamabad to snuff out Taliban sanctuaries. Many of the group's leaders reside in Pakistan, traveling freely across the Afghanistan border. Taliban wounded are treated in Pakistani hospitals.

With North Korea, it's China that must feel the weight of US pressure, Trump has said. He has tried to squeeze Beijing into cutting off lifelines of economic support to North Korea to make it harder for Pyongyang to develop weapons that could harm the US.

In Afghanistan, as in Iraq and Syria, Trump's plan centers on training local forces to fight insurgents rather than relying on Americans to do most of the fighting. While the same strategy was employed by Obama, Trump has claimed credit since taking office.

"The confidence that the American people and the world heard last night from our commander in chief derives from the fact that this is exactly the approach that President Trump directed in Iraq and in Syria," Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday.
Collor, who resigned as president amid corruption allegations, became the third senator to be formally charged in the investigation of the mega-scandal. (Photo: AFP)

Brasilia: Brazilian ex-president Fernando Collor was formally charged Tuesday in connection with the massive Petrobras corruption scandal, allegedly taking some nine million dollars.

Collor, who was in office from 1990-1992 and is now a senator, was charged formally with "passive corruption", money laundering and racketeering. That followed the federal Supreme Court's unanimous decision to allow Collor to be tried despite his immunity as a lawmaker. It did, however, reject additional obstruction of justice and embezzlement charges.

Collor, who resigned as president amid corruption allegations, became the third senator to be formally charged in the investigation of the mega-scandal, after Gleisi Hoffmann and Valdir Raupp.

Prosecutors say Collor took bribes worth about nine million dollars between 2010 and 2014 in connection with a number of transactions at BR Distribuidora, a Petrobras subsidiary.

Collor, who was the first democratically elected president after the 1964-85 military regime, did not immediately comment on the latest development in his case.

Dozens of senior leaders across the political spectrum and high-ranking businessmen have been investigated or convicted since the sprawling corruption scandal began in 2014.

The investigation has centered on Petrobras, the state-run oil company, where inflated construction contracts were used by business leaders and politicians to siphon off billions of dollars.

In July ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was convicted of graft and vowed an appeal in the largest scalp yet of the investigation and a stunning blow to the leftist's prospects for political comeback.
New York: North Korea and the United States clashed at a UN forum on Tuesday over their military intentions towards one another, with Pyongyangs envoy declaring it would never put its nuclear deterrent on the negotiating table.

Japan, well within reach of North Koreas missiles, said the world must maintain pressure on the reclusive country to rein in its nuclear and missile programmes and now was not the time for a resumption of multi-party talks.

North Korea has pursued its weapons programmes in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions and ignored all calls, including from major ally China, to stop, prompting a bellicose exchange of rhetoric between the North and the United States.

North Korea justifies its weapons programmes, including its recent threat to fire missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam, by pointing to perceived US hostility, such as military exercises with South Korea this week.

US disarmament ambassador Robert Wood told a UN-sponsored Conference on Disarmament in Geneva US President Donald Trumps top priority was to protect the United States and its allies against the growing threat from North Korea and America was ready to use the full range of capabilities at its disposal.

The path to dialogue still remained an option for Pyongyang and it had the choice between poverty and belligerence on the one hand and prosperity and acceptance.

North Koreas envoy told the same forum the Norths nuclear deterrent would never be up for negotiation, echoing Pyongyangs regular denunciation of US aggression.

The measures taken by the DPRK to strengthen its nuclear deterrence and develop inter-continental rockets is justifiable and a legitimate option for self-defence in the face of such apparent and real threats, diplomat Ju Yong Chol told the forum, referring to constant nuclear threats by the United States.

DPRK stands for the Norths official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Regarding joint US-South Korean military exercises that began on Monday, he warned: The ongoing military adventure would certainly add gasoline to the fire, driving the current tense situation to further deterioration.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said pressure must be maintained until the North demonstrated it would give up its nuclear programme. Its not the time to discuss (the resumption of) six-party talks, Kono said, referring to stalled negotiations involving both South Korea and North Korea, the United States, Russia, China and Japan. Its time to exert pressure, he told reporters.

'Crazy To Share Timeline'

The head of the US militarys Pacific Command said diplomacy was key. Admiral Harry Harris was in South Korea to observe annual joint military drills with the South Korean military, which the North called a step towards nuclear conflict masterminded by war maniacs.

So we hope and we work for diplomatic solutions to the challenge presented by Kim Jong Un, Harris told reporters at a US air base in Osan, about an hour from Seoul, referring to the North Korean leader.

He said diplomacy was the most important starting point in response to the Norths threat, when asked what actions by North Korea might trigger a preemptive US strike against it.

As far as a timeline, it would be crazy for me to share with you those tripwires in advance. If we did that, it would hardly be a military strategy, he said.

The United States and South Korea began the long-planned exercises on Monday, called the Ulchi Freedom Guardian, which the allies have said are purely defensive.

The drills involve tens of thousands of troops as well as computer simulations designed to prepare for war with a nuclear-capable North Korea.

The United States and South Korea are technically still at war with the North because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. Delegations from about 20 countries spoke at the four-hour UN session, including Britain, France, Australia and South Korea, all of which criticised North Korea.

I would like to repeat the appeal to the DPRK to listen to the fact that there is no alternative to stopping the different provocations and to return to dialogue, South Korean ambassador Kim Inchul said. We have never threatened the DPRK with any attacks and we have never promoted the use of force.
The Indian-origin US ambassador to the UN said that Trump was taking a regional approach to end the Afghan conflict. (Photo: File)

Washington: US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley on Tuesday said that the Trump administration had to put pressure on India to step up its role in bringing about a political solution to end the prolonged war in Afghanistan.

Her comments came as Trump unveiled his new Afghan strategy on Tuesday retracting from his initial instinct to pull out from Afghanistan. Instead, the US president said, the American troops will "fight to win" the 16-year-long conflict.

In a prime-time address, Trump called out Pakistan for for providing safe havens to terrorists but also said that India was making "billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan."

"We've got to put the pressure on India that they have to be part of the political solution," Haley told CNN.

The Indian-origin US ambassador to the UN said that Trump was taking a regional approach to end the Afghan conflict.

"This is not just about Afghanistan. This is about the region, and so that means that we've got to put the pressure on Pakistan," she said, adding that Pakistan can no longer harbour safe havens for terrorists.

Read : You make billions in trade with US, help us in Afghanistan: Trump to India

"We need to continue to let Iran know that all of this terrorism and their sponsorship of it is not something we're going to put up with. And we need the international community to step up and say, look, if we're going to do this, we're doing it together. It's not the US alone," Haley said. She said America's enemies were no longer going to know "what the timeline is".

"What our enemies are going to know is, we're not putting up with the terrorism anymore and we're going to do whatever it takes," she told the network.

Senator Ben Cardin, a ranking member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, supported Trump's Afghan policy.

"I think the president, is calling on regional cooperation. That is the right thing. We need to have Pakistan as a more cooperative partner in dealing with Afghanistan. India could be an important partner in dealing with this," he told on MSNBC News.

"What I find difficult to follow is what he's doing on the military side. It looks like he is dealing another surge with additional troops being put into Afghanistan," he said.

Cardin said the US needed a diplomatic surge. "That, to me, is going to be the key, whether he can implement a surge and have the confidence of our regional partners that we can really bring peace to Afghanistan," the Democratic Senator said.
White House said that Kenneth I Juster, 62, a top economic aide of Trump and an expert on India, will be America's new ambassador to India. (Photo: File)

Washington: An influential US lawmaker has urged President Donald Trump to appoint America's new ambassador to India on a priority basis, saying that

Washington's relation with New Delhi is of utmost importance.

The position has been lying vacant since January 20 when Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. In June, the White House said that Kenneth I Juster, 62, a top economic aide of Trump and an expert on India, will be America's new ambassador to India.

"As the co-founder and former chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India, Indian issues and representing one of the largest Indian-American constituencies in Congress, the relationship between our two great nations is of the utmost importance to me and my constituencies. I urge you to make the appointment of a US ambassador to India a top priority of your administration," Congressman Frank Pallone said in a letter to Trump.

The letter to Trump dated August 22 was posted by Pallone on twitter. "After more than seven months in office, this critical appointment is long overdue and should be an immediate priority," Pallone said a day after Trump sought India's increasing role in Afghanistan.

India is "our strongest ally" in South Asia, "which you referred in your address" to the nation on Monday, he said. "These are among the reasons the United States has long supported India's permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. It is in our immediate national interest to send an accomplished American to serve as our country's senior diplomat in India," Pallone said.

The White House refrained from responding to questions on delay in ambassadorial appointment to India. However, without mentioning India, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson refuted the reports that the absence of officials at key position is having an impact on the efficiency of the State Department.

"In terms of our footprint on the ground, we have very competent, capable, experienced people there now," Tillerson told reporters at a news conference. "Do you have enough people, given the fact that there are not Trump-confirmed diplomatic appointees in many of these positions in the region," he was asked.

"We are looking at a couple of different people for the special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan position. It is open currently; it is being filled with a very experienced individual today. So we are ready to get going with very competent people we have, and I am not at all concerned about the competency level or the experience of the people that we have working on this. I am quite confident with them," Tillerson added.
The moves underscore the administration's delicate diplomacy with Egypt, which has been widely criticized for its rights record and yet is a staunch counterterrorism partner. (Photo: File)

Washington: The Trump administration on Tuesday cut nearly USD 100 million in military and economic aid to Egypt and delayed almost USD 200 million more in military financing to Egypt, pending human rights improvements and action to ease harsh restrictions on civic and other non-governmental groups.

The moves underscore the administration's delicate diplomacy with Egypt, which has been widely criticized for its rights record and yet is a staunch counterterrorism partner.

Officials said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had decided to withhold USD 65.7 million in military assistance and USD 30 million in economic aid to Egypt that has been on hold since fiscal 2014, the officials said. That money will be reprogrammed, meaning it will now be sent to other countries, they said.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Congress had not been formally notified of the decision. At the same time, the officials said Rex Tillerson had signed a waiver saying that USD 195 million in military assistance to Egypt is in the US national interest but had decided to hold off on spending it.

Under federal law, Tillerson had until the end of this fiscal year, Sept. 30, to either sign the waiver, certify that Egypt is meeting the human rights conditions or return the money to the Treasury.

The waiver gives Egypt additional time to meet the requirements for the USD 195 million, which Congress appropriated for fiscal year 2016.

The officials stressed that the US continues to consider Egypt a key strategic partner but that it remains seriously concerned about a lack of progress on the human rights front, including the passage of the new law on non-governmental organizations that has been widely criticized for being excessive and used to crackdown on opposition.

The USD195 million will be held in reserve until Egypt makes progress in those areas, the officials said.

Egypt is the second largest recipient of military aid from the United States after Israel, receiving about USD 1.3 billion annually and the officials noted that the US has provided nearly USD 80 billion in military and economic assistance to Egypt over the past 30 years. They said the US would continue to support Egypt's efforts to defeat extremists and terrorism as well as the country's economic development.

Tillerson's dual decisions reflect a difficult balancing act that the administration is playing with Egypt. President Donald Trump has signaled his approval of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's tough stance against terrorism yet many members of the administration, including Tillerson, and numerous lawmakers harbor serious doubts about his rights record and commitment to democratic reform.

When Trump met with el-Sissi in the White House in April he made no mention of Egypt's human rights record in the post-meeting statement, an omission that many took as a sign that the issue was not a priority for the administration.

Yet, two months later, two senators from Trump's Republican Party slammed as "draconian" the law that effectively bans the work of non-governmental organizations and urged that it be repealed.

The law has triggered wide international backlash and raised concerns over human rights conditions in Egypt. But Egypt has defended the law, saying it was drafted and passed in accordance with constitutional provisions. The Foreign Ministry said the law "supports and empowers civil society."

El-Sissi is grappling with an insurgency by Islamic militants in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, an economy struggling to keep up with demands and employment needs of Egypt's surging population, and a sustained campaign of violence against the country's Christian minority.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington's relationship with Pakistan would depend on its help against terrorism. (Photo: File)

Washington: The United States suggested on Tuesday it could cut US aid to Pakistan or downgrade Islamabad's status as a major non-NATO ally to pressure the South Asian nation to do more to help it with the war in Afghanistan.

A day after President Donald Trump committed to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan and singled out Pakistan for harbouring Afghan Taliban insurgents and other militants, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington's relationship with Pakistan would depend on its help against terrorism.

"We are going to be conditioning our support for Pakistan and our relationship with them on them delivering results in this area," Tillerson told reporters.

US officials are frustrated by what they see as Pakistan's reluctance to act against groups such as the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network that they believe exploit safe haven on Pakistani soil to launch attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan.

Pakistan denies it harbours militants fighting US and Afghan government forces in Afghanistan.

Tillerson said the United States could consider withdrawing Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally, which provides limited benefits such as giving Pakistan faster access to surplus US military hardware, if cooperation did not improve.

"We have some leverage that's been discussed in terms of the amount of aid and military assistance we give them, their status as non-NATO alliance partner - all of that can be put on the table," he said.

In a televised speech on Monday offering few specifics, Trump promised a stepped-up military campaign against Taliban insurgents who have gained ground against the US-backed Afghan government and he singled out Pakistan for harbouring militants.

US backed Afghan forces overthrew the Taliban's hard-line Islamist government in late 2001 because it sheltered al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, architect of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington that year.

US forces have been bogged down since in a war that has vexed three American presidents. About 2,400 US troops have died there in America's longest military conflict.

The Afghan government welcomed Trump's speech, but the Taliban said it would make the country a "graveyard for the American empire."

Successive US administrations have struggled with how to deal with nuclear-armed Pakistan, which has a porous border with Afghanistan. Washington fumes about inaction against the Taliban, but Pakistan has cooperated on other US counterterrorism efforts, including against al Qaeda and Islamic State militants.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said it was "disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation" in fighting terrorism. "As a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country," it said.

A senior US official said on Tuesday significant measures were under consideration, including possibly sanctioning Pakistani officials with ties to extremist organizations.

Trump also called for Pakistan's great rival India to play a bigger role in Afghanistan, a prospect that will ring alarm bells for Pakistan's generals.

"Trump's policy of engaging India and threatening action may actually constrain Pakistan and lead to the opposite of what he wants," said Zahid Hussain, a Pakistani security analyst.

The United States has little choice but to use Pakistani roads and air corridors to resupply its troops in landlocked Afghanistan, giving Islamabad considerable leverage. US officials fret that if Pakistan becomes an active foe, it could further destabilise Afghanistan and endanger US soldiers.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday he was awaiting a plan from the US military's chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, before deciding how many more troops to send to Afghanistan.

"When he brings that to me, I will determine how many more we need to send in," Mattis told reporters in Baghdad. "It may or may not be the number that is bandied about."

US officials have said Trump has given Mattis authority to send about 4,000 additional troops to add to the roughly 8,400 already in Afghanistan.

The US Air Force may intensify its strikes in Afghanistan and expand training of the Afghan air force following Trump's decision, its top general told Reuters on Tuesday.

Most US troops in Afghanistan work with a NATO-led training and advising mission, with the rest part of a counterterrorism force that mostly targets pockets of al Qaeda and Islamic State fighters.


New Orleans is in an official state of emergency, thanks to 15 of its 120 pumps being offline (thanks to chronic underfunding) and a major storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico.

It's been 13 years since the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Since then, city officials has consistently misled the public about the city's readiness for major storms, and the mayor says the city's pumps have "never been fully operational."





In the absence of a plan to deal with heavy rains, the city has developed a Plan B: just evacuate.

Now, the New Orleans Advocate reports that officials are developing a plan to evacuate the city if more than a foot of rain is expected within a 24-hour period before repairs can be completed. The good news is that the last time that kind of rain fell was 1995, so it's a pretty rare occurrence. The bad news: Evacuating on the forecast of a rainstorm would be unprecedented in city history. In fact, I can't recall ever hearing of such an evacuation anywhere in the world.



BACKUP PLANS [Eric Holthaus/Grist]





(via Naked Capitalism)
US President Donald Trump signed into law a new batch of sanctions on Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow. (Photo: AP)

Washington: The United States has slapped new sanctions on Chinese and Russian entities, accusing them of advocating North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programme.

Specifically, the sanctions are aimed at 16 entities and individuals that assist "already designated persons who support North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, deal in the North Korean energy trade, facilitate its exportation of workers, and enable sanctioned North Korean entities to access the US and international financial systems," reported CNN, quoting the Treasury Department.

Coupled with the United Nations Security Council resolution passed earlier in August, Tuesday's sanctions are intended to further isolate the entities outside of North Korea that are facilitating Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

"It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region," CNN quoted Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as saying.

The move follows a war of words between Washington and Pyongyang over recent missile tests that show North Korea is capable of reaching the US mainland.

The sanctions effectively block their targets from accessing much of the global financial system, as well as freezing any US assets.

US President Donald Trump signed into law a new batch of sanctions on Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow.

Meanwhile, China has urged the US to 'immediately correct its mistake' of sanctioning Chinese firms over North Korea.

The sanctions target restrict dealings with Russian banks and energy companies.

The law also limits the US president's ability to ease any sanctions on Russia by requiring Congress' approval to lift any restrictions.

Earlier, President Donald Trump's grudging signature on new sanctions punishing Russia for alleged meddling in last year's US election sparked an explosive rhetorical response in Moscow.

Trump acknowledged the sharp worsening of the crucial relationship between Russia and United States and blamed lawmakers for forcing his hand on sanctions.

The sanctions target Russia's defense, intelligence, mining, shipping and railway industries and restricts dealings with Russian banks and energy companies.
Hassan Zubier wipes his face as he visits Turku Market Square in Turku, Finland. Zubier was injured in the mass stabbing in Turku on Friday Aug. 18 as he attempted to help a stabbing victim. The knife attack in western Finland that left two people dead and several wounded is "a likely terror act," Finland's intelligence agency said Saturday, while police said Europol was investigating if it had any ties to deadly vehicle attacks in Spain. (Photo: AP)

Helsinki: A Finnish court ordered a Moroccan asylum-seeker suspected of a knife attack that killed two and wounded eight people to remain in custody on preliminary charges.

The regional court in Turku said the 18-year-old male suspect will be held on suspicion of terrorist crimes, including two counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder.

Three alleged accomplices also were ordered to be held on suspicion they helped plan the attack. The main suspect, who was identified as Abderrahman Mechkah, has acknowledged Friday's stabbings, but denied the murder charges. The others - all Moroccan - have denied any involvement.

The court said they were suspected of "participating in the murders and attempted murders, committed with terrorist intent." Mechkah arrived in Finland last year, but his application for asylum was denied, local media reports said. "bloody events in Turku are a sign that terrorism has come to Finland," Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini said. "I feel unspeakable sorrow."

Investigators and the suspect's lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, said they were not aware of a motive for the killings. "The remand hearing did not make clear that the prerequisites had been met for a charge of a terrorist crime," Gummerus told the Finnish news agency STT.

Finnish police investigators are exploring possible links to last week's extremist attacks in Spain, where most of the perpetrators and suspects are reported to be Moroccans.
Danish police have confirmed the remains found are that of the missing Swedish journalist Kim Wall. (Photo: Twitter)

Stockholm: The headless torso of a woman found floating in Danish waters is that of a Swedish journalist who authorities believe died aboard an inventor's homemade submarine, police said on Wednesday.

"The DNA of the torso matches that of Kim Wall," Danish police announced on Twitter, saying more details would be given at a news conference.

The female torso, with the head and limbs deliberately cut off, was found on Monday in Koge Bay, around 50 km south of Copenhagen.

The 30-year-old Wall, a freelance journalist who had reported for The Guardian and The New York Times, had not been seen since boarding Danish inventor Peter Madsen's submarine on August 10 to interview him for a story.

She was reported missing a day later. The same day, Madsen was rescued from waters between Denmark and Sweden shortly before his submarine sank.

Madsen, whose website describes him as an "inventepreneur", initially told authorities that he dropped Wall off on an island late on the evening of August 10.

But he changed his story several days later when he appeared in court, saying Wall died in an accident on board and that he dumped the body at sea in an undefined location of the Koge Bay.

Police have since said they believe Madsen, 46, "deliberately" sank the sub. It was brought to the surface and searched, but found to be empty.

Investigators are not convinced by Madsen's latest account and suspect him of negligent manslaughter.
Police officers stand next to the van involved on an attack in Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday. (Photo: AP)

Madrid: An extremist cell was preparing bombs for an imam who planned to blow himself up at a Barcelona monument, a key suspect in the attacks that killed 15 people in northeastern Spain told a judge Tuesday, according to a judicial official.

The suspect, Mohamed Houli Chemlal, was one of four men taken before Spain's National Court in Madrid to testify about the Islamic cell that attacked pedestrians in Barcelona and the nearby seaside town of Cambrils last week.

National Court Judge Fernando Andreu questioned the four about the vehicle attacks as well as the fatal explosion at a bomb-making workshop that police said scuttled the group's plot to carry out a more deadly attack at unspecified Barcelona monuments.

After the session, the judge ordered two of the surviving suspects held without bail, another detained for 72 more hours and one freed with restrictions.

A Spanish judicial official said Houli Chemlal, 21, and suspect Driss Oukabir, 28, identified imam Abdelbaki Es Satty as the ideological leader of the 12-man cell.

Oukabir and the other two surviving suspects who testified, Mohamed Aalla and Sahal El Karib, denied being part of the cell, said the court official, who was not authorized to discuss the case and insisted on speaking anonymously.

The cell's other eight members are dead. Police shot five during an attack Friday and one more Monday after a manhunt. Es Satty and another accidently blew themselves up while preparing explosives in a house in the coastal town of Alcanar, south of Barcelona.

Es Satty preached in a mosque in the northeastern town of Ripoll, home to most of the 12 pointed to by police as suspected members of the cell. Police identified his remains amid the rubble of the Aug. 16 explosion that destroyed the house in Alcanar.

Police found in the house over 100 tanks of butane gas and materials to make TATP, an explosive frequently used in attacks by Islamic State militants. The group has claimed responsibility for both attacks on pedestrians - one Thursday by a van that mowed down people on Barcelona's famed Las Ramblas promenade and another early Friday in Cambrils. The attacks and a bloody getaway in which a man was stabbed to death left 15 dead and over 120 wounded.

Houli Chemlal, the only survivor of the Alcanar blast, told the court Tuesday that he is alive because he was on the ground floor of the house washing dishes after dinner. He testified from a wheelchair without lifting his eyes up from the ground, according to the court official. He has been hospitalized under guard since his arrest Thursday.

The second suspect interrogated, Oukabir, testified he rented the vans used in the attacks on pedestrians but said he thought they were going to be used for a house move. His brother Moussa was one of the five radicals shot dead Friday by police in Cambrils.

According to another person who attended Tuesday's interrogation, Oukabir told the prosecutor that his first version of events - telling police his documents were stolen by his brother - was something he had done out of fear. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the hearing.

The third suspect, Aalla, said an Audi A3 used in last week's attack in Cambrils was registered under his name but used by another sibling, the judicial official said. Police say one of Aalla's younger brothers died in Cambrils and another one is believed to be the second casualty in the Alcanar house blast where the imam died.

The last surviving suspect, El Karib, the owner of a cybercafe in Ripoll, told the judge that he was only trying to make a profit when he bought at least two plane tickets for two alleged members of the cell.

Police later Tuesday raided the cybercafe in Ripoll as well as a house in Vilafranca del Penedes, searching for more evidence.

After the questioning, the judge said there was enough evidence to hold Houli Chemlal and Oukabir on preliminary charges of causing homicides and injuries of a terrorist nature and of belonging to a terrorism organization. Houli Chemlal also has an additional charge of dealing with explosives.

However, the judge ruled the evidence was "not solid enough" to keep holding Aalla, who was freed on condition he appear in court weekly, relinquish his passport and not leave Spain.

El Karib will remain in custody for at least 72 more hours while police inquiries continue, the judge said.

The lone fugitive from the initial attack, 22-year-old Younes Abouyaaqoub, was shot to death Monday west of Barcelona after a big, dayslong manhunt. Police say he flashed what turned out to be a fake suicide belt at two officers who confronted him in a vineyard.

Police said they had "scientific evidence" that Abouyaaqoub drove the van that barreled through Barcelona's crowded Las Ramblas promenade and that he hijacked a car and fatally stabbed its driver while making his getaway.

Abouyaaqoub's brother and friends made up the rest of the 12-man extremist cell, police say.

Chemlal was born in Melilla, one of Spain's two North African coastal enclaves that have borders with Morocco. Spanish media say the other 11 suspects are all reportedly Moroccans who lived in Spain.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will take up the issue during a National Security Committee meeting on August 24 for a comprehensive policy response. (Photo: File)

Islamabad: Denying that it provides safe havens to terrorists, Pakistan said that a complex interplay of geopolitics and the pursuit of "hegemonic policies" were to blame for the threat to peace and stability in South Asia.

After being slammed by US President Donald Trump for its support to terrorists, Pakistan's Foreign Office said the "non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region."

The late-night reaction came after Trump announced his new policy for Afghanistan and the larger South Asian region, calling on India to step up its role in the war-torn country and warned Pakistan against providing safe havens to terrorist groups.

The foreign office said the new US strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia was discussed at a Cabinet meeting held late last night and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will take up the issue during a National Security Committee meeting on August 24 for a comprehensive policy response. In its initial response, it expressed disappointment over the accusations.

"No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders," it said. "It is, therefore disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort."

"Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism," the foreign office said.

It said the threat to peace and security "cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies", reiterating that there was no exclusive military solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.

Pakistan supports an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned politically negotiated solution for sustainable peace in Afghanistan, it said.
President Trump also left the door open to an eventual political deal with the Taliban. (Photo: AP)

Washington: Pakistan is using a perceived threat of encirclement by India as an "excuse" to continue its support to terrorists, a Trump administration official has said, dismissing concerns over Indian development activities in the war-torn country.

"What India is doing in Afghanistan is not a threat to Pakistan. They're not building military bases. They're not deploying troops," National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Michael Anton said yesterday.

This is an "excuse" on the part of Pakistan, Politico quoted Anton as saying.

"In the worst case," the Trump administration official said, the Pakistani government has been guilty of "active direct support" for terrorist groups.

"(Indians) are not doing the things that would constitute encirclement, for lack of a better term, which is one of the things that the Pakistani's complain about," he said.

His comments came after US President Donald Trump laid out his policy for Afghanistan and the larger South Asian region. Trump sought a greater involvement from India while criticising Pakistan for tolerating terrorist safe havens and for its support to terrorists.

The US president has preferred a regional approach for peace in Afghanistan and said the US "can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond."

Pakistan's foreign office reacted to Trump's announcement of the new strategy, saying the threat to peace and security "cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies."

"Non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region."

The foreign office asked the US to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism, instead of relying on the "false narrative of safe havens.
India is emerging as a very important regional strategic partner for the US that can help modernise Afghanistan both politically and economically, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said today.



Tillerson's remarks came after President Donald Trump unveiled the US strategy in Afghanistan which included expanded authorities to target terrorists. "India is emerging as a very important regional strategic partner with the United States, and has played an important role supporting the Afghan government and in particular supporting their economy," Tillerson told reporters. He also praised India's role in Afghanistan. "India has provided development assistance. They've provided economic assistance. They are hosting an important economic conference in India this next week. All of that is important to stabilising Afghanistan as a nation," he said.



"Get their economy functioning, stabilise the country so that they can provide more opportunities to their citizens. These are all elements of what will lead to stability and ultimately a peace agreement," he said.



Responding to a question, the Secretary of State sought the help of India in changing Pakistans behaviour. "It is important that Pakistan begin to think about its ability to contain these groups as well. It's why, though, we take a regional approach. The US alone is not going to change this dynamic with Pakistan," he said.



"India and Pakistan, they have their own issues that they have to continue to work through. But I think there are areas where perhaps even India can take some steps, a rapprochement on issues with Pakistan to improve the stability within Pakistan and remove some of the reasons why they deal with these unstable elements inside their own country," Tillerson said.



According to the Secretary of State, other regional players have strong interest in Pakistan."China has strong interest in Pakistan. Having a stable, secure future Pakistan is in a lot of our interests. They are a nuclear power. We have concerns about their weapons, the security of their weapons. There are many areas in which we believe we should be having very productive dialogue that serves both of our interests and regional interests as well," Tillerson said.


As he came out under the heavy escorts, Col Purohit, who was donning a white half-shirt, smiled and waved at media persons, however, preferred not to speak to the media. The tight security and escort were maintained in the wake of perceived threat perceptions.



Along the route, when he was asked about his plans, he said: Jai Hind.I dont know, it depends on the others



Reports at Colaba army unit

At the Colaba Military Station  which is part of Pune-headquartered Southern Command of the Indian Army  he presented himself before the Provost and then taken to senior officials. As of now, it is not it clearly known, whether he would be posted in Mumbai or Pune, also his hometown. However, he wants to attend court hearings. He wants to attend the court proceedings as and when it happens, his lawyer Shrikant Shivade said.



It is also not clear whether the suspension is revoked  but as of now, he was under the open arrest policy. His papers would be forwarded to the Judge Advocate General of India (JAG) branch of the Indian Army, which would go through the details and take a final call.



Col Purohit, who was commissioned to the Maratha Light Infantry in 1994 and had taken part in counter-insurgency operations, was later assigned to the MI field unit.



A resident of Prabhat Road in Pune, he was a good and bright student, a champion swimmer and also took a keen interest in bodybuilding.



During the course of the nine years in jail, his wife Aparna Purohit and his two sons, aged 18 and 12, stood by him like a rock. His last posting was at Army Centre of Education at Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh, where he was studying Persian language.





A smiling and beaming Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit  an accused in the 2008 Navratri-eve blast at Malegaon  walked out of jail on Wednesday and straightway reported to the Indian Army.A Military Intelligence (MI) official, Col Purohit, who is in his late forties, had been in jail for the past nine years  and he was the first serving Indian Army officer to be arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra police under charges of terrorism.Exactly at 1045 hrs, he came out of the Taloja Central Jail in Raigad district  and by 1200 hrs reported to the Colaba Military Station in south Mumbai  a distance of nearly 60 km.On Monday, the Supreme Court had granted him bail while on Tuesday; he completed the bail formalities at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court located in the Mumbai Sessions Court.Since Tuesday evening, the security arrangements outside the prison was beefed up in the wake of the impending release of the officer, however, on Wednesday, it came as a surprise, when the battery of journalists saw a couple of gypsies including one of the Military Police, one sedan and two trucks entering the high-security jail premises. The relatives of the undertrials who were outside the jail  too were surprised at the arrangements.The Maharashtra police and the Indian Army did not want to take any chances as far as the security was concerned. It also signalled the fact that the Army had not deserted the officer.
Famously, federally insured banks and credit-unions won't take deposits from the marijuana industry, even in states where marijuana sales have been legalized; this leaves the weed industry dealing all in cash, from safes in the basement to sacks of money delivered to the tax-office by armored car.

There's an alternative: state-backed public banks, like the ones in North Dakota, where the state-run banks were relatively unscathed by the 2008 mortgage crisis. These banks are publicly owned, and use deposits to fund local investments (rather than playing the stock market or other high-risk activities enjoyed by the too-big-to-fail federally insured industry).



Matt Stannard of Commonomics USA, a group that advocates for a commons-based economy, said California could deposit revenue in a public bank, use that money to make loans, and recycle any profits toward state projects. This is what North Dakota has done to the tune of $85 million in the past four years. Stannard previously said that as the sixth-largest economy in the world, California's path forward will carry much weight. If California decides to move forward with a publicly-owned bank, the implications are bound to resonate throughout the country's banking sector.



Could the Marijuana Industry Bring Public Banking to California?

[Aaron Fernando/Shareable]





(via Naked Capitalism)

(Image: Christopher Thomas, CC-BY-SA)
Voting was underway today for the byelections to Panaji and Valpoi Assembly seats in Goa.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar being among the early voters.



In the Panaji contest, BJP stalwart Parrikar is in the fray against Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's confidante Girish Chodankar.



Goa Suraksha Manch's Anand Shirodkar is also contesting the byelection to Panaji seat.The voting began at 8 am on 30 booths in Panaji constituency and 46 booths in Valpoi. The counting of votes will take place here on August 28.



Parrikar expressed confidence that he will win. "I don't see any opposition for me in the constituency," he said. Chodankar also exuded confidence of winning from the seat.



"This verdict will go against Parrikar. There is a strong undercurrent which will work in our favour," he said.



Goa Suraksha Manch leader Subhash Velingkar, who was also among the early voters, said party's nominee Anand Shirodkar will be victorious. "The people have decided to vote for Shirodkar. Though with a less margin, Shirodkar will defeat Parrikar," Velingkar claimed.



In Valpoi constituency, located around 80 kms from here, the BJP has fielded Congress rebel and health minister Vishwajeet Rane, whose main opponent is Roy Naik, the son of former state Home minister Ravi Naik, of the Congress.



"People have decided to get me elected. The verdict is already out in my favour. The Congress will lose its deposit," Rane claimed. The Panaji bypoll was necessitated after the BJP's sitting MLA, Siddharth Kuncolienkar, vacated the seat for Parrikar, as the latter has to get elected to the Assembly within six months of becoming the chief minister.



The byelection in Valpoi became necessary after Rane, the sitting MLA, joined the BJP after the Parrikar-led government won a crucial floor test in March this year. While Parrikar has promised the overall development of Panaji through an action plan, the Congress alleged that the BJP leader, who had represented the constituency from 1994 to 2012, has proved "inefficient".



In Valpoi seat, Rane, the son of veteran Congress leader and former chief minister Pratapsinh Rane, has assured of creating employment for the local youth.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today warned that the US could consider punishing Pakistan by cutting off its status as a major non-NATO ally if it does not crack down on militants.



Tillerson echoed President Donald Trump's tough rhetoric on Pakistan in his address laying out a new strategy for the war Afghanistan.



"We stand ready to help Pakistan address terrorist organisations inside of their country, but they must adopt a different approach themselves," Tillerson told reporters at a news conference here.



His comments came after Trump announced his Afghan policy and the path forward to the US engagement in South Asia, India and Pakistan in particular.



"Pakistan and the US historically had very good relationships. But over the last few years, there's been a real erosion in the confidence between our two governments.



"There's been an erosion in trust because we have witnessed terrorist organisations being given safe haven inside of Pakistan to plan and carry out attacks against US servicemen, US officials, disrupting peace efforts inside of Afghanistan," Tillerson said.



Noting that the new Afghan policy is a regional approach, the Secretary of State said it also included a fairly comprehensive review of the US' ties with Pakistan and India.



"We see this approach as requiring an integration of all three of those strategies and use Pakistan and India to also bring pressure to bear on the situation in Afghanistan," he said.



Tillerson said that the Trump Administration is adopting conditions-based diplomacy. "We're going to condition our efforts along with the progress we see being made by the Afghan government who must continue the reform efforts that we've been working on for some time, and in particular, much more rigorous efforts around anti-corruption," he said.



Trump, he said, in his speech was clear that this entire effort is intended to put pressure on the Taliban to have the Taliban understand they will not win a battlefield victory.



"We're going to attack terrorists wherever the live and we have put people on notice that if you're harbouring and providing safe haven to terrorists, be warned, be forewarned that we're going to engage with those who are providing safe haven and ask them to change what they're doing and help us help them," Tillerson said.



Tillerson also acknowledged that Pakistans status as a non-NATO ally is now in question.



"We have some leverage that's been discussed in terms of the amount of aid and military assistance we give them; their status as a non-NATO alliance partner. All of that can be put on the table. But at the end of the day, Pakistan has to decide what is in Pakistan's best long-term interest from a security standpoint for themselves and for their people," he said.



He said the Taliban and other organisations inside of Pakistan seem to be growing their numbers and their presence to the point that at some point they would become a real threat to the stability of the Pakistani government itself.



"I think they need to be thinking about what is in their best long-term interest and how can we work with them to achieve a safer, more stable Pakistan in the next decades to come as well. I think it really is up to them. They've got to ask themselves that question," Tillerson said.
With Tamil Nadu governor yet to decide on the plea of 19 MLAs supporting TTV Dhinakaran seeking no confidence motion, the ruling AIADMK led by Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday expressed confidence that the government cannot be destabilised.



"The government cannot be destabilised. We are all together only and We are confident that the ruling AIADMK would complete its full tenure", party MP and Lok Sabha deputy speaker Thambidurai said.



'We have a majority and this government will continue without any hurdle", he added.



However, stepping up his fight back and sending a message that he is still in authority of the AIADMK "Amma" faction, sidelined leader Dhinakaran made several changes in the party postings including removing revenue minister R B Udhaya Kumar from Puratchi Thalaivi Amma Peravai Secretary.



Meanwhile, Raj Bhavan sources said that governor CH Vidyasagar Rao has not taken any decision with regard to the letter given by Dhinakaran supporters. "He (governor) left for Mumbai on Tuesday itself", a senior official from Raj Bhavan said seeking anonymity.



He said the next visit of the governor to Chennai was not known.



With the governor left the city, 19 legislators, who were lodged in a resort near Puducherry, were clueless that how long they would stay in the hotel.



"We came here for vacation for a get-together. We do not know how long we will stay here", Thangatamilselvan, who was one among the MLAs saying in the resort, said.



Meanwhile, Puducherry AIADMK cadres led by former party legislator Om Sakthi Sekar staged a protest demonstration near the hotel against the alleged detention of legislators against their will.



They also burnt the effigies of Dhinakaran.



On the ruling party side, Palaniswami and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam left for Trichy in same flight to take part in the MGR birth centenary functionary celebrations.


Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram's son Karti on Wednesday appeared before the CBI in connection with investigations into a media house getting government clearance to receive foreign funds.



Karti's appearance came following a direction from Supreme Court which stayed the Madras High Court order staying the look out notice issued against him. The apex court had allowed Karti to be accompanied by a lawyer during the CBI questioning.



Sources said the CBI examined him about his role in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media for receiving funds from Mauritius when his father was the Union Finance Minister.



Karti was summoned earlier but he did not appear before the CBI. Following this, CBI issued a look out a notice to prevent him from flying out of the country but he approached the High Court seeking a stay on the circular. During the hearing in Supreme Court following CBI challenging the stay, Karti said he was willing to appear before the CBI.



On May 15, the CBI registered a case against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and INX Media's Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani Mukerjea, who are currently in jail on charges of murdering their daughter.



According to the CBI, INX Media stated in its records that an amount of Rs 10 lakh was given to Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited, a firm the CBI said was "indirectly" owned by Karti, for management consultancy charges towards a FIPB notification and clarification.



The FIR also alleged that invoices of approximately Rs 3.5 crore were raised in favour of INX Media in the name of other companies in which Karti had substantial interests "directly or indirectly".
Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday unearthed a separatist network operating inside a jail in Baramulla district by recovering 20 cell phones from the inmates during a night raid.



Sources said police raided the jail after a tip off that some mobile phones were being operated from inside the jail premises, instigating unrest in the Valley. They said some hardcore militants and separatist prisoners used the cell phones to keep in touch with their handlers in Pakistan via WhatsApp to help create unrest in the state.



The recoveries were made from prisoners who were involved in stone pelting and militant activities, sources said, and added the recovered phones were being sent for forensic tests to gather details about the purpose they were being used for.



A police spokesperson while confirming the recoveries said that a joint search was conducted during the intervening night of August 22 and 23 in Sub Jail Baramulla on the basis of information that "some incriminating material including unauthorized cell phones are being used inside the jail premises."



"While conducting the search 20 cell phones and some incriminating material was recovered from the possession of jail inmates," he said and added an FIR has been registered and investigation is on as to how these articles which are not authorized as per jail manual have made entry into jail premises.



"Police is as well investigating the role of jail staff if any as earlier as well cell phones and other articles were recovered from jail in various search operations by police in the same jail," the spokesperson added.

Earlier on April 2, police had unearthed a similar network in the same jail by seizing 16 cell phones. Two of the cellphones seized then belonged to hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam, the man allegedly behind the 2010 civilian unrest in Kashmir. He was released by the PDP government in 2015 and subsequently led a pro-Pakistan rally in Srinagar, causing a major political controversy. He was rearrested after pressure from central Government a month later.






A reshuffle of the Union Cabinet looked imminent as Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to hold on for "some time" on his offer to quit for the recent train mishaps.



Modi discussed the exercise to BJP chief Amit Shah and Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, BJP officials said.



Prabhu offered to quit, taking "moral responsibility" for the accidents in developments that saw the government appoint Air India chairman Ashwani Lohani as new Railway Board chairman in place of A K Mittal.



Accountability is a good system in the government...the Prime Minister will take a decision on whatever request the railway minister has made," Jaitley told reporters at a press conference held to convey decisions of the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.



Aides said a reshuffle could take place as early a the end of this week or around September 3. BJP circles are abuzz with the talk that it could be a large exercise to carry out a revamp or instead of just reallocation of portfolios to adjust vacancies.



Modi is expected to use the opportunity to bring young faces to re-energize his Council of Ministers before the next parliamentary polls due in 2019.



Since he became PM, Modi has carried out only two Cabinet reshuffles and expansions  in November 2014 and July 2016. BJP officials said the "performance criteria" would be the bench mark. Besides, other factors include adequate representation for social groups in the states that go to polls in the next 15 months.



A number of ministers of state who have handled important portfolios as an independent charge could be promoted to the Cabinet rank.



The PM will have to take a call on a full-fledged Cabinet minister for defence. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has held the additional charge of defence since Manohar Parrikar moved to Goa as chief minister.



When Union minister Anil Madhav Dave passed away on May 18, the portfolio of the environment, forests and climate change held by him was handed to science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan.



Similarly, the portfolios held by Venkaiah Naidu who has become Vice President were reallocated to others. Textile Minister Smriti Irani got the additional charge of information and broadcasting Ministry, which was held by Naidu.



She is set to retain the I&B ministry. Her first act has been to pack off CBFC chairman Pehlaj Nilhani who had become a thorn in the side of the government because of endless troubles with the cinema industry.



The portfolio of urban development, which was with Naidu, was given to Narendra Singh Tomar, who has been handling rural development and Panchayati raj. Urban development may need someone who will have put more life into projects like Housing for All by 2022 and Smart Cities.



The reshuffle is expected to take account the BJP's focus in the Assembly polls due in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka later this year and next. Elections are also due in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan in December 2018.



The last Cabinet reshuffle in July 2016 saw 19 new ministers were inducted into the government. Currently, the Union Council of Ministers has 73 members, including the PM.



Under Article 72 of the Constitution, the total number of ministers, including the PM, in the Union Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15 per cent of the number of members of the House of the People. Therefore, the maximum numbers of ministers that Modi can have in his government is 82.


The National Green Tribunal has slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 each on the Environment Ministry (MoEF) and the Delhi government for not submitting a status report on rejuvenation and restoration of the Yamuna river.



A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar passed the order after counsels of the MoEF and the Delhi government failed to appear before it and no report was placed on record.



"Nobody is present on behalf of NCT Delhi and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and no status report has been filed by them. Our order dated August 8, 2017 was peremptory. Let both these pay Rs 50,000 as cost. List this matter for compliance within one week," the bench said.



The matter will be heard next on August 29.



The tribunal had earlier asked Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and the Central Pollution Control Board to submit a detailed report on rejuvenation and restoration of the Yamuna in three weeks, saying pollution in the river was of serious concern as it was highly contaminated by industrial effluents and sewage.



It had also directed the pollution control boards of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to jointly conduct a study on water quality and flow of the Yamuna at the point where it enters Haryana, and submit a list of industries located in the catchment area of the river.



The tribunal had earlier banned open defecation and dumping of waste on the floodplains of the Yamuna and announced an environment compensation or penalty of Rs 5,000 for those who violated the order.



It had also constituted a committee headed by the Delhi Jal Board CEO to oversee the execution of work pertaining to the cleaning of the river and asked it to submit reports at regular intervals.



The green panel had said almost 67 per cent of the pollution reaching the Yamuna would be treated by two sewage treatment plants (STP) located at Delhi Gate and Najafgarh in the first phase of the 'Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project 2017'.

The NGT was hearing a plea on the monitoring of implementation of the project.
The alleged NGO scam in Bhagalpur rocked both Houses of the Bihar legislature for the second day today with opposition Congress and RJD raising slogans and demanding resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi.



As soon as the Assembly met for the day, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav drew the attention of Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary to an adjournment notice given by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) over the alleged scam and urged him suspend the Question Hour and take up the issue.



The Speaker said the adjournment notice would be allowed at a proper time and urged the agitating members to allow the House to run.



However, RJD members trooped in to the Well of the House raising slogans and demanding resignations of the CM and the deputy CM. Congress MLAs too joined them in the Well.



The protesting members claimed that pictures of Kumar and Modi were used at a function of NGO 'Srijan' in Bhagalpur.



They alleged government money was fraudulently transferred to bank accounts of the NGO by a "well-oiled racket comprising government employees and bank officials".



The chief minister was not in the House at the time. But, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi was present.

As the opposition MLAs continued raising slogans, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm.



BJP minister Nand Kishore Yadav rebutted Tejashwi saying "those acquiring benami properties through corrupt means have no moral right to speak on such a subject".



In the Legislative Council, the matter was raised by Congress member Dilip Kumar Chaudhary. RJD and Congress members tropped into the Well of the Upper House shouting slogans against the government.



RJD leader Rabri Devi attacked Sushil Modi in the Legislative Council over the alleged scam. Later, talking to reporters outside the House, she demanded resignations of the chief minister and his deputy.



Modi had earlier said, "They should show documentary evidence in support of the charge against me or the CM. Merely shouting (slogans) by showing some photographs of some events showing our participation does not mean our involvement in the scam."
Yesterday, we learned that President Donald Trump chewed out Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell over matters related to the open investigation into Russia, and Trump. Today, we learn from a Politico report that Trump also "clashed with multiple GOP senators," not just McConnell, over Russia.

"He was clearly frustrated," one person said of Trump's call with Corker earlier this month, about Mueller's investigation into Russia matters. Trump is obsessed with blocking proposed legislation that would prevent him from firing Mueller, Politico reports.

Snip from Politico:

Donald Trump privately vented his frustration over Russia-related matters with at least two other Republican senators this month, according to people familiar with the conversations  in addition to the president's public admonishments of Mitch McConnell, John McCain, and Jeff Flake.

Trump expressed frustration over a bipartisan bill sanctioning Russia and tried to convince Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) that it wasn't good policy, according to three people familiar with the call. Trump argued that the legislation was unconstitutional and said it would damage his presidency. Corker was unrelenting, these people said, and told Trump the bill was going to pass both houses with bipartisan support.

Trump dialed up Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) on Aug. 7, two days before a blunt call with the Senate majority leader that spilled over into a public feud. Tillis is working with Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) on a bill designed to protect Robert Mueller, the independent counsel investigating the president's Russia connections, from any attempt by Trump to fire him.

The Mueller bill came up during the Tillis-Trump conversation, according to a source briefed on the call  the latest signal of the president's impatience with GOP senators' increasing declarations of independence from his White House. Trump was unhappy with the legislation and didn't want it to pass, one person familiar with the call said.

A Tillis spokesman confirmed the date of the senator's call with the president but declined to comment on the substance or tone of the conversation. A Corker spokeswoman described the late July conversation as a "productive conversation about the congressional review portion of the Russia sanctions bill."
The BJP today appealed to the RJD to postpone its August-27 rally in Patna in view of the grim flood situation in the state, a request Lalu Prasad rejected wondering how will it help the affected population.



BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said holding a political rally at a time when 18 districts of the state are facing flood fury and more than 1.5 crore people are affected shows "insensitivity" of the RJD.



"I appeal to Lalu Prasad to postpone the rally on account of the massive Bihar flood," he told reporters here.

The floods in the state have left more than 250 dead and affected millions of people.



Dismissing the appeal, Lalu said, "Sushil Modi don't teach me...will the postponement of the rally lead to the end of floods in Bihar?"

Sushil Modi alleged that in place of extending a helping hand to the flood-hit population, Lalu Prasad and his party are "busy mobilising people" for the rally.



He also appealed to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi not to address the rally. "Will it be right on your part not to visit flood-hit areas of the state but speak at the RJD rally at Gandhi Maidan?" he asked.



Sushil Modi also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit flood-hit areas of the state on August 26.



"Lalu Prasad has claimed that not less than 25 lakh people would gather at the RJD rally. With majority of the districts being flood-hit, his claim would fall flat. Hence, it would be good that he shifts the rally for a future date as a face-saver," he said.



"Besides, it would also help his two sons -- Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav -- have a first-hand experience of flood by visiting those areas as they have been brought up in Delhi and must not have any personal experience of flood," he added.



Meanwhile Lalu, flanked by Tejashwi and senior party leader Jagdanand Singh, alleged "the prime minister's visit on August 26 is aimed at foiling the RJD rally the next day".



"Why did not the PM pay a visit to Bihar during floods last year when there was a Grand Alliance government?...PM visit to flood areas will nothing but a 'hawakhori' (pleasure trip)," Prasad said.



The RJD chief also sought to create a wedge between JD(U) and BJP coalition government in the state by saying that "Sushil Modi has claimed that the PM is coming to Bihar for flood on his request...Sushil Modi is trying to eclipse Chief Minister Nitish Kumar."
Karnataka Industries Minister R V Deshpande today termed the recent developments at IT major Infosys following sudden resignation of Vishal Sikka as "unfortunate".



"Very unfortunate developments, this should not have happened at Infosys," Deshpande said when asked about the recent events at the city headquartered company.



"I can understand transparency is very important. If there is no transparency there are ways to find out the truth, but unfortunately, according to me, investors' confidence and shareholders' confidence have been shaken," he told reporters.



"Infosys is the pride of the country, it is known to the entire world. We are all proud of Infosys. I can only say such developments are unfortunate," he added.



Last Friday, Sikka, the first non-founder CEO of Infosys, resigned from the company following months of acrimony with high-profile founders, led by N R Narayana Murthy, citing "malicious" and "personal attacks" on him.



While Sikka did not name Murthy for his exit, the board of the USD 10 billion firm blamed the founder for "continuous assault" through "factually inaccurate" and "already-disproved rumours" for the resignation of the CEO.



Murthy, however, maintained that his only concerns were the lapses in corporate governance standards, something that Infosys was admired for at one point.



Sharp decline in Infosys share prices following the developments has wiped out Rs 34,000 crore of investors' wealth in the last two days.



When asked about reports that Nandan Nilekani is likely to return to Infosys, Deshpande said he would not like to comment on it, and it is left to the decision of the board, founders and shareholders of the company.



Nilekani, one of the co-founders of the company had joined the Congress party ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He had also contested and lost the election from Bengaluru South constituency.



Noting that the developments at the company were not healthy, Deshpande said, "founders have struggled for the company, at the same time shareholders have fully cooperated. Vishal Sikka also has good reputation. These things should have been sorted out in-house".



"I think, still time is there. I am confident that they are all people with rich experience, good people. The board, founders and shareholders will come under one roof to resolve this issue," he said.
Ahead of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit in Rajasthan, Congress leader Sachin Pilot has demanded that PM should declare BJP's chief ministerial candidate for Rajasthan for the assembly elections slated in December 2018.



Pilot said, "Amit Shah disclosed chief ministerial candidates in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka but did not do so during his recent visit to Rajasthan. So now PM should disclose the name during his Udaipur visit".



Sachin Pilot demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should announce loan waivers for Rajasthan farmers during his visit to the state next week. While lashing out at Vasundhara Raje government for negligence towards farmers, Sachin Pilot said, "Several states have announced crop loan waiver, but no such initiative has been taken in the BJP-ruled state. There cannot be double standards for farmers.



He also claimed that nearly 60 farmers have committed suicide in the state last year, while 16 farmers took the extreme step this year. Stating BJP as "anti farmer" Pilot said, "In more than three years of rule in the state, the government has not given any bonus on the crops. Congress will hold rallies on farmers issues across the state from next month."



Rajasthan Congress leader also alleged government of allotting land to BJP in 28 districts in the state without making its notification public. "This is an unethical practice as the government allotted real estate at prime locations to the BJP silently, which is the violation of a high court ruling. They should have made notification public and given a chance to other parties to apply in case they need land for their offices".








BSP chief Mayawati today targeted the BJP over the death of cows in government-aided shelters in party-ruled states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and alleged that state funds were being embezzled in the name of cow protection.



"They have made 'gau mata' a political, communal and casteist issue like Ram temple but why this cruelty and laxity in the name of 'gau sewa' (service)," she alleged.



"The situation is so bad under the BJP that there is no value of human life... now cows are also dying in government- aided 'gaushalas' (cow shelters) in BJP-ruled states because of rampant corruption," the former chief minister alleged in a statement here.



She asked why the RSS is not seeking an answer from the state government on cow deaths.



The BSP president demanded a review of schemes related to cow protection and curbing corruption so that cowshelters "do not become slaughter houses" and the religious beliefs of the people are not hurt. It would not amount to saffron appeasement, she said.



Referring to attacks by cow vigilantes, she alleged that atrocities were being committed on people after accusing them of killing cows "thereby creating an atmosphere of fear and terror in the country".



But in BJP ruled states like Haryana, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, she alleged, "gau mata is being subjected to cruelty in cow shelters by embezzling government funds".



Recently a local BJP leader in Durg, Chhattisgarh was arrested after 27 cows died in three days at his government- aided gaushala. He had claimed that they died in a wall collapse.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for National Highways projects worth nearly Rs 15000 crores in Udaipur on August 29.



Ahead of PM's visit to Udaipur, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje went to Udaipur to take stock of preparations along with the state Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, District in-charge minster Dhansingh Rawat, PWD Minister Yunus Khan, UDH Minister ShriChand Kraplani and Higher Education Minister Kiran Maheshwari.



During his visit, Modi will dedicate the nation 11 completed National Highways projects approximately a length of about 873km including a 6-lane cable stayed bridge across river Chambal in Kota. Apart from that, he will perform Bhoomi Poojan for 6 NH projects of about 556km.



This will be Modi's second visit to Rajasthan during the BJP government and is significant, as the state is going to polls in 2018. His visit comes a month after BJP chief Amit Shah visited Rajasthan and poured praises for Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for her vision on development. Party is hopeful that his visit will bring enthusiasm and zeal amongst the members. State BJP head Ashok Parnami told DH, "This is an important visit of Prime Minister as far as developmental schemes are concerned and at the same time it will build a confidence in the members of BJP party".



Political analysts believe that Modi's visit to Rajasthan will also ease out 'differences' between him and Raje and will send a message that both leaders get along well. "Two years ago when chief minister Raje had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate states investors summit  Resurgent Rajasthan. Prime Minister skipped the summit and no reason was given by his office for not attending it. His absence created an impression that he is not on the same page with CM. But party members especially Raje's faction are hopeful from his visit." a senior BJP leader told DH.



PM's first visit to Rajasthan during the Raje's tenure was in February 2015 when he inaugurated Soil Health Cards in the state.








Speaking to reporters here, Shiv Sena spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said that it was like a fatwa. Those who issue such 'fatwas' are political goons and I compare him with Zakir Naik. There is a danger to law and order on account of such religious leaders," Raut said.



"These people campaigning for vegetarianism society in Mira Road-Bhayander today will tomorrow demand that the jawans on the country's borders should also turn vegetarians. Because of such elements, the country will be doomed," Raut warned.



Using a religious personality to solicit votes is a clear violation of the election code of conduct. We have the tape recordings, he said.



Senior BJP leader Dr Kirit Somaiya, however, brushed aside the allegations of Shiv Sena. They have taken the defeat to the heart, he said, adding that the results show that the people are with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.



In the MBMC polls, the BJP won 61 seats, the Sena 22, Congress 10 and Independents two in the 95-member house, while all other major national and state parties were totally wiped off.



The development comes a day after Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray called on Fadnavis to discuss issues related to Kalyan-Dombivli eastern suburbs.







The Shiv Sena on Wednesday accused the BJP of using money and muni to win the polls in the polls to the Mira-Bhayender Municipal Corporation (MBMC), one of the important civic bodies of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).The MBMC has a cosmopolitan population dominated largely by Gujaratis, Marwaris and North Indians. As far as Maharashtrians are concerned, there is a sizeable Argi and Koli population and those from Konkan region. As far as religious mix are concerned, there is a large Muslim population and so as a big Jain population. A large number of traders of Mumbai are from this hustling-bustling western suburb, located around 40 km away from downtown Mumbai.In a video message allegedly circulated on the eve of elections, the Jain monk, Muni Naypadmasagarji Maharaj, had reportedly urged his followers to vote for the BJP as it is the only party which will uphold vegetarianism in Mira Road-Bhayander and the rest of the country. The BJP would help to create a meat-free society, according to the monk.The Shiv Sena is also contemplating moving the State Election Commission  and senior leaders feel that it violates the poll code.
President Donald Trump has put Pakistan on "notice" and his get-tough approach could include sanctioning Pakistani officials with ties to terrorist groups such as Haqqani Network, a top White House official has said.



The official also said that with Pakistan the "business as usual as it has been up to now is over."



"The important takeaway for the Pakistani government is that, you know, they should understand that theyre on notice from this president, from this administration," the official was quoted as saying by Politico yesterday.



"The US has been really patient with Pakistan for a really long time. We havent been getting a good deal from them," he added.

He said the US could conceivably impose sanctions on terrorist groups including the Haqqani network, which has links to elements in the Pakistani government, as well as on any Pakistani officials who are tied to these kinds of groups.



The Haqqani network, blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people, has also carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan.



The White House official said that the onus for improving the relationship is now on Pakistan.



He said the president had benefited from an outsider's perspective on the US-Pakistan relationship, eschewing the conventional wisdom that "however much the Pakistanis double- deal you and lie to you and dont cooperate, you have no choice but to just keep the status quo."



"How do we get the Pakistan to behave better? The answer is we have leverage points over Pakistan that the strategy contemplates we will use. Ultimately whether they behave better or not is completely up to them," he said.



"They may calculate that it's more important to remain allied with terrorists, it's more important to give terrorists safe haven, it's more important to do all the nasty things that theyve been doing that we dont like than it is to have a good relationship with the US," he continued.



"If so, that's a choice that they will make and then we will make choices based on their choice," he said.



Observing that the US gives the Pakistani government substantial security aid, the official said, and in return receive, at best, "indifference to border crossing and terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries" in Pakistans tribal regions along the Afghan border.



"In the worst case," he said, the Pakistani government has been guilty of "active direct support" for terrorist groups, the media outlet reported.
Fun, fun, fun in the sun, sun, sun. Lister, Rimmer, Kryton and the show stealing Cat are back this October on Dave.

From the Red Dwarf blog:

Red Dwarf XII is the twelfth series of the legendary comedy, once again written and directed by Doug Naylor and following last year's series XI, voted "Best Comedy of the Year" and "Best Returning Comedy" by British Comedy Guide. The original cast of Chris Barrie (Rimmer), Craig Charles (Lister), Danny John-Jules (Cat) and Robert Llewellyn (Kryten) are back for six brand new episodes recorded in front of a live studio audience at Pinewood Studios.

For the very first time, the rest of the crew discover just how it feels to be Kryten when they're arrested by the Mechanoid Intergalactic Liberation Front. The Dwarfers come across a ship where criticism is illegal, and a space station where the crew have developed a cure for evil. When all the machines on Red Dwarf go on strike Rimmer and Kryten hold a Presidential election, while The Cat faces an identity crisis like never before when he discovers he needs glasses. Lister discovers a simple update of the ship's latest software could be a matter of life or death. Finally, Rimmer decides to leave Red Dwarf in search of a parallel universe where he isn't such a massive loser.

Featuring a whole host of star guests, smart sci-fi and ingenious comedy, Red Dwarf XII returns to Dave exclusively this October.
Indian scientists, who predicted the look of the solar corona before the August 21 total solar eclipse, have been able to capture most of the key features of the corona correctly.



The first set of images of the Suns corona on the day of the Great American Eclipse is now available, demonstrating how close Indian scientists were with their maiden effort in anticipating several specific features related to the hot outer region of the Sun.



Five scientists from the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research led by Dibyendu Nandi and one researcher at the University of Durham, UK had predicted two broad lotus petal-like structures (helmet streamers) on the southeast (lower left as viewed from Earth) and southwest (lower-right) edge of the Sun, and a third, narrow elongated streamer structure on the northwest (upper-right) edge.



These predictions have all been largely verified, said Niruj Mohan Ramanujam, chair of the Astronomy Society of Indias public outreach and education committee.



Preliminary inspection shows the team correctly anticipated the right locations for all the streamers except one on the southeast (lower-right) edge which is observed to be closer to the Suns equator than predicted.



The scientists agreed that the model was not completely correct and there was scope for further refinement.



For instance, it correctly anticipated the positions of the streamers  magnetised hot plasma - coming out of the sun, but missed out on finer details of these streamers.



The appearance of new sun spots on August 20, a day before the eclipse may have impacted the outcome, as the computer model used sun spot data up to August 16.



Based on the experience, the IISER team would refine its model and is likely to be ready in time for complementing the observations of the Indian Space Research Organisation's Aditya-L1 mission in which a probe would be sent to study the Sun in 2019-20.



The Aditya payload will carry a coronagraph that would regularly send Corona data, which would be compared with the IISER model for better understanding of the corona, said Ramanujam.



A better understanding of the solar corona is crucial to forecast space weather events like the solar storms that can threaten the satellites, telecommunication and GPS networks and bring down the electric power grids.



"We are very satisfied with the overall success of their prediction, said Somak Raychaudhury, director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune.



A second group from the USA, which also predicted the corona features, is yet to come out with its post-eclipse results






The Delhi High Court today dismissed a plea of jailed former Calcutta High Court judge C S Karnan challenging the constitutional validity of the Contempt of Courts Act.



A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said "we do not find any merit in the writ petition. It is dismissed."



The court rejected the submission made on behalf of the petitioner that the principles of natural justice were not followed in awarding him the jail term of six months, saying that Karnan's "communications, order and conduct established that he had full knowledge of the orders of the Supreme Court, proceedings as well as the materials against him."



It also noted that petitioner Karnan was served with a notice to show cause as well as he was given "repeated and adequate opportunities to present his defence."



Karnan, in his petition filed through advocate Mathews J Nedumpara, had sought a declaration from the high court that the apex court's May 9 sentencing order and further proceedings under it were "unconstitutional and void" as the principles of natural justice were allegedly not followed.
The Karnataka government today said it will come out with an "Electric vehicle and energy storage policy" soon with an intention to make the state the electric vehicle capital of the country.



"We will soon be coming out with an electric vehicle and energy storage policy. Today in many countries electric vehicles have come, it is going to be the future, but because of the battery cost they have become costlier," Karnataka Industries Minister R V Deshpande told reporters here.



He said, "we will be the first state to bring this policy to attract investments into this new sunrise sector. Discussions are going on, we will bring it soon."



Pointing out various initiatives undertaken by the Industries and Commerce Department to boost investments in the state, the Minister said Karnataka had maintained first place under 'Investment Intention' according to Central government's Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, with an intention of investments of Rs 1,40,683 crore.



He said in the last four years 1,823 projects have been approved by the state level single window clearance committee and state high level clearance committee with an investment of Rs 3.34 lakh crore, generating employment to 8.98 lakh persons.



He also pointed out that Karnataka government was laying emphasis on labour intensive sectors like toy manufacturing, mobile phones, tablets, electronic components and assemblies, and also to create more employment in manufacturing sector.



Deshpande also called on the private sector to join hands with the government to promote job creating ventures and more investments.



He also listed out that recently investment proposals have been received from companies such as Oracle India, TVS Motors, MRPL (Ethanol Plant), IKEA, SAP Labs, Wipro Aerospace, Molex India, HNI Autotech, ACE Bright Pharma among others.



Noting that 'Invest Karnataka', a non-profit company is incorporated to promote industries in Karnataka with 5 industry representatives and two government officials in the Board, Deshpande said Deepak Sood had been appointed as CEO to this company by deputation from CII.



The Minister highlighted the department's initiatives which include establishment of machine tool park and Japanese industrial township at Vasanthnarsapura, efforts to establish polymer design and development research laboratory on cost-sharing basis with government of India among others.



Also, coastal cashew tech centre in Kumta, marine export facility centre at Tadadi, six exclusive women industrial parks were the others.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will lead India's delegation to Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting on disaster prevention and relief in the Kyrgyz Republic beginning Thursday during which he will have bilateral meetings with "some" member nations.



The SCO members include China and it is keenly watched whether Singh, who on Monday expressed hope that China will take steps to resolve Doklam crisis, would have a bilateral meeting with Chinese leaders there. A senior Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official said no such meeting has been fixed as of now.



China on Tuesday said the only way to end the standoff in Dokalam was for India to unconditionally withdraw its troops from the area.



"During the visit, the home minister is likely to have bilateral meetings with the ministers of some of the SCO member states," an official statement said. The members of the Beijing-headquartered SCO are China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan.



India and Pakistan had joined the SCO at its annual Summit meeting held in Astana in Kazakhstan in June. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had then attended the summit.



The statement said the participation of India as SCO member will open the additional opportunities for giving new impetus to the development of international cooperation in the field of protecting the population and territories from emergency situations within the framework of the SCO and will bring it qualitatively new positions in regional and global formats.



The Indian delegation includes senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Congress today termed as "pure political vendetta" the CBI questioning its leader P Chidambaram's son Karti in a graft case and the moves for a CBI probe into a "land scam" allegedly involving a company of Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of party president Sonia Gandhi.



"This is nothing except political vendetta of the worst kind which is playing itself out and it has sunk to a new low," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.



Tewari, without naming the government or the ruling BJP, said political rivals were being targeted, which was a "fair game going by the political standards. But now, they have dragged families into it.



"They have taken it to a new low."



Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria had yesterday said that the state government had written to the CBI for a probe into land scams in Bikaner, including those allegedly involving a company of Vadra.



Karti today appeared before the CBI in connection with a corruption case. He was directed by the Supreme Court to appear for questioning before the CBI.



The agency wants to examine him in connection with a clearance given to media group INX Media for receiving funds from Mauritius by erstwhile Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) when his father P Chidambaram was the Union Finance Minister.



It is alleged that a firm "indirectly controlled" by him received money from INX Media, run by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea.



The CBI had issued a notice to Karti to appear for questioning in June but he had sought more time. Later, a look out circular was also issued against him to prevent him from leaving the country, CBI sources said.



Tewari said it was "very surprising" that the government registered an FIR against unknown persons with regard to FIBP clearances and dared the government to take action against the "unknown persons".



He alleged that the unknown persons were six "senior most secretaries", who would make recommendations to the minister who would sign the files concerned.



"Did the minister reverse the recommendation or did the minister go by the recommendation of the board? And the latter is true. So, this is nothing except political vendetta," he said.



Tewari also termed the CBI as "communal bureau of investigation".


In some cases, Justice Gill has also recommended action against police officers responsible for instigating the false case calling for the dismissal of such officers.









Scores of cases registered against Congress workers in Punjab during the SAD-BJP rule allegedly under vendetta are falling flat. Nearly 100 such cases have so far come to fore. In seventy-nine such cases, it has been concluded after a thorough examination that these cases were false.In another 19 cases, the commission- set up by Capt Amarinder Singh government in Punjab to probe false vendetta cases during Badal-led Akali rule- has recommended cancellation of FIR or withdrawal of case against the accused. More cases against Congress workers are likely to fall flat.The Mehtab Singh Gill Commission of Inquiry that was constituted on April 5 this year is examining over 4200 cases and complaints it has received till date. An interim report of the commission was submitted to the chief minister today.The commission has recommended that the home and judicial department should make a request to concerned Courts to cancel FIRs in cases which turn out to be false. Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday directed the home department to examine and implement the recommendations of the interim report in a time-bound manner.Where the court accepts the cancellation report, the first informant or the complainant should be prosecuted, the Commission has recommended. It has added that the culprits should not be allowed to go scot free. In the remaining cases, the commission while recommending prosecution of the informant or the complainant has also suggested recovery of adequate compensation for the innocent victim from the investigating officer (IO).
A day after the Supr]eme Court struck down instant triple talaq, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said the two other divorce practices in the Muslim community were also a challenge for gender justice and equality.



Greater clarity today. Only instant triple talaq is illegal. Other two kinds are also a challenge to gender justice and gender quality, the former home minister said in a tweet.



The Congress on Tuesday had welcomed the quashing of instant triple talaq by the Supreme Court saying the practice was not sanctioned by the Quran or the Hadith.



The Congress had pointed out that the apex court had refrained from interfering in the practice of talaq-e-ahsan and talaq-e-hasan which find a mention in the Islamic religious texts.



The Congress leader said triple talaq was a distortion of original Quranic legal principles and it was good that it has been declared unconstitutional by the apex court.



Majority judgement is a resounding affirmation of gender justice and of equality of spouses, he had said in another tweet.



DH News Service
Hillary Clinton today called US President Donald Trump a "creep" in her new book, saying he made her "skin crawl" at a debate during their bitter presidential campaigns.



She says Trump made her feel "incredibly uncomfortable" and was breathing down her neck, while pacing behind her.



Both candidates traded insults during the 2016 vicious campaign, and President Trump still uses the nickname "Crooked Hillary" to describe the former first lady.



Reading an extract from her forthcoming book 'What Happened' on US news network MSNBC, the 69-year-old former US secretary of state said she did not know how to react as they took to the stage for their second presidential debate last October.



"Do you stay calm, keep smiling, and carry on as if he weren't repeatedly invading your space? Or do you turn, look him in the eye and say loudly and clearly: 'Back up you creep, get away from me. I know you love to intimidate women, but you can't intimidate me, so back up.'"



The debate took place just days after a 2005 recording was made public, in which Trump bragged of grabbing women by their genitals and getting away with it because of his status.

After an uproar, Trump, 71, apologised and dismissed the conversation as "locker-room talk".



In her forthcoming book, Clinton says this made her feel even more uncomfortable on the night.



"This is not OK, I thought," she writes. "It was the second presidential debate and Donald Trump was looming behind me. Two days before, the world heard him brag about groping women," she says.



"Now we were on a small stage and no matter where I walked, he followed me closely, staring at me, making faces," Clinton says.



She says she chose to respond by gripping her microphone tightly, but she sometimes wonders if she should have told Trump to back off.



"It certainly would have been better TV," she says.



"I kept my cool, aided by a lifetime of dealing with difficult men trying to throw me off [...] Maybe I have overlearned the lesson of staying calm, biting my tongue, digging my fingernails into a clenched fist, smiling all the while, determined to present a composed face to the world," she adds.
Nicoletta Ceccoli is a pop surrealist painter/illustrator from the Republic of San Marino (a microstate within north-central Italy). Nicoletta has an animation degree from the State Institute of Art in Urbino and has illustrated over 30 children's books since 1995. She does both commercial and personal work, and has exhibited her artwork all over the world. Among many other awards, she has received a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators in New York and the Andersen Prize, "honoring her as the best children's book illustrator in Italy."

Ceccoli's work depicts a world of delicate, feminine girls alongside freaky creatures in strange situations. This duality of imagery in her work is reminiscent of the out-of-this-reality type of nightmares a young child might have. Each piece of Ceccoli's work tells its story with a cloud of mystery around it, which is up to the viewer to interpret. The titles to her work suc,h as "Ollie Ollie Oxen Free" and "Ready Or Not Here I Come" pull us even deeper into the world of make-belief. In an interview with WOW X WOW, Ceccoli explains that "Growing up I simply never stopped loving the children's universe. Childhood remains the only magically joyful and free condition, and as adults we end up losing that. In my opinion it can only be regained through imagination.". This love of the "children's universe" is apparent through Ceccoli's ability to pull the viewer into a childlike realm of wildly imaginatory situations.

Ceccoli's exhibit titles "Hide and Seek" is now being displayed at the Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles. Be sure to check it out if you're nearby.
With the crisis at Indias second largest IT company Infosys bulging, both Central and State governments have advised the company to sort out their issues at the earliest.



Ravi Venkatesan, companys co-chairman, who held the meeting with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday, has been advised by the latter to sort out the issues at the earliest, according to sources.



Jaitley is said to have told Venkatesan, in a one-on-one meeting, that this controversy is harmful for all and there needs an immediate truce on the issue. As per the official sources in the Finance Ministry, the Secratary Ministry of Corporate Affairs Tapan Ray and Director General Corporate Affairs (DGCoA) N K Bhola have also held separate meetings with Venkatesan on Monday, who was accompanied by two other directors of the IT major.



Karnatakas IT and BT minister Priyank Kharge told DH that he wanted the issue to be settled at the earliest, as according to him companies like Infosys, Wipro, and Biocon are part of Bengalurus business DNA.



He, however, negated any impact of development on the the inflow of FDI into the state.



Declining to intervene in the issue, he said, Every company has board room issues. But the companies like Infosys and Tata are considered high on the integrity. So in their case, the things tend to get more lime light.



He also said that state government is observing things at the moment. The allegations and counter allegations from both sides are running high in wake of the resignation by Vishal Sikka.
Suresh Prabhu will not be the first Railway Minister to offer to quit holding responsibility for train mishaps though two accidents in less than one week has led to one of the biggest shakeups in the Railways Ministry.



In 1956, Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Railway Minister, had resigned after taking moral responsibility for a train accident at Ariyalur in Tamil Nadu, which caused 150 deaths. Nitish Kumar resigned as Railway Minister taking moral responsibility of the Gaisal train disaster in Assam in August 1999 that had killed at least 290 people. (But Nitish was back as the Rail Minister in 2001.)



Mamata Banerjee had also offered to resign in 2000 after two train disasters, but her offer was rejected by then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.



This time, Prabhus reasons are also because Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants the top rail officials to take the rap. Two major train accidents in less than seven days put a major dent in the reputation of the railways and Suresh Prabhu.



There have been over 20 rail accidents, including minor ones, since November 2014, when Prabhu took office. The total number of consequential accidents since 2014-15 stands at 346 accidents.
India will build a bridge to link Bangladesh with Nepal via West Bengal, as it moves to respond to Chinas Belt-and-Road initiative with its own regional connectivity plans.



The Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved a Memorandum of Understanding to lay a bridge over the Mechi River to link Panitanki in Darjeeling district with Kakarvitta in Nepal.



Sources told Deccan Herald that the MoU is likely to be signed after the meeting between Modi and Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in New Delhi on Thursday. Deuba began his first official visit to India on Wednesday after becoming Nepals Prime Minister more than two months ago. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj received him at the airport.



The Nepalese Premier is the first foreign Head of Government to visit New Delhi after India-China relations hit fresh nadir over the face-off between the two national armies at Doklam Plateau in western Bhutan.



New Delhi, sources said, is attaching greater importance to the visit As China is trying harder to challenge Indias influence over its South Asian neighbours like Nepal.



The 1500-meter-long new bridge over Mechi River on India-Nepal border is estimated to cost Rs 158.65 crore. New Delhi will fund the project with a loan from Asian Development Bank.



The bridge would also connect Bangladesh and Nepal as the India-Nepal border at Panitanki-Kakarvitta is just about 34 kilometers from the India-Bangladesh border at Phulbari-Banglabandha. This would ease the cargo traffic between the two neighbours.



The construction of the bridge will improve regional connectivity and has potential to strengthen cross border trade between both the countries and cementing ties by strengthening industrial, social and cultural exchanges, the government said in a statement after the Union Cabinets approval of the MoU on Wednesday.



India is challenging Chinas ambitious One-Belt-One-Road initiative by its own projects for connectivity within and beyond its neighbourhood. It declined to join the OBOR since one of its components  China-Pakistan Economic Corridor  is passing through areas in Jammu & Kashmir it considers as illegally occupied by Pakistan.



Following Islamabads blocking of a pact among the SAARC nations for hassle-free cargo and passenger vehicle movement, India has carried on with its own initiatives to link the other.
The Congress on Wednesday stepped up attack on Suresh Prabhu demanding his removal as railway minister.



The fresh attack came hours after Prabhu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and dropped ample hints that he had offered to step down as minister accepting responsibility for the railway accident in Uttar Pradesh that killed 23 people.



This responsibility business will not do. Either the prime minister should sack the railway minister or accept his resignation, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters here.



He said Prabhu had utterly failed as minister and dared him to face the media instead of making comments on Twitter about his meeting with the prime minister.



If the prime minister accepts Prabhus resignation, it would be the first casualty from the Modi government on account of non-performance.



Modi had strongly defended his Union ministers, including Sushma Swaraj, who was in the eye of the storm for reportedly helping former IPL boss Lalit Modi get travel papers from the British government.



Referring to several accidents in the past three years, the Congress asked Modi to appoint a responsible person as railway minister who could lay down a safety map and implement the prime ministers vision for the sector.



DH News Service
A smiling and beaming Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Navratri-eve blast at Malegaon, walked out of jail on bail on Wednesday, and straightaway reported to the Indian Army.



A Military Intelligence (MI) officer, Lt Col Purohit, who is in his late forties, had been in jail for the past nine years, and is the first serving Army officer to be arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra police. He was suspended from service after his arrest.



At 10.45 am, he came out of the Taloja Central Jail in Raigad district and by 1200 noon reported to the Colaba Military Station in south Mumbai, a distance of nearly 60 km.



On Monday, the Supreme Court had granted him bail and on Tuesday he completed the bail formalities at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court located in the Mumbai Sessions Court.



Since Tuesday evening, the security arrangements outside the prison was beefed up in the wake of the impending release of the officer.



However, on Wednesday, the battery of journalists were taken by surprise when a couple of gypsies, including one of the Military Police, one sedan and two trucks entered the high security jail premises.



The relatives of the undertrials outside the jail too were surprised at the arrangements. The Maharashtra police and the Indian Army did not want to take any chances as far as the security was concerned due to perceived threat.



DH News Service
The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to set up a panel to examine sub-categorisation of the socially and educationally Other Backward Castes (OBCs).



It also gave nod to enhance the annual income ceiling for the OBC creamy layer category from the current Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh.



The stratification of the OBC quota could lead to a quota within quota in OBC reservations, in a move that may have far-reaching impact on national politics.



This could affect educationally and socially advanced communities within the backward classes like the Yadavs, who have benefited from the policy of positive discrimination brought by the Mandal Commission recommendation over the past three decades.



The move to enhance the annual income ceiling would increase the existing number of beneficiaries of various government programmes and schemes including, 27% quota in education and employment under the non-creamy layer OBC category.



The Cabinet approved the two proposals at its meeting here on Wednesday.



The Union Cabinet today (Wednesday) approved a proposal for setting up of a Commission under Article 340 of the Constitution to examine the issue of sub-categorisation of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the government said in a statement.We will request the President (Ram Nath Kovind) to constitute the Commission for sub-categorisation of the OBCs specified in the (central) list, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters after the meeting.




Former finance minister P Chidambarams son Karti on Wednesday appeared before the CBI in connection with an investigation into a media house getting government clearance to receive foreign funds.



Kartis appearance came, following a direction from the Supreme Court, which stayed the Madras High Court order staying the lookout notice issued against him.



The apex court had allowed Karti to be accompanied by a lawyer during the CBI questioning.



Sources said the CBI examined him about his role in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media for receiving funds from Mauritius, when his father was the Union finance minister.



Karti was summoned earlier, but he did not appear before the CBI.



Following this, the CBI issued a lookout notice to prevent him from flying out of the country but he approached the high court seeking a stay on the circular.



During the hearing in the Supreme Court, following the CBI challenging the stay, Karti said he was willing to appear before the CBI.



On May 15, the CBI registered a case against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and INX Medias Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani Mukerjea, who are currently in jail on a separate case.



According to the CBI, INX Media stated in its records that an amount of Rs 10 lakh was given to Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited, a firm the CBI said was indirectly owned by Karti, for management consultancy charges towards an FIPB notification and clarification.



The FIR also stated that invoices of approximately Rs 3.5 crore were raised in favour of INX Media in the name of other companies in which Karti had substantial interests directly or indirectly.



DH News Service




Congress leader Sachin Pilot has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should declare BJPs chief ministerial candidate for the Assembly elections to be held in December 2018.



Pilot said, (BJP national president) Amit Shah disclosed the chief ministerial candidates in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, but did not do so during his recent visit to Rajasthan. So now, Modi should disclose the name during his Udaipur visit.



Pilot also demanded loan waivers for farmers in the state.



Lashing out at the Vasundhara Raje government for negligence towards farmers, Pilot said, Several states have announced crop loan waiver, but no such initiative has been taken in Rajasthan. There cannot be double standards for farmers. When the prime minister visits Udaipur, he should announce loan waiver..



According to Pilot, nearly 60 farmers committed suicide in the state last year, while 16 farmers killed themselves this year.



DH News Service
Working professionals who were stranded due to heavy rain on their way home, took to Twitter to vent their woes.



Pratyay Ghosh, a feature writer at Sportskeeda tweeted, Its like #bangalore has never heard of a drainage system. I thought we perfected that during the Indus Valley Civilization...#Rain. Another writer for Sportskeeda, Yash Asthana tweeted about how the city could not handle moderate rainfall. Saw it in Gurgaon previous monsoon, and Bangalore this year...Our cities lack basic infrastructure to tackle moderate rain #BangaloreRains, tweeted Asthana.



Meanwhile, Ganesh tweeted, ITPL  Tinfactory road is completely jammed from past 2 hrs we are in bus. If rain comes Blore traffic is worst with a picture. Ravi Daga, an engineer with an MNC returning from work tweeted, Its high time Bangalore will become like Chennai if one or two such rain happens. Worst management. @BBMP_MAYOR. Another commuter, Praveen P Raj, a photographer tweeted, Currently Im damn hungry, but stuck here in rain from past 30 minutes. Pouring non stop #BangaloreRains #Bangalore.



Another resident, Arvind Jain tweeted, The last 2kms to my place is going to take me 2 hrs. Rain brings Bangalore traffic to its knees.



Srihari Kulkarni, who works at Fortive tweeted how Sarjapur Road sees huge traffic jams everyday. Tech corridor Sarjapur ORR bleeds red everyday!!! @rk_mishra @CmofKarnataka @TVMohandasPai tweeted a picture from the Google Maps. Ashok Prasad tweeted about the way traffic police managed traffic. Bangalore city police managing traffic in different locations in heavy rains. One word Terrific dedication. Keep it up!! @BlrCityPolice



SWD encroachment



Residents of Balaji Layout said flooding in the area was caused by the encroachment of the storm water drain.



"Some people have encroached the storm water drain, blocking the flow of water. Every time there is rain, there is flooding with three feet of water in houses," the residents said.



The residents said repeated complaints to the BBMP has not yielded any results. "It seems officials are colluding with the encroachers. Our repeated complaints have seen no action," they added.
Culture Brewing Company is now pouring in Encinitas as the craft beer tasting room opened up on Aug. 2. Locals can enjoy a tasty Session IPA and the ocean breeze in the rustic concrete space on Highway 101 with 20 rotating taps.

Owners John Niedernhofer, Steve Ragan and Dennis Williams opened the first Culture brewery and tasting room in Solana Beach in 2013, followed by a satellite tasting room in Ocean Beach in 2014. Cultures goal has always been to create more than just great beer  with monthly art shows, local pop-up shops, film premieres, fundraisers and more.

How was the idea for Culture formed and what is your mission with the brewery and tasting rooms?

Culture was started by a couple of guys that enjoyed home brewing so much they decided to take it to the next level. Many of the beers we brew are still based on the same recipes the owners came up with at the very beginning. Our brewers are also given a lot of room to experiment and theyre always coming up with amazing new brews.

The goal from the start was always to make amazing craft beer that was approachable and accessible. We dont come up with goofy names for every beer. If we brew a Brown Ale, that beer is simply called Brown Ale on the menu. The owners are definitely craft-beer-purists in that way. The goal of the tasting room is to have the best staff in the beer industry. Each of our servers is cicerone certified so that they can easily and clearly communicate every little detail of the beers to our customers. The hope is that youll leave the tasting room with more beer knowledge and appreciation than when you arrived.

How has Culture evolved since opening?

Over the past nearly five years weve grown closer and closer with our surrounding communities. At this time we do not distribute, so you wont find our beer in any bar or bottle shop. The only way to enjoy Culture beer is to have a pint at one of our three tasting rooms. This allows us to become hyper-local in the way that we approach the community. We dont have to worry about appealing to the entire state or the entire country. The people that are enjoying our beers are in San Diego, which allow us to focus on supporting local art, local businesses, local food, and to help raise funds for local nonprofits. Thats how each little beach town we become part of influences so much of what the Culture brand has become. Each tasting room has the same beers on tap, but each has its own unique personality that the community has influenced.

What made you want to bring Culture to Encinitas?

Our brewery and first tasting room is in Solana Beach, so were close neighbors. Everyone loved the town and we knew it would be the perfect spot for a tasting room.

What about your beer makes it stand out?

One aspect of our beer that make it stand out is the gluten reduction. All of our beers are gluten reduced below 10 parts per million, meaning even someone with a gluten intolerance could have a pint. Many people confuse the difference between gluten-free beers and gluten-reduced beers. Gluten-free beers are not made with the typical beer ingredients like barley or wheat, so gluten is never part of the equation. Our beers are called gluten reduced because they are made with barley and wheat, but we then remove the gluten using an enzyme.

Any interesting releases/collaborations coming up?

We are getting ready to release our latest collaboration with Duckfoot Brewing Co. Theyre a really amazing brewery that also does gluten-reduced beers, so it was a perfect fit. This Friday we will be releasing an Apricot Saison that we put together with them.

Does the Encinitas tasting room plan to bring in art shows and music events like the other locations?

Culture takes a lot of pride in supporting local artists. We do a First Friday Gallery Opening in each of our tasting rooms every month featuring a new local artist. This month we are lucky enough to have the photography legend, J Grant Brittain on the wall.

On Sept. 12, Culture will host Doggie Date Night from 6-9 p.m. The brewery has teamed up with The Drake Center for Veterinary Care to help out Goof Dog! Autism Companions. The tasting room will screen the classic movie Homeward Bound and there will be raffle prizes and a doggie photo booth, all supporting the local organization.

For more information, check out culturebrewingco.com. The tasting room is located at 629 S. Coast Highway 101.
The San Dieguito Union High School District held a special education workshop on Aug. 17, providing a general overview of the state of the program as a whole and sharing goals for the future with the board and a group of highly-engaged parents.

Mark Miller, the associate superintendent of administrative services, said this year San Dieguito is prepared to evaluate the special education curriculum, improve transition planning for students at all levels and to increase parent participation. The parents will be involved in the districts recently- approved special education task force that will take a look at a variety of topics in order to craft a long-term strategic plan. The group is expected to begin meeting this fall.

I think we can all agree that the last couple months in this district have been quite a turbulent ride. Often it is with these turbulent times that produce learning on what couldve been done differently, Miller said.

Miller said district staff has heard numerous concerns from special education parents over the last several months and has been working diligently to address them. They have relocated the Adult Transition Program from portables at Earl Warren to new classrooms at La Costa Canyon High School, worked to increase support for students at the site level, and have hired of administrators with special education experience. As of July 1, the districts administrative services department was re-organized, with the key focus of integrating general education and special education. Miller said, All students are general education students first.

We have also learned that much work needs to be done around communication and in creating a community of inclusion at our school sites, Miller said. One common theme that Ive heard over and over is that our parent community wants to work with the district in providing a road map for special educationThe task force has the potential to be an environment where members can learn specifics about special education services, pour into data and meaningfully participate in civil discourse and ultimately draft a plan around special education.

In the workshop, Miller went over how the districts special education program was performing through various measurements, such as graduation rates, California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) test scores, and post-secondary education and employment.

The CAASPP scores are just one measure to mark student progress. Miller said more students with disabilities are taking the general test while a smaller subgroup of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities take the California alternate assessment. This is a change from the states old testing program where a larger population took the alternate assessment.

Miller showed charts that showed the percentage of students who met or exceed standards on the CAASPP math test were at 26 percent, compared to 15 percent county-wide and 9 percent of the state.

Miller said that he knows math is an area in which students with disabilities are struggling.

The way the information is presented does not provide enough details to help the board appreciate how poorly La Costa Canyon and Torrey Pines are doing, and those two schools have most of the students with disabilities, said parent Lucile Lynch. The lack of scrutiny by school site is one of the issues we repeatedly raised in the special education committee meetings this past year.

According to the School Accountability Report Cards, Lynch said only 8 percent of students with disabilities at La Costa Canyon Canyon met or exceed standards and at Torrey Pines, only 5 percent met or exceed standards, meaning 95 percent are not proficient.

We know we have work to do, math is a specific area that we are not scoring well, said Miller, noting they are working to shore up the program and provide intervention measures.

Miller said the districts measurement of post-secondary education and employment is flawed and they need to come up with a better way to track their students success. San Dieguito is working to improve students transition to post-school life by developing a plan based on students strengths, preferences and interests. One parent said that the district needs to be more thoughtful in its assessments of students and take into account their individual skills  dont just put them in retail.

Miller also discussed the due process complaint procedure within the district and how, as much as possible, they work to resolve differences. A due process complaint is a written document used to request a hearing related to the identification, evaluation or educational placement of a child with a disability or the provision of a free, appropriate public education to the child. The complaint can be filed by a parent or the public agency  the district is required to file when the parent refuses to consent to any part of a special education students IEP (Individualized Education Program).

Of 1,365 students on IEP in San Dieguito, nine parents filed a due process complaint in 2016-17 and the district filed five. In 2016-17, the district spent $162,347 in legal fees and $634,102 in mediation settlements.

To me, we need to find out why parents (or IEP teams) are asking that students be moved out of the district, Lynch said. I know many of the families that are no longer in one of the districts schools and they all seem to have commonalities that could possibly be addressed by this district in order to retain their presence in a district school.

Across the state, due process complaints have increased over the last several years  Our expectations are higher, one parent said. Parents are fighting more because they know that their kids are capable of making improvements and progress.

In concluding the workshop, Miller said he believes that the district is in a good position to work with the community to examine issues and come up with solutions for all students.

I believe now is the time to move forward and not backward, Miller said. District staff has committed to improving student learning, weve committed to seeking parent input and weve committed to community engagement through this newly-formed task force. I believe that continuing pointing of fingers and continued disparaging of the special education staff is not going to be productive. We have listened.

We want the best for our kids, said parent Kaya Hogan. Im excited for this to work. Let us tell you want we need.
22 August 2017 (Puget Soundkeeper)  On 19 August 2017, Cooke Aquacultures net pens near Cypress Island reportedly released over 300,000 farmed Atlantic salmon into Puget Sound waters. The companys statement blames exceptionally high tides and currents coinciding with this weeks solar eclipse. But the release occurred Saturday afternoon, when charts show that tides and currents were well within predictions. The eclipse took place Monday morning.Every West Coast state except for Washington has banned Atlantic salmon net pens for their negative impact. Intensive farming of these non-native fish in Puget Sound waters poses a tremendous risk to native fish stocks, which include endangered Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Cookes statement is misleading, distracting from their failure to secure the pens safely and to adequately prepare for predictable tide events. In fact, over the last month, there were at least 11 days with higher tides than occurred on August 19th. And king tides during the winter are routinely much higher than those reported this month.Escaped Atlantic salmon can compete with native fish and transmit disease and parasites. Farmed salmon are treated with antibiotics and are fed with artificial dyes to make the fish meat more appealing to consumers. These fish do not belong in our waters. The best way to provide sustainable seafood is to restore our once world famous native salmon fisheries.Cooke Industries has plans to expand a net pen site near Port Angeles and install up to 20 more sites in the Puget Sound area. A hearing is scheduled on the Port Angeles proposal on September 7th, and the North Olympic Sierra Club group is holding a free info session on August 29th in Sequim which will feature presentations by Kurt Beardslee of Wild Fish Conservancy and Puget Soundkeeper Chris Wilke.For more information, visit Our Sound, Our Salmon.
Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web
9 Popular Bollywood Hunks & Countries That Google Search Them The Most!
An insulin pump with the ability to forecast blood glucose levels and make adjustments accordingly is being trialled in America.

Manufacturer Tandem Diabetes has been working on a new version of its leading insulin pump in a bid to banish hypos.

The project involves using Tandems t:slim X2 insulin pump alongside its predictive low glucose suspend (PLGS) algorithm together with the Dexcom G5 continuous glucose monitor (CGM).

The move to combine different algorithms along with insulin pumps and CGMs is an emerging concept. The new system works by stopping the release of insulin when blood glucose levels are expected to drop and delivering more insulin when levels are predicted to increase.

In the trial called PROLOG (PLGS for Reduction of Low Glucose), 90 people with type 1 diabetes will take part in using the pump. Two separate three-week periods will be studied to see whether the pump with the PLGS algorithm can prevent glucose levels going below 3.9 mmol/l.

Professor Bruce Buckingham, from the Lucille Salter Packard Childrens Hospital and Stanford University, is the lead researcher on the study. He said: This new PLGS algorithm will allow for the automatic suspension of insulin delivery when glucose is predicted to be low. This is beneficial throughout the day but can be lifesaving at night when a person is otherwise unable to react.

This new research comes following the publication of data about the PLGS algorithm, where it successfully suspended the delivery of insulin at night in a hospital setting. The algorithm was successful in suspending insulin delivery when blood glucose levels dropped and restarted insulin delivery when blood sugars were expected to rise. No episodes of hypoglycemia or rebound hyperglycemia was reported amongst the ten participants that took part.

The company is planning to submit the new technology for US approval in the first few months of 2018 with a view to launching it in America the following summer.
Apple has toned down its ambitions of developing a full fledged autonomous car and is focusing more on the underlying technology

Apple had been working on its plans to build an autonomous vehicle by itself, however, as per a report by The New York Times, Apple has shifted its focus more towards building the software and the underlying technology for the vehicle. It is rumored that Apple is now working on a self-driving shuttle that will ferry employees between the current Apples campus and the new one.

Apples shuttle project is reportedly called PAIL, standing for Palo Alto to Infinite Loop. The shuttle project is expected to be built atop another manufacturers vehicle instead of Apples own automobile. The project is said to be ongoing and is expected to be operational soon. As per the report, Apple might test these self-driving shuttles as it already has a permit to test self-driving cars in the area.

Apple is not the only one who gave up on making the entire autonomous vehicle. Waymo, previously called Google Autonomous car project, is also working on its own software for autonomous vehicles instead of building an entire vehicle itself.

This is, however, a departure from Apples previous project Titan, which was the codename dubbed for Apples autonomous vehicle project. Project Titan was rumored to sport interesting designs such as spherical wheels instead of regular tires for lateral movement of the vehicle. The NY Times also reports that the Titan project commenced back in 2014 with many Apple veterans onboard. The project hired expert car engineers to build the car and also took charge on the software front. This was the typical Apple approach, having control over every aspect of its projects, be it software or hardware.

The project reportedly started hitting snags as the team members were burdened by the size and unrealistic deadlines of the project. One of the teams had already started working on an operating system software called CarOS. There was an internal debate regarding which programming language to be used. While many companies are working on auto-driving technology and realise it as a big part of the future, no one has been able to cash-in on it yet.
As expected, Android 8.0 is called Oreo and is currently rolling out as OTA update for Pixel and Nexus devices. Google says major OEMs will upgrade their devices to Android 8.0 Oreo by the end of this year.

Google has finally announced that Android O will be called Android 8.0 Oreo. After teasing names like Oatmeal Cookie, Octopus and even Orangina, Google has decided to stick with Oreo. The announcement came via a live stream coinciding with the total solar eclipse in the United States and a Google+ post had suggested that O will indeed stand for Oreo.

Google also showed the new statue for its latest dessert-named mobile operating system version, and has pushed the update to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). The successor to Android Nougat is expected to begin rolling out as an OTA update to Google's Pixel and Nexus devices first. "Pixel and Nexus 5X/6P builds have entered carrier testing and we expect to start rolling out in phases over the next several weeks," Dave Burke, VP of Engineering, wrote in a blog post.

Burke also added that device manufacturers, including Andy Rubin's Essential, General Mobile, Nokia brand-licensee HMD Global, Huawei, HTC, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp and Sony are planning to launch new Android 8.0 devices or upgrade their existing devices by the end of this year. During the launch of the Nokia 8 in London last week, HMD Global announced that its latest flagship will be one of the easiest ways to experience Android 8.0.

Android Beta users will be getting the update to the final version starting today, and Google has also released system images for those planning to manually flash the operating system. The list of compatible devices include the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Pixel C tablet and the Nexus Player.

In terms of features, Android 8.0 Oreo is an incremental upgrade over Android 7.0 Nougat with much of the efforts being put to improve the system performance. One of highlights of the new version is the faster boot speed, with Google claiming that the Pixel would boot two times faster on Android Oreo. The update also brings new feature like Notification Dots, support for Autofill APIs, Picture in Picture (PiP) mode, adaptive icons, Google Play Protect, high fidelity audio playback with new Bluetooth codecs and wide-colour gamut support across apps.

In terms of daily use, Android 8.0 Oreo users should notice an improvement in battery life with background app limitations and OS-level optimisation for smoother app performance. The update also brings 60 new redesigned emojis and support for XML fonts.

Google had first announced Android O in the form of a developer preview in March, and rolled out public beta during the I/O 2017 developer conference in May. The fourth and final developer preview was announced last month and is now available as a final version. Android 7.0 Nougat is running on just around 13.5 percent active devices almost a year after its launch. With Android 8.0 Oreo, Google would be hoping to force its OEM partners to push updates faster and fix the the issue of fragmentation.
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By JOAN LOWY

Associated Press

WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump's road to getting legislation through Congress this year to restore the nation's crumbling infrastructure appears increasingly precarious.

Trump has yet to release a plan despite his campaign pledge to create jobs by building bigger and better transportation and other types of infrastructure projects. Administration officials have said a plan will be released in the third quarter of this year, but Congress is unlikely to tackle the issue right away.





. . .
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GOLD BEACH, Ore. (AP)  A wildfire has destroyed three houses in the same southwestern Oregon area where a notorious 2002 blaze blackened nearly 800 square miles.

Nobody has been injured in the current fire in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, and the affected homeowners were getting assistance from the Curry County Sheriff's Office, KDRV-TV reported





. . .
for the publics help in finding a man missing for more than a month.

Coffee County Sheriff Dave Sutton and Geneva County Sheriff Tony Helms held a joint news conference Wednesday at the Coffee County Sheriffs Office to ask for any information as to the whereabouts of Christopher Harrison, who was last seen in the area of highways 87 and 134, west of Enterprise. Harrison was bound for Geneva County at the time.

Nobody has heard from Harrison since July 11, said his father, W.M. Harrison, who was joined at the news conference by Christophers mother, Peggie Sumner.

Hes missed birthdays hes missed special occasions in his familys life, hes not called hes not made contact with anybody, Helms said.

Sutton said that all searches, including by helicopter, have not turned anything up.

Weve just about run out of leads, Sutton said.

Harrisons family has offered $1,000 as reward for information that leads to finding him.

Harrison stands about 6-feet, 2-inches tall, weighs about 175 pounds and has brownish hair. He also may have some facial hair. He was last seen wearing a pair of shower slides, shorts and a shirt.

Sumner said her son recently hurt his back, which caused him to drag his right leg when he walked.

That phone is an extension of his arm. He calls every contact in it at least once a week, Sumner said. He calls me four to five times a day.

Those with any information can call the CCSO at 894-5535, the GCSO at 684-5660. The news media also can be contacted to be passed on to law enforcement, or go to tip line on the GCSO website.

He just needs to be found so he can come home, Sumner said. We need some closure.
Classes began at Enterprise State Community College on Monday, but Matt Rodgers work at the school started before then.

Rodgers, the current Enterprise High School principal who will take over as ESCC president on Sept. 1, met with staff and faculty for the first time last Wednesday.

I think everyone is excited to be working toward a common goal, and thats to make our communities that we serve proud of Enterprise State Community College, and I think everybodys excited to be part of a team working collectively to achieve that goal, he said.

Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy Baker was in attendance during Rodgers day and gave some remarks in introducing Rodgers to the ESCC employees.

Rodgers has been going back and forth between EHS and ESCC, and spent most of Monday getting to know ESCC faculty and staff and greet the students. He went door to door on campus and sat in offices, listening to staff and faculty about their concerns and goals to get to know them on a personal level. He said he has been impressed meeting with the schools instructors.

Most people dont care what you know until they know that you care about them, and I certainly care about our people, he said. Over time I hope that they will see that and we want Enterprise State Community College to be a place where people want to not just come to work, but just be a place to be.

Also Monday, Rodgers attended a recruiting meeting. He said the school is putting together a strategic recruiting plan.

There is an art and a science to recruiting, and a lot of that comes from people but it also comes from being able to have the critical programs in place that are enticing to students, that will draw them to Enterprise State and keep them at Enterprise State, Rodgers said.
Its likely that state School Superintendent Michael Sentance will be handed his walking papers in a special meeting of the state Board of Education today.

That may well be for the best.

Sentance was hired to lead the state Department of Education a year ago, and his tenure has been stormy, beginning with controversies involving Sentances credentials and unrelated accusations that some board members undermined other candidates.

That set the tone for a year of mistrust that resulted in a poor evaluation for the new superintendent.

Now the governors office and the school board are at odds over todays meeting, which the governors legal staff has said was not called according to law. Counsel for the school board disagrees.

There is some disagreement in the education community about the leadership Sentance has provided in his short tenure, and a compelling case can be made to suggest that one year is too brief a period to judge ones effectiveness.

However, this match has been star-crossed from the start, and the office politics has distracted both board and superintendent from the real work of the state Department of Education  providing guidance and instruction for the public school students of Alabama.
The local chapter of the United Negro College Fund kicked off its fundraising campaign for 2017 Tuesday night at the Dothan Country Club.

The organization will hold a luncheon on Dec. 6 and is seeking attendees and sponsors to contribute to the event.

Darius McKay, principal of Girard Middle School, is the Dothan chapters leadership committee chairman. McKay said the local chapter raised $25,000 last year and hopes to raise $50,000 this year.

Its a stretch goal, but its a reachable goal, he said.

Tuesdays event raised awareness of the organization and the December event. All UNCF chapters in Alabama raised a combined $900,000 last year. The organization raised a total of $80 million overall.

McKay said the program provides a chance for many academically gifted students from low-income families to attend college.

Everyone needs a little help, he said. This has allowed a lot of A-B honor students to go to school.

The UNCF provides funding for about 10,000 scholarships per year. The graduation rate for UNCF students is 70 percent, higher than the national average for all students at four-year colleges.

The UNCF was incorporated in 1944 by Frederick D. Patterson  president of an institution that later became Tuskegee University  Mary McLeod Bethune and other black leaders. The organization has raised more than $4 billion over the last 70 years for scholarships and historically black colleges and universities.

About 60 percent of students receiving UNCF scholarships are the first in their families to attend college. To sponsor the event, contact McKay at 334-714-7096.
While she is not officially in the Alabama Senate District 29 race yet, Sen. Harri Anne Smith expressed a desire Tuesday to defend her seat in next years election.

Smith said reports of her official involvement in the race circulated around Facebook Tuesday, but since she is an independent, she must first gather enough signatures to be included on the 2018 ballot.

I would love to run for re-election, but there are a lot of steps I have to go through as an independent, she said. I have a little ways to go.

Smith, who has been a senator since 1998, must compile valid signatures from a certain amount of registered voters in her district, which encompasses all of Houston and Geneva counties and portions of Dale County. The total signatures needed must be equal to at least 3 percent of the qualified voters who participated in the last gubernatorial race in the district.

Those signatures must be included in a petition to the Secretary of States office by June 5, 2018  the date of the Republican and Democratic primaries. Smith said no timetable has been set to begin collecting the signatures, but she is keeping the names and phone numbers of people who contacted her Tuesday pledging their support.

Facebook has been extremely kind today, she said. Ive had a lot of supporters message me. Its nice to have the votes of confidence.

Smith said someone even volunteered their dog PJ to serve as the campaign manager for Dogs and Pets for Harri Anne Smith.

Smith said she enjoyed giving the people of her district a voice in government, which is why she desires re-election.

The worlds best people are in the area. You couldnt have better leadership in the area, she said. They are great folks to serve.

Smith has been an independent since 2010, when the state Republican Executive Committee denied her a spot on the ballot following her public endorsement of Democrat Bobby Bright in a U.S. House race in 2008, according to a previous Eagle article. The endorsement violated party rules.
"A nation that expects to be ignorant and free, expects what never was and never will be." Thomas Jefferson.

Never has a gross national ignorance been more proudly on display than ignorance of the facts of what brought about Lincoln's War to Prevent Southern Independence, the atrocity that most Americans mistakenly refer to as "the Civil War."

Ignorance is like head lice; it's not a shame to get them, but how backward would a person have to be to make a conscious decision to keep their head lice---or their ignorance?

What fool believes there is such a thing as a dispute or argument that has only one side? And what man, who calls himself a man, would position himself on one side of an argument without ever having examined the other side?

Isn't the one caught lying or hiding/destroying evidence usually considered to be the guilty party? (Unless it's someone in the federal government)

Young men, think for yourself. Your girlfriend's political/cultural position, that she latched onto because she got a little sweaty the one and only time she was called on in class by her Cultural Marxist college professor, may not be the right position for either of you.

If you think the Elitists that want to control every aspect of your life will stop after complete eradication of all Confederate monuments, please refer to the Thomas Jefferson quote above.

Joe Fondren

Hartford
U.S. Rep. Martha Roby had a blunt message Wednesday for lawmakers leading an effort to rename Fort Rucker.

Thats not going to happen.

Its a shame Democrats are trying to inject politics into our military installations," Roby said Wednesday. "Fort Rucker is a proud post with a distinguished history of training the best rotary wing aviators in the world.

A group of House Democrats have requested that U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis rename Fort Rucker and other military installations in the South that bear the names of Confederate leaders.

Rep. Mike Thompson, a California Democrat, along with 20 other representatives, called for the names of the installations to be changed. Thompson said the current names of the installations promote discord and divisiveness.

As a veteran, I know what a high honor it is to have military installations named for heroic Americans, said Thompson. It is an honor that no Confederate figure should enjoy. Their actions and ideology were repugnant and they should not be celebrated by the country they fought to dissolve.

Statues and other public works honoring Confederate leaders have been a subject of controversy in recent months, as calls for removing statues and renaming facilities have come from advocates who deem them as insulting to African Americans and celebrating a treasonous rebellion.

Ten installations are named for Confederate leaders: Camp Beauregard, Louisiana; Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort Pickett, Virginia; Fort Polk, Louisiana; and Fort Rucker.

Fort Rucker was named for Edmund Rucker, a Confederate general. Rucker enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private and worked his way through the ranks to become a general. Rucker fought in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. He was wounded in the Battle of Nashville and captured. His arm was later amputated as a result of his wound. After the war, Rucker made a fortune in the coal, steel, and real estate industries.
Hydrogen-powered cars could be at the core of a green ride-sharing service under consideration by BOC and Hyundai in Australia.

Hyundai will introduce Australias first publicly available hydrogen car in 2018, bringing a small number of fuel cell-powered SUVs to market.

The South Korean company worked with gas giant Linde to create a hydrogen-powered ridesharing operation in Germany in 2016, establishing BeeZero as a green rival to GoGet-style rental services in Munich.

BeeZero customers can rent one of 50 hydrogen-powered SUVs for 5.50 ($8.20) per hour.

Australias BOC Gas, a member of the Linde Group, is weighing up the local introduction of a similar service.

A lack of refuelling infrastructure currently represents the main roadblock to the local introduction of fuel cell-powered cars, as Australia does not have hydrogen filling stations. But Alex Dronoff, head of hydrogen for BOC, says a ridesharing service based around a hydrogen filling station is a viable possibility for Australian drivers.

We will certainly consider something like that, Dronoff says.

The hydrogen expert says it is still early days for the potential service, which is not confirmed for local introduction.

Hyundais Australian hydrogen guru, Scott Nargar, says the service is something we are definitely weighing up in Australia.

The brand unveiled a yet-to-be-named hydrogen-powered SUV in Seoul last week, promising a range of up to 800 kilometres for the groundbreaking machine.

Nargar says Hyundai is exploring the possibility of a zero-emissions ride-sharing network servicing commercial and residential properties near its headquarters in Sydneys Macquarie Park. The service could feature Hyundai's upcoming Ioniq electric car as well as the new hydrogen-fuelled model.

BOC and Hyundai have joined Toyota, Shell, Caltex and other companies to establish Hydrogen Mobility Australia, a working group intended to promote hydrogen as a future power source.

Dronoff says the potential for hydrogen in Australia is very exciting, extending beyond vehicle fuelling to international energy exports transported as liquid ammonia.

Hydrogen is like a battery, he says.

When the sun is shining and the wind is blowing you are generating more than you need, so you can store it as hydrogen.

This potentially could be Australias net large export industry, by using Australias wind and sun resources, which are abundant.

There is a huge opportunity there.
Hyundai is finally going the ute muster. But, unfortuantely, for the South Korean brand's Australian arm it's not the right kind of ute.

According to Reuters the company's US product boss confirmed the long-expected rumour that the 2015 Santa Cruze concept will enter production. The Santa Cruz concept was based on Tucson mid-size SUV, as Hyundai believes a smaller, more urban focused pick-up is what it needed to avoid competing directly with the popular Ford, Chevrolet and Ram full-size offerings.

But Hyundai Australia has ruled out bringing the Santa Cruz down under, with the popularity of utes such as the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara the local division believes it needs a more heavy-duty pick-up to compete.

Santa Cruz is not on the radar for us, said Hyundai Australia spokesman, Bill Thomas. It's unlikely to be built in right-hand drive - its North America-focused: a smaller pickup with an extending load bay.

The car researched very strongly in the US and no doubt it will sell well there, in a market where customers needs for bigger pickups are well serviced by the Big Three.

But there is still hope for Hyundai Australia that it will be able to add a ute to its showrooms in the near future. Earlier this year Hyundai Australia chief operating officer, Scott Grant, hinted that that a proper HiLux-rivalling 4x4 ute was also under development however details of that vehicle are still mostly unknown.

"It's being planned, it's being prepared," Grant said at the time. "I do know that HMC [Hyundai Motor Company] is taking it very seriously and there's a model code allocated to it and there's some work under way, but what the time frames are as far as I'm aware there's no commitment.

Hyundai US also confirmed that 2018 will see the introduction of a new generation Santa Fe large SUV and is likely to add a new seven-seat SUV offering to its range.

The move to expand Hyundais SUV line-up comes as crucial North American sales have slipped almost 11 per cent for the end of July 2017, with Australian sales following a similar trend, dipping 7.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2016.

Locally the brand will have its new Kona small SUV ready to compete against the like of the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V by the end of the year in the hopes of catching the attention of buyers who continue to turn away from traditional small cars.
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A fresh investigation has been launched into the IRA killing of Tom Oliver in 1991, after a review by Ardee Gardai uncovered a 'number of new lines of inquiry.'

As has been reported by the Irish Independent, the review was launched by Gardai in Ardee station three months ago, under the direction of Superintendent Fergus Treanor.

It reports that the new lines of inquiry has led to a fresh investigation being commenced.

Mr Oliver was killed by the IRA in 1991, after being abducted from his home in Riverstown, Co Louth on 18 July 1991.

His body was found less than a day later in a field in Beleek, South Armagh. He had been tortured and was shot in the head.

Following his death, the Provisional IRA issued a statement to say that Mr Oliver was killed because he was a Garda informer.

This claim has been refuted by family and friends of Mr Oliver, as well as the Gardai.

No one was ever convicted in the murder investigation that followed.

According to the Irish Independent, the fresh investigation has led to new information being investigated and followed.

Gardai have confirmed to the Irish Independent that they are 'out in the ground in Cooley for the last three months'.

No arrests have been made yet but it is believed that the investigation team are making good progress.

Extra officers from Dundalk and Drogheda have been assigned to this case and extra resources have been put aside for the investigation.

Superintendent Treanor has appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact Ardee Garda Station on 041 687 1130; the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
The opportunity for small to medium sized businesses to make the switch to solar and batteries is stronger than it has ever been. Similar to households, small businesses typically pay high electricity rates and unlike big businesses, possess less negotiating power on energy retail costs. Small businesses also tend to have tighter budgets when it comes to managing overheads, which means investing in energy efficiency needs to be considered even more carefully.

In a climate of increasing power prices (as of 1 July, power prices in Sydney rose 16 per cent and in the ACT 19 per cent[1])  a growing number of small businesses are looking for an alternative to the traditional power supply model. Solar and batteries can now be a cheaper alternative to grid power and therefore offer an increasingly compelling and economical investment. The cost-savings on power bills is significant, with savings of up to 80% to be made when switching to renewables.

For small businesses wanting to reduce energy costs and increase energy efficiency, the renewables proposition is relatively simple but there are factors to consider. Installing an intelligent solar and battery system for example could provide average annual savings on electricity bills of around $2,000 for a one-off investment of $15,000. This is attractive to businesses that can afford the upfront cost, own their premise, and have sufficient roof space in relation to their energy requirements. For small businesses in a rental however, the situation can be trickier, usually because the landlord holds executive decision over the property, but its not impossible.

One underlying problem is that Australias power network regulations are not set up to allow energy to be traded in local areas cheaply. If regulations were changed to encourage a peer-to peer model, this could offer small businesses  and energy customers generally  the ability to access the benefits of solar and batteries without actually having systems located on their premises.

How do we make renewables more economical for small businesses?

More needs to be done to help small businesses access the economic benefits of solar and batteries and we see peer-to-peer trading as a timely and valuable solution.

Peer-to-peer trading can work in a case where, for example, two small businesses in close proximity to each other can complement or supply the others energy needs: one business might have a large energy consumption but lack sufficient roof space to install solar panels and a battery, while the other might have a small energy consumption but a perfect roof space for solar.

Peer-to-peer trading could allow the business with less energy consumption to invest in a solar and battery system and then sell that energy to the business needing it and at a price cheaper than regular grid power. One reason that the price can be cheaper is because the need to rely on a power station to supply energy  and charge customers the cost of the poles and wires needed to transport that energy across the country  is avoided.

Peer-to-peer trading is something my organisation is actively exploring to help Australias energy challenges and we are in the process of building the infrastructure to enable customers to do so. A report by the Energy Networks Association and CSIRO further highlights the future opportunity for peer-to-peer trading, forecasting that by 2050, between 30% to 45% of Australias power supply will be sourced from customer-owned generators.

Federal Government subsidies for batteries could also go a long way in helping businesses and consumers better afford up-front installation costs. Currently, the ACT has a successful program to subsidise batteries that other states could replicate. This is only a start however, and one piece of the longer-term solution.

Why now?

The renewables conversation is happening now because we have reached a tipping point: power prices are rising and at the same time, innovative and intuitive technology is becoming increasingly accessible to the everyday consumer  at homes and businesses. One of the biggest benefits of intelligent or smart solar and battery technology is that it continuously analyses and optimises energy use and costs, choosing the most efficient source between solar, battery and the grid. The economics and efficiencies present a huge value-add for choosing intelligent renewables.

Shifting Australias currently centralised energy model to a decentralised model with peer-to-peer trading is a big transition but one that with progressive, carful implementation presents enormous opportunities for businesses, government and households.

The good news is that regulators are now embracing the vision of a decentralised and optimised grid. The Australian Energy Markets Commission has just released a report examining the requirements for a distributed energy market model, which could be the blueprint for the future. If we can deliver on that model, then Australia wont just be helping to reduce energy costs for businesses, but will lead the world.

See also: Energy startups have to be very smart in how they challenge the big retailers: Evergens CEO

About the author

Emlyn Keane is the CEO of Evergen, a new energy services company that sells and manages intelligent home energy systems comprising solar power and batteries. The intelligence technology is provided by the CSIRO, which periodically analyses and remotely updates the system to improve over time. AMP Capital is a major investor in the company alongside CSIRO. Emlyn was previously Head of Business Operations, Property, at AMP Capital and Head of Operations and Environment at AMP Capital Investors. He recently spoke with Dynamic Business about the genesis of Evergen and opportunities to compete against the large energy retailers.

[1] https://www.choice.com.au/shopping/shopping-for-services/utilities/articles/electricity-prices-to-increase-july-220617
In todays ever increasing online world, domain names have become one of the most important business assets for sales to consumers, contact with and promotion of businesses; however, many businesses do not turn their mind to the protection of their domain names, leaving themselves exposed to cyber-squatters or tactical competitors and loss of potential business through diverted online traffic.

In fact, many business and organisations would not talk about their domain names, although many would mention their websites. If asked to consider what exactly a domain name is or whether it is any different from a website a lot would call for their IT expert.

If this sounds familiar, or if your business or organisation has, or plans to launch, a great website and online marketing campaign and you have not thought much about domain names, this basic guide is your place to start.

What are domain names?

Domain names are essentially the addresses of websites (or webpages on which the online content is displayed). As explained by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, better known as ICANN, each computer connected to the internet is assigned a unique numerical string known as an Internet Protocol (or IP) Address. As IP addresses are long and difficult to remember numbers a Domain Name System (DNS) was invented whereby these long numerical IP addresses were converted into unique alphanumeric addresses, or domain names.

Who manages domain names?

The main body for the management and coordination of domain names on the internet is ICANN  a US-based not-for-profit public benefit organisation formed in 1998. With the assistance of supporting organisations, ICANN allocates and accredits generic top-level domains (gTLDs) (e.g. .com; .net .org) including country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) (e.g, .au (Australia), .cn (China), .eu (European Union).

In Australia, ICANN is assisted by .au Domain Administration Ltd (or auDA) which has been formally endorsed by the Australian Government as the administrator of the .au domain names. auDA implements ICANN policies in relation to .au domains and also works with ICANN to develop specific policies and guidelines relating to .au domains.

How do I register a domain name?

Domain names can be registered by Registrars  businesses which can register a domain name by allocating a name to an IP Address which is then given to the customer to use as the location of their website. In Australia, there are a number of Registrars that are formally approved by auDA as being compliant with its policies and standards. A list is available on the auDA website. It is important to ensure that the Registrar you use is an approved Registrar. Once the domain name is registered it is added to the auDA registry ensuring that an identical name cannot be registered.

What if the domain name is already taken?

Based on the above, to be able to register a new domain name, the proposed name should be available. If the name has already been registered by another person, you will need to come up with an alternative name unless you can get the registered owner of the domain name you were seeking to transfer it to you. Sometimes to have the name transferred to you is simply a matter of purchasing the domain name but this only applies if the domain name is held by an authorised re-seller. Authorised re-sellers (which may also be auDA authorised Registrars) are allowed by auDA to register the domain name in their name and keep it unused until the right purchaser comes along. Re-sellers do this to secure domain names that are likely to be sought after so they can then be the ones to sell (and register) the domain name for their buyer.

If a domain name is registered by someone who is not an authorised reseller (including as an auDA authorised re-seller) and that person is simply holding the domain with the intention of reselling rather than using the domain name for a legitimate business purpose (a practice known as cybersquatting), auDA may be able to investigate and cancel the registration of the domain name if cybersquatting is found.

If however the already registered domain name you want is being used legitimately for someone elses business, your options are narrow. Unless you can prove that you have a better right to that domain name than the current registered-owner (see Domain name disputes below), your only option is to negotiate with the domain name holder to purchase the domain name (this may involve you wanting to purchase the domain name along with the whole business), or to seek a different domain, but being very careful to avoid a domain name that is too close or similar to the other persons domain name.

Domain name disputes

There may be cases where one domain name holder has better rights to a domain name than another. For example if someone had been running a business with an ASIC Business Name Registration and/or registered trade mark rights in the business name which features identically or with a high degree of similarity in another persons registered domain, then the first-mentioned business owner may be able to file a complaint to auDA to have the domain name cancelled or transferred. However this depends on many complex questions of domain law that would need to be addressed in accordance with the auDA Dispute Resolution Policy. As such, it is important to be aware of how you are using your domain name, how it connects to your business and intellectual property and what other domain names out there may be similar to yours. You may therefore need a closer look what domain names exist given that if they are not in your control they could be diverting potential traffic away from you. It is even strategically valuable to hold a number of domain names with very minor variation to yours to create a buffer between your business domain and other possible registrable names.

On the flip side, when choosing a domain name it is worthwhile to check what similar names exist and if possible avoid the conflict. Seeking early legal advice including assistance with your due diligence enquiries will save you significant costs and difficulties later on if a conflict occurs.

What are the new generic top level domains (gTLDs)?

If the internet kicked off in the 90s, then sometime around 2000s the .com and country variants got boring! By 2008, ICANN resolved to introduce new gTLDs which would be progressively released to the Registrars and the public. The new gTLDs are identical in function to the old ones (i.e. pinning the domain name to a .something) but unlike the old gTLDs, the new ones are far more adept at adding something unique, useful or distinctive to the domain name. For example, new gTLDs can more specifically and clearly identify the type of business behind the website domain or the classification of a service, geographical area, or subject matter of the website (no matter how narrow or broad). The following were but a small number of actual new gTLDs available to be registered: .accountant, .amsterdam, .business1, .cafe, .car, .dating, .engineering .blackfriday .cool etc.

What should I do about it?

While the new gTLDs will not affect the ownership of currently registered domain names, they have the potential to broaden the scope of availability. To ensure you make the most of the available gTLDs it may be beneficial to register a number of relevant domain names with gTLDs that are useful to your business or organisation. This might not only assist in building a better presence online, but also avoid complications such as cybersquatters or domain name disputes further down the track.

Given the complexities that can arise in determining and protecting a domain name after registration, it is important to be properly informed at an early stage and be aware of how domain name issues interact with your business and intellectual property rights.

About the author

Patricia Monemvasitis is a Partner with Carroll & ODea Lawyers where she advises a diverse range of clients, including major corporations, small to medium sized enterprises, property developers, landlords, not-for-profit organisations and schools. Patricia has extensive experience in managing intellectual property issues arising during acquisitions and sales of businesses, amalgamations, restructures, collaborations and joint ventures.
As the innovation capital of the world, Silicon Valley has given birth to some of the worlds most successful start-ups. Organisations that have grown to be the big brands infiltrating every aspect of our lives  Netflix, Facebook, Apple, eBay, among them. There are many more.

It makes you wonder, is there something in the water?

Do the Silicon Valley success stories all have a tried and tested formula?

What do these brands share? Aside from making us all wish wed been the ones who thought of them first.

While Australia has a fledging start-up culture, the fact remains that most unicorns, that is start-ups whose value exceeds $1billion, are born in the US and Israel.

It typically requires a magic mix of creativity, bravery, innovation and substantial financial backing to make it past the first 18 months of business, let alone reach the nirvana of start-up world  an exit.

The CBI Global Tech Exits Report shows that half of last years tech exits were in the US. Australia came in at seventh place. Were likely to see a continued upward trend locally as the start-up sector matures. In three to four years, were sure to see a steep increase in funding numbers  both from the government and private investors.

Do companies looking for an exit in the next couple of years need to follow the money and move to the Valley? The answer is no.

Prominent entrepreneur and CEO of Melbourne start-up Nitro, Sam Chandler, has been a vocal advocate for the Aussie start-up sector. He recognises that access to venture capital is the main barrier to further growth. While there are several measures in place to support new businesses  the R&D tax incentive being just one of them  the truth is US investors still have the deepest pockets.

One of our local clients who successfully made the transition, RangeMe, highlights the ease at which start-ups can raise capital from major venture firms in the US. On the flipside, given the rich pool of talent in the Valley area, theres also stronger competition.

It requires a much more creative and succinct way of pitching. So say adios to long and tedious investment docs and come armed with a 10-page PowerPoint.

This streamlined approach gives investors working with early-stage companies greater clarity. Does the world need this product and will it scale? It also gives them a stronger sense of the gut feeling they have towards the company  which to most is the magic formula they use to pick winners.

Due diligence on profit, liabilities, contingencies and a business plan follow as start-ups grow and raise larger rounds Assessing early stage deal flow is a mix between an art and a science and selecting winning teams and pitches is a key component.

As RangeMe and other businesses have observed, being an Australian start-up in the US market comes with many perks. These include dual citizenship, which allows you to double dip on the benefits of being an Australian business in a foreign country  like retaining the R&D tax incentive. Although it can be a complicated process, partnering with an R&D expert to structure this properly will give you an extra two to three months runway when raising capital. Thats an incredible bonus.

Understanding of the Australian market is useful to your company, but is likely not seen as a huge benefit by your investors. At least not yet. Thats not to say Australia is insignificant due to the size of its population. Just look at Israel, a small country with a strong reputation in the global start-up community.

Australia is developing a name in the start-up sector because of recent activity in the market. However, until we have some more winners under our belt, the Valley will continue to consider Australia up and coming rather than a mature player.

If your goal is to create a unicorn, regardless of where you are, there are three key things you need to consider:

Am I scalable? If you have all the systems in place to deliver a never-ending supply of product or service as you grow, then great. If not  moving to a different location probably wont fix your issue and, if anything, will have an adverse effect.

Can I penetrate the global market? This is the secret sauce in becoming a unicorn. Your investors will want to see how the business has a global audience regardless of where it was born.

Can I plug into the start-up system? Australia has a solid start-up culture, albeit developing. By taking advantage of the industry niches and business circles around you, youll be plugging into an incredible pool of knowledge and doors will inevitably begin to open.



Ultimately, theres benefits on either side of the coin. Depending on your industry, stage of growth and business challenges, youll need to consider carefully how to use time in Silicon Valley to your advantage.

About the author

Lior Stein is MD of Business Development at Rimon Advisory
News / National

by Staff reporter

National University of Science and Technology (Nust) students continue to face accommodation challenges due to an increase in enrolment figures and a delay in the construction of hostels, a new report reveals.The university's annual report said out-of-campus rented accommodation remains a problem for students, as they continuously clashed with landlords."Most landlords are not improving facilities for students and yet they continue to increase rentals in an ad hoc manner," the report read. "Some students were defaulting in paying their rentals, as such landlords and students were encouraged to sign lease agreements to avoid conflicts."The university's director of marketing and communications, Felix Moyo said the increase in the number of students enrolled each year has failed to tally with available accommodation."The increase in enrolment figures has outstripped the provision of accommodation for students and the available hostels cannot cater for all students, we are in the middle of talks with private developers to build and improve the situation," he said.Moyo said Nust will not allow prospective landlords to advertise and offer accommodation before they were cleared by the university and if their houses were conducive for students to live in."We have devised a system where we first inspect the facility to see whether it is conducive for studying," he said."We also look at the landlord's personality to see whether they can be a parent to our students."Moyo said Nust was appealing to landlords, who could offer accommodation within the university's vicinity, to approach the university."We have a long list of students in need of accommodation, landlords in Selbourne Park, Kumalo, and Killarney and other areas within the university's vicinity with accommodation should approach the university so that we improve the accommodation situation at Nust," he said.
After opening up about his transition, hes received overwhelming support  and newfound confidence.

This is part of a story series about the lives of transgender people. Read the introduction here.

Landen Anthony Davis has always known, deep down, exactly who he is. He has expressed it ever since he can remember  even before he began presenting as male or going by the name AJ.

One early expression of his true self is practically legend in his family, he says.

When I was two-and-a-half years old, it was Christmas Eve and my mom had to put me on the ground with a foot on top of me to pull a dress on me. I fought her so hard. She still talks about it to this day. My great-grandma, she even knew back then who I was. My gift from her was a pair of Army pajamas. She saw how unhappy I was in that dress, arms folded and I wouldnt talk to anybody or do anything. I took that dress off in front of everybody, put the PJs on and I was fine.

Landens feelings about who he really was  a boy, not a girl  didnt change with the passing years. He cut off all his hair and announced that when he turned 18 he was going to California for a sex change operation, the only way he knew how to describe what he was feeling as a kid. But Landen says the decision was made for him already: He knew who he was, and it didnt sync up with the female gender he was assigned at birth.

Still, like so many transgender people, Landen struggled at first. He was going to start transitioning when he was 23, but he lost his job and his health insurance. Then he was in a relationship with a woman and helping to raise her two children for nearly seven years.

Your own stuff gets put aside, so I put it off, Landen says. But people just assumed I was male. The boys called me Dad and when people called me Sir I never corrected them.

Landen was presenting as male, but never really talked about it to anyone. He didnt consider himself part of the LGBTQ community  he just thought of himself as being the person he is, and that person is male.

But last summer, depressed over the end of his relationship and temporarily estranged from the boys hed helped raise, Landen was stunned and initially angry about a conversation with one of his oldest friends, Mark Kirkland, who referred to AJs given name: Alyssa J. Davis.

Mark called me out and said, You hate who Alyssa Davis is. Why dont you own up to that? I was mad at him for weeks, but when I thought about it, I realized I really hate that name and person. What I associate with Alyssa was a woman. I wasnt respected as the boys dad, an uncle, a son. I didnt feel like a sister or aunt or mom. Transitioning had always been in the back of my head. But sometimes  and Mark knows me well  you need a kick in the ass to wake up. Thats what he did: He told me to be honest with myself.

After he got over being angry, Landen started therapy and hormone replacement. Because people knew him as AJ and he had been presenting as male, a lot of people didnt even realize anything had changed. But Landen knew, as did the people close to him who he told.

A lot of people who didnt know just thought I had an ongoing cold because of my voice, he says with a laugh.

But when Donald Trump tweeted in July that transgender people would no longer be allowed to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces  a statement the military contradicted almost immediately  Landen reached another moment of truth.

I saw a lot of friends and family start dogging people who are transgender. I got really upset and let it out, he says of a post he put on his Facebook page, which was the first time he spoke publicly about his transition.

The post said, in part:

In light of all the hate and discrimination this morning  I figured today sounded like the perfect day to weed out some of my so called friends or even family. Growing up I was always so scared to be judged or not liked, for what? What makes you better than me? At least when people speak of me, they will remember I was always kind and would give you the shirt off my back.  I do not and never have been a person who shoves my beliefs down someones throat, especially about LGBTs issues.  Im just AJ well actually as of 7/20/2017 make that legally Landen Anthony Davis but feel free to call me AJ.  The best way I can put it, the only way I know how to be just me.  Ive finally become true and honest with myself leaving me to be honest with the world.

Landen says the post generated more than 300 comments  most of them positive and affirming, including from people who surprised him with their support.

Since opening up about who he is, Landen hosted what he called The Death of Alyssa J. Davis Party  a celebration to acknowledge that hes letting go of that person he hated.*

Being honest about who he is  to himself and the people in his life  has boosted Landens confidence. Hes also made a career change, ditching an office job that didnt suit him to pursue his real dream: being a barber.

Every day I get more and more comfortable, he says. I get to be creative and meet new people. And Mark and I are going into a partnership to open a barbershop thats coming soon.

Having just turned 32, Landen has his whole life ahead of him. Hes re-established the connection with his ex and her sons, playing a significant role in the boys lives.

My oldest boy wants to be a barber, too, Landen says. He always wants to cut my hair or shave my face. He says, Youve got more hair than I do because hes not in puberty yet. Then he says, Were going to go through puberty together! Its an ongoing joke.

Landen, who lives in Detroit, says he is finally comfortable in his own skin and doesnt really care what anyone else thinks of him. But it is important to him that people understand what it means to be transgender, or to simply live life on your own terms  especially in these times of ongoing persecution of transgender people.

Just because I am who I am doesnt make me any different from anybody else. I still bleed the same, laugh and cry the same. Im not following a trend. This dates back to when I was a little kid and a lot of people go through this.

Landen emphasizes that transgender people dont want anyone to treat them differently. They just want to be accepted for who they are.

Just be open to realize that not everybody is the same way as each other, he says. Its important for everybody to open their eyes and accept people for who they are, and not what a piece of paper says they should be.

* Many transgender people dont like using their given names, but I did so here with Landens permission.

Read all the stories in this series HERE.

[Photo credit: Andrew Langland, Patched Miracle Photography.]
The year 2017 has proven to be a year of movement nostalgia. From the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Kings Time to Break Silence speech, to the commemorations around the long hot summer of 1967 where rebellions sprung up all across the globe (most prominently in Detroit); to the ramping up of white counter-revolutionary forces and the reemergence of the Poor Peoples Campaign. I spent the last few years trying to convince myself that this country isnt moving rapidly backwards, yet the strategies of the revolution and counter-revolution appear eerily familiar. I find myself revisiting writings and speeches as far back as 1970 by James Jimmy and Grace Boggs, such as The Awesome Responsibilities of Revolutionary Leadership. In this speech Jimmy and Grace proclaimed partly:

Meanwhile, in fact, overall conditions in the black community have been deteriorating, while at the same time the spontaneous activities of the black street masses and the much publicized but futile reform efforts of the white power structure have aroused the white backlash, which is only another name for the fascist counter-revolution.

There is little point in complaining about the skillful use of the Almighty American Dollar to co-opt Black Power or the rise of the fascist counter-revolution. In confusing, undermining, and mobilizing to repress the black movement, white power is only doing what its self-interest dictates. If the fault lies anywhere, it is with the black movement for failing to arm the black community theoretically and politically against the predictable strategy and tactics of the enemy and to make clear that fascism cannot be stopped short of a total revolution dedicated to ending mans domination of man and his fear of those whom he dominates. To do this, the black movement must recognize and keep pointing out the limits of what can be achieved by the black masses, for the same reason that Lenin insisted on the limits of what could be achieved by the spontaneous eruptions of Russian workers. The spontaneity of the workers does not take them beyond the level of the immediate, palpable, concrete interests of the everyday economic struggle, as Lenin kept pointing out. In a similar vein, black revolutionists must realize that the spontaneous eruptions of the black masses do not take them beyond the demand that white power alleviate their accumulated grievances, no matter how angry or explosive the masses are or how much Black Power talk and symbolism accompany their actions. Reliance upon spontaneity is, therefore, a form of liberalism because, in effect, it increases the illusion that the issues and grievances of the masses can be resolved without taking power away from those in power.

I find myself questioning how much we have really learned from the past. I have always been taught that if you dont know your history, you are doomed to repeat it. I question that sentiment, because a lot of us now know our history, but it seems we are still on a trajectory to repeat it. The question for me now becomes, what then should be pulled from our history and what should be left behind?

As the reemergence of the Poor Peoples Campaign ramps up, I grow more concerned about this movement moment. I worry about the counter-revolution utilizing the energy of our elder and yelder (young elder) revolutionaries to whip on the momentum of our young revolutionaries. I worry about the narrative of the acceptable negro vs. the rabble rousers. A narrative that has often been used to compare Dr. King to the Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM). A narrative that has been flung around as punishment for youthful radicalism with a Dr. King and Stokley-esq tension that has been revived and nurture d consistently over the past several years. What would Dr. King do? has been leveraged as a weapon against millennial activism.

We live in a moment that allows for Black Lives Matter activists to be deemed terrorists and purveyors of hate by members of the United States Government, and right-wing racists over the internet  with little uproar from the left. A moment that has placed, and continues to place youthful activists at extreme risk of being assassinated, permanently incarcerated and disappeared like many of their predecessors from the Black Panther Party. Yet, with all that these young activists and organizers have sacrificed, I rarely hear of any of them being deemed by the movement as political prisoners or revolutionaries.

Many young activists (particularly since Ferguson) who have sided with BLM have obtained felonies through their activism. Many have been harassed and threatened with violence, or worse, some have mysteriously been killed with little to no recourse for their assassinations.

I am grateful to see the fervor of activists and organizers of all generations moving in pursuit of their passions. In the words of Grace, Its a great time to be alive, however, it is my hope that we do not lose sight of the fact that we are all in this together. That the struggle for liberation is multifaceted, and there has been no strategy to date that has liberated us all from the grasp of this violent system of white supremacy, nurtured by ruthless capitalism and militarism.
Facebook last week confirmed its plan to launch a paywall for content providers, a move that could ease longstanding tensions with traditional publishers who objected to giving away their print stories for free.

Campbell Brown, former CNN and NBC News journalist and current head of Facebooks news partnerships unit, announced the plan at a New York digital media forum, outlining the companys strategy for monetizing the news content that drives so much of the user engagement on the site.

Consumers increasingly are getting their first read of daily news on Facebook.

We are in early talks with several news publishers about how we might better support subscription business models on Facebook, Brown said. As part of the Facebook Journalism Project, we are taking the time to work closely with our partners and understand their needs.

Test Run

Facebook will test its paywall model later this year with a small group of publishers. Readers will be given access to 10 free articles per month but then will have to subscribe to view additional articles. A more robust version is planned for 2018, according to a source familiar with the project.

Brown and fellow Facebook executive Fidji Simo briefed several publishers about the plan during one-on-one meetings last week in New York and Paris, according to the source, and the company has been working closely with numerous publishers in recent months to get a better handle on the issue.

The plan is for the subscription to operate through Facebooks Instant Articles platform. There will be so-called freemium options, and publishers will have full control over locked and unlocked articles. Publishers also will have full control over their subscriber data, and the program will be able to authenticate existing subscribers.

Collective Bargaining Move

The Facebook announcement came about a week after the News Media Alliance, which represents 2,000 news organizations in the U.S. and Canada, asked Congress to pass legislation that would allow it to engage in collective bargaining with Facebook and Google.

Those two companies dominate most of online consumption of news content and control almost 70 percent of digital advertising revenue, according to the alliance.

Google and Facebook basically have forced publishers to give up their rights and play by their rules, said Paul Boyle, News Media Alliance SVP of public policy.

Their dominance has forced publishers to try and exercise more control, he maintained.

Basically, what youve seen is a commoditization of the news, where many people cant tell the difference between real news and fake news reports, Boyle told the E-Commerce Times.

Gradual Evolution

Facebook is responding, gradually and with a variety of initiatives, to help publishing partners, said Rick Edmonds, media business analyst at Poynter.

This is a constructive step, but not necessarily transformative, he told the E-Commerce Times. It fits the current trend of publishers asking digital readers to pay a bigger share of their costs  a bit ironically, in that Facebook and Google are sucking up nearly all the digital ad growth.

It would be mildly surprising if Google, or especially Twitter, should follow suit, Edmonds said.

Facebooks move is part of a natural progression, as the company finally is taking ownership of the fact that it operates as a publisher and is a major information source for many readers, said Zack Fuller, an analyst at Midia Research.

The argument that Facebook is simply a platform for news content no longer washes, he told the E-Commerce Times, when we consider the scale of its user base and the fact that its increasingly becoming many peoples core news source away from TV and print.
A grand jury in the Northern District of California indicted a Russian man for running a massive money laundering operation through the BTC-e bitcoin exchange, a group of federal officials announced Wednesday.

The exchange allegedly received up to US$4 billion in proceeds from various criminal activities, including the 2014 hack of the Mt. Gox bitcoin exchange.

The suspect, 37-year-old Alexander Vinnik, was arrested Tuesday by Greek authorities, and charges in an unsealed indictment were released the following day.

Vinnik was visiting Greece, and U.S. officials were working with Greek authorities on the case, a source familiar with the case told the E-Commerce Times.

Vinnik was charged with operating an unlicensed money service business, conspiracy to commit money laundering, 17 counts of money laundering, and two counts of unlawful monetary transactions.

He faces 20 years in prison and $500,000 in fines on each of the money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering charges; 10 years in prison and $500,000 in fines on the monetary transactions charges; and five years on the money service charges.

The company, BTC-e, was assessed a $110 million fine, and Vinnik personally was fined $12 million by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a Treasury Department branch that investigates money laundering and other financial crimes.

Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin provide people around the world with new and innovative ways of engaging in legitimate commerce, said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Bryan Stretch. As this case demonstrates, however, just as new computer technologies continue to change the way we engage each other and experience the world, so too will criminals subvert these new technologies for their own nefarious purposes.

Birth of an Empire

BTC-e, founded in 2011, grew into one of the worlds largest digital currency exchanges, with more than 700,000 users worldwide. It relied heavily on criminal money laundering for much of its business, according to the indictment.

Vinnik owned and operated various bitcoin accounts and was the owner of Canton Business Corp., the shell company that operated BTC-e, federal officials said.

There were numerous accounts based in the U.S. and specifically in northern California, according to court documents, but they did not indicate who the account holders were or whether the transactions were of a criminal nature or legitimate.

The company received billions in proceeds from numerous criminal activities, based on the indictment, including the hack of Mt. Gox, a Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange that collapsed in 2014 after intruders stole $460 million from it. The former head of that firm, Mark Karpeles, is on trial in Japan.

Vinnik failed to register the BTC-e exchange with the Treasury Department, officials said.

He allegedly used it, along with his now defunct San Francisco-based bitcoin exchange Tradehill, to launder funds from the Mt. Gox incident and other operations.

The BTC-e website states that the company is registered in Bulgaria but organized according to the laws of Cyprus, officials said.

The firm maintained a base of operations in the Seychelles, and had registered Web domains in Singapore, the British Virgin Islands, France and New Zealand.

The grand jury named Vinnik as one of numerous known and unknown people who facilitated the illegal money laundering, according to the indictment.

Solve the Riddle?

The arrest of Vinnik adds a new twist to the case against Karpeles, the former head of Mt. Gox, said Mark Nunnikhoven, vice president of cloud research at Trend Micro.

Anyone can see money move from point A to point B  but unless A and B say who they are, they remain anonymous, he told the E-Commerce Times. In this case, law enforcement is trying to decode a chain that starts with Mt. Gox (A) and ends somewhere (Z). The DoJ is hinting that Mr. Vinnik is in that chain somewhere, which may be a key piece of the puzzle.

The repercussions may extend far beyond Mt. Gox and Karpeles, however.

Stories like these dont help the bitcoin or blockchain market in terms of reputation, said Jessica Groopman, principal analyst at Tractica.

Bitcoin was born of individuals intending to securely conduct transactions while circumventing centralized authorities, she told the E-Commerce Times.

However, the market has bifurcated significantly since early days  now financial services firms and governments are leading in, or at least heavily influencing research, development, and design of blockchain structures, Groopman pointed out.

There have been reputation problems since the early days, as bitcoin has been associated with Silk Road, cybercrime, and the dark Web. The arrest of Alexander Vinnik only resurfaces and reinforces these negative associations, she observed.

This is only exacerbated in light of broader American media coverage of alleged political investigations around money laundering and Russia, noted Groopman. Whether or not this specific case indicates insecurity in bitcoin or the market is less a matter of how it will be perceived, and surely this does not help bitcoins public image.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A CHIPINGE man stole five donkeys from a neighbour and took them to the market where he intended to sell them to raise money for groceries.Matthias Matyei (36) of Mariga Village under Chief Musikavanhu appeared before Chipinge senior magistrate Mr Noah Gwatidzo yesterday, facing stock theft charges.He pleaded guilty. The prosecutor Mr Gift Bikita told the court that on December 15 last year in Mariga Village, Timber Mahlanguro left his donkeys to graze."Matyei hatched a plan to steal the donkeys. "He drove them away to find a buyer."He was later seen at Checheche Growth Point with the donkeys, looking for buyers."A villager then alerted Mahlanguro that he saw Matyei selling donkeys and he made a follow-up," said Mr Bikita.Mahlanguro confronted Matyei, who fled from the scene. Matyei went to hide in South Africa after Mahlanguro had reported the matter to the police."On July 20 this year, police got a tip off from the public that Matyei had returned from South Africa and was staying with his wife at another house in Mariga Village."Police swiftly reacted to the tip-off, leading to the arrest of Matyei," Mr Bikita said.Asked by the magistrate why he stole the donkeys, Matyei said: "Your worship, I stole the donkeys because I wanted to raise money to buy food for the family."I wanted the complainant to permanently lose his donkeys. I am pleading with this court to consider imposing a fine on me." Mr Gwatidzo remanded Matyei to September 8 for sentencing.
A group of the worlds top technology leaders, led by Tesla founder Elon Musk, on Sunday published an open letter urging the United Nations to ban the use of artificial intelligence in weapons systems, amid growing concerns that autonomous killer robots could wind up taking control.

The group of 116 companies, most of which specialize in robotics or artificial intelligence, argued that the growing use of AI could revolutionize modern warfare in irreversible ways and pose a danger to nation states.

Lethal autonomous weapons threaten to become the third revolution in warfare, the letter states. Once developed, they will permit armed conflict to be fought at a scale greater than ever, at timescales faster than humans can comprehend.

Such weapons could be placed in the hands of terrorists, the letter points out. Despots could use them against innocent civilians. Further, cybercriminals possibly could hack them, turning the weapons against innocent victims.

AI All Stars

Among the signatories to the letter are many of the worlds top names in AI: Musk, who also is founder of SpaceX and OpenAI; Mustafa Suleyman, founder and head of applied AI at Googles DeepMind; Esben Ostergaard, founder and CTO of Universal Robotics in Denmark; and Jerome Monceaux, founder of Aldebaran Robotics.

A key figure behind the letter, Toby Walsh, a professor of AI at the University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia, presented it at the opening of the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Melbourne, Australia. The annual event is considered the worlds most important gathering of AI experts.

Walsh also was behind a 2015 letter that warned of the dangers of using AI in autonomous weapons development, noting that such systems could spark a public backlash that would create long-term damage for AI technology in general.

Walsh likely will attend the next UN Convention on Conventional Weapons meeting to discuss the open letter, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Building Consensus

Sundays joint statement from the worlds leading experts in the field could mark a turning point on the issue.

A group of 123 member nations of the UNs Review Conference on the Convention on Conventional Weapons last year unanimously agreed to begin formal discussions on the use of lethal autonomous weapons, University of New South Wales officials said. So far, 19 member nations have called for an outright ban.

AI specialists previously have raised questions about the potential for lethal autonomous weapons to create very destructive and lasting security issues for the world.

Musk just last month got into a public spat with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg over the potential for unregulated AI to put the public at increased risk.

Musks position is that global regulatory changes must be enacted to maintain long-term peace and security, said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

However, past history makes it difficult to imagine a scenario where many global powers would be willing to [accept] such restrictions, he told the E-Commerce Times. Some would argue that they require such weaponry for their own protection, where others will say the threat of robotic firepower will deter their enemies from pursuing war.

It is possible that the outlook portrayed by Musk and others is more than a little hyperbolic, suggested Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

This is a person that is promoting the augmentation of humans through technology and the use of AI for self-driving cars, he told the E-Commerce Times, but AI in robots is bad? Didnt anyone see Maximum Overdrive?

Tech Industrys Responsibility

The question of whether or how to regulate lethal AI weaponry is one that is deeply connected to values, suggested Ryan Gariepy, CTO of Clearpath Robotics, which previously had called for an outright ban.

It is a choice between using AI for good versus using it for lethal means, Gariepy, who was the first to sign Sundays letter, told the E-Commerce Times.

Clearpath and its founders have made a conscious decision to align their business values to their personal values of using technology for good.
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Students at a regional NSW school were taught the wrong HSC mathematics course for seven months, it has been revealed.

Five Year 11 students and two Year 12 students at Coonamble High School, located in the state's central west, were reportedly taught General Mathematics 1, but had intended to study General Mathematics 2.

General Mathematics 2 is examined at the HSC and counts towards a student's Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) while General Mathematics 1 is not.

Speaking on Radio 2GB, NSW Education Minister, Rob Stokes, said he was angry about the bungle and had instructed the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to visit the school and determine the best course of action going forward.

I have directed Education Secretary Mark Scott to take appropriate action to support the students involved and discipline staff as well as oversee a fair outcome for the students, he said.

Stokes said he was absolutely appalled by what had occurred.

This is not good enough ... my heart goes out to those students and their parents, I am angry on their behalf, he said.

If this was my child I would be furious. The system has failed these students and we now need to make it up to them.

A spokesperson for the NSW Education Department told The Educator that the students were studying a compressed curriculum, which is sometimes referred to as college-style.

This is where they split their HSC study doing the preliminary and HSC course of about half their subjects in one year, the spokesperson said.

As soon as the executive principal identified that the correct mathematics course was not being taught, her immediate priority has been to provide comprehensive support to students.

NESA has approved a special consideration for the students at Coonamble High School, meaning that they will not need to do any extra assessments to cover the course work they missed out on.

NESA will also use existing assessments for the 50% of the HSC mark based on school assessments.

This is in addition to NESA working with the department and the school on supporting the students with targeted learning in the lead up to the HSC written exam on 23 October

The spokesperson said there would be a thorough investigation of the circumstances, including the roles of staff with responsibilities for teaching and HSC procedures.
The kindergartners are coming.

And these children, nearly 4 million strong in the 2017-18 class, are more likely than any other grade to be a blank slate to their teachers. But states, districts, and individual schools are working to change that, by creating transition programs to ease childrens entry into school.

In some areas with publicly funded pre-K, teachers are huddling to share information about childrens strengths and weaknesses with the kindergarten teachers who will educate them next. In other areas, some districts have created their own programs, such as short-term summer classes that give young children a taste of what kindergarten will be like or home visits that allow teachers, parents, and children to connect in a familiar environment.

These programs do more than calm first-day jitters or ease the minds of anxious parents. Research demonstrates that children and teachers reap tangible benefits when schools engage in more transition activities. Parents initiate more involvement in school during the kindergarten year, and children end the year with measurably higher academic achievement.

The same research, however, has shown that the pupils for whom this impact is strongestchildren from low socioeconomic backgroundstend to attend schools that are the least likely to offer transition activities.

That is not true everywhere, however. At Maconce Elementary in rural Ira, Mich., where about 75 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, the principal and the kindergarten teachers have made an effort to conduct home visits with every incoming child. Its challenging to do some yearsthis year, for example, the 300-student school is still down one kindergarten teacherbut it has been a worthwhile practice in creating a positive relationship with students and parents right away, said Principal Sherri Milton-Hoffman.

The positive feelings are kind of like a bank. You draw on it later, Milton-Hoffman said.

In Eugene, Ore., a transition program that gives children a chance to practice kindergarten-level social skills has been a boon for 5-year-old Lyla Hendershot, said her mother, Lacey Hendershot. Lyla will start kindergarten in the Bethel district, where more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free-and-reduced price lunches, and most children, like Lyla, did not attend preschool. The transition activities help children learn about skills such as sharing and taking turns. While the children work with the teachers, the parents have their own sessions.

Id say its helped me about as much as its helped her, Hendershot said. Its getting me used to not being in constant control of her all the time and seeing that she will excel no matter whos in charge.

Boosting Readiness

Programs to ease childrens entry into school have been around for decades, with varying levels of policy attention. In 1998, the National Education Goals Panel, made up of governors, congressional members, school leaders, and researchers, drafted a report called Ready Schools with the ambitious goal of having all children starting school ready to learn.

In that document, panel members said that ready schools smooth the transition between home and school, and they strive for continuity between early care and education programs and elementary schools.

In 2005, a group of researchers used a federal longitudinal database to see if they could connect how well children performed in kindergarten to how many transition activities they had gone through.

The federal database, which followed a sample of kindergartners who started school in 1998-99, asked school administrators if they had engaged in one or more of several different types of transition activities, such as sharing information about kindergarten with parents in print or by phone; allowing parents and children to visit the classroom prior to the start of the school year; or hosting orientation sessions for parents before the school year kicks off.

The study found that such practices were widespread, but that educators at lower-income schools reported a higher rate of impersonal low intensity practices, such as sending a letter home, or holding an open house.

Amy B. Schulting, a research scientist at the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University and the lead author of the 2005 report, launched a home-visiting program that links kindergarten teachers and families before the start of the school year. She was prompted by the findings that suggested at-risk pupils could benefit from more intensive outreach early on.

Teachers and parents have reported overwhelmingly that the home-visiting program is worthwhile, Schulting said. In particular, teachers say that the investment of time before the school year saves them time during the school year. The positive relationships developed during the home visits make home-school communication and collaboration easier and more comfortable for parents and teachers. And, while difficult to quantify, this is a real benefit for participants, Schulting said.

Milton-Hoffman, whose Michigan school is one of those participating in the pilot program organized by Schulting and JoAnne Elkin of the Macomb Intermediate School District, said that even if the grant-supported program went away, she would want to continue it on her own.

I think that the big whole-group transition activities are wonderful, but theyre not personal, she said. When youre in their home, its personal, its about that one child who youre sitting there reading with.

Other transition programs help children prepare for school by teaching them the so-called soft skills theyll need to be successful when they start school.

Thats the goal behind Kids in Transition to School , a project of the Oregon Social Learning Center in Eugene. During 24 sessions held during the summer and the first month of school, both parents and children learn whats expected of them. The program operates in 13 school districts in Lane County, Ore. two to three days a week, for two hours per session. The program is financed through the United Way, as well as through other grants and the participating districts.

The program is less of a time commitment than some programs might be, such as full-time preschool. Thats intentional, said Katherine C. Pears, a senior research scientist at the Oregon Social Learning Center.

We were thinking, how do we make it effective and efficient for families and teachers, and can we do it with a lighter touch than some of the other programs, if were focused on what we want to do? Pears said.

That means early literacy and numeracy, while a part of the program, are not the primary focus, Pears said, because they will get that in kindergarten. However, they may not explicitly be taught social-emotional skills, and the program homes in on those topics, with a different theme every week.

Applying the Skills

For example, we work on really talking about what sharing is and what it looks like, Pears said. The teachers talk about how to transition from one activity to another and how to handle disappointment.

Chris Parra, the superintendent of the 5,600-student Bethel district, said she cant just spot a KITS studentshe can hear them.

You can hear them using terms they use in KITS. If theyre not the line leader, if they didnt get called on, you hear them saying, Oh well. Maybe next time,  she said.

Some places have statewide transition programs. West Virginia, for example, requires prekindergarten teachers in its state-funded program to meet with kindergarten teachers to share transition reports.

LaDonna Rosencrance, the pre-K liaison for West Virginias Randolph County district, said that the school system also has events to allow preschoolers to visit the kindergarten classroom, see the lunchroom, and sit on a bus.

Its wonderful to have this backing from the state to make sure everything is developmentally appropriate, Rosencrance said.

But nationally, new studies suggest that transition activities appear to still be more at the discretion of a school or district leader than systematic.

Michael H. Little, a doctoral student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, used a federal database to compare the transition activities reported for the kindergarten class of 1998-99 with those of the kindergarten class of 2010-11. A moderate increase in activities has been reported but only on relatively low-intensity practices: sending information home, holding parent orientations, and encouraging parent and child visits before the start of the school year.

Little cautioned, however, that the federal survey may not be capturing all the activities that may be in place. And the impact of the Every Student Succeeds Act , which requires districts receiving Title I funds for disadvantaged students to increase coordination with early-childhood programs, is still to be determined.

ESSA gives states some opportunities to think creatively about ways to do this, said Aaron Loewenberg, a former kindergarten-teacher-turned-program-associate for the think tank New America. As students and families enter the formal K-12 school system, its important to establish these close connections.
Five transgender members of the military filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump earlier this month. The move was in direct response to an announcement the president made via Twitter in July that the United States government would not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military. That was a direct reversal of a June 2016 announcement by then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter that transgender Americans may serve openly and can no longer be discharged or otherwise separated from the military just for being transgender. The directive from Trump also did not address what would happen to the estimated 15,500 transgender individuals who currently serve in the U.S. military or reserves. The lawsuit requests that the policy, should it ever go into effect, be blocked and transgender troops be allowed to continue serving. Regardless of the lawsuits outcome, the Twitter announcement has ripple effects well beyond the nations troops.

Two national surveys of transgender Americans have found that 18 percent to 20 percent of respondents reported serving in the military at some point in their lives. Those numbers are much higher than the 10 percent of Americans ages 18 and older who have served or are currently serving in the military. Both of these surveys were administered in 2015 and 2011 respectively, before the ban was lifted on open-transgender service, indicating that rates might have been even higher at that time if such individuals could openly serve. While many transgender people may choose to continue to serve while in the closet, given the increasing rate of transgender youths who transition in their K-12 years, a reinstated ban would make more transgender youths ineligible to enlist.

Many individuals go into the military to serve their countries. But the armed forces offer a myriad of benefits in addition to pride in service. The military can be a pipeline out of poverty to better opportunities. For students, it can be an opportunity to develop ones sense of internal and external strength, discipline, focus, and courage before postsecondary education. Others with nontraditional-learning needs might find the military more fitting for educational and vocational training than traditional postsecondary academic settings. By closing off the military to a sector of our students, the president is closing them off from those opportunities.

After Trumps announcement, several generals and spokespersons for the secretary of defense stated that there had been no written formal directives or policies put in place to make the presidents changes and that no change would be enforced until such written orders were received. Even without further action, if small biases and words of discouragement can have an impact on the major gender imbalances that we see in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, an explicit announcement will most likely hold back many transgender students from future military service. Telling students that they cannot achieve something sends a message that they are less capable or that the barriers to access are just not worth trying to overcome.

Discriminatory statements like the presidents transgender-military-ban announcement have direct effects on transgender health and well-being."

The threat of bans to entire career sectors could also hurt transgender students academic performance more generally. Transgender students already struggle for acceptance and the simple ability to attend school as the people they are. A 2015 study by the National Center for Transgender Equality of more than 27,000 transgender adults in the United States found that among respondents who were openly transgender or perceived as transgender in their K-12 years, 17 percent dropped out of a K-12 school they had been enrolled in or transferred to another one because of mistreatment. And 54 percent of respondents who were out or perceived as transgender in elementary or secondary school reported being verbally harassed, and 24 percent reported being physically attacked.

Even for those who remain in school, minority stress (the day-to-day stressors resulting from discrimination and bias, both implicit and explicit) and stereotype threat may imperil their academic performance. Studies have also shown that students who belong to groups identified with negative stereotypes often have to overcome stereotype threat (the fear that their individual actions will reflect more broadly on a group they identify with and feed into negative stereotypes) in academic settings. This threat can act as a cognitive distraction and has been found to lower test scores and student performance. Such regular stressors can also contribute to internalized transphobia, fear of rejection, and concealment of true identity.

Because of this, discriminatory statements like the presidents transgender-military-ban announcement have direct effects on transgender health and well-being. The Trevor Project, an LGBT youth-suicide hotline, reported a spike in calls from transgender youths in the 24 hours following Trumps Twitter announcement.

One of the primary goals of education is to open students eyes to a variety of perspectives and worldviews, so that they can become critical thinkers in the diverse world they will be living in. A transgender military ban sends the exact opposite message to students throughout the countrythat there is no room for differences. That kind of message doesnt just condone bullying of transgender studentswhich we already know is high .

In a time when we are moving to mainstream students with disabilities in education; encouraging girls to access all the educational opportunities available, including in science and mathematics; and ensuring that children are not discriminated against based on race, color, body size, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is not reflective of their ability to learn; these kinds of announcements open the door to the enforcement of rigid social boundaries. Such exclusionary announcements, as well as any policies that may follow, fly in the face of the inclusion and openness that are the cornerstone of modern education.




US inks deal to export pork to Argentina

Argentina has agreed to allow US pork to enter its market for the first time since 1992, the US White House has announced.

The agreement between the two nations followed the August 15 meeting between Vice President Mike Pence and President Mauricio Macri of Argentina during Pence's visit to Buenos Aires. President Trump first raised the issue with President Macri during their bilateral meeting at the White House on April 27.

Pence described the agreement as a "big win for American pork producers".

The US is the world's top pork exporter, and the agreement opens a potential $10-million-per-year market for America's pork producers. Argentina has blocked imports of US pork since 1992, citing animal health concerns. Under the deal, all fresh, chilled, and frozen pork and pork products from US animals will be eligible for export to Argentina.

Currently Brazil is Argentina's primary supplier of imported pork, and will likely export about 32,000 metric tonnes of pork to Argentina this year, valued at about $95 million, according to the US Meat Export Federation.

Argentine food safety officials will visit the US to conduct on-site verification of America's meat inspection system, after which US pork exports will resume pending resolution of any outstanding technical issues, according to a White House press release.
Jamesway supports opening of Hendrix Genetics state-of-the-art hatchery in Nebraska, US

Press release





Gov. Pete Ricketts was on hand Tuesday to help celebrate the opening of Hendrix Genetics' new hatchery in Grand Island.

The $18.5 million facility covers 20 acres in the northeast section of Grand Island's Platte Valley Industrial Park. Jamesway was pleased to attend the grand opening as supplier of the Incubation, Hatching and Ventilation. "It is a fantastic state-of-the-art facility for this hatchery," said Ricketts, who toured the facility with Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach. Attending the ceremony was Antoon van den Berg, chief executive officer of Hendrix Genetics.

"This is a showcase for the company" van den Berg said.

This very well publicized project aims to develop the local markets of the area and is heavily endorsed by the local governments. This 24 million layer chick hatchery is supplied with Jamesway Platinum 2.0 Single-Stage incubators and hatchers. The hatchery demonstrates the commitment of Hendrix Genetics in serving the US-market with premium quality day-old layer chicks. The site was chosen for its' prime location which will allow a chick to be delivered anywhere in the U.S. within 24 hours of hatching.

Jamesway, was an easy choice for machine supplier especially considering their focus on biosecurity. The Platinum 2.0 with its removable ECU allows the entire machine to be fully disinfected in minutes, making it the most biosecure machine on the market. Jamesway also supplied the HVAC systems. The facility is installing 30 P120 incubators and 18 P40 hatchers.
News / National

by Staff reporter`

White farmers whose farms were forcibly taken over by supporters of President Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe say they have "launched a new international legal initiative to seek justice and compensation"."Dispossessed Zimbabwean commercial farmers have launched a new international legal initiative to seek justice and compensation for the loss of their farms and livelihoods, and to stop the ongoing farm seizures which are ravaging the economy," said Ben Freeth, spokesman for Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal Rights Watch, Zimbabwe, in a weekend press statement.The chaotic fast tracked land reform in 2000, that was often violent, saw thousands of white commercial farmers ejected from the land and their workers displaced. Only a few hundred of the 4,500 white farmers still remain on their farms in Zimbabwe.Since their eviction these farmers have mounted various legal initiatives to either get the farms back or get compensation."We have a final and binding judgment from the SADC Tribunal in 2008 which held that that fair compensation should be paid by the Zimbabwe government for land it had taken and the government is in contempt of it," said Freeth."Unless the culture of impunity stops, no investment will take place in our country and the economic crisis will deepen. Without property rights and the rule of law our negative trajectory as a failed state will accelerate."Freeth said on August 16 and 17, 2017 formal notices to initiate proceedings were served by the farmers' legal team on President Mugabe, three cabinet ministers and the Zimbabwean government collectively under the SADC finance and investment protocol.He said South African civil rights group, AfriForum, was assisting the Zimbabwean farmers in this legal initiative to invoke the legal protections of the SADC finance and investment protocol.
AEV expands feed business in Vietnam, buys 70% stake in Eurofeed



Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) has acquired 70% of Vietnam-based Eurofeed, a move which expands the Philippines-based conglomerate's presence in the Vietnamese animal feed market.

The $3.7 million acquisition of the stake in Eurofeed - also known as Europe Nutrition Joint Stock Co. - was conducted through AEV's wholly owned subsidiary Pilmico International Pte., The Inquirer reported.

The deal will be subjected to a closing audit review, execution of a shareholder's agreement, and delivery of corresponding investment certificates and other corporate documents to Vietnamese authorities.

According to AEV's financial report, Pilmico has set aside PHP1.7 billion (US$33,200,000) in capital spending for 2017 to support its flour, feed and farms divisions while also exploring opportunities in the region.

Pilmico's plan is to grow its "animal feed-related businesses in the Philippines" and export feed products to Vietnam, Indonesia and the Pacific.

In Vietnam , Pilmioc VHF will run a new aqua feed mill and "look into exporting aqua feeds" to ASEAN nations and Africa.

"The company will also actively pursue other opportunities in the region through mergers and acquisition," the report stated.

- The Inquirer




Antibiotic-free breeding technologies to be revealed at Livestock Taiwan Expo

Press release



"Livestock Taiwan Expo & Conference", jointly organised by the Council of Agriculture (COA) and UBM Asia, will debut at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center from September 28-30 in Taiwan.



his international exposition brings together manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers in livestock industry to exhibit animal feeds, feed additives, vaccines, meat processing equipment and high-efficiency livestock treatment systems to deal with animal manure, wastewater and livestock dead body. Featuring "Innovation," "Eco-friendly" and "Sustainability," it is positioned to be a one-stop comprehensive livestock B2B trade show and provide a complete business networking platform.



The business model of Taiwan Livestock industry is changing rapidly from individually-owned to enterprise management. The rising awareness of food safety had driven European Union to ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed enters into effect on January 1, 2006. This action gave fresh impetus to antibiotic-free breeding and boost animal husbandry's ideas of sanitary feeding environment and the development and use of animal feed additives.



Despite "antibiotic-free breeding" is highly praised, the livestock farming has been facing many issues and challenges amongst the feeding process. It seemed to have unlimited prospects, but there are some obstacles to overcome. Take swine farming as an example, the formulation of scientific immune procedures and regular monitoring of antibody levels are necessary to the control of swine intestinal health and growth performance when adopting antibiotic treatment. As a result, using animal feed additives has become one of antibiotic-free strategies to extend animal feed nutrition and increase swine productivity and gut health improvement. Cottonseed protein, for instance, is prepared from carefully selected plant protein and is processed by enzymatic hydrolysis into small peptides to improve animals' appetites as a result of high digestibility and feed attractants. This small peptide product derived from liquid enzymatic hydrolysis technology without fermentation and acid hydrolysis is appropriate to every kinds of feeding animals.



Besides, probiotic products specifically used for water systems can also apply in animal water treatment to reach antibiotic-free purpose. A multistrain direct-fed microbial feed additive for pelleting feed, a patent lactic acid bacteria is characterized by high solubility and low nutrient source to improve animal intestinal microbiota and immunity and feed intake. Hailing from 23 country brands, there are more than 50 items of animal feed additives using probiotics as the key element to showcase in the show.



The conference theme will also focus on antibiotic-free technology. Alltech, China Chemical & Pharmaceutical Co. (CCPC), Synbio Tech, Kanvergen are invited to share the latest technologies and trends of antibiotic-free production, animal health management and feeding strategies. The new concept is expected to bring advanced ideas for benefiting livestock industry.



A three-day events will be held within "Livestock Taiwan Expo & Conference" from 28 to 30 September, including business matchmaking and seminar series. Concurrently held with "Asia Agri-Tech Expo & Forum" and "Aquaculture Taiwan Expo" at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, the Livestock Taiwan exhibitions will reveal the strength and competitiveness of Taiwan supply chain. Pre-registration for free admission is open online now. Please visit www.livestocktaiwan.com or contact Ms. Natasha Chiang (TEL: +86-2-2738-3898) at aat-tw@ubm.com
News / National

by Staff Reporter

The room the Mugabe sons were staying in at the Capital 20 West in Sandton on 13 August 2017. - Image: Aragon Security



The damaged door in the room at the Capital 20 West in Sandton on 13 August 2017. - Image: Aragon Security

Blood spots on the linen in the room at the Capital 20 West in Sandton on 13 August 2017. - Image: Aragon Security



A security incident report has shed new light on the chaotic events that unfolded as Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe went on a rampage at a luxury hotel in Johannesburg.Mugabe's violent attack on guests and staff at the Capital 20 West in Sandton caused a diplomatic crisis - and outrage in South Africa - but she was granted diplomatic immunity and allowed to leave the country without being prosecuted.TimesLIVE has seen an official report about the incident compiled by Aragon Security whose officers responded to the scene last Sunday.It reveals the scale of the rampage directed at her own sons their friends and guests how hotel staff security armed response police and a security company task team were summoned to deal with the chaos.The report also alleged that police who were summoned to the unfolding drama instructed security officers not to touch the first lady or her entourage of bodyguards."The police officers provided no assistance whatsoever and failed to take the necessary statements at the time of the incident" said the report.TimesLIVE has put the allegation to SAPS spokesman Brigadier Vish Naidoo and will publish his response in an updated story.Mugabe who arrived at the hotel with several bodyguards and a police escort around 9pm on Sunday night was accused of assaulting 20-year-old Gabriella Engels and two of her friends.The Sunday Times reported that a hotel employee was shoved out of the way by one of Mugabe's sons during the fracas and subsequently suffered a miscarriage.Photographs of the hotel rooms accompanying the security report show blood stains on bed linen blood on floor tiles a cupboard door ripped off its hinges a broken chair damaged room door bottles drinking glasses bedding and a plate of what appeared to have been food on a table.The report details how Mugabe arrived at the hotel after being contacted by the bodyguards of her two sons - Robert Jnr and Bellarmine Chatunga - informing her of their "disruptive behaviour". The two were apparently in the company of four young women who were booked into another room.However shortly after the first lady arrived and a young woman was seen fleeing from one of the rooms after allegedly being assaulted a female hotel staff member called security.Grace was "acting in a disruptive manner" when the staffer accompanied by security was then also allegedly assaulted by Mugabe.Police were contacted the panic button was used to summon armed response and management of the security company were contacted for further assistance around 9:17pm.The situation however had calmed down and when police officers arrived they advised security officers not to touch the first lady or her bodyguards."The first lady instructed her body guards to find the friends who accompanied her sons and collect the belongings of both sons in rooms (redacted) ."The building was searched and "various items of clothing cellphones and keys" were recovered by the bodyguards.It took an hour to get Mugabe and her entourage "escorted off the premises by Aragon".Carrol Smith director of Aragon security said: "Unfortunately I have a non-disclosure agreement in place and I won't be able to give you [the] full information."Smith referred any queries about the night's incident and details contained in the incident report to the management of the Capital 20 West Hotel.Garnet Basson Chief Operating Officer of the Capital Hotel Group said: "The Group's primary commitment is to ensuring the wellbeing safety and privacy of its employees who have requested not to be drawn into this matter. We have however arranged for the employees involved to receive immediate and ongoing trauma counselling and have ensured that they have access to legal support."Further he said he had seen the security report but would not be drawn into making any further comments about the incident as an internal investigation was under way.
Police issue banking security advice

The Island's police are urging the public to be vigilant when receiving calls or emails that claim to be from their bank.

The Isle of Man Constabulary has been highlighting a series of things banks will never ask from their customers in a bid to prevent members of the public becoming victims of fraud.

It follows a warning from the police last week that a scam message claiming to be from a bank was circulating on the Island.

The police are reminding local residents that banks will never ask for PIN numbers, ask you to email your banking information to them or as you to carry out a test transaction online.

Officers are also warning against following links which ask for online banking details and using banking apps other than the bank's official one.
News / National

by Staff reporter

There was chaos at Rottenrow Magistrates Court this Wednesday when court proceedings in most courts were disrupted after police detectives from CID Homicide physically manhandled Dellish Nguwaya and dragged him down the stairs while he was handcuffed and whisked him away.Nguwaya was scheduled to appear before Harare Regional Magistrate, Mr Noel Mupeiwa who upon being appraised of the conduct by the police officers by the defence and state counsels removed Nguwaya from remand.Upon enquiry and investigations, it was established that the man was none other than Nguwaya who was recently in the news for his role in naming high ranking police officials for alleged involvement in organised crime.This incident led to a row with the CIO and saw Nguwaya applying for referral of his case to the Constitutional Court after alleging ceaseless harassment by the police and the planting of cocaine in his car.At around 09:30 this morning, Nguwaya came to court for the commencement of his possession of an illicit drug trial before Mr Noel Mupewia where witnesses alleged that he was told by one detective, Sergeant Chatukuta from CID Homicide that they would just put a bullet into Nguwaya's head and avoid all the delays in the matter necessitated by his lawyer, Advocate Jonathan Samukange.Nguwaya allegedly responded and said the detective was a murderer, the matter was then moved to 11:15 hours.It was at this time before the commencement of the trial that Chatukluta accompanied by one assistant inspector Nemaise and 8 other men pounced on Nguwaya at Court 20 and dragged him away assaulting him in the full view of the on lookers.Advocate Samukange notified Mr Noel Mupeiwa of the contemptuous conduct by the police who did not even attempt to notify the prosecutor whether or not they had an arrest warrant for his client.The court instructed the Public Prosecutor to summon detectives to bring the accused for trial in 30 minutes, and after they failed to come, he removed Nguwaya from remand, saying he could not allow such lawlessness to continue unabated.
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Get the latest on all the biggest court and crime news in Essex direct from our expert court reporter

A teenage thug who viciously launched an attack on a 12-year-old girl in a Chelmsford park said she had received "serious threats" as she appeared in court to be sentenced.

The 13-year-old defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, rained blows down upon her victim in the Great Baddow Recreation Ground on April 10 as a group of youths cheered her on.

That girl pleaded guilty to assaulting her victim by beating when she came before the youth court at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday, August 4.

In addition to admitting her sickening actions in April, she also pleaded guilty to another count of assault by beating, along with two of her friends, for her part in the thrashing of a young girl at the Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre on January 14.

Outlining what happened during the assault in April, prosecutor Stephen Wright said: "What the victim says, is that on April 10, around about 4pm, she was at Great Baddow Recreation Park with her friends.

"She's approached by the defendant who is with a group of approximately 20 other young men and women.

"The defendant picks an argument with her, asking her why she didn't like one of her friends.

"The victim started to walk away towards the exit because she's frightened."

It was at this point the defendant grabbed the victim's hair, pulled her onto her knees and kicked her while she was on the ground.

The victim, who was fortunately able to run away from her attacker, later attended Broomfield Accident and Emergency Department where she was treated for swelling across her body and given pain relief.

The court heard how the defendant had been under police investigation for the January assault when she committed the offence in Great Baddow.

Speaking in mitigation for the defendant, Peter Butterfield said: "She is 13 years old, just finished year eight and is about to go into year nine.

"In relation to her personal circumstances, both sets of offending are somewhat involved with her personal circumstances."

Mr Butterfield went on to explain how his client's behaviour significantly deteriorated when she found out a close member of her family had been diagnosed with a serious illness.

"She has been the subject of threats, serious threats as a result of her involvement," he continued.

"Since the second offence, her behaviour has gotten better."

Having heard and discussed the case before the bench, chairwoman Gael Vigrass warned the defendant that the offence committed in April was so serious that the bench had no choice but to impart a harsh sentence.

She said: "We are going to take into account that you are of previous good character. If you should do anything like this again you won't get the same credit."

The defendant was given a referral order for 12 months for both assaults by beating, the longest length of time that could be imposed against her.

In addition, she was ordered to pay 150 to her victim from April, 100 to her victim from January, 85 in costs and a 20 victim surcharge.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) confirmed yesterday (26 July) that the EUs decision to blacklist the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist organization Hamas onto its terrorist list is justified. The EUs top court overturned a 2014 ruling of the blocs second highest court, saying that it should not have annulled Hamas retention on the European list of terrorist organizations.

The earlier decision to drop Hamas from the terrorist blacklist triggered outrage in the United States and Israel because, as both countries argue, Brussels had made the decision based on the information from the Internet and the media. However, the ECJ ruled now that the General Court had made an error in law, making it scrutinize the case again. In a separate case, the ECJ said that the General Courts 2014 ruling that Sri Lankan rebel group the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should not be blacklisted was justified.

The new Hamas decision is surprising since one of the ECJs senior lawyers had shared an opinion piece in autumn last year that Hamas should not have been blacklisted. Since the court rules against the advice of its top lawyers only occasionally, the new ruling was unexpected but at the same time welcome from the standpoint of the tense EU-Israel relations. The Israeli government is overall unhappy about the EUs soft approach on terrorism and rejects Brussels accusations of its Jewish settlement policy. The European Jewish Congress (EJC) commented that the ruling was an important political message in the fight against international terror.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Welshman Ncube led MDC says it supports South Africa civil rights group, AfriForum's decision to pursue the assault case involving First Lady Grace Mugabe.According to NewZimbabwe.com, Grace assaulted Gabriella Engels with an extension cord while on a private visit in South Africa two weeks ago and had to be granted diplomatic immunity by the South African government."MDC strongly condemns the decision made by the South African Department of International Relations and Corporation to grant Grace Mugabe diplomatic immunity following her savage attack on Gabriella Engels while on a private visit to South Africa recently."We view this partisan application of the law as grossly unfair and unjust and believe it sets a bad precedent for justice and the rule of law in the region," the MDC spokesperson, Kurauone Chihwayi said.Chihwayi said Grace Mugabe must have her day in court.Chihwayi wants the government of South Africa to relook into this matter and act accordingly. He also said MDC second the AfriForum stance to challenge the decision in the South African High Court.He said the move to grant her diplomatic immunity is an insult to justice and undermines the legal system of South Africa and the SADC region as a whole. Grace Mugabe must face the full wrath of the law like any other criminal.
The outbreak of the Crimean conflict in 2014 reaffirmed two things  that the divide between Russia and the West remains huge and also that 25 years after the dissolution of the USSR, Russia has not abdicated from the imperial ambitions of its predecessor. Today it seems that Russia and the West are where they were before 1991  ripe for another lap of confrontation. Unfortunately, the current divide might be even more complex than in the times of the USSR  in the absence of any motivation to build a constructive dialogue, the level of spite and hatred has skyrocketed. Regrettably, the outbreak of ideological confrontation is to a large extent due to aggressive Russian behavior based on distortion of information and disinformation.

The new era in the relationship between the West and Russia began with the Euromaidan in Kiev, which dramatically changed the course and essence of the Russian anti-Western/European propaganda. In a very short period of time, three important information outlets appeared  the Rossiya Segodnya  multilingual news agency that has become the main outlet of Russian propaganda for external audiences, the Sputnik news agency operating in more than 30 languages, and another Russian news website LifeNews, consisting of a news website and 24-hour television channel, emerged.

These three information outlets are a remarkable example of very smart, flexible and sophisticated disinformation targeting audiences outside Russia, whereby this also predetermines both methods of delivery and further dissemination of (dis)information. These outlets rely heavily on quasi-argumentative discourse, avoiding outright distortion, fighting rhetoric or threats to turn other countries into radioactive ash. Instead, the method is to discredit both the US and the EU softly by providing an alternative opinion and tacit accusation of the other side for not disclosing the entire truth.

Moreover, the feel of objectivity is created by the appearance of foreign journalists, which stands in sharp contrast to European mass media that tends to rely on domestic resources. The catch, however, is that these independent journalists are collected from either open or tacit admirers of Vladimir Putin. Anti-Western/European sentiments among the Russian audience are also being triggered by pseudo-historians and writers who enjoy unconditional support from the Kremlin. This group could be supplemented by Russian neo-fascist thinker Alexander Dugin whose task was to establish close ties with European far-right and neo-Nazi groups as Moscows European allies.

According to Russian journalist Kseniya Kirillova, Russian propaganda aims to weaken critical thinking, create an image of the enemy, link all internal problems to external factors, emphasize the consolidation of society in the face of a military threat and create the image of Vladimir Putin as the only leader capable of withstanding the military threat. However, among the most dangerous features of the new wave of propaganda is the cultivation of militarism and Stalinism among Russians, with a special emphasis on the younger generation. The Kremlin ultimately aims to morally prepare Russians for a potential war with the West, which bitterly resembles the Soviet experience.

The Trump Cards of the Russian Propaganda and Disinformation Operations 

Analysis by Sergey Sukhankin  Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB).
In March 2014, in the midst of the Ukrainian crisis, then US President Barack Obama said that Russia was just a regional power. In three short years, the country has managed to emerge as an international player with strong influence across the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Not only has the Kremlin shuffled cards in Egypt, Syria or Libya, it has also become a counterweight to the West in Cyprus and Greece, who have played the Russian card in their talks with Washington. Russias involvement in Syria was its first military intervention outside the former Soviet Union since the end of the Cold War.

When it comes to Cyprus, this Mediterranean island has maintained its defense connection with Moscow after the dissolution of the Soviet Union with the purchase of tanks and choppers in the 1990s. In 1997, Nicosia bought the S-300 long-range anti-aircraft defense system from Russia, triggering an international crisis. During the financial crisis of 2008-2009, special ties between the two capitals returned to the news and the possibility of a bailout put the possibility of some kind of deal with Russia.

In the nearby Greece, a potential bailout was also discussed by Athens and when Alexis Tsipras attended the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2015, he said that Europe had been living in the illusion of being the hub of the Universe in the literal sense while newly emerging forces are coming to play a more vital role at the economic and geopolitical levels, citing the examples of the cooperation between the BRICS countries and the Eurasian Union led by Russia. In Saint Petersburg, a Russian bailout was openly proposed by the Russian media but more than loans the Kremlin was offering an extension to the Turkish Stream pipeline  an alternative to the stalled Nabucco project.

Egypt has traditionally been an American ally but the 2013 Arab Spring put Washington in a difficult position and the coup detat left relations between both countries in crisis. In 2014, Egypt was the second-biggest recipient by volume of US military aid in the world, receiving $1.3bn. But following the coup detat, the White House imposed restrictions, allowing the shipment of spare parts but not new systems, though the restrictions were lifted again in 2015 as a response to the rise of jihadist violence in the Sinai Peninsula.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that President Sisis first visit to a non-Arab country post 2013 was to Russia and President Putin returned the visit two years later. Cairos new ties with the Kremlin include a package of agreements on defense and energy that resulted in the signing of weapons sales agreements. Russia also granted a credit to Egypt in November 2015 of $25bn to be repaid over 35 years for the building of a nuclear power station to be built by the company Rosatom in the north of the country and which should start operations in 2022.

Syria has always been a traditional Russian ally and with the international embargoes on Iran, Iraq and Libya, the country became the Russian defense industrys leading client in the region. The contracts signed totaled $4bn in 2012. Moreover, the shipments of arms were made on a regular basis during the civil war through the use of a rather complex and opaque network of intermediary companies called the Odessa network. Russias subsequent intervention has contributed to the changing nature of the conflict between the Syrian regime and the opposition forces.

However, the reemergence of Russia as an international player has ultimately much more to do with the European Unions many crises rather than the Kremlins actual strength. Moscow has managed to do numerous geopolitical advances, which were also made possible by the vacuum left by United States in the region.

Russia in the Eastern Mediterranean: a Counterweight to the West?  Analysis by Jesus Manuel Perez Triana  Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB).

The Analysis can be downloaded here:
Angela Merkel said she would not link refugee sharing to the EU budget as she started off her pre-election campaign to secure her fourth term as German Chancellor. Her remarks were mostly targeted at the Central European member states  Hungary, Poland and the Czech and Slovak Republics  who are not willing to accept refugees and are blocking their redistribution via mandatory EU quotas, thus leaving Italy and Greece to bear the burden of the migration crisis.

Angela Merkels major opponent in the election  Martin Schultz  had previously called on cuts in EU funding for the migrant quota rebels. Angela Merkel, however, thinks that to pay ransom, that wont work in this context and made it clear that she wanted to carry on negotiations instead of imposing sanctions. She, however, admitted that the disagreement about the redistribution and the unwillingness to accept refugees were regrettable.

Mrs. Merkel is also against the idea put forward by the leader of the conservative CSU party in Bavaria, Horst Seehofer, that Germany should set an upper limit to cap the number of refugees. However, she also said that the 2015 scenario when 890,000 refugees came to the country should not happen again. In her opening speech during the opening of the so-called walkable campaigning program in Berlin last week, Angel Merkel insisted that Germanys strength lay in its diversity. She thanked the audience for helping to cope with the influx of migrants.

In March 2014, Merkel became the longest-serving incumbent EU head of government and currently serves as the senior G7 leader. Federal elections will be held in Germany on 24 September to elect the 19th Bundestag. The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), led by Angela Merkel, has maintained a double-digit lead over the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in opinion polling since the 2013 election, except from a period in early 2017 following the selection of Martin Schulz as SPD leader.
Spanish police on Monday (21 August) shot and killed the suspected driver behind Barcelonas last weeks attack after confronting him in his hometown while he was wearing what seemed to be an explosive vest. The suspect, Younes Abouyaaqoub, was shot and killed in Subirats, around 56 km west of Barcelona. The Spanish authorities identified Abouyaaqoub, a 22-year-old Moroccan-born man, as the final suspect in the attack that claimed lives of 13 people.

The hunt for members of a Moroccan-led team responsible for the terror grabbed attention to the issue of returned jihadists across the Strait of Gibraltar. The returned fighters pose a major threat just on the continents doorsteps. It is estimated that up to 1,000 jihadists have been smuggled back to Morocco and Tunisia from the main battlefield of the Islamic State. About 300 are believed to have returned to Morocco from where 6 of 12 terrorists are believed to have originated.

At the height of the ISIS power, almost 1,600 Moroccans are thought to have travelled to Iraq and Syria, making them one of the most sizeable national groups, per capita, in the caliphate. It is estimated that about 800 of them have been killed. Due to the groups shrinking territory in the Middle East, North Africa is now becoming to be seen as a stepping-stone for attacks on Europe.

The Moroccan authorities say that are well informed regarding their citizens who have left to join the ranks of the ISIS and have since returned. About 90 jihadists are held in prisons after coming back to Morocco but several dozens are believed to have returned back to their hometowns and villages. Rabat says that the authorities have prevented a few terror attacks in Moroccos major cities but have limited means to stop their citizens pursuing operations outside the country.
The European Union is readying for a busy trade-negotiating period, as it is about to finish talks with Japan and provisionally apply CETA with Canada. Trade policy has been at the center of the public discourse about the future direction of the EU. TTIP talks were often accompanied by public protests, although that deal has since then been put aside due to Donald Trumps indecisiveness on the US trade policy. The EU-Canadian free trade deal, CETA, was also controversial and parts of it will only come into force later after full member state ratification. The EU-Japan talks were also discussed after both sides announced a fundamental agreement over the FTA.

According to the German economy ministry, the EU is also about to rapidly sign free trade agreements with a number of Asian economies, such as Vietnam and Singapore, as well as finalize comprehensive deals with Japan, Mexico and the Mercosur grouping and advance talks with the Philippines, India and China. Under the Estonian Presidency [of the EU], a mandate for negotiations with Chile, Australia and New Zealand is also foreseen, the ministry added. There are also two smaller deals in the pipeline  TiSA (Trade in Services Agreement) and the EUs so-called Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)  which the EU negotiates with economically less advanced countries and trade blocs.

Given the importance of trade relationships, the UK is trying to make the EU ease its position, demanding that the two sides should first agree on Brexit terms before discussing trade ties. This week, London is going to present proposals for future relations including how to tackle disputes without the direct jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ), UK Brexit Minister David Davis said.
Trading in the region of 1.0857, the GBP EUR exchange rate has been near its lowest level in almost 8 years today.

The pairing had been near the worst exchange rate since November 2009 for a number of months, but has since slipped to the lowest rate since October 2009. This measure excludes the very brief flash crash seen in late 2016.

Pound Slips on Poor Outlook from UK Businesses

After yesterdays UK borrowing figures failed to provide lasting Pound support, Sterling has fallen today owing to gloomy predictions from UK businesses.

In a survey conducted by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), 31% of employers estimated that the UK economy would decline in the future. By contrast, a smaller 28% projected an improvement in the future.

This represents a decline in outlooks since July and as pessimists outweigh optimists, the measure of confidence can be considered to have turned negative.

Commenting on the statistics was REC Chief Executive Kevin Green;

The jobs market continues to do well despite growing uncertainty. Businesses are continuing to hire to meet demand, but issues like access to labour, Brexit negotiations and political uncertainty are creating nervousness.

Green has also commented on the UKs jobs market, particularly on the role of EU workers in the construction industry;

Employers in the construction sector are especially concerned as they rely heavily on EU workers to meet the growing demand for housing and to support the government's infrastructure plans. The added factor of dropping consumer confidence is putting some businesses on edge. If people reduce their spending, businesses will be impacted.

Rounding off his statements, Green has stressed that government clarity on Brexit is essential to keep business confidence positive;

The government must do more to create an environment where businesses have clarity. That means clearly laying out what Brexit plans look like and how employers can keep recruiting the people they need from the EU.

The REC report comes as the second round of Brexit talks continue; UK officials have repeatedly been blocked on discussing trade ahead of other matters, which has unsettled onlookers.

Euro Advances on Surprising Eurozone Ecostats

The Euros 0.3% advance against the Pound today follows the release of forecast-beating Eurozone PMI figures.

Covering sector activity in August, these figures showed a rising German manufacturing score, along with a higher Eurozone composite PMI measure. In both cases, activity had been forecast to decline, which made these results better-than-expected.

Commenting on the results was IHS Markit economist Andrew Harker;

The latest PMI readings for the Eurozone signal a continuation of the recent strong performance of the currency blocs economy. This stabilisation in the rate of expansion is pleasing, following signs of growth easing in recent months.

Pound to Euro Predictions: Will Sterling Decline on GBP Stats?

The Pound could post further losses against the Euro in the near-term, when UK data comes out on Thursday. Over the second quarter, estimates are for UK business investment to have slowed.

Sterling may also decline if UK GDP growth slows as expected. For the year-on-year figure for Q2, a slide from 2% to 1.7% is forecast.

As well as UK data having the potential to drag the Pound down, the Euro could conversely rise on French and Spanish data on Thursday.

Spanish GDP is tipped to rise in the second quarter, while higher French business confidence could also provide a Euro boost.

Both the Pound and Euro may be affected over Thursday and Friday by a US event  the Jackson Hole Symposium. This is a meeting between central bankers from around the world, which will include European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi.

If Draghi gives any strong indications of future ECB monetary policy, the Euro could turn volatile and fluctuate against the Pound.

Economists have been forecasting the nature of Draghis possible comments; some believe that the President will focus on whether the Eurozone is continuing to recover, or could be slowing down.
Hi all,

I graduated from a college in Dubai with a B.E (hons.) degree and got a job in a company which is part of the DMCC, as 'technical engineer' in Dubai itself. Now my company had asked me to cancel my student visa as they would issue a new entry permit for me and get me the work visa. The sponsor applied for the visa and I was asked to exit Dubai and re-enter when the entry permit was issued. I didn't have my degree certificate with me at that time so I applied for the permit using the provisional certificate and got it attested. But unfortunately my visa could not be processed as they'd asked for the actual degree certificate and not the provisional one. Since the company does not want to cancel the visa process, they've agreed on just changing the job title to some 'sales title' and get the visa issued using my 12th std. marksheet. They told I'll be able to change the job title once I get back in Dubai.



My question is, will there be any problem in future by getting the visa this way? Also how long will I have to wait until he gets the job title changed to his original one?



It would be very helpful if someone could advise me on this matter as I am presently in India and would like to get back to my work in Dubai as soon as possible.



Thanks

Kumar
Hello Folks,



It's my first time posting here so please excuse me if there's another same/similar thread, but I couldn't find one.



I work full time but wanted to know about the laws for earning what you would call 'off the books commissions.' I have read into obtaining a part-time labor permit but want to know from those with law/banking backgrounds, what are the laws about me depositing money into my bank account account?



Is it okay to keep making deposits into a non-salary account?



All help is appreciated, and the money is being earned through consulting/advising (should that make a difference).



Thanks!
When we were looking for an investment property a couple of years back we were shown at least 2 which were tenanted at the time. After all it proved the viability of the property on the letting market.

Having a tenant in situ when viewing is not unusual imo.

Visits were timed to suit the tenant.

I know I spoke to one of the tenants then and she seemed to have no problem about prospective landlords visiting.

Much better imo than the alternative prospect of old landlord turning up one day to introduce for the first time the new one after the sale has been completed.

Sorry no idea about the law you asked about.
Hi,



I am from India.



My family got the NZ Skilled Migrant Category(SMC) visa approved in November 2016. We have planned to come to NZ for first entry in September 2017, i.e next month and return back to India within 3 days. The sole intention of this 3 day visit is to make the first entry.



As my daughter's academic year gets completed in February 2018, we would like to completely shift to Auckland in the last week of February 2018.



For this 3 day visit toward first entry, apart from having Valid Visa & Valid passport Can you please suggest us what are the other important documents we need to carry with us when we come there ?



Thanks and Regards

SaiSudha


The number of people moving to New Zealand have reached another record high with the nation proving particularly popular with people from China and a rise in migration from the UK.Overall annual net migration reached a record 72,400 in the 12 months to July 2017, according to the official data from Statistics New Zealand.Migrant arrivals reached 132,100, a new annual record, and migrant departures numbered 59,700 and compared with the year to the end of July 2016, net migration increased by 3,400.Most are arriving to work and study, with the largest number of visas granted for short term work and to undertake a course at universities. But there have been fewer people arriving from India with a fall of 3,900 to 7,400, mainly due to a decline in students with a fall of 32%.Chinese people continued to be the largest group arriving to work and stay on a net basis, with 9,961 of the 72,400 net arrivals from the country and was the biggest source of migrants on residence visas, up 12.2% to 3,413 in the 12 month period.Migration from the UK recorded the biggest increases on a net basis, up 53% to 6,750, with net South African migration also up 50% to 4,862 while the number of net migrants from Australia dropped to 469, from 1,750 a year earlier.There was a 15.3% increase in work visas granted to 45,397, while overall student visas dropped 9.9% to 24,132.More people are also visiting New Zealand with a record 1.9 million arriving on holiday, boosted by visitors from Australia, the United States. This is almost double the number in the July 2002 year, when the number of holidaymakers reached a million for the first time.Visitor arrivals numbered 3.7 million in the July 2017 year, a new annual record. The 9% increase from the July 2016 year was mostly due to 189,100 or 11% rise in holiday makers in the last 12 months.The number of holiday maker arrivals in New Zealand has been steadily increasing since 2011. More holiday makers from Australia, United States, and the UK boosted visitor arrival numbers in the last 12 months. This included a spike in arrivals from the UK in June for the British and Irish Lions rugby tour, said population statistics senior manager Peter Dolan.
One of the biggest players in the South Texas oil patch says it wants to exit shale drilling  entirely  across the U.S.

BHP Billiton Petroleum, the Houston-based oil and gas arm of the Australian mining giant, said Tuesday that it plans to sell its shale assets in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

BHP at the end of June had nearly 1,000 net wells producing in the Eagle Ford Shale, the 400-mile-long oil field in South Texas, according to corporate reports.

In the early boom days of the field, it was among the most active drillers in the region. BHP had 42 drilling rigs working in South Texas in 2012. In 2014, it spent $3 billion in the Eagle Ford, accounting for 10 percent of the industrys total oil- and gas-related investment in the field that year.

At the end of June, though, it had one drilling rig working in its Black Hawk field around DeWitt County, part of an area considered the sweet spot of the Eagle Ford.

BHP entered South Texas in 2011 when it bought Petrohawk Energy Corp. in a $12.1 billion deal, which gave it acreage in the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin in Texas, and the Haynesville Shale in Louisiana. That deal was for around 1 million acres in both states.

Also in 2011, BHP paid $4.8 billion to buy all of Chesapeake Energy Corp.s interests in the Fayetteville Shale formation in Arkansas, a natural gas field.

Altogether, it invested $20 billion in U.S. shale.

The company later came under fire from investors for over-paying for its assets, especially those in natural gas fields after natural gas prices fell. It has been under pressure from activist investors to get out of shale altogether by selling or spinning off a new company.

BHP said the nature of shale, which requires companies keep drilling to maintain production, is problematic. The phenomenon is called the Red Queen, named after the character in Lewis Carrolls Through the Looking-Glass who tells Alice she must run, Faster! Faster!

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Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place, the Red Queen says. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!

But one of the features of shale, which weve grown to like a bit less with time and see it a bit more of a curse, is that the investments that are demanded there are quite pro-cyclical. You have to continue to invest to actually maintain the value of those businesses, CEO Andrew Mackenzie told analysts in a conference call.

BHP said it plans to sell its shale assets, but said it would consider other options such as an initial public offering that would create a separate shale company. I dont want to eliminate other ways in which we could exit these businesses... Mackenzie said.

In March, BHP agreed to partner with state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos, known as Pemex, to develop the Trion field in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

jhiller@express-news.net

Twitter: @Jennifer_Hiller
Pharr-based Lone Star National Bank, which has five San Antonio locations, is in the clear with federal banking regulators more than two years after it was sanctioned for critical deficiencies in preventing money laundering.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency recently terminated a 2015 formal agreement that designated Lone Star National Bank as being in troubled condition, citing unsafe and unsound banking practices. The regulator separately slapped it with a $1 million fine over lax money laundering policies.

That followed a 2012 consent order that highlighted weaknesses in how the bank dealt with anti-money laundering laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act. The OCC terminated the consent order on July 27, the same day it ended the 2015 agreement.

Federal prosecutors accused the bank in 2013 of being used to launder Mexican cartel money in South Texas in unrelated criminal cases.

A bank spokeswoman couldnt immediately be reached for comment Tuesday. OCC spokesman William Grassano said it does comment on specific banks.

The OCC first discovered weaknesses in the banks internal controls before 2010. The following year, the OCC noted significant deficiencies at the bank, including problems identifying and reporting suspicious activity.

Nine months later, in July 2012, the OCC and the bank entered into a consent order to address the banks compliance program. The OCC cited the banks failure to file suspicious activity reports. Financial institutions are required to file report suspected violations of law or suspicious activity.

In October 2014, the OCC determined the bank had still not achieved compliance with the 2012 consent order. A month later, the bank filed 157 new suspicious activity reports.

Apparently frustrated by Lone Star National Banks failure to comply with the 2012 consent order, the OCC socked the bank with the $1 million civil penalty and entered into the formal agreement.

The San Antonio Express-News has previously reported that Lone Star National Bank was one of several banks that federal prosecutors say was used by corrupt Mexican politicians and business owners to launder drug cartel money in South Texas.

In a 2013 plea hearing of a Mexican businessman who admitted laundering money, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Hampton said some of the banks customers have been identified as politically exposed persons, and there is nothing indicating that Lone Star National Bank conducted additional customer due diligence regarding the tracking of those millions of dollars. It couldnt be determined if the consent order had anything to do with the Texas court cases.

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Lone Star National Bank had more than $2.2 billion in assets as of June 30. It reported almost $1.9 billion in deposits and $1.2 billion in loans. The bank generated $6.7 million in net income in the first half of the year, compared with $6.1 million in the same period last year. It paid $7 million in dividends to shareholders in the first half of 2017, down from $10 million in the first six months of last year.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.s website shows the banks San Antonio branches had about $35.4 million in combined deposits as of June 30, 2016, giving the bank a less than half a percent market share in Bexar County.

Lone Star National Bank is not related to San Antonios Lone Star Capital Bank. Lone Star National Bank received a two-star rating, defined as problematic, from Coral Gables, Floridas BauerFinancial Inc. The rating was based on financial results as of March 31.

Earlier this year, Lone Star National Bank closed its branch at 10000 San Pedro Ave., blaming ongoing losses. But the number of San Antonio branches was expected to return to five at some point with the opening of a branch at 3424 Paesanos Parkway, where it has operated a loan production office.

pdanner@express-news.net
USAA is suing a Maryland VA lender, accusing it of riding the San Antonio financial services firms coattails and deceiving the public into thinking the companies are similar by copying USAAs national advertising campaigns.

USAA also says New Day Financial, which does business as NewDay USA, has infringed on USAAs slogan  We know what it means to serve  with We understand what it means to serve. USAA trademarked the slogan in 1999 and received a copyright registration for it in 2011.

The similarities in advertising campaigns and taglines are misleading consumers and causing confusion in the market, USAA says in its suit filed earlier this month in federal court in San Antonio

USAA has sued NewDay for copyright and trademark infringement and unfair competition. USAA seeks a court order preventing NewDay from copying USAAs ads or engaging in acts that will give the faulty impression that the two firms are related.

USAA also wants unspecified financial damages and NewDays profits from the alleged infringement of the USAA slogan.

NewDays mission is to help Veterans purchase homes and get them the money they need for their families, executive chairman Thomas C. Lynch said in an emailed statement. NewDay respects the valid intellectual property rights of its competitors for veteran loan services, including USAA. NewDay did not engage in any improper copying and intends to vigorously defend the advertising concepts it has used since 2013 against USAAs meritless allegations.

Roger Wildermuth, a USAA spokesman, had no comment on the suit.

The lawsuit describes NewDay as a nonbank mortgage lender that changed its business model to compete against USAA. Prior to 2013, NewDay had a reverse mortgage division and originated FHA and conventional mortgages, as well as VA mortgages. NewDay announced in the fall of 2013 that it was exiting the reverse mortgage business and shifting its focus to serving veterans and military families, just like USAA, the suit says.

Like USAA, NewDay USA boasts a military background and employs veterans, but its business practices fail to match USAAs high standards, the suit says.

USAA cited in its lawsuit various scrapes New Day has had with financial regulators.

NewDay was fined $2 million by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2015 for deceiving consumers and paying kickbacks to a major veterans group for customer referrals.

The CFPB didnt identify the veterans group, but Military Times reported at the time that it was the Veterans of Foreign Wars that had the arrangement with NewDay.

NewDay said in a statement at the time that there were never any allegations that its actions ever harmed any of its borrowers.

That same year, NewDay agreed to pay a $5.2 million administrative penalty to 43 state mortgage regulators  including the commissioner of the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending  after the State Regulatory Registry began investigating allegations that NewDay allowed its employees to cheat on mortgage originator license testing.

Additionally, NewDay surrendered its mortgage bankers license to do business in New York as a result of the scheme and paid a $1 million penalty to the state.

New Day employees  including senior managers  participated in a widespread, extensive cheating scheme that casts serious doubt on the integrity of the company, the acting superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services said in a statement in late 2015.

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Given NewDay USAs poor reputation and questionable business practices, the association that NewDay USA has created by emulating USAAs brand identity  is likely to cause, and has caused, confusion in the market, which is harmful to consumers, USAA, and USAAs reputation, the San Antonio company said in its lawsuit.

Despite the regulatory run-ins, NewDay has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

NewDay recently appeared on Inc. Magazines annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing companies. The company ranked at 3,901 with a three-year growth rate of 74.2 percent and annual revenue of $184 million. It is owned by by Chrysalis Holdings, a private investment company focused on mortgage banking and financial services.

USAA ranks 102nd on Fortune magazines annual list of the 500 largest companies. The company generated $27.1 billion in revenue last year.

USAAs lawsuit includes screen grabs of its ads juxtaposed with NewDays. USAA called the similarities immediately obvious and striking.

Not only are the theme, mood and background similar between the parties campaigns, the individual pictorial images in the commercials and print and digital marketing materials, are substantially, if not strikingly, similar, as a result of NewDay USAs copying of camera angles, framing, lighting, settings and image editing, USAA said in its suit.

pdanner@express-news.net
Shareholders and federal regulators blessed Amazon.coms nearly $14 billion bid for Austin-based Whole Foods Market, bringing the online retail giant two steps closer to adding the organic grocers 460 stores to Amazons growing brick-and-mortar portfolio.

The Federal Trade Commission announced its approval Wednesday, clearing away its biggest potential legal barrier that could have blocked the acquisition.

The federal agency investigated whether the deal would hamper competition but ultimately decided not to pursue this matter further, Bruce Hoffman, acting director of the agencys Bureau of Competition, said in a statement Wednesday.

The approval comes hours after Whole Foods shareholders agreed to sell the grocery chain to Amazon for $13.7 billion, or $42 a share, during a shareholders meeting at the grocers Austin headquarters on Wednesday.

The merger, expected to close before the end of the year, effectively gives Amazon hundreds of new distribution centers in upper-income locations across the U.S. and bolsters Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos efforts to move the online retailer further into food sales. The company already operates a grocery delivery service under its Fresh and Pantry operations.

Whole Foods insiders, including current and former executives and board members, stand to cash out at least $171 million in equity. John Mackey, the grocery chains CEO and co-founder, will cash in more than $41 million in shares.

Activist investors pushed Whole Foods, which has two stores in San Antonio, to sell after seven-straight quarters of falling same-store sales, a key measure in retail performance. Whole Foods same-store sales fell again along with profits during the companys fiscal third quarter ended July 2, even as the company posted record revenue of $3.7 billion.

Amazon.com offered to buy Whole Foods in an all-cash transaction in June and to assume the companys debt, which stood at $1 billion as of June 30. The Seattle e-commerce company is expected to finance the transaction with a private debt offering of $16 billion.

But, the Austin companys stock routinely traded above the sale price of $42 a share as stock analysts speculated Whole Foods was leaving money on the table and that Amazon had sparked a bidding war for the company.

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Whole Foods itself initially sought to sell itself to Amazon for $45 a share but later settled for less, a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shows. Two companies and four private equity firms, all unnamed, were also interested in buying Whole Foods, according to the filing. One company valued Whole foods at between $35 and $40 a share.

Amazon reportedly considered San Antonio supermarket chain H-E-B as a potential acquisition target before deciding on Whole Foods.

Some lawmakers and union leaders  including U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, and Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union  had called on federal agencies to halt the Amazon-Whole Foods merger on antitrust grounds.

JFechter@express-news.net

Twitter: @JFreports
Melissa Phillip, Staff / Melissa Phillip

AUSTIN  Angela Paxton is known for singing political jingles at campaign events for her husband, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, but now shes thinking she wants to be a candidate herself, sources close to her say.

Angela Paxton, wife of the high-ranking tea party Republican who is under indictment, is considering a run for state Senate District 8, which is now held by outgoing Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano. Taylor plans to vacate that seat and run for Congress.
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AUSTIN  Special prosecutors who have been waiting more than a year to get paid while building a criminal case against Attorney General Ken Paxton will have to keep waiting after a Dallas-area appeals court voided their payment.

The 5th Court of Appeals issued an opinion Monday voiding an order for a $205,000 payment to three Houston-area special prosecutors assigned to Paxtons securities fraud case. The invoice for payment dates back to January 2016.

Brian Wice, one of the lead special prosecutors on the Paxton case, is expected to appeal the courts ruling to the Court of Criminal Appeals in the next few weeks.

In the opinion, the court recognized the courts have the responsibility of appointing qualified attorneys but acknowledged attorneys appointed will likely be paid a fee much less than a retained attorney would command.

Lawsuits have tied up the special prosecutors payments since then amid a dispute launched by Jeffory Blackard, a Paxton donor and political ally in Collin County  and later the Collin County Commissioners Court  arguing the attorneys $300 per hour fee was too much and exceeded local caps.

The appeals court agreed, and said the judge overseeing the case at the time agreed to a fee schedule that was too high.

The ruling deals a win to Paxton, a tea party Republican who is under indictment on two first-degree felony charges of securities fraud and one third-degree felony charge of failing to register as an investment adviser. His long-awaited trial is scheduled for the end of the year.

While state law gave Collin County criminal district court judges power to set a standard fee schedule for attorneys, the opinion found the judges exceeded their authority when they created a provision allowing judges to disregard that schedule in unusual circumstances or where the fee would be manifestly inappropriate.

It was this law that Judge Scott Becker, a local administrative judge, tapped when negotiating a $300-per-hour fee for Kent Schaffer, Nichole DeBorde and Wice to serve as criminal district attorneys pro tem in Paxtons criminal case.

According to court records, attorneys are supposed to be paid fixed fees of $1,000 for first-degree felony pleas, $500 for third-degree pleas, $1,000 for pretrial preparation and $500 for each one-half day of trial.

The attorneys submitted an invoice for $242,000 for pretrial work at the $300 rate in December 2015, which was approved by the Collin County Commissioners Court and paid the next month. But the subsequent bill by the special prosecutors  which included nearly $200,000 in attorneys fees and was submitted in January 2016  has gone unpaid.

The special prosecutors have twice asked the court to delay Paxtons criminal trial until they can get their pay resolved. Prosecutors attorney David Feldman did not respond to a request for comment early Tuesday. Wice, who is expected to take over the case, declined to comment.
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After a massive effort requiring more than 2,000 inmate transfers in two weeks, the Texas prison system over the weekend came into compliance with a federal court order in a closely watched lawsuit over sweltering living conditions at a Navasota facility.

The moves happened seamlessly, said Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark, speaking just days after a federal appeals court upheld class certification for the case in what one legal expert described as a strong and significant ruling.

In addition to the 1,025 heat-sensitive inmates U.S. District Court Judge Keith Ellison ordered moved out of the overheated Pack Unit, the state transferred 1,089 more prisoners to make room in other facilities.

Although the judges preliminary injunction set a strict three-week deadline for the transfer, TDCJ finished the moves a week early.

Plaintiffs counsel are pleased that TDCJ followed the courts order and they look forward to making this injunction permanent now that the 5th Circuit has made it crystal clear that the class action for all inmates can proceed, said Jeff Edwards, the Austin lawyer representing the inmates who sparked the legal battle in 2014.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed class certification Friday after the state appealed Ellisons decision. Among other things, Texas argued in its appeal that the class certification was in violation of the Prison Litigation Reform Act, a 1996 law aimed at reining in prisoners legal actions.

The state also argued that other heat-mitigation measures could work depending on inmates age and health.

The 5th Circuit upheld the district courts finding that cooled respite areas, more frequent showers, cold water and fans were ineffective to reduce the risk.

From the typically conservative 5th Circuit, it was a notable decision, said one legal expert.

The case really deals on a fundamental level with the question of the authority of courts to protect constitutional rights in prison litigation, said Austin-based appellate attorney Kurt Kuhn. If you cant prove a class unless everybody has the same reaction to the same temperature at the same moment, at some point youre saying you cant effectively litigate things.

The suit filed three years ago on behalf of six inmates accused the state of violating their constitutional right against cruel and unusual punishment and the Americans With Disabilities Act after a series of heat-related deaths. None of the 22 inmate deaths in Texas prisons since 1998 were at the Pack Unit, although some of the more than 100 inmates struck by heat-related injuries were housed in the facility, which is home to a disproportionate number of geriatric inmates.

Though parts of the Navasota facility are air-conditioned, the inmate housing areas are not, so indoor temperatures can spike up over 100 degrees in the summer months.

Instead of getting air-conditioning in housing areas, TDCJ shipped the inmates to cooled quarters in other state prisons. The court order expires in 90 days, and state officials have indicated the inmates will return to the Pack Unit once temperatures decrease.

Keri.Blakinger@Chron.com
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Lawrence Carroll Jr. wept Wednesday as he told convicted killer Charles Ray Hall that he had forgiven him for shooting his father in the forehead, shortly before Hall was led off to begin serving life in prison.

It took a Bexar County jury about 2 hours to sentence Hall to life in prison after the man went on a deadly 24-hour spree in 2014.

As a Christian man, I forgive you, but not what youve done, Carroll told Hall through tears. You deserve to rot in prison. I pray to God you spend the rest of your life in prison, thinking about what you did.

Hall was 28 when he was arrested and charged with murder in the death of Lawrence Carroll Sr., 67, who was shot numerous times in the head May 27, 2014, after he answered his front door at a Northeast Side apartment complex in the 200 block of Victor Street, where they both lived. A security guard, Angel Maldonado, was shot but survived his injuries.

Halls murder trial started Aug. 15, in the 186th state District Court, presided by Judge Jefferson Moore. He was convicted of murder Aug. 18.

On Monday, the beginning of the punishment phase, jurors heard Hall confess to killing Carroll, his neighbor  and to the killing of another man the night before: 50-year-old Rogelio Ramos, who also was shot in the head numerous times outside of a Northeast Side convenience store on May 26, 2014.

A Bexar County jury on Tuesday watched a rambling, incoherent interview with detectives after Halls arrest and later in the day heard a psychiatrist talk about Halls history of mental illness. Attorneys asked Moore to instruct the jury before closing arguments that they could consider the defendants insanity in their deliberations.

In her closing argument Wednesday morning, defense attorney Judith Karls Wemmert pleaded with the jury not to do what society does and send a man who suffers from mental illness to prison.

Charles knew right from wrong, according to Dr. (Bryan) Scott, but his illness prevented him from being in control, Wemmert told the panel. Dr. Scott said mental illness is not an excuse but puts into perspective why people do what they do when they have mental illness.

She asked the jury not to sentence him to life in prison, with the hopes that if he reaches parole, Hall could be committed to a facility to deal with his illness.

But prosecutor Gretchen Flader, using photographs of victims Carroll Sr., and Ramos, reminded the panel that Hall, in his interview with detectives, admitted shooting one victim in the (expletive) head, and the other between the eyes.

He did know he what he was doing was wrong, Flader told the jury. So what are their (the victims) lives worth? He deserves life.

Jurors on Tuesday spent all morning watching Halls interview with detectives after his arrest. Much of what Hall said in the video was profane and unintelligible, but he admitted to the killings, witnesses testified.

Later Tuesday, Scott, a Bexar County forensic psychiatrist, testified that he had seen Hall at least three times between the time of his arrest and before his trial began and had observed symptoms of mental illness.

When Flader asked Scott if a court or a judge has found Hall to be insane, Scott replied: No.

On cross-examination, Wemmert asked Scott whether Hall knew right from wrong.

His actions suggested he knew the conduct was wrong  like fleeing the scene, Scott testified.

Before prosecutors and defense lawyers rested their cases Tuesday afternoon, Ramos eldest son, Jose Ramos, testified that he let his father borrow his car to go to the story on the day he was killed.

I asked if he wanted me to go with him, Jose Ramos said, his voice breaking. He said, No, I wont be long. He never came back.

Hall, now 31, still has the Ramos case and two aggravated assault cases related to both shootings pending. Although he received a life sentence, he must serve 30 years before being eligible for parole.

ezavala@express-news.net

Twitter: @elizabeth2863
The San Antonio Water System has restored water service to an area on the far South Side affected by a water main break early Wednesday.

The break in a water line affected about 5,000 residents in an area south of Loop 1604, stretching from Applewhite Road on the east to Interstate 37 on the west, SAWS spokeswoman Anne Hayden said.

Residents in that area should continue either drinking bottled water or boiling water until tests show the water is safe to drink, usually 24 hours after the line is fixed, she said. Water used for drinking, washing or cooking should be brought to a rolling boil and boiled for two minutes to kill any bacteria and microbes.

To help those without water service, SAWS parked a tanker truck at U.S. 281 South and Memorial Lane where customers can fill up their own bottles. Also, SAWS is offering bottled water at the entrance to the Waterwood neighborhood at Priest Road and Shady Forest.

The break occurred in a PVC line formerly maintained by the Bexar Metropolitan Water District, which SAWS finished absorbing in 2016.

It was an older line from Bexar Met, and what happens with the Bexar Met areas is they didnt have any redundancy, Hayden said. In SAWS areas, you can route water a different way or run a different pump. They didnt have any of that there.

SAWS is putting in a $10.6 million pump station in the area that will be in service later this year, according to a news release. The utility will notify customers when the boil advisory has been lifted.

BGibbons@express-news.net

Twitter: @bgibbs
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LOS INDIOS  David McCoy has bugs on the brain. Most days, he thinks of little else.

He ponders their anatomy while driving his red and white 1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle Sedan to the USDA Service Center in Los Indios, where he identifies insects for a living.

For most of us, bugs are an annoyance  or worse. McCoy, an exuberant entomologist with a long white beard, prefers to think of them as intricate conundrums.

Theyre little puzzles, McCoy enthused. And I love solving puzzles.

Trucks carrying fresh produce cross the U.S. border with Mexico every day, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors act as a frontline defense, guarding against invasive pests that spread disease and wreak havoc on native plants and valuable crops.

Inspectors pore over shipments of leafy green vegetables searching for hitchhiking bugs. Some of the worst offenders, such as the Asian Longhorned Beetle, which slipped past inspectors in the mid-1990s and proceeded to devastate North American hardwood trees, now are flagged, and the appropriate quarantine prescribed.

But the spectrum of bugs is vast, and the tens of thousands of pests that defy easy identification are sped to one of 110 USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Identifiers across the country. Many will fall under McCoys observant eye.

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Some inspectors are human vacuum cleaners, McCoy said. Theyll get 16 bugs off of a truck from Oaxaca, and two will be first in the nation.

One recent summer day, McCoy received two bugs intercepted in a shipment of pineapples at the Pharr International Bridge. He hoped for more, but CBP inspectors had been sending fewer bugs his way, and McCoy was grateful for the work.

Early in his career, McCoy had been passionate about aphids, the sap-sucking insects that deprive plants of their vitality. Next he took an interest in bark beetles. Moths are a current fascination, but the pentatomidae family, better known as stink bugs, are his expertise.

The first identification this day gave him little trouble.

Pentatomidae, Alitocoris brunneus Sailer, he declared. The shipment required a quarantine.

The second pest was a bit trickier. It was a lygaeidae, or seed bug, that much he knew. To determine species, however, McCoy would need to dig further.

Back in 1999, when McCoy was first hired on as an area identifier in Los Indios, the installation had a meager collection of specimens.

McCoy took it upon himself to begin amassing roughly 313,400 specimens for what is now the largest USDA field office collection on the southwest border, including 240 Cornell Drawers of pinned insects, 47 slide boxes microscope slides, and 48 drawers of specimens in alcohol.

He also sends boxes of specimens to add to the collections of other border offices, and is a prolific supplier of digital images to the APHIS Identifier shared site and to PPQs Identification Technology Program, a hub of high-tech pest identification tools available to the public.

My whole goal is when I leave, I leave behind this whole body of work, so the next group of people can climb on my back and be giants, McCoy said, adding with a grin, Hopefully Ill leave the office a little cleaner than this.

McCoy traces his fascination with entomology to his boyhood in Indiana when his father, an extension agent and a 4-H club leader, started him collecting samples. Most years he and his sisters carried the entomology project at county and state fairs.

As soon as I was able to walk and swing a net and join 4-H, I was there, McCoy said.

In college at Purdue University, he studied entomology, graduating in 1986. Later that year, he was hired at the Laredo port of entry for just under $15,000, where he worked as both an officer and back-up identifier until 1999, when he landed in Los Indios.

McCoy dedicates his mornings to identifications, when his mind, and eye, are sharpest. The more bugs the better. McCoy has authority to identify around 750 bugs, a level of competence unmatched by any current port identifier in the nation. Smithsonian entomologists, the top of the profession, confirm identifications that McCoy cant.

In world war terms, I would be the leading ace, McCoy said.

McCoy pulled out a wooden case filled with lygaeidae specimens to compare with the remaining unidentified bug. A key informed him that the margins of this particular species should be yellow. McCoy noted the yellow and reddish variations, which didnt follow the specific key description.

You cant always follow keys blindly, you have to make course corrections based on experience, McCoy explained. The key should have more details to account for variations in species. Like if I only rely on the fact that you have glasses, what if youve just lost them?

Species have hidden inside them very specific characters that keep the species from merging. A lock and key system of genitalia. The key being the male part in this analogy, which is much easier to read than the female part, which usually is subtle. Dissection adds a level of clarity and accuracy that leaves little to be challenged, McCoy says, but not all entomologists observe the practice.

I have seen taxonomic keys written in circles just to avoid dissection, McCoy said. They go to great lengths to avoid the obvious.

After some poking around and consulting other taxonomic keys, McCoy pegged the second bug as Ochrostomus pulchellus Fabricius. No quarantine.

Every day offers another puzzle, some harder to solve than others.

On the rare occasion that a first of its kind bug identification is confirmed  there were several last year  its like walking on sunshine, McCoy said.

anelsen@express-news.net

Twitter: @amnelsen
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It was supposed to be a relaxing afternoon aboard the Brackenridge Eagle train spent chugging along the San Antonio River and winding through Brackenridge Park.

Glenn Falcon, his mother and Falcons two sons, Mike and Doug, were enjoying a ride aboard the iconic miniature train in summer 1970 when two masked men brandishing a revolver jumped from the high brush in Brackenridge Park and ordered the trains 75 passengers to hand over their valuables.

We knew this was real, recalled Falcon, now 81. They had pillow cases and you were supposed to throw your stuff in them. I threw my camera into the bushes to save it, but they took my billfold.

At the time, Falcon didnt realize how historically significant the days events were. But soon, he learned the robbery  which became known as the Great (Little) Train Robbery  was the first train robbery in the Wild West in nearly 47 years.

Today, its also recognized as the last known train robbery in Texas.

It stayed with me for a while, Falcon said. But eventually it faded away. People didnt want to hear about it anymore.

The two robbers got away with about $500, car keys, checkbooks and credit cards. It later was revealed the culprits were soldiers stationed at Fort Sam Houston, according to the San Antonio Public Library. They were sentenced to 10 and 20 years in prison.

John Polich was a young reporter covering cops on the weekend for the Express and News, when he heard the call over the police scanner around 1 p.m. that the train in Brackenridge Park had been robbed.

The incident was quite a break from my usual weekend police beat stories  shooting and fires, Polich wrote in an email. As soon as the radio call was broadcast, I realized that history might be being made.

In fact, it was so unusual that as Polich drove to the park, he wondered if it was a legitimate call.

When Polich arrived, he found several passengers shocked by the crime, especially because it was supposed to be a leisurely ride through the public park that was deemed safe, at least in daytime, Polich said.

Polich talked to other passengers who told him they thought the robbery was a staged skit or a prank.

I laughed at the man with the pistol, said C.A. Berndt, according to San Antonio Express-News archives. The robber had just grabbed the man in front of me by the back when he refused to turn over his wallet, but nobody took him seriously. When he pushed me down the seat and held the gun against my head, I still laughed.

Berndt didnt realize the drama was real until the robber grabbed his wifes purse and moved down the train. Another woman realized it wasnt a prank when the robber pointed the revolver at her and said, Lady, this is no joke.

Polich suspected that it might be the first train robbery in a number of years and began scrambling to learn more. It was a Saturday afternoon, in the days before a simple Internet search could confirm his suspicions.

Finally, he was able to reach Charles Mizell, a former president of the Southwest Railroad Historical Society, who confirmed that it was the first train robbery in 47 years.

Polichs front-page story was published on July 18, 1970, in the Sunday edition of the Express and News. The San Antonio Light also featured the story on its front page.

Falcon, the passenger, was able to salvage his camera, but he did lose his drivers license and credit cards that were inside his wallet. Afterward, Falcon and his sons traveled to Mexico for a vacation, but he had trouble getting across the border with only a copy of his drivers license that was sent to him after the robbery.

He told the border patrol agent that it was stolen during a train robbery in San Antonio.

The border patrol agent just rolled his eyes, Falcon said. Obviously, he didnt believe me. But we did get through and we had a good visit for three to four days before we came back.

Soon, news of the robbery spread. Falcon received letters from strangers, even some from other countries, who offered their support, or suggested he was to blame. His high school sweetheart from Michigan also called him.

Today, the train robbery is still well-known. Between 2011 and 2013, Garl Latham was a train engineer at the San Antonio Zoo, which still operates the train  now called the San Antonio Zoo Eagle  for millions of visitors every year.

Latham, who has worked in the railway industry for 50 years, was familiar with the story of the Great Little Train Robbery. In fact, he had ridden the train as a kid with his parents in 1968, two years before the robbery.

Its one of those stories that gets around, especially if you like trains, Latham said.

When Latham began working at the zoo, he decided not to mention the robbery because he wanted to keep his narration fun and uplifting. Still, he was often approached by passengers who asked about the robbery, or told him they knew someone who was aboard the train on that summer day in 1970.

It was so profound, Latham said. You hear about train robberies, but theyre always in the Wild West. Theyre not in 1970. It was at an amusement park  You dont expect something like this to happen.

eeaton@express-news.net

COMING TOMORROW: A crime of passion stops work on the Alamos construction in the 1700s.
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It is already known that the large exercises thus far performed by Nato have not approached the scope of those held by Russia. But now it has also become clear that the alliance is much further away from the targets it has set for itself than previously known. Reporting by this newspaper has revealed that even three years after the annexation of the Crimea and the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the volume of Russian military exercises is still many times that of Nato. That conclusion is the result of an analysis of thousands of English-language press releases from the Russian military in addition to information from Nato and its member states. For the period from Jan. 1, 2015 to the middle of August this year, all maneuvers were considered that clearly included 1,500 troops or more, a number chosen due to its equivalence to the minimum size of a brigade, and thus of an independently operating military unit. The results are alarming, particularly given indications that the number of Russian exercises could in fact be even larger. Nato secretary-general demands greater transparency from Russia.
The Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network added Honolulu Tuesday to a reporting program for real estate deals involving cash transactions.

FinCEN also extended reporting requirements for six other metropolitan areas under a data collection program that started in March 2016.

The new Geographic Targeting Order (pdf) runs through March 20, 2018.

The order is aimed against money laundering through real estate transactions.

It requires title insurance companies to collect and report information about beneficial owners involved in real estate purchases made without a bank loan or other external financing, and made,

at least in part, using currency or a cashiers check, a certified check, a travelers check, a personal check, a business check, or a money order in any form, or a funds transfer.

FinCEN said the real estate sector can be an attractive avenue for criminals to launder illegal proceeds while masking their identities.

The order covers transactions:

For $500,000 or more in the Texas county of Bexar

For $1 million or more in the Florida county of Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach

For $1.5 million or more in the Borough of Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, or Staten Island in New York City, New York

For $2 million or more in the California county of San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara

For $3 million or more in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, New York, and

For $3 million or more in the City and County of Honolulu in Hawaii.

FinCEN said it targeted a narrow segment because of concerns shell companies are used to buy luxury real estate in all-cash transactions.

In an advisory (pdf) issued Tuesday with the new targeting order, FinCEN used a real-life example.

A high-profile case illustrating money laundering risks in the real estate sector involves 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, FinCEN said.

The advisory said,

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice sought forfeiture of over $1 billion in assets  including luxury real estateassociated with funds stolen by corrupt foreign officials from 1MDB. This included a hotel, two homes, and a mansion in Beverly Hills, CA; a home in Los Angeles, CA; a condominium, two apartments, and a penthouse in New York, NY; and, a townhouse in London, England; all with a collected value estimated at approximately $315 million.

Drug traffickers, corrupt officials, money launderers, and other criminals seek to exploit real estate transactions to hide their illicit profits, conceal their identities, and launder funds, FinCEN said.

A sample form (pdf) that title insurance companies need to file with the IRS for covered transactions appears on FinCENs site.

____

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
Queen Elizabeth was "very sad" when Princess Diana died but also "concerned about the monarchy".

Queen Elizabeth

That's according to Tony Blair, who was the British Prime Minister when the Princess of Wales died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997, and he has recalled speaking to the 91-year-old royal in the immediate aftermath of Diana's death.

Speaking on an upcoming BBC documentary about the tragedy, 'Diana, 7 Days', Blair said the queen was "obviously very sad" about the incident when he first spoke to her about the death.

But he also said she was aware "there was going to be a risk that the country's sense of loss turned to a sense of anger and grievance, and then turned against the monarchy.

"She was concerned about the monarchy herself because the queen has a very strong instinct about public opinion and how it plays."

The queen was slammed by some who questioned her staying with her grandsons, Princes William and Harry, who were 15 and 12 at the time, in the immediate aftermath of their mother's death, but Diana's sister insists she did "absolutely the right thing".

Lady Sarah McCorquodale told the documentary: "If you were grandmother of a 12 year old and 15 year old whose mother had just been killed ... she did absolutely the right thing."

Diana, Dodi Fayed and their driver Henri Paul all died in the tragic Paris accident 20 years ago, while the royal's bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, the only one wearing his seatbelt in the car, survived, and Sarah is unsure why the princess wasn't wearing any protection.

She said: "She was religious in putting on her seatbelt. Why didn't she put it on that night? I'll never know."
There are many uses and healing powers of Tea Tree.

Vegan on Female First

Valued for its antiseptic abilities, this natural herb is one of Australias biggest exports and can be used on the skin and around the home. It is known that during World War II, the Australian Army and Navy even incorporated Tea Tree oil in first aid kits as a germicide. Tea Trees anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties make it a fantastic alternative to conventional products and it is often used to soothe acne, dandruff, wounds, and fungal infections on many parts of the body. Around the home, Tea Tree can be a powerful all-purpose cleaner that may also be used to clean and remove mould.

Dr. Bronners shares its top 5 uses for Tea Tree:

Clean Piercings

Tea Tree is recommended by tattoo and piercing salons as a gentle cleanser for aftercare.

Treating Acne

Tea tree oil contains strong antibacterial and antifungal compounds that are known to reduce inflammation and swelling of the skin.

It helps dry out whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and other blemishes; and disinfects the pores, too. Combined with coconut oil, it can specifically prevent skin from drying out.

Relieving Dry Skin and Razor Burn

Irritated skin and discomfort may be eased due to the anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties of this oil as it is natural and kind to the skin. Those affected by dry skin will find comfort when shaving with tea tree oil based products as it eases razor burn. When combined with nourishing ingredients it also penetrates deep into the skin, breaks down dead skin cells, and feeds the skin.

Treating Hands and Cuticles

Tea Tree can be used on hands to soften dry cuticles and keep them wart free. The oil helps to keep hands clean, nourished, and hydrated.

General Cleaning

Tea Tree oil can also be used to clean makeup brushes and sponges as it gently disinfects the tools. Another use is to remove mould and mildew from the home. Best used with a cloth, towel, loofah, or spongeyou can use it to clean your bathroom or kitchen

The Tea Tree collection from Dr. Bronners is cruelty-free, vegan, organic, and just like Tea Tree, each product has multi-functioning uses which can be used on the body and in the home.
United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. WENJIE ZHENG, Petitioner, v. JEFFERSON B. SESSIONS III, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL, Respondent. 16-2730 Decided: August 22, 2017

PRESENT: ROBERT A. KATZMANN, Chief Judge, JON O. NEWMAN, RICHARD C. WESLEY, Circuit Judges. FOR PETITIONER: David X. Feng, Feng & Associates P.C., New York, NY. FOR RESPONDENT: Chad A. Readler, Acting Assistant Attorney General; Anthony C. Payne, Assistant Director; Colette J. Winston, Trial Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Petitioner Wenjie Zheng, a native and citizen of China, seeks review of a July 8, 2016, decision of the BIA affirming a May 14, 2015, decision of an Immigration Judge (IJ) denying Zheng's application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). In re Wenjie Zheng, No. A200 165 449 (B.I.A. July 8, 2016), aff'g No. A200 165 449 (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City May 14, 2015). We assume the parties' familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history in this case.

Under the circumstances of this case, we have reviewed the IJ's decision as supplemented by the BIA (i.e., including the BIA's treatment of the evidence submitted on appeal). See Yan Chen v. Gonzales, 417 F.3d 268, 271 (2d Cir. 2005). The applicable standards of review are well established. See 8 U.S.C.  1252(b)(4)(B); Xiu Xia Lin v. Mukasey, 534 F.3d 162, 165-66 (2d Cir. 2008).

The governing REAL ID Act credibility standard provides that the agency must [c]onsider[ ] the totality of the circumstances, and may base a credibility finding on an applicant's demeanor, candor, or responsiveness, the plausibility of his account, and inconsistencies in his or his witness's statements, without regard to whether they go to the heart of the applicant's claim. 8 U.S.C.  1158(b)(1)(B)(iii); Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 163-64. We defer  to an IJ's credibility determination unless  it is plain that no reasonable fact-finder could make such an adverse credibility ruling. Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 167. Further, [a] petitioner must do more than offer a plausible explanation for his inconsistent statements to secure relief; he must demonstrate that a reasonable fact-finder would be compelled to credit his testimony. Majidi v. Gonzales, 430 F.3d 77, 80 (2d Cir. 2005) (internal quotation marks omitted). For the reasons that follow, we conclude that substantial evidence supports the agency's finding that Zheng was not credible.

First, the agency reasonably relied on the inconsistency between Zheng's testimony and evidence concerning his fine. See Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 163-64. Zheng testified that his mother paid a 4,000 renminbi fine to secure his release from detention and had received only one receipt. However, Zheng submitted two different receipts for the 4,000 renminbi payment: one with a serial number of 4983; and a second with a serial number of 4984. When asked why there were two receipts, Zheng responded that he did not know and that his mother may have received both receipts at the same time or obtained the second receipt later. But the IJ reasonably rejected this explanation because it did not compellingly explain the inconsistency. See Majidi, 430 F.3d at 80-81. Moreover, as the IJ observed, neither receipt listed Zheng's or his mother's names and there was no information in the receipts linking them to Zheng.

Second, the agency reasonably relied on the omission of any mention of Zheng's summons from his mother's letters. See Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 166-67 & n.3 (An inconsistency and an omission are  functionally equivalent for credibility purposes). Zheng testified that his mother refused to accept the summons when the police tried to serve it at her home, but that she later obtained the summons from the police station to support Zheng's asylum claim. However, Zheng's mother's letters do not mention the summons and state only that the police came looking for Zheng. When asked about the omission, Zheng explained that his mother may not have mentioned the summons because she did not accept it and did not think it was important. The IJ was not required to accept this explanation. See Majidi, 430 F.3d at 80-81.

Third, the Government is correct that Zheng has waived review of the IJ's demeanor finding by failing to challenge it in his brief, and that finding therefore stands as an appropriate basis for the credibility determination. See Norton v. Sam's Club, 145 F.3d 114, 117 (2d Cir. 1998) (Issues not sufficiently argued in the briefs are considered waived and normally will not be addressed on appeal.); Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 163-64 & n.2. Zheng also does not challenge the agency's treatment of his corroborating evidence or the BIA's treatment of his evidence submitted on appeal. And, although Zheng challenges the inconsistency about whether he was struck with a book in detention, neither the IJ nor the BIA relied on this inconsistency to support the credibility determination.

Given the agency's foregoing demeanor, omission, and inconsistency findings, the totality of the circumstances supports the adverse credibility determination. See Xiu Xia Lin, 534 F.3d at 165-66. A reasonable adjudicator would not be compelled to conclude otherwise. Id. at 167. The credibility finding is dispositive of Zheng's claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT relief because those claims are based on the same discredited factual predicate. See Paul v. Gonzales, 444 F.3d 148, 156-57 (2d Cir. 2006).

For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED. As we have completed our review, any stay of removal that the Court previously granted in this petition is VACATED, and any pending motion for a stay of removal in this petition is DISMISSED as moot. Any pending request for oral argument in this petition is DENIED in accordance with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34(a)(2), and Second Circuit Local Rule 34.1(b).

FOR THE COURT: Catherine O'Hagan Wolfe, Clerk
British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed the greater clarity that is emerging on how goods placed onto market before Brexit could be traded and moved between the UK and EU markets after Brexit. The UK government has outlined its position and principles in ensuring a smooth and orderly withdrawal from the EU in regard to availability of goods.

The Position Paper on Continuity in the availability of goods for the EU and the UK released by the UK government proposes four principles. First, goods placed on the Single Market before exit should continue to circulate freely in the UK and the EU, without additional requirements or restrictions.

Second, where businesses have undertaken compliance activities prior to exit, they should not be required to duplicate these activities. Third, the agreement should facilitate the continued oversight of goods. Lastly, 2here the goods are supplied with services, there should be no restriction to the provision of these services that could undermine the agreement on goods.

British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed the greater clarity that is emerging on how goods placed onto market before Brexit could be traded and moved between the UK and EU markets after Brexit. The UK government has outlined its position and principles in ensuring a smooth and orderly withdrawal from the EU in regard to availability of goods.#

The four key principles are aimed at providing legal certainty, while avoiding disruption to business and consumers in regard to the availability of goods. They represent a starting point for enabling a smooth and orderly withdrawal, and moving to a deep and special future partnership, which enables our close trading relationship to continue to flourish, says the paper.

Responding to the governments position paper, William Bain, Policy Adviser  Europe and International, BRC said, It is a sensible suggestion for goods, including food products, which have undergone all necessary compliance checks before Brexit happens, to be able to be traded freely and safely afterwards without unnecessary regulatory duplication.

If the UK Government and EU Commission could reach agreement this would remove the risk of goods being left in a legal limbo across key supply and sourcing chains in early 2019. The BRC is committed to campaigning for a Fair Brexit for Consumers. Ensuring the free flow of goods is one of the key ways in which consumer choice can be maintained, but prices can stay as low as possible. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The 137-year-old French luxury menswear brand Cifonelli is all set to make its entry in India. Known for its distinct technique, high quality fabrics and innovation, Cifonelli will be available at an exclusive on-invitation only trunk show in Mumbai and Delhi. The bespoke brand is being brought to India by Mumbai-based luxury retailer Vault Luxury.

"We are thrilled about our arrival to India; it is an exciting challenge. The luxury sector has a great strength, and in recent years sales of luxury goods have grown faster in this country than anywhere else in the world. "Our plans are to perform trunk shows in the most representative cities of the country, offering our made-to-measure service, as well open our permanent lounge in 2018," said Erwan Camphius, CEO, Cifonelli.
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. a leading developer of genetically engineered spider silk based fibre technologies, has delivered the first dragon silk fibres to a medical equipment firm for performance and application suitability testing. Kraig is a biotechnology company focused on the commercialisation of new textiles and high performance fibres.The Company is dedicating its current dragon silk production to fulfilling its recently exercised US Army contract, but in recognition of the abundant sample requests that the company received and due to this healthcare firms extensive expertise in medical technology development and innovation, the company decided to supply a small amount of fibres, to be tested for strength, elasticity, and other properties.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. a leading developer of genetically engineered spider silk based fibre technologies, has delivered the first dragon silk fibres to a medical equipment firm for performance and application suitability testing. Kraig is a biotechnology company focused on the commercialisation of new textiles and high performance fibres.#

Kraig CEO and founder Kim Thompson said, It seems like we learn about amazing new potential spider silk medical breakthroughs on a near weekly basis, so we believe that medical technologies will be a very important space for Kraigs future. As the promise of our fibres becomes increasingly evident, the tests will allow engineers and product designers to understand our fibres unique properties, work to define specific opportunities, and accelerate future fibre innovation.Jon Rice, Kraig COO said, Its important to note that much of this research is for a commonplace application and its in very early stages, yet we hope that the tests help in guiding us in building the blueprint for future fibre designs. Based upon the initial evaluation of the fibres we are already working to modify the properties of the finished threads for these applications. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The Pakistani Government will come out with short- and long-term remedial strategies to improve the textile sector, minister of state for commerce and textile Haji Muhammad Akram Ansari said at a function of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) recently. The minister asked all stakeholders to submit their proposals within a week.The proposals will be presented to the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, according to media reports in Pakistan. Ansari said he would speak to the prime minister about the Rs 180-billion textile package and issuance of notification for the release of the remaining Rs 120 billion at the cabinet meeting scheduled on 22 August. He would request the prime minister to provide the relief unconditionally, he said.

The Pakistani Government will come out with short- and long-term remedial strategies to improve the textile sector, minister of state for commerce and textile Haji Muhammad Akram Ansari said at a function of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) recently. The minister asked all stakeholders to submit their proposals within a week.#

The textile industry is facing new types of problems, including high cost of doing business and delay in payment of refund claims, he said. He also promised to take up the issue of difference in gas prices for Punjab and Sindh with the ministries concerned. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Rieter, a producer of textile machinery and automobile components, based in Winterthur, Switzerland, has launched the new generation of RSB-D 50 draw frame. The new single-head draw frame generation gives productivity increase of up to 33 per cent, reduced energy costs, quicker lot change at outstanding sliver quality, and easy, intuitive operation.With the patented drive concept ECOrised, 25 per cent of the belts and drive elements as well as the differential gear are saved compared to the previous model. Two servo-motors drive the drafting system. Unique features are the frequency-controlled drive for the suction and the individual drive for the coiler. The new drive solution for the coiler leads to straight belt tracking and a far longer lifetime. The quiet machine is evidence of the low abrasion.

Rieter, a producer of textile machinery and automobile components, based in Winterthur, Switzerland, has launched the new generation of RSB-D 50 draw frame. The new single-head draw frame generation gives productivity increase of up to 33 per cent, reduced energy costs, quicker lot change at outstanding sliver quality, and easy, intuitive operation.#

The new drive solution generates yearly savings of approximately 1?000 for each RSB-D?50. As a standard feature, the draw frames are now equipped with integrated energy measuring. Should a significantly increased power consumption occur, preventive maintenance can be carried out and a breakdown of the machine thus avoided.With a short power fluctuation, the control voltage is supplied from the drive converter. This energy store can compensate short-term voltage interruptions and reductions. The draw frame keeps running. With longer interruptions, the draw frame with active auto-levelling shuts down in a controlled manner. The web remains in the threaded condition and allows a rapid restart.CLEANcoil is the standard coiler for all fibre materials and therefore offers maximal flexibility. The spiral coiling tube ensures coiling which is free of drafting faults, even at high delivery speeds. A honeycomb structure on the coiler underside reliably prevents deposits.For the processing of 100 per cent polyester, the latest development CLEANcoil-PES with a new type of coating offers unique advantages in coiling. Even with critical polyester fibres, the cleaning cycle can be extended by at least 100 per cent. This also leads to more consistent sliver and yarn quality. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The US government has initiated an investigation of China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The investigation will seek to determine whether acts, policies, and practices of the Government of China related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict US commerce.

The move follows upon President Donald Trumps Memorandum of August 14, 2017 instructing the US Trade Representative (USTR) to consider the possible initiation of an investigation. The Presidents Memorandum emphasised that the United States is a world leader in research-and-development-intensive, high-technology goods, and that violations of intellectual property rights and other unfair technology transfers potentially threaten United States firms by undermining their ability to compete fairly in the global market.

The Presidents Memorandum further noted that Chinas conduct may inhibit United States exports, deprive United States citizens of fair remuneration for their innovations, divert American jobs to workers in China, contribute to our trade deficit with China, and otherwise undermine American manufacturing, services, and innovation.

The US government has initiated an investigation of China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The investigation will seek to determine whether acts, policies, and practices of the Government of China related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict US commerce.#

After consulting with stakeholders and other government agencies, I have determined that these critical issues merit a thorough investigation. I notified the President that I am beginning an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, said USTR Robert Lighthizer in a statement.

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, gives the USTR broad authority to respond to a foreign countrys unfair trade practices. If USTR makes an affirmative determination of actionable conduct, it has the authority to take all appropriate and feasible action to obtain the elimination of the act, policy, or practice, subject to the direction of the President, if any. The statute includes authorisation to take any actions that are within the Presidents power with respect to trade in goods or services, or any other area of pertinent relations with the foreign country. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The ongoing Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada (ATSC) 2017 has witnessed 40 per cent increase in attendees compared to last year. Representatives from China occupied 200 of the booths, with the other exhibits featuring wares from countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, United States, United Kingdom, Turkey, Switzerland, Spain and Nepal.

"There is a direct linkage between the world economies, and we chose Toronto to introduce this show as we see a very ripe opportunity in this city, with its residents originating from hundreds of different countries, a thriving retail environment and many local entrepreneurs," said Jason Prescott, CEO of JP Communications who organised the trade fair.

"We felt that bringing the show to Toronto would give us the best opportunity to connect a lot of bridges around the world," said Prescott adding that Canadas economic strength is an attraction for industry players from across the globe eager to do business in this country.

Visitors gained insight into Canadian trade with developing countries  particularly in the area of artisan specialty textiles through TFO Canada  as well as Canada Border Services Agency's Least Developed Countries Programme that supports duty-free imports from countries such as Bangladesh and Cambodia. In addition, attendees learned updates from the Canadian Apparel Federation on the NAFTA re-negotiation and Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

The three-day trade event kicked-off on August 21, 2017. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
HON PM BAINIMARAMA AT THE OPENING OF THE PACIFIC BLUE ECONOMY CONFERENCE





Bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.

It is my pleasure this morning to welcome all of you to Suva for the first high-level Pacific Blue Economy Conference. We are here, under the banner of the Pacific Islands Development Forum, in recognition of the fact that our oceans, and the life they sustain, face threats more severe than at any time in our history. And as Pacific Island nations, it is critical that we lead the charge in advancing the responsible stewardship of our oceans and the sustainable management of our ocean resources.

We are here because we owe a duty to our citizens. Not only to grow our economies and raise their standards of living, but to do one better and give full consideration to the impacts that our development has on our oceans and the life that they sustain.

It undoubtedly takes extra effort to develop strategies for growth in the context of a blue economy. We have to pause and consider, at every level of development, how our actions impact the natural world around us. But we can all appreciate that when we look at the long-term  the bigger picture  every investment we make to protect our oceans and marine resources is well-worth the immediate costs. And any measure taken to make development more sustainable is ultimately in the best interest of any national economy and every global citizen.

Our very identity as Pacific Islanders is tied intimately to the health of our oceans and to the marine plant and animal life that inhabit them. We are oceanic peoples, with cultures, histories and ways of life that are all rooted in the ocean environment. And, make no mistake, it is we in the Pacific who face the most severe consequences of the widespread degradation of our oceans and seas.

But this is not only a Pacific problem. The growing threat to our oceans is affecting every person on earth, and the movement towards more blue economies is global. And we need to apply that global perspective  that wealth of knowledge and experiences  to our own efforts to manage our oceans and marine resources in a more sustainable manner.

Of course, we share development challenges unique to our region. And we need to find ways  together  to usher in new technologies, business models and industries that work to restore the health of our oceans and advance the objectives of blue economic development. But that is all part of a larger effort  the global effort  to reverse the steady degradation that has ravaged our oceans for decades.

I was honoured to lead that global effort to address the threats facing our oceans as co-host of the United Nations Conference on Oceans this past June in New York. At the Oceans Conference, I was very glad to see governments, international organisations and businesses come together to agree on a plan of action to support the health of our oceans. It was a tremendous reassurance, and a promising start for the global campaign to combat the overfishing and pollution that is stripping our oceans of their resources and threatening the way of life of oceanic peoples the world over.

As you all know, Fiji will take the lead on another issue critical to the Pacific when we preside over the ongoing United Nations climate negotiations at COP23 this November.

While it may be Fiji that will serve as COP23 President, I want to assure my fellow Leaders and Pacific Islanders that this is every Pacific nations presidency. We are all vulnerable, with some of our neighbours facing threats to their very existence. And it is our collective concerns, struggles and experiences that will be placed at the forefront of the negotiations under the Fijian Presidency.

Our presidency is also very much tied to promoting blue economic development, as the ocean, marine eco-systems and our changing climate are inextricably linked to one another. Our warming atmosphere is also raising the temperatures of our oceans and exacerbating ocean acidification. Challenges that we have been forced to confront on top of the incredible stress brought on by illegal over-fishing and irresponsible waste disposal into our oceans.

It is a hard truth to accept, but in some ways it is already too late. We are already one degree above the temperature of the pre-industrial age. As a result, we are already witnessing the destruction of our reefs from coral bleaching, with serious consequences for our food security, tourism and way of life as we know it. But it can get worse  much worse. And we have to stand together, along with every other nation on earth, to stop that from happening.

On both the issues of ocean preservation and climate change, the urgency for action cannot be over-stated. The scale of the challenges we face are not up for debate, and we, as Pacific nations, need to keep up the pressure for demanding the international community to take serious action. We need to be relentless, we need to remain unified and we need to keep our interests at the top of the global agenda.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The world should look to all small island nations as the fiercest defenders of our oceans and their resources, and as a shining example of how development and sustainable oceans management can go hand-in-hand. So we need to continue our work abroad to inspire action on the part of every nation, and lead by example here at home to live out the expectations we ask from the rest of the world.

I wish you all the very best with your work over the next two days and encourage you to be ambitious, bold and innovative, to learn from our past and from each other  our future and the future of the world depends on it.

Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.

The Prime Minister of Tuvalu;The Former President of Seychelles, H.E. James Michel;The Chair of the Pacific Blue Economy Summit;Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Solomon Islands;Distinguished Participants;Ladies and Gentlemen.
United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RAEQUON ALLEN, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-2950 Decided: August 21, 2017

Before DANIEL A. MANION, Circuit Judge MICHAEL S. KANNE, Circuit Judge DIANE S. SYKES, Circuit Judge

ORDER

Raequon Allen pleaded guilty to robbery in violation of the Hobbs Act, 18 U.S.C.  1951(a), and to brandishing a gun during that crime in violation of 18 U.S.C.  924(c)(1)(A)(ii). The district judge sentenced Allen to 36 months in prison for the Hobbs Act violation plus a consecutive, statutory minimum term of 84 months for the firearm offense. Allen challenges his firearm conviction, term of imprisonment, and various conditions of his supervised release. We affirm Allen's firearm conviction because his conviction for Hobbs Act robbery is a valid predicate for his  924(c) conviction. We vacate the sentence and remand to allow the judge to exercise his discretion, consistent with Dean v. United States, 137 S. Ct. 1170 (2017), in calculating an appropriate sentence. Any infirmities in the supervised-release conditions may be addressed at resentencing.

Over three days in January and February of 2015, Allen robbed three gas stations near Madison, Wisconsin, by pointing a gun at the cashiers and demanding cash and cigarettes. He was arrested a few days later by local police and charged with three counts of Hobbs Act robbery, 18 U.S.C.  1951(a), and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, id.  924(c)(1)(A)(ii).

After Allen fired his first appointed attorney and twice attempted to fire his second attorney, he eventually pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of the robbery in exchange for the government's agreement to dismiss the remaining three counts of the indictment and to recommend a sentence reduction for Allen's acceptance of responsibility.

The judge calculated a guidelines imprisonment range of 51 to 63 months for the robbery conviction and a statutory minimum of 84 months for the firearm conviction. The government argued that the court was constrained by United States v. Roberson, 474 F.3d 432, 43637 (7th Cir. 2007), which held that a sentencing judge must not reduce the sentence for the predicate crime in consideration of the mandatory sentence for the  924(c) offense. So the judge imposed the seven-year statutory minimum for the firearm offense but recognized he could not consider that term when sentencing for the robbery conviction. After a lengthy colloquy with Allen, the judge explained the rationale behind imposing a 36-month sentence on the robbery count. He then imposed three years of supervised release on each count, to run concurrently. The judge noted that neither party had objected to the proposed conditions of supervised release but nonetheless read them aloud and confirmed that Allen understood the conditions.

On appeal Allen first contends that a violation of the Hobbs Act is not categorically a crime of violence that serves as a predicate offense to support a  924(c) conviction. The government argues that Allen waived this argument by pleading guilty unconditionally because a defendant who pleads guilty waives his right to appeal all non-jurisdictional issues. United States v. Phillips, 645 F.3d 859, 862 (7th Cir. 2011). Allen concedes that waiver forecloses his challenge, but he presses it nonetheless.

Allen indeed waived this challenge, and in any event, his argument fails on the merits. After Allen filed his opening brief, this circuit join[ed] the unbroken consensus of other circuits and concluded that a Hobbs Act robbery is a crime of violence under the elements clause of  924(c). United States v. Anglin, 846 F.3d 954, 965 (7th Cir. 2017), petition for cert. filed (May 31, 2017) (No. 16-9411). We elaborated on that holding in United States v. Rivera, 847 F.3d 847, 84849 (7th Cir. 2017), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 2228 (2017), noting that one cannot commit Hobbs Act robbery without using or threatening physical force.

Allen next maintains (and the government agrees) that he must be resentenced in light of Dean because the district judge misapprehended his discretion to consider the mandatory seven-year sentence for the  924(c) conviction when imposing punishment for the predicate robbery. Following Roberson, the judge recognized that he could not consider the seven-year sentence as mitigating and must review each conviction distinctly. Roberson is no longer good law, however, after the Court in Dean held that [n]othing in  924(c) restricts the authority conferred on sentencing courts by  3553(a) and the related provisions to consider a sentence imposed under  924(c) when calculating a just sentence for the predicate count. 137 S. Ct. at 117677. Thus we vacate Allen's sentence and remand for resentencing consistent with Dean.

Finally, Allen attacks his three-year term of supervised release, but he can seek a clarification or modification at his resentencing upon remand and to the extent authorized by 18 U.S.C.  3583(e)(2). See United States v. Neal, 810 F.3d 512, 51920 (7th Cir. 2016). Supervised release is part of the overall sentencing package and must be justified and imposed again as part of the new sentence. United States v. Mobley, 833 F.3d 797, 801 (7th Cir. 2016).

Accordingly, we AFFIRM the convictions. We VACATE the sentence and REMAND to the district court for further proceedings consistent with this order.
NEW ORLEANS, LA--(Marketwired - August 22, 2017) - Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until October 16, 2017 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: APRN), if they purchased the Company's securities pursuant to its June 29, 2017 initial public offering ("IPO"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

What You May Do

If you purchased securities of Blue Apron and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit http://ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-aprn/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by October 16, 2017.

About the Lawsuit

Blue Apron and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information in its Registration Statement filed in connection with its IPO, violating federal securities laws.

The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) advertising spending was being significantly reduced, despite prior statements to the contrary; (ii) product delivery delays or defects were causing customer retention problems; (iii) the launch of the Company's new facility was delayed; (iv) new product offerings were delayed; and (v) as a result of the foregoing, Blue Apron's Registration Statement was materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include the former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn

Managing Partner

lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com

1-877-515-1850

206 Covington St.

Madisonville, LA 70447
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Dean Foods Co.(DF) said that Chris Bellairs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will depart the company effective September 1. Bellairs will assist in transitioning to Scott Vopni, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, who will assume the responsibilities in the interim while the company conducts its search for a new CFO. The company noted that Bellairs' departure is not related to any issues regarding the integrity of the company's financial statements or accounting policies and practices. Vopni joined Dean Foods in May 2008 and has served multiple senior roles in the company's finance organization. During his tenure, Vopni was integrally involved in debt, equity and M&A transactions and led the company's investor relations activities. Vopni currently leads the accounting team and oversees the finance function for both the supply chain and commercial organizations. 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.
NEW YORK, 2017-08-23 06:01 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. Graham Porter, Dell EMC, Business Development Director EMEA, Surveillance and Security told us, "The Munich Airport system is a paradigm among airport security systems. It was designed around a single centralized and virtual data archiving system, accessible to anyone with permission anywhere on the airport network, and uses behavioral analytics to trigger alarm, camera management (zoom into the picture, follow a suspect, increase image resolution etc.) thereby reducing the number and scope of 'People-Watching-Cameras' and providing a massive saving for the airport operators. The system installed was placed by a Dell EMC partner in a public competitive RFP, so value as well as functional excellence was a determinant of the solution choice. We are given permission to reference this system and use it for show-&-tell visits and in our sales meetings with new and existing Customers. The airport has since expanded the system beyond the original scope and size of the original purchased hardware, emphasizing their commitment to our solution and their happiness with it." For the complete interview with Graham Porter, please click here, or here: http://www.securitysolutionswatch.com/Interviews/in_Boardroom_Porter_DeLLEMC.htm l For additional information: Dell EMC Solutions Portfolio (www.emc.com/storage/video-surveillance-storage.htm ) Dell EMC Partner Validations (https://www.emc.com/storage/video-surveillance-storage.htm#!partner_validations ) Dell EMC Resources (https://www.emc.com/storage/video-surveillance-storage.htm#!resources) About SecuritySolutionsWatch.com SecuritySolutionsWatch.com features thought leadership interviews about security solutions. Our flagship "In The Boardroom" program, now in its 15th year, has delivered outstanding content about security solutions from leading global brands such as: Cisco Security, Cyberinc, Dell EMC, Extenua, HP Cybersecurity, Gemalto, HID Global, ImageWare, Siemens Security and SONY Security, just to name a few. What's YOUR cybersecurity, physical security, mobility, payments, safety or "smart" solution? We invite you to please join us "In The Boardroom", more details here, or here: http://www.securitysolutionswatch.com/Main/ThoughtLeadershipOpportunity_July2017 .pdf Please click here for our Media Kit (http://www.securitysolutionswatch.com/MediaKit.html) Please click here or here: http://www.securitysolutionswatch.com/Main/170502%20RATE_CARD-4.pdf for additional details about our offerings. ***** THIS PRESS RELEASE, AND ALL ADVERTISING, CONTENT AND ALL OTHER MATERIAL AND INFORMATION WHICH APPEARS ON SECURITYSOLUTIONSWATCH.COM AND/OR SECURITYSTOCKWATCH.COM, ONLINE AND/OR IN PRINT, IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS OF USE, CONDITIONS, AND DISCLAIMER HERE:www.securitysolutionswatch.com/Main/Terms_of_Use.html. Contact: Martin Eli Publisher Martin (at) SecuritySolutionsWatch (dot) com

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.
LONDON, January 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Omnitude will bring a new level of connectivity between blockchain technologies, enterprise systems and eCommerce platforms

The technology will open up the supply chain, reduce eCommerce fraud and enable shared customer identity solutions. Omnitude has already gained significant interest from enterprise partners

Omnitude is built on Hyperledger technology, an open source project by the Linux Foundation to build a permissioned blockchain infrastructure

Omnitude today announces it will bring blockchain technology to eCommerce platforms and enterprise systems. Harnessing the power of Hyperledger, it will resolve key issues in eCommerce such as identity protection, defending against fraud and ensuring supply chain transparency with its smart blockchain platform.

Omnitude is a project borne out of an existing enterprise eCommerce agency which saw first-hand the time and difficulty involved in integrating and reintegrating systems. Blockchain technology has the ability to solve problems in ways not previously possible. Omnitude will help achieve:

The creation of transparent and accountable manufacturing and supply chains.

A significant reduction in eCommerce fraud.

The enablement of a single customer identity for use across any Omnitude-connected eCommerce site.

Blockchain integration between enterprise systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).

Hyperledger will form the heart of the Omnitude platform. A permissioned blockchain protocol, it will enable business-to-consumer and business-to-business transactions. Unlike public blockchain protocols, it will be a permissioned network where nodes are run by known whitelisted organisations or individuals, with oversight from the Omnitude Foundation. To further enhance security and transparency, the Omnitude blockchain will be periodically anchored to transactions on public blockchains such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The result will be a flexible method of implementing business-focused systems. Any entity participating in eCommerce - merchant, customer, supplier, courier, affiliate/referrer - will be able to join the Omnitude Ecosystem, which will be powered by the ECOM token.

Merchants will make payments in ECOM to other ecosystem participants to use the on-ledger Omnitude solutions for supply chain provenance, delivery cycle transparency data, single id, single reputation and proof-of-interaction. Customers will be able to use ECOM as an alternative to fiat payments.

Chris Painter, Founder and CEO of Omnitude, said: "I have worked for over 10 years in enterprise eCommerce, and time and again the same issues arise. Our customers often face difficulties integrating systems, and don't have reliable solutions for tracking products through the supply chain or verifying customer identities. Not only that, the existing products on the market take months to implement.

"With Omnitude, we will use blockchain technologies to make the online retail marketplace more transparent, more profitable and more secure. We will build the integration layer that will allow enterprise to reap the rewards of blockchain technology."

About Omnitude

Omnitude is a blockchain smart platform that connects blockchain technologies, eCommerce platforms and enterprise systems involved in building end-to-end supply chains. Utilising Omnitude as an integration layer between existing systems enables rapid deployment of blockchain technology without the need to replace current systems.

The Omnitude platform will itself be open and transparent, enabling anyone to design and build Omnitude applications to integrate with existing solutions in eCommerce, supply chain and enterprise systems.

Omnitude technology will enable a wide variety of different applications to be built. The Omnitude team will build its own, whilst supporting the community to develop their own, through open documentation, example code and support.

We aim to revolutionise eCommerce and supply chains with blockchain technologies. Visit our website at http://omnitude.tech/ or follow our telegram channel https://t.me/joinchat/GvyX0g8PC7_JsyUu0fruUw to be notified when the token sale opens.

Contact: Tom Fry, omnitude@brightbee.co.uk , +44(0)208-8193170
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- Mkango Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: MKA)(AIM: MKA) (the "Company" or "Mkango"), is pleased to announce that the Government of Malawi has granted a further two year renewal, from September 8, 2017, for Exclusive Exploration Licence ("EPL") 0303/10R3 ("the Thambani Licence"), in southwest Malawi.

The main exploration targets in the Thambani licence are uranium, niobium, tantalum, zircon and other associated minerals. In May 2017, Mkango announced the results of recent exploration at Thambani. Assay results from 85 rock grab samples returned high grade uranium, tantalum and niobium values, ranging up to 3.3 % U3O8, 1.9 % Ta2O5 and 6.0 % Nb2O5. 35 of the samples graded above 500ppm U3O8 and 24 graded above 1,000ppm U3O8. The May 2017 press release can be accessed via the following link: http://www.mkango.ca/s/news.asp?ReportID=790626. Mkango is currently evaluating strategic options for Thambani, including opportunities to joint venture or spin-off the project, and other potential avenues to create value.

About Mkango Resources Ltd.

Mkango's primary business is the exploration for rare earth elements and associated minerals in the Republic of Malawi, a country whose hospitable people have earned it a reputation as "the warm heart of Africa". Mkango holds, through its wholly owned subsidiary Lancaster Exploration Limited, a 100% interest in two exclusive prospecting licences in southern Malawi, the Phalombe licence and the Thambani licence.

The main exploration target in the Phalombe licence is the Songwe Hill rare earths' deposit, which features carbonatite hosted rare earth mineralisation and was subject to previous exploration in the late 1980s. Mkango completed an updated Pre-feasibility Study for the project in November 2015. Mkango's strategy for Songwe is to further optimise the project with a view to maximising efficiency and reducing costs, thereby providing a strong platform for entering into partnerships, marketing and offtake arrangements. In December 2016, Mkango entered into an agreement with Noble Resources International to collaborate in the rare earths sector. In March 2017, Mkango entered into a MOU with Metalysis Limited to jointly research, develop and commercialise novel rare earth metal alloys for use in three-dimensional (3D) printed permanent magnets.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such factors and risks include, without limiting the foregoing, delays in obtaining financing or governmental or stock exchange approvals. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any equity or other securities of the Corporation in the United States. The securities of the Corporation will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold within the United States to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.

Contacts:

Mkango Resources Limited

William Dawes

Chief Executive Officer

will@mkango.ca

UK: +44 207 3722 744

Canada: +1 403 444 5979



Mkango Resources Limited

Alexander Lemon

President

alex@mkango.ca



Blytheweigh

Financial Public Relations

Tim Blythe, Camilla Horsfall, Nick Elwes

UK: +44 207 138 3204



SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP

Nominated Adviser and Broker

Jeff Keating , Caroline Rowe

UK: +44 20 3470 0470




LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- Jumio, the creator of Netverify Trusted Identity as a Service (TIaaS), has today announced a partnership with Branddocs TrustCloud, a global integral provider of trust services, which will allow the business to offer Jumio's solutions to its significant client base in Spain and LATAM. According to the Unisys 2017 Security Index, the main concerns of the Latin American population are related to fraud and the collection and use of data from their bank cards, issues that this partnership helps to address.

Branddocs' TrustCloud solution, founded and headquartered in New York, is used by some of the world's most recognised organisations including Logitravel, AON, BBVA, Banco Santander, Willis, XL Catlyn, and others to carry out secure digital transactions and archive them as a Trusted Third Party. This drastically reduces the execution time of processing and shipping costs of transactions.

Jumio's Netverify Trusted Identity as a Service (TIaaS) will work alongside Branddocs' existing technologies to provide users with the three core pillars of Netverify: ID Verification, Identity Verification and Document Verification. This multi-layered technology will further strengthen Branddocs' TrustCloud verification suite and see Netverify achieve further penetration into the Spanish and LATAM markets.

Robert Prigge, CRO at Jumio, said: "Jumio's instant, trusted verification has fast become an essential tool in digital security. We are pleased to partner with Branddocs, bringing our market-leading ID verification, identity verification and document verification to Spanish and Latin American markets. Netverify will help Branddocs' clients and partners to ensure that their customers are genuinely who they say are."

Maria J. Hernandez, General Director at Branddocs for Spain & LATAM, added: "Our clients rely on us to help provide trust. Electronic transactions depend on the sender and the receiver each knowing that the other is who they say they are. As the world becomes more digitised, digital signing continues to grow and Jumio's innovative identity verification technology enables us to provide our customers with a strong, trusted proposition that fits smoothly alongside our existing TrustCloud solution."

TrustCloud from Branddocs offers Identification, Notification, eSignature and Qualified Archiving (e-Repository). It allows multiple types of eSignatures according to legal criteria, including: Simple, Advanced and Recognised (Qualified), using biometric authentication such as facial recognition to facilitate simple, modern identification for trusted transactions.

Jumio is the de facto standard in identity verification, with over 60 million identities verified. In 2017, the company achieved its strongest results to date and has won Best Fraud Prevention Platform at the 2017 FinTech Breakthrough Awards. It was also named "Cutting Edge Biometrics Security Solution" winner in the 2017 Cyber Defense Magazine InfoSec Awards.

About Jumio

Jumio, the creator of Netverify Trusted Identity as a Service (TIaaS), enables businesses to increase customer conversions while providing a seamless customer experience and reducing fraud. By combining the three core pillars of ID Verification, Identity Verification and Document Verification, businesses now have a complete solution that allows them to establish the real-world identity of the consumer.

Leveraging advanced technology like biometric facial recognition and machine learning, Jumio helps customers to meet regulatory compliance including KYC and AML and tie the digital identity to the physical world. Jumio has verified more than 60 million identities issued by over 200 countries from real time web and mobile transactions. Jumio's solutions are used by leading companies in the financial services, sharing economy, higher education, retail, travel and online gaming sectors. Based in Palo Alto, Jumio operates globally with offices in the US and Europe, and has been the recipient of numerous awards for innovation.

For more information, please visit www.jumio.com

About Branddocs

Branddocs TrustCloud, the only integral provider worldwide of trust services.

In order to offer its clients a complete solution as Trusted Third Party, TrustCloud includes the best functionalities in electronic identification, notification, signature as well as qualified custody and reseal for electronic records.

Founded in 2008 after several millions of dollars in R&D, Branddocs Inc. is a team of architects and IT engineers specialised in digital identity, signature and secure exchange and archiving. With offices in New York and Madrid, Branddocs is the leader and only provider offering a single cloud solution for Trust Services.
EURid donated to the Uganda Borehole Rehabilitation project as part of its CO2 emission compensation

EURid has announced its support to the Borehole Rehabilitation project in Uganda to provide thousands of people with clean drinkable water. EURid sees water as the most basic requirement for life. For many rural communities across Sub-Saharan Africa it is still a struggle to find safe drinking water. Moreover, water drawn from rivers could potentially contain lethal contaminants and therefore must be boiled before ingestion, adding yet an additional hardship for families as well as the environment in terms of firewood used.

The goal of the Borehole Rehabilitation project is to better this situation by working with Ugandan communities to repair broken boreholes and restore access to clean, safe drinking water. The direct benefits of the project are that families no longer have to travel great distances to attain water or boil the water to eradicate contaminants, saving firewood and preventing carbon emissions from being released into the atmosphere.

Giovanni Seppia, EURid's External Relations Manager, explains "The project primarily affects the Northern region of Uganda, an area that was subject to much conflict due to a tumultuous political situation some time ago. This has led to high levels of poverty and a lack of investment in both necessary and basic infrastructure, like access to clean water. As an organization, we want to support the people of Uganda by providing access to one of life's fundamental resources."

This project abides by EURid's CSR policy action plan and has been conducted under the strict guidelines, validation process and annual auditing of The Gold Standard.

About EURid

EURid is the not-for-profit organization that operates the .eu and .?? top-level domains, following a tender process and appointment by the European Commission. EURid works with over 700 accredited registrars and provides support in the 24 official EU languages. As part of its ongoing commitment to data security, EURid has been certified for the ISO27001 security standard since 2013. EURid is also registered by the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), which is an expression of its environmental commitment. EURid has its headquarters in Brussels (Belgium), and regional offices in Pisa (Italy), Prague (the Czech Republic) and Stockholm (Sweden). More information at: http://www.eurid.eu.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170823005382/en/

Contacts:

EURid

Christopher Nicastro, TEL: +32 (0)2 401 27 50 ext. 261

christopher.nicastro@eurid.eu
MEXICO CITY, August 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

World's leading Scotch Whisky brand shakes it up with the launch of three experimental whiskies at Diageo World Class event

Johnnie Walker is launching three new experimental whiskies from its Blenders' Batch range for both whisky aficionados and cocktail lovers. The limited edition whiskies are being introduced at the Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year Final in Mexico City.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/547157/Johnnie_Walker_Blenders_Batch.jpg )



(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/547160/Aimee_Gibson_Jim_Beveridge.jpg )



All three new blends - Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Wine Cask Blend, Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Rum Cask Finish and Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Espresso Roast - were designed to form the foundation of exceptional Scotch cocktails and yet, like all the brand's classic whiskies, they can also be enjoyed straight up over ice.

Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch whiskies are the result of bold experiments that push the boundaries in flavour. Like Johnnie Walker Black Label - which was first borne out of flavour experiments more than a century ago and has since gone on to become a true icon of Scotch - these new whiskies are crafted by a small team of 12 passionate and skilled blenders, under the expert guidance of two-time Master Blender of the Year Jim Beveridge[1].

Johnnie Walker blender Aimee Gibson led the development of Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Wine Cask Blend. She believes the parallels between crafting great whisky and creating extraordinary cocktails make the World Class Final in Mexico City the perfect environment for the introduction of these new whiskies.

"An unforgettable drinks experience is always the end goal. It is what elite mixologists strive to achieve when perfecting cocktails and it is what we, as whisky makers, have at the forefront of our thinking when experimenting and creating exciting new blends," said Aimee, who was recently presented with the Rising Star Award at the International Spirits Challenge 2017.

Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Wine Cask Blend is the outcome of an experiment in maturation in wine casks set in motion by Aimee's mentor Beveridge, over a decade ago. It is an exceptionally fruity Scotch that is full of lively fresh berry, sweet toffee flavours and delicate fragrant aromas.

Aimee said: "My goal at Johnnie Walker is to make whiskies that can be enjoyed by people with a range of taste preferences, especially by those who might previously have thought that whisky isn't for them. As blenders, we draw upon almost 200 years of whisky-making experience and take inspiration from flavour pioneers from around the world.

"Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Wine Cask Blend is light and fruity. It's perfect for enjoying in an after-work cocktail with friends or for savouring on its own during quieter moments."

Master Blender Jim Beveridge said: "At Johnnie Walker, we know how to make exceptional Scotch. That was true when we first created Johnnie Walker Black Label over a hundred years ago and it is still true today. Our philosophy and our commitment to creating exceptional Scotch Whiskies is central to everything we do.

"Our blenders are given free rein to take inspiration from anything and everything around them when making whisky: experiences they've had, personal passions, sounds, and flavours. Their passion drives them to challenge the whisky-making status quo and to tap into other flavour cultures to create the best possible flavour combinations for all of our blends, every day."

Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Wine Cask Blend is launching in selected countries from September 2017 with an RRP from US$29.99.

Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Rum Cask Finish and Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Espresso Roast will be available globally at some of the world's best bars from October 2017.

For more information please visit www.johnniewalker.com

[1] International Whisky Competition (2015 & 2016)

Enjoy Johnnie Walker responsibly. DRINKiQ.com


LAS VEGAS (dpa-AFX) - Wynn Resorts said it has reached an agreement to purchase about 38 acres of land on the Las Vegas Strip directly across from Wynn Las Vegas. The purchase includes the 34 acre site of the former New Frontier, formerly the Alon Resort site, as well as 4 additional acres connected to the site for a total of $336 million.



The agreement completes a unique assembly of contiguous real estate of approximately 280 acres that spans from the Las Vegas Convention Center on Paradise Road from the east, to Industrial Road on the west.



The combined frontage on the Las Vegas Strip is over 3,500 feet, including rights to approximately 1,000 acre feet of water. It is adjacent to nearly 6 million square feet of convention and exhibition space. The average cost of the full assembly of 280 acres is less than $3 million per acre.



The future development of the land will further change tourist visitation patterns in Las Vegas drawing more visitors to the north end of Las Vegas Blvd and its collection of luxury resorts, including the existing Wynn Las Vegas and the Paradise Park development slated to begin construction in January 2018 on the site of the former Wynn Golf Course.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARIO MENDOZA-VALLES, Defendant-Appellant. No. 17-1013 Decided: August 22, 2017

Before DIANE P. WOOD, Chief Judge WILLIAM J. BAUER, Circuit Judge FRANK H. EASTERBROOK, Circuit Judge

ORDER

Mario Mendoza-Valles does not know how to take no for an answer. He is a citizen of Mexico who repeatedly has come to the United States without authorization, and has repeatedly (we are told a dozen times) been removed back to Mexico. Although he has not been prosecuted for several of his illegal reentries, the present case represents his fifth felony conviction for violating 8 U.S.C.  1326. The most recent of those earlier convictions earned him 19 months in a federal prison; he last was removed from the United States in September 2010.

In August 2015, Mendoza-Valles was caught again in the United States, this time as a result of an arrest for driving without a license. The immigration authorities found out about the arrest; he was indicted for yet another violation of section 1326(a) and (b)(1); and he pleaded guilty. Before his sentencing hearing, the probation office prepared the usual report. The responsible officer used the 2015 edition of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and calculated an advisory range of 15 to 21 months' imprisonment, based on an offense level of 10 and a criminal history category IV (reflecting almost exclusively his repeated immigration offenses). The offense level included a four-level upward adjustment that applies to persons who unlawfully reenter the United States after a prior removal, see U.S.S.G.  2L1.2(b)(1)(D) (2015 ed.). Without that adjustment, the advisory imprisonment range would have been 6 to 12 months.

At each of two presentencing status hearings, the district judge warned Mendoza-Valles that he was considering a sentence above the advisory range, for the obvious reason that Mendoza-Valles is a serial violator of the U.S. immigration laws. In response, Mendoza-Valles's lawyer argued that nothing in U.S.S.G.  2L1.2 directs the sentencing court to assess a harsher sentence if the defendant has more than one conviction for illegal reentry. The judge did not think that a good enough reason to refrain from tailoring the sentence to Mendoza-Valles's personal circumstances, as the judge is entitledindeed, requiredto do under 18 U.S.C.  3553(a). He chose instead a sentence of 36 months' imprisonment, 15 months above the top of the advisory range. By way of explanation, the judge stated that he had heard over 500 illegal reentry cases, yet had never encountered a defendant who so persistently violated the prohibition against returning. Because the recent 19-month sentence had failed to deter Mendoza-Valles's illegal actions, the judge concluded that a within-range sentence would not be adequate. Although the statutory maximum is 10 years, the judge opted for greater lenience and imposed the three-year (36 month) sentence.

On appeal, Mendoza-Valles challenges only the reasonableness of his sentence. But his basic argument misunderstands the nature of federal sentencing in the wake of United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005). The sentencing guidelines are advisory. That means, as the Supreme Court held in Spears v. United States, 555 U.S. 261 (2009), that the district court (after correctly calculating the advisory range) is free to disagree with that advice, whether because it thinks the advice bad for the particular defendant, or if it wishes to exercise its authority to reject and vary categorically from the  Guidelines based on a policy disagreement with those Guidelines. Id. at 266. The fact, therefore, that there are certain technical differences between the 2015 and the 2016 version of U.S.S.G.  2L1.2, and that neither version adds additional offense levels for successive convictions of the statute, is beside the point.

The judge here did everything he was supposed to do: he calculated the guidelines range by the book (and Mendoza-Valles does not argue otherwise); he examined the factors under 18 U.S.C.  3553(a), placing special weight on Mendoza-Valles's history and characteristics, the need for deterrence, and the need to protect the public from further crime, see  3553(a)(1), (2)(B) and (C); and he chose a sentence designed to serve those purposes and at the same time respect the statutory limits. We have no hesitation in holding that the resulting sentence was a reasonable oneindeed, if anything it strikes us as lenient. We hope, as did the district judge, that Mendoza-Valles will get the message this time and keep his promise to make a new life in Mexico.

The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.
MIAMI, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 09/21/17 -- Amazonas Florestal, Ltd. (www.azflusa.com) (OTC PINK: AZFL), a natural resources company dedicated to innovative, sustainable forest management, industrial CBD hemp and the certification and sales of carbon credits, has announced that as of today, the Company is cleared to harvest the first 100 acre plantation. The Amazonas Florestal management team will be assisting the Amazon Hemp operatives in Colorado throughout the harvesting process, which should be taking place on Friday, September 22, 2017.

Ricardo Cortez, Company Chairman for Amazonas Florestal, Ltd., stated, "Company management is pleased to announce that the first plantation has reached 100 percent of its growth potential and has been cleared for harvest tomorrow, Friday, September 22, 2017."

Todd Ellison, Managing Partner at 303 Farms, Company Contractors in Colorado, added, "The first field is ready for harvest and we anticipate positive results."

About Amazonas Florestal Ltd.

Amazonas Florestal Ltd. is a natural resources company dedicated to innovative, sustainable management of large tracts of land in the rainforests of Amazonas, Brazil, that include the certification and sale of carbon credits and the growth, harvesting, research and development of Industrial CBD Hemp and related products in the U.S.

Headquartered in Miami, FL, Amazonas's goal is to become a leader in sustainable forest management and preservation, creating revenue while protecting the biodiversity of the rainforest ecosystem and enhancing the lives of the people who live in it. Through a strategy of selective harvesting, certification and sale of carbon, biomass and biofuel production, and conservation incentives, Amazonas Florestal Ltd. intends to help protect one of the world's greatest natural resources and show how its preservation can be a profitable activity. Visit the Company at: www.azflusa.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this release regarding Amazonas Florestal Ltd. are made pursuant to the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Amazonas Florestal Ltd.

Email: info@azflusa.com

Web: www.azflusa.com




BAGSVRD, Denmark, December 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Switching to Tresiba reduced the rate of hypoglycaemia by 67% in people with controlled blood sugar levels

In people with diabetes whose blood sugar was too high, switching to Tresiba significantly improved blood sugar levels

Switching to Tresiba from another basal insulin benefits people with diabetes regardless of whether or not their blood sugar levels are controlled.[1] This is the conclusion of a post-hoc analysis of data from the EU-TREAT study collected in a real-world clinical setting among people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

In people with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar levels were controlled (HbA 1c 7.5%) with basal insulin prior to switching, Tresiba significantly reduced the rate of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) while maintaining blood sugar control. Results showed a 67% reduction in the rate of hypoglycaemic events over six months after switching to Tresiba, with an 11% lower dose of insulin.[1]

In patients with uncontrolled type 1 or type 2 diabetes, switching to Tresiba resulted in significantly improved glycaemic control without an increase in the risk of hypoglycaemia or insulin dose.[1][2] These results were sustained for up to 12 months after switching from another basal insulin, mainly insulin glargine U100 and insulin detemir.[1]

In people with type 1 diabetes whose blood sugar levels were controlled, a 16% lower rate of hypoglycaemia was observed over six months, and blood sugar control was maintained with a 13% lower dose of insulin.[1]

"This new analysis shows that people with diabetes who have switched to Tresiba in the real world benefit from this change, regardless of whether they did so to improve blood glucose control or reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer at Novo Nordisk. "This confirms that the benefits of Tresiba seen in clinical trials are being reproduced in clinical practice."

The main results of the EU-TREAT real-world evidence study reported earlier this year showed that that people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes experienced a significant reduction in HbA 1c six months after switching to Tresiba. Rates of overall hypoglycaemia were also significantly lower at six months after switching to Tresiba. In people with type 1 diabetes, the rate of severe hypoglycaemia was reduced by 85% and by 92% in people with type 2 diabetes. Similar reductions were seen at 12 months.[2,3]

About EU-TREAT

EU-TREAT (EUropean TREsiba AudiT) is a European, multicentre, real-world evidence study (n=2,550) investigating the effect of switching to Tresiba from another basal insulin in people with type 1 (n=1,717) and type 2 (n=833) diabetes. Patients in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy and Switzerland were switched from another basal insulin to Tresiba 6 months prior to data collection. Outcome measurements were collected at 63 and 123 months after initiation on Tresiba and was compared to baseline measurement taken from the prior basal insulin during a 3-month period prior to initiation on Tresiba. [2,3]

About Tresiba[ ]

Tresiba (insulin degludec) is a once-daily basal insulin that provides a duration of action beyond 42 hours with a flat and stable glucose-lowering effect.[4,5] It provides low variability in blood glucose levels and a lower risk of overall, nocturnal and severe hypoglycaemia vs. insulin glargine U100.[4,6] On occasions when administration at the same time of day is not possible, Tresiba allows for flexibility in day-to-day dosing time with a minimum of eight hours between injections.[5] Tresiba received its first regulatory approval in September 2012 and has since been approved in more than 80 countries globally. It is now commercially available in more than 50 countries.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat obesity, haemophilia, growth disorders and other serious chronic diseases. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 41,700 people in 77 countries and markets its products in more than 165 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube .

Further information

Media: Katrine Sperling +45-4442-6718 krsp@novonordisk.com Asa Josefsson +45-3079-7708 aajf@novonordisk.com Investors: Peter Hugreffe Ankersen +45-3075-9085 phak@novonordisk.com Hanna Ogren +45-3079-8519 haoe@novonordisk.com Anders Mikkelsen +45-3079-4461 armk@novonordisk.com Christina Kjr +45-3079-3009 cnje@novonordisk.com Kasper Veje (US) +1-609-235-8567 kpvj@novonordisk.com

References

1. Novo Nordisk. EU-TREAT post hoc analysis. Data on file. 2017.

2. Siegmund T, Tentolouris N, Knudsen TS, et al. EU-TREAT 1: Switching to insulin degludec reduces the risk of hypoglycaemia in patients with T1DM in a real-world setting. Poster presentation. 77th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), San Diego, California, US. June 2017.

3. Schultes B, Tentolouris N, Knudsen TS, et al. EU-TREAT 2: Switching to insulin degludec improves glycaemic control in patients with T2DM in a real-world setting. Poster presentation. 77th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), San Diego, California, US. June 2017.

4. EMA. Tresiba Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_Information/human/002498/WC500138940.pdf. Last accessed: December 2017.

5. Haahr H, Heise T. A review of the pharmacological properties of insulin degludec and their clinical relevance. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2014; 53:787-800.

6. Marso SP, McGuire DK, Zinman B, et al. Efficacy and safety of degludec versus glargine in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2017; 377:723-732.



ZINC ID: HQMMA/TB/0917/0327: December 2017
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks were subdued on Monday as the U.S. government shutdown entered its third day and investors awaited cues from two major central bank meetings this week. The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index was marginally lower at 400.90 in late opening deals after rising half a percent on Friday. The German DAX and France's CAC 40 index were down about 0.1 percent each while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was little changed with a positive bias. Sanofi shares tumbled nearly 3 percent after the French drugmaker agreed to buy hemophilia drugmaker Bioverativ Inc. for $11.6bn. Swiss banking giant UBS dropped 1.7 percent after it reported a 2.22 billion-franc ($2.3 billion) loss for the fourth quarter as a result of a large writedown related to the new U.S. tax overhaul. Swiss luxury group Richemont lost over 1 percent after it launched an offer to take full control of Yoox Net-a-Porter. Shares of Italian online luxury retailer Yoox Net-a-Porter soared more than 24 percent. Gambling firms slumped in London after reports that the government is set to limit gambling terminal stakes to two pounds. William Hill slumped 13 percent while Ladbrokes Coral shares fell over 10 percent. On the positive side, South African retailer Steinhoff jumped almost 9 percent. The company is launching an accelerated bookbuild to place about 29.5 million shares in PSG Group Limited with qualifying institutional investors. Germany's Deutsche Telekom rallied 1.6 percent after saying it is confident of hiking dividends in 2018. British online supermarket Ocado Group soared 13 percent after announcing a partnership with Sobeys to develop an online grocery business in Canada. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 23, 2017 / Profound Medical Corp. (TSX-V: PRN) will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results of the second quarter 2017, to be held Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time.

Live Event Information

To participate, connect approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the event.

Date, Time: August 23, 2017 at 4:30 PM ET

Toll Free: 888-567-1603

International: 862-255-5347

Live Webcast: http://www.investorcalendar.com/event/19862 or profoundmedical.com

Replay Information

The replay will be available beginning approximately 2 hours after the completion of the live event, ending at midnight Eastern, September 23, 2017.

Toll Free: 877-481-4010

International: 919-882-2331

Replay ID#: 19862

Webcast: www.investorcalendar.com or profoundmedical.com

About Profound Medical Corp.

The Profound Medical team is committed to creating the powerful combination of real-time MR-guidance as the imaging platform and ultrasound as the energy source for delivering non-invasive ablative tools to clinicians. These key technology pillars, linked with intelligent software and robotics, have the potential to fulfill unmet needs of patients and clinicians in many anatomies and disease states, including prostate cancer, uterine fibroids, and bone metastases. Our mission is to profoundly change the standard of care by creating a tomorrow where clinicians can confidently ablate tissue with precision; a tomorrow where patients have access to safe and effective treatment options, so they can quickly return to their daily lives.

Profound Medical is commercializing a novel technology, TULSA-PRO, which combines real-time MR imaging with transurethral, robotically-driven therapeutic ultrasound and closed-loop thermal feedback control that is designed to provide precise ablation of the prostate while simultaneously protecting critical surrounding anatomy from potential side effects. TULSA-PRO is CE marked and Profound Medical is currently conducting a pilot commercial launch of the technology in key European and other CE mark jurisdictions. The Company is also sponsoring a multicenter, prospective FDA-registered clinical trial, TACT, which, if successful, is expected to support its application to the FDA for approval to market TULSA-PRO in the United States.

Profound Medical is also commercializing Sonalleve MR-HIFU, an innovative therapeutic platform that combines real-time MR imaging and thermometry with thermal ultrasound to enable precise and incision-free ablation of diseased tissue. Sonalleve is CE marked for the treatment of uterine fibroids and palliative pain treatment of bone metastases. The Company is also in the early stages of exploring additional potential treatment markets for Sonalleve MR-HIFU, such as non-invasive ablation of abdominal cancers and hyperthermia for cancer therapy, where the technology has been shown to have clinical application.

SOURCE: Investor Network
MONROE, MI / ACCESSWIRE / August 23, 2017 / La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB) will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss the results of the fiscal 2018 first quarter, to be held Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time.

Live Event Information

To participate, connect approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the event.

Date, Time: August 23, 2017 at 8:30 AM ET

Toll Free: 877-407-0778

International: 201-689-8565

Live Webcast: www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=176124 or http://investors.la-z-boy.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=92596&p=irol-calendar

Replay Information

The replay will be available beginning approximately 2 hours after the completion of the live event, ending at midnight Eastern on August 30, 2017.

Toll Free: 877-481-4010

International: 919-882-2331

Replay ID#: 10425

Webcast: www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=176124

About La-Z-Boy Incorporated

La-Z-Boy Incorporated is one of the world's leading residential furniture producers, marketing furniture for every room of the home. The La-Z-Boy upholstery segment companies are England and La-Z-Boy. The casegoods segment consists of three brands: American Drew, Hammary, and Kincaid. The company-owned retail segment includes 143 of the 347 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores.

The corporation's branded distribution network is dedicated to selling La-Z-Boy Incorporated products and brands, and includes 347 stand-alone La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores and 557 independent Comfort Studio locations, in addition to in-store gallery programs for the company's Kincaid and England operating units. Additional information is available at http://www.la-z-boy.com/.



SOURCE: Investor Network
Dominion Diamond Corporation (TSX: DDC, NYSE: DDC) (the "Company" or "Dominion") today announced that at the special meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of the Company (the "Shareholders") held earlier today, Shareholders overwhelmingly approved the previously-announced plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") pursuant to which Northwest Acquisitions ULC, an entity affiliated with The Washington Companies, has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company for US$14.25 per share in cash.

Approximately 99.32% of the shares represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy, were voted in favour of the special resolution approving the Arrangement. Details of the voting results will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR, which is available online at www.sedar.com, and on EDGAR at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/.

The Company intends to apply for the final order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) to approve the Arrangement on September 22, 2017. The closing of the Arrangement remains subject to the Company having a minimum cash balance of US$150 million if closing occurs on or before November 30, 2017, or US$200 million if closing occurs after November 30, 2017, and certain other customary closing conditions, including court approval and the receipt of Investment Canada Act (Canada) approval. Assuming the timely satisfaction of these closing conditions, the Arrangement is expected to close in the fourth quarter of calendar 2017.

Shareholders who have questions or require assistance with submitting their shares to the Arrangement, including with respect to completing the applicable letter of transmittal, are asked to contact AST Trust Company (Canada), who is acting as depositary under the Arrangement, at 1-800-387-0825 (toll free in North America) or at 416-682-3860 (collect outside North America), or by email at inquiries@canstockta.com.

About Dominion Diamond Corporation

Dominion Diamond Corporation is a Canadian mining company and one of the world's largest producers and suppliers of premium rough diamond assortments to the global market. The Company operates the Ekati Diamond Mine, in which it owns a controlling interest, and owns 40% of the Diavik Diamond Mine, both of which are located in the low political risk environment of the Northwest Territories in Canada. It also has world-class sorting and selling operations in Canada, Belgium and India.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release may be considered forward-looking. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company and relate to, among other things, anticipated date of hearing of the final order in relation to the Arrangement, anticipated timing of closing of the transaction, the satisfaction of closing conditions including, without limitation, (i) Investment Canada Act (Canada) approval, (ii) necessary court approval in connection with the Arrangement, and (iii) other closing conditions, including, without limitation, the operation and performance of the Dominion business in the ordinary course until closing of the transaction, maintenance by Dominion of a minimum cash balance in the amounts as specified in the arrangement agreement dated July 15, 2017 entered into by and between Dominion and the Purchaser (the "Arrangement Agreement") with respect to the Arrangement, and compliance by Dominion with various covenants contained in the Arrangement Agreement.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings available at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

For more information, please visit www.ddcorp.ca

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170919006484/en/

Contacts:

For more information:

Dominion Diamond Corporation

Jacqueline Allison, 416-205-4371

Vice-President, Investor Relations

jacqueline.allison@ddcorp.ca

or

For shareholder inquiries:

Kingsdale Advisors

Toll free (in North America): 1-888-518-6805

International collect (outside North America): 1-416-867-2272

or

Canadian media:

DFH Public Affairs

Ian Hamilton, 416-206-0118 x222

or

US media:

Gagnier Communications

Dan Gagnier, 646-569-5897
NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- NetworkNewsWire ("NNW"), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company, today announces the publication of an editorial featuring ABcann Global (TSX VENTURE: ABCN) (OTCQB: ABCCF), a client of NNW that is a globally licensed, cost efficient producer of premium quality organic standardized medicinal cannabis.

The publication is titled, "Canadian Cannabis Leaders Sharpen Focus on Increasing Yield, Plant Quality." It shines a light on the companies blazing a trail through Canada's legalized cannabis space.

To view the full publication, visit: https://www.networknewswire.com/canadian-cannabis-leaders-sharpen-focus-increasing-yield-plant-quality/

"Now, at just three months old, ABcann has raised $43 million in cash, allowing it to quickly execute its expansion strategy and business model. A significant aspect of this strategy -- aside from its advanced growing technology -- is land ownership. To this accord, ABcann owns 65 acres of land in Napanee and, with its recent financing (http://nnw.fm/aVAL7) from Cannabis Wheaton, is set to expand at an unprecedented rate in the Canadian cannabis industry.

"An additional $15 million investment by Cannabis Wheaton, recognized as one of the biggest cannabis company in the world, will support a second production facility, aside from ABcann's plans to build a 100,000-square-foot complex. The $30 million financing agreement demonstrates ABcann's potential for growth, as Cannabis Wheaten invests in and partners with promising cannabis companies to help them leverage their diversity and expertise to fulfil its streaming goals. This strategy helps reduce the impact of licensing and build-out delays, cultivation challenges, and issues with access by clinics, pharmacies, and government purchasing agencies. Importantly, it has its own methods of boosting yield in the industry."

About ABcann Global Corporation

ABcann was one of the first companies to obtain a production license under the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, which it received on March 21, 2014. It obtained a sales license on December 31, 2015. ABcann's flagship facility, in Napanee, Ontario, contains proprietary plant-growing technology, including environmentally-controlled chambers capable of monitoring and regulating all variables in the growing process. This approach and the systems in place allow ABcann to produce organically grown and pesticide-free, high-yielding plants, which, in turn, can generate high-quality products that are consistent from batch to batch. ABcann is able to control environmental and nutrient demands, tailor-made for a particular strain of cannabis, without the variation that is typical when producing large quantities in less-controlled, larger rooms and greenhouse-type structures. ABcann's modular approach to systems technology eliminates scale-up risk and allows ABcann to locate anywhere in the world and maintain consistency and quality of product.

For more information, visit www.ABcannGlobal.com.

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) NetworkNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. NNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today's market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

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Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. (TSX: PGD) ("Peregrine" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the completion of three diamond drill holes totaling 1,474 metres drilled at its 100%-owned Chidliak Diamond Project ("Chidliak") near Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada. Core hole CHI-050-17-DD36 ("DD36") is a 378 metre vertical hole that intersected kimberlite from 4.5 to 295.8 metres below surface ("mbs"), consistent with the resource model for the CH-6 kimberlite. Core hole CHI-050-17-DD38 ("DD38") was drilled at -60 degrees inclination for a total hole length of 560 metres, equivalent to 485 mbs. DD38 intersected 190.2 metres of typical olivine-rich CH-6 kimberlite from 277 to 442 mbs. The DD38 result confirms the in-section result from DD33 previously reported, delineating expanded margins for the high grade CH-6 kimberlite with depth. Core hole CHI-050-17-DD39 ("DD39") is a 536 metre near-vertical hole. This hole ended in kimberlite at 532 mbs and confirms the kimberlite extends beyond 500 mbs, the current planned extent of the resource expansion program drilling in 2017.

Tom Peregoodoff, Peregrine's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are extremely pleased with the drill results to date. It is especially encouraging to see that DD38 confirms the result from DD33 and that the CH-6 kimberlite is expanding in size with depth. This additional kimberlite material could provide a significant uplift to contained carats as we look to recalculate the resource later this year. In addition, hole DD39 confirms the high grade (average 2.45 carats per tonne) CH-6 pipe continues at depths below 500 metres and provides future resource expansion opportunities. Drilling continues and with these results we are confident that we will meet our objective this year of expanding the CH-6 resource below the 260 mbs base of the current Inferred Resource."

COMPLETION OF HOLES DD36, DD38 and DD39

As reported on June 19, 2017, the 2017 drilling program at Chidliak aims to further delineate the CH-6 kimberlite, with the objective of expanding the high-grade CH-6 resource to a depth of 500 metres below surface.

Core hole CHI-050-17-DD36 ("DD36"), a vertical HQ-diameter hole, was designed to prove up and access kimberlite for microdiamond sampling in material currently considered a Target for Further Exploration ("TFFE") that occurs between 260 and 380 mbs. Drilling of DD36 commenced on July 26, 2017 and was successfully completed on August 3, 2017, providing a 291.3 metre intersection of continuous, typical olivine-rich CH-6 kimberlite from 4.5 to 295.8 mbs. DD36 continued in metasedimentary country rock to 378.0 mbs where the hole was terminated. The DD36 result delineates a southward plunge for the northern portion of CH-6, consistent with previous modeling of the CH-6 kimberlite.

A unique, spatially restricted, textural sub-unit of CH-6 kimberlite named KIM-G occurs at 149 to 189 metres depth in vertical hole DD36. Spherical to ovoid kimberlite pyroclasts ranging from 1 to 15 centimetres m in diameter occur in a clast-supported configuration with interstitial open space infilled by carbonate and serpentine. Pyroclast sizes generally increase toward the base of the KIM-G sub-unit, with larger pyroclasts typically containing mantle, gneissic or limestone xenoliths. The pyroclast size zonation within the KIM-G sub-unit supports an interpretation as a primary airfall deposit.

Core hole CHI-050-17-DD38 ("DD38"), azimuth 258, inclination -60 degrees was designed to provide a roughly east-west intercept of kimberlite in the 260 to 500 mbs depth range. Drilling of DD38 commenced on August 5, 2017 and was successfully completed on August 15, 2017, providing a 190.2 metre intersection of continuous, typical olivine-rich CH-6 kimberlite from 277 to 442 mbs. DD38 continued through a metasedimentary country rock xenolith, intersected an additional 7.5 metres of kimberlite and was terminated in country rock at 485 mbs. The DD38 result provides a 98 metre in-section diameter for kimberlite within the CH-6 pipe, slightly larger than the 90 metre in-section diameter reported for DD33 by the Company on July 26, 2017. The in-section relationships of DD38 and DD33 are displayed in the west-east section provided below.

Core hole CHI-050-17-DD39 ("DD39"), azimuth 200, inclination -83 degrees was designed to provide a near-vertical intercept of known high-grade KIM-L kimberlite from 3.9 to beyond 500 mbs. Drilling of DD39 commenced on August 6, 2017 and was successfully completed in kimberlite at 532 mbs on August 17, 2017. Except for a 32 metre country rock intercept at 347 to 379 mbs, interpreted to be a xenolith, the entire length of DD39 consists of KIM-L.

Geological logging of kimberlite intersected in holes DD33 (previously reported) DD36, DD38 and DD39 (this release) has proceeded systematically and 10-metre spaced microdiamond sampling is ongoing. Roughly 93% of 1,134 metres total kimberlite intersected in these four holes is recognized as KIM-L kimberlite. The current 4.64 million tonne CH-6 inferred resource has an average grade of 2.45 carats per tonne for KIM-L.

KIM-G is interpreted as an airfall textural variant of KIM-L and is included as KIM-L in the 93% noted above. Excluding KIM-G as being KIM-L would take the stat to 88% of 1,134 m is KIM-L.

To view Figure 1: Cross section showing the in-section relationship of DD38 and DD33: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1101249-F1.pdf

QUALIFIED PERSONS

Dr. Herman Grutter, Peregrine's Vice President, Technical Services, is a Qualified Person and is responsible for the design of the Diamond Resource Expansion Program at Chidliak. Dr. Jennifer Pell, Peregrine's Chief Geologist, is a Qualified Person and is responsible for geological characterization and microdiamond sampling of core drilled at Chidliak.

Dr. Grutter and Dr. Pell have reviewed this release and approve of its contents.

ABOUT PEREGRINE DIAMONDS

Peregrine Diamonds is a TSX-listed diamond exploration and development company with assets located in northern Canada and Botswana.

Peregrine's core asset is its' 100 percent-owned, 413,000-hectare Chidliak Project, located 120 kilometres from Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut where 71 kimberlites have been discovered to date with eight being potentially economic. A Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") of a Phase 1 Diamond Development ("CP1D") has been completed. The PEA highlights that the CP1D represents a robust, high margin, ten-year, open-pit mining project with very attractive economics, including after tax NPV of C$471M, IRR of 29.8% and a two-year payback. An Inferred Mineral Resource of 11.39 million carats in 4.64 million tonnes of kimberlite at an average grade of 2.45 carats per tonne has been defined for a portion of the CH-6 kimberlite. In addition, a Target for Further Exploration ("TFFE") of 2.34 to 3.75 million tonnes of kimberlite to a depth of 380 metres below surface has been identified at CH-6. An independent diamond valuation by WWW International Diamond Consultants, of a 1,013 carat parcel of diamonds from CH-6 returned an average market price of US$213 per carat and modeled prices that range from a minimum of US$162 per carat to a high of US$236 per carat, with a base model price of US$188 per carat (all using the February 24, 2014 price book). An Inferred Mineral Resource of 4.23 million carats in 4.99 million tonnes of kimberlite at an average grade of 0.85 carats per tonne has been defined for a portion of the CH-7 kimberlite. In addition, TFFE of 0.90 to 2.36 million tonnes for a depth range of 240-320 metres has been estimated for the CH-7 kimberlite. An independent diamond valuation by WWW International Diamond Consultants, of a 735.75 carat parcel of diamonds from CH-7 returned an average market price of US$100 per carat and modelled prices that ranged from a minimum of US$94 per carat to a high of US$155 per carat, with a base model price of US$114 per carat (all using the February 1, 2016 price book). A TFFE of 1.27 to 3.19 million tonnes to 250 metres depth has been estimated for the CH-44 kimberlite pipe.

Additional details of the Chidliak 2016 PEA are available in a National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 technical report titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report on the Chidliak Project, Nunavut, Canada" and dated effective July 7, 2016, available on SEDAR and the Company's website.

The Chidliak 2016 PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that the PEA will be realized.

The TFFEs identified above are conceptual in nature as there has been insufficient exploration to define a Mineral Resource. It is uncertain whether further exploration will result in any of these tonnages being delineated as Mineral Resources.

Peregrine holds eleven diamond prospecting licenses in Botswana that cover 661,330 hectares.

Peregrine also controls the 8,493-hectare Lac de Gras Project in the Northwest Territories, located approximately 27 kilometres from the Diavik Diamond Mine. The nine-hectare 72.1%-owned DO-27 kimberlite, located at Lac de Gras, hosts an Indicated Mineral Resource of 18.2 million carats of diamonds in 19.5 million tonnes of kimberlite at a grade of 0.94 carats per tonne and it is open at depth.

For information on data verification, exploration information and resource estimation procedures see the NI 43-101 technical reports entitled "Mineral Resource Estimate for the Chidliak Project, Baffin Island, Nunavut" and dated effective June 3, 2016 and "Peregrine Diamonds Limited DO-27 Diamond Project Northwest Territories, Canada NI 43-101 Technical Report" dated August 7, 2008 which are available on SEDAR and the Company's website.

For further information, please visit www.pdiam.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation, statements relating to future management of the Company, proposed exploration and development programs, funding availability, anticipated exploration results, grade of diamonds and tonnage of material, resource estimates, anticipated diamond valuations and future exploration and operating plans are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company.

Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions by the Company and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the availability and continuation of experienced leadership for the Company, the price of diamonds, anticipated costs and ability to achieve goals. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: receipt of regulatory approvals; anticipated timelines for community consultations and the impact of those consultations on the regulatory approval process; market prices for rough diamonds and the potential impact on the Chidliak Project; and future exploration plans and objectives.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, uncertainties relating to continuity and availability of executive management, availability and cost of funds, timing and content of work programs, results of exploration activities, interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, risks relating to variations in the diamond grade and kimberlite lithologies; variations in rates of recovery and breakage; variations in diamond valuations and future diamond prices; the state of world diamond markets, reliability of mineral property titles, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, operational and infrastructure risk and other risks involved in the diamond exploration and development business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty.

Contacts:

Peregrine Diamonds Ltd.

Mr. Eric Friedland

Executive Chairman



Peregrine Diamonds Ltd.

Mr. Tom Peregoodoff

President and CEO



Peregrine Diamonds Ltd.

Dr. Herman Grutter

Vice President, Technical Services



Peregrine Diamonds Ltd.

Investor Relations

604-408-8880

investorrelations@pdiam.com

www.pdiam.com




A World War II soldier's remains have been identified and are being returned home to Whitwell. The remains of Cpl. Henry Andregg Jr. were identified among over 500 previously unidentified remains left in the aftermath of intense fighting on the Island of Betio, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands. Cpl. Andregg was killed in action on Nov. 20, 1943, in the initial assault.

On Nov. 20, 1943, The United States launched Operation Galvanic, a military action to secure the Gilbert and Marshall Islands as a strategic stronghold for air and naval operations against the Japanese Imperial Forces. This operation began with the assault of Tarawa. This action was the first of many in the strategic campaign for control of the Central Pacific Region. It was the first time The United States had faced such fierce opposition. The Japanese forces had worked for over a year to heavily fortify the Island of Betio. The island was manned by over 5,000 Japanese soldiers and Korean laborers.

The day of the initial attack, air support never materialized. The orders were given to proceed with the assault, with United States Naval forces providing bombardment from their positions off the island. Marine Corps amphibious tractors and Higgins boats began landing and assault operations. Because of the reef around the lagoon and an unusual southerly tide, many of the amphibious tractors were caught on the reefs, while the Higgins boats were able to clear them and begin landing. Marines in the amphibious tractors were forced to fight from their position or wade nearly 600 yards to the beach.

The battle raged for 76 hours, with the United states suffering over 3,000 casualties, with 1,100-1,200 killed on the first day of action. 2,233 casualties were Marines, 59 were sailors, totaling 3,407. Of the nearly 5,000 Japanese military and Korean laborers, only 146 survived the assault.

In the months that followed the action at Tarawa, The United states was able to mount a successful campaign for the Marshall Islands, from which attacks could be made on the Japanese forces, as well as the Japanese mainland. The islands taken in this action removed important harbors from the Japanese Imperial Navy, and gave the United States a platform to reach Tokyo with strategic bombers.

There were five temporary cemeteries constructed on the island of Betio immediately after the battle. In 1946, the 604 Quartermasters received orders to consolidate those five cemeteries into one, called Lone Palm Cemetery. In 1949/1950, those that remained unknown were moved to The Honolulu Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where a memorial was erected. In 2016, the POW/MIA Accounting Agency began the task of identifying the unknowns. Cpl. Andregg was one of many that now can be brought home to rest in peace.

Governor Bill Haslam said, The heroism of those who fought in World War II and the Battle of Tarawa continues to inspire us today. As a 22 year old Marine, Henry had just started his adult life, but courageously chose to give the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Veterans Services Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder said, Several of Corporal Andreggs nieces and nephews will receive valuable closure by laying their uncle to rest in Tennessee. We are honored to have the chance to recognize the valor of this American hero and to remember the loss suffered by his family, friends and community.

A public visitation will be held from 3 p.m. CDT until 7 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Aug. 24, and funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. CDT on Friday, Aug. 25, in the funeral home chapel of Reed Funeral Home, 11675 Highway 28. Burial will follow at Noon CDT in The Chattanooga National Cemetery, with full military honors.

The public, and service men and women are welcome to attend the visitation and services. For those wishing to show support, the procession will leave from Reed Funeral Home at 11 p.m. CDT on Friday, Aug. 25, and follow Hwy 28 to I-24, exiting at 180A and proceeding to Holtzclaw Avenue, before arriving at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 1200 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- Silver Bull Resources, Inc. (TSX: SVB)(OTCQB: SVBL) ("Silver Bull") is pleased to announce it has identified a new zone of high grade massive sulphide at its Sierra Mojada Project in Coahuila, Northern Mexico.

Highlights from select channel samples in the new sulphide zone include:

-- Highlights from the channel sampling program include: -- Sample 25736 @ 1130g/t silver, 22% zinc, 3.26% lead, 12.8% copper. -- Sample 25727 @ 1315g/t silver, 0.05% zinc, 9.0% copper. -- Sample 25735 @ 713g/t silver, 3.4% zinc, 0.14% lead, 1.1% copper. -- Sample 25805 @ 491g/t silver, 24.7% zinc, 1.6% copper. -- Sample 25739 @ 495g/t silver, 7.09% zinc, 2.68% lead, 1.06% copper. -- Sample 25728 @ 392g/t silver, 0.4% zinc, 1.8% copper. -- Sample 25732 @ 329g/t silver, 42% zinc, 3.2% lead, 1.65% copper. -- Sample 25806 @ 277g/t silver, 19.65% zinc, 18.3% lead, 0.7% copper. -- Sample 25803 @ 73g/t silver, 19.2% zinc, 4.8% lead, 0.3% copper. -- Sample 25802 @ 42g/t silver, 10.5% zinc, 2.4% lead, 0.17% copper. -- Sample 25801 @ 33g/t silver, 8.1% zinc, 3.4% lead, 0.1% copper. -- The new sulphide zone lies within a 1.4 kilometer long east-west trending "chargeability high" identified through a gradient Induced Polarization (IP) survey. This east-west trending zone hosts two other zones Silver Bull has identified with sulphide mineralization which grade up to 690g/t silver, 35% zinc, 19% lead and 1% copper as well and also includes Silver Bull's only significant sulphide drill hole intercept of 8.45m @ 57g/t silver, 5.45% lead, 16.98% Zinc. -- The chargeability anomaly remains open towards the west and coincides with a convex "roll over" in the sole of a thrust fault identified through drilling and underground mapping. -- The new zone of massive sulphide is accessible via existing historical underground workings.

The channel samples mentioned in this news release target sulphide mineralization which grades up into the overlying oxide mineralization of Shallow Silver zone already defined at Sierra Mojada. The new sulphide zone was identified by accessing and reconditioning underground workings not previously accessible to Silver Bull. Continuous 1 to 3 meter long chip samples were taken along the walls of the underground workings. The purpose of the program was to extend the mineralization of the known sulphide zone, and better understand the geology and controls on the mineralization, and confirm the overall grades of the sulphide grades historically mined at Sierra Mojada. Approximately 280 meters of "new" underground workings were opened up and 19 initial channel samples taken. Eight samples recorded values over 250g/t silver with a peak value of 1315g/t silver, ten samples recorded values over 7% zinc with a peak value of 42% zinc, and six samples recorded values over 3% lead with a peak value of 18.33% lead.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sample ID Length (m) Silver (g/t) Zinc (%) Lead (%) Copper (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25727 2.34 1315 0.05 0.01 9.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25728 2.32 392 0.44 0.07 1.83 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25729 2.75 50 0.19 0.03 0.08 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25730 2.44 29 0.46 0.19 0.02 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25732 1.41 329 42.00 3.22 1.66 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25733 1.97 17 0.33 0.04 0.06 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25734 1.56 16 0.24 0.03 0.05 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25735 1.52 713 3.42 0.14 1.10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25736 1.13 1130 22.20 3.26 12.86 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25737 1.32 142 10.50 3.53 0.19 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25738 1.51 19 0.98 0.21 0.03 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25739 2.00 495 7.09 2.68 1.07 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25758 1.60 20 4.63 0.50 0.40 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25801 2.00 33 8.08 3.43 0.11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25802 2.00 42 10.48 2.37 0.17 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25803 2.00 73 19.20 4.82 0.29 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25804 2.00 46 7.22 0.82 0.18 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25805 2.00 491 24.70 0.40 1.64 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25806 2.00 277 19.65 18.33 0.69 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To view Figure 1, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/figure1_SilverBull.pdf

To view Figure 2, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/figure2_SilverBull.pdf

To view Figure 3, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/figure3_SilverBull.pdf

Tim Barry, President, CEO and director of Silver Bull states, "The significance of finding sulphide mineralization at Sierra Mojada is that it will likely have very straight forward metallurgy and appears to have a consistently higher grade for silver when compared to our current NI43-101 compliant oxide resource. We have now defined three separate high grade sulphide occurrences to form an east-west sulphide target zone 1.4 kilometers long which is open to the west. The new sulphide zone sits at a level below the already defined oxide mineralization and has opened up a whole new series of high grade targets. From our underground geological mapping we see a number of high angle structures up to 2 meters wide containing sulphide mineralization grading up to 1,300 grams per ton silver, 42% zinc and 13% copper that appear to feed into the overlying oxide zone. Presently we are planning a more comprehensive channel sampling and underground drill program using the company owned Termite drill to test the continuity along strike and down dip of these very high grade zones. Additionally we will also aim to test the areas in between these high grade zones to see if there is potential for a bulk tonnage sulphide target. We expect this drill program to start before the end of the month."

About the Sierra Mojada deposit: Sierra Mojada is an open pittable oxide deposit, as disclosed in the NI43-101 "Technical Report on the Resources of the Sierra Mojada Project Coahuila, Mexico" dated June 8, 2015, with a NI43-101 compliant measured and indicated "global" resource of 58.7 million tonnes grading 3.6% zinc and 50g/t silver at a $13.50 NSR cutoff giving 4.670 billion pounds of zinc and 90.8 million ounces of silver. Included within the "global" resource is a measured and indicated "high grade zinc zone" within the Lerchs-Grossman (LG) Optimized Pit of 10.03 million tonnes with an average grade of 11% zinc at a 6% cutoff, giving 2.426 billion pounds of zinc, and a measured and indicated "high grade silver zone" of 19 million tonnes with an average grade of 102.5g/t silver at a 50g/t cutoff giving 62.6 million ounces of silver. Mineralization remains open in the east, west, and northerly directions. Approximately 60% of the current 3.2 kilometer mineralized body is at or near surface before dipping at around 6 degrees to the east.

Sample Analysis and QA/QC: All samples have been analyzed at Bureau Veritas in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Samples are first tested with the "MA300" procedure which analyzes for 36 elements using a 4 acid digestion. Samples with silver values above 100ppm are re-analyzed using the FA350 procedure which is a fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Samples with zinc, lead, and copper values above 10,000ppm (1%) are re-analyzed using the AR402 procedure which is a near total aqua regia digestion.

A rigorous procedure is in place regarding sample collection, chain of custody and data entry. Certified standards and blanks, as well as duplicate samples are routinely inserted into sample shipments to ensure integrity of the assay process.

About Silver Bull: Silver Bull is a mineral exploration company whose shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade on the OTCQB in the United States, and is based out of Vancouver, Canada. The "Sierra Mojada" project is located 150 kilometers north of the city of Torreon in Coahuila, Mexico, and is highly prospective for silver and zinc.

The technical information of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Tim Barry, a Chartered Professional Geologist (CPAusIMM), and a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Tim Barry, CPAusIMM, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Resources: This press release uses the terms "measured resources", "indicated resources", and "inferred resources" which are defined in, and required to be disclosed by, NI 43-101. We advise U.S. investors that these terms are not recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The estimation of measured, indicated and inferred resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that measured and indicated mineral resources will be converted into reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically minable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies.

Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, the information contained in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies that are not subject NI 43-101.

Cautionary note regarding forward looking statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and Silver Bull's future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the planned drilling program, sulphide mineralization silver grade metallurgy and potential for a bulk tonnage sulphide target. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about Silver Bull's exploration projects, the industry in which Silver Bull operates and the beliefs and assumptions of Silver Bull's management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "continues," "may," variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to future periods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, including such factors as the results of exploration activities and whether the results continue to support continued exploration activities, unexpected variations in ore grade, types and metallurgy, volatility and level of commodity prices, the availability of sufficient future financing, and other matters discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, as amended, and our other periodic and current reports filed with the SEC and available on www.sec.gov and with the Canadian securities commissions available on www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contacts:

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

+1 604 687 5800

info@silverbullresources.com




DALLAS, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- The Chron Organization, Inc. (OTCQB: CHRO) announced today that it has been approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for use of the trademarks, 'ZENERGY' and 'ZERO COST PROGRAM.'

Since December of 2016, after a lengthy strategy meeting between the executive management team and all internal staff at the time, the Company has had an application with the USPTO toward securing the decided upon trademark, Zenergy, for use by both the parent company, CHRON, and its first wholly-owned subsidiary, Zen Technologies, Inc. (Zen).

Back in May, the examiner approved Zenergy for publication and, on June 6, 2017, the mark was published in the Official Trademark Gazette, where it remained for 30 days, giving third parties an opportunity to object to the registration of the mark. Since no third party objected during the publication period, the examiner issued the Company a Notice of Allowance for the mark. CHRON now has six months to file a Statement of Use with the USPTO showing that it has begun using the mark in interstate commerce, after which time the Company will receive its official trademark registration certificate.

Toward that end, effective today, the Company will begin a comprehensive rebranding effort to reflect its use of the new trademark, Zenergy. The Chron Organization, Inc. will be rebranded to Zenergy Holdings, Inc. or a naming convention along those lines and, of course, with a new, fitting ticker symbol to match. Similarly, Zen Technologies will be rebranded to Zenergy Home Services. These changes should begin reflecting on both companies' respective websites and marketing collateral over the next 90 to 120 days.

For its commercial division, CHRON also applied for use of the trademark, Zero Cost Program, which denotes its turnkey solution that enables commercial businesses and municipalities to reduce their energy consumption (electric, water, natural gas) and realize significant savings to the tune of anywhere from 30 to 45%, all at no out-of-pocket cost. CHRON is pleased to announce that as of August 15, 2017, its Zero Cost Program trademark is effective and the Company has since received its official trademark registration certificate from the USPTO.

CHRON CEO, Alex Rodriguez, said, "We are thrilled that we have finally found a name that effectively captures and communicates every aspect of our business. I feel a profound sense of empowerment now that we can converge our business model, our parent company, our portfolio of subsidiaries, and our product and service offerings across related industries in the Smart Home and IoT space under one single, memorable brand."

CHRON Chairman, Byron Young, said, "This is a really exciting development for us because we believe that the name, Zenergy, best captures our overall long-term vision for the Company, which is the convergence of smart controls/automation, responsible energy consumption, and energy efficiency and conservation. And, of course, trademarking our flagship commercial service, the Zero Cost Program, only gives us more pizazz as it secures an important long-term asset for the Company. We hope our shareholders can appreciate this new, focused direction, embrace the Zenergy brand as we have, and join us in championing our Zero Cost Program across the country."

To learn more about the vision and logic that informed this name change and rebranding effort, read this latest blog article on the subject by CEO, Alex Rodriguez, by clicking here.

ABOUT THE CHRON ORGANIZATION, INC.

The Chron Organization, Inc. (OTCQB: CHRO), is an entrepreneurial-minded company founded and envisioned by Mr. Byron Young and Mr. Alex Rodriguez. The Company's purpose is to develop a portfolio of highly successful and unique wholly owned businesses by providing incubation, advisory, and capital services to the same. CHRON's interests include the smart home services, Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, deregulated energy & energy efficiency offerings. To learn more about CHRON, visit the company's corporate website at www.chronorganization.com.

ABOUT ZEN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Zen Technologies, Inc. (Zen), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Chron Organization, Inc. (OTCQB: CHRO), is a 21st century home services company whose mission is to make the "Smart Home" a reality for the millions of homeowners and apartment homes across the United States. Zen provides homeowners with the latest in security, monitoring and automation controls enabling homeowners to have a Smart Home at an affordable price. Zen combines that with its green energy services, reducing both their carbon footprint and their monthly energy expense. The Company's plan is to capture 5% of the homeowners' market while dramatically reducing the nation's peak electricity demand. To learn more, visit www.zenhomeservices.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "should," "intend," "estimate," "projects," variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements are based upon the company's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are risks that are detailed in the company's filings at www.OTCMarkets.com

INVESTORS & MEDIA CONTACT:

Email: investors@chronhomeservices.com

Phone: (469) 626-5275

Fax: (469) 626-5101




Westinghouse Electric Company today announced that it has signed a nuclear fuel contract extension with PSEG, a major supplier of nuclear power in New Jersey, to continue providing fuel assemblies for both units at the Salem Nuclear Generating Station.

"Westinghouse has been the single-source fuel provider for PSEG's Salem plant since its start of operations more than 40 years ago, and we are pleased to continue to support this important and long-standing customer through the delivery of safe, reliable high-performance fuel," said David Howell, president, Americas Region, and chief growth officer at Westinghouse. "This continued partnership is recognition of our reliable fuel performance and confirmation of the important trust PSEG has in Westinghouse."

Under the terms of the contract, Westinghouse will deliver its 17x17 Robust Fuel Assemblies, known as RFA-2. The design of RFA-2 utilizes proven Robust Fuel Assembly technology, which has been used successfully in more than 25,000 assemblies at 62 plants over the past 19 years.

"We are proud to supply our customers with fuel that provides value to both their Salem units so that they can keep the plant running safely, efficiently and economically. Salem's use of RFA-2 fuel assemblies can help to lower cycle costs and maintain high-quality performance ultimately providing safe, clean and dependable energy for the people of New Jersey and the greater Delaware Valley," said Michele DeWitt, senior vice president, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel.

The RFA-2 fuel assemblies for the Salem Nuclear Generating Station will continue to be manufactured at Westinghouse's Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility in Columbia, South Carolina.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170823005117/en/

Contacts:

Westinghouse Electric Company

Sarah Cassella, Manager, External Communications, +1 412-374-4744

Email: cassels@westinghouse.com

www.westinghousenuclear.com
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 6, 2017 / American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) will be discussing their earnings results in their Q3 Earnings Call to be held on December 6, 2017 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.

To listen to the event live or access a replay of the call - visit https://www.investornetwork.com/company/2635.

To receive updates for this company you can register by emailing info@investornetwork.com or by clicking get investment info from the company's profile.

About Investor Network

Investor Network (IN) is a financial content community, serving millions of unique investors market information, earnings, commentary and news on the what's trending. Dedicated to both the professional and the average traders, IN offers timely, trusted and relevant financial information for virtually every investor. IN is an Issuer Direct brand, to learn more or for the latest financial news and market information, visit www.investornetwork.com. Follow us on Twitter @investornetwork.

SOURCE: Investor Network
IRVINE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- UA Multimedia, Inc. (OTC: UAMM) today announces the launch of its new online cannabis advertising portal, MJCircle.com, specifically targeted to the cannabis industry.

MJ Circle will allow all businesses and individuals to advertise their products and services as well as posting jobs related to the medical and recreational cannabis markets. Set up similar to Craigslist, the portal will serve as a central location for everyone to post jobs, items for sale, services offered or upcoming events.

During the initial phase until the end of this year, all postings will be free of charge. Users who wish to promote their businesses with highlighted listings or banner ads may do so for a discounted promo fee. Starting January 2018, users will have the option to make one time or recurring payments automatically via the website for premium services.

"We are excited to offer this platform to cater to the fast growing cannabis industry. It's a vast industry with rapid development which can be overwhelming with products and services. Our goal is to consolidate a fragmented market with a central and efficient venue for everyone to conduct businesses which we hope will foster overall productivity," commented Thu Pham, Chief Executive Officer.

The development continues for the cannaxa.com and cannamedi.com websites. The Cannaxa site will cover ancillary products and services related to the cannabis industry while the Cannamedi site will cover the medical aspects. The Company expects to launch both websites before the end of September.

About UA Multimedia, Inc.

UA Multimedia, Inc., a former media company, has entered the cannabis market with its offering of indoor horticulture products and cannabis classified portal mjcircle.com. Additional industry related products and services are forth coming through the websites, cannaxa.com and cannamedi.com.

Company website: http://www.uammedia.com

Cannabis classified website: http://www.mjcircle.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uammedia, https://www.facebook.com/cannaxa, https://www.facebook.com/cannamedi

Forward Looking Statements:

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and section 21e of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Those statements include the intent, belief or current expectations of the company and its management team. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Accomplishing the strategy described herein is significantly dependent upon numerous factors, many that are not in management's control. UA Multimedia, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.

Contact



UA Multimedia, Inc.

Investor Relations

949.612.1927

info@uammedia.com




VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - August 23, 2017) - Almaden Minerals Ltd. ("Almaden" or "the Company") (TSX: AMM) (NYSE American: AAU) (NYSE MKT: AAU) is pleased to announce new assay results from Almaden's ongoing exploration and development program at the Company's Tuligtic project, Mexico. Results reported today are from drill hole TU-17-504 drilled on section 10+650 East. This hole intersected significant mineralisation in an upper portion of the PFS pit which was modelled as waste material in the Company's Pre-Feasibility study (74.5 meters grading 0.66 g/t Au and 45.1 g/t Ag). Hole TU-17-504 also further demonstrated the potential for high grade veins within the Ixtaca North Zone (see plan and section maps attached). Highlights include the following intercepts:

Hole TU-17-504 SECTION 10+650 EAST Az. 150, Dip -65 Ixtaca North Zone 74.50 meters @ 0.66 g/t Au and 45.1 g/t Ag Including 19.00 meters @ 1.19 g/t Au and 121.2 Ixtaca North Zone g/t Ag And 3.75 meters @ 1.23 g/t Au and 95.5 g/t Ag Ixtaca North Zone Ixtaca North Zone 64.30 meters @ 0.79 g/t Au and 74.4 g/t Ag Including 3.45 meters @ 1.58 g/t Au and 97.4 g/tIxtaca North Zone Ag Ixtaca North Zone And 10.50 meters @ 3.54 g/t Au and 306.9 g/t Ag Ixtaca North Zone 46.85 meters @ 0.49 g/t Au and 68.6 g/t Ag Including 0.70 meters @ 22.30 g/t Au and 2600.0 Ixtaca North Zone g/t Ag

www.moosemmc.com.

KP is an international consulting firm and recognized leader in providing engineering and environmental services. KP's expertise has been applied to hundreds of surface and underground mining projects in all stages of development and a broad range of environmental settings. KP provides industry leading services in water and waste management, tailings disposal, heap leach pads, rock mechanics and environmental services, and has been recognized for innovative services that meet high standards of reliability, security and cost effectiveness.

About the Ixtaca Drilling Program and the Ixtaca Zone

The Ixtaca Zone is a blind discovery made by the Company in 2010 on claims staked by the Company. The deposit is an epithermal gold-silver deposit, mostly hosted by veins in carbonate units and crosscutting dykes ("basement rocks") with a minor component of disseminated mineralisation hosted in overlying volcanic rocks.

The Ixtaca deposit is located in a developed part of Mexico in Puebla State, the location of significant manufacturing investments including Volkswagen and Audi plants. The deposit is accessed by paved road and is roughly 30 kilometres from an industrial park with rail service where significant manufacturers such as Kimberly Clarke have facilities. Any potential mining operation at Ixtaca would be located in an area previously logged or cleared with negligible to no current land usage.

The Company has access to the entire project area and works closely with local officials and residents. The Company has employed roughly 70 people in its exploration program who live local to the Ixtaca deposit. For example, local employees have made up virtually all the drilling staff and have been trained on the job to operate the drill rigs being used at the project. The Company has implemented a comprehensive science based and objective community relations and education program for employees and all local stakeholders to transparently explain the exploration and development program underway as well as the potential impacts and benefits of any possible future mining operation at Ixtaca. The Company regards the local inhabitants to be major stakeholders in the Ixtaca deposit's future along with the Company's shareholders. Every effort is being made to create an open and clear dialogue with our stakeholders to ensure that any possible development scenarios that could evolve from the feasibility study work are properly understood and communicated throughout the course of the Company's exploration and development program. To better explain the impacts of a mining operation at Ixtaca the Company has conducted numerous tours for local residents to third party operated mines in Mexico so that interested individuals can form their own opinions of mining based on first-hand experience. The Company invites all interested parties to visit www.almadenminerals.com to find out more about our community development, education and outreach programs.

Technical Details of the Ixtaca Drilling Program

The Main Ixtaca and Ixtaca North Zones of veining are interpreted to have a north-easterly trend. Holes to date suggest that the Main Ixtaca and Ixtaca North Zones are sub vertical with local variations. This interpretation suggests that true widths range from approximately 35% of intersected widths for a -70 degree hole to 94% of intersected widths for a -20 degree hole. The drilling completed to date has traced mineralisation over 1,000 meters along this northeast trend. The Chemalaco (Northeast Extension) Zone strikes roughly north-south (340 azimuth) and dips at 55 degrees to the west. This interpretation suggests that true widths range from approximately 82% of intersected widths for a -70 degree hole to 99% of intersected widths for a -40 degree hole. The orientations of the new vein zones intersected in the holes reported today are not well understood and true widths cannot be calculated at this time.

Mr. Norm Dircks, P.Geo., a qualified person ("QP") under the meaning of NI 43-101, is the QP and project manager of Almaden's Ixtaca program and reviewed the technical information in this news release. The analyses reported were carried out at ALS Chemex Laboratories of North Vancouver using industry standard analytical techniques. For gold, samples are first analysed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy ("AAS"). Samples that return values greater than 10 g/t gold using this technique are then re-analysed by fire assay but with a gravimetric finish. Silver is first analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy ("ICP-AES"). Samples that return values greater than 100 g/t silver by ICP-AES are then re analysed by HF-HNO 3 -HCLO 4 digestion with HCL leach and ICP-AES finish. Of these samples those that return silver values greater than 1,500 g/t are further analysed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Intervals that returned assays below detection were assigned zero values.

Blanks, field duplicates and certified standards were inserted into the sample stream as part of Almaden's quality assurance and control program which complies with National Instrument 43-101 requirements.

About Almaden

Almaden Minerals Ltd. owns 100% of the Tuligtic project in Puebla State, Mexico, subject to a 2.0% NSR royalty held by Almadex Minerals Limited. Tuligtic covers the Ixtaca Gold-Silver Deposit, which was discovered by Almaden in 2010.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Morgan Poliquin"

Morgan J. Poliquin, Ph.D., P.Eng.

President, CEO and Director

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) nor the NYSE MKT have reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release which has been prepared by management. Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, certain information presented constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, those with respect to potential expansion of mineralisation, potential size of mineralized zone, and size and timing of exploration and development programs, estimated project capital and other project costs and the timing of submission and receipt and availability of regulatory approvals involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Almaden to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations and joint ventures, the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, uncertainty in the estimation of mineral resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, environmental risks and hazards, increased infrastructure and/or operating costs, labour and employment matters, and government regulation and permitting requirements as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Almaden's Annual Information form and Almaden's latest Form 20-F on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Although Almaden has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Almaden disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required pursuant to applicable securities laws. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/8/22/11G144461/Images/Plan_Final_ALMADEN-45b60c1f3a359329bb96d02b61b6017b.jpg

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/8/22/11G144461/Images/section_10650-de45c2f04c6882f29992caadd04f387c.jpg

Contact Information:

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Tel. 604.689.7644

Email: info@almadenminerals.com

http://www.almadenminerals.com/
Metsa Group Press release August 23 2017



The foundation stone of Metsa Wood's new birch plywood mill was laid today in Parnu, Estonia. The greetings in the ceremony were delivered by the Minister of Public Administration of Estonia Mr. Jaak Aab and the President and CEO of Metsa Group Mr. Kari Jordan.



"This is an important investment for Metsa Wood and the whole Metsa Group. It is done to better meet the globally growing plywood demand and to further improve Metsa Wood's industrial efficiency. The new mill is a good example of Finnish-Estonian cooperation. Estonia has favourable business climate and it offers good logistical connections to our main markets." said CEO of Metsa Group Kari Jordan in today's ceremony.



The annual birch plywood production capacity at the Parnu mill will be 50 000 cubic metres and the total investment is approximately 55 million euros. The birch veneers will be produced in Aanekoski Finland and plywood will then be manufactured at the Parnu mill. The new birch plywood mill will create approximately 200 jobs to Parnu area.



"I am very satisfied that Estonia remains an attractive investment destination, especially when it comes to new and advanced industrial production. The birch plywood factory in Parnu is a good example of our large investor support scheme. The new mill will raise Estonia's industrial competitiveness, supports the labour market around Parnu and drives our exports," said Minister Jaak Aab.



The new mill will start production by end of year 2018. The construction agreement signed between Metsa Wood and Nordecon AS includes the construction of the production hall of 29 000 square metres and the non-work rooms and office premises.



The construction of the birch plywood mill in Parnu is part of the EUR 100 million investment programme Metsa Wood published in June 2016. The program is carried out during 2017-2018.



Images: http://databank.metsagroup.com/l/g2p2pW_62xNj



For more information, please contact: Esa Kaikkonen, Executive Vice President, Metsa Group, tel. +358 50 598 8746, esa.kaikkonen@metsagroup.com Henni Rousu, Communications Manager, Metsa Wood, tel. +358 40 554 8388, henni.rousu@metsagroup.com



Metsa Group



www.metsagroup.com



Metsa Group is a forerunner in sustainable bio-economy utilising renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. Metsa Group focuses on wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards and tissue and cooking papers.



Metsa Group's sales totalled EUR 4.7 billion in 2016, and it employs approximately 9,300 people. The Group operates in some 30 countries. Metsaliitto Cooperative is the parent company of Metsa Group and is owned by approximately 104,000 Finnish forest owners.



Metsa Wood



www.metsawood.com



Metsa Wood provides competitive and environmentally friendly wood products for construction, industrial customers and distributor partners. We manufacture products from northern wood, a sustainable raw material of premium quality. Our sales in 2016 were EUR 0.5 billion, and we employ about 1,500 people. Metsa Wood is part of Metsa Group.

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 23, 2017) - Augusta Industries Inc. (TSXV: AAO) (the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it is implementing an online marketing and awareness program through AGORACOM.

The Company will receive significant exposure through millions of content brand insertions on the AGORACOM network and extensive search engine marketing over the next 12 months. In addition, exclusive sponsorships of invaluable digital properties such as AGORACOM TV, the AGORACOM home page and the AGORACOM Twitter account will serve to significantly raise the brand awareness of the Company among small cap investors.

AGORACOM "CEO Verified"

AGORACOM "CEO Verified" is a free service that provides the first ever identity verification of small cap executives on a finance platform. For the first time ever, small cap CEO's and other company officers can post or communicate within a discussion forum without the risk of impersonation leading to catastrophic consequences. As the ultimate influencers of their own companies, "CEO Verified" Forums will create incredible levels of engagement between companies and investors that have long desired civilized, constructive and factual conversation, with no limitations as to the number of characters.

There are no log-in requirements for investors to read posts. Those wishing to post questions, comments and interact with company officers can quickly log-in using their Facebook or LinkedIn accounts, or create an anonymous new user account.

The Augusta Industries Discussion Forum can be found at: https://agoracom.com/ir/AugustaindustriesInc/forums/discussion

Verified officers at launch are:

Allen Lone, President, CEO,

Mr. Lone stated, "Social media participation is very important for growth companies such as Augusta and AGORACOM forums are purpose built to facilitate intelligent and interactive discussions. I encourage everyone to read and participate in our CEO Verified Discussion Forum to create great, vibrant and constructive discussions for the long-term benefit of everyone."

Shares for Services Program

The Company intends to issue shares for services to AGORACOM in exchange for the online advertising, marketing and branding services ("Advertising Services"). Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the company will be issuing;

TERM: September 15, 2017 - September 15, 2018

FEES: $CDN 40,000 + HST, to be paid by way of common shares of the Advertiser as follows:

$8,000 + HST Shares For Services Upon Commencement September 15, 2017 for initial preparation

$8,000 + HST Shares For Services at end of Third Month December 15, 2017

$8,000 + HST Shares For Services at end of Sixth Month March 15, 2017

$8,000 + HST Shares For Services at end of Ninth Month June 15, 2018

$8,000 + HST Shares For Services at end of Twelfth Month September 15, 2018

The number of shares to be issued at the end of each period will be determined by using the closing price of the Shares of the Company on the TSX Venture Exchange on the first trading day following each period for which the Advertising Services were provided by AGORACOM.

The agreement/arrangement is subject to TSX-V approval.

The term of the Agreement is for 12 months effective immediately. The Company will issue a press release after the issuance of shares under the terms of the agreement.

About AGORACOM

AGORACOM is the pioneer of online marketing, broadcasting, conferences and investor relations services to North American small and mid-cap public companies, with more than 250 companies served. AGORACOM is the home of more than 767K investors that visited 5.4 million times and read 51.5 million pages of information every year. The average duration of visit of 8min 43sec is more than double that of global financial sites, which can be attributed to the implementation and enforcement of the strongest moderation rules in the industry (All Metrics Average 2008 - 2016).

AGORACOM traffic ranks within the top 0.5% of all websites around the world. These traffic results are independently tracked and verified by Google analytics. AGORACOM traffic can be attributed to its strategy of maintaining the cleanest, moderated small-cap discussion, as well as, implementation of the first ever Investor Controlled Stock Discussion Forums in 2007. 10 years later, in 2017, AGORACOM launched the first ever "CEO Verified" Discussion Forums to allow Small Cap CEO's and Company officers to post comments in a fully verified, moderated and social media shareable environment.

About The Corporation:

Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Marcon International Inc. ("Marcon") and Fox-Tek, the Corporation provides a variety of services and products to a number of clients.

Marcon is an industrial supply contractor servicing the energy sector and a number of US Government entities. Marcon's principal business is the sale and distribution of industrial parts and equipment (Electrical, mechanical and Instrumentation.) In addition to departments and agencies of the U.S. Government, Marcon's major clients include Sabic Services, BNGC, BAPETCO, Qatar Petroleum, QGas & Qatar Petrochemical.

FOX-TEK develops non-intrusive asset health monitoring sensor systems for the oil and gas market to help operators track the thinning of pipelines and refinery vessels due to corrosion/erosion, strain due to bending/buckling and process pressure and temperature. The Corporation's FT fiber optic sensor and corrosion monitoring systems allow cost-effective, 24/7 remote monitoring capabilities to improve scheduled maintenance operations, avoid unnecessary shutdowns, and prevent accidents and leaks.

Corporation contact:

Allen Lone, President, CEO, Augusta Industries Inc.

Tel: (905) 275 8111 Ext 226, email: atlone@fox-tek.com

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimates of future events. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are detailed from time to time in the Corporation's periodic reports filed with the Ontario Securities Commission and other regulatory authorities. The Corporation has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Part 1: Savior of the Nations, Come

 immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service, Aug. 27



Nativity Episcopal Church presents "Advent in August, two organ mini-concerts based on Advent chorales by Martin Luther, in celebration and welcome of its new priest, the Reverend Jason Emerson. The two hymns and concerts act as a call and answer. On August 27, the chorale Savior of the Nations, Come is the call. The original German text by Martin Luther was based on a Latin chant very similar to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Nativity organist and music director Kristopher Schwinn will play works by Bach, Kauffmann, Pachelbel and Sweelinck based on this tune of supplication. The final featured work on the program is by the 20th Century Austrian composer and virtuoso Anton Heiller, for whom the large historic organ at SAU is named in memory. His work is a set of 8 variations in the form of militaristic marches, cannons, spritely dances, and a chromatic melting moan that finally rises to a triumphant fanfare. Childcare is provided and a reception follows each service and concert. In addition to its Mini-Concert series, Nativity also presents a monthly Rising Artists series featuring the most accomplished young musicians in the Chattanooga area playing works for solo instruments and organ.



Part 2: From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

 immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service, Sept. 3

Nativity Episcopal Church presents "Advent in August, two organ mini-concerts based on Advent chorales by Martin Luther, in celebration and welcome of its new priest, the Reverend Jason Emerson. The two hymns and concerts act as a call and answer. On September 3, the chorale From Heaven Above to Earth I Come is the answer. Luther originally wrote the text as a narrative nativity drama for children based on a traditional singing riddle dance. His own children, including eight-day-old Margereta, probably gave the first performance on Christmas Day 1534. Nativity organist and music director Kristopher Schwinn will play works by Bach, Bohm, Kauffmann, Reger and Pachelbel based on this joyful tune of anticipation. The final featured work on the program by contemporary American composer David Schack is a set of 9 whirlwind variations, each based on one of the harmonic intervals. Childcare is provided and a reception follows each service and concert. In addition to its Mini-Concert series, Nativity also presents a monthly Rising Artists series featuring the most accomplished young musicians in the Chattanooga area playing works for solo instruments and organ.



The Church of the Nativity Episcopal Church is at 1201 Cross Street, Fort Oglethorpe, 706 866-9773, nativityfto@gmail.com, http://nativity.dioet.org/.
SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwired - August 23, 2017) -Roost, a leader in Home Telematics for property Insurance carriers and creator of the Roost Smart Battery and the Roost Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detector solutions, today announced it has closed a $10.4 Million Series B funding round. The new funding includes investments from three Insurance companies led by Aviva Ventures, with participation by Desjardins Insurance and Fosun RZ Capital. Existing investors also participated in the round, bringing Roost's total funding to date to $17 Million.

"As a corporate venture fund, we look for innovative businesses around the world that will shape the future of insurance and we are delighted to be entering the US market with this investment in Roost," said Aviva Ventures' Managing Director, Ben Luckett. "Roost has great technology and a strong team. In the UK, we have been offering Roost Smart Batteries to our home insurance customers and I am excited about how this investment supports our ambition to empower our customers to prevent bad things from happening, rather than fixing it when something goes wrong."

"The launch of our Alert program in March, enabled by Roost's Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detector, has contributed in driving policyholder engagement and loyalty," said Boris Collignon, Vice President Strategy, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships for Desjardins Insurance. "Our policyholders can take advantage of this free solution to quickly mitigate water leak situations before damage occurs and to avoid this type of stressful situation as much as possible."

"We are very excited to have the participation of three major insurers in our latest investment round," said Roel Peeters, co-founder and CEO of Roost. "This commitment is a strong validation of Roost's value proposition as a leader in the emerging Home Telematics Insurance segment. The new funding will be used to continue our product development efforts as well as expand new product services for our insurance partners."

Property Insurance companies are recognizing that affordable smart home solutions which provide early warnings of danger or property damage are key to improving home safety and consumer peace-of-mind. In addition to reducing the cost of fire and water perils, Roost partners are also discovering higher levels of engagement, brand affinity and improvements in customer retention.

About Roost

Roost is a technology company headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. As creators of the Roost Smart Battery and the Roost Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detector, Roost has developed a unique, patented, connected platform of data sensors that deliver the ultimate in installation simplicity and the most affordable way for insurers to provide Home Telematics solutions. Roost's primary go-to-market approach is through Insurance companies deploying directly to their policyholders. The effect is a reduction in claim cost expenses (fire and water perils costing $20B per year in the US), as well as driving policyholder engagement through a content rich, digital mobile app experience, impacting retention and customer acquisition. For more information, please visit www.getroost.com.

About Aviva Ventures

Aviva is the leading insurer in the UK, serving one in every four households and has strong businesses in selected markets in Europe, Asia and Canada. Aviva Ventures is Aviva's corporate venture capital fund aiming to invest 100m by 2020 in early stage businesses. It targets investments in digital and technology companies operating in four areas: 'the internet of things', for example in connected homes, health and cars; data and analytics; innovative customer experiences; and distribution, for example new 'sharing economy' platforms. For more information about Aviva Ventures, please visit https://www.aviva.com/about-us/aviva-worldwide/aviva-ventures/

About Desjardins Insurance

A subsidiary of Desjardins Group, Desjardins General Insurance Group (DGIG) is Canada's third largest provider of property and casualty insurance. The company distributes insurance under the Desjardins Insurance, The Personal, and State Farm Canada brands. DGIG is also a leader in Canada in white label distribution.

About Fosun RZ Capital

Fosun RZ Capital, founded in 2013 and formerly known as Fosun Kinzon Capital, is a leading venture capital backed by Fosun Group. It has offices in China, US, and India. RZ Capital invests in Angel to VC and growth stages, with focus on Internet application on Industries and frontier technologies, specialized in finance, education, healthcare, insurance, B2B, automotive related, consumer, and business services.

Media Contact:

Peter Evers

Natron Communications for Roost

+1 (415) 888-3314

peter@natroncomm.com
AMSTERDAM, December 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Backbase 6 fixes the key challenges slowing down digital transformation

During Backbase Connect, their annual customer conference attended by 650 customers, prospects, and partners, Backbase launched the latest edition of its leading omni-channel digital banking platform: Backbase 6.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121002/567102 )



Backbase 6 is the culmination of two years of work by the Backbase product development team, in close collaboration with beta customers and partners. They ensure that all features of Backbase 6 are validated in live customer settings and proven in production via this beta customer group.

"Backbase continues to lead the digital banking revolution, driving modernization and innovation to accelerate digital transformation in all key banking segments," comments Jelmer de Jong, VP of Product Management at Backbase. "Today, we unveiled a major new release of our platform: Backbase 6, with a wide spectrum of new capabilities. Backbase 6 incorporates a complete cloud native architecture, digital banking accelerators, a new digital banking back-end, a new entitlements product line, and an API architecture ready for the Open Banking and PSD2 future. These capabilities enable banks and credit unions across the globe to reach their full digital potential anytime, anywhere, on any device."

With Backbase 6, Financial Institutions get a next generation omni-channel digital banking platform that is positioned as leader in both the Forrester Wave for Digital Banking Engagement Platforms (July, 2017), and the Ovum Decision Matrix for selecting a Digital Banking Platform. Backbase, adopted by over 100 Financial Institutions, serves over 150 million end-users around the globe.

Key features and capabilities of Backbase 6:

Ready-to-go Banking , with Widget Collections optimized for Retail Banking, Business and Corporate Banking, and Wealth Management. Covers the essential digital banking journeys, from responsive web, to hybrid-mobile, to native-mobile applications. Includes the newly introduced Backbase Design System for rapid prototyping and accelerated customization of web and mobile interfaces.

, with Widget Collections optimized for Retail Banking, Business and Corporate Banking, and Wealth Management. Covers the essential digital banking journeys, from responsive web, to hybrid-mobile, to native-mobile applications. Includes the newly introduced Backbase Design System for rapid prototyping and accelerated customization of web and mobile interfaces. Digital Banking Services , introducing comprehensive digital banking back-end services to empower banks with core-independent development. Enables faster digital innovation without limitations from legacy back-end systems. With its new Digital Banking Services (DBS), Backbase now introduces end-to-end digital banking applications, alongside an omni-channel banking-as-a-service platform layer, which acts core independent.

, introducing comprehensive digital banking back-end services to empower banks with core-independent development. Enables faster digital innovation without limitations from legacy back-end systems. With its new Digital Banking Services (DBS), Backbase now introduces end-to-end digital banking applications, alongside an omni-channel banking-as-a-service platform layer, which acts core independent. Backbase Entitlements , Fixing requirement-zero in all digital banking projects, Backbase Entitlements enables entitlements to move away from siloed back-end applications, orchestrating them directly in the customer interaction layer, across all touchpoints and user types. Backbase Entitlements is primed for the Open Banking and PSD2 future, offering the capability to manage consent and access rights for 3rd party apps and 3rd party users.

, Fixing requirement-zero in all digital banking projects, Backbase Entitlements enables entitlements to move away from siloed back-end applications, orchestrating them directly in the customer interaction layer, across all touchpoints and user types. Backbase Entitlements is primed for the Open Banking and PSD2 future, offering the capability to manage consent and access rights for 3rd party apps and 3rd party users. Dynamic Forms and Dynamic Case Management . Enables process digitization for seamless customer onboarding, origination and self-services. Provides an optimal experience for the consumer via superior mobile onboarding flows, but also enables the FI to optimize back-end processes, by going truly paperless and enabling Straight-Through-Processing (STP).

and . Enables process digitization for seamless customer onboarding, origination and self-services. Provides an optimal experience for the consumer via superior mobile onboarding flows, but also enables the FI to optimize back-end processes, by going truly paperless and enabling Straight-Through-Processing (STP). Experience Manager , optimized to design customer interactions across all touchpoints. Enables the digital team within the bank (content editors, digital marketers), to manage digital banking interfaces. Includes integrated content management, digital marketing, internationalization, and localization capabilities, for all the consumer touchpoints.

, optimized to design customer interactions across all touchpoints. Enables the digital team within the bank (content editors, digital marketers), to manage digital banking interfaces. Includes integrated content management, digital marketing, internationalization, and localization capabilities, for all the consumer touchpoints. Cloud Native Architecture . Backbase 6 introduces a highly performant, secure, and scalable microservices architecture. The Backbase cloud fabric makes Backbase ready to run in all major clouds (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, IBM Bluemix), on Pivotal Cloud Foundry, and on traditional application servers.

. Backbase 6 introduces a highly performant, secure, and scalable microservices architecture. The Backbase cloud fabric makes Backbase ready to run in all major clouds (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, IBM Bluemix), on Pivotal Cloud Foundry, and on traditional application servers. PSD2 and Open Banking ready API ' s . A new lightweight API Gateway is introduced, with full authentication and authorization support, and out of the box API's to cover the key PSD2 scenarios (AISP, PISP), adaptable by banks to empower them to compete in the new API economy.

. A new lightweight API Gateway is introduced, with full authentication and authorization support, and out of the box API's to cover the key PSD2 scenarios (AISP, PISP), adaptable by banks to empower them to compete in the new API economy. Comprehensive SDK ' s. Enables developers to extend and customize their digital banking solution at every level, right down to enabling developers to rapidly develop completely new capabilities themselves. Backbase 6 includes dedicated SDK's to accelerate Web, Mobile, and Backend Services development.

Product availability:

Backbase 6 and the new product components have been available to all Backbase customers since November 27th, 2017. Customers can choose themselves when to adopt and upgrade to Backbase 6 and can do so at their own pace.
WEST CHESTER, OH -- (Marketwired) -- 10/31/17 -- AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) today reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2017.

3rd Quarter 2017 Highlights

Precision Partners acquisition completed

Successful refinancing of 2022 senior notes

$1.35 billion revolving credit facility extended until September 2022

Planned maintenance outages on schedule

Net loss of $5.8 million, inclusive of $13.1 million for acquisition and debt refinancing costs

AK Steel reported a net loss of $5.8 million, or $0.02 per diluted share of common stock, for the third quarter of 2017, compared to net income of $50.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2016. The third quarter of 2017 included $4.7 million of costs related to the acquisition of Precision Partners and $8.4 million of costs related to refinancing long-term debt. In the third quarter of 2016, the company incurred $6.8 million of costs for debt refinancing.

The company's adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below) was $69.2 million, or 4.6% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2017, which includes costs associated with the Precision Partners acquisition and debt refinancing. This compared to adjusted EBITDA of $156.6 million, or 10.8% of net sales, for the year ago third quarter.

"Our financial results for the third quarter are in line with the guidance we provided in July. We are particularly pleased to have completed the acquisition of Precision Partners during the quarter as we execute on our downstream strategy," said Roger K. Newport, Chief Executive Officer of AK Steel. "Our ongoing efforts to strengthen our balance sheet continued during the quarter with the successful refinancing of our 2022 senior notes and extension of our credit facility. These actions position us well for the future."

Net sales increased 3% to $1.49 billion for the third quarter of 2017 from $1.45 billion for the third quarter of 2016. Third quarter flat-rolled steel shipments declined 2% to 1,368,600 tons from 1,397,900 tons in the third quarter a year ago, primarily as a result of softer automotive market demand. Average selling price per flat-rolled steel ton increased 2% to $1,021 from $1,001 in the same quarter a year ago, primarily as a result of a higher average selling price on both contract and spot market sales and higher surcharges on specialty steels.

Higher raw material costs, particularly for scrap, chrome, zinc and other alloys, contributed to the decline in results compared to the third quarter a year ago. Results for the third quarter of 2017 included a LIFO charge of $49.0 million, which was a $73.2 million year-over-year change from a LIFO credit of $24.2 million in the third quarter a year ago.

Costs for planned maintenance outages for the third quarter of 2017 were $8.5 million, as compared to $16.9 million from the same quarter a year ago.

Nine-Month Results

For the first nine months of 2017, the company reported net income of $117.9 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to net income of $54.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the corresponding nine months of 2016. Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $21.5 million of costs related to debt refinancing and $6.2 million for costs related to the Precision Partners acquisition. For the corresponding nine months of 2016, debt refinancing costs were $9.4 million.

Sales for the first nine months of 2017 were $4.58 billion, a 3% increase from sales of $4.46 billion in the same period a year ago. Flat-rolled steel shipments for the first nine months of 2017 were 4,259,100 tons compared to 4,550,900 tons in the first nine months of 2016. The reduction in shipments was primarily a result of continued efforts to reduce sales of lower margin products, as well as a decrease in automotive market demand. The company's average selling price for the first nine months of 2017 was $1,022 per flat-rolled steel ton, an 8% increase from $946 per ton for the first nine months of 2016. The higher sales reflect an increase in average selling price on both contract and spot market sales, higher surcharges on specialty steel, and an improved product mix.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2017 was $354.1 million, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $337.0 million for the same period last year. The company's adjusted EBITDA margin as a percent of net sales improved to 7.7% for the first nine months of 2017 from 7.5% for the same period a year ago. The improvement was principally driven by the company's strategy to focus on higher margin products, optimize its manufacturing footprint, and maintain its focus on cost control.

The first nine months of 2017 included LIFO charges of $108.3 million, which was a $124.1 million change from LIFO credits of $15.8 million in the comparable period for 2016. The company recorded costs of $38.2 million during the first nine months of 2017 for planned maintenance outages, compared to $40.0 million during the first nine months of 2016.

Iron Ore Derivatives

The company routinely uses iron ore derivatives to reduce the volatility in the cost of its iron ore purchases. Historically, these derivatives qualified for hedge accounting--meaning that gains and losses on derivatives were reflected in the company's financial results in the same period that the hedged iron ore purchases affected earnings. Beginning in the third quarter of 2016, the company's iron ore derivatives no longer qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Therefore, adjustments to mark these derivatives to fair value each period are recognized immediately in the company's financial results, versus being recognized in the period that iron ore purchases affect earnings.

In the third quarter of 2017, the fair value of the company's iron ore derivatives increased due to an increase in the market price of iron ore from June 2017, which resulted in the company recognizing mark-to-market gains of $4.0 million in its third quarter results. The company has net mark-to-market gains of $11.9 million in its results for the first nine months of 2017. Not included in the financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were $9.3 million and $29.6 million of realized gains from iron ore derivative contracts that settled during these periods, as those gains were recognized in prior periods as a result of the change in hedge accounting treatment.

Acquisition of Precision Partners

On August 4, 2017, the company acquired 100% of the equity of Precision Partners, which provides engineering, tooling, die design and hot- and cold-stamped steel components for the automotive market. Precision Partners is headquartered in Ontario, Canada and has more than 1,000 employees, including approximately 300 engineers and skilled tool makers, across eight plants in Ontario, Alabama and Kentucky. The company acquired Precision Partners to advance its core focus on the high-growth automotive lightweighting market and its prominent position in advanced high strength steels, further strengthen close collaboration with automotive market customers, and leverage both companies' research and innovation in materials and metals-forming. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the effects of the acquisition and Precision Partner's financial results beginning August 4, 2017.

The initial purchase price was $360.9 million, net of cash acquired, and was paid with cash on hand and borrowings under the company's credit facility. The purchase price is subject to a customary working capital adjustment based on the final closing date net working capital. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the company incurred acquisition costs of $4.7 million and $6.2 million. Acquisition costs are primarily comprised of transaction fees and direct costs, including professional fees. These costs are included in selling and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

New Credit Facility

In September 2017, the company entered into a new $1,350.0 million revolving credit facility which expires in September 2022. The new credit facility replaced the company's previous $1,500.0 million revolving credit facility, which was set to expire in March 2019, and is secured by the same classes of assets as the replaced credit facility. The company ended the third quarter of 2017 with total liquidity of $929.5 million, consisting of cash and cash equivalents and $865.3 million of availability under the company's revolving credit facility.

Senior Notes Offering and Debt Redemption

In August 2017, the company issued $280.0 million of 6.375% senior unsecured notes due 2025. Through a concurrent tender offer for its 8.375% senior unsecured notes due 2022, and subsequent redemption, the company retired all $279.8 million in principal of the 2022 notes in the third quarter of 2017. Included in other income (expense) in the third quarter of 2017 was $8.4 million of expense related to the debt redemption. The company recorded other expense of $21.5 million in the first nine months of 2017 related to this and earlier transactions for the issuance and redemption of notes.

AK Steel

AK Steel is a leading producer of flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products, primarily for the automotive, infrastructure and manufacturing, electrical power generation and distribution markets. Through its subsidiaries, the company also provides customer solutions through carbon and stainless steel tubing products, die design and tooling, and hot and cold stamping. Headquartered in West Chester, Ohio (Greater Cincinnati), the company employs approximately 9,400 men and women at manufacturing operations across seven states (Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia), as well as Canada and Mexico. Additional information about AK Steel is available at www.aksteel.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this earnings release reflect management's estimates and beliefs and are intended to be "forward-looking statements" identified in the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "plans," "estimates" and other similar references to future periods typically identify forward-looking statements.

The company cautions readers that forward-looking statements reflect the company's current beliefs and judgments, but are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes. They are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently affected by economic, competitive, regulatory, and operational risks, uncertainties and contingencies that are beyond the company's control, and upon assumptions about future business decisions and conditions that may change.

Forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve risks and uncertainties, resulting in the possibility that actual events or performance will differ materially from such predictions as a result of certain risk factors. Such factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include reduced selling prices, shipments and profits associated with a highly competitive and cyclical industry; domestic and global steel overcapacity; changes in the cost of raw materials and energy; the company's significant amount of debt and other obligations; severe financial hardship or bankruptcy of one or more of the company's major customers or key suppliers; the company's significant proportion of sales to the automotive market; reduced demand in key product markets due to competition from aluminum or other alternatives to steel; excess inventory of raw materials; supply chain disruptions or poor quality of raw materials; production disruption or reduced production levels; the company's healthcare and pension obligations; not reaching new labor agreements on a timely basis; major litigation, arbitrations, environmental issues and other contingencies; regulatory compliance and changes; climate change and greenhouse gas emission limitations; conditions in the financial, credit, capital and banking markets; the company's use of derivative contracts to hedge commodity pricing volatility; potential permanent idling of facilities; inability to fully realize benefits of margin enhancement initiatives; information technology security threats and cybercrime; that we will not integrate Precision Partners successfully; and that potential growth opportunities, accretion to earnings and cash flow and other anticipated benefits and opportunities from the Precision Partners acquisition, such as providing enhanced customer solutions and accelerated research and innovation, may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed in more detail in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as updated in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. As such, the company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only to the company's plans, assumptions and expectations as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.

AK STEEL HOLDING CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (Dollars and shares in millions, except per share and per ton data) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, -------------------- -------------------- 2017 2016 2017 2016 --------- --------- --------- --------- Flat-rolled steel shipments (000 tons) 1,368.6 1,397.9 4,259.1 4,550.9 Selling price per flat-rolled steel ton $ 1,021 $ 1,001 $ 1,022 $ 946 Net sales $ 1,494.3 $ 1,452.9 $ 4,584.9 $ 4,463.9 Cost of products sold 1,347.0 1,194.1 4,001.5 3,884.6 Selling and administrative expenses 67.7 80.0 204.0 205.7 Depreciation 58.0 53.7 168.2 161.7 Pension and OPEB expense (income) (16.2) (5.7) (48.6) (29.5) --------- --------- --------- --------- Total operating costs 1,456.5 1,322.1 4,325.1 4,222.5 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating profit 37.8 130.8 259.8 241.4 Interest expense 37.5 40.3 115.1 124.5 Other income (expense) (7.8) (7.0) (19.2) (5.6) --------- --------- --------- --------- Income (loss) before income taxes (7.5) 83.5 125.5 111.3 Income tax expense (benefit) (18.8) 14.6 (40.9) 4.1 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net income 11.3 68.9 166.4 107.2 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 17.1 18.0 48.5 52.6 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net income (loss) attributable to AK Steel Holding Corporation $ (5.8) $ 50.9 $ 117.9 $ 54.6 ========= ========= ========= ========= Net income (loss) per share attributable to AK Steel Holding Corporation: Basic $ (0.02) $ 0.21 $ 0.37 $ 0.26 ========= ========= ========= ========= Diluted $ (0.02) $ 0.21 $ 0.37 $ 0.26 ========= ========= ========= ========= Weighted-average shares outstanding: Basic 314.3 237.5 314.2 210.6 Diluted 314.3 238.4 321.1 211.4 AK STEEL HOLDING CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) September 30, December 31, 2017 2016 ------------- ------------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 69.3 $ 173.2 Accounts receivable, net 563.4 442.0 Inventory, net 1,184.1 1,113.9 Other current assets 115.6 94.6 ------------- ------------- Total current assets 1,932.4 1,823.7 Property, plant and equipment 6,745.3 6,569.0 Accumulated depreciation (4,720.7) (4,554.6) ------------- ------------- Property, plant and equipment, net 2,024.6 2,014.4 Goodwill and intangible assets 312.8 32.8 Other non-current assets 189.5 165.1 ------------- ------------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 4,459.3 $ 4,036.0 ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 718.0 $ 589.9 Accrued liabilities 245.1 234.1 Current portion of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations 41.3 41.3 ------------- ------------- Total current liabilities 1,004.4 865.3 Non-current liabilities: Long-term debt 2,098.2 1,816.6 Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations 1,011.8 1,093.7 Other non-current liabilities 168.4 148.4 ------------- ------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 4,282.8 3,924.0 EXCHANGEABLE NOTES EXCHANGE FEATURE -- 21.3 Equity: Common stock, authorized 450,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value each; issued 315,745,678 and 314,739,500 shares in 2017 and 2016; outstanding 314,848,092 and 314,160,557 shares in 2017 and 2016 3.2 3.1 Additional paid-in capital 2,883.7 2,855.4 Treasury stock, common shares at cost, 897,586 and 578,943 shares in 2017 and 2016 (5.4) (2.4) Accumulated deficit (2,946.9) (3,064.8) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (111.3) (63.5) ------------- ------------- Total stockholders' equity (deficit) (176.7) (272.2) Noncontrolling interests 353.2 362.9 ------------- ------------- TOTAL EQUITY 176.5 90.7 ------------- ------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 4,459.3 $ 4,036.0 ============= =============

Note: The company completed its acquisition of PPHC Holdings, LLC on August 4, 2017. The initial purchase price allocation is preliminary and is subject to the completion of several items, including consideration of final valuations and the final determination of post-closing purchase price adjustments relating to working capital.

AK STEEL HOLDING CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions) Nine Months Ended September 30, ------------------------ 2017 2016 ----------- ----------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 166.4 $ 107.2 Depreciation 155.8 150.8 Depreciation--SunCoke Middletown 12.4 10.9 Amortization 17.9 14.3 Deferred income taxes (36.1) 6.1 Pension and OPEB expense (income) (48.6) (29.5) Contributions to pension trust (38.1) -- Other pension payments (0.7) (32.6) Other postretirement benefit payments (30.0) (24.3) Changes in working capital (44.1) 37.5 Other operating items, net (0.9) 47.5 ----------- ----------- Net cash flows from operating activities 154.0 287.9 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital investments (88.7) (81.9) Investment in acquired business, net of cash acquired (360.9) -- Other investing items, net 4.2 2.2 ----------- ----------- Net cash flows from investing activities (445.4) (79.7) Cash flows from financing activities: Net borrowings (payments) under credit facility 415.0 (360.0) Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 680.0 380.0 Redemption of long-term debt (821.8) (392.8) Proceeds from issuance of common stock -- 249.4 Debt issuance costs (25.0) (20.4) SunCoke Middletown distributions to noncontrolling interest owners (58.2) (63.2) Other financing items, net (2.5) (0.3) ----------- ----------- Net cash flows from financing activities 187.5 (207.3) ----------- ----------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (103.9) 0.9 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 173.2 56.6 ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 69.3 $ 57.5 =========== =========== AK STEEL HOLDING CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions)

In certain of its disclosures in this news release, the company has reported adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA margin that exclude the effects of noncontrolling interests. EBITDA is an acronym for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. It is a metric that is sometimes used to compare the results of different companies by removing the effects of different factors that might otherwise make comparisons inaccurate or inappropriate. For purposes of this news release, the company has made adjustments to EBITDA to exclude the effect of noncontrolling interests. The adjusted results, although not financial measures under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and not identically applied by other companies, facilitate the ability to analyze the company's financial results in relation to those of its competitors and to the company's prior financial performance by excluding items that otherwise would distort the comparison. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are not, however, intended as alternative measures of operating results or cash flow from operations as determined in accordance with GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Neither current nor potential investors in the company's securities should rely on adjusted EBITDA or adjusted EBITDA margin as a substitute for any GAAP financial measure and the company encourages current and potential investors to review the following reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA.

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Nine Months Ended September Ended September (dollars in millions, except per ton) 30, 30, ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- 2017 2016 2017 2016 ------- ------- ------- ------- Net income (loss) attributable to AK Steel Holding $ (5.8) $ 50.9 $ 117.9 $ 54.6 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 17.1 18.0 48.5 52.6 Income tax expense (benefit) (18.8) 14.6 (40.9) 4.1 Interest expense 37.5 40.3 115.1 124.5 Interest income (0.5) (0.3) (1.3) (1.2) Depreciation 58.0 53.7 168.2 161.7 Amortization 2.8 1.1 7.6 4.2 ------- ------- ------- ------- EBITDA 90.3 178.3 415.1 400.5 Less: EBITDA of noncontrolling interests (a) 21.1 21.7 61.0 63.5 ------- ------- ------- ------- Adjusted EBITDA (b) $ 69.2 $ 156.6 $ 354.1 $ 337.0 ======= ======= ======= ======= Adjusted EBITDA margin 4.6% 10.8% 7.7% 7.5% ======= ======= ======= =======

(a) The reconciliation of EBITDA of noncontrolling interests to net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is as follows:

Three Months Nine Months Ended Ended (dollars in millions) September 30, September 30, ------------------------------------------------ ------------- ------------- 2017 2016 2017 2016 ------ ------ ------ ------ Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests $ 17.1 $ 18.0 $ 48.5 $ 52.6 Depreciation 4.0 3.7 12.5 10.9 ------ ------ ------ ------ EBITDA of noncontrolling interests $ 21.1 $ 21.7 $ 61.0 $ 63.5 ====== ====== ====== ======

(b) Included in adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, were $4.0 million and $11.9 million of unrealized gains on iron ore derivatives.

AK STEEL HOLDING CORPORATION FLAT-ROLLED STEEL SHIPMENTS (Unaudited) (Tons in thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, ------------------ ------------------ 2017 2016 2017 2016 -------- -------- -------- -------- Tons Shipped by Product Stainless/electrical 197.1 212.2 617.5 663.1 Coated 726.8 758.1 2,269.9 2,414.6 Cold-rolled 244.1 219.3 732.0 777.9 Hot-rolled 164.9 168.7 527.3 573.0 Secondary 35.7 39.6 112.4 122.3 -------- -------- -------- -------- Total shipments 1,368.6 1,397.9 4,259.1 4,550.9 ======== ======== ======== ======== Shipments by Product (%) Stainless/electrical 14% 15% 14% 15% Coated 53% 54% 53% 53% Cold-rolled 18% 16% 18% 17% Hot-rolled 12% 12% 12% 12% Secondary 3% 3% 3% 3% -------- -------- -------- -------- Total shipments 100% 100% 100% 100% ======== ======== ======== ========

Contacts:

Media

Lisa H. Jester

Corporate Manager

Communications and Public Relations

(513) 425-2510



Investors

Douglas O. Mitterholzer

General Manager

Investor Relations

(513) 425-5215




SAN JOSE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/13/17 -- NeuVector, which delivers continuous network security for containers, today announced the immediate availability of NeuVector 1.3, the most significant release of the container firewall security solution since its initial launch. Adapting to evolving container security needs, NeuVector 1.3 features a wealth of key security, integration, and UI additions. NeuVector is also releasing a new Enterprise version of the solution, which features capabilities specifically designed for large-scale deployments.

NeuVector is the only true Layer 7 container firewall, providing Layer 7 filtering for all container traffic, along with network intelligence that understands application intent and disallows suspicious behavior. NeuVector 1.3 enhances these critical protections across several fronts, including the ability to detect attacks that rely on tunneling (a technique used to conceal attacks). The new release also adds automatic forensic capture on every detected threat, and makes it simple for security teams to safeguard connections to and from external and legacy networks. The NeuVector solution is compatible with Docker encrypted networks (enabling inspection of encrypted connections), and is also integrated with Red Hat OpenShift, Rancher, and Kubernetes.

The NeuVector 1.3 solution -- a container itself -- further leverages its strategic position within Docker cluster deployments to add a series of new general host and container security features. The solution now detects suspicious process and privilege escalations within hosts or containers, thwarting breakout attempts as attacks seek to spread malware or probe other vital resources. NeuVector 1.3 also detects reverse shell connections, which attackers use to connect a compromised host or container to a command and control server in order to run commands remotely. These capabilities join NeuVector's existing auditing and compliance features -- such as vulnerability scanning and CIS benchmark security testing -- in delivering effective security against known threats.

"As businesses increasingly make containers an integral part of their IT strategy -- and as threats to container environments evolve -- it's crucial that they have comprehensive security capabilities in-line with their specific requirements," said Fei Huang, CEO, NeuVector. "We're proud to introduce the new versions of NeuVector that are uniquely designed to deliver the container security needs of businesses today."

Additionally, to make large-scale adoption easier for customers, an Enterprise version of the solution is now available. In addition to offering the security capabilities included in NeuVector 1.3, the enterprise-specific product features include polices based on DNS names, webhook notifications for critical security events, REST API integration for automation into CI/CD pipelines, rolling updates to maintain protection during NeuVector updates, and priority technical support. Access control support for single sign-on (SSO), SAML, and LDAP integration is also added.

"NeuVector's solution capably provides the container security required for our microservices-based architecture," said Tobias Gurtzick, Security Architect, Arvato. "We're excited to implement NeuVector's new release, which enhances our threat detection and investigation abilities via comprehensive network session snapshots. We also welcome the solution's new enterprise-focused integration features -- such as webhooks notifications -- which let us more easily integrate security into our processes."

About NeuVector

NeuVector, the leading container firewall company, delivers a Docker security solution with a zero-configuration policy that adapts to the changing environment and secures containers during run-time. Founded by industry veterans from Fortinet, VMware, and Trend Micro, NeuVector has developed patent-pending behavioral learning for containers with the vision of simple, scalable network security for containers.
HYDERABAD, India, August 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The global seed market is projected to reach USD 78,219.35 million by 2022, with a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period of 2017-2022.

The seed industry has witnessed substantial changes in the last century as farmers purchased seeds with better traits from the market, rather than relying on seeds from the previous season's harvest. Developments in seed technology have increased the momentum of the industry's growth. Moreover, the introduction of genetically modified crops has further boosted the seed market. The value of the global seed market has tripled since 2000, and it reached approximately USD 50 billion in 2014. On a global scale, North America occupies the largest market share, and together with Europe, the country contributes over 50% to the global seed market.

The report provides a detailed analysis of the global seed market, broadly segmented based on product type (non-GMO/hybrid seed, and GMO seed) and crop type (grain and cereal, oilseed, vegetable, and others).

The key driving factors in the global seed market include an expanding population, a rising worldwide adoption of biotech crops, increase in the usage of biofuels and animal feed, and growing land reclamation for agricultural purposes. On the other hand, lower adoption rate of GMO crops in various countries, the need for prolonged approval time, and the extensive research and time required to stabilize and introduce new seed varieties with novel traits (and to consolidate the seed market) are the major constraints for this industry.

In order to obtain a generation of new varieties of seeds with desirable traits, the seed industry is investing heavily on R&D. The leading global players are trying to include these traits (and certain combinations of the same) in their products to sustain high levels of competition and to maintain their market shares. Technological innovations and growing demand in the developing countries are the major areas of opportunities in the seed market.

Browse Full Report with TOC: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/seeds-industry

The report will answer the following key questions:

Who are the major players in the global seed market? What is the basis of segmentation of the global seed market? What are the market shares of various segments and sub-segments? What are the technological advancements in the global seed industry and their future prospects? What are the key market trends driving the growth of the global seed market? What are the factors constraining the growth of the global seed market? What are the opportunities and threats faced by the players in the global seed market?

Objectives of the Study:

To provide detailed analysis of the market structure, along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the global seed market To provide insights about factors affecting the market's growth. To analyze the global seed market based on various factors, such as, competitive analysis, Porter's five forces analysis, etc. To provide geographical revenues of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to regions - North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , South America , and Africa To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments, such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and R&D activities in the global seed market

About Mordor Intelligence

Mordor Intelligence is a market intelligence and business advisory firm. The company operates in the business of industry analysis & consulting, in over 16 verticals. In today's fast-paced and competitive business environment, every customer has unique information requirements. Having understood this, Mordor offers custom market intelligence and advisory services along with syndicated reports, to help them gain an edge over the competition. The company has successfully catered to over 500 (40% of fortune 500) clients since 2013.



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Bedrock assays up to 19.24 g/t Au; property is permitted for drilling

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 23, 2017) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (Metals Creek) and Sokoman Iron Corp. (TSXV: SIC) (Sokoman) are pleased to announce that they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with outlining terms whereby Sokoman can earn up to 100% interest in the Clarks Brook Gold Property, located in central Newfoundland, pending TSX Venture exchange approval.

Highlights of the property include;

Maximum grab samples in boulders to 24.5 g/t gold; maximum in bedrock to 19.24 g/t gold; the property is fully permitted for drilling; project approved for financial assistance (JEA) from the provincial government; Located on Central Newfoundland Gold Trend in structural corridor hosting Valentine Lake (Marathon Gold Corp.) and Antler Gold projects.

The Clarks Brook prospect was staked by vendor Metals Creek after a review of past work completed on the property and initial due diligence performed on the showing. The gold mineralization outlined on the Clarks Brook Property consisted of mineralized (silicified and disseminated pyrite/arsenopyrite bearing siltstone) angular boulders up to 3 meters in size initially discovered by Altius Minerals Corporation in 2004, and which has reported historic assays ranging from 2.98 g/t to 24.5 g/t gold. In 2009, Altius completed an Induced Polarization (IP) and Magnetics ground geophysical survey that outlined several targets but no drilling has been done on the geophysical or gold targets.

Subsequent field work by the vendor (MEK) resulted in the discovery in bedrock of similar style mineralization to that of the boulders returning a grab sample assay of 19.24 g/t gold. In addition, thirteen (13) of the large angular blocks were sampled and yielded assays ranging from 0.24 g/t to 10.4 g/t gold. Metals Creek has applied for and received drilling permits for the Clarks Brook Property.

To earn an initial 75% interest, Sokoman must make cash payments of $45,000 over three years (no cash on signing) and issue a total of 3,000,000 Sokoman common shares over three years (500,000 due upon regulatory approval) and incur work expenditures of $800,000 over three years ($100,000 by 1st anniversary). Sokoman will be the operator during the earn-in period. Once a 75% interest is earned by Sokoman, either a 75/25 joint venture will be formed, or Sokoman may elect to earn an additional 25% interest to bring its total property interest to 100%. The terms to increase its interest from 75% to 100% include payments of $100,000 and the issuance of an additional 2,000,000 Sokoman shares within 60 days of the 3rd anniversary date. This agreement is subject to regulatory approval.

Note: The MEK surface grab samples mentioned in this news release were grab samples which are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades of the property.

Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO of Metals Creek states; "The acquisition of Clarks Brook provides Sokoman and its shareholders with a drill ready property in the active Central Newfoundland Gold Play. Metals Creek is a strong supporter and shareholder of Sokoman and the agreement is a good fit for both companies. MEK will maintain an interest in the property thru the share issuance and either the 75/25 SIC/MEK JV or the NSR. We look forward to a Phase 1 drilling program, as quickly as possible."

Timothy Froude, P.Geo and a qualified person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for the information forming the basis for this release.

About Metals Creek Resources Corp.

Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has a 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF) that stretches between Timmins, Ontario and Val d'Or, Quebec. The Company has also recently entered into an Option/JV with Trifecta Gold Ltd. on Metals Creek's Squid properties in Yukon. Metals Creek also has an option agreement with Quadro Resources on Metals Creeks and Benton Resources Staghorn Gold Project in Newfoundland as well as two option agreements with Anaconda Mining Inc. on Metals Creek's Jacksons Arm and Tilt Cove Properties also in Newfoundland. The company have also signed a LOI on its Clarks Brook property with Sokoman Iron Corp. and is engaged in the identification, acquisition, exploration and development of other mineral resource properties, and presently has mining interests in Ontario, Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador. Additional information concerning the Corporation is contained in documents filed by the Corporation with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedar.com.

"Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

For further information, please contact:

Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO

Metals Creek Resources Corp

telephone: (709)-256-6060

fax: (709)-256-6061

email: astares@metalscreek.com

WWW.metalscreek.com




BEIJING, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading consumer electronics company, Meizu, has unveiled its new M6 Note smartphone, the first new M series phone since the company officially divides M series and Meizu into two independent BU this May, in Beijing. The M6 Note is the first in its family to carry a Qualcomm processor since it signed a licensing deal with Qualcomm in 2016. It boasts outstanding camera specs, a large and powerful battery, and the smooth and easy-to-use Flyme 6 operation system.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor running on a clock speed of up to 2.0 GHz and is built using the Samsung 14 nm LPP (Low-Power Plus) FinFET CMOS process

35 percent lower power usage than its predecessor

Adreno 506 graphics processing unit

Full-HD (1080p) display

12 mega-pixel SONY IMX362/Samsung 2L7 rear camera and 5-mega-pixel secondary rear camera

Dual PD with a focusing speed of 0.03s

ArcSoft algorithm to enhance photography experience

16 mega-pixel front camera

4000 mAh ultra-large battery

18W high-power mCharge technology

0.2s fingerprint recognition

dual color temperature 4-LED flash

Qualcomm processor enables smoother overall performance

Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor, which runs on a clock speed of up to 2.0 GHz and is built using Samsung's 14 nm LPP (Low-Power Plus) FinFET CMOS process, the M6 Note provides fast speed, stable connectivity, vibrant displays, and performance that's both powerful and efficient. The Snapdragon 625 supports up to 35 percent lower power usage than its predecessor so that the M6 Note can run at its maximum speed for a longer time without heating up.

The embedded Adreno 506 graphics processing unit (GPU) boasts a 71% increase in graphics processing performance compared to the previous generation. It also supports a Full-HD (1080p) display for users to enjoy a smooth, high-quality gaming experience at a great display resolution.

The integrated X9 LTE modem supports 4G LTE and allows for faster sharing of videos and photos with peak upload speeds of 150 Mbps, which is three times as fast as traditional LTE devices. The full-frequency technology supports a more stable and unobstructed network environment, and dual-frequency Wi-Fi.

Photography experience enhanced through 12 mega-pixel SONY camera

Supporting ArcSoft dual-camera bokeh, multi-frame noise reduction and HDR algorithm, the M6 Note includes the 12 mega-pixel SONY IMX362/Samsung 2L7 as the primary rear camera and combines the powerful combination of a f/1.9 ultra-wide aperture, 1.4Im pixel CMOS image sensor and 6P custom lens to deliver high image quality at an affordable price.

The M6 Note features the Dual PD focusing system that provides a focusing speed as fast as 0.03s, which is four times faster in full light and 7.5 times faster in low light than the previous generation.

Combined with the ArcSoft beauty algorithm, which highlights the texture and the nature of skin, the 16 mega-pixel front camera and f/2.0 wide aperture bring customers outstanding selfie experience.

Ultra-large Battery with high-power mCharge

With a 4000 mAh ultra-large battery built into the M6 Note, users can enjoy the phone's functions for longer before having to recharge. In addition, the phone's 18W high-power mCharge technology makes it possible to charge and use the phone at the same time.

"The M6 Note is designed as a budget smartphone with higher performance. It aims to meet the rising demand for ever-improving phones among the young generation," said Li Nan, vice president of Meizu Technology Co.,and president of M Series. "All of the phone's features provide an 'experience upgrade' to users and deliver on the promise of the M series' mission statement of 'Quality for Young'."

The M6 Note is available in gold, silver, black and blue in China, Columbia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippine, Russia, Spain, Ukraine and Vietnam and so on.

Price: CNY 1099 (USD 164.95) for 3G+16G, CNY 1299 (USD 194.95) for 3G+32G and CNY 1699 (USD 254.99) for 4G+64G.

For more information, please visit: https://www.meizu.com/en/

About Meizu Technology Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2003, Meizu Technology Co., Ltd. (Meizu) is the world's 11th largest mobile phone manufacturer in terms of unit sales, according to statistics from IC Insights, and one of the most influential smartphone makers in China. The company boasts a smartphone line of nearly 30 models that reached 22,000,000 units shipped in 2016, making it the world's 11th-largest mobile phone manufacturer in terms of unit sales. The company has two independent business units, M Series and Meizu, with Meizu focusing on the high-end market and M Series developing products that deliver on the promise of "Quality for Young."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/548012/Meizu_M6_Note.jpg
NEWTOWN, Pa., 2017-08-23 16:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM), a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and software development services, will host the Scratch Conference in Budapest, Hungary from August 24-25, 2017. The event is one of six conferences held globally to bring together hundreds of Scratch educators and IT experts.



Developed by MIT, Scratch is a foundational tool and coding platform used primarily by children to learn the basics of programming. During this free event, attendees will hear from over 60 experts and explore all facets of computing, including best practices in using Scratch and additional tools that integrate with the platform. Several renowned speakers will attend the conference including Mitchel Resnick, Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab and Chair of the Scratch Foundation; Ariam Mogos, Learning Lead, Office of Innovation at UNICEF; and Genevieve Smith-Nunes, Entrepreneur and a Lecturer at Roehampton University School of Education.



"Scratch provides children with a way to express themselves through technology, teaching them critical thinking skills while giving them confidence to create and design," said Larry Solomon, Chief People Officer, EPAM. "We support Scratch, not only through the Scratch Conference, but through our global EPAM e-Kids program. Our employees love sharing their passion for technology with the boys and girls who will become the workforce of the future."



EPAM e-Kids challenges primary-aged children to find a connection with coding through hands-on challenges and close mentorship opportunities. Currently, over 700 EPAM employees volunteer with 1,200 e-Kids students in 14 countries by hosting coding classes, hackathons and community events. For more information about EPAM's work in improving the IT knowledge among children across the globe, visit https://www.epam.com/about/company/social-responsibility.



About EPAM Systems Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM) has leveraged its core engineering expertise to become a leading global product development and digital platform engineering services company. Through its 'Engineering DNA' and innovative strategy, consulting, and design capabilities, EPAM works in collaboration with its customers to deliver innovative solutions that turn complex business challenges into real business opportunities. EPAM's global teams serve customers in over 25 countries across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. EPAM is a recognized market leader among independent research agencies and was ranked #12 in FORBES 25 Fastest Growing Public Tech Companies, as a top information technology services company on FORTUNE'S 100 Fastest-Growing Companies, and as a top UK Digital Design & Build Agency. Learn more at http://www.epam.com/ and follow us on Twitter @EPAMSYSTEMS and LinkedIn.



Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. EPAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law.



CONTACT: Danielle Ruess-Saltz M: 267.978.7688 danielle_ruess-saltz@epam.com

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CHARLESTON, SC and HARPENDEN, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwired - October 09, 2017) - weatherXchange  , the platform which provides companies with ready access to index-based weather risk protection, is pleased to announce that Sompo Global Weather will be providing indicative pricing as part of the forthcoming weatherXchange Instantaneous Indicative Pricing service.

Instantaneous Indicative Pricing will help streamline the structuring process for hedgers and brokers by providing an immediate idea of the costs of a structure without the need to approach the Protection Seller in person. Introduction of this service on the weatherXchange platform offers potential buyers with online visibility to companies such as Sompo, a creator of value-added solutions for companies in the global energy, construction, transportation, renewable energy, retail and agriculture industries.

"We are excited to have Sompo Global Weather participate in the provision of Instantaneous Indicative Pricing. We believe instant pricing can dramatically improve market efficiency especially in the early stages of tailoring a weather hedge," said David Whitehead Co-CEO at weatherXchange. "Sompo has a long track record of innovative thinking, in-depth market knowledge, and the ability to offer a wide range of index-based weather structures."

Mr. Martin Malinow, President Sompo Global Weather, added, "We are excited at the opportunity to partner with weatherXchange to offer market-leading access to Sompo's WeatherLock products. Our unique analytic platform allows for instantaneous pricing for clients which we believe will expand demand for our products to new clients across weather-exposed industries."

About Sompo Global Weather

Sompo Global Weather is part of Sompo International Holdings Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sompo Holdings, Inc., whose core business encompasses one of the largest property and casualty insurance groups in the Japanese domestic market. Sompo Global Weather writes tailored weather-driven risk management products indexed to weather variables measured and reported by global meteorological agencies and commodity price indices published by exchanges and other independent organizations.

About weatherXchange

weatherXchange Limited is part of the Speedwell Weather group of companies which have been involved in the index-based weather risk market since its earliest days in 1999. weatherXchange is an independent platform which provides free access to thousands of quality weather data sets worldwide and a user-friendly tool to simplify the design of weather protection contracts. weatherXchange links Hedgers, Broker-Advisors and Protection Sellers thereby helping businesses with weather risk to more easily access weather risk protection. The weatherXchange Platform also offers post-transaction services necessary to settle a transaction and to monitor the performance of a hedge.

For further information on weatherXchange please visit www.weatherXchange.com or contact: ClientOnBoarding@weatherXchange.com.

If your firm is experienced in the weather risk mitigation sector and is interested in working with weatherXchange as a Protection Seller please contact NewPartners@weatherXchange.com

weatherXchange Limited is registered in England number 3790989 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Its registered address is Mardall House, 9-11 Vaughan Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 4HU.

David Whitehead

Co-CEO

weatherXchange

418 King St, Floor 2, Charleston, SC 29403, USA

T: +1 (843) 737-4843

E: david.whitehead@weatherXchange.com

Web: www.weatherXchange.com
Larissa Coleman has joined the Cleveland / Bradley Chamber of Commerce as the new membership accounts representative. Ms. Coleman will be responsible for ensuring the continuous and steady growth of the Chambers membership in further promoting new member recruitment. She will also coordinate the sales and advertising services offered by the Chamber with the continued goal to help grow member business, facilitate member needs and increase the overall value offered to members.

Ms. Coleman comes to the Chamber with 10 years of experience in sales, business development, public relations and customer service. She holds a bachelors degree in Communications from UTC.

At the Chamber, serving the needs of our members and the business community is our number one

priority, said Chamber President and CEO Gary Farlow. I am confident Larissa will help strengthen the membership team, to ensure our members are utilizing the many opportunities we offer to support their growth of our community and the region.

Prior to her new position with the Cleveland/Bradely Chamber Ms. Coleman worked with the American Red Cross Winston Salem Chapter in North Carolina as well as at Unum and Blood Assurance in Chattanooga.

I am so excited to join the team at the Chamber, said Ms. Coleman. I look forward to working with local business and being a part of our community.

Ms. Coleman resides in Cleveland with her husband, Jon, along with their 8-year-old son, Samuel, and 4-year-old daughter, Sarah Rose. She and her family love to spend time together being outdoors and watching sports.

For more information on the Cleveland / Bradley Chamber of Commerce, visit www.clevelandchamber.com or call 472-6587.
DUBLIN, Jan. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Australia Data Center Services Market, Forecast to 2023" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

Hyperscale public cloud service providers have been key in driving demand for data center services in Australia, particularly in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Many global public cloud providers (such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google) have significantly increased their uptake of wholesale data center capacities in recent years.

Additionally, escalating costs in the Sydney CBD region, especially with regard to average costs of prime land, have resulted in Australia's cloud providers and multi-national corporations (MNCs) looking to base their local operations in other cities within Australia. Perth is emerging as an attractive city in terms of international connectivity to global markets, especially given the ongoing construction of the APX-West subsea cable linking Perth to Singapore. APX-West is due for completion in 2018.

Separately there is an ongoing adoption of modular data centers by industries such as education (research facilities), construction and mining, where data processing is required to be close to the edge to end-users in remote areas. Vendors are also jumping on the bandwagon to offer modular data centers.

At the same time, data center modernization has emerged as a leading priority for many enterprises in Australia. Data Center Management-as-a-Service (DCM-as-a-Service) is likely to become commonplace, where monitored data into an enterprise's data center operations are sent to a service provider's cloud, and offered on an on-demand basis.

How can data center operators in Australia capitalize on the opportunities above, to increase their revenue streams? At the same time, what are some other key growth opportunities that data center service providers can create to support end-users in their data center modernization roadmaps, amid the increasingly competitive market participant landscape in Australia?



Some key questions this study will answer:

What is the addressable market opportunity for the Australia Data Center services market? What is the expected growth rate and key drivers of growth for specific services areas?

What are the significant developments in the Data Center space in Australia ?

? What are the driving and restraining factors that will shape the future of the Data Center services market in Australia ?

? What are the key customer adoption trends in the Data Center market in Australia ? What drives sales in specific market segments?

? What drives sales in specific market segments? What is the current competitive landscape in Australia ? Which are the key players in the market and what are their market strategies? How is the competitive landscape expected to evolve in the future?

? Which are the key players in the market and what are their market strategies? How is the competitive landscape expected to evolve in the future? Where are the growth opportunities and what are some actionable recommendations that service providers and vendors can do to capitalize on these opportunities?

Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary

Key Findings

Market Engineering Measurements

CEO's Perspective

2. Market Overview

Market Overview

Market Definitions

Key Questions This Study Will Answer

3. Drivers and Restraints-Data Center Services Market

Market Drivers

Drivers Explained

Market Restraints

Restraints Explained

4. Forecasts and Trends-Data Center Services Market

Data Center Landscape-Supply Analysis by Raised Floor Space by Australia Regions

Data Center Services Market-Revenue Forecast

Data Center Services Market-Revenue Forecast by Segment

Revenue Forecast Discussion

5. Market Share and Competitive Analysis- Data Center Services Market

Market Share

Competitive Environment

Competitive Factors and Assessment

Latest Data Center Investments

6. Growth Opportunities and Companies to Action

Growth Opportunity 1: Enhance Product Portfolio

Growth Opportunity 2: Geography expansion

Growth Opportunity 3: Partnerships to Augment Service Portfolio

Growth Opportunity 4: Niche Data Center Offerings

Growth Opportunity 5: Supporting Enterprises in their Data Center Modernization Roadmap

Strategic Imperatives for Data Center Service Providers (DCSPs)

7. The Last Word

The Last Word-3 Big Predictions

Legal Disclaimer

8. Appendix

Market Engineering Methodology

Market Engineering Measurements





For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/j65hrj/australia_data?w=5

About Research and Markets

Research and Markets is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Restaurants have been witnessing a fall in traffic. Higher menu price and change in attitude of the new generations are attributed to the decline in footfall.



NPD Group, the market information organization, has recorded that customer visits in restaurants and food service outlets in U.S. were down for the last six consecutive quarters. At the same time, there is an increase in average check in the restaurants, obviously due to increase in menu price.



Dining concept is slowly changing with the midscale/family. They are compelled to avoid casual dining. There has been a four percent decline in traffic in midscale, while casual dining dropped by 3 percent.



Quick Service Restaurants, considered to be the traffic boosters for the industry, is also experiencing sluggishness in footfall. It has been on an upward path with 83 percent visits. However, it recorded no growth compared to the previous year.



Morning meal visits in restaurants recorded an increase of one percent, and quick service hamburger and fast cast casual restaurants also were up in traffic. Quick Service Sandwitch, burger, midscale and Asian restaurants also reported growth from the same period last year.



NPD also revealed that Baby boomers who were born between 1946 and 1964 and of age 53-71 offers highest visits to restaurants with 23 percent of traffic and 29 percent of restaurants dollars. Generation X, born between 1965 - 1980, who constitute 20 percent of the total population also offer 23 percent traffic, however studies have shown that only 22 percent of restaurant dollars are from Generation X.



Seniors who were born prior to 1945, aged above 72 years are the least in restaurant visits that constitute 6 percent of the traffic. Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996 contribute 25 percent of traffic and 24 percent of restaurant dollars. Generation Z born in 1997 to 2015 constitute 20 percent of traffic and 18 percent of restaurant dollars.



In another observation, people want to experience by spending money, while earlier, their focus was only to acquire things. According to David Portalatin of NPD, this change in trend is very clear in food industry also.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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BROOKSVILLE, FL--(Marketwired - October 09, 2017) - Tijuana Flats, the fast-casual Tex-Mex dining experience, today announces that it has opened a new restaurant in Brooksville, Fla. The new location is the seventh store that Tijuana Flats has opened this year.

Located at 12320 Cortez Blvd, a half a mile west of Mariner Blvd., the new store will span 2,253 square feet, will include 64 indoor guest seats and 24 patio seats, and will employ 45-50 team members to include management, back-of-house and front-of-house employees. Additionally, Brooksville guests will enjoy a selection of 15 different hot sauces from Tijuana Flats' Hot Bar.

"As we continue to expand our presence in the greater Tampa area, we are excited to see the positive feedback we are getting from fans of the Tijuana Flats brand," said Ray Mailman, Brooksville area supervisor at Tijuana Flats. "This new store will allow us to reach even more current and future 'Flatheads' with our always-fresh Tex-Mex and good-time atmosphere."

Like all existing Tijuana Flats stores, the new location will also feature energy-efficient equipment and environmentally friendly processes, such as menus on recycled paper, water-conserving faucets, and more.

Tijuana Flats will promote the following grand-opening specials at the Brooksville location throughout the store's first week:

Monday, 10/9 - First 50 guests receive a free Tijuana Burrito

Tuesday 10/10 (and every Tuesday) - Tijuana Tuesdaze: Two tacos, chips and a drink for $5.99

Wednesday, 10/11 - $5 burrito bowls

Thursday, 10/12 (and every Thursday) - Throwback Thursdaze: Tijuana burrito, chips and a drink for $5.99

Friday, 10/13- Rock Out Party: Happy Hour all day and live music and giveaways from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday, 10/14- Local Hero Day: 50% off any entree for police, firefighters, EMT, nurses, teachers, and military with valid I.D.

Sunday, 10/15 - Free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree.

Tijuana Flats plans to open an additional four restaurants across the Southeast before the end of the year.

To view the Tijuana Flats menu and list of additional locations, visit tijuanaflats.com.

About Tijuana Flats

Established in 1995 in Winter Park, Florida, Tijuana Flats is a unique, fast-casual Tex-Mex dining experience featuring superior guest service and fresh, made-to-order food. Tijuana Flats has 131 locations in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The brand has been named to Fast Casual Magazine's 2015 & 2016 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list. For more information on Tijuana Flats, please visit https://tijuanaflats.com/.

About AUA Equity

AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC is a New York-based, operationally-focused, lower middle-market investment firm providing strategic capital to companies in the consumer, media, and business services sectors, with a particular focus on family-owned businesses and companies benefiting from the growth of the U.S. Hispanic population. AUA Equity makes equity investments of $15 to $50 million in companies that generate in excess of $3 million in EBITDA. AUA Equity currently manages over $275 million of capital. For more information on AUA Private Equity, please visit www.auaequity.com.

Media Contact

Lauren Bowes

lbowes@findsomewinmore.com

(407) 722-7843
Bonn (ots) - Ein Jahr ist Donald Trump nun Prasident. Gegen das politische "Establishment" in Washington wollte er vorgehen und eine Mauer zu Mexiko bauen. Mit dem Ausstieg aus dem Pariser Klimaabkommen spaltet er die USA. Die Jerusalem-Entscheidung sorgte weltweit fur Proteste. Trotzdem halt Donald Trump daran fest und will mit seiner neuen Nahost-Politik eine Losung des israelisch-palastinensischen Konflikts erreichen. Welche Leitlinien hat seine Politik und was ist die Bilanz seiner einjahrigen Amtszeit? Wer profitiert von seinen Deals - wer verliert?



Im phoenix-Thema "Ein Jahr Trump" diskutieren der Politikwissenschaftler Professor Stefan Frohlich von der Universitat Erlangen und die USA-Kennerin Christiane Lemke vom Institut fur politische Wissenschaft an der Leibniz Universitat in Hannover wichtige Aspekte der aktuellen US-Prasidentschaft. Moderatorin im Studio ist Mareike Bokern. Auch die Korrespondenten in Washington und Tel Aviv kommen zu Wort. Die Weltpiegel-Dokumentation "Donald Trump.Ich.Prasident." beleuchtet das erste Jahr von Trump im Oval Office



OTS: PHOENIX newsroom: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/6511 newsroom via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_6511.rss2



Pressekontakt: phoenix-Kommunikation Pressestelle Telefon: 0228 / 9584 192 Fax: 0228 / 9584 198 presse@phoenix.de presse.phoenix.de

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/24/17 -- Leading military media brand We Are The Mighty and consumer intelligence firm Maru/Matchbox release survey findings revealing brand loyalty and buying habits. Over 1,700 active and retired military servicemen and women were surveyed on attitudes, behaviors and brand use across numerous categories. In addition, 1,500 non-military individuals were interviewed using the same methodology for comparison to census. Topline results include:

Military veterans are confident in their brand choices and place a great deal of importance on brands they feel support them and their country.

-- 66% agree that they are "more likely to buy brands that are made in the US" (versus 49% for civilians). -- 61% say that "buying American products is important to me" (versus 44% for non-military). -- More than half (57%) of current and former servicemen and women "seek out brands that support the troops or are militarily friendly" (versus 16% civilians). -- 70% (significantly above the 29% of civilians) "are more likely to buy brands that support US Veterans". -- 61% say that "quality (of a product) is more important than price" (versus 54% non-military). -- 38% are "willing to pay more for a product that supports the causes I care about" (versus 33% non-military).

Military members and their families engage in both online and in-store shopping

-- Expect to find military members and their families shopping in superstores like Target and Walmart (80%), drug stores like CVS and Walgreens (57%) and sporting goods stores like Dicks and REI (47% versus 25% of non-military), but also online on Amazon (75%). -- Active wear is also a significant purchase category with 29% making a purchase online (versus 26% non-military) and 55% in-store (versus 45%).

Military is Gaming Industry's Best Consumer

-- 73% own a gaming console, well above the 54% of the non-military. 30% plan to purchase a new gaming console in the next year, nearly double the 17% of non-military. -- They are gaming on all devices: 66% play games at least once a week on a smartphone (versus 50% of non-military), 44% on a play games on a computer and 32% play games on a tablet. 17% use a handheld gaming device such as a Nintendo 3Ds. -- Those who purchased games spent an average of $114 in the past year on console games (versus $104 for non-military), $75 for computer games ($66 for non-military), $49 on gaming apps ($43 for non-military).

Servicemembers Embracing Subscription Based Music and Video

-- Active and veteran members who engage in each media spend an average of 6.5 hours listening to satellite radio (versus 4.7 for non-military gen- pop), 7.6 hours streaming music from free sites or apps (versus 6.5) and 10 hours streaming music from paid streaming sites (versus 7.6). -- They are also more likely to subscribe to pay services such as Sirius XM (19% vs. 13%), Spotify Paid (17% vs. 11%), Amazon Music Unlimited (13% vs. 9%), Apple Music Paid (12% vs. 7%) and Pandora Paid (9% vs. 6%). -- They spend an average of 9.8 hours a week streaming from SVOD sites like Netflix and Hulu (versus 9.0 non-military). They are more likely to subscribe to Netflix (72% vs. 57%), Amazon Prime Video (45% vs. 36%), and Hulu (29% vs. 21%) than gen-pop. -- 66% watch movies on streaming subscription services like Netflix at least once a week (versus 48% of non-military). -- Military families are also more likely to go "OTT" with subscriptions to stand alone TV services like HBO Now and CBS All Access (12% vs. 5%).

Technology Brands Connect with Those Who Serve

-- Nearly half of active and retired military personnel (45%) say they "like to stay up to date on the latest technology trends and products" (versus 40% of non-military). -- They are more likely than general population to own a tablet (63% vs. 59%), a Smart TV (53% vs. 44%), streaming to TV device (40% vs. 34%), an e-reader (33% vs. 24%), a wearable device like an Apple watch or Fitbit (32% vs. 24%) and a connected home device like an amazon Echo or Google Home (17% vs. 14%). -- Besides owning these devices, they are also in the market to buy them, with 38% looking to purchase a new mobile device and 31% looking to purchase a new TV in the next year.

About We Are The Mighty

We Are The Mighty (WATM) is the leading media brand engaging America's military, a large and loyal group who comprise one-third of the country (114 million). WATM's team of veterans and media professionals capture their voice with original and branded content, innovative marketing and events. Our mission is to explore all aspects of military life and culture, and break down stereotypes with stories and experiences that entertain, inform, inspire and celebrate the spirit of service. We work with companies, nonprofits, and veteran service organizations that want to have a positive and meaningful impact on this community while also strengthening the relationship between the military, veterans and civilians.

About Maru/Matchbox

The company began disrupting the market research industry in 2000, as the research arm of Vision Critical. Our cloud-based insight communities broke new ground, adding depth and richness to clients' understanding of what motivates their customers and influences their markets. Now, as part of the Maru Group, we still operate many of the hundreds of insight communities that we implemented then, while also providing sector-specific consulting and research and in-depth qualitative insights.

Contacts:

Carol Levey

carol.levey@wearethemighty.com

(818) 692-6549




Regulatory News:

Axway (Paris:AXW) has published the French version of its Interim Financial Report for the six-month period ended 30 June 2017 which is available online at http://www.investors.axway.com/fr

An English version is also available online at http://www.investors.axway.com/en

Disclaimer

This document is a free translation into English of the original French press release. It is not a binding document. In the event of a conflict in interpretation, reference should be made to the French version, which is the authentic text.

About Axway

Axway (Euronext: AXW.PA) is a catalyst for transformation. Axway AMPLIFY, our data integration and Digital Business Enablement platform, available in Cloud mode, allows digital leaders to anticipate, adapt to, and meet their clients' growing expectations. Our unified, API-First approach connects data from anywhere, develops collaboration, fuels millions of apps and delivers real-time analytics to build customer experience networks. From idea to execution, we help make the future possible for more than 11,000 organizations in 100 countries. Learn more about Axway by visiting www.investors.axway.com or via the Axway IR mobile application available at Apple Store Android.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170830005668/en/

Contacts:

Axway

Investor Relations:

Patrick Gouffran, +33 (0)1 40 67 29 26

pgouffran@axway.com

or

Press Relations:

Sylvie Podetti, +33 (0)1 47 17 22 40

spodetti@axway.com


BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The European markets ended Friday's session with mixed results, but were little changed overall. Bank stocks were among the top performers at the end of the trading week, following the release of the stronger than expected German business confidence report.



However, the continue rise in the value of the Euro weighed on shares of exporters. Retail stocks were also in focus as the holiday shopping season gets underway.



The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index weakened by percent. The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks decreased percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, lost percent.



The DAX of Germany dropped percent and the CAC 40 of France fell percent. The FTSE 100 of the U.K. gained percent and the SMI of Switzerland finished lower by percent.



In Frankfurt, Bayer AG fell percent after the conglomerate said that INHALE Phase III clinical study program investigating Amikacin Inhale did not demonstrate superiority.



Commerzbank increased percent and Deutsche Bank added percent.



In Paris, Societe General climbed percent and Credit Agricole advanced percent. BNP Paribas also finished up by percent.



In London, Mediclinic International dropped percent after Jefferies Group LLC reaffirmed the 'Underperform' rating on the stock.



BT Group weakened by percent after Deutsche Bank reduced its price target on the stock.



Royal Bank of Scotland gained percent and Barclays added percent. Lloyds Banking Group rose percent and Standard Chartered increased percent.



Germany's business confidence strengthened to a new record in November on optimistic expectations, suggesting another strong quarter for the economy.



The business climate index rose to 117.5 in November from a revised 116.8 in October, survey data published by the Ifo Institute showed Friday. The score was forecast to remain at October's initially estimated value of 116.7.



Germany's construction orders increased in September, figures from Destatis showed Friday. New orders in the main construction industry climbed 0.7 percent month-on-month in September. Orders advanced 1.5 percent in September from a year ago.



UK mortgage approvals declined to a 13-month low in October, data from UK Finance showed Friday. The number of mortgages approved in October fell to 40,488 from 41,576 in September. This was the lowest since September 2016.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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The global hybrid commercial vehicle market is expected to grow at a CAGR of close to 20% during the period 2017-2021, according to a new market research study by Technavio.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171125005013/en/

Technavio has published a new report on the global hybrid commercial vehicle market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The report presents a comprehensive breakdown of the global hybrid commercial vehicle market by application, including light commercial vehicles (LCV) and medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV). The report also determines the geographic breakdown of the market in terms of detailed analysis and impact, which includes key geographies such as APAC, the Americas, and EMEA.

This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

Market driver: decreasing price of Li-ion batteries

Electric and hybrid vehicles are the future of vehicles. Therefore, the Li market plays an important role in keeping the cost in check. Li-ion batteries cost 70% of the total cost of the vehicle. In 2012, the cost of Li-ion batteries was six times more than that of lead acid batteries and four times more than that of NiMH batteries. The cost of the batteries has been declining since 2013. This decline is due to the increase in production. The reduction in cost was also propelled by the increase in the production of HEVs, BEVs, PHEVs, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, and other non-automotive electronic appliances.

Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Market trend: growing popularity of hydrogen fuel cell hybrid

Hybrid vehicles have two preferred fuel choices. The dominant one is fossil fuel, and the other is hydrogen. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) have become immensely popular after major manufacturers invested a lot in the development and promotion of the technology. The working mechanism of fuel cells is very simple and easy to understand. It generates electricity using hydrogen and oxygen with water as a by-product. HFCVs are zero emission vehicle (ZEVs) as pure water is the only waste produced. Hydrogen is considered an ideal replacement for fossil fuels as it is abundant in the universe.

According to Ganesh Subramanian, a lead analyst at Technavio for automotive manufacturing research, "Toyota was the first manufacturer to commercially manufacture an HFCV, followed by Hyundai and Honda. Globally, significant investments are being made in hydrogen refueling stations. This is expected to propel the market growth during the forecast period. International vendors like Ballard Power Systems, Daimler, Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai have invested a lot in making the technology economically feasible."

Market challenge: high initial investment

The cost of a hybrid vehicle is 15%-30% higher than that of any conventional internal combustion (IC) engine vehicle. The biggest challenges faced by the industry include the high initial cost and the immaturity of battery technology. Hybrid commercial vehicles need a bigger battery pack to power the engine. The use of more electronic components will lead to a significant increase in the cost of the vehicle. Additionally, commercial vehicle sales in terms of units are lesser than that for passenger vehicles. This leads to higher manufacturing cost and this cost is pushed to the customer. The increase in the payback period makes the buyers reluctant to purchase hybrid vehicles.

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Technavio helps businesses anticipate changes in their marketplace, make proactive adjustments, and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

Key vendors in the market

Daimler

Hino Motors

PACCAR

Volvo

The global hybrid commercial vehicle market is an emerging market with few vendors investing in the market. The market is highly competitive in terms of technological advancements. Each vendor is making efforts to offer innovative and cost-effective products to gain more market share. Recent investments by governments worldwide have increased the level of competition and attracted more vendors to the game.

Get a sample copy of the global hybrid commercial vehicle market report free of cost

Access Technavio's continuously growing automotive manufacturing research library and find expert analysis on hundreds of markets.

About Technavio

Technaviois a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171125005013/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

www.technavio.com
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- The North West Company Inc. ("North West") (TSX: NWC) will host a conference call for its second quarter results on September 7, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. (Central Daylight Time). To access the call, please dial 416-641-6104 or 800-952-5114 with a pass code of 2682693. The conference call will be archived and can be accessed by dialing 905-694-9451 or 800-408-3053 with a pass code of 9475116 on or before October 23, 2017.

Corporate Profile

The North West Company Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading retailer of food and everyday products and services to rural communities and urban neighbourhoods in Canada, Alaska, the South Pacific and the Caribbean. North West operates 243 stores under the trading names Northern, NorthMart, Giant Tiger, Alaska Commercial Company, Cost-U-Less and RiteWay Food Markets and has annualized sales of approximately CAD$1.8 billion.

Contacts:

The North West Company Inc.

Paulina Hiebert

Vice President, Legal and Corporate Secretary

(204) 934-1756

phiebert@northwest.ca

www.northwest.ca




LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- Brookmount Explorations Inc. (OTC PINK: BMXI), a U.S. exploration and development company, announces that further to the news release of July 31, 2017, both parties have mutually agreed to extend the closing date of the US license agreement for DilBoost to September 15, 2017 to allow more time for completion of the required documentations.

DilBoost is a proprietary blend of light hydrocarbons that is licensed globally by RHOR Barbados Inc., an oil services company. DilBoost, which is a cold process, is added to heavy crude and extra heavy oil, prior to refining, and enables oil producers to reach pipeline specifications at a lower cost. In fact, DilBoost is a more efficient and cost effective product than other diluents and drag reducing agents being used today.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, certain of the matters discussed in this communication constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "could," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "predict," "project," "future," "potential," "intend," "seek to," "plan," "assume," "believe," "target," "forecast," "goal," "objective," "continue" or the negative of such terms or other variations thereof and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding benefits of the proposed license, expected synergies, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates of growth. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this communication. For example, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the pending transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the pending transaction that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction, the ability to successfully integrate the businesses, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the negotiations, the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all, risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction, the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Brookmount's common stock. All such factors are difficult to predict and are beyond our control. We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this report, except as required by applicable law or regulations.

Brookmount Explorations Inc.

213-266-7661

bmxicorporate@gmail.com




Ooltewah United Methodist Church celebrates one year of helping families and individuals overcome life-controlling issues and addictions through its Recovery at Ooltewah ministry.

The celebration will be held Thursday, Sept. 21, at 6:15 p.m. at Ooltewah United Methodist Church, 6131 Relocation Way. For more information call 238-9216 or visit www.oumclive.org.

Pastor Mark Beebe- the primary communicator for the Recovery Network- will be sharing live at the celebration. Stories of healing and hope will also be shared as examples of the life-change that is possible through participation in the R@O program.

While Recovery ministry is new to OUMC- its been years in the making as it began at Cokesbury UMC in Knoxville 14 years ago. Cokesburys recovery ministry was launched in April 2003 after a staff member saw an opportunity to put a fallen pastor to work. Gil Smith was living in a Sunday school room at Cokesbury, recovering from substance abuse after surrendering his ministerial credentials, when the Reverand Rebekah Fetzer suggested sending him for Celebrate Recovery training at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Ca.

Since fall 2012, this recovery ministry has expanded beyond its home base, establishing a franchise-like network of worship-and-small-group programs from Lebanon, Va., to Ringgold. Currently the Recovery Network is in 10 brick and mortar churches outside of Cokesbury. There are also ministry partners in the Knoxville and Nashville Rescue Missions, as well as three Tennessee prisons - Knox County, Roane County, and Morgan County. If including everyone who is joining online as well as within the partner locations, the number of weekly participants would reasonably be anywhere from 800-1,000 people.

Forty-eight percent of participants in the Recovery at Cokesbury Network struggle with alcohol and drug abuse, says the Reverend Beebe, director of Recovery at Cokesbury. The others are overcoming divorce, unemployment, grief, pornography, gambling and a wide spectrum of pain and life challenges."

Reverend Beebe leads Recovery from an authentic place of personal pain and brokenness. Reverend Beebe had a marketing/sales background as well as success in starting a new church with a recovery program- so he knew how to grow organizations- but it was his personal experience dealing with his wifes alcoholism, as well as his struggle with co-dependency that gives his messages a deep, personal resonance and reality.

The Recovery @ Ooltewah ministry incorporates his hope-filled messages with the power of Open Share groups to assist persons in the journey towards wholeness and freedom from life-controlling substances and behaviors, said officials.

The Recovery at Cokesbury Network offers help with recovery from a wide variety of issues. The program is based on the principles of the 12-steps, relevant teaching that has practical application, a community of like-minded individuals who support one another, and God's grace.

The RACN Principles are:

We love Jesus and have seen Jesus work miracles here. You can be the next miracle.

This is a safe place to share, ask questions or just come and hang out.

Recovery at Cokesbury is for anyone dealing with chemical addiction, compulsive behavior, loss, relationship or life change.

Scripture is the foundation of our teaching.

The 12 Steps of AA are derived from Scripture and are our daily tools for recovery.

We encourage participation with AA, NA and Al-anon.

The elements of a good program are:

Working the 12 Steps

Attending AA, NA and Al-Anon meetings

Working with a sponsor

Prayer and meditation

Scripture reading

Keeping a journal

Rigorous honesty

Spending time with others in recovery

Avoiding the people, places and things of your past

Avoiding "triggers"
Washington D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - August 23, 2017) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that a municipal financing authority in Beaumont, California, and its then-executive director have agreed to settle charges that they made false statements about prior compliance with continuing disclosure obligations in five bond offerings.

Also settling charges are the underwriting firm behind those offerings and its co-founder for failing to conduct reasonable due diligence on the continuing disclosure representations.

The SEC's Enforcement Division uncovered the violations as part of a review of municipal issuers and underwriters that did not voluntarily self-report under the agency's Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation (MCDC) Initiative. The Beaumont Financing Authority and the underwriter, O'Connor & Company Securities Inc., would have been eligible for more lenient remedies had they self-reported during the MCDC Initiative.

According to the SEC's order, the Beaumont Financing Authority had issued approximately $260 million in municipal bonds in 24 separate offerings from 2003 to 2013 for the development of public infrastructure. For each of those offerings, a community facilities district established by Beaumont agreed to provide investors with annual continuing disclosures, including important financial information and operating data. From at least 2004 to April 2013, the district regularly failed to provide investors with the promised information. The Beaumont Financing Authority failed to disclose this poor record of compliance when it conducted the 2012 and 2013 offerings totaling more than $32 million. As a result, the bonds appeared more attractive and investors were misled about the likelihood that the district would comply with its continuing disclosure obligations in the future.

"Investors in municipal bonds depend on timely and complete continuing disclosure from municipal issuers," said LeeAnn Ghazil Gaunt, Chief of the SEC Enforcement Division's Public Finance Abuse Unit. "Issuers and underwriters will continue to be held accountable when they fail to provide investors with an accurate picture of past compliance with continuing disclosure obligations."

In a complaint filed in the Eastern Division of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the SEC charged Beaumont's then-city manager Alan Kapanicas, who also served as the Beaumont Financing Authority's executive director. According to the complaint, he approved and signed the misleading offering documents. Kapanicas agreed to settle the charges without admitting or denying the allegations, and pay a $37,500 penalty. He also agreed to be barred from participating in any future municipal bond offerings.

In consenting to an SEC order without admitting or denying the findings, the Beaumont Financing Authority agreed to retain an independent consultant to review its policies and procedures. It also is required to establish appropriate and comprehensive policies, procedures, and training for employees as well as designate a compliance officer in order to ensure compliance with continuing disclosure agreements.

O'Connor & Company Securities Inc. and its co-founder and former primary investment banker Anthony Wetherbee agreed to settle the charges against them without admitting or denying the SEC's findings. O'Connor & Company Securities Inc. will pay a $150,000 penalty and retain an independent compliance consultant to review its policies and procedures. Wetherbee will pay a $15,000 penalty and serve a suspension from the securities industry for six months.

The SEC's investigation was conducted by Steven Varholik and Jason H. Lee of the Public Finance Abuse Unit with assistance from Deputy Chief Mark R. Zehner, Jonathan Wilcox, and Creighton L. Papier. The investigation was supervised by Monique C. Winkler.
ASSA ABLOY takes a leadership role in the Alliance to help further Z-Wave adoption and to support global sales of Z-Wave Smart Door Locks FREMONT, Calif., 2017-12-12 15:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Z-Wave Alliance, an open consortium of leading global companies deploying the Z-Wave smart home standard, today announces the addition of ASSA ABLOY to the Alliance Board of Directors. Owner of leading and trusted lock brands such as Yale, Mul-T-Lock and ABLOY, ASSA ABLOY joins principal members ADT, Alarm.com, FIBARO, Huawei, Ingersoll-Rand, Jasco Products, LEEDARSON, LG Uplus, Nortek Security & Control, SmartThings, and Sigma Designs. "ASSA ABLOY was already a leader in the smart lock industry and is clearly making moves to become a global force in smart security and connected access control," said Mitchell Klein, Executive Director of the Z-Wave Alliance, "The entire Alliance will benefit from ASSA ABLOY's contribution to the Board of Directors and leadership in the future." The ASSA ABLOY Group is a global leader in door-opening solutions, manufacturing a range of products for commercial and consumer markets. The group has a complete range of door opening products, solutions and services for institutional, commercial and consumer markets, and a worldwide leading position in smart door locks. Currently offering Z-Wave enabled smart door locks, ASSA ABLOY made big news recently with the acquisition of August Home, another Alliance member and manufacturer of Z-Wave smart lock solutions. "We have strongly supported Z-Wave through our Yale smart locks and plan to play an even bigger role as a decision maker in the growing Z-Wave Alliance," commented Kevin Kraus, Director Technology and Integration Support for Yale Residential at ASSA ABLOY Americas. "As a Board member, we want to help in developing global Z-Wave product requirements as we build out our smart lock offerings in various regions around the world." As a principal member, ASSA ABLOY will participate in developing global Z-Wave product requirements and in promoting Z-Wave enabled digital smart locks worldwide. The Z-Wave Alliance has over 600 member companies worldwide and over 2100 certified smart home and IoT devices. For more information on the Z-Wave Alliance, please visit http://z-wavealliance.org. Follow the Z-Wave Alliance on Facebook, Twitter and on LinkedIn for the latest updates. About Z-Wave Z-Wave technology is an open internationally recognized ITU standard (G.9959). It is the leading wireless home control technology in the market today, with over 2100 certified interoperable products worldwide. Represented by the Z-Wave Alliance, and supported by more than 600 companies around the world, the standard is a key enabler of smart living solutions for home safety and security, energy, hospitality, office and light commercial applications. Z-Wave is a registered trademark of Sigma Designs (NASDAQ SIGM) and its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. About the Z-Wave Alliance Formed in January 2005, the Z-Wave Alliance is a consortium of leading companies in the home technology space dedicated to solidifying Z-Wave as the standard for wireless home control products. The principal members include: ADT, Alarm.com, ASSA ABLOY, FIBARO, Huawei, Ingersoll Rand Nexia Intelligence, Jasco Products, Leedarson, LG Uplus, Nortek Security & Control, SmartThings and Sigma Designs. Alliance members lead the home controls market, providing leading edge products and systems that deliver increased comfort, convenience, energy conservation, safety and security. About ASSA ABLOY ASSA ABLOY is the global leader in door opening solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security, safety and convenience. Since its formation in 1994, ASSA ABLOY has grown from a regional company into an international group with about 47,000 employees, operations in more than 70 countries and sales of SEK 71 billion. In the fast-growing electromechanical security segment, the Group has a leading position in areas such as access control, identification technology, entrance automation and hotel security. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about the benefits of Z-Wave Alliance membership, the benefits of the use of Z-Wave in product offerings, including the benefits of certain enhanced features of Z-Wave devices. Actual results may vary materially due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, consumer and customer acceptance of the Z-Wave Alliance (including its membership benefits), and Z-Wave technology in the relevant regions, the ability of the Z-Wave Alliance to compete with similar alliances in the industry and of the Z-Wave technology to compete with other technologies or related products in the market, if any, as well as other risks that are detailed from time to time in our reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including reports made on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publically release or otherwise disclose the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made as a result of events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Press Contact: Caster Communications, Inc. at 401.792.7080 Ashley Daigneault ashley@castercomm.com For digital images log on to www.castercomm.com
Arion Bank reported net earnings of ISK 10.5 billion for the first six months of 2017, compared with ISK 9.8 billion for the same period of 2016. Return on equity was 9.7%, compared with 9.5% for the first six months of 2016.



The Bank reported net earnings of ISK 7.1 billion during the second quarter of 2017, compared with ISK 6.9 billion for the same period of 2016. Return on equity during the quarter was 13.0%, compared with 13.3% in 2016.



Total assets amounted to ISK 1,126.4 billion at the end of June, compared with ISK 1,036.0 billion at the end of 2016. Shareholders' equity totalled ISK 221.6 billion at the end of June 2017, compared with ISK 211.2 billion at the end of 2016. The Bank enjoys a strong financial position and the focus has been on maintaining good liquidity as the capital controls are lifted, a process which is now largely at an end.



The Bank's capital ratio at the end of June was 28.4%, compared with 27.1% at the end of 2016. Tier 1 Capital increased during the period to 27.8%, compared with 26.5% at the end of 2016.



Highlights of the income statement and key income related performance indicators:



Income Statement In ISK million H1 2017 H1 2016 Diff Q2 2017 Q2 2016 Diff Net interest income 15,320 14,626 5% 8,160 7,353 11% Net commission income 6,838 6,747 1% 3,508 3,528 (1%) Other income 5,174 5,810 (11%) 3,151 4,343 (27%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating income 27,332 27,183 1% 14,819 15,224 (3%) Operating expenses (13,840) (15,156) (9%) (5,784) (7,958) (27%) Bank levy (1,574) (1,485) 6% (777) (743) 5% Net impairment 1,289 945 36% 409 1,448 (72%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings before taxes 13,207 11,487 15% 8,667 7,971 9% Income tax (3,161) (2,091) 51% (1,827) (1,354) 35% Net gain from assets held 420 363 16% 273 259 5% for sale -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings 10,466 9,759 7% 7,113 6,876 3% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KPI's: Return on equity (ROE) 9.7% 9.5% 13.0% 13.3% Earnings per share (ISK) 5.23 4.62 3.56 3.38 Net interest margin (int. b. 3.0% 3.1% 3.1% 3.1% assets) Cost-to-income ratio 50.6% 55.8% 39.0% 52.3% Tier 1 ratio 27.8% 26.8% 27.8% 26.8%



Highlights of the balance sheet and key performance indicators:



In ISK million 30.06.2017 31.12.2016 Diff Diff% Loans to customers 733,649 712,422 21,226 3% Other assets 392,762 323,602 69,160 21% Liabilities 904,644 824,640 80,004 10% Equity 221,767 211,384 10,383 5% Loans to Deposits ratio 167.7% 172.9% RWA / Total assets 67.0% 72.7% Tier 1 ratio 27.8% 26.5%



For detailed information on the accounts please refer to Arion Bank's Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the period 1 January - 30 June 2017 on the Bank's website, www.arionbanki.is.



Hoskuldur H. Olafsson, CEO of Arion Bank:



"Arion Bank's financial results for the first six months of 2017 are good and exceed our expectations. The Bank is performing well in its core operations and one-off items have had a positive impact on the results. The Bank is robust financially, as underlined by the Bank's capital ratio of 28.4%. The Bank is well positioned to provide strong support to its customers and the Icelandic business sector.



We are determined to be the leading bank in Iceland as a provider of digital solutions. The goal is to make banking easy for our customers. We want our customers to be able to take care of their finances easily and conveniently, whether they are transferring money, getting an overdraft, spreading out credit card payments, attending to their savings or applying for a credit appraisal and a mortgage. Our focus on developing digital solutions in this area and the advent of electronic ID mean that our customers can now do all this and more through the Arion app and our online bank, whenever and wherever it suits them. We have also made it easy for people and companies to become customers of Arion Bank through a straightforward process on our website. We have a clear vision and we will continue in this direction and release even more digital products over the next few months.



In 2014 Arion Bank decided to participate in the funding process of United Silicon in relation to a project which had been in preparation for several years. The Bank lent a considerable amount of money to the project, as specified in the Bank's interim financial statement. The decision to participate in this project was made on the basis of several factors: all permits were in place, demand for the product was high and the market price was good, the technology had been thoroughly tested, the government and local authorities were supportive of the project, and Icelandic and international experts and investors were also on board. Furthermore, the experience of silicon plants had generally been positive and it was a project that would create much needed jobs and foreign currency revenue in an economy subject to capital controls. United Silicon commenced operations in November 2016, but unfortunately it has suffered repeated setbacks. The company has applied for a moratorium and is now seeking composition with creditors. Arion Bank is closely monitoring developments and, as its largest creditor, is assisting the company in the moratorium. The priority now is to complete the necessary improvements at the plant so that production is in order and environmental concerns are addressed and to ensure that the plant operates in harmony with the local community.



During the first half of the year the Bank has issued a total of 500 million in two international bond issues. An increasing number of investors are now looking at Arion Bank as an investment option as the Bank's bond issues perform well on the secondary markets. The Bank also has good access to funding on the Icelandic market. During the period the Bank fully repaid the Kaupthing bond issued in connection with composition agreements with Kaupthing, and Arion Bank is now fully market funded.



In March, the future ownership of the Bank began to take shape when international investors acquired a 29% share in the Bank. Preparations for the sale of Kaupthing's stake are ongoing and one of the options being examined is an IPO on the Icelandic and international markets, but no decision has been taken on this yet."



Conference call in English



Arion Bank will be hosting a conference call in English on Thursday 24 August at 1:00 pm GMT (3:00 pm CEST), where Stefan Petursson, Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the highlights of the Bank's financial results. People interested in participating can contact ir@arionbanki.is to obtain dial-in information.



For further information please contact Haraldur Gudni Eidsson of Arion Bank's Communications division at haraldur.eidsson@arionbanki.is, or tel. +354 444 7108.



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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Excerpts from Hillary Clinton's new book providing details about last year's presidential election indicate the Democratic presidential nominee was deeply uncomfortable with then-candidate Donald Trump's behavior during the second debate. Clinton complains in excepts broadcast on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' on Wednesday of Trump 'looming' behind her just days after the clip surfaced of him bragging about groping women. 'Now we were on a small stage and no matter where I walked, he followed me closely, staring at me, making faces,' Clinton writes in her book 'What Happened.' 'It was incredibly uncomfortable,' she adds. 'He was literally breathing down my neck. My skin crawled.' Clinton suggests she considered telling Trump to back off but decided to stay calm, keep smiling and carry on as if the businessman-turned-politician was not repeatedly invading her space. 'I wonder, though, whether I should have chosen option B,' Clinton writes. 'It certainly would have been better TV.' She adds, 'Maybe I have overlearned the lesson of staying calm, biting my tongue, digging my fingernails into a clenched fist, smiling all the while, determined to present a composed face to the world.' In another excerpt, Clinton expresses disappointment for letting millions of people down by losing the election to Trump. 'I couldn't get the job done and I'll have to live with that for the rest of my life,' Clinton wrote. 'In this book, I write about moments from the campaign that I wish I could go back and do over. If the Russians could hack my subconscious, they'd find a long list.' Clinton's 'What Happened' is being published by Simon & Schuster and is scheduled to be released on September 12th. (Photo: Lorie Shaull) 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.
BUENOS AIRES (dpa-AFX) - The United States Department of Commerce has imposed tariffs varying between 50% and 64% on Argentinean biodiesel imports. The move came after a claim filed by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), which accused Argentinean producers of dumping through subsidies and unfair practices. The Argentinean biodiesel was entering the U.S. paying a 4.5% tariff. Abiding by the same claim, the U.S. Department of Commerce sanctioned biodiesel imports from Indonesia with tariffs ranging from 41.06% to 68.28%. 'The United States values its ties with Argentina and Indonesia, but even friendly nations must abide by the rules,' said the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in a statement. 'The subsidization of assets by foreign governments is something that [Donald] Trump's administration takes very seriously, and we will continue to evaluate and verify the accuracy of this preliminary determination.' Argentina's Chamber of Biofuels (Carbio) criticized the move. 'The U.S. government's decision is surprising and unjustified, showing a high degree of discretion and a protectionist policy that is not in line with what the World Trade Organization has established,' Carbio said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A majority of voters think President Donald Trump is doing more to divide the country, according to the results of a Quinnipiac University national poll released on Wednesday.



Sixty-two percent of voters say Trump is doing more to divide the country, while just 31 percent say he is doing more to unite the country.



The poll was conducted amid widespread criticism of Trump's comments suggesting both white supremacists and counter-protesters were to blame for the violence seen in Charlottesville, Virginia, earlier this month.



The numbers are similar to the 60 percent of voters that disapprove of Trump's response to the events in Charlottesville versus the 32 percent that approve.



Trump has sought to quell the furor over his response to the violence, suggesting during a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday that the media was distorting his comments.



The president read from a statement made after the events in Charlottesville in which he condemned the egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence.



However, Trump omitted a line claiming 'many sides' were responsible for the violence, which many saw as suggesting there is moral equivalency between the white supremacists and the counter-protesters.



Heather Heyer was killed and nineteen others were wounded after a car crashed into a crowd of anti-white supremacist protesters in Charlottesville earlier this month.



The Quinnipiac poll found that 59 percent of voters think Trump's decisions and behavior have encouraged white supremacist groups.



Just 3 percent think Trump has discouraged such groups, while 35 percent think he has had no impact on them.



The survey also found that 63 percent of voters disapprove of the way Trump is handling race relations, including 56 percent of white voters.



Trump's overall approval rating dropped to a negative 35 percent to 59 percent in the latest poll from a negative 39 percent to 57 percent in a poll conducted earlier this month.



'Elected on his strength as a deal-maker, but now overwhelmingly considered a divider, President Donald Trump has a big negative job approval rating and low scores on handling racial issues,' said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.



The Quinnipiac survey of 1,514 voters was conducted August 17th through 22nd and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.



(Photo: Michael Vadon)



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / August 23, 2017 / Emerald Bay Energy Inc. (TSX Venture: EBY) (the "Corporation" or "Emerald Bay") today reported that the Corporation has closed its previously announced private placement. Pursuant to this closing, 32,000,000 units ("Units") were issued at a price of $0.01 per Unit, for aggregate consideration of $320,000. Each Unit consisted of one (1) Common Share of the Corporation and one (1) share purchase warrant (the "Warrant") (each full Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one (1) additional Common Share of the Corporation for a period of 12 months from the issuance of the Units at a price of $0.05) (the "Offering"). The Warrants are subject to an acceleration clause whereby if after four months and one day following the date the Warrants are issued, the closing price of the Common Shares of the Corporation on the principal market on which such shares trade is equal to or exceeds $0.10 for 30 consecutive trading days (with the 30th such trading date hereafter referred to as the "Eligible Acceleration Date"), the Warrant expiry date shall accelerate to the date which is 30 calendar days following the date a press release is issued by the Corporation announcing the reduced warrant term, provided, no more than five business days following the Eligible Acceleration Date: (i) the press release is issued; and (ii) notices are sent to all warrant holders

The net proceeds will be used in respect to existing drilling commitments on the Corporation's assets in Texas, specifically in relation to the following:

at the Corporation's Wooden Horse property - the Corporation will add a pumpjack or submersible pump to begin commercial production on the Kuhn 3 well at an approximate cost of $40,000 and the Corporation may also drill a short radius horizontal leg to increase production volume at an approximate cost of $65,000. Additionally, the Corporation is currently evaluating drilling a new well (Kuhn 4) next to Kuhn 3, but in a position closer to the fault at an approximate cost of $88,000; and

at the Corporation's Wooden Horse property - the Corporation plans to drill short radius horizontal legs in the Edwards A zone of the Kuhn 2 vertical well at a cost of approximately $60,000.

at the Corporation's Nash Creek property - the Corporation plans to drill short radius horizontal legs to the fault detected by the 3D seismic in the BeauMar 1 well at a cost of approximately $68,000;

All of the Common Shares and Warrants issued pursuant to the private placement are subject to a 4-month hold period. The terms of the private placement are according to the TSX Venture Exchange Discretionary Waivers of $0.05 Minimum Pricing Requirement Bulletin dated April 7, 2014 and are subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Emerald Bay

Emerald Bay Energy Inc. (EBY) is an energy company with oil producing properties in southwest Texas as well as non operated oil, natural gas, and electricity generation interests in Central Alberta, Canada. EBY is the operator of the Wooden Horse and Nash Creek Projects in Guadeloupe, Texas, where the Company currently now owns a 50.00% working interest in those projects. The Company also owns 75% of Production Resources Inc., a South Texas oil company.

To stay informed on Emerald Bay Energy, please join our Investor Group at www.8020connect.com for all upcoming news releases, articles, comments and questions.

For further information, please contact:

Emerald Bay President, Shelby D. Beattie, by telephone at (403) 262-6000

Email: info@ebyinc.com

www.ebyinc.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," "plan," "intend," "anticipates," "projects," "potential," or similar expressions.. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts.

Information inferred from the interpretation of drilling results may also be deemed to be forward looking statements, as it constitutes a prediction of what might be found to be present when and if a well is actually developed. BOE's may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 Bbl is based on energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information, which are considered reasonable by Emerald Bay at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Actual results achieved will vary from the information provided and the variations may be material. There is no representation by Emerald Bay that actual results achieved will be the same in whole or part as those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this document include statements regarding the Company's exploration, drilling and development plans, the Company's expectations regarding the timing and success of such programs. In particular, forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: pipeline acquisitions and leasing; pipeline permits, pipeline construction, production estimates, drilling operations, completion operations, funding and development goals. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in the prices of oil and gas, uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil and gas reserves and projecting future rates of production and timing of development activities, competition, operating risks, acquisition risks, liquidity and capital requirements, the effects of governmental regulation, adverse changes in the market for the Company's oil and gas production, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the applicable securities regulators.

SOURCE: Emerald Bay Energy Inc.
MEXICO CITY (dpa-AFX) - U.S. President Donald Trump insisted in his campaign that he would build a wall on the Mexican border, and now he threatened to provoke a government closure if the bill on the matter faces hurdles in Congress. The government shutdown would occur when laws authorizing administration expenditures - and which must provide funding for the wall - are not approved in due time. In this case, government activities are limited to the essential minimum until the law passes in Congress. In a speech to supporters Tuesday in Arizona, Trump criticized Democratic Party members of Congress for obstructing the passing of bills deemed important by him. To approve funding for the wall, Republicans will need Democratic support. 'Even if it is necessary to close the government, we will build the wall,' Trump said. 'We will have a wall, the American people voted to control immigration, we will have this wall.' The president claims that the wall is necessary to stop illegal immigration from Mexico. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 23, 2017) - OSPREY GOLD DEVELOPMENT LTD. (TSXV: OS) (the "Company" or "Osprey") is pleased to report that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of 1,502,000 units of Osprey at a price of $0.25 per unit, for aggregate proceeds of $375,500. Each unit consists of one common share and one half of one share purchase warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase an additional common share at a price of $0.40 per share for a period of 18 months from date of issuance.

The Company paid aggregate cash finders' fees of $13,800 and issued 55,200 Finders' Warrants in connection with the Private Placement. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at $0.40 per share for 18 months from the date of closing.

The net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for exploration and advancement of the Company's properties in Nova Scotia, evaluation and possible acquisition of other target properties and general working capital. All securities issued under the Private Placement are subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day after date of issuance.

About Goldenville and Osprey

Osprey is focused on exploring historically producing gold properties in Nova Scotia, Canada. Osprey has the option to earn 100% (subject to certain royalties) in four properties, including the Goldenville Gold Project, Nova Scotia's largest historic gold producer. Goldenville hosts a current Inferred Resource of 2,800,000 tonnes at 3.20 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold for 288,000 ounces of gold (2,800,000 tonnes at 4.96 g/t gold for 447,000 ounces of gold uncapped) near the town of Sherbrooke, NS. All four properties in Osprey's current portfolio have a history of high-grade gold production. A copy of the Company's technical report titled "Technical Report on the Goldenville Property, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia Canada" prepared by Brandon Macdonald, P.Geo., dated effective February 15, 2017 is available under the Company's profile at www.SEDAR.com.

The technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by the Company's Vice President of Exploration Perry MacKinnon, P.Geo, a 'Qualified Person' under NI 43-101.

Additional information regarding Osprey and the Goldenville property is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and at www.ospreygold.com.

ON BEHALF OF OSPREY GOLD DEVELOPMENT LTD.,

"Cooper Quinn"

Cooper Quinn, President and Director

For further information please contact Osprey at (236)521-0944 or cooper@ospreygold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Osprey within the meaning of applicable securities laws, and with respect to the financing and the properties. Osprey provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to exploration findings, results and recommendations, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Osprey's public filings under Osprey's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Osprey has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Osprey disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

UNITED STATES ADVISORY.

The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), have been offered and sold outside the United States to eligible investors pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold, or resold in the United States or to, or for the account of or benefit of, a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act) unless the securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available. Hedging transactions involving the securities must not be conducted unless in accordance with the U.S. Securities Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in the state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.
Publix Super Markets customers and associates in Chattanooga and Cleveland wrapped up their 26th annual Miracle Balloon campaign, raising $25,396 for the new Childrens Hospital at Erlanger.

From June 10-July 1, Publix team members sold Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Balloons coupons at the register. Funds raised by local Publix locations will go directly to the Believe Campaign to build Erlangers new childrens hospital.

We are so appreciative of the ten years we have had with Publix since the Hurricane Creek store opened in 2007, said Rebecca Brinkley, director of Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals at Childrens Hospital at Erlanger. Thank you to our Publix associates and the community for your investment into our new childrens hospital.

More than 1,100 Publix stores in the Southeastern region participated in the fundraiser and collected more than $4.6 million for 24 Southeast regional hospitals to fund life-saving equipment, programs and research. Since 1992, Publix has raised more than $37 million for (CMN) hospitals.

We are thrilled that Publix has once again exceeded their national fundraising goals this year, said John Lauck, president CEO of Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals. Publix is a leader in the grocery industry and in helping their communities, and through their employees and customers dedication and generosity to the cause, they are saving kids lives. Thank you for making a tremendous impact on kids in Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals.

For more information about the new Childrens Hospital at Erlanger and the Believe Campaign, please visit www.webelieve.build.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- CannaRoyalty Corp. (CSE: CRZ)(CSE: CRZ.CN)(CNSX: CRZ)(OTCQX: CNNRF) ("CannaRoyalty" or the "Company"), an active investor and operator in the legal cannabis industry, is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced $12 million debt financing (the "Financing") with a subsidiary of Sprott Inc. ("Sprott"). CannaRoyalty expects to draw upon the facility as accretive opportunities arise. Concurrent with the Financing, CannaRoyalty and Sprott have begun reviewing investment opportunities for their previously announced joint venture ("JV").

"We expect our relationship with Sprott to drive significant value for CannaRoyalty shareholders as we continue to build our portfolio of value-add cannabis assets," said Marc Lustig, CEO of CannaRoyalty. "Our Company is set up to invest in and provide expertise to leaders in specific, competitively-advantaged segments of the high-growth cannabis industry. In addition to providing access to additional capital the partnership between CannaRoyalty and Sprott brings together our sector-specific expertise and Sprott's proven track record as an alternative investor in the natural resource sector. Given the quality of the opportunities we are reviewing in the Canadian cannabis market, we believe the timing to launch this joint venture is ideal."

"We look forward to supporting and working with CannaRoyalty as it seeks to expand its footprint in the growing legal Canadian cannabis market," said Andrew Stronach, Managing Director of Sprott.

Financing

CannaRoyalty has executed a revolving $12 million secured credit facility with Sprott Canna Holdco Corp. today. The facility has a three-year term and is secured against the Canadian assets of CannaRoyalty. Any outstanding principal amount will bear interest at an annual rate of 10%, payable quarterly in cash or CannaRoyalty shares issued at a 10% discount. The proceeds of the Financing are expected to be used for specific opportunities that CannaRoyalty is pursuing for production and/or processing assets, as well as general corporate purposes.

In addition, CannaRoyalty warrants were issued to Sprott on June 19, 2017 which entitle Sprott to purchase 1.8 million CannaRoyalty shares at an exercise price of $2.05 per share for a period of three years after closing. The warrants are non-transferable, other than to certain permitted transferees.

Joint Venture

The JV will focus on debt investment opportunities in the rapidly growing legal Canadian cannabis sector. The legal structure of the JV will be determined in the context of each JV investment. The types of assets that the JV may target include licensed producers, licensed producer applicants, production assets, property, and equipment.

CannaRoyalty will leverage its cannabis sector experience, deep industry relationships and investment pipeline to identify and refer attractive Canadian opportunities to the JV. Additionally, CannaRoyalty will assist Sprott in completing due diligence and providing strategic support to JV investments, as well as the structuring, negotiation, and monitoring of those investments. Sprott will provide the JV with its significant expertise and experience as a provider of asset backed investment capital in specialized areas that are not fully served by traditional credit providers. Financing for each investment, expected to include both debt and equity upside, will be arranged by Sprott and include participation by CannaRoyalty, if desired by CannaRoyalty. As partner in the JV, CannaRoyalty will participate in realized returns from investments made, following a customary private equity style waterfall. CannaRoyalty will also have the opportunity to directly enter into royalty, streams, offtake agreements or other business relationships with JV borrowers.

Sprott Capital Partners acted as strategic advisor to the foregoing transactions.

About CannaRoyalty

CannaRoyalty is an active investor and operator in the legal cannabis sector. Our focus is building and supporting a diversified portfolio of growth-ready assets in high-value segments of the cannabis sector, including research, consumer brands, devices and intellectual property. Our management team combines a hands-on understanding of the cannabis industry with seasoned financial know-how, assembling a platform of holdings via royalty agreements, equity interests, secured convertible debt, licensing agreements and its own branded portfolio.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in CannaRoyalty's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward- looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements including the Company's expectations with respect to pursuing new opportunities and its future growth and other statements of fact.

Although CannaRoyalty has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; investing in target companies or projects which have limited or no operating history and are engaged in activities currently considered illegal under US Federal Laws; changes in laws; limited operating history; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindering market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change.

There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. CannaRoyalty disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and CannaRoyalty does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.

Contacts:

Marc Lustig

CEO

1-844-556-5070

info@cannaroyalty.com

www.cannaroyalty.com



Jonathan Ross

LodeRock Advisors Inc.

416-283-0178

jon.ross@loderockadvisors.com




FREMONT, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 08/23/17 -- Translarity, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Texas-based BucklingBeam Solutions, LLC. to expand its offering of probe card solutions to the global semiconductor wafer and package test industries. The combined company offers the industry a blended culture of innovation, reliability, and quality to address the challenges of technology acceleration in 5G cellular, connected cars, the Internet of Things (IOT), and other high-growth markets with turnkey probe card solutions and probe card components.

Technology acceleration is creating significant challenges for wafer level and advanced packaging industries, requiring high density vertical probe cards, a dramatic reduction in probe pitch, and increased testing requirements. These challenges are particularly acute in wafer level chip scale packaging (WLCSP), system on chip (SOC), and 2.5/3D packaging.

The issues created by rapid technology acceleration are the types of challenges Translarity will be able to address with the acquisition of BucklingBeam Solutions. BucklingBeam, a leader in vertical probe heads, is renowned for its advanced engineering solutions and reputation of quality, reliability, and customer support. Translarity, a manufacturer of probe card components, brings its core IP, design capability, technology innovation and an experienced Silicon Valley team focused on enabling the evolution of the industry. Combined, the company will offer turn-key high-volume probe cards and components.

Mike Chrastecky, founder and CEO of BucklingBeam, said, "The addition of BucklingBeam's advanced wafer and package test technologies to Translarity's innovative and forward-looking portfolio will no doubt provide much needed alternatives to the semiconductor probe card segment. Our collaboration has already begun with the expansion of present product offerings as well as focused execution on full integration solutions."

Laura Oliphant, CEO of Translarity, added, "Customers are facing increased costs and extended lead times for solutions, which contrasts with their need to drive shorter manufacturing cycles. I'm very pleased to be joining forces with the BucklingBeam team. This acquisition will provide a meaningful expansion to Translarity's product portfolio that will enable the combined company to provide cost effective, innovative solutions to solve the extensive technical challenges in testing both current and the most advanced devices."

About Translarity

Translarity is a leading innovator in probe technology, focused on providing components and full turnkey solutions to the semiconductor probe card market. The company's mission is to empower customers to cost-effectively realize the aggressive testing roadmap of the next decade while simultaneously preserving existing capital investments. Translarity is headquartered in Fremont, California with offices worldwide. Translarity's investors include funds managed by QVT Financial LP and Northwest Technology Ventures. More information can be found at www.translarity.com.

For more information

Garry Crossland

+1 925.984.6036




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Lumity announced that it has raised $19 million in a series B financing round. The finance round was led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson with participation from Social+Capital Partnership and True Ventures. Lumity said it is now expanding the company's benefits advisory practice and technical and back office teams. DFJ Partner, Josh Stein, will also join the company's Board of Directors. The funding round brings Lumity's total funding to $33 million. 'Set against the backdrop of rising healthcare costs, an opaque healthcare system, confusing benefits choices, and poorly designed software experiences, employers and employees today are demanding the right tools and insights to make the best benefits choices for themselves and their families,' said Tariq Hilaly, Lumity's co-founder and CEO. 'Lumity's proprietary algorithms and easy-to-use software bring the employee benefits experience into the modern era.' The company, which has Lyft, Greenhouse, and GoFundMe as its customers, provides a software tool to help employees and employers explore the health benefit options available to them. Lumity uses data analytics and risk modeling to help them find the best plan. 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.
Iceye, a Helsinki, Finland-based provider of synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) technology for microsatellites, raised $13M in funding.

The round included an $8.5M financing round led by Draper Nexus with participation from True Ventures, Lifeline Ventures, Space Angels, and Draper Associates. In conjunction with the round, Q Motiwala, managing director of Draper Nexus, will be joining Iceyes board.

Additional funding was received from Finnish Funding Agency for Innovations, Tekes.

The company, which has secured a total of $18.7m in financing to date including investments from the European Unions Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program, intends to use the funds to scale up operations, including manufacturing of its SAR technology built from off-the-shelf components, and launch additional satellites.

Led by Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder, Iceye has developed a SAR sensor to offer imaging services anywhere around the globe, anytime, with response times measured in a few hours from acquisition. The SAR microsatellites can be used in the maritime industry to follow port traffic, in the oil industry to detect oil spills or by the government to monitor illegal logging, as well as fast disaster relief.

The company plans to launch the first three microsatellites equipped with SAR sensors over the next 12 months, delivering earth observation data to select customers shortly thereafter.

FinSMEs

23/08/2017
Perpetual V2G, a Lampeter, Wales, UK-based provider of mobile clean energy power solutions to a range of applications and major corporations, closed a six figure funding round.

The deal saw existing shareholder Finance Wales convert their 500k loan to equity. In a combined capital raise from existing shareholders, almost 300k of further funding was raised.

Business growth specialist Mervyn Ham joined the company as Chief Operating Officer, as well as the existing investor group in backing the business.

The company intends to use the funds to add key staff and drive forward growth.

Led by Andy Ling, Founder and CEO, and Ashley Cooper, Chairman, Perpetual V2G provides mobile clean energy power solutions to a range of applications and major corporations including Sainsburys and British Telecom. The companys Lithium Power Supply (LPS) is paired with power delivery solutions to provide customers with the ability to reduce vehicle idle times with savings in fuel and CO2 emissions. In addition, across the utilities and other sectors, the LPS packaged solution replaces noisy polluting generators with silent green energy.

Perpetual V2G is a Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme company and is also looking to secure Welsh Government RBF/SME support for its forthcoming staff growth plans.

FinSMEs

23/08/2017
Truss, a Chicago, IL-based Commercial Real Estate (CRE) tech platform, closed a $7.7m Series A funding.

The round was led by Navitas Capital with participation from additional investors Hyde Park Angels with a board seat to Jeffrey Hammes, Chairman of Kirkland & Ellis and a board observer role by Meredith Mendes, COO and Executive Director of Jenner & Block.

The PrivateBank is providing venture debt financing for the transaction.

The company, which has has raised over $9m in total capital, will use the funds for additional market expansion, product development and improving the customer experience using Matterports 3D touring technology.

Led by Tom Smith, Co-Founder, Truss aims to simplify the process of finding and leasing office space via a web and mobile platform that enables businesses to go from search to lease with ease.

FinSMEs

23/08/2017
Vertis Sgr, a Milan and Naples, Italy-based venture capital firm, held the first closing of its latest growth fund, at 30m.

Anchor investor in Vertis Venture 2 Scaleup, which aims to raise approx 60m during the next 12 months, is Fondo Italiano dInvestimento.

The fund will invest in companies advancing solutions in such areas as robotics, mechatronics, automation and digital technologies, which have completed their tech development stage and need support for their growth into international markets.

The new vehicle aims to close the funding gap for startups which have already received their seed rounds and need additional funds to continue to grow their commercial operations by making 2m to 6m involving other financial and industrial players.

Vertis team includes:

 Amedeo Giurazza, Partner,

 Renato Vannucci, Partner,

 Mauro Odorico, Investment Director,

 Nicola Redi, Investment Director,

 Paolo Santoro, Operating Partner,

 Antonio De Blasio, Investment Manager,

 Giacomo Giurazza, Senior Associate,

 Aniello DAuria, Senior Analyst,

 Salvatore Panico, Analyst, and

 Alessia Cristaldi, Analyst.

FinSMEs

23/08/2017
Vestar Capital Partners acquired Quest Analytics, an Appleton, Wisconsin-based provider of software development and consulting services to health plan providers.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

Richard Barasch, former CEO of Universal American (a Medicare Advantage plan recently acquired by WellCare Health Plans, Inc.) and a senior advisor to Vestar, will join the Quest board.

Co-founded in 2003 by David Hill and John Weis, who will retain substantial minority stakes in the company and remain active in the business, Quest Analytics is an independent solutions company, providing commercial software development and consulting services for hundreds of health plans, consultants, and government agencies in the healthcare industry.

FinSMEs

22/08/2017
The city opened the new Southside Community Park at 3500 Central Ave. with ceremonies on Wednesday.

Taking part were Mayor Andy Berke, District 7 Councilman Erskine Oglesby, former Councilman Chris Anderson, city of Chattanooga employees, and Alton Park community members.

It is at the site of the former Charles A.

WHO: City of Chattanooga elected officials including Mayor Andy Berke and District 7 Councilman Erskine Oglesby, former Councilman Chris Anderson, City of Chattanooga employees, and Alton Park community members.

It includes a pavilion, new green/lawn, freshly planted trees, walking track, benches and picnic tables.

Charles A. Bell Elementary closed as a school in 1989. An eyesore and potential safety concern, the county-owned structure was finally demolished in 2011. After the city of Chattanooga took over the site, Alton Park neighborhood leaders along with former District 7 Councilman Anderson and the citys Department of Economic & Community Development held a community engagement process to create a new green space that would enhance the vibrancy of the neighborhood and connect residents with options for recreation and gathering.

Mayor Berke allocated $1 million in capital funds in FY15 to transform the site, and Chattanooga City Council approved the construction contract with P&C Construction in late December of 2016. After weather delays, construction began in late January 2017 and it was completed this summer.
Kolkata: Fake Indian currency notes of the face value of Rs 5,20,000 in Rs 2,000 denomination have been seized from near Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Malda district, a BSF official said on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip-off about smuggling from Bangladesh, the Border Security Force troopers of border outpost Churiantpur in Malda district planned an ambush in and around the Indo-Bangladesh Boundary Fence (IBBF) area on Tuesday evening.

"The BSF recovered a bundle of 260 fake Rs 2,000 notes from the border area and handed over the seized notes to Kaliachak police station for further action," RPS Jaswal, Deputy Inspector General of BSF's South Bengal frontier, said in a press release.

"The troopers challenged a suspected smuggler who was about to collect the package thrown from the Bangladesh side of the fence but the suspect fled away taking advantage of the darkness," he said.

The BSF of the South Bengal Frontier has seized counterfeit Indian currency notes of the face value of more than Rs 36 lakh and apprehended five smugglers so far during 2017.
Infosys co-chairman Ravi Venkatesan on Tuesday met finance minister Arun Jaitley even as media reports suggested a more fierce battle may be brewing between the co-founders and the current management.

According to sources, Venkatesan met the minister and is believed to have apprised him of the developments at Infosys after the sudden resignation of Vishal Sikka last Friday, as also the steps being taken to keep the shareholders informed.

Infosys was not available for comment, a PTI report said.

Last Friday, the first non-founder CEO of Infosys, Sikka resigned from the company following months of acrimony with high-profile founders, led by NR Narayana Murthy, citing "malicious" and "personal attacks" on him.

While Sikka did not name Murthy for his exit, the Board of the $10 billion firm blamed the founder for "continuous assault" through "factually inaccurate" and "already-disproved rumours" for the resignation of the CEO.

Murthy, however, maintained that his only concerns are the lapses in corporate governance standards, something that Infosys was admired for at one point.

With the war of words escalating, a report in The Times of India said both the management and the co-founders are trying to win supporters for themselves. The report said Murthy, who is being accused by many as responsible for the exit of Sikka, is holding a conference call with the analysts today purportedly to explain his concerns.

According to ICICI Securities, the fortunes of Infosys were linked to just one person - Sikka. With his exit, there is a huge uncertainty about the company's strategy going forward.

It is also to be remembered that Murthy has not yet responded to the board's frontal attack on him holding him solely responsible for Sikka's resignation.

Another report in The Economic Times said both the camps are likely to garner support for an extraordinary general meeting.

Meanwhile, investor advisory firms are raising uncomfortable questions over the timing of the company's share buyback decision, taken just a day after Sikka's resignation.

Sebi chief Ajay Tyagi on Tuesday said the capital markets regulator is keeping a close watch on the price movement of the stock.

On 18 August, the day Sikka announced his resignation, the company's shares plummeted nearly 10 percent, with its market valuation falling by over Rs 22,518 crore in a single day. On Monday, the stock went down further despite the buyback announced on Saturday as investors remained jittery over the war of words between the board and the co-founders and its impact on the prospects of the company.

Once the poster boy of Indian IT success story and considered a bellwether among Indian tech stocks, Infosys has had to battle challenges like an uncertain business environment, senior level exits and increased visa scrutiny in key markets like the US and the UK.

Troubles mounted for Infosys when an anonymous letter was sent to the market regulators in February this year, alleging that its acquisition of Panaya was overvalued and that some Infosys executives may have benefited from the deal.

While an independent probe absolved the board of any wrong doing, Murthy kept insisting that the company goes public with the full contents of the investigation report. Infosys has so far refused to make it public.

(With inputs from PTI)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday exhorted entrepreneurs to become soldiers of development and help India cut dependence on imports, while ensuring that it becomes a 'less-cash' economy.

Addressing over 200 CEOs and Startups, he also asked them to work towards increasing agricultural exports and promoting tourism.

"Gandhiji made Independence a mass movement. Every government has tried to take India forward. But development has not become a mass movement," Modi said at 'Champions of Change', organised by Niti Aayog.

"In the same spirit as what Mahatma Gandhi did for the freedom struggle, we need to make India's development a mass movement," he added.

Calling upon the young entrepreneurs to become soldiers of development, Modi said that by working together "we can solve several problems the country faces."

Stressing that India needs to move towards becoming a less cash society, he asked the CEOs to encourage the use of BHIM app for cashless transactions and ensure by 2022 that employees working for them go cashless.

He also asked them to distribute Khadi coupons as Diwali gifts.

Referring to tourism and enormous potential in job creations, Modi said, "We Indians don't take pride in our rich heritage. If we begin talking about it with pride, the world will desperate to visit India."

He said he was looking at end-to-end solutions for India.

"If this generation thinks of feasible solutions to our unique problems, markets and jobs will automatically be created," he added.

On various initiatives of his government, Modi talked about GeM (Government-e-Market) portal which was introduced recently to increase transparency in government purchases.

He said even small suppliers can sell their products to the government through the portal.

As many as 28,000 small suppliers have sold their products to government worth Rs 1,000 crore through the portal in the last four to six months.

Calling the young CEOs as his team, Modi said India's development must be made a mass movement and entrepreneurs should think of what more they can do for the country's growth and for the poor.

He asked them to provide policy inputs and be the harbinger for change.

For the government, he said, welfare of its citizens and their happiness is supreme.

The prime minister stressed on the need to focus on export oriented agri products, saying that innovative ideas like cultivating timber on fringes of farm land would help achieve the goal of doubling farmers' income.

He regretted that around Rs one lakh crore of agri products - from fruits to vegetables - go waste because of lack of infrastructure.

Creating infrastructure in itself is a business opportunity, he added.
The government today gave its go-ahead to the Reserve Bank of India to issue Rs 200 notes that will ease pressure on lower-denomination currency bills.

The finance minisatry, in a notification, said that on the recommendations of the Central Board of Directors of the RBI, "the central government hereby specifies the denomination of banknotes of the value of two hundred rupees".

The new Rs 200 notes are likely to be in circulation shortly.

Earlier PTI had reported citing sources that the central will issue new Rs 200 notes before the end of 2017. It will greatly help in narrowing the demand and supply gap in smaller-denomination currency bills.

The RBI will have to notify the issuance of new Rs 200 bills.

This exercise of printing Rs 200 denomination notes is being undertaken to further improve the currency situation in the country, sources had told PTI.

The government's move is aimed at resolving the problem people are facing due to high-value Rs 2,000 notes.

The central bank had decided to bring in Rs 200 notes in March after consulting the finance ministry, the PTI report said. The notes have reportedly gone through multiple checks for security and quality at government printing presses.

The RBI had recently said it will soon introduce new fluorescent blue Rs 50 banknotes bearing the motif of 'Hampi with Chariot' that depicts India's cultural heritage.

The new denomination has motif of Hampi with Chariot on the reverse, depicting the country's cultural heritage. The base colour of the note is fluorescent blue," RBI said in a release

The shortage of currency notes was triggered by the scrapping of high-denomination bills last year.

In a surprise announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced scrapping of old notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, wiping out over 85 percent of the cash in circulation.

The move was aimed at checking black money, counterfeit notes and terror financing.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) launched following the closure of 50-day demonetisation period did not draw a good response with only Rs 5,000 crore unaccounted income being declared under the amnesty scheme.

The scheme was launched in December last year to enable people with black money to come clean by paying tax and penalty of 50 percent.

(With inputs from PTI)
The Deols are back! Dharmendra is all set to charm the big screen with his sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, in the upcoming third installment of the Yamla Pagla Deewana (YPD) franchise.

Talking to Mumbai Mirror, the Bollywood veteran said, "When I made Apne, I went to the theatres and noticed that while the audience was thrilled to see the three Deols (Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby) together on screen, the story made them a little sad and teary-eyed. When I asked viewers how they found the film during the interval, they admitted that it was good but aap ne rula diya. I promised them that in our next, Id make them laugh and kept the promise with Yamla Pagla Deewana in 2011."

The Sholay actor, disclosing further details about the next YPD film, added, "Sunny and Bobby are playing brothers but Im not their father. Im a lawyer who has rented out rooms from them. Hes a real charmer, a romantic flirt, always surrounded by women. He helps out the boys eventually."

He had tweeted his first look in the film on 17 August:

Your love has encouraged me to come more close to you ... so here is me from the sets of YPD Phir se... #newbeginnings #shootmode #hyderabad pic.twitter.com/nWGP1dJW0w  Dharmendra Deol (@aapkadharam) August 17, 2017

This third film, touted to be titled Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, is reportedly helmed by Punjabi director Navaniat Singh. According to Mirror, the film's shooting has already commenced in Hyderabad. Dharmendra also claimed that the new film has been "well-written" and is fresh in concept. The film is slated to be completed in two to three schedules.

While the first appearance of the Deol trio was in Anil Sharma's 2007 film Apne, which was a family tear-jerker drama and did really well at the box-office. Audiences were delighted to see the father-sons trio on the silver screen. This success was later followed by Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011) and Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (2013) which performed decently but received mixed reviews.
For a couple of weeks now, Esha Gupta's been feeling under the weather. Determined not to take antibiotics to combat the flu, the actress plunges into a day filled with promotional activities for her upcoming film, Baadshaho.

Ensconced on a couch at the Sun-n-Sand hotel, she deftly responds to questions about her film. We begin with how she came on board for Baadshaho: I got a call from Milan Luthria. After we spoke, in my mind I'd already decided to say yes because this is a Milan Luthria film. The script didnt matter to me at all. Then, Milan met me and narrated the film in two minutes flat, while also explaining where my character  Sanjana  fits in. He also said that when he saw me for the first time, he knew he'd met his Sanjana," says Esha.

One pitfall of doing an ensemble film is the possibility of one's screen time being lessened, or being overshadowed by the other stars. Esha, however, wasn't too perturbed by this. If you have seen Sholay, a multi-starrer, then I think it answers everything. I am not saying that this film is going to be as big as Sholay and I am not even comparing the two. The simple fact is that it does not really matter. Its not that I am playing the role of a little dainty girl in the film, she says.

Baadshaho, a heist film, has as its backdrop, the Emergency of 1975. However, unlike the recent Madhur Bhandarkar film, Baadshaho isn't concerned with the horrors of the time. Rather, it is inspired by the raid on the royal family of Jaigarh. Milan Luthria has added his own twists to the story to bring it to a logical conclusion. Did Esha feel she was back in the '70s while shooting for Baadshaho? My costume and my makeup did give me a semblance of being part of that era!" says Esha. "My look in the film was inspired by Parveen Babi and Zeenat Aman's styling, in their films.

Esha's first film was the sequel to Jannat. Five years in the industry later, she's yet to make her mark. Films like Chakravyuh, Humshakals, Commando and Rustom have done little for her career. Not many know that Esha holds a degree in law and pursued her course from Newcastle University in the UK on a scholarship. Her father retired from the Indian Air Force and her mother runs a women's welfare organisation. Esha considers her family a modest one, and says, "I am glad I'm smart. When in Newcastle, I managed my studies by holding down two jobs on the side. The course was expensive, and my father had asked me if I'd be able to manage the expense as it was impossible for him to continue paying the fees."

While she intended to continue with a profession in law, a brain tumour diagnosis for her mother saw Esha put all her plans on hold. "Two years of my life just went by in a jiffy, taking care of my mother during her chemotherapy... that's why I couldn't pursue a career in law," she says.

Esha recently caused quite the sensation on social media, when she posted semi-nude photos of herself on Instagram. The Baadshaho actress says it wasn't a big deal  It's the same as how I post my regular photos or promotional pics on Instagram, she shrugged. She was also prepared to be trolled. I didn't think it would become such a big deal or trend on social media. It's bizarre to have my photos become a talking point when there's so much else happening in the world.

Were the photos then about proving a point? I was not trying to prove any point," Esha counters. "I love my body. I'm sexy as hell and I will post such images."
New Delhi: Salman Khan will be playing the lead in Race 3 and the superstar will once again share the screen space with Jacqueline Fernandez.

The actors have previously worked together in 2014 movie Kick directed by Sajid Nadiadwala.

The 32-year-old actor, who was in the capital to promote her upcoming film A Gentleman told PTI, "After Judwaa 2, I am working on Drive, that is Tarun Mansukhani's next with Sushant (Singh Rajput) and then it is Salman's Race 3."

While Salman, 51, has replaced Saif Ali Khan as the lead in the action-thriller, Jacqueline is not new to the franchise. She starred in the 2013's Race 2.

Abbas-Mustan directed the first two films but according to reports, choreographer-director Remo D' Souza has been roped in to helm the third movie. No formal announcements have been made yet.

A Gentleman, featuring Sidharth Malhotra in a unique double role, will hit theatres this Friday.
Air India chief Ashwani Lohani was appointed as the new chairman of the Railway Board on Wednesday after AK Mittal tendered his resignation following the recent train accidents, reported ANI.

#FLASH Ashwani Lohani appointed as the new Chairman of Railway Board. pic.twitter.com/cWokmXWPoA  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

Lohani who holds a degree in mechanical engineering has previously served as a divisional railway manager for the Delhi division of Indian Railways. According to a The Hindu report Lohani also holds the Guinness Record for successfully running the worlds oldest working steam locomotive called the 'Fairy Queen Express'. Earlier on Wednesday, railway minister Suresh Prabhu took moral responsibility for the accidents and had offered to resign, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked him to wait. Addressing a media briefing on Wednesday, finance minister Arun Jaitly said that the prime minister will take a final call on Prabhu's future in the railways. The NDA cabinet is scheduled for a major reshuffle as well. On Wednesday, 74 people were injured after the Delhi-bound Kaifiyat Express derailed near Auraiya district in Uttar Pradesh. Prabhu tweeted to say the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals, and that he is personally monitoring the situation.

Kaifiyat Express train derails near Auraiya (UP). More details awaited pic.twitter.com/RtFrYbSuxZ  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 22, 2017

Passengers who were travelling on the train are being taken to Delhi in a rescue train, according to The Indian Express. The report added that Uttar Pradesh principal secretary Arvind Kumar confirmed at 8 am that the rescue operation had concluded.

Senior officials from Etawah, Auraiya and Kannauj rushed to the spot and oversaw the rescue operation, Kumar told IANS. Kanpur Divisional Commissioner PK Mohanty said the injured passengers  four of whom suffered head injuries were shifted to medical facilities in Etawah.

All passenger trains scheduled to run on Kanpur-Tundla section have been cancelled and seven trains have been diverted due to the derailment, ANI reported. Uttar Pradesh Police also tweeted the emergency phone numbers of senior officers in the district.

The incident comes four days after 24 people died when the Utkal Express derailed near Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh.

After the derailment of Utkal Express, the railway minister suspended a few officials and sent a senior member of the Railway Board on leave.

With inputs from agencies
A total of 894 deaths in judicial custody  and 74 deaths in police custody  have been recorded in India in 2017, an RTI response to Firstpost revealed.

The letter, signed by the joint registrar (Law) of the National Human Rights Commission, stated that Uttar Pradesh leads the chart of deaths in judicial custody by a significant margin, with 204 deaths recorded in the period between 1 January, 2017 and 2 August, 2017. The state was followed by Punjab with 76 deaths and Bihar with 64 deaths.

Uttar Pradesh, however, has a history of consistently topping the charts of judicial custody deaths in the country.

Uttar Pradesh Inspector General of Police (Prisons) Pramod Kumar Mishra blamed the statistics on the high number of prisoners registered in the state's prisons. "We have over 95,000 inmates in our jails, which is way more than the number in any other state. When you count the deaths per ten thousand prisoners, I don't think we will stand out as much," he said.

"One cannot see the numbers in isolation; you have to put it in perspective. We have 22 crore people in Uttar Pradesh  you cannot compare us with Kerala which has 3.5 crore people," Additional Director General (ADG) of Uttar Pradesh Police Anand Kumar said, adding that the subject does not come directly under his jurisdiction. "I am not contesting the numbers given by NHRC, but in a populous state like Uttar Pradesh, a lot of these deaths might have also happened due to natural causes," he said.

ADG Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay of Maharashtra Police says that the numbers were worse before. "With better medical facilities, counselling sessions, and marking prisoners with suicidal tendencies, we are trying to bring the number of deaths in prisons down to a minimum," he said.

Of the 74 deaths in police custody in 2017, Maharashtra leads the tables with 16 deaths recorded until 2 August, 2017. Telangana comes a distant second with 7 deaths, while Karnataka recorded a third-highest 5 deaths in police custody this year.

A senior police official with the Maharashtra Police who wished to remain anonymous suggested that the numbers are not a cause of worry. "I dont think the situation is particularly bad here. It can also be because of the sincerity of a police force in keeping records we are sometimes too efficient in putting everything on paper," he said.

"Often, the numbers are misleading. Recently, our men helped a dying beggar on the streets and moved her to a hospital, but the doctor declared her dead on arrival. Now this gets recorded in the list of police custody deaths in Mumbai," he added, "Another incident involved a very sick prisoner. Since the jail was under-staffed, they [the prisons department] requested us to send a man to guard the prisoner in the hospital. When the prisoner died in the hospital due to his sickness, the death got recorded as a police custody death."

Of the 16 deaths in Maharashtra, two have been recorded in Mumbai, according to the RTI.

In July, a Dalit boy, Vinayakan, committed suicide in Kerala, allegedly after he suffered physical and mental torture in police custody an allegation that was later confirmed in the post-mortem report. Cases like Vinayakan's open a car of worms as custodial deaths in the country often go unreported, if not unpunished.
The Montessori School announced that as part of its ongoing Parent Education Program, Dr. Charles Fay will present on Love & Logic at the Bessie Smith Hall on Friday, Sept. 22, from 7-9 p.m.

Dr. Fay is an internationally recognized author and public speaker, as well as CEO of the Love and Logic Institute. Millions of educators, mental health professionals, and parents world-wide have benefited from his practical approach to the most common and frustrating behaviors displayed by youth of all ages. These solutions come directly from years of research and clinical experience serving youth and their families in schools and homes.

Love & Logic is a system of tools meant to help parents and educators raise self-confident, motivated children who are ready for the real world. Children are approached with empathy, assisted in making good, healthy choices, and encouraged to learn responsibility for their actions. Teachers at The Montessori School find that using the techniques in the classroom helps the children become more confident and creative.

Free tickets for the Charles Fay event can be reserved at www.eventbrite.com, by searching Charles Fay in Chattanooga. Tickets are limited, so it is advised to reserve soon. Donations will be accepted at the venue.

Contact The Montessori School at 423 622 6366 with any questions.
The Supreme Court, in a landmark verdict on 22 August, 2017, struck down the practice of triple talaq. A constitutional bench of five judges, belonging to different faiths  Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism  ruled by a 3:2 majority that there was no constitutional protection for triple talaq.

The bench heard seven petitions filed by Muslim women challenging the 1,400-year-old practice, including by one who was divorced on WhatsApp. In India, for every divorced Muslim man, there are four divorced Muslim women, IndiaSpend reported on 15 October, 2016, analysing Census 2011 data.

Arguing that triple talaq is discriminatory and arbitrary, Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and U U Lalit struck down the practice in their judgment which went on to form the majority verdict.

Triple Talaq, is within the meaning of the expression laws in force in Article 13(1) and must be struck down as being void, the two judges ruled.

Article 13 (1) mandates that all laws in the country existing prior to the Constitution that came into effect in 1950, found to be inconsistent with the fundamental rights prescribed therein, are to be treated as void.

Heading the SC bench, chief justice JS Khehar and Justice Abdul Nazeer differed from Justices Nariman and Lalit, on the grounds that the court cannot interfere in matters of personal laws which are a fundamental right as per the constitution.

Writing the minority judgement, CJI Khehar directed the government to consider appropriate legislation for triple talaq. We hope and expect, that the contemplated legislation will also take into consideration advances in Muslim personal law or the Shariat, as have been corrected by legislation the world over, even by theocratic Islamic States, CJI Khehar wrote.

Justice Kurian Joseph, supporting Justices Nariman and Lalit, said he found it extremely difficult to agree with CJI Khehar. In his judgement, which delivered the deciding majority, Justice Joseph endorsed and reiterated the SC judgement of 2002 for a criminal appeal case' (Shamim Ara versus State of Uttar Pradesh) wherein the apex court had previously already invalidated a divorce by triple talaq.

We storified a thread of tweets put out on 22 August, 2017, to give you an insight on triple talaq and divorce statistics among religions in India.

As #SupremeCourt rules #TripleTalaq unconstitutional. Follow this thread for insights on Triple Talaq. (1/6)  IndiaSpend (@IndiaSpend) August 22, 2017

In India, for every divorced Muslim man, there are 4 divorced Muslim women. (2/6) #TripleTalaq  IndiaSpend (@IndiaSpend) August 22, 2017

Among divorced Indian women, 23.3% are Muslims, 68% Hindus; Among men, Hindus account 76%, Muslims 12.7%. (3/6) #TripleTalaq  IndiaSpend (@IndiaSpend) August 22, 2017

Within religions, highest imbalance of separated women-to-men ratio is among Muslims. (4/6) #TripleTalaq  IndiaSpend (@IndiaSpend) August 22, 2017

75% of those separated among Muslims are women. (5/6) #TripleTalaq  IndiaSpend (@IndiaSpend) August 22, 2017
New Delhi: The BJP hopes to boost its standing among backward classes with the government's decision to raise the "creamy layer" ceiling on jobs reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and also to form a committee to examine the possibility of a sub-quota for the most marginalised communities within the OBCs.

Prominent BJP leaders of backward classes hailed the announcement as "historic" and "unparallelled", saying these measures addressed two major demands that the OBC group had been pressing for over several years.

"It is an unparalleled step towards empowering backward classes. The average income among them had risen with time and there was an increasing demand to raise the creamy layer bar. The decision will provide reservation benefits to many more people," BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav said.

He said the government had taken a decision which would help the most deprived among backward classes.

The Union Cabinet increased the creamy layer ceiling for the OBC category to Rs eight lakh per annum from the existing Rs six lakh for central government jobs.

It also approved setting up of a commission to examine the sub-categorisation of backward communities in the central list to ensure that the benefits extended to the OBC reached all communities.

The twin moves are being seen as a balancing act as dominant castes among the OBC have long viewed with suspicion any move at sub-categorising quotas.

In raising the ceiling by over 33 percent, the government has given the more influential OBC groups something to cheer at as more of them can now benefit from quotas.

"It is a historic decision. The Modi government has met two long-pending demands of the OBC. The National Commission for Backward Classes in 2011 and a parliamentary panel in 2015 called for sub-categorisation among the OBC," Union minister Santosh Gangwar, a Kurmi leader from Uttar Pradesh, said.

Hukumdev Narayan Yadav, a party MP and former Union minister, said OBC members of Parliament had long been raising the demand for increasing the creamy layer ceiling.

Extremely backward sections of the OBC have been pushing for a quota as well, he said.

"It is a very welcome move. OBCs across the country will laud it," he said.

The BJP leaders pointed out that sub-categorisation already exists in many states, including Bihar, where it was introduced by former chief minister Karpoori Thakur to ensure that members of the extremely backward communities benefited from OBC quotas.

At a time some dominant backward castes, such as Yadavs, are being seen as adversarial to the BJP in states like Bihar and UP, the government's move to ensure a fixed quota for the extremely backward sections is likely to help the saffron party build its vote base.

Non-Yadav OBCs were believed to have contributed to the party's victory in the UP Assembly polls.

However, by also raising the creamy layer ceiling the government has sent out the message that it is alive to the concerns of the numerically strong backward groups such as Yadavs and Kurmis.
New Delhi: The income limit defining 'creamy layer' for OBC reservation has been raised by Rs 2 lakh per annum even as the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved setting up of a panel for sub-categorisation within the other backward classes for even distribution of reservation benefits.

The government also ruled out having a relook at the present reservation system.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters that the Union Cabinet was on Wednesday formally apprised of the decision to hike the limit for central government jobs.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hinted in Assam recently that the bar defining creamy layer would be raised and the procedure of formally informing the cabinet about the decision was completed on Wednesday.

The ministry of social justice and empowerment had proposed that OBC families which earn more than Rs 8 lakh per year should be classified as 'creamy layer' - the ceiling which bars members of the other backward classes from availing reservations in employment.

Responding to a question, Jaitley said a proposal to extend the decision to public sector undertakings was under "active consideration" of the government.

There had been three revisions of the creamy layer bar. It was fixed at Rs one lakh in 1993 and hiked to Rs 2.5 lakh in 2004 and Rs 4.5 lakh in 2008. The present ceiling of Rs six lakh came into being in 2013.

Jaitley also announced the decision of the cabinet to set up a commission to work out sub-categorisation within other backward classes for a "more equitable distribution of reservation benefits amongst the OBCs".

He said 11 states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Karnataka, Haryana, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Jammu region only of Jammu and Kashmir have already carried out sub-categorisation of OBCs.

"There will be more equitable distribution amongst the OBCs themselves (of the benefits)," Jaitley explained.

The proposed commission, to be set up under Article 340 of the Constitution, will submit its report within 12 weeks from the date its chairperson is appointed.

According to a press release issued by the government, the panel will examine the "extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes and communities included in the broad category of OBCs, with reference to the OBCs included in the Central list".

It will also work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters -- in a scientific approach -- for sub-categorisation within such OBCs.

The commission will also undertake an exercise of identifying the respective castes/communities/ sub-castes/synonyms in the central list of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.

Responding to a question, the finance minister ruled out having a relook at the reservation system in the country.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had in September, 2015 pitched for a review of the reservation policy, contending it has been used for political ends and suggested setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long.

"Neither there is any proposal before the government, nor would there be a proposal (before it in the future)," Jaitley told a press conference on Cabinet decisions. He was asked whether the government will review the reservation system as suggested by Bhagwat.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea of jailed former Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan challenging the constitutional validity of the Contempt of Courts Act.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said "we do not find any merit in the writ petition. It is dismissed."

The court rejected the submission made on behalf of the petitioner that the principles of natural justice were not followed in awarding him the jail term of six months, saying that Karnan's "communications, order and conduct established that he had full knowledge of the orders of the Supreme Court, proceedings as well as the materials against him."

It also noted that petitioner Karnan was served with a notice to show cause as well as he was given "repeated and adequate opportunities to present his defence."

Karnan, in his petition filed through advocate Mathews J Nedumpara, had sought a declaration from the high court that the apex court's 9 May sentencing order and further proceedings under it were "unconstitutional and void" as the principles of natural justice were allegedly not followed.
Darjeeling: The Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee (GMCC) has convened a meeting on 25 August to decide whether to attend the 29 August dialogue, as proposed by the West Bengal government, after it was left in a quandary over the GNLF's letter to the state administration, requesting for a discussion on the Darjeeling stalemate.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and the GMCC leadership are in a fix over whether to attend the dialogue as they are yet to receive any official invitation from the state government.

The GJM held a meeting to discuss the matter and decided that the GMCC would take a final call on 25 August.

Several GJM leaders have expressed displeasure over the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) unilaterally writing to the state government, asking for a discussion on the Darjeeling situation.

"We will discuss the matter at the GMCC meeting on 25 August. A dialogue without the GJM or the GMCC, which are the main stakeholders in the Gorkhaland movement, can never be successful. We will wait and see whether we get an official invitation from the government," a senior GMCC member, who is also a senior leader of the GJM, told PTI.

The GJM-led GMCC, comprising 30 hill parties including the GNLF, is continuing with its indefinite shutdown in the hills which entered its 70th day today. It has taken a heavy toll on normal life in the region.

The GMCC was formed on 20 June to chalk out the future course of action to achieve a separate state of Gorkhaland.

The GJM leader said the issue of the GNLF writing to the state government would also come up during the 25 August meeting.

The GMCC too is divided on the question of attending the dialogue proposed by the state government. It has not gone down well with most of the GMCC members that the GNLF, on its own, wrote to the government with an appeal for talks, without its prior approval.

The GJM alleged that it was an attempt to undermine it and the GMCC.

The GNLF leadership, however, defended its decision to write to the government, saying it was a "sincere effort" to restore normalcy in the hills.

"We have not done anything wrong. We are committed to ensuring peace and prosperity in the hills," a GNLF leader said.

Meanwhile, the police arrested four Gorkhaland activists in the last two days  two from Darjeeling and one each from Kurseong and Kalimpong  for their alleged involvement in the violence in the hills in the month of June.

According to senior police officials, the police and security officials today conducted raids and search operations for GJM supremo Bimal Gurung, against whom charges have been filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with two blasts in the Darjeeling hills last Saturday.

The GJM took out rallies during the day in various parts of the hills, demanding restoration of the Internet services, which have remained banned in the region since June 18, and an immediate withdrawal of police personnel from Darjeeling.

Some political party activists, dressed in traditional Nepali attire, also took out rallies and raised slogans in support of Gorkhaland.

Activists of the GJM and various NGOs were seen distributing food among the locals as the food supply has been severely hit due to the shutdown.

Barring pharmacies, all other shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained shut.
Expecting turmoil ahead of the verdict in a rape case against self-styled godman and Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Punjab DGP has issued warnings to all police stations to gear up for imminent violence by Dera followers, if the verdict goes against their guru, media reports said. The government too has decided to deploy 97 CRPF companies, including Rapid Action Force, in Panchkula during hearing on Friday, ANI reported.

Ram Rahim Singh Rape Trial: 97 CRPF companies, including Rapid Action Force, to be deployed in Panchkula during hearing on Friday.  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

Punjab Director General of Police (law and order), Hardeep Dhillon, in his warning letter to police officials, said that Dera followers were keeping drums filled with petrol and diesel, sharp-edged weapons and stones at Naam Charcha Ghars, where their prayer ceremonies are held in Faridkot, according to The Times of India.

Another report in Outlook said that Dera followers have even issued violent threats against India and footage of them in Panipat showed them armed with batons.

Hundreds of his followers, who call themselves 'Premis' have also arrived in Panchkula and camped near the courthouse where the judgment will be pronounced. The Panchkula town administration has asked petrol pump owners to prevent open sale of fuel to people.

The special CBI court in Panchkula will pronounce the judgement in the rape case against Rahim on 25 August and the chief of the Sirsa-headquartered sect has been asked to appear in person.

The allegations against the self-styled godman surfaced in 2006 as anonymous letters were circulated about the alleged sexual exploitation of two former female follower. The victim accused the Dera chief of raping her more than once inside the sprawling Dera campus, on the outskirts of Sirsa town in Haryana, 260 km from Chandigarh, leading to a CBI investigation.

The sect management has been refuting all charges against Singh.

Despite murder, conspiracy and rape charges against him, Singh enjoys Z-category security from the Haryana Police and moves around in a fleet of bullet-proof luxury SUVs. He has millions of followers in Haryana, Punjab and various other places.

One court ruling and two states on red alert

The authorities in Punjab and Haryana have asked the police in both states to be on high alert. A two-day ban  on 24 and 25 August  has been imposed on vehicular movement on roads near Haryana's Panchkula district court complex in view of the verdict, PTI had reported.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Panchkula had said that elaborate arrangements have been made to maintain law and order and ensure smooth flow of traffic in the area. Roads adjoining the district court complex and the dividing road of Sectors 1 and 2 will remain closed for the two days, he had said.

The dividing road of Sectors 1 and 6, the road from Old Panchkula to Tank Chowk traffic lights and Majri Chowk road under the flyover would also remain closed, the officer had said.

He had said that people have been appealed to not use these routes and cooperate with the administration.

DCP Panchkula has directed the managers of all government and private guest and rest houses not to make new bookings without police verification and approval of the additional deputy commissioner. They would also make sure that the identity of the people who are already staying at these guest houses are verified by the police, she had said.

The deputy commissioner had also said that a report of the verification would be submitted to the additional deputy commissioner. Stern action would be taken against those found violating these instructions, she had said. Two control rooms have been set up in view of the possibility of any "emergent" situation.

With inputs from agencies
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Tuesday refrained from granting any relief to former Union minister P Chidambaram's son Karti, who sought quashing of the FIR filed by the CBI and its subsequent summonses in the INX Media case.

Justice P Velmurugan directed the court registry to return all the papers in the case to the petitioner so as to enable him approach the Delhi High Court which has superintendence powers in the matter.

The judge had on 16 August reserved orders on maintainability of Karti's petitions seeking to quash the FIR and summons related to the case pending in a CBI special court in Delhi.

Before the verdict was pronounced on Tuesday, the media was asked to leave the courtroom. In his order, the judge held that the petitions filed by Karti were maintainable and the high court had territorial jurisdiction.

But, in the interest of justice, and in order to avoid conflicting views in case any of the parties (other accused) moved the Delhi or Bombay High Court, the court held it was inclined to adopt the 'doctrine of forum of convenience' so that parties could move the convenient court.

On 15 May, an FIR was registered by CBI against Karti and INX Media along with eight others for alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to the media house for receiving foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2007 when his father was the finance minister.

The probe agency had claimed the FDI proposal of the media house was "fallacious" but Chidambaram had cleared it.

The CBI had on 19 July issued summons, the second by the agency in the case, asking Karti to appear before it two days later.

Earlier, it had asked Karti and four others to appear for questioning on 27 and 29 June. Karti had then informed the CBI through his lawyer that he needed more time to appear.

The agency had alleged that a firm "indirectly controlled" by Karti had received money from INX Media, run by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea in 2007.

During the hearing of the petitions earlier, the CBI had opposed them arguing they were not maintainable and wanted the court to dismiss them.

In May, the CBI had conducted raids at the premises of Karti, Peter and Indrani at 14 locations in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai in connection with the case.

Incidentally, during the pendency of the petition challenging the summons, a 'look out circular' was issued by the government against Karti and subsequently stayed by the high court.

However, the Supreme Court had on 14 August stayed the high court order on an appeal by the Centre after observing that Karti had not joined the investigation in the case.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Inspector General of Police D Roopa, in a report to the ACB has claimed that she had reliable information on jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala visiting a house belonging to Hosur MLA, near the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru.

"There is a reliable information that she (Sasikala) sometimes goes to a house near the central jail that belongs to Hosur MLA.

"This may be further ascertained by footages of CCTV cameras placed at the entrance of the jail and the cameras placed in between gate 1 and gate 2 of the jail," Roopa said in her report submitted to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The DIG said she had submitted videos exposing special treatment given to Sasikala in the prison.

"In one video Sasikala is attired in a cotton nightie. In other two videos, she is in a mud-color churidar and Ilavarasi in an orange/red saree.

"Of the four video clippings, in one of the videos, which is 25 seconds, she is purportedly seen entering the jail from outside, wherein she is holding bags which look like shopping bags," Roopa said.

Sasikala is lodged in the jail ever since her conviction in February in a disproportionate assets case along with her two relatives VN Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi.

They are all serving a four-year jail term.

Another video showed three male prison warders in uniform guarding the gate and also a male convict.

In female-barracks, there are no men guarding the barracks, the video suggests.

Roopa, on 13 July, had alleged that preferential treatment was being given to Sasikala in the prison, amid allegations of payment of Rs 2 crore to an official for it, prompting the Karnataka government to order a probe.

She had leveled the charges in a report to her superior, DGP (Prisons) HS Sathyanarayana Rao.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced a "high-level probe" into the allegations as the two senior officers engaged in a bitter public spat. Both were subsequently shifted.

Roopa alleged that Sasikala has 'managed' to live the life of a Class 1 prisoner against the court order.

In her report, she also alleged that even Karim Lala Telgi, who has been convicted in a fake stamp-paper scam, had been given special treatment by prison officials.
Mumbai: The disbursement of amount to farmers under the Maharashtra government's crop loan waiver scheme, will start from 1 October, a state minister said on Tuesday.

As on Tuesday, total 22,40,943 farmers have enrolled for the loan waiver scheme, of which 18,85,457 have actually applied for it, state co-operation minister Subhash Deshmukh said.

"We will allow applications for the loan waiver scheme upto 1 September and from 1 October, the process of disbursement of funds for the loan waiver will commence," Deshmukh said.

He was speaking to reporters after the first meeting of the cabinet sub-committee, which was formed to deliberate on the intricacies in the implementation of the 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krushi Sanman Yojana'.

Apart from Deshmukh, revenue minister Chandrakant Patil, agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar, transport minister Diwakar Raote, minister for water resources Girish Mahajan and additional chief secretary of the finance department, DK Jain, were also present at the meeting.

"The government has made arrangements for free applications at our 26,000 facilitation centres across the state. Still, we are receiving complaints that money is being demanded for applications. We have directed that action be taken against such centres," Deshmukh said.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced the Rs 34,022 crore farm loan waiver scheme worth in June, following aggressive protests by farmers in the state.
Several members of business and industry as well as faculty and staff gathered in Cleveland States Technology building on Wednesday, for a media conference designed to discuss the plans for CSCCs new Mechatronics Institute. The institute is a new, innovative approach to attaining an Associate of Applied Science in Mechatronics Technology and has been described as an Honors Mechatronics program. Prospective students will be selectively chosen and accepted based on: academic success, scholastic capability, a written essay and panel interviews with industry partners and a scholastic committee at CSCC.



Dr. Bill Seymour, CSCC president, welcomed the group by stating, Cleveland States Advanced Technologies and OneSource programs have achieved a position of strength that allows us to effectively meet the training and educational needs of area business and industry. Today we take another step forward by introducing a unique program that connects area schools, manufacturers and the college to meet the pressing need for skilled employees.



Tim Wilson, Advanced Technologies Department chair, discussed CSCCs new Mechatronics Associate of Applied Science degree and certificate programs. CSCC Advanced Technology faculty teaching the Mechatronics curriculum have recently undergone special training and are certified to deliver the pedagogy of the Siemens Mechatronics Systems Certification Program (SMSCP) which affords the students to test for both Levels I and II certifications.



We are very excited to announce today that, beginning next year, we will add a new support leg of the Mechatronics program, designed for those students who desire additional challenge in their pursuit of a career in industry, said Mr. Wilson. The Mechatronics Institute is this new opportunity for aspiring students.



Marci Reiter, Cooperative Education coordinator / Mechatronics Institute chair, provided an overview of the program. According to Ms. Reiter, the institute was designed for students who will supplement their classroom learning with real-world training in a manufacturing setting. Students will spend two to three days in class and two to three days at the workplace. This unique design offers an opportunity for students to immediately apply what they learn in the classroom to a real work experience and to earn competitive wages while attending college.



Attendees were also able to hear the benefits first-hand from members of the industry who have agreed to be a part of this inaugural program.



Jason Hobbs, HR business partner, McKee Foods Corporation, said, The Mechatronics Institute is creating opportunities for collaborating companies to get talented, young adults in the door so one of our most valuable assets (our people) can share and teach what they know before deciding on retirementWe chose to join because we see the need for developing a technical workforce that will be ready for the challenges of tomorrowkeeping industry strong in Tennessee.



Lisa Pickel, director of Existing Industry Programs, Cleveland / Bradley Chamber of Commerce, said, Our region has been so economically blessed. In just the past few years, we have seen new industries come to our region, many existing industries have expanded creating new jobs and the overall stability of all our existing industries is only growing. This program is truly a win-win for all involved. We need workers, and CSCCs Mechatronics institute is a great program in maintaining the economic success in our region.



For more information on CSCCs Mechatronics program or any other Advanced Technologies programs, contact Mr. Wilson at (423) 472-7141, ext. 447. For more information on the Mechatronics Institute, contact Ms. Reiter at (423) 472-7141, ext. 718.
Editor's note: Parth MN is travelling across Maharashtra's Marathwada province on a People's Archive of Rural India fellowship to chronicle agrarian issues in the region, over a period of 6-8 months. Firstpost will reproduce his reports as and when he files them for Pari.

Limbaji Lokhande has spent more than Rs. 1,000 in pursuit of 10,000. The autorickshaw takes 20 rupees for a one-way trip, the 42-year-old farmer explains, to go from his village Borwand to the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) in Parbhani town, 15 kilometres away. That makes it 40 rupees a day. Plus, you spend on tea and lunch. I have been coming here for 15 days. It has been a struggle.

The Rs 10,000 is a stopgap outcome of a state-wide farm strike that began on 1 June in Maharashtra. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced this measure on June 14. While the modalities of a loan waiver were being worked out, he said, farmers would get Rs. 10,000 as immediate relief to cover inputs costs for the kharif sowing season.

During the June strike, the farmers most important demand was the enforcement of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations that they must get a minimum support price that covers the cost of production, plus 50 per cent, along with a blanket loan waiver. The detailed report of the Commission  headed by M.S. Swaminathan to study agrarian distress  has been lying with the central government since 2007.

The strike was suspended when Fadnavis eventually met farm representatives and assured them of a loan waiver, and said he will consider the cost of production demand by speaking to the prime minister. The state came up with Rs. 10,000 as temporary assistance because banks had been rejecting applications for new loans by farmers who had not cleared previous debts.

(Watch video: Limbaji Lokhande, a farmer from Borwand village: 'There are no systems in place)

But in August, Lokhande was still scrambling for the Rs. 10,000 that was supposed to help him and others for the sowing season that begins by mid-June. It has been chaotic, he says, standing at the APMC complex in Parbhani, where farmers have been asked to collect and submit forms to be able to get the money. I have not even got a form yet. I will have to spend more time to submit it as well.

Balasaheb Tarawate is facing a different problem. He got hold of a form after four days in the queue and then submitted it. It has been 11 days, the 40-year-old farmer says. The money has not been deposited in my [bank] account. I live 35 kilometres away. It takes 1.5 hours to get here from my village, Wadi Damai. Today, I have been told it will take another 10 days. This scheme has done more harm than good. Filling up that complicated form and spending so much time has not been worth it.

(Watch video: Balasaheb Tarawate, a farmer from Wadi Damai village: 'Its been 11 days and I have not received the money')

The form  available at the APMC centre in each district and at banks  runs into six pages. It includes an undertaking the farmers must submit, that states: According to the conditions mentioned in the form, I am eligible [to avail the scheme] I am not transgressing any conditions. If found otherwise, I will be liable to repay the Rs. 10,000 immediately, plus penalty or interest, and be liable to legal action

At the APMC complex in Parbhani in Marathwada, many farmers sitting on the ground with their form are perplexed about what to do with it. They ask each other when they run into a doubt, but the answers from other farmers carry little conviction. And they cannot afford to make a mistake  even a tiny error will send them back to standing in line for the form.

Lokhande, who has 3.5 acres on which he grows soyabean and cotton, says he had to leave his farmland behind to run after Rs. 10,000. If I had known it was going to be so time consuming and complicated, I would not have applied, he says, regretfully. But now that I have spent 1,000 rupees on it, I feel obliged to complete the task. In any case, who can manage sowing in 10,000 rupees? [An acre of land requires around Rs. 10-12,000 for sowing inputs, including labour.] And it is not a subsidy either. The state is going to recover the 10,000 from us.

Farmers who have not been able to repay their loans and have become non-performing assets (in the banks records) by June 30, 2016, are eligible for the states loan waiver. They can claim Rs. 10,000 as immediate assistance. But the waiver plan has a caveat: while the entire loan of farmers with up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs debt will be waived, a farmer with a higher loan will have to pay the sum that exceeds Rs. 1.5 lakhs.

So Lokhande, who has a bank loan of Rs. 2.5 lakhs, will have to pay Rs. 1 lakh to get a clean slate. If I had one lakh rupees, he asks, Would I be running after 10,000? Besides, when settling the bank loan, the Rs. 10,000 will be included in the amount owed. This means a waiver of Rs. 1.5 lakhs will actually be Rs. 1.4 lakhs.

The six-page form to get hold of Rs. 10,000 is not the only form farmers have had to fill this sowing season. This year, the state government made it mandatory for farmers to submit crop insurance forms online (See Crying all the way back from the bank on PARI). This new rule created chaos, with a lack of trained bank officials and servers unable to handle the traffic. The overload compelled banks to focus on crop insurance, and farmers in Marathwada too prioritised paying their premiums on time in July, rather than getting the Rs. 10,000. Others, cautious of the lengthy application process, stayed away entirely from the assistance scheme.

Data accessed from the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) by farm activist Kishor Tiwari shows that of the over 3.7 million farmers in Maharashtra whose loans were classified as non-performing assets, only 43,018 had applied for the 10,000 rupees till August 14, and just 34,410 were deemed eligible.

In Latur district for example, till the first week of August, not a single farmer had availed of the Rs. 10,000 scheme through his bank, said Hanumant Jadhav, managing director of Latur District Cooperative Bank. And the number who applied at other banks in Latur, some said, is miniscule.

Tiwari, chairman of the Vasantrao Naik Shetkari Swavalamban Mission, a government entity, said the banks have been lax about implementing the scheme. Banks didnt even issue orders till July 15 for disbursing loans [that is, the 10,000 rupees], he told the Asian Age newspaper on 25 July.

Nationalised banks are reluctant to disburse the assistance because they already have unpaid farm loans. And district cooperative banks, which are supposed to disburse the largest share of the scheme, are unwilling because widespread corruption and an inability to take on influential defaulters have made the banks nearly defunct.

So those who opted to get hold of the Rs. 10,000 continue to stand in long queues. The government promises several schemes only to implement them poorly, says Lokhande. Why get our hopes up if you cannot live up to the promise? The state is merely adding salt to our wounds.

Photos: Parth MN

This piece first appeared in People's Archive of Rural India and is reproduced here by arrangement with Pari.
In a setback to Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said medical colleges in the state will have to use National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) as the only basis for admissions. The apex court also asked the state to finish counselling by 4 September.

SC says medical colleges in Tamil Nadu will have to use National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) as the only basis for admissions. pic.twitter.com/lE7wBxYjjI  ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2017

Supreme Court asks the Tamil Nadu government to start counselling immediately & finish by 4th September  ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2017

Furthermore, the Centre has also backed out of the Tamil Nadu NEET ordinance, saying other states have conducted admissions on the basis of the centralised examination.

On 17 August, the Supreme Court had said that there could be no "compromise on intellect", as it ordered status quo on admissions to undergraduate medical courses in Tamil Nadu.

The court had put on hold counselling for admissions for MBBS and BDS seats in Tamil Nadu until 22 August, and asked MCI and the state government to find a "balanced" solution to deal with the interests of state board students and those who cleared NEET.

"You can't compromise on intellect," said the bench of Justice Dipak Misra, Justice Amitava Roy and Justice AM Khanwilkar.

They also denied the state government's plea of accommodating students from "rural backgrounds" who didn't make the cut.

"You can't compromise on intellect. You say you want to adjust students (who are) not good. No," Justice Misra said, further adding, "Our motto has to be whatever we say or do, students who have laboured hard and appeared in NEET should not suffer."

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba, who arrived on Wednesday on a four-day visit, his first trip abroad after assuming office in June.

Modi and Deuba will review the entire gamut of bilateral ties on Thursday and are likely to deliberate on ways to further deepen the Indo-Nepal relationship in a range of areas including trade and investment.

Deuba was received at the airport by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, reflecting the importance India attaches to his visit.

"A special welcome for a close neighbour! EAM @SushmaSwaraj receives @PM_Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba on his arrival on a State Visit to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with a photo of Swaraj greeting Deuba.

A special welcome for a close neighbour! EAM @SushmaSwaraj receives @PM_Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba on his arrival on a State Visit to India pic.twitter.com/fVb4JPFOCE  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 23, 2017

The Nepalese prime minister is expected to apprise Modi of the political situation in his country, particularly on the steps being taken by his government to fulfil aspirations of the Indian-origin Madheshi community.

"The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on the issues of mutual interest and advancing age-old special ties of friendship between our two countries," the External Affairs Ministry had said on Monday.

Nepal has been facing a political crisis since the adoption of a new Constitution in September 2015. Madhesis, mostly of Indian origin, have been opposing the new statute as they fear it would marginalise them by dividing the country into seven provinces.

Madhesi protests from October 2015 to February 2016 had resulted in the closure of key trading points with India, triggering shortage of essential supplies in the land-locked country. The blockade of trade points with India ended in February after more than 50 people were killed in clashes with the police.

Deuba took over as prime minister in June 2017. During his four-day visit, he will also travel to Hyderabad and Bodh Gaya. The Nepal PM will also call on the president and the vice-president.
Washington: Pakistan is using a perceived threat of encirclement by India as an "excuse" to continue its support to terrorists, a Trump administration official has said, dismissing concerns over Indian development activities in the war-torn country.

"What India is doing in Afghanistan is not a threat to Pakistan. They're not building military bases. They're not deploying troops," National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Michael Anton said on Tuesday.

This is an "excuse" on the part of Pakistan, Politico quoted Anton as saying.

"In the worst case," the Trump administration official said, the Pakistani government has been guilty of "active direct support" for terrorist groups.

"(Indians) are not doing the things that would constitute encirclement, for lack of a better term, which is one of the things that the Pakistani's complain about," he said.

His comments came after US President Donald Trump laid out his policy for Afghanistan and the larger South Asian region. Trump sought a greater involvement from India while criticising Pakistan for tolerating terrorist safe havens and for its support to terrorists.

The US president has preferred a regional approach for peace in Afghanistan and said the US "can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond."

Pakistan's foreign office reacted to Trump's announcement of the new strategy, saying the threat to peace and security "cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies."

"Non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region."

The foreign office asked the US to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism, instead of relying on the "false narrative of safe havens."
India has always welcomed immigrants and refugees.

The Syrian Christians who fled persecution found a safe home here. As did the Malabar Jews. A few years later, the Baghdadi Jews followed and so did the Parsis of Iran.

Under Indian law, the only way to get a long-term permanent residence visa is to either be married to an Indian citizen, to be of Indian descent and be eligible for a Person of Indian Origin Card or an Overseas Citizenship of India.

India is home to over 40,000 Rohingya Muslims. The refugees claim they are ethnically Burmese even though Burmese government denies that claim and says they are not citizens.

Violence in the Rakhine state has resulted in many Rohingya having to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. The Centre considers them illegal immigrants and not refugees.

Union minister Kiren Rijju told Parliament that the Centre has directed state governments to constitute district-level task forces to identify and deport the Rohingya. Many of these refugees hold registration cards issued to them by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

India is not a party to the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 1951 nor the 1967 optional protocol to the convention. The UNHCR helps facilitate long-term visas for Refugees based on UNHCR recommendations.

These are X category visas issued with special long-term stay endorsements. India doesn't have a refugee visa category, neither does it have a clear system of refugee travel documents.

A UNCHR determination of refugee status is meaningless under Indian law as the final decision to issue a visa rests with the Centre alone.

Which means that refugees are treated on par with every other foreigner under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and unless they have the permission of the Centre to remain in India, they may be arrested, interned and deported to their country of origin. It is here where the issue of deporting the Rohingya gets very tricky for the Centre.

Say tomorrow, a US national comes to India on a tourist visa and is found working as a trapeze artist in the Great Bombay Circus. The immigration officer could arrest him, place him in a holding cell and put him on the first fight back to the United States.

All our Bureau of Immigration will do is take his passport, neatly stamp it with "Deported from India" and if they're feeling especially nasty, affix an endorsement saying "Entry into India Banned" and send him home. It's pretty straight forward. It isn't a matter of where the person is from if he's violating the conditions of his stay.

But with the Rohingya, the nationality of the person forms the crux of the matter. As discussed earlier, there is an ongoing dispute as to which country the Rohingya belong to. Section 9 of the Foreigners Act, 1946 puts the burden of proof of proving nationality on the person who is being charged under the act. So if an Indian were charged with being a foreigner it would be for the Indian to prove that they were in fact Indian.

Section 8 says that where the nationality of a foreigner is uncertain, the nationality ascribed shall be the one with which the foreigner seems to be most closely connected to for the time being in interest or sympathy. Or if the nationality is uncertain, the last country to which the foreigner was connected.

Which means in case of the Rohingya  whose nationality is uncertain because the Burmese government refuses to recognise them as citizens nationals  the test boils down to the last place with which they could prove a substantial connection and the interest of sympathy that was also recognised by the place with which they assert as their own.

This roundabout situation could result in them arriving at India as their nationality. If they trace their origin to labour that came in from Bengal Presidency, they trace their origin to India and having not acquired any other nationality, India would be the answer to the question posed under Section 8.

Article 8 of the Constitution also gives a right to people residing outside India with a grandparent born in India as a defined under the Government of India Act, 1935 (excluding Burma) to register as Indian citizens. If a Rohingya qualifies under this category, he can claim Indian citizenship via registration with the appropriate authorities.

In this case the Rohingya claims citizenship as a matter of constitutional right, the evidentiary presumptions as to parentage will work in the favour of the Rohingya.

But on a broader note, if India is to deport the Rohingya, the first logistical hurdle she will face is trying to figure out where she will deport them. These refugees face a very real risk of violence if they return to their home countries. Which is why the UNHCR has recognised them as refugees fleeing persecution and registered them as such. Deporting them to such a place may violate their constitutional rights.

India's has two types of fundamental rights. Some rights  civil and political rights such as freedom of speech and assembly  are solely for citizens. Another set of rights apply to all people: The right to life and equality. The Rohingya who live in India are entitled to exercise these rights.

One might argue that knowingly sending refugees to a place where they will be persecuted violates their right to life under Article 21 of India's Constitution. The Supreme Court in a catena of cases starting from DK Basu versus State of West Bengal (1997) 1 SCC 416 held that Article 21 includes within it a right against cruel and degrading treatment.

This is similar to a provision under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In Soering versus United Kingdom 161 Eur. Ct. H.R. (ser. A) (1989) the European Court of Human Rights interpreted Article 3 in a manner that prevented the UK from deporting a prisoner to the US where the prisoner would likely face execution.

The reason was that the execution was incompatible with Article 3 and that the UK's action would facilitate a violation of the prisoner's rights. Similarly, if the Rohingya were to be sent back to Burma by India, their Article 21 rights would be violated as they would also be subject to cruel and degrading treatment.

Therefore, there can be a potential constitutional challenge to block any move by the government to deport the Rohingya. If the government manages to facilitate an agreement with a neutral third country where the Rohingya would be entitled to a safe environment and then proceeds with the deportation, such an effort may be legally tenable.

Though, the quickest possible solution to this crisis would be for India to use its mandarins at the Ministry of External Affairs to sit down with the Burmese and the Bangladeshis and hash out a solution.

India, thanks to the events of the last two hundred years, is going to have to deal with this issue. Whether she likes it or not.

Read Part I of the series here

Read Part II of the series here
'Achhe waqton ki tamanna mein rahee umra rawaan'. Some lifetimes are spent fighting for justice, longing for promises of relief. Shah Bano, a 60-year-old mother of five, lost her life and her long battle against triple talaq in 1992.

She went to court asking for maintenance from her husband who had divorced her and married another woman. In 1985, the Supreme Court ruled that she was entitled to maintenance like any other Indian woman. But, a Congress government headed by Rajiv Gandhi, to appease a Muslim segment before the polls, then enacted the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, to set aside the Shah Bano verdict.

The most controversial provision of the Act was that it gave Muslim women the right to maintenance for the period of iddat (about three months) after the divorce, and shifted the onus of maintaining her to her relatives or the Wakf Board. Arif Mohammad Khan, the youngest cabinet minister in Rajiv Gandhi's government (he was 30 when he took oath in 1981), was against the triple talaq legislation and resigned because of differences with the prime minister on the issue.

On 22 August 2017, after hundreds like Shah Bano have fought and lost, instant triple talaq was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Arif Mohammad Khan sat in his large library den around trays of sherbet, laddoos and samosas. "Ye zabardast faisla hai," he said.

He stated that India is a democratic country that is ruled by the Constitution and not by religious forces. "And how will that Constitution let you empower one woman from one stratum with a certain right and arbitrarily deny another woman from another stratum that very right?" he asked.

As soon as the judgment was announced, people began raising questions about implementation. "The judgment is favourable but the government needs to implement a concrete law to lay down the punishment that will be handed out to the offenders. Unless that is in place, I consider this a 'half-victory'. The law should be framed without the interference of political ideologies and must take effect urgently," said Farha Faiz, lawyer, Supreme Court and president, Rashtrawadi Muslim Mahila Sangh.

Khan said he is confident that the new law will be implemented and the awareness about it will be massive. "This decision has introduced a change in the mindset among women. It won't just abolish teen talaq, it will inspire and create a confident breed of women, who will know that a man cannot get away with injustice. She will have the confidence to report misbehaviour on his part at a police station. It will instil fear in the minds of men who don't treat their women as equals," he said.

"I feel the All India Muslim Personal Law Board should have taken it upon themselves to ensure the benefit of women instead of regarding it as an interference in personal faith. In West Asian countries and in Pakistan, women have pointed out to me that this law is regressive. India is finally at par with them. Back in the 1980s, the Rajiv Gandhi government was trying to win over a certain segment of Muslim votes and that was an expedient move," Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, women's rights activist and a former member of the Planning Commission of India, told Firstpost.

Khan was also critical of the Muslim body and said that in the name of religion, no one has the authority to inflict harm on others. "All this is not part of the Quran, this form of talaq is biddah or innovation which is man-made. Religion is a purely personal and individual matter and people are now aware of that. When Muslims all over the world do not follow such a rule, what gives the Indian Muslim man divine powers to abandon his wife as and when he likes?" he questioned.

Clarifying that the Quran has no such provision for triple talaq, 92-year-old Islamic scholar and peace activist Maulana Wahiduddin explained the evolution and origin of divorce through Islamic history: "In Quran, the prescribed method is that the man says talaq in the first month, talaq in the second month and then in the third month, he either says talaq yet again or says that he's ready to retract his statement. This is done to ensure that divorce isn't happening in a fit of rage and anger. During this period, the anger and confusions are expected to disperse."

It is not just the rational literature and truths about religion that have surfaced in the multiple debates on triple talaq, but cases from across the country have come to the fore. The debate has since proliferated and big and small struggles of Muslim women have been united towards one cause. Many more cases are now being talked about. For instance, Shabnam Lone, lawyer, Supreme Court of India, recalled the time when she was appointed by the High Court of Jammu and

The lower court accepted the man's divorce plea and rejected her claim of maintenance for herself. Thus, he was directed to pay a monthly amount only towards his daughter. "It's a split verdict but the majority's will shall prevail. The Muslim Personal Law Board has no statutory powers. It's just a 'billionaire's club'. The prophet detested the concept of divorce and they are going against the prophet's words. Triple talaq was against the self-worth of women and it is certainly not what the prophet ordained," Lone said.

Similarly, the case of Shamim Ara is relatively unknown. "Very few know about the Shamim Ara case of 2002 when the Supreme Court invalidated triple talaq. Justice RC Lahoti (who later served as the Chief Justice of India) said that a mere plea of talaq in response to the proceedings filed by the woman for maintenance cannot be treated as a pronouncement of talaq. To be valid, a talaq must be pronounced as per the Quranic injunction. What we lacked back then was a national movement to back the issue," points out A Faizur Rahman, secretary-general of the Chennai based Islamic Forum for the Promotion of Moderate Thought. He says any invalidation of instant triple talaq is welcome and will make both women and men aware of the consequences of such a practice.

Khan says it is difficult to fathom the intensity of what has just happened. "Earlier, conservative elements enjoyed the patronage of the political establishment," says Khan, adding that, "the credit goes to the Muslim woman who has fought her battle and ultimately made this happen."

Khan then narrated the story of a British journalist who interviewed Jawaharlal Nehru a couple of years before his death and asked him what his greatest achievement had been. Nehru had answered that the empowerment of his Hindu sisters was an achievement he holds dear to his heart. When the reporter asked him about a failure that pinches him, Nehru had said that he had failed to bring the same degree of empowerment to his Muslim sisters. "Today, wherever Nehru is, he will be one proud man," Khan said.
Editor's note: The law of sedition  Section 124A of the IPC  was introduced in 1870 to curb anti-colonial sentiment. Many leaders of the Independence Movement, including Mahatma Gandhi, were tried under this draconian act. Ironically, while the British themselves have abolished the law, present-day India has discovered its many maliciously creative uses. With hardly any convictions, the act has turned out to be an instrument of political oppression.

In the concluding part of this three-part series  exploring how the 147-year-old law has been adapted to deal with acts that are remotely anti-establishment  Firstpost examines the repercussions of the law on the lives of the accused and in particular, their families.

Ved Prakash Singh's life has been upended since the police filed sedition charges against him. The everyday fear that the police would nab him and whisk him for interrogation has become a part of his life. His financial status has gone from bad to worse, the stress has taken a toll on his health and people he once called friends have been avoiding him. And that's not even the worst part.

His biggest pain, he says, is that because of the charges filed against him, his cousins are facing difficulty in finding grooms. The case was filed against him in Aurangabad in Bihar. To escape police harassment, he moved to Patna. Here, he is pursuing his Bachelors of Laws.

Speaking with Firstpost over the phone, he declined to pinpoint where he's living or the name of the college he's enrolled in. When we mentioned the sedition case against him, he got nervous. After some hesitation, he accepted that there was a case booked against him for sedition.

We ask: Why is he facing sedition charges?

"Sir, I have never gone against India," he says. "I love India as much as Narendra Modi or any other citizen."

He claims that the case was slapped against him because he raised his voice against a hike in college fees and other ills plaguing the education system.

Singh happens to be the head of the state unit of All India Democratic Student Organisation. The 26-year-old wants to become a lawyer and fight his own case. He attended a couple of case hearings, but then stopped going. "I don't want to get arrested and packed off to jail," he said. "I will prove my deshbhakti (patriotism) after I get a law degree."

The road ahead is difficult. The charges against him have turned his family's life upside down. He says that a former friend he helped get admission in a college and lent support to after his father's death now shuns him. He says that whenever he calls that individual, someone else answers the call, says "wrong number" and hangs up.

Singh says life was beautiful until he was labelled a Naxal. Now, he fears even going to college. He's always looking over his shoulder. "I never know when the police will come to arrest me and beat me with canes for deeds I've never done," the law student says.

"One might not be a Naxal but police batons may end up turning someone into just that," Singh remarks.

Singh's tone is tinged with self-pity as he talks about his family. They were never well off to begin with and are now in deep financial trouble. He says they aren't getting support from anyone. He takes another jab at the police and "our so-called system" and says he never knew decrying fees hike and other evils would make him anti-national. He says he even thought of ending his life a few times but decided he'd rather fight injustice than succumb to it.

The allegations

While Singh cuts a sorry figure, the man who filed the complaint against him refuses to feel any sympathy for him. He says Singh has been spotted with "hardcore" Naxals and reels off a few names of Singh's alleged partners-in-crime. He says this group was planning an attack on the police. He asks: If Singh is innocent, what was he doing with Naxals on a hill? He asks how police got a tip-off about Singh palling around with the rebels if he was innocent.

A senior police officer, on the condition of anonymity, says charges were framed against Singh only after a proper investigation. The officer says police are certain about his involvement with Naxals and are convinced Singh acted against the nation.

The law

According to Section 124A, one of the sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) under which Singh has been booked: "Whoever brings or attempts to bring hatred or contempt, or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government shall be punished with imprisonment for life or three years."

In simple terms, if someone misuses their right to free speech and tries to incite violence, their actions amount to sedition. Since it's a cognisable offence, the police don't need a warrant to arrest an accused. It's a non-bailable as well as a non-compoundable offence, which means a compromise between the accused and the complainant cannot terminate judicial proceedings.

If one is found guilty, they may face three years behind bars or life imprisonment. However, the judgment takes a long time and during the hearings, an accused has to live without a passport, is barred from government jobs and have to produce themselves in court on a regular basis. While conviction rate under this section is low, the consequences of being booked itself amount to a punishment.

Student leaders who were in the eye of the storm over the Jawaharlal Nehru University row in February 2016  Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya  were also booked under Section 124A. Hardik Patel from Gujarat, who led the agitations in Gujarat in 2015 demanding reservation for the Patidar community, was also slapped with the same charge.

Its history

The contentious section was included in the IPC in 1870 and personalities of the stature of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi were booked under it.

Tilak was booked multiple times and had to spend six years behind bars for an editorial published in his newspaper, Kesari. In 1922, Gandhiji had to appear in court for his articles in his weekly paper, Young India. In the hearing, the Father of the Nation denounced the law, saying: "Section 124A, under which I am happily charged, is perhaps the prince among the political sections of the IPC designed to suppress the liberty of the citizen."

After India had won its Independence and adopted its Constitution, the country's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, took a firm stand against the law on sedition. "Take again Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code. Now, so far as I am concerned that particular section is highly objectionable and obnoxious and it should have no place both for practical and historical reasons, if you like, in any body of laws that we might pass. The sooner we get rid of it the better."

The author is a Lucknow-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.

Part 1: In Bihar's Red Zone, draconian law adds teeth to state's might

Part 2: Abandoned by families and neighbours, accused face a life without living
The Supreme Court's decision to declare the practice of triple talaq as unconstitutional is a milestone in the Muslim women's rights movement in India. Triple talaq  or the practice whereby a Muslim husband pronounces talaq (divorce) three times to end a marriage  has two variations. One variation is to pronounce talaq three times in one sitting, either verbally or through various written media such as phone call, letter, WhatsApp, Skype, SMS and the likes. The other is to pronounce a talaq each over three months.

At the time of writing this article, it is unclear if both the variations of triple talaq were struck down by the Supreme Court. However, it seems the practice of triple talaq was declared as unconstitutional by a 3:2 majority of the court. It was the instant triple talaq which was at the centre of countrywide debate due to its arbitrary use by Muslim husbands. The decision is a milestone in the life of the poorer sections of Muslim women who are the worst sufferers and don't have the economic means to go to court.

It does appear, however, that the other form of triple talaq will continue to remain valid  which will be welcomed by Islamic clerics. If the non-instant form of triple talaq remains valid, the apex court's decision doesn't significantly ameliorate the conditions of Muslim women. It should be noted that triple talaq affects poor sections of Muslim women who are mostly unable to go to court for financial reasons.

This means the Muslim husband will continue to have his Sharia-based right to unilaterally divorce a wife. From the reports in the media, it doesn't appear that the Supreme Court has addressed this issue of unilateral divorce.

The unilateral divorce by a Muslim husband happens because Muslim husbands are not permitted to go to court to effect divorce  and also because the right of divorce in Islam belongs to the husband, not to the wife. Accordingly, a Muslim wife in India can seek, not give, divorce either through a court or through Islamic clerics.

By reading media reports on the verdict, one fails to reach the conclusion that the Muslim husband will, now onwards, have to go to court to seek divorce. Therefore, any Supreme Court judgment which doesn't require a Muslim husband to effect his divorce before a court of law necessarily falls short of any real change for women. Consequently, Sharia courts run by Islamic organisations in India will remain in business. While laws are good, one must also keep in mind that a Muslim husband and Muslim wife can still divorce by instant triple talaq - if they live by Sharia codes. For example, Sharia-abiding Muslims in Britain already avoid going to court and choose their own Sharia courts.

It also appears that the verdict will be effective from today, 22 August 2017  which arguably is a milestone because from this day the arbitrariness involved in the practice of triple talaq is removed. However, it remains to be seen how the justices addressed the issue of Shayara Bano whose appeal, along with those of others, before the Supreme Court triggered a countrywide debate leading to the verdict. If the verdict is to be effective from 22 August, it will also mean that Bano got no justice personally and her divorce by triple talaq remains valid.

Media reports also indicate that the court asked the government to make a law and that the verdict declaring triple talaq as unconstitutional is valid for six months - but this point was an observation by the minority two judges of the five-bench court and is therefore meaningless. At the end of the day, Muslim women should keep in mind that this verdict will not make any meaningful change in their daily life if they do not send their daughters and grand-daughters into career-oriented education and from there into cash-paying jobs.
In a major setback for VK Sasikala, the Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the request for reviewing her conviction and jail term.

Supreme Court dismisses plea filed by VK Sasikala seeking review of her conviction in disproportionate assets case. pic.twitter.com/eXry7ZmPEN  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

She had moved the apex court after being sentenced to four years in jail in a 19-year-old disproportionate assets case. The Supreme Court observed that there is no merit in Sasikala's plea and they did not find any error in the judgement. Her relatives and convicts in the case, VN Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, were also part of the appeal.

Earlier on 14 February, the Supreme Court had upheld the trial court order in DA case in which three of them were sentenced for four years and fined Rs 10 crore, according to an India Today report.

Sasikala moved the Karnataka high court based on an earlier order by the top court in which the judges had observed that when the appeals against one person stands abated in a case, appeals against other accused should also be abated. Notably, appeals against former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa were abated after her death.

The state of Karnataka which was the prosecuting state in the case moved the Supreme Court in appeal, according to OneIndia.

This comes after the EPS and the OPS factions merged and decided to remove Sasikala from the post of party general secretary. Ousting her was one of the main demands set by the Panneerselvam section for the merger. Sasikala's nephew TTV Dhinarakan and 19 legislators close to him approached Tamil Nadu governor C Vidyasahar Rao to withdraw their support from the chief minister and demand a floor test.
On Tuesday, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, by a narrow 3:2 majority, struck down the practice of talaq-e-biddat  'instantaneous triple talaq'  as unconstitutional. Womens movements across the country, among others, have lauded the judgment for striking down this regressive and patriarchal practice.

This article seeks to, briefly, examine the contours of the Supreme Courts judgment, including its limitations.

The primary question before the Supreme Court was whether the practice, which authorised a Muslim man to unilaterally, irrevocably and instantaneously divorce his wife by saying the word talaq three times in succession was constitutionally valid or violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India, particularly Articles 14 (equality before law), 15 (protection against discrimination) and 21 (protection of life and personal liberty).

To answer this question, the Supreme Court had to first examine whether instantaneous triple talaq was a practice regulated by codified/statutory law (i.e. the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937) or whether it was merely in furtherance of uncodified religious practice or personal law. This is important because of the existing position of law as had been laid down by the Bombay High Court in 1951 in the case of State of Bombay versus. Narasu Appa Mali.

In Narasu, the high court held that personal laws were not subject to judicial scrutiny and cannot be examined for violating fundamental rights. Therefore, if the Supreme Court found that triple talaq was a practice sanctioned by a statute, the 1937 Act, it could be examined for violation of fundamental rights. On the other hand, if it found that triple talaq was a part of uncodified personal law, it would have to revisit the decision in Narasu and answer a second question as to whether uncodified personal law could be subject to a scrutiny for violating fundamental rights and whether the practice of triple talaq did in fact violate any fundamental rights.

The majority outcome

While the majority judges agreed on the outcome of striking down instantaneous triple talaq as unconstitutional, they took two different routes to arrive at that outcome.

Justice Rohinton Nariman, with whom Justice UU Lalit concurred, held that the practice of triple talaq derived statutory sanction from the 1937 Act, and could therefore be subject to a challenge for violating fundamental rights. Having so found, their judgment sought to analyse whether the practice of triple talaq would be protected by Article 25 of the Constitution (freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion). While doing so, the judgment made forays into the domain of Islamic practices and held that instantaneous triple talaq is not essential to the practice of Islam and does not therefore benefit from the constitutional protection granted by Article 25.

The judgment then went on to examine whether triple talaq is inconsistent with any of the fundamental rights. While doing so, the judgment upheld the doctrine of manifest arbitrariness as a valid touchstone for examining the constitutionality of a practice, overruling a series of decisions that held the contrary view. The doctrine of manifest arbitrariness allows the striking down of a law under Article 14 on account of being capricious, irrational, disproportionate or excessive. The judges went on to hold that the practice of triple talaq violates Article 14 of the constitution for being manifestly arbitrary. Specifically, Justice Nariman held:

"This being the case, it is clear that this form of Talaq is manifestly arbitrary in the sense that the marital tie can be broken capriciously and whimsically by a Muslim man without any attempt at reconciliation so as to save it. This form of Talaq must, therefore, be held to be violative of the fundamental right contained under Article 14 of the Constitution of India"

Justice Kurian Joseph, in a separate opinion, held that triple talaq is bad in theology and therefore bad in law and lacks legal sanctity. Justice Joseph differed from Justices Nariman and Lalit, inasmuch as he held that triple talaq was not regulated by the 1937 Act, rather it fell within the domain of personal law. He, however, relied on the earlier Supreme Court decision in Shamim Ara versus State of UP and concluded that triple talaq was not integral to Islam, was against the tenets of the Quran and Shariat, and therefore constitutionally void.

Despite the inconsistencies in the reasoning of the two sets of opinions constituting the majority judgment, the conclusion arrived at by these judges is consistent in striking down the practice of instantaneous triple talaq as unconstitutional.

The dissent

The two judges who delivered the minority opinion, authored by Chief Justice JS Khehar with Justice Abdul Nazeer concurring, took the position that triple talaq is not regulated by the 1937 Act, rather it is an integral and constituent part of personal law. They went on to hold that since the practice of triple talaq was not contrary to public order, morality and health, it enjoyed the constitutional protection granted by Article 25.

Surprisingly, they also held that the practice was not amenable to a challenge on grounds of Articles 14, 15 and 21, because these provisions are limited to State actions, whereas the practice of triple talaq regulated the conduct of private parties. In so doing, the minority opinion held that the practice of triple talaq was not inconsistent with constitutional values and fundamental rights, and directed the government to consider legislating on the issue.

With due respect, the dissenting opinion is based on rhetoric rather than sound jurisprudence or legal analysis. What is even more surprising is that the dissenting judges felt compelled to grant a relief (injuncting the practice of triple talaq for an initial period of 6 months during the legislative process) despite recording no finding of constitutional infirmity with the practice.

A missed opportunity

The majority opinions have been commended by many, including feminist legal activists, as a necessary step in reforming inherently patriarchal and discriminatory practices, and rightly so. The exposition of law on the doctrine of arbitrariness to strike down a practice as unconstitutional would also have been commendable, had the Supreme Court not entirely overlooked the issues of gender justice, which were at the forefront of the case.

The issue was more of discriminatory treatment meted out to Muslim women through the capricious and whimsical practice of men, rather than that of arbitrariness. Numerous arguments were advanced before the Supreme Court on the practice of triple talaq being antithetical to gender justice in general, and to Article 15 and the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), to which India is a signatory, in particular.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has chosen to use this case to set the legal position right on the doctrine of arbitrariness, wholly sidelining the very pressing issue of sex discrimination. That being said, Justice Nariman specified in his judgment that since he based his decision on the narrower ground of arbitrariness, there was no occasion to examine the grounds of discrimination. Nonetheless, the lack of exposition on gender discrimination and the the missed opportunity to ground the decision in progressive sex discrimination jurisprudence in such a seminal case is a major drawback in an otherwise welcomed decision.

As we celebrate this judgment, I hope that at the next available opportunity the Supreme Court gives issues of sex discrimination a fair consideration.

The author is a New Delhi-based lawyer.
Two of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce's 12 area Councils and several Chamber ambassadors received recognition at the annual meeting on Wednesday.

The Chamber named its Downtown Council the Council of the Year for bridging gaps between business and education in its footprint.

We had an outstanding board of well-rounded individuals and great organizations from all around Chattanooga, said Joey Greer, past president of the Downtown Council. We did a debate for the mayors race and were able to donate funds back to education. Our board deserves this; its awesome.

The North Hamilton County Council received the Membership Growth Award for recruiting 14 new Chamber members in 2016-17.

The Chamber honored Amy Allara Kinworthy, Chattanooga Zoo, as Ambassador of the Year.

I love going to ribbon cuttings and helping businesses and people get connected because thats what Chattanooga is all about, Ms. Kinworthy said.

While our Annual Meeting always represents a chance to celebrate our members, this year was especially meaningful as we recognize our volunteers contribution to being named 2017 ACCE Chamber of the Year, said Sandra Brewer, vice president of Member-Investor Services. Immediately after winning Chamber of the Year, senior Chamber staff made plans to visit all 12 Councils to share the award.
The Supreme Court's 3:2 majority decision to strike down triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat, also known as instant talaq, hasn't clinched the debate on the method of reforming personal laws, particularly Muslim Personal Law, about which the nation has been obsessing for decades. This is because only two of the three judges invoked the Constitution to annul triple talaq; the third did it on the ground that talaq-e-biddat is un-Islamic. Thus, the question remains: to what extent can a community's personal laws be altered?

Once the jubilation over the Supreme Court's judgement dies down, it is very likely the debate over Muslim Personal Law will be reopened. For instance, there is already a murmur in social media that the abolition of triple talaq is just a step towards reforming Muslim marriage and divorce laws. In other words, all forms of talaq among Muslims should be rethought and revised.

There are two broad perspectives on the quest to reform Muslim Personal Law. There are those who argue from within the tradition, claiming that practices in violation of the Quranic principles and deemed un-Islamic should be abolished. This was indeed the reason why a substantial segment of the Muslim community, both women and men, favoured the abolition of triple talaq.

Then, there are those who accord primacy to the Constitution over personal laws of all communities. Their perspective is that those personal laws which are in violation of the Constitution or its principles should be scrapped. For instance, personal laws flouting the ideas of equality and justice, or subscribing to notions of patriarchy, should not be allowed to operate, regardless of whether or not these have divine sanctions.

The first perspective is constituted through the prism of religion; the second through that of the Constitution. The first is a religious view, so to speak. The second is a tad complicated.

A segment subscribing to the second view invokes the principles of equality and gender justice, as also the supremacy of man-made laws over divinely-ordained laws, to demand that Muslim Personal Law should be reformed. Theirs is a secular perspective.

Subscribing to this perspective include a large number of Hindus who do so out of reaction. Their argument is that if Hindu Personal Law could be reformed in the 1950s, albeit with major compromises, (some of which were subsequently removed through judicial pronouncements), why leave Muslim Personal Law untouched? Why should the Indian state allow Muslims to pursue their religious laws in a Hindu majority country, but deny this right to them- the Hindus?

It is this Hindu reaction which explains the deep interest, nay obsession, with Muslim Personal Law, evident in the blanket coverage of the Supreme Court's verdict on triple talaq. The judgement doesn't affect them personally, not to the degree the forthcoming verdict on the privacy issue will.

This obsessive engagement with Muslim Personal Law is because of two factors. One, they feel that the appeasement of Muslims has been reversed. Appeasement is the name given to the policy which, among other things, left Muslim Personal Law untouched. Two, they believe that uniformity in governing personal matters - marriage, inheritance, divorce, etc - of religious communities welds the nation together.

These two aspects  appeasement and uniformity  have been popularised courtesy the Hindu Right, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party in recent decades. The 1985 Shah Bano case was one of the two factors - the other being the Ram Janmabhoomi movement  that fuelled the BJP's rise. You have to be either politically naive or ideologically blind to believe that the BJP wishes to reform Muslim Personal Law because it cares for the Muslim community and is keen on gender justice.

For instance, in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of his party being on the side of Muslim women in their battle against triple talaq. Yet he and his party did not hesitate to communally polarise voters, invoking as they did the shamshan ghat-qabristan binaries. Over the last three years, the BJP has launched a belligerent campaign on issues such as cow-slaughter, love jihad, ghar wapsi and abattoirs.

Could a party so pronounced in its opposition to Muslims want to reform their personal laws for their sake? Certainly not. The BJP speaks of reforming Muslim Law Personal only because it knows community leaders will be provoked to take a belligerent stance. This then has the Hindus argue: "if our laws can be changed, why can't those of Muslims. They must be compelled to change." This gives the BJP the opportunity to reap a rich harvest of Hindu votes.

This dynamics was captured exquisitely by the government-appointed Rajinder Sachar Committee, which released a report on social, economic and education status of Muslims in 2005. It said, "To the exclusion of all other aspects of a Muslim woman's life (income, jobs, education, security and even caloric intake), the rules of marriage, right to divorce and maintenance have become the benchmarks of a gender-just existence."

The report said that there was an "obsessive focus" on select cases of gender injustice that Muslim women encounter. This leads to holding their religion as the "sole locus of gender injustice in the community." The report then went on to note, "The civil society and the State locate Muslim women's deprivation not in terms of the 'objective' reality of societal discrimination and faulty development policies, but in the religious-community space. This allows the State to shift the blame to the Community and to absolve itself of neglect."

So it goes still.

Indeed, the BJP's zeal for reforming Muslim Personal Law is precisely why many, particularly in the Left-liberal space, mute themselves on the issue. They feel their support for personal law reforms will eventually get hitched to the BJP's anti-minority politics.

There is also the issue of uniformity - of subjecting all citizens to similar laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc. This has periodically led to demands for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Even the Supreme Court, in some cases, have lamented on its absence. Yet nobody knows what the shape of the UCC will be. For instance, will all marriages be solemnized in court and not by priests?

Such a question isn't asked because, once again, it is assumed that since Hindu Personal Law has been reformed to a degree, only the religious minorities will have bear the cost of transiting to the UCC. But uniformity in the reformed Hindu Personal Law is not total, points out Alok Prasanna Kumar, a legal scholar, in a piece in the Economic and Political Weekly.

Kumar noted, "The claim that 'since Hindus are governed by a uniform law, why not everyone else' falls flat at the very first step-the law is not uniform for all Hindus in the first place. While, no doubt, the Hindu code makes several aspects of Hindu personal law uniform, it leaves custom and local practice undisturbed in several aspects."

It isn't necessarily true that the reformed Hindu law is modern. In an interview to this writer, legal luminary Professor Tahir Mahmood pointed out, "Hindu Law is itself not a modern law - it is full of gender- and religion-based discrimination. For instance, if a married Hindu woman were to become a Sikh or Buddhist or Jain, she continues to enjoy all her rights against her husband. But if she were to become Muslim or Christian, she instantly loses all her civil rights. It is a bias of Himalayan proportions."

Mahmood cited another instance of discrimination built into Hindu Law: "Under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, if a son becomes Muslim or Christian and he dies in the lifetime of his father, then whether the son's children can inherit from their grandfather depends on whether they were born before or after their father's conversion." (https://scroll.in/article/724902/ban-triple-talaq-and-abolish-muslim-personal-law-board-says-former-minorities-commission-chairman)

Whether or not uniformity in personal laws welds the nation together can be debated interminably. But seldom do supporters of UCC speak of uniting the nation by bringing about uniformity in economic and social status. Several surveys have shown that Muslims lag behind other communities on several indices. Their representation in government jobs is below their total population; their education attainment, though having risen sharply over the last 10 years, is only marginally ahead of that of the Scheduled Tribes.

Yet any talk of reservations for the community invites an immediate backlash. Though certain Muslim castes are indeed beneficiaries of affirmative action, their extremely low socio-economic indices have had sociologists favour reservations for the entire community. This is more so as there are moves afoot now to include dominant social groups - Patels, Marathas and Jats - in the list of Other Backward Classes.

This is precisely the point eminent sociologist Satish Deshpande, an expert on class and caste inequalities, made in an interview to this writer. He said, "Muslims undoubtedly qualify for reservation both on the grounds of backwardness and discrimination. It is a form of discrimination we find even hard to acknowledge. This is because as a Hindu majority society, which has become more and more strident about its Hindu-ness in recent years, it is seen as a form of discrimination even if you recognise discrimination [against Muslims]."

Professor Deshpande went on further to note, "The rate of self-employment is by far the highest among Muslims. That can be seen as a proxy for discrimination This cannot be the most preferred option of any community. They are opting for it because they do not have hope of getting anything else Though it (the phenomenon of deprivation) is called the Muslim Mind, these are in fact objective criteria that this community, in material sense, is hurting."

But this "hurt" the proponents of reforming personal laws or the UCC, led most vociferously by the BJP, will not talk. They will only speak of the "hurt" Muslim men inflict on women through Muslim Personal Law. Indeed, the BJP's motive for reforming Muslim Personal Law is to tell its supporters that it has done to Muslims what Nehru and the Congress did to Hindus in the 1950s; a case of policy of appeasement being replaced by that of revenge.
Hours after the Kaifiyat Express collided with a dumpster in Uttar Pradesh, injuring 74 people, another train hit a tractor in Villuppuram near Chennai on Wednesday afternoon, media reports said. However, no casualty has been reported so far. These incidents came just five days after a major derailment occured near Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh, killing 22 people.

In the immediate aftermath of these incidents, railway minister Suresh Prabhu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and said he "took responsibility" for the spate of accidents and offered to step down. Defence minister Arun Jaitley said that the prime minister will take a final call on it.

#BREAKING -- PM Modi will decide on Suresh Prabhu's offer to step down as Railway Min: Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/D44ukraepI  News18 (@CNNnews18) August 23, 2017

Prabhu had earlier said after the meeting that Modi didn't seek his resignation, and had asked him to "wait".

I met the Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi taking full moral responsibility. Honble PM has asked me to wait. (5/5)  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish (4/5)  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

New India envisioned by PM deserves a Rlys which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path, on which Rlys is progressing now (3/5)  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

Undr leadership of PM, tried 2 overcome decades of neglect thru systemic reforms in all areas leading 2 unprecedented investment& milestones  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

In less than three years as Minister, I have devoted my blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways (1/5)  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

On Wednesday morning, the Kaifiyat Express train, travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi, collided with a sand dumper around 2.50 am between Pata and Achalda stations, a spokesperson for the North Central Railway (NCR) told PTI.

Sources also said that work for a dedicated freight corridor was in progress at the site at the time of the accident. This was followed by Railway Board chairman AK Mittal's resignation after two accidents in five days.

At least seven trains were cancelled and 40 were diverted in Uttar Pradesh due to Wednesday's incident.

Following the Utkal Express derailment last week, several political parties had demanded Prabhu's resignation, saying the minister should be personally responsible for the poor railway safety standards in the country.

Congress said Prabhu should introspect and reflect on what has happened and that sending some officials on leave "mocks" the unfortunate deaths.

"The Congress demands that Suresh Prabhu, railway minister, should immediately resign from his position," party spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters.

With inputs from agencies
Editor's note: It's ironic that 70 years after India became an Independent country and a democracy, the invocation of aazadi evokes bitter conflicts. Whether it is on university campuses or in the midst of the conflict in the Kashmir Valley  both calling for aazadi and challenging that call as anti-national arouses mighty passions. By comparison, swaraj is hardly ever invoked in the public discourse. It almost seems like a historical artefact, a fragment of fading memories of the Freedom Struggle. This is the eighth part of a series titled Swaraj at 70 that seeks to take a closer look at this dichotomy.

Kalyani Menon-Sen has been a part of feminist struggles for human rights at the national and international level  from rural women's collectives in Mahila Samakhya, a programme of the Ministry of Human Resources in the Government of India, to the United Nations Development Programme.

An independent researcher, feminist and activist, the 63-year-old is currently a member of Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression, an unfunded platform that stands with women in exposing and challenging violence perpetrated and condoned by the state.

Apart from her relationships with women's movement groups, she is also associated with groups who are challenging and resisting neo-liberal economic policies.

Firstpost spoke to Kalyani, who has been closely involved in campaigns against eviction and dispossession of the working poor in Delhi. She is also one of the petitioners in the legal challenge to Aadhaar in the Supreme Court.

Edited excerpts follow:

At a visceral level, what feelings does Swaraj evoke for you today?

I am forced to answer this question from what I'm feeling right now. I've been running to and fro from NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) regarding the cases of sexual abuse by the armed forces in Chhattisgarh. Today, I'm here in Kerala with Mahila Samakhya, talking about their work with Adivasi communities. Mahila Samakhya has moved heaven and earth to enable Adivasi children (in Kerala) to go to school. And we were hearing today about how they are treated in school. Intelligent children, eager to learn, who have really struggled to get to that school  come back home in a month or two because they can't take the humiliation anymore. It's just inhuman the way that people of upper castes, people of privileged positions (behave). And in Kerala, compared to Adivasis almost everyone is in a privileged position  there is just utter despair and shame. How can we even talk about Swaraj?

Soni Sori (human rights activist and political leader in Bastar) was continually attacked last year because she wanted to file a complaint against the Inspector-general police, specifically naming him in the case of a false encounter. Every day, they used to throw pamphlets into her house calling her a Maoist, calling her anti-national; letters saying 'watch out for your daughters, they're going to be raped'.

Recently, we got an order from the NHRC, on our complaint about the threatening letters thrown into Soni's house. The NHRC said they had investigated the matter and concluded that it was some kind of "childish act of mischief". It just shows how casually they can dismiss complaints from an Adivasi leader of Soni's stature. Would they do that if it was someone else? If someone threw a letter into my house threatening to harm my family, would that be dismissed so casually? Once you have been put into the anti-national box or the Maoist box basically then anything goes.

Are you saying that things are getting worse than they were before?

Definitely, things are getting worse. This whole hyping up of the 'national' versus 'anti-national' discourse and the blatant impunity to people who break the law under the rationale of 'we are nationalists who are protecting the nation against the evil anti-nationals'... this kind of arrogance and impunity has never been seen before.

For the Chhattisgarh Police to say that their Mission 2016 was to get Naxals out of Bastar and Mission 2017 is to get human rights advocates out of Bastar  to be able to say that, and for the person who made this statement to continue to be there as a serving officer

Who said this?

The I-G Bastar, SRP Kalluri said this. He has been transferred out of Bastar as a result of numerous complaints but there is no action against him. The message is loud and clear: If you dare to ask questions or dare to express contrary views then (actions against you) are fine, they (police) are doing the work of the country.

But there are two levels at which this is happening. There is malice at the level of society itself and then there is the prolonged, decades-old problem of not being able to get the governance machinery to go by the law.

These things have happened under successive governments but they have become much more pervasive and blatant now. Earlier, there was agreement  even from within the government  that if any state actor does not follow the law it is an offence. But there are now very open signals to the contrary. We have serving IAS officers in Chhattisgarh and Bastar writing blog posts, writing on public websites saying that tough methods have to be used against Maoists and others even if they violate human rights, otherwise you can't have development.

It could have been said that violence begets violence but how do we explain the expulsion of Himanshu, the Gandhian activist, from Dantewada?

Himanshu is a Gandhian and has vocally condemned violence. So then the message really is 'you are creating an obstruction to our grand game plan of what is to happen in (these areas)'. And words like democracy and transparency and Swaraj have just been brushed aside, they are not even part of the discourse.

But in the contemporary context, it has often been said that the liberal discourse has been handicapped by not categorically condemning Naxal violence. Is that a part of the problem?

The liberal discourse is pushed into the corner, back to the wall, and attacked from all sides, so it is a struggle to express oneself in a way that conveys the complexity of the situation and at the same time rejects violence. More often than not the liberal groups are attacked as not condemning violence outright, as loudly as many might want them to, and that is interpreted as supporting one kind of violence and not the other.

But the fact is that violence by the state is always many times more powerful and lethal than any group of citizens, armed or unarmed. That is the central point  that this is the might of the state being deployed against citizens and nothing else can be compared to that. And this is not just a condemnation of the violence, it's a condemnation of the state's abdication of its responsibility to protect the life and liberty of its citizens. It's the state's own rejection of the Constitution that's condemnable.

Is there still room to make a creative intervention in the public discourse to frame the issue from the stand point of Swaraj?

At the 'Not in my Name' protest at Jantar Mantar on 28 June, I got a strong feeling that somewhere at some very visceral level, people who are not part of our 'protestors' biradari', who dont spend a lot of time discussing rights and democracy, have realised that we have hit rock bottom.

There's a horrified sense of how far we've fallen and that if we don't do something now, it's curtains for all of us. I got the sense that a whole lot of people are claiming their agency  maybe I'm making too much of it because of the atmosphere that day, but it was very powerful feeling of people collectively saying, "We have to do something".

We have been bemoaning the reluctance of people to come out onto the streets the way we used to. Somehow, that fear seemed to be broken and that was a very powerful moment of validation  that Swaraj is literally hamara-raj (our-rule) and we will do something about it  I felt it that day.

To a large extent, these movements have been preoccupied with the sufferings of the people at the bottom of the social and economic pyramid but, as a consequence of that, they have failed to raise a middle-class base. What are some of the creative spaces in which we could build this broader base?

There is an unexpected entry point that's just opened up. I am one of the petitioners in the clutch of Aadhaar cases before the Supreme Court. The state keeps saying that '95 percent people are enrolled', that the petitioners are 'people without any basis for opposing it'. But you will be surprised to hear how many people have contacted me saying, "I supported Aadhaar initially because I felt it was for welfare but would now like to give you my arguments against Aadhaar, I hope these points can be made before the court".

This is the other totally unexpected movement. These are young, educated professionals who were otherwise not engaged with an issue like privacy. That they are so willing to engage with privacy as an issue of civil liberties is utterly unexpected. Suddenly, a lot of people have realised that if we don't take a stand now, we are sunk beyond saving  that if Aadhaar goes through that's it for the Constitution.

(They ask me) "Are you people thinking of a civil disobedience movement, we'll come out on the streets". And these are not the NGOs  I don't think that sector is on the cusp of change anymore. I am not saying this in a pejorative way but that space is gone.

You are saying that the NGO is no longer a vehicle for transformation?

That hope is over. Similarly, the era of powerfully committed charismatic people leading civil liberties movements and being the icons who are doing stuff while rest are following, thats over too  though it's not yet as definite a full stop as with the NGOs. What is bringing people together are the leaderless spontaneously organised resistances. Our old ways of going out and trying to get people to listen to what we are saying are not working anymore because in trying to get people to listen to what we are saying, we were not listening much to what they were saying.

This is a completely personal kind of reflection. I have been feeling very keenly that in our own movements everything we say about democracy, about respect for the other, respect for differences... our practice of these values has been patchy.

What are you referring to here?

For instance, democratic dialogue, to listen to what the other person is saying and listen to them regardless of what ideological position they are taking. This is at the core of what we are saying about democracy. But we are not always able to practise it. We have also polarised ourselves and painted ourselves into our own ideological corners. We need to be doing something like wiping our mental slate clean and opening our minds to the fact that there may be very a powerful impetus for positive change coming from people whom we consider not politicised enough or politicised in the wrong way.

We need to listen and to have respectful conversations with people who we might not normally even talk to. For instance, there might be local BJP voters, they may be practising Hindus who might shrink at the thought of their son or daughter marrying a Muslim but they may well also respect the Constitution and human rights, as you and I do.

In this introspection that you are referring to, is there a need to reflect on whether there has been an emphasis on responsibilities? Aren't rights and responsibilities two sides of the same coin?

I will answer this from a feminist perspective. Our struggles for women's rights have been woven by women taking responsibility  be it for articulating rights, be it for framing them into laws and monitoring whether those laws are working. I think the women's movement has borne this responsibility and yet this has never been acknowledged. Even now, the men's groups argument is that these women just want rights, they don't want to take any responsibilities.

It's exactly the same for human rights groups and civil liberties groups  they have taken responsibility for articulating rights issues and following them up and raising them again and again. So, when people say responsibility, in the sense in which the Constitution uses the term, who has been more responsible than women's movements?

What we are seeing is a shameless chucking into the dustbin of the very idea of the responsibility of the State towards its citizens. In my view, state actors have lost the moral right to talk about responsibility. They are not even taking responsibility for just the basic Constitutional rights, let alone rights that were hard won.

Despite all this, what gives you hope? How do you keep yourself going?

Every time I see women (who are struggling)... when I look at women like Soni, the village women in Chhattisgarh who are still fighting against their rapists, that's what gives me hope and inspiration. Women who refuse to give up even though they may not have one-thousandth of the resources that somebody like me has, who don't have the luxury of backing away from the fight and saying okay, now I'll take a sabbatical. With that kind of energy all around, how can one not soak it in and be inspired?

Swaraj at 70: The concept of aazadi is no longer enough

Part 1: Past 25 years are a matter of pride, but there's a long way to go, says Baijayant 'Jay' Panda

Part 2: Not being able to disagree without causing upheaval is dangerous, says Sushobha Barve

Part 3: Alternative brand of politics has disappeared from India, says Piyush Mishra

Part 4: Youth can play a significant role in solving farm crisis, says Kavitha Kuruganti

Part 5: For true freedom, we need to end oppression of handouts and subsidies, says Arun Maira

Part 6: People's aspirations are no longer limited by age and class, says Ashni Biyani

Part 7: India needs a more inclusive model of development, says Vijay Mahajan

Part 9: Technology has the potential to redefine social fabric of India, says Siddharth Sthalekar

Part 10: Food sovereignty should be ultimate goal of democracy, says Jean Dreze
Ahmedabad: Swine flu has claimed 297 lives in Gujarat since January this year, the government said on Wednesday even as it informed the high court it is treating the infection as "seasonal influenza" which is no longer pandemic but no efforts are being spared to check its spread. In an affidavit filed before a bench of Justices MR Shah and BN Karia, the government said the mortality rate due to H1N1 virus has fallen to 10 per cent this year against 16.8 per cent in 2009.

A government bulletin issued on Wednesday, meanwhile, said the death toll due to swine flu infection since January this year has reached 297. "At present, influenza H1N1 is being treated as a seasonal influenza, meaning...H1N1 virus has ceased to be a pandemic. The mortality rate has also been substantially reduced to 10 per cent from 16.8 per cent in 2009," the government told the HC. As many as 1,075 beds and 200 ventilators have been provided in isolation wards across hospitals in the state where swine flu patients are being treated, the affidavit said.

More than 2,000 health-care workers and doctors are treating the patients, while 17,000 health workers are carrying out house-to-house rapid surveillance, covering three crore people in the first phase and two crore in the second, it said.

Top officials are monitoring the situation through video conference and visits to hospitals, with chief minister himself visiting hospitals in four cities, it said. The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Mensavi Thapar, which alleged that the state does not have adequate infrastructure to deal with the situation. While the first swine flu case was detected in the state in 2009, the government has set up laboratories for its diagnosis only in nine cities, when a laboratory should be set up in every district, the PIL said.

Out of 1,228 community health centres, 1,120 have no doctors, while the post of health officer of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is lying vacant for two years, it claimed.
On Sunday, the Congress accused railway minister Suresh Prabhu of "failing to perform his primary responsibility to secure passenger safety" and stated that he must accept responsibility for the Uttar Pradesh train accident which left 22 dead and 156 injured.

The Congress also claimed that 27 major accidents had taken place since Narendra Modi took office in May 2014 and six major accidents had occurred in Uttar Pradesh alone in the past year-and-a-half.

According to a report in PTI, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that Prabhu and railway authorities appear to be setting new records of laxity and unpreparedness with regard to the safety and security of passengers and called safety record of the Modi government "dismal".

But do the facts bear out the Congress' assertions? How does Prabhu's tenure compare with his predecessors?

Suresh's tenure as railway minister

According to a report in India Today, since Prabhu took over as railway minister in November 2014, there have been 347 accidents. That works out to be nearly 116 accidents per year (up to 23 August, 2017).

But data from the railway ministry seems to suggest that things have got much better for passengers over the past three years. There were 135 accidents in 2014-2015, 107 in 2015-2016 and 104 in 2016-17.

The ministry claims that accidents have been on the decline since safety measures, including updated technology, were put in place in 2014, but despite that, the railways, under Prabhu, has been in the news repeatedly for major accidents.

In March, 52 people were injured after six bogies of the Jabalpur-Nizamuddin Mahakaushal Express derailed in Mahoba district of Banda, Uttar Pradesh. In January, a train derailed at Kuneru station in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, killing over 27 people and injuring over 100 others.

In November 2016, the Patna-Indore Express derailed near Pukhrayan station, about 60 km from Kanpur, killing 146 people and injuring 179. According to a report in Hindustan Times, 38 people died and more than 150 injured when the Dehradun-Varanasi Janata Express derailed near Bachhrawan in Uttar Pradesh.

The allocation for track renewal also almost doubled in the past five years: From an average of Rs 5,548.6 crore to Rs 9,961 crore in the Budget Estimate of 2017-18, according to a railway ministry official.

How did Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee do as compared to Suresh?

At the turn of the 21st century, the Indian Railways was in much worse shape.

Presenting the 2004-2005 Railway Budget, then railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, looking back at the period between 2000 and 2004, stated that due to various safety measures and sustained efforts, the number of consequential train accidents reduced from 473 in 2000, to 325 in 2004. Lalu had said that this was the lowest number of accidents ever, according to the report.

Nitish Kumar was railway minister from 2001 to 2004. During his tenure, around 1,090 accidents occurred, an average of 363 accidents per year. That's more than three times the average number of accidents per year under Prabhu's tenure.

Incidentally, Nitish had resigned from his stint as railway minister after taking moral responsibility for the 1999 Gaisal train disaster in Assam which killed at least 290 people, according to India Today.

Mamata Banerjee's term also saw its fair share of controversies. According to another report in India Today, Mamata had a spotty record as railway minister.

During her second stint, out of 100 train accidents that occurred between April 2009 and March 2010, 66 were caused due to the failure of railway staff, 14 due to other failures and almost 11 were incidents of sabotage. Mamata was also often accused of being absent from Delhi and focusing on West Bengal, according to the report.

Like Nitish, Mamata had offered to resign from her post during her first stint, after two train disasters in 2000. However, then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee rejected her resignation.

Prabhu repeats his predecessors' mistakes

While the Congress' accusations don't seem to hold water, Prabhu is far from blameless.

Like his predecessors, he failed to implement the recommendations of the Anil Kakodkar committee on railway safety  constituted in 2012 by railway minister Dinesh Trivedi and chaired by former Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar  which was accepted by the railway ministry five years ago, according to the India Today report.

The recommendations, which included filling up vacant railway staff posts and creating a special fund of Rs 1 lakh crore, were to be implemented over a five-year period, according to the report.

With inputs from agencies
Even after the Supreme Court verdict struck down instant triple talaq by 3:2 majority, the male-chauvinistic theological underpinnings of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the ilk seem to rule the roost. A careful look at the responses of the self-imposed custodians of Shariah in India on the Supreme Court judgment clearly reveals it.

Wednesdays edition of the leading Urdu daily, Inquilab carried a front-page report saying Muslim outfits saw the Supreme Court instant divorce judgment as yet another setback. It reported, at length, how the AIMPLB, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH), Darul Uloom Deoband (DUD), Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) and other leading Muslim outfits are gearing up to challenge the Supreme Courts decision that held instant triple talaq as "unconstitutional" and "un-Islamic".

Though the AIMPLB has interpreted the Supreme Court judgment as "vindication of its stand on the protection of Muslim personal laws", it strongly disagreed with the courts decision to render instant triple talaq as unconstitutional. In a detailed statement published in various Urdu newspapers on Wednesday, the AIMPLB said that the Supreme Court's judgment would have "wide ramifications" as it affects the religious rights of minority groups. The Muslim law board also said that it will deliberate on the Supreme Court verdict at its working committee meeting in Bhopal on 10 September.

In a similar tenor, the statement of JIH, as produced on its official website, reeks of ambivalence on this issue. Responding to the Supreme Court judgment, JIH secretary general Muhammad Salim Engineer said: We stand with the AIMPLB on this issue. The JIH along with the AIMPLB is going to meet on 10 September in Bhopal. They will be studying the judgment and will be able to comment on it only thereafter.

JUH, a Deoband-oriented major Muslim outfit in India presently led by Maulana Arshad Madani, has gone one step further. It categorically condemned the Supreme Courts judgment on instant triple talaq judgment terming it anti-Shariah.

However, Madani averred that the Supreme Court verdict will not affect the daily life of the practicing Muslim men and women in India. A true Muslim will abide by the Shariah, not by the court. Now it's left to the desecration of Muslims whether they comprehend and practice the rules of Shariah or turn to the court," he said, as reported in Inquilab.

Tellingly, JUH has begun its preparations to campaigns against the next issue confronting the Indian Muslims  Uniform Civil Code. It has written and disseminated a booklet in Urdu: Uniform Civil Code ke khilaf Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind ki jidd-o-jihad (the struggle of JUH against the UCC). The front-page of the booklet reads: "JUH has clearly stated to the Supreme Court that the religious constitution of the Muslims  the Quran and Hadees  will remain unchanged and unaltered until the doomsday (Qayamat). The rules of Shariah cannot be rewritten on the pretext of the so-called social reforms".

One thing that is patently clear from the Muslim clergys confrontational responses and arguments regarding the Supreme Court judgment on triple talaq is that they will not be able to compromise on their theological position on triple talaq, let alone the entire personal laws. Therefore, one should keep in mind that the Supreme Court verdict will not make any meaningful change in the daily life of most Indian Muslims who still look up to the ulema as their eternal mentors.

Talking to this writer, many progressive Muslim scholars like the Muslim law expert professor Tahir Mahmood and A Rahman, an expert on Muslim law and a former Supreme Court lawyer, categorically disapproved of instant triple talaq, terming it as both "un-Quranic" and "unconstitutional". But the inexplicable problem with the common Indian Muslims, they regret, is that they stick to the clergymen (maulvis) in daily life. Taking advantage of this unrestrained and blind adherence, Muslim clergymen will continue to misinform the communitys vast majority including the women.

Only hours after the apex court struck down instant triple talaq as "unconstitutional" and "un-Quranic", the women's wing of AIMPLB termed the Supreme Court verdict as "contradictory", "confusing" and "fractured". The women's wing of AIMPLB, as widely reported in the Urdu press, stated: "While we respect the judgment, we do not appreciate interference in the Muslim Personal Law as right to religious freedom is a Fundamental Right guaranteed under the Constitution....Article 25 is a fundamental right and it cannot be set aside on the ground of judicial morality",

In fact, Muslim womens arguments such as this reflect the line of thinking promulgated by the male-chauvinist clergy of the AIMPLB. The fundamental argument propounded by the AIMPLB is that international convention and practices of other countries are of no avail as the practice of triple talaq is protected by Article 25.

Interestingly, now the women wing of AIMPLB is also buttressing the point that instant triple talaq does not always go against women. "Many a time it is an exit mechanism to relieve women from unsuccessful and troublesome marriages," says Dr Asma Zehra, chief organiser of the women's wing of AIMPLB.

Ironically, Muslims lament that the clergy has created vile customs like triple talaq, nikah halala and nikah mut'ah (temporary marriage) in the Sunni and Shia communities. But at the same time, most of them are not willing to challenge the maulvis' monopoly over these crucial matters of daily social life. Most Muslims in India  both Sunnis and Shias  continue to look up to the maulvis as guardians and custodians of their religion.

Since the gullible Muslim masses adhere to the clerics' views on religious and social matters, the ulema and muftis (experts on Islamic jurisprudence) would do well to rigorously research, rethink and critically review the entire issue. They must take cues from the well-reformed Muslim divorce laws of Islamic nations. This will help them prepare and re-interpret a well-thought-out Muslim divorce law which could be in synergy with both the Quran and the Constitution. Keeping this broader objective in view, AIMPLB should plan genuine research to delve deeper into the subject matter, rather than organise large conferences and campaigns with hollow titles such as Tahafuzz-e-Shariat (protection of the Shariah).

In this context, very few ulema have taken time to introspect on the judgment. All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB), an apex body of Sufi-Sunni Muslims, has resolved to take an initiative. Talking to Firstpost, Syed Mohammad Ashraf Kichchawchchvi, founder-president, AIUMB, has said, "While we hold the Supreme Courts judgment in high esteem, we cannot succumb to any self-imposed body of Indian Muslims."

Kichchawchchvi maintained that AIUMB stands by Indian Muslims personal laws, not the AIMPLB. However, he added, We would not support any infringement on the basic provisions of the religious freedom accorded to Muslims in the Indian Constitution. For a well-intentioned and spirited reformation in the Indian Muslim society, the government will first have to win the communitys trust with due regard to its faith and religious practices."
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday said even though the instantaneous divorce has gone, two other types of 'talaq' continue to exist and these are challenges to gender justice and gender equality.

"Greater clarity today. Only instant triple talaq is illegal. Other two kinds are also a challenge to gender justice and gender equality," he said in a tweet.

Greater clarity today. Only instant triple talaq is illegal. Other two kinds are also a challenge to gender justice and gender equality.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 23, 2017

The former Union home minister said 'triple talaq' was a distortion of original Quranic legal principles and it was good that it has been declared unconstitutional by the apex court. "Majority judgment is a resounding affirmation of gender justice and of equality of spouses," he said in another tweet.

Majority judgement is a resounding affirmation of gender justice and of equality of spouses.  P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 22, 2017

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down the 'talaq-e-biddat' (triple talaq or instantaneous divorce) among Muslims.

However, the court did not touch on the two other method of divorce - 'talaq ahsan' (single pronouncement followed by abstinence) and 'talaq hasan' (three pronouncements; 1 each in 3 successive months).
Kolkata: People have started returning to their homes in the six water-ravaged districts of north Bengal, as the flood situation further improved on Tuesday in absence of major rainfall in the region.

There was no report of any fresh death in the flood-hit districts of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Coochbehar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda, an official said.

Floods in West Bengal have claimed 152 lives so far and affected around 1.5 crore people, even as the state has suffered a loss of around Rs 14,000 crore due to the deluge, according to the state government.

"Water has started receding from the flood-hit areas in these districts and people are returning home. Situation is improving everyday," an official said at the state secretariat on Tuesday.

The affected districts were being constantly monitored and medical officers being sent to each household to provide necessary medication to children to guard them against bacterial infections in the aftermath of the floods, he added.

Train services remained suspended in the region as rail tracks continued to be inundated.
Kolkata: The BJP Kisan Morcha national president Virendra Singh Mast on Wednesday accused the West Bengal government of not being serious in tackling the problems of farmers affected by the recent floods.

"The state government should properly inform the central government about the loss that the farmers and the agricultural sector have suffered due to the floods. The Bihar government had informed the central government and the prime minister about the situation in that state due to the flood. The Bengal government is not informing the central government about the ground situation," Mast told reporters.

He said that he on behalf of Kisan Morcha will inform the central government about the crisis that the farmers and the agricultural sector of Bengal are facing due to the floods.

"The state government is not properly implementing the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Had it been properly implemented, then the farmers would not have faced such a situation," Mast said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had said on Monday that floods in West Bengal have claimed 152 lives so far and affected around 1.5 crore people.

The state has suffered a loss of around Rs 14,000 crore due to the floods, she had said.
The six-month old Edappadi K Palaniswamy (EPS) government, which joined hands with O Panneerselvam faction, continues to face uncertainty in Tamil Nadu a day after 19 AIADMK MLAs expressed anguish over the merger and removal of VK Sasikala from the party.

Congress on Wednesday came out in support of Opposition DMK in requesting Governor C Vidyasagar Rao to direct Palaniswamy to prove his majority. This comes after DMK working president MK Stalin wrote a similar letter to the governor, ANI reported.

On Wednesday, AIADMK supporters burnt effigies of former deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran outside the resort where 19 rebel MLAs have been lodged since Tuesday.

#AIADMK supporters hold protest near Windflower resort in Puducherry where MLAs supporting TTV Dhinakaran are lodged pic.twitter.com/Ottxe4YJIM  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

The role of the Tamil Nadu governor has now achieved prominence since the 19 legislators loyal to Dhinakaran met Rao on Tuesday to withdraw their support from the chief minister. The MLAs reportedly told Rao that Palaniswamy had "forfeited" their confidence and that of the public, and urged him to "intervene and institute the constitutional process."

The rebel MLAs asserted that they were opposing Palaniswamy's action of making the 'betrayer' Panneerselvam deputy chief minister.

"You will have to wait and see how we are going to change the chief minister," Andipatti MLA Thanga Tamil Selvan was quoted as saying by The Hindu. However, he claimed that the rebel MLAs were not opposed to peace talks.

Meanwhile, Dhinakaran used his powers to remove several district functionaries and revenue minister RB Udayakumar from their party posts and appointed his supporters, according to a Deccan Chronicle report.

He expelled R Vaithilingam from the primary membership of the party on Tuesday after the Rajya Sabha MP announced steps to oust Sasikala from the post of general secretary.

Following the disciplinary action against Vaithilingam, clashes were reported in his hometown Thanjavur, reported The Times of India.

Vaithilingam remained unaffected, saying that Dhinakaran's decision would be "invalid" since his appointment itself had been challenged before the election commission. Dhinakaran is expected to address the media on Wednesday.

To media friends...as I have sore throat and fever, doctor has advised me rest. Will meet you all on Aug 23rd.  TTV Dhinakaran (@TTVDhinakaran) August 21, 2017

In the 234-member Assembly, the AIADMK has 134 MLAs, excluding the Speaker. Late chief minister Jayalalithaa's RK Nagar constituency seat is still vacant. According to the rules of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, 24 MLAs, which constitutes about 10 percent of the total strength of the House, are needed to move a no-confidence motion. This means the 19 MLAs are not enough to successfully demand a trust vote.

Demand for floor test

In a letter to Rao, Stalin said that "an unprecedented constitutional crisis" erupted after identical letters were given by 22 MLAs to the governor expressing lack of confidence in the chief minister. Citing a similar occasion when the governor of Karnataka had directed the then chief minister BS Yeddyurappa to prove his majority in the House, he demanded an early floor test.

On Tuesday evening, the rebel MLAs were taken to a luxurious resort in the neighbouring Puducherry, similar to how over a hundred MLAs were herded in a Koovathur resort in February following the rebellion by then chief minister Panneerselvam. However, Selvan claimed that the MLAs were there "to take rest."

Sasikala's brother V Divakaran pitched Assembly speaker P Dhanapal's name for the chief minister's post, a move seen as an attempt to drive a wedge between senior leaders of the ruling establishment. He told reporters at Mannargudi that the Palaniswamy government has been reduced to a "minority" and lost the moral right to be in office.

Even though the merger of both the factions brought joy to the party workers, it disappointed the local leaders of OPS camp, with Semmalai not excluded from the Cabinet, reported The Hindu.

The former minister was the only ruling party MLA who supported OPS in Salem district. With the backing of 14 former MLAs, OPS had received major support from the district.

Given these developments, it is clear that the political stability the AIADMK intended to bring in the Tamil Nadu government was an illusion and the merger is yet to become an accepted reality.
Girls Inc. of Chattanooga has been awarded a $12,000 Force of Nature grant in support of its Girls Outdoors program. It is one of 26 nonprofits awarded from among the more than 500 applicants nationwide.

Five hundred thousand dollars in total awards were announced by REI Wednesday as part of its commitment to create access to the outdoors for all across the country and creating opportunities to connect women and girls to nature.

Girls Inc. will use the funding to operate their Girls Outdoors programming for middle school girls as part of their Diversity Project. Girls Outdoors will "empower Girls Inc. middle school students to live a healthy lifestyle in their outdoor community, serve as outdoor ambassadors to other underrepresented populations in the community and to break out of outdated stereotypes and social norms placed upon women and girls." Girls will receive the information, skills, motivation and support to be in charge of their health by inspiring and equipping them to embrace life, outside, said officials.

For more information about the Force of Nature grants and REI, please click here.
New Delhi: BJP chief Amit Shah on Tuesday cited the Modi government's announcements on benefits for backward classes as evidence of his party's commitment to the holistic development of marginalised sections.

The government's move to have sub-categories within Other Backward Classes (OBC) will give "priority" to the extremely backward groups among the OBCs in reservation and other government schemes, he said in a statement.

The rise in the creamy layer annual income ceiling  from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh  will provide reservation and other benefits to a large section of society, he said, terming it a "positive" move towards making these measures "just".

Shah said a number of BJP governments in different states had made provision for sub-categorisation and their results had been "very beneficial". As many as 11 states had implemented it, he added.

"The provision of sub-categories will give priority to those castes among backward castes that need reservation and other benefits more due to their economic backwardness," he said.

The committee, which was formed by the government on Wednesday to examine the possibility of a sub-quota for the most marginalised communities within the OBCs, will give in 12 weeks its recommendations based on which sub-categories will be created, he said.

"The decision of the Modi government shows the BJP's and its government's sensitivity and commitment to the holistic development of backwards and different social classes," he said.

In the statement, the BJP president also referred to a government bill, which seeks to accord constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes and which was stalled by the Congress in the Rajya Sabha.

It was a historic step, he said, expressing confidence that the government would get it passed in Parliament soon.
Patna: The BJP on Wednesday appealed to the RJD to postpone its 27 August rally in Patna in view of the grim flood situation in the state, a request Lalu Prasad rejected wondering how will it help the affected population.

BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said holding a political rally at a time when 18 districts of the state are facing flood fury and more than 1.5 crore people are affected shows "insensitivity" of the RJD.

"I appeal to Lalu to postpone the rally on account of the massive Bihar flood," he told reporters. The floods in the state have left more than 250 dead and affected millions of people," Sushil said.

Dismissing the appeal, Lalu said, "Sushil don't teach me... will the postponement of the rally lead to the end of floods in Bihar?"

Sushil alleged that in place of extending a helping hand to the flood-hit population, Lalu and his party are "busy mobilising people" for the rally.

He also appealed to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi not to address the rally. "Will it be right on your part not to visit flood-hit areas of the state but speak at the RJD rally at Gandhi Maidan?" he asked.

Sushil also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit flood-hit areas of the state on 26 August. "Lalu Prasad has claimed that not less than 25 lakh people would gather at the RJD rally. With a majority of the districts being flood-hit, his claim would fall flat. Hence, it would be good that he shifts the rally for a future date as a face-saver," he said.

"Besides, it would also help his two sons  Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav  to have a first-hand experience of the flood by visiting those areas as they have been brought up in Delhi and must not have any personal experience," he added. Meanwhile, Lalu, flanked by Tejashwi and senior party leader Jagdanand Singh, alleged, "the prime minister's visit on 26 August is aimed at foiling the RJD rally the next day".

"Why did the prime minister not pay a visit to Bihar during floods last year when there was a Grand Alliance government?... Modi's visit is nothing but a 'hawakhori' (pleasure trip)," Prasad said.

The RJD chief also sought to create a wedge between JD(U) and BJP coalition government in the state by saying that "Sushil has claimed that the prime minister is coming to Bihar for the flood on his request... Sushil is trying to eclipse Chief Minister Nitish Kumar."
Upset over the merger of the two factions of AIADMK, 19 legislators loyal to TTV Dhinakaran told Governor C Vidyasagar Rao that they have lost confidence in Chief Minister EK Palaniswamy. As the legislators proceeded to a resort in Puducherry, reports emerged that Dhinakaran has sacked several district functionaries considered close to Palaniswamy from their party positions and instead appointed his own supporters.

On Wednesday, he removed transport minister MR Vijayabhaskar from the post of party secretary and earlier in the day, he removed revenue minister RB Udayakumar, who was the secretary of Puratchi Thalaivi Amma Peravai.

TTV Dinakaran removes Transport minister MR Vijayabhaskar from Karur party Secretary post #AIADMK  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

In a statement, Dhinakaran said that Manamadurai MLA S Mariappan Kennedy has been appointed as secretary of the Amma Peravai. According to a report in The Times of India, Kennedy is one of the 19 legislators who withdrew support from the chief minister.

"I request the cadres to extend support to Kennedy. This announcement is made with the approval of party general secretary VK Sasikala," Dhinakaran said in the statement.

VV Rajan Chennappa has also been removed as party Madurai urban secretary by Dhinakaran.

On Tuesday, Dhinakaran had removed R Vaithilingam from the primary membership of the party. The move came after Vaithilingam said steps should be taken for the removal of Sasikala from the AIADMK. "I request party workers to not to have any talks with him," Dinakaran said in a statement.

According to an India Today report, he said that this announcement has also been made with the "approval" of Sasikala. Following the disciplinary action against Vaithilingam, clashes were reported in his hometown Thanjavur but he said that Dhinakaran's decision would be invalid because his own appointment has been challenged before the Election Commission.

Vaithilingam's post is now occupied by M Sekar. His utterances are being seen as high treason because after he lost the Assembly election last May, Sasikala reportedly played a critical part in pushing his case with J Jayalalithaa to send him to Parliament, as Firstpost pointed out. However, as TS Sudhir points out in the piece, removing leaders from party positions is only an act of false bravado by Dhinakaran, given that his rivals have already declared his appointment as null.

Dhinakaran has also appointed his relative and Thanjavur north district secretary M Rengasamy as one of the organising secretaries of the party. The AIADMK rebels have proposed the name of KA Sengottaiyan as chief minister.

With inputs from agencies
The second major train accident in four days has clearly shaken Narendra Modi's faith in the current leadership structure  both official and ministerial  in the Indian Railway. So hours after the Kaifiyat Express collided with a dumpster in Uttar Pradesh, Railway Board chairman AK Mittal resigned, while railway minister Suresh Prabhu said he "accepted responsibility" for the mishaps. In less than four hours, Ashwini Lohani, who had been serving as Air India CMD, was asked to take over the chairmanship of the Railway Board, another clear indication that Modi is in no mood to allow soft peddling in the railways and wants a focussed, hands-on approach to deal with the age-old problems there. In the coming days and weeks, expect to see further sweeping changes.

Lohani's appointment as chairman of Railway Board came about even as speculation regarding Mittal's future was doing the rounds. Moreover, it appears that Mittal may not have resigned of his own violition, rather asked to step down, a full year ahead of tenure. Mittal, an officer of the Indian Railways Service of Stores (IRSS), was scheduled to demit his post in July 2018.

So, given the circumstances, Suresh Prabhu's offer of resigning as railway minister is open to subjective interpretation. A senior railway official told Firstpost that though Prabhu was an honest and sincere minister, he was in no way a hands-on person. He was averse to travelling by train to conduct inspections, while also lacking an eye for detail. "How could the ministry deliver the prime minister's expectations, if the two persons at the top, the minister and the Railway Board chairman, were both lacking this attitude? That is precisely what has happened," the officer said.

Following his meeting with Modi, Prabhu took to Twitter and send out a series of posts, none of which came as any surprise to anybody in the corridors of power.

I met the Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi taking full moral responsibility. Honble PM has asked me to wait. (5/5)  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish (4/5)  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

New India envisioned by PM deserves a Rlys which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path, on which Rlys is progressing now (3/5)  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

Undr leadership of PM, tried 2 overcome decades of neglect thru systemic reforms in all areas leading 2 unprecedented investment& milestones  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

In less than three years as Minister, I have devoted my blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways (1/5)  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

Speculations regarding Prabhu's future in the ministry had been doing the rounds for quite some time. Though a very social media savvy minister and one who came across as a person who would provide workable solutions, including arranging baby products and healthcare on trains, his performance on far too many fronts was found wanting.

Especially in the last week or so, ever since a Cabinet reshuffle became imminent, Prabhu's position in the government started looking untenable. And when another railway accident occurred on Wednesday morning, it was a near certainty.

Railways has always been Prime Minister Modi's pet ministry. In the run-up to the 2014 parliamentary elections, Modi had suggested improvements in rail facilities, and used this as a major poll plank. In the three years since becoming prime minister, he was anguished to see things move at such a sluggish pace.

The railway ministry's actual profits and achievements dropping over three years is a matter of larger debate, but the one thing that concerns everybody is punctuality and safety. And on both these fronts, things have regressed. The Indian Railway, Asia's largest rail network and boasts of over 115,000-km of tracks. Across the country, it runs 12,617 trains to ferry over 2.3 million passengers every day. And there can be no bigger public relations disaster for the Modi government than people fearing for their lives while taking the train.

Prabhu's exit from the ministry would also be the story of Modi's misplaced faith and confidence in a person he thought would script the biggest ever modernisation and turnaround history in passenger and freight transport.

In November 2014, in his first Cabinet reshuffle, Modi had made a surprise announcement while naming his defence and railway ministers. While Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar was called to New Delhi to head the defence ministry, Suresh Prabhu was called in from outside the party to head the railway ministry. Prabhu was from long-time ally Shiv Sena, and his performance in the erstwhile Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was noteworthy. He was considered an honest, sincere, low-ley leader. Compared to his predecessor, the lacklustre Sadananda Gowda, Prabhu was thought to be a welcome change.

A ministry official considered close to Prabhu said the minister had been "deeply disturbed". "Ever since he learnt of the Kaifiyat Express accident, he has been disturbed. After the Cabinet meeting, he met the prime minister and told him about his feelings and his decision," the officer said.

Also, consider this aspect to the story. On Tuesday evening, the Press Information Bureau and the Ministry of Railways issued statements titled 'Is Railways getting unsafe for the citizens? Myth versus reality'.

In this, it said, "Myth No. 1: Number of railways' accidents and fatalities have increased under Suresh Prabhu; reality: Consequential train accidents have continuously declined from 135 in 2014-15 to 107 in 2015-16 and to 104 in 2016-17. To state a comparison, the average annual accidents during UPA I were 207 per year, during UPA II were 135 per year and during the current government are 115 per year. Although every human life is invaluable and is irreparable, the number of casualties have seen a declining trend. Total fatalities in first three years of UPA I were 759, they increased to 938 during UPA II, while the first three years of this government has seen the number decline to 652."

One is not sure how Prabhu would feel about these statistics now.
Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday targeted the BJP over the death of cows in government-aided shelters in party-ruled states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and alleged that state funds were being embezzled in the name of cow protection.

"They have made 'gau mata' a political, communal and casteist issue like Ram temple but why this cruelty and laxity in the name of 'gau sewa' (service)," she alleged.

"The situation is so bad under the BJP that there is no value of human life... now cows are also dying in government-aided 'gaushalas' (cow shelters) in BJP-ruled states because of rampant corruption," the former chief minister alleged in a statement here.

She asked why the RSS is not seeking an answer from the state government on cow deaths.

The BSP president demanded a review of schemes related to cow protection and curbing corruption so that cow shelters "do not become slaughter houses" and the religious beliefs of the people are not hurt. It would not amount to saffron appeasement, she said.

Referring to attacks by cow vigilantes, she alleged that atrocities were being committed on people after accusing them of killing cows "thereby creating an atmosphere of fear and terror in the country".

But in BJP ruled states like Haryana, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, she alleged, "gau mata is being subjected to cruelty in cow shelters by embezzling government funds".

Recently a local BJP leader in Durg, Chhattisgarh was arrested after 27 cows died in three days at his government-aided gaushala. He had claimed that they died in a wall collapse.
Rifts between the Shiv Sena and BJP have widened in Maharashtra, after the latter swept to victory in the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) on Monday. The Sena has hit out against its one-time ally and ideological partner, saying BJP won the MBMC polls only because of "money and monk", in a clear reference to Jain monk Naypadmasagari Maharaj who made a controversial speech last week urging voters to cast their votes in BJP's favour.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut slammed Maharaj for these comments, and said he is a "poison on the society". Raut also compared him with controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. Furthermore, the party has filed a petition with the state election commission in this regard, since Maharaj's speech was in violation of the Election Commission's code of conduct.

However, in doing so, the party seems to have forgotten that the same Jain preacher had once openly backed the Sena too.

As proven by a video that emerged on YouTube, party leaders happily shared the dais with Maharaj back in 2014, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Seen in the video is Anil Desai, Sena's Rajya Sabha MP, and Maharaj is openly heard exorting people at the gathering to vote for the Sena.

When reminded of this video's existence, Desai tried to play down the connections between the two incidents. "The two incidents are completely different. The 2014 incident took place in a small community hall and wasn't part of election campaigning. It also took place outside the code of conduct, so we couldn't be held guilty of violating any norms,"the Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra said.

In Monday's election, BJP won 61 seats in the 95-seat MBMC, while Shiv Sena came second with just 22 seats. The NCP, Raj Thackeray's MNS and Hitendra Thakur's Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi weren't able to win a single seat in Mira-Bhayandar.

Two days before polling took place, Maharaj, flanked by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, attended an event in the city. At the event, he gave a speech saying the BJP is the only party which will take care of the Jain community's interests and uphold values like vegetarianism. The Sena has said this was also in violation of the Supreme Court ruling that barred parties from canvassing for votes on the basis of religion.

Raut also denied claims that the Sena is against the Jain community, saying the party respects the religion and Jain leaders. On several previous occasions, he said, party president Uddhav Thackeray has met monks and community leaders, and visited Jain temples, without actually doing it to attract votes. "But, doing this for electoral gains is dangerous in a state like Maharashtra," Raut added.

Mira-Bhayandar has a significant proportion of Jains, numbering almost 40 percent. Maharaj's comments, wherein he said BJP will uphold vegetarianism in the twin-suburb, will polarise the region, Sena said. "It poses dangers to the law and order situation as well. People campaigning for vegetarianism in Mira Road-Bhayandar today will demand the country's jawans on the borders should also turn vegetarians tomorrow," Raut added.

The Sena's comments against Maharaj found support from an unlikely source: Congress. Sanjay Nirupam, Mumbai Regional Congress Committee president, said everybody now knows the BJP's victory mantra. "I appeal to all Jain monks to do their religious work in peace, without indulging in politics. It's not your cup of tea," Nirupam said.

However, BJP MP Kirit Somaiya dismissed these allegations and said the Sena is being left insecure because of the heavy defeat they suffered. "Shiv Sena has taken the defeat in MBMC to heart and is unable to digest it. People of the country as well as those from Maharashtra are firmly behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis," Somaiya said.
Patna: Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi in connection with an alleged scam, involving an NGO.

Tejashwi, who drew the attention of Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary to the adjournment notice given by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLAs on the "scam", frequently used the expression, "khajana chor" (treasury thief), to describe the chief minister and the deputy chief minister.

At one point, when the speaker told him to raise the issue at an appropriate time when the notice would be taken up and the government would give its reply, Tejashwi, amid slogan-shouting by RJD and Congress legislators, was heard saying, "What reply would come from the khajana chor."

While the chief minister was not present in the House as he was on a tour of the flood-hit areas of Kisanganj, Araria, and Katihar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi was present.

The BJP leader hoped that the speaker would expunge the remarks of Tejashwi from the Assembly records.

State minister and senior BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav said, "Those involved in corruption cases should have some shame before making such comments."

Later, talking to reporters, Modi hoped that the speaker, while going through the proceedings of the day, would himself order the deletion of the words ("khajana chor").

The deputy chief minister claimed that Tejashwi's "anger" was due to the "frustration over power slipping out of his hands in a short period of 18 months".

Tejashwi (27), the son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, was elected as an MLA for the first time in 2015, along with his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav. He was the deputy chief minister in the erstwhile grand alliance government in Bihar, led by Kumar.

Modi, a contemporary of Lalu, told reporters, "He (Tejashwi) is a child and has to learn a lot in politics."

KC Tyagi, the principal general secretary of the JD(U), said, "Using such words for people who are double his (Tejashwi's) age is not good. He should have used proper words instead."
IANS

Reacting to media reports of leaking mobile data of its Indian users to China, the Alibaba-owned browser UCWeb on Wednesday said it would never breach the trust of its users.

UCWeb said it takes security and privacy issues very seriously.

According to media reports, the government was looking into allegations that Alibaba's UC Browser leaked mobile data of its Indian users.

It was also reported that if found guilty, UCWeb might be banned in the country.

UCWeb has also been accused of sending data including device's IMEI number and location data to a server in China on connecting to a Wi-Fi network.

The allegations have re-surfaced at a time when tension escalated in June between India and China over the Doklam standoff .

UCWeb also claimed that they had not received any notice or intimation from the government regarding this enquiry.

However, UCWeb said that it was a standard industry practice to collect user information and data in necessary scenarios to provide users with localised services.

"It is common practice for IT companies to place servers all around the globe to provide better service to its users. We have strong measures in place to encrypt the data while we transmit it," UCWeb told IANS.

The allegations first surfaced in May when a Canadian technology research group Citizen Lab reported UCWeb easily makes available sensitive information like location, search details, mobile subscriber and device numbers to third parties.

"We take necessary authorisation from users to collect this data. Our systems are protected by an end-user licensing agreement which protect the interest of our users," the group said.

UCWeb's flagship product UC Browser has over 50 per cent market share in India and Indonesia, ahead of Google Chrome and Opera.

UC Browser is also the sixth most downloaded application on Android platform in India with over 100 million monthly active users.

Alibaba announced a Rs 2 billion investment in January to build UCWeb in India and Indonesia over the next two years.
tech2 News Staff

Google Assistant, the virtual assistant that is seen on the Pixel phones, could most likely be powering a headphone soon, if speculation is to be believed. According to a report in 9t05Google, the Google app version 7.10 APK teardown hints at the presence of Bisto, a codename for headphones that will run Google Assistant.

The Bisto codename first made its appearance in April on beta version of the Google app (v7.0). It was speculated to be a portable audio device. But in the latest version, there is a string of code that hints that the Bisto codename could be referring to Google Assistant supporting headphones.

Your headphones have the Google Assistant. Ask it questions. Tell it to do things. Its your own personal Google, always ready to help.

From the string above, it looks like users can ask the headphones questions through its microphone section and get the answers through the Bisto headphones. Google will also provide alerts. Users will also be able to respond to notifications using voice commands. Along with this, the headphones are expected to come with a dedicated button for the Google Assistant.

Digging deeper into the code, there is a line which says, "To hear them, press the Google Assistant button. Press the Google Assistant button. To hear them, press and hold the top button. Press and hold the top button."

To hear them, press the Google Assistant button. Press the Google Assistant button. To hear them, press and hold the top button. Press and hold the top button.

Apart from this, there is also some troubleshooting related information, which indicates to the user to visit the Help Centre. The code also talks about updation of the Bisto firmware, updating the fixes and more.

Google hasn't officially announced anything on the matter and there is no official date as to when the Bisto headphones will be released.

According to GizmoChina, the Google Assistant enabled Bisto headphones could run on Android Wear. Considering the Google Pixel 2 smartphones are expected in October, and there are rumours of a mini Google Home and a Chromebook Pixel also launching on the same day, it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine that Bisto would also be announced at the same time.
Reuters

Alphabet Incs Google this week will disclose technical details of its new Titan computer chip, an elaborate security feature for its cloud computing network that the company hopes will enable it to steal a march on Amazon Inc and Microsoft Corp.

Titan is the size of a tiny stud earring that Google has installed in each of the many thousands of computer servers and network cards that populate its massive data centers that power Google's cloud services.

Google is hoping Titan will help it carve out a bigger piece of the worldwide cloud computing market, which is forecast by Gartner to be worth nearly $50 billion.

A Google spokeswoman said the company plans to disclose Titan's technical details in a blog post on Thursday.

Titan scans hardware to ensure it has not been tampered with, Neal Mueller, head of infrastructure product marketing for Google Cloud Platform, said in a recent interview. If anything has been changed, Titan chip will prevent the machine from booting.

Data center operators are concerned that cyber criminals or nation-state hackers could compromise their servers, which are mostly made by Asian hardware companies, before they even reach the United States.

It allows us to maintain a level of understanding in our supply chain that we otherwise wouldnt have, Mueller said.

Neither Amazon nor Microsoft  which hold 41 percent and 13 percent of cloud market share, respectively, according to Synergy Research Group  have said if they have similar features. In response to inquiries from Reuters, representatives of both companies pointed to the various ways they use encryption and other measures to secure their data centers.

Google holds just 7 percent of the worldwide cloud market. Titan is part of a strategy Google hopes will differentiate its services and attract enterprise customers from sectors with complex compliance regulations, such as those in financial services and the medical field. Google announced Titan in March.

Having physical safeguards goes a long way of telling the story of how seriously Google takes peoples security, said Kim Forrest, vice president at Fort Pitt Capital Group.

Google has struggled to compete with Amazon Web Services, which has more features, and Microsoft, which has long-standing relationships with enterprises, said Lydia Leong, an analyst for Gartner.

Leong was skeptical of Google's strategy.

"Security is a hallmark for both AWS and Microsoft, she said this week. "Google has a lot more work to do."

Google uses Titan chips to protect the servers running its own services like search, Gmail and YouTube, and the company claims Titan has already driven sales. It points to Metamarkets, a real-time analytics firm, as a customer it landed in part due to Titan.

Dan Cornell, principal at Denim Group, a firm that helps tech organisations build secure systems, said the rise of nation-state hacking makes such a feature timely.

"Those level of adversaries certainly have an incentive to hack or to have influence over the security of hardware. It's interesting of Google to say, 'Here's one part of the hardware that we're going to control.'
IANS

At a time when Chinese smartphone makers have taken a lead in the Indian market, domestic handset major Micromax is betting big on value proposition and making premium technology available to the masses. "We will do what we have been known for -- innovation, great value for money and 'massifying' premium technology", Rahul Sharma, Co-Founder of Micromax Informatics, told IANS during an event in New Delhi.

The company is aiming at making a dent in the extremely competitive Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000 price segment as well as the budget sub-Rs 10,000 segment. "We are not competing with the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S8+. We are happy addressing the larger, 90 per cent of the market here. Let us do that," Sharma added. The heavy influx of Chinese handset makers has been a result of offering good margins to retailers.

"We will continue to be a great value for money brand and different from what others are doing," Sharma said. Micromax launched "Infinity Canvas" smartphone on Tuesday -- its first bezel-less smartphone -- at Rs 9,999 with a display aspect ratio of 18:9, a first in this price segment. "'Infinity' is a series for us. You can expect more phones in this line-up in the coming months," Sharma added.

The company took a brief hiatus to focus on its strengths and work on a new line-up of products. "We have waited for a good time and understood the market. Micromax is a household name now and it has been here for the last 10 years," the top executive said.
Tech2 News Staff

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has captured an image of Tethys lit up by Saturnshine, or sunlight reflected from the gas giant. The image captures the night side of the moon, with a thin sliver of light seen towards the top edge, which is lit up by the Sun. Anyone on the surface of Tethys looking up, would see Saturn lighting up the night sky. The image of the icy moon was captured using the wide angle imaging instrument on board Cassini.

With respect to Cassini, Tethys is on the far side of Saturn, 1.5 million kilometers away. The image was captured on 13 May, 2017, in the fourth of the grand finale dive. The grand finale dives are a series of orbits where the spacecraft dives between Saturn and its innermost rings, and even coming in contact with the upper atmosphere of Saturn in the final few orbits. The nineteenth of of 22 planned grand finale orbits is currently in progress.

After the grand finale orbits, Cassini will plunge into Saturn in a science rich dive where it will continue to beam back observations to Earth till the moment it gets consumed in a ball of flame in the Saturnian atmosphere. There is not enough fuel left on the spacecraft for NASA to maintain control, and the spacecraft is being crashed into the gas giant to prevent potential contamination of the moons of Saturn, such as Titan and Enceladus, which may harbour forms of life. The final orbit is scheduled to take place on 15 September.
tech2 News Staff

Samsung is set to unveil its upcoming smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 in its second Unpacked event of the year. The smartphone giant is holding the Unpacked event in New York City on 23 August at 8:30 PM Indian Standard Time. Considering the timing and importance of this upcoming device, it is certain that people would want to watch the event live.

Considering the interest surrounding the Note 8 despite the forgettable tale of Note 7, Samsung will hold a live stream of the event on various channels so that interested users can watch the event live without any inconvenience.

To start things off, the company will stream the launch event on its YouTube channel. In the meantime, you can bookmark the Samsung Mobile channel to ensure that you get notified about the launch event live stream on your YouTube homepage.

Prospective viewers can install the Android or iOS versions of its UNPACKED 2017 apps to register, check information about the event or watch it live. If you dont want to install the unpacked app and already have the Facebook app on your smartphone then you can head over to Samsung Mobile Facebook Page to check the live steam on Facebook.

You can turn on the Live notifications for the page or set a reminder for Facebook to remind you when the steam starts.

If you dont want to install any apps at all then you can head over to the Samsung Unpacked event page or the Samsung India website on Google Chrome to check the live stream.
tech2 News Staff

After all the leaks, rumours and plenty of speculation, Samsung today opened the next chapter of its phablet journey, called the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. The Galaxy Note 8 will hit pre-order in a few days from now for and will available in stores and online in certain markets starting from 15 September. In the US, the phablet will be priced between $930 (roughly Rs 59,000) for AT&T customers and $960 on (approx. Rs 61,000) for the Verizon variant. We expect the price tags in India to be around the same.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 looks identical to the previous leaks and renders we have seen previously. The device features a metal frame sandwiched between two sheets of 3D curved glass, just like on the previously launched Samsung Galaxy S8. The Note 8 phablet, however, takes things a step further by stretching the display deeper into the corners of the front screen.

That display would be a 6.3-inch QHD+ display sporting a resolution of 1,400 x 2,960 pixels in what Samsung has branded as the Infinity Display.

The overall shape is now more Note-like with sharper corners that are still rounded and maintain the new flagship design philosophy. On the back, things have changed a bit with a dual camera setup and the fingerprint reader now moving farther away from the centre, which may annoy a few users. Other finer details include an IP 68 dust and water resistance rating and the device weighs in at a hefty 195 grams.

Jumping into the specifications, buyers in the US will be treated to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset inside, while the international model will get a Samsung-made Exynos 8890 chipset. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy S8 that packed in 4 GB RAM as standard at launch, the Note 8 will pack in 6 GB RAM (LP DDR4) with 64 GB/128GB and even a 256 GB of internal storage that is expandable via a microSD card slot. The availability of these storage variants will be announced at their respective local announcements. So for now, we have no idea which model will arrive in India.

Moving to the cameras, the Galaxy Note 8 is the first smartphone from Samsung to pack in a dual camera setup. The device packs in two 12 MP cameras with varying lens setups. The front facing camera is an 8 MP AF unit with an f/1.7 aperture.

With the dual camera setup at the back, there is a 12 MP Dual Pixel AF camera with an f/1.7 aperture and OIS paired with a wide-angle lens. The second 12 MP camera features AF along with an f/2.4 aperture and OIS but with a telephoto lens that delivers 2X optical zoom. The camera can deliver up to 10x digital zoom.

Connectivity options include, 4G LTE support, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v5.0, NFC, GPS and USB Type-C.

The device is equipped with an accelerometer, barometer, fingerprint sensor, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, hall sensor, heart rate sensor, proximity sensor, RGB light sensor, iris sensor and a pressure sensor.

All of the above is powered by a 3,300 mAh battery that comes with Fast Charging. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 runs Android 7.1.1 out of the box and will be available in Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Maple Gold and Deepsea Blue.
tech2 News Staff

One of the most highly anticipated phone of 2017, Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 is to be unveiled on 23 August. A number of leaks and renders of the flagship phone have been doing the rounds online, for the past few months and this time an alleged pamphlet for the phone has been leaked revealing some more information about the phone.

According to the leaked pamphlet, the phone will most likely also come in a 256 GB internal storage variant. GSMArena reported that alongside this variant customers also have the choice to buy an AKG Bluetooth speaker and a Nemonic printer. However, it is possible that this variant may not be available outside of China or South Korea.

The 64 GB variant will have a coupon that will give KRW 100,000 off on products such as the Samsung Galaxy VR headset or a 5100 mAh case plus external battery, said the report. There is also a possibility that a 128 GB variant may be launched in the European and US market, but as of now no details are available to support that fact and more information will be available when the phone is launched.

Recently another leaked sales pamphlet was discovered according to which the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will feature a 6.3-inch QHD+ infinity display and will come with an S pen.

The smartphone comes with IP68 water and dust resistant rating, iris scanner and also includes wireless charging.

The Galaxy Note 8 is tipped to be the first Samsung smartphone that has a dual-camera setup.
tech2 News Staff

The US Navys smart, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) has been successfully test fired from a B-1B Lancer. The Lancer is a heavy, strategic bomber designed for high-speed, low-level bombing runs.

The four-engine bomber is among the last of the swing-wing designs still in operation. It was originally designed as a Mach 2 heavy bomber that was meant to replace the B-2 stealth bomber and the massive B-52 Stratofortress. The aircraft was later modified with a lower top speed (Mach 1.25 from Mach 2.2) and a higher low-altitude cruise speed as well as a smaller radar signature.

It was originally meant to serve in a transitory period during which the USAF would work on the development of a new tactical bomber that would replace the B-52.

The successful test firing of the LRASM from a B-1B does suggest that a potential anti-ship role is possible for the swing-wing bomber.

As far as anti-ship missiles are concerned, the LRASM is quite smart. It can be launched from a ship or aircraft and can traverse a set of pre-set waypoints as it navigates to its target. The missile can also avoid obstacles like islands and commercial shipping while receiving real-time targeting data from overhead satellites. Better yet, the missile can avoid enemy air defences by routing its flight path around them. On final approach, the missile drops to sea-skimming altitude, sorts through enemy ships to identify its intended target and then attempts to destroy it.

Making the LRASM scary is its AI capability. Once it receives the location of the enemy fleet and target information, the missile simply handles the mission on its own. The missile even calculates its point of impact based on the projected accuracy and the angle of impact, reports Popular Mechanics.

The specifications of the LRASM are classified, but Popular Mechanics points out that the LRASM is based on the JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range) platform that has a range of 500 miles (over 800 km) with a 1,000 lb (around 450 kg) warhead.

As per the report, an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35C JSF can carry two missiles each, the B-1B can carry 24. The missiles cost a$500,000 each.
Washington: A day after President Donald Trump warned Pakistan of the consequences of providing safe haven to terrorists, US defence secretary James Mattis said the Trump administration will surely take action against Pakistan in this regard this time.

Mattis was responding to a question on similar rhetoric's in the past, but the US had shown reluctance in taking action against Pakistan.

"The words (of Trump) were very tough, but those words have been said before. What's actually going to be done to sort or align that with the strategy?" Mattis was asked.

"I understand the question. You'll just have to watch it unfold in order to really get the answer to it," Mattis who is currently on a trip to the Middle East told reporters travelling with him.

Mattis has directed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to make preparations to carry out Trump's strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"I will be in consultation with the Secretary General of NATO and our allies  several of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers. Together, we will assist the Afghan Security forces to destroy the terrorist hubs," he said.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson did not rule out use of American military resources to attack terrorists if there were actionable intelligence. "The only way we can defeat an enemy that is as nimble and as cagey tactically as this enemy is we have to be as cagey and tactical as they are, and we've not been fighting that way," he said.

"I'm not going to comment on what it could include. But the President's been clear that we're going to protect American troops and servicemen," he said, when asked whether the attack will include strikes in Pakistan.

"We're going to attack terrorists wherever they live and we have put people on notice that if you're harbouring and providing safe haven to terrorists, be warned, be forewarned that we're going to engage with those who are providing safe haven and ask them to change what they're doing and help us help them," he said.

"Because in my view, the greatest benefactor other than the Afghan people themselves, to achieving stability and peace in Afghanistan are the people of Pakistan. They will benefit more than any other nation," Tillerson said.
Phoenix: A day of noisy but largely peaceful protests of President Donald Trump's speech in Phoenix turned unruly as police fired pepper spray at crowds after someone apparently lobbed rocks and bottles at officers.

A haze enveloped the night sky on Tuesday as protesters and police clashed outside the convention center where Trump had just wrapped up his speech. People fled the scene coughing as an officer in a helicopter bellowed through a speaker urging protesters to leave the area.

Officers responded with pepper spray to break up the crowd after people tossed rocks and bottles and dispersed gas, Phoenix police spokesman Jonathan Howard said. It was not immediately known if there were injuries or arrests.

Authorities were on high alert as thousands of people lined up in the triple-digit heat to attend Trump's first political rally since the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. Protesters filled the streets of downtown Phoenix and engaged in shouting matches and a few minor scuffles with Trump supporters, but those events were generally peaceful.

By the time Trump took the stage, police said there had been no arrests or major incidents.

Phoenix police kept most members of the two opposing groups behind barricades and apart on separate sides of the street. Officers wearing riot gear and carrying rifles sauntered through the lane between the sides.

Local authorities were vigilant in the aftermath of the deadly protests in Virginia and the president's comments last week about both sides having blame for violence at the white supremacist rally. Mayor Greg Stanton had unsuccessfully called on the president to not hold the rally here so soon after the trouble in Charlottesville.

"Toxic Trump," read one protest sign held up to the president's supporters streaming into the Phoenix Convention Center downtown. "Lock Him Up!" read another, a reference to earlier campaign chants by Trump and his backers about his election rival Hillary Clinton.

Meanwhile, a group of protesters chanted, "Wrong side of history! Wrong side of history!"

A number of opposition signs showed drawings or photos of Trump with a small, Hitler-style mustache. Three Trump supporters taunted Latino protesters with offensive comments about immigrants and held anti-Muslim and Black Lives Matter signs.

As the line to get in the venue moved ahead, the two groups shouted at each other, and some skirmishes broke out. At one point, a Trump supporter and protester shoved each other.

John Brown, of an anti-Trump group calling itself the Redneck Revolt, wore military fatigues and had an AK-47 rifle strapped to his chest as he and a half dozen others from the group stood about 30 feet behind the barricade for protesters.

He said they were there to protect Trump opponents and stand up to fascism. "He's offensive to me in every way," Brown said.

State Democratic leaders urged people who wanted to show their opposition to the president's policies to gather at a city-designated free speech zone near the site of the rally.

The message to protesters echoed those coming from law enforcement and Stanton. Stanton said he expects protesters to be "civil, respectful and peaceful." Police Chief Jeri Williams said First Amendment rights will be supported, but criminal conduct will be swiftly addressed.
Paris: President Emmanuel Macron rowed back on Monday from plans to give his wife Brigitte Macron a formal, paid role, after a public backlash which threatened to undermine his broader agenda of change and modernisation.

In a statement, the presidency said Brigitte Macron would carry out "certain tasks" on behalf of the state, but would not get a salary, budget or separate office, instead working out of the Elysee Palace.

More than 220,000 people signed a petition against the initial plans for her position, accusing Macron of nepotism.

Unlike the US First Lady, the wife of the French president does not have a formal role, although they are often informal champions for charitable causes.

Past French presidential wives have had small teams working for them at the Elysee, but did not receive a salary.

Nevertheless, previous arrangements concerning perks for the wives, or partners, of French presidents had lacked transparency, which Macron had sought to challenge.

While the official role of his wife was one of Macron's lesser priorities, the fact that he has had to scale back on this particular plan marks another setback for him.

Macron has steadily lost ground in popularity ratings in the last month, after tough debates in parliament over his labor reform and public ethics law, a dispute with the military and cuts to housing assistance.

In her first interview since her husband won the presidential election in May, Brigitte Macron told Elle magazine last week that she paid little attention to her status as France's First Lady, adding she was happy for people to address her simply as "Brigitte."

"I don't feel as if I'm the 'First Lady', which is the translation of an American expression, a figure of speech which does not appeal to me in the least. When I hear people say it, I always want to look behind me and say  "Who are they talking about?."

"I am not the First Lady, nor the last, nor even a 'Lady'! I am simply Brigitte Macron."
Sanaa: Air raids on Yemen's rebel-held capital on Wednesday killed more than 30 people, including civilians, local and international aid organisations said.

Hussein al-Tawil, head of the Sanaa branch of Yemen's Red Crescent, said at least 35 people were killed in raids on Sanaa as rescuers continued to pull bodies from the rubble.

An official with an international aid organisation confirmed to AFP that at least 30 people had been killed in a series of strikes on Sanaa, which is home to the country's anti-government Huthi rebels.

Earlier it was reported that several people including civilians were killed in an air raid Wednesday on the Yemeni capital, witnesses and local media said.

A television channel run by the country's Huthi rebels, who control Sanaa, reported more than 30 civilians killed in a raid by the Saudi-led military coalition that is allied with the Yemeni government.

The number could not be immediately confirmed with independent sources.

Witnesses told AFP multiple air strikes had hit the capital on Wednesday, including at a housing unit for workers from a nearby qat farm. There were reports that members of the Huthi rebel group had been staying in the area.

The war between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-backed rebels has killed more than 8,300 Yemenis since 2015 and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

While the rebel alliance, which includes former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, controls the capital, the pro-government Arab coalition controls Yemen's airspace.

Northern Yemen has come under aerial attack in recent months. On 24 June civilians were killed when an air strike hit a market in northern Yemen that was a centre for trafficking in qat, a leafy stimulant plant that is widely used in Yemen but banned by neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

Local sources, including hospital officials, blamed the June strike on the Saudi-led Arab coalition. The coalition has not claimed responsibility for the attack.
Madrid: Spanish judge Fernando Andreu on Tuesday decided to send to prison two of the four surviving terror suspects in connection to last week's twin attacks.

Citing a Sky News report, Xinhua said that the two suspects  Chemlal and Driss Oukabir  have been charged with murder, membership of a terror organisation and the possession of explosives. They are being held in prison without bail.

A third suspect, Salah el Karib, will be detained for another 72 hours while he is investigated further. The fourth, Mohammed Aalla, has been freed because the evidence against him is weak.

The quartet of the 12-man terrorist cell responsible for last week's attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils appeared at the Spanish National High Court on Tuesday.

Houli Chemlala, who was the first to speak before the judge, is reported to have testified that the terrorist cell had planned to destroy "important monuments in Barcelona" before a gas explosion in the house where they were preparing the attacks left him injured and two members of the cell dead.

Those replies matched what he told the Catalan regional police in the five days he had been maintained incommunicado under their custody.

Chemlal was accompanied to the court in Madrid by Mohamed Houli Chemal, Dris Oukbar, Mohammed Alla and Salh Karib, all of whom were detained in the town of Ripoll, in Girona province, to the north of Barcelona.

Dris is the older brother of one of the terrorists who was shot by police during the attack on Cambrils in the early hours of Friday morning. He handed himself into police on Thursday, saying his brother had stolen his driving license, which was used to rent the van that killed 13 people on Barcelona's Las Ramblas street on Thursday afternoon.

El Karib, who is the owner of a call centre in the town of Ripoll, where three of the terrorists were arrested, told the court he had only helped members of the cell buy air tickets in order to earn a commission on the sale.

Aallaa, whose brother also died in Cambrils, told the judge that the although the Audi A3 used in the attack in which 5 terrorists, including his brother, were shot dead, was in his name, it was only for "insurance issues".

The quartet were brought to Madrid on Monday night and kept in the Civil Guard headquarters in nearby Tres Cantos, before arriving at court at around 8 am and starting their declarations an hour later.
China on Tuesday said there will be "utter chaos" if its troops entered India on the pretext that Indian border infrastructure posed a threat to Beijing. The Chinese foreign ministry said India's logic that Chinese road building in Doka La on the border posed a threat to New Delhi was "ridiculous and vicious".

It said China would in no way allow any country or individual to infringe upon its territorial sovereignty.

"The Indian side illegally crossed the boundary on the excuse of Chinese road building. The reason is ridiculous, vicious and facts are clear," foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

"You may think about it. If we tolerate India's ridiculous logic, then anyone who dislikes the activity at his neighbour's home can break into its neighbour's house.

"Does that mean when China thinks that large-scale construction of infrastructure at the border area of India is posing a threat, it can enter Indian territory? Wouldn't that be utter chaos?"

To Indian home minister Rajnath Singh's remark that India had never been an aggressor and has had no ambitions to expand its border, Hua responded: "China loves peace and firmly upholds peace. At the same time, we will safeguard our territorial integrity and sovereignty. We allow no country or any individual to infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty."

She asked India to pull back troops from Doka La to resolve the crisis. According to an ANI report, China also expressed hope that "India will take practical and positive actions to correct its incorrect words and deeds."

The report also quotes the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson as saying that international norms will be undermined if India's ridiculous logic is tolerated.

"We have said many times that prerequisite basis for the settlement of the trespass is the unconditional withdrawal of the personnel and equipment from the Indian side.

"So we urge the Indian side to take concrete actions and make positive moves to correct its wrongdoing."

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a stand-off since June at Doka La in the Sikkim section of the Bhutan-China border.

This is the longest stand-off between the two armies since 1987 when they faced a similar situation at Somordong Chu Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.

It all began when Indian troops stopped Chinese troops from building a road in Doklam, citing the disputed status of the territory.

Doka La is claimed by Bhutan, which has protested against Chinese road building.

China says the construction of the road is just since Doka La has been Chinese territory since ancient times.

New Delhi backs Bhutan's claims and sees a Chinese road in Doka La as a threat because the region is very close to the Siliguri Corridor, which connects India's northeast with the rest of the country.

With inputs from IANS
Phoenix: President Donald Trump is blaming the media for the widespread condemnation of his response to a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organised by white supremacists that led to the killing of a counter-protester.

Trump opened his political rally in Phoenix with a call for unity, saying, "What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America and tonight, this entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs that perpetrated hatred and violence."

But he quickly trained his ire on the media, shouting that he "openly called for healing unity and love" in the immediate aftermath of Charlottesville and claiming the media had misrepresented him. He read from his three responses to the violence  getting more animated with each one.

Democrats and fellow Republicans had denounced Trump for placing blame for the Charlottesville violence on "both sides".

Trump spoke after Vice-President Mike Pence and others called repeatedly for unity.

Housing Secretary Ben Carson and Dr Alveda King, the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr, were among the openers. Franklin Graham, son of the evangelist Billy Graham, led the rally-goers in prayer, saying, "We're divided racially, and we're adrift morally."

Outside the Phoenix convention center, shouting matches and minor scuffles erupted between Trump supporters and protesters gathered near the site of his latest campaign rally. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked Trump to delay his political event to allow for more time of national healing after Charlottesville.

Eager to capitalise on his hard-line stance on immigration, Trump had teased the politically inflammatory possibility of pardoning former sheriff Joe Arpaio while in town. The former Maricopa County sheriff is awaiting sentencing after his conviction in federal court for disobeying court orders to stop his immigration patrols.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump wouldn't discuss or take action on a pardon "at any point today," even though the president had told Fox News he was considering it.

In the comfort of his most fervent fans, Trump often resurrects his free-wheeling 2016 campaign style, pinging insults at perceived enemies such as the media and meandering from topic to topic without a clear theme.

Neither of Arizona's two Republican senators appeared with Trump.

Republican senator Jeff Flake, a conservative, has been a frequent target of Trump's wrath.

The president tweeted last week, "Great to see that Dr Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He's toxic!" Flake has been on tour promoting his book that says the Republican Party's embrace of Trump has left conservatism withering.

Ward planned to attend Trump's rally, sparking talk that the president could take the politically extraordinary step of endorsing her from the stage over an incumbent Republican senator.

In a modest but telling swipe at Ward and, by extension, at Trump, the Senate Leadership Fund, a political committee closely aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, is spending $10,000 on digital ads that say of her, "Not conservative, just crazy ideas."

Arizona's other senator, John McCain, is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer. Trump has been critical of McCain for voting against a Republican health care bill.

Tuesday's events put Trump in more comfortable political territory than in recent days.

He began his Arizona visit with a brief trip to the southern edge of the country.

While touring a Marine Corps base in Yuma that is a hub of operations for the United States Border Patrol, Trump inspected a drone and other border equipment on display in a hangar.

Trump shook his head as he was shown a series of everyday objects, such as a fire extinguisher, that had been refashioned to secretly transport drugs across the border. Afterward, he spent about 20 minutes greeting service members in the grueling, 106-degree heat, signing caps with his "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan and posing for selfies on the tarmac just steps from Air Force One.

Upending a campaign vow to end the country's longest war, Trump on Monday announced in a national address a plan to maintain to a United States military presence in Afghanistan. Senior officials said Trump's strategy may involve sending up to 3,900 more troops, with some deployments beginning almost immediately.

Some of Trump's core voters had already been unhappy about the recent ouster of conservative Steve Bannon as White House chief strategist.

Bannon had made it his mission to remind Trump of what his most fervent supporters want from his presidency. Some conservative strategists have openly worried that without Bannon around, Trump will be too influenced by establishment Republicans on issues such as Afghanistan policy.
At one level, Donald Trump's policy on Afghanistan and South Asia isn't really that different from Barack Obama's. As a candidate, Trump promised to pull out American troops at the earliest and end its longest and "unwinnable" war. But as he said from Fort Myer, Virginia, on Monday, things look very different from behind the Oval Office desk. So instead of a pullout, which he admitted was his original instinct, he has decided that more US soldiers will descend on Afghan soil.

But the similarity doesn't end here. Trump's grand strategy is to stabilise Afghanistan so as to prevent it from becoming another Iraq  which sounds awfully like what Obama and George W Bush before him intended to do, and he plans to do so by eventually bringing Taliban to the negotiation table.

"Military power alone will not bring peace to Afghanistan or stop the terrorist threat arising in that country. But strategically-applied force aims to create the conditions for a political process to achieve a lasting peace," said Trump.

He wants to achieve a goal that is political through a route that is military, by "killing all terrorists". And has decided that threatening Pakistan against nurturing a bread basket of jihadists and urging India to increase its capacity-building role in Kabul would be the key tenets of this strategy.

Again, not much different from what administrations before him had tried to do. American's clear tilt towards India as a strategic hedge in a troubled South Asia started with Bush and it was taken forward by Obama. Wariness about Pakistan's duplicity had permeated successive US administrations, even if they had been unable to stop Islamabad's various rent-seeking practices.

For instance, during a joint news conference in 2011 with Pakistan's then foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, then secretary of state Hillary Clinton had said that Pakistan can't expect to rear snakes in its backyard and hope that it only bites its neighbours.

The broad strokes indicate that Trump's Afghanistan strategy is not nearly as "dramatically different" as he touted it to be.

And yet at the macro level, Trump's approach is indeed radically different than Obama or Bush's before him. And it is here that India has been presented with an unprecedented opportunity to increase its sphere of influence in South Asia.

Before we get to that, let's look at the point of departures. Trump's address clearly brought out the essential difference between him and Obama. Whereas Obama  a politician, statesman and an intellectual  subscribed to America's role as a global security provider and 'democracy evangelist', Trump  a tycoon who runs an intercontinental business empire through laser focus on balance sheets  sees efforts to "use American military might to construct democracies in faraway lands or try to rebuild other countries in our own image" as a complete waste of time, energy, money and "American lives".

What this means is that despite his grand strategy of strengthening Afghanistan, Trump has redefined 'victory' and set for himself much smaller goals, and consequently has more chance of achieving those goals than Obama or Bush administrations before him. He has also shifted some of the responsibilities that the US had traditionally set or itself, to others.

Trump is clear that Afghanistan people will have to "take ownership of their future", "govern their society" and "carry their share of military, political and economic burden" to "achieve an everlasting peace" because the US is "not nation building again" and will limit its role only to "killing terrorists."

The dissonance that arises is that what constitutes a "strong Afghanistan" that won't fall prey to forces of instability? And if that happens, will America's greater purpose of not letting Afghanistan become another Iraq, be served? Trump claimed to have an answer.

For him, "victory will have a clear definition  attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing Al-Qaida, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan and stopping mass terror attacks against America before they emerge. We will ask our NATO allies and global partners to support our new strategy, with additional troop and funding increases in line with our own. We are confident they will."

So the key point that emerges is that while Trump wants a stable Afghanistan, he won't (at least doesn't plan to) go beyond the self-set parameters. At the heart of this 'new' policy is Trumpian realism, which manifests itself in his comments that "we must address the reality of the world as it exists right now". By accepting the reality and eschewing grand notions of American exceptionalism, Trump hopes to live up to his billing as a "problem solver."

Why is this an opportunity for India?

Trump's policy is guided by a nativist impulse that wants to cut losses in a 'bad deal'. This tunnel vision forces Washington to seek greater help from "NATO allies and global partners". This is not a bad approach. But there is a problem. India, a key player in South Asia and a force for stability, is not a treaty ally of the US. It's not a coincidence that Trump heaps oodles of praise on India, calling it the linchpin of US South Asia strategy.

"Another critical part of the South Asia strategy for America is to further develop its strategic partnership with India, the world's largest democracy and a key security and economic partner of the United States."

This is classic Trumpian transactionalism. By elevating India's bilateral status to a non-declared ally (at least a strategic partner), Trump hopes to bind India with a moral responsibility for sharing its burden in Afghanistan. Just to press the point  in comments that once again reflect his barter approach  he reminds India that it makes "billions of dollars in trade with the US" while urging it to "do more" in the "area of economic assistance and development."

Trump is at fault here. India's relationship with Afghanistan goes deep and is not incumbent on what the US president wants it to do. New Delhi's relationship with Afghanistan (long before Pakistan became a buffer state) is underwritten by social, cultural, economic and security ties.

As Afghanistans Ambassador to India Shaida Abdali pointed out during a recent Brookings India lecture on India-Afghanistan Strategic Relations, India "is the biggest regional donor to Afghanistan and fifth largest donor globally with over $3 billion in assistance". And these cover a wide network of infrastructure development areas. New Delhi has built "over 200 public and private schools", sponsors "over a 1000 scholarships", hosts over "16,000 Afghan students", and has assisted in the construction of critical infrastructure including roadways, highways, dams, electricity lines and even the Afghan Parliament building. It also trains Afghan military officers.

Even so, allowing for Trump's limited understanding of the traditional and dynamic imports of India-Afghanistan relationship, New Delhi can still make a virtue out of necessity.

India can increase its foreign aid and commit more in capacity-building efforts. A transactional US president can sell it to his electoral base by claiming that he has "forced India to do so". This may make Trump amenable for a greater Indian role in South Asia and limit Pakistan's subversive influence. This quid-pro-quo also carries a lot of intangible benefits.

Already, New Delhi is being seen for all purposes as a strategic US partner. True, this is likely to increase Pakistan's anxiety, but little that India does will not induce Pakistan's 'strategic anxiety'  a chronic condition that its generals have sold well to the world so far.

Trump's policy on terror carries no equivocation on Pakistan and is a clear reinforcement of India's argument. His focus on more action and less diplomacy is also good news for India because it reduces the chance of Indo-Pakistan hyphenation.

Pakistan has been firmly cubbyhole into a problematic corner. Trump has not only put Islamabad on notice for running with the hare and hunting with the hound, a senior official has indicated to US media that sanctions may be imposed on Pakistani officials with ties to terrorists. Clearly, this US president is willing to walk the talk, unlike earlier ones.

India is now being recognised as a clear force for the good, a sponsor of democratic values and stability. This isn't a tacit endorsement, but a loud one that has huge implications for India in South Asia where it jostles for influence with a mercantile China. The Narendra Modi government must play its cards well.
US president Donald Trump on Monday announced an extension of his countrys military presence in Afghanistan. So what else is new?

Actually, it's worse than the same old, same old.

Shortly after he made the announcement, The Atlantic cheekily put out a tweet dated November 2013 from  who else?  but The Donald himself:

We have wasted an enormous amount of blood and treasure in Afghanistan. Their government has zero appreciation. Let's get out!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 21, 2013



Trumps volte-face before a gathering of US troops only reinforces the grim warning you see at shops everywhere: If you break it, you buy it.

America has broken Afghanistan. Now, Trump is realising that there is no easy way out.

To be sure, Trump doesn't want anyone to think that he shares previous Republican president George W Bush's vainglorious agenda of "spreading democracy" or "nation building" in foreign lands.

While making his announcement on Monday night, Trump clarified that his decision to increase military presence in Afghanistan is only limited to killing terrorists. Sounds sexy. But it isn't. It only reflects the American government's intellectual bankruptcy and lack of political leadership. The fact remains that they are unable to cope with the geopolitical demands of bringing peace and stability to South Asia.

But let's stay with "killing terrorists" for a minute. What has America been doing since it invaded that godforsaken country in December 2001  only a few weeks after the 11 September, 2001 terror attack  if not killing terrorists? How many terrorists remain in Afghanistan that haven't been knocked off in nearly 16 years?

And, if in all these years, the terrorists haven't complied with the very reasonable US demand that they die, then what is the guarantee they will have a change of heart at the new president's vow and get killed in short order?

In August 2016, a Costs of War study carried out by Rhode Island-based Brown University estimated that since America's invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, some 173,000 people have died in that country and Pakistan.

According to the study, there was no disputing the fact that the wars in the two countries continue to be devastating for civilians and indicated that a large number of casualties were civilians and not terrorists. In fact, the study counted around 31,000 civilian deaths in Afghanistan alone during that period and added that around 7,000 insurgents  the scholars euphemism for terrorists  had been killed in Afghanistan in 2015 alone.

A study by three nonprofit organisations of physicians from the US, Canada and Germany dedicated to preventing nuclear war, estimated nearly 45,000 insurgents had been killed in Afghanistan by December 2011, in the first decade of the war. That was six years ago. The internet is full of many other estimates by experts which suggest that much higher numbers of Taliban have been killed. And now Trump says many more are left?

Killing terrorists sounds even more ignominious than nation building or spreading democracy. The phrase symbolises a chronic misrepresentation that some kind of terrorists with only an undemocratic agenda grounded in religious (read Islamist) hatred and medieval fanaticism are out to undo all the good the US is doing in the world and that region in particular.

This long-held pretence refuses to acknowledge that the terrorists in Afghanistan, though religious obscurantists, have always had a political agenda  self-rule  which is what triggered their armed resistance to Soviet Unions occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. The US not only accepted that resistance as correct but also backed it with treasure, arms and training, which led to the Soviet Unions ouster from Afghanistan a decade later.

But when these freedom fighters turned against their one-time benefactor  the United States  in the mid-1990s, Washington suddenly decided they were hell's putrid terrorists after all, who cannot be bought or bargained with; who, with perseverance, would be wiped out just like unwanted household pests.

Well, as America and Americans already know  or do they?  plan A hasnt exactly worked out in the 16 years the US occupied Afghanistan and ran it through its surrogates. Even Obamas plan B  winding down US military presence in Afghanistan and then exiting that theatre of war  didnt shape up as intended.

That Trumps plan C  indistinct from plan A  is bound to fail is evident from what Trump said while making the announcement. He said that exiting Afghanistan was not an option because that would mean the terrorists, who he described as thugs and criminals and predators and losers would flood back into the country soon as the Americans left.

Take a deep breath. Doesnt this mean that in 16 years America hasn't made a dent in the terrorists capacity to reclaim the Afghan heartland?

One sentence from his speech is especially worth quoting in full: Working alongside our allies, we will break their will, dry up their recruitment, keep them from crossing our borders, and, yes, we will defeat them, and we will defeat them handily. Really? So in 16 years the US has not worked alongside its allies, not broken the will of the terrorists, not dried up their recruitment and not defeated them?

It is also unclear what Trump refers to in promising to keep them from crossing our border. Whose border? Americas or Afghanistans? Or was that Trumps colonial slip of the tongue?

It might be worth noting that the RAND Corporation, a noted American conservative think tank, last year bluntly wrote that the targets of American campaign have survived US counter-terrorism efforts and have proven resilient and adaptive. They have morphed to meet new circumstances and exploit new opportunities, and they will continue to do so. The threat remains.

With regard to the Taliban, the RAND article, authored by Brian Michael Jenkins, a senior advisor to the RAND president, said without much ado that the terror group remains a formidable foe and will not be tamed.

And yet, Trumps speech on Monday provided absolutely no acknowledgement of the utter failure of the American military campaign in Afghanistan since 2001. What came next in his announcement therefore made even less sense: The warning to Pakistan for sheltering terror groups and the exhortation to India to join The Great Game.

Let us for a moment recall what President Bushs top diplomat, Richard Armitage, told Pakistans military intelligence chief, who happened to be in the US during 9/11, a day after the attack. Armitage reportedly told the Pakistanis that if Islamabad didnt cooperate with Washington, the US would bomb Pakistan to the Stone Age.

A decade-and-a-half later there is little evidence Pakistan has cooperated with the US beyond tokenism and even less evidence of the US having burst a firecracker in Pakistan, much less bombing it back to the Stone Age.

If anything, over the last six decades, Pakistan has repeatedly spit in the US' face and shown itself an indispensable ally to America's geopolitical designs for Afghanistan and Central Asia. Love it or hate it, the Americans cant do without Pakistan simply because its assent to any peace plan in Afghanistan is vital to its success.

And the increasing closeness of Islamabad with Beijing over the last decade in matters political, economic and military only means that Washington can ill afford to unclasp from Pakistan, regardless of Trumps rhetoric. Does Pakistan even care for Americas warnings? It does not. Does America know Pakistan doesnt care for its warnings? It does.

As for India, one neednt look beyond the last 16 years to appreciate the limitations of New Delhis role in Afghan affairs. India has desperately tried to piggyback on Americas shoulders in Afghanistan since the Taliban governments ouster in December 2001. One of the first civilian aircraft to fly into Kabul belonged to India. Foreign affairs correspondents joke that there are more Indian diplomats in Afghanistan than there are Indian-origin people in that country.

Successive Indian prime ministers, from Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi have foolishly pretended to be big shots at the Afghan round table. But India has no more than a symbolic geographical proximity with Afghanistan. Afghanistans other neighbours, at least on the south, east and north, will hardly let India gain a foothold.

Trumps request to India and countries of Central Asia countries to play a bigger role in Afghanistan can only be called a pipe dream, perhaps brought on by whatever is lit in that pipe (that he thinks America should be smoking). The three Central Asia countries stacked directly above Afghanistan  Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan  together have a massive 2,800-kilometre border with China and are beholden to their giant neighbour to the east.

Since 1992, when Beijing started diplomatic relations with these countries and two others in Central Asia  Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan further to the west  China has made huge economic and security investments in these nations. Beijing spends top dollar on their infrastructure, including building oil pipelines, roads, and extracting natural resources. China is the biggest source of foreign investment in a region that is awash with Chinese products. Will they allow India an advantage in Afghanistan? That isn't even a question worth considering.

To be fair to Trump, although his singular incapacity as any kind of a statesman is especially evident in the latest strategy, the sheer lack of imagination in plan C is more reflective of the failure of the American political system as a whole.

His predecessor Barack Obama, one of the smartest politicians in a generation anywhere across the world, struggled to resolve the Afghanistan quagmire. In the end, he failed.

Americas scope to bring peace to Afghanistan is extremely limited. And by increasing its military presence there, Trump made that scope even narrower.
Paris: Far-right leader Marine Le Pen won a seat in the French parliament, but her anti-EU National Front party faced disappointment, winning only four to eight seats, polls and party figures said.

The number of lawmakers, if confirmed, would be too small to form a parliamentary group which would give the FN a role in setting the agenda and win positions on committees.

Le Pen, 48, who lost her presidential bid to centrist Emmanuel Macron, triumphed in her northern fiefdom of Henin-Beaumont, a depressed former mining town, the town's FN mayor Steeve Briois said.

Le Pen's partner and vice-president of the party Louis Aliot told AFP he had been elected from his constituency in southwest France.

The overall results will be a huge disappointment for the nationalist and anti-EU party which had once hoped to emerge as the main opposition in parliament to Macron's centrist party.

There was also disappointment for senior FN figure Florian Philippot, the architect of the FN's policies to scrap the euro common currency, who lost in the former industrial area of Moselle in eastern France.
Tehran: Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it has launched a series of missile strikes on eastern Syria over Islamic State-claimed attacks on Tehran.

The guard's website, as well as semi-official news agencies, reported the strikes today on Deir el-Zour, Syria.

The guard's website said it launched surface-to-surface medium-range missiles targeting the area. It did not immediately offer other specifics, other than to say the missiles were launched from Iran.

Such an attack is rare in Syria's long-running civil war, in which Iran is backing embattled Syrian president Bashar Assad.

Five Islamic State-linked attackers stormed Iran's Parliament and a shrine to revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini this month, killing at least 17 people and

wounding more than 50.
Islamabad: Denying that it provides safe havens to terrorists, Pakistan said that a complex interplay of geopolitics and the pursuit of "hegemonic policies" were to blame for the threat to peace and stability in South Asia.

After being slammed by US president Donald Trump for its support to terrorists, Pakistan's foreign office said the "non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region."

The late-night reaction came after Trump announced his new policy for Afghanistan and the larger South Asian region, calling on India to step up its role in the war-torn country and warned Pakistan against providing safe havens to terrorist groups.

The foreign office said the new US strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia was discussed at a Cabinet meeting held late last night and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will take up the issue during a National Security Committee meeting on August 24 for a comprehensive policy response.

In its initial response, it expressed disappointment over the accusations.

"No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders," it said.

"It is, therefore disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort."

"Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism," the foreign office said.

It said the threat to peace and security "cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies", reiterating that there was no exclusive military solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.

Pakistan supports an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned politically negotiated solution for sustainable peace in Afghanistan, it said.
Washington: Six top health advisors have resigned from Donald Trump's advisory council on HIV/AIDS, complaining that the US president doesn't really care about

combatting the illness.

In a letter published Friday in Newsweek, Scott Schoettes said the Trump administration has "no strategy" on AIDS and that he and his five colleagues will be more effective advocating for change from the outside.

Schoettes, counsel and HIV project director at Lambda Legal, resigned Tuesday from the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, along with Lucy Bradley-Springer, Gina Brown, Ulysses Burley III, Michelle Ogle and Grissel Granados.

The council can have up to 25 members. "The Trump administration has no strategy to address the on-going HIV/AIDS epidemic, seeks zero input from experts to

formulate HIV policy, and  most concerning  pushes legislation that will harm people living with HIV and halt or reverse important gains made in the fight against this

disease," Schoettes wrote.

"If we do not ensure that US leadership at the executive and legislative levels are informed by experience and expertise, real people will be hurt and some will even die,"

he said.

"Because we do not believe the Trump administration is listening to  or cares  about the communities we serve as members of PACHA, we have decided it is time to step down."

PACHA, which was created in 1995, includes public health officials, researchers, health care providers, faith leavers, HIV advocates and people living with HIV. Its helps inform the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which was last revised in 2015.

Schoettes noted that Trump failed to appoint a head of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, a senior advisory position, and took down the Office of National AIDS Policy website the very day he took office  on 20 January  and has yet to replace it.

He also stressed that changes Trump and his fellow Republicans in Congress are seeking to the sweeping health care reform initiated by former president Barack Obama would be "extremely harmful" to people living with HIV or AIDS.

Schoettes cited data showing that only 40 percent of people living with HIV in the United States can access life-saving medications.
Kandahar: A Taliban suicide bomber killed five civilians and wounded 25 others in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, an official said.

The attack by the insurgents comes a day after US president Donald Trump cleared the way for thousands more American troops to be sent to the war-torn country.

"A suicide bomber detonated an explosive-filled car in a parking lot near the main police headquarters in Lashkar Gah," Omar Zhwak, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand province, told AFP.

Women and children were among the casualties, he said, in the attack that was claimed by the Taliban. Provincial hospital director Mauladad Tabihdad told AFP that 38 wounded had been taken to hospital, most of them school children. Among the five dead were two women and two soldiers.

People had been waiting to enter the police headquarters when the attacker struck at 8.00 am. Police spokesman Salam Afghan said the bomb had targeted army vehicles in the parking lot.

The wounded children were studying at a nearby mosque when the explosion happened, the governor's spokesman said.

For years Helmand province, of which Lashkar Gah is the capital, was the centrepiece of the Western military intervention in Afghanistan, but it has recently slipped deeper into a quagmire of instability.

Early in July, a US soldier was killed and two others wounded in an attack in Helmand province while conducting operations against the Taliban.
Beirut: Syrian state media and opposition activists said Tuesday that airstrikes on the northern city of Raqqa have killed dozens of civilians.

US-backed Syrian opposition fighters have been trying to capture the city from the Islamic State group since 6 June, and have been fighting under the cover of airstrikes by the US-led coalition.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces now hold more than half of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the extremist group's self-styled Islamic caliphate.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said airstrikes in Raqqa on Monday killed 42 civilians, including 19 children and 12 women. The activist-run group "Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently" said 32 people were killed in airstrikes on one neighbourhood alone.

Syrian state media said the airstrikes killed dozens. They all blamed the US-led coalition.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said humanitarian staff in Syria are "deeply concerned by unconfirmed reports of a high number of civilians killed by airstrikes in Raqqa City over the last 24 hours."

"These attacks, if confirmed, are a shocking reminder that civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict in many parts of Syria," he added. "In recent days and weeks, scores of civilians have been killed and injured in Raqqa due to airstrikes and shelling, and up to 25,000 people remain trapped in the city," he said.
Washington: President Donald Trump has put Pakistan on "notice" and his get-tough approach could include sanctioning Pakistani officials with ties to terrorist groups such as Haqqani Network, a top White House official has said.

The official also said that with Pakistan the "business as usual as it has been up to now is over."

"The important takeaway for the Pakistani government is that, you know, they should understand that theyre on notice from this president, from this administration," the official was quoted as saying by Politico on Tuesday.

"The US has been really patient with Pakistan for a really long time. We havent been getting a good deal from them," he added.

He said the US could conceivably impose sanctions on terrorist groups including the Haqqani network, which has links to elements in the Pakistani government, as well as on any Pakistani officials who are tied to these kinds of groups.

The Haqqani network, blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people, has also carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan.

The White House official said that the onus for improving the relationship is now on Pakistan.

He said the president had benefited from an outsider's perspective on the US-Pakistan relationship, eschewing the conventional wisdom that "however much the Pakistanis double-deal you and lie to you and dont cooperate, you have no choice but to just keep the status quo."

"How do we get the Pakistan to behave better? The answer is we have leverage points over Pakistan that the strategy contemplates we will use. Ultimately whether they behave better or not is completely up to them," he said.

"They may calculate that it's more important to remain allied with terrorists, it's more important to give terrorists safe haven, it's more important to do all the nasty things that theyve been doing that we dont like than it is to have a good relationship with the US," he continued.

"If so, that's a choice that they will make and then we will make choices based on their choice," he said.

Observing that the US gives the Pakistani government substantial security aid, the official said, and in return receive, at best, "indifference to border crossing and terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries" in Pakistans tribal regions along the Afghan border.

"In the worst case," he said, the Pakistani government has been guilty of "active direct support" for terrorist groups, the media outlet reported.
Meizu today introduced EP52, its latest Bluetooth stereo headset and the successor of last years EP51 at the m6 note launch event in China. It has a Free-Edge diaphragm design, improved sound quality and endurance and promises 8 hours of battery life. It is also waterproof with IPX5 ratings. It uses Qualcomm CSR8645 Bluetooth 4.1 chip with support for Qualcomm aptX audio.

The headset has magnets so you can stick both the headsets when not in use.

Meizu EP52 specifications

Drive unit: 10mm, Impedance: 32, Sensitivity: 93dB, Maximum power: 10mW

Bluetooth 4.1 + EDR, Qualcomm aptX

Frequency Range: 20Hz ~ 20KHz

Microphone

Music control buttons

Waterproof (IPX5)

Dimensions: 153 x 113mm; Weight: 22g

130mAh battery with up to 8h battery life and up to 150 hours standby

The Meizu EP52 comes in Red with Black color, is priced at 269 yuan (US$ 40 / Rs. 2590 approx.) and will go on sale in China soon.

Source
After two complicated years for mustard, first in 2021 with brutal heat that ravaged half of the crops, followed by 2022 centered on the war in Ukraine  the... Read More
Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) doesnt really need a replacement for The Grand Tours Jeremy Clarkson, but the company has posted a fake job listing poking fun at the boisterous host.

The job listing says Amazons Prime Video division is seeking a temporary fill-in for Clarkson, who is suffering from pneumonia. Clarkson isnt mentioned by name, though Amazon writes that this is a temporary position to cover an absence due to pneumonia.

Amazon jokes that its seeking a host with a proven track record in effectively dealing with colleagues that they find annoying and being lost in unknown locations.

They must be entertaining, engaging and willing to pause before delivering the final word or words of some sentences, Amazon continued, referring to Clarksons distinctive manner of speaking. Please note: Preference will be given to especially tall candidates with curly hair.

Amazon also says the Clarkson body doubles duties will include accidentally setting things on fire, handling heavy machinery (badly) and being able to bloody-mindedly argue a point that no one will ever agree. Successful applicants will need to wear vast amounts of pre-washed denim (attire provided in sizes that are slightly too small).

Clarkson hosts The Grand Tour, an automotive show on Amazon Prime, with Richard Hammond and James May. Clarkson, Hammond and May formerly hosted the popular British show Top Gear until the BBC let Clarkson go following an altercation with a show producer. The three TV personalities eventually signed with Amazon in 2015 to produce a show for Prime subscribers. The first season of The Grand Tour debuted a year later, and the second season is expected to arrive around October. The first episode was the biggest premiere to date on Amazon Prime.

Clarksons case of pneumonia is just the latest setback for the show. Hammond had a motorcycle accident while filming the second season. Then, in June, Hammond was involved in a fiery crash while driving an electric supercar made by Croatian manufacturer Rimac. He suffered a knee injury that required surgery.

Amazon seemingly refers to the accidents in the job listing, saying that driving fast cars and talking to a camera without crashing is not essential (apparently).
It's an unfortunate statistic that 52% of Americans aren't happy at work, and while some of that might boil down to job-related pressure and long hours, much of it stems from feeling undercompensated. In fact, 38% of today's workers feel they're being paid less than what they should be making, according to new data from the University of Phoenix. The question is: Is it all in their heads?

Are you worth more than what you're earning?

Given that 40% of U.S. employees work more than 50 hours a week, and 20% work more than 60 hours a week, it's easy enough to feel undercompensated -- even when your salary isn't actually lower than that of your peers. After all, you're putting in so much time -- shouldn't you get paid for it?

The downside of being a salaried employee, as opposed to someone who gets paid hourly, is that you're typically not eligible for overtime. As such, you're paid the same amount each week, regardless of how much time you're putting in. But is that salary really as pathetic as you think it is?

Before you grow to resent your employer for grossly underpaying you, do some research to see what other professionals in your field are making. Glassdoor has an extremely helpful "Know Your Worth" tool that lets you compare your salary to what others with similar job titles in your geographic region are bringing in. There are other sites, like Salary.com, with similar features. It pays to gather some data before jumping to conclusions about your employer because it could be that the going rate for your job is less than what you think it is.

It's also easy to feel naturally entitled to more compensation because you work hard and put in your time. But the reality is that dedication and hustle don't always translate into more money. On the other hand, if you do some digging and come to learn that you are, indeed, being paid less than what you deserve, it's time to take action rather than resign yourself to a less-than-generous salary.

Fight for that raise

If you're certain, based on the data you've collected, that you are being undercompensated, and you want to stay at your company, you'll need to gear up to negotiate a raise. To prepare for that conversation, take the salary data you've gathered and package it up in a nice chart or graphic that proves how little you're making in comparison. Next, assemble a list of ways you've brought value to your company since getting hired. For example, if you're a web developer whose work has resulted in 20% fewer reported system bugs, highlight that statistic.

Finally, schedule a meeting with your manager at the right time so that neither of you feels pressured or rushed. Avoid early morning or late-day slots; instead, opt for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon discussion. This way, no one will be running out to catch a train, or nursing a growling stomach. The more strategic you are with that meeting, the better your chances of success.

Consider moving on

Of course, raise negotiations don't always go smoothly. If you made a strong case but are denied a raise regardless, it's time to consider finding a new company to work for. Studies have shown that workers who stay with the same employer for more than two years end up getting paid 50% less throughout their careers, so if there's nothing particularly compelling about your company, and you're not being paid what you want, it makes sense to move on.

Keep boosting your skills

If you come to find that you aren't, in fact, being undercompensated, but are still unhappy with your earnings level, you may need to bolster your skills to snag a more favorable position and salary. An estimated 39% of adults claim they're planning to enroll in a continuing-education program to further their careers. While there are benefits and drawbacks to going back to school, if you're convinced a modest amount of money and time will result in a better job with higher earnings, then it pays to take that step.

Keep in mind, however, that you don't always need to enroll in a course, or go back to school to further your career. Sometimes, shadowing the right colleagues is enough to pick up a few new skills that could be a valuable addition to your resume.

It's never a good thing to walk around thinking your salary isn't up to snuff, but if that's how you feel, do your research and then act accordingly. You deserve to be happy at work, and while money isn't everything, it's a key component of job satisfaction none of us can afford to ignore.

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.

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As you might expect, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) makes a lot of money. Last year, the healthcare giant generated revenue totaling nearly $72 billion. Over the past decade, J&J raked in over $668 billion. To put that amount into perspective, consider that a stack of that many $1 bills would reach more than 45,000 miles into the sky -- close to one-fifth the distance to the moon.

But where does all that revenue come from? Here's how Johnson & Johnson makes most of its money.

Pharmaceutical

Around 46% of Johnson & Johnson's total revenue stems from its pharmaceutical segment. But the segment generates an even higher percentage of the company's total profit -- roughly 65% in the first half of 2017.

Close to six out of every 10 dollars in sales for J&J's pharmaceutical segment occur in the U.S. That's not surprising, considering that prescription drug prices tend to be higher in the U.S. than elsewhere. However, the company is seeing more growth in international sales so far this year.

Johnson & Johnson's top-selling drug by far is Remicade, which made nearly $7 billion last year. Sales are slipping somewhat for the autoimmune disease drug, though, in the face of competition from Pfizer's biosimilar, Inflectra.

The company does have several blockbuster drugs for which sales are growing. Stelara and Imbruvica stand at the top of the list. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis drug Stelara generated $3.2 billion in sales last year and made $1.8 billion in the first half of 2017. Cancer drug Imbruvica brought in nearly $1.3 billion last year and $859 million in the first two quarters of this year.

Medical devices

Johnson & Johnson's second-largest moneymaker is its medical devices business segment. This segment contributes around 36% of total revenue and 23% of total segment profit.

The company actually makes more revenue from medical device sales outside of the U.S. than inside the country. In the first half of 2017, the medical devices segment generated $6.7 billion from international sales compared to $6.3 billion in the U.S.

Orthopedics and surgical medical devices both contribute around 36% of the segment's total revenue. Vision care, especially contact lenses, kicks in another 14%. The remaining sales for the segment stem from cardiovascular, diabetes care, and diagnostics devices.

Acquisitions have helped boost J&J's medical device segment sales. In February, the company completed the purchase of Abbott Labs' medical optics business.

Consumer

Most Americans probably know Johnson & Johnson best for products like Band-Aid, Listerine, and Tylenol. However, the company's consumer segment is its smallest, generating 18% of total revenue and less than 12% of total segment profit.

International markets are the biggest source of revenue for J&J's consumer segment. In the first half of this year, the company sold $3.8 billion of products internationally versus $2.9 billion in the U.S.

Two areas are the primary moneymakers for the consumer segment. Over-the-counter (OTC) products and beauty products each contribute around 30% of total consumer sales. The rest of consumer revenue comes from J&J's baby care, oral care, women's health, wound care, and other products.

Where the money is moving

In 2016, J&J's pharmaceutical segment posted the strongest increase in revenue. However, so far in 2017, the company's medical devices segment contributed the highest growth. This shift is due in large part from the headwinds for Remicade.

Over the long run, though, look for pharmaceuticals to become an even more important source for revenue and profits. Johnson & Johnson claims one of the best pharmaceutical pipelines in the industry. Experimental prostate cancer drug apalutamide is a particularly promising candidate.

J&J could also reap the rewards from its acquisition earlier this year of Swiss drugmaker Actelion. Before the deal closed, Johnson & Johnson predicted that Actelion could increase its overall revenue growth rate by 1% and bump its annual earnings growth by as much as 2%.

With the impact of Actelion and its pipeline, combined with solid growth from current products including cancer drugs Darzalex and Imbruvica, Johnson & Johnson's pharmaceutical revenue should grow larger as a percentage of total sales. J&J makes a lot of money now -- but you can bet that it will make even more in the future.

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Keith Speights owns shares of Pfizer. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
A U.S. Navy destroyer damaged in a June collision that killed seven sailors will be repaired at a Mississippi shipyard, the Navy announced Wednesday.

The USS Fitzgerald will be transported to Pascagoula for work at Ingalls Shipbuilding, part of Huntington Ingalls Industries of Newport News, Virginia.

Naval Sea Systems Command said it doesn't know when work will start, how long it will take, or how much it will cost. The command says it chose Ingalls because it determined that only a shipyard that builds destroyers could fix the damage from a June 17 crash with a Philippine-flagged container ship, which caved in parts of the Fitzgerald above and below the waterline. Water gushed into berthing compartments, killing the sailors.

Only Ingalls and the Bath Iron Works unit of General Dynamics Corp. in Maine build American destroyers. The Fitzgerald, built in 1995 at Bath, is an early version of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The Navy said it chose to send it to Ingalls for repairs because that yard, which employs 11,000 workers, "has the available capacity to restore USS Fitzgerald to full operational status in the shortest period of time with minimal disruption to ongoing repair and new construction work."

A second destroyer, the USS John S. McCain, and an oil tanker collided off Singapore, injuring five sailors and leaving 10 others missing. The Navy is still seeking missing sailors and assessing damage to that ship.

Repairs are likely to cost hundreds of millions of dollars and could take more than a year. The Navy spent $250 million on 16 months of repairs for another destroyer, the USS Cole, after it was damaged in a bombing in Yemen in 2000. Repairs at Ingalls to the USS Stark, a frigate hit by Iraqi missiles in 1987, cost $90 million over 10 months.

The Navy said that it will use the opportunity to modernize the Fitzgerald, which had been scheduled for an overhaul in the 2019 budget year. A Navy spokeswoman couldn't immediately say how much those overhauls typically cost on an undamaged ship.

The Navy said it is considering proposals to hire a heavy-lift ship to carry the Fitzgerald to Pascagoula from Yokosuka, Japan, where it's currently dry-docked. In a contract solicitation issued earlier this month, the Navy said loading could begin as early as Sept. 15.

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This story has been corrected to show the spelling of the shipyard's parent company is Huntington Ingalls Industries, not Huntingdon Ingalls.

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Follow Jeff Amy at: http://twitter.com/jeffamy . Read his work at https://www.apnews.com/search/Jeff_Amy .
Even though the bottom line improved, Mondelez needs to shake things up

Perhaps in response to this, it was announced along with second quarter earnings that longtime CEO Irene Rosenfeld would be retiring this fall. Her replacement is someone outside of the company, head of the world's largest French fry and specialty potato item company McCain Foods, Dirk Van de Put. Van de Put will be replacing Rosenfeld in November as CEO.

Indicating that top-line sales are of key importance here, Rosenfeld had this to say about the change:

"Throughout his career, Dirk has had a proven track record of driving top-line and category growth, while at the same time improving cost structures and profitability."

It was also noted that in the six years Van de Put was head of McCain Foods, sales increased more than 50%. Little of that was purchased growth via acquisition, as three-quarters of the growth was organic  sales gains using the existing portfolio of food brands. For a simple food staple like the potato, that is impressive business expansion in a short period of time.

What investors should do

Investors who may have been feeling like it was time to jump ship may want to hold on a bit longer. While other food companies like Kraft Heinz pay a better dividend and have offered better returns in recent years, it could be worth holding onto shares of the company because of the bellwether status of brands like Oreo

With a new CEO coming in and the current Mondelez management team doing some work ahead of him to boost the bottom line, it could be worth waiting to see what a fresh perspective on business operations will bring.

10 stocks we like better than Mondelez International

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Puerto Rico's governor on Wednesday signed a law that establishes a pay-as-you-go pension plan and sets aside $2 billion this year for tens of thousands of retirees who depend on a public pension system that's expected to run out of money next month.

Gov. Ricardo Rossello said the government's general fund will now be responsible for ensuring retirees get a monthly check, and that the new defined-contribution plan will operate similar to a 401K retirement savings program. The current system faces nearly $50 billion in liabilities.

"If we had left things as they are, our retirees starting as early as September would not have received pension payments that they worked decades for in public service," he said.

The announcement comes just weeks after a federal control board overseeing Puerto Rico's finances said the pension system will face a 10 percent cut given the island's deep economic crisis. Government officials rejected that measure and said they would create their own law to protect retirees.

Board members did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The board also has said that all newly hired employees in Puerto Rico will be enrolled in Social Security. Currently, local teachers and police officers do not receive Social Security and depend solely on the public pension system.

Those representing retired Puerto Rico union workers lamented the new law was approved without any public hearings or input from retirees. They also said that any cut to the public pension system would be devastating.

"We have retirees who receive $500, $800 a month, and they can't live off of that," said Dwight Rodriguez, president of a federation representing retirees of the Puerto Rican Workers Central union.

Andres Miranda, vice president of that federation, said in a phone interview that his organization also wants an investigation into why the public pension system is nearly depleted.

"The crisis that the system faces is caused by the government, not the retirees," he said.

Puerto Rico is entering its 11th year of recession and seeking to restructure a portion of its $73 billion public debt load, accumulated in part because previous administrations borrowed billions of dollars to cover increasing deficits. The board already has voted to impose furloughs that will affect tens of thousands of employees starting in September.

A large protest is planned for next week to reject furloughs as well as looming pension cuts and the privatization of certain government operations.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) will repair the USS Fitzgerald, a guided missile destroyer that was damaged in a fatal crash in June.

The shipbuilder said Wednesday it was selected by the U.S. Navy to repair the USS Fitzgerald when it returns to the U.S. Huntington Ingalls facilities in Pascagoula, Mississippi, will handle the repairs.

Ingalls and all of its employees regret the tragic circumstances that will bring the ship to Pascagoula, said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias, but it is an honor and a privilege to work with the Navy to return the ship to the fleet in the shortest time possible.

Huntington Ingalls has previously repaired damaged Navy ships, including the frigate USS Stark and the USS Cole, the guided missile destroyer that was attacked in October 2000. Bath Iron Works, a division of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), built the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain, which was involved in a separate accident this week.

The USS Fitzgerald was damaged in a collision with a container ship off the coast of Japan on June 17. The crash killed seven sailors and injured three others.

A second deadly accident occurred on Monday, when the USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker collided near Singapore. Ten sailors are missing, and five were injured. The Navy said some remains were recovered from the ship. More divers were scheduled to join the search efforts on Wednesday.

A total of four Navy ships have been involved in accidents this year. The Navy on Thursday dismissed the commander of the 7th Fleet following the USS John S. McCains collision.
Republican lawmakers and American business leaders are teaming up in a pro-growth tax reform effort ahead of Congress final push to secure a major legislative victory before years end.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) have a full week of scheduled visits to some of the United States biggest corporate hubs, touting a tax reform plan that aims to lower the U.S. corporate tax rate by as much as 20 percentage points.

Theres a big reason our economy is not fulfilling what we know it can and our tax code has a lot to do with it, Brady said during a stop at the UPS (NYSE:UPS) Worldport in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday. Of the top 35 competitive countries  when it comes to competitiveness in tax code were ranked 31. Nearly dead last.

Like the GOP, U.S. business are largely looking for a win where tax reform is concerned. UPS said on Wednesday that it is pleased with the current focus on tax reform, encouraging other companies to align with the administration around the effort.

UPS supports tax reform because we believe it will stimulate the economy, create jobs and provide a globally competitive tax structure for U.S. companies, the company said in a statement. Tax reform is one of the single most important things this Congress and Administration can do for American competitiveness, as it will spur growth and accelerate investment in the economy.

On Wednesday, Rep. Brady was in Dallas for an event with AT&T (NYSE:T) executives and employees. AT&T said in a statement it was looking forward to hosting an important discussion on pro-growth tax reform.

We  have a long history of investing in this country  $140 billion into the U.S. economy from 2012-2016, more than any other public company. As such, the event will be educational for our employees to better understand this efforts impact on job creation, economic growth and U.S. competitiveness, the statement read.

While the GOP may be preaching to the pro-tax reform choir when it comes to some business leaders, as AT&T pointed out, the recent town halls appear to be employee-oriented, aiming to make U.S. workers aware of the benefits of the proposed tax reform overhaul.

Speaker Ryan is scheduled to speak at Intels (NASDAQ:INTC) Oregon facility Wednesday before heading over to Washington on Thursday, where he will meet with workers at Boeing (NYSE:BA). Intel, an American high technology manufacturer, told FOX Business on Wednesday it strongly supports pro-growth tax reform.

While the White House and the GOP have both pledged to have tax reform finished by years end, there is still a long path before a bill is on President Donald Trumps desk ready to be signed.

When lawmakers return from recess, they must first approve a budget with instructions for the passage of tax reform using the fast-track process known as reconciliation. After that, the tax committee will need to introduce the legislation to the floor of the House, where it will be up for debate, amendments and voting. It will also go through the same process in the Senate.
As Lawmakers Denounce 'Racist,' 'Bigoted' Cartoon, Gov. Rauner Called Out For Lack Of Response

By aaroncynic in News on Aug 22, 2017 11:59PM



AP Photo/Seth Perlman File

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and his administration continued to face harsh criticism Tuesday over a cartoon the closely allied Illinois Policy Institute published last week.

The cartoon, which has been widely panned for being both insensitive and racist, depicts an African-American child on a street corner presumably begging for money while holding a sign that reads "Need money 4 school as a white man shows him an empty pocket saying sorry kid, Im broke. The Institute published the illustration as part of the ongoing debate about Rauners amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, which would drastically cut funding from Chicago Public Schools by $145 million.

The right wing conservative think tank has since taken down the cartoon, but not after defending it multiple times.

This is a good example when it comes to the very charged subject of racism, Institute CEO John Tillman said on Thursday, according to the State Journal-Register. There are people who care deeply and there is structural racism. And then theres people who want to introduce the subject to get political gain.

Additionally, the Institute argued with 26th District House Representative Christian Mitchell, after he blasted the cartoon.





Shoutout to @illinoispolicy: with this week's events, we really needed your best Sambo cartoon. This is how to NOT make a point #twill pic.twitter.com/A9Idq6EQjM  Christian Mitchell (@cljmitchell) August 16, 2017

1st) I disagree with your point, but that is not the issue here. You could have drawn a CPS building, You could have put CPS on the cap...  Christian Mitchell (@cljmitchell) August 16, 2017

Rauners office recently hired several people from the Illinois Policy Institute in a recent series of staff shake-ups , and in the years prior to his term in office he donated more than half a million dollars to the think tank.

Over the past week, reporters and others have pressed the governor for a response, which he refused to call racist or admit as to whether or not hes even seen it. On Tuesday, NBC5s Mary Ann Ahern pressed Rauner several times. In a statement response to the network, Rauner spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said:

The governor would never try to talk anyone out of their reaction to any piece of art, political or nonpolitical, right or left, good or bad. Those reactions deserve respect on their own terms.

She continued:



The governor has great respect for the black caucus and members of the General Assembly who voiced concerns about the cartoon. The governors office has also heard from members of the black community who found truth in the imagery and do not find the cartoon offensive. Here is where things stand: The cartoon was removed days ago. And the governor - as a white male - does not have anything more to add to the discussion.

Though the governor responded to criticism from the Illinois House which passed a resolution denouncing the cartoon by saying racism and bigotry and violence has no place in our society, the statement from his office was not received well.

As the governor of this state, Bruce Rauner has an obligation to use his platform to fight racism in Illinois, said gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzkers campaign spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh in a press release. Rauners refusal to denounce the racist cartoon from the Illinois Policy Institute is what Illinoisans should now expect after the failed governor staffed his administration from their ranks.

Pritzkers choice for leiutennat governor, Fifth District House Representative Juliana Stratton, tweeted from her campaign account that Rauner needs to just say the cartoon is racist.





Youre making this more difficult than it needs to be, @GovRauner. The cartoon was racist. Just say it. #twill https://t.co/pIOmwKJNdT  Juliana Stratton (@JulianaforLG) August 22, 2017





A representative from the Democratic Governors Association said Rauner reached a whole new level of moral abdication.

All Illinoisans should take a stand against racism and prejudice, regardless of their own race or background, said Communications Director Jared Leopold. As we saw in the aftermath of Charlottesville, this is particularly true for our elected leaders. Bruce Rauner exempting himself from the conversation because hes a white man shows just how little he understands the problem.


Insurers face two critical deadlines in September, by which time it appears increasingly unlikely they will have clarity on a number of key issues, including whether the federal government will continue funding key ObamaCare subsidies.

Unless Congress acts by September 27when insurance companies must sign contracts with the federal government to sell insurance on the federal exchange in 2018 9 million Americans in the individual market who receive no government help purchasing health insurance and whose premiums have already skyrocketed may see their premiums go up even more, Senate Health Committee chair Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn) said in a statement on Monday.

Alexander said lawmakers will begin hearings in September on stabilizing the insurance marketplace. He has also asked President Donald Trump to continue funding cost-sharing reduction subsidies, or reimbursements for discounted care provided to low-income individuals, until lawmakers develop a working solution to remedy rising health care costs. The White House has been making payment decisions on a month-to-month basis, while insurance companies have sought a more solid commitment, particularly after the president proposed letting ObamaCare implode by eliminating the subsidies altogether.

Meanwhile, insurance companies have been searching for ways to deal with the CSR payment quandary. One of the nations largest insurers, Anthem (NYSE:ANTM), warned late last month that without certainty regarding these payments, it could be forced to narrow its participation on the exchanges even further. In the weeks since Anthem issued that warning, it announced its withdrawal from the ObamaCare marketplace in Nevada and a dramatic reduction of participation in Georgia.

Aetna (NYSE:AET) and Humana (NYSE:HUM) announced earlier this year they would not offer plans on the individual marketplace for 2018, citing marketplace volatility and the damaging costs of participation.

For the companies choosing to remain, hiking premiums is one of the popular ways to mediate policy uncertainty. Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) announced earlier this month it would seek a 55% premium increase in the marketplaces where it would remain next year. That number would drop to 30% if cost-sharing reduction subsidies were definitively funded, the company said. Meanwhile, PacificSource Health Plans in Idaho has requested a 45.6% rate increase. In California, monthly health premiums are set to rise by an average of 12.5%, state officials said earlier this month.

Insurers have to submit final premium proposals for 2018 by September 5, the first day of the Senate Health Committees hearings. Unless the government makes a decision on CSR payments by then, insurers will be flying blind on how to price plans accurately. They have asked the federal government for $8 billion in payments to fund discounted consumer care over the coming year.

September 27 is the final deadline for insurers to sign contracts for next years health care plans.
A drunken driver in Florida turned a parking lot into his own personal demolition derby, smashing into 17 cars while trying to park his Chevy Blazer, according to reports.

Tony Futch, 25, turned into a one-man wrecking crew Friday in Osceola County when he returned home to the Gate Condominium complex allegedly inebriated, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Futch is accused of first ramming through the gate of the apartment complex around 4 a.m., then driving around in circles and smashing into his neighbors parked cars before parking his 2003 Blazer, according to an arrest report.

The 17 cars were damaged in eight separate crashes.

Becky Olsen, who lives in the complex, estimated her Hyundai Elantra sustained about $2,000 in damage, which she noticed as she was about to go to work.

I just came down, saw that the car next to mine was crooked and thought what kind of jerk parked like that? Olsen told the Sentinel.

Cops had to pepper spray Futch, who became combative and reeked of alcohol, according to an arrest report.

The allegedly boozed-up bozo told them, Ill tell you everything I did, I will tell you anything you want as he was being arrested.

Futch  who had his license suspended in 2013 for DUI  refused to provide a breath sample. He was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and also faces a charge of resisting arrest.

Hes being held in Osceola County Jail on $9,250 bond.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post
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CNN host Brian Stelter has faced criticism for revealing that his colleagues in the mainstream media regularly discuss whether President Trump is mentally fit to hold office.

During Sunday's edition of "Reliable Sources," Stelter said such conversations were happening "in newsrooms and TV studios" in the wake of Trump's response to the previous weekend's violence between white nationalists and counter-protesters and Charlottesville, Va.

"Usually after the microphones are off, or after the stories are filed, after the paper has been put to bed, peoples concerns, and fears and questions come out," Stelter said. "... Questions like these: Is the president of the United States a racist? Is he suffering from some kind of illness? Is he fit for office? And if hes unfit, then what?"

Stelter's segment was met with a furious response from social media users, including Fox News' Geraldo Rivera.

Stelter answered Rivera that he had never called Trump a "mental case" and doubled down on his original claim, saying "some journos and many other folks are worried about Trump's fitness. And that's a fact."

Undeterred, Rivera said Stelter had inadvertently revealed the network's "rotten bias" by going "a bridge too far."

Wall Street Journal opinion writer James Freeman pointed out that contraray to Stelter's protestations, his program has repeatedly hosted on-air discussions of Trump's mental well-being.

Led by Stelter, a former New York Times reporter, "Reliable Sources" has emerged as a determined anti-Trump presence both over the airwaves and on social media. Former Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein, a frequent guest, has used the program as a platform to compare Trump unfavorably to Richard Nixon. On at least one occasion last year, the former Watergate reporter described Trump as a "neo-fascist sociopath."

Another frequent guest, liberal historian Douglas Brinkley, said Trump was "a sick man in the White House."

"Look, we all know [Trump] is a neon billboard for, you know, overt narcissism, malignant self-love. Weve all known that," Brinkley said, later adding, "He's not mentally stable."

"This column can hardly imagine what these guys talk about when they really are off-camera," the Journal's Freeman wrote.
An ESPN host was arrested in Jackson, Wyoming, Wednesday on a criminal trespassing charge after he allegedly wandered into a strangers condo drunk and naked.

Police were called to the scene where they reportedly found Ryen Russillo, host of The Russillo Show on ESPN Radio, in a bedroom around 3:30 a.m. A condo resident told police he heard someone enter his home, but assumed it was a family member until Russillo reportedly walked in the bedroom.

Officers found the defendant, later identified as Ryen August Russillo, lying on the bed in the south bedroom naked except for his pants around his ankles, a probable cause affidavit obtained by the Jackson Hole News & Guide states.

Russillo appeared to be intoxicated and couldnt coherently answer questions about his situation, Jackson Police Lt. Roger Schultz told the news outlet. Residents said they couldnt remember if the door was locked, but there appeared to be no signs of forced entry.

He was charged with criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum of a $750 fine.

As The Washington Post reports, Russillo lives in West Hartford, Connecticut. However, based on his social media over the past week, he appears to be on vacation in the area. On Sunday, he posted a photo of Lava Lake in Montana on Twitter.

ESPN told Fox News, "we are looking into it" when asked for comment.
Many fans best remember Jennifer Beals from her breakout role as Alex Owens in 1983s Flashdance, but these days the beloved actress is going back in time to explore a drama based on F. Scott Fitzgeralds final unfinished novel.

Beals is currently appearing on Amazons The Last Tycoon where she plays Margo Taft, a fiercely gorgeous and in-demand Hollywood star who isnt afraid to pursue her desires. Fox News spoke with the 53-year-old about settling into the 1930s, exploring the dark side of Hollywood history and working alongside TV veteran Kelsey Grammer:

Fox News: What was it about the role of Margo that drew you in?

Jennifer Beals: I have to say, [this] was my favorite project. And I can certainly say its been my favorite character that I remember ever playing. I think shes so complicated... And every aspect of her life is focused on this goal of furthering her career and entering into some version of freedom.

Fox News: How difficult was it to take on an unfinished story that was created by one of Americas most celebrated writers?

Beals: Well, fortunately in many regards, this character is not in the book... So in that way, you dont have the legacy on your shoulders. And yet you can still play in the same playground. Youre not constrained by whats been on the page for decades.

Fox News: How was it working alongside Kelsey Grammer and Lily Collins?

Beals: Unfortunately, I didnt really have any scenes with Lily, but certainly working with Kelsey was a dream come true. He is just so accomplished and so generous with his talent on the set. And very welcoming to a guest star.

Fox News: Its been said your character was based on a real-life actress named Merle Oberon. Were you aware of her story before you took on the role?

Beals: Well, to be honest, theres only some aspects of that story that is from [creator Billy Rays] point of view. But really, [Margo] is somebody we both imagined. Its not Merle Oberon. Its not Joan Crawford. Its something completely different and yet with aspects of that story. You know frankly, I watched [Crawfords] The Women more times than I can even remember. That was really one of my first touch points.

Fox News: How tempted were you to keep the costumes?

Beals: Oh, I knew there was no way I was getting those costumes. Those costumes will one day be in a museum somewhere undoubtedly. Janie Bryant is so extraordinary. That gold dress I wear? She designed that dress and had it made. Its incredible.

Fox News: How did those costumes play a role in helping you transform into this larger-than-life character?

Beals: Well I think I certainly had the template and the costumes were like the cherry on the cake.

Fox News: Many viewers watching The Last Tycoon will be surprised to learn the Nazis reportedly invested in Hollywood. Why is this part of history not widely talked about today?

Beals: Why is any part of history not talked about today? Why dont we talk about history, period? Theres so many things that arent taught. I dont know if history is necessarily taught to the degree to which it should be in order to be helpful in changing behavior and changing policy.

Fox News: Whats the most important lesson you believe audiences will learn about Hollywood based on Margo alone?

Beals: That we all have dreams that we aspire to. We all have dreams. And some people are willing to do almost anything to make those dreams come true.

Fox News: In addition to The Last Tycoon youre also filming Season Two of Taken. What can fans expect?

Beals: I just started, so theres not really much to share unfortunately. We have a new showrunner whos really dedicated to kind of getting back to the original version of the show where Bryan is much more of a lone wolf. But other than that, thats all I really know. I havent really shot very much

Fox News: Looking back, what has been the biggest challenge you faced in becoming someone like 'Taken's' Christina Hart?

Beals: Carrying the darkness. Carrying all the really, truly, horrible things that shes done in order to protect a large group of people.

Fox News: We know you cant reveal too much, but what direction do you hope your character will take in the series?

Beals: You know what? I dont think Im ready to share it yet because Im still working on it. And I feel like if I share it right now, it will dilute it.

"The Last Tycoon" is currently available for streaming on Amazon.
Long before Louise Linton became Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin's wife, she appeared in the 2008 horror flick "The Echo."

According to the film's director, Yam Laranas, Linton was not his first pick of actress but he agreed to give her the role because her then-husband Ronald Richards paid him $200,000.

"She wasnt in the running at all. All I know is that one of the producers said I have a friend whose wife is an actress and you should check her out, Laranas told The Wrap. "At that point I wanted to shoot in New York. One of the producers said, 'This guy is bringing in some money to make sure his wife gets the role.'"

Linton's rep told The Wrap the claims are "not true" but did not return Fox News' request for comment.

Laranas said the money Richards paid him went towards production costs for the flick.

Linton also appeared in the VH1 reality series "Hopelessly Rich."

She recently came under fire for being "out of touch" after she tagged her designer clothing in a photo of herself getting off of a government plane.
A British farmer thanked firefighters who saved a litter of piglets by giving them sausages made out of the rescued animals.

In February, firefighters saved 18 piglets and two sows from a barn fire in South West England's Wiltshire. Farm manager Rachel Rivers thanked the fire department for their help by giving them sausages  made from the meat of the pigs, according to the BBC.

The Pewsey Fire Station cooked the sausages at the firehouse and posted their appreciation for the food on Facebook, reportedly calling the piglets fantastic, and told the BBC on Tuesday that the sausages were highly recommended, adding, We can tell no porkies, the sausages were fantastic, the BBC reported.

TOURISTS TO BALI ARE FED DOG MEAT UNWITTINGLY, AUSTRALIAN INVESTIGATION DISCOVERS

But the fire department quickly faced backlash for eating the piglets.

Some users said they were repulsed by the actions of the fire department, while others argued that these pigs were destined for the food chain.

The fire department removed the post, which they recognized could be offensive, and replaced it with an apology.

The piglets were given a six-month stay of execution before being slaughtered and made into sausages.

Rivers and the farms owner, Canon Gerald Osbourne, defended the decision, which Osbourne said was an inevitable part of farming.

"I gave those animals the best quality of life I could ever give until the time they go to slaughter and they go into the food chain," Rivers said. You do feel sad at the end of it... but to bring them down for [the firefighters] was a good way of saying 'thank you'."

ALICIA SILVERSTONE FEEDS HER SON A VEGAN DIET

A spokeswoman for the U.S.-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) told the BBC that the piglets were "no better off having escaped from the fire.

"We'll be sending Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service packs of vegan sausages so that they can see how easy it is to truly be heroes for pigs - by sparing them all suffering," spokeswoman Mimi Bekhechi said.
A restaurateur in New York City has reportedly apologized for  and fired  an employee who wrote Ching Chong on an Asian womans receipt in place of her name.

Ziggy Chau, a friend of the womans daughter, first posted a photo of the receipt to Facebook last week, decrying the racist staff and urging the Facebook community to boycott the establishment.

COFFEE SHOP REMOVES NOVELTY BATHROOM SIGN OVER ACCUSATIONS OF PROMOTING RAPE CULTURE

Please boycott this place Cornerstone Cafe NYC until they publicly apologize, wrote Chau alongside a picture of the receipt, which clearly reads Ching Chong under both the to go and customer name sections. Better yet, call them directly and let them know they have a racist staff, Chau added.

Chau also urged the Asian community to share her post in light of what is happening here in the USA, adding that President Trump has seemingly ma[d]e it OK to come out and be blatantly racist.

Later that evening, Chau phoned the Cornerstone Cafe to complain, but claimed that the manager, Rocco, suggested that his server must have misheard the womans name when she was taking down the order. Chau, however, informed him that Ching Chong was a derogatory term for Asians, and asked him to apologize on social media.

Chaus efforts appeared to work, seeing as Rocco apologized on Cornerstone Cafes Facebook page by 11:30 p.m. The post is no longer available on the restaurants Facebook page, but a screengrab posted to Shanghaiist confirms that Rocco apologized and terminated the offending employee.

As manager, I take full responsibility and I humbly ask for forgiveness for all who got offended, Rocco wrote.

This act is not acceptable and I thank you for bringing it to my attention. This behavior will not be tolerated, he added.

BROOKLYN RESTAURANT UNDER FIRE FOR TOUTING 'BULLET HOLES' IN ITS WALLS

But it appears that even despite Roccos prompt apology, the restaurants reputation has already suffered on Yelp. As of Wednesday morning, Cornerstone Cafes page had been updated with several unflattering reviews, forcing Yelp to issue an Active Cleanup Alert in an effort to stem any posts that appear to be more motivated by news events than recent dining experiences.

However, the Cornerstone Cafe is not without its supporters. In a review posted to the restaurants Facebook page, a woman claiming to be a friend of the owners defended him as a stand up human, and wrote that he should not be punished for an individual employees bad choices.

Chau, too, wrote in her Facebook post that she does not wish for the restaurant to close.

There are many people that are employed by the restaurant whose livelihoods depend on their jobs there and should not suffer because ONE IGNORANT employee thought it was OK to make a racist remark, she wrote.

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In any case, Chau thanked her friends, followers and community for supporting her cause, and urged that they continue to stand up against injustice.

Asians clearly have a lot of work to do in terms of speaking up, she wrote in her latest update to the original Facebook post. We should also not be afraid or fear speaking out for other people, too because racism against ANY one group of people is WRONG and it is EVERYONE'S issue!
Following the protests on Aug. 12 in Charlottesville, Va., the Alexandria City Council's decision to rename Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway has become more urgent.

City officials have recently set up an online brainstorming survey soliciting suggestions for alternate names. And whether or not youre a resident of the Old Dominion state, feedback is welcome.

PIZZA FATALITIES REPORTED AFTER DIGIORNO, TOMBSTONE TRUCK CRASHES ON ARKANSAS HIGHWAY

A critical route for the Washington, D.C. area, the heavily traveled Jefferson Davis Highway leads to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon. The renaming process was originally initiated in September 2016, when city council voted unanimously to begin the process of renaming the stretch of U.S. Route 1 that currently honors the first and only president of the Confederacy, who served from 1861 to 1865.

The survey opened on August 10 and is taking suggestions until September 15, explained Craig T. Fifer, Director of Communications and Public Information for Alexandria. Further, the advisory group will hold an open forum on September 25, and make its final recommendation for the roads new name on October 5.

SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS REMOVES CONFEDERATE FLAG, REVERSING EARLIER DECISION

According to the Department of Transportations Federal Highway Administration, in 1913, the roadway was officially dubbed the Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway through sponsorship of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, in response to the publicly funded Lincoln Highway.

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In the wake of the chaos in Charlottesville over the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, government officials are moving forward with utmost caution. Like the swift eradication of Confederate statues in Atlanta, Baltimore, and Durham, N.C., to campaigns to rename streets like General Lee Avenue" and "Stonewall Jackson Drive" at the Army National Guard base in Brooklyn, N.Y., Alexandria prepares to set precedent as it renames the road.
Revolution Brewing Is Turning Oktoberfest Into A 2-Day Street Fest & Bringing A Stacked Musical Lineup

By Stephen Gossett in Food on Aug 22, 2017 10:55PM



Logan Square's Revolution Brewing (Steve Vance from the Chicagoist Flickr Pool)

One never has cause to worry whether a festival thrown by Revolution Brewing will have quality beer options. But when the craft-beer favorite kicks off its annual Oktoberfest this year, it'll have much more to recommend beyond the drinks. Revolution is shifting its annual Oktoberfest away from its Kedzie Brewery backlot and into the streets of Logan Square for a two-day festival, with a roster of music acts that shames much of the competition.

The new Oktoberfest-as-street-fest brings the celebration to the Milwaukee Avenue corridor in front of Revolution's Logan Square brewpub, between California and Fullerton avenues, between Friday, Sept. 29 (5 to 10 p.m.) and 30 (noon to 10 p.m.). Entry is a $5 suggested donation, which benefits programs of Friends of Goethe School.

As for that enviable music roster, Real Estate headlines on Friday and Jeff Rosenstocknot too distanced from this summer's legendary-in-circles Pitchfork Music Festival performancecloses out Saturday. You'll also have the chance to catch Bandcamp champ (Sandy) Alex G, Canadian punks White Lung, local agit-punk faves Meat Wave and ascendant Chicago rapper, Mykele Deville, among others.

Aside from beer, tunes and food, there will also be booths from Chicago Distilling Company, DAnerman and The Radler. And keep an ear out for after-parties that should land at various spots along the corridor. Even if, like us, you're feeling some fatigue over street-festival creep, this looks like one worth welcoming.
A Pennsylvania woman who died while hiking in Colorado with three friends was killed by altitude sickness, her mother said. Susanna Susie DeForest, of Collegeville, was hiking to Conundrum Hot Springs last Thursday when she fell ill, according to The Times Herald News.

The group had the proper gear, water and food and were preparing to spend the night at the hot springs and hike out on Friday, according to the Post Independent. Two members of the group set out for help late Thursday after DeForest began vomiting, and were able to notify emergency dispatchers at 10:45 p.m., according to Pitkin County Sheriffs Deputy Anthony Todaro.

DIABETIC WOMAN ON TOUR OF MEXICO DIES FROM FOOD POISONING, FAMILY SAYS

A rescue crew set out on foot, while two helicopter services were dispatched to the area. The first helicopter was unable to land, and by the time the second one reached the group's camp DeForest had died, The Times Herald News reported.

Dear Friends, many of you already know this, but on Friday, we lost our daughter Susie DeForest, Kate DeForest, the womans mother, posted Tuesday on Facebook. She was hiking in Colorado and suffered acute altitude sickness. Her friends who were with her did all they could to get help to her in time.

The grieving family is headed to see DeForest in Colorado, with a memorial service scheduled in Pennsylvania on Sunday.

Thank you for your prayers, we are devastated and grieving but relying on the Peace of Christ and all the prayers, Kate DeForest posted.

10-YEAR-OLD HELPS DELIVER BABY BROTHER, SAVE MOM'S LIFE

DeForest had no prior medical conditions, and there was no sign of drug or alcohol abuse, the Post Independent reported. Pennsylvania College of Art & Design in Lancaster said the school was heartbroken over the former student's death.

DeForest was studying graphic design at the school, and had made dean's list during the spring 2017 semester, but elected not to enroll in classes this fall, The Times Herald News reported.
A 26-year-old woman who was told she would likely lose her eyesight within 10 years was on a trip to Mexico with her sister last week, when she came down with a bought of food poisoning and died. Alexandra Noghaven, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 9, had climbed pyramids and explored Frida Kahlos home on their trip before tragedy struck, according to an obituary published in The Miami Herald.

She spent her free time off traveling the world and seeing what would be lost to her, Anne Jackaway, Noghavens mother, told the news outlet.

On Aug. 16, Noghaven and her sister, Genevieve Jonvi Del Sol were supposed to go to an archeological museum, but Jackaway received a call from the U.S. Embassy informing her of Noghavens death. Her mother said the food poisoning triggered diabetic complications.

10-YEAR-OLD HELPS DELIVER BABY BROTHER, SAVE MOM'S LIFE

That probably sent her blood sugars out of whack so she didnt realize her vulnerability falling asleep, Jackaway told The Miami Herald.

I almost lost her at 9 when she was diagnosed, she said. I had another 15 years with the most incredible intellect and compassionate heart I have ever known.

Noghaven worked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, and was a co-founder of the Miami literary reading series Ruf Reads, the news outlet reported. She was also a fierce advocate for social justice.

TERMINALLY ILL TEEN WANTS 100,000 CARDS FOR BIRTHDAY

Del Sol posted a moving photo tribute to her sister on Facebook the morning after her death.

As a few of you know, my sister Alexandra Eva Marie Noghaven passed away late last night early this morning due to diabetic complications in Mexico City, Del Sol posted, in part, on Aug. 16. I still cant believe this has happened to the most badass woman I know. She is a friend to all and a shoulder to lean on. Shes always going to be with us in our hearts and memories. Shell always be there to defend the rights to those who are less fortunate.

A Facebook page called Celebrating Alexandra Noghaven was created in her honor.
Colorado police officers came to the aid of a Sand Creek resident who was stuck in the middle of an intersection for hours after his electric wheelchair ran out of power. Officers Devin Mieke and Zakary Gallegos transported the unidentified man to a nearby IHOP restaurant where he was able to plug into an outlet and charge his chair.

WOMAN CHARGED WITH POISONING HUSBAND USING EYE DROP SOLUTION

They then bought him a steak and eggs breakfast, the Colorado Springs Police Department said in a post on Tuesday. The man said he had been stuck for hours. He related that cars had been passing him but no one would stop.

The post has received more than 1,500 reactions, with many commenting that they were saddened that nobody had stopped to help the man.

RAPPER'S SONG ABOUT MOM'S DRUG ADDICTION GOES VIRAL

It was not clear why the man required the assistance of a wheelchair.
On Tuesday, YYC Calgary International Airport in Alberta, Canada, released an official apology for converting disabled parking spaces to Lexus-only spots after widespread criticism on social media.

Through a marketing partnership, the luxury car company had paid the airport for the rights to demarcate five prime spots exclusively for drivers of its vehicles, according to the CBC. YYC has since called the move "out of touch."

AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSENGER TRIES TO OPEN CABIN DOOR MID-FLIGHT, GETS SUBDUED"

YYC Calgary International Airport would like to apologize to our passengers impacted by the decision to change the location of the accessible parking stalls at the airport; it is clearly out of touch with our commitment to being an accessible facility," the statement said.

Accessibility is important to us and we hope to make it up to our passengers by reviewing our accessibility policies and processes to ensure that as we move forward as an airport, we don't lose sight of its importance to our travelling public and their families visiting YYC," they added.

The statement also said that, in agreeing to the deal, Lexus did not know that the exclusive spots would replace designated areas for accessible parking, for which they have since apologized. The Lexus-only spaces have since been restored as disabled parking spaces, and there will now be more accessible spots than before.

FRONTIER AIRLINES KICKS FATHER AND DAUGHTER OFF FLIGHT FOR 'DISRESPECTFUL REMARKS'

Jody Moseley, Calgary Airport Authority's senior director of corporate communications and stakeholder relations, said the controversial labeling was brought to the airport's attention when a man complained that he saw the accessible spaces in the parking area being painted over while dropping off his mother, Huffington Post Canada reports. Outrage over this situation soon spread to social media.

16-YEAR-OLD GROPED ON UNITED FLIGHT FEELS AIRLINE DIDN'T PROTECT HER FROM ATTACKER

Reporting that Lexus was truly embarrassed by the mistake, Michael Bouliane, manager of corporate communications at the car company, additionally released a separate statement in response to the mishap. Lexus Canada would like to offer our heartfelt apologies to anyone who may have been affected or offended by a recent marketing campaign at the Calgary airport, he said in a statement obtained by CBC.

As the Calgary Airport Authority does not receive funding from any level of government, Mosley said that marketing campaigns, like the one with Lexus, are a key source of revenue.

Calgary International Airport isnt the only Alberta airport to be seduced by the luxury car company. Last year, the Edmonton International Airport initiated a similar partnership with Lexus, but did not displace disabled parking spots in doing so.

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Gray hairs aren't super-common for women in their twenties and thirties, so it's natural that you might start to freak out a little if you spot some. Unfortunately, premature grays happen, and there are a few reasons for them.

First, some basics: Gray hair is caused by lack of melanin pigment in the hair follicles, says Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The follicles still have a normal number of melanocytes (cells that make pigment), but these cells stop working over time, and the hair turns gray or white.

HOW TO GET RID OF DANDRUFF

It's not super common to go gray at a young age since gray hair usually follows the 50-50 rule, Goldenberg says  50 percent of the population will go gray by 50 years old.

But, again, gray hair happens in younger people, too. Genetics plays a big role, says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. If your mom or dad developed early gray hairs, you likely will too, he says. And, of course, you cant do anything about that.

CAN WINE REALLY HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT?

But if no one else in your family started graying early, it might be due to some other factors. A deficiency in vitamin B12 is linked to early grays, Goldenberg says, but experts arent sure why this happens other than the fact that B vitamins are important for hair health. A vitamin B12 supplement may help, but its always a good idea to check in with your doctor before starting any new supplementation.

Smoking has also been associated with early gray hair. This may be related to nutritional deficiency that's associated with smoking or other poor health and lifestyle choices, Goldenberg says. It's also possible that free oxygen radicals that are increased by smoking damage hair follicles and cause premature gray hair. So, naturally, quitting cigarettes should help.

IF YOU HAVE BACK PAIN, THIS IS THE SQUAT FOR YOU

And, youve heard it before, but its true: Constant stress can cause you to go gray earlier.

Although there is no direct link, stress increases cortisol levels, which increase free oxygen radicals that can damage hair follicles and cells that make pigment in the hair, Goldenberg explains.

Obviously its one thing to say youll de-stress and another to actually do it, but scaling back on your stress levels (if you can) should help your hair.

FOLLOW THESE 3 RULES TO MAKE SURE YOUR ANTI-AGING PRODUCTS ACTUALLY WORK

Unfortunately, Goldenberg says that you cant un-gray hairs that have already changed color, but you can try to get things in check before your whole head turns gray (provided, of course, its not due to genetics).

If youve made some lifestyle tweaks and the grays keep coming, you have two options: Embrace it and rock the look or dye it. Either way, own it and youll look great.

This article originally appeared on Womens Health.
Everyone knows you cant run for governor of Ohio and head up an agency of the United States government at the same time. Then why is Richard Cordray, the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), doing just that?

It was recently reported that a state judge in Ohio by the name of Bill ONeill was asked by a friend of Cordrays if he would stay out of the race for governor if Cordray became an official candidate. This is a campaign maneuver thats regularly employed in order to mitigate headaches in an upcoming race. In this case, Cordray is trying to limit the number of primary challengers he would face in the upcoming Democrat primary election next spring.

This is an outrage and another example of a liberal elitist who thinks the law doesnt apply to him. Engaging in this type of political activity is a clear violation of the Hatch Act and the allegations should be investigated by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel without delay.

The CFPB was created because of the disastrous Dodd-Frank law and specializes in job-killing regulations. Congress should place it on the ash heap of history or drastically reform it so that the agency can be forever defunded.

According to the Special Counsels Guide to the Hatch Act for Federal Employees, a covered employee: May not be a candidate for nomination or election to public office in a partisan election and may not use his or her official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of an election.

Im glad to see that the Republican Governors Association has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for relevant documents. RGA should be prepared to file a FOIA lawsuit if the CFPB doesnt comply in a timely manner.

Hardworking American taxpayers -- including the millions of Ohioans who fall into this category -- should demand that Cordray come clean and resign or state publicly that he wont be a candidate.

President Trump could also fire him if he believes that Cordray is playing politics on taxpayer time.

Its not surprising that Cordray thinks hes above the law since the agency he leads was set up in exactly that fashion.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is not subject to traditional congressional oversight and is currently being threatened with contempt of Congress for not fully complying with committee subpoenas.

It was a Nancy Pelosi-led Congress that structured CFPBs budget so its not subject to the congressional appropriations process.

The CFPB was created because of the disastrous Dodd-Frank law and specializes in job-killing regulations. Congress should place it on the ash heap of history or drastically reform it so that the agency can be forever defunded.

Regardless of his campaign timetable, Cordrays five-year term ends in July 2018 and he ought to be remembered as the first and last director of this agency that exists to stifle American economic growth.

At the end of the day, Dodd-Frank and the CFPB were Obama-era mistakes and along with ObamaCare, big reasons why Republicans won control of Congress after the 2010 midterm elections.

Cordray is likely delaying his resignation so that he can continue to draw his nice taxpayer-funded salary as long as possible, since he would become an unemployed full-time candidate once he comes out of the shadows and starts running officially.

The Democratic candidates already running for the Ohio governors mansion should turn up the heat on Cordray and tell him that he cant have it both ways.

When Richard Cordray does finally return to Ohio, he might be surprised by what he finds.

President Donald Trump carried the Buckeye State by a whopping eight points running against the anemic Obama economy that Cordray himself helped create.

Make no mistake about it -- the Ohio voters who helped propel Donald Trump to the presidency fully understand this fact.
Light your Elizabeth Warren prayer candles, because the country will need your prayers as we travel together along the road to the 2020 presidential election and her inevitable candidacy.

Its hard to believe it has been only six months since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells infamous Nevertheless, she persisted remark that he used to remove a lengthy-speech-giving Senator Warren from the Senate floor. Its even harder to believe well be hearing this from every campus snowflake, pink hatted progressive, and the Senator herself for the next 28 months. I hope you bought more than one prayer candle.

Quite simply, Senator Warren isnt interested in a big tent party. I hope she takes advantage and starts selling litmus tests in her campaign store.

Beyond the sound bites and made-for-Twitter-outrage, what exactly is the Senator Elizabeth Warren brand?

In a recent article for Politico discussing the Elizabeth Warren merchandising empire -- empire! -- the co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee called her "the Apple of Politics."

Wow. THAT'S a brand. But what does it stand for? A recent speech Warren delivered to Netroots Nation, a progressive conference, is particularly illuminating.

Is it an inclusive brand? [The] Democratic Party isnt going back to the days of welfare reform and the crime bill. Did she forget she endorsed and actively campaigned for a second Clinton administration?

Were not going back to the days of being lukewarm on choice. Looks like the DCCC Chairman and religious Democrats are people without a party in Warrens world.

Quite simply, Senator Warren isnt interested in a big tent party. I hope she takes advantage and starts selling litmus tests in her campaign store.

Is it a principled brand? Were almost two decades into the 21st century and we still dont have equal pay for equal work. The Senator failed to acknowledge Equal Pay Day this year after the Washington Free Beacon reported that in her office women earned just 71 cents for each dollar earned by men in 2016.

Were not going back to the days when universal health care was something Democrats talked about on the campaign trail but were too chicken to fight for after they got elected. I wonder if she means when she was asked in 2012 if she supported single-payer and responded no, citing the political toxicity.

Does the Senator accept returns for misleading products? Can I file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau?

Is it a unique brand? The Republican agenda will make the powerful more powerful  and leave everyone else further behind. The Republican leadership is willing to threaten our health, our economy, and our basic safety. Republicans hate the poor, very original!

And were going to turn the minimum wage into a living wage. Fight for $15! You could have heard the same thing from the parrot at the local union hall.

The answer to all of these questions is "no." Senator Warren is pushing the same bankrupt ideology peddled by the fire-breathing and pearl-clutching liberals who preceded hershe clearly is an expert in bankruptcy.

So, fellow Americans, send your prayers up because the Senator Warren brand isnt going away anytime soon.

As Massachusetts state GOP Chairwoman Kirsten Hughes said, Perhaps Warren should focus less on selling silly slogans and more on delivering results for Massachusetts  otherwise, it would make more sense for her to sell 'inaction figures.

You can find those and other Warren merchandise in the failed political ideologies aisle, wedged in with the Che Guevara t-shirts and Bernie beer goggles.
President Trumps speech in Phoenix brought out the usual cast of misfits and miscreants.

And no, Im not just referring to the Antifa anarchists who were, for the most part, denied their typical practice of wielding clubs, hurling feces, throwing rocks, setting vehicles ablaze and destroying buildings.

Im talking about chronic Trump critics like James Clapper, the former Director of National Intelligence. Spouting off on CNN immediately after the speech, Clapper said he questioned the presidents fitness to be in this office."

Lying to Congress is a felony. Yet Clapper managed to avoid prosecution for criminal perjury by hiding behind President Obama. So, when Clapper decries the complete intellectual, moral or ethical void of President Trump, the irony is lost on no one.

Clapper seems to be making a career out of trashing Trump. Hes like a guy who cant resist cramming a cannoli in his mouth every time he passes a pastry shop. Whenever Trump speaks, Clapper starts yapping. It is no coincidence that his mouth, and the lie that came out of it back in 2013, is what should have landed him behind bars.

While testifying before Congress, Clapper was asked, Does the NSA collect any type of data at all on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans? The DNI responded, No.

It was a breathtaking lie, of course. Soon thereafter, the story broke that the National Security Agency had, indeed, been doing exactly what Clapper denied under oath. When confronted with his lie, he told a reporter, I responded in what I thought was the most truthful, or at least untruthful manner by saying no. Huh?

Later, Clapper apologized for his clearly erroneous answer, but explained he had simply forgotten all about the massive government operation to secretly collect metadata on hundreds of millions of U.S. citizens. Thats like saying Christmas slipped his mind.

Lying to Congress is a felony. Yet Clapper managed to avoid prosecution for criminal perjury by hiding behind President Obama. Obamas pal, Attorney General Eric Holder, made sure the case was tossed in a broom closet somewhere, never to be seen again.

The pompous media has never understood why much of America does not embrace their liberal values. Most members of the press are too insular and dogmatic to ever conceive of any intelligent beliefs beyond their own.

So, when Clapper decries the complete intellectual, moral or ethical void of President Trump, the irony is lost on no one. Clapper became the poster child for ethical decay when he served as the nations chief intelligence officer.

At roughly the same time Clapper was spewing his usual drivel, Hillary Clinton was attempting to sideswipe Trump with her own revisionist rubbish.

Clinton, who mangled her presidential aspirations with acts of self-immolation unmatched in modern political history, is at it again. Old habits are hard to break. Youll recall that she famously blamed her husbands infidelity with a young intern on a vast right-wing conspiracy two decades ago. She has been playing the narcissistic blame game ever since.

Her latest incantation is really quite laughable. In a breathless recitation of excerpts from her new book What Happened, Clinton bemoans that the mere sight of Donald Trump during the campaign made her skin crawl. It is the tripe of dime novels, but no less hypocritical.

Wouldnt Hillary want to crawl out of her own skin because of her self-destruction? Wouldn't she blame herself for the utterly unnecessary, but fatal, scandal of her own making? When she looks in the mirror, does she see a crook staring back? How could she not?

Like Clappers lies, Clinton managed to escape prosecution and prison for what appears to be a clear violation of the Espionage Act in the mishandling of classified documents. Once again, Obamas Justice Department provided cover, with a significant assist from then-FBI Director James Comey.

Perhaps Clintons most revealing line in her book is when she recounts her "lifetime of dealing with difficult men trying to throw me off. While it is intended to be a swipe at Trump, it sounds more like an angry confession of living a tortured life in the company of Bill Clinton.

There will be more self-serving excerpts to come. Lucky us.

But Hillary Clinton and James Clapper are like pesky flies compared to the mainstream media. Driven by its pronounced liberal bias, they immediately condemned Trump for denouncing them at the rally. The president knows he can provoke them into revealing their prejudices. And when he did so during the speech, they reacted like Pavlovs dogs.

The gnashing of teeth at CNN was predictable, if not comical. Calling the president unhinged and wounded, anchor Don Lemon declared that Trump came out on stage and lied directly to the American people. His speech was without thought, without reason, devoid of facts, devoid of wisdom. Lemon blathered on and on, but you get the picture. He seemed to light up like a pinball machine when his guest, Clapper, launched into his unfit for office shtick. Is it any wonder that the convention hall crowd began chanting, CNN sucks?

The pompous media has never understood why much of America does not embrace their liberal values. Most members of the press are too insular and dogmatic to ever conceive of any intelligent beliefs beyond their own.

Which is why journalists never imagined that Trump would be elected president. When it happened, they lapsed into something akin to septic shock from which they have yet to recover. Likely, they never will. They will persist in predicting Trumps imminent demise and assert their own intellectual and moral superiority.

In so doing, they are sowing the seeds of their own destruction. Not as a professional endeavor. There will always be journalists.

But America will no longer hold them in respectable regard.
Editor's note: This column originally appeared in The Washington Post.

President Trumps advisers apparently pleaded with him not to attack Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz) at his rally in Arizona on Tuesday night. They all said, Mr. President, your speech was so good last night, please, please Mr. President, dont mention any names,  Trump noted. But he could not resist. After taking a veiled shot at Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Trump declared,Nobody wants me to talk about your other senator whos weak on borders, weak on crime. So I wont mention any names. Just a few days earlier, Trump had tweeted an endorsement of Flakes GOP primary opponent, declaring Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. Hes toxic! And the Mercer family  major Trump donors  have given $300,000 to a super PAC backing Ward in her efforts to unseat Flake.

All of which raises a question: Does Trump really want to make Charles E. Schumer the Senate majority leader? Why would a Republican president attack one of his partys most vulnerable incumbents at time when the GOP holds such a narrow majority that it cannot pass legislation to repeal and replace ObamaCare  or much of anything else for that matter?

Yes, Flake failed to endorse Trump in 2016. And yes, Flake just wrote a book critical of Trump. So what? Flake has voted with the president 93.5 percent of the time  more often than Sen. Luther Strange, whom Trump just endorsed in the GOP primary in Alabama. Why on Earth would Trump risk replacing an annoying but reliable yes vote with a Democrat who would strengthen the Resistance?

If Flake loses the primary to Ward, Democrats could very well win the seat. Ward is a proven loser who was trounced in her foolhardy primary challenge against McCain in 2016. She recently exposed her political tin ear by calling on McCain to resign right after he was diagnosed with brain cancer  even suggesting that she be appointed as McCains replacement. She held town hall meetings to discuss Chemtrails  a conspiracy theory which holds that aircraft are deliberately spraying us with mysterious chemical substances. Ward is the 2018 version of Sharron Angle, the disastrous tea party candidate who cost the Republicans a winnable Senate race in Nevada in 2010 and gave us six more years of Harry Reid. Ward could hand Democrats a Senate seat in Arizona for the first time since 1988. And even if Flake holds her off, a costly and unnecessary primary race could weaken him in the general election, while draining resources Republicans should be using to target vulnerable Senate Democrats and expand the GOPs Senate majority.

Flake is not the only endangered Republican to find himself in Trumps crosshairs. This year, Trump went after Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) for refusing to support the early, deeply flawed version of the Senate Republicans Obamacare replacement. A pro-Trump group launched an ad campaign against Heller  reportedly with the blessing of the Trump White House  and sent out tweets asking, Why did @SenDeanHeller lie to voters about #RepealAndReplace? Hes now with @NancyPelosi. NOT GOOD! A recent poll showed Heller narrowly trailing his likely Democratic opponent 41 percent to 42 percent, in a purple state where Hillary Clinton beat Trump 48 percent to 46 percent.

It is not in Trumps interests to see either Heller or Flake lose in 2018. One lesson that Trump should have learned by now is that he needs more than 52 Republicans in the Senate to get 50 votes on his priorities. He needs to build his majority, not reduce it.

Republicans have a structural advantage in 2018, defending just eight Senate seats, while Democrats must defend 25  including five in states that Trump won by double digits. But the party that controls the White House usually loses seats in off-year elections. And the GOP will enter 2018 with its base dispirited by legislative failures, while the anti-Trump Democratic base is energized and eager to deliver a stinging rebuke to the president.

If Flake and Heller lose, it is not outside the realm of possibility that Democrats could win back control of the Senate, making the Trump agenda dead on arrival in the chamber. Trump may not care about that, but there is something he should care about: If Democrats retake the Senate, they will control the Senates investigative committees. Does Trump want to hand Schumer unbridled subpoena power?

If so, then by all means he should do everything in his power to weaken Flake and Heller.
The reaction of BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) Catalonia to the terrorist onslaughts in Barcelona and across Catalonia this past week was instructive. First, it offered lip-service condemnation of the Barcelona terrorist attacks. Then, with that out of the way, it condemned the European Union for human rights violations and took aim at its real enemies  especially the occupiers of Palestina:

We also do not forget the victims of military occupations, of wars and terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestina, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Mali, Nigeria, Cote dIvoire, Burkina Faso and many other places where what happened yesterday in Barcelona is a daily occurrence.

This statement came as a stunned nation of Spain and the rest of the world mourned 14 dead and over 100 wounded, with the shocked understanding that, if not for a premature explosion in an Islamist bomb factory, hundreds more might have been murdered.

The chief rabbi of Barcelona, Meir Ben Chen, is not waiting to find out. Labeling Spain a hub of Islamist terror, he is lamenting that Europe is lost and calling on his flock to leave now.

Now authorities are belatedly trying to figure out if a local imam radicalized the 12-man cell . Whatever the truth, BDSers would never allow a crisis to go to waste or allow the facts to get in the way. Their 24/7 goal: Demonize and delegitimize the Jewish state.

But did hatred of Jews factor into the Barcelona massacre? Apparently, it was a motivating factor for at least one key player: Moroccan-born Driss Oukabir, the legal EU resident who rented the white Fiat van used to plow down tourists in the popular Las Ramblas district.

Days before the mass murder-by-vehicle attack, Oukabir posted anti-Israel and anti-Semitic tirades on social media. And was it just a coincidence that the van landed in front of a kosher restaurant (a rarity in Barcelona) called Maccabi and near another called Maoz Falafel? Only the driver of the van, who was shot and killed by authorities on Monday, may have known for sure.

The chief rabbi of Barcelona, Meir Ben Chen, is not waiting to find out. Labeling Spain a hub of Islamist terror, he is lamenting that Europe is lost and calling on his flock to leave now.

Panic? Overreaction? Maybe not. Jewish leaders in Europe are reeling from a series of recent attacks by Islamists targeting not only tourists, but also Jewish institutions, including the Jewish Museum in Brussels and the Hypercacher supermarket in Paris.

Meanwhile, bigots have had a field day in their online swamp. One tweeter declared: Jewish-engineered non-white invasion of Europe ends with Muzzies slaughtering Jews. A second speculated that it was most likely planned by Jews. A third drew the lesson that to increase our guard against Jewish Power.

But beyond Islamists and marginal online Jew-haters, anti-Semitism in the Eurozone is now also deeply embedded in the mainstream. There are areas in leading capitals, including London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Stockholm, where no Jew dares to wear a yarmulke or a Jewish star necklace in public. In Sweden, anti-Semitic attacks go virtually unchallenged and unprosecuted by authorities.

Just how deeply embedded was highlighted not long ago by Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld, a respected author and researcher on anti-Semitism who attracted headlines and criticism with his assertion that well over 150 million citizens of the European Union (population 400 million) believe Israel is conducting a war of extermination against the Palestinians. Gerstenfeld based his conclusion on a poll conducted by Germanys University of Bielefeld for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation that asked 8,000 people across eight EU member states whether they agreed. On average, 40 percent responded yes.

Another report estimates that 11 million Spaniards harbor anti-Semitic views. Too many in the European Union, including major media, reflexively and habitually blame civilian Israeli communities (settlements) or Israeli self-defense against Palestinian terrorism for the spread of Islamist terrorism. And in the UK, rather than standing up for a Jewish community reeling from a spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes, Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party has been rife with anti-Semitism and extreme anti-Israel antipathy.

Today, the anti-Jewish bigotry among Islamists who preach bullying, violence and terrorism, combined with the apathy and even open hostility among ruling elites in many European societies to their Jewish neighbors, renders useless the post-World War II pledge of Never Again.

Unless European leaders of state, culture and media dramatically change course, Barcelonas chief rabbi may be right. For the Jews, at least, Europe is lost.
Acclaimed El Che Bar Chef Talks Hearth Cooking & The River North-ification Of Fulton Market

By Anthony Todd in Food on Aug 23, 2017 3:47PM



Chef John Manion.

Chef John Manion has spent more than 20 years in the business, and he's seen it all. He's worked in kitchens all over town, and is now one year into his second West Loop restaurant, El Che Bar. His first, La Sirena Clandestina, brought his take on South American cuisine to Fulton Market in 2012, and El Che was one of the first restaurants in Chicago to bring wood-fired hearth cooking to the forefront when it opened last fall. I recently sat down with him to discuss El Che's first year, the challenges of hearth cooking, and what he thinks about the neighborhood surrounding his restaurants.

Most dining guests, when they walk into El Che's gorgeous interior, probably never have a second thought about how their food is cooked. Some may notice the flames leaping off of the hearth, but none of them know about how nervous the whole process made Manion. You see, El Che is all wood-powered. Hearth cooking has become a huge, sexy trend lately (see: Lena Brava and The Promontory) but it also presents some huge challenges.



The interior of El Che Bar, with the flames in back. Photo via Facebook.

"The thing that kept me up at night when we constructed this monstrosity was the fact that I had left us no safety net," Manion asid. "Theres no saute station, theres no gas, theres no way to cheat this! Its terrifying."

Why so terrifying? Well, imagine what happens if the fire goes out, or it's the wrong temperature, or the restaurant fills with smoke. Tack onto that the fact that traditional menu design just wouldn't work.

"Unlike balancing a menu where certain things are sauteed, some from an oven, everything comes from the grill," Manion explained. "We have two to three grill stations, but you also have to light this fire, and maintain it while cooking things from raw to perfectly cooked, using a technique youve never really used before. It was challenging to engineer that, and when we opened, like every restaurant, we got punched in the mouth from the get go, and you had to learn on the fly. You dont learn to tend fire in culinary school."

During my visits to El Che, I never noticed anything was amiss, but there were a lot of changes in the early days. For example: how do you hold already-cooked food without heat lamps or hot plates? An early riff on an Argentine pizza was incredibly popular, but had to get pulled off the menu.

"The problem became our inability to hold it," Manion said. "It was either overcooked or one side was burned - the way the hearth was set up, there was no good place to keep it. We couldnt do it! It was one of those things that started out great and ended up being a problem. It was a learning process."

On the other hand, there are some seriously huge hits as a result of the hearth. Ultra-thin pork chops with spicy mustard, grilled oysters with garlic aioli, grilled chorizo with charred onions and ndjua; there's a reason that this restaurant has gotten universally positive reviews.



Grilled salmon at El Che Bar. Photo via Facebook.

I asked Manion if he has trouble attracting staff. While every restaurant is having difficulty finding cooks, a place like El Che, while attractive to some, faces unique challenges. "This restaurant, this way of cooking, attracts a certain kind of very good cook," explains Manion. "It takes a certain kind of person. We had a lot of stages [a.k.a. interns] come in early on who walked in and were just like 'nope'its hot, its physically difficult."

But the ones that stay turn out consistently excellent product, and learned this type of cooking like the back of their hand. Not that they have an alternative, since there aren't gas lines in the kitchen.

As such a fixture in the West Loop scene, I wanted to hear Manion's take on the changes in the neighborhood. As smaller independent spots like Vera fold, and giant bars with huge patios come in, I wondered what he thought the future of his own La Sirena Clandestina would be. And he told me, frankly. "La Sirena is busier now than it ever has been, but when our rent goes up, it's not going to be tenable. Everything is a real estate deal. It has nothing to do with what we do."

"Its funny," he says. "La Sirena and El Che are in the same area, but they're radically different neighborhoods. It would seem to me that Fulton Market is going to become River North, and maybe it already is. If I walk from one restaurant to another on a Friday afternoon, there is a line down the block for Federales. Heres the thingIve been doing this in Chicago for a long time, and theres always been ups and downs, but thats the future of Fulton Market, I think."

In the meantime, celebrate the anniversary of El Che by trying out their Sunday Asado. A perfect way to get a real taste of all that fire, the Asado is a giant platter of different rotating proteins, which might include pork, beef, sweetbreads, sausages, ribs, chicken or blood sausage, all fresh off the heat. You'll also get a first course salad plus empenadas, and the whole mess is $90 for two people. You might leave in a meat coma, but it's definitely going to be worth it.

What about the fact that hearth cooking is suddenly trendy? Manion takes it in stride.

"I wanted to do it for a very long time. Its serendipitous that we opened during this hearth cooking craze," he says. Plus, he doesn't really care that diners know exactly what is happening, as long as the product is excellent. "I think you could sit in the front of the restaurant and not know there was a flame, and just enjoy your meal. Its not meant to be a gimmick. It means a lot to us, but if you sit down and have a meal and are satisfied to the core, it doesnt matter how we cooked it."

El Che Bar is at 845 W. Washington.
In President Trumps fiery address to a raucous crowd of Phoenix supporters, he boldly promised believe me, if we have to close down our government, were building that wall. Earlier in the day, he visited border patrol agents and military in Yuma, Arizona, where expanded border barricades have proven very effective at reducing illegal crossings.

Also on Tuesday, McClatchy News made a splash with a story about the potential for a grand bargain on immigration between the White House and the Hill. According to sources, the administration may concede to moderates on DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) -- the so-called "Dreamers" brought to the U.S. as children -- in exchange for a funded border wall and tougher immigration policies resembling the RAISE Act, recently outlined by White House aide Stephen Miller in a heated briefing room appearance.

Many on the right revolted, as Breitbart called it Amnesty First and Rosemary Jenks from NumbersUSA, which advocates for restricted immigration, declared: DACA needs to be ended. While I rarely disagree with voices of the populist right, if such a deal is indeed afoot, the president should seize the moment, simultaneously showing his heart while also protecting the long-term safety and economic interests of Americans.

If such a deal is indeed afoot, the president should seize the moment, simultaneously showing his heart while also protecting the long-term safety and economic interests of Americans.

DACAs implementation by executive order under President Obama unconstitutionally usurped Congresss plenary powers under U.S. law. Many states, most notably Texas, plan to sue the federal government over this issue, essentially forcing the White Houses hand. Either the Trump DOJ must fight Texas in court to preserve Obamas king-like edict -- an impossibility -- or a deal must be reached with Congress.

Paradoxically this President, so roundly derided as anti-Mexican and xenophobic, represents the best chance in decades at real, substantive immigration reform  and on America First terms.

Regarding the DACA arrivals, the president compassionately maintained their status, recognizing that they were brought as children and had no say in breaking our immigration laws. Many of them have lived in America for decades, speaking English, attending our schools and now earning livings. So long as theyve graduated high school and remain law-abiding, I believe they should be granted legal status, but not citizenship. Why that distinction? Because we cannot allow illegal migrants to become voters nor should we promise this policy is irrevocable, a status full-fledged citizenship would confer.

President Trump, alone, owns the credibility to make this DACA concession for three reasons. First, amazingly, hes already largely secured our border, with illegal crossings plunging due to heightened enforcement and clear-eyed rhetoric. Second, an empowered ICE has accelerated the immediate deportation of thousands of dangerous illegals with criminal records or gang affiliations, foregoing political correctness to protect our citizens, whether legal immigrants or native-born. Third, the Administration already rescinded DACAs nonsensical corollary DAPA, which afforded protection to the illegal guardians of legal immigrants, sheltering grown adults who knowingly and willfully broke our rules.

Most importantly, I implore my colleagues on the populist right to embrace the political reality that this proposed deal can deliver on the most important foundational promises of the Trump movement: both the Border Wall and a far more coherent immigration law as outlined in the Cotton/Perdue RAISE act. Sadly, squishy Republicans who populate the U.S. Senate ensure that no stand-alone wall funding will pass. But, we can and should horse-trade by making DACA the law of the land and, in exchange, secure immediate wall construction PLUS an important shift to a skills-based, more restrained immigration model.

As the son of an immigrant, I urge another son of an immigrant, President Trump, to pursue these badly needed immigration policy reforms and prove his critics wrongyet again.
What began as a generally peaceful gathering of protesters outside President Donald Trumps rally in Phoenix on Tuesday turned disorderly after the event, prompting police to fire tear gas and pepper spray into the crowd, authorities said.

Some of the protesters had "begun throwing rocks and bottles at police," Phoenix police spokesman Jonathan Howard said.

Despite the post-rally commotion, there were no immediate reports of arrests or injuries.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked Trump to postpone the event, which was Trump's first rally since the violent protests in Charlottesville, Va., and Trump's controversial "on both sides" remarks that followed.

Police were on high alert throughout the day, using barricades to separate protesters from Trump supporters.

Rally attendees were booed as they left the Phoenix Convention Center, according to Twitter user Halie Chavez.

Another Twitter user tweeted, The more truth TRUMP speaks, the ignorant, close minded, incoherent, lost left comatose liberals, just throw their spin on it #PhoenixRally.

Earlier in the day, the scene was noisy, but largely peaceful.

As a police helicopter hovered overhead, officers wearing riot gear and carrying rifles sauntered through the lane between the sides.

"Toxic Trump," read one protest sign held up to the president's supporters streaming into the convention center. "Lock Him Up!" read another, a reference to earlier campaign chants by Trump and his backers about his election rival Hillary Clinton.



Dillon Scott of Phoenix, who voted for Clinton, said he came out to express dissatisfaction with how long Trump took to denounce racism after the Charlottesville violence.



"No one should be allowed to get away with what he gets away with, especially in political office," Scott said.



Meanwhile, a group of protesters chanted, "Wrong side of history! Wrong side of history!"

A number of opposition signs showed drawings or photos of Trump with a small, Hitler-style mustache. Three Trump supporters taunted Latino protesters with offensive comments about immigrants and held anti-Muslim and Black Lives Matter signs.



As the line to get in the venue moved ahead, the two groups shouted at each other and some skirmishes broke out. At one point, a Trump supporter and protester shoved each other.



John Brown, of an anti-Trump group calling itself the Redneck Revolt, wore military fatigues and had an AK-47 rifle strapped to his chest as he and a half-dozen others from the group stood about 30 feet behind the barricade for protesters. He said they were there to protect Trump opponents and stand up to fascism. "He's offensive to me in every way," Brown said.

Local political leaders had urged the demonstrations to be calm, with Mayor Stantion saying he expected the protests to be "civil, respectful and peaceful." Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams added First Amendment rights would be supported but criminal conduct would be swiftly addressed.

Meanwhile, several hundred Trump supporters lined up at the convention center, with some arriving before dawn for the 7 p.m. rally.

Trump backer Randy Hutson, a retired Phoenix police officer, began standing in line more than seven hours before the speech was to start. "He is the first president I feel in my lifetime that speaks his mind and speaks from the heart," Hutson said. "He says what needs to be said."



"It's been on a bucket list of mine, since he became the president," said Kingman resident Diane Treon, who arrived at 4 a.m. "I wished I had attended one of his campaign rallies before he became president and I wanted to go to the inauguration. And truthfully it was the protests that kept me away."

Treon said she wishes protesters "would be a little more peaceful instead of violently rioting, which is happening in so many places" but isn't overly worried.

"I don't think the Phoenix Police are going to stand down and throw us out in the wind," she said. "I really think they're going to keep us safe."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A defiant President Trump rallied with his base for more than an hour Tuesday in Arizona, trashing the media over its coverage of his response to the recent violence in Charlottesville, Va., while criticizing the states Republican senators for not getting behind him.

The president also signaled during the Phoenix rally that he could soon pardon Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff in Maricopa County famous for his tough stance against illegal immigration.

But Trump was most animated when defending himself against accusations he wasnt forceful enough in condemning the white supremacists and racists who were protesting in Charlottesville earlier this month. He blamed the media for distorting his comments.

At one point, the president pulled a piece of paper out of his jacket and re-read his initial statements condemning the racists involved the protests.

Did they report that I said that racism is evil? Trump asked of the media. The crowd yelled, No!

You know why? Trump asked. Because they are very dishonest people.

A 32-year-old counter-protester was killed in Charlottesville after police said a Nazi sympathizer rammed his car into a crowd. After the violence, the president faced criticism for blaming both sides for the unrest instead of just white nationalists.

As Trump continued to rail against the medias coverage of him, the crowd began chanting: CNN sucks!

These are sick people," Trump said of the media. "You know the thing I dont understand? You would think  theyd want to make our country great again. And I honestly believe they dont.

The events in Charlottesville cast a shadow over the rally, with Phoenixs Democratic mayor, Greg Stanton, asking Trump last week to delay his rally in wake of the violence.

The Charlottesville violence led cities across the country to consider removing Confederate statues, something Trump railed against Tuesday.

Theyre trying to take away our culture, theyre trying to take away our history, he said.

A crowd of protesters formed outside the convention center Tuesday, but the president bragged that there were far more Trump supporters in attendance.

All week, theyre talking about the massive crowds that are going to be outside, Trump said. Where are they?

He then mocked liberal protesters who had been demonstrating.

You know, they show up in the helmets and the black masks and theyve got clubs and theyve got everything, Trump said.

Referring to the far-left militant protest group, Trump exclaimed: Antifa!

Leading up to the rally, it was believed Trump could announce a pardon at the rally for Arpaio, the former Arizona sheriff convicted of a misdemeanor charge for not obeying a 2011 order from a judge to stop his anti-immigrant traffic patrols. Earlier Tuesday, the White House said the president would not be announcing a pardon at the rally.

But Trump suggested a pardon  which would be his first as president  could be forthcoming.

Ill make a prediction. I think hes going to be just fine, Trump said. But I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy. Is that OK?

Without specifically naming them, Trump dinged the states two Republican senators, Jeff Flake and John McCain, with whom he has sparred recently.

McCain, a frequent Trump critic who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, irked the president by voting against the Senates recent plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

One vote away  I will not mention any names, Trump said of McCain.

Flake, who has battled with Trump on immigration, has been promoting a book that argues the GOP is in denial about the president.

Speaking of Flake, Trump said: And nobody wants me to talk about your other senator, who's weak on borders, weak on crime. So I wont talk about him.

During his speech, Trump vowed to follow through on his promise to crack down on illegal immigration. He also said he isnt giving up on repealing ObamaCare and expressed optimism about reforming the countrys tax codes.

Speaking of the failed attempt to pass health care reform legislation, Trump said: It wouldve been great health care for Arizona. It would have been great.

Tuesday's rally came a day after Trump announced plans to send more troops to Afghanistan  an announcement he highlighted during his speech. Did anybody watch last night?"

Last night, as you know, I laid out my vision for an honorable and enduring outcome in a very tough place, a place where our country has failed, Afghanistan, Trump said.

The president also addressed the recent escalation of rhetoric with North Korea. Trump referenced the countrys leader and said he believes Kim Jong Un is starting to respect us. Trump expressed hope that maybe something positive can come about.



High-ranking administration officials and other recognizable conservatives warmed up the crowd before the president spoke, including Vice President Mike Pence and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.

Several of them painted a picture of a divided country.

"Our lives are too short to let our differences divide us," Carson said. "Our differences are nothing compared to our shared humanity and the values that unite us."

Alveda King, a niece of Martin Luther King Jr., and evangelist Franklin Graham both delivered prayers before Trumps speech.

"We come tonight as a troubled nation, Graham said. We're broken spiritually, we're divided politically, we're divided racially."
President Trump on Tuesday told an audience in Phoenix that former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio will be just fine despite his recent conviction for willfully disregarding an Arizona judges order in 2011 to stop anti-immigrant traffic patrols.

Trump made the comments to a crowd in the Phoenix Convention Center.

Arpaio, 85, was convicted by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton of misdemeanor contempt of court.

Trump asked supporters in the crowd if Arpaio was convicted for doing his job?

The crowd cheered.

He should have had a jury, but Ill make a prediction: Hell be just fine, Trump said. But I wont do it tonight, because I dont want to cause any controversy.

Trumps speech touched on topics ranging from his response to violence in Charlottesville, Va., the fake-news media and Democrats in Congress.

There had been intense speculation in recent days that the president might issue a pardon for Arpaio, best known for his immigration crackdowns as the top lawman in metropolitan Phoenix.

Arpaio and Trump share similar views on immigration enforcement, and the lawman campaigned for Trump several times during the 2016 race.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Allies of the state senator in Missouri fighting to keep her seat after saying she hopes President Trump is assassinated set up a website and encouraged people to donate money to the embattled Democrat.

But after Fox News asked questions about the request for donations, the fundraising link disappeared from the site.

State Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal told Fox News in a statement on Wednesday she appreciates the gesture and show of support from the supporter who set up the site.

The I stand with Maria website included a link to Chappelle-Nadals fundraising page at ActBlue, an online platform used by Democrats to raise money online.

"An enthusiastic supporter started a website - www.istandwithmaria.com - to collect signatures in support of me staying in the Missouri Senate, Chappelle-Nadal said. They added a link to my Senate ActBlue, which is public. The page is a nice gesture and show of support."

In a subsequent statement, Chappelle-Nadal said she asked that the fundraising link be removed.

"I have requested of my supporter to take the ActBlue tab off their website," she said.

By Wednesday evening, the fundraising button had been removed.

The website includes a petition of supporters who dont think she should resign. The site attempts to rationalize her comments.

We know that there is a huge difference between saying that someone hopes Donald Trump is assassinated and someone calling for his assassination, the site says.

Trouble started for Chappelle-Nadal after posting on Facebook last week: I hope Trump is assassinated!

Chappelle-Nadal eventually deleted the post, but a screenshot was saved and shared on Twitter.

MISSOURI SENATOR WHO URGED TRUMP ASSASSINATION BOOTED FROM COMMITTEES

In interviews, Chapelle-Nadal has said she regrets her words but not her anger at the president. She blamed her outburst on the president's response to the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville.

On Sunday, she offered an apology.

President Trump, I apologize to you and your family, Chappelle-Nadal said. I also apologize to all the people in Missouri. And I also apologize to my colleagues in the Missouri legislature for the mistake that I made.

Top Missouri Democrats  including Sen. Claire McCaskill and the chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party  have called on Chapelle-Nadal to resign.

Meanwhile, Chapelle-Nadal has been stripped of committee assignments and Missouri's Republican governor and lieutenant governor have said they will move to expel her from office if she doesnt resign.

But Chappelle-Nadal has said she wont quit.

There is no way in hell that Im resigning, she told KMOX Radio last week.
Back up, you creep. Thats what Hillary Clinton suggests in her forthcoming memoir she wanted to say to then-candidate Donald Trump, during a close-quarters debate last October.

In that second presidential debate, the Republican nominee famously paced around his Democratic rival. In an audio excerpt of Clintons book aired Wednesday on MSNBC, Clinton spoke in unprecedented terms about her distaste for the billionaire businessman who is now president  and zeroed in on that debate moment, seeming to reveal an inner monologue that was quietly telling off Trump as the two debated policy.

My skin crawled, Clinton said, in an audio clip of her reading the passage about that Washington University, St. Louis, debate.

She recalled that Trump was looming behind her, just days after the clip surfaced of Trumps infamous remarks about groping women.

No matter where I walked, he followed me closely, staring at me, making faces. It was incredibly uncomfortable, he was literally breathing down my neck, Clinton said, in the clip aired on Morning Joe.

CLINTON BOOK RELEASE HAS DEMS WORRIED

She then entertained an alternative past  one where she confronted Trump.

It was one of those moments where you wish you could hit pause and ask everyone watching, Well, what would you do? Clinton said in the book. Do you stay calm, keep smiling and carry on as if he werent repeatedly invading your space? Or do you turn, look him in the eye and say loudly and clearly, Back up you creep, get away from me. I know you love to intimidate women, but you cant intimidate me, so back up.

As anyone who watched the debate knows, she did not do or say that. Clinton made clear in the book she chose the first option and kept her cool, aided by a lifetime of dealing with difficult men trying to throw me off. I did, however, grip the microphone extra hard.

But Clinton suggested she has regrets about doing so: I wonder, though, whether I should have chosen option B. It certainly would have been better TV. Maybe I have over-learned the lesson of staying calm, biting my tongue, digging my fingernails into a clenched fist  smiling all the while, determined to present a composed face to the world.

Clintons forthcoming book, What Happened, threatens to dredge up far more than just the Democratic candidates regrets about the second debate. It is poised to revisit a host of controversies, from the campaign email hacking to ex-FBI Director Jim Comeys decision to revive her personal email investigation days before the election.

Some Democrats are said to be on edge over the forthcoming book, just as the out-of-power party is trying to "move on" and chart a course back to the majority.

In a recent interview, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., suggested its time to look forward.

When you lose to somebody who has a 40 percent popularity, you dont blame other things -- Comey, Russia -- you blame yourself, Schumer told the Washington Post. So what did we do wrong? People didnt know what we stood for, just that we were against Trump. And still believe that.

But the excerpt aired Wednesday shows Clinton will take readers on a long walk down memory lane.

She said writing the book was not easy: I knew that millions of people were counting on me and I couldnt bear the idea of letting them down. But I did. I couldnt get the job done, and Ill have to live with that for the rest of my life.

She said there are moments she wishes she could do over, and, if the Russians could hack my subconscious, theyd find a long list.
The most striking passage in President Trumps Afghanistan speech was not about sending troops or fighting terrorists.

It was about how he made the decision.

"My original instinct was to pull out-- and, historically, I like following my instincts, Trump said. Both his supporters and detractors can agree that Trump is a gut player, and while that sometimes serves him well, it also gets him into trouble.

"But all my life I've heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk in the Oval Office; in other words, when youre president of the United States. With that sentence, Trump acknowledged that campaign rhetoric and preconceived notions dont matter much when you become commander-in-chief.

Every new president goes through a version of this adjustment to the real world from the simpler bromides of the campaign trail. But it may be more noticeable in Trumps case because he rarely acknowledges that he has changed his position.

The Monday night address drew unusual praise from the mainstream media, with some pundits calling it his most presidential speech. He was, after all, dealing with matters of war and peace.

They were, in my view, welcoming not just the somber tone but the deliberative process that stretched over several months. As several tick-tocks done with the administrations cooperation made clear, Trump was heavily influenced by his generals: Jim Mattis at Defense, H.R. McMaster at the NSC, and new chief of staff John Kelly.

The Pentagon wanted a bigger commitment of troops than the 4,000 that Trump, who didnt specify a number, is expected to send. The recently departed Steve Bannon, warning of the lack of results in a 16-year quagmire, wanted to hire private mercenaries.

The tone of Trumps speech made clear that he was choosing the least worst option available to him: I share the American peoples frustration. I also share their frustration over a foreign policy that has spent too much time, energy, money, and most importantly lives, trying to rebuild countries in our own image, instead of pursuing our security interests above all other considerations.

The truth is he wound up with an approach that is not dramatically different than Barack Obamas. But that in itself is an evolution, given that he tweeted in 2013, We should have a speedy withdrawal. Why should we keep wasting our money  rebuild the U.S.!

Bannons Breitbart called the address a flip-flop, saying it was the first speech "since the departure of Chief Strategist Steve Bannon and confirmed the fears of many on the right that without a strong nationalist voice in the West Wing, the president would revert to the same old fare that Americans had voted to reject in November."

But the Washington Post said it marks a new willingness to take greater ownership of a protracted conflict that he had long dismissed as a waste of time and resources.

Yes, Trump also used the speech to try to repair some of the damage from Charlottesville: Loyalty to our nation demands loyalty to one another. Love for America requires love for all of its people. When we open our hearts to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, no place for bigotry, and no tolerance for hate.

But last night in Phoenix, Trump spent roughly half an hour castigating the "dishonest" media as "sick people," insisting his remarks about Charlottesville had been ignored or distorted, reading them at length and basically relitigating the whole issue. And with that, he wiped his Afghanistan decision off the media radar just when he was starting to get some traction.


A federal judge Wednesday rejected Texas' revised voter identification requirements, handing another court defeat to the state's Republicans over voting rights.

Texas has spent years fighting to preserve both the voter ID law -- which was among the strictest in the U.S. -- and voting maps that were both passed by GOP-controlled Legislature in 2011. Earlier this month, a separate federal court earlier found racial gerrymandering in Texas' congressional maps and ordered two of the state's 36 voting districts to be partially redrawn before the 2018 elections.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos rejected a watered-down version of the voter ID law that was signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this year. The judge's new ruling came three years after she struck down the earlier version of the law.

The new version of the law didn't expand the list of acceptable photo identifications -- meaning gun licenses remained sufficient proof to vote, but not college student IDs.

But the changes would allow people who lack a required ID to cast a ballot if they signed an affidavit and brought paperwork that showed their name and address, such as a bank statement or utility bill. The new version was supported by the U.S. Justice Department, which once opposed the law but has reversed its position since President Donald Trump took office.



Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the ruling "outrageous" and said an appeals court should void it.



"The U.S. Department of Justice is satisfied that the amended voter ID law has no discriminatory purpose or effect. Safeguarding the integrity of elections in Texas is essential to preserving our democracy," Paxton said in a statement.

But Gonazles Ramos said Texas didn't go far enough with its changes and said that criminal penalties Texas attached to lying on the affidavit could have a chilling effect on voters who, fearful of making an innocent mistake on the form, simply won't cast a ballot.



Nor was she swayed by Texas clarifying under the revised law, known as Senate Bill 5, that both U.S. passport books and cards would be accepted. "This feature remains discriminatory because SB 5 perpetuates the selection of types of ID most likely to be possessed by Anglo voters and, disproportionately, not possessed by Hispanics and African-Americans," she wrote.



"From discriminatory gerrymandering to discriminatory voter ID laws, it has become entirely clear that Texas Republicans are rigging our election system," said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The firm behind the infamous anti-Trump dossier was working at "the same time" on behalf of a Vladimir Putin-connected family to campaign against a U.S. sanctions law, a key witness in a Senate probe claims.

Bill Browder, CEO of Hermitage Capital, first spoke publicly about his allegations against the firm, Fusion GPS, and its co-founder Glenn Simpson at a Senate hearing last month.

But in a follow-up letter sent this month to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Browder revealed more details about the Russian figures who allegedly were working with Fusion -- and the timeline of those efforts.

Notably, he said the dossier and a separate campaign to repeal Magnitsky Act sanctions opposed by the Kremlin were undertaken at the same time. The Magnitsky Act was passed in 2012 to punish a handful of Russian officials in the wake of whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky's death in prison. It bars those officials from accessing the U.S. banking system.

"Yes," Browder answered, when asked whether Fusion took money from Russia while working on the dossier. "Based on the timing of Fusion GPS work on the anti-Magnitsky campaign, as it was undertaken at the same time that Fusion GPS was also working for an unknown client on the Trump dossier."

The White House has drawn attention to Browder's prior claims about Fusion's ties to Russia to undermine "collusion" claims by asserting Moscow was actually working against him in the 2016 race.

Browder is not claiming that Russia paid for the dossier containing salacious allegations against the now-U.S. president. He said he does not know who paid Fusion for that work.

However, he was blunt in alleging the dossier was being compiled at the "same time" the company was doing work for Russia on the anti-sanctions push.

FIRM BEHIND ANTI-TRUMP DOSSIER ALSO WORKED FOR RUSSIA, SENATE WITNESS SAYS

Further, he outlined his account of how the company's services were contracted.

Fusion GPS was paid by the Katsyv family which is headed by a high-ranking Russian official named Pyotr Katsyv, Browder wrote.

Pyotr Katsyv, whom Browder called a "senior member of the Putin regime," is vice president of "Russian Railways" -- a transportation company in which the Russian government is "sole shareholder," according to Browder.

Katsyv also held top government positions in the Moscow region. In his letter, Browder said the Russian government works through "proxies" like the Katsyv family.

When the Putin regime is not acting through direct channels, they make payments to their agents through dependent oligarchs. The Katsyv family is a case in point. ... One of the main benefits to Putin was to be able to call on people like Mr. Katsyv to undertake important projects for him," Browder wrote.

"... I believe Putin effectively deputized the Katsyv family to wage a full-scale war to challenge the Magnitsky Act in the U.S. with the objective of repealing it and stalling the passing of the Global Magnitsky Act."

Browder alleged that the Katsyv family hired Simpson and Fusion GPS, along with other individuals and companies in their anti-Magnitsky Act campaign.

Browder testified last month that Fusion GPS was hired to conduct a smear campaign against him orchestrated by Natalia Veselnitskayathe Russian attorney who sought the highly scrutinized Trump Tower meeting with Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort in June 2016. The meeting was billed to the Trump campaign as one to discuss Russian adoption and potentially get dirt on Clinton, but Browder testified that adoption was code for talking about the Magnitsky Act.

At the time of that meeting, Veselnitskaya was working for a Cyprus-based real estate holdings company called Prevezon, run by the son of Pyotr Katsyv, Denis Katsyv.

Browder wrote that Prevezon's law firm, Baker Hostetler, formally hired Fusion GPS.

Prevezon at the time was caught up in a Justice Department money-laundering case. According to the U.S. Attorneys office for the Southern District of New York, the DOJ froze millions in assets that belonged to Prevezon. The attorney's office told Fox News that Prevezon had received nearly $2 million from the massive fraud scheme Magnitsky exposed.

The attorney who represented Denis Katsyv in the Prevezon case, which was settled in May, told Fox News there were no dealings with Fusion GPS during that case.

Baker Hostetler did not respond to a request for comment.

Fusion GPS has acknowledged working on the Prevezon case but stressed that the Trump dossier was a separate project.

TRUMP DOSSIER FIGURE QUESTIONED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS ON CAPITOL HILL

Simpson met with the staff of the Judiciary Committee behind closed doors for hours on Tuesday on Capitol Hill as part of their investigation into Russian meddling and potential collusion with the Trump campaign in the 2016 electionspecifically regarding the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA.)

Mr. Simpson told Congress the truth and cleared the record on many matters of interest to congressional investigators, Simpson's lawyer, Josh Levy, said in a statement to Fox News. Levy said that Simpson kept the identities of Fusion GPS clients confidential.

When those clients want Fusion GPS to keep their identities confidential, Fusion GPS honors that commitment without exceptionjust as law firms and businesses do all over the country, he said.

MYSTERY SOLVED? TIMELINE SHOWS HOW RUSSIAN LAWYER GOT INTO US FOR TRUMP JR. MEETING

Browder had hired Magnitsky at his firm to uncover details of financial fraud in Russia involving corrupt Russian government officials. Magnitsky was imprisoned and ultimately beaten to death allegedly by Russian officers in Moscow.

Fusion GPS was reaching out to journalists in order to generate press coverage for use in the anti-Magnitsky campaign, Browder wrote. Fusion GPS was paid for their work by the family of a senior Russian government official (the Katsyv family), who coordinated their activities with other members of the Putin regime.

The Katsyv family could not be reached for comment.

"This investigation into Mr. Simpson began as a desperate attempt by the Trump campaign and its allies to smear Fusion GPS because of its reported connection to the Trump dossier," Levy said. "A special counsel and three congressional committees are investigating ties between the Russian government and the Trump campaign. Fusion GPS is proud of the work it has conducted and stands by it."
Like a page ripped out of a really bad spy novel, Trump critics appear to be slipping secret messages in their resignation letters. But put away that decoder ring: the code has been cracked.

The latest to telegraph a hidden message is Berkeley professor Daniel Kammen, who announced Wednesday he's calling it quits as a science envoy for the State Department.

Like others who have resigned from government advisory councils in recent days, Kammen accused Trump of not adequately calling out white supremacists after the violence in Charlottesville.

My decision to resign is in response to your attacks on core values of the United States, Kammen said. Your failure to condemn white supremacists and neo-Nazis has domestic and international ramifications.

But look closely. The first letter of each paragraph spells out: I-M-P-E-A-C-H.

Kammen isnt the first Trump critic to resign in code.

Last week, members of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities  who were holdovers from the Obama administration  announced a mass exodus in response to Trumps Charlottesville reaction.

TIMELINE OF TRUMP'S CHARLOTTESVILLE COMMENTS

One member, Kal Penn, the Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle star who briefly worked in the Obama White House, posted the groups joint resignation on Twitter.

The first letter of each paragraph in the memo spelled out "R-E-S-I-S-T.

Mind. Blown.

OBAMA HOLDOVERS ON PRESIDENTS ARTS COUNCIL QUIT OVER CHARLOTTESVILLE

Kammen said Wednesday he agrees with the unequivocal and authoritative statements on Charlottesville from a variety of people, including Democratic Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich. He also cited controversial Muslim activist Linda Sarsour, who made news in July for suggesting that resisting Trump is a form of jihad.

During a rally in Arizona on Tuesday night, the president continued to defend his reaction to the events in Charlottesville. The president has faced criticism for blaming both sides for the unrest where a counter-protester was killed in a car attack.

Trump has blamed the media for the backlash to his response, saying the media made it sound like he hasnt condemned racists and white supremacists.

Did they report that I said that racism is evil? Trump asked of the media. The crowd yelled, No!

You know why? Trump asked. Because they are very dishonest people.
Officials Clear Suspicious Package Tossed On CTA Bus In Irving Park Tuesday

By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 23, 2017 3:10PM



Flickr / Photo: spablab / CTA bus on Michigan Ave.

A suspicious package that was reportedly tossed onto a CTA bus late Tuesday afternoon in Irving Park was cleared by officials after the incident prompted street closures, temporary service interruption and a bus evacuation.

Police and fire officials responded to a call to investigate an unattended bag on at CTA bus at Kimball and Elston avenues. A fire official said that someone threw the bag into the bus then ran away, according to the Tribune.

Witnesses worried that the bag contained an explosive. Everybody was screaming, witness Derrick Thomas told WGN. He threw it on there, so instinctively, you think thats what it is.

The bus was evacuated and crewsincluding a hazmat team, firefighters, bomb-and-arson police and bomb-sniffing dogsresponded to the scene, the Tribune reports.

Both the package and the scene were cleared by 6:30 p.m., according to the Sun-Times.

Kimball-Homan #82 buses were temporarily rerouted in both directions. Buses had resumed normal routes by about 7:10 p.m., the CTA said.
President Trumps comprehensive new strategy to achieve a lasting peace in Afghanistan was enthusiastically received Tuesday by the government of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, which praised the increasing number of U.S. troops in the country as another way to strengthen weakened Afghan forces.

Trumps speech also created pressure on the Pakistani government, which the U.S. has long suspected of sponsoring terrorism in Afghanistan.

Pakistan security officials have accused Trump of shifting the blame for failures in the war against the Taliban and other militant groups fighting in war-torn Afghanistan.

Addressing a new plan for the 16-year conflict in Afghanistan Monday night, Trump asked India -- Pakistans archrival -- to help the U.S. economically in Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development.

We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting, Trump also said.

The strategy is made in accordance with realities on the ground, said Najibullah Azad, a spokesman for the Afghan president. This is the first time the U.S. government is coming with a very clear-cut message to Pakistan to either stop what youre doing or face the negative consequences.

However, while acknowledging Washingtons relationship with Pakistan as an ally, Trump said, We can no longer be silent about Pakistans safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.

"This is going to be a tough one for Pakistan -- the war has finally come to Pakistan in Afghanistan. My concern is for adventurism on both sides, but particularly how the deep state will now go after further silencing voices in the country that criticize the policy of supporting selected militant groups," said Pakistans Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, a well-known defense analyst.

"What Trump said about Pakistan may have been tough, but it was certainly not new. We've heard U.S. leaders many times pledge to get Pakistan to change its ways. And to this point, they haven't succeeded," said Michael Kugelman of the Woodrow Wilson Center.

"Such are the immutability of Pakistan's strategic interests -- which entail maintaining ties to groups like the Taliban because they keep India at bay in Afghanistan -- that I don't expect Trump's strategy, regardless of what it comes up with, to get Pakistan to alter its policies," he said.

The Afghan ambassador to the U.S., Hamdullah Mohib, called the speech a shift away from talking about timetables and numbers to letting conditions on the ground determine military strategy.

Mohib said the new strategy was a break with micromanagement from Washington.

U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale paid a courtesy call on Pakistans Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif Tuesday afternoon. Hale briefed the foreign minister about Trumps latest policy review on South Asia and Afghanistan. Hale also reportedly said U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson looked forward to meeting Asif in the next few days to have an in-depth discussion about the two countries relationship as well as the new U.S. policy.

Asad Umar, a senior political leader from opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, said, "Its a failure of 16 long years, and the U.S. is moving in the circle without any achievements, the same old pressure narrative on Pakistan but its not new indeed."

Umar, who is also an economic expert, said he believes, "Possible economic sanctions will hold no global support as the U.S. is affecting the world negatively and the outcome of its policies, primarily in war-torn Afghanistan, is virtually close to zero."

One senior intelligence official in Islamabad told Fox News, on the condition of anonymity, that, "U.S. failure in Afghanistan is evident as casualties of civilians and troops are at record-high level, they are finding a way to get out from Afghanistan, the U.S. can't run away the failures of their own policies of the Ghani-led government and are blaming Pakistan."

The U.S. wants a face-saving exit from Afghanistan, and sooner or later they will completely withdraw from Afghanistan, leaving the war-torn country mercilessly on its own fate, said Shahzad Chaudhary, a Pakistani defense analyst.

America wants us to fight their war, i.e. with the Haqqani network, which is purely an Afghan militant group. Regional powers should create a force for Afghanistan, which should play a role within itself for viable Afghan solution Chaudhary added.
A federal judge is expected to order the first known deported DREAMer to be allowed to return to the U.S. to make his case about why he should be able to stay in the country.

Judge Gonzalo Curiel, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, has said he wants a speedy trial for Juan Manuel Montes, the 23-year-old who was formally part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Montes was arrested by Border Patrol agents in February 2017 after he was caught illegally entering the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Lawyers for Montes allege that he was just trying to return to the U.S. after initially being wrongfully deported. Lawyers are scheduled to meet with Curiel Wednesday to discuss the upcoming trial.

Read on for a look at the case and what is being debated.

What happened, according to Montes?

Montes and his lawyers maintain that he was on his way home in Calexico, Calif., on Feb. 18 when he was stopped by a Border Patrol agent on a bike.

At the time, Montes was unable to provide proper identification so he was taken into custody and questioned by agents, he alleged. He was then driven to the border at midnight and told to walk to nearby Mexicali, Mexico without paperwork, Montes said.

REPUBLICAN STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL THREATEN TRUMP TO END DACA

Montes came to the U.S. as a child and is a DACA recipient, meaning he has some protections the Obama administration afforded to immigrants brought to the country illegally as children.

Because he came to the U.S. as a child, Montes is considered a DREAMer, protected under part of a law that shields certain underage people from deportation.

Montes admits that he was caught trying to enter the U.S. the next day by jumping the border fence in Calexico. Federal officials agree with that point in his testimony. He then was deported to Mexico.

The governments response to date has been woefully inadequate, Monica Ramirez Almadani, a Los Angeles-based attorney, said in a statement. Their minimal responses have made only one thing clear: that Juan Manuel should never have been taken from his home in this manner.

What does the federal government say?

Federal authorities said they did not come into contact with Montes on the night of Feb. 18. Instead, officials said, Montes wasn't arrested or deported until after Border Patrol agents caught him trying to enter the U.S. illegally on Feb. 19.

DHS alleged that Montes left the country willingly  but without proper approval  and attempted to reenter the U.S. illegally.

The U.S. Border Patrol has no record of encountering [Montes] in the days before his detention and subsequent arrest for immigration violations on Feb. 19, 2017, a spokesperson told Fox News. There are no records or evidence to support [his] claim that he was detained or taken to the Calexico Port of Entry on Feb. 18, 2017.

DACA PROGRAM PROTECTING IMMIGRANTS FROM DEPORTATION IS AT RISK, SAYS DHS SECRETARY

Nora A. Precaido, a staff attorney with the National Immigration Law Center and co-counsel for Montes, disputes that claim.

Juan Manuel has been unequivocal in his assertion that he never voluntarily left the country while he had DACA. We believe him, she said in a statement in April.

DHS said Montes admitted under oath that he illegally entered the U.S. on Feb. 19 and signed all arrest documents. He also never told agents that he had received DACA status  although he violated the terms of those conditions  a spokesperson said.

DHS said Montes was repatriated to Mexico on Feb. 20.

Could Montes be brought back to the U.S.?

I have yet to see a case similar to ours as to an individual being removed by U.S. law enforcement and there is not one piece of paper, there is not one note, there is not one iota of evidence to memorialize that an individual was removed from the United States, Curiel has said, according to USA Today.

DHS officials have maintained that there is no paper trail for Montes alleged initial deportation because it didnt happen.

Montes lawyers have requested that the judge grant a preliminary injunction that would allow him to return to the U.S. for the duration of his trial.

We just want him back, attorney Monica Ramirez told the San Diego Union-Tribune, adding that every day Montes is away from his family, he is suffering irreparable harm.

Curiel has proposed a trial in four to six weeks, a highly ambitious schedule that appeared to catch attorneys from both sides off guard.

TRUMP SCRAPS OBAMA POLICY THAT PROTECTS IMMIGRANT PARENTS FROM DEPORTATION

A DHS spokesperson said Montes DACA status was set to expire in Jan. 2018.

However, [Montes] lost his DACA status when he left the United States without advance parole on an unknown date, the spokesperson said.

Why is Judge Curiel considered controversial?

Curiel crossed paths with President Donald Trump  who has promised to enforce tougher immigration laws under his administration  during Trumps bid for the White House.

Curiel presided over a lawsuit involving Trumps now-defunct Trump University, and the then-presidential candidate called into question the judges impartiality due to his Mexican heritage. Curiel was born in Indiana.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The necessary legal paperwork is in place for President Trump to pardon former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio should he decide to do so, Fox News has learned.

Trump still has to make a final decision, but administration officials also have developed talking points for surrogates to use should Trump issue his first presidential pardon to spare the former Arizona lawman.

The development comes after Trump signaled during a rally in Phoenix, Ariz., Tuesday night he could make that call.

TRUMP GOES ON RAMPAGE AGAINST THE MEDIA, SITTING ARIZONA SENATORS AT PHOENIX RALLY

Ill make a prediction. I think hes going to be just fine, Trump said of Arpaio. But I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy. Is that OK?

Arpaio attorney Mark Goldman told Fox News neither he nor the former sheriff has had any contact with the White House or Justice Department.

However, he said, "We very much appreciate President Trump's comments. Sheriff Arpaio didn't receive a fair trial and it appears that miscarriage of justice is going to be rectified soon."

The former Maricopa County sheriff was convicted of a misdemeanor charge for not obeying a 2011 order from a judge to stop his anti-illegal immigrant traffic patrols.

Trump recently told Fox News that he was seriously considering a pardon for Arpaio.

I might do it right away, maybe early this week, Trump told Fox News on Aug. 13. I am seriously thinking about it.

When the presidents campaign announced the Phoenix rally days later, it touched off immediate speculation that the event could be the venue to announce the presidents first pardon.

But the White House made clear earlier Tuesday that Trump would not make any final announcement at that rally.

Arpaio, meanwhile, has been awaiting a decision, while stressing he supports the president regardless.

I would accept [a pardon], but well see what happens, Arpaio said. [I]t doesnt matter because Im still going to support him as long as he is the president of the United States because thats the way I am. I dont desert for political reasons. Ill stick with him.

Arpaio, 85, who served as sheriff in Maricopa County for more than 20 years before losing election in 2016, forged a national reputation for his tough and controversial policies cracking down on illegal immigration. Arpaios widely publicized tactics included forcing inmates to wear pink underwear and housing them in desert tent camps.

Fox News John Roberts, Alex Pappas and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.


Sen. Elizabeth Warren may have her eyes on a 2020 White House bid, but first she'll have to make it through her own Senate re-election  and several Republicans are competing for a shot to challenge her.

Already this month, two Massachusetts Republicans, including a former Mitt Romney aide, have entered the race to unseat the progressive torchbearer, though with decidedly different strategies.

State Rep. Geoff Diehl, a co-chairman for Donald Trumps 2016 Massachusetts campaign, is running on a Trump-style platform based largely on creating jobs, helping veterans and ending sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants.

I want to work in Washington to make sure those things happen, Diehl, whose campaign includes red Make America Great Again-style hats, recently told Fox & Friends.

He comes armed with a familiar line of attack on Warren, who is seeking a second term, portraying her as a taxpayers nightmare who has ignored Massachusetts voters in her pursuit of national name-recognition.

Elizabeth Warren promised just a few weeks ago that shed spend all of her time and energy focused on Massachusetts, Diehl said. Its very clear shes using Massachusetts as a stepping stone for president of the United States in 2020.

Beth Lindstrom, a staffer in then-Massachusetts GOP Gov. Mitt Romneys administration, on Monday became the latest GOP challenger, saying shes all in for the 2018 race.

However, she doesnt appear to be building a campaign in the mold of Trumps -- expressing disdain for political name calling and portraying herself a moderate in a largely liberal state whose voters have shown willingness to elect the occasional Republican to high office.

"Don't get me wrong. There is a time and a place for arguing your point of view. But eventually we have to stop finger-pointing and solve the problem," Lindstrom, a self-described "independent-minded Republican," said in a YouTube announcement.

Warren repeatedly has brushed off talk of a presidential bid. But she has traveled across the country in support of sanctuary cities, so-called "single-payer" health care and other aspects of her progressive agenda, as chronicled in Diehls Twitter feed and Wheres Warren Facebook page.

Warrens re-election campaign said Tuesday that the senator, so far unopposed in the party primary, is ready for re-election and rejected the notion that shes an absentee politician.

Senator Warren is taking nothing for granted as she builds a strong grassroots campaign across Massachusetts, campaign spokeswoman Kristen Orthman told Fox News. She will continue her work in the U.S. Senate standing up for working families against powerful corporate interests.

Orthman also pointed out that Warren announced her re-election back in January and that shes already held 10 town hall-style events this year across the state, with three such stops scheduled Wednesday on the states south coast.

Bob Gray, president and founder of Boston-based Gray Media, acknowledged Tuesday that Massachusetts residents, most of whom are unaffiliated voters, typically cast ballots for Democrats but have picked Republicans in statewide races, including Romney. The state's current governor, Charlie Baker, also is a Republican.

Thats likely because voters want a Republican to check on the Democratic-controlled legislature, Gray said. But theyre turned off by Republicans in federal races, especially over social issues."

He thinks Warren and her deep-pocketed campaign will be tough to beat but that Dielh or Lindstrom are capable, with Diehl perhaps having the early advantage as a result of better name recognition.

Warren has $11 million in her campaign account through the end of June, compared with $260,000 for Diehl and $28,000 for Shiva Ayyadurai, another GOP candidate and a technology entrepreneur, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Though presidents typically stay out of their partys primaries, Gray pointed out that Trump has already defied that convention and mused that he could be a factor in Massachusetts.

Trump probably wouldnt mind taking a bit out of Warren, and Diehl might be the vehicle, he said.

Lindstrom made no mention of Trump in the video. But she criticized his response to the violence earlier this month in Charlottesville, Va., that began with a white supremacist rally.

Lindstrom served as director of consumer affairs and business regulations under Romney and later as executive director of the Massachusetts Lottery. She also was the first woman to serve as the party's state director.

Massachusetts business executive John Kingston is also considering a run in the GOP Senate primary.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An anti-sanctuary city law is about to take effect in Texas, but not without a final burst of controversy and court battles.

Senate Bill 4, set to kick into law on Sept. 1, strikes at sanctuary cities by, among other things: barring policies that prevent law enforcement from inquiring about a suspects immigration status, barring policies that limit enforcement of immigration laws, and requiring cities to honor immigration detainer requests.

Local officials that violate these rules could face fines up to $25,000 per day and be forced to forfeit their elected office, in addition to other punishments.

Multiple cities -- including San Antonio, Dallas and Austin -- have sued Texas over the bill. El Paso County, another plaintiff, asked a judge to rule the law unconstitutional and prohibit the entire state from enforcing it.

The lawsuit alleges SB4 is discriminatory and makes Texas less safe.

City officials in Arlington also will discuss whether to join the lawsuit at an upcoming city council meeting. Fort Worth officials voted 5-4 not to join the lawsuit on Aug. 16.

State officials, meanwhile, acted quickly to try to blunt such legal challenges.

Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit May 8 asking the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas to uphold the law as constitutional. He filed the suit just after the bill was signed seeking a declaratory judgment, which he hoped would prevent multiple lawsuits and allow the constitutionality to be resolved in a single court.

SB 4 guarantees cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement to protect Texans. Unfortunately, some municipalities and law enforcement agencies are unwilling to cooperate with the federal government and claim that SB 4 is unconstitutional, Paxton said in a statement at the time.

Ultimately, a judge refused Paxtons request for a declaratory judgment. The lawsuit against SB4 is still pending in court.

Opponents have described the law as terrible, racist, unconstitutional, destructive and backward looking.

But supporters believe it is needed.

We all support legal immigration. It helped to build America and Texas, said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. But legal immigration is different from harboring people who have committed dangerous crimes.

The law has support from the Department of Justice, which filed a Statement of Interest in federal court. The DOJ wrote that the law ensures cooperation between local and federal government through out the state.

Robert Heyman, policy director for the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR), warned the law will make people reluctant to report crime. This is going to corrode the relationship between the police and the communities that they serve, he said.

BNHR has had a protest every Monday since the bill was signed in May.

El Paso County Sheriffs Department will not change any policies at its detention center when SB4 takes effect, because the department has always cooperated with federal immigration authorities, according to Sheriffs Commander Robert Flores.

The department, though, opposed the law, claiming it could compromise the trust between the agency and members of the largely Hispanic community.

The public information office with the sheriffs office has been working to send messages to the community in both Spanish and English that they can trust law enforcement and the department needs the communitys help to keep El Paso safe. Flores said his office is not going to go out and request citizenship information, especially from victims.

If you havent been involved in a crime and youre not the suspect of a crime and you havent been arrested, then thats not going to be something were going to concern ourselves with, said Flores.
A CNN host accused President Trump of "trying to ignite a civil war" following his raucous speech to a rally in Arizona in which the commander-in-chief blasted the news network and defended his response to racial strife in Virginia.

Don Lemon, host of CNN Tonight, made the remark before a packed panel of anti-Trumpers assembled to react to the presidents speech in Phoenix.

"He has given oxygen to racists," Lemon said. "He hasn't really said anything [to] denounce the alt-right  He is clearly trying to ignite a civil war in this country. He has not tamped down race."

Lemon's guests all heartily concurred, and the discussion moved on to speculation about Trump's mental health, an increasingly recurring theme on CNN.

It was an astounding chain of lies tied together by lunatic asides by a man who obviously is mentally unstable, Republican political consultant Rick Wilson said, adding it was Castro-esque and calling him bat crap crazy.

Democratic strategist Maria Cardona applauded the majority of Americans who did not vote for this man.

Tonight, Don, Americas enemies are laughing and America, the country, is weeping and we need to do something about it, Cardona said.

Later in the show, James Clapper, former director of national intelligence and now CNN national security analyst, echoed similar sentiments about the president.

I dont know when Ive listened and watched something like this from a president that Ive found more disturbing, Clapper said, adding that it was downright scary.

This behavior and this divisiveness, intellectual and moral and ethical void that the president of the United States exhibits, Clapper said. And how much longer does the countryto borrow a phraseendure this nightmare?"

Trumps remarks in Phoenix were reminiscent of candidate-Trump on the campaign trail, slamming the media over its coverage of his presidencyspecifically noting his response to recent violence in Charlottesville, Va.

They are sick people, Trump said of the media. You know the thing I dont understand? You would think  theyd want to make our country great again. And I honestly believe they dont.

Trump continued to trash the medias coverage of him, calling out CNN and saying you wonder why CNN is doing poorly, as the crowd chanted CNN sucks!

The president has repeatedly slammed CNN as Fake News, and in May, called Lemon perhaps the dumbest person in broadcasting.
President Trump on Tuesday said that he is prepared to shut down the government if congressional lawmakers dont present a spending bill that will pay for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.



Believe me, if we have to close down our government, we're building that wall, Trump said at a campaign rally in Phoenix, where the crowd responded: Build that wall. Build that wall. Build that wall.

The Republican-controlled Congress has yet to pass a spending resolution to keep the government fully operational past Sept. 30.

And members will have just a few weeks after returning from August recess to complete the task and avoid a politically unpopular shutdown.

The House in late-July passed a spending bill that included $1.6 billion to build the wall, which has an estimated price tag of $12 billion.

However, Republicans have only a slight Senate majority, which means Democrats could demand that any budget resolution include no money for the wall, in exchange for their votes to pass the resolution and keep open the government.

(Voters bashed Republicans in 2013 for refusing to fund ObamaCare in a spending resolution that resulted in a 16-day shutdown.)

The idea that Trump would play hardball with Congress to get money for the wall to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and fulfill a major campaign promise has been an undercurrent in Washington for months, as the Oct. 1 deadline nears.

However, the idea resurfaced in recent weeks amid reports about the eventual ouster of White House political strategist Steven Bannon and how in his final weeks he urged the president to threaten the veto.

Senate Democrats estimate the wall could cost as much as $70 billion, and at least three have said they will not support a so-called continuing resolution, a placeholder for a full budget, if it includes money for the wall.

If the president pursues this path, against the wishes of both Republicans and Democrats, as well as the majority of the American people, he will be heading towards a government shutdown, which nobody will like and which wont accomplish anything, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday.

Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., said Wednesday morning on Fox News' "America's Newsroom": "There would never be any discussion about shutting down the government if it were not for the fact Democrats in the Senate  take this process hostage through the filibuster.

Trump also said Tuesday night: Democrats would like us not to do it. Let me be very clear to Democrats in Congress who oppose a border wall and stand in the way of border security: You are putting all of America's safety at risk. You're doing that.
President Donald Trump was expected to sign a new law Wednesday aiding veterans seeking help for disabilities.

The legislation, formally called the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, will streamline the lengthy process that veterans undergo when appealing their claims for disability benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs, a White House spokesperson told Fox News ahead of Trumps signing.

Trumps event at the American Legions National Convention in Reno, Nev., comes on the heels of a campaign-style rally in Arizona Tuesday night where he lambasted the media and multiple GOP senators.

But the White House says Trump will talk about unity in Nevada and will sign the veterans bill  which was already passed unanimously by the Senate.

Heres what to know about the legislation, and Wednesday's event.

What is the bill?

Initially sponsored by Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., the legislation was created to help veterans navigate the VA system and challenge rejected bids for benefits. Its also intended to alleviate the backlog of appeals through new approaches for veterans seeking benefits.

Veterans deserve a better system, Cochran has said about the legislation, adding that for some, it could take years before they are given an answer on benefits.

TRUMP SIGNS VA REFORM BILL

More than 470,000 veterans are in limbo as they wait for a decision on their benefits, a White House official told Fox News Wednesday morning.

The bill was purportedly supported by several veterans service organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS and the Disabled American Veterans.

How does this tie into Trumps campaign promises?

During Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, he often assailed the VA for its mismanagement and long wait times for veterans and promised to overhaul the department.

AFGHANISTAN VETS REASSURED BY TRUMP REVERSING CALLS FOR EXIT

Trump also called the governments second-largest department the most corrupt and most incompetently run agency in the United States.

What has Trump done so far?

Trump signed in June VA reform legislation meant to protect whistleblowers within the department.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act allows for the removal, demotion or suspension of any VA employee with poor conduct or performance. It also allows the VA secretary to recoup any bonuses awarded to employees who have not acted properly.

Veterans have fulfilled their duty to this nation and now, we must fulfil our duty to them, Trump said at the time.

TRUMP TURNS UP HEAT ON SENATE REPUBLICAN FOES

And earlier this month, Trump signed an emergency spending bill that pumps more than $2 billion into a program that allows for veterans to receive private medical care at government expense.

What is expected of Trump in Nevada?

Trump is expected to call for unity during his address in Nevada  just one day after he assailed the media coverage of his response to a deadly attack by an alleged white supremacist in Charlottesville, Va.

It is time to heal the wounds that have divided us, and to seek a new unity based on the common values that unite us. We are one people, with one home, and one flag. Trump was expected to say, according to prepared remarks provided by the White House.

Fox News Barnini Chakraborty and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Trump has dramatically ratcheted up criticism of his Senate Republican detractors, going after Arizonas senators at Tuesday's freewheeling Phoenix rally and following up with an accusation on Twitter that GOP leaders are just wasting time if they dont scrap the filibuster.

If Republican Senate doesn't get rid of the Filibuster Rule & go to a simple majority, which the Dems would do, they are just wasting time! Trump tweeted Wednesday morning.

The president has suggested before that GOP leaders like Senate boss Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., should nix the rules allowing the minority party to demand a 60-vote threshold for controversial legislation  a highly sensitive issue on Capitol Hill, amid concerns that doing so could someday hurt Republicans.

But Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with his stalled legislative agenda, suggesting Republicans in Congress could end the logjam by changing the rules.

A rule change, though, would not have saved the latest Senate bill to replace ObamaCare, which was not subject to the 60-vote standard and narrowly failed anyway. Trump made clear Tuesday night he blamed Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for that result -- McCain was one of three Republican votes against the so-called skinny repeal.

He referred to the senator without using his name.

We were one vote away from repealing [ObamaCare], Trump said in Phoenix. They all said, Mr. President, your speech was so good last night, please, please, Mr. President don't mention any names. So I won't. I won't. No ... I will not mention any names.

He then went on to knock Arizonas other senator, who's weak on borders, weak on crime  without saying his name.

Trump showed no such compunction about using names Wednesday morning, going after Sen. Jeff Flake on Twitter.

Phoenix crowd last night was amazing - a packed house. I love the Great State of Arizona. Not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border! Trump tweeted.

Trump in recent days has praised Flakes primary challenger, former state Sen. Kelli Ward, as Flake has promoted a book critical of the president. He also was among the Republicans challenging Trump over his response to the Charlottesville, Va., violence. He said Republicans cannot claim to be the party of Lincoln if we equivocate in condemning white supremacy.

McCain, who is battling cancer, has at times supported Trumps agenda, despite his vote on health care. He praised the presidents strategy for Afghanistan which the commander-in-chief unveiled in an address to the nation Monday night.

In a statement, McCain, R-Ariz., called it a big step in the right direction.
Samsung will unveil its eagerly-anticipated Galaxy Note8, the successor to its ill-fated Note7 device, at a glitzy event in New York Wednesday.

Last year the South Korean tech giants launch of the Note7 smartphone quickly degenerated into a PR nightmare of epic proportions. Forced to end production of the troubled phone following users' reports that the phones were catching fire or exploding, Samsung has been working hard to rebuild its smartphone brand.

HERE'S HOW GALAXY NOTE 8'S CAMERA WILL BEAT THE IPHONE

Earlier this year the company unveiled its Galaxy S8 and S8+ phones, and now the spotlight shifts to the Note8.

With a rumored 6.3-inch display, the Note 8 is expected to have a slightly larger screen than the 6.2-inch S8+.

SAY HELLO TO THE REAL GALAXY NOTE 8

Purported leaks of the Note8 design have shown dual cameras on the rear of the device, which would make the Note8 the first Samsung phone with a dual-lens camera. Apples iPhone 7 Plus already offers a dual-lens camera  one of the cameras is wide-angle, and the other telephoto, enabling two times optical zoom. The Note8's dual camera is rumored to offer three times optical zoom.

Other rumored features include a back-mounted fingerprint sensor, virtual home button, and a curved screen, similar to the S8 and S8+. Unlike the S8 and S8+, however, the new device could offer up to 256 GB of built-in storage, according to reports, putting it on par with the iPhone.

FIRST LOOK REVIEW: SAMSUNG GALAXY S8

Note8 pricing is rumored to be around $900.

Safety, after the Note7 disaster, will also likely feature prominently during Wednesdays launch event.

APPLE UNVEILS NEW IPHONES: THE IPHONE 7 AND 7 PLUS

The Note8, of course, will face stiff competition from Apples hotly anticipated iPhone 8, which is expected to launch next month. Obviously Apple is coming out with its flagship 10-year phone in the same timeframe and Samsung has to keep up the pace, Roger Kay, president of Endpoint Technologies Associates, told Fox News. Samsung has an opportunity to have one of the best, if not the best, phones on the market before Apple makes its statement.

Samsungs Unpacked event kicks off at 11 a.m. EDT.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Milan Fashion Week is not just about Gucci, Fendi and Prada.

Angel Chen Spring Summer 2017 collection [Photo/CGTN]

According to the calendar that Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI) released, four Chinese designer brands are to present their latest collections during the Milano Moda Donna Spring Summer 2018 show.

Eyeball-catching big names in fashion realm, such as Gucci, Alberta Ferretti, Max Mara, Fendi, Prada and Moschino are showing their latest creations for the upcoming seasons.

And fresh blood remains the key part to drive the Milan fashion renaissance to compete with New York and London as a hub for emerging talent.

Angel Chen Spring Summer 2017 collection [Photo/CGTN]

Angel Chen, who made her debut with the eponymous label in last Autumn/Winter 2017 show in this fashion capital with the support of Mercedez-Benz, is to be present by CNMI this time.

This Shanghai-based Central Saint Martins graduate openly admitted that Milan has a more mature market and encouraging environment for young designers, according to Business of Fashion's report.

Explaining this, she recalled her experience visiting Milano Unica, a fabric convention not unlike Premiere Vision in Paris, "I was there for three days, many of them have been working with big brands and they were very open minded. I showed them my work and they are happy to collaborate with me. Its very different to when I was in Paris a few years ago and at Premiere Vision  people treat the Asian customers as copycats.

The other Chinese brands about to bring new energy and creativity to this international fashion platform are ANNAKIKI by Yang Zi, Ricostru by Ou Minjie and Tommy Zhong co-founded by Zhong Jiaqi and Jenny Nelson.

Milan Fashion Week, held in the northwestern Italian city, is considered one of the biggest events of its kind in the world, alongside London, New York and Paris fashion weeks. This year, it is expected to wow the world from September 20 to 25, right after the other two events.
Hoping to take a trip to Europe, but cant afford the hefty cost for airfare? That might no longer be the case thanks to WOW Airs latest budget flights.

The airline, famous for its $99 flights, announced Wednesday it will now extend that same discount option to four U.S. cities: St. Louis, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Detroit, USA Today reports.

AMERICAN CITIES NOTICEABLY ABSENT FROM LIST OF 2017'S MOST 'LIVEABLE' PLACES

With the addition of these Midwest locations, WOW Air will offer service from a total of 12 locations across the country, providing more opportunity for people to travel abroad.

Other locations currently offering the same deals include BWI, Boston, Chicago O'Hare, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and San Francisco. In Canada, WOW flies from Montreal and Toronto, according to USA Today.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, with fares starting at $99 to Iceland and $150 to other European destinations, although flights wont begin until the spring. Detroit service will start in April 2018 and the other three cities will have flights available starting next May.

So why not plan ahead for that next big vacation?
A 6-year-old boy critically injured in a hit-and-run crash in San Diego never may be the same, his mother testified Tuesday in the trial of the driver  an illegal immigrant  accused of driving under the influence.

Constantino Banda-Acosta, 38, is a Mexican national who has been kicked out of the U.S. 15 times in the past 15 years, with his most previous deportation coming January 18, federal officials told The San Diego Union-Tribune.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT DEPORTED 15 TIMES IS ARRESTED IN HIT-AND-RUN

He faces hit-and-run charges for the May 6 collision that seriously injured Lennox Lake.

Emotionally and mentally, I dont know, hes just not the same, his mother, Ingrid Lake, testified, according to KNSD.

He keeps just blanking out and he just stops talking and stares at you in the middle of the sentence, and he wont remember anything, she added.

His mother said the child has had trouble with his short-term memory.

Lennox and his parents were returning from a trip to Disneyland when the crash occurred.

He suffered a long list of injuries, including a fractured skull and bleeding from his nose and ears.

Banda is charged with hit-and-run causing serious injury, DUI causing injury, driving with a blood-alcohol content over .08 percent, vandalism, battery and driving without a license. He faces seven years and eight months in prison if convicted.

His defense attorney said it was Bandas friend  another illegal immigrant  who was the driver, and she told jurors that the friend lied to police when he made a deal to testify against Banda in exchange for immunity.

He tried to tell his story about the evening, about being in a fight and about being hurt and about his worker driving him. Nobody wanted to hear it, Deputy Public Defender Juliana Humphrey said. Law enforcement presumed Banda was guilty because of where he sat. From where you sit, you have the opportunity to look at more. You have the opportunity to gauge the credibility of everything that was not available then.

Investigators looked at Bandas body and found seatbelt markings that indicated he had been driving the truck at the time of the collision, according to the prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Christopher Chandler.

Click for more from Fox 5.
Kevin Will, Jr., made quite the entrance for his first day of kindergarten.

His father, Officer Kevin Will of the Houston Police Departments vehicular crimes division, was killed in an on-duty crash on May 29, 2011, and nearly 100 of his fellow officers in blue walked the boy down the street to his first day of school.

The officers, mostly from the Houston Police Department  13 of them mounted on horseback  took the five-year-old boy on an almost one-mile trek to Wildwood Elementary School in Tomball, Texas.

Officers came from as far south as McAllen, as far north as Fort Worth, and as far west as Odessa.

Even a helicopter escort arrived overhead.

I think he was way overwhelmed today, his mother, Alisha Will, told The Houston Chronicle. But he was excited about kindergarten, and I talked to him about the officers being here because his daddy couldnt.

The boy was born three months after his father died.

Officer Will, who was 37 at the time of his death, had been with the department for only two years. He studied engineering at Texas Tech University and worked in finance before he became a policeman in 2009.

Alisha Will noted that although her son lost his dad, he gained a family from his fathers fellow officers.

He knows, she said, that theyll always be there.
Authorities are offering a five-figure sum for information leading to any suspects in the murder of an Iowa college student who was abducted 25 years ago.

Illinois State Police and the FBI issued the appeal a day before the 25th anniversary of then-21-year-old Tammy Zywickis disappearance. The FBI is rewarding up to $50,000 for information that can lead to any suspects in Zywickis death.

Zywicki was driving from her New Jersey home to college in Iowa when she was last seen alive on Aug. 23, 1992, near her disabled 1985 Pontiac T1000 along Interstate 80 near LaSalle in central Illinois.

Her body was found in Missouri more than a week later, wrapped in a blanket covered with duct tape.

A passerby reported the last glimpses of Zywicki near her vehicle. Some witnesses told authorities that a tractor-trailer was seen parked behind her car, while others say they saw a pickup truck.

ADOPTIVE PARENTS WIN $3.25 MILLION AFTER BIRTH FATHER KILLS SON

Illinois State Police and the FBI worked with other agencies after Zywickis body was found, but the task force was disbanded the following year. Although on Tuesday, state police and the FBI said the investigation is still active.

In the 25 years since her disappearance, efforts to crack the case have sputtered. Investigators looked at truckers suspected in killings and sexual attacks elsewhere, ranging from North Carolina to California, but eventually eliminated them from suspicion in Zywickis death.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A federal jury in Las Vegas declined Tuesday to convict four defenders of Cliven Bundy's Nevada ranch who were accused of assaulting and threatening federal agents by wielding weapons during a 2014 confrontation.

The surprise ruling to acquit Ricky Lovelien and Steven Stewart of all 10 charges, and rule not guilty on most charges against Eric Parker and Scott Drexler, is considered a major setback for federal prosecutors attempting to try Bundy and his two adult sons later this year.

The jury deliberated for four days following 20 days of testimony. None of the defendants were found guilty of the conspiracy charge accusing them of plotting with the Bundy family to create a militia force to prevent lawful enforcement of court orders to remove the family's cattle.

The four men were photographed carrying assault-style weapons during the standoff near the Nevada town of Bunkerville. Were they found guilty, they could have faced decades in prison.

Following the jury's decision, Chief U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro asked to release Lovelien and Stewart immediately, while Parker and Drexler will await their Wednesday morning hearings to find out whether they will remain in jail pending another trial by the government.

A group of more than 30 people attending the court session celebrated the jury's decision.

A Montana resident, John Lamb, who attended almost every trial session in the last five weeks said the ruling shows that people are "not going to put up with tyranny."

Carol Bundy, the family's matriarch, said outside court that "They've been tried twice and found not guilty," adding that "We the people are not guilty."

The group was first tried earlier this year -- with a trial ending in April -- but the jury wasn't able reach verdicts against the four individuals.

In the same trial, however, another two Cliven Bundy ranch standoff participants, Gregory Burleson and Todd Engel, were found guilty on some charges.

According to prosecutors, the six were considered the least guilty of 19 people arrested in 2016 and charged in the case that includes Bundy family members.

Seventeen people remain in federal custody.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The U.S. Navy will relieve the commander of its 7th Fleet from duty after the fleet suffered its second deadly mishap in less than three months, a U.S. defense official confirmed to Fox News.

An official statement from the Navy regarding the relief of Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin was expected late Tuesday night. The decision was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The 7th Fleet has been involved in three collisions since January, the last two of which have resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors.

In the latest mishap, the USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker before dawn Monday near Singapore. Ten sailors were reported missing, but officials confirmed Tuesday that Navy divers had found the remains of some sailors in a flooded compartment.

In June, seven sailors died when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship collided in waters off Japan.

In January, the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka base, the home port of the 7th Fleet, and in May another cruiser, the USS Lake Champlain from the Navy's 3rd Fleet, had a minor collision with a South Korean fishing boat.

U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Scott Swift told a news conference Tuesday that each of the incidents was "unique," but added that "they cannot be viewed in isolation."

Swift added the Navy would conduct an investigation "to find out if there is a common cause ... and if so, how do we solve that."

Navy Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, on Monday ordered a pause in 7th Fleet operations for the next few days to allow commanders to get together with leaders, sailors and command officials and identify any immediate steps that need to be taken to ensure safety.

A broader U.S. Navy review will look at the 7th Fleet's performance, including personnel, navigation capabilities, maintenance, equipment, surface warfare training, munitions, certifications and how sailors move through their careers. Richardson said the review will be conducted with the help of the Navy's office of the inspector general, the safety center and private companies that make equipment used by sailors.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Three houses have been lost in a wildfire thats burning in southwestern Oregon  now through 91,511 acres, authorities said.

KDRV-TV reports that nobody who lived in the homes was injured.

Evacuations remain in place for the fire that began July 12 and has grown to more than 150 square miles.

The states largest active blaze is scorching the Kalmiopsis Wilderness burning in the scars of large wildfires from 1987 and 2002. People living along Highway 101 north of Brookings were warned to evacuate Sunday after the Chetco Bar fire made a westward push toward the coast.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved federal money to help reimburse the cost of the firefighting effort.
At the U.S. Naval Academy, where the names of the nation's military heroes adorn many buildings, two structures honor the memory of American naval officers who fought against the United States of America.

The Naval Academy superintendent's stately home, which hosts thousands of visitors every year, and a building that houses the academy's division of Weapons and Systems Engineering are both named for Confederates who took up arms against the U.S. in the Civil War.

They would have to be renamed under a measure now pending in Congress, as would a barracks named for Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York. Separately, Sen. Kristen Gillibrand and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, both Democrats, have asked the secretary of the Army to rename the 55-year-old barracks at West Point.

The bill, sponsored by New York Rep. Yvette Clarke, a Democrat, would require the military to change the name of any property that honors individuals who fought for or supported the Confederacy.

While such a bill by a Democrat could face an uphill struggle in a highly polarized Congress, it's part of a national push to remove monuments that honor Confederate leaders, after a woman was killed and dozens of others were injured when a car rammed into a crowd near a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee this month during a protest in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The superintendent's residence at Annapolis, known as Buchanan House, is named after Franklin Buchanan, the academy's first superintendent who left to join the Confederate Navy at the outbreak of the Civil War. Buchanan had helped found the academy in 1845. Buchanan House was named after him in 1976, and a road beside the house also bears his name.

Maury Hall, home to the academy's division of Weapons and Systems Engineering, is named after Matthew Fontaine Maury, a leader in the fields of naval meteorology and navigation. He headed the coast, harbor and river defenses for the Confederate Navy.

U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a Maryland Democrat who serves on the Naval Academy's Board of Visitors, said he believes the academy should be sensitive to how a black midshipman would feel about the building names. He noted that Buchanan had a position in the U.S. Navy and left to join the Confederacy and fight against the United States.

"I think we have to give it strong consideration," Ruppersberger said, when asked if the names of the two buildings should be changed.

Richard Kingsberry, a regional commander for the National Association for Black Veterans in Charlotte, North Carolina, said the government "should not be in a position of uplifting and glamorizing those individuals" who served in the Confederacy.

"When we see better, we tend to do better, and now that the light is on these Confederate monuments, statues and streets  now that the light is on  we know better," said Kingsberry, whose region represents Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and Washington, D.C. "And as a nation, we should know better, and we should do better by not perpetuating those traitors and haters of this nation."

Cmdr. David McKinney, a spokesman for the academy, said the school doesn't have any current plans to rename any buildings.

The academy on the Severn River about 30 miles from the nation's capital has buildings named after some of the nation's most revered Navy figures. The library is named for Adm. Chester Nimitz, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander during World War II. The black and white marble sarcophagus of John Paul Jones, the famed Revolutionary War naval officer and father of the U.S. Navy, is supported by bronze dolphins in an ornate crypt in the academy's chapel, next door to the superintendent's home.

The academy has about 4,400 students, and about 37 percent are minorities.

The debate over monuments already has had an impact close to the academy's gates. Just blocks away last week at the Maryland State House, officials removed a statue of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, who wrote the 1857 Dred Scott decision that upheld slavery and denied citizenship to African-Americans.
A Jewish association in San Francisco has launched an Adopt-a-Nazi fundraising campaign in opposition to a free speech rally taking place in the city next weekend.

The Jewish Bar Association of San Francisco, JBASF, has already raised more than $100,000 with its GoFundMe campaign titled Adopt-a-Nazi (Not Really), NBC News reported. The campaign was set up in protest of the upcoming Patriot Prayers Freedom Rally San Francisco and is raising money for the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The bar association, which reportedly fears a repeat of the violence seen in Charlottesville, Va., during a rally earlier this month, is asking people to donate $100 for every marcher expected to show up to Crissy Field on Saturday.

Organizers of the Patriot Prayer rallies -- set for Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. local time -- say they are not an alt-right or white nationalist group. Joey Gibson, the Patriot Prayers leader, says the group supports freedom, love and peace.

A Facebook message by Patriot Prayer states that no extremists will be allowed in to its Liberty Weekend events. It continues: No Nazis, Communists, KKK, Antifa, white supremacists, i.e. or white nationalists.

Cody Harris, a JBASF board member, told NBC he was "repulsed" by the violence displayed at the Charlottesville rally that was in protest of the removal of a Confederate statue. The violence at the rally led to three deaths -- one woman who died after she was hit by a car and two police officers whose helicopter crashed.

"White nationalists may feel emboldened, but they will never prevail," Harris said. "There are far more decent people dedicated to this countrys founding creed than there are white nationalists.
A 96-year-old World War II veteran hailed as an American D-Day war hero after surviving a fierce battle against the Germans on the cliffs of Normandy has admitted he was actually in northern Ireland at the time, according to a French nonprofit organization.

George G. Klein was treated as one of the great celebrities during the 73rd anniversary of the Normandy battle during a ceremony there last month, where he was honored as one of the 90 surviving members of the elite 2nd Ranger Battalion that battled the Germans on the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc on June 6, 1944.

His good humor and smiles were not feigned: George expressed his joy of returning to Normandy for the second time and meeting the Normans, explaining: I am not a hero. The real heroes are those who have lost life here, according to Marc Laurenceau, who runs D-Day Overlord, a French organization dedicated to the Battle of Normandy.

Kleins return to Europe at a cost of more than $5,000 was paid for by dozens of donors and was arranged by the volunteers connected to the group.

But only weeks after his return to the United States, the extraordinary news is made public: George Klein is not the one he claims to be, according to Laurenceaus account, which was posted online Monday. On June 6, 1944, the American veteran was not among the 2nd Ranger Battalion to attack the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, this formidable German artillery position threatening the landing beaches.

Klein was nowhere near the beaches of Normandy. Instead, he was in northern Ireland with the B battery of his artillery regiment, the 46th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Infantry Division.

The discovery is the work of several historians, Laurenceau said, including Marty Morgan and Gary Sterne, who owns a museum dedicated to D-Day and the Battle of Normandy in the French town of Grandcamp-Maisy.

Klein, over the course of two decades, claimed to have been one of the officers within F Company of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, recounting three days he spent fighting German soldiers at Pointe du Hoc and scaling 100-foot cliffs.

Click for more from the New York Post.
 Flash

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Friday slammed South Korean President Moon Jae-in for his policy towards the north and his close cooperation with the United States.

It is the first time for DPRK to make Moon personally responsible for his handling of the north-south relations since he came to power about 100 days ago.

The official daily Rodong Sinmun criticized the South Korean leader, who in a Tuesday speech asserted that Seoul's "big challenge at present" is an "issue of the north's nukes and missile."

Moon made the speech on the occasion of marking the 72nd anniversary of the liberation of Korea from Japanese rule.

The newspaper accused Moon of intending to "kick the buck for the escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula to the DPRK and carry out his treacherous 'north policy' with the backing of outsiders."

Relations between the two sides remain tense over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile program and Seoul's joint military exercises with the United States.

"If the regime of South Korea truly wants peace, it should not recklessly fault the DPRK but clearly understand what is going on now. It should refrain from irritating the DPRK, pursuant to the U.S. foolhardy military maneuvers," said the Rodong Sinmun.

Also in his speech, Moon said that South Korea should play a leading role in the nuclear issue in the peninsula.

Moon, who took office in early May, held a summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in late June, reaching an agreement that South Korea would become a dominant player in addressing the peninsula issues.

The president said security situations on the peninsula got significantly grave, stressing that any more war should not break out on the peninsula.
A Pennsylvania woman was arrested Monday after she allegedly set a Bible ablaze behind a warehouse, police said.

Authorities in West York were originally called to a location for a fire allegedly set by a group of people that ran away, FOX43 reported.

Firefighters called to extinguish the blaze found a Bible and a bottle of lighter fluid at the scene.

A witness at the scene pointed to a woman walking near the warehouse a short time later, identified as 18-year-old Xena Nicole Linn, as being involved in the incident, according to court documents obtained by FOX43.

Police said witnesses told them the fire was set, then a man and a woman poured lighter fluid onto the fire and dropped the entire bottle onto the flames.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 43, Linn initially refused to cooperate, but then admitted to being at the scene when the fire was started. Officials have not said what motivated the blaze

Linn would not give police the full name of the male she was with because hed been in enough trouble," police said.
A babysitter in San Jose, Calif., and her boyfriend allegedly sexually abused a 4-year-old girl last week and were charged Tuesday with seven counts of lewd acts on a child.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Blanca Torres and Hector Garcia were being held at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas near San Jose.

The crime occurred while Torres was babysitting the girl, authorities told the paper. The girls mother brought her to police headquarters at some point. Authorities said it was unclear what prompted the mother to take her to police, the report said.

The pair was arrested last week and investigators said they found child pornography on Torres cell phone.
A California father who admitted killing his 5-year-old son to get back at his wife, according to investigators, was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years to life in prison.

During the hearing, his estranged wife damned him to hell.

I hope you relive the image of murdering my baby every day of your insignificant life, Ana Estevez said. May your dark soul burn in eternal hell.

She also called her husband a failure as a father, a man and a human being.

There is no real pain, just an incomprehensible deadness. Like my son, I, too, have died, she said.

Aramazd Andressian, Sr., 35, pleaded guilty earlier this month in Los Angeles County Superior Court to first-degree murder in the April death of his son, Aramazd Andressian, Jr., after a family trip to Disneyland.

Andressian pleaded guilty partly to avoid the possibility of prosecutors adding a charge that could result in the death penalty, his attorney has said.

The father did not speak during sentencing in the suburban Alhambra branch court, Fox 11 reported.

Sheriffs investigators said the boy apparently was killed on April 21. His father was found passed out in a park the next morning, sparking an intensive search for the boy. Andressian had taken prescription pills and was found in a car doused in gasoline in an apparent suicide attempt, sheriffs officials have said.

Investigators searched for more than two months before they found the boys body on June 30 near Lake Cachuma outside Santa Barbara  about 145 miles away from Anaheim, where Disneyland is located.

Prosecutors have not revealed how the boy was killed but said the evidence against Andressian is overwhelming and the killing was planned and deliberate.

Andressians attorney, Ambrosio Rodriguez, repeatedly has declined to comment when asked why Andressian killed his son but has said the killing was not planned. Rodriguez has said his client told investigators where to find his sons remains and regrets killing the boy.

A report by the county Department of Children and Family Services, obtained by The Associated Press, showed that the boys skeletal remains were found in a wooded area in Santa Ynez. The report described the boy as being the victim of physical and severe neglect.

Click for more from Fox 11.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Church trustees in Maine say they are considering removing a plaque from their Portland church honoring Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy.

Trustees say they aren't sure why the plaque was originally installed, and they can't figure out why Davis would have visited the Portland church since he wasn't a Unitarian. WGME-TV reports the church received the plaque from the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The trustees say they'll make a decision within the next few weeks on whether they will keep or remove the plaque.
Ohio's capital city may be named for Christopher Columbus, but that hasn't stopped the city council of Oberlin, Ohio, from voting to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day.

The city, home of Oberlin College, is the first in Ohio to no longer recognize Columbus Day.

The council voted unanimously Monday after a public discussion with residents in which two sides clashed on whether the city should stop celebrating Columbus' 1492 arrival to the Americas, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

Columbus Day is a touchy subject for some folks. However, the history of Columbus Day speaks for itself, a supporter of the change told FOX8.

But some residents came out against the change, claiming Columbus Day is about celebrating Italian-American heritage rather than the explorer.

Columbus Day is a day of Italian-American pride. And I am really disheartened at the ease with which Oberlin City Council is doing away with a day that celebrates Italians, one resident told FOX8.

"Columbus Day is a day of Italian-American pride. And I am really disheartened at the ease with which Oberlin City Council is doing away with a day that celebrates Italians."  Oberlin, Ohio, resident

It sounds a little ridiculous. I think we should keep American holidays they way there are," seconded another Oberlin resident.

Others argued that Indigenous Peoples Day could be celebrated -- but on a different date -- to avoid pitting Italian-Americans and Native Americans against each other.

Proponents of the move, meanwhile, claimed the Native Americans who live in the area ought to be honored.

Councilwoman Sharon Pearson quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to justify the change.

Its never too late to do the right thing, she quoted, according to the Morning Journal. And I think that it is time for us as a community to take the words of our indigenous people and do the right thing.

"Its never too late to do the right thing. And I think that it is time for us as a community to take the words of our indigenous people and do the right thing.  Sharon Pearson, Oberlin, Ohio, councilwoman

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, only 0.2 percent of Oberlin residents are American Indian or Alaskan native.

Columbus has been among the historical figures recently targeted by left-wing activists and local governments looking to remove any references to figures associated with mistreatment of minorities.

Last Saturday, according to the Columbus Dispatch, around 100 protesters rallied in Columbus, demanding the local city government to remove statues of Christopher Columbus.

Christopher Columbus was an agent of and continues to be a symbol of the genocide of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, rally attendee Elissa Washuta said.

Charlottesville is not an anomaly, claimed one of the demonstration organizers, Tynan Krakoff, referring to the Virginia city where violence erupted earlier this month. "There are symbols and institutions of white supremacy everywhere."

On Monday, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said a 76-foot statue of the explorer at Columbus Circle in Manhattan could be the next to go following a review, the New York Post reported.

The council speaker made her objection while condemning another statue  that of Dr. J. Marion Sims  which some residents want removed, saying he is known to have conducted medical experiments on slaves.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has also reportedly said he will look at that and make decisions accordingly regarding the statues in the city.

Were going to look at all statues and monuments that in any way may suggest hate or division or racism, anti-Semitism  any kind of message that is against the values of New York City, the mayor said.
The slayings of two young men in Florida, allegedly at the hands of their roommate, has exposed disturbing evidence of a credible neo-Nazi threat to public safety, federal investigators say.

Devon Arthurs, the 19-year-old co-founder of the obscure neo-Nazi group "Atomwaffen Division," was arrested in the May 19 fatal shooting of his roommates, 18-year-old Andrew Oneschuk and 22-year-old Jeremy Himmelman.

At the time of the arrest, officials said Arthurs claimed he killed Oneschuk and Himmelman to thwart a domestic terrorist attack by Atomwaffen, which is German for atomic weapon.

I prevented the deaths of a lot of people, Arthurs said in a rambling statement, according to officials. Asked why his roommates planned such an attack, he said, Because they want to build a Fourth Reich.

Atomwaffen doesnt have near the numbers or notoriety of some of the white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups that gathered in Charlottesville, Va., for a rally that led to deadly clashes earlier this month.

William Tschantre, 20, another member of Atomwaffen, denied the group was planning any attacks, saying the members were simply a band of so-called trolls who delight in provoking outrage with stunts.

Im a neo-Nazi. I am not a monster, he told the Associated Press. Were not here to, like, bomb the U.S. government. Thats absolutely ridiculous.

The scene depicted inside the young mens residence, however, paints a different picture, authorities say.

Inside the Tampa apartment  which Arthurs, Oneschuk and Himmelman shared with 21-year-old Brandon Russell  police found guns, ammunition and bomb-making material, along with a framed photo of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.

In the condos garage, bomb squad technicians found volatile explosive material stored in a cooler, near homemade detonator components and several pounds of ammonium nitrate. Two sources of radiation were also detected on the premises, authorities said.

Arthurs claims Russell knew nothing of the killings, but accused him of stockpiling explosives to bomb power lines, nuclear reactors and synagogues.

In anonymous internet posts, Atomwaffen members hailed Oneschuk and Himmelman as fallen heroes and assailed Arthurs as a race traitor.

Relatives and friends of the two slain men reject any neo-Nazi labels, but do not dispute they held far right-wing ideologies. They say the two men were moving on to new phases in their lives.

Jeremy went through a lot of struggle in his life, and national socialism offered him the rigidity he desired, and offered him solutions for things out of his control, Kianna Kaizer, Himmelmans girlfriend said in an email. So its been really hard to try and tell his family, but yes he did hold white supremacist beliefs and national socialist beliefs.

According to relatives, the four young men met online last year, and the lure of a rent-free home and the prospect of bountiful fishing convinced Himmelman and Oneshuck to move from Massachusetts to Florida for the summer.

Himmelman was in a financial rut and open to a fresh start when Russell began pressuring him to move to Tampa, friends and family said. He had toyed with joining the military, they said, but instead planned to use his Florida experience to figure out his next move.

And Andrew Oneschuk's father said his son had met with a Navy recruiter in April, on his 18th birthday, and looked forward to starting a military career.

Once the pair arrived in Florida, tensions between the roommates quickly mounted. Kaizer said Himmelman and Oneschuk often teased Arthurs for having no job and spending most of his time playing video games.

"Jeremy went down there expecting a break from the stress he was under in Massachusetts," she said. "As soon as Jeremy arrived in Florida, the stark difference between the promises made and reality were apparent."

According to Tschantre, Arthurs recent conversion to Islam and his religious rhetoric also annoyed other Atomwaffen members. He said the night before the shooting, Arthurs got into an argument with other members online, which Tschantre said he suspects could have played a part in triggering Arthurs' anger into violence the next evening.

Earlier this month, prosecutors said they would not seek the death penalty against Arthurs, who faces two counts of first-degree murder. Russell, who was not involved in the killings, is facing charges related to the explosives recovered.

Russell has denied any plans to make a bomb, saying the materials were used to boost model rockets.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A former Texas police officer who has been previously indicted for possessing child pornography and uploading it to Twitter was arrested Monday on three additional charges.

Earnest McDonald III, 40, a former officer with the Amarillo Police Department, posted the $30,000 bond later on the same day he was arrested, the Amarillo Globe-News reported.

McDonald was originally indicted June 28 on two other possession of child pornography charges, but with the new counts, the former officer will now face five charges of possession of child pornography. The Amarillo Police Department said there was no new inquiry into McDonald, but that he was arrested Monday for the same investigation that began in 2016, according to ABC 7 Amarillo.

TEXAS BOY, 2, MAULED TO DEATH BY FAMILY DOG

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent a report to the Amarillo Police Department on Aug. 15, 2016, regarding some images that were uploaded to Twitter that contained possible child pornography, Amarillo Globe-News reported.

The report said the images contained "actual lewd exhibit of genitals, and the defendant knew the material visually depicted a child younger than 18 years of age at the time the image of the child was made," according to ABC 7 Amarillo.

Investigators determined the images portrayed child pornography and discovered they were uploaded from a Twitter profile, named MmmMmm23538220, ABC 7 Amarillo reported. The Twitter handle was linked to McDonalds Facebook account, according to court documents.

McDonald reportedly admitted viewing child pornography to investigators and said the Twitter account was his.

TEXAS BOY BANNED FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE OF LONG HAIR, MOM SAYS

McDonald faces up to 10 years in prison as well as a $10,000 fine.

The former officer was fired from the department on Aug. 9, 2016, after he was suspended indefinitely due to his initial arrest. He had been employed with the department since 2008.
The son and granddaughter of Robert Kennedy, who were arrested after a rowdy party Sunday night at the illustrious family's Cape Cod home, were belligerent when confronted by police officers, breaking household items, sticking a tongue out at cops and inciting a mob that screamed, "You don't know who you're messing with," a police report revealed on Wednesday.

"Glassy-eyed" 52-year-old Matthew "Max" Kennedy, the ninth child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, and his daughter, Caroline Kennedy, 22, were approached by Barnstable police Sunday night following a noise complaint, Boston Herald reported.

Beer cans littered nearby streets and "loud music and loud voices" were heard by police as they approached the home.

"I observed the female to slur her words and had glassy bloodshot eyes," Sgt. Jason Laber wrote in his police report.

The younger Kennedy wasn't too keen on following the officer's order, stumbling in his presence as she refused a breathalyzer test, reportedly replying with: "No, I'm drunk...I know that."

The report stated Caroline Kennedy snapped when Gerber told her she could go to jail for refusing to follow orders.

"She stuck her tongue out and repeatedly told me to 'bleep off' during booking. She cried and now asked if this would affect her job" as a teacher, the report said.

The rollercoaster night continued as the partygoers pulled out their cellphones and flashlights and stuck them in the officers' faces while Caroline Kennedy was in the police cruiser, according to Masslive.com.

"The small crowd was closing in on us and was out of control,'' the report read. "The actions of both Matthew Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy had incited this crowd into an angry mob."

The older Kennedy, who apparently was "sweating profusely" as he spoke with officers, reportedly prevented the cops from going in to the house.

"He appeared to be very unsteady on his feet and his movements were erratic," the report said, though Matthew Kennedy blew a .00 on the breathalyzer test.

Kennedy then started "screaming incoherently and throwing himself at the wall." A cabinet filled with valuable items also took a beating during the rampage when he smashed some of the items into pieces.

As the Kennedys allegedly argued with the cops, partygoers surrounded them and yelled, "You don't even know who you're messing with," according to the police report.

The unruly Kennedys were charged with disorderly conduct and violating the town's noise law, a crime punishable by a $100 fine. Matthew Kennedy pleaded not guilty to the charges on Monday. His daughter is expected to appear in court at a later date.
It seems California lawmakers efforts to force rifle owners to register their personal details, or resort to cumbersome reloading or giving up their arms altogether, may have missed the mark.

Although months behind schedule, the State of Californias Department of Justice (DOJ) this week opened up its online registration for gun owners to enroll their bullet-button toting AR-15 rifles  now deemed to be assault weapons  in line with a controversial set of sweeping gun control laws signed into state law last year.

But gunmakers and owners say they already have come up with creative workarounds to be legally compliant but avoid giving the government even more personal information.

The registration is seen by many as a trap to purge the owner since they ask for very specific information about acquisition of the original rifle that most owners dont have or remember, Steven Lieberman, a California-based attorney and founder of firearms training company Artemis Defense, told Fox News. As a result, the guesstimate as most would, they are potentially committing perjury.

The registration process is considered by many to be more intrusive compared to prior registration processes. In the past, one simply needed to submit a list of serial numbers to the states DOJ.

This time, the level of information required includes everything from locating their receipts to confirm when they originally purchased their firearms, as well as multiple photos of each gun to be uploaded, and all on a website technology rather than mobile device optimized.

This leaves the California gun owner who chooses not to register with the option of opting for a featureless model  deemed an AR-15 that does not contain a collapsible stock, a pistol grip, a vertical grip, or a flash suppressor. And, perhaps ironically, it has actually breathed new life into the otherwise declining gun sales.

California gun owners thus can bypass registration by either revising their current platform to the featureless style or buying a new one altogether.

If there had been no change in the law, the California market demand for guns would have fallen just like it did in the rest of the country as demand for these types of firearms fell with the coming of the Trump presidency, said California firearms instructor and risk analyst Dennis Santiago. He was referring to the drop in demand nationwide for guns, given that sales soared during the Obama era as gun proponents feared stringent gun control measures would be put in place.

Instead, lawmakers just propped up demand again, and opened up the market for gun owners to convert their guns and manufacturers to make new guns that easily circumvent the law with a few cosmetic changes, he added.

At the heart of the legislation is the outlawing of the AR-15s bullet button  already a feature not used in other states and designed to slow down the reloading process given that it requires a tool to be pushed on the button to eject a spent magazine before being able to reload. By focusing on detachable magazines, California lawmakers were endeavoring to make it an even more laborious reloading process.

Marc Levine, a Democratic State Assembly member who was a huge backer of the new gun laws, told Fox News: By closing the bullet button loophole, it is slowing down the reloading mechanism. Lawmakers will continue to do whatever it takes to keep communities safe.

But savvy designers, Santiago contends, have other ideas.

Lawmakers were probably thinking that guns would require being taken apart to reload them as a result of their new law. They were mistaken, Santiago explained. Ironically, the next generation of unregistered semi-automatic rifles will be better; almost all new designs will have detachable magazines again.

Chris Eger, a staff writer for Guns.com, pointed out that within days of the new legislation, there already were workaround devices and tweaks being concocted by some clever person ... invented to defeat it.

We have covered several new inventions that have popped up just in the past few months, and you can imagine right now that there are rooms of people burning lean muscle tissue into the night trying to come up with more, he said.

Manufacturers have redesigned their products to take advantage of the new law's "featureless" build definition.

As long as states continue to pass feature-based bans and/or until the Supreme Court finally decides that all of these laws are unconstitutional, Alan Thordsen, President of Thordsen Customs in California, said, There will be companies like us and others designing ways to keep law-abiding citizens in compliance.

Eger noted that the new way without the bullet button may end up making reloading more efficient.

The new way can be faster, especially with some aftermarket attachments made to break open the receivers more quickly, he said.

SALE OF FIREARMS THAT USE BULLET BUTTONS SURGE AHEAD OF NEW CALIFORNIA GUN LAW

CONCEALED-HANDGUN CARRY BILL TRIGGERS PUSHBACK FROM COASTAL MAYORS, POLICE CHIEFS

But despite the apparent outmaneuvering, Californias gun control proponents stand firm that the new legislation is still a step in the right direction.

Its no surprise that gun manufacturers are coming up with ways to try to get around reasonable restrictions, said Levine, adding that they will continue to address the workarounds with legislation as necessary.

And Ari Freilich, an attorney at the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, concurred that although workarounds have already been introduced, they are confident that this legislation will save lives and reduce the lethality of mass shooting events.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster for 30 counties Wednesday ahead of the expected landfall of the former Tropical Storm Harvey.

Abbott also ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management's State Operations Center to elevate its readiness level in preparation for the storm's arrival.

The remnants of Harvey have reformed in the southern Gulf of Mexico, prompting the National Hurricane Center to issue hurricane, tropical storm and storm-surge watches Wednesday for parts of the Texas coast.

In its 1 p.m. ET advisory, the weather service said Harvey is located off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, 535 miles south-southwest of Port O'Connor, Texas with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph, and was nearly stationary.

The NHC said the storm should continue on a track toward the northwest over the next 48 hours, and is likely to approach the Texas coast by "late Friday."

"Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Harvey could become a hurricane on Friday," the NHC said.

There is now a storm surge watch issued on the coast of Texas from Port Mansfield to High Island, a hurricane watch from north of Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass, and a tropical storm watch from the mouth of the Rio Grande along the border with Mexico to Port Mansfield, and from north of San Luis Pass to High Island.

"Interests in southwestern Louisiana should monitor the progress of this system for possible watches this afternoon," the agency added.

TRACK THE STORM AT MYFOXHURRICANE.COM

Harvey is bringing the threat of prolonged heavy rain and "life-threatening flooding" for portions of the coast from northeastern Mexico to southern Louisiana into the coming week.

Texas could also see storm surge and tropical storm- or hurricane-force winds, the advisory said.

Officials in Harris County are monitoring the forecast and keeping an eye on areas known for flooding, FOX26 Houston reported.

Along the coast in Galveston, county officials are reminding residents to prepare for a rain event, and have their supply kits ready in case there are any power outages.

"Keep your fuel tank filled up, make sure that you have some water, you have some supplies at your house," Niki Bender with Galveston Emergency Management told FOX26 "Any type of preparations. You have things outside that might be loose and might fly, you can take those in and get them taken care of now."
 Flash

China is dedicated to enhancing its cooperation with Africa in human resource development through knowledge and technology transfer, a Chinese diplomat said Tuesday.

Liu Tao, Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, made the remarks at the Chinese Government Training Program Fellowship Reception in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

He said China, since the year 2000, has sent over 2,000 agricultural experts and over 7,000 medical personnel to Africa, and has trained more than 80,000 Africans from more than 50 countries.

China has pledged that it would, in three years, train 200,000 technicians and provide 40,000 training opportunities in China, and will offer 30,000 government scholarships, he said.

Stating that 1,100 Ethiopian candidates are invited this year to attend short-term training programs, Liu said Ethiopia is the biggest beneficiary.

This year, 395 candidates from the East African country will pursue their higher education up to doctor's degrees, and the figure doubles that of last year, according to the diplomat.

"The training programs cover more than 20 areas, all are highly compatible with Ethiopia's economic and social development needs and would be conducive to the capacity building and national development of Ethiopia," he said.

Those who have been trained in China have made great contribution not only to the social-economic development of Ethiopia but also to building bridges between our two countries, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Tilaye Gete, Ethiopian Minister of Education, said that Ethiopia attaches great importance to human resources development.

In terms of human resource development, the minister said that the country has carried out various activities on its own and in collaboration with its development partners like China.

"Today's event is one of the practical testimonies of the international cooperation we have. The cooperation with the Chinese government in this regard started since the last almost three decades, as a result over 5,000 professionals were able to be trained in various fields of studies under China Aid framework," he said.

He also expressed hope that the cooperation in the area would be strengthened further, and that China would further increase the number of scholarships for post-graduate students, especially PhD students from Ethiopia.

Representing the 2017 Ethiopian scholarship awardees, Dilamo Otore, Head of the Addis Ababa Trade Bureau who is also a PhD candidate, made a speech, whereby he thanked the Chinese government for its support in human resource development of Ethiopia.

He told Xinhua that he would pursue his education in China and come back home to serve his country and contribute share to the sustainable development of the nation.
Venezuelas political and economic crisis is expected to be the key topic of discussion Wednesday when Vice President Mike Pence delivers a speech in Doral, the Venezuelan enclave of Miami.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also were expected to attend, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

Pence may also visit the headquarters of the U.S. Southern Command, though neither Southcom nor the White House would confirm the vice presidents itinerary, the Miami Herald reported.

The Doral visit, in effect, is to cap the vice presidents recent tour of Latin America. Last week, Pence traveled to Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Panama, trying to galvanize support for possible Trump administration sanctions against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, for dismantling the countrys democracy.

But Pences job became more difficult Aug. 11, when Trump said he was considering a military option in Venezuela  a remark that inflamed the region.

Without directly contradicting the president, Pence tried to convince Latin American leaders that U.S. military action was not imminent, the Herald reported.

Maduro, meanwhile, has tried to use Trumps remark to his advantage in a region that historically has feared the prospect of U.S. meddling in its affairs.

In Doral, home to the largest Venezuelan immigrant community in the U.S., Pence will likely try to convince immigrant Venezuelans that the Trump administration intends to pursue a carefully planned agenda against Maduro  rather than abrupt military intervention.
A pilot was rescued Tuesday about 100 miles off the coast of Southern California after ejecting from an aircraft.

A contracted civilian pilot was providing support during a training exercise for the USS Theodore Roosevelt when he ejected from the plane, the U.S. Navy said.

Navy officials contacted the U.S. Coast Guard for assistance around 4:30 p.m., but canceled the call after a helicopter assigned to the Roosevelt rescued the pilot, Fox 5 San Diego reported.

The pilot, flying a 1950s British fighter jet, was taken to Navy Medical Center in San Diego for an evaluation.

Navy officials did not immediately release details on why the pilot ejected.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Law enforcement officials in Mississippi on Friday uncovered nearly 95 pounds of methamphetamine -- which had a street value of approximately $1.5 million -- in what the Rankin County sheriff says is the largest crystal meth bust in the country in 2017.

Authorities found the drugs in a toolbox and inside fake compartments of a commercial pickup being transported on a truck, officials said.

Sheriff Bryan Bailey said drug dealers have started to turn to vehicles being transported as a way to smuggle drugs to the East Coast.

What we try to do is keep up with the trends and intelligence of drug smugglers, Bailey told Fox News. Theyre steadily changing what they do so we have to change with them. I guess this is one of the latest things that theyre trying.

Bailey said his agency is working with the Department of Homeland Security to track down those responsible for the drugs. He said Interstate 20, which runs through Rankin County, is a major transport hub for drug smugglers.

Ninety-five pounds is huge," Bailey said. "That seizure saved several lives [and] saved several kids' lives, I believe."

The drugs and the vehicle they were being transported in were both confiscated by police. Bailey said the driver of the transport truck was not arrested since he did not have a connection to the vehicle in question. He said the driver was initially stopped for a traffic violation.

The Rankin County Sheriffs Department has made several other drug seizures along the I-20 corridor this year. On Aug. 9, a man was caught with six pounds of marijuana and 17 pounds of methamphetamine, worth nearly $245,000. On May 7, two women were arrested for smuggling heroin with a street value of nearly $225,000.
A group of anti-Trump demonstrators used gas canisters, rocks and bottles to assault police Tuesday night and create havoc at what officials said was mostly a peaceful protest in Phoenix.

Video captured by a local reporter also shows a smoking object being thrown at police while hundreds of officers attempted to keep order at a rally after President Trump's speech at the Phoenix Convention Center had ended.

"A very small number of individuals chose criminal conduct," Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams told reporters late Tuesday.

The individuals broke down fencing and "at one point dispersed gas into and at the police officers," Williams said. "They had their own gas they threw at police, not our gas."

The violence resembled the mayhem perpetrated by Antifa groups, militant far-left "anti-fascist" groups that have protested Trump at other venues.

Local Phoenix officers dressed in riot gear finally had to disperse pepper balls and tear gas at the crowds. Officers first directed pepper spray at individual protesters before they deployed a larger-scale gas.

"Officers were forced then at that time to really protect themselves, to protect the community, to protect property and they did so successfully and professionally," Williams said.

Four people were arrested in connection with the protest, and two of those were charged with aggravated assault on a police officer.

A reporter with the Arizona Republic captured video of a lit object being thrown toward police officers from a crowd of people gathered in downtown Phoenix. The video shows the object begins smoking after striking a police officer.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton described the event as a largely civil celebration of First Amendment rights -- with tens of thousands of demonstrators -- but noted a "very small number of people" who chose to engage in "acts of assault on our police officers."

Stanton said the group used gas, rocks and bottles and called the incident "very, very unfortunate."

"I don't think they're affiliated with any organization," Stanton said of the individuals arrested.

"Thank God no one was hurt here tonight," he told reporters, noting that two officers were treated for heat exhaustion.

Similar incidents among anti-Trump protesters have been reported at other rallies across the country.

In June, an arsenal of weaponry -- including clubs, knives, bricks and what look like spears -- were seized by police in Portland, Ore., when rival political groups clashed during a pro-Trump, free-speech rally. Law enforcement clad in riot gear had to shield themselves from rocks and other projectiles thrown by anti-Trump protesters, according to local news outlets.

At one point during the Portland demonstrations, several anti-Trump protesters  black-clad and masked  were seen waving an "Antifascist Action" flag at pro-Trump activists.

Antifa groups have come under fire in the wake of the violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. Many have said Antifa demonstrators played a significant role in the violent clashes in Charlottesville and at other events across the country.

A White House petition, meanwhile, is demanding that the Trump administration officially label Antifa a "terror group." As of Wednesday, the petition had more than double the 100,000 signatures needed to merit a formal response from the White House.
What happens when a group that claims its intention is to promote peace, love and unity applies for a permit to rally in a national park?

In the case of Patriot Prayer, the first response, after being granted the permit, is to be labeled a white supremacist hate group by Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi apparently didnt check with the controversial left-wing organization Southern Poverty Law Center before making the pronouncement.

Not even the SPLC, known for using a broad brush when it brands conservative organizations as hate groups, has come to judge Patriot Prayer as harshly as the California Democrat.

The SPLC reportedly does not consider Patriot Prayer to be a hate group, and its organizer, Joey Gibson, is not considered an extremist.

The SPLC actually reported that at a recent rally, Gibson shouted from the stage, F*** white supremacists!

Patriot Prayer bills itself as a peaceful First Amendment advocacy group that appears in locations where there have been past confrontations over free speech. For example, Patriot Prayer organized the Evergreen State College protest outside Seattle where Gibson was pepper sprayed by counter-protesters.

That rally came after leftist hecklers confronted a professor who spoke out against an event in which organizers asked white students to voluntarily leave campus for one day as part of an exercise in equality.

Patriot Prayers next event is billed for this Saturday at Crissy Field inside San Franciscos Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and comes after violent Bay Area clashes earlier this year over speeches planned by conservative commentator Ann Coulter and English political commentator Milo Yiannopoulus.

Gibson told Fox News this weekends rally is rooted in a philosophy about promoting love and peace but doing it in a way thats respectful. Its about building bridges.

Indeed, Gibson argues that hes trying to inform supporters of Antifa  a broad group of left and far left leaning people - about the violent ways of the group to bring them out of the darkness and he says he has made converts like Tara Bern.

Tara, a Bernie Sanders backer who now lives in Washington state and served in the army, uses Bern as her last name on Facebook to protect my family when I get into politics.

Tara wrote on Gibsons Facebook page that she marched in Seattle with Black Lives Matter, Antifa and other leftist groups because she heard there was a Nazi rally.



As we marched past the police towards the rally, my group was yelling and cussing at the officers and at that exact moment, Tara wrote, I felt in my heart it was wrong.

When she finally reached the supposed Nazis, she found out they were actually just a free speech group.

Speakers were preaching about love and peace, and my group wanted to rip them to shreds. I felt in my spirit that what the Antifa were doing by calling everyone to violence, was wrong, said Tara.

Nevertheless, on August 15, Pelosi issued a strongly worded statement slamming the National Park Service decision to permit the next event at Golden Gate, and claimed that Patriot Prayer is actually an execrable hate group.

The National Park Services decision to permit a white supremacist rally raises grave and ongoing concerns about public safety, Pelosi wrote. Free speech does not grant the right to yell fire in a crowded theater, incite violence or endanger the public in any venue.



Pelosi then went on to wonder whether the decision to permit the white supremacist rally was made under guidance from the White House?

And she questioned whether the National Park Service is at all equipped to ensure public safety during a white supremacist rally?

Gibson, for his part, told Fox News that calling his rally white supremacist is beyond insane.

And, he said, Pelosi actually made the rally more dangerous.

Nancy Pelosi said it was a white supremacist rally so she could bring out extremists on the right and the left, Gibson said. Shes telling white supremacists to come into town.

A left-wing group aligned with Antifa called By Any Means Necessary said it would be on hand in the wake of the Pelosi statement.



BAMN has routinely violently attacked anyone it considers a fascist at past rallies. Indeed, California law enforcement has blamed BAMN for inciting violence at extremist protests.

At the same time, Gibson worries that white supremacists or neo-Nazi hate groups could show up as well. But he said he plans to keep groups such as Identity Evropa out, because he has a NPS permit to rally, and they dont.

San Francisco is not gonna be a huge problem (with hate groups) because we have a permit so we can control who can come in, Gibson told Fox News, If anybody shows up with a flag or uses hateful rhetoric they can go stand out with Antifa.

That has city and park officials scrambling to come up with a plan to avoid yet another devastating riot in the San Francisco Bay Area.

A source tells Fox News that the Patriot Prayer permit was issued before the violent riots in Charlottesville, Va. that left a woman dead, and San Francisco officials have asked the NPS to rescind the permit.

They have so far refused to do so, and the source tells Fox News that even though the San Francisco Police Department is ramping up staffing this weekend, and canceling days off for all available police officers, the SFPD is still looking to the NPS and the United States Park Police to handle whatever happens.

The USPP and NPS will expect the SFPD to assist, but the source tells Fox News that may not work out in the feds favor -- SF wants to distance themselves from the entire problem. Constitutional free speech rights, notwithstanding.

SFPD Officer Giselle Linnane told Fox News, The Department is working closely with our local, state and federal partners to put together a comprehensive plan for events this weekend.

Fox News is awaiting comment from the NPS in San Francisco.

But like Charlottesville, and other confrontations between extremists that were well telegraphed in advance, the signs are there that this weekends rally could devolve into violence, regardless of the intentions of the Patriot Prayer organizers, and the efforts by law enforcement.

And thats a problem for veteran California law enforcement officers like retired Commander Sid Heal, formerly of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department and now a prominent police adviser.

It is MUCH easier to arrest them one at a time than before they have assembled, Heal told Fox News. That has changed dramatically in the last 36 months. Because of the excessive criticism for intervening too early or intervening too harshly  many police agencies have adopted a wait and see strategy that surrenders the initiative to the belligerents.

The politicians like Nancy Pelosi dont like people coming in talking about freedom, said Gibson. At the end of the day they dont care about racism. They want a revolution in the country.

Pelosis office did not respond to Fox News.
A Texas boy who eagerly started school last week was sent home just two days in when officials banned the child from attending classes because of his long hair, his mother said.

Jessica Oates told FOX26 her son, Jabez Oates, began pre-kindergarten in Barbers Hill Independent School District last week, where she learned during registration that Jabez wasn't allowed to have hair that went below his eyes, ears and neck.

"He's never had a haircut. It's just kinda part of his identity," Oates told the news station. "He's just so smart he blows my mind. Full of energy and excited to learn."

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SAY THEY WERE HARASSED AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY FOR WEARING PRO-TRUMP GEAR

She said school officials told her the 4-year-old boy could keep the long hair -- but only if she wrote a letter stating it was for "cultural or religious" reasons. But before Oates could write the note, she said her son was banned from attending classes unless his brown locks were chopped off. On Monday, Jabez was still not allowed in the building.

"I don't believe that short hair should be required to get an education," Oates said. "I feel like my son is owed the same education that all other children in this school district have."

Oates said she won't cut her son's hair "because that's who he is," adding, "I don't believe in it. I will not cut his hair."

The angered mother posted a video on Facebook on Monday describing the situation and asking followers to share the video. She wrote in the caption the superintendent did "not wish to have a meeting" about the situation.

YALE TO REMOVE CARVING WITH GUN POINTED AT NATIVE AMERICAN

Barbers Hill ISD Superintendent Greg Poole said in a statement to Fox News the the dress code policy listing appearance expectations was created by the Board of Trustees, who are taxpayers in the school district.

"Parents have a right to seek an appropriate educational setting for their child, just as Ms. Oates has the right to place her child in a district that reflects her personal expectations for standards of appearance," the statement said. "There are procedures in place for addressing concerns over policy if it is Ms. Oates' desire to have her son educated in Barbers Hill ISD. But we would and should justifiably be criticized if our district lessened its expectations or longstanding policies simply to appease."

Poole attached the dress code policy that stated all students must have "neat, clean and well-groomed" hair that does "not extend below the eyebrows, below the ear lobes, or below the top of a t-shirt collar." Male students are also not allowed to have their hair in ponytails.

Click here for more from FOX26.
The U.S. Navy is facing some tough questions following two deadly collisions during the summer of 2017.

More than a dozen sailors died in the separate accidents. The destroyer USS Fitzgerald struck a commercial ship off the waters of Japan in June, killing seven U.S. sailors. The destroyer USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker in coastal waters off Singapore in August, killing 10 U.S. sailors.

Five officers involved with those two collisions have been charged with negligent homicide, the Navy said Tuesday.

Read on for a look at other recent U.S. military incidents in the Pacific.

C-2A Greyhound

Three sailors were lost after a Navy plane crashed in the Philippine Sea shortly after takeoff from Japan in November 2017.

Eight other crewmembers on board the plane were rescued and listed in good condition at the time of the crash.

Deep water salvage experts located the plane in early January 2018 and efforts are underway to recover the aircraft and sailors, the Navy said.

USS John S. McCain

The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain collided with the merchant vessel Alnic MC on Aug. 21, 2017, according to the Navy report.

Five sailors were injured, and 10 sailors died.

No one onboard the 600-foot oil and chemical tanker was injured, the Singapore government has said, although the ship did sustain damage to a compartment at its front.

Singapore, at the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula, is one of the world's busiest ports and a U.S. ally, with its naval base regularly visited by American warships.

The Navy said in a release that the crash could have been avoided, adding that it "resulted primarily from complacency, over-confidence and lack of procedural compliance."

UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter

An Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the ocean off the coast of Hawaii on Aug. 15, 2017.

Two Black Hawk aircrews were participating in training exercises when communications were lost.

Crews from the Army, Coast Guard, Navy and local agencies in Hawaii searched around the clock as strong currents moved the wreckage into a deep-water search area that spanned 72,000 nautical miles.

The five soldiers who went missing ranged in age from 26 to 41. The crew did have life vests and devices to assist with underwater breathing on the helicopter, officials said.

But while officials recovered significant debris from the crash, Army and Coast Guard officials said that they found no signs of life and ended the search-and-rescue operation.

All five missing soldiers have been declared dead.

MV-22 Osprey

Three U.S. Marines were declared dead in August 2017 after their MV-22 Osprey crashed off the coast of Australia.

The MV-22 Osprey  part helicopter, part plane  crashed into the back of the USS Green Bay, a Navy amphibious ship, and fell into the sea on Aug. 5.

USS Fitzgerald

Seven sailors  ranging in ages from 19 to 37  died in June 2017 when the USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship in waters off Japan.

The captain of the ACX Crystal, a Philippine-flagged container ship, accused the Navy destroyer of failing to heed warning signs before the crash on June 17.

"The collision between Fitzgerald and Crystal was avoidable and resulted from an accumulation of smaller errors over time, ultimately resulting in a lack of adherence to sound navigational practices," the Navy said in the release.

"Specifically, Fitzgerald's watch teams disregarded established norms of basic contact management and, more importantly, leadership failed to adhere to well-established protocols put in place to prevent collisions," it added.

USS Lake Champlain

The USS Lake Champlain, a guided-missile cruiser part of the U.S. Navys 7th fleet, collided with a South Korean fishing vessel in the Sea of Japan in May 2017.

No injuries were reported following the May 9 crash.

The naval ship was conducting routine operations in international waters at the time of the incident, according to the U.S. Navy. A defense official said visibility was limited at the time.

USS Louisiana

The ballistic-missile submarine USS Louisiana collided with a U.S. Navy Offshore Support Vessel off the coast of Washington state on Aug. 18, 2016, according to the U.S. Navy.

The crash occurred during routine operations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

While both vessels were damaged, no one was injured in the collision.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The U.S. Navy has dismissed the commander of its 7th Fleet from duty after the fleet suffered its second deadly mishap in less than three months.

The Navy cited a loss of confidence in Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoins ability to command, the Associated Press reported.

News that the decision was imminent was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The 7th Fleet has been involved in three collisions since January, the last two of which have resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors.

In the latest mishap, the USS John S. McCain collided with an oil tanker before dawn Monday near Singapore. Ten sailors were reported missing, but officials confirmed Tuesday that Navy divers had found the remains of some sailors in a flooded compartment.

In June, seven sailors died when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship collided in waters off Japan.

In January, the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka base, the home port of the 7th Fleet, and in May another cruiser, the USS Lake Champlain from the Navy's 3rd Fleet, had a minor collision with a South Korean fishing boat.

U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Scott Swift told a news conference Tuesday that each of the incidents was "unique," but added that "they cannot be viewed in isolation."

Swift added the Navy would conduct an investigation "to find out if there is a common cause ... and if so, how do we solve that."

Navy Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, on Monday ordered a pause in 7th Fleet operations for the next few days to allow commanders to get together with leaders, sailors and command officials and identify any immediate steps that need to be taken to ensure safety.

A broader U.S. Navy review will look at the 7th Fleet's performance, including personnel, navigation capabilities, maintenance, equipment, surface warfare training, munitions, certifications and how sailors move through their careers. Richardson said the review will be conducted with the help of the Navy's office of the inspector general, the safety center and private companies that make equipment used by sailors.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
A journalist who was enrolled in Mexico's federal protection program was killed Tuesday along with two other men -- becoming the ninth journalist murdered in the country this year.

Candido Rios Vazquez, a reporter for Diario de Acayucan, was fatally shot in Mexico's state of Veracruz, which is considered one of the most dangerous places for journalists in recent years.

The State Commission for Attention and Protection of Journalists, which had assisted the journalist since 2012 after he made a complaint about his safety, condemned the killing.

The advocacy group said Rios was enrolled in Mexico's federal protection program, whose mission is to ensure the safety of journalists and human rights workers in the country.

His paper said the journalist had received threats in the past.

According to Univision, Rios posted a Facebook video Aug. 13 saying the truths he reported on were uncomfortable, but he promised not to stay silent.

Most of the journalists murdered in Mexico this year were reporting on organized crime and corruption in the country.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto vowed in May to step up protection for journalists, after several critical reports accused the government of being complicit in the murders and not being able to prosecute the criminals, the New York Times reported.

Last year, 11 journalists were murdered in Mexico.

The president pledged to provide funding for the federal protection program for journalists threatened with violence and offered a reward system for people who report the killers, Univision reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning Tuesday for Americans traveling to certain parts of Mexico.

The advisory cautions citizens to avoid traveling to certain locations due to increased criminal activity.

Areas such as Baja California Sur, where the popular tourist destination Cabo San Lucas is, and Quintana Roo, where Cancun and Riviera Maya are located, have seen a spike in homicide rates this year.

U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican states, the travel advisory states. The advisory notes that resort areas and tourist destinations in the country dont typically have the same level of drug-related violence and crime seen in other parts of the country.

NAACP ISSUES OFFICIAL STATEWIDE TRAVEL WARNING FOR 'RACIST' MISSOURI

The notice adds that gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place on streets and in public places during broad daylight, but that theres no evidence to show criminal groups in Mexico have targeted Americans based on their nationality.

U.S. citizens traveling may come across government checkpoints, operated by military personnel or law enforcement officials, but in some areas, criminal organizations have created their own unauthorized checkpoints and have killed or abducted those who havent stopped at them. The warning states that Americans should cooperate at all checkpoints.

The advisory follows a March warning that cautioned U.S. college students from traveling to Mexico during spring break.
 Flash

China Wednesday urged Japan to take the security concerns of its Asian neighbors seriously and act prudently in military and security fields.

It has been reported by Japanese news service Kyodo, that the Defense Ministry plans to seek a record-high budget of 5.26 trillion yen (48.1 billion U.S. dollars) for the 2018 fiscal year as the country seeks to strengthen its missile defense capabilities in the face of growing missile threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), as well as China's increasing maritime activities.

"We are aware of the reports and are concerned about this," said Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In recent years, Japan has been exaggerating the "China threat" to find or devise excuses for its increase in military weaponry and defense budget, Hua said.

China should be on high alert to Japan's moves and its real motives, the spokesperson said.

The international community, especially Japan's Asian neighbors, has closely followed the country's military moves, she said.

She advised Japan to learn from history and stop hyping up the "China threat."

Hua said China appreciates the courage of insightful Japanese who have revealed the historical truth and called for peace, through means such as a recent documentary on Okunoshima, an island where poison gas was manufactured by Japan for use against China during World War II.

The documentary attracted a great deal of attention after its broadcast on Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), along with another documentary about Japanese Unit 731 released earlier by public broadcaster NHK. The two films revealed the irrefutable truth about Japan's war crimes and prompted heated discussions among Japanese society.

Japanese abandoned chemical weapons on Chinese territory still threaten the safety of Chinese citizens, their property and the ecological environment, even though the war ended 70 years ago, Hua said.

Hua requested Japan to fulfil its obligations to destroy its abandoned chemical weapons as soon as possible.
It has been almost two months since Mosul was officially declared liberated from Islamic State, and for scores of Iraqis, it's now a battle to find their loved ones bodies in western parts of the city, which have been laid to waste on an almost apocalyptic scale.

Thousands who once lived in the city of 2 million remain unaccounted for, and an accurate count of the dead may not be possible. The nine-month operation to retake Iraqs second-largest city has been deemed the largest urban conflict since the WWII.

It was fought without a conventional frontline, with constant enemy attacks from rooftops and from behind blackened windows, with civilians regularly used as shields by the Muslim extremists.

The level of destruction was like something I had never seen before, Sara Alzawqari, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Baghdad told Fox News.

Everywhere you go there is this eerie, heavy feeling. Alzawqari entered the Old City of West Mosul with an ICRC team last week. There are still so many missing people, there are still so many bodies buried beneath the rubble.

The ICRC has donated to the medical legal institute several cooling trucks to store the bodies  or body parts  so they can be taken to the morgue in a dignified and hygienic manner.

But locating and retrieving the deceased inside the urban warzone is far from the only challenge for local authorities, some of whom have been killed digging through the landmine-riddled, bombed-out narrow streets. Mosuls morgue workers lament that their fridges are bursting to the brim, as bodies arrive faster than they can be identified and laid to rest.

The ICRC helps speed the process, guiding local authorities on how to appropriately handle and identify the dead, most of whose bodies have been left for weeks to languish amid the scorching summer.

The most difficult identification cases are sent to Baghdads Medical-Legal Institute, which then uses forensic analysis and sophisticated machinery to put a name to a body.

Families have a right to know the fate of their loved ones, Alzawqari said.

Iraqi officials are also faced with the challenge of determining the standing of those who died during the three-year ISIS rule. Many were buried informally or issued death certificates by the terrorist outfit, which are not recognized by the countrys legitimate government. Families cannot claim compensation without an authorized death certificate, and without sufficient proof they were not members of ISIS.

BATTLE TO FREE RAQQA PUTS COALITION UP AGAINST BOOBY-TRAPS, CAR BOMBS AND MINES

ISIS, SQUEEZED OUT OF IRAQ AND SYRIA, NOW 'REGROUPING' IN LIBYA, ANALYSTS SAY

HOW ISIS USES HUMAN SHIELDS IN FIGHTING COALITION FORCES

But the bodies still being recovered are not just ones who died in the battle zone. They also include those who have lost their lives since the liberation, usually to a landmine or booby traps. On a daily basis, civilians and soldiers  including many children  are being blown to bits simply riding their bikes to a well to collect water, or trying to leave what is left of their homes.

There was one woman who just opened the door of her house and suddenly everything just exploded around her, said Alzawqari. People are very frustrated; they are very angry. The people of Mosul have already gone through so much.

The extreme level of bombs and ordinance devices planted by militants throughout the area also makes it extremely challenging for aid workers to operate.

According to government statistics, just under 80,000 people have returned to the remnants of West Mosul  around 10 percent of all those who fled the area under ISIS. Many are living inside their partially-destroyed homes, with nowhere else to go, and almost all lack enough food, proper shelter, dependable electricity or good medical care. Before the ISIS invasion, Old City dwellers were often farmers and agriculture workers  but their livestock, and their access to clean water, too, has become something of a distant memory.

Alzawqari, having experienced the ISIS aftermath in other liberated Iraqi cities such as Fallujah and Ramadi, said she thought she had some idea of what to expect. But nothing could have prepared her for the carnage left behind in what was once one of the worlds most treasured ancient cities.

Mosul is no longer being talked about now that the battle is done, and that is what people here fear, she said. The people of Mosul thought they had gone through the worst, but they have nothing but a contaminated city. Their lives are at risk with every step."
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Egypt reacted angrily Wednesday to the Trump administration's decision to cut or delay nearly $300 million in military and economic aid over human rights concerns, a surprise move given the increasingly close ties that have bound the two allies since President Donald Trump took office in January.

Hours after the U.S. announcement, Trump's Middle East envoy, son-in-law Jared Kushner, arrived in Egypt as part of a Middle East tour to try to revive Arab-Israeli peace talks. He met with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and later conferred with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry before leaving for Israel.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Cairo regretted the U.S. decision, calling it a "misjudgment of the nature of the strategic relations that have bound the two countries for decades." The move, it said, "reflects a lack of careful understanding of the importance of supporting the stability and success of Egypt, as well as the size and nature of the security and economic challenges faced by the Egyptian people."

It warned that the cuts may have "negative consequences for the realization of common U.S.-Egyptian interests." It did not elaborate.

However, an Egyptian presidential statement on Kushner's meeting with el-Sissi made no mention of the aid cuts and delays, which totaled $290.7 million. El-Sissi, a general-turned-president who has repeatedly stated his admiration for Trump, showed none of the frustration expressed by the Foreign Ministry as he smiled while posing for a ceremonial photo with Kushner in the Egyptian leader's opulent Cairo palace.

El-Sissi spoke to Kushner and his delegation about "Egypt's keenness to continue to work on strengthening the multi-faceted relations that bind the two countries in various fields," the statement said.

Of the $290.7 million, $195 million was military aid that the State Department said Tillerson was not able to certify that Egypt had met the human rights criteria set by Congress in order to receive it. But because Tillerson signed a so-called national interest waiver, those funds will remain available to Egypt as long as it makes human rights improvements. Had Tillerson not signed the waiver, the money would have been returned to the Treasury by Sept. 30  the end of the current fiscal year.

The remainder  $95.7 million in economic and military assistance was cut from the Egypt account. Most of it had been held in escrow since 2014 as a result of the new aid conditions Congress set after el-Sissi's 2013 ouster of Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's first freely elected president. Of that, $65.7 million was foreign military financing and $30 million so-called "economic support funds," basically a cash payment to the government. These funds will now go instead to "key security partners, without undermining Egypt's security," according to the State Department.

In announcing the changes, the Trump administration cited Egypt's poor human rights record and its crackdown on civic and other non-governmental groups.

Prominent rights lawyer Gamal Eid said U.S. demands for Egypt to improve its rights record were "legitimate" given what he said was a surge in violations.

"The government must now convince its American friends that what it's doing in the field of human rights serves democracy and stability," Eid said. "It's in a bind and anything it does now will be seen as a means to secure U.S. aid."

Egypt is among the top recipients of U.S. military and economic assistance, receiving nearly $1.5 billion annually. The $1.3 billion in military aid and $250 million in economic aid is linked to Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel, and underpins a U.S.-Egyptian security relationship that is now mostly aimed at fighting terrorism.

As defense minister, el-Sissi led the military's 2013 ouster of Morsi, an Islamist whose year in office proved divisive. El-Sissi won a presidential election a year later, and has overseen a crackdown on civil society, particularly rights and pro-democracy groups. These groups were instrumental in the uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011, but are presented by the media now as part of a foreign conspiracy against Egypt.

As part of the crackdown, authorities have detained tens of thousands, most of them Islamist supporters of Morsi, but a number of prominent liberal and secular activists have also been jailed. Critics say the government is trampling on the country's 2014 constitution, possibly the most progressive in Egypt's history.

Egypt maintains that reviving an ailing economy, fighting Islamic militants and creating jobs top its priorities.

Trump made no public mention of human rights when he warmly welcomed el-Sissi to the White House in April, an omission that many took as a sign that the issue was not a priority for the administration. But two months later, two Republican senators slammed as "draconian" a new Egyptian law that effectively bans the work of non-governmental organizations and urged its repeal.

The law, fiercely defended by Egypt, sparked an international backlash and is believed to be the main cause for Washington's move to cut and delay aid.

"I believe the American decision was expected after Egypt adopted the NGO law," said rights campaigner Khaled el-Balshy. "It's an important but symbolic move, which will likely not lead to positive actions from the Egyptian government."

___

Lee reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Bradley Klapper in Washington and Menna Zaki in Cairo contributed to this report.
Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cubas vice president and likely successor to leader Raul Castro, has been portrayed as a quiet, moderate politician who favors the continuing easing of tensions with the United States and a move away from the hard-line, communist rhetoric of late Cuban strongman Fidel Castro.

But a newly released video of a private meeting with Cuban Communist Party members that has quickly spread across social media shows that Diaz-Canel may be more like Fidel than many people assume.

In the video, which was recorded in February but only published this week by Cuban dissident Antonio Rodiles, Diaz-Canel lays out his own rigid ideology  slamming dissidents, independent news outlets and numerous European embassies for allegedly working to subvert the Castro regime and making it clear that he sees very little benefit in working to ease the decades-long animosity between Havana and Washington.

The U.S. government ... invaded Cuba, put the blockade [embargo] in place, imposed restrictive measures. Cuba did not do any of that, so in return for nothing they have to solve those asymmetries if they want relations and if they want normalization of the relations, Diaz-Canel said in the video, which was published by the Miami Herald. We do not have to give anything in return.

In a historic moment that thawed decades of Cold War animosity, Cuba and the U.S. re-established diplomatic ties in 2015 and have slowly worked to normalize issues like travel, money exchange and information sharing. The historic rapprochement, however, has still not brought an end to the U.S. embargo imposed on the communist island since 1962.

Diaz-Canel has been mentioned as the front-runner to replace current Cuban President Raul Castro  himself sometimes seen as a moderating force compared to his older brother  when Castro retires from the post in 2018. And many observers, both on and off the island, were hopeful that the vice president would continue to improve relations with the United States.

The video, however, seems to indicate that Diaz-Canel is less than enthused by the rapprochement taken by the U.S. under former President Barack Obama  calling it a different way of advancing the destruction of the revolution and warning of an American design of political and economic conquest. To back up his claims, Diaz-Canel showed a PowerPoint presentation that included Obamas 2016 visit to the island, business pitches harking back to the decadence of pre-Castro Cuba and even the extravagance of last years Halloween parade.

While the language and rhetoric may be different, Diaz-Canels sentiments bear similarities to those of President Trump, who has pushed his own hard-line approach toward Cuba.

In June, Trump announced he was tightening travel restrictions for Americans that had been loosened under Obama and also banning U.S. business transactions with the Cuban state to cut going to the Castro regime and pressure the government to let the countrys nascent private sector grow.

Effective immediately, I am canceling the last administrations completely one-sided deal with Cuba, Trump said during a speech in Miami. I keep my promisesAnd now that I am your president, America will expose the crimes of the Castro regime.
Four women from Hebrew Union College say they were "strip searched" by security before they were allowed into the Western Wall Plaza, an incident one group called "an intimidation tactic" -- but some officials maintain the women were trying to smuggle items into the plaza.

The women were part of a group of 15 students who joined 200 others in a Wednesday morning "Women of the Wall" service on the plaza behind the men's and women's sections, the Forward reported.

The women were allegedly questioned, pulled into a private room and asked to lift their shirts and skirts. Western Wall security didn't say what they were searching for, according to the Israel Religious Action Center of the Reform movement.

ISRAELI PM IN RUSSIA TO AIR CONCERNS ABOUT IRAN'S EXPANSION

There is no reason to do this to these four young women, Steven Beck of the IRAC told the Forward. It is purely an intimidation tactic.

But some say the women were trying to smuggle items, such as Torah scrolls into the service, which a prominent rabbi called a "desecration."

Today, the first of the [Jewish] month of Elul, all the red lines were crossed," Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch said in a statement to The Times of Israel. "They smuggled holy Torah [scrolls] wrapped around their bodies, they hid whistles in their private parts, and for what? For the 'sanctity' of the civil war at the Western Wall."

The prayer service the women were trying to enter was controversial in itself -- women blew shofars and read from the Torah scrolls, activities ultra-Orthodox Jews believe only men may engage in.

Thousands of people enter the area each day after passing through metal detectors.
U.S. diplomats were diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injuries and possible damage to the central nervous system from exposure to an acoustic attack in Cuba last year, CBS News reported Wednesday, citing obtained medical records.

The records suggest that the apparent attack caused more extensive damage than previously reported. The diplomats stationed in Havana reported symptoms that resembled concussion and hearing loss.

Following months of investigation, U.S. officials concluded that the diplomats had been exposed to an advanced device that operated outside the range of audible sound and had been deployed as sonar attacks either inside or outside their residences, Fox News previously reported. It was not immediately clear if the device was a weapon used in a deliberate attack, or had some other purpose.

Some of the diplomats symptoms were so severe they were forced to cancel their tours early and return to the United States, officials said.

We hold the Cuban authorities responsible for finding out who is carrying out these health attacks, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said earlier this month.

Cubas Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement August 9 denying allegations.

Cuba has never, nor would it ever, allow that the Cuban territory be used for any action against accredited diplomatic agents or their families, without exception, the ministry said. Moreover, it reiterates its willingness to cooperate in the clarification of this situation.

Diplomats also reported to CBS News other forms of harassment including vehicle vandalization, constant surveillance, and home break-ins.
The Taliban on Wednesday killed seven in a suicide car bombing that targeted a military convoy in Afghanistan, days after President Trump announced his new strategy for the country.

The attack occurred in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, a provincial official said.

According to Omar Zwak, the spokesman for the Helmand provincial governor, Wednesday's explosion in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, also wounded 42 people, mostly civilians.

Initial reports show that those killed included a small girl, two women and four soldiers, Zwak said, expressing fears that the death toll could rise further.

"This is from our initial reports, I am afraid the casualty tolls might change once we get a final report form the attack," he added.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a posting on his twitter account.

Senior Afghan government officials on Tuesday welcomed Trump's strategy announcement from Monday.

Senior U.S. officials said Trump may send up to 3,900 more troops, with some deployments beginning almost immediately.

Trump also had harsh words for Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of giving extremists a safe haven, while next door in Afghanistan they kill U.S. troops. He said he wanted "immediate" results without saying what actions the United States might take against Pakistan if it ignored his warning.

The U.S. and Afghanistan have routinely accused Pakistan -- and particularly its powerful intelligence agency -- of harboring insurgents and of waging a selective war, attacking those militants Islamabad considers its enemy and allowing those it has been known to use as proxies, either against hostile neighbors India or Afghanistan, to flourish.

America's enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out. I will not say when we are going to attack, but attack we will, the president said.

Taliban attacks have stepped up all across Afghanistan since the withdrawal of foreign combat forces from the war-torn nation at the end of 2014, and the insurgents have lately been constantly expanding their footprint.

Earlier this month, the Taliban in an "open letter" to Trump, reiterated their calls for the withdrawal of all remaining U.S. troops. The United States has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, who support local forces and carry out counterterrorism operations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
The German Foreign Ministry says its ambassador to Turkey has met with two of its citizens imprisoned in Turkey and both are "doing well, considering the circumstances."

The ministry said in a brief statement released early Wednesday morning that Ambassador Martin Erdmann had met with German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yucel and German human rights campaigner Peter Steudtner.

The two are among about 10 Germans arrested in recent months by Turkey on charges the German government considers dubious and has protested. The arrests have contributed to worsening relations between Berlin and Ankara.

The ministry said Erdmann had "intensive" talks with both prisoners, each meeting lasting about an hour. It gave no further details.
The headless body identified as that of missing journalist Kim Wall was intentionally weighed down with a piece of metal before it washed up on a Copenhagen beach, officials said Wednesday.

The body of the 30-year-old journalist, who disappeared earlier this month after the home-built submarine she was on with another person foundered, was discovered Monday attached to a piece of metal, "likely with the purpose to make it sink", Copenhagen police chief Jens Moeller Jensen told reporters. Copenhagen police said Tuesday that Wall's head, arms and legs had "deliberately been cut off" her body.

Wall's body "washed ashore after having been at sea for a while," Moeller Jensen said, adding police also found marks on the torso, indicating someone tried to press air out of the body so that it wouldn't float.

In addition to the the grim discovery on the beach, authorities found dried blood belonging to Wall inside the submarine.

"On Aug. 12, we secured a hair brush and a toothbrush (in Sweden) to ensure her DNA. We also found blood in the submarine and there is a match," Moeller Jensen said.

While DNA tests confirmed Wednesday the torso is Wall's, the cause of the journalist's death is not yet known, police said, adding they were still looking for the rest of her body.

Wall was last seen alive on Aug. 10 on Danish inventor Peter Madsen's submarine, which police believe he intentionally sank off Denmark's eastern coast the following day.

Madsen, 46, who has been arrested on preliminary manslaughter charges, denies having anything to do with Wall's death.

The inventor initially told investigators Wall disembarked from the submarine to a northern Copenhagen island several hours into their trip and that he didn't know what happened to her afterward. But he later told authorities "an accident occurred on board that led to her death" and he "buried" her at sea.

Madsen also told a local television station last week the sub sank due to technical issues.

I was toying with various things on the submarine and then an error occurred, he told TV2 immediately after the sub sank.

Madsen's defense lawyer said Wednesday her client still maintains he didn't kill Wall, and the discovery of her torso doesn't mean he's guilty.

"It doesn't change my client's explanation that an accident happened," Betina Hald Engmark told Danish BT tabloid, adding "no matter what, we find it very positive that she has been found now."

What is likely the last picture taken of Wall showed the freelance journalist, smiling, aboard the sub and standing alongside Madsen, whose back is turned, just before the Nautilus departed on its ill-fated voyage.

Wall, who was based in Brooklyn, N.Y., had been writing about Madsen and the Nautilus at the time of the incident. Wall freelanced for publications such as the New York Times, The Guardian and Vice magazine, and had studied at the Sorbonne university in Paris and the London School of Economics. She also received a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University in New York in 2013.

Her family had told The Associated Press she was working on a piece on Madsen, adding that she had worked in many dangerous places as a journalist, and it was unimaginable "something could happen...just a few miles from the childhood home."

In an email to the AP, the family said it received the confirmation of her death "with boundless sadness and dismay," adding "the tragedy has hit not only us and other families, but friends and colleagues all over the world."

The International Women's Media Foundation said it was "deeply saddened" to receive confirmation Wall had died.

"She was dogged in her pursuit of important and sometimes quirky stories," the organization said in a statement. "She was adored by those who knew her."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An extremist cell was preparing bombs for an imam who planned to blow himself up at a Barcelona monument, a key suspect in the attacks that killed 15 people in northeastern Spain told a judge Tuesday, according to a judicial official.

The suspect, Mohamed Houli Chemlal, was one of four men taken before Spain's National Court in Madrid to testify about the Islamic cell that attacked pedestrians in Barcelona and the nearby seaside town of Cambrils last week.

National Court Judge Fernando Andreu questioned the four about the vehicle attacks as well as the fatal explosion at a bomb-making workshop that police said scuttled the group's plot to carry out a more deadly attack at unspecified Barcelona monuments. After the session, the judge ordered two of the surviving suspects held without bail, another detained for 72 more hours and one freed with restrictions.

A Spanish judicial official said Houli Chemlal, 21, and suspect Driss Oukabir, 28, identified imam Abdelbaki Es Satty as the ideological leader of the 12-man cell.

Oukabir and the other two surviving suspects who testified, Mohamed Aalla and Sahal El Karib, denied being part of the cell, said the court official, who was not authorized to discuss the case and insisted on speaking anonymously.

The cell's other eight members are dead. Police shot five during an attack Friday and one more Monday after a manhunt. Es Satty and another accidently blew themselves up while preparing explosives in a house in the coastal town of Alcanar, south of Barcelona.

Es Satty preached in a mosque in the northeastern town of Ripoll, home to most of the 12 pointed to by police as suspected members of the cell. Police identified his remains amid the rubble of the Aug. 16 explosion that destroyed the house in Alcanar.

Police found in the house over 100 tanks of butane gas and materials to make TATP, an explosive frequently used in attacks by Islamic State militants. The group has claimed responsibility for both attacks on pedestrians -- one Thursday by a van that mowed down people on Barcelona's famed Las Ramblas promenade and another early Friday in Cambrils. The attacks and a bloody getaway in which a man was stabbed to death left 15 dead and over 120 wounded.

Houli Chemlal, the only survivor of the Alcanar blast, told the court Tuesday that he is alive because he was on the ground floor of the house washing dishes after dinner. He testified from a wheelchair without lifting his eyes up from the ground, according to the court official. He has been hospitalized under guard since his arrest Thursday.

The second suspect interrogated, Oukabir, testified he rented the vans used in the attacks on pedestrians but said he thought they were going to be used for a house move. His brother Moussa was one of the five radicals shot dead Friday by police in Cambrils.

According to another person who attended Tuesday's interrogation, Oukabir told the prosecutor that his first version of events -- telling police his documents were stolen by his brother -- was something he had done out of fear. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the hearing.

The third suspect, Aalla, said an Audi A3 used in last week's attack in Cambrils was registered under his name but used by another sibling, the judicial official said. Police say one of Aalla's younger brothers died in Cambrils and another one is believed to be the second casualty in the Alcanar house blast where the imam died.

The last surviving suspect, El Karib, the owner of a cybercafe in Ripoll, told the judge that he was only trying to make a profit when he bought at least two plane tickets for two alleged members of the cell.

Police later Tuesday raided the cybercafe in Ripoll as well as a house in Vilafranca del Penedes, searching for more evidence.

After the questioning, the judge said there was enough evidence to hold Houli Chemlal and Oukabir on preliminary charges of causing homicides and injuries of a terrorist nature and of belonging to a terrorism organization. Houli Chemlal also has an additional charge of dealing with explosives.

However, the judge ruled the evidence was "not solid enough" to keep holding Aalla, who was freed on condition he appear in court weekly, relinquish his passport and not leave Spain.

El Karib will remain in custody for at least 72 more hours while police inquiries continue, the judge said.

The lone fugitive from the initial attack, 22-year-old Younes Abouyaaqoub, was shot to death Monday
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Russia Wednesday to voice concern about Iran's efforts to expand its foothold in Syria.

Netanyahu said at the start of his talks with President Vladimir Putin in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi that the growing Iranian presence in Syria threatens Israel and others.

"Iran is making an escalated effort to base itself militarily in Syria," Netanyahu said. "That presents a danger to Israel, the Middle East and in my estimation, the entire world. Iran is already in advance stages of the taking over process of Iraq and Yemen, and in practice already controls Lebanon."

Russia and Iran back Syrian President Bashar Assad in the country's civil war, and have helped his army win back key areas. Moscow has also maintained friendly ties with Israel and established military-to-military contacts to prevent confrontations in Syria.

"We are all in the immense international effort defeating Daesh (the Islamic State group) and that is a welcome thing, but what is not welcome is that Iran enters the areas which Daesh leaves," the Israeli leader said.

"We don't forget for a moment that Iran continues every day to threaten Israel with destruction," Netanyahu said, adding that "we will defend ourselves with all means against this threat."

Israel was opposed to the 2015 nuclear deal Iran reached with world powers, and has long objected to Iran's support for militant groups across the region, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, which went to war with Israel in 2006.

Putin hailed what he described as an "efficient mechanism of cooperation" between Russia and Israel, but did not mention Iran in comments at the start of the talks.
Six years ago, an Eau Claire man decided to take a leisurely canoe trip and paddled down the Chippewa River.

The trip inspired a series of mini-documentaries about the river and the small towns that rested near it  which turned into a book commission from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

In June, Rich Cornell, the man who took that first canoe trip, debuted his book, The Chippewa: Biography of a Wisconsin Waterway.

After its debut, Cornell, who has sinced moved from Eau Claire to St. Paul, has appeared in the small communities he writes about to tell the books story. Cornell will appear at Dylans Dairy in the city of Cornell on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 4:30-6 p.m. to sign copies and read from the text.

The Chippewa had a quiet beginning: Cornell began interviewing small-town residents along the river with a camcorder after his first canoe trip.

My kids and I canoed the entire river, from the source  its east fork in Glidden  to just above the Mississippi, Cornell said. I realized that we must have canoed by many interesting stories in these small towns. So I decided to go back and investigate.

Cornell soon signed a contract with the Wisconsin Historical Society to write a book regarding the Chippewa River, styled after the mid-1900s Rivers of America series. Famed Wisconsin naturalist and writer August Derleth wrote one volume in that series, titled The Wisconsin, about the Wisconsin River; Cornell said that Derleths book and Mark Twains memoir Life on the Mississippi inspired his.

Over six years, Cornell traveled from small town to small town, beginning in Glidden where the canoe trip started, and working his way down the rivers flowage until he reached Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire.

He interviewed, researched, took pictures and documented as much local history as he could find. Famous local figures  Seymour Cray, Father Charles Goldsmith and others  pop up in the books pages, a nod to Cornells background in the Chippewa Valley.

I wanted to get a picture of their towns, Cornell said. I wanted to understand what they were proud of.

His journey took him from Glidden through the Chippewa Valley, but Cornell said that Chippewa Falls was one of his favorite places to research. I love the towns name, its charm. I consider it the heart of the Chippewa Valley. Thats my judgment of it, he said.

Cornell recalled the equally funny and heartwarming memories of his writing process. When I was at the (Chippewa County) historical society, I came across an eightieth birthday announcement for a Chuck Card. I went to the birthday party, and there were at least 200 people there. Why would 200 people show up to a birthday party for an eighty-year-old? he remembers. Turns out he was Santa Claus in Chippewa Falls for years. I have his picture in the book.

(Card was inducted into the Wisconsin Main Street Hall of Fame in 2013 for his work playing Santa Claus in the Chippewa Falls area.)

Cornell believes that people playing, swimming, boating and tubing the Chippewa River might not be aware of the historical value it holds  and that this book will bring its charm to light. I think they float by, as I did in my canoe, and its easy to overlook (its) deep, rich history, he said.

The author intends to continue promoting the book until November, when hell start thinking about his next project. Im going to savor the moment, and well see what else after that, he said.

Cornell will be available for book signings and readings at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, at Dylans Dairy at 120 Main St. in Cornell He will hold another signing at Glidden over Labor Day weekend; fans can catch him again at Subtext Books at 6 W. 5th Street in St. Paul on Sept. 21.

The Chippewa: Biography of a Wisconsin Waterway is available for purchase through the Wisconsin Historical Society, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target and other major retailers.
Kim Jong Un, placing his foot firmly back on the gas in his war of wills with the United States, reportedly ordered more rocket engines and warhead tips for the rogue regime's ramped-up intercontinental ballistic missile program.

The state's official KCNA news agency released the report stating the dictator ordered increased production after visiting the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency.

KIM JONG UNS NORTH KOREA: BRINGING THE WORLD TO THE BRINK

"He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips by further expanding engine production process and the production capacity of rocket warhead tips and engine jets by carbon and carbon compound material," the report said.



KCNA also unveiled photos showing disturbing diagrams hanging on the wall behind the despot during Kim Jong Un's visit to the plant that makes the solid-fuel engines for the country's ballistic missiles.

One showed a missile called Pukguksong-3, which appears to be the latest in the Pukguksong, or Polaris, series. The other was more difficult to discern but appeared to be in the "Hwasong," or Mars, series.

NORTH KOREA ICBM TEST LONGEST IN HISTORY OF REGIME, PENTAGON SAYS

North Korea looks to follow-up on the two successful ICBM launches it carried out in July -- the second being the longest such test in the history of the the regime. Officials believe North Korea launched a KN-20 ICBM both times, the launches coming about two weeks apart from one another.

But Kim still lacks the materials to obtain atmospheric re-entry technology, allowing the missiles to withstand the heat and pressure of re-entry while passing through Earth's atmosphere, Yonhap News Agency reported. The technology is a key part of developing successful ICBM -- and one of the last hurdles North Korea faces.

North Korea also issued a series of threats earlier this week as U.S. and South Korea troops kicked off an annual 11-day military training drill, with the regime vowing "merciless retaliation and unsparing punishment" in response to the "reckless move." The U.S. and South Korea kicked off the drills on Monday despite the rogue nation's calls to pause or downsize them.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Men and women with furrowed brows sat in pews alongside their children at a Montreal church as volunteers explained what to expect now that they have crossed into Canada from the United States seeking asylum.

They would receive temporary housing stipends and access to medical care. Their kids could go to school. The volunteers handed out small maple-leaf flags.

"I like Canada very much," 26-year-old Marline Dorisma of Haiti said later. "There are lots of opportunities here."

What they did not get were any assurances that they will be allowed to stay. In fact, many will eventually be told to go back home.

The migrants are part of a recent surge of people crossing over from the United States, including some 4,000 in just the last two weeks, that is straining Canada's immigration system to the point where officials turned a domed stadium into a makeshift shelter.

Many said they left fearing deportation due to increased immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump and believing Canada would automatically give them residence, only to experience a rude awakening upon arrival.

It's a widely held misbelief that Transport Minister Marc Garneau sought to dispel during a recent visit to the international border near Quebec, where migrants have been crossing over from northern New York.

"Unless you are being persecuted or fleeing terror or war, you would not qualify as a refugee," Garneau said, "and it's important to combat that misinformation that is out there."

Like in the United States, rules in Canada allow for asylum for people who can demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution in their homeland based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a group like the LBGT community. People can also be accepted if Canada fears they face torture or cruel or unusual punishment if they are deported.

But those deemed to be economic migrants are given orders of deportation through a process that can range from several months to many years.

Last year Canada granted asylum to 63 percent of applicants, for a total of nearly 16,000, according to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. For Haitians it was 52 percent, said Jean-Nicolas Beuze, the representative in Canada for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. That was similar to the acceptance rate for Haitians in the United States, about 48 percent.

Officials, immigration lawyers and other experts say the false belief that Canada will accept all migrants is particularly common among Haitians.

"If these people were aware of the criteria that need to be met in order to be granted refugee status in Canada, and of the likelihood of being turned down and deported from Canada back to Haiti, it's possible many of them would probably have decided not to have left the United States," lawyer Stephane Handfield said.

Authorities say more than 80 percent of the 4,000 who crossed into Quebec recently are from Haiti. The rest include people from India, Mexico, Colombia and Turkey, according to the provincial ministry of immigration.

The Trump administration is considering ending a program that granted temporary residency to about 58,000 people from Haiti following the Caribbean nation's devastating 2010 earthquake. Canada ended a similar program in 2014.

"We're being threatened so we have to leave the country, because we're illegal," said Dorisma. "I was told that Canada isn't a country that deports people."

At Montreal's Olympic Stadium, recent arrivals are sleeping on some 900 cots in a concourse near a rear entrance. Officials say the shelter is operating at 70 to 90 percent capacity at any given time and will be open until next month.

Migrants said they have been encouraged by the reception they have received so far in Canada, where there have been only minor anti-immigration demonstrations.

Inancieu Merilien, one of hundreds of Haitians at the arena, said he and others were "being taken care of very well" and "being here is like a dream come true."

In January, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted in response to a U.S. ban on travelers from some Muslim-majority nations: "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength."

But the reality is many will be in an uncomfortable limbo while awaiting a decision on their status. Janet Dench, executive director of the Canadian Council of Refugees, said the lingering threat of deportation will make it difficult to build new lives and get good jobs.

"They can't invest in integrating because they don't know what the future holds," Dench said. "So it's an extremely stressful situation."

Also, despite the access to taxpayer-funded medical care and education, the housing assistance doesn't go far. Those subsidies range between about $560 per month for a single adult to $1,900 for a family of four, meaning multiple migrant families often must squeeze in under the same roof.

Joseph Jr. Clormeus, a pastor of Haitian descent who has been helping migrants, said many still prefer Canada to what they faced south of the border.

"Most of them are disoriented, weak, and don't know what the future will bring," Clormeus said. "But they prefer the uncertainty of life in Canada (over) the certainty of being deported from the United States."

___

Associated Press writer Patrick Lejtenyi reported this story in Montreal and AP writer Rob Gillies reported from Toronto.
The squabble over statues has now crossed the Atlantic.

In the aftermath of the violent clashes between white supremacists and counter-protestors earlier this month over the planned removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Virginia, Europeans of varying political creeds and ideologies are calling for the removal  or in some cases the covering up  of a number of controversial monuments.

In the Turkish province of Sinop, a local conservative Islamic organization is demanding that a statue of Greek philosopher Diogenes be taken down because it attaches a Greek ideology to Sinop. Diogenes was born in Sinop, but later moved to Greece and is known as one of the founders of Cynic philosophy.

We are not against arts and sculptures. We are against the fact that they are attaching Greek ideology to Sinop under the cover of the statue, Ismail Tezic, the organizations Sinop provincial representative, told the Hurriyet Daily News. We want the Diogenes statue to be taken from the entrance of Sinop and moved to Balatlar [a local Byzantine church]. We will put in effort for this. We will struggle to the end, whether a petition or a permanent press statement here is required.

Just over 1,600 miles north of Sinop, two artists in Germany took a different approach in regards to Dresdens Marie-Gey Fountain, which features a statue of naked Aphrodite.

Concerned that the depiction of the nude Greek goddess of love would offend some of the newly arrived migrants fleeing the violence in war-torn Middle Eastern nations  and working under the auspices of Germanys Welcome Culture - artist duo Angela Hampel and Steffen Fischer recently concealed the fountain with a veil.

The artists had originally proposed the idea of covering up Aphrodite to city officials, but after it was rejected they decided to go ahead with their project anyway.

"As long as there are wars, there is migration and the greatest suffering is always experienced by children and women. They have never received a monument - until now, Fischer told German media.

While it may seem that Europe is jumping on the bandwagon, monument removal is something of popular pastime on the continent with statues and homages to controversial figures being subject to destruction since at least the Bronze Age.

In the Czech Republic, for example, all statues to the Hapsburg dynasty were torn down following World War I and replaced with heroes of the newly formed Czechoslovakia. Then the Soviets tore those down after World War II and replaced them with those of famous communists, only to see those eventually brought down and swapped for the older statues following the demise of the USSR.

In recent years, the Soviet Union appears to be the main victim of the drive to tear down the likenesses of divisive dignitaries.

Officials in Ukraine just recently finished removing all 1,320 statues to communist leader Vladimir Lenin as part of a drive by the government in Kiev to rid the country of all symbols of its Soviet past. In keeping with this move, officials also decided to change the name of Lenin Street in the western region of Zakarpattia to Lennon Street, in honor of the late Beatles member.

Polands government in June gave local officials and landowners one year to do away with any memorials that pay tribute to persons, organizations, events or dates symbolizing communism or other totalitarian systems. So far about 500 such monuments have been identified, all from the communist era as the Soviets already had torn down any Nazi memorials.

While some fascist monuments remain in Europe  Francos tomb in Spain and the so-called Fascist Era statue in Italy being the two most prominent  there are no public monuments or statues to Nazi leaders left. In Germany, Nazi symbols were immediately removed following the end of World War II and the display of the swastika and other Nazi symbols is illegal.
Two more men were arrested Wednesday in Finland's first suspected Islamist militant attack, as police also said they have doubts about the identity of the main suspect.

Police in Turku, where the knife attack occurred, said they arrested two men on suspicion "of preparation of an offense to be committed with terrorist intent."

Eight people were injured during the Aug. 18 incident -- which happened a day after a van drove into crowds in Barcelona, Spain, killing 13 people and wounding more than 100 others. ISIS claimed responsibility for the Barcelona incident.

Four other men have been detained by Finnish police in connection with the knife attack and an arrest warrant has been issued for a fifth.

FINLAND HONORS STABBING VICTIMS

The main suspect, a man identified as 18-year-old Moroccan Abderrahman Mechkah, told authorities Tuesday he was responsible for the attack.

But Detective Superintendent Markus Laine of the National Bureau of Investigation told Reuters it was possible Mechkah was providing authorities with a false identity.

"We have reasons to suspect that he has given wrong information to authorities when coming to the country," Laine said.

The man identified as Mechkah arrived in Finland in 2016 and he had earlier spent time in Germany, according to authorities.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
As the U.S. Navy works to identify the cause of the collision involving the USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker, Admiral John Richardson tweeted that the Navy will conduct a wide investigation, including a review into the possibility of "cyber intrusion or sabotage, although he says there is no direct evidence at this point.

Ron DeSantis, a Navy officer, Florida Republican congressman, and member of the House Oversight and Foreign Affairs Committee, used the same phrase during a Fox News interview Tuesday, saying are there any type of outside intrusions? A cyber-intrusion? We dont have the facts on that yet, but clearly there has got to be some explanation because this is very rare to see mishap after mishap.

He was referring to the fact another ship from the same fleet, the USS Fitzgerald, was also involved in an at-sea collision with a commercial vessel in June. Each incident resulted in the deaths of a number of sailors.

Dana Goward, president of the non-profit Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation, wrote an article about a GPS spoofing attack that he says took place in June in the Black Sea and affected 20 ships.

According to the U.S. Maritime Administration, A maritime incident has been reported in the Black Sea in the vicinity of position 44-15.7N, 037-32.9E on June 22, 2017 at 0710 GMT. This incident has not been confirmed. The nature of the incident is reported as GPS interference.

GPS jamming is blocking a signal, whereas GPS spoofing creates a fake signal. Jamming is much easier to detect since the signal simply fails.

Gowards article said a shipmaster was reporting that his GPS was showing he was 25 miles away from his actual location  inland, and near a Russian airport.

Fox News has gotten confirmation from the U.S. Coast Guard that a GPS disruption did occur. Coast Guard Spokesperson Lt. Amy Midgett told Fox News, "The Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) routinely shares reports of GPS disruptions with other U.S. government agencies. The Navigation Center shared such a report from the Black Sea region with the Maritime Administration and the Maritime Administration issued a Safety Alert for the region.

According to New Scientist, Over the past year, GPS spoofing has been causing chaos for the receivers on phone apps in central Moscow, (causing them) to misbehave. The scale of the problem did not become apparent until people began trying to play Pokemon Go. The fake signal, which seems to center on the Kremlin, relocates anyone nearby to Vnukovo Airport, 32 km (20 miles) away. This is probably for defensive reasons; many NATO guided bombs, missiles and drones rely on GPS navigation, and successful spoofing would make it impossible for them to hit their targets.

New Scientist also reports on Todd Humphreys of the University of Texas at Austin, who has been warning of the coming danger of GPS spoofing for many years. In 2013, he showed how a superyacht with state-of-the-art navigation could be lured off-course by GPS spoofing.

Humphreys told the publication, The receivers behavior in the Black Sea incident was much like during the controlled attacks my team conducted.

While what happened with the two U.S. Navy ships remains under investigation, Goward, who is also a retired U.S. Coast Guard captain, told Fox News, It is a good question to ask. We know that GPS jamming and spoofing can cause confusion on the bridge of a ship and that Russia and others have a history of using jamming against Western forces. In fact, Russians have bragged that their electronic capabilities make aircraft carriers useless.

However, Goward added, it is unlikely that GPS spoofing was involved in either of the two recent Navy collisions. Could the McCain's collision be the result of GPS spoofing? It's very unlikely, though theoretically possible. He said If this was a cyber-attack as some have speculated, then it was likely primarily against the civilian vessel involved. It would require a very high degree of sophistication and, as part of the accident investigation, would be detected by U.S. military and intelligence agencies.

In June, when the USS Fitzgerald collided with the ACX Crystal, a retired Australian Naval commander and former U.S. Naval officer Gregory Keeley, suggested to Fox News that there could be something sinister behind the crash, something that he says would have "enormous implications" for the White House: a cyber-attack. That would mean not GPS spoofing, but taking over a ships controls. He suggested it could have been the civilian vessel that was taken over.

There were reports suggesting the Crystal may have been on autopilot when it collided with the Fitzgerald.

Keeley, who is also an expert on cyber-security, said that while a collision would be unlikely given the relatively advanced navigation system on the Crystal, that very system would be viewed by hackers as an open door into the ships control room. According to Keeley, a takeover of the ship's navigation is "not hard to do if you know how to do it," and the Crystal's erratic trajectory prior to impact confirms something went very wrong.

Keeley said it was easy to imagine this being a state-sponsored hack, given the relatively close proximity of the crash to places like North Korea, Iran and even Russia. There is also the fact that the Fitzgerald, a "guided missile destroyer," has been used for "intelligence gathering operations" in recent years, and was in the area for unknown reasons at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and the Hermit Kingdom.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet, Lt. Paul Newell, echoed the sentiments of other experts. He sent Fox News an e-mail saying while there is currently nothing that indicates a cyber-attack took place with respect to either collision, all potential causes will be investigated."

Newell added that cyber-attacks are one of a spectrum of vulnerabilities that all members of the fleet train to defend against.

Fox News Alex Diaz contributed to this report
More divers and heavy equipment are needed to open some of the flooded compartments aboard the USS John S. McCain to gain access to the bodies of some of the 10 missing sailors, Navy officials told Fox News on Wednesday.

Officials said that while divers have located some of the bodies, they cannot be extracted due to the extensive damage inside the ship.

In a statement Wednesday, the 7th Fleet said divers were continuing to search flooded compartments in the McCain in the hope of locating more of the missing sailors. The sea-based search is expanding to encompass a greater area as time goes on, the statement said.

Singapore's government said the search area more than doubled Wednesday to about 2,120 square miles, with aircraft and other vessels deployed by the U.S., Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

At least three of the 10 missing sailors have been identified by relatives.

On Monday, the destroyer USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker collided off Singapore, injuring five sailors and resulting in 10 others declared missing. It was the second deadly mishap in fewer than three months.

Seven sailors died in June when the destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship off Japan.

On Tuesday, Navy officials said divers had located some of the bodies while officials said the Malaysian Navy located a body at sea, but it has yet to be identified.

Later on Tuesday, the U.S. Navy dismissed 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Joseph Aucion from duty due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.

The move follows four Navy accidents in the Pacific since late January  two of which left sailors dead and missing.

The Navy said that Rear Adm. Phillip Sawyer, who had already been named as Aucoin's successor, would assume command immediately.

At any given time, the 7th Fleet has 60-70 warships, 200-300 aircraft and 40,000 Marine and Navy personnel. The U.S. Navy is now down to two destroyers in the Pacific that are capable of shooting down North Korean ballistic missiles.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Danish police announced Wednesday a headless torso that washed up from local waters matches the DNA of missing Swedish journalist Kim Wall.

The discovery, a breakthrough in the investigation, gives authorities a clearer picture of the reporters mysterious disappearance after she boarded a 55-foot privately built submarine on Aug. 10 for a story she was writing about the vessels inventor, Peter Madsen. Police believe Madsen intentionally sank the submarine off Denmarks eastern coast the following day.

Madsen, 46, now at the center of the shocking mystery, initially told investigators that Wall left the submarine, and disembarked on a northern Copenhagen island hours into their trip. But he later changed his story, saying in a statement Monday that Wall died following an onboard accident and he had buried her at sea at an unspecified location.

Prosecutors said Thursday they are seeking murder charges for Madsen, the only suspect in Wall's death.

MURDER CHARGES SOUGHT FOR SUSPECT IN DEATH OF SWEDISH JOURNALIST KIM WALL

A torso was discovered Monday and DNA testing identified it as belonging to the 30-year-old journalist, said Copenhagen police chief Jens Mller Jensen at a press conference.



Police said the dismembered body was found attached to a piece of metal, likely with the purpose to make it sink, adding that the body had apparently been punctured to let air out before sinking it and Walls head, arms and legs had been deliberately cut off.

Madsen has been held since Aug. 11 on suspicion of manslaughter, and denies any involvement in Walls apparent murder. Prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen told the B.T. tabloid that police expect to raise the preliminary charges against Danish inventor Peter Madsen, 46, to murder and indecent handling of corpse when he appears at a custody hearing Sept. 5.

Early life

Born in 1971, Madsen was raised with his three brothers by their father in a small town on the coast of Zealand, Denmarks largest island. He told a biographer that his father, a carpenter, was abusive.

Madsen had an early affinity for science -- launching rockets in the schoolyard by the time he was just 15 years old, according to the biography, Rocket Madsen: Denmarks Do-It Yourself Astronaut, written by Thomas Djursing.

I loved the idea that a fully armed rocket stood behind the school, Madsen told his biographer. The school day was my countdown where I constantly looked at my watch thinking T-minus-4 hours, T-minus-3 hours, etc.

Following grade school, Madsen began studying engineering at a university, but never completed his degree.

His ambitious visions and innovative inventions gained him public acclaim, propelling him to somewhat of a local celebrity and garnering him support from volunteers and investors.

Career in science

In 2008, Madsen co-founded Copenhagen Suborbitals, an amateur space exploration company. But before the organization successfully launched from a platform in the Baltic Sea in 2011, Madsens relationships with his partners had deteriorated, leaving him to continue his work alone.

DANISH POLICE: SUBMARINE OWNER SAYS WOMAN DIED IN ACCIDENT

In the biography, Djursing describes Madsen as a one-man army, earning a reputation as bad-tempered with a tendency to get frustrated with other engineers.

Madsen has been launching self-engineered submarines since 2002. He had brought other visitors on his third and latest submarine, the UC3 Nautilus -- the largest privately built submarine in the world, and the vessel from which Kim Wall disappeared.

"He's not a murderer"

After police announced Monday that Madsen changed his account of what happened to Wall, a colleague of Madsens spoke out.

In an interview with Danish tabloid newspaper BT, Jens Falkenberg, also a member of the amateur submarine building community, said, Peter is a colorful personality, but hes in no way evil, and I dont believe theres anything violent in him.

I cant imagine Peter having killed her intentionally, but I can imagine an accident happening, Falkenberg said. The submarine is an ungainly place and you move around awkwardly. Perhaps she fell and broke her neck.

To me, Peter is not a murderer, he said.

On Thursday, Denmark prosecutors said they plan to bring murder charges against Madsen.
Plenty of new college students head off to their freshman year anxious about making friends and finding their way around an unfamiliar campus.

International students often have the same worries  plus the challenges of reading books and writing papers in what is typically not their native language, and adjusting to life in the United States when many of their families are a continent away.

As UW-Madison attracts more students from overseas, the university is offering a new summer course that officials say can help ease the transition to college. Called the International Student Summer Institute, the program aims to bolster English skills, introduce new Badgers to the city around their campus and generally get them ready for the rigors of American higher education.

For many of its 25 participants, who come from nine countries, the four-week program that wraps up Friday is a way to prepare for school with a group of peers facing the same exciting but daunting prospect.

Were all international students, so we communicate better, said Lindsey Tang, a chemical engineering student from China. We all have problems to solve together.

International students made up about 9 percent of UW-Madisons freshman class during the 2016-17 school year. The university has also sought to offer more courses and programs during the summer term in an effort to generate new revenue.

Participants in the institute take a three-credit English-as-a-second-language course led by UW-Madison instructors. The program costs about $5,800 for the course, housing in a campus dorm, meals and other expenses.

Faculty associate Gail Ibele said her class puts an emphasis on the reading and writing skills students need in college, such as the ability to critically and efficiently read large amounts of material, and how to present arguments in research papers.

It doesnt matter what your major is  you have to be a good writer, Ibele said.

Although Tang and several other students said they have been learning English for a decade or longer, many arent completely confident taking courses and writing papers in the language.

Asked what she was most anxious about before her freshman year, Lynette Gao, another Chinese student, said, Im afraid I cannot express myself or understand others.

Ibele said the education systems in some countries dont involve much writing by students nor the group discussions that are a big part of many college courses. American universities also have comparatively strict definitions of plagiarism, she said, so the course tells students about expectations for citing the work of others.

For this group, its a real advantage, Ibele said. They are going to start the semester knowing the campus and being comfortable with the library system  and having an idea of whats expected of them in the classroom.

During a recent class session at UW-Madisons Education Building, students were split into small groups to read and review drafts of research papers they had written about the Wisconsin Idea.

The students asked their instructors and one another questions typical of people learning college writing  how to improve transitions between ideas, where to find reliable sources online, whether papers need to be double-spaced and if an essays title needs to be capitalized. The conversations were colored by accents from around the world: Indonesia, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia.

Outside of class, the program includes tours of UW-Madisons Babcock Dairy Plant and trips to Concerts on the Square and the Dane County Farmers Market.

Ali Aldayel, who came to UW from Saudi Arabia, enjoyed learning about the dairy industry in Wisconsin, saying its importance to the state reminds him of his home countrys relationship with oil.

Aldayel said he appreciated the opportunity to get to know Madison before classes start.

When you know the place where youre studying, its going to be a lot more comfortable studying, he said.
The law office where Jason Pelt works is located right around the corner from the newly dedicated Stafford Armed Services Memorial behind the courthouse, making it easy for him to stop by for a visit during a lunch break or after work.

Pelt enjoys getting a glimpse into history and learning about the lives behind the names on the commemorative bricks lining the walkway.

One day, Pelt noticed a misspelling on one of the bricks: Musselman was incorrectly spelled as Mussleman. After doing a little research on his smartphone, he quickly discovered that the brick also erroneously stated that Musselman was killed in action during World War II.

Pelt ended up reviewing the section of the memorial dedicated to those killed in action66 bricksand determined that 52 of them contained errors such as misspelled names and incorrect ranks and time periods. These errors have not been confirmed by the county.

After I found that first error, I began wondering how many others there were, he said. So, I took pictures of all 66 bricks and went through them one by one. I found mistake after mistake.

His main sources were the Library of Virginias military dead database, the National Archives and Find a Gravea free resource providing access to millions of grave recordswhich includes photos of headstones from Arlington National Cemetery. He also reviewed names and ranks of the dead listed on the Vietnam War Memorial and the Korean War Memorial.

After Pelt presented his findings to the county, the staff issued a news release asking for the publics help in reviewing the information for the service members listed as killed in action.

County spokeswoman Shannon Howell said the names in that section were taken from a memorial plaque at Stafford Middle School. While the county has supporting documentation for the 447 bricks purchased by individuals to honor loved ones, there was no documentation for the 66 names taken from the plaque as having been killed in action.

The county plans to file a Freedom of Information Act request with the National Personnel Records Center to verify the records of the 66 service members.

Any bricks containing errors will be replaced by the county. Stafford is asking that family members of those listed as killed in action contact Katie Bailey at 540/658-8709 with any supporting documentation.

We take our responsibility toward the memorial very seriously and, as we will be offering bricks for several years to come, we will continue to do everything we possibly can to ensure the accuracy of all bricks, Armed Services Memorial Working Group Chairman Daniel Chichester said in a news release.

In July, hundreds of residents braved the heat to attend the dedication ceremony for the memorial.

The memorial honors all those who have served or are serving in the military and their families. It includes a large black granite marker representing each major American war, from the Revolutionary War to the Global War on Terror.

I just hope we can get this fixed, Pelt said. If you are going to memorialize someone, you need to spell their names right.
In a blistering critique, Mayor Paul Soglin on Monday said the large Confederate memorial at Forest Hill Cemetery is a historical lie placed there by a racist organization around 1931 to promote a new form of racism, rather than a monument of the Civil War.

Soglin, who last week ordered the removal of a 1981 plaque at the Confederate Rest section of the West Side cemetery, at a press conference Monday outlined three options for the larger stone monument including:

Removing it;

Eradicating a section that refers to the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the organization that installed it; or

Leaving the memorial in place and placing next to it a more honest monument that tells the story of how the Daughters of the Confederacy have spread lies about slavery throughout the United States and continue to do so to this day. Soglin said this is his preferred option.

The mayors actions and comments come amid other steps taken throughout the United States to remove statues and monuments dedicated to the Confederacy after a violent protest Aug. 12 involving neo-Nazis and white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, left one person dead and others injured.

The City Council should make the decision on the fate of the 1931 monument, Soglin said. He intends to introduce a resolution to the council on Sept. 5, with referrals to the Landmarks and Park commissions for recommendations. The council would make a final decision at a later date.

A spokesperson for the United Daughters of the Confederacy, based in Richmond, Virginia, could not be reached for comment. The organizations website describes one of its aims as to collect and preserve the material necessary for a truthful history of the War Between the States and to protect, preserve, and mark the places made historic by Confederate valor.

Soglin said he expects other communities to also put a sharper focus on the history of memorials erected decades after the Civil War, which he said came amid efforts to promote white supremacy and the subjugation of blacks through Jim Crow laws or Black Codes.

Whats happening here in Madison is going to be repeated throughout the United States, he said, adding that it will be harder in the South where legislatures have prohibited removal of what he called false idols without state permission.

The mayor also criticized President Donald Trump and Gov. Scott Walker, calling their responses in the aftermath of the events in Virginia inadequate. I have no expectations for the president, or for that matter, the governor, he said.

But Soglins focus Monday was offering a historical perspective on the monuments at Forest Hill Cemetery. At the start, he said of his press conference, If its got a title, its fake monuments, fake history.

Starting in April 1862, more than 1,000 captured Confederate soldiers were moved to Camp Randall, and over the following months 139 prisoners died, Soglin said.

In 1931 the United Daughters of the Confederacy, a racist and bigoted organization, Soglin said, installed the monument, which names the deceased, honoring treasonous rebels as part of a national strategy of propaganda and determination to rewrite history providing a favorable interpretation of the Civil War.

The larger monument at Madisons Forest Hill Cemetery is not a Civil War monument, he said. It was installed over 60 years after the end of the war. It is slab of propaganda paid for by a racist organization on public property when our city was inattentive to both the new form of slavery propagated by the donors with the Black Codes and to the meaning of that despicable fixture honoring slavery, sedition and oppression.

In 1981, the memorial plaque at the Confederate Rest section was placed at Forest Hill cemetery. It described the people buried there as valiant Confederate soldiers and unsung heroes. The privately funded plaque, which rested on a granite structure, said the soldiers were buried in the Union state after surrendering in a battle and dying at Camp Randall as prisoners of war.

Soglin ordered the plaque removed on Aug. 16. The mayor can make that decision through a directive to the parks superintendent, the city attorneys office said.

After the action, the mayors office reported receiving about 100 calls, with most opposed to the removal and a majority from out of the area. There were no specific threats. On Monday, Soglin said the city was reaching out to the Wisconsin Historical Society about a potential place to store or display the plaque.

We will honor our history. We will respect the dead, he said. We make sure that our legacy is to tell the truth and to remove evidence of racist historical revisionism. We will use the story of these monuments to tell the truth about a century of Jim Crow, economic oppression and those like the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Ku Klux Klan who spread their lies far beyond the boundaries of the rebellious states.

Its time for education, he said. Its time for people to learn the history of this nation.
COLUMBIA, S.C.  On the state capitol grounds in South Carolina stands a statue that should be far more offensive in the early 21st century than anything erected in honor of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Its a monument to Benjamin Tillman, a former governor and U.S. senator from South Carolina who was known as Pitchfork Ben due to his racist views, support for Jim Crow laws and wink-and-nod tolerance of lynch mobs.

Tillman was also a populist, was described as South Carolinas first New Dealer by his supporters, and helped create Clemson University  which is no small reason why his statue still stands.

Down the road in Charleston, a monument in honor of John C. Calhoun towers over Marion Park. There was no greater defender of slavery in his time than Calhoun, who once described the immoral practice as a positive good for owners and slaves alike.

Because of his other legacies, however, Calhoun was historically significant. In fact, he was named in 1957 as one of the five greatest U.S. senators of all time by a Senate committee headed by future President John F. Kennedy.

History is complicated, as the nation is rediscovering in the wake of deadly events incited by white supremacists who descended on Charlottesville, Va. People who by todays standards are racists or worse were heroes in their day, respected by contemporaries who often shared their misguided beliefs.

Its a pretty easy call to remove a Confederate memorial in Madison, where the only Southern soldiers were prisoners of war at Camp Randall, but quite another to remove monuments in parts of the country where history intersects with family and community memories.

Such is the case in South Carolina, where museums such as Charlestons Old Slave Mart stand in stark contrast to monuments that preserve the memory of what many Southerners still call the War Between the States. Its a reminder that history is a story told from many angles, some accurate and others not, in the hope that an unvarnished and often inconvenient truth emerges over time.

During a visit to South Carolina in the days after the Charlottesville tragedy, I encountered two peaceful but nonetheless contrasting street events. In both cases, white supremacists had picked public places to advance their views and were met by those who wanted no part of the hatred.

The clash of history with present is not just an American phenomenon. In the United Kingdom, for example, statues to Cecil Rhodes and Edward Colston have come under fire for their ties to Britains imperial and slave-trading past. One solution offered across the Atlantic is to keep such statues but to add plaques that give a fuller account of history.

Its anyones guess how South Carolinians will resolve their conflicted history  after all, the state only recently removed a Confederate flag from its capitol  but the debate may prove more constructive than not.

If a state that led the secessionist charge in 1860 and repressed African-Americans for a century thereafter can change, so can others.

That change would best come about through a debate that doesnt fall into a trap extremists often set: Banning symbols the extremists hijack, driving those symbols underground and making them marble or cloth martyrs for a false cause.

History must be taught to successive generations; it is not genetically transmitted. Dispelling hatred among the few requires resolve and education by the many. In the absence of national leadership to the contrary, that responsibility falls, more than ever, to those who set examples that resonate close to home.
Dairy farmers in west Scotland are facing winter feed shortages and milk production penalties after one of the wettest summers on record.

Met Office figures show that the worst of the weather struck in June, when 189.4mm (7.4in) of rain fell. At 194% of the regions average, the June figure is the worst since records began 108 years ago.

Since June, continuing above-average rainfall means pastures have failed to recover and in many places fields lie waterlogged.

See also: What are UK dairy farmers actually paid?

Farms in the region have been forced to keep cattle inside to prevent land poaching and, in a bid to help sustain plummeting milk yields, have been feeding extra concentrate.

In many cases forage stocks which are normally under wraps until October, are now being broken into, raising fears of a winter feed shortage.

The fears are being compounded as the bad weather started before farms had made enough silage or hay to get them through the winter housing period.

Tough situation for farmers

NFU Scotland milk policy director George Jamieson described the situation as tough.

The lack of sun and low temperatures, combined with high moisture content means the quantity and quality of the silage is low.

Farms are feeding a lot of extra concentrate and costs are rising, he added.

The damage has been done for this year. Dairy farmers know that once yields have slipped it is impossible to get them rising again. There will be an effect on condition scores and fertility will be lower, Mr Jamieson warned.

Call for leniency

The union has called on milk buyers, which impose a penalty when production supply falls below a forecast level, to be lenient.

Muller, a key buyer in the region, penalises farmers on non-aligned contracts once production falls 7.5% below forecast.

The union has been pressing the company to see this years weather as extreme and impossible to have predicted when calculating yield estimates.

We are calling on Muller and others to view this years dreadful summer as beyond the scope of normal forecasting and to look again at penalties to relieve some of the pressure on farmers who are already struggling, Mr Jamieson said.

A spokesman for Muller said the processor would be pragmatic in its dealings with farmers and urged any facing difficulties to contact the company urgently.
Story Highlights Eastern European countries among least accepting of migrants

U.S. makes top 20 most-accepting countries

Acceptance rises with education

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Many countries on the front lines of the recent migrant crisis in Europe are among the least-accepting countries in the world for migrants, according to Gallup's new Migrant Acceptance Index. Nine of the 10 countries that score a 2.39 or lower (out of a possible 9.0) on the index are former Soviet bloc countries -- with most located along the Balkan route that once channeled asylum seekers from Greece to Germany. Israel, which has dealt with its own influx of asylum seekers from Africa in the past decade, is the only non-European country with scores this low.

Least- and Most-Accepting Countries for Migrants Least accepting of migrants Most accepting of migrants Macedonia 1.47 Iceland 8.26 Montenegro 1.63 New Zealand 8.25 Hungary 1.69 Rwanda 8.16 Serbia 1.80 Sierra Leone 8.05 Slovakia 1.83 Mali 8.03 Israel 1.87 Australia 7.98 Latvia 2.04 Sweden 7.92 Czech Republic 2.26 Nigeria 7.76 Estonia 2.37 Burkina Faso 7.74 Croatia 2.39 Ireland 7.74 Note: Based on 138 countries surveyed in 2016; U.S. surveyed in 2017; top possible score is 9.0 Gallup World Poll

Gallup created the Migrant Acceptance Index to gauge people's acceptance of migrants based on increasing degrees of personal proximity. The index is based on three questions that Gallup asked in 138 countries in 2016 and the U.S. in 2017.

Migrant Acceptance Index Questions Now, I would like to ask you some questions about foreign immigrants -- people who have come to live and work in this country from another country. Please tell me whether you, personally, think each of the following is a good thing or a bad thing. Immigrants living in this country A good thing An immigrant becoming your neighbor A bad thing An immigrant marrying one of your close relatives (It depends)* (Don't know/Refused)* * = Volunteered response Gallup World Poll

The response "a good thing" is worth three points, a volunteered response of "it depends" or "don't know" is worth one point, and "a bad thing" is worth zero points. The index is a sum of the points across the three questions, with a maximum possible score of 9.0 (all three are good things) and a minimum possible score of zero (all three are bad things).

The Migrant Acceptance Index score for the world is 5.29. Seventy-seven countries score higher than this average, while 61 score lower. A majority worldwide (54%) say immigrants living in their countries is a good thing. Slightly fewer -- but still half, at 50% -- say an immigrant becoming their neighbor is a good thing, and 44% say an immigrant marrying a close relative is a good thing.

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Migrants Not Welcome in Eastern Europe Before Migrant Crisis

People in Eastern European countries, who are least accepting of migrants in general, are also among the most strongly opposed to accepting any Syrian refugees in their countries. At least half of adults in seven of these least-accepting countries believe their countries should not accept any refugees. In Macedonia, Hungary and Montenegro, the countries with the lowest Migrant Acceptance Index scores in the world, at least two-thirds say their countries should not admit any Syrian refugees.

But there is evidence that people in these countries -- many of which have long histories of conflicts with neighboring countries -- were already predisposed to be suspicious of outsiders, and the influx of refugees further inflamed these attitudes. Even before the crisis, the majority across Eastern Europe said that migration levels in their countries should be decreased. The same is true of Israel, where three in four residents in 2012 -- the year before the country finished building a fence along its border with Egypt to keep out migrants from Africa -- said they wanted immigration decreased.

As opposed to the least-accepting countries, which are geographically and culturally clustered, the most-accepting countries for migrants are located in disparate parts of the globe. The top two most-accepting countries could not be farther apart -- Iceland with a score of 8.26, and New Zealand with a score of 8.25. However, a common thread tying many of the most-accepting countries together is their long history as receiving countries for migrants. While the highest-receiving country in the world, the U.S., does not make the top 10 countries, it does make the top 20 with a score of 7.27.

Commonwealth of Independent States Least Accepting; Oceania Most Accepting

With many of the 20 least-accepting countries located in this region, it is not surprising that the Commonwealth of Independent States is the least-accepting region in the world for migrants. The region's index score is 3.26 out of a possible 9.0. Russia's score of 2.60 on the index is chiefly responsible for the region's low overall score, but just two countries -- Turkmenistan and Armenia -- score slightly higher than the global average.

Migrant Acceptance Index, by Region Migrant Acceptance Index Oceania 8.02 Northern America 7.27 Sub-Saharan Africa 6.47 Gulf Cooperation Council 6.11 European Union 5.92 Latin America and the Caribbean 5.89 East Asia 5.29 Non-EU Europe 4.89 South Asia 4.88 Northern Africa 4.59 Southeast Asia 4.48 Middle East 3.70 Commonwealth of Independent States 3.26 Note: Based on 138 countries surveyed in 2016; U.S. surveyed in 2017; top possible score is 9.0 Gallup World Poll

The Middle East, excluding the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, is the next-lowest region, with a score of 3.70. South Asia, Southeast Asia, Northern Africa and non-EU countries in Europe all score lower than the global average.

The regions with the highest index scores are Oceania (Australia and New Zealand) at 8.02 and Northern America at 7.27 (this currently includes just the U.S.; Canada will be surveyed later in 2017).

Most-Educated, Youngest Generations More Accepting

Worldwide, adults in certain demographics are solidly more accepting of migrants than others are. For example, acceptance rises with education. Those with at least four years of education after high school or with college degrees are the most likely of all education groups to be accepting, with an index score of 5.67. Those in the highest 20% income group -- who are also more likely to have higher education -- also stand out in their acceptance of migrants compared with those in all lower income groups. Residents of urban areas also are more likely to be accepting, as opposed to those living in rural areas.

Migrant Acceptance Index, by Demographics Migrant Acceptance Index Education Primary education or less 4.92 Secondary education 5.36 Completed 4 years of education after high school and/or earned college degree 5.67 Generation Gen Zers (1997 or later) 5.71 Millennials (1980-1996) 5.42 Gen Xers (1965-1979) 5.19 Baby boomers (1946-1964) 4.97 Traditionalists (before 1946) 5.26 Rural/Urban Rural 5.07 Urban 5.44 Income groups Poorest 20% 5.04 Second 20% 5.06 Middle 20% 5.22 Fourth 20% 5.14 Richest 20% 5.53 Note: Based on 138 countries surveyed in 2016; U.S. surveyed in 2017; top possible score is 9.0 Gallup World Poll

At the global level, younger generations are the most accepting of migrants, while older people are less accepting. Those in the postmillennial generation are the most accepting of all. However, traditionalists -- the oldest generation -- are more accepting than Generation Xers and baby boomers.

The CIS region is a notable exception to each of these global patterns -- acceptance is low regardless of education, generation, income level, or whether residents live in urban or rural areas. However, in the CIS, those with less education tend to be slightly more accepting.

First-Generation Migrants More Accepting Than Native-Born

First-generation migrants themselves are more accepting of migrants than are the native-born in their countries. The index score for first-generation migrants is 5.94, versus 5.18 among native-born residents. Migrants who have been in their adopted countries for less than five years (newcomers) are the most likely to be accepting of migrants, with a score of 6.0.

However, consistent with previous Gallup research on migrants, the longer that migrants stay in their new countries, the more like the native-born they become in their attitudes. While they are still more likely than the native-born to be accepting of migrants, with a score of 5.80, those who have been in their adopted countries for more than five years (long-timers) are less likely than newcomers to be accepting of migrants.

Implications

The United Nations' 2030 vision for "peaceful, just and inclusive societies" includes migrants. The data reveal some countries are light-years away from realizing this vision, with low acceptance of migrants permeating all levels of society.

But with the lightning rod that migration has become in most parts of the world, this will be a challenge even in countries where migrants are more accepted. For example, in the U.S., which is in the top 20 most-accepting countries for migrants, President Donald Trump's campaign pledge to build a wall to curb illegal immigration resonated with enough Americans to help get him elected. And after his election, his executive orders to impose a 90-day ban on issuing new U.S. travel visas for citizens of six predominantly Muslim countries and to stop all refugee resettlement in the U.S. for 120 days found favor among his political base.

In all countries, Gallup finds that people place conditions on their responses. Some percentage of the population in every country says "it depends." But in some places, who these migrants are may factor more heavily into whether they are accepted. For example, in Russia, where the index score is among the lowest in the world, more than 40% of residents say "it depends" to each of the questions.

Future articles will delve deeper into the subjective and objective aspects of people's acceptance of migrants worldwide, offering some potential clues as to what drives their acceptance of migrants -- or lack thereof.

Dr. Anita Pugliese contributed to this analysis.
Story Highlights 29% of hourly, 41% of salaried workers completely satisfied with pay

Nearly three-quarters of each have good relationships with coworkers

Largest differences seen on vacation time, retirement plans

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Hourly workers in the U.S. are considerably less likely than salaried workers to say they are "completely satisfied" with their vacation time, retirement plans, overall earnings and health insurance benefits. Hourly workers are also less content with intangible measures such as job security, recognition for their accomplishments and opportunities for promotion.

Satisfaction With Job Aspects Among U.S. Workers -- Salaried and Hourly % Completely satisfied Salaried Hourly Difference % % pct. pts. The amount of vacation time you receive 65 50 +15* The retirement plan your employer offers 48 34 +14* The amount of money you earn 41 29 +12* The physical safety conditions of your workplace 83 72 +11* Your job security 65 55 +10* Your chances for promotion 45 35 +10* The health insurance benefits your employer offers 45 35 +10* The recognition you receive at work for your work accomplishments 55 46 +9* The flexibility of your hours 64 62 +2 Your relations with coworkers 73 72 +1 Your boss or immediate supervisor 59 61 -2 The amount of work that is required of you 52 56 -4 The amount of on-the-job stress in your job 25 31 -6 * Statistically significant Gallup (2014, 2016 and 2017 combined data)

These findings are from combined interviews conducted in 2014, 2016 and 2017 as part of Gallup's annual Work and Education poll.

Salaried workers are substantially more satisfied than hourly workers in eight of the 13 job aspects tested, with the biggest gaps seen on vacation time (65% vs. 50%, respectively), retirement benefits (48% vs. 34%) and pay (41% vs. 29%). Likewise, salaried workers are more satisfied than hourly workers with health insurance benefits (45% vs. 35%). This is not terribly surprising since salaried jobs are typically more likely than hourly jobs to offer higher pay and better benefits.

Meaningful differences also exist in workers' satisfaction with opportunities for promotion (45% satisfied among salaried vs. 35% satisfied among hourly) and recognition for accomplishments at work (55% vs. 46%).

While majorities of both salaried and hourly workers express complete satisfaction with the physical safety conditions of their workplace and their job security, the salaried group is more positive about both. Eighty-three percent of salaried workers are completely satisfied with the physical safety conditions of their workplace, compared with 72% of hourly workers. Job security follows this same pattern, with 65% of salaried workers and 55% of hourly workers expressing complete satisfaction.

Hourly workers are not significantly more satisfied than salaried workers on any of the workplace dimensions tested, but similar majorities of each say they are completely satisfied with coworker relationships, the flexibility of their hours and their immediate managers.

Composition of Salaried and Hourly Worker Groups

The two groups -- salaried and hourly -- not only differ attitudinally but also in their makeup. Compared with salaried workers, hourly workers are younger, less educated and live in households with lower annual incomes.

Demographic Composition of Salaried and Hourly Workers All U.S. workers Salaried Hourly % % % Age 18-29 20 15 26 30-49 47 48 46 50-64 28 34 23 65+ 5 4 4 Education College graduate 40 62 21 Not college graduate 59 37 79 Annual household income <$30,000 13 5 19 $30,000-<$75,000 40 30 51 $75,000+ 47 65 30 Type of worker White collar 74 86 66 Blue collar 23 12 31 Race Non-Hispanic white 68 74 64 Nonwhite 30 25 34 Gallup (2014, 2016 and 2017 combined data)

Adults younger than 30 make up 26% of hourly workers, compared with 15% of salaried workers.

Sixty-two percent of salaried workers graduated from college, while 79% of hourly workers did not. And while seven in 10 hourly workers have household incomes of less than $75,000, 65% of salaried workers are in households earning $75,000 or more.

More muted -- though still sizable -- differences are seen when comparing the two groups by race and by the type of work they perform. Overall, hourly workers are more likely to describe their work as "blue collar" than salaried employees are, and nonwhite workers are more likely to hold hourly jobs than salaried.

Implications

For all of the differences between salaried and hourly workers, roughly equal majorities of both are satisfied with their coworkers and their immediate managers.

Still, these two groups of workers present unique challenges for those who manage them. Hourly workers are significantly less satisfied with most aspects of their job, and as a result may be more difficult to manage. With the gig economy on the rise, hourly workers' lower satisfaction with various job aspects will likely only worsen.

Gallup's Employee Engagement Index tracks the percentage of U.S. employees who are engaged at work -- what Gallup defines as "those who are involved in, enthusiastic about and committed to their work and workplace." The current reading of 34% nationally makes it clear that managers of both salaried and hourly workers have their work cut out for them in this area. But managers of hourly workers may have a steeper hill to climb, as these workers are generally less satisfied with fundamental job aspects such as pay and benefits.

While managers may not be able to increase wages or improve benefits for their workers, they can try to improve the less tangible aspects of employment. For both hourly and salaried workers, Gallup polling suggests that managers would do well to start with workplace elements they can improve for all workers, such as offering recognition, providing flexible hours, and helping to manage employees' workload and stress. In the case of hourly workers, there's considerable room for improvement when it comes to recognizing their accomplishments on the job.

Create Exceptional Workers

Strengthen employee performance with a culture of engagement. Learn more
Life Action Partners with Christian Cinema for Their Brand-New Film Series Release Contact: Aaron Paulus,

269-697-6161



BUCHANAN, Mich., Aug. 23, 2017 /



The Wasteland is a gripping allegory in a world full of desolation and brokenness. The story follows the journey of a man who through daily drift and careless decisions, abandoned the one who loved him most. But there is hope, an invitation to return to the life he once knew. The Wasteland is a story of hope, a story of redemption, and a story of revival.



Aaron Paulus, Executive Producer of The Wasteland, said, "We are excited about the far-reaching potential of this mini-series. Through the various social communities, we hope this film will be the beginning of many believers returning to God."



According to Facebook, there are nearly 2 billion people active every month. Bobby Downes, CEO of ChristianCinema.com says, "We are excited to partner with Life Action for the broadcast and release of The Wasteland on Christian Cinema Facebook Live. We believe Facebook is the future of television because we have seen a tremendous response from showing Bible centric content on Facebook Live."



Starting Thursday, August 24, a brand-new episode will be released each week. All five episodes will be broadcast via Facebook LIVE on Christian Cinema



About Life Action Ministries

Life Action was founded to spark spiritual change in families, churches, and nations. This is why they call people to authentic Christianityso the gospel light can shine brightly out of lives transformed by the presence and power of God! Life Action believes that revitalization in families and churches is the key to transforming our culture for Christ and completing the Great Commission.



About Christian Cinema

The market leader in faith-based digital on-demand, Christian Cinema has earned the trust of families of faith. The digital platform provides easy access to a personal movie library across multiple devices, enabling users to watch anytime, anywhere, and with no subscriptions and no commitments. New films added every week, there are new releases and new discoveries; dramas, documentaries, short films, educational and more.

Share Tweet Contact: Aaron Paulus, Life Action 269-697-6161BUCHANAN, Mich., Aug. 23, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- Life Action is excited to announce its partnership with Christian Cinema for the release of their unique mini-series event, The Wasteland.The Wasteland is a gripping allegory in a world full of desolation and brokenness. The story follows the journey of a man who through daily drift and careless decisions, abandoned the one who loved him most. But there is hope, an invitation to return to the life he once knew. The Wasteland is a story of hope, a story of redemption, and a story of revival.Aaron Paulus, Executive Producer of The Wasteland, said, "We are excited about the far-reaching potential of this mini-series. Through the various social communities, we hope this film will be the beginning of many believers returning to God."According to Facebook, there are nearly 2 billion people active every month. Bobby Downes, CEO of ChristianCinema.com says, "We are excited to partner with Life Action for the broadcast and release of The Wasteland on Christian Cinema Facebook Live. We believe Facebook is the future of television because we have seen a tremendous response from showing Bible centric content on Facebook Live."Starting Thursday, August 24, a brand-new episode will be released each week. All five episodes will be broadcast via Facebook LIVE on Christian Cinema www.facebook.com/christiancinema and Life Action's www.facebook.com/lifeactionministries Facebook pages. Episodes will also be available on ChristianCinema.com and across all of its apps: iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Android, Amazon Fire TV and Tablets.About Life Action MinistriesLife Action was founded to spark spiritual change in families, churches, and nations. This is why they call people to authentic Christianityso the gospel light can shine brightly out of lives transformed by the presence and power of God! Life Action believes that revitalization in families and churches is the key to transforming our culture for Christ and completing the Great Commission.About Christian CinemaThe market leader in faith-based digital on-demand, Christian Cinema has earned the trust of families of faith. The digital platform provides easy access to a personal movie library across multiple devices, enabling users to watch anytime, anywhere, and with no subscriptions and no commitments. New films added every week, there are new releases and new discoveries; dramas, documentaries, short films, educational and more.
There currently are 93 Fisher Houses in the United States and in Europe with plans for more.
May 26, 1924  April 10, 2017

Dr. Arthur (Art) James Boucot, 92, Emeritus Professor, Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, passed away April 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado while undergoing heart surgery.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 26, 1924, Art showed an early interest in fossils and minerals. With the encouragement of his mother, he studied under Samuel Gordon, the curator of minerals for the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, and at the age of 11, started his Geological studies at the Wagner Free Institute of Science (1935-39).

Art was drafted in 1943. While serving in the 8th Army Air Force, flying as a navigator in B-24s, he completed 46 missions over Western Europe. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Art returned home after WWII to study geology at Harvard University. He received a Bachelors of Science in 1948, a Masters of Science in 1949 and a Doctorate Degree in 1953.

Art worked for the U.S. Geological Survey, the Smithsonian Institution, taught at MIT, CAL Tech, the University of Pennsylvania and finally at Oregon State University from 1969-2006. Arts main focus was on the biostratigraphy of Silurian and Devonian systems, primarily with Paleozoic brachiopods and had many global publications.

Art received many awards and honors to include a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fellow to the Soviet Union, Senior Scholar to China and Distinguished Scholar to China, the Congressional Antarctic Medal, Academia Sinica, and Paleontological Society Medal, the Gilbert Harris Award of the Paleontological Research Institute, the Raymond C. Moore Medal, and National Science Award among other honors.

The Boucot Plateau of the Geologists Range of Antarctica was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Arthur J. Boucot to honor his research for the U.S. Antarctic Program at Byrd Station and the Horlick Mountains.

Art was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Barbara (Bobbie) Boucot.

He is survived by his children Hannah Batu (David), Katherine Mendez (Burt), Sam Boucot (Alison), Pete Boucot (Jan); three grandchildren, Sara, Emily and George; and companion Dr. Kathy Nichols.

There will be a celebration of Arts life beginning at 2 p.m. on August 26, 2017 in Lebanon at the farm of son Peter Boucot. To RSVP and get more information, please call 541-258-3237 or email: janbou@centurylink.net.

Contributions may be made to the Paleontology Societys Arthur James Boucot Research Grants.
Unemployment rates in the mid-Willamette Valley climbed slightly in July for the second straight month, according to data released by the Oregon Employment Department on Tuesday.

But Patrick OConnor, state regional economist, said theres still no need to worry.

After all, in May, Linn County was at a record low, and Benton County remains among the lowest rates in the state. Plus, summertime isnt really the best time to get economic indicators in an area dominated by a college town.

Despite the unemployment rate jumping up in both counties, I dont think its time for alarm, because statewide, we saw incredible job growth being reported, OConnor said.

Linn County, despite an uptick in the unemployment rate, theyre still seeing healthy job growth and hiring, he added.

And the mid-Willamette Valley in general, like the state, shows signs of an expanding economy.

Benton Countys seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 3.4 percent in July, up from a revised rate of 3.1 percent for June.

Linn Countys rate climbed to 4.8 percent in July, up from 4.4 percent in June and a record-low 4.1 percent for May.

Oregons statewide rate was essentially unchanged, rising to 3.8 percent in July. The revised June rate for the state was 3.7 percent.

The national unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in July.

Benton County often has the lowest unemployment rate in the state, but for July, it was the third lowest behind Hood River County and Washington County, which both came in at 3.3 percent.

Over the last year, Linn County has added 1,200 jobs for a 2.8 percent jump, while Benton County has added 850 jobs for a 2.2 percent increase.

Oregons job growth was 3.1 percent over the past year, while the United States grew 1.5 percent.

Government jobs have had faster growth than the private sector in both mid-valley counties. The private sector, however, continues to carry the bulk of the employment gains.

In Linn County, the public sector grew 3.1 percent or 210 jobs since July 2016, while the private sector grew 2.8 percent, or 990 jobs.

In Benton County, the public sector grew by 390 jobs or 3.2 percent in the last year, while the private sector added 460 jobs, an increase of 1.7 percent.

Both mid-valley counties have more jobs than at their pre-recession employment peaks.
A death notice in the Gazette-Times says that another patriot has gone to his maker. What made him a patriot? Maybe our president has tweeted an answer.

President Trump just tweeted that he might pardon Sheriff Arpaio, that notorious nut job who ordered his officers to stop cars possibly driven by undocumented immigrants. A judge told him to stop. Arpaio defied the judge. The judge sent him to jail. That's the same Sheriff Arpaio who, earlier in his career and with fellow patriot and candidate Trump, declared President Obama not fit to be president because he was not a real American."

Trump tweeted that he might pardon Arpaio because he was a great American patriot. What other aspects of patriotism might appear on Trump's acceptable-acts list, or at least not get you excluded?

Would a patriot evade the draft and then mock war heroes who didn't? Would a patriot order the eviction of serving members of the armed forces because of their choice of gender? Could a patriot proclaim support for increased military expenditures but avoid paying the taxes necessary for those expenditures?

Could you admire dictators, calling them superior leaders," but then denigrate friendly heads of state and be a patriot? Could you ask a foreign head of state to use his government's hackers to delve into the email of an American secretary of state or state that one of your goals was to lock up that secretary of state and be a patriot?

I guess you could, because President Trump has done all those and he considers himself a true patriot. Would you make the cut?

Stewart Holmes

Corvallis (Aug. 17)
Judicial Watch Sues for Records on Obama Administration/Environmentalists Shut Down of Dakota Access Pipeline

Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5172



WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense for all records from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding environmentalist groups' attempts to stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (Judicial Watch vs. U.S. Department of Defense (No. 1:17-cv-01282)).



The suit was filed after the Department of Defense failed to respond to a May 8, 2017, FOIA request seeking:

All records of communication between the Army Corps of Engineers and Greenpeace, Sierra Club, EarthJustice, or Friends of the Earth regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline or the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.



All internal Army Corps of Engineers emails or communications discussing the efforts of Greenpeace, Sierra Club, EarthJustice, Friends of the Earth, or other environmentalist groups to halt or delay construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

In July 2016, the Corps gave permission to pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners LP to start construction of the pipeline.



In October 2016, protesters reportedly set fires on a highway and lobbed "improvised fire bombs" at law enforcement officers, the Morton County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. There were reportedly over 140 arrests made at the Dakota Access Pipeline protest camps.



In December 2016, the Obama administration reversed itself and denied the permit for the construction of a key section of the pipeline.



On February 23, 2017, the National Guard and police evicted the remaining protesters. The Army Corps of Engineers paid a Florida-based waste-management company $1.1 million to clean up the environmentalists' protest camps. Some 21.48 million pounds of garbage left behind by the protesters was hauled away.



The Trump administration finally reversed the Obama administration's lame duck decision. The Army Corps of Engineers in February granted the final permit needed for the pipeline after President Donald Trump called for expediting the project.



As reported by Bloomberg.com, Energy Transfer Partners LP recently filed suit against Greenpeace and its allies for "engaging in what they claim is a racketeering scheme far beyond ordinary environmental advocacy. Resolute Forest Products Inc. made similar allegations over Greenpeace's campaign against logging in a May 2016 lawsuit."



"Barack Obama and radical  and often violent  environmentalists worked in hand-in-glove to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline. We're not sure why the Trump Defense Department would hide the facts about this scandal and force us to go to federal court to enforce FOIA," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.



MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-sues-records-obama-administrationenvironmentalists-shut-dakota-access-pipeline/
After terror attacks in Spain : NRW cities increase security measures

BONN After the terrorist attacks in Spain, state authorities have been challenged with securing areas that are heavily frequented. Here are some measures being taken in cities throughout NRW.

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Armed with a white van, a terrorist crashed onto the promenade at Las Ramblas in Barcelona, killing 13 people. The most recent attacks in Spain have prompted North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) to zero in on security in NRW's cities. He has ordered police authorities to confer with local authorities about possible further safeguards at major events. Some cities are already stepping up security measures:

On Tuesday, the City of Cologne said it would set up mobile barriers at two access points. In addition, authorities would examine the barriers that already block off areas around the central train station and if necessary, these would be reinforced. Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker planned to present more details on Wednesday.

In Neuss, a big marksmens festival takes place this Friday, August 25, with up to one million visitors expected. Main attractions on the fairgrounds have already been set up. What is still missing are the concrete barriers and mobile trucks which will be situated on access roads to protect visitors against a possible terrorist attack. These are to be put up on Friday, the day of the opening of the festival, which is the largest of its kind in Germany. "We have already reworked our security concept after the attacks in Nice and Berlin and have now once again revisited it," said a spokesman for the City of Neuss.

City of Munster wants to install retractable bollards

Even before the latest attacks in Spain, the city of Munster decided to permanently protect the large event areas in the city against terrorist car attacks. Since the attacks in Nice and Berlin last year, entrances to major events have been blocked with containers or trucks, according to official Wolfgang Heuer.

But the city would like to replace this provisional set-up and has conceptualized a permanent plan. It plans to install retractable pollards at 13 places in the city. The steel barriers, operated by hydraulics, could secure the most important places in the city. The city council is expected to make a decision on the implementation in September. With a cost of around one million euros, the project would take two to three years.

In Duisburg, mobile barriers have been set up to secure Konigstrasse in the city center. They are in the form of water tanks, placed at entrances, providing not only visual protection but also creating a breaking mechanism for speeding vehicles. The city has also drawn up a concept for a permanent construction to secure the inner city.

In the NRW state capital of Dusseldorf, where a large number of major events take place, security concepts are being considered for the city center. A city spokesperson said the administration was working together with several other departments on a security concept for the inner city area, which included structural elements. Existing concepts would be constantly checked and adjusted as necessary.

The City of Bonn could not yet comment on possible new measures to be taken. The press office said on Wednesday that a meeting was planned with police on this subject.

Orig. text: Johanna Heinz, Christian Schwerdtfeger
Kolsch music comes to Bonn : Sounds of carnival at the Rheinaue

Bonn Why wait for the weather to turn cold to celebrate carnival? Organizers of Jeck im Sunnesching want people to enjoy the sounds of carnival in summer. A few tickets are left for those who hurry.

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A glance at the calendar tells us that its not long until 11.11. For those not in the know, the 11th of November is a big day in the Rhineland, the start of carnival. Enthusiasts who are already longing for the so-called fifth season to begin will have a chance to dress up in big red clown noses, cowboy hats and cat ears on the 2nd of September. From 9 am, the Rheinaue will be filled with the sounds of Kolsch (a word that refers not only to the local beer but the Cologne dialect as well). Jeck im Sunnesching (Kolsch for - carnivalists in the sunshine) kicks off on the September Saturday morning with well-known bands such as Brings, Kasallla, Cat Ballou and others.

Organizers are hoping it all happens under sunny skies. Otherwise it would be a waste of the motto fiere ohne ze friere (celebrate without freezing). The idea originated with Alexander Manek of Haus Unkelbach who felt that one shouldnt only celebrate Kolsch musical hits in the cold carnival weeks. Beginning in 2015, a couple of successful summer events took place in Cologne - with the consequence of an expansion to Bonn.

But it was a little complicated this year because of the construction for the World Climate Conference at the Rheinaue. Initial plans for the carnival event to be held at the Blumenwiese had to be changed. A spokesperson for Dionysos events said this was not a problem at all. The program would stay exactly as planned.
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felicilin at 23-08-2017 10:51 AM (5 years ago) (f)

Boko Haram militants in northeast Nigeria have sent out 83 child bombers against Nigerian targets this year, according to a tally by United Nations Childrens Fund.

Boko Haram militants in northeast Nigeria have sent out 83 child bombers against Nigerian targets this year, according to a tally by United Nations Childrens Fund. This is four times as many child suicide bombers used in all of 2016, the UNICEF said.

The UN agency said out of the 83 children deployed by the atrocious insurgents, 55 were girls, mostly under 15 years old and 27 were boys. One was a baby strapped to a girl. Nineteen children were used last year, UNICEF said.

The Boko Haram insurgency, now in its eighth year, has claimed over 20,000 lives and forced more than two million people to flee their homes over eight years.

The frequency of suicide bomb attacks in northeastern Nigeria has increased in the past few weeks, killing at least 170 people since June 1, according to a Reuters tally.

UNICEF, in a statement released on Tuesday, said it was extremely concerned about an appalling increase in the cruel and calculated use of children, especially girls, as human bombs in northeast Nigeria. The use of children in this way is an atrocity.

Boko Haram is trying to create an Islamic state in the Lake Chad region, which spans parts of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad. It gained notoriety by abducting more than 200 girls from the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014. Aid groups say it has kidnapped thousands more adults and children.

Children who escape are often held by authorities or ostracized by their communities and families. Nigerian aid worker Rebecca Dali, who runs an agency that offers counseling for those who were abducted, said children as young as four were among the 209 escapees her organization had helped since 2015.

This is four times as many child suicide bombers used in all of 2016, the UNICEF said.The UN agency said out of the 83 children deployed by the atrocious insurgents, 55 were girls, mostly under 15 years old and 27 were boys. One was a baby strapped to a girl. Nineteen children were used last year, UNICEF said.The Boko Haram insurgency, now in its eighth year, has claimed over 20,000 lives and forced more than two million people to flee their homes over eight years.The frequency of suicide bomb attacks in northeastern Nigeria has increased in the past few weeks, killing at least 170 people since June 1, according to a Reuters tally.UNICEF, in a statement released on Tuesday, said it wasBoko Haram is trying to create an Islamic state in the Lake Chad region, which spans parts of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad. It gained notoriety by abducting more than 200 girls from the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014. Aid groups say it has kidnapped thousands more adults and children.Children who escape are often held by authorities or ostracized by their communities and families. Nigerian aid worker Rebecca Dali, who runs an agency that offers counseling for those who were abducted, said children as young as four were among the 209 escapees her organization had helped since 2015. Quote They (former abductees) are highly traumatized, Dali told Reuters on Monday at the United Nations in Geneva, where she received an award from the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation for her humanitarian work.

Her team, which includes former police officers, identified some returnees as having been trained as suicide bombers

There were two girls taught by Boko Haram to be suicide bombers  The girls confirmed that they were taught that their life was not worth living, that if they die detonating the bomb and killing a lot of people, then their lives will be profitable, Dali said.

Some 450,000 children are also at risk of life-threatening malnutrition in 2017 by the end of the year in northeast Nigeria, UNICEF said.

President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday the country would reinforce and reinvigorate its fight against the group following the latest wave of attacks.



UNICEF Press Statement

UNICEF is extremely concerned about an appalling increase in the cruel and calculated use of children, especially girls, as human bombs in northeast Nigeria. Children have been used repeatedly in this way over the last few years and so far this year, the number of children used is already four times higher than it was for all of last year.

Since 1 January 2017, 83 children have been used as human bombs; 55 were girls, most often under 15 years old; 27 were boys, and one was a baby strapped to a girl. The sex of the baby used in the explosion was impossible to determine.

The use of children in this way is an atrocity.Children used as human bombs are, above all, victims, not perpetrators.The armed group commonly known as Boko Haram has sometimes, but not always, claimed responsibility for these attacks, which target the civilian population.

The use of children in such attacks has had a further impact of creating suspicion and fear of children who have been released, rescued or escaped from Boko Haram. As a result, many children who have managed to get away from captivity face rejection when they try to reintegrate into their communities, compounding their suffering.

All of this is taking place in the context of a massive displacement and malnutrition crisis  a combination that is also deadly for children.

There are 1.7 million people displaced by the insurgency in the northeast, 85 per cent of them in Borno State, where most of these attacks take place.

Northeast Nigeria is one of four countries and regions facing the spectre of famine, with up to 450,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition this year.

UNICEF is providing psychosocial support for children who have been held by Boko Haram and is also working with families and communities to foster the acceptance of children when they return. This includes providing social and economic reintegration support to the children and their families.

UNICEF also supports reconciliation activities in northeast Nigeria, led by respected community and religious leaders, including influential women, to help promote tolerance, acceptance and reintegration.

Dali said.Some 450,000 children are also at risk of life-threatening malnutrition in 2017 by the end of the year in northeast Nigeria, UNICEF said.President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday the country wouldits fight against the group following the latest wave of attacks.UNICEF is extremely concerned about an appalling increase in the cruel and calculated use of children, especially girls, as human bombs in northeast Nigeria. Children have been used repeatedly in this way over the last few years and so far this year, the number of children used is already four times higher than it was for all of last year.Since 1 January 2017, 83 children have been used as human bombs; 55 were girls, most often under 15 years old; 27 were boys, and one was a baby strapped to a girl. The sex of the baby used in the explosion was impossible to determine.The use of children in this way is an atrocity.Children used as human bombs are, above all, victims, not perpetrators.The armed group commonly known as Boko Haram has sometimes, but not always, claimed responsibility for these attacks, which target the civilian population.The use of children in such attacks has had a further impact of creating suspicion and fear of children who have been released, rescued or escaped from Boko Haram. As a result, many children who have managed to get away from captivity face rejection when they try to reintegrate into their communities, compounding their suffering.All of this is taking place in the context of a massive displacement and malnutrition crisis  a combination that is also deadly for children.There are 1.7 million people displaced by the insurgency in the northeast, 85 per cent of them in Borno State, where most of these attacks take place.Northeast Nigeria is one of four countries and regions facing the spectre of famine, with up to 450,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition this year.UNICEF is providing psychosocial support for children who have been held by Boko Haram and is also working with families and communities to foster the acceptance of children when they return. This includes providing social and economic reintegration support to the children and their families.UNICEF also supports reconciliation activities in northeast Nigeria, led by respected community and religious leaders, including influential women, to help promote tolerance, acceptance and reintegration.

Post Reply Posted: at 23-08-2017 10:51 AM (5 years ago) | Hero
President Unveils New Afghanistan, South Asia Strategy

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2017  President Donald J. Trump tonight unveiled an expansive new strategy for South Asia aimed at bolstering American security.

The new strategy encompasses Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, the Central Asian nations and extends into Southeast Asia. He stressed the strategy will not have artificial timelines built into it.

Trump spoke before a crowd of hundreds of service members at Conmy Hall at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia.

Trump said the American people are frustrated by the nation's longest war in Afghanistan, calling it a war without victory. The new strategy, he said, is a path toward victory and will step away from a policy of nation building.

The new strategy, Trump said, is a result of a study he ordered immediately after he was inaugurated in January. The strategy is based on three precepts.

"First, our nation must seek an honorable and enduring outcome worthy of the tremendous sacrifices that have been made, especially the sacrifices of lives," Trump said. "The men and women who serve our nation in combat deserve a plan for victory. They deserve the tools they need and the trust they have earned to fight and to win."

No Hasty Exit

Trump said the second precept is that a hasty exit from Afghanistan would simply allow terrorists to flood back into that country and begin planning attacks on America and its allies and partners.

The third precept, he said, concerns the threats emanating from the region, which are immense and must be confronted.

"Today, 20 U.S-designated foreign terrorist organizations are active in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the highest concentration in any region anywhere in the world," the president said. "For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence and terror. The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict. And that could happen."

The United States and its allies and partners are committed to defeating these terrorist groups, Trump said.

"Terrorists who slaughter innocent people will find no glory in this life or the next," he said. "They are nothing but thugs and criminals and predators and -- that's right -- losers."

Trump added, "Working alongside our allies, we will break their will, dry up their recruitment, keep them from crossing our borders, and, yes, we will defeat them, and we will defeat them handily."

In Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United States will work to stop the resurgence of safe havens that enable terrorists to threaten America, Trump said. "And we must prevent nuclear weapons and materials from coming into the hands of terrorists and being used against us, or anywhere in the world, for that matter," he added.

Conditions-Based Strategy

Trump emphasized the strategy will be conditions based and not set to a timetable. "I've said it many times how counterproductive it is for the United States to announce in advance the dates we intend to begin or end military options," the president said. "We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities. Conditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables, will guide our strategy from now on. America's enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out."

Trump said the new strategy will involve all aspects of American power, employing diplomacy, economic might, intelligence and military power to advance American interests and ensure the safety of the homeland and American allies and partners.

The United States, he added, will continue to support the Afghan government and its military.

"Ultimately, it is up to the people of Afghanistan to take ownership of their future, to govern their society and to achieve an everlasting peace," Trump said. "We are a partner and a friend, but we will not dictate to the Afghan people how to live or how to govern their own complex society. We are not nation building again. We are killing terrorists."

Trump said Pakistan is a major concern, and he said Pakistan must stop providing safe havens for terrorists who rest and refit for actions in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan," the president said. "It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists."

Pakistan Must Change

Trump noted that Pakistan has worked with the United States in the past, but the nation's policies must change.

"No partnership can survive a country's harboring of militants and terrorists who target U.S. service members and officials," Trump said. "It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilization, order and to peace."

Trump said India will be a key component in any strategy in the region, and the president wants to work with India's leaders to provide more economic assistance and targeted development to the people of Afghanistan.

"We are committed to pursuing our shared objectives for peace and security in South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region," he said.

The president pledged that service members will have the rules of engagement they need to take swift, decisive actions. "I have already lifted restrictions the previous administration placed on our warfighters that prevented the secretary of defense and our commanders in the field from fully and swiftly waging battle against the enemy," he said. "Micromanagement from Washington, D.C., does not win battles. They're won in the field, drawing upon the judgment and expertise of wartime commanders, and front-line soldiers, acting in real time with real authority, and with a clear mission to defeat the enemy."

'Victory Will Have a Clear Definition'

The president described what he believes victory will look like. "From now on, victory will have a clear definition: Attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing al-Qaida, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan, and stopping mass terror attacks against America before they emerge," he said.

NATO allies and global partners like Australia will support the new strategy and have already pledged additional troops and funding increases, the president said.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a statement he has directed Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to prepare to carry out the president's strategy. "I will be in consultation with the secretary general of NATO and our allies -- several of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers," Mattis said in a written statement. "Together, we will assist the Afghan security forces to destroy the terrorist hub."

The president concluded his speech speaking directly to service members in the hall and around the world.

"With our resolve, we will ensure that your service and that of your families will bring about the defeat of our enemies and the arrival of peace," Trump said. "We will push onward to victory with power in our hearts, courage in our souls and everlasting pride in each and every one of you."

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Transcript

Presenter: Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant August 21, 2017

Media Availability with Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis; Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JIM MATTIS: All right. Well, welcome, everybody. Good to see you again. Been a good day.

I'm honored to be joined by Mr. Brett McGurk. You all know him, the special presidential envoy with whom I work so closely as the Department of Defense works with and in support of our Department of State (inaudible) foreign policy.

I want to begin by saying that my thoughts and prayers are with the sailors and the families of the USS John McCain. We obviously have an investigation underway, and that will determine what happened.

I also fully support the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson's efforts right now. He has put together a broader inquiry to look into these incidents and to determine any of the causal factors, to determine what's gong on, both immediate contributors to this incident, but also any related factors. And once we have those facts, we'll share them with you.

Q: You're referring to the Fitzgerald, sir? I mean -- together with this? Is that why you're -- used the plural, sir?

SEC. MATTIS: The chief of naval operations's broader inquiry will look at all related accidents, incidents at sea, that sort of thing. He is going to look at all factors, not just the immediate one, which will fall, rightly, under the fleet commander's investigation of what happened to his ship. This is a broader look at what is happening.

Q: Sir, sorry. Is that broader ? Seventh fleet's investigation?

SEC. MATTIS: Yes, it is. And, as we discussed Saturday, on the airplane coming out, this trip is part of the "by, with and through" effort with our allies. It is -- what we're going to do here is find how we can better support one another. It's a constant exchange of information against an adaptive enemy and a changing situation.

Jordan is a strong partner, as you know, and, in our effort to support the common security that all of us are looking for in this world, Jordan and its leadership, both military and political, are a great asset in this fight as we try to increase stability and protect our people.

Today, I did meet with General Freihat. He is the Chief of Defense of the Jordanian Armed Forces, and he is proving to be a superb leader in adapting his forces to the reality of the security situation he faces with the ISIS threat, right here on Jordan's border, having spilled somewhere around a million refuges into Jordan's society. Give you an idea of the immensity of the problem faced by this country.

I met with the king and had an excellent discussion with His Majesty. It was very informative for me. We're good allies. We support one another's efforts to bring peace and stability, here in the Middle East, and against a -- united against the terrorists. And it was a very good discussion.

I also visited our servicemen and women stationed here in the kingdom. And I also saw, working alongside them, the men and women from 20 nations that are working together against ISIS out here.

The U.S. remains committed to doing our share against ISIS, and that's our share of leading and in supporting our fellow partners. The reminder -- there are 69 nations engaged in this fight. Plus there are four international organizations; the Arab League, NATO, the European Union and INTERPOL, and with these partners and allies committed to this struggle, we will prevail.

I'd now ask Mr. McGurk to share a little bit more with you.

SPECIAL ENVOY BRETT MCGURK: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. It's an honor -- I'm really honored to be here with Secretary Mattis, and also to see His Majesty, today.

So I thought I would give a few wave tops of some diplomatic initiatives that we're -- hope to reinforce our overall counter-ISIS campaign and our efforts here in the region.

So, of course, with His Majesty, today, in addition to our many bilateral issues, we also discussed the very important ceasefire initiative, which we negotiated together with Jordan and with Russia in southwest Syria.

And that ceasefire arrangement, of course, is finalized by President Trump and President Putin at Hamburg on July 7th. So we're now about six weeks into it, and it is holding quite well. The fighting has largely stopped, we're beginning to see people return to their homes. That's something that, obviously, we want to see continue.

Jordan, of course, is a founding member of our counter-ISIS coalition. They've suffered losses in this campaign. They, of course, had the tragic loss of their captain, their heroic Captain Kasasbeh, about 18 months ago, and they remain a critical partner in this -- in this overall effort to defeat ISIS.

Before joining the secretary here, about -- over the last week, I was in Saudi Arabia. I also spent a couple of days in Syria and a day in Iraq. In Saudi Arabia, some significant developments going on there, including a really historic rapprochement with Iraq. And we're very encouraged, of course, by this development.

And I had the privilege to visit the Arar border crossing with Iraq, which is opening, now, for the first time since 1990. And you can see with your own eyes about 1,200 pilgrims a day, now, coming across that crossing. And the Saudi minister of trade will be visiting Iraq, now, to discuss the commercial opening of that crossing, which actually gives Iraq access to the Red Sea, which it hasn't had in almost 30 years.

Similarly, the border crossing with Jordan, the Turaibil border crossing -- it's about a billion dollar a month commerce route that the Iraqis and Jordanians, now, are in very active discussions about opening, here, in a very short timeframe.

In Syria, spent about two days on the ground. Met, of course, with our team, and met with the leaders of the Syrian Democratic Forces, north of Raqqa. Raqqa now is about 55 to 60 percent or so finished. It's a very difficult fight.

And it's not just a military effort. We also met with local councils and a number of tribal sheiks who are working very closely with us to defeat ISIS. And we have diplomats on the ground, working on the stabilization and humanitarian elements. It was a very encouraging visit, spent about two days there.

In Iraq, saw Prime Minister Abadi, and, of course, Prime Minister Abadi, on his orders, announced the launch of an additional campaign, now, to clear ISIS out of Tal Afar, which is really their -- the last major city that they're holding in northern Iraq. That will be a very difficult battle, but even in the first 24 hours, here, about 235 square kilometers were cleared, and it's going well.

I've just mentioned, of all the territory retaken from ISIS in Iraq and Syria -- I've mentioned this before, a couple weeks ago, but about a third of it has been retaken, really, in the last six or seven months.

And I think that's quite significant and partially due to the fact that we're moving faster, more effectively, more efficiently, due largely, in part, I think, as Secretary Mattis has discussed -- these delegations of tactical authorities from the president has really made a difference on the ground. I've seen that with my own eyes.

So it's a military and diplomatic effort, joined at the hip, and I'm honored to be here. Thank you.

SEC. MATTIS: We can take a couple questions, if you have any.

Q: Sure. Thanks.

MR. MCGURK: Hey, if I could just mention -- it's not just the United States that does not think this referendum should be held, really. Every member of our coalition believes that now is not the time to hold this referendum. So we've made that -- we've made our position on that very clear.

We're also encouraged, of course, by a dialogue that's taking place between the leadership of the Kurdistan region and the government of Iraq. When I was in Baghdad, the Kurdistan region had a delegation in Baghdad. I met with them, and obviously, we're very encouraged by that dialogue. That's something that we very much support.

We believe these issues should be resolved through dialogue under the constitutional framework and that a referendum, at this time, would be really potentially catastrophic to the counter-ISIS campaign. We've mentioned that before. And so we've made that position very clear, but we are hopeful that this dialogue that's going on now can deliver some results.

Q: I would like to ask a follow-up to Bob's question on the campaign in the Euphrates river valley. There's a deconfliction arrangement that's been worked out with the Russians for -- and the Syrian government, via the Russians, for south of Tabqa, south of Raqqa.

There seems to be no such deconfliction arrangement for what would happen in Deir Ez-Zor, Mayadin, the -- those eastern parts of Syria. What needs to be worked out diplomatically with the Russians and, through the Russians, with the Syrian government to make -- to prosecute this campaign in the MERV?

SEC. MATTIS: The deconfliction --

Q: And prevent the forces from converging that you don't want to converge with.

SEC. MATTIS: -- well, it's a good question, because the forces are more -- in closer proximity together as they close in on ISIS's last stand. In this case, the deconfliction line basically runs down the river. It has been holding throughout this time.

There is constant communications, notwithstanding any comments that have been made to the contrary, that -- deconfliction communications have maintained a steady drumbeat day in and day out. If they need to go north of the line to get a target they're pursuing, they would call us first, and if we have no one there, we would deconflict that.

As you know, we are operating south of that line, in Raqqa. And so we've worked that out with the Russians. We do deconfliction. We do not coordinate with them, but we deconflict with them.

And we do not do that with the regime. It is with the Russians -- is who we're dealing with. We continue those procedures right on down the Euphrates river valley.

Q: So just to -- to -- just to clarify, so, as things stand now, you feel you have an adequate arrangement where you -- the SDF and the American-led coalition that supports them would stay north of the river, and the other guys will stay south of the river, and that will serve you well enough, through the -- through the campaign in the MERV?

SEC. MATTIS: The deconfliction arrangement is there. What it comes down to is the execution of it on a day-by-day basis. That's the complex part, so far, it is working, but, every day, it's more and more work, as we come closer and closer together.

Q: Is -- you mentioned the regime forces. Has the positioning of the regime forces affected the coalition's progress against ISIS?

SEC. MATTIS: Not yet.

Q: Okay. And then we -- obviously, the Tal Afar operation has kicked off. Do you expect Hawija to be the next city to be liberated? And can the Iraqi forces hold both of those operations concurrently?

SEC. MATTIS: Now, we're not going to discuss future operations, and we just prefer not to give the enemy that sort of information.

Q: On the second question, though, do you believe that Iraqi forces are capable of conducting two operations at one time?

SEC. MATTIS: Yes.



Q: Brett, I'd like to ask a quick follow up on stability in Iraq. Hawija's under ISIS control. There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of displaced people in Iraq.

There are PMF in Sunni areas, and Sunni groups do not feel that this is the -- the next upcoming months is a good time for there to be an election in Iraq. They've raised concerns about whether these would truly be free and fair elections, and just how they would even be carried out.

Does the United States believe that the Iraq elections should go ahead over the next six months, in the next year? Or do you think it might be prudent to defer them, just because of the security situation?

MR. MCGURK: So, according to the constitutional calendar, the elections should be held by about the end of May or so, of next year. So that's quite a time from now.

The parliament, as we speak -- I saw the speaker of parliament yesterday -- they're working through their election law, which they hope to pass as early as this week.

So they're setting up the mechanics of the election. And obviously this is a -- really a matter for the Iraqis, but we think the election should be held on the constitutional timetable.

Q: I have just a quick question on Mosul. Of course, long before the battle for -- to retake Mosul, there was questions about governance of Mosul. And that was, of course, what -- a large part of what led to the problem in the first place.

But where do you stand, right now, on ensuring that there's -- there's proper government -- governance of Mosul?

SEC. MATTIS: Well, first of all, once it's liberated, it's a matter of getting security. There are still pockets of enemy and diehards and sleepers who are left there. So it's still working the security issue.

Once you have security, then it's a matter of local councils that are -- that have come together, and restoring proper governance there. It takes time, frankly, and it's not going to happen overnight. It's another city that was devastated, especially the west side that was the most recently liberated.

So it's going to be a heavy lift for them, going forward. But the proper governance would involve local representation in their day-to-day lives.

Q: It didn't work well last time. I'm just wondering, what would be different this time?

MR. MCGURK: So, if you look at East Mosul, which was liberated about six months ago, we have -- bulk of the population's back in their homes; 350,000 boys and girls are back in school, according to U.N. statistics. We have hundreds of stabilization projects which have gotten the water back and running into some of these sites.

And that's been done because the center government, working with governor of the provincial council, through the U.N., with coalition resources, has really delivered some results in east Mosul.

As the secretary said, west Mosul is different. The battle there just culminated and the destruction to the central city is far more extensive, mainly because we had hundreds of foreign fighters who were wearing suicide vests who fought until, you know, the last fingernail.

So it will take longer in west Mosul. But the formula of the central government, working through the -- through the governor, with the U.N., the coalition resources -- and I would also say, we're focused only on, as Secretary Tillerson said a number of times, stabilization.

And that's the basics: demining, humanitarian aid, water, electricity -- the basics to get people back in their homes. And in Iraq, in the territory that's been liberated, 2 million Iraqis have returned to their homes. These are almost all Sunni Arabs.

Historically, in -- that rate of returns is almost unprecedented in a post-conflict environment, and it's because we've gotten the stabilization piece.

We're doing it differently than we used to before. It's really locally owned, and the trend lines are fairly good. But Mosul's a very difficult environment, particularly the western part, so this will just take time.

SEC. MATTIS: I'd point out on this that, so far, we have not been constrained financially with the recovery effort. So far, we've had -- from the international donors, we've had enough money to do what needed to be done. So if we can keep that going, we can recover from what ISIS did elsewhere. (inaudible) -- thank you.

Q: Yes, I was wondering about -- we have -- Raqqa's halfway liberated. Mosul is liberated. I was wondering if there was any information or intelligence that's come out of those operations that have given you a more fulsome understanding of the group and what, maybe, plans are, post-caliphate.

SEC. MATTIS: We've gotten a lot -- significant amounts of intelligence as a result of the fall of these places. So much is still being analyzed, and some of the more -- from the more recent battles.

And the short answer is yes, it has helped us to identify at least some of their aspirations. We'll see if they turn into plans and if they turn into reality.

MR. MCGURK: I just -- every time we do an operation, we plan what we call the sensitive site exploitation. So, in Manbij, it was 10 terabytes of information, Raqqa, now, very similar. And we have systems to process it, analyze it, and then, most importantly, share it with members of our coalition.

So if we find information about foreign fighters from a certain country, we go through proper procedures to make sure it's shared. And then key members of our coalition -- as Secretary Mattis mentioned, Interpol -- and we built a database, now, of 19,000 known ISIS, you know, foreign fighters, sympathizers. And that's shared, of course, across our coalition.

So it is a -- it is a very comprehensive campaign, militarily, on the ground, taking territory back; collecting information; processing it; and then building the database and the system so it can be shared and acted upon. And certainly, in Raqqa, we're learning an awful lot.

Q: Can you say who's leading the fight on behalf of ISIS in Raqqa? Who's their commander, what is their command structure there? Are they all foreign fighters? Has the rest of the ISIS leadership moved out?

MR. MCGURK: It seems, from the information we have, that, of the 2,000 or so ISIS fighters that are left, bulk of them are foreign fighters.

Q: Most, did you say?

MR. MCGURK: Bulk.

Q: Bulk.

MR. MCGURK: Meaning most. Certainly most.

Q: Have you captured or killed and identified any American foreign fighters?

MR. MCGURK: Not that I'm aware of.

SEC. MATTIS: I don't believe -- you mean in the Raqqa fight, or recently --

(CROSSTALK)

Q: In Raqqa or Mosul, or anywhere in the recent fighting.

SEC. MATTIS: I don't recall any right now. I'll get back to you. Let me check, I'll get back to you.

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1284909/

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Officials Provide Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Aug. 22, 2017  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 30 strikes consisting of 66 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 22 strikes consisting of 32 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike destroyed an ISIS headquarters and weapons cache.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed an ISIS oil still.

-- Near Raqqa, 20 strikes engaged 13 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 24 fighting positions, a vehicle, a logistics node and ISIS communications infrastructure.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 34 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Qaim, three strikes destroyed a vehicle-borne-bomb factory, an ISIS front-end loader and an excavator.

-- Near Rawah, two strikes destroyed an ISIS headquarters, a vehicle and a front-end loader.

-- Near Tal Afar, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed five mortar systems, four supply caches, two vehicles, two vehicle-borne bombs, two fighting positions, two recoilless rifles, an ISIS headquarters and a medium machine gun; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

Earlier Strikes

Officials today also announced results of 50 strikes consisting of 67 engagements conducted Aug. 18-20 in Syria and Iraq for which the details were not yet available at the time of yesterday's report:

-- On Aug. 18 near Raqqa, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit.

-- On Aug. 19 near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed an ISIS wellhead.

-- On Aug. 19 near Raqqa, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed five fighting positions, an improvised explosive device and a command-and-control node.

-- On Aug. 20 near Shadaddi, Syria, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed a vehicle.

-- On Aug. 20 near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed an ISIS wellhead.

-- On Aug. 20 near Raqqa, 33 strikes engaged 21 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 41 fighting positions, five command-and-control nodes, an IED, an ISIS headquarters, two supply caches, ISIS engineering equipment and an ISIS unmanned aerial system.

-- On Aug. 20 near Tal Afar, five strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units; destroyed seven fighting positions, three staging areas, two IEDs, two pieces of ISIS oil equipment, a rocket-propelled-grenade system and a vehicle; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, task force officials said.

The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets, officials noted.

Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect.

For example, task force officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIS vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIS-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. Strike assessments are based on initial reports and may be refined, officials said.

The task force does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target.

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Mattis, Jordanian Leaders Discuss ISIS Fight, Common Security

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2017  Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met with Jordan's top officials in Amman yesterday to discuss the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the defeat-ISIS coalition and security in the Middle East.

In a news conference after his meetings, the secretary, joined by Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS, discussed the visit.

"This trip is part of the 'by, with and through' effort with our allies," Mattis said. "What we're going to do here is find how we can better support one another. It's a constant exchange of information against an adaptive enemy and a changing situation."

Strong Partner

Jordan is a strong partner and its military and political leadership is a great asset in the ISIS fight, Mattis said, noting that he'd met with King Abdullah II and with Jordanian Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat.

"I met with the king and had an excellent discussion with His Majesty," the secretary said. "It was very informative for me. We're good allies. We support one another's efforts to bring peace and stability here in the Middle East, and united against the terrorists."

Freihat, he said, "is proving to be a superb leader in adapting his forces to the reality of the security situation he faces with the ISIS threat right here on Jordan's border, having spilled somewhere around a million refugees into Jordan's society to give you an idea of the immensity of the problem faced by this country."

Mattis also visited U.S. service members stationed in Jordan and, alongside them, men and women from 20 nations who are working together to defeat ISIS.

"The U.S. remains committed to doing our share against ISIS, and that's our share of leading and supporting our fellow partners," Mattis said, adding that more than 69 nations and four international nations make up the coalition.

"With these partners and allies committed to this struggle, we will prevail," he said.

Regional Efforts

In his remarks, McGurk said that in addition to bilateral issues in meetings with the Jordanian king, he and Mattis discussed the important ceasefire initiative that the United States, Jordan and Russia negotiated in southwest Syria and that President Donald J. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin finalized in Hamburg in Germany on July 7.

"We're now about six weeks into it and it is holding quite well. The fighting has largely stopped, [and] we're beginning to see people return to their homes. That's something  we want to see continue," he said.

Jordan, a founding member of the defeat-ISIS coalition, has suffered losses in the campaign, including "the tragic loss of their heroic Capt. [Muath al-]Kasasbeh about 18 months ago, and they remain a critical partner in this overall effort to defeat ISIS," McGurk said.

Before joining the secretary In Jordan, McGurk said, he visited Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iraq, and at the news conference he described successful efforts in those countries, including the following:

-- Saudi Arabia and Iraq after many years are attempting an encouraging and historic rapprochement.

-- The Arar border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Iraq is opening for the first time since 1990, and about 1,200 pilgrims daily make the crossing. Also, the Saudi trade minister will visit Iraq to discuss the crossing's commercial, giving Iraq access to the Red Sea for the first time in nearly 30 years.

-- The Iraqis and Jordanians are in active discussions about opening the Turaibil border crossing, a nearly $1 billion-a-month commerce route.

Syria, Iraq

In Syria, McGurk spent two days on the ground meeting with the U.S. team and the leaders of the Syrian Democratic Forces north of Raqqa, a difficult fight that he said is 55 percent to 60 percent finished.

And it's not just a military effort, he said.

"We also met with local councils and a number of tribal sheiks who are working very closely with us to defeat ISIS. And we have diplomats on the ground working on the stabilization and humanitarian elements. It was a very encouraging visit," McGurk added.

In Iraq, McGurk met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who announced the launch of another campaign to clear ISIS out of Tal Afar, the last major city the terror group is holding in northern Iraq.

"That will be a very difficult battle," McGurk said, "but even in the first 24 hours here, about 235 square kilometers were cleared, and it's going well."

Mattis is making his first visit as defense secretary to Jordan and Ukraine and also is visiting Turkey during a five-day trip to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to strategic partnerships in the Middle East and Europe, Pentagon officials said.

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Mattis: U.S., Coalition 'Steadfast' With Iraq for ISIS Defeat

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2017  The United States and its coalition partners remain unwavering in their commitment to Iraq in defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said today in Baghdad.

Mattis spoke to reporters with Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS, and Army Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, the commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.

"We in the coalition will remain steadfast with our Iraqi allies -- all the way through the defeat of ISIS," Mattis said. "It's not over yet. There's hard fighting ahead."

The defense secretary commended efforts from U.S., coalition and Iraqi forces, lauding the positive gains since Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi took office in 2014.

"Today the security for the Iraqi people has been greatly improved," Mattis said, pointing out that Iraqi cities have been liberated, people freed from the terrorists' brutal rule, and the Iraqi economy is recovering.

Iraq is reengaging with the region, he said, and ISIS is "on the run."

The terrorists, he said, "have been shown to be unable to stand up to our team in combat and they have not retaken one inch of ground that they've lost."

Mattis said the United States is dedicated to the strategic framework agreement to stand with the Iraqi people and their military to help secure a better future and maintain stability and security.

'Very Promising' Regional Developments

McGurk highlighted positive regional developments, to include the Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia opening for the first time since 1990. In addition, he said, Iraqi and Jordanian officials are discussing the reopening of the Turaibil border crossing, a nearly $1 billion-a-month commerce route.

"We're looking very closely at the future beyond [ISIS] and we are encouraged by the leadership of Prime Minister Abadi with this regional engagement," McGurk said. "We think it is really delivering some results and a very promising development here on the ground."

Victory 'Assured' in Tal Afar, Raqqa

The coalition and partnered forces on the ground in Iraq and Syria are making significant gains, Townsend said.

"The fighting's tough, but the momentum was with our partners and the Iraqi security forces and in the Syrian Democratic Forces," he said.

The Iraqi city of Mosul was liberated after months of tough fighting, Townsend noted, adding the coalition is in its third month of operations to defeat ISIS in the Syrian city of Raqqa.

"A year ago the liberation of Mosul was just some ideas and some lines on paper. The liberation of Raqqa was not even that," the general said.

After the intense fighting in Mosul, the Iraqi forces regrouped, quickly refitting and transitioning their force into a new offensive in Tal Afar, west of Mosul, he said.

In Syria, the terrorists are surrounded and cut off, but continue to show their cruelty as they hide among women and children and show no regard for noncombatants, according to Townsend.

The U.S. remains united with its partners and committed in the lasting defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and to prevent the terrorists from "exporting their terror around the world and to protect our homelands," he said.

"Victory over ISIS is assured in Tal Afar and Raqqa," the general said.

The coalition, Townsend said, must continue to disrupt ISIS's ability to inspire new recruits, deprive the terrorists of sanctuary, interrupt their revenue streams, destroy their equipment, kill their fighters and deny their ability to attack the homelands.

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NATO Secretary General welcomes new US South Asia strategy

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

22 Aug. 2017

Press Release (2017) 126

Issued on 22 Aug. 2017

I welcome President Trump's new, conditions-based approach to Afghanistan and the region. NATO remains fully committed to Afghanistan and I am looking forward to discussing the way ahead with Secretary Mattis and our Allies and international partners.

NATO Allies and partners have already committed to increasing our presence in Afghanistan. NATO currently has over 12,000 troops in the country. In recent weeks, more than fifteen nations have pledged additional contributions to our Resolute Support Mission. We place special emphasis on continuing the development of Afghan Special Forces, Air Forces and improving command and control.

Our presence in Afghanistan is a direct consequence of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, when the Alliance first invoked our collective defence clause, Article 5. Hundreds of thousands of troops from Europe, Canada and partner countries have served side-by-side with American forces, and over a thousand have paid the ultimate price. With NATO's support, Afghanistan now has professional security forces of around 350,000 soldiers and police. In 2014, we successfully transferred full responsibility for security to them. Today, we continue to train, advise and assist them, and provide them with financial support. Our aim remains to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who would attack our own countries.

We encourage all Afghans to work towards a negotiated political settlement and a sustainable peace. At the same time, we urge all countries in the region to do their utmost to shut down sanctuaries for extremist groups, support peace and reconciliation, and contribute to a stable and secure Afghanistan.

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Pacific Fleet Cmdr: Remains of Some USS John S. McCain Sailors Located

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170822-21

Release Date: 8/22/2017 10:45:00 AM

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

CHANGI NAVAL BASE, Republic Of Singapore (NNS) -- Adm. Scott Swift, commander, Pacific Fleet, said some of the 10 missing USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) Sailors were discovered Aug. 22, by divers performing recovery operations inside the guided-missile destroyer.

Swift also said the Royal Malaysian Navy has reported the discovery of potential remains of another missing McCain Sailor, located while the ship was providing search and rescue assistance east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

We are still searching for our missing Sailors. That remains our focus, said Swift to a group of international media during a press briefing at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, where McCain is currently moored.

"Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of those Sailors and the families of our Sailors who were injured," he said.

The search for the missing Sailors has been ongoing since early Aug. 21 following the collision of McCain and merchant vessel Alnic MC. Royal Malaysian Navy coastal patrol craft Petir (12) and Pang Alang (39), Handalan-class missile boat KD Handalan and Lekiu-class frigate KD Lekiu (30) along with two Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency vessels assisted in Tuesday's search efforts.

Republic of Singapore Navy Fearless-class patrol ships Noble Pearl (PCG 54) and Noble Knight (PCG 56) as well as Singaporean aircraft also aided in the day's search.

Those vessels were joined by aviation assets from USS America (LHA 6), which will continue combing the area east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore in the vicinity of the collision.

"While the search and rescue efforts continue, I sincerely thank our Singapore partners, our Malaysian partners and everyone who has responded with urgency, compassion and tireless commitment," Swift said.

The ship was transiting to Singapore for a routine port visit when the collision occurred.

Alnic MC is a Liberian-flagged 600-foot oil and chemical tanker with a gross tonnage of 30,000.

The incident will be investigated to determine the facts and circumstances of the collision.

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Divers Join Search for Missing USS John S. McCain Sailors

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170822-20

Release Date: 8/22/2017 10:35:00 AM

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

CHANGI NAVAL BASE, Republic Of Singapore (NNS) -- U.S. Navy and Marine Corps divers began searching for 10 Sailors from USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), missing since the guided-missile destroyer and merchant vessel Alnic MC collided early Aug. 21.

Equipped with surface supplied air rigs, divers will access sealed compartments located in damaged parts of the ship. Additionally, they will conduct damage assessments of the hull and flooded areas.

While diving proceeds, ships and aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy continue to provide search and rescue assistance along with two U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopters from amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). Those search efforts are focused on an area east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore where the collision occurred as McCain was transiting to Singapore for a routine port visit.

John S. McCain and America arrived at Changi Naval Base yesterday afternoon after shipboard damage control efforts by the crew had halted further McCain flooding. While both ships are in Singapore, America is providing meals, berthing and other support to McCain crew members and supporting damage control efforts on board which are focused on dewatering the ship and restoring auxiliary systems.

Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD Handalan and two coastal patrol craft Petir (12) and Pang Alang (39) as well as two Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency vessels are assisting in the search, as are Republic of Singapore Navy Fearless-class patrol ships Noble Pearl (PCG 54) and Noble Knight (PCG 56).

Several diving units are supporting search efforts, including Navy divers from Ship Repair Facility Yokosuka and Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific as well as Marine divers from 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked on America.

Alnic MC is a Liberian-flagged 600-foot oil and chemical tanker with a gross tonnage of 30,000.

The incident will be investigated to determine the facts and circumstances of the collision.

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San Diego Departs Phuket

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170822-23

Release Date: 8/22/2017 12:27:00 PM

By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Justin Schoenberger, USS San Diego (LPD 22) Public Affairs

PHUKET, Thailand (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) departed Phuket, Thailand after a routine port visit, Aug. 22.

The San Diego is capable of carrying Marines and their equipment and has been at sea conducting training and operations in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region since departing its homeport of San Diego in early July. They also recently completed a port visit to Cam Ranh International Port in Vietnam.

"I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we had a great time in Phuket," said Staff Sgt. Dana Cisneros, assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard San Diego. "Whether through tours, or on your own, the island had so much to see and experience."

Sailors and Marines aboard the San Diego were given the opportunity to explore the island of Phuket and experience places such as the Khao Ping Gan and Khao Tapoo better known as "James Bond Island", the breathtaking view of Phang Nga Bay, snorkeling at Tonsai Bay, and the chance to participate in elephant trekking.

"I was able to go on the safari tour, ride on top of an elephant and have fish nibble at my feet as part of a fish spa," said Seaman Alexandria McClain, assigned to the deck department aboard San Diego. "Those are things that I feel I would have never experienced if it wasn't for MWR."

After visiting Thailand, San Diego will continue training with allies and partners in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. San Diego, part America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), is currently operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to strengthen partnerships and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency.

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Future USS Portland Successfully Completes Acceptance Trials

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170822-06

Release Date: 8/22/2017 8:32:00 AM

From Team Ships Public Affairs

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- Future USS Portland (LPD 27) successfully completed Acceptance Trials on Aug. 18, sailing from and returning to Huntington Ingalls Industries' shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Portland is the 11th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock to be presented to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) for acceptance. Acceptance trials are conducted with INSURV and are intended to demonstrate a ship's readiness for delivery through a series of dockside and underway tests and evaluations.

"The USS Portland is a well-designed ship that is going to increase our Navy and Marine Corps warfighting capability for years to come," said Vice Adm. Thomas Moore, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. "The material condition of the ship is fantastic, and the success she had during acceptance trials is a true testament to the men and women that built her."

Moore embarked on Portland for the first underway day of sea trials. He observed the anchoring and the detect-to-engage demonstrations, and visited with government and shipyard workers who achieved this milestone. He also addressed Portland's crew, who will take ownership of LPD 27 next month.

"The success of these trials reflects a continuing trend of delivering highly-capable ships to the fleet," said Capt. Brian Metcalf, LPD 17 class program manager for Program Executive Office, Ships. "Completing this milestone is another significant step in Portland's progression toward joining her 10 sister ships - LPDs that have conducted operational missions, air strikes, and humanitarian relief missions along with their Marine Corps partners for 20 deployments worldwide."

Acceptance trials began with dockside checks and continued with demonstrations of several major systems while at sea. Systems tested included main propulsion engineering and ship control systems, combat and communications systems, damage control, food service and crew support. LPD 27 successfully completed a full-power run, steering checks, quick reversal, boat handling, anchoring and ballast demonstrations. The ship also completed a flawless detect-to-engage evolution, executed by Portland Sailors.

"The Navy and shipbuilder worked diligently to complete Portland and to fully demonstrate her capabilities in over 200 events," said Capt. Brian Lawrence, supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast. "Their collective, exceptional efforts over the past five days are a culmination of years in planning, production, quality assurance, and testing by every member of the government/industry team."

Portland is scheduled to deliver to the Navy later this fall and will be commissioned next spring in her namesake city, Portland, Oregon.

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and boats and craft.

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Hue City Returns Home From Deployment

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170822-01

Release Date: 8/22/2017 6:42:00 AM

By Ens. Nicholas Vandiver, USS Hue City (CG 66) Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66), part of the George H.W. Bush Strike Group (GHWBCSG), returned to homeport here Aug. 21 after a seven-month deployment to the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet area of operations.

Family and friends greeted the crew pier side at Naval Station Mayport as the ship moored after traveling more than 56,000 nautical miles during the deployment.

"Homecoming is always an exciting event for all our Sailors," said Command Master Chief Teri Zehnacker. "Whether it's your first, second, or fifth deployment, it's always a great feeling to moor pier-side in your homeport."

While deployed to the 5th and 6th fleet, Hue City accomplished numerous missions, participated in several joint exercises, conducted maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group.in support of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group.

"We traveled from the Baltic to the Black Sea supporting the carrier and national interests on this deployment," said Capt. Dan Gillen, commanding officer, USS Hue City. "We are privileged to have supported numerous exercises such as Exercise Sea Breeze, as well as host several foreign distinguished guests throughout our deployment. We operated with our joint and international partners across a wide range of missions and I could not be prouder of how successful our Sailors operated."

Numerous Sailors reached career and personal milestones during deployment, to include more than 100 Sailors qualifying as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, eight junior officers qualifying as Surface Warfare Officers and nine Sailors became new parents.

Hue City also visited nine countries to include The Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia, Spain, Seychelles, Oman, Ukraine, Romania, and Italy.

"It was a very successful deployment, both aboard Hue City and back at home" said Cmdr. Walter Manuel, Hue City executive officer. "Sailors spend months training and preparing to deploy and it doesn't stop there. Deployment is no easy task and the support we received from family and friends was tremendous. We could not have been as successful as we were without the support from back home."

GHWBCSG is comprised of the staff of CSG-2; aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8; Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff and guided-missile destroyers USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103); and Mayport-based USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Hue City (CG 66).

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USS Philippine Sea Returns from Deployment

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170822-02

Release Date: 8/22/2017 6:43:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Danny Nunez, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Ticonderoga-class, guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) returned to Naval Station Mayport Aug. 19, following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

Deploying as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG), the crew conducted naval operations in the North Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf.

"I'm proud of our Sailors and the professionalism they displayed throughout a very challenging deployment," said Capt. Peter Nilsen, the ship's commanding officer. "Every Sailor onboard made a huge contribution to the success of the mission. The crew has earned some much-deserved R&R!"

Nilsen relieved Capt. John R. Schmidt during the deployment. Philippine Sea served as the primary air defense commander for GHWBCSG, and the primary escort ship for the GHWBCSG flagship, USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77).

Philippine Sea also provided protection and logistical support for GHWBCSG. They conducted maritime security operations and theater security cooperation activities with allies and partners to enhance regional security and stability. The Philippine Sea "Wardogs" contributed to the success of Operation Inherent Resolve as well the multinational exercise Saxon Warrior, an exercise between the United States and NATO allies.

While deployed, the crew visited ports in Greece, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Cyprus and the United Kingdom where they were able to experience local cultures and customs, and participate in community outreach activities and Navy Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tours.

Throughout the seven-month deployment, 65 Sailors earned their Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification and 13 officers earned their Surface Warfare Officer qualification.

Philippine Sea is homeported in Mayport, Florida and is part of the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet.

GHWBCSG is comprised of the staff of CSG-2; aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8; Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff; guided-missile destroyers USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103); and guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Hue City (CG 66).

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Lebanon army retakes most of border areas from Daesh: Spokesman

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:55PM

The Lebanese army says it has captured most of a mountainous area on the border with Syria during an operation aimed at purging the region of Daesh Takfiri terrorists.

"We have captured around another 20 square kilometers, so we have about another 20 square kilometers to go," said Lebanese army spokesman Brigadier-General Ali Qanso at a press conference on Tuesday.

Qanso did not provide further information on the army's timeline to finish the operation.

The army spokesman displayed photos of weapons, ammunition and mines belonging to Daesh taken during the operation as well as tunnels used by the Takfiri terrorists.

Backed by the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, the army began a long-anticipated operation in the Jurud Ras Baalbek and Jurud al-Qaa areas on Lebanon's eastern border on Saturday. The push is meant to clear an area of 120 kilometers from elements of Daesh.

Four Lebanese soldiers have been killed in landmine explosions since the start of the operation.

On Saturday, Qanso said that some 20 Daesh militants had been killed since the start of the operation and that some 30 square kilometers (11 miles square) of land that used to be controlled by the Daesh had been liberated.

Hezbollah's media bureau reported that its fighters and the Syrian army had on Saturday "managed to liberate 87 square kilometers of the total area controlled by the Daesh ... in western Qalamoun region."

Estimates suggest 600 Daesh militants are holding positions in the Jurud Ras Baalbek and Jurud al-Qaa areas, the main regions covered by Lebanon army operation. There was no official statement about potential recaptures and casualties in Daesh ranks on Sunday.

The army operation came short after Hezbollah launched its own battle in Jurud Arsal region. Hezbollah managed to inflict huge losses on militants linked to al-Nusra Front, a former affiliate of al-Qaeda which is now mostly concentrated in northwest Syria.

Al-Nusra admitted defeat after six days of fierce fighting and handed over five Hezbollah fighters in return for evacuation of its militants to a region in neighboring Syria.

The army operation against Daesh could end in a similar deal as the Takfiri group is still believed to be holding nine Lebanese soldiers and police officers three years after it invaded the border town of Arsal. Five from a group of 30 kidnapped servicemen have either been killed or died during captivity while 16 were released in a prisoner swap in December 2015.

Another nine Lebanese soldiers are believed to remain in Daesh hands. Qanso said the fate of the soldiers were the army's "top concern."

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Qatar, US stage joint military exercise in crisis-hit Doha

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:10PM

The American military and Qatari armed forces have staged a joint training exercise in Doha amid strong tensions between the Persian Gulf Arab state and a Saudi-led alliance.

Qatari and US paratroopers held the "Friendship Jump" drill on Tuesday more than 70 days after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates cuts their relations with Qatar.

According to a statement from the US Special Operations Command Control, the parachute exercise was conducted by more than 40 paratroopers who jumped from a C-130 transport aircraft.

The drill "is indicative of the strong relationship between our two countries," said Colonel David Keesy, senior defense official for the US Embassy in Qatar.

"This is part of a multi-spectrum, training evolution that is indicative of the mil-to-mil relationships and partnership and cooperation between the US and Qatari militaries," he added.

It was the second military exercise between Washington and Doha since the onset of the Persian Gulf crisis. The two sides held naval exercises in June.

Saudi Arabia and three of its allies cut off their diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of sponsoring terrorism and destabilizing the region. The Saudi-led bloc has also imposed sanctions against the country, including restrictions on Qatari aircraft using their airspace. The severance of ties came shortly after a visit by US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia.

Doha, however, slams the measures as unjustified, saying they are based on false claims and assumptions. It said the boycotters are attacking its sovereignty.

The United States, which has a huge military base in Doha and a naval base in Manama, reached an agreement in July to fight the financing of terrorism during a round of shuttle diplomacy aimed at ending the Persian Gulf crisis.

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Russia to sell SU-35 fighter jets to Indonesia

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 9:40AM

Russia is set to sell Indonesia nearly a dozen Sukhoi fighter jets worth $1.14 billion in exchange for cash and commodities, officials in Jakarta say.

Indonesia is to ship about $570 million worth of commodities in addition to cash payments in return for 11 Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets, which are expected to be delivered in stages starting in two years, Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said in a joint statement with Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu on Tuesday.

Details of the type and volume of commodities were "still being negotiated."

Previously the Indonesian trade minister had said the exports could include palm oil, tea and coffee.

The deal is expected to be finalized soon between the Indonesian state trading company PT Perusahaan Perdangangan Indonesia and the Russian state conglomerate Rostec.

Russia is currently facing a new round of US-imposed trade sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asia's largest economy is trying to promote its palm oil products amid threats of a cut in consumption by European Union countries.

Indonesia, which produces 35 percent of the world's certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), is the world's biggest producer of the commodity.

Jakarta is also trying to modernize its ageing air force after a string of military aviation accidents.

Indonesia, which had a $411 million trade surplus with Russia in 2016, wants to expand bilateral cooperation in tourism, education, energy, technology and aviation among others fields.

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Taliban 'to turn Afghanistan into US graveyard'

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 6:32AM

The Taliban militant group says it will turn Afghanistan into a "graveyard" for the United States following Washington's announcement that it will continue the occupation of the Asian country.

"If America doesn't withdraw its troops from Afghanistan, soon Afghanistan will become another graveyard for this superpower in the 21st century," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Mujahid also urged the US to think of an exit strategy "instead of continuing the war" on Afghanistan.

He said the Taliban would continue their militancy "as long as there is one US soldier in our land, and [as long as] they continue to impose war on us."

The warning came hours after President Donald Trump backtracked on his promise to end the longest-running war in US history.

In a televised speech before a military audience at Fort Myer on Monday, Trump outlined a new strategy for Afghanistan, rejecting what he called "arbitrary timetables" for the withdrawal of US troops.

The US president further claimed that his "original instinct" had been to pull American forces out but that he had been dissuaded by considering the prospect of terrorist groups taking over a security vacuum.

Although Trump did not provide details about the exact number of troops he might send, he hinted that he had embraced the Pentagon's proposal to deploy another 4,000 more forces to Afghanistan. There are already 8,400 American boots on the ground there.

He stressed that the US commitment to Afghanistan was not a "blank check" and that American people expected "real results."

The US forces would "fight to win" by preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan, and by attacking enemies, "crushing" the al-Qaeda militant group, and "obliterating" the Daesh terrorist outfit there, he said.

Trump also said that he was open to a political agreement with the Taliban "someday" following an "effective military effort."

NATO backs US plan

On Tuesday, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) welcomed Trump's plan to send more troops to Afghanistan, saying he was "looking forward to discussing the way ahead with [US Defense] Secretary [James] Mattis and our allies and international partners."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also noted in a statement that the US-led Western military alliance would not let Afghanistan become a "haven for terrorists."

"Our aim remains to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who would attack our own countries," he said.

Afghanistan has been torn by decades of a Taliban-led militancy and the 2001 invasion of the US and its allies. The terrorist group of Daesh has also emerged there more recently.

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Trump unveils new strategy to prolong military presence in Afghanistan

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:32AM

US President Donald Trump has unveiled his administration's new strategy in Afghanistan, saying he would prolong the military intervention in the South Asian country, which he once described as a "complete waste."

"My original instinct was to pull out, and historically I like following my instincts, but all of my life I heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk in the Oval Office," Trump said in a nationally televised speech Monday night before a military audience at Fort Myer.

The US president described his decision to continue the US military intervention, albeit with conditions.

"Our commitment is not unlimited, and our support is not a blank check. The American people expect to see real reforms and real results."

Trump, however, did not provide details about an exact number of troops or the exact cost of his decision. The White House has given the Pentagon authority to deploy another 4,000 more troops on top of the 8,400 already in the country.

Trump's willingness to further commit to the war in Afghanistan, rather than withdraw, represents a significant shift in his approach since taking office. As a candidate, Trump denounced the US military intervention there as a "total disaster" which drained resources at a time of more pressing needs at home.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the president said Washington can no longer remain silent towards Pakistan's "safe havens for terrorists."

He was referring to the Taliban and other groups posing a threat to the region and beyond during a prime time address to the nation on Monday, in which he elaborated on a new US strategy towards Afghanistan.

"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations," Trump declared. "Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists."

The commander in chief tacitly threatened Islamabad to cut the "billions and billions of dollars" the US pays Pakistan in aid.

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting," he said. "That will have to change and that will change immediately It is time for Pakistan to dedicate to civilization and order and peace."

US support no 'blank check'

Trump also indicated that Washington could stop supporting the Afghan government if it does not show "determination" in its efforts.

"America will work with the Afghan government as long as we see determination and progress," Trump said. "However, our commitment is not unlimited, and our support is not a blank check. The American people expect to see real reforms and real results."

Victory in Afghanistan would mean "attacking our enemies," and "obliterating" the Daesh Takfiri group. He also vowed to crush al-Qaeda, prevent the Taliban from taking over the country.

The United States -- under Republican George W. Bush's presidency -- and its allies invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror.

Trump who had previously called for withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan argued that his "original instinct was to pull out," but that he was convinced by his national security team to take on the Taliban militants.

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Ex-Yemeni president stresses unity with Houthis against Saudi-led war

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:2AM

Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh says he will continue to cooperate with the Houthi Ansarullah movement in the country to counter the Saudi-led war on Yemen.

Saleh also said on Monday that Saudi Arabia had been targeting Yemen's sovereignty and independence with the military campaign, the Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen TV channel reported.

He also emphasized that the Yemeni nation would not surrender or accept any parties' dictates.

Saleh and the Houthis have been in alliance almost since the Saudi-led war began on their country in March 2015. The war was launched in an attempt to eliminate the Houthis and reinstall Saleh's Riyadh-friendly successor, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who resigned from office.

The Houthi Ansarullah fighters, allied Yemeni army factions, and forces loyal to Saleh have been jointly fighting back the Saudi-led invaders. And Saudi Arabia has attained neither of its objectives despite spending billions of dollars on the war and enlisting the cooperation of dozens of its vassal states as well as some Western countries.

The Saudi-led war, which has been accompanied by a naval and aerial blockade on Yemen, has so far killed over 12,000 people in the impoverished state, left 70 percent of the country's 27 million population in desperate need of humanitarian aid, and caused the worst cholera outbreak in the world.

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Five Takeaways From Trump's New Afghan Strategy

Frud Bezhan August 22, 2017

President Donald Trump laid out a plan on August 21 for waging what has become the longest war in U.S. history in an eagerly awaited address on U.S. "strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia."

The U.S. leader vowed to "win" the 16-year-old Afghan conflict, but he imposed no timeline on the commitment, saying "a core pillar of our new strategy is a shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions."

"From now on, victory will have a clear definition: attacking our enemies, obliterating [militant Islamist group Islamic State, or] ISIS, crushing Al-Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan, and stopping mass terror attacks against America before they emerge," Trump said.

He did not offer "talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities." He also chided Pakistan for allegedly providing "safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond," pledging to "change the approach and how to deal with" Islamabad.

Here are five key takeaways from Trump's speech at the Fort Myer military base near Washington:

1. From Rapid Withdrawal To Uncertain Time Frame

In outlining his new strategy, Trump recommitted the United States to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan, saying U.S. forces must "fight to win" the war.

During the presidential campaign, candidate Trump repeatedly called for a rapid U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He said the war was a huge waste of U.S. "blood and treasure," even declaring on Twitter, "Let's get out!"

Trump acknowledged during his address that his "original instinct was to pull out," but he said he reconsidered because a U.S. exit would create a vacuum that Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) militants would "instantly fill."

Ahmad K. Majidyar, a Middle East and South Asia analyst at the Middle East Institute in Washington, describes the shift to "an enduring commitment without arbitrary withdrawal timelines" as a move that "will convey the right message to both friends and enemies in Afghanistan and the broader region."

2. Tougher Stance On Islamabad

Trump saved his strongest words for Pakistan, which U.S. officials accuse of sheltering the Afghan Taliban and the allied Haqqani network, considered the most lethal Afghan extremist group. "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens," Trump said. "[Pakistan] has much to lose by continuing to harbor terrorists."

Before Trump's decision, proposals made by U.S. officials were reported to include the United States launching a review of whether to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism. Such a designation would have triggered harsh U.S. sanctions, including a ban on arms sales and an end to U.S. economic assistance for Pakistan.

"What stood out from Trump's speech was the straight talk about Pakistan's role in the Afghan war, America's explicit expectations from Pakistan, and a warning after almost 15 years of dithering and ambiguity," says Omar Samad, an analyst and former Afghan ambassador who has advised senior Afghan officials.

3. Sending A Message To The Taliban

Trump described himself as a "problem solver" in his typical bravado style and vowed to "win" the 16-year war. He said he was dealt a "bad and very complex hand" but "these problems will be solved -- I'm a problem solver -- and, in the end, we will win."

He used the word "victory" four times in his 25-minute speech; the word "win" on six other occasions.

Analysts think he may be sending a message.

"Former President Barack Obama's 2009 speech at West Point, which outlined his Afghanistan strategy, didn't mention the word 'victory' even once," says Mohammad Taqi, a Pakistani analyst.

"President Trump -- by reiterating the words victory and win -- has sent a clear message to the Taliban and their backers that the U.S. won't settle for a stalemate," he adds.

4. No More Deadlines

When tuning in to Trump's speech, many expected to hear an announcement on U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan.

Trump, who has criticized his predecessors for setting deadlines for drawing down troops in Iraq and Afghanistan but also hinted at an eagerness to extricate the United States from the Afghan conflict, declined to put a time line on expanded U.S. military operations in Afghanistan.

Trump has previously said deadlines simply give the enemy an opportunity to bide their time.

"America's enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out," the U.S. president said. "I will not say when we are going to attack, but attack we will."

"Everyone expected an announcement on numbers," says Samad, "but to keep that factor ambiguous is a smart tactic, as is the case with end-of-mission dates."

5. Opening For India?

In a surprise overture that could cause shudders in Islamabad, Trump said he wanted India to "help us more with Afghanistan." He said he wanted to "further develop its strategic partnership with India" get New Delhi to send more economic assistance and development to Afghanistan.

New Delhi has poured billions of dollars into the reconstruction effort in Afghanistan, trained hundreds of Afghan officers, and sent Kabul nonlethal weapons and planes.

But any expanded Indian role in Afghanistan could set off alarm bells in rival Pakistan, along with India a nuclear power that is always suspicious of New Delhi's activities in the region.

Pakistan fears being sandwiched between to hostile neighbors and has attempted to establish pro-Pakistani governments in Afghanistan like the Taliban.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/five-takeaways-from-trump- new-afghanistan-strategy/28690605.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ghani, U.S. Allies Welcome Trump's Commitment In Afghanistan

RFE/RL August 22, 2017

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has welcomed the United States' "enduring commitment" in Afghanistan after U.S. President Donald Trump outlined a strategy for the war-wracked country.

In an August 22 statement, Ghani thanked Trump and the American people for supporting "our joint struggle to rid the region [of] the threat of terrorism."

"The U.S.-Afghan partnership is stronger than ever," he added.

During his first formal address to the nation on August 21, Trump backtracked from his campaign pledge to end the United States' longest war as he appeared to commit the country to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan.

However, he sidestepped an announcement on U.S. troops levels in Afghanistan, saying he would not "talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities."

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on August 22 that he was waiting for a plan from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before he makes a decision on how many additional troops to send to Afghanistan.

"When he brings that to me, I will determine how many more we need to send in," he said during a visit to Baghdad. "It may or may not be the number that is bandied about."

The Pentagon has recommended sending nearly 4,000 new troops.

Since peaking at about 100,000 troops in 2010-11, the U.S. force in Afghanistan has diminished. The United States currently maintains 8,400 troops there -- a cap set last year by then-President Barack Obama.

About 5,000 non-U.S. NATO forces are also still in the country, but Britain and other European allies have pledged additional contributions to the alliance's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan in recent weeks.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Trump's "new, conditions-based approach to Afghanistan and the region."

"Our aim remains to ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who would attack our own countries," he said in a statement.

"The U.S. commitment is very welcome," British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said in a statement, adding that it is "in all our interests that Afghanistan become more prosperous and safer."

The German government said it was welcoming "the United States' readiness to continue its long-term commitment in Afghanistan."

A statement also pressed for Kabul to step up its reform and anticorruption efforts and to "seek dialogue with the parts of the Taliban that are prepared for a peaceful reconciliation."

In his speech, Trump warned that Washington will no longer tolerate Pakistan offering "safe havens" to extremist groups such as the Afghan Taliban, a claim Islamabad denies.

At a meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Pakistan on August 22, Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif "reiterated Pakistan's...desire for peace and stability in Afghanistan" and pledged to "work with the international community to eliminate the menace of terrorism," the Foreign Ministry said.

But some Pakistani lawmakers sharply criticized Trump's address.

"The people of Pakistan have suffered the most due to war and terrorism," Senator Sirajul Haq, leader of the Jamat-e-Islami party, told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal. "Instead of sympathizing with our people, [the Americans] are taunting us and scratching our wounds.

"We do not think this policy will render any good to regional peace or the people," Haq said.

Asked about Trump's speech, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying defended Beijing's ally Pakistan, saying it had made "great sacrifices" and "important contributions" in the fight against terrorism.

The U.S. president also said he wanted to "further develop its strategic partnership" with Pakistan's archrival, India, and get New Delhi to "help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development."

India, one of Kabul's closest allies, had spent billions on aid and infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.

The Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it welcomed Trump's "determination to enhance efforts to overcome the challenges faced by Afghanistan and in confronting issues of safe havens and other forms of cross-border support enjoyed by terrorists" -- without naming Pakistan.

It also reaffirmed New Delhi's policy of supporting the government and the people of Afghanistan in their efforts "to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity in their country."

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid dismissed Trump's strategy as "nothing new" and told the United States to think of an exit strategy "instead of continuing the war."

The United States invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 after invoking NATO's Article 5 clause on collective self-defense following the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

The U.S.-led campaign overthrew the Islamist Taliban government, which was hosting Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and his group's training camps.

But U.S. forces have remained bogged down there through the presidencies of George W. Bush, Obama, and now Trump.

A U.S. report found earlier this year that the Taliban controls or contests control of about 40 percent of the country.

U.S. military and intelligence officials are concerned that a withdrawal or reduced presence of U.S. forces would give the Taliban the upper hand in the current standoff and allow Al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants to use Afghanistan as a base for plotting attacks on the United States and its allies.

The strategy in Afghanistan was complicated by internal differences over whether the United States should take a harder line toward Pakistan for failing to shut down alleged Afghan Taliban sanctuaries and arrest Afghan extremist leaders.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, Reuters, AP, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan -us-trump-speech-reaction /28690207.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Atambaev Accepts Jeenbekov's Resignation, Appoints Interim Kyrgyz PM

RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service August 22, 2017

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev has accepted Prime Minister Sooronbai Jeenbekov's resignation and dismissed the government.

Atambaev appointed Deputy Prime Minister Mukhammetkalyi Abulgaziev as interim prime minister on August 22 and asked the outgoing government members to continue carrying out their duties until a new cabinet is formed.

Jeenbekov announced his resignation on August 21, saying that he was stepping down to run for president even though he was not required by law to do so. He registered as a candidate in the October 15 election earlier that day.

A former governor of the Osh region in southern Kyrgyzstan, Jeenbekov had been prime minister since April 2016.

He was nominated for the presidency by the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan and was the third hopeful to be officially registered as a candidate.

The other two are Temir Sariev, leader of the Ak Shumkar (White Falcon) party, and Omurbek Babanov, leader of the Respublika -- Ata Jurt (Republic -- Homeland) parliamentary faction.

The final list of registered candidates is to be made public on September 10.

Atambaev, who has been in office since December 2011, is constitutionally barred from running for a second term in the Central Asian country of 5.7 million.

Controversy has been cast over the election by the August 16 conviction of opposition politician Omurbek Tekebaev on bribery charges his party says were aimed to keep him off the ballot.

Tekebaev was sentenced to eight years in prison in a ruling that bars him from running in the October election and the next presidential vote, due to be held in 2023.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan -atambaev-accepts-resignation- jeenbekov/28690153.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Pakistan Supports Efforts to Restore Peace, Stability in Afghanistan

Sputnik News

21:42 22.08.2017(updated 21:59 22.08.2017)

Pakistan supports efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Monday, Trump presented a new integrated strategy for the United States' South Asia policy. During his speech, the US leader called out Pakistan for frequently providing terrorists with "safe havens," saying that Islamabad could either benefit from its partnership with the United States in Afghanistan or lose out if it supported terrorists.

"The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan's perspective and desire for peace and stability in Afghanistan," the statement said.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a separate statement Tuesday that US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale had held a telephone conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif in course of which Hale briefed the Foreign Minister about Trump's latest statement on the US policy review on South Asia and Afghanistan. Asif, in his turn, underlined Pakistan's continued desire to work with the international community to eliminate the menace of terrorism.

The United States and its allies launched a military operation in Afghanistan in 2001 following 9/11 terror attacks. The mission in Afghanistan ended in 2014. On January 1, 2015, NATO announced its new mission in the country, called Resolute Support, to train and assist the Afghan security forces. More than 8,400 US troops remain in Afghanistan with an additional 5,000 NATO forces.

 Sputnik

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Ghana Mulls Purchases of Russian Helicopters, Military Equipment

Sputnik News

18:53 22.08.2017

The Ghanaian defense minister said that Ghana was interested in purchasing helicopters and military equipment from Russia.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Ghana is interested in purchasing helicopters as well as military equipment such as vehicles and small arms from Russia, Ghanaian Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"We already use Russian helicopters MI-17. Today, we more interested to ensure that we continue with that partnership. We are interested to purchase additional helicopters, purchase some military equipment such as vehicles, small arms, uniforms but our focus more is on helicopters, because that is what we use in our country and they serve us very well," Nitiwul said on the sidelines of the Army-2017 expo.

Nitiwul said that Russia's military technology was top-notch while the weapons were "priced very good to be competitive on the market."

"We are going to have a series of meetings with Rosoboronexport [Russian state arms exporter]. I want to meet them tomorrow and I will know exactly what and how many pieces we are going to purchase," the minister added.

In late 2014, local media reported that Ghana was going to purchase additional Mi-17 helicopters, while the country's authorities were also considering the purchase of Mi-35 helicopters.

 Sputnik

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Russia to Supply Egypt With 15 Ka-52 Alligators by Year-end

Sputnik News

18:09 22.08.2017

Russia will supply Egypt with 15 Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters (NATO reporting name Hokum B) by the end of this year, Russian Helicopters holding company CEO Andrey Boginsky told Sputnik on Tuesday at the Army-2017 forum.

KUBINKA (Moscow region) (Sputnik)  Overall, under a previously signed contract, Moscow is to supply Cairo with 46 Alligators, Boginsky said.

"In August we plan the delivery of the second batch of three Ka-52s to Egypt, the first three machines have already been delivered  Egyptian specialists are currently being trained on them. Overall, in 2017 there are plans to supply the foreign customer with 15 Ka-52s," he said.

The Ka-52 is capable of flying backwards at speeds of 130 kilometers per hour and sideways at speeds of 100 kilometers per hour as well as performing aerobatic maneuvers.

Russian Helicopters, one of the leading players in the global helicopter industry, the sole Russian rotorcraft designer and manufacturer, was established in 2007.

 Sputnik

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US Expects Pakistani Gov-t's 'Decisive Action' Against Militants - Tillerson

Sputnik News

08:56 22.08.2017(updated 09:02 22.08.2017)

The US expects Islamabad to exert efforts aimed at struggle against internal militant groups, US State Secretary Rex Tillerson said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The United States expects that Islamabad will exert efforts aimed at struggle against militant groups on the Pakistani territory as they pose a threat for the entire region, US State Secretary Rex Tillerson said.

"Pakistan has suffered greatly from terrorism and can be an important partner in our shared goals of peace and stability in the region. We look to Pakistan to take decisive action against militant groups based in Pakistan that are a threat to the region," Tillerson said in a statement, as quoted by the US Department of State on Monday.

The diplomat added that within the framework of US national interests both Kabul and Islamabad should "prevent terrorist sanctuaries."

During a press conference earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump said, while presenting a new integrated strategy for the US approach to South Asia, that Pakistan often provides terrorists with a "safe haven" and added that Islamabad could either benefit from the partnership with the United States in Afghanistan, or could lose much in case of its support of terrorists.

 Sputnik

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Taliban Vows to Continue Jihad as Response to Trump's Decision on Afganistan

Sputnik News

08:43 22.08.2017(updated 13:14 22.08.2017)

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid condemned Trump's recent decision to continue the war in Afganistan and said, as quoted by AFP news agency, the terror group would continue 'jihad' in the country.

Taliban spokesman stated that the country would become a US 'graveyard' after Trump's decision to send more troops to Afganistan. He added that the US better think about the exit strategy. Otherwise, the terror group would continue its 'jihad' with a 'high morale'.

US State Secretary Rex Tillerson stated Monday that the Taliban movement will be unable to achieve a military victory in Afghanistan, however, it may receive a legal status by means of talks.

The new US strategy in Afghanistan includes expanded authorities to target terrorists. However, Trump said that the United States would not reveal the number of troops or any future military action plans in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has long experienced significant political, social and security-related instability, as terrorist organizations, including Daesh and the Taliban radical movement (banned in Russia) continue to stage attacks against civilian and military targets.

The United States and its allies launched a military operation in Afghanistan in 2001 following 9/11 terror attacks. The mission in Afghanistan ended on December 28, 2014. On January 1, 2015, NATO announced its new mission in the country, called Resolute Support, to train and assist the Afghan security forces.

 Sputnik

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Tillerson: Taliban May Receive Legal Status Through Talks

Sputnik News

05:33 22.08.2017(updated 07:46 22.08.2017)

US State Secretary Rex Tillerson said that the Taliban movement may receive a legal status by means of talks.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The Taliban movement will be unable to achieve a military victory in Afghanistan, however, it may receive a legal status by means of talks, US State Secretary Rex Tillerson said Monday.

"Our new strategy breaks from previous approaches that set artificial calendar-based deadlines. We are making clear to the Taliban that they will not win on the battlefield. The Taliban has a path to peace and political legitimacy through a negotiated political settlement to end the war," Tillerson said in a statement published by the State Department.

The State Secretary also said that the United States will support talks between the Afghan government and Taliban movement without preliminary conditions.

"We stand ready to support peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban without preconditions. We look to the international community, particularly Afghanistan's neighbors, to join us in supporting an Afghan peace process," Tillerson said in a statement published by the State Department.

Tillerson's comments come after US President Donald Trump unveiled a new US strategy in Afghanistan which included expanded authorities to target terrorists. However, Trump said that the United States would not reveal the number of troops or any future military action plans in Afghanistan.

 Sputnik

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Update: air strikes against Daesh

22 August 2017

The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

Summary

Wednesday 9 August  Typhoons demolished a Daesh-held building in Raqqa.

Thursday 10 August  Tornados and Typhoons struck a terrorist mortar team in northern Iraq, and a defensive position in Raqqa.

Friday 11 August  Tornados and Typhoons attacked a position in Raqqa.

Saturday 12 August  Typhoons destroyed a Daesh headquarters in Raqqa.

Sunday 13 August  Typhoons eliminated three terrorist positions in Raqqa, including machine-gun and mortar teams.

Monday 14 August  Tornados and Typhoons struck five Daesh targets in Raqqa, and a truck-bomb command post in eastern Syria.

Wednesday 16 August  Typhoons attacked a position in Raqqa, whilst Tornados bombed a mortar near Kisik in northern Iraq.

Thursday 17 August  Tornados and Typhoons attacked a mortar near Tall Afar, and two machine-gun teams and a sniper in Raqqa.

Friday 18 August  Tornados destroyed a booby-trapped building in eastern Syria, Typhoons and Tornados dealt with a sniper team in Raqqa.

Saturday 19 August  Typhoons bombed a truck on the move near Bayji, while Tornados attacked a terrorist position in Raqqa.

Sunday 20 August  Tornados and Typhoons hit a target in Raqqa, a group of terrorists and vehicles in eastern Syria, and five Daesh positions around Tal Afar.

Detail

A Typhoon flight saw action over Raqqa on Wednesday 9 August; the Syrian Democratic Forces reported coming under fire from a large building against which our aircraft conducted a successful attack using two Paveway IV guided bombs. The following day, a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair operated over northern Iraq. A terrorist mortar team was identified near Tal Afar, and struck with a Paveway IV. In Raqqa, the Syrian Democratic Forces encountered a Daesh defensive position, but this was dealt with, again using a Paveway IV, by a second mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair.

On Friday, a mixed pair continued to provide support to the SDF and destroyed a further defensive position in Raqqa with a Paveway. Typhoons maintained a presence over Raqqa over the weekend, destroying a Daesh headquarters building on Saturday 12 August, then conducting attacks on Sunday which eliminated three more terrorist positions in the city, including a strongpoint adjacent to the now-abandoned Daesh "Immigration Office", and machine-gun and mortar teams.

A flight Typhoons destroyed a Daesh position in Raqqa on Monday 14 August with Paveway IVs. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair also patrolled over the city and they conducted Paveway IV attacks, which destroyed a sniper team and two machine-guns. The aircraft moved off towards the east of Syria, where a command post that was controlling truck-bomb attacks had been identified 40 miles south of Al Hasakah. This was destroyed with a further Paveway. Typhoons bombed another Daesh position in Raqqa on Wednesday 16 August, whilst Tornados struck a mortar near Kisik in northern Iraq.

With the Iraqi forces advancing on Tal Afar, a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair provided close air support on Thursday 17 August. A coalition surveillance aircraft spotted a terrorist mortar, and was able to guide our aircraft into a successful attack with a Paveway IV. A second mixed pair maintained operations over Raqqa, and used Paveways to destroy one sniper and two machine-gun teams.

On Friday 18 August, Tornados were tasked with the destruction of a heavily booby-trapped building discovered in eastern Syria, south of Al Hasakah, which was too dangerous to approach. The building was destroyed with a Paveway which safely detonated the concealed explosives. Over Raqqa, a mixed pair of aircraft silenced a sniper firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces.

A Typhoon flight faced a challenging target on Saturday 19 August  a fast-moving truck carrying a group of terrorists across the desert in Iraq, west of Bayji. Despite the vehicle's speed, a Paveway IV was guided accurately onto the target, destroying it. Tornados continued to provide close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa, destroying a terrorist strongpoint.

On Sunday 20 August, Typhoons bombed a further Daesh position in Raqqa. In eastern Syria, Tornados targeted a group of terrorists deployed near the border with Iraq  two Paveways hit their trucks and killed several of the extremists. Meanwhile, two mixed flights of Tornados and Typhoons assisted the Iraqi forces around Tall Afar; Paveway IVs destroyed two mortar and rocket teams, an anti-tank missile team, and a group armed with rocket-propelled grenades, whilst a Brimstone missile accounted for a small group of terrorists caught manoeuvring in the open.

UK contribution to the fight against Daesh



Map of UK forces committed to Operation Shader

Campaign against Daesh



Map of Daesh losses and gains in Iraq and Syria since September 2014

Previous update

Saturday 1 July: A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft patrolled over Raqqa. A mortar was reported firing on the SDF, and the Reaper's crew spotted its muzzle flashes from a position concealed beneath a tree. A Hellfire missile destroyed the target. Typhoons were also active over the city, where they used a Paveway IV to silence a heavy machine-gun which was holding up an SDF advance. In northern Iraq, two Tornados assisted the Iraqi troops clearing remaining pockets of Daesh resistance in west Mosul. Paveway IVs were used to destroy two strongpoints from which the Daesh fighters were directing fire. The Tornados then responded to reports of a heavy machine-gun team and a group of suicide bombers preparing to attack the Iraqis  a third position was duly destroyed with a Paveway IV.

Sunday 2 July: Mixed pairs of Tornados and Typhoons operated over both Mosul and Raqqa. In Mosul, the Iraqi ground forces encountered three groups of snipers  all three positions, plus another Daesh-held building, were successfully struck with Paveways. In similar fashion, Paveway IVs were used against two terrorist firing points in Raqqa.

Monday 3 July: Two Royal Air Force Reaper remotely piloted aircraft conducted armed reconnaissance over Raqqa. One assisted Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who had come under attack from a heavy machine-gun on the top floor of a building. A Hellfire missile through the building's roof silenced the terrorist fire. The second Reaper used two Hellfires in a successful attack on a Daesh headquarters for foreign fighters. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair were also active over the city. The SDF, advancing into the centre of Raqqa, encountered a strongly defended building. Our aircraft demolished it with a single Paveway IV guided bomb. Two flights of Tornados operated over northern Iraq the same day. One flight used three Paveway IVs to destroy a group of three workshops producing truck-bombs near Hawijah. The second flight supported Iraqi troops in the Old City of Mosul, and conducted strikes with Paveways and Brimstone missiles on seven Daesh positions, including six machine-gun teams.

Wednesday 5 July: Typhoons continued to support the Iraqi troops in west Mosul. Exceptionally careful coordination was needed given the very short distances between the Iraqi forces and the Daesh positions, but the two Typhoons were able to destroy seven strongpoints, including two with medium machine-guns, each struck by a Paveway IV. Tornados kept watch over the latest SDF advances in Raqqa, and used a Paveway IV to deal with a sniper team.

Thursday 6 July: Two Royal Air Force Typhoons, armed with Paveway IV bombs, operated over Raqqa. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) encountered a large building on the southern edge of the city, close to the bank of the Euphrates, which was heavily defended by Daesh extremists. Two Paveways struck the building and brought an end to the terrorists' activity. A mixed pair of a Typhoon and a Tornado were also active over Raqqa, and these aircraft bombed a sniper position which had been firing persistently at the SDF. A second mixed Tornado/Typhoon pair provided similar support to the Iraqi forces clearing the Old City in Mosul. Attacks with Brimstone missiles dealt with three Daesh positions, whilst a Paveway IV was used to destroy a medium machine-gun team.

Friday 7 July: Tornados flew further missions over Mosul, delivering two Paveway IV attacks which eliminated a sniper team and another group of terrorists firing on Iraqi troops. Further south in Iraq, a Daesh-held building had been identified in the countryside some 25 miles north-west of Bayji, with an armed truck hidden inside. Tornados demolished the building with a direct hit from a Paveway IV. Two more such weapons were used in attacks by Typhoons on a pair of defensive positions which the SDF had come up against in Raqqa.

Saturday 8 July: Typhoons conducted attacks with four Paveway IVs, eliminating a light machine-gun position and three other terrorist strongpoints. Tornados meanwhile continued to support the SDF in Raqqa, striking a Daesh position there.

Sunday 9 July: Typhoons hit a further target in Raqqa, whilst two mixed pairs of Tornados and Typhoons assisted the Iraqis as they fought at very close quarters in Mosul; our aircraft dealt with two snipers and two Daesh-held buildings. Prime Minister Abadi visited the city to mark its liberation.

Wednesday 12 July: A mixed Tornado and Typhoon provided support, and delivered successful attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs on three buildings from which terrorists had been attempting to prolong the fight. Over Raqqa, a second mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair flew overwatch as the Syrian Democratic Forces continued their advance through the city; our aircraft used Paveway IVs to engage three Daesh positions which opened fire on the SDF, and successfully silenced each threat in turn.

Thursday 13 July: Royal Air Force continued to support operations by the Iraqi security forces to eradicate any remaining Daesh fighters in Mosul. Two Tornados used a Paveway IV guided bomb to destroy a building occupied by extremists on the west bank of the Tigris, in the Old City of Mosul.

Friday 14 July: With Mosul largely liberated, the major focus for RAF missions has been to assist the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting in Raqqa. Two Typhoons used a Paveway IV to destroy the entrance to a tunnel dug beneath an area in the west of the city. The following day, Tornados and Typhoons utilised eleven Paveway IV bombs against mortar positions in Raqqa, whilst a pair of Tornados used a Brimstone missile against a sniper holding out in western Mosul.

Sunday 16 July: In the course of surveillance over Raqqa, a Reaper delivered a Hellfire missile attack which killed a small group of terrorists armed with rocket-propelled grenades, who had been firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces from a rooftop. Tornados and Typhoons were also very active over the city, and used a Brimstone missile to attack one terrorist firing point, and Paveway IVs to deal with three sniper teams and two other positions defended by Daesh extremists.

Wednesday 19 July: In northern Iraq, intelligence had identified a warehouse near Hawijah in which large quantities of homemade explosives were being stored by Daesh. A flight of RAF Tornados attacked the building with two Paveway IV guided bombs, and demolished it. A mixed pair of one Tornado and one Typhoon meanwhile provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting to clear the terrorists from Raqqa. A coalition surveillance aircraft identified a Daesh defensive position, and our aircraft conducted a successful attack with a Brimstone missile. A terrorist command post was also identified within the city, and this was struck with two Paveway IVs.

Thursday 20 July: Operations over Raqqa continued, when a Typhoon mission assisted SDF engaged in combat with a group of extremists firing from a building; this was hit with a single Paveway IV which eliminated the threat to the SDF. In northern Iraq, coalition surveillance aircraft had located a number of terrorists on a wooded island in the Tigris, several miles south of Qayyarah, along with their transport  a boat and two vehicles  on the riverbanks. Two Tornados bombed the terrorists on the island with a pair of Paveway IVs, whilst a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair destroyed the boat and vehicles with Brimstone missiles.

Friday 21 July: A pair of Tornados bombed the top of a grain silo in Raqqa, where a group of Daesh were stationed in a combined observation and sniper post. In western Iraq, a mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair used a Brimstone missile to eliminate an anti-aircraft machine gun that was concealed under cover, south-east of Rawah. Our aircraft then flew north-east to an area south of Qayyarah, where a coalition surveillance aircraft was keeping watch on a truck armed with a recoilless anti-tank gun. This was destroyed using a Brimstone.

Saturday 22 July: A Tornado mission used a single Paveway IV to destroy an engineering vehicle which terrorists had attempted to conceal some miles north of Tall Afar. On Sunday and Monday, the RAF operations focused on supporting the SDF in Raqqa.

Sunday 23 July: Three flights of Tornados and Typhoons conducted missions over the city, in which they delivered successful attacks on six Daesh positions, using Paveways IV bombs and Brimstone missiles.

Monday 24 July: Three more Paveway IVs were dropped, targeting a further three terrorist firing points.

Wednesday 26 July: A Royal Air Force Reaper flew an armed reconnaissance mission over eastern Syria. A group of armed terrorists were observed boarding a truck, and the Reaper's crew tracked the vehicle as it headed west along a desert road, some 20 miles south-south-east of Hasakah, before engaging with a Hellfire missile once it was in an isolated location. The missile scored a direct hit which destroyed the truck.

Thursday 27 July: A mixed pair of a Tornado and a Typhoon, based at RAF Akrotiri and supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker, flew overwatch for Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) advancing inside Raqqa. The SDF came under mortar fire from a terrorist position, but a Paveway IV attack removed this threat. Another Paveway IV similarly dealt with a sniper position which was encountered by the SDF two hours later.

Friday 28 July: Another mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair assisted the SDF in Raqqa, and a Paveway IV was used to destroy a terrorist position.

Sunday 30 July: A further mixed pair of aircraft conducted successful Paveway strikes when the SDF came under fire from two snipers as they continued to clear areas of Raqqa from Daesh control.

Monday 31 July: two flights of Typhoons, based at RAF Akrotiri, delivered successful attacks with Paveway IV guided bombs against a defensive position from which Daesh were firing on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and against two sniper teams.

Wednesday 2 August: Typhoons provided further close air support to the SDF; they found themselves coming under sustained heavy machine-gun and sniper fire from a building in Raqqa, but were able to pinpoint the Daesh position, allowing our aircraft to attack with a Paveway IV.

Friday 4 August: An improvised ammunition factory had been identified in a large single-storey building in Raqqa, and this was struck with two Paveway IVs from Typhoons. The Typhoons then conducted two further strikes with Paveways against sniper positions, while a second Typhoon flight dealt with a third sniper team.

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Senior UN political official concerned by recent incidents that undermine Middle East peace process

22 August 2017  A senior United Nations political affairs official today voiced concerns over recent developments that undermine efforts to end the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including Israel's move to amend a law to cement its control over East Jerusalem.

"Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties," Assistant-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenea told the Security Council during his briefing on the situation in the Middle East.

He said that if approved, the proposed amendment to the "Basic Law: Jerusalem the Capital of Israel" would further cement Israeli control over occupied East Jerusalem and would limit the ability of both sides to reach a negotiated solution that is in line with UN resolutions and prior agreements.

"Any move which could impact demographics in the city is extremely worrisome and could spark violence," he said.

Citing the latest settlement activities by Israel, he said that "such actions only fuel perceptions that those working to obstruct the two-state solution are gaining the upper hand" and reiterated that settlements are illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace.

Mr. Jenea said that the recent crisis in Jerusalem's Old City  including several violent attacks and the resulting temporary closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque  highlighted the unsustainability of the current situation, and the need for a political horizon and a clear re-commitment by the international community and both parties to realizing a two-state solution that meets the legitimate national aspirations and security needs of both Palestinians and Israelis.

Commending Israel and Jordan for bringing the crisis to an end, as well as religious leaders on both sides of the conflict for their calls for de-escalation, he said continued coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority was paramount in the current context.

Turning to Gaza, he recalled a recent UN country team report that expressed concerns that the enclave could become unlivable by 2020. He noted that since the hostilities between Hamas and Israel three years ago that killed nearly 1,500 civilians, the overall humanitarian conditions have worsened, with some 29,000 people remaining displaced despite reconstruction efforts.

Mr. Jenea went on to call on Palestinian leaders to address the destructive consequences of their ongoing divisions, urging Hamas to ensure that calm is maintained by ending the militant build-up against Israel and to do its utmost to sustain security at the border with Egypt.

Israel for its part should also step-up measures to lift its closures and facilitate Gaza's development in line with Council resolution 1860 (2009). In addition, he called on donors to respond urgently to the $25 million humanitarian appeal issued in July in the wake of the electricity crisis, and to fill the current 70 per cent funding gap.

He urged all parties to the conflict to take the necessary steps for an enduring peace.

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Trump's Afghanistan Policy to Focus on Operational Results

By Ayesha Tanzeem August 22, 2017

When President Donald Trump announced his long-awaited policy on Afghanistan, his remarks Monday hinted the plan was a compromise between his instinct, to "pull out," and advice he received that "a hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum that terrorists, including IS and al-Qaida, would instantly fill."

The broad strokes of the policy appeared to be the same as the Obama administration - beat back the Taliban, increase pressure on Pakistan and demand reform from the Afghan government.

Shamila Chaudhary, the team director for Afghanistan and Pakistan for President Barack Obama's National Security Council from 2010-2011, pointed out her team also had the goal of going after al-Qaida and other terrorist networks using, as Trump said, "all instruments of American power - diplomatic, economic and military."

Trump's policy, however, includes changes at the operational level.

The Pentagon, for example, is shifting "from a time-based approach to one based on conditions" as well as an expansion in authority for ground commanders to carry out battlefield decisions without micromanagement from Washington.

No longer will timelines of troop withdrawals, or troop levels, be divulged in advance. Critics of Obama's strategy said announcing withdrawal dates ahead of time gave the Taliban an incentive to wait it out.

Pakistan criticism

Trump was harsher in his criticism of Pakistan. "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond," he said.

While recognizing Pakistan has been a partner and has suffered from terrorism, he added, "We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting."

He said that had to change "immediately."

When asked about Trump's speech, Pakistani Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal told VOA his country has "neither any tolerance nor an safe haven for any terrorist."

"Pakistan has paid the highest price for [fighting] terrorism," Iqbal said Tuesday. "So, we are fighting terrorism not for any country's sake but for our own future and for our country's sake."

For years, the United States has demanded Pakistan do more against the Afghan Taliban taking shelter on its territory, particularly the Haqqani network. Pakistan has said it is doing all it can, including conducting military operations against "all terrorists." Behind the scenes, however, Islamabad has said if it cracks down too harshly on the Afghan Taliban, they would join anti-Pakistan militant groups and turn their guns on Pakistan.

"The U.S. could not exclude Pakistan and it could not accept this Pakistani explanation," said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a political analyst based in Lahore. He added the United States understands a solution to Afghanistan is not possible without Pakistan.

Tools for change

During his speech late Monday, President Trump offered Pakistan a carrot and a stick approach, saying, "Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists."

Trump also indicated he would increase India's role in Afghanistan.

Ahmad Majidyar, a senior fellow with the Washington-based Middle East Institute, said Trump mentioned India for two reasons - first, as part of his belief other countries should shoulder more of the burden of international crises and, second, to pressure Pakistan, which has always been wary of Indian influence in Afghanistan.

Islamabad does not want its rival to become so influential in Afghanistan that it confronts Pakistan from the west. Pakistan has often accused the Afghan intelligence agency of working with India to support insurgents in its restive Balochistan province.

But Awais Laghari, a leading member of Pakistan's ruling party and Cabinet member, says, "If you want to extract something positive (from Pakistan) you can't do the stick policy. It has not worked so far. We have our own limitations," he added.

Kamran Bokhari, a senior fellow with the Center for Global Policy and a senior analyst with Geopolitical Future, said the Trump administration could also make it difficult for Pakistan to find money, from international lending institutions like the IMF or the World Bank.

Other policy options could include increased use of drone strikes or Special Forces operations to take out targets on Pakistani soil; but, such past actions have led to a rise in anti-American sentiment in Pakistan. Some analysts say it provides propaganda tools for militant recruiting.

Afghan responsibility

Trump also put Afghanistan on notice, saying it is time for the country to take ownership of its future, remarks former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was in power for nearly a decade until 2014, took issue with in a series of tweets.

"I very strongly oppose the new U.S. strategy towards Afghanistan as it is against peace and the national interest of #Afghanistan," Karzai tweeted Tuesday. "The strategy excludes bringing peace and prosperity to Afghanistan and is focused on more war and rivalry in the region. U.S. must seek peace and stability in Afghanistan rather than extending conflict and bloodshed in #Afghanistan and the region."

A statement by U.S. embassy Kabul Special Charge d'Affaires Ambassador Hugo Llorens clarified U.S. expectations.

"The Afghan government must redouble its reform efforts and deliver on vital promises such as holding parliamentary elections next year and presidential elections in 2019, rooting out corruption, and enacting the tough reforms necessary for meaningful private sector-led economic growth. To maintain stability in the face of insurgent threats, Afghanistan's leaders must also increase outreach to all ethnic groups and seek greater diversity and inclusivity in the government."

Infighting between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah's camps since the 2014 elections has delayed meaningful electoral reforms. Meanwhile, rampant corruption has made efforts to govern, control the narco-trade, or even fight the Taliban insurgency harder.

Jawaid Faisal, the deputy spokesman for Abdullah, acknowledged Afghans need to deliver on reform, adding Afghanistan is "committed to becoming a self-reliant state."

Ghani deputy spokesman Najibullah Azad says the country has undertaken reform. "We have successfully drafted a four-year security plan; top Afghan officials who were accused of corruption have been sentenced."

Trump said the days of America trying to create a society in its image are over, adding, "We will not dictate to the Afghan people how to live, or how to govern their own complex society."

Majidyar said this gave rise to fears the administration might withdraw support for civil society and reduce emphasis on women's rights, promotion of democracy, and development of political institutions. "Most Afghans want peace, but not at the cost of all the gains made in 16 years," he said.

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Mattis Ponders Afghan Troop Surge; Trump Speech Reaction Mixed

By Steve Herman August 22, 2017

Following an announcement by President Donald Trump declaring the United States' commitment to Afghanistan, Secretary of Defense James Mattis said Tuesday he has not yet made a decision on how many troops to send to the South Asian country.

Speaking from Baghdad, Mattis said he is consulting with Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and will make the decision based on his plan.

In an evening address from a military base outside Washington Monday, Trump said that he would not talk about numbers of troops or plans for further military activities, unveiling a "condition-based approach" to defeating terrorism in Afghanistan, without going into detail.

Troop levels

The president has approved up to 4,000 more U.S. troops in Afghanistan, according to sources, speaking on condition they not be named.

Currently, there are about 8,400 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Most are advising Afghan forces, though some are tasked with carrying out counterterrorism operations against groups such as the Taliban or the Islamic State's Afghan affiliate.

That number is down significantly from the height of former President Barack Obama's troop surge, which saw nearly 100,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan in August 2010.

After years of deriding the U.S. war in Afghanistan as a "complete waste," President Donald Trump on Monday explained why he now believes it is in the United States' interest to remain committed to the South Asian country.

His goal, he said, is to stop the re-emergence of safe havens for terrorists to threaten America and make sure they do not get their hands on nuclear weapons.

"Conditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables will guide our strategy from now on. America's enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out. I will not say when we are going to attack, but attack we will," Trump told about 2,000 service members at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

Immediately following the president's speech, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson released a statement saying: "We stand ready to support peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban without preconditions. We look to the international community, particularly Afghanistan's neighbors, to join us in supporting an Afghan peace process."

Trump, in his address, however, very publicly and directly put Pakistan on notice.

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists they are fighting. But that will have to change and that will change immediately," Trump vowed.

The president's address received mixed initial reviews.

"The president failed to define the goals or objectives that would direct the actions of the whole of government approach. The only thing he demonstrated was that his original belief that you can rip troops out of a combat zone without considering the fallout of that action was, in fact, wrong," said Moira Whelan, a partner of BlueDot Strategies and former senior State Department official.

"Trump repealed his original Afghanistan position, but he failed to replace it with something that will make America safer," Whelan told VOA.

Longest US war

The conflict in Afghanistan  with a factionalized unity government riddled with systemic corruption -- has dragged on for 16 years, becoming the longest U.S. war ever, since the Sept. 11, 2001 al-Qaida attacks on the United States.

Expressing frustration, Trump informed Afghanistan that the commitment by the United States is not unlimited and America's support not a blank check.

The American people, he warned, expect "to see real reforms and real results."

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, at Trump's request, spoke to Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday ahead of the address.

Tillerson had spoken over the phone with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, according to the State Department, about how the United States would like to work with each country to stabilize South Asia through a new, integrated regional strategy.

U.S. generals advised Trump to send several thousand more troops to break the stalemate and retake territory from the Taliban, which controls nearly half the country. But Trump, who campaigned on an "America First" foreign policy, has been reluctant to commit more resources to the country.

Reaction

Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani expressed appreciation for Trump's decision Tuesday.

"Today is a special day because a few hours ago the United States' president delivered his speech," Ghani said. "His message was that after this, there is no limited time or conditions on their support for Afghanistan. America will stand with Afghanistan until the end."

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg expressed support for Trump's strategy, saying the alliance aims to ensure Afghanistan cannot be a terrorist sanctuary.

Ahmad Shah Katawazai, a defense liaison at the Afghan embassy in Washington, told VOA he welcomes the renewed U.S. commitment to Afghanistan.

"We think this will ultimately take us to what we want in the end -- allowing no safe haven for terrorists, helping the Afghan government stand on its own feet and putting more pressure on Pakistan," he said.

A spokesperson for India's Ministry for External Affairs also welcomed Trump's pledge to confront "issues of safe havens and other forms of cross-border support enjoyed by terrorists."

There was no immediate public reaction from Pakistan's government, but Pakistan's Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal told VOA that the government would be issuing a statement, without specifying when.

"There is neither any tolerance nor any safe haven for any terrorist in Pakistan. Pakistan has paid the highest price for (fighting) terrorism. So, we are fighting terrorism not for any country's stake but for our own future and for our country's sake," Iqbal said.

Retired Lt. Col. Daniel Davis said he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, "when there were 140,000 U.S. and NATO troops." He said he saw "firsthand that the insurgent and terrorist fighters cannot be militarily defeated."

"Short of a return of major deployments of tens of thousands of U.S. combat troops, this is not a winnable war," Davis told VOA. "No matter what the president said, this war flatly cannot be won militarily. To set a strategy dependent on militarily defeating the enemy is going to fail, just as surely as all other attempts have over the past 16 years."

In Washington, Victor Beattie, Bill Gallo and Chris Hannas contributed to this report

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Angola Prepares for Historic Election

By Anita Powell August 22, 2017

Excitement and suspicion are swirling around Angola's capital as the nation readies itself for a historic vote Wednesday, in the first election many citizens will have seen without the longtime president on the ballot.

Jose Eduardo dos Santos is stepping down after 38 years in power. Five parties are challenging his powerful People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, or MPLA, which has ruled since independence in 1975 and is widely expected to win again.

Already, the two main opposition parties, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, or UNITA, and Broad Convergence for the Salvation of Angola Electoral Coalition, or CASA-CE, have said they see irregularities in the election preparations.

The parties accused the MPLA of using government vehicles and resources for campaigning, and they alleged the state broadcaster has given preferential treatment to dos Santos' party. The MPLA has denied irregularities.

Separate counts

The youth-oriented CASA-CE this week cast further doubt over the integrity of the election by announcing it would make an independent vote tally in Wednesday's poll.

CASA-CE candidate and spokesman Lindo Bernardo Tito said his party fears the MPLA will rig this vote to ensure that MPLA maintains power and dos Santos' chosen successor, Defense Minister Joao Lourenco, takes office.

"The ruling party installed in this country does not guarantee fair, free and transparent elections," he told VOA.

The electoral commission has dismissed allegations and maintained the vote will be free and fair.

Still, analysts and voters say this is an important opportunity for the oil-rich nation. It could, said professor Riuk Andove of the Independent University of Angola, signal a new era in postwar politics. Angola weathered a civil war that ended only in 2002.

"It's important because it's the first time that Angolans are going to an election with the main actors from the civil war era outside of the electoral game," he said.

Making their mark

Some voters were undeterred by the controversy and said they were eager to participate in this poll.

"I'm going to vote for the first time," said ruling party supporter Daniel Cailane, 21. "I'm excited to give this contribution to my country."

Domingos Nicolau, 80, spoke of the hope he had when Angola gained independence from Portugal, and how he was disappointed that the nation's immense oil wealth hasn't trickled down to him or his 12 grandchildren  or, for that matter, the majority of citizens. That's why, after previously supporting the ruling party, he's changing sides.

"We want to make a free and a fair change," he told VOA.

That is a common refrain on the hectic streets of this seaside capital, where luxury cars and banged-up buses weave through potholed streets, where oil rigs twinkle off the coast at night, lending the only light to coastal neighborhoods that have never had electricity.

It's also where one man watches from his pink palace atop Luanda's highest hill, and prepares, after so many years, to step down.

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4 Barcelona Attack Suspects Appear for Court Interrogations

By VOA News August 22, 2017

A suspect arrested in connection with last week's deadly van attack in Barcelona told Spain's high court Tuesday that the group had been planning a much larger attack using explosives, judicial sources said.

Mohamed Houli Chemlal, who was arrested after being hurt in a blast southwest of Barcelona a day before the van attack, was the first of four suspects to testify Tuesday, a day after police shot dead the man they say was the van's driver.

Authorities say a 12-man terror cell was behind the attack, and that eight of the suspects have either been killed by police or died in an accidental explosion at their bomb-making facility on the day before the attack.

The massive manhunt for the last outstanding suspect, Younes Abouyaaqoub, ended Monday in a rural area known for its vineyards about 45 kilometers west of Barcelona. Authorities say they shot the fugitive after he held up what appeared to be a bomb belt, which they later discovered was fake.

"We confirm that the man shot dead in #subirats is Younes Abouyaaqoub, author of the terrorist attack in #barcelona," police tweeted on Monday.

Van driver chase

Catalan Interior Minister Joaquim Forn told Catalunya radio that "everything indicates" Younes Abouyaaqoub was behind the wheel of the van during Thursday's Barcelona attack that killed 15 people.

Police say a bomb disposal robot was dispatched to approach the man's body after the shooting to check the apparent suicide belt.

They said officers were alerted to the fugitive by a caller who reported a suspicious person near the local train station and then by another witness who said she was sure she saw Abouyaaqoub in the small town of Subirats fleeing through the vineyards. Authorities later found the man hiding in the vineyards and asked for his identification, leading to the shoot-out.

Islamist connections

Many of the suspects had connections to the northeastern town of Ripoll, one of the places where police have focused their investigation.

Authorities say Abouyaaqoub, who was born in Morocco and has Spanish residency, also is suspected of carjacking a man and stabbing him to death as he made his getaway from the Barcelona attack.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Barcelona attack along with another vehicle attack on Friday in which a car crashed into people in the resort town of Cambrils, Spain, and the attackers then got out and tried to stab people. One person was killed and several people were wounded. Authorities believe both attacks were carried out by the same terrorist cell.

Authorities believe an imam named Abdelbaki Es Satty may have radicalized some of those who carried out the attack in Barcelona and the later attack in Cambrils. The imam was among those killed in the explosion at the bomb-making facility.

Arrests may have prevented more attacks

Deakin University professor of global Islamic politics Greg Barton told VOA Spain's previous arrests of terrorism suspects could explain why it has not dealt with the same number of attacks as other countries in Europe, such as France and Belgium in recent years.

"Spain is not immune from these problems, particularly Catalonia, where there are links with northern Morocco," Barton said. "But Spain up until now has been able to keep on top of the problem, whereas France and Belgium have been struggling."

Barton also said there does not seem to be any particular link between the influx of migrants to Europe and these attacks.

"The individuals being recruited have largely grown up in the countries where they're recruited and they launch attacks in neighborhoods familiar to them," he said.

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Russia's New Soyuz-5 Carrier Rocket to Cheapen Satellite Insertion Into Orbit

Sputnik News

14:58 22.08.2017(updated 17:50 22.08.2017)

According to the director general of Russia's Roscosmos, Russia's new Soyuz-5 carrier rocket will make inserting satellites into orbit seriously cheaper.

KUBINKA (Russia) (Sputnik)  Russia's new Soyuz-5 carrier rocket will be on demand on the international market and will make inserting satellites into orbit seriously cheaper, the director general of Russia's Roscosmos state space corporation, Igor Komarov, said on Tuesday.

"We expect that the rochet will be in demand, and secondly it will seriously cheapen the insertion of the payload," Komarov said at the Army-2017 forum.

He pointed out that some commercial customers as well as foreign space agencies had already showed interest in the rocket.

"It will be possible to speak about specific orders only when the rocket is constructed and tested," Komarov added.

Roscosmos also plans to carry out 25 launches this year, Komarov added.

"There will definitely be a trend toward an increase, we see from the trajectory. We had 11 launches this year and by the end of the year, I think we will increase the total number to 25," Komarov said.

Roscosmos performed 19 launches in 2016.

Russia hosts the Army-2017 exhibition, which starts on Tuesday and concludes on August 27, to showcase hi-tech military innovations and achievements. More than 300 representatives of the foreign defense ministries will participate in the forum, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

 Sputnik

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Belarus Invites Observers To Monitor 'Zapad 2017' Exercises, But NATO Critical

RFE/RL August 22, 2017

The Belarusian Defense Ministry has invited observers from several countries to the Zapad 2017 joint Belarusian-Russian military exercise that takes place September 14-20 in Belarus, but NATO has said such efforts "fall short."

"Observers from seven countries -- Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, and Norway -- have been invited to this event," the Belarusian Defense Ministry said in an August 22 statement.

Russia and Belarus say that Zapad 2017 is expected to involve some 12,700 soldiers.

The Belarusian statement said on August 22 that the invitation came as part of the 2011 Vienna Document, which sets thresholds for the number of troops allowed to take part in exercises before the opposing side is allowed to demand a mandatory inspection.

Exercises involving 13,000 or more troops are subject to mandatory inspections. In the case of exercises involving 9,000 or more soldiers, the other side must be notified.

Meanwhile, a NATO official told RFE/RL on August 22 that Belarus has invited military liaison missions to attend "distinguished visitors' days" -- when foreign officials such as attaches can come and visit -- during the Zapad 2017 exercise, and that NATO will send two experts to attend.

However, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because NATO officials are not allowed to speak on the record unless instructed to do so, said that the participation of NATO experts "is not the same as observation as set out in the Vienna Document."

"We regret that neither Russia nor Belarus have applied the Vienna Document transparency measures to Zapad, in line with the rules agreed by all OSCE states," the official said.

"The Vienna Document transparency measures are important because they prevent misperceptions and miscalculations.

"A Vienna Document observation has required elements to it -- briefings on the scenario and progress, opportunities to talk to individual soldiers about the exercise, and overflights of the exercise.

"Russia and Belarus are instead choosing a selective approach that falls short. Such avoidance of mandatory transparency raises questions," the official said.

Lithuania's Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis warned in June that Moscow might use the maneuvers as cover for an aggressive troop buildup on NATO's eastern flank. Karoblis said his government estimated that 100,000 Russian troops would be involved in the exercises, rather than the official 12,700.

Formerly Soviet-ruled Baltic states worry that, after Ukraine, they may be next to face pressure from the Kremlin, which is why they are casting a wary eye on Zapad 2017 drills in Belarus, which borders Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels, AFP, BELTA, Interfax, and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-russia-zapad- exercises-nato-critical-monitors/28690907.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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DPRK envoy warns China to make the right choice

People's Daily Online

(CNTV) 19:31, August 22, 2017

The DPRK's Envoy to China, Park Myung Ho, held a press conference on Tuesday at the country's embassy in Beijing. He criticized US Vice President Mike Pence's urging of Latin American countries -- Brazil, Chile, Peru and Mexico -- to cut ties with DPRK.

Park stated that the US's actions of separating the DPRK from its Latin American friends are extremely selfish and arrogant. It is not the first time that the US has been forcing countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to cut ties with Pyongyang. He stresses that the DPRK will continue to develop friendly relations with other countries in line with the principles of peace and independence.

When asked about his take on the current joint military drills between the US and ROK, the official says that the US should make the right choice and immediately stop its provocative acts.

He emphasizes that nobody can guarantee that the troops for the drills will not transform into real battle forces. The US is the culprit that has broken the peace on the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang has already warned Washington to make the right choice, or there will be inevitable revenge and punishment for the US.

The press conference takes place right after the US and South Korea started their joint military exercise on Monday.

The drills are a computerized simulation. About 17,500 US service members are taking part, down from 25,000 last year.

On Monday, the DPRK's central news agency said the US would face "merciless revenge" for ignoring Pyongyang's warnings over annual military drills with ROK.

The press conference is a part of the pattern of belligerent language used by Washington and Pyongyang in their ongoing tensions. Diplomatic efforts seem to have hit a roadblock, but the two sides have so far prevented another devastating conflict more than six decades after the Korean War.

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DPRK military says U.S. drills could turn into war

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 15:16, August 22, 2017

The army of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Tuesday that U.S.-South Korean military drills could result in an outbreak of war.

The DPRK's army said in a statement that more than 17,500 U.S. soldiers and 50,000 South Korean troops, plus soldiers from eight other countries and tens of thousands of South Korean paramilitaries, joined in the "war rehearsal".

"No one can vouch that these huge forces concentrated in South Korea will not go over to an actual war action now that the military tensions have reached an extreme pitch on the Korean Peninsula," the statement said.

The United States and South Korea on Monday kicked off their annual Ulchi-Freedom Guardian joint military drill amid high tension on the Korean Peninsula and repeated appeals for restraint on both sides by many countries.

Ulchi-Freedom Guardian is referred to a combined military exercise between the United States and South Korea, which is considered the world's largest computerized command and control operation. The exercise was initiated in 1976 and is held annually during August or September.

The statement said the United States will be "wholly held accountable for the catastrophic consequences to be entailed by such reckless aggressive war maneuvers."

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US imposes sanctions on Chinese, Russian entities over North Korea

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 4:10PM

The US Treasury Department has unveiled a fresh round of sanctions over North Korea's nuclear program, this time targeting new Chinese and Russian entities.

The Treasury said on Tuesday that the 10 companies and six individuals targeted in the sanctions had been involved in business with North Korea that allowed the country to advance its nuclear and missile programs.

It said the sanctions were meant to disrupt the economic ties that enable North Korea to expand its weapons program despite recurrent rounds of resolution banning the activity.

Most of the sanctions were aimed at companies in China. Beijing has generally endorsed international pressure led by Washington on Pyongyang and has literally introduced restrictions on transactions with its neighbor. However, Chinese companies still remain a vital lifeline for the North Korean government when it comes to business with the isolated nation. The economic interaction has mostly been conducted through the purchase of North Korea's coal, oil and mineral resources or the provision of banking services to Pyongyang.

The sanctions, however, could draw fierce criticism from China as some of them have even blacklisted Chinese individuals that have coordinated the recruitment of North Korean nationals oversees simply for works such as building statutes. The Treasury said those activities also helped North Korea finance its weapons program through remittance sent home by laborers.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula heightened last month when Washington engineered tougher sanctions in the United Nations Security Council over the North's testing of two intercontinental ballistic missiles. US President Donald Trump, who made some harsh rhetoric against Pyongyang and threatened it with large-scale military action, also criticized China for not doing enough to contain the North. China responded by saying that Washington should lower its expectations about China's influence on Pyongyang.

The Treasury said on Tuesday that anyone supporting North Korea would be excluded from doing business in the United States.

"Treasury will continue to increase pressure on North Korea by targeting those who support the advancement of nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and isolating them from the American financial system," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, adding, "It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region."



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North Korea says weapons program justifiable in face of threats

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 12:9PM

North Korea has declared that it will not step back an inch from its nuclear program and other weapons development plans, saying it is fully justifiable in the face of threats of attack against the country.

A senior North Korean diplomat representing the country in a United Nations disarmament forum in Geneva, Switzerland, said on Tuesday that Pyongyang's weapons activities were legitimate as a form of deterrence and the country would never put the issue on the negotiating table.

"The DPRK will never place its self-defensive nuclear deterrence on the negotiating table or step back an inch from the path it took to bolster the national nuclear force" said Ju Yong Chol, adding that the expansion of the weapons program would continue due to what he called "constant nuclear threats" by the United States.

Ju said a current joint military exercise by the US and South Korea could further complicate the situation on the Korean Peninsula, adding that the "military adventure would certainly add gasoline to the fire, driving the current tense situation to further deterioration."

North Korea's envoy said the US and South Korea were pursuing "a secret operation to remove the leadership," adding that the joint drill was "an aggressive war scenario to carry out preemptive strikes against the DPRK."

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated late last month when North Korea tested a second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), posing a serious threat to the US and allies in the region. The rocket is reportedly capable of targeting the mainland United States. The ICBM tests unleashed harsher rounds of economic and security sanctions on North Korea in the United Nations and prompted huge anger in Pyongyang.

North Korean officials announced earlier this month that they have plans for firing four less-sophisticated missiles near the US island of Guam in the Pacific. That came right after US President Donald Trump threatened the North with "fire and fury" the world has never seen before. Tensions subsided a little after Trump stopped issuing more threats and North Korea seemingly backtracked on the promise to attack Guam.

The renewed tensions on Tuesday came after Robert Wood, the US envoy to the disarmament forum in Geneva, said during the meeting that Trump's top priority was still to protect the United States and its allies against the "growing threat" from North Korea.

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North Korea condemns US-South Korean wargames

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 6:15AM

North Korea has warned that the ongoing military drills between the South and the US could trigger a "nuclear war" in the region, vowing a "merciless strike" against American territories.

In a Monday statement, the North Korean military accused the US of deploying "lethal" weapons for the so-called Ulchi Freedom Guardian with Seoul, saying the drill would feature a "beheading operation" training aimed at removing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The statement also said the North will launch an unspecified "merciless retaliation and unsparing punishment" on the US over the exercises, that will run for some two weeks.

"No one can vouch that these huge forces concentrated in South Korea will not go over to an actual war action now that the military tensions have reached an extreme pitch in the Korean Peninsula," the statement further said.

Pyongyang views the US-South Korean military exercises as practice for invasion.

It also slammed a visit by top US generals, including commander of US forces in the Pacific Admiral Harry Harris, to Seoul earlier in the day, when the drills kicked off, saying they were in the South "to hold a war confab."

The US generals are to travel to the site of a contentious US missile-defense system in South Korea later Tuesday.

Another statement by the North's official KCNA news agency also said Monday that the joint Washington-Seoul maneuvers are "aimed to ignite a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula at any cost."

"The situation on the Korean Peninsula has plunged into a critical phase due to the reckless north-targeted war racket of the war maniacs," the statement added.

Meanwhile, China has also advised the US against adding to the tensions in the region.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the joint military drills do not serve deescalation, urging Seoul and Washington to stop them.

"We think that South Korea and the United States holding joint drills is not beneficial to easing current tensions or efforts by all sides to promote talks," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing.

Ties between the Koreas are almost always fraught, but anxiety is higher than normal following weeks of tit-for-tat threats between President Donald Trump and Pyongyang in the wake of the North's two intercontinental ballistic missile tests last month.

The maneuvers are largely computer-simulated wargames held every summer and have drawn furious responses from North Korea.

This year's training involves 17,500 American troops and 50,000 South Korean soldiers, according to the US military command in South Korea and Seoul's Defense Ministry.

No field exercises, like live-fire exercises or tank maneuvering, are involved in the Ulchi drills, in which alliance officers sit at computers to practice how they would engage in battles and hone their decision-making capabilities. South Korean President Moon Jae-in claimed the joint drills were purely defensive in nature and did not aim to increase tension on the peninsula.

Tensions surged last month after Pyongyang successfully launched two intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) which arms experts say can reach the US mainland.

Earlier this month, President Trump threatened Pyongyang with "fire, fury ... the likes of which this world has never seen."

Pyongyang in response said that it would launch missiles into the waters near the US Pacific island of Guam, where American troops are stationed and some 160,000 US citizens live.

Last week, however, North Korea, which is under mounting international pressure over its missile and military nuclear programs, "postponed" the move.

The US is opposed to the North Korean missile and military nuclear programs. Pyongyang says it needs them as a deterrent against US hostility.

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Ukraine Rejects Claims It Supplied Rocket Engines To North Korea

RFE/RL August 22, 2017

Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council has rejected reports that Kyiv supplied missile technology to North Korea, saying that such claims amounted to Russian disinformation.

The council on August 22 published the results of its investigation into the alleged sale of missile technology, including the RD-250 rocket engine, from Ukrainian state-owned plant Pivdenmash to North Korea.

Oleksandr Turchynov, the council's chief, reported the results of the investigation to President Petro Poroshenko on August 22, the council said in a post on its website.

The council concluded that Ukraine did not supply any missile technology to Pyongyang, Turchynov said in his report. The council has "unanimously come to the conclusion that Ukraine was not involved in the development of North Korea's ballistic-missiles program," Turchynov said.

It said Ukraine had stopped producing RD-250 rocket engines in 1991 and completely discontinued the production of this engine type in 1994.

The last batch of RD-250 rocket engines was exported to Russia before 2008, Turchynov said.

The council established a team of interagency investigators to look into claims made in a New York Times article earlier this month that Ukraine had helped North Korea with its missile program by providing advanced rocket engines.

The council concluded that the American newspaper had been the victim of Russian disinformation.

The August 14 article, titled North Korea's Missile Success Is Linked to Ukrainian Plant, Investigators Say, said Kyiv had aided North Korea in developing its nuclear weapons delivery system.

The allegations were based on a study by missile expert Michael Elleman published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank.

Elleman's study, as well as unnamed sources in U.S. intelligence, said that the rocket engines -- identified as RD-250s -- "likely" came to North Korea from Ukraine's Yuzhny machine-building plant known as Pivdenmash in Ukrainian or Yuzhmash in Russian.

Turchynov said that an "existing state export control system excludes any possibility of the transfer of military and dual-use goods" to countries under UN Security Council sanctions, such as North Korea.

Thirty RD-250 rocket engines and 10 RD-262s (a modified version of the RD-250), manufactured in 1991, were exported to Russia between 1992 and 2008, Turchynov said in his report.

Reports of the detention and conviction of North Korean spies for an attempt to steal missile technology papers from Ukraine in 2012 were not confirmed.

"Documentation for the production of missile technology and components is reliably stored at specially equipped premises, which is confirmed by the relevant authorities of Ukraine," Turchynov said.

The interagency investigation concluded that Russian is running a disinformation campaign intended to deflect suspicions about Moscow's potential participation in Pyongyang's military program and discredit Ukraine.

"The Working Group considers the article in The New York Times of 14 August 2017 to be a tactic of obfuscation and distraction of the international community's attention from the possible participation of the Russian Federation in North Korea's rocket program," Turchynov said in his report.

Poroshenko, commenting on the report, said he had instructed the Foreign Ministry to put together a group of experts and take the issue to the UN Security Council.

With reporting by kyivpost.com

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine- rejects-claims-it-supplied-rocket-engines- north-korea/28691003.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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U.S. Hits Russians, Chinese With New Sanctions Over North Korea

RFE/RL August 22, 2017

WASHINGTON -- The United States has imposed new economic sanctions against a series of Chinese and Russian companies and individuals, accusing them of aiding the North Korean regime and its missile and nuclear programs.

The Treasury Department announced the new measures August 22, saying the penalties were intended to further isolate Pyongyang.

The list includes six Chinese companies, a Russian company, and four Russian individuals, as well as a construction company based in Africa and two Singapore-based companies that allegedly sell oil to North Korea.

In addition to helping North Korea's weapons programs, the Treasury Department said the companies helped "facilitate its exportation of workers, and enabled sanctioned North Korean entities to access the U.S. and international financial systems."

The Treasury statement gave no further details.

However, North Korean workers have long been utilized by Russian companies doing timber harvesting and other natural resource extraction in Siberia's vast wilderness, as often as not with awareness of local authorities.

The sanctions aim to block any financial assets the companies and individuals might have, for example, with U.S. banks, and forbid Americans from conducting transactions with them.

Like previous U.S. administrations, President Donald Trump has struggled to respond to North Korea's increasingly sophisticated weapons programs and its persistent belligerence.

Trump himself recently threatened "fire and fury" against Pyongyang, rhetoric that alarmed many observers in East Asia.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-sanctions -north-korea-russia-chinese-firms- individuals/28690926.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Reports: Kim Jong-un Secretly Visits Border Troops to Check Readiness

Sputnik News

22:00 22.08.2017(updated 22:29 22.08.2017)

Reports surfaced Tuesday indicating that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a secret visit to a military unit near the inter-Korean border earlier this month, prompting South Korea to shore up its defenses against a possible provocation.

In early August, Kim reportedly visited Pyongyang's border unit for a secret inspection. The band of troops lies about 1,000 meters from neighboring Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, where South Korea's outpost is located.

According to military officials, the North's border unit is surrounded by streams and mountains, and while it isn't clear what Kim did while visiting the unit, some believe that was checking their readiness and may have given them a mission, sources told the Korea Times.

Kim had been out of the public eye from late July to mid-August.

After attending a banquet celebrating the successful second test launch of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on July 30, Kim wasn't seen in public again until he visited the Korean People's Army (KPA) Strategic Force Command on August 15.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports that army generals briefed Kim on a planned and apparently readied missile attack on Guam, a US territory, during the inspection. According to KCNA, the leader decided to "watch such stupid American behavior for a bit longer" rather than giving the go ahead for the attack, taking what appears to be a step back from his belligerent stance after Washington suggested diplomatic talks.

However, Kim said he would have to make an "important" decision if Washington's "extremely dangerous reckless actions" on the Korean Peninsula continue, in what appears to be a reference to joint military drills by the US, South Korea and a number of guest nations launched Monday.

As the US and South Korea begin their annual 10-day Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercises, the allied nations are enhancing their surveillance and military readiness against potential provocation from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The Combined South Korean-US Forces Command have alerted more intelligence agents, and it is reported US Forces Korea and Air Force have flown additional tactical reconnaissance aircraft over the peninsula.

Though Pyongyang walked back it's specific threat against Guam, it continues to call the US and South Korean drills and intolerable provocation, and it insists war cannot be ruled out.

North Korean military officials said Tuesday that "No one can vouch that these huge forces concentrated in South Korea will not go over to an actual war action now that the military tensions have reached an extreme pitch in the Korean Peninsula," according to AP.

"Moreover, high-ranking bosses of the US imperialist aggressor forces flew into South Korea to hold a war confab. Such huddle is increasing the gravity of the situation."

 Sputnik

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North Korea Showed Restraint in Missile Tests After UN Sanctions - Tillerson

Sputnik News

21:57 22.08.2017

According to the US secretary of state, North Korea shows restraint in missile tests after the newly imposed UN Security Council sanctions.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday that the United States welcomes the restraint that North Korea has demonstrated after the newly imposed sanctions by the UN Security Council.

"We have had no missile launches or provocative actions on the part of North Korea since the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution," Tillerson said in a press conference. "I am pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that we have not seen in the past."

Moreover, the United States hopes that the level of restraint North Korea has demonstrated after the new UN Security Council resolution could lead to dialogue with Pyongyang in near future.

"We hope that this is the beginning that they are ready to restrain their provocative actions. And that perhaps we are seeing our pathway to sometime in near future having some dialogue. We need to see more on their part, but I want to acknowledge the steps they have taken thus far," Tillerson said.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has become aggravated in recent months due to a series of missile launches and nuclear tests conducted by Pyongyang, all of which are claimed to be in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Earlier in August, the UNSC unanimously adopted Resolution 2371, which further tightens sanctions imposed on North Korea.

 Sputnik

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Treasury Targets Chinese and Russian Entities and Individuals Supporting the North Korean Regime

U.S. Department of the Treasury

8/22/2017

OFAC Designates 16 for Activities Related to Support of North Korea's Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Programs, Energy Trade, Labor Exports, and Sanctions Evasion

Washington  The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 10 entities and six individuals in response to North Korea's ongoing development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), violations of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions, and attempted evasion of U.S. sanctions. Today's sanctions target third-country companies and individuals that (1) assist already-designated persons who support North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, (2) deal in the North Korean energy trade, (3) facilitate its exportation of workers, and (4) enable sanctioned North Korean entities to access the U.S. and international financial systems. As a result of today's action, any property or interests in property of the designated persons in the possession or control of U.S. persons or within the United States must be blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.

These actions taken by the Treasury Department complement United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2371, enacted on August 5, 2017, and hold the Government of North Korea responsible for its continued testing of ballistic missiles and WMD development.

"Treasury will continue to increase pressure on North Korea by targeting those who support the advancement of nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and isolating them from the American financial system," said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. "It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region. We are taking actions consistent with UN sanctions to show that there are consequences for defying sanctions and providing support to North Korea, and to deter this activity in the future."

Today's designations were made pursuant to E.O. 13382, which targets WMD proliferators and their supporters, and E.O. 13722, which targets, in part, North Korea's revenue from coal, as well as its energy and financial services industries. Details of these actions are described below.

North Korean WMD Programs

OFAC designated China-based Dandong Rich Earth Trading Co., Ltd. for its support to UN- and U.S.-designated Korea Kumsan Trading Corporation, an entity OFAC previously designated for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the UN- and U.S.-designated General Bureau of Atomic Energy, which is responsible for North Korea's nuclear program. Dandong Rich Earth Trading Co., Ltd. has purchased vanadium ore from Korea Kumsan Trading Corporation. UNSCR 2270 prohibits North Korea's exports of vanadium ore, and requires member states like China to prohibit the procurement of vanadium ore from North Korea.

OFAC designated Gefest-M LLC and its director, Russian national Ruben Kirakosyan, for support to the UN- and U.S.-designated Korea Tangun Trading Corporation, also known as Korea Kuryonggang Trading Corporation, which is subordinate to the UN- and U.S.-designated Second Academy of Natural Sciences, an entity involved in North Korea's WMD and missile programs. Gefest-M LLC, a company based in Moscow, has been involved in the procurement of metals for Korea Tangun Trading Corporation's Moscow office.

OFAC also designated China- and Hong Kong-based Mingzheng International Trading Limited ("Mingzheng"). Mingzheng acts as a front company for UN- and U.S.-designated Foreign Trade Bank (FTB), and it has provided financial services to FTB by, among other things, conducting U.S.-dollar denominated transactions on behalf of FTB. FTB is North Korea's primary foreign exchange bank; it was designated by the United Nations on August 5, 2017 as part of UNSCR 2371. OFAC designated FTB in 2013 for facilitating transactions on behalf of North Korea's proliferation network, including for UN- and U.S.-designated Korea Mining Development Corporation and Korea Kwangson Banking Corporation. On June 29, 2017, OFAC designated Mingzheng's owner, Sun Wei.

North Korean Coal and Oil Trade

North Korea generates a significant share of the money it uses to fuel its nuclear and ballistic missile programs by mining natural resources and selling those resources abroad. In particular, coal trade has generated over $1 billion in revenue per year for North Korea, activity which prompted the UN Security Council to seek to sharply curtail such exports in UNSCR 2321 of November 30, 2016, and to fully ban them in UNSCR 2371 of August 5, 2017. Today OFAC designated three Chinese coal companies collectively responsible for importing nearly half a billion dollars' worth of North Korean coal between 2013 and 2016. Dandong Zhicheng Metallic Materials Co., Ltd. ("Zhicheng"), JinHou International Holding Co., Ltd., and Dandong Tianfu Trade Co., Ltd. have sold, supplied, transferred, or purchased coal or metal, directly or indirectly, from North Korea, and the revenue may have benefitted the nuclear or ballistic missile programs of the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea. JinHou International Holding Co., Ltd. and Dandong Tianfu Trade Co., Ltd. also were designated for operating in the mining industry in the North Korean economy.

Zhicheng specializes in the import, export, and transport of steel and anthracite coal, and it has worked with a number of U.S.-designated entities, including the UN-designated Koryo Credit Development Bank and Korea Ocean Shipping Agency. Zhicheng allegedly used the foreign exchange received from the end users of North Korean coal to purchase other items for North Korea, including nuclear and missile components. Zhicheng's director and majority owner, Chi Yupeng, was also designated today pursuant to E.O. 13722. Chi Yupeng has used a network of companies to engage in bulk purchases, wire transfers, and other transactions on behalf of North Korean interests. UNSCR 1718 prohibits direct and indirect support for North Korea's WMD program.

OFAC designated three Russian individuals and two Singapore-based companies involved in providing oil to North Korea. Transatlantic Partners Pte. Ltd. ("Transatlantic"), Mikhail Pisklin, and Andrey Serbin were designated pursuant to E.O. 13722 for operating in the energy industry in the North Korean economy. Pisklin, through Transatlantic, concluded a contract to purchase fuel oil with Daesong Credit Development Bank, a North Korean bank designated in 2016. Serbin is a representative of Transatlantic who worked with Irina Huish of Velmur Management Pte. Ltd. ("Velmur") to purchase gasoil for delivery to North Korea. Velmur was designated for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Transatlantic. Velmur also sold gasoil to North Korea. OFAC also designated Velmur's executive director, Irina Huish, for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Velmur, and she has also worked with Transatlantic to circumvent sanctions. Both of these companies have attempted to use the U.S. financial system to send millions of dollars in payments on behalf of North Korea-related transactions.

Overseas Labor Revenue

OFAC designated Mansudae Overseas Projects Architectural and Technical Services (Proprietary) Limited for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, and having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Mansudae Overseas Projects Group of Companies (MOP). MOP was designated by the United Nations on August 5, 2017 as part of UNSCR 2371. OFAC designated MOP in December 2016 for having engaged in, facilitated, or been responsible for the exportation of workers from North Korea, including exportation to generate revenue for the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea. MOP is known to have used these workers to build statues abroad to raise revenue, a practice prohibited by UNSCR 2321, which led to MOP also being designated by the UN through UNSCR 2371. Some of the revenue generated by overseas laborers has been used by the UN- and U.S.-designated Munitions Industry Department, which is responsible for overseeing North Korea's ballistic missiles program and was designated by the U.S. Department of State in 2010 pursuant to E.O. 13382.

OFAC also designated Kim Tong-Chol and Qingdao Construction (Namibia) CC ("Qingdao") pursuant to E.O. 13722. Kim Tong-Chol was designated for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, and having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, MOP, Mansudae Overseas Projects Architectural and Technical Services (Proprietary) Limited, and Qingdao. Qingdao, a Namibia-based subsidiary of a Chinese company, was designated for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, MOP and Mansudae Overseas Projects Architectural and Technical Services (Proprietary) Limited. Kim Tong-Chol entered into an agreement with Qingdao wherein Qingdao would take over four Namibian government-sponsored construction projects, as well as MOP employees and materials associated with the projects.

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Five Defense Firms Fight for Supplying 150 Heavyweight Torpedoes for Indian Navy

Sputnik News

15:30 22.08.2017

An earlier plan of the Indian Navy to purchase a fewer number of torpedoes had to be cancelled amid a corruption controversy.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  The Indian Navy has approached five global manufacturers to deliver heavyweight torpedoes for its Scorpene class submarines, production of which is currently underway at the Mazagon dock shipyard. According to defense sources, Indian Navy contacted Rosoboronexport of Russia, Swedish SAAB, French Naval Group, German ThyssenKrupp, and Japanese Mitsubishi for supplying 150 heavyweight torpedoes.

Project75, under which six Scorpene class submarines are being built with the help of French firm DCNS, originally envisaged equipping the submarines with Black Shark heavyweight torpedo as their primary weapons.

However, in June last year, the Indian government canceled a $200million deal with Whitehead Alenia Systemi Subacquei (WASS), a subsidiary of Italian arms manufacturer Finmeccanica, due to corruption allegations involving another Finmeccanica subsidiary, Agusta Westland.

The first of the Scorpene class submarine built by India  INS Kalavvari is expected to be inducted in the Indian Navy by end of August. It has successfully undergone a series of weapons trials including the test firing of a German SeaHake heavyweight torpedo and the launch of a French-made Exocet SM39 anti-ship missile, already in use by the Indian forces. The second Scorpene class submarine christened INS-Khanderi is also on the final stages of sea trial and is expected to be formally inducted in the Indian Navy by the end of this year.

 Sputnik

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Iran President congratulates new Army chief on his appointment

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 22, IRNA -- President Hassan Rouhani in a message congratulated Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi on his appointment as new Iranian army commander-in-chief.

'I hope, the Armed Forces' deterrence and defensive power, in particular the Army, will be boosted in your tenure,' the President added in a message released on Tuesday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has also congratulated General Mousavi on his appointment in a separate message released on Tuesday.

Iran Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Monday appointed General Mousavi as new Iranian army commander.

General Mousavi was deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces prior to his appointment.

Meanwhile, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in another decree appointed Major General Ataollah Salehi as deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.

General Salehi was commander of Iranian Army prior to his appointment.

9191**2050

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Iran can resume 20%-enrichment in 5 days: Official

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 22, IRNA -- Iran is capable of resuming twenty-percent enrichment activities in just five days in the country's Fordo nuclear facility, Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said.

Salehi, in remarks released on Tuesday, pointed to President Hassan Rouhani's recent warnings against Washington's breach of Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and that it is possible for Iran to resume its nuclear program.

The warnings by President Rouhani are not baseless rather they have been issued based on available data, he said.

We managed to stabilize the nuclear facility in Fordo under the JCPOA in a way that we are able to resume activities in the plant in five days, he said.

'Preserving the Fordo facility is a point of strength of the deal,' he said.

Any violation of the JCPOA is tantamount to a breach of the international political logic, the AEOI chief added.

'Iran's first priority is preserving the nuclear deal, but not at any price,' Salehi said.

Iran is still involved in developing its nuclear know-how and finding its applications in different fields, incluing agriculture, industry and healthcare, he said.

Two nuclear power plants are being constructed by Russia in Bushehr, he said.

We have also taken big strides to develop nuclear propulsion systems, he said.

He went on to say that AEOI presented its first report on nuclear propulsion systems and a more detailed report is expected to be released soon.

9376**2044

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Iran official calls for strong reaction to violation of nuclear deal

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Aug 22, IRNA -- Government can show a stronger reaction to violation of nuclear deal by other sides, senior Expediancy Council official said on Tuesday.

'Iran can activate its yellow cake production plant based on the article 36 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action reached between the Islamic Republic and Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, France and Britain plus Germany),' Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei said while elaborating this institution view towards Majlis(parliament) bill on countering the US adventurist measures in the region.

Iran and the G5+1 reached a deal in Vienna in 2015 which stresses curbing Iran peaceful nuclear activities in exchange for removal of sanctions. Washington has been a major cause of problems in the way of execution of the deal over past two years.

The US has tried to circumvent the JCPOA by imposing new sanctions against Iran under the pretext of its regional policies.

Iranian Majlis has recently approved the single urgency of a bill on countering the US adventurist measures in the region on July 18.

The bill was proposed by the Iranian MPs to reciprocate the US senate bill, titled Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017.

9191**2050

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Iran can resume 20 per cent uranium enrichment only in 5 days: Salehi

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Tue / 22 August 2017 / 11:51

Tehran (ISNA) - Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi emphasized that Islamic Republic would need only five days to ramp up its uranium enrichment to 20 per cent.

Referring to the recent warning of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to the United States on the violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Salehi said, "It is not an unsupported warning. It is based on data that President Rouhani has".

"If we make the determination, we are able to resume 20 per cent-enrichment in at most five days," he added.

Noting that keeping Fordo's facilities is one of the strengths of the nuclear deal, Salehi said, "This is while they didn't want Fordo to exist and were saying that it should be closed".

"We have consolidated Fordo's facilities in the JCPOA in a way that we can resume 20 per cent enrichment only in five days," he went on to say.

End Item

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No joint anti-PKK operation with Turkey on agenda: IRGC

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 2:44PM

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has dismissed reports about plans for a joint operation with Turkey against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants outside the Iranian borders.

"We have not devised any operation plan outside the borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the IRGC Ground Force's Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohada base said in a statement on Tuesday.

"But like in the past, we will strongly counter any group, team or individual seeking to infiltrate into the Iranian territory to carry out terrorist or anti-security measures," it added.

It said some terrorist groups based in camps in northern Iraq have been seeking to cause insecurity in Iran in recent years with the logistical support of the enemies of the Islamic Republic; however, they have repeatedly failed to conduct any move and sustained heavy damage.

The IRGC base vowed a "crushing and harsh" response to these groups intending to carry out the slightest move to create insecurity in Iran's border areas.

Turkey's President Erdogan said on Monday that a joint Turkish-Iranian operation against Kurdish militants was "always on the agenda."

"It is always on the agenda to carry out a joint operation with Iran against those terror organizations which pose a threat," Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul before a visit to Jordan.

Turkey has been fighting against the outlawed PKK militants for decades.

Iran is also fighting PJAK, a PKK offshoot, in its northwestern border region with Turkey. Iranian forces killed five PJAK terrorists in an ambush there last June.

PJAK randomly carries out hit-and-run attacks on Iranian targets, after which they retreat to their lairs in Iraq and Turkey.

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Iran to resume 20-percent enrichment in 5 days if necessary: Nuclear chief

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 9:2AM

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the Islamic Republic is capable of resuming the enrichment of uranium to the 20-percent level at its Fordow facility within a maximum of five days if need be.

In an exclusive interview with IRIB News Agency on Tuesday, Ali Akbar Salehi said President Hassan Rouhani's recent warning that Iran would accelerate its nuclear activities to an advanced level "within hours" if the US returned to a policy of sanctions had not been an "empty warning."

Salehi said all higher-ranking Iranian officials, including President Rouhani, had been briefed on the technical capabilities of the AEOI to be able to make informed decisions.

The warning made by the president, he said, had been based on data provided by the AEOI, including about the organization's preparedness for contingencies.

Iran has applied certain limits to its nuclear program under a deal it reached with six other countries in 2015.

Salehi said the changes made to the Fordow enrichment facility under that deal had been calculated so as to enable a return to the 20-percent enrichment within five days.

That, he said, was one of the strengths of the deal, which is officially titled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

He said the warning to quickly resume 20-percent enrichment "carries many messages in technical and professional terms, and the opposite side understands that message."

The administration of US President Donald Trump has been claiming that Iran is violating the spirit of the JCPOA.

But the United Nations nuclear agency, which is in charge of monitoring the technical implementation of the JCPOA, has invariably certified Iran's commitment to its obligations under the accord.

Therefore, the Trump administration claims of an Iranian violation are generally believed to merely stem from the administration's dissatisfaction with the deal, dressed to look like the detection of violations in Iran's contractual behavior.

The JCPOA was negotiated under Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, whose every major policy achievement the new US president has attempted to undo. Since before taking office, Trump has threatened to rip up the deal.

Iran has said that any US non-performance would be met with due counteraction.

In his most recent warning, the Iranian president said the US's return to the policy of sanctions and pressure against Iran would be followed by Iran's upgrading of its nuclear activities to advanced levels "not within months and weeks, but in a matter of hours and days."

Salehi said that the AEOI's main priority was to "preserve the JCPOA, but not at any cost."

He said Iran will remain committed to its end of the bargain as long as the opposite side lives up to its.

The JCPOA was concluded between Iran and the P5+1 countries  namely the US, Russia, China, France, Britain, and Germany. It took effect in January 2016.

The deal was later endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution. In return for the limits to the Iranian nuclear program, the Islamic Republic had all nuclear-related sanctions against it terminated.

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Salehi Says Iran Could Resume Uranium Enrichment In Five Days

RFE/RL August 22, 2017

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization has said that the country would need only five days to resume high-level uranium enrichment.

The August 22 comments by Ali Akbar Salehi follow accusations by the U.S. administration that Tehran is not abiding by the spirit of the 2015 agreement with world powers, which placed curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Tehran, for its part, accuses Washington of violating the spirit of the deal by imposing new sanctions against the Islamic republic over its missile program.

"If we make the determination, we are able to resume 20 percent-enrichment in at most five days," Salehi told state broadcaster IRIB.

He said that Iran's "biggest priority" was to maintain the nuclear accord, but "not at any price."

The July 2015 nuclear deal gave Iran relief from international sanctions and imposed restrictions on its nuclear activities, including a cap on its uranium enrichment at under 5 percent.

High-level enrichment of uranium -- 20 percent or more -- would take Tehran close to the level needed for a nuclear weapon.

U.S. and UN watchdogs monitoring compliance with the agreement have found Iran has adhered to the deal.

However, the U.S. administration has frequently charged that Tehran violates the spirit of the agreement by continuing to test-launch ballistic missiles and rockets capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on August 15 that Washington was reviewing its policy toward Iran and that it believed the nuclear deal did not put an end to Tehran's other "destabilizing activities" in the region.

The United States has imposed several rounds of sanctions over the missile and rocket launches.

Iran maintains those launches are for self-defense and do not violate the deal.

Tehran has long said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

With reporting by AFP and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran- nuclear-salehi-could-resume-uranium-enrichment-five -days/28690366.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iran Denies Joint Operation Against Kurds With Turkey

RFE/RL August 22, 2017

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has denied a claim by Turkey that the two countries were planning to conduct joint military operations against Kurdish rebel groups beyond the country's borders.

"We have not planned any operations across the borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the IRGC said in an August 22 statement published by Iranian news agencies.

"But as always we will strongly confront any group, team, or person who wants to penetrate into Iran's territory for antisecurity or terrorist operations," the statement added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted on August 21 by Reuters as saying that his country and Iran have discussed possible joint military action against Kurdish militant groups.

Erdogan said the issue had been discussed in Ankara last week between the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, and Turkish leaders. Bagheri's visit to Turkey was seen as a sign of warming ties between the two countries.

"Joint action against terrorist groups that have become a threat is always on the agenda. This issue has been discussed between the two military chiefs, and I discussed more broadly how this should be carried out," Erdogan was quoted as telling reporters.

He said Turkey and Iran can work together against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) whose affiliate, the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), has staged attacks on Iranian targets.

"As you know, the PKK terror organization has a foot in Iran. It has always caused harm to Iran and to us. We work together because we believe that if the two countries cooperate, we can get results in a much shorter period of time," Erdogan said.

The IRGC denied that any specific operation was planned while warning "terrorist groups" against taking actions on Iran's borders.

"Although Iran has no plan to take widespread operational actions outside its borders, if any terrorist group...aims to take the slightest measure to create insecurity on our borders, they will be faced with our intensive and fierce response, and their remnants will be targeted wherever they are," the IRGC said.

With reporting by AFP, Fars, and ISNA

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/turkey-iran- joint-operation-kurdistan-workers- party-denials/28691051.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iran Capable of Restarting Uranium Enrichment to 20% Within Days - Nuclear Chief

Sputnik News

17:35 22.08.2017

Iran can easily restore its military nuclear capabilities by resuming the process of uranium enrichment to 20 percent should the US keep escalating the situation around Tehran's alleged violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On August 15, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told lawmakers that Tehran could withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) within hours if the United States continued to escalate rhetoric about adding new sanctions.

"If we make the decision, we would be able to resume the process of [uranium] 20 percent-enrichment in five days," Salehi said in an interview with the state broadcaster IRIB.

Salehi noted that the AEOI was willing to maintain the JCPOA but not at any price.

On July 29, the US Senate approved a bill on new non-nuclear sanctions against 18 individuals and entities in Iran over the country's missile program and alleged human rights violations. The move has been widely criticized by Iranian senior officials, claiming that the US bill violated the provisions of the JCPOA. Tehran vowed to impose retaliatory measures against US individuals and entities.

On July 14, 2015, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany, collectively referred to as the P5+1 group, signed the JCPOA with Iran on the latter's nuclear program. The deal stipulated a gradual lifting of anti-Iran sanctions in exchange for Tehran's assurances that its nuclear program would remain in a peaceful nature.

 Sputnik

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US military constructing new base in Iraq's Kurdish region: Report

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:47PM

The US military is reportedly building a new permanent base in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region as part of attempts to perpetuate its occupation of the conflict-ridden Arab country indefinitely, regardless of all opposition from religious figures and people from all walks of life.

Iraq's Kurdish-language Rudaw television network reported on Tuesday that the base is being constructed in Kariz village of Zummar district, located 60 kilometers northwest of Mosul, stressing that 60 percent of the work has already been done.

The report added that 120 US soldiers and 300 long-range artillery systems have also been stationed in the area.

Hassan Khalo Ali, a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) official, said the base is being built on an area of 20 acres of land, local people can see helicopters continuously taking off and landing and entering the base is prohibited in every way to ordinary people.

The new US base would mark the fifth of its kind in Iraq's Kurdish region.

A Kurdish military official, requesting anonymity, said US officials, President of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Masoud Barzani as well as officials from the Ministry of Peshmerga have reached a tripartite agreement on the construction of the base.

The Kurdish official went on to say that the base will help Americans to monitor movements in a vast expanse of land, which stretches from the western bank of the Tigris river to Tal Afar city, located 63 kilometers west of Mosul.

Meanwhile, Deputy Peshmerga Minister Sarbast Lazgin said the base will be a reinforcement facility for Tal Afar liberation operation.

On American bases in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, Lazgin stated that a joint operations room is now operating in Erbil, noting that there are US military bases in Harir and Khazir sub-districts of Shaqlawa district.

The report comes as Iraq's Kurdistan region plans to hold an independence referendum late next month.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the state-run TRT Haber television news network on August 16 that the vote will lead to "civil war" in Iraq.

Hoshyar Zebari, a close adviser to Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani, told Reuters on August 12 that Kurdish authorities were determined to hold the referendum on September 25 irrespective of all objections.

In June, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi described as untimely the decision by Barzani to hold the referendum.

"We have a constitution that we've voted on, we have a federal parliament and a federal governmentThe referendum at this time is not opportune," Abadi said on June 13.

Iran has also expressed opposition to the "unilateral" scheme, underlining the importance of maintaining the integrity and stability of Iraq and insisting that the Kurdistan region is part of the majority Arab state.

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Iraqi army, allies liberate three Tal Afar districts from Daesh

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 3:16PM

Iraqi government forces, backed by allied fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, have managed to establish full control over three districts of Tal Afar as they are trying to flush Daesh Takfiri militants out of the northern city in a multi-pronged operation.

The media bureau of pro-government forces, commonly known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Shaabi, announced in a statement on Tuesday that the volunteer fighters, security forces and army soldiers were now in "full control" of al-Kifah, al-Nur and al-Askari districts.

The commander of Tal Afar Liberation Operation, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah, also stated that soldiers from the 9th Armored Division of the Army together with fighters from the 2nd, 11th and 26th brigades of Hashd al-Shaabi have launched a major offensive from the eastern side of Tal Afar, and are making headway.

He added that members of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) have entered the city from the southwestern flank, and continue to advance.

Additionally, Brigadier General Haider Fadhil of the Iraqi special forces told The Associated Press that the advancing troops have not faced tough resistance from Daesh terrorists, even though the Takfiris have made use of rockets, car bombs and roadside bombs to slow their progress.

Fadhil expected the fighting to get even heavier as Iraqi army soldiers and their allies push into the center of Tal Afar, located 63 kilometers west of Mosul.

It is estimated that between 10,000-50,000 civilians remain in and around Tal Afar.

The International Organization for Migration said in a statement that nearly 3,200 individuals have fled Tal Afar to two refugee camps south of Mosul over the past four days.

"These internally displaced persons (IDPs) carried a minimal amount of clothes; some only had what they wore, some were partially clothed," the statement said, adding that thousands more are expected to flee in the coming days.

"Many of the displaced people from Tal Afar arrive exhausted and in poor health, often with critical levels of malnutrition among children, some unable to move," it added.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says it has received around 1,500 families, or some 9,000 people, from Tel Afar at the Hamman al-Alil displacement camp in the past week.

The UN refugee agency further noted that it is making preparations to accommodate around 30,000 more refugees from the city within the next few days.

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Iraqi forces retake oil refinery, two villages in Tal Afar

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 9:55AM

Security forces in Iraq have retaken two villages and an oil refinery in the northern city of Tal Afar, where an operation is underway to liberate the city from the Takfiri Daesh terrorists.

The commander of the Tal Afar Liberation Operation said in a brief statement on Tuesday that Iraqi forces had liberated the al-Kask oil refinery from the control of Daesh, Iraq's al-Sumaria news website reported.

Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah further said the villages of Tishtia and Tal al-Samn had been purged of the Takfiri terrorists.

A day earlier, Iraqi government forces had managed to retake five villages near Tal Afar. Members of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) liberated the villages of Tal Rahal, Jabbara, Hussein Idris, Mullah, and Majid southwest of the city, which is located 63 kilometers west of Mosul, on Monday.

On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the commencement of the major offensive to liberate Tal Afar from Daesh.

In late June, Commander of Nineveh Liberation Operations Major General Najim Abdullah al-Jubouri said there were between 1,500 and 2,000 Daesh militants holed up in Tal Afar, and predicted a relatively easy victory for government forces in the operation as the terrorists were "worn out and demoralized."

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Iraqi Official Praises Russian Arms Pivotal Role in Defeating Daesh

Sputnik News

20:57 22.08.2017(updated 21:03 22.08.2017)

Russian-made weapons purchased by Iraq played a crucial role in many battles with Daesh terrorist group, Iraqi National Security Adviser Faleh Fayad told Sputnik on Tuesday.

CAIRO (Sputnik)  Russia previously delivered a number of arms to Iraq, most notably Sukhoi Su-25 and Sukhoi Su-30 military jets, among others.

"In fighting Daesh, we used the military planes which Russia delivered. The aircraft, as well as the anti-tank weapons used against explosive-packed armored vehicles, played a decisive role in many battles," Fayad said.

On July 20, the Russian president's aide on defense industry cooperation, Vladimir Kozhin, said Russia and Iraq signed a contract for the delivery of a "large batch" of modernized T-90 main battle tanks which had shown their worth in Syria.

In early July, Russia's Uralvagonzavod, the tank's manufacturer, said the first shipment of 73 T-90s was scheduled for this year.

In July, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced that Iraqi troops managed to liberate the country's second-largest city of Mosul, which was previously captured by Daesh terrorists. Last week, the beginning of the military offensive aimed at retaking Tal Afar, the last remaining stronghold of the terrorist group in Iraq, was announced.

 Sputnik

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Justice vital to help Iraqi victims of ISIL's sexual violence rebuild lives - UN report

22 August 2017  The Iraqi Government must ensure that the thousands of women and girls who survived sexual violence by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorist fighters receive care, protection and justice, and that children born because of such violence do not face a life of discrimination and abuse, a United Nations report published today says.

"The physical, mental, and emotional injuries inflicted by ISIL are almost beyond comprehension. If victims are to rebuild their lives, and indeed those of their children, they need justice and they need redress," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein in a press release.

Victims have been subjected to rape and sexual assault, forced displacement, abduction, deprivation of liberty, slavery, forced religious conversion, and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment. Women from the Yezidi and other minority communities have been especially vulnerable to abuses of human rights and violation of international humanitarian law.

The report notes that the Iraqi Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government have taken some positive steps to promote women and children's rights and to address the needs of those who have suffered abuses at the hands of ISIL.

However, the report says, the criminal justice system largely fails to ensure the appropriate protection of victims, requiring significant legislative and institutional changes to facilitate access to justice and to ensure the care and protection of victims in such proceedings.

The situation of hundreds of children born to women in ISIL-controlled areas without birth certificates or whose ISIL-issued documents are not accepted by the Government of Iraq or the Kurdistan Regional Government is also deeply troubling, the report says.

Birth registration requires the parents to present proof of marital status and two witnesses must confirm the circumstances of the child's birth  exceedingly difficult in the case of children whose parents may be dead or missing; where the father's identity is not known; where a child has been abandoned due to stigma or for those who live in IDP camps where no civil status offices or courts operate.

"Children who were born in ISIL-controlled areas have the same legal rights as any other Iraqi citizen and the Government must ensure they are protected from marginalisation and abuse, neither exposed to discrimination through references on their birth certificate that they were born out of wedlock or have a father linked to ISIL, nor left unregistered and at risk of statelessness, exploitation and trafficking," the High Commissioner stressed.

The report makes several recommendations on access to justice; provision of support and care for victims; information and counselling services to reunite separated families, and the importance of birth registration.

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UN aid workers urge safe passage for civilians fleeing northern Iraq ahead of battle

22 August 2017  Warning of harassment, revenge attacks and abuse of civilians displaced from the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar, United Nations refugee and migration agencies today called for people trying to flee the city ahead of military operations to have safe passage.

"We fear that Iraqi civilians are likely to be held as human shields again and that attempts to flee could result in executions/shootings," Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told journalists in Geneva about the ongoing operations to retake the city.

He also noted reports of people being denied access to safety and stopped along the way.

"We call on all parties to the conflict to allow civilians to leave the conflict area and to access to safety," Mr. Mahecic said.

Thousands of civilians are believed to be in Tal Afar, which has been without aid since the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorist group took control of the surrounding communities in 2014.

Since April this year, more than 30,000 people fled Tal Afar district, many living in camps sheltering other displaced families mainly from Mosul, some 65 kilometres south-west.

Conditions in the district are believed to be "very difficult," Mr. Mahecic said, noting a lack of food, water and electricity.

"People are said to have been surviving on unclean water and bread for the past three to four months," he told journalists.

Those who fled have often had to walk in temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius for up to 20 hours at a time, amid shooting, and often leaving behind children, elderly and disabled who are too vulnerable for the trip.

"Many talk of seeing dead bodies along the way, and there are reports that some were killed by extremist groups. Others appear to have died due to dehydration or illnesses," said Mr. Mahecic.

In the past four day, some 1,500 people arrived at nearby emergency sites managed by the UN International Migration Agency (IOM)

In conjunction with partners, IOM and UNHCR have been treating arrivals with food and water, transporting them to hospitals, if needed, and helping them settle in camps.

IOM is preparing additional aid for hundreds more arrivals expected in the coming days.

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Rohingya Muslim villagers blockaded in Myanmar's Rakhine

Iran Press TVs

Tue Aug 22, 2017 6:26PM

Buddhists in a village in Myanmar's troubled state of Rakhine have imposed a blockade on hundreds of Rohingya Muslims living in the area, effectively barring them from work and shopping for their basic needs while imposing restrictions on people's access to drinking water.

Residents of Zay Di Pyin said on Tuesday that about 700 Rohingya had been blockaded in their neighborhood since late July.

Monitors and aid workers also confirmed the account. They said entry points to the neighborhood had been blocked with a fence and Muslims had no access to a market and a pond used as a source of drinking water.

The blockade is the latest to come from a harsh crackdown on the Rohingya, a community of about one million people who live mostly in northern parts of Rakhine but are also scattered in areas dominated by Buddhists.

Since October last year, when the Buddhist-dominated government blamed the killing of seven policemen on fighters from the Rohingya community, Muslims have been exposed to some unprecedented violence by security forces and mobs.

Tens of thousands have been displaced, mostly into the neighboring Bangladesh, and people continue to recount stories of beheading and rape committed against members of the community. The United Nations has warned that some cases of violence in Rakhine may have amounted to a systematic form of ethnic cleansing.

Residents of Zay Di Pyin said the blockade on the village began after a Buddhist man from a nearby village went missing in late July, the same period when three Rohingya Muslims were found dead in the area.

"They accused us of killing the missing Rakhine person and blocked us from going out because of that," said a Rohingya on condition of anonymity.

Other residents said Muslims had been also blocked from praying inside their mosque, located outside the blockaded neighborhood, while Buddhists prevent the Rohingya from going to work in a nearby river jetty.

Police denied that a full blockade had been imposed in Zay Di Pyin, saying that Buddhists were only restricting the amount of food the Rohingya could buy. It said the Rohingya were themselves afraid to go out.

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After Trump barbs, China jumps to defend Pakistan

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:59PM

China has defended Pakistan against strong criticism by US President Donald Trump that Islamabad was not doing enough to counter terrorism in the region.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday that Pakistan "has made great sacrifices and contributions to fighting terrorism."

"The international community should fully affirm the efforts by Pakistan," she said.

In recent years, China and Pakistan have close diplomatic, economic and security ties to counter their common rival India.

China, however, has its own security concerns in the region, in particular any links between terrorists in Pakistan and Afghanistan and some militant groups Beijing blames for violence in the far western region of Xinjiang.

The Chinese government is investing to link its far western Xinjiang region to the Pakistani port of Gwadar in Balochistan province with upgraded infrastructure, power lines and transport links.

But fears over safety arose earlier this year when two Chinese workers were abducted in the provincial capital Quetta. Balochistan is at the heart of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project but also racked by separatist and Taliban-linked insurgencies.

The remarks by the senior Chinese official come after the American president denounced Islamabad for offering safe haven to "agents of chaos."

"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond," Trump said in a major speech outlining US policy on Afghanistan,

Trump indicated that single-minded approach would extend to US relations with troubled ally Pakistan. He also warned that vital aid could be cut. "We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting."

"Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor terrorists."

Successive US governments have criticized Pakistan for links with the Taliban militants and for harboring slain al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Elsewhere in his speech, Trump also said the United States wanted India to help more with Afghanistan, especially in the areas of economic assistance and development.

US making Pakistan as scapegoat for its failures

Senior civilian and military officials in Islamabad have frequently said the US government is making Pakistan a scapegoat to cover Washington's failure in Afghanistan.

The seemingly staunch shift from Pakistan to India within Trump's speech could test an already strained relationship with Pakistan.

Naeem Khalid Lodhi, a defense analyst and retired general, said the United States was to blame for its own failure in Afghanistan.

"They are shifting blame to Pakistan," he said. "Pakistan should not remain silent against such US behavior and we should work to build a new political and strategical bloc with big powers like Russia and China."

A senior Pakistani intelligence official said, "Pakistan itself is the victim of terrorism. We are fighting militants and have conducted many ground and aerial operations and destroyed their sanctuaries. We want to eradicate them physically and ideologically."

Pakistan, Afghanistan engage in blame game

Pakistan and Afghanistan regularly accuse each other of sheltering their enemy insurgents. Both sides, however, deny such an allegation.

In early June, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani accused Pakistan of instigating an "undeclared war of aggression" against his country.

Kabul blames elements in the Pakistani spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), for supporting the Taliban militants. Islamabad blames the Afghan government for giving refuge to militants on its side of the border. The two sides also accuse one another of not doing enough to stop militants engaging in cross-border attacks.

Afghanistan has been gripped by insecurity since the United States and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror in 2001. Many parts of the country remain plagued by militancy despite the presence of foreign troops.

The United States invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, and overthrew the Taliban regime. US forces have been bogged down there through the presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama and now Trump.

During the past 16 years, the Taliban militants have been conducting terrorist attacks across the country, killing and displacing civilians.

In addition, the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, which is mainly active in Syria and Iraq, has recently managed to take recruits from Afghan Taliban defectors.

Militants are now launching attacks on both Pakistani and Afghan soil.

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S Korea to Refrain From Deploying Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Country

Sputnik News

21:21 22.08.2017(updated 21:51 22.08.2017)

South Korea's head of the Presidential National Security Office Chung Eui-yong said Tuesday that the government is not considering deploying tactical nuclear arms in the country.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Earlier this month, South Korea's main opposition Liberty Korea Party called for negotiating with the United States on the redeployment of its nuclear warheads to deter North Korea's increased nuclear threat.

"The government is not considering tactical nukes deployment at all  With the US deterrence policy in place, South Korea has enough of a nuclear deterrence against any nuclear provocation by North Korea," Chung said as quoted by Yonhap news agency.

Chung added that there was a necessity to enhance South Korea's defense by boosting military spending.

"It is a challenging issue but I believe we could find a solution to a constructive direction  The short-term goal is to prevent a war from breaking out again on the peninsula. The government reiterated the principle of a peaceful resolution to the US several times," Chung stressed.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has become aggravated in recent months due to a series of missile launches and nuclear tests conducted by Pyongyang, all of which are claimed to be in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Earlier in August, the UNSC unanimously adopted Resolution 2371, which further tightens sanctions imposed on North Korea.

 Sputnik

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Syria peace talks in Astana postponed to mid-September: Kazakhstan

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:35PM

The next round of Syria peace talks in Kazakhstan's capital city of Astana may be held in mid-September, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry says.

In a Tuesday Facebook post, the ministry said the timing of the talks would be set at a meeting in late August between experts from Russia, Turkey and Iran and "provisionally, we could be talking about mid-September."

The statement cited Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov as saying that the date change was based on "information received from Russia."

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the expert-level meeting would be held "by the end of the month or right at the start of September," without elaborating on a precise date for the full Astana talks.

Russia had previously been planning to hold the next round of Astana talks in late August.

Astana has hosted five rounds of peace talks for Syria since January. Russia, Iran, and Turkey serve as guarantor states in the peace process. The negotiations are aimed at bringing an end to the foreign-backed militancy in Syria, which began in March 2011.

The Astana talks have so far resulted in an agreement on four de-escalation zones across Syria.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, three of the enclaves had been created to date, in the country's sprawling central province of Homs, in the Eastern Ghouta area of the southern Rif Dimashq Province, and a southwestern militant-controlled stretch along the border with Jordan.

The upcoming talks, he said, aim to facilitate the creation of the fourth zone, in the western Syrian Idlib Province, where significant concentrations of Takfiri terrorists, most notably from al-Nusra Front, are operating.

The successful materialization of that prospect would "give civilians an opportunity to return to peaceful life" in Idlib, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

The talks in Astana have been going on in tandem with another series of talks, held in Geneva and brokered by the UN.

When the first round of the Astana talks was organized, the Geneva talks had been stalled for months. The talks in the Kazakh capital then provided momentum for the UN-brokered talks, helping revive them.

UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura has sought to unify the opposition for a substantive round of negotiations in October, after hosting seven rounds of largely unsuccessful talks in Geneva.

Opposition fails to unify

Meanwhile, a meeting between so-called Syrian opposition groups in Riyadh ended in stalemate on Tuesday over the future role of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The talks between the Saudi-backed opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) and delegations from two other camps, the so-called Cairo and Moscow groupings, started in Riyadh on Monday in an attempt to achieve a joint negotiating strategy.

"The representatives of the Moscow grouping refused to recognize any text that referred to the Syrian people's demand for the departure of Bashar al-Assad," said Ahmed Ramadan of the HNC.

"There was an important level of understanding between HNC and the Cairo grouping, but the stalemate with Moscow group delegates hampered efforts to bring representatives... into a single negotiating delegation," he said.

The Moscow group did not provide any immediate comments regarding the issue.

The Moscow and Cairo camps do not agree with HNC's position that Assad should be ousted.

Political observers say the opposition is not capable of pressuring the Syrian government to make concessions in the course of the peace talks due to the heavy losses they have suffered in the Syria conflict.

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China warns US against military contacts with Taiwan

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 10:10AM

China has warned the United States against any military contacts with Taiwan ahead of brief visits to the US by the "defense minister" of the self-ruled island territory, which is claimed by China.

"China consistently insists on using the 'One China' principle in handling the issue of the Taiwan region's exchanges," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters in Beijing during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging the "One China" policy of recognizing Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan. However, the US maintains military ties with the self-ruled island. And Taiwan has been pushing for the purchase of more American advanced military hardware in a bid to deal with the rapidly modernizing military of China, which regards Taiwan as a province of the mainland.

Chunying said Beijing was opposed to the conduct of "any type of official contact or military exchanges with Taiwan" by countries with which China has relations.

"Our position is clear and consistent. I believe the United States is extremely clear on this," she said.

Taiwan's "defense minister," Feng Shih-kuan, is due to make brief transit stops in New York and Los Angeles on the way to and from a trip to the self-ruled island's Central American allies.

According to Taiwan's defense ministry, Feng is visiting Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic to "further deepen bilateral friendly relations" and has nothing on his agenda during his US stops.

Taiwanese presidents and other senior officials often make stopovers in the US on their way to the island's diminishing number of allies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Taiwan currently maintains diplomatic ties with only 20 countries across the globe.

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Turkey to thwart attempts to set up Kurdish state in Syria: Erdogan

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 3:58PM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has underlined Turkey's resolve to prevent any attempt by Syrian Kurdish fighters to establish a Kurdish state in northern Syria.

In a Tuesday speech in Ankara, Erdogan described the Kurdish Peoples' Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdish Democratic Party (PYD) as terror groups, noting, "We do not and will never allow a so-called state to be established by the PYD, YPG in northern Syria."

"They want to establish a terror corridor in northern Syria reaching the Mediterranean," he noted.

Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey's determination to continue to fight against PYD and YPG "wherever we find them."

The Syrian Kurdish fighters control two "cantons" in Syria's northeast as well as the Afrin region to the west. Turkey says PYD and YPG are the affiliates of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is considered by Turkey, the US and EU as a terror group.

In August 2016, Turkey staged a cross-border operation in northern Syria, which Ankara said was aimed at purging the border zone of terrorists.

There have been speculations that Turkey may be planning to launch another operation against the YPG to push it out of the town of Afrin.

Erdogan's remarks come amid Turkey's opposition to a referendum on independence of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region scheduled to be held on September 25.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is scheduled to visit Iraq on Wednesday to discuss the issue with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad and then with Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani in Arbil.

Last week, delegations from Iraq's ruling coalition, the National Alliance, and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) met in Baghdad to discuss the possibility of cancelling or delaying the referendum.

The Kurdish delegation reportedly held talks with Prime Minister Abadi, President Fuad Masum and other Iraqi leaders as well as the ambassadors of the United States, Iran and Turkey in Baghdad.

The visit came after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson formally asked Massoud Barzani, the KRG president, to postpone the referendum.

According to Abdullah al-Zaidi, a negotiator from the National Alliance, a second round of negotiations could be held next week in the Kurdish capital city of Erbil.

On Sunday, Executive Secretary of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Politburo Mala Bakhtiar said the Kurds will not agree to delay the vote without fixing another date for it.

He noted that, at the political level, Baghdad should commit to settle the issue of disputed regions such as the oil-rich area of Kirkuk and, on the economic side, the Iraqi government should help the Kurds overcome a financial crisis and settle debts owed by their government.

He said the KRG owes up to $12 billion to public works contractors, civil servants and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters who have not received salaries for several months.

Baghdad stopped federal payments to the KRG in 2014 after the Kurds began exporting oil independently from Baghdad, via a pipeline to Turkey.

The Kurds say they need the extra revenue to manage the costs of war against Daesh Takfiri terrorists and a large influx of refugees to their region.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a statement on Sunday, rejecting Bakhtiar's suggestion to postpone the planned referendum in return for financial and political concessions from Baghdad.

The statement by the Iraqi prime minister said Bakhtiar's remarks were his personal views and did not reflect the negotiations between the two sides.

"The Reuters correspondent, quoting the head of the political office of the Kurdish Patriotic Union, has published some claims which are false and unrealistic, and have never been raised in talks with the Kurdish delegation in Baghdad," it said.

"Moreover, Mala Bakhtiar was not a member of the delegation and was not present during the talks," added the statement.

The Iraqi government has rejected the planned referendum as "unilateral" and unconstitutional. Turkey, Iran and Syria, which together with Iraq have sizable Kurdish communities, also oppose an independent Kurdistan.

Iraq's militia groups which were key to driving out Daesh from much of the country have threatened to expel the Peshmarga from Kirkuk and three other disputed areas - Sinjar, Makhmur and Khanaqin.

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US Defense Secretary to Visit Ankara Amid Rising Tensions

By By Dorian Jones August 22, 2017

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is set to visit Ankara, Turkey in the coming days as part of a tour of the region. Mattis' visit comes as bilateral relations between the two NATO allies are strained over Washington's support of Syrian Kurds, whom Ankara considers terrorists.

"Turkish relations are as bad as they can get," said former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen, who served in Iraq and Washington. "But the fact Turkey's position on the world map is extremely important, one can look on the map and see without Turkey it will be difficult for the U.S., if not impossible, getting rid of ISIL from Iraq and Syria," said Selcen, using an acronym for Islamic State.

Analysts suggest Mattis' first task is in seeking to prevent a further deterioration in relations; but, video this month of convoys of U.S. arms being delivered to the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia enraged Ankara.

The YPG is engaged in fighting as part of a coalition known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which seeks to oust Islamic State militants, Raqqa, Syria, IS' self-declared capital. Ankara accuses the YPG of being terrorists linked to the PKK, which is fighting the Turkish state.

"The PKK is a Marxist-Leninist organization supported by the United States. Look at this irony and they are trained in American camps," said Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin. The U.S. considers the PKK a terrorist organization.

"The [Turkish] regime will never accept the explanations of Washington regarding the military support to the YPG," said political scientist Cengiz Aktar; but, experts suggest that there is a realization in Ankara that Washington will not reverse its policy given its success, with around half of Raqqa already captured by the YPG.

What happens after Raqqa's fall is predicted to be a key part of Mattis' talks in Ankara.

"One of [Ankara's] priorities will be to stop the arms going to the YPG ending up in the hands of the PKK," said Unal Cevikoz, former Turkish ambassador and now head of the Ankara Policy Center. "The second issue with end game approaching in Raqqa, when IS is eradicated from Raqqa, Turkey will probably ask for the post-Raqqa administration be given to the Sunni Arabs rather than YPG."

Ankara accuses the forces engaged in capturing Raqqa as predominantly Kurdish and unrepresentative of the local population.

"The Turkish regime wants to destroy the de facto federated government of the Syrian Kurdish in the north of Syria. This is a long-term strategy of Ankara," said political scientist Aktar.

Turkish military forces are already massed around the Syrian enclave of Afrin, which is under YPG control. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly warned of an imminent operation against Afrin.

"The U.S. does not want Turkey to intervene because it fears it will interfere with the operation in Raqqa," said former ambassador Cevikoz. "The issue will likely be discussed during Mattis' visit, but I think there will be no agreement with both sides agreeing to disagree. But Turkey is trying to coordinate the possibility of an operation in and around Afrin and also Idlib, with Iranian and Russians, so it's not just a U.S.-Turkish issue."

Ankara is already coordinating with Tehran and Moscow as part of the Astana agreement process to resolve the Syrian civil war. Idlib is one of the last remaining regions under Syrian rebel control.

The future of Idlib is also a potentially contentious issue during Mattis' visit.

"The American concerns are very serious that Idlib is hosting a lot of jihadists. What is much more important is there are some 10,000 al-Qaida members in Idlib, but I think Russia and Turkey will ask the Americans to leave Idlib to their control," said Cevikoz.

Ankara's growing cooperation with Moscow and Tehran at a time of strained relations with its Western allies has led to growing questions over where its loyalties ultimately lie; but, an independence referendum next month by Iraqi Kurds will offer Mattis some common ground with Washington and Ankara, both having voiced opposition to the vote.

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Kremlin Aide Says Discussed 'Fresh Ideas' With U.S. Envoy To End Ukraine Conflict

RFE/RL August 22, 2017

A Kremlin aide has made upbeat remarks after talking with the new U.S. special envoy for efforts to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, saying they discussed "fresh ideas" in a "constructive" meeting.

U.S. envoy Kurt Volker met with Vladislav Surkov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's point man for the conflict in eastern Ukraine, behind closed doors in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on August 21.

"The meeting was useful and constructive," Surkov told Russian reporters afterward. "The two sides proposed fresh ideas and novel approaches" for implementing the February 2015 Minsk agreement.

The deal set out steps to end the war and resolve the status of the portion of the Donbas region held by Russia-backed separatists, but progress toward implementation has been very slow.

"We agreed that the peace process on the political track, as well as in the sphere of security, can and should go faster" and that the current situation in Ukraine is unacceptable, Surkov said.

Volker did not comment after the meeting.

Volker's talks with Surkov kicked off three days of U.S. diplomacy on the war between Russia-backed separatists and government forces in eastern Ukraine, which has killed more than 10,000 people since April 2014.

From Minsk, Volker heads to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, to meet with senior government officials on August 22 to discuss "the way forward in Ukraine," the State Department said.

On August 23, Volker will join U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in meetings with senior Ukrainian government officials to discuss "the next steps in diplomatic negotiations to restore Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the department said.

After Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was pushed from power in February 2014 by massive pro-European protests, Russia seized control of Ukraine's Crimea region and fomented separatism in eastern and southern Ukraine.

The Russia-backed separatists seized parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which border Russia, and the war has persisted despite the Minsk agreement and several cease-fire deals.

Sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and other countries have not prompted Russia to abandon its support for the separatists or fulfill its commitments under the Minsk agreements.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson named Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, as the U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations in early July.

In an interview with Current Time TV later in July, Volker said that ending the fighting will require agreement by all sides on two major principles -- the "territorial integrity of Ukraine, security of all the people" -- and a change in Russia's approach. Current Time TV is the Russian-language network, run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.

He said that the United States is considering sending Kyiv weapons to help government forces defend themselves against Russia-backed separatists. To date, the United States has provided only nonlethal military aid.

Relations between Moscow and Washington have been driven to a post-Cold War low by disagreements over issues including Russia's aggression in Ukraine, its role in the war in Syria, and its alleged interference in the U.S. presidential election in 2016.

With reporting by Reuters and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-us-surkov- fresh-ideas-volkov-talks/28689751.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Pentagon hires Boeing, Grumman for nuke missile project

Iran Press TV

Tue Aug 22, 2017 6:26AM

The Pentagon has hired Boeing and Northrop Grumman to develop a replacement for the US Air Force's arsenal of ageing Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and cruise missiles, amid nuclear tensions with North Korea.

"The Minuteman III is 45 years old. It is time to upgrade," Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein said in a statement on Monday, three days after the deal for the new Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) was inked.

Boeing and Northrop Grumman were awarded $349 million and $328 million respectively to continue the project over the course of the three-year contract.

The Air Force has estimated that the project would cost US taxpayers at least $62 billion. However, the Pentagon's office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) says the costs would surpass $85 billion.

Lockheed Martin also competed with Northrop and Boeing for the contract, which was necessary for conducting the three-year technology maturation and risk reduction (TMRR) phase of the project.

A Lockheed representative said the company was "disappointed" about the selection and looked "forward to a debrief" with USAF officials.

Boeing's Strategic Deterrence Systems Director, Frank McCall, hailed the contract, saying Boeing has been providing tech support for Minuteman missile since their first launch in 1961.

Capable of carrying three nuclear warheads, the Minuteman III has a range of around 13,000 kilometers (8,100 miles) and is the US military's only land-based ICBM in service.

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson said the contract was an important step in "modernization of the ground-based leg of the nuclear triad."

Besides missiles, the US nuclear triad features a relatively large number of ageing nuclear bombers and submarines in need of modernization.

The Pentagon says it needs $350 billion to upgrade the whole triad along with America's some 7,000 nuclear warheads. Some reports put the cost at around $1 trillion.

Although the USAF had asked weapons manufacturers to send in their proposals for a new ICBM last summer, the contract has coincided with the ongoing standoff between the US and North Korea over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

The row has seen US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jung-un trade threats of an apocalyptic nuclear war.

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WENTWORTH  For the third time since being charged in 2015, Mickey Dale Snow has a tentative trial date in connection to a teen prostitution ring in Eden.

Defense attorneys for Snow and prosecutors with the Rockingham County district attorneys office came to an agreement on several criminal matters early Monday afternoon that could set the path to a trial on Feb. 19.

That date was approved by Catawba County Senior Judge Nathaniel Poovey, who will be overseeing the trial.

A motion for bond review by the state and a motion for bond remodification by the defense originally scheduled to be heard Monday were moved to Sept. 1.

Snow, 77, was arrested by Eden police in 2015 for his alleged involvement in the prostitution of two mentally disabled teenage girls.

He has been charged with six counts of promoting prostitution of a minor, six counts of statutory rape, six counts of patronizing a prostitute who is mentally disabled, four counts of patronizing a prostitute and four counts of second-degree forcible sexual offense.

In an additional twist, Winston-Salem lawyers Michael Grace and Chris Clifton were added as defense attorneys of record Monday, joining the current four.

Grace and Clifton also represent former Rockingham County District Attorney Craig Blitzer, who pleaded guilty in July to misdemeanor failure to discharge duties of office.

Assistant District Attorneys Charlene Franks and Jill Cairo, alongside Grace, discussed the conflict of interest that could affect the future of the trial.

Blitzer served as the lead prosecutor on the Snow case before he resigned in March, which could lead to a conflict of interest for the district attorneys office if he is subpoenaed to testify by the defense.

Grace told Poovey that its way too early to determine if Blitzer will play any role during what is expected to be a three-week trial, but if so, the defenses conflict through the representation of Blitzer would be resolved internally.
9 Years Later Couple Uncovers Lost Wedding Ring

Almost nine years ago Justin and Margaret Mussel lost Margaret's wedding ring on a trip in Italy. They remember looking high and low for the ring when they realized it was gone. After searching the entire house they were staying at they found nothing.

The couple was forced to go home from their trip empty handed. They eventually bought Margaret a new ring and moved on with their lives. Fast forward nine years and two kids later and the couple was now planning a trip to Italy with their children. They decided to stay in the the same house they had stayed in years ago.

When they arrived at the house all these years later, something caught their eye in a crack in the sidewalk. There it was, Margaret's long lost ring. The couple could not believe what they were seeing.

I guess nine years is never too late to give up on finding something you lost. What an amazing story!
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Aug. 23, 2017) - Mkango Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:MKA)(AIM:MKA) (the "Company" or "Mkango"), is pleased to announce that the Government of Malawi has granted a further two year renewal, from September 8, 2017, for Exclusive Exploration Licence ("EPL") 0303/10R3 ("the Thambani Licence"), in southwest Malawi.

The main exploration targets in the Thambani licence are uranium, niobium, tantalum, zircon and other associated minerals. In May 2017, Mkango announced the results of recent exploration at Thambani. Assay results from 85 rock grab samples returned high grade uranium, tantalum and niobium values, ranging up to 3.3 % U 3 O 8 , 1.9 % Ta 2 O 5 and 6.0 % Nb 2 O 5 . 35 of the samples graded above 500ppm U 3 O 8 and 24 graded above 1,000ppm U 3 O 8 . The May 2017 press release can be accessed via the following link: http://www.mkango.ca/s/news.asp?ReportID=790626. Mkango is currently evaluating strategic options for Thambani, including opportunities to joint venture or spin-off the project, and other potential avenues to create value.

About Mkango Resources Ltd.

Mkango's primary business is the exploration for rare earth elements and associated minerals in the Republic of Malawi, a country whose hospitable people have earned it a reputation as "the warm heart of Africa". Mkango holds, through its wholly owned subsidiary Lancaster Exploration Limited, a 100% interest in two exclusive prospecting licences in southern Malawi, the Phalombe licence and the Thambani licence.

The main exploration target in the Phalombe licence is the Songwe Hill rare earths' deposit, which features carbonatite hosted rare earth mineralisation and was subject to previous exploration in the late 1980s. Mkango completed an updated Pre-feasibility Study for the project in November 2015. Mkango's strategy for Songwe is to further optimise the project with a view to maximising efficiency and reducing costs, thereby providing a strong platform for entering into partnerships, marketing and offtake arrangements. In December 2016, Mkango entered into an agreement with Noble Resources International to collaborate in the rare earths sector. In March 2017, Mkango entered into a MOU with Metalysis Limited to jointly research, develop and commercialise novel rare earth metal alloys for use in three-dimensional (3D) printed permanent magnets.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such factors and risks include, without limiting the foregoing, delays in obtaining financing or governmental or stock exchange approvals. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any equity or other securities of the Corporation in the United States. The securities of the Corporation will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold within the United States to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.
TSXV: RKR

OTC Pink: RKMSF

VANCOUVER, Aug. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Rokmaster Resources Corp. ("Rokmaster" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received an amended Mines Act Permit (the "Permit") from the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines. The new Permit is an area based permit authorizing exploration activities including surface diamond drilling on a multi-year and multi-drill hole basis, for the Company's 100% owned Duncan Lake Zinc-Lead Property (the "Property"). The Permit expires October 31, 2022.

The Company commenced a preliminary program consisting of further data collection and compilation. This work includes recovery, re-organization and re-logging of selected historical drill core, analysis of selected core intervals for silver and gold and structural study to target initial drill holes. Initial assay results have been received and will be released when compiled.

The initial start date planned for drilling to commence has been pushed to early fall to provide for the lifting of forest fire closures, drill crew availability and completion of the equity financing.

Corporate Updates:

(1) The Company announces that in conjunction with and to accommodate the appointment of Mr. David Moore to the Company's Board of Directors, Mr. Antonio de Quadros has agreed to step down from the Board of Directors effective immediately and will remain as an Advisor to the Board.



(2) The Company further announces that it is extending its plans to proceed with the non-brokered private placement of up to 20,000,000 units in its news release dated July 14, 2017.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"John Mirko"

John Mirko, President & Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) nor any other regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," 'projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to fluctuations in metal prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's properties; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from Rokmaster's operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

SOURCE Rokmaster Resources Corp.
Vancouver, August 23, 2017 - Deep-South Resources Inc. ("Deep-South" or "the Company") (TSX-V: DSM) is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of agreement (the "Letter of Agreement") to acquire from Suricate SARL ("Suricate"), 75% of the INAL project, neighboring the Kinross Tasiast gold mine situated in the northwest of Mauritania.

Upon completion of a satisfactory due diligence, Deep-South shall acquire a 75% beneficial interest in the INAL project in consideration for a cash payment of

US $ 20,000.00 and the issuance of 500,000 common shares of Deep-South. The respective interests of both Parties will be held into a joint-venture company (Holdco).

Furthermore, Deep-South shall incur the following payments and shares issuance to Suricate:

On Cash Payments Shares Issuance

First Anniversary of Closing Date US$ 100,000 250,000

Second Anniversary of Closing Date US$ 100,000 250,000

Third Anniversary of Closing Date US$ 100,000 250,000



In addition to the above mentioned consideration, pursuant to the Letter of Agreement Suricate is entitled to a production bonus of US $ 1 million to be paid on the first day of commercial production commencement;

Deep-South shall finance all the exploration expenditures up to a production decision. Upon the day of a commercial production decision, Suricate shall contribute its share of the eventual mine development. Deep-South intends to hire Suricate to act as its representative in Mauritania for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date at a rate of US$2,500 per month.

Upon closing, Sparrowhawk Gold Limited, a geological consulting company, has analyzed the project and upon closing will receive a compensation of US $ 3,500 and 50,000 common shares of Deep-South. After the first anniversary of the Letter of Agreement, Deep-South shall retain the services of Sparrowhawk for the 3 subsequent years of the project for a cash compensation of US $ 10,000 per year and the issuance of 30,000 common shares per year .

The Letter of Agreement, and the transactions contemplated therein, including the shares issuance are subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Letter of Agreement and to Sparrowhawk Gold Limited will be subject to a hold period of four months and a day from the date of issuance.

Mr. John Akwenye, Chairman of Deep-South stated, "We are delighted with this transaction. We are securing a large area in the heart of a promising area that already host a large gold mine and several discoveries. INAL has substantial exploration potential. It is a strong addition to our Haib copper project in Namibia. INAL is a quality asset that adds strong value for our shareholders."

About the INAL Project: Gold and Lithium potential

The INAL project is situated within the Aoueouat Greenstone Belt of North West Mauritania (see maps at: https://www.deepsouthresources.com/projects/inal-property/). The project comprises two exploration licenses covering an area of 441 square kilometres located some 45 kilometres North East along trend from Kinross's Tasiast gold deposit, and is adjacent to Kinross's N'Daouas-Est and Algold's Legouessi exploration licenses. The project covers prime granite greenstone belt terrain and host a number of geological structures extending from the Kinross licenses through, and onto, the INAL licenses. These structures, including a banded iron formation that hosts the Tasiast deposit, have the potential to host gold mineralization.

Furthermore, the INAL project also hosts a number of pegmatite bodies with confirmed spodumene and lepidolite mineralization. The pegmatite bodies have been identified by intermittence over a length of at least 40 km and a width of over 10 km, and represent very prospective targets for lithium mineralization.

North Western Mauritania is underlain by the South Western portion of the Reguibat Shield, which forms part of the West African Craton. The Reguibat Shield host Archaean age Greenstone Belts that bear many similarities to other Archaean age Greenstone Belts of the West African Craton, most notably in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali and others, which all host multi-million ounce gold deposits.

Clifford Fitzhenry; MSc, BSc (Hons), Pr.Sci.Nat., is responsible for the technical part of this press release and is the designated Qualified Person under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.

About Deep-South Resources Inc.

Deep-South Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company largely held Namibian shareholders and Teck Resources Ltd., which holds about 35% of Deep-South share capital. Deep-South is actively involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of major mineral properties. Deep-South currently holds 100% of the Haib Copper project in Namibia, one of the largest copper porphyry in Africa. Deep-South growth strategy is to focus on the exploration and development of quality assets, in significant mineralized trends, close to infrastructure, in stable countries.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements," as identified in Deep-South's periodic filings with Canadian Securities Regulators that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

More information is available by contacting Paradox Public Relations at

+1-514-341-0408 or at info@deepsouthresources.com.



Copyright (c) 2017 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.


VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA and SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwired - Aug 23, 2017) - Further to the new release dated July 13, 2017 Compass Gold Corp. (NEX:CVB.H) (Compass or the Company) and Mali Gold Exploration Pty Ltd (MGE) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a binding share exchange agreement (the Agreement) dated August 23, 2017 (as signed by the two companies and MGE's shareholders), whereby Compass will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of MGE (the MGE Shares) in exchange for the issuance of PostConsolidation Shares (as defined below) of Compass to the shareholders of MGE. The acquisition of MGE (the Acquisition) will constitute a Reactivation and a Reverse Takeover of Compass as such terms are defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV or the Exchange).

HIGHLIGHTS:

Special Committee supports the Acquisition and Agreement signed

Transaction and concurrent $6 million financing expected to be completed by the end of October 2017

MGE holds the Sikasso Property comprising five (5) gold exploration licenses in Mali, West Arica covering a total area of 1,179 km 2

Proposed Board and management renewal with former IAMGold founders to join board and management of Compass following the Acquisition

Existing and proposed Compass Board and Management have substantial experience in managing gold exploration projects in Mali

Compass is a public company organized under the laws of British Columbia and listed on the NEX board of the TSXV. Compass and MGE have common directors and shareholders (as outlined further below) and therefore the Acquisition will not be an arm'slength transaction. In July 2017, the board of directors of the Company (the Board) formed a special committee of independent directors (the Special Committee) to consider the Acquisition. As a result of the recommendations of the Special Committee, the Board has entered into the Agreement.

Compass will be required to obtain shareholder approval for the Acquisition. Trading in the common shares of the Company is halted at present. It is expected that the Company's common shares will resume trading as soon as possible following this new release, subject to Exchange acceptance among other things.

Terms of the Acquisition

As part of the Acquisition, the Company will complete a 5:1 consolidation of its shares (each new share referred to herein as a PostConsolidation Share) and the Company will seek the required approvals to be continued into Ontario.

Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, Compass will acquire (through a wholly-owned subsidiary) all the MGE Shares from the MGE shareholders on a 0.6:1 basis, which would result in the issuance of an aggregate of 12,000,000 PostConsolidation Shares based on the current number of outstanding MGE Shares. MGE currently has no other securities outstanding. Compass has also agreed to pay up to $50,000 in transaction costs incurred by MGE or MGE Shareholders in connection with the Acquisition.

The Acquisition is not an arm's-length transaction as certain insiders of Compass are also insiders of MGE and directly or indirectly own both MGE Shares and shares in Compass. James Henderson and Madani Diallo are directors and shareholders of both Compass and MGE and Larry Phillips is a director of Compass and shareholder of both Compass and MGE.

At the closing of the Acquisition, MGE will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Compass and the shareholders of MGE will become shareholders of Compass. The business of the resulting company will be MGE's business of gold mineral exploration in Mali. MGE holds, through subsidiaries, the Sikasso Property comprising five (5) gold exploration licenses in Mali, West Arica covering a total area of 1,179 km2 in established gold producing regions of Mali. The financial statements of MGE, which are currently unaudited, shows capitalized exploration expenditures of approximately $5,000,000. Further information on the Sikasso Property is set out separately below.

The PostConsolidation Shares to be issued to the MGE shareholders under the Acquisition will be subject to restrictions on resale, including escrow restrictions, imposed by applicable laws and the Exchange.

Concurrent Private Placement

The Agreement provides that, as a condition to closing the Acquisition, Compass will carry out a non-brokered private placement of common shares to raise gross proceeds of not less than $5,000,000 and not more than $6,000,000 at a purchase price of not less than $0.50 per Post-Consolidation Share (Financing). Subject to approval from MGE, Compass may accept up to $2 million in oversubscriptions in the Financing (resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of up to $8 million). In connection with the Financing, Compass will pay a cash commission to eligible finders, equal to up to 6% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised by the finders and will issue non-transferable warrants to such finders entitling the holder to subscribe for the number of common shares that is equal to up to 6% of the aggregate number of common shares issued to subscribers introduced by such finders. The finder's warrants will have an exercise price equal to the offering price ($0.50) and will be exercisable for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Acquisition. Proceeds of the Financing will be used for the recommended work program on the Sikasso Property and for general working capital purposes.

At the closing of the Acquisition, based on Compass's current outstanding shares and assuming completion of a $6,000,000 private placement and the payment of the fee to the financial advisor as noted below, Compass is expected to have approximately 27.3 million common shares on issue and, assuming no MGE Shareholders participate in the Financing, approximately 43.9% of those shares will be held by the former MGE shareholders.

Proposed Board and Management Changes

On the completion of the Acquisition, it is proposed that Malcom Carson and Lara Iacusso will resign from the Board of Compass and Bill Pugliese and Joe Conway be appointed. It is also proposed that Larry Phillips will be appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Compass.

Larry Phillips, Joe Conway and Bill Pugliese were founders and/or members of the senior management team of IAMGold Corp. (IAMGold), an international gold mining, development and exploration company with operating mines across three continents, including in Mali and Burkina Faso in West Africa. Collectively this team directed international investments, joint ventures, government relationships and operations for IAMGold Corp., growing the company from a $50 million joint venture company to a $6 billion leading intermediate gold producer, listed on the TSX and NYSE.

With existing directors James Henderson and Madani Diallo, Compass will have a leading board and management team with substantial experience in finding and developing resources in Mali and West Africa.

Set out below is a short background of each of the insiders of Compass on completion of the Acquisition:

James Henderson, Chairman is the founder and Executive Chairman of Transocean Securities which was established in 1987. He has over 30 years' experience in providing financial advisory services in Australia and overseas across a wide range of industries including mining and resources, healthcare and medical devices, aged care and clean energy. James specializes in providing advice to emerging companies relating to corporate transactions and strategies, including corporate advice, financial structuring, capital raisings and commercial negotiations. He has led teams on a variety of transactions including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, takeovers and capital raisings in Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA and Africa. He is an experienced chairman, board member, chief executive officer and corporate adviser.

James is the former chairman of Oklo Resources Ltd. (ASX:OKU) (Oklo) and led the successful acquisition by Oklo of the Company's former gold assets also based in Mali. Oklo has grown from an initial market capitalization at the time of the transaction of C$6 million to approximately C$80 million today.

Larry Phillips, Current Non-Executive Director, Proposed Chief Executive Director, is one of the four founders of IAMGOLD. For over 20 years Larry was a senior executive with a leading role in all international investments, joint ventures and government relationships, helping build the company into one of the largest gold mining companies in the world, trading on the TSX and NYSE. He took early retirement in June 2011 as part of a broader corporate succession plan. While at IAMGOLD, Larry served as a Director of The World Gold Council. Prior to that, he was the managing partner of a Toronto-based law firm specializing in corporate commercial law.

Currently Larry serves as President of Corplex Management Services in Toronto, providing advisory services in international business and governmental affairs to private and public companies. He has served as an Executive in Residence and a part-time lecturer at Queens University School of Business. He is a Director and Chair of the Governance Committee for Gowest Gold (TSX VENTURE:GWA), and Chairman and CEO of California Gold Mining Inc. (TSX VENTURE:CGM).

Madani Diallo, Current Non-Executive Director, is an accomplished geochemist with an outstanding track record including over 30 years of successful exploration in West Africa. During his lengthy career Madani has directly led various teams that discovered several large gold deposits including the multi-million ounce deposits of at Syama, Morila, Sadiola and Essakane. Madani is a director of several companies focused on precious and industrial minerals in the region. He also advises private and government agencies involved with the financing of resource related projects.

Madani is a Director of Oklo. He is also a director of the Sadiola Gold Mine (IamGold/AngloGold Ashanti JV), also based in Mali. He holds the position of Vice-President of the Mali Chamber of Mines, President of the Association of Geoscientists in Mali and Director of UBA bank in Burkina Faso. Madani has also been honored with the second highest distinction in Mali, "Knight of National Order" for his contribution to the development of the Mali mining industry.

Joe Conway, Proposed Non- Executive Director, has nearly 30 years of mining and financial industry experience. Joe served as President and CEO of IAMGOLD from 2003 to 2010. Joe has a B.Sc. from Memorial University of Newfoundland (1981), and an MBA from Dalhousie University (1987). He has been Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim President of Primero Mining Corp. (TSX:P) (Primero) since March 2017 and has held numerous other executive positions with Primero since 2010.

Bill Pugliese, Proposed Non- Executive Director, was one of the founders of IAMGold and served as its Chief Executive Officer of IAMGold until January 2003. Bill continued as Chairman of the Board of Directors of IAMGold until 2016. He participated directly in the evolution of IAMGold, including the development of the Sadiola concession in Mali through his dealings with government officials and joint venture partners. He has an extensive business background developed over a period of 35 years as the principal shareholder in a number of private Canadian companies.

Appointment of Financial Advisor

To assist with the Acquisition, Compass has appointed INFOR Financial Inc. (INFOR Financial) as primary financial advisor to the Company. INFOR Financial will be paid a fixed fee totaling $120,000, of which $20,000 is payable in cash and the balance payable in shares issued at the same price as the Financing.

Acquisition Process

As noted above, Compass is required to obtain shareholder approval for the Acquisition. Compass expects to hold a meeting of shareholders in October 2017 to approve the Acquisition and related matters. The information circular to be sent to Compass shareholders, and filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, in respect of the shareholders' meeting (Information Circular) will contain comprehensive disclosure regarding the Acquisition, the Financing, MGE and the Sikasso Property

Other than shareholder approval and Exchange acceptance, the most significant conditions required to be satisfied in connection with the closing of the Acquisition are:

Compass being satisfied with the results of due diligence in respect of MGE, and the Sikasso Property;

the completion of the Financing;

consents being obtained from all third parties that are necessary to complete the Acquisition;

the preparation of a technical report in respect of the Sikasso Property on Form 43101F1, which will be filed on SEDAR;

the receipt of updated title opinion(s) in respect of the Sikasso Property;

the receipt of two years of audited financial statements of MGE for the years ended June 30, 2017; and

there having been no material adverse changes in the financial condition, assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of either Compass or MGE.

The closing of the Acquisition is expected to occur by the end of October 2017, following the Compass shareholder approval and final acceptance from the Exchange of the Acquisition and related transactions, or such other date as the parties may agree pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.

About MGE and the Sikasso Property

MGE is a private Australia company that holds, through its wholly-owned Mali subsidiaries, gold exploration permits located Mali that comprise the Sikasso Property. The exploration permits are located in three sites in Southern Mali with a combined land holding of 1,179km2. The Sikasso Property is located in the same region as several other multi-million ounce gold projects, including Morila, Syama, Kalana and Kodieran.

The Sikasso Property comprises five exploration permits at the following three sites:

Ouassada and Sankarini;

Tieoulena and Kourou; and

(collectively referred to as the Yanfolila Block)

(collectively referred to as the Yanfolila Block) Kale.

All the licenses are located close to existing infrastructure, including paved roads, grid power and water in close proximity.

To view map identifying the location of the exploration licenses please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/CVB0823.jpg

Work undertaken at the Sikasso Property to date incudes:

Historical soil sampling programs;

High resolution airborne magnetic, and radiometric surveys completed over the five licenses;

Compilation of existing data;

New geology maps derived from data interpretation; and

Regional field mapping.

As a result of this exploration work, a total of 36 exploration targets have been identified including 29 Targets at the Yanfolila Block and 7 at Kale.

Further information regarding the Sikasso Property will be included in Compass's Information Circular, which will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Compass

Compass is a public company organized under the laws of British Columbia. Compass is currently listed on the NEX board of the Exchange.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDS

COMPASS GOLD CORP.

Lara Iacusso, Director

MALI GOLD EXPLORATION PTY LTD

James Henderson, Director

ForwardLooking Information

This news release contains "forwardlooking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the proposal to complete the Acquisition and associated transactions, including statements regarding the terms and conditions of such transactions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forwardlooking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by such information depending on, among other things, the risks that the parties will not proceed with the Acquisition and associated transactions, that the ultimate terms of the Acquisition and associated transactions will differ from those that currently are contemplated, and that the Acquisition and associated transactions will not be successfully completed for any reason (including the failure to obtain the required approvals from regulatory authorities). The statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forwardlooking information except as required by applicable law.

Completion of the Acquisition and associated transactions are subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Acquisition cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Acquisition and associated transactions will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Acquisition, any information released or received with respect to the Acquisition and associated transactions may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Compass should be considered highly speculative. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Acquisition and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.
At Southwark Elementary, there is one counselor for 800 students, many of whom have behavioral and emotional challenges.When principal Andrew Lukov got news that the school was getting a full-time social worker -- and eventually other professionals to address students' emotional needs -- he cheered. In 19 years as a Philadelphia School District employee, he's found that students' biggest obstacle to academic progress is often not about curriculum or supplies, but about things happening to them outside the classroom."To have another team member to help triage, to support kids emotionally, to be proactive, that's huge," said Lukov. "We all know the correlation between students' feeling comfortable and supported, and academic success."The city will spend $1.2 million to put full-time social workers in Southwark and 21 other schools beginning this fall, Mayor Kenney announced Wednesday. The pilot program, which officials hope eventually will roll out to schools districtwide, will introduce behavioral consultants, case managers, and family peer specialists in later years.If the School Reform Commission signs off on the program at its Thursday meeting, as expected, the district will begin hiring the social workers, who would be district employees. The city said it hopes to receive some Medicaid reimbursement to pay the workers, but is committed to funding the program regardless.The 22 schools -- elementary, middle and high schools, 21 district schools and one charter -- were chosen based on student need. Eight of the city's community schools made the list, and seven schools in the West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood zone also chosen. Drexel University will provide funds to support those schools.Kenney began monthly meetings with city principals soon after he was sworn in as mayor, and it became clear immediately what educators needed most in their buildings."I heard over and over again that many of our children are struggling," Kenney said.Spending money to put social workers in schools now should lead to benefits down the road, the mayor said."If we don't pay attention to this now, we'll deal with this in the end -- on State Road, in a drug treatment facility, or on Gurney Street," said Kenney, referring to the city's prisons and the Kensington street that had until recently been a notorious center of drug use.Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said that keeping city children out of crisis "is the most important thing we can do.""You cannot educate a child who is in crisis or experiencing trauma," said Hite.School Reform Commission member Estelle Richman, a longtime public servant who spent much of her work life providing and overseeing behavioral services, began her career as a school psychologist in Cleveland. She joined Kenney and Hite to underscore the need for such services."Too long, these were the forgotten children," said Richman. "Too long, these were the children who created chaos, and no one took the time to understand why."For years, educators inside city schools have coped with a needy student population and too few resources to help them. The district, which only restored full-time counselors inside every school last year, has one crisis response team responsible for each of its 220 schools.And, Tangela McClam, principal of Cassidy Elementary in West Philadelphia, noted, that's just to handle the most serious crises."You can have a lot of children in crisis at once," said McClam.There's often a lag in response when the crisis team is called, principals said, and in the meantime, they sometimes have to call 911."If you have a master's degree social worker on site, the outcome's going to be better," said Kenney. "We want to find the root of the trauma, and fix it."Kimlime Chek-Taylor, the principal of South Philadelphia High School, another school in line to receive a social worker in September, said she was hopeful the new resource would help her keep more students in class and on track to graduation. Southern, one of the city's large comprehensive high schools, often loses pupils with unmet behavioral and mental health needs."There's a sense of relief that our students will have someone to help them immediately," said Chek-Taylor. "This will have an impact right away."
Some doctors in California felt uncomfortable last year when a new law began allowing terminally ill patients to request lethal medicines, saying their careers had been dedicated to saving lives, not ending them.Many health care systems designed protocols for screening people who say they're interested in physician-assisted death, some of them meant to dissuade patients from taking up the option.But physicians across the state say the conversations that health workers are having with patients are leading to patients' fears and needs regarding dying being addressed better than ever before. They say the law has improved medical care for sick patients, even those who don't take advantage of it."One doctor said we should be able to order the End of Life Option Act without the drugs," said Dr. Neil Wenger, director of the UCLA Health Ethics Center. "It really has created a new standard for how we ought to be helping people at the end of life."California last year became the fifth state to allow people with terminal illnesses to request pills from their doctors to end their lives. In the first six months the law was in effect, 111 terminally ill patients ended their lives that way, state officials said.The law requires that two doctors agree that the patient has an incurable illness with no more than six months to live and has the mental capacity to make such a decision. Many health systems set up additional protocols for patients who express interest in the law.At UCLA, they're required to talk to psychologists or social workers, which often reveals concerns that weren't being addressed, said Anne Coscarelli, a clinical psychologist who heads the team of health workers that meets with these patients.The health workers ask patients a variety of questions: what scares them, how they're feeling, what they're worried about, what defines their quality of life.Sometimes doctors end up adjusting patients' medicines or treatments because patients hadn't before expressed how much pain they were in. Some patients decide to go on hospice earlier than they would have otherwise."Not everyone who's talking about this is saying, 'I want this medication.' They're saying, 'I'm suffering' or 'I'm worried about suffering' and that becomes the conversation starter ... and it might not come up in any other way," Coscarelli said.About 100 patients at UCLA began the process to receive a prescription in the first 12 months the law was in effect, but only about a quarter ended up getting prescriptions, Wenger said.Coscarelli said psychologists and social workers have also helped patients come to terms with dying. For some, it can be as simple as getting their legal or financial affairs in order.Others have confronted the question of what legacy they will leave behind. Some record video messages for their loved ones. One woman put together a folder for each of her children and grandchildren filled with stories about them and stories about her, Coscarelli said."That becomes something that we can introduce people to in these conversations, whereas they might not have ever thought about it," she said.Doctors have sometimes struggled to talk about dying with patients. According to a 2015 Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 89 percent of people believe doctors should discuss end-of-life care with patients, but only 17 percent had had such a conversation with their health care provider.But now, physicians say patients are curious about the law and asking about it, which provides them an opportunity to have these frank discussions.A study from Oregon, which legalized aid-in-dying 20 years ago, found that though only 1 in 640 terminally ill patients took lethal medications, 1 in 50 talked to their physician about it and 1 in 6 talked to their families about it."There's a lot of need for talk, and talk is something that's bigger and broader than the actual aid-in-dying itself," Coscarelli said.Dr. Bob Uslander, who specializes in palliative and hospice care, said that at a recent speaking event in San Diego, he fielded dozens of questions about not just physician-assisted death but also other end-of-life care options.He said he thinks the unprecedented interest spurred by the law will lead to more thoughtful planning around death, such as the creation of more advanced care directives."We'll get more people to actually make their wishes known and document their wishes," Uslander said.The law still faces heavy opposition from some corners. Many doctors still don't want to write the prescriptions. Also, a group of doctors has filed a lawsuit saying that the law essentially decriminalizes assisted suicide and strips terminally ill patients of their protections under state law. A judge ruled this summer that the case would be allowed to go to trial.Doctors aren't required to participate in the law, and health systems can opt out. At Catholic and church-affiliated hospitals, which make up 13 percent of all acute care hospitals in the state, doctors are not allowed to prescribe such medications.But even at those institutions, requests for the medicines have sometimes helped identify issues that health workers can assist with, said Lori Dangberg, vice president of the Alliance of Catholic Health Care. Patients fear they'll be a burden on their families, or are scared of what's to come, she said.The Catholic and church-affiliated hospitals have also begun a collaboration with local dioceses to hold workshops on end-of-life matters, she said. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles now offers a workshop on end-of-life care, including ethics, palliative and hospice care as well as pastoral care at the end of life."I think what this new law has done, it's really a reminder we need to do a much better job with caring for people through the end of life," Dangberg said.Dr. Stephen Lockhart, chief medical officer for Sutter Health, said that before the law went into effect, doctors received training in how to talk about aid in dying, but also in other end-of-life options. They had their questions answered by medical ethicists.He said that more patients than before are broaching the topic with their physicians. Even patients who have wills or advanced care directives had not always planned out their end-of-life wishes with their families."It takes a certain amount of courage to step into those conversations and ... we have people now stepping into those conversations, and they now have the support to move through them," he said.
Gov. John Kasich says a bipartisan health-care plan he's been working on with Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is nearly finished."We're getting very close. I just talked to my guys today, men and women who are working on this with (Hickenlooper's) people, and we think we'll have some specifics here, I actually think we could have it within a week," Kasich said in a Monday joint interview with Hickenlooper on Colorado Public Radio.Kasich told the radio station that the agreement will be sent to other governors in hope that they also will sign on to the proposal.The governors could present their plan in September to the Senate Health Committee when the panel holds hearings on stabilizing marketplaces where people purchase individual health insurance plans following the collapse of GOP efforts to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's 2010 Affordable Care Act.Kasich and Hickenlooper declined to discuss details of their proposal except that they are focused on stabilizing insurance markets and the mandate that employers with more than 50 employees provide health coverage. On the latter, Kasich said, he and Hickenlooper disagree on the mandate but agree on increasing the number of employees from 50 that small businesses owners argue deters hiring.The plan will not address whether to maintain Medicaid expansion which both governors also support. Kasich told the radio station that discussion should wait until other issues are addressed.A spokesman for Kasich declined to comment Tuesday about the interview."We have additional planning discussions on the books this week, so we're making good progress. It's still too early for any further specifics," said press secretary Jon Keeling said in an e-mail.Kasich and Hickenlooper outlined guiding principles in June aimed at preserving coverage while lowering health-care costs. In addition to stabilizing insurance markets, they included giving states flexibility to implement their own reforms and reducing federal regulations.Senate hearings will be held Sept. 6 and 7, featuring state insurance commissioners the first day and governors the next. Names have not been released.
The Republican-controlled Senate completed the override of six of Gov. John Kasich's budget vetoes on Tuesday, the first successful overrides of an Ohio governor's veto in nine years.Chief among them were provisions designed to clip the governor's power to use the quasi-legislative Ohio Controlling Board to draw down billions in federal funds, as he did in 2013 to expand Medicaid over the objections of many in his own party.Another overridden provision requires legislative approval before optional populations may be added to the Medicaid rolls in the future."This is simply another attack at Medicaid expansion that would see this General Assembly refusing to grant coverage to any new groups should they become eligible," Sen. Edna Brown (D., Toledo) said. "It appears that the majority wants sole power to decide who is worthy of coverage and who is not."Senate President Larry Obhof (R., Medina), however, said the vetoes were about the General Assembly reasserting itself."The administrative state has taken on what were traditionally or should be responsibilities of the legislature, and we are starting to take some of those back," he said.Still in place is Mr. Kasich's veto of a provision that would have frozen enrollment into the Medicaid expansion program. The Senate still could override the veto because the House did not take it up in July, saying it may consider the move at a later date once the uncertainty over the federal Affordable Care Act was resolved in Washington.For all the GOP protests over the expansion, the budget includes the money to cover the state's share of the cost, currently 5 percent, although it requires the governor to now get controlling board approval to release the funds.The Medicaid expansion is expected to cost $5.1 billion this year, $281.5 million of which is the state's responsibility.The upper chamber left untouched five other veto overrides the House approved in early July, including a provision that would have forced the Kasich administration to seek federal approval to raise a fee on managed-care providers to help out counties and public transit authorities that depended on revenue from a now-defunct sales tax on such providers."The Senate deserves credit for saying no to efforts that would have risked the future sustainability of Ohio's health-care system in order to seek a 24 percent tax hike on health plans," Mr. Kasich said. "I also applaud the Senate for choosing a different path on additional counterproductive health-care provisions."I stand by my vetoes on other health-care items and am disappointed with today's actions on them, but I am committed to working to manage changes with the least possible disruption in order to continue providing taxpayers with value and needy Ohioans with quality care," he said.The six overrides were the first for a governor since Dec. 7, 2006 when fellow Republicans overrode then-Gov. Bob Taft's veto of a bill negating gun ordinances in Toledo and other cities that were considered stricter than state or federal law.In addition to Medicaid expansion, the chamber also opted not to challenge the governor's veto of a provision that would have required his administration to again seek federal approval to impose premium requirements on some Medicaid recipients. Talks with the administration continue on this one.One Republican, Sen. John Eklund (R., Chardon), joined all nine Democrats in the chamber to oppose overriding Mr. Kasich's vetoes of three Medicaid-related provisions. The overrides carried, however, 23-10.Also still intact for the governor is the authority to appoint members of the Ohio Oil and Gas Commission -- which could consider authorizing exploration in state parks and other public lands -- after Mr. Kasich vetoed a provision that would have taken away that authority and given it to the the General Assembly. The House-passed an override of that provision, but the Senate opted not to take it up.Lawmakers attempted to take that authority because Mr. Kasich, more than five years after the commission's creation, had yet to appoint a member. Mr. Obhof said he believes the governor will now make the appointments.The General Assembly still has 16 months left in the current two-year session to consider other overrides.After lawmakers sent him a $65 billion budget for the next two years, Mr. Kasich used his line-item veto pen 47 times, particularly targeting provisions that he saw as undermining the Medicaid expansion that, in partnership with Obamacare, extended health coverage to about 725,000 additional Ohioans.Senate Republicans said they plan to continue to work with the governor to address the approaching $200 million-a-year revenue loss for counties and certain transit authorities that levy piggyback sales taxes. The federal government nixed a state gimmick in which it extended the sales tax to managed-care providers doing business with Medicaid in order to raise revenue that it, in turn, used to draw down even more federal matching dollars for Medicaid.The Kasich administration instead created a 5.8 percent health insurance corporation fee on all managed-care providers, a move that takes care of the state's own $500 million-a-year problem, but does not provide a long-term replacement for the local entities. Unlike the sales tax, counties and transit authorities don't get a slice of the fee.Lawmakers added a provision to the budget that would have required the administration to ask the federal government to increase that fee to 7.2 percent for six years to give counties and transit authorities more time to prepare for the day of reckoning.But the Kasich administration fears such a request is unlikely to be approved and could endanger Ohio's existing compromise with the federal government. The current budget holds partial replacement funds for the local entities for two years, but assumes the revenue will disappear after that time.
The two Seattle police officers who fatally shot Che Taylor last year have filed a defamation lawsuit against City Councilmember Kshama Sawant, alleging she falsely declared they had committed a "brutal murder" before they were cleared of wrongdoing by an inquest jury.The suit, filed last week in King County Superior Court, was brought against Sawant as an individual.Efforts to reach Sawant for comment Tuesday were not immediately successful.The highly unusual suit does not name the city of Seattle or the City Council as defendants, pointedly stating that Officers Scott Miller and Michael Spaulding "do not want one red cent of public money.""This is a complaint seeking damages against one individual who, acting in her own capacity and only on her own behalf, defamed two good men," the suit says.Miller and Spaulding "do a hard job for modest pay and little thanks _ realities they accept," the suit adds. "But what they do not accept, and what the law does not permit, is having their reputations ruined by an ambitious politician, doing so for personal gain."Earlier this year, a King County inquest jury found that Taylor, 46, posed a threat of death or serious injury when Miller and Spaulding shot him on Feb. 21, 2016, while trying to arrest him as a felon in unlawful possession of a firearm.The two officers, who are white, were conducting an undercover operation in search of another man wanted on a drug warrant when Taylor, an African American, arrived in a car, jurors were told during the fact-finding proceeding.The officers testified that they recognized Taylor and knew he had a criminal history. Taylor had served a lengthy prison sentence, with convictions for rape and robbery.Miller testified he saw a handgun in a holster on Taylor's right hip as Taylor left the car. Miller said he then informed Spaulding.When they confronted Taylor, the officers testified, Taylor crouched and reached to his right hip, with his elbow bent in a motion consistent with drawing a gun.Both officers said Taylor's body blocked their view of his hip, but they were convinced he was reaching for a gun.Jurors unanimously agreed that Taylor showed his hands and moved downward after the officers gave him commands.They also found Spaulding had reason to believe Taylor was drawing a gun, and six jurors concluded Miller thought Taylor was drawing a gun, while two answered "unknown."Taylor, who was standing next to another car, had ignored commands to get on the ground, the officers said.Taylor fell into an open door of the car after being shot, the officers testified.All eight jurors found that a handgun was later recovered from under the seat.Lawyers for Taylor's family raised questions about whether Taylor was armed when he was confronted and whether the gun found in the car had been there before the shooting. They also questioned whether Taylor was given conflicting, confusing and overlapping commands from Spaulding and Miller and other officers backing them.The shooting came at a time of heightened scrutiny nationwide into the police use of deadly force against African-American males. The president of the Seattle King County NAACP called the shooting "coldblooded murder."A Seattle police review board found last year the shooting fell within department policy and, after the inquest, King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg declined to bring criminal charges against Spaulding and Miller.The lawsuit against Sawant says that about five days after the shooting, Sawant appeared before a crowd and news media in front of the Police Department.While her appearance was not official city business or a legislative function, Sawant "implied awareness of inside factual information," the suit alleges."With gravitas established, she went on to pronounce Che Taylor's death a 'brutal murder' and product of 'racial profiling,'" the suit says.Her statements weren't qualified as opinion and she did not acknowledge the ongoing investigation, according to the suit."She, instead, tried and convicted the officers herself in the court of public opinion," the suit alleges.Despite the inquest ruling, Sawant continues to refer to the shooting as a "murder" and publicly asserts the officers avoided "accountability," the suit says.Sawant has not responded to the officers' request to retract her statements, the suit says.
More than 60 former state attorney generals are urging President Trump to follow the example of an Alabama official who once famously told the Ku Klux Klan to "kiss my ass."In a letter obtained by Buzzfeed, 66 former state and territorial attorneys general asked Trump to "respond directly to the voice of hate." The letter goes on to cite a 1976 exchange between then-Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley and Edward Field, the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan."In 1971, the 29-year-old Attorney General of Alabama began his quest to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Birmingham church bombing which killed four little girls," the letter to Trump said. "It was a crime rooted in hate and his determination to prosecute the case gave rise to voices of leaders of hate. He faced political furor, lack of cooperation from federal and state government agencies and constant threats of physical violence and death. But he persisted. It took years but he obtained a conviction."In 1976, when the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan wrote a threatening letter and demanded the Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley respond to his letter, he did."We commend his response to the attention of all who seek to equivocate in times of moral crisis."Baxley's letter, written on official Attorney General letter head, stated:Dear "Dr." Fields,My response to your letter to Feb. 19, 1976 is -- kiss my ass.Sincerely,Bill Baxley, Attorney GeneralThe letter was later published in a Klan newsletter.The former AGs letter to Trump comes after the president was widely criticized for his comments after racially charged violence in Charlottesville, Virginia in which he said there were "many sides to blame" for the unrest.The letter was signed by:--Robert Abrams, New York--Ronald Amemiya, Hawaii--Jeff Amestoy, Vermont--Bruce Babbitt, Arizona--Thurbert Baker, Georgia--Paul Bardacke, New Mexico--Steve Beshear, Kentucky--Bruce Botelho, Alaska--Margery Bronster, Hawaii--Charlie Brown, West Virginia--Richard Bryan, Nevada--Charles Burson, Tennessee--Bonnie Campbell, Iowa--Steve Clark, Arkansas--Walter Cohen, Pennsylvania--Robert Cooper, Tennessee--J. Joseph Curran, Jr., Maryland--Fred Cowan, Kentucky--Frankie Sue Del Papa, Nevada--Jerry Diamond, Vermont--Richard Doran, Florida--John Easton, Vermont--Rufus Edmisten, North Carolina--Drew Edmondson, Oklahoma--Tyrone Fahner, Illinois--Lee Fisher, Ohio--Karen Freeman-Wilson, Indiana--Terry Goddard, Arizona--Chris Gorman, Kentucky--Slade Gorton, Washington--Jennifer Granholm, Michigan--Scott Harshbarger, Massachusetts--Peter Harvey, New Jersey--Hubert H . Humphrey III, Minnesota--Drew Ketterer, Maine--Oliver Koppell, New York--Peg Lautenschlager, Wisconsin--Joseph Lieberman, Connecticut--Michael Lilly, Hawaii--Alicia Limtiaco, Guam--Bill Lockyer, California--David Louie, Hawaii--Robert Marks, Hawaii--Brian McKay, Nevada--Jeff Modisett, Indiana--Betty Montgomery, Ohio--Mike Moore, Mississippi--Jeffrey Pine, Rhode Island--Warren Price III, Hawaii--Hector Richard, Puerto Rico--Clarine Nardi Riddle, Connecticut--Dennis Roberts, Rhode Island--Stephen Rosenthal, Virginia--Stephen Sachs, Maryland--James Shannon, Massachusetts--Mark Shurtleff, Utah--William Sorrell, Vermont--Rbert Spagnoletti, District of Columbia--Robert Stephan, Kansas--Mary Sue Terry, Virginia--James Tierney, Maine--Anthony F. Troy, Virginia--Jim Guy Tucker, Arkansas--Paul Van Dam, Utah--Bob Wefald, North Dakota--Grant Woods, Arizona
Gov. Eric Greitens called off an execution on Tuesday so the state could make sure it sentenced a guilty man to death.Greitens granted a stay of execution to Marcellus Williams, who had been facing death by injection at 6 p.m. for the 1998 murder of Lisha Gayle at her home in University City. Williams' attorneys had claimed that recent DNA tests could prove their client's innocence.With a little more than four hours to go before the execution was scheduled to begin, Greitens said he was appointing a board of inquiry to investigate the case in light of an "inconclusive" DNA test."A sentence of death is the ultimate, permanent punishment," he said in a statement. "To carry out the death penalty, the people of Missouri must have confidence in the judgment of guilt."Attorneys for Marcellus Williams have insisted he could be innocent, after DNA found on the murder weapon did not match Williams' DNA.Kent Gipson, a Kansas City-based attorney for Williams, said the governor's action was "good news" and said the appointment of a board of inquiry was a "rare thing" for a Missouri capital case.Greitens invoked a rarely used state law giving him discretion to appoint a board of inquiry to gather information and report back on whether a person condemned to death should be executed. Then-Gov. Mel Carnahan convened two such boards in the 1990s.Greitens said the five-member board would include retired Missouri judges and have the power to subpoena witnesses and evidence. His executive order said all of the proceedings would be closed to the public.Williams, 48, was sentenced to death in 2001. The prosecution said Williams was burglarizing the home when Gayle, who had been taking a shower, surprised him. She fought for her life as she was stabbed repeatedly.Williams' attorneys claim recent DNA tests could prove Williams' innocence.The Missouri Supreme Court in 2015 postponed Williams' execution to allow time for the DNA tests. Using technology that was not available at the time of the killing, those tests show that DNA found on the knife matched an unknown male, according to an analysis by Greg Hampikian, a biologist with Boise State University. Williams' DNA was not found on the knife.Despite that finding, the state's high court denied his petition to stop the execution and either appoint a special master to hear his innocence claim or vacate the death sentence and order his sentence commuted to life in prison.Williams' attorneys have also petitioned Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, circuit justice for the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, to stop the execution. Gorsuch had not ruled by Tuesday evening.Williams' attorneys were hoping for further DNA tests to compare the case to another slaying in 1998, the unsolved stabbing death of Debra McClain in Pagedale."Americans don't want their states executing innocent people," said Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, a Washington-based nonprofit clearinghouse for studies and reports related to capital punishment. "They want assurances that the evidence is at least carefully reviewed before people are executed. And this decision backs Missouri off the brink here."He said the U.S. Supreme Court should still review the case and "clearly declare that the Constitution guarantees that death row prisoners who present substantial evidence of their innocence be given a meaningful opportunity to prove it in court."In its response to the U.S. Supreme Court, the state said it had a wealth of non-DNA evidence to convict Williams. The state could prove Williams had sold Gayle's laptop to a third party after the killing, and had two witnesses who independently said he confessed to them. And, the state said, the lack of his DNA on the murder weapon did not mean he was innocent.One of the witnesses was Henry Cole, who shared a cell with Williams in the Workhouse in 1999. He testified that he had heard a report on TV about a $10,000 reward offered by Gayle's family, and that Williams told him "I pulled the caper ... I laid that down."Cole told police about Laura Asaro, Williams' former girlfriend. She would later testify that when police confronted her, she told them that Williams had admitted killing Gayle. She helped police recover the computer with serial numbers that confirmed it had been stolen from Gayle's house.Neither Cole nor Asaro could be reached on Tuesday. An Ansaro relative said Williams' ex-girlfriend "doesn't have a statement to give and doesn't want to be contacted."Gayle was a Post-Dispatch reporter from 1981 to 1992. She left the paper to do volunteer social work with children and the poor. Her husband, Dr. Daniel Picus, declined to comment through a family member.A spokeswoman for Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, wrote in an email that "we remain confident in the judgment of the jury and the many courts that have carefully reviewed Mr. Williams' case over (16) years. We applaud the work of the numerous law enforcement officers who have dedicated their time and effort to pursuing justice in this case."St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch, whose office prosecuted Williams, said in a prepared statement that he was "confident that any Board and the Governor, after a full review of all evidence and information, will reach the same conclusion reached by the Jury and the various Courts."However, he said the statute invoked by Greitens pertained only to criminal proceedings involving mental illness, which was "not an allegation made by Williams."The case has attracted national attention because no forensic evidence ever pointed to Williams, and now what has been tested pointed away from him. Protesters across the state broke into celebrations after hearing about Greitens' action.
The city of Los Angeles sought Tuesday to join a legal battle against President Trump's Department of Justice over conditions requiring police to cooperate with immigration enforcement officials in order to qualify for anti-crime funding.City Atty. Mike Feuer filed papers in U.S. District Court asking the judge hearing a lawsuit brought earlier this month by San Francisco city officials to let Los Angeles quickly into that fray.In its lawsuit, San Francisco is seeking to strike down rules U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions announced last month for Justice Department funds that have long been dispersed to local law enforcement agencies to bolster efforts to fight violent and gang crime. Going forward, Sessions said at the time, police agencies that want a piece of the funding would have to first demonstrate that they are willing to help immigration officials identify and detain people in local jails who are suspected of being in the country illegally.Specifically, Sessions said police would be required to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers access to local jails and to notify ICE 48 hours before releasing from their jail someone tagged by federal authorities as possibly being in the country illegally.The conditions imposed by Sessions, Feuer argued, violate the separation of powers laid out in the country's Constitution, which give Congress, not the executive branch, control of government purse strings. Feuer said the money has been used in Los Angeles largely to fund a long-running city program in which police, city attorneys, the district attorney's office and probation officials collaborate to target the city's worst gang neighborhoods."The Trump administration is overreaching, and we're going to fight it," Feuer said at a City Hall news conference. "We're going to fight because the administration would put Los Angeles to the untenable choice of risking a key public safety grant or making the LAPD an arm of federal immigration policy."The Justice Department awards the grant money to states and cities annually. In the past, the amount cities receive has been calculated based on population and crime statistics. In each of the last 20 years, Los Angeles has received more than $1 million, including $1.8 million for the 2016 fiscal year, Feuer said. This year, L.A. would be eligible to receive $1.9 million, to be shared between the city and the county, according to city figures.Feuer wrote in court papers that it was important for Los Angeles to join the San Francisco case in order to "permit the court to consider DOJ's conditions in light of differing local policies."He wrote that San Francisco, for example, has a policy generally prohibiting city officials from even responding to an ICE request for advance notification of an inmate's release, but no such policy existed in Los Angeles. Instead, Feuer said, his objection to the notification requirement was rooted in concerns it would force the LAPD to prolong the time inmates would otherwise remain behind bars, which several courts have ruled unconstitutional.Regarding access to jails, LAPD's policy does not allow ICE unfettered access, although immigration officers can interview an inmate who consents to it.In his comments Tuesday, Feuer presented the new funding conditions as a threat to public safety in Los Angeles. The LAPD restricts its cooperation with ICE, he said, as part of a broader effort to build trust with the city's immigrant communities and assure people living here illegally that they will not be at risk of being deported if they come forward to report a crime as a victim or witness.Justice Department officials fired back, criticizing the move by Los Angeles and arguing that the funding requirements would, in fact, increase safety in the city.Citing an increase in crime rates in Los Angeles in recent years, department spokesman Devin O'Malley said in a statement, "It is so baffling that the city would challenge policies designed to keep residents of L.A. safer. ... Reversing sanctuary city policies is about more than just enforcing federal immigration law by detaining criminals here illegally -- it's about reestablishing a culture of law and order, where crimes are punished and people are deterred from committing them."The legal challenge is the latest response to threats by the Trump administration to cut funds to so-called sanctuary cities. Chicago fired the first volley over the current funding requirements when it filed a lawsuit earlier this month. Then last week California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra announced the state was also filing a lawsuit in conjunction with San Francisco's.In an earlier challenge to the president's executive order on immigration, San Francisco and Santa Clara County won a nationwide injunction that blocked the administration from withholding all sources of federal funding -- not just law enforcement grants controlled by the Justice Department -- to cities it deemed to be sanctuaries. Seattle, along with others, followed with similar lawsuits.
Description

GIS - 23 August, 2017: The Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, had a working session yesterday with representatives of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis at the Treasury Building in Port Louis.

Discussions focussed on the Civil Service College, training and innovation. The Indian delegation was accompanied by the Indian High Commissioner, to Mauritius Mr Abhay Thakur.

The Minister of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms, Mr Eddy Boissezon, the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Mr Nayen Koomar Ballah, and the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms, Mr K.S Pather were also present at the meeting.
In crafting a long-term plan for Bostons future, city officials spoke with more than 15,000 residents about issues that ranged from housing costs to education to how walkable its streets are  and the result was Imagine Boston 2030 , a thorough and highly publicized set of civic goals culled from that feedback, and from Mayor Marty Walshs own priorities and research.

Imagine Boston 2030 includes benchmarks aimed at improving quality of life throughout the city, and t his week it launched an accompanying online dashboard to monitor the progress that is being made toward all of its goals. Kayla Patel, a data and performance analyst with Bostons Department of Innovation and Technology, said the team behind Imagine Boston 2030 wanted to create a public-facing dashboard to both spur civic engagement and keep the city accountable.

[Imagine Boston 2030] had a lot of information, and they wanted a way to display it visually so the city could have a tool to hold itself accountable and to empower the public to hold the city accountable toward achieving the things laid out in the plan, Patel said.

The first significant citywide plan in 50 years, Imagine Boston 2030 is concerned with nearly every facet of life, including housing, education, the economy, open spaces, transportation, art and more. The dashboard uses existing data collected by various city departments to show residents where the city stands in terms of these goals.

For example, Boston wants to increase the number of people who bike, walk or take public transportation to work in order to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce the citys carbon footprint. Using existing data sets, the dashboards display the percentage of people who currently fit into one of those three methods of transit, subsequently charting increases and decreases over time.

Much of the data visible through the dashboard has been available to the public through Bostons comprehensive open data efforts for some time. The new platform, however, compiles it in one place and contextualizes it in terms of Imagine Boston 2030s long-term goals.

We wanted a place that people could come to and get an easy understanding of where were at in terms of metrics for the city and what were planning to do about it, Patel said.

Measuring the performance of municipal government through tech isnt a new concept. Cities across the country have been active in this arena for years, cities like Kansas City, Mo. Boston, however, is one of a growing number of cities connecting performance-monitoring platforms and dashboards with highly publicized city planning, seeking to foster interest among residents along the way. Cincinnati has also recently launched a series of dashboards aimed at highlighting its own progress toward a set of strategic priorities

Bostons dashboard comes complete with multiple links that go straight back to the online version of the plan, which clearly lays out where the citys goals are, what trends look like over the past 15 years or more, and where Boston wants to be in the future. Civic engagement has been a part of the plan from the start, with the city even using a story map to help draft it , and so ensuring that the public can now track its progress is part of a natural progression.

Imagine Boston 2030 offers a citywide perspective of Bostons future that ties together our many planning initiatives already underway to guide strategic growth and expand opportunity for all residents, said Mayor Walsh in press release when a draft of the plan was first unveiled last year . I am excited to launch a draft plan that identifies ways to strengthen neighborhoods and support growth for years to come. This plan represents the voice of thousands of residents who shared their thoughts, and I look forward to continuing the conversation so together we can build the future of Boston.
(TNS) - Louisiana leaders met with the newly minted head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday to discuss the threat of severe weather as the state braces for the peak of hurricane season."We're particularly worried about the remainder of this hurricane season," Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a news conference after a closed-to-media meeting with FEMA administrator Brock Long. "We know that there are a lot of improvements that we can continue to make in the aftermath of disasters  but there are also ways that we can prepare for (disasters)."Edwards, Long, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and other emergency response leaders took part in "table top" drills for emergency scenarios during the meeting, which took place at the Governor's Mansion in Baton Rouge.Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 but is generally more active from mid-August to late October."As we come into the heart of hurricane season, it's important for everyone in the state of Louisiana and importantly in the city of New Orleans to fully understand the hazards that you face," said Long, who has been on the job at the forefront of the nation's disaster response since his U.S. Senate confirmation in June. "Not only do you need to understand that vulnerability but what actions you need to take."Long and Edwards have been in regular contact over the past two months on issues related to hurricane preparation, as well as the state's ongoing recovery from historic floods last year."FEMA, under my leadership, is going to constantly try to work to streamline recovery and reduce complexity as much as we can," Long said of his approach to leading the federal agency.Tuesday's meeting came as forecasters predicted the remnants of Tropical Storm Harvey could gain a resurgence in the Gulf of Mexico as it heads toward Texas."We don't know yet how widespread the rain bands will be and the different wind effects will be," said Edwards, a Democrat who took office in January 2016.Edwards said his administration is monitoring the storm, and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparation will establish a crisis team Wednesday.Chief among the issues the state faces is the potential for flooding as New Orleans works to restore pumps and power turbines that drive the city's drainage system. Edwards and Landrieu said they are keeping close tabs as the city's drainage capacity is restored."Every day, the city's capacity is increasing," Edwards said. "There's no reason for the people of New Orleans to be panicked at all."2017 The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.Visit The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La. at www.theadvocate.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
ECONOMIC IMPACT

(TNS) -- A Chinese startup company developing self-driving technology for commercial trucking has opened a facility in Tucson for research and testing  including a planned Tucson-Phoenix run with an autonomous truck.Beijing-based TuSimple LLC plans to spend millions of dollars and hire as many as 100 employees in the next five years, with the aim of perfecting intelligent driving systems and eventually running fleets of autonomous trucks.TuSimple has leased 6,865 square feet of warehouse and office space at 2551 N. Dragoon St., near West Grant Road and Interstate 10, to engineer and test its technology.The effort to land TuSimple was led by Sun Corridor Inc., the Tucson areas main economic development agency, and a team including the city of Tucson and Pima County, local businessman Bruce Dusenberry, the Arizona Commerce Authority, the University of Arizona, Tucson Electric Power, Alpha Commercial Real Estate Service and CBRE.The company, whose arrival was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local officials on Monday, also has research facilities in China and San Diego.Xiaodi Hou, TuSimples co-founder and chief technology officer, said the combination of Tucsons standing as a center of logistics and its friendly state policies toward autonomous vehicle technology helped lure the company to Tucson.Arizona is super open-minded about autonomous driving, which I believe will make the entire state a pioneer of autonomous driving, and youll see the effect in the next 10 years, said Hou.Arizona is one of a handful of states that has adopted legislation or policies supporting the testing and development for the autonomous vehicle industry.Arizona created the Self-Driving Vehicle Oversight Committee through an executive order by Gov. Doug Ducey in 2015, and its members meet with the Arizona Department of Transportation to support autonomous vehicle research and development efforts.TuSimples technology employs cameras and radar sensors with the companys proprietary software and other data to allow trucks to see the road in real time, like the human eye.The system uses deep learning artificial intelligence to make decisions to avoid obstacles and navigate safely.The technology also can allow operators to form platoons of autonomous trucks that can draft on each other like race cars for optimum fuel economy.In July, TuSimple made a successful 200-mile test run from San Diego to Yuma.Hou said the companys goal by the end of this year is to pilot its technology by sending a platoon of five fully loaded trucks from Tucson to Phoenix.In five years, Hou said, TuSimple hopes to have a fleet of 25 trucks with a Level 5 system  requiring no human intervention  in commercial operation.In the U.S., Tucson will be our first station and I think will be the primary site for road testing for the next few years, said Hou, who earned a doctorate in computation and neural systems from the California Institute of Technology in 2014.TuSimple isnt alone in its quest to perfect a self-driving truck.Diesel truckmaker Freightliner has tested an autonomous truck with a safety driver, and rideshare giant Uber delivered a truckload of beer in 2016 on a 120-mile route in Colorado, using technology from a startup partner it later acquired.Backers say autonomous trucking systems could make fleets more efficient and save lives by avoiding human error and safety issues.Hou said the company has talked with truck manufacturers and has had initial talks with one leading truck maker, but the company eventually wants to develop and operate autonomous trucking fleets.Were not trying to develop one black box that can perform Level 4 (driverless) autonomous driving, but were thinking about building an autonomous fleet of trucks, he said.You can think of us more as an operations company, instead of a software company.TuSimple recently raised $20 million in capital investments from a group led by Chinese telecom giant Sina Corp. and including Silicon Valley-based computer graphics Nvidia, which provided powerful graphical processing units for TuSimples prototype systems.Sun Corridor Inc. worked with local and state officials to provide TuSimple executives with workforce, real-estate, incentive and demographic information to show the regions ability to support the companys expansion.TuSimple is expected to invest $15 million in capital expenditures, with the expected new jobs bringing its potential economic impact to $81.7 million over five years, Sun Corridor said.Joe Snell, president and CEO of Sun Corridor, said local officials were tenacious in their pursuit of TuSimple, comparing it to Mondays solar eclipse when the sun, moon and Earth came into alignment.Snell said TuSimple was lured to Tucson by its high-tech workforce, friendly regulation and infrastructure.We get the opportunity to be on the ground floor of a new and future industry, Snell said. Tomorrows world will include everything autonomous, from aircraft to cars and in this case, commercial delivery.In the very near future, as we position ourselves as a distribution center, we can see goods being offloaded in Nogales, coming up from the port of Guaymas, and those products being delivered to Tucson and beyond by delivery trucks without a driver.Mayor Jonathan Rothschild noted that TuSimple decided on Tucson without any upfront financial incentives, since the company moved into an existing building that is not in any special economic zone.Rothschild said the Tucson areas high-tech workforce and the UA and its potential pipeline of engineers helped convince the company to move here, noting that company executives already have met with leaders of the UAs Transportation Research Institute.The institute is a successor to the Advanced Traffic and Logistics Algorithms and Systems Center, an engineering-focused research center UA launched in 1998 to advance transportation.Larry Head, a UA professor of systems and industrial engineering who is involved in research at the UAs Transportation Research Institute, said hes excited to have the startup company in town to show students the cutting edge of the science and give them new career paths.I already asked them to come over and talk about what theyre doing. There are going to be a lot of opportunities, Head said, adding that Pima Community College also could help fulfill TuSimples future need for technicians.Hou said the company searches for engineering talent worldwide, but he welcomes partnerships with the UA and expects to attract local engineering grads in the future.While TuSimple isnt getting any upfront financial incentives, the company could later qualify for reimbursable job-training grants and take advantage of a state-sponsored workforce assistance program to offset some recruiting costs, said Susan Marie, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Commerce Authority.
(TNS) -- STURTEVANT, Wis. -- Gov. Scott Walker's administration is seeking to tighten up job creation requirements as part of a multibillion dollar deal to bring a Taiwanese company to southeastern Wisconsin, a top official said Tuesday.Foxconn Technology Group could receive up to $2.85 billion in cash payments from the state in exchange for building an up to $10 billion flat screen plant and hiring up to 13,000 workers.Speaking at a budget committee hearing here Tuesday, the head of Wisconsin's jobs agency said the state was seeking to include stronger safeguards on those payments in its final contract with the company.Mark Hogan, chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., said his agency is seeking to require Foxconn to return some of the payments if employment at the factory doesn't hit employment targets.If Foxconns employment should rise to 13,000 by the fifth or sixth year of the deal but then decline, we would look at putting in our contract the ability to pull back some of those dollars," Hogan told lawmakers.That would represent a significant addition to the Foxconn deal, which has some safeguards in place but no minimum job creation requirement for some of the potential payments to the company. Democrats have called for including these protections in the Foxconn bill itself rather than waiting to see if they are included in the final contract with the company.More than 100 people gathered at a Gateway Technical College Tuesday as the Joint Finance Committee took 5 hours of testimony on the Foxconn bill from about 50 people.The legislation drew praise from a broad group of public officials and education and business leaders, including from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state's largest business lobby and 42 local chambers of commerce. The supporters easily outnumbered critics, who questioned the environmental impact of Foxconn, its commitment to Wisconsin and its prospects for sustained success.This is one of the biggest decisions well ever have to make, Sen. Alberta Darling, a Republican from River Hills and Joint Finance co-chair, said just before the hearing.Theres a lot of downside to saying no and a lot of upside to saying yes, Darling said.But Rep. Gordon Hintz of Oshkosh and Sen. Jon Erpenbach of Middleton, both Democrats, said Republicans were ignoring their efforts to improve protections for taxpayers and the environment as they sought to rush the incentive package through the LegislatureTheyre asking for $3 billion from the state of Wisconsin with a lot of questions out there, Erpenbach said.Erpenbach criticized Foxconn executives for not being present Tuesday to answer questions. But Darling said the focus of the hearing is not on Foxconns business but rather a deliberation on the proposal for state assistance.This isnt a sales job for Foxconn to come in here and try to woo us, Darling said.Foxconns impact on other companies throughout the state would be significant, Hogan told committee members.Oshkosh Truck, for example, spends $300 million a year on supplies from Wisconsin companies, Hogan said. Foxconn, he said, will spend $1.4 billion.Production workers at the plant will be paid more than $20 an hour, Hogan said. He said that not only will the average annual salary be nearly $54,000, but so will the median. That means half of Foxconn employees here would be paid more than $54,000 a year and half less.Hogan also confirmed what has been widely believed but not officially acknowledged: Foxconn will locate its massive liquid crystal display panel factory in Racine County or Kenosha County.Darling, however, cautioned reporters against concluding that the decision to hold Tuesdays hearing in Sturtevant meant Racine County is the favored site. The committee came to Sturtevant because Gateway offered a suitable space for the hearing, Darling said.Darling also offered insight on the pace of the Foxconn assistance bill. The measure, which has passed the Assembly, likely will be taken up by the Senate the week of Sept. 11, she said.The Joint Finance Committee is considering whether to approve environmental exemptions and up to $2.85 billion in cash payments to the Taiwanese company in exchange for siting a flat screen plant and up to 13,000 jobs nearby.On Monday, a report by a UW-Madison economist found the massive manufacturing complex could generate nearly $4 in gains for the state for every $1 in taxpayer subsidies.If the Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer employs 13,000 people in the state, the ripple effect could spawn an additional 19,000 to 26,000 jobs through growth from the company's suppliers and other businesses in the region, said Noah Williams, director of the Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy The liberal group One Wisconsin Now pointed Tuesday to open records that it had received from Gov. Scott Walker's office showing that in 2015 Williams had sought to advise Walker on his unsuccessful presidential campaign. That year, Williams also contributed $500 to Walker's campaign, federal records show.At the hearing, Secretary of Administration Scott Neitzel said that while the Wisconsin plant will be Foxconns most automated, it still is likely to meet thehuge number of promised jobs.Every discussion weve had with the company always ends up at 13,000 jobs, he said.Hintz, the Oshkosh Democrat, questioned whether Foxconn will follow through on its stated plans to spend $10 billion on a Wisconsin plant.With the company also announcing investments of $12.4 billion in China and $5 billion in India, that would be more than theyve spent in the last 23 years combined, Hintz said.He also said Foxconn promised to create 100,000 jobs in Brazil, but came through with only 10,000 and now will be halting manufacturing there.He also asked whether Foxconns plans to build a similar LCD plant in southern China, where labor costs are far lower, could jeopardize the future of production in Wisconsin. And he questioned whether the screens Foxconn makes here will remain competitive over the 15 years of the proposed deal with the state.Hogan said officials are confident Foxconn will invest $10 billion here. The company has aggressively embraced Wisconsin and we have seen nothing but a full commitment, he said.Foxconn wants to make screens in the U.S. because it is a huge market for television sets, with 30 million sold per year, Hogan said. As for Foxconns ability to adjust to changing markets, he noted that the firm holds 55,000 patents.This is not a company that sits on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to come up with an idea, Hogan said.It will take more than two decades for Wisconsin taxpayers to get their money back from the project.The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has found that if the state makes the full $2.85 billion in payments to the company, it would take 25 years of plant operation for taxpayers to recoup the money.Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian, whose community appears to be, along with Mount Pleasant, one of two Foxconn finalists, said amendments to the bill are needed.The municipality that lands Foxconn should be allowed to use money generated in the tax incremental district around the factory for the added services it will require without bumping up against levy limits and cost controls, Antaramian said.We need to be able to waive the levy limits and the cost control rules  so that there is no impact on the property taxpayer, he said.The chosen community also should be included in the clawback provisions the state negotiates with Foxconn, Antaramian said.The city is not going to be able to go against a corporation of this size and be successful, he said.Foxconn in WisconsinDemocrat incredibly frustrated with leader Barca over FoxconnFoxconn deal raises wide array of environmental questionsHow would the Wisconsin Foxconn deal work? Here are some answersWork on state budget resuming as Foxconn hearing comes to Sturtevant TuesdayThe legislation to secure the Foxconn plant would exempt the company from state wetlands regulation and instead would rely on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to approve or deny permits that would allow the company to destroy wetlands to build the plant."We strongly reject the idea that it is to the state's advantage to cede water-related review and decision making to the federal government," said Brian Vigue, policy liaison for the Wisconsin Wetlands Association.Vigue said that rather than an outright exemption for the company, legislators should consider a quicker review of affected wetlands.He also said state officials should insist that replacement of wetlands should take place in the same watershed.For other Foxconn-related development, Vigue urged creation of a separate technology zone. In it, the Department of Natural Resources could help speed development and at the same time protect resources by identifying suitable construction sites and spots for new wetlands.Rick Romell reported for this story in Sturtevant, with Jason Stein in Madison. Lee Bergquist in Milwaukee contributed to this report.
(TNS)-- A child sex exploitation sting that led to the arrest of 15 men in Collin County in May may not have been possible without federal funding, Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner said Monday.The same funding helped the Dallas Police Department recently launch in-house forensic testing that helps detectives track down who is posting online ads selling children for sex.These efforts would be nearly impossible without the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Skinner and Dallas Interim Police Chief David Pughes said at an event with U.S. Senator John Cornyn.The task force funding, $60 million per year, is part of the Protect Our Children Act. It is set to expire in 2018, but the Senate voted in June to extend it until 2022. The House is expected to vote on the move in September.Cornyn called the task force "too important an asset in the fight against child exploitation."Collin County authorities have arrested 195 sexual predators since joining the task force. Skinner described those arrested as "people who are willing to show up in person to have sex with a child.""These are an extra dangerous class of criminals," he said.In Dallas, more than 38 people have been arrested this year on charges of online solicitation of a minor or sex trafficking of a child.Technology makes it easy to share pornographic images or to post ads selling children into prostitution. Anti-trafficking groups estimate the average age a child is sold for sex is 12."All the technology makes children more susceptible today than they were yesterday," Pughes said.More than 38,000 computers in Texas were found to have accessed or shared images of young children being sexually assaulted last year, said Camille Cooper, the director of government affairs for the National Association to Protect Children."These are probably the worst crime scene images you can imagine," Cooper said.
The German government is adopting an action plan to implement the recommendations of its Ethics Commission on automated driving. The expert panel, headed by the former Federal Constitutional Court Prof. Dr. Dr. Udo Di Fabio, developed guidelines for the programming of automated driving systems.

The report of the Ethics Committee comprises a total of 20 theses. The key points are:

Automated and networked driving is ethically necessary if the systems cause fewer accidents than human drivers (positive risk assessment).

In the event of danger, the protection of human life always has top priority.

In the case of unavoidable accidents, any qualification of people according to personal characteristics (age, sex, physical or mental constitution) is not permitted.

In any driving situation, it is necessary to clearly define and identify who is responsible for the driving task: the human being or the computer.

The driver in control (human or car) must be documented and the data saved (e.g. to clarify possible liability issues).

The ethics committee of the BMVI consisted of 14 scientists and experts from the fields of ethics, law and technology. The full report, in German, is available here.
HRL Laboratories has received an award as part of NASAs Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion program to develop additive manufactured (3D-printed) ceramic rocket engine components. ( Earlier post .)

HRL achieved a scientific breakthrough with pre-ceramic resins that can be 3D printed and converted to high-temperature ceramic that was first published in the journalon 1 January 2016.

With NASA support, HRL researchers will further develop this new technology to additively manufacture reinforced ceramic rocket propulsion components. The HRL technique combines the ease, flexibility, and low cost of polymer additive manufacturing with the high-temperature capabilities of ceramics. This will enable new designs, lower costs and reduced lead time.

High-temperature ceramics are notoriously difficult to process with conventional methods. 3D printing could completely change what ceramic parts look like and where they are applied in rocket engines. Tobias Schaedler, project program manager

HRL will subcontract with Vector, a micro satellite launch company that will investigate innovative rocket engine designs and assess performance improvements to its line of launch vehicles enabled by additive manufacturing.

The two-year program will culminate with hot-fire ground testing of rocket engines that contain 3D-printed heat-resistant components at Vectors facility.

HRL Laboratories is a corporate research-and-development laboratory owned by The Boeing Company and General Motors specializing in research into sensors and materials, information and systems sciences, applied electromagnetics, and microelectronics.
Triad congressman Ted Budd has joined a U.S. House member from Ohio in urging the revocation of a recent trade ruling that went against an ATM maker with a Greensboro plant.

The Republican congressman from Advance and U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) went to bat Wednesday for Diebold-Nixdorf and its local plant that employs about 150 people.

In their letter, Budd and Turner asked U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to overturn a recent decision by the International Trade Commission that found Diebold had infringed on a Korean competitors patented ATM technology.

In addition to its plant on Pleasant Ridge Road, Diebold is headquartered in Canton, Ohio, and has a number of other domestic facilities. Information has been corrected to fix an error. See correction below. 9:28 a.m./08-24-17

Correction: The headquarters of Diebold was incorrect.
Program on local business

COLUMBUS -- The September meeting of the Platte County Historical Society will be held 2 p.m. Sept. 10 in the west building meeting room of the museum, 2916 16th St.

Cyndi Jarecke will present a program on the Anderson family and Anderson Floral. The public is invited to attend. Admission is free for PCHS members, and $3 for nonmembers.

CART meeting focuses on trails

COLUMBUS -- Those interested in trails for biking and walking are invited to attend the Columbus Area Recreational Trails meeting (CART) at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 3 at Dusters in the upstairs conference room.

The topic will be fund allocations for a new trail.

Forklift course offered at CCC

COLUMBUS -- A forklift certification training course will be offered 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 12 in the West Education Center, Room 179, at Central Community College-Columbus.

The class meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration for powered industrial trucks. It will cover prestart inspections, safety procedures, handling and transporting hazardous materials and federal regulations. Participants also will gain driving experience by using the colleges forklift before taking a driving test.

Class size is limited, so preregistration is required by Sept. 5 to reserve a space. The cost is $70. Students must be at least 18 years old and have a valid drivers license.

For more information or to preregister, contact Susan Baer at 402-562-1425; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1425; or email sbaer@cccneb.edu.

Knights holding pancake feed

COLUMBUS -- The Knights of Columbus Council 938 invites the public to a pancake breakfast from 7-11:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 3115 Sixth St.

Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, hash browns and trimmings. Cost is $6.50 for adults and $4 for children. Proceeds will support seminarian. Carry-out will be available.

Hazmat course at Central CC

COLUMBUS -- Central Community College-Columbus will offer a Department of Transportation (DOT) hazardous materials course from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 19 in the West Education Center, Room 177.

The workshop is designed for people who transport hazardous material, prepare shipping papers or labeling for packages to be transported, select or purchase packaging or handle finished hazmat packages. It also will cover hazardous materials regulations and fulfill the tri-annual DOT hazmat refresher requirement.

Class size is limited, so preregistration is required by Sept. 12 to reserve a space. The cost is $175.

For more information or to preregister, contact Sue Baer at 402-562-1425; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1425; or email sbaer@cccneb.edu.
Every day Natoshia Miles thinks about her 26-year-old son.

Kimeko Meko Dejuan James always asked her to fix his favorite dish, fish tacos, and would often, to his moms consternation, play video games when he came home from his job as a service technician at Parkway Ford.

If I could do it all over again he could play as many games as he wanted, Miles said.

James, who lived in Winston-Salem with his mother, was found about 11:30 p.m. April 20 with a gunshot wound on the campus of N.C. A&T State University. He was in the front passenger seat of a car parked near Pride Hall. He was taken to Moses Cone Hospital, where he died.

Miles, a captain in the field services bureau with the Winston-Salem Police Department, is not used to being on the other side of the investigation.

Its difficult as a parent, she said.

And Miles said its hard to adapt to living in the house without her son.

Im still numb to the thought of him not being here, knowing hes not coming in and out daily, she said. I cant even close his bedroom door. He still had a lot of life left.

Arrest made

Samad Rahim Dawson, 20, who is a sophomore at A&T, was arrested Aug. 4 in Philadelphia and charged with first-degree murder, Greensboro police said. A motive in the James slaying is unclear. Dawson is awaiting extradition to North Carolina and has a preliminary hearing in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Greensboro police Capt. Nathaniel Davis said Dawson is not expected to be brought to Greensboro before that hearing. He is being held without bond in the Philadelphia jail, according to the Philadelphia clerks office.

James was shot after an argument on the A&T campus, Davis said. Before the shooting, there had been a dispute involving a woman. Police believe the woman got into an argument with Dawson. A gun went off, Davis said, and James was shot.

Police have talked to the woman, and dont expect to charge her at this time, Davis said. Detectives are still investigating  including whether anyone else was in the car with James and why he was on campus  but arent looking for another shooter.

We dont know if James was an incidental shooting without having all the statements, he said.

Miles said she doesnt know why her son, who wasnt a student, was at A&T that night.

James lived in Greensboro for a few months in 2016 before moving back home to Winston-Salem.

Obviously he had some friends that I wasnt familiar with, Miles said.

She doesnt know Dawson, and she doesnt know if her son knew him.

The evening after the shooting, Dawson went to a hospital with a gunshot wound to his hand, Davis said. Two other people were fatally shot on April 20 in Greensboro, so police initially didnt assume Dawsons wound was connected to James homicide.

We kept an eye on Mr. Dawson, Davis said.

Other people coming forward with information helped lead to his arrest.

Im grateful to the people who spoke out, because without that, often times police cant solve a case, Miles said. I feel indebted to those people. Its almost unheard of these days in some areas.

Dawsons arrest, however, doesnt ease her mind. Theres nothing anyone can do to bring back her child.

Its no relief, because it doesnt bring (James) back, Miles said. The young men out here, wreaking havoc on our community, are destroying the lives of many more people. I dont think they understand the impact of what they do.

Ma, I got this

Miles said she misses her son, who would always tell her, Ma, I got this.

Miles said her son was just beginning to find his way in life.

He wanted to be a fireman. On the morning of his death he was scheduled to begin the first part of the process in Greensboro, she said. He wanted to work for five years in Greensboro, then move to California and be a firefighter there.

Miles said James had lived in California for a few years after high school and enjoyed the lifestyle.

He was genuinely fun-loving, always upbeat and happy. He loved life, Miles said. He just lived day by day without any worries, and was always your go-to person when anyone needed anything. He would lend a helping hand.

The pair was also getting closer.

He was finally at a point in his life where he really listened and took my advice, Miles said.

No matter the reason behind his death, Miles doesnt think her son was involved in anything illicit.

Hes made mistakes along the way, but to be involved in things and get others in harms way? He wouldnt do that. He just trusted everyone, she said.

Miles said she plans to attend every court date possible to have closure.

Speaking about her son also helps. Miles said she encourages the mothers of other slain children to do the same so people dont forget. She also planted a crape myrtle in her front yard to commemorate James on his birthday on July 8.

My son didnt deserve to die, she said. (The shooters) cowardly acts have ruined the lives of many people. Whoever was there left my son to die, and had no regard for his life.
GREENSBORO  The N.C. A&T student accused in a campus killing in April is back in the city.

Samad Dawson was extradited from Philadelphia Tuesday night, said Capt. Nathaniel Davis, commander of Greensboros criminal investigations division. He had his first court appearance today.

Dawson, 20, of Philadelphia was arrested at his home Aug. 4 in connection with the shooting death of 27-year-old Kimeko Dejuan James.

He faces a first-degree murder charge and is being held at the Guilford County jail without bail.

Dawson, a sophomore at the school, is accused of shooting James on April 20 near a dormitory on the N.C. A&T campus. No motive for the shooting has been given. James was pronounced dead at Moses Cone Hospital.

Davis said Dawson also showed up to Cone that night with a gunshot wound to the hand. Police will not say who shot Dawson.

Davis said police are still investigating this slaying.
A visit to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest N.C. represented to U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx a refreshing break from the rigors of partisan politics.

Foxx, R-5th, took her first tour of the main operational site of the Winston-Salem nonprofit agency on Tuesday after visiting at least nine satellite branches or affiliates in her 18-county district.

The most important part of our job is listening to what are the most important issues to our constituents, and hunger is definitely one that is a deep-rooted concern in our society, Foxx said.

Clyde Fitzgerald, the agencys executive director, invited Foxx during Congress August recess in part so he could provide her with the federal legislative priorities of affiliate Feeding America.

Those priorities include protecting funding for the federal food stamp and child-nutrition programs in the 2017-18 U.S. House Farm bill, as well as preserving tax credits for nonprofits and charitable-giving incentives that could end as part of tax reform supported by some officials in the Trump administration.

There are 1.6 million North Carolinians who depend in whole or in part on the SNAP or the federal child nutrition program, Fitzgerald said. Poverty, low wages and rising costs for housing and health care are all factors that interplay in the lives of our neighbors and leave them struggling to put food on the table.

We know from personal experience that she understands the critical role that organizations like ours play in helping individuals and families not only come up with food, but also training opportunities for a better, self-sustaining life, he said.

Foxx visited the agencys food collection, salvage and distribution centers, as well as its culinary kitchen training area. Fitzgerald said at least 50 restaurants within its network have hired individuals who have trained in the culinary kitchen.

The culinary kitchen caught Foxxs attention because the food-service industry is a prime area where they dont have enough skilled individuals to fill all their jobs.

Its a tough industry to be in, but training like individuals receive here helps them learn a path out of poverty.

Foxx acknowledged the federal Farm bill has gotten unwieldy over the years, which she is trying to resolve.

We want to make the Farm bill operate more efficiently and get rid of the fraud and waste, she said.

There should be accountability on every single federal program in how taxpayer money is spent.

Foxx commented briefly on several controversial topics, saying she believes the U.S. Senate will find a health care reform proposal that will gain enough support to get 50 votes.

My policy is not to comment on Senate legislation until I see it, so I cant say what compromises will be required between their bill and our bill, she said.

I firmly believe that a repeal of Obamacare is necessary because it is crushing our health care sector, Foxx said.

When asked about the deadly Charlottesville, Va., demonstrations and confrontations with groups like neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members and pro-Confederate representatives, Foxx said racism is abhorrent to me, as well as is discrimination and violence.

I dont condone the participation of anyone in those efforts.

Foxx said she does not have a stance on whether to remove Confederate memorials.

Its up to locals to deal with it, she said.

By comparison, the Republican-controlled N.C. General Assembly passed a bill in 2015 that requires legislative approval for removal of historic monuments by local or state governments.
COLUMBUS  No progress has been made on moving the Platte County Extension Office to a new location.

The Platte County Board of Supervisors went into executive session again Tuesday to discuss a possible real estate transaction that could impact the future location of the office, which is currently in the basement of the Platte County Courthouse.

After about 50 minutes behind closed doors with staff and board members from the Extension office, the supervisors took no action.

We are looking at a lot of different options, county board Chairman Jerry Engdahl said after the meeting.

It was the second consecutive meeting when the board went into closed session to talk about a potential property purchase. During the previous meeting held earlier this month, the supervisors discussed possibly acquiring another building to house the Extension office.

The county bought a building at 2715 13th St. for $172,000 earlier this year for the Extension office. However, the cost to renovate and bring that property up to code came in much higher than expected at about $500,000.

In an effort to keep costs down, the board voted at its Aug. 8 meeting to allow the building and grounds committee to talk to an architect about the feasibility of remodeling an adjacent building to the east of the property already purchased.

Engdahl said there are options, but no clear direction.

Right now, so much is up in the air that I dont think anybody knows, he said.

In other action, the board approved:

 establishing a county occupational tax on liquor licenses for businesses outside the city limits of any community. The money collected for renewal fees, which range from $25-$50, had gone to public schools in the county and will now go into a county occupational tax fund. The county occupational tax will take effect next year.

 setting the date and time to approve property tax levy limits for 8:30 a.m. Friday.

 out-of-state travel for Deputy County Attorney Jose Rodriguez to attend training in Atlanta.

 a special designated liquor license for St. Michaels Catholic Church in Tarnov for a Nov. 5 event.

 tabling a discussion and possible action on a resolution for consolidated 911 services with the city. This item will be revisited during Friday's meeting.
Paradigm Nashville / Contributed photo

Michael Bacon may be nine years older than his kid brother, Kevin, but theres no gap when they come together to make music. The talented duo returns to Ridgefield Playhouse this weekend for a Sunday night concert on Aug. 27.

The Bacon Brothers, who grew up in Philadelphia, have been entertaining together for more than 20 years, and have several albums out. They tour and perform a mix of Americana, rock, folk and country, while also pursuing their own careers.
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GREENWICH  After their son died of a heroin overdose in their home, two Greenwich parents sued the manufacturer of a drug company they hold responsible for his death.

Bradley Allen was a skier, a boater and a lover of the outdoors.

But a car accident in 2010 led to a dependence on pain medication. His doctors prescribed hydrocodone, and, in what has become a tragically common story across the nation, that led to a heroin addiction, according to the lawsuit filed by his parents.

Also common, doctors sought to treat his condition with Suboxone, a drug often prescribed to help people beat opioid addiction. In Brads case, there would be no winning.

Brad had become completely addicted to Suboxone. ... He replaced one addiction with another, the lawsuit contends.

Bradley Allen began an intensive in-patient program in December 2013 to transition away from the medication, but the former outdoors enthusiast died of an intravenous heroin overdose soon after. He was 19.

His parents not only sued  their lawsuit filed this year in U.S. District Court seeks $100 million from Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare and Indivior, makers of Suboxone  they began a nonprofit research project to look at the ways in which drug addiction can be treated.

In doing so, they say they found fault with the treatment they believed their son received. The Allen Research Endowment recently has published Suboxone and the Opioid Epidemic.

The study can be downloaded at this website: https://www.allenrsch.org/education

Laurence Allen, Brads father, says he hopes the study stimulates discussion about anti-addiction medications and their makers.

They are not adequately disclosing the dangers of their product and not properly teaching doctors about dosing levels, said Allen, a financial executive.

The report states that the use of Suboxone has not alleviated the opioid epidemic, and may have made it substantially worse.

Christian Pflaumer, a spokesman for Indivior, had no comment on the report or the litigation.

The report finds fault with Indivior, claiming it does not adequately disclose (Suboxones) highly addictive nature and certain other risks. It also says the drugs marketing does not adequately train doctors (and patients) as to proper dosing levels and certain other dangers.

The study looked at data and previous studies conducted on opioid addiction. It describes the history of relapses of Suboxone patients, quantified in medical studies and news reports, and examines financial incentives involved in the prescription of the anti-addiction medication.

We believe, Suboxone is detrimental to the treatment of opioid addiction. ... (It) may simply prolong, complicate, or even worsen the users opioid addiction, the report states.

Our son Bradley would be alive today if we understood then what we know today. We are trying to help other families avoid what we experienced, Allen said. Suboxone has been shown to have serious side effects over longer periods of review.

Dr. Adam Bisaga, an addiction specialist and professor of psychiatry at the Columbia University Medical Center, read the report and said it raises some good points on the issue of drug addiction and policy-making, but omits a number of important factors and is one-sided, he said.

Bisaga, who has testified in Congress on substance abuse, said the report rested on an assumption that there is some kind of ideal cure for drug addiction, and held Suboxone up to an unreasonable standard. It posits an ideal response to treatment, he said.

Suboxone certainly has limitations  so does methadone, or Vivitrol  but when done correctly, it can have lots of beneficial effects,Bisaga said.

The study commissioned by the Allen family took an all-or-nothing approach to drug treatment, Bisaga said, while addiction specialists are more concerned with making steady improvements in the lives of patients.

All treatments have some limitations, thats absolutely the case, he said, but there was no panacea for drug addiction.

When people are taking Suboxone, or methadone, they have much less cravings. Theyre not completely eliminated. But they have enough relief that they can engage in other aspects of treatment, which is really necessary, he said.

Bisaga said the much bigger problem in the field of addiction recovery is the lack of services available to those suffering from drug dependence. The main issue is that most people arent in treatment and dont have access to effective treatment, he said.

The addiction specialist said the report raises a number of valid points about health care and the profit motive behind medications like Suboxone, which he said is a separate issue from the efficacy of the drug.

We have a distorted health care system, when doctors are rewarded for prescribing certain medications, and drug companies have a free rein, the Columbia professor said. There are incentives for drug companies to push sales, and doctors to prescribe. Its absolutely right that the makers of Suboxone initially were paying a lot of money to doctors to get trained, and then to start prescribing, to teach others to prescribe.

Laurence Allen said a goal of the Allen family is to hold policy-makers to account.

Our political leaders in Washington are letting down American voters by not focusing on solving this opioid problem faster, he said. Remember, many of these opioid addictions have been the result of regular people following doctors prescriptions.
As parents prepare to send kids back to school, the Connecticut State Dental Association recommends scheduling a back-to-school dental appointment.

Send children to class with the supplies they need to learn, and a healthy smile, said CSDA President Dr. Gary Linker in a news release. Some schools require a back to school dental exam, but even if your childs school doesnt, a visit to your dental office for a check-up is always a good idea.

Another way to help children maintain good oral health for schools is packing healthy meals and snacks. Sugary foods and drinks arent good for childrens teeth, Linker said in the release. Eating healthy is an important part of maintaining oral health, especially when considering that more than 40 percent of children under the age of 11 have cavities, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

After scheduling their childs back to school dental check-up, parents should make sure they understand their childs oral health and needs. Here are some questions to ask to stay in the know:

 How is my childs overall oral health? Is there anything to look out for?

 Will my child get a cleaning today?

 Does he/she need an x-ray?

 Does my child have any cavities?

 What about sealants?
Nisha Dua is a true girls girl. When the former lawyer and Bain consultant joined AOL in 2013 to embrace her love of media and technology, she quickly found herself leading a charge to support young women who were also interested in the space. Now the 34-year-old is co-founder and partner at the AOL-backed BBG Ventures, which invests in female-led companies and has bankrolled some of todays buzziest brands. Why? Because its good business.

Related: Why Women Entrepreneurs Can Do More With Less

Have you always been interested in promoting equality for women in business?

I come from a long line of overachievers, from an academic Indian immigrant family in Australia. Performance was expected. I never grew up feeling that I couldnt succeed because I was a woman. But when I was working as a lawyer, I saw that there was a difference in how men and women are perceived.

You joined AOL Brand Group as chief of staff for Susan Lyne, who was CEO at the time. Shortly after, you launched the companys #BuiltByGirls initiative, which aims to get high school girls interested in technology. How did it come about?

I took over Cambio, AOLs website for millennials. It was very gossipy. We partnered with Girls Who Code to rebuild it into a website for girls, built by girls. We enlisted five of their 17-year-olds as interns, and when they started with us, they wanted to blog about the Kardashians. But they left being obsessed with data analytics. Girls have been told they can only be one thing, but you can like the Kardashians and a bunch of other stuff as well.

So that shaped #BuiltByGirls mission?

Right. The way I would best explain our work now is, all these young girls use Snapchat, but they dont realize that theres a job for them at Snapchat. Thats the circle were working to connect.

Related: How to Build an Entrepreneurial Community

How?

This year we launched Wave, a mobile program in which we match high school girls with young professionals at companies like Giphy, Spotify and Refinery29. Each girl gets three advisers and meets with them once a month for three months. The concept of mentorship is outdated -- its no longer enough to have one person shepherd you through your career. You need a community. So a 16-year-old girl meets these three people, and if each of those three people makes two other introductions, shes got a network of nine people -- at 16! Thats a path to your first internship.

In addition to #BuiltByGirls, you also cofounded a venture capital firm that invests in female-led tech startups. Why are women still overlooked?

When we launched, one male VC said to us, There just arent that many female founders. But the opposite is true -- most VCs just dont see those founders. Women arent in their network, or VCs dont understand their ideas. But female founders drive 63 percent better ROI than male-only led companies. Its a no-brainer.

Related: 12 Female Entrepreneurs You Should Know

What are some recent success stories?

We have 40 companies in our portfolio -- Zola, The Wing, Glamsquad -- with more than $1 billion in enterprise value. Some people would say, well, all of these are womens ideas, right? But I would just call them businesses for a really big section of consumers! When Susan and I launched the fund, it was never with a do-good intention. We knew we could drive a great return.

Theres nice synergy between your projects.

At BBG Ventures, were investing in todays female founders; at #BuiltByGirls, were building the next generation of those founders.

Related:

Why Is This VC Firm Doubling Down on Women Entrepreneurs? Because It's Good for Business.

5 Quick Bootstrapping Tips for Entrepreneurs

Interns at These Companies Make More Than the Average American Worker



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Detention Center

The inmate count at the Platte County Detention Facility Tuesday was 56, with 47 from Platte County and nine from out of county.

Police

Aug. 8

10:46 p.m.  At 771 33rd Ave., Bradley Wesely, 62, 858 33rd Ave., No. 2, was cited for second-degree trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Aug. 15

2:34 p.m.  At 1622 12th St., an unknown vehicle struck a parked vehicle owned by George Reed, 2218 21st St., and left scene.

3:42 p.m.  At the intersection of 23rd Street and 45th Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Jerry Becker, 49, Waco, and Sonia Magdaleno, 51, 3412 18th St.

Aug. 16

12:05 p.m.  In the 1100 block of East 23rd Street, Brandy Martin, 39, 3824 E. 21st Ave., No. 2, was cited for failure to maintain control.

12:12 p.m.  At the intersection of Third Avenue and Eighth Street, Timothy Skeen, 30, 1159 40th Ave., No. 5, was cited for failure to yield right of way and no operators license.

Aug. 18

8:55 a.m.  In the 1200 block of 29th Avenue, an unknown vehicle struck a parked vehicle owned by William Forney, 3625 SE Fourth St., and left scene.

11:19 p.m.  At the intersection of 23rd Street and 23rd Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Hollie Zollars, 23, 2122 Ninth St., and Isiah Weverka, 19, Newman Grove.

Aug. 19

1:21 a.m.  In a parking lot at 1819 Howard Blvd., an unknown vehicle struck a parked vehicle owned by Rick and Patricia Kolm, 3355 Mimick Lane, and left the scene.

5:40 a.m.  In the 500 block of 12th Avenue, a vehicle driven by Hector Vazquez, 27, Carriage House Estates, No. 129, lost control and struck a Loup Power District utility pole and damaged a lawn at 1122 Fifth St.

12:19 p.m.  In the 700 block of 33rd Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Claudia Kiser, 67, 80 Cottonwood Drive, and Fernando Gil, 45, 3115 Seventh St.

6:25 p.m.  In a parking lot at 770 33rd Ave., an unknown vehicle struck a vehicle driven by Tammy Eisenmenger, 48, David City, and left the scene.

7:30 p.m.  In the 3900 block of 18th Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Eduardo Quinonez, 23, 3910 18th St., and Chloe Lippstreu, 17, 376 17th Ave.

9:19 p.m.  In the 2200 block of 23rd Avenue, a vehicle driven by Lederrick Metoyer, 22, Manfield, Louisiana, struck a city sign.

11:49 p.m.  In the a parking lot at 265 33rd Ave., a vehicle driven by Joshua Broekemeier, 22, 807 53rd St., struck a parked vehicle owned by Elizabeth Hofeling, Alvo.

Aug. 20

10:59 a.m.  At the intersection of Sixth Street and 33rd Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Darin Stortzum, 45, Silver Creek, and Donald Rockford, 60, 2715 Sixth St.

4:10 p.m.  At the intersection of 24th Street and First Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Katie Kohl, 29, Monroe, and Eric Cordero, 19, 4164 E. 27th St., No. 678.
More than a million refugees from the war-ravaged Middle East have entered Germany over the past two years, mostly during 2015. This influx  primarily Muslims  presents Germany with challenges and could impact the September national elections.

One challenge is increasing anti-Semitism in a country thats endeavored to confront its Holocaust past and mandates the teaching of this past in its schools to ensure such genocide never recurs.

A new study, commissioned by the American Jewish Committees (AJC) Berlin office, finds evidence of increased anti-Semitism in Berlin schools. Its conclusions are based on the observations of 27 teachers in 21 Berlin school districts. These districts have concentrations of students from non- German backgrounds  mainly Middle Eastern  that range from 11 to 98 percent.

The AJC study found a correlation between the refugee influx and anti-Semitic attitudes among Berlins students. This finding is consistent with those of an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) study that compared anti-Semitic attitudes among non-Muslim native Germans and Muslims living in Germany. The ADL study found that, while 16 percent of non-Muslim Germans held anti-Semitic views, the level of anti-Semitic thinking among Muslims was at 56 percent.

The AJC study found that, among Berlins Muslim school children, Islam plays an growing role in the search for identity and that theres a pronounced conflict between the religious ideas of some students and the values of a democratic society.

More than half the teachers reported peer pressure, particularly on girls, to behave in a manner consistent with religious practice.

Many of the teachers felt ill prepared to deal with Islamism and anti-Semitism. They reported that portrayals of Jews as the enemy are prevalent among Muslim students. According to Deidre Berger, director of the AJC office in Berlin, the teachers report that Jews are often labeled as murderers. And the phrase You Jew is a common insult among students.

One teacher quoted a student who said it was a shame that Hitler did not kill all the Jews, said Berger, pointing out that these are not isolated cases. She cited the case of a Jewish student, verbally harassed by Muslim classmates, who transferred from a Berlin public school into a private Jewish school.

According to Berger, anti-Semitic elements of Salafist Islam are taking root in some Berlin schools. Salafism, originating in 18th century Arabia, is an ultra-conservative branch of Sunni Islam that rejects western democratic values and advocates a return to the traditions of the salaf, or forefathers.

Germanys federal domestic intelligence service reports that there are more than 10,000 members of Salafist networks in Germany. The Berlin intelligence service recently reported there are 840 active Salafists in Berlin, 160 more than previously reported. Berlins total population is 3.47 million.

Berger says anti-Semitism often involves demonization of Israel. Students typically do not distinguish between Jews and Israel.

They could have brought anti-Semitic attitudes with them because they grew up in countries where the hatred of Jews and Israel is normal, Dr. Josef Schuster said in an email, commenting on the AJC findings of anti-Semitic attitudes among Muslim students.

Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, which represents the nations 100,000 Jewish minority, added that there is also considerable anti-Semitism among non-Muslim, right wing extremists, as reflected in social media.

Fighting anti-Semitism is an ongoing and paramount concern of the federal government, said Harald Neymanns, spokesperson for Germanys Ministry of the Interior.

This resurgence of anti-Semitic attitudes is one example of the overall challenge Germany faces as it invests resources toward the economic and social integration of the refugees.

Many agree that German Chancellor Angela Merkel, faced with this unprecedented humanitarian crisis, did the right thing in welcoming the refugees in 2015. But there are also loud voices of criticism, with polarized political debate.

Some of the criticism comes from mainstream conservatives who claim Germany lacks sufficient resources to accommodate this population influx. The fiercest criticism, however, comes from far right, anti-immigrant, German nationalist elements that are at once anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic. They find expression in a new political party known as the Alternative for Germany (AFD), which has polled well in recent state elections and could reach the 5 percent threshold necessary to gain seats in the national parliament.

Will the German national election on Sept. 24 be a referendum on Merkels immigration policy? Most political observers, supported by polling data, believe that, despite her refugee policy, Merkel remains the most respected European leader and will easily win a fourth term.

Donald Snyder, a Greenwich resident, is a former foreign correspondent and a retired producer for NBC News.
The chicken strip Memphis Meats created earlier this year. Photo: Memphis Meats

Meatpacking giant Cargill today joins a large group of A-list investors who are taking a stake in Memphis Meats, a start-up that grows beef and poultry from animal cells. Memphis announced Bill Gates, Richard Branson, and two billion-dollar VC firms also invested, but the odd financier out was clearly Cargill  Americas second-largest beef processor and the worlds largest supplier of ground beef. Its the first investment by a traditional meat company in a lab-meat venture, although nowadays these people prefer the term clean meat to avoid having their products associated with microscopes and petri dishes (in fact, Memphis has even gone with meat brewery).

Cargill isnt saying the exact amount of its investment, but the funding round infused Memphis Meats with another $17 million worth of capital in total. Like Tyson, JBS, and rest of the industry, Cargill is under serious pressure to adopt more sustainable practices, treat animals more humanely, and quit pumping products full of drugs. Culturing meat could go a long way toward satisfying these consumer demands, it feels. This is another way to harvest meat, a Cargill executive who leads growth ventures tells The Wall Street Journal. For people who want a product from an animal welfare perspective, we want this to be there for them.

The announcement maybe isnt a total shock, though: Back in April, the company sold its last two cattle feedlots, removing it from the beef-processing part of the meatpacking business completely. It told press this marked a change in priorities at the company, specifically a burgeoning interest in plant-based proteins, fish, and insects.

Cultured meat still cant be scaled affordably for consumers, so theres going to be a wait before Cargill starts packing Memphiss beef and shipping it to supermarkets. The start-ups CEO, Uma Valeti, tells the Journal theyre hard at work reducing the price, but that right now its still $2,400 for a pound of their meat. Beats the $18,000 it cost a year ago, but thats still bonkers for shoppers who arent billionaires named Gates or Branson. Memphis is slowly de-complicating production, which will help  the process now takes between three and six weeks. Scientists coax animal cells into self-replicating very quickly by feeding them oxygen and certain nutrients. This yields everything from burger patties to chicken strips without slaughtering any animals, and backers applaud it as the only way to make the food supply sustainable in the coming years.
A bite of Coco Pazzos chicken-meatball piatto unico with spaghetti and cauliflower. Photo: Bobby Doherty

Chroniclers of Italian food in New York City know Pino Luongo as an ambitious, irascible O.G. of Tuscan cuisine, having risen from the lowly rank of Da Silvano busboy to helm such late-20th-century hot spots as Il Cantinori, Sapore di Mare, Le Madri, and Mad.61 before succumbing to ill-fated business deals, crushing rents, and eventual bankruptcy. Nowadays, his holdings have dwindled to the discreetly tony Morso off Sutton Place. But Luongo is a self-professed restaurant junkie, and this fall, he revives the name that hed once hoped to turn into a national brand: Coco Pazzo, which means crazy chef. The original Coco Pazzo operated on East 74th Street from 1990 to 2008, and during its lifespan, the restaurant and its satellites employed chefs like Mark Strausman, Cesare Casella, and Anthony Bourdain (who lasted about two months before Luongo fired him). The new Soho iteration is two-pronged: Fast-casual Coco Pazzo Kitchen will dispense quick lunchtime salads, sandwiches, and soups, while dinner-party-style Coco Pazzo Restaurant will emphasize tableside service and old-school hospitality, courtesy of two of Luongos most veteran lieutenants and his partner in this venture, Alessandro Bandini, a former Da Silvano manager and fellow Tuscan. Hes Florentine, says Luongo. We kind of speak the same language.

If the Kitchen concept echoes Luongos shuttered Rockefeller Center marketplace, Tuscan Square, the Restaurant revives Coco Pazzo signatures bistecca alla Fiorentina, the seafood stew called cacciucco, and salt-crusted whole fish like snapper, grouper, bass  or when were out of energy, branzino. Luongo is most enthusiastic about his new piatto unico, an Italian meat-and-three of sorts that combines entree, pasta, salad, legume, vegetable, and grain on a single plate. For dessert: souffle, a choice that conveys Luongos desire to make customers feel like theyre coming over to his house for dinner. The only difference, he says, is you dont leave without paying.

Coco Pazzo Kitchen and Restaurant, 160 Prince St., at Thompson St.; October.

*This article appears in the August 21, 2017, issue of New York Magazine.
The Nokia 8 will come to the UK on September 13. This was confirmed today by retailer Clove, which has set up a page where you can register your interest in the device.

So far the Nokia 8 is already up for pre-order in a couple of countries, including Poland, Norway and Switzerland in Europe, along with Australia with shipments expected to begin September 7.

Back to the UK - Clove hasn't given any pricing information for the Nokia 8 but has all four color options listed.

You can go and register your interest at the link below. Hopefully a pre-order campaign will start soon so those interested can actually book they unit and make sure they won't be missing out.

Source
We know that the Samsung Galaxy Note8 is set to be officially unveiled today. We also know when pre-orders will go live in the US, as well as the device's launch date in the country. Now, we have some information on the handset's availability in one of the European markets.

A leaked poster has surfaced that reveals September 14 as the release date for the phone in Italy.

The leak also confirms that DeX dock will be the pre-order freebie in Europe - tipster @evleaks tipped this recently. Sadly, there's no information on pricing, although reports say the tag would be around 1,000.

Source | Via
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SEWARD  Seward city officials hope to lift a restriction on consuming city tap water Wednesday afternoon after crews discovered a crack in a water line was responsible for the town's two water systems running dry.

City Administrator Greg Butcher said a 14-inch water main broke at about 6 p.m. Sunday near Nebraska 15 and Izaak Walton Road -- an area south of town inundated by the flooding Big Blue River -- leading to plummeting water pressure and a "do not consume" order.

Water service had been restored throughout most of the city on Tuesday, including to Tenneco, one of the area's largest employers. A few businesses and residences along Nebraska 15 in the south part of town are still without running water.

Butcher said until further notice, Seward residents should not consume any water running from their taps.

"You can't boil it, can't brush your teeth with it, anything that deals with digestion," Butcher said.

Showering, flushing toilets and doing laundry is not included in the restrictions.

Sunday's break led to an emergency declaration at both the city and county level, which allowed the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency to mobilize, while Gov. Pete Ricketts activated the Nebraska National Guard to provide assistance.

The National Guard filled a "water buffalo" tank with 400 gallons of drinkable water in Milford and set it up for Seward residents at the Nebraska National Guard Museum.

Local businesses also responded, Butcher said. Sam's Club in Lincoln donated six pallets of bottled water to Seward, while the local Wal-Mart and Pac-N-Save grocery store also coordinated with their suppliers to ensure water was available.

Pac-N-Save owner Paul Mueller said when the store learned of the issue, they ordered 10 extra pallets of water -- each pallet holds 84 cases of bottled water -- to be delivered Sunday night in time for the store's opening at 6 a.m. Monday.

"We went through that right away, so our warehouse loaded up another 18 pallets of water that arrived yesterday afternoon," Mueller said Tuesday.

The grocer also lowered the price of a case from $3.87 to $2.99, Mueller added, to better accommodate those without drinking water.

Butcher said others around the Seward community have shown a "huge outpouring of support."

"Businesses have been buying their own pallets of water and making it available for free," Butcher said. "I've seen neighborhoods where people have put cases of water out for others."

On Monday, Seward sent 40 samples of city water to the Department of Health and Human Services for testing, and planned to provide another 40 samples on Tuesday to determine if the water is fit for drinking.

If the tests indicate the water is safe to drink, Butcher said Seward will notify residents through its messaging system.

News of the "do no consume" restriction being lifted will also be posted to the city's website and social media accounts.




Haiti - Diaspora : Haitian-Canadian Deputy Emmanue Dubourg on the front line...





Wednesday, as part of the Canadian government's efforts to reduce the flow of Haitians illegally crossing the Canadian border to seek asylum, the Liberal Deputy of Parliament, of Haitian origin Emmanuel Dubourg (Bourassa riding) left the Canada for 3 days to Miami.



Fluent in Creole, French and English, with strong ties to the Haitian diaspora, he was sent to Miami to gives interview with the Haitian media and hold meetings with diaspora leaders to rectify the information erroneous concerning Canada's immigration and refugee policies and attempting to slow down the flow of Haitian nationals to Canada.



He will visit among others to Little Haiti, the Haitian community of more than 200,000 members "I want to understand the reasons why all these people leave and inform them about the way immigration is happening in Canada and correct the false information that circulates on social networks [...] People need to understand the risks they face when they come to Canada through irregular routes [...] hose who want to come to Canada must know that there are immigration programs [...]"



Adding "it is important to tell them, before they sell their property, before they make a decision [...] They must be fully aware of what can happen."



Lets' recall that Haitians applying for asylum must convince the immigration authorities of the merits of their claim with supporting evidence, that they are subject to persecution, otherwise they risk expulsion (on average, Canada last years accepted only 40 to 50% of asylum applications...)



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21876-haiti-social-haitians-leave-haiti-to-enter-canada-illegally.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21850-haiti-canada-more-than-6-400-haitians-have-illegally-crossed-the-quebec-border.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21788-haiti-politics-haitian-migrant-file-end-of-mission-in-canada.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21774-haiti-flash-the-canadian-army-builds-a-border-camp-for-haitian-migrants.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21762-haiti-quebec-two-haitian-ministers-on-mission-in-montreal.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21748-haiti-montreal-nearly-2-400-haitians-seeking-asylum-ceci-calls-for-help.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21717-haiti-flash-waves-of-haitian-refugees-unprecedented-in-quebec.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21037-haiti-flash-extension-of-tps-procedures-to-follow.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Technology : Inauguration of a solar power plant in Tabarre





Friday in Tabarre, as part of the cooperation with Germany, was held the inauguration of the Solar Smart Grid, the largest solar power plant in Haiti with a capacity of 473 kilowatts installed by the German organization Biohaus-Stiftung.



This solar power plant currently produces more than 400 kilowatts and supplies electricity, among other of hospitals and schools, a therapeutic rehabilitation center and a production center. Its installation follows the pilot installation in 2013 of a photovoltaic unit producing 85 Kw of electricity to meet the energy needs of the Damien hospital.



Manfred Auster, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Haiti, recalled that in 2011 Biohaus-Stiftung and NPH deutschland in Germany, two partners of the Tabarre Power Station, had engaged with the pilot project in 2013, to developing solar power in Haiti.



Note that the mission of Biohaus-Stiftung since 2010 is to make the Earth a fairer place and to ensure that the world's resources remain intact and available for future generations what it has put into practice in its projects in Haiti and in Nicaragua.



Renewables are taking off in Haiti, although no specific figure makes it possible to know the extent. Solar energy is found everywhere in agriculture (irrigation, conservation of agricultural products...) in hotels, hospitals, schools, trade (frozen meat conservation and drinks) in cities and villages (public lighting...)



Despite the presence in Haiti, renewable energy is still modest, far from the commitment made by Haiti at the COP21 in 2015, to produce 80 megawatts of clean energy by 2020... while in the last World Bank RISE report Haiti ranks last in the Region, with a rating of only 7 out of 100 for renewable energies...



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - NOTICE : Registrations to the contest of the 10 most outstanding young Haitians





The Young International Chamber Haiti (JCI Haiti) in collaboration with its various partners organize the 6th edition of the TOYP (The Ten Outstanding Young Persons) contest.



The Contest of 10 Outstanding Young Persons of the JCI-Haiti aims to bring to the spotlight and to raise to the rank of model, 10 young people aged 18 to 40 years, having accomplished extraordinary things in one of the following categories :



1. Achievements in matter of Business, Economy and / or Business

2. Political, legal, and / or governmental affairs

3. Leadership and / or Academic Achievement

4. Cultural realization

5. Moral and / or environmental leadership

6. Contribution to the rights of children, world peace, and / or human rights

7. Humanitarian and / or Voluntary Leadership

8. Scientific and / or technological development

9. Personal development and / or personal achievement

10. Medical innovation



The 10 laureates at the maximum will be selected from all applications received, regardless of category. The laureate of laureates will have the opportunity to represent Haiti in the global TOYP contest in 2018, at the JCI World Congress, which brings together organizations from 119 countries.



Rules for applications :



Candidates must be between 18 and 40 years of age. Candidates born before January 1, 1977 are not eligible for the Haiti Most Remarkable Youth Awards ;



Candidates must be Haitian citizens ;



The candidate must sign the official application form. In doing so, it certifies the authenticity of all information contained in the form and authorizes its dissemination. He also undertakes, in the event that his candidacy has been retained and unless force majeure, to be present at the TOYP Awards ceremony in Port-au-Prince ;



All information will be presented on the pages of the official form. No attachments are permitted; ;

Registration Form : drive.google.com/file/d/0B_Pc8tp7JDMycG1RY24xSnNRcmc/view



drive.google.com/file/d/0B_Pc8tp7JDMycG1RY24xSnNRcmc/view Each candidate must compete in one of the 10 categories listed on this form. Please note that applicants may only choose one category per form ;



Application forms must be received by September 30, 2017 . Please send completed forms to: toypjcihaiti@gmail.com . Whenever possible, please submit the application form in French .



. Please send completed forms to: toypjcihaiti@gmail.com . . Candidates must be prepared to promote the ideals of JCI for the year 2017 after receiving their reward.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





New Ambassador of Canada to Haiti

Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, announced the appointment of Andre Frenette as the new Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti. Mr. Frenette succeeds Paula Caldwell St-Onge at the end of her mission https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21880-haiti-diplomacy-moise-honors-and-decorates-ambassador-of-canada.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12145-haiti-diplomacy-paula-caldwell-st-onge-new-ambassador-of-canada-to-haiti.html



Barcelona : Condolences of the PM

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant visited the Spanish Embassy to sign the register of condolences for the victims of the Barcelona bombing. He took the opportunity to present the sympathies of the Haitian government to the authorities and the Spanish people.



Visit to the Olympic Center "Sport for Hope"

A team from the Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of People with Disabilities visited the Olympic Center "Sport for Hope" located at the corner of Route 9 and National # 1. During the visit, the team met with a few young people with disabilities from the Organization of Deprived and Disabled Children of Haiti who practice a sport.



Vote on the proposed law against kidnapping

The deputy of Delmas Garry Bodeau, quaestor of the lower house and president of the majority bloc "Parliamentary Alliance for Haiti" (APH) announced that the Chamber of Deputies had decreed the permanence and ratified the bill against kidnapping, sequestration and abduction.



Creation of a Fund to support research at UEH

At the last Council of the State University of Haiti (UEH) to ensure effective promotion of research at UEH, a Research Support Fund (FAR) was created. The allocations of this Fund will be determined by the Council of the UEH as soon as the allocations of the Treasury to the UEH will be known. They may be readjusted during the year. The management arrangements for the FAR will be the subject of a resolution of the Council of the University on the proposal of the Research Council.



Fanmi Lavalas criticizes

Dr Maryse Narcisse, former defeated candidate for the Presidency and Coordinator of the Executive Committee of the Fanmi Lavalas organization, was very critical of the management of Jovenel Moise, his Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant and his team. She says that with this team in power, the country is only sinking into misery, due to the poor choices of its leaders, referring inter alia to the increase in fuel prices https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20940-haiti-flash-new-fuel-prices-in-haiti-official.html and the fixing of the minimum wage https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21648-haiti-flash-moise-sets-daily-minimum-wage-at-350-gdes.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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Published on 2017/08/23 | Source

Added episode 15 captures for the Korean drama "Bride of the Water God 2017" (2017)

Advertisement

Directed by Kim Byeong-soo

Written by Jeong Yoon-jeong

With Shin Se-kyung, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lim Ju-hwan, Jung Soo-jung, Gong Myung, Lee Kyung-young,...

16 episodes - Mon, Tue 10:50

Synopsis

"Bride of the Water God 2017" is a spin off version of the comic "Bride of the Water God". 'Spin off' means a deviated version from the original, so the classic fantasy and characters will be modernized and moved by time and location to Seoul today.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2017/07/03

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Published on 2017/08/22 | Source

The best time after a long day is 10PM when you can lay in front of the TV after a shower and watch your favorite drama to end your day.

Advertisement

Stars who made a reputation for themselves in commercials and advertisements in 2017 are coming back with dramas later this year. Make sure to catch their dramas if you're a fan.

Bae Suzy, "While You Were Sleeping - 2017"

Bae Suzy started acting in the KBS 2TV drama "Dream High" in 2011 and in 2012. She became the nation's favorite in the movie "Architecture 101". She co-stars with Lee Jong-suk in "While You Were Sleeping - 2017", a movie about a woman who dreams are premonitions about the unfortunate things that will happen to someone and the investigator who tries to stop them from happening.

One reason why this drama is such a big deal is because Bae Suzy cut her long hair short. She stills beautiful with short hair and she even recently modeled for a sunglass brand. Bae Suzy is currently the face of Guess, a jewelry brand, and vitamin drink as well as a cosmetics brand.

Seo Hyun-jin, "The Temperature of Love"

Romantic comedy queen Seo Hyun-jin is coming back with the SBS drama "The Temperature of Love". Her role in this drama is Lee Hyeon-soo, an assistant drama writer. Her co-star is Yang Se-jong in the role of On Jeong-seon.

Seo Hyun-jin drew attention on herself in the tvN drama "Another Miss Oh". Since then, she's been modeling for shampoo brands, accessories, and cosmetics. She also eats chicken in the national chicken brand Gupne Chicken.

Han Ye-seul, "Boy and Girl From the 20th Century"

Han Ye-seul is a chic and charismatic actress. Her last drama was the 2016 JTBC drama "Madame Antoine". Her character in "Boy and Girl From the 20th Century" is not yet known but her co-star is actor Kim Ji-suk.

Meanwhile, Han Ye-seul's bubbly yet elegant image categorizes her as an actress with many facets. She was the first woman chosen as the muse of a luxurious Italian brand Bvlgari. She is also the muse for Chanel and for the first time in Asian history, she is also the muse for a New York designer handbag and accessory brand called Joy Gryson. She's also modeling for a sunglass brand Lapiz Sensible.
How a Cava producer alerted police to Europe's most wanted terrorist

By Barnaby Eales

Rather than a more usual tale of terroir, Cava producers in Upper Penedes region of Catalonia, have recounted the ordeal surrounding the police chase through vines to capture Europes most wanted terrorist.

Younes Abouyaaqoub, the terrorist who killed 13 tourists and locals when he drove a van down the Rambla in Barcelona last Thursday, was shot dead by Catalan police yesterday evening, having been found hiding in vines in between the villages of Subirats and San Sadurni DAnoia, Catalan police confirmed to Harpers.

Abouyaaquob, who is alleged to have been wearing a fake suicide belt, when he was approached by police, had been on the run since the terrorist attack in Barcelona and Cambrils of last week.

His presence in a key Cava production area, which is home to the vines of leading Cava producer Codorniu, emerged during the busy period for the Penedes region because the grape harvest started earlier this year, due to a hotter than usual summer and low rainfall levels earlier in the year.

A vineyard worker is alleged to have first alerted police over the presence of the terrorist hidden amongst vines near a foot of the mountain.

Cava producer Codorniu declined to comment on whether Catalan police shot dead the terrorist whilst he was hiding in vines owned by Codorniu.

However, speaking to Harpers today, Roser Ventura from Cava producer Caves Ventura located just outside Subirats, confirmed that an employee from her vineyard had alerted police after a car had been spotted on Monday afternoon, driving at high speed through her familys wine estate.

It was a shocking scene. An employee called the police having spotted the unusual occurrence of the car speeding through our vineyard, Ventura said.

It turned out to be an unmarked car of the secret service police which had sped through our vineyard whilst chasing the terrorist suspect, she told Harpers.

Ventura recounted how police told vineyard workers to return home after the operation to capture the terrorist had been launched less than 600 metres from her vineyard with helicopters circulating above the vineyard.

A spokeswoman at Cava producer Freixenet today said the delivery of grapes had been delayed on Monday as a result of the police operation to track down the terrorist.

A tractor was unable to deliver grapes on Monday because police had sealed off the area. The harvest has started earlier than usual because of the heat but we expect to finish the harvest by the end of September; there are fewer grapes but the quality of them is very good, the Freixenet spokeswoman said.

Roser Ventura meanwhile confirmed to Harpers that grape picking of the Cava grapes, Xarello, Macebeo and Parellada was underway during the police operation.

We have started ten days earlier than usual. We have hotter than usual temperatures since June including intense periods of heat lasting three of four days at a time, where temperatures have risen above 33 degrees centigrade she said.

At least it has not been as hot as in Lleida where grape-picking started as early as July 31st, she added.








Finland must continue to help people in need, people and families ravaged by conflict and persecution. Well remain committed to helping people in crisis areas, mediating for peace, and welcoming refugees and asylum seekers in spite of our difficult economic situation, he stated to the heads of the consular and diplomatic missions of Finland in Helsinki on Monday.

Finland will continue to welcome asylum seekers, but it must do more to verify that they are genuinely in need of international protection, says Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre).

But at the same time we must do whatever we can to ensure the people arriving in Finland are from truly needy conditions. And if thats not the case, we must have the means to remove those who have come here on false grounds. We must be able to identify those who abuse the system sooner than before.

He pointed out that his government placed great emphasis on security issues in its mid-term session and recognised as early as two years ago that the intelligence legislation must be reformed in the face of contemporary security challenges.

We cant go on receiving information from abroad about individuals who may pose a danger to our citizens while being unable to look thoroughly into the individuals in a timely manner, told Sipila.

He stated that the much-discussed reform would simply align the legislation with most other EU member states.

Sipila also estimated that in light of the recent events in Turku, South-west Finland, it should be obvious from a constitutional standpoint that the right to life is a more precious fundamental right than the right to privacy.

We must now work together to implement the legislation as quickly as possible. I hope all parliamentary parties agree with that, he said.

Timo Soini (NA), the Minister for Foreign Affairs, similarly drew attention to the significance of intelligence gathering for preventing terror attacks.

Finland, he added, must not allow people who have been denied asylum to remain in the country indefinitely.

People who have been denied asylum must be removed from the country. That approach has worked relatively work. It has been a bit of a challenge to carry out forced returns to certain countries, Soini said in his speech to the heads of consular and diplomatic missions on Monday.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Emmi Korhonen  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
The injured men were taken to Sligo University Hospital

Armed gardai are on high alert at one of the country's busiest hospitals amid fears of a bloodbath after a 42-year-old man was stabbed 11 times by an associate.

The 39-year-old suspected of launching the attack and an innocent 40-year-old woman were also stabbed.

Both men are members of the local Traveller community.

The mayhem broke out in a house in Crozon Park, Sligo, soon after midnight on Sunday.

The 42-year-old man suffered multiple stab wounds to the back, the neck and right arm.

Mayhem

His alleged attacker was arr- ested at the scene and taken to Ballymote Garda Station, but was released from custody when it became apparent that he was injured.

He was taken to Sligo University Hospital by armed gardai, where he and his alleged male victim were still being treated last night.

A garda conducted CPR on one of the victims when he arrived at the scene.

"This was a scene of absolute mayhem," a source said last night. "Someone could easily have been killed".

Officers remain on high alert over fears that either man may be attacked in retaliation. The knife used in the attack has been sent for forensic analysis.

Gardai believe the incident happened after the two men consumed a large quantity of poitin.

The Herald can reveal that up to six gardai are on patrol at the hospital at any one time for fear of further violence.

"Both men have a number of associates living in Ireland and the UK and the concern is that there could be further trouble," said a source.

Gardai said the officers who attended the incident had their safety jeopardised because of the lack of an armed response unit in Sligo. The nearest armed unit is based in Ballyshannon, 42km away.

"The fact of the matter is that we don't have the resources a town the size of Sligo needs," said a source.

The two men are expected to be questioned on their release.

Gardai are concerned about an ongoing feud between Traveller gangs in the north-west and have been forced to attend a number of incidents in recent months.

Sources said tensions among local Travellers have been strained since a member of the community was brutally murdered about 10 years ago.
The Links Abington creche in Malahide which was the subject of an RTE investigation

The owners of the Dublin creche at the centre of an RTE investigation alleging mistreatment of children have paid themselves a total of 350,000 over the past two years.

In 2013, the Links Abington creche in Malahide was the subject of an RTE documentary called A Breach Of Trust.

Two years later, the firm that operates the creche - Links Creche & Montessori Ltd - was fined 1,000 at Dublin District Court after pleading guilty to eight charges pertaining to incidents that happened on eight different dates across February and March 2013.

The court heard that, during these dates, a toddler was "shouted at" after she soiled herself.

Another child was pushed to the floor, while on a later date a child was "slammed in a chair and shouted at for trying to feed herself".

Last year, at the High Court, settlements totalling more than 1m were approved for 22 children in cases arising from the RTE documentary.

Through their parents, the 22 children had sued the company and its sister firm, Links Creche Southside Ltd, along with the creche's owners, Deirdre and Padraig Kelly, of Myra Manor, Kinsealy, over alleged mistreatment.

Now, new accounts for Links Creche & Montessori Ltd lodged with the Companies Registration Office show that the firm's two directors, Deirdre and Padraig Kelly, paid themselves an aggregate 175,000 both last year and in 2015.

The Kellys continue to operate a thriving business in spite of the fallout from the RTE investigation, judging by the numbers employed by their firms.

Links Creche & Montessori Ltd's employee numbers declined marginally last year from 132 to 129, while the sister firm increased its staff from 42 to 44, giving a total of 173.

The combined wage bill for the two firms last year, including the cost of directors' pay, was 3.26m, with Links Creche & Montessori paying out 2.44m and Links Creche Southside 810,998.

Cash

In the 12 months to the end of last October, Links Creche & Montessori Ltd's accumulated profits decreased by 217,806 from 667,449 to 449,643.

However, the drop in accumulated profits is more than accounted for by non-cash depreciation costs of 230,997 for the year. The cash pile at the firm increased from 203,593 to 279,687 last year.

Links Creche Southside Ltd recorded a profit of 129,805 in the 12 months to the end of October 2016. During the year, the firm's cash pile reduced from 182,918 to 107,372.
Gardai in south Dublin are investigating the latest sinister bomb attack in the capital.

The most recent outrage happened at the Gleanntan estate in Loughlinstown at 1.20am yesterday, when two petrol bombs were thrown at the front door of a house - causing a major explosion.

The innocent mother who lives in the home said after the bomb attack that she was lucky, adding "it could have been a lot worse".

The two petrol bombs were launched at the door in the in the early hours, with the homeowner insisting that the attack was totally out of the blue.

Fire

The petrol bombs, which were inside small bottles, ignited at the bottom of the front door, causing extensive fire damage to the door and smoke damage up along the walls on the front of the house.

Expand Close The doorway of the house in Loughlinstown attacked with petrol bombs early yesterday morning / Facebook

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Whatsapp The doorway of the house in Loughlinstown attacked with petrol bombs early yesterday morning

Gardai from Shankill Garda Station are investigating the case, but no arrests have been made and a motive has not been identified.

The mother-of-one said she had been sleeping when the petrol bombs went off and did not hear the attack.

However, she was eventually awoken by the smell of smoke filtering through the vents at the front of her home.

Speaking to the Herald, the woman, who did not wish to be named, said she has been in shock since the incident.

"There's no one out to get me, not that I know of," she said.

"It was a bit of a shock to say the least. It happened last night at about 1am.

"I didn't get any sleep at all, absolutely none. It was a petrol bomb, in a bottle.

"It could have been a lot worse, absolutely, it could have been a hell of a lot worse."

The woman said that some of her neighbours saw youths running from the scene.

"Some of my neighbours saw kids running off, they saw them do it, they were only my height so obviously young enough if they were my height," she said.

Evidence

A Garda forensic team has scanned the outside of the home for evidence.

It is understood that the remains of the bottle in which the bomb was placed have been taken away by forensics to check for any fingerprints.

The woman's two pet dogs are also said to have been frightened by the attack.

"The smell of the house, I've been cleaning it for the last seven hours," she added.
A father who was scammed out of 1,500 while looking for student accommodation in Dublin for his daughter has urged other parents to be extra vigilant, warning that the scammer is "still out there".

Simon Kershaw had been searching for accommodation for his daughter Charlotte, who studies dentistry at Trinity College.

With two daughters in university, Simon said it was "proving unsustainable" to pay 8,000 a year for on-campus accommodation.

Sharp

Having stayed in campus accommodation in Trinity last year, Charlotte (21) had been frantically looking for a room to stay in over the summer.

"Charlotte is actually really sharp and I remember when she was looking through Daft.ie and she was able to spot 28 out of 40 places which were fraud," Simon told the Herald.

While searching online, Charlotte found a place being advertised on Facebook and decided to contact the advertiser.

"We were scouring the advertisements online and through social media and found a place on a student accommodation page on Facebook," Simon said.

The place in question was a property on Townsend Street in Dublin city centre and would have been ideal for studying in Trinity.

Simon, who now lives in West Cork, decided to ring the would-be landlord. After the landlord suggested initially to talk through messaging service WhatsApp, he rang the man on a UK number.

"He said that the room was available and that we couldn't view it as he was in the UK and we were in Cork," he said.

The man then said that they could put a refundable deposit down on the property to secure it.

The fraudster then asked Simon to transfer the money using the financial service Western Union but Simon thought that "smelled of a racket".

"There was no traceability with that but the room had become available so we saw an opportunity," he said.

Simon then told the man that he would transfer the deposit by bank transfer.

Fraudster

The contract was sent via email and the keys were to be sent via courier once the fraudster confirmed the money had transferred.

Rather than the keys, they received a further email about a double letting.

"He said that they had unfortunately sub-let the room and gave us the option of returning the money or putting down the first four months' rent to guarantee the room," Simon said.

He said he would send two months' rent instead and this appeared to be agreeable with the man.

When the keys failed to turn up by courier as promised, Simon tried to contact the man again. However he was greeted with no answer and the original Facebook page had been taken down.

"Later on, once the second transfer was confirmed we received an email from 'the courier' confirming our address and a delivery date," he said.

"It was an elaborate scheme and such actions kept us off the scent of the scam until it was too late.

"We're quite cautious people and we still got caught for it which is very disappointing."

However, Simon said, unbelievably, Charlotte was contacted separately after the fiasco, being advertised a room at the same address.

"We couldn't believe it, but obviously they are still out there," Simon said.

Gardai have urged people to be wary of rental scams.

"People need to establish that the house exists and that it is available for rent," a Garda spokesperson said.
By Jacob Ackman and Remy Shelton

At our camp, we heard from Dr. Don Bruns, a retired physicist who is taking it upon himself to finish an experiment that has not been successfully reproduced since 1919: Observing the bending of starlight during a total eclipse.

Bruns discovered a passion for astronomy at an early age. In high school, he was performing his own research projects, keeping up to date on astronomical topics by reading magazines and networking with others in the field. In 1969, he built a telescope with his twin brother in high school, and has had nearly 50 years of telescope and field work to prepare him for this eclipse.

As wed learned earlier in this class, gravity does weird things to light. Black holes warp space so much that you can literally see whats behind them. But even with less massive objects, Einsteins theory of relativity predicts that the starlight will bend as it passes by, making the stars look like theyre out of place. In 1919, an expedition led by Sir Arthur Eddington set out to test Einsteins theory, which was competing against Newtons law of gravitation. Although both theories suggested that the stars near the Sun would appear out of place, Newtons predicted deflection was only half Einsteins, which predicted that stars near the Sun would appear to be about 1.75 arcseconds out of place. This phenomenon would only be able to be observed during a total solar eclipse due to the Sun washing out the light from other stars. This first experiment was successful, but Eddington observed only a handful of stars. Still, it was enough data to show that Einstein was right, and this verification is what launched Einstein to fame.

Naturally astronomers wanted to get better results, so In 1922, they performed a second experiment in Brazil. The results were not quite so neat. Gravitational lensing will cause all of the stars to appear deflected away from the sun, but instead the results showed the stars deflecting in every direction, even sideways and towards the Sun. Fortunately the average reading of these stars fit the predicted curve close enough that scientists worldwide declared Einsteins theory was still correct.

In the early experiments, most of the issues came from getting a ridiculously accurate calibration of the angles on the photographic plates, something known as the plate scale. The first experiments took the scale from measuring the distance between 2 stars and dividing the known angular separation apart by their physical separation on the negative. The problem came from trying to figure out a scale from objects that were out of place, so the scale was not very accurate. To fix this problem they decided to take a calibration picture after taking the picture during the eclipse. The first attempt to do so was in 1922 in Australia, and the results were. Not so good. Several factors gave them an uncertainty of +/- 33%, which isnt even good enough for our introductory labs.

So scientists tried again in 1929 but the telescopes tube was so long that it warped during the movement to take the calibration image. Undaunted, they hatched another idea to use a double exposure negative using a beam splitter, giving them the calibration image and the eclipse image simultaneously. They tried this four times  in 1936, 1947, 1952, and 1954  and each attempt led to new and improved difficulties. In 1936 the operator pointed the telescope at the wrong stars for calibration. In 1947 the red filter that was used in conjunction with the beam splitter warped due to the humidity. To fix this problem in 1952 they pointed a fan at the filter, but the images became distorted due to too much wind. The final attempt was in 1954, but the sky was too cloudy at their location to take the observation.

Desperate, astronomy publications pleaded with future astronomers to attempt the experiment again. The most recent one was in 1973  44 years ago! And that one failed, as well. The plate holder for the negatives was held up by springs to allow the observer to change the plates rapidly. Tragically, the springs were not strong enough, so the plate lost contact with the camera when they shifted the camera to take their plate scale image, throwing the image off and yielding the same sorry results as the 1922 experiment.

Since then, no one has tried to recreate this experiment during a total eclipse. The effect has been observed, however, as radio astronomers observed quasars and verified relativitys predictions to 0.01%.

But all this could change. Dr. Bruns wants to successfully recreate this experiment so that the work of all the astronomers before him could be completed and their work not be in vain. He has multiple advantages over the astronomers of previous eras. For instance, in 1922 the crate for the photographic plates alone weighed over 600 pounds and tons of equipment had to be shipped to the observation point well in advance. Now, in 2017, Bruns can fit all of his equipment in the back of his car and everything is computerized, which allows him to perform the observation solo, rather than with a crew of people. Also all of his equipment is commercially available, and several companies have generously lent him equipment to use for this experiment. Tele Vue Optics in New York has provided the telescope  a NP101Is, which has a wide field of view with pinpoint star images. Finger Lakes Instrumentation in New York has donated a ML8051 Monochrome CCD camera for the experiment. Software Bisque in Colorado provided a tripod. He then selected an 8000-foot mountaintop near Casper, Wyoming to take his data to maximize the chance of clear skies and minimize the atmospheric effects.

He has done plenty of dry runs with this equipment so that everything runs smoothly during totality. In March 2017, he took a calibration test of stars, expecting a straight-line result, as there is no deflection. He got the result expected within 0.03 arcseconds, a phenomenal improvement on previous observations. Moreover, there are two fairly bright stars that will appear very close to the Sun during the eclipse, and they should appear to move all of 2.2 arcseconds. This result from these two stars alone will be enough to prove Einstein right because they are so close to the sun that it will move more than 1 pixel across his image. Within an hour he will know if the images are good enough to get the results hes hoping for, but it will still take him several weeks to process the images to get the final results which will then be published about 6 months after that, so keep on the lookout. The BLAsT Class wishes Dr. Bruns the best of luck in his experiment, and we look forward to seeing his results!

UPDATE from Dr. Bruns 08/24/17:

"I finally did complete the experiment the astronomers were hoping for. I got perfect focus, perfect exposure, perfect timing, and no wind or clouds. I am still over the moon!"
It was hard for Debi Keith to single out a fond memory from her 31 years of owning and operating the Boiling Springs Tavern in South Middleton Township.

There have been so many weddings, anniversaries, engagements and birth announcements, Keith said Tuesday. Our customers are like family. It was truly a family experience since day one.

Over the years, people have made offers to buy the fine dining restaurant, but she and her husband Geoff always refused to sell. That is until an opportunity came along to preserve their legacy.

The couple recently signed an agreement to sell the historic tavern to township residents Terry and Kathi Rickert who are regular customers of the restaurant. Settlement can only take place after the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board officially transfers ownership of the liquor license between corporations representing both couples.

As potential buyers, the Rickerts filed the paperwork to start a review process that could take 60 to 90 days to complete. Meanwhile, they plan to meet in three weeks with an architect to discuss possible renovations and upgrades to the tavern property.

Weve talked about this for some time now, Terry Rickert said of the transaction. The Keiths were looking for a buyer willing to take their vision forward. We were looking for a stepping stone for the Old Anglers Lodge project.

Over five years ago, he submitted a plan to redevelop the Deer Lodge property in Mount Holly Springs. Though the plan received approval, the project has been delayed due to the economy, Rickert said. He said the goal next year is to revise and scale down the project in the hope of starting construction in 2019.

Buying the tavern allows the Rickerts to immerse themselves back into the hospitality industry, which they had been away from for about 25 years.

Boiling Springs resident Phillip Brechbill built the tavern as a hotel in 1832, according to a press release announcing the sale. One of the past owners was Anheuser-Busch, who founded the restaurant.

The Keiths purchased the property in 1986 while Geoff worked as a bartender and Debi as a server at the Camp Hill Casa Rillo. It was a goal of mine to have my own restaurant, Geoff Keith said.

The couple scrimped and saved to make the dream come true. After buying the tavern, they immediately began restoration work and were hands on in completing that project.

We developed it from a hole in the wall to what it is today, Geoff Keith said. We put our program into place and kept growing it. We have done a lot of business from the War College and the car shows. There is a constant flow of people from all over the country and the world.

The result has been many fond memories from customers who became like friends and family. The customers have included Terry and Kathi Rickert.

Four other serious buyers have approached us, but none of them gave us the confidence the tavern will remain the venue that people have come to know, Debi Keith said. When Terry and Kathi approached us, we had many meetings with them and are now confident they will retain our current employees and the integrity of the tavern will be maintained.

This is our child and as good parents we know it is time to let the tavern continue to grow and develop with us as cheerleaders, she said. The new owners have the depth and passion to do what is necessary to prepare the tavern for the next hundred years plus.

What clinched the deal for us was that they asked us to stay on to help with operations, Geoff Keith said. The sales agreement includes language where the Keiths will serve as consultants for the next five years not only in the development of the tavern but the Old Anglers Lodge project.

Current management leaders, Kevin Rockwood and Sharon Roche, will remain as the managers of the tavern along with many of the long-term employees, according to the press release.

The Rickerts have retained the services of DAS Architects Inc. of Philadelphia, which has extensive background in restaurant and hospitality architectural design.

Our vision includes a new kitchen, renovated dining room and outside dining, Terry Rickert said. The beloved bar at the tavern will remain intact.

The work will be done in phases over the next three years so that the restaurant would not have to be closed completely due to construction and improvements, according to the press release.

The Rickerts are the right people to move it forward, Geoff Keith said. He said the renovation will include the gutting of the second and third story vacant apartments for conversion into eight hotel rooms for guests.

We are honored the Keiths have chosen Terry and me to be the guardians of their legacy, Kathi Rickert said.

Selling the property would allow the Keiths to slow down a little bit while staying involved in the transition of the Boiling Springs Tavern. Geoff and Debi are in their 60s and plan to remain local with occasional trips to Florida to visit their son.

The opportunity was perfect, Debi Keith said. Its a win-win for the tavern and the area.
Many know that the Appalachian Trail, one of the United States most famous hiking paths, starts in Maine and ends in Georgia. But one of it's key points sits in Cumberland County and is highlighted by a wooden spoon.

The trail's midpoint sits in Pennsylvanias Cumberland County, and reaching it is celebrated by eating a half-gallon of ice cream in one sitting.

The 2,189-mile trail Appalachian Trail traverses through 14 U.S. states, which includes 46 miles in Cumberland County located just across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg. In fact, a 13-mile portion of the trail in Cumberland County is reputed as being the longest, lowest and flattest section of the entire path and considered one of the most accessible areas for vehicle parking and taking short day trips.

The Appalachian Trail is a very complex, wild space that man could never duplicate, yet many go to the trail because of the simplicity it has to offer," said Nathaniel Shank, manager of the Appalachian Trail Museum, which is located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. "When going out to the trail, your glass will go from half full to overflowing very quickly, and that is why I think that trails like this one give people a love for protecting our wild spaces in America."

Whats debatable, however, is exactly where the trails halfway point is located. That can change from year to year due to such factors as trail reroutes or erosion control, but it usually does not deviate far. Generally, the halfway point is marked near the Appalachian Trail Museum and Pine Grove Furnace General Store in Pine Grove Furnace State Park near Gardners.

At the Pine Grove Furnace General Store, hikers reaching the trails halfway point are presented with a new challenge: consuming an entire half-gallon of Hersheys ice cream at once.

Pine Grove Furnace General Store employee Haley Eichenlaub said she cant place an exact number on how many hikers take the half-gallon ice cream challenge each year. "It depends on the year, she said. People do it every day. We just had two people who did it this morning."

What Eichenlaub can describe, however, is how hikers react when tucking away an entire half-gallon of ice cream in one sitting.

Some people say, Wow, I did it! Eichenalaub said. Others say its the most cruel kind of punishment.

What flavor do hikers chose most often for the challenge? Its Neapolitan, a striped blend of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream.

Those who do meet the challenge are awarded a commemorative wooden spoon bearing the stamp, Member of the Half Gallon Club. Store visitors are also welcome to flip through a notebook filled with tales of the hikers who attempted, and even finished a Hersheys half gallon on the spot.

The neighboring Appalachian Trail Museum, located in a 200-year-old grist mill, is noted as the only museum in the United States dedicated to hiking. Exhibits are dedicated to early trail founders Benton McKaye and Myron Avery, as well as pioneer thru-hikers Earl Shaffer and Grandma Gatewood.

The museum offers changing exhibits, a photo display of more than 10,000 thru-hikers, a hikers lounge and an indoor/outdoor storytelling center for visitors to share their hiking experiences. The museums ground floor features a childrens area with a cement floor painted with a small frys version of the Appalachian Trail. Admission is free. For information, visit www.atmuseum.org.

Also located near Halfway Point is the Ironmasters Mansion, a popular venue for overnight hiker stays, weddings and receptions, group events and more. The historic structure was built in 1815 by Peter Ege, son of one of the first operators of Pine Grove Furnace and what later became Pine Grove Furnace State Park. For more information, visit www.ironmastersmansion.com.

The Kings Gap General Store at 1155 Pine Road, Dickinson Township, offers a trip through time. The downstairs is lined with antique bottles and other treasured artifacts for sale. The upstairs deli offers fresh subs, homemade soup, cheese wheel slices, and hand-scooped Hersheys ice cream. Hikers also can stock up on groceries and sundries at the store, which is located near the entrance to the Kings Gap Environmental Center in Kings Gap State Park on the trail.

The Mid-Atlantic Appalachian Trail Conservancy is on the trail at Childrens Lake in Boiling Springs. Boiling Springs, a historic village situated in Cumberland Valley, is recognized as an official Appalachian Trail Community for its commitment to servicing hikers and promoting the trails assets. The Trail Conservancys staff members are ready to suggest day trips on the trail. Free parking permits, including long-term parking, also are available at the Mid-Atlantic office. For information, visit http://appalachiantrail.org.
Maryland cross country: Hubs' Stine, Leopards girls each finish second

North Hagerstown sophomore Lauren Stine had the top performance by a Washington County athlete, placing second in the Class 3A girls race.
Penn Townships planning commission voted Monday night against recommending approval  at least of the current plans  for the Penn Commerce warehouse proposal.

The townships solicitor, attorney Marcus McKnight, said the planning commission voted to recommend that the township supervisors deny the plans if the warehouse developer brings them to the board of supervisors next month.

Because of a lack of information, and the timeframe from the developers, they voted it down, McKnight said.

However, planning commissions are tasked with review and recommendation, McKnight noted. The final word lies with the supervisors, who next meet on Sept. 14.

Part of the planning commissions review involves meeting EPA requirements for due diligence on the Clean Water Act, McKnight said. The federal agency has requested additional data on the warehouse project, which the developer has not yet offered.

They havent done that yet. Our expert said that, until they do, its premature to approve or endorse what theyre doing, McKnight said.

Representatives from Ridge Development, the backers of the Penn Commerce project, did not immediately return calls on Tuesday.

While not because of injection wells per se, the proposed use of such wells at the Penn Commerce site is clearly a factor in the water quality concerns that have pushed back the proposal.

Well work

Injection wells are a means of stormwater management, whereby collected runoff from hard surfaces  such as warehouses and parking lots  is filtered and injected back into the bedrock via wells. Such systems are typically used in situations where the volume of runoff would otherwise cause sinkholes in a given area of soil, according to experts.

Injection wells are an approved means of stormwater mitigation, under the guidelines of the Pennsylvania Department of the Environment. If the DEP approves the sites stormwater plans, Penn Township cannot nix the proposal simply because local officials dont like injection wells.

We do not have the ability to deny it outright just because we disagree with their well situation, McKnight said. But we certainly can require the developer to do more in telling us whats going to happen.

The Penn Commerce proposal has caused concern since drilling of test wells was done earlier this year. Township officials have said theyve received complaints about water quality and corrosion issues from nearby homes and farms since the drilling was done.

The township has retained a hydrogeologist to look into how injection wells would alter the flow of water underground, and if the filtration being proposed is sufficient.

The Penn Commerce site is on the east side of Centerville Road, just south of Exit 37 on Interstate 81. Ridge Development, a subsidiary of Transwestern, announced in November 2016 that it intended to take over the site from a previous developer.
To be clear, this column is about influential media pundits and reporters choosing which violent groups they report... and which they ignore.

...anti-fascists stand up and kick the sh** out of fascists. Thats what we need!

As reported by The Daily Caller, thats Norman Clement, a member of the left-wing ANSWER Coalition, introducing speakers at a Hartford, Connecticut, Sunday night vigil to reflect on the Charleston, Virginia, violence over the weekend.

This profane rallying cry for violence on whomever they decide is a fascist was directed to the hundreds of attendees, including New Haven mayoral candidate Marcus Paca and current Mayor Toni Harp.

Its reflective of the violence fomented at Trump rallies by Scott Foval, former national field director of the left-wing Americans United for Change.

He confessed, on video, of staging the violence at Trump rallies for the Democratic National Committee to provoke Trump supporters into violence.

In Berkeley, California this year, left-wing activists attacked unarmed Trump supporters, hurled Molotov cocktails and smashed windows in protest of a planned speech by conservative antagonist Milo Yiannopoulos, causing $100,000 in property damage.

On top of that was an incident where two Berkeley College Republicans were attacked while conducting an interview on the campus, and another where a woman wearing a red Trump hat was pepper-sprayed in the face while being interviewed by a local CNN affiliate.

This is the violent left that pundits outraged at Trumps incompetent initial articulation dangerously ignore.

After an unsatisfying statement excoriating violence on both sides while shockingly omitting any reference to the murdered Heather Heyer, Trump later clearly denounced the Klan and white supremacists as criminals and thugs.

His DOJ is prosecuting the racist who, in his words, murdered Heather Heyer.

On Tuesday, Trump spoke the truth:

You had a group on one side and you had a group on the other and they came at each other with clubs and it was vicious and it was horrible and it was a horrible thing to watch, Trump said.

CNN hosts went nuts.

It is impossible to imagine President Trump saying that both sides are responsible for the violence, saying that the people that came out against these extremists are equally to blame, said The Lead host Jake Tapper.

This is a sad moment for the country, opined Don Lemon. I think it was an awful moment for the person who is supposed to represent the highest office of the land.

There today, he told, Wolf Blitzer, you saw the real Donald Trump proving all of his critics right in that moment.

Lemon defended the alt-left group because that group protests fascism.So that group was protesting fascism. Then, Lemon forgave the left-wing violence saying, Maybe their tactics werent exactly right... its messy.

Their tactics were to come to the white supremacist rally armed with bats and pepper spray and attack the racists. Thats messy, alright.

Lemon ignored those violent thugs because the other side is a Nazi, white supremacist group and what they want to do in their hearts is extinguish people who look like me and who look like you, Wolf, Jewish people, black people, even women.

They overlook that the violent left is also using fascist tactics, and if their ultimate goal is an all-powerful government with control over its people and businesses, as many espouse, then they, too are fascists.

Yes, the klan and white supremacists are evil and, as Republican Ted Cruz says, These bigots want to tear our country apart, but they will fail.America is far better than this.

I hope so, because while its as easy to hate nazis as it is to love puppies,

CNN seems to have an especially difficult time accepting the fact that there are leftwing criminals and thugs ideologically justifying violence.

By ignoring and forgiving the violent left, are the Don Lemons of the media suggesting the shooting of Republican Representative Steve Scalise by a left-winger is not so bad compared to the murder of Heather Heyer by a neo-nazi?

Once violence is accepted as legitimate political speech, only violence remains.
Donald Trump is turning toxic. Hes oozing with poisonous scorn for the sanctity of the office he holds. Trapped in his own narcissism, he is oblivious to the damage hes inflicting on American government and the countrys standing in the world.

And hes just getting warmed up. He is nowhere near finished sowing discord. Wed better plan our countermeasures.

It might appear that the president is unable to distinguish the torch-bearing white supremacists spewing anti-Semitic and racist chants in Charlottesville, Va., from the counter-demonstrators who gathered in response. Dont believe it. He knows the difference.

His weak both sides rationalization of last weekends rioting and murder is easily explained. His entire political career has been built on exploiting racial anxieties in America. He took over the Republican Party as a race warrior  and eked out an Electoral College decision without moderating that rhetoric  and hes not about to disown those who rallied to his message.

The demographic changes behind the so-called browning of America are real. Many find them unnerving. Add to that the economic decline of the great American middle class, the crisis of rural America and the diminishing prospects for all but the richest and best educated, and you have the makings of a nativist, racist populist backlash.

To give the devil his due, Trump was uniquely qualified to lead that backlash and did not waste his chance. Racist appeals alone probably wouldnt have put him over the top. His genius, if it could be called that, was to speak directly to the forgotten Americans: the miners and factory workers, the people who lost out in the housing crash, the inhabitants of flyover country, the downwardly mobile of the Rust Belt. He wouldnt forget them, he promised, and he would crush the elites in Washington who had.

He would also protect the jittery American from the dangerous foreigner, whether he be an undocumented immigrant or a terrorist. He would shame our allies into paying more tribute to America, and he would humiliate our trading partners into cutting us better deals.

Unfortunately for many who rallied to Trumps banner, his campaign platform turned out to be a facade of lies. He has packed his administration with billionaires, Wall Street bankers and corporate hacks. He tried and failed to take health insurance away from tens of millions now covered thanks to Obamacare. He has signaled his intention to enact tax cuts for the rich at the expense of the social safety net. In short, he is a plutocrat.

Even his pandering to nativist sentiment  the stepped up deportations of undocumented workers and their kids, the selective travel ban targeting Muslims  has backfired, his cruel motivations transparent.

Then Charlottesville happened. The mask has fallen.

And yet Trumps failings as a president cannot be allowed to overshadow all else. Those who oppose him cannot lose sight of the deep anxieties that preceded him. It is certain that Trump will continue to exploit those anxieties, to conjure grievances, to produce scapegoats, to drag politics to the level of the street brawl.

Dont just take my word. Listen to Steve Bannon, Trumps departed chief strategist, who gave an interview to The American Prospect, a liberal intellectual journal, in which he declared his hope that Charlottesville will refocus Democrats on racism. Indeed, he gloated about the possibility.

In that case, he said, I got em. I want them to talk about racism every day.

Bannon thinks he has a winning strategy. Following Charlottesville there will be other rallies by white supremacists. Theyre already planned.

Its interesting that Bannon, former chief of Breitbart News, which midwifed the birth of the so-called alt-right, should be so cavalier about the bully boys of Charlottesville. These guys are a collection of clowns, he told the Prospect.

I wouldnt necessarily take Bannons comments at face value, but this much is true: Tearing down Trump will not defeat Trumpism. We must resist racism and defend our Constitution and our civic norms. But we must also offer a set of alternative solutions to the anxieties Trump spoke to.

Obviously, the vast majority of Americans dont buy into the extreme dialogue of neo-Nazis. But many want to build a border wall, shut Americas doors to refugees or support slick sounding remedies to economic concerns.

So fair warning to those who were buoyed by the eloquent statements issued in recent days by former presidents Obama and Bush in the aftermath of Charlottesville.

Were going to need far more than soothing rhetoric. To prevail in coming elections, the opposition is going to need concrete plans  and ironclad commitments behind them  to enact policies that deliver material benefits to all Americans, that make life better for all.

Talk is cheap. Action takes courage. Nothing else will suffice. That should be the lesson of Charlottesville.
Cabinet approves alternative mechanism Framework for consolidation of Public Sector Banks

Published: August 23, 2017

The Union Cabinet has approved Framework for Consolidation of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) through an Alternative Mechanism (AM).

The decision would facilitate consolidation among the nationalised banks to create strong and competitive banks and also improve their competitiveness and efficiency.

Features of approved Framework for Consolidation of PSBs

Under this framework, the decision regarding creating strong and competitive banks will be solely based on commercial considerations based on approval of the Boards of Banks (PSBs). The proposals of Banks to formulate schemes of amalgamation must be approved by the Alternative Mechanism (AM).

There will be a ministerial committee to oversee the mechanism. The members of the panel will be decided by the Prime Minister. After in-principle approval from AM, the Banks can take steps in accordance with law and Security Exchange Boad of Indias (SEBIs) requirements. The final amalgamation or consolidation scheme will be notified by the Union Government in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Benefits

The decision is expected to facilitate the creation of strong and competitive banks in public sector space to meet the credit needs of a growing economy, absorb shocks and have the capacity to raise resources without depending unduly on the state exchequer. It will further add commercial strength and prevent multiplicity of resources being spent in same area.

Background

The banking scenario has changed since 1970/80s when banks were nationalised, with an increased banking presence from PSBs, non-banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Payment Banks and Small Finance Banks (SFBs). There are now 20 PSBs other than SBI.

In 1991 after announcement of liberalisation of economy, it was suggested that there should fewer but stronger PSBs in the country. However, the effective action for consolidating PSBs began in May 2016 after announcement of amalgamation of six subsidiary banks into the State bank of India (SBI). The merger was completed in record time, unlike earlier mergers of PSBs.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2017

Topics: Banking  Cabinet Decisions  Consolidation of PSBs  National  PSBs

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NEWTON  The Catawba County Board of Commissioners voted on second reading Monday to amend county ordinances to allow alcohol sales starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

The need for a vote on second reading came because the measure was not passed unanimously when it was first considered by the board at its Aug. 7 meeting.

The 3-2 second reading vote matched the initial vote, with commissioners Barbara Beatty and Sherry Butler again voting against the ordinance revision.

The revision goes into effect Oct. 1.

In addition to the brunch ordinance vote, the board also heard updates from county staff related to the countys strategic planning efforts.

The presentations covered wide-ranging subject matter, from education and parks to health and infrastructure.

In his presentation on the K-64 program, County Manager Mick Berry said the board was reaching a moment of decision on how public funds for the program would be distributed.

Catawba Valley Community College President Garrett Hinshaw, who is an ex-officio member on the K-64 board, had recently sent a letter a requesting the $2.6 million in funds that the board had committed to providing over two years, Berry said.

Berry suggested a funding model that would contribute money, likely several hundred thousand dollars, to support daily operations while releasing other funds on a matching basis.

For the first year, the county would contribute $2 to every $1 in private funding and the match would decrease to a 1-1 match the following year, Berry said.

Having the daily operations covered by public funds could help bring in private funds by letting potential donors know that their money is going to go directly into classrooms, into these programs that we believe are going to really have a dramatic impact on education in Catawba County, Berry said.

Beatty said the ultimate goal was to see the program become self-supporting once the countys period of commitment ended.

Yeah, you all have only committed for two years; thats been very clear to everybody, Berry said.

And you know, I wont speak for board members, but it seems like theres a positive feeling that that is doable as grants start rolling in and those private commitments come to bear.

The board did not vote on the funding model Monday, but the commissioners did seem to generally approve of the proposal.

Communications Director Amy McCauley spoke about the countys rebranding efforts, which will include a redesign of the website that will be ongoing over the next few months and is expected to go live in January.

A significant part of the process is working experts in communication and other fields to reframe how we talk about our community both to people who live here and also the people who dont, McCauley said.

A lot of times we default to what we used to be or what were not, and were trying to change that conversation and default to the what we are and what we aspire to be and what makes us great, McCauley said.
HICKORY  The Hickory Police Department has launched an investigation for a missing man, according to a press release.

Patrick Grover, 52, was last seen Friday at approximately 7 p.m. at Iron Thunder Saloon and Grill at 2022 13th Avenue Drive SE, according to the release.

Grover has brown hair and green eyes, and is listed at 6-foot-1, weighing approximately 200 pounds.

Grover was last seen wearing a dark colored shirt and pants, and drives a four-door 2009 burgundy Nissan Maxima with a North Carolina registration plate of BFM-3420, according to the release.

HPD is continuing this investigation, and asks anyone who may have seen Grover or has information on his whereabouts to contact Investigator K. Craig at 828-261-2616 or via email at kcraig@hickorync.gov.
I think it's disgraceful that our Gov. Cooper is so weak that he orders removal of such historical monuments in North Carolina.

I think he is overstepping his authority.

He does need to remember that there will be an election coming before you know it.

Charlie Anderson

Conover

I am not and never will be a racist

First of all, I would like to start out saying that the picture of the boy who killed nine blacks in church was in my opinion a deliberate way to cause racial tensions (he had a Confederate flag draped over his leg).

Now why would any person in their right mind do this, other than to cause racial tension? The media should be ashamed for doing this or to allow this.

I dont believe that the Confederate flag killed those nine people, but the black population was given an opportunity to protest the Civil War and everything associated with it.

The Civil War was a major historical event in our country, and now with the uprising of the black population to disregard all memory of it by tearing down statues, etc., in memory of that war is disgraceful to those who actually fought in the war.

I cannot believe that our government is so disrespectful to those veterans; I am ashamed to call myself an American. Our government is so one-sided in matters of this nature it makes me hate our government all the more.

I could go on and on about this, but as I write, Im getting more and more frustrated, please forgive me.

P.S. I am not and never will be a racist, but fair is fair in my book.

Robert H. March

Hickory

Reaction to ongoing Confederate monuments debate

I just read the article asking folks to share their views on the removal of Confederate monuments.

As a citizen of the United States, I feel it is our duty to let our views be known in a peaceful way. How can anyone deny people their right to commemorate their family members lost in battle?

I don't see it as glorifying anyone or anything but just remembering. God made all men. No more marches and protests.

How about meeting one another with a smile or a handshake and not make that contingent upon their color, ethnicity, or which side of the Mason Dixon they happened to be born on?

Judy Chisnell

Conover

Vote for Kim Sigmon for clerk of court

In just a few short months, Catawba County voters will again be choosing important positions in our local government. One of those will be for clerk of court.

The last four years have been some of the most effective in the history of the clerks office with Kim Sigmons leadership.

Kim is a bold leader of change, is honest, and is willing to make difficult decisions. She is unafraid to confront political dishonesty and understands what it means to serve the people of this entire region.

Her leadership has brought the clerks office into one of the best run organizations in the entire state of North Carolina.

Im supporting the re-election of Kim Sigmon because integrity and character must be at the top of any elected officials resume, and there is no one who has the depth of experience and qualifications to continue making the difference for every citizen.

Vote to re-elect Clerk of Superior Court Kim Sigmon.

Amanda Chatman

Conover
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It was not a book that required following from front to back, and Inman simply opened it at random, as he had done night after night in the hospital to read until he was calm enough for sleep.

That book was Bartrams Travels, as described in Charles Fraziers classic novel, Cold Mountain. Bartrams book is a treasured possession of Inman, the wounded Confederate soldier who has deserted. As he makes his way from a Raleigh hospital to his home on Cold Mountain west of Asheville for a hoped-for reunion with his beloved Ada, he opens Bartram regularly to read its descriptions of plants, topography, animals and people.

Similarly, in rereading Cold Mountain to mark this years 20th anniversary of its publication, I found that it, like Bartram, does not require reading from front to back.

Cold Mountain has sold more than three million copies. It inspired a popular epic filmand an opera to be staged in Chapel Hill this fall. As North Carolinas most admired work of literary fiction since perhaps, Look Homeward Angel, it should be on the bookshelf of every home in our state.

I bet you have an old copy somewhere, one you may have not opened since you first read it. That is understandable because we are not much into rereading books. But this one, like Bartram's, commands more than one reading. On its 20th anniversary year, Cold Mountain deserves a complete read.

Perhaps there is no way you can read the entire book again. So here is a compromise. On this 20th anniversary, open your copy and read 20 pages.

But which 20?

There are so many options. I am not sure which ones I would pick.

You could, just as Inman did with Bartram, open Cold Mountain at random and read a few pages. Fraziers stories and lush language will mesmerize you.

But there are so many other choices.

*The story in the beginning of the book about Inman's encounter with the blind peanut man near the state capital in Raleigh.

*The goat woman, stuck in the high mountains. Her goats feed her and give her a reason to live.

*Inmans visit to a young war widow and her small child. After federal soldiers raid her house and take her pig and chickens, they pay a heavy price. Inman follows them, and extracts brutal revenge and returns the chickens and pig to the widow.

Alternate chapters focus on Ada struggling against all odds at her farm near Cold Mountain to hold things together after her father's death. The rough mountain girl Ruby's arrival to help is memorable. She grabs the rooster that has been attacking Ada, wrings its neck, and cooks him for supper.

The superstitious Ruby gives us a picture of farm life 150 years ago. Frazier writes, The crops were growing well, largely, Ruby claimed, because they had been planted, at her insistence, in strict accordance with the signs. In Ruby's mind, everything--setting fence posts, making sauerkraut, killing hogs--fell under the rule of the heavens...November, will kill a hog in the growing of the moon, for if we don't the meat will lack grease and pork chops will cup up in the pan.

Frazier makes violent death compelling, beautifully and brutally awful. Battlefield horror at Fredericksburg, Inmans dispatching of the treacherous owner of the house of ill repute, and the cruel murders by the home guard, spilt blood on Cold Mountains pages. Cold Mountain is full of chilling reminders of the senseless killing that becomes a part of every war.

Pick up your copy of Cold Mountain, pick a spot at random and read 20 pages. There will be a problem. Once you get started, you wont be able to stop.

D.G. Martin hosts North Carolina Bookwatch, which airs Sundays at noon and Thursdays at 5 p.m. on UNC-TV.
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The Real Estate (Regulation) Act, 2016, the flagship legislation to protect home buyers, has come into force, but its implementation on the ground continues to lag, with the central and state governments equally lax on this front. As of July 31, only four states had set up a full-fledged Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). In a travesty of the Acts requirements, the rest have been functioning with interim, non-independent authorities, and a few states even attempting to relax requirements under their rules.

Designed as an omnibus consumer welfare legislation to regulate the real estate sector, the Act seeks to make buying residential property easier and more transparent through the establishment of an independent authority in each state. Every real estate project exceeding 500 square metre is required to be registered with the RERA before it is advertised, booked or sold to the public. The promoter is required to submit detailed documentation of their previous projects as well as the one under registration, and set up a public website with information regarding the project, updated on a quarterly basis. The promoter is then required to enter into a written and registered agreement for sale before collecting any deposit greater than 10% of the project cost. The promoter should also clearly specify the date of possession. Consumers can thus make informed decisions before purchase, and have regular access to information regarding the project, with the promoter held accountable for promises made or advertised.

Besides private developers, the Act will impact both public housing projects such as the DDAs Aawasiya Yojana housing scheme or Kathputli Colony redevelopment in Delhi, and the SRA schemes in Mumbai. Thus, it is imperative that the RERAs regulatory independence is maintained so that it can exercise effective authority over government agencies as well. Similarly, in situations such as the Unitech fiasco in Gurugram, the Act would provide an easy means of redress to aggrieved home buyers. In these circumstances, the lack of a full-fledged independent RERA, as in Delhi and Haryana, means that home buyers are left high and dry.

The Centre has publicised the Act as one of its most significant achievements, and extolled the RERA as a panacea for problems in the sector, particularly exploitation of home buyers by developers. On the other hand, its own actions in the national capital reflect poorly on these objectives. Delhi is yet to have a full-fledged RERA, and the Centre has notified DDA as the interim authority. This in direct conflict with DDAs legal mandate over planning and development in Delhi (including housing) which places it in the role of a promoter under the Act, and places it in the untenable position of exercising regulatory functions over itself. Further, the Acts mandate that all promoters be registered with the RERA will be rendered meaningless given that the promoter and RERA are the same institution.

Thus, citizens applying for a house under DDAs recent housing scheme have no regulatory protection under the Act. The scheme, which offers about 12,000 flats for allotment to the general public, does not meet the Acts requirements of information disclosure: in lieu of a project website, there is a single page on DDAs website containing procedural information for applicants, and a brochure which briefly  and inadequately  describes the flats. There is no information on the DDAs track record in completion of previous projects, as required by the law  over the last six decades, DDA has consistently failed to meet its targets for development of both commercial and residential property. Should buyers of the Aawasiya Yojana flats have issues with DDA, such as claiming refunds or interest in case of delayed possession, they will have to approach the DDA itself, rather than seek relief from an independent agency guaranteed to them under the law.

The Centre should lead the states in taking steps for implementation of the Act, particularly in the Union Territories. Delhi presents a unique opportunity  given that land and development are a monopoly of the central government, it could be a model for successful implementation of the RERAs independent regulatory framework. The Centre urgently needs to set up an independent RERA in Delhi, and bring DDA under its regulatory ambit.

Manish is a research associate, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi

The views expressed are personal
ranjan.srivastava@hindustantimes.com

As 67-year-old Siddiqa Begum sifts through her family album in the drawing room of her Indore house, she cant help but recall the time her mother, Shah Bano, created history of sorts by winning a Supreme Court battle for maintenance allowance in 1985.

But the Rajiv Gandhi government at the Centre swiftly followed up with the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act-1986, effectively negating the apex court judgment. Bano died of brain haemmorhage in 1992, her dream of obtaining adequate maintenance allowance still unrealised.

Bano was the first wife of Mohammad Ahmed Khan, a senior Indore-based advocate who died at the age of 94 in April 2006. He had five children with her, and seven with another wife.

Memories of Shah Bano and her righteous battle against Khan (and, by extension, discriminatory social customs and religious fundamentalists) would have all but faded into oblivion if the Supreme Court had not passed another historic judgment by striking down the triple-talaq practice on Tuesday. This time, however, the central government was receptive to the idea.

Siddiqa refrained from openly voicing her approval for the apex court judgment because it undermined the Sharia, but couldnt help but admit that it would go a long way in helping poor and illiterate women who are unable to sustain themselves after divorce. My mother, for instance, had to struggle really hard. Men who want to marry several times do not like the idea of maintenance allowance because then they would have to spend on every wife they divorce, she said.

The legal battle was especially tough on Bano because taking on her husband was akin to challenging her entire male-dominated community. My father did give my mother a monthly allowance, but it was insignificant. When my mother moved court, he stopped it altogether. She, however, refused to buckle under pressure.

Siddiqa recalled how Bano moved into a ramshackle hovel with her children after the court case. There was tremendous pressure on my mother to back off, she said. Some people from Saudi Arabia tried luring her with haj pilgrimage promises. They even organised rallies against my mother, but she was adamant in her fight for justice.

(With inputs from Hema Tiwari in Indore)

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At least 50 students of a private school were on Wednesday were taken to the hospital after they complained of uneasiness following inhalation of ammonia gas which leaked from a cold storage nearby, district authorities in Madhya Pradeshs Chhindwara said.

Nearly 800 students were present on the school campus when the gas leaked from the adjoining cold storage, located on Narsingpur road, a senior official said.

District collector J K Jain ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Fifty students were taken to the district hospital after they complained about uneasiness. They were sent home after medical check-up and being provided medication. We have evacuated the school, Jain told after visiting the spot along with superintendent of police Gaurav Tiwari.

We have ordered an inquiry into the incident. The police is questioning the owner of the cold storage, the collector said.

The students had assembled on the school campus for the daily prayer when the ammonia gas leaked from a pipeline at around 10.15 am. After the leak, some students complained of uneasiness, he said.

The ammonia gas leakage caused an explosion of a cylinder in the cold storage, Jain said.

SP Tiwari said teams of fire brigade and ambulances were rushed to the spot after the incident was reported.

The situation is now under control and we are are questioning the cold storage owner, he said.
Chanda Mama Door Ke managed a casting coup. With Sushant Singh Rajput, R Madhavan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead roles, this is going to be one of the most awaited films in the coming months. Interestingly, the film also has a voice-over by Aamir Khan.

The actors are preparing really hard for their roles. First it was Sushant Singh Rajput who went to the NASA Space Centre for training and now it is Madhavans turn to go through the paces.

Taran Adarsh tweeted a photo that shows Madhavan taking a close look at a space suit and a person explaining something to him. The overall mood of the picture looks very serious and hints how makers are taking the project.

Directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, who has earlier helmed the critically acclaimed Lahore, Chanda Mama Door Ke is about Indias space missions and how India successfully completed its Mars mission.

Madhavan gears for his role as astronaut and trains at NASA for #ChandaMamaDoorKe. Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan directs. Viki Rajani produces. pic.twitter.com/TQKhGUO2uB  taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) August 23, 2017

Sushant and Nawazuddin are playing astronauts in the film while Madhavan will be seen as a test pilot. Said to be inspired from Stanley Kubricks Hollywood classic 2001: A Space Odyssey, Chanda Mama Door Ke is scheduled to hit the screens on January 26, 2018.

Going by the looks of the stills emerging out of the films sets, this may well become one of the rare well-made sci-fi films in Bollywood.
The St. Francois County Sheriffs Department is looking for a man who was last seen at Astral Valley Art Park near French Village.

St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock said they are looking for Ryan K. Duplessis, of Springfield, Mo., after a friend and his brother reported him missing Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

The friend reported him missing at 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, who was also at the Astral Valley festival, said Bullock. He was who first reported him missing and while at Astral Valley the friend said workers there found his shoes, phone and wallet.

Bullock added Duplessis is described as a 23-year-old black man, 5 foot 3 to 5 foot 5 and 135 pounds and believed to be wearing blue jeans and no shoes.

If anyone has any information on his whereabouts we ask that they contact the St. Francois County Sheriffs Department, said Bullock. We have a check the well-being and missing persons report on him in the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System, so if he is picked up anywhere they should notify us.

Bullock said he may not be missing at all, he may not want to be found. He added they dont suspect any foul play at this time, but they are checking into it.

Detectives are with Duplessis brother who came into the sheriffs department Wednesday morning to report that he never came home, said Bullock. They are trying to get as much information as they can to follow up on.

Anyone with any information on Duplessis whereabouts is asked to call the St. Francois County Sheriffs Department at 573-756-3252 or by calling St. Francois County 911 Dispatch at 573-431-3131.

This is a developing story and the Daily Journal will provide more details as it becomes available.
When you are a celebrity, you cannot escape the gossip mills and Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra has often been linked with his first co-star (Student of the Year, 2012), Alia Bhatt. The actor, who is currently gearing up for the release of his next opposite Jacqueline Fernandez - A Gentleman, has now confirmed that he is very much single.

During Neha Dhupias podcast #NoFilterNeha, Sidharth said, I am very much single.

Is he dropping hints about Alia or is he just dodging the question?

Though he denied being in a relationship, Sidharth has often been spotted with Alia. When Neha asked him to pick one actor in the industry who best describes All good things come in small package, he didnt think twice before naming Alia Bhatt!

Earlier, Sidharth had told Hindustan Times, Alia looks into my eyes and I look into hers and we get completely lost. She is someone who I am very close to. She is one of the most important people in my life right now. We have known each other for a long time. We share a great rapport and I totally second what she says. I am happy that she is getting lost in my eyes.

If at all I had my bio it would say Sundar, Susheel and Risky. All desis would understand and the firangs would ask me for the meaning. But I wouldnt mind trying the app, he told Neha when asked if he would ever join Tinder.

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Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra has never played a grey character but guess whats his dream role? Its Bane from the film, The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Sidharth is all praise for Hollywood actor Tom Hardy, especially for the way the latter portrayed the negative role in the superhero film.

According to the Ek Villain (2014) actor, its laudable how Hardy, despite having his face covered, performed with his voice. How cool it is for an actor in Hollywood, which is Tom Hardy, to play a character where all throughout the film his face is covered and all his performance is through his voice, which is modified ... and its all in his body language, how his head tilts, thats all he has to play with... And I think it was an incredible performance. His face actually comes only for one shot in the whole film. Im a big (Christopher) Nolan fan, and a big Dark Knight fan and itll be interesting to play him, Sidharth said on Neha Dhupias podcast #NoFilterNeha.

Tom Hardy as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises.

During his tete-e-tete with Neha, when she asked him about who he thinks would be the best Bond girl, Sidharth named his Baar Baar Dekho (2016) co-star Katrina Kaif. I think Katrina would be a wonderful Bond girl. Deepika would be very attractive and sexy to have next to an Indian Bond, he added.

Meanwhile, on the same podcast, Sidharth also declared that he is single, hinting that he may have separated from his rumoured girlfriend, Alia Bhatt. I am very much single, said Sidharth, who is currently busy promoting his latest film, A Gentleman, also starring Jacqueline Fernandez.

From #twitterblueroom ! #AGentleman @jacquelinef143 A post shared by Sidharth Malhotra (@s1dofficial) on Aug 18, 2017 at 2:56am PDT

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Rajkummar Rao says he was not aware that his Bareilly Ki Barfi co-actor Ayushmann Khurrana suggested his name for the film. In an interview, Ayushmann said that he was the one who suggested Rajkummars name for the Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari directorial.

Asked what he had to say to that, Rajkummar, who is currently in Thailand, told IANS in an email, Though I wasnt aware of it, but thats very kind of him. I thank him for doing this because the love and appreciation Im getting for Bareilly Ki Barfi is overwhelming.

Rajkummar says he had a great time working with Ayushmann. And I hope he suggests my name for all his exciting films and Ill also do the same. He is a dear friend and I love him a lot, he said.

The Queen actor has been lauded by critics and audience alike for his performance in the film, which also stars Kriti Sanon. Good actors have always supported each others performances in a film and the same happened in Bareilly Ki Barfi. We all supported each other throughout. Filmmaking is a teamwork, he said.

Rajkummar is happy that his character Pritam Vidrohi is winning hearts. Actors performances are meant to make the film and its characters work in peoples hearts and I am very happy that people are resonating with Pritam Vidrohi. It wouldnt have been possible without my wonderful team, he added.
The 8th edition of the splendid Mountain Echoes Literary Festival will run from August 25 to 27 in Thimphu. As always, the fest looks set to be an event to remember with author and television presenter Padma Lakshmi, that mistress of spices, headlining this year. An initiative of the India-Bhutan Foundation with literary consultancy, Siyahi, headed by Mita Kapur, the festival will also be attended by Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief, and writer and performance poet Francesca Beard. The Indian contingent is amply represented by Ashwin Sanghi, Prayaag Akbar,Devdutt Pattanaik, Jerry Pinto, Sharanya Manivannan and Hindi film director Imtiaz Ali.

All things wise and wonderful; at the festival. (Courtesy Mountain Echoes Literary Festival)

The themes at this years event are wide ranging and include natural history and environment, business and leadership, fashion, magic and mentalism, food, spirituality and Buddhism  all of this promises to generate much conversation!

Established under the patronage of Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Royal Queen Mother of Bhutan, the festival is supported by a panel of advisors, which includes the countrys Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications Dasho Karma W Penjor, authors Kunzang Choden and Malvika Singh, publisher Meru Gokhale, MP Pavan K Varma, and writer Sonam Wangmo Jhalani.

Apart from numerous workshops and panel discussions, the event will also include a performance of the Drametse Ngacham, a sacred dance featuring 16 masked male dancers and 10 musicians performing in honour of Padmasambhava, the 8th-century Buddhist master.

At the Royal Academy of Performing Arts. (Mountain Echoes Literary Festival)

Unusually for a literary festival, this years Mountain Echoes is quite fashion forward with celebrated names from Bhutanese and Indian fashion like Chandrika Tamang, Chimmi Choden, Abraham & Thakore and Prasad Bidappa participating.

Read more: Mountain Echoes: A Literature Festival in the Land of the Thunder Dragon

No edition is complete without great music and, this time, festival goers can look forward to performances at Thimphus Clock Tower by excellent local acts like Sangay Lhaden, The Baby Boomers, and the dance troupes Druk Jackson and Waki Nation Crew.

Masked dances executed by students of the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (Mountain Echoes Literary Festival)

Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is breathtakingly beautiful. Its also one of the happiest places on earth. With so much natural beauty and such a rich cultural life, that isnt surprising at all.
When Rev Martin Luther King Jr used the words, We are not makers of history; we are made by history, it was interpreted in various ways to mean he was admonishing his black American audience to not let larger historical forces make them passive, to urge them to make history, and to convey how history makes us.

These famous words spoken in an utterly different context play on my mind as I delve into A Life with Wildlife by MK Ranjitsinh, a sweeping record of Indias wildlife from the princely era to the cusp of independence and after. It includes the Nehru years followed by the Indira Gandhi era, the succession of political powers thereafter and the current times. The author is the link between royal and contemporary India and writes lucidly of the transition and of how history and culture shaped our view and governance of wildlife.

MK Ranjitsinhs memoirs are unlike many penned by bureaucrats. It is about a mans passion for wildlife rooted in his boyhood in the princely state of Wankaner (Gujarat) from the time he spent in the hide with his father, not merely watching animals but doing something quite extraordinary. The hide had a detachable wooden roof over which kills were placed to attract resident leopards. Often, the roof was removed and, writes the author, my greatest thrill was to have Father raise me up to the glass -- the only thing separating human from cat  panel so that I could put my hands under the leopards belly and feel the warmth through

Remarkable, even for an era when gramophones were used to train leopards for the pleasure of a royal sighting! Such intriguing vignettes aside, whats striking, and significant, is the abundance of wildlife then, and the vacuum that exists in places now emptied of them. For instance, a mornings drive in Wankaner would yield over 400 blackbuck, a beautiful endemic antelope once a typical site of the plains. They have now been replaced by the ubiquitous livestock. The sorry fate of the Great Indian Bustard illustrates the slide best: Ranjitsinh counted 28 in a compact two km in Jambudiya, also in Gujarat, in 1952. All that remains now are about a dozen in the state, of a 100 in India, and the world.

The author draws a paradoxical inference here that wildlife was best preserved in states keen on hunting. He backs his argument with examples like Junagarh, where the Nawab preserved the last of the Asiatic lions. He points out that the loss of cattle killed by tigers was compensated by the Maharajah of Dungarpur, a precursor to the Cattle-kill Compensation schemes now in practice across India. Indeed, a third of Indias 650-odd sanctuaries and national parks are descendents of what were once royal game reserves.

The meat (and some masala) is found in the period when Ranjitsinh served as an IAS officer, giving a fascinating insight of how he worked the system to channelize his interest into a vision for conservation. His initial years of service in Madhya Pradesh were spent partnering with forest officers to preserve the states natural heritage. This included securing Kanha (now a tiger reserve) thus giving a lease of life to tigers and the rare hard ground barasingha, or by deftly handling policy to regulate sawmills adjacent to forests and the extraction of forest produce with its consequent impact on wildlife.

It was during his tenure as Director, Wildlife Preservation, at the centre that Ranjitsinh was to make his most significant contribution as co-architect of the Wildlife Conservation Act (1972). This remains the primary instrument of protection. It was in these years, and then later as Secretary (Forests) that Protected Areas were expanded, many requiring adept handling of reluctant politicians and colleagues. The making of PAs is a lesson in negotiation, and I am particularly fascinated with how the endangered Nilgiri tahr gained acreage in the now celebrated Eravikulam National Park in Kerala for 36 wagons of rice!

The Indira years throw light on the Iron Ladys resolve to protect wildlife marking the decade following 1972 as perhaps the most important epoch in the conservation history of the country. Post the Gandhi-era the tone of the book changes, taking on a critical note as governments become lax in their role as steward, diluting and dissolving rules and regulations that protect the forest and its denizens.

Ranjitsinh retired in 1995 but continues to remain a key figure in conservation. His memoir thus presents a unique perspective of governmental indifference to nature and to the marginalised, best illustrated in a chapter on the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

MK Ranjitsinh (Courtesy HarperCollins)

The author does not mince words, which may be the way of the retired bureaucratic freed of his diplomatic shackles. But then, he didnt shy away from speaking his mind even when in service, standing up to then minister Bhajan Lal over the issue of (not) exporting frog legs. He does not aim to please and takes unequivocal stands on contentious issues notably the Forest Rights Act, which he writes is the most harmful Act in relation to the forest s in the history of India. In his communication to Sonia Gandhi he wrote, it is ironic that the bill was spearheaded by a political party which claims inspiration for Shrimati Indira Gandhi. He roots for the ghar-wapsi of the cheetah now extinct in India, a move criticised by some (disclosure: this includes this reviewer) and holds us all culpable -- no community or group is blameless in the destruction and decimation of the forests and wildlife of India.

The canvas of A Life... is vast and touches on the authors involvement with the conservation of the unique wildlife of Kashmir, his tenure with the United Nations, travelogues on Bhutan, and amazing encounters with the rarest of the worlds wildlife. It is an educative, evocative read, a worthy account of a wildlife warrior who soldiers on well into his 80s.

Read more: Indias endangered species nobody wants to save, or talk about

His is a life well lived and this is a story well told.

A Life with Wildlife is essential reading for anyone who cares about the fate of Indias spectacular and rare wildlife and its precarious future in an overcrowded, aspiring country.

Prerna Singh Bindra is a former member of the National Board for Wildlife and author of the recently released The Vanishing: Indias Wildlife Crisis

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Walmart, the worlds biggest retailer, and Google, the internets predominant search engine, are teaming up in an attempt to challenge Amazons growing dominance in online shopping.

The deal will make the retailers products available on Google Express, and follows Amazons announcement that it plans to acquire supermarket chain Whole Foods.

Starting in late September, well be working with Google to offer hundreds of thousands of items for voice shopping via Google Assistant -- the largest number of items currently offered by a retailer through the platform, Marc Lore, Walmarts head of e-commerce, said in a blog post late Tuesday.

Walmart will integrate Google Express, which already lets people purchase products from a large range of brands, such as Costco and the pharmacy Walgreens, into its own platform.

If youre an existing Walmart customer, you can choose to link your Walmart account to Google and receive personalized shopping results based on your online and in-store Walmart purchases, Google said in a statement.

Walmarts third-quarter results, released this month, once again highlighted its persistent lag behind Amazon, even if the numbers were better than expected.

Walmart US, the biggest division at Wal-Mart Stores, posted a 1.8 percent rise in comparable sales in the second quarter from the year earlier, with revenues rising 2.1 percent to $123.4 billion.

But net income fell 23.2 percent to $2.9 billion, reflecting more aggressive spending on e-commerce and a willingness to compete by lower prices, as well as costs of $788 million connected to a debt payment.

- Mutual threat -

Walmart holds the biggest share of the US grocery market of any retailer, with a network of nearly 4,700 stores that the company says are located within 10 miles of about 90 percent of the US population.

But it has faced increasingly stiff competition from Amazon, which is set to ramp up to a new level with the tech giants impending purchase of Whole Foods Market.

According to Internet Retailer, citing figures from the Department of Commerce, Amazon accounted for 38 percent of all online sales in the second quarter and contributed to half of all growth in US internet commerce over the period.

But it remains behind Walmart when it comes to US distribution as a whole, with the two companies accounting for 2.8 percent and 6.3 percent of the market respectively last year.

Walmart has made several acquisitions in recent years to try to catch up, including the purchase of Jet.com last year for about $3 billion.

It has also started to deliver groceries in some cities via partnerships with Uber and Lyft.

Google is also looking to expand its activities in online shopping, grouped together under its Google Home brand.

Under the new partnership, shoppers can make purchases via voice-enabled Google Home devices, as Amazon does with its Alexa-enabled Echo devices.
Large institutional investors, proxy advisory firms, brokerages, top executives at the company and some of the companys 200,000-odd employees have the same question: why did the board of Infosys decide to release the now-infamous six-page note blaming founder NR Narayana Murthy for CEO Vishal Sikkas decision to quit.

After the initial days spent digesting news of the CEOs abrupt decision to quit, the events in the run-up, and the consequent Rs 33,074 crore loss in market value since Friday, these stakeholders are now asking why the board lashed out at Murthy. Questions are being asked whether R Seshasayee should continue to remain chairman of the board. And, several investors have written or are in the process of writing to the board asking it to sort things out with Murthy.

(This is) the biggest mis-management by any board of a large listed company in India, said a former executive vice president of Infosys, on the condition of anonymity. As a shareholder, I would say the chairman let me down by not performing his fiduciary duties. He could not retain his CEO; nor could he work with an influential group of minority shareholders. To make matters worse, the board went ahead and released a letter blaming someone else for its own mistakes.

Theres also the real fear that Infosyss proposed Rs 13,000-crore share buyback could be derailed if the five founders, who collectively own 12.75% stake in the company, vote against the resolution. Infosyss share buyback is a so-called special resolution which needs approval from two-thirds of shareholders. Historically, not more than 70% of shareholders vote for any proposal, and if the founders vote against the resolution (and the overall vote remains at around 60%), then the buyback could fall apart.

To be sure, the companys five founders have not yet decided if they will participate in the buyback. But the boards six-page note, blaming Murthy has upset all the founders.

It was pathetic. It was offensive and not befitting the board of a company like Infosys, said one of the founders on condition of anonymity. If the board had so much confidence in Vishal, why has it been constantly talking to others, including Mr. Murthy, and complaining about Vishals performance as a CEO?

Murthy wrote in a letter dated 9 August to some advisors that Infosys co-chairman Ravi Venkatesan and two other independent directors had told him that Sikka was not CEO, but CTO material.

The boards six-page release on Friday blaming Murthy, who has often referred to Infosys as his middle child, for his continuous assault and misguided campaignagainst Sikka has caused heartburn among the five founders.

Co-founders Murthy, Nandan Nilekani, SD Shibulal and K Dinesh did not respond to e-mails seeking comment while another co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan declined comment. The resolution for the share buyback should get 75% favourable votes of the total votes polled, said an Infosys spokesperson, who declined to comment on other issues raised in this story.

Until now, the promoters only stayed away from voting over some of the resolutions that came for voting. I wont be surprised if, at some time the promoters also decide to vote against the boards decision because they have lost their trust in the board said another senior Infosys executive who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Murthy has been meeting heads of large institutional investors, mutual funds and a few brokerages over the past month in an effort to build pressure on the board, the second Infosys executive added. He met with representatives from Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund, the third-largest institutional investor in Infosys in July, this person said. Oppenheimer trimmed its holding in Infosys to 2.16 per cent at the end of June compared to 2.36 per cent.

An Oppenheimer spokesperson did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment. On Wednesday, Murthy will be speaking to investors at a conference hosted by Investec India.

In February, when Murthy publicly lambasted the board over alleged poor governance issues, both large investors and company employees questioned Murthys move. At that time, the board was led by Seshasayee, who completely backed Sikka. Now, Infosyss co-chairman Venkatesan is the face of board, and according to at least four executives at Infosys, including those mentioned above, he and Sikka have had a tough working relationship. Mint reported on August 21 that Sikka told some executives close to him that he wanted to resign when Venkatesan was appointed co-chairman in April.

A number of executives and employees, including senior leaders at the company have reached out to the Infosys board over the last two days, pressing the board for an early resolution to the ongoing tussle and expressing unhappiness over the boards decision to issue the six-page statement against Murthy.

Moreover, the timing of this tussle between the board and the founders could not have come at a worse time, as the Infosys board is yet to officially start the process of finding a successor.

Privately, Venkatesan and other board members have agreed that the spat between the board and the founders needs to be resolved before the CEO search can begin in earnest, according to three of the four Infosys executives mentioned above.
Infosys Ltd chairman R Seshasayee may be on his way out as a chorus calling for the return of co-founder Nandan Nilekani grows louder, five days after CEO Vishal Sikka abruptly resigned and the board blamed former chairman and promoter NR Narayana Murthy for the exit.

An Infosys spokesperson would not comment on either Seshasayee or Nilekani. Nilekani did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment.

According to three people directly aware of the latest development, Seshasayees future as chairman of Infosys looks precarious and he may step down in the next few weeks, maybe even days.

Nilekani, who has had a successful post-Infosys stint as the head of the Unique Identification Authority of India, has previously been reluctant to return to Infosys  Murthy reached out to him after returning as Infosys chairman in 2013 to revive the companys floundering fortunes. However, he may not be averse to a temporary non-executive role if that can save the company, a fourth person familiar with the matter said.

Mint learned that Nilekani, who was scheduled to travel to the US, has deferred his plans because he is very upset at the boards angry note directed at Murthy and that he has been meeting Murthy every day since.

A fifth person said on condition of anonymity that co-chairman Ravi Venkatesan has, over the past few months, sought to convince Nilekani to take over either as chairman or co-chairman.

If Seshasayee does resign, then a shake-up of the board is certain, the first three people added. All of them requested anonymity.

There will be sweeping changes on the board, said one of the three.

Mint could not immediately ascertain which board members would quit if Seshasayee resigns, but over the past six months Murthy has called for the resignations of Jeffrey Sean Lehman, who is the head of the nominations and remunerations committee, and Roopa Kudva who heads the audit committee. Lehman, who has served on the Infosys board for over a decade now, is in any case unlikely to ask for a renewal of his term, which ends in 2018.

Investors confidence in the board is at an all time low, and they want blood, said Phil Fersht, CEO of US-based HfS Research, an outsourcing-research firm. Seshasayee is likely to take the fall for the whole Sikka debacle and the rushed acquisition of Panaya. I also expect Roopa Kudva and Jeff Lehman to follow him out, he added.

Mint reported earlier on Wednesday that large institutional investors, proxy advisory firms, brokerages, top executives at the company and some of the companys 200,000-odd employees have questioned the board on its decision to release the now infamous six-page note blaming Murthy for Sikkas resignation. On Wednesday, some domestic institutional investors and former employees of Infosys called for Nilekanis return to the company.

Since the company released the letter, Murthy and the other founders have spoken to a number of large institutional investors of Infosys and have gone about garnering support for a potential showdown with the board.

Murthy, who was supposed to address investors on Wednesday, postponed the meeting to next week after being taken unwell, according to two more people aware of the developments.

The company does not have any further updates to share at this point of time. In case there are any developments, we will inform the media in due course. We will not be making any comments on speculation and rumors, said the spokeswoman.

This is not, however, the first time that Seshasayee has faced pressure to resign. Over the past six months, Murthy himself has called for Seshasayees resignation several times for what he has perceived as serious breaches of corporate governance, based primarily on the boards handling of the Panaya acquisition and its subsequent investigation and its now-infamous decision to pay out a Rs 17.38-crore severance package to former CFO Rajiv Bansal.

For his part, Seshasayee himself has conceded that he has come close to resigning as chairman over the past 18 months but said that he didnt think that would have solved the problem.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deputy governor Viral Acharya on Wednesday conceded that the Central banks forbearance schemes were partly to blame for the bad loan mess, and suggested a counter-cyclical approach to avoid its repeat in future.

Stating that banks should not be given more than three months to rectify a dud asset, he said if a resolution does not work out, the lenders should initiate bankruptcy proceedings right away.

Unfortunately the RBI, for variety of reasons, has engaged in various forbearance schemes saying you can take another 18 months or two years...In one way or the other, weve actually contributed to the non-performing asset (NPA) problem to become so protracted over a period.

What Id like to see us to do is to be more proactive, be counter-cyclical in asking banks to make provisions, Acharya said at an event to launch a book edited by one of his predecessors, Rakseh Mohan, late this evening.

Stressing the need to force banks to make timely provisions, Acharya said, You have to do provisions in good times, you have to save for the rainy days rather than start looking for provisions when things have already gone bust.

Stating that banks are incapable of internalising the impact of bad assets on the economy, Acharya said its the RBIs responsibility to make them do so.

When bank credit dries up, theres a dip in capital expenditure, risk to employment, and livelihood consequences that go beyond bank balance-sheets.

On the recurring debt restructuring schemes that the RBI has been offering to banks -- CDR, SDR and S4A and 5/25 schemes as well as the present IBC to name a few -- Acharya said, RBI should not be in the business of creating restructuring schemes for banks to resolve a company.

The first change he wants RBI to ensure is to make banks more proactive in provisioning, because the problem is we dont talk about adequate reserves being kept aside to bear a loss until a loan actually defaults, he said.

I dont think we should give a bank more than three months to rectify an account.

Welcoming Sebis recent directive to companies to report any sort of default to exchanges and rating agencies within 24 hours, he sought drastic action including initiating insolvency cases and zero tolerance for more relaxations.

I think we should give banks three months to rectify the account. If you cant rectify the account, it is an NPA, youve to file this case in bankruptcy. Period. Chapter closed. RBI should not be in the business of creating restructuring schemes for banks to resolve this company.

Ruing the very low recovery value in the current scheme of things, Acharya said, Our loan recoveries are in the order of 15-25 paise to a rupee. In other parts of the world, where bankruptcy system is working well, and these things are being done in a timely manner, the recovery is to the order of 85-90 cents to a dollar.

Banks elsewhere are actually over-collateralizing bad loans before a default is actually going to take place. Because the regulator is tough on banks when defaults take place, bank doesnt want a default to take place, he said, adding this makes the borrower also fear a default.

Since a bankruptcy is going to be filed right after a default, the promoter/entrepreneur/borrower doesnt want default to take place. Hence, everyone is actually trying to avoid defaults and provide for all this in good times rather than saying OK a default has taken place, now lets figure out how we are going to deal with this problem.

And this is the number one thing Id like us to change at RBI. I think if done so we wont then have lending booms and busts at least at the frequency that we are having currently, he said.

I want RBI to be Rahul Dravid rather than Virender Sehwag. Rahul is about holding the fort, keeping the ship in good shape, while Sehwag is about first-ball-six, Acharya said.

As a central bank, our focus should be on what is the possible stress scenario that we could end up in and whether we are adequately provisioned for that as a central bank and have we brought the banks to provision for that, the deputy governor concluded.
The government on Wednesday gave its go-ahead to the Reserve Bank to issue Rs 200 notes that will ease pressure on lower-denomination currency bills.

The finance ministry, in a notification, said that on the recommendations of the Central Board of Directors of the RBI, the central government hereby specifies the denomination of banknotes of the value of two hundred rupees.

The new Rs 200 notes are likely to be in circulation shortly.

According to sources, the exercise of printing Rs 200 denomination notes is being undertaken to further improve the currency situation in the country.

Following the demonetisation on November 9 last year, the Reserve Bank had introduced Rs 2,000 notes and also issued a new Rs 500 notes with additional security features.

So with the introduction of Rs 200 notes, the problem people face due to high-value Rs 2,000 notes would be taken care of.

The Reserve Bank has also introduced a new fluorescent blue Rs 50 banknotes bearing the motif of Hampi with Chariot that depicts Indias cultural heritage.

In a surprise announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in November last year announced scrapping of old notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, wiping out over 86 per cent of the cash in circulation.

The move was aimed at checking black money, counterfeit notes and terror financing.
DEAR ABBY: I think my stepdaughter "Caroline" has an unhealthy relationship with my husband. Caroline calls him several times a day and gets tattoos just like his. When she got a boob job, she wanted to show him. She doesn't talk to me much, although I have tried to be close to her.

Caroline knows I don't approve of the way she gets money. She has a job at a local store, but wants things she can't afford, so she sleeps with men for money. Her dad seems fine with it.

They seem to have a closeness that he doesn't share with me. We are fine until she gets involved. She does things to keep her dad doing things for her so he doesn't have time for me. What should I do? I've talked to him about this, but he thinks I'm crazy. -- DISGUSTED STEPMOM IN GEORGIA

DEAR STEPMOM: You are not crazy. Your husband and his daughter have a relationship it would be an understatement to call "inappropriate."

Caroline appears to be unusually emotionally dependent upon her father. That she would show him her newly acquired "boobs" may seem strange, but it's not shocking to me. Many women who get implants show them off to anyone who will look until the novelty wears off.

What I do find appalling is a father who would approve of his daughter prostituting herself. What does Caroline's mother think of all this? If she's living, she must be beside herself. If she's dead, she must be spinning in her grave.

Frankly, I'm not sure what you should "do." If it were me, I'd remove myself from the equation.

DEAR ABBY: Can you be stalked by your spouse? My husband checks my phone for messages, checks the mileage in my car, opens all the mail and listens in on all my phone conversations. If I'm late from work, I call to let him know, but he returns my call to make sure I am where I said I was.

He accuses strange cars that drive down our street of belonging to my boyfriends. He even went into the exam room with me while I was having a physical. The doctor asked him to leave for my privacy.

He says this shows his "concern" for me. I'm being smothered. Please help. -- STALKED BY SPOUSE

DEAR STALKED: What your husband is doing is not a demonstration of concern for you. All the checking and accusations that there are other men in your life are symptoms of his insatiable insecurity and his need to possess and control you.

His behavior is not normal. He is sick, and he could possibly be dangerous. Please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline and talk to a counselor. The toll-free phone number is 800-799-7233. You may need to create an escape plan, and someone there can help you do it.

DEAR ABBY: I am a 24-year-old college graduate who has been unable to find a full-time teaching job, so I'm working as a teaching assistant. My salary is less than average, and between rent, bills and student loans, I am stretched more than thin.

Recently, a woman has been talking to me about nannying for her child after school. She'd like to hire me and have me meet her child in person, and we agreed on an hourly rate. I was excited about the opportunity and looking forward to starting.

This week she told me she wants to report my work for her on her taxes, which means I'll have to report as a freelancer and pay estimated quarterly taxes while I work for her. Abby, this is unheard of in the baby-sitting world! I have been baby-sitting from my preteens all the way through college, and never once have taxes ever been part of the conversation.

My mother says I shouldn't be upset because the woman is doing what she's supposed to as far as the IRS is concerned, but I feel shortchanged. Shouldn't she have been upfront about her intentions when we discussed my hourly rate? Am I wrong for asking her for more money per hour to make up for some of the taxes? -- AFTER-SCHOOL NANNY

DEAR NANNY: William R. Turner, CPA, says your mother is correct. Your prospective employer is obeying the law. She wants you to meet her child, negotiate an hourly rate and hire you as a NANNY, not as a baby sitter. Your new employer should have you fill out a form W-4 and pay you as an employee. Because payroll deductions will be taken out of your gross pay by your new employer, you should negotiate your hourly rate accordingly.

DEAR ABBY: I have been married five years and have two children under 3. I grew up in a large Italian-American family; my husband did not. He doesn't understand the closeness I have with my family. To him, "family" is just the four of us.

He doesn't comprehend the need for my family to get together all the time and feels that during holidays it should only be us. When they are just trying to help us out, he thinks my family is overbearing.

My husband travels a lot for work and gets upset if my family shows up to help out while he's away. Any time the topic of family comes up, we have an argument. He doesn't believe in divorce and refuses to go to counseling. It is causing a strain in our marriage, and I don't know what to do. Please help. -- BETWEEN A ROCK AND A FAMILY

DEAR BETWEEN: You obviously married someone with very different values than your own. Your husband's attitude seems unusually controlling. That he would object if your family comes around in his absence is troubling, because it appears he is deliberately trying to isolate you.

That he refuses to get counseling doesn't mean you shouldn't avail yourself of it. It may help you to arrive at a compromise that will satisfy both of you. However, if it doesn't, you may have some important decisions to make about your future, and counseling can help you do that with a clear head. Then, whether or not your husband believes in divorce will be less important than what YOU think.

DEAR ABBY: I have been taking tap dance lessons for the last five years. It's a class of adults with a broad range of age and experience, which is part of what makes it so much fun. We put on a couple of shows and recitals a year.

I have an issue with a fellow student, and it bothers me to the point that I'm thinking of dropping out. "Marguerite" is a ham. She adds lots of extra flourishes, head snaps, jumps and kicks that aren't in the choreography. She mugs shamelessly for the crowd, and it comes across as more burlesque than tap.

We have spoken to our instructor twice about it, but Marguerite is worse than ever. I hate to quit an activity I love, but I'm embarrassed by Marguerite. It's disheartening to dance the routine as we've been taught, only to be upstaged by this woman's antics. I don't fault her for her stage presence. I do have trouble with her over-the-top hamminess. I just wanted to dance, not compete for the limelight. Am I being petty? -- BROADWAY BABY IN TEXAS

DEAR BROADWAY BABY: I don't think you're being petty. And if others in the class agree with you, get them together and talk to your instructor about it again. Nobody likes being upstaged, and if Marguerite can't be convinced to conform her style to the rest of the troupe, then perhaps you all might be happier if she danced a solo.

DEAR ABBY: I have been in two relationships. The first was with a girl a couple of years older than I am. We were together for several years before she cheated on me and dumped me. I was crushed. The next girl was a few years younger. She did the same thing after we were together a year.

What am I doing wrong? Fidelity is important to me, and they both knew it from the start. How can I avoid this in the future?

I have never been a controlling person. I was always fine with my girlfriends going out with their friends without me if I couldn't go for some reason. (That's how they ended up meeting the other guys.)

The people in lasting relationships I've seen watch each other like hawks, and never allow their significant other to be in the company of the opposite sex without them. Is this normal? Should I be like them? That seems controlling, but clearly, my "no boundaries" relationship style has backfired on me. -- CHEATED ON IN NEW YORK CITY

DEAR CHEATED ON: Few things can ruin a relationship or a marriage like obsessive jealousy can. Watching one's partner "like a hawk" is stifling. It will eventually drive the person away, as you will see as you continue to observe the couples you have mentioned. Please don't try to change the person you are because YOU are just fine.

I believe that in relationships there has to be a certain amount of responsibility. If someone is mature enough to be involved romantically, that person should be willing to admit if things aren't working out. Being cheated on is painful, and being dumped is equally so. Not every relationship leads to marriage, but rather than sneak around to avoid a frank conversation, it's better to practice the Golden Rule.

DEAR ABBY: I am in a predicament. My therapist is great, but sometimes I think she shares too much. Last time I went, she was running late. When I finally got into her office, she told me the previous patient was nonverbal and had painted her nails during the session. Later in the session, she confided that years ago she had been date raped.

Abby, I am in counseling because my father raped me when I was 15 (I am now 24). Her sharing has me worried because I don't want her telling others what I say or do during counseling. Further, her story of the date rape scared me. She described a situation that is not uncommon for me to be in, and it caused something almost like a flashback in me. I think what she did was insensitive, to say the least.

I have nobody else to ask, so what should I do? I'm getting counseling for free now due to my income, and it took months to get set up with a counselor. Should I report her or accept that this was a mistake and say nothing? If I need to report her, how would I go about doing that? -- CONFLICTED ABOUT IT

DEAR CONFLICTED: You should change therapists because it appears this one has more problems than you do. As to what agency you should report her breach of professional ethics to, contact the state organization that has licensed her to practice.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Right to Service Commission has pulled up the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) for unnecessarily delaying a simple case of map approval which it could have disposed of on its own.

Doon resident Kumud Shekhawat had appealed to the Commission that it took nearly two years to get approval for her house construction, adding that it took place only after intervention of the panel which works to strengthen the service delivery mechanism.

Shekhawat had applied to the MDDA for approval of a residential map on her land in Harchawala village on Dehraduns outskirts in September 2015. The applicant had already procured a land use certificate (to ensure the residential status of the plot) from the MDDA before purchasing the land.

The MDDA posed repeated objections, which the applicant resolved one by one but despite that the development body rejected her application saying the land was an open area (meant for green spaces) adjoining forest area.

Subsequently, she filed a complaint with the Commission in April following which the senior town planner and the assistant engineer visited the site. The two officers concluded that there was no hindrance in clearing the map but a no-objection certificate was required from the forest department.

Taking a strict note, the Commission directed the MDDA to dispose of the matter within 15 days after the applicant submits the NOC. Later, the map was approved this month. The MDDA kept this matter pending from September 2015 and eventually rejected it even though the applicant had completed all formalities...it raises questions about working of the MDDA, which flagged objections in bits and pieces and needlessly complicated a simple matter, said DS Garbyal, commissioner of the Uttarakhand Right to Service Commission.

From the case, we infer that the MDDA unnecessarily delays approval of maps or even rejects themthis may be happening to others as well who need to be vigilant about their rights like Shekhawat.

MDDA secretary Prakash Chandra Dumka was unavailable for statement despite repeated attempts to contact him. An MDDA official, however, asserted that maps were usually approved within 15 days (in case of residential applications) according to the authoritys standard operating procedure. At times, there are some technical hurdles which delay the process...we also hold special camps from time to time to assist applicants in resolving issues to speed up the process, he said.

Independent experts said the Commission order put spotlight on the questionable style of functioning of development authorities. Not just the MDDA, even other development authorities often delay sanction of maps. When an area has already been earmarked as residential under the Master Plan, the authorities are bound to give nod to the map, said Devendra Singh Rana, president of the Uttarakhand Engineers and Draftsmen Welfare Association. Such a malpractice reeks of corruption and should be flagged by applicants.

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Allegedly harassed by two colleagues, a 55-year-old assistant sub-inspector used his service revolver to shoot himself dead in south east Delhis Kalindi Kunj on Tuesday evening.

A suicide note left behind by Devinder at his home accused the Jaitpur SHO and an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of harassing him.

In his suicide note, ASI Devinder alleged that one of his colleagues used to instigate the Jaitpur SHO to harass him. He had blamed the harassment for his suicide, said Romil Baaniya, DCP (south-east).

Police said the suicide came to light on Tuesday night after a local resident made a PCR call about the policeman lying in a pool of blood near Kalindi bridge.

A police team reached the spot quickly and rushed him to a hospital but he was already dead.

ASI Devinder was posted at the Jaitpur police station for the last two years. Baaniya said Devinder had got a revolver issued at 6 pm on Tuesday for his emergency duty that was to begin at 8 pm.

Instead, he visited the Kalindi bridge and shot himself in his head at an isolated spot. No suicide note was found at the death spot.

But his family members found a suicide note allegedly left behind by Devinder at his home. On Wednesday, his family carried a copy of the suicide note and met senior police officers at the Delhi Police Headquarters.

Devinders family members have submitted a representation along with the copy of a note left behind by him before committing suicide. The representation has been marked to an additional DCP rank officer for enquiry, said Baaniya, adding no FIR in this connection has been registered.

The family requested that Devinders son be given a police job on compassionate grounds. Police said the request is being looked into and his son has been asked to apply formally for it.
Delhi lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday suspended two engineers of the public works department (PWD) in connection with the death of a sanitation worker while cleaning a sewer at a city hospital on Sunday.

A 45-year-old sanitation worker Rishi Pal had died while cleaning a sewer at a park inside the hospital with his three co-workers on Sunday.

Two days ago, the L-G had ordered for a strict regime to abolish manual scavenging in the city. Ten workers have died in over the last 40 days while cleaning the capitals sewer lines.

Two PWD engineers suspended in the incident of unfortunate death of sewer worker on Sunday. Zero tolerance for negligence in such cases, L-G Anil Baijal tweeted.

The Delhi government had on Monday announced a blanket ban on manual cleaning of sewers and warned that anyone found violating the rule will be booked under culpable homicide. A committee has also been formed to find the best possible ways or machines to clean the sewers, within 15 days.

The directions came after L-G Anil Baijal called a high-level meeting over deaths during sewer cleaning, which was attended by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi PWD Minister Satyendar Jain social welfare minster Rajendra Gautam, along with officials of the departments concerned.

Meanwhile the Delhi police, continuing their investigations in the casem arrested the a PWD beldar who had hired Rishi Pal and the other workers.

DCP Central MS Randhawa said police have arrested Prem Sagar,50, who works at the LNJP hospital as a PWD beldar. Police have arrested him under sections of causing death due to negligence, and sections of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavenger and Rehabilitation Act 2013.

Police said Sagar had not ensured that the men wear proper security gear before entering the sewer. Police are also on the lookout for a private contractor who worked with Rishi Pal.

Pal, a father of three, who had gone inside the sewer at the LNJP hospital, died of suffocation within minutes of entering it.
Following the death of 10 sanitation workers in the city sewers, the Delhi government has finally listed safety measures to be taken up wherever mechanical cleaning is not possible.

Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had ordered full mechanisation of sewer cleaning in Delhi in a review meeting after the latest incident in which a sanitation worker was killed at Lok Nayak hospital last Sunday. Delhi Jal Board officials, however, clarified on Tuesday that in places where machines could not be used because of space constraints, manual labour will have to be engaged, the contractors will have to ensure the presence of senior officials to supervise the work.

The Public Works Department (PWD), in a circular issued on Monday, listed safety measures to be adopted during manual cleaning of sewers.

When workers are employed in sewers and manholes, the contractors will have to ensure that the manhole covers are opened and ventilated at least for an hour before the workers are allowed to get in. The area around manhole will also have to be cordoned off with railing and warning signals to avoid any road accident, the circular read.

Before entry, presence of toxic gases should be tested by inserting wet lead acetate paper which changes colour in the presence of such gases. Presence of oxygen should be verified by lowering a detector lamp. In case, no oxygen is found inside the sewer line, workers should be sent with oxygen kit, the PWD circular read.

The PWD has also asked the area in charge to provide safety belt with rope. While working inside the manholes, such rope should be handled by two men standing outside to enable him to be pulled out during emergency, it said.

PWD has also asked its area engineers to keep air blowers for flow of fresh air through the manholes.

PWD has also prepared a report on how manual scavenging in the drains could be done away with and suggested to explore the possibility to do mechanised cleaning of the drains.

As per the report, Delhi has a 3,468 km of drain network managed by nine different agencies and last year they removed 1,189,000 metric tonnes silt from the drain.

The report highlighted poor sweeping technology in Delhi as well as waste management. Often garbage collected from roads finds its way into the drains.

Cow dung is being disposed off into the storm water drains from the dairies spread in all parts of the city. This results in blockage of the storm water drains, which are not designed to cater to this. These drains have to be cleaned regularly to keep them flowing, the report said.

The committee has recommended investment of R 3100 crore in latest machines for mechanized cleaning of the drains. In the long run, the committee has recommended to bring the have adequate number of sewage treatment plants to cover the entire city.

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On Wednesday, a group of men sat huddled together, engaged in idle banter before the start of the days work in Bawana industrial area.

A little distance away from the group, Vikas Yadav, 30, sat listening to Bhojpuri songs on his mobile phone.

Yadav  who earns around Rs 8,000 a month working in a factory that produces spare parts for table fans  came to Delhi four years ago from his village in Banaras, Uttar Pradesh,

Life here is comparatively better. However, we tend to get exploited sometimes. Today is election day but we were not given a holiday to go cast our votes, he said.

Luv Kush, another worker sitting nearby, added, What is the point of voting anyway. We have no say in the politics of Bawana. More than 80% of the workers here do not even have a voter identity card.

Yadav and Luv Kush were just two of the many workers of Bawana who told Hindustan Times on Wednesday that there problems were never taken up as they were not voters of the area.

The workers are forced to retire at the age of 40. Most of them are not even given health benefits and their salary is delayed. But politicians never come to our rescue, he said.

If people in Bawana industrial area are aggrieved for not getting a vote, people living in nearby JJ Colony say they are taken for granted as well and just treated as a vote bank.

People in Bawana village, Jat Khore, Bajitpur and Qutabgarh say that their area has been neglected by successive government.

People from other states come to Delhi and make it big, but our own children are not getting enough employment opportunities as we are not well connected to the rest of the city. There are just a handful of buses that ply in our area. The government has planned a Metro, but we dont know when it will come, said Vijender Kumar, a resident of Bawana village.

In most of the areas, people demanded better infrastructure for schools and more hospitals and educational institutes.

The teachers do not come on time. There is just one Delhi University college in the area. If this is Delhi then why is step motherly treatment being dealt out to this area, said Bhavya Ganesh, a resident of Harewali.

Areas like Noida and Gurgaon have been benefited more than us from being in Delhis vicinity, she added.
Aggrieved flat-buyers who have invested in Jaypee Infratechs projects have challenged the insolvency proceedings against the company in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) before the Supreme Court.



Buyers have expressed concern that the case would leave them in a lurch and remediless to either get a house or compensation from the company.

A bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud immediately accepted the request of 24 buyers to grant them an early hearing after their counsel senior advocate Ajit Sinha pointed out that the buyers had been clubbed with secured creditors (financial institutions) and they would be last in line to receive their dues.

The matter will be heard in court on Thursday.

They will neither get a home nor a refund of their hard-earned money on account of being unsecured creditors. About 32,000 buyers have booked flats in 27 different housing projects of Jaypee Infratech and the proceedings have left them in a lurch, Sinha told the court.

NCLT has imposed a moratorium under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, which Sinha said was not in the interest of buyers who will virtually receive nothing when the companys assets are liquidated. Secured creditors will get the first and major share. Their interest has been safeguarded, he said.

The moratorium has restricted buyers from pursuing other remedies, the most important being filing of cases before consumer courts to seek refund along with compensation.

Referring to the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (new insolvency law), Sinha said the decrees and orders passed by the consumer courts and civil courts in favour of homebuyers cannot be executed due to pendency of insolvency proceedings. He urged that rights of the homebuyers must be protected.

Jaypee Infratech is into road construction and real estate business. It has constructed the Yamuna Expressway, connecting Delhi-Agra.

Hundreds of homebuyers were left high and dry after the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on August 10 admitted the IDBI Banks plea for initiating insolvency proceedings against the debt-ridden realty company for defaulting on a Rs 526-crore loan.
The National Company Law Tribunal-appointed interim resolution professional (IRP) Anuj Jain on Wednesday said that the construction at two Jaypee housing projects  Aman and Wish Town  will continue and he will obtain occupancy certificates from the Noida authority for other towers as and when they are completed.

About 30,000 homebuyers were left in a lurch on August 9 after NCLT admitted an insolvency plea filed by IDBI Bank against Jaypee Infratech, which failed to repay over Rs 526 crore loan to the bank.

Jain took over control of Jaypee Infratech with an aim to revive the housing project but the biggest concern facing the buyers who have been investing since 2007 is whether they will be able to get their flats. The buyers also filed a plaint in Supreme Court on August 23 seeking justice.

Buyers should understand that construction at all Jaypee Infratech housing projects will continue as usual. Contractors are working at the site. As and when a tower or more towers will be ready, I will begin the process of getting occupancy certificates from the Noida authority chief executive officer and offer possession or registry to buyers, said Jain.

Buyers are jittery as they do not know if Jaypee Infratech has enough funds to pay contractors.

As of now, there is no payment issue. I will be able to comment on whether the company has adequate funds to finish the project or not after a month, said Jain.

More perturbed are buyers, who paid between Rs 20 lakh and Rs one crore for flats and later stopped payment as they lost faith in the projects. They are not sure whether they will get refund if they opt out.

I will process their application as per the agreement they signed with Jaypee Infratech at the time of purchase. I will go by the rulebook, said Jain.

But there are many unanswered questions. Why cant Jaypee Infratech pay Rs 526 crore small to IDBI and escape insolvency proceedings when it has got 1,000 hectares of prime land along the 165-km Yamuna Expressway with it? Will the IRP sell Jaypee Infratech assets to revive the company? How will Jaypee deliver flats to buyers and finish the projects? These are the questions that have been bothering over 30,000 Jaypee homebuyers in the last two weeks.

As of now, there is no decision on selling Jaypee Infratechs assets. The resolution report that will take around six months will have options pertaining to revival of the company and roadmap for delivery of the project, said Jain.

Jain was non-committal on the Yamuna Expressway authority chief executive officer Arun Vir Singhs announcement that about 3,000 buyers in Jaypees scrapped projects will get refund by October 2017.

I have made no such commitment to CEO Arun Vir Singh on refund. Refund cannot happen before the resolution report that will take six to nine months to be completed, said Jain.

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The National Green Tribunal has imposed a fine of R50,000 each on the Union Environment Ministry (MoEF) and the Delhi government for not submitting a status report on rejuvenation and restoration of the Yamuna river.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar passed the order after the counsels of the ministry and the Delhi government failed to appear before it and no report was placed on record.

Nobody is present on behalf of NCT Delhi and ministry of environment, forest and climate change and no status report has been filed by them. Our order dated August 8, 2017 was peremptory. Let both these pay Rs 50,000 as cost. List this matter for compliance within one week, the bench said.

The matter will be heard next on August 29.

The green court had earlier asked Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and the Central Pollution Control Board to submit a detailed report on rejuvenation and restoration of the Yamuna in three weeks, saying pollution in the river was of serious concern as it was highly contaminated by industrial effluents and sewage.

It had directed the pollution control boards of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to jointly conduct a study on water quality and flow of the Yamuna at the point where it enters Haryana, and submit a list of industries located in its catchment area.

The tribunal had earlier banned open defecation and dumping of waste on the floodplains of the Yamuna and announced an environment compensation or penalty of R5,000 for those who violated the order.

It had also constituted a committee headed by the Delhi Jal Board CEO to oversee the execution of work related to the cleaning of the river and asked the water utility to submit reports at regular intervals.

The green court had said almost 67% of the pollution reaching the Yamuna would be treated by two sewage treatment plants (STP) located at Delhi Gate and Najafgarh in the first phase of the Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project 2017.

After hotels and hospitals, NGT fines Delhi malls and colleges

After taking a critical look at garbage management of hotels and hospitals in the last few days, the National Green Tribunal on Wednesday fined four malls and three colleges of Delhi over the same issue.

While V3S East Centre Mall has been fined R3 lakh, Mahatta Towers R1 lakh, The Cross River Mall R1.5 lakh while Aggarwal Fun City Mall will have to pay up R50,000.

Three collegesVivekananda Mahila College, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business and Shyam Lal College will have to pay R25,000 each.

The principal bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar gave the order on Wednesday while hearing a petition by Almitra H Patel, who had sought directions on waste management in hospitals, hotels, colleges, malls, railway stations and bus terminals.

The NGT action comes after an interim report submitted by a committee set up by it recommended action against defaulting bodies for improper management and treatment of sewage and lack of mechanism to recycle waste.

The green court had directed the committee to inspect all five-star hotels, hospitals which have more than 200 beds, cooperative group housing societies with over 300 flats, markets, shopping malls with a built up area of over 50,000 square metres and colleges having hostel accommodating more than 500 students in Delhi.

Earlier, on Monday, four government hospitals were fined R50,000 each for mismanagement of biomedical waste and laxity in complying with solid waste management rules. Last Friday, the green court had announced fines of R2 lakh on a few private hospitals. Before that, over 17 city hotels also faced fine for laxity in garbage management.
Though not proficient in English, Rajesh Kumar (name changed) wished to be an engineer. His eyes lit up when the Madhya Pradesh government started engineering courses in Hindi at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi University of Bhopal and Kumar was one of the first students to enrol last year.

A year later, Kumars hopes of becoming an engineer lie in tatters. The concept of learning engineering in Hindi has not caught on and the university is on the verge of shutting down engineering courses for the want of students and also infrastructure.

In its year of inception, only four students took admission for the three engineering courses offered by the university. This year, no students have taken admission, leaving the engineering faculty with just 11 students, including seven diploma holders who have taken lateral admissions into the second year of the engineering courses.

The three engineering courses offered at the university incidentally have 180 seats.

The lack of students response has put the university authorities in a bind, prompting them to wonder whether the courses should be abandoned.

While in its year of inception only four students took admission for the three courses, there were no takers this year.

The concept is very good, but due to want of awareness, people dont understand it well. I dont think we should continue the course. Spending crores of rupees in developing infrastructure, constructing 20 classes and appointing 20 teachers for just a few students dont appear feasible, said Ramdev Bhardwaj, the universitys newly appointed vice-chancellor.

The university academic council will soon sit to decide whether we should continue running the courses or not, Bhardwaj added.

When established, the university had lofty objectives, including developing engineers who would contribute to the development of the state as well as their country. The university had also written to various IITs last year that it was ready to enrol students who were struggling to learn engineering in English at their institutes.

Learning engineering in Hindi, however, is proving to be an extremely daunting task. Text books on engineering subjects are rare and teachers rarer. The university currently has around four ad-hoc teachers and not a single permanent engineering teacher.

However, the engineering department staff feels the courses should not be discontinued in a huff. For, any new concept takes years to bloom, they say.

Without a good infrastructure and faculty, the university should not expect good enrolment of students, said an administrator in the engineering department who didnt wish to be named.

The Madhya Pradesh government, however, has left it to the university authorities to take a call.

Now, Atal Bihari Vajpayee University is an autonomous body and they can take their decision on their own, said the minister of state for technical education minister, Deepak Joshi.

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Get ready to sip on a new kind of tea. The desert state of Rajasthan will soon give the country an alternative to green tea - brewed from olive leaves. State Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini said the brand - named Olitia, The Olive Tea - will be launched soon by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

It will be the first time in the country and the world that a green tea alternative will be produced out of olive leaves, he told PTI on the sidelines of an event in the city. He added, I am a PhD in Agriculture myself, and I knew olive leaves have several health benefits. So I decided to get some study and lab testing done about it. He showed several papers with findings of the lab studies. A lab test, conducted in July, confirmed the presence of several anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and other such substances in the olive leaves.

One of the substances found was Luteolin. Experiments with Luteolin show that it suppresses bacteria-induced inflammation. Luteolin is an oxygen scavenger, reads the report. He said the lab tests confirmed the presence of such strong anti-oxidants in olive leaves that they can help prevent several types of cancer - blood cancer, prostate cancer and ovaries cancer. After the studies and lab tests confirmed these properties of the olive leaves, the decision to process them was taken, he said.

It will medically benefit those who suffer from mental stress, cardiac disease. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well, he said. The Olitia, The Olive Tea, packet also claims it has zero caffeine, builds immunity, fight fatigue and has anti-ageing properties. Saini said the olive green tea will come in multiple flavours which are in vogue these days like lemon and mint. We are trying to diversify and produces other flavours like ginger, tulsi etc, he said.

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Two days ahead of the verdict in a rape case against Dera Sachha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Gurgaon district administration on Wednesday put the city on alert for security reasons and appointed 38 duty magistrates to assist the police.

The administration said it has made all possible arrangements to secure every space and step up surveillance by the police.

The special CBI court in Panchkula is to pronounce its verdict in a rape case in which Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief is the accused.

These arrangements have been made for security reasons. The duty magistrates will be taking care of their respective areas, coordinating with the police. Every suspicious movement will be tracked. The administration is not leaving any scope of anti social activity here, deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh said.

Sanjiv Singla and Vivek Kalia, estate officers of Huda; Dalbir Singh, general manager, state roadways; Vatsal Vashistha, CEO, Sheetla Mata Trust, Gaurav Antil, Anu Sheokand and Alka Chaudhary, joint commissioners of the MCG; and Ekta Chopra, joint director, HIPA, are among the 38 duty magistrates.

We are coordinating with the DLF Phase-2 police. We have made all arrangements to keep the situation under control, said Kalia, who has been assigned DLF Phase-2 police station. The area has a big ashram run by the Dera Sachha Sauda.

Sanjiv Singla, estate officer, Huda Circle I, said, I have spoken to the police and we are coordinating. We are taking every precaution in this regard.

The district administration in Gurgaon imposed a ban on bulk fuel sale on Tuesday under Section 144 of the CrPC.

Deepak Gahlawat, deputy commissioner of police, said that 200 police personnel from Gurgaon have been sent to Panchkula for maintaining law and order.

In Gurgaon the police is on alert and keeping an eye on the situation. Peace committees have been activated and a meeting was held in Sohna today, he said. Sohna also has a large ashram of the Dera.

MCG commissioner and additional CEO GMDA, V Umashankar has already been assigned special duty to assist the district administration in Sirsa, which is on high alert.

The Sirsa-based Dera chief will be arrested if pronounced guilty by the CBI court. After hearing final arguments in the 15-year-old case, special CBI judge Jagdeep Singh had reserved orders for August 25.

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Haryana government will organise Digital Haryana Summit in Gurgaon on September 15, to bring together different stakeholders.

Officials said that the objective of the summit is to drive a singular agenda for scripting the digital transformation of Haryana in order to align it with Digital India vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The announcement was made on Wednesday in a meeting held under the chairmanship of additional chief secretary for Revenue Keshni Anand Arora to review the arrangements being made for the event.

The summit would be organised as a part of the states Swarna Jayanti celebrations and the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) will be the partner for the event, said a government spokesperson. The event will take place at Leela Ambience Hotel.

It is the flagship initiative of the Haryana government that envisions to bring together different industry experts, visionaries, thought leaders, heads of state, policy makers, academics and corporate heads on a single platform. The topics that will be discussed are governance, citizen services, mobility, smart living both in cities and villages, skilling and geo-governance, sustainability, start-up ecosystem and entrepreneurship, and data and technology, said Arora.

Different sessions will be organised during the day-long summit. The government had organised Happening Haryana Global Investors Meet in March on similar lines.

The summit is aimed at connecting the building blocks of digital governance, innovation, and citizen partnership, and discuss the major changes and developments that will shape the future of digital Haryana, said Keshni.

The sessions will be held on learning from global stories of transformation, smart cities, skilling for future technologies, driving geo governancemaking new starts in Haryana, digital governmenttransforming into a digital state and My storyinspiring the next unicorn.

Besides the discussions, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar will also hold a roundtable discussion with industry leaders in the concluding session of the summit.
Gurgaon: The Gurgaon district court on Tuesday sentenced a man to six-year rigorous imprisonment and imposed a penalty of Rs 15,000 for using fictitious documents to sell a property that was owned by a US-based NRI. The accused had also given a wrong identification in the bank to facilitate the prime accused to open an account, which was needed to encash the cheque obtained by selling the property worth Rs 2 crore.

The accused, identified as Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Gurgaon, was held guilty under sections 419, 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the IPC. The prime accused, Vivek Rana, was declared a proclaimed offender by the court.

The property belongs to late Jafar Ahmad Malik, a resident of the United States, whose son Salim Ahmad Malik, who also lives abroad, complained to the Gurgaon police in 2014 that their house in Palam Vihars Block C had been occupied by unauthorised persons.

As per the prosecution, one Vijay Madan, a resident of Delhi, had claimed that he held the general power of attorney (GPA) on behalf of Jafar Ahmad Malik. He sold it using this fake GPA to Rajiv Kumar, a resident of Vasant Vihar for Rs 2 crore. Vivek Rana was the witness in the sale deed and is allegedly the prime accused in the entire fraud.

Rana opened a bank account to encash the cheque obtained from Kumar in the name of Jafar Ahmad Malik and in this he was helped by accused Rajesh Kumar, who identified him as Jafar.

The prosecution contended that Kumar got Rs 39 lakh for enabling the opening of the bank account which was critical for this fraud to happen. The amount of Rs 39 lakh was transferred to Kumars three accounts via cheque payments.

Ravish Kaushik, judicial magistrate, upheld the contention of the prosecution that Kumar had hatched a criminal conspiracy with Rana and had committed the offence of forgery. They committed a financial fraud to cheat the bank officials, the original owner and the buyer by helping them open a bank account in which Rs 2 crore was deposited, the court observed.

A large amount of money was transferred from the fake account Rana had created with the help of the accused and the money trail has been established. Had he not identified Rana as Jafar Ahmad Malik, the fraud would not have been possible, said Vishal, public prosecutor.

The quantum of the sentence was announced by Abhishek Phutela, chief judicial magistrate, Gurgaon, as the severity of punishment needed a higher court to pass the sentence.

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The residents of new developing sectors are crying foul after the school buses denied operating their bus service in the areas due to the poor condition of roads in the Sectors. The parents have decided to protest against to authorities for not repairing the potholed roads.

Parents alleged that the school buses have been facing an hour delay every day due to the bad roads for last one year. During the monsoon, the condition of the roads gets worse and parents are forced to ask their children to skip the school.

We had moved into the Sector thinking the situation will get better within six months but now it has been two years and with each passing day the situation is getting out of hands. Children are reaching late every day and now the schools have asked us to pick and drop children on our own, said Yashesh Yadav, a resident of Mahindra Aura, Sector 110.

More than 300 students from this sector are attending schools in Delhi and Gurgaon.

On Tuesday, the school bus was stuck for more than an hour at Chauma railway crossing and the children cried as soon as they reached home. It is very difficult for them to spend two hours extra in the school bus everyday, said Sandeep Singh, a resident of Sector 110.

The school bus drivers have been complaining to the parents that coming to the Sector is taxing for them as there is no deployment of traffic officials on the stretch and the situation is out of control during peak hours.

The group of parents have decided to meet the district commissioner next week to ensure the authorities take up their responsibility and get the roads repaired at the earliest.

The schools have started asking parents to make alternative arrangements as the school buses will not be plying on the route. More than 15 school buses were ferrying on the stretch.

It is very difficult for the working parents to pick and drop children from the school, it takes more than one hour to reach the school. There is no facility for the residents in the Sector. We regret our decision to move in here, said Sameer Sharma another resident.

Yashpal Yadav, Huda administrator said, The construction work is in full swing on the Bajghera railway crossing and we cannot help more than that. Though the road does not fall under our jurisdiction still I have asked my executive engineer to fill the potholes and repair the roads so that residents do not have to suffer.

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Young entrepreneurs who were enthused two years ago with boom in the startup world are now facing challenges to sustain in the market.

Lack of skilled manpower, absence of solid team, weak knowledge of correct products and varied market forces are some of the challenges that startups are grappling with in Gurgaon and other cities.

What is lacking is knowledge of correct product. Not having a solid team is also coming in the way of running startups, Aayush Poddar, CEO and co-founder of Daily Suvichar, a 10-month old Gurgaon startup dealing in yoga and spiritual network, said.

Speaking on the sidelines of a one-day Startup expo organised at Udyog Vihar on Wednesday, Poddar said many startups wound up due to lack of a strong team. It requires team work, as a startup cannot be run by a single person. The idea behind our startup came from my friend, who is also its founder. However, all members of our team have to work together for its success, Poddar said.

But has the startup boom gone bust?

No, the startup boom is still very much there. However, there is need for proper implementation of the idea and understand the demand in the market, Shashank Shekhar, co-founder of Approprice, a Noida-based one-year-old startup, said.

More than 200 startups exhibited their products and services at the venue. The startups  from health, education, travel, lifestyle, finance, technology, and social media  featured in the expo.

Prices are a big challenge for startups. Keeping customers happy is another challenge that we face, said Abhimanyu Singh Yadav, CEO and founder of one-year-old Gurgaon-based startup P Nut, which deals in healthy food based on a persons requirements.

Singh said they have to assess a consumers health needs and deliver food accordingly. Here, cost plays an important role and the entrepreneurs have to keep in mind market forces, he said.

Geetika Dayal, executive director of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE Delhi-NCR), said the startups suffered hiccups after the boom, but passion among founding members is still there.

Delhi-NCR is the focus area of startups. A lot of action is happening in other cities, but theres more diversity in startups in Delhi-NCR. There are challenges of finding right employees, co-founders, raising funds, and understanding the market, Dayal said.

Dayal said the startup ecosystem is evolving fast in Gurgaon due its connectivity to Delhi.

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The Jabalpur district administration has instituted an inquiry to find whether hundreds of cows are actually missing from a charitable cow shelter in the district of central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

The local civic bodys stray animal catching squad sends astray cows to this shelter. But, when the counting of cows were done 2,100 missing.

According to Rajendra Patel, a senior official in the fire brigade wing of the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation, from April 2016 to July this year, 4592 cows were brought to the shelter.

Of these cows, 1298 cows were released after their owners paid penalty. Now the cow shelter has around 1100 cows, leaving nearly 2100 cows unaccounted or missing, he said.

Collector Jabalpur Mahesh Chandra Choudhary said following reports in the media that a large number of cows were missing or unaccounted at this charitable cow shelter home, an inquiry had been instituted to look in to the matter.

As this a sensitive matter, we dont want to take any chance. We will go to the root of this issue, he said.

When contacted Malay Jain, in-charge of charitable cow shelter said they organised camps after every two months in which cows were given to the farmers.

We get large number of cows and there are space constraints here. We even told divisional commissioner Jabalpur that we cant accommodate more cows here because of space problem, he said.
The railways stared at a shake-up as its board chairman resigned and minister Suresh Prabhu offered to quit on Wednesday after back-to-back train derailments hit Indias largest public transporter.

Air India chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani was appointed chairman of the Railway Board after incumbent AK Mittal resigned, citing personal reasons.

Lohani is an Indian Railway Service officer of the 1980 batch. He has four engineering degrees.

The petroleum and natural gas ministrys financial adviser, Rajiv Bansal, is the new head of the ailing national airline. He is a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Nagaland cadre.

Prabhu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered to resign. Modi has asked him to wait.

A clear picture of his fate will be known in the next reshuffle of the Union cabinet.

I met the Honble Prime Minister @narendramodi taking full moral responsibility, Prabhu tweeted.

He said in another tweet that he was deeply pained by the disasters.

More than 70 people were injured as 10 coaches of the Kaifiyat Express bound for New Delhi jumped tracks after colliding with a dumper truck in Uttar Pradeshs Auraiya early on Wednesday.

Apart from this, a train collided with a lorry at an unmanned crossing in Tamil Nadus Villupuram, and a Mumbai-bound train travelled 2km on a wrong route in Odisha, which could have turned disastrous had there been another train moving from the other side.

On Sunday, more than 20 people had died after 13 coaches of the Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express derailed in Uttar Pradeshs Muzaffarnagar district.

The government had initiated swift administrative action against the top railway bureaucracy after the weekend tragedy.

The upheaval is likely to bring about major restructuring in the Railway Board after decades. The entire board was sacked in 1980, when Indira Gandhi was prime minister.

Prime Minister Modi chose Prabhu in November 2014 to head the worlds fourth-largest rail network that has 12,000 passenger trains and 7,000-odd stations, and carries 23 million passengers each day  the equivalent of Australias population.

The government is trying to revamp the transporter, but fatal crashes, poor revenue and work sloth have dented the railways credibility.

Prabhu was inconsolable and had been contemplating resignation, a source close to him said.

The minister has been under pressure from the opposition Congress after the spate of disasters.

He countered through tweets that in less than three years as minister, I have devoted my blood and sweat for improving the railways.

Under leadership of PM, tried to overcome decades of neglect through systemic reforms in all areas leading to unprecedented investment and milestones, he said.

More than 650 people have lost their lives in 346 train disasters on Prabhus watch. When Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad headed the ministry in 2004 to 2007, the railways recorded 759 deaths from 663 accidents.

If his resignation is accepted, he will be the second railway minister to lose his job after fatal train tragedies. Lal Bahadur Shastri had resigned in 1956, when 144 passengers were killed in Tamil Nadu.

Madhavrao Scindia, Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee offered to resign, but their offers were rejected.

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The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to inform it about action taken on the inquiry report of the chief secretary into the deaths of children in the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur.

The Lucknow bench of the High Court set August 28 as the next date of hearing in the matter.

The bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice DS Tripathi was hearing a PIL moved by one Dilip Kumar Verma.

Earlier this month, 72 children admitted to the government-run hospital in Gorakhpur had died within a span of three days.

The government has maintained that the children died due to different illnesses, including Japanese Encephalitis (JE).

According to the petitioners counsel V K Singh, the petitioner had sought CBI or judicial probe into the Gorakhpur incident as well as into the corruption allegedly prevailing in government hospitals. The PIL included the issue of fire in KGMU Lucknow recently.

The court was told on behalf of the state government that the government had already set up an inquiry by the chief secretary who has submitted the report. The government is considering the report, the court was told.

The committtee headed by chief secretary Rajive Kumar submitted the report to the government last evening.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had formed the committee on August 12 to probe the incident, a day after death of scores of children in the state-run BRD Medical College was reported.

UP Medical Education minister Ashutosh Tandon had said that action would be taken against those found guilty in the probe.

As the first action, the government had suspended the college principal Dr Rajiv Mishra, who subsequently put in his papers accepting moral responsibility for the tragedy.
Grappling with the challenge to control the burgeoning monkey population in Shimla and their rampant attacks on humans, the forest department of Himachal Pradesh has now set up patrols to ward them off.

The department has set up two dozen monkey patrols to protect citizens who are reportedly fearful of the monkey when they are outdoors. Earlier, the department had deputed watchers to keep track of the monkeys. These watchers were equipped with sticks and whistle.

Whenever monkeys attacked, the watchers would blow their whistles and shoo them away with sticks. However, this was only a temporary measure, said additional chief secretary (forest) Tarun Kapoor.

The wildlife wing of forest department has now equipped the monkey patrol with catapults and pellets guns. The wildlife wing will train the guards and the monkey patrols will be provided the catapults at concessional rates, Kapoor said.

These patrols will be deputed close to schools, colleges and government offices. Two dozen ex-servicemen have being roped in for the patrol. They have also been provided separate uniforms.

In the last three years, monkeys have attacked 2,150 people in Himachal Pradesh. Besides this, the government has also paid a compensation of Rs 28 lakh to the victims of such attacks in the last one decade.

In March 2016, monkeys were declared vermin in Shimla for a period of one year. This was later extended till May this year. Once an animal is declared vermin, its killing is no longer remains a penal offence. However, so far, not a single monkey has been killed by the forest department or the citizens.

A survey conducted by the wildlife department has pegged the monkey population in Shimla municipal limits at 2,452. Furthermore, around 2,300 villages in the state are affected by the monkey menace, compelling them to diversify traditional agriculture practices. The agriculture department estimates the annual loss due to wild animals to be Rs 184.28 crore.

In 2005, the government had initiated a programme to sterilise monkeys. So far 20 crore have been spent on sterilising 1.98 lakh monkeys in the state.

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They burn the Patna streets under such exotic names as Kings of Patna Babazza, Bapps of Patna, Romers, Killers, Returns of Romers, Kings of Patna and Lions of Bihar. But dont be fooled by the exotica. For, they are as deadly as they come.

Bikers entities like the Vagos Motorcycle Club of Western United States in the 1960s or the San Bernardino, CA in the 1960s or The Bandidos of 1966, were dirty, leather clad men with shaggy beards, roaming around wreaking havoc and getting into brawls.

By contrast, the likes of Gangs of Patna Babazaa or Bappas of Patna, are well qualified, dress conscious, and have very well-to-do family lineage.

But their activity is at par with the most notorious criminal gangs -- collecting extortion, eve-teasing, murder, theft and snatching. And of late, they have been creating havoc on the streets of Patna by their rash speeding and criminal activity.

But, on Wednesday, the Patna police cracked down on the biker gangs and arrested 20 persons from localities under Pirbahore and Agamkuam police stations. They recovered 15 motorcycles, several cartridges and arms from their possession. In total,36 gang members have been arrested so far from different parts of the city.

Most of them are graduates, and have kept the names of their gangs inspired by movies or books, said Patna SSP Manu Maharaaj. Each gang has the strength of no less than 100 members and 20-25 Apache motorcycles. They move in three numbers on each motorcycle and seldom use helmets, he added.

Maharaaj said he was receiving messages from all section of the society, including shopkeepers, women and school administrations that the bikers gangs were causing terror among them. Later, I constituted a special police team of City SPs (east and west) and asked them to verify the complaints , he said.

The bikers gang kingpin, well versed in use of social media platforms, befriended the ordinary youths, mostly facing unemployment, and persuaded them to join their gangs and to become partners in their crime.

I personally visited the social media sites, including Facebook, and found the names of bikers gangs which lure teenagers to join them. I also found several objectionable expressions on the bikers Facebook accounts. Then, I asked our IT cell expert to get details about the gangs, said the SSP.

The alarm bell that prompted the Patna police to go in for a crackdown on these gangs came when a group of motorcycle borne youths created ruckus outside the CMs official residence, in the VVIP enclave of the state capital, on August 19.

The SSP said that a special police team was formed and was directed to arrest the kingpin of the gangs. On the basis of the information collected, the special police team raided several areas under Pirbahore and Agamkuan police stations and arrested 20 persons, including kingpins of the gangs.

During the raid, the police recovered several arms, cartridges, 15 motorcycles and several photographs of bikers with arms, said the SSP.

The police identified kingpins of the gangs as Swayam Kashyap, Shivam Badshah, Sher Singh, Tinku Yadav, Aniket Singh, Aftab Malik and Satyam DSouza, among others.

During interrogation, they told the police that they lured teenagers via Facebook to join the gangs. They said they made the gangs to establish their supremacy in the state capital, the SSP added.

He said that all the arrested persons were involved in eve-teasing, murder, chain snatching and loot incidents and had several criminal cases against them.
The stress associated with flood relief and evacuation operation paved way to joy for the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), when it facilitated the birth of a baby boy midstream in Burhi Gandak river, in flood ravaged Motihari of East Champaran district on Wednesday.

This was the third delivery in the last eight days on NDRF boat ever since the specialised disaster management force was requisitioned for flood relief and evacuation operation in Bihar on August 12.

The NDRF stumbled upon Manisha Devi, 28, wife of Nand Kishore Sahni, during routine evacuation operation in Patjilwa village of Chiraiya block of East Champaran district. Villagers intimated the NDRF team about the advanced stage of Devis pregnancy.

The woman went into labour as soon as the NDRF team took the woman on board its inflatable boat. Sensing that they would not be able to reach in time to Chiraiya, the nearest health facility, which was around 12 kms away, the NDRF team, assisted by a civil health worker, facilitated the childs delivery on boat, said Vijay Sinha, commandant of the 9th NDRF battalion here.

This is the third delivery on a NDRF rescue boat. Hameeda Khatoon of Benipatti village in Madhubani district and Manju Devi in Gopalganj had delivered a baby girl each while being shifted to health facilities on August 16 and 18, respectively.

The NDRF had helped four women deliver their babies on its boats during flood relief and rescue operation in Bihar last year too. Twins were delivered on a rescue boat in one such case last year.

This was the eighth child delivery the NDRF had facilitated on its boats midstream since 2013 in Bihar. In one such case, a Bhojpur couple, to express gratitude, had named its son NDRF Singh in September 2013.

Sinha said NDRF personnel undergo basic training in delivery and tackling cases of heart attack, trauma, involving fracture of bones and severe bleeding, and also cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and pre-hospital treatment of drowning patients.

The NDRF has so far shifted 100 pregnant women to health facilities in 18 of the 38 flood-affected districts of Bihar.

It has so far successfully evacuated 40,451 people of the 1.50 crore affected by floods in Bihar, which has so far claimed over 341 lives. Over 2,000 people have also benefitted from its medical relief camps set up in flood-hit areas.

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The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for a pact between India and Nepal on resolving the issue of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval for signing of an MoU between India and Nepal on Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and precursor chemicals, and related matters, according to an official statement.

The MoU lists-out the areas of cooperation on drug matters between the two countries. It also indicates the mechanism of information exchange and the competent authorities who are responsible for the implementation of the MoU and exchange of any information.

Cooperation on drug matters is expected to curb the illicit traffic of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals.

It provides that both the parties should develop mutual cooperation with a view to effectively resolving the issue of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, cooperate in drug demand reduction through prevention, awareness, education and community-based programmes, treatment and rehabilitation.

The two countries are also required to exchange information of operational, technical and general nature in drug matters, exchange literature on their existing laws, rules, procedures, best practices and methods of curbing illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors and any further amendments to the existing legislation.
Concerned over rising onion prices, the Centre on Wednesday asked state governments to impose stock limits on traders to check hoarding and curb further increase in rates of the kitchen staple.

The government is also considering restricting exports by imposing minimum export price (MEP) to boost local supply and keep prices stable, sources said.

Retail onion prices in the national capital have risen to Rs 38/kg as of Wednesday from Rs 22/kg in the year-ago period. Onion is sold at Rs 34/kg in Mumbai, Rs 40/kg in Kolkata and Rs 29/kg in Chennai, as per official data.

To control the prices of onion, state governments have been advised to impose stock limits for onion on traders/ wholesalers, food and consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan tweeted.

A letter in this regard has been sent to state governments, who are empowered to take action against onion traders under the Essential Commodities Act.

Onion prices have shot up in the last few weeks due to depleting old stocks and concerns about this years output as kharif sowing area is down by 20-30 per cent.

Recently, Paswan had also written to the Commerce Ministry seeking imposition of MEP of USD 450 per tonne on onion to curb outbound shipments and withdrawal of incentives given to traders for its export.

The issue was discussed at the recent meeting of the Committee of Secretaries, which too favoured imposition of MEP. A final decision is expected to be taken soon, sources said.

Onion MEP was scrapped in December 2015. The MEP is the minimum rate below which exports cannot be undertaken.

Last fiscal, India exported 34.92 lakh tonnes of onion.

Onion stock of 2016-17 is being consumed currently. The new kharif crop is expected to arrive in full swing from next month.
The Congress on Wednesday sought a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the alleged multi-crore NGO fraud in Bihar, and asked chief minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Modi to step down.

The opposition party also demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP to come clear if any union minister was allegedly involved in the scam.

The Congress though chose to not name the any minister.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari also demanded that it should be probed if the Srijan and Madhya Pradeshs Vyapam scams were connected in any manner, given that the principal accused in both the cases were allegedly killed.

A key arrested accused in the alleged NGO fraud, Mahesh Mandal, died earlier this month of illness, the Bihar police had said on August 21.

The Congress and also the RJD have raised questions over the circumstances in which Mandal died.

According to the Congress, Srijan scam is about transfer of government funds to an NGO Srijan Mahila Sahyog Samiti in Bihars Bhagalpur district. The NGO used to earn a high rate of interest on the government funds while keeping the principal amount intact. It is estimated to be well over 1000 crore, it alleged.

Kumar had on August 17 recommended a CBI probe into alleged swindling of government money by the NGO. He has also asserted that the culprits will be traced even from patal (beneath the earth) and nobody will be spared.

Nitish Kumar has been the chief minister during the period when the scam occurred and Sushil Modi was his finance minister for a long time during the span concerned.

Their involvement in the scam cannot be ruled out. To ensure a fair probe, it is required they resign from their respective posts immediately, Tewari told reporters here.

Another Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar, who accompanied Tewari during the briefing, said the scam would not have occurred without orders from Kumar and his deputy.

Tewari, however, said such a probe will be an eyewash as there cannot be a fair investigation by the communal bureau of investigation, which the government allegedly uses to harass its political opponents and give clean cheat to its allies.

This is an extremely serious issue and we demand the court takes suo moto cognisance of the Vyapam deaths, Srijan deaths, the deaths which have occurred in various such cases and order a court-monitored investigation, he said.

The Congress said the NGO was headed by Manorama Devi and that it is suspected she was well connected within the BJP and people close to Kumar.

So it wont be unfair to say that BJP is directly involved in this, it said in a statement.

To a question whether the Congress was aware of the scam when it was in power in the state with the JD(U) and the RJD and if yes, why it did not talk about it, Tewari rebutted the same and said the party was not privy to it.

Tewari also demanded Kumar to come clear whether the Srijan scam and possible probe into the matter was a determining factor/the trigger in his decision to join the NDA.

Deputy chief minister Modi had said that the first hint of the NGOs illegal activity had surfaced in 2002 and 2003 when the RJD was ruling Bihar.

On Lalu Prasads demand for a CBI probe under supervision of the Supreme Court, Modi, who is the finance minister of Bihar, said, If the court thinks so we have no problem.

State police chief PK Thakur had said investigators had so far detected Rs 870.88 crore in the scam, in which 18 accused were arrested.
A day after the Supreme Court termed triple talaq as unconstitutional, a woman lodged an FIR against her husband, who had divorced her through triple talaq in a panchayat on Tuesday

The woman also filed a case against her six in-laws on Wednesday.

Arshinida of Kamra Nawabkhan locality of Sardhana town lodged a case against her husband Siraj, his father Riyaz, three sisters and two others, also accusing them of demanding dowry, beating and issuing life threats.

Circle officer of Sardhana, Dr Bheem Kumar Gautam said that a case under sections 498A, 323, 505, 506 IPC and  Dowry Act had been lodged against Siraj and six other family members. Perhaps it is the first case against talaq in the district after the verdict of the apex court, he said.

Siraj married Arshinida six years ago. Nidas family blamed her husband and in-laws for demanding 1 lakh and a car and alleged that when they refused, Nida was tortured.

A panchayat was convened to discuss and resolve the issue on Tuesday and the elders were trying for a compromise when Siraj gave triple talaq to Arshinida.

The shocked family members approached Muslim clerics to seek their opinion on the issue and eventually Nida lodged a police complaint against her husband and his family members.
Family members of two minor flood victims were forced to carry the bodies on their shoulders in north Bihars Muzaffarpur district after being allegedly denied an ambulance or a mortuary van.

Raju Mahto and Sanjay Paswan carried the bodies of the two children for nearly 250 metres from the post-mortem department of the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) at Muzaffarpur, 71 km north of Patna, before hiring private vehicles to take the corpses to their villages in Meenapur block of the district.

Abhishek Kumar, son of Raju Mahto of Dubarbana village, and Bunty, nephew of Sanjay Paswan of Mothaha village, died after drowning in flood waters on Tuesday. Cops from the Meenapur police station had brought the bodies to the SKMCH for autopsy.

We pleaded with the hospital administration to provide us an ambulance or a mortuary van to carry the bodies to our respective villages. When they refused, we were left with no option, but to carry the bodies on our shoulders to the place where private transporters park their vehicles, Mahto and Paswan said.

Raju Mahto carrying the body of his son Abhishek. (HT photo )

SKMCH superintendent Dr GK Thakur, however, refuted the allegations. We have always provided ambulances and mortuary vans whenever demanded. The bodies of Abhishek and Bunty were directly handed over to the relatives after post-mortem examination, but, they never requested for vehicles, Thakur said.

Thakur said he had ordered an inquiry into the matter. A team of doctors and hospital officials are probing it. Stern action would be taken, if any hospital employee is found guilty, Thakur added.

District magistrate Dharmendra Singh could not be reached for comments as he was busy in flood relief operations.

This is not the first incident of denial of ambulance facility by government hospitals in the last six months.

In March this year, relatives of a woman who died at the Muzaffarpur sadar hospital, were forced to carry her body on foot for about 500 metres before they could engage an auto-rickshaw to take it home. This, too, happened after they were allegedly denied an ambulance at the hospital.

In June, a man in Purnia district of north-eastern Bihar carried the body of his wife on a motorcycle, to reach his village home for her last rites as was also allegedly denied a mortuary van at a government hospital.

These incidents brought back to mind harrowing August 2016 images of Odisha tribal Dana Manjhi carrying on his shoulder the body of his wife, after being denied a vehicle by a Kalahandi hospital to carry it to his village for her last rites.
Sidelined deputy general secretary of AIADMK, TTV Dinakaran removed Revenue Minister RB Udhayakumar as the secretary of a party forum named after late Jayalalithaa. He replaced Udhayakumar with MLA S Mariappan Kennedy, a loyalist.

He also removed VV Rajan Chennappa, MLA, as party Madurai urban secretary, a statement said.

Dhinakaran also appointed some of his supporters to various party posts, two days after the merger of the two factions led by Palaniswami and rebel leader O Panneerselvam, a former chief minister.

Meanwhile, a group of workers from the unified AIADMK on Wednesday burnt an effigy of Dhinakaran near the resort where MLAs loyal to him are staying.

Led by former MLA Om Sakthi Segar, they also hurled slippers at Dhinakarans photo and shouted slogans against him and his aunt VK Sasikala.

Addressing the workers, Segar said he was going to hand a petition to the district collector and SP asking them to instruct the MLAs to vacate the resort in the larger interest of law and order.

He alleged that the Congress-led Puducherry government was trying to cause a split in the AIADMK by letting the MLAs stay in the resort.

MLAs of the Dhinakaran camp met Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao in Chennai on Tuesday to state that they had lost confidence in Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

MLAs supporting VK Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran address the media after calling on Tamil Nadu Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao to express their no-confidence in the Chief Minister K Palaniswami government, in Chennai on August 22, 2017. (PTI)

Though the governors office confirmed the meeting, it did not mention the number of MLAs who met Rao. Some reports put the number at 19.

We are going to initiate efforts to bring in a new chief minister with the help of our supporting MLAs, Dhinakaran supporter and Andipatti MLA Thanga Tamil Selvan said after the meeting.

We have informed the governor that we dont have confidence in the chief minister, Selvan said, a day after the merger of the two rival factions led by Palaniswami and rebel leader O Panneerselvam, a former chief minister.

After meeting the governor, the MLAs backing Dhinakaran went to the resort in the coastal village of Chinna Veerampattinam, about 20 km from Puducherry.

We have come here to take rest, Selvan had said on Tuesday. He declined to disclose how long the legislators would stay here.

There was no clarity on the number of MLAs staying at the resort.

Dhinakaran had dubbed the merger of the AIADMK factions as a betrayal of party general secretary Sasikala. He had sacked senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP R Vaithilingam from the the party on Tuesday.

The move came a day after Vaithilingam, a Palaniswami loyalist, said steps would be taken for the removal of Sasikala from the AIADMK.

The main opposition DMK has demanded a floor test in view of the rebellion in the AIADMK.
Theres a great deal of giggling at Nikhil Kalelkars class for two-wheel riders. If youre passing a person who is handling an animal that looks like it might get out of control, how will you respond? asked Kalelkar. Will you slow down or will you blow your horn?

Sir, Im terrified of animals. I will simply stop, said 20-year-old Shweta Jadhav, her hair pulled back in a neat plait.

Its the wrong, if honest, answer, and 20-odd women erupted in laughter. Next week, they will be taking an online test, the first step towards getting a learners license, the first step towards driving their own two-wheelers, the first step, hopefully, to financial freedom and a vocation.

Not everybody at the class run by Heydeedee, a start-up that describes itself as Indias first all-women instant parcel delivery service is learning to earn. Anees Fatima Mohammad Ashfan said she is learning for shauk (interest). Im not going to wear a t-shirt and go to make deliveries, said the 42-year-old burkha-clad Ashfan. But if I can drive a two-wheeler then I can use my brother-in-laws scooter to help the women in my locality if someone suddenly falls ill and needs to go to the doctor.

Theres never a quiet moment at the Heydeedee office in Mumbais Madhu Industrial Estate. If one batch of students is preparing for their learners license, another lot is on the two-wheeler simulator and a third group is out on a deserted stretch of road getting a feel of their scooter and the road.

Heydeedee trains the women for 45 days. At the end, it gives womenat least those who are interested in taking the class furtheran offer letter that enables them to get a bank loan to buy their own two-wheelers. With the appointment and the scooter, theyre ready to roll.

A lot of girls tell me that they want to learn to drive but not work, said Revathi Roy, Heydeedee CEO and managing director. For me thats a non-starter. This is not about giving women a hobby, but giving them a skill that will enable them to earn and support their families.

It might seem like a no-brainer. Learn to drive and get a vocation in the bargain.

Easier said than done.

The first hurdle: Getting women to sign up

Every stage is a hurdle. The first stage is mobilising the women to join the class.

Most of the women we are seeking to recruit come from very traditional backgrounds where the girls are keen to work but their fathers or in-laws will not allow it, said Kavita Chandekar, one of Heydeedees two mobilisers. whose job it is to get women to sign up for the class at a subsidised fee of Rs 1,500 (the idea of a token fee, said Roy, is to ensure that the women take it seriously).

You have to address the community, said her colleague and co-mobiliser Upasana Singh. Tell the girls and their parents about the programme and how it will benefit them. We do this by organising meetings at the community level.

It doesnt help that driving a two-wheeler professionally as a delivery person isnt a traditional skill for women unlike, say, the beauty trade or healthcare.

The next hurdle comes after the women decide to join but have to figure out the nitty gritty of their routines: Who will pick up the kids from school, how do you juggle a two-hour class with cooking lunch and dinner and washing and cleaning?

I cook once in the morning and then again in the evening because my husband will not eat left-overs, said Suvarna Santosh Ghate, 38, a housewife who has never had a job and wakes up at 5 am to get her routine of chopping-cooking-cleaning-washing going.

Between 2 and 4 pm is my rest-time and so I am coming for class during this time, said Ghate.

Does her 15-year-old son, an only child, help her with the housework?

Of course, she said proudly. He runs to the market to buy me what I need.

Indian women endure one of the worlds largest gaps in unpaid work with men

All over the world, 75% of unpaid workchildcare, caring for the elderly, cooking, cleaning etcis done by women, found a 2015 report by the McKinsey Global Institute. If this work could be valued, it would be worth $10 trillion of output per year (or equivalent to 13% of global GDP).

India has one of the worlds largest gender gaps in unpaid work: Five hours or 351.9 minutes a day for women and 51.8 minutes a day for men, according to data available at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. This anomaly reflects, unsurprisingly, in the amount of time men and women spend on paid work: 184.7 minutes for women; 390.6 minutes for men.

Nearly half of the women and girls surveyed in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and the National Capital Region in a July 2015 United Nations Development Programme study said that domestic chores and responsibilities were a barrier to their workforce participation and aspirations. Families are supportive of aspirations as long as they dont come in the way of fulfilling their domestic responsibilities, found the study.

Mumbai was an exception to this trend where only 30% reported domestic chores as a barrier.

Source: Womens Voices: Employment and Entrepreneurship in India, July 2015: UNDP et al

The inordinate burden of domestic chores that falls on women and girls in India might explain why they have been dropping out of jobs consistently since the post-liberalisation years. Between 1993-94 and 2011-12, Indias female labour force participation (FLFP) fell by 11.4% from 42.6% to 31.2%, according to an April 2017 World Bank report.

In 2013, India ranked 120 of 131 countries surveyed for FLFP by the International Labour Organization. IndiaSpend has been tracking this decline in a special series of stories and ground reports here and here.

More Indian women would seek employment if they found reliable caregivers, IndiaSpend reported on August 7, 2017. A survey of women in Rajasthans Udaipur district found that mothers with children in the one-to-six-year-old age group spent 9.4 hours a day on household chores.

Feminist economist Ritu Dewan argued that if you take into account the unpaid labour of women, then FLFP will in fact overtake that of males by six percentage points. Women work much longer hours than men. Much of it is invisible work including the free collection of common goods like firewood, water etc, she said.

There is collusion between the state, the market and the family to control the labour of women in various ways. Patriarchy upholds a particular form of family that ensures cheap reproduction of labour with women as a reserve army by supporting a form of household in which they continue to provide unpaid services, she said.

Majboori hai: For many women who have jobs, there is no choice

Revathi Roy knows struggle. I drove a cab when my husband was in a coma, said Roy who holds a masters degree in economics from Mumbai University. The bank account was in his name, I needed money for his treatment, to pay my childrens fees. So when I needed to earn, it was my skill not my degree that helped me.

It was that cab driving experiencethe tips were great, grins Roythat led her to start Asias first all-womens taxi service in 2007. That partnership ended in 2009, and now Roy is driving change, again with an all-women set up.

Im not giving women a hobby but a skill that will enable them to earn and support their families, said Revathi Roy, CEO and managing director. (Heydeedee)

The one word I hear a lot from the women who complete the training, which includes not only how to drive a two-wheeler, but basic English, hands-on computer knowledge and softer skills in professional etiquette, is majboori (compulsion).

Majboori hai, said Jyoti Thakur, 38, who has at different times of her marriage had different careers from home tiffin maker to garment packer. How can you manage on one persons salary? Her daughter, an only child, studies in the first standard in a convent school. The fees alone: Rs 1,800 a month. Plus, theres private tuition for another Rs 800 a month, because, the eighth-class pass mother said she cannot help her daughter with schoolwork.

Dressed in a striped t-shirt and jeans, Thakur completed the training and worked for six hours a day delivering parcels and food for Heydeedee but quit because the work was sometimes just too hard. I want nearby routes but sometimes I would have to go for a delivery really far away. I would get lost. On some occasions I had to ask my husband to accompany me, she said.

It was majboori that led Vasanti Kulkarni, 39, to seek employment after the death of her husband left her in charge of two young children, a boy and a girl. Ive been working in various jobs for 20 years now, she said. My mother looked after my kids since I had to work just to survive.

Kulkarni now works as a trainer with Heydeedee, helping other women learn to navigate the road and the workplace. At Rs 15,000 a month and fixed hours of work, its a good job even though the commute to central Mumbai from Thane takes a couple of hours each way.

Like Kulkarni, Vaishnavi Lalita Rakesh is a young widow. Her husband was killed in an accident, leaving her with one daughter and another one, not yet born.

I couldnt stay at home. I needed to educate my girls, said Rakesh who earlier tried stitching but found it simply didnt pay enough, then heard about the programme at Heydeedee and signed on.

The work is steady, she said. Her mother helped with the daughters while a younger brother also chipped in by taking them for their tuition classes. I wouldnt be able to work at all, if they didnt help, said Rakesh.

Seated outside the Brijwasi sweet shop in Worli, Rakesh waits patiently for an order. When it comes250 gm of dhokla, 250 gm of khandvi, 250 gm of patra and two pieces of ghevarshe springs into action, strapping her helmet and carefully guiding her Honda Activa down the short ride to the RBI residential colony at Prabhadevi. There is no tip on this day, but on most days people do leave her with a bit extra, once theyve got over the initial surprise of their parcels being delivered by a woman.

Yes, its good work, she said. It helps me put food on the table.

This is the third part of a series of stories that will investigate, over the next few months, why Indian women are dropping out of the workplace. You can read the first part here and the second part here.

(Namita Bhandare is a Delhi-based journalist who writes frequently on gender issues confronting India.)

(Indiaspend.org is a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit/FactChecker.in is fact-checking initiative, scrutinising for veracity and context statements made by individuals and organisations in public life.)

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Shayara Bano, the 36 years old divorcee from Uttarakhand who was the first to challenge the controversial practice of instant triple talaq in the Supreme Court, might have brought to fruition, though partly, a struggle that Shah Bano had started over three decades back: to get Muslim women their Constitutional right to gender equality and dignity.

On Tuesday, the SC verdict to strike down triple talaq was welcomed by political parties across ideological prism, social activists, jurists and Muslim scholarsa sharp contrast to the vociferous protest that had greeted the apex court verdict in 1985, entitling Shah Bano, a 62 years old mother of five, to alimony. Muslim groups had then hit the streets in protest, prompting then ruling Congress leaders to join the chorus.

Margaret Alva, then Union minister for women, has given a vivid account of the prevailing political atmosphere in her autobiography, Courage & Commitment. She was opposed to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis move to bring a legislation to nullify the court ruling.

I pleaded with the Prime Minister to stand firmI persisted. Your grandfather had the courage to stand up to Hindu right-wing groups and bring in the Hindu Code Bill despite their opposition. Today everyone has accepted it. Please do not tarnish your image, I begged. Rajivji was upset. Yes, my grandfather was a Hindu dealing with Hindu law. Here I am a Hindu dealing with Muslim law. Do you see the difference? Alva writes.

Do you know that educated Muslim women like Najma Heptulla and Mohsina Kidwai are pleading for this law? Get me 50,000 Muslim women to oppose this move at Rajpath, like you did at Bangalore, and I will concede your demand, said Rajiv. Alva approached Sonia Gandhi who agreed with her but refused to interfere in her husbands official work.

The rest is history. Rajiv Gandhi government went ahead with the legislation to nullify the court verdict, putting an end to Shah Banos struggle for what could have triggered much-needed reforms in Muslim personal laws.

On Tuesday, after the Supreme Court delivered the verdict, the Congress was quick to welcome it, with party vice-president Rahul Gandhi congratulating women who fought for justice. Shahi Imam of Delhis Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, said the issue of triple talaq would not have reached the apex court if the All India Muslim Personal Law Board had addressed the problems of women wronged by this practice.

The contrasting responses to Shah Bano case and Shayara Bano cases encapsulated the evolution the Indian society and polity have gone through in the past 32 years. While BJP leaders credited the NDA government for its unequivocal stand against triple talaq in the court, the verdict underlined the changing social and political dynamics in India, which enabled a group of Muslim women to successfully take on orthodox elements in their community. The liberal intelligentsia that used to treat the BJPs pronouncement on issues concerning Muslims with skepticism and cynicism stood up for these women in their fight for gender justice.

What might also have prevented naysayers among Muslims from hitting the streets on Tuesday was the absence of any political support. There was a time when the Congress would resort to minority appeasement in Shah Bano case only to try to balance it by allowing shilanyas at the controversial structure in Ayodhya. The grand old party has been forced to re-visit its strategy post-2014 Lok Sabha elections. The party is now wary of taking any stand that would give its political adversaries an opportunity to accuse it of indulging in the appeasement of any community.

The BJPs stand on triple talaq reflected the partys desire to reach out to progressive elements among Muslims. Only time will tell whether it will pay electoral dividends to the saffron party but it surely created an atmosphere for the judiciary to deliver a historic ruling that will go a long way in ensuring gender justice and equality.

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The government has finalised a new policy for allocation of cadre to officers of three all India services  Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS).

Under the new policy, the Centre has decided to divide all 26 existing cadres into five zones and candidates will have to mention their preferred choices in descending order when appearing for the civil services examination.

While choosing their preference, candidates will have to indicate states from each zone. However, candidates will be allotted home states on the basis of merit, preference and vacancy.

The new policy will seek to ensure that officers from Bihar, for instance, will get to work in southern and north- eastern states, which may not be their preferred cadres, a personnel ministry official said.

This policy will ensure national integration of the bureaucracy as officers will get a chance to work in a state which is not their place of domicile, the official said.

He said the new policy would help in upholding the rationale behind the all-India services.

All-India service officers are supposed to have varied experiences which can be earned when they work in a different state, which is new to them. The officers may not be able to experiment new things if they work in their own domicile state, the official said.

The new zones are:

Zone-I  AGMUT (also known as Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories), Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Zone-II  Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha

Zone-III  Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

Zone-IV  West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam-Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland

Zone-V  Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The policy is likely to be implemented from this year.

The officers of the services are currently allocated a cadre state or a set of states to work in.

They may be posted on central deputation during the course of their service after fulfilling certain eligibility conditions.

(With PTI inputs)
The government plans to make Nehru Museum Memorial and Library a monument for all former prime ministers, prompting the Congress to caution on Tuesday the legacy of Indias first Prime Minister and the iconic building should not be changed.

The warning coincides with the NMMLs decision at its annual general meeting not to tamper with the original structure of the real estate dedicated to Jawaharlal Nehru, one of the Congresss top icons.

There are proposals for a memorial for all former PMs, which can be used for future PMs as well. But it will be done not at the cost of Nehru. If finalised, it will be a separate structure, said Shakti Sinha, director of the museum.

According to a source privy to the meeting, a concept paper will be prepared to decide how the governments proposal can be executed.

The plan triggered doubts about the BJP-led NDA governments intentions as it has been at loggerheads with the Congress, which has often accused the ruling coalition of trying to undermine Nehrus legacy.

Speculation swirled that the BJP would try to push its ideologues such as Deen Dayal Upadhayay into the museum.

But Union home ministry officials said after the NMML annual meeting that only former prime ministers would be accommodated.

Some members clearly disagreed with the governments plan  the museum should be solely dedicated to Nehru. Government officials informed that discussions on NMML will happen once a concept note and its possible redevelopment is floated, an official said.

The Congress appears worried about the proposal that surfaced towards the end of last year.

It is a heritage building. There will be no tinkering with the original structure, said party parliamentarian Karan Singh, who is also an NMML Society member.

Singh and party colleagues Jairam Ramesh and Mallikarjun Kharge said the exclusivity of the institution dedicated to the life and work of Jawaharlal Nehru shouldnt be altered.

Swapan Dasgupta, a Rajya Sabha MP and a member of the NMML executive council, supported views about the buildings sanctity.

There is a plan to make a gallery (of former prime ministers). It is still in the drawing board stage. Subsequently it will be done but only after the approval of experts, he said.

Besides Nehru, there are memorials of former prime ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. And it has been long debated that the other prime ministers should have memorials too.

Space constraints came up for discussion at the meeting.

The government wants to use digital and other modern technologies that save space. The idea of virtual technologies was discussed as well, a ministry official said.

The members, however, agreed that the library needs to be modernised with focus on research, academics and archives.

The library doesnt contain Nehrus works entirely. It has a tome of Mahatma Gandhis writings and private papers of leaders such as C Rajagopalachari and Jayaprakash Narayan.
The Delhi high court on Wednesday dismissed former Calcutta high court judge CS Karnans petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Contempt of Courts Act.

The challenge to the constitutionality of the Contempt of Courts Act in the present case does not lie in as much as the Supreme Court has not exercised power under the Contempt of Courts Act but invoked its inherent jurisdiction under Article 129 of the Constitution of India, the high court said.

The high court also rejected the submission made on behalf of justice Karnan that the principles of natural justice were not followed in awarding him the jail term of six months.

The high court noted that, The proceedings conducted before the Supreme Court would show that the petitioner was given ample opportunity to file his defence before the court but he chose not to do so.

He was given repeated and adequate opportunity to present his defence. The petitioners communications, orders and conduct establish that he had full knowledge of the orders of the court, proceedings as well as the material against him, the high court said.

The submission that principles of natural justice were not complied with is clearly not borne out from the record, it added.

Karnan had sought a declaration from the high court that the apex courts May 9 sentencing order and further proceedings under it were unconstitutional and void as the principles of natural justice were allegedly not followed.
The Delhi high court on Wednesday upheld a CIC order directing the Centre to give IFS officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi a copy of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) report regarding alleged harassment and false cases filed against the whistle-blower for exposing graft during his tenure as forest officer in Haryana.

The court dismissed the IBs plea challenging Chief Information Commissions (CIC) April 2016 order directing to provide a copy of the report in relation to the alleged harassment, human rights violation, and false cases filed against Chaturvedi.

Additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain, appearing for IB, had argued that the report cannot be made public as the agency is protected under section 24 of the RTI Act, which provides that intelligence and security agencies cannot be forced to make any information public.

Chaturvedi had argued that though intelligence and security agencies are exempt from the Act, they cannot claim exemption if the information sought from them relates to corruption and human rights violation. He is currently posted as conservator of forest at Haldwani in Nainital.
Indian and Pakistani commanders held a meeting on Wednesday along the Line of Control, the de facto border between the two nations, and agreed exercising restraint and keeping channels of communication open for peace.

The 50-minute meeting between the areas battalion commanders of both armies was convened in the backdrop of heightened bilateral tension as the two countries have been engaged in border skirmishes since May.

Mortar shelling and gunfire have caused military and civilian deaths south of the Pir Panjal range in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian and Pakistan Army held a battalion-commander-level flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch sector in the backdrop of numerous ceasefire violations and casualties in the past several months, a military spokesman said.

The Indian delegation is understood to have highlighted the Pakistani armys ceasefire violations, cross-border terrorism, and snipers targeting villagers across the LoC.

Resumption of trans-LoC trade and travel via Chakan-Da-Bagh was also discussed.

The spokesman said both sides agreed mutually about the importance of exercising restraint along the LoC and keeping the channels of communication open between local commanders.

They agreed that mechanisms should be set up to ensure peace in the region.

Peace has been at a premium in the area since Pakistans rogue border action team ambushed and beheaded two Indian soldiers in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch on May 1.

Again on June 22, the Pakistani armys Border Action Team ambushed an Indian patrol and killed two soldiers in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district amid heavy artillery and machine gun fire on the frontier. Indian troops retaliated and killed two Pakistani gunmen.

Other than these fatal assaults, the Pakistanis have been firing machine guns, mortars and heavy artillery regularly. People on the other side have suffered too because of Indian retaliatory action.

The conflict forced authorities to suspend a bus service and trade between India and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir since July.

Wednesdays meeting between the two armies raises hope for resumption of trade and travel, said Pawan Anand, president of the Chakan-da-Bagh cross-LoC traders association.

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The Indian Navy is expected to float global tenders for 234 helicopters, costing more than $5 billion, by middle of 2018 to replace its outdated Westland Sea Kings choppers and French-designed Chetak helicopters.

Facing a crippling shortage, the navy launched a global hunt for 123 naval multi-role helicopters (NMRHs) and 111 naval utility helicopters (NUHs) by releasing two requests for information (RFIs) on Tuesday.

The NMRHs are to replace Sea Kings and the NUHs will replace the Chetaks. The helicopters will be built in the country by an Indian firm in partnership with a foreign defence contractor.

Some of the machines will be purchased directly from the foreign vendor in keeping with the strategic partnership procurement policy that stipulates a minimum number of platforms, not exceeding 10-15% of the number of units being procured, may be manufactured on the premises of the original equipment manufacturer.

As defence contractors prepare to respond to the RFIs by October 6, a lowdown on the helicopters the navy is planning to shop for:

Naval multi-role helicopters:

1 The twin-engine helicopter will have two variants: NMRH (multi-role) and NMRH (special operations).

2 The multi-role chopper will be used for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, electronic intelligence and casualty evacuation.

The special operations variant will perform roles including transporting commandos, anti-piracy operations, combat search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and logistics and communication duties.

3 The 12.5-tonne helicopters, capable of operating from ships and ashore, will have wheeled landing gear, dual flying controls and blade fold capability.

4 In line with the Modi governments Make in India initiative, the vendors have been asked to maximise the indigenous content of the NMRH. The navy has stipulated it should not be less than 40%.

5 The helicopter must be capable of night missions, including hovering over sea in night conditions.

6 The navy had asked manufacturers if it was possible to install weapons of its choice in lieu of those proposed by them. It wants two types of anti-ship missiles: Long-range fire and forget missile with 70-km range and short range missile with a range of 25km.

Naval utility helicopters:

1 The five-tonne NUHs will carry out several roles such as search and rescue, medical evacuation, communication duties, anti-piracy and anti-terrorism operations, HADR and surveillance and targeting.

2 The twin-engine helicopter will also be flown by two pilots, have wheeled landing gear and blade fold capability. Like the NMRHs, these choppers will also have 40% indigenous content.

3 Few of the helicopters will be initially delivered in the basic version to meet the navys immediate requirements of training and search and rescue. These will be later upgraded to perform all roles. The majority of the navys 140 warships are operating without choppers.

4 The navy wants 15 NUHs supplied within five years of signing of the contract and remaining 96 between five and 13 years of the contract under the make category.

5 The navy has asked foreign vendors if the choppers can carry at sea level a minimum of six passengers or 420 kg cargo inside the cabin or 500-kg loads under slung or two stretchers with one patient each and at least one medical attendant.

6 The navy has also sought to know if the NUH can achieve a continuous cruise speed of not be less than 125 knots and if the ceiling of the helicopter will be above 10,000 feet.
The CBI on Wednesday questioned Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, for around eight hours in connection with the INX Media deal. The agecy is probing allegations of irregularities in the government approval for sale of stakes in INX Media to offshore entities in 2007.

Sources said the CBI sleuths put around 100 questions to Karti. He has been called for questioning again on August 28, said a CBI spokesman.

Karti has been named as an accused in the FIR registered in connection with the case along with the then INX promoter Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani. The case pertains to foreign investments received by INX in 2007-08 following a clearance by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). P Chidambaram was Union finance minister then.

Following the registration of the FIR, the CBI had conducted searches at the home and offices of the Karti and the Mukherjeas.

When the FIR was registered in May, Chidambaram had alleged that the government was targeting his son to silence his voice.

Karti arrived at the agency headquarters on the directives of the Supreme Court.

During a hearing before the top court, Karti had argued that he was willing to appear before the CBI and was directed to appear before the agency on August 23.

A bench comprising Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud allowed Karti to be accompanied by a lawyer at the CBI headquarters. Souces said the lawyer remained confined to a room adjoining the place where Karti was questioned.
A nine-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar will decide on Thursday if privacy is a fundamental right, a judgment that will have a bearing on civil rights as well as Aadhaar.

The privacy verdict comes two days after the court in a landmark judgment struck down the Islamic divorce practice of instant triple talaq as unconstitutional.

The other members of the bench, which will assemble at 10.30am, are justice J Chelameswar, justice RK Agarwal, justice SA Bobde, justice AM Sapre, justice RF Nariman, justice DY Chandrachud, justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and justice S Abdul Nazeer.

The CJI, who retires on August 27, and justice Nazeer, both of whom dissented, and justice Nariman were among the five judges who also heard petitions against triple talaq.

Privacy is central to the legal challenges facing Aadhaar, the 12-digit biometric unique identity number, which has raised data breach and privacy concerns. Critics also say it helps the government spy on people.

The government is pushing for Aadhaar to plug leaks in various welfare schemes. Aadhaar is mandatory for availing welfare benefits, filing income-tax returns, and opening bank accounts.

Petitioners have argued Aadhaar violates privacy because it requires finger printing and iris scans. Before taking up Aadhaar petitions, the court said, it first needed to decide if privacy was a fundamental right.

The government says citizens have a right to privacy but it is not an absolute right. The Constitution framers included all rights but consciously kept out the right to privacy.

Judges have differed with the government, saying, Textually it is correct today that there is no right to privacy in the constitution. But even freedom of press is not expressly stated. This court has interpreted it.

The Centre has urged the court to restrain itself from making any declaration because privacy has different aspects and couldnt be seen in isolation, saying it was a conglomerate of rights.

The government has also stressed on the need to balance the privacy with social and economic justice, saying it is an elite concept and only wrong-doers ask for privacy rights.

The petitioners have argued the right to privacy is at the heart of liberty and freedom. Liberty existed prior to constitutional era and law merely recognised its existence. Liberty is fundamental to democracy and citizens cannot exist without privacy, they have said.

Thursday will reveal the winning argument.

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Six lakh information technology professionals are expected to lose their jobs over the next two three years, according to a forecast by a leading head hunter. Studies suggest that almost half of those who graduate from the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) take their skills to work in financial markets and consulting.

Has the great engineering dream died?

The answer, experts say, depends on what the 1.5 million engineers graduating every year dream of.

Conversations with students, faculty members and higher education experts suggest students dont always sign up for engineering courses just to become engineers and to start designing new engines for cars, extending the lifetime of a battery, building the next big software giant or taking part in the Digital India programme. Most of them simply want a job  any job, and given a choice, a job with the government.

When the news of IT sector layoffs reached Rohtak, Dharampal Dahiya, 19, didnt care. He has finished his second year in civil engineering and has been preparing for competitive examinations to get a government job. That is all he wants. And so do most of his classmates.

Dahiya travels 30 km everyday from his village Sisana in Sonepat to Matu Ram Institute of Engineering and Management, a private college in Rohtak. His father, a farmer, didnt want him to follow in his footsteps, for agriculture is no longer a profitable occupation. His parents enrolled him in an engineering college, as friends and relatives suggested a BTech will ensure a stable career.

Sandeep Maliks story is not very different. The 26-year-old from Rohtak finished his BTech in 2013 and became the first engineer in his family. I couldnt clear the National Defence Academy exam after Class 12. With my BTech background, I can possibly get a technical entry in the defence sector. Like Dahiya, Malik took up engineering primarily to get a government job.

Read more | Layoffs and shrinking job market: Is this the end of Indias engineering dream?

Their aspirations mirror that of Indias youth at large: the latest CSDS-KAS Youth Study, released in April 2017, found that 65% of Indian youth would prefer a government job; just 7% wished for a job in the private sector. The lure of a government job is obvious: job security, allowances and better pay at the entry level.

But how valuable is an engineering degree for a government job?

In retrospection, Malik says not much, as he explains the economics: Engineering education costs around Rs 60,000 per year; a BA costs Rs 4,000-10,000. So you are spending four years, and around Rs 2.4 lakhs to get a BTech degree. BA is significantly cheaper and saves you a whole year, meaning additional time for preparation.

Dahiya and Malik went to one of the thousands of private colleges that have sprung up in the country to fulfil the demand of engineering education. 3,288 engineering colleges exist under the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), more than double from the 1,511 colleges ten years ago.

On the other extreme, lie the IITs, the best that the country has to offer. But apart from the coveted civil services examinations, government jobs hardly figure on the list an IIT undergraduate.

Where do IIT grads end up?

Using 2013 placement statistics of IIT-Bombay, Milind Sohoni, a computer science professor at the institute, found that 45% of the BTech students took up jobs in finance and consulting, 24% in IT and 8% in FMCG and non-IT. Just 22% took up jobs in engineering and technology, which Sohoni argues is the most relevant sector to IIT-Bombays mandate and training.

This tells us that neither is working in technology companies a priority for students nor does an engineering degree guarantee a job.

Read more | IT sector to lay off up to 2 lakh engineers annually for next 3 years

Why the rush for BTech ?

One explanation is that a degree serves as a signal.

Given the returns to and the costs of investing in education, individuals make rational investment choices with respect to education, Michael Spence said in his 2001 Nobel Prize lecture. Employers have beliefs about the relation between the signal and the individuals underlying productivity, he went on to say.

What this means is that employers use an engineering degree as a signal that the graduate is more talented and capable compared to those who dont possess one, regardless of whether college education has any direct relevance or implication for the job being offered.

Economists like Spence say that signalling depends on both the institution one went to and the degree they possess.

In the Indian labour market, a professional degree like engineering, which is more focused on empirical ability than arts and humanities, has higher perceived economic returns.

But if everyone becomes an engineer, then the signalling function of the Btech degree falls, and employers have no way of distinguishing technically proficient professionals from those who are engineers simply in name.

Colwin Fernandes, chief technology officer of Opcito Technologies, says this has already begun. Engineering graduates are completely lost. The whole idea is that people seem to be that they think they are entitled to a job. If you are unemployable, you are not competing in the IT job market, he said.

Fernandes warns that the labour market is changing rapidly due to advances in automation technology. New jobs will come up, he said, but Indian engineers may not be able to take them up. Layoffs will happen. Graduates need to make themselves layoff-proof.

Read more | Job offers shrink for IIT graduates, campus hiring falls to 66% this academic year. Heres why

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A total of 23 people were arrested for attacking and stone pelting at former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Student Union president Kanhaiya Kumars rally in West Bengals Hoogly district on Wednesday, police said.

The agitators tried to stop Kanhaiya Kumar from going to a public meeting organised at the Town Hall in Hoogly districts Serampore, calling him anti-national and threw stones at the rallyists.

We have arrested 23 people for attacking the rally, pelting stones and violating the law and order situation in the area. One police officer has been injured in the stone pelting by the agitators, a senior police officer from Chandannagar police commissionerate said.

However, the officer could not provide any information about the protestors political affiliation.

The protestors also tried to stop Kanhaiya Kumars car and showed him black flag in districts Uttarpara and Rishra but police dispersed the crowd.

The former JNUSU president, who is travelling to various parts of Bengal since the last three days as part of the All India Student Federation and All India Youth Federation sponsored Long March, held multiple public meetings in Hoogly including Uttarpara and Serampore.

A major scuffle took place during Kanhaiya Kumars public meeting in South Kolkatas Jadavpur on Tuesday evening where an RSS activist allegedly tried to throw ink at him and got severely beaten up by the AISF activists present there while another incident of ink throwing on the rally took place near the Jodhpur Park area.

On Monday, nearly 100 slogan shouting BJP activists had staged a demonstration against Kanhaiya Kumar in Midnapore town of West Midnapore district, calling him an IS terrorist groups agent and anti-national .

They had also thrown rotten eggs at him, but the missiles missed the target, as police cordoned off Kanhaiya Kumar and barricaded the protestors.

The AISF and AIYF - the student and youth wings of the Communist Party of India - have taken out a Save India- Change India long march across the country from July 15.

Kanhaiya Kumar has been the main crowdpuller throughout the long march, that began from the countrys southernmost landmass Kanyakumari and would end on September 2 at Hussainiwala of Punjab close to the India-Pakistan border.
The Kerala high court on Wednesday rejected a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging a special courts order acquitting Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the 20-year-old SNC Lavalin scam case.

The court came down heavily on the CBI while clearing the chief minister, saying Pinarayi was made a scapegoat by the premier investigating agency. The verdict gives enough credence to opposition parties charge that the CBI is often used by the Centre to settle political scores with opponents.

The court said Pinarayi cannot be made accountable for loss to the exchequer and there is no evidence to prove he made financial gains from the deal. It, however, said three senior officials of the state electricity board discharged by a special court will have to face the trial.

The case relates to the awarding of a contract to the Canadian power giant SNC Lavalin to renovate three hydroelectric projects, a deal in which the state allegedly lost Rs 374 crore.

The CBI alleged when Pinarayi was the power minister in 1996, he, along with the other accused, hatched a criminal conspiracy to award a supply contract to SNC-Lavalin at an exorbitant cost. It added the Kerala State Electricity Board signed a memorandum of understanding without inviting tenders, thereby violating all rules and regulations.

I am really happy truth has finally prevailed. There were many attempts to tarnish me and my party citing the case. The verdict will give me enough strength to carry out more people-friendly measures, Pinarayi said.

In 2013, a special court exonerated him in the case that was later challenged by the CBI in the high court. Senior lawyer Harish Salve appeared for the CM.

The case was handed over to the CBI in 2005 by then chief minister Oommen Chandy.

The latest verdict will help him gain enough strength in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and weaken the position of his arch-rival former chief minister VS Achuthanandan who often used this case to attack him.
The family of a Kerala woman, whose marriage with a Muslim man is under scanner as a possible case of love jihad, has filed a police complaint against an activist who released a video showing her arguing with her mother over her conversion to Islam.

The Supreme Court last week refused to overturn a Kerala high court order annulling Hadiya Jahans marriage with Shafin Jahan and also asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe allegations that it was a case of love jihad.

Hadiya, 24, was born Akhila Ashokan before she converted after her marriage. The HC had sent her back to her fathers house.

Hadiyas father Ashokan, an ex-serviceman, said the video released by Rahul Eswar gave a wrong picture that his daughter continued to live as a Muslim and she was under tremendous pressure.

He has cheated us. He took the video without our knowledge. What is shown in the video is also not correct, Ashokan said.

Being the grandson of Sabariamala thantri (main priest) we gave him some consideration and allowed him to visit us. But we never thought he will become a tool in the hands of fundamentalist outfits Ashokan said.

In the complaint field at Vaikkom police station in Kottayam district, the father said Rahul had exploited the situation.

The father said this was Rahuls second visit to his house after the high court verdict in May.

He said he is taking selfies for his personal use and assured us they wont be made public. But he handed over photos and video to the media a day after. It is a breach of trust, said the father.

The womans father claims the marriage was forced and was a case of love jihad, a term right-wing groups use to allege an Islamist strategy of converting Hindu women through seduction, marriage or money.

He also sought custody of his daughter saying that efforts are underway to send her to Syria to join the international terror outfit, Islamic State.

Rahul denied the allegations and said he shot the video with the knowledge and consent of the family.

I went to the house after taking police permission. I took video with their permission. My only intention was to help them, he said, adding that he had no idea why the father chose to make it an issue almost a week after airing the video.

In the video, aired by two national channels, Hadiya was seen arguing with her mother on her choice for faith.

She scolds me when I take namaz. Is this how my life should be? Why you are confining me like this? she is heard asking her mother. The mother responds by saying that they struggled to make her a doctor but she returned as an Islamic preacher.

The Supreme Court has said it will hear Hadiya before taking a final decision.
Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit was released from the Taloja prison in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

He was driven out of the prison in a car at around 10.45am. Purohit was in jail for almost nine years for his alleged role in the 2008 blast case.

Here is how the case has progressed:

September 29, 2008: A bomb planted on a motorcycle goes off at Malegaon, killing six people and injuring 101.

October 24, 2008: Police arrest three people in connection with the blast  Pragya Singh Thakur, Shiv Narayan Gopal Singh Kalsanghra and Shyam Bhawarlal Sahu.

November 4, 2008: The Anti-Terrorims Squad arrests Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, a serving army officer.

January 30, 2009: The ATS files a final chargesheet against 11 accused in the case.

July 31, 2009: A special court holds that MCOCA charges are not applicable and the case be tried by a regular Nasik court.

July 07, 2010: The Bombay high court reverses the order and upholds the charges under provisions of MCOCA.

August 2010: Purohit and Pragya Singh Thakur challenge the order of the Bombay high court for upholding the MCOCA charges

March 1, 2011: While the case was pending before the Supreme Court, the ATS files a supplementary charge sheet

April 1, 2011: Investigation is transferred to the National Investigation Agency by the government

April 13, 2011: The NIA registers a fresh and begins investigation

February 2012: The NIA makes its first arrest and obtains custody of Lokesh Sharma

June 05, 2012: Sharma is granted bail as the agency fails to file the charge sheet in time

December 17, 2012: The NIA arrests Dhan Singh

May 22, 2013: Singh is granted bail as the agency could not file the charge sheet in time

April 15, 2015: The apex court remands the case back to the lower court to freshly consider the applicability of MCOCA in view of further investigation

June 2015: Purohit moves a fresh bail plea along with the other accused

October 12, 2015: The court rejects the bail application of the four accused, but holds that MCOCA is applicable

February 2016: The prosecution is asked to argue on the charges applicable against the accused in the case.

February 15, 2016: The agency informs the court that it has sought the opinion of the attorney general about the applicability of MCOCA in the case

March 2016: The prosecution opens the case and begins arguments on the applicability of the charge sheet against the accused.

April 25, 2017: The high court grants bail to Sadhvi Pragya Thakur but rejects the bail of Lt Col Prasad Purohit.

August 23, 2017: Purohit is released from the Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the case

With inputs from agencies
The National Investigation Agency investigated seven terror cases in which Hindu right-wing groups are suspects. These cases  involving attacks where Muslims were targeted -- were handed to the federal agency by the previous UPA government. This is also when the NIA made most of the arrests, including that of Swami Aseemanand and Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit.

After remaining in jail for nine years, Purohit -- one of the prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast -- walked out of the Taloja prison on Wednesday.

There have been allegations that over the past three years, the pace of investigations in these cases has slackened and witnesses have turned hostile where the accused belonged to organisations close to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, being taken to the Sessions Court from Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Heres a status check of the cases by Hindustan Times:

Malegaon blasts (2006)

CASE: Four explosions took place outside a mosque on September 8, 2006, killing 38 people.

PROBE: The Maharashtra ATS and CBI chargesheeted nine Muslims. The NIA, which took over the case in 2011, filed another chargesheet naming four alleged Hindu extremists. The special court hearing the case discharged all the Muslim accused arrested by state ATS.

STATUS: Trial yet to begin.

Powerful bombs ripped through two compartments of the Samjhauta Express train, the rail link between India and Pakistan, during the intervening night of February 18 and 19, killing 68 people. (HT File Photo)

Samjhauta Express blasts (2007)

CASE: Explosions occurred near Dewana railway station in Haryanas Panipat district, killing 68 people, mostly from Pakistan, on the night of February 18. The train was on its way to Lahore from Delhi.

PROBE: The NIA has filed chargesheet against eight people, of whom one is dead and two are at large.

STATUS: Trial is on.

Hyderabad Mecca Masjid blast (2007)

CASE: A powerful IED blast in Hyderabads Mecca Masjid area of Hyderabad on May 18, killed 14 people.

PROBE: The Hyderabad police rounded up dozens of Muslims but could not get any breakthrough.The case was then handed over to the CBI, which arrested Aseemanad, an accused in the Samjhauta train blasts case also. The first chargesheet was filed by the CBI, then the case was handed over to the NIA.

STATUS: Trial is on.

Ajmer dargah blast (2007)

CASE: A tiffin bomb exploded on October 11 during Ramzan at the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah in Ajmer, killing three people and injuring 12. Later, three more bombs were recovered from the premises.

PROBE: Of 13 accused, three are absconding and one -- Sunil Joshi -- is dead.

STATUS: A Jaipur court on March 8 had convicted three persons -- Joshi, Devendra Gupta and Bhavesh Patel -- but let off former RSS member Aseemanand and six others. On March 22, the court sentenced Gupta and Patel to life imprisonment. The magistrate also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Patel and Rs 5,000 on Gupta.

Sunil Joshi murder (2007)

CASE: Sunil Joshi, the leader of an alleged Hindu extremist group believed to be behind most of the right-wing Hindu terror cases, was shot dead on December 29, 2007 when he was walking back to his hideout at Chuna Khadan locality in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. The group included Pragya Singh Thakur, Lokesh Sharma, Sandeep Dange, Ramji Kalsangra, Rajendra Pehelwan, Dhan Singh, Amit Chauhan and Aseemanand.

PROBE: After completing the investigation, the NIA handed over the case to the Madhya Pradesh police saying it had not found any evidence to suggest that his murder was linked to the larger Hindu terror conspiracy. The agency alleged that Joshi was killed by his own men as they were unhappy over his misbehaviour with Pragya Singh Thakur.

STATUS: Trial ended on February 1, 2017. All eight accused, including Pragya Singh Thakur, acquitted.

Malegaon and Modasa blasts (2008)

CASE: Twin explosions took place in Malegaon (Maharashtra) and Modasa (Gujarat) on September 29. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) mounted on motorcycles were planted at both locations, killing a total of eight persons.

PROBE: The Maharashtra ATS claimed to crack the Malegaon case. Pragya Singh Thakur, along with a serving army official, Prasad Srikant Purohit were arrested and chargesheeted in the case.

STATUS: The NIA dropped charges against Pragya Singh Thakur and the special court is yet to take a call on it. The Modasa blast case was closed by the NIA citing lack of evidence. After remaining in jail for nine years, Lt Col Purohit -- one of the prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast -- walked out of the Taloja prison on Wednesday.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid a surprise call on visiting Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, signifying the importance India attaches to ties with its close neighbour amid Chinas active wooing of Kathmandu.

Happy to welcome Rt Hon Sher Bahadur Deubaji, PM of close and friendly neighbour Nepal. Look forward to more extensive talks tomorrow, Modi tweeted on Wednesday.

The unexpected meeting between the two Prime Ministers came a day ahead of formal talks between the two sides. Deuba, on a five-day state visit, will be given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday.

Earlier, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj received Deuba on his arrival - in another significant gesture of friendship.

Deuba chose India for his first overseas visit after becoming Prime Minister in June.

Nepals ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhayay termed Modis call a warm-up ahead of the official talks on Thursday.

Deubas state visit comes days after Chinese vice-premier Wang Yang was in Nepal during which the two sides signed several major agreements to boost energy and economic ties.

The Deuba visit also comes amid a dragging standoff between Indian and Chinese troops on the Doklam plateau that has escalated tensions between New Delhi and Beijing.

Deuba and Sushma Swaraj met in Kathmandu earlier this month when the two sides are known to have discussed the Doklam issue.

On Thursday, the two sides will hold delegation-level talks following which Modi and Deuba will remote launch from Hyderabad House the Katiya-Kushaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur cross-border transmission line for supply of 50 MW each.

Some agreements are expected to be signed following the talks.

Deuba is leading a 48-member delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, other ministers, MPs, Secretaries and other high ranking officials to India.

Deuba also interacted with the Nepali diaspora at the Nepal Embassy and lauded their contribution towards nation building. He promised to provide a mechanised channel to transfer money to Nepal, the Himalayan Times reported.

Deuba is expected to raise the issue of inundation in the Terai region and other issues during his talks with Modi.

Modi will also host a banquet in honour of Deuba and his delegation in the evening. Deuba, also President of the Nepali Congress, will also visit Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Wednesday accused chief minister Nitish Kumar of destroying evidence in the multi-crore Srijan scam, by having his favourite officer, who also happens to be of his caste, to lead the economic offences unit (EOU) probe into one of the biggest financial frauds.

Can an officer, who has participated in programmes of Srijan in the capacity of senior SP of Bhagalpur, ensure an impartial inquiry into the scam? asked Prasad, wondering as to why the EOU could not lodge any FIR in the case even a fortnight after the inquiry was launched.

The RJD chief was particularly upset over the decision to send EOU IG JS Gangwar to probe the case, even though he had participated in a number of programmes of the non-governmental organisation, Srijan, when he was SSP of Bhagalpur. Prasad, however, did not name the officer.

Srijan has been found to have hundreds of crores of rupees of government money into its accpunts over many years, fraudulently.

The RJD leader asked the CM as to why action was not initiated against the guilty even when the matter was brought to the light in 2013 by the EOU. Why the district magistrate of Bhagalpur, who lodged the FIR against Srijan, was transferred hurriedly? And what happened to the DMs report about the scam? Why did the state government try to hush up the financial scam, even as the CAG in its 2008 report had busted in, asked Prasad.

Slamming the chief minister for propagating falsehood about the RJDs bid to break the JD(U), Prasad alleged that Kumar had been in the habit of telling lies. He (Kumar) had once said he would prefer being ruined (mitti mein mil jayenge) than to join hands with the BJP. But now, he has fallen at the BJPs feat, said Prasad.

The RJD chief said he had asked the participants of his Desh Bachao, Bhajapa Bachao rally, in Patna, on August 27, to come with one fistful of soil for the CM.

On Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Bihar to oversee flood situation, Prasad said the PM was coming here to discuss the BJPs plan of preponing the state elections and hold it along with Lok Sabha polls, due in 2019. Modi is coming here to divert the peoples attention from the RJD rally. What is meaning of his visit, when flood is on receding trend, asked the RJD leader.

Regarding the participation of leaders of other parties in the RJD rally, Prasad claimed that Congress Ghulam Nabi Azad and CP Joshi would represent the party in the programme, while BSP chief Mayavati had deputed Satish Mishra to attend it.

JD(U) Rajya Sabha member Sharad Yadav and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee are among those slated to address the rally, said the RJD chief.

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On a visit to the flood ravaged districts of Seemanchal in north eastern Bihar, chief minister Nitish Kumar promised the flood-hit multitudes of all state government help for their full rehabilitation and every opportunity to begin their lives afresh.

Kumar, whose JD (U) rejoined the BJP led NDA last week, also praised the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for being prompt in providing assistance to the flood hit state.

The visit of the chief minister to flood affected Seemanchal districts, just ahead of the Prime Ministers proposed aerial survey of flood affected districts on August 26, is expected to help Kumar to make an assessment of the damage and refer the same to the PM. .

The CM, who reached Purnia on Tuesday by road, visited relief camps and dry food packaging centres and health camps and talked to flood victims, to get a sense of the problems they were facing..

In Purnia, Kumar praised the relief work being carried out by the district administration and visited relief camps at Dagarua, Belgachhi, Baisi and Barsoi (Katihar), besides food packaging centres, on Tuesday evening.

But we should do more for those who have suffered immense damage in this flood that came abruptly, he said and directed the officials to win the trust of the victims through hard work.

On Wednesday morning, Kumar flew to Araria, Kishanganj and Katihar districts, to make an assessment of the ongoing relief work.

Addressing a small gathering of locals and flood victims, at a community kitchen cum dry ration distribution centre at Hansa Raniganj in Araria, he promised them financial assistance to make up for the losses they had suffered. The number of community kitchens cum dry ration distribution centres in the district is over 1000.

The flood was result of excessive rainfall in the catchment areas, he said.

Free ration for a month is just the immediate relief for you. The government is determined to provide you all financial assistance, including money for reconstructing damaged houses he added.

The CM said, The government will compensate for the loss caused to the crops of farmers, by floods. The financial assistance would include money for purchase for utensils, clothes and other things. He also distributed biscuits and other food items among a few flood victims.

Flood in Araria district has so far claimed at least 75 people. Property worth hundreds of crores has been damaged and over 7 lakh people of the district have been badly affected. Dozens of villages have been wiped out of their existence in the district.

In Kishanganj, the CM reviewed flood relief work being carried out in the district and inspected dry ration distribution centres at Kishanganj College of Engineering in Chakla Panchayat and gave tips to officials for more effective relief operations. He also distribute ex gratia cheques to the kin of those who were killed in the floods.

Bahadurganj, Taragachh and Kishanganj blocks of Kishanganj are the worst affected.

Katihar, in where Kadwa, Pranpur, Azamnagar, Barsoi, Dandkhora and Hasanganj blocks are worst affected, has seen 27 deaths in this flood so far. Besides, crops worth hundreds of crores of rupees have been damaged in the district.

Nitish Kumar, whose chopper landed at Chandpur, the worst affected village of Kadwa block, assured the people of providing all possible help. Here, he praised Central government for its help at the time of disaster. It was unexpected and abrupt, he said about the flood and reviewed the relief work being carried out in the district.

Meanwhile, floodwater has started receding here, posing a tough challenge for health officials.. Now, well have to fight for saving peoples lives from epidemics, said a doctor at the Baisi health camp. Despite warning to the contrary, flood victims are consuming fish. This may cause them to fall sick he warned.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will launch his campaign for the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections with a workers meeting in Ahmedabad on September 4 and the party may soon announce its poll manifesto in the western state where the party has been out of power since 1995.

The workers will apprise Gandhi of the functioning of the state leadership and also air their grievances. The Congress leader will also seek their assessment of the elections scheduled for November-December this year.

The party will also soon announce its campaign and screening committees and leaders such as Arjun Modvadhia, Siddharth Patel, and Shaktisinh Gohil will be given responsibilities in these panels.

Congress sources said the high command has also finalised some organisational changes in the state to accommodate disgruntled leaders. The party is also unlikely to name its chief ministerial candidate to keep the faction-ridden state unit united in the run up to the polls.

Sources added the party is also mulling a broad-based coalition to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has been ruling the state for nearly two decades now.

The hard-fought victory of Congress heavyweight Ahmed Patel in the high-octane Rajya Sabha in recent memory has breathed fresh life into the otherwise crumbling Gujarat Congress months before the state goes to polls.

The win is set to raise the stakes dramatically in the December assembly elections given that BJP president Amit Shah has already set an ambitious target of 150-plus seats in the 182-member House.

While some central leaders are in touch with 24-year-old Patidar leader Hardik Patel, many state leaders also want social activist and lawyer Jignesh Mevani on board. At the forefront of the Ambedkarite movement in Gujarat, Mevani, 36, has emerged as the face of Dalits who comprise about 7-8% of the total population in the western state.

But the Congress is banking heavily on the support of the Patels, who constitute about 14% of Gujarats population. The BJP has been at the receiving end of Patels for some time now.

The Patels had been a loyal vote bank of the BJP for the past two decades but the quota agitation has caused cracks in their bond.

Following a nine-month long sustained agitation led by Hardik Patel in 2015, the BJP government tried to placate the Patidars by announcing 10% reservation for economically backward classes (EBCs) in May last year. However, the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), led by Hardik, rejected the move.

As part of its strategy, the Congress has promised 20% reservation for EBCs among the upper castes if it comes to power after the state polls.

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With heads rolling in the Indian Railways after two train accidents in five days, railway minister Suresh Prabhu hinted on Wednesday he had offered to resign on moral grounds.

The Congress accused Prabhu of having utterly failed in his job and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack him and appoint a responsible person in the position.

Prabhu said he had tried to overcome decades of neglect through systemic reforms in all areas leading to unprecedented investment and milestones.

Here are a few highlights of Prabhus term as the rail minister:

Deadly accidents

A series of deadly accidents have hit the Indian Railways network recently.

On Wednesday, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said 28 major train accidents, killing 259 people and injuring 973, had taken place since the Narendra Modi-led government took office. The death toll from derailments in 2016-17 was the highest it had been in a decade.

Indias death toll from train derailments in 2016-17 is now the highest in a decade, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of data tabled in Parliament on March 31, 2017 and August 11, 2017.

The derailment of the Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express on August 19, 2017, killed more than 20 and injured over 200 people.

CAG report criticises railways for contaminated, recycled foodstuff

Pointing out that an iron nail had been found in the plate of cutlets offered to a passenger, the Comptroller and Auditor General slammed the Indian Railways for serving food articles unfit for human consumption such as recycled, contaminated and expired items and unauthorised water brands.

In a joint inspection conducted in collaboration with officials of the Indian Railways at 74 stations and 80 trains between July and October 2016, the countrys top audit body observed grave deficiencies in the food hygiene standards, including fungal growth around the petha (sweets) pieces served to passengers.

The CAG also criticised the railways over cleanliness and management of linen, and suggested putting in place a mechanism to ensure strict compliance to norms.

Passenger finds lizard in food

Indian Railways removed the caterer of the Howrah-New Delhi Poorva Express after a passenger complained he was served a lizard in his order of vegetable biryani. The passenger said he ordered food in Mokama and complained to the ticket collector and tweeted to railway minister Suresh Prabhu after finding a lizard in his biryani.

SRK fan dies, prompts railways to re-think policy

The death of a Shah Rukh Khan fan at the Vadodara railway station prompted the Indian Railways to re-think its policy that permits film stars to undertake train journeys after payment of a special fee.

Film shoots are permitted in trains, stations and railway premises after deposit of a special fee, while a smaller amount is charged for rail trips by cine stars to promote their films. Sections in the railways feel that the policy in the regard must be revisited, given the strong possibilities of stampedes at the overcrowded railway stations.

Rail Budget and Union Budget merged

The government merged the rail and general budgets from 2017, ending a 92-year-old practice of a separate budget for the countrys largest transporter. The BJP-led governments decision to scrap the railway budget was seen as a policy reform measure aimed at doing away with the culture of populism that took a toll on the state-owned transporters financial health over the years. Financial experts said it would also help people do better tax planning.

Alternative reservation scheme

Waitlisted passengers now get the choice of travelling on reserved berths in alternative trains. Called Vikalp, or alternative train accommodation system (ATAS), the scheme provides reserved berths or seats within 12 hours to passengers on the waiting list in another train bound for that destination. The change doesnt entail any additional fare or charges. But there is a caveat: alternative berths will depend on the availability of vacant seats in another train.

Dynamic fare pricing system

Last year, the government decided to introduce a dynamic pricing system on Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains under which base fares were to jump by 10% for every 10% of seats booked on these trains, with a cap of 50% hike in the original fare.

The new structure was aimed at addressing the fare versus freight distortion of the railways that has suffered decades of low investment.

Indias fastest train, Gatimaan Express at 160 kmph, launched

Indias first semi-high speed train, running at a speed of 160 kmph, was introduced on the Indian Railways system from April 5. Railway minister Prabhu flagged off the train, which runs between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Agra Cantonment stations.

In May, the rail ministry said it had sanctioned Rs 17,000 crore to develop Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata as integrated semi high-speed corridors (160-200Kmph). (We) formed National High Speed Corporation to undertake high speed railway construction between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, it said.

High-speed internet at railway stations

In 2016, rail minister Prabhus budget announced unlimited Wi-Fi at over 100 stations. The ministry announced a partnership according to which the American tech giant and the Railways telecom wing, Railtel, were to jointly work to blanket railway stations with Wi-Fi.

In May this year, the rail ministry said it provided high-speed WiFi at more than 130 stations and that it targeted to reach 400 stations by yearend.

First independent cleanliness ranking for railway stations launched; developing an online portal to receive continuous feedback from passengers

Independent regulator Rail Development Authority approved

In April 2017, the Union Cabinet approved the setting up of a regulator  the Rail Development Authority.

Seen as a big reform measure, the regulator was set up to undertake the task of fixing tariffs on the basis of prevailing market prices and other parameters, including the cost of travel.

The RDA has also been entrusted with the task of ensuring fair play and a level playing field for stake-holders/investors in the Indian Railways. It was also to set efficiency and performance standards for the Indian Railways and to bring transparency in the functioning of the state-owned transporter.

Help is just a tweet away

There are several examples of how the railway ministry -- very active on Twitter -- helped passengers in distress through social media.

A female passenger travelling alone in a train in Maharashtra sent out a distress tweet and, at the next, jawans from the Railway Protection Force were waiting to attend to her.

A request on Twitter drew a prompt response from Prabhu who helped a patient in getting his tickets in Dibrugarh Rajdhani confirmed for travel from Jalpaiguri to Delhi.

According to the rail ministrys three-year performance report, it handles 6,500 tweets per day with the help of 24/7 operations via a centrally managed cell. The tweets are classified as critical, non-critical, suggestions and others. For every actionable tweet, a ticket is opened in the system. Critical tweets are communicated via SMS or phone calls. Each ticket is monitored at various stages in the system until resolution. Average response time of less than 30 minutes, the report says.

New Rail Catering Policy announced

In February, as part of a move aimed at improving the quality of meals served to passengers travelling on the 64,500km network of the state-owned transporter, Prabhu empowered the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) with catering responsibilities once again  seven years after Mamata Banerjee had divested the corporation of the job.

In a perceived attempt to enable the transporter to break the cartel of rail contractors, the functions of preparing meals and its onward distribution to train travellers were bifurcated in the new catering policy.



With inputs from agencies
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on disaster prevention and relief in Kyrgyz Republic beginning Thursday during which he will have bilateral meetings with member nations.

During the visit, the home minister is likely to have bilateral meetings with the ministers of some of the SCO member states, an official statement said today.

Founded in 2001, the SCO member countries are: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan, and the bloc is headquartered in Beijing.

When asked whether the home minister will meet his Chinese counterpart, a home ministry spokesperson said as of now no meeting has been fixed.

If Singh meets his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO meeting, it will bear significance as India and China has been engaged in a stand-off at Dokalam near the Sikkim sector.

On Monday, the home minister had said a solution to the ongoing stand-off between India and China at Dokalam would be found soon and hoped that Beijing would make a positive move in this regard.

China, however, on Tuesday said the only way to end the standoff in Dokalam was for India to unconditionally withdraw its troops from the area.

India and Pakistan had joined the SCO, the China- dominated security grouping, in June in Kazakhstan capital Astana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended the summit.

Todays statement said Singh is leading a delegation to attend the 9th meeting of heads of governments of SCO member states to be held at Choplon Ata in Kyrgyz Republic on August 24-25.

The meeting will deal with the prevention and elimination of emergency situations.

The participation of India as SCO member will open the additional opportunities for giving new impetus to the development of international cooperation in the field of protecting the population and territories from emergency situations within the framework of the SCO and will bring it qualitatively new positions in regional and global formats, the statement said.

The meeting will consider and approve the draft action plan for 2018-2019 for the implementation of the agreement between the governments of the SCO member states on cooperation in providing assistance in the elimination of emergency situations, it said.

The Indian delegation includes senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday kept the promise made by its president, former union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, that he would send sugar to the India meteorological department officials if their forecast of revival of monsoon came true.

As Maharashtra witnessed heavy rainfall in the last few days, NCP workers arrived with a sack of sugar at the department in Pune and distributed sugar.

While absence of rains in the first two weeks of August raised spectre of drought, IMD had predicted revival of monsoon in Vidarbha and Marathwada alongwith other areas.

When asked about the same by reporters, Pawar had said in a lighter vein, If this prediction comes true, I will feed sugar from Baramati (his hometown) to the IMDs experts.

Heavy rains were reported from many parts of the state very next day.

Pawar had said if IMD prediction comes true, he will send sugar to IMD. So today we brought sugar from Baramati and distributed it, said Ankush Kakade, NCP spokesperson.
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Agitating students disrupted a sporting event sponsored by the Kashmir police at the government degree college in Anantnag, south Kashmir, on Wednesday. Videos of the incident, which had students setting hoardings and banners ablaze, went viral on the social media.

Sources said students went on the rampage after the national flag was hoisted as part of the event. They later clashed with policemen on the college campus. The students became violent soon after the event began. They set fire to the stage and tents, college principal in-charge AM Dar told HT.

The institute authorities had reportedly asked the police to refrain from holding the event during college hours because it could lead to a law-and-order problem. But the police did not pay any heed to our suggestion that the programme be held after 4 pm, said Dar.

The principal, however, dispelled rumours that students had burnt the Tricolour in the course of the clashes.

Anantnag senior superintendent of police Altaf Khan said the agitation has been quelled, and the event will be conducted without any hiccups. I am here on the campus with other senior officers, and we are going ahead with the event, Khan told HT on Wednesday afternoon.

The police officer, however, said he did not receive any letter from college authorities.

The government degree college at Anantnag, established in 1950, is affiliated to Kashmir University. As many as 5,000 students are enrolled there.

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A week after right-wing activist Rahul Eswar released a controversial video purportedly showing Hadiya Jahan (Akhila Ashokan) arguing with her mother on choice of her faith, her family has filed a complaint against him. Hadiyas marriage with a Muslim man was annulled by the Kerala high court in May.

He (Rahul) has cheated us. He took the video without our knowledge. What is shown in the video is not correct, said father Ashokan, an ex-serviceman. He said the video gave a wrong picture that his daughter continues to live as a Muslim and she was under tremendous pressure.

Being the grandson of Sabariamala thantri (main priest) we gave him some consideration and allowed to visit us. But we never thought he will become a tool in the hands of fundamentalist outfits Ashokan said.

In the complaint field at Vaikkom police station (Kottayam) Ashokan said Rahul exploited the situation and cheated them.

He said he is taking selfies for his personal use and assured us they wont be made public. But he gave the photos and video to the media the next day, he said.

Rahul claimed he shot the video with the knowledge and consent of the family.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Wednesday said unity was the need of the hour to take the party and the AIADMK government forward, amid a threat to his governments stability posed by 18 MLAs loyal to sidelined party deputy chief T T V Dhinakaran.

Senior AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, however, dismissed any threat to the government in the wake of revolt by the 18 MLAs, who have expressed lack of confidence in Palaniswamis leadership.

He said the state government was strong and there was no division in the party.

On yet another day of hectic political developments in the state, Dhinakaran, nephew of jailed AIADMK chief V K Sasikala, sought to assert his authority by stripping four ministers of party posts while MLAs loyal to him continued to stay put in a resort in Puducherry.

DMKs ally Congress pitched for a floor test in the assembly, a day after the Dravidian party made a similar demand claiming 22 AIADMK MLAs had submitted letters to Governor Ch Vidayasagar Rao expressing lack of confidence in the chief minister.

In the 234-member assembly, the AIADMK has 134 MLAs.

Sasikalas brother V Divakaran, meanwhile, claimed the Palaniswami ministry had lost majority and sought his resignation.

Such a government cannot continue. Palaniswami has to resign, he told reporters at Kumbakonam.

Thambidurai told reporters in Chennai that the Tamil Nadu government under the leadership of Palaniswami is strong. There are no divisions, he added.

Palaniswami later made the comments on unity at a government function in Ariyalur where he shared the dais with his deputy O Panneerselvam for the first time after the merger of two AIADMK factions led by them.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of AIADMK founder and late chief minister M G Ramachandran, the two leaders heaped praises on him and late chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

Palaniswami said the recent merger of the two factions was done with the aim of fulfiling the dreams of Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa and expressed joy over todays meeting.

The chief minister, facing an attack from the Dhinakaran camp over the merger, stressed on unity to take the party and government forward.

We should strengthen the party and the government like siblings. That unity is the offering (apparently meaning gratitude) we make to Amma (Jayalalithaa), he said.

He also invoked the legacy of MGR and Jayalalithaa and said they had surmounted various challenges during their tenures and provided good governance, earning a place in the hearts of the people of the state.

None can ever separate the present government and AIADMK from the peoples hearts as long as it is guided by the spirit of the two great leaders and as long as spirit of Amma stood as a source of strength, he said.

Like Jayalalitha, he also narrated a short story of a godman making the residents of a village realise the value of unity.

People will not accept those as leaders who had not done any public service. MGR (Ramachandran) won hearts by public service. Amma later gave shape to his ideas, he said.

In his address at the function, Panneerselvam said Jayalalithaa had turned the AIADMK into an iron fortress which cannot be shaken by anyone.

The sacrifices of Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa should be kept in mind to ensure the well-being of the people of the state and its growth, he added.

A day after meeting the governor, the MLAs supporting the combative Dhinakaran, stayed put at a private resort in neighbouring Puducherry. They largely remained indoors.

A few of them, including Andipatti MLA Thangatamilselvan, went out for morning walk at the beach there.

Police personnel have been deployed outside the resort and media was not allowed to enter the premises.

The local wing of the unified AIADMK burned effigies of Dhinakaran, nephew of Sasikala, near the resort and raised slogans against them.

In a bid to assert his authority, Dhinakaran relieved four ministers -- RB Uthayakumar, KC Veeramani, MR Vijayabaskar and R Kamaraj -- of party posts.

In separate statements, Dhinakaran announced the appointments of his aides to these posts and also relieved the district secretaries of Chennai (South), Kancheepuram, Thiruvallore (West) and Pudukottai of their duties.

In the Dravidian parties hierarchy, district secretaries play a key role in the organisational growth.

Dhinakaran also appointed a number of his supporters to various others posts including that of the organisation secretary, besides expanding the office-bearers list.

The appointments were made with the approval of Sasikala, he said.

The latest shake-up by Dhinakaran comes two days after the merger of the two factions, which has irked his followers.

Under the arrangement, Panneerselvam was made deputy chief minister and the coordinator of the party. Palaniswami was named co-coordinator.

It was also agreed that steps would be taken to expel Sasikala, which was a pre-condition for the merger.

In the wake of differences in the ruling party, the DMK has demanded a floor test in the assembly to prove that the government was in a majority.

In Puducherry, former MLA Om Sakthi Segar led the protest against Sasikala and Dhinakaran and submitted a petition to the district collector and SP asking them to instruct the MLAs to vacate the resort in the larger interest of law and order. PTI SA VIJ COR SS VS TVS ZMN
A controversial Islamic practice that allowed men to divorce their wives by saying the word talaq (divorce) in one go has been banned by the Supreme Court.

The verdict, on Tuesday, was split, with three of the five judges calling the practice arbitrary and unconstitutional, and the other two insisting it was up to lawmakers to deal with it. All the judges, each belonging to a different faith but all of them men, agreed that the practice was discriminatory and undesirable.

Following are the highlights of the views from both groups of judges, and the core issues that were the basis for their divergent views:

Majority view: Justices Kurian Joseph, RF Nariman and UU Lalit

*The practice violates the fundamental right to equality

*The section in the Muslim personal law recognising it is unconstitutional

*It is not integral to Islamic personal law and hence, cannot be protected under right to freedom of religion

Minority view: Chief justice JS Khehar, justice SA Nazeer

*It an age-old practice that is integral to people who follow Islam. Hence, it is protected by the right to freedom of practising a religion of choice

*It is discriminatory

*It can be banned only by intervention of the legislature, not the judiciary

The basis of their differences in opinion can largely be classified into the following:

ISLAMIC ROOTS

The judges who held the majority view said the practice was bad in theology.

Justice Joseph traced the teachings of Quran to say that instant triple talaq was never prescribed in the holy book. He also said the 1937 law that sanctioned it was meant to discontinue practices that were against Sharia.

Merely because a practice has continued for long, that by itself cannot make it valid if it has been expressly declared to be impermissible, Joseph said, disagreeing with the chief justice, who noted that Talaq-e-biddat is a matter of personal law of Sunni Muslims belonging to the Hanafi school and constitutes a matter of their faith....

ARTICLE 14 VERSUS 25

The difference in how the two sides regarded instant triple talaqs place in Islam opened it up to being tested on the basis of constitutional protections.

...it is clear that this form of Talaq is manifestly arbitrary in the sense that the marital tie can be broken capriciously and whimsically by a Muslim man without any attempt at reconciliation so as to save it, Nariman and Lalit said. They held that the practice hence violated Article 14 of the constitution, which guarantees right to equality for all.

The was distinct from justice Khehar and Nazeers view, who said that since instant talaq was practiced for 1,400 years by Sunni Muslims, it satisfied the constraints under Article 25 of the Constitution. Article 25 protects the fundamental right to freedom of religious practices.

THE COURTS PREROGATIVE?

Justices Khehar and Nazeer held that it was not up to the judiciary to determine whether religious practices were prudent or progressive or regressive. Religion and personal law must be perceived, as it is accepted, by the followers of the faith.

They therefore wanted the practice to be dealt with by lawmakers.

When the British rulers in India provided succour to Muslims by legislation, and when remedial measures have been adopted by the Muslim world, we find no reason, for an independent India to lag behind, they said, saying parliament can be given six months to draw up a law to deal with the tradition. Till those six months, the practice can be suspended, they ruled.

Justice Joseph, who was disagreed, expressed his serious doubt over Khehar injuncting a practice that he himself declared to be a Fundamental Right.

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A television news channel reporter and camera person were heckled and hurled abuses at by a group of men at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Tuesday while they were interviewing women after the Supreme Courts verdict on triple talaq.

The men barged into the frame asking India Today reporter, Ilma Hasan, to stop filming in the university premises as she was speaking to the women present there.

The video shows Hasan trying to ward the men off and telling them she had the requisite permission to shoot inside the university. Not satisfied with her response, the men are seen ganging up on Hasan, asking her to call the police.

The video ends with a PCR siren in the background and Hasan asking the men to not be afraid and show their faces, as they had already been caught live on camera.

Rana Safvi, a historian, author and AMU alumni, condemned the behaviour of the students and apologised to Hasan on their behalf.

I totally condemn the terrible behavior of AMU students with @ilmahasan who was reporting on TT for @IndiaToday

As an Alig I apologize  Rana Safvi   (@iamrana) August 22, 2017

According to India Today, Hasan has now registered a police complaint.

You can see the video here:

Twitter stood in solidarity with Hasan, condemning the incident. Sample some reactions:

Bravo @ilmahasan! Don't get intimidated by such goons, irrespective of which religion they belong to..     (@bhartiyabhakt) August 22, 2017

male 'students' at AMU heckle @IndiaToday Ilma Hasan, disgraceful behaviour. AMU should apologise and be ashamed of such male louts!  Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 22, 2017

I totally condemn the terrible behavior of AMU students with @ilmahasan who was reporting on TT for @IndiaToday

As an Alig I apologize  Rana Safvi   (@iamrana) August 22, 2017

Hats off. Bringing change is not easy and you are surely tyrong to bring one. Carry on good work as Change will come  Kunal Bhardwaj (@kunal_1978) August 23, 2017

They are just afraid of smart independent women like Ilma, that's why this is a path breaking judgment, more power to the likes of her  Debudada (@MagnuRex) August 22, 2017
A woman was on Wednesday assaulted, tonsured, paraded around a Bihar village and then externed for allegedly talking to another person with whom she was suspected of having an illicit relationship, police said.

The 32-year-old woman of Barakala in Gaya district has named four villagers in the FIR registered with Kothi police station, about 80km from the Gaya town.

In her complaint, the woman said she was talking to a the man around 8pm on Tuesday when her neighbours started beating her up.

As the man with whom I was talking to fled, the neighbours questioned my character, accused me of having an illicit relationship with him and forced me to go inside my house. Fearing further attacks, I spent a sleepless night with my three minor childrentwo daughters and a son, she said.

They returned to my house on Wednesday morning and assaulted me before leaving me near Ranjeeta hills outside the village, she added.

Her husband had left Barakala three years ago and had not returned since then, she said, adding that the man she was talking to had been a frequent visitor to her house.

Kothi police station SHO Santosh Kumar Singh said efforts were underway arrest the accused. The woman was now under the protection of police, he added.

In the highly conservative and patriarchal societies in Indian villages, women often face such atrocity, most of the time over trivial issues. Women abandoned by their husbands also often face questions on their characters. Activists say, most incidents are not reported to police as the victims fear retaliation later.

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The Yogi Adityanath government has begun cracking the whip on staffers allegedly responsible for the BRD Medical College Hospital tragedy, where over 30 children died due to purported disruption of oxygen supply in a 48-hour period between August 9 and 11.

An official spokesman said criminal cases were being registered against those indicted by the probe committee, headed by chief secretary Rajive Kumar. The panel, also comprising health secretary Alok Kumar and finance secretary Mukesh Mittal, submitted its report to chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday.

BRD principal secretary (medical education) Anita Bhatnagar Jain has been shifted, with additional charge of the department being handed over to principal secretary (revenue department) Rajnish Dubey.

The committee has recommended that criminal cases be registered against hospital officials found guilty of negligence. Action is also likely to be taken against Pushpa Sales, the private company that discontinued oxygen supply to the Gorakhpur official over non-payment of dues amounting to around Rs 67 lakh. Criminal cases are being registered against six persons and entities, including Pushpa Sales, said a senior officer.

Sources said the committee had taken Gorakhpur district magistrate Rajeev Rautelas report into account for filing its own. Rautela had charged former principal Rajiv Mishra and anaesthesia department head Satish Kumar with failing to ensure uninterrupted liquid oxygen supply to the hospital. Chief pharmacist Gajanan Jaiswal was also accused of not maintaining logbooks and stock books for oxygen cylinders.

Among the others held responsible for the tragedy in the district magistrates report were three staff members of the accounts department, who had allegedly failed to process the payment of bills on time, and Dr Kafeel Khan, the official in charge of the encephalitis ward.

The Rajive Kumar-led panel has also charted out an action plan to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
Endangered black bucks have been spotted for the first time in Kotas Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR), indicating congenial conditions of growing prey base in the reserve ahead of first Tigers release by the year-end.

Assistant conservator of forest, MHTR, Kota, Jodhraj Singh Hada told HT that he and the forest staff of MHTR have seen a group of around 50-to-60 black bucks in Sawanbhado, Data and nearby belts within the buffer zone of MHTR.

Hada said he has remained posted in MHTR in the past as well but he has never seen black bucks in the MHTR as black bucks usually resides in grasslands and agricultural fields and not dense forests.

The black bucks sighted inside MHTR appears to have migrated from the nearby agricultural fields of the villages of Kanvas region, he said.

Giving reason behind arrival of the black bucks in the MHTR, Hada said earlier sheep breeders used to pass through the MHTR with their 1 lakh sheep during sheep migration period in monsoon every year while cattle breeders used to do cattle camp with their cattle in the forests of the MHTR till 2-3 years ago but prohibition on such sheep exodus and cattle camps from last couple of years after formation of MHTR have reduced human interference and also reduced pressure of grazing on the forests.

Discontinuation of the cattle camps and sheep exodus have flourished grasslands and greenery in the MHTR which seems to have lured black bucks towards the Tiger Reserve, he said.

Arrival of black bucks in MHTR is a great sign in the direction of consolidation of prey base in MHTR prior proposed tiger reintroduction by this yearend, he said.

The migration of black bucks from agricultural fields to forests of MHTR will certainly also provide relief to the villagers who were troubled due to the onslaught of their crops by the black bucks, he said.

MHTR had around 400 spotted deer and 100 sambhar in the past whose number were increased after recent release of ungulates in MHTR who were brought from different forest areas of Rajasthan.

Around 250 ungulates including mostly spotted deer and sambhar have been released in MHTR in the last few months time.

Abdul Haneef Zaidi of Hadauti Naturalists Society told that spotted deer and sambhar were seen in MHTR so certainly it will be the first time when black bucks are seen in MHTR.

MHTR is the third tiger reserve of Rajasthan announced in the year 2013 by joining wildlife sanctuaries of Kota region including Dara Wildlife sanctuary of Kota, Jawahar Sagar Sanctuary of Bundi, Chambal Ghariyal Sanctuary of Kota and Bundi districtsand some forest blocks of Chittorgarh district.

MHTR is spread in around 759.99 square km area including 417.17 square km of core area and around 342.82 square km buffer area.

At present, there is no tiger in MHTR but the forest department is planning to release a tiger in MHTR by December.
A senior Islamic cleric of the region has announced to file a review petition over the Supreme Courts decision that termed triple talaq as unconstitutional.

We respect the Supreme Courts decision. It is in fact a direction for the government to make a law on triple talaq. We will appeal to the court to reconsider its decision and request the government to refrain from making a law, which is against the belief of people of Muslim community, said Maulana Shahabuddin, chairman, Jamat Raza-e-Mustafa.

We will discuss this issue with lawyers to file the review petition and will even meet the Prime Minister, if needed, he added.

The Jamat is a religious organisation that functions under the aegis of Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat, the most revered shrine for the followers of Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam.

The Dargah took an opposite stand when the central government filed an appeal regarding triple talaq and Uniform Civil Code in the Supreme Court. The clerics considered both the issues as part of religious belief and opposed political interference in the matter. The clerics, when contacted for a comment regarding the SCs decision, declined to comment on the issue.

However, a senior Barelvi cleric said, The clerics have decided to hold a meeting to discuss the issue. A written reaction will be released after the meeting.

Read more| SC verdict accords protection to Muslim personal laws: AIMPLB

On other hand, senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan welcomed the SCs decision. He suggested that the central government must seek advice of Muslim clerics while making a law regarding this matter.

Clerics and scholars of Islamic law are free of any political intervention and talk only for the good of Muslim community. The central government must take their advice before formulating any law regarding triple talaq, said Khan while talking to media persons in Rampur on Tuesday.
Contrary to the common impression, rain has little to do with the flood that is currently wreaking havoc in around two dozen districts of eastern UP, killing around 70 people and affecting more than 20 lakh others so far.

This is the release of excess water from the Nepals overflowing rivers into the rivers in Uttar Pradesh that is to be blamed for the situation. Otherwise, the state has received less rainfall this year as compared to that of the previous year which was declared a drought year.

Ensure 18-hr power supply to villages: CM Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed the energy department to provide adequate electricity to farmers to meet their irrigation needs apparently in view of a deficit rain fall in most of the districts in the state. He instructed the UP Power Corporation Ltd officials to ensure that villages necessarily get 18 hours of electricity per day as per the schedule. If the power supply has to be cut in the night due to an emergency, the loss of supply hours must be compensated in the day, the CM said. Giving this information, energy minister Shrikant Sharma said the department was making additional arrangements for availability of electricity to help farmers meet their irrigation and other needs. The UPPCL is purchasing around 14.4 million units of extra power from the energy exchange every day for this purpose and lack of electricity will not be allowed to hamper agriculture work, the minister said. HTC

We are being hit by Nepal and not rain because a large part of the state is still battling a deficit monsoon, Bhupendra Sharma, engineer-in-chief, irrigation, told HT explaining the reason for the current flood in the state.

He, however, ruled out the possibility of Chinas rivers having their share in the flood. The water released by China into the Brahmaputra affects state like Assam and other adjoining states but not UP, Sharma said.

While the state received only 76.4% of the normal rainfall from June to August this year as against the 99.8% during the corresponding period last year, relief to farmers has come in many ways saving them from the drought-like situation.

First, the pattern of rain this year has been such as there was not a long gap between two rainfalls and second the power supply to private tube wells has been very good this year lessening farmers dependence on the monsoon in the rain deficit districts, agriculture director Gyan Singh said.

A report prepared by the agriculture department shows that 44 of 75 districts in UP have received below normal rainfall between June and August (till August 20).

Three districts namely Pilibhit, GB Nagar and Ghaziabad have received the least rainfall, that is below 40% of the normal and the farmers there are said to be meeting their irrigation needs with the help of private tube wells.

Another 19 districts have received only between 40%-60% of the normal rainfall coming under the highly deficit category. Interestingly, among them also comes the over-flooded Gonda district. As many as 22 districts, including Lucknow, have been categorised as deficit ones as they have received rainfall between 60%-80% of the normal. Only 29 districts, including marooned Gorakhpur, have received normal rainfall, that is, 80%-120% of the normal.

Only Shravasti and Azamgarh districts have received excess rainfall above 120% of the normal against 24 districts that received excess rainfall during the corresponding period last year.

This is why the deficit monsoon leading to intense humidity and heat has increased the electricity demand to more than 20,000 MW these days.

The agriculture department does claim to have achieved the sowing targets despite the deficit monsoon but worries for the irrigation of the crops if the monsoon further weakens.

We are keeping our fingers crossed hoping the monsoon does not weaken further during the next one month, otherwise there may be some problem, the agriculture director said.

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Quigley said: They absolutely apply, you seem to be quite ignorant of the Constitution. Click to expand...

Are you the "token" racist here? Click to expand...

As I've already pointed out several times the Constitution doesn't say anything about people being obligated to tolerate what people say, especially if said speech is hate speech. Sure I'm not allowed to beat someone up, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. The First Amendment is irrelevant here. The only thing the first amendment says is that the government can't censor you for what you say. Period. There's no government censorship going on here.You're the one caping for Nazis lmao. Not me. Cut the ********.
The ministry of human resource development has sent a directive to all colleges/universities/institutions to observe cleanliness fortnight (Swachhta Pakhwada) from September 1 to 15.

According to the UGCs day-wise action plan, the student will observe clean campus day on day one, clean hostel day on day two and green campus day and clean mess day on the next two days.

UGCs day-wise action plan The student will observe clean campus day on day one, clean hostel day on day two and green campus day and clean mess day on the next two days. An essay contest will be held on innovative ways for spreading the message of hygiene. They are also required to care for the surroundings by studying garbage lifting in public spaces. The students will have to visit slums and nearby villages to explain the concept of cleanliness.

An essay contest will be held on innovative ways for spreading the message of hygiene. On clean surroundings day, the students will clean the roads leading to their institution. They are also required to care for the surroundings by studying garbage lifting in public spaces. They will also visit the nearby market to study the cleaning system.

The students will have to visit slums and nearby villages to explain the concept of cleanliness.

Visit to government hospital and studying how hospital waste id disposed of, visit to orphanage and studying the cleaning practice there, meeting with the commissioners are some of the other activities on the list.

The institutions will form a committee of teachers and students for organising these events and ensuring highest participation from the students. A documentation of the activities may be maintained at institutional level, which may be placed on social media.

The government has also announced a nationwide essay competition on What I can do for a Clean India, as well as a short film competition. The last date for entries to these competitions is September 8. The winning entries from the institute level essay competition and members of the film clubs may be asked to participate in the competitions proposed by the ministry of drinking water and sanitation.

Accordingly, keeping in view the importance of the issue and to make the Swachhta Pakhwada a success, the vice chancellors have been asked to undertake the activities in their universities and also ensure the participation of affiliated colleges.
Uttar Pradesh governments Muslim face Mohsin Raza spoke to HT on the significance of the SC order on triple talaq. In an interview with Manish Chandra Pandey, he blamed the All India Muslim Personal Law Board(AIMPLB) and the Congress for keeping quiet on the exploitation of Muslim women for so long.

Excerpts:

Do you see the triple talaq order as an endorsement of Modi governments stand on the issue?

Why talk of political endorsement. Its a historic order that would liberate our sisters from the exploitation they suffered for so long. And who made them suffer? It was the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and the Congress that refused to act against this exploitation for obvious reasons. Remember how the then Congress government circumvented an SC judgement in the Shah Bano case through an act in 1986. Thats how Muslim women were made to suffer for vote bank reasons.

It was Prime Minister Modi who had first taken up the issue in a political rally in Bundelkhand. Is that the reason why the BJP appears so jubilant at the court decision?

As a Muslim I would thank PM Modi from the bottom of my heart for raising an issue that all politicians and political parties were afraid of touching. Now, you would see how life changes for our sisters who were divorced on phone, over e-mail and on whatsapp!

Thats why I asked if you see the decision as a political endorsement of Modi governments stand?

As you know, Modiji raised it first and we also mentioned it in our UP manifesto. We had promised to help Muslim women and by putting forth their views before the apex court we kept our word. See, triple talaq as it was being practised was neither a part of shariyat nor the constitution.

But you are unusually harsh on AIMPLB. Why is that so?

There is a reason. How can an NGO that the AIMPLB actually is be so powerful that it started influencing decisions, being oblivious to exploitation of women?

To be fair, AIMPLB had talked of discouraging the practice of instant divorce. Then why be so critical of them?

They started looking within only when they realised that their tactics to suppress Muslim women wont work any longer. In fact, I would say that if the Board still refuses to see reason after the SC order and remains rigid, then it should be banned. In fact, both the Board and Congress must apologise to Muslim women.

What do you make of demands that any proposed legislation on triple talaq must be enacted keeping shariyat in mind?

Dont you think the SC order would have kept Shariyat in mind while making a decision. Our only guide is the holy Quran and it doesnt say anything on triple talaq as was being practised. The SC heard all the parties before making the decision. Whats the point of any debate now?

Would the stand help BJP reach out to Muslim women?

We never looked at it from that point of view. But if they do, we will be happy.

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Members of Shia and Sunni sects of the Muslim community joined hands on Tuesday to celebrate the Supreme Court verdict on instant riple talaq.

The clerics also hailed the judgment but added that any more interference by the government in Islamic law (Shariah) would not be tolerated.

It is a good move but it seems to be the beginning of interference in Shariah. No political interference in Islamic law will be tolerated, said Sunni cleric and member of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali.

Read more| Bareilly: Cleric to file review petition over court order

What would happen if one gives talaq in six months time? What would be the quantum of punishment for those who give talaq in this vacuum period? he asked.

Shia cleric and secretary of the All-India Shia Sunni Ulama Front Maulana Habib Haider said AIMPLB should have banned the triple talaq earlier to save many families.

Triple talaq is nowhere mentioned in the holy book. I am happy with Supreme Court judgment, he said.
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday okayed a scheme to improve regional connectivity and connect 15 divisional headquarters with Lucknow by air service with a ticket of Rs 2,500 per passenger.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over meeting of state cabinet that also approved a scheme to provide incentives to check power theft. An incentive of 10 per cent of penalty recovered will be given to the informer and 10 per cent of the penalty to the raiding party.

INCENTIVE TO CHECK POWER THEFTS Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over meeting of state cabinet that also approved a scheme to provide incentives to check power theft. An incentive of 10 per cent of penalty recovered will be given to the informer and 10 per cent of the penalty to the raiding party.

Briefing media persons, minister for medical and health Siddharth Nath Singh said the central government had formulated the scheme to provide viability gap funding (VGF) to ensure a ticket of Rs 2,500 for less than an hour journey routes. He said a decision in this regard was taken on the basis of a survey conducted at the behest of state government.

Under the scheme, 20-seater aircraft would be deployed for air service to connect the 15 divisional headquarters with Lucknow. Barring Kanpur (nearest airport Lucknow) and Basti (nearest airport Gorakhpur), the air service will be launched to connect all the divisional headquarters to Lucknow. Although a ticket for less than an hour journey would cost Rs 4,500, a sum of Rs 2,500 per passenger will be charged.

The union government would provide Rs 1,600 while the state government would give Rs 400 for 10 seats. For remaining 10 seats the state government would provide Rs 2,000 per seat.

Singh said the state cabinet also decided to ensure zero tax on the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) for 10 years. The state government will also provide security and fire brigade facility at the airports and there will be no charges for parking for aircraft for three years.

An office space of 100 square metres will be provided free of charge for three years to operators at the airports.

TEACHERS RECRUITMENT

The state cabinet decided to do away with the prevailing system of preparation of merit list by Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Education (training graduate category) Service Rules. The recruitment on 9,342 posts of teachers will be made through a written examination and there would be no interview.

SUBSIDY FOR SPRINKLERS

The cabinet decided to provide subsidy to promote use of sprinklers for irrigation. It decided to provide 90 per cent subsidy to small and marginal farmers and 80 per cent subsidy to others.

WAQF TRIBUNAL

The cabinet approved amendment to section 83 of the Waqf Act to shift waqf tribunal from Rampur to Lucknow. Under the act two tribunals had been set up at Rampur and Lucknow in 2014.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the apex body of Muslim clerics that opposes the ban on triple talaq, welcomed Tuesdays Supreme Court judgement saying it accords protection to Muslim personal laws.

The top court struck down the controversial Islamic instant divorce law as arbitrary and unconstitutional on Tuesday.

We, as a representative body, welcome the judgement of Supreme Court since it accords the protection to Muslim personal law and says that personal laws cannot be tested on the grounds of violation of fundamental rights. The majority (comprising Chief Justice JS Kehar and justice Abdul Nazeer with Justice Kurian Joseph agreeing) has accorded personal laws the status of fundamental rights being protected under the right to practice religion contained in Article 25, the Board said in an official statement.

This is a huge victory for us as the judgement vindicates our stand and ensures that fundamental rights of citizens of this country to freely practise and profess their religious beliefs, it said.

As far as talaq-e-biddat is concerned we had already submitted to the court that the practice, though has basis in religious texts and belief, is not the best way of pronouncing talaq, the board said.

We ourselves have taken steps to discourage this practice through reform programmes and model form of Nikahnama issued by the Board, it said.

The AIMPLB had on May 22, 2017 informed the court that about issuing instructions to clerics, who solemnise the marriage, to include the provision of excluding the triple-talaq in one sitting (talaq-e-biddat) in the nikahnama (contract) at the time of wedding. It had also launched a signature campaign seeking non-interference in Muslim personal law.

The Board said it will meet in Bhopal on September 10 to discuss the Supreme Court verdict striking down instant triple talaq and chalk out its strategy

The Supreme Court verdict cannot be misused by the government to try to interfere with personal laws through legislation, the statement said.

The Board has convened a meeting in Bhopal where we would examine the issue and plan the steps, if any, that will be taken next, AIMPLB general secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani told HT over phone.

The Board had opposed the move to ban triple talaq. In April this year, it issued an eight-point code of conduct to prevent the misuse of the practice and other Islamic laws (Shariah) to pre-empt an adverse verdict from the apex court.

WILL SUPPORT AIMPLB STAND ON TRIPLE TALAQ VERDICT: DEOBAND

Reacting cautiously on the Supreme Courts verdict on instant triple talaq, Islamic seminary Darul Uloom of Deoband on Tuesday said it would support the stand of the AIMPLB on the issue.

Mohtamim (vice-chancellor) of the seminary Mufti Abul Kasim Nomani said he was not aware of the details of the Supreme Court order and added that Darul Uloom would support the collective opinion of the Board.

The issue is related to the Muslim personal law. The Board will hold a meeting to decide the future course of action, he said.

Naib mohtamim (deputy vice-chancellor) Maulana Abdul Khaliq Sambhali said: In my opinion, no one has the right to interfere in the Shariat.

State president of the All-India Imam Association Mufti Zulfikar said they were studying the Supreme Courts order and would form an opinion on the advice of Islamic and legal experts.

(With inputs from S Raju in Meerut)
After nine years, Lt Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit,an accused in the Malegaon blasts case, was released on bail from Taloja Central jail in Navi Mumbai today.

Purohit is being taken to the Army headquarters at Colaba in Mumbai.

The officer has been accused of providing explosives for the September 29, 2008 attack in Malegaon that killed six people.While the Bombay high court rejected his bail plea last year, the Supreme Court granted him bail on Monday.

A convoy of army vehicles took him out of the jail. Some of his relatives also accompanied him.

Army vehicle outside the jail. (Bachchan Kumar)

Purohits bail, opposed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which is probing the 2008 attack, came months after the acquittal of Swami Aseemanand and six others in the bombing of the Ajmer Sharif mausoleum in Rajasthan a year earlier.

Sadananda Gaikward, SP of Taloja Central jail, said, We have released Purohit and he wont have to come back to the jail for clearing any formality. We have no idea where he is being taken.

While Purohit did not speak to the media at the time leaving the jail, he said the Army had not let him down while being taken to the sessions court on Tuesday. The army did not let me down. I have full faith in the army, my colleagues and my regiment, he said, during his brief interaction with media outside the special NIA court.

I am very happy and want to return to my two families. One family is my army and my colleagues and second is my family  my mother, wife, sons and two dogs. I want to wear my uniform, I am wedded to it. I am very happy to get back into the service of the best organisation in the country if not the world, the Indian army, Purohit said.

Sources from the jail told Hindustan Times that he will be later taken to Pune. He will be taken either to his residence or to his office where he was posted back in 2008.

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The Mumbai Congress has demanded resignation of state housing minister Prakash Mehta and industries minister Subhash Desai, who are battling corruption charges, and education minister Vinod Tawde for the delay in Mumbai university exam results. A delegation led by Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam met Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.

Nirupam said that Mehta as the housing minister had taken many illegal decisions related to slum redevelopment projects and favoured builders.

He said that the major reason for disruption in the legislature during monsoon session was corruption charges against Mehta and other ministers. He said that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government had not taken the Opposition seriously on the issue. Nirupam told Rao that the Congress had approached him as the state had failed to take any action against the ministers.

He later said that the governor has assured to look into the allegations. The delegation also handed over documents related to allegation against the three minister. The governor assured appropriate action against them, said Nirupam.

Nirupam raps CM over metro car shed

Nirupam on Wednesday reiterated that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis wanted to develop the 30-hectare of land allotted for the Metro-3 carshed at Aarey Milk Colony as a commercial area

He also said the CMO wrongly claimed that the plot was not a forest land

We have a court order, the collectors note and the MMRCs map showing the plot is a forest land. The MMRC wrote in December 2015 for the FSI of 3 for commercial development of the land, he said.

The CMO called the allegations baseless and based on inadequate study.

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The Bombay high court on Wednesday said that the investigating agencies should use modern methods in their attempts to trace two suspects involved in the murders of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and CPI leader Govind Pansare.

After perusing reports submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the state Special Investigation Team (SIT), the division bench of justice SC Dharmadhikari and justice Vibha Kankanwadi said that keeping track of relatives and close friends of the two absconding accused in Dr. Narendra Dabholkar murder case was not the only way to track them.

These persons have firm roots in the society, said the bench while hearing petitions filed by the family members of the deceased. They must be getting financial support and funding, otherwise, it would be impossible for a person to continue to hide for such a long period, it added.

This (murder) is not an act committed by a person or two, said the bench, adding that, The reports indicate that this is a completely organised set up. Judges said the investigating agencies should try to track down the financial support and the funding in their pursuit of the two wanted accused.

Special counsel for the state, Ashok Mundargi, responded saying that the accused must have some backing. Backing has to be there, in fact there must be a solid back up, he said and added that the investigating machinery will employ all the resources to track them down once the agencies zero down on their whereabouts.

However, the bench insisted that You will have to trace their financial support and funding... every bank, ATMs, the judges added. The judges said the agencies should track down the money trail in order to reach the absconding duo - Sarang Akolkar and Vinay Pawar, who according to the CBI gunned down Dabholkar, a prominent anti-superstition crusader.

Dabholkar was shot dead in Pune on August 20, 2013, while Pansare was shot in Kolhapur on February 16, 2015 and succumbed to his injuries four days later. While the CBI is probing the Dabholkar murder, a special investigating team of the state police is investigating killing of the CPI leader.

Petitioners counsel, advocate Abhay Nevagi, complained that the investigating agencies had made mockery of the law. He pointed out that more than four years have passed after Dr. Dabholkar was killed and two-and-half years after Pansares killing, but still the investigating agencies are headed nowhere.

This court has spent 22 hours hearing these petitions and the orders passed by this court now run beyond 100 pages and the investigating agencies are filing one status report after the other, said Nevagi urged the court to make some senior bureaucrat responsible for the probe in the high-profile murder cases, and unless that was done situation will not improve.

The court has now asked him to put his grievances on an affidavit in two weeks.
Giving credit card details to earn 9,000 bonus points, cost a 38-year-old architecture consultant Rs28,000.

According to the police, a man posing as bank official called the Andheri resident on August 8. He congratulated her for winning reward points for making credit card transactions. He said the bank had offered her 9,000 reward points  which means Rs9,000 would be credited to her bank account.

He asked for her credit card details and the one-time password (OTP) as part of the verification process.

Within a few minutes, the woman received two messages on her mobile phone stating money has been debited from her account. When the woman questioned him about it, he said they could not deposit the money owing to a technical error.

The fraudster then then asked her if she had another credit card which could be used to deliver the money. The woman gave the details and OTP of the second card as well and lost money in two more transactions.

In all, she lost Rs 28,000 to the fraud.

She then realised that she was being conned and disconnected the phone call.

An FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the IPC and IT Act.
Lt Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit,an accused in the Malegaon blasts case, who was granted bail after nine years, was released on bail from Taloja Central jail in Navi Mumbai today. The police on Monday arrested a 30-year-old man, who stalked a woman and winked at her. While there is a mad rush for Ganpati on trains, the police have asked agencies to be on alert to prevent Barcelona-like attacks. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, meanwhile, said BJP won the Mira-Bhayander elections because of money and muni.

Our top five picks:

1. Malegaon blast accused Lt Colonel Shrikant Purohit out on bail after 9 years

After nine years, Lt Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit,an accused in the Malegaon blasts case, was released on bail from Taloja Central jail in Navi Mumbai today. The officer has been accused of providing explosives for the September 29, 2008 attack in Malegaon that killed six people.While the Bombay high court rejected his bail plea last year, the Supreme Court granted him bail on Monday.

2. Mumbai man stalks woman, winks at her, gets thrashed at railway station

A 30-year-old man was thrashed at Kalyan railway station on Monday for allegedly stalking a woman and winking at her. One of the commuters shot a video on the mobile, which has gone viral. The alleged accused, Surendra Lalbahadur Gautam,30, hails from Uttar Pradesh, but has been living in Pisavli in Kalyan for the past few years.

The ST buses for Konkan led to traffic snarls at Dadar. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

3. Ganpati time: Mad rush on Tejas Express, other trains leading to Konkan

If you plan to visit Goa by Tejas Express or any other train, think twice. All Goa- and Konkan-bound trains on the Konkan railway are full for the next two weeks owing to Ganesh Chaturthi. Tejas Express, which was running almost empty for the past two months, is now full, despite the tickets being costlier. The waiting list for the executive class of Tejas has crossed 10, while for the chair car it has crossed 35.

4. Shiv Sena MP compares Jain leader to Zakir Naik, says BJP won because of money and muni

The Shiv Sena filed a complaint with the state election commission against a Jain leader who urged the community to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Mira-Bhayander elections to create a meat-free society. Shiv Senas Sanjay Raut, Member of Parliament (MP) from the Rajya Sabha, equated the Jain monk, Naypadmasagarji Maharaj, to televangelist Zakir Naik, calling poison for society at large.

5. Be alert during Ganpati, Mumbai police tell BMC, MMRDA

Review the area under your jurisdiction and identify spots vulnerable to terror attacks using vehicles, this is the Mumbai polices diktat to agencies namely the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), MMRDA and others, in the wake of the Barcelona strike
I'm disgusted by all of these fake hipster Communist tools who tolerate Islamism. Look up what actual Marxists had to say about Islamists. Start with Tarek Fatah for a good example.



There is no difference between a rich land owner and a mullah. Except that the land owner exercises his power as his state given privilege where as the mullah stupefies the illiterate peasantry into thinking that he has God given rights over them, which only he can know and interpret.



The more literate these hipsters are the more stupid they become, such irony.
If you plan to visit Goa by Tejas Express or any other train, think twice.

All Goa- and Konkan-bound trains on the Konkan railway are full for the next two weeks owing to Ganesh Chaturthi.

Tejas Express, which was running almost empty for the past two months, is now full, despite the tickets being costlier. The waiting list for the executive class of Tejas has crossed 10, while for the chair car it has crossed 35.

According to the railway officials, the occupancy of Tejas Express had dropped to less than 25% last month, but it has picked up since last week.

Special ST buses for Konkan at Kurla depot on Tuesday. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

The train is expected to go full for the next 15 days. There will be a drop in the ridership till Diwali vacations, said a source.

The bookings for other trains namely Konkan Kanya, Tutari Express, Janshatabdi, Mandovi express, Nethravati and Matsyagandha express, too, are full.

The waiting list for JanShatabdi Express has crossed 400 for chair cars.

Railway authorities plan to run 250 Ganpati special trains for Konkan from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune and other parts.

A majority of these trains will run from Mumbai, but you wont get no confirmed seats on these special trains too till the weekend.

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Uncovered wells around forests have killed around 1,500 animals in Maharashtra in the past 10 years, according to data from Wildlife SOS, a wildlife conservation group.

A case in point could be last weeks incident, wherein a golden jackal fell into an uncovered 10-foot-deep well in Junnar. He was pulled out safely by a team from Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre, which has rescued 42 animals from open wells at Junnar, Ambegaon, Khed and Shirur between 2016 and 2017.

Not just jackals, leopards, wolves, jungle cats, civets, and a Sambar deer, too, have been rescued from such wells in Junnar forests near Pune over the past two years.

With people living close to forest areas, there is no buffer zone between the habitat of animals and farms located close to them, said Dr Ajay Deshmukh, senior veterinarian, MLRC. In search of food, water and territory, the animals venture outside the forest, putting them at a risk of falling into these uncovered wells.

A pregnant leopard being rescued by Wildlife SOS. (HT)

With eight instances of leopards falling into wells in forests along the Sahyadri mountain range in 2016, the Wildlife SOS has started an online petition in March, asking Pune district collector to get the wells covered or fenced.

The revenue department needs to make construction of safety walls around wells mandatory, said Deshmukh.

The rescue operation in progress. (HT)

Officials from the state forest division said the village eco-development committee  wherein villagers participate in protection measures, patrolling, anti-poaching activities  has begun fencing wells as a temporary measure.

We are in talks with the revenue department to make the rule stringent. With support from local villagers, the cases should reduce by the end of this year, said a senior official from the forest department.

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Asmita Kubal, a third-year BSc (statistics) student from Khalsa College, Matunga, almost lost out on the opportunity to secure her post-graduation (PG) seat even though she has scored 97% and is probably the topper. Kubals result was withheld till Tuesday by the University of Mumbai (MU) owing to a missing paper.

The varsity had lost her Operational Research Technique paper in the digital stack of more than 17.5 lakh scanned answer papers. She is one of the 2,000-odd BSc students who didnt get their results owing to the technical glitches in MUs on-screen assessment process.

Kubal, who wants to pursue MSc at the varsitys department of statistics, was afraid she may lose out on admission to the course, despite performing well in the examination, as the last date for admission was August 21. I was very upset as I was about to lose a year. I had worked very hard for the examination. And I didnt get much help from the universitys help desk, she said.

The varsity later extended the deadline to August 31. The merit list wont be issued until the last result is out, assured an official from the varsitys post-graduation (PG) department.

A resident of Worli village, Kubal has lost her father, and her mother makes ends meet by doing menial jobs. She topped her class at Khalsa College in the first as well as the second year of the course. She was hoping to get at least 95% marks in the final exam.

With little help from the varsity, she got in touch with Pradeep Sawant, an activist from Shiv Senas Yuva Sena, who was a former member of MUs senate. Sawant approached the varsity authorities, who went out of their way to issue her a mark sheet.

We were able to trace her paper by around 7pm on Monday. We, then, called a teacher to get the paper assessed in the evening, but he couldnt do so. The paper was finally evaluated around 10:30am on Tuesday. It then underwent moderation. The mark sheet was finally printed around 3pm and handed over to Kubal, said Vinod Malale, deputy registrar, heading MUs help desk.

The help desk, set up in the wake of an unprecedented delay in declaring results, is tasked with expediting the results of students who need them urgently for higher education and job opportunities. The varsity has appointed a five-member task force to help these students. So far, the varsity has issued results of 1,200 out of 1,500 students who approached the help desk, on a priority basis.

MU saw a huge delay in results of the examinations held in the first half owing to its decision to adopt an on-screen assessment system. The delay has affected thousands of students.

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Fearing loss of time to complete pending syllabus, many city colleges are planning to hold extra lectures on Sundays in September. With the upcoming five-day break for Ganesh festival, and the on-going assessment mess, colleges feel teachers will have very little time to focus on academics this semester.

We cant cut down the Ganpati holidays as they have been scheduled to the academic calendar by the university form the beginning of the year. Our only choice is to conduct extra lectures after Ganpati holidays to make up for lost time, said Anju Kapoor, principal of UPG College, Vile Parle. She added that many of their students are not from Mumbai and have already booked tickets to visit their hometown between August 25 and August 29. We cant conduct extra lectures now, so the plan is to wait until the break is over and then conduct lectures if needed, she added.

Following orders by the governor and chancellor of all state universities, Ch Vidyasagar Rao in the first week of July, MU had called for a one-week break for all degree college students so that teachers can focus on assessment work. B.Com students were given a break of almost nine days as maximum answer booklets pending for evaluation were from the commerce faculty.

Some colleges are planning extra lectures on Sundays in order to give teachers more time to complete the pending syllabus. We had made sure that teachers who dont teach third year classes continue taking lectures while the others reported for assessment duty. While first and second year lectures have been conducted as per schedule, many teachers from the self-finance courses are struggling to complete the syllabus so extra lectures on Sundays is the only way out for them, said Sobhana Vasudevan, principal of R N Podar College, Matunga.

On Tuesday evening, a meeting between university officials was called for to discuss the need for a five-day break for Ganpati festival. However, no official statement has been released by the university about change in the schedule. As of now, the five-day break remains, just as it was mentioned in the academic calendar released at the start of the academic year. Changes, if any, will be communicated to colleges on Thursday, said Leeladhar Bansod, public relations officer, MU.

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A 30-year-old man was thrashed at Kalyan railway station on Monday for allegedly stalking a woman and winking at her.

One of the commuters shot a video on the mobile, which has gone viral.

The alleged accused, Surendra Lalbahadur Gautam,30, hails from Uttar Pradesh, but has been living in Pisavli in Kalyan for the past few years.

The woman is a homemaker.

When the woman was checking the indicator, the accused started staring at her. He even winked at her. She ignored him, but he followed her after which she confronted him, said a police officer from Kalyan government Railway police (GRP).

Seeing the ruckus, a few other commuters joined in and thrashed the accused. He was later handed over to the police.

The officer added, We have registered a molestation case against the accused. We have seen the video which has gone viral. The accused is in police custody and under investigation.

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One of the two minors booked in connection with the kidnapping and murder and of a four-year-old girl from Dongri in December 2016 will now be prosecuted as an adult before the sessions court.

On Tuesday evening, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) held that the murder was heinous and that according to amended provisions of the Indian Penal Code, minors between 16 and 18 years can be prosecuted as adults in regular courts, if they are accused in connection with crimes such as rape and murder.

The prosecution said the girl, Zumeda Mumtaz Khan, a resident of Sharbatwala Building in Donkan Road, went missing on December 5. Her body was discovered on December 24.

Police said the two boys were 16 and 17 at the time of the murder. They took the girl to the 17-year-olds house and used chloroform on her. They panicked after her nose started bleeding, and strangled her with a mobile charger.

The duo wrapped her body in a sack and placed it in the opposite building. They also demanded a ransom amount from the girls parents.

A case was registered with JJ Marg police, who arrested the minors. The prosecution alleged that the 17-year-old lived in the same building as the girl and had kidnapped her for money.

The board held that the crime committed by the accused was heinous. However, it only allowed one of the accused to be prosecuted as major and rejected our plea that the other accused be prosecuted in the same way, said special public prosecutor Shishir Hirey

Hirey said he would wait for the copy of the JJBs order and consider appealing before a higher forum.
A busy street, teeming crowds and tourists taking selfies, what do these words remind you of? Mumbais Marine Drive, Ganpati immersion spots at Worli and Juhu, or even Barcelona, which recently fell prey to a terror attack, killing at least 10 people.

With 14 vehicle attacks  wherein an ISIS terrorist mows down people under his speeding vehicles  at crowded spots across Europe in two years, the Mumbai police want the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and state government to take steps to secure its popular hangout avenues along the coast.

The entry points to beaches at Worli, Juhu, Versova and promenades at Bandra and Marine Drive get thousands of visitors  from yoga enthusiasts, runners to tourists  every day.

The ten-day Ganpati festival, which starts on Friday, will add to the number of visitors at the immersion spots and popular pandals in Girgaum, Dadar, Worli, Versova, Malad and Gorai.

While the police have beefed up security for the festival, how can we prevent such attacks?

By installing bollards to reduce the speed of a vehicle as the first line of defence, say police.

Deven Bharti, joint commissioner of police (law and order), said they have asked written to the state and BMC asking them to secure areas along the sea coast.

This is not the first instance where the Mumbai police have raised concerns based on terror attacks in other parts of the world.

During Ganpati last year, the Mumbai police had conducted a check on truck drivers after a terror attack in Nice, France. ISIS had claimed the responsibility of the Nice attack last July, wherein a truck crashed into 86 people celebrating Bastille Day.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations (BMC) ambitious coastal road project has reached the final stage of tendering process. Senior civic officials said the request for proposal (RFP) will be issued by this week, post which, the companies qualified can submit their technical and financial bids.

On Tuesday, the civic chief gave his nod to invite RFPs from qualified bidders, senior civic officials confirmed. BMC has finalised November 21 as the deadline to finalise the contractor who will be handling phase -1 of the ambitious coastal road project. Post which, BMC is hoping to start work on-ground by early 2018.

The Rs15,000 crore project will connect Mumbais western suburbs to the island city.

The distance currently takes an estimated three hours for motorists. Meant to ease traffic, the project will be a combination of under-sea tunnels, elevated roads and road on reclaimed land.

For phase - 1 from Princess Street flyover to Bandra-Worli sea link, BMC has estimated reclaiming 90 hectares. The entire stretch will be 29.2 kms long.

A senior civic official said, We had 17 bidders who had participated in the request for qualification (RFQ) process held in November 2016. Of which, the qualified companies will be asked to submit their proposals for the final round. The companies disqualified in the process will be sent an explanation from BMC, the official said.

Officials, however, refused to divulge details on the number of companies who have qualified for the final process.

Once they qualify the technical criteria, the lowest financial bidder will be selected to execute the project. The bidders for the mega project of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government include six international and five Indian companies. Some of the well-known companies that have bid for the project also include Reliance, HCC and L&T. The project recently got a final nod from the Central governments Ministry of Environment.

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Mumbais encounter specialist, Pradeep Sharma, was posted to the Thane police on Wednesday.

A police source said Sharma was most likely to be the senior police inspector in the Thane crime branch. On Wednesday, Sharma reported to Thane police commissionerates office and met the senior-most police officers there, as part of protocol.

He spoke to senior officers and also filled a joining form, said a senior police officer from Thane commissionerate.

In a career spanning 25 years in the citys police force, Sharma killed 113 underworld gangsters.

Sharma, who has also been an inspiration for many Bollywood films, was dismissed from service in August 2008.

The government had invoked section 311 of the Constitution against him, following several months of departmental action, including departmental inquiries, suspension for prolonged periods, and even a transfer to a remote district in Maharashtra, which Sharma refused to take up citing health grounds.

His ouster followed reports that he was allegedly in touch with the underworld, and after his name cropped up in the 2006 Lakhan Bhaiyya fake encounter case.

Later, in 2010, Sharma was arrested for his involvement in the case, but was acquitted of all charges by a Mumbai court in July 2013.

Since then, Sharma had wanted to be reinstated, said police sources. He was finally reinstated by the Maharashtra government on August 16.

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The Supreme Court verdict on instant triple talaq as unlawful and unconstitutional has been largely welcomed. Conservative Muslims and organisations such as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, expectedly, have issues with it.

It is a step  although a small one  in ensuring Muslim womens right to justice. The abhorrent practice of instant and irrevocable divorce  talaq-e-biddat  should have been outlawed decades ago.

The initial joy swiftly gave way to a closer and less-enthusiastic reading of the judgment: It was a narrowly split verdict of 3:2, one of the five all-male panel of judges took recourse to theology and held it anti-Islamic, dissenting judges stated that triple talaq was a part of the right to religion under Article 25, and personal laws now stand elevated to the status of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

There will be debates on whether the Supreme Court did all it could to uphold fundamental rights, to enlarge the scope of gender justice and equality. But for the five brave women who had taken their personal battles against instant triple talaq to the court, against advice from families and community elders, the judgment is a relief  never mind its complications and questions.

Shayara Bano and Afreen Rehman were divorced by speed-post letters, Gulshan Parveen got her talaqnama on a Rs10 stamp paper, Ishrat Jahan heard the dreaded talaq-talaq-talaq words over a phone call, and Atiya Sabri got a scribbled note of divorce. The three words fundamentally changed their lives. Dozens of womens organisations supported them in the court battle.

More than half a century ago, in Mumbai, seven women had displayed similar courage in bringing the pernicious practice of triple talaq into the public domain. All victims of the practice, they had been persuaded by the author and social reformer, the late Hamid Dalwai, to send out a strong message to the government and society at large against triple talaq, polygamy and nikah-halala.

On April 18, 1966, under his organisation Sada-e-Nisvan, this group had marched to Mantralaya to hand over a memorandum to the then Maharashtra chief minister Vasantrao Naik. A copy was sent to the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Give justice to Muslim women read the Marathi placard that Dalwai held. Other placards said: Ban polygamy and We demand common civil law. The group had condemned the Ulema, or Muslim clergy.

Dalwai, influenced by socialist and progressive thought, would set up the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal in March 1970.

He had drawn inspiration from the legendary 19th century social reformer Jotiba Phules Satyashodhak Mandal.

Socialist reformers in Pune such as Bhai Vaidya supported Dalwai as he worked with individual Muslim women and the community to rid it of unequal practices and push for education.

Dalwai was, according to historian Ramachandra Guha who included him in the book Makers of Modern India, among the last modernists.

The movement against triple talaq has its roots in that revolutionary Mumbai march, believes Dr Shamshuddin Tamboli who studied Dalwais work for his doctorate. Dalwais close associate in Pune, Sayyad Mehboob Shah Qadri known popularly as Sayyadbhai, has spoken about how Dalwai, his wife Mehrunissa and he were subjected to physical and verbal attacks by reactionary and conservative sections among Muslims.

In 1970, as the group began holding meetings of triple talaq victims, Sayyadbhai recalled, a few religious fanatics would organise counter-rallies of thousands against Dalwai. These fanatics formed the All India Muslim Personal Law Protection Committee in 1971, Tamboli explained, and, in 1973, it was registered as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the same body which has been arguing that triple talaq is a valid way to end marriage.

The Mandal welcomed the Supreme Court judgment but wants to see Parliament enact law that makes talaq-e-biddat punishable, and going forward, introduce a common civil law. That is another battle altogether, a more difficult and complicated one.

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The Bombay high court recently rejected the plea for compensation filed by family of a railway passenger who died while attempting to board a running train.

Gautam Kamble died to on January 21, 2012 while trying to board the Purna-Hyderabad passenger train from Latur Road station.

After his death, his family  wife Pushpa and son Suyog - approached the Railway Accident Claims Tribunal at Nagpur, seeking Rs8 lakh compensation for the untoward incident.

On December 8, 2015, the tribunal rejected their claim, holding that it was not an untoward incident as Kamble attempted to board the train after it gained momentum, knowing it was unsafe.

The tribunal said that it was not necessary for Kamble, a vendor at the railway station, to board and he could have waited for another train to carry on with his job.

Justice SB Shukre upheld the order of the tribunal, saying, The tribunal has rightly held that the accidental fall of the deceased did not amount to untoward incident as defined under Section 123 (C)(2) of the Railways Act and therefore, the appellants are not entitled to receive any compensation.
The Navi Mumbai traffic department is distributing passes of toll exemption among the people who will travel to the Konkan region from the city during Ganpati.

The residents can avail this passes by showing their driving licences and RC books. They will get toll exemptions on Mumbai-Pune Expressway by showing this pass from Wednesday to Friday.

However, this passes are not valid for the people who will return from Konkan to the city during this time. They have to pay toll as usual. The exemption is only for going, said a senior police officer.

Thousands of people travel to their hometowns in Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Sangli, Ahmad Nagar and other places of the state from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai during Ganpati.

The condition of the Mumbai-Goa highway is not so good. The road widening work is also going on at several places. The motorists have been provided with this toll exemption so that more and more people use the Mumbai-Pune Expressway during this time, another officer said.

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Eighteen organisations from Mumbai who had petitioned the Supreme Court against triple talaq hailed Tuesdays Supreme Court judgement, which struck down the practice calling it unconstitutional.

They said that the Supreme Court order was a victory for womens rights. They had been fighting for women rights for the past 40 years, said the petitioners.

I am happy that the top court has taken cognisance of Muslim womens issue, and I am hoping that it will be finally implemented, said Hasina Khan, petitioner from Bebaak Collective.

When asked if she faced issues for raising her voice against religious practices, she said people often confused religion with personal laws.

My rights are different from my faith. Triple talaq is an inequality towards women of the community, it shouldnt be practiced. Similarly, Hindu personal law is different from Hinduism, so is the case with triple talaq and Islam, said Khan.

The spokesperson of All-India Shia Personal Law Board, Maulana Yasoob Abbas, said there was no mention of the concept of instant triple talaq in Quran. The Prophet will be happy with the Supreme Court order and Muslim women will not have to live in a constant worry of their marriage being terminated, said Abbas.

The next course of action?

Now, the petitioners said they would request Members of Parliament to quickly pass a legislation banning triple talaq.

They added they would also lobby to annul practises which are prevalent in other religions.

Our aim is to ensure that Articles 14,15 and 16 of the Constitution (which deal with equality and justice) supersedes Article 25 and 26 (freedom of religion), because socio-political scenario is a lot different than it was during the Shah Bano case in 1985, said Firoze Mithiborwala, national co-convenor of Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy.

On the other hand, some activists and community members were guarded in their reaction. Shabnam Hashmi, a social activist, was quite apprehensive about the involvement of politicians. A 2005 Supreme Court verdict declared triple talaq as invalid. Now, if there is a six-month gap before Parliament passes the new law , it could open Pandoras box, said Hashmi.
A lot of polluted water has flowed down the Mithi river to widespread concern. This Ganeshotsav, a mandal at Sewri has taken it upon itself to spread awareness on the toxic Mithi river. How? Organisers of Prabodhan Thakre Udyan, also known as Sewri cha Raja, have created a model of the river for devotees.

The mandal sees nearly 7,000 visitors daily during the 10-day festival.

Celebrating its 66th Ganeshotsav, the mandal through the model will highlight how the river, which used to carry clean water, has turned into a nullah, thanks to construction around it. It will also use thermocol to show the river current.

The mandal, located opposite the Sewri bus depot, has also made models of Sewri Fort, featuring flamingos. These birds visit the Sewri-Mahul creek every year.

Over the years, various courts have taken the authorities to task for failing to revive the river.

On August 16, the Supreme Court (SC) criticised the state government for neglecting the upkeep of the 15-km Mithi river for the past 12 years, despite the 2005 Mumbai floods that killed more than 1,000 people.

The river meets the Arabian Sea at Mahim creek, starting from Powai and coursing through Kurla, Saki Naka, Kalina and Vakola. It has been reduced to a nullah, into which sewage, garbage and industrial waste are dumped. According to experts, nearly 54% of the original riverbed has been lost to encroachments, roads and development.

The condition of the river has gone from bad to worse over the past decade. It is the need of the hour for the public to realise that this water body, which is today viewed as nullah (sewer), used to be a clean river with mangroves on either side. It was an asset for the financial capital, said Shrikant Jadhav, president of the mandal. Similar themes have been adopted by the mandal over the past 15 years.

Last year, our focus was water conservation. We highlighted the plight of farmers from drought-hit Marathwada and we were awarded the first prize by the state, said Jadhav.

This year, the mandal has a 15-foot idol made from Plaster-of-Paris. The idols feet have been made with gold. The mandal collected Rs16 lakh in donations last year.

Last month, the umbrella body of Ganesh mandals in the city, Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), held a meeting in which similar themes on social issues were discussed. The rejuvenation of rivers is a very important environmental concern in Mumbai. Since the Sewri cha Raja is a big mandal, we wanted them to follow up this issue and make the public aware of it. We hope that the state takes notice of the model, said Naresh Dahibhavkar, president, BSGSS.

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The Shiv Sena filed a complaint with the state election commission against a Jain leader who urged the community to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Mira-Bhayander elections to create a meat-free society.

Shiv Senas Sanjay Raut, Member of Parliament (MP) from the Rajya Sabha, equated the Jain monk, Naypadmasagarji Maharaj, to televangelist Zakir Naik, calling poison for society at large.

Raut said, The BJP won the Mira-Bhayandar election because of money and muni (monk). The Jain leaders video clip that went viral two days before the civic election not only breaks the poll code of conduct, but is also in violation of Supreme Courts ruling that disallows election campaigning on religious lines.

He said Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has taken cognisance of the issue and the party has filed a petition before the Election Commission.

The language that the Jain monk used does not suit Jainism. He is twisting the teachings of Mahaveer Jain. The entire Jain community should shun him, Raut said.

He also rubbished claims the Shiv Sena was hurt as the Jain monk did not meet the Sena chief on his visit.

The Sena chief respects Jain leaders. On several occasions, we have gone to their derasars (Jain temples) and they have come to us. But if someone is trying to win elections in Maharashtra by dangerously dividing people on religious grounds, that entity doesnt have the right to even utter the name Maharashtra.

The BJP swept the Mira Bhayandar election winning 61 of the 95 seats, crushing the Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena and Congress. The Sena, which was the BJPs main competitor in the election, won 22 seats as against the 45 + that it was expecting.
Two agencies investigated the case at different times. Two separate charge sheets have been filed, with one debunking the other. Four laptops were seized and three videos and 37 audiotapes retrieved from them. But its still unclear who planned, plotted and executed the 2008 Malegaon blasts.

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) first filed a charge sheet in 2009 invoking the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused including Pragya Thakur and serving military intelligence officer lieutenant colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit.

The probe was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011, which re-recorded the statements of witnesses who claimed they had made them under duress before the ATS in 2008.

The NIA submitted its own charge sheet to the special court in Mumbai in May 2016. It discharged Pragya Thakur and five others, and revoked MCOCA. The NIA, however, stated that there was substantial evidence against Purohit and others.

The ATS was silent before the Bombay high court when the NIA accused it of having coerced and manipulated witnesses. When the court asked the ATS to clarify its stand on Pragya Thakurs application for bail, the ATS just said the probe had been taken over by the NIA and it was for the NIA to oppose or not oppose her plea now.

The ATS was evasive when the Bombay high court, during the hearing of Pragya Thakurs bail application in 2016, asked about CDs, DVDs and transcripts of phone conversations that took place between those accused and were a part of its charge sheet. The ATS officials said they could not remember all the details of the transcripts or video clips submitted before the court seven years ago.

In its charge sheet in 2009, the ATS had said the tapes revealed that one of the accused Sudhakar Dwivedi had recorded on his laptop the proceedings of various meetings several of the accused had held. While Upadhyay, Purohit, Dwivedi and some others were present at a meeting in Fardidabad in January 2008, it was at a meeting in Bhopal in April that year that Pragya Thakurs name first came up.

The ATS claimed that the accused decided upon Malegaon as the spot for the blasts and that Thakur was present in this meeting and had volunteered to provide men for the blasts. She had said that while Purohit would provide the explosives, she would provide them with men, the ATS charge sheet had claimed.

In June 2008, at a meeting at Indore, Thakur introduced Ramchandra Kalasangra and Sandip Dange to the others. These two men are alleged to be the planters but have remained at large.

The NIA claimed the ATS had never handed over the transcripts or video clips from any of these meetings except the Faridabad meeting in which Thakur was not present. As per the transcripts available with the NIA, those present at the Faridabad meeting included Purohit, Dwivedi, Upadhyay, Himani Savarkar, and some RSS leaders.

An ATS officer, Sunil Mohite, told the high court during Pragya Thakurs bail hearing that there might be a video recording of the Bhopal meet but no audio and that it might contain some footage of Thakur being present.

The NIA re-examined only 11 of the 452 witnesses examined by the ATS. The 11 included four who claimed they had testified under duress.

Pragya Thakur got bail without much opposition. Now the Supreme Court has granted bail to Lt Col Purohit, and an Army Court of Inquiry has cleared him. A case that the ATS had claimed was watertight is unravelling.

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Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday assured Shiv Sena leaders from Kalyan Dombivli in the presence of Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray that the state government will take up the Taloja-Diva-Dombivli-Kalyan Metro on priority in the first phase.

The chief minister assured that work on the project will start by 2018-19 rather than in 2031 as originally planned, Sena Member of Parliament Shrikant Shinde said.

A day after the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) massive triumph in the Mira Bhayandar municipal election that strengthened its hold over the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray took complaints of Sena corporators from Kalyan-Dombivli to the doorstep of the chief minister.

Thackeray met Fadnavis at his official residence, Varsha, on Tuesday evening with a delegation of corporators from the Kalyan Dombivli municipal corporation alleging lack of attention by the state government to development works in the region.

Shiv Sena Minister Eknath Shinde, guardian minister for the Thane district, and local Sena Member of Parliament Shrikant Shinde were also present.

Shiv Senas Rajendra Deolekar, mayor of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), said, A number of the corporations problems are awaiting solution at the state level. We still are yet to receive funds from the 14th Finance Commission grants, funds for projects under the Basic Services for Urban Poor scheme. Grants due to us for scrapping the Local Body Tax are also pending. Without funds how are we supposed to work at all?

He added, the Sena chief presented these problems to the chief minister who has agreed to look into the issues at the earliest.

The Shiv Sena is the single largest party in the Kalyan Dombivli municipal corporation with 52 seats, followed by the BJP with its 42 corporators.

The parties formed a post-poll alliance to rule the municipal corporation.

The Shiv Sena has on several occasions complained of its ministers and legislators not being heard in the BJP-led government , of which it is a part, and being unable to get their work done.
Home-buyers will soon get possession of 1,000 ready-to-move flats in Jaypee Infratechs Wish Town and Aman projects, an official appointed by the National Company Law Tribunal said on Wednesday.

The announcement by Anuj Jain, appointed by NCLT as the interim resolution professional, will bring relief to a section of home buyers left panic-stricken after the tribunal admitted IDBIs plea for initiating insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech for defaulting on a Rs 526-crore loan.

The process of offer for possession will start shortly in accordance with the allotment letter, said Jain.

It will take around 10 days to seek permission from NCLT and allow possession and registry, Jain added.

Jaypee Infratech had on July 13 obtained occupancy certificate -- permission to offer possession and registry of ready flats -- from the Noida authority for five towers of Jaypee Aman, located in sector 151, and three towers in Wish Town, located in Sector 128.

The company had also started the process of offering possession and registries of ready flats. But it was disrupted after the NCLTs August 9 move against the real estate group.

Jaypee Infratech, part of the debt-ridden Jaypee group, is among 12 big corporate loan defaulters against whom bankruptcy proceedings have been initiated under a new law.

The biggest incomplete project of Japyee is the Wish Town project.

The company is said to have over only 5,500 flats out of the proposed 32,000, besides 3,000 plots across 800 acres along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. The project has 305 towers, of which 250 are incomplete.

The Noida authority had issued occupancy certificate for 650 flats in Jaypee Aman in sector 151. These ready flats are in towers N-2, N-3, N-4, N-5 and N-6. It also issued OC for 350 ready flats in Kosmos Tower and Klassic Towers located in Wish Town project located in sector 128.

Jain, through a public notice, informed homebuyers on Wednesday that he will consider buyers claims through records provided by the Jaypee Infratech.

The claims of home buyers may be obtained from the records of the debtor (Jaypee Infratech) and verified by/from the home buyers either individually or collectively. Therefore, if a homebuyer is unable to submit his/her claim in the prescribed format by the due date of August 24, 2017, the IRP will consider his/her claim on the basis of the companys record (SOA) and books of account and decide after its verification in accordance with the Indian bankruptcy code, said a statement by IRP.

IRP advisory comes after a four-member delegation of Jaypee home-buyers on August 21 met with the ministry of corporate affairs secretary Tapan Ray, Anuj Jain, insolvency & bankruptcy board officials and other department office-bearers in Delhi. Jaypee Groups managing director Manoj Gaur was also part of that meeting.

Buyers had demanded that they should be exempted from filing claims as it will force them to undergo trauma of collecting papers, filing it and submitting the same. Buyers had also demanded that those buyers who were issued possession letters of ready flats by the Jaypee be allowed to shift and get registry executed.

After the meeting, Jaypee Infratech had provided a statement of accounts of buyers to IRP but it had some discrepancies. IRP clarified buyers worries with regard to statements of banks through a public notice.

IRP, however, attributed to discrepancies to a technical issue and added the company is in the process of rectifying the error.

Homebuyers said the IRP should expedite registration of flats.

We welcome this decision because homebuyers were worried about filing claims. But we request the IRP to expedite registration and the shifting process. Also, the construction on the under-construction projects should continue so that buyers can get delivery as soon as possible, said SK Nagrath, retired colonel and president of Jaypee Aman flat buyers association, who was part of the delegation that met with officials in Delhi.

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In an alleged case of discrimination, 16 minor children of a shelter home were asked by locals to vacate a public park in Sector 3, Vasundhara, on Tuesday evening. The incident did not go down well with the shelter home officials and the children and staged a dharna outside the park against the local residents.

The shelter home, Lal Bahadur Shastri Sudarshan Bal Ashram, is registered by the district administration and is managed privately by a trust. It is taking care of 16 children, including specially abled ones. The facility is run for children who are rescued by the administration or those whose parents have deserted them. The children are sent to the facility by the child welfare committee.

The orphanage moved to Sector 3 in May from its earlier property in Sector 1, Vasundhara. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

The locals told us that these children cannot be allowed entry to the park as they will spoil their children. I told them that no one can disallow entry to the park which is a public facility. However, they were adamant and even threatened to get our shelter home shut down. I, along with the children, staged a dharna at the park. Later, administration officials and police were informed and they intervened in the matter, said Anupam Sharma, the caretaker of home.

The orphanage moved to Sector 3 in May from its earlier property in Sector 1, Vasundhara.

The alleged discrimination against minor children did not go down well with the district authorities. On Wednesday afternoon, the district officials and the police also held a meeting with Sector 3 RWA members and issued strict instructions to residents to refrain from such acts.

It is a park belonging to the municipal corporation. We have spoken to the municipal corporation officials to speak to the locals and prevent them from acting in such a manner. In case the locals fail to sort out the issue, legal action against residents will be initiated. The RWA has no power to deny entry to children to the park. This is the second such incident which has taken place during the past couple of months, said Rajnish Kumar Pandey, district backward class welfare officer.

The shelter home is a residential facility and it does not operate for any commercial purposes or profit motive. It is running as per the government norms, Pandey said.

Some of the residents Hindustan Times spoke to were not willing to have a shelter home in a residential locality.

The shelter home cannot run here as it creates a nuisance for families. It is in violation of norms. The park is for our children and we maintain it. Our children will get be spoiled if they come in contact with these children, said a resident who identified him as Trivedi but refused to divulge his full name despite repeated attempts.

However, RWA president Vinod Sharma attended the meeting with officials on Wednesday and vowed to sort out the issue within a day or two.

I attended the meeting with the shelter home staff, district officials and the police. We are against any sort of discrimination against children or other persons. There were a few locals who opposed the idea of the shelter home children visiting the park. I have assured the shelter home staff not to worry and I will personally intervene and sort out the issue. If I am not able to pacify them, the law can take its course, said Vinod Sharma, RWA president, Sector 3.

However, the administration on Wednesday issued strict instructions to locals to abstain from such practices.

The children at the shelter home are under the custody of the district administration. No one can deny them entry to a park. I will visit the area and will also depute the subdivisional magistrate to get the issue sorted out. We will take legal action if required, said Ministhy S, district magistrate.

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In a case of insensitivity towards poor patients admitted to the government hospital in Ghaziabad, a ward boy allegedly beat up a 45-year-old destitute patient. The man, who was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition after he was found near the main entrance of MMG district hospital on Tuesday evening, died within an hour of the assault.

The incident came to light on Wednesday after a local mediaperson shot a video of the ward boy beating up the patient on Tuesday evening and put it online.

The video was shot on a mobile phone through the window of the ward. The information of the incident was later flashed to district health officials who found that the ward boy was a contractual employee and they immediately sacked him.

#Ghaziabad: staff at MMG district hospital beat up critical patient; the patient died of ailment after an hour @htTweets @HTNoidaGzb pic.twitter.com/HXmt6bgHH2  Peeyush Khandelwal (@journopk) August 23, 2017

The elderly man was found in a critical state near the main door of the hospital. He was later rushed to the emergency from where he was shifted to the ward. The patient was already critical and suffered ailments, including septicaemia, and died an hour after he was allegedly roughed up by the staff, said Dr JK Tyagi, chief medical officer, MMG district hospital.

The district hospital is the oldest government hospital in Ghaziabad and is visited by thousands of patients on a daily basis.

Dr Tyagi said the regular ward staff member was on leave on Tuesday and the contractual staff member, identified as Rakesh, was on duty in the emergency and came with the patient to the ward.

The district hospital is the oldest government hospital in Ghaziabad and is visited by thousands of patients on a daily basis. (HT Photo)

He was later found beating up the patient who was already critical. He was removed from duty after the incident. An hour later, around 8pm, the patient died due to his ailment. It was not a result of the staff beating him, Dr Tyagi added.

The video shows that the ward boy was changing the clothes of the patient and started slapping him, probably because the patient was not cooperating.

We have asked the hospital authorities to take up corrective measures at the earliest. The CMS conveyed to me that the ward boy was a contractual staff and was removed from duties with immediate effect, said Dr NK Gupta, chief medical officer.

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WASHINGTON  When John Adams wrote into Massachusetts' Constitution a commitment to a "government of laws and not of men," he probably assumed that the rule of law meant the rule of laws, no matter how many laws there might be. He could not have imagined the modern proliferation and complexity of laws, or how subversive this is of the rule of law.

Such a subversion will confront Congress when it reconvenes. Congress is nimble at evading responsibilities but cannot avoid deciding either to repudiate or to tolerate a residue of President Obama's lawlessness, one that most, perhaps all, congressional Democrats and many, perhaps most, Republicans want Obama's successor to continue.

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) requires insurance companies to insure people with "pre-existing conditions," a locution minted to avoid the awkward candor of saying, in most cases, "people who are already sick." The individual mandate, requiring people to purchase insurance, is one way the ACA subsidizes insurance companies that are mandated to engage in money-losing undertakings.

The subsidy that Congress must confront in September is the ACA requirement that the secretary of health and human services devise a program to compensate insurers for the cost of selling discounted plans to some low-income purchasers. Obama's HHS secretary created a program to disperse billions of dollars to insurers to defray the costs of the low-income purchasers who are more than half the ACA enrollees.

But  speaking of awkwardness  although the ACA authorizes a permanent expenditure for this, an authorization is not an appropriation, and Congress has never provided an appropriation. Come September, these payments may dramatize the increasing difficulty of discerning Republican and Democratic differences commensurate with their heated rhetoric. Democrats are untroubled by the payments because progressives believe that unfettered presidents are necessary to surmount the inefficiencies, as progressives see them, inherent in the Framers' great mistake, as progressives see it  the separation of powers. Republicans, however, have a dilemma: Halting the payments might unleash chaos; continuing them seals Republican complicity in perpetuating the ACA.

The Constitution says: "No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law." Nevertheless, the Obama administration spent the money for the insurance subsidies, breezily arguing that it was being faithful to something higher than the Constitution  the ACA's text. Or its logic. Or something. Republican members of the House (including Georgia's Tom Price, who now is secretary of HHS) sued to stop the payments. In May 2016, a federal judge said they were right on the merits but stayed the decision to allow the Obama administration to appeal.

Donald Trump has exceeded Obama's executive willfulness, which at least strove for a patina of implausible legality. Last month, Trump said that, absent Republican success in replacing the ACA, he might end the payments "very soon." Clearly, he thinks either spending or not spending unappropriated billions is a presidential prerogative.

The Constitution  yes, that again  says that presidents "shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed." The framers, who were parsimonious with words, perhaps included the adverb for the reason Noah Feldman of Harvard Law School suggests: "The Constitution recognizes that the president can't necessarily enforce every law. But it requires a good faith effort." So, the intent of any non-enforcement matters: Is it to husband scarce enforcement resources? Or is it to vitiate a law?

Trump's unparsimonious dispensing of words has included threats to intentionally cause the ACA to "implode" by halting the unconstitutional disbursement of unappropriated money. Feldman evidently thinks this would be "non-enforcement" in bad faith because the law could no longer function. It is, however, strange to say that dispensing unappropriated funds is faithful "enforcement" of a law just because without the funds the law would collapse.

Were Trump constitutionally punctilious  entertain the thought  he would embrace the judge's ruling on behalf of the House members, and, obedient to his oath of office, stop the unconstitutional payments. But chaos might envelop the ACA exchanges and then the wider individual insurance market, causing many millions of Americans severe mental and financial stress. Republicans can say "let the rule of law prevail though the heavens fall," or they can say ...

Enter Sen. Lamar Alexander, the Tennessee Republican who chairs the pertinent committee. He wants Trump to "temporarily" continue the payments "through September," pending "a short-term solution" for stabilizing insurance markets "in 2018." Watch carefully as Alexander copes with a pathology of modern  meaning, presidential  government unanticipated by John Adams: laws that subvert the rule of law.
A 12-year-old boy who was critically injured after an iron rod pierced through his shoulder in Dudhera village of Jewar on Tuesday went through a surgery. Doctors said his condition is now stable and the rod has been removed.

The incident took place at 2pm, when the school was closed for the day. Lalit Kumar came out along with his classmates and started swinging on an iron rod of a canopy (Chajja). The canopy of the schools window collapsed and the one foot long rod pierced through his shoulder .

He came under the debris and fell unconscious and was lying in a pool of blood. Locals after hearing the thud and shriek rushed to the spot and informed his parents.

Our home is barely at a distance of 200 meters from the school. His classmates came and informed us that he is injured. By the time we reached, there was a huge gathering and people were trying to give him first aid . We rushed him to Kailash Hospital with the help of locals. He was taken to intensive care unit, said victims father Dharampal, who is a labourer.

The primary school where Lalit was critically injured as a rod pierced through his body. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

Dharampal said the children saw him swinging on the iron rod after which the canopy, which was a part of a very old structure, collapsed. As his condition started improving at the hospital, doctors conducted an hour long surgery at 11 pm and managed to remove the rod from his shoulder.

PK Sharma, assistant general manager of Kailash Hospital said, His condition was critical and had breathlessness problem. Later in the night, he went through a surgery and the rusted iron rod of 15 inches was removed from his left shoulder.

Lalit was shifted to a general ward on Wednesday morning around 10am and was able to speak to his family members.

Meanwhile, the sub divisional magistrate of Jewar has also ordered inquiry into the matter as how a student started swinging.

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A month after the death of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, I was in a remote village in the hilly southern part of the state, in the constituency of O Panneerselvam, leader of one of the factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Jayalalithaas long-time companion V Sasikala, now in a Bengaluru prison, was expected to contest to the assembly from there. I asked a young woman if she would vote for Sasikala. The woman said, retta ilaikku thaan (my vote is for the twin leaves). Even if you contest on the twin leaves symbol, I will vote for you because it is the symbol of that maharaasan MGR (the noble man MGR).

This woman would not have been born when the AIADMK founder and matinee idol MG Ramachandran died in 1987.

Such is the hold the twin leaves has on the rural masses, who form the major vote-bank of the AIADMK. When the symbol was frozen by the election commission for the first time in the late 1980s after a split that followed MGRs death, both the party factions were routed in the polls paving the way for the return of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to power after 13 years.

This scenario can be repeated now. Hence the merger of the factions led by OPS and current chief minister Edappadi Oalaniswami, the first step to retrieve the symbol though there are still legal hurdles.

The main hurdle is that the symbol can only be claimed by an elected general secretary of the party or, in his or her absence, by an elected deputy general secretary. Enter Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dinakaran, who hold the posts. Now the AIADMK has to convene a general body meeting to oust them, though a case filed by the OPS group challenging the election of Sasikala as general secretary is pending before the election commission.

Dinakaran says he has the support of 26 MLAs, 18 of them met governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on Tuesday and reported that they were withdrawing support to EPS government.

DMK working president and Opposition leader MK Stalin has said that he will move a no-confidence motion in the assembly. EPS is now left with the support of just 115 MLAs  two short of a majority. And more could desert him.

All was well with the EPS government, which survived a trust vote in February with the support of 122 MLAS, till Dinakaran said he would contest the RK Nagar bypolls , a seat left vacant after the demise of Jayalalithaa. It was clear that he wanted to be the chief minister. High drama followed. He was arrested on charges of trying to bribe unnamed election commission officials to get back the two leaves symbol. When he came out on bail, trouble started to brew for EPS who had started to assert his authority and independence. A week ago he announced that Dinakaran was expelled from the party and as deputy general secretary.

The BJP, which is keen to secure a foothold in Tamil Nadu, has been active too in the vacuum left by Jayalalithaas death and DMK chief Karunanidhis illness. Initially, the BJP appeared to back OPS, who seemed to have the support of the masses, but this proved an illusion. With OPS himself looking for a face-saving measure, the leaders of the two factions met Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately. The merger followed.

With Stalin looking to the Congress, the BJP would naturally like to have the unified AIADMK in its fold. There is already speculation that the unified AIADMK may join the NDA government with some Cabinet posts. In the 2019 elections, the BJP could press for an alliance with the AIADMK on its own terms along with some other parties like the Pattali Makkal Katchi, whose presence in the state cannot be ignored.

However, the DMK could have the last laugh. Stalin may not try to form the government, if Dinakaran topples his one. The DMK would prefer fresh elections as the present political scenario, according to opinion polls, favours it. Without power, EPS might find it difficult to keep his flock together. Some political analysts say that Dinakaran himself would not like to rock the boat now as it may not be favourably looked upon by the BJP. He may try to find a compromise as the MLAs are aware that in the absence of Jayalalithaa, this is their last chance to be in power. And Dinakaran may strike a bargain and after getting what he wants he may merge his faction too.

But what do the people say? That will be known only during the next polls, whenever they are.

Sampath Kumar is on the faculty of the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai

The views expressed are personal
Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) forced an adjournment of the Bihar legislative assembly till 2pm on Wednesday, after creating a furore over chief minister Nitish Kumar and deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modis resignation for their alleged involvement in the multi-crore Srijan government fund transfer scandal.

The RJD, led by its leader and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, then walked out of the house and staged a sit-in dharna near the statue of socialist leader Karpoori Thakur on the assembly campus.

Talking to reporters, Yadav termed CM Kumar the Bheeshma Pitamah (a character of Hindu epic mythology Mahabharat, known for his pledge of celibacy) of naitik bhrashtachaar (moral corruption).

He said the government was trying to hush up the matter in the multi-crore Srijan government fund transfer scandal. He even alleged that the government, under the garb of probe, was sending its choicest officers to clean up the mess.

Yadav accused the government of not sharing probe details of the Srijan scandal as it was trying to cover it up. While demanding to know from the government about its beneficiaries, he said the government was silent and trying to put a lid on the scandal because BJP leader and deputy CM Modi or his family members were allegedly involved in it.

Yadav, who alleged that he was not allowed to speak inside the house, said the scandal was not confined to the Bhagalpur treasury alone, but had spread to adjoining Banka and Saharsa districts as well.

Ejya Yadav, RJD MLA from Mohiuddinagar in Samastipur district, alleged that the magnitude of the scandal was over Rs 15,000 crore.

Earlier, RJD and National Democratic Alliance leaders were engaged in a verbal duel over the Srijan scam with levelling allegations and counter-allegations against each other over the scam.

The Srijan scandal came to light after a government cheque of Rs 10 crore presented at a bank on August 3 bounced due to insufficient fund. It later came to light that crores of rupees of government funds were illegally transferred to an NGO  the Srijan Mahila Sahyog Samiti  in Bihars Bhagalpur district, 235 kms east of Patna, by forging the signature of the district magistrate. It is now believed that the scam was not confined to one department but had spread to multiple departments beyond the geographical boundaries of Bhagalpur.

The state government has recommended an inquiry into the scam by the Central Bureau of Investigation, even as the special investigating team of the Bihar police is probing it.

Amid the hullabaloo on the third day of the five-day monsoon session, marred by protests and disruptions so far, there was no mention of Bihar floods. So far, 340 people have lost their lives due to floods since August 12, affecting a population of 1.50 crore in 18 of the 38 districts of Bihar. The Army, IAF and the NDRF are assisting the Bihar government in flood relief operation.
Twenty-seven years after a retired colonel was booked for corruption, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court awarded five years jail to him on Tuesday.

Colonel BS Goraya (retired), 75, has been held guilty under Sections 13(1) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI court has also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on him, for acquiring properties disproportionate to his assets. It was among the oldest cases at the Chandigarh district courts.

A long delay The FIR was registered on August 6, 1990, post which Col Goraya was put under suspension on August 17,1990, and dismissed from service on March 19, 1993 The challan in the corruption case was filed by the CBI in 1993, as the inquiry was pending all this while The cross-examination and recording of evidence by investigating officer Makhan Singh alone took seven years. It was carried out through video-conferencing from the PGIMER as Col Goraya developed a serious heart ailment The defence got seven months to present witnesses According to defence counsel SPS Bhullar, who especially summoned the senior superintendent of police (SSP) when the case was registered, SSP Negi did not give clear answers during cross-examination. He stated he didnt remember most of the facts during the investigation The retired colonel didnt engage a lawyer initially and was forced to appear in person. He deposed in court on Tuesday that only towards the fag end of the case, was he able to engage a lawyer As per judgment, the convict stated that he appeared in different courts (including high court and Supreme Court) over 500 times and never sought a single adjournment or missed any hearing

Being a senior army officer, he was having a responsibility to keep a watch over the conduct of his subordinates, stated the judgment. Instead of becoming a role model for society and bring pride for the nation, he grossly misused his high position and committed criminal misconduct to accumulate huge wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income by illegal means.

Between January 1, 1987, and August 8, 1990, Goraya, a Sector-9 resident, and some of his family members  wife Parveen Goraya, daughter Manveen Goraya and one Guninder Singh  acquired properties valued at 82.6 lakh. Of these, they could not account for properties worth Rs 72.7 lakh, the CBI had claimed. However, while pronouncing the order, the court of Gaganjeet Kaur said assets worth Rs 66.94 lakh were disproportionate to his known sources of income.

A case was registered against the Colonel General Staff (engineer headquarters, Western Command) in August 1990. During the hearing on Tuesday, Goraya pleaded for leniency in sentence, stating that he was 75. He said his wife was 72 and a heart and diabetes patient, hence dependant on him.

In February this year, the court of chief judicial magistrate (CJM) Akshdeep Mahajan had sentenced Goraya to two-year rigorous imprisonment for selling his agricultural property that had been attached in Punjab.

The CBI had also pointed that Goraya had not paid any property returns, except in 1987, after joining the army. In March this year, the HC dismissed a plea in the case in which Goraya had challenged the trial court decision of not allowing examination of additional 84 witnesses in July 2016.

Senior public prosecutor Pawan Dogra and public prosecutor KP Singh represented the CBI.

Unexpected, says family

Family members, including the septuagenarians wife, daughters, son and grandson, and other well-wishers were present in court the entire day. The former army officer ,who was seen lifting his familys spirits before the quantum was pronounced, looked equally grim after the judicial magistrate pronounced the order.

Disturbed by what they called unexpected, family members were seen consoling each other as Col Goraya requested the cops to let him talk to his daughter in private.

The defence plans to move an appeal in the high court as early as this week.

WhatCourtSaid

.. the convict who was at the rank of colonel... would lose the confidence of common man... but also is an alarm to national security. Though the incident relates to the 80s, its significance... has not diminished with passage of time.

If person holding higher position indulges in corruption, not only those below get encouraged... but also those in higher position will not be in a position to extract honesty from them or take action against delinquent officials.

Confiscate Rs 67-cr assets

The court ordered confiscation of assets to the tune of Rs 66.94 lakh from the convict. The assets that were found disproportionate to Col Gorayas income included:

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In view of the sensitivity associated with the verdict in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot, has postponed five exams which were scheduled for August 25.

The varsity also released a notice on its official website (www.bfuhs.ac.in) on Wednesday evening, claiming that exams have been postponed due to administrative reasons.

The university had scheduled theory examinations of B.Pharmacy, bachelor of physiotherapy (BPT), master in physiotherapy (MPT), BSc nursing and post-basic nursing on August 25. The theory exam of B.Pharmacy will now be held on August 31. University will soon release the dates of other four examinations on its website.

Sources in the university said that the decision has been taken to avoid stress and tension to the students appearing in the exam as they will be travelling from other cities to Faridkot.
Two years in a multinational company did not deter Nilambari Vijay Jagdale from pursuing her dream of becoming a civil servant. An engineer by profession, she gave up her job and joined the Indian Police Service in 2008 and now she has taken charge as the first woman senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Chandigarh on Tuesday.

It was my dream to join the civil services which is a committed profession, said Nilambari, who was the first choice of the UT administration. She was allocated the Punjab cadre and the state is a second home now. A native of Maharashtra, she speaks Punjabi with equal fluency as she does her mother tongue.

Her top priority is to handle with empathy, crime against vulnerable sections such as women, children and senior citizens. She has a two-year-old daughter, Nitya, and is married to Chaitanya, a Major in the army.

TOUGH TASKMASTER: COLLEAGUES

Do not get carried away by her smiling face. Nilambari is considered a tough taskmaster by her colleagues in Punjab. The implementation of law is paramount, she said, sending a clear message that any dereliction of duty will not be spared. Nilambari holds a degree in electronic engineering (electronics) from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) Nagpur, formerly known as REC Nagpur.

THREE COMMENDATION DISCS

Challenges for the SSP Crime against women Snatching incidents Corruption Student elections High-profile unsolved cases

The SSP looks forward to increasing public participation through community policing. Her message to her force is to carry out their duty in a professional manner.

Gender has nothing to do with our profession. The challenges are the same for every officer, she added. Nilambari is fond of reading and listening to music, especially ghazals.

She has received three commendation discs from the Punjab director general of police (DGP) for her work during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, during her tenure at Punjab Police Academy (PPA), Phillaur, for initiatives in police training and during the 2017 Punjab assembly polls.

She has served as assistant superintendent of police (ASP), Ropar; assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Ludhiana; ACP, Jalandhar; deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Khanna; additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP), Ludhiana; SSP, Fazilka district; deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Ludhiana commissionerate; assistant inspector general (AIG), state and cyber crime; deputy director of PPA Phillaur; SSP, Pathankot district, during the 2017 Punjab polls; and SSP, Ropar district.

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Haryana and Punjab are on maximum alert ahead of the court judgment in a sexual exploitation case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh on August 25.

As a precautionary measure, the government has ordered closure of schools and colleges in Panchkula district on August 24 and 25, deputy commissioner Gauri Parashar Joshi said on Wednesday.

Nearly 50,000 dera followers, intelligence sources say 100,000, are estimated to have already reached and many more are still arriving at the sects Sector-23 based Naam Charcha Ghar (congregation/prayer centre) in Panchkula to show their solidarity with the sect chief, who has been asked to appear in person in the special CBI court on Friday.

The sexual exploitation case was registered against the dera chief in 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court after anonymous letters were circulated

about the alleged rape of two sadhvis (female followers) by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. He has denied these charges. Singh also faces trial in another case involving the murder of a journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

Central Reserve Police Force, including the Rapid Action Force, will be deployed in Panchkula during the hearing on Friday.

In Chandigarh, 5,000 policemen are guarding the city, while an equal number have been deployed in Panchkula, while 2,000 are on duty in Mohali. Chandigarh police chief TS Luthra said the border to Chandigarh was sealed at 6 pm on Wednesday and only those with a valid reason are being allowed to enter the city.

Show of solidarity

The followers, who call themselves premis, said they were in Panchkula to express solidarity with their pitaji (father figure) and warned that the authorities would be responsible for any adverse order against him.

Asked if the dera chief will appear before the court in Panchkula on Friday, dera spokesperson Aditya Insan said, We respect the law. Even our maharaj-ji, had asked the followers to keep calm last night during a naam-charcha (sermon).

Taking exception to Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattars reported comments over Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singhs appearance in court, the sects spokesperson requested the CM not to make such a statement.

Without holding any discussion with us, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has unfortunately made a statement that Guru ji (Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh) will come there (appear in court). It has led to a situation of confusion, said Aditya Insan.

The spokesperson said such a statement would create confusion among the people.

Khattar had reportedly said that the Dera chief would appear before the special CBI court.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, meanwhile, took to Twitter to give a message of selfless service and meditation to his followers.

Selfless service, meditation and firm belief are the ornaments in spirituality, he said in a tweet and also shared a link to a Facebook video of one of his discourses.

Weapons banned

Amid reports that the Dera followers could stock petrol, lathis and other weapons at Naam Charcha Ghars, Punjab Police has asked officials to be alert against any such action by the followers if the verdict goes against the Dera chief.

Haryana additional chief secretary (Home) Ram Niwas said that carrying sticks or weapons has been prohibited at the Naam Charcha Ghar of dera followers in the state.

Haryana DGP BS Sandhu has toured sensitive districts in the state, including Sirsa and Fatehabad, while his Punjab counterpart Suresh Arora took a whirwind tour of Bathinda, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali districts to check preparedness.

Heavy police has been deployed in Bathinda, which shares its border with Sirsa, where the dera headquarters is located in Haryana.

Haryana Roadways buses will be off the roads on August 25 but private buses will not ply for three days. All government and private schools in Sirsa to stay closed on day of the verdict.

(With agency inputs)
While the state-owned Punjab Roadways will not ply its buses towards Sirsa, where headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda is located, from Thursday, the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) will stop plying Haryana-bound buses on August 25 as a precautionary measure.

As a precautionary measure, we have decided not to run bus towards Haryana from our three depots in Bathinda, Budhlada and Barnala on August 25, a PRTC official said.

This decision will impact almost 175 buses plying on different routes towards Haryana and some parts of Punjab, he said.

There is a large presence of dera followers in Bathinda and Barnala districts and most of them use bus service from Bathinda, Budhlada and Barnala bus depots.

Our buses will not ply towards Sirsa from Thursday till August 25. We have also asked officials concerned to take decision (on stopping or continuing bus service) considering the prevailing law and order situation, an official of Punjab Roadways said.

Punjab Roadways will not ply Haryana-bound buses from its Muktsar, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Bathinda depots, the official said, adding it will impact 50% of bus services from these depots.

Meanwhile, the transport authorities of Haryana on Wednesday issued orders stating that the Haryana roadways buses from Delhi will only comply till Ambala and Narayangarh. The buses coming from Delhi and Haryana will not enter Chandigarh and Panchkula.

Additional chief secretary, transport, RR Jowel said all buses originating from Chandigarh would ply as usual.

Chandigarh administration till Wednesday late evening did not issue any orders of stopping the public transport across the city.
The Punjab government has imposed prohibitory order against assembly of people, under section 144, across the entire state with immediate effect and decided to shut all schools and colleges in Punjab on August 25, the day of the court verdict in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

A ban has been imposed on carrying of firearms, with orders to shut down private gun houses selling arms and ammunition to licence-holders, until the situation normalises, an official spokesperson said on Wednesday after a meeting convened by the chief minister in the evening to review the states security arrangements with the police top brass.

CM Capt Amarinder Singh also ordered withdrawal of 1,000 police personnel from VVIP security for deployment on field duty to strengthen the security blanket in the state, the spokesperson said. The meeting was attended, among others, by director general of police (DGP) Suresh Arora, DGP (intelligence) Dinkar Gupta and DGP (law and order) Hardeep Singh Dhillon.

The CM is very strict on the issue and his orders are: Dont allow anybody to take law in his hands. His message is that the state has to maintain peace by using all options, said an officer who did not want to be named.

Punjab has also received an additional 10 companies of the Border Security Force (BSF), which now means 85 central paramilitary companies along with thousands of policemen on the ground will maintain a tight vigil, especially in the vulnerable areas of Moga, Bathinda, Sangrur, Barnala, Patiala and Ludhiana, where the dera, headquartered in Sirsa in neighbouring Haryana, has significant following.

Source said the Centre is ready to depute more companies to Punjab after the state home secretary apprised the Union Home secretary of the situation.

Shut internet if needed: govt

Sources in the top brass of Punjab Police told HT that the chief minister has given instructions to the police to maintain law and order at any cost and shut down the internet services in case need arises. Keeping in view the past incidence of violence in Punjab and the recent violence in Jat agitation in Haryana, it was decided that the district administration should not shy away from imposing curfew, if at all the situation goes out of control in any particular part of the state, an officer present in the meeting with the CM said.

State police chief Suresh Arora visited Sangrur, Muktsar, Ferozepur and Ludhiana districts on Wednesday to review the deployment of forces and also interacted with the central forces. We are ready to face any situation as we cannot take any chance. Our entire force is on toes, the DGP told HT.

Army on standby

DGP (law and order) HS Dhillon said the army has been requested to remain alert and on standby. This comes amid intelligence reports of followers of the dera stocking petrol and arms at its prayer centres, of which the CM took note.

Meanwhile, police seized five walkie-talkies from suspected dera followers. A statewide crackdown has been launched to identify various locations suspected to be housing dangerous weapons of any kind. Sources said police are also in touch with dera leaders active in the Malwa region, convincing them not to trigger any movement of people to Sirsa or Panchkula. But the congregation of thousands of dera followers at both places continued.

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A CBI special court in Haryana is likely to pronounce its verdict on Friday in the rape trial against Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Singh had been accused of raping a woman followed and the case was registered in 2002.

From starring in his own movie to castration of followers, heres a list of controversies Singh is embroiled in:

MSG: Messenger of God

Former chairperson of Censor Board Leela Samson resigned after Singhs film was cleared by the Film Certificate Tribunal Appellate in January 2015. Samson had accused the information and broadcasting ministry of stifling her functioning by meddling in every new film being released, big and small. Another board member Ira Bhaskar tendered her resignation after Samson.

The film featured the self-styled spiritual leader as a swashbuckling hero in bejewelled costume riding motorbikes and sending bad guys flying. Singh wrote and co-directed the film, besides singing and composing its music.

Hurting religious sentiments

In May 2007, Sikh organisations accused Singh of hurting their religious sentiments after his outfit in an adverstisement resembled the attire of the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. Following clashes, a criminal case was filed against Singh but it was dismissed in 2009.

Suspect in murder case

Singh was the prime suspect in the murder of a journalist with a newspaper Poora Sach. Ram Chander Chattrapati was shot at on October 24, 2002, for allegedly writing about the illegal activities in the sect. The case is still pending in a CBI special court.

Rape charges

A sadhvi who was a member of the Dera Sacha Sauda accused Singh of rape. The case registered in 2002 was taken up by the Punjab and Haryana high court but it was later handed over to the CBI.

The controversy deepened after a man was allegedly shot dead by Dera followers in July the same year as he was suspected to be behind an anonymous letter to the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee which levelled the sexual assault charges on Singh.

In the letter, the sadhvi said she was asked to go into Babas room late one night. The Baba, she wrote, was sitting on the bed. A pornographic film was playing on the TV and a revolver was lying near the bed. Baba then raped her and the rapes continued for the next three years. The sadhvi also said 35-40 others were exploited like her.

Barricades outside Dera Sacha Sauda branch at Salabatpura in Bathinda. (Sanjeev Kumar/HT File Photo)

Castration of followers

The dera head was accused of forcing castration of around 400 followers in 2014. The investigation began after one of his devotees claimed to have been manipulated into undergoing the painful operation on the pretext of attainment of union with God. A case was booked against him and according to the CBI, which was directed to probe the case by the Punjab and Haryana HC, the castration was done to safeguard sadhvis (women followers) from possible sexual advances.

Illegal weapons

Singh again came under the scanner in December 2014 after the Punjab and Haryana HC ordered that activities of the sect should be periodically monitored after reports of arms training at the Dera. The court opined that training of private commandos and arming them with illegal weapons to protect some individuals would definitely pose a challenge not only to the judiciary, but also to the State.

(This article was first published by HT in January 2015)
Linn County has committed $275,000 to the Albany-Millersburg Economic Development Corporation to be used as seed money to purchase the former International Paper plant in Millersburg.

The site  if approved by the state  will be transformed into a transmodal reloading facility to be used by mid-valley industries and agricultural groups. Products could be hauled by semi-truck to the site, where containers would be reloaded onto rail lines destined for ports in Washington and California.

The decision was made Tuesday morning by Commissioners Roger Nyquist and John Lindsey. Commissioner Will Tucker is on vacation this week.

The action comes after the recent announcement that Linn County could receive $25 million allocated by the Legislature for a reloading facility. A similar facility will be sited in Ontario.

The Board of Commissioners and Rep. Andy Olson (R-Albany) believe the former paper plant that closed in 2009 would be the ideal location for a reloading facility due to its access to Interstate 5.

But officials with the city of Lebanon also want an opportunity to pitch for a 47-acre industrial site on the northwest corner of the community. The site is shovel ready and complete with infrastructure and highway access.

Nyquist said no one from the city of Lebanon has asked the commissioners for funding toward their potential project.

AMEDC has done a great job since 1982, Board Chairman Roger Nyquist said. The group has an amazing history of doing good things in terms of economic development in our community.

Nyquist added that the Legislature indicated the funding should pass through a 501 C4 corporation, a designation AMEDC holds.

This whole process came about because of issues at the Port of Portland, Nyquist said. Our local manufacturers and ag producers no longer had reliable access at Portland and are now having to haul their goods to Tacoma. We believe this reloading facility will help reduce their costs and put them into a better competitive financial situation.

Nyquist added the reloading facility will position the mid-valley in a good way, as the local economy grows over the next 25 to 30 years.

Nyquist said the seed money comes from Oregon Lottery funds designated for economic development.

This could mean hundreds of jobs in the mid-valley plus, it helps our local manufacturing and ag folks have greater success, Nyquist said.

Linn County and AMEDC officials have been in negotiations with International Paper representatives for several weeks, but there are others interested in purchasing the 160-plus acres as well.
Superstar Mahesh Babus highly anticipated bilingual spy thriller Spyder is get readying for Dussehra release. The film has been on the floors for nearly a year and its been a long wait for the fans. In his recent media interaction, director AR Murugadoss has said the long wait will be worth it. The makers are heading to Romania later this week to shoot the final song of the film. Its a duet and with the completion of the song, the entire shooting will be wrapped up.

According to a source from the films unit, the song will be shot on Mahesh and Rakul Preet Singh over the course of next week. The team will return to India in the first week of September and will gear up for the huge event on September 9, being planned to officially welcome Mahesh to Tamil filmdom. Since the film will be released in Tamil too, and Mahesh has dubbed his own lines, the makers feel an event needs to be organized to launch Mahesh in Tamil. The films trailer and audio will also be released on the same day. The film marks the first time collaboration of Mahesh and Murugadoss.

Made on a lavish budget of over Rs 100 crore, the film also stars SJ Suryah and Bharath in important roles. The Mahesh-Murugadoss combination has worked big time in generating maximum pre-release buzz and has apparently made business over Rs 150 crore from all sorts of deal, theatrical and satellite.

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Its time for a history lesson on condoms. Yes, we know youre on top of your game, at least when it comes to condoms, from how best to use them to the mind-numbing numbers of flavours available in the market. But how much do you know about the history of condoms?

Help is at hand. Here are some lesser-known facts about condoms that you may find intriguing:

1. Not a new invention

The design of condoms has definitely improved over the last 100 years, but the condom as a product is not new. The oldest recorded use of condoms dates back to a cave painting in Grotte des Combarrelles in France. Researchers say these paintings could be 12,000 to 15,000 years old.

2. Didnt always cover the full length

Before the 15th century, Chinese men used to cover their glans with oiled silk paper. Japanese men used tortoise-shell caps. Clearly, Japanese condoms have come a long way since then.

3. 16th century renaissance

Gabriele Fallopio, an anatomist and physician from France is credited with designing what the condoms look like now: He had made a linen condom which was kept wet with a chemical solution, and tied to the penis with a ribbon when dry. Fallopio tested his invention by having 1,100 men try it while they had sex with women suffering from syphilis. He claimed none of the men got any infections. We would love to see Fallopio convince men nowadays to carry out such experiments.

4. They dont really desensitize

This might have been the case before, but not anymore. Todays condoms have different flavourings too! (achari chicken tikka anyone?)

5. The German military started it

It was in the 19th century that the German military started large scale use of condoms, which was followed by the American army in the 20th century.

6. Not knowing how to use

You might think using a condom is common sense, but type how to use a condom on Google and you get 3,52,00,000 results.

7. Cold War Condoms

During the Cold War, one strategy considered by the CIA was parachuting big condoms into the Soviet Union, and writing medium on them. This was supposed to be a method used to tell the Soviet Union women that American men were superior even in this aspect of life.

8. Condom Ambulance

In Sweden, if you were in dire need of a condom, you could call for a condom ambulance. No longer available in Sweden, were sure this was one of the more revolutionary ideas relating to condoms that saw the light of day.

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Butler and Brown, who had been dating on and off for the past three years, have again broken up for the last time with no chance of getting back together this time, according to the Daily Mail and The Sun. According these websites, the couple had gone to Mexico to sort out their relationship problems. They were there for a few days and decided that it would be best to move on from the relationship. A source told The Sun that Gerard could not commit to the relationship. The source also added that Gerard does love Morgan but cant see the relationship working out.

The couple has been dating on and off since 2014. There were rumours that they had broken up for good in 2016 but they got back together, earlier this year.

Previous break-ups were blamed on Butlers flirtatious behaviour with other women, according to Page Six website.

According to sources, Butler has major movie projects lined up. From How To Train Your Dragon 3, Hunter Killer alongside actor Gary Oldman to Angel Has Fallen with Morgan Freeman, hopefully his break-up wont affect the success of his future films.

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A day after sidelined AIADMK leaders VK Sasikala and TTV Dinakaran attacked the Tamil Nadu government, chief minister Edapaddi Palanisami and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam seemed all set to make their first public appearance together at a rally in Tiruchirapally on Wednesday.

The duo left for the event, to be held as part of the centenary celebrations for legendary actor-politician MG Ramachandran, in the same aircraft on Wednesday morning.

The rally will serve as a show of strength by Palanisamy and Panneerselvam, who challenged the dominance of the Sasikala-led Mannargudi family over the AIADMK in the past three decades to merge their factions on Monday. The local administration is beefing up security to prevent the occurrence of any untoward incidents at the politically charged event.

Meanwhile, party mouthpiece Namdhu MGR indicated the Sasikala-Dinakaran line of political assault by condemning governor C Vidyasagar Rao for not ordering a floor test in the aftermath of 19 MLAs loyal to the Mannargudi family withdrawing their support. Though the rebel legislators are currently being housed at The Windflower Resorts and Spa in Puducherry to prevent being poached by political detractors, sources said they might be shifted to another location soon.

The Opposition parties, for their part, are trying to make hay while political infighting continues to roil the AIADMK. DMK working president MK Stalin blasted the BJP government at the Centre  supposedly the force behind the newfound unity between the Panneerselvam and Palanisami factions  for cheating Tamil Nadu on NEET, and announced a state-wide protest in this regard.

Stalin also accused both the factions of the AIADMK of capitulating before the Modi government, which has done nothing for Tamil Nadu.

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From the peaks of Hawaii to the uplands of Iceland, whether they be active or dormant, volcanoes inspire the imaginations of numerous travellers. One such volcano to visit is located in the isolated Kamchatka peninsula in the remote Russian Far East.

The 1,250-km long and 450-km wide Kamchatka Peninsula doesnt just have one volcano; this remote and inaccessible territory has 29 of which are active. Kluchevskoy, Koryaksky and Kronotsky are reputed to be the most impressive for their height and beautiful natural settings.

Mutnovski has plenty of fumaroles and thermal hot springs. Karymsky, which has erupted 23 times this century, is one of the worlds most active volcanoes. Gorely and Avachinski are also active and renowned for the surrounding landscape. Kamtchatka is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped volcanic belt which also passes under the volcanoes of western Canada, Vanuatu and the Kingdom of Tonga.

A Kamtchatka bear with its cub; its a unique subspecies of bear occurring in Russia. (Shutterstock)

Who should visit

A trip to the volcanoes of Kamchatka is quite an expedition. The number of tourists visiting this remote territory, which was closed to foreigners until 1990, remains relatively small. There are no roads connecting the peninsula to the rest of the world, and transport by helicopter, boat and four-wheel drive is the norm. Tour operators typically offer packages that include trekking, which require participants to be physically fit.

What to see and do

Kamchatka has enormous tourist potential, which has yet to be developed. Given its isolated location, its a destination that will please travellers who dream of visiting the least crowded places on the planet. The region, which is covered in snow from October to May, is also home to large populations of wolves and bears, and the regions wildlife is as much of an attraction as its volcanoes.

Kamchatka is one of the rare destinations where you can observe bears fishing for salmon as well as large numbers of whales and sea mammals. The region is also known for its red king crab, one of the worlds most coveted seafood species.

How to get there

For a vacation in Kamchatka, its best to book a package from a travel agent specialising in remote destinations. A typical trip begins with a flight to Moscow followed by a connecting flight to Petropavlovsk-Kamtchatski. Even a short visit to Kamchatka requires a substantial amount of time. Count on staying for at least two weeks.

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Travelling by road is a great way to explore a country and experience it the local way. If you love driving and are wondering if you will be able to cruise down the autobahn, there are a few countries you can drive in with your Indian driving licence. Experts from global travel search engine Skyscanner have come up with a list of countries where you can use your Indian driving licence:

Indians can drive in Germany with their Indian driving licence for up to six months provided you carry a German translation. (Shutterstock)

* Germany: Driving on Germanys Romantic Road, an approximately 400-km-long route through the heart of Bavaria is one of the best ways of exploring the country. The German Castle Road is another classic route along which you can find more than 70 castles, and picturesque views. Indians can drive in Germany with their Indian driving licence for up to six months provided you carry a German translation. You can get this from any German diplomatic mission. However, having an international driving permit, while not mandatory, can be handy as it carries translations.

The scenic St Bernard Pass in the Alps, Switzerland. (Shutterstock)

* Switzerland: You dont want to miss trains Dilwale Dulhaniya... style, and instead want to drive in this gorgeous country? Good decision, because there are so many lovely driving routes in Switzerland. One of the most famous passes in the Alps is the St Bernard Pass. The Swiss section of the road begins in Martigny and ends in San Bernadino, 56 km away. You can take this route if youre driving from Zurich to some of the Italian-speaking parts of Switzerland. Indians can drive in Switzerland for up to one year with a valid Indian driving licence.

* France: Whether you want to take in the beauty of the French Alps and drive hundreds of kilometres watching the dramatic changes in the scenery, or just take a nice short drive from Santenay to Dijon and enjoy the wine country, France doesnt disappoint. Take your time stopping in between and sample some of the finest vintage wines the country has to offer. Indian visitors can drive in France for a year with a valid Indian licence as long as they carry a French translation with them.

* US: This is a land where people love to drive, and when in Rome do as the Romans, right? Some of the best road trips in the US include the drive from Torrey to Bryce Canyon National Park (Highway 12, Utah) and the drive on the Pacific Coast Highway through California. This doesnt even begin to scrape the surface, because the country has so many lovely driving routes. So plan your trip to the US well in advance to get cheap flight tickets. Then forget about any agenda, just get off the plane, rent a car and drive.

Indian visitors can drive in the US for a year with their Indian driving licence as long as it is in English. If it isnt, then an international driving permit is required with the translation. You also need to have an I-94 form, which shows the date on which you arrived in the US.

Bergen in Norway features beautiful villages and fjords. (Shutterstock)

* Norway: The Land of the Midnight Sun beckons you to come and explore its amazing fjords. Drive from Oslo to Bergen and youll pass some of the most beautiful villages, waterfalls, and fjords in Europe. Indian visitors can drive in Norway for three months with a valid Indian driving licence.

* Australia: When youre driving in Australia, theres no dearth of pleasant surprises. You can drive in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory with an Indian driving licence. However, in the Northern Territory, you can drive only for three months. Also, keep in mind that you can only drive those types of vehicles that your international driving licence allows you to drive.

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Actor Manish Bishla has reportedly been cast as Lord Indra in Colors shot Mahakali: Anth Hi Aarambh Hai. He will replace Gagan Kang who died on Saturday in car crash.

According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, Manish will star in the episode that airs this weekend. He was my friend and we worked together on another mythological show, Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman, for three years with Gagan playing Kesari and Vibhishan. Im still in shock, may his soul rest in peace, Manish said about Gagan.

Gagan and two more people, actor Arjit Lavania who played Nandi in the serial and a spotboy, had also died in the accident.

is #manishbishla ...will the indradev's character in mahakaali... who also had seen in mahadev as vaayu dev..@utkarshnaithani pic.twitter.com/8WN4DXkEL4  Shrestha Tripathi (@falgunitripath1) August 23, 2017

The trio was returning from Gujarats Umbergaon when the accident took place at the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in Palghar district near Mumbai. The spotboy was seated on the rear seat of the car.

Kang, who was driving, lost control of the vehicle at around 11:15 am, and crashed into a stationary trailer. The police initially detained the driver of the trailer, but found that he was innocent as his vehicle had been correctly parked. Eyewitnesses said that the cars roof got crushed by the impact of the crash.

Inspector Mahesh Patil of Manor police station said that a lot of beer cans and snacks were found in the vehicle.

Prior to the serial Mahakali, Gagan had worked in TV serials like Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman, where he was first noticed in the role of Hanumans father, King Kesari.

A fitness freak, Gagans physique was instrumental in him getting mythological roles. However, Gagan maintained a low profile and rarely went for parties.

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Actor Amit Tandons estranged wife Ruby has been in a Dubai jail for over a month now, and the actor, who has been actively trying to help her, says he is hoping for some respite before the weekend.

There were certain reports that Amit had gone to Dubai recently to try and get her released, but her bail plea was rejected by the authorities.

This is all false news which is being spread by one organisation. We are awaiting some positive news by Thursday. Right now, the matter is sub - judice and I cant reveal much but people need to know what is the reality, says Amit who is in Mumbai shooting for Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki.

Ruby, who is a dermatologist by profession, was reportedly arrested for threatening some government officials. She is lodged in Al Raffa jail.

Dr Ruby and I will talk about this and issue a statement after Thursday because this is also important for people who want to work in Dubai, says Amit.

The actor, who was married to Ruby for 10 years, parted ways with her earlier this month, but in an earlier interview he stated that he believes in her work and feels she has been framed in the case.

Talking the about reason for their separation , Amit had told HT in an earlier interview, I am not going to comment on anything right now. All I can say is that I have a young daughter and I want to make sure that she is taken care of. I dont want her to be affected negatively. Whatever is happening in our life is now very personal. Our daughter [Jiyana] is my priority and I dont want her to suffer.

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An airstrike by a Saudi-led coalition struck a hotel near Yemens capital today, killing at least 41 people as the alliance stepped up airstrikes against the Houthi rebels and their allies in and around Sanaa.

The escalation comes amid a standoff in Sanaa between the two main components of the rebel alliance, Shiite fighters from the north known as Houthis and loyalists of ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh. There are mounting fears of street violence.

There were conflicting reports on the identity of the victims of the hotel strike, with doctors saying they were farmers and officials and witnesses saying they included rebels. The coalition has been battling the rebels, who control Sanaa, since early 2015.

The fighter jets targeted a two-story hotel in the town of Arhab, about 35 kilometers north of the capital, Sanaa, officials said.

Bodies were still being retrieved from the rubble, witnesses said. Another airstrike hit a checkpoint manned by the Houthis a few kilometers (miles) from the hotel, they added.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. The witnesses requested anonymity for fear of retribution.

Footage of the area aired on al-Masirah TV, a Houthi-run satellite news network, showed bodies hanging out of a simple cinderblock building. Bystanders wrapped mangled corpses into blankets to try to carry them away.

The TV network said 41 civilians were killed and that the death toll was expected to rise further. Officials and witnesses told The Associated Press that the death toll had reached 60 and that the majority of those killed were Houthis rebels.

Physician Ali al-Rakmi, who was helping with rescue efforts, said there were more than 100 people inside at the time of the attack, all qat farmers. The plants leaves are chewed for a stimulant effect, a widespread tradition among Yemeni men.

Al-Rakmi said they had retrieved 35 bodies so far.

Fahd Marhab, head of the Umrah hospital, about 10 kilometres from the site of the airstrike, said there were no wounded and that all the people in the hotel were killed in the 3 am airstrike. He also said that they were mostly farmers.

Conflicting accounts are common in the aftermath of deadly airstrikes.

There was no immediate comment from the coalition.

The Saudi-led coalition is waging an extensive air campaign against the Houthis and forces loyal to Saleh, which together control much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa. They are trying to restore the internationally recognised government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

The airstrikes have hit schools, hospitals, and markets, killing thousands of civilians and prompting rights groups to accuse the coalition of war crimes. Activists have called upon Western countries, including the United States and Britain, to cease their military support for the coalition.

The conflict has killed over 10,000 civilians, displaced 3 million people and pushed the impoverished nation to the brink of famine.

The coalition has recently stepped up airstrikes in and around Sanaa, targeting army compounds and other Houthi locations.
A Lebanon man charged with first-degree robbery on Monday remains in the Linn County Jail on $100,000 security.

Albany police arrested Richard Randall Swensen, 44, on Friday afternoon following a call about a disturbance at a Chevron station at 4175 Santiam Highway southeast.

According to a probable cause affidavit submitted by the police department, an employee at the Chevron told police a man sitting in the parking lot pulled a knife on a customer getting fuel.

The customer told police he had pulled up in a parking space and got out to fill a gas can. A man came up behind him, holding a black torch in one hand and a black and chrome knife in the other, and told him he was going to light the gas on fire. Then, the customer said, the man told him he was going to take the gas.

The victim said he wasn't going to give up the gas, and the man got back in his vehicle and continued yelling at him. The customer asked an employee to call police, who pulled the identified male over as he was leaving the location.

Police said they identified the departing driver as Swensen and found a knife and torch that matched the customer's description in the vehicle. Swensen denied threatening anyone with the knife and denied saying he was going to light any gas on fire.

A status check hearing has been scheduled for Swensen at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 5.

In a separate case, Swensen also was charged with harassment and interference with making a report. Those crimes allegedly occurred on July 18.
Hailing Donald Trumps new tough line against Pakistan, top US lawmakers have demanded that Islamabad be designated a state sponsor of terrorism and its major non-NATO ally status be revoked to force it stop from supporting terrorist groups.

President Trump on Tuesday called out Pakistan for supporting terror groups and providing them safe havens within its territory. The criticism came as a part of his speech outlining the new US strategy to end the 16-year war in Afghanistan and bring peace and stability in the larger South Asian region.

President Trumps speech marked a positive shift in US policy, but it must not be limited only to words. If Pakistan does not stop aiding terrorists with American blood on their hands we must cut all aid to Islamabad, revoke their privileged status as a major non-NATO ally, and designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, Congressman Ted Poe said.

He said Trumps speech was a rude awakening for Pakistani military and intelligence services, who keep betraying the United States while accepting billions in aid from Washington.

Despite Pakistans ongoing treachery, Islamabad is among the leading recipients of US foreign assistance since 9/11 and is praised in some quarters of the US government as a vital ally. This must stop if we want to stabilise Afghanistan, we must deal first with Pakistan, he said.

Poe has a legislation pending in the US Congress that calls for designating Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism and revoking its major non-NATO ally status.

Congressman Kevin Cramer, too, applauded Trump for applying pressure on Pakistan.

While Pakistan is an important partner in helping keep the peace, its time they take decisive action to make clear they do not support terrorist regimes in the region, he said.

The announcement that the Trump administration plans to increase cooperation with India couldnt come at a better time, Cramer said.

Congressman Drew Ferguson tweeted: We must focus on removing terrorists safe havens and holding our partners in Pakistan to account.

Senator John Cornyn, co-Chair of the Senate Indian Caucus, rued that the previous administration of Barack Obama never held Pakistan accountable for providing sanctuary to terrorists.

Congressman Tom Graves said Trumps plan for Afghanistan and South Asia will eliminate terrorist safe havens and give US troops more freedom to pursue the enemy, hold Pakistan accountable and bring focus to the diplomatic strategy.

In his speech, Trump did not give any specifics on increasing troops or timeline for successfully ending the war. He offered few clear changes, but the new policy moved from a strategy based on timeline to the one based on conditions.

Coons said it uses a regional approach to challenge Pakistans troubling practice of harbouring extremist groups.

Essentially, without committing to troop levels or timelines, President Trump has said our strategy is to outlast the Taliban and other terrorist groups, and to only leave Afghanistan once the Afghan government and its armed forces can maintain control of the country.

This strategy would commit us and our allies to a very long and likely very costly war for many years to come, and deserves to be fully debated and developed now that President Trump has presented its broad outlines, he said.

Senator Ben Cardin, a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said pressure must be increased on Pakistan to end its support for extremist groups.
President Donald Trump blamed the media Tuesday for the widespread condemnation of his response to a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organized by white supremacists that led to the killing of a counter-protester.

Trump opened his political rally in Phoenix with a call for unity, saying, What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America and tonight, this entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs that perpetrated hatred and violence.

But he quickly trained his ire on the media, shouting that he openly called for healing unity and love in the immediate aftermath of Charlottesville and claiming the media had misrepresented him. He read from his three responses to the violence  getting more animated with each one.

Democrats and fellow Republicans had denounced Trump for placing blame for the Charlottesville violence on both sides. Trump omitted that part of his reaction from his recap Tuesday night.

You know where my heart is, Trump said. Im only doing this to show you how damned dishonest these people are.

After the rally, a day of noisy but largely peaceful protests outside the Phoenix convention center turned unruly as police fired pepper spray at crowds after someone apparently lobbed rocks and bottles at officers.

Trump spoke after Vice President Mike Pence and others called repeatedly for unity.

Housing Secretary Ben Carson and Dr. Alveda King, the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., were among the openers. Franklin Graham, son of the evangelist Billy Graham, led the rally-goers in prayer, saying, Were divided racially, and were adrift morally.

Trump teased a pardon for former sheriff Joe Arpaio, asking the crowd what they thought of him. Loud cheers erupted. The former Maricopa County sheriff is awaiting sentencing after his conviction in federal court for disobeying court orders to stop his immigration patrols.

So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? Trump asked. Ill make a prediction: I think hes going to be just fine.

Earlier, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump wouldnt discuss or take action on a pardon at any point today, even though the president had told Fox News he was considering it.

Trump said at the rally that the only reason he wouldnt pardon Arpaio from the stage was to avoid controversy for the moment.

In the comfort of his most fervent fans, Trump often resurrects his free-wheeling 2016 campaign style, pinging insults at perceived enemies such as the media and meandering from topic to topic without a clear theme. Although Trumps high-profile warm-up acts suggested the presidents speech would be about unity, the president was more intent on settling scores.

He skewered both of Arizonas Republican senators  but coyly refused to mention their names, describing his own restraint as very presidential.

Instead, Trump bemoaned that the Senate was only one vote away from passing a health care overhaul. Sen. John McCain, who is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer, voted against a Republican health care bill.

Trump called another unnamed senator weak on borders, weak on crime. Trump has lashed out at Sen. Jeff Flake, a frequent critic, using the same language in the past.

The president tweeted last week: Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. Hes toxic! Flake has been on tour promoting his book that says the Republican Partys embrace of Trump has left conservatism withering.

Ward attended Trumps rally, but did not appear onstage.

In a modest but telling swipe at Ward  and, by extension, at Trump  the Senate Leadership Fund, a political committee closely aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, is spending $10,000 on digital ads that say of her, Not conservative, just crazy ideas.

Trump began his Arizona visit with a brief trip to the southern edge of the country.

While touring a Marine Corps base in Yuma that is a hub of operations for the U.S. Border Patrol, Trump inspected a drone and other border equipment on display in a hangar.

Trump shook his head as he was shown a series of everyday objects, such as a fire extinguisher, that had been refashioned to secretly transport drugs across the border. Afterward, he spent about 20 minutes greeting service members in the grueling, 106-degree heat, signing caps with his Make America Great Again campaign slogan and posing for selfies on the tarmac just steps from Air Force One.

___

Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Darlene Superville, Alan Fram in Washington and Josh Hoffner in Phoenix contributed to this report.

___

This story corrects the ad campaign spending figure to $10,000 instead of $100,000.
The world record for the largest samosa was smashed in London on Tuesday by a whopping version of the popular Asian snack weighing in at 153.1 kgs.

A dozen volunteers from the Muslim Aid UK charity built the giant samosa then deep-fried it in a custom-built vat at an East London Mosque.

Adjudicators from Guinness World Records were on hand to oversee the process and certify that the mega-samosa passed the required tests.

The previous record of 110.8 kg was set by Bradford College in northern England in June 2012.

The samosa was built on a giant wire mesh, then winched into a vat of cooking oil before being hauled out to be weighed.

My heart was beating really fast, said Farid Islam, 26, the project organiser.

It was very tense. It looked like it was going to slide off. A crack appeared and I feared the worst, he told AFP.

Thumbs-up verdict

Guinness World Records adjudicator Pravin Patel spelled out the rules.

Its got to be triangular; contain flour, potatoes, onions and peas; be fried, and retain the shape when cooked, he told AFP.

Its got to look and feel like a samosa; its got to be edible by humans.

The critical record is the net weight. Plus it all has to be eaten. No wastage!

The samosa will go to feed the homeless in the neighbourhood as part of the traditional good deeds associated with the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. (AFP Photo)

After the team carefully made the triangle-shaped super-snack, it was hauled up to the industrial winch by the biggest men available and slowly plunged into the vat.

Once it was winched out, and after the nervy weigh-in, the independent food safety officer, who had overseen proceedings, gave it the taste test. A simple thumbs-up triggered cheers around the hall.

It was then down to Patel to tie up all the certification and deliver the verdict: 153.1 kg.

Its an absolutely great achievement, he declared.

Organiser Islam said it was a tough challenge.

Initially I thought it would be a piece of cake: stuff it together, tie up the end and fry it, he said.

When I realised there was not a single pot in the country that could hold that weight, we had to get something tailor made.

The samosa took around 15 hours of work and was dished up into hundreds of portions distributed to the local homeless via the Salvation Army.
The headless torso of a woman found floating in Danish waters is that of a Swedish journalist who authorities believe died aboard an inventors homemade submarine, police said Wednesday.

The DNA of the torso matches that of Kim Wall, Danish police announced on Twitter, saying more details would be given at a news conference at 9am (0700 GMT).

The female torso, with the head and limbs deliberately cut off, was found on Monday in Koge Bay, around 50 km (30 miles) south of Copenhagen.

The 30-year-old Wall, a freelance journalist who had reported for The Guardian and The New York Times, had not been seen since boarding Danish inventor Peter Madsens submarine on August 10 to interview him for a story.

She was reported missing a day later. The same day, Madsen was rescued from waters between Denmark and Sweden shortly before his submarine sank.

Madsen, whose website describes him as an inventepreneur, initially told authorities that he dropped Wall off on an island late on the evening of August 10.

But he changed his story several days later when he appeared in court, saying Wall died in an accident on board and that he dumped the body at sea in an undefined location of the Koge Bay.

Police have since said they believe Madsen, 46, deliberately sank the sub. It was brought to the surface and searched, but found to be empty.

Investigators are not convinced by Madsens latest account and suspect him of negligent manslaughter.
A 30-year-old Indian-origin Malaysian man has been jailed for life in Singapore along with 24 strokes of cane-lashing for smuggling drugs.

Saravanan Chandaram, 30, who pleaded guilty to two charges of importing the controlled drugs, also received the maximum 24 strokes of the cane, the Straits Times reported.

The prosecution submitted a certificate to the court stating that Saravanan was only a drug courier and had substantively helped the authorities to disrupt drug trafficking.

This gave the judge the discretion to impose a life sentence instead of the mandatory death penalty.

Saravanan was found with 10 bundles containing at least 1.38 kilogrammes of cannabis, and at least 3.29 kilogrammes of cannabinol and cannabinol derivative.

On November 5, 2014, he rented a car and met a drug syndicate leader, known only as Aya, in Skudai in the southern Malaysian state of Johor, where he collected the 10 bundles of drugs.

Saravanan, who worked for Aya as his bodyguard and personal driver, hid the bundles under the armrest of the rear passenger seat.

Defence lawyer Singa Retnam, in his closing submissions to the court last month, said that Saravanan had borrowed Malaysian Ringgit 4,000 (Singapore dollars 1,270) from Aya as he did not have enough savings for his sons operation.

When Saravanan returned to Johor on November 5, 2014, he was asked by Aya to repay the money, but he could not do so immediately, the Strait Times report said.

He had no choice but to adhere to his bosss demands and agreed to deliver 10 packets of tobacco, for Malaysian Ringgit 2,000, according to the defences submissions.

The defence said that Saravanan believed he was delivering 10 packets of tobacco, instead of cannabis.

However, the prosecution said that Saravanans belief was unfounded when there were clearly suspicious circumstances surrounding the delivery of the drugs.

There were also inconsistencies in his account as he had initially said he was promised Singapore dollars 5,000 for the delivery, but later claimed he was promised Malaysian Ringgit 2,000.

The prosecution noted that Saravanan was being paid a disproportionately high amount of Singapore dollars 5,000 for a relatively simple task of delivery.
Iran and Saudi Arabia will exchange diplomatic visits soon, Tehran said on Wednesday, indicating a possible thaw in relations between the regional rivals since they severed diplomatic ties last year.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) that the visits could take place after the haj pilgrimage ends in the first week of September.

The visas have been issued for both sides to make this trip, Zarif said, according to ISNA. We are waiting for the final steps to be completed so diplomats from the two countries can inspect their embassies and consulates.

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are at their worst in years, with each accusing the other of subverting regional security and supporting opposite sides in conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran in Jan. 2016 after a prominent Saudi Shiite cleric was executed, prompting Riyadh to close the embassy.

Saudi Arabia and several other Arab governments have severed ties with Qatar, citing its support of Iran as one of the main reasons.

Iran has blamed Saudi Arabia for being behind deadly twin attacks on June 7 in Tehran claimed by Islamic State. At least 18 people were killed and more than 40 wounded in the attacks, in which Riyadh has denied any involvement.

Thousands of Iranian pilgrims are currently undertaking the haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Israel will strip 20 citizens who left to fight with the Islamic State (IS) group of their citizenship, a minister said on Wednesday, with reports saying all but two are Arab.

Interior minister Aryeh Deri said an amendment to Israels nationality act which went into force this month allows those engaged in hostile activity to be stripped of their citizenship in absentia.

I asked that the citizenship of 20 such Israelis be revoked, he told Israeli army radio.

The Shin Bet security service has in the past estimated that several dozen Israeli nationals had been fighting for IS in Iraq and Syria but now says that about 20 remain active.

The remainder, it says, were either killed in action or returned to Israel, where they were arrested.

Deri said that the amendment would prevent IS recruits from returning to the Jewish state, while also acting as a deterrent to young Israelis considering similar journeys.

Without the bill, he said, they would return to the country and eventually carry out another car ramming attack.

He said each individual decision would receive due process.

Private Israeli TV Channel Two reported Tuesday that most of those to be stripped of their citizenship were Arabs -- descendents of those who stayed after the creation of Israel in 1948.

However, it said, two were originally Jews - immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union who had converted to Islam and joined the fighting in Syria.

The Shin Bet has said that IS sympathisers among the Jewish states Arab minority pose a serious security threat for Israel.

By the end of 2016, 83 people, most of them Arab Israelis, were behind bars in Israel as suspected IS sympathisers, up from just 12 a year earlier, according a recent report in newspaper Haaretz.

Some were arrested for planning to travel to Syria or Iraq to fight alongside the jihadists, or on their return to Israel.

Others were detained for contacts on the internet with IS militants abroad or for planning attacks at home.
North Koreas leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered more production of rocket engines and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) nosecones, Pyongyang state media said Wednesday.

Tensions over the Norths weapons programmes have mounted this year and it carried out two ICBM tests last month, overseen by Kim, that apparently brought most of the United States within range.

A series of threats followed from both sides, and while the rhetoric has since eased, the US and South Korea this week kicked off their annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian military drills, which the North always condemns as dress rehearsals for invasion.

Earlier this week the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described President Donald Trump as a mad guy in a commentary, referring to the master of the White House who frequently posts weird articles of his ego-driven thoughts in his twitter and spouts rubbish to make his assistants have a hard time.

Kim inspected the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science, which develops the Norths missiles, KCNA reported Wednesday.

He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips, it said.

Questions remain whether the North has mastered the technology needed to ensure a ballistic missile warhead survives the intense heat generated by re-entering the Earths atmosphere, although it says it has done so.

The manufacturing process included carbon fibre weaving, chemical deposition and high pressure liquid deposition, KCNA said.

The North has threatened to fire a salvo of missiles toward the US Pacific territory of Guam, but has since backed away from the plan.

US secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday added momentum to tension reduction, praising the North for showing a level of restraint in not conducting nuclear or missile tests since new UN sanctions were imposed.

He also expressed hope that it was a sign of Pyongyangs readiness to enter peace and disarmament talks with Washington sometime in the near future.
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday his aggressive rhetoric towards North Korea was beginning to bear fruit and that Kim Jong-Un had started to respect the United States.

Some people said it was too strong. Its not strong enough, he told a gathering of thousands of supporters at a campaign style rally in Phoenix, Arizona. But Kim Jong-Un, I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us. I respect that fact very much.

And maybe, probably not, but maybe something positive can come about. They wont tell you that. But maybe something positive can come about, he added.

Some people said it was too strong. Its not strong enough... But Kim Jong-Un, I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us. I respect that fact very much, said Trump.

His comments echoed those of his secretary of state Rex Tillerson who earlier in the day acknowledged Pyongyangs recent restraint in not carrying out fresh nuclear or missile tests in response to tough new UN sanctions.

I am pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that weve not seen in the past, Tillerson said at a rare press conference, adding that talks may be possible in the near future.

Tensions between North Korea and the United States and its allies soared last month after Pyongyang tested two long-range missiles that appeared to bring US cities within its range.

US President Donald Trump vowed to respond with fire and fury, raising fears of a devastating regional conflict, and the UN Security Council scrambled to impose new punitive measures on the North.

Kims regime later postponed a threat to fire missiles towards the US Pacific island territory of Guam, and Washington said it would be open to dialogue if Pyongyang were to take steps to calm tensions.
The Philippines largest Muslim rebel group said on Wednesday it had lost 10 fighters in battles to stop a growing force of radical militants who support the Islamic State group.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is seeking to prevent the militants from gaining a foothold in an area of Mindanao island that the group calls its own, senior rebel leader Mohagher Iqbal told AFP.

Iqbal said 50 or so militants had pledged allegiance to IS and had ties to gunmen waging a deadly three-month-old battle with government forces in the southern city of Marawi.

The radical elements are growing as a force, Iqbal told AFP by telephone.

An AFP video journalist who joined the Moro Islamic Liberation Front soldiers on Tuesday said the fighting was centred on vast marshy forests and farmlands near the town of Datu Salibo.

This photo taken on August 22, 2017 shows a government police officer along with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front wading through a flooded farm on their way to the frontline in Datu Salibo town, Maguindanao province, in the southern island of Mindanao. (AFP)

Moro Islamic Liberation Front men were filmed firing automatic weapons from a house, crossing streams and marshes with their machine guns, automatic rifles and rations raised above their heads, and inspecting the ruins of burnt houses.

Datu Salibo is about 100 km south of Marawi and about 800 km south of Manila.

Iqbal put the Moro Islamic Liberation Front death toll from the fighting, which began early this month, at 10. He said the militants had also sustained fatalities, although he could not give confirmed numbers.

The 10,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front has been leading a decades-long rebellion to establish an independent or autonomous homeland in Mindanao for the mainly Catholic Philippines Muslim minority.

The conflict has claimed more than 100,000 lives.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed a peace agreement with the previous administration in 2014 that envisages an autonomous Muslim homeland in Mindanao, and is hoping President Rodrigo Duterte can shepherd a final deal through a reluctant Congress.

However a range of more hardline militants, including former Moro Islamic Liberation Front members, oppose any form of peace with the government and some have in recent years pledged allegiance to IS.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has repeatedly warned that, if the peace process collapses, it will lose many of its younger members to IS-aligned groups.

This photo taken on August 22, 2017 shows members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and government police wading through a flooded farm on their way to the frontline in Datu Salibo town, Maguindanao province, in the southern island of Mindanao. (AFP)

Hundreds of IS-supporters occupied parts of Marawi in late May. Government forces have been unable to dislodge the militants in Marawi despite a massive, US-backed military campaign.

The conflict has claimed more than 700 lives.

Iqbal said the Moro Islamic Liberation Fronts current battles against another group near Datu Salibo showed IS was becoming a threat in other parts of the south.

Theyre an affiliate of ISIS and they plant the black (ISIS) flag wherever they go, Iqbal said, using an alternate acronym meaning Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. They cause trouble everywhere. We are against their way of life. We are against terrorism.
A man who arrived at a British airport for a flight with a pipe bomb in his hand luggage was sentenced on Wednesday to 18 years in prison.

Manchester Airport security staff found the device inside Nadeem Muhammads bag on Jan. 30. It contained gunpowder and batteries inside a marker pen tube.

The 43-year-old denied wrongdoing, saying the bomb must have been planted by someone else. But prosecutors said he planned to detonate it during a Ryanair flight to Italy.

Earlier this month he was convicted by a jury at Manchester Crown Court of possessing explosives with intent to endanger life or property.

Sentencing Muhammad, judge Patrick Field criticized airport staff for making a wholly erroneous and potentially dangerous conclusion that the bomb wasnt viable.

Muhammad wasnt arrested when he was initially stopped, and was allowed to fly to Italy several days later. After he departed, a forensic expert examined the device and judged it to be crude but potentially viable.

Muhammad, who was born in Pakistan and has an Italian passport, was arrested when he returned to Britain.

The judge said he had heard no evidence about Muhammads motivation, and cannot conclude this was an offence with a terrorist connection.

But he said that had the bomb exploded aboard a plane, it could have caused not inconsiderable injury and damage to those close to the explosion.

Field said he hoped that security at the airport and policing at the airport will be subject to a review at the highest level.
US first lady Melania Trump has thanked former first daughter Chelsea Clinton for standing up for her 11-year-old son against online bullying.

Chelsea had tweeted support for Barron Trump after a conservative news site criticised his dress sense.

Dear Matty-Barron is A KID. No child should be talked about in the below manner-in real life or online. And for an adult to do so? For shame https://t.co/p9jkGbMG4C  Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) August 22, 2017

The 37-year-old came to the youngest Trumps defence after an article in the The Daily Caller criticised Barrons style and clothing.

Melania Trump replied via Twitter: Thank you @ChelseaClinton - so important to support all of our children in being themselves!

On Monday, the Daily Caller headline read, Its High Time Barron Trump Starts Dressing Like Hes In the White House.

Many others on social media said they felt the piece was inappropriate, US media reported.

Chelsea, who lived in the White House when her father Bill Clinton was US president in the 90s, tweeted: Its high time the media & everyone leave Barron Trump alone & let him have the private childhood he deserves.

She also replied to someone who shared the piece, No child should be talked about in the below manner-in real life or online. And for an adult to do so? For shame.

The Daily Caller reporter Ford Springer had written: Barron was returning to the White House from New Jersey on Sunday and while the president and first lady travelled in their Sunday best, young Barron looked like he was hopping on Air Force One for a trip to the movie theatre.

Chelsea had previously defended Barron from criticism and cruel jokes.

Following Trumps White House victory, she had tweeted: Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does - to be a kid. She added: Standing up for every kid also means opposing @POTUS policies that hurt kids.

President Donald Trump repeatedly attacked Chelseas mother, Hillary Clinton, when she contested against him in the 2016 president elections, calling her crooked Hillary.
North Koreas state media released photos Wednesday that appear to show the designs of one or possibly two new missiles.

Concept diagrams of the missiles were seen hanging on a wall behind leader Kim Jong Un while he visited a plant that makes solid-fuel engines for the countrys ballistic-missile program.

One of the photos clearly showed a diagram for a missile called Pukguksong-3, which appears to be the latest in its Pukguksong, or Polaris, series. The other was harder to discern, though it carried a Hwasong, or Mars, designation name.

The photos were carried in the morning edition of the Rodong Sinmun, the ruling partys newspaper, and released by the Korean Central News Agency just two days after the United States and South Korea began annual military exercises that the North claims are a rehearsal for war.

Tensions on the peninsula generally ratchet up during the maneuvers and a series of larger exercises held each spring.

The KCNA report on the visit said Kim called on workers at the plant to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips.

Michael Duitsman, a research associate at the Center for Non-Proliferation Studies, said the first missile has not been seen before.

The Pukguksong-3 is definitely new, he said in an email to the AP.

The missile might be designed to fly farther and to be launched from protective canisters, which allow missiles to be transported more easily and makes them more difficult to locate and destroy in advance. Solid-fuel engines add to that difficulty because they allow for quicker launches than liquid-fuel missiles. It could possibly also boost the Norths submarine-launched missile capabilities.

North Korea successfully tested the submarine-launched Pukguksong-1 in August last year. It then followed up with a successful test of the land-based Pukguksong-2 in February this year. Both are believed to have intermediate ranges that could target Japan and the U.S. bases there but not the mainland United States.

The submarine and land-based technologies overlap, and developments in either can benefit both.

Its pretty smart to use the same missile design for both an SLBM and a land-based variant, the key being the canister, said Vipin Narang, an associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who focuses on nuclear proliferation. On land its easier to move and store, and fire. And you need a canister-based system for ejection at sea.

Duitsman said the quality of the pictures made it hard to immediately distinguish what the other missile was  though he said it was likely either a Hwasong-13 or Hwasong-11.

Hwasong is what North Korea calls most of its missiles, including its only ICBM  the Hwasong-14, which it tested last month. That missile is believed capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, though it probably needs another year or more of fine-tuning before it could be a serious threat.

If it is the Hwasong-13, then there has been an enormous change to the design, he said. The Hwasong-13 was originally paraded in 2012 as a liquid-fueled missile.

He cautioned that more analysis is needed.

Changing an entire missile from liquid to solid fuel, or vice versa, is generally something you dont do, he said. The design principles are very different.
North Koreas state media released photos Wednesday that appear to show the designs of one or possibly two new missiles.

Concept diagrams of the missiles were seen hanging on a wall behind leader Kim Jong Un while he visited a plant that makes solid-fuel engines for the countrys ballistic-missile program.

One of the photos clearly showed a diagram for a missile called Pukguksong-3, which appears to be the latest in its Pukguksong, or Polaris, series. The other was harder to discern, though it carried a Hwasong, or Mars, designation name.

The photos were carried in the morning edition of the Rodong Sinmun, the ruling partys newspaper, and released by the Korean Central News Agency just two days after the United States and South Korea began annual military exercises that the North claims are a rehearsal for war.

Tensions on the peninsula generally ratchet up during the maneuvers and a series of larger exercises held each spring.

The KCNA report on the visit said Kim called on workers at the plant to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips.

Michael Duitsman, a research associate at the Center for Non-Proliferation Studies, said the first missile has not been seen before.

The Pukguksong-3 is definitely new, he said in an email to the AP.

The missile might be designed to fly farther and to be launched from protective canisters, which allow missiles to be transported more easily and makes them more difficult to locate and destroy in advance. Solid-fuel engines add to that difficulty because they allow for quicker launches than liquid-fuel missiles. It could possibly also boost the Norths submarine-launched missile capabilities.

North Korea successfully tested the submarine-launched Pukguksong-1 in August last year. It then followed up with a successful test of the land-based Pukguksong-2 in February this year. Both are believed to have intermediate ranges that could target Japan and the US bases there but not the mainland United States.

The submarine and land-based technologies overlap, and developments in either can benefit both.

Its pretty smart to use the same missile design for both an SLBM and a land-based variant, the key being the canister, said Vipin Narang, an associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who focuses on nuclear proliferation. On land its easier to move and store, and fire. And you need a canister-based system for ejection at sea.

Duitsman said the quality of the pictures made it hard to immediately distinguish what the other missile was  though he said it was likely either a Hwasong-13 or Hwasong-11.

Hwasong is what North Korea calls most of its missiles, including its only ICBM  the Hwasong-14, which it tested last month. That missile is believed capable of reaching the US mainland, though it probably needs another year or more of fine-tuning before it could be a serious threat.

If it is the Hwasong-13, then there has been an enormous change to the design, he said. The Hwasong-13 was originally paraded in 2012 as a liquid-fueled missile.

He cautioned that more analysis is needed.

Changing an entire missile from liquid to solid fuel, or vice versa, is generally something you dont do, he said. The design principles are very different.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is starting to respect the United States, President Donald Trump declared, even as Pyongyang revealed plans for its missile development Wednesday and Kim ordered a production boost.

Trumps remarks, at a rally in Phoenix, came hours after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said talks with the nuclear-armed North over its banned weapons programmes might be possible in the near future.

The comments are a marked contrast to the rhetoric of recent weeks, when Trump spoke of raining fire and fury on the North, and come as tensions have eased after Kim pulled back from a plan to send a salvo of missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam.

But Washington also imposed new sanctions on Chinese and Russian firms suspected of doing business with the North.

Pyongyang, meanwhile, revealed significant technological advances in its missile programmes and ambitious plans to further improve its capabilities.

On a visit to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science, Kim ordered stepped-up production of rocket engines and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) nosecones, state media reported.

At a campaign-style rally in Phoenix, Trump said his aggressive rhetoric was starting to bear fruit.

Some people said it was too strong. Its not strong enough, he told thousands of supporters. But Kim Jong-Un, I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us. I respect that fact very much.

And maybe, probably not, but maybe something positive can come about.

Earlier Tillerson acknowledged Pyongyangs recent restraint in not carrying out fresh nuclear or missile tests in response to tough new United Nations sanctions, the seventh set imposed on it.

I am pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that weve not seen in the past, Tillerson said at a rare press conference, adding that talks may be possible in the near future.

US officials told AFP that Tillerson was not thanking Pyongyang, nor making any concession on Washingtons determination to halt Kims missile programme and negotiate the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

The Trump administrations rhetoric has been highly variable but Washington has said it would be open to dialogue if Pyongyang took steps to calm tensions.

The North regards current joint military exercises by Seoul and Washington as a rehearsal for an invasion.

In a commentary released early Thursday Pyongyangs official Korean Central News Agency said statements from US that fewer troops were participating in the exercises were aimed at craftily trying to defuse the caution of Pyongyang.

It went on to urge the US and its allies to act with discretion if they want to evade the historic moment of death.

KCNA had earlier described Trump as a mad guy who frequently posts weird articles of his ego-driven thoughts in his twitter and spouts rubbish.

- Carbon compound -

Tensions between North Korea and the United States and its allies soared last month after Pyongyang tested two missiles that appeared to bring most of the US mainland within range.

The North says it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself against the US.

It has made rapid technological strides under Kim, and released pictures Wednesday of a visit by him to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science, which develops the Norths missiles.

Analysts said the images revealed major advances and ambitions.

Kim, in a black suit, was shown next to a large brown tube that Joshua Pollack of the US Middlebury Institute of International Studies said on Twitter was a wound fibre cylinder, evidently a large-diameter solid-rocket motor casing in the making.

Such casings are harder to manufacture than metal ones but are much lighter, enabling longer ranges and heavier payloads.

Other pictures included missile schematics and what appeared to be production processes.

We have diagrams and names on two apparent new solid fuel multistage North Korean nuclear capable missiles, one of them an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and the other a medium- or intermediate-range device, said independent missile and nuclear analyst George Herbert.

KCNA said the nosecones and engine jets were made of carbon/carbon compound material, and that Kim instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips.

Many of the elements on show were objectives rather than currently existing technology, analysts said, but even so, Jeffrey Lewis, of the armscontrolwonk.com website, noted: Its all bad.

If I understand North Korean propaganda, this is their way of telling us what well see in the air in the coming year.

Trump has urged Beijing, North Koreas only major ally, to bring greater pressure to bear in reining in its neighbours nuclear efforts, suggesting that the United States may offer concessions on trade in return.

On Tuesday the US Treasury slapped sanctions on 16 Chinese and Russian individuals and companies, accusing them of supporting North Koreas weapons programmes and attempting to evade US sanctions.

Beijing said Wednesday the move will not help the solution of the problem, nor would it enhance mutual trust.
The Pakistani military on Wednesday reacted strongly to US threats of aid cuts to pressure the country on counter-terrorism efforts, with army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa saying the war on terror would be conducted in line with national interests and not to appease anyone.

Bajwa made the remarks during a meeting with US ambassador David Hale, who called on the army chief at the general headquarters in Rawalpindi to brief him about the new US policy for Afghanistan and South Asia.

We are not looking for any material or financial assistance from USA but trust, understanding and acknowledgement of our contributions, Bajwa was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the militarys media arm.

His remarks were an apparent response to secretary of state Rex Tillersons comments on Tuesday that the US has some leverage, in terms of aid and Islamabads status as a non-NATO alliance partner, to pressure Pakistan to do more to counter terrorism and help bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table.

The statement quoted Bajwa as saying that peace in Afghanistan is as important for Pakistan as for any other country. He added, We have done a lot towards that end and shall keep on doing our best, not to appease anyone but in line with our national interest and national policy.

Bajwa also said collaboration and synergy of effort between all stakeholders is the key to success to bring this long drawn war in Afghanistan to its logical conclusion.

Hale said the US values Pakistans role in the war against terror and is seeking cooperation from Pakistan to resolve the Afghan issue.

Earlier, Pakistan rejected Trumps criticism of the country for harbouring terrorists and said the Kashmir issue is the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region.

While unveiling his new policy for Afghanistan on Monday, Trump signalled a toughening of the US position on Pakistan for sheltering terror groups. He also spoke of working more closely with India, which he called on to provide more economic aid to Afghanistan.

In a terse reaction to Trumps remarks, the Foreign Office advised the US to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens.

Foreign minister Khawaja Asif also rejected the US criticism, saying Pakistan should not be blamed for the failure of the US military.

They should not make Pakistan a scapegoat for their failures in Afghanistan, Asif told Geo News channel. Our commitment to war against terrorism is unmatched and unshaken.
Former US president Barack Obamas daughter Malia was spotted moving into her dormitory at the Harvard University on Monday.

Malia Obama was escorted by the Obama and his wife Michelle as the couple dropped her to the Ivy League college in Cambridge, Massachusetts. According to the Daily Mail, the Obamas were emotional after saying their goodbyes and rushed to the SUV with their eyes closed.

In a photo of her reportedly taken on the Harvard campus, Malia was seen sporting a top by Alexander Wang that was paired with a black baby doll dress and white sneakers, the tabloid Daily Mail said.

Malia Obama checks into Harvard dorm with help from Barack and Michelle https://t.co/VNOL6aPk5r pic.twitter.com/qJmBevgz1x  Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) August 22, 2017

Malia (19) took a gap year -- a year off -- before starting college later this month. It is not known what subject she will major in.

The former presidents daughter interned with HBOs Girls, CBS sci-fi series Extant and for a TV production firm, The Weinstein Company in her gap year, reports said.

Barack Obama had said last year that he was proud of his daughter and he would miss her terribly when she is gone, adding: But she is well-prepared, she is going to do great things -- and as Michelle reminds us, our job is to make sure they dont need us anymore, CBS News reported on Tuesday.

Both Obama and Michelle are graduates of Harvard Law School.
Pakistan on Wednesday rejected US President Donald Trumps criticism of the country for harbouring terrorists and said the Kashmir issue is the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region.

While unveiling his new policy for Afghanistan on Monday, Trump signalled a toughening of the US position on Pakistan for sheltering terror groups. He also spoke of working more closely with India, which he called on to provide more economic aid to Afghanistan.

In a terse reaction to Trumps remarks, the Foreign Office advised the US to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens.

The statement also noted that regional peace and security could not be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies  an apparent reference to Indias role in Afghanistan.

Non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region, the statement added.

US officials have warned that aid to Pakistan might be cut and Washington might downgrade Islamabads status as a major non-NATO ally to pressure it to do more to help end Americas longest-running war in Afghanistan.

But foreign minister Khawaja Asif rejected the US criticism, saying Pakistan should not blamed for the failure of the US military.

They should not make Pakistan a scapegoat for their failures in Afghanistan, Asif told Geo News channel. Our commitment to war against terrorism is unmatched and unshaken.

Pakistan, he said, had suffered great losses because of terrorism  the government estimates 70,000 people have died since it joined the US-led war on terrorism after the 9/11 attacks. Asif also dismissed the notion the US could win the war against terror by threatening us or cornering us.

Our contributions, sacrifices and our role as a coalition country have been disregarded and disrespected, Asif said. He added that Pakistan was also angered by Trumps appeal to India to do more in Afghanistan.

During his speech on the new US policy for Afghanistan, Trump had said: We can no longer be silent about Pakistans safe havens for terrorist organisations.

He added, We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change and that will change immediately.

The Foreign Office statement also reiterated that there is no exclusive military solution to the crisis in Afghanistan. Military action over the past 17 years had not brought peace to Afghanistan and is not likely to do so in the future. Only an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned politically negotiated solution could lead to sustainable peace, it added.
An Indian-origin CEO in the US was racially abused after he wrote an article saying he will not defend US President Donald Trumps economic agenda after the violence in Charlottesville where white supremacists clashed with counter-demonstrators.

I recently told the New York Times I was rooting for certain aspects of Trumps economic agenda, Ravin Gandhi, CEO of GMM Nonstick Coatings, wrote for CNBC.

After Charlottesville and its aftermath, I will not defend Trump even if the Dow hits 50,000, unemployment goes to 1 percent, and GDP grows by 7%. Some issues transcend economics, and I will not in good conscience support a president who seems to hate Americans who dont look like him, he said.

What followed were a string of racist attacks on email and Twitter and Gandhi posted a voicemail on YouTube on Thursday of a woman abusing him and saying: Youre a f****** Indian pig.

Continuing with the rant, the alleged Trump supporter can be heard scornfully saying: Get your f****** garbage and go back to India, and sell it there.

The woman also called the Indian American US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley a Bangladesh creep and said they will start taking down Buddhist statues.

Gandhi is not a Buddhist and grew up in Illinois Waukegan, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The audio has more than 7000 views, with a user pointing out that India wasnt a Buddhist majority country and saying: Why are racists so ignorant?

Even though my race is a complete non-issue in my day-to-day life, the sad reality is theres a group of racists in the USA that views me as a second-class citizen, Gandhi told the Chicago Tribune when he was asked why he posted the audio online.

A woman told this CEO to 'go back to India' after he spoke out against Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/fUQOXfhxpx  NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 23, 2017

The US president has been widely criticised for his failure to denounce white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and Ku Klux Klan members who took out a march to Unite the Right in Charlottesville, Virginia, earlier this month.

Reports say there has been a spike in racist attacks in the US after Trump assumed office.
Princes William and Harry have spoken candidly about the death of their mother, Princess Diana, in an interview marking 20 years since she was killed in a car crash.

The princes told the BBC of their shock at hearing about the car accident and how Queen Elizabeth II tried to give them time to mourn in private.

Both brothers talk about how the tumultuous days following their mothers death left them bewildered and disoriented.

Both William and Harry also praise their grandmother for shielding them from public grief. At the time of Dianas death, the Queen came under severe criticism from the public for remaining at Balmoral castle in Scotland rather than returning to Buckingham Palace after the news broke.

The Queens decision not to lower the Union flag at Buckingham Palace to half-mast to acknowledge Dianas death was severely criticised by a nation mourning the loss of the peoples princess.

I think it was a very hard decision for my grandmother to make. She felt very torn between being a grandmother to William and Harry and her Queen role, William says.

Harry says he was in a state of disbelief while his brother describes feeling completely numb.

Prince Harry appears to confirm that it was Prince Charles who told his sons of Dianas death, adding that he was there for us.

One of the hardest things for a parent to have to do is to tell your children that your other parent has died, says Prince Harry. But he was there for us, he was the one out of two left and he tried to do his best and to make sure we were protected and looked after.

The princes have spoken out for a series of programs in the run up to the August 31 anniversary. The documentary Diana, 7 Days chronicles the week after the princess death in 1997.

Harry also criticised the paparazzi for taking photos of Diana as she lay dying. Diana and her friend Dodi Al Fayed were being chased by paparazzi when their limousine crashed.

Prince Harry criticises paparazzi for taking pictures of Princess Diana while she was dying in Paris, 20 years agohttps://t.co/jbADULnL3Z pic.twitter.com/a2Xj4G3pWc  BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) August 23, 2017
If the Trump administration truly is serious about enforcing federal marijuana laws, even in states like Oregon that have legalized pot, their best argument revolves around the amount of the weed that's hitting the black market.

So Oregon officials have to be hoping that their increased efforts to track weed will pay off. Otherwise, this could be the Achilles' heel for the state's growing multibillion-dollar legal marijuana business.

If you'll allow a bit of understatement here, it's fair to say that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions isn't a fan of marijuana and no advocate for legalization. But it's still not clear how vigorously the administration plans to push back against the tide of states that have legalized recreational pot.

Sessions himself has offered mixed messages on this point: He has said he believes pot is "only slightly less awful" than heroin. But he also has said that he believes the so-called Cole memo, a document from the Obama administration that governs the relationship between the feds and states that have legalized marijuana, is "valid."

That's where black market marijuana could give Sessions a card to play: The memo, crafted in 2013 by deputy attorney general James Cole, essentially said that marijuana would remain illegal under federal law, but that the feds would tolerate legalization on the state level  as long as those states worked hard on eight enforcement priorities. Among those priorities was one asking states to control the black market.

Earlier this year, the U.S. attorney for Oregon, Billy Williams, met with the state's top marijuana regulators. Williams requested the meeting in the wake of a draft report from the Oregon State Police that concluded that Oregon remains a leading black market exporter of pot to other states.

An Associated Press story said the report used statistics from the legal industry and estimates of illicit grows to conclude that Oregon produces between 132 tons and 900 tons more marijuana than what state residents can conceivably consume. The report identified Oregon as an "epicenter of cannabis production."

The report has drawn barbs from critics who say the numbers in it are overstated. But it also has drawn attention from Sessions himself, who made reference to it in a July letter he sent to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown.

It's not inconceivable that the federal government could attempt to make Oregon its first big target in a fight against legalized pot. Over the long run, the fight almost certainly would be a losing effort. But in the short run, it could easily devastate the state's growing pot industry and blow a multimillion-dollar hole in the state's budget as tax collections from sales of legal pot diminish.

Oregon has some cards of its own to play: Brown recently signed into law a requirement that state regulators track from seed to store all marijuana grown for sale in Oregon's legal market. So far, only recreational marijuana has been comprehensively tracked.

These tracking systems, which increasingly are in use in other states that have legalized marijuana, aren't foolproof in that they rely on the honesty of the users. But if Oregon is aggressive about identifying and citing violators early and often, the message might get out that the state means business on this front.

That might be enough to convince the feds to keep their hands off of Oregon's growing marijuana industry for the time being, instead of falling back on a heavy-handed and overly broad attack.

Such an attack from federal officials would almost certainly devastate Oregon's fascinating experiment with legalization. It also could end up, ironically, giving an unintended boost to the very same black market that Sessions and other federal officials want to shut down. (mm)
Can your dress code determine your right to education? When students of San Benito High School, California returned to school for a new term, something unexpected happened. The administration sent around 20 girls back home for wearing off-shoulder shirts and violating the dress code.

Calling out sexism and throwing light on the absurdity of this rule, some of the boys in the school decided to protest against the authorities by turning up in off-shoulder shirts themselves.

The school says wearing off-shoulder tops has been banned for years but was enforced only on August 14, according to Yahoo Style.

The dress code policy hasnt been an issue the past two years I have been here. I would regularly wear off-the-shoulder shirts and it was okay and it would be the same with a lot of the other girls, says a junior female student to Yahoo Style, on condition of anonymity.

The 16-year-old says that off-the-shoulder is a very big trend in the fashion industry and is not harming anyone physically. I think it is ridiculous how we have to fight against [the administration] to wear a shirt that is not harming anyone.

A girl with the Twitter handle @chadya_acosta shared a series of tweets captioned it: thank you to everyone who participated today!

thank you to everyone who participated today was v successful sbhs can suck it screw the dress code y'all ain't ready for tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/DnyIIk2l2U  chads (@chadya_acosta) August 14, 2017

Other students too joined in, in solidarity:

Since they wanna dress code all girls for showing too much shoulder, EXPLAIN THIS pic.twitter.com/HubvYN3dtC  Michael Gutierrez (@helloitsmikey_) August 15, 2017

"I didn't think we were actually gonna do this"

"Yeah me either but fuck it" pic.twitter.com/at8VRIM8Er  Brody (@brodycascio) August 15, 2017

Someone find me her @  pic.twitter.com/AsZqzgwMhH  Mawrk (@Holfwailey) August 15, 2017

The school released a written clarification countering the notion that strapless shirts are a distraction to male students. The Principal said that the school neither supports, nor believes it to be an appropriate reason to ban the same.

The actual reason for enforcing such a dress code, according to the statement, was to prevent the possibility of any student from being a victim to any incident where they could intentionally or unintentionally be humiliated.
Sri Lankas president fired his justice minister on Wednesday for his criticism of the government, including a decision to sell majority shares of a sea port to China.

President Maithripala Sirisena approved a request made by his United National Party to dismiss Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, the presidents office said.

The party accused Rajapakse of breaching the collective responsibility of the Cabinet of ministers by criticising the port deal as well as other government policies and some of his colleagues.

The party said it asked Rajapakse last week to correct his statements by August 21, but he failed to so and continued to criticize ministers and policies over the weekend.

Some party members also accused Rajapaksa of using his position to delay filing corruption charges against former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family, a key pledge of the Sirisena government that was elected in January 2015.

The dismissed minister, who is not related to the former president, has denied the allegation.

Sri Lankas government last month signed a long-delayed agreement to sell a 70% stake in a $1.5 billion port to China for 99 years in a bid to recover from the heavy burden of repaying a Chinese loan obtained to build the facility. The agreement has drawn public criticism and protests, with opposition parties and farmers saying it was akin to a sellout of the country.

Rajapakse also called the lease a sellout and said he would ensure that the port is taken back for the benefit of Sri Lankans.

The port is part of Beijings so-called string-of-pearls plan for a line of ports stretching from its waters to the Persian Gulf.

Chinas influence in Sri Lanka makes neighbouring India anxious because it considers the Indian Ocean region to be its strategic backyard. Sirisena has been trying to balance both Asian giants.

Sri Lankan officials have repeatedly reiterated that the ports security will be handled by Colombo in an attempt to allay the fears that the port could be used by Chinese as a military hub.
Sensitive issues are yet to be discussed between the UK and the EU in Brexit talks, but a position paper published by the Theresa May government on Wednesday raised doubts whether London will be able to take back control of its laws  one of the red lines of exiting the bloc.

Take back control was a popular pro-Brexit slogan during the EU referendum.

May insisted the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) will end after Brexit, but there remained questions over whose laws will apply to EU citizens in the UK and for businesses that operate across national borders.

Critics said the ECJ may continue have jurisdiction over UK for years after Brexit, as indicated by this section in the paper: The UK will engage constructively to negotiate an approach to enforcement and dispute resolution, which meets the key objectives of both the UK and the EU in underpinning the effective operation of a new, deep and special partnership.

As Brexit supporters alleged May was abandoning the hardline position she set out in last years Conservative Party conference speech and at Lancaster House in January, justice minister Dominic Raab conceded London would have to keep half an eye on ECJ rulings in the post-Brexit situation.

The paper also did not rule out ECJ jurisdiction during the Brexit transition period, planned after March 2019, stating that the UK will work with the EU on the arrangements for judicial supervision. This is seen as a climbdown by the May government.

But May insisted: What we will be able to do is to make our own laws  Parliament will make our laws  it is British judges that will interpret those laws, and it will be the British Supreme Court that will be the ultimate arbiter of those laws.

Keir Starmer, Labours shadow Brexit secretary, said: The prime ministers ideological insistence that there can be no future role whatsoever for the ECJ or any similar court-like body risks preventing the deal Britain needs.

Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable alleged Mays red lines are becoming more blurred by the day, saying the ECJ had served Britains interests well and should not be trashed.

As the paper states, EU law has direct effect within the legal orders of member-states, a principle to which the UK gives effect through the European Communities Act 1972. EU membership has meant an intrinsic link between the EUs legal order and the legal systems in the UK.

Withdrawal from the EU will mean a return to the situation where the UK and the EU have their own autonomous legal orders. The Withdrawal Agreement and the future partnership must respect the autonomy and integrity of both legal orders, it adds.

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A Taliban suicide bomber killed five civilians and wounded 25 others in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, an official said.

The attack by the insurgents comes a day after US President Donald Trump cleared the way for thousands more American troops to be sent to the war-torn country.

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive-filled car in a parking lot near the main police headquarters in Lashkar Gah, Omar Zhwak, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand province, told AFP.

Women and children were among the casualties, he said, in the attack that was claimed by the Taliban.

Provincial hospital director Mauladad Tabihdad told AFP that 38 wounded had been taken to hospital, most of them school children.

Among the five dead were two women and two soldiers.

People had been waiting to enter the police headquarters when the attacker struck at 8:00 am.

Police spokesman Salam Afghan said the bomb had targeted army vehicles in the parking lot.

The wounded children were studying at a nearby mosque when the explosion happened, the governors spokesman said.

For years Helmand province, of which Lashkar Gah is the capital, was the centrepiece of the Western military intervention in Afghanistan, but it has recently slipped deeper into a quagmire of instability.

Early last month a US soldier was killed and two others wounded in an attack in Helmand province while conducting operations against the Taliban.
As Hong Kong battens down for Typhoon Hato, weather-obsessed residents are glued to updates from the historic observatory which has the power to shut down the city with a signal.

Early Wednesday the observatory issued the citys highest level Typhoon 10 warning, bringing the city to a standstill with schools shut, hundreds of flights cancelled, and the stockmarket closed.

Founded in 1883, when Hong Kong was a British colony, the observatory originally used harbourside cannon to notify mariners of a storms arrival.

It then developed a numeric warning system with a T1 being the weakest and T10 the most powerful, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year and is still in use.

When the system was introduced, massive iron symbols indicating a storms severity were hoisted from coastal hillsides.

Now residents receive those warnings via the official MyObservatory app, downloaded 6.5 million times since it launched in 2010, in a city of 7.3 million.

Complete with a typhoon tracker, a nine-day forecast and frequent push notifications on temperature and wind speed, the observatorys widely seen forecasts are much discussed by residents and regularly provoke a visceral reaction.

Certain severe weather warnings mean compulsory shutdowns and prompt complaints from businesses over lost earnings.

On the flip-side, some workers keen for a day off accuse the observatory of shying away from issuing notices that would affect trade on week days.

Youll always check it to see if there is a chance to have a holiday, said 24-year-old office assistant Levi Sin.

Dont cry wolf

The meteorologist at the helm of the observatory, director Shun Chi-ming, is personally responsible for issuing Hong Kongs typhoon signals.

He says it is important for forecasters not to cry wolf so residents take the warning seriously.

When I was a young forecaster, we got a satellite image of the area once every three hours... Now we have an image every 10 minutes, he adds.

The strongest three storm warnings -- T8, T9 and T10 -- trigger citywide closures of schools, businesses and the stock market as well as widespread transport disruption.

This photo taken with a drone on August 5, 2017 shows the Hong Kong Observatory radar station (R) along with two other stations at the top of Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong's tallest mountain. (AFP Photo)

The whole city closes down because of my signature, says Shun, who sees the responsibility as a way to connect with residents.

I have a very close engagement with the public, he explains, but admits he relishes the chance to raise the most severe warnings.

The number 10 signal is one of my best times -- some of our directors didnt get a chance to issue a number 10 ever, Shun told AFP.

The last time he did so was for Typhoon Vincente in 2012.

Weather frontline

The white porticoed 19th century building which serves as the observatorys headquarters has been officially declared a historic monument and sits atop a hill in the shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui where there was once a clear vantage point of the harbour.

It is now sandwiched between commercial and residential towers, with a newer adjoining block packed with wall-to-wall touchscreens displaying information from radar stations perched on some of Hong Kongs highest mountain peaks.

At the weather frontline are the radar specialists operating the observatorys remote lookouts.

Its highest weather station stands on Hong Kongs tallest peak, Tai Mo Shan, literally translated as Big Hat Mountain, often shrouded in cloud, rain and wind.

It is usually unmanned but if a typhoon is predicted radar workers make the 950-metre (3,117 feet) climb to ensure they can fix any damaged equipment.

Specialists at Tai Mo Shan can spend up to four days sleeping in foldout beds next to radar screens as a storm hits.

Ip Wing-sing, a senior radar mechanic who has worked for the observatory for 20 years said the experience can be dramatic, to the distress of the workers loved ones.

Ip once had to fix a radar during a Typhoon 10.

The sounds of the wind and rain were very strong, Ip said.

Your family will always want you to be safely at home when theres a typhoon.

The city saw its strongest storm in 1962 when the eye of typhoon Wanda passed over and gusts of 284 kilometres (176 miles) per hour were recorded.

It killed 130 people and destroyed thousands of residential huts, leaving 72,000 people homeless.

Since then, Hong Kong has adapted to typhoons, including making sure its highest commercial skyscrapers can sway in the wind.

This picture taken on July 26, 2017 shows the Hong Kong Observatory app open on an iPad at the observatory's headquarters in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Hong Kong. (AFP Photo)

A massive drainage tunnel running along most of Hong Kong Island was also completed in 2012 to alleviate seasonal flooding caused by heavy rain and typhoons, which now rarely cause deaths in the city.

Despite the improved conditions, Shun still sees the observatory as an integral part of Hong Kong.

Whether kids need to go to school, or people should go to work -- that all depends on the information from the observatory, he says.

Sceptical resident Sin disagrees.

I think residents can more accurately predict the weather just by looking at the sky, he said.
US President Donald Trump, speaking at a campaign rally on Tuesday, threatened to shut down the federal government to force congress to fund his border wall, accusing the media of creating tensions in the aftermath of the Charlottesville race-driven clashes.

Speaking at Phoenix, Arizona  a state with a 626 km border with Mexico, Trump said: If we have to close down our government, were building that wall... The American people voted for immigration control. Were going to get that wall.

Trump got only $1.6 billion for the wall in the last federal budget  experts say it will cost around $22 billion and take three years to complete and he is threatening to refuse to sign the expenditure if it does not pay for the wall.

But in Phoenix, Trump also seemed angry by the controversy surrounding his equivocation on the Charlottesville clashes and he plunged into yet another attempt to prove he was clear in decrying racists.

I spoke out forcefully against hatred and bigotry and violence, he said. You know where my heart is. Im only doing this to show you how damned dishonest these people are. With that, he pulled out a wad of papers with quotes from his earlier remarks.

They dont report it, he complained. They said he wasnt specific enough. He went on to read out the quotes that were a selective collection, omitting words and phrases that had shown him trying to spread the blame evenly between the white nationalists and the counter-protestors.

He also targeted media house, ridiculing the failing New York Times, The Washington Post  which he called the lobbying arm of Amazon  and CNN, eliciting loud chants of CNN sucks.

The media can attack me. But where I draw the line is where they attack you, which is what they do, he said.

The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media.

Trump also hinted he was planning to grant a presidential pardon to a controversial Arizona state mayor convicted recently of ignoring a court order ordering him not to detain people on mere suspicion of being undocumented immigrants. And he attacked the states two Republican senators, John McCain  who is battling brain cancer  and Jeff Flake, who is up for re-election in 2018.
US President Donald Trump revved up supporters on Tuesday with a defense of his response to a white supremacist-organised rally in Virginia and a promise to shut down the US government if necessary to build a wall along the border with Mexico.

Under fire for saying both sides were to blame for the violence between white supremacists and left-wing counter protesters in Virginia on August 12, Trump accused television networks of ignoring his calls for unity in the aftermath.

I didnt say I love you because youre black, or I love you because youre white, Trump said. I love all the people of our country.

Police used pepper spray to disperse crowds after protesters threw rocks and bottles outside the convention center where Trump spoke, police said.

Trump, who often uses news organizations as a foil, repeatedly singled out the media for criticism of how it covered the violence in the Virginia college town of Charlottesville and the resulting political fallout.

These are truly dishonest people. Theyre bad people. I really think they dont like our country, Trump said. The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media.

Adopting a glib tone, Trump said many reporters ignored his condemnation of white supremacists, including the Ku Klux Klan.

I hit em with neo-Nazi, I hit em with everything ... KKK? We have KKK. I got em all, he said.

James Clapper, a former director of U.S. national intelligence, expressed concern at Trumps performance, calling it downright scary and disturbing.

I question his fitness to be in office, Clapper told CNN.

Pro-Trump supporters face off with peace activists during protests outside a Donald Trump campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on August 22, 2017. (Reuters Photo)

Government shutdown

Funding for the border wall has flagged in the US Congress as many lawmakers question whether Trumps main promise during the 2016 presidential election campaign is really necessary.

But with a budget battle looming, Trump said he would be willing to risk a politically damaging government shutdown in order to secure funding for the wall.

He visited the border region in Yuma, Arizona, earlier on Tuesday.

If we have to close down our government, were building that wall, Trump said. Were going to have our wall. The American people voted for immigration control. Were going to get that wall.

With thousands of supporters cheering him on, Trump also weighed in on another racially charged issue, hinting he would pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Arpaio, 85, who battled illegal immigration in the Phoenix area, was found guilty last month of criminal contempt for violating the terms of a 2011 court order in a racial profiling case.

On NAFTA and North Korea

Trump covered the gamut of issues, from NAFTA trade talks to the US showdown with North Korea, during a raucous, rambling and defiant political speech lasting an hour and 15 minutes.

He said he might terminate the NAFTA treaty with Mexico and Canada to jumpstart negotiations, and said the standoff with North Korea over its weapons programs might have taken a positive turn.

However, it was unclear whether the speech would help lay the foundation for a comeback from the deep political crisis Trump finds himself in after only seven months in office and an approval rating below 40 percent.

He expressed frustration that the Republican-controlled Congress was unable to approve healthcare legislation that failed to pass the Senate by one vote last month.

One of the votes against the legislation was cast by Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.

Without mentioning their names, Trump criticized both McCain and his fellow Arizona Republican, Senator Jeff Flake.

Neither McCain nor Flake attended the event.

Trump complained repeatedly about the one vote that stopped the Senate from repealing and replacing Obamacare, the signature domestic policy of his predecessor, Barack Obama.

One vote away. I will not mention any names - very presidential. And nobody wants me to mention your other senator, whos weak on border, weak on crime. Nobody knows who the hell he is! See, I havent mentioned any names, so now everybodys happy, he said.

Sheriff Joe

The White House had said earlier when asked about Arpaio that there will be no discussion of that today.

That did not stop Trump from raising the subject.

Do the people in this room like Sheriff Joe? Trump asked, sparking loud applause and a chant of Pardon Joe!

Was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? Trump asked, before predicting that Arpaio would be just fine. I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe can feel good, he said.

Trump drew broad criticism for blaming both white nationalists and counter-protesters for the deadly violence at the Charlottesville rally, which was organized by neo-Nazis and white supremacists. One woman was killed.

He mocked left-wing protesters in his speech.

Protesters outside Tuesdays rally yelled: Shame, shame, shame and No Trump, No KKK, No fascist USA as the Trump supporters began filing into the Phoenix Convention Center.

Supporters, who lined up for hours in the Arizona heat ahead of the event, chanted: Build the wall. Many wore red hats with Trumps campaign slogan, Make America Great Again.

Trump has held a series of 2020 re-election campaign stops despite only having taken office in January.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, had asked him to postpone Tuesdays event while the nation healed from outrage and division after the deadly rally in Charlottesville.

A heavy police presence was deployed around the Phoenix venue for Trumps first trip as president to Arizona, which he won in the 2016 election.
An influential US lawmaker has urged President Donald Trump to appoint Americas new ambassador to India on a priority basis, saying that Washingtons relation with New Delhi is of utmost importance.

The position has been lying vacant since January 20 when Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

In June, the White House said that Kenneth I Juster, 62, a top economic aide of Trump and an expert on India, will be Americas new ambassador to India.

As the co-founder and former chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India, Indian issues and representing one of the largest Indian-American constituencies in Congress, the relationship between our two great nations is of the utmost importance to me and my constituencies. I urge you to make the appointment of a US ambassador to India a top priority of your administration, Congressman Frank Pallone said in a letter to Trump.

The letter to Trump dated August 22 was posted by Pallone onTwitter.

.@realDonaldTrump says #India is critical to @Afghanistan strategy, but after 7 months he has failed to appoint an amb. to India. pic.twitter.com/G6pupuQif0  Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) August 22, 2017

After more than seven months in office, this critical appointment is long overdue and should be an immediate priority, Pallone said a day after Trump sought Indias increasing role in Afghanistan.

India is our strongest ally in South Asa, which you referred in your address to the nation on Monday, he said.

These are among the reasons the United States has long supported Indias permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. It is in our immediate national interest to send an accomplished American to serve as our countrys senior diplomat in India, Pallone said.

The White House refrained from responding to questions on delay in ambassadorial appointment to India.

However, without mentioning India, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson refuted the reports that the absence of officials at key position is having an impact on the efficiency of the State Department.

In terms of our footprint on the ground, we have very competent, capable, experienced people there now, Tillerson told reporters at a news conference.

Do you have enough people, given the fact that there are not Trump-confirmed diplomatic appointees in many of these positions in the region, he was asked.

We are looking at a couple of different people for the special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan position. It is open currently; it is being filled with a very experienced individual today. So we are ready to get going with very competent people we have, and I am not at all concerned about the competency level or the experience of the people that we have working on this. I am quite confident with them, Tillerson added.
US President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday he might terminate the NAFTA trade treaty with Mexico and Canada after three-way talks failed to bridge deep differences.

The United States, Canada and Mexico wrapped up their first round of talks on Sunday to revamp the trade pact with little sign of a breakthrough coming. Trump reopened negotiations of the 1994 treaty out of concern that US economic interests were suffering.

Personally, I dont think we can make a deal. I think well probably end up terminating NAFTA at some point, Trump said at a political rally in Phoenix, Arizona.

Suggesting a termination might help jumpstart the negotiations, Trump said: I personally dont think you can make a deal without a termination.

Following Trumps remarks, Mexican foreign minister Luis Videgaray tweeted: No surprises: were already in a negotiation. Mexico will remain at the table with serenity, firmness and with the national interest ahead. In a joint statement issued at the end of five days of negotiations in Washington, the top trade officials from the three countries said Mexico would host the next round of talks from September 1 to 5.

The talks will move to Canada later in September, then return to the United States in October, with additional rounds planned for later this year.
Convincing US President Donald Trump to reverse from his campaign pledge can be difficult.

When Americas national security advisor HR McMaster tried to change Trumps mind on the number of US troops in Afghanistan, one of the methods was to show him a seventies image of Afghan women wearing mini skirts, the Washington Post reported on Monday.

The black-and-white photo was reportedly shown as part of McMasters efforts to change the Trumps mind about withdrawing American troops in Afghanistan.

He (McMaster) presented Trump with a black-and-white snapshot from 1972 of Afghan women in miniskirts walking through Kabul, to show him that Western norms had existed there before and could return, the Post said.

Afghanistan has been ravaged by war and extremism but there was a time (1930s-70s) women could wear western-style dresses in the country, a Huffington Post report said, adding that skirts were banned after Taliban took over in 1990s.

Trump announced on Monday night his administrations policy of a continued US involvement in Afghanistan in a strongly-worded statement that reiterated US fight against terrorism.

According to US media reports, senior military officers, including McMaster -- a former general -- supported sending more soldiers to the conflict-torn nation.

The photo shown to Trump showed women in skirts in Kabul. HT could not independently identify if this was the image used. (Twitter)

The Republican President overcame his own scepticism about the war that began in October 2001 after the deadly 9/11 terror attacks in the US. Trump had said repeatedly on the campaign trail last year that the Afghanistan war was too costly in lives and money.

My original instinct was to pull out, he said in his speech on Monday, but added that he was convinced by his national security advisers to strengthen the US ability to prevent the Taliban from ousting the US-backed government in Kabul.

Trump, who took office in January, was critical of former Democratic president Barack Obamas approach to Afghanistan, saying the United States should not be nation-building and calling for Obama to withdraw troops.

When will we stop wasting our money on rebuilding Afghanistan? We must rebuild our country first, Trump had tweeted when Obama administration had taken US troop levels to more than 100,000.

Twitter users were critical of Trumps decision, with one Roger Sollenberger mocking the US President saying: Trump didnt give us his vision for what victory in Afghanistan looked like, but now we know: mini skirts... Didnt we always know?

(With inputs from agencies)
During this season of gratitude, we are reminded of the many reasons we can be thankful for the freedom and opportunity to travel.
Faced with a shortage of doctors and nurses described as desperate, Britains health officials have launched an international drive to recruit at least 2,000 general practitioners over the next three years  India is among the countries being looked at.

India has long been the source of medical professionals in the National Health Service. The highest number of doctors who gained medical qualifications outside the United Kingdom is from India - 25,342, or 9% currently working in the NHS.

There are several ongoing programmes for medical professionals from India  some of them coordinated by the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (Bapio)  but the latest drive is for general practitioners (GPs), who are at the heart of the NHS.

A spokesperson of NHS England told Hindustan Times on Wednesday that obviously India has been a very important part of the NHS throughout our history, but the latest drive will initially look for GPs in the European Union, where GP training meets UK standards.

Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "Workload in general practice is escalating  it has risen 16% over the last seven years  yet investment in our service has declined and we are desperately short of GPs and nurses.

We welcome any GP from the EU or further afield who wants to work in UK general practice  as long as they meet the rigorous standards set by the College and General Medical CouncilIndeed, thousands of GPs from overseas already work alongside UK GPs, and we are incredibly grateful for their skills and expertise.

Health Education England, one of the key health-related bodies in Britain, signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this year with Chennai-based Apollo Hospitals, which includes exchange of clinical staff.

Bapio president Ramesh Mehta said: The (Theresa May) government is desperate; it promised during elections to recruit extra doctors. Now many GPs are retiring, which adds to the already acute staffing situation.

Bapio has cautioned Indian doctors not to be lured by promises by locum agencies, and urged them to seek advice on job offers and related aspects about taking up employment in the NHS.

"We don't want them (Indian doctors) to be treated as second class citizens, or be exploited by locum agencies. India also needs doctors, we don't want to encourage brain drain," Mehta said.

Indian doctors have historically trained and worked in Britain, and their work has been much valued but recent years have seen a drop in their numbers moving here and registering with the regulator of the General Medical Council, mainly due to visa restrictions.

However, the restrictions are expected to be relaxed while recruiting new doctors to address the severe staff shortage in the NHS.

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The UN Secretary-General is ready to engage with Pakistan to help it dismantle terror sanctuaries if sought, his chief spokesperson has said after US President Donald Trump warned Islamabad for providing safe havens for terrorists.

As a matter of principle, secretary-generals good offices are always available to any two parties who, who ask. But that is just a statement of principle, UN chiefs spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

Commenting on Trumps speech, Dujarric said the hope of secretary general is that the international community will help come together and help Afghanistan find a political solution that will bring peace to the country.

And thats also obviously through the support and efforts of the UN, of the UN Mission there, he said.

Dujarric added that UNs focus is on finding a political solution to the current crisis in Afghanistan and help the Afghan people who have suffered so much for decades.

Trump had slammed Pakistan for its continued support to terrorist groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continued to do so.
A United Nations (UN) committee tasked with combatting racism has issued a formal early warning over conditions in the United States, a rare move often used to signal the potential of a looming civil conflict.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said it had invoked its early warning and urgent action procedure because of the proliferation of racist demonstrations in the US.

It specifically noted the unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a woman was killed after an avowed white supremacist ploughed his car into a group of anti-racism counterprotestors.

The racism committee, part of the UN human rights office, can issue a formal early warning to help prevent existing problems from escalating into conflict or to prevent a resumption of conflict where it has previously occurred, according to the rights office website.

US President Donald Trump has been widely criticised for his response to the Charlottesville clashes, after he said both sides were to blame for the violence.

The UN committee urged Washington, as well as high-level politicians and public officials, to unequivocally and unconditionally reject and condemn racist hate speech, without mentioning Trump by name.

We are alarmed by the racist demonstrations, with overtly racist slogans, chants and salutes by white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and the Ku Klux Klan, promoting white supremacy and inciting racial discrimination and hatred, committee head Anastasia Crickley said in a statement.

The committee monitors compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which the US ratified in 1994.

The US warning marks the seventh such alert issued in the past decade.

They mainly concern countries gripped by ethnic and religious strife, including Burundi, Nigeria, Iraq and Ivory Coast.
The US Navy on Wednesday said it had removed Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin after a series of collisions involving its warships in Asia as the search goes on for 10 sailors missing since the latest mishap.

Aucoins removal comes days after a pre-dawn collision between a guided-missile destroyer and a merchant vessel east of Singapore and Malaysia on Monday, the fourth major incident in the US Pacific Fleet this year.

Admiral Scott Swift, commander of US Pacific Fleet, today relieved the commander of Seventh Fleet, Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command, the US Navy said in a press release.

Swift, who travelled to Japan to relieve Aucoin, ordered his deputy Pacific Fleet commander, Rear Admiral Phil Sawyer, to immediately take command of the powerful US force.

Aucoin was due to step down next month, with Sawyer, deputy commander of the Pacific Fleet and a submariner by trade, already slated to succeed him. Aucoin came up through the navys air wing as an F-14 navigator.

The Seventh Fleet, headquartered in Japan, operates as many as 70 ships, including the US Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, and has around 140 aircraft and 20,000 sailors.

It operates over an area of 124 million sq km from bases in Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

Updated map locating the area where USS John S. McCain destroyer collided with a merchant vessel off Singapore Monday. - AFP / AFP (AFP)

Tense times

The accident involving the USS John S McCain and the tanker Alnic MC in the Singapore Strait came at a tense time for the US Navy in Asia.

This month, the John S McCain sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built by China in the disputed South China Sea, the latest freedom of navigation operation to counter what the United States sees as Chinas efforts to control the contested waters.

An official Chinese newspaper said on Tuesday the US Navys latest collision shows it is becoming an increasing risk to shipping in Asia despite its claims of helping to protect freedom of navigation.

Also this month, North Korea threatened to fire ballistic missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam in a standoff over its nuclear and missile programmes.

Losing another ship now is bad timing. It may raise concern over Americas defensive capabilities and it could send the wrong signal to North Korea and China, a senior Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force officer said, asking not to be identified because he is not authorised to talk to the media.

The damaged port aft hull of the USS John S McCain is visible while docked at Singapore's Changi naval base on Aug. 22, 2017. The focus of the search for US sailors missing after the collision between the USS John S McCain and an oil tanker in Southeast Asian waters has shifted to the damaged destroyer's flooded compartments. (AP)

An international search-and-rescue operation involving aircraft, divers and vessels from the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia is looking for the 10 US sailors missing since Mondays collision.

On Tuesday, US Navy and Marine Divers found human remains inside sealed sections of the damaged hull of the USS John S McCain, which is moored at Singapores Changi naval base. The navy has not yet announced the identities of the bodies discovered.

The US Navy is also working to identify a body found by the Malaysian Navy about eight nautical miles northwest of the collision site. Photos posted on the Twitter account of a Malaysian Navy frigate on Wednesday showed crew carrying what appeared to be a body to a US Navy helicopter.

Royal Malaysian Navy personnel carry a body onto a US Navy helicopter from USS America during a search and rescue operation for survivors of the USS John S. McCain ship collision in Malaysian waters on August 23, 2017. (Reuters)

The latest collision has already prompted a fleet-wide investigation and plans for temporary halts in US Navy operations.

The John S McCains sister ship, the USS Fitzgerald, almost sank off the coast of Japan after colliding with a Philippine container ship on June 17. The bodies of seven US sailors were found in a flooded berthing area after that collision.
A spate of incidents involving US warships in Asia, including a deadly collision this week off Singapore, has forced the navy to consider whether cyberattackers might be to blame.

While some experts believe that being able to engineer such a collision would be unlikely, given the security systems of the US Navy and the logistics of having two ships converge, others say putting the recent incidents down to human error and coincidence is an equally unsatisfactory explanation.

The USS John S. McCain collided with a tanker early Monday as the warship was on its way for a routine stop in the city-state, tearing a huge hole in the hull and leaving 10 sailors missing and five injured.

The Navy announced Tuesday that remains of some of the sailors were found by divers in flooded compartments on the ship.

The Chief of US Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said on Monday he could not rule out some kind of outside interference or a cyberattack being behind the latest collision, but said he did not want to prejudge the inquiry. His broader remarks suggested a focus on how we do business on the bridge.

Were looking at every possibility, Richardson said, when asked about the possibility of a cyberattack, adding as we did with Fitzgerald as well.

Just two months earlier in June, the USS Fitzgerald and a Philippine-flagged cargo ship smashed into each other off Japan, leaving seven sailors dead and leading to several officers being disciplined.

There were also two more, lesser-known incidents this year -- in January USS Antietam ran aground near its base in Japan and in May, USS Lake Champlain collided with a South Korean fishing vessel. Neither caused any injury.

Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, has refused to rule out sabotage in Mondays incident, saying all possibilities are being examined.

We are not taking any consideration off the table, he told reporters in Singapore Tuesday, when asked about the possibility of a cyberattack in the latest incident.

High tensions

Analysts are divided on the issue, with some believing US Navy crews may simply be overstretched as they try to tackle myriad threats in the region, and pointing to the difficulties of sailing through waterways crowded with merchant shipping.

But others believe something more sinister may be going on.

Itar Glick, head of Israeli-based international cybersecurity firm Votiro, said the spate of incidents suggested that US Navy ships GPS systems could have been tampered with by hackers, causing them to miscalculate their positions.

I think that hackers could try to do this, and if they are state sponsored they might have the right resources to facilitate this kind of attack, he told AFP.

Glick, who says he used to work on cybersecurity for Israeli intelligence, said that China and North Korea would be the most likely culprits.

Tensions are running high between North Korea and Washington as Pyongyang makes strides in its weapons programme, conducting two successful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launches in July.

Pyongyang has also been blamed for recent cyberattacks, including the 2014 hack of Sony Pictures and the theft of millions of dollars from the Bangladesh central bank.

The US has repeatedly accused China of carrying out cyberattacks on American companies, particularly to steal intellectual property. Beijing however says it is also the victim of such attacks.

Spoofing

Glick pointed to a recent incident in June of apparent large-scale GPS interference in the Black Sea to illustrate that such disruptions are possible.

The interference -- known as spoofing, which disrupts GPS signals so ships instruments show inaccurate locations -- caused some 20 vessels to have their signals disrupted, according to reports.

Jeffery Stutzman, chief of intelligence operations for US-based cybersecurity firm Wapack Labs, told AFP he thought the possibility of a cyberattack being behind the latest incident was entirely possible.

I would be very doubtful that it was human error, four times in a row, he said, referring to the four recent incidents.

Still, other observers believe such a scenario to be unlikely.

Zachary Fryer-Biggs, from defence consultancy Janes by IHS Markit, said that even if something went wrong with the GPS system of a ship, other safety mechanisms should stop it from crashing, such as having people on watch.

The collision only occurs if several other safety mechanisms fail, he said.

Daniel Paul Goetz, from US-headquartered cybersecurity firm Lantium, added that causing a collision would be complicated, as it would involve knowing the exact location, speed and bearing of both ships involved.

Goetz, who says his background is in US military intelligence, also pointed to the level of technology used to protect the navy from such threats.

The US military uses a GPS system that is highly secured, highly encrypted -- the chances that somebody could take over US military ship is very close to zero, he said.
Mosquito to Buzz Again

The current holy grail of warbird restoration is an airworthy de Havilland Mosquito, one of the very last of the major World War II types not represented by a flying restoration or accurate replica. Mosquitos were once plentiful, but other than the 30-odd parked in museums and non-flying displays, all have succumbed to the inevitable deterioration of their wood airframes and, particularly, the glue used to fabricate them. The last flying example crashed fatally at an airshow in Manchester, England, in July 1996.

A Mosquito airframe built from scratch by New Zealander Glyn Powell seems to be well in the lead in this race for the sky; after all, Powell had been working on the concept of creating an essentially new Mosquito for some 22 years (see Briefing, November 2008 issue). The current airplane is owned by wealthy American warbirder Gerald Yagen, whose enormous collection is housed at his Military Aviation Museum and associated maintenance facility, The Fighter Factory, both in Virginia Beach, Va. The Powell-built Mosquito is now being fitted out by Avspecs, a highly regarded New Zealand restoration shop that is doing all the metal-related work. Yagen says the airplane is about 80 percent done and should fly later this year. (Note, however, that a popular rule of thumb among aircraft restorers and homebuilders is that the last 10 percent is 50 percent of the work.)

It should be easy to build a wooden airplane, right? EAAers do it all the time. Actually, it would be a far simpler restoration if Mosquitos were aluminum, for a big part of the job consists of building the large fuselage molds, the tooling and the extremely precise wing and attachment jigs that must be in place before a rebuild can really begin. All of de Havillands jigs and tools had been scrapped in the early 1950s, so the Mosquito literally had to be reinvented.

Yagens airplane is built around the dataplate and many of the metal parts of a Mosquito originally manufactured in Canada in 1946, so it is officially a restoration and not a replica, though Yagen says, More than 50 percent of the airplane is new. By the time he bought it, the airframe (including 50,000 small brass screws) had deteriorated to a state that would make firewood a compliment, yet remarkably, that Mosquito had very little air time logged: It had been delivered from the factory straight to storage.

Yagen plans to paint the Mosquito in the colors of one of the airplanes that flew the Amiens raid. Though he hasnt determined exactly which one, were guessing it will be a Royal New Zealand Air Force No. 487 Squadron FB Mk.VI that took part in that famous 1944 prison break, in tribute to its rebirth in New Zealand. (Yagens airplane is an FB Mk.26, which simply means a Mk.VI fighter-bomber built in Canada.) How much will it be worth once its flying? Yagen has no idea, though he says its not for sale, and we have more money in it already than we do in our B-17.

-Stephan Wilkinson

Missing CNAC C-47 Located

The search for China National Aviation Corporation C-47 No. 60 began on November 18, 1942, the day after the transport was reported missing while flying from Kunming, China, over the Hump to India. Its crew included pilot John J. Dean, a former Flying Tiger; my cousin, copilot James S. Browne, a transfer from the RAFs Air Transport Auxiliary; and Chinese radioman K.L. Yang, who radioed a message saying all was well as they approached the mountains. But No. 60 never arrived at its home base in Dinjan, India. Searches went on for weeks, to no avail. The crew was eventually declared dead on June 17, 1943.

Fast-forward 61 years, to a 2004 CNAC reunion in San Francisco, where I met Clayton Kuhles of MIA Recoveries. Kuhles, who had previously discovered 19 aircraft lost in the China-Burma-India Theater during WWII, was intrigued by the story of my cousins missing C-47. He studied official reports of the incident, and consulted villagers in the crash area with the help of an American mountaineer in China. Based on his research, Kuhles decided to mount an expedition to Yunnan Province to pinpoint the wreckage.

On September 14, 2011, Kuhles arrived at the base of a mountain near Dali. Local guides initially agreed to make the climb to the wreckage site, but Kuhles said that after days of intense trekking and numerous very hazardous river crossings, the guides gave up. A few days later the team tried again, accompanied by locals who had previously visited the site. The weather deteriorated, and when they encountered a rocky drainage course, the new guides also quit. The steep, rocky drainage was now a flowing waterfall, reported Kuhles, making for probably the most dangerous downclimb in my entire mountaineering career.

The weather eventually cleared, and the team discovered an easier route. When team members finally reached the crash site, they found bits of metal spread over a large area. Although a rockslide had covered much of the wreckage, pieces of the plane were still visible. One piece bore the stamped numbers 4681, conclusive evidence that this was indeed CNAC No. 60.

Thanks to the teams dogged perseverance and the generosity of the CNAC Association and its members, C-47 No. 60s disappearance is no longer a mystery.

-Robert L. Willett

Semper Fi in the Sky

Visitors to the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., this year can view an impressive new exhibit commemorating the centennial of U.S. Marine Corps aviation. In addition to art and artifacts from NASMs collection, Fly Marines! features 91 works currently on loan from the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

The Marine museums collection includes nearly 8,000 pieces of art by more than 350 artistsdating from WWI to the present. While some are by well-known artists such as Keith Ferris and R.G. Smith, others were done by active-duty Marines.

Many of the works in the exhibit were created as part of the Marine Corps Combat Art Program, which began in 1942 and was permanently established in 1966. During WWII there were as many as 70 artists in the program, leathernecks who have typically been embedded for periods with fellow Marine units. But according to The New York Times, by July 2010 the program had dwindled to just one artist, Sergeant Kristopher J. Battles, and some were speculating that it might be terminated. During a recent phone interview, however, Sergeant Battles said that a second artist has just been added to the roster, and the future looks promising.

While the Smithsonian exhibit includes posters, field drawings, portraits and sculpture, in recent years Corps artists have focused on telling the story of 21st-century Marines, whether in far-flung combat or in emergency relief efforts in places such as Haiti. Interviewed by the Times, Battles said of his mission: Were not here to do poster art or recruiting posters. What we are sent to do is to go to the experience, see what is really there and document it.

To learn more about the Smithsonian exhibit, see nasm.si.edu. For more on the Marine Corps museum, see usmcmuseum.com.

-Nan Siegel

Chinos Connie Flies Home

Capping off a seven-year restoration project, on January 14 the only currently flyable Lockheed Super Con- stellation made a 90-minute ferry flight from Camarillo, Calif., to Chino, where the Connie will join more than 170 aircraft on display at the Yanks Air Museum. Despite what one observer described as a long trailing oil stain on the right fuselage, the 57-year-old EC-121 landed safely. For information on the museum, visit yanksair.com.

CAP Seeks Congressional Gold Medal

On December 1 of last year the Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, observed its 70th anniversary. The all-volunteer service was founded on December 1, 1941, less than a week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As part of the anniversary the organization has intensified its campaign to award members the Congressional Gold Medal for their World War II service.

CAP performed a host of aerial missions during the war, including patrolling for German U-boats. Known at the time as the Coastal Patrol, CAP operated from ad hoc bases up and down the East Coast and along the Gulf of Mexico. CAP pilots flew missions in their own personal aircraft, and in addition to reconnaissance and search-and-rescue, performed combat missions with jury-rigged armament. All told, 26 CAP pilots were lost while on Coastal Patrol duty during WWII.

The bill awarding the Civil Air Patrol with the Congressional Gold Medal is currently pending in Congress. Only a few hundred of the roughly 60,000 CAP volunteers in WWII are still alive. Each week, each month, others are lost, stated Maj. Gen. Chuck Carr, CAPs national commander. We want to make sure those who remain, and those who have passed, are rightly honored for their great service to America.

In support of the campaign for Congressional recognition, CAP pilots are coming forward to tell their stories. Charles Compton, 94, left two jobs in Chicago to volunteer with CAP and be more actively engaged in the war effort. The duty was dangerous, and Compton recalled that pilots often navigated using partially sunken American merchant ships.

For more info and CAP pilots stories, visit capmembers.com.

-Stephen Mauro

Originally published in the May 2012 issue of Aviation History. To subscribe, click here.
A century ago, a lone U.S. Marine Corps aviator planted the seeds of a proud tradition.

By the end of 1908, events in Europe were alarming even casual observers around the world. First the German government authorized the construction of four modern battleships. Next Russia claimed ownership of part of Poland. Austria annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Bulgaria declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire, as did Crete and Serbia. The stage was set for the first worldwide conflict of the 20th century, and the first in which airplanes would play a major role.

In the U.S., Alfred A. Cunningham saw the upheaval in Europe as a warning sign to America. Cunningham was no stranger to combat, having enlisted as a teen in a volunteer infantry regiment during the Spanish-American War. He mustered out shortly after the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1898, taking up a career in real estate. Now he reenlisted this time in the Marines, gaining a second lieutenants commission on January 25, 1909.

Also heeding the call were Bernard Barney Smith and Francis Evans, who received Marine Corps commissions in early 1909. Roy Geiger, who had enlisted as a Marine in 1907, was commissioned after completing Marine Officer School at Port Royal, S.C., in 1909. For the next two-plus years, all these young Marines served aboard naval warships and overseas. When war at last came to Europe, however, they would find new roles as Marine aviators, exploring the quickly developing potential of airplanes over battlefields worldwide.

In 1911 Cunningham was promoted to first lieutenant and ordered to the Advanced Marine Base School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Discovering that the Philadelphia Aero Club, one of the first such clubs in America, operated from a field nearby, he was quick to join. Many of the clubs members were influential citizens, who subsequently mentioned Cunninghams interest in aviation to contacts in the military.

Cunningham didnt learn to fly in Philadelphia, but he did rent a plane and spent many of his off-duty hours studying its construction. By May 16, 1912, he had requested and received orders to the Naval Aviation Camp at Annapolis, Md. The day that he reported for duty there, May 22, 1912, is now regarded as the birth date of Marine aviation.

At the time the Navy was the proud owner of three Curtiss Golden Flyers. The Wright brothers had produced their Military Flyer in 1909, and sold it to the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1910. That same year renowned pilot and designer Glenn H. Curtiss completed his Golden Flyer, just as the federal government was appropriating $125,000 for aircraft purchases. After Curtiss demonstrated his new plane, the Navy purchased three, stationing them in Annapolis.

The Golden Flyers pilot sat totally exposed atop its frame. If nothing else, Curtiss airplane was pretty, sporting golden-yellow silk wing coverings, and with orange shellac coating the wooden surfaces. Its wingspan stretched just under 29 feet, and it was 31 feet long. Powered by a Curtiss 4-cylinder, 25- hp inline engine, its pusher prop propelled it to a top speed of 47 mph.

Though the Navy had three planes, none of its four pilots was qualified to instruct trainees: That was the sole responsibility of airplane manufacturers. Cunningham was therefore transferred to the Burgess and Curtiss factory at Marblehead, Mass., where he soloed in less than three hours. Returning to Annapolis, he logged more than 400 hours in Golden Flyers between October 1912 and July 1913.

By September 1912, Cunningham was joined by 1st Lt. Barney Smith and 2nd Lt. William McIlvain to form the initial group of Marine fliersrespectively designated Marine aviators one through three, as well as naval aviators five, six and 12. They had been preceded as Navy fliers by Lieutenants Theodore G. Ellyson, John Rodgers, Victor Herbster and John H. Tower.

For Cunningham, however, the coming year brought changes in his personal life that effectively clipped his wings. On August 11, 1913, he requested detachment from the flying service to marry his fiancee, Josephine Jefferies. His request was granted in the form of orders to report to the Washington Navy Yard as assistant quartermaster. While Cunningham was no longer officially an aviator, his experience and expertise led to his appointment to a board charged with organizing a naval aeronautical service. The boards plan resulted in the establishment of the first Naval Aeronautical Station at Pensacola, Fla., which was christened in 1914.

In early 1917, the primary aircraft at Pensacola was the Curtiss N-9, a naval version of the Armys popular JN-4 Jenny, featuring extended wings, a large pontoon attached to the fuselage and wingtip floats. Although relatively stable in normal flight, it was generally considered a death trap in a stall or a spin. Even its manufacturer believed it was incapable of aerobatics. But Francis Evans, a pilot with more hours in the N-9 than anyone else, decided to find out if it could perform a loop.

Climbing to 3,500 feet, Evans nosed over to gain speed and began the maneuver. Before he reached the apex, the wings stalled and he entered a spin. Releasing back pressure on the stick and applying aggressive opposite rudder stopped the rotation and put the plane into a normal dive, from which Evans recovered. Undaunted, he tried two more times to complete a loopwith the same results. Finally on his fourth attempt, alone over the Gulf of Mexico, he succeeded. Knowing that no one would believe his story, he flew back to the Pensacola airfield and did it one more time for all to see. At the time Evans believed that flying the loop was a great feat, but it was actually his spin recovery technique, which is still used today, that was his real accomplishment. Twenty years later, in 1936, Evans would receive a Distinguished Flying Cross for his achievement.

While Cunningham was on nonflight status, the task of selling aviation as a military tool fell to Smith and McIlvain, both of whom received seaplane and landplane pilot certificates between 1913 and 1914. Smith was sent to the U.S. Embassy in Paris in 1914, with orders to learn as much as possible about what the British, French and German militaries were doing with their aircraft. In France he visited multiple French squadrons, and at one point talked a French pilot into taking him on a flight over German lines.

When Smith returned to the States, he described to his superiors how the Europeans were employing airplanes for reconnaissance, bombing and pursuit. Most of the U.S. brass remained unconvinced, however. During joint operations in Puerto Rico in 1914, Smith and McIlvain seized every opportunity to escort senior officers on flights in Curtiss C-3 flying boats, demonstrating their value as scouts. Essentially a large pontoon with a cockpit, wings and a pusher prop, the C-3 was powered by a 100-hp Curtiss OXX-3 V-8 engine and had a top speed of 69 mph. It boasted an endurance time of 5 hours and a ceiling of 4,500 feet.

Smiths and McIlvains hands-on style coupled with Cunninghams tireless lobbying efforts in Washington, arguing that naval aviation should play an integral part in the war eventually bore fruit. On February 26, 1917, Cunningham was ordered to establish, equip and command an aviation company for a Marine Corps advance base force at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Five weeks later, on April 6, when the U.S. formally declared war on Germany, the Marine Aviation Section had seven qualified pilots and 43 enlisted men stationed at Pensacola, forming the basis for the Philadelphia operation. In addition to his organizational duties, Cunningham was assigned as a member of the joint Army-Navy board for the selection of sites for air stations in the seven naval districts.

With Lieutenants Francis Evans and Roy Geiger on board as newly appointed Marine aviators four and five (and naval aviators 26 and 49), the Marine Aeronautic Company was divided into two units, designated the 1st Marine Aeronautic Company and the 1st Aviation Squadron. The former, consisting of 10 officers and 93 enlisted men, was commanded by Evans; the latter, with 24 officers and 237 enlisted, by McIlvain. Another unit, the Aeronautic Detachment, with four officers and 36 enlisted personnel, was formed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard under Geiger.

On November 3, 1917, Cunningham was ordered to Paris on much the same assignment Smith had undertaken. When he returned in January 1918, he presented a plan to Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels for a bomber/fighter group to patrol the waters off Belgiums coast. That plan resulted in the formation of the 1st Marine Aviation Force, to serve as a component of the Navys Northern Bombing Group, at Curtiss Field west of Miami. The expanded force consisted of four squadronsA, B, C and Dled by Smith, McIlvain, Evans and Geiger.

On July 30 the force, minus squadron D, arrived at Brest, France, only to learn that no arrangements had been made to transport the men and equipment to their areas of operation at Calais-Dunkirk. After wasting three days bivouacked outside Brest, Cunningham commandeered a French freight train, loaded their equipment and headed to Calais.

The Marines would be flying the de Havilland DH-4, an American-built version of the British design, powered by a 400-hp Liberty engine. It was judged the best choice primarily due to its availability. The DH-4 and later the DH-9 were equipped with two forward-firing, synchronized .30-caliber Vickers machine guns and two rear-facing .303-inch Lewis machine guns mounted on a Scarff ring. In addition, they could also carry up to 400 pounds of bombs.

As commander of the 1st Aviation Force, Cunningham was responsible for recruiting and training its officers and enlisted personnel. Realizing that this task would take far too long through normal means, he found a way to fill his roster much more expeditiously. Pensacola had a group of fully trained Navy pilots who were concerned that they might never get to participate in the war; these men were receptive to Cunninghams offer to convert them to Marines and ship them to France. In all, 80 Navy pilots would transfer services to fill the Marine Corps void. The new contingent arrived at Brest in July 1918.

Deployed to airfields at Oye and La Fresne, the Marines discovered no preparations had been made for them. They lived in pup tents, and used picks and shovels along with a borrowed Navy steamroller to carve out the first two Marine air bases. Meanwhile, Liberty engines were supposed to have been shipped to Eastleigh, England, attached to airframes and flown to the new Marine bases. But that process proved to be slow and fraught with delays. The first bomber didnt arrive until September 7. Assembly bases received shipments of engines but no fuselages, and a nearby British squadron had fuselages but no engines. Eventually a compromise was struck whereby the Marines received one bomber for every three engines they supplied. By mid-October 1918, the Marine force, with its full complement of 20 DH-9s and 16 DH-4s, was at last ready for action. The airmen hadnt been idle during the buildup period, however; 63 Marines had been rotated into RAF squadrons and flown combat missions, serving as pilots, observers and aerial gunners.

While flying a DH-9 with No. 218 Squadron, RAF, on September 28, 1st Lt. Everett R. Brewer and his observer, Gunnery Sgt. Harry B. Wershiner, had become the first Marines to shoot down an enemy plane in aerial combat. Both were seriously wounded during that engagement. The following day, 2nd Lt. Chapin Barr became the first Marine pilot to die in enemy action. On October 2, Captain F. Patrick Mulcahy led a three-plane flight to resupply French forces near Stadenburg, Belgium, making 10 low-level passes under intense groundfire.

Aerial attacks by the U.S. Marines and RAF led to the Germans evacuating their submarine bases that fall and terminating the Northern Bombing Groups mission. General John Pershing then assigned the Marines to support British operations in Belgium.

From La Fresne aerodrome the first all-Marine air combat action began on October 14, when five DH-4s and three DH-9s were ordered to bomb a German position near Pittham, Belgium. On the return leg, 12 Fokker D.VIIs and Pfalz D.IIIs jumped the flight. Second Lt. Ralph Talbot and Gunnery Sgt. Robert Robinson became separated from the formation and were attacked by enemy fighters. Robinson claimed one attacker before his Lewis gun jammed, but while trying to clear his weapon he was wounded multiple times. Talbot managed to maneuver their DH-4 so he could fire his Vickers, downing a second German. Diving to avoid more enemies, Talbot leveled off at 50 feet above the ground and flew back across the front lines, landing at the nearest medical facility to drop off Robinson before returning to base. Talbot (one of the Navy men who had heeded Cunninghams call to transfer into the Marines) and Robinson became the first Marine airmen to receive the Medal of Honor. Sadly, Talbots medal had to be awarded posthumously; he was killed on October 25 when he crashed during a test flight.

By the time the armistice was signed on November 11, the 1st Aviation Force had spent three months in combat. In the course of that time Marine aviators carried out 57 bombing raids, dropped 33,932 pounds of bombs and made five supply drops. Three officers were killed and one officer and two enlisted men were wounded in aerial combat. In addition to the Medals of Honor awarded to Talbot and Robinson, Marines earned four Distinguished Service Medals and 30 Navy Crosses. By any measure, the contributions these early aviators made to the war effort in so short a time were significant. But for the Marine Corps, it was only the beginning.

Freelance writer and pilot Walter Knapp writes from Roswell, Ga. Further reading: U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Since 1912, by Peter B. Mersky; and Marine Corps Aviation: The Early Years, 1912-1940, by Edward C. Johnson.

Originally published in the May 2012 issue of Aviation History. To subscribe, click here.
The F-21 proved its mettle in countless dogfights against U.S. Navy and Marine Corps fighters.

Many Americans would be surprised to learn that during the latter half of the 1980s Israeli fighter aircraft regularly engaged in air-to-air combat with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps F-14s and F/A-18s. It was all part of peacetime training exercises, of course, in which the F-21A Lion, as the Americans had designated Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir C1, was often pitted against U.S. fighters in mock combat.

The IAI Kfir (Hebrew for lion cub) is a derivative of the French Dassault Aviation Mirage. When France imposed an arms embargo on Israel after the June 1967 Six-Day War and refused to supply the Israelis with 50 Mirage V fighters then on order, Israel began manufacturing a locally produced version called the Nesher (eagle). According to a retired IAI executive, the Nesherlong rumored to have been developed from Mirage blueprints stolen by Israels foreign intelligence agency, the Mossadwas actually built using plans, jigs and tools received from Dassault under a buildto-print agreement. Retired Israeli Air Force commander Maj. Gen. David Ivry further debunked that myth, explaining that Israeli engineers had been intimately involved with their French counterparts in designing ground attack capabilities and other features into the Mirage.

Subsequent improvements, including replacing the Neshers SNECMA Atar engine with a General Electric J79 turbojet, led to a new designation, the Kfir C1. As Ivry explained, this was no minor change: The engine determines the aircraft. Re-engined means its an entirely new aircraft.

The delta-wing Kfir outwardly resembled the Mirage, but featured a wider rear fuselage and additional air scoops to accommodate the larger American engine. For added stability, the fighter initially had a mini-canard. Later improvements found on the Kfir C2 and retrofitted to most C1s included a fully maneuverable canard and a dogtooth wing. The Kfir entered Israeli Air Force service in 1975 as a single-seat interceptor, long-range patrol fighter and ground attack aircraft.

IAI subsequently sold the U.S. Navy on the idea of using the Kfir in its dissimilar air combat training. First introduced at the Navys Fighter Weapons School, widely known as Top Gun, this program teaches pilots how to defend against aircraft similar to those flown by hostile nations. Since the Kfir was representative of the Mirage, and its flight characteristics reportedly resembled the MiG-21s, it was seen as an ideal choice for an aggressor aircraftespecially before Eastern Bloc fighters were readily available for air combat training exercises.

A deal was struck for the lease of aircraft, maintenance crews and pilot training, initially for the Navy and later the Marines. In 1985 12 Kfirs were loaded onto flatbed trucks and taken to IAI for overhaul and minor modifications before being shipped to the U.S. The newly redesignated F-21A Lions were assigned to the Navys VF-43 Challengers aggressor squadron at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va. Two years later, 13 Lions began flying with the VMFT-401 Snipers adversary squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.

Israeli Air Force Kfir squadron commander Lt. Col. Yoram Peled was sent to Oceana NAS, where he spent two weeks flying with the Challengers. For his very first sortie, Peledwho was assigned the lessthan-imaginative call-sign Yoramwas pitted against an F-14 piloted by one of the Navys best Top Gun pilots. In two or three dogfights lasting perhaps two minutes each, the F-14 defeated the Lion. The Challengers had reportedly put Peled up against their best pilot to give their guest a lesson in humility. However, Peledwho had logged more than 1,000 hours in Israeli F-15 Eagles, including mock dogfights against Kfirsasserted that even before he came to the U.S. he had known he would lose in a one-on-one battle against an F-14. He pointed out that in multiple-aircraft engagements, a Kfir can prove lethal against larger, more capable opponents. If you want me to boast, Peled commented, [Ill say that] if I had been the one flying the F-14, I would have done it faster!

At NAS Oceana the Lions racked up some 5,000 flight hours per year, with each aircraft flying three to four sorties per day. The Marines kept their Lions busy, too, chalking up more than 4,000 sorties in their first year. Israeli-led maintenance teams kept the aircraft flying at this extraordinary operational tempodouble the rate of regular combat aircraft use. In Peleds view, the number of flights and consistent availability of the aircraft was the F-21 programs biggest accomplishment. The IAI official who had arranged to supply Kfirs as aggressor aircraft stressed their importance to the quality of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps training. He also speculated its worth was manifested in the success of Operation Desert Storm a few years later.

F-21 Lions flew for two years with the Navy and Marine Corps before the program came to an end in 1989. Back home in Israel, meanwhile, the multi-role General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 had been established as the Israeli Air Forces premier fighter, relegating the Kfir to secondary roles.

The Kfir was retired from Israeli service in 1996, though the aircraft still soldiers on in the air forces of Ecuador, Colombia and Sri Lanka. In the U.S., the Lion continues to fly in the aggressor role with ATAC, a commercial operation that offers a range of tactical flight training servicesmore than a quarter century after the F-21s American debut.

Israel-based freelance writer Gary Rashba is the author of Holy Wars: 3,000 Years of Battles in the Holy Land. Additional reading: Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir, by Raanan Weiss and Yoav Efrati.

Originally published in the July 2012 issue of Aviation History. To subscribe, click here.
An L-5 pilot transporting a VIP over Germany used all his skills to elude an Me-109.

Technical Sergeant Robert F. Stretton Jr.s logbook entry for April 18, 1945, simply records that he flew an Army Stinson L-5 from Kitzingen to Ohringen, Germany, and back. Total flight time: one hour and five minutes. Passenger: Lieutenant General Alexander Sandy Patch. In the Remarks section Stretton listed no details that might explain why the flight would result in his being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Despite its inevitable defeat, the Luftwaffe was still active in the skies over Germany in the final month of the European war. Stretton and other members of the 72nd Liaison Squadron (LS) could set their watches by the nightly strafing of Kitzingen airfield. During the day, the squadrons L-5s performed a variety of duties, including reconnaissance, photorecon, weather checks, ferrying and spotting for P-47 Thunderbolts.

The 72nd LS had been attached to General Patchs Seventh Army since its July 1944 arrival in Italy. A month later Stretton and other pilots had participated in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France. Then they faced the long, muddy, snowy slog across France into Germany and Austria.

A favorite of Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall, Sandy Patch was the only American general to have commanded in both the Pacific and European theaters. Patch and his Seventh Army had beaten Lt. Gen. George S. Pattons Third Army to the Rhine.

Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower offered Patch his own B-25 and pilot in the spring of 1945, but the general declined. He wanted to remain in touch with his commanders at the fast-moving front. That meant landing in places, such as cow pastures, where a B-25 couldnt go but the L-5 could. It was said the Stinson could land on a dime and give you a nickel back.

Strettons wartime experience in the rugged little L-5 included plenty of bad-weather flying, when low cloud ceilings routinely grounded fighters and bombers. On one mission during the Battle of the Bulge, he had repeatedly cut his engine, opened his window and stuck his head out into freezing fog to listen for German armor movementthen quickly powered up again to avoid crashing into the hilly Ardennes Forest. It required exquisite timing and nerves of steel.

On April 16, Patch moved his headquarters from Darmstadt to Kitzingen, where the small band of 72nd LS pilots and support personnel occupied a recently abandoned German airfield. The flight to Ohringen and back on the 18th was part of Patchs efforts to coordinate the bloody battle for Nuremburg.

Stretton had transported the general dozens of times in his L-5 before his April 18 mission. Pilot and passenger presented something of a Mutt-and-Jeff contrast. Patch was tall, while Stretton was shortso short that the ground crew had dubbed him Sea Level, the same name he had given his Stinson.

As Stretton flew Patch to Ohringen that day, a Messerschmitt Me-109 popped out of the sky, intent on destroying the L-Bird. Luftwaffe pilots were keen on shooting down the liaison planes because they were worth more points toward decorations than fighters.

Stretton immediately dived for the deck, and the forbidden flying he had done during trainingbuzzing buildings, flying under bridges and at or below treetop level quickly came into play. He threaded Sea Level through wooded, sinuous river valleys where the turns were too tight for the Me-109. It was risky flying, but it was his only defense. Tom Virnelli, the 72nds line chief, had in fact been killed just months earlier flying this low when he struck high tension wires strung across a river. As Strettons DFC citation recounted, he used superior skill and dauntless courage in taking his plane to tree-top level, dodging among hills and other terrain obstacles to prevent the fighter from destroying him and his passenger. He finally succeeded in losing the enemy plane, which was circling in an attempt to find him.

Stretton continued to serve as Patchs pilot, and on June 1 flew him to Dachau, where Eisenhower wanted as many troops as possible to see the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis. Though Patch invited Stretton to visit the camp, he declined: Hed already seen enough. The first pilot to return after visiting the charnel house that was Dachau had vomited after climbing out of his cockpit; others reported that the smell from the camp had permeated their cockpits even above 1,000 feet.

Stretton was supposed to ship out to the China-Burma-India Theater, but his orders were canceled after Japans surrender. He would never see all his gear again, as it had been sent ahead to the Pacific, where it disappeared. He ended his service with the DFC and Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

Coincidentally, a week before Stretton eluded the Me-109 over Germany, General Patch had written a letter of praise to the sergeants parents in Oak Park, Ill. He informed them how useful his services were in piloting the generals L-5 during the past few months, adding that he had absolute confidence in their sons technical skill. Certainly the events of April 18 confirmed his appraisal.

After Patch returned to the States, the Army released details of how the L-5 pilot had once saved a general. Newspapers picked up the story, and Stretton was made Hero of the Day by radio station WIND in Chicago.

When asked about saving Sandy Patch after he returned home, Robert Stretton would only say he had been too busy saving his own butt to worry about the general. He never mentioned the medals hed earned. The former pilot became a dairy farmer in northwestern Illinois, living in a milk run area where the terrain was similar to that he had flown over in Germany. He died at age 92 on January 11, 2011, at his home.

The author wishes to thank Robert F. Stretton Jr.s daughter, Kathleen Stretton Eaton, and his eldest son, Robert F. Stretton III, for their assistance in preparing this article.

Originally published in the May 2012 issue of Aviation History. To subscribe, click here.
The storm is passing. The last year and a half has been rough sailing in so many ways. One r
T hese are the first images of a multibillion-pound project that will finally elevate Old Kent Road from its traditional position as the cheapest square on the Monopoly Board.

Southwark council is considering the proposals by Berkeley Homes to build more than 1,000 flats and townhouses on a five-acre former meat factory site in Malt Street, close to the east side of 140-acre Burgess Park.

A decision on the project is expected by the end of this year, with work starting on site next year on the first phase of 359 flats, including a landmark 40-storey tower with grey, silver and bronze-coloured metal cladding.

The entire scheme, including shops and offices, will be completed by 2027.

Transport for London, meanwhile, is working up plans to extend the Bakerloo line south, with two stations along Old Kent Road. Linking the area to the Tube would inevitably raise its profile and property prices. The rail project remains under consideration but work is pencilled in to start in 2023, with services running by 2028/29.

The development site includes the former route of the Grand Surrey Canal, built to transport timber from Surrey Docks to Camberwell but filled in during the Seventies. To honour this history, a new linear park with a series of water features will follow the route.

The vision: the entire scheme to be completed by 2027

The amount of affordable housing developers include in major projects is currently a very vexed issue in London. Documents submitted to Southwark council for this scheme offer up to 25 per cent affordable homes in the first phase of the project, with the total proportion still being assessed in association with the overall costs of the scheme.

Harry Lewis, managing director of Berkeley Homes (South East London), says: We will deliver an exemplar scheme that provides the perfect platform to stimulate the well-considered regeneration of the Old Kent Road.

The scheme we have submitted to the London Borough of Southwark will deliver a significant number of much-needed new homes for Londoners in conjunction with new flexible employment space.

Most exciting of all is the public realm that we will deliver. Over 58 per cent of the site will be landscaped, forming an integral part of the vision for the site and delivering vibrant spaces in which to live and work.

Buyers keen to buy into the area in advance of the development and the regeneration that will follow could pick up a two-bedroom ex-local authority property in a low-rise red-brick flat for about 350,000. Modern three-bedroom houses are priced at 700,000 to 800,000, although the areas handful of surviving Georgian townhouses attract significant premiums.
This summer has been hot for French Montana. In addition to his single, Unforgettable featuring Swae Lee, taking over the airwaves and the clubs, he also released his second studio album Jungle Rules as well as launching his own flavor of Ciroc French Vanilla. He also donated a large sum of money to the Mama Hope organization to help woman and children in Uganda. So while the Bronx rapper has been out hear collecting dubs, his efforts havent gone unnoticed.

Today, French Montana took to Instagram to share that he covered Paper Magazines August issue. Its a solid step forward for him that he has undoubtedly deserve to have. On his Instagram post, the caption reads Check me out on the cover of @papermagazine shot it in the only Blue City in the world  in Morocco. Chefchaouene the blue pearl of Morocco. I thought it was fake till I got there, and seen it with my own eyes ! Yes every house is blue.. the whole town is blue. Shout out to North Africa  where we also shot the #Famous vid comin soon  #junglerules

French went to Morocco with Eric T. White to shoot the cover in Chefchaouene, also known as the blue pearl of Morocco. French sits in front of a blue back drop with a blue scarf over his head. He also revealed on Instagram that he shot a new video in the North African country. The story itself covers a lot of ground, including his relationship with the Kardashian clan as a whole, his come up in the rap game, how his name came to be and more.

French Montana has had an interesting come-up in the rap game. While hes still regarded as a newer rapper, hes been hustling for music well before Soundcloud became a main platform for rappers to get their name out. His cover story with PAPER Magazine highlights a lot of factors people either dont know or dont bring up on the Bronx rapper. The story captures French Montana away from his celebrity and digs deep into his history as not only a rapper, but as a person.

Check the Instagram post below:
WASHINGTON  Steve Milloy, a regular on Fox News and publisher of the blog JunkScience.com, has long railed against a culture within the U.S. government of pseudo-scientific research and overregulation that has held back America's energy industries.

With President Donald Trump in the White House, promising to roll back the Obama administration's efforts to slow climate change, Milloy and his tribe of conservative, pro-fossil fuel thinkers and writers should be ecstatic. But seven months into the new administration, Milloy is not exactly enthusiastic.

"They're doing the best they can given the circumstances," Milloy said. "The way the whole regulatory system is set up, it's not designed to be rolled back. Washington is a swampy place."

Since taking office in January, Trump has signed a multitude of executive orders rolling back environmental regulations and he has proposed slashing the budgets of government agencies tasked with addressing climate change. But many of the administration's most high-profile actions are being held up in a slow-moving legal and political system that Trump's team of Washington newcomers is still struggling to navigate.

Getting rid of the Obama administration's signature Clean Power Plan, which would force a shuttering of coal plants to be replaced with electricity from natural gas, wind and the sun, is on hold as Trump's team debates a solution to the fact that carbon dioxide is considered a pollutant under federal law and must be regulated by the EPA. And similar roadblocks face Trump's efforts on everything from rolling back methane pollution regulations for the oil and gas industry to getting the final leg of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline built.

At present, there are close to a dozen Obama-era environmental regulations that remain on hold in the courts while the Trump administration determines what course of action to take, said Jeff Holmstead, a Washington-based energy attorney who served in the George W. Bush administration.

"I think it's too soon to say they're not on track. But they're not as far along on the regulatory process as a lot of people expected," he said. "When you're going to change a regulatory program that's a pretty significant undertaking. And they have announced their intention to do a lot of things."

At the same time, Trump, who has promised to cut down Washington's bureaucracy, has been slow in filling posts that might have been considered critical in past administrations. For instance, EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, which would take the lead typically take the lead on redrawing climate change regulation, still is waiting for Trump to appoint a new administrator.

Meanwhile, the White House is facing resistance on many fronts. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council, have been suing the administration relentlessly to block efforts to rewrite regulation. Trump has even at times struggled to win over Republicans in the Senate, some of whom have expressed skepticism about his proposal for dramatic funding cuts for environmental enforcement and research into cleaner burning forms of energy.

"He's met strong resistance from individuals and cities and states, to groups like ours that are going to use the courts to make sure he's enforcing the law," said Anna Unruh Cohen, director of government affairs at the NRDC. "Trump and his administration are barking a lot, and it remains to be seen what they can actually accomplish."

A case in point is the Trump administration's difficulty in repealing a suite of Obama regulations forcing oil and gas companies to start checking and fixing methane leaks on tens of thousands of wells around the country.

When Trump first took office, a rule requiring those fixes on wells located on federal lands was new enough that Congress still had time to repeal it. But it took four months to get it to the Senate floor for a vote, by which time Republicans faced a powerful coalition of environmentalists as well as state and local officials eager to get their hands on the royalties being lost with every cubic foot of escaping methane, the primary component of natural gas. In an unexpected twist, Republicans Sen. John McCain, Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Lindsey Graham sided with Democrats, blocking the repeal.

At the same time, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt took on the task of getting rid of a separate EPA regulation for methane emissions. Knowing that writing a new regulation, as required under the law, could take years, Pruitt attempted to delay implementing the methane regulation by two years. But the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against him last month, effectively forcing the EPA to enforce the very regulation Pruitt is trying to nix.

Most believe it unlikely that Trump's EPA will be vigilant enforcers of the methane regulation. But attorneys representing the oil industry are gearing up for a flood of lawsuits from environmental groups against projects they perceive not to be following the regulation.

"A lot of the environmental NGOs are pretty flush with cash right now," said Michael Showalter, a Chicago attorney representing oil and other industries. "You have to remember the political system in the U.S. is based on pervasive distrust. It takes a long time to do anything."

Still, the Trump administration is not without its victories.

Congress did send legislation to the president's desk repealing an Obama regulation curbing water pollution from coal mining. And even as it has struggled in terms of regulation, the administration has expanded lease sales for oil and gas drilling and coal mining on federal lands.

No matter how slow the pace of regulatory change, many sauy the lack of new regulation is a victory in and of itself for many within the fossil fuel industry.

"The industry knows they have a president who's not going to hurt them," said Stephen Moore, an economist at the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, who advised Trump during his presidential campaign. "Of course there's setbacks, but Trump is fighting the good fight."

With more than three years left in his first term, Trump still has plenty of time left to complete or at least make a significant dent in his regulatory overhaul.

Reports are fast circulating around Washington that the EPA is readying to introduce its own version of the Clean Power Plan, which would regulate carbon emissions but not as aggressively as Obama proposed, Holmstead said. If true, that would reject the hopes of the more conservative factions within the Republican Party who want to see the regulation repealed and the EPA challenge the so-called endangerment finding that carbon dioxide is a pollutant.

"The [power] industry believes they are better with a reasonable regulation than no regulation at all," Holmstead said.

And the Nebraska the Public Service Commission recently wrapped up public hearings on the Keystone project, which has now attracted opposition from not only environmentalists but ranchers and farmers in that state. The commission is scheduled to make a final decision by November, which could clear the way for pipeline company TransCanada to begin construction on its long-delayed project.

Since Obama rejected the pipeline in 2015, Keystone has become a rallying cry for environmentalists, spurring resistance against other fossil fuel projects.

And Trump is eager to halt that momentum.

"TransCanada will finally be allowed to complete this long overdue project with efficiency and with speed," he said when approved the project in March. "It's a historic moment for North America."
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Dave Milich, a longtime UnitedHealthcare executive, took the reins of his company's employer-sponsored health plans in Texas and Oklahoma in April.

With the insurance industry at the center of the white-hot debate raging these days about the nation's health care, Milich spoke with the Houston Chronicle this week about the challenges his company faces and how it is preparing for the future amid such turbulence.

Here are edited excerpts from our conversation:

Q: How is uncertainty in the market for individual insurance affecting group plans?

A: Employers are making decisions on the benefit plans they are going to offer their employees for 2018 right now. They are weighing similar options to what people have to weigh on the exchanges in terms of cost and the benefit design that they offer. Our responsibility is to try to provide as broad and most affordable of a portfolio that we can. I think any volatility in the market does tend to bleed into the commercial side.

Q: What might that look like?

A: Volatility in the individual market grabs employers' attention. We've seen them examine benefits differently than before. They ask different questions. It hasn't been wholly negative; it's created a buzz and an awareness.

More Information By the numbers 4.5 million: Texans insured by UnitedHealthcare 3.2 million: Those with employer-based health plans 78,000: Providers in UnitedHealthcare's Texas medical network 521: Hospitals in the state network Source: UnitedHealthcare See More Collapse

Q: UnitedHealthcare pulled out of Affordable Care Act's exchange in Texas last year. Any plans to return?

A: I would never say we would never come back in. I think that our goal is to make health care affordable and accessible for as many people as we can. What we're looking for is for that individual market to be more stabilized, but more than anything we've got to make sure the customers we have aren't negatively impacted by entering a new market.

RELATED: Cruz says he's not giving up on repealing Obamacare

Q: Are there plans to reduce your offerings on the commercial side?

A: No.

Q: But will there be fewer providers in your network?

A: We've got a very broad portfolio. Here in Houston, just about every hospital and about 15,000 physicians are part of that network. Our goal is to help individual consumers understand who are the highest quality and most cost-efficient providers. So either through benefit design or in some instances, by narrowing the network, we're going to steer individuals to those high-quality, highly cost-efficient providers.

Q: What makes a doctor cost-efficient in your eyes?

A: This is about their utilization of resources as a provider. It's not even that we pay them per unit less. In many instances they are the higher-per-unit physician, but they utilize those resources much more efficiently than some of their peers.

Q: What do you think of the rise in high-deductible plans?

A: When we talk about high-deductible plans it's generally in combination wit a health-savings account. We're a big supporter of it. We do believe, and frankly have seen, the impact on health care when the consumer has a little bit more accountability in terms of the cost of things.

RELATED: Rates up, uncertainty lingers in federal insurance exchange

Q: Price-shopping sounds good in theory, but it does not always translate well to people's health care. How do you address that?

A: Part of it is generational. There is no doubt the younger consumers are more likely to use some of the technical resources, especially since their world exists on their phone. I also think the consumer-directed health plan (with more patient cost-sharing) has definitely pushed people to be a more conscious consumer. Myself included. I can honestly say that until we moved to a consumer-directed health plan I never asked for the generic prescription because it might have been the difference of a $2 or $3 co-pay. Now I'm a little bit more inquisitive. As we do a better job as insurers of communicating and educating, you will see that level of consumer engagement increase.

Q: How much clout do insurers have to bring prices down, especially with drug manufacturers?

A: Here in Houston, we have the clout of a half-million consumers and 2 million across the state. Our responsibility is to try to get the most cost-effective product as we can in the marketplace. We're always trying to make sure we are negotiating the best possible total cost we can. But we're also subject to market forces just like everyone else.

Q: How does the price-shopping model work with rare and specific treatments that often require expensive drugs?

A: Again, part of it is negotiation with the pharmaceutical industry. Part of it is promoting more research being done to try to get those bio-similar medications to market. Another way is to make sure we effectively are helping the consumer understand and their utilization is appropriate.

Q: How would the Republican-backed proposal to remove the employer mandate affect UHC's employer-sponsored plans?

A: I think on the surface the (removal) of the employer mandate would be impactful. I'm just not 100 percent sure I could quantify what the value of it would be. But I think many employers, especially the ones we engage with, were providing those benefits anyway.

RELATED: Feds say ACA working despite insurers' exodus from exchange

Q: Is there any part of the current law you would like see changed?

A: One of the areas we are focused on is the health-insurance tax. It's a tax that frankly impacts your smaller employers more than larger ones. It's a tax that is tied to insurance premiums so it in effect increases the cost of the insurance premiums. At the very least we would like to see it postponed. It is supposed to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. It's our responsibility to make our products as affordable as we can. That is an identifiable cost.

Q: Where do you see the overall insurance industry going amid all of the upheaval?

A: Our contractual relationships with providers are shifting away from fee-for-service to pay-for-value, accountable care, value-based care.

Q: That kind of accountability is happening under the current law. If the law is repealed what will happen to such momentum?

A: Now that the data are there, the analytics are there, all the infrastructure is there, I personally do not see us going back to fee-for-service. I think it would be tough to argue there is benefit to going back.

Q: Are the changes made in past seven years now part of the fabric of the nation's health care even if there is a repeal?

A: l absolutely believe that the changes that have been made in the relationship between insurers and providers is not going back.
An affiliate of Long Lake Development has bought 549 acres in the Rosenberg area, where it plans to build a new community.

Rockspring Capital, a real estate private equity investment firm in Houston, sold the land to BGM Land Investments, according to McAlister Real Estate. The property was marketed by James Kadlick, Chris Hutcheson and Matt Herring of McAlister Real Estate.

The property is southeast of Hand Road at FM 2218, on the northeast side of Pleak Road. Portions of the land have been used for crops such as milo, corn and cotton recently.

The site is about 34 miles southwest of Houston. Its location in the village of Pleak, a few miles from new shopping developments along U.S. 59 in Rosenberg, made it attractive for a residential development.

"This was one of the larger contiguous land tracts that was still available in that general vicinity," said James Kadlick, vice president and Houston land specialist at McAlister Real Estate.

"A larger tract like this gives the developer the opportunity to create an identity for the community."

The sales price and timing of the development were not disclosed.

Land prices have leveled off in the last two years, Kadlick said. They are still 50-75 percent higher than in 2008.
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A firefighter was injured after a two-alarm blaze broke out in an east Houston warehouse.

The fire started about 9 p.m. Tuesday in the one-story, metal warehouse in the 1300 block of Kress, said Blake White, deputy chief at the Houston Fire Department.

It took about 45 minutes and upwards of 50 firefighters to extinguish the flames, White said.

A handful of employees were inside of the building at the time of the fire. They all escaped without injuries.

One firefighter was not as fortunate. The firefighter sustained minor, heat-related injuries while battling the blaze. The firefighter was taken to an area hospital.

As with all two-alarm fires, HFD's arson division is investigating what sparked the flames.
The shine wore off quickly for Apple's $5 billion new office space. As one Silicon Valley publication reported, the sight of the massive open office plan induced expletive-laced ire in at least one manager, who requested that a satellite office be built for his team: one with walls and doors.

It's been nearly two decades since the 1999 movie "Office Space" lampooned cubicle culture. Since then, open offices have come to replace the beleaguered cubicle warren as the dominant workplace model.

But human beings don't seem to have gotten much happier  or more productive.

In a chapter of this year's "Design for Health," Jeremy Myerson and Gail Ramster, both workplace design researchers at London's Royal College of Art, point to a disturbing and puzzling trend: "a loss of productivity and a rise in incidences of stress, depression and burnout"  a surprising development, given advances in design and technology.

Open offices weren't a simple antidote to the angst of cubicle life, as it turned out. Numerous studies have backed up the backlash. The BBC reported earlier this year that research demonstrated people working in open offices were 15 percent less productive than their cubicled counterparts (not to mention twice as likely to get sick).

Along with the increased social connection  and corresponding collaboration  designers had hoped to foster, open office spaces brought new sources of irritation for workers: higher noise levels, an increase in distractions and a loss of privacy that left many longing for the office partitions of old.

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, based on surveys of more than 42,000 workers in 303 office buildings, found that enclosed private offices rated highest and open office plans lowest for worker satisfaction. Open offices got the worst feedback when it came to "sound privacy." (Uncontrollable background noise isn't just a distraction, other studies have found: It raises epinephrine levels, a marker of stress, and leads to decreased motivation.)

But even the purported benefits of working in open offices  the potential for increased brainstorming and innovation that comes from encountering your co-workers literally everywhere you turn  didn't register as an incentive in the 2013 study. Ratings for "ease of interaction" were the same for open and private offices.

The study's authors, Jungsoo Kim and Richard de Dear, both professors of architecture, design and planning at the University of Sydney in Australia, concluded, "Our results categorically contradict the industry-accepted wisdom that open-plan layout enhances communication between colleagues and improves occupants' overall work environmental satisfaction."

So what's the solution? Should we make a U-turn back to the cubicles we once reviled, or is there another way forward that could boost productivity and make employees happier and more creative at work?

JING ZHOU, the Houston Endowment Professor of Management at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business, says the answer needs to include a blend of both private and open spaces.

"The research finds this almost paradoxical combination of needs: the need to be stimulated and the need for incubation, to sit and think," she explained. "Open offices give you opportunities to interact with people you don't normally talk to on a daily basis, increasing the chance of hearing something new or unusual."

Brookfield

That's a good thing, but it needs to be tempered with alone time to process the new material, she stressed.

"Even if you have lots of new ideas, you still need to think them through carefully. So open workspaces need to still ensure that people can be alone when they need to be, to focus and concentrate."

When it comes to choosing the ideal office design, decision-makers need to consider the data  not just anecdotes about which office styles seem to have fostered innovation at other companies.

"Most of the time, companies haven't had a careful study to compare this new office space, whatever it may be, with alternative styles, to see whether it truly enhances creativity," Zhou said.

And the office layout itself is just one factor in employee productivity and wellbeing; the design process could be equally important. Myerson and Ramster are proponents of "co-design," which allows workers to collaborate with designers to build offices with their needs and preferences in mind. Workers benefit not only from the end product itself, the designers argue, but also from their participation in creating it. "A 'sense of control' emerges from the literature as an established driver of wellbeing and happiness at work," they write.

INTERIOR DESIGN: Receptionistas. Indoor rosemary hedges. This is the office?

Even more than control, employees crave choice, according to a 2016 survey by Gensler, the world's largest architecture and design firm. They asked more than 4,000 workers in 11 different industries about the ideal work conditions, and found that there was no one simple answer: People want different conditions at different times.

Sometimes they wanted to collaborate in open spaces; other times they preferred solitude. And ideal working conditions didn't just comprise physical office space. The most creative, productive employees had flexibility in scheduling, to work at the times that best suited them. They also had access to amenities like gyms and child care  and, perhaps most importantly, good coffee.

Companies that provided a diversity of spaces, including meeting rooms, private work areas, places to socialize, outdoor space and access to "specialty coffee," tended to foster more engagement and higher levels of innovation.

The ideal workspace included a significant amount of time away from the office as well. Using metrics designed to gauge innovation, leadership and creativity, Gensler's survey found that the most innovative employees spent only 74 percent of their workweek in the office, compared to "less innovative employees," who spent 86 percent of their time at work.

Top innovators were also twice as likely to use cafeterias, coffee shops and outdoor spaces. And they reported having twice as much choice in when and where to work, compared to lesser innovators.

THE FUTURE of officing lies in variety  and the freedom to choose the right space at the right time, according to David Burkus, a professor of leadership and innovation at Oral Roberts University and the author of "Under New Management."

"The best offices have a palette of spaces," Burkus said. "They might have an open area but also different sizes of conference rooms. They have these things that look like miniature cubicles that you can just duck into if you need to take a phone call or something."

In his book, Burkus points to the Gerson Lehrman Group, a New York consulting firm, as a model of the new frontier in office design.

"The entire space is a collection of various furniture types with a large coffee shop in the center of the first floor," he writes. "In addition to the cafe stools and living room couches and chairs in the atrium, the office furnishings range from open tables to library-style carrels, to conference rooms big enough for large groups or small enough for just one person seeking solace."

No one has an assigned desk; employees use lockers to store their stuff for the day. And they're allowed to work anywhere they want, though Burkus explains that the building is organized into "neighborhoods." Based on the type of work they do, people tend to cluster near their co-workers.

Studies bear out the efficiency of this model, Burkus said.

"The level of autonomy that people have over their workspace does correlate pretty strongly with productivity and the level of work they do," he said.

That's not to say that there's no data supporting the theory that open offices spark collaboration and serendipitous innovation; there is some, Burkus said, but not enough to outweigh the drawbacks of that model.

And it would be disingenuous for companies to claim that they chose the model just for its propensity to spark startup-style innovation.

"If you think redesigning your office can make your company culture into that of a startup, you are sadly mistaken," Burkus said. "The truth is that we have an open office trend because it was cheap. Startups popularized the trend, but they did it because they were bootstrapping. Then other companies suddenly got on board, and they sold it as a promotion of collaboration and innovation. But it's really because there's no cheaper model  you can fit a lot of bodies in an open office."

Creating a variegated workspace like Gerson Lehrman's, on the other hand, is expensive.

"They have space to seat 250 people, but they only have about 100 employees," Burkus said. "You can't just build the same number of seats as employees, because they need to roam around. That's the downside of this: It's not cheap."

Michael Ciaglo/Staff

With cost as a hurdle, the palette model of workspace design might never be as ubiquitous as the open office. But that doesn't mean companies can't give their employees more autonomy, no matter what the office layout looks like.

Even if you don't run the company, you can harness the productivity-boosting power of autonomy by simply giving your employees more choice in when and where they work.

"If you're the CEO and have the power to create your office, great," Burkus said. "But if you're a middle manager and you don't have that say, at the very least you can create that autonomy on your team by letting workers know that they're free to roam  they can work from home or at the library across the street, say."

Leaving the office doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing the brainstorming benefits of face-to-face interactions, Zhou says. These can happen just as easily in the virtual realm, using a company's IT platform or a messaging application such as Slack.

"It's an informal way for people to share the problems they have and ways to address those problems," she said. "It doesn't have to be in a physical space; it's still a way to share ideas and brainstorm. And you're not constrained by who to invite to a brainstorming meeting or where to fit everyone. The whole company can be involved."

The office of the future could be a mishmash of styles, or it could look identical to the office of today, but with an added layer of employee autonomy. What's clear is that the open office is no longer trending  more likely than not, it will soon go the way of the cubicle.

"We've hit peak open office," Burkus said. "We're already on the way down."

Jennifer Latson is a writer living in Houston. This story originally appeared on Rice Business Wisdom.





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PPP released a poll of Kentucky registered voters yesterday. And in a state that gave Trump a tremendous win over Clinton last year-- 1,202,971 (62.5%) to 628,854 (32.7%)-- his job approval rating is nothing like it is in most the country. Fully 60% of registered voters approve of the way he's doing his job. Only 36% disapprove. In light of that, though, this is odd:













And when asked if they approve or disapprove of the local version of Obamacare, Kynect, 34% approve, 28% disapprove and 38% are unsure. Asked if they approved or disapproved the healthcare bill rejected by the Senate, just 27% approved, while 49% said they disapproved. Here are some other questions on Trump's agenda where the voters who approve of the job Trump is doing, don't approve of the specifics of his agenda, although it is extremely doubtful if they're aware it is his agenda.













PPP also asked if the respondents approved or disapproved of the state's two Republican senators, Miss McConnell and Rand Paul. Neither fared well, but McConnell is off the charts! Not even 1 in 5 registered voters think he's doing a good job. Lucky for him, he's not up for reelection until 2020 because the poll indicates he would have a tough time being reelected.
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On Aug. 17, North, a 5-year-old pit bull/terrier mix, was finally adopted from the Pasadena Animal Control and Adoption.

The news was shared through the shelter's various social media accounts that day, heralding a particularly heartening success story for the staff.

North had been at the shelter for approximately 276 days after being brought in with a few health issues, a factor that can make adoption more difficult.

But after spending just a few weeks at the shelter's new adoption center, which opened in late July and is adjacent to the main building at 5150 Burke, North had received the exposure needed to be noticed.

That's the goal, according to shelter manager Ken Donnell.

The new building at 5160 Burke is just under 9,000 square feet and features a lobby, offices for adoption, several meet-and-greet rooms for pets and prospective owners, and the capacity to hold 36 dogs and 40 cats already microchipped and vaccinated and ready to go. The center is only for adoptions, with pets more prominently spotlighted than at the shelter - which remains the primary in-take facility - with rows of kennels of adoptable cats and dogs visible to the outside, allowing them more exposure to the public.

The staff is hoping the increased visibility, in conjunction with social media campaigns on the shelter's website and Facebook, will lead to more adoptions.

More Information Doggy in the window What: Pasadena Animal Control and Adoption's adoption center, 5150 Burke, Pasadena, is having special prices on adoption costs for cats and dogs. Cost: $40 for dogs and $10 for cats, includeing spaying or neutering, microchip and vaccinations. Details: http://bit.ly/2w3vQBz; 281-991-0602 See More Collapse

The set-up at the new center has a "doggy in the window" effect, Donnell said.

"The unique thing is that you can actually see some of the animals from outside," he said.

"When an animal has been here (at the shelter) and remains unadopted through two of the three sets of vaccines needed to be fully vaccinated, and we are able to get it spayed or neutered and microchipped, we move it to the new building," Donnell said. "We want to make sure the pets that go to the new building are as healthy as we can make them."

The shelter houses about 217 dogs and 144 cats at any given time. It is at capacity with cats.

During one week in July, the shelter took in over 100 cats.

The center aims to appeal to residents and organizations by providing an education/conference room complete with full audio-visual capabilities available at no cost for community meetings and presentations.

"It's flexible for any kind of audience," Donnell said.

The Pasadena Pubic Library, for example, recently held a reading event for children and their parents.

The idea, said Donnell, is that people attending events at the shelter will exit past a line of kennels located in a comfortable, stench-free area, affording the center more visibility to the community.

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Toni Dyson and her family were taking a tour of the new building.

"I think this absolutely makes a difference," she said of the new facility.

Dyson's son, Hunter, who will turn 10 in September, was getting a head start on searching for his new pet and the center makes things a little easier.

"It seems like they're in a little home here," Dyson said. "I like the park-like atmosphere with the lamps and benches. I hope it draws more people in because then they see a dog and maybe fall in love."

But it's not always about the surroundings. Back at the crowded and odorous shelter, Hunter was already smitten with a black lab mix named Frankie.

According to Donnell, it's impossible to know why some pets go home to families, and others get passed over, like Elektra, a year-old brown tabby who had been at the shelter facility for three months before moving into condo No. 7 at the new building.

North found her home, and whether it was the new surroundings or just luck or fate, Donnell said that if the center helps the shelter make things more welcoming for visitors and spark adoptions, it's worth trying.

"Let's face it, people don't like coming to animal shelters," he said. "This gives them a place to go see adoptable pets without being exposed to the rows of kennels, the smell and the barking."

"Someone will fall in love with her," said shelter manager Ken Donnell just one day before North's adoption.

North had been microchipped, her health issues treated and had a spot front and center at the new building in kennel No. 25. Like many of the long-termers, she also had a place in the hearts of staff and volunteers.

"There are some you just respond to more than others," Donnell said.

For now, Elektra waits in Condo No. 7 for chance at a permanent home.

Donnell likes to tell the story about Stevie Wonder Bull, a blind pit bull mix that stayed at the shelter for more than a year. The staff had lost hope that anyone would take on an aging dog that couldn't see, but a woman in Dallas noticed Stevie online.

"The woman drove all the way from Dallas to pick him up," Donnell said. "A few months later, she sent us a picture of Stevie with his own life-vest swimming. We love those kind of stories."

The new center is at 5160 Burke next to the original shelter facility.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday; and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The shelter is closed on Sundays.

For more information on pets such as Elektra (pet no. A127889), visit its Facebook and http://bit.ly/2w3vQBz
AUSTIN - Special prosecutors who have been waiting more than a year to get paid while building a criminal case against Attorney General Ken Paxton will have to keep waiting after a Dallas-area appeals court voided their payment.

The 5th Court of Appeals issued an opinion Monday voiding an order for a $205,000 payment to three Houston-area special prosecutors assigned to Paxton's securities fraud case. The invoice for payment dates back to January 2016.

Brian Wice, one of the lead special prosecutors of the Paxton case, is expected to appeal the court's ruling to the Court of Criminal Appeals in the next few weeks.

In the opinion, the court recognized the courts have the responsibility of appointing qualified attorneys, but acknowledged "attorneys appointed will likely be paid a fee much less than a retained attorney would command."

Lawsuits have tied up the special prosecutors' payments since then amid a dispute launched by Jeffory Blackard, a Paxton donor and political ally in Collin County - and later the Collin County Commissioners Court - arguing the attorneys' $300 per hour fee was too much and exceeded local caps.

The appeals court agreed, and said the judge overseeing the case at the time agreed to too high a fee schedule.

A win for the AG

The ruling deals a win to Paxton, a tea party Republican who is under indictment for two first-degree felony charges of securities fraud and one third-degree felony charge of failing to register as an investment adviser.

While state law gave Collin County criminal district court judges power to set a standard fee schedule for attorneys, the opinion found the judges exceeded their authority when they created a provision allowing judges to disregard that schedule in "unusual circumstances" or where the fee would be "manifestly inappropriate."

It was this law that Judge Scott Becker, a local administrative judge, tapped when negotiating a $300 per hour fee for Kent Schaffer, Nichole DeBorde and Wice to serve as criminal district attorneys pro tem in Paxton's criminal case.

According to court records, attorneys are supposed to be paid fixed fees of $1,000 for first-degree felony pleas, $500 for third-degree pleas, $1,000 for pre-trial preparation and $500 for each one-half day of trial.

The attorneys submitted an invoice for $242,000 for pretrial work at the $300 rate in December 2015, which was OK'd by the Collin County Commissioners Court and paid the next month. But the subsequent bill by the special prosecutors - which included nearly $200,000 in attorneys fees and was submitted in January 2016 - has gone unpaid.

The Texas Fair Defense Act ensures the court has appropriate standards for appointed counsel in criminal cases and mandates counsel be paid a "reasonable attorney's fee" for services.

Trial set for end of year

In 1987, the Texas Legislature eliminated a state-dictated mandatory fee schedule and gave that power to the county and district criminal court judges to adopt their own fee schedules that "reflects the customary and reasonable fees in their jurisdiction," according to the ruling.

The problem is the Collin County criminal district court judges exceeded their authority when they created a provision allowing a judge to disregard a pay schedule in "unusual circumstances" or where the fee would be "manifestly inappropriate," according to the court of appeals.

The special prosecutors have twice asked the court to delay Paxton's criminal trial until they can get their pay resolved. Prosecutors' attorney David Feldman did not respond to a request for comment early Tuesday. Wice, who is expected to take over the case, declined to comment.

Paxton's long-awaited trial is scheduled for the end of the year. Prosecutors are expected to try him first on failing to register with the state as an investment adviser and later on the first-degree charges of securities fraud for failing to tell investors he would make a commission off their investment in Servergy, a North Texas tech company.

A federal judge dismissed similar charges against him early this year. Paxton is scheduled to go to trial on the state charges in Houston in December.

Paxton maintains his innocence and contends he is the victim of a political witch hunt. He is expected to seek re-election in 2018.
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The questions Larry Veselka raised about Houston Community College trustee Christopher Oliver in a 2010 report were troubling.

After a months-long investigation into multiple HCC trustees, the attorney found that Oliver's voting on a contract connected to a company from which he accepted payments prompted important questions.

"Further inquiry could be justified to confirm that there was no quid-pro-quo understanding or that the arrangement or understanding did not constitute a prohibited gift to a public servant."

Oliver, a longtime trustee, apologized at a board meeting and was soon re-elected. Then-board chair Richard Schechter called the Veselka findings on Oliver "a one-time action that was inadvertent, or at worst, a one-time mistake" at a meeting.

That instance may have been inadvertent or a mistake - but it wasn't a one-time action.

Six years after that board meeting, Oliver pleaded guilty in May to federal bribery charges, admitting to taking $12,000 in Visa gift cards and envelopes stuffed with cash in exchange for promising to use his position to help a contractor secure new HCC work. He will be sentenced in November.

After the charges were unsealed, Oliver's colleagues censured him, stripped him of his vice-chair title and removed him from other roles.

But the vote was the first time in at least a decade that HCC trustees took any formal action against Oliver, though they were aware of allegations against the trustee since at least 2011, according to a Houston Chronicle review of trustee minutes, depositions and lawsuits.

Oliver, the system's longest-serving current trustee, has made side deals, failed to disclose at least one conflict of interest and potentially broke a blackout period with a contractor in instances dating back to 2009, according to these files.

He remains on the board, though he has not attended a meeting since his charges were unsealed. His term extends through the end of the year.

"If we knew then what we know now, we would have done something different," Schechter said in a recent interview. "I certainly would have wanted to do something different. That's not the information we had."

Oliver and his lawyer declined to comment after the Houston Chronicle sent a detailed list of questions regarding these alleged improprieties.

Eva Loredo, the board's chair, tapped Oliver as vice chair this year even though she served on the board when Veselka's concerns about Oliver were discussed.

She said she wanted to work with someone who had board experience.

"If we had to do it again," she said of the 6-0 vote that gave him the title, "we would not do it."

This month, trustee Dave Wilson said that he retained consultant Wayne Dolcefino and attorney Keith Gross to look into HCC administrators - and his fellow board members.

"Some people on the board have their personal interests ahead of the college's interests," he said at a news conference.

Oliver was not reprimanded or censured over the last decade, though over time, contractors' alleged payments to Oliver followed familiar patterns.

Deposition details

Chip Lewis - who represents Karun Sreerama, a contractor who made payments to Oliver - said Oliver charged Sreerama an exorbitant fee for cleaning the parking lot of Sreerama's business in about 2013.

That payment was among three totaling $77,143 from December 2010 through August 2013, Lewis said. Oliver was separately charged with extortion after these payments, a charge that was dismissed after he pleaded guilty to bribery. Sreerama's company, ESPA Corp. Inc., was an HCC contractor at that time, and Sreerama often attended HCC board meetings.

Several years prior, Oliver began doing business with Pete Medford, the head of HCC contractor Fort Bend Mechanical, shortly after voting to give that firm work in 2008, according to Veselka's report.

Oliver began accepting payments from Fort Bend Mechanical in 2009 in even distributions: $7,000 on four occasions; $5,000 on five. The charges amounted to more than to $86,300 through 2010, according to the report.

Attorneys raised questions about these payments in a deposition connected to a 2014 wrongful termination lawsuit from the college's former acting chancellor and general counsel.

"What kind of cleanup work is it that comes out to an even figure of $7,000?" Oliver was asked.

Oliver said the payment amounts were usually set in advance. He accepted his first payment in March 2009, according to the Veselka report, and he later voted on a contract connected to Fort Bend Mechanical's work. Though these payments were discussed with Veselka's report, they did not receive as much attention at the time, as accusations against other trustees were more severe.

Medford declined to comment on his company's business with Oliver.

Attorneys have raised other questions against Oliver, largely brought to light after a 2014 wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former acting chancellor Renee Byas.

In a deposition for that lawsuit, Oliver was grilled about his contacts with Al Kashani, who in 2014 was bidding on HCC projects worth at least $18 million.

During a blackout period that forbid contact between contractors and trustees, Kashani emailed Oliver, then the board's vice chair, urging HCC to interview the three firms with the lowest bids to "truly select the 'best value'" contractor. Oliver forwarded that email to the board's chair, Neeta Sane.

About a week later - and two days before trustees were to vote on the bond contracts - Sane and Oliver met with Byas, saying that administrators needed to recommend other contractors, Byas said in a sworn deposition.

Oliver did not deny that the meeting took place in a 2015 interview with the Houston Chronicle, though he said he did not "in any way, shape, form or fashion" try to use his position to steer business. HCC would pay Byas and her attorneys $850,000 to settle the wrongful termination lawsuit. Kashani did not respond to requests for comment.

In that deposition, Oliver also raised questions when he requested worker's compensation two times, though he is not an employee. This information had not previously been reported by the Chronicle.

In 2007, he received money for one claim, which HCC said is because he was traveling between HCC events at the time of an accident and is accordance with risk management rules.

A second filing was for about $800 but was not paid, he said in a deposition. The accident took place on his way home from an event, HCC said.

Another HCC probe

The investigation initiated by trustee Wilson is the second new investigation planned into HCC operations after Oliver's plea. The college said in July that it had retained former Harris County Commissioner Gene Locke and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Vidal Martinez to examine administrative practices.

Chancellor Cesar Maldonado acknowledged that community members are questioning Oliver's behavior after the plea, but he said HCC's work to educate students should not be implicated in Oliver's actions.

The college, he said, has no reason to believe that its procurement processes are flawed and that employees do not follow procedures.

Still, he said, "Due diligence is going to require that we're going to look at all of that."

Oliver was appointed to an open board seat in 1995 and has served as a trustee ever since. His term ends Dec. 31.

When he joined the board, he was an associate minister at a local Baptist church. Two years later, he founded Tekoa Property Management Group, Inc., which cleans nearly completed construction sites. Recent filings for divorce between Oliver and his wife list that company, which does not have a website, as his employer.

Oliver has served during a tumultuous time for HCC. The college has seen five full chancellors since he joined the board and has battled lawsuits and complaints from a former acting chancellor and several of its trustees.

Loredo, the board's chair, said trustees saw their longtime colleague as having a mandate from voters, so they did not keep him from internal appointed positions, despite the Veselka findings.

To Michael Poliakoff, the director of the national American Council of Trustees and Alumni, Oliver's case and trustees' responses to findings over the years show an important guiding principle for boards.

"Collegiality must never be allowed to take precedence over ethics and honor and honesty," he said. "When there is conflict of interest or even the appearance of conflict of interest, it calls for the board to take active steps to investigate. When demonstrated, to reprimand or censure."

The college's investigations could cast new light on Oliver's tenure on the board and potentially that of his colleagues.

In his 2010 report, attorney Veselka didn't mince words about three other HCC trustees.

He found that the three board members may have violated criminal statutes by demanding free professional services from contractors, among other infractions.

Oliver, the fourth trustee named in the review, had lesser accusations leveled against him.

'Wasteland' of oversight

Ethics experts and board observers say local-government bodies need more sound accountability structure.

Jay Aiyer, a Texas Southern University professor who served as an HCC trustee from 2001 to 2007, said he believes more accountability would come from having trustees appointed by city officials.

University officials are appointed by the governor's office, and he said community colleges should do the same.

"This is a bigger problem - when you politicize positions you don't need to politicize," he said.

Craig McDonald, who leads the left-leaning nonprofit Texans for Public Justice, said there is a "wasteland" of oversight for smaller government entities, like local boards.

"It's all too rare," he said, "that we catch it."
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A Harris County jury Wednesday convicted Sandra Melgar of murder in the 2012 stabbing death of her husband Jaime Melgar.

Sandra Melgar slumped forward, put her hands over her face and let out a howl as the judge read the verdict late Wednesday.

Family and friends in the courtroom let out shrieks, covered their faces and began to cry.

The outbursts capped an emotional case centered on the prosecutors' claims that Melgar stabbed her husband, Jaime Melgar, 31 times, then tied herself up in a bedroom closet to stage a home invasion.

Minutes after the verdict, Melgar, 57, who has been free on bail since her arrest, was taken to the Harris County Jail.

She will return to court Thursday to begin the punishment phase of the trial in front of state District Judge Kelli Johnson. She faces five years to life in prison.

DISCREDITED DETECTIVE TESTIFIES: Strange man with criminal past seen at scene?

Prosecutor Colleen Barnett had argued that the crime scene did not match Melgar's story of a home invasion, and that she was motivated by a $500,000 life insurance policy.

"I would like to thank the jurors for their patience and attention throughout this long, difficult case," Barnett said in a statement released by the district attorney's office. "Jaime Melgar was by all accounts a wonderful man."

Defense attorney Mac Secrest put on an elaborate defense that included DNA experts and a former homicide investigator who outlined problems with the lead investigator.

The lead investigator, who was later fired for backdating a search warrant in a different murder case, also took the stand for the defense.

Jurors deliberated about 8 hours before handing down their verdict.

Neither the defense nor family answered questions as they left the courtroom.

Melgar maintained her innocence in the Dec. 22, 2012 killing, which occurred the day before the couple's 32nd wedding anniversary.

Friends discovered the couple in the home when they arrived the next day for an anniversary party.
NEW DELHI - India's highest court struck down a legal provision Tuesday that allowed Muslim men to instantly divorce their wives, taking a stand against a practice increasingly deemed unacceptable in the Muslim world.

In India, Muslim men have been able to end their marriages by saying the word "talaq" - Arabic for divorce - three times. They could do this in person, by letter or even over the phone. By contrast, a Muslim woman in India seeking a divorce must generally gain the permission of her husband, a cleric or other Islamic authorities.

All-male panel split 3-2

The method of divorce was available only to men, who in many cases ousted their wives from their homes without alimony or other financial support. The practice is frowned on by many Muslims worldwide, and the case was being closely watched in India.

On Tuesday, by a 3-2 vote, a Supreme Court panel declared the provision that had allowed for Muslims' instant divorce unlawful. Of those who voted against, two said the practice was unconstitutional and one said it went against Islamic law.

One of the dissenters was a Muslim judge; the other was the court's chief justice, who urged Parliament to come up with a new provision.

The Muslim women plaintiffs had argued that the provision violated their fundamental right to equality under the constitution. And while India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, hailed the court decision as a "powerful measure for women's empowerment," some legal analysts were not so sure, saying the all-male panel had used language that was quite degrading toward women.

"The patronizing tone towards Muslim women in all the opinions is quite breathtaking," Ratna Kapur, a law professor and author of a forthcoming book on gender and human rights, wrote on Facebook. "Women are talked about as if they are in need of protection, not in terms of their rights."

She added, "Nearly every reference to the Muslim woman in the majority and dissenting opinions reduces Muslim women to 'suffering victims.'"

India is predominantly Hindu, but it has a sizable Muslim population. Many Hindus, seeing the practice of ending a marriage by uttering three words as an insult to women, welcomed the decision Tuesday. Several Muslim groups, however, had been intent on preserving it, suspicious of any government efforts to chip away at what they see as their fundamental religious rights.

Quran makes no mention of it

There are no official statistics on the prevalence of instant divorce in India, but one study found that among a sample of more than 4,700 women, 525 had divorced, 404 of them through triple talaq.

The Quran makes no mention of the talaq method. The practice is outlined in the hadiths, or sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, which are regarded as less authoritative than the Quran but are influential in shaping Islamic doctrine.

Ishrat Jahan, a plaintiff in the Indian case, said she had been crushed when her husband divorced her over the phone from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

"Then he remarried in the village and snatched my children from me," she said in a television interview.

She said she was extremely happy with the court decision.

"I never thought this would happen," she said.
We've always been at war in Afghanistan.

At least that's how things will seem to the next generation of American troops - the 14- and 15-year-old JROTC cadets, born after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, who may soon find themselves training Afghan military forces or fighting in the mountains of Kandahar.

In a televised address Monday night, President Donald Trump retreated from his years of calling for an end to a U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and instead announced a "new strategy."

There will be more soldiers, more military pressure on the Taliban and more international engagement with neighboring nations like Pakistan and India.

The specifics are intentionally vague, but officials have hinted that 3,900 more troops will be added to the 8,400 already in Afghanistan.

Whatever the final plan looks like, it is certainly an improvement over a bizarre scheme supported by former White House adviser Steve Bannon that involved outsourcing the war to private military contractors and mercenaries.

In fact, rhetoric aside, Trump's overall strategy seems indistinguishable from the Obama administration or the Bush administration - and is probably what we would have seen under a President Hillary Clinton.

And it is not likely to bring about a quick victory - whatever that looks like. If Obama's troop surge of more than 100,000 didn't achieve a lasting peace in Afghanistan, it is hard to understand how 3,900 more lives at risk will end in a ticker-tape parade.

Meanwhile, the White House seems deeply unprepared for continuing our nation's longest war. The Pentagon is missing key appointees - about 74 percent of top positions haven't been filled. The State Department remains a hollow shell of its former self, and Trump has failed to nominate anyone as ambassador to India while the ambassador to Afghanistan still hasn't been confirmed.

Before another taxpayer cent is spent, before another soldier is sent into harm's way, the American people deserve to know what we're trying to achieve and how we're going to do it.

The United States has paid hundreds of billions of dollars, lost more than 2,000 service members and killed more than 100,000 Afghans. The trauma of war follows our troops back home in the form of post-traumatic stress, opioid addiction, unprecedented suicide levels and other mental health issues that our politicians have failed to adequately confront. Neither Democrats nor Republicans can describe what victory looks like.

Instead of bringing clarity, Trump's speech - "America's enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out" - risks immersing the nation into a fog of war by keeping Americans themselves purposefully ignorant of the mission and means.

Congress must step up and shine a light on Afghanistan. This means auditing the Pentagon and holding hearings about our goals and timelines. Most important, Congress must write a replacement for the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force enacted after 9/11.

Osama bin Laden has been killed and al-Qaida has largely been crushed. Memories of the greatest terrorist attack on our shores remains a cause for mourning, but it cannot be used to justify a forever war.

"This entire effort is intended to put pressure on the Taliban," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters after Trump's speech. "To have the Taliban understand you will not win a battlefield victory - we may not win one, but neither will you."

We have a word for that: quagmire.
Speaking out

Regarding "Exclusive: Cornyn says Trump missed 'opportunity' to unite after Charlottesville melee" (Chron.com, Aug. 18), I would hardly call the "Unite the Right" rally a "melee." It was the most ugly side of America - racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia - taking to the streets with a green light from the White House.

Trump's blaming "both sides" for violence and pointing out "very fine people" on the Nazi and KKK side do not surprise me given his campaign and first seven months in office. But Trump's insinuation that both sides in Charlottesville are on the same moral plane isn't "missing an opportunity." It is un-American and proves he is unfit to lead.

It is unacceptable that my representatives swiftly denounced the white supremacists yet remain silent on Trump's statements. Cornyn doesn't think it's useful to criticize the president? We live in a democracy that relies on respectful dialogue. Cornyn didn't have any qualms speaking out against President Obama.

Aliza Geretz, Houston

Threat to public spaces

Regarding "A&M: Officials cancel rally over safety concerns" (Page A1, Aug. 15), the leadership of Texas A&M university was correct to cancel a white nationalist rally that had been planned for September.

Hate-filled people openly carrying rifles and shotguns down our streets represent a clear threat to public safety. I was surprised, though, that members of the Texas Legislature called for the event to be canceled due to the threat of violence with weapons, since as recently as 2015 these same policymakers voted to allow the open carry of handguns in Texas. I know because I was there.

In our present moment of crisis, Americans of all backgrounds must stand shoulder to shoulder to not only drown out the rhetoric of hate, but to choke off the preferred methods by which extremists can threaten the safety and well-being of our friends and neighbors for being who they are. The very policymakers who pushed this dangerous policy through in 2015 are the ones lamenting the dangers of visibly armed extremists today. And they should be held accountable for that.

By closing off the possibility of openly carrying loaded firearms, we might even stem the ability of such groups to turn public spaces into threatening arenas of hate in the first place. And that's a victory that could be earned with little to no confrontation.

Alexandra Chasse is a Houston-based member of the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

Consider a name change

Regarding "Confrontation over statue remains calm" (Page A3, Sunday), the statue "The Spirit of the Confederacy" is of a winged warrior or an angel bearing a sword and a palm frond representing both war and peace. It is not a monument to an individual.

Could the monument be re-purposed with a new title and a new cause? Maybe newly titled "The Spirit of Reconciliation" to show the coming together of the citizens. Yes, the Confederacy was a lost cause and needs to be left behind in the pages of the history books.

Larry S. Dial, Cypress

A perfect place

"The Spirit of the Confederacy" is an impressive piece of sculpture, executed by an accomplished artist and should never be destroyed for that reason. Move it? By all means. Where? How about to Glenwood Cemetery, if the trustees would have it? It's private property, full of carved and cast angels, and no doubt home to a number of Confederate veterans. Home at last!

Barry Moore, Houston
After 29 bonus days at the Texas Capitol, lawmakers headed back to their districts without having accomplished much. That's good news, because Gov. Greg Abbott's 20 priorities mostly would have harmed Texans.

A few good things came from forcing lawmakers, lobbyists, journalists and activists to the Capitol in the summer heat when the pink dome is usually filled only with tourists. Maintaining the licensing of the Texas Medical Board and extending the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force were common-sense moves that state leaders needed to make.

But these small fixes should have been taken care of during the regular legislative session. Instead, zealots - largely in the Texas Senate - hijacked the policy agenda and pushed discriminatory, punitive, short-sighted proposals during the special session. Fortunately, most of these bad ideas failed to pass.

One dangerous proposal came from Houston state Sen. Paul Bettencourt and died with a whimper at the very end of the special session. Senate Bill 1 would have interfered in local decisions and hamstrung the ability of Texas' cities and counties to pay for police, firefighters and paramedics by requiring voter approval of any property tax increases over a state-set limit. Mayors, public safety officials, county judges (including Harris County Judge Ed Emmett) and other local leaders spoke out at the Capitol all year to oppose SB 1, and this irrational proposal is off the table for now. If lawmakers really want to come back and address property taxes, they should increase state aid to public schools.

Valiant efforts to reform the state's outdated school finance system essentially failed, once again leaving behind Texas' 5.4 million public school students. The Texas House worked hard to craft a proposal - House Bill 21 - that would have been a good first step. But Texas Senate leaders neutered the bill by drastically reducing the funding and introducing new inequities. Several House members protested the Senate's "skinny" proposal. State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, said it straight, telling the Senate "to take back this crap and fix it." But the House approved the Senate version of HB 21 anyway.

State leaders will try to spin HB 21 as a win for Texas, but what passed is a step backward for the students, families and employers of our state. The new "school non-finance" law will primarily aid charter schools and rural school districts; public school students in large urban and suburban school districts like Houston ISD will get almost no benefit.

The new school finance law does include a commission to study school finance, to understand the changing needs of Texas students and what it costs to ensure all children get a quality education. That makes sense. Yet, after every previous study and commission, the Legislature has underfunded the recommendations. We must have a serious discussion about revenue and what it will take to stop a 30-year trend of underfunding schools and shortchanging Texas kids.

It's been a long, hard summer. We're grateful to all of the lawmakers and fellow advocates who worked overtime to advance our vision of a Texas that offers everyone the chance to compete and succeed in life. We'll dust ourselves off to analyze the impact of new laws, keep watch on the Legislature's next moves, and fight another day.

Beeson is the executive director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities. She lives in Austin. A version of this commentary ran in the Texas Tribune on Wednesday.
In a 1903 speech at the Grand Canyon, President Theodore Roosevelt urged local officials to protect this magnificent place from development. He said, "Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children, your children's children and for all who come after you. "

In 1908, he used presidential authority under the Antiquities Act to protect the Grand Canyon from development.

His passion for the great outdoors propelled his actions to protect wild places. But his love for the land was combined with a fierce determination to take on profiteers who were seeking to exploit public lands for private gains. He set a high bar for stewardship of America's treasures.

Today, the White House exhibits a vastly different approach toward our public lands.

Energy extraction supersedes all other priorities. This administration's stated goal is to make it cheaper and easier for energy developers to exploit resources on public lands.

National monuments, parks and other protected public lands provide us with clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, wildlife habitat and space to pursue outdoor traditions. They also provide an economic boost to hundreds of rural communities that benefit from the attraction to wild places.

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has both administrative power and a bully pulpit to encourage sound policy for a huge portion of our nation's public lands. He often professes his commitment to public land conservation, and he frequently evokes the legacy of TR. But his conservation actions have failed to match his rhetoric, so far.

Notably, Secretary Zinke launched a "review" of dozens of national monuments that have been designated since 1996. But he must know that before these monuments were designated, virtually all of them were subjected to arduous, comprehensive assessments to ensure that each place deserves protection for its natural, historical or cultural significance.

So this current review process is a solution in search of a problem - an excuse to roll back protections for national monuments. Unfortunately, this persecution is part of a concerted, unwarranted and unprecedented attack on lands that belong to all Americans.

I have had the pleasure of speaking with Secretary Zinke on several occasions. He and I share a love of our country's natural heritage, and we share similar military service. I believe he would like to honor the promises he has made to protect the nation's natural wonders.

However, despite his declared love of our outdoor heritage, he recently recommended reducing the acreage of the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, a spectacularly beautiful place that is sacred to five tribal nations with ancestral ties to that land. He still has time to correct this recommendation before his final report is due by Thursday.

During his Senate confirmation process, Zinke supported full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which invests a small portion of offshore oil royalties in parks and public lands across the United States. But he later defended the Trump administration's proposed 84 percent cut to that program, an astonishing assault on the program.

Through a Secretarial Order, Zinke has opened up more of our national lands in Alaska for oil drilling. He also proposed oil exploration in the fragile Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and greased the skids for more oil drilling on federal lands.

To be a faithful steward of our public lands during the Trump administration will require courage and discipline, attributes that Secretary Zinke values. If he aspires to live up to the Roosevelt legacy, he will need to stand up to special interests and protect America's public lands.

The proof will be in his final recommendations from the national monument "review."

Our national monuments must be left "as is" - healthy and intact for our children's children to enjoy.

Roosevelt IV is a banker, a Vietnam War veteran, a lifelong Republican and the great-grandson of the 26th U.S. president.
August has been a rather hot humid and quiet month in our area. Unfortunately, Im writing this from a distance as my mom had to have hip replacement surgery. And I have been the dog, dad and house sitter.

The meetings at the Legion hall have been held each Wednesday and the second Thursday of each month. This time of year a lot of folks are traveling, and meeting numbers are down.

We are still preparing and building up for MIA/POW Remembrance Day, which is Sept. 15. There are still 100s of service members who are lost to their families. Although on average one or two a year are repatriated and laid to rest in their home cities. This past year two have been brought back to Missouri. Both were Korean War vets.

On Sept. 15, the Legion hall will be opened to everyone to stop in and visit. We Papuan to have the grill fired up at lunch cooking hot dogs and maybe hamburgers. Also, representatives of the VA administration may be on site to answer questions about enrollment and perhaps do a presentation. Also, the big item for the day will be the drawing of the raffle prize, the Husky 372 XP chain saw! One on the visitors that day will get to draw the winning raffle ticket! There is still time to get tickets. Members will be selling tickets Saturday, Aug. 26, at Walmart. They can be purchased at NAPA Auto Parts in Houston.

One of the programs the raffle proceeds promotes is the Boys State program. This is an excellent educational opportunity for young people. I understand even Gov. Greitens attended as a teenager. It certainly appears that Gov. Greitens, as a veteran and as governor, is leading Missouri to a better future.

The membership looks forward to seeing as many people as possible come out on the Sept. 15. But to remember those lost service members and support future attendees of Boys State. In the mean while take caution with the heat.

Have a good month.

Houston resident Keith Ford is a retired infantryman and an amateur writer whose work has appeared in publications around the world. Email kf4tap@yahoo.com.
Since it was formed in 1977, the Houston-based Exceptional Child Education Cooperative (ECEC) has been serving area students with special needs.

In the 2017-2018 school year, the ECEC is serving more than 700 students in 12 school districts (including six in Texas County, two in Dent County, two in Wright County, one in Phelps County and one in Shannon County). The organization provides specialized resources for its member school districts and is one of 20 similar entities in Missouri. The goal is to meet federal requirements put into law in 1975, and provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students identified as disabled based on any or all of 13 categories of disability.

Houston resident Jeremy Smith is the ECECs eighth director, and is in the second year of his tenure.

FAPE basically means that after a student is identified as having a disability, a team will come together and provide services, modifications and accommodations for them to be able to have equal access to education just like their non-disabled peers, Smith said. Thats different for every kid; for us to level the playing field for some kids, we have to do a little more, and for others its a little less.

The ECEC is headquartered in the vocational-agricultural building on the Houston High School campus, and serves about 160 students in Houston. It is technically part of the Houston School District and is subsequently overseen by the Houston Board of Education, but also has its own 12-person board made up of leaders from member districts.

The ECECs funding comes from each of those districts, based proportionally on how many students are being served in a given district.

{{tncms-inline alignment=left content=<p><strong>Directors through the years</strong></p> <p><strong>(first year)</strong></p> <p>Andy Millman (1977)</p> <p>Mary Wood (1990)</p> <p>Charlie Taylor (1997)</p> <p>Lisa Cox (2004)</p> <p>Eileen Fronterhouse (2005)</p> <p>Lillian Collins (2011)</p> <p>Amy Dill (2015)</p> <p>Jeremy Smith (2016)</p> <p><strong>The 13 categories of disability</strong></p> <p>Autism</p> <p>Deaf/blindness</p> <p>Emotional disorders</p> <p>Hearing impairment and deafness</p> <p>Mental retardation</p> <p>Multiple disabilities</p> <p>Orthopedic impairment</p> <p>Other health impairments</p> <p>Specific learning disabilities</p> <p>Speech or language impairment</p> <p>Traumatic brain injury</p> <p>Visual impairment/blindness</p> <p>Young child with a developmental delay</p> <p><strong>Member school districts:</strong></p> <p>Cabool R-IV</p> <p>Eminence R-1</p> <p>Green Forest R-II (Salem)</p> <p>Houston R-1</p> <p>Licking R-VIII</p> <p>Norwood R-1</p> <p>Oak Hill R-1 (Salem)</p> <p>Phelps County R-III (Edgar Springs)</p> <p>Plato R-V</p> <p>Raymondville R-VIII</p> <p>Skyline R-II (Norwood)</p> <p>Success R-VI</p> id=30677524-37e2-4eba-89c8-345e2710f982 style-type=bio title=EXCEPTIONAL CHILD EDUCATION COOPERATIVE INFORMATION type=relcontent}}

Students are tended to by 22 full-time teachers with varying specialties who travel each day from Houston to member schools. Students range in age from pre-school to high school, and each one has an individualized education program (IEP) designed especially for them.

Theres no two kids even with the same disability who are exactly alike, Smith said. What makes them tick and makes them successful is different kid by kid.

Smith lives in Houston with his wife, Amy, who is HHS principal. They have two children  one in college and one who is a senior at HHS.

Smith graduated from Diamond High School and went on to earn a degree from Missouri Southern State College in Joplin and a masters in educational administration from Missouri State. He is a long-time educator who has worked in several capacities, including (among other things) as a social studies teacher, a principal and a special education coordinator at Moberly Area Tech Center, where students from 11 school districts were served.

That was somewhat similar to what I do here, Smith said, because there was that confederation of a bunch of different schools and having to work together for a common good and that kind of thing.

Smith said the ECEC provides significant benefits to all member districts, but especially the small ones.

If you only have a small staff and had to hire another person to do what we do, that would be very costly for them, he said. I think weve kind of become almost like an insurance policy in that if a little school has a really high needs kid who comes in, it could be really difficult for the school to have the resources to handle that. But if that happens, we have the resources here and the folks with the know-how.

There might be years when you dont need to use the policy and years when you do.

Smith said hes particularly impressed with the results in the early childhood segment of ECECs clientele.

Exceptional Child Cooperative director Jeremy Smith.

Research shows that the more early and often you get intensive services to kids, the more likely it is that they wont have to have services as they get older, he said. Its really amazing where a kid starts out when theyre first identified as a 3-year-old and where they get to by the time theyre going into kindergarten. Before I took this position, I had always been K-12, but here I get to see these little bitty guys getting some great help. Thats been a really good thing.

The ECEC even added a fourth early childhood teacher for this year.

Along with servicing students, the ECEC helps member districts with steps and procedures necessary to meet state and federal requirements. Smith said the organization is able to recruit and hire individuals highly qualified to interact with special education students, and in turn is able to deliver quality results.

The ECEC is an organization that provides comprehensive and exhaustive services I an attempt to maximize the learning of all children, he said. I think we do a fantastic job of that. The way this is set up, were able to attract really good candidates, keep really good people and provide excellent services to our member schools.

For more information about the Exceptional Child Education Cooperative, call 417-967-3196 or log onto the Houston R-1 School District website (www.houston.k12.mo.us) and find the ECEC under schools.

The ECEC is located in the vocational agricultural building adjacent to Houston High School.

Directors through the years

(first year)

Andy Millman (1977)

Mary Wood (1990)

Charlie Taylor (1997)

Lisa Cox (2004)

Eileen Fronterhouse (2005)

Lillian Collins (2011)

Amy Dill (2015)

Jeremy Smith (2016)

The 13 categories of disability

Autism

Deaf/blindness

Emotional disorders

Hearing impairment and deafness

Mental retardation

Multiple disabilities

Orthopedic impairment

Other health impairments

Specific learning disabilities

Speech or language impairment

Traumatic brain injury

Visual impairment/blindness

Young child with a developmental delay

Member school districts:

Cabool R-IV

Eminence R-1

Green Forest R-II (Salem)

Houston R-1

Licking R-VIII

Norwood R-1

Oak Hill R-1 (Salem)

Phelps County R-III (Edgar Springs)

Plato R-V

Raymondville R-VIII

Skyline R-II (Norwood)

Success R-VI
It takes a lot of time, training and experience to become a competent horse rider.

One of the most important things to remember when riding a horse is to remain calm.

The horse is naturally a flight animal. Thats how he has survived in the world, so if something startles him, his first reaction is to leave, said Sue Webb, senior instructor of agriculture at Missouri State University. As long as you stay balanced on the horse and relax, the distress will get over rapidly. But if you get nervous, he will get more nervous.

Before riding, it is essential for a rider to groom, saddle and bridle the horse properly.

Get on

To mount the horse, follow these steps:

Check that your stirrup length is correct  measure it against your arms length to get a good estimate.

Ensure the girth is still snug.

Hold the reins with your left hand and grab the front of the saddle with your right hand.

Put your left foot in the stirrup, push off and over the saddle, and sit down softly.

One of the main reasons horses leave when youre getting on is because you land really hard on their back. That doesnt feel good, Webb said.

She advises riders to mount a horse using a mounting block to put less pressure on its back.

Get moving

The ideal riding position is over the horses center balance, where your ear, shoulder, hip and heel are in line.

Riding a horse is like standing with a 1,200-pound horse underneath you, Webb said. So put your feet wide enough to support your weight, bend your knees and youre now riding without the horse.

To communicate with a horse, use the reins, your voice and body language and apply pressure with your legs.

If you want the horse to move, look where you want to go, open the door for the horse to move and squeeze with your legs to ask him to move forward, Webb said. If he ignores that, bump him a little harder.

To ask the horse to stop, relax, sit deeply in the saddle and drop your weight into your heels.

If that doesnt do it, say Whoa or pull back on the reins gently, Webb said.

Take classes

Missouri State offers several riding classes for credit through the animal science department. There is also an equine studies minor that covers how to care for, properly train and ride horses.

For more information, call Webb at 417-837-2501.

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Business activity is increasing in New Zealand and its clear that many employees are expected to do more to help organisations cope with expanded workloads, said Jason Walker, managing director of Hays in New Zealand.

However, Walker suggested some employers may be ignoring the potential risks that come with rising overtime.

Another recent poll by Hays found that 69 per cent of employees would look for another job if overtime became excessive, 55 per cent would do so if the overtime was unpaid and 14 per cent would do so even if they were paid for overtime.

Employers need to seriously consider the financial, physical and emotional impact extra work has on their people, said Walker. Can overworked employees really perform at their best?

He went on to suggest that employers consider temporary staff or transient teams in an effort to lighten the load.
I am black and I am non-binary. I have been these things, in some ways, all my life. In other ways, these are pieces of my identity I have only just come to understand and claim.

The world we live in is often split up into binaries: black or white, gay or straight, man or woman. Most of the time, we are forced or socialised into these categories, which can be at best irrelevant and at worst harmful to who we are. As a mixed-race, non-binary queer person, these categories with only two opposing options just don't make space for me. I spent a lot of my younger years grappling with being mixed race; I was too black for white spaces but not black enough for black spaces. Race is a continued struggle for all people of colour, but ultimately something I have come to own and embrace.

My gender identity, on the other hand, is something I am still navigating. At birth we are assigned a gender; from that moment we are thrust into subsequent years of being read as that gender. It works for cisgender people; they experience the privilege of identifying as the gender they were assigned. But for everyone else, it's a series of fiery hoops in healthcare, education, social circles, the law and so on.

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I am lucky that growing up, my mum was an advocate for gender-neutral child-rearing. Perhaps she wouldn't put it in those terms but she understood the importance of not forcing me to fit into societal expectations of girl children. She enriched my passion for action figures over Barbie dolls and sweatpants over pink dresses. However, as it does to everyone, high school swallowed me up in a gulp of patriarchal nonsense and I was shaving my legs and wearing mascara by the age of 12. I went to a silly British high school that forced girls to wear skirts yet monitored how much leg we showed or how shiny our shoes were or what colour bra we were wearing to avoid distracting boys.

Similarly, growing up mixed race was a complicated experience. Due to having an absent father, I grew up with most of my family being white. I knew, that just like my mum, I was mixed race; part Jamaican, part Gambian and part white, but aside from that I had very little connection to the black side of me. I remember telling my mum that I wished I was white because a teacher at school asked me if I could "wash the mud off" in the shower. Small yet glaring moments of racism made me realize that regardless of how I felt about myself or what I wished I was, the world would always see me as some form of black.

Until I went to an international school at 16, I didn't know how to love the colour of my skin while being surrounded by whiteness. This manifested in many different ways; chemically straightening my hair, speaking the "Queen's English," identifying only as "British" and even pretending to be anti-immigration in debate club. I didn't realize it at the time, but white-washing myself was having a serious impact on my self-esteem and also the way I saw and treated other black people and people of colour. Creating black communities, reading black authors and absorbing positive black imagery changed all of this for me. However, I then began grappling with what gender and queerness meant to me on top of the existing complexities of my identity.

I describe my own experience of being non-binary as a political rebellion. For me (but not for everyone), not conforming to the gender binary is a necessary form of survival and personal exploration in a world that strives to oppress black women. Within black communities, there is little room for gender non-conformity. Not in the sense that gendered or genderless possibilities are not open to black bodies, but in the way that blackness is perceived. This is often in rigid gender binaries (man/woman) as opposed to seeing gender as a spectrum or a galaxy of possibilities.

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Black bodies have consistently been divided by gender in a way that benefited white supremacy throughout history. For example, the subjugation of black women's bodies was and continues to be used throughout colonization and slavery. Black people had no rights under slavery because they were "property," therefore black women could be continually sexually assaulted and were never able to report it. Similarly, throughout the colonial period, rape and dominance of black women were used as tools of invasion and colonization. From women indigenous to Africa or Turtle Island, sexual violence was a tool used for genocide.

In contrast, black men were savage, barbaric, strong and lascivious. Their carnal desires were a threat to seemingly innocent and pure white women. Their only purpose was to do physical labour. Separating black communities by gender was a mechanism that was essential to the "success" of white supremacist projects like colonialism, slavery and segregation.

Gendered anti-blackness has manifested in many different ways throughout history. Sarah Baartman was a Khoikhoi woman known for being paraded around as a spectacle for white audiences in the 1700s. They stared at her body; the way her bottom and her curves were so voluptuous and wide and the way she seemed so alien to thin, pale Western notions of beauty. In 2016, Patrice Brown's photos went viral because her clothing was deemed inappropriate for a fourth-grade teacher. Really, what people were commenting on was her curvaceous figure. What wasn't said, though implied, was that her very body -- the body of a black woman -- was inappropriate. Three hundred years apart and these two women are subject to the same gaze. They are both over-sexualized just for the shape of their bodies yet given no sexual agency.

These strict gender roles for black people, which come with damaging stereotypes and perceptions is what led me to reject the gender binary. It is the fact that the gender binary only exists to oppress women and femininity and furthermore, places black women in an inescapable paradox of racialized sexism. I will always have a close connection to black womanhood, but I identify as non-binary.

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Just like Patrice Brown, people will see my body, my makeup, my clothes and immediately place assumptions and judgements on me. I can never truly escape these narratives but I can find inner peace and strength in rejecting these judgements of black women.

As Ashleigh Shackelford says in her famous piece on being a non-binary femme, having a body that was fat and black often gave older men license to oversexualize her from a young age. Simultaneously, black femininity is often masculinized because it is loud, strong, brave and aggressive. She felt that her gender could never be "neutral" (with which she justifies the use of she/her pronouns) because of these experiences but she is still non-binary because "the mixed signals and stringency of binary gender performance became hard to reason with internally." She ends with, "my gender has a journey, a depth of trauma and a world of resilience behind it. Every moment I am able to tell someone my gender before they assume it is a community act of power."

Shackleford's words have always been a source of inspiration to me because her article was the first time I read about the experiences of a non-binary person who wasn't white, skinny and androgynous-presenting. I was able to frame my own understandings of being non-binary that weren't scripted within whiteness.

A lot of people dismiss non-binary voices because they are resistant to changing their outdated views on gender. But the undoing of a gender binary does not only benefit those who live outside of it: anyone can, and should defy the gender binary because it is a socially constructed template that holds us all, but particularly women, to restrictive and violent standards.

Undoing the gender binary is an essential part of true decolonization of the black body. It allows black boys to cry and be vulnerable. It allows black men to be free from over-criminalization and presumed predation. It allows black boys to be effeminate without stigma or homophobia. It allows black women to be single mothers without being irresponsible or "ratchet." It allows black girls to explore their sexuality without being vilified by double standards.

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Non-binary people are real and they exist; their experiences are varied and complex. For a lot of black non-binary folks it is only through self-decolonization that many of us are able to truly claim this identity. Society does not allow space for black folks to be alternative, to be nerdy, to be weird, to be queer, to be different from the narrow boxes created for us throughout history.

Even though the narrow gender roles for black people stem from slavery and colonization, they can be internalized within black communities. Therefore, black queer and gender variant people often find themselves seeking and creating new communities.

For me, the Black Lives Matter movement has become a space for unconditional acceptance and validation of the black body. It is a movement that is unapologetically supportive and uplifting of queer and trans black people. The Black Lives Matter website lists being "trans-affirming" and "queer-affirming" as two top priorities of the entire movement. Being an organizer with Black Lives Matter Vancouver is so rewarding to me as a black non-binary person because unlike the civil rights movement, we are able to place women, femmes and queer and trans black folks at the forefront of our work.

The black liberation movement of the 21st century must include a gender rebellion to be successful and inclusive. I am a living embodiment of my politics.
How often do we hear about the need for a digital detox? How when we are on holiday smart phones should be kept under lock and key, banished from our hands and not to be looked at, except in the most dire of situations?

But why?

Smart phones are, in effect, a near essential part of modern life. Whether we want them to be or not, for most people, the services provided by a smart phone are now all but unavoidable. Trying to not use them is the equivalent of saying, "I won't use trains." It is eminently possible to pull off - but really not worth it.

The bigger question isn't - should we be using smart phones at all times, but whether we are using them in a healthy and effective manner in the first place and how we ensure that this happens. A full and satisfactory solution to this thorny issue has yet to be developed.

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Anyone who has ever walked down a busy London street will know that our reliance on smart phones extends to checking them rather than looking where we are walking, causing, inevitably, all manner of irritation to our fellow pedestrians and sometimes danger. What is the solution to this? Some have tried separate walking lanes for smart phone users, or as suggested in New Jersey, fines. As always, the test of a reasonable response is, has this worked? Evidence from across the world suggests a resounding no.

Smart phones are all but part of us; it is not practical or even desirable to be separated from them for an arbitrary space of time like a holiday. The problem is, we are still asking the wrong question and trying to place restrictions developed for a world that no longer exists onto modern technology.

Rather than seeking to impose fines that are bound to fail, or restrictions that have no real means of enforcement, the answer instead lies in fitting technology better into our lives. Do we spend too much time looking at our smart phones and not interacting with the world? Yes. But the solution is not to go backwards. It is more technology that integrates much more effectively into our lived experiences.

For an example of how to do this, look no further than the film Her. While falling in love with an actual person is still preferable (for now), this film outlined how it is possible to integrate technology into each individual's life with minimal disruption to other people.

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The simple truth is, we'd have just as much luck trying to stop the tide than we would removing smart phones from our lives. Instead of looking to King Canute for guidance, perhaps we are better served looking to our children.

My son, when he is allowed to use devices, displays a near-instinctive ability to order and sort the information presented to him. He understands, at a deep level, that with access to an immeasurably large amount of information, the trick is to only take in what is necessary and to leave the rest. He is able to do this as part of a generation raised around technology. For the rest of us, it may be too late.

Or is it?

As in many cases, the answer to a problem created by technology is more tech. We are on the verge on another leap forward in technology. Within the next 3- 4 years, smart phone technology will take its next step. From in our hands and looked at all the time, to a proxy that we utilise to create a real augmented living experience. With voice activated technology, glasses that will enable us to control calls with just three short blinks, to interfaces in multiple areas that take us away from the phone screen and make us the UI. All these technologies currently exist in start-up world and in the minds of geeks. Soon they will be in the mainstream.

Rather than trying to force people to look up from their screens, or lock their phones away during a holiday, the answer, perhaps counter-intuitively, is in more technology, further integrated into our lives. Are we really more relaxed away from our devices? I think not, the stress comes in how they are used not in their use.

Every time humanity has had a problem with technology more technology has been the answer. The same will be true of mobile phones, we are dependent for now, dependency will not be ended by rules and arbitrary guidelines, but by new technology taking us away from the screen and into the world.

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On Tuesday President Trump addressed a crowd of adoring supporters in Phoenix, Arizona during which he reverted to norm: criticising the press, defending himself against his late and equivocal remarks after Charlottesville, and remarkably stated "I don't do Twitter storms." The same day, The Washington Post broke a story detailing that Trump's "list of false and misleading claims" has now topped 1000. Despite some evidence of cracking, the man still appears to have the unwavering adoration of his base. How can this be?

While some have argued that this is down to Trump's genius capacity to read "the people", market himself to their desires, and use slight-of-twitter to create a media storm while darkly accomplishing his goals, he's simply not savvy enough a politician for that. In actual fact, his approval ratings continue to tumble, his legislative accomplishments are abysmal, and has failed to "drain the swamp." So how does he continue to maintain the backing of so many?

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This is down to psychology, not politics.

I have previously argued that we should not be shy about using psychology to understand the president, and this must also include understanding the psychological motivations of his supporters.

Much was made of Trump's surprising sweep into power on the backs of white working class Americans, who largely continue to support him. This is a segment of the population that has continued to suffer wage stagnation despite eight years under a relatively popular president. While many Democrats and socially liberal city dwellers felt positive about the Obama years, their counterparts in the rural areas felt quite differently, which is dramatically apparent on any electoral map.

Trump's success is not a matter of political acumen, rather it's a matter of the disordered chaos coming out of his mouth that happens to meet the psychological needs of his base. When groups are discontented, they tend to need safety and cohesion as a priority, and the easiest way to achieve that is through what psychologists call "splitting" - that is mainaining a simplified internal world with no nuance - all is black and white or good and bad.

This is why Trumpian concepts like the wall, coming out of NAFTA, and the "Muslim Ban" play so well to his base. They appeal to splitting by locating badness in Mexico, world trade, or Muslims. It is also why those who benefited from Obamacare fail to see it that way.

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The whole point of "repeal and replace" appeals to the easy "all things Obama are bad" against the much more rational, but also more complex perspective of accepting what works about Obamacare while addressing what's wrong with it. Basic bipartisanship.

When off the teleprompter, Trump frequently reverts to splitting. When asked tough questions, he behaves like a cornered man justifying the actions of white supremacists. When held to account, he dismisses inquiring journalists as "fake" and "bad people"; when his corporate advisors leave in droves, he diminishes them as grandstanders.

The psychological mechanism at play here is "attribution theory" on Trump's part and "confirmation bias" on the part of his followers (his opponents, mind you, are equally prone!). Attribution is similar to "ad hominem" argumentation in rhetoric. Instead of arguing on the basis of facts, flaws are attributed to the character of the other instead. This is Trump's regular fall-back when he attacks the press, foreigners, employees, former employees, Democrats, and even members of his own party. Trump's disordered speech enables his followers to confirm all their existing beliefs about the man and his position because, in essence, he says everything.

For example, by redacting his qualifier "on many sides" when quoting himself in Arizona, he paints himself as a victim to fake news, while at the same time preserving his support for "alt right" implicitly. In other words, everybody gets to hear what they want to hear.

The bad news is that these psychological mechanisms are very powerful. The capacity to see what we want to see in others while ignoring contrary evidence is potent indeed. In fact, this kind of potency increases the more insecure, frightened, or discontented a group may be. Smart authoritarian leaders use this to their advantage: Trump does it by accident.

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The good news is that these tactics aren't sustainable: the truth ultimately wins out. Trump's failure to meet his campaign promises are currently blamed on "very bad people" out to obstruct him, but this excuse cannot go on forever. Though it may continue to play well to his base, he's becoming increasingly isolated. While it's likely he'll continue to retain the unwavering support of some, in practice his skid towards political impotence is having an effect.

What remains worrying, however, is how large his unwavering support continues to be, and it's not just fringe. This is the result of the mass of the discontented looking for easy solutions to complex problems. Trump's disordered and accidental rise to power is dangerous, but still not as dangerous as someone who actually knows how to wield it.
Yes, that's right - I'm the one from Love Island. The one who dumped Camilla, then got with Tyla - blah blah. That stuff's all a bit ol' now, I think people want to see what comes next, don't you?

And that's right, while the others are doing sponsored posts for teeth whitening kits, I've decided to take a slightly different route as the next road in my path - travel blogging.

Love Island was the most fantastic experience; I'm still in touch with Mike, Sam, Montana and a few of the others - but life moves on, right? Being in the spotlight has made me realise that my energy wants to go back into the thing I'm most passionate about - travel.

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Not everyone knows that I'm a seasoned traveller, so I thought that I'd start to tell you a few of my experiences and stories about some of the best countries and the best hotels in the world - where I'd go, and who with and what for... if I was you that is.

So here's my first blog for you... one of my top five hotels in Europe. First, we're off to Budapest:

There's no doubt in my mind that I am IN love with Budapest. I love it so much that a few years ago, I got a property there so I regularly go over to visit. However, that doesn't mean that staying in the best hotels in the city isn't something I love to do.

My favourite is probably the Four Seasons Gresham Palace. This is located in the heart of Budapest alongside the River Danube in District V. Surrounded by other historical sights, not to mention the best restaurants, bars and clubs in Budapest and only a stone's throw from Vaci Street and also Andrassy Street, two of the main shopping streets in Budapest, which makes it attractive to visitors who come to Budapest on a city break - maybe not the stag dos - but certainly for the young couples at least!

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I've stayed at many Four Seasons across the world which have always had an incredibly high standard and I was keen to see if Gresham Palace lived up to the others.

The first thing that strikes you as you drive up to Gresham Palace across the historical Budapest chain bridge, is the astonishing external architecture. It has a way of captivating everyone who walks by it, encouraging them to take a picture. Despite it never actually being a real palace it has all the aesthetic characteristics of one. From a distance it looks like it could be mistaken for an old German castle with its arches, authentic roof tiling and peak towers but as you get closer you almost can notice architecture reminiscent of Gaudi like designs, it's unlike any other building I've seen in Budapest, and insanely beautiful.

Regardless, it is an absolutely breathtaking sight, especially at night when it's all lit up.

The interior is no exception, it has an elegant art nouveau feel to it, with impressive, highly detailed architecture and art throughout, detailed stain glass windows, huge glass roof domes and iron gates on all the entrances, which still somehow manage to look elegant. Gresham Palace has succeeded in keeping a very old historic atmosphere whilst also combining it with a quaintly modern signature. This can also be felt massively inside the hotel rooms, they still have the high ceilings, chandeliers, fireplaces whilst also having contemporary furniture and fittings throughout - the size of the rooms makes anything else you've ever stayed in feel pretty diminutive to be honest.

The beds are probably the most comfortable I've slept in before, but in my opinion I think that's a consistency that all Four Seasons hotels have. Incredible.

I stayed here over Halloween last year, despite living and renting an apartment there. I had a few friends over visiting me and i wanted them to experience some of the other luxuries Budapest had to offer and instantly knew that Gresham Palace would be one of the best ones to create that feeling of extreme luxury.

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Also knowing that we had a particularly messy Halloween party planned I thought it would do us all good to have a world class spa in the same building so we could nurse our hangovers properly the next morning. Genius idea, right?

The service over this stay was impeccable, the reception staff were cheerful and welcoming and went over and above to ensure we had everything we needed for our stay. Once we all got to our suite we we're quick to start ordering things from room service (mainly bottles), from which everything arrived lightning fast, the staff member was exceedingly patient and polite despite him having to deal with three growingly intoxicated guests.

I always think the service can make or break a hotel, I've stayed at amazing hotels before that were let down by the staff, either by them being rude or impatient. I think a good hotel has to have staff that can politely cater for everyone. Even the most prestigious hotels in the world will occasionally receive a drunk guest or a large rowdy party and what makes good service is being able to manage it in the right way. With Four Seasons nothing is ever 'too much' they always go over and above and do their utmost to ensure they create the perfect experience for their guests, I personally believe it's their trademark on the hotel industry.

Even down to extra guests staying the night, the staff were very understanding. Now of course this won't apply to everyone reading this, but of course occasionally on a night out you sometimes return to the hotel with more guests than you left with. I'm not talking about inviting half the club back to the hotel but of course a few extra select guests. I think we all know the score here, right? *bit of cheeky wink happening here*

During this particular stay the receptionist could obviously read the situation and still maintained a high level of courtesy and professionalism as we stumbled back into the hotel as not to cause embarrassment. After returning to the room she called my room to let me know that she was at my service if we needed anything and also inquired as to whether I needed to order a wake up call and/or driver for our guests for the morning, which I thought was a particularly nice, and quite funny touch.

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The next morning as I woke up, pulled the curtains and admired the breathtaking view of the Danube in late autumn, we took the hotel up on their offer, ordered a hotel car and said farewell to our guests. With massages booked in within the next 90 minutes we speedily proceeded to the Gresham restaurant to enjoy one of the finest breakfasts Budapest has to offer. I'm not one for overindulging in the mornings, especially with a hangover, but we just couldn't help ourselves here, the highlight was the eggs Benedict with asparagus, which I usually sample in every hotel I stay at, and which this one exceeded 99% of the others I'd sampled.

If the architecture, spa, or food doesn't do it for you then perhaps you'll be won over by the intriguing history of the building.

The Gresham was originally built in 1906 by Gresham life insurance not only as an investment but also as a way to boast its wealth and power to the world.

Budapest had gained a well deserved reputation as being one of the cultural capitals of the world at the time, thus making it an obvious choice for Gresham's HQ.

Once being a home to Budapest's socially elite, this was sharply called to an end when war struck Europe when it was then commandeered by soviet soldiers. Around 70% of the original external building was destroyed due to bombings, and much of the interior was also highly damaged.

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I believe this is why when Four Seasons undertook restoration of the building, they were determined to create such an amazing combination of modern contemporary design whilst also respecting history and ensuring all of the original regal elegance that the building once had was also restored as best as could be done. And what a fine job they did, it appears they really managed to capture the Gresham's original identity from 1906 so well.

I believe the Gresham really is only of the best hotels not just in Budapest, but I think in the whole of Europe, as it has such a spectacular history and extravagant, luxurious identity, coupled with the Four Seasons' overwhelming dedication to impeccable service that is why it has well deservedly made its way to the top of my list of top 5 hotels in Europe.

I'll be back again next week with my next hotel and to tell you more about my best times, and the fun I've had in Europe. Off for a drink with Muggy Mike now, perhaps he'd be interested in a trip to Budapest?
Leon Neal via Getty Images

When I was growing up I was often told to be careful not to get myself attacked by men. The list of things to be careful about included, but was not limited to: not talking to strange men, not wearing short skirts, not drinking too much, not walking home on my own. I'm 46 now and Labour MP Chris Williamson just added another to my list: don't sit in train carriages with men.

I'd like to think that Williamson decided to liven up the dog days of August with this debate so that he could then unveil Labour's new strategy for ending violence against women and girls by recognising the structural inequalities that cause it, and dismantling them. Unfortunately the horrified reactions from excellent women MPs in his own party suggest he just really thinks it's a good idea to cordon women off like this. So we must engage, and explain why it's really a terrible, terrible idea.

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Telling women to sit in female-only carriages excuses violence by men. It places the responsibility for avoiding violence on women. It fails to make men responsible for their actions. It casts violence against women on trains as a thing that happens on trains, and requires a train-specific response. It makes male violence small, and nothing to do with men.

Williamson says we need this action now because of the urgency of the statistics: figures from the BBC last month showed that 1,448 sexual offences on UK trains were reported in 2016-2017, up from 650 in 2012-2013.

Let's have a look at some other statistics, and our response to them. A report by the Women and Equalities Commission showed that a third of girls between 16 and 18 had experienced unwanted sexual touching. This demands concerted political action and serious media analysis. Instead too often the response is to police girls' school uniforms and warn them it's their fault if their short skirts provoke male classmates. A report by the Ministry of Justice, Office for National Statistics and the Home Office showed that 85,000 women are raped in England and Wales every year. The standard response? To police women's clothing and behaviour and warn them it's their fault if anything they wear or do provokes men. A report by the Home Office shows that domestic abuse will affect one in four women in their lifetime. Yet the government has cut services supporting survivors of domestic violence, allowing the development of an alternative rationale: it's women's fault for not leaving abusive partners.

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So you can see why Chris has responded the way he has to the latest statistics on violence on trains: there is a long-established pattern here across politics and media. Look only at the problem, look only at women and whatever you do don't raise your head and look at the vast wide landscape around us where an epidemic of violence against women is playing out.

We have to do better. The Women's Equality Party formed because it's taking too long to stop this. And the longer it takes to stop this, the more normalised it becomes. Today's suggestion is that women sit alone on trains. It's not a stretch of the imagination to wonder how long before someone seriously suggests that women shouldn't go out at all.

The only way to stop violence against women on trains is to stop violence against women. The way to stop violence against women is to stop making this a women's issue. We have to hold men accountable for their actions. We have to build a society based on tolerance, respect and consent in which men and women have equal choices.

We have to teach young girls and boys that they are equal, instead of feeding them ludicrous, gendered stereotypes that fuel another generation of power imbalance. We have to create an equal education system that halts the occupational segregation of young men and women into jobs that we rate and remunerate differently. We have to see care as vital infrastructure and value those who provide it. We have to set standards by which women are equally represented in politics and in business. We have to train juries and magistrates and police forces in unconscious bias. We have to have mandatory, funded, quality sex and relationships education for all.
The council on Tuesday approved the sale of one land parcel but rejected a second.

North Adams Council OKs Selling Pownal Land, Rejects Salt Yard Offer

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The City Council on Tuesday approved an initial step toward the sale of some 218 acres in Vermont that was part of the Broad Brook watershed.

But it rejected unanimously an offer for the city's salt yard.

"We don't see any real use for it for the city," he told the council. "It is part of a watershed and in a sense, we don't protect anymore. It's abutting some sanctuary land and also some land preserved or owned by the state of Vermont. ... It just doesn't have the logging value that entire parcel had years ago.

"We just think it's time to basically, cash it out and utilize those cash assets to do other projects within the city."

The 218 acres had been put forth with another 420 acres on West Shaft Road and in Stamford, Vt., back in 2013. But while the other lots were approved for sale, the Pownal land was held back by councilors who felt it would be worth more in the future.

But on Tuesday, the council was ready to sell the land, 7-1, and hold onto the industrially zoned salt yard based on the possibility it could be worth more than the $50,000 bid on it.

The Pownal land is made up of several parcels, including one with a long-vacant caretaker's house, a pump station, dam and reservoir once used as part of the city's water supply.

Councilor Robert R. Moulton Jr. felt that there was still potential for the land to worth more if the city held on to it, such as for logging.

"It maybe more advantageous to get rid of the parcel with the house on it," he said. There also was the potential for logging on the land that could bring in revenue. "I think it's an asset," Moulton continued, suggesting the parcel with the house could go for six figures.

But Councilor Wayne Wilkinson, a commercial real estate appraiser, thought the town's assessment of $378,300, which hasn't changed in four years, was "out of this world high."

"Typically when we're appraising property up there, it's somewhere between $500 and $1,000 an acre," he said.

The mayor said he would consider $1,000 an acre good because that's about the price the city got when it sold off another 3,100 adjacent acres back in 2005.

"It's raw land," he said, "unless the city wants to get in the business of improving parcels, which we don't want to do. It is what it is."

Councilor Keith Bona questioned holding on to land that is costing the city $7,200 a year in taxes but is not doing anything. If the city held onto it for another 10 years, he said, it would cost a minimum $72,000. But there was no guarantee the value of the land would improve over that time.

"We could be paying half the value of the land in taxes," Bona said.

"I think money in the bank is a whole lot better than money on a hill," the mayor said. "To have those reserves there for things we need to do, we have a multitude of capital projects in front of use."

Councilor Lisa Blackmer reminded councilors that the funds would go into the separate land sales account, not in the general budget. The mayor concurred, noting it would require special legislation to move the money for certain uses because of how restrictive the reserve account was.

Alcombright said he would be fine with the land being sold for conservation uses and that the city wasn't in a position to add value by putting roads, or other utilities.. Wilkinson said appraisers look for the "highest and best use" and that in this case it may not be the development of the property, believing that breaking it up would not be the use, nor would holding onto it for development.

Moulton still thought it would behoove the city to get a better appraisal of the property, and to consider the timber on it. Maybe it should be reassessed, he said.

Councilor Eric Buddington, however, thought that seeking a lower assessment would not be prudent while the city was looking to sell the land.

"I would support putting it out there to see if people want it ... if it comes in at $70,000 then in 10 years, we won't be making anything on it," Bona said. "If it comes back at a lower figure, it tells us what that land is worth. ... In the meantime, we could find out what we could make for logging."

Alcombright said any purchase and sales agreement would have to come before the council so it could make a decision at that time.

Councilors weren't as convinced that there was less value in the salt yard, one of five properties recently put up for sale. The yard on Ashland Street was appraised several years ago with a value of $125,000; the only bid was for $50,000 by John Duquette of Berkshire County Construction.

Wilkinson said this was another case of "best and highest use" in that the largely unrestricted industrial zone parcel may carry future value.

For one, he said, there was potential for a public safety building to be placed there. It was also one of the few open industrial plots, and if the buyer sells it a few years later for $200,000, they would look like fools, he said.

"I don't think it's in the city's best interest to sell this for $50,000 when we may have a huge need for this in the future," he said. "I think it's premature.

Moulton agreed that it may be worth more. If Duquette wanted the use of the space for storage, he said, "maybe we can lease him this space."

Alcombright said the parcel wouldn't be up to the standards required for a public safety building but did acknowledge the zoning for the lot could see its value increase  but didn't think it would happen.

"I don't see it being developed in the future, I don't see a downside in selling it, other than we could do a little better on the price," he said. "The less property we can be managing and the more cash we can bring in, the better off we will be over time."

Buddington said he agreed with the mayor's philosophy of not holding onto property but in this case, didn't see the rush to get rid of this one.

The vote was unanimous in rejecting the offer, with Bona abstaining from the discussion and vote because of a business relationship.

In other business:

 Resident Peter May, during open forum, read a fiery statement asking for a council resolution supporting the impeachment of Donald J. Trump. Lamb, however, asked at several points for him to end his statement, saying attacks on individuals were not allowed. Buddington, during councilor's concerns, said political criticism should not be confused with personal attacks.

 The council gave final approval to an ordinance change requiring meeting minutes, at least in draft form, be available within two weeks of a government meeting.

 The council affirmed 7-1 a borrowing order of $783,910, with Moulton voting against. He had also voted against it last meeting, saying because he wanted more discussion on the items and possible alternatives before such an amount.

 The council approved a transfer of $4,000 from the Tinker Fund to the cemetery expense account for use in the restoration of Hill Side Cemetery.
Nurses from the bargaining committee showed up at Trustee John Bissell's workplace on Wednesday hoping to set up a meeting. Bissell, however, was on vacation and unavailable.

BMC Nurses Looking to Trustees to Help Contract Negotiations



The nurses went to Greylock Federal Credit Union on Wednesday to make a pitch to CEO John Bissell, who sits on the hospital's board of trustees. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  BMC's registered nurses are now making a pitch to get the hospital's board of trustees on their side.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association has been in challenging contract negotiations with Berkshire Health Systems. After what they called a fairly unproductive negotiating session on Tuesday, the nurses are attempting to meet with members of the board of trustees.

On Wednesday, nine members of the MNA's bargaining committee showed up at Greylock Federal Credit Union on West Street in an attempt to meet with Trustee, and Greylock CEO, John Bissell.

"We are hoping he can go back to the bargaining committee with information relating to our stories, what is happening with our patients, and have a conversation to move forward and settle this issue," said Berkshire Medical Center registered nurse Jodi Stefanik.

The union wasn't successful though. Upon entering the credit union, Stefanik spoke with a customer service representative, who told the nurses that Bissell was on vacation and unavailable. Nonetheless, Spefanik dropped off some 450 "unsafe staffing forms," which are complaints nurses have documented relating to staffing issues, and left a number to set up a meeting time.

"He has a say in what's going on with our negotiations, our staffing, and our workload at this point. It has been over three years and we are at a critical mass right now. We are working with so much less and taking care of so many more patients and it is dangerous," Stefanik said.

"What we were hoping to do is give him information, share with him some stories of nurses that are going through this day to day. And hopefully, give him a little more education about what is truly happening."

The nurses say they had previously called Bissell and other members of the board of trustees but have gotten minimal response. The nurses say they've sent letters, called, and have even resorted to showing up at homes and businesses in attempts to set up meetings with trustees.

"We're not trying to bargain with them. The most important thing is we are trying to get safety in the hospital," Stefanik said.

Bissell was particularly targeted on Wednesday because of his standing in the community.

"We hold him responsible in the community. He is a community leader. He is some one who has taken the position, whether that is volunteer or not, and he has a responsibility to each and every one of us to take that seriously. He has say-so of what goes on in that hospital because he is a board member and he should that very seriously," Stefanik said.

But the push to speak with the trustees may not be too fruitful. The hospital says the trustee's policy is "not to discuss employment or any other sensitive matters outside of the board room." Hospital Spokesman Michael Leary said the trustees are briefed by hospital management about negotiations and have access to the union's publicity. "The volunteer members of the Berkshire Health Systems Board of Trustees work hard to fulfill their stewardship responsibilities in assuring that this key community healthcare provider stays strong and effective, especially in this challenging healthcare climate," Leary said. "They remain informed on all significant developments affecting the Health Systems, including employment and labor relations matters. Not only are they regularly briefed by management on the status of negotiations, they have available to them the union's own publicity efforts. It is the policy and duty of the board, however, not to discuss employment or any other sensitive matters outside of the board room."

There were no signs of disrespect from either the nurses or the credit union office on Wednesday -- no police presence or additional security. The nurses delivered the forms and left a number. The nurses hope they'll have a meeting with all members of the board of trustees soon and have scheduled an informational meeting on Sept. 20, should the negotiations extend that long, at the library to meet with community members.

However, animosity between the hospital's leadership and the nurses has continued. The nurses have filed two complaints with the National Labor Relations Board -- first accusing hospital officials of interfering with the union vote on authorizing the bargaining committee to call a strike and the second alleging a lack of information regarding health insurance.

Despite what seems to be a standstill in negotiations, both sides are continuing to return to the table. The two sides met on Tuesday and will meet again next week. A federal mediator has been assisting in the talks.

The nurses specifically have been citing the need for increased staffing levels, which they picketed about back in 2014 in the wake of the closure of North Adams Regional Hospital. Stefanik says since then, things have only gotten worse. The nurses say they've documented hundreds of cases when they say the staffing levels were sub par.

When the nurses and the hospital began negotiations, the union was pushing for specific staffing ratios in the contract. That would have established minimum requirements for the number of registered nurses on duty at one time based on the number of patients, levels of sickness, and shift.

Hospital officials, however, said they don't want to essentially give up control of how the hospital is staffed. The hospital has an internal staffing department that reviews the information and deploys resources as needed. But, those resources don't necessarily have to be nurses. The hospital calls it a team approach to providing care in which sometimes a unit may be short on nurses, but there are doctors and other specialists working the floor.

The hospital returned with a proposal to create a staffing committee consisting of union officials and nurses. That committee would meet regularly, review the data, and then make recommendations for any staffing changes. Hospital officials see that as a way to bring in the concerns of the nurses to the decision-making process without taking away flexibility. By putting ratios into the contract, the hospital would be liable for violating the contract should those staffing levels fall short at a given time.

The hospital has outlined the proposal on its website and it boasts of 10 percent worth of pay raises over three years, quality health insurance, and the staffing committee.

"We cannot agree to the demand by the MNA that we accept its fixed staffing ratios or similar language that has the effect of controlling staffing decisions or its proposal that nurses cannot be temporarily reassigned from less busy units of the hospital to more busy ones to perform basic nursing services in relief of their colleagues," according to the statement on the website.

The nurses say there is already a staffing committee that is ineffective. In May, nurses rejected that hospital's "best and final offer" by a union vote.

The nurses responded with a proposal for language changes which alleviates a charge nurse from being assigned patients. That, they said, would allow for an extra hand on the floor and somebody to manage what is happening at a given time.

The hospital, however, had already presented its final offer after months and months of negotiations. They see the nurse's push for staffing as part of a statewide push by the MNA -- and multiple MNA chapters across the state have either gone to a strike or near a strike over the similar issues. The MNA is also pushing for a statewide ballot initiative regarding the topic.

There are other issues regarding the health insurance, which the hospital is proposing to change the percentage nurses pay from 10 percent to 20 percent of the premium to align with other staff members, and the length of the contract still unsettled. The two sides continue to meet but both sides have seemingly dug their heels in.

In July, the union voted to give its bargaining committee the authority to call a one-day strike. The hospital crafted plans to respond to that, which includes bringing in replacement nurses. In early August, the bargaining committee gave a 30-day notice to alleviate itself from a condition in the current contract preventing a strike.

The bargaining committee would need to give a 10-day notice of a strike. The one-day strike could happen any time after Sept. 1, after a notice.
Dear Annie: I am 13 years old, and I live in Kentucky. I have a problem with my parents that I cant fix.

I have an older brother, Greg, whom I love and look up to as a role model. He is 24 years old and my favorite person in the world. Six months ago, he came out as gay to my parents and me. He told us he has been in a secret relationship with Harry, his best friend since he was 15 years old. They have been sharing an apartment for three years.

My parents went ballistic and disowned him. They said he was no longer welcome in our home. I got really upset and biked over to his apartment a few times to see him. When my parents found out, they banned me from seeing him or talking to him in any way. They threatened to accuse him of kidnapping if he ever sees me again.

I got into a big argument with them and begged them to let me see him. My dad said Greg is a danger to me and is a disgusting person. Greg has always been nothing but a great older brother to me. Since he moved out three years ago, I have had a bunch of sleepovers at his apartment. Neither he nor Harry has ever done anything in front of me that even made me think they are a couple.

Annie, I love my brother so much and miss him. He is so cool and the best person I know. I dont care that he is gay.

Dad said that it is his job to keep me safe and that if I want to see Greg, I will have to wait till I am 18. My brother tried to talk to my parents about this, and they slammed the door in his face. I tried to talk to my school counselor, but she said I must accept my parents decisions because they only have my best interest in mind. Please help find a way to change their minds.

 Missing My Brother

Dear Missing: I am so sorry youve been separated from your big brother. I know your heart is hurting. I would encourage your brother to speak to a lawyer about options to protect him against kidnapping charges, should that arise in the future. Id also suggest you call the LGBT National Youth Talkline (800-246-7743), which provides factual information and resources for cities and towns across the country.

Dear Annie: Thank you so much for publishing the letter from John, the retired Marine. It was so uplifting and spot on. Many thanks for your wonderful column. Your advice is always so pertinent to the situation.

 Cindy in Louisville

Dear Cindy: Thank you for writing. I received a great deal of positive feedback regarding Johns letter. Im printing your response so John might see that hes made someone smile.
TUSCARORA  Among living ghost towns in Nevada, Tuscarora remains one of the busiest.

Normally, that's not supposed to happen to old boom-and-bust towns that once saw better -- and more prosperous -- days, but Tuscarora continues to defy the term "ghost town," especially in the 21st century.

Tuscarora is a town that never died, said historian Howard Hickson, who once wrote about the small mining camp that, during its peak years in the 19th century, mined millions of dollars in bullion, housed nearly 5,000 people, and boasted a large Chinese population.

Even though the population never rose that high again, the town survived the decades and became the home of the famed Tuscarora Pottery School started by Dennis and Julie Parks in 1969.

One hundred and fifty years after its founding, modern-day Tuscarora serves as a beacon for artists of all types: painters, photographers and writers seeking inspiration from the towns history and rural setting just west of the Independence Mountains.

The pottery school, now run by Ben Parks, told Nevada Magazine in 2015 that his art is influenced by the colors and geography of the landscape and he uses the soda-kiln technique to create an earthy, natural finish reminiscent of the colors and patterns of lichen on Nevadas rock.

Throughout the town, displays of broken glass bottlenecks are among rusted vehicles and vacant structures that tell stories of the past.

These sights could also be perfect subjects for rural artwork, but there's more to the town than meets the eye.

One reason that travelers could be drawn off the beaten path to Tuscarora is the mixture of decades within the town, said historian Jan Petersen.

Its a town that blends the past with the present, said Petersen.

Current residents have made the town distinctly unique by repurposing the old structures, said Petersen.

The old buildings are preserved from the 1870s and theyve transformed them into new and modern uses.

For mining historians, Tuscarora provides a peek into the past, thanks to remnants of smelters, smokestacks and other forgotten equipment scattered outside of town.

According to the Mineral Resources of Elko County, Nevada by Daphne LaPointe, Joseph Tingley and Richard Jones and published by the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology in 1991, there are some leftover structures of the former Commonwealth Mine.

Soon after the towns placer gold was discovered in McCann Creek in 1867, silver veins were located about four years later, giving birth to the Commonwealth Mine, which operated from 1871 to 1904, the article explains. The mines mill and smelter are well-known symbols of Tuscaroras prosperity.

While the traces of a once bustling mining town that epitomized the boomtowns of the Old West with miners and prospectors are partiality evident, some of the history has been lost forever.

After the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad, Chinese immigrants found work in mining camps. Many settled in what later became known as Old Tuscarora, and boasted a significant Chinese population that may have even once rivaled San Franciscos own Chinatown.

However, there is no trace of the historic site, said Petersen. Items were boxed up and moved out of Tuscarora by local legend Robert Doby Doc Caudill.

Doby Doc hauled it all off in the 1940s, even the joss house, she said.

Other visible remnants of the old days can be found in the town cemetery that is still in use, said Petersen, urging respect for the site if visitors wish to walk among the headstones.

Treat it with reverence, even if it looks haphazard, Petersen said. Its an ongoing, in-use cemetery, dont scrounge anything up.

Petersen also warned explorers to watch out for snakes.

One does not need to be an artist or historian to take an hour drive north of Elko to Tuscarora on State Route 225 to SR 226 and see the beautiful and rugged landscape.

SR 226 not only leads to Tuscarora, but serves as a gateway to scenic drives leading to Jack Cree and Wilson Reservoir, and cuts back through the Humboldt National Forest to SR 225 south of Mountain City.

Drivers needing a break or an opportunity to chat with locals can stop by Taylor Canyon Resort to eat in the cafe and buy some supplies. If camping in the area, the Resort offers an RV park, propane, showers and laundry facilities.

A few things to remember if heading out off the beaten path to Tuscarora and surrounding areas:

 Drive carefully  antelope, cattle and other animals roam the area freely

 Keep smartphones charged completely  there is cell service in some areas, and pictures taken can be posted rapidly

 Pack water and sunblock  just in case someone wants to get out and take a short hike

 Have fun  enjoy the ride and the sights on the way there and back

Correction: This article has been changed from an earlier version to correct information about Taylor Canyon Resort.
Dear Doctor: Could you explain Guillain-Barre syndrome? My 57-year-old niece died of it, but its still a mystery to me.

Dear Reader: First, please allow me to offer my condolences for the loss of your niece. Theres no way to make the loss any easier, but I will try to explain a bit more about this terrible disease.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory attack on the nerves by the immune system. The theory is that after certain viral or bacterial infections, the immune system, in its attempt to attack the virus or bacteria, also attacks the nerve cells because their proteins are similar to the viral or bacterial proteins. As the nerves fail to work, the patient develops progressive muscle weakness and nerve dysfunction throughout the body. Each year in the United States, the syndrome is diagnosed in one or two of every 100,000 people; the risk increases as we get older.

Infections with the intestinal bacteria Campylobacter jejuni have been known to increase the chances of GBS, with one study finding that three out of 1,000 patients infected with Campylobacter jejuni develop GBS. The bacterium is found in contaminated, undercooked poultry and meat, but also unpasteurized milk. Infection with HIV, influenza virus, Epstein Barr virus and cytomegalovirus also have been linked to a higher risk of GBS.

The influenza vaccine may slightly increase the chance of developing GBS. Specifically, about one out of a million people vaccinated against the flu develop the condition, although the rates are a bit higher with the H1N1 influenza vaccine  about two in a million. Note that this is far lower than the number of people who die from the flu  1.4 per 100,000  and the number of people who develop GBS after the vaccine is actually lower than the number of unvaccinated people who develop it. The meningitis vaccine Menactra also has been linked to GBS in those ages 11 to 19, but the level of risk is still under investigation.

GBS manifests in many different ways, but symptoms generally begin with back pain and a feeling of tightness and tingling in the lower legs. One or two days later, weakness develops in the legs  so much so that getting up from a chair or walking up the stairs can be difficult. Weakness then can develop in the mouth, throat and face, causing difficulty talking and eating. Weakness can also develop in the eyes, causing altered vision.

When the muscles used to breathe are involved, progressive shortness of breath develops, with 9.1 percent of patients hospitalized for GBS needing a respirator. In 70 percent of patients, GBS can also affect the nerves that go to the heart, blood vessels, bladder and the intestines, leading to abnormal heart, bowel and bladder function.

Without treatment, 67 percent of people with GBS will start to recover after four weeks. The recovery may be slow and incomplete depending on the severity of the illness. The use of plasmapheresis, which filters antibodies from the blood, can speed improvement, as can intravenous immunoglobulin. Even with these treatments, the death rate of those hospitalized with GBS is 2.58 percent.

Again, Im sorry to hear about the passing of your niece. Better treatments are so obviously needed.
ELKO  Downtown business owners remain divided on the Redevelopment Agencys handling of the signage for Elkos newest bar.

The Redevelopment Agency voted against approving a sign in front of Moon Bar that depicts the silhouette of a woman, on grounds that it was suggestive and therefore misleading as to what type of business the bar was.

Some members of the RDA were concerned that the new sign could mislead customers into thinking they were entering an establishment that contained scantily clad women.

The RDA voted 4-1 against approving the sign, with John Rice representing the dissenting opinion on the board.

There are five whorehouses five blocks from there, so I just dont have a problem with it, said Rice at the RDA meeting on Aug. 8. As long as we have brothels, I dont have a problem with a silhouette.

Despite Rices concern that the image of the woman was being sexualized inappropriately, Mandy Simons, Reece Keener, Robert Schmidtlein and Mayor Chris Johnson all voted against approving the sign.

Before casting her vote to reject the sign, Simons said she has had issues in the past with signage on Idaho Street that she considers offensive but was hesitant about impeding the rights of a business owner.

I dont want any of that in our whole community. I want to wipe it all clean but I believe in peoples rights, she said.

Despite the RDA being near a consensus on the future of the sign, not every business owner in the area agrees with the boards decision.

Kurt Tomten, owner of the Barbers Den, thinks the RDA should focus on bigger things than the design of a businesss sign.

With all this political correctness, people need to take a step back and examine whats important, he said. A silhouette is not offensive. You can walk to the grocery store and see a silhouette of a woman.

Tomten was not alone in his disagreement with the RDAs decision. Camela Frederick, who owns Blooms and Grooms, has a storefront that sits directly across from Moon Bar.

Frederick said she is concerned that the RDA is making it harder for a new business to get off the ground by requiring them to pay for a new sign.

I was glad to see that someone took the initiative to try to open up another business since everyone else is running away, she said. Our streets are lousy down here so if people are actually coming in, dont scare them. We have bigger problems out there than a sign that may offend two people.

Frederick also recalled that one of the signs she had installed when she was just starting her business cost more than $3,000 and pointed out that is difficult for new businesses to afford alterations to a sign early on.

Frederick was also not buying the notion that the sign is sexually suggestive, especially when compared to the window displays that Dianas Fine Jewelry used to have.

Its not a girl and a guy out there doing anything sexual its just a silhouette of a lady, she said. We had Dianas Fine Jewelry and that was bad. This is not even close. Honestly, its a lot about nothing. Im surprised this is such a big issue. This is the least of our worries.

Eva Owsian said she has talked to other potential business owners who are worried about how much resistance they would get from the city on matters like signage.

Owsian owns Spotted Tailgate Design in the Henderson Bank Building but said she did not want the scrutiny that comes with running her business on Idaho Street.

I would love to be on Idaho Street. We would draw in people, but I dont want to fight with people, she said. I have a lot to do and the last thing I want to do is fight.

While RDA members raised questions of taste the sign was not voted down based solely on the tastes of the board. Because Moon Bar is located in the Redevelopment Area its signs have to be approved by the RDA.

City Planner Cathy Laughlin said signs in that part of town have to meet stricter guidelines.

We follow this redevelopment plan for the agency and thats what we were reflecting on, she said. In the redevelopment plan, it talks about design guidelines. It says signs should have the public perception of what the business is, so thats how that came about.

Moon Bar owner Miguel Castro was not present at the Aug. 8 meeting but has informed the city that he hopes to speak to Mayor Johnson in the hopes of reaching some kind of compromise.

If the RDA does not overturn its decision, the sign will have to be altered to better meet the RDA and the specifications of the Redevelopment Area.

Laughlin said only the RDA can weigh in on this matter.

Unless the agency is going to change their mind its not approved, she said. The agency would have to change their mind.
ELKO  Elko County School District Trustee Dan Mahlberg announced his resignation from the board effective immediately.

Mahlberg accepted a job as a supply chain manager with Terra Millennium Corp. and is moving his family to Utah.

Elko has been good to me and my family, Mahlberg said, but this opportunity came up  a very good opportunity, and it was one I didnt feel I could pass up.

Mahlbergs resignation leaves the District 1 seat vacant, and the position will be filled by appointment.

Applicants must be a qualified elector, have qualifications needed to serve, and be a resident in precincts 3, 5, 6, 7, or 12 of District 1.

Mahlberg was elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, serving six years and nine months on the board.

Last year, he became clerk when trustee Cindy Elquist resigned.

Mahlberg said at some point he might serve on other school-related boards but not right away because of the move and his new job.

My job will entail a fair bit of travel, Mahlberg said. The company works in oil, gas, and petrolchem, so theyre in Texas, Louisiana, California and the Dakotas.

For eight years, Mahlberg worked for the Fourth Judicial District Court from 2003 to 2011, serving on the crimes taskforce and as a dedicated juvenile probation officer, and worked for Barrick Goldstrike.

Looking back to his time on the board, Mahlberg cited Common Core and four-day school weeks for Wells and rural schools as significant issues he faced as a trustee.

Those types of decisions and discussions werent taken lightly, Mahlberg said. It does take a fair bit of evaluation.

Mahlberg said being a part of planning the new elementary school in West Wendover was a positive experience.

Its a beautiful facility and will serve kids for many, many years to come, Mahlberg said, adding that it is possible the same plans will be used for the proposed elementary school in Spring Creek.

Its more than likely that the school on the Parkchester property will be close to an exact replica of the Wendover school.

Superintendent Jeff Zander praised Mahlbergs knowledge and eagerness to learn as he served on the board, explaining that his family background in education gave him an ability to interpret and execute policy.

Dan took the time necessary to educate himself in the topics he dealt with as a board member, Zander said. He participated in state and national training, and he is an asset to our community and district.

The position will be advertised for two weeks, and applicants will be submitted for the Sept. 26 meeting. The school board will interview applicants and make an appointment for the new trustee, who will serve from October through December 2018.
Starting School in Israel

The Fellowship | August 23, 2017 Starting School in Israel

Yesterday, Fellowship Freedom Flights landed in Israel carrying new olim (immigrants) from France, Russia, Ukraine, and Uruguay. Of the 120 Ukrainian Jews who arrived in their biblical homeland, Arutz Shevas Yedidya Ben-Or reports that nine of the children will be starting first grade in Israel:

The immigrants arrived on a special flight organized by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), in preparation for the new school year. They will settle in various cities around Israel, from Nahariya in the north to Ashkelon in the south. Some of the more popular choices include Haifa, Nahariya, Netanyah, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Jerusalem.

Some of the immigrants, such as the Topichenko family, left embattled areas of the Ukraine.

The Topichenkos  Nadia, her husband, 11-year-old Polina, and 3-year-old Michael  lived in Horlivka, in the Donetsk Oblast. In just under two weeks, Polina will begin school in Carmiel, where her family will be living.

There were some very difficult times, Nadia said. We didnt even have water, or gas to cook with. We lived under fire and we were literally scared we would die.

Sara is going into first grade, too. Getting off the plane, her mother said, Weve just arrived in Israel today, and Sara will soon start first grade. We are all very excited and waiting to start the school year. Seven-year-old Galeb said, I came here to meet new friends. Soon Ill start first grade. I thank everyone who helped us arrive here today
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ARIMO (AP)  A firetruck ran over a gas can and caught fire, sending two Idaho firefighters to a hospital with serious burns as they fought a wildfire threatening homes, authorities said Tuesday.

The University of Utah Burn Center in Salt Lake City said Downey volunteer firefighter Matt Henderson was in critical condition and Kent Winward was in serious condition.

The gas can fell from the truck Monday and exploded in flames when it was run over and ignited by embers from the fire near Arimo in southeastern Idaho, officials said.

Another firefighter, Brandon Call, was treated and released at an Idaho hospital.

They were backing up when they ran the gas can over, and it ignited, Downey Fire Chief Chris Sorensen told the Idaho State Journal.

The truck was in an area that had already burned and embers ignited the gasoline, he said. It was not clear why the gas can came loose.

Henderson, Winward and Call were initially transported to the Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello.

Clint Hussey, an auditor for the Downey Fire Department, said Henderson suffered burns on 40 percent of his body. Sorensen said one of the firefighters also broke a leg.

Initial reports indicated the truck was on fire for a short time before another firefighter alerted the three occupants and they fled. The firetruck was destroyed.

Officials said the fire grew to about 6 acres (2.5 hectares) on Monday and was contained about an hour after the firefighters were injured. No structures were lost and there were no evacuations.

Firefighters from several agencies, including the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, fought the blaze.

In an unrelated incident, Idaho State Police said a U.S. Forest Service firetruck rolled onto its top on Interstate 84 on Tuesday in south-central Idaho. There were no injuries.

Sharla Arledge, spokeswoman for the Idaho Department of Lands, said the truck that burned had been given to the state agency by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2013.

It was later passed to the Downey Fire Department, which added equipment to make it a firetruck.
NIST Smart Grid Advisory Committee

Washington, DC - The NIST Smart Grid Advisory Committee met in open session on Thursday and Friday, August 17-18, 2017, at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This meeting, which was the annual in-person meeting of the committee, featured a new roster of committee members.

The meeting focused on updates of NISTs smart grid activities and the intersections with NISTs cyber-physical systems activities. The meeting included a tour of NISTs Smart Grid Interoperability Testbed, as well as discussions about the NIST smart grid research program.

The committee discussed plans for revising the NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standardsa process that will include significant stakeholder coordination and consultation. The committee also discussed changes in the smart grid ecosystem and technology over the past several years, as well as anticipated changes and trends going forward. Topics included architecture, cybersecurity, operations and economics, and testing and certification.

This committee was established to assist NIST in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). The committee provides input to NIST on smart grid standards, priorities, and gaps, and on the overall direction, status, and health of the smart grid sector.

The members, who represent a diverse cross-section of smart grid thought leaders, are:

Paul Centolella, Chair

President

Paul Centolella & Associates

Kevin Cosgriff

President and CEO

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

James Fine, Ph.D.

Director of Energy Research and Senior Economist

Environmental Defense Fund

Deborah K. Gracio

Director, National Security Program Development Office

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Santiago Grijalva, Ph.D.

Georgia Power Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Director, Advanced Computational Electricity Systems (ACES) Laboratory

Georgia Institute of Technology

Jason P. Handley, P.E.

Director  Smart Grid Emerging Technology and Operations

Emerging Technology Office

Duke Energy

Michael J. Holland, Ph.D.

Executive Director

NYU Center for Urban Science and Progress

Janet Joseph

Vice President for Innovation and Strategy

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Lynne Kiesling, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Economics

Krannert School of Management

Purdue University

Audrey Lee, Ph.D.

Vice President, Grid Services

Sunrun, Inc.

John D. McDonald, P.E.

SmartGrid Business Dev. Leader North America

Global SmartGrid Strategy Group

GE Grid Solutions

Heather Sanders

Principal Manager of Integrated Grid Strategy and Engagement

Southern California Edison

(As of August 21, 2017, Sanders has transitioned to a new position, as Special Advisor to the California Public Utilities Commission.)
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Robert De Niro has been unequivocally scathing in his criticism of Donald Trump. From telling the world he wanted to punch him in the face weeks before the election to then comparing Mr Trumps victory to the 9/11 attacks, the Oscar-winning actor has been an unwavering critic of the US president.

De Niro has again ripped into President Trump and branded the billionaire property tycoon a flat-out blatant racist. The 74-year-old argued it was fortunate the president lacked intelligence otherwise he would be even more dangerous.

If he was smart, hed be even more dangerous. Hes dangerous as it is, the actor told Deadline.

Hes terrible, and a flat-out blatant racist and doubling down on that, and its good that he does because hes going to sink himself.

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De Niro said other entertainers should speak out against President Trump at the Emmy Awards next month.

Even at the Emmys it should be a kind of theme in some way - however, you know, balanced it could be so were not making it all about that," he said. "But at this point, were at a crisis in this country with this fool, who never should have gotten into the position that hes in."

When De Niro was sat in front of a camera for what was intended to be a non-partisan video encouraging people to vote in the 2016 presidential election, he veered massively off-piste and launched into a withering tirade about President Trump.

In the end, his acerbic response did not make the final cut of the #voteyourfuture campaign video.

He's so blatantly stupid, De Niro told the camera. He's a punk, he's a dog, he's a pig [...] a mutt who [...] doesn't do his homework, doesn't care. He's an idiot. Colin Powell said it best: He's a national disaster. He's an embarrassment to this country.

Recommended Robert De Niro would no longer like to punch him in the face

It makes me so angry that this country has gotten to this point that this fool, this bozo, has wound up where he has. He talks how he wants to punch people in the face?" he continued.

"Well, I'd like to punch him in the face. This is somebody that we want for president? I don't think so. What I care about is the direction of this country, and what I'm very, very worried about is that it might go in the wrong direction with someone like Donald Trump. If you care about your future, vote for it.

Ten months later President Trump is in the White House and it goes without saying that De Niros fears about what direction he would lead the country in have come to fruition.

While De Niro was forced to do a U-turn on his initial declaration of wanting to punch Trump immediately after he was voted in, the actor has continued to offer damning indictments of President Trump since he has arrived in the White House.
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Fossil fuel giant ExxonMobil misled the public about the risks posed by climate change, an analysis of its public and private announcements on the subject by two Harvard University academics has concluded.

While the companys scientists and senior executive largely accepted the scientific consensus that global warming is real and poses significant risks, it spent thousands of dollars on regular advertorials in The New York Times (NYT) and other newspapers, in which it sought to cast doubt on the science.

In some cases, the firm, led by the current US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, from 2006 to 2016, even contradicted itself.

While at the company, Mr Tillerson used an email account with a fake name, Wayne Tracker, to discuss climate change and, since becoming a member of the Trump administration, has advised American diplomats to dodge questions about the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The researchers pointed out that, as long ago as 1979, an internal ExxonMobil document discussed the most widely held theory that burning fossil fuels would cause a warming of the Earths surface with dramatic environmental effects before the year 2050.

As late as 2008, the firm insisted industry guidelines on reducing emissions should not imply a direct connection between greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and natural gas industry and the phenomenon commonly referred to as climate change.

If it is proved ExxonMobil deliberately misled investors about the risks posed to its business by the need to stop using fossil fuels, the company could face prosecution.

And attorneys general in 17 US states and territories are currently looking into whether it and other fossil fuel companies breached consumer protection, investor protection or even anti-racketeering laws in relation to climate change.

Writing in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Research Letters, Professor Naomi Oreskes and Dr Geoffrey Supran said: Available documents show a discrepancy between what ExxonMobils scientists and executives discussed about climate change privately and in academic circles and what it presented to the general public.

The companys peer-reviewed, non-peer-reviewed, and internal communications consistently tracked evolving climate science: broadly acknowledging that anthropogenic global warming (AGW) is real, human-caused, serious, and solvable, while identifying reasonable uncertainties that most climate scientists readily acknowledged at that time.

In contrast, ExxonMobils advertorials in the NYT overwhelmingly emphasised only the uncertainties, promoting a narrative inconsistent with the views of most climate scientists, including ExxonMobils own.

In light of these findings, we judge that ExxonMobils AGW communications were misleading; we are not in a position to judge whether they violated any laws.

The risk of stranded assets  reserves of oil and gas that will have to stay in the ground if emission targets are to be met  was acknowledged in internal and other documents but not in the advertorials, the researchers noted.

They added that the advertorials attempts to sow doubt in the publics mind was characteristic of a tactic known as the Scientific Certainty Argumentation Method, or Scam.

The researchers analysis found 81 per cent of the advertorials expressed doubt that climate change was real and caused by humans, with only 12 per cent accepting this was true.

In contrast, 83 per cent of papers in peer-reviewed journals and 80 per cent of internal documents acknowledged that the scientists were correct.

Astonishingly, ExxonMobil took out an advertorial in The New York Times every Thursday between 1972 and 2001 at a cost of about $31,000 (24,232) each, reaching a readership in the millions. These articles contained several instances of explicit factual misrepresentation, the researchers said.

The companys scientists academic papers  described as highly technical, intellectually inaccessible for laypersons, and of little interest to the general public or policymakers  were estimated to have had a readership in the hundreds at most.

Internal documents show that by the early 1980s, ExxonMobil scientists and managers were sufficiently informed about climate science and its prevailing uncertainties to identify AGW as a potential threat to its business interests, Prof Oreskes and Dr Supran wrote.

We conclude that ExxonMobil contributed to advancing climate science  by way of its scientists academic publications  but promoted doubt about it in advertorials.

Given this discrepancy, we conclude that ExxonMobil misled the public.

10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke  filled with the carbon that is driving climate change  drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan

A spokesperson for ExxonMobil referred The Independent to its website, which contains the companys position on climate change, its climate science history and its side of the #ExxonKnew controversy.

The risk of climate change is, according to one of the worlds leading fossil fuel producers, clear and the risk warrants action.

Increasing carbon emissions in the atmosphere are having a warming effect. There is a broad scientific and policy consensus that action must be taken to further quantify and assess the risks, it says.

ExxonMobil is taking action by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its operations, helping consumers reduce their emissions, supporting research that leads to technology breakthroughs and participating in constructive dialogue on policy options.

On its track record in relation to the science, ExxonMobil says: We unequivocally reject allegations that ExxonMobil suppressed climate change research contained in media reports that are inaccurate distortions of ExxonMobils nearly 40-year history of climate research.

We understand that climate risks are real. The company has continuously, publicly and openly researched and discussed the risks of climate change, carbon life cycle analysis and emissions reductions.

It says the firms scientists have been involved in the forefront of climate research and that it has long ... informed shareholders and investors on our perception of the business risks associated with climate change.

Its response to #ExxonKnew  the social media tag used to spread articles mainly by the Los Angeles Times and InsideClimate News about internal company documents  was that statements had been cherry-picked and misrepresented to give an incorrect impression about our corporations approach to climate change.
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More than 70 per cent of the countries in the world  including the UK, US, China and other major economies  could run entirely on energy created by wind, water and solar by 2050, according to a roadmap developed by scientists.

And they pointed out that doing so would not only mean the world would avoid dangerous global warming, but also prevent millions of premature deaths a year and create about 24 million more jobs than were lost.

One of the scientists said the social benefits of following their roadmap were so enormous and essentially cost free that human society should accelerate the transition to wind, water and solar as fast as possible.

Rooftop solar panels and major solar power plants; offshore and onshore wind turbines; wave, hydroelectric and tidal schemes; and geothermal energy would also be used to replace fossil fuels to generate electricity, power vehicles and heat homes.

The UK is about to publish its own Emissions Reduction Plan, which is supposed to set out how Britain will meet its international commitment in the fight against climate change  to cut emissions by 57 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030.

While the UK has been making good progress on decarbonising electricity generation, the transport and domestic heating sectors remain problematic.

As part of its attempts to improve air quality, the Government has announced it will ban the sale of new fossil fuel-powered vehicles in 2040. It remains to be seen how radical it will be in encouraging the switch from gas-central heating to low or zero-carbon methods.

Writing in the journal Joule, a team of researchers led by Professor Mark Jacobson, of Stanford University in the US, warned the stakes were high.

The seriousness of air-pollution, climate, and energy-security problems worldwide requires a massive, virtually immediate transformation of the worlds energy infrastructure to 100 per cent clean, renewable energy producing zero emissions, they said.

For example, each year, four to seven million people die prematurely and hundreds of millions more become ill from air pollution, causing a massive amount of pain and suffering that can nearly be eliminated by a zero-emission energy system.

Similarly, avoiding 1.5C warming since pre-industrial times requires no less than an 80 per cent conversion of the energy infrastructure to zero-emitting energy by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050.

Lastly, as fossil-fuel supplies dwindle and their prices rise, economic, social, and political instability may ensue unless a replacement energy infrastructure is developed well ahead of time.

The roadmaps were developed for 139 countries for which information about energy systems was available, out of the total of 195.

They describe a future where all energy sectors are electrified or use heat directly with existing technology, energy demand is lower due to several factors, and the electricity is generated with 100% wind, water and sunlight (WWS), the researchers said.

The roadmaps are not a prediction of what might happen. They are one proposal for an end-state mix of WWS generators by country and a timeline to get there that we believe can largely solve the worlds climate-change, air-pollution, and energy-security problems, they added.

Professor Jacobson, director of Stanford's atmosphere and energy programme, said political leaders needed reassurance that the transition to a zero-carbon economy would work.

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Both individuals and governments can lead this change. Policymakers dont usually want to commit to doing something unless there is some reasonable science that can show it is possible, and that is what we are trying to do, he said.

We are not saying that there is only one way we can do this, but having a scenario gives people direction.

Fellow researcher Mark Delucchi added: It appears we can achieve the enormous social benefits of a zero-emission energy system at essentially no extra cost.

Our findings suggest that the benefits are so great that we should accelerate the transition to wind, water, and solar, as fast as possible, by retiring fossil-fuel systems early wherever we can.

The researchers decided to exclude nuclear power, coal with carbon-capture-and-storage, biofuels and bioenergy from their vision of the future.

On nuclear, they highlighted the risks of weapons proliferation and the chance of a power plant meltdown.

There is no known way at this time to eliminate these risks. By contrast, WWS technologies have none of these risks. Thus, we are proposing and evaluating a system that we believe provides the greatest environmental benefits with the least risk, the researchers wrote.
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Determined parents are pushing up prices in desirable locations by almost 27,000, according to the latest data on the extreme lengths families will go to in order to secure a place for children at their preferred school.

One in four parents with school age children have either bought or rented a new home to avail themselves of the right address for a particular catchment area and were willing to spend an extra 12 per cent on top of the market value of a home for the location  worth just under the average full-time salary of 28,200 before tax according to research from Santander Mortgages.

Half sold their previous home to move, a third bought a second home and a fifth are renting.

The financial burden is a huge one, with a quarter of parents admitting they are overstretched on their mortgage.

A fifth of those who moved for the sake of their childrens education have had to change jobs, a further fifth have had to downsize.

But this is a temporary move for many, and while a quarter of families will leave the area once their child leaves school, an astonishing four in 10 plan to move out as soon as their child has secured a place. In London, two thirds of parents will leave as soon as the paperwork comes through.

A school with a good reputation can cause mayhem in a local property market, says Jeremy Leaf, an estate agent in north London and a former residential chairman of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Buyers with children of school age will do and pay anything to get their children a place. It is quite normal for buyers to check the local Ofsted reports before they read the particulars for their preferred properties. The education effect on property prices can extend well beyond the school run boundaries.

Mr Leaf adds: Given that the cost of moving is so high  as well as the premium charged on a property in a good catchment area, there is also stamp duty, legal fees, mortgage and removal costs etc to consider  it is surprising that parents would be prepared to move on again so quickly.

It is worth noting that catchment areas can expand or shrink according to a schools popularity so if a buyer pays a premium to live within a catchment area, there is a risk that when they sell their property it may not command a similar or greater premium.

In London, with a third of all parents saying they have bought or rented a particular property because of the schools, the infamous catchment premium pushes prices with the right addresses up by a staggering 81,000  around 17 per cent of the 480,000 average property price.

But this certainly isnt a South of England phenomenon. In the North-east, where almost four in every 10 parents have bought or rented property for the local schools, the premium is worth 14 per cent of the local property prices, at 18,200.

And in the East of England, despite only one in 10 families moving for the catchment area, the premium adds around 29,000 to the typical 287,000 property price, wiping out a full time workers gross salary for a full year.

Earlier this year, a similar study by Rightmove which analysed the prices of properties in key catchment areas (rather than what premium parents have or would be prepared to pay) placed the typical nationwide catchment area premium around schools assessed as outstanding by Ofsted at 52,000.

With less well-off parents effectively priced out of good state schools, experts warn that such premiums only add to education, earnings and social mobility problems and barriers faced by disadvantaged households.

(Figures out this week from the Child Poverty Action Group suggest that currently, families in which both parents work full time for the national living wage are 13% or 59 per week short of what they need to give their children a minimum living standard.)

And yet for parents with the means and determination, these premiums are a drop in the ocean compared with current independent school fees.

Around 654,000 children are in private education in the UK at an average cost of 14,100 a year, up by more than 70 per cent in the past 14 years as wage growth and the cost of living have remained low.

Paid out of net income, it means lower rate taxpayers need to earn an additional 17,630 and higher rate payers 23,300 to be able to send one child to an independent school.

For boarding pupils, the net cost rises to 32,280, according to this years data from the Independent Schools Council.
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The chief executive of Goldman Sachs used Mondays solar eclipse to bemoan the state of the US, in a tweet that many perceived to be a thinly veiled dig at President Donald Trump.

Lloyd Blankfein took to the social media platform with the words: Wish the moon wasn't the only thing casting a shadow across the country. He added: We got through one, we'll get through the other.

Although the financier appears to have joined Twitter back in June 2011, he only sent what seemed to be his first ever tweet in June this year. Goldman Sachs and its top executives have traditionally been cautious when commenting on political matters, but Mr Blankfein used that tweet to slate Mr Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change.

Hes since sent just under a dozen tweets, including one on 26 June  purportedly from London  in which he expressed his admiration for people in the city showing resilience and continuing their lives as normal despite the threat of terrorism.

Mr Blankfein, who has been CEO of Goldman Sachs since 2006, was one of the first Wall Street executives to speak out against Mr Trumps travel ban earlier this year.

In a voice message sent to employees back in January, he said the firm could not support the policy.

He quoted from the bank's business principles: For us to be successful, our men and women must reflect the diversity of the communities and cultures in which we operate. That means we must attract, retain and motivate people from many backgrounds and perspectives. Being diverse is not optional; it is what we must be.

Several alumni of the bank are working in the Presidents administration, including Gary Cohn, former chief operating officer, who is Mr Trumps chief economic advisor, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin who was chief information officer at Goldman.
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Royal Mail is taking a step into the future as it trials its very own electric-powered postal vans.

The UKs 500-year-old postal service company says it will test nine clean-energy vehicles for a year, starting on Wednesday.

Three 3.5-tonne vehicles and six larger electric postal vans will distribute mail across the South East and will be based at the Royal Mails Mount Pleasant depot in central London.

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Royal Mail says all its electric vehicles can travel 100 miles on a single charge.

UK manufacturer Arrival designed and assembled the vans in the Midlands, branding the electric postal vans with the Royal Mails famous crown emblem.

Paul Gatti, Royal Mail Fleets managing director, said the vans will be tested to see whether the electric powered vehicles can cope with mail from its larger distribution centres.

We have trialled electric trucks before but not of this type of design and look forward to see what additional benefits they can bring to our existing fleet of around 49,000 vehicles, he said.

Denis Sverdlov, chief executive of Arrival, said: Cities like London will benefit hugely from a switch to electric, in terms of both pollution and noise.

He added that Arrivals electric vehicles were priced the same as diesel trucks, removing the main barrier to go electric."

The Government announced in July its intention to ban all new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040, accelerating competition in the electric vehicles market.

Carmakers BMW, Hyundai and Volvo have already announced plans to make viable cleaner energy commercial vehicles.
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Retail giant Tesco has opened a multi-million pound compensation scheme, targeting thousands of shareholders and bondholders who were affected by an accounting scandal three years ago that battered the companys share price and triggered a major investigation.

In September 2014, Tesco admitted that it had identified a 250m overstatement of first-half profits for that year. The UKs supermarket watchdog later found that Tesco had deliberately and repeatedly withheld money owed to suppliers to boost its sales performance artificially  a serious breach of supermarket regulations.

Scores of investors sued the company in the aftermath, alleging that they had lost millions because they bought shares on the basis of misleading accounts. Tesco shares lost almost half of their value in the months after the scandal broke.

The compensation scheme will pay people who bought stocks or bonds in the company between 29 August and 19 September 2014.

Each net purchaser of shares will be entitled to compensation of 24.5p per share purchased, plus interest at 1.25 per cent per year if the net purchaser is an institutional investor. Retail investors will be given interest of 4 per cent per year.

Tesco on Wednesday said that it had appointed KPMG to administer the scheme, with oversight from the Financial Conduct Authority.

In March this year, Tesco agreed with the Serious Fraud Office to pay a 129m fine for the scandal, a deal under which it would not be prosecuted.

At the time it said that it had undertaken an extensive programme of change including extensive changes to leadership, structures, financial controls, partnerships with suppliers, and the way the business buys and sells since 2014.

The cost of the compensation scheme is likely to be around 85m, excluding interest, the retailer said. Claimants have until 22 February next year to submit a claim for compensation.
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An arrest warrant have been issued for Christopher Cantwell, one of the white supremacists who advocated for violence featured in the Vice News documentary on Charlottesville, after he was accused of pepper-spraying counterprotesters.

In addition to being a public speaker and radio host of his show "Radical Agenda," Mr Cantwell is also known for a YouTube video he posted in which he cries about possibly being arrested and how "terrified" he is over death threats received after the airing of the documentary.

A total of four warrants have been issued for illegal use of gases and injury by caustic agent or explosive," according to the Boston Globe.

These are both felony charges in the state of Virginia, and could result in a prison term of more than a year if he was found guilty. Mr Cantwell has reportedly offered to turn himself over to police in his town of Keene, New Hampshire, but has not yet been placed under arrest.

The arrest warrants appear to be based on the police report filed with the University of Virginia police by transgender rights activist and Charlottesville resident Emily Gorcenski.

She told the New York Times she was standing next to Mr Cantwell on the night of 12 August when he allegedly used "some kind of pepper spray" against counter-protesters in the immediate area.

He sprayed basically the whole group."

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

The UVA police have not yet responded to a request for comment, but Ms Gorcenski said she thought one of the charges could be in response to her report, though not all four of them.

For his part, Mr Cantwell told the paper that he does not feel he "did anything wrong, and Im looking forward to my day in court."

After the violence erupted, a total of at least six people were arrested according to the Charlottesvile Police, Virginia State Police, and campus police. One woman was killed. A 20-year-old man from Ohio has been charged with her murder.

In the Vice News documentary, Mr Cantwell also criticised Donald Trump for allowing daughter, Ivanka Trump, to convert to Judaisim and marry Jared Kushner, and said that the death of counterprotester Heather Heyer was "justified".

I think that a lot more people are going to die before were done here" he said, walking about torch-bearing neo-Nazis, Klu Klux Klan members, and others protesting to keep a statue of Civil War Confederate General Robert E Lee in place.

Even Mr Lee opposed these monuments to the losing side of the secessionist, pro-slavery movement, seeing them as leaving the wounds of the bloodiest war in American history open as the country began to heal.

At many points in the documentary, Mr Cantwell said he and other protesters would kill people "if we have to".

Mr Cantwell initially thought the documentary had worked out magnificently" because of the visceral reaction from so many people, especially "liberals" and the political left.
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The Chief Constable of Cheshire Police has been suspended following allegations of gross misconduct.

An investigation found that Simon Byrne had a case to answer over the claims, which have not been publicly detailed.

David Keane, the elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said an external police force launched the probe after the allegations were made late last year.

Following receipt of the investigation report, and having carefully considered the evidence, I have determined that there is a case to answer for gross misconduct with regards to authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct, he added.

This matter must now be referred to an independently chaired gross misconduct hearing.

In light of this determination, I consider that the public interest requires that Mr Byrne be suspended pending the conclusion of the hearing.

Deputy Chief Constable Janette McCormick will be the acting head of Cheshire Police as the investigation continues.

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

In a statement issued to the Manchester Evening News in December, Mr Byrne said he was aware an allegation had been made but did not know what for, adding: I do not know the detail of the allegation so am unable to make any further comment at the moment.

In the meantime, I remain focused on my work in keeping Cheshire safe and fulfilling my national responsibilities.

Mr Byrne did not immediately comment on his suspension on Wednesday.

He started his career with the Metropolitan Police in London in the early 1980s, before transferring to Merseyside Police and rising to the rank of Assistant Chief Constable.

Mr Byrne, who is married with two children, moved to Greater Manchester Police in 2009 as its Deputy Chief Constable, then took up his post leading Cheshire Police in 2014.

He was awarded the Queens Police Medal in the 2016 New Years honours list and sits on the Sentencing Council for England and Wales.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said it was alerted to the case in November and referred it back to the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner for a local investigation to be conducted.
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The number of cases of identity fraud being committed in the UK has reached epidemic levels, experts have warned, as new figures reveal a surge in crimes.

A total of 89,201 cases were registered in the UK between January and June  more than 500 every day and a rise of 5 per cent on the same period a year earlier.

The number of crimes being reported is now at record levels as criminals exploit new technology to steal victims identities. Figures show 83 per cent of identity fraud cases now take place online.

The new data, released by fraud prevention body Cifas, prompted experts to warn that criminals are relentlessly targeting individuals and businesses.

Cifas chief executive, Simon Dukes, said: We have seen identity fraud attempts increase year on year, now reaching epidemic levels.

These frauds are taking place almost exclusively online. The vast amounts of personal data that is available either online or through data breaches is only making it easier for the fraudster.

Criminals are relentlessly targeting consumers and businesses and we must all be alert to the threat and do more to protect personal information.

For smaller and medium-sized businesses in particular, they must focus on educating staff on good cyber security behaviours and raise awareness of the social engineering techniques employed by fraudsters.

Relying solely on new fraud prevention technology is not enough.

Criminals use their victims identities to apply for loans, insurance, phone contracts and a range of products online. Some stolen identities are sold to others via the dark web.

Internet crimes have risen while the number of frauds being attempted on bank accounts and plastic cards has fallen.

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

Victims often do not realise they have been targeted until noticing a payment on a bank statement or receiving a letter from a company they have never dealt with.

Those aged between 31 and 50 are most likely to fall victim to scams, with this age group making up almost half of all identity fraud cases.

Criminals use a variety of methods to take someones identity, including stealing their post, hacking their computer or email accounts and using data available on social media.

Others use phishing emails and phone calls in which they pretend to be from a trusted authority such as a bank or the police in an attempt to trick unsuspecting victims into handing over personal information.
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The Home Office has mistakenly informed approximately 100 people that they are to be deported from the UK.

A letter was issued "in error" to a number of people stating that a decision had been taken to remove them from the UK under immigration law.

It informed recipients that they are "liable to be detained" for failing to provide evidence that they are exercising Treaty rights in the UK.

A Home Office spokesperson has since said they are "urgently" looking into why the letters were wrongly sent out.

The letter, signed by UK Visas and Immigration, states: "A decision has been taken to remove you from the United Kingdom in accordance with section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999."

It proceeds state: "Your are therefore a person who is liable to be detained under paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Act 1971.

One woman who received the letter, Eva Johanna Holmberg, a Finnish historian living in Brighton with her British husband, told The Independent she "couldn't believe what she was seeing" when she opened the document.

But then she tried to contact the Home Office to ask whether it has been an administrative error, Dr Holmberg said she was sent between phone lines, and ultimately advised only to contact her MP.

It came out of the blue, theres no reason for it. I tried to correct it by calling the Home Office to find out if it was an administrative error, but they just sent me from phone line to phone line then advised me to call my MP," she said.

I work here, being seconded by Helinski University, but like many others here I am a visiting academic affiliated with a UK university. This is normal for academics especially if youre studying British history. Its vital for my work.

I opened it and it had the words the decision has been made to remove you. I couldnt believe what I was seeing."

Eva Johanna Holmberg, a Finnish historian living in Brighton (Queen Mary University)

When The Independent contacted the Home Office about Dr Holmberg's case, a spokesperson said the letter had been issued "in error", along with around 100 others, and that they are in the process of "urgently looking into" why it occured.

The spokesperson said: A limited number of letters were issued in error and we have been urgently looking into why this happened. We are contacting everyone who received this letter to clarify that they can disregard it.

We are absolutely clear that the rights of EU nationals living in the UK remain unchanged.

Dr Holmberg's local MP, Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas, who has since contacted the Home Office regarding the situation, accused the Government of "turning lives upside down" by "callously playing hard ball over Brexit".

It beggars belief that Eva, who is married to a UK citizen, pays taxes in the UK and has five years guaranteed employment as a visiting fellow, has been issued with a letter threatening her removal and possible detention," she said.

I am fighting this decision on her behalf and on behalf of all those living in the UK whose lives are being turned upside down by the Government callously playing hard ball over Brexit.

In response to the Home Office error, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Ed Davey meanwhile said: These letters shame Britain. EU nationals who have made their lives here are already facing huge uncertainty over Brexit.

It is appalling that some are now being officially threatened with deportation. This catastrophic error is a sign of the chaos and incompetence at the heart of this Conservative government.

Amber Rudd should personally write to apologise to each of those affected and ensure they are fully reimbursed for any legal costs incurred.
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Prince William has spoken of feeling completely numb at the news of his mothers death in a landmark documentary marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, the Princess of Wales.

His younger brother, Prince Harry, said he had been left in a state of "disbelief".

The BBC programme appears to confirm their father and heir to the throne, Prince Charles, broke the news to his sons.

Harry also paid tribute to Charles, saying how he was "there for us".

The Prince, who at the time was holidaying at Balmoral with his older brother, father, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, said: "One of the hardest things for a parent to have to do is to tell your children that your other parent has died.

 In Her Own Words: Princess Diana reveals she fell "deeply in love" with bodyguard Barry Mannakee

"How you deal with that I don't know but, you know, he was there for us.

"He was the one out of two left and he tried to do his best and to make sure we were protected and looked after.

"But, you know, he was going through the same grieving process as well."

The documentary, Diana, 7 Days, is screened on Sunday and chronicles the days after the princess' death in 1997. It will feature contributions by some of the major figures at the time including former Prime Minister Tony Blair and other government figures, senior royal aides, Diana's brother Earl Spencer and her friends.

The Queen faced criticism from the press and public for not returning from her Scottish estate of Balmoral to London quickly enough to acknowledge the huge outpouring of grief following the fatal car crash, that also claimed the lives of Diana's lover Dodi Fayed and the driver Henri Paul.

William said: "At the time, you know, my grandmother wanted to protect her two grandsons and my father as well.

"Our grandmother deliberately removed the newspapers and things like that, so there was nothing in the house at all, so we didn't know what was going on."

He added: "We had the privacy to mourn and kind of collect our thoughts and to try and just have that space away from everybody."

A sea of floral tributes had been left at the gates of Buckingham Palace and Diana's home Kensington Palace in the days after her death and the documentary charts the growing pressure on the monarchy to make a public appearance.

 Earl Spencer: It was a "bizarre and cruel thing" for Diana's sons to have to walk behind her body

Harry attempted to explain the situation: "It was a case of how do we let the boys grieve in privacy, but at the same time when is the right time for them to put on their prince hats and carry out duties to mourn not just their mother but the Princess of Wales."

William sympathised with the dilemma the Queen faced: "I think it was a very hard decision for my grandmother to make, she felt very torn between being the grandmother to William and Harry and her Queen role.

"And I think she, you know again like I said, everyone was surprised and taken aback by the scale of what happened and the nature of how quickly it all happened, plus the fact, you know, she was or had been challenging the Royal Family for many years before hand."

The documentary charts how when the Queen, with the rest of her family, decided to return to London the mood among mourners and the wider country changed.

At the end of the programme Harry echoes comments made in another interview where he said he wanted to leave the Royal Family.

Speaking about the aftermath of his mother's death he said: "Years after I spent a long time (of) my life with my head buried in the sand, you know, thinking 'I don't want to be Prince Harry, I don't want this responsibility, I don't want this role, look what's happened to my mother, why does this have to happen to me'.

"But now all I want to do is try and fill the holes that my mother has left, that's what it's about for us, is trying to make a difference, and in making a difference making her proud."

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Prisoners are being banned from seeing their children as a punishment, leaving thousands of youngsters traumatised and inmates more likely to reoffend, campaigners have warned.

Hundreds of children are having contact time with their fathers cut to just two hours a month, as a privileges scheme in prisons reduces visiting hours if inmates fail to show positive and motivated behaviour.

Campaigners say the system, known as the Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) Scheme, is "cruel and damaging" to the children of prisoners and counterproductive in efforts to rehabilitate inmates.

Changes to the scheme in 2013 saw male prisoners entitled to basic visiting rights, which give them just two hours a month to see their children. They can earn enhanced status, which raises the hours to four, by demonstrating motivation, seeking qualifications and helping other prisoners or staff.

But the new system has seen a growing number of inmates seeing their visits reduced, with the percentage of prisoners on basic status having increased by 52 per cent between 2012 and 2014  amounting to 900 more prisoners  while those on enhanced status decreased by 16 per cent, 5,900 fewer.

Visiting rights are different in women's prisons, where guidelines state that children "should not be penalised from visiting or contacting their mother because of the mothers behaviour" and that the number of visits by children "should not be restricted in order to serve the needs of an incentive scheme".

Barnardos, which runs services to help maintain contact and support family relationships, has written to the prisons minister calling for the regulations governing the scheme to be changed in line with those currently governing womens prisons. The charity was told a year ago that this scheme was under review.

Vice president of the charity, Baroness Benjamin, who recently raised the issue in the House of Lords, said: It should be a childs right to visit their dad in prison, not for a dad to earn the right to see their child. Children massively struggle with the distress and confusion of having their father taken away.

"To then stop them spending a few precious hours with their dad simply traumatises them even further.

The charity's chief executive, Javed Khan, added: Stopping fathers family visiting rights hurts the most vulnerable and innocent ones  their children. Restricting a childs right to a family life by further limiting their relationship with their parent is cruel.

We urged the Government to scrap this scheme a year ago and were told it was under review. Were still waiting and children are still suffering. The Government must address this now as maintaining family ties is essential for childrens emotional development and life chances.

Research shows that good family relationships are indispensable to a prisoner achieving rehabilitation, with Ministry of Justice figures showing that the odds of a prisoner who receives visits from a partner or family member reoffending are 39 per cent lower than for those who do not receive such visits.

Kate Bulman, a nurse who runs a fatherhood programme in a secure training centre, said the system was unfair and damaging and has the counterproductive effect of making prisoners behaviour worse.

Linking quality of visits to privilege is unfair and damaging. Family visits improve prisoner behaviour, Ive seen it myself. Its completely unhelpful to use it as a punishment for bad behaviour because it will make their behaviour worse, she said.

It also has the effect of creating uncertainty and unpredictability. These children already have a parent in prison, which is bad enough, so to have unpredictability around the visits is extremely unsettling.

If for one month they can visit their dad and for another they cant, what does that do to a child?

Prison campaign groups echoed the concerns, saying that strong family relationships are a fundamental part of helping people move away from crime.

Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: Through our legal work, we frequently hear of the difficulties that families face when they attempt to visit loved ones in prison.

We receive a large number of calls about prisons imposing closed visits, which prevent children from having any physical contact with the parent they have come to see. Closed visits should not be used as a punishment.

Strong family relationships are one of the key building blocks in moving away from crime. Prisons should do everything they can to nurture them.

Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: Family contact is not a privilege to be earned but a fundamental part of effective rehabilitation. It is crucial to keeping people safe in prison and to dealing with the devastating impact a prison sentence has on the innocent families prisoners leave behind.

The Government recently welcomed the findings of a major review it commissioned from Lord Farmer on exactly this subject, it is time to turn words into action.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: We are committed to transforming prisons into places of safety and reform and we recognise the need to provide those in our custody with stable environments, as well as opportunities to change their behaviour and turn away from a life of crime. Relationships with families can play a key role in this.

We have a dedicated strategy to help strengthen family ties, including giving governors flexibility over their budgets to support schemes that help offenders maintain these relationships."

Children are being used as a behaviour chart

One family member affected by the IEP scheme was Sarah*, whose partner was sentenced to three and a half years in March 2014 and served 21 months in five different prisons across the country.

With her partners IEP status constantly fluctuating, the amount of time she and her children got to visit varied each month. When they did get see him, Sarah said the chaotic and restrictive nature of the visits meant they didn't allow her children to spend quality time with their father.

I fought for my children to get to see him. Because Id had a baby during that time I said actually, this isnt fair. Barnardos supported me in going to the prison and saying this isnt acceptable, and from that we got to have two 'family visits', which actually allowed the children to spend quality time with their dads," she said.

But normal visits are in a huge hall, 30 odd prisoners having visits, each with up to four people. Its an awful lot of people in hall. It lasts for strictly only two hours.

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Its not a very pleasant environment. Its not family friendly. Its loud, its not very long, and theres always a lot to say and serious things to discuss. The children often get forgotten. There often isnt a kids area, and even if there is, the dad isnt allowed to get up, so they cant play together.

Visits are done on a first come first serve basis. You book it, but then you have to queue from around 11:30 for hours because its done in groups of 10. We normally spent about two and a half hours queuing up outside, whatever the weather.

The children are almost used as a behaviour chart. I accept that prisoners need to be punished, but the children cant choose who their parents are, so its not fair for them to be punished because of that.

*Her name has been changed to protect her identity
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The British Government has been accused of wilfully trapping thousands of refugees at risk of rape, torture and imprisonment in Libya by increasing efforts to stop them fleeing across the Mediterranean.

During a visit to Tripoli, Boris Johnson vowed that the UK would support the fragile Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) to reduce the number of illegal migrants heading for Europe.

Libya is the front line for many challenges which, left unchecked, can pose problems for us in the UK  particularly illegal migration and the threat from terrorism, the Foreign Secretary said.

Thats why it is so important that we work with the Libyan government and our partners to help bring stability to Libya, stopping it from becoming a fertile ground for terrorists, gun runners and people traffickers in close proximity to Europe.

Mr Johnson said that as well as supporting an unspecified political process, the UK was backing practical efforts  to ensure the Libyan coastguard can secure their own borders, reducing the number of illegal migrants heading for Europe.

The statement incensed humanitarian groups running search and rescue missions in the central Mediterranean, where more than 2,400 men, women and children have drowned while attempting to reach Europe so far this year.

NGOs are bearing the brunt of increased aggression displayed by the Libyan coastguard, seeing armed officers block rescues, board migrant dinghies and open fire while attempting to seize control of the search and rescue zone in international waters from the Italian government.

Boris Johnson meets members of the Libyan coastguard at a naval base in Tripoli (PA)

The coastguard, which is being trained by the Royal Navy and EU partners, stands accused of killing, shooting and abusing migrants and attacking aid workers but has benefited from substantial funds and equipment from Italy.

Fearing for their safety, several groups have withdrawn their ships as political and public support from Europe wanes and unproven allegations of collusion with Libyan people smugglers gain traction.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which had one of its ships fired on by the Libyan coastguard in an incident verified by The Independent last year, accused the British Government of attempting to shirk responsibility for the refugee crisis and instability in Libya  whatever the cost.

Andre Heller-Perache, the charitys UK head of programmes, said: What Boris Johnson notably fails to mention is the multiple occasions  as recent as last week  on which the UK-trained Libyan coastguard has threatened, or even fired upon, NGO search and rescue vessels operating in international waters.

This shows that the British Government is happy to sweep the appalling human cost of its deterrence policies on migration under the carpet  anything to make this someone elses problem.

Mr Heller-Perache said MSF staff had met migrants in squalid Libyan detention centres who were taken there by the coastguard, accusing the UK of helping to trap thousands of people in appalling conditions.

Its policy is pushing refugees and migrants into the hands of criminals and people traffickers, contributing to the very problem the Government claims to want to solve, he added.

Damage from bullets fired by the Libyan coastguard below the bridge on MSF ship the Bourbon Argos (Lizzie Dearden ) (Lizzie Dearden)

The Foreign Secretary can no longer remain silent on this issue  he has serious questions to answer on the harm caused by Britains support for the Libyan coastguard, and the role that it plays trapping people in Libya.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office (FCO) made no direct mention of the rival Libyan government based in Tobruk, which has a substantial army led by Russia-backed general Khalifa Haftar.

The country has been locked in a brutal civil war since the British-backed removal of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and remains divided between the two main rival governments and countless warring militias.

Widespread lawlessness has let people smugglers set up a ruthless trade kidnapping migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, and ransoming them or forcing them into labour and prostitution.

The United Nations has issued repeated warnings over horrors including slave auctions, rape and torture awaiting migrants in the country, which make any attempt to forcibly return asylum seekers to its shores from international waters a violation of international law.

Terrorist groups including al-Qaeda factions have capitalised on the ongoing power vacuum, with Isis still controlling pockets of territory despite losing its coastal stronghold of Sirte last year.

In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A baby being taken on to MSF's Bourbon Argos ship from a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A refugee boat carrying 101 people being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A refugee boat carrying 101 people being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos all images by Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A baby among refugees on a boat carrying 185 people off the coast of Libya Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea Migrants and refugees sleeping after being rescued by MSF's Bourbon Argos ship Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A crew from MSF's Bourbon Argos ship rescuing a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya, at sunrise Lizzie Dearden In pictures: A day of refugee rescues in the Mediterranean Sea A woman in a stretcher being lifted onto MSF's Bourbon Argos ship from a boat carrying 130 migrants and refugees off the coast of Libya Lizzie Dearden

The group made its presence brutally felt on Wednesday when militants massacred at least nine members of General Haftars forces and two civilians.

A statement from its Amaq propaganda agency said 21 members of the Haftar militia were killed and wounded at a checkpoint in the central Jufra region, where the so-called Libyan National Army seized control of several strategic bases earlier this year.

The possibility of Isis using Libya as a base to launch international terror attacks and regroup from its shrinking territories in Iraq and Syria has sparked alarm that increased after it emerged that the Manchester Arena bomber may have undergone terror training there.

The security situation in Libya is so dire that the FCO advises against all travel to any part of the country, and has urged all British nationals still present to leave immediately, having closed the Tripoli embassy.

Although the Government of National Accord (GNA) is working to restore stability and security to Libya, intense fighting continues in a number of areas and local security situations are fragile and can quickly deteriorate, the official advice reads.

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Libya. There remains a high threat throughout the country of terrorist attacks and kidnap against foreigners.

Such is the danger that Mr Johnsons trip, the second in under six months, was not announced in advance under advice from Britains security services.

Isis still controls parts of Libya (Reuters)

The Foreign Secretary met Prime Minister Fayyez Al-Serraj, foreign minister Mohamed Siala and the President of Libyas High State Council Abdurrahman Swehli.

An FCO statement said Mr Johnson underlined the importance of Libyas different political and social groups working together to overcome the current political conflict  a conflict that world leaders including Barack Obama have directly blamed the UK for.

The Foreign Secretary announced new funding including 3m to remove improvised explosive devices left by Isis in Sirte, 1m for de-mining training across Libya, 1m to rebuild critical infrastructure and restore basic public services through the United Nations Development Programme, 2.75m to support womens participation and 1.29m to help displaced people.

The Government has also agreed to increase its engagement with the Libyan law enforcement authorities to tackle organised crime and trafficking, building on the work the UK is already doing with European partners to strengthen the ability of the Libyan coastguard to secure its own borders in a manner which respects international law, a spokesperson said, adding that British training was focusing on human rights and the treatment of migrants.

Research by Oxfam found that all but one of the women questioned had suffered sexual exploitation in Libya and three-quarters of people fleeing through the country had witnessed murder or torture.

It is disturbing that Boris Johnson is talking about preventing people who are fleeing violence and destitution at home from leaving Libya, said Fionna Smyth, Oxfams head of humanitarian campaigns.

Aid for people travelling through Libya is welcome, but Britain should be helping them to find safety, not trapping them in a country where they face violence and abuse.
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Grime artist Stormzy has hit out at the Metropolitan Police for linking drugs busts to Notting Hill Carnival.

Other Twitter users have also asked what the seizure of what was believed to be a kilogram of uncut heroin in Catford, south east London, had to do with this weekend's carnival on the other side of the capital in west London.

The force has been tweeting after carrying out a series of dawn raids on Tuesday, in Lewisham as well as in Kensington and Chelsea, the borough where the world-famous event takes place.

But its tweet about the heroin seizure in Catford led Stormzy to reply: "How many drugs did you lot seize in the run up to Glastonbury or we only doing tweets like this for black events?"

Recommended Police face anger after linking seized heroin to Notting Hill Carnival

Many Twitter users were quick to back the musician, with RxDWHxTEBLxCK writing: "Seizing knives or having a knife amnesty would be way better. This is just choosing a hated drug and blaming carnival."

Another, MrMeeds, tweeted: "Lol what does the drug seize in Catford have to do with Notting Hill Carnival? Or is this the standard propaganda you're perpetuating?"

But others questioned why the rapper had to bring race into the issue, and pointed out that any local drugs seizures ahead of Glastonbury would be carried out by Avon and Somerset Police, rather than the Met.

Officers arrested more than 30 people early on Tuesday morning in a planned, intelligence-led operation.

Since Friday 11 August, officers have also made more than 290 arrests for a range of offences, recovering 190 knives and 18 firearms.

Police said the crackdown was targeting and disrupting gang crime, drug supply, knife crime and other offences that could impact on the safety of the weekend carnival.

 Notting Hill Carnival celebrates its 50th anniversary

More than 100 officers from the Met, City of London Police and the British Transport Police have been involved.

Tuesday's arrests were predominantly for possession with intent to supply drugs.

If some of those arrested are then bailed, they will be forbidden from attending the carnival, Scotland Yard said.

Recommended Tory minister wants to move Notting Hill Carnival after Grenfell

Officers known as "super recognisers" will be in the area and monitoring CCTV to help spot those banned from the parade.

In one of the raided properties, a terraced house in south-east London, three men and two women were arrested, while a young child was taken by police to stay with her grandmother.

Inside, uncut crack cocaine with an estimated street value of 60,000 was discovered, along with multiple bags of powder thought to be heroin.

Chief Superintendent Robyn Williams, the Met's spokesman for Notting Hill Carnival, said: "Our officers have been proactive and focused on tackling serious violence and knife crime across London.

"Today's operation is aimed at ensuring that those who intend to cause trouble at Carnival are prohibited from doing so.

"We are committed to ensuring that Carnival remains a safe, vibrant and enjoyable event; troublemakers are not welcome.

"We will be uncompromising in our operations to keep our communities safe and secure.

"People can expect to see operational activity right up until and throughout the bank holiday weekend."

Asked if Scotland Yard had prior intelligence that those targeted were planning to disrupt the carnival, Ms Williams said: "What we would say is that they are criminals and there is intelligence of their criminal activity and that, in the midst of the biggest policing event at carnival, actually means that we needed to proactively target them."

And on Twitter, the force said: "Prior to #NottingHillCarnival, we're disrupting gang crime, drug supply, knife crime & offences that could impact the safety of the weekend."

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The EU has taken a swipe at the British Governments lack of clarity in Brexit negotiations  accusing David Daviss team of not having solid negotiating goals months after the start of talks.

A European Commission spokesperson said there was still an intra-UK debate about what exactly Britains position was, despite the Commission itself having long set out a clear set of goals.

This week Mr Davis released a government working paper suggesting that the UK would only seek to end direct jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice over the UK  an apparent backtracking of Theresa Mays previous promise of a clean break with the institution.

Government sources insisted nothing had changed since Ms Mays commitment in her Lancaster House speech in January, but justice minister Dominic Raab, a longstanding Brexiteer, said there would be no clean break with the court and that the UK would have to keep half an eye on EU case law.

Asked about the issue in Brussels on Wednesday, European Commission spokesperson Alexander Winterstein contrasted the British sides ongoing debate with the Commissions very clear goals.

You will not be surprised to hear me refraining from injecting myself into an intra-UK debate on their positions, he told reporters.

Our own position is very clear, is very transparent, and is unchanged.

Theresa May triggered Article 50 on 29 March, beginning the time-limited Brexit process  weeks later she then proceeded to call an election.

EU officials have for months repeated the refrain that the clock is ticking with regards to negotiations. If the UK does not negotiate a deal with the EU after two years of talks it automatically crashes out of the bloc unless all EU countries unanimously agree to extend the negotiating period.

Mr Winterstein continued: We look forward to the next negotiation round, where we expect and we hope to make progress on the three main issues that we and the EU27 have set out that need to be clarified upfront.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

We hope that we can make progress there, and I will not comment now on positions of one or the other party.

Yesterday Irelands Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the EU was still confused and puzzled about Britains post-Brexit trade plans. He went on to accuse Britain of having unrealistic demands given its situation.
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A top EU official has launched a passionate attack on nationalists and nationalism  arguing that the ideology makes societies weak and is unpatriotic.

Frans Timmermans, the first vice president of the European Commission, compared nationalism to alcoholism  arguing that it created a short period of exaltation followed by a long period of headaches.

Jean-Claude Junkers deputy argued that protectionism, the Siamese twin of nationalism, could destroy the internal market and disrupt international trade  though a Commission spokesperson later denied that he was making a veiled reference to Brexit.

He was speaking in a video recorded to commemorate Black Ribbon Day, which is observed across Europe on 23 August each year to commemorate the victims of totalitarianism.

Nationalism is like alcoholism. A short period of exaltation followed by a long period of headaches, Mr Timmermans said, striding amongst the gravestones of soldiers killed in European wars.

Nationalism makes us poor because its Siamese twin protectionism will destroy the internal market and disrupt international trade.

Nationalism makes us weak because of its eternal seeking of enemies, its disdain of others, its need to feel superior makes cooperation with other nations to collectively guarantee our freedom and security much more difficult.

If nationalism makes us weak, poor, and morally insecure, how can it claim to be patriotic? I maintain that nationalists are unpatriotic: a true patriot is proud of his nation and wants it to be strong, peaceful, prosperous, values based: to achieve that a true patriot knows he needs unity, he wants openness, he craves cooperation with others. He sees the strength found in compromise, debates, and unity.

He argued that to be a patriot is to be a European and that to be a European is to be a patriot.

His comments come after Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliaments chief Brexit negotiator, told The Independent that the EU had a vital role to play in resisting the rise of totalitarianism.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

A European Commission spokesperson denied that Mr Timmermans comments were a veiled criticism of the Brexit vote.

I would suggest not to construct a narrative that is simply not there. I think if you watch the video you will see a very powerful message which is as general as it is timeless, he told reporters in Brussels when asked about the video.

It re-states the values on which the European Union is built and it very firmly and very eloquently rejects a narrow and extreme vision of patriotism and its Siamese twin patriotism.
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Scotland's First Minister will meet her Welsh counterpart in Edinburgh to discuss their opposition to the Brexit repeal bill.

Nicola Sturgeon said the UK Government is planning to impose new restrictions on the Scottish Parliament and it would be inconceivable for her government to recommend granting consent to the legislation.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill is designed to transpose EU law into British law so the same rules apply on the day of Brexit as the day before and involves EU responsibilities in devolved areas being initially transferred to Westminster.

The UK Government said this will allow common frameworks to be put in place where necessary before further devolution, but the Scottish and Welsh governments believe it is a power grab.

Ms Sturgeon and Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones joined together to oppose the Bill when it was published last month, saying they would not recommend their governments grant legislative consent to the bill as it stands.

Ahead of their meeting on Tuesday, Ms Sturgeon said: Both during and after the EU referendum, new powers were promised to Holyrood, but instead the UK Government is planning to impose new restrictions on the Scottish Parliament.

The UK Government's EU (Withdrawal) Bill returns powers, even in devolved policy areas, solely to Westminster. Both the Scottish and the Welsh Governments have been clear that this power grab cannot be allowed to take place.

I am looking forward to discussing with Carwyn Jones how we can work together to change the Bill so that devolution and the interests of the people of Scotland and Wales can be protected. As it stands, it is inconceivable that we would recommend that the Scottish Parliament gives its consent to the legislation.

We have said repeatedly that we are willing to talk constructively with the UK Government on future arrangements. But this has to be on the basis of agreement and partnership, not imposition.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said he saw no real desire from the UK Government to take up this invitation.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

He said: Our position is clear and unequivocal - the Withdrawal Bill flies in the face of devolution and we cannot accept it in its current form. It is quite simply a blatant power grab from Whitehall which is not in the interest of people in Wales and the other devolved administrations.

He added: I am looking forward to discussing with Nicola Sturgeon our shared concerns regarding the Bill and wider Brexit issues, which affects both our countries.

PA
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Ministers have not ruled out allowing European Court of Justice rulings to have direct force in Britain as it leaves the EU.

A newly published document setting out the UKs approach to the ECJ says instead that Britain is willing to work with the EU to decide what happens during its transition out of the bloc.

Even after the likely three-year interim period, the paper indicates the UK will consider arrangements that may see the ECJ continue to have a far stronger role than many Brexiteers envisaged. It comes after Theresa May was accused of a climbdown from her previous unambiguous pledge to end the jurisdiction of the court in the UK.

The Independent understands that officials already accept that in some civil cases British litigants could potentially find decisions in their cases being taken by the ECJ after Brexit.

The Enforcement and Dispute Resolution document released on Wednesday sets out some potential options that the UK could discuss in negotiations over how to deal with the ECJs influence during and after Brexit.

The paper says that the courts direct effect under existing legislation will end when the UK repeals the European Communities Act on Brexit day.

But Government insiders have not ruled out the possibility that negotiations may see the ECJs rulings still having direct impact in the UK for the transition period, in which the country moves to a new relationship with the bloc.

Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA

The paper says: The UK will work with the EU on the design of the interim period, including the arrangements for judicial supervision.

It then goes on to explore potential options for what will happen after the interim period, including looking at a precedent set in the EU Moldova Association Agreement.

The deal struck with the Eastern European state saw an arbitration panel with both Moldovan and EU figures on, set up to resolve disputes.But even then the panel is required to defer to the ECJ on matters of EU law and is bound by its interpretation.

In January, Ms May pledged in her Lancaster House speech to take back control of our laws and bring an end to the jurisdiction of the [ECJ] in Britain.

She added: Leaving the European Union will mean that our laws will be made in Westminster... and those laws will be interpreted by judges not in Luxembourg but in courts across this country.

But politicians in both Europe and the UK, including some Tories, consistently questioned the viability of the pledge when EU law is so intertwined with the UKs.

 EU set to block UK's temporary customs union plea to stop Brexit border chaos, warns former commissioner

Ms Mays ministers had told The Independent weeks before her Lancaster House speech that they feared it would be impossible to avoid European judges still taking decision in British cases after Brexit.

But the paper is clear that on cases relating to the rights of EU citizens in Britain after Brexit, the UK courts should be the final arbiter, contradicting Brussels current position.

A Commission spokesperson said: I will not comment now on positions of one or the other party.

A new round of Brexit talks are set to begin next week, with EU leaders indicating that the UKs goal of moving past discussions on withdrawal  including the divorce bill  and on to a new trade deal is unlikely to happen by October.
Earlier this month Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke ordered the implementation of recommendations from a team that reviewed the previous administrations draconian land use restrictions under the guise of protecting greater sage grouse. The team  which included officials from Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Forest Service and representatives from the 11 affected states  called for lifting certain restrictions that impacted economic activity without actually affecting sage grouse populations.

Montana native Zinkes 55-page order echoed criticisms that were included in various lawsuits brought by several states, including Nevada. Zinkes order says the changes are not one-size-fits-all, the very words used by Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt a year ago about litigation he had filed to block the land use restrictions.

Back when he sued the federal government over its sage grouse land restriction, Laxalt stated, As our latest brief again demonstrates, the Bureau of Land Managements rushed, one-size-fits-all sage grouse plan not only violates multiple federal laws, but also the agencys own regulations. The BLM blatantly disregarded the many Nevada experts and stakeholders, and failed to consider how its plan would impact Nevadans. This approach to regulation is as dismissive to our State as it is illegal, and I remain dedicated to protecting the interests of Nevada and ensuring that agencies follow the law and take the states concerns and interests into account.

Shortly after Zinke announced the changes, Laxalt lauded the move, saying, I am glad to see this progress on an issue important to so many Nevadans. I agree with Secretary Zinke that the federal government and Nevada can protect the sage-grouse and its habitat, while also ensuring that conservation efforts do not undermine job growth and local communities.

Nevadas lawsuit accused the various federal land agencies of violating the law and ignoring scientific evidence when it concocted a 341-page pronouncement in 2015 that 10 million acres of public land in 16 Western states  nearly a third of that in Nevada  would be taken out of consideration for future mining claims, as well as oil and gas drilling near breeding grounds and that there would be additional reviews on grazing permits. The plan envisioned restrictions on grazing, resource development, solar and wind energy, and public access to public land in Nevada. This was being done even though the government declined to list the sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act.

Specifics in Zinkes order include recognizing that proper livestock grazing is compatible with enhancing or maintaining Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) habitat and orders incentives be used to encourage grazing practices that improve conditions conducive to grouse habitat.

While the previous administration failed to even consider predator control as a means of protecting grouse, the Interior Department order calls for research into both lethal and non-lethal predator control. In 1989, the Nevada Department of Wildlife planted 1,400 chicken eggs in 200 simulated grouse nests during the 15-day period when sage hens lay their eggs. All the eggs were destroyed by predators, mostly ravens.

Yet, the previous administration put on their all-species-must-be-protected blinders and entirely ignored predator control as a means of protecting the grouse population.

The order also recognizes the need to reduce the overpopulation of wild horses and burros that eat and trample sage grouse habitat, something else the previous administration was lax about.

It also discusses the need to fund fire fuel reduction and fighting invasive species.

It also anticipates flexibility to allow the development of both fluid and solid minerals.

It even calls for experimenting with captive breeding of grouse to enhance the population.

This move by the Interior Department should have a salutary impact on Nevadas economy. Interiors own draft environmental impact statement estimated that its previous sage grouse restrictions would reduce economic output in Nevada each year by $373.5 million, cost $11.3 million in lost state and local tax revenue and reduce employment by 739 jobs every year for the next 20 years.

As for all the doomsaying about grouse populations, according to a 2015 Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies survey, the population of greater sage grouse had grown by nearly two-thirds in the previous two years.
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The organisation in charge of Grenfell Tower will be stripped of its responsibility for the surrounding estate, Theresa May has said.

The Prime Minister met with survivors and residents of the west London tower block to discuss concerns over the handling of the aftermath of the fire, which killed more than 80 people.

Ms May admitted there were flaws in the response effort, telling residents Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC) did not respond quickly enough after the fire.

She said residents were pleased to hear the Kensington Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) would be removed from managing the surrounding Lancaster West estate where the tower is situated.

Lancaster West Residents Association vice chair Andrea Newton said residents wanted to see a seamless transition.

We cannot face another disastrous event following the trauma we are currently dealing with, she said.

We will be expecting to work in partnership with our landlords on how our properties will be managed in the future.

Leader of RBKC, Elizabeth Campbell, said she had written to the TMO seeking a swift transition of responsibilities to the council, and promised to consult with residents about future plans.

She said: We wrote to the TMO yesterday and said that we didnt think the most viable option was to work with them going forward.

In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Show all 51 1 /51 In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police have released images from inside the tower where at least 58 people have died Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by polices what appears to be a stationary bicycle sitting among the ashes In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A still from a video shared by police shows the remnants of a burnt-out bathroom In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Picture showing the lifts on an unknown floor Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency crews outside the front entrance to the tower Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Fire crews inspecting flats in the burnt out tower London Metropolitan Police In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Grenfell Tower is seen in the distance PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A drone flies near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire 'Theresa May Stay Away' message written on the messages of support at Latymer Community Church for those affected by the fire Ray Tang/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire An aerial view of the area surrounding Grenfall tower Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Donated shoes sit in the Westway Sports Centre near to the site of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of support for those affected by the massive fire in Grenfell Tower are displayed on a well near the tower in London AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A local resident stands on her balcony by the gutted Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Messages of condolence are left at a relief centre close to the scene of the fire that broke out at Grenfell Tower, EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A police officer stands by a security cordon outside Latimer Road station Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firemen examine the scorched facade of the Grenfell Tower in London on a huge ladder AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A search dog is led through the rubble of the Grenfell Tower in London as firefighting continue to damp-down the deadly fire AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a local resident (name not given) at St Clement's Church in west London where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hugs councillor Mushtaq Lasharie as he arrives at St Clement's Church in Latimer Road, where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meeting staff and volunteers at St Clementis Church in Latimer Road David Mirzoeff/PA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Firefighters with a dog walk around the base of the Grenfell Tower REUTERS/Peter Nicholls In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emotions run high as people attend a candle lit vigil outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near the 24 storey residential Grenfell Tower block in Latimer Road, West London Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Debris hangs from the blackened exterior of Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman speaks to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman holds a missing person posters near the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Sadiq Khan speaking with a resident James Gourley/REX In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Ken Livingstone walks near the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is confronted by Kai Ramos, 7, near Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks to a woman outside Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Yui Mok/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers distribute aid near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Family and friends of missing Jessica Urbano, 12, wearing photographs of Jessica pinned to their t-shirts gather near Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People gather to observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People light candles as they observe a vigil outside St Clement's Church following the blaze at Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People attend a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man distributes food from the back of a van near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A firefighter is cheered near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A T-shirt with a written message from the London Fire Brigade hangs from a fence near The Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A young girl on her way to lay flowers near Grenfell Tower Getty Images In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire The remains of residential tower block Grenfell Tower are seen from Dixon House a nearby tower block Getty In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers prepare supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block which was destroyed in a fire REUTERS/Neil Hall In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Volunteers move a car to make space for a lorry picking up supplies for people affected by the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire People distribute boxes of food near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower bloc REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A woman touches a missing poster for 12-year-old Jessica Urbano on a tribute wall after laying flowers on the side of Latymer Community Church next to the fire-gutted Grenfell Tower AP In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire A man looks at messages written on a wall near the scene of the fire which destroyed the Grenfell Tower block REUTERS/Paul Hackett In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Candles and messages of condolence near where the fire broke out at Grenfell Tower EPA In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry a stretcher towards Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Emergency services at Grenfell Tower Rick Findler/PA Wire In Pictures: Grenfell Tower after the fire Police carry out a body from Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 24-storey building Rick Findler/PA Wire

But Samia Badani, who chairs the residents association for Bramley House, a block that overlooks the tower, said there were still serious concerns for the other roughly 9,000 properties managed by the TMO in the borough.

One thing for sure is the TMO is not fit for purpose, and we cannot forget the TMO manages more than 9,000 properties, she said.

There is no doubt in anybodys mind that the TMO needs to go completely. Grenfell has showed they cannot recover from that, there have been serious failings and there has been a fundamental breach of trust.

It seems from todays announcement that the council has the power to restrict functions of the TMO. Its clear we dont want them and we dont have faith in their ability.

Recommended Grenfell Tower residents are right to feel betrayed by the Government

Residents have repeatedly called for the TMO to be dissolved in the two months following the tragedy, and have accused representatives of hiding from the community.

The TMO has not attended any of the public meetings held by the Governments gold command since the fire on 14 June.

Its chief executive, Robert Black, stepped down in June in the face of growing public criticism of the organisations handling of the fire.

Earlier this month, his replacement, Elaine Elkington, failed to make a single reference to the tragedy in her first statement, sparking furious criticism from the local community.

Im looking forward to working with our resident-led board and with staff to move the organisation forward at a business-critical time and supporting our desire for continued service improvements, she said in a statement.
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Labour shadow minister Chris Williamson has come under fire from his own colleagues after suggesting women-only train carriages may be needed in the UK to tackle a rise in sexual assaults.

Highlighting the growing number of sexual offences reported to British Transport Police over the last year, the MP for Derby North said it would be worth consulting on the policy which could help create a safe space for female commuters.

But Mr Williamsons suggestion was quickly derided by his colleagues, with one adding it amounted to giving up on trying to prosecute assaults.

While segregated travel is available in some parts of the world, including India, Iran, Japan and Brazil, ladies only compartments were phased out on British railways in 1977.

An attempt to reintroduce them was first floated by Jeremy Corbyn during the 2015 leadership campaign but was quickly dropped following criticism from across the political spectrum. His rival at the time, Liz Kendall, said such a policy would be an admission of defeat, rather than a sustainable solution.

Mr Williamsons comments come as the latest figures show that 1,448 sexual offences on UK trains were reported in 2016-17 to the British Transport Police  up from 650 in 2012-13.

It would be worth consulting about it, the shadow emergency services minister told Politics Home. It was pooh-poohed [when Mr Corbyn suggested it] but these statistics seem to indicate there is some merit in examining that.

He continued: Complemented with having more guards on trains, it would be a way of combating these attacks, which have seen a worrying increase in the past few years.

Im not saying it has to happen, but it may create a safe space. It would be a matter of personal choice whether someone wanted to make use of it.

Responding to his comments the Labour MP Jess Phillips said it was an absolutely terrible idea that amounted to giving up on trying to prosecute assaults.

Also men should be incredibly annoyed by suggestion they cant control themselves, she added. Sexual violence isnt about urges its about power. If you take your feminist cues from Saudi Arabia youve gone wrong.

The Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy added: Doesnt keep women safe to restrict their movements  it normalises attacks. We need to be clear they are problem, not womens seating plans.

On the subject, in 2015, the Labour leader said: My intention would be to make public transport safer for everyone from the train platform to the bus stop to the mode of transport itself.

However, I would consult with women and open it up to hear their views on whether women-only carriages would be welcome  and also if piloting this at times and [on] modes of transport where harassment is reported most frequently would be of interest.
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A man who told police he was "tired" of eating human flesh after brandishing a woman's leg at them, is among four men to be charged with murder by authorities South Africa.

It is alleged that the suspects raped, killed and cut up the body of a woman, which they then consumed," police Colonel Thembeka Mbhele told the News24 website.

He added that there may be more than one victim.

Officers found more body parts, after the man took them back to a house in the city of Pietermaritzburg, near Durban.

Nino Mbatha, 32, Sthembiso Sithole, 31, Lindokuhle Masondo, 32, and Lungisani Magubane, 30, faced charges of murder and conspiracy to murder, when they appeared at Estcourt Magistrates Court earlier this week.

Police told the BBC that they fear that the men, two of whom are traditional healers, may be part of a larger syndicate.

An investigation has been launched into whether other people from the area may have been murdered by the men. Officers have urged those with missing relatives to contact police to allow DNA tests to be carried out.

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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 further report by News24s The Witness claimed as many as 300 villagers at a community meeting allegedly admitted to knowingly eating human flesh that was given to them by one of the men who had appeared in court and was known as a traditional healer.

Around 700 people were reportedly at the meeting.
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Hundreds of Moroccans have staged a mass sit-in in Casablanca on Wednesday evening in protest against the aggressive sexual assault of a woman on a bus, in a case that has sparked outrage across Morocco.

The 18 August assault was filmed and posted online, quickly going viral.

Protesters chanted "We are not afraid! Liberate public space!" as they marched in Morocco's largest city.

In the video, the 24-year-old victim can be seen crying, while a group of teenagers molest her, insult her and tear her clothes off. No passengers intervened to help as the footage was shot.

In a statement, Moroccan police said the victim had learning difficulties. At the time the video was posted online, no complaint had been filed by her or the driver of the bus.

Six teenagers were arrested on Monday, all between the ages of 15 and 17, according to authorities, who said the boys are now under investigation.

The same day, public transport company MDina Bus said the video was too short to determine whether the bus driver failed to do anything, saying: At this stage, contrary to commentary on social media, we cannot confirm that the driver failed to react.

Since the footage went public, some Moroccans have been posting on social media saying it was the womans own fault for being on a bus with so many men on it, though the majority of posters have displayed shock and anger.

More than 1,200 people said they planned to attend the sit-in on the events Facebook page. It concerns us all, we can no longer be silent, the protest description reads.

It could be my mother, sister or friend whos next <p> </p>

The US Mission in Morocco warned citizens to avoid the area.

Mamoun Arfal, a Casablanca resident planning to attend the demonstration, told The Independent he was concerned about the frequency of rapes in Moroccos biggest cities.

What is shocking is how other passengers as well as the bus driver were turning a blind eye to it, the 21-year-old student said. We cant let rapists think theyre free to do as they please, so Im attending because not only I need to stand for whats right but also because it might be my mother, sister or friend whos next.

Mr Arfal also said he had heard people victim-blaming. Ive even argued with my own family about it, he said. Common things youd hear are her parents shouldnt have allowed her to be out on her own because of her disability, he said.

I think the passive bystanders are just as bad as the rapists, another attendee told The Independent.

It makes me mad that things like this are still happening even though were supposedly taking a few steps forward in terms of womens rights, the 17-year-old said. Clearly not.

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

Sexual harassment, violence, and abuse of women is a major problem in Morocco. Nearly two-thirds of women have experienced sexual, physical, psychological or economic abuse, according to a national survey.

This is also not the first time a video showing harassment of a woman has sparked mass complaints. Earlier in August, 10 seconds of footage showing a woman being chased by a group of men in Tangier infuriated rights activists, but also sparked a debate about victim blaming after some Moroccans posted online saying it was the womans own fault for wearing jeans and a T-shirt.
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President Donald Trump threatened to shut down the government over border wall funding, said the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) is likely to be terminated and signalled that he was prepared to pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is anathema to the Latino community.

Trump's freewheeling comments came during a boisterous campaign rally here during which he also went on an extended diatribe about the media, blaming reporters for the negative fallout he has received over his responses to the hate-fuelled violence in Charlottesville.

Arpaio was convicted last month of criminal contempt for ignoring a federal judge's order to stop detaining people because he merely suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. A major Trump supporter during last year's campaign, he awaits sentencing.

So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? Trump asked the crowd. You know what, I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine, OK? But I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe should feel good.

Trump last week told Fox News that he was seriously considering'' a pardon for Arpaio and said he might do it soon, sparking speculation he would use Tuesday's campaign rally here to make the move.

In a speech that stretched well over an hour, Trump also expressed frustration with efforts to negotiate with Canada and Mexico to improve Nafta, saying he was more likely to terminate the deal. He also blamed obstructionist Democrats for standing in the way of funding for a US-Mexico border wall and suggested a government shutdown might be needed to force their hand. And Trump called for ending the filibuster rule requiring 60 votes for many issues in the US Senate, a move that Republican leaders have refused to embrace.

At the outset of the rally, Trump selectively recounted the series of statements he made in the days following the melee in Charlottesville, arguing that he spoke out forcefully against hatred and bigotry and violence but that the media - whom he called sick people - refused to report it properly.

You know where my heart is, Trump said, before pulling a copy of his first of three statements on the violence out of his suit coat and reading it to his audience. He later accused the media of giving a platform to the hate groups that were central to the violence in Charlottesville that led to three deaths.

Following his comments last week, Trump was criticised by Democrats and Republicans alike for blaming both sides for the violence and saying that fine people had marched along with white supremacists to protest the removal of a Confederate statue. He did not mention either of those remarks Tuesday.

The rally, organised by Trump's reelection campaign, came as the President continues to face criticism for his response to Charlottesville and feuds with fellow Republicans in Congress whose cooperation he will need to kick-start his sputtering legislative agenda next month.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Democrat, had urged Trump to not come to his city this week, saying that it was too tense of a time in the wake of the deadly Charlottesville clash between white nationalists and counter-protesters and that Trump could be setting the stage for more violent strife here. He also said that a pardon of Arpaio could make the situation even more dire.

Inside a partially filled Phoenix Convention Center, Trump was given a hero's welcome from supporters who chanted USA! USA! USA! and waved signs reading Drain the Swamp, Make America Strong Again and Make America Proud Again.

You were there from the start, you've been there every day since, and believe me, Arizona, I will never forget it, Trump said at the start of his remarks, referencing a large crowd he drew at the site early in his campaign. His crowd Tuesday night numbered in the thousands but did not completely fill the hall at the convention centre.

Before his arrival, Trump travelled to Yuma, where he received a closed briefing on border protection - something he touts as being among his administration's successes - and greeted Marines and their families, signing a couple of autographs on camouflage hats.

Donald Trump gestures to the crowd as he speaks to supporters at the Phoenix Convention Center (Getty)

Trump was greeted at the airport by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Republican, who was not expected to attend the rally. Nor were the state's two Republican senators, with whom Trump has been openly sparring.

There was a heavy police presence in downtown Phoenix, with law enforcement seeking to maintain civility between Trump supporters and detractors. Authorities used tear gas to disperse protesters after the rally ended.

About an hour before Trump was scheduled to arrive, hundreds of protesters gathered across the street, shouting, This is what democracy looks like! Metal barricades divided them from the red-capped people streaming into the rally, some grinning and waving.

A police officer wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest could not say how many people had come to demonstrate against the President's visit. A lot, he offered.

Uzma Jafri, a 40-year-old doctor from Phoenix, walked through the crowds of Trump supporters and protesters with a backpack of medical supplies. She said she came here to quickly treat anyone if violence broke out.

My ethical background, and my moral background, is to assist anyone who needs it - regardless of if they hate me, said Jafri, who poured a bottle of water over her black hijab in the 107-degree heat.

Brian Ratchford came to the event armed with a .357-calibre gun to defend Trump supporters if things got out of hand

He's an American for Americans, said Ratchford, 47, of Tucson. What Trump said after Charlottesville was perfect - people on both sides were causing the problems, said Ratchford, who had been outside the convention centre since 10 am.

Tuesday night's event was part of a familiar pattern for Trump.

When he finds himself under attack or slipping in popularity, he often holds a rally in a place like this: a diverse blue city that's home to liberal protesters but surrounded by red suburbs and rural towns filled with Trump supporters who will turn out in droves.

It happened in the first weeks of his presidential campaign, when he was dismissed as a sideshow and criticised for his comments on undocumented immigrants - only to be greeted by thousands of fans, along with protesters, at a rally at the convention centre.

Then in March 2016, when Trump grew frustrated that he still had not become the presumptive Republican nominee, he planned a massive rally in inner-city Chicago that attracted thousands of supporters but was cancelled at the last minute because of the high number of protesters. This March, when his presidency seemed constantly under attack, Trump held a rally in Nashville that attracted at least 2,500 protesters.

Unlike rallies in states that are solidly Republican, these events allow Trump to highlight the deep division in the country - and force voters to pick a side.

In Phoenix, campaign organisers expected more than 10,000 supporters to show up at the convention centre on Tuesday night, and numerous counter-protests were planned for outside the rally. Local activists said they hoped to outnumber the rallygoers, sending a clear message to the President after the Charlottesville rally this month that attracted neo- Nazis and white supremacists.

By coming here in a time of national crisis and a national question of where people stand, he is doubling down on his bigotry, continuing to race-bait and speak to his base, said Carlos Garcia, executive director of Puente Arizona, which advocates for migrants.

Phoenix is home to some of the most organised progressive activists in the country, and they have provided a much-studied example of how to fight at a grass-roots level to challenge lawmakers and change policies that target undocumented immigrants. The Phoenix area gave liberals one of their few victories last November: The ouster of Arpaio, the longtime Maricopa County sheriff, who was accused of encouraging his deputies to employ racial profiling and enforce federal immigration laws in the Phoenix suburbs.

In July, Arpaio was convicted of criminal contempt in Arizona for ignoring a judge's order to stop detaining people because he merely suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. His sentencing is scheduled for 5 October, and he faces up to six months in prison.

Last week, Trump told Fox News the former sheriff is a great American patriot who has done a lot in the fight against illegal immigration. Arpaio told CNN that he had not been invited to attend the Tuesday night rally.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters travelling with the President on Tuesday that Trump was not planning to announce a pardon for Arpaio at the rally.

There will be no discussion of that today at any point, and no action will be taken on that front at any point today, she said.

A pardon - whenever it might come - would be likely to ignite the anger of hundreds of activists who spent more than a decade peacefully pushing for change through traditional channels, as well as the voters who chose not to reelect him.

A pardon for Joe Arpaio is a pardon for white supremacy, Jess O'Connell, chief executive of the Democratic National Committee, said at a news conference here Monday.

Early Tuesday morning, local authorities closed streets near the convention centre and installed barricades along the sidewalks aimed at keeping protesters separated from rallygoers.Many businesses and government buildings downtown closed early.

Police outside the Phoenix Convention Centre (Matt York/AP)

In the hours before the rally, as Trump supporters lined up outside the convention site, a police officer on his motorcycle drove by, repeatedly offering this instruction: Folks, please drink water. If you wait until you're thirsty, it's too late.

Protest organisers said one challenge would be managing the hundreds of people not affiliated with their groups who showed up wanting to make a statement. Organisers and local lawmakers were urging a peaceful demonstration.

However, there were clashes after the rally, and police eventually used smoke canisters to disperse the crowds. No injuries were immediately reported.

While Democrats and immigration rights activists have been holding news conferences and speaking out against the President this week, Republicans have been quiet. No one answered the phone at the Arizona GOP offices on Monday or Tuesday.

Arizona's two Republican senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, have at times been critical of the President. Trump has tweeted praise of Kelli Ward, a former state lawmaker with far-right views and a long-shot Senate candidate who is challenging Flake.

In the hours leading up to the rally, a few dozen Ward supporters were out on the streets wearing yellow T-shirts reading TRUMP 2016/WARD 2018 on the front and MAKE ARIZONA GREAT AGAIN on the back.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

This was Trump's ninth rally in the state - and his fourth at the Phoenix Convention Center.

His first event at the convention centre was on 11 July 2015, a few weeks after he announced he was running for President and gave a rambling speech that cast undocumented immigrants as criminals and rapists.

Although those remarks prompted criticism and led several corporations to cut their business ties with him, the support for his campaign was evident in Phoenix, where he had to upgrade to a larger venue and then still had to turn away many supporters - a showing that shocked many Arizonans.

The Washington Post
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Donald Trump has defended a journalist who was recently fired from CNN for sending a Nazi salute to a prominent liberal activist.

Speaking at a campaign style rally in Phoenix, the US president launched into an animated defence of Jeffrey Lord and expressed his sympathy for the conservative commentator.

Earlier in the month, Mr Lord prompted outrage for tweeting Sieg Heil in response to an exchange with Angelo Carusone who is the president of Media Matters for America. After dismissing him, a CNN spokesperson said: Nazi salutes are indefensible. Jeffrey Lord is no longer with the network.

Addressing his supporters in Arizona, President Trump bemoaned the fact Mr Lord had been sacked.

They fired Jeffrey Lord. Poor Jeffrey, Mr Trump, who has repeatedly feuded with CNN, said exasperatedly.

"Jeffrey Lord. I guess he was getting a little bit fed up and was probably fighting back too hard and they said we gotta get out of here.

Mr Lord, who served as associate political editor under the Reagan administration, responded by thanking President Trump on Twitter.

After his Seig Heil tweet sparked controversy, Mr Lord claimed he used the phrase to be mocking. The expression, which means "hail victory," is banned in Germany because of its link with Adolph Hitler and his Nazi party.

Mr Lord is reportedly now in talks to join far-right online publication Breitbart as a contributor. This comes days after Steve Bannon, President Trumps former chief strategist who branded the site the platform for the alt-right last year, rejoined Breitbart as executive chairman after being sacked from his White House role.

Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Show all 22 1 /22 Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump talk as they leave the Army Museum at Les Invalides in Paris AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump arrive for the group photo at the G7 Taormina summit on the island of Sicily in May 2017 Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Mr Trump was pressed on the subject at the G7 summit in Italy Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump gives a speeech at the Warsaw Uprising Monument on Krasinski Square Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May during a ceremony at the NATO headquarters before the start of a summit in Brussels, Belgium Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic is seen to the right of Donald Trump at a Nato summit in Brussels REUTERS Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis meeting with US President Donald J. Trump EPA Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis poses with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump arrives at Palazzo del Quirinale ahead of the meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella Ufficio Stampa Presidenza della via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is seen during a joint press conference with the Palestinian leader at the presidential palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas meets US President Donald Trump PPO via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with US President Donald Trump prior to the President's departure GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after delivering a speech at the Israel Museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump lay a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance as White House senior advisor Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump watch on during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem accompanied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump takes his seat before his speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump look at a display of Saudi modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips King Salman presents Donald Trump with The Collar of Abdulaziz al-Saud Medal at the Royal Court Palace on 20 May AP Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk on the South Lawn prior to their first foreign trip Getty Images

President Trump also used his rally in Phoenix to launch into a barbed attack on the fake media, denouncing journalists as "truly dishonest people" who "don't like our country".

Outside the Phoenix convention centre, shouting matches and minor scuffles broke out between Trump supporters and some of the thousands of protesters who assembled. Police deployed gas and pepper spray to disperse crowds.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked President Trump to delay the political event to allow more time for national healing after Charlottesville.

In the lead up to the rally, Mr Stanton said he was disappointed President Trump would hold one of his signature campaign style rallies despite America being in a state of national turmoil over the three people killed at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville earlier in the month.

Neo-Nazis, KKK members, alt-right activists and others assembled in the Virginia city to protest the removal of a Confederate statue. Scores were left injured and one killed after a car ploughed into a crowd of anti-fascist demonstrators who had gathered to show their opposition to the far-right rally.
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Slavery is good history are not four words one often hears uttered in the same sentence but Donald Trumps former campaign spokesperson appears to think it is a plausible clause.

Katrina Pierson, who was national campaign spokeswoman for President Trump during the election, made the assertion while attempting to defend the continued existence of Confederate statues in the US.

Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi has been campaigning for the removal of Confederate statues in the wake of the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville which saw Neo-Nazis, KKK members, and alt-right activists descend on the Virginia city to protest the removal of such a statue there.

Clashes between the far-right and anti-fascist protesters broke out and scores were left injured and one killed after a car ploughed into a crowd of anti-fascist demonstrators.

During an appearance on Fox and Friends, Ms Pierson launched into an attack on the Democrat leader's campaign to pull down the statues.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

Pelosi wants to help these anarchists and these violent protestors tear down pieces of America, American culture and American history, she said.

Fellow guest Wendy Osefo, a Johns Hopkins University professor, interjected to say the monuments were not a symbol of patriotism but instead stood for hatred and division and should be kept in museums rather than on state grounds.

But Ms Pierson hit back, saying: It absolutely deserves a place because bad history is still good history for this country.

Ms Osefo then asked: Slavery is good history?

Ms Pierson replied: Considering where we are today! Where we are today! Absolutely!

Ms Pierson voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election and previously stated Malcolm X was her political hero and Martin Luther King was too moderate.

But she joined the American Tea Party movement in 2009 and has since become famed for her controversies. Branded Hurricane Katrina by Texas Monthly, her appearances on CNN have ended in a number of gaffes.

She incorrectly said that "tens of thousands" of troops had died in Iraq since 2004, and that Barack Obama had invaded Afghanistan when it was under George W Bush.

Whats more, she blamed Barack Obama for the 2004 death of soldier captain Humayan Khan despite the fact his death took place five years before Obama became president.

Ms Pelosi joined a group of other Democrats in demanding the removal of the statues from the Capitol last week.

There is no room for celebrating the violent bigotry of the men of the Confederacy in the hallowed halls of the United States Capitol or in places of honour across the country, she said in a statement.


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A Michigan man convicted in the 1995 murder of another man who expressed romantic interest in him on national television has been released from prison.

Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz says in an email that 47-year-old Jonathan Schmitz was released on Tuesday from a prison facility in Jackson.

Schmitz was 24 years old when 32-year-old acquaintance Scott Amedure revealed he was romantically interested in him during a taping of the Jenny Jones Show. Schmitz, who said he wasnt gay, fatally shot Amedure in Lake Orion three days after the taping.

Schmitz turned himself in to police, saying he killed Amedure because he was embarrassed on national television. He was sentenced 25 to 50 years for second-degree murder and was granted parole after a March hearing.

AP
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A New Jersey man who thought hed lost his wedding ring forever was shocked when it was returned to him  almost a year to the day after he lost it.

Mickey Walsh was on vacation in Ocean City, New Jersey when he lost his wedding ring to the ocean waves. He thought the ring was gone for good until this year, when his wife spotted what looked like his ring in a Facebook post.

My son found this mens wedding band today 8/17/17, the post read, according to CBS Philly. Between 7th & 8th street beach in OCNJ. No inscription inside or outside. Please help us find the owner. Every share helps. Thank you!

The ring had been discovered by Daniel Barr, an 11-year-old Ocean City resident who was visiting the beach with his mother, Kristen. Ms Barr said her son walked up and down the beach fruitlessly, searching for the rings owner. After coming up short, the pair decided to post their message on Facebook.

Thats how Mr Walshs wife spotted the post.

I was at work and my wife texted me, Hey I think someone found your ring, Mr Walsh told CBS.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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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. 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Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. 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 Walshes quickly sent over all the details they could remember about the ring, plus a couple of old photos. Ms Barr compared the details to an assessment she obtained from a local jeweller.

[Ms Walsh] sent me photos and sure enough, they were a match, Ms Barr said. She even knew the correct ring size and all.

The Barrs returned the wedding ring, and the Walshes celebrated their anniversary just a few days later.

Im extremely proud of my son for going above and beyond to find the owner, Ms Barr said. It felt really nice to be able to return something that has so much sentimental value to the owner.
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The remains of a missing autistic teenage girl who left her adopted parents and went to live with her biological mother have been discovered in a pit on a Missouri farm.

Savannah Leckie, 16, moved in with her birth mother, Rebecca Ruud, 39, last year.

Ms Ruud has been charged with her murder, abusing a child, tampering with evidence and abandoning a corpse, said Ozark County Prosecutor John Garrabrant.

Savannah was missing before police officers searching for her on Ms Ruuds remote farm found burned bones and teeth in a fire pit.

Forensic tests later confirmed the remains belonged to Savannah, police said.

Officers also found a meat grinder, knives and 26 bottles of lye, which can accelerate the decomposition of human flesh.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Savannah reportedly returned to living with her biological mother in November 2016 after her adopted parents divorced.

Ms Ruud's ex-boyfriend, Buddy Smart, told investigators he had seen her discipline Savannah by forcing her to crawl through a pig pen and making her to bathe in a pond, a legal document stated.

It added that she admitted this was true and told investigators that when Savannah cut her arm "in a suicidal gesture," she forced the girl to scrub the wound daily with alcohol and salt as punishment.

According to a legal document, Ms Ruud reported a fire on 18 July on her property in Theodosia, a small village near Missouri's southern border with Arkansas.

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

She told fire officials she was burned trying to save the girl from the fire, but refused to let them talk to Savannah.

Two days later, Ms Ruud reported that Savannah had gone missing, investigators said. She later gave differing accounts of how she was injured but claimed Savannah ran away because she blamed herself for starting the fire.

But Ms Ruud was arrested at a bus station, where she had a ticket to go to Kansas City.

Additional reporting by AP
Politics is not a game of tag. Its much harder than that.

As swimming ironmans and fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan demonstrate, I am not someone, thankfully, who shies from challenges out of fear or difficulty. In fact, I thrive best unwinding intractable problems and confronting long rooted and inefficient power structures. Nevada has plenty of both.

As Governor, I would want to meet those challenges and fix what is broken in education, health care, and retirement security, and break new ground in technology, renewables, and defense. I would shoulder happily the daily grind and push Nevada to be the best version of herself, and even  quite possibly  show Nevadans what they never thought they could be. Those aspirations are hard, but exciting too, and worthy of a great state and a great people.

I care about Nevada. It is my birthplace, my home, the land where my grandparents lay at rest, many of my uncles and cousins, sadly my dad, and one day, me. My family is rooted deep in Nevada soil.

Nothing would give me greater honor than standing for Governor, and being judged by my fellow citizens. Ive tried to lead a good and honorable life. Ive listened to my teachers. Ive tried to give more than Ive received. Ive served Nevada, been to war for my country, started businesses, employed hundreds of people, written books, and given scholarships to help kids go to college. I hope that my fellow Nevadans would find me worthy of their vote. Ive done my best and hope to do more.

But for now, as much as I want to, I cannot run for Governor in 2018. This decision weighed heavily on me, and I did not arrive at it easily. My technology company is thriving. My employees rely on me to keep it thriving for their sake and their families. They matter to me. They are more than employees, they are friends and colleagues. Weve shared a journey together. I cannot split my allegiance between running my company for them, and running a campaign for the people of Nevada, no matter how tantalizing and exciting the opportunity.

Saying no now, however, does not mean no forever. Now may not be my time, but I may reconsider after 2018 when I can devote all I have and all I am to advancing my home state.

When that day comes, I hope the people of Nevada might then enter the voting booth and say with one voice, Tag, youre it.

My sincerest and heartfelt thank you to everyone who encouraged me, for the emails and texts and phone calls, for the good wishes and prayers. I have found nuggets of gold all over the Silver State.

My best to the people of Nevada.
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A wanted sex offender has been arrested after he stepped outside to get a better view of the solar eclipse.

Ladarius Martez Blue, from Waterloo, Iowa, was captured as part of an "Operation Most Wanted" search by the state's Fugitive Task Force.

The 26-year-old, who had failed to register as a sex offender in Iowa, had been missing since June, The Gazette reported.

He had admitted to a lascivious act with a child under 13 and was convicted in 2010.

 Donald Trump mocked for looking at solar eclipse without eye protection

Police set up surveillance on a location where Blue was believed to be hiding.

As the total solar eclipse swept across the US, he stepped outside to get a better view.

Officers were able to "positively identify Blue as he exited a residence in what appeared to be an attempt to observe the solar eclipse" and approached him, when he ran off on foot.

He was captured after a concerned member of the public called police to say they had spotted Blue climbing into a waste container.

Solar eclipse 2017 Show all 12 1 /12 Solar eclipse 2017 Solar eclipse 2017 A handout photo made available by NASA shows the Moon as it starts passing in front of the Sun during a solar eclipse from Ross Lake, Northern Cascades National Park, Washington, USA, 21 August 2017. The 21 August 2017 total solar eclipse will last a maximum of 2 minutes 43 seconds and the thin path of totality will pass through portions of 14 US states, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) EPA Solar eclipse 2017 The sun is projected on the ground glass (bottom) as photographer C.D. Olsen adjusts his replica of the Kew Photo Heliograph camera, which he will use to make a glass plate photograph of the total solar eclipse, outside the football stadium at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, U.S REUTERS Solar eclipse 2017 The sun emerges through clouds and fog cover before the solar eclipse in Depoe Bay, Oregon REUTERS Solar eclipse 2017 A boy uses solar viewing glasses as the sun emerges through fog cover before the solar eclipse in Depoe Bay, Oregon REUTERS Solar eclipse 2017 First responders and city officials man the emergency operations center in Charleston, South Carolina, on the day of the total solar eclipse AFP/Getty Images Solar eclipse 2017 A man looks through his solar viewing glasses after purchasing them to watch the total solar eclipse in New York City REUTERS Solar eclipse 2017 People are seen lining up outside the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum as a sign indicates there are no more eclipse glasses on the National Mall before an eclipse August 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Sun started to vanish behind the Moon as the partial phase of the so-called Great American Eclipse began Monday, with millions of eager sky-gazers soon to witness "totality" across the nation for the first time in nearly a century AFP/Getty Images Solar eclipse 2017 Solar Eclipse in Depoe Bay, Oregon, U. REUTERS Solar eclipse 2017 People watch the start of the solar eclipse and raise their hands in prayer in an eclipse viewing event led by Native American elders, at Big Summit Prairie ranch in Oregon's Ochoco National Forest near the city of Mitchell on August 21, 2017. The Sun started to vanish behind the Moon as the partial phase of the so-called Great American Eclipse began Monday, with millions of eager sky-gazers soon to witness "totality" across the nation for the first time in nearly a century AFP/Getty Images Solar eclipse 2017 People line up on a bridge as the sun emerges through fog cover before the solar eclipse in Depoe Bay, Oregon, U.S REUTERS Solar eclipse 2017 The Sun rises behind Jack Mountain ahead of the solar eclipse in Ross Lake, Northern Cascades National Park, Washington, U.S REUTERS Solar eclipse 2017 The sun rises over Grand Teton National Park on August 21, 2017 outside Jackson, Wyoming. Thousands of people have flocked to the Jackson and Teton National Park area for the 2017 solar eclipse which will be one of the areas that will experience a 100% eclipse Getty Images

Blue was taken to Linn County Correctional Centre and now faces additional charges.
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The commander of the Navy's 7th Fleet will be dismissed after a series of warship accidents in the Pacific this year, two US officials said on Wednesday.

One official said that Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin was being removed because of the leadership's loss of confidence in his ability to command. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the decision.

The move follows four Navy accidents in the Pacific since late January, including two collisions that left sailors dead and missing.

While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation, Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Scott Swift said late on Tuesday.

He said the Navy would carry out a deliberate re-set of all its ships in the Pacific, focused on navigation, mechanical systems and bridge resource management. It would include training and an expert assessment of each ship.

Seven sailors died in June after the USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship off Japan. On Monday, the USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker collided off Singapore, injuring five sailors and leaving 10 others missing.

Swift, speaking at a news conference in Singapore where the McCain is now docked, said Navy divers had found remains of some of the missing in a flooded compartment in the ship. He also said Malaysians assisting in the search had found a body, but it had not been determined if it was a McCain crew member.

At least three of the 10 missing sailors have been identified by family.

Crew member Logan Palmer is from the Decatur, Illinois, area and his mother identified him as missing, US Representative Rodney Davis said.

April Brandon in Michigan said the military informed her that her son, Ken Smith, is missing. She said Smith's father, stepmother and grandfather served in the Navy. Brandon said, His father and I couldn't be prouder of our son.

The family of Jacob Drake of Ohio was told he was among the missing, the Columbus Dispatched reported. Megan Partlow told the Associated Press that Drake was her fiancee and she'd last had contact with him Sunday in a text message.

The collision at daybreak in a busy shipping area tore a gaping hole in the McCain's left rear hull and flooded adjacent compartments including crew berths and machinery and communication rooms.

The cause of the collision has not been determined. The Navy previously said there was no evidence it was intentional, or that it was a result of sabotage or cyber-intrusion.

The Navy last week said the Fitzgerald's captain was being relieved of his command and other sailors were being punished after poor seamanship and flaws in keeping watch were found to have contributed to its collision. An investigation into how and why the Fitzgerald collided with the other ship was not finished, but enough details were known to take those actions, the Navy said.

There were two lesser-known incidents in the first half of the year. In January, the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka base, the home port of the 7th Fleet, and in May another cruiser, the USS Lake Champlain from the Navy's 3rd Fleet, had a minor collision with a South Korean fishing boat.

The decision to remove Aucoin was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

He assumed command of the 7th Fleet in September 2015 and was due to retire in a few weeks, one of the US officials said. His successor, Rear Admiral Phillip Sawyer, has already been named.

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

Aucoin, a career flight officer, served in five fighter squadrons and flew in more than 150 combat missions, according to Navy biographies. He commanded a carrier air wing aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and a carrier strike group based in Bremerton, Washington. Prior to heading the 7th Fleet, he was deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems.

The 7th Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan, has 50 to 70 ships and submarines, 140 aircraft and about 20,000 sailors.

AP
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Shortly after Donald Trump claimed North Korea was starting to respect us, the regime shot back by criticising the President's Twitter habits.

In a post published by the state-run KCNA news agency, the North Korean government accused Mr Trump of posting "weird articles of his ego-driven thoughts in his Twitter" and "spout[ing] rubbish to make his assistants have a hard time.

Mr Trump has tweeted numerous times about North Korea, at one point admonishing them for behaving very badly.

North Korea has just launched another missile, the President tweeted in July. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life?

North Korea would later go on to test yet another missile, and eventually develop the capacity to fit nuclear warheads onto intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of hitting the US.

In August, the regime threatened to cover the US territory of Guam in "enveloping fire, leading to a tense standoff between the two countries. Pyongyang later retracted its threat on Guam, but warned that the decision could change "if the Yankees persist in their extremely dangerous reckless actions.

In pictures: North Korea military drill Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: North Korea military drill In pictures: North Korea military drill North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video

At a campaign rally on Tuesday, Mr Trump told supporters that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is "starting to respect us.

I respect that fact very much. Respect that fact, Mr Trump said. And maybe, probably not, but maybe something positive can come about.

While both Mr Trump and his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, seemed to signal that the conflict was dwindling this week, Pyongyang was unrepentant in its latest KCNA release.

"The US should not forget that their opponent is armed with nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles," it said, warning the US to cease joint military drills with South Korea.

"This drill is too radical and dangerous to wrap this precarious action as 'yearly' and 'defensive,'" it added.

The report also critiqued South Korea's defence minister as a "running dog of the US" who is "pinning hope on that mad guy  an allusion to Mr Trump.

The US President, it said, spouted rubbish that if a war breaks out, it would be on the Korean peninsula, and if thousands of people die, they would be only Koreans and Americans may sleep a sound sleep.
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Donald Trumps Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said it is time for Afghanistan and the Taliban to begin hammering out a peace accord and that Pakistan can play an important role in delivering the Taliban to the negotiating table.

Fighting is going to take everyone nowhere, Mr Tillerson told reporters at the State Department in Washington, DC, adding that the US wants to facilitate a reconciliation and peace process but it will ultimately be the responsibility of the Afghan government and the Taliban to sit down and sort this out.

We are going to be there to encourage others, Mr Tillerson said. But it is going to be up to the Afghan government and the representatives of the Taliban to work through a reconciliation process on what will serve their needs and achieve the American peoples objectives, which is security  No safe haven for terrorists to operate anywhere in Afghanistan now or in the future.

He also said has been an erosion of trust between the US and Pakistan in recent years because we have witnessed terrorist organisations being given safe haven inside of Pakistan to plan and carry out attacks against US servicemen, US officials, disrupting peace efforts inside of Afghanistan.

Pakistan must adopt a different approach, and we are ready to work with them to help them protect themselves against these terrorist organisations ... We are going to be conditioning our support for Pakistan and our relationship with them on them delivering results in this area, Mr Tillerson added, suggesting that the US would cut off its monetary aid to the country if it does not alter its behavior.

The idea of US leverage in Pakistan is deeply exaggerated, Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the US-based Wilson Center's Asia Program, said in an email to the Associated Press. No matter the punishment, policy, or inducement, there's little reason to believe that Pakistan will change its ways.

Pakistan has an unshakeable strategic interest in maintaining ties to militant groups like the Taliban because they help keep Pakistan's Indian enemy at bay in Afghanistan, he added.

The US has been accusing Pakistan of providing safe havens to terrorists for years, and both Democratic and Republican administrations have attempted to address the issue.

On Monday night, Mr Trump declared, We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change, and that will change immediately.

The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

In a reversal of his stance on Afghanistan, Mr Trump said this week that he would carry on the nearly 16-year-old war, promising that American troops will fight to win.

While Mr Trump did not specify how many US troops he would send to the country, Mr Tillerson said the troop levels would be announced when the decision is made.

Defence Secretary James Mattis also declined to say how many more troops will be deployed in Afghanistan.

I'd prefer not to go into those numbers right now," Mr Mattis said during a press conference in Baghdad, adding, There is a number that I'm authorized to go up to.

There are an estimated 8,400 US troops currently serving in Afghanistan. While a portion is involved in counterterrorism operations against al-Qaeda and Isis-Khorasan, the Isis affiliate in the country, the majority are part of a mission that trains, advises and assists Afghan security forces in their fight against the Taliban insurgency.

The question is whether US and Afghan forces, even if bolstered by a new strategy involving more troops to target the Taliban, can bring enough pressure to push the war towards a settlement.

Critics of an escalation have argued that even the Obama-era surge did not bring any Taliban concessions.

Iran's 'Trumpism' contest Show all 10 1 /10 Iran's 'Trumpism' contest Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images Iran's 'Trumpism' contest AFP/Getty Images

The President, who won the White House in part on a promise to reduce intervention in overseas conflicts, also said on Monday it is up to the people of Afghanistan to take ownership of their future, to govern their society, and to achieve an everlasting peace.

We are not nation-building again, Mr Trump emphasised. We are killing terrorists.

In a statement following Mr Trumps remarks, Mr Tillerson said this new strategy signals clear support for the Afghan people and government.

Mr Tillerson said on Tuesday that how Afghanistan organises itself is up to them, pointing out that Mr Trump said the county can choose the form of government that best suits the need of its people as long as it rejects terrorism.

During the press conference, Mr Tillerson commented again on the US governments plan to diplomatically engage Pakistan, Afghanistan and India to create the conditions for stability in the region.

India is emerging as a very important regional strategic partner with the United States, Mr Tillerson said. It has played an important role supporting the Afghan government and their economy.

But experts appear to feel differently about the level that Pakistans great rival India should be involved.

Upgrading the Indian role in Afghanistan basically means perpetuating the hostilities, Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies, told the Associated Press.

Zahid Hussain, a Pakistani security analyst, said to Reuters that Trump's policy of engaging India and threatening action may actually constrain Pakistan and lead to the opposite of what he wants.
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In a speech regarding the US approach to the 16-year war in Afghanistan, Donald Trump said he wants to keep the number of additional troops being sent a secret but that is likely not going to happen.

He said it was part of the plan to remain unpredictable to the Taliban, who are currently holding territory in various parts of Afghanistan.

Americas enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out. I will not say when we are going to attack, but attack we will, Mr Trump declared in front of a mostly military crowd at Fort Meyer in Arlington, Virginia.

But, it appears to be more for politics than security according to Asha Castleberry, an Adjunct Fellow at the American Security Project, who said it would not have mattered to US generals whether the number of troops was revealed or not.

Ms Castleberry told The Independent that the Presidents decision whether to reveal troop level numbers does not hurt the military, its more optics.

The President may have appeared 'tougher' on security to his American security-conscious base and those who worried he would not have the capacity to listen to the several military leaders in his Cabinet.

It's a tactic to throw them off. What counts is what they see on the ground and what's going to stop the Taliban in Southern Afghanistan, she said.

It is the Presidents discretion to keep troop numbers secret, however he still has to make a budget request to Congress to cover the cost of these additional troops.

Based on the amount of money requested, an estimated number of troops could be guessed according to Matthew Vallone, Director of Research at Washington-based at aerospace and defence consulting firm Avascent.

Mr Vallone told The Independent that since the budget submitted in May this coming fiscal year does not include funding for additional forces in Afghanistan, the administration will need to submit a supplemental request to Congress.

War artists in Afghanistan Show all 6 1 /6 War artists in Afghanistan War artists in Afghanistan Work by Matthew Cook Matthew Cook War artists in Afghanistan War artists in Afghanistan Work by Jules George Jules George War artists in Afghanistan Embedded: Jules George War artists in Afghanistan Work by Jules George Jules George War artists in Afghanistan Trooping the colours: Jules George was inspired by his father and grandfather to witness and document war, if not to wage it Jules George

That will give us some indication as to what hes requesting, but he could roll up additional items into a request if he so desired, Mr Vallone said.

However, the appropriations process would most certainly reveal the number of troops if a member of Congress or aide does not do it first.

Congress tends to guard very closely its power of the purse, Mr Vallone explained.

He noted that there will be an itemised list of spending in the Congressional appropriations process that will delineate between personnel and equipment costs.

This is not just true for the regular budget, but also supplemental requests such as what Mr Trump will have to submit for the troop surge.

The approximate cost $1.2 million (936,000) per soldier per year deployed.

According to the non-partisan Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, the cost is roughly $1.4 million (1.1 million), while the Defence Department has quoted a figure of $850,000 (663,000).

Mr Trump could also declare that sharing the number of troops would pose a national security risk, though Mr Vallone said that was unlikely to happen and if it does, be sustainable in an administration full of leaks.

Ms Castleberry, an Army veteran herself, thinks this latest surge is not a bad idea. She too worries about the "vacuum" created in Iraq for Isis to take a stronghold, replicating itself in Afghanistan.

Having a larger military force in South Asia would give the Afghan Security Forces the confidence, training, and air power support to fight the Taliban, she explained.

But, she also said this strategy and troop surge is no different than what Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama had done - just that they chose to communicate to the American people what was being done with their tax dollars.

Ms Castleberry does see the advantage of a ground-driven approach, adding that Washington should not be dictating what happens in the field.

Conditions on the ground -- not arbitrary timetables -- will guide our strategy from now on, Mr Trump said in the speech, but without a timeline, or end state, some worry that the war will continue as it has done for much of the last 16 years.

We can't just use military to bring peace and security, there has to be a diplomatic component too, Ms Castleberry argued.

That is another issue which could be revealed by looking at the appropriations budget breakdown is a restoration of diplomatic budget cuts, as well.

Mr Trump has previously thanked Russian Vladimir Putin for expelling US diplomats since it would save the US money.

He has repeatedly said he would his administration would reduce wasteful spending and in his federal budget proposal there are dramatic cuts to the State Department, approximately 26 per cent.

Mr Vallone said he is curious as to how some of the commitments made [during the speech] to support Afghanistan will square with the proposed diplomatic cuts.

He's gutting the State Department, we need that in place to reconstitute the area and interact with Afghan people, Ms Castleberry warned.

She noted the President has already closed the State Department office responsible for Afghanistan and Pakistan diplomacy.

 Donald Trump says no 'blank cheque' for Afghanistan

Mr Trump said the US would not be nation-building in Afghanistan, but in a contradicting statement said there would also be economic development in the country through US help.

The two do not appear to be mutually exclusive and involve both the military and the State Departments Agency for International Development (USAID).

Mr Vallone said there is a possibility some of the diplomatic cuts could be restored through the supplemental budget request for the troop surge.

Not explicitly revealing the number of troops and not being able to nail down an exact figure per troop could somewhat obscure recovery of some diplomatic functions in the appropriations breakdown.

The White House nor State Department have responded as yet to a request for comment on if diplomatic functions could be restored through the troop surge budget request.

Mr Trump also called on India, Pakistan, and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) allies to do more.

He specifically called on Nato members to also send more troops as part of the military alliance.

Heather Conley, Director of the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies told The Independent that it is safe to assume that Pentagon officials are sharing their anticipated force posture with select Nato allies.

However, she does not think that Nato allies will actually send more troops simply because Mr Trump has requested them to do so.

This new strategy on South Asia Mr Trump has been touting is not so new and Ms Conley thinks Nato allies will just re-state their current commitment to the war.

She said it does not directly have to do with Mr Trumps much-delayed, explicit commitment to Article 5 of Nato - which states that an attack on member is an attack on all of them.

However, it has more to do with the challenge of European political leaders appearing to publicly support a deeply unpopular US president combined with the uncertainty of US policy in the region.

These leaders are also facing increased security challenges from Russia and the African continent as well.

Mr Trump also said during his speech that a wound inflicted upon a single member of our community is a wound inflicted upon us all, in an apparent reference to the violence in Charlottesville when neo-Nazi, Klu Klux Klan, and other white supremacists clashed with counter-protesters.

However, Ms Conley said that the statement showed his lack of understanding of why it was so important for the US to reaffirm Article 5.

Mr Trump did not do so in a speech as he stood in front of a piece of the Twin Towers, a Nato Headquarters memorial to the alliance first and only invocation of Article 5.

The White House should reflect upon this irony should Nato allies demur to send additional forces to Afghanistan, said Ms Conley.
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Democrats have said they will oppose Donald Trump's nominee for the Department of Agriculture's chief scientist, a well-known climate change skeptic.

Charles Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, and Senator Brian Schatz said the President's decision to pick Sam Clovis to be an undersecretary at the Agriculture Department sends a clear as day message to the world that this administration continues to tolerate hate.

President Trump should withdraw the Clovis nomination immediately  not only because he is a proud skeptic of climate change and wildly unqualified ... but also as a gesture to the American people that this administration is serious about rooting out the most hateful voices in our society, the two lawmakers said in a joint statement.

Recommended Trump nominee admits Obama inauguration crowd size was bigger

They added that if the administration doesnt withdraw its nomination of Mr Clovis, Democrats will vehemently oppose his nomination and urge our colleagues from both parties to come together and summarily reject him as well.

Mr Clovis has a BS in political science, a Master of Business Administration degree and a doctorate in public administration, according to the White House. The post for which he is being nominated  the Agriculture Departments undersecretary for research, education and economics  has traditionally been held by individuals with advanced degrees in hard sciences or medicine.

Mr Clovis only needs a simple majority of votes in the 100-member Senate to be confirmed. In order for Mr Shumers and Mr Schatzs efforts to be successful, three Republican senators would have to join all 48 Democrats in opposing the confirmation of Mr Clovis.

Mr Clovis has a history of making controversial statements, including his suggestion that former President Barack Obama wanted to enslave his opponents and that Mr Obama was happy about the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya that killed the US ambassador and three other Americans.

The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

The extremist views Mr Clovis has expressed and the racist conspiracy theories he has stoked about President Obama, former Attorney General Eric Holder, members of the LGBT community and others have zero place in the public discourse, much less coming from the highest levels of our government, Mr Schumer and Mr Schatz said in their statement.

In a 2011 blog post, Mr Clovis called progressives race traders, according to CNN. He has also suggested that the legalisation of same-sex marriage could result in the legalisation of pedophilia.

If we protect LGBT behavior, what other behaviors are we going to protect? Are we going to protect pedophilia? he asked in a video uncovered by CNN's investigative unit. We're not thinking the consequences of these decisions through.

Mr Clovis, who served as one of Mr Trump's first campaign policy advisors, is a former economics professor at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa.

In an interview with Iowa Public Radio in 2014, he said he was extremely skeptical about climate change, adding that a lot of the science is junk science.

Its not proven; I dont think theres any substantive information available to me that doesnt raise as many questions as it does answers, Mr Clovis said. So Im a skeptic.
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In an early test of Donald Trump-era immigration enforcement, a man who was deported from the US despite having secured federal protection for young immigrants is getting his day in court.

The case of Juan Manuel Montes Bojorquez has crystallised ongoing questions about whether the Trump administrations hard line on immigration will extend to so-called 'Dreamers', or immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children. Immigrant advocates who fear a wide-ranging crackdown say Mr Montes is among the first 'Dreamers' to be deported under the new administration.

A programme launched under the Obama administration called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, allows those immigrants to receive work authorisation and reprieves from potential deportation. Mr Montes arrived in America as a nine-year-old, according to a court document, and won DACA status in 2014. He renewed the status in 2016, which should have covered him through to 2018.

Recommended States that voted for Trump have the lowest immigrant populations

Immigration advocates say Mr Montes was removed from America despite that DACA shield, an account the federal government disputes. According to a complaint filed by the National Immigrant Law Center, Mr Montes was detained by Customs and Border Patrol agents in Calexico, California and deported despite his protected status. The Department of Homeland Security has countered that there is no record of that interaction.

Both sides agree that Mr Montes subsequently was caught attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. His lawsuit argues that he feared for his life after being attacked by a knife-wielding assailant.

The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

In a twist highlighting Mr Trumps charged record on immigration, a judge whom Mr Trump attacked as impartial because he is Mexican-American will be hearing Mr Montes case. During the campaign, Mr Trump fomented outrage by accusing Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who was overseeing a case against Trump University, of having an absolute conflict because of his Mexican heritage. The case was eventually settled for $25 million.

While Mr Trump vowed to end the DACA program during a campaign animated by a tough-on-immigration message, he has proven reluctant to do so since taking office. The issue has split state officials, who signed onto dueling letters urging Mr Trump to either dissolve or preserve the program. Mr Trumps aides are pushing him to maintain the program and use it as leverage toward a larger deal, according to McClatchy.
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Donald Trump has used a rally in Phoenix to blast the "fake media" for misrepresenting his remarks over the violence in Charlottesville, condemning journalists as "truly dishonest people" who "don't like our country".

Back in his comfort zone among his supporters, the President claimed his response to the Virginia protests and counter-protests was "perfect".

Yet he then went on to read out portions of his various statements on Charlottesville from the past week, in which he condemned white supremacists, missing out the most controversial lines in which he said there was blame for the violence "on all sides".

In a rambling and wide-ranging speech also touching the issues of North Korea, Nafta and the Mexico border wall, Mr Trump provoked choruses of boos at his mention of the media, accusing journalists of warping his various Charlottesville statements by suggesting he was providing a platform for extremist groups.

Mr Trump opened the rally with a call for unity, saying: What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America and tonight, this entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs that perpetrated hatred and violence.

But he quickly trained his ire on the media, shouting that he openly called for healing unity and love in the immediate aftermath of Charlottesville and claiming the media had misrepresented him. He read from his three responses to the violence  getting more animated with each one.

Eventually moving on, he returned to the familiar theme of Democrats "obstructing" Republican legislation on healthcare and other bills, but also pushing the crowd to "speak to their senator".

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

Mr Trump spoke after Vice President Mike Pence and others called repeatedly for unity.

Housing Secretary Ben Carson and Dr Alveda King, the niece of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr, were among the openers. Franklin Graham, son of the evangelist Billy Graham, led the rally-goers in prayer, saying, We're divided racially, and we're adrift morally.

Outside the Phoenix convention centre, shouting matches and minor scuffles erupted between Trump supporters and some of the thousands of protesters gathered near the site of his latest campaign rally. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked Mr Trump to delay his political event to allow for more time of national healing after Charlottesville.

 Donald Trump blames both sides for Charlottesville violence

In the comfort of his most fervent fans, Mr Trump resurrected his free-wheeling 2016 campaign style, pinging insults at perceived enemies such as the media and meandering from topic to topic without a clear theme.

Neither of Arizona's two Republican senators appeared with Mr Trump. Republican Senator Jeff Flake, a conservative, has been a frequent target of Mr Trump's wrath.

The President tweeted last week: Great to see that Dr Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He's toxic! Flake has been on tour promoting his book that says the Republican Party's embrace of Mr Trump has left conservatism withering.

At the rally, Mr Trump said he would mention no names, but appeared to reference Mr Flake by again talking about a local Senator who is "weak on borders", adding that "nobody knows who he is".

Arizona's other senator, John McCain, is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer. Mr Trump has been critical of McCain for voting against a Republican health care bill.

The President also hailed what he framed as a possible improvement in relations with North Korea after months of mounting tension over its weapons programmes.

"I respect the fact that he is starting to respect us," he said of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

"And maybe - probably not, but maybe - something positive can come about."

On Mexico, Mr Trump accused Democrats of "putting America's safety at risk" with their opposition to his plan to dramatically increase security measures on the US's southern border.

He claimed immigration officers had told him a wall was "vital" and threatened to bring Washington to a halt if Congress opposed him, without providing specifics. "If we have to close down government, we are building that wall," he said.

And on trade, Mr Trump said he would "probably end up terminating Nafta", a proposed trade deal he has criticised in the past. That's despite the fact that representatives of the countries involved - the US, Canada and Mexico - are due to begin a new round of negotiations in a little over a week's time.

Tuesday's events put Mr Trump in more comfortable political territory than in recent days.

He began his Arizona visit with a brief trip to the southern edge of the country.

While touring a Marine Corps base in Yuma that is a hub of operations for the US Border Patrol, Trump inspected a drone and other border equipment on display in a hangar.

Mr Trump shook his head as he was shown a series of everyday objects, such as a fire extinguisher, that had been refashioned to secretly transport drugs across the border. Afterward, he spent about 20 minutes greeting service members in the gruelling, 106-degree heat, signing caps with his Make America Great Again campaign slogan and posing for selfies on the tarmac just steps from Air Force One.
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Police deployed gas to disperse crowds in Phoenix, Arizona, after protesters outside a rally by US President Donald Trump threw rocks and bottles, police said.

People in the crowd have begun throwing rocks and bottles at police. They also dispersed some gas in the area, Phoenix Police Department spokesman Sergeant Jonathan Howard said.

Police have responded with pepper balls and OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray in an attempt to disperse the crowd and stop the assaults, he said.

Police have not given an estimate of the number of protesters who turned out for the event, but Arizona media said there were several thousand people.

Media reports said some protesters had thrown bottles at police.

Earlier, minor scuffles and shouting matches erupted between protesters and Mr Trump's supporters, with authorities on high alert as thousands of people lined up in the triple-digit heat to attend his first political rally since the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The scene was noisy, but largely peaceful as Phoenix police kept most members of the two opposing groups behind barricades and apart on separate sides of the street. As a police helicopter hovered overhead, officers wearing riot gear and carrying rifles sauntered through the lane between the sides. Authorities said no one was arrested, though a few were treated for heat exhaustion.

Local authorities were vigilant in the aftermath of the deadly protests in Virginia and the president's comments last week about both sides having blame for violence at the white supremacist rally. Mayor Greg Stanton had unsuccessfully called on the president to not hold the rally here so soon after the trouble in Charlottesville.

Toxic Trump, read one protest sign held up to the president's supporters streaming into the Phoenix Convention Centre downtown. Lock Him Up! read another, a reference to earlier campaign chants by Trump and his backers about his election rival Hillary Clinton.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

Dillon Scott of Phoenix, who voted for Clinton, said he came out to express dissatisfaction with how long Trump took to denounce racism after the Charlottesville violence.

No one should be allowed to get away with what he gets away with, especially in political office, Mr Scott said.

Meanwhile, a group of protesters chanted, Wrong side of history! Wrong side of history!

Trump backer Randy Hutson, a retired Phoenix police officer, began standing in line more than seven hours before the speech was to start. He is the first president I feel in my lifetime that speaks his mind and speaks from the heart, Mr Hutson said. He says what needs to be said.

Three Trump supporters taunted Latino protesters with offensive comments about immigrants and held anti-Muslim and Black Lives Matter signs.

As the line to get in the venue moved ahead, the two groups shouted at each other and some skirmishes broke out. At one point, a Trump supporter and protester shoved each other.

John Brown, of an anti-Trump group calling itself the Redneck Revolt, wore military fatigues and had an AK-47 rifle strapped to his chest as he and a half dozen others from the group stood about 30 feet behind the barricade for protesters. He said they were there to protect Trump opponents and stand up to fascism. He's offensive to me in every way, Mr Brown said.

Reuters and Associated Press
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Yet another science adviser has quit the administration of Donald Trump, this time with a secret message spelling out the word "impeach" in his resignation letter.

Dr Daniel M Kammen, a professor of energy at the University of California-Berkeley, had been serving as the Science Envoy to the US State Department but said he was resigning over Mr Trump's controversial comments in the wake of the violence at a neo-Nazi demonstration in Charlottesville.

"Mr President, I am resigning as Science Envoy," Dr Kammen said in a post sharing his letter on Twitter. "Your response to Charlottesville enables racism, sexism, & harms our country and planet."

Mr Trump's response to the violence was to blame "many sides" for the violence and death of counter-protester Heather Heyer and Virginia State Police officers Berke MM Bates and H Jay Cullen.

He appeared to walk that initial statement back by condemning the neo-Nazi, Klu Klux Klan, and white supremacists present at the protests but quickly doubled down on it, adding that there were "very bad" people on both sides.

He said there were "innocent" people on the side of protesters attempting to keep the Civil War statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee, whose pro-slavery side lost in the bloodiest war in American history.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

Dr Kammen was appointed in 2010 as the very first Environment and Climate Partnership for the Americas (ECPA) Fellow at the State Department.

He posted his resignation letter in full on Twitter, where it was quickly shared tens of thousands of times. The first letters of each paragraph read: "IMPEACH," his apparent message about Mr Trump's presidency.

Citing a number of reasons for his decision to step down, Dr Kammen wrote to the President: "Particularly troubling to me is how your response to Charlottesville is consistent with a broader pattern of behaviour that enables sexism and racism and disregards the welfare of all Americans."

Dr Kammen also referred to Mr Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, an accord signed by nearly 200 countries in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help poorer countries adapt to an already-changed planet.

He wrote that the President's "decision to abdicate the leadership opportunities and job creation benefits" of the Paris Agreement was "not acceptable".

Many experts have argued against Mr Trump's claim that the global accord puts American workers at an "economic disadvantage".

 Former director of national intelligence says Trump too unstable to be president

Mr Kammen also cited a warning from President Dwight D Eisenhower that a people "that values its privileges above principles soon loses both".

Several scientific advisers have resigned or been pushed out from the Environmental Protection Agency over what they think of as the anti-science politics of Mr Trump and agency head Scott Pruitt.

CEOs have also resigned from White House business councils over the President's response to Charlottesville as well as the entire Presidential Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, who resigned with a letter forming the message "RESIST" with the first letter of each paragraph.

State Department spokeswoman Julia Mason said Dr Kammen "made a personal decision to resign."
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Donald Trump returned to a theme of unity during a speech in Nevada on Wednesday, one day after he departed from planned remarks emphasising togetherness  in the wake of the violence in Charlottesville  to blast his perceived adversaries in the media and beyond.

The speech to an American Legion conference marked Mr Trumps latest effort to move past a turbulent stretch in which he has been widely chastised  and forsaken by corporate leaders  for his response to the racially-charged violence at the protest organised by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, which included a car being driven through a crowd of counter-protesters.

The fact that the President stayed on script during his address to the veterans' group was a stark departure from a campaign-style rally the night before in Phoenix, Arizona, in which he undercut his initial plea for reconciliation by lashing out at journalists and elected officials.

In his Reno address Mr Trump first touted his accomplishments before saying it is time to heal the wounds that divide us and that we are one people with one home.

We are not defined by the colour of our skin, the figure on our paycheck or the party of our politics. We are defined by our shared humanity, the President added. We have no division too deep for us to heal and there is no enemy too strong for us to overcome.

Mr Trump then, on stage, signed into law a bill that would cut the amount of time the Department of Veterans Affairs takes to decide veterans' appeals of their disability payments. He described the bill as a big one as he readied his pen at a signing ceremony.

The previous night, Mr Trump was more combative than conciliatory. After saying at the outset of the speech that When one part of America hurts, we all hurt, Mr Trump veered into familiar campaign-style attacks on the totally dishonest media and assailed Arizona Republicans who have criticised him.

He accused reporters of distorted his remarks on Charlottesville, in which he first faulted violence on many sides before specifically condemning white supremacists, and then later again equating them with leftist counter-protestors, casting blame on both sides. The mixed signals sent out by Mr Trump in singling out white supremacists and then lumping them in with counter-protesters again was met with condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans, as well as business leaders and community representatives.

 Donald Trump attacks critics as rambling Phoenix rally speech descends into public meltdown

If the Phoenix rally evoked themes from Mr Trumps campaign, so too did a visit earlier on Tuesday to a US Customs and Border Patrol outpost. With his promise of building a wall stalled as Congress has not yet allocated money, Mr Trump dangled shutting down the government as a way to shake loose the needed funds.

If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall, Mr Trump said. We're going to have our wall. The American people voted for immigration control. We're going to get that wall.

That particular threat brought rebukes from leading Democrats and the Speaker of the House, Republican Paul Ryan. Mr Ryan said that a wall was necessary but the government did not have to choose between border security and a government shutdown.

I don't think anyone's interested in having a shutdown, he told reporters in Hillsboro, Oregon, where he visited an Intel factory. I don't think it's in our interest to do so.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

To add to the controversy, Mr Trump all but vowed to pardon the embattled former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. An immigration hardliner who has drawn warm praise from Mr Trump, Arpaio has been convicted of criminal contempt for ignoring federal demands to stop profiling people based on their potential immigration status.

Was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? He should have had a jury. I'll make a prediction. I think he's going to be just fine, Mr Trump said amid reverberating chants of Pardon Joe!

Reports on Wednesday suggested that the White House had drawn up the papers to pardon Arpaio.

Mr Trump also reserved some animus for Republican Senator Jeff Flake, who has become a vocal critic of the President. After castigating a senator who's weak on border, weak on crime but declining to name him, praising his restraint as very presidential, Mr Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday so there could be no doubt and renewed his attacks on the press  saying that "people got" the areas of the statement the "Fake News Media didn't cover fairly". In reading his statements at the rally, Mr Trump had himself omitted something, the lines that related to the "blame on both sides".

Despite Mr Trumps broadsides against Mr Flake and public praise of his challenger, Arizona state Senator Kelli Ward, Senate Republicans have not followed suit. A political action committee devoted to preserving Republicans Senate majority has funded an ad branding Ms Ward as crazy.

The boisterous atmosphere of the rally in Phoenix was also replicated outside of the convention centre where it took place, with thousands gathering in gruelling heat to protest against Mr Trump and his Charlottesville remarks. There were shouting matches and minor scuffles between sections of the pro-Trump and anti-Trump sides, and after the rally, police officers dispersed protesters with tear gas and pepper spray. Five people were arrested, according to the Arizona Republic.

In the comfort of his most fervent fans, Mr Trump often resurrects his free-wheeling 2016 campaign style. The rally was Mr Trump's eighth rally since taking office in January, and each event is attended by supporters screened by his campaign.

His comfort-level was apparent: As he discussed his responses to Charlottesville, he interrupted himself. I didn't want to bore you. You understand where I'm coming from. You people understand.

His comparative calm during the the more sedate, teleprompter-assisted speech to the American Legion was striking and the issue for many of his advisers and those that follow his movements is trying to understand which Mr Trump - the one guided by a teleprompter, or the one playing to the crowd  is going to appear in front of the cameras.
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The United Nations has criticised Donald Trump for failing to "unequivocally and unconditionally reject and condemn racist hate speech and crimes in Charlottesville" and throughout the US.

There should be no place in the world for racist white supremacist ideas or any similar ideologies that reject the core human rights principles of human dignity and equality," the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said.

While the committee's statement stopped short of criticising the US President by name, it said it was calling on the US Government, as well as high-level politicians and public officials, to address the root causes of the proliferation of such racist manifestations.

 Donald Trump challenges, and cherry-picks, coverage of his Charlottesville statements at rally

Mr Trump revved up supporters in Phoenix on Tuesday with a defence of his response to a white supremacist-organised rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

He accused the "fake media" of misrepresenting his "perfect" response to the protests and counter-protests, before reading out portions of his various statements on Charlottesville - neglecting to read his most controversial comments, in which he said there was blame for the violence "on all sides."

Anastasia Crickley, who chairs the UN committee of 18 independent experts, said: We are alarmed by the racist demonstrations, with overtly racist slogans, chants and salutes by white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and the Ku Klux Klan, promoting white supremacy and inciting racial discrimination and hatred."

She added: We call on the US Government to investigate thoroughly the phenomenon of racial discrimination targeting, in particular, people of African descent, ethnic or ethno-religious minorities, and migrants."

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

Under its "early warning and urgent action" procedure, the committee also called on the US to ensure the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly are "not exercised with the aim of destroying or denying the rights and freedoms of others."

It asked the US government to provide guarantees such rights are not misused to promote racist hate speech and racist crimes.
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North Korea's self-defensive nuclear deterrence arsenal will never be on the negotiating table, a Pyongyang envoy has said.

Ju Yong-chol, a North Korean diplomat, spoke at a UN-sponsored Conference on Disarmament after the US disarmament ambassador Robert Wood said that President Donald Trump's top priority was to protect the United States and its allies against the growing threat from North Korea.

The measures taken by the DPRK (North Korea) to strengthen its nuclear deterrence and develop intercontinental rockets is justifiable and a legitimate option for self-defence in the face of such apparent and real threats, Ju told the Geneva forum, referring to constant nuclear threats by the United States.

In pictures: North Korea military drill Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: North Korea military drill In pictures: North Korea military drill North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video

...As long as the US hostile policy and nuclear threat remains unchallenged, the DPRK will never place its self-defensive nuclear deterrence on the negotiating table.

Reuters
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North Korea's state media has released a set of images which appear to show the designs for one or two new missiles.

Concept diagrams of the missiles were hanging on the wall behind leader Kim Jong-un, who was pictured visiting a plant that makes solid-fuel engines for the countrys intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) programme.

One photo, to the right of the leader, shows a diagram for a missile called Pukguksong-3, which is part of its ongoing Pukguksong or Polaris intermediate range ballistic missile programme.

To his left is another diagram for a missile which is harder to read. But it appears to carry the insignia of the Hwasong, or Mars, another ballistic missile programme.

In between the two diagrams, behind Kims head, is an inspirational quote by the dictator.

The photos were first published by state newspaper Rodong Sinmun and later released by the Korean Central News Agency.

They appeared two days after the US and South Korea began their annual military exercises, which the North has called a rehearsal for war.

Relations between the US and the tiny dictatorship have been severely strained over the past few months. US President Donald Trump promised to unleash fire and fury if North Korea continued to threaten the West.

In pictures: North Korea military drill Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: North Korea military drill In pictures: North Korea military drill North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video

In response, the secretive communist state said it has developed a nuclear warhead small enough to fit onto an intercontinental ballistic missile, that was capable of reaching the US island of Guam.

The row prompted fears that North Korea was finally living up to its boasts and would soon be in a position to threaten the mainland US with a nuclear strike.

Michael Duitsman, a research associate at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies, said the Pukguksong-3 missile was definitely new.

North Korea successfully tested Pukguksong-1 last August and followed up by firing the Pukgouksong-2 in February.

Both are believed to be capable of reaching Japan, and the US bases stationed there, but not mainland US.

Prof Duitsman said the quality of the pictures made it hard to tell what the other missile was but it was likely to be either a Hwasong-13 or Hwasong-11.

Hwasong is the name North Korea gives for most of its missiles, including its only ICBM  the Hwansong-14  which was tested last month.

He said: If it is the Hwasong-13, then there has been an enormous change to the design. The Hwasong-13 was originally paraded in 2012 as a liquid-fueled missile.

Changing an entire missile from liquid to solid fuel, or vice versa, is generally something you don't do. The design principles are very different.
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A woman caught sight of her husband more than a decade after he went missing from their home near Melbourne, Australia.

Sandie Gillette, 44, last saw Russell Jenkin in September 2006, when he left their home in Werribee, a small town just outside Melbourne, after an argument.

He never returned, leaving her alone with two sons, Ethan, who was then four, and Charlie, two.

Mr Jenkin was eventually listed as an official missing person despite police searches and public appeals to track him down.

But earlier this year, Ms Gillette was with her son and daughter outside a shopping centre on the Sunshine Coast - around 1,100 miles from their home - when she spotted her husband.

I always sort of believed he was out there somewhere. But it was a bit of a shock seeing him. I dont know how to explain it  it was numbing, she told news.com.au.

We were very close and we kept watching each other walk past. And yeah, whether he was realising that was us, just as he were realising that was him, it was dumbfounding.

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

Ms Gillette said she did not speak to her husband, adding that the situation was awkward.

He could have approached us too, but what do you say to someone who has been missing for over 10 years?

She added the main reason she had gone public with her story is for the couples two sons, who have not seen or heard from their father since he left.
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A suicide belt has been found in the house used to plan a terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spanish police have said.

It is believed the property in the town of Alcanar, a coastal town about 200 kilometres (124 miles) south of Barcelona, was used as a bomb factory by the cell responsible for two vehicle ramming attacks and a carjacking last week. Combined, the violence left 15 people dead and 120 injured.

The house in Alcanar was destroyed in a suspected gas explosion the night before the attack after bomb-making preparations went wrong, police believe. The alleged ringleader, imam Abdelbaki Es Satty, 45, died in the blast.

Another suspect also died in the explosion, which investigators initially thought was linked to a drug laboratory.

At least 100 butane gas canisters were found in the remains of the destroyed property. In addition, investigators found traces of triacetone triperoxide, the same explosive used in the Manchester attack and often used by Isis.

The extremist group claimed reasonability for the attacks and released a propaganda video praising their actions. It is the first time an Isis video has featured Spanish-speaking fighters, according to security analyst Rita Katz.

 Spain terror attacks - map locator

Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 21, survived the Alcanar explosion and was arrested. He admitted in court on Tuesday that a larger attack was planned before the militants plot went wrong.

Six attackers wearing fake suicide vests, including the suspected van driver Younes Abouyaaqoub, were shot dead by police.

But authorities fear the attacks could have been far more devastating if explosives had been used, potentially with the hired vans to create Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED).

The death toll could have reached the hundreds if the terrorists suspected original plans had been carried out in full, officers said.

Among the Barcelona landmarks the terrorists intended to target was the Sagrada Familia basilica, popular with tourists from around the world.

Chemlal and another suspect, Driss Oukabir, have been charged with murder, possession of explosives and membership of a terrorist organisation. Another, Salah el Karib, is being held while officers continue their enquiries. And a fourth man, Mohammed Aalla, has been freed on bail due to a lack of evidence.

The investigation has been continuing in earnest in Spain, where two police raids took place late on Tuesday night.

Officers said they were investigating objects recovered in a cybercafe in Ripoll, where a suspect now in custody worked, and a house in Vilafranca del Penedes.

Vilafranca is close to where Abouyaaqoub was shot dead on Monday. He is known to have changed clothes, picked up knives and a fake explosive belt in the time between the attack on Thursday and his death. Investigators are trying to establish where he spent four days in between.

But no details were given on the nature of the material found during the searches.

Questions have also been raised about the communication within Mossos d'Esquadra following the Alcanar blasts. Sources told Reuters the terrorists plans could have been discovered sooner had specialist bomb squad officers been sent immediately to the levelled house.

And the Times reported Belgian police warned the Catalan authorities Es Satty, a convicted drug smuggler, was suspicious last year but were told by the Spanish he had no terror links.

Barcelona Attack Show all 30 1 /30 Barcelona Attack Barcelona Attack Police officers patrol on Las Ramblas following yesterday's terrorist attack, on August 18, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. Thirteen people were killed and dozens injured when a van hit crowds in the Las Ramblas area of Barcelona on Thursday. Spanish police have also killed five suspected terrorists in the town of Cambrils to stop a second terrorist attack Getty Images Barcelona Attack Tourists and locals walk along Las Ramblas following yesterday's terrorist attack, on August 18, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. Thirteen people were killed and dozens injured when a van hit crowds in the Las Ramblas area of Barcelona on Thursday. Spanish police have also killed five suspected terrorists in the town of Cambrils to stop a second terrorist attack. Getty Images Barcelona Attack Police officers patrol on Las Ramblas following yesterday's terrorist attack, on August 18, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. Thirteen people were killed and dozens injured when a van hit crowds in the Las Ramblas area of Barcelona on Thursday. Spanish police have also killed five suspected terrorists in the town of Cambrils to stop a second terrorist attack. Getty Images Barcelona Attack People leave a fastfood with hands up as asked by policemen after a van ploughed into the crowd, killing two persons and injuring several others on the Rambla in Barcelona on August 17, 2017. A driver deliberately rammed a van into a crowd on Barcelona's most popular street on August 17, 2017 killing at least two people before fleeing to a nearby bar, police said. Officers in Spain's second-largest city said the ramming on Las Ramblas was a "terrorist attack" and a police source said one suspect had left the scene and was "holed up in a bar". The police source said they were hunting for a total of two suspects AFP/Getty Barcelona Attack Police officers tell members of the public to leave the scene in a street in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. Police in the northern Spanish city of Barcelona say a white van has jumped the sidewalk in the city's historic Las Ramblas district, injuring several people. AP Barcelona Attack Injured people react after a van crashed into pedestrians in Las Ramblas, downtown Barcelona, Spain, 17 August 2017. According to initial reports a van crashed into a crowd in Barcelona's famous Placa Catalunya square at Las Ramblas area injuring several. Local media report the van driver ran away, metro and train stations were closed. The number of people injured and the reasons behind the incident are not yet known. Official sources have not confirmed that the incident is a terrorist attack. EPA Barcelona Attack AP Barcelona Attack REUTERS Barcelona Attack AP Barcelona Attack People move from the scene after a van crashed into pedestrians near the Las Ramblas avenue Reuters Barcelona Attack A policeman stands next to an ambulance after a van ploughed into the crowd, injuring several persons on the Rambla in Barcelona AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack Reuters Barcelona Attack Firefighters stands outside an evacuated mall after a van ploughed into the crowd, injuring several persons on the Rambla in Barcelona AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack Policemen stand next to vehicles in a cordoned off area after a van ploughed into the crowd, injuring several persons on the Rambla in Barcelona AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack Plain-clothes policemen phone as they walk past police cars in a cordoned off area after a van ploughed into the crowd, injuring several persons on the Rambla in Barcelona AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack A policemen and a medical staff member stand past police cars and an ambulance in a cordoned off area after a van ploughed into the crowd, injuring several persons on the Rambla in Barcelona AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack A person is stretched out of a mall by medical staff members in a cordoned off area after a van ploughed into the crowd, injuring several persons on the Rambla in Barcelona on August 17, 2017. Police in Barcelona said they were dealing with a "terrorist attack" after a vehicle ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians on the city's famous Las Ramblas boulevard on August 17, 2017. Police were clearing the area after the incident, which has left a number of people injured. AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack Children, some in tears, are escorted down a road in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. Police in Barcelona say a white van has mounted a sidewalk, struck several people in the city's Las Ramblas district. AP Barcelona Attack Mossos d'Esquadra Police officers and emergency service workers move an injured man, after a van crashes into pedestrians in Las Ramblas, downtown Barcelona, Spain, 17 August 2017. According to initial reports a van crashed into a crowd in Barcelona's famous Placa Catalunya square at Las Ramblas area injuring several. Local media report the van driver ran away, metro and train stations were closed. The number of people injured and the reasons behind the incident are not yet known. Official sources have not confirmed that the incident is a terrorist attack. EPA Barcelona Attack Mossos d'Esquadra Police officers attend injured people after a van crashed into pedestrians in Las Ramblas, downtown Barcelona, Spain, 17 August 2017. According to initial reports a van crashed into a crowd in Barcelona's famous Placa Catalunya square at Las Ramblas area injuring several. Local media report the van driver ran away, metro and train stations were closed. The number of people injured and the reasons behind the incident are not yet known. Official sources have not confirmed that the incident is a terrorist attack. EPA Barcelona Attack Injured people react after a van crashed into pedestrians in Las Ramblas, downtown Barcelona, Spain, 17 August 2017. According to initial reports a van crashed into a crowd in Barcelona's famous Placa Catalunya square at Las Ramblas area injuring several. Local media report the van driver ran away, metro and train stations were closed. The number of people injured and the reasons behind the incident are not yet known. Official sources have not confirmed that the incident is a terrorist attack. EPA Barcelona Attack A police officer cordon off a street in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017. Police in the northern Spanish city of Barcelona say a white van has jumped the sidewalk in the city's historic Las Ramblas district, injuring several people. AP Barcelona Attack AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack AFP/Getty Barcelona Attack AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack AFP/Getty Barcelona Attack AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack AFP/Getty Images Barcelona Attack AFP/Getty Images

The investigation has also branched into France, where a group of the suspects visited Paris briefly just two days prior to the attack. An Audi used by the attackers to ram pedestrians in Cambrils was caught by a speeding camera outside the French capital.

Spain's interior minister, Juan Ignacio Zoido, visited his counterpart the neighbouring country on Wednesday.

"We are working to determine why the authors of the attacks came to Paris and what they did in the Paris region," said Gerard Collomb, the French minister.

Dozens of French nationals were hurt in last weeks attack.

France has experienced a number of significant Islamist terrorist attacks in recent years, which have left 238 people dead since January 2015.

Additional reporting by agencies.
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Last week neo-Nazis marched in the US state of Virginia to apparent ambivalence from the White House. In May, France came closer than ever to putting the Front National in the Elysee, while in some central European countries a totalitarian grip appears to be tightening over the institutions of the state.

In Russia too, which has been led by strongmen for most of its modern history, Stalin remains a popular figure; his nostalgic reputation buoyed by stagnant living standards for large chunks of society. One poll from the Levada Center in June found that 38 per cent of the population believed Stalin was the greatest figure in history  up from 12 per cent in a similar poll in 1989.

On Wednesday Europe will remember the victims of Nazism and Stalinism on its annual Black Ribbon Day. Designated by the European Parliament, the day has been commemorated since 2009 as a Europe-wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, to be commemorated with dignity and impartiality.

But world events give this years day a particular significance, with 2017s commemoration taking place amid a backdrop of rising far-right and extremist views across the West.

Each year the unfolding of global affairs makes the day relevant and meaningful to remind humankind about the mortifying lessons of the past, Dr Wojciech Kozowski, programme director of the Witold Pilecki Centre for Totalitarian Studies in Warsaw told The Independent.

Dr Wojciech warned that future totalitarian regimes might not precisely resemble those of the past  which might make them harder to stave off.

There is undoubtedly a risk of totalitarian regimes to reemerge, he said. The hope that enslaving some groups of people, expelling or exterminating others, and designing a new man in a new society under such-and-such ideological or religious banners seems unwithering.

The trick is that since there is no simple return to the past, the future totalitarian threat does not have to be easy to discern and may resemble neither todays classic North Korean example nor the Isis lethal state-building endeavours, nor dictatorships popping up in various parts of the world.

Whatever form it may take, it will surely be created by some people and target other groups of people. There is no ultimate cure for human greed and lust for power and domination. Therefore yes, the risk is out there.

He argues that the day reveals its particular meaning every single year, yet in different areas or dimensions.

Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Liberal group of MEPs in the European Parliament, points to events in the US and the chipping away of liberal institutions in some central European countries as being particularly significant.

We are living through a period of significant political volatility and democracy is facing setbacks around the world, he told The Independent.

One only need observe the rise of white supremacist movements in the US, or the intentional erosion of democratic institutions in Poland and Hungary by increasingly authoritarian governments, to show that we cant take freedom, liberty and the rule of law for granted.

In Poland the government is pushing through controversial changes that would tighten its grip on the countrys judiciary, despite a presidential veto and the biggest protests since the fall of communism.

In Hungary, Viktor Orbans government has been accused by the EU of suffocating civil society after it attempted to close down a liberal university in Budapest. Orban has responded to protests by claiming his government is being subverted by foreign interests and has run a poster campaign against wealthy US liberal George Soros, which is widely perceived to be playing on antisemitic tropes.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

Mr Verhofstadt, who is also the European Parliaments chief Brexit negotiator, said he believed the EU still had a key role to play in preventing totalitarianism from rising again.

These core values must be cherished and fought for. The European Union, which has cemented peace on our continent, whilst promoting democratic institutions, has a vital role to play, he said.

For the millions who suffered under authoritarian regimes in the past, we have an obligation to fight to safeguard freedom in Europe for future generations.
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A British tourist has been arrested in Turkey after he reportedly attempted to fly home with coins he found while snorkelling.

Toby Robyns was detained at Bodrum airport on Friday on suspicion of finding Turkish artefacts without notifying authorities, The Sun said.

The 52-year-old father-of-five, from Southwick, West Sussex, discovered the 13 coins while snorkelling during a two-week holiday in Turgutreis and tried to take them home as a souvenir, the newspaper said.

He is reportedly being held at Milas prison while he waits to hear whether he will be charged.

James Stoneham, a family friend, said: This was harmless fun on a holiday.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 12 November 2022 The City of London Pride Group take part in the parade during the Lord Mayor's Show PA UK news in pictures 11 November 2022 City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London, in the City of London, to mark Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War PA UK news in pictures 10 November 2022 A grey heron lands on the river Dodder in Dublin on a sunny autumn morning PA UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red 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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

When he went to get his flight home they dragged him off and searched his hand luggage.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: We are assisting a British man following his arrest in Bodrum and remain in contact with his family and the Turkish authorities.

PA
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A German supermarket has emptied its shelves in an effort to make a point about racism and diversity.

The Edeka store in Hamburg removed foreign-made products from its stock, replacing them with sign bearing anti-xenophobia slogans.

It is believed the move will be followed be a larger campaign from Edeka, the largest supermarket chain in Germany.

Surprised shoppers entered the store to find that much of the normal selection was gone, demonstrating how reliant they are on other countries for everyday products.

Instead, they were greeted with signs saying: This shelf is pretty boring without diversity.

Other signs said: Our range now knows borders, "This is how empty a shelf is without foreigners" and "we will be poorer without diversity".

The campaign was met with mixed reactions among the German public, with some praising its boldness.

Sven Schmidt, who supplied photos of the stunt to The Independent, said he liked the campaign but had some negative reactions after posting the pictures to Twitter, which were widely shared.

He said: Looking at all the mentions of hate and lack of understanding of other people I got, I'm happy that I posted it and showed my two cents against the racists, even though I know it was mainly about diversity.

Julia Klockner, a vice Chairperson of the Christian Democratic Union party, praised it on social media, calling it a wise action that would give people pause to think.

But others derided it as a marketing campaign, taking advantage of the politically charged atmosphere ahead of the countrys federal elections next month.

And some opposed the move politically. Marcus Pretzell, of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party responded to Ms Klockners remarks by saying: Why exactly should it be wise? Is it not rather completely mad?

Others said it was not the place of a supermarket to become involved in political discussions.

Such conversations have become more frequent in Germany in recent weeks, as the country prepares to go to the polls.

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

Immigration has been a key theme in German politics since the 2015 decision of the Chancellor, Angela Merkel, to allow more than a million migrants into the country, many refugees from war-torn Syria.

A company spokeswoman said: Edeka stands for variety and diversity. In our stores we sell numerous foods which are produced in the various regions of Germany.

But only together with products from other countries it is possible to create the unique variety, that our consumers value. We are pleased that our campaign caused so many positive reactions.
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The body of slain journalist Kim Wall was intentionally weighed down with a piece of metal, police in Denmark have said.

Ms Wall's headless, limbless torso was found on Monday and her identity confirmed on Wednesday.

The experienced foreign correspondent was allegedly killed on board a submarine owned by Danish inventor Peter Madsen, 46.

Recommended Headless torso found in Copenhagen waterside is missing journalist

Police said a piece of metal was attached to her body "likely with the purpose to make it sink".

Mr Madsen told a court she Ms Wall, 30, died in an accident and that he "buried" her at sea, changing his previous statement that he dropped her off alive in Copenhagen. He denies killing her.

Ms Wall had been missing since the pair went out to sea aboard the 18m UC3 Nautilus craft on August 10. The submarine sank the next day and Mr Madsen was rescued.

Danish and Swedish maritime authorities had used divers, sonar and helicopters in the search for Ms Wall's body in Koge Bay, south of Copenhagen, and in the Oresund Strait between the two countries, before it was spotted by a passing cyclist.
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The mother of Swedish journalist Kim Wall has told how her daughter gave voice to the weak, vulnerable and marginalised in an emotional tribute after police identified her remains.

Ingrid Wall confirmed with boundless sadness and shock the headless, limbless female torso discovered on Monday in the Copenhagen waterside belonged to her daughter.

Ms Wall said the 30-year-old had an ability to be a person that makes a difference and said her voice that had been needed for a long, long time had now been silenced.

It is with boundless sadness and shock that we received news that the remains of our daughter and sister Kim Wall have been found, Ms Wall, wrote on Facebook on her familys behalf. We cannot yet grasp the extent of this catastrophe and there are many questions that must be answered.

During the horrific days since Kim disappeared, we have had countless evidence of how loved and appreciated she was, as a human and friend as well as a professional journalist.

From all corners of the world, evidence of Kims ability to be a person that makes a difference.

Ms Wall died after embarking on board a submarine owned by Danish inventor Peter Madsen, 46.

The experienced foreign correspondent was last seen boarding the 18m UC3 Nautilus craft on 10 August with Mr Madsen, who she was interviewing for a feature.

Her mother said: She has found and told stories from different parts of the globe, stories that must be written. Kim travelled for several months in the South Pacific to let the world know what is happening to the population on the islands that sink. She allowed us to travel to the Haiti earthquake, to the torture chamber of Idi Amin in Uganda and the minefield in Sri Lanka.

She gave voice to the weak, vulnerable and marginalised people. That voice had been needed for a long, long time, now it has been silenced.

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

Danish Police said a piece of metal was attached to her body likely with the purpose to make it sink.

Ms Wall, a graduate of the London School of Economics and Columbia University, was reported missing by her boyfriend in the early hours of 11 August. The submarine sank hours later and Mr Madsen was rescued.

The home-made submarine UC3 Nautilus, built by Danish inventor Peter Madsen, who is charged with killing Swedish journalist Kim Wall (Reuters)

Danish and Swedish maritime authorities had used divers, sonar and helicopters in the search for Ms Walls body in Koge Bay, south of Copenhagen, and in the Oresund Strait between the two countries, before it was spotted by a passing cyclist.

Mr Madsen, charged with manslaughter, told a court Ms Wall died in an accident and that he buried her at sea, changing his previous statement that he dropped her off alive in Copenhagen. He denies any wrongdoing.
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Civilians are bearing the brunt of the last stages of the fight to destroy Isiss self-described caliphate across Syria and Iraq, with dozens of people killed in US-led coalition bombing and ground fighting, monitors have reported.

In the battle for the jihadists de facto capital of Raqqa at least 69 people have died in the past 48 hours thanks to air strikes, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said, including 19 children and 12 women.

Citizen-journalist group Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently said 39 of the dead were from one small neighbourhood alone.

 Isis 'poster girl' Sally Jones wants to leave Raqqa and return to UK, friend claims

Raqqa has been ferociously bombed for the past three days, as the US-backed Arab-Kurdish alliance the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) regained more than half the city.

The tolls are high because the air strikes are hitting neighbourhoods in the city centre that are densely packed with civilians, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

There are buildings full of civilians that are trying to get away from the front lines coalition air strikes are targeting any building where any kind of [Isis] movements are being detected.

In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Show all 30 1 /30 In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian family arrives at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian woman, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, reacts as she stands with her children in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past resident fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood , after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past residents fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-regime fighter speaks with a child, as residents flee violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood. Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops AFP/Getty Images In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Smoke rises as seen from a governement-held area of Aleppo, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers targeting rebels-held areas in the eastern neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria. According to media reports, the army is now holding on 99 percent of Aleppois eastern neighborhoods EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-government forces patrol Aleppo's eastern al-Salihin neighbourhood after troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers rest following the battle at al-Sheik Saeed neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-government fighter walking past closed shops in the Bab al-Nasr district of Aleppo's Old City. Once renowned for its bustling souks, grand citadel and historic gates, Aleppo's Old City has been rendered virtually unrecognisable by some of the worst violence of Syria's war Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The crucial battle for Aleppo entered its 'final phase' after Syrian rebels retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The retreat leaves opposition fighters confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in southeast Aleppo, the largest of them Sukkari and Mashhad Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilans arrive at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods. Syria's government has retaken at least 85 percent of east Aleppo, which fell to rebels in 2012, since beginning its operation Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilians flee the Sukkari neighbourhood towards safer rebel-held areas in southeastern Aleppo Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The fall of Aleppo would be the worst rebel defeat since Syria's conflict began in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee Aliya inside the tent where she lives with her husband and ten children in a camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee women and children outside the entrance to their tents in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee woman outside the entrance to the tent where her family live, in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A vehicle drives past a mosque at night in Idlib, Syria. Picture taken with a long exposure Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The night sky is seen through damaged windows in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled area of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province, Syria Reuters

While the US-led coalition bombing Isis across both Syria and Iraq says it takes all possible measures to avoid unnecessary loss of civilian life, rights groups have repeatedly criticised the campaign for causing unnecessary loss of civilian life.

The official acknowledged death toll is 624 people since strikes began in 2014 but activists and rights groups claim thousands have died.

In the fight for the Isis-besieged town of Deir Ezzour in the western desert, a fierce three-fronted Syrian army offensive  backed by Russian air power  has killed around 200 militants in the last few days.

Earlier this month, Syrian government forces seized full control of the last major town near Deir Ezzour. Many displaced fighters are now making their last stand in Raqqa.

In Iraq, where Isis was pushed out of its Iraqi capital of Mosul in July after a gruelling nine-month-long battle, the fight for one of the militants last urban strongholds of Tal Afar is progressing quickly.

Lieutenant General Abdul-Amir Rasheed Yar Allah, who commands the operation, said on Wednesday that special forces have already dislodged Isis fighters from two separate neighbourhoods after the ground offensive began three days ago.
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US President Donald Trumps son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner has met with Saudi Arabias crown prince in an effort to restart peace talks in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mr Kushner, who as Mr Trumps senior presidential advisor is in charge of the administrations efforts to broker a lasting Middle East peace deal, flew to Jeddah on Tuesday, where he held meetings with Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabias newly-minted crown prince and defence minister, the Saudi state news agency said.

Negotiator Jason Greenblatt and deputy national security adviser Dina Powell also met with Prince bin Salman in Jeddah to discuss a path to substantive path to substantive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, a White House official said.

The US visit is part of a regional tour which will also see Mr Kushner meet with leaders from Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt and Qatar - the last of which has been the subject of a diplomatic and trade boycott by other Arab states for almost three months.

The talks were aimed at achieving stability in the wider Middle East and beyond, Saudi state news agency SPA also said. Kuwaiti and US-led mediation efforts in the spat have so far failed.

31-year-old Prince bin Salman - the architect of Saudis involvement in Yemens devastating war known for his quick temper - has been variously described as the most dangerous man in the world - an epithet also awarded to Donald Trump.

 Trump: Israelis and Palestinians are 'reaching for peace'

Mr Trump is widely viewed in Israel and the wider Middle East as far more sympathetic to Israeli interests than his predecessor Barack Obama.

Despite his pro-Israeli campaign trail rhetoric, since entering the White House Mr Trump has caught some Israeli hard-liners off guard with the suggestion the government should hold back on settlement building in the West Bank, and his administration has equivocated over whether the US embassy will move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as promised.

He has, however, repeatedly emphasised his sincere desire to broker a peace deal in the intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel: From independence to intifada Show all 7 1 /7 Israel: From independence to intifada Israel: From independence to intifada 26973.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26974.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26975.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26976.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26977.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26985.bin Robert Capa/Magnum Israel: From independence to intifada 26986.bin Robert Capa/Magnum

Mr Kushners family - who count Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a family friend- has donated tens of thousands of dollars to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which the international community views as illegal.

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas is frustrated with Washingtons efforts to broker peace, however, reportedly telling left-wing Israeli lawmakers he has met with Trump envoys more than 20 times since the beginning of the presidents term, which is in chaos".

News agencies contributed to this report
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The winner of a Lebanese beauty pageant has been stripped of her title just one week after winning her crown, local media has reported.

Swedish-Lebanese Amanda Hanna won Miss Lebanon Emigrant 2017 earlier this month but was told she was no longer allowed to hold the position after organisers discovered she had previously visited neighbouring Israel using her Swedish passport on an academic trip in 2016.

After communicating our decision with Lebanon's Minister of Tourism, he decided that Hanna should be stripped of her title because her visit to Israel violates our country's laws, a statement given by The Festival of Lebanese Emigrants in Dhour Al Choueir to newspaper Al Modon read.

Lebanon and Israel technically remain in a state of war, although the border has remained largely quiet since the last direct conflict between the two states in 2006.

In Lebanon there is a blanket ban on any trade or cultural products from the Jewish state, citizens are banned from travelling there, and Israeli citizens cannot visit. Contact with Israelis is also illegal and can carry jail time.

A 14 August Facebook status shared by Ms Hanna showing her being crowned thanked everyone who supported her during the competition.

 Women in Lebanon protest law allowing rapists to marry their victims to escape punishment

At first I was sceptical about it, but it turned out that I was wrong. It has been one of the best weeks of my life, where I have, among other things, had to go around in Lebanon & visit wonderful places. I've gotten to know people who have come to stand close to me & I have developed in particular as a person. It has been a wonderful trip & I am incredibly happy that I participated, she wrote.

The organisers are yet to announce whether the competiton's runner-up will now inherit the crown.

The Festival of Lebanese Emigrants in Dhour Al Choueir did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment.

The incident is not the first time Lebanons anti-Israel laws have caused a problem in the world of beauty contests.

Robert Fisk: Lebanon in limbo: a nation haunted by the murder of Rafiq Hariri Show all 3 1 /3 Robert Fisk: Lebanon in limbo: a nation haunted by the murder of Rafiq Hariri Robert Fisk: Lebanon in limbo: a nation haunted by the murder of Rafiq Hariri REUTERS Robert Fisk: Lebanon in limbo: a nation haunted by the murder of Rafiq Hariri EPA Robert Fisk: Lebanon in limbo: a nation haunted by the murder of Rafiq Hariri AP

In 2015s Miss Universe competition, Miss Lebanon almost lost her title after calls were made for her to be punished over a photograph of her posing with Miss Israel, Miss Japan and Miss Slovenia which went viral online.

Doron Matalon had pestered Saly Greige for a photograph together throughout the contest, Ms Greige said at the time.

Since the first day of my arrival to participate to Miss Universe, I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss Israel, who tried several times to take a photo with me, Ms Greige said.

I was having a photo with Miss Japan, Miss Slovenia, suddenly Miss Israel jumped in and took a selfie, and uploaded it on her social media.
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Saudi-led coalition air strikes near the Yemeni capital of Sanaa have killed an estimated 60 people and injured 13 after hitting a hotel, officials in the country have said.

Dozens of Shia Houthi rebels as well as civilians were among the dead, officials told the AP on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

Eyewitnesses, including a medic, said the two-storey hotel in Arhab, 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Sanaa, had been completely destroyed in the attack, leaving two bodies hanging from the upper floor. Many were still being retrieved from the rubble.

The situation in Yemen Show all 14 1 /14 The situation in Yemen The situation in Yemen Houthi supporters trample on a US flag during a gathering mobilizing more fighters into several Yemeni battlefronts, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen People carry the coffins of men, who were killed in the recent Saudi-led airstrikes during their funeral, in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen AP The situation in Yemen Pro-government fighters give food to Yemeni children on the road leading to the southwestern port city of Mokha. Yemeni rebels are putting up fierce resistance in a key Red Sea port city where they are encircled by pro-government force Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni stands in front of a graffiti protesting US military operations in war-affected Yemen, in Sana'a, Yemen. According to reports, US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen A Yemeni female fighter supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, takes part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen Yemeni female fighters supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, take part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A boy shouts slogans next to pro-Houthi fighters, who have been injured during recent fighting, during a rally held to honour those injured or maimed while fighting in Houthi ranks in Sanaa, Yemen Reuters The situation in Yemen Balls of fire and smoke rise from a Houthi-held military camp following alleged Saudi-led airstrikes, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy looks on as Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy sits amidst the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa AFP/Getty The situation in Yemen Marine One with US President Donald Trump flies with a decoy and support helicopters to Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, for the dignified transfer of Navy Seal Chief Petty Officer William 'Ryan' Owens who was killed in Yemen Getty Images The situation in Yemen US President Donald Trump aboard the Marine One to greet the remains of a US military commando killed during a raid on the al Qaeda militant group in southern Yemen on Sunday, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, US Reuters

A second strike hit a checkpoint controlled by Houthis a few kilometres away, and several more had been conducted overnight, a local medic told Reuters.

It was not immediately clear why the Saudi-led jets had targeted the hotel. A representative for the Saudi-led coalition did ont respond to immediate requests for comment.

Saudi Arabia and its regional partners have used Iran's influence over Yemen's Houthi rebels to justify an extensive bombing campaign since March 2015.

The air strikes, carried out at the request of the exiled internationally recognised Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, have been repeatedly criticised for causing unnecessary loss of civilian life.

The bombing of a funeral gathering mistaken for a military target killed 140 people in October last year.

A report authored by several international aid agencies released last week said Yemen suffered more air strikes in the first half of this year than in the whole of 2016, increasing the number of civilian deaths and forcing more people to flee their homes.

Western governments have also faced criticism for their role in the war: arms sold to Saudi Arabia are destined for use in the Yemeni war, rights groups say.

Yemen's conflict has left around 70 per cent of the 27-million strong population now reliant on some form of humanitarian aid. A total of 14.5 million people dont have regular access to clean water, 7.3 million live on the brink of famine and more than 500,000 people have been infected by the worst cholera outbreak in modern history.

Saudi blockades on Yemen's ports and airspace have been blamed for creating the humanitarian crisis and adding to the misery by holding up desperately needed food, medicine and other supplies from entering the country.

Air strikes have also been known to hit hospitals and other vital civilian infrastructure.
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Why go now?

Say youre off to Fort Lauderdale, and youll likely get more than one response along the lines of, Oh, great! Um Where is that again? It isnt too surprising; this beachside city smack bang in the centre of Floridas Gold Coast is somewhat overshadowed by its loud, brash next-door neighbour, Miami. If its previously gone under the radar though, Fort Lauderdale is about to get a significant boost; British Airways has a new direct route from London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale that launched in July. FLs laid-back charm, year-round sun and competitive prices just got more accessible.

Get your bearings

Forty minutes drive north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale is the more demure, less expensive big sister to the blow-out party town.

The city sprawls up the coast, with gold sandy beaches and the warm waters of the Atlantic separated from inland FL by a network of intracoastal canals  not for nothing is this city known as the Venice of America. The main strip is Las Olas Boulevard (1), a hub for dining, drinking and shopping, which runs from downtown FL out east to the beach.

The tourist office (2) (001 954 765 4466; sunny.org) is just north of Las Olas on NE Third Avenue; its closed on Sundays.

Day one

Take a hike

Fort Lauderdale is not a particularly pedestrian-friendly city, mainly because of its sheer size; but, having said that, you can see some of the prettiest bits on foot. The Riverwalk (3) (goriverwalk.com) is a quiet path that runs along part of the Tarpon river. Start inland at the westernmost end that leads off SW Fourth Ct (4) and meander east, savouring the beautiful views of the river along this mile-long trail. It finishes on Las Olas Boulevard (1)  turn right and continue east along the main strip, ducking into outrageously gaudy art galleries and beachy boutiques along the way.

Keep walking almost as far as the beach and turn left onto Las Olas Circle (5), where youll find a stop for the water taxi (6).

Take a ride

There are a variety of ways to get around FL  you can flag down the Sun Trolley (suntrolley.com) which runs all day for $1 a ride, with various routes going up and down Las Olas, around Downtown and to the north of Fort Lauderdale beach. There are also various taxi services as well as the ubiquitous Uber. But for the true FL experience, hop onto a Water Taxi (watertaxi.com) wherever possible. There are several services that explore the canals and, while its not the quickest way of getting around, it is by far the loveliest.

Fort Lauderdale has a network of intracoastal canals (Getty) (Getty Images)

Get on at Water Taxi stop 8 (6) and alight at stop 5, the Hilton Marina and Convention Centre (7). An adult ticket costs $26 for unlimited rides all day.

Lunch on the run

From stop 6, cross the road to Market 17 (8) (001 954 835 5507; market17.net), a farm-to-table restaurant and bar offering up such delights as royal red shrimp mac and cheese, boards of housemade charcuterie, and grilled local cobia with squid ink fregola pasta. Opt to sit on the patio, pleasantly shaded by palm fronds, and consider jazzing up lunchtime with one of Market 17s signature cocktails. The avotini blends cucumber organic vodka, avocado, pineapple, ginger, lemon and lime juice and agave nectar  basically your five-a-day.

Cultural afternoon

Hop on a trolley or catch a taxi towards FATVillage (9) (001 954 760 5900; fatvillage.com), Fort Lauderdales art district. For those lucky enough to be in town on the last Saturday of the month theres ArtWalk, an all-day event which sees local contemporary artists throw open the doors to their studios and galleries to let visitors have a snoop around. There are also food trucks, musicians and an artisanal market to imbue a fun, festival atmosphere.

FATVillage is FLs art district (Sunny.org)

A 15-minute walk south brings you to NSU Art Museum (10) (001 954 525 5500; nsuartmuseum.org). This modern art museum features numerous rotating exhibitions  running until 8 October is Human Animals: The Art of the Cobra, exploring Cobra artists innovative use of animal images. Open 11am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, 12-5pm Sunday, closed Monday; admission $12.

An aperitif

Recommended Old Miami glamour at Four Seasons Surfside

Las Olas Boulevard (1), the citys main boardwalk, is dotted with watering holes for a pre-dinner drink. American Social (11) (001 954 715 1134; americansocialbar.com) has an extensive drinks list, with over 40 craft beers on tap. Enjoy a local IPA with a side of classic Americana: comfy booths are strewn with US flag cushions and the walls are bedecked with old covers of Life magazine.

Royal Pig (12) (001 954 617 7447, royalpigpub.com), meanwhile, offers bespoke cocktails in more sophisticated surroundings. High, arched ceilings, dark-wood bar stools and intimate lighting make for a cosmopolitan backdrop in which to enjoy a Lazy Pig  muddled cucumbers and lime shaken with Nolets Gin and St Germaine elderflower liqueur.

Dine with the locals

Louie Bossi (13) (001 954 356 6699; louiebossi.com), also on Las Olas, is an upmarket Italian that prides itself on using traditional ingredients to cook up founder Louie Bossis authentic recipes. Bag an outside table to experience the pretty courtyard, complete with several tables inside ornate, birdcage-like summerhouses. The melt-in-the-mouth charcuterie platter comes with plump Sicilian olives, while the mozzarella tasting board is lifted by the addition of truffle honey, roasted Marcona almonds and dried fruit. For mains, the Paccheri pasta  mixed mushrooms and mascarpone  sounds simple but is swoon-worthy.

Day two

Out for brunch

Head to Colada (14) (001 954 368 4705; coladahouse.com), a hip cafe serving Cuban-inspired breakfast items and excellent Cuban coffee. If youre in the mood for savoury, it doesnt get much better than huevos benedicto  Cuban biscuit topped with roast pork, poached eggs, papitas and black bean hollandaise sauce. For those with a sweet tooth the tres leches waffle stack topped with guava whipped cream and powdered sugar is weird yet wonderful.

The Everglades are navigable by airboat (Getty) (Getty Images)

Walk in the park

You cant walk in it, strictly speaking, but the Everglades is a must-visit national park half an hours drive from Downtown FL. Sawgrass Recreation Park (15) (001 954 389 0202; evergladestours.com) offers half-hour airboat tours of this amazing habitat. The swamp-like shallow water, lined with sawgrass and cat tails, is teeming with wildlife, from damselflies to egrets, blue herons to ospreys. But thats not the main attraction. This is gator country  and on a warm day youll see them basking in the sun. Airboat rides cost from $20.95 per person or $250 for an hour-long private tour for one to four people; price includes entrance to the onsite wildlife centre, where you can hold a baby alligator and pet a tiny fennec fox.

Window shopping

Just 10 minutes drive from the Everglades is Sawgrass Mills and the Colonnade Outlets (16) (001 317 636 1600; simon.com/mall/sawgrass-mills). This sprawling shopping mall has over 350 retailers packed inside, and is second only to Disney when it comes to most-visited Florida attractions. Its an outlet mall  high-street brands, designers and department stores alike offer serious discounts to the thousands of shoppers who flock there each day. Swing by Century 21 for labels without the hair-raising price tag; grab cheap, laidback basics at Old Navy; and, for the quintessentially American experience, take a wander through Barneys and Bloomingdales.

Sawgrass Mills and the Colonnade Outlets has over 350 retailers (Simon)

Travel essentials

Getting there

British Airways (0344 493 0787; ba.com) has a new direct service from London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale. The route operates five days a week, fares from 189 one way.

Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (17) is located to the south, positioned between FL and the neighbouring town of Hollywood. Many hotels offer free shuttle services from the airport; alternatively a taxi to the Las Olas area costs around $21, or catch a free Sun Trolley, which runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-5pm.

Staying there

The newly opened Hyde Resort and Residences (18) (001 754 212 3083; hydehollywoodbeach.com) is as oceanfront as it gets, plonked right on the beach in Hollywood, just south of FL. Its a condominium hotel made up of spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with a ninth-floor pool area and gym. Rates from $239 (185) per night for a one-bed apartment, room only.

In prime position by Fort Lauderdale beach and just a short walk from Las Olas Boulevard, the Ritz-Carlton (19) (001 954 465 2300; ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/florida/fort-lauderdale) offers a seventh-floor pool, private pedestrian access to the beach, a top-notch spa and a fitness centre. Doubles from 295, room only.

A three-minute walk from Fort Lauderdale beach is North Beach Hotel (20) (001 954 565 5790; thenorthbeachhotel.com), a clean, modern three-star with spacious rooms, a heated outdoor pool and onsite restaurant. One-bedroom suites sleeping up to four people from 86, room only.
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A tough day at the office for ad giant WPP, which endured its worst sell-off since 1998 in the wake of a sales warning alongside its first-half results. More than 2bn was wiped from the value of the company as its shares lost more than 10 per cent of their value.

The group did increase sales, but not to the extent analysts expected. That sometimes happens, but what really worried the Citys scribblers, not to mention investors, were the companys forecasts.

Boss Sir Martin Sorrell clipped them for the second time and warned on client spending, particularly by fast-moving consumer goods outfits, which supply a third of its revenue.

He now expects full-year net sales and revenues to rise by just 1 per cent tops. The previous guidance called for about 2 per cent.

Other ad giants have similarly missed forecasts of late, but the market took WPPs results particularly badly.

Does this signify something nasty is going on in the global economy? After all, when things are looking dicey, its ad budgets that get hit first.

Or are the industrys woes, and WPPs in particular, down to the ongoing disruption of the ad market by developments in the digital world, combined with some prudent belt tightening by clients?

Theres a bit of both at work here.

There are certainly plenty of reasons to be concerned about the global economic outlook. Donald Trumps supposedly pro-business agenda, that so excited Wall Street when he took office, has fallen flat, and the corps of tame CEOs appointed as counsellors have deserted him in the wake of the ugly events in Charlottesville involving neo nazis, and his reaction to them.

Some American business leaders took Mr Trump for one of their own. Turns out that hes something else, something darker, as many commentators warned.

Meanwhile, Britains Government is making a populist hash of Brexit, and global tensions are high amid heightened concerns about Afghanistan (as ever), the Middle East (ditto), Venezuela, Ukraine, and in particular North Korea.

Faced with all that, there is every reason for companies to take a cautious stance when it comes to their spending decisions.

However, the disruption the ad market is undergoing shouldnt be underestimated. WPP has been hit by rivals aggressive discounting, the way people consumer media continues to change, and the power of Facebook and Google is worrying an awful lot of people.

These developments have also had an impact and will continue to do so. What is the most effective way to reach consumers in this new world? Thats a question that has agencies and their clients scratching their heads. And some of them are sitting on their hands.

We are certainly entering a rockier period (especially here in the UK), exacerbated by populist politicians. The International Monetary Fund has certain taken note, with its recent downgrades to its growth forecasts for America and Britain.

Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled  leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.

But the fall in WPPs shares is still probably overdone. The results dont make for pretty reading, and the company was always going to endure a correction.

But its worth noting that the dividend has been held, and while his pay package is absurd, Sir Martin knows his onions. If anyone can cope with sailing into choppier waters, its him.

Given that the market always overdoes these things, you might even see WPP tanking like this as a buying opportunity (some analysts certainly think so). But you would need to have a strong stomach to do so.
The UK government isn't playing a game in relation to Ireland in the Brexit talks, the Northern Ireland Secretary of State has said.

Amid claims from the Government here that it won't allow the country to be used as a pawn and could stall the talks unless it is happy with developments, James Brokenshire said his government took the progress made on the island "firmly to heart". He said London wanted to get the best outcome for Northern Ireland in the negotiations.

He also defended David Davis after it was put to him that the Brexit Secretary had not visited the Border region - the UK's land border with the EU - since taking office over a year ago.

"He takes his responsibilities as Secretary of State hugely seriously," Mr Brokenshire said, in an interview with the Irish Independent. "The very first visit he did as Secretary of State for Exiting the EU was to Northern Ireland. Therefore I think it would be wrong to question Mr David's complete focus on issues affecting the island of Ireland. He is very well informed on these issues."

Mr Brokenshire was in Dublin yesterday to meet Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan and Jobs Minister Frances Fitzgerald just under a week after London published two position papers on customs and Ireland/Northern Ireland issues post Brexit.

The Taoiseach said yesterday the UK needed to provide more clarity on trade, and has warned that the Government would stall talks if a satisfactory deal on Northern Ireland was not reached. He said Ireland would not be used as a pawn.

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"This is not some sort of game that's being played here at all," Mr Brokenshire said, when asked how he would reassure the Government. "These are serious issues about the way in which people live their lives on this island and in our approach, in respect of getting the best outcome for Northern Ireland, that remains our firm guiding principle as we look to the months ahead and the negotiations to come."

Mr Brokenshire said the UK government had now put forward "creative and flexible approaches". In relation to the restoration of power sharing in the North, Mr Brokenshire said he wanted to see the talks resuming at the earliest opportunity, but warned he might have to step in and pass a budget if agreement couldn't be reached.

"Time is moving on. When we get into the autumn period that is when we are starting to get to crunch points in respect of a budget in Northern Ireland and in respect of public services," he said.
Almost one in four Irish companies believe that Brexit will affect them positively, up from 14pc this time last year, according to a survey by the Dublin Chamber.

The survey, carried out amongst 359 companies, found that the number of firms that believe Brexit will hit them negatively fell slightly in the 12 months to 46pc from 50pc.

Despite this, when asked how the UK's pending exit from EU has impacted on their business since the vote in June 2016, already around one in three respondents noted a negative impact, while just one in six firms said that they had been impacted positively.

Just over half of those questioned said that they had seen no change since the vote.

Read more: Business chiefs fear plans are not feasible

"The shock of the Brexit referendum result meant it was natural for companies to hunker down and for nervousness to set in. While a great deal of uncertainty remains around how the UK's exit will pan out, it is encouraging to see an increased sense of optimism amongst firms," Mary Rose Burke, Dublin Chamber CEO, said.

The Dublin Chamber also said that it was "greatly encouraged" to see that Irish companies are increasingly looking to new markets and that new markets are exploring opportunities in Ireland also.

"Dublin Chamber has experienced a five-fold increase in the number of delegations from China over the past 8 months. So far this year weve welcomed 10 delegations from China, compared to just two in the same period last year," Ms Burke said.

In addition Ms Burke said the Chamber has organised briefings on Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Belgium, Hong Kong, Hungary and the Western Balkans over the past year.

The Chamber reiterated that the Government needs to focus on ensuring that there is an environment in which Irish firms can compete effectively with their counterparts abroad,

"This must include a progressive mid-term review of the Capital Plan and an ambitious pro-business Budget in October," the Chamber added.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have reached a new agreement for enhanced beef trade with Singapore, FarmIreland can reveal.

The previous certificate restricted exports to boneless beef only derived from cattle aged less than 30 months. The new certificate provides for the export of boneless beef derived from cattle of all ages, as well as bone-in beef from cattle aged less than 30 months.

Although Singapore, in terms or land area, is similar in size to Co. Louth, it has a population of 5.5m and is seen as a gateway market for the South/East Asia region that has almost doubled in value terms (299m) for Irish exports since 2012 (171m).

This has been driven by increasing populations sizes and wealth leading to increased protein consumption. Dairy is currently Ireland's largest export to the market accounting for almost half of all exports (143m).

Irish pigmeat has been established for a considerable period in the market with significant exports to Japan and South Korea. In recent times trade on seafood has been very positive also with South Korea, notably, providing a valuable market for Irish whelk.

Japan and Philippines are destinations for Irish beef in S&E Asia with advances being made by the Department of Agriculture on expanding access to include South Korea and Vietnam.

In 2016, exports directly to Singapore stood at 30m representing five year growth of 12pc.

Beef (including offals) accounted for less than 800,000 of this. The revised agreement on access for Irish beef removes the 30 month kill restriction for boneless beef.

The new agreement also allows for bone in beef from cattle killed under 30 months.

This will provide additional opportunities for prime bone in Irish beef suitable for the high end restaurants found in this wealthy city state (US$53,000 GDP per capita in 2016).

Singapore imported 28,809t of beef in total during January to October of 2016, up 18pc on the corresponding months in 2015.

The largest supplier to the market was Brazil (up 30pc to 11,756t), followed by Australia (down 9pc to 9,162t).

The context for the new agreement with Singapore was part of Minister Creeds seven point plan for increased international market access, announced last April.

In terms of existing markets where conditions of certification presented a barrier, market access for beef to Singapore was indicated as a high priority by exporters.

It comes after Bord Bia opened a regional office in the country for South and East Asia in September 2016.

This office has responsibility for eight separate markets; Japan, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand - an estimated combined total population of over 600m people.
The Baileys Champion Dairy Cow competition has come a long way from the days when competing dairy farmers used to "pull up beside the ditches" near the Virginia Showgrounds in Co Cavan and hope for the best as they led their prize-seeking pedigree livestock up to the judges.

With the new 1.5m Virginia event centre up and running, the "show cows" have much more salubrious billets for the day and face sterner judging in terms of their performance.

It is the creme de la creme of dairy cows with tomorrow's winner needing to produce at least 1,500 to 1,600 litres of milk annually or 500kg of milk solids and butterfat.

For the qualifying 25 cows and their handlers, the grooming and pristine attention to the appearance of the cows are only part of the spectacle.

"The way the cows are treated as show queens always fascinates the public, but behind all the care and attention comes serious competition among the best pedigree cow breeders in Ireland," the Diageo Baileys cow competition chief Brendan Smyth said this week.

The Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow competition takes place today and carries a prize fund of over 10,000.

"Paul Mitten from Britain is this year's judge and while he will make the final decision on the Diageo Baileys champion, there will be another 250 judges around the ring who will agree to differ about whoever he taps forward," added Brendan. Brendan, a retired Glanbia dairy adviser, has been associated with the competition for 34 years, going back to the days when the competition was sponsored by the then Virginia Milk Products.

"Two of the Virginia show's organisers - Ned Duffy and Lesley Rothwell - came into the office at Virginia Milk one day and suggested that we sponsor what is now the Baileys Champion competition.

"They were looking for 1,000 old pounds in sponsorship money which was a lot of money at the time and they had it sorted out in 10 minutes. They obviously knew how to deal with me back then," said Brendan.

"And we have been running it successfully ever since, apart from the foot-and-mouth year in the early 2000s," he added.

"The standards at the shows are immense these days. The recent Tullamore Show was just brilliant, but at the end of the day it's Virginia which produces the champion," he said.

The old Virginia Milk company was taken over by Waterford which afterwards became Waterford-Avonmore and then Glanbia and the prize money grew to the 10,000 it is today.

During the course of all this rebranding the Diageo name was added, which made sense as milk from cows on Cavan farms goes into the production of the global bestselling liquor.
A nun, garda and doctor cutting silage are rare sights to behold on any farm but it was all hands at the deck as an all-female team set out to break records for charity at the Grass Women event in Mount Melleray, Co Waterford, over the weekend.

Sister Lily Scullion, who runs the farm at Glencairn Abbey, was amongst the 40 women who got behind the wheels of harvesters and tractors to cut silage in aid of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Not only was it the nuns first time to cut silage, she did so wearing her habit. Sister Lily likened the atmosphere that saw a 3,500-strong crowd gather at Saturdays event to the jovial occasion where thousands of people lined the streets for Pope John Paul IIs visit in 1979.

The only thing I can compare it to is when Pope John Paul II came to Galway and people lined the roadways behind the cordons. It was great to see the capabilities of women and so many families in attendance, she said. Margaret Comerford, a garda from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, said she has been charged with many tasks but it was her first time ever to draw in silage.

I help out at my family farm at home and draw in bales but Id never drew in silage before. I was up for the challenge, she said.

The women received plaques for setting a Guinness World Record for silage cutting by an all female crew.

Organiser and local farmer John OBrien described the event as very successful.

Weve brought women to the forefront and opened a new tradition. Women are equal when it comes to men in farming. They were all winners on the day and we were blessed with the weather, said the drystock farmer.

Also present on the day were the Socket Rocket team of women mechanics who rebuilt a vintage Ferguson tractor in under nine minutes.
Improved animal performance and a potential 90pc reduction in emissions of a potent greenhouse gas could be delivered by new grassland species being trialled by Irish researchers.

Since 2013, researchers on the Government-funded SmartGrass project have been investigating the potential of multi-species grasslands in comparison to perennial ryegrass swards.

Findings to date include that estimated emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (NO) per tonne of herbage from the multi-species swards was only 10pc of that from the perennial ryegrass swards.

This was due to a combination of the lower levels of N fertiliser used and the high dry matter yields achieved from the multi-species swards.

Lambs reared on more diverse, lower input swards grew significantly faster, had lower intestinal worm burden, were slaughtered earlier and had a higher kill-out percentage than those reared on higher nitrogen input perennial ryegrass.

"Given the positive scenario these findings present for both farmers and the environment, UCD are currently establishing a long-term grasslands experiment with hydrologically isolated paddocks at UCD Lyons Farm," says SmartGrass researcher Dr Helen Sheridan from the School of Agriculture and Food Science, UCD.

"This national facility will be used to assess the sustainability of Irish grass-based agricultural systems through investigation of the interactions between three different pasture types, animal production, the environment, labour and farm economics."

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the SmartGrass project involves researchers from UCD, Teagasc and Belfast-based AFBI (Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute).

Experimental plots are located at UCD Lyons Farm and the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange.
Four prominent Irish campaigners have launched a campaign calling on businesses across the world to recognise the value of the one billion people living with a disability.

Led by Caroline Casey, blind campaigner and activist, #valuable will engage the business community to tackle disability exclusion around the world.

Ms Casey was joined in launching the campaign by Niall Breslin (Bressie) - founder of A Lust for Life, Mark Pollock, explorer and collaboration catalyst at Mark Pollock Trust, and academic, writer and advocate Sinead Burke.

The campaign has a number of aims including encouraging businesses to commit to putting the one billion people living with a disability on their boardroom agenda, identifying business leaders that will stand for and champion the issue of disability in business around the world, and ignite a global conversation on the issue.

"The ambition of #valuable is to begin a real conversation on business and disability that will drive systemic change. It is time to challenge the status quo, and truly position disability equally on diversity and inclusion agendas," Ms Casey said.

The current employment rate for people with disabilities is half that of people without disabilities, a gap that has widened since 2010.

According to the World Health Organisation, up to half of businesses in OECD countries may choose to pay fines rather than meet quotas on disability.

Already the #valuable campaign has been supported by a number of business leaders, including Reid Hoffman, co-founder, LinkedIn, Dan Brooke, chief marketing officer, Channel 4, and Kate Robertson, co-founder One Young World.

"Caroline is one in a billion and Channel 4 is proud to back her mission to change the world by opening the minds of employers everywhere to disabled people and how they can make companies more innovative, more successful and more connected to the humanity of their customers," Mr Brooke said.
Five towns across Ireland are vying with one another to win the Retail Excellence Friendliest Town in Ireland

Ennis, Swords, Limerick City, Trim and Waterford City have been shortlisted for the award which will be announced on 9 November in Killarney.

The annual awards are designed to drive standards in retail operations and town centers throughout the country.

"Ireland is renowned the world over for its warm welcome and hospitality to all. This is always particularly evident in retail operations throughout every village, town and city in the country and this is why it is important to mark the significant contribution being made by retailers and city and county councils in driving standards," David Fitzsimons CEO of Retail Excellence said.
Ryanair would be interested in bidding for the whole of insolvent German carrier Air Berlin, but it needs access to more data on the airline's finances, chief executive Michael O'Leary has said.

"We would be very happy to bid for the whole of Air Berlin, which is generally a short-haul, domestic, intra-EU carrier," Mr O'Leary said.

"But we don't know how much restructuring it will take, how much money is it losing, why is it losing so much money in a market where we make money," he said.

Mr O'Leary complained that the Air Berlin insolvency process is a "stitch-up" to help strengthen Lufthansa. "What's going to be left by the time Lufthansa completes the discussions?" he asked, referring to comments last week that Lufthansa was first in line for talks.

Air Berlin CEO Thomas Winkelmann however was quoted in an interview with 'Handelsblatt' as saying the "data room" giving details on its finances had been open since May, when it first said it was looking for partners.

"M. O'Leary is wholeheartedly invited to help us save jobs," a spokesman for Air Berlin said.

Ryanair said Mr Winkelmann's comments on the data room seemed out of date considering the insolvency filing was only made this month.

Mr O'Leary said Ryanair needed information on Air Berlin's leases, employment contracts and terms with airports before it could determine how much restructuring it would need.

Ryanair uses Boeing 737 planes, while Air Berlin flies Airbus A320s, but Mr O'Leary said Ryanair would use those Airbus aircraft to continue Air Berlin's operations in the event of a takeover.

Mr O'Leary said Ryanair, which bought budget carrier Buzz from KLM in 2003, was keen to play a role in the changes going on in the European airline industry. It has also said it would be interested in taking on insolvent Alitalia if it can be restructured.

"We are clearly going to play a role in the consolidation of the European airline industry, given that we're the biggest airline in Europe," O'Leary said.

He predicted that in five years' time there would be only four or five airline groups in Europe - Ryanair, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, British Airways parent IAG and possibly easyJet. (Reuters)
Paddy Cosgrave's Web Summit is to hire 40 people in the next six months, bringing the company's total employment to 200.

The company has also announced former US vice president Al Gore and former French president Francois Hollande as headline speakers for the Lisbon-based event in November. European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager is already confirmed to speak at the conference.

Mr Cosgrave said that the Web Summit, which he co-founded with Daire Hickey and David Kelly, may host future conferences in Ireland. The company is due to hold a financial technology event, Moneyconf, in Dublin next year.

"We're looking at the potential," he said. "I think there's ample opportunity to do other conferences in Ireland."

Mr Cosgrave also said that he has established a "great working relationship" with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Irish government.

"I was at the recent U2 concert with Leo [Varadkar] and spent a good deal of time chatting to him," he said. "We're working in lots of different ways to help each other. We also have a very positive working relationship with the IDA, who have become a partner with us again. That's going to go from strength to strength."

Mr Cosgrave said that an anti-corruption campaign he launched in April is still under consideration.

"There might be some movement on emergency legislation that was drafted five years ago but has until now been sitting on ice."
The chairman and CEO of Independent News & Media (INM) have both railed against Irelands punitive libel regime, as the group announced a sharp drop in profits in the first half of the year.

The financial results were published ahead of todays annual general meeting (AGM) in Dublin and show INMs profit before tax fell by 19.5pc to 14.9m in the first six months of the year. Revenue fell 8.4pc compared to the same time last year to 148.1m for the six months.

The group ended the period with a cash balance of 95.7m. INM benefited from a deal with pension trustees to wind up its defined benefit pension schemes.

But, the business was also hit with 2.5m of exceptional costs including for historic libel actions and costs associated with the aftermath of a high profile board level dispute between chairman Leslie Buckley and CEO Robert Pitt.

In relation to libel, Mr Buckley said it was among a number of areas in need of reform along with the need for media businesses to gain a greater share of revenues when tech giants use their content online.

"The operating environment in the media industry remains challenging. We believe that issues need to be addressed, such as consolidation in the industry, the high level of libel awards and the need for traditional publishers to pursue stronger rights to demand payment for the use of their content from digital giants Google and Facebook," he said.

INM CEO Robert Pitt said: The continued challenging trading conditions from the decline in circulation and publishing advertising have been magnified by the impact of a very punitive defamation regime and legal costs. Whilst digital revenues have grown, the growth is at a lower rate than previously envisaged. Despite this, the group still operates a strong underlying business with profit before tax of 14.9m and strong cash generation.

The fall in first half profits was primarily due to continued revenue challenges, the company said. However, the business was also hit with 2.5m of exceptional costs.

Operating costs were negatively impacted by the level of recent awards in libel cases, particularly those relating to historic Sunday World cases. This, coupled with costs associated with the independent review and meeting the requirements of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement ("ODCE"), impacted operating costs by c.2.5m in the six months to 30 June 2017. INM said.

The board level dispute is understood to have stemmed from a disagreement between the CEO and chairman over the potential price INM might pay to buy the Newstalk radio station in a deal mooted last year, but that didnt go ahead.

It has prompted INMs own board to commission an independent review to examine the issues around the situation and a separate probe by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE).

In a note to the financial results for the first half of the year, the company said the board has now received a report from the confidential independent review, which is currently being considered by the directors.

The company said it continues to comply with requirements from the ODCE and is taking all necessary steps to meet the ODCEs requests. It said it does not intend to comment further regarding the situation.

It remains unclear ahead of today's AGM whether Robert Pitt, who is a shareholder in INM, will vote in favour of the re election of his fellow directors, including the chairman. Mr Pitt is not up for re-election at today's meeting.
A number of Facebook users reported that they were unable to access the social network on desktop or on their mobile device.

Web monitoring site Down Detector stated that Facebook had been having issues since shortly before 10am until around 2pm on Wednesday.

It is understood that users across the globe were affected by the glitch with 63pc of those in Ireland who reported issues to Down Detector experiencing a "total blackout".

A further 36pc reporting to this site said that they had problems logging on to the platform.

Many users experiencing problems took to other social media platforms including Twitter to express their frustration.

It is understood that a Javascript code change caused the issue, resulting in a percentage of people having trouble trying to access facebook.com using the desktop version of Chrome.

Some believe they identified a quick fix to the glitch: by holding down the Shift key on their Mac keyboard or Control on a Windows machine and giving the page a "hard refresh".

According to tracking site currentlydown.com, Facebook's most recent extensive fault of more than 40 minutes was in March, when the site was offline for an hour.

A spokesperson for Facebook said that "were back to 100pc for everyone, and were sorry for any inconvenience".

"Earlier today some people may have had trouble accessing Facebook on the desktop version of Chrome for a short period of time."
Amazon, Google and Facebook pose a much bigger threat to banks than financial technology start-ups despite concerns the latter are luring customers away, the World Economic Forum has warned.

The fintech sector, said to be worth around 7bn in the UK, has been a key area of focus for Chancellor Philip Hammond and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney this year amid fears traditional banks could lose customers to cheaper, more accessible new players.

But a report by the World Economic Forum suggests the sector should be directing its worries elsewhere, arguing that start-ups have not grabbed as much market share as expected while existing tech giants have poured money into areas such as artificial intelligence, big data customer analytics and cloud computing.

As financial institutions look to these areas as a way to compete, the report noted that many had become reliant on the likes of Amazon, Google and Facebook for expertise. Big firms including Aon and Carlyle are among the customers using Amazon's cloud computing platform, for example, while the tech giant's voice-activated system Alexa has drawn in Capital One and Liberty Mutual.

Others are using Facebook apps to lure in customers, with Brazil's Banco Bradesco letting customers conduct day-to-day banking through the social networking site.

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Although the partnerships are currently working in favour of both sides there is a risk the Silicon Valley firms could decide to launch services in direct competition with the banks and insurers, the paper warned.

The partnership between banks and large tech companies risks not staying a reciprocal one, said Jesse McWaters, lead author of the study. Financial institutions increasingly rely on technology firms for their most strategically sensitive capabilities, but can so far only offer their ongoing business in return.

Unlike fintech firms, which have to build a brand from scratch, these technology companies - among the best-known businesses in the world - would be "able to pick and choose their points of entry into financial services" she said, adding that they could also take advantage of incumbent institutions dependence on them.

"Financial institutions will likely need to walk a challenging line between capitalising on the services of large technology players and becoming dependent on them," she added.

The report said that while many fintech companies such as robot advisers and peer-to-peer lenders have succeeded in shaking up corners of the market high customer switching costs and the rapid response of existing institutions have challenged their ability to grow.

British banks have been concerned about the competitive threat from technology giants for years, with many ramping up their technology budgets or launching their own technology incubators in response.
Offaly Rose Jennifer Byrne who was crowned as the 2017 International Rose of Tralee at the Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Offaly Rose Jennifer Byrne who was crowned as the 2017 International Rose of Tralee at the Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

OffalyRose Jennifer Byrne who was crowned as the 2017 International Rose of Tralee at the Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Offaly Rose Jennifer Byrne who was crowned as the 2017 International Rose of Tralee at the Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Galway Rose Niamh Elwood performing First Aid on Daithi OSe on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Galway Rose Niamh Elwood performing First Aid on Daithi OSe on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Waterford Rose Chloe McGrath singing On My Own from Les Miserables on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Waterford Rose Chloe McGrath singing On My Own from Les Miserables on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Kildare Rose Deirbhle Mulvihill playing the tin whistle on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Sydney Rose Ailish Walsh playing the Flute on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Cheering on the Roses at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Sydney Rose Ailish Walsh playing the Flute on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Kildare Rose Deirbhle Mulvihill playing the tin whistle on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Kildare Rose Deirbhle Mulvihill playing the tin whistle on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Limerick Rose Kayleigh Maher with presenter Daithi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Darwin Rose Rochelle Blake gets Daithi O'Se to try his hand with a whip at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Darwin Rose Rochelle Blake gets Daithi O'Se to try his hand with a whip at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Westmesth Rose Eva Cooney with a puppet of Daithi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Westmesth Rose Eva Cooney with a puppet of Daithi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Toronto Rose Colombe Nadeau-O'Shea performing a limbo at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Donegal Rose Amy Callaghan with Daithi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Donegal Rose Amy Callaghan chats with Daithi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Donegal Rose Amy Callaghan performing on an Aerial Hoop at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Toronto Rose Colombe Nadeau-O'Shea performing a limbo with Daithi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Louth Rose Aoife Heffron chatting with Dathi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Hong Kong Rose Clarissa Langley Coleman chatting with Dathi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Chicago Rose Teresa Daly gives presenter Dathi O'Se the Taste Test at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Melbourne Rose SInead Ryan singing at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Kentucky Rose Martha Mortell boxing with Dathi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Offaly Rose Jennifer Byrne Irish Dancing at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

San Francisco Rose Amanda Donohoe chatting with Dathi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Kildare Rose Deirbhle Mulvihill playing the tin whistle on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Kildare Rose Deirbhle Mulvihill playing the tin whistle on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Cheering on the Roses at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Sydney Rose Ailish Walsh playing the Flute on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Kildare Rose Deirbhle Mulvihill playing the tin whistle on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Sydney Rose Ailish Walsh playing the Flute on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Business Consultant Thomas Lynch from Kerry who was named Escort of the Year at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Fermanagh Rose Stephanie Maguire Jiving with singer Derek Ryan at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Some of the Escorts at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Business Consultant Thomas Lynch from Kerry who was named Escort of the Year at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Business Consultant Thomas Lynch from Kerry is congratulated by his Mum Ellen after he was named Escort of the Year at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

South Carolina Rose Ellerslie McCue speaking to Presenter Daithi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry was Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Presenter Daithi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Fermanagh Rose Stephanie Maguire Jiving with singer Derek Ryan at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Queensland Rose Ellen McCready having her make up applied at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Presenter Daithi O'Se at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

Some of the Roses on stage at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in Tralee Co Kerry was Pic Steve Humphreys 21st August 2017

OffalyRose Jennifer Byrne who was crowned as the 2017 International Rose of Tralee at the Festival in Tralee Co Kerry. Pic Steve Humphreys 22nd August 2017

Rose of Tralee 2017 - all the pics of all the action down at the festival Dome Close

Novelty acts can be distracting. Fun? Yes - and 99pc of the reason we tune in to the Rose of Tralee year after year. But distracting nonetheless.

Amid all the limbo dancing, onion eating, and aerial acrobats, it's easy to forget that the 2017 Roses discussed issues including global terrorism, domestic violence, overcoming physical illness, coping with bereavement, mental health struggles and the death of baby Charlie Gard.

Donegal Rose Amy Callaghan received praise for speaking eloquently about dealing with anxiety in the run-up to school exams.

There were controversial viewpoints - such as when the Kentucky Rose Martha Mortell spoke about the US military: "I don't think Irish neutrality is the reason why we are free, it's because of America and their military."

We also heard about the Fermanagh Rose's PhD studies which chart the problems of domestic violence. "It's a taboo subject in Ireland," said Stephanie Maguire.

We were presented with a group of women who were willing to express their opinions and discuss issues that 10 or 15 years ago would never have been allocated air time in the Dome.

So it was jarring when the 2016 Rose of Tralee Maggie McEldowney said it was "selfish" for Roses to discuss controversial or political issues. Her comments were made in relation to 2016 Sydney Rose Brianna Parkins' call to repeal the Eighth Amendment last year.

"If every single one of us got up there with their own political [views], it would be a mud-slinging contest and that is not what it's about," she said. "It's about building women up, it's not about bringing each other down or contradicting theories or statistics."

'Mud-slinging' and having an opinion are very different things. But Maggie seems to believe that once you are a 'Rose Sister', you must park personal opinions and adopt a sort of inoffensive and trite sense of wholesome goodness. Her comments seemed at odds with what the festival stands for now.

All the most memorable Roses have been outspoken and unafraid to voice their opinions and beliefs.

Her comments seem to date back to a different era of the festival. One that hobbles rather than enhances it.
Consumers should always take care when applying cosmetic products, including talcum powder, to any area of the skin, the Irish medicines' watchdog said yesterday.

The Health Products Regulatory Agency (HPRA) was responding after a US jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $417m (354m) to a woman who claimed she developed ovarian cancer after using the company's talc-based products such as Johnson's Baby Powder for feminine hygiene.

The California lawsuit was brought by Eva Echeverria, a 63-year-old woman who said she started using baby powder when she was 11 years old. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 10 years ago; the diagnosis is terminal, according to lawyers working on the case.

Some studies have found that women who regularly use talc on their genital area face up to a 40pc higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Other research has shown either no link or a weak link. Most major health groups have declared talc harmless.

The HPRA in Ireland said the safety of all cosmetic products was tested, but it strongly advised anyone who experienced any undesirable effects relating to a cosmetic product to stop using the product immediately.

"These effects will normally disappear, but if they persist, or you are concerned, you should report these to your doctor.

"You should also report the effects to the cosmetic company (whose contact details are on the product packaging) and to the HPRA."

A spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson in Ireland said yesterday: "Ovarian cancer is a devastating diagnosis and we deeply sympathise with the women and families impacted."

She said the company intended to appeal the court verdict "because we are guided by the science, which supports the safety of Johnson's Baby Powder".

In April, the National Cancer Institute's Physician Data Query Editorial Board wrote: "The weight of evidence does not support an association between perineal talc exposure and an increased risk of ovarian cancer."
SECONDARY school teacher Dympna Mannion will not now have to move to Galway Citys Merlin College to which she had been transferred in June by the Galway Roscommon Education Training Board (GRETB).

The Board, in a statement read out today Wednesday in the High Court, said it sincerely regretted the stress and difficulty its decision had caused Ms Mannion.

Ercus Stewart SC, counsel for the teacher, said that in talks with the Boards legal team led by Conor Power SC, who appeared with barrister Mairead McKenna, said it had been mutually agreed that Ms Mannion would move to a school in Galway.

Following the brief court proceedings Ms Mannions solicitor David Nohilly, of Larkin Tynan Nohilly, said that while she would be moving to Galway in the new school term that begins next week the transfer would not be to Merlin College.

It is believed Ms Mannion, of Headford Road, Galway, agreed during the out-of-court talks that she would move to Galway Community School instead.

Mr Stewart, who appeared with barrister Dermot Sheehan, told Mr Justice Donald Binchy that the matter had been resolved and that an agreed statement would be read to the court.

It was agreed that Ms Mannion was a teacher in good standing with an excellent and impeccable record over 17 years as a teacher with St Killians College, Ballinasloe.

The Galway Roscommon Education Training Board acknowledge that the recent transfer caused Ms Mannion stress and difficulty, the statement said.

This was not intended by the Board and is sincerely regretted. It is now mutually agreed that Ms Mannion will move to a school in Galway City and the Board wish her the best in her new school.

Ms Mannion, a business studies teacher, had launched a High Court challenge against her proposed transfer in the belief that she was being forced out of St Killians.

She claimed she had been told by St Killians principal Padraig Kelly of the transfer only 10 minutes before the beginning of the summer break and that it had been due to there being a surplus of business studies teachers.

Ms Mannion had told the court there were nine more junior teachers at St Killians who had not been considered for redeployment and no request for volunteers for any proposed transfer had been made. She had asked the High Court to quash the Boards decision.

Judge Binchy struck out the proceedings without further order.

"GRETB wishes to place on record that Ms. Dympna Mannion was unsuccessful in her legal challenge to remain on the teaching staff of St. Killians College, New Inn and the proposed necessary internal reassignment of Ms. Mannion will now proceed," the board said in a statement.

"The Board wishes to point out that the reassignment is necessary to enable the Board to stay within its authorised teacher staffing allocation. It is noted that no award was approved in this case.

"GRETB wishes Ms. Mannion continued professional success in her new school posting."
Almost one-in-five third-level students has children, a new study has found.

The statistic is revealed in an independent review which will be used to inform policy decisions on what supports should be offered to students.

Education Minister Richard Bruton commissioned the report to look at access to higher education by lone parents.

However, it has emerged no such data exists as parental status is not routinely collated by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) or the Department of Education.

But the report, which will be launched today, has established that 17pc of undergraduates are 'student parents'. This included lone parents and two-parent families.

The number of students with children is greatest among the mature student cohort (41pc) and drops to just 2pc among those under 23. Of those, 44pc are engaged in part-time education, 26pc in distance learning and 10.5pc in full-time courses.

The review said research has consistently identified loan parents as a group at higher risk of social exclusion, financial exclusion and economic vulnerability.

A high proportion of lone parents have low levels of education, but there is "a willingness" to take on courses, particularly as their children become older.

At today's launch of the report, Mr Bruton is expected to say there are clear returns to investing in higher education levels for lone parents, including reducing poverty and deprivation rates among adults and children.

During the compilation of the report a number of lone parents were asked their motivation for returning to education.

The authors said participants pointed to "positive effects of increasing parental levels of education on the aspirations, expectations and cultural capital acquisition of their children".

However, the Department of Education has been warned lone parents are often not targeted as a group with specific needs, but are catered for through generic supports for under-represented groups.

Some higher education facilities do offer financial assistance and childcare supports, but a review of international best practice suggests scholarships and enhanced academic supports should be promoted.

The review said there is limited support available for part-time study, which is often better suited to lone parents, compared to full-time courses.

The report acknowledged policy relating to one-parent families is under reform.

However, it added this reform is taking place against a backdrop of potential policy changes regarding how higher education is funded.

"In the context of proposals for the introduction of a student-loan scheme, the review indicates that lone parents are one of the groups most susceptible to high levels of debt," a source said.

Meanwhile, a series of new initiatives aimed at widening access to education will also be launched today.

Among the groups being targeted are communities facing socio-economic problems, entrants with disabilities, mature entrants, members of the Irish Traveller community and lone parents.

Mr Bruton will announce funding bursaries worth 5,000 for 600 students coming from non-traditional backgrounds into college.

A further 3m has been allocated over three years in increased funding for the hardship supports.

Mr Bruton said: "Education has a unique capacity to break down the cycles of disadvantage."
A Dublin hospital has launched an investigation into claims that a man who suffered a heart attack had earlier been turned away.

The man, who is in his 50s, presented himself at St Columcille's Hospital in South Dublin on Wednesday and complained of chest pains.

But he claims that he was turned away by hospital staff because he did not have a GP referral letter in his possession.

After leaving the hospital, the man travelled on the bus to Bray, Co Wicklow to visit his GP. He collapsed on the town's main street and has since undergone an operation after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Sinn Fein TD John Brady has said the man is lucky to be alive and earlier called on Health Minister Simon Harris to demand a full investigation.

A spokeswoman for Mr Harris told Independent.ie that he has been in direct contact with the hospital group and that an investigation is underway.

"Minister Harris has been in direct contact with the hospital group in connection with this case, understands an investigation is under way and expects a meeting will take place with the patient in due course," the spokeswoman said.

The incident is understood to have deeply distressed the family of the man, who is from Bray himself.

After pleading with staff,, the man was told he required a referral letter from his GP in order to be seen by a doctor.

He left the hospital just after lunchtime, crossed the footbridge to the other side of the road and got the bus to nearby Bray in order to visit his GP.

The man suddenly suffered a suspected heart attack on Bray main street and was treated on the scene by passers-by before the emergency services arrived.

He was rushed to St James Hospital where he has since undergone surgery.

Details of the case have been provided by the mans family to Sinn Fein TD for Wicklow John Brady.

Mr Brady said both he and the family are now demanding an urgent investigation.

We are talking about a matter of life and death here,  Mr Brady said.

I have sought a meeting with hospital management to establish what exactly are the protocols and procedures here," he added.

St Columcilles was downgraded in November 2013 with a decision being made to shut down the emergency department.

As a result, emergency cases are diverted to St Vincents Hospital. The hospital does, however, have a medical assessment unit and an injuries unit.

While the hospital would not comment on individual cases, a spokeswoman told Independent.ie that that the medical assessment unit does not accept walk-in patients.

The Medical Assessment Unit assesses patients referred by GP with acute medical conditions such as Chest Infection, Urinary Tract Infection, Collapse, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Anaemia without active bleeding, fever and headaches. The MAU is open seven days per week from 8 am to 6 pm. It accepts GP referrals and patient transfers from St. Vincents University Hospital. It does not accept walk in patients, the spokeswoman said.

The IU is open seven days per week from 8am to 6pm. It manages minor injuries and governance of the unit is with the Emergency Department in St Vincents University Hospital.

The Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) and the Injuries Unit (IU) have seen a combined total of 12,778 attendances in 2016.
The crew of Rescue 116; (left to right) Paul Ormsby, Mark Duffy, Dara Fitzpatrick and Ciaran Smith,

Prince William has paid tribute to the heroic crew of Rescue 116, saying they will be "an inspiration to many."

The Prince has written a heartfelt letter for a memorial concert that will honour Irish Coast Guard crew Capt Dara Fitzpatrick, Capt Mark Duffy and winch men Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby, who died when their aircraft crashed off the Co Mayo coast in March.

He said: "The selfless actions of those who put their lives on the line, for the safety of others, will always draw admiration from an incredibly wide audience.

Consequently Ciaran, Dara, Mark and Paul will be mourned far beyond these shores and the lives they led will be an inspiration to many.

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Prince William has served as a pilot with the Royal Air Force and the East Anglian Air Ambulance service and said that he knows of the dangers involved.

The 35-year-old said: I am proud to have served as a search and rescue pilot myself and I know how many of the stories, even though they could be perceived as routine, always have an element of hidden danger.

It is the acceptance of this risk, and the desire to carry out their duties in spite of it, which makes the search and rescue crews such a remarkable group of people.

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The concert has been organised as part of the Cootehill Arts Festival, which Ms Fitzpatrick's uncle John Blakey is the director of.

He said that Prince William was only too happy to be involved in the event.

Expand Close An Irish Coast Guard Helicopter lands at Blacksod Pier as the search continues for Rescue 116. Picture: Steve Humphreys / Facebook

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Mr Blakey told Independent.ie: William was a rescue helicopter captain and he knew the crew, we have a story in the concert's booklet about how Prince William met Paul Ormsby.

"After the crash Prince William wrote a lovely letter to the Fitzpatrick family.

"Dara's father is from Cootehill and she still has a lot of family here, so there was a great sense of loss here after the accident and we decided it would be appropriate to have the memorial here.

"We contacted Prince William to ask if we could print his letter in the festival's booklet and he replied saying he would write one especially for it."

With Prince William's permission, the letter has also been translated to Irish for the piece and joins another written by President Michael D Higgins.

Expand Close Captain Dara Fitzpatrick. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. / Facebook

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Mr Blakey said that the concert will begin with a performance by the Roscommon Solstice Choir at the festival's theatre tent at 7.45pm, during which a Coast Guard rescue helicopter will do a salute.

After that a performance by an Uilleann Piper from the Clew Bay Pipe Band at the scene of the crash on Blacksod Island will be broadcast into the tent.

There will also be performances by musicians including Declan O'Rourke, The Molloy Brothers and The Clew Bay Pipe Band, while RTE's Ray D'Arcy will act as the master of ceremonies.

Mr Blakey said: "This is a fundraiser for the RNLI and it's completely sold out, the tickets were like gold dust.

"We wanted it to be an intimate event and the families of all the crew will attend."
Bank of Ireland has come under fire for promoting questionable financial advice online.

The tweet, which has since been removed, read: "Orla and her boyfriend stopped renting and moved back with their parents to save the deposit for the 1st home."

The tweet linked readers to a blog post on the company's website.

The blog post detailed how Orla and her boyfriend moved back home with their parents in order to save for a mortgage on a house.

.@bankofireland's deleted tweet is all you need to know about property market & attitudes towards young people. Bin that avocado toast eh? pic.twitter.com/TWUO4O043y  Richard Chambers (@newschambers) August 23, 2017

A note at the bottom of the article confirmed that the couple eventually bought and moved into a house in Swords, County Dublin.

The post and accompanying tweet were not well received online.

Bank of Ireland's financial advice comes at a time when rental costs have hit a new high, for the fifth quarter in a row.

According to a recent report from Daft, rents have risen nationwide by almost 12 percent in the year to June 2017, while the supply of accommodation is at an all-time low.

The average monthly rent is now 1,159. This is up to 122 a month since last year.

Furious Twitter users slammed the bank for trivialising the rent crisis.

RTE's Louise McSharry wrote, "Ludicrous to see banks promoting this as a strategy," while the Irish Independent's Colette Browne said, "Tough luck millenials, the only way to get a mortgage with @bankofireland is to move back in with your parents."
Missing woman Fiona Pender's heartbroken mother has said she wants to bury her daughter and "give her her dignity back" before she dies.

Josephine Pender issued an appeal for information about what happened to Fiona, who went missing 21 years ago, and admits she doesn't think her daughter is alive.

Fiona (25) hasn't been seen since she left her apartment in Tullamore, Co Offaly in August 1996, she was seven months pregnant.

Speaking on Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One, she said: "I don't think Fiona is alive or her little baby.

"I wish I could say she was but I don't believe she could be alive and not get in contact with me, we were very close and she wouldn't leave me worrying.

"Someone definitely knows something, I need to know as soon as I can where Fiona is because I don't know with my heart whether I am going to last.

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"If anyone knows anything that might shed light on what happened then I would go so far as to beg them to come forward and tell us what they know.

"Hopefully it would lead to just finding her and I'm not into punishment and I don't care about anything like that at this stage, it doesn't matter."

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Ms Pender said that she is keen to finally give her daughter a proper burial.

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She said: "I just want to give Fiona back her dignity, her dignity that was taken away from her, and I want to give that back with a proper funeral and a burial and to lay her to rest with her daddy and her brother.

"I don't think that's too much to ask."

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She also said that she hopes that the family of missing man Trevor Deely finally get some answers about what happened to him after he vanished following a night out in Dublin in 2000.

She said: "I've been praying for Trevor Deely in Dublin and his parents every night and I hope that they find him and clear it up so they have a little bit of peace .

"They won't get over it, none of us will, but if they can get a little bit of peace, they deserve that."
The scene of the crash at Adelaide Road/Earlsford Tce last night. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN

The scene of the crash at Adelaide Road/Earlsford Tce last night. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN

Gardai have renewed their appeal for information about a crash that left five people injured during rush hour traffic.

A Saab convertible car crashed into four male pedestrians on the junction of Harcourt Road and Adelaide Road in Dublin 2 shortly after 6pm.

Gardai say the female driver of the car and one pedestrian were taken to St. Vincents Hospital with non life threatening injuries.

A second male pedestrian was removed to Tallaght Hospital with non life threatening injuries.

The final two pedestrians were taken to St. James Hospital; one of the casualties was subsequently removed to Beaumont Hospital in a serious condition.

Investigating gardai have issued a fresh appeal to anybody who may have witnessed the incident or any motorists with dash cam to contact them.

Anyone with information can contact gardai in Pearse St Garda Station on 01- 666 9000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Gardai have arrested 13 people after a large fight broke out among customers at a bar in South Dublin overnight.

Emergency services from across Dublin were called to the incident at Flash Harry's on Temple Road in Blackrock at approximately 1.30am.

An 18th birthday party was taking place in the venue and it is understood that a fight broke out amongst customers.

The garda public order unit attended the scene and quickly brought the situation under control. No injuries were reported to Gardai.

A spokesman confirmed that gardai arrested 13 people "following a public order incident" at the bar.

The suspects were detained at Blackrock, Dundrum, and Dun Laoghaire Garda Stations and later released without charge.

A file will be prepared for the DPP.

Independent.ie has contacted Flash Harry's for a comment.
Mount Brandon is along the Dingle Peninsula in Co Kerry

Low cloud cover is hampering search and rescue efforts for a hill-walker who went missing in Co Kerry yesterday.

The missing man, who has not been identified, is from the UK and was on holiday with his wife when he decided to climb Mount Brandon, which is along the Dingle Peninsula.

Frank Heidtke, Officer In Charge with Dingle Coastguard, said that he is "hopeful" that the 60-year-old will be found this evening but admits rescue crews are still working through "dozens of scenarios."

Mr Heidtke says that around 40 people from the Dingle Coast Guard, Kerry Mountain Rescue, Shannon Coast Guard Rescue 115 and the Dingle gardai are involved in the search efforts.

He told Independent.ie: "We got the call about 8.30pm last night and we searched for three hours or so until it got dark.

"We were out again at first light this morning, the Coast Guard helicopter is due to fly again in the next hour and people on the ground are just trying to cover as much ground as possible, we've done a lot of searching today.

"Low cloud cover has impaired our visibility and as you go higher conditions deteriorate rapidly for searching."

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He said that the man is used to hill-walking and was sufficiently prepared for the walk.

Mr Heidtke said: "We believe he is an experienced hill-walker and he had all of the adequate, correct equipment with him that he would have needed.

"We've gathered that he took an unconventional route that wouldn't be so popular and that makes it harder.

"Plus, walking on your own is always a risk factor.

"We're going through dozens of scenarios at the moment to try and work out what happened but we have no hot leads yet.

"The area of land is so vast that we need to keep an open mind."

The man's worried wife raised the alarm when she lost contact with him after 3pm yesterday and Mr Heidtke said he is optimistic that he may be found this evening.

He said: "We're always hopeful, we're all doing our best and hopefully we will find him as soon as possible."
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited the Canadian border with the US to meet the frontline staff

Mid-way into the Taoiseach's speech, two large bin trucks rumbled by and, though he tried his best, he struggled to raise his voice loud enough to be heard over the hubbub of the big city.

A look of fleeting irritation crossed Leo Varadkar's face but, in a way, the moment, shared by the small group clustered together around a tiny handkerchief of bare soil retrieved from under the Toronto pavestones seemed to serve as an oddly appropriate metaphor for the far-greater struggles being recalled.

This anonymous spot, surrounded by modern high-rise glass edifices and a small strip of quaint, run-down older houses across the road, had 170 years ago been the scene of horrors untold, as the former site of fever sheds used to treat victims of the Great Famine suffering from deadly typhus.

Having survived the journey across the Atlantic during the summer of 'Black '47', more than 38,000 wretched victims had swamped Toronto - a city then of just 20,000 people.

Newspaper reports conveyed the terror caused by the sudden influx of the starving and desperately ill men, women and children.

And though Catholic, Irish-speaking and impoverished, amid a very British and Protestant city, one wealthy doctor, George Grassett, risked all to help them - living only six weeks himself in the process. "In a way, you could call him the first Medecins Sans Frontieres doctor in Canada. He knew he would die helping these people," explained Robert Kearns, chairman of the Ireland Park Foundation in Toronto.

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A total of 892 people had died, and 10 local medical staff lost their lives tending them. Theirs had been the untold story, said Mr Kearns.

With a shiny new shovel, the Taoiseach turned the sod for what will be a park, about to be created there to remember the city's decency, with a tall glass sculpture etched with cheesecloth patterns - as a nod to the rolls of the fabric used to treat the typhus victims.

The Taoiseach said the famine was a chapter of our national story we would never forget and which still defines who we are.

Much of the background research had been done by Irish-born historian Laura Smith, a consultant for the project, who said that of those children who survived, many went into indentured service.

In a curious 21st-century twist, the Taoiseach spoke of his delight that Toronto Dominion Bank has decided to move its post-Brexit EU hub to Ireland.

"It's one of the upsides, if you like, of Brexit that Ireland is somewhere now that people can invest."

With that, his official tour of Canada drew to a close.

Next was a pit stop to the border between Canada and the US to inspect it for himself - in the anticipation that it would not be a credible option for Ireland post-Brexit.
A rent register where landlords would have to declare their rates could bring stability to the market, a housing charity has said.

Thousands of students are struggling to find accommodation ahead of the new college term, with prices now 13pc higher than the Celtic Tiger peak in 2008.

Threshold believes new figures showing the average renter is paying 1,159 mean new protections need to be "urgently" put in place for tenants.

The housing body claims legislation brought in last year to restrict price rises in 'Rent Pressure Zones' (RPZ) is being flouted by landlords. Under the RPZ laws, a new tenant can only be charged 4pc more than the previous occupant.

Chair of Threshold Dr Aideen Hayden said: "Many tenants are desperate, and those who can afford the asking rent are prepared to pay without many questions, to get a roof over their heads.

"With such a shortage of supply, if legislation is not enforced, rents can only go up in the face of such desperation, and this is a very poor vista for low and middle-income earners."

However, Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald said she favours more transparency "but it's a competitive market out there and you know we do want to see people making housing available for rent".

Despite the spiralling rents and spike in homelessness, the Enterprise Minister insisted the Government was getting on top of the housing crisis.

She said over 1,100 student places were provided over the past year and another 7,000 were on the way.

"So there's a very good programme for developing supports for the development of student accommodation, so we will certainly see more and more units coming on stream. But it is a big issue in Ireland obviously."

Meanwhile, Fianna Fail has accused Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O'Connor of talking down to students and parents as if they were naughty school children.

Meath TD Thomas Byrne said she suggested parents were not engaged or doing their homework on the topic.

"The student accommodation crisis is a powder keg that continues to ignite year on year, and is now at its nadir," he said.

"Minister Mitchell O'Connor's appointment to her position has been controversial, and her public comments and inability to offer practical reassurance regarding student accommodation now casts another shadow over her newly created ministerial role."
A father scammed out of 1,500 while looking for student accommodation for his daughter has warned parents to remain vigilant.

Simon Kershaw, who lives in west Cork, has been searching for accommodation for his daughter Charlotte (21), who studies dentistry in Trinity College Dublin.

With two daughters in university, Mr Kershaw said it was "proving unsustainable" to pay 8,000-a-year for on-campus accommodation.

Having stayed in campus accommodation last year, Charlotte was frantically looking over the summer for a room to stay in.

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She had found a place on Facebook for 450-a-month, on Townsend Street, in Dublin city centre.

Having transferred a "refundable deposit", the contract was sent via email and the keys were to be sent by courier once the alleged landlord confirmed the money had transferred.

Rather than the keys, they received a further email about a double letting.

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The fraudster then asked for four-month's rent to guarantee the property. Mr Kershaw sent two months instead, but again did not receive the keys.

He said they "were always very cautious" but couldn't believe they had been caught out.

"We couldn't believe it but obviously they are still out there," he said of the fraudster.
"I wasn't at all surprised when I heard that mummypages.ie had undertaken research which showed that over 60pc of women worry about their chances of conceiving and even less so that age is their biggest concern.

"As a GP, I have had plenty of experience of the worries surrounding this issue. And not long after John Paul and I got married, I began to look at my own fertility as we hadn't been using contraception for a year or two and as I was coming up to 35, I knew my chances of becoming pregnant were beginning to dwindle.

"Because of my job, I am very aware of the statistics surrounding fertility and probably began to worry a lot sooner than most people. So I broached the subject with John Paul and suggested we look into the reasons why I wasn't getting pregnant. Initially he thought I was being a bit pre-emptive but agreed to start the ball rolling as he could see it meant a lot to me. So we forged ahead and went to see a consultant for fertility tests, followed by ultra sounds and then more invasive investigations.

"Once all of these were complete, it was decided I was a case of unexplained infertility, which was extremely frustrating. I know that finding out you have specific fertility problems isn't a wonderful thing either, but at least there is a definite issue and steps can be taken to rectify it.

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Whatsapp Janette McGuinness Davis with her husband John Paul McGuinness and their kids Elijah age 3, Isaac 20 months, twins Sienna & India 7 months. Janette conceived naturally after several rounds of IVF.

"While doctors were scratching their heads trying to figure out what was wrong, we decided to go down the treatment route. I was put on medication (to induce ovulation) but nothing happened. Then we went for IUI and after two rounds, we were still in the same position.

"At this point, a year had passed and I knew time was really of the essence, so we took a hard look at our finances and decided we would start IVF as we really wanted to get our family started. The whole process of IVF was incredibly gruelling and, to be honest, was one of the most difficult things I have ever done as it takes its toll on every aspect of your being - physical, emotional and psychological.

"The first cycle produced five viable eggs, two of which were transferred in the hope that a pregnancy would follow. Amazingly, it did and we were absolutely delighted. But at our first seven-week scan, the heartbeat was really low and I just knew it was game over. This was really awful and we were both absolutely devastated - the disappointment is very hard to describe.

"I found the grief overwhelming and I lost the baby in horrible circumstances, going into cervical shock while I was at work and had to be rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

"We took a few months off to recover, then decided to have another go and our hopes were raised when we got a positive pregnancy test, but once again at seven weeks, we discovered the pregnancy had failed - it was devastating.

"We began to fear we would never have a family and would have to find a way to live our lives without ever celebrating birthdays, communions and Christmas with a child - it was very difficult to come to terms with.

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"After the two miscarriages, we still had the finances for one more shot at IVF and decided to try again after a short holiday. But when we returned, tests revealed that the lining of my womb wasn't thick enough to receive the embryos, so everything was put on hold again.

"I was really distraught at this stage and feeling like there was no hope at all. But I was talking to a colleague at work about it and it was recommended I go to see a spiritual healer. As someone with a scientific background, I really wasn't convinced this would do any good at all, but I was in such a low place I thought it wouldn't do any harm.

"Throughout the 'treatment', the healer didn't touch me at all but said he was releasing blocked energy and knew there was a "soul in waiting" for me. I found that really upsetting and thought it was a very inappropriate thing to say to be honest. However, just four weeks after visiting him, I discovered I was pregnant. Both John Paul and I were totally in shock as were the consultants who really couldn't explain what had happened or why I had suddenly gotten pregnant - whether it was coincidence or divine intervention, who knows, but suddenly we were getting ready to become parents. We were utterly overjoyed.

"Our son Elijah is now three, but our family didn't end there as we also have Isaac, who is 20 months, and twin girls Sienna and India, who are seven months old. All were conceived naturally.

"It has been the most incredible journey and we still don't know how we managed to conceive naturally after all the treatment, stress and ups and downs beforehand - it really beggars belief.

"I turned 40 in March and I feel utterly blessed with my family. We went through the mill to try and create one little person and now we have four. Through the course of my work, I am acutely aware that so many people don't have this sort of outcome and I really can't explain it - it seems as if we had no control over our destiny. But however it happened, we are truly overjoyed with our family."
Got a baby on board? Dublin Airport has opened new dedicated baby feeding rooms in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

The new rooms offer "additional comfort and privacy for parents travelling with babies," the airport says, and were introduced in response to passenger feedback.

The bright and colourful baby feeding stations are equipped with a highchair, comfortable vinyl seating, a microwave and a bottle warmer, it adds.

The family-friendly rooms are located airside (i.e. beyond security screening), beside the retail area in T2, and the food and beverage area in T1.

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The prime locations for the baby feeding rooms means families and groups travelling together will not be separated, says Vincent Harrison, Dublin Airport's Managing Director.

A seating area is available just outside both rooms for travelling companions.

Dublin Airport upgraded several passenger facilities in recent times, including a luxury US Preclearance lounge (in T2), a new 'Marquette' food court (T1), self-service bag drop machines and a 10 million revamp of Terminal 1's facade and Arrivals Hall.

So far this year, more than 16.9 million passengers have travelled through the airport, a 6pc increase compared to the first five months of last year.

Last year, Dublin was found to be the fastest-growing major airport in Europe. This July was its busiest ever month with over 3.1 million passengers.

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The iconic Gateway Arch beside the mighty Mississippi river welcomes visitors to the city of St Louis, Missouri

Icelandic budget carrier WOW air has announced one-stop flights from Dublin to Detroit, St Louis, Cleveland and Cincinnati for 2018.

The new flights, which involve a layovers of one to 3.5 hours at Iceland's Keflavik Airport, will start from 129.99 each-way including taxes and charges, the airline says.

The price does not include extras such as in-flight drinks and snacks, or 20kg checked bags - which are priced from 47.99 to 81.96 each-way.

All routes will operate flights up to four times a week on Airbus A320 (European legs) and A321 aircraft (North American legs).

WOW has also announced new flights from London Stansted to Keflavik from next April. Tickets for all routes are available on its website (wowair.ie).

Since launching its first flights from Dublin in 2015, and from Cork Airport this summer, WOW has added connecting routes to 14 North American destinations, including New York, Boston, Toronto, Washington DC, Montreal, Miami, LA, San Francisco, Pittsburgh and Chicago.

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Despite rapid growth, however, the carrier recently announced plans to axe its Cork routes from October, due to lower than expected demand.

The routes announced today will open up America's Midwest region across several states, putting a host of new cities on the radar of Irish travellers - though all are, of course, already available as one-stop connections via European cities, or US hubs with carriers like United, American, Delta and Aer Lingus and its partners.

Flights to Detroit will commence on April 25; to Cleveland on May 3, to Cincinnati on May 9 and St Louis on May 17 of 2018.

Passengers can also avail of WOW's stopover option, which allows them to explore Iceland on either leg of a journey at no extra cost.

At WOW air, we are committed to our mission of offering our Irish passengers more affordable travel options to North America at the lowest fares," said Skuli Mogensen, the airline's CEO and founder.

By the end of 2018, its fleet will consist of 24 brand new aircraft.

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From Killeaney to Kigali... some 10,000 kilometres separates my home place of Killeaney on the Aran Islands and Kigali.

But somehow on day two of this journey with Irish aid agency Bothar into and beyond the Rwandan capital, our worlds didnt seem that much apart in many ways.

Separated by distance yes but, in many respects, only time separates it from much of what we know back home.

The time piece became strikingly obvious as we stopped in the afternoon sun at the tiny farm of Innocent Sekamana this afternoon.

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A survivor of the genocide of 23 years ago, today this man is the proudest owner in the world of an Irish cow.

As we arrived at his small holding, I was drawn back to a time 30 years ago, when as a young girl growing up on the Aran Islands, I, too, crouched on knee and milked a Friesian cow.

He has one. We had three. Not a huge difference.

That was life back then on Inis Mor, Aran Islands. Our cows were precious to us; put milk on the table, we drank it, loved it. It was part of our life.

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For Innocent, its more than a part of his life. Its actually and literally been a life-line.

A life-line given to him by Bothar; moreover by the Irish people who have donated this and many other cows that are now transforming lives here in Rwanda.

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A stunning transformation that I saw with Innocent and other farmers, including genocide widows today.

In reality, Innocents life is probably what life in parts of Ireland was like much more than 30 years ago.

If we could time-travel back home, we would probably find a period at some stage in the early part of the last century when it was very similar.

His home is not at all unlike an Irish rural cottage back then.

Four small rooms. No electricity. A galvanised roof. No running water; the source of same being a local well nearby.

The walls are adorned with religious images; his faith the same as ours.

Outside the house, his life dependent on a cow, side by side in a shed with a young calf offering hope for the future.

Theres two goats and a pig. And the crouching that has to be done as he draws what, for him, is this white gold from his precious cow. An Irish cow.

I was drawn in by time and nostalgia.

Could I remember how to milk a cow? Well there was only one way to find out. Innocent agreed to let me try with a beguiling smile.

And Im delighted to report, that yes, the milk flowed. Its just one of those things, like riding a bike that you dont forget. Kilkeany to Kigali indeed.

Because this cow has a greater importance and dependence than any Irish cow for decades. If not a century.

Its changed his and his familys life way beyond anything we can ever truly understand. Put a superfood source on the table, allowed him to sell the excess. Used the money to buy a small piece of land behind his house that is now home to his goats, pig and hens.

Shes the reason he can smile as wide as the evening Rwandan sun as it sets over the thousand hills of this charming and surprising nation.

Its one of the most engaging smiles Ive seen. And good reason for it because, just like the meaning of the name Bothar, he has travelled a road. A hard, hard road.

Hes from a world where neighbour set upon neighbour with merciless, inexplicable abandon in a 100 day period that was the fastest killing spree in the history in the world.

Even after that, in the post genocide era, his simplicity and poverty meant he was dismissed by others.

As aid began to pour in, including through the life-changing gift of Bothars income and food producing animals, the suggestion that this humble man, among the poorest of the poor, could be trusted to care for an animal that is celebrated in Rwandan society was ridiculed.

No one believed, even in his own community, that Innocent could look after this most precious of gifts he received from Bothar six years ago.

But he did.

Today, as he sat to milk his cow, he did so wearing the same coat that he has worn for three years.

Its a coat given to him for winning awards  two on the bounce in fact  for having the best show-cow in his region; an award based principally on milk yield but also on how its cared for. And this is a country that cares for cows like no other.

A strike for the underdog.

Innocent is a symbol of the hope. Bothar gives that hope and it gave it to him.

Irish people trust Bothar to do that and its well placed.
Conor McGregor has achieved a reputation for being suitably extra  stepping out in exquisitely tailored suits, pulling up at gyms in bright green Lamborghinis, holding his baby in a really amusing way.

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And it seems the origins for his flamboyance arent so difficult to track.

The Notoriouss dad Tony is also pretty big on Instagram  and a look at his page reveals a few similarities.

Take this credit card holder etched with 24-carat gold that will be a very expensive waste if his son fails to beat Floyd Mayweather on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

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The social media profile, where McGregor Snr has racked up 20,000 followers, reveals a few things. Like a love of yachts.

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Cars.

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His son.

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And the finer things in life.

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Like his son, the older McGregor is also partial to a selfie from strange angles.

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And for anyone who was wondering how that cute boxer Benji McGregor bought his parents was getting on  wonder no more.

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Tony revealed earlier this week there had been contact from Conor, or the McGregor camp at least, requesting all of his belts  the featherweight and lightweight belts he won in the UFC, and the same belts he won in UK promotion Cage Warriors.

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So if his dads Instagram is anything to go by, expect McGregor to walk out on Saturday night proudly displaying all of his achievements.

And there are a lot of them.
Protesters raise their hands after Phoenix police used tear gas

Donald Trumps first political event since the violence in Charlottesville has been met with charged protests.

Images show police trying to disperse crowds with tear gas as thousands lined the streets in Phoenix protesting over the politics of hate.

What started peacefully ended with clouds of gas filling the sky, with police claiming they responded after protesters threw rocks and bottles.

Thousands of Trump supporters had gathered for the rally, where the president pulled out copies of his speeches regarding the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville more than a week ago.

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Accusing the dishonest media of selectively choosing his quotes, Trump said: I hit them with neo-Nazi. I hit them with everything. I got the white supremacists, the neo-Nazi. I got them all in there. Lets see. KKK, we have KKK.

Trump omitted his widely criticised comment from August 15, when he blamed many sides for the violence in Charlottesville.

The president also appeared to mention Confederate statues, saying: Theyre trying to take away our culture. Theyre trying to take away our history.

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Outside, protesters had been gathering all day, carrying signs and megaphones, with many climbing the stairs of a car park opposite the convention centre where Trump held his rally.

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Police were vigilant in case of clashes like those seen in Charlottesville, where counter-protester Heather Heyer was killed after she was mown down by a car.

A number of people at the Phoenix protest said they were there for her.

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Others carried signs against fascism and racism.

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As well as tear gas, police also lobbed what they said was pepper spray.

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Trump used part of his speech in the state, which borders Mexico, to whip up scenes reminiscent of his campaign rallies.

The president helped lead chants of build the wall, according to CNN, saying: If we have to close down our government, were building that wall.

The Phoenix Police Department said four people were arrested at the protest, plus one who was arrested on an unrelated warrant.

These protests followed ones in Boston at the weekend where around 40,000 counter-demonstrators were estimated to have attended a white supremacist free speech rally.
This picture provided by Polizeiinspektion Osnabrueck police shows an ecstasy pill in the shape of Donald Trump's head

Thousands of ecstasy tablets, which bizarrely appear to be in the shape of US president Donald Trumps head, have been seized by German police.

The drug haul has an estimated street value of 39,000 euro (35,700), and police in Osnabruck, in north-western Germany, said they found the drugs while checking an Austrian-registered car.

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They said the people in the car, a 51-year-old man and his 17-year-old son, told officers they had been in the Netherlands to buy a vehicle but had not succeeded so were returning home.

Officers said they found about 5,000 of the orange, Trump-shaped ecstasy tablets along with a large, but unspecified quantity of cash.

A judge ordered the father and son be kept in custody, and the car was seized and towed away.
Protesters hold placards and light candles at the wake of Kian Loyd delos Santos, a 17-year-old high school student, who was among the people shot dead last week in an escalation of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, in Caloocan city, Metro Manila, Philippines. Photo: REUTERS/Erik De Castro

A horrifying image of a schoolboy being dragged to a violent death in a dirty alleyway has galvanised the Philippines against a brutal state-led war on drugs that has killed more than 12,500 people in the last year.

For a nation now largely immune to the bloodied corpses of alleged small-time drug users and dealers dumped on the streets, the graphic reports of the final moments of Kian Delos Santos (17), who was allegedly shot three times by undercover police officers, have been too much to bear.

His killing last week has united the public, senior politicians and the Catholic Church into the most significant sweep of mass protests since President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for a savage crackdown on drugs after his election last June.

Most of the 12,500 casualties have been killed by masked assassins. An estimated 3,500 have been killed in police shoot-outs, which officers often claim were self-defence.

In the case of the teenager, the police initially claimed he had fired first.

But their story was contradicted by witnesses and CCTV footage that showed him being dragged down alleyways into a dead-end corner where he was asked to run with a gun, and shot when he did.

He was heard screaming: "Please can I go home, I have school tomorrow."

He is one of 81 people killed last week during mass police raids in what was the bloodiest period of the drugs war so far. His bullet-ridden, semi-naked body was found in a foetal position, with a gun in his hand.

Speaking to Rappler news, his parents, Saldy and Lorenza, said he was a well-behaved teenager who loved watching YouTube and who helped with the family shop. His only vice was eating cheese-flavoured crisps.

On the night he died, his father gave him a prescient warning to come home early. "You know how it is on our street, it could be dangerous," Saldy said. ( Daily Telegraph London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
A British BBC correspondent's trial has begun in Thailand in a criminal defamation case involving a report on foreigners being defrauded of property.

The case against Jonathan Head, the BBC's Southeast Asia correspondent, has been criticised as an example of how Thailand's harsh criminal defamation laws can be used to intimidate journalists.

Head had reported about a British expatriate whose Thai wife allegedly defrauded him of properties on the southern resort island of Phuket by forging his signature on multiple occasions.

The criminal complaint against Head and the expatriate, Ian Rance, was brought by a Thai lawyer, Pratuan Thanarak, who says he was defamed by an allegation in the report that he had notarised Rance's forged signature, allowing the wife to transfer properties.

If found guilty, Head could face up to two years in prison for online criminal defamation and five years under a law regulating online content.

Rance was charged only with criminal defamation, which carries a one-year maximum sentence.

Mr Pratuan's complaint said the BBC report caused the public to perceive him as a "deceitful lawyer" and "an unethical lawyer".

In February, the American-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called for an end to the use of criminal defamation charges against journalists in Thailand.

"The use of criminal defamation complaints in Thailand has a chilling effect on journalists who fear being bogged down in time-consuming and expensive litigation," Shawn Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative, said in a statement.

The statement also mentioned a 2013 criminal defamation case filed by the Royal Thai Navy against Phuketwan, a small news website, for republishing a Reuters report that Thai naval forces had profited from trafficking ethnic Rohingya.

Phuketwan was forced to close for financial reasons during the trial, with one of its reporters saying he had spent nearly a third of his work time preparing his defence and that local advertisers had stopped taking ads on Phuketwan for fear of official reprisals, the statement said.

Earlier this month, a prominent Thai journalist was charged with sedition and violation of the country's computer law for online postings concerning politics.

AP
A man climbs over rubble from an air strike on a hotel in Arhab, Yemen (Al-Masirah TV via AP)

The Saudi-led coalition has carried out several air strikes in Yemen, hitting a small hotel near the capital of Sanaa and killing dozens of people, Yemeni officials and witnesses said.

There were conflicting reports on the victims, with doctors saying they were farmers and officials and witnesses saying they included Houthi rebels.

The fighter jets targeted a two-storey hotel in the Qaa al-Qaidhi district, located in the town of Arhab, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Sanaa, officials said.

The building sustained extensive damage and bodies were still being retrieved from under the rubble, witnesses said later on Wednesday.

Another air strike hit a checkpoint manned by the Houthis, a few kilometres from the hotel, they added.

Footage of the area aired on al-Masirah TV, a Houthi-run satellite news network, showed bodies hanging out of a simple building.

Bystanders wrapped mangled corpses into blankets to try to carry them away.

The TV network said 41 civilians were killed and that the death toll was expected to rise further.

Officials and witnesses told The Associated Press that the death toll had reached 60 and that the majority of those killed were Houthi rebels.

Physician Ali al-Rakmi, who was helping at the site of the hotel strike, said there were more than 100 people inside at the time of the attack, all farmers who work in growing qat.

The plant's leaves are chewed for a stimulant effect, a widespread tradition among Yemeni men.

Mr al-Rakmi said they had retrieved 35 bodies so far.

Fahd Marhab, head of the Umrah hospital about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the site of the air strike, said there were no wounded and that all the people in the hotel were killed in the air strike. He also said that they were mostly farmers.

It was not possible to reconcile the discrepancies in the accounts and the different number of fatalities reported by the officials and the TV.

There was no immediate comment from the coalition.

The Saudi-led coalition has been waging an extensive air campaign against the Houthis and forces loyal to ousted Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 2015, seeking to push the rebels from lands they captured, including Sanaa, and restore the internationally recognised government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to power.

However, the air strikes have also hit civilian targets, such as schools, hospitals, and markets, killing thousands and prompting rights groups to accuse the Saudi-led coalition of committing war crimes.

Activists have also called upon Western countries, including the United States and Britain, to cease military support for the coalition.

Yemen's conflict began after the Houthis swept into Sanaa in 2014 and overthrew Mr Hadi's government, forcing it to relocate to the southern port city of Aden and prompting Mr Hadi to seek military support from Arab Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia.

The conflict has so far killed over 10,000 civilians, displaced three million people and pushed the impoverished nation to the brink of famine.

AP
A furious British Airways passenger had to sit on a urine-soaked seat for almost 11 hours on a flight to Cape Town.

Andrew Wilkinson (39) boarded the plane at Heathrow to visit his parents in South Africa.

He claimed a stewardess gave him wet wipes to mop up the mess when he alerted her.

"I was left to sit in a urine-soaked seat for over 11 hours when I paid 1,242 [1,346] for a return flight with BA," he told the Sun.

NEWS British Airways passenger to Johannesburg claims he had to sit in a urine-soaked seat for 11 hours https://t.co/aqUOX0HflQ pic.twitter.com/mZsf0hrDFi  AIRLIVE (@airlivenet) August 23, 2017

"It was awful. By the end of the flight, I could feel it seeping into my jeans."

A spokesperson for British Airways told Independent.ie "the flight was completely full and there were no spare seats to move the customer to."

They added: "We were very concerned to hear about this and have been in touch with our customer to apologise and make amends.

"The cleanliness of our aircraft is of the utmost importance to us and our planes are cleaned thoroughly after every flight. We also perform frequent spot checks to make sure our cleaners are maintaining our high standards." 
Rescuers pull seven-month-old Pasquale from the rubble of a collapsed building in Casamicciola, on the island of Ischia, near Naples, Italy. Photo: ANSA via AP

Three brothers, including a seven-month-old baby, have been pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed building on the Italian holiday island of Ischia after it was hit by a powerful earthquake.

The baby, whose name is Pasquale, was rescued by firefighters at around 4am local time while his two elder brothers, Mattias and Ciro, were pulled from the dusty wreckage a few hours later.

All were reported to be in reasonable health, given their horrendous ordeal.

"There's no doubt now - Ciro too has been saved!" the Italian fire service tweeted, after describing the rescue of baby Pasquale as "a miracle".

Firefighters had "worked for hours without a break to save the three children," the fire service tweeted.

The 4.0 magnitude quake hit the island, in the Bay of Naples, at 8.57pm on Monday.

An elderly woman was killed by masonry falling from a church, while a second woman was found dead beneath the rubble of her home.

The worst hit area on the island was the village of Casamicciola, where several houses collapsed.

"There was a very loud noise, a rumble. It was like a bomb. At first, we didn't understand that it was an earthquake," said Simona Postiglione, a local resident.

Baby Pasquale was trapped under the rubble for more than seven hours.

Firefighters clapped and cheered as the baby was gently extracted.

The child was taken to a local hospital as a precaution, along with his mother, who was also rescued.

The powerful quake caused panic on the island, with hundreds of people running out into the streets.

"When the quake hit we all ran out into the street. It was very frightening," an Italian holidaymaker told the Ansa news agency.

A hospital had to be evacuated after cracks appeared in its walls.

Some patients were flown by helicopter to nearby Naples.

Three ferries have been laid on to enable people to leave the island if they wish.

Ischia, which is particularly popular with German tourists, has been hit by earthquakes before. In 1883 around 2,300 people died after a quake hit Casamicciola.

Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology put the magnitude at 4.0 but both the US Geological Survey and the European quake agency EMSC estimated the magnitude at 4.3.

Civil protection squads were already on the island because of brush fires and more arrived from the mainland.

The quake hit a few days before the first anniversary of a quake that killed nearly 300 people in central Italy.
An impromptu memorial at the site where a van crashed into pedestrians at Las Ramblas in Barcelona Photo: Reuters/Albert Gea

An extremist cell was preparing bombs for an imam who planned to blow himself up at a Barcelona monument, a key suspect in the attacks that killed 15 people in north-eastern Spain told a judge, according to a judicial official.

The suspect, Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 21, was one of four men brought before Spain's National Court in Madrid on Tuesday to testify about the Islamic extremist cell that attacked pedestrians in Barcelona and the nearby seaside town of Cambrils last week.

National Court Judge Fernando Andreu is scheduled to rule later on the prosecutor's request to send the four to jail without bail for preliminary accusations of being part of a terrorist organisation, homicide, causing havoc and dealing with explosives.

A Spanish judicial official said Houli Chemlal and suspect Driss Oukabir, 28, identified the imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, as the ideologist of the cell.

Oukabir and the other two surviving suspects who testified on Tuesday, Mohamed Aalla and Sahal El Karib, denied being part of the cell, said the court official.

Eight members of the cell have either been killed by police - five were shot dead on Friday and one on Monday after a manhunt - or accidently blew themselves up, like Es Satty and another man, while preparing explosives in a house in the coastal town of Alcanar, south of Barcelona.

Es Satty preached in a mosque in the north-eastern town of Ripoll, home to most of the 12 pointed by police as being possible members of the cell.

Police have identified his remains amid the rubble of the August 16 explosion that destroyed the house in Alcanar.

Expand Close Messages are displayed at an impromptu memorial at the site where a van crashed into pedestrians at Las Ramblas in Barcelona Photo: REUTERS/Albert Gea / Facebook

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Whatsapp Messages are displayed at an impromptu memorial at the site where a van crashed into pedestrians at Las Ramblas in Barcelona Photo: REUTERS/Albert Gea

Police found in the house more than 100 tanks of butane gas and materials to make TATP, an explosive frequently used in attacks by Islamic State militants.

The group has claimed responsibility for both attacks on pedestrians - one on Thursday by a van that mowed down people on Barcelona's Las Ramblas promenade and another early on Friday in Cambrils.

The attacks and a bloody getaway in which a man was stabbed to death left 15 dead and more than 120 wounded.

Houli Chemlal, the only survivor of the Alcanar blast, told the court on Tuesday he is alive because he was on the ground floor of the house washing dishes after dinner.

He testified from a wheelchair without lifting his eyes up from the ground, according to the court official. He has been in hospital under guard since his arrest on Thursday.

The second suspect interrogated, Oukabir, testified that he did rent the vans used in the attacks on pedestrians but thought they were going to be used for a house move.

His brother Moussa was one of the five radicals shot dead on Friday by police in Cambrils.

According to another person who attended Tuesday's interrogation, Oukabir told the prosecutor that his first version of events - telling police that his documents were stolen by his brother - was something he had done out of fear.

The third suspect, Aalla, said an Audi A3 used in last week's attack in Cambrils was registered under his name but used by another sibling, according to the Spanish judicial official.

Police say one of Aalla's younger brothers died in Cambrils and another one is believed to be the second casualty in the Alcanar house blast where the imam died.

The last surviving suspect, El Karib, the owner of a cyber cafe in Ripoll, told the judge on Tuesday that he was only trying to make a profit when he bought at least two plane tickets for two alleged members of the cell.

Police later on Tuesday raided that cyber cafe in Ripoll as well as a house in Vilafranca del Penedes, searching for more evidence.

The lone fugitive from the cell - 22-year-old Younes Abouyaaqoub - was shot dead on Monday west of Barcelona after a massive manhunt. Police say he flashed what turned out to be a fake suicide belt at two officers who confronted him in a vineyard.

Police said they had "scientific evidence" that Abouyaaqoub drove the van through Barcelona's crowded Las Ramblas promenade and that he hijacked a car and fatally stabbed its driver while making his getaway.
Rescue personnel cordon off the place where several people were stabbed at Turku Market Square in Finland on August 18. Picture: Reuters

Finnish police have arrested two more suspects over last week's stabbings that killed two people and wounded eight in the south-western city of Turku.

Officers said they arrested two men on suspicion "of preparation of an offence to be committed with terrorist intent".

On Tuesday, a regional court ordered that an 18-year-old Moroccan asylum-seeker be detained on suspicion of terrorist crimes, including two counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder.

Three alleged accomplices also were ordered to be held on suspicion they helped plan the attack.

The main suspect, who has acknowledged the stabbings but denies murder, was named as Abderrahman Mechkah, although police said they believe he is using a false identity.
George Klein had actually been in Northern Ireland at the time of the D-Day landings. Overlord/Facebook

An American World War Two veteran has confessed that he was never actually involved in one of the most dangerous D-Day missions, despite being celebrated for taking part in it.

For decades, George Klein (96) has been praised as a "hero" for taking part in one of the most dangerous D-Day missions, scaling the 100-foot cliffs of Pointe du Hoc as a member of the elite 2nd Ranger Batallion.

Mr Klein was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals by the US military and the Legion of Honour by the French.

This year, the D-Day Overlord association raised 4,000 in crowdfunding to bring him to France from his home in Illinois.

He travelled to Normandy for the the 73rd anniversary of the Allied landing at Pointe du Hoc where the association said he signed "hundreds of autographs" and was praised for his "kindness".

However, caught out by historians a few weeks after he returned to the US, Mr Klein was forced to admit that he never took part in the Pointe du Hoc battle.

In fact, during D-Day he had actually been in Northern Ireland with the B Battery of his artillery regiment.

"George Klien arrived in Normandy until July 1944, Marc Laurenceau, head of the Overlord D-Day association, told the French newspaper La Renaissance Le Bessin.

"I'm in contact with his family with whom I have become friends. They are devastated," he said. "So are we, as we believed his story. We put in a lot of effort to get him to Normandy."

However, the Overlord D-Day association are still supportive of Mr Klein and said he should "not be ashamed of his real contribution to the liberation of Europe".

He was seriously wounded in combat in the Moselle region during the Lorraine Campaign on November 17 1944.
A sign which reads 'Islamic State in Iraq and Syria' is pictured at the entrance of a damaged brickyard as fighting continues between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Islamic State militants in Raqqa. Photo: REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

At least 42 civilians, including 19 children, were killed on Monday in US-led coalition air strikes against Raqqa, a monitoring group said, as the battle for the Islamic State's (Isil) self-declared capital reaches densely populated city centre neighbourhoods.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said Western air strikes on Raqqa have killed at least 167 civilians in the last eight days, marking a sharp upturn in civilian casualties.

"The tolls are high because the air strikes are hitting neighbourhoods in the city centre that are densely packed with civilians," said Rami Abdul Rahman, the director of SOHR.

"There are buildings full of civilians who are trying to get away from the front lines."

The strikes by the US-led coalition are being carried out in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters who have captured more than half of Raqqa during a two-month offensive.

The number of civilians killed by the US-led coalition air strikes has climbed this summer amid fierce fighting in Mosul, Raqqa and now the Iraqi city of Tal Afar.

Airwars, a group that tracks air strikes in Iraq and Syria, estimates that 4,887 to 7,528 civilians are likely to have been killed by Western air strikes since 2014. The coalition has acknowledged 624 civilian deaths in the same period.

The US-led coalition, which includes Britain, France and Australia, says it takes all possible measures to avoid civilian casualties.

Around 25,000 civilians are estimated to be trapped inside Raqqa and the SDF said Isil was using many of them as "human shields" to try to slow the advance of assaulting forces.

"We have opened up safe routes for civilians to cross securely towards areas controlled by our forces, who are rescuing civilians almost daily and transferring them to safe places," said Talal Sello, an SDF spokesman.

"One of the major reasons for the slow progress in the Raqqa fight is the preserving of civilian lives and avoiding massive losses among them."

Western air strikes in the last few days have focused on the Bedu neighborhood in Raqqa.

Jim Mattis, the US defence secretary, visited Baghdad on Monday and said Isil's "days are certainly numbered".

"But it's not over yet and it's not going to be over anytime soon," he added.
US President Donald Trump's plan to end the stalemate in America's longest war and eliminate Afghanistan's rising extremist threat involves sending up to 3,900 additional US forces, senior officials said yesterday.

The first deployments could take place within days.

In a national address on Monday night, Mr Trump had reversed his past calls for a speedy exit and recommitted the US to the 16-year conflict, saying troops must "fight to win". He warned against the mistakes made in Iraq, where an American military withdrawal led to a vacuum that Isil quickly filled.

Mr Trump would not confirm how many more service members he plans to send to Afghanistan, which may be the public's most pressing question about his strategy. In interviews with television networks yesterday, Vice President Mike Pence similarly wouldn't give any clear answer. Instead, he cited Pentagon plans from June, calling for 3,900 more troops.

"The troop levels are significant, and we'll listen to our military commanders about that," Mr Pence said. "And the president will make that decision in the days ahead."

US officials said there was no fixed number. But they said the Pentagon has told Mr Trump it needs that many fresh forces in addition to the roughly 8,400 Americans in the country to accomplish Mr Trump's objectives of "obliterating Isil, crushing al-Qa'ida, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan and stopping mass terror attacks against America before they emerge".

The 3,900 figure includes a combination of trainers, security forces and other support troops, according to the officials, who weren't authorised to publicly discuss details about the military planning and spoke on condition of anonymity. The exact number of arriving forces can vary as conditions change. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis also declined to confirm an exact number, saying he was waiting for more input from Gen Joseph Dunford, America's top military official. Mr Mattis said he will "reorganise" some US troops in Afghanistan to reflect the new strategy.

The top US commander for the Middle East said he expects the first reinforcements to arrive "pretty quickly", within days or weeks.

"What's most important for us now is to get some capabilities in to have an impact on the current fighting season," Gen Joseph Votel, who spent last weekend in Afghanistan, told reporters traveling with him to Saudi Arabia yesterday.

Before he was a presidential candidate, Mr Trump ardently argued for a quick withdrawal from Afghanistan and called the war a massive waste of US "blood and treasure". On Monday, he suggested an open-ended commitment rather than a "time-based" approach.

"Conditions on the ground - not arbitrary timetables - will guide our strategy from now on," Mr Trump said.

At its peak involvement in 2010-2011, the US had roughly 100,000 troops in Afghanistan. Former president Barack Obama then started bringing them home, drawing criticism.
A revered Russian theatre director has been put under house arrest on charges of embezzling 68 million rubles (900,000).

It is the latest step in a case widely seen as part of a crackdown on freedom of expression in Russia.

Kirill Serebrennikov, whose productions ranged from drama and opera to films, has won broad acclaim for satires mocking official lies, corruption and a growing hard-line streak in Russian society.

Moscow's Basmanny Court heeded the investigators' request to put him under house arrest for almost two months.

The 47-year-old was detained in St Petersburg, where he was shooting a film, on Tuesday.

Serebrennikov was driven to Moscow and put in jail later in the day.

His detention has shaken the Russian arts scene and outraged the country's liberal circles.

The Investigative Committee, Russia's top investigative agency, accused Serebrennikov of scheming to embezzle 68 million rubles in government funds allocated for his productions during 2011-2014.

He rejected the charges in court on Wednesday, saying the state funds were used to finance "big and bright" shows that spawned young talents.

"We were doing a bright and powerful project, which has become known worldwide," he said.

"A huge number of viewers could confirm that we made a brilliant show."

He asked the court to allow him to keep working on his theatre productions and the film, saying he did not intend to flee and that authorities had already confiscated his passport.

"I'm trying to make our country culturally important and powerful on a global scale," Serebrennikov said.

"I have no intention to run away, my work is the meaning of my life."

The judge rejected Serebrennikov's plea to go free and his lawyer's offer to provide bail equalling the sum he is accused of embezzling.

Some of Russia's leading cultural figures have backed Serebrennikov.

In a speech to the court, Irina Prokhorova, a sister of Mikhail Prokhorov, a billionaire Russian tycoon who owns the Brooklyn Nets basketball team, hailed Serebrennikov as "the pride of Russia".

She pledged to provide any bail the court ordered.

Several hundred of his supporters rallied outside, shouting Serebrennikov's name and chanting "Freedom!"

Serebrennikov was briefly detained and questioned in May, but investigators stopped short of pressing charges.

The theatre's accountant and one senior manager have remained in custody while another manager is under house arrest.

Serebrennikov's productions have topped Moscow's theatre scene for years.

In September, he was to direct an opera in Stuttgart, Germany.

His movie The Student won the Francois Chalais prize at the Cannes film festival last year.

While Serebrennikov had personal contacts with some members of the Russian government and his theatre received lavish state funding, he also faced frequent attacks from politicians and conservative activists who demanded an end to the state subsidies.

In July, Moscow's famed Bolshoi Theatre cancelled a much-anticipated ballet about dancer Rudolf Nureyev directed by Serebrennikov just three days before opening night.

The decision prompted many in Moscow's art scene to speak of a return to censorship.

The Bolshoi denied reports that the Nureyev ballet had been scrapped because of its frank description of his gay relationships, a taboo under a strict Russian law banning gay propaganda.

AP
White House adviser Jared Kushner and visiting US officials have been snubbed by the Foreign Ministry in Cairo in apparent protest over the Trump administration's move to cut and delay aid to Egypt.

Egypt's top diplomat Sameh Shoukry was to meet with the US delegation headed by Mr Kushner, but a modified version of the minister's schedule showed the meeting had been called off, shortly after the Americans landed in Cairo.

The protest came after the Trump administration cut nearly 100 million US dollars (78 million) in military and economic aid to Egypt and delayed almost 200 million dollars (156 million) more in military financing, pending human rights improvements and action to ease harsh restrictions on civic and other non-governmental groups.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi was still due to meet with the American delegation, which also includes Jason Greenblatt, US envoy for international negotiations, and Dina Powell, deputy national security adviser, according to the presidency.

That meeting was due later on Wednesday.

The Egyptian ministry said in a separate statement that Egypt regrets the US decision to reduce the aid funds and considered it "a misjudgment of the nature of the strategic relations that binds the two countries over decades, and reflects the lack of understanding of the importance of supporting the stability and success of Egypt".

The American delegation, headed by Mr Kushner, who is also the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, stopped in Cairo as part of a Middle East tour to press Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Egypt is among the top recipients of US military and economic assistance. It receives 1.3 billion dollars (1 billion) annually in aid, plus hundreds of millions in economic assistance.

Egyptian authorities have clamped down on civil society, particularly human rights groups and other organisations that receive foreign funding.

Such groups played a central role in the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak, and pro-government media often present them as part of a conspiracy to undermine the state.

The authorities also arrested thousands of people in the months following the 2013 overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi, mainly his Islamist supporters but also a number of secular and liberal activists.

When Mr Trump met with Mr el-Sissi in the White House in April he made no mention of Egypt's human rights record in the post-meeting statement, an omission that many took as a sign that the issue was not a priority for the administration.

Yet, two months later, two senators from Mr Trump's Republican Party slammed as "draconian" a new Egyptian law that effectively bans the work of non-governmental organisations and urged that it be repealed.

The law has triggered wide international backlash and raised concerns over human rights conditions in Egypt.

However, Egypt has defended the law, saying it was drafted and passed in accordance with constitutional provisions.

Mr el-Sissi is grappling with an insurgency by Islamic militants in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, an economy struggling to keep up with demands and employment needs of Egypt's surging population, and a sustained campaign of violence against the country's Christian minority.

AP
The damaged port aft hull of the USS John S McCain following the collision with an oil tanker (AP)

The commander of the US Navy's Asia-based 7th Fleet has been dismissed after a series of warship accidents raised questions about its operations in the Pacific.

A two-sentence statement issued by the Navy said Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, had relieved Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command".

The move follows four Navy accidents in the Pacific since late January, including two collisions that left sailors dead and missing.

"While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation," Admiral Swift said late on Tuesday.

He said the Navy will carry out a "deliberate re-set" of all its ships in the Pacific, focused on navigation, mechanical systems and bridge resource management.

It will include training and an expert assessment of each ship.

The Navy said that Rear Admiral Phillip Sawyer, who had already been named as Vice Admiral Aucoin's successor, would assume command immediately.

Seven sailors died in June when the destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship off Japan.

On Monday, the destroyer USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker collided off Singapore, injuring five sailors and leaving 10 others missing.

Admiral Swift, speaking at a news conference in Singapore where the McCain is now docked, said Navy divers had found remains of some of the missing in a flooded compartment in the ship.

He also said Malaysians assisting in the search had found a body, but it had not been determined if it was a McCain crew member.

At least three of the 10 missing sailors have been identified by relatives.

Crew member Logan Palmer is from the Decatur, Illinois, area and his mother identified him as missing, US Representative Rodney Davis said.

April Brandon in Michigan said the military informed her that her son Ken Smith is missing.

She said her son's father, stepmother and grandfather served in the Navy.

Ms Brandon said: "His father and I couldn't be prouder of our son."

The family of Jacob Drake of Ohio was told he was among the missing, the Columbus Dispatched reported.

Megan Partlow told The Associated Press that Mr Drake was her fiance and she had last had contact with him on Sunday in a text message.

The collision at daybreak in a busy shipping area tore a gaping hole in the McCain's left rear hull and flooded adjacent compartments including crew berths and machinery and communication rooms.

The cause of the collision has not been determined. The Navy previously said there was no evidence it was intentional, or that it was a result of sabotage or cyberintrusion.

The Navy last week said the Fitzgerald's captain was being relieved of his command and other sailors were being punished after poor seamanship and flaws in keeping watch were found to have contributed to its collision.

An investigation into how and why the Fitzgerald collided with the other ship was not finished, but enough details were known to take those actions, the Navy said.

There were two lesser-known incidents in the first half of the year.

In January, the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka base, the home port of the 7th Fleet, and in May another cruiser, the USS Lake Champlain from the Navy's 3rd Fleet, had a minor collision with a South Korean fishing boat.

AP
Venezuela's recently ousted chief prosecutor has accused President Nicolas Maduro of participating in acts of corruption, saying she would turn over proof that would help other countries prosecute.

Luisa Ortega Diaz spoke during a meeting of Mercosur trade bloc prosecutors in the capital of Brasilia.

She was removed by a new, pro-government constitutional assembly in early August after breaking with the socialist government.

Ms Ortega fled abroad with her husband, whose arrest was ordered by the country's supreme court.

"I want to denounce, in front of the world, a grave situation in Venezuela: that of excessive corruption," she said.

"Because of that reason, (Maduro's administration) is violating the constitution and law to protect itself."

Ms Ortega said she had evidence implicating Maduro and other top officials in corruption involving Brazilian constructor Odebrecht and other companies, which she did not name.

However, she did not publicly give details.

Odebrecht has been at the centre of the massive "Car Wash" probe in Brazil involving kickbacks for contracts.

Over the past three years, dozens of Brazil's top politicians and businessmen have been jailed, including former Odebrecht chief executive Marcelo Odebrecht.

The investigation has led to prosecutions in several countries in Latin America where Odebrecht and other Brazilian construction companies operated.

Even if Ms Ortega possesses strong evidence, however, it is not clear whether it could hurt Mr Maduro's administration, which is already alienated from many of the region's countries.

While Brazil shares information with other countries related to the "Car Wash" investigation, authorities say they leave the prosecution of foreign nationals to justice officials in those countries.

Ms Ortega's visit came a day after Mr Maduro claimed that she was working with Washington to damage his administration and said Venezuela would ask for an international arrest warrant for her.

It was not immediately known if that had been requested or if it would even be considered.

The Mercosur trade bloc has suspended Venezuela due to the crisis there.

Before Ms Ortega spoke, Brazil Attorney General Rodrigo Janot described her ouster as an "an institutional rape" that eroded the independence of Venezuela's justice system.

AP
People gather at an impromptu memorial where a van crashed into pedestrians at Las Ramblas in Barcelona. Photo: REUTERS

The imam accused of master-minding the Barcelona terrorist attacks should have been deported at the end of his prison sentence for drug smuggling, but had the ruling overturned by arguing it would breach his human rights, it has emerged.

Islamic preacher Abdelbaki Es Satty was told he must comply with an expulsion order when he left jail in April 2014, according to the Spanish daily, 'El Mundo'.

But the 42-year-old Moroccan won an appeal against the decision after arguing his case in front of a judge.

The preacher followed up his court win by seeking asylum through lawyers in an application filed on November 29, 2014, according to 'El Mundo'.

The decision meant that he was able to move freely among the 26 EU countries that form part of the Schengen area.

Es Satty was jailed for four years in 2010 for smuggling hashish between Morocco and Spain, and while in prison became close to one of the ringleaders behind the Madrid bombings.

It is thought he may have been radicalised while in prison, and after leaving prison became an imam at a mosque in the town of Ripoll, from where last week's attacks were planned.

Es Satty, who police confirmed last night had died in an explosion at a bomb factory in the Catalan town of Alcanar, is thought to have brainwashed the terrorists.

Spanish officials have not responded to the claims that Es Satty ought to have been removed from Spain.

Under Spanish immigration laws, foreign-born nationals who receive prison sentences of more than one year often face the threat of expulsion when they leave jail.

Expand Close the four un-named alleged members of a terror cell accused of killing 15 people in attacks in Barcelona leave a Civil Guard base on the outskirts of Madrid. Photo: AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp the four un-named alleged members of a terror cell accused of killing 15 people in attacks in Barcelona leave a Civil Guard base on the outskirts of Madrid. Photo: AP

The court that took the decision on Es Satty is said to be based in the eastern Spanish city of Castellon, where he served his sentence.

Meanwhile, an alleged member of an Islamist cell suspected of carrying out last week's deadly Barcelona van attack told a Spanish court yesterday that the group had been planning a much bigger strike using explosives, a judicial source said.

The testimony, to a closed hearing at Spain's High Court, came from Mohamed Houli Chemlal, one of four detained suspects brought to Madrid to testify for the first time in court about the plot.

Two of the suspects told the court that Es Satty was the instigator, the source said, adding that the public prosecutor had asked the judge to send all four to jail while investigations continued.

Expand Close Chiara Russo, sister of Luca Russo, one of the Italian victims of the Barcelona attack, is comforted as his coffin arrives back in Rome. Photo: AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp Chiara Russo, sister of Luca Russo, one of the Italian victims of the Barcelona attack, is comforted as his coffin arrives back in Rome. Photo: AP

'El Mundo' said Chemlal told the court that the group planned to attack architect Antoni Gaudi's landmark Sagrada Familia church and other Barcelona monuments, but this could not be immediately confirmed.

Chemlal was arrested after being hurt in the blast at a house in Alcanar, southwest of Barcelona, a day before Thursday's van attack on the crowded Las Ramblas boulevard in Barcelona, which left a trail of 13 dead and 120 injured people from 34 countries.

The 21-year-old arrived at court wearing hospital-issue pyjamas, with a bandaged hand and cuts to his face and bare ankles.

Police found 120 butane gas canisters and traces of a home-made explosive in the rubble of the house at Alcanar, where they say two of the plotters were killed.

They believe that the accidental explosion led the group to abandon plans for a bomb attack and to stage a vehicle assault instead.

Yesterday's court hearing was the first in a long legal process, and it could be months or even years before the case is brought to a full trial.

The four are the only alleged members of the group still alive after the driver of the van that ploughed through the crowd in Barcelona, 22-year-old Younes Abouyaaqoub, was shot and killed by police on Monday.

In little more than a year, Islamist militants have used vehicles as weapons to kill nearly 130 people in France, Germany, Britain, Sweden and now Spain.

Isil claimed responsibility for the latest attack and a separate deadly assault, hours later, in the coastal resort of Cambrils, south of Barcelona.

In Cambrils, a car rammed passers-by and its occupants got out and tried to stab people. The five assailants, who were wearing what turned out to be fake explosive belts, were shot dead by police, while a Spanish woman died in the attack.

Most of the 12 suspects lived in the town of Ripoll, set in forested hills beneath the Pyrenees north of Barcelona, and most were young men of Moroccan descent.
The elections are finally over here in Cabarrus County and numbers will be official in a week or so. We had some close races and others went a
India is one of 112 countries to have ratified the World Trade Organizations (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which took force on February 22 this year.

Intended to overcome the global slowdown in trade, the TFA introduces new best practices for member-states to ensure the easier movement of goods across international borders.

Nations who have ratified the agreement will be expected to implement changes to their customs infrastructure within two to three years. However, the basic set of provisions have to be implemented by the least-developed countries (LDC) within one year.

In recent times, growing protectionism and doubts over the effectiveness of trade liberalization have put a damper on long-standing trade relationships across the world, including among western countries.

The TFA is, therefore, an important international institutional mechanism; if successful  it will allow states to consolidate their trade linkages, and better engage with the global trading network.

Below, we ask key questions on how will the TFA boost business in India, reduce costs, and improve the overall quantum of international trade.

RELATED: Pre-Investment, Market Entry Strategy Advisory

What is the TFA?

The TFA stands for a series of reforms that will improve transparency, mobility, and predictability in the conduct of trade across borders.

Breaking this down, it means that signatories to the agreement will need to create a non-discriminatory business environment, and independently notify various provisions fulfilled.

To achieve this, countries like India are introducing faster clearance procedures, better conditions for freedom of transit for goods, improved appeal rights for traders, as well as reduction in fees and formalities connected with the import and export of goods.

RELATED: Impact of GST on Imports and Exports in India

Why does it matter for businesses in India?

Industry watchers believe that the TFA will rationalize prices or reduce the overall cost of doing business. Moreover, since the new trade rules will come into effect via coordination between private sector and government stakeholders, instead of by diktat, introduction of the new trade procedures and mechanisms should be smoother.

The Federation of Indian Exports Organizations estimates that based on present trade figures, reforms under the TFA could create additional trade of about US$15-20 billion.

The WTOs forecast is similarly optimistic  estimating an average decrease in trade costs of member-states by 14.3 percent.

Full implementation of the TFA will likely reduce time to import goods by over 36 hours, and to export goods by around 48 hours. This is a reduction in time taken by 47 percent (imports) and 91 percent (exports) over the current average.

RELATED: Import and Export Licensing Procedures in India

How is India implementing the WTOs TFA directives?

Coordinating the reform efforts at the federal level, is the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF)  established under Article 23.2 of the WTO agreement.

Operations undertaken by the NCTF will be steered in tandem by the federal governments Revenue Secretary and Commerce Secretary.

In order to avoid delays in execution  the NCTF has already adopted a 76 point National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP).

Actions under this plan are categorized into short, medium, and long-term to enable efficient and systemic reforms.

Major initiatives under the NTFAP include:

Reduction in cargo release time and cost;

Paperless regulatory system;

Transparent and predictable legal regime;

State-of-the-art sea ports, airports, and land borders;

Specific time-bound goals to be carried out by all regulatory agencies like Customs, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Drug Controller, Plant Quarantine, and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade;

Infrastructure augmentation, particularly the road and rail infrastructure leading to ports, as well as the infrastructure within ports, airports, inland container depots, and land customs stations; and

Specified targets for all federal ministry stakeholders  shipping, civil aviation, railways, road transport and highways, home affairs, finance, and commerce.

Editors Note: This article was originally published on August 23, 2017.
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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
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However, the stark irony here is that while Deepika Padukone had made the cut last year (considering her back to back hits that include Piku and Bajirao Mastani), no Bollywood actresses could make the cut this time, highlighting the drastic pay disparity that exists. Shah Rukh earned $38 million (Rs 243.50 cr), Salman earned $37 million (Rs 237 cr) and Akshay took home $35.5 million (Rs 227.5 cr).

2. Here's The Tentative Contestant List For Bigg Boss 11 & It Has A Lot Of Interesting Names!

Here's taking a look at 11 such celebrity contestants who have been approached and they have reportedly given their nod!

3. From Shabana Azmi To Farhan Akhtar, Bollywood Applauds Supreme Court's Ruling On Triple Talaq

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The Supreme Courts against instant triple talaq is a welcome measure. Triple talaq in one go does not have sanction and is patently unjust and anti-women. More than 20 Muslim countries have banned it and it has no place in secular India, Shabana Azmi told TOI. Farhan Akhtar also expressed his happiness on the same. The way the society is moving forward, the focus that is there on womens rights and equality, and the fight for gender equality. It is very healthy that such a decision has been made. Now there is a >six month window to figure out how it should be translated into a law, I hope it happens. Because it is a very archaic practice, it is time for it to go.

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In an interview to Hindustan Times, Toshi said, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan dont know about us. Hamare bachche ke bare mein humein pata hai naah ki hamara bacha kaisa hai! Uska nature hai waisa Agle hi pal woh khelne chali jaati hai. Agar aap usko chod do toh woh kahengi main mazzak kar rahi thi. Uske nature ki wajah se chod denge toh woh padai bhi nahi kar paayengi.

In the last episode, the Night King had killed the dragon and turned him into a Wight--the ice dragon. Since then all the discussions are revolving around the Night King, the cold-hearted evil who leads the army of the dead. While fans say they loved Richard Brake more in the role, still Twitter is going gaga over Vladimir Furdik AKA the Night King, who they think is a hottie.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has hinted that he had offered to step down, taking the moral responsibility of the two recent train mishaps.

In a series of tweets, Prabhu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked him to wait. Read more

1. High Security In Punjab, Haryana Ahead Of Rape Case Verdict Against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

The Panchkula CBI court will pronounce verdict in a rape case against the dera chief on Friday.

The Union Territory administration announced that all Dera followers, who try to enter Chandigarh or who have already made their way into the city will be detained and kept at the stadium, which is spread over 15.32 acres. Read more

2. With Vikas Sikka Gone, Nandan Nilekani May Return To Infosys To Steady The Ship

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani could return to lead Infosys, which has been battling a management crisis after former CEO Vishal Sikka announced his resignation last week.

According to reports Leading domestic institutional investors have written to Infosys board to bring former chief executive Nandan Nilekani back to the company, grappling with a leadership crisis after Vishal Sikka's exit. Read more

3. Bengaluru's Bellandur Lake Spits Toxic Foam Again, NGT Demands Revival Plan Within 15 Days

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a step-by-step measures to clean Bengaluru's most polluted water body, focusing on removing silt, municipal solid waste, commercial waste and domestic waste.

The NGT has directed various agencies like the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority to work together and submit a revival plan by September 7. Read more

4. After New Rs 50 Notes, Reserve Bank Of India May Make Rs 200 Notes Official By September

Reserve Bank of India appears to be giving highest emphasis on how to avoid the possibility of an illegal trade of currency notes as it prepares to introduce Rs 200 denominated bank notes for the first time in history.

RBI is likely to put the proposed Rs 200 bank notes in circulation by the end of August or in the first week of September, according to people in the know. Read more

5. Indian Navy To Purchase 234 Helicopters Worth Over 5 Billion USD, They Will Be Built Under Make In India

India has launched a global hunt for 123 naval multi-role helicopters (NMRHs), with potent anti-submarine warfare capabilities, as well as 111 armed naval light utility choppers (NUHs) for operations from the decks of warships.

The projects, together worth well over $ 5 billion, will be executed under the new "strategic partnership" (SP) policy under the "Make in India" framework. Read more
In a bizarre incident, suspected cannibal surrendered to the police in South Africa to hand over human body parts  a leg and a hand  while telling officers: Im tired of eating human flesh.

Reuters

According to reports, the man gave out a part of human leg and a hand as evidence. The evidence led to a house in KwaZulu-Natal where more body parts were found.

Nino Mbatha, Sthembiso Sithole, Lindokuhle Masondo and Lungisani Magubane were charged with murder and conspiracy, after one of them walked into a police station and announced that he was tired of eating human flesh. Nino Mbatha was a traditional healer, according to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele.

Reuters

At a community meeting people said they had eaten human remains after they were given them by Mbatha as medicine.

The man who confessed to his crimes has reportedly raped, murdered, dismembered and even also eaten several women. Meanwhile, few other admitted to digging up graves on the instruction of Mbatha, and bringing him the bones they uncovered.

Reports also state that hundreds of people in a South African town have admitted to eating human flesh. More people were caught after four men were arrested for killing a woman and eating her body.
Alibaba-owned UC browser seems to be in trouble as the security agencies are probing its possible role in sending user details to a remote server in China. The app is currently being probed by a government lab in Hyderabad.

According to Business Standard, the smartphone browser sends the users IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity) and IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) numbers, as well as their location data back to its server in China.

That particular flaw has already been previously pointed out by security researchers.

The government has also reportedly sent out notices to 30 smartphone manufacturers that sell in India, demanding they share security details of their devices. Reliance Jios Lyf smartphone brand, as well as others like Meizu and Videocon, are also expected to receive the same notice.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT took the drastic step close on the heels of the military stand-off between India and China in Doklam.

The government believes a citizen details being sent to a server in China makes them vulnerable to hacking and digital fraud.

The government has set an August 28 deadline for smartphone companies to respond, following which it plans to audit their devices.
Unexplored landscapes. Breathtaking beauty. Dzongs and monasteries steeped in history. A legacy of culture and tradition like no other. This August take a break from the fast-paced routine of daily life and soak in the history of the Eastern Himalayas as you traverse through the land of the Thunder Dragon. Read on, as we give you five reasons to visit picturesque Bhutan this August.

A visit to Punakha Dzong

True to its location, Punakha Dzong, translates into the palace of great happiness. Constructed in the 15th century, Punakaha Dzong is today Bhutans second largest Dzong and one of the most majestic structures in the country. The splendid dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and the terton Pema Lingpa. The six-storied structure was constructed as an embodiment of Buddhist values and today visitors can walk through its corridors, admire the exquisite murals that adorn its walls and marvel at the original volume of the Kanjur, the holy book of the Drukpas that is stored in the Dzong.

Trek to Dochula Pass

One of Bhutans most popular tourist spots, the Dochula pass is located at an altitude of over 10,000 feet. Situated on the way from the capital city of Thimphu to Punakha, the snow-clad mountain pass is known for the 108 stupas that stand tall in the center of the pass. Built by Her Majesty the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the stupas honor Bhutanese soldiers killed in battle. One can visit the ancient trail to witness the countrys most spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayas.

Discover peace at Paro Taktsang

A trip to Bhutan is incomplete without a trek to Paro Taktsang, more popularly known as Tigers Nest. Located in the upper Paro valley, the temple complex was the site where Guru Padmasambhava meditated for over three years in the 8th century. Today the sacred site is among Bhutans most visited tourist destinations.

Sneak-peek into Bhutans culinary heritage

A visit to the Folk Heritage Museum gives you a glimpse into rural Bhutanese life. For an authentic Bhutanese meal, unwind at a patio table set amidst fragrant fruit trees at this restored three-storey, timber building and indulge in traditional Bhutanese delicacies such as ema datshi (chillies in cheese), ezzy (red chilli chutney) and jasha maru (minced chicken curry with chillies).

Mountain Echoes Literary Festival

Each year, the best literary minds across the world descend in Thimphu for one of the most awaited events in the literary calendar, the Mountain Echoes Literary Festival. This year is no different as Bhutans picturesque capital gears up for the eighth edition of the distinctive literary arts and culture festival. With an aim to celebrate Untouched Beauty, Unexplored Ideas and Unstoppable Voices, the three-day festival will focus on globally relevant issues such as environmental conservation, natural history, spirituality, and the global evolution of textiles and design traditions.

Headline names set to appear at this years edition are Markus Zusak, His Eminence Kyabje Khedrup Rinpoche Ugyen Tenzin Thinley Lhendup, Padma Lakshmi, Pranay Lal, Devdutt Pattanaik, Francesca Beard, Phuntsho Namgyel, Lopen Sonam Bumdhen, Imtiaz Ali, Prayaag Akbar, Rebecca Pradhan, Palden Tshering and Neel Madhav.

For more info visit www.mountainechoes.org


A spokesman for Estonia's EU Presidency on Wednesday stepped into the increasingly acrimonious political furor in Greece this week over the leftist Tsipras government's decision to boycott a conference in Tallinn , entitled "European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Communist and Nazi Regimes".
A 26-year-old woman was strangled to death by a man she met online on their first date, after she received a call from another man.

The deceased Nyaboke Onano, who was staying with her younger brother in Ngara, Nairobi, was reportedly meeting her boyfriend, Richard Nyakina, for the first time on July 23 and had promised to be back before the end of the day.

At about 6pm, however, she had not returned home, according to her younger brother Japheth Onono. He became worried and called her.

She told me she was in Ngong and may not come back home. I then asked her for money to buy dinner, which she promised to send in the next five minutes,

When Japheth didnt hear from her, he called her phone number but it wasnt available. His fears were compounded by the fact that the sister, who worked as an M-Pesa attendant, had told him it was the first date.

Lydias brother called his mother Irene Mogeni in Nyamira County and informed her that he could not trace Lydia. The mother advised him to be patient, saying perhaps her phones battery had gone low.

Just days before she disappeared, she used to talk for long hours on phone with someone. Out of curiosity, I asked her who it was, and she told me it was a new boyfriend. So on that Sunday, she was going to meet him for the first time, said Japheth, a second-year electrical engineering student at Technical University of Kenya .

By Monday morning, she had not been found. On the third day, Onono went to Pangani Police Station to report that his sister was missing. The police advised him to report in Ngong where her sister communicated from last.

However, on Friday August 18, officers from the Special Crimes Prevention Unit called to inform him that they had arrested a suspect who had owned up to murdering his sister and dumping the body in Ngong forest, near Lenana School.

Richard Nyakina was arrested last Thursday, August.17, in Gucha, Kisii County. According to the police, the body of an unknown woman had been found there and taken to City Mortuary.

The confession of the suspect and the report in the police occurrence book at Mutuini Police Post prompted the detectives to call the family.

The police then accompanied Japheth to City Mortuary where he positively identified the body.

Lydias father Zachariah Mogeni Onono and mother Irene were called to Nairobi on Sunday and they also helped to identify the body. A postmortem report indicated Lydia died from strangulation.

Nyakina, the suspect, told investigators that he had known Lydia for over a year and he killed her for allegedly cheating on him.

He told the detectives that on the fateful day, Lydia received a call from another man who was referring to her as sweetie and upon demanding to know who the caller was, an argument ensued.

He then hit her on the head and later used her bra, blouse and shoe laces to strangle her to death.

The police traced Lydias phone to a Form Four student to whom the suspect had sold the phone.

The student then took the police to a barbers shop in Mukuru where they found the suspect.

It turned out that the barber shop was owned by the suspects relative, who led the police to his rural home.

Police presented Nyakina at Milimani law courts and asked for five more days before they formally charge him with murder. There are also reports that Nyakina had been charged earlier with rape and was out on bond.

Source: Standard Media Kenya
Following reports that the National Broadcasting Commission banned the airplay of five Nigerian songs because of its negative content, the commission has made clarifications.

The National Broadcasting Commission has clarified that it didnt ban five songs as earlier published by some online platforms. The commission while making the clarification said that it never gave the order for five of the songs by some elite artistes in Nigeria to be banned.

Some people had felt that the a recent reaction from the Federal Ministry of Health condemning the music video of Olamides new song could have motivated insinuations about the alleged ban.

The ministry had a few days ago and described the content as contravening the Tobacco Control Act of 2015. The National Broadcasting Commission revealed that the news on the alleged ban came from a fake website linked to the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation.

Spokesman for the commission, Antia Ekanem, stated this in a text message to Punch in Abuja on Tuesday night said many were deceived by people who tried to use the name of the commission to forment trouble.

What you saw on that website was fake. It is not from the NBC. What you saw there is Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation and not the National Broadcasting Commission, he said.

Reacting to the alleged ban, Olamide had said that he never intended to cause harm to music fans with the song.

He tweeted on Tuesday, No intentions of promoting tobacco to get people killed. I love my people, I love my country. One love, one Nigeria.
After the close of capital market on Tuesday, the data from Financial Market Dealers Quote (FMDQ) showed that Nigerias currency, Naira gained significantly against the United States Dollar.

The Naira Tuesday recorded marginal appreciation in the Investors & Exporters (I&E) window as the volume of dollars traded declined to $100.29 million.

Data from Financial Market Dealers Quote (FMDQ) showed that the indicative exchange rate for the I&E window, known as Nigeria Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEX), dropped to N359.6 per dollar yesterday from N360 per dollar on Monday, indicating four kobo appreciation for the naira.

However, the volume of dollars declined by 39 per cent to $100.29 million from $165.29 million on Monday. But the naira remained stable at N370 per dollar in the parallel market.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday offered 195 million dollars in three segments of the Foreign Exchange Market (Forex) to boost liquidity in the operation.

Mr Isaac Okorafor, CBNs Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, said this in a statement in Abuja.

Okorafor said that in the wholesale segment of the inter-bank Foreign Exchange market, it auctioned 100 million dollars and also intervened in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with 50 million dollars.

He said the bank also offered the invisible segments, with 45 million dollars, adding that the bank had kept fate with its resolve to ensure that there was sustained liquidity in the market following pressures on the market from those seeking forex for school fees and vacations.

He stated that the bank would also ensure that genuine requests for FOREX were met, as well as improved liquidity and flexibility in the market.

Meanwhile, below are the Foreign Exchange Rates as shared by Zenith Bank via The Guardian.
Copper Nears Important Area Taurus Trading LLC - Sat Nov 12, 11:33AM CST Watch price action between 3.9615 and 4.1167.

Elections, inflation and crop reports bring volatility Sidwell Strategies - Sat Nov 12, 11:28AM CST Black Sea Corridor Renewal ahead

Americans Are Saving Less. Heres How to Save More. Young & The Invested - Sat Nov 12, 6:00AM CST Several recent data studies show that Americans, after saving heavily during the pandemic, are starting to pull money from those savings. We discuss how to maintain healthy savings habits.

US outlines effects of withdrawing land from oil drilling AP - Fri Nov 11, 7:32PM CST The U.S. Interior Department's plan to withdraw hundreds of square miles in New Mexico from oil and gas production for the next 20 years is expected to result in only a few dozen wells not being drilled... $SPX : 3,992.93 (+0.92%) $DOWI : 33,747.86 (+0.10%) $IUXX : 11,817.01 (+1.82%)

Hog Prices Closed Mixed Barchart - Fri Nov 11, 4:21PM CST Lean hog prices were mixed on Friday with 12 to 52 cent losses through the April contract. The deferred contracts closed 10 to 15 cents in the black with May UNCH. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price... HEZ22 : 84.350s (-0.62%) HEJ23 : 94.100s (-0.13%) KMZ22 : 94.900s (-0.63%)
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Stop N Stor Storage held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 15 to mark the opening of a new self-storage location at 96 Veterans Memorial Parkway in Richmond Hill, Ga. The facility offers 600 climate-controlled and traditional units in addition to enclosed and covered boat/RV spaces, according to the source.

The property also has 24-hour gated access, an automated kiosk for unit rentals and lock purchases, video cameras, and a full line of moving and packing supplies for sale.

We are thrilled to be open for business in Richmond Hill, Stefanie Dasher McCullough, director of operations, told the source. This is our first location that offers covered outdoor parking as well as totally enclosed RV and boat parking. We are excited to offer this type of storage and have seen a great demand from residents so far. We look forward to being a part of the Richmond Hill community.

The Richmond Hill property is the ninth self-storage facility operated by Stop N Stor. It also has locations in Hinesville, Pooler, Port Wentworth and Savannah, Ga.
Phoenix-based U-Haul International Inc., which operates more than 1,300 self-storage locations across North America, is seeking to convert a six-story structure in Toledo, Ohio, to self-storage. The company has a pending purchasing agreement to buy the former Willis Day warehouse at 801 Washington St., according to Bill Rains, district vice president for U-Haul in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. If the sale is closed, U-Haul will invest $3 million to $3.5 million to redevelop the 96,000-square-foot building into climate-controlled storage, retail space to sell moving and packing supplies, and a rental center for trucks and trailers, Rains said.

The project isnt without opposition, however. The Toledo Warehouse District Association, which represents businesses, institutions and property owners in the district, claims it isnt in line with the associations plan to convert older buildings to apartments and lofts.

I dont know of anybody in the warehouse district who is greeting this positively. Its not good for the neighborhood, said Richard Rideout, an officer on the associations board. We dont need another storage warehouse of that caliber. It is much better suited for residential use. I have heard there are other bidders for residential development, but they have been turned down by the owners.

Located between Michigan and Ontario Streets, the building has been vacant since 2000 when its tenant, Xerox Corp., relocated. The site was purchased in 2013 for $1 million by an unnamed group of investors, according to the source. Healthcare organization ProMedica considered buying the warehouse to house a business incubator for upstart tech firms, but later withdrew its offer due to refurbishing costs.

The district has witnessed recent growth as dozens of older buildings have been converted to living space, restaurants and businesses. Its this expansion that attracted U-Haul to the region, Rains said. There is a big need for additional space for storage.

U-Haul considered other buildings in the district and downtown area but settled on the Willis Day building due to parking availability and the loading space needed for a storage facility, the source reported. The project also aligns with the companys mission to renovate historic or abandoned buildings, factories and warehouses.

Rains noted U-Hauls recent conversion of the former Pinkerton Tobacco Co. factory at 3011 Council St. in Toledo. The first phase opened with 300 storage units, with further expansions adding another 300 to 400 units.

We want to emphasize we have renovated buildings throughout the country. In every city, we have done this, he said. We love to maintain the historic aspects of those buildings. It is real important to us.

Established in 1945, U-Haul owns more than 44 million square feet of storage space. The companys corporate sustainability initiatives, which support infill development to help local communities lower their carbon footprint, has led to dozens of conversion projects in recent years.
Westport Properties Inc. (WPI), which operates 122 self-storage facilities under the US Storage Centers brand, has opened a new facility in North Miami Beach, Fla. Its the companys sixth location in the Miami area, according to a press release.

The five-story facility at 15555 W. Dixie Highway comprises 122,605 square feet of storage space in 931 climate-controlled and drive-up units. Security features include electronic gate access, individual alarmed units and video cameras. The site also has a retail store that sells moving and packing supplies.

WPI purchased the property in 2015 for $1.4 million. The company is also developing two more facilities in Miami. The projects are expected to be complete later this year, the release stated.

We see tremendous demand for self-storage in the Miami area with its density, attractiveness to live and do business, and diverse economy, said Charles Byerly, CEO and president. US Storage Centers will continue to look to grow its presence in Miami and Florida through development, acquisitions and third-party management.

Founded in 1985 and based in Irvine, Calif., WPI is a real estate investment company that acquires, develops and operates self-storage facilities as well as provides third-party management services. Its portfolio comprises 8 million rentable square feet in 15 states.
Losses in financial and healthcare stocks, largely caused by disappointing full-year results from Insurance Australia Group ( IAG ) and private healthcare provider Healthscope, dragged down Australian shares on Wednesday.The S&P/ASX 200 index dropped 23.43 points, or 0.4%, to 5726.70 by 0247 GMT. Accounting for more than half the losses were the financial and healthcare sectors, with the financial index dropping 0.6%.IAG, the country's biggest general insurer by market share, plunged 10.1% to its lowest level in almost four months, after it reported a 2.1-percentage-point drop in its underlying insurance margin to 11.9%, caused by higher claims costs in its motor businesses in Australia and New Zealand and losses in commercial classes, Reuters reported.Healthscope, meanwhile, suffered the biggest loss among healthcare stocks, as it saw a record-low 17.8% decline after the company posted a 9.2% drop in full-year net profit."Markets are pretty much results-driven, Mathan Somasundaram, a market portfolio strategist with Blue Ocean Equities, told the news agency. The big negative results have been IAG and Healthscope. Apart from that, there isn't much in the market. We've been in a tight trading band for about three to four months, and we're still stuck in that until something happens in global macro.
In a call with analysts regarding the companys Q2 results, executives from Manulife and its American unit John Hancock revealed that they were bullish on the idea of implementing robo-advisors to better serve the companys American clients.



Specifically, John Hancock aims to introduce a new digital advice distribution channel so that it can reach more customers.



A vast number of American households arent getting the advice they need. They basically never had access to it. We view the new power of digital advice as a way to actually help people improve their financial outcomes very efficiently, John Hancock interim president and CEO Michael Doughty explained.



When asked whether the new channel could cannibalize the traditional advisor channel, Manulife ruled out the possibility. John Hancock hopes to use the digital channel as a way to steer clients toward a face-to-face meeting.



I think the mistake that people often make is that they think there is a binary decision between digital advice or face-to-face, Manulife CEO Roy Gori responded. And the reality is that consumers dont think about the world in that way. They, in many instances, want to be connected to an advisor and to have a face-to-face discussion or relationship. But in other instances, they want to be remote and they want to use digital platforms for their execution. So our belief is that we need to really cover the spectrum.



Gori added that advisors are aware that much of the population is beyond their reach (in both the wealth management and insurance segments). By implementing robo-advisors, their reach could be extended further.



Consumers want a face-to-face advisor, but also want to tap into digital tools any time, wherever they are, he said.



Manulife told The Insurance & Investment Journal that it was too early to tell whether it would also implement robo-advisors in Canada.



Manulife understands the vital importance of a strong advice channel, and we continue to evaluate consumers changing needs, to ensure that the channel performs well and meets those needs on an ongoing basis, said media relations consultant Steven La Barbera.






When insurance giant Aetna was looking to move away from Connecticut, the state of Massachusetts was willing to pony up $16 million to lure it to Boston. However, despite a concerted effort by the Bay State, Aetna ended up moving to New York.The effort, known as Project X, ramped up as Aetna was looking not only to relocate, but to reposition its own brand. Aetna was seeking to move away from its health insurance company identity to a broader healthcare company identity, Mike Kennealy, Massachusetts assistant secretary for business growth, said in an email to the governors office.Massachusetts original proposal to Aetna included a $10 million award through the states Economic Development Incentive Program, an infrastructure grant of up to $5 million and $1 million in workforce training funds, according to a report by MassLive.But despite Massachusetts wooing, Aetna chose to move to New York. The company will receive $24 million in state tax breaks over the next decade, and a New York City agency is contributing an additional $10 million, MassLive reported.The loss of Aetna to the Empire State probably didnt sting as much as it could have, given Massachusetts successful wooing of GE last year.Sometimes its easier to get one big employer than a whole bunch of small employers, Jay Ash, economic development chief for Gov. Charlie Baker, told MassLive. Not that were not focused on smaller employers. But there are certain prizes you go after, and Aetna was one of those we went after.
Delaware Governor John Carney last week signed into law House Substitute 1 for House Bill 180, legislation that provides the first updates in Delaware law to address advances in cyber threats in more than a decade.

The legislation requires additional protections for Delawareans whose personal information may be compromised in a computer breach, including additional notifications and free credit monitoring services.

With Governor Carneys signature on Thursday, Delaware became the second state to require businesses to provide those services, following Connecticut.

We live in a digital world where threats to personal information are becoming more common, and the cyber threat is one of the most serious economic challenges we face, said Governor John Carney in a press release issued by the Delaware Office of the Governor. It makes sense to offer additional protections for Delawareans who may have their information compromised in a cybersecurity breach. At the same time, we will continue to connect businesses to training and resources that will help them safeguard and protect their data.

Delaware is one of 14 states to impose explicit data security obligations on the private sector. The new law will require all companies doing business in Delaware to implement and maintain reasonable security to protect personal information. It requires businesses to safeguard information and provide free credit monitoring services for customers whose sensitive personal information is compromised in a cybersecurity breach.

In particular, the bill focuses on notification requirements and additional help with identity theft mitigation services in cases where Social Security numbers are breached, Representative Paul Baumbach, who sponsored the legislation, added in the release.

In our technological-driven world, these data breaches have become too common and impact a wide variety of individuals, Representative Baumbach said in the release. We had to find a way to address those concerns. This is a meaningful step forward in addressing these breaches so that we guarantee better protections for our residents and help them rebuild their lives after a cyber-attack.

Thursdays signing ceremony was held at the University of Delaware (UD), which offers a masters program in cybersecurity to help drive innovation. UDs Small Business Development Center also trains small businesses to identify cybersecurity threats and protect their business and customer data.

The increase in cyberattacks and data breaches creates an imperative for Delaware to protect citizen information commonly used by criminals to perpetrate identity theft and fraud, James Collins, chief information officer at the Delaware Department of Technology and Information, said in the release. We all know that prevention is the best strategy, and that is our main goal. We want to be proactive so that our citizens and business community can avoid these threats.

Source: Office of the Governor of the State of Delaware

Topics Legislation Cyber
A law firm threatened on Wednesday to file a class action suit against Commonwealth Bank of Australia for allegedly failing to disclose that it was facing money-laundering charges, in the latest headache for Australias biggest listed company.

Without revealing its potential claim, top class action law firm Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and litigation funder IMF Bentham said their proposed lawsuit would be the largest of its kind ever seen in Australia.

The claim could amount to billions of dollars based on the A$7.9 billion ($6.23 billion) wiped from CBAs market value in immediate response to the money-laundering charges, filed by a government watchdog on Aug. 3, IFM said. That would easily surpass the A$200 million ($157.82 million) shopping center owner Centro settled for in 2012.

On top of the billions of dollars in fines that CBA is already facing for the alleged breaches of money-laundering and terror-financing laws, the lawsuit is another risk shareholders could do without.

If history is any guide the bank will settle to avoid any embarrassments of discovery, Australian Shareholders Association director Stephen Mayne told Reuters, referring to the formidable legal team behind the potential claim.

CBA shares were down 0.5 percent in early afternoon trade, slightly weaker than rival banks and the broader market, which was flat.

Andrew Watson, national head of class actions at Maurice Blackburn, said it was astounding that CBA had not advised the market of the allegedly illicit transactions that occurred on its systems until the day after financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC filed its civil case against the bank.

The AUSTRAC allegations, if proven, show an abject failure of corporate governance and risk management. The failure to make proper disclosure to the market regarding those failures adds insult to injury for shareholders, he said in a statement.

The CBA board was aware of the breaches in the second half of 2015, he said.

CBA said in a statement that it had not been served with any legal proceedings.

The bank has said it will defend itself against the AUSTRAC claims and has blamed a coding-error for most of the more than 53,000 suspect transactions it is alleged to have processed.

The suit could go ahead as soon as seven or more people sign up. Maurice Blackburn has extracted over A$1 billion in class action settlements from Australian public companies, including National Australia Bank.

If launched, the class action would involve shareholders who bought and held shares in the period from Aug. 17, 2015, until 1:00 pm on Aug. 3, 2017, IFM executive director Hugh McLernon said.

($1 = 1.2673 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Paulina Duran and Jonathan Barrett in Sydney; editing by Stephen Coates)

Topics Lawsuits Australia
NexAssure Group is set to open a specialist managing general agent, NexAssure Agency (UK) Ltd. in London and has appointed a senior underwriter Mark Angel as head of Specialty to lead the companys expansion into Europe and Middle East.

Angel joins the NexAssure London office from the WhiteOak Underwriting Agency where he was chief underwriter.

Anthony Hobrow, CEO of NexAssure Group, said the companys expansion into these new regions reinforces its growth ambitions.

NexAssure has built up a successful footprint in the challenging regions of Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia using their entrepreneurial approach and local client driven expert solutions, said Angel.

Our London office will provide good opportunities for our clients including the Lloyds broker market for our specialist products and administration services within these new regions and then beyond, he added.

Independently owned NexAssure Group headquartered in Singapore with offices in London, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, provides warranty, financial and speciality reinsurance through NexAssure Agency and third-party administration services through NexAssure Management.

Source: NexAssure Group

Topics Europe Insurance Wholesale London New Markets
A Missouri plumbing company has been fined more than $700,000 for workplace safety violations, including an employees death.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Arrow Plumbing LLC for the death of 33-year-old Donald D.J. Meyer and for allegedly failing to take steps to prevent other employees from dying the same way, the Kansas City Star reported.

I just could not believe it, said Theresa OHare, Meyers mother. Why couldnt this man (Arrow owner Ricky Smith) understand or learn his lesson from the death of my son?

Meyer died in December after the walls of a 12-foot trench without proper shoring caved in on him as he was working on a sewer line in Belton.

Less than half of Arrows fine was for the four serious and three willful violations of workplace safety rules that the safety agency said occurred on the Belton job site.

Agency officials said the main rule Arrow broke was its failure to provide a trench box or other shoring that would likely have prevented the cave-in. Another cited deficiency was the lack of any training in trench safety.

The rest of the fine was levied for the same number of serious and willful violations found at a second work site. OSHA responded to a complaint at Arrows Kansas City, North, job site just weeks after Meyers body was recovered at Belton.

The company is appealing the fines. Smith said Arrow is still open.

No charges have been filed against Arrow. OSHA typically gives fines in response to fatalities that are the result of safety violations.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Missouri
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board will vote at a Sept. 12 hearing on the probable cause of a May 2016 crash that killed a man using the semi-autonomous driving system on his Tesla Model S sedan, the agency said on Monday.

The fatal incident raised questions about the safety of systems that can perform driving tasks for long stretches with little or no human intervention but which cannot completely replace human drivers.

In June, the NTSB said the driver, Joshua Brown, kept his hands off the wheel for extended periods of time despite repeated automated warnings not to do so. Brown was killed near Williston, Florida, when his Model S collided with a truck while it was engaged in the Autopilot mode.

Tesla Inc. did not immediately comment on Monday but said in 2016 that Autopilot does not allow the driver to abdicate responsibility. A lawyer for Browns family, Jack Landskroner, declined to comment on Monday on the forthcoming hearing.

During a 37-minute period of the trip when Brown was supposed to have his hands on the wheel, he apparently did so for just 25 seconds, the NTSB said in June.

Tesla in September 2016 unveiled improvements in Autopilot, putting new limits on hands-off driving and other features that its chief executive officer said likely would have prevented the crash death.

A board spokesman, Eric Weiss, said the NTSB could use the September board meeting to make policy recommendations. The board cannot order recalls or force regulatory changes.

In January, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had found no evidence of defects in the aftermath of Browns death.

The NHTSA said Brown did not apply the brakes and his last action was to set the cruise control at 74 miles per hour (119 kph), less than two minutes before the crash  above the 65-mph speed limit.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Related:

Topics Tesla
One of the biggest commercial threats to Taser Internationals signature weapon could come from a lawsuit the company won.

Across the United States, wrongful death lawsuits involving Tasers have created a body of case law restricting the use of a weapon that reshaped law enforcement.

In the latest key case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that police could lose protection from civil lawsuits if they use a Taser on non-violent suspects. The decision prompted cities in the five-state region from Maryland to South Carolina to adopt new restrictions. It came in a lawsuit in which Taser was dismissed as a defendant, stemming from an incident on April 23, 2011, in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

There, Jinia Lopez took her 43-year-old brother Ronald Armstrong to a hospital after he tried to poke a hole in his leg with a pencil to let the air out, Lopez said in a deposition. Armstrong, who suffered from schizophrenia, had been off his bipolar medication for five days.

At the hospital, he fled to a tuft of grass on a street corner where he ate dandelions and extinguished cigarettes with his tongue. Three officers arrived in squad cars as hospital security staff jogged over.

Lopez and the officers tried to coax Armstrong back to the hospital. Sergeant Tina Sheppard touted its amenities: good food and television. At 7:18 p.m., an involuntary commitment order was radioed.

As officers approached Armstrong, he wrapped himself around the bottom of a stop sign. Officer Arthur Gatling drew his Taser.

Armstrong, 5 feet 11 inches and 262 pounds, wouldnt budge. I aint got to go, he said.

Gatling drive-stunned his upper back; Armstrong tightened his grip. A police recording captures the altercation. Youre going to get it again, an officer shouts, as Lopez pleads, Ronald, let it go. Gatling drive-stunned him four more times, court papers say.

Lieutenant Jerry McDonald testified he placed a knee on Armstrongs back as others struggled to handcuff him and shackle his legs.

Lying face-down in the grass, Armstrong didnt move. Turned over, he wasnt breathing.

Ronald, cmon baby, wake up, Shepherd says.

Lopez screamed. Hes not breathing. Hes dead.

Dont say that, maam, Shepherd says.

Breathe, Ronald. Breathe, Lopez wailed. Breathe, Ronald. Breathe.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A lawsuit filed by Armstrongs estate in April 2013 accused the three officers of using excessive force and alleged Taser manufactured a defective and dangerous product.

The officers testified they restrained Armstrong for his own protection, fearing he would flee into traffic.

The estates lawyer, Karonnie Truzy, dismissed Taser from the lawsuit after it documented its product warnings.

Put on Notice

The officers won. A federal court in North Carolina granted them qualified immunity, which provides legal protection unless police violate clearly established legal principles.

Truzy appealed. Thats when the case took an unusual turn.

A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled in January 2016 that the officers used an excessive, unconstitutional level of force. But the panel said they couldnt have known it because laws on Tasers were murky.

The panel upheld the officers immunity but put departments on notice that unless someone poses an immediate safety risk, Tasers cant be used. Erratic behavior and mental illness do not necessarily create a safety risk, the judges wrote.

The courts ruling aligns with human rights groups, including Amnesty International, who say Tasers should be used only in situations posing a threat of injury or death. In those situations, police typically reach for their firearm.

How are officers supposed to go forward based upon this? asked Michael Newman, a lawyer representing Pinehurst.

Of the 442 Taser-related wrongful death lawsuits examined by Reuters, 34 percent involved allegations the person being shocked, like Armstrong, suffered from mental illness.

Across the five states covered by the ruling  North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia  police are scaling back use. At least eight major cities have adopted more restrictive Taser policies, Reuters found.

In Baltimore, police used Tasers 47 percent fewer times last year than in 2015, according to records reviewed by Reuters. Deployments fell 65 percent in Virginia Beach; 60 percent in Greensboro, North Carolina; 55 percent in Charleston, South Carolina; and 52 percent in Huntington, West Virginia. Norfolk, Virginia, saw deployments plunge 95 percent.

Initially there was a belief that there was low risk to life, said Mark Newbold, managing attorney of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. But as time went on, we had seen an increase between the use of the Taser and somebody dying. And so the risk analysis has changed.

Though Pinehurst was off the hook in Armstrongs death, the villages lawyer, Dan Hartzog, said Taser, police departments and law enforcement organizations urged him to appeal the ruling. The case really sent reverberations through the police community, he said.

Taser declined to comment on whether it pressed Pinehurst to appeal.

In May last year, Pinehurst filed a request to have the U.S. Supreme Court hear the case. Briefs in support of Pinehurst were filed by Taser, the National Fraternal Order of Police and the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, a union representing 30,000 officers.

In October, the Supreme Court declined to hear the villages appeal. So while police won the case, the appeals courts limits on Taser use are now law in the five states.

The company said the Fourth Circuit ruling could increase the fatal shooting rate in the region. This is of course a tragedy and shows what can happen when judges believe some of the electrocution mythology and media sensationalism surrounding electrical weapons, spokesman Steve Tuttle said in an email.

Some see a different message in the case.

Armstrong gives us the opportunity to now stand up and say can we walk away or can we at the very least step back, said Ken Wallentine, former chief of law enforcement for the Utah Attorney General. One of the messages to police departments is, Guys, slow down.'

(This story is part of a series on Tasers, Shock Tactics)

(Editing by Ronnie Greene and Michael Williams)

Related:

Topics Lawsuits USA Law Enforcement Virginia North Carolina South Carolina
Just a day after being downgraded by ratings agency Demotech, Florida-based insurer Sawgrass Mutual Insurance Company has revealed it is under administrative supervision by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

According to an amended consent order for administrative supervision dated Aug. 22, 2017, Sawgrass notified OIR of a plan for orderly wind-down of the companys operations on Aug. 18, through a confidential consent order. The amended consent order said that plan is no longer feasible and that the move for administrative supervision should be made public in order to facilitate the consideration of other plans for the orderly transition of Sawgrasss business.

Under Florida Law, administrative supervision is confidential unless otherwise specified. OIR may open the proceedings or hearings or make public the information.

The amended order states that The Office finds and Sawgrass agrees, that it is in the best interest of its policyholders and the public to make this Consent Order public The order was signed by Sawgrass CEO Daniel ONeal.

In a statement, OIR said Under an Order of Administrative Supervision, the Office is working with Sawgrass Mutual Insurance Company and interested parties to develop a wind-down plan for the company, which includes the orderly transition of policies from Sawgrass to another insurer. Coverage for current Sawgrass policyholders remains in force until a plan is implemented. In the interim, policyholders may contact the Florida Market Assistance Plan to explore other options. Consumers may also research homeowners insurance companies through the Offices CHOICES homeowners rate comparison tool via our website at www.floir.com.

Sawgrass first became licensed in Florida in 2009 and currently has about 20,000 policies throughout the state with $35 million in premium written in the first quarter of 2017. The mutual insurer wrote voluntary homeowners through a network of independent agents. It bound just 222 new policies in Q1 of 2017, and had more than $39 million in exposure for policies in force that exclude wind coverage, according to OIRs Quarterly Supplemental Report  Market Share Report system.

Sawgrass notified its agencies of the administrative supervision in an Aug. 22 email that was obtained by Insurance Journal. The email said the move is necessary to allow Sawgrass and interested parties to develop a run-off plan for the company which includes the orderly transition of policies from Sawgrass to another insurer.

The email further stated the plan could include the cancellation of all Sawgrass policies with at least 45 days notice and a guaranteed offer of coverage for those policies from another licensed insurer.

It appears Sawgrasss problems began to brew after its second quarter earnings report, based on a downgrade in its Financial Stability Rating (FSR) of A (Exceptional) to L (licensed) from ratings agency Demotech on Aug. 21. Demotech released a statement saying the action was necessary despite a number of potential transactions in negotiation by the company.

The company filed its initial year-end 2016 financial statement, reporting surplus in excess of $20 million, in a timely manner, said Joseph Petrelli, Demotech president. The company secured an effective reinsurance program prior to storm season. The focus of the company was to identify suitors and negotiate a transaction that was favorable to their policyholders rather than write additional new business.

Demotech added the Sawgrass missed the deadline to report to Demotech the results of an independent audit and its second quarter 2017 financial statement, presented to Demotech on Aug. 16, as well as a revised year-end 2016 financial statement, present surplus and other financial metrics at levels that no longer support the current FSR.

Sawgrass did not respond to a request for comment from Insurance Journal.

Read Consent Order:

Topics Carriers Florida
A Los Angeles jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a record $417 million to a hospitalized woman who claimed in a lawsuit that the talc in the companys iconic baby powder causes ovarian cancer when applied regularly for feminine hygiene.

The verdict on Monday in the lawsuit brought by the California woman, Eva Echeverria, marks the largest sum awarded in a series of talcum powder lawsuit verdicts against Johnson & Johnson in courts around the U.S.

Echeverria alleged Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately warn consumers about talcum powders potential cancer risks. She used the companys baby powder on a daily basis beginning in the 1950s until 2016 and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, according to court papers.

Echeverria developed ovarian cancer as a proximate result of the unreasonably dangerous and defective nature of talcum powder, she said in her lawsuit.

Echeverrias attorney, Mark Robinson, said his client is undergoing cancer treatment while hospitalized and told him she hoped the verdict would lead Johnson & Johnson to put additional warnings on its products.

Mrs. Echeverria is dying from this ovarian cancer and she said to me all she wanted to do was to help the other women throughout the whole country who have ovarian cancer for using Johnson & Johnson for 20 and 30 years, Robinson said.

She really didnt want sympathy, he added. She just wanted to get a message out to help these other women.

Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said in a statement that the company will appeal the jurys decision. She says while the company sympathizes with women suffering from ovarian cancer that scientific evidence supports the safety of Johnsons baby powder.

The verdict came after a St. Louis, Missouri jury in May awarded $110.5 million to a Virginia woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012.

She had blamed her illness on her use of the companys talcum powder-containing products for more than 40 years.

Besides that case, three other trials in St. Louis had similar outcomes last year, with juries awarding damages of $72 million, $70.1 million and $55 million, for a combined total of $307.6 million.

Another St. Louis jury in March rejected the claims of a Tennessee woman with ovarian and uterine cancer who blamed talcum powder for her cancers.

Two similar cases in New Jersey were thrown out by a judge who said the plaintiffs lawyers did not presented reliable evidence linking talc to ovarian cancer.

More than 1,000 other people have filed similar lawsuits. Some who won their lawsuits won much lower amounts, illustrating how juries have wide latitude in awarding monetary damages.

Johnson & Johnson is preparing to defend itself and its baby powder at upcoming trials in the U.S., Goodrich said.

Associated Press writer Amanda Lee Myers in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits
Un ottobre da sogno per Antonio Conte: lex ct della Nazionale italiana, attualmente alla guida del Chelsea, nelle ultime quattro gare di Premier League ha collezionato solo successi, conditi da 11 reti segnate e addirittura nessuna incassata. Numeri da record che non sono certo passati inosservati alla Federazione inglese, la quale ha conferito al tecnico leccese lambito premio di Manager del mese.

Unavventura oltremanica iniziata in sordina, quella di Conte, pur a fronte di tre vittorie nelle prime tre gare di campionato. A far vacillare, anche se solo per un momento, le certezze del patron del club londinese, Roman Abramovich, i risultati conseguiti tra la 4a e la 6a giornata, coincisi con un pareggio sul campo dello Swansea City e, soprattutto, con le due pesanti sconfitte subite dal Liverpool, sul terreno casalingo di Stamford Bridge, e dallArsenal. In particolare, la debacle interna coi Reds, aveva irritato non poco il numero uno russo, poiche occorsa proprio nel giorno della sua 250esima partita da presidente della societa.

Come detto, solo un momento. Dopo lincontro dellEmirates, il tecnico salentino cambia modulo, adottando un piu equilibrato 3-4-3 e inserendo elementi di corsa come lo spagnolo Pedro. Una svolta totale perche, di li in poi, il Chelsea inanellera solo e soltanto vittorie: 2 gol allHull City e al Southampton in trasferta, 3 ai campioni dInghilterra del Leicester e 4 allo United in casa, con un meraviglioso numero zero nella casella delle reti subite. Un fantastico poker, ottenuto tra l1 e il 29 ottobre. Un cambio di marcia sbalorditivo, confermato dal 5 a 0 rifilato ai toffees dellEverton nel primo match di novembre, e una scalata che, man mano, ha portato i blues al secondo posto in classifica, a soli 2 punti dal Liverpool capolista.

E allora, non poteva mancare il riconoscimento di migliore allenatore del mese, ottenuto surclassando tecnici del calibro di Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) e Mark Hughes (Southampton). Tanta, ovviamente, la soddisfazione: E un grande onore e voglio condividerlo con i giocatori e con la societa  ha dichiarato Conte sul sito ufficiale della Premier League -. E la prima volta che lavoro in un altro Paese, con una cultura diversa, e portare la propria filosofia non e facile, ma ora sono contento di questa scelta.

A completare la festa, la premiazione del fantasista belga, Eden Hazard, come miglior giocatore di ottobre. Due risultati importanti per il club, ottimo incentivo per la rincorsa al trono dei campioni, occupato dal Leicester di Ranieri. Il prossimo appuntamento per l11 di Conte sara al Riverside Stadium, tana del Middlesborough neopromosso. Il tempo di festeggiare e gia finito.
You would probably be suspicious if your boss asked to meet with you in the conference room after lunch. You know something is amiss when the head of human resources (HR) is sitting in. Youre probably on the way out.

The focal point of the meeting will likely be in a folder on the table: your separation agreement. Its the legal document with the terms of your departure, one that spells out what the company wants to give you in (severance pay and outplacement services, perhaps) in return for what youre giving up (claims now and in the future). It also includes a deadline for your signature. The HR chief may also offer up a key recommendation: Consult a lawyer.

Thats good advice, especially since what a company offers in severance can be made up of many parts, such as a lump-sum payment and outplacement. It's also important as theres no consensus on how much to pay or what to provide. In other words, there's a lot of potential gray areas.

Key Takeaways Unless a contract covers you, most states classify you as an at-will employee, meaning your boss can fire you without a set reason and not be on the hook for any severance pay.    

  The rule of thumb that applies to severance packagestwo weeks pay for every year of employmentturns out to be a rough average.

It helps to determine what you can ask for during negotiations and what is off-limits.

What your final payments will be could fall within a wide range. And there is a lot of ground to cover in negotiations beyond your last paycheck. There are seven key things you should know if you are ever terminated from a position.

1. Know What Both Sides Want, Key Requirements

Your employer has made it clear they don't need you for whatever reason. Unless a contract covers you, most states classify you as an at-will employee, meaning your boss can fire you without a set reason and not be on the hook for any severance pay.  You may have even signed a document confirming that point when you were hired.

Remember that the company wants closure, and for good reason. Your separation agreement signature is worth money because it potentially limits the number of legal issues you, the fired or downsized employee, might pursue. Less hassle now and in the future means fewer billable hours for the companys legal counsel. You get the picture.

2. Theres a Range of Financial Outcomes

If youre a top executive, the terms of what youll pocket when you pack up are typically spelled out in your employment contract. For everyone else, from upper-level management down the corporate ranks, things are likely not so clear.

Thats where informal guidelines come into play. The rule of thumb that applies to severance packagestwo weeks pay for every year of employmentturns out to be a rough average. In practice, it ranges between one to four weeks depending on circumstances, says Jeffrey M. Landes, a lawyer in the labor and employment practice of the New York firm Epstein Becker & Green.

3. How Much You Get Depends on Several Factors

As far as severance goes, your tenure on the job is just one of several considerations. If youre fired because your boss feels you didnt measure up, its likely to be on the lower end of the scale. If your company was bought out and forced to shed jobs, you might find your boss wants to be more generous. Ask yourself the following questions:

How well did you perform and how well is it documented? The better your evaluations and the more popular you are, the more likely that an employer will carve out more severance pay.

What triggered your dismissal? If the circumstances behind your termination are out of your companys handsdownsizing as the result of a merger or the axing of an obsolete divisionterms are likely to be more generous.

Has your company been lax about tracking your performance? Your company is likely to weigh its legal vulnerability. If you were fired for under-performance, you might gain leverage if your evaluations are unclear or seem to point to good work.

4. Review Your Work HistoryClosely

Miriam F. Clark, a partner at the New York employment-law firm Ritz Clark & Ben-Asher, says one of the first things to examine with a lawyer are documents that chart your history at the company and how well you performed your job. The overall picture will help determine whether you have a discrimination case to pursue. If you have grounds for action, theres potentially a court award or settlement in your future. At the very leastif theres a scent of something awryyouve got additional leverage in severance negotiations.

5. Know Where Your Company Has Flexibility

It helps to determine what you can ask for during negotiations and what is off-limits. Some things your company can negotiate and others are outside your boss control. First, theres the law to consider. The law in Ohio, for instance, requires compensation for the accrued vacation. Thats because it is considered a deferred payment for a benefit youve earned, says Cleveland attorney Jon Hyman.

Similarly, your company will probably have little or no leeway when it comes to employee benefits. Insurance carriers determine healthcare and insurance coverage, not your employer. You can stay on the company health plan for up to 18 months under COBRA law, but youll likely pay a steep price for the privilege. Your disability coverage through the company, meanwhile, is likely to end when your employment does.

You can request that your employer boost your severance package to help foot the bill for COBRA coverage or the initial cost of disability insurance.

Some employees may be able to negotiate to delay the formal date of their separation from the company to accommodate benefits issues, such as reaching a pension deadline.

Consider a few other possibilities, as well. For example, its not uncommon for employees to ask for the sum of money employers might have earmarked for outplacement services, says Clark.

Landes says that another talking point is the timing of your severance payment to maximize what you get in-state unemployment benefits. Delaying the receipt of severance for one month may prevent receiving lower unemployment benefits, for example.

6. Tap Into Relationships

Relationships can matter during severance negotiations, too. There are times when employees themselves handle some of the face-to-face hagglings over severance terms instead of bringing in an attorney. Those cases are more common when employees have a close relationship with a boss or someone else on the other side of the table.

7. Remember the Future

Hammering out the best terms in your separation agreement goes beyond moneywhat you agree to can affect your long-term career. Future job references are also something to take up before you sign off. Your separation-agreement negotiations can address whats put in writing when prospective employers check into your work history. They can also spell out who provides a reference and what information can be shared over the telephone as well. Thats especially important if youve bounced around a few jobs or had an ongoing spat with a supervisor.

There are also likely to be provisions that require you to keep mum about why youre leaving and the terms you struck on the way out. If you find the limitations too stifling, you may push back and change them during talks. For instance, you may want to carve out exceptions to cover speaking with your spouse and kids about what happened.

The Bottom Line

In the end, stay objective and focused. While combing through the finer points of a separation agreement can be a painful exercise, theyre an essential step in getting back on track. A clear mind and sharp focus can help you close the past, secure the present, and pave the way to a brighter future. Above all, remember you'll be in shock at that first meeting, even if it's not a complete surprise. Don't sign anything immediately. And try to talk to an attorney who specializes in employment law before you do sign something.
Risk management helps cut down losses. It can also help protect traders' accounts from losing all of its money. The risk occurs when traders suffer losses. If the risk can be managed, traders can open themselves up to making money in the market.

It is an essential but often overlooked prerequisite to successful active trading. After all, a trader who has generated substantial profits can lose it all in just one or two bad trades without a proper risk management strategy. So how do you develop the best techniques to curb the risks of the market?

This article will discuss some simple strategies that can be used to protect your trading profits.

Key Takeaways Trading can be exciting and even profitable if you are able to stay focused, do due diligence, and keep emotions at bay.

Still, the best traders need to incorporate risk management practices to prevent losses from getting out of control.

Having a strategic and objective approach to cutting losses through stop orders, profit taking, and protective puts is a smart way to stay in the game.

Planning Your Trades

As Chinese military general Sun Tzu's famously said: "Every battle is won before it is fought." This phrase implies that planning and strategynot the battleswin wars. Similarly, successful traders commonly quote the phrase: "Plan the trade and trade the plan." Just like in war, planning ahead can often mean the difference between success and failure.

First, make sure your broker is right for frequent trading. Some brokers cater to customers who trade infrequently. They charge high commissions and don't offer the right analytical tools for active traders.

Stop-loss (S/L) and take-profit (T/P) points represent two key ways in which traders can plan ahead when trading. Successful traders know what price they are willing to pay and at what price they are willing to sell. They can then measure the resulting returns against the probability of the stock hitting their goals. If the adjusted return is high enough, they execute the trade.

Conversely, unsuccessful traders often enter a trade without having any idea of the points at which they will sell at a profit or a loss. Like gamblers on a luckyor unlucky streakemotions begin to take over and dictate their trades. Losses often provoke people to hold on and hope to make their money back, while profits can entice traders to imprudently hold on for even more gains.

Consider the One-Percent Rule

A lot of day traders follow what's called the one-percent rule. Basically, this rule of thumb suggests that you should never put more than 1% of your capital or your trading account into a single trade. So if you have $10,000 in your trading account, your position in any given instrument shouldn't be more than $100.

This strategy is common for traders who have accounts of less than $100,000some even go as high as 2% if they can afford it. Many traders whose accounts have higher balances may choose to go with a lower percentage. That's because as the size of your account increases, so too does the position. The best way to keep your losses in check is to keep the rule below 2%any more and you'll be risking a substantial amount of your trading account.

Setting Stop-Loss and Take-Profit Points

A stop-loss point is the price at which a trader will sell a stock and take a loss on the trade. This often happens when a trade does not pan out the way a trader hoped. The points are designed to prevent the "it will come back" mentality and limit losses before they escalate. For example, if a stock breaks below a key support level, traders often sell as soon as possible.

On the other hand, a take-profit point is the price at which a trader will sell a stock and take a profit on the trade. This is when the additional upside is limited given the risks. For example, if a stock is approaching a key resistance level after a large move upward, traders may want to sell before a period of consolidation takes place.

How to More Effectively Set Stop-Loss Points

Setting stop-loss and take-profit points is often done using technical analysis, but fundamental analysis can also play a key role in timing. For example, if a trader is holding a stock ahead of earnings as excitement builds, they may want to sell before the news hits the market if expectations have become too high, regardless of whether the take-profit price has been hit.

Moving averages represent the most popular way to set these points, as they are easy to calculate and widely tracked by the market. Key moving averages include the 5-, 9-, 20-, 50-, 100- and 200-day averages. These are best set by applying them to a stock's chart and determining whether the stock price has reacted to them in the past as either a support or resistance level.

Another great way to place stop-loss or take-profit levels is on support or resistance trend lines. These can be drawn by connecting previous highs or lows that occurred on significant, above-average volume. Like with moving averages, the key is determining levels at which the price reacts to the trend lines and, of course, on high volume.

When setting these points, here are some key considerations:

Use longer-term moving averages for more volatile stocks to reduce the chance that a meaningless price swing will trigger a stop-loss order to be executed.

Adjust the moving averages to match target price ranges. For example, longer targets should use larger moving averages to reduce the number of signals generated.

Stop losses should not be closer than 1.5-times the current high-to-low range (volatility), as it is too likely to get executed without reason.

Adjust the stop loss according to the market's volatility. If the stock price isn't moving too much, then the stop-loss points can be tightened.

Use known fundamental events such as earnings releases, as key time periods to be in or out of a trade as volatility and uncertainty can rise.

Calculating Expected Return

Setting stop-loss and take-profit points are also necessary to calculate the expected return. The importance of this calculation cannot be overstated, as it forces traders to think through their trades and rationalize them. As well, it gives them a systematic way to compare various trades and select only the most profitable ones.

This can be calculated using the following formula:

[(Probability of Gain) x (Take Profit % Gain)] + [(Probability of Loss) x (Stop-Loss % Loss)]

The result of this calculation is an expected return for the active trader, who will then measure it against other opportunities to determine which stocks to trade. The probability of gain or loss can be calculated by using historical breakouts and breakdowns from the support or resistance levelsor for experienced traders, by making an educated guess.

Diversify and Hedge

Making sure you make the most of your trading means never putting your eggs in one basket. If you put all your money in one stock or one instrument, you're setting yourself up for a big loss. So remember to diversify your investmentsacross both industry sector as well as market capitalization and geographic region. Not only does this help you manage your risk, but it also opens you up to more opportunities.

You may also find yourself a time when you need to hedge your position. Consider a stock position when the results are due. You may consider taking the opposite position through options, which can help protect your position. When trading activity subsides, you can then unwind the hedge.

Downside Put Options

If you are approved for options trading, buying a downside put option, sometimes known as a protective put, can also be used as a hedge to stem losses from a trade that turns sour. A put option gives you the right, but not the obligation, to sell the underlying stock at a specified priced at or before the option expires. Therefore if you own XYZ stock from $100 and buy the 6-month $80 put for $1.00 per option in premium, then you will be effectively stopped out from any price drop below $79 ($80 strike minus the $1 premium paid).

The Bottom Line

Traders should always know when they plan to enter or exit a trade before they execute. By using stop losses effectively, a trader can minimize not only losses but also the number of times a trade is exited needlessly. In conclusion, make your battle plan ahead of time so you'll already know you've won the war.
The real estate industry may see some large land deals these days, from the $450 million Witanhurst mansion in London to the $2 billion Antilla building in Mumbai, but these pale in comparison to some historical land deals.

Key Takeaways While modern-day multi-million or multi-billion real estate deals can seem staggering, they lose some luster when compared to historic land sales.

Russia's sale of Alaska to the U.S. in 1867 is one of the biggest land deals in history, as it gave the nation 375 million more acres and a huge domestic source of oil.

The 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France proved to be transformational for the United States, as it gave the young country access to 13 states and 512 million additional acres.

The 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas split the lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal, then the world's biggest superpowers. Spain got the better deal, gaining control of much of modern-day Latin America.

Investopedia / Sabrina Jiang

The Alaskan Purchase

The U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 is considered to be one of the largest land deals in history. Fearing another war with Britain after the Crimean War, Russia rushed to sell Alaska to the United States for just $7.2 million, or about two cents per acre, to prevent nearby British Columbia from taking over the territory, and to bolster its struggling finances.

Today, Alaska is, of course, worth much more than that. The state encompasses 586,412 square miles or more than 375 million acres. Even at a cost of just $100 per acre, that would equate to more than $37 billion. Plus, the state churns out hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil each year.

The Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803 is another U.S. acquisition that's considered to be one of the largest land deals ever. With a purchase price of just $15 million, the U.S. added some 13 states' worth of territories at less than three cents per acre.

But the Louisiana Purchase almost didn't happen for a couple of reasons. President Thomas Jefferson was widely criticized for acting above and beyond his constitutional authority, especially given his strict interpretation of the Constitution. Secondly, many Federalists worried that the U.S. was funding a war against Spain by buying from Napoleon.

Today, the land in the Louisiana Purchase is worth significantly more. The deal encompassed 827,000 square miles, which equates to approximately 512 million acres. With land costs today averaging between $1.480 and $4,420 per acre in the continental U.S. in 2021, the total value of the Louisiana Purchase is therefore likely to be near $2.2 trillion.

The Treaty of Tordesillas

Back in the 1400s and 1500s, Spain and Portugal were the world's two largest superpowers carving up the world. The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus led to some disputes about who had rights to certain territories. Eventually, the two countries agreed to divide the world along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cabo Verde islands.

Unfortunately, the New World turned out to move mostly west in direction and the deal turned out to be rather one-sided. Spain ended up colonizing the vast majority of South America except for present-day Brazil, where Portuguese is still spoken. After 1898, the treaty became somewhat obsolete as the two world superpowers grew less influential.

While the total value of this deal is impossible to calculate, the control Spain maintained over most of Latin America played an important role in history. The majority of the countries in the region asserted their independence in the early to mid-1800s. By the 1900s, some Latin American countries were participating in the World Wars as U.S. allies.

The Bottom Line

It may be easy to grasp at the current real estate market and the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars spent acquiring palatial estates. However, these purchases seem minuscule compared to a time when countries could sell an entire state.
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It was all going smoothly until the Western Canada Rose took the stage.

Sinead McGahern was talking to host Daithi O Se about her extended family when she came out with this line.
Update - 10.47pm: Gardai are ruling out any suggestion of a terror link to a car crash in Dublin that has injured six people.

The injured are being treated at a number of hospitals in Dublin.

Gardai have not revealed he genders or the condition of the six people involved.

Update - 6.50pm: Six people have been rushed to hospital after a serious crash in Dublin city centre.

It is being reported that at least one of the victims is in a serious condition.

It happened at the junction of Harcourt Road and Adelaide Road at 6.16pm this evening.

Gardai say it appears a number of pedestrians were struck by a car.

They also confirmed that it is not terror related, and it is not being treated as a hit and run.

Earlier: Five people have been rushed to hospital after a "major" crash in Dublin city centre.

Dublin Fire Brigade says four fire engines and five ambulances have been dispatched.

Traffic is being advised to avoid the Adelaide Road area.

It happened at the junction of Adelaide Road and Earlsfort Terrace just before 6pm.

Fire engines from Donnybrook, Tara Street and Dolphin's Barn are involved in the operation.
Gardai are looking for three men who threatened staff and stole a sum of money from the five-star Conrad Hotel in Dublin overnight.

The three men were wearing balaclavas, and two were carrying knives.
A Catholic priest who was a "wizard" in the Ku Klux Klan before becoming a clergyman has urged white supremacists to turn their back on hate by revealing his own personal journey from extremism.

While Father William Aitcheson's racist past was a matter of public record, it was not widely known in the Virginia diocese of Arlington, until this week.

Prompted by images of violence during a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Fr Aitcheson described his transformation in a column published on Monday in The Arlington Catholic Herald, the diocesan newspaper, and urged white supremacists to repent.

"While I firmly believe God forgave me, as he forgives anyone who repents and asks for forgiveness, forgetting what I did would be a mistake," wrote Fr Aitcheson, who is taking a leave of absence from active ministry.

"My actions were despicable.

"When I think back on burning crosses, a threatening letter, and so on, I feel as though I am speaking of somebody else."

Fr Aitcheson, 62, said 40 years have passed since he was in the Klan, but the violence he saw last week compelled him to describe his journey.

The diocese noted Fr Aitcheson "voluntarily asked to temporarily step away from public ministry, for the well being of the Church and parish community".

In a statement, Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge called Fr Aitcheson's past with the Klan troubling, but said he hopes his story of transformation will help others.

"I pray that in our current political and social climate his message will reach those who support hate and division, and inspire them to a conversion of heart," Bishop Burbidge wrote.

Fr Aitcheson was ordained as a priest in 1988 by the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas, and has been assigned to the Arlington Diocese since 1993, most recently serving as parochial vicar, an assistant pastor, at St Leo the Great in Fairfax.

In his article, Fr Aitcheson wrote that his membership in the Klan is public information, but rarely comes up.

Indeed, the then Mr Aitcheson was convicted on criminal charges in 1977 after the cross-burnings, one of which drew a response from President Ronald Reagan years later.

Articles show Mr Aitcheson was arrested in 1977, when, as a student at the University of Maryland, authorities identified him as the "wizard" of a 12-member KKK lodge.

He was charged in state and federal court with multiple cross-burnings, and a threat to kill Coretta Scott King, the widow of Martin Luther King Jr.

He was convicted and sentenced to 90 days in jail.

Five years later, a judge ordered Mr Aitcheson to pay $23,000 in damages to Philip and Barbara Butler, who were victimised by one of Mr Aitcheson's cross-burnings after they moved into a mostly white neighbourhood in College Park, Maryland.

A 1982 file photo of then US President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan with the Butler family on their front porch at their home in College Park, Maryland.

That prompted the visit from Mr Reagan, who sought to reassure the Butlers that the racist attack was not representative of most Americans' views.

Diocese spokesman Billy Atwell said on Tuesday the diocese knew about Fr Aitcheson's past with the Klan when he arrived in 1993, but "just learned this weekend about the civil suit from 40 years ago and will be working with Fr Aitcheson to ensure he meets all of his legal and moral obligations to make restitution".

The diocese said Fr Aitcheson was declining interview requests.

Mr Atwell said the diocese is confident Fr Aitcheson's change of heart all those years ago was sincere, "evidenced, in part, by the fact that we have had no accusation of racism while ministering".

In his column, Fr Aitcheson urges white supremacists to take a different path and seek forgiveness.

"You will find no fulfilment in this ideology," he wrote.

"Your hate will never be satisfied and your anger will never subside."

AP
The Dublin-based company, whose sole operating asset is the Moma titanium mine in Mozambique, yesterday reported a pre-tax profit of $9.83m (8.36m) for the six months to the end of June; a turnaround from a $49.1m pre-tax loss for the same period last year. Revenues jumped by 82% to $102.4m.

Kenmare produced record levels of ilmenite and zircon in the 12 months to June and managing director Michael Carvill said the company remains on target to meet its production guidance for the current year.
The company already has three plants in St Petersburg which produce products for customers in Europe. The group said this move will establish it as the leading international corrugated packaging supplier in Russia and enable it to further strengthen its position in the region and broaden its offering to its multinational and local customers.

Russia is an attractive growth market for us with exciting potential. We are pleased to expand our footprint in this market and, in particular, within the growing Moscow region, said Pim Wareman, chief executive of Smurfit Kappa North-East Europe.
The interconnector project comprises a 400kV overhead line circuit linking an existing substation in Woodland, Co Meath, with a planned substation in Turleenan, Co Tyrone.

It is planned to provide a second high-capacity all-Ireland electricity interconnector, the existing one being a 275kV double circuit overhead line between Co Louth and Co Armagh.

Judge Barrett said few, if any of us, would welcome the news that a great line of electricity pylons and linking wires was due to be erected on or across property that we chanced to own or otherwise enjoyed.

He said the applicants, North East Pylon Pressure Campaign Limited and Ms Maura Sheehy, living in a beautiful part of Ireland and enjoying some of the best of the Irish countryside, understandably object to the interconnector being built upon their properties, by their homes or across their townlands.

But when it comes to the decision of An Bord Pleanala to grant approval to EirGrid the court is coerced as a matter of law into concluding that there is no lawful basis that would justify it granting any of the reliefs the applicants seek, the judge said.

In a 220-page reserved judgment, he said the application to quash the boards decision to grant approval, was, among other legal challenges to the scheme, respectfully refused by the court. He said the thrust of his judgment was such that the issue of jus tertii (the pleading by one of the rights of another) was not of the significance that it might otherwise have been.

But while the applicants have standing to bring the proceedings the court does not see that either of the applicants, neither of them being landowners, has the requisite standing to make such claims as were made in their pleadings and submissions concerning allegedly affected landowners, the judge said.

He said the applicants sought to quash the boards decision to approve the infrastructure linking the electricity networks in the North and Republic on grounds it was contrary to and in breach of EU regulations and directives and lacked proper environmental impact assessments, as well as breaching the European Convention of Human Rights.

The applicants had also objected on grounds that An Bord Pleanala was not lawfully designated as a competent authority to hear the appeal against approval.

Judge Barrett said the board enjoyed a presumption of validity and it was a significant feature of the case brought by the applicants that no leave had been granted to challenge the accuracy of any matter in the 600-page report of the boards inspector, who heard the appeal over 35 days and who had been addressed by 204 people.

Regrettably but almost certainly necessarily, and not without regard for individual rights but concomitant with that concern for the overall public good which central government invariably and properly brings to the formulation of national policy and legislation, individual landowner consent is neither a prerequisite to nor necessary component of a successful development consent application whether by virtue of primary or secondary legislation, the judge ruled.
Cllr Tony Fitzgerald (FF) said he felt compelled to speak out to counter falsehoods that implied county dwellers would lose out under current proposals to bring satellite towns such as Ballincollig, Blarney, Little Island, and Carrigtohill, under the control of Cork City Council.

Mr Fitzgerald claimed that, in fact, affected county dwellers would fare better because of higher per capita spending on public services in the city.

Records show that in 2017 Cork City Council spent 1,363 per citizen on public services while Cork County Council spent just 717.

Mr Fitzgerald said that contrary to claims by the county, the extension of the city boundary will not stop access to national or EU rural funding streams such as LEADER funding in rural areas.

The Mayor of Co Cork, Cllr Declan Hurley (Ind), challenged this assertion, saying that cities were not eligible to attract rural funding.

If parts of rural Cork are subsumed into the city, they will be excluded, no doubt about it, he said.

Mr Hurley also expressed surprise that Mr Fitzgerald had chosen to highlight the per capita spend on citizens. He said: Cork City cannot afford to spend the same money per head of population in a Mackinnon city as it currently does.

The Mackinnon report, the catalyst for the angst between the city and county councils, recommended a significant city boundary extension to include, inter alia, Ballincollig, Little Island, Carrigtwohill, and Little Island, increasing the size of the city eightfold and boosting its population from the current 125,000 or so to 225,000.

The county opposes the extension on the grounds that it represents an unacceptable land and rates grab.

The annual shortfall in terms of lost rates and local property tax has been estimated at 50m, although there is a mechanism for compensation from the city council.

The county council has proposed a scaled-back alternative to the Mackinnon extension but this has been rejected by the city.

Yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald said citizens would enjoy an improved quality of life in strong communities within the extended city and would benefit from Cork City Councils proven track record in community development, sports funding, social inclusion, arts and recreation, as well as in meeting housing need.

Mr Hurley said the boundary extension would result in existing city housing applicants being pitted against county applications for social housing against a backdrop of an accelerating housing crisis in Cork.

Mr Fitzgerald said quality of life would improve for everyone if one authority was delivering joined-up planning policy.

He said Cork County Councils negative commentary ignores best practice in planning and service provision which states that the most successful cities have jurisdiction over their rural hinterland as well as urban areas.

Mr Fitzgerald also ridiculed the county councils scaled-back boundary extension offer, saying it was presented without accompanying data to support its population and economic projections.

It cannot be described as generous. From our analysis, only 30% of this area is capable of being developed, he said. The offer was what Cork City needed in 1980, not in 2017.

Mr Hurley hit back, saying its proposal was based on data and policy contained in the joint National Planning Framework submission, our local area plan projections, and on the citys own plans.

He said: It is entirely evidence based. It is a proposal which increases the city area by 85% and which would ultimately give it a population of 283,000.

The offer would leave Cork Airport, Blarney, Ballincollig, Little Island, Carrigtwohill, and Monard under the control of the county council.

Work is under way on drafting the boundary envisaged by Mackinnon, with teams of public servants from both city and county preparing suggestions for a September 5 meeting of the oversight group tasked with driving implementation.
Michael Cremin conned Sandra Burch out of 92,000 (100,000) in a fraudulent property deal to buy himself a 29,000 (32,000) Volkswagen Scirocco.

Ms Burch, aged 51, from Salisbury, Wiltshire, quit her job when she was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and was relying on her pension when she fell victim to the fraudster.

She was forced to return to work part-time after Cremin robbed her of her life savings.

Cremin carried out other frauds to purchase at least 14 cars which Gloucestershire police believe total more than 330,000 (360,000).

The 41-year-old, who advertised himself as a lawyer and advocate but has been described by police as a fantasist, was listed on a legitimate chambers website and falsely claimed to have a law degree from the University of London.

In reality, while Cremin worked on several cases as a legal representative, he had no legal qualifications and a history of using his knowledge of the legal system to threaten people.

Expensive cars were a recurring theme, with Cremin also found guilty of making fraudulent representations to acquire finance for top-of-the-range vehicles including Toyota, Lexus and Volkswagen models.

He impersonated a barrister in correspondence with several people, in one case writing to a couple using the name of a real barrister and falsely claiming they had breached planning regulations.

He also provided false employment references to a letting agency in Cirencester when he was a tenant at a house in the Gloucestershire town.

Cremin then disputed the owners right to inspect the property and forced them to take action at the county court and then the Court of Appeal before he was finally evicted.

It caused the elderly couple who had invested in the house as part of their retirement plan months of distress, health problems, lost rent, and 20,000 22,000) in legal fees.

Cremin, of Buncombe Way, Cirencester, was found guilty of six counts of fraud and one count of pretending to be a barrister following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

David Nathan QC, defending, said: The impact upon Ms Burch is horrific. When you read her impact statement it is impossible not to be moved.

Ms Burch is very poorly and nothing I can say can change that. This is not a man with a large record for fraudulent activity and in my submission there is a balance to be struck.

Mr Nathan added: In terms of personal mitigation I am not seeking to waste your honours time in coming up with anything that begins to impress the court.

Jailing Cremin for eight years, Judge Michael Longman said he had used bluff and bluster to defraud his victims.

You have been convicted of six counts of fraud and one count of pretending to be a barrister by the jury who saw through the lies you told in the days you were giving evidence, he said.

During all the offending, you portrayed yourself as a person of more substance than you are, falsely claiming to have law degrees and a doctorate.

The judge added: Your depiction in your evidence of Mrs Burch having been the author of her own misfortune is an illustration of the depths you were prepared to sink in order to save your own skin.

Cremin, who is originally from Co Cork, was also disqualified from being a company director for nine years. He faces proceeds of crime proceedings later this year.

As Cremin was led away to begin his sentence, he said: Your honour, I dont agree with the verdict and I have to appeal.

Det Sgt Dave Fryatt, of Gloucestershire Police, said: Cremin was what you might call a paralegal  he wasnt a barrister or solicitor but had taught himself a lot about the law and was involved in the legal system.

The problem is he over-egged his position and introduced letters after his name suggesting he was a doctor of law. He then never sought to correct anyone who believed he was a genuine solicitor or barrister.

Sandra was incredibly brave in coming forward as Cremin even threatened to take legal action against her for defamation when she challenged him.

We did manage to freeze some of Cremins accounts during the investigation and are trying to ensure some money is returned to Sandra but it will only be a fraction of what she lost.

There is a danger people think that Cremin only caused harm to corporate entities like Toyota but there have been some really personal cases here that have led to a lot of personal anguish and distress.

Cremin was a fantasist and vindictive when challenged. Now we just want the public to be aware of the issues this case raises to stop anyone else getting away with the same thing.

Ms Burch said that because of the stress Cremin had put her through she was worried that every time she had a CT scan she would be told her cancer had spread.

When you are diagnosed with secondary breast cancer your anxiety levels are at a peak. All you worry about is the future and how you will leave your loved ones, she said.
Talks between the EU and the British government over its exit resume next week, ahead of an EU leaders summit to assess progress in October.

Mr Coveney met the Norths secretary James Brokenshire yesterday but insisted new thinking was needed as the clock ticks on Britains exit.

He said both he and Mr Brokenshire would discuss Britains recent Brexit papers but that he would remind the British government that we are part of a broader EU negotiating team.

Mr Coveney said: That is where our strength and negotiation comes from. We are part of a negotiating team that involves 27 countries and a taskforce led by [EU Brexit negotiator] Michel Barnier.

The warning comes after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar suggested this week that Ireland could stall the next phase of Brexit negotiations on trading if not enough progress is made on the Irish question.

Mr Varadkar, speaking in Canada, stressed Britain needs to spell out its alternative to a customs deal if it wants the same benefits.

I would welcome a bit more clarity when it comes to trade, he said. The UK government has indicated that they intend to leave the customs union and the single market but they seem to want to continue to have the free trade benefits that come with that and those things just dont tally.

Leaders must agree that sufficient progress is made on Britains exit bill, citizens rights and the border issue by October before talks move onto a future trade deal for London.

Mr Coveney pointedly said not enough had been done yet but he added that there was a lot of discussion to take place between now and October.

However, he was adamant time was running out.

When the discussions and negotiations move onto phase two, there will be many other issues that may be a priority for the British government and many other interests, he said. Effectively this needs to be concluded in the next 14 months or so, so the approval processes on the EU, through the EU parliament and through countries, can take place.

Meeting business in Dublin yesterday, Mr Brokenshire reiterated Britain would not remain in the EUs customs union after Brexit in order to allow London negotiate new trade deals.
In what is seen as a phased return to a full complement of beds, the HSE has informed the Dungarvan Community Hospital Action Group that the hospitals Sacred Heart Ward will see six long-stay and six rehabilitation beds reopened from September 11.

The unit closed last May with the loss of 19 beds, adding to an earlier loss of seven beds. Areas affected were physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and palliative care. Patients were assigned to other wards, along with 16 care staff.
Luke Kane, who had an address at Crosswaite Park, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, is charged with breach of the peace, criminal damage, and assault in connection with an incident on July 3, 2015 at North Circular Rd, where he has also been living.

After being refused bail at Dublin District Court, he brought an application to the High Court, which was opposed by the State.

Objecting to bail, Garda Sergeant Ray Murphy told Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy yesterday that it was alleged the incident took place at a building containing flats at the North Circular Rd.

It was alleged witnesses reported to gardai that a shirtless male came out of one of the flats with an axe in one hand and a knife in the other and ran at another resident in a threatening way.

It was alleged that the injured party fled into his flat and the accused banged at the door and a window with the axe and knife, Gda Sgt Murphy said.

He said that the people in the flat were holding the door to prevent him from gaining entry. It was alleged the accused was shouting that he was going to kill the people inside.

They were holding the window down on the inside and the alleged assault victim suffered cuts to his face from flying glass, the sergeant said. It was alleged the accused continued to smash the glass before going back into his own flat.

The court heard that the accused was not known to the other residents but his mother was a tenant in the same building.

When arrested, he was allegedly found sitting on a stairs shirtless, bleeding from cuts to his right hand. He had the large kitchen knife in his hand but the axe was not recovered.

Mr Kane said he would abide by bail terms and stay out of the area. He proposed to live in the Tallaght area and said he had a young child and a stepson.

Some 1,500 worth of damage was allegedly caused. Ms Justice Murphy said the incident could be described as a rampage and she refused bail. The district court proceedings are to resume on a later date.
Mr Donohoe and his officials have begun the process of preparing the budget, but with just 300m of additional spending on offer, he has made it known that applications for increased spending have to realistic and evidenced-based.

Mr Donohoe and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are keen to manage expectations given the small amount of additional monies available this year.

In recent days, several ministers have commented on their intended spending priorities, but Mr Donohoe is said to be adamant that no unreasonable requests will be tolerated.

Mr Donohoe and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are planning a multi-billion three-year budget announcement in October to cover up the fact that the Government will have just 300m available for tax cuts and spending increases next year.

Mr Donohoe is planning to map out the Governments commitments as far as the year 2020 on tax reduction, pensions, childcare and parental leave, health, and education.

More than 7bn of fiscal space will be available to the Government in the two budgets that follow this years financial statement, assuming the economy does not sustain a serious fiscal shock from Brexit, American corporate tax changes, or an international downturn.

Meanwhile, Mr Donohoe welcomed the OECDs Global Forum decision to award Ireland the highest international rating on tax transparency and exchange of information.

The OECDs Global Forum has published the first 10 outcomes of a new and enhanced peer review process. Three jurisdictions  Ireland, Mauritius, and Norway  received the highest possible overall rating of compliant. Six others  Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Germany, and Qatar  were rated largely compliant. Jamaica was rated partially compliant.
They were produced by the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference following discussions with a Galway-based psychotherapist, Vincent Doyle, whose late father was a priest.

The guidelines, yet to be published, state that a priest who fathers a child should not walk away from his responsibilities  legal, moral, and financial.

The Vatican faces a September deadline to respond to a request from the UN on the issue of children fathered by priests.

It is understood that the Vatican was asked to assess the number of children fathered by priests and to find out who they were.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is anxious that all necessary measures are taken to ensure that the rights of the children to know and be cared for by their fathers is respected.

Mr Doyle, founder of Coping International, which offers support for children of priests, has been asked by the Vatican to recommend global guidelines for priests with children.

The website (copinginternational.com) was established in 2014, and is funded by the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin.

We wanted to see how many people out there were actually looking for help. It was picked up by over 13,500 people in 175 countries with hits numbering over 400,000, said Mr Doyle on RTE radio.

Those figures are certainly speculative, but they are indicative of a global need.

Mr Doyle said he was a practising Catholic and his faith had helped him to cope. He also said Church theology underpinned the formation of Coping International.

If the Church respected life at all of its stages, then it was not in favour of stigmatising an individual.

If the Pope announced tomorrow morning that he was going to abolish celibacy, I would say, Great, thats fine, but it does not solve the issue of children who suffered to date.

Mr Doyle said there are children fathered by priests who are not acknowledged  that is the issue. Not focussing on that allows deflection which compounds the problem.
IT SEEMS eerily fitting that Will Poulter is talking about his latest role just days after the shocking events at Charlottesville in the US.

In Kathryn Bigelows Detroit, which dramatically brings to life events surrounding the riots in the city in 1967, Poulter plays the most brutal character hes ever brought to screen.

Krauss is a white cop who inflicts horrific revenge on a group of African/American youths hes

convinced shot at his squad. All involved in the film were determined that it would resonate today (the US pre-election campaign was in full swing during production) but nobody could have guessed how much.

We were aware of the unfortunate relevance of this story to what had been going on, because there had been a recent spike in cases of police criminality, in innocent African/American people being killed by the police, Poulter tells me.

So we were very aware of the relevance while shooting. But I dont think any of us could have anticipated that race relations in America would be as fractious as they are now. Or that President Trump would be as irresponsible and disappointing as he has been in response to these recent events.

NASTY CHARACTER

Krauss is a composite character based on the accounts and testimonies of those who were present in Detroit. Much of the film centres on events at the Algiers Motel, where several young people  two white females and ten black males  were subjected to violence and humiliation by police.

The character he plays is so brutal that Poulter, initially, wrestled with understanding his mindset.

Its really

interesting, the only sort of vague parallel I could see to exist between him and me was the fact that he was a white male. That was really it.

Psychologically speaking, there was nothing that I could relate to.

I think as human beings we all have a degree of righteousness. I think, regardless of how heinous or misguided or ignorant we are, that we all seek to do what we think is right.

That was a frightening thing to learn about Krauss, and the racist rhetoric, is that many of the individuals who are racist, white supremacists, they wholeheartedly believe that they are right.

For me it was about embracing that ignorance and, in the moments that I was playing Krauss, trying to convince myself that I was doing the right thing. And assuming that the young African/American men that I was interacting with were guilty.

That was one of the most dangerous facets of the racist rhetoric, the presumption of guilt when it comes to interacting with people of colour.

Theres no sign of empathy. There isnt any remorse. I think the only sort of doubt he has is when his plan isnt going exactly as he hoped and the prospect that he might be found guilty of something, thats the only time that he ever really shows

remorse or panic.

And thats another facet of white privilege, that you have a natural protection from guilt, a presumption of innocence. And thats amplified by the fact that hes a police officer. That notion of the blue code of silence being backed up indefinitely by his fellow police officers regardless of what he does. Theres an element of that which still exists today.

Will Poulter in a scene from Detroit.

REAL LIFE

For the affable and friendly Londoner, who had to play at repeatedly assaulting, terrifying and humiliating the cast he had befriended on set, filming was a difficult experience.

It was emotionally draining,

incredibly intense and at times

virtually unbearable. But Im always kind of reluctant to talk too much about the difficulties I faced, because they dont even come close to how

arduous it was for the individuals playing the victims. They were also representing real-life individuals, some of who are alive today, and some of who were present on set.

Among those was Julie Ann, one of two young white women who had befriended the black men, much to the chagrin of the police.

She was actually present on set during most of the Algiers Motel incident and the shooting of those scenes. We spoke closely with her in the lead-up to the shooting of those scenes and about the project in general.

She was incredibly brave and generous with her anecdotes. Reliving that story must have been very difficult for her but she exercised an unbelievable amount of bravery in being present on set and she was an invaluable asset to us while shooting.

INSPIRING TEACHER

John Boyega, Kathryn Bigelow and Will Poulter at one of the premieres.

The son of a nurse and a professor of cardiology, Poulter found at school that he wasnt as academic as other family members and didnt naturally gravitate towards science-based subjects. Drama, he says, was genuinely the only thing he enjoyed or felt comfortable doing.

His drama teacher, Laura Lawson, put the 14-year-old forward for the wonderful Son of Rambo, interrupting his English class by tapping on the window and mouthing the word: audition. It got me out of the lesson and then got me out of school for eight weeks, he laughs.

It was the start of a very fortunate and enjoyable journey for me. I always have her to thank for that. She was also the creator of School for Comedy. I wouldnt have a career if it wasnt for Laura.

He has chosen wisely ever since, that distinctive face lending itself to roles in movies like The Revenant and gritty Irish drama Glassland.

Set in Tallaght, Poulter nailed not only the Dublin accent but the swagger, I tell him. He seems genuinely pleased.

Oh bless you! I had a lot of help from Jack Reynor and Emmet Kirwan. They were very patient with me. I lived in Tallaght for a week prior to shooting which helped massively. I went around the area and spoke to a lot of people, so that was really helpful. It was one of the best shooting experiences of my life. I fell in love with Dublin and the people. I actually spent New Years there and might be coming back this year. I really hope I get to do an Irish film again and maybe take a crack at

another accent!

Indeed, hes currently working in the UK with two of cinemas best-known Irishmen, director Lenny

Abrahamson and actor Domhnall Gleeson, on The Little Stranger, a ghost story adapted from the novel.

Im working with one of the best directors in the world in the shape of Lenny Abrahamson and I feel very lucky in that respect. Im about half way through at the moment.

Detroit is released on Friday
STEVE Bannon made many enemies during his stormy, seven-month tenure as the White

House chief strategist.

He clashed with US president Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as well as with top economic advisers and national security adviser , H R . McMaster.

Bannon was also a divisive force for the US, and was instrumental in the travel ban, barring people from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the US; a supporter of building a wall with Mexico, and a conservative blamed for stoking white voters resentment towards minorities.

However, his departure could hurt US foreign policy. He added a much-needed voice favouring non-interventionism and the promotion of American economic interests. With him gone, it is more likely that Trump will steer Washington in the wrong direction in places ranging from Afghanistan to China.

Trumps announcement that he will send more troops to Afghanistan may be an early sign that Bannons absence is already making itself felt. Administration officials have reportedly indicated that 4,000 troops, the mid-range of what the Pentagon was planning, would be sent.

Bannon opposed plans by McMaster and secretary of defence James Mattis to supplement the 8,400 troops already in Afghanistan. As a result, according to a New York Times report, Bannons hard questions about Afghanistan sowed doubts with Trump, delaying a decision on a multi-year commitment of American troops in support of the Kabul government.

Bannon was on the correct side of the Afghanistan debate. Almost 16 years, thousands dead or injured, and $1trn after first sending American forces there, the war remains at a stalemate and the militant Taliban now controls more territory than at any point since 2001.

And if the US couldnt pacify Afghanistan with 100,000 troops in 2011, its not clear how it could do so with a fraction of this number now. Bannons departure may have made Trump more likely to listen to his generals and to dive deeper into the Afghanistan morass.

Bannons influence also has been visible on trade with China, pushing the US to file a complaint, under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. This would allow the US to impose sanctions against China, for engaging in unfair trade practices. Bannons concern about

Chinese trade practices is well-founded.

Chinese companies consistently hack and steal American companies intellectual property, using stolen information to manufacture products that compete against those from the US.

The US loses billions a year from intellectual property theft, most of it perpetrated by China. Moreover, western business organisations  including the US Chamber of Commerce  complain that Chinese authorities are trying to force them out of Chinas tech market, by requiring they use only technology developed and controlled by Chinese companies.

Washington also worries that US technology companies  such as Advanced Micro Devices, Hewlett Packard, and IBM  are being forced to turn over key intellectual property to China, in exchange for market access.

Washington now seems prepared to fight back. Trump has instructed US trade representative Robert Lighthizer to determine whether Chinese trade practices need to be investigated. This arguably represents a win for Bannons argument, as well as long-suffering American companies.

With Bannon gone, what policy will Trump will pursue on China trade? He has reportedly offered Beijing a better deal on trade, in exchange for co-operation on North Korea, and its certainly possible Trumps directive to Lighthizer will go nowhere, thus allowing the theft of American intellectual property to continue.

Beyond Afghanistan and China, Bannons worldview will also be missed in any future decisions Trump needs to make regarding the use of American military force. For example, Bannon believes that no military solution to the North Korean crisis exists. His departure could increase the chances of Trump ordering a risky strike against Pyongyangs nuclear facilities.

Trump did not always take Bannons advice. Bannon did not favour a US air strike against Syria, after Damascus used poison gas against civilians; Trump ordered the attack anyway.

Nor was Bannon the only influential non-interventionist voice in the administration. Secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, for example, possesses a realist view of the world that prioritises American security and economic interests over the spreading of American values.

Rex Tillerson

And commerce secretary Wilbur Ross shares Bannons hard-line views on theft of intellectual property, writing of the danger posed by the manner in which Chinese companies and the Chinese government treat Americas intellectual property.

Many people, including Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch and leading Democrats, such as Nancy Pelosi, wanted Trump to fire Bannon. But that doesnt mean there wont be times when they might secretly wish he still had Trumps ear.

Josh Cohen is a former USAID project officer, involved in managing economic

reform projects in the former Soviet Union.
A MEETING to discuss the future of Ryde Arena was held on Monday.

Community activists, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely, and Isle of Wight Councillors met with AEW  the firm responsible for closing the ice rink  in London.

During the meeting, AEW said they would not be re-opening the rink at this time.

MP Bob Seely said: I thank AEW for meeting with me, the council and members of the Ryde community.

The good news is that the council now has a clearer idea of what AEW wants to achieve and what the options are.

I will work with the council to develop a united view. We're determined to find the right deal for the Island and we will meet with AEW again.

I will also continue to liaise with the council and the Ryde community as things develop.

During the meeting, I did suggest to AEW that it would be good for their reputation to allow our kids to use the arena in the interim. Sadly, they did not agree.

I would like to pay tribute to the young people who continue to skate despite the closure of the rink.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Egyptian Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr (Photo: VNA)



Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the remarks while meeting with Egyptian Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr and Admiral Mohab Mamish, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority and head of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, in Hanoi on August 22nd.

Vietnam readies to export its products to Egyptian supermarkets chains and sell made-in-Egypt commodities in Vietnam, he said.

Shar Nasr said Egypt boasts great potential in shipbuilding and seaport, which Vietnamese businesses could explore investment opportunities. She said a business forum will be held during the upcoming visit by the Egyptian President to promote bilateral cooperation.

For his part, Mohab Mamish said a large volume of global cargo goes through the Suez canal annually.

He noted that Egypt has inaugurated an economic zone to connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Asian region, hoping Vietnamese firms will study investment opportunities in the zone.

PM Phuc hoped the two sides will sign cooperation agreements in trade and investment, emphasising on the bilateral cooperation potential in garment-textile, processed farm produce, and fisheries.

He proposed Egypt create favourable conditions for businesses to cooperate in oil and gas exploitation and provision of services relating to this field.

The PM also suggested the inter-governmental committee devise specific programms to boost the bilateral cooperation in a more pragmatic and efficient manner.

On the day, the PM hosted Chairman of Charmvit Group from the Republic of Korea Lee Dea-bong./.
Head of PCC Commission of Popularization and Education Vo Van Thuong (middle) at the reception (Source: VNA)

The delegation was led by Keisuke Suzuki, Deputy General Secretary of Japans Liberal Democratic Party and head of the Youth Division of Japans Liberal Democratic Party.

Mr. Thuong appreciated the contribution of Keisuke Suzuki and other members of the Youth Division of Japans Liberal Democratic Party to the promotion of bilateral relations. He said that the relations between the two countries are developing strongly in all fields, especially after the Statement on the common vision of Vietnam-Japan cooperation after the visit to Japan by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in September 2015. He also affirmed that the Party and State have always attached importance to relations with Japan, identifying Japan as a leading and long-term partner of Vietnam.

He expressed his hope that the two sides would cooperate to implement agreements between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan to promote exchanges between agencies and organizations of the two parties, especially young leaders and members.

Keisuke Suzuki said that in the near future, the two sides will cooperate to help the bilateral relation develop sustainably and suitably, benefiting the peoples of both countries, and work together with each other and other countries for stable development in the region and in the world./.
Overview of the seminar (Photo: quehuongonline.vn)

Speaking at the event, Mr. Nguyen Cong Hinh, Head of the Continuing Education Department under the MOET, said that the seminar aimed to listen to overseas Vietnameses opinions reflecting on the reality of teaching the mother tongue to overseas Vietnamese; and exchange solutions to further improve the effectiveness of teaching Vietnamese language to overseas Vietnamese.

The situation shows that the number of Vietnamese people in foreign countries is very large and they want to preserve Vietnamese language for future generations.

In some communities, teaching and learning Vietnamese language is well organized. However, it is a difficult thing for some other communities because they lack teachers, materials as well as investment, and awareness of learning Vietnamese is limited.

The Government of Vietnam attaches great importance to Vietnamese language teaching to overseas Vietnamese in order to preserve the national identity, solve disagreements and inadequacies in lives of overseas Vietnamese in host countries.

Over the past years, Vietnam has approved three projects, including two sets of books Tieng Viet vui, Que Viet and Vietnamese teaching programs on television, which has been broadcast for several years. The books are common materials for the overseas Vietnamese community.

The Prime Minister has also approved an Online Vietnamese Teaching Project and a portal will be built to help overseas Vietnamese learn Vietnamese language at any time and place.

Mr. Luong Thanh Nghi, Deputy Head of SCOV, said that teaching and learning Vietnamese language has long been an essential need of overseas Vietnamese communities. Due to objective and subjective conditions, Vietnamese teaching and learning takes place at different levels and with different effectiveness, depending on each locality. It is more favorable in countries where the Vietnamese language is recognized and respected.

According to preliminary statistics of the SCOV, there are about 200 Vietnamese teaching centres/facilities in the US; 39 Vietnamese teaching classes in Thailand; 33 Vietnamese teaching schools in Cambodia; and 13 Vietnamese teaching schools/centers in Laos. In addition, there are dozens of Vietnamese teaching centres in France, Germany, Czech and Russia. However, these institutions are usually small, spontaneous, lack regular funding and adequate facilities, and have only a small number of students./.
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SUMMERFIELD  A farm building on a gravel road is not the typical setting for a multimillion-dollar military contractor, but the founder of Dove Medical Supply says her agricultural roots affect every decision she makes.

It all started with a farmer and that was my dad, John Davenport said Tammy Bridges, the companys founder. Bridges grew up on the farmland where she now operates her business, which recently landed a $49 million contract to buy and deliver supplies for the U.S. Defense Logistics Agencys hospitals serving every branch of the military.

Under the three-year contract with the agency, Dove will deliver everything from refrigerators and $100,000 lab analysis equipment to cases of bandages.

Dove also procures supplies from 1,000 manufacturers for a host of other operations, from laboratories to Cone Health, even medical gloves to the Guilford County jail.

Bridges is now branching out into retail for people who want to buy or rent home-health supplies and other products that Bridges believes will give Dove a unique niche in the health supplies world.

But for Bridges, the family business is the outgrowth of her days working on the farm with her father and family, priming tobacco, driving a school bus and working at McDonalds  all before she graduated from high school.

Everything she does, whether its sending goods to scores of military hospitals around the nation and the world or outfitting a family with a hospital bed and supplies for an elderly relative, is anchored in that hometown feel. The rough-hewn building where the sophisticated work is tackled is surrounded by a working farm with bees, livestock and other products. Other family members live nearby.

Dove Medical just renovated a house for its new retail store on Summerfield Road. Inside, the store sells its core medical supplies  walkers, bandages, hospital beds, bathroom supplies and home-safety gear  diversified by a wide supply of aromatic oils, jewelry, toys, even personal-safety devices like pepper spray and handbags that double as concealed-carry firearm bags.

What this contract is allowing Dove to do is help people, she said of the military deal.

The retail store is a new step for Dove, the 4-year-old company that has become one of the nations major medical contractors. Bridges founded the company after working for more than 30 years for a large health care supply company. It was there she met the manufacturers that were willing to work with her when she went out on her own.

But Bridges, who said the farm and her Christian faith anchor all her success, wants to make a community impact through her stores. She hopes soon to open stores in Greensboro and Kernersville and eventually to saturate North Carolina with Dove Medical stores.

Were going to do free home assessments to help people, she said, in an attempt to allow people to live at home as long as possible without resorting to nursing care. Im not offering one thing, Im offering a total home solution. We know the industry (but) we know the dark side of the industry.

That dark side, she said, is an industry that often sells inferior goods to consumers who think theyre buying hospital-quality equipment on the internet. She wants her retail operations in stores and online to educate as well as supply consumers with what they need to solve medical emergencies in the first place through first-aid kits, even defibrillators.

Her national sales staff will continue to service the biggest contracts that keep millions of dollars worth of medical supplies flowing through the companys systems.

I know the story is the big contract, she said, but thats not what affects the community.
Mr. Do Trung Hieu (Photo: VNA)

The crew member is being cared for and his health is recovering, his spirits are stable.

The representative of the embassy presented gifts, encouraged him and announced that the embassy was cooperating with Filipino authorities to carry out the necessary formalities to return him to his family.

Mr. Hieu thanked the Embassy and related agencies of Vietnam and the Philippines for their interest and rescue efforts.

Do Trung Hieu and five other crew members were kidnapped, along with the bulk carrier M/V Royal 16 off Sibagu island, Basilan (the Philippines) in November 2016. At the time of the robbery, there were 19 crew members on the bulk carrier.

After detaining six people, the pirates released the bulk carrier and the remaining 13 crew members, including a crew member injured by a shot in the hand. The six seafarers detained included Captain Pham Minh Tuan, Do Trung Hieu, Hoang Vo, Tran Khuong Dung, Hoang Van Hai and Hoang Trung Thong./.
WASHINGTON  Earlier this month in Charlottesville, a driver mowed down peaceful protesters and killed 32-year-old Heather Heyer. The act was reminiscent of recent terrorist attacks across Europe committed in the name of the Islamic State, which has urged followers to use vehicles to kill enemies.

As far as we know, the alleged killer in Charlottesville didnt get instructions from the Islamic State. As far as we know, he didnt even receive marching orders from any of the neo-Nazi groups with which he sympathized.

But he also didnt need to turn to either of these factions for inspiration. He could just have easily have gotten the idea from a Republican state legislature.

This year, Republican legislators in at least six states have proposed bills designed to protect drivers who strike protesters. The first bill was introduced in North Dakota in January, and similar bills have since come under consideration in North Carolina (House Bill 330), Tennessee, Florida, Texas and Rhode Island.

They were joined by other states trying to discourage protests  typically relating to Black Lives Matter, the Dakota Access Pipeline or other left-leaning causes  that sometimes obstruct traffic.

The North Dakota bill would shield drivers from civil and criminal liability. The bills sponsor, state Rep. Keith Kempenich, perversely suggested that shielding drivers who kill protesters was a necessary anti-terrorism measure.

Protesters who blocked cars were committing an intentional act of intimidation  the definition of terrorism, he told the Los Angeles Times.

Right-wing websites and at least one well-known conservative commentator more gleefully advocated running over protesters, including by sharing a viral video montage titled Heres a Reel of Cars Plowing Through Protesters Trying to Block the Road.

I wonder: Did the Republican politicians and pundits who backed these measures believe too few protesters were getting hit by cars?

If not, what did they think would happen when they encouraged drivers to use their vehicles as a weapon against the public?

Because thats exactly what these bills do.

The bills all include language about how drivers who injure or kill protesters must have done so unintentionally or while exercising due care if they wish to be spared liability. (Hitting protesters intentionally, as the Charlottesville driver appears to have done, could still make one subject to civil and criminal liability.) Even so, the foreseeable effect of passing laws like these would be to change the calculus for any frustrated driver considering whether to plow through a crowd of protesters.

Economists tend to think about decisions in terms of expected costs and benefits. By lowering the expected costs to the driver, these proposed laws would tilt the balance in favor of hitting people.

And not just any people. Protesters specifically.

In five of the six states where bills were introduced, the legislation would shield drivers who hit protesters or demonstrators only. Drivers who kill pedestrians who are not out exercising their First Amendment rights would still be subject to the usual criminal and civil liabilities.

In other words, the purpose of these proposals was to make acts of protest, and acts of protest alone, more lethal.

So far none of these bills has made it into law.

Already, though, white supremacists have latched on to the rhetoric behind these bills to excuse Heyers death. In Vice News Tonights chilling Charlottesville documentary, neo-Nazi Christopher Cantwell said her murder was more than justified because the driver was provoked by stupid animals who attacked and then couldnt just get out of the way because they werent paying attention.

Surely the whataboutists will claim the lefts angry resistance rhetoric encouraged someone to attempt to murder Republican legislators. To be clear, that act was also evil. There is, however, no comparison between mean words and changing the law to indemnify people who kill others in a highly specific way.

As Ive previously argued, theres plenty of blame to dump on President Trump for emboldening white supremacists and for encouraging violence against peaceful protesters. But to treat him as an aberration in encouraging violence against protesters  in particular, liberals and people of color  is flat wrong.

The moral rot in the Republican Party runs deep.

Maybe the state legislators who introduced these bills are malevolent, or maybe theyre just ignorant. In politics, I tend to err on the side of the latter explanation. Either way, they advocated reckless bills whose foreseeable consequence would be increased vehicular killings.

These politicians are not fit to serve the public, in any level of government.

Residents of North Dakota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Texas and Rhode Island: Look these folks up and vote them out.
President Trump gave an uncharacteristically introspective speech Monday night, acknowledging that hes changed his position on the war in Afghanistan as he escalated the militarys involvement in Americas longest war.

After seven months, Trump has finally settled on a policy that does not go as far as his generals wanted but also represents a clear break with the populists and isolationists who he catered to as a candidate.

Reading carefully from a teleprompter, in his first prime-time address to the nation, the president sought to explain why hes been persuaded that staying in Afghanistan is in Americas national interest. Continuing to use a phrase he debuted in Saudi Arabia during his first foreign trip, Trump described his doctrine as principled realism.

Although Trump did not specify how many more troops will be sent to Afghanistan, congressional officials said the administration has told them it will be about 4,000 more than the 8,500 U.S. service members currently in the region, The Posts David Nakamura and Abby Phillip report.

Here are the most important nuggets from the presidents speech.

He opened with a nod to the division after Charlottesville: The young men and women we send to fight our wars abroad deserve to return to a country that is not at war with itself at home. We cannot remain a force for peace in the world if we are not at peace with each other. As we send our bravest to defeat our enemies overseas  and we will always win  let us find the courage to heal our divisions within. (Trump did not say how he plans to do this.)

He acknowledged war fatigue: Nearly 16 years after the September 11th attacks, after the extraordinary sacrifice of blood and treasure, the American people are weary of war without victory. Nowhere is this more evident than with the war in Afghanistan, the longest war in American history  17 years! [Actually, it is 16.] I share the American peoples frustration. I also share their frustration over a foreign policy that has spent too much time, energy, money, and most importantly lives, trying to rebuild countries in our own image, instead of pursuing our security interests above all other considerations.

He acknowledged that hes flip-flopped on Afghanistan: My original instinct was to pull out  and, historically, I like following my instincts. But all my life Ive heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk in the Oval Office; in other words, when youre president of the United States. So I studied Afghanistan in great detail and from every conceivable angle.

He critiqued Barack Obama: We cannot repeat in Afghanistan the mistake our leaders made in Iraq.

He said there will never be a timetable for withdrawal: A core pillar of our new strategy is a shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions.

He said he is unshackling and empowering military commanders: Micromanagement from Washington, D.C. does not win battles. They are won in the field drawing upon the judgment and expertise of wartime commanders and frontline soldiers acting in real time, with real authority, and with a clear mission to defeat the enemy 

He opened the door to negotiating directly with the Taliban: After an effective military effort, perhaps it will be possible to have a political settlement that includes elements of the Taliban in Afghanistan, but nobody knows if or when that will ever happen.

He played hardball with Pakistan: We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change, and that will change immediately. No partnership can survive a countrys harboring of militants and terrorists who target U.S. servicemembers and officials. It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilization, order, and to peace.
THE CENTRAL ORGAN OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM The Voice of the party, State and Vietnamese people on the internet

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JURIST Guest Columnist Jessica George of St. Johns University discusses the need for a cause of action to remedy fraudulent voting processes 

Equal opportunity initiatives will always remain a hotly contested issue that incites passionate political action  so much so that it even inspires wealthy businessmen to lead a political crusade against affirmative action policies. People decide their stance on these issues based on their own principles and experiences because the initiatives impact citizens lives in large ways. However, when a state takes a stance on affirmative action by making it easier to ban, there is a risk that minority voices will get drowned out by amplified majority voices. Thus, when this contentious issue is decided by a ballot initiative specifically, the government must protect both majority and minority citizens right to be heard. Most importantly, the government must ensure that the ballot initiative process is untainted by fraud or deception that could lead to results contrary to the intent of the people.

In 2006, the citizens of Michigan used a ballot initiative to place a particular issue on the ballot: whether to ban equal opportunity programs in public housing, public education, and public contracting. A wealthy California businessman named Ward Connerly sought to end affirmative action programs by amending the Michigan state constitution [PDF], an arduous task. Connerly launched a campaign with the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) [official website] to amend the constitution by garnering signatures to put the proposal on the general election ballot. Initially, the ballot initiative seemed like a fair measure. To place this contentious issue on the ballot, MCRI first had to gather 317,757 signatures in support of the proposal. By requiring proponents to gather enough signatures to place a proposal on the ballot, the state ensures that this is an issue that the citizens want to consider.

However, MCRI obtained the necessary signatures by training approximately 1,000 petition circulators, 600 of whom were paid independent contractors, to deceive voters into thinking that they were signing a proposal in support of affirmative action, instead of one that aimed to abolish equal opportunity initiatives. Virtually every one of the approximately 125,000 black Michigan voters who signed the ballot petition to ban affirmative action was deceived into signing it. White voters were also told that they were signing a proposal that promoted equal opportunity. Even the ballot petitioners themselves were deceived into believing they were actually circulating a petition that supported affirmative action.

Michigan citizens were outraged when they learned about the fraud used to gather their signatures. The proposal made its way onto the ballot anyway. A majority vote inevitably silenced the voices of the minority citizens at the polls, and Michigan amended its state constitution to ban all equal opportunity policies in public housing, public education, and public contracting.

Though citizens sought relief in federal courts, they did not have any relief under their only remedy: the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) [PDF]. Congress enacted the VRA to abolish prevalent illegal barriers that prevented African Americans from casting their votes. However, in Operation Kings Dream v. Connerly, the Michigan federal court held that minority voters did not have a remedy under the VRA. The court could not and did not dispute that the Michigan minority voters established that there was voter fraud in the electoral process. However, the court could not find a VRA violation because the minority voters participated in the electoral process on the same terms as non-minority voters.

In other words, both minority and non-minority voters were equally defrauded in the electoral process, so the minority voters were not treated any differently. The court found it distressing that its finding of a lack of discrimination was based on the fact that minority and non-minority voters had equal access to a deceptive political process. However, it reasoned that the Voting Rights Act is not a general anti-fraud statute and required a finding of unequal access.

Furthermore, fraudulent ballot initiatives allow a majority of voters fears and prejudices to be expressed in policies that target minorities and restrict minority rights. When issues and initiatives that impact minority rights reach the ballot, fraudulent direct democracy campaigns allow decisions about minority rights to be based on negative group effect, negative stereotypes about the targeted group, and animus toward general counter-majoritarian elements of democracy.

Lastly, ballot initiatives that are used to decide issues like affirmative action set back minority communities in some of the most important facets of life. After Michigan amended its constitution to ban equal opportunity initiatives, the percentage of black students among those attaining bachelors degrees in 2014 was 4.4 percent, the lowest since 1991; the percentage of black students among those attaining masters degrees was 5.1 percent, the lowest since 1989; the percentage of black students among those attaining doctoral degrees was 3.9 percent, the lowest since 1993; and the percentage of black students among those attaining professional school degrees was 3.5 percent, the lowest since the mid-1970s.

To protect ballot initiatives and, specifically, minority rights in ballot initiatives, there must be a federal cause of action that provides protection for voters who receive materially false information about the content and implications of proposals on ballot initiatives. I propose a cause of action for citizens when state authorities are unresponsive to fraudulent and deceptive practices during ballot initiatives, including during the signature-gathering process. When any voter or group of voters is denied relief by their state courts to remedy a fraudulent and deceptive practice, voters may institute a civil action for preventive relief, including an application in a United States district court for a permanent or temporary injunction or restraining order. This protects citizens right to decide controversial issues through ballot initiatives and simultaneously ensures that process is fair.

Michigan voters still pay for the consequences of an unprotected ballot initiative today. When ballot initiatives are used to crusade against contentious issues that materially alter peoples lives, the government must take all measures necessary to ensure all voices are heard.

Jessica George is a student at St. Johns University.

Suggested citation: Jessica George, The Need for Remedies to Combat Fraud in Ballot Initiatives, JURIST  Student Commentary, July 27, 2017, http://jurist.org/student/2017/07/jessica-george-votingfraud-minorities.php.
JURIST Guest Columnist Louis Rene Beres of Purdue University discusses President Trumps potentially problematic access to and control over Americas nuclear arsenal, an issue relatively unaddressed amidst the constant discussion of Trump-related scandal

Strictly speaking, insanity is not a proper medical or psychiatric term, but rather a more-or-less acceptable legal description. Nonetheless, as a convenient shorthand for exploring mental illness or emotional debility in current presidential decision-making circumstances, the term is apt and useful. In essence, at an historical moment when there are increasingly serious and legitimate grounds for questioning Donald J. Trumps mental stability, it is high-time for a qualified analytic look at presidential authority within an up-till-now obscured area of decision.

This normally opaque area concerns the capacity to launch American nuclear weapons.

In 1976, then just five years out of Princeton as a newly-minted Ph.D., I began work on an original book, Apocalypse: Nuclear Catastrophe in World Politics, published in 1980, about nuclear war and nuclear terrorism. From the start, I was especially centered on US presidential prerogatives to order the firing of nuclear weapons. More precisely, I was interested in the always more-or-less plausible prospect of presidential irrationality.

In pertinent technical terms, this did not mean a US president who was clinically insane (potentially the most worrisome sort of concern), but only one who might sometime value a specific preference or combination of preferences more highly than American national survival. Today, of course, we worry about leadership irrationality in certain other states, most conspicuously North Korea and Iran.

Back then, with already an expressly American focus in mind, I telephoned former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Maxwell Taylor, who promptly responded with a letter on March 14, 1976. Worth indicating at the outset is a noteworthy linguistic twist or nuance. As the Generals letter explicitly referenced the dangers of an irrational American president, there can be no properly automatic extrapolation of his diagnosis or recommendations to a US Chief Executive who is seemingly more than irrational  that is, one who is crazy, mad, or insane.

At the same time, it is hard to imagine that General Taylor would in any way hesitate to include these characterizations of an even more advanced decisional pathology within the subject-matter scope of his original warning. This is the case, moreover, even though such characterizations are not truly scientific, and are more plainly directed toward ordinary layperson forms of discourse.

There could, after all, be no convincing or even conceivable reason to warn soberly against US presidential irrationality, but not against out and out presidential insanity. Either way, our present concern must be with any emotionally or mentally debilitated president, whether merely irrational, or more distressingly, insane. Whichever seemingly applies, the vital questions going forward will have to do with Constitutional, statutory and various other sources of war-making authority, especially the corollary right to order the use of nuclear weapons.

Some of the most urgent questions here should relate to assorted and sometimes subtle intersections of international law and U.S. law. From the beginning of the United States, international law has been part of its national law. Early on, Chief Justice John Marshall, among others, asserted and reasserted that all international law  whatever its source  had been fully incorporated into the law of the United States.

Under current U.S. law, whatever its particular jurisprudential origins, a president may correctly use force once Congress has declared a war, or after the US (and/or its citizens) has already been attacked. As to permissible kinds of force, or corresponding levels of force, these operational decisions would be determinable according to the longstanding laws of war of international law (the comprehensive law of armed conflict or humanitarian international law), and also the pertinent municipal law of the United States. Notably, in any such foreseeable circumstances, there would exist no clearly identifiable prohibitions against nuclear force per se.

Instead, all non-weapon-specific prohibitions would apply broadly, that is, to the extent that any U.S. retaliation or counter-retaliation could sometime violate the incontrovertible expectations of discrimination (sometimes also called distinction), proportionality, and/or military necessity.

Both the U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Act place strict limits on any presidents authority to initiate hostilities with a foreign power, whether by conventional or nuclear means. A relevant grey area has to do with the Commander-in- Chiefs right to strike first preemptively; that is, as an expression of anticipatory self-defense. Here, the authorizing component of permissibility is perception of any sufficiently grave danger that is imminent in point of time. Logically, the relevant criteria of imminence cannot be the same today as they were back in 1837.

That was the year of the Caroline, the classic but also pre-nuclear case setting the legal standard for all subsequent preemptive national action, meaning that a state could undertake a preemptive strike against a danger posed if such danger was instant, overwhelming, leaving no choice of means, and no moment for deliberation.

Now, what should we expect from President Donald Trump if he should sometime reason that a nuclear attack on the United States or its allies is imminent in point of time? Shall we stay comfortable with leaving such a profoundly existential judgment to his own personal authoritative decision of the moment? Or should this eleventh-hour option more plainly be a matter of shared or concurrent authority with the Congress?

In actual practice, applicable questions of law are apt to be subordinated to an overarching and ubiquitous assumption that the presidents final authority in defending the United States must never be challenged during any still-impending or already-ongoing crisis, especially where an enemy nuclear attack might be contemplated. In brief, this means that an American president, even if authentically irrational or insane, would likely have his military commands obeyed, up to and including any order to use nuclear weapons, and whether employed preemptively, in retaliation, or in counter-retaliation. It also means that while a wide variety of redundant safeguards already exists to prevent any unauthorized use of American nuclear weapons up and down the nuclear chain of command, no parallel safeguards exist at the very top or apex of the critical decisional pyramid.

It remains possible, of course, and even potentially desirable in certain circumstances, that a presidential order to use nuclear weapons would be disobeyed at one or another critical level of implementation. Strictly speaking, however, as any such expression of disobedience would presumptively be illegal, it is assuredly not sufficiently probable in extremis atomicum. In this connection, the staggering irony of our actually having to hope for at least certain high-level instances of disobedience or chain-of-command failures ought not to be lost. Prima facie, it reveals that our extant nuclear-decision safeguards are overwhelmingly inadequate.

Also worth mentioning is that there could be nothing meaningfully scientific about ascertaining accurate probabilities in such matters. This is because (1) mathematical probability must always be determined according to the discernible frequency of past events; and because (2) there havent been any pertinent past events (unless we were willing to count the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962).

Is the US nuclear authority dilemma remediable in any still-promising way? The best protection, I first learned from General Maxwell Taylor forty-one years ago, is not to elect an irrational president. But now, as such straightforward advice cannot be acted upon retroactively, the residually best protection must inevitably lie in appropriately vigilant oversight by the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security Advisor, and certain select others. This includes their predictably reliable willingness  either singly, or in collaboration with each other  to disobey a presumptively irrational or insane presidential nuclear order. Paradoxically, such willingness could still be defended as law-enforcing under those universally binding Nuremberg Principles (1946) that obligate all persons (especially senior government officials, everywhere) to resist crimes of state.

Because war and crimes against humanity are not mutually exclusive, compliance with overriding Nuremberg Principles could be necessary not only to limit aggression, but also to prevent genocide.

Ultimately, the most serious threat posed by the Trump presidency is the heightened risk of a nuclear war, whether by deliberateness, miscalculation or by accident.

Ultimately, our very best chance of avoiding or surviving this grievous threat could depend less upon tangible law and institutions than upon the last-minute courage of a tiny handful of senior officials.

Ultimately, and ideally buttressed by both national and international law, such recognizable virtue could become the best or perhaps only way to compensate for the longstanding de facto American failure to heed General Taylors 1976 warning. This dispassionate earlier alarm, which had simply cautioned not to elect a potentially irrational American president, should now be extended to include a potentially insane Commander-in-Chief. This sharply pointed advice is not gratuitously disrespectful to President Donald Trump; it is rather, only reasonable and prudent.

The safety of the people, says Cicero for all time in De Legibus (On The Laws) shall be the highest law.

Louis Rene Beres, an Emeritus Professor of International Law at Purdue University, received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1971. Dr. Beres is a widely published author on the topics of philosophy and jurisprudence, and his writings have appeared in books, monographs, and law reviews. Dr. Beres is an international expert on nuclear weapons and has also served as a security consultant for the US and Israeli governments.

Suggested citation:Louis Rene Beres, Leadership Irrationality in Nuclear Decision-Making: The Trump-Presidencys Most Urgent Peril, JURIST  Academic Commentary, Aug. 22, 2017, http://jurist.org/academic/2017/08/louis-rene-beres-trump-nuclear.php.

This article was prepared for publication by Sean Merritt, an Assistant Editor for JURIST Commentary. Please direct any questions to him at commentary@jurist.org
[JURIST] A Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced 10 individuals to death for plotting to bomb a rally held by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2000. According to prosecutors, members of the Harkatul Jihad-al-Islami group planted [Al Jazeera report] two bombs at the rallys college campus location just one day before Hasina was scheduled to arrive. The groups former leader, Mufti Abdul Hannan, was allegedly involved in the plot, though Hannan was already hung in April for a separate criminal matter. Ten other suspects allegedly involved in the plot have been acquitted due to lack of evidence. The sentenced individuals lawyers have expressed their intention to appeal the sentence. This matter marks one of many attacks which have been blamed on the suspects Islamist group.

Bangladesh courts have delivered numerous death sentences within the last year. In January a Bangladesh court sentenced [JURIST report] 26 people to death by hanging for murder. In August 2016 UN humans rights experts urged [JURIST report] the government of Bangladesh to repeal the death sentence imposed upon Mir Quasem Ali, an opposition member of the Jamaat-e-Islami party. Also in August 2016 the International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh (ICTB) [official website] sentenced [JURIST report] a former member of parliament to death and seven others to life in prison for crimes committed during the 1971 war for independence. In June 2016 the ICTB sentenced [JURIST report] Mohibur Rahman to death for his part in the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan.
[JURIST] The Los Angeles Superior Court [official website] issued a verdict on Monday in favor of a consumer who allegedly developed ovarian cancer after using a drug manufacturers talc-based products. Defendant Johnson and Johnson [corporate website] currently faces [Reuters report] about 4,800 claims regarding the companys failure to warn consumers of cancer risks linked to such products. In the current case, the plaintiff was awarded $417 million in damages, which is the largest verdict awarded in the matter thus far. According to the plaintiff, the drug manufacturer has failed to acknowledge studies linking ovarian cancer to genital talc use. Johnson and Johnson, however, has stated that studies and federal agencies have not found their talc-based products to be carcinogenic. The manufacturer has expressed its intention to appeal the verdict and support the safety of its products.

Johnson and Johnson is currently amongst several manufacturers involved in a national opioid crisis that has risen to an epidemic level in recent years. In June, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] against three of the largest opioid manufacturers, Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson and units of Endo International Plc., accusing them of violating consumer protection laws by using deception to hide the addicting and life-threatening nature of their products. Also in June, a bipartisan group of state attorneys general from Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Texas announcedjoint investigations [JURIST report] into the marketing and sales practices of the manufacturers of opioid painkillers. In March President Donald Trump signed an executive order [JURIST report] establishing a task force to combat the opioid crisis. This would not be the first time that opioid drug manufacturers have found themselves in trouble with the law. In July 2007 the US District Court for the Western District of Virginia sentenced [NYT report] three former executives of the Purdue Frederick Company, manufacturer of painkiller OxyContin [FDA materials], to three years of probation and 400 hours of community service in drug treatment programs. The three executives, including former president Michael Friedman, former chief in-house counsel Howard Udell, and former medical director Paul Goldenheim, all pleaded guilty [JURIST report] in May 2007 to a misdemeanor offense of misbranding a drug. Prosecutors had alleged that the company and executives were aware in 1995 that doctors were concerned about the drugs high addiction risk, but its sales representatives continued to misrepresent OxyContins effects to physicians. Purdue Frederick agreed to pay $634.5 million in fines for its role in misleading the public.
Missouri Governor Eric Greitens [official website] issued [order, PDF] a stay of execution for Marcellus Williams who was scheduled to be executed on Tuesday. Williams was sentenced [press release] to death in 2001 after being convicted of the first-degree murder of Felicia Gayle. Greitens decided to grant the stay of execution due to newly discovered DNA evidence, which Williams claims proves his innocence. The executive order will establish a Board of Inquiry, which will be made of five people appointed by Greitens. The board will consider all evidence, including the new DNA evidence and all evidence presented to the jury during the original trial. After assessing the weight and credibility of all evidence, the board will then provide a recommendation to the governor on if Williams should be executed or his sentence commuted.

The death penalty has been the focal point of an ongoing debate in the US for many years. In March Florida Governor Rick Scott signed [JURIST report] a new law that required a unanimous recommendation from the jury before a judge may sentence someone to death. Also in March the Arkansas Supreme Court [official website] issued an order [JURIST report] stating there was no stay in place preventing the execution of eight inmates scheduled for the following month. In February the Mississippi house approved a bill [JURIST report] allowing firing squad executions. Also in February a judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio refused to lift [JURIST report] a preliminary injunction that delays executions in Ohio. In January Judge Michael Merz blocked [JURIST report] Ohios lethal injection protocol by deeming it unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment.
[JURIST] The UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) [official website] published a report [text, PDF] on Tuesday urging the Iraqi government to ensure the rights of those individuals sexually victimized by Islamic State (IS) forces. According to the report, thousands of women and girls have been subjected to physical and mental abuses as result of sexual assault, abduction, slavery, displacement, forced religion changes, and other forms of inhumane treatment. While the Iraqi government has taken some positive steps to address these abuses, the report states that the government is legally obligated to ensure that all victims have proper access to justice, receive adequate care for recovery, and may be reintegrated into their families and communities. The report also calls on the government to prevent women and children from being discriminated against due to their connections with IS. As UN High Commissioner Zeid Raad Al Hussein [official profile] stated [press release], Children who were born in ISIL-controlled areas have the same legal rights as any other Iraqi citizen, and the Government must ensure they are protected from marginalisation and abuse. The report concludes with various recommendations for the government including improvements to the judicial system, increased access to supportive services, and raising awareness for the rights of all victims.

The preservation of human rights and equal treatment of women continues to be an international concern. In June Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] stated [JURIST report] that millions of pregnant and married girls across Africa are being denied education due to discriminatory policies. Also in June a UN expert presented a report [JURIST report] to the UN Human Rights Council calling for governments to do more to reduce violence against women and LGBTQI individuals. That same day the Delaware legislature approved a bill [JURIST report] that guarantees access to abortion. Conversely, the day before Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed [JURIST report] a series of abortion regulations into law. In March HRW sent a letter and a memorandum to the speaker of the Iraqi parliament with recommendations [JURIST report] for amendments to a proposed domestic violence bill. Also in March the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women urged [JURIST report] the government of Australia to include all women in the fight to end gender-based violence.
Kyiv's business court has annulled decisions of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine to collect UAH 1.03 billion from public joint-stock company Ukrtatnafta, UAH 326.929 million from Halychyna oil refinery and UAH 41.744 million from four more companies for concerted action on the sale of Ukrainian oil at auctions in March-July 2015.

According to the court rulings dated August 7, 2017, the court rejected evidence of the committee.

The court believes that the committee did not investigate into the circumstances of concerted actions of the bidders, in particular, the way how they could concert their actions, exchange information and coordinate steps during the auctions.

The court did not agree with the conclusions of the committee that the bidders were affiliated with each other and statements that the bidders concerted their actions via the provision and receiving of financial assistance.
Exports of Ukrainian goods to Canada in the first six months of 2017 amounted to $22.7 million, which is 76.3% more than for the same period in 2016, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Natalia Mykolska has said.

"The FTA agreement with Canada had begun influencing our economic relations before it entered into force. In the first six months of 2017 exports of goods to Canada totaled $22.7 million, which is 76.3% more than for the same period in 2016," she said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

She said for exports to Canada goods must pass certification, which differs from the European one.

The deputy minister drew attention to the fact that imports of Canadian goods to Ukraine is also reviving, particularly in the sphere of pharmaceuticals and seafood, light industry goods: special clothing, garments for cold weather and work clothes.
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has lifted restrictions on the issuance of cash in foreign currency and banking metals from current and deposit accounts through cash desks and ATMs, the NBU reported on the website.

"Individuals will be able to receive cash in foreign currency or banking metals from current and deposit accounts through cash desks and ATMs without any restrictions on the amount," the report said.

The restriction had been valid since September last year, according to which one client could receive no more than UAH 250,000 in equivalent per day.

According to the report, at present the NBU considers it possible to completely remove such a restriction, given the significant improvement in the liquidity of the banking system in foreign currency and the stabilization of the foreign exchange market. Such a decision should help restore depositors' confidence in banks, the regulator said.

In addition, the NBU will liberalize the approach to savings (deposit) certificates by removing the ban on their issuance, which has been in effect so far, and abolishing the demand to repay them only by transferring funds to the account of the certificate holder. In addition, the requirement for a minimum period of placement, which should be at least six months, is removed for deposit certificates in foreign currency.
First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv has instructed the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry, the State Regulatory Service, the State Fiscal Service and the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMC) to study the reasons for the rise in liquefied gas prices.

He wrote about this on his Facebook page.

"Over the past few weeks the price of liquefied gas has risen in Ukraine. Ukrainian producers of liquefied gas, namely Ukrgazvydobuvannia, Ukrnafta and private companies, cover not more than 20% of the market needs. Ukraine imports the rest from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and other countries. Restrictions on the part of the Russian Federation led to a decrease in imports of liquefied gas to Ukraine and, unfortunately, to its deficit," the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade reports on its Facebook page.

At the same time, the ministry does not rule out possible violations of the law on economic competition protection. In this regard, the agencies should analyze the situation in the market of liquefied gas and in the near future submit proposals for resolving this problem.
KEARNEY  It took a judge six minutes to convict a former Kearney man of sexually assaulting a girl 15 to 20 times during a 2 month period in summer 2016.

Mark Sinachack, 33, was convicted of felony first-degree sexual assault of a child at least 12, but younger than 16, between July 1, 2016, and Sept. 1, 2016. The charge involves sexual penetration.

Sinachack was convicted late Tuesday afternoon by Judge Bill Wright of Kearney.

"The evidence in this case is not only beyond a reasonable doubt, but its overwhelming," Wright said.

To prove his case, Deputy Buffalo County Attorney Patrick Lee needed to prove Sinachack and the girl had sex once.

Sinachack had earlier waived his right to a jury trial and asked Wright to decide his case. Sinachack now faces a minimum of 15 years in prison for the conviction.

Shortly after Tuesdays trial started, Sinachack pleaded no contest to a second charge of felony enticement by electronic device on Aug. 31 in the same case involving the same girl. Sinachack used a cellular phone to transmit conversation and images to entice a juvenile girl.

During his closing arguments Sinachack's attorney, Patrick Calkins of Alma, told the judge the case was a "he said, she said" situation.

After the verdict, Calkins asked that his client be released on his current bond. However, Lee argued Sinachack is a flight risk and should be incarcerated while he awaits sentencing.

Wright set bond at $100,000 cash. Sinachack remained in Buffalo County Jail late Tuesday.

According to court records, Sinachack is from Kearney. However, in court Lee said Sinachack lived in Minnesota near the Canadian border.

Sentencing on both charges will be in October.

Much of Tuesdays trial centered around the alleged victims testimony, text messages Sinachack and the alleged victim sent each other, and their sexual encounters.

The trial is the first time information about the alleged crime has been public.

The victim first met Sinachack in mid-June 2016, and he told her his name was Noah. The two saw each other off and on, sharing contact information with each other, texting and becoming friends.

Kearney Police Department Investigator Dan Warrington said Sinachack was grooming the girl.

Sinachack, the victim said, claimed to be 19 years old, and she told him she was in foster care and didnt have many friends.

In early July, Sinachack asked the victim if they could hang out, and he went to her Kearney apartment where the two eventually had sex. Sinachack and the girl continued to have sex at the apartment and at Sinachacks storage shed in Kearney.

Multiple times, the victim testified, Sinachack told the girl not to tell anyone about their relationship. The victim said it wasnt until someone at a gas station called Sinachack by his first name that she looked at identification in his wallet and learned his real name and age.

The victim also saw a text message from a sender on Sinachack's phone from "wifey."

During cross-examination, Calkins questioned the victim about inconsistencies in the testimony she gave in a June deposition and Tuesdays trial. Calkins questioned the victims memory of the incident, and said she admitted lying to police when she was interviewed.

A couple of times during his line of questioning Judge Wright had to instruct Calkins on how to form his questions and the process of his line of questioning.

Warrington testified it isnt uncommon for sexual assault victims to not recall complete information of their abuse because they may be embarrassed or the incident was too traumatic.

Sinachack didnt testify on his own behalf.

In addition to the minimum 15 years in prison for the sexual assault, Sinachack faces up to two years in prison for the enticement conviction. Wright ordered the state probation department to compile a presentence investigation report on Sinachack and to include a sex offender evaluation.

Those reports include background information on a defendant  family and criminal history, employment, and psychological and chemical dependency  to help the judge issue an appropriate sentence.

@HubChic
FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, file photo, then Treasury Secretary-designate Stephen Mnuchin and his then-fiancee, Louise Linton, arrive on Capitol Hill in Washington, for the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump. Linton offered a condescending response to a social media critic on Aug. 21, 2017, telling a mother of three that that she was Auadorably out of touch.Au Mnuchin and Linton were married in June. (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP, File)
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FILE - This is a Sunday, April 9, 2017, file photo of Britain's Prince William, left, and Britain's Prince Harry as they arrive at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Vimy, near Arras, northern France, to attend the commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Princes William and Harry have spoken candidly about the death of their mother, Princess Diana, in an interview marking 20 years since she was killed in a car crash. (Philippe Huguen/Pool Photo, File via AP)
A significant part of Ukrainian companies after the closure of the Russian market has reoriented to other countries, but returned to supplies to companies from Russia, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Ukraine's trade representative Natalia Mykolska has said.

"When trade relations between countries are artificially cut off, companies need some time to reorient to deliveries from other countries. Russian importers first tried whether it is possible to buy analogues of Ukrainian products in other countries. It turned out that Ukrainian products even after paying import duty remain more profitable," Mykolska said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

According to the ministry, for the first half of 2017 exports of goods to Russia increased by 26.4%, while imports by 41.5%, although before that a decline was registered.

"The statistic data of growth of Ukrainian exports confirm that Russian producers cannot do without Ukrainian products that are part of their production process or consumption goods," the official said.

She also noted that a significant number of Ukrainian companies focused on other markets after the closure of the Russian market.
The Liberal government is misleading people when it says there's no advantage to crossing illegally into Canada to seek asylum, NDP MP Jenny Kwan says. Asylum seekers line up to receive boxed lunches after entering Canada from the United States at Roxham Road in Hemmingford, Que., Wednesday, August 9, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
President Donald Trump reacts before speaking at a rally at the Phoenix Convention Center, in Phoenix, Ariz., on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. Trump has threatened to blow up NAFTA less than one week into the renegotiation of the trade agreement, providing an early indication that the upcoming talks might occur under a cloud of menace. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Alex Brandon
Michael Katchen, CEO of Wealthsimple, poses for a photograph at his office in Toronto on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Robo-adviser Wealthsimple has launched a new investment portfolio for observant Muslims, a move the company says builds off its success targeting smaller, underserviced groups of investors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
A man paddles a kayak along a flooded street caused by Typhoon Hato in Guangzhou in southern China's Guangdong province Wednesday Aug. 23, 2017. Thousands of people were evacuated from parts of the mainland coast ahead of the storm's arrival, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported. (Chinatopix Via AP)
In this photo provided by Egypt's state news agency, MENA, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, right, poses for a photo with White House adviser Jared Kushner, in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. El-Sissi and Egypt's and foreign minister have met with Kushner just hours after the Trump administration cut or delayed hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Cairo over human rights concerns. Kushner, who is also President Donald Trump's son-in-law, was in Cairo as part of a Middle East tour aimed at exploring ways to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which last collapsed in 2014. (MENA via AP)
Supporters of President Donald Trump rally across the street from hundreds of anti-Trump protesters Anti-Trump protesters near the Reno-Sparks Convention Center while Trump addressed the national convention of the American Legion, in Reno, Nev., on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner)
FILE - In this March 20, 2009 file photo, rockabilly musician Albert "Sonny" Burgess, right, and Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe jam on guitars before a bill-signing at the Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. Burgess, who was an early pioneer of what became known as rockabilly music, died Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, in Little Rock. He was 88. (AP Photo/Mike Wintroath, File)
The leaders of the Normandy Four format (Ukraine, France, Germany, Russia) have agreed on a joint statement, expressing their strong support for the imminent decision of the Trilateral Contact Group on August 23 to announce a ceasefire on the occasion of the beginning of the school year.

This statement by the leaders of the Normandy format following the results of a telephone conversation held on Tuesday was posted by the press service of the Ukrainian president.

"The leaders of the Normandy Four leaders agreed on a joint statement, expressing their strong support for the imminent decision of the Trilateral Contact Group on August 23 to announce a ceasefire on the occasion of the beginning of the school year," the presidential website said on Tuesday evening.

The leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany and Russia expressed their expectation that such a ceasefire would turn into a sustainable improvement of the security situation, for the benefit of the schoolchildren and for the entire civilian population in Donbas.

"On the basis of a sustainable ceasefire, the leaders committed to personally stay engaged in the further implementation of the Minsk agreements," the statement says.

Poroshenko informed of his visit to the town of Schastia located close to occupied Luhansk, and his meeting there with representatives of forward patrol base of the OSCE SMM, which is permanently based in Stanytsia Luhanska. "The president of Ukraine expressed full support to its 24-hour activity in this location," the press release says.

The Ukrainian president also called for an immediate release of all Ukrainian hostages illegally held in captivity.
A patrolling U.S. armored vehicle is reflected in the mirror of a car in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. In a national address Monday night, U.S. President Donald Trump reversed his past calls for a speedy exit and recommitted the United States to the 16-year-old conflict, saying U.S. troops must "fight to win." (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
FILE - In this Oct. 29, 2016, file photo, Louisville lines up for a play against Virginia during an NCAA college football game in Charlottesville, Va. ESPN broadcaster Robert Lee will not work VirginiaAos season opener because of recent violence in Charlottesville sparked by the decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. A spokeswoman for ESPN says Lee has been moved to Youngstown StateAos game at Pittsburgh on the ACC Network on Sept. 2. The network says the decision was made Auas the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name.Au (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly, File)
In a video which has since gone viral online, a Chief identified as, Chief Dr Ogiugo, was allegedly banished by the

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Ukraine will do everything possible to become a member of the European Union and NATO, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.

"Persistently working, we will approach those days when Ukraine will become both a member of the EU and a NATO member," the president said during the celebrations on the occasion of the National Flag Day in Kyiv on Wednesday.

According to him, the Ukrainian side managed to achieve serious success on the path of European integration. "Pay attention to how our flag is becoming to the EU flag. Two and a half months ago we gained the opportunity to freely travel to Europe, having carried out all necessary reforms to this end. Our diplomats won a hard struggle with Russian agents who tried to derail the ratification of the Association Agreement with the EU. And on September 1, just a week later, the Association Agreement comes into force in full," the president said.
Serhiy Budnyk, the chief of the protection police department of the Ukrainian National Police, has been detained on suspicion of receiving improper advantage, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said.

"Chief of the Ukrainian protection police department Gen. 3rd Rank Budnyk has been caught taking a bribe. In addition to his official pay, he also demanded over UAH 80,000 monthly through a mediator for providing physical protection services," Lutsenko said on Facebook on Tuesday evening.

Ukrainian special services detained Budnyk while accepting a bribe amounting to UAH 96,000, Lutsenko said. Budnyk has received a total of more than UAH 170,000 in bribes since June, he said.

Budnyk served as a deputy chief of the traffic police department in 2008-2010 and chief of the Interior Ministry's traffic safety and automated systems center from 2010 to 2014. Then Budnyk was appointed first deputy chief of the traffic police department in April 2014 and acting chief of the state protection service department in October 2014.

Until lately, Budnyk has served as chief of the protection police department, which is tasked with providing physical security, apartment security, security monitoring, protection of valuables, and other services.

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office said on Wednesday morning that preliminary investigative authorities were preparing to officially notify Budnyk of being suspected of 'receiving improper advantage', and a court would have to choose a pretrial restrictive measure for him. The Ukrainian Criminal Code stipulates that, if found guilty, he may face from eight to twelve years of imprisonment and confiscation of his property, and be subsequently banned from occupying certain positions for up to three years.
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Over the past day illegal armed formations have violated ceasefire regime 28 times as a result of which three servicemen have been wounded and one sustained a combat trauma, the Anti-Terrorist operation staff said.

"Russian occupation groups activated shelling of Ukrainian positions with the use of heavy weapons in the ATO area at the end of the past day," the staff said on Facebook on Wednesday morning.

In the Mariupol sector, 122mm artillery shelled Ukrainian army positions on the approaches to Talakivka and Vodiane, the staff said. Ukrainian strongholds near Hnutove came under attack of mortars, and grenade launchers were fired in the vicinity of Pavlopil, it said.

In the Donetsk sector, the enemy fired 120mm mortars, grenade launchers, heavy machineguns, and small arms on the Avdiyivka industrial zone, the staff said, adding that positions near Luhanske, Troyitske, Zaitseve and the Butovka mine shelled as well.

In the Luhansk sector, Ukrainian army positions came under fire of mortars and grenade launchers near Novo-Oleksandrivka and Krymske.
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Owning a business is not some pie in the sky deal where you take a phone call when you make the turn at the country club every day. The public at large, however, thinks that is exactly what business owners do.

Owners are the people that collect money while others work right? They are rich people that just happened to be rich, so they bought a business for other people to make them more money. How spoiled!

In reality, business ownership is one of the toughest jobs there is. You are ultimately responsible for not only the financial well-being of your family but all of the employees that work for you. Your decisions shape the lives of everyone. There arent many jobs with that kind of pressure.

In medicine, however, we dont seem to have grasped the time demands and complexities of business ownership. Traditionally, business owners spend their time building their business. While they may be responsible for everything at the beginning, the day to day tasks are gradually handed off as the business grows.

Ultimately, the job of a business owner becomes less about seeing all the patients, and it becomes more about managing systems. Successful business owners are able to make this transition, and in turn, they spent their time working on their business rather than in their business.

When viewed through this lens, traditional private practice starts to make little sense. Physicians not only have all of the responsibilities of a business owner, but they are also the main economic engine within the office. If the physician gets sick or goes on vacation, revenue stops. No sane business owner would tolerate this.

So in a time where physicians are desperately trying to find their voices and maintain their independence, how should we structure private practices to succeed long term? Here are my ideas:

Use non-physician providers better

I have heard many physicians lament the expanded use of non-physician providers (NPPs) in medicine, especially in regards to ensuring mid levels can practice with appropriate oversight. My response to this is always the same. If we want to use NPPs appropriately to provide care, then we, as physicians, must provide leadership.

Think about your states regulations. How many NPPs can you supervise? Five? Six? Start hiring as many as you can afford. Have the mid levels provide the majority of day to day care with you available as needed for certain complex patients. Train your staff extensively so they can have appropriate supervision and make decisions within their scope. Training NPPs well to provide good care doesnt diminish your role as a physician, it amplifies it!

From a business perspective, this decision produces immediate gains. Your revenue streams are diversified. You can afford to be sick or go on vacation. Patients are still being seen, and money is coming in. You can devote more time during your day to evaluating and running your business while still remaining connected to patients.

Decide your path

Some people simply do not want to run a business. They signed up to see patients, not look at balance sheets. No problem. There is no shame in this, and honestly, we need more physicians to evaluate their life goals and pursue their passions.

The most important step, though, is the first one. Evaluate what you want to do. Do you really want to run a business? When you wake up in the morning, do you dream about expanding your practice or do you think about the patients youre going to see?

Healthcare sorely needs physician leadership in both areas. If you want no part of running a business, then dont. Dont open your own practice. Work for someone else, and focus on what you enjoy.

Conversely, I have met many physicians with great business ideas that are slogging through full clinic schedules in a hospital owned network. Stop it! Get out there! Start your own practice. Go after your dreams and provide great working environments for other physicians. We all win when this happens.

Expand your reach

Would you rather be the guy earning $100,000 from one source or $100,000 from ten different sources? Most business owners would pick ten different sources. When you have revenue coming in from multiple places, you can afford to lose one and still pay the bills. If your revenue is all from one place, then your business is toast if that money dries up.

Traditionally, private practices serve their local community. While there is much pride associated with this, physicians are bound to serving only those patients that can physically get to their office.

With the advent of telemedicine, this paradigm needs to change. Many telemedicine platforms exist now. Physicians can either join an established telemedicine platform with patients ready to be seen or start their own telemedicine practice. You can transform your practice from a local business to a statewide one. Start getting licensed in other states or hire people already licensed in other states, and you can take your practice across the nation!

In addition to diversified patient care opportunities, there are many other revenue sources outside of standard patient care. Do you collect email addresses from your patients? If so, you have an entire list of people available to market your expertise to! Many businesses would pay top dollar to have a list like this. Quit complaining that all of your patients are reading crazy health books that you disagree with. Send them quarterly newsletters, maybe even with some paid advertisements, with suggestions for reputable health books you recommend. You can earn some extra revenue and improve both your sanity and your patients health at the same time.

It is my sincere hope that more physicians will start to take better advantage of some of these opportunities available to them. Medicine is in dire need of physician leadership so we can let the business of medicine work for us, and not the other way around. Dont continue to slog away doing the same old thing while your returns continue to diminish. The time for innovation and change is now, and physicians must lead!

TheBossMD writes at his self-titled website, TheBossMD. He can also be reached on Twitter, @_thebossmd.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Two Ukrainian verifiers will leave for Belarus to monitor the military exercise West 2017 on the invitation of Belarus, according to a statement of the Office of Public Relations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, published on the page of the General Staff of the Armed Forces on Facebook on Wednesday.

"The Ukrainian side confirms the fact of inviting Ukrainian representatives to observe the military drills West 2017, which are to be held on the territory of the Republic of Belarus with the participation of the Russian Federation troops. According to the Verification Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, two Ukrainian verifiers will observe the course of the exercises at the invitation of the Belarusian side in the period from September 16 to September 20," the message says.

"In accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures, Ukraine received an official invitation from the Republic of Belarus for the participation of two representatives of the Armed Forces in monitoring military activities during the practical actions of troops (forces) in the framework of the joint strategic exercise West-2017 on the territory of the Republic of Belarus from September 16 until September 20, 2017," the Ukrainian verifiers said.

In addition to Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Estonia were invited to observe the West 2017 exercise.
Having recently launched the Sound Check Ireland 2017 campaign with famous hotelier and RTEs At Your Service star, Francis Brennan, SpecsaversKilkenny will host the Specsavers Hearing Van on Saturda at Irelands oldest agricultural event  The Iverk Show.

The hearing van will be in situ at the show, located in Pilltown, Co. Kilkenny from 9am until 5pm, kick-starting a week-long itinerary of hearing van activity in Kilkenny.

The professional team will be on hand at the Iverk Show to answer any hearing related queries, giving away free hearing aid batteries to current wearers, free glasses cleaning cloths and sprays as well as sight test vouchers. Locals are encouraged to stop-by for consultations, expert advice and there is a chance to win a 200 Specsavers hearing voucher on the day.

To raise awareness of the importance of hearing health, national TV personality Francis Brennan recently launched Specsavers Sound Check Ireland 2017, a campaign which encourages Irish adults to take a more proactive approach to their hearing health. Recent research commissioned by Specsavers revealed the majority of Irish adults (69%) have not had their hearing tested in the last five years. Specsavers two mobile hearing vans will tackle the issue by travelling the length and breadth of the country to raise awareness of the importance of looking after your hearing.

Specsavers Kilkenny audiologist Lisa Hanrahan commented: Specsaversrecommends that those over the age of 55 should have their hearing tested every two years. Hearing loss can be gradual and many people might not notice that they are struggling with proper hearing and without treatment, hearing loss can lead to depression, frustration and anxiety. Because of the slow progression of hearing loss, identifying the problem early and addressing hearing loss with an expert can mean preserving the ability to communicate with friends and family well into later life. The SpecsaversHearing Van is designed to ensure that anyone who is concerned about their hearing has access to free and professional advice.

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older people and while there is a resistance to get hearing tested and acknowledge hearing loss, attitudes towards wearing hearing aids seem to be shifting, with the vast majority of people surveyed (90%) saying that they would wear them if it was recommended. Modern hearing aids are discreet, can improve both hearing loss and overall quality of life, and Specsavers offers good value for money.

Specsavers Kilkenny has an extensive range of hearing aids featuring the newest innovations with highly trained hearing healthcare professionals that will help you pick the right device for you. Specsavers Kilkenny Hearing Centre is managed by qualified audiologists and highly-trained staff. The store boasts hi-tech facilities and sells quality hearing aids at great prices. All Specsavers digital hearing aids are sold as part of a complete hearing package.

In addition to the Iverk Show, the team at Specsavers Kilkenny will be bringing the hearing van to the below locations from Sunday 27th August and are encouraging locals to pop by.

Sunday, 27 August: Car Boot Sale, Callan Road (9am  3pm)

Monday, 28 August & Tuesday, 29 August: Market Cross Shopping Centre

(9am  6pm)

Wednesday, 30 August: SuperValu, Ring Rd., Loughboy (9am  6pm)

Thursday, 31 August: Kilkenny Mart , Cillin Hill (9am -4pm)

For further information on the hearing offering available at SpecsaversKilkenny pop by the store at Market Cross Shopping Centre, or to make an appointment in-store, visit www.specsavers.ie/stores/ kilkenny or call (056) 776 3888.
SHANGHAI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - China's Ministry of Finance on Wednesday auctioned 36 billion yuan ($5.40 billion) of three-year bonds at an average yield of 3.4865 percent, traders said, slightly above market expectations.

Market forecasts had centred on 3.48 percent and ranged from 3.46 percent to 3.50 percent.

The auction yield also came in below Tuesday's benchmark secondary market yield of 3.5006 percent for three-year government bonds .

For stories on Chinese debt issues, click on . ($1 = 6.6608 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by the Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Sunil Nair)
(Repeats item published on Aug. 22, no changes in story text)

BEIJING, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Cooler weather and ample supplies pushed China's thermal coal prices lower on Tuesday, spurring speculation that tapering demand may threaten the months-long rally even as concerns linger about slower output as Beijing cracks down on safety.

Prices shot to record highs last week, reaching 603 yuan a tonne ($90.62) amid concern about tightening output as the government launched sweeping safety checks across major producing province Shanxi after a fatal accident at a mine. Investors have pushed prices up 50 percent this year, piling into the market with bullish bets as hotter than usual weather scorched the north, increasing electricity demand for air conditioning and hence demand for China's favourite fuel.

Now, as the heat wave passes and long-range forecasts point to a warmer than average winter in the world's top consumer of the fuel, analysts and sources at utilities and miners are speculating over whether pressure on prices will increase.

China's most actively trade thermal coal futures for delivery in January inched down 0.9 percent on Tuesday to close at 595.6 yuan a tonne.

"We see increasing risks of a correction in the thermal coal market, due to lower consumption from power companies and cooling temperature," said Zhang Min, analyst at China Sublime Information Group.

The forward structure of the thermal futures curve shows investors are betting on prices peaking in October before falling steadily until August 2018. October's premium over August was 73 yuan a tonne ($10.97).

Reflecting reduced appetite from power producers, inventories at China's largest coal trading port Qinhuangdao have been stable at about 600 million tonnes in August, up from critically low levels of 400 million tonnes in March.

That's double the level this time last year and above the average of recent years.

"Weak appetite from utilities and growth in hydropower production has dampened purchases of thermal coal," China Coal Industry Association said in a report on Monday. "Declining freight rates for seaborne coal also indicate weakening demand."

The uncertain outlook may unsettle large rival producers such as Australia and Russia, which have sold more coal to China over the past year and benefited from higher prices.

Still prices may not fall too far before finding support from falling output as China's government clamps down on safety. Coal output in July fell to its lowest since October. A trader with one of China's top miners believes that prices will hover in their current range between 560 and 590 yuan.

"In the near term, coal prices are supported by limited production," Zhang said.

($1 = 6.6543 Chinese yuan renminbi)

<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Temperatures in China seen trending more towards normal, cooling demand for thermal coal ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Meng Meng and Josephine Mason; Editing by David Goodman)
TOKYO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Benchmark Japanese government bonds were steady on Wednesday, while the prices of longer maturities edged down from their gains in the previous session following a solid 20-year auction.

The 10-year cash JGB yield was flat at 0.035 percent, while the September 10-year JGB futures contract finished up 0.03 point at 150.77.

But the 20-year JGB yield added one basis point to 0.550 percent, while the 30-year JGB yield was up half a basis point at 0.835 percent.

On Tuesday, the bid-to-cover ratio at the Ministry of Finance's 20-year sale rose to 4.51 from the previous auction's 4.19, suggesting stronger demand for the bonds.

In its regular JGB purchase operations on Wednesday, the Bank of Japan offered to buy JGBs in the same volume as previous offers, which included 280 billion yen ($2.56 billion) of one-year to three-year JGBs, 330 billion yen of three-year to five-year JGBs and 200 billion yen of 10-year to 25-year JGBs.

($1 = 109.4600 yen)

(Reporting by Tokyo markets team; Editing by Eric Meijer)
U.S. goal is to restore integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine - Volker

U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has confirmed the U.S. goal is to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine and its sovereignty, Radio Liberty reported.

Speaking during a conference on regional leadership in Vilnius university, he recalled that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson outlined these goals when he visited Kyiv on July 9, Radio Liberty reported on its website on Tuesday evening.

In addition, one of the U.S. tasks is to help in establishing the security of all citizens of Ukraine, regardless of their national or religious affiliation.

The U.S. envoy stressed that a war is currently waged on the European continent, at a distance of less than one and a half hours of flight by plane, and in order to stop it, a long and lasting ceasefire must be achieved.

Volker will be joined on his visit to Kyiv on August 23 by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
BEIJING, Aug 23 (Reuters) - China's July liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports nearly doubled from a year ago to 3.12 million tonnes, the highest volume since January, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Wednesday.

For the first seven months of the year, LNG imports rose 45 percent from the same period a year ago to 19 million tonnes, the data showed.

Robust imports came as China expects natural gas consumption to rise by over 10 percent to 230 billion cubic meters this year, according to a Xinhua report. (Reporting by Meng Meng and Aizhu Chen; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
PRAGUE, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Wednesday.

ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 2 hours) =========================ECONOMIC DATA==========================

Real-time economic data releases.................... Summary of economic data and forecasts........... Recently released economic data.................. Previous stories on Czech data............. **For a schedule of corporate and economic events: =========================NEWS===================================

MACRON: While Britain toils over its messy divorce with the European Union, France's president Emmanuel Macron is embarking on a drive to deepen the economic integration of a bloc he says needs to be more protective of its citizens.

Story: Related stories: CEE MARKETS: The forint recouped some of its early losses on Tuesday as the Hungarian central bank (NBH) did not try to talk down the currency even though it retained its dovish bias in its statement after its rate decision.

Story: Related stories: ========================PRESS DIGEST========================

POSTED WORKERS: A study released by the Czech government showed that the country is the only new EU members that host more "posted" workers than it sends abroad.

Hospodarske Noviny, page 13

(Reuters has not verified the stories, nor does it vouch for their accuracy.)

For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX For updates on CEE currencies TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets Prague Newsroom: +420 224 190 477

E-mail: prague.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com

(Reporting by Prague Newsroom)
JAKARTA, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Indonesian bank loans in July grew 8.2 percent from a year earlier, the country's financial service regulator said in a statement on Wednesday, faster than the pace in June. Loans grew by 7.8 percent in June. The gross non-performing loan ratio edged higher in July to 3 percent from 2.96 percent a month earlier. Indonesia's central bank on Tuesday cut its outlook for 2017 loan growth to 8-10 percent, from 10-12 percent previously. (Reporting by Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
DUBAI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Shares in real estate investment trusts and a major bank in Saudi Arabia were up on Wednesday morning while most equity markets in the region moved little.

The Riyadh index rose 0.3 percent as Al Maather REIT , which listed on Tuesday, surged its 10 percent limit for a second straight day. Al Jazira Mawten REIT gained 2.2 percent and Taleem REIT rose 1.3 percent.

Shares in REITs have been heavily traded since the start of the week as local investors have been attracted by the sudden surge in activity.

"The trend is your friend - retail investors are just piling into shares because of headline news, as there is a lack of news in any other sector," said a Jeddah-based broker.

Al Rajhi added 0.9 percent after half an hour of trade to 66.40 riyals. Shares in the lender have been strong since the start of this month and are up almost 8 percent; the stock has an average fair value of 70.32 riyals with an expected dividend yield of 4.17 percent in 2017 and 4.60 percent for 2018, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Saudi Indian Co for Cooperative Insurance (Wafa) rose 0.4 percent after saying it had received "temporary and conditional" approval from the central bank to sell some of its professional liability insurance policies.

Shares of Wafa had suffered heavy losses since Sunday when the company, along with three other insurers, was slapped by the central bank with a ban to sell motor vehicle policies because of improper practices.

Dubai's index was flat as Emaar Properties gained 0.8 percent but GFH Financial , the most traded share, lost 2.7 percent.

In Abu Dhabi, the index edged down 0.2 percent, weighed down by declines in blue chips; telecommunications operator Etisalat fell 0.3 percent and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank lost 0.7 percent.

Qatar's index fell 0.3 percent in very thin trade; Qatar Investors Group was down 1.7 percent.

(Reporting by Celine Aswad; Editing by Andrew Torchia, editing by Louise Heaven)
LAGOS, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Nigeria plans to raise 193.14 billion naira ($614 mln) worth of treasury bills at an auction on Aug. 30, the central bank said on Wednesday.

The bank will offer 26.14 billion naira in three-month paper, 62 billion in six-month bill and 105 billion in one-year paper. The auction result will be announced on the same day.

The central bank issues treasury bills twice a month to help the government finance its budget deficit, curb money supply growth and provide avenues for lenders to manage liquidity.

Nigeria is planning to refinance $3 billion worth of treasury bills denominated in the local currency with dollar borrowing to lower costs and improve its debt position, its finance minister has said. ($1 = 314.50 naira)

(Reporting by Oludare Mayowa; Editing by Chijioke Ohuocha; editing by John Stonestreet)
TOKYO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average posted modest gains on Wednesday, snapping five straight days of losses that marked its longest losing streak since April 2016.

The market was helped by a rebound in Wall Street shares overnight, but the main index pared early gains following comments from U.S. President Donald Trump on the NAFTA trade treaty and his plan to build a border wall.

The Nikkei ended 0.3 percent higher at 19,434.64 points.

Upbeat comments from top U.S. Republicans in Congress on tax reforms and the debt ceiling debate had helped the S&P 500 rebound from a six-week low.

Yet optimism was undermined after Trump told a rally that he would build a border wall with Mexico even if he has to shut down the government to secure enough funding. Trump also said he might terminate the NAFTA trade treaty with Mexico and Canada after three-way talks failed to bridge deep differences. That added to jitters ahead of an expected second round of economic and trade talks between Japanese and U.S. officials in coming months.

Japanese investors are also keeping an eye on tensions between the United States and North Korea, after the United States and South Korea began joint computer-simulated military exercises on Monday.

"As long as Trump doesn't say something provocative, the market should stay calm for now," said Kazuhiro Takahashi, an equity strategist at Daiwa Securities.

The broader Topix rose 0.3 percent to 1,600.05 but turnover on the main board remained subdued, with only about 1.9 trillion yen changing hands, more than 10 percent below the recent average.

Sensor maker Keyence rose 4.5 percent, extending its solid rally on the back of strong earnings and after some brokerage raised their target price for the stock.

Toshiba Corp rose 4.3 percent on a media report that the company is prioritising talks with Western Digital on the sale of its chip unit. (Editing by Michael Perry and Kim Coghill)
Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Wednesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 2 hours):

DATA

Poland's central bank is to release its M3 money supply data at 1200 GMT. PLANNED REAL ESTATE TAX

The government's legislation office (RCL) is working on a new tax on offices and shopping centres, whose value exceeds 10 million zlotys ($2.75 million), Gazeta Polska weekly reported. The new tax could increase rents by 1.5-6.5 zlotys per square metre per month, the weekly said.

COAL MINING

The energy ministry expects that state subsidies for the coal mining sector will amount to a combined 10.24 billion zlotys ($2.82 billion) from 2016 until 2020, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna daily reported.

****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.****

For other related news, double click on: Polish equities E.Europe equities Polish money Polish debt Eastern Europe All emerging markets Hot stocks Stock markets Market debt news Forex news For real-time index quotes, double click on: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX ($1 = 3.6360 zlotys)

(Reporting by Warsaw Bureau)
Aug 23 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Romanian financial markets on Wednesday.

FRENCH PRESIDENT

While Britain toils over its messy divorce with the European Union, France's president Emmanuel Macron is embarking on a drive to deepen the economic integration of a bloc he says needs to be more protective of its citizens. HAULAGE

The National Union of Road Hauliers said it has asked the Bucharest cityhall for approval to protest in the capital on Thursday during French President Emmanuel Macron's official visit. The protest is against new French rules to tighten labour rules over 'posted' workers including foreign road hauliers which they said would boost costs for Romanian and Eastern road hauliers and reduce their competitiveness.

BANKS

Romania's banking sector is liquid and has a significantly higher solvency ratio than the European average, the central bank said on Tuesday after the prime minister cast doubts over the safety of deposits. Prime Minister Mihai Tudose has said the government might release a list of banks that have not reported a profit, feeling "duty bound to tell Romanians which are the banks where there is a danger for them to hold deposits."

CEE MARKETS

The forint recouped some of its early losses on Tuesday as the Hungarian central bank (NBH) did not try to talk down the currency even though it retained its dovish bias in its statement after its rate decision. MOTHERHOOD

The Romanian government's pending changes to a pension law could include a provision that would enable mothers with at least three children to retire up to six years earlier than the

mandatory retirement age of 63, Labour Minister Olguta Vasilescu was quoted as saying. WHEAT

Romania will have record harvests of wheat and rye this year, the agriculture minister said on Tuesday.

BUCHAREST BOURSE

Alin Barbu, deputy chief executive of the Bucharest Stock Exchange will manage the bourse in the interim after the four-year mandate of chief executive Ludwik Sobolewski expired this month and the board of directors has yet to decide whether to grant him another term. Agerpres

For the long-term Romanian diary, click on For emerging markets economic events, click on For an index of all diaries, click on For other related news, double click on: --------------------------------------------------------------- Romanian equities RO-E E.Europe equities .CEE Romanian money RO-M Romanian debt RO-D Eastern Europe EEU All emerging markets EMRG Hot stocks HOT Stock markets STX Market debt news DBT Forex news FRX For real-time index quotes, double click on: Bucharest BETI Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX ---------------------------------------------------------------
(Repeats to additional subscribers)

By Clara Denina , Ben Martin and Maiya Keidan

LONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - European companies are being told by their advisers to open up and engage more with existing shareholders to fend off the increasing threat from activist investors, who force strategy changes to push up a target's share price.

Activist investors are mostly hedge funds managing tens of billions of dollars of capital. The largest ones are from the U.S. and, having had success in North America and benefiting from a stronger dollar, they are flush with cash and looking for opportunities further afield.

According to JP Morgan, activist investors have launched 119 campaigns in Europe in the 12 months to June 2017, compared to 100 a year earlier and 62 five years ago.

That has pushed corporate management teams across Europe to ask investment bankers for help preparing defences in case an activist crops up on their shareholder register.

"We have seen a significant increase in calls from clients seeking our advice on how to prepare for when these investors knock on the door, especially after the activists' stakes in Nestle and Clariant-Huntsman became public," said Hernan Cristerna, co-head of global M&A at JP Morgan.

New York-based fund Corvex is pushing for Swiss chemicals company Clariant to abandon its proposed merger with U.S. peer Huntsman . Third Point, led by billionaire hedge fund manager Dan Loeb, took a $3.5 billion stake in Nestle in July and has started calling for an overhaul.

Though there are several well-known European activists, such as TCI Fund Management and Cevian, most of the world's largest funds such as Third Point, Elliott Management and ValueAct are American. Their success has crowded the U.S. market.

Europe is seen as tempting as financial and political uncertainties have diminished. UK companies are thought to be particularly attractive targets due to corporate governance rules which give shareholders more influence, and the often large number of minority investors.

Anglo-Australian miner BHP Billiton has spent the past five months trying to fend off demands for a shake-up by Elliot Management. On Tuesday, BHP said it was looking at options to exit its U.S. onshore shale business, conceding to one of Elliott's demands. TACTICS

Often activist investors initially engage with target companies quietly, discussing possibly strategy changes with them. Some firms welcome them, as they can help secure wider support from shareholders or insiders for major change.

But mostly the funds are seen as a threat, especially when they start publicly calling for changes and criticising companies who will not adopt their recommendations.

"More companies in Europe feel the need to have a discussion with their advisers on activism - no one wants to fend off an activist attack in the public eye," JPM's Cristerna added.

Bankers said they advise clients to engage with existing shareholders to potentially dissuade them from supporting an activist attack. They also look at companies' assets and advise them if any could be sold to improve shareholder returns.

These pre-emptive moves might explain why the success rate of activist campaigns in Europe has been falling since 2014. According to data from industry tracker Activist Insight in 2017 just 32.8 percent of campaigns have been "at least partially successful", compared to 43.2 percent in 2016.

Among those that emerged as clear victors this year in Europe is Nordic hedge fund Accendo Capital Managers, which became the largest shareholder in fibre optic manufacturer Hexatronic Group and whose stock has risen almost 80 percent since the initial investment.

Others have achieved a more complicated victory, such as British hedge fund TCI, which became embroiled in aero engine maker Safran's offer for Zodiac Aerospace . "We got most of what we asked for," TCI partner Jonathan Amouyal told Reuters in May after Safran cut its offer. At the same time, TCI has yet to make any tangible impact at Volkswagen where it is pushing for change. Volkswagen stock has fallen 2.14 percent since the hedge fund launched its activist campaign. CULTURAL DIFFERENCE

U.S. bankers said that as campaigns targeting European firms increase, they are looking to cash in on advisory work.

"European institutional investors are less comfortable with the concept of activism from a cultural perspective, particularly when it's a U.S. hedge fund coming over," said Chris Young, head of contested situations at Credit Suisse in New York.

"In the U.S., activists are often treated like rock stars, they get a lot of favourable press coverage and that's not the case in Europe," he added.

Citigroup this week announced it had hired Muir Paterson to head the bank's global team of bankers advising companies on activist shareholders. "We had teams in the U.S. dealing with activist issues and we also have now people in Europe, working closely with their U.S. colleagues because more often than not, these activists are the same," Severin Brizay, head of EMEA M&A at UBS said.

For the funds themselves, this can also bring benefits.

Harlan Zimmerman, a senior partner at Anglo-Swedish activist firm Cevian Capital, said some European companies are becoming more willing to engage with activist investors.

"With the proliferation of activism, companies and their advisers have gained a much better understanding of the spectrum of activism and how to engage with activists of all sorts," he said.

"There's no longer a stigma from having certain activists involved and on a board. In fact some boards see it as a validation and helpful to realising their own objectives for the companies."

(Editing by Rachel Armstrong and Elaine Hardcastle)
HANOI, August 23 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0409 GMT.

August 23 USD/VND mid-point 22,447 USD/VND interbank 22,729/22,731 USD/VND unofficial 22,730/22,750 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.21/36.43

Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.6-1.3

1 week 0.7-1.4

1 month 1.4-2.0

3 months 3.2-3.7

NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016, the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources.

One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co.

For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on .

For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
Ukraine has presently received lethal weapon only from Lithuania but is hoping to receive more from other partner-countries as well, Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak said.

"From the first day of Russian aggression... we turned to all countries of the world with a request to provide us with aid in the form of lethal weapon. So far only Lithuania has done so. We continue waiting and are ready to receive lethal weapons. But that requires a decision not by us but by our partner-countries. We are very hopeful for such support," Poltorak told journalists at an arms exhibition in central Kyiv on Wednesday.
BANGKOK, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The launch of Thailand's 100 billion-baht ($3 billion) infrastructure fund is likely to be delayed to after September, a senior finance ministry official said on Wednesday.

The government will try to get the "Thailand Future Fund" started by the end of the year, Somchai Sujjapongse, the ministry's permanent secretary, told reporters.

The fund was first announced in 2015 as the junta sought to finance investment projects to boost economic growth, but its rollout has been repeatedly delayed. The most recent delay was because the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) was concerned about some issues that needed approval, Somchai said.

"The problems that the EAT is worried about are minor. The fund's committee will approve them so the fund can go ahead," he said, adding the committee meets on Friday.

Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong had said earlier the fund would initially sell units worth 40 billion baht to 50 billion baht to Thai and foreign investors, with a projected 7-8 percent return.

The government has said the fund is needed for Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, whose growth has lagged its peers since the army seized power in May 2014 to political unrest.

The finance ministry predicts the economy will grow 3.6 percent this year after 3.2 percent growth last year. ($1 = 33.37 baht)

(Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
(Adds details, RICs)

BEIJING, Aug 23 (Reuters) - China's gasoline exports in July rose 5.9 percent from a year ago to the third-highest monthly level since at least 2000 while diesel exports remained high, customs data showed on Wednesday.

China's July gasoline exports rose to 1.02 million tonnes, according to data from the General Administration of Customs. That is a third higher than exports in June and near to the 1.1 million tonnes exported in June 2016 that was the highest since at least 2000.

China's diesel exports in July fell 8.8 percent from a year ago to 1.4 million tonnes, the data showed, but they increased from 1.31 million tonnes in June.

Analysts have forecast China's diesel demand to increase slightly this year after a rare decline last year, thanks to the country's recovering foreign trade. Kerosene exports last month fell 3.1 percent to 1.06 million tonnes, the data showed. Chinese refineries in July operated at their lowest daily rates since September 2016 to cope with brimming stocks and as state refiners faced off against independents in an unprecedented price war at retail fuel stations. (Reporting by Chen Aizhu; Editing by Richard Pullin and Christian Schmollinger)
(Updates with CEO quote, book value, background)

AMSTERDAM, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Dutch bank NIBC said on Wednesday it is reviewing its strategic options, which include a possible initial public offering of shares.

Owned by private equity firm J.C. Flowers, the Hague-based bank also reported a 37 percent rise first-half operating income to 226 million euros ($266 million) from 165 million euros in the same period a year ago, amid a thriving Dutch economy.

NIBC attributed the rise to a 19 percent increase in interest income, "strong fee and investment income on the corporate client side, increased mortgage volumes and lower funding spreads."

NIBC is mainly active in mortgages and loans to small and medium-sized companies in the Netherlands, Germany and Britain.

"Backed by our current shareholder, we have recently commenced a review of our strategic alternatives, which may include a potential Initial Public Offering," said CEO Paulus de Wilt in a statement. "The review is still in a preliminary stage and a final decision will only be made at a later date and be dependent upon market circumstances."

NIBC's book value at the end of the first half stood at just over 2 billion euros, an indication of its potential market value in an IPO or sale.

JC Flowers paid 1.8 billion euros when it bought the bank from Dutch pension funds in 2005.

The American investment firm prepared NIBC for an IPO a decade ago but had to change course when the financial crisis crippled the bank, which had made large bets on U.S. subprime mortgage loans.

NIBC was the first in a number of Dutch banks, including ING and ABN Amro , to need state support to survive the financial crisis. It paid off the last of its debt to the government in 2014.

NIBC has undertaken a major overhaul since the crisis, adding retail services such as mortgage loans and savings accounts. ($1 = 0.8508 euros)

(Reporting by Toby Sterling, editing by Louise Heavens)
* July output fell 4.3 pct on year

* Decline due to slow turnaround after maintenance

* Local steel demand for cars, construction strong

(Adds comments, government forecast)

TOKYO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Japan's crude steel output slid 4.3 percent in July from a year earlier to 8.59 million tonnes, the third straight month of decline, due to a slow restart at mills after maintenance and production glitches, the Japan Iron and Steel Federation said.

Output increased 2.1 percent from June on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the federation said on Wednesday. Production of ordinary steel fell 6.6 percent on year to 6.51 million tonnes, while output of specialty steel rose for a 15th month in a row to 2.08 million tonnes, up 3.8 percent from a year earlier.

"Domestic steel demand for automobiles and construction is solid, but July output declined due to slow operations after maintenance and problems at some mills," said a researcher at the federation. "We expect to see a pick-up from August," he said.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) raised its estimate of July-September crude steel output to 26.4 million tonnes, up 0.2 percent from a year earlier, against a forecast of 26.29 million tonnes issued in July, reflecting healthy domestic demand. That was in line with recent signs that recovery in the world's third-largest economy is gaining pace due to solid factory output and exports.

Confidence at Japanese manufacturers rose in August to its highest level in a decade led by producers of industrial materials, a Reuters poll showed - a further sign of broadening economic recovery. (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
* Year-to-date trade up 10.2 pct

* Imports from North Korea down 16 pct yr-to-date

* Iron ore arrivals down, gasoline exports sink

* Data comes after U.N. sanctions earlier in August

(Updating with detail in 6th para, context in 12-15)

BEIJING, Aug 23 (Reuters) - China's trade with North Korea fell in July from a month earlier, data showed on Wednesday, as a ban on coal purchases from its isolated neighbour slowed imports amid growing pressure from the United States to rein in Pyongyang's missile programme.

The world's second-largest economy imported and exported goods worth $456 million in July, down from $489 million in June, according to data from China's General Administration of Customs.

It was up from $426 million in July last year, according to data on the customs website.

Year-to-date, trade was up 10.2 percent at $3.01 billion.

The data indicates that China's move to halt North Korean coal imports in February has crimped Pyongyang's ability to raise hard currency through exports.

Iron ore arrivals from North Korea in July also sank to their weakest since February, while China's gasoline exports to the isolated state hit their lowest since January 2016. China's imports from North Korea were $156 million, down 3 percent from last month and a third lower than a year ago, based on data on the customs website. For January-July, imports were $1.04 billion, down 16.3 percent.

Exports were $300 million, down from $327 million in June, but up from $194 million in July last year. Year-to-date, they were up a third at $1.97 billion.

On Aug. 6, the United Nations Security Council unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea banning exports of coal, iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood, in a bid to choke off a third of Pyongyang's $3 billion in annual export revenue.

The crackdown on major commodity exports was aimed as punishment for intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests in July and is due to take effect in early September. Last week, Beijing issued an official ban on the imports effective from Aug. 15 as it moved to implement the sanctions. Sources told Reuters China was also pressuring its iron ore traders to stop buying the commodity from North Korea, tightening the screws on Pyongyang even before sanctions. The data also comes after state-owned China National Petroleum Corp suspended sales of fuel to North Korea in June over concerns it wouldn't get paid, cutting off crucial supplies. The suspension is still in place.

These kinds of actions have been at the centre of U.S. President Donald Trump's calls for Beijing to exert more economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea to help rein in its nuclear and missile programmes. On Tuesday, the United States imposed new sanctions, targeting Chinese and Russian firms and individuals for supporting Pyongyang's weapons programs. (Reporting by Josephine Mason; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Richard Pullin)
* STOXX 600 down 0.5 pct

* Investors ready for central banker pow-wow

* WPP sinks after forecast cut

* Umicore drops as Berenberg cuts rating

* K+S jumps on report of hedge fund interest

(Adds closing prices)

By Helen Reid

LONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Media stocks weighed on European markets on Wednesday, led lower by sharp declines in advertising giant WPP after it cut sales forecasts on weakening demand.

Investors were keeping a close eye on monetary policy, a day ahead of the start of a central bank symposium in Jackson Hole, although dovish comments by European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi had little market impact. Markets also shrugged off a PMI survey showing euro zone manufacturing businesses had their best month of growth in six and a half years in August. "The last couple of weeks everyone has been sitting on the fence; there hasn't been a big directional view and people are struggling to decide which way to get off," said Graham Secker, chief European equity strategist at Morgan Stanley.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index and euro zone blue-chips both dipped 0.5 percent.

WPP shares lost 10.9 percent after the world's largest advertising group cut its full-year sales outlook after a drop in demand caused it to miss first-half targets. The agency has been among the worst-performing stocks in the media sector, which has declined 4.8 percent overall this year against a buoyant broader European market.

"Deteriorating trading conditions are a concern and ...we are minded to trim our full year profit before tax forecasts by 4 to 5 percent," said Roddy Davidson, media analyst at Shore Capital.

The sector index < .SXMP> fell 2.7 percent, with WPP's French peer Publicis down 3.2 percent.

Potash miner K+S was a bright spot, jumping more than 4 percent after a report in German business newsletter Platow Brief that hedge fund Elliott could be interested in the company. Fiat Chrysler ended up 5.8 percent at an all-time high on continued speculation about potential tie-ups. One day after China's Great Wall Motor cooled down prospects of a possible deal with Fiat, Bloomberg reported that the Italian American automaker was considering options including a plan to spin off the upscale Maserati and Alfa Romeo brands.

Belgian chemicals group Umicore fell 2.5 percent after Berenberg cut the stock to "hold" on valuation concerns. It has gained around 19 percent year-to-date, outperforming the chemicals sector.

"Generating substantial upside to the current share price would require us to assume around 15 percent global pure electric vehicle sales penetration by 2025 (base case: 11 percent) or that Umicore captures over 60 percent of the global market for automotive grade NMC by 2025," Berenberg analysts wrote. Earnings for the STOXX 600 were set to grow 15.3 percent in the second quarter year-on-year, Thomson Reuters data showed.

Nine of the 10 sectors were expected to see an improvement in earnings in what analysts have called a "good, but not great" earnings season after a record-breaking first quarter.

Energy stocks have seen the strongest earnings growth, at 47.8 percent, while pharmaceutical companies, whose high exposure to the U.S. has made the stronger euro a headache, saw the weakest earnings growth rate, at -3.4 percent.

<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ WPP underperforms media sector in 2017 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Helen Reid and Danilo Masoni; editing by Kit Rees /Jeremy Gaunt)
LONDON, Aug 23 (Reuters) - A cargo of Nigerian crude was offered from storage in South Africa, traders said on Wednesday, reflecting the Brent market's move into a structure where oil for prompt delivery trades at a premium to future supplies.

Elsewhere, Angolan offers were steady and traders said Total won a recent buying tender by Indian refiner BPCL, which has also issued a new tender.

NIGERIA

* Total was offering a cargo of Nigerian Escravos from storage in the South African Saldanha Bay site at dated Brent plus $1.50, traders said.

* The offer comes amid a move by the Brent market into backwardation, reducing the profit keeping crude in storage.

* The October loading programmes for most grades point to exports of about 1.72 million barrels per day (bpd), compared with 1.88 million bpd in September. ANGOLA

* Differentials achieved by Angolan crude cargoes for October loading have been strong so far, supported by healthy refining margins.

* State oil company Sonangol continued to offer two October-loading cargoes on Tuesday: a Gimboa at dated Brent plus 30 cents and a cargo of Saturno at dated Brent plus 15 cents.

TENDERS

* Indian refiner BPCL awarded its tender to buy 1 million barrels of Nigerian crude for October loading to Total, a trader said. The grade was thought to be Nigerian Agbami.

BPCL has also issued a new tender for October-loading crude in which offers need to remain valid until Aug. 30, according to a tender document.

* Indian Oil Corp is running a tender to buy West African crude loading in October. The first part closed on Aug. 22 and the second part on Aug. 23 with validity until Aug. 24.

(Reporting by Alex Lawler; Editing by Susan Thomas)
Stuff reports:

The Green Party has dealt an unexpected blow to Labours chances of winning the hotly contested Wellington seat of Ohariu by deciding at the 11th hour to stand a candidate.

Tane Woodley was the surprise revelation at an Ohariu candidates meeting in the suburb of Khandallah on Wednesday night  revealing to the crowd that he was entering the race following the shock departure of 33-year incumbent Peter Dunne.

Woodley planned to campaign solely for the party vote. But the decision is likely to benefit Nationals Ohariu candidate Brett Hudson, as it could split the vote on the left and dent the lead in the polls enjoyed by Labours Greg OConnor.
Megan Hands writes at The Spinoff:

When Labours policy was first announced, there was little detail of pricing. It appears now we are looking at a price of 2 cents per cubic metre, or 1000 Litres. For some context, to apply 1mm of water over 1 hectare of land it takes 10,000 litres of water or 10 cubic metres. So, to supplement that shortfall of rainfall and sustain crop or pasture growth it quickly equates to large volumes of water. To keep the maths simple, a 200ha cropping farm growing grain or grass seeds in mid Canterbury applying 500mm of irrigation water a year would have a new additional tax bill of $20,000 a year. A 100hectare vineyard in Blenheim might use 199,500 cubic metres of water through a drip micro system and have an additional tax bill of $3,990. Another dairy farmer well known on Twitter has calculated his annual water tax bill on his farm to be $53,000. Suddenly a couple of cents doesnt sound so small.

And that is assuming it stays at 2c!

One arable farmer at a meeting in Ashburton on Friday said that he had calculated that at 2 cents/m3 his annual water tax bill could equate to half his annual income. Another wondered aloud what happens if he has a crop failure and he receives zero income for that year but still must pay the tax for the irrigation water he used?

This is generally why you tax profit.

In districts where there are significant areas of irrigation this tax would mean millions of dollars being removed from these local economies in additional tax. In these regional areas, the small towns and cities rely on primary industry to keep them going. For Ashburton and Timaru some estimates have come in around $40 million. Tim Cadogan, mayor of Central Otago, is quoted as saying the tax will cost his district $6 million dollars. Thats millions of dollars not transferred to local tradesman, the local cafe or the rural supplies store.

A tax on rural and provincial NZ only.

This proposed tax has been portrayed as the solution to NZs water quality problems, although the more we learn about this policy the more difficult it is to link the purported benefits with the method proposed. If Labour do as they say and return the tax to the areas from which it is collected (minus the percentage that goes to iwi), the areas with the poorest water quality will only receive a small slice of the tax. This is because there is almost no correlation between swimability of rivers and irrigation.

A key point.

When questioned on the price, Mr Parker warned the room that he wasnt there to negotiate and threatened the farmers in the room that if they pushed him it would be 2 cents instead of 1 cent. He continually referred to the farmers in the room as you people, taking aim at them and telling them they alone were responsible for the rural urban divide. It is the responsibility of us all to manage our water well and that includes irrigators, towns and cities, and other commercial users. If we are going to tackle these challenges we must do it together, instead of pointing the finger at one another. The management of our freshwater is important for our ecosystems, our businesses and our recreation. Water is precious to all of us and deserves far more sophisticated and collaborative policy development then soundbites and feel good election policies if we are to deliver the kaitiakitanga it deserves.

A system of tradable water permits is a far better way to deal with water issues as the price will reflect the scaricty (or not) in each region. Far far better than a tax just on provincial and rural NZ.

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By Yoon Ja-young



Korea and the United States started talks over possible amendments to the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA) Tuesday and only confirmed their differences over the trade deal.



"I explained our stance on the KORUS FTA, and my U.S. counterpart did the same," Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong told reporters after a video conference with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer.



As Lighthizer is in Washington D.C. due to a tight schedule, the two trade chiefs had a 30-minute video conference, which was followed by a face-to-face meeting of top officials.



The U.S. delegation led by USTR chief of staff Jamieson Greer and Assistant USTR Michael Beeman are in Seoul for the talks.



The Korean delegation for the meeting was led by Director General for FTA Negotiations Yoo Myung-hee and Director General of the Trade Policy Bureau Yeo Han-koo.



The special joint committee meeting took place at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul, 40 days after an official request by the U.S. Lighthizer sent a letter, July 13, requesting the convening of "a special joint committee meeting under the KORUS FTA to start the process of negotiations."



Korea's trade ministry replied July 24, agreeing to hold the joint committee meeting.



"The U.S. delegation pointed out that the U.S. goods deficit doubled following the KORUS FTA. They stressed that it should be resolved through amendments or modifications to the KORUS FTA as well as the implementation of other pending issues. They also demanded the start of negotiations for revisions soon following the domestic procedures of each country," Kim told reporters following completion of the special session.



The U.S. has been demanding a revision of major free trade deals following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has been insisting that they are killing jobs in the U.S. In the special session, the U.S. delegation pointed out that its trade deficit has doubled, and took issue with imbalance of trade in automobiles, steel, and IT.



"We explained that the U.S. goods deficit is due to a combination of factors both micro and macro and not due to the KORUS FTA, citing objective statistics and logic," the trade minister said. He added that the U.S. trade deficit against Korea has been continuously decreasing _ by around 30 percent during the six months this year.



Korea also stressed that the pact benefited both countries with balanced interests, when seen from a comprehensive perspective including goods, services and investment. While Korea has been recording surpluses in the trade of goods, the U.S. has been reaping surpluses in services. It also enjoyed increasing direct investment by Korean firms.



"We also suggested that experts of the two countries objectively examine, analyze and assess the effects of the deal since its enforcement as well as the cause of the U.S. deficit," Kim added.



On the same day, Trade Minister Kim told lawmakers that the he believes that the KORUS FTA should be left as it is instead of being revised.



While U.S. President Trump says there should be revision of the KORUS FTA to decrease its trade deficit with Korea, a report by the U.S. International Trade Commission showed that the deal actually helped the U.S. decrease its deficit with Korea by $15.8 billion in 2016.



"Through the special session, the two countries found out that there are differing view on issues such as the effect of the FTA, the cause of the U.S. trade deficit, and whether the KORUS FTA should be revised. I can tell you that the two delegations did not reached any agreement in this special session," the minister said.



"We didn't agree to the United States' unilateral suggestion for revisions, and made it clear that there should be an examination, analysis and assessment of the FTA effect first. We also made it clear that any determination should be based on an agreement between the two countries, under the principle of mutual benefit."



He added that Korea will be waiting for the U.S. reply to its suggestion.



The two countries have not set up schedule for the next meeting.




By Kim Jae-kyoung

SINGAPORE  The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held in Manila this month showed ASEAN's commitment to helping resolve the North Korean nuclear issue but it also exposed limitations in its role and capacity.

Although ASEAN members united on North Korea's aggression, there was no meaningful and detailed discussion on curbing diplomatic exchanges with the reclusive country and whether to exclude it from the regional security forum.

In other words, there was an improvement in rhetoric but little progress in action on how to play its part in reining in the outcast country.

Ahead of the ARF, a platform for dialogue and cooperation on regional security, ASEAN foreign ministers issued a joint statement expressing grave concern over rising tension on the Korean peninsula triggered by North Korea's tests of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

"These developments seriously threaten peace, security and stability in the region and the world," the ministers said, strongly calling for Pyongyang to comply fully with its obligations under all relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions.

During the ARF, an ASEAN-led forum that groups the U.S., the two Koreas and 24 other countries, most ASEAN members, except for the Philippines, chair of the forum this year, refused to have bilateral talks with the North.

ASEAN's determined statement might have sent a message that if North Korea continues provocations, it will damage diplomatic ties with the 10-member bloc, which still maintains friendly relations with the rogue state.

However, many argue that now is time to act rather than talk to increase pressure on Pyongyang.

Against this backdrop, the U.S. strongly called for ASEAN and its allies to downgrade diplomatic exchanges and suspend the isolated country from the forum prior to this year's gathering.

Should North Korea be kicked out? Regardless of growing demand, it is pretty unlikely that ASEAN nations will either sever bilateral ties with the North or reach a consensus to discharge it from the security forum.

"I don't think cutting bilateral ties with North Korea is an option on the table for ASEAN member states now or in the foreseeable future even at this rate of continued provocations by North Korea," said Hoang Thi Ha, lead researcher at the ASEAN Studies Center at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

"North Korea's provocations, while being progressively dangerous and disturbing, do not pose an existential security threat to ASEAN countries."

Expelling North Korea from ARF is also unlikely as it is not likely to build actual pressure on the Kim Jong-un regime because its participation in the forum has only marginal benefits for both the region and the North.

"Expulsion would of course have a strong symbolic impact, but I do not believe doing so will shame the North into changing its behavior," Balbina Hwang, a visiting professor at Georgetown University's Center for Security Studies, said.

"If anything, it will only inflame its hostility, and it may choose to lash out at the region."

What makes it more difficult is that such a move contrasts with ASEAN's mission to promote security and stability in the region.

"Discharging North Korea from the ARF is not a viable alternative at this stage. Procedurally, there are no provisions on ARF member expulsion, but essentially, there will be no ASEAN consensus to do so," Ha said.

"Furthermore, this extreme act goes against ASEAN's DNA which pursues dialogue and engagement instead of isolation and marginalization."

So setting aside the idea of expulsion, ASEAN should focus on forging a consensus to take a strong, unified stance against North Korea by fully implementing the UNSC resolutions, particularly on sanctions against the communist regime.

At the same time, they should step up efforts to crack down on Pyongyang's illicit trade and activities aimed at evading sanctions and earning hard currency, while strengthening monitoring of North Koreans' entry into their countries.
By Park Hyong-ki





The rapidly increasing household debt has not seemed to let up, despite warnings and regulatory restrictions.



The debt increased to 1,388.3 trillion won from April to June, up 29.2 trillion won from the first quarter of this year, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK), Wednesday.



This is a record high in the time since it started collecting data in 2002.



Given the pace of the increase, the aggregate household debt is expected to surpass 1,400 trillion won soon.



Already, it increased 9.5 trillion won last month, from the previous month, according to the Financial Services Commission (FSC).



The FSC, however, said the rate of the increase has been slowing down compared to the first half of last year.



In the first half of this year, the debt increased 45.8 trillion won, well below the record rate of 141 trillion won in 2016.



Also, the government's recent housing measures will further slow down the debt increase, the FSC said.



"We expect the Aug. 2 real estate measures to have an effect," FSC Vice Chairman Kim Yong-beom said.



He added the government will unveil another measure focusing on cooling down the debt next month.



This is likely to include restrictive measures on those owning multiple homes.



Household debt, nevertheless, is closing in on the level of Korea's economic output, the nominal value of which was 1,637 trillion won as of last year.



This means each person represents 27 million won of debt, when taking into account the population of 51 million.



Although there are reports the debt is unlikely to have a negative impact on the Korean economy, analysts have been alarmed over its pace.



The Bank of International Settlements recommends a country's household debt in proportion to one's GDP to be under 85 percent. Korea's debt has climbed above 92 percent.



Plus, the central bank is expected to start raising the benchmark rate next year in line with policies of other countries such as the United States.

Households are then likely to face a big burden. If they reduce consumption to pay the higher interest, it is feared the economy will face another negative factor.



The Bank of Korea has maintained the policy rate at a record-low 1.25 percent for longer than a year.


US accused of not sharing enough data

By Park Jae-hyuk

The meat of a cow infected with mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), could have been sold here, as the U.S. health authorities did not notice the outbreak of the disease before the cow's death in Alabama last month, according to a legal expert here, Tuesday.

Song Ki-ho of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society disclosed a letter purportedly sent to the government from the U.S. Embassy in Korea. The letter was written under the name of the agricultural affairs official and included additional information on the contaminated cow.

According to the lawyer, the letter reads that the cow died on the night of July 5, before it was transported to a slaughterhouse, and that an official from the Veterinary Services in Alabama took a tissue sample afterwards.

"This means that the U.S. government officials did not know the cow was contaminated before its death," Song said. "If the cow had been sent to a slaughterhouse before it died, its meat would have been on the market. Unless the U.S. government carries out overall inspections on cows there, the country's monitoring of mad cow disease won't be trustworthy."

The page-long letter explained how the U.S. health authorities detected the infection between July 6 and 13.

However, it still did not have the results of an epidemiologic survey, including the cow's age estimation, details on the farm and information on other cows raised there.

Seoul and Washington agreed that the latter immediately launch an epidemiologic investigation and notify the results in case of additional BSE outbreaks in the United States.

Song claimed the U.S. government is breaking its promise to the Korean government.

"The Korean health authorities should stop importing U.S. beef, until the epidemiologic survey results come out," he said. "Also, the requirement for the U.S. beef import should be as strict as that of China, which prohibits the importing of untraceable U.S. beef."

Hopes for FTA renegotiation

In addition to the controversy, livestock farmers in the two countries have lobbied each of their governments which began talks Tuesday over possible revisions to their bilateral Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA).

The Hanwoo Association in Korea has urged the agriculture ministry to make it easier to take measures to safeguard against U.S. beef and delay the plan to eliminate tariffs on the product. Hanwoo refers to Korean beef. The Korean farmers also want stricter requirements for U.S. beef imports, including a ban in the case of a BSE outbreak.

They said the Korean government should take measures to increase the consumption of Korean beef.

The U.S. farmers, on the other hand, opposed the renegotiation of the KORUS FTA.

National Cattlemen's Beef Association and U.S. Meat Export Federation sent a letter last month to a U.S. agriculture minister, demanding it stop the procedures to revise the agreement.

They are known to have raked in huge profits from Korean consumers since the deal.

The share of U.S. beef in the Korean market has continued to grow, surpassing that of the Australian beef, according to the agriculture ministry here.
By Yi Whan-woo



President Moon Jae-in reaffirmed Wednesday that South Korea would take initiative in resolving North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula.



"We should have a sense of ownership when it comes to related issues and make sure that we protect the peninsula for ourselves," the President said while being briefed on policy plans from the foreign affairs and unification ministries at the Government Complex in Seoul.



But he also stressed that the nation should address North Korea issues through its rock solid alliance with the United States and with cooperation from China and Russia.



Moon urged the unification ministry to play a leading role in resolving the issues and improving inter-Korean relations, adding its role had been significantly downsized under the 10 years of the former conservative Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye governments.



"There were talks over abolishing the unification ministry and it also did not raise its voice in deciding major policies. It will no longer be the case and I expect the ministry to play a leading and active role," Moon said.



Saying the unification ministry's role is immense in improving relations between the two Koreas and realizing a vision for economic cooperation, he asked ministry officials to have a "sense of duty" despite the tough challenges looming over the peninsula.



"Inter-Korean relations remain in deadlock because of North Korea's provocations but this is when the unification ministry should rather remain calm and make preparations (for reconciliation)," he said.



The President claimed that the roadmap for inter-Korean economic cooperation, which is aimed at forming a joint economic bloc for peace and prosperity, can serve as Seoul's new growth engine, creating more jobs and laying the groundwork for regional peace.



Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon co-led the briefing and a follow-up discussion with their officials.



"The two ministries had an in-depth discussion on peaceful and fundamental solutions to the North Korean nuclear crisis amid Pyongyang's series of provocations and its bellicose rhetoric," the two ministries said in a joint statement.



Kang said her ministry will ensure cooperation with the U.S., while boosting strategic communication with China and Russia to assure their "constructive roles" regarding North Korean issues. At the same time, the ministry will expand its "horizon of diplomacy" by reducing its dependence on four stakeholders in the peninsula  the U.S., China, Japan and Russia  and bolstering ties with the countries from ASEAN, Europe, the Pacific and the Middle East.



Cho vowed to restore inter-Korean dialogue channel and facilitate cross-border exchanges.



He reaffirmed the government's efforts to hold military and Red Cross talks  Seoul initially proposed to hold the military talks to relieve tension on the border in late July and Red Cross talks in early August, but Pyongyang did not respond.



Cho said he will seek to expand exchanges at civic and local government levels, under a precondition that such efforts will not "disrupt international sanctions against North Korea."



The ministry pledged to make efforts to first settle such issues as the reunions of separated families, and the return of prisoners of war and South Koreans detained in the North, as well as offering humanitarian aid for the impoverished regime.



Other reconciliatory measures suggested were North Korea's participation in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, cooperation on religious, academic and cultural issues, and a joint response to natural disasters.



To raise public awareness on peace and unification, the ministry said it will run programs to help North Korean defectors better adapt to South Korean society, and step up support for entrepreneurs who ran factories at the now-closed joint industrial park in Gaeseong, North Korea.




Students from the International Education Exchange Association (IEEA) Global Campus pose in front of an aircraft during a one week summer camp at Southern Utah University which took place from July 20 to July 28. / Courtesy of IEEA Global Campus



SUU summer camp offers students peek into pilot training



By You Soo-sun



Students studying aviation at the IEEA Global Campus gained hands-on experience at the Southern Utah University (SUU) flight summer camp from July 20 to July 28. The 13 students  including the University's enrollees and early admitted high school students  had the opportunity to visit the school and experience its flight curriculum.

The week-long summer camp offered students a campus tour, a chance to experience fixed wing and rotor wing training, flight simulation and other flight classes. It also included a tour of SkyWest Airlines, the school's partner airline supporting aspiring professional pilots. The program aimed to give students a peek inside the formal training they will receive as they prepare to become professional pilots.

For many, it was a chance to experience flying. Lee Ju-hyun, 19, especially enjoyed the ride in a smaller, light aircraft: "The rocky bumps made me feel like I was rocking in the air," he said. Lee  like other first-year students who visited the campus _ has been admitted to SUU's aviation program but is now attending classes in Seoul at its IEEA Global Campus before going to SUU next year.

"I have wanted to be a pilot since I was a child, but this experience strengthened my aspiration," Lee said. "The opportunity to fly as a student was something I would have not been able to do in Korea."





A student braces for a flight as an instructor prepares to take off. / Courtesy of IEEA Global Campus



For most students, flying was the most memorable part of the summer camp. Students were especially impressed by the facilities at the school and the programs they offered through its partnership with SkyWest Airlines.

"It was surreal. I even flew in a new type of airplane the school brought in. It's amazing to think that I'll be trained in these aircrafts starting next year," Park Kyu-young, 18, said, referring to a Cirrus, a new type of aircraft the school procured this year to advance its flight program. He especially enjoyed the view, as while flying, he also got to see Bryce Canyon National Park, one of the main attractions in southern Utah.

"Through the camp, I was able to see the school was well equipped with facilities for flying," Park said. "This makes me feel safe while assuring me that I can become a professional pilot with the necessary hard work."

Park also believes the campus is a perfect place for him to grow and have better job opportunities upon graduation: "I can improve my English and build a solid network of people in this profession, including the professors and instructors here as well as fellow students at the school."

For Jo Young-uk, 19, his dream of becoming a pilot sprung from a book he read in high school. The book written by a Korean pilot, he said, described the profession as a competition with oneself  an idea that drew him to it.

Jo aspires to be a pilot who can be able to act wisely in emergencies. The environment at SUU will help him achieve this goal.

"The environment is perfect for training, as it has a higher altitude for flying and is less crowded than in Korea. It was a huge learning experience for me to do simulation here, because it's not easy to do back home," Jo explained.

The camp was also a chance for them to meet the school dean, professors and instructors. The dean even cooked burger patties for the students himself, he recalled. "For five days, the dean showed us around, telling us about the school and the culture of the district," Jo said.

He said that the experience better prepared him for a life as a student abroad. "It was unfamiliar to me as it was my first time studying abroad. Learning about how students study here and manage their grades makes me feel better prepared. It also motivates me to study hard when I go back to Korea."

Through the partnership with SUU, the IEEA Global Campus has provided its students with opportunities to prepare for a successful career in the airline industry.

SUU will hold an orientation for its aviation program enrollees for September at the school's Asia Center on Sept. 2 and Sept 7. Details can be found on the school website.






By Jung Min-ho







The government is reviewing the possibility of alternative ways for conscientious objectors to serve their country.



All able-bodied men here must spend around two years in the military.



In a report to the U.N., the Ministry of Justice said the issue is open to discussion and it will take a careful examination before deciding anything  a big step forward from the previous stance that "it is practically impossible."



In the report submitted Tuesday, the ministry said, "The Supreme Court held public hearings, a bill for that issue has been proposed to the National Assembly and ministries are collecting opinions through surveys. Discussions have been taking place."



Over the past six decades, nearly 20,000 "conscientious objectors" have gone to prison for refusing to serve in the armed forces since it became compulsory for all able-bodied men in South Korea, a country still technically at war with North Korea.



Most of the objectors are Jehovah's Witnesses, and they usually end up behind bars for 18 months.



Organizations such as Amnesty International advised the government to find other ways for them to fulfill their duty, but little has changed so far.



In the report, the ministry also noted it will consider whether to abolish the law which bans sexual activity between male soldiers.



However, the ministry defended the law's fundamental purpose, saying "in a certain circumstances, the law is necessary to maintain order."



In May, an Army captain was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for one year for homosexual activity, which drew protests from members of left-wing civic groups.



In a message that stresses the Moon Jae-in government's will to protect workers' rights, the ministry revealed plans to turn all irregular workers in the public sector into regular ones.



It also admitted that the government is responsible for the death of Baek Nam-ki, a farmer who died last year following 10 months in a coma after being sprayed by a police water cannon during a protest. The ministry promised to take proper measures to prevent any similar incidents.



But over issues such as abolition of the death penalty and the National Security Law, the ministry did not change its position.



The United Nations' human rights body will review the report in November at a meeting in Geneva.




















By Chyung Eun-ju, Park Si-soo

Police have arrested a man in his 30s for killing a woman in her 70s after failing to rape her.

According to police, the man broke into the woman's house in Shinan-gun, South Jeolla Province, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

He tried to rape her, but when she resisted and screamed, the man pushed a towel across her mouth, which led to her death, police said. A neighbor found the woman's body at 1 p.m. on Friday.

Police arrested the man on Saturday after receiving information from the victim's neighbors. The man reportedly admitted what he had done.
By Kim Bo-eun

The Seoul Central District Court disallowed Wednesday the live broadcast of the high-profile ruling of Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong.

Attention had grown over whether the hearing would get live coverage, since it is the first major hearing since the Supreme Court allowed live broadcasts of lower court hearings of public interest, starting this month.

The district court will deliver rulings on Lee and four other Samsung executives on Friday on charges related to the bribery scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye and her longtime confidant Choi Soon-sil.

"All five of the defendants including Lee submitted opinions against live coverage of the hearing," the court said.

"We determined that public interest did not outweigh the irrevocable damage that the defendants may face due to live coverage of their hearings."

Earlier, the court did not allow press coverage of Lee's first hearing. However, the court had allowed limited press coverage of former President Park's first hearing.












Former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, right, smiles after receiving flowers from her supporters after being released from prison in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday, after finishing up her two-year sentence for taking illegal political fund. / Yonhap



Ex-PM's return may trigger Moon's reform drive

By Choi Ha-young

Han Myeong-sook, former prime minister during the liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration, was released from Wednesday after finishing her two-year term for taking illegal political fund.

The return of the key figure of the Roh administration may play a pivotal role in the liberal bloc especially with the presidency of Moon Jae-in who served as Roh's chief of staff.

Upon release early Wednesday morning, she was surrounded and welcomed by ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) members including 15 incumbent lawmakers and around 100 supporters. Han  the nation's first female prime minister, legendary women's rights activist and iconic leader of pro-Roh faction  was put behind bars in 2015 after the Supreme Court upheld a high court ruling for receiving about 900 million won ($793,000) in illegal political funds from a businessman.

"After last two years, which was never short, I finally met the new world after enduring the severe agony," the 73-year-old said in front of a prison in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. "I could endure hardship thanks to your trust and affection."

The final ruling against Han was made under the conservative Park Geun-hye administration. Then opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, predecessor of the DPK, and then party Chairman Moon Jae-in defined it as a "political revenge" given Han's symbolic role in rallying around liberal citizens.

She has claimed her innocence, with the businessman saying he made false testimony under the pressure by the prosecutors  a claim which the high and the top courts did not accept.

Han hosted Roh's funeral in 2009 and served as a chief of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation from 2009 to 2010. She also stood against Roh's conservative successor Lee Myung-bak, under whom Han was indicted for the allegation.

Speculation was that some judges and prosecutors made biased decisions against Han and in favor of the conservative Lee and Park administrations. Along with the political heavyweight's release, the ruling party is gearing up its reform drive to sweep away "evil practices" in the judiciary.

"The prosecutors' reckless indictment against her proves the necessity to reform the prosecution," DPK spokeswoman Kim Hyun said in a statement. "Prosecutors who staged the political oppression, abused authority and blindly curried favor with the previous administration are old evils that should be surely eradicated."

Analysts view that she may reemerge as an opinion leader in the pro-Roh faction which revived along with Moon's presidency. "Even if Han is unlikely to do a practical role in the politics, the symbolic figure's case will trigger the reform in judicial circle," Yongin University Professor Choi Chang-ryul said.

The Moon administration has tapped progressive judges to lead the judiciary  Kim Meong-su as the Supreme Court chief justice; Kim Yi-su as the Constitutional Court president; and Lee You-jung for a Constitutional Court justice, all of whom are known for their rulings in favor of social minorities and firm stance to ensure each judge's independence from the political power.

The conservative Liberty Korea Party, however, blasted Han for "acting like a scapegoat."

"Han was sentenced to jail according to due legal process. The DPK is applying a double standard, advocating Han and calling for a heavy penalty for former President Park at the same time," the main opposition party said in a statement.

The minor opposition People's Party echoed the point. "The DPK leadership's remarks are irresponsible, infringing on the judiciary's independence," floor leader Kim Dong-cheol said. "Respecting the judiciary is the basic principle in keeping public order."
By Jun Ji-hye



President Moon Jae-in ordered Wednesday a special probe into the 1980 military junta's violent crackdown on pro-democracy campaigners in Gwangju.



Presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun said the investigation will target two allegations that the military led by Chun Doo-hwan, then an Army general, ordered machine-gun fire on citizens from helicopters and that the military even considered ordering fighter jets to bomb the city.



"Moon ordered Defense Minister Song Young-moo to launch a special investigation regarding recent media reports that Air Force pilots were given the standby order for a sortie against Gwangju," Park said during a briefing.



"Moon also ordered a probe into reports that helicopters opened fire on citizens in the Jeon-il Building there."



The building was used as a base for demonstrators to fight the military.



Hours after Moon's order, the Ministry of National Defense said it will form a special investigative team to look into what occurred.



"We will work to begin the special investigation at the earliest possible date and make every effort to uncover the facts behind the allegations," it said, adding that it will comply with demands from civic groups to participate.



Chun seized power through a military coup on Dec. 12, 1979, after the assassination of former President Park Chung-hee, the father of ousted President Park Geun-hye.



Gwangju citizens rose up against Chun's rule on May 18, 1980, but were put down only a few days later by the military. He later became president in September that year.



In recent reports, cable TV network JTBC quoted former Air Force pilots, who were serving at an air base in Suwon, as saying that they were ordered to stand by with their fighter jets loaded with MK-82 bombs three to four days after the outbreak of the uprising.



The pilots said they were told that their destination was Gwangju and that a riot instigated by North Koreans was taking place there.



For their part, civic groups have been consistently claiming there were shots fired from military helicopters at the Jeon-il Building.



Such a claim was backed by recent findings of the National Forensic Service. The agency said in January it found about 150 bullet impacts believed to have been fired from a helicopter.



During the presidential campaign in March, Moon visited the building.



In a May 18 ceremony to commemorate the democratic uprising in the southwestern city, President Moon vowed a thorough fact-finding probe in front of bereaved family members of the victims. "The government will firmly reveal who directed the shooting including that from helicopters," he said.



If the allegations are confirmed to be true through the special probe ordered by Moon, it will add to the confirmed crimes of the former dictator.



The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Chun to death in 1996 for the bloody crackdown that resulted in hundreds of deaths, but the Supreme Court reduced the sentence to life imprisonment in 1997.



Then-President Kim Young-sam pardoned him in December the same year under his "grand national harmony" campaign.



Chun and his aides still deny their responsibility for the bloody suppression of the democratic movement.



The May 18 Memorial Foundation, a Gwangju-based fact-finding civic group, welcomed Moon's order, at the same time calling on the National Assembly to join efforts to unearth the truth.



The foundation said the Assembly should enact a special law to establish a special committee to more properly investigate the case, saying the military has destroyed and concealed records related to the uprising.




Kang Dong-seok, a former Lotte World employee, was verbally abused in 2012 by the company president who thought Kang's white hair didn't fit the conglomerate's image. / Courtesy of YTN



By Chyung Eun-ju

The president of Lotte Hi-Mart is under fire for verbally abusing an employee over the color of the worker's hair when he was Lotte World president in 2012.

According to reports on Wednesday, Lee Dong-woo had criticized the employee, Kang Dong-seok, for not dyeing his white hair.

"Is having white hair something to brag about?" Lee said in an audio file Kang recorded and sent to YTN. "If you are going to work for a conglomerate, act like someone who does. What do you think you are doing?"

Lee continued the assault, threatening to sack Kang. "You have three kids, right? There are three things you can do. Change your ringing tone, write an explanation statement, or quit."

Lee's alleged abuse of power is commonly referred to in Korea as "gapjil" -- derived from the contract term "gap" (party A, who leads) and "eul" (party B, who is led).

"Lee criticized my white hair after I did not change my ringing tone to the company's commercial ringtone," Kang told YTN on Wednesday. After Lee's threat, he dyed his hair black and sent a before-and-after picture to Lee. But seven months later, Lotte World, a theme park in Jamsil-gu, Seoul, suspended Kang, stating he had just spray-painted his hair, not properly dyed it.





After the abuse, Kang changed his hair to black and sent pictures to his boss. / Courtesy of YTN



Following the suspension, Kang submitted a letter of resignation to Lotte World and filed a petition to the National Human Rights Commission and a court.

Lee was later promoted from president of Lotte World to head of Lotte Hi-Mart, an electronics retailer. In 2016, GWP Korea, a global research, consulting and training firm assessment company headquartered in the U.S., awarded Lee as the most respected CEO of the year.

Dozens of Kang's former coworkers testified that Lee had used profanity during business meetings. One of them said: "He would talk down to elders. He is the father of gapjil.' He is weak to those stronger than him and strong to those weaker than him."

After a five-year legal battle, Kang still cannot return to the company he once worked for.

The reports quoted a Lotte World official apologizing to Kang if there was any emotional distress.
President Donald Trump faced such strong criticism for his unforgettably and unforgivably poor response to the horrific violence in Charlottesville, Va., that not even the firing of his chief strategist Steve Bannon on Friday will be enough for millions of Americans to turn the page.



"We're going to win so much you may even get tired of winning," Trump said 15 months ago.



Just plain tired, maybe.



Still, many millions of Americans are steadfast in their support for the president, either because of his title or because of his promises. Now, one of his biggest promises  that Americans "would win with the economy"  is being tested. Since Trump took office, the S&P 500 index is up 7 percent, but that's less than a third of the 25 percent gain the index achieved during Obama's first seven months. The bigger economic test began last week.



For months, Trump has ripped the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement as "the worst trade deal ever made by any country." Yet he hasn't ripped it up. In April, after talking with both Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by phone, Trump announced that he would "renegotiate NAFTA rather than terminate" it. Those talks began Wednesday in Washington, D.C., and are expected to last months off and on with the goal being a renegotiated pact before national election campaigns begin in earnest in Mexico and in the U.S. next year.



Clearly, the NAFTA negotiations present a president in need of a big policy victory with a bigger opportunity than before. The stakes were already high, following Washington's health care debacle and weeks of White House aide departures. This is a test of the president's negotiation skills that he almost can't afford to fail. White House priorities include reducing its trade deficit with Mexico, expanding manufacturing and improving working standards.



Trade among the U.S., Mexico and Canada has quadrupled since NAFTA took effect in 1994, surpassing $1 trillion in 2015, according to Reuters. Yet there are winners and losers, and Trump keeps blasting the agreement for fueling American job losses and a trade deficit with Mexico.



Last year, per federal data, the U.S. had a $55.6 billion goods and services trade deficit with Mexico and a $12.5 billion surplus with Canada. At $502.3 billion, the overall trade deficit last year marked the 42nd consecutive year that the U.S. has had a deficit. Gerald Ford was president for our last surplus.



Improving NAFTA is entirely possible. The creation of presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, the deal was adopted well before Americans fell in love with smartphones, electronic commerce or electric cars. The world just isn't the same. Frankly, multilateral free trade deals have improved it.



Lost in this discussion so far is that the NAFTA renegotiation is subject to a vote by Congress, where another major Trump campaign promise  to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act  flailed like a dying fish for weeks before running out of oxygen in the dead of night. At some point, Trump will need to show that he can work with Congress, not just criticize its biggest names on Twitter.



Unlike with the health care debate, these negotiations are his alone. His team has to convince two nations and then Congress, and that may be a tall order. Is the president up to the challenge or will another one of his big campaign promises collapse?



Is Trump a deal maker or a deal breaker?







This editorial appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.




By Carl Bildt





STOCKHOLM  A vast majority of countries want to eliminate the existential threat of nuclear catastrophe, and rightly so. But achieving a world free of nuclear weapons is easier said than done, and there is a risk that some attempts to do so could prove self-defeating.

Since the end of the Cold War, nuclear stockpiles around the world have been significantly reduced. Russia and the United States have each shrunk their nuclear arsenals by 80%, and during Barack Obama's presidency, the US urged Russia to pursue further reductions. In Western Europe, the United Kingdom and France have both made their already small arsenals even smaller.

These countries had various reasons for reducing their stockpiles. But, as signatories to the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)  the foundation of global efforts to reduce the threat posed by nuclear weapons  they also had an obligation to do so.

In recent years, progress toward nuclear disarmament has stalled. Russia is currently modernizing its strategic nuclear forces, and has started to mention its nuclear capacity more often in public statements. That explains why efforts to reduce nuclear arsenals in Western Europe have come to a halt. The US, for its part, is also reviewing its options for modernizing its nuclear arsenal.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has continued to produce the fissile materials used in nuclear weapons. Efforts to make the Middle East a nuclear-free zone have gone nowhere, largely because of Israel. The international community could not agree on a way forward at NPT review conferences in 2005 and 2015. And, of course, North Korea's nuclear ambitions have created another nuclear crisis in East Asia.

Against this backdrop, a large bloc of countries has proposed a far-reaching Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, a draft of which was endorsed by 122 United Nations member states in early July. Unfortunately, what started as a worthwhile humanitarian effort has culminated in a severely flawed proposal.

Three issues stand out. First, since no nuclear states support a nuclear-ban treaty, the current proposal, by itself, would not rid the world of a single nuclear warhead. Worse, the new treaty could undermine the NPT, which, despite its own flaws, has far wider backing, including that of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US). Finally, by treating the concept of extended nuclear deterrence as illegal, or at least immoral, the draft treaty could actually threaten security in Europe and East Asia.

The initial draft treaty, when it was unveiled earlier this year, did not include language explicitly banning the use of nuclear weapons as a deterrent. But the version that countries voted on in July did. This is a critical change. The threat of a nuclear counterstrike is what keeps countries from using nuclear weapons in the first place. And so-called extended deterrence through alliances is what protects non-nuclear states from being blackmailed by nuclear states. Without extended deterrence, non-nuclear countries could see fit to acquire nuclear weapons of their own.

It is for this reason that the Netherlands, the only NATO country to participate in developing the nuclear-ban treaty, ultimately voted against it. Japan, the only country that has ever been attacked with nuclear weapons, has also withheld support for the treaty, because it relies on extended nuclear deterrence from the US.

Without such protection, Japan would be completely vulnerable to Chinese nuclear blackmail and North Korean missile attacks. Indeed, since diplomacy and deep sanctions have not put an end to North Korea's nuclear program, nuclear deterrence stands as the only practical way to protect East Asian countries from nuclear blackmail or attack. Likewise, the vast majority of European countries  from Finland to Portugal  have no wish to reside in the shadow of Russian nuclear warheads with nothing to protect them.

By effectively banning deterrence, the draft treaty could make the world even less safe than it already is. Of course, proponents of the treaty argue that it would build up public support for a nuclear-weapons ban over time, eventually forcing the governments of nuclear states to give up their arsenals.

But this is pure naivete. No one with any connection to reality could seriously believe that the governments of China, Israel, Pakistan, and Russia will simply abandon their nuclear weapons because public opinion has turned against them.

Unfortunately, nuclear weapons are broadly popular in these countries, because they are seen as a security guarantor and a realization of national ambitions on the world stage. Those of us who want a nuclear-free world do not have to agree with this outlook; but we had better not ignore it.

A more realistic approach would be to pursue further nuclear-weapons reductions in both the US and Russia, where serious risks still need to be addressed. To that end, it is vital that neither country modernizes its nuclear arsenal in a way that is seen as expanding its nuclear capabilities. Instead, they must pave the way for further reductions.

In the Middle East, ending current conflicts and developing conflict-resolution mechanisms could help drive progress toward nuclear-free status over time. In this regard, the nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany) is an important first step.

As for South Asia, one hopes that a detente between India and Pakistan will facilitate better nuclear-arms control, even if the shadow of China  which sees its bomb as part of its place in the world  will still hang over India.

In the end, full-scale nuclear disarmament probably cannot be achieved with a single Big Bang. The world would be better served by an incremental approach based on the NPT, strategic arms reductions by the major powers, and conflict resolution in key regions.

In the best-case scenario, the proposed nuclear-ban treaty will be just a sideshow. But there is reason to fear that it will complicate ongoing efforts to reduce nuclear arsenals further, deepen the divide between nuclear- and non-nuclear states, and, in the worst-case scenario, even increase the risk of a nuclear conflict in key regions.





Carl Bildt is a former prime minister and foreign minister of Sweden. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate.
In Korea where corporate ethics remain weak, with businesses bent mostly on maximizing profits, the National Tax Service (NTS) should look long and hard at companies' tax returns.



Nevertheless, the public watch not only corporations but also the NTS's corporate audits with suspicion.



That's because tax audits here are often more political than economic events.



There are two major purposes of "political" tax audits  one is for a political vendetta, and the other is for increasing government revenue to the maximum.



In 2009, probably under the orders of the then-President Lee Myung-bak, tax officials searched every hole and corner of Taekwang Corp. and its CEO Park Yon-cha, who was one of the largest political donors to Lee's predecessor and political opponent, the late President Roh Moo-hyun. The probes exposed Park's bribery of some of Roh's family members, leading to the former president's suicide.



Last year, the government's tax revenue totaled 242 trillion won ($212 billion), a hefty increase of 11.3 percent from 2015. Given the nation's economy grew only 2.7 percent and the taxation regime showed no significant changes, the steep rise in tax receipts was due to extensive corporate audits under the Park Geun-hye administration.



It is against this backdrop that Han Seung-hee, the first NTS chief in the Moon Jae-in administration, said last week he would refrain from making politicized tax audits while looking into whether or not those conducted by the previous administrations were justifiable in that regard.



Few can deny the need for establishing tax justice, especially by imposing due taxes on conglomerates' less-than-transparent accumulation of wealth or irregular transfers of management control. There is a caveat, though: there should be no more tax audits as political retaliation as well as abusing or misusing the tax authority to squeeze taxpayers.



That also explains why President Moon's tax reforms should aim at establishing fairer, more objective and more transparent principles in taxation and audits.




President Moon Jae-in made clear his resolve to bring a strong liberal tendency to the judicial branch by making the "surprise" nomination of a 57-year-old liberal judge as the chief justice of the Supreme Court.



Nominee Kim Meong-su, head of the Chuncheon District Court in Gangwon Province, doesn't even have a stint as a top court justice, illustrating Moon's strong will to restructure the judiciary.



Judicial reform has become zeitgeist as the people are unhappy about the "privileges" granted to judges-turned-attorneys, making justice a rare commodity.



The public distrust of the court is reaching new heights as many ordinary citizens often complain about the unfairness, saying: "Two different laws apply to the rich and poor."



The credibility of the nation's court is at the bottom, placed 39th among the 42 OECD member countries.



The nominee, if approved in a parliamentary hearing slated for early next month, would be in charge of efforts to reform the judiciary, from gathering opinions and drafting changes to earning public support.



However, the nominee's lopsided tendency may risk deepening internal discord and public opposition as well. After all, he is regarded as the undisputed "godfather" of liberal judges.



For a smooth process, he should pay attention to the opposition parties' concerns and maintain uncompromising political neutrality.



He also should find ways of not overly alienating the judges who are senior to him in the hierarchy-oriented branch of government. He is comparatively young, 12 years junior to the outgoing Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae, 69, and also junior to nine of the 12 justices in terms of when they passed the bar exam.



All told, Kim, if he becomes chief justice, should be able to use his sense of balance to meet high public expectations. The National Assembly should do its best to see whether he has this quality during the hearing.




By John Burton

On July 25, The Washington Post reported that the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency had concluded that "North Korea will be able to field a reliable, nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile as early as next year," two years ahead of previous estimates.

The report attracted only modest attention among the U.S. media, which was focused that day on an upcoming vote in the U.S. Senate on healthcare reforms, U.S. President Donald Trump's twitter attacks on U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the denial by the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, that he had colluded with the Russians to affect the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. Presumably, Trump had already been briefed on the DIA assessment, but made no public comments on it or issued any threats against Pyongyang based on it.

On August 8, The Washington Post published another report stating that DIA had concluded for the first time that North Korea was now able to place a miniaturized nuclear warhead on top of its new ICBMs. Although the report was less consequential than the earlier Post story, the U.S. cable news channels, bereft of much news during the August holiday period in Washington, D.C., immediately jumped on the story which sent them into a frenzy. Viewers were told within hours about how Hawaii and Points East could soon be subjected to atomic Armageddon.

The wall-to-wall coverage prompted Trump, whose actions often seem guided by what appears on cable news, to threaten North Korea with "fire and fury and, frankly, power, the likes of which this world has never seen before." Suddenly, the world appeared to be on the brink of nuclear war.

It was only the tragic events surrounding the march of white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, on August 12, and Trump's reaction to them, that caused the North Korea nuclear threat to almost immediately disappear from U.S. headlines. Little notice was given, for example, to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's decision to suspend a plan to fire missiles near Guam.

The episode illustrates how media hype and an impulsive TV-driven president confronting a young macho leader in Pyongyang can create a dangerous mixture that limits the possibilities of finding a diplomatic solution to dealing with North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile program. In the age of Trump, who appears to get most of his information from TV rather than from briefing papers, the role of the media has taken on increased importance and consequently so has its duty to report the facts as carefully as possible.

How the U.S. media acted two weeks ago bordered on the irresponsible because it failed to place what it was reporting in a context that would make matters less dire than they first appeared. Instead, the media was making a bad situation worse.

Start with the DIA assessments that set off the hysteria. They reflected the most alarmist view within the American intelligence community about North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities. Analysts associated with the U.S. Defense Department have been saying for the last few months that the range of North Korean missiles can reach New York, that it has succeeded in nuclear warhead miniaturization and that its nuclear weapons arsenal may be much larger than 10 to 20 bombs that most analysts believe it holds.

But it is unclear whether the rest the U.S. intelligence community shares that assessment, while opinion appears split on whether North Korea can deliver a nuclear strike against the U.S.

Underlying the U.S. media coverage was the assumption that Pyongyang is "mad, bad and dangerous" and would likely attack the U.S. once it gets its hands on a workable ICBM. But the idea that North Korea is planning to preemptively launch an attack makes little sense since it would be a suicidal act.

Pyongyang's bellicose rhetoric, much of which is aimed at a domestic audience, is normally taken at face value by the media. Little attention is paid to North Korean statements that it is willing to negotiate about its nuclear and missile program if the "hostile policy and nuclear threat of the U.S. against the DPRK are fundamentally eliminated."

But U.S. media coverage lacks nuance in terms of analysis. Most of the "talking heads" on North Korea that appear on cable news programs are usually from the national security establishment, which likes to engage in worst-case scenario thinking and presents North Korea as an existential threat. There is little discussion that North Korea's acquisition of a nuclear arsenal is a rational move in terms of realpolitik.

Unfortunately, we will likely see another bout of the media hyperventilating soon, perhaps as early as this week with another round of U.S.-South Korean military exercises triggering a response by North Korea in terms of a missile or even a nuclear test. The demands of a 24-hour news cycle make this so since media outlets need to attract as many viewers and readers as possible in a highly competitive environment and nothing sells like sensationalism.



John Burton, a former Korea correspondent for the Financial Times, is now a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and consultant. He can be reached at johnburtonft@yahoo.com.
LG Electronics Senior Vice President Jang Won-wook, left, and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder discuss details over the company's plan to build a factory in the U.S. state to manufacture components for electric vehicles, at the governor's office, Tuesday. / Courtesy of LG Electronics



By Lee Min-hyung

LG Electronics will invest $25 million (28.5 billion won) to build a plant to manufacture components for electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. state of Michigan, the company said Wednesday.

The factory, which will be located in Detroit, will cover 215,000 square meters. It will serve as a new manufacturing hub to supply battery packs, motors and other EV parts to major carmakers there. Construction will be completed in the first quarter of next year.

"The factory will strengthen our partnerships with carmakers there, raising the global profile of LG's vehicle components unit," a company official said.

The U.S. is one of the world's top-three EV markets along with China and Europe, with the sales volume of the U.S. EV industry expected to post an annual growth rate of 65.5 percent by 2020.

This is the second time LG has established a manufacturing facility in the world's largest economy since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January. With Trump stepping up pressure on non-American firms to build factories there, LG signed a contract to build its washing machine factory in Tennessee in February.

About a month after his inauguration, the company also began building its new North American headquarters in New Jersey by investing $300 million. LG estimates the three-year project will create more than 2,000 jobs in the construction industry there.

LG and the Michigan government said the EV parts plant will provide at least 300 jobs.

LG Electronics created its vehicle components division in July 2013, having since achieved rapid sales growth amid growing demand for automotive parts with the rise of EVs and state-of-the-art vehicles equipped with internet features.

In the first half of this year, the newly established unit reported 1.75 trillion won in sales, up 42.7 percent from the previous year.

The company is supplying 11 core components for General Motors' Bolt EV, winning an innovation award from the U.S. carmaker this March in recognition for its contribution.

Lee Woo-jong, president and CEO at LG Electronics' vehicle components said the Michigan factory will provide momentum for the company to become the best tech partner for U.S. carmakers which are bracing for the EV era.

The new division is considered LG's next cash cow. Headed by LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo, the company continues to bolster human resources and increase research investment.

To lead the promising auto-parts industry, he has urged LG Electronics to partner with other LG affiliates such as LG Chem and LG Display to provide total infotainment systems for global carmakers.
Diageo's W Ice by Windsor (W Ice)

By Lee Hyo-sik

Diageo Korea has slashed the price of its flagship product W Ice by Windsor (W Ice) to help bolster sagging whisky sales as more Koreans switch to beer or other low-alcohol drinks.

The Korean unit of the British whisky brand said Wednesday it lowered the wholesale price of a 450-milliliter bottle of W Ice by 7.9 percent to 20,540 won ($18) from 22,300 won.

"We decided to make W Ice more affordable for Korean consumers, in line with growing demand for mild liquor," a company official said. "In 2016, the sales of W Ice jumped 48.6 percent from the previous year. We expect the latest price cut will further boost sales."

The unprecedented move by industry leader Diageo, which accounted for 37.2 percent of the Korean whisky market last year, will likely prompt Pernod Ricard, Golden Blue and other whisky brands to follow.

Since 2015, Diageo has been promoting W Ice and other low-alcohol whisky products as alternatives to its traditional whisky brands.

W Ice has an alcohol content of 35 percent, compared with 40 percent for conventional Scotch whisky. According to Diageo, the beverage retains the unique flavor and taste of standard Scotch whisky. W Ice is blended from Scotch whisky (99.85 percent) and other ingredients, including pine, dates and dried fig essence.

According to the Korea Alcohol Liquor Industry Association, 767,243 boxes of whisky were sold in the first six months of 2017, down 4.2 percent from a year ago. One box contains 20 450 ml bottles.

From July 2015 to June 2016, Diageo Korea had 342 billion won in sales, down 8.2 percent from a year earlier. Its operating profit dropped 17.2 percent to 80 billion won.

Pernod Ricard Korea's sales and operating profit plunged 12 percent and 83 percent, respectively, to 105.5 billion won and 4.4 billion won. In 2016, Golden Blue posted sales of 148.8 billion won, up 30 percent, and a 24.2 billion won operating profit, up 15 percent.


Kwang Dong, Coca Cola, Lotte compete for sales rights of Korea's top-selling bottled water brand

By Lee Hyo-sik





The competition to acquire sales rights for SamDaSoo is heating up as Kwang Dong, Coca Cola, Lotte and others long to market the country's most popular bottled water brand.

Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical, which has been selling the brand since 2012 on behalf of Jeju Province Development (JPD), is desperate to extend its sales contract for four more years as SamDaSoo accounts for nearly 30 percent of its revenue.

But it will face stiffer competition from Lotte Chilsung and other companies that seek to change the status quo to do business with JPD, which owns the SamDaSoo brand.

JPD plans to receive bids from those looking to sell SamDaSoo on Aug. 30 and 31. After reviewing bidders, it will announce a preferred bidder Sept. 6.

It directly markets the bottled water on Jeju Province and selects a company for distributing the brand in Seoul, Busan and other inland areas.

JPD directly deals with Emart and other discount store chains, while Kwang Dong supplies the bottled water to convenience stores and small retailers nationwide.

JPD officials said it will thoroughly review each bidder in a fair manner, adding the one presenting the most optimal marketing and sales strategies will be selected.

"We have formed a judging committee that will review all bidders," a JPD marketing manager said. "In accordance with a set of criteria, the committee will evaluate the firms in a fair and transparent manner."

When assessing the bidders, judges will take into account of their annual sales, logistics networks and credit ratings, as well as sales and marketing strategies for SamDaSoo, he said.

Kwang Dong, famous for its Vita 500 vitamin drinks, signed a four-year sales contract with JPD in 2012, stealing SamDaSoo from Nongshim. Its contract expired last December but extended the deal by one year until this December.

If the pharmaceutical firm loses the SamDaSoo sales rights, this will deal a severe blow to the company.

It earned 183.8 billion won from selling the bottled water in 2016 when its revenue totaled 636.3 billion won. In 2015, SamDaSoo sales were 167.6 billion won, up from 147.9 billion won in 2014.

"We will take part in the upcoming bid to retain our sales rights for SamDaSoo," said a Kwang Dong official, who declined to elaborate more on the matter.

Can Kwang Dong retain SamDaSoo?

According to AC Nielson, Korea's bottled water market was worth 740.3 billion won last year, up from 640.8 billion won in 2015 and 553.6 billion won in 2013. The market is projected to expand at a double-digit rate this year.

About 70 companies are selling bottled water under 200 different brands. However, SamDaSoo accounted for 41.5 percent of the market in 2016, followed by Lotte Chilsung's Icis at 9.7 percent and Nongshim's Baeksansu at 8 percent.

Coca Cola, Lotte Chilsung, Namyang Dairies and other food companies, which participated in the 2012 bidding, are widely expected to throw their hats again to steal SamDaSoo from Kwang Dong.

But Nongshim, which lost the sales right in 2012, said it will not take part in the upcoming bid, stressing it will instead mobilize all available resources to nurture its Baeksansu as the nation's top brand.

"We tried to retain SamDaSoo back in 2012. But things have changed over the past few years." a Nongshim official said. "Rather than going after SamDaSoo, we decided to make more efforts to foster Baeksansu as the nation's top-selling brand. It is much better to nurture our own brand rather than rely on the one that we don't own."

After losing SamDaSoo, Nongshim launched its own bottled water brand in 2012 and two years later, it opened a 200 billion won plant in northeastern China, near Mt. Baekdu.

But other firms are eager to do business with JPD.

"We are considering taking part in the bid to win the sales right for SamDaSoo," a Lotte Chilsung official said. "But we haven't made a final decision yet. We are closely watching what others do."

A Namyang Dairies official also said it is interested in selling the bottled water via its sales network.

"We haven't made a final decision yet, but if we deal with SamDaSoo, this will significantly boost our sales and improve our brand image among consumers," the official said.

"We believe we are best qualified for SamDaSoo, among possible candidates. Namyang operates an extensive, efficiently-operating network with convenience stores and other small retailers."
An intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired from North Korea last month.



By Robert Delaney, Zhenhua Lu, US correspondents





The US announced a set of secondary sanctions against 16 Chinese and Russian entities as part of its efforts to cut off trade with North Korea and starve the country's military of the cash it needs to develop nuclear weapons.

The move opened a new rift with China, which blasted the US for its "long-arm jurisdiction" and demanded that Washington "immediately correct its mistake". The US government's action also expanded the scope of sanctions to include oil, a product that had been left out of previous bans on humanitarian grounds.

Chinese companies facing sanctions include Dandong Rich Earth Trading Company, which the US accused of buying vanadium ore from Korea Kumsan Trading Corporation, a company already sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council, according to a US Treasury Department announcement. Mingzheng International Trading Limited was also named in the action as a "front company" for North Korea's Foreign Trade Bank.

"It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilise the region," US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in an announcement.

"We are taking actions consistent with UN sanctions to show that there are consequences for defying sanctions and providing support to North Korea, and to deter this activity in the future."

Secondary sanctions by the US  those placed on entities accused of violating existing UN sanctions  follow a UN Security Council resolution passed unanimously on August 5 to expand sanctions already aimed at cutting North Korea's ability to fund its nuclear weapons programme.

The latest UN resolution against Pyongyang prohibits UN member states from buying coal, iron ore, and other key commodities from North Korea, a move that's meant to cut the country's export revenue by US$1 billion annually, according to the Security Council members.

"While China is committed to implementing the [UN Security Council] sanctions, North Korea seems to have become adept at evading such sanctions through circuitous transactions, which the Treasury seems to be more closely scrutinising," Thomas Byrne, president of the New York-based Korea Society, said in an exchange with the South China Morning Post.

"If the rapid development of North Korea's nuclear and missile programme is a grave threat to regional and global security and peace, then the past tendency to condemn and procrastinate seems the riskier path to take over the long run," Byrne said.

China responded shortly after the Treasury department announcement, criticising Washington for operating outside of the UN Security Council framework.

"We strongly urge the US to immediately correct its mistake, so as not to impact bilateral cooperation on relevant issues," China's embassy in the US said in a statement sent to the Post.

"China faithfully implements UN Security Council resolutions on the DPRK in their entirety, and fully observes its international obligations." If any Chinese companies or individuals are suspected of violating Security Council resolutions, the embassy said, "they will be investigated and treated in accordance with China's domestic laws and regulations".

The unilateral US move against Chinese and Russian entities comes as tensions in the region are already high because of a joint US-South Korea military exercise underway. The US-South Korean exercise, called Ulchi-Freedom Guardian, involves about 17,500 US servicemen, including 3,000 from outside South Korea. The exercises, which have been conducted annually since the 1970s, started this week and will run until August 31.

The resilience of the US-South Korea alliance tends to pit the two countries and Japan against China on one side, North Korea and Russia on the other.

Last week, North Korean state media criticised Ulchi-Freedom as a provocation that would "further drive the situation on the Korean Peninsula into a catastrophe", according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency. Meanwhile, China and Russia have called on the US and South Korea to halt the annual exercise in exchange for Pyongyang's halting of further weapons development.

US defence officials have rejected such calls on the grounds that the joint effort is needed for self-defence against any attacks from North Korea.

"The new sanctions announced by the [US Treasury] is consistent with a policy agreed by both President Moon Jae-in and President Donald Trump during their phone conversation on August 7, two days after the latest UNSC sanctions, to apply maximum pressure' on North Korea in response to its nuclear weapons programme," the Korea Society's Byrne said.

Tensions around North Korea began to crest in July when the country's military successfully tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles that some experts say could reach major cities in the US. The August 5 UN Security Council resolution followed these tests, which sparked a back-and-forth volley of militaristic threats between Washington and Pyongyang.

US President Donald Trump threatened to hit North Korea with "fire and fury" for its military provocations, and state media in Pyongyang responded by outlining plans to fire missiles into the waters near the US Pacific territory of Guam.

Speaking in Washington shortly after the US Treasury department's announcement, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he appreciated the "restraint" Pyongyang has shown in recent days.

"I am pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that we've not seen in the past. We need to see more on their part, but I want to acknowledge the steps they've taken thus far."

Still, it remains to be seen how North Korea will react to the US Treasury's latest move.

"North Korea generates a significant share of the money it uses to fuel its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes by mining natural resources and selling those resources abroad," the US Treasury Department said in its announcement.

"Coal trade has generated over $1 billion in revenue per year for North Korea, activity which prompted the UN Security Council to seek to sharply curtail such exports."

While the US Treasury Department's Chinese targets engage in trade banned by the latest UN Security sanctions against North Korea, also known as Resolution 2371, several Russian companies named engage in oil trade, which was not explicitly prohibited. Resolution 2371 bans trade with coal and mineral ore with North Korea.

"Chinese and US officials had warned that oil sanctions would be coming, but the US is pressing the matter," Adam Mount, a nuclear security expert at the Centre for American Progress, a Washington-based think tank, said in an exchange with the Post.

"At this point, it's clear that there is no feasible amount of economic pressure will convince Pyongyang to eliminate its nuclear arsenal or China to apply that amount of pressure," Mount said.

The new US sanctions implicate two Singapore-based companies  Transatlantic Partners and Velmur Management  and three Russian individuals associated with these companies in providing oil to North Korea.

Meanwhile, the US government also accused three Chinese companies of importing about US$500 million worth of North Korean coal: Dandong Zhicheng Metallic Materials Company, JinHou International Holding Company, and Dandong Tianfu Trade Company.

Other Russian parties caught up in the new US sanctions include Gefest-M LLC and its director, Russian national Ruben Kirakosyan. The US Treasury announcement accuses Gefest-M of supporting a UN sanctioned Korea Tangun Trading Corporation, an affiliate of Second Academy of Natural Sciences, which is "involved in North Korea's WMD and missile programmes".
BTS 'Bon Voyage' has taken ARMYs on a personal journey through the everyday lives of BTS. As we got to know the members on a more personal level, the mood became a bit more sensitive on the latest episode when V started crying because of member Jimin.

On this episode, the members wrote handwritten letters to one another and V had written his for Jimin. However, while he began to reflect o their humble beginnings and read the letter to him, V began to cry!

The letter had said, "Jimin-ah, hello~ Writing you this sincere letter is making me cringe but I am trying to go on. Please understand. Since our trainee days, we came to Seoul without a clue.We woke up, put on school uniforms and attended the same school. We ate together, went to practice and returned to the dorm.

Then we talked at night." The letter was already built up an interesting atmosphere for fans as V began to wipe away his tears.

"After 6 years like that, you are now my dearest friend. Before our debut, you once got anxious about it. At the time, I had a meeting with the company and they asked me what I thought of you being on the team. I thought it over and said that you were there for me through the ups and downs, you were the one who laughed and cried with me," said V.

He continued, "So I said that it would be good if such a good friend could debut with me. It felt good to say that and I was happy to be able to debut with you. All our good memories made me happy and I am sorry that I am always on the receiving end." This is when every watching probably began to cry, too!

V finished his letter saying, "When I am in the bathroom crying, you cry with me. You also come to see me at dawn to laugh with me. You care about me and have me in your thoughts. You work hard for me and you understand me. You listen to my concerns and like me even though I am lacking. Let's walk on a road with happiness. I love you, buddy." Such tear-jerking words!

Member Jimin laughed and responded by saying, "I think about that a lot... so stop crying, you punk!" Their brotherly love is too cute. Keep supporting each other BTS!
Colorado authorities arrested a 13-year-old and two adults after 25-pounds of meth were seized from their vehicle in Colorado.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office says Tuesday morning, a deputy stopped a Dodge Avenger on I-70. The three people were in the car.

After receiving consent to a search the vehicle, deputies found 23 packages containing a crystalline substance consistent with methamphetamine inside.

The 13-year-old driver, 22-year-old German Michel-Arreola and 19-year-old Irene Michel-Arreola, all from Los Angeles, now face multiple drug charges.

The teen driver also faces charges for failing to drive in a designated lane and driving without a valid drivers license.
The Lake Geneva school district is expanding its online options for students in the middle schools and Badger high school.

Introduced in May, the district is offering what it calls Lake Geneva Online Learning Options (LGOLO) as another choice for their students. These courses will supplement, not take over classroom instruction.

This came out of a need to expand course selections, said Russ Tronsen, Badger High School principal. This will be a potential tool for us.

He cited examples of when some students are out on extended medical leave; this will help the student not fall behind. It also benefits students looking for courses not offered in the middle school or high school.

Chiper Tennessen, principal of Star Center Elementary School and the online learning director for this new program, said this falls under their three-to five-year strategic plan that they hope addresses the whole child in education.

According to the Badger 2017-2018 Career Planning and Course Guide, the school already offers close to 300 classes, but the offerings may not be enough for some students. In the foreign languages, for example, Badger offers French and Spanish, but not other languages. Thus, if a student wished to take German, he or she could sign up on the LGOLO. There are more than 70 different courses offered according to the LGOLO online handbook (http://www.lakegenevaschools.com/online).

Right now students may only take one course per semester said both Tronsen and Tennessen. Like the courses offered in a classroom setting, students will have two weeks to decide if the class fits their needs and can drop it if it doesnt. Furthermore, grades will go onto their transcripts. The student will also work with an online teacher as well as with Ben Nugent, their Local Education Guide (LEG).

He oversees the facilitation of the program, Tennessen said. There is accountability, thats why we have the classes here. We also have a tech department, but he will be monitoring students. In addition, their progress will be monitored.

You want to have the monitoring, Tennessen said. It gives you something to celebrate  student progress. When we see students excelling, it needs to be recognized. Were in the business of educating students. We want them to be successful.

Online education is not something new for Badger, said Tronsen. They have offered online classes in their credit recovery classes. According to both Tronsen and Tennessen, enrollment for the online classes has ended for the fall, even though students coming into Badger may still register for courses being offered in the classroom.

Arlene Zilske, a mother of an incoming freshman and an eighth grader, had no idea the Lake Geneva School district was offering these courses, though one of her children took an online course over the summer. She thinks, however, the LGOLO is a great opportunity for students.

Full-time students and the home-educated students within the district are able to participate in this program according to the LGOLO handbook, but open-enrolled students may not enroll.

The program is not for students who wish to goof off. Courses need to be completed within five months, and the handbook states, students should plan to spend five to seven hours per week on each course. The handbook also lists six criteria for a student to determine his or her readiness for the program: Self motivation, independent-learner, computer literate, time management, effective written communication skills and personal commitment.

Students will not have to pay for this program, but they will be responsible for optional materials and technology.

Textbooks and other items will be provided at no cost.

Its not all free, however, especially if the studentsdrops the course after the two-week deadline. The handbook reads, Students who drop after the deadline date, fail to complete, discontinue, or fail virtual school courses will need to reimburse the Lake Geneva School District for expenses incurred for the virtual school course.

Tronsen and Tennessen had no enrollment numbers, but they are optimistic. Tronsen said colleges are already doing this with success.

Time will tell how this evolves and grows, Tennessen said. Im hoping for the best for the kids.
WILLIAMS BAY  Taking the reins as principal of the Williams Bay Elementary School is a dream job for Ali Bond.

Bond, who left a job as the director of student services at the Dunlap School District, near Peoria, Illinois, officially started at the schools new principal on July 1.

I started looking (for a new job) about a year and a half ago, Bond said in a recent interview at the elementary school.

Bond was the top pick of what started as a field of 50 candidates.

When this job came up, it seemed like a dream, she said. The Williams Bay School Board hired her in March. I feel like I died and went to heaven, Bond said with a big smile.

She said Williams Bay community has been very welcoming. She has said that shes looking forward to getting involved in the community.

While in Peoria, she was involved in that communitys Special Olympics program.

Bond said she was looking forward to the kid contact that comes with being a school principal. Being in touch with kids is something thats rare when working in district administration, she added.

And, shes enthused about working in a new school building.

Small changes

However, shes keeping her enthusiasm in check. She said she will keep the changes small this year.

I need to take the year to observe and learn, Bond said. I need to see how the kids learn and how the teachers teach.

Her biggest change was creating 35-minute blocks in the school schedule, called response intervention, during which teachers can work with students who need remedial help with math and reading.

Students who dont need remedial help will work on enrichment skills, helping them improve their basic skills.

Bond said the school does have an intervention program, but it involves pulling students out individually for help. She said she believes the process might work better if teachers can work with students in groups.

Bond steps in for Barb Isaacson, who retired as principal after 25 years. She is a graduate of Bradley University, Peoria, where she earned a bachelors degree in elementary education, a masters degree in special education and a certificate in educational administration.

After teaching in the Peoria School District for 10 years, Bond moved to the neighboring Dunlap School District, which has five elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school which serves about 4,300 students.

Bond worked her way up first to elementary school principal for seven years, and then into administration, first as director of special services and then director of student services.

Bond said she loved the work. Maybe a little too much.

Director of student services meant she was in charge of special education, curriculum and student discipline. She said she was working 80 to 90 hours a week.

Kept growing

The job just kept growing, she said.

While she loved the work, Bond said she also realized she needed to get back to regular life.

That life includes two daughters, Conni, 16, soon to be a student at Elkhorn Area High School; Eliza, a freshman at the University of Iowa and husband, Tom, who is a Peoria police officer.

Since leaving Dunlap, Bond said, shes learned that her job has since been split into three positions.

Although shes spent most of her adult life in Peoria, Bond said she grew up in Park Ridge, a Chicago suburb.

Her parents, Frank and Jean Raidl, bought a farm near Elkhorn, which theyve owned since 1976. The urban Cook County kid spent part of her time growing up on the Elkhorn-area farm.

Wed go up every weekend and during summers, Bond said.

Even after moving to Peoria, which increased the drive time from an hour and a half to almost three hours, Bond said she and her family would still venture north to visit her parents.

We love the farm, she said.

When her parents retired, they moved to their Elkhorn farm and embedded themselves into the community.

Her father is the director of the Elkhorn Area Youth Center and her mother runs the Elkhorn Food Pantry.

Move discussed

Bond said she and her family discussed moving to Elkhorn.

For two or three years, we talked heavily about, lets retire at the farm, Bond said.

There have been some adjustments to the plan, however. Her husband is about two years from retirement from the Peoria police.

However, when he learned that she was offered the principals position in Williams Bay, he told her, You have to take it, she said.

Bond said her younger daughter moved into one of the two houses on the farm. The older daughter is now on the Iowa University campus.

Husband Tom works during the week and drives up over the weekends.

In two years, the Bonds hope to take over the farm operations and make it profitable, she said.

As for being principal at Williams Bay Elementary School, Im looking forward to the next 10 years, Bond said. As long as theyll have me.
Traver School opens its doors for the first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

All of us at school are excitedly awaiting the return of our students.

Our annual Welcome Back open house will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 29 from 5 to 6 p.m. Parents and students will be able to visit classrooms, drop off school supplies, pick up registration packets, and get bus route information. We will also have ice cream in the cafeteria for everyone to enjoy.

Our custodians, Grant Winger and Jeff Ostrander, have readied our school for the return of our students and staff. Besides polished floors, cleaned carpets, washed walls and a general clean-up inside and out, the energy-saving program was completed during the summer. The school looks great!

During the summer, our school board adopted school-wide goals to keep everyone focused on learning. These goals were adopted after input was given by our students, parents and staff. These goals can be found on our website: www.traverschool.org.

The following staff changes have occurred: Sara Schultz has been selected as our new librarian and media tech specialist. This vacancy occurred when Carol Van Arsdale retired after serving our school community for five of her 25-year-plus educational career. Sandra Gregornik has been selected to begin her teaching career at Traver as our new fourth-grade teacher and Chris Cates will be our new second-grade teacher. We welcome these fine individuals to the Timberwolves Family and their new responsibilities at Traver!

Our board of education, Bill Leonard (president), Dan Kundert (vice-president), Glen York (treasurer), Richard Kronwall (clerk) and Barry Machado (director) invite members of the community to attend our school board meetings held the second Tuesday of each month starting at 6:30 p.m. in our library.

Also, the budget hearing and annual meeting of the Traver School District will be scheduled in October. The official date will be coming soon. We look forward to seeing you because: Working together, we can  and will  do great things for our young people!

Again, I invite you to visit our website and Facebook page to stay current with whats happening at school. Our website address is: www.traverschool.org and our Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/traverschool.

If you would like to comment on my column, please feel free to contact me at school. My email is allyssa.andersen@traverschool.org or please call me at 248-4067, ext. 222. Once again, were ready to go! Go Timberwolves!

Allyssa Andersen is the principal at Traver Elementary School.
History is not merely an account of the past nor the story of the built environment which has survived. It also encompasses an analysis of why the structures that comprise the built environment were constructed and the biographies of the individuals who built the structures.

As such, any history of Lake Geneva must include portraits of the lives of the persons who lived and worked in the city for the past 180 years. Previous columns have portrayed the lives of prominent citizens of Geneva/Lake Geneva during the 19th and 20th centuries. This column will focus on ordinary residents of Lake Geneva during the 1950s who, nonetheless, played important roles in the city during that decade.

On the east side of the 400 block of Cook Street, across the street from the Central-Denison School complex, is a nondescript building, a building that most residents of the city visited at one time or another during the 1950s. It housed the shop of the shoemaker, Joe Macuba, who repaired the soles and heels of the shoes worn by the people who lived in Lake Geneva.

For 32 years, 1928-1960, Joe Macuba was an essential resident of Lake Geneva as the shoemaker who repaired the shoes of the citys residents. He was born in Ostrozska, the Czech Republic (formerly the western half of Czechoslovakia) in 1894. To celebrate his 65th birthday, he and his wife returned to Czechoslovakia to visit his birth place. Unfortunately he died there on May 12, 1960. His son (or perhaps nephew) Jim Macuba was a barber in Del Schaudes barber shop on the west side of Center Street across the street from the post office in a building that was demolished and replaced by a modern structure many years ago.

On the east side of the 500 block of Broad Street, just north of todays Medusa Restaurant (which, during the post-World War II era, was Hannys restaurant) was located the candy store of Patsy DeMarco, who satisfied the sweet tooth of residents of the city for decades. Patsy DeMarcos candy store was a must visit venue, on almost a daily basis, for young people in Lake Geneva. Patsy De Marco also sold candy on a wholesale basis to many stores in Lake Geneva.

Patsy De Marco was born in Chicago on Aug. 12, 1889. As a young boy, he moved to Lake Geneva. When he grew older he opened his candy store on Broad Street, which he operated for decades until he retired during the 1960s. He died on Sept. 1, 1980 at the age of 91 at the Lakeland Nursing Home, where he had lived for the previous year. He was survived by several nieces and nephews, including LeRoy Hansen.

An analysis of the occupations of working people in Lake Geneva during the 1950s will reveal an inordinate number of building tradesmen, certainly more than those who lived in the nearby cities of Burlington, Elkhorn and Delavan. The reason for this was that Lake Genevas work shed included not only the city, but the entire area surrounding Geneva Lake. Wealthy Chicagoans who owned estates on the shores of Geneva Lake frequently employed building tradesmen to build or modify their summer homes, build stone walls surrounding their estates, or do other kinds of work.

The venue where Lake Genevas building trades unions met was the Labor Temple on the southwest corner of Warren Street and Park Row (today a private home), which had been built as the original Immanuel Lutheran Church during the late 1890s following the opening of the Columbian Addition to the city in 1893.

In previous columns, I have sketched the lives of a number of prominent building tradesman and contractors, including O.T. LaSalle, his son C.O. LaSalle, H.B. Conant, Richard Souter, Herman Malsch and Edward Reinert.

Most building tradesmen in Lake Geneva, however, were ordinary residents whose names have been lost to posterity despite the fact that most of the homes and commercial buildings that they constructed still exist today. While space does not permit listing of the names of all of the building tradesmen in Lake Geneva during the 1950s, a representative selection of them will be noted in this column as a means of rescuing them from historical oblivion. By the term building tradesmen, we, of course, are referring to carpenters, masons, brick layers, plasterers, plumbers, painters, electricians, tile setters and sheet metal workers among other occupations.

Such a representative list includes my uncle, William Malsch, his assistant, Lyle Jacobs, his brothers, Hank Malsch, Leland Malsch, and Maurice Malsch, and his cousins, Floyd and Lloyd Malsch. The list also includes the Hinzpeters, Curly and Fred Hinzpeter, Percy Byron, the painters, Anton Huml, Frank Augusky, and Herman Quade, the tile setter Bill Pond, the carpenter Halvor Peterson; the plumbers Thomas Wardingle (my grandfather), Pep Huntress, Harry Bucht, Lind Schryer, John Stotko, Sid Kahn, William Hooker, and Donald and Johnny Ingrim and the electrician Carl Stephen. There were, of course, many, many more building tradesmen. History will forgive me for not mentioning the names of all of them.

As one walks the streets of Lake Geneva, the legacy of Lake Genevas building tradesmen is encountered everywhere.

Quinn is a Lake Geneva native who is the University Archivist Emeritus at Northwestern University.
To the Editor:

The Foxconn deal is overwhelmingly opposed by the business press states Matthew Flynn (Quarles & Brady, Milwaukee) in a recent op-ed. Even with the new revisions proposed by Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, the bill would still allow the company to fill in wetlands, build on lake beds and even reroute streams. And all this without an environmental impact study. Foxconn has been recently cited for polluting waters in China. We dont want Wisconsin waters to be ruined, as well.

As for jobs, Fitzgeralds proposal still sets no deadline for creating jobs with living wage ranges. Furthermore, the company has little regard for its workers. At its plant in Shenzhen, China, where the company makes electronic products for Dell, Apple and HP, workers working 16-hour shifts in terrible conditions have committed suicide.

Due to an international outcry and changes demanded by American corporations doing business with Foxconn, shifts were shortened to 12 hours per day and hourly wages raised.

Nets were also installed to catch suicidal employees if they jumped. Furthermore, employees have to sign a promise not to try suicide.

In addition, the $3 billion dollars demanded by Foxconn is an excessive give-away that must not be approved.

Several reliable reports have calculated that it would take 25 years or more for Wisconsin to recover its investment.

As Flynn states, There should be no waivers of regulations that bind other businesses in Wisconsin.

And there must also be firmer guarantees on the jobs and wages. And the $3 billion incentive package should be greatly reduced.

Lets not let a governor hoping for re-election damage our Wisconsin budget and environment for years to come by a bad deal.

Be sure to contact your state legislators and demand that they redo or oppose the Foxconn deal.

Mariette Nowak

East Troy
PRESS RELEASE

Pacific Command Chief: Diplomatic Approach To North Korea means To Resolve Standoff With North Korea

Aug. 22, 2017 (EIRNS)In a press conference at the U.S. air base in Osan, South Korea, Adm. Harry Harris, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, said that the diplomatic approach is the "stronger and more powerful" means to resolve the standoff with North Korea, adding such efforts should be backed by credible military capability.

"The most important starting point is that diplomatic starting point. We hope and work for a diplomatic solution to the challenge presented by (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-un, because credible combat power should be in support of diplomacy and not the other way around,"

he said.

Secretary of State Tillerson today in a press conference on Afghanistan, interjected that the U.S. is taking note of the fact that North Korea has not conducted any missile or nuclear tests since the unanimous UN Security Council vote on new sanctions, and that this gives hope that there would soon be a basis for talks.

In Korea, Harris was joined at the press conference by Gen. John Hyten. Commander of U.S. Strategic Command, Lt. Gen. Sam Greaves, director of the Missile Defense Agency, and Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commander of U.S. Forces Korea.

"The unusual joint press conference of top U.S. military officers in South Korea was seen as an effort to reassure U.S. commitment to defending South Korea amid concerns in Seoul over a possible unilateral military action by tough-talking U.S. President Donald Trump," r

eported the Korea Herald. Brooks called Kim Jong-uns statement that he would be delaying the planned Guam demonstration a success for diplomacy.

"Having a pause in provocations is always a good thing. That means there would be some success for diplomatic efforts. Key decisions should be left up to Kim Jong-un. In the meantime, we are going to exercise because we need to be ready,"

Brooks told reporters.
PRESS RELEASE

A Meeting of the Minds of Russian and Egyptian Foreign Ministers

Aug. 22, 2017 (EIRNS)Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met today in Moscow. Lavrov followed their meeting with a press conference.

Lavrov opened by announcing that they had reviewed all relations between the two countries, and stated, "Egypt is our leading partner in the Mideast and North Africa."

Lavrov said that Russia had held several meetings in Cairo which "made it possible to agree on the Syrian deescalation zones in Eastern Ghouta and Homs," and that both were "helping form a collective delegation of the Syrian opposition to negotiate with the government on a constructive and realistic platform," in which all political and tribal groups would participate. He said that is also true for Libya, and for stopping the bloodshed in Yemen as well. Lavrov pointed out that the Arab-Israeli problem must also be resolved.

"Along with our Egyptian friends, we consider it very regrettable that another UN decision on creating a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East cannot be implemented."

He said that Russia and Egypt are actively cooperating to find a solution that would make it possible to implement that long-standing agreement.

In Libya, said Lavrov,

"We have a close, in fact, identical understanding of the need to prevent the isolation of any Libyan politicians, key figures, or tribal leaders from the process that should lead to restoring Libyan statehood."

Asked if there were progress in building the nuclear power plant in El Dabaa in Egypt, and other big projects, Lavrov said,
Online retail giant Amazon is opening a brick-and-mortar bookstore in Silicon Valley this week. As of Tuesday, the San Jose store already appeared to be doing a brisk business the Mercury News reports; it will hold its official grand opening Thursday.

Another Amazon bookstore will open in Washington state this week, in Bellevue. That will bring the number of brick-and-mortar shops operated by the online retail giant to 10.

The San Jose bookstore is Amazons second in California; the company opened a location in San Diego last summer. Two more California stores are on the way  one in Walnut Creek and one in Los Angeles Westfield Century City shopping mall.

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Amazon will open its Bellevue bookstore on Thursday, the Seattle Times reports. Earlier this year, the company quietly leased 354,000 square feet of office space in Bellevue, which is east of Seattle, across Lake Washington. Jeff Bezos started Amazon in his Bellevue garage before moving it to nearby Seattle.

When the company opened its first brick-and-mortar bookstore in Seattle in 2015, it shocked some publishing industry observers. Proprietors of independent bookstores have long been critical of the company for undercutting locally owned businesses, most of which cant afford the deep discounts that Amazon offers customers.

The companys shops differ from traditional bookstores in several ways. Shoppers who are Amazon Prime members are given their customary discounts in the store, while those who are not generally pay higher prices. Books are displayed face-out, with some accompanied by cards featuring Amazon user reviews of the book. The stores also sell Amazons consumer electronic devices, such as Kindle e-readers and Echo smart speakers.

In addition to the two upcoming California stores, Amazon is also planning to open a location in Manhattan, across the street from the Empire State Building.

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Hillary Clinton in new book says Trumps debate shadowing made her want to shout, Back up, you creep
Want to drive a 1937 Packard this weekend? A 1973 VW van? A 1931 Model A? DriveShare has your car.

The new company, modeling itself as the Airbnb of vintage cars, is now offering a peer-to-peer rental service.

Using a database of more than 1 million vehicles insured by parent company Hagerty, the countrys leader in vintage vehicle insurance, the just-launched DriveShare already has a menu of 300 tasty offerings.

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Costing from $99 a day for a Porsche Boxster in Roanoke, Va., to $3,300 a day for a Lamborghini Aventador in Los Angeles Venice neighborhood, the vehicles are meant to appeal to vintage car buffs. And the opportunity to make money by renting out ones vehicle can soften the cost of vintage-car ownership.

We think this might be the future of the vintage-car world, Hagerty Chief Executive McKeel Hagerty said. This is an entry point for the next generation, who may not be familiar with vintage cars, and its also an entry point for a prospective owner who cant quite afford the cost of a vintage vehicle.

Hagerty opened DriveShare in partnership with the regional rental company Classics&Exotics, whose founder, Peter Zawadzki, has joined the insurance giant as director of DriveShare.

Classics&Exotics, a privately funded Massachusetts startup that Zawadzki launched in 2015, began to interest Hagerty after he received multiple queries.

I kept bumping into people who would mention Classics&Exotics and ask me, Could this work? Hagerty said. I finally realized, yes, it could, if we got behind it.

Overseen by Zawadzki and Hagerty, the new company handled 50 transactions in its beta state. Zawadzki said four of those transactions resulted in vintage-car purchases  after the renter fell in love with the classic-car experience.

As an example, Zawadzki described how a New Yorker who wanted a quintessential California vacation driving experience rented a BMW 2002 from an owner in Los Angeles. The renter enjoyed the car so much, he returned to New York and bought an older BMW for himself.

DriveShare joins a small group of peer-to-peer car rental services. Best known are two San Francisco-based ventures: Turo, which oversees a network of 160,000 privately owned cars in 5,000 cities, and Getaround, which operates in eight U.S. cities and allows for rental on an hourly basis.

The median DriveShare transaction rate is $275 a day, with prices based on the age, rarity and condition of each vehicle. The transactions are insured by DriveShare, with the cost of insurance folded into the daily rental rate.

Potential renters are screened as part of signing up for the service. DriveShare accepts or rejects them based on their driving records and what Zawadzki called a full background check. Anyone with more than two major traffic tickets in the last two years, or with a DUI, need not apply.

Cars are screened for safety and drivability.

The database is searchable by geographic location, category of car (hot rod, classic car or muscle car, for example), price and special features.

The service is available nationwide, except in New York, where insurance rental regulations prevent DriveShare from operating.

Cars available in the Los Angeles area include multiple BMWs, multiple Lamborghinis, a Delorean, a Ferrari and a 1947 Ford Sportsman woody.

The most-rented car so far, Zawadzki said, is that 1937 Packard.

The two men who cooked up DriveShare are serious about vintage cars. Hagerty spent part of his time at the recently concluded Pebble Beach car activities tooling around in an 1967 Porsche he got as a teenager and has just finished restoring. Zawadzki has in his garage a 1958 MGA, a 1984 Porsche 911 and a 1984 Ferrari 308.

This is our passion, Hagerty said. We want to remove all the barriers we can to vintage-car ownership for the next generation of drivers.

charles.fleming@latimes.com

Twitter: @misterfleming
One of the pleasures and marvels of reading Shakespeare now, 401 years after his death, comes from encountering a passage or even a line that resonates as if written today, as though to demonstrate his genius not only for looking inward at the human soul, but onward at the unfolding of human experience.

Take Coriolanus, which I opened for the first time a few days ago not because I expected anything in particular from it, but because in my New Oxford Shakespeare it happened to come right after one of my favorites, Antony and Cleopatra.

But then came the shock of recognition. Coriolanus opens with an insurrection of the Roman common people, the plebeians, against their patrician leaders, whom they accuse of hoarding food and wealth while the people starve.

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There is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger.  Coriolanus, described by his friend and follower Menenius

Care for us? the people cry. They neer cared for us yet. Suffer us to famish, and their store-houses crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to support usurers: repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich, and provide more piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will: and theres all the love they bear us.

There it is, not only the condition but its very language ripped from todays headlines. But the scene is not ended before the arrival amid the mob of Caius Martius, soon to acquire the honorific Coriolanus for his heroism before the gates of the enemy city Corioles. Martius infuriates and then disperses the crowd with an outburst of vitriol. To him theyre curs, geese, fragments, slaves worthy of being hacked to pieces. They obey him, for the moment. But his contempt for them will tell, in time.

Donald Trumps supporters erupted in rage when a Trump-like figure was portrayed on a New York stage this summer being assassinated in Julius Caesar. But its in Coriolanus that Shakespeare vested what the 19th century critic William Hazlitt called the insolence of power. That may be why the play has experienced something of a revival of late, including a kinetic 2011 film version directed by Ralph Fiennes who plays the flawed hero.

As a character, Coriolanus is the epitome of pride. Following his triumph in battle, he expects to be elected consul by acclamation, refusing to brag about his victory or even show the people his scars, as his advisors urge. Assenting finally to meet the voters face-to-face (retail politicking, as we would call it today) he hears his friends counsel to speak mildlythe word is repeated five times in eight lines  but then, out of control, he embarks on an epic meltdown.

Informed that he is to be banished from Rome as a threat to the public, he cries out, You common cry of curs, whose breath I hate.  I banish you! Its a rare reader who could avoid reading or witnessing that scene today without thinking of Trumps rant last week, and again in Phoenix Tuesday, about the violence in Charlottesville, Va.

Coriolanus almost never appears onstage alone, but there are few characters in Shakespeare so isolated. Among the phrases the critic Harold Bloom uses to describe him are an overgrown child and dangerously provocative. Adding to the modern day parallels, Bloom observes, Shakespeare portrays the politics of Rome as an almost unending sequence of tirades.

Given the infinite variety of human personality, its unsurprising that the parallels between the Coriolanus of Rome and of modern America arent perfect. Shakespeares character is genuinely heroic. His flaws are internalized, but theyre at least partially the product of his upbringing by his mother, the bloodthirsty Volumnia. Hes intelligent, even if his wisdom is evident more on the battlefield than the political arena. His pride restrains him from showing off for the crowd, but at a moment when his role in a great victory is questioned, he replies, Alone, I did it.

Finally, theres the sympathy he elicits in us. That Coriolanus is not totally unsympathetic (whatever ones politics), writes Bloom, is a Shakespearean triumph.

But the play does leave us with an epigraph that defines the political leadership of Shakespeares Rome no less pointedly than it does that of our own time and place. Of Coriolanus, its flawed hero, his dismayed friend Menenius reflects, There is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.
Big corporations are known for being two-faced  presenting a nurturing, maternal face to the outside world while ruthlessly pursuing profit on the inside.

But few have been charged with as much of a divergence between its outside and inside views as Exxon Mobil, which has been accused of downplaying publicly for decades what its own scientists were saying internally about climate change  that it posed a material threat to the companys future.

A new study by Geoffrey Supran and Naomi Oreskes, experts in the history of science at Harvard, presents fresh evidence of how great the gap was. The study matches hundreds of Exxon Mobils internal reports and peer-reviewed research papers with its advertising  especially paid advertorials the company placed in the op-ed section of the New York Times from 1972 through 2001. The authors conclusion is that Exxon Mobil systematically misled non-scientific audiences about climate science.

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Its pretty clear that their strategy was the same as tobaccos. Delay looked to them as a smart business choice, and it may well have been.  Naomi Oreskes, Harvard University

Supran and Oreskes say their work, which was published late Tuesday in the journal Environmental Research Letters, is the first empirical comparison of Exxon Mobils internal and peer-reviewed research with its public statements on climate change. Their goal was to address the company position that earlier investigations were based on cherry-picked documents.

We looked at the whole cherry tree, Supran says, and the evidence speaks for itself.

The study may be especially timely now, because a coalition of state attorneys general and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating whether the company lied to the public and investors about what it knew about the dangers of climate change. In 2015, New York Atty. Gen. Eric Schneiderman subpoenaed company research on the causes and impact of climate change dating back to 1977, and financial disclosures, public statements and internal reports on the topic dating back to 2005. The company has moved to quash the subpoena.

The study also involves research and public statements issued by the company while Rex Tillerson, the current secretary of state, was a senior executive. Tillerson isnt mentioned in the paper, but he became a production general manager in 1999, president and a director in 2004, and chairman and chief executive in 2006.

The new study fleshes out previous reporting on the divergence between what Exxon Mobil knew about climate change and the picture it presented for public consumption. The Times, working with the Energy and Environmental Reporting Project at Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Journalism, reported in 2015 that the company had invested heavily in research into how climate change could affect a variety of operations in the Arctic, with company scientists using widely accepted climate models that its executives publicly dismissed as unreliable.

At the companys annual meeting in 1999, The Times reported, then-CEO Lee Raymond denigrated the models underlying the companys own research as projections based on completely unproven climate models, or, more often, on sheer speculation.

In 2005, science writer Chris Mooney documented the companys years of financial support of individuals and groups fighting policies and government actions to address global warming, typically by instilling doubt about climate science. InsideClimate News in 2015 laid out the discrepancies between Exxon Mobils cutting-edge climate research and its public stance of climate change denial. Oreskes, co-author of the book Merchants of Doubt about the tobacco industrys decades-long effort to undermine research on smokings health effects, that same year showed the similarities between that effort and Exxon Mobils campaign of disinformation, denial and delay.

Its pretty clear that their strategy was the same as tobaccos, Oreskes told me this week. Delay looked to them as a smart business choice, and it may have been.

The 187 documents examined by Supran and Oreskes included 72 peer-reviewed papers and 36 advertorials on the topic. Although the authors largely treat Exxon Mobil as a single company, its the product of a 1999 merger between the two oil giants; in most of the period covered by the advertorials, they were placed by Mobil prior to the merger. Tillerson came up through the Exxon ranks prior to the merger.

They ranked each one according to whether its thrust was to acknowledge human activities as a cause of global warming, cast doubt on that conclusion, or reflected both viewpoints. They found that the companys serious research and internal reporting acknowledged human-caused global warming  as well it would, since corporate decision-making depended on the most accurate possible assessment of the future.

But Exxon Mobils public communications, which were geared more toward influencing public policy, projected the opposite view.

Of the companys internal reports and peer-reviewed papers, more than 80% acknowledged that global warming was real and human-caused. Only 2% expressed doubt, and in those cases the doubt reflected a conventional scientific caution about making categorical findings. Of the advertorials taking a position, however, 81% expressed doubt. Typical, Supran and Oreskes say, was a 1997 advertorial citing a knowledge gap in climate science and suggesting that a scientific consensus had not been reached  although by then it had.

Exxon Mobil has responded to the reporting by denying that its scientists reached firm conclusions about climate change that the company hid or suppressed while it was placing skeptical advertorials in the press. In a statement issued after the signing of the Paris climate agreement in 2016, the company said it unequivocally rejected allegations that it suppressed climate change research, and said it understands that climate change is real.

Referring to the reporting by InsideClimate News about internal company documents, Exxon Mobil responded that the documents demonstrated a robust culture of scientific discourse on the causes and risks of climate change. The company cited more than 100 papers dating from the 1980s that Exxon Mobil scientists either wrote or co-wrote, with the aim of enhancing the state of the worlds knowledge on the issues surrounding climate.

Exxon Mobil, in a comment emailed early Wednesday, called the study inaccurate and preposterous. ExxonMobil acknowledges the risk of climate change is clear and warrants action, the company said. It asserted that the study was paid for, written and published by activists leading a five-year campaign against the company. Supran and Oreskes, in a financial disclosure statement, said the study was paid for by Harvard University faculty development funds and the Rockefeller Family Fund, and said they have no other relevant financial ties.

Supran and Oreskes say its accurate, as Exxon Mobil asserts, that the companys scientists recognized the developing nature of climate science  [and] mirrored global understanding. At some points, its scientists even projected more rapid global warming than other experts.

The question is not whether Exxon Mobil suppressed climate change research, Supran and Oreskes write, but rather how they communicated about it to a lay audience. Their conclusion is that the company in its marketing and advertising systematically cast doubt on it.

The campaign, they argue, stepped up in advance of the Kyoto protocol on climate change, an international agreement that was reached in December 1997 and currently incorporates commitments by 192 countries. The U.S. has not ratified the protocol.

Their clear motivation was to undermine Kyoto, Supran says. In its public statements about the agreement, Exxon Mobil argued that it would bind signatories to financially ruinous policies despite uncertainties about the science. Lets not rush to a decision at Kyoto, urged one advertorial cited by the authors. Climate change is complex; the science is not conclusive; the economics could be devastating.

That final phrase may open a window into what Exxon Mobil was thinking in publicly undermining a scientific consensus its own researchers shared: The company may have felt that the short-term economic drag from addressing climate change outweighed the wisdom of accepting scientific fact and joining an international consensus on its consequences.

With a strategy of delay, Oreskes says, they could continue with a very profitable business for another 25 years.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.

UPDATES:

6:21 a.m., Aug. 23: This column has been updated with a statement by Exxon Mobil.
Louise Linton, the actress-model-whatever wife of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, already has apologized for a certain nasty Instagram post aimed at a citizen who criticized her for bragging about her designer wardrobe during an official trip with her husband.

Were not all that interested in the controversy over Lintons Instagram posts per se, one of which was a childish outburst directed at Jenni Miller, an Oregon woman who had tagged Lintons original post as #deplorable. Were more interested in Lintons comments about the economic contributions she and her husband make.

Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband? Linton asked Miller. Either as an individual earner in taxes OR in self sacrifice to your country?  Pretty sure the amount we sacrifice per year is a lot more than youd be willing to sacrifice if the choice was yours.

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While Mr. Mnuchin was CEO, [OneWest Bank] proved it could put more vulnerable people on the street faster than just about anyone else around.  Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) examines one way Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin contributed to the economy

These are substantive assertions subject to factual analysis. So lets ask: How much have the Mnuchins given to the economy? Are they paying their fair share of taxes? Are they sacrificing?

Leaving aside that sacrifice is in the eye of the beholder, we do know plenty about Mnuchins wealth, thanks to public records and disclosures connected to his confirmation hearing in January. The hearing examined the former Goldman Sachs investment bankers activities as an independent investor. The evidence indicates that the Mnuchins are eligible for some of the most lavish tax breaks offered to any Americans, including a unique break available only to appointees to high-level executive branch jobs. They may pay more in taxes on an absolute basis than, say, Ms. Miller, but its also possible that they pay a smaller percentage of their income than she does. As for whether they pay enough, or their fair share, well leave that up to you.

Lets start with a couple of the biggest breaks. The biggest is the capital gains tax. The top tax rate on these gains from investment income is currently 23.8%, a big discount from the top rate of 43.4% on wage income. The capital gains tax, moreover, is additionally beneficial because (as USC tax expert Ed Kleinbard reminds us) its the only voluntary tax  its paid only when the investor decides to sell an asset with an embedded gain.

If the investor manages to hold the asset through death, the tax is extinguished for his or her heirs. Given that one can benefit from investment assets without selling them, say by borrowing against them or selling options on them, the capital gain tax offers investors the opportunity to have their cake and eat it too. You cant do that with wage income, which is taxed in the year its received. Score one for Mnuchin, much of whose estimated $400-million wealth is in investment assets.

The special break for executive branch appointees such as Mnuchin is especially relevant, given Lintons implication that she and her husband are making a sacrifice because of his government service. The law allows appointees forced to divest investment assets to avoid conflicts of interest to defer the cap gains tax on those sales, as long as they reinvest the proceeds in treasury securities or index funds. The tax isnt incurred until and unless those replacement assets are sold.

We dont know if Mnuchin has taken advantage of this provision, but its proper to explain how it might work to his advantage. Say he wishes to rebalance his portfolio by selling some stocks or bonds and buying others. If those sales would incur capital gain tax, he can now do that under the guise of avoiding a conflict of interest, and defer the tax indefinitely. By the way, since Treasury Secretary Mnuchin will play an important role in trying to legislate a capital gains tax cut as part of President Trumps tax plan, he still would have a conflict of interest.

As a former hedge fund operator, Mnuchin also may well have been the beneficiary of the notorious carried interest loophole. This allows the general partners of investment funds such as hedge funds to declare their income from the funds as capital gains; critics of this provision say the income should be treated as ordinary income and taxed at the higher rate. During the presidential campaign, Trump advocated closing the loophole; Mnuchin recently implied that it should stay for certain taxpayers. Interestingly, he made that comment during the official trip to Kentucky that generated the troublesome Instagram exchange between his wife and Ms. Miller.

Mnuchins hedge fund activities themselves could be tax loopholes on steroids. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) observed during the confirmation hearing that a Mnuchin fund had set up outposts in Anguilla and the Cayman Islands, an action that can be explained only by the islands zero percent tax rate. He charged that millions of dollars in gains from Mnuchins Hollywood investments, including in the movie Avatar, were funneled to an offshore web.

During testy questioning at the hearing, Wyden got Mnuchin to admit that his fund had no employees, no clients, and not even an office on these offshore islands. Mnuchin asserted that the offshore domiciles were set up primarily to benefit nonprofits and pension funds that wished to invest there. He denied he benefited personally: I paid all my taxes as required, he said.

The Mnuchins reap other tax benefits available chiefly to the rich. They own multiple mansions on which property taxes are deductible. Consider just one of them, a nine-bedroom, 10-bath house at 969 Bel Air Road, Bel-Air, that Mnuchin bought in 2009 for $26.5 million. The property tax on that property was $345,683 last year, according to Zillow. Assuming Mnuchin itemizes his deductions, which is a fair bet, Americas taxpayers may have subsidized his tax bill to the tune of as much as $149,730.

Thats not counting the mortgage-interest deduction Mnuchin could take if he borrowed to buy whichever properties he designates as his first and second homes. This break isnt that large, since its limited to the interest on loans totaling up to $1 million. But the deduction is heavily skewed toward wealthy taxpayers.

Finally, lets examine what Mnuchin may have contributed to the economy as a business executive. The best place to look may be his leadership of OneWest. This was a bank that arose from the ashes of IndyMac, a failed Pasadena thrift. As my colleague James Rufus Koren reported, compared to other banks its size, OneWest made far more in loans to private equity firms, enabling them to buy companies, than direct loans to small businesses.

Democrats also hammered Mnuchin over OneWests reputation as a foreclosure machine, driving homeowners out of their home during the mortgage crisis. While Mr. Mnuchin was CEO, Wyden said, the bank proved it could put more vulnerable people on the street faster than just about anyone else around. Mnuchin defended the banks record, saying it was heavily involved in restructuring mortgages to keep people in their homes.

Lintons general attitude is familiar among the rich: Its the assertion that theyre giving up a disproportionate share of their wealth to support an army of unappreciative little people. In fact, the truth may be just the opposite. They benefit more from public services than the average American. They rely more on the courts and law enforcement to protect their wealth than ordinary Americans. Theyve built their fortunes with the help of employees educated on the public dime, on reliance of the transportation infrastructure paid by taxes, including the taxes they begrudge. If Americas infrastructure and national defense system collapse, they have more to lose.

Thats where Lintons rant gets things exactly wrong. Theyre not sacrificing for the rest of us. Theyre paying for themselves. And quite possibly not nearly enough.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.
Former undercover CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson is looking to raise enough money to buy Twitter so President Trump cant use it.

Wilson launched the crowdfunding campaign last week, tweeting: If @Twitter executives wont shut down Trumps violence and hate, then its up to us. #BuyTwitter #BanTrump. The GoFundMe page says Trumps tweets damage the country and put people in harms way.

As of Wednesday afternoon, she had raised about $15,000 of the $1-billion goal.

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In an emailed statement, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the low total shows that the American people like Trumps use of Twitter.

Her ridiculous attempt to shut down his 1st Amendment is the only clear violation and expression of hate and intolerance in this equation, the statement read.

The 1st Amendment, however, says only that the government cannot curtail free speech rights; it does not obligate private companies to provide a platform for users to say whatever they want.

Wilson wrote on the GoFundMe page that she hopes to raise enough money to buy a controlling interest of Twitter Inc. stock. If she doesnt have enough to purchase a majority of shares, she said, she will explore options to buy a significant stake and champion the proposal at Twitters annual shareholder meeting.

If Wilson were to hit her $1-billion goal, shed still fall far short of gaining a controlling interest in the company. As of Wednesday, a majority stake would cost roughly $6 billion. But a $1-billion stake would make her Twitters largest shareholder and give her a very strong position to exert influence on the company.

San Francisco-based Twitter declined to comment Wednesday on Wilsons tweet about seeking to buy the company.

Wilsons identity as a CIA operative was leaked by an official in former President George W. Bushs administration in 2003 in an effort to discredit her husband, Joe Wilson, a former diplomat who criticized Bushs decision to invade Iraq. She left the agency in 2005.

UPDATES:

2 p.m.: This article was updated with the latest fundraising total.

11:05 a.m.: This article was updated with Twitter declining to comment.

This article was originally published at 10:55 a.m.
Maybe its the record-breaking summer temperatures, exacerbated by global warming, but some art museum folks in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts seem to be suffering from heatstroke. Plainly theyve lost their minds.

In late July, the Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfields local newspaper, reported that the Berkshire Museum, the towns long-struggling museum of history, science and art, finished off a two-year self-examination by deciding to sell off 40 of the most notable paintings, sculptures and drawings from a collection not known to be overstuffed with outstanding art.

The reason for the sale: to raise as much as $60 million to fund future museum operations. If this is the museums solution to its fiscal woes, Id say its time to fold its tent and close.

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This is the second, much larger de-accession of the museums art in the last decade. (At the time of a 2008 building renovation, an auction of three paintings netted more than $8 million.) The plan is unethical.

Norman Rockwell, for one, is unlikely to have donated one of his finest paintings so that it could be sold off some day to pay the Berkshire Museum light bill. The marquee work for disposal is his 1950 Shuffletons Barbershop, an after-hours glimpse through a small-town shop window.

The marquee work for disposal is [Norman Rockwells] 1950 Shuffletons Barbershop, an after-hours glimpse through a small-town shop window.

Out past the neatly ordered magazine rack, beyond the darkened barber chair and glowing pot-bellied stove churning out nighttime warmth, a group of three silver-haired men is gathered in a brightly lighted backroom. The days work is done; with violin, cello and clarinet in hand, music is being made.

Homey views from a darkened foreground room into a lighted space at the rear were a specialty of 17th century Dutch artist Pieter de Hooch  whose painting The Music Party is also being dumped. So are fine examples by Alexander Calder, Albert Bierstadt, Frederic Edwin Church, George Inness, Rembrandt Peale and two dozen others.

Rockwells family wrote a letter to the paper objecting to the sale. Other observers, once they lifted their dropped jaws off the floor, also went ballistic.

In an unusual joint declaration, both the American Alliance of Museums and the Assn. of Art Museum Directors, the two most prominent professional groups in the field, condemned the plan.

One of the most fundamental and long-standing principles of the museum field is that a collection is held in the public trust and must not be treated as a disposable financial asset, the statement says (italics theirs), reciting a self-evident truth. Thats the reason that the appraised value of an art collection is typically not carried on a museums balance sheet, nor reported along with cash assets in IRS filings.

Such a sale sends a message to existing and prospective donors that museums can raise funds by selling parts of their collection, they continue, thereby discouraging not only financial supporters, who may feel that their support isnt needed, but also donors of artworks and artifacts, who may fear that their cherished objects could be sold at any time to the highest bidder to make up for a museums budget shortfalls.

I can hear a trustee in California or New York now: But why cant we sell the museums jewels to fund my pet project? That Massachusetts museum did! Between board and staff, unnecessary and injurious scuffling ensues.

So much for collegiality. In trashing its own prospects, the Berkshire Museum jeopardizes every art museum in the United States.

The 1,300-member Assn. of Art Museum Curators presently made the professional censure a trifecta, issuing its own disapproving statement about the bald-face violation of best museum practices. No sooner had the digital ink dried on it than a shocking opinion piece appeared in the Eagle.

The director of an art museum in North Adams, 45 minutes up the road from Pittsfield, penned a bizarre, full-throated defense of the obscene sale.

Deaccessioning is the most serious business for museums, and deserves the utmost diligence, wrote Joseph Thompson, director at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art  an institution, it must be pointed out, that cant itself de-accession because it has no art collection of its own. Done correctly  at the right scale, at the right time, for the right reason  it can also invigorate and even save institutions.

What scale, time and reason are right in Thompsons view? Just enough to cover the costs of changing the museums mission, it turns out.

In the face of dwindling community resources in the last several decades, as Pittsfields population declined by 25% and corporate heavy-hitters like General Electric, a major patron, left town, the Berkshire Museum has encountered serious structural deficits. According to the Eagle, the museum with a tiny $2.4 million budget has averaged a $1.15 million shortfall annually for more than 10 years.

So a plan has been devised to refocus institutional emphasis onto interactive, multimedia science and history programs. The hope is that becoming a gizmo museum will boost interest, attendance and income.

Fine by me if the museum wants a mission change. (I grew up about an hour down Route 20 from Pittsfield and was never much enamored of the place.) But the issue is how its done.

Thompson advised the Berkshire Museum on the overhaul. Arguing the virtues of venality, he wrote that without another feasible path to a sustainable financial reboot, liquidating its most valuable art is necessary.

Thompsons own nearby museum must fish in the regions same shallow funding pool, of course, so urging the Berkshire Museum to raise money by selling its collection handily knocks out a competitor. Downgrading art programs in favor of science and history, he implies, means you can rob Peter to pay Paul and Paulette.

Except, it doesnt.

Why not? Because the museum  not the trustees, not the staff  doesnt own the Rockwell except in the most banal sense. The public does.

The public owns the painting, along with all the rest scheduled to go on the block, starting in November. Trustees and staff are stewards of the art collection, charged with taking whatever measures are best for it.

Yet this museums leaders are behaving as if they are stewards of the institution, not the art. Absurdly, museum standards are being vandalized to protect the museum.

We cant care for our collection if we dont exist, Berkshire Museum director Van Shields told the New York Times. The fact is, were facing an existential threat.

Board president Elizabeth McGraw concurred in an impassioned public letter posted on the museums website, warning, [If] we do not transform the museum into a sustainable, thriving institution, it will eventually close.

[If] we do not transform the museum into a sustainable, thriving institution, it will eventually close.  Elizabeth McGraw, Berkshire Museum board president

Heres an idea: Dont sell the art. Do close the museum.

Start behaving like the charitable institution you are supposed to be. Spend the next several years responsibly overseeing the dispersal of the collection.

Donate the art to other museums that would benefit most from having it. (The art collection numbers just over 5,000 objects from the 15th to the 20th centuries, plus ancient artifacts.) Because the state gives the Berkshire Museum a subsidy through tax breaks, in addition to its federal one, Massachusetts has a priority stake; so its many other museums should get the first (but not the only) consideration for gifts.

Shields has said that, without the sale, the institution cant survive beyond the next eight years. That affords plenty of time to unwind the Berkshire Museum, an honorable task at least as hard as conceiving a last-ditch overhaul with no guarantee of success.

Drastic, I know. And a sad loss for Pittsfield. It would be a psychic blow to a city that still struggles economically.

But the hard truth is that if its community cannot sustain the museum, not much can be done. (If wishes were horses, and all.) Surely the answer is not to rip the art away from the public to send it off to market, where almost certainly it will disappear into private hands.

Shuffletons Barbershop alone is worth a fortune  the auction record for a Rockwell is $46 million  and barely any American museum can afford to buy it. You can bet that Sothebys, the auction house handling the sale, will be sending the masterpiece to Los Angeles for display to heighten the interest of billionaire Hollywood directors Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, the two top private collectors of Rockwells art.

To save itself, the Berkshire Museum is not just monetizing its art collection. The art is also being privatized. Thats the ultimate betrayal of public charitable status. With community treasures being turned into private possessions, the public is the loser.

christopher.knight@latimes.com

Twitter: @KnightLAT

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The Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday night may not have been a galaxy far, far away, but Holsts The Planets and the premiere of an Icelandic violin concerto did give Gustavo Dudamel some musical and emotional distance from the tensions in his native Venezuela.

The evening also provided a warm welcome from an enthusiastic and large crowd for the Los Angeles Philharmonics music director, returning to the Bowl after a monthlong absence and a disheartening weekend. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro first attacked Dudamel for his nonpartisan, pro-democracy and anti-violence stance. Maduro then took his political pique out on the children, canceling the U.S. tour of the new Venezuelan National Youth Orchestra, one of Dudamels pet educational projects.

Daniel Bjarnasons Violin Concerto must have provided Dudamel with particular relief. It is a work about sound and the theater of sound and nothing more. Commissioned by the L.A. Phil as part of its Reykjavik Festival in the spring, the concerto wasnt finished in time for Esa-Pekka Salonen to premiere it with Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto as soloist in Walt Disney Concert Hall. So, despite the difficulty of tackling a new work at the Bowl, with its limited rehearsal time and its supposed good-time outdoor audience, Dudamel decided to take it on Tuesday with Kuusisto. (Salonen and Kuusisto will perform the concerto with the Philharmonia Orchestra next month in London and on tour in Europe.)

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The premiere was probably a wild ride for the performers, given the flamboyance of Bjarnasons violin writing, the technical orchestral challenges and the acoustical obstacles of the Bowl. Bjarnason had originally called the concerto Scordatura, the Italian musical term for mistuning, but for some reason the composer changed his mind at the last minute (too late for the change to make it into the program book) and just called it Violin Concerto.

Still, it is a concerto all about tuning and what happens to sound when you mess with the acoustical properties of instruments. That could be magical in a space like Disney Hall, but I think it may have also been even more riveting in the artificial acoustic of the Bowl, where the loss of subtlety was replaced by the dazzle of amplification on a very large playing field.

While the concerto was hardly made for video, that too proved a major plus, with a soloist as charismatic as Kuusisto. I cant imagine a more musically dangerous way to start a Bowl concert than with a solo playing a drone on its lowest string unnervingly tuned down a fourth. And eerily whistling along at the same time.

But seeing Kuusisto doing that on the video screens and hearing the effect boldly over loudspeakers was just weird enough to get peoples attention. The concerto was then interesting enough to keep that attention. Picnics could wait.

Violinist Pekka Kuusisto performs the world premiere of Daniel Bjarnasons Violin Concerto on Tuesday at the Hollywood Bowl. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Kuusisto is an extravagant player whose party tricks include singing along as he plays and messing around with Finnish folk music with hipster irreverence. He does that in the concerto, and he also does a lot more, including sawing away on the strings in such a way that it got the whole Bowl vibrating. The orchestra follows his lead, whether going in for glitz or glassy stillness. The two big cadenzas are amazing showpieces. The center section between them is a static orchestral color field. The final section could be a rowdy rite at an Icelandic hot springs.

Following the concerto with The Planets proved crafty programming. Inspired by astrology, Holsts seven movements (Pluto hadnt yet been discovered a century ago when the score was composed) may not actually be about the distant starry sky, but we nevertheless cant help but hear it that way. John Williams is partly responsible, what with his Star Wars music being strongly influenced by Holst.

The L.A. Phil and the recording industry have also had a hand in this. Long loved as an orchestral spectacular, The Planets has been a favored work for trying out the latest hi-fi technology. A groundbreaking prime example of that was a recording the L.A. Phil made on a sound stage at the Samuel Goldwyn Studios in 1957 with Leopold Stokowski. If you can find a high-res download of it (which isnt easy  the only site Ive been able to find is highdeftapetransfers.com), the colors dazzle more than ever on modern equipment, comparable to say the effect of a restoration of a Technicolor film projected in the highest resolution.

Dudamel similarly went for a Stokowski-style saturated color. He played for effect. Read into it what you like that Dudamel was particularly ferocious with the opening Mars, the Bringer of War, giving the underlying ta-ta-ta-tah-tah-ta-ta-tah rhythmic pattern a distinctively Latin quality (something I had never heard before, but it fit). Dudamel followed that with an especially somber Venus, the Bringer of Peace.

This, though, was part of Dudamels general approach of throwing himself into the performance to finding extravagant character for each planet. Jupiter maybe wasnt as jolly as he might have been and Saturn, standing for old age, was proved one weighty dude, but Dudamel lightened up, with Mercury and Uranus full of mischief.

Where this performance became one-of-a-kind was with Neptune, the Mystic. In a marvelous stroke, Holst ends his suite with the surprise hush of offstage womens voices. Here, instead of invisible hush (never a good idea at the Bowl, and particularly not when people are getting ready to make a beeline to the parking lot), the offstage women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale were amplified loudly from side speakers so that they sounded like they were coming from the hills or another universe or simply our imagination.

They sounded, moreover, like they meant mystical business. It was a fabulous effect. As a substitute concert hall, the Bowl is no Disney. But as a venue where the L.A. Phil might start thinking about new ways to use technology, a program like this proved the Bowl need not remain so far, far away from the ensembles larger mission of reinventing the orchestral wheel.

mark.swed@latimes.com

MORE MUSIC:

Venezuela youth orchestra tour is canceled, pushing Dudamel toward the center of a political storm

Interview with Daniel Bjarnason about his beast of new Icelandic music

Composer John Luther Adams new campus Wind Garden art installation is heard more than it is seen
Randall Arney, the former artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles who was dismissed in February after 17 years at the theater, filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing the Geffen of age and disability discrimination.

Arney, 61, also lists failure to prevent retaliation, libel and slander among the complaints in his suit. It came one day after the Geffen named Arneys successor: Matt Shakman, a 41-year-old TV and film director whose credits include Game of Thrones.

When news of Arneys departure first hit on Feb. 14, he wasnt available for comment. A Geffen representative said at the time that the leadership change was prompted by the theaters desire to ensure it was well positioned for the future.

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The Geffen declined to comment on the lawsuit. Arney didnt respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the suit names the Geffen and the theater boards co-chairs, Pamela Henderson and Martha Robinson, as defendants.

According to the suit, Henderson told Arney on Feb. 13 that his contract, expiring in August, would not be renewed.

The lawsuit said Arney had been diagnosed with Bells palsy, a condition causing partial facial paralysis, after experiencing stroke-like symptoms at work in September. According to the lawsuit, Arney informed his colleagues at the Geffen about the diagnosis because he was concerned the Geffen would think he had suffered a stroke based on his symptoms.

In the complaint, Arney cites his tenure at the Geffen as being an exemplary, unblemished record of service in which he created an exciting, innovative, successful regional theater. In 2015, the Geffen received 18 local Ovation Award nominations for the 2014-2015 season and won best production of a play (large theater).

As artistic director, Arney guided the theaters season lineup and directed numerous productions, including Outside Mullingar, The Night Alive and Reasons to Be Pretty.

Times critic Charles McNulty, who had written about the Geffens erratic batting average, praised Arneys no nonsense directing of the 2013 production of American Buffalo. But McNulty criticized Arney for lack of leadership in the cancellation of The Birthday Party the following year. Two weeks before performances were to begin, director William Friedkin said in a Times interview that actor Steven Berkoff had been let go from the production and that a suitable replacement couldnt be found in time.

Normally, an artistic director would broker a detente in such a situation or make the decision to replace an actor while there was still time to do so, McNulty wrote. Where was Geffen artistic director Randall Arney during this turmoil?

On the other hand, Arneys 2015 staging of Conor McPhersons play The Night Alive prompted McNulty to write that Arney preserves the yarn-spinning pleasure of the work. The directors gripping production of Arthur Millers All My Sons in 2006 made McNultys year-end top 10 list.

deborah.vankin@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter: @debvankin

MORE ARTS NEWS

Matt Shakman named artistic director of Geffen Playhouse

Disneyland meets Hogwarts at $700-million USC Village

Carlos Cruz-Diezs street installation at the Broad

UPDATES:

10:05 a.m.: This article was updated, with additional information about Arneys disability discrimination claim.

11:37 a.m.: This article was updated with additional information about Arneys tenure at the Geffen.
True Detective season three, starring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, is officially confirmed at HBO By Sarah Rodman Mahershala Ali accepting his Oscar for Moonlight. The actor will star in the third season of the HBO drama True Detective (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) During the HBO executive session at the summer edition of the Television Critics Assn. press tour, programming president Casey Bloys confirmed reports that Moonlight Oscar winner Mahershala Ali would star in a third season of True Detective. Although he was mum at the time on when it might happen, he did say that he had read five scripts and thought they were terrific. Thursday night, the premium pay cabler released a statement officially confirming that the series will indeed return for a third installment. While no episode count or premiere date was included in the release, an enclosed synopsis stated that the next iteration of the show tells the story of a macabre crime in the heart of the Ozarks, and a mystery that deepens over decades and plays out in three separate time periods. Ali will star as Wayne Hays, a state police detective from northwest Arkansas. (Ali follows in the footsteps of season one stars, and continuing executive producers, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, and season twos Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn. No word yet on whether hell have a partner.) The show will once again be helmed by creator Nic Pizzolatto, who penned all the episodes of the upcoming series, save the fourth, which he co-wrote with David Milch (Deadwood, NYPD Blue). He will share directing duties with fellow executive producer Jeremy Saulnier (Blue Ruin.) Im tremendously thrilled to be working with artists at the level of Mahershala and Jeremy, said Pizzolatto in a statement. I hope the material can do justice to their talents, and were all very excited to tell this story. Bloys noted that Nic has written truly remarkable scripts. With his ambitious vision and Mahershala Ali and Jeremy Saulnier aboard, we are excited to embark on the next installment of True Detective.  Facebook

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Newly reopened Angels Flight has long been a popular L.A. shooting location By Mark Olsen Its among the more unusual landmarks in Los Angeles, a short, steep railway that gets people up and down a single hill. So it makes sense that Angels Flight has been featured in many movies and television shows over the years. Angels Flight resumed regular service Thursday after being closed since 2013 (it did operate for one day of shooting on La La Land). It remains to be seen if it starts to appear again in movies and television shows. (Not that it ever really stopped.) Speaking to The Times at last years Toronto International Film Festival, La La Land star Ryan Gosling reflected on the use of historic locations in the movie. This was an opportunity to show an L.A. thats still there.... Youve got to squint your eyes a little, but there are still places in L.A. that are still part of the golden years of Los Angeles when Hollywood was in its heyday, Gosling said. I lived around the corner for a long time from Angels Flight and Grand Central Market, although I never got to ride Angels Flight because it had been shut down, Gosling added. Those places are still there... these gems that are there, and we were able to shoot them one by one. Angels Flight reopened on Thursday. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) The small piece of land next to the top of Angels Flight, known as Angels Knoll, was also prominently featured in (500) Days of Summer. The location has appeared in a wide variety of movies over the years, as early as 1916s Good Night, Nurse, 1918s Up She Goes and 1920s All Jazzed Up. It has also had high-profile cameos in Act of Violence (1949), M (1951), Kiss Me Deadly (1955), The Exiles (1961), The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies (1963) -- all the way up to to 2011s The Muppets and last years La La Land. And on television, Angels Flight has been seen on Perry Mason, Dragnet and the recent series Bosch. READ MORE: Angels Flight: How it works and what its been through in its 100-year history Facebook

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Jamie Foxx announces telethon for Harvey relief By Libby Hill (Andrew Krech / News & Record via Associated Press) A new stream of celebrity support for victims of Hurricane Harvey opened Wednesday, as Jamie Foxx announced that a telethon fundraiser is in the works. In an Instagram post where the actor revealed his own donation of $25,000 to GlobalGiving, Foxx also shared preliminary plans for the upcoming benefit. From a fellow Texan, my heart goes out. My prayers go out, Foxx, from Terrell east of Dallas, said. September 12 we have a telethon that were doing. Well give you more details, so we can raise as much money as we can for everybody down there. View Instagram post Scooter Braun, talent manager and mastermind of One Love Manchester, is helming the event along with rapper and Houston native Bun B. TMZ reported that Foxx, Reese Witherspoon, Blake Shelton, Hilary Duff and Michael Strahan are all involved with the project, with commitments from the four major broadcast networks to air the special for an hour on Sept. 12. In an interview with TMZ, Bun B said that fellow Houston natives Beyonce and Jim Parsons are high on his wish list for the telethon. The outlet also reported that Bun B would only want President Trumps presence if it was via a show of unity with other former presidents. Solange also announced Wednesday that she will be holding a benefit show at Bostons Orpheum Theatre on Sept. 28. Featuring the Sun Ra Arkestra, the performance is titled Orions Rise and all proceeds will go to Hurricane Harvey relief. View Instagram post Facebook

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Gwyneth Paltrows love life? Yeah, she admits shes screwed up plenty of relationships By Libby Hill Gwyneth Paltrow takes full responsibility for her romantic failings. She admitted as much in a recent interview with the podcast Girlboss Radio, during which Paltrow went deep on some of her lost loves. Oh, my god, Ive [screwed] up so many relationships, so many, Paltrow said. Im actually a pretty good friend and a good sister and a daughter and a mother, but I am at my potentially most vulnerable  in the romantic slice of the pie. So its taken me a lot of work to get to the place where I have a good romantic relationship. Paltrow consciously uncoupled from ex-husband Chris Martin in 2014 after 10 years of marriage and has been romantically linked to American Horror Story creator Brad Falchuk for the past three years. On Girlboss Radio, Paltrow sent a shout-out to former beau Brad Pitt, whom she dated from 1994 through 1997, and was at one point engaged to. I [screwed] that up, Brad, Paltrow said. Paltrow also delved into her experiences as founder and CEO of her lifestyle brand Goop, sharing that once shes in the boardroom with investors, no one cares if shes a celebrity. I go into the room, and for the first 90 seconds, Im Gwyneth Paltrow, she said. And theyre like, Oh, my god, my wife loves you .... And then, about 90 seconds later, Im just getting grilled like anyone else. But she doesnt get offended; she relishes the challenge. It was such a beautiful chapter of my life when I started raising [venture capital financing], because it knocked me down so many pegs. I was like, Oh, Im, like, no one. Im nothing. This [stuff] is real. I have to know the most granular aspects of my business and be able to defend it. The celebrity just completely drains out of the room. Its irrelevant, she said. Paltrows full conversation with Sophia Amoruso can be streamed at Girlboss. Facebook

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Longtime Simpsons composer Alf Clausen fired from the show after 27 years By Randall Roberts When the 29th season of The Simpsons premieres in the fall, it will, for the first time in decades, be doing so without its longtime musical contributor, Alf Clausen. Clausen, who composed the Fox animated shows incidental music, was told that the show was looking for a different kind of music moving forward, according to Variety. Clausen confirmed his firing via Twitter. Thank you for all of the support...unfortunately, the news is true... https://t.co/jBQH0b40cz  Alf Clausen (@TheAlfClausen) August 31, 2017 The composers orchestral scores supported the familys foibles since the shows primitively drawn early days. And although The Simpsons theme song was penned by Danny Elfman, the sonic feel of the series has been defined by Clausens grandiose, often epic productions. Hes responsible for scoring Mr. Burns breakout See My Vest moment and crafted the tunes for the Springfield musical theater companys A Streetcar Named Desire adaptation. Ditto The Planet of the Apes musical. In short, nearly every classic music moment of The Simpsons has featured Clausens fingerprints. On Twitter, fans thanked Clausen for his work while expressing outrage at the circumstances surrounding his departure. Fired over the phone, yet, wrote one user. Clausen quickly corrected him with a one-word reply: Email ... On Thursday, producers for The Simpsons issued a statement to Variety. It stressed that Clausen will continue to contribute to the series: We tremendously value Alf Clausens contributions to The Simpsons and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show. We remain committed to the finest in music for The Simpsons, absolutely including orchestral. The statement concluded: This is the part where we would make a joke but neither Alfs work nor the music of The Simpsons is treated as anything but seriously by us. Update, 1:16 p.m.: This story was updated with a statement from The Simpsons. Facebook

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Instead of statues, Trevor Noah and Roy Wood Jr. have another idea for honoring Confederate history By Chris Barton With the country still reeling from the harrowing impact of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Wednesday nights Daily Show looked at one of the summers ongoing controversies: Confederate monuments. Occasionally setting aside the shows usual comedic tone, Trevor Noah enlisted correspondent Roy Wood Jr. to consider whether these statues honor Southern heritage, as their supporters claim, or the nations history and lingering problem with racism. After showing a montage of guests on network news shows who reminded viewers that these statues were erected during the Jim Crow era, decades after the Civil War, Wood equated slavery to another tragedy. Its like if a woman got out of an abusive relationship and then she had to keep pictures of her ex up in her house to remember the time, a straight-faced Wood explained. No, I dont need pictures to remember pain. People say, We want to remember the history of the Civil War, Noah added. Theres an easier way to remember what happened in the Civil War: Just walk around in the South. And if you see free black people, then you know what happened. Watch the segment above. Facebook

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Gloria Gaynor sings to Texas Harvey victims: You will survive By Christie DZurilla (Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images) Gloria Gaynor wants people affected by Harvey to know they will survive, and shes communicating that message through a new version of the song that has defined her career. Gaynor, whose I Will Survive became an anthem over the years, rewrote the 1978 disco hit to reach out to victims in Texas and posted her rendition on social media Wednesday. Hi, my neighbors in Texas, she said in a video shot while she sat at a piano she was about to play. This is Gloria Gaynor with a song that hopefully will cheer you up just a little bit. @SylvesterTurner @rashivats @SallyMacFox26 @TheRitaGarcia @kaitlinmonte @ChrisdyannUribe @MsCoCoDominguez @JMartinFOX26 TX WILL SURVIVE  pic.twitter.com/FCNOnDr85o  Gloria Gaynor (@gloriagaynor) August 30, 2017 Here are the tweaked lyrics, for those who dont want to hit play with the sound on. First we were afraid

We were petrified

Thinking Texas couldnt live

With floodwaters this high

We know you spent plenty of time

Preparing for this hurricane

Who couldve known that it would come

With so much devastating rain

But we will strive

And youll survive

With all our love and help and prayers

We will stay strongly by your side

We are your neighbors tried and true

Well do all we can for you

And youll survive

You will survive, you will survive Similarly on Monday night, Coldplay unleashed a new original song written after the band was forced to cancel its Friday show in Houston with Hurricane Harvey bearing down. This is a new song, and well never play it again, frontman Chris Martin told an audience in Miami. Its a once-off. Its called Houston. Were going to sing it in Miami for everybody here, and then were going to send it over there to everyone who missed the show. Facebook

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Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation donates $1 million to Harvey recovery By Christie DZurilla (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Leonardo DiCaprio has stepped up with a $1-million donation to aid the victims of Hurricane Harvey, now a tropical storm, which has dumped historic levels of rain on the Gulf Coast over the last several days. United Way Worldwide announced Wednesday that it has started the United Way Harvey Recovery Fund with a seven-figure donation from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. The money  100% of it, according to the charity  will go to help victims of flooding with mid- and long-term recovery over the coming years. There are 23 United Ways that operate in the path of the storm, which made landfall Aug. 24. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Leonardo DiCaprio and his foundation, United Way Worldwide President and CEO Brian Gallagher said in a statement. Responding to Hurricane Harvey requires the best of all of us  and thats what this gift represents. DiCaprio has been urging support of the United Way and American Red Cross this week on his Twitter account and retweeting stories talking about Harvey and climate change. Di Caprios foundation has been committed to climate-related issues and environmental projects since 1998, Terry Tamminen, president and CEO of the foundation, said in a statement. We support efforts to build climate resilient communities and protect vulnerable wildlife and ecosystems across the planet, and have supported disaster relief and victim funds in the past. We hope others will step up and support the United Way and other organizations. Earlier this week, Sandra Bullock, who has a home in Texas, gave $1 million to the American Red Cross, repeating the lump-sum generosity she showed after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. Ellen DeGeneres was also in the seven-figure donation tier. The comic and talk-show host dropped $1 million in the relief bucket on Wednesday via J.J. Watts foundation. The effort by the Houston Texans star player topped $10 million on Thursday, with Watt chronicling its progress all week via videos on social media. Update, 8:50 a.m.: This post was updated with information about DeGeneres donation to Watts fund. Facebook

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A Star Is Born: Chris Tucker turns 45 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Iris Schneider / Los Angeles Times) I had a dream as a kid: I wanted to be big, big like Richard [Pryor] and Eddie [Murphy]. I imagined it. I studied it. I had a passion.  Chris Tucker, 2001 FROM THE ARCHIVES: In a Big Rush Facebook

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Springsteen on Broadway was born to run, is extended through February By Libby Hill Bruce Springsteens solo shows on Broadway have been extended through February, just hours after the original run sold out. (Greg Allen / Invision/Associated Press) Good news for Bruce Springsteen fans who were locked out of purchasing tickets Wednesday morning for his upcoming run of shows on Broadway. Ticketmaster announced that Springsteen on Broadway, an intimate stage experience that launches in October and features the rock legend performing solo, will be extending for 10 additional weeks. Originally scheduled to close in November, the show was extended through February after the original block of tickets sold out in a matter of minutes Wednesday. "#SpringsteenBroadway has been EXTENDED! the ticket outlet tweeted, with a follow-up tweet explaining that fans who had previously registered to purchase tickets will not have to register again. #SpringsteenBroadway has been EXTENDED!

More information coming today.

There will NOT be any additional codes released for today's onsale. pic.twitter.com/xGY3rj3Yrl  Ticketmaster (@Ticketmaster) August 30, 2017 #SpringsteenBroadway extended run information 

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REGISTER AGAIN!

NEW #VerifiedFan registration: https://t.co/2xNBBhcVES pic.twitter.com/FT3mLaTLPV  Ticketmaster (@Ticketmaster) August 30, 2017 Springsteen will be performing at New York Citys Walter Kerr Theater, which houses fewer than 1,000 seats. To curtail ticket scalping, Ticketmaster relied on its Verified Fan program. The program forces fans to register to even have an opportunity to purchase tickets and are limited to two tickets per purchase. For all of Ticketmasters efforts, resale sites already are flooded with Springsteen on Broadway tickets, with some reaching $10,000 apiece. Fans interested in trying their luck for the second batch of performance dates will need to register with Ticketmaster Verified Fan by Sept. 3 (at 7 p.m. Pacific). Tickets will be available for purchase 10 a.m. Pacific on Sept. 7. Facebook

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Sandra Bullock donates $1 million to Harvey relief efforts By Libby Hill Sandra Bullock donated $1 million to the American Red Cross for storm relief. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) With the Gulf Coast still battling the aftereffects of Tropical Storm Harvey, celebrities continue to come forward to help with relief efforts for the humanitarian crisis. Sandra Bullock, who has a home in Texas, donated $1 million to the American Red Cross emergency efforts, the organization confirmed to The Times on Wednesday. We are so thankful for the overwhelming and generous response from those who want to help those affected by this devastating storm, Elizabeth Penniman, vice president of communications for American Red Cross national headquarters, said in an email. Massive disasters like Hurricane Harvey create many critical and immediate needs, so we are heartened by donations like this  which allow us to provide immediate shelter, food and comfort to thousands in need, Penniman continued. The entertainment community has been so supportive to the Red Cross in response to this devastating disaster, and we are so grateful. Bullock is just the latest star who has donated to recovery efforts in Texas. The Kardashian family pledged $500,000 to the Salvation Army and Red Cross on Tuesday. Kevin Hart also spearheaded a celebrity-driven fundraising campaign on Crowdrise that has brought in more than $1 million for the Red Cross. Facebook

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Corinne Olympios wants DeMario Jackson to know she doesnt blame him for anything By Christie DZurilla Corinne Olympios doesnt have any hard feelings toward DeMario Jackson, the fellow Bachelor in Paradise cast member who was with her at the center of a scandal that shut down production on the reality TV series in June. I dont blame DeMario. I never pointed fingers at DeMario. I never said a bad word about DeMario, the 25-year-old told host Chris Harrison in an early-August taped interview that aired Tuesday night on ABC. She and Jackson havent spoken since production was halted after allegations of misconduct were made by a producer, leading to an investigation of what happened during a period when, Olympios now says, she was blacked out. I was almost a little bit nervous to talk to [DeMario], because he did run to the media and I didnt want to add fuel to the fire, she said. Before she had a chance to collect her thoughts, he was out there and so on the defensive, she said. He was doing his thing and I didnt want to get messed up in that. ... I cant help but feel like maybe he felt like I thought he did something to me. Jackson did not do anything bad, she insisted. Seeing him start crying in a clip from his own interview with Harrison, which had aired on the show last week, Olympios welled up a bit too. It was hard for me to go through something like that. I know exactly how he feels. The media wants to paint you a certain way that you know youre just not, she said. Olympios told Harrison the same things she had said in a Tuesday morning interview with Good Morning America about blacking out from drinking too much and mixing alcohol with medication. However, she didnt directly address her I am a victim statement that was released at the height of the scandal. On GMA, she said she meant she was a victim of the media. Regarding Bachelor in Paradise with Harrison, she simply talked about how awful it was to have so many people acting like they had been there or were suddenly experts on her life. To even get up and go get eggs at the grocery store ... my face was all over every magazine and I had to check out and everyones staring, Olympios said. Youre looking at them and its like, Im not what youre thinking right now. Then, near the end of the interview, she shared one big wish. Obviously hindsight is 20/20, she said, and I wish it could have been handled differently. Facebook

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Tomi Lahren finds new home at Fox News By Libby Hill Conservative firebrand Tomi Lahren is again gainfully employed after being fired from Glenn Becks The Blaze in March. On Wednesday, Lahren announced via her Facebook page that she is joining the Fox News team as a contributor. This exciting new step will allow me to give voice to all the America-loving patriots who have had my back since day one, Lahren wrote. I will remain a solid and passionate advocate for you. Though 25-year-old Lahren has made television appearances before -- including a contentious appearance on The Daily Show With Trevor Noah -- much of her career has been in digital media. She hosted On Point With Tomi Lahren for One America News Network, and her Final Thought videos have garnered her over 4.4 million Facebook followers. In addition to her role as a contributor, Lahren will also have a signature role on a Fox News digital product in development, according to a press release issued by the network. Lahren makes her debut on Wednesdays edition of Hannity at 7 p.m. PDT. Facebook

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Trevor Noah is shocked  shocked  by the latest revelations about Trump and Moscow By Robert Lloyd Even as the Earth offers humanity another taste of its weather future  and President Trump keeps Sheriff Joe Arpaio out of jail and North Korean missiles fly over Japan  late-night TV hosts have disappeared from their chairs as if it were August in France. Trevor Noah is on the job, though, hosting The Daily Show. Tuesday night, he had some mirthful words about the ongoing investigation into the Trump campaigns Russian affairs. Specifically, he reflected on the revelation of a letter of intent, signed by POTUS himself, to build a Trump Tower skyscraper in Moscow  and make it the tallest building in the world  despite Trumps repeated claims to have no business, no interests, no nothing in Russia. How can one person lie so big? HOW? Noah asked, amazedly. Its like if your friend said he had never heard of Mumford and Sons and then one day you see the album cover and youre like, wait a minute, youre Mumford. Were those connections strictly business, or were they getting out on the votey-votey action? Thats not clear yet, he said. What was clear is that a typically dubious character was at the center of it  namely Felix Sater, a Russian-born real estate developer once convicted of stabbing a man in the neck and face with the stem of a broken margarita glass. Of all the glasses to stab someone with, a margarita glass is the worst, Noah said. Youre literally putting salt into the wounds. There was also a conviction for Saters involvement in a $40-million stock fraud, Noah added, which came as no surprise to the host. You never trust someone with a cat name. If a human goes by Felix or Whiskers or Mittens, you should probably just stay away. There were emails, of course; there are always emails. Buddy, our boy can become President of the USA and we can engineer it. I will get all of Putins team to buy in on this, Sater wrote to Trumps personal lawyer, Michael D. Cohen. This buddy boy email may not be the smoking gun for Trump, Noah concluded, but what it could end up being is the broken taillight  the thing that gives law enforcement the excuse they need to look into Trumps trunk. And we all know, he said, as a picture of the golfing presidents derriere appeared over his shoulder, hes got a lot of junk in that trunk. Facebook

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Jury president Annette Bening addresses lack of female representation at Venice Film Festival By Nardine Saad (Claudio Onorati / Associated Press) Though there arent as many women represented at this years Venice Film Festival as she would like, jury president Annette Bening believes things are changing. The four-time Oscar nominee, whose film credits include American Beauty, The Kids Are All Right, 20th Century Women and Bugsy, addressed the lack of female directors Wednesday during the 74th annual Venice Film Festivals opening press conference. (Only one of the 21 films in competition is directed by a woman this year.) As women, we have to be sharp, shrewd and creative in what we choose to make. Sexism does exist and there is no question about it. But things are changing, the actress said at the opening press conference, according to Variety. The more we can make films that speak to everybody, the more we will be regarded as filmmakers, she added. Bening, the first woman to chair the jury in more than a decade, said she knew of both veteran and rookie filmmakers struggling to get their movies made whether they are men or women. She said the industry has a long way to go, in terms of parity but was confident that the direction were going is positive. Facebook

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A Star Is Born: Lisa Ling turns 44 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) [People have said to me], When you were in the worlds largest slum [in India], you could almost smell what it was like by your expression.' Its not that Im trying to force myself on the viewer. Im just their eyes and ears. I think our work is quite pure.  Lisa Ling, 1997 FROM THE ARCHIVES: Taking news personally Facebook

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In wake of Charlottesville strife, Virginia Film Festival to host director Spike Lee as special guest By Josh Rottenberg Director Spike Lee photographed in 2015. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) As the city of Charlottesville, Va., and the nation as a whole continues to grapple with the violent racial strife that erupted earlier this month, the Virginia Film Festival announced on Tuesday that it will host filmmaker Spike Lee as a special guest at the upcoming festival as part of a program around the legacy of slavery. Lee, who has tackled thorny issues of race throughout his career, will present his Oscar-nominated documentary 4 Little Girls about the 1963 bombing of a Baptist church in Birmingham, Ala., that claimed the lives of four African American girls, an act of white supremacist terrorism that marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. We have for many years been interested in bringing Spike Lee to the Virginia Film Festival as he remains one of the most talented, innovative, and socially conscious filmmakers in our world today, said Jody Kielbasa, director of the film festival and vice provost for the arts at the University of Virginia. We first reached out to Mr. Lee in the spring to include him in our upcoming collaboration with Montpelier, and of course, the recent events in Charlottesville have made his participation more compelling, relevant and vital. The festival program will also include a short film titled I Cant Breathe that combines footage of the 2014 chokehold death of Eric Garner during his arrest by a New York City police officer with footage of the death of Radio Raheem under similar circumstances in Lees 1989 film Do the Right Thing. The program is part of a larger collaboration with Montpelier, the Virginia plantation of President James Madison, who owned more than 100 slaves, that will explore both how the legacy of slavery continues to affect the lives of African Americans and how they are depicted in film and other media. The 30th annual Virginia Film Festival will run from Nov. 9 to 12 in Charlottesville. Facebook

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Jerry Seinfeld recaps childhood in Netflixs first Jerry Before Seinfeld trailer By Nardine Saad The first trailer for Netflixs stand-up special Jerry Before Seinfeld has arrived, and its a madcap recap of Jerry Seinfelds humble beginnings, quirky family dynamics and bits of everyday observations. The teaser opens with Johnny Carson introducing the iconic comic in 1981 during his debut on The Tonight Show. Then it showcases the sitcom star back at the mike at the Comic Strip, the famous New York comedy club where he launched his career. Throwback photos, videos and interviews with Seinfeld are woven throughout. Hes back where he began, the title reads, doing what he loves. The original comedy special is the first of two stand-up specials Seinfeld will deliver in his massive deal with the streaming giant. (The deal also includes the entirety of his Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee catalog and 24 new episodes of the Emmy-nominated talk show, which will launch later this year.) Seinfeld and Netflix teased to the special last week with several clips posted on Instagram and a close-up look at the numerous legal pads scrawled with handwritten jokes hes kept from the 1970s. Jerry Before Seinfeld begins streaming Sept. 19. Facebook

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Kermit the Frog finds his new voice in Matt Vogel By Nardine Saad The new Kermit the Frog has arrived and hes following his dreams -- literally. New Muppeteer Matt Vogel made his vocal debut as the iconic frog on Monday in a Muppet Thought of the Week video posted on YouTube. Dreams are how we figure out where we want to go. Life is how we get there, he says in the brief clip. Im headed this way. The veteran voice actor has worked on Sesame Street and also operates the Muppets Floyd, Constantine and Sweetums. He is only the third puppeteer to take on Kermit the Frog full time since the character was created in 1955. He replaced former puppeteer Steve Whitmire, who began work on The Muppet Show in 1978 and inherited the role of Kermit when creator Jim Henson died in 1990. Whitmire was dismissed over concerns about his repeated unacceptable business conduct over a period of many years and he consistently failed to address the feedback, the Muppets Studio said at the time. Whitmire claimed he was fired in October 2016 and kept quiet about it until Vogel was announced as his replacement in July. It was his opinionated communication style that earned him his walking papers, he said. Facebook

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Trevor Noah says Trumps pardon of Sheriff Arpaio renders courts powerless By Nardine Saad The Daily Show host Trevor Noah broke down former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaios presidential pardon on Monday, explaining how President Trumps decision undermines the judicial branch of government. The controversial Maricopa County lawman, who was convicted of criminal contempt of court for violating Latinos rights, earned himself a thuggish reputation as a sheriff, Noah said, citing his agencys use of tent cities, stun guns, jail overcrowding and numerous cases of inmate deaths and police brutality. But those were just his extracurriculars, Noah said. It turns out his full-time job is racism. The 85-year-old Arpaio was found guilty in July of defying a 2011 court order barring officers from stopping and detaining Latino motorists to check their immigration status. As much as Sheriff Arpaio presented himself as anti-illegal immigrants, it turned out really he was just anti being a decent human being, Noah said. When the president of the United States steps in and pardons someones contempt conviction, hes essentially rendering the courts powerless.  Daily Show host Trevor Noah His abuses hurt inmates and taxpayers, costing the state $142 million in legal fees, settlements and compliance costs, Noah said. Other things they could have spent that money on? Schools, roads or they could have just paid Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather to just punch Arpaio in the face. But Noah made the point that Trumps decision completely undercut the judiciary. Remember how the three branches of government are supposed to be equal? Well, convicting someone of contempt is the one and only way the judicial branch can put muscle behind its decisions. So when the president of the United States steps in and pardons someones contempt conviction, hes essentially rendering the courts powerless, he said. Watch the full segment above. Facebook

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Watch Coldplay dedicate new song to Harvey victims -- and vow never to play it again By Randall Roberts (Jens Meyer / Associated Press) On Monday night in Miami, Coldplays Chris Martin drew attention to the victims of Tropical Storm Harvey by unveiling a new song called Houston -- and then vowed never to play it again. The band, which was forced to cancel its Houston show days earlier due to the storm, wrote the song as the region was enduring historic flooding. After acknowledging that he and the band all grew up loving country music, and, of course, thats kind of what we think of when we go to Texas, Martin asked the crowd to bear with them. This is a new song, and well never play it again, Martin said. Its a once-off. Its called Houston. Were going to sing it in Miami for everybody here and then were going to send it over there to everyone who missed the show. Vowing to return to Houston, Martin and band huddled and tentatively started a twangy little number. Im dreaming of when I get back to Houston, sang Martin, replete with a touch of Johnny Cash-ian twang. Describing it as that city where they send you into space, Martin crooned of Corpus Christi, Harris County, Galveston, of a harmony that hums down there in Houston, and urged the region to keep on keeping on. Merle Haggard it wasnt (and everyones a critic), but the performance drew huge applause from fans and went viral on Tuesday morning. Coldplays quick-turnaround ditty is hardly the first to document such deluges. Johnny Cashs Three Feet High and Rising occurred in real time as a family struggled to keep dry. In Charley Pattons High Water Everywhere, the country blues singer recalled the lives lost in the Great Flood of 1927, which consumed the Mississippi Delta and spawned dozens of songs: Oh, Lordy, women is groaning down / Oh, Lordy, women and children sinking down, Patton sang. I couldnt see nobody home, and was no one to be found. Below is another song about the flood of 27: Bessie Smiths Backwater Blues. Facebook

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Corinne Olympios on Bachelor in Paradise scandal: I was really a victim of the media By Christie DZurilla (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) Corinne Olympios says medication, the booze and the media were key players in Junes production-stopping Bachelor in Paradise scandal and its aftermath. Calling the situation just really unfortunate, she said Tuesday on Good Morning America that she doesnt remember anything that happened. Seeing video of what transpired on the first day of production on the looking-for-love reality show was like watching not-me, she said. Im watching someone else. On that day, Olympios and fellow cast member DeMario Jackson allegedly wound up in the pool or hot tub together in a situation that a producer thought went too far. Allegations of misconduct were made, and production shut down the next day for an investigation that ultimately determined nothing untoward had happened. The show, sans Corinne and DeMario, premiered its fourth season Aug. 14, a week later than originally planned. I did drink, too much, I definitely understand that, Olympios said. But I was also on a medication that severely blacks you out and impairs your judgment and messes with your balance, that I didnt know you were not supposed to not drink on, and so it really just caused a horrible, horrible blackout. It was like I went under like anesthesia and then just like woke up. Shes now weaning off the medication, she said, and cutting down on her drinking. But in explaining her provocative official statement that she was a victim living out her worst nightmare, Olympios revealed her specific definition of victimhood, which had little or nothing to do with consent, which was a hot topic throughout the scandal. I was really a victim of the media, Olympios said. It was just, all of a sudden people became an expert on the situation and on what happened, and it was like, Im still trying to figure out exactly what happened. It was just horrible to deal with. It got really, really bad. ..., she added. The things people say are just insane. When the remaining Paradise cast met as a whole on the first episode of the season, their sympathies seemed to lie with Jackson as they worried about the long-term effects the scandal would have on him and any future career opportunities, especially given the lingering racial issues of alleged misconduct between a white woman and a black man. However, they were quick to say they were not slut-shaming Olympios either. Jackson spoke last week on Bachelor in Paradise, sitting down with host Chris Harrison to give his take on what happened. Heres a taste of that, courtesy of GMA: Facebook

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Victorias Secret Fashion Show heads to Shanghai this year By Nardine Saad Angels will fly over the Great Wall of China in November as the Victorias Secret Fashion Show heads to Shanghai for the first time. Supermodels Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge and more will strut their stuff for the annual lingerie extravaganza, Victorias Secret and CBS said in a statement on Tuesday. The iconic pre-holiday show  replete with teensy underwear and massive angel wings  is usually filmed in New York, but Miami, Los Angeles and London have also hosted the scantily clad runway walk. The broadcast will air on CBS on Nov. 28 and will be shown in more than 190 countries. Models Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, Josephine Skriver, Lais Ribeiro, Martha Hunt, Romee Strijd, Sara Sampaio, Stella Maxwell and Taylor Hill will also walk in this years show. Musical performers will be announced at a later date, the statement said. Ni hao, China! This year's #VSFashionShow is headed to Shanghai. Watch it Nov 28, 10/9C on @CBS. Learn more: https://t.co/AHWHWjKOCI pic.twitter.com/tgIVJs7Lsr  Victoria's Secret (@VictoriasSecret) August 29, 2017 Facebook

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A Star Is Born: William Friedkin turns 82 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) I love the experience of making films. I love the mud. I love the dirt. I love all the inconveniences. Thats why you do it. If you do it because youre looking to be the Great American film maker, youre liable to experience disappointment.  William Friedkin, 1989 FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Exorcisms of William Friedkin Facebook

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Taylor Swifts Look What You Made Me Do video bashes another YouTube record By Randy Lewis Taylor Swifts official video for her first new music in three years, Look What You Made Me Do, has blasted through the existing YouTube record for most views tallied during its first 24 hours of release. The clip logged 43.2 million views since the video was posted Sunday evening. That far surpasses the record set in 2013 by Korean pop star Psys Gentleman, which racked up 36 million views in its first day. It also hasnt slowed interest in Swifts previously released lyric video for the same song, which set a record for lyric video viewership by drawing 19 million views in the first 24 hours. That version has now surpassed 47 million views in less than four days. Both videos have generated flurries of debate and analysis among Swifts fans and her dissenters, the former seemingly outnumbering the latter by a margin of nearly 5 to 1. Likes have surpassed the 1 million mark, while dislikes stood at 232,000 at the 24-hour mark. The song is the first single from her forthcoming album Reputation, due Nov. 10. It will be Swifts sixth studio album. Each of her last three albums sold more than 1 million copies during the first week of release. Swift is the only artist with that achievement to her credit. Update Aug. 29, 10:30 a.m.: This post has been updated with the finalized 24-hour viewer total. Facebook

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Watch the Game of Thrones cast and crew break down some of Season 7s best scenes By Tracy Brown Game of Thrones Season 7 may have concluded Sunday, but there is still plenty left for fans to unpack before Thrones"-withdrawal sets in. Along with all the burning questions left in the wake of the season finale, HBO has left us with some behind-the-scenes videos from this seasons most epic moments. The production magic of Game of Thrones is undeniable and it extends to beyond special effects dragons. From Arya donning Walder Freys face to dole out her brand of vengeance to Daenerys walking into Dragonstone for the first time, there is plenty to explore from just the first episode alone. The video above dives deep into what it took to craft the Season 7 premiere, including how Cerseis fancy new giant map came to be. Of course, plenty of fans are probably still contemplating the latest episode and what Jon and Danys new level of intimacy means going into the final season. Can this be how the actual prince that was promised is conceived? And if you were a bit squicked out by the pairs developing relationship, youre not alone. Unlike Jon and Daenerys, Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington are definitely aware that they are both Targaryens. For us as actors its just weird, said Clarke in a video about the coupling. The reality of what they are to each other. In fact, the actors had more facial expressions and sound effects to convey their feelings about this union than words. Watch in the video below. Facebook

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Ed Skrein leaves Hellboy after whitewashing furor By Christie DZurilla (Jordan Strauss / Associated Press) Ed Skrein will not play Maj. Ben Daimio in a reboot of Hellboy, the English actor said Monday, noting that when he accepted the role he didnt know that in the comics the character was of mixed Asian descent. Just a week ago, Skrein had tweeted his excitement over taking on the role. Backlash  in the form of whitewashing allegations  ensued. It is clear that representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance for people, and that to neglect this responsibility would continue a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic minority stories and voices in the Arts, the 34-year-old Deadpool actor said in a statement announcing that he had changed his mind about portraying Daimio. Calling it a moral decision, he said he was sad to leave the movie but hoped his action would make a difference in making equal representation in the arts a reality. David Harbour, the Stranger Things actor slated to play Hellboy, tweeted, Hey internet. Thank you for your voices. An injustice was done and will be corrected. Many thanks to @edskrein for doing what is right. Mike Mignola, who created the Hellboy comics, also thanked Skrein on Monday and said the move was very nicely done. Hey internet. Thank you for your voices.



An injustice was done and will be corrected.



Many thanks to @edskrein for doing what is right. https://t.co/tUvP6YibgG  David Harbour (@DavidKHarbour) August 28, 2017 In addition to Harbour, the 2018 version of the story so far stars Milla Jovovich as Nimue, Ian McShane as Professor Broom and Alice Monaghan as Sasha Lane, according to IMDb. Neil Marshall, who among other things has helmed episodes of Game of Thrones and Westworld, is set to direct. The Daimio character didnt appear in the 2004 or 2008 Guillermo del Toro films based on the Hellboy comics. Heres Skreins full explanation: pic.twitter.com/8WoSsHXDFO  Ed Skrein (@edskrein) August 28, 2017 Updated, 2:39 p.m.: This story was updated with comments from Harbour and Mignola. Facebook

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Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper are super-friends no more By Libby Hill Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin (Rob Kim / Getty Images) What began as a tasteless joke at the expense of President Trump continues to have real-life consequences for comedian Kathy Griffin. In an extensive interview with The Cut, Griffin admitted that her 17-year friendship with Anderson Cooper, with whom she co-hosted CNNs New Years Eve gig for a decade, ended in the wake of the Trump controversy. In May, Griffin publicized a photo shoot that featured her holding a bloodied imitation severed head bearing a strong resemblance to the president. The backlash was immediate and largely bipartisan, as many saw the images as glorifying violence and furthering political division. Griffin quickly apologized for the misstep but the damage had been done, with condemnation from the White House, investigation by the Secret Service and the loss of several jobs, including her CNN gig. On May 30, Cooper tweeted his disapproval of Griffins artistic expression, calling it disgusting and completely inappropriate, and Griffin admitted at a June 2 news conference that Coopers comments hurt her. For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate.  Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) May 31, 2017 In July, Cooper appeared on Bravos Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen and stated that he and Griffin were still friends. Yeah, were still friends, and look I said what I said about  I didnt think what she said was appropriate, but I wish her the best and I hope she bounces back, he stated. But Griffin claimed that at that point, nearly two months after the fact, she had yet to hear from Cooper privately. In reality, it wasnt until Aug. 10 that Cooper finally reached out to Griffin in a series of text messages, CNN confirmed to The Cut  at which point Griffin informed him that their friendship was over. Facebook

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In One Mississippi Season 2 trailer, Tig Notaro prays for the gay to stay By Christie DZurilla Tig Notaros One Mississippi is coming back for a second season, one in which her character is getting used to life back in her small Mississippi hometown. Season 1 of the Amazon Prime Video series took viewers through a fictionalized series of events that echoed Notaros own life: a potentially deadly intestinal illness, breast cancer, a double mastectomy, the unexpected death of her beloved mother and a romantic breakup. Yup, its a dark comedy. In Season 2, L.A. transplant Tig is navigating her new environs, including strategizing about how to proceed with a crush on Straight Kate and dealing with some well-meaning, pray-the-gay-away critics of her radio show. Plus, theres her stepfathers whole dishwasher drill to contend with, not to mention the story line that has to do with sexual assault. The new season of One Mississippi starts streaming Sept. 8. Facebook

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Watch Frank Oceans lyric video for new song Provider By Randall Roberts As is his wont these days, R&B superstar Frank Ocean unveiled a new song, Provider, his own way: during the newest installment of Blonded Radio, the Apple Music/Beats 1 radio show he hosts and curates. The ballads a meditation that name-checks Aphex Twin, shoegaze, Talking Heads, Jaws, Patagonia sportswear and Stanley Kubrick, and moves through verses without much regard for structure. Immediately following the Sunday premiere, Ocean dropped the lyric video on his website. Featuring a souped-up mini-boombox retrofitted with bigger speaker cones and a Velcro-attached machete, the clip suggests an owner getting ready to hunt prey while using Provider as the lure. Ocean hasnt uploaded the clip to YouTube, but you can listen and watch on his blonded.co website. Facebook

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Gone With the Wind, deemed insensitive, has been pulled from a Memphis theater By Christie DZurilla Gone With the Wind will not be shown in the future by a Tennessee theater that decided it was insensitive to many in the local community. The 1939 movie, which marked the first Oscar win by a black actor, depicts a romanticized view of slavery and life on a Southern plantation before, during and after the Civil War. Gone With the Wind, which won 10 Academy Awards in 1940, including for best picture, had been shown by the Orpheum Theatre Group for years as part of an annual Summer Movie Series, according to Memphis Commercial-Appeal. At times, it was screened more than once a year, the paper said. This year, however, a different climate prevailed. The recent screening of Gone With the Wind at the Orpheum on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, generated numerous comments, Brett Batterson, president of the theater group, said Friday in a statement (via the New York Times). The Orpheum carefully reviewed all of them. As an organization whose stated mission is to entertain, educate and enlighten the communities it serves, the Orpheum cannot show a film that is insensitive to a large segment of its local population. The majority of Memphis residents are black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The screening happened, coincidentally, on the day before a rally of white nationalists that turned violent in Charlottesville, Va.  a rally that has been followed by a national conversation about whether to purge monuments to Civil War generals and soldiers from public spaces. In an interview with the Commercial-Appeal, Batterson said the appropriateness of screening Gone With the Wind had been discussed every year, but the social media storm this year really brought it home. By Monday, comments on social media, including on the Facebook post announcing the screening, had shifted in large part to defense of Gone With the Wind as a product of its time that, despite its romanticized portrayal of the Old South and of slavery, was still part of movie history and worth showing on a big screen. The Orpheum did not respond Monday to The Times requests for comment. Hattie McDaniels Oscar win for supporting actress was a significant first but was also loaded with a lot of political and racial issues given that the film was the classic archetype of the Mammy, said Adilifu Nama, associate professor of African American Studies at Loyola Marymount University, speaking to The Times in 2014. McDaniels role of Mammy is fundamentally a subservient role and is part of a film that is a Southern racial fantasy, Nama said. Facebook

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Taylor Swift gets petty and Pink talks pretty in the must-see moments from MTVs Video Music Awards By Libby Hill Were you too busy watching [spoiler] revealed as [spoiler] on Sunday nights Game of Thrones finale to watch MTVs Video Music Awards? Fear not! Weve gathered up four must-see moments from the socially conscious affair (and one lackluster video debut from Taylor Swift) to keep you in the loop. Pinks PowerPoint presentation It was a banner night for singer Pink, who received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for her body of work and used the occasion to share an anecdote about her daughter Willow. Recently, Pink stated, her daughter referred to herself as the ugliest person she knew and complained that she looked like a boy with long hair. At first, the Raise Your Glass singer was taken aback by her daughters words but soon swung into action, compiling an elaborate PowerPoint presentation about the history of androgynous rock stars, including Michael Jackson, David Bowie and Annie Lennox. Pink relayed a simple sentiment that most of us could learn a lot from: So, baby, girl, we dont change. We take the gravel and the shell and we make a pearl. Logic talks emotions Plenty of artists used the VMAs stage to speak passionately about issues they care about, but few did so as extensively as rapper Logic. After his performance of 1-800-273-8255" with Khalid and Alessia Cara, the title of which is the phone number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Logic talked about mental health and equality. Beginning at 3:50 in the above video, Logic first thanked the audience for giving him a platform to discuss the important issue of mental health. He then quickly pivoted to other pressing social issues including discrimination, sexism and domestic violence. I dont give a damn if youre black, white or any color in between, Logic said. I dont care if youre Christian, youre Muslim, youre gay, youre straight, I am gonna fight for your equality because I believe that we are all born equal, but we are not treated equally and that is why we must fight. Jared Leto honors Chester Bennington Logics performance and subsequent speech were particularly moving given the past years loss of two rock musicians to suicide  Linkin Parks Chester Bennington and Soundgardens Chris Cornell. Jared Leto, an Academy Award winner and frontman of Thirty Seconds to Mars, spoke about both men at Sundays ceremony. MTV asked me to come here to say a few words about Chester and the late, great, Chris Cornell, two artists I had the absolute pleasure of touring with, Leto said of the two singers who were also close friends. Chester said of Chris, Your voice was joy and pain and anger and forgiveness, love and heartache, all wrapped up into one, Leto recalled. Leto also recounted his own memories of Bennington. I think about his heart, Leto said. And I remember his voice. At once ferocious and delicate, that voice will live forever. Fifth Harmony gets shady Despite the pleas for equality and the heartfelt speeches, there was still plenty of time for pettiness at the VMAs, as evidenced by Fifth Harmonys performance. As the group took the stage to perform its latest single, Angel, a mystery fifth member appeared in the lineup before being unceremoniously yanked offstage as the song began. What appeared as an inexplicable stunt to the uninitiated was likely a shady reference to former Fifth Harmony frontwoman Camila Cabello, who exited the group in December to pursue a solo career. It wasnt so much that Cabellos departure stung her former colleagues but that she reportedly failed to inform them of her decision before announcing it to the world. Oops. Also Taylor Swift Unless you were in a coma for the whole of last week, you probably heard that Taylor Swift announced the release date for her upcoming album, Reputation, as well as releasing the first single, Look What You Made Me Do. Its fine. Sunday night, Swift debuted the video for Look What You Made Me Do. It is also fine. This has been your daily Taylor Swift update. Facebook

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Kevin Hart, Beyonce and Drake lead charge for Hurricane Harvey flood relief By Nardine Saad (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times) As Harvey lashed southeastern Texas over the weekend, celebrities rallied for the relief effort. Comedian Kevin Hart led the charge Sunday night, donating $25,000 and challenging his celebrity friends to donate to the Red Cross amid catastrophic flooding in the Lone Star State. I think weve participated in a lot of challenges on the Internet, some meaningful, some meaningless, but weve all done them. Ive been a person thats partaken in several of them, Hart said in an Instagram video. At this point, this is a serious matter, he continued. I think the people are in bad shape and they need help. Im going to lead the charge and step up in this way. The Jumanji star called on his co-star Dwayne Johnson, comics Steve Harvey, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and Jerry Seinfeld, as well as musicians Jay-Z, Beyonce and Justin Timberlake to make donations and tag someone else to do the same. At that point, Houston native Beyonce and Kelly Rowland of Destinys Child had already posted notes about their hometown on Instagram, sending thoughts and prayers to the state that launched their careers. View Instagram post View Instagram post The deluge of support continued with country star Chris Young. The Man I Want to Be singer posted an emotional YouTube video about his certainty that his Texas home was destroyed and concern for his friends and family in the state. He donated $100,000 to relief efforts to a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the Red Cross. Harvey, one of the worst natural disasters in the states history, slammed onshore Friday as a Category 4 hurricane, then weakened to a tropical storm on Saturday, dropping up to 24 inches of rain on Houston in 24 hours. The National Weather Service reported that at least five people had died as of Sunday evening, but that number was expected to increase as the floodwaters recede. More than 30,000 people across the Gulf Coast are likely to seek temporary shelter as the tropical storm continues to drench southeastern Texas and Louisiana with heavy rains and surging floodwaters, The Times reported. Toronto native Drake, who has lived in Houston for the last eight years, said that he and DJ Future the Prince are working with local relief groups to aid and assist the people of Texas in anyway we can and in the most immediate way possible. I also want to thank all the men and women of service and volunteers for their courageous efforts to help people in need, the rapper said on Instagram. I encourage everyone to do what they can to assist the people of Texas knowing whatever effort you can make to help will go a long way. View Instagram post Also, during the MTV Video Music Awards Awards on Sunday, host Katy Perry touched upon the catastrophic event. She too urged viewers to donate to the Red Cross. All of us here at the VMAs are sending love to the people of southeastern Texas and everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey right now, Perry said onstage. Were praying for your safety in the days to come and we stand with you as you rebuild because were all in this together. According to the Houston Chronicle, more than 15 inches of rain could fall on several more southeastern Texas cities. Corpus Christi, where Harvey first made landfall, saw upward of 20 inches of rain in two days. By Monday morning, up to 40 inches of rain had fallen on northeast Houston. Another 20 inches were expected Monday before Tropical Storm Harvey travels farther east. Facebook

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Susan Bro, mother of slain Charlottesville protester Heather Heyer, announces anti-hate foundation at the MTV VMAs By Randall Roberts (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) During an evening filled with defiant messages against racism, homophobia and body shaming, the mother of Heather Heyer announced some concrete actions to further the cause. Susan Bro, whose daughter was killed two weeks ago during protests in Charlottesville, Va., has worked through her grief by speaking out against racism, and took a further step by creating the Heather Heyer Foundation. Describing it as a nonprofit organization that will provide scholarships to help more people to join Heathers fight against hatred, Bro requested that viewers visit the new site to help me make Heathers death count. Added Bro: Heather never marched alone. She was always joined by people from every race and every background in this country. Bro was introduced by Robert Lee IV -- a descendant of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee -- who said his ancestor has became of idol of white supremacy and hate. Lee went on to describe racism as Americas original sin. He went on to ask all of those with privilege to confront white supremacy and racism head-on. Watch his speech below. I call on all of us with privilege and power to confront racism and white supremacy head-on" - Robert Lee IV #VMAs pic.twitter.com/ko4SM9VnaU  MTV (@MTV) August 28, 2017 Facebook

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Watch Pinks inspiring MTV VMA speech to individuality By Randall Roberts In receiving her Video Vanguard award at the MTV VMAs on Sunday at the Forum -- the shows equivalent of a lifetime achievement trophy -- the pop star Pink told a story about a conversation shed recently had with her young daughter. They were driving to school and her daughter said, Mama, Im the ugliest girl I know. Pink replied, Huh? And she was like, Yeah, I look like a boy with long hair. Pink said that she immediately thought, My god, youre 6. Where is this coming from? The artist and mom didnt lecture her daughter. Instead, said Pink: I went home and made a PowerPoint presentation for her, and in that presentation were androgynous rock stars and artists that live their truth; are probably made fun of every day of their lives and carry on and wave their flag; and inspire the rest of us. These are artists like Michael Jackson and David Bowie and Freddie Mercury and Annie Lennox and Prince and Janis Joplin and George Michael, Elton John, so many artists. Pink said that her daughters eyes glazed over, but Pink pressed her about why she felt that way about herself. What do you think I look like? She said, Youre beautiful. The pop singer explained that she gets critiqued, too. They say I look like a boy or Im too masculine or Im too -- I have too many opinions. My body is too strong. I said to her, Do you see me growing my hair? She said No Mama. I said, Do you see me changing my body? She said, No Mama. Do you see me changing the way I present myself to the world? No Mama. Do you see me selling out arenas all over the world. Yes Mama. OK baby girl. We dont change. We take the gravel and the shell and we make a pearl. And we help other people to change so that they can see more kinds of beauty. Added Pink in closing: To all the artists here, Im so inspired by you. Thank you for being your true selves and for lighting the way for us. Facebook

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Watch Jared Leto offer touching tribute to Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington at the MTV VMAs By Randall Roberts In a moving tribute to two fallen musicians, the actor and musician Jared Leto honored the lives of Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Chester Bennington of Linkin Park at the MTV VMAs on Sunday. Cornell and Bennington committed suicide in 2017, and Leto was friends with both. In 1976 in Phoenix, Ariz., a child was born. He was precocious, full of life, and determined, and grew up to become the singer of one of the greatest rock bands in the history of music, Leto said. His name was Chester Bennington, and the band is Linkin Park. Leto added that MTV asked him to say a few words about Bennington and Cornell, who he described as two artists that I had the absolute pleasure of touring with. They were close friends with one another -- Chester even singing the cover of the classic Hallelujah at Chris funeral. Recalling Benningtons words at Cornells funeral service, Leto said: Chester said of Chris, Your voice was joy and pain and anger and forgiveness, love and heartache all wrapped up into one. Just weeks later, Chester himself was gone. Chester was my friend. As he was to so many. Witnessing his life taught me important things -- especially about working relentlessly, pursuing dreams and being kind and caring while doing it. Facebook

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Kodak Black, Lil Uzi Vert and more steal the MTV VMA spotlight By Gerrick Kennedy Kodak Black arriving at the MTV VMAs. (Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press) The line near a concession stand inside the Forum minutes before the MTV VMAs kicked off on Sunday was lengthy, but no one was waiting on food or drinks. Instead, a dozen or so folks waited patiently to get a selfie with Kodak Black, who high-fived and posed with as fans fumbled with smartphones. The VMAs are typically rife with heavyweights (Kendrick Lamar, Katy Perry, etc.) but this years ceremony looked to tap into the wide scene of rising acts that have been dominating streaming services and social media all summer. Before the telecast even began Lil Uzi Vert clinched a major win, taking the trophy for song of summer for XO Tour Llif3" and he later joined Ed Sheeran for the tune, no doubt the nights most surprising collaboration. Meanwhile, Khalids pre-show medley could have easily anchored the main show while reality star turned breakout rap sensation Cardi B was another highlight of the pre-show festivities. Her viral hit Bodak Yellow rattled throughout the Forum during nearly every commercial break. Fifth Harmony later made its debut at the VMAs with an explosive main stage performance of Down, a song that also won the award for pop video. Facebook

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Jack Antonoff is living his best life at the MTV VMAs By Mikael Wood Jack Antonoff performs onstage during the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show. (Joshua Blanchard / Getty Images) Has anyone at MTVs Video Music Awards had more screen time so far than Jack Antonoff? First the A-list producer and songwriter turned up on the nights pre-show ceremony for a performance with his band Bleachers. Then he introduced Lorde by noting that hed seen her eat gas-station sushi during the two years they spent together working on her album Melodrama. He also accepted the award for best collaboration  for Taylor Swift and Zayns I Dont Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker), which he helped create  because the singers couldnt be there. But Antonoffs best moment? Obviously the candid reaction shot in which he was shown casually eating a banana, as his girlfriend, Lena Dunham, described it on Twitter. My boyfriend just casually eating a banana at the VMAs is a good reminder of why we've been at it half a decade  Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) August 28, 2017 Facebook

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Watch Taylor Swifts bold Look What You Made Me Do video, which premiered during the MTV VMAs By Randall Roberts Taylor Swifts new video for Look What You Made Me Do, which premiered during the 2017 MTV VMAs on Sunday night, features her dressed as a zombie, a diamond-drenched queen, a red-dressed seductress, a car-crash victim, a bird in a cage, a kitty-masked thief with a baseball bat, a biker chick wearing studded leather and a whip-snapping dominatrix. As she poses and pretends, Swift makes a not-so-veiled reference to her ongoing feud with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, getting all combative behind the microphone as a feather-light melody jumps behind her. The video premiered during a ceremony hosted by pop star and avowed Swift nemesis Katy Perry. Perry didnt introduce the clip, a hint that the two probably still arent besties. Inside the Forum, the video premiered on multiple big screen TVs rose that from the stage, and Perry was nowhere in sight. As the clip seems to be winding down, the music fades. But Swift hasnt fully made her point. In its final moments arrive a dozen-odd versions of Swift standing in front of a black private jet with the name of her new album, Reputation, scrawled on it. The many Swifts start bickering and referencing the various criticisms that have been lobbied at her over the years. Stop making that face, its so annoying, the zombie Swift says, a nod to what some believe is the exaggerated excitement the artist shows when she wins awards. A young version of Swift interrupts with an innocent Yall! but is shot down by an embittered Swift: Oh stop acting like youre so nice. Youre so fake! Standing in the center of the line is Swift seemingly dressed as she was at the 2009 VMAs, when West interrupted her victory speech to decry Beyonce's loss. Holding her VMA trophy, she says, Id like very much to be excluded from this narrative, both a nod to to the musical Hamilton and a repeat of a phrase Swift posted on social media in wake of controversy resulting from Wests song Famous. In that 2016 tune, he he boasted that I made that [profanity] famous and, therefore, that he and Swift might still have sex. The other Swifts reply in unison: Oh shut up! Facebook

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Kendrick Lamar opens 2017 VMAs with fiery performances of DNA and Humble By Randall Roberts Wearing a red scarf on his head and a poofy winter coat onstage, Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar opened the 2017 MTV VMAs needing neither. Within a few minutes of launching with DNA a dancer center stage burst into flames. You could almost feel the heat simmering through the screen. I was born like this, since one like this, Lamar rapped. Immaculate conception/I transform like this, perform like this. Perform he did, moving into a second track, Humble, from his recent album Damn. Shedding the coat, he stood in front of a fiery backdrop grid that burned as dancers scaled it. As they did so, Lamar rapped, My left stroke just went viral/Right stroke put lil baby in a spiral. It was the opening shot of a VMAs in which politics and protest may end up taking center stage. Indeed, moments later presenter Paris Jackson drew a rousing applause when she denounced the racism and hatred propogated by white supremacists and neo-Nazis. Facebook

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Heidi Klum, Jack Antonoff and others stand in support of transgender military service members at VMAs By Randall Roberts View Instagram post As the 2017 Video Music Awards were approaching, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) was out in full force at the Forum. Its president and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, walked the red carpet along with her invited guests: six transgender members of the military. The action came in the wake of President Donald Trumps direction to the Pentagon on Friday, as reported in The Times, to return to the long-standing policy and practice barring military service by transgender individuals. Praising MTV as a pioneering advocate for the LGBTQ community, Ellis said in a statement, Throughout all the tweets, memos, and speculation, brave transgender Americans are still serving their country and defending the freedoms of this nation while meeting the same rigorous standards of their peers. We are proud to stand with them. Posing in support: musicians and celebrities including Jack Antonoff (Bleachers), supermodel Heidi Klum, actor-comedian Billy Eichner and others, who stood alongside transgender service members including Jennifer Peace, Logan Ireland, Sterling James Crutcher and Akira Wyatt, as well as trans veterans Laila Ireland and Brynn Tannehil. Also joining them was LGBTQ philanthropist August Getty, who in his other life is a fashion designer responsible for Miley Cyruss red carpet dress. Facebook

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MTV VMAs return to Southern California with an overwhelmingly impressive setup By Gerrick Kennedy Cardi B performing at the pre-show for the MTV VMAs. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / Associated Press) After heading to the East Coast last year, the MTV VMAs have returned to Southern California. And tonight at the Forum in Inglewood, it was clear that the network decided to go big  huge really. Upon arrival to the venue it appeared that the scale of this years show was unlike anything MTV had done in recent history. A structure that looked like a space shuttle swallowed the lot in front of the venue, and stars such as Cardi B and Big Freedia could be seen pumping through the red carpet (its a deep shade of blue this year). Inside the Forum, the stage took up the entirety of the venues ground floor. The imprint of the stage was impressive, even overwhelming in size as a maze of catwalks and secondary stages traced the floor, all of which was outlined by hundreds of glowing triangles and projection screens. It made for a futuristic playground of geometric glowing shapes that show opener Kendrick Lamar put to use immediately as he emerged from the center of the venue for the explosive DNA, strutting through half of the venue before making it to the main stage. Facebook

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Taylor Swift breaks YouTube record with Look What You Made Me Do video By Randy Lewis Taylor Swift set a YouTube record with the lyric video for her new single Look What You Made Me Do, tallying 19 million views in just the first 24 hours. Thats more than double the previous first-day record for a lyric video, which was set in February by the lyric video for the Chainsmokers Something Just Like This featuring Coldplay, which registered 9 million views upon its release. Its also the best 24-hour figure Swift has logged, besting the first-day result for her 2015 official video for Bad Blood, which attracted 17 million views, and has since totaled more than 1.1 billion views. As of Sunday morning, the tally for Look What You Made Me Do had surpassed 35 million. It sets the stage for the premiere tonight of Swifts official video for the new single, which will be introduced during the MTV Video Music Awards Ceremony, taking place at the Forum in Inglewood. The overall record for viewership in the first 24 hours for any music video belongs to Adele, who registered 27.7 million views in 2015 at the premiere of the official video for her song Hello. Facebook

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Why William Friedkin called Tobe Hoopers Texas Chain Saw Massacre an Umami Burger of a movie By Mark Olsen Director Tobe Hooper, who died in Los Angeles on Saturday at age 74, created many movies and TV shows during his long career  including stepping to helm the filming of Poltergeist when Steven Spielberg was contractually banned from directing other films during the production of ET: The Extra Terrestrial. Hoopers most admired film, of course, was 1974s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. In 2014, on the occasion of the films 40th anniversary, The Exorcist director William Friedkin interviewed Hooper before an overflow audience at Los Angeles Vista theater. During the engaging conversation, Friedkin called Hooper one of the sweetest, nicest guys Ive ever known. And then added, So I often wonder where this stuff comes from. Hooper talked about purposely pitting his actors against each other to keep the on-screen tension high, how an unlikely pair of albums  Elton Johns Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Lou Reeds Berlin  inspired him during the writing of the screenplay, and about how damn strong women are, referring to the resilent character played by Marilyn Burns. Shes just not going to die. At one point, Friedkin provocatively asked, Do you think this is a work of art? Hooper first asked, Should I be modest? before responding with a salty confirmation, Its a ... work of art. The Times Mark Olsen was there for the interview. At the end of his article, theres this affirmation of the film from Friedkin: No 3-D, no CGI, welcome to this Umami Burger of a movie. Read on to find his reasoning. Read More Facebook

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Cinefamily suspends all activities in wake of sexual misconduct allegations By Sonaiya Kelley The Cinefamily on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times) Following the resignations Tuesday of two leadership figures at Cinefamily, the Los Angeles independent film venue has announced that it is temporarily suspending all activities to allow for the investigation and necessary restructure of management and the board. Recently, claims were made alleging improper behavior by one of more members of the organization, reads a release posted on the organizations website and social media pages. The Board of Directors of The Cinefamily has no tolerance for any form of behavior that does not conform to the high standards demanded by our members and staff and that of common human decency. The letter also says that Cinefamily is bringing on an independent third party, Giles Miller at Lynx Insights & Investigations, to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations. View Twitter post A spokesperson for the theater could not immediately be reached for comment. The announcement comes in the wake of two high profile exits: co-founder and executive creative director, Hadrian Belove, and vice president of its board of directors, Shadie Elnashai, resigned on Tuesday following allegations of sexual misconduct. The exits were announced in postings on Cinefamilys social media accounts. In light of recent events, Shadie Elnashai has resigned from Cinefamilys Board of Directors and Hadrian Belove has resigned as the Executive Creative Director of Cinefamily, read the statement. Addressing the anonymous allegations in a post to his personal Facebook account following his resignation, Belove described the emails contents as demonstrable lies and half-truths, and allegations without known victims. It is not clear whether screenings currently scheduled will still run, and there has been grumbling by monthly billed members as to whether or not automated charges will be suspended or cancelled. Facebook

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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre director Tobe Hooper dies in Los Angeles at 74 By Associated Press Tobe Hooper, the horror-movie pioneer whose low-budget sensation The Texas Chain Saw Massacre took a buzz saw to audiences with its brutally frightful vision, has died. He was 74. The Los Angeles County coroners office says Hooper died Saturday in Sherman Oaks. It was reported as a natural death. Hooper and contemporaries like George Romero crafted some of the scariest nightmares that ever haunted moviegoers. He directed 1982s Poltergeist from a script by Steven Spielberg and was behind the 1979 miniseries Salems Lot, based on the Stephen King novel. Read More Facebook

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Is Taylor Swift trying to turn off her listeners? By Mikael Wood We can skip the rundown of Taylor Swifts feud with Kanye West, right? Less than 24 hours after the worlds biggest pop star unleashed her new single on a waiting commentariat, Im already exhausted by the idea of having to read (let alone write) yet another rehash of this deeply tiresome conflict. But you know whos not over it? Taylor Swift. In Look What You Made Me Do  released online Thursday night as the lead single from a new album, Reputation, due in November  the singer sounds positively fired up as she takes whack after brutal whack at the rapper who once interrupted her at an awards show. (Swift doesnt name West, to be clear, but with her reference to a tilted stage, she doesnt need to.) I dont like your perfect crime / How you laugh when you lie, she seethes over a throbbing electronic groove, You said the gun was mine / Isnt cool  no, I dont like you. Later in the tune, which Swift created with Jack Antonoff, she pretends to answer a phone call from someone evidently looking for the old Taylor  the sucker, you presume, who mightve let bygones be bygones. But she cant come to the phone, Swift tells the caller. Why? she adds. Oh, cause shes dead. Whats surprising about Look What You Made Me Do  beyond the harsh industrial production that makes it feel like Swifts response to her enemys Yeezus  is that it suggests the singer no longer cares (or is no longer able to tell) what pop fans want. Swift rose to superstardom by anticipating listeners desires; she knew just when to pivot from acoustic guitars to sleek synthesizers, from the fairy-tale romance of early hits like Love Story to the more grown-up depiction found on her last album, 2014s smash 1989. On tour behind that record, she spent a good portion of her show every night telling the members of her audience how closely shed been paying attention to them. But dredging up Taylor v. Kanye again? I mean, I cant be the only one whos sick of this topic  something Swift wouldve known a few years ago without even having to think about it. OK, so she hardly lacks for company among A-listers eager to cook expired beef. Earlier this summer Katy Perry revived her ancient tussle with Swift  I believe it had something to do with backup dancers?  for Swish Swish. But Perrys song takes delight in its own pettiness, whereas Look What You Made Me Do just makes me think of President Trump whining endlessly about fake news. (Crediting Right Said Fred for the songs supposed debt to Im Too Sexy is funny in writing, but the inspiration adds little humor to the dour music.) Maybe Swift isnt aiming for me, though. Maybe this polarizing song is meant to galvanize her base  which, sure enough, is rhapsodizing about the track on social media  even at the expense of the wider world shes dominated for much of the last decade. If thats her play, its a wild one, especially coming after her powerful testimony during the recent trial regarding her alleged sexual assault at the hands of a Denver radio DJ. In court, Swift appeared driven to speak with a voice loud enough for others. Now, just days later, she seems uninterested in that job. Have we ever seen a pop star so happily give up a portion of her following? Thats an idea Im not tired of considering. Maybe Reputation will take it up. Facebook

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Concerts by Coldplay, other acts canceled as Hurricane Harvey nears Texas By August Brown Coldplay performs at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in 2016. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) As the potentially devastating Hurricane Harvey approaches the Texas coast, major acts including Coldplay, Lady Antebellum and Mary J. Blige have canceled or rescheduled their Houston-area concerts. Coldplay on Friday postponed a show scheduled for NRG Stadium in Houston. We really wanted to play tonight, but sitting here all together watching the news about the storm, we feel that we cant ask anyone to put their safety at risk. So, sadly, we will have to postpone, the band wrote. Live Nation Houston said ticket-holders would be updated when there was further information. We urge all fans in the area to stay safe, it said. A makeup date has not yet been scheduled. The country trio Lady Antebellum canceled its Sunday show at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the Woodlands, citing the storm. Blige postponed her Friday show at the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land. The venue announced that the concert had been rescheduled to Sept. 19. The Category 3 storm, which would be the first major hurricane to hit the United States since 2005, is expected to make landfall in coastal Texas on Saturday morning, bringing 100-mph winds and up to 35 inches of rain in some areas. Facebook

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Bachelor couple Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi break off their engagement By Christie DZurilla (Leon Bennett / Getty Images) Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi, who got engaged on the most recent season of The Bachelor, have  with a great amount of heartbreak  called the whole thing off. We gave this relationship our all and we are saddened that we did not get the fairytale ending we hoped for, they said Friday in a statement to E! News. The relationship lasted five months after the proposal aired on the Season 21 finale of The Bachelor in March. The two said in their statement that theyre parting with love and admiration for one another. The silver lining to what they called a difficult decision? This means Nick is potentially available for yet another TV stint in the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise. That as-yet-imaginary gig would be his fifth ride on the looking-for-love roller coaster. In Bachelor Nation, its always good to dream. Facebook

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Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher settle lawsuit over websites photos of their kids By Nardine Saad (Michael Nelson / EPA) Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis legal battle with British website MailOnline has been settled. The Two and a Half Men actor, the Bad Moms actress and the outlet have reached a satisfactory resolution of their legal action regarding the publication of photos of their children, their legal representatives said in a joint statement to The Times on Friday. The couple, who starred in That 70s Show together years before they began dating, took the websites publisher, Associated Newspapers, to Londons High Court in July 2015 over two articles featuring their daughter, who was 1 at the time. The U.K.'s MailOnline.com published images of Wyatt taken during a private family outing to the beach. A paparazzo used a long-lens camera to obtain the images, and the couple said they were unaware the photos were being taken. They claimed that the photos breached the Data Protection Act and were used for the unauthorized promotion of clothing on the website. [T]hey have reached a satisfactory resolution of their legal action, which includes an agreement to pixelate photographs of their daughter, Wyatt, their son, Dimitri, and any future children they should have together.  Joint statement from Kutcher, Kunis and the MailOnline announcing their lawsuit settlement Per the agreement announced Friday, the outlet will pixelate photographs of Kutchers and Kunis daughter, Wyatt, their son, Dimitri, and any future children they should have together. The settlement is the latest legal blow to MailOnline and its associated newspaper, the Daily Mail. (The U.S. version of the website, DailyMail.com, is run by a separate news team.) In April, the tabloids parent company settled a libel suit with First Lady Melania Trump over an article it ran in the paper and online that suggested she may have once worked as an escort. In July 2014, George Clooney lambasted the Daily Mail in a USA Today op-ed that accused it of making up stories in the wake of an article it published about his mother-in-law. He got an apology and an acknowledgement that the story was inaccurate. That same month, Angelina Jolie reportedly threatened to take legal action after it published a video that claimed to show her under the influence of heroin in the 1990s. Facebook

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Taylor Swifts Look What You Made Me Do lyrics: Let the analysis begin By Randy Lewis As if there were any doubt as to the level of interest in Taylor Swifts first new music in three years, her first single from her forthcoming album, Reputation, has been blowing up since it premiered Thursday night. The lyric video for Look What You Made Me Do had logged more than 7 million views as of 9:30 a.m. Friday. Additionally, Swift tweeted that the official video for the song will premiere Sunday during the MTV Video Music Awards ceremony. For those who want to dig in and attempt to decode what and to whom the I dont like you references might refer, here are the full lyrics to the song: Look What You Made Me Do FIRST VERSE I dont like your little games Dont like your tilted stage The role you made me play Of the fool, no, I dont like you I dont like your perfect crime How you laugh when you lie You said the gun was mine Isnt cool, no, I dont like you PRE-CHORUS But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time Ive got a list of names and yours is in red, underlined I check it once, then I check it twice, oh! CHORUS Ooh, look what you made me do Look what you made me do Look what you just made me do Look what you just made me do Ooh, look what you made me do Look What you made me do Look what you just made me do Look what you just made me do SECOND VERSE I dont like your kingdom keys They once belonged to me You ask for a place to sleep Locked me out and threw a feast (what?) The world goes on, another day, another drama, drama But not for me, not for me, all I think about is karma And then the world moves on, but one things for sure Baby, I got mine, but youll all get yours PRE CHORUS REPEATS But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time Ive got a list of names and yours is in red, underlined I check it once, then I check it twice, oh! CHORUS REPEATS Ooh, look what you made me do Look what you made me do Look what you just made me do Look what you just made me do Ooh, look what you made me do Look what you made me do Look what you just made me do Look what you just made me do THIRD VERSE I dont trust nobody and nobody trusts me Ill be the actress starring in your bad dreams I dont trust nobody and nobody trusts me Ill be the actress starring in your bad dreams I dont trust nobody and nobody trusts me Ill be the actress starring in your bad dreams I dont trust nobody and nobody trusts me Ill be the actress starring in your bad dreams (Look what you made me do) (Look what you made me do) ANSWERING MACHINE INTERLUDE Im sorry, the old Taylor cant come to the phone right now. Why? Oh cause shes dead! CHORUS REPEATS Ooh, look what you made me do Look what you made me do Look what you just made me do Look what you just made me do Ooh, look what you made me do Look what you made me do Look what you just made me do Look what you just made me do Facebook

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Patty Jenkins isnt surprised James Cameron doesnt get Wonder Woman By Tracy Brown Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins has some words about James Camerons comments on the Amazonian warrior goddess: Of course he doesnt get it. Following the Avatar directors claims that Wonder Woman is a step backwards for women, Jenkins responded in a tweet that Camerons thoughts are unsurprising because he is not a woman. In an interview with the Guardian, Cameron threw some shade on Wonder Womans success by trying to compare Diana Prince to Sarah Connor from his Terminator franchise. "[Sarah Connor] was strong, she was troubled, she was a terrible mother, and she earned the respect of the audience through pure grit, Cameron said. Nothing like the objectified beauty icon he considers Wonder Woman to be. Jenkins points out that Camerons narrow qualifications for what makes a good female hero are restrictive and not at all progressive. If women have to always be hard, tough and troubled to be strong, and we arent free to be multidimensional or celebrate an icon of women everywhere because she is attractive and loving, then we havent come very far have we, Jenkins wrote. Jenkins also insisted that there should be room for all types of female lead characters and that women themselves should be the judge of these icons of progress. There is no right and wrong kind of powerful woman, she wrote. Read Jenkins full statement below. pic.twitter.com/8zkJXHLCJW  Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) August 25, 2017 Facebook

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James Cameron thinks Wonder Womans success is misguided: Shes an objectified icon By Nardine Saad (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times) James Cameron isnt here for Wonder Womans blockbuster success. In fact, the moviemaker calls the much-loved superhero flick (Wonder Woman is currently at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes) a step back from the female heroes he created in the 80s and 90s. It appears that the Titanic and Terminator 2" director, whose films often put tough women at the center of the action, doesnt think that Gal Gadots character was complicated or groundbreaking enough to merit so much acclaim -- $800 million at the worldwide box office aside. All of the self-congratulatory back-patting Hollywoods been doing over Wonder Woman has been so misguided. Shes an objectified icon, and its just male Hollywood doing the same old thing! Cameron said in an interview with the Guardian. All of the self-congratulatory back-patting Hollywoods been doing over Wonder Woman has been so misguided. Shes an objectified icon, and its just male Hollywood doing the same old thing!  Filmmaker James Cameron on Wonder Woman The director, who was cast in the article as softened and evolved from his bone-crushing early movie-making days, believes that Wonder Woman was a step backwards. (Dont get him wrong, he did like Patty Jenkins summer blockbuster -- the first-ever feature-film incarnation of the DC Comics heroine and the highest-grossing live-action film directed by a woman -- just not enough to let it pass without throwing a little shade Diana Princes way.) Backwards in comparison with Camerons complex Sarah Connor character from the Terminator franchise. Sarah Connor was not a beauty icon. She was strong, she was troubled, she was a terrible mother, and she earned the respect of the audience through pure grit. And to me, [the benefit of characters like Sarah] is so obvious. I mean, half the audience is female! Cameron said. The three-time Oscar wi
Two leadership figures at Cinefamily, a prominent fixture in the Los Angeles repertory cinema scene, resigned Tuesday evening following a fast-escalating scandal alleging misconduct in and around the popular nonprofit theater on Fairfax Avenue.

In an anonymous email that circulated widely online and via social media beginning Monday morning, Cinefamilys co-founder and executive creative director, Hadrian Belove, and Shadie Elnashai, vice president of its board of directors, were accused of separate incidents of sexual misconduct toward women.

Belove and Elnashais exits were made official Tuesday evening in an announcement posted to Cinefamilys social media accounts.

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In light of recent events, Shadie Elnashai has resigned from Cinefamilys Board of Directors and Hadrian Belove has resigned as the Executive Creative Director of Cinefamily, read the statement.

Addressing the allegations in a post to his personal Facebook account following his resignation, Belove described the emails contents as demonstrable lies and half-truths, and allegations without known victims.

Reached by The Times on Tuesday, Belove further denied the claims and said he opted to resign after consulting with the board, rather than subject the organization to continued scrutiny.

It was my decision. I consulted with the board and was aware of the implications for the organization. It was putting a lot of people through a lot of stress for a long time, Belove said. I wasnt sure it could survive. I didnt feel comfortable putting my sense of right and wrong before the organization.

Elnashai did not respond to an email request for comment Tuesday.

The email, sent by an anonymous source and subsequently reposted widely on Facebook and Twitter, made claims of sexual harassment and sexual assault in and around the single-screen movie theater known for its quirky programming and social events. Its advisory board members include high-profile performers and filmmakers such as Brie Larson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jay and Mark Duplass.

Included in the anonymous email, which The Times reviewed, were documents from a 2014 lawsuit brought against both the organization and Belove by a female former employee.

As the PR crisis reached a crescendo online Tuesday, organizers of the Acropolis Cinema screening series scheduled to take place at Cinefamily told The Times they moved Sieranevada to the Downtown Independent in light of the scandal.

On social media, several Cinefamily patrons weighed in on the situation, with some threatening to boycott the theater and others defending it.

I was responsible for volunteer coordination at Cinefamily in 2011/2012 & can tell you that the turnover was CRAZY.  J. No (@MsJennyNixon) August 23, 2017

Co-founded in 2007 by Belove, the nonprofit is dedicated to finding and presenting interesting and unusual programs of exceptional, distinctive, weird and wonderful films, according to the theaters website. Programming varies from repertory screenings to new indie film releases, Q&A events and special events outside on the theaters back patio.

During a highly publicized 2012 fundraising campaign, Robert Downey Jr. pledged to cover the cost of new equipment, and the organization raised $158,541 in a Kickstarter campaign supported by members of the indie film scene. Earlier this month, David Lynch made an appearance to introduce the Ben Barenholtz film Alina.

Trevor Jones was hired two years ago as executive managing director of Cinefamily, sharing executive director duties equally with Belove before Beloves departure, with both reporting to the board of directors. On Tuesday evening, Jones confirmed a complaint lodged in 2016 against Elnashai. He emphasized that the complaint was of a nonviolent nature, contrary to the allegation of assault levied in the anonymous email.

There was a situation in which one person witnessed an incident that they thought was an unwelcome interaction, Jones told The Times. We addressed the claim; I did a thorough investigation of the claim including consultation with our partners, and then came to a resolution of the claim that was posed to the claimant, and the claimant said they were satisfied at the action taken in response to the claim.

Hadrian Belove, shown in 2013, is out at the Cinefamily after anonymous allegations of sexual misconduct led him to resign Tuesday. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

In the wake of the complaint, Jones said, he instituted annual workplace harassment seminars for his employees conducted by consulting firm Ogletree Deakins. Following this weeks allegations, Jones told The Times he reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department and took measures to establish safe channels for potential victims to contact law enforcement.

Jones said he never received a complaint alleging violent assault of the nature alleged in the anonymous email. He strongly refuted the idea that under his tenure Cinefamily management would have ignored or covered up such claims.

If anyone, period, made a claim against anyone else that they had committed a violent sexual attack against anyone else, whether they were a member of the theater or not, we would immediately call the police, Jones said. The assertion that we would do anything other than that is deeply upsetting and abhorrent, and it is absolutely inaccurate.

Although some associated with the organization declined to comment, Phil Blankenship, who programmed a midnight series at the theater from June 2012 to November 2015, addressed the rising behind-the-scenes tensions and unease at the theater by saying I left the Cinefamily because of the toxic environment.

But Cinefamily board member Louis Black said he was optimistic and committed. I believe in what Cinefamily is doing. I think its going to be some tumultuous times, but I expect it to survive and then thrive.

Times staff writer Mark Olsen contributed to this report.

jen.yamato@latimes.com

@jenyamato

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An American Cinematheque retrospective shines a light on the best and worst of Stephen King film adaptations

UPDATES:

2:30 p.m.: This article has been updated with comments from Phil Blankenship and Louis Black.

This story was originally published at 9:20 a.m.
The massively popular novels and stories of Stephen King do not insist upon their own literariness. Kings mastery of orchestrated tension and emotional release  of story and character  is never undercut by an overly fussy sentence.

When hes firing on all cylinders, King is not just a commercial powerhouse, but a populist storyteller in the richest sense. His approach to the macabre is unfailingly straightforward and sincere, embracing darkness without cynicism. King is a lifelong resident of small-town Maine, and his flights of fancy are grounded by a lived-in sense of mundane Americana.

The directness of Kings approach over the past four decades has made him one of Hollywoods most dependable sources of original material; nearly every one of his novels and stories has been adapted for film and television. King has encouraged this process, making it a policy to grant the rights to his short stories to first-time directors for $1.

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The lineup for American Cinematheques upcoming three-week King-on-film retrospective, The King of Horror (and the tepid reviews for last months eagerly awaited The Dark Tower), suggests that its perhaps too easy to make a mediocre Stephen King movie. But over the years, many excellent filmmakers have used his stories to explore a wide variety of masculine fears and ambient hauntings, evoking unlikely emotional responses. In the movies, King has made his presence felt in two distinct genres: the horror film and the male weepie.

 Idris Elba stars as the Gunslinger opposite Matthew McConaughey as the Man in Black in The Dark Tower.

The retrospective, which kicks off Thursday at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, offers the chance to assess the film versions of Kings work  from the startlingly good to the outright horrific.

King famously hated Stanley Kubricks blackly comic 1980 take on The Shining, but the film is an unequivocal masterpiece, and the King adaptation that most obviously transcends (when it doesnt outright ignore) its source material. Kubrick re-imagines the homicidal novelist and hotel caretaker Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) as a grinning, boorish maniac given over to surreal forces, rather than the novels genuinely loving father turned alcoholic ax murderer.

Most of the films most resonant imagery  the elevator of blood, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy  was invented wholesale. As the recent documentary Room 234 suggests, Kubricks The Shining derives its otherworldly power from many potential sources, but Kings novel provided not much more than the skeleton.

Canadas David Cronenberg is no less obsessive an auteur than Kubrick, but his 1983 adaptation of The Dead Zoneis perhaps his least overtly Cronenbergy film. Aside from a grisly suicide, the film mostly avoids the Videodrome directors emphasis on the visceral. A youthful Christopher Walken stars as a kindly schoolteacher who, after a car crash, emerges from a coma with the unwanted power of extrasensory foresight. When he has a premonition about the unlikely electoral success of a authoritarian, nuclear-war trigger happy president (Martin Sheen), he agonizes over whether to take drastic action. Cronenberg trims Kings sprawling novel into an economical psychological thriller  a morality play racked by psychic torment.

Brian De Palma is another filmmaker with a heightened sense of the macabre, and his 1976 take on Kings first published novel, Carrie, starring Sissy Spacek as the telekinetic teen, is a horror classic with an operatic flair. In a film most often remembered for its bloody, intricately choreographed prom-night reckoning, De Palma invests the material with bombast and perverse humor.

The 2013 remake of Carrie from Boys Dont Cry director Kimberly Peirce could have been a significant response, a feminist gloss on Kings rawest reckoning with adolescent sexuality. But MGM demanded major changes to Peirces first cut, and the version released in theaters sometimes feels like a shot-for-shot remake of De Palmas original. Still, it deserves another look: Peirce updates the story for the social-media age, and finds new depth of feeling in Carries persecution. Fans have petitioned for the release of Peirces directors cut, so far to no avail.

Rob Reiner had a more harmonious relationship with Kings work. Misery, his 1990 film about an injured writer of genre fiction (James Caan) who is kidnapped by a deranged nurse super-fan (Kathy Bates, in an Oscar-winning performance) and forced to resurrect a beloved character, remains a crackerjack claustrophobic thriller, capitalizing on a deliciously nasty setup by emphasizing the writers snobbery and the kidnappers warped insight.

From left; Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Jerry OConnell and Corey Feldman in 1986s Stand by Me. (Universal Films / Associated Press)

Reiners 1989 coming-of-age tearjerker Stand by Me, based on the novella The Body, helped cement Kings reputation as a nostalgist of white baby-boomer Americana. The film remains both tough and melancholy, a kid-friendly adventure of sweetness and affection thats haunted by Kings fascination with death.

The film that might benefit most from a theatrical screening is Frank Darabonts The Shawshank Redemption, which earned its unlikely yet enduring status as an American movie touchstone  permanently entrenched atop IMDbs user-voted top 250 films of all-time  through video rentals and wall-to-wall showings on basic cable. A sentimental, old-fashioned prison drama adapted by an unknown filmmaker from an unheralded King novella, the film was initially a box-office bomb that earned only $16 million on a $25-million budget. But in the intervening two decades this story of saintly endurance has been embraced by mass audiences as a kind of religious experience.

Morgan Freeman, left, and Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption. (Michael Weinstein / Associated Press)

Seen today, Shawshank is still plagued by convenient plotting and syrupy voice-over narration  its a modest movie rather than a great one. But it treats male friendship with such warmheartedness and sensitivity that it still feels unique. In 1999, Darabont would attempt to repeat the trick in The Green Mile, another patient, quietly uplifting prison epic based on a King novel, with wobblier results.

The most powerful King adaptations take considerable liberties with the source material, either leaning into or lightly ironizing the stories moralistic core. But the reliable King everyman, a reluctant hero grappling with an unwanted gift that keeps him at odds with society, is now a familiar and durable archetype of the big screen.

Info box:

The King of Horror

Egyptian and Aero theaters (Hollywood and Santa Monica)

Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017 - Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017

$12

www.americancinemathequecalendar.com

(323) 466-3456

calendar@latimes.com
Humans have been laughing at jokes about inebriation at least since Romans wrote comedy. Once it was drunks who were funny  Otis on The Andy Griffith Show, Foster Brooks, Dean Martin  but drunks just seem like alcoholics now. Marijuana, meanwhile, has moved in  pot jokes long ago entered the mainstream  and with Disjointed, it now has a whole sitcom of its own.

The series, premiering Friday on Netflix, was created by David Javerbaum (the wonderful Paul F. Tompkins puppet panel show No, You Shut Up!) and Two and a Half Men man Chuck Lorre, the co-creator of CBS Mom, a comedy about substance abuse and recovery. To some degree, this wants to be the stoner Cheers  James Burrows, who co-created that series, directed the Disjointed pilot.

There are budtenders here; a central workplace flirtation; and a coterie of comical regulars who want to go where they almost can remember their name. As on Cheers, the door to the street is on the left, the one to the office is on the right.

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Kathy Bates plays Ruth Whitefeather Feldman, partnering with her son Travis (Aaron Moten) in a Southern California pot dispensary. Ruth is what you would call an old hippie; Travis has returned from college with an MBA, which his mother refers to as a trip to the dark side. (His father, a Black Panther who became a corporate for a big pharmaceutical company, is not in the picture.) Travis wants to build the business; Ruth just wants to healp people, her special word combining help and heal.

Like cronut or labradoodle, she explains. Im trying to make it a thing.

Building out the workplace are growmaster Pete (Dougie Baldwin), who grew up in a commune, sometimes unconsciously affects an Australian accent, and is uncomfortably close to his plants; and variously employed employees such as Jenny (Elizabeth Ho), the tokin Asian, and Olivia (Elizabeth Alderfer), who finds herself drawn to Travis, who finds himself drawn to her; and security guard Carter (Tone Bell), an Iraq vet with PTSD, who turns the series serious from time to time.

Hanging around, like Norm and Cliff and Frasier are Maria (Nicole Sullivan), a middle-aged housewife looking for relief; and Dank (Chris Redd) and Dabby (Betsy Sodaro), who have a pot-themed webcast, and make various loud noises. Antagonistic neighbor Tae Kwon Doug (Michael Trucco), barges in from the martial arts studio next door every so often to mangle language and complain.

Apart from its subject matter and the rougher language a streaming network allows, Disjointed is very much an old-fashioned, filmed live and/or laugh-tracked situation comedy; its rhythms will be familiar to anyone who has seen even two other such shows. Some attempts have been made to push beyond the form, it is true: the sudden interpolation of a musical number, satirical pot-themed commercial breaks from an alternative universe where marijuana has long been legal; what might be visual puns to mark scene transitions (a shot of Stonehenge, for instance, because stoned, or church organ pipes, because pipes); and animated sequences to express whats going on in Carters troubled head. These are quite beautifully done.

I suppose the hoped-for audience is meant to be as broad as the audience for drugs  50 years after the Summer of Love, weed no longer divides the generations  all the more so because of that Netflix and chill thing the young people do. On balance the humor trends more old than young. There are jokes about the Spin Doctors and Phish, because you would want to be stoned to listen to them, and about kids these days: Says Ruth: You millennials, youre always asking for validation  everyone gets a Quidditch trophy.

Still, as might be imagined from the names attached, Disjointed is a thoroughly professional, overall pleasant, largely painless piece of work. The cast is good company; the jokes land often enough (only a few in the four episodes available for review felt actively ugly). And although Disjointed, which lists a cannabis consultant in its credits, is more particularly about pot than Cheers was about alcohol, it should be accessible even to those who have no particular interest in or knowledge of the subject matter. I am that strange person who has never taken drugs, so you can trust me on this.

Disjointed

Where: Netflix

When: Anytime, starting Friday

Rating: TV-MA (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 17)

robert.lloyd@latimes.com

Follow Robert Lloyd on Twitter @LATimesTVLloyd

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Valentino has no qualms in denying any ties to Louise Linton after the new wife of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin posted on Instagram an image of herself exiting a government plane and provided a slew of designer hashtags.

A spokeswoman said plainly that Louise Linton did not receive any gifted merchandise, compensation or loans from Valentino when asked whether the company had any formal business interest in being tagged in a late Monday post by Linton.

The actress, whose most high-profile role to date is a 2007 appearance on CSI: NY, is also not affiliated in any way with and has received no free merchandise from Tom Ford, a brand she also mentioned in her post.

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With tags like #rolandmouret pants, #tomford sunnies, #hermesscarf, and #valentinorockstudheels #valentino, it seemed like Linton was taking after the growing droves of digital influencers that are compensated for mentioning brands and their products on social media. Instagram is particularly popular for branded influencer-created content.

A spokeswoman for Roland Mouret declined to comment on the post and a representative of Hermes could not be reached.

Linton has since deleted the post and made her account private after a response to an Instagram comment critical of the post went viral.

Great #daytrip to #Kentucky! #nicest #people #beautiful #countryside, Linton captioned the photo, before tagging all of the brands she was wearing.

Several of Lintons followers took issue with the post.

Please dont tag your Hermes scarf. Distasteful, one user wrote.

But it was user Jenni Millers comment, Glad we could pay for your little getaway #deplorable, that sparked Lintons snide reply.

Aw!!! Did you think this was a personal trip?! Adorable! Linton wrote in response to Millers comment. Do you think the U.S. govt paid for our honeymoon or personal travel?! Lololol. Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband? Either as an individual earner in taxes OR in self sacrifice to your country? Im pretty sure we paid more sacrifices toward our day trip than you did. Pretty sure the amount we sacrifice per year is a lot more than youd be willing to sacrifice if the choice was yours. Youre adorably out of touch. Thanks for the passive aggressive nasty comment.

Linton reportedly first removed the brand hashtags before deleting the post and making her account, which has roughly 8,000 followers, private.

Her husband, Secretary Mnuchin, is a wealthy former Goldman Sachs banker turned hedge fund manager and movie producer. Hes billed as an executive producer on dozens of movies since 2014, including Inherent Vice, Mad Max: Fury Road and Wonder Woman.

He was selected to join the Trump Administration earlier this year.

Leigh Nordstrom contributed to this story.

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You cant imagine what its like to be standing in a Baja California vineyard, under shady oak trees, inhaling the tantalizing scent of 100 immense paellas being cooked over wood fires.

And being very, very hungry.

Id planned this visit for months after hearing about the Concurso de Paellas, a contest that pits restaurateurs and amateurs against each other, and serves as the culmination of Fiestas de la Vendimia, the Guadalupe Valleys annual harvest celebration that promotes its burgeoning wine industry.

More than 90 teams of paella makers bring their pans and ingredients to Vino de Liceaga, a winery in San Antonio de las Minas. Over the course of the morning, fussing over rice, saffron and coals, they conjure their versions of the iconic Spanish dish. There will be prizes for best tasting and best looking paellas. But by the time they are announced, you will be full and wont really care.

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A closeup of a spectacular dish of paella at the Concurso de Paellas in the Guadelupe Valley. There were There were prizes for best tasting and best looking paellas. (Robin Abcarian/Los Angeles Times)

Before the gates opened at noon, ticket holders queued up after parking in a field. Well-dressed women in off-shoulder dresses teetered on perilously high heels, dodging dirt clods and stones. As Mexican families streamed into the vineyard, they scouted for tables in the shade. Some brought picnic baskets with hors doeuvres and drinks; some spread elegant tablecloths. Adults stopped by a table near the entrance gate to pick up wine glasses for tastings.

In the center of the vineyard, 60 local wineries had set up tasting stands, offering small pours of their surprisingly good wine. (I tasted at least three roses that were as good as any Bandol Ive had.)

At 1:30 p.m. sharp, then at 15-minute intervals until 2:30 p.m., the paella teams presented their works of edible art to judges before serving heaping bowls to the crowd.

Im not sure whether the wine had made people mellow, but no one seemed impatient, everyone was in high spirits, and there was plenty of food to go around.

Its an important event in Ensenada, said Munira Nassif, who owns a paella restaurant in Ensenada with her husband, Raul Zazueta. All the families gather, and we see friends we havent seen for a long time.

My daughter Chloe and I were second in line for Zazuetas paella Valenciana. His mixture of saffron rice, seafood, chicken, pork, and chistorra (a Basque chorizo) was sublime.

A woman looks at the mind-boggling list of paella teams, divided into time slots. Starting at 1:30 p.m., the teams served generous bowls of paella every 15 minutes for an hour. (Robin Abcarian/Los Angeles Times)

There was of course, a smattering of Americans in the crowd of 7,000 on Sunday. But it was mainly a Mexican event, and a fabulous counterpoint to the vile nonsense being spewed these days at a country whose people help keep our economy humming. Not that I heard anyone talking politics.

The main thing is, its a big, big party, said Karla Lee, spokeswoman for ProVino, a trade association of wineries that sponsors Vendimia.

::

Jennifer Kramer, 34, began visiting Baja with her parents when she was 6 months old. When she was 8, her parents, Carol and Hugh Kramer, founded Discover Baja, a San Diego-based membership club/resource center that she described as a mini AAA for Baja.

I had emailed her website for tips about how to approach the Concurso de Paellas and was happy to be told to show up early to score a shady table under the oak trees.

Kramer also wrote the most recent edition of the Moon travel guide Baja.

Over the last decade or so, she has seen the Guadalupe Valley explode with more than 150 wineries now operating in the region. She got so many requests for wine tours through Discover Baja, that she and her husband launched their own business, Baja Test Kitchen, which organizes culinary and wine tours.

For years, she has fought the stigma that has kept many Americans away from Mexico and is happy to see attitudes changing.

Even four or five years ago, people were still trepidatious about going to Baja, she said. But if you havent been to Baja to see what a wonderful place it is, and the warm Mexican hospitality, you can let the fear of what you are hearing in the media control your decision.

::

I have always had a particular fondness for Baja.

Since the early 1970s, my family has owned a beach cabin at a famous surfing spot, K-55. Its a funky little place in a funky little enclave, populated mostly by working-class Americans and retirees who can stretch their Social Security dollars in Mexico. Medical care is close to free, and top-notch dental care is very inexpensive.

A few weeks ago, a 10-year-old relative visiting our house stepped on a stingray in shallow water and was cut by its razor-sharp, venomous tail. Its a particularly painful wound, and requires antibiotics. The bill from the Rosarito Beach clinic was 138 pesos, about $8. At the pharmacy, antibiotics and an oral painkiller cost about $9. Funny, but I have never heard a Mexican complain about Americans taking advantage of their countrys healthcare system.

What I do often hear is American friends expressing reservations about visiting Mexico. They worry (mostly, I think) about cartel violence, which has surged and abated over the years, and other forms of lawlessness, such as real estate chicanery perpetuated by people like Donald Trump.

Ive never experienced any danger, and Ive been regularly crossing the border since I was 14 years old. (Nor have I ever seen Trump in Baja, though I used to see billboards for his failed project that sparked fraud lawsuits that were settled for undisclosed amounts.)

In the last decade or so, Ive made a point of venturing beyond the beach, and the shops and restaurants of Ensenada and Rosarito, into the Guadalupe Valley, which is only 90 minutes south of the San Ysidro border crossing.

I will always have a place in my heart for the margaritas of Hussongs in Ensenada, and I never fail to stop for a carne asada taco (cooked over an outdoor wood grill) at Yaquis in Rosarito, but the Guadalupe Valleys locavore restaurants and wineries are a fantastic new scene unto themselves  well worth your time and money, fears be damned.

Vintner Victor Segura, from left, with Gilda Diaz and Daniel Benitez of Las Nubes Winery attend the Guadalupe Valley contest. Sixty wineries participated in the Concurso de Paellas, the final event of the Vendimia wine festival, which promotes the wines of Baja California. (Robin Abcarian/Los Angeles Times)

More columns 

For more on politics 

robin.abcarian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AbcarianLAT

More from Robin Abcarian
Cecilia Rios was running a little behind schedule Tuesday morning, but her assistants had her covered.

Shes on her way, said Carlos Alvarez, who waited outside the Echo Barber Shop with his sidekick, Ricardo Gordo Torres.

The buddies, longtime Echo Park residents, work in construction. But when theres nothing to hammer, they saw away the hours at the barber shop, where they greet customers and help Rios with whatever she needs. Painting. Sweeping. Curbing the trash bins.

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Its family here, said Alvarez, who gets free haircuts  as does Torres  in return for pitching in.

But can a small-town family operation survive the changes that keep coming to Echo Park?

Neighborhoods across the city have been hit by waves of gentrification, swamping longtime businesses and residents of modest means. But few places have seen more demographic change than Echo Park, the once heavily Latino district that has become synonymous with soaring real estate prices and that special brand of tattooed, locally sourced L.A. trendiness.

Three weeks ago, a slick, sprawling, modern barber shop opened up in the old Crown Shoes storefront. Its just around the corner from Echo Barber Shop, which has been in business for a quarter of a century. Rios inherited the business when her father retired several years ago after teaching her how to handle a pair of scissors.

The tiny Rios shop has one barber chair; the new American Barber Shop has 16. Echo Barber Shop has a lottery ticket clipped to a Lady of Guadalupe holy card for good luck; the American Barber Shop has a moose head mounted on the wall. It also has pretty loud music, and the barbers wear white shirts and neckties.

Its proper barber attire, said the manager, George Mendoza, who doesnt consider himself to be in competition with the old-school shop around the corner.

By the way, I asked Mendoza what would be going into the new space just up the street. Coffee and yoga, he said. Maybe they should call it Lotus and Latte.

Mendoza said he twice dropped in to talk to Rios because he wants to be a good neighbor. He said he believes that with her low overhead, her shop is going to be here for a hundred years, while he tries to hustle up enough of a clientele to cover his bills.

A haircut at American costs $25, more than three times what Rios was charging. She raised her price from $8 to $10 a month ago, when her rent went up about $200 a month, but the slight fee increase doesnt appear to have scared customers away. David Olsen, chairman of the communications department at Cal State L.A., is a regular customer who insisted you couldnt tell the difference between an $80 haircut and Rios $8 haircuts, except that hers look slightly better.

Sometimes the line is up to there, said Alvarez, pointing to the steps that climb above the shop to one of the second-floor apartments.

There she is, Torres said when he saw Rios walking toward the shop. The men rushed to help her carry some supplies, and the first customers were soon waiting their turn.

Latino, white, Asian, old, young. It used to be all Latino, said Cecilia, but now she gets a little of everything. Joseph Kim, a young banker, said he sees no reason to go to any other barber.

I like Cecilia, he said. I know her and Ive gotten to know her family, and its all about comfort, isnt it? When you come here, it feels comfortable.

Rios said she feels sorry for the victims of gentrification in Echo Park, and she knows lots of people who were forced to move out. Mario Espinoza, a customer who dropped by Tuesday, complained that he might be next. The rent on his studio apartment just went up to $1,000, and he cant afford that on his Social Security check, cant find work at age 70 and doesnt know where hell end up.

But Rios said shes used to change. And therein lies the real story, which is not about a barber shop but about survival.

Rios said that when she was a young child in Mexico, her father moved north to work in the bracero program. The rest of the family stayed behind in a home without electricity or running water, and they survived partly because of the generosity of Americans.

They came down from a church in El Paso, said Rios. On Tuesdays they gave us food. On Wednesdays they gave us healthcare. On Fridays they said Mass.

Her appendix ruptured when she was a child, said Rios, and the people from the north rushed her to a hospital and helped pay for the cost of surgery.

They saved my life, she said. I learned from Americans how to be kind.

When she and the rest of the family moved north, and ultimately became U.S. citizens, Rios father had a barbershop in the Pico-Union area. The family lived in an apartment upstairs, and they lost both the business and their home to a blaze that started during the 1992 riots.

We were homeless for about eight months, living in a van, said Rios.

The family finally settled in Alhambra, where her father opened another barber shop. But they lost that, too, when a car plowed into the building. Thats when they made the move to Echo Park. Rios and her husband  who sells clothing out of his car  now live in Silver Lake, where they have raised four children in a one-bedroom apartment.

Their eldest daughter, who wants to be a police officer, has moved on. The three younger children  one of whom goes to a Catholic high school on a scholarship, speaks three languages and wants to be a doctor  sleep on living room couches.

All week long, Rios collects clothing. Customers at the barber shop appreciate how little she charges for a haircut, and they sometimes offer big tips or donate clothing. Her loyal assistants, Alvarez and Torres, retrieve abandoned clothes at the laundromat across the street and bag it. The clothes pile up in the barber shop until Rios finds someone in the neighborhood who needs a handout. On Sundays, she and the kids stuff the clothes into suitcases and take a bus to Tijuana, where they donate the goods to a church and an orphanage.

If the Virgin mother comes through and she wins the lottery, Rios said, all the money will go to charities.

Money is not everything in life, she said. We have our place, we have our health, I have this.

And so far, as the neighborhood changes and the competition closes in, the customers keep coming.

Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez

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Music licensing services: In the Aug. 22 Business section, an article about music licensing sites said that Artlist.ios service costs $199 per month. The cost is $199 per year.

Racism in California: In the Aug. 17 California section, a column about racism and bigotry in the states history said that Braxton Bragg commanded a U.S. Army outpost at Ft. Bragg before defecting to the Confederacy. The town was named for Bragg, but he never served at the outpost.

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Deirdre Edgar, readers representative, by email at readers.representative@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.
While the mother of Aramazd Andressian Jr. was frantically distributing stacks of fliers across Los Angeles for her missing 5-year-old, his father was hundreds of miles away.

In Las Vegas, Aramazd Andressian Sr., 35, saw Britney Spears and Celine Dion perform, authorities say. He caught a boxing match. And at one point he went skydiving.

But nearly four months after the childs disappearance, Andressian was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years to life in prison for smothering his son to death in the back seat of his gray BMW.

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I hope you relive the image of you murdering my baby in your mind for the rest of your life, the childs mother, Ana Estevez, said in an Alhambra courtroom as she confronted her estranged husband, mascara running down her cheeks. I pity you. You are a failure as a father. You are a failure as a man. You are a failure as a human being.

The childs uncle, Shaun Estevez, told Andressian he had no right to call Aramazd Jr. his son.

You were supposed to protect him, not harm him, he said.

Andressian planned to kill his child after a trip to Disneyland, then commit suicide while setting things up to make it look like his estranged wife had some involvement, said Det. Louie Aguilera with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Andressian and Estevez had been embroiled in a tumultuous divorce since April 2016.

Defense attorney Ambrosio Rodriguez said his client had taken responsibility for what he had done by pleading guilty early during the criminal case.

There are no words to justify what happened. My client did eventually do the right thing, he said.

I hope you relive the image of you murdering my baby in your mind for the rest of your life, an emotional Ana Estevez, the slain boys mother, said during sentencing. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Authorities suspected Andressian from the beginning.

The boy, affectionately known as Piqui, was last seen alive about 1 a.m. April 21 as he was leaving Disneyland with his father, aunt and grandmother. The childs mother reported him missing the next day after Andressian failed to show up at a custody exchange.

On the same day, Andressian was found unconscious in a South Pasadena park. The inside and outside of his BMW had been doused in gasoline, and he had taken prescription pills in what authorities said was an effort to kill himself.

Andressian claimed that he didnt know what had happened to his son. Detectives arrested him on charges of child endangerment. During his booking at the South Pasadena police station, he told an officer, I bet they think of me like some kind of Casey Anthony, according to a probation report filed in court.

When Andressian was in jail, he called his mother and told her, My life is done  Im black inside, according to the report.

Andressian was eventually released because of lack of evidence.

1 / 7 Aramazd Andressian Sr. walks into court on Wednesday, Aug. 23, where he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for murdering his 5-year-old son after a trip to Disneyland earlier this year. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 7 Aramazd Andressian Sr., right, sits with his lawyer, Ambrosio Rodriguez, in an Alhambra courtroom as he was was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for murdering his 5-year-old son after a trip to Disneyland earlier this year. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 7 Shaun Estevez, the victims uncle, stands with the boys mother, Ana Estevez, while she gives an emotional statement during the sentencing of her estranged husband, Aramazd Andressian Sr. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 7 Aramazd Andressian Sr. listens during his sentencing. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 7 Alexandria Esteves, 22, a cousin of slain 5-year-old Aramazd Andressian Jr., gives a victim impact statement in an Alhambra courtroom during the sentencing of the boys father. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 7 Family and friends greet each other outside an Alhambra courtroom after the sentencing of Aramazd Andressian Sr. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 7 Ana Estevez, mother of the victim, is hugged by family and friends outside an Alhambra courtroom after the sentencing of her estranged husband for the murder of her 5-year-old son. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Investigators had already searched the BMW and found numerous prescription medications, two large knives and a childs sweatshirt with a white film that appeared to be vomit. After looking at Andressians computer, they found that he had created a will and searched online for wilderness areas, according to the probation report.

Andressian had been falsely telling people that Estevez had been following him and that he was afraid for his life, Aguilera said.

In their divorce case, the couple had been trading accusations. Andressian alleged that Estevez spanked their son, used profanity and had talked of taking the boy to Cuba. He said he was concerned that Estevezs father practiced the religion of Santeria and once sacrificed a rooster in front of the child.

Estevez accused her husband of falsely saying he was a stay-at-home dad who was their sons primary caregiver, court records show. She said her mother and father took care of young Aramazd when she was at work.

She alleged that her husband had a gambling problem and was addicted to prescription drugs, according to the court documents. She said he had told her that if anything were to happen between them, he would take the child to Iran or Armenia.

After her son disappeared, Estevez, an elementary school principal, filed paperwork asking a divorce court to end the child- and spousal-support payments she had been ordered to pay her husband. She declared Andressian had lost our son while our son was in his custody.

She wrote that she had provided hard evidence showing Andressians character, yet my evidence was ignored. At the same time, she said, her husbands account with no supporting documents was believed and relied upon by this court.

Authorities launched an extensive search for the missing boy, employing a drone, cadaver dogs, hundreds of volunteers and search-and-rescue personnel.

Meanwhile, investigators were monitoring Andressians movements, including his attendance at shows and meetings with prostitutes in Las Vegas, according to Aguilera and the probation report. Detectives noticed Andressian lightened his hair, and they believed he was going to flee the country. He was arrested on suspicion of murder in Las Vegas on June 23.

He eventually told investigators what had happened and where he had left the boys body. The childs remains were discovered near a Santa Barbara County recreation area on June 30, the same day his father was flown back to the Los Angeles area.

Aguilera said the boys dead body had been left by a tree within five hours of leaving Disneyland.

Estevez recently told a probation officer that she has been unable to return home since her child was murdered. She sleeps with her sons sweatshirt each night and has not been back to work at her South L.A. elementary school since his disappearance, the probation report said. She doubts she can return, because she cant be around children.

After Wednesdays sentencing hearing, Estevez said she knew that people would ask her if justice had been served.

There is no simple answer to that question, because no measure of justice will bring my Piqui back, she said. I think a more appropriate response is that Piqui, my family and I are victims of justice.

Estevez placed blame on the court system and the L.A. County Department of Child and Family Services in her childs killing.

She said she had requested sole custody of the child and been denied. She had also reported that the child had been kicked on his bottom, pinched on the cheeks and was yelled at and told he was a bad boy by his father, yet social workers did nothing, she said.

So once again, I return to the question, Was justice served? she asked. In my eyes and in my heart, when there is accountability for all, then justice will have been served.

nicole.santacruz@latimes.com

For more crime news, follow @nicolesantacruz on Twitter.

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UPDATES:

8:00 p.m.: This article was updated with more details from court as well as information from a probation report and a sheriffs detective.

1:25 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from the boys mother and a sheriffs detective.

11:25 a.m.: This article was updated with details from the sentencing hearing.

11:10 a.m.: This article was updated with the sentence.

This article was originally published at 4 a.m.
USC names retired aerospace executive Wanda Austin as acting president, announces Nikias departure By Harriet Ryan USC appointed a retired aerospace executive as interim president and laid out a detailed plan for selecting a permanent leader Tuesday, ending speculation about whether outgoing President C.L. Max Nikias might remain in the post. Nikias, embattled over his administrations handling of a campus gynecologist accused of sexually abusing patients, relinquished his duties after a meeting of USCs board. The trustees tapped one of their own, Wanda Austin, an alumna and former president of the Aerospace Corp., to temporarily run the university. The trustees also approved the formation of a search committee and the hiring of firm Isaacson, Miller to coordinate the selection of a successor. A second search company, Heidrick & Struggles, will also advise trustees. Read More Facebook

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Ex-student sues elite Brentwood School after teacher is charged with sexually abusing him By Richard Winton A former student sued the elite Brentwood School on Monday in the wake of a female teacher being charged with repeatedly having sex with the minor, alleging that other faculty members encouraged the unlawful behavior and failed to report it to authorities. The lawsuit accuses the private school, whose students include the children of many of Hollywoods elite and L.A.s powerful, of acting negligently and allowing Aimee Palmitessa to abuse and batter the teenager sexually. The suit alleges that the student was abused in summer 2017 after one of the schools counselors offered words of encouragement to the then-17-year-old, identified in the suit as only John Doe, to engage in an illegal relationship with the teacher. Read More Facebook

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Civil jury vindicates fired Montebello school executives in whistleblower case By Howard Blume The Montebello school district is in dire straits  at risk of insolvency and under apparent criminal investigation. An outside audit in July found some teachers earning more than $200,000 a year, as well as improper raises, excess paid vacation time and inappropriate overtime, sick leave and car allowances. Fixing the district and pinpointing blame could take time. Read More Facebook

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L.A. schools fall short on safety measures, new report warns By Howard Blume After the mass shooting at Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, Los Angeles school officials reassured parents that much had been done to keep local schools safe. California had tougher gun laws, after all, and the school district paid close attention to students mental health. But a new report issued Monday by a panel convened to take a close look offers some cause for concern, flagging inconsistent campus safety measures, thinly spread mental health staff and inadequate coordination between the school district and other public agencies. With the stakes this high, we must strive to do better, said L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer, who assembled the panel. Read More Facebook

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L.A. school district says more are graduating, but rate may not show it By Howard Blume The L.A. Unified School District has hopes of continuing its winning streak this year with another record graduation rate, but the official numbers may not show it. A senior district administrator warned the board Tuesday that graduation rates were likely to decline 2% to 3% across the state, even though L.A. Unified is likely doing better than ever in producing graduates, he said. The issue is that the state will now count high school students who transfer to adult school as dropouts, said Oscar Lafarga, who heads the districts office of data and accountability. Previously, schools treated these students as though they had simply enrolled in another high school, he said. Read More Facebook

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Betsy DeVos to California: Not so fast on that federal education plan By Joy Resmovits In April, Californias top education officials breathed a sigh of relief. After months of debate and back-and-forth with Betsy DeVos staff, they had finalized a plan to satisfy a major education law that aims to make sure all students get a decent education. The state focused on aligning its plan to fulfill the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act with Californias Local Control Funding Formula, which gives extra money to districts to help students who come from low-income families, are in the foster system or are English learners. But this week, DeVos team said not so fast. Jason Botel, the U.S. Department of Educations principal deputy assistant secretary, sent California education officials a letter asking for more information in such areas as measuring student progress, graduation rates and English learners. In an unsigned statement, the California Department of Education declared itself surprised and disappointed because officials thought  after a meeting with federal officials in Washington  that they were on the right track to get approval. Now the Every Student Succeeds Act plan will be up for discussion once again at the July meeting of the State Board of Education. The U.S. Department of Education has already approved most state plans. Every Student Succeeds is the Obama administrations 2015 replacement for the No Child Left Behind Act. Facebook

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L.A. school board sets a new goal: prepare every grad to be eligible to apply for Cal State or UC By Sonali Kohli Last month, Los Angeles school board president proposed a spate of highly ambitious mandates aimed at ensuring that every district graduate be eligible to apply to one of the states public four-year universities by 2023. By the time the L.A. Unified school board unanimously approved the resolution Tuesday, the original language had been watered down. The goal is no longer that in five years 100% of students meet the long list of benchmarks, which include not just college eligibility for graduates but first-grade reading proficiency and English fluency by sixth grade for all students who enter the district in kindergarten or first grade speaking another language. The original college-readiness goal, for example, called for 100% of all high school students to be eligible to apply to one of the states four-year universities. Now the goal seems to offer more wiggle room: Prepare all high school graduates to be eligible to apply to a California four-year university. Read More Facebook

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We have been hurt. More women say they were mistreated by USC gynecologist By Richard Winton USC student Anika Narayanan says she vividly recalls her first appointment with Dr. George Tyndall at the campus health center, alleging that he made several explicit comments during an examination she felt was inappropriate and invasive. When she came back for a second visit in 2016 after a nonconsensual sexual encounter, he allegedly chastised her, she said in a civil lawsuit and at a press conference Tuesday. He asked me if I had forgotten to use a condom again,  said Narayanan, 21. At one point, she said, Tyndall asked if I did a lot of doggy style,  she said. Read More Facebook

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L.A. Unified gives inspector general brief contract extension By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school board on Tuesday extended the contract of Ken Bramlett, its inspector general, by three months, though his job is far from secure and questions remain about the future direction of his watchdog office. Board members also unanimously promoted Vivian Ekchian, who had been the runner-up for the superintendents job, to deputy superintendent  the districts No. 2 position. Both moves had elements of peacemaking between different factions on the board. Read More Facebook

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USCs handling of complaints about campus gynecologist is being investigated by federal government By Harriet Ryan The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that it has launched an investigation into how the University of Southern California handled misconduct complaints against a campus gynecologist, the latest fallout in a scandal that has prompted the resignation of USCs president, two law enforcement investigations and dozens of lawsuits. In revealing the inquiry by the departments Office of Civil Rights, officials rebuked USC for what they alleged was improper withholding of information about Dr. George Tyndall during a previous federal investigation. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who has been criticized for taking a less vigorous approach to examining sexual misconduct than predecessors, called for a systemic examination of USC and urged administrators to fully cooperate. Read More Facebook

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Judge to sentence woman and her boyfriend for the murder of an 8-year-old that led to L.A. child welfare reforms By Marisa Gerber A woman and her boyfriend are expected to be sentenced Thursday for the torture and murder of an 8-year-old boy whose killing in 2013 provoked public outrage, prompted sweeping reform of Los Angeles Countys child welfare system, and led to unprecedented criminal charges against social workers who handled the childs case. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole for her role in the death of her son, Gabriel. A jury decided last year that her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 37, should be executed. When paramedics arrived at the boys Palmdale home in May 2013, Gabriel had slipped out of consciousness. He had a fractured skull, broken ribs, burned skin, missing teeth and BB pellets embedded in his groin. A paramedic would later testify that every inch of the boys small body had been abused. Read More Facebook

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L.A. Unifieds spending out of step with similar school systems, task force says By Howard Blume The Los Angeles school district is out of step with similar school systems, spending more on teachers pay and health benefits and less on activities that could enhance student learning, according to a new report by an outside task force. The L.A. Unified School District Advisory Task Force did not make specific recommendations, but instead posed a series of questions it said the district needs to answer to make sure its funding is aimed at providing a full opportunity for all students to succeed. What were trying to say is: Lets put the data on the table. Lets look at the truth. Lets be transparent and here are the numbers, said task force member Renata Simril. This is not to say that  we should cut teachers salaries. Read More Facebook

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Top USC medical school official feared dean was doing drugs and alerted administration, he testifies By Paul Pringle A former vice dean of USCs Keck School of Medicine testified Tuesday that he feared the schools then-dean, Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito, could be doing drugs and expressed concerns about his general well-being to the universitys No. 2 administrator before Puliafito abruptly left his job in 2016. Dr. Henri Fords testimony at a hearing of the state Medical Board marks the first suggestion that any USC administrator had suspicions about Puliafitos possible drug use before he stepped down. A Times investigation in 2017 found Puliafito led a secret second life of using illegal drugs with a circle of young criminals and addicts. Puliafito testified about his behavior at the hearing Tuesday, saying he took drugs with one young woman on a weekly basis. Ford said that he decided to alert USC Provost Michael Quick after receiving reports in early 2016 that Puliafito was partying in hotels with people of questionable reputation, and that he came to worry about his mental stability. Read More Facebook

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Why L.A. Unified may face financial crisis even with a giant surplus this year By Jessica Calefati With more than half a billion dollars socked away for next school year, the Los Angeles Unified School District hardly seems just two years from financial ruin. Its a scenario that is especially tough to swallow if youre a low-wage worker seeking a raise or a teacher who wants smaller classes. But budget documents show that todays $548-million surplus cannot be sustained  and that even basic services face steep, seemingly unavoidable cuts because of massive problems barreling the districts way. Theres a disconnect between the rosy short-term picture and what we know is coming, said board member Kelly Gonez. Read More Facebook

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We have failed: Top USC officials try to reassure students amid gynecologist scandal By Joy Resmovits Top administrators at USC are reaching out to students in the wake of misconduct allegations against the universitys longtime gynecologist, acknowledging failings and vowing reforms as they try to address growing outrage over the revelations. Several USC deans have sent out messages trying to reassure students and faculty that the university is committed to changing. We have failed, wrote Jack H. Knott, dean of USCs Sol Price School of Public Policy, in a May 24 letter. What happened is antithetical to everything we know is right. Read More Facebook

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Rick Caruso is named chair of USCs trustees, vows swift investigation of gynecologist scandal By Thomas Curwen The University of Southern Californias board of trustees has elected mall magnate Rick Caruso to be the new chair of the board, giving fresh leadership as the university navigates a widening scandal involving a longtime campus gynecologist. The move marks the latest effort by USC to address the case, which has sparked a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and dozens of civil lawsuits. More than 400 people have contacted a hotline that the university established for patients to make reports about their experience with Dr. George Tyndall. In his first act as chairman, Caruso announced that the white-shoe L.A. law firm OMelveny & Myers would conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the gynecologists conduct and reporting failures at the clinic. He set an ambitious timeline for the review, pledging it would conclude before students return for the fall semester. Read More Facebook

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UC Berkeley students persistence helps win more liberal rules for in-state tuition By Teresa Watanabe Ifechukwu Okeke thought shed be a shoo-in for in-state tuition when she was admitted to UC Berkeley for fall 2016. She had moved to the United States from Nigeria in 2012 to go to Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. By the time she got her acceptance to transfer to UC to study molecular and cell biology, she had lived in California four years. She had a California drivers license, bank account and rental records as proof. UC Berkeley, however, ruled she was a nonresident  which meant she would have to pay nearly $27,000 more. Read More Facebook

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State medical board calls former County-USC doctor a sexual predator, suspends his license By Matt Hamilton A UCLA cardiologist has been temporarily stripped of his medical license after state regulators described him as a sexual predator who assaulted three female colleagues when he was working and training at L.A. County-USC Medical Center. Read More Facebook

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Global California 2030 aims to get more students learning more languages By Joy Resmovits Tom Torlakson (Andrew Seng / Associated Press) Outgoing state Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Wednesday announced a new statewide effort to encourage students to learn more languages. Called Global California 2030, its goal is to help more students become fluent in multiple tongues. Torlakson said that by 2030, he wants half of the states 6.2 million K-12 students to participate in classes or programs that lead to proficiency in two or more languages. By 2040, he wants three out of four students to be proficient enough to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy. Torlakson announced the initiative at Cahuenga Elementary School, which offers a dual-language immersion program in English and Korean. Californias public school students speak more than 60 languages at home, and 40% come to school with knowledge of a language other than English. Torlakson called his plan a call to action that invites parents, legislators, educators and community members to pool resources to expand language offerings in schools and get more bilingual teachers trained. He said the state already is working with Mexico and Spain to expand a teacher-exchange program. Fluency, the plan argues, can help students succeed economically  and language acquisition can help their overall critical thinking. The initiative builds on Proposition 58, a ballot initiative passed in 2016 that undid an earlier requirement that English learners be taught in English-immersion classes unless their parents signed waivers. Torlakson recently visited Mexico and met with that countrys education secretary. They later signed a pact to increase collaboration, particularly in language education. This [Global California 2030] is great follow-through on Toms part and very important, Patricia Gandara, a UCLA education professor who hosted the Mexico meeting, said in an email. It hands over a plan to move forward in an area in which California has a unique advantage, but must seize the opportunity. Facebook

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Jury convicts man of murder in 2015 slaying of UCLA student found inside her burning apartment By Marisa Gerber A jury on Tuesday convicted a man in the 2015 slaying of a UCLA student found dead inside her burning apartment  a gruesome stabbing case that led to a fierce rebuke of the police response amid concerns that the killing could have been prevented. The panel deliberated for about six hours before finding Alberto Medina, 24, guilty of murder, arson, burglary and animal cruelty. On Sept. 21, 2015, firefighters found the charred body of Andrea DelVesco inside her apartment after responding to the complex a block from campus. The 21-year-old student  an Austin, Texas, native known to her sorority sisters as a fearless giver who befriended others with ease  was stabbed at least 19 times, authorities said. Read More Facebook

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LAPD begins sweeping criminal probe of former USC gynecologist while urging patients to come forward By Adam Elmahrek The Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday it is investigating 52 complaints of misconduct filed by former patients of USCs longtime campus gynecologist as detectives launch a sweeping criminal probe into the scandal that has rocked the university. LAPD detectives also made an appeal for other patients who feel mistreated to come forward, noting that thousands of students were examined by Dr. George Tyndall during his nearly 30-year career at USC. More than 410 people have contacted a university hotline about the physician since The Times revealed the allegations this month. Tyndalls behavior and practices appear to go beyond the norms of the medical profession and gynecological examinations, said Asst. Chief Beatrice Girmala. We sincerely realize that victims may have difficulty recounting such details to investigators. We are empathetic and ready to listen. Read More Facebook

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At L.A.'s only school for the deaf, parents want leaders who speak the same language By Anna M. Phillips Ever since her son was 6 months old, Juliet Hidalgo has been bringing him to the Marlton School, a low-slung building in Baldwin Hills that for generations has been a second home for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Los Angeles. Marlton staff taught Hidalgos brother and sister, both of whom are deaf. The school was where her deaf son learned to make the signs for milk and food. Hidalgo had planned to enroll her daughter, taking advantage of a popular program that allows hearing children to learn American Sign Language alongside their deaf siblings. But after more than a decade of involvement, she and other family members are considering withdrawing their children. They are not alone. Read More Facebook

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Fueled by unlimited donations, independent groups play their biggest role yet in a California primary for governor By Ryan Menezes An unprecedented amount of money from wealthy donors, unions and corporations is flowing into the California governors race, giving independent groups  unrestricted by contribution limits  a greater say in picking the states chief executive than ever before. The groups have already spent more than $26 million through Thursday, the most ever spent by noncandidate committees in a gubernatorial primary, according to a Times analysis of campaign finance reports. California elections have always been expensive, and the future is even more expensive, said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College and a former state Republican leader. The stakes are very real. Read More Facebook

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2 hurt in Indiana middle school shooting; suspect in custody, authorities say By Associated Press Authorities say two victims in a shooting at a suburban Indianapolis school are being taken to a hospital and the lone suspect is in custody. Bryant Orem, a spokesman for the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, said in a news release that the victims in Friday mornings attack at Noblesville West Middle School are being taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and their families have been notified. He says no other information is available about the victims. Orem said the suspect is believed to have acted alone and was taken into custody. No additional information about the suspect was made public. Read More Facebook

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For new L.A. schools chief Austin Beutner, some key unions are giving no honeymoon period By Howard Blume In the less than two weeks since Austin Beutner took charge of Los Angeles schools, unions representing teachers and administrators have staged a job action and a protest. Theyve made it clear that they will not give the new superintendent the traditional honeymoon period, and they are bashing him for his wealth and lack of experience running either a school or a school district. Beutner is a billionaire investment banker with zero qualifications, local teachers union President Alex Caputo-Pearl told members in a phone alert urging them to participate in a Thursday afternoon rally in Grand Park. The board is saying that billionaires who made their money blowing institutions up and making money off it know best  not the education professionals who have dedicated our careers to working with students. Read More Facebook

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Pressure grows on Board of Trustees amid USC gynecologist scandal By Paul Pringle USCs large and powerful Board of Trustees is coming under growing pressure to provide a stronger hand as the university faces a crisis over misconduct allegations against the campus longtime gynecologist that has prompted calls for President C.L. Max Nikias to step down. Allegations that Dr. George Tyndall mistreated students during his nearly 30 years at USC have roiled the campus, with about 300 people coming forward to make reports to the university and the Los Angeles Police Department launching a criminal investigation. USC is already beginning to face what is expected to be costly litigation by women who say they were victimized by the physician. So far, the trustees to whom Nikias reports have expressed sympathy for the women who have come forward and launched an independent investigation while also publicly backing the president. Read More Facebook

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UC regents approve leaner budget for Janet Napolitano By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents on Thursday unanimously approved a leaner, more transparent budget for President Janet Napolitano, moving to address political criticism over the systems central office operations. The $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 reflects spending cuts of 2%, including reductions in staffing, travel and such systemwide programs as public service law fellowships, carbon neutrality and food security. Napolitano shifted $30 million to campuses for housing needs and $10 million to UC Riverside to support its five-year-old medical school. She also permanently redirected $8.5 million annually to help enroll more California students, as required by the state. Read More Facebook

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USCs Academic Senate calls on university president to resign after a series of scandals By Matt Hamilton The body that represents USCs faculty called on President C.L. Max Nikias to resign Wednesday in the wake of relevations that the universitys longtime gynecologist faced years of accusations of misconduct by students and colleagues at the campus health clinic. The Academic Senate took the vote late Wednesday afternoon after a fiery town hall meeting attended by more than 100 faculty members, many of whom voiced outrage over Nikias and the Board of Trustees leadership. The vote came a day after the trustees executive committee stood firmly behind Nikias, saying it has full confidence in his leadership, ethics and values. At the town hall meeting, Senate President Paul Rosenbloom said he did not think Nikias or Provost Michael Quick committed wrongdoing but that the university president deserved criticism for a lack of transparency. Read More Facebook

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Californias public universities on the way to getting a big longed-for boost in funding By Teresa Watanabe The University of California and California State University systems are poised to get major funding boosts that will help them enroll thousands of additional state students and eliminate the need for tuition increases in the coming school year. A key Assembly budget panel on Wednesday approved $117.5 million in new funds for the UC. A Senate panel approved a similar sum last week. The same committees recently approved even more funding for the Cal State system. Read More Facebook

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UC regents to scrutinize Janet Napolitanos office budget in a step toward stronger oversight By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents this week plan to scrutinize the budget of President Janet Napolitano, whose office came under political fire last year for questionable spending and murky accounting. Regents will vote on the proposed $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 during their two-day meeting, which starts Wednesday, at UC San Francisco. They also will discuss state funding, financial aid, online education and transfer student policies. Board Chairman George Kieffer said regents are stepping up to exert stronger oversight of the presidents office after a blistering state audit last year found financial problems including an unreported $175 million budget reserve. Read More Facebook

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State legislative panels approve major funding boost for Cal State By Teresa Watanabe After months of intensive lobbying, Cal State University has convinced two key legislative panels to approve funding to enroll nearly 11,000 more students, hire more faculty and expand housing aid to those without shelter this fall. An Assembly budget panel on Tuesday approved $215.7 million more for Cal State, adding to Gov. Jerry Browns proposed $92.1 million general fund increase. A Senate budget panel approved a similar increase last week. The extra funding  which went beyond Cal States own request to the Legislature of $171 million  is still subject to final budget negotiations with Brown. But the actions by the Senate and Assembly panels amount to a demand from Democrats that the governor hike higher education spending. Cal State University is the workhorse undergraduate university serving hundreds of thousands of Californians, said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who heads the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. We need more graduates for the California workforce and higher education is the ticket to the middle class. Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White hailed the actions, but said it was too soon to celebrate. The CSU has a singular focus on helping students earn high-quality degrees sooner, and the entire university community has rallied to reinforce that message to our states lawmakers, he said in a statement. The actions taken thus far by the Assembly and Senate are promising and show that our message is being received, but there is still work to be done. Funding for the University of California was not taken up Tuesday as originally scheduled. McCarty would not comment on sticking points but said he was confident that a resolution would be reached this week. Were looking to provide resources above whats in the governors budget, but negotiations are ongoing, he said in an interview. State per-student funding is not what it once was, leaving both Cal State and the UC in a tough financial squeeze. Both systems raised tuition last year after a six-year freeze on higher costs. For this year, Cal State had asked for funding to enroll an additional 3,621 students, but both the Senate and Assembly panels approved three times that amount. Cal State, the largest public university system in the nation, turned away 32,000 eligible students last year because its campuses werent able to accommodate them. The panels asked that at least $50 million of the extra funding be used to hire more tenure-track faculty to help boost graduation rates. The Assembly panel also approved one-time funding of $5 million to ease hunger on campuses and $14 million for rapid rehousing pilot projects at three campuses, offering needy students rental support and short-term case management. Other items approved include $5 million to support the CSU Long Beach Shark Labs research on sharks and beach safety and $2 million for equal employment opportunity practices. This post has been updated to include comments from Assemblyman Kevin McCarty and Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White. Facebook

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Faculty members call for USC president to step down: He has lost the moral authority to lead By Matt Hamilton Two hundred USC professors on Tuesday demanded the resignation of university President C. L. Max Nikias, saying he had lost the moral authority to lead in the wake of revelations that a campus gynecologist was kept on staff for decades despite repeated complaints of misconduct. Read More Facebook

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Gun battle, negotiations lasted 15 minutes before Texas school shooter was apprehended, sheriff says By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Minutes after a school shooter opened fire in an art class last week, killing 10 people and wounding 13, including a local police officer, fellow officers returned fire in a protracted gun battle before isolating the suspect, the local sheriff said Monday. Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset praised first responders as well as Santa Fe Police Officer John Barnes, who was working as a resource officer at the school the day of the shooting. Their actions, he said, prevented the attack from spreading to other classrooms and potentially claiming additional victims. As officials continue to probe last Fridays shooting at Santa Fe High School, students are worried about returning to the scene of the attack when classes resume next week. Read More Facebook

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6 women sue USC, alleging they were victimized by campus gynecologist By Richard Winton Six women filed civil lawsuits Monday alleging that a longtime gynecologist at the University of Southern California sexually victimized them under the pretext of medical care and that USC failed to address complaints from clinic staff about the doctors behavior. One woman alleged Dr. George Tyndall forced his entire ungloved hand into her vagina during an appointment in 2003 while making vulgar remarks about her genitalia, according to one of the lawsuits. Another woman alleged that Tyndall groped her breasts in a 2008 visit and that later he falsely told her she likely had AIDS. A third woman accused the doctor of grazing his ungloved fingers over her nude body and leering at her during a purported skin exam, the lawsuit states. The wave of litigation comes as USC continues to grapple with the scandal, which legal experts said could prove costly to the university as scores of former patients come forward about their experiences with the gynecologist. Read More Facebook

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Fatalities reported in Texas high school shooting; suspect arrested, officials say By Associated Press Houston-area media citing unnamed law enforcement officials are reporting that there are fatalities following a shooting at a local high school Friday morning. Television station KHOU and the Houston Chronicle are citing unnamed federal, county and police officials following the shooting at Santa Fe High School, which went on lockdown around 8 a.m. The Associated Press has not been able to confirm the reports. The school district has confirmed an unspecified number of injuries but said it wouldnt immediately release further details. Assistant Principal Cris Richardson said a suspect has been arrested and secured. Read More Facebook

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This student followed the new L.A. schools chief on his first-day tour Melissa Barales-Lopez, a senior at Garfield High School followed Supt. Austin Beutner on his first day on the job, as he toured a variety of programs around the Los Angeles Unified School District. Heres what she took from the experience. LAUSD students and staff alike are looking for a personal champion, someone who will address and improve the difficulties afflicting their education.  What LAUSD students need is someone whos willing to listen and learn, someone who can understand the current issues affecting their schools and act to efficiently amend them, someone who can unlock the full potential of LAUSD students and enable them to reach their goals. During the entirety of his first day, superintendent Austin Beutner did indeed demonstrate a willingness to learn. Posing questions to teachers and students, Beutner engaged with the student communities he encountered to gain a better comprehension of the minutiae and nuances that distinguish each school inside an overwhelmingly large district. From inquiries about Grand View Boulevard Elementary Schools dual language program to questions regarding the services of LAUSDs after-school program, Beyond the Bell, Beutner revealed he has a lot to learn about the system. But, Beutner also showcased a willingness to tackle challenges head-on on his first day. Read More Facebook

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USC let a gynecologist continue treating students despite years of misconduct allegations By Matt Hamilton For nearly 30 years, the University of Southern Californias student health clinic had one full-time gynecologist: Dr. George Tyndall. Tall and garrulous with distinctive jet black hair, he treated tens of thousands of female students, many of them teenagers seeing a gynecologist for the first time. Few who lay down on Tyndalls exam table at the Engemann Student Health Center knew that he had been accused repeatedly of misconduct toward young patients. The complaints began in the 1990s, when co-workers alleged he was improperly photographing students genitals. In the years that followed, patients and nursing staff accused him again and again of creepy behavior, including touching women inappropriately during pelvic exams and making sexually suggestive remarks about their bodies. Read More Facebook

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Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook

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On his first day as L.A. schools chief, Beutner plans a day of visits across the district By Howard Blume L.A. Unifieds new superintendent, Austin Beutner, will kick off his first day of work on Tuesday with a choreographed tour of the nations second-largest school district, from the San Fernando Valley to Carson. His day is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m. at a school bus depot and end more than 12 hours later at a parent meeting at Garfield High School. Along the way, Beutner is expected to be joined by school district administrators, L.A. Unified board members and the vice president of the union that represents school bus drivers. Though he will be covering a lot of ground, Beutners tour has him skipping Tuesdays school board meeting, when board members are expected to discuss labor negotiations in closed session. Read More Facebook

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Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook

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Why a handful of rich charter school supporters are spending millions to elect Antonio Villaraigosa as governor By Ryan Menezes California voters have seen a barrage of sunny television ads in recent weeks touting former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosas record on finances, crime and education, aired by Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018. But the group is, in fact, largely funded by a handful of wealthy charter-school supporters. Together they have spent more than $13 million in less than a month to boost Villaraigosas chances in the June 5 primary  at a time when his fundraising and poll numbers are lagging. Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, jump-started the group with a $7-million check, by far the largest donation to support any candidate in the election. Their efforts are part of a broader proxy war among Democrats between teachers unions  longtime stalwarts of the party  and those who argue that the groups have failed low-income and minority schoolchildren. Read More Facebook

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Talking schools with L.A. Unifieds new superintendent By Anna M. Phillips Austin Beutner, who officially starts Tuesday as the new superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is taking on a famously difficult job at a particularly difficult time. The school board is divided and did not back him unanimously. The nations second-largest school district has deep-seated problems, including declining enrollment, lagging academic achievement and rising pension and healthcare costs that eat away at its budget. The 58-year-old former investment banker and former L.A. Times publisher has years of experience in the financial world but none as an educator. Earlier this week, he sat down with the Times education team to discuss the challenges facing the district, which has about 60,000 employees and 500,000 students in traditional public schools. He did not talk about his plans  saying repeatedly, stay tuned  but he spoke in broad terms about his mindset in approaching the tough decisions ahead. Read More Facebook

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Suspect detained, authorities search campus after reports of armed man at Palmdale high school By James Queally One person has been detained after a report of an armed man at a Palmdale high school sparked a massive law enforcement response Friday morning. The suspect was spotted at 7:05 a.m. on the campus of Highland High School in Palmdale, according to Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida. The person was detained in a nearby parking lot, according to Nishida, who did not know whether that person was an adult or juvenile. Deputies at the scene are clearing the school methodically, and students will be transported home via school buses once the campus is deemed safe, Nishida said. Read More Facebook

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The education of Bertha Perez: How a UC Merced custodians disenchantment led to a political awakening By Robin Abcarian Its the third day of a three-day strike, and UC Merced custodian Bertha Perez is taking a break from a picket line at the universitys unremarkable entrance, an intersection with stop lights. Photos from other UC campuses this week have shown big crowds of striking service workers  members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees  marching and chanting pro-labor slogans as they try to force the University of California back to the negotiating table. But here, at UC Merced, whose handful of big buildings rise from a flat expanse of farmland, the picket line is tiny, maybe two dozen workers and a few students. Its not a big-city-style show of force. Then again, a union sympathizer is banging relentlessly on a snare drum, so its noisier than youd expect. Read More Facebook

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Ref Rodriguez resigns from teacher credentialing commission By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez appears during a court appearance. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez has resigned from the states Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which oversees the integrity and quality of Californias teachers. Rodriguez faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. Separately, his former employer, a charter school organization, has accused him of improperly authorizing checks to a nonprofit under his control. Rodriguez has denied wrongdoing. Rodriguezs resignation from the state body was effective May 4, days after he cast a crucial vote as part of a narrow majority that voted to authorize contract negotiations with Austin Beutner to become superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District. Beutners first official day on the job is Tuesday. Rodriguez remains in his $125,000-a-year position on the Los Angeles Board of Education. The mission of the state body is to ensure integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification, and discipline of Californias teachers. Critics had questioned Rodriguezs continued service on the commission, given that teachers can be suspended from work if they face criminal charges. They also can lose their jobs for lapses in personal behavior, such as excessive drinking, with the potential to affect their performance. Police in Pasadena arrested Rodriguez on a Friday afternoon in March for public drunkenness. He was not charged in the incident and has apologized. The state commission reviews teacher discipline cases and can take action to remove a teachers credential to work in a California classroom. The commission has 15 members. Rodriguezs departure was disclosed in a one-sentence announcement on the agencys website. Facebook

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School board members request for restraining order against blogger is rejected By Priscella Vega An Orange County Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a school board members petition for a permanent restraining order against a Huntington Beach blogger. Attorney Jeffrey W. Shields filed the petition on behalf of Ocean View School District trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin, 46, who alleged in court documents that Charles Keeler Johnson, 56, has threatened her on social media and at school board meetings, causing her to fear for my own safety and for that of my immediate family members. Johnson, who goes by Chuck and publishes HBSledgehammer.com, said the trustee tried to stifle his freedom of speech. He also contended that Clayton-Tarvin took his blog posts and Facebook comments too seriously and out of context, saying anyone who is afraid of metaphors has serious issues. Read More Facebook

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Deal with workers averts one-day strike that could have shut down L.A. schools By Howard Blume Los Angeles school district and union officials announced a contract agreement Tuesday night that averted a one-day strike planned for next week. The pact, which runs through June 2020, removes one labor problem from the desk of incoming Supt. Austin Beutner  whose first day on the job would have coincided with the strike. Plenty of other challenges remain. Read More Facebook

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UC labor strike expands with show of support from more unions By Teresa Watanabe Fong Chuu is a registered nurse who has assisted with countless liver transplants, kidney surgeries and gastric bypasses during 34 years at UCLA. Working with her are scrub technicians who sterilize equipment, hand medical instruments to the surgeon and dress patient wounds. They are a team, Chuu says, which is why she walked off her job Tuesday in support of those technicians and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299. The 25,000 member AFSCME local, the University of Californias largest employee union, launched a three-day strike Monday. Read More Facebook

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We are humans too: Voices of UCLAs striking custodians, hospital aides and imaging technicians By Joy Resmovits Demonstrators parade in front of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) This week, thousands of UC employees are staging a three-day strike for better pay and working conditions. On Monday, more than 20,000 custodians, cooks, lab technicians, nurse aides and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 walked off their jobs. By Tuesday, two more unions joined in sympathy strikes. The union and UC reached a bargaining impasse last year. The university has said it wont meet the workers demands. The strikers said they wanted better pay, more equity in the allocation of work, stable healthcare premiums and an end to the universitys use of contract workers. These are their stories. Read More Facebook

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Massive UC workers strike disrupts dining, classes and medical services By Joy Resmovits A massive labor strike across the University of California on Monday forced medical centers to reschedule more than 12,000 surgeries, cancer treatments and appointments, and campuses to cancel some classes and limit dining services. More than 20,000 members of UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, walked off their jobs on the first day of a three-day strike. They include custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Two altercations involving protesters and people driving near the rallies were reported at UCLA and UC Santa Cruz. At UCLA, police took a man into custody Monday after he drove his vehicle into a crowd, hitting three staff members. They were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released, said Lt. Kevin Kilgore of the UCLA Police Department. Read More Facebook

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Sen. Kamala Harris to skip UC Berkeley commencement in support of striking workers By Teresa Watanabe California Sen. Kamala Harris has canceled plans to deliver UC Berkeleys commencement address this weekend in support of UC workers who are on strike over wages and health benefits. Due to the ongoing labor dispute, Sen. Harris regretfully cannot attend and speak at this years commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley, said a statement from Harris office issued Monday. She wishes the graduates and their families a joyous commencement weekend and success for the future. They are bright young leaders and our country is counting on them. UCs largest employee union, the 25,000-member American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees Local 3299, launched a three-day strike Monday and had earlier called for a speakers boycott. The union and university reached a bargaining impasse last year and subsequent mediation efforts have failed to produce an agreement. The union is asking for a multiyear contract with a 6% annual pay increase while the university is offering 3% annual increases over four years. UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ will deliver the keynote address instead, the university announced. About 5,800 students are expected to participate in the ceremony Saturday. Facebook

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School mural depicting Trumps bloody, severed head sparks controversy By Gary Warth A Chula Vista school mural that depicts the bloody, severed head of President Trump on a spear sparked a controversy that prompted officials to cover it and issue a response distancing themselves from the work. The statement also said the artist will alter the painting. We understand that there was a mural painted at the event this past weekend that does not align with our schools philosophy of non-violence, read the statement from MAAC Community Charter School director Tommy Ramirez. We have been in communication with the artist  who has agreed to modify the artwork  to better align with the schools philosophy. Read More Facebook

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New blackface incident at Cal Poly prompts calls for state investigation By Kim Christensen Cal Poly San Luis Obispo officials have asked the state attorney generals office to investigate after a new photo of a white student in blackface surfaced on a fraternity groups private Snapchat. I am outraged, Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said in a video address Friday to the campus. These vile and absolutely unacceptable acts cannot continue. We must not allow these acts to define us as an institution. Armstrong said the latest photo was intended to imitate an incident last month in which a white member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was photographed at a party wearing blackface. Read More Facebook

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More than 50,000 UC workers set to strike this week but campuses will remain open By Teresa Watanabe More than 50,000 workers across the University of California are set to strike this week, causing potential disruptions to surgery schedules, food preparation and campus maintenance. The systems 10 campuses and five medical centers are to remain open, with classes scheduled as planned. UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, plans to begin a three-day strike Monday involving 25,000 workers, including custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Read More Facebook

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New L.A. schools chief Beutner pledges to listen, learn and take action By Howard Blume New Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner proved Wednesday that hes a quick learner even without an education background. Like countless public officials before him, he appeared at an important event  his first speech and news conference  with a photogenic background of students. His message  that he would put those students first  seemed heartfelt if hardly original. Nor was it a huge surprise that he pledged to push cooperatively but unflinchingly to improve the districts academic performance and stabilize its finances. As an introduction, Beutner, a former investment banker who made a fortune on Wall Street, offered little flash, but that was partly the point. Read More Facebook

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In a school lockdown, one student takes stock of the stressful scene At the beginning of lunch one day late last month, Duarte High School, Northview Middle School, and California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley were advised by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to go into lockdown mode due to police activity in the immediate area. Phalaen Chang, a junior at the California School of the Arts, wrote a series of notes on her iPhone while she sat in a room with her classmates. By the time the lockdown ended an hour later, she wrote, she knew which of her friends would hold open the door for others, be the ones calming others down, be the ones barricading the doors. She knew that all of them have the potential to be such strong people. Read More Facebook

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Tale as old as time: L.A. Unified superintendent pick follows a historical pattern of outside-the-box choices By Joy Resmovits L.A. Unified has long gone back and forth between picking insiders and outsiders to run the nations second largest school district. The choice of Austin Beutner, announced Tuesday, places the district squarely back in the outsider camp  months after a consummate insider, Supt. Michelle King, announced that she had cancer and would not return to the job. Check out this timeline of former L.A. superintendents to see how the school board members have changed their minds, sometimes favoring leaders who come from the world of education and sometimes executives from elsewhere, recruited to shock the system into change. At one point, the district hired someone from the military  retired Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, who served as superintendent from 2006-2008. In hiring Brewer, board members had opted for a non-educator  largely because they sought a fresh thinker, unwedded to the bureaucracy, unafraid to make bold, even unorthodox moves, reads a 2008 Times story. Facebook

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Austin Beutner named superintendent of Los Angeles schools By Howard Blume Austin Beutner, a philanthropist and former investment banker, on Tuesday was named superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second-largest school system. His selection was the biggest move yet by a Los Angeles school board majority elected with major support from charter school advocates. The decision came after lengthy public testimony, most of it in support of the other remaining finalist, interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian, who is well known within the school system. Beutner, 58, has no background leading a school or school district. Less than 2 years ago, a school board with a very different balance of power named Michelle King, a former teacher who rose through the district throughout her career, to L.A. Unifieds top job. Read More Facebook

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Hearing delay gives both sides more time in Ref Rodriguezs potential trial By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez and his attorneys will have more time to prepare their defense against charges of political money laundering, a judge ruled Monday. The preliminary hearing in the case had been scheduled to begin May 9, but that date will now be pushed back to July 23 per the ruling from L.A. Superior Court Judge Deborah S. Brazil. Rodriguez, 46, faces three felony charges of conspiracy, perjury and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. Read More Facebook

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L.A. school board poised to name Beutner as superintendent By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is poised to select philanthropist and former investment banker Austin Beutner to be the next superintendent of the nations second-largest school system. Barring a last-minute development, the only mystery is whether Beutner emerges with four or five votes from the boards seven members. Terms of his contract already have been under discussion, according to sources close to the process who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak. The selection of Beutner, 58, who has no experience managing a school or a school district, would be a signal that the board majority that took control nearly a year ago wants to rely on business management skills instead of insider educational expertise. Read More Facebook

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Teacher walkouts in Arizona and Colorado continue national debate on money for schools By Michael Livingston Following the lead of teachers who walked off the job in other states in recent weeks, thousands of teachers and their supporters took to the streets in Arizona and Colorado for the second day in a row to demand better pay and more funding for education. Read More Facebook

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Three decades before the #MeToo movement, UC San Diego led the way against sexual assault By Teresa Watanabe When Nancy Wahlig first started her fight against sexual assault, one company was marketing a capsule for women to stash in their bras and then smash to release a vile odor. Because of the very nature of society, the only person who can prevent rape is the woman herself, read a 1981 advertisement for the Repulse rape deterrent. Ideas about how to prevent sexual violence have come a long way since then, and Wahlig has helped lead that evolution on college campuses. In 1988, she started UC San Diegos Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), the first stand-alone program at the University of California. Today, she remains the systems most senior specialist. Read More Facebook

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Andres Alonso withdraws from consideration for L.A. schools job By Howard Blume Andres Alonso, believed to be one of three remaining finalists to lead the Los Angeles school system, has withdrawn from consideration. The remaining known candidates in the confidential search are former investment banker Austin Beutner and interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian. Alonso, 60, announced his decision on Twitter on Thursday night, saying he had notified the L.A. Unified School District on Monday. The exit of Alonso, the former Baltimore schools chief, seems to solidify the front-runner status of Beutner, who also was a former L.A. Times publisher and a Los Angeles deputy mayor. He held each of those positions for about a year. Read More Facebook

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Heres why the apparent increase in autism spectrum disorders may be good for U.S. children By Karen Kaplan The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among American children continues to rise, new government data suggest. And that may be a good thing. Among 11 sites across the U.S. where records of 8-year-olds are scrutinized in detail, 1 in 59 kids was deemed to have ASD in 2014. Thats up from 1 in 68 in 2012. Normally, health officials would prefer to see less of a disease, not more of it. But in this case, the higher number is probably a sign that more children of color who are on the autism spectrum are being recognized as such and getting services to help them, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More Facebook

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UC shelves tuition increase for now, in hopes of getting more state funding By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents will not vote on a tuition increase next month, shelving the plan for now in hopes that state lawmakers will come through with more funding. Raising tuition is always a last resort and one we take very seriously, UC President Janet Napolitano said Thursday in a statement. We will continue to advocate with our students who are doing a tremendous job of educating legislators about the necessity of adequately funding the university to ensure UC remains a world-class institution and engine of economic growth for our state. Last week, Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White said the 23-campus system no longer would consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year. But unlike Cal State, UC officials have not taken a tuition increase off the table entirely. Read More Facebook

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A chemical spill, unchecked eyewash stations, poor training: Audit details Cal States lax lab safety By Joy Resmovits In May 2016, two bottles tumbled off a poorly supported shelf and broke, leading to a chemical spill in a Sacramento State University lab. The liquid got onto one students legs and soaked anothers feet. Five employees cleaned up the mess, even though no one knew for sure what it was and whether it was dangerous. They called fellow employee Kim Harrington, their union representative, to let her know what happened. Read More Facebook

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After blackface incident, minority students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo say they dont feel welcome By Hailey Branson-Potts Aaliyah Ramos was walking through the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus last year when a prospective student approached her. Ramos was the only black person, the young woman said, that she and her mother had seen that day. They asked about the quality of education and the diversity of the student body. Ramos, a mechanical engineering student, didnt want to sugarcoat the truth: Cal Poly long has been predominantly white. But she told the young woman  who also was black  that she didnt want to discourage her from applying, because that wouldnt help with diversity at a school where only 0.7% of students are African American  the lowest percentage of any university in the California State system. Read More Facebook

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El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills wins the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon By Carlos Lozano El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills has won the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon, officials said. The winner was announced early Saturday at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas. More than 600 students from the U.S., Canada, China and the United Kingdom gathered there over the last three days to compete in the 37th annual U.S. Academic Decathlon. Congratulations to El Camino Real Charter High School for another impressive victory, said Vivian Ekchian, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Your academic stamina and competitive spirit to win is remarkable. The entire L.A. Unified family is so proud of you. Read More Facebook

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Anticipation mounts as L.A. school board meets over superintendent selection By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is reconvening in closed session Friday at noon as anticipation mounts about the choice of the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. The presumed front-runner is former investment banker and philanthropist Austin Beutner, but interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian and former Baltimore Supt. Andres Alonso also are in the running. Most district insiders appear to be rooting for Ekchian, who has spent her entire career in education within the school system. After her 10 years as a teacher, her roles have included head of human resources, chief labor negotiator and regional administrator for campuses in the west San Fernando Valley. Shes managed the district since September, when then-Supt. Michelle King went on medical leave and chose Ekchian to fill in for her. King, who is battling cancer, never returned and announced her retirement in January. Numerous influential civic leaders have urged  and pressured  the board to select Beutner. Also lending their weight have been advocates for charter schools, which are independently operated, growing in number and competing for students with district-operated campuses. Four of the seven board members  enough to control the outcome  were elected with major financial support from charter supporters. Beutner has two ongoing connections with the L.A. Unified School District. The first is his leadership of an outside task force that is making recommendations on how to improve the school system. The second is his charity, Vision to Learn, which supplies glasses to low-income students. The charity and the school system are in a dispute at the moment over who is responsible for delays in providing services to students as part of a $6 million contract, half of which is paid for by L.A. Unified. Unlike Ekchian and Buetner, Alonso, who currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has no deep-seated local constituency, but the prospect of his selection has generated some excitement. While in Baltimore, Alonso was recognized for pushing for progress at low-performing schools, and for being willing to take strong action. While in Baltimore, he also weathered a test-score cheating scandal and occasionally rocky relations with the teachers union. But by the time he resigned, after six years, he and union leaders seemed to be working together without rancor. Leaders of some community groups have split from the pro-Beutner camp. They worry that Beutners approach to confronting the districts financial problems could shut out their voices or involve severe economic cutbacks that would undermine programs that are helping students. Some prefer Ekchian; some Alonso. Theyve been reluctant to speak out publicly because theyll have to work with whoever is selected, but they have tried to get the ear of board members. On Friday morning, one leader of a community group decided to come out in favor of Alonso. L.A. Unified has the opportunity to bring in an instructional leader of color with a history of success, said Alberto Retana, president and chief executive of Community Coalition, which works on behalf of low-income students and families in South Los Angeles. If we have a shot at that, we should go for it  because its in the best interests of our kids and of our community. Retana said his statement was not meant to criticize Beutner or Ekchian but to alert board members that there also is community support for Alonso. Facebook

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Cal State leader shelves proposed tuition hike: Its the right thing to do, but its not without risk By Joy Resmovits Cal State, the nations largest public university system, will no longer consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year, Chancellor Timothy P. White announced Friday. The decision is a bet that Sacramento will come through in the end. If Cal State loses that bet, it could mean cuts to campus programs. White said in an interview that Californias economy is strong enough that families should not be shouldering the burden of higher college costs. Read More Facebook

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L.A. students to participate in national walkout activities on Friday By Joy Resmovits Students are taking to the streets again Friday to protest gun violence on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting. Starting at 10 a.m., students at many schools will spend 13 seconds honoring the 13 people  12 students and one teacher  killed on that day in Littleton, Colo. After that, theyll participate in a host of different activities. Within L.A. Unified, one school is having an open-mic event for students to talk about school violence, and lawmakers are visiting campuses to hear students thoughts. According to a central hub for organizing the protests  written by the students of Ridgefield High School in Connecticut  the walkouts are intended to drive the political change necessary to curb school violence. The day is also a time for students to interact on an elevated platform they have never had before, the site states. It is a day of discourse and thoughtful sharing. Bringing together communities and students to get a national discussion rolling. Organizers have suggested using the event to convey the importance of curbing gun violence to legislators. They are encouraging students to push legislation that would ban assault weapons and tighten up rules around who can buy guns and how. Over 2,500 schools nationwide are expected to participate. In L.A., some students  at campuses including Eagle Rock High School, the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts and Bravo Medical Magnet  plan to walk out. Students from various schools expect to join area marches, including those in Santa Monica and Huntington Park. Other schools are hosting career days and voter registration drives. At 1 p.m., students plan to start a rally in front of L.A. Unified headquarters. For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that 12 teachers and one student were killed in the Columbine shooting. The opposite is true: twelve students and one teacher died. Facebook

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Stabbing of popular student devastates South El Monte High School; teen friend suspected in slaying By Sonali Kohli When administrators at South El Monte High School called Jeremy Sanchezs parents to say he never showed up for class Wednesday, his father began to worry. It was unusual for the 17-year-old junior to miss school, so his father filed a missing persons report and assembled two of Jeremys close friends to look for the popular student-athlete. Their search took them to a scenic stretch of the San Gabriel River Trail, where one of the friends  a 16-year-old boy  made a tragic discovery. Among the bushes in the riverbed near Thienes Avenue and Parkway Drive was Jeremys body, punctured with stab wounds, according to Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Read More Facebook

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Racist fliers spark outrage at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo By Alene Tchekmedyian Soon after Neal MacDougall arrived on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus Tuesday, the professor noticed university police standing outside a restroom near his office. A racial slur against African Americans had been scrawled in red marker on a stall wall. Later, he discovered a series of racist fliers pinned up next to his door. Someone had also slashed posters hed hung outside his office supporting students in the country illegally. The discovery was the latest controversy on the prestigious campus  which the president said is less than 55% white  that MacDougall said demonstrates a culture of racism at the university. Last week, photographs emerged of white fraternity members, including one in blackface, flashing gang signs. Read More Facebook

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The superintendent waiting game, paying for L.A.'s College Promise, Princetons slave history: Whats new in education By Joy Resmovits Acting LAUSD superintendent Vivian Ekchian is a finalist for the permanent job. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) In and around Los Angeles: The L.A. Unified school board spent 10 hours interviewing and discussing candidates for superintendent. When they adjourned after 10 p.m., they said they would reconvene on Friday. Who is paying for Mayor Eric Garcettis much-touted College Promise, a program that promises two years of community college for LAUSD grads? In California: The Legislature is considering a proposal that would boost K-12 education funding for black students. When the cost of living is taken into account, California has the highest rate of child poverty. Nationwide: The families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School are suing Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never occurred. Princeton will name two spaces  an arch and a garden  after slaves who lived or worked on the campus. Facebook

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L.A. school board meets privately with finalists and debates choice for school district leader By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education adjourned late Tuesday after spending more than 10 hours interviewing candidates and trying to reach a decision on who would be the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. When the meeting finally recessed at 10:11 p.m., a spokesman announced only that the school board would reconvene Friday at noon. Going into the days meetings, there were apparently four finalists, according to sources who could not be named because they were unauthorized to speak. Read More Facebook

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Two Sandy Hook families sue Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never happened By David Altimari Families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School have filed lawsuits in Texas against controversial radio host Alex Jones for continually claiming the massacre never happened. Neil Heslin, the father of Jesse Lewis, and Leonard Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, whose son Noah Pozner died in the massacre, filed separate lawsuits late Monday in Travis County, Texas. The lawsuits allege that Jones defamed the parents by constantly calling them crisis actors and insisting the shooting was a false flag operation; they also claim Jones accusations have led to death threats against the Sandy Hook families by Jones followers. Read More Facebook

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Beutner emerges as a top pick for L.A. schools superintendent amid last-minute jockeying By Howard Blume Austin Beutner has emerged as a leading contender to run the Los Angeles school district, with backers saying he is smart enough and tough enough to confront its financial and academic struggles. Though he does not have a background in education, the former investment banker has in the last year examined some of the districts intractable problems, serving as co-chair of an outside task force with the support of then-Supt. Michelle King. Sources inside and outside the school district said Beutner appears to have more support on the seven-member board than other finalists, and his name could come up for a vote as early as Tuesday. Read More Facebook

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Challenge at Chicago school construction site: Watch for 38,000 unmarked graves By Nereida Moreno A 15-year effort to build a school in Chicagos Dunning neighborhood is underway with an unusual complication: Construction workers are taking careful steps to avoid disturbing human remains that may lie beneath the soil. The $70-million school is to be built on the grounds of a former Cook County Poor House, where an estimated 38,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. Among the dead are residents who were too poor to afford funeral costs, unclaimed bodies and patients from the countys insane asylum. There can be and there have been bodies found all over the place, said Barry Fleig, a genealogist and cemetery researcher who began investigating the site in 1989. Its a spooky, scary place. Read More Facebook

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Oklahoma teacher walkout winds down despite lawmakers failure to meet demands By Washington Post Oklahomas largest teachers union has announced an end to a walkout that has drawn thousands of educators out of classrooms and to the state Capitol demanding greater investment in the states schools, which have endured the nations steepest funding cuts. The announcement Thursday from the Oklahoma Education Assn. does not necessarily end the protests at the Capitol, as teachers not affiliated with the union vowed to stay longer. Instead of a walkout, the union and school districts across the state have said they plan to send delegations of teachers to Oklahoma City to keep the pressure on lawmakers. Teachers and their supporters have also promised to push education issues to the forefront of November elections, when the state chooses a new governor. As school districts begin to reopen, the protests may lose steam. The Legislature is not in session Friday, and observers are waiting to see what happens Monday, when lawmakers return. Read More Facebook

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Most Californians are worried about school shooting threats and oppose arming teachers, survey finds By Joy Resmovits Hamilton High School student Aiyana Dabriel holds a sign during a March 14 walkout in support of the Parkland shooting victims. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Most Californians are worried that a school shooting like the one that occurred in Parkland, Fla., in February could shed blood closer to home, a new survey found. Some 73% percent of adults and 82% of public school parents said they were very concerned or somewhat concerned about school shootings. The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed 1,704 adults in the state by phone just after the March for Our Lives protest against gun violence. Latino and black respondents were significantly more likely to be concerned about school violence than white or Asian respondents, the institute found. Two-thirds of adults and public school parents said they opposed letting more educators carry weapons in school. The response differed across party lines, with 86% of Democrats and 69% of independents voicing their opposition, while 60% percent of Republicans said they would support a measure to arm educators. The poll, which had a margin of error of 3.2% in either direction, also asked Californians about school funding, educational issues in the governors race and the impact of immigration enforcement on students. You can find the full results here. Facebook

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Californias largest virtual charter school network agrees to contract with its teachers By Anna M. Phillips Nearly four years after teachers at Californias largest online charter school voted to unionize, they have reached a deal to increase pay and create job protections, according to a spokesman for the California Teachers Assn. The contract, which is still tentative and subject to ratification, is a victory for the teachers union. Although charter schools are publicly funded, most are privately managed and their employees arent protected by labor contracts. Under the terms of the contract  the result of years of negotiation and legal wrangling  approximately 500 teachers working for California Virtual Academies will no longer be at-will employees who can be dismissed for almost any reason. Their average salary will rise to just over $45,000, according to union estimates, a figure that remains far below the norm for traditional public school teachers. Still, it is an improvement over the previous average of $38,000. The accord also places a limit on the number of students each teacher is responsible for monitoring in online homeroom classes. Were very satisfied with the gains we made, said teacher Brianna Carroll, president of California Virtual Educators United. I think were going to see some extraordinary changes in our schools. According to Carroll, teachers at California Virtual Academies  better known as CAVA  had grown frustrated with the organizations foot-dragging and were making preparations to go on strike when CAVAs leadership agreed to the deal. CAVA and K12, the Virginia-based for-profit company linked to its schools, did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday asking for comment. The network currently operates nine virtual charter schools across California. In 2016, the charter network agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle claims of false advertising, misleading parents and inadequate instruction. The state attorney generals office had also accused K12 of controlling the charters for its own financial benefit. Neither CAVA nor K12 admitted to wrongdoing in the settlement. A year later, the state imposed a $2-million fine on CAVA after an audit found that it had misspent public funds. The network disputed the findings. Facebook

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School board approves a new formula for funding high-need schools By Sonali Kohli L.A. schools will soon get more money if they are located in neighborhoods with such problems as high levels of gun violence and asthma. The Los Angeles Unified school board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a new formula to determine how to dole out some funding to schools, based not only on the characteristics of the student populations but on the traumas that affect the communities around campuses. The new formula will be applied to $25 million in funding next fiscal year and about $263 million annually in future years  a small part of the districts $7.5 billion annual budget. Read More Facebook

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Protesters demand Ref Rodriguez resignation outside school board meeting By Sonali Kohli Students, parents, teachers and UTLA marching outside the board meeting chanting "Ref resign" pic.twitter.com/W0LRWZSIXY  Sonali Kohli  (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 A few dozen parents, students and teachers marched outside the Los Angeles Unified School Board meeting Tuesday, some calling for board member Ref Rodriguez to resign the week after news broke that he was taken into custody on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena bar and restaurant. Rodriguez was not cited or charged in that incident, but was held for more than five and a half hours before being released. The school board member faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. He is accused of getting more than two dozen people people to donate to his campaign for his school board seat with the understanding that he would reimburse them. He stepped down from his post as school board president after he was charged last fall, but he did not give up his seat on the board. He has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of conspiracy, perjury, and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May. He cant give his full focus to our students, said Rebecca LaFond, a Highland Park parent whose three children marched with her as she chanted, Ref resign. One daughter marched in front of her, using a drum stick to hit the bottom of a gallon-size empty water jug. Our kids deserve someone who has the utmost ethical standards representing them, LaFond said. The protests continued into the board meeting, where some addressed Rodriguez directly, calling on him to step down during public comment portions of the meeting. Rodriguez, through his chief of staff, declined to comment. Some parents outside the board meeting did not know about the charges against Rodriguez but came out to protest the possibility of sharing their school campuses with charter schools. Protesters also oppose colocation  not all of the parents are here to ask Ref Rodriguez to step down pic.twitter.com/1Co8zQ9zSi  Sonali Kohli  (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 Cynthia Martinez said her son, who goes to Christopher Dena Elementary School in Boyle Heights, has been bullied in the past by students from a charter school sharing the campus. She said she didnt know who Rodriguez was. Some parents and teachers are worried about losing computer labs, robotics rooms and fitness centers if they are required to share their campus with charter schools, said Ilse Escobar, a parent community organizer for United Teachers Los Angeles. The issues of Rodriguez and colocation are related, Escobar said. Rodriguez is part of a majority on the school board elected with financial backing from charter school supporters, and many parents, she said, feel that the school board is compromised if he is a part of it. Staff reporter Howard Blume contributed to this post. Facebook

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Delaine Eastin tries to gain momentum in the California governors race, one voter at a time By Seema Mehta Delaine Eastin was a sophomore in high school when a drama teacher urged her to try out for a part in The Man Who Came to Dinner. She hesitated until he told her: This is a metaphor for your whole life. If you never try out, you will never get the part. Eastin auditioned and won the role. Decades later, the advice sticks with the former state schools chief, this time in her unlikely run for governor. Despite calls for more women in leadership roles in state politics following sexual misconduct allegations in Sacramento, Eastin has been largely overlooked in the race, lagging far behind her Democratic rivals in fundraising and the polls. Read More Facebook

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Arizona high court rejects in-state tuition for DACA recipients By Associated Press Young immigrants granted deferred deportation status under a program started by President Obama are not eligible for lower in-state college tuition, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday. The unanimous ruling will affect at least 2,000 students attending the states largest community college district and hundreds more at other colleges and the states three public universities. The Maricopa County Community Colleges District and state universities said they would begin raising tuition immediately for the coming school year. Read More Facebook

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New York high school students injured when bus strikes overpass By Associated Press A charter bus carrying teenagers returning from a spring break trip Sunday night struck a bridge overpass on Long Island, seriously injuring six passengers and mangling the entire length of the top of the bus. The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday on the Southern State Parkway in Lakeview, according to New York State Police. One of the six injured passengers had very serious injuries, said State Police Maj. David Candelaria. Thirty-seven other passengers suffered minor injuries. Read More Facebook

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Some good news for California in national student test scores By Joy Resmovits Every two years, the nations fourth- and eighth-graders are tested in math and reading  and newly released results from last years tests give California at least a little reason to be pleased. The 2017 results  out Monday night  were mostly flat nationwide compared with 2015, though the average score in eighth-grade reading went up. But while that improvement largely came from the increased scores of the highest-performing students, California eighth-graders showed some reading progress from the lowest levels to the highest. Read More Facebook

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Under state control, Inglewood school districts financial picture worsened By Anna M. Phillips When Eugenio Villa agreed to return to the Inglewood schools for a second tour last summer, he knew the district remained one of Californias most troubled. Inglewood Unified had been nearly insolvent when it was taken over by the state Department of Education in 2012. Six years later, its enrollment was still declining. Its school buildings were tired  some edging into decrepitude. Its test scores and graduation rates were still below the state average. And the public was out of patience. Still, Villa, who had signed back on as the districts chief business official, was shocked at what he found when he arrived in June 2017. Two years earlier, he had left the school system on what he thought was firm ground. Read More Facebook

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Charter school group drops two lawsuits against L.A. Unified By Howard Blume A charter schools advocacy group last week announced that it would end two long-running lawsuits in which it was seeking more classroom space and construction money from the Los Angeles school district. The decision, the California Charter Schools Assn. said, reflects better relations between charter schools and the L.A. Unified School District. But the move also suggests that the litigation, which already contributed to significant gains for area charters, was unlikely to produce much more. It takes time, money and effort to litigate, said Ricardo Soto, general counsel for the charter group. Maybe its better to see if we can find the time and opportunity for collaboration. Read More Facebook

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L.A. school board member Ref Rodriguez is arrested on suspicion of public intoxication By Richard Winton Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez was arrested recently on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena restaurant, the latest trouble for an elected official who faces political money-laundering charges. Pasadena police took Rodriguez into custody on March 16, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. Officers arrested Rodriguez at about 4:30 p.m. at the Yard House restaurant and bar at the Paseo Mall and held him in jail for more than five-and-a-half hours. Rodriguez was ultimately released without being cited or charged, Derderian told The Times. Other details about the arrest were not available, she said. Read More Facebook

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Kentucky teachers rally at Capitol over state budget By Associated Press Thousands of Kentucky teachers filled the streets near the state Capitol in Frankfort on a cold, overcast Monday to rally for education funding. Teachers and other school employees gathered outside the Kentucky Education Assn. a couple of blocks from the Capitol chanting, Stop the war on public education and holding or posting signs that say, Weve Had Enough. Were madder than hornets, and the hornets are swarming today, said Claudette Green, a retired teacher and principal. Read More Facebook

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It was safety first, science second  in many cases, a distant second  in Los Angeles schools during the solar eclipse Monday. And some teachers and administrators felt that  out of a lack of preparation and an excess of caution  the L.A. Unified School District flubbed a highly teachable moment.

A lot of students across the nations second-largest school system were unable to watch the eclipse and were kept inside, often with blinds drawn, and escorted under umbrellas if they had to step outdoors.

The natural phenomenon was treated more like a natural disaster.

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Safety, of course, was a serious concern, given that looking directly at a solar eclipse can cause permanent vision damage. The event was not ignored  students in classrooms across the district probably watched on school TVs and computers or their own smartphones. But some say the school system acted too slowly to make sure as many students as possible could witness the big event in person.

You saw an evolution of policy, and it finally got us to a place that was very good, said school board member Nick Melvoin. But not soon enough.

District officials waited until Thursday afternoon to tell schools that parents would need to sign special new waivers to let their children watch the eclipse. The earliest the schools could get them out was on Friday, which meant they had to be returned the next school day, Monday, the day of the eclipse  and there would be no time to send out reminders.

No exact numbers were available, but at some schools, significant numbers of parents did get the waivers in on time.

Some, for whatever reason  perhaps confusion or fear that the schools wouldnt let their children experience the event  kept their kids home long enough to watch the eclipse. When those students came in late, some schools marked them tardy. Melvoin said his office and senior administrators then scrambled to remove the tardies, which had resulted from schools doing what they presumed they were supposed to do.

Even with permission slips, the districts first message to principals Thursday said that students would be allowed outside only if a school had NASA-approved protective eyewear.

That requirement, in the final hours when such glasses were in short supply, prompted many complaints, including an email to Supt. Michelle King from a South L.A. teacher who identified himself only as Steve.

I have been planning to view the eclipse with my students for months, he wrote. I bought, with my own money, approved eclipse glasses, the kids made cereal box projectors and pinhole projectors, and were trained in the dangers of looking at the sun at any time. The first days of this school year in my class were filled with information and activities around the eclipse arrival.

On Friday, after many such protests, the district eased this requirement to allow indirect viewing via homemade means  pinhole cards, boxes and the like.

One San Fernando Valley science teacher, who requested anonymity out of concern that telling her story could get her into trouble, said before the eclipse, My fellow science teachers and I have, of course, known about the upcoming All American Solar Eclipse for years and have eagerly been preparing instruction for the once-in-a-lifetime event.

At the teachers school, viewing plans had been made and parent permission forms had gone out before the first district directive  with the demand for the new waiver  arrived.

The school called an emergency staff meeting and announced that students could no longer view the eclipse without the new waivers. The science department rushed to get the new forms out on Friday. In the end, eighth-graders in second- and third-period science got to see the eclipse, the teacher said: They had a wonderful experience, but I am saddened that so many other students were forced to miss it.

Middle-school teacher Brett Drugge reported a similar scenario at Orchard Academy in Bell.

Drugges school was relatively lucky. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory had given it 150 pairs of glasses. Students also had made their own pinhole viewers. Still, he said, because the district overreacted, 50 kids who forgot to bring in the new waivers missed seeing the eclipse.

Meanwhile, King tweeted a picture of herself in viewing glasses, looking delighted as she gazed, from her office, at the sky.

Reminding the @laschools family to enjoy todays solar eclipse using NASA approved glasses, she wrote. Enjoy this historic event.

howard.blume@latimes.com

Twitter: @howardblume

Times staff writer Anna M. Phillips contributed to this report.

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One morning two years ago, baby sitter Eva Del Rio went to drop off her charge at Madison Elementary in Pasadena, the same K-5 school where she had sent her own children.

When she knocked on a closed campus entrance, Principal Juan Ruelas cursed, she said, and threatened to report her to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if she tried to knock again.

I felt discriminated against, humiliated, she said Tuesday, in Spanish. I felt pain.

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Del Rio is one of five people who have sued the Pasadena Unified School District, alleging that Ruelas violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and that the district violated anti-discrimination laws by failing to investigate a formal complaint against him.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court by attorneys at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, claims that the district had actual knowledge of the harassment and acted with deliberate indifference.

Ruelas did not respond to repeated requests for comment Tuesday, and a Pasadena Unified spokeswoman declined to comment.

Ruelas came to Madison in 2015 and left last June. His time at the school was rocky. A lot of staff left during his tenure, and he faced allegations of cheating. Parents petitioned to have him fired. The Pasadena Star-News reported that two local lawyers promised to donate $20,000 to Madison if the district fired Ruelas.

When Ruelas was removed from his job as principal of Madison, he became the director of the districts Language Assessment & Development Department.

The plaintiffs and their lawyers say the problem is bigger than Ruelas.

Were not talking about just a problematic principal, said Juan Rodriguez, a MALDEF attorney on the case. We are talking about a school district that keeps turning a blind eye.

Like many other school districts in California, Pasadena Unified has promised at a time of increased anxiety about immigration enforcement to keep all students safe, regardless of their legal status. Last December, in the wake of President Trumps election, the district passed a resolution to bar ICE agents from searching school districts without a warrant.

A day after Del Rios run-in with Ruelas, a Latina mother, identified only as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, allegedly met with Ruelas to complain that the school was throwing childrens uneaten lunches away too quickly.

She alleges that when she told Ruelas she would file a formal complaint against the school if he didnt address her concerns, he threatened to send ICE to the school and then laughed at her and walked away.

That September, the mother told her story to the school board at a public meeting, and filed a formal complaint with the district alleging race-based discrimination. In October, she said, the districts human resources office decided that the complaint was not a district matter and referred it back to Ruelas.

At a later meeting that the mother attended with a district representative and Ruelas, she alleges the district representative told her she was defaming Ruelas. She said she felt intimidated and felt the district implicitly was threatening to sue her to prevent her from telling people about Ruelas threats.

The mother, who had been volunteering for a long time at the school, said she also was told that she could not help with schoolwide programs because Ruelas didnt want her on campus.

According to a Facebook page, parents organized to support the mother before her appearance at a December school board meeting.

At the meeting, once the mother had spoken about the alleged threat and the districts response, the complaint states, a school aide said publicly that she wanted to call ICE about her. That statement went unaddressed, according to the complaint.

Its not normal, its an ugly thing, Del Rio said Tuesday of the threats she and the others are alleging. It should never happen again.

Joy.Resmovits@LATimes.com

@Joy_Resmovits

ALSO

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L.A. looks to join fight against Trump administration over threats to withhold anti-crime funds for sanctuary cities
Cal State Los Angeles was awarded $16.6 million to bring dental care to underserved communities in the Greater Los Angeles area, officials said Tuesday, billing the grant as the largest in the universitys history.

The school was one of 15 agencies awarded funding from the California Department of Health Care Services to create programs to improve access to dental care over the next four years for the roughly 5 million children enrolled in the Denti-Cal program.

The state will dole out a total of $150 million for the projects, which are part of the Medi-Cal 2020 Dental Transformation Initiative.

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With this grant we will be able to assist children who desperately need dental care, William A. Covino, president of the university, said in a statement. Were grateful for the opportunity to serve in new ways.

With the grant, the university, in partnership with the USC School of Dentistry, will send out mobile care teams to offer dental screenings and connect children with dentists.

Over the next four years, officials expect to work with about 32,000 youth under the age of 20 in urban communities around USC, Cal State L.A. and in the San Gabriel Valley.

The program includes a focus on American Indian youth and children with developmental disabilities, said Rita Ledesma, program director and Cal State L.A. professor.

As part of the program, students will be trained in identifying and responding to challenges families face that prevent young people from accessing dental care.

Every year will bring on a new cadre of students, Ledesma said. We anticipate many of them will go into careers helping families and or addressing disparities in one way or another.

Also receiving a grant to develop similar programs were Alameda County, Orange County, San Francisco City and County Department of Public Health and UCLA.

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AleneTchek
As Los Angeles police pitched their plan to fly drones Wednesday night in a series of forums held across the city, the reaction was less positive than they might have hoped.

Dozens of residents expressed concern ranging from skepticism to outright opposition to any use of drones by the Los Angeles Police Department, telling department brass they were worried about their privacy, over-militarization of the police and that the devices would be flown far more than the LAPD has pledged.

I wish the trust was there, said one woman at a meeting held near Griffith Park. I wish that I could say, Oh great, please do it. But you guys really need to earn back some trust in the community. Its not there.

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The LAPDs proposal to fly drones during a one-year pilot program is still in the early stages  the civilian Police Commission must sign off on the pilot program and a policy for testing the drones before any are flown.

Officials said use of the drones would be limited: standoffs with hostage takers or barricaded suspects, bomb scares and shootings in which a gunman is still targeting people. Department brass have said the devices could help gather crucial information as those incidents evolve without putting officers at risk.

Assistant Chief Beatrice Girmala said this month that if the LAPD was to fly drones, each use would require the approval of a high-ranking officer and would be documented for later review. Girmala stressed that the drones would not be weaponized.

But at community meetings near Griffith Park and in Van Nuys, the proposal drew largely negative responses. Other meetings were held in San Pedro and Westwood.

About two dozen people attended the meeting in Van Nuys, with speaker after speaker saying no to the LAPDs use of drones. Some expressed fears that the pilot program would be the first step to a Big Brother state in which citizens movements are tracked by the government.

Im not fooled by the image of a cute little unmanned drone, said Edie Pistolesi, a professor of art at Cal State Northridge and member of Jewish Voice for Peace. This is the beginning of the police state. Hello, Nazi Germany.

The LAPD has plenty of high-tech equipment and should focus more on crime prevention and mental health services, said another speaker, Ronnie Veliz.

You dont need this help with all the militarization you already have, said Veliz, 33, director of Somos Familia Valle and a student at Cal State Northridge.

The police are already viewed as an occupying force, and deploying machines instead of humans will further erode their relationships with residents, several speakers said.

The meeting occasionally turned contentious. As Cmdr. Edward Prokop, who leads the LAPDs counterterrorism and special operations bureau, explained that drones would not raise civil liberties issues because of the way they would be deployed, an audience member shouted: We dont believe you.

At one point, the audience chanted: Drone-free LAPD. No drones, L.A.

Another meeting, held in an auditorium near Griffith Park, also drew about two dozen people, including members of the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition. Although one woman said she supported the LAPDs use of drones  they could be helpful scanning the L.A. River for people during heavy rainstorms, she noted  the rest of the room was wary.

At one point, some critics stood and turned their backs to Girmala, the LAPD assistant chief, as she explained the advantages the LAPD sees in using the devices.

After the meeting, Jerome Courshon, the vice-chair of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, acknowledged that Girmala offered some examples where a drone might be useful, but said he was still concerned about public oversight and mission creep  that police would quietly expand their use over time.

Im skeptical that this is going to be used properly 100% of the time, he said.

Drones have been hailed by law enforcement across the country as a valuable technology that could help find missing hikers or monitor armed suspects without jeopardizing the safety of officers. But efforts to deploy the unmanned aircraft have frequently drawn fierce criticism from privacy advocates and police critics for whom the devices stir Orwellian visions of inappropriate  or illegal  surveillance and fears of military-grade, weaponized drones patrolling the skies.

The LAPD first obtained the unmanned aircraft three years ago, when Seattle police unloaded a pair of Draganflyer X6 drones that stirred criticism in that city. The controversy accompanied the drones to L.A.; after public outcry here, the devices were locked away and never flown.

The LAPD destroyed the Draganflyers this month, just before the department revealed it wanted to test different drones as part of the pilot program.

Critics, though, have raised concerns that the LAPD could use the drones to surveil innocent people, lawful protesters or residents in minority communities.

Whenever we hear that a government agency, especially police, is interested in acquiring drones, we have lots and lots of concerns, said Adam Schwartz, a senior lawyer with the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation. If they went forward with it, there needs to be a great deal of safeguards and restraint.

Those safeguards, Schwartz said, would include a policy specifying the exact situations when the devices could be flown and requiring a high-ranking officer to deploy them. There should also be some sort of paper trail so the public can see when the drones are flown, he said.

Although public feedback and Police Commission approval are good, Schwartz added, getting the City Council to consent to any use of drones by the LAPD is better.

The timing of Wednesdays meetings was criticized by some residents and advocacy groups. The Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, which has been among the most vocal, sent a letter to Mayor Eric Garcetti on Tuesday, accusing the LAPD of failing to alert the public about the meetings in a timely manner. The group also took issue with the fact that none of the meetings were held in the southern or eastern areas of L.A. or downtown.

We demanded that these meetings be canceled and rescheduled, the group wrote.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California echoed those concerns, emailing supporters a letter urging them to tell the L.A. Police Commission: no to drones -- at least until our community has had a fair chance to ask the questions important to them.

Before the forum held near Griffith Park, Girmala noted that information about the meetings was posted on the LAPDs website and distributed to the media. Residents who werent able to attend the meetings can still weigh in by mailing a letter or sending an email to the LAPD, she added.

kate.mather@latimes.com

@katemather

cindy.chang@latimes.com

@cindychangLA

UPDATES:

10:05 p.m.: This article was updated with details from the community forums.

This article was originally published at 5 a.m.
A key Los Angeles City Council committee Tuesday backed a plan for a new fee on the construction of single-family homes, offices, apartments and other developments, with the funds going to pay for affordable housing.

The linkage fee backed by the Planning and Land Use Management Committee would range from $1 to $15 a square foot, depending on the type of project and neighborhood.

The committee voted 5 to 0 to support the fee, which supporters say will help raise millions of dollars. L.A. faces a crippling housing shortage and homelessness crisis, putting pressure on lawmakers to find solutions.

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Were out of choices, Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson said at Tuesdays hearing. Its a disastrous choice to do nothing.

The fee applies to new construction and varies by real estate market. For instance, home builders on the Westside  considered a high market  would pay higher fees, while developers in San Pedro would have lower fees.

The three market areas for commercial development have fees ranging from $3 to $5 a square foot, while the four residential development area have fees ranging from $8 to $15. Developers of smaller, multiunit residential buildings would face a $1-a-square-foot charge in lower markets.

The market areas are defined within the citys Community Plan Areas, boundaries that help guide development.

Council members made several amendments to the ordinance during Tuesdays hearing, including a longer phase-in period. The full fee will not go into effect until a year after the council passes the ordinance.

Councilman Curren Price also sought a three-year exemption to the fee for commercial and industrial projects in a poverty-stricken area of his South L.A. district.

Hundreds of people packed into a downtown hearing, with both supporters and opponents jeering and clapping during the meeting.

Tim Piasky, chief executive of the Building Industry Assn. Los Angeles/Ventura Chapter, told council members the fee would lower housing production, intensify L.A.s already sky-high costs, push more Angelenos into poverty and increase homelessness on our streets.

Doug Smith, an attorney at pro bono law firm Public Counsel urged passage of the fee, telling the panel, Our crisis requires it.

Officials say the fee is an attempt to help ease the strain on the rental market for lower-income people brought about by the construction of market-rate housing and other development.

Mayor Eric Garcetti introduced the proposal several years ago, and his appointees on the city Planning Commission this year backed a citywide fee of $12 a square foot for residential development and $5 a square foot for commercial development.

Amid council members concerns about a flat citywide linkage fee and its effects on Los Angeles poorer areas, new options for a geographic-based fee were introduced in a city report.

The report, released last week, also suggested the linkage fees wouldnt be passed on to renters and buyers. Instead, costs associated with housing impact fees are either absorbed into land prices or reductions in developer profits, or some combination of the two, the report found.

Some developers dispute that assertion and argue housing costs will rise if the council passes the fee.

Following Tuesdays vote, the draft ordinance will return to the planning committee before going to the City Council. The proposal may also be heard before the citys Housing Committee, officials said.

In a statement after the vote, Garcetti called the linkage fee a critical piece of our comprehensive strategy to combat the housing crisis.

dakota.smith@latimes.com

Twitter: @dakotacdsmith
A man was hospitalized in serious condition Wednesday morning after he was shot during a home invasion in the Mid-Wilshire area, according to police.

A woman and two men broke into the home in the 1100 block of South Citrus Avenue around 7:50 a.m., according to Officer Mike Lopez, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman.

The victim, who was not identified, was taken to an area hospital in serious condition, Lopez said.

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The woman did the shooting, according to Lopez, who described the incident as a home invasion.

Police have established a perimeter and are searching the area for the three suspects. Descriptions of the suspects or a possible vehicle was not immediately available, Lopez said.

The victim was described only as an adult male.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.
A 32-year-old Modesto man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and drunken driving following a crash that claimed the life of an off-duty Modesto police officer Tuesday night, according to authorities.

Matthew Gibbs was driving a Volkswagen when he struck the rear of the off-duty officers bicycle near Fine and Merle avenues on Tuesday night, according to a statement issued by the California Highway Patrol.

The officer was thrown from the bike and died at the scene, the CHP said. Gibbs vehicle veered toward a curb and struck a fire hydrant after the collision.

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Gibbs was arrested and is being held on suspicion of murder and drunken driving charges, according to Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department records.

In a video posted to the departments Twitter account, Police Chief Galen Carroll described the officers death as a huge loss for his family and the Modesto Police Department family, as well as our community.

Carroll did not identify the officer. The CHP described the victim only as a 38-year-old male.

The CHP said alcohol and/or drugs played a role in the crash. Gibbs was arrested after he displayed signs of impairment at the scene, according to the CHPs statement.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.

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A San Diego federal judge wants to expedite the case of a young Dreamer who claims to have been wrongfully removed to Mexico despite his protected status, with a trial that could happen in as little as six weeks.

Attorneys for Juan Manuel Montes Bojorquez on Tuesday asked the judge for a preliminary injunction that would allow the 23-year-old to return lawfully to the United States while his lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection is adjudicated. But U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel said he still had several unanswered questions about Montes claims and said he wants to put Montes and other witnesses on the stand and hear their testimony for himself before ruling.

Curiels suggestion that hed rather have an accelerated path to trial seemed to take both sides by surprise. The judge ordered the attorneys to meet over the next day to map out a time frame for discovery and witness availability and come back Wednesday afternoon to possibly set a trial date.

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Its obvious this court wants to get to the bottom of what happened, Monica Ramirez, one of Montes attorneys, told reporters outside the courthouse.

She told the judge earlier that we just want him back, adding that every day Montes is away from his family and support system in the United States he is suffering irreparable harm.

Both sides agree that the crux of the case is what happened the night of Feb. 18. Montes claims he was taken by Border Patrol agents in Calexico and then forcibly removed to Mexico despite his valid status in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program, whose beneficiaries are known as Dreamers. Border authorities claim Montes is lying and entered Mexico of his own accord. The government claims there is no record of an encounter with Montes then.

In court documents leading up to the hearing, attorneys for both sides released new details surrounding the incident.

Montes, who suffers from cognitive disabilities, said in a sworn declaration that he worked in the fields in Imperial Valley on Feb. 18, went home to clean up, then had dinner at a friends house in Calexico. He said he had tentative plans to then hang out with another friend that night and was walking to a taxi stand when a lone Border Patrol agent on a bicycle stopped him and asked for his identification.

Hed left his wallet in a friends car, so he was taken in a patrol vehicle to a border station so his identity could be verified, Montes said. But Montes claims while at the station, it didnt appear that agents checked his identity or ran his fingerprints.

Montes said he doesnt recall if the agents asked about his DACA status.

He said he and others were driven to the port of entry around 1 a.m. Feb. 19 and told to cross into Mexico. He said he was not sure if he signed documents and didnt know why he was being kicked out of the country.

Montes got help from friends later that day who drove down his wallet and a suitcase. Later, on his way to hail a cab to go to a relatives house, Montes claims two men beat him and robbed him .

After this attack, I was very scared. I did not know what to do, Montes wrote in his declaration. I just wanted to be safe at home.

Montes said he made an impulsive decision to scale the border fence back into the U.S. on the evening of Feb. 19.

He was detained by Border Patrol and questioned, and again doesnt recall his DACA status being discussed. He said he signed documents, unsure of their contents, and was removed to Mexico on Feb. 20.

Federal authorities dispute ever coming into contact with Montes on Feb. 18, saying their first contact was when he was spotted coming over the fence. The government contends Montes was rightfully repatriated back to Mexico because DACA recipients are prohibited from crossing the border without permission. (Authorities originally falsely claimed to reporters that Montes was removed because his DACA status had expired.)

Attorneys for the government said Facebook messages seem to suggest Montes planned his return to the U.S.

Chief Patrol Agent Rodney Scott of the Border Patrols El Centro sector said in a sworn declaration that Montes story doesnt align with evidence. He said agents usually conduct bike patrols in pairs, not alone, and that all agents were assigned to patrol vehicles the night in question. He also said agents havent repatriated any unauthorized immigrants past 10 p.m. this year.

The case has drawn national attention and is being closely watched by all sides of the immigration debate in light of the Trump administrations crackdown on illegal immigration and the uncertainty over DACAs future.

It is also notable because President Trump and Curiel have a history, with Trump having criticized the judge on several occasions.

Curiel presided over two lawsuits regarding the now-defunct Trump University, and the then-presidential candidate called him a hater and questioned whether Trumps stand on immigration made Curiel biased in the case because of his Mexican heritage. Curiel was born in Indiana.

Curiel eventually approved a settlement, with Trump paying $25 million to end the lawsuits by students who said they were defrauded. Trump did not admit any wrongdoing.

Davis writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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San Francisco police will be out in force Saturday for a rally that is expected to draw white supremacists and counter-protesters who have clashed violently in the past.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said he hopes a large police presence can prevent the kind of violence seen in Virginia and elsewhere.

While San Francisco officials cannot stop the permitted gathering at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area by the Patriot Prayer group, Scott said his officers would work to keep the peace.

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You want to keep the people as peaceful as possible and dont allow violence to occur, the chief said. Violence isnt going to be tolerated.

Clashes between right-wing and left-wing protesters sparked violence and arrests earlier this year in Berkeley. Saturdays San Francisco rally will be followed by another one Sunday in Berkeley.

Keeping the two sides apart with officers separating the rally and counter-protesters will go a long way toward ensuring everyones safety, the chief said.

Scott said big cities like Los Angeles, where he served as a deputy chief, have long responded to these types of protests by having officers keep opposing sides apart. The tactics, in the end, arent complicated.

When you see something violent happening, you stamp it out immediately, Scott said. The chief said his commanders on the ground would be ready to take action to prevent confrontations from escalating.

Scott said his officers would start off with the hope that crowd management will ensure a peaceful day but will act swiftly if protesters cross the line to violence.

Boston last week is a good example of how these protests can be policed, Scott said, citing a large rally and counter-protest in that city last weekend.

There were less than three dozen arrests as about 50 extreme-right protesters saw their self-described free speech rally dwarfed by a massive turnout of about 40,000 counter-protesters. Police there officially ended the rally and escorted conservative rally members to protect them from the massive crowd.

Scotts boss, Mayor Ed Lee, already has denounced the San Francisco rally as designed to incite hate, bigotry and violence.

They will have their rally on federal land because the U.S. Constitution provides all of us the right to freedom of expression, he said. But as mayor of this city, I say: Any message of hate is not welcome.
Tony de Brum saw the effects of rising seas from his home in the Marshall Islands and became a leading advocate for the landmark Paris Agreement and an internationally recognized voice in the fight against climate change.

De Brum, who was the Pacific nations climate ambassador and former foreign minister, died Tuesday in the capital Majuro surrounded by his family, according to Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine. He was 72.

After witnessing nuclear testing in the islands while growing up, De Brum also fought against nuclear weapons and for his nations independence.

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Heine described him as a national hero.

The very existence of the Paris Agreement owes a lot to Tony de Brum, Heine said in a statement. He was a giant of history, a legend in every meaning of the word, and a custodian of our shared future.

When the Associated Press visited De Brum at his Majuro home in 2015, he described how hed grown up catching rabbitfish off Enebok Island, which was lush with coconut and breadfruit trees at the time.

But in recent years, the island has slipped beneath the water. During the visit with De Brum, all that remained at low tide was a pile of rocks that snagged flotsam including a sandal, some frayed rope and a sprouting coconut.

Although the Marshall Islands, population 70,000, remains one of the places most vulnerable to climate change because it protrudes just 6 feet above sea level, de Brum said at the time that he was determined to stay and fight.

The thought of evacuation is repulsive to us, he said. We think that the more reasonable thing to do is to seek to end this madness, this climate madness, where people think that smaller, vulnerable countries are expendable and therefore they can continue to do business as usual.

Our nation lost a hero today with the passing of @TonydeBrum. He made our island home and the rest of the world safer & more peaceful. RIP. pic.twitter.com/welRJWB9bX  Dr. Hilda C. Heine (@President_Heine) August 22, 2017

Heine said De Brum was out fishing with his grandfather at age 9 when he witnessed the horrors of Bravo shot, a U.S. thermonuclear test at Bikini Atoll.

Born in Tuvalu, De Brum became one of the first residents of the Marshall Islands to attend a university. He returned home to become a leading participant in negotiations that secured the nations compact of free association with the U.S. and membership to the United Nations.

Heine said De Brum remained committed to the cause of nuclear justice and global disarmament, as well as climate change.

During the negotiations for the Paris accord, De Brum helped form the High Ambition Coalition of 100 rich and poor nations and helped secure a global commitment to try to limit Earths warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) compared with pre-Industrial times.

The U.S. signed up the accord under President Obama but President Trump announced in June that the nation would withdraw.

He was incredibly important to all of us, said Marshall Islands poet Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, who is related to De Brum. He is viewed for his work globally, but he was also a grandfather, an uncle and a father, and was much more than his accomplishments.

Heine said De Brum is survived by his father, wife Rosalie, three children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A federal judge in Arizona ruled Tuesday that the states controversial ban on ethnic studies was motivated by racial discrimination.

The decision from Judge A. Wallace Tashima, a federal appeals court judge sitting in the district court in Arizona, came in a lawsuit brought by students against the states top education official. It is a major blow to a state law that resulted in the closure of a Mexican American studies program in Tucson.

Proponents of the program have argued that the 2010 law, which in part banned courses designed primarily for students of a particular ethnic group, was effectively racist and targeted Mexican Americans and other minority groups.

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Tucson dropped its Mexican American studies program in 2012 under threat of losing state funding.

Both enactment and enforcement were motivated by racial animus, Tashima wrote in his decision Tuesday. He said that the law violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution by discriminating against Latinos. He also said the law violated students 1st Amendment right to receive information and ideas.

Arizonas law in general banned classes promoting resentment toward a race or class of people.

It was all the more controversial because it was passed the same year the state passed the widely protested SB 1070 law, which required police to determine the immigration status of someone arrested or detained when there was reasonable suspicion they were not in the U.S. legally.

In his decision, Tashima railed against former Arizona state superintendents of public instruction who pushed to pass the ban, John Huppenthal and Tom Horne.

Defendants were pursuing these discriminatory ends in order to make political gains. Horne and Huppenthal repeatedly pointed to their efforts against the [Mexican American studies] program in their respective 2011 political campaigns, including in speeches and radio advertisements. The issue was a political boon to the candidates, the judge wrote.

Both individuals conveyed an unfounded, yet uniform, distrust of  teachers and students accounts of what was taking place in [Mexican American studies] classrooms, he wrote.

A former teacher in the Tucson program, Curtis Acosta, reacted to the ruling on Twitter.

I just received word from our attorney, Richard Martinez, that we won our case against the state of Arizona. Justicia! he tweeted.

In an interview, Martinez said he was confident that the ruling meant the law would be dismantled. Martinez said the judge would hold a hearing in the next three weeks to determine how the ruling should be enforced.

Anita Fernandez, director of the Xicanx Institute for Teaching and Organizing in Tucson, said Tuesday that she was celebrating the decision.

Were very excited by the ruling, specifically that the court was convinced by testimony and evidence [that it] was racial discrimination, Fernandez said. Now it is up to the school district to decide what they are going to do.

jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com

Jaweed Kaleem is The Times national race and justice correspondent. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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The words of President Trump, spoken to a roaring crowd at a campaign-style rally here, came as sweet relief to Joe Arpaio, who was at home watching on television.

Was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? the president said to heavy applause Tuesday night at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Ill make a prediction, Trump added. I think hes going to be just fine.

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It was a clear indication from Trump that he plans to pardon Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County who was convicted last month of criminal contempt for flouting a judges orders to stop racial profiling.

He speaks from the heart, Arpaio said of Trump in an interview on Wednesday. And I must say, I really appreciate it.

Speaking from his home in the suburbs of Phoenix, Americas toughest sheriff, as he once called himself, described Trump as a friend. Arapaio was one of Trumps earliest supporters in the presidential race, endorsing him weeks after he announced his candidacy in 2015.

But he said he did not ask for a pardon and that he does not see one as payback from Trump.

I know he believes that I was done wrong, said Arpaio, who served as sheriff for more than two decades before voters ousted him in November. This has all been politically motivated  a travesty of justice.

Arpaio, 85, has long been a divisive figure at the center of national debates over policing and illegal immigration. He was extremely popular with many Arizona voters, but his harsh policies drew sharp criticism from advocates for immigrants and civil rights.

He forced inmates to wear pink underwear and housed them in canvas tents under the hot Arizona sun. And he ordered his officers to stop drivers simply on the suspicion that they were in the country illegally, sometimes leading to the detention of Latinos who were citizens or in the country legally.

Arpaios conviction for criminal contempt stems from a 2011 court order for him and his force to stop racially profiling Latinos and turning them over to federal immigration authorities. He openly defied it, leading a U.S. District Court judge to find him guilty of contempt.

He is scheduled to be sentenced in early October and could face up to six months in jail.

Even before Trumps visit to Phoenix, the president had made veiled references to a pardon. In his speech Tuesday, Trump did not indicate when he might issue one, saying only, I wont do it tonight, because I dont want to cause any controversy.

His statements have prompted activists, politicians and other critics of Arpaio to accuse the president of deepening racial divisions instead of trying to heal them.

If this does move forward, President Trump is only showing Americans he doesnt care about police abuse, said Maria Castro, a community organizer for Puente Human Rights Movement, a local immigrant rights group. Hes saying racism is OK.

Puente organized the White Supremacy Will Not Be Pardoned march outside Trumps rally Tuesday. The event drew nearly 5,000 attendees, many carrying signs and inflatable balloons of Arpaio dressed in a prison jumpsuit and handcuffs.

Liz Chatham, an immigration attorney in Phoenix, questioned Trumps rationale and said a pardon could have damaging repercussions.

People in this community were profiled and a court of law agreed, she said. This was justice, and now it could be thrown out? The president is sending a strong message that law enforcement can essentially have free reign to violate a persons rights.

Local politicians have also pressured Trump not to pardon Arpaio.

U.S. Reps. Ruben Gallego, Raul M. Grijalva and Tom OHalleran  all Arizona Democrats  sent a letter to Trump this month saying they believe that public officials should be held accountable when they commit crimes and that the rule of law should be applied fairly regardless of how powerful an office holders friends are.

By pardoning Mr. Arpaio, an early supporter of your campaign, you would be sending a clear message that your allies are immune from prosecution, they wrote.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, who had encouraged the president not to travel here this week for the rally, has also publicly called on Trump to forgo a pardon.

Lets be clear: A pardon of Arpaio can be viewed only as a presidential endorsement of the lawlessness and discrimination that terrorized Phoenixs Latino community, Stanton wrote in a recent Washington Post op-ed. For years, Arpaio illegally targeted Latinos in our community because of the color of their skin.

Asked about a potential pardon, Arpaios successor, Paul Penzone, said it was the presidents decision to make, but noted that this community was not happy with what they had as a sheriff, and the courts  the justice system  held him accountable.

He was convicted because he defied court orders, Penzone said on CNN on Wednesday.

Arpaio, for now, is unmoved by the critics and insists he knows  and trusts  the presidents gut.

Im sure he knows I was right in enforcing the illegal immigration laws, said Arpaio. Thats why hes very concerned, and Im very appreciative of a pardon when it might occur.

kurtis.lee@latimes.com

Twitter: @kurtisalee

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A federal judge struck down Texas controversial voter identification law Wednesday, ruling that it illegally discriminated against Latinos and African Americans. The decision also raised the possibility that the federal government would start overseeing the states voting procedures.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christi said the states attempts to require voters to present certain forms of identification at polling places  ostensibly to curtail voter fraud  were meant to discriminate against minorities and violated the Constitution and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The law, which laid out some of the most restrictive voting rules in the nation, was a revamped version of a 2011 measure that Ramos twice rejected for similar reasons.

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The decision Wednesday was hailed by civil rights advocates, who had alleged that the rules were part a broad effort in Republican-controlled states to disenfranchise Latino and African American voters that tend to lean Democratic. Those voters are less likely to have the forms of identification that the law required.

The judges opinion just goes to show that you cant put a dress on a pig, take it to the ball, and claim that your date is Cinderella, said Gary Bledsoe, the president of the Texas NAACP, which helped represent the plaintiffs.

Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which also joined the lawsuit, said Ramos decision recognizes that a state cannot escape the consequences of its pernicious conduct without completely eliminating all vestiges of discrimination.

The state of Texas vowed to fight back.

Todays ruling is outrageous, Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton said in a statement announcing plans to take the case to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Safeguarding the integrity of elections in Texas is essential to preserving our democracy.

The decision dealt a blow to Texas lawmakers, who have tried for years to pass voting restrictions only to be repeatedly blocked by courts.

It was also a defeat for the U.S. Department of Justice, which had filed a court brief supporting the voter ID laws in a reversal of its position under the Obama administration.

President Trump, who has launched a federal task force on voting, has asserted without evidence that millions of illegal votes cost him the popular vote in the November election.

The 2011 law required voters to show one of seven kinds of government-issued identification  including a state drivers or gun license, a passport or military ID  in order to cast ballots.

Ramos ruled against the law in 2014, saying it created an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote. The judge cited court testimony that said 600,000 state residents, mostly African Americans, Latinos and those that are poor, did not have the proper ID.

Ramos affirmed the ruling in April after an appeals court ordered her to reconsider whether the law had discriminatory intent.

In May, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a new version of the law that legislators hoped would pass court muster. The law, which was set to go into effect in January, loosened the restrictions by allowing recently expired IDs and letting people without IDs vote by signing an affidavit. It also added voter registration certificates, bank statements and utility bills to the list of acceptable identification.

But opponents said the law still discriminated against minorities and younger voters and complained that it did not allow college IDs to be used.

In Wednesdays decision, Ramos said that while the new law was an improvement, it did not solve the legal issues. The judge left open the possibility that she would require Texas to undergo federal monitoring of its voting procedures.

jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com

Jaweed Kaleem is The Times national race and justice correspondent. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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UPDATES:

7:05 p.m.: This article was updated to include interviews with lawyers, context on the history of voter ID laws in Texas, details on the Trump administrations stance on the case and analysis on voter ID rules.

This article was originally published at 3:40 p.m.
Charles Cadwallader didnt vote for Trump. He hasnt cast a ballot for a presidential candidate, he said, since voting for Bill Clinton in 1992. When Newt Gingrich and the Republicans engaged in showdowns with Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal, he checked out. Hed had enough.

Political parties are poison to him. But as the country is roiling through an identity crisis and is splitting apart, he said the problem is not politics. The problem is so many things  shifting social norms, culture, customs, tradition and a work ethic he feels has long gone by the wayside.

He blames parents for making kids soft, turning them into entitled adults who dont want to work hard for a living. (You cant lay a hand on a kid. Im not talking about wire brush on skin or something, but giving a spanking. My parents did it to me and Im grateful for it.)

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Cadwallader had come to Reno from West Virginia to attend the American Legion convention and now had a chance to hear President Trump in person. He sat near an ashtray filled with cigarette butts outside the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

The 73-year-old veteran didnt seem to be in any particular hurry, and appeared to be leaning against heading into the convention hall.

I watched him on TV last night in Phoenix, Cadwallader said. Dont really need to hear it again.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of Edgefield 100s and lighted up. Hed been smoking since he was a teenager  starting on Winstons and burning through other brands as his tastes changed over the years. By the time he was 18 and had joined the Army National Guard, he was a heavy smoker. He said he wanted to go to Vietnam but never got deployed. He left after nine years active duty.

Now he sees a country with so many problems. He blames the media for not reporting the truth  though he admitted hes not even sure what that is anymore. He blames politicians for hastening the demise of the manufacturing economy.

Cadwallader said he didnt know whether Trump had the answers, either.

I think hes trying, Cadwallader said.

His wife, Lisa Cadwallader, came up to him and he stood to give her a hug. Theyve been married for 36 years. She said they met while she was working at a restaurant in West Virginia.

He came in as a customer  

 a drunken customer.

He kind of grew on me.

He lighted up another cigarette. She had hers already going. She asked him whether he was going in to see Trump. No, he said. She said she was still thinking about going inside.

I saw Obama last time, she said. It is the president. We respect the office.

He saw President Obama as well when he addressed the American Legion. Cadwallader said he didnt have much problem with Obama, but all he associates with him is Obamacare, which he opposes. For Cadwallader, that was like the recent solar eclipse  it blocked out everything else that Obama did.

Lisa Cadwallader nodded.

She said she did vote in the last election, but demurred when asked for whom. But she didnt disagree with her husbands view that America seemingly has slipped into a glide path of depravity and dysfunction. She didnt watch Trumps angry Phoenix speech or the reports of protesters and police clashing.

They both heard protesters here shouting off in the distance and shook their heads. She was silent.

I always say its a free country, he said. But you have to pay for it.

Cadwallader again told his wife he wasnt going to go in and listen to Trump. He said he has mixed feelings about the presidents decision to send more troops into Afghanistan.

He serves on an honor guard and said hes done 50 funerals in the last three years. A bum leg has kept him off that duty for a few months, but he said only one funeral was for a veteran who was older than him. He used to play the bugle but cant anymore. Dont have the wind for it, he said.

His wife kissed him and said she was going to take a walk. She decided she wasnt going in to hear the president speak either. She headed down the sidewalk, where a few other American Legion members clustered together in smoking circles.

As a veteran, Cadwallader has done some thinking about America and its wars. Now Trump has said hes sending new troops to Afghanistan. I dont know what to think about it, he said. Those people are trying to kill us. They dont know what living a life is all about.

He paused. The more he spoke, the more he seemed aligned with Trumps positions.

He isnt worried about nuclear war with North Korea. (If they shoot one at Guam, well shoot one back.) He likes the idea of Trumps promises to bring back a robust manufacturing economy. He reiterated his hatred for Obamacare  but he also said corporations that reduce workers to part-time status to avoid providing health insurance were culpable as well.

Still, hes had enough. As Trump spoke inside, his wife returned and he stood up and leaned on his cane. He lighted another cigarette, clutching it between thin fingers with nails that almost blended into his skin. By the days end, he said, hell probably have smoked more than two packs.

The president was going to wrap up, and they didnt want to get caught up in the crowds. Moving slowly, together, they walked through the parking lot  wisps of smoke trailing them before dissipating into the air.

david.montero@latimes.com

Twitter: @davemontero

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Russian playwright Anton Chekhov noted that, as a dramatic device, a gun introduced in the first act of a play must be fired in the second, otherwise it has no reason to be there. Lets hope thats not as true in life as it is in art, now that we have an armed racist right squaring off against leftist counter-protesters in public confrontations.

Weve already seen violence, even death, at these rallies. But the potential is for much worse if participants continue to carry guns into such provocative situations. The question is how to minimize the risk without trampling peoples constitutional rights.

The 1st Amendment to the Constitution establishes the right to free speech and peaceful assembly. The 2nd Amendment creates a right to own firearms. Neither is absolute. Nevertheless, firearms have become a significant presence in our culture, and only a dozen states prohibit people from carrying them openly in public. Whats more, over 40 states have NRA-backed preemption laws, which to varying degrees limit the ability of local governments to adopt stricter gun regulations than the state as a whole.

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Virginia is a preemption state that also allows open carry, and the nation saw the results at Charlottesville, where paramilitary militias  men heavily armed with military-style weapons and in some cases battle gear  appeared as part of the Unite the Right rally. But far-left groups, including the so-called Redneck Revolt, a liberal pro-gun group, have also paraded around with their firearms at various demonstrations.

People playing out their gun fantasies must not be allowed to circumscribe the right to free speech and assembly.

Now, another provocative rally  aimed at promoting the true Confederate heritage  is planned for Sept. 23 in Austin, Texas. Billing it as a Dixie Freedom Rally, its organizers, the Texas Confederate Militia, are telling prospective attendees that state law will allow them to bring openly carried and concealed handguns, as well as long rifles. Given the mix of firearms, passions and politics, its not hard to see the potential for violence.

This is a problem that the nation must resolve. A group of self-organized, trained and heavily armed men (and these groups are predominantly male) is a paramilitary organization, and giving it megaphones and parade banners doesnt magically transform it into something peaceful. Adding open carry to a contentious event can put public safety at risk, and the presence of visible firearms creates unique problems for the police.

Open carry can also be an act of intimidation. Heres one illustration: During the Unite the Right event, gun-toting and swastika-carrying Nazis chanting anti-Semitic slogans marched past a Charlottesville synagogue containing 40 worshippers, leaving them so frightened that they felt compelled to sneak out the back. And heres another: In April 2016, opposing protesters at a Dallas-area Nation of Islam mosque engaged in a tense face-off that, fortunately, ended without those Chekhovian firearms being used. This is not the America we want.

Another complicating factor: Two dozen states, including Texas, have adopted stand your ground laws similar to the one that became an issue in Florida after George Zimmerman shot of wrongdoing after shooting dead 17-year-old Trayvon Martin during a confrontation. The details differ among the states, but at their core the laws allow people to shoot to kill if they perceive they are under physical threat.

Incendiary political speech, demonstrators, open-carry and stand-your-ground laws  what could possibly go wrong here?

This is madness. Police train to control unruly crowds, and develop strategies for separating rival groups of protesters, but are they equipped  and able  to keep the peace when the protesters have become paramilitary militias? If states such as Virginia and Texas insist on allowing citizens to brazenly strut around their streets with guns slung over their shoulders like Third World mercenaries, they must at least make an exception at rallies and demonstrations. A ban on weapons  from firearms to pointed sticks, concealed or carried openly  should be a condition for obtaining a permit.

Boston took the right approach this weekend at a controversial Free Speech rally that drew 40,000 protesters: Anything that could be used as a weapon, from guns to sharp sticks, was prohibited.

Fearing violence, some lawmakers and advocates have urged officials not to give permits, period, for these contentious rallies. But thats the wrong answer. Its not the right to speech and assembly that should be restricted; its the right to carry guns in certain potentially explosive situations. Gun advocates like to argue they have the right to bear arms as a bulwark against tyrannical government, but government has a responsibility here as well: to keep people safe.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
California has long been an environmental leader, adopting strong laws to protect the air, water and land that often, eventually, become national policy. Yet the task of setting and enforcing environmental standards is a huge one, and even Green California has relied on the federal government to handle much of that work.

That hasnt been a problem for most of the last 50 years. The state has frequently worked hand-in-hand with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S Department of Fish and Wildlife and other federal agencies to safeguard public health and natural resources.

But that was before the arrival of President Trump, who questions the science on climate change, bemoans vital environmental laws as too burdensome and hires industry lobbyists as regulators. Frequently supported by the Republican-controlled Congress, the Trump administration has laid out plans to relax federal regulations and slash spending on environmental programs. If successful, the efforts would undermine decades of work that has made the nations air healthier and its water cleaner.

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California has a long, proud history of managing a thriving economy and job creation without sacrificing clean air, clean water or endangered species.

That is simply unacceptable, and if any state should lead the resistance to Trumps anti-environment agenda, its California. This state has demonstrated that preserving the environment doesnt stunt the economy, and that protecting the states quality of life is good for residents and businesses.

State leaders, along with environmental groups, have already begun fighting in court to stop the administration from reversing national environmental policies. But they can also prevent backsliding on environmental regulations and enforcement at home by adopting SB 49, the California Environmental Defense Act.

SB 49 would require state agencies to continue enforcing current federal air, water, endangered species and worker safety standards if the Trump administration or Congress weakens them. The bill, which was written Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) and Sen. Henry Stern (D-Agoura Hills), would let California easily incorporate any environmental standard in effect when Trump took office in January without need for a lengthy rule-making process.

It would also require that all wildlife on the federal list of threatened and endangered species be included on the states list of protected species. Thats important because certain key species, such as the leatherback sea turtle and the coastal California gnatcatcher, are listed only on the federal endangered species list and may not be adequately protected going forward. And it would continue a citizens right to sue to enforce environmental laws if that right is weakened or removed from federal law.

The goal is to make clear Californias commitment to strict environmental oversight regardless of what the federal government chooses to do. That would ensure theres no lapse in regulation and provide certainty to both residents and businesses that the Trump environmental upheaval stops at the state line.

Yes, this is a preemptive strike, but its a smart one considering that the Trump administration and Congress already have proposals pending that would affect water, air and habitat protection in California. Congress is attacking environmental regulations on multiple fronts; for example, there are water-related bills that could weaken protection for endangered salmon, steelhead other species in California.

Meanwhile, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has attempted to delay rules designed to make oil and gas operators reduce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Hes moved to repeal a 2015 clean water rule meant to protect the drinking water supply for millions of Americans. And the Trump administration proposed weakening a rule to protect workers from inhaling beryllium, a poisonous metal. Ideally, the courts and more reasonable members of Congress will stop such short-sighted rollbacks. But SB 49 is a necessary backstop. It would allow California agencies to maintain the strictest standards and to enforce environmental rules if federal agencies choose not to.

The Chamber of Commerce has labeled SB 49 as a job killer despite the fact the bill would simply continue the current laws of the land in California. Lawmakers should not buy into such fear mongering. California has a long, proud history of managing a thriving economy and job creation without sacrificing clean air, clean water or endangered species.

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President Trump hinted Tuesday night that he planned to pardon former Arizona Sheriff Joseph Arpaio for his federal contempt of court conviction, telling a crowd in Phoenix: Ill make a prediction: I think hes going to be just fine. But I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy.  But Sheriff Joe can feel good.

If Trump can be believed  never a sure thing  and he makes good on that semi-veiled promise, he wont be delivering a gift of mercy to a deserving and repentant offender. Hell be rewarding a political friend and supporter who shares his abhorrence of illegal immigration and his affection for draconian enforcement strategies. By blessing a top local law enforcement officers defiance of a federal judge, Trump would again exhibit his own contempt for the courts.

Arpaio, 85, made himself a hero of the anti-immigrant right by cracking down on people living illegally in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix. But his practices smelled of 1930s Alabama. He reintroduced the chain gang and forced inmates to live in a tent city under the hot desert sun, where critics complained deputies routinely used racial epithets in dealing with minorities, particularly Latinos, and some inmates died at deputies hands. He was sued a decade ago over complaints that his department routinely violated the rights of Latinos  including many who were citizens of the U.S. or living in the country perfectly legally  by stopping them based on racial profiling. Those who were suspected of living here without permission were detained, even though being in the country illegally is not a state crime. A federal judge ordered Arpaio to put a stop to the practice, but he did not.

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The message Trump really sends here is that the president of the United States doesnt think court orders need to be respected.

The Maricopa departments atrocious treatment of those in custody  with or without a legal right to live here  contributed to Arpaios failure to win a seventh term as sheriff last November. Some people who take a hard line against illegal immigration might have appreciated Arpaios actions, but civil libertarians  and, really, anyone with a heart  were appalled, and rightly so.

In the end, the sheriff was convicted not of detaining people without legal cause, but of willfully disobeying federal court orders to stop the practice. (He could be sentenced to as much as six months in jail at his September sentencing hearing). Thats no split hair. The authority of the court system is predicated upon people respecting its orders and decisions. For an elected sheriff to decide that he need not heed a court order is unacceptable, both as a matter of law and as an example for others. If a sheriff can ignore a federal judge, why shouldnt the rest of us do so as well?

Trump continues to prove that he is incapable of understanding nuance, or of looking beyond his own small stable of ideas, beliefs and allies. And by yoking himself to Arpaio, hes not endorsing a rigorous or even effective approach to illegal immigration, but repudiating basic values of human decency and smart, contemporary approaches to criminal justice. Hes telling America that its permissible for the government to violate our basic civil rights simply because a sheriff wraps a tough on crime bow around it. A pardon suggests to other sheriffs around the nation that the administration will support them in any potential court showdowns over immigration.

But law enforcement officials cannot disregard court orders just because they  and the president  disagree with the policy at hand. And on a pragmatic level, illegal detentions, which violate the 4th Amendment, can lead to lawsuits and substantial civil damages that taxpayers ultimately have to cover  and for which there is no presidential pardon.

The message Trump would send is that the president of the United States doesnt think courts need to be respected. From that perspective, and from ours, pardoning Arpaio would be just another shot by Trump at the court system, and at the institutions of our democracy.

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UPDATES:

12:25 p.m.: This article was updated with additional analysis and arguments.

This story was first published at 7:10 a.m.
The statistics tell one story: 81% of white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump. The deafening silence from leaders of the religious right in the wake of the neo-Nazi violence in Charlottesville, Va., points to an even larger one, which places racism at the very heart of the movement.

On the face of it, evangelical support for Trump is anomalous. How can a movement ostensibly concerned about family values support a twice-divorced, thrice-married man who said that his personal Vietnam was avoiding sexually transmitted diseases? How could evangelicals vote for someone who flaunted his infidelities and who boasted about his tawdry behavior toward women?



For the record: This article originally stated that Tony Perkins did not issue a statement about the violence in Charlottesville. He did, but did not issue one specifically condemning Trumps response.

The standard rejoinder is that evangelicals were so concerned about abortion and, therefore, judicial appointments that they were prepared to ignore Trumps indiscretions to advance the one cause  opposition to abortion  that lay at the core of their political movement. That argument collapses, however, on historical examination.

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Several evangelical leaders and evangelical organizations applauded the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision. The late Paul Weyrich, architect of the religious right, was emphatic that abortion had nothing whatsoever to do with the genesis of evangelical political activism in the 1970s, a sentiment echoed by other conservative leaders, including Richard Viguerie and Grover Norquist.

What does it tell us when businessmen demonstrate a greater moral resolve than ministers?

What galvanized Jerry Falwell and other leaders in the 1970s was not abortion, which they considered a Catholic issue. They mobilized instead to protest the rescission of tax-exempt status at Bob Jones University and other segregation academies. (Falwell had opened his own segregation academy in Lynchburg, Va., in 1967.) Only later, in advance of the 1980 election, did Weyrich and others recognize that abortion could mobilize grass-roots evangelical voters.

Evangelicals overwhelming support for Trump represents not so much a concern for securing a pro-life judiciary as a return to the founding principles of their political movement. Trump himself may or may not be a racist, but his campaign rhetoric undeniably appealed to racist sentiments: his assertion that a judge of Mexican heritage could not be impartial, his characterization of Mexican immigrants as rapists, his castigation of Muslims.

The 2016 presidential election, then, allowed the religious right finally to dispense with the fiction that theirs was a movement concerned about family values. Evangelical voting behavior suggests that the religious right was merely reverting to the racism that prompted its entry into the political arena in the late 1970s.

If this interpretation is mistaken, if the religious right  or at least its leadership  is not racist, then we might reasonably expect that the leaders of the movement would rush to condemn white supremacists and the equivocal responses of the president, who blamed the violence in Charlottesville on both sides. Where are these evangelical voices of condemnation?

In a word, nowhere.

What about Richard Land, former official of the Southern Baptist Convention and now president of Southern Evangelical Seminary? Land was unsparing in his criticisms of Presidents Clinton and Obama, and he once worried that Hillary Clinton would park her broomstick at the Supreme Court. Regarding Trump, however, Land has been uncharacteristically silent.

How about Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council and frequent visitor to the White House? Perkins, who addressed white nationalist groups when he was a state legislator in Louisiana and who has had dealings with David Duke, former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, issued a statement condemning the violence in Charlottesville, but not one condemning Trump.

Wheres Ralph Reed or Paula White or James Dobson, who in the course of the 2016 campaign pronounced Trump a baby Christian? (He was half right.) All of them have vocally supported the president, but they have remained mute on his relationship to racism and white supremacy.

To my knowledge, only one member of the presidents 25-person Evangelical Advisory Board, A.R. Bernard of Brooklyns Christian Cultural Center, has stepped down  and that was several days after Trumps equivocation. By way of contrast, several business executives immediately resigned from economic advisory boards in protest against Trumps equivocation.

What does it tell us when businessmen demonstrate a greater moral resolve than ministers?

In fairness, several evangelical leaders have spoken out, but their responses could hardly be characterized as denunciations of white supremacy. Franklin Graham cried shame on those who were trying to blame Trump for what happened in Charlottesville. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, who recently disclosed that God had authorized Trump to assassinate North Koreas Kim Jong Un, said that racism comes in all shapes, all sizes and, yes, all colors. Jerry Falwell Jr., son of the founder of Moral Majority and his fathers successor as president of Liberty University, applauded Trumps bold truthful statement about Charlottesville tragedy.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, evangelicals took the part of those on the margins of society  women, the poor, workers, people of color. The 2016 election, coupled with the religious rights anemic response to racism and white supremacy, suggests that this once proud and noble tradition is morally bankrupt.

Randall Balmer, who teaches at Dartmouth College, is the author of Evangelicalism in America.

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When President Trump announced his decision to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan this week, he described it as a bold new strategy to achieve victory in the 16-year-old war.

In the end, we will win, he promised. We will always win.

But there wasnt much that was new about the ideas Trump outlined. If you listened closely, he wasnt really promising to win the Afghan war, except in the limited sense of preventing the Taliban from toppling the U.S.-backed government. And the few, sketchy steps he outlined didnt add up to a true strategy  more like a holding action aimed at staving off defeat.

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And yet, for all that, it could have been worse.

Like presidents before him, Trump has discovered that foreign policy often requires choosing among bad options. The easy solutions that fill campaign speeches are rarely available in the real world.

The Trump administration hasnt yet failed at multilateral diplomacy on Afghanistan; it has barely even tried.

Trump came into office having long argued that the United States should simply give up on its longest war. Afghanistan is a complete waste, he tweeted in 2012. Time to come home!

To his credit, once his generals explained that withdrawal would almost certainly make the country a base for Al Qaeda and Islamic State  and that hed be blamed for the terrorists win  the president backed down. He gave Defense Secretary James N. Mattis more personnel, more time, more decision-making authority and a commitment (at least rhetorically) to stay as long as needed to stabilize the Kabul government.

Thats not to suggest that stability is in the cards any time soon. Trumps aides know that 4,000 more troops wont turn the war around. Barack Obama sent more than 100,000 troops, and that surge had disappointing results.

To turn Trumps sketchy decision into a genuine policy, his national security team needs to succeed on three fronts, all of them challenging.

First, they need to use the new U.S. forces to bolster Afghanistans security forces and improve their training. Thats the most straightforward mission, one American officers have already been working on for most of a decade.

The 4,000 troops Trump is adding will bring the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan to roughly the 13,600 that Gen. John R. Allen requested from President Obama in 2012 but didnt get. Allen, now retired, insists that the train-and-equip program he proposed five years ago can still enable the Afghans to hold their own against the Taliban, if given enough time.

Second, they need to persuade neighboring Pakistan to stop protecting terrorist groups. Thats not a new idea, either; Presidents Obama and George W. Bush tried and failed.

That will have to change, and that will change immediately, Trump promised. But he didnt say how, beyond hinting that he might cut military aid and authorize U.S. forces to attack suspected terrorists deep in Pakistani territory.

Third, U.S. diplomats need to find a way to pressure the Taliban into the peace negotiations that are the only realistic way to end the war. Indeed, the real goal of the military campaign is to make the Kabul government secure enough to negotiate successfully with the Taliban. Until now, most of the insurgents have seen little need to talk with a government that cannot defend itself unaided.

And yet, in Mondays speech, Trump sounded almost dismissive about peace talks. Some day, after an effective military effort, perhaps it will be possible to have a political settlement that includes elements of the Taliban in Afghanistan, but nobody knows if or when that will ever happen, he said.

Actually, a generations worth of U.S. military commanders in Afghanistan have said thats the only way out. For negotiations to succeed, however, the United States will need help not only from Pakistan, but from Iran and Russia as well. Any of the three could easily get in the way.

The Trump administration hasnt yet failed at multilateral diplomacy on Afghanistan; it has barely even tried. The United States has no ambassador in Kabul (although a career diplomat was recently nominated). The State Department had a special office working on a regional solution to the Afghan war, but Secretary of State Rex Tillerson disbanded it last spring.

It wont be easy to make any of the parts of the presidents scheme work. For one thing, it will require Trump to accept halfway outcomes that fall far short of the kind of total victory he likes to promise.

But theres one factor that might make the president willing not only to stay the course in Afghanistan, but to try diplomacy as well  the same one that prompted him to reluctantly approve more troops against his initial instincts: All the alternatives look worse.

doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com

Twitter: @DoyleMcManus

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To the editor: I was dismayed to read about the blowback that Chad Mayes, the Republican leader in the California Assembly, had to endure simply for supporting clean energy, which is not a controversial issue. (Assembly Republican leader Chad Mayes is still in charge after caucus meeting  but another vote is on the way, Aug. 21)

His position aligns with the views of Republican voters nationwide, especially among GOP millennials  the future of the party. According to a recent poll conducted by my organization, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum, nearly two-thirds of younger Republican voters favor the federal government taking steps to reduce emissions of gases like carbon dioxide that cause climate change.

Clean energy has now reached high levels of support in my party, backed by a majority of all Republicans, including supporters of President Trump.

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Principled public servants who are both free-market conservatives and advocates for clean energy should be commended. I agree with the business leaders cited in the article: Mayes stance was courageous.

Charles Hernick, Washington

The writer is director of policy and advocacy for Citizens for Responsible Energy Solution Forum.

..

To the editor: As a lifelong Republican, I have had it up to here with my partys march to the 19th century. If the other party offered much of a viable alternative, Id be there.

Thank goodness for people like Assemblyman Mayes of Yucca Valley. I have gladly voted for him and will continue to do so because Im confident hes one of those strange politicians who believes in doing the right thing, even if it means bucking his party and risking damage to his own political future.

Yes, the GOP can take his leadership position, but I will keep on supporting someone whos not afraid to vote his own heart and mind.

Janet K. Schwartzkopf, Palm Springs

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To the editor: On Tuesday night in Phoenix, President Trump openly lied to the American people. (Trump fills Phoenix speech with charged language, accusing media and fellow Republicans of failings, Aug. 22)

In an effort to challenge those who have accused him of being a racist and a bigot, Trump quoted from his previous comments about the events that occurred in Charlottesville, Va. However, what he did was edit out the words on many sides when referring to acts of violence.

It is clear to me that Trump understands that his words equated the actions of the white supremacists in Charlottesville with those of the people who showed up to protest against them. He also failed to mention his observation that there were very fine people on both sides, including those who marched with Klansmen and neo-Nazis.

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Our president is a bold and blatant liar. The words he failed to repeat before his supporters in Phoenix are crucial to understanding his mind-set.

Trump now wants more Americans to serve in Afghanistan. I, for one, dont trust him to make such life-and-death decisions for thousands of people.

Ronald Fischbach, Moorpark

..

To the editor: While I am certainly not a huge fan of Trump, I find it appalling that Cathleen Decker wrote, His repeated suggestion that it was time to return to law and order carried the whiff of past campaigns such as those carried out by George Wallace, the late segregationist presidential candidate and Alabama governor.

How can we unite our country when we have a president who feeds on divisiveness, ridicule, anger and hate and uses those as political tools?  Julia Springer, Santa Barbara

Does Decker have any clue as to what Wallace stood for? And how can she possibly compare his beliefs to those of Trump?

Wallace physically attempted to defy federal law by standing in front of the doors at the University of Alabama and refusing to allow people of color to register as students. He was ordered to step aside by federal troops acting on behalf of the president.

Wallace was a proud segregationist who led the charge for institutionalized racism. He was and still is a symbol for what was wrong regarding race relations in the United States.

Comparing Trump to Wallace is beyond comprehension and crosses a line.

Larry Kahn, Simi Valley

..

To the editor: Trump said that his movement is built on love and then spent the rest of the time denigrating everyone who has crossed him, showing how unstable he is.

How can we have a stable foreign policy  let alone a domestic one  with such an unstable leader? How can we unite our country when we have a president who feeds on divisiveness, ridicule, anger and hate and uses those as political tools?

How can any American be proud of this? How did this happen?

Julia Springer, Santa Barbara

..

To the editor: What kind of president holds campaign-style rallies months after his inauguration? Trump has an insatiable ego and needs constant adulation. Theres something seriously wrong with that.

As for his constant lambasting of the media, perhaps the various cable networks should stop covering his rallies (with the exception of Fox News because, well, Fox will never stop). Refuse to give Trump the attention, and watch the verbal abuse cease  well, maybe.

Mike Aguilar, Costa Mesa

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May you die in pain: California GOP congressman gets an earful at town hall

Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) kicks off his Monday morning town hall in Chico. (Phil Willon / Los Angeles Times)

May you die in pain.

That was the nastiest moment of Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfas early morning town hall in the Northern California town of Chico on Monday.

The wish was uttered by an older man who criticized LaMalfa for voting for the House GOP plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. He was also holding a pink sign that read Lackey for the Rich!

ALSO: LaMalfa says the Russia investigation is a bunch of crap

The open hostility and intransigence inside the Chico Elks Lodge came as the political divide in the country has grown more inflamed, with Trumps election unleashing a wave of both liberal activism and conservative empowerment.

As a result, Washingtons deeply partisan fights over issues such as health care, immigration and environmental protections have followed members of Congress home, turning once sedate town halls into in-your-face venting sessions that in left-leaning California have Republican House members on the defensive.

LaMalfa stood his ground on stage as person after person ripped into him for his votes and positions on healthcare and climate change, as well as for his unyielding support for President Trump.

A few speakers asked LaMalfa to resign, including one dressed up as the Wicked Witch of the West Coast.

Heather Calun dressed up as the Wicked Witch of the West Coast in protest. She wants LaMalfa to resign over his vote to repeal Obamacare. pic.twitter.com/rBZXAnjd2l  Phil Willon (@philwillon) August 7, 2017

Most comments and questions during the hour-long town hall were fairly cordial, although they were laced with plenty of boos and catcalls.

Norma Wilcox, a retired nurse who lives in Chico, also questioned LaMalfas healthcare vote. Wilcox told LaMalfa the House plan would take away healthcare for millions of Americans while providing tax breaks to the rich.

I am open to new ideas, LaMalfa told her, describing the House GOP bill as a placeholder that everyone expected to be improved during negotiations with the Senate. (The Senates healthcare efforts now appear dead.)

But the Richvale congressman, who represents Californias massive 1st Congressional District in the northeast corner of the state, said he will support only a new healthcare program that provides affordable coverage to middle-class Americans.

LaMalfa said Obamacare is quickly become unaffordable and unsustainable, with premium costs rising and the number of insurance companies offering coverage declining.

People across the board are being hurt by this, LaMalfa said.

When shouts and boos rained down on him, he chastised the crowd saying, I have the mic folks. Yep, boo away.

Ann Sisney of Chico told LaMalfa that her son, William, died of an opioid overdose two years ago. She held up a picture of the 19-year-old, asked the congressman to take it, and told him more people will die if GOP leadership in Congress gets its way on healthcare.

These are life-and-death decisions that you are making, Sisney told him.

LaMalfa assured her that Congress was working to find funds to address the nationwide opioid epidemic.

The Republican congressman also raised the ire of the crowd when he was asked about climate change and the degraded air quality in this stretch of Northern California.

I dont buy the idea that man-made activity is responsible, LaMalfa said bluntly.

The crowd of several hundred did include some LaMalfa supporters, though most stayed silent.

Ron Jones, 67, of Paradise said hes been to a few of LaMalfas town halls and all have been dominated by his critics.

Most of the time people want to ... complain, said Jones, a self-described conservative, after the event ended. The people who support him are quietly in the background.

LaMalfa does indeed have a lot of support in the district that also overwhelmingly voted for Trump over Hillary Clinton in last years presidential election. LaMalfa won his last election by almost 15%, and though he has attracted a few Democratic challengers, the district is not considered a battleground for 2018.

Unlike many California Republican members of Congress, LaMalfa hasnt shied away from holding town halls, though its rarely a pleasant experience for him. He held one in Nevada City in March and another in April in Oroville. No other California Republicans are scheduled to hold town halls during their August recess.

Near the end of Mondays town hall, a woman criticized LaMalfa for inviting only Christian pastors to provide invocations at his town halls and other events, and urged him to include religious leaders of all faiths.

If you want to have your own town hall, you can invite whoever you like, LaMalfa told her.
CAD Fund is most interested in financing large-scale joint projects by African and Chinese entrepreneurs. Photo: Kimeng Hilton

The China-Africa Development Fund, CAD Fund, whose role is to finance major Chinese investments in Africa, has so far positively impacted the lives of a million people on the continent since its inauguration in 2007. The institution, which is Chinas first and largest equity investment fund with focus on Africa, has in 10 years sponsored 90 projects worth 20 billion US dollars in 36 African nations.

20 billion US Dollars invested in Africa

The disclosure was made in the Chinese capital, Beijing on August 22 during a visit to CAD Funds headquarters by 27 African journalists. According to Wang Yong, CAD Funds vice president, Chinas direct investments in Africa totaled 20 billion US dollars in the past 10 years. Some 2 billion US dollars was generated in local exports, 1 billion US dollars collected as tax revenue, while a million Africans benefitted from the 90 projects.

Wang Yong said his institution was most interested in supporting joint large-scale projects by African and Chinese entrepreneurs. He noted that projects have even been sponsored in African countries that do not have diplomatic relations with China. The CAD Fund vice president said the objective was to boost capacity for self-development in project host countries.

According to CAD Fund vice president Wang Yong (right), projects financed by his institution in Africa generated 1 billion US dollars in taxes in the past 10 years. Photo: Kimeng Hilton

Financing interests

With a capital of 10 billion US dollars, CAD Fund, which is under the China Development Bank, focuses on four main areas  agriculture and livelihoods, energy and minerals, building industrial capacity, and infrastructure development. It has also played a major role in setting up Chinese-driven industrial parks in Africa.

CAD Fund projects are guided by the principle of development finance and are also based on requests by African countries. It offers both financing and consulting services to Chinese companies investing in Africa. CAD Fund is always more than willing to provide support for projects from governments, institutions and companies in Africa to realize our win-win goals, Wang Yong stated.

Why Africa?

Jiang Lin, CAD Fund deputy director general in charge of operations management, said the institution was created in June 2007 because of Chinas confidence in Africa, the continents great potentials, large youth population, consuming middle class numbering 370 million, and annual economic growth of 2 per cent. As Africas largest trade partner, Chinese investments on the continent are expected to hit 100 billion US dollars by 2020, Jiang Lin predicted.

In order to ease operations on the field, CAD Fund maintains five regional offices in Africa  Ethiopia, Ghana, Zambia, Kenya and South Africa. Unlike commercial banks that only fund projects, CAD Fund also participates in the management of the projects it finances. Jiang Lin said CAD Fund does not only bring capital, but also foreign enterprises and technology to make projects more sustainable.

CAD Fund has also financed industrial parks in Africa like the Huajian shoe factory in Ethiopia . Photo by Huajian

Comprehensive strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 chose Africa for his first foreign trip since coming to power. He used the occasion to present sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith as guidelines for Chinas African policy. Premier Li Keqiang in 2014 visited Africa and drew the blueprint for China-Africa cooperation.

At the 2015 FOCAC summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, President Xi proposed that the China-Africa strategic partnership be upgraded to a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership. He then put forward Chinas cooperation plans, thus marking the beginning of a new phase in China-Africa relations, Wang Yong said.

The CAD Fund briefing was attended by 27 African journalists. Photo: Kimeng Hilton

*Kimeng Hilton Ndukong, a contributor to Peoples Daily Online, is Sub-Editor for World News with Cameroon Tribune bilingual daily newspaper in Cameroon. He is currently a 2017 China-Africa Press Centre, CAPC fellow.
As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump promised to wage war with overwhelming firepower and to achieve victory with lightning speed. His strategy for Afghanistan offers neither.

In his speech to the nation Monday, Trump instead offered protracted fighting against resurgent Islamist insurgents who have gained ground over the last year, and a promise that the 16-year war might end some day in a negotiated settlement  if the U.S.-led military effort is successful.

Rather than a clear-cut military victory, the goal of the Trump strategy is to convince Taliban fighters and other militants that U.S. forces are not leaving and they cannot depose the Kabul government on the battlefield, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters Tuesday.

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This entire effort is intended to put pressure on the Taliban, to have the Taliban understand you will not win a battlefield victory, Tillerson said. We may not win one, but neither will you. So at some point, we have to come to the negotiating table and find a way to bring this to an end.

Trumps plan may have the advantage of being vague enough to at least temporarily avoid alienating some supporters who were attracted by his militaristic vows on the campaign trail, and to win over hawkish Republicans in Congress.

But it extends and again deepens U.S. involvement in a long and unpopular war that already has taken nearly 2,400 American lives and cost more than $700 billion in U.S. support  a direction that Trump acknowledged Monday went against his own instincts.

The shift in Trumps thinking signals the influence not only of Pentagon commanders, led by retired Marine general and now Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, but also of the top advisors Trump brought into the White House  in particular Army Gen. H.R. McMaster as national security advisor and retired Marine Gen. John F. Kelly as chief of staff.

Mattis said Tuesday on a visit to Baghdad that the new strategy for Afghanistan will try to replicate a lot of the military tactics that have successfully pushed Islamic State fighters from large parts of Iraq and Syria since 2014.

Key to those offensives has been a willingness to place U.S. advisors nearer to the front lines, including for close-in drone and helicopter support, to help ground assaults by local forces. The Americans help on battlefield strategy, fire artillery and coordinate airstrikes on enemy targets.

U.S. warplanes already have stepped up the Afghan war, dropping more than twice as many bombs and missiles so far this year compared with this time a year ago  1,984 munitions through July 31, up from 705 last year, according to Air Force statistics.

But Mattis said he is still awaiting a detailed plan from Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for how to implement the endgame strategy that Trump outlined Monday.

Trump didnt announce a new troop increase, but he has given Mattis authority to send about 4,000 more, adding to 8,400 U.S. forces now deployed there. Mattis said he wont decide a precise figure until he gets Dunfords plan.

When he brings that to me, I will determine how many more we need to send in, Mattis said. It may or may not be the number that is bandied about.

Their immediate mission will be to step up training and advising Afghan security forces, which suffered severe casualties as U.S. forces dropped from more than 100,000 in President Obamas first term to the current levels.

After Obama declared an end to U.S. combat in the country in December 2014 and withdrew most U.S. forces, the Taliban regained control of large parts of northern and southern Afghanistan.

They now control 40% of the countrys 407 districts, according to the most recent assessment by the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction.

Though some U.S. troops may head for Afghanistan within days, it will take some time to expand the U.S.-led training and advising of Afghan forces, Tillerson said.

We believe that we can turn the tide of what has been a losing battle over the last year and a half or so and at least stabilize the situation and hopefully start seeing some battlefield victories, Tillerson said.

Pentagon commanders long have argued that a negotiated settlement was the only likely outcome of the Afghan war. They cited the weakness of Afghan security forces, rampant corruption in the Kabul government and the ability of insurgents to operate from neighboring Pakistan.

Trumps approach is not that different from those tried by Presidents Obama and George W. Bush, who both sought to draw the Taliban into peace talks by pressuring it on the battlefield.

Like Trump, both also sought to pressure Pakistan into shutting down sanctuaries used by insurgents near the border.

In frustration at Pakistani inaction, Obama approved hundreds of CIA drones strikes against militant leaders and training camps in the countrys rugged northwestern tribal areas.

Although Trump castigated Pakistan in his speech, its unclear whether he will resume the drone strikes, which largely ended by 2016 amid widespread public protests in Pakistan.

But Obama also set tight limits on U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan and firm deadlines for withdrawing them, a source of Pentagon frustration. He also provided billions of dollars for reconstruction and democratization programs.

Trump, in contrast, said he would not provide a blank check for U.S. support to the Afghan government, would not support nation-building efforts and would not be hemmed in by deadlines.

Mattis declined to provide specifics on the new strategy or say precisely how Pakistan and India figure in.

There is a broader approach to this and it all comes down to the execution and we will have to stand and deliver on this, Mattis said. Youll just have to watch it unfold to really get the answer to it.

Derek Chollet, a former senior Pentagon official in the Obama administration, said the Trump strategy will take years to show results, testing the presidents notoriously short attention span, especially if the United States and its allies suffer battlefield setbacks.

The underpinnings of this strategy go against every one of [Trumps] instincts, said Chollet, vice president of the German Marshall Fund, a Washington foreign policy organization. Once the prevailing winds go the other way, is he going to say, I got railroaded by the damn generals?

Democrats faulted Trump for deepening U.S. engagement in the long-running conflict without providing a detailed plan.

Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, called the Trump plan an open-ended war effort. Trump, he added, now owns the responsibility for this war and any consequences that flow from this decision-making process.

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California communities with large white populations arent planning for their fair share of low- and moderate-income housing growth, according to a new study of Bay Area cities.

Every eight years, a state law requires cities to plan for a certain amount of new homes to keep pace with projected population growth for people of various incomes. The study by UC Berkeleys Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society found that Bay Area cities that have higher percentages of white residents had lower home building goals for low- and middle-income Californians.

Youre getting what appears to be whiter areas shirking their responsibility, said Eli Moore, one of the studys authors.

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The state sets housing production goals by sending population growth estimates to 19 regional agencies, including the Assn. of Bay Area Governments and the Southern California Assn. of Governments in the Los Angeles area. These agencies tell cities and counties how many homes are needed by income level, and local governments have to zone enough land to accommodate the new home building. The state then signs off on these plans.

The UC Berkeley report found that for the current goals to build in the Bay Area through through 2023, cities with larger shares of white residents had lower targets to house residents of lower incomes than those with larger black, Latino and Asian populations.

The racial disparities remained even when taking into account a citys population and income. For instance, Marin Countys Larkspur, which is more than 80% white, has a goal of building 81 homes for low- and moderate-income earners, while the target for Contra Costa Countys Pinole, which is 37% white, is 171 such homes even though the two cities are about the same size and their residents earn similar salaries.

The studys publication comes as state lawmakers debate a package of legislation designed to tackle Californias housing affordability crisis. One bill would require cities that have fallen behind on meeting their housing goals to ease home building regulations. But the studys authors say lawmakers need to go further and consider racial equity when setting the targets.

A measure that would have addressed that issue is on hold. Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) wrote a bill that would push cities and counties to reverse the effects of previous federal, state and local policies, such as building white-only public housing projects and providing loans to developers only if they barred black residents, that led to segregation. Under Santiagos legislation, local governments would have to strip away zoning restrictions and other barriers to low-income housing development, particularly in neighborhoods where there isnt any.

Its not enough to not discriminate, Santiago said. We have to work at unwinding systematic discrimination that weve seen in urban planning over decades.

Santiago, who grew up in subsidized housing in the San Fernando Valley, said the motivation for his legislation was indications that the Trump administration would undo Obama-era regulations requiring cities to promote integration. Santiago said he wanted to work with local governments opposed to his bill to ensure they could comply with its mandates. He plans to renew his efforts in 2018, and said UC Berkeleys findings add to the need for state intervention.

The study did not find racial disparities when Bay Area cities permitted the construction of low-income housing. The disparities also didnt exist under the Bay Areas previous goals for low-income development, including those covering 2007 to 2014. The current housing targets are the first to be set under new rules designed to help the state meet its goals for greenhouse gas reduction by encouraging more construction near transit lines and job centers. Moore, the studys author, said the findings imply that cities in the Bay Area with larger white populations did not want such development.

It not only falls short of the goals of sustainable planning, Moore said, it also perpetuates racial and income segregation.

liam.dillon@latimes.com

Twitter: @dillonliam

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Updates on California politics
A month after a bruising political battle to extend Californias cap-and-trade program, the state received a big vote of confidence in the policys future.

Cap and trade requires oil refineries, food processors and other facilities to buy permits to release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, and state regulators auction off the permits several times a year.

During Augusts auction, every emission permit offered by the state was sold, and prices reached their highest level since the program launched five years ago.

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The auction results, announced Tuesday, were the first since Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation continuing cap and trade until 2030, erasing some of the political and legal uncertainty that had dogged the program.

Todays results affirm the courage of the votes taken to secure the future of cap and trade in California, Erica Morehouse, a lawyer with the Environmental Defense Fund, wrote on her organizations website.

During each auction, the state sets a minimum price per permit, which was $13.57 in the latest round. The bidding led to a final price of $14.75, the highest its been above the minimum in years.

The results were encouraging after so much turmoil with the program, said Chris Busch, research director at Energy Innovation, a San Francisco think tank.

Its a strong vote of confidence in the long-term certainty of the system, he said.

However, some analysts are concerned about how the state will meet its ambitious goal for slashing emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.

Even though the cost of permits has been rising, it may not happen fast enough to provide an adequate financial incentive for companies to clean up their operations, said Danny Cullenward, a Stanford University energy economist.

State regulators should take steps to ensure theyre auctioning the right number of permits because making too many available could allow too many emissions, he said.

Lurking in the background is a much more serious issue, he said.

 A breakdown of the cap and trade program.

The latest auction could generate roughly $640 million in revenue, analysts estimated.

Auction revenue is spent by the state on projects intended to reduce emissions, such as mass transit and electric vehicle rebates. Its also being used by Brown to build the bullet train from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Lawmakers will debate how to spend about $1.4 billion in cap-and-trade revenue in the coming weeks, including some leftover money from the last fiscal year and more cash expected over the following one.

Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) wants to spend about $1 billion to help retire old, dirtier engines, replacing tractors, trucks and cars with newer, more efficient models.

We have a historic opportunity to bring businesses, conservatives and liberals alike together on the issue of clean air, he said.

chris.megerian@latimes.com

Twitter: @chrismegerian

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Updates on California politics
How many false statements did Trump make in his interview with the Wall Street Journal? We count at least five

(Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)

The Wall Street Journal didnt release the full transcript of the interview its reporters and editors had last week with President Trump, but when Politico obtained a copy and published it, the interview quickly drew attention for several false statements Trump made.

The one that immediately gained notoriety was Trumps claim that after his speech at the Boy Scout Jamboree last week, I got a call from the head of the Boy Scouts saying it was the greatest speech that was ever made to them.

On Wednesday, the Boy Scouts of America released a statement saying we are unaware of any such call. The Scouts specifically said that neither the organizations president, AT&T chairman Randall Stephenson, nor its chief executive, Mike Surbaugh, had made such a call.

In fact, Surbaugh last week issued an unprecedented apology for a presidential speech  Scouts have heard from presidents back to Franklin D. Roosevelt  saying he was sorry that some members of the scouting community had been offended by Trumps partisanship, language and tone.

In the daily White House press briefing, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that other Boy Scout leaders, whom she did not name, had complimented Trump after his speech.

That wasnt the only call to come into question recently. A few days after the Journal interview, Trump said that Mexicos president, Enrique Pena Nieto, had paid him the ultimate compliment by calling and telling him that their southern border, very few people are coming because they know theyre not going to get through our border.

The Mexican government press office issued a statement Wednesday denying that.

Pena Nieto has not had recent telephone communication with President Donald Trump, the statement said.

Sanders said that Pena Nieto did compliment Trump, but in a personal conversation, not a telephone call.

I wouldnt say it was a lie, she said of Trumps statements.

Other false statements involved broader factual matters.

Were the highest-taxed nation in the world, Trump said  a statement that he has repeatedly made and which has repeatedly been debunked. Whether measured by the top tax rate or the overall percentage of national income which is taxed, the U.S. has lower taxes than most of its chief economic competitors.

Trump may have been thinking about the U.S. corporate tax rate, which is higher than most developed countries, although not the highest. Yet few companies actually pay that top rate given various tax deductions, credits and exemptions.

Trump also said I honestly believe for six months, I have done more than just about any other president when you look at all of the bills that were passed, 42, 43.

Thats untrue. Many of Trumps predecessors had signed more legislation, and nearly all recent ones had signed more significant measures by this point in their tenures.

Jimmy Carter had signed 70 bills into law by this point, Bill Clinton 50. Franklin D. Roosevelt had 76 in just his first 100 days.

About one-third of the bills Trump has signed have been ceremonial measures, such as renaming courthouses.

Referring to his top economic advisor, Gary Cohn, Trump said Gary wrote a check for $200 million when he entered the government. He had to pay $200 million in tax.

Trump has said that before, including in a speech in June. Its false.

Cohn owned about $220 million in Goldman Sachs stock when he resigned as the banks president to become the head of Trumps National Economic Council. He sold the stock to minimize conflicts of interest, as most appointees do. But he certainly didnt have to pay $200 million in tax on that sale.

In fact, its likely Cohn hasnt paid any tax so far. He may never have to.

Federal law allows appointees to government positions to defer any tax they owe on assets that they sell to avoid conflicts. The law requires that they put the proceeds of the sale into neutral investments such as Treasury securities. If his securities go up in value, Cohn might have to pay tax on that gain. The top tax rate on capital gains is 20%.

Trump also repeated a false claim about his defeated rival from the election, Hillary Clinton.

Real crimes are what Hillary did with 33,000 emails, where she deleted them and bleached them after getting a subpoena.

Trump made that claim more than once during the campaign, and more recently on Twitter.

He is correct that Clinton deleted 33,000 emails from the private server she used for her messages while she was secretary of State. She says that all of those deleted emails were personal and that she had no obligation to keep them. No one has come up with evidence to the contrary.

The evidence from the FBIs investigation of the emails shows that in December 2014, after she turned over about 30,000 work-related emails to the State Department, Clintons aides told the company that managed the server to delete the rest of the emails. The emails were subpoenaed about three months later, on March 4.

The company didnt actually do the deletion until later in March, but theres been no evidence that Clinton knew about the delay at the time or that the company knew the messages were under subpoena.

In any case, the FBI declined to recommend prosecution, contrary to Trumps assertion that Clinton committed real crimes.

A poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University asked Americans if they believe Trump is honest. By 62% to 34%, a majority said no.

12:30 p.m.: This article was updated with comments by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
The unique relationship between China and Africa continues to yield fruitful dividend in so much that the existing trust has brought about an increase in investments between the two people.

Trade between Africa and China reached US$188 billion in 2015, and the first half of 2017 recorded US$85.3 billion, marking a growth of 19%. The stock of Chinese investment in Africa amounted to US$35 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach US$100 billion by 2020.

CAD Fund has been making great efforts to promote cooperation with African countries to build economic and trade parks, assist enterprises in attracting investment, encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and build factories in Africa so as to improve the processing and export capacity of African countries, help balancing their trade and boost economic developement.

China-Africa Development Fund (CAD Fund) officials brief African journalists.

In recent years, China is entering a new era with rapid development of direct investment in African countries. Some enterprises are involved in expanding market share, locating closer to the end consumer, or seeking natural resources. With the backdrop of economic globalization, within the framework of market-based systems, CAD Fund seeks to apply its many advantages, including identification of policy, risk control, and value added services, to make an active contribution to cooperation between Chinese and African enterprises and the establishment of the new strategic partnership between China and Africa.

CAD Fund Management Team

In January-November 2016, the non-financial direct investment flow from Chinese enterprises to Africa increased 25%, with more than US$3 billion. 2017 marks an important year of the implementation of the 13th Five-Year plan, as well as a year of deepened structure reform of supply side.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, China's trade with African countries in the first quarter of 2017 increased almost one-fifth from a year earlier, while its direct investment flew 64%. This is mainly due to policy benefits from a cooperative framework laid down by the Chinese and African leaders in FOCAC Summit in South Africa in 2015.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced assistance and loans totaling $60 billion for Africa to bolster the continents development in three years in 10 key areas at a summit in Johannesburg in 2015.

The Ministry of Commerce earlier this year reported that China's total trade with Africa rose 16.8 percent to $38.8 billion in the first quarter; this is due to a 46 percent jump in annual imports from Africa in the first quarter with agricultural imports rising 18 percent, while Chinese exports recorded a smaller fall of 1 percent from a year earlier. The China-Africa trade relations are often dominated by big natural resource agreements.

CAD Fund, according to Vice President Wang Yong, serves as a new era in the China-Africa relations and has played a significant role in giving opportunities to Chinese companies to invest in 36 African Countries with about one hundred projects and has created 74, 000 local employment as at present. All projects seek to generate US$2 billion on export and US$1 billion on local taxes.

Note: Abu Bakarr Kargbo is a Senior Staff Writer of Standard Times Newspaper in Sierra Leone and an Intern at Peoples Daily Online.
Eclipses may be beautiful, but they sure arent easy on the eyes. Staring at the sun is dangerous at any time, unless you happen to be in the right spot to witness the brief moments of totality, when the moon perfectly covers up most of the sun and the ghostly corona can be seen.

For those who witnessed the Great American Eclipse on Monday and are wondering whether they could have developed vision issues, here are a few things to know about post-eclipse eye health.

First, if you used proper eclipse glasses to view the sun, you should be fine, according to Dr. Avnish Deobhakta, an ophthalmologist at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. That hasnt stopped some observers from worrying that their vision may be off, however.

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Deobhakta, a retinal specialist, said Tuesday that some 15 patients had come in complaining of such post-eclipse issues as blurred vision and light sensitivity. But only a couple of those patients had what appeared to be eclipse-related eye damage, he added.

If you didnt use the glasses, that could be another story. Even glancing at the sun for a few seconds can do significant damage to your retinas, the layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of your eyeball. Specifically, it damages the fovea  the cells in a tiny part of the retina responsible for sharp vision.

If youre looking at the sun youre actually focusing, intentionally, the light of the sun onto the spot where you want the most precise vision, Deobhakta said of the fovea. So almost preferentially, everyone gets damage in probably the worst location, which is that part of the retina.

That means any visual activity that involves focusing, such as reading, could potentially be impaired, he said. If you didnt wear proper protection, other possible signs of damage include blurry vision, light sensitivity, or spots or holes in your vision.

In general, damage from the sun to the retina is permanent, Deobhakta said.

Theres a similar phenomenon known as laser retinopathy, which often happens when kids shine lasers in peoples eyes, he said.

The silver lining is that if you have a solar retinopathy, youll probably know very shortly after the eclipse, said Dr. Hossein Ameri, an ophthalmologist and a vitreoretinal surgeon at the USC Roski Eye Institute.

Generally, the symptoms are more severe at the beginning, he said. And even in permanent cases, they may see a slight improvement, but not significant improvement.

If you looked at the sun without appropriate protection, Ameri recommends seeing an ophthalmologist, who can run a number of tests.

The longer you look, the more likely the eye gets damaged, thats for sure, Ameri said.

amina.khan@latimes.com

Follow @aminawrite on Twitter for more science news and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.

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A Glendale man responsible for a $1.66-million mass-mailing and money-laundering scam was sentenced to eight years in prison, authorities said Monday.

In addition to prison time, 37-year-old Artashes Darbinyan was also ordered to pay over $1.5 million in restitution. Orbel Hakobyan, a 42-year-old man also from Glendale, and a Burbank resident, 37-year-old Albert Yagubyan, were sentenced to prison for their participation in the scam as well.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Hakobyan will serve 24 months in prison, while Yagubyan will serve 18 months.

Last December, Darbinyan pleaded guilty to soliciting money through the mail using a pair of fake companies that offered fraudulent services.

Hakobyan had pleaded guilty for his part, while Yagubyan opted for a jury trial. In March, a jury convicted Yagubyan of one count of conspiracy to launder money, four counts of concealment of money laundering and one count of entering false bank entries.

The companies used by the three men offered prospective applicants trademark infringement monitoring and help with registering a trademark in return for $385.

However, the Department of Justice said the services were never provided.

Instead, Darbinyan stole the money and laundered it through a Glendale branch of Wells Fargo that was managed by Yagubyan. Hakobyan took the stolen funds from the scam and deposited them into fake accounts opened at the bank.

Hakobyan then used fake identities to withdraw the money in the forms of cash and cashiers checks, which were then used to purchase gold, according to the department of justice.

andy.nguyen@latimes.com

Twitter: @Andy_Truc
About 40 high school students from local schools gathered in Burbank City Councils chambers last week to hear student activists and community leaders such as Mayor Will Rogers and Burbank Unified Supt. Matt Hill discuss current political issues during the first-ever Youth Political Activism Day.

Topics discussed included education, criminal justice and climate change during panel discussions with names such as Sustaining America: Environmental Action Policy in the Age of President Trump.

We wanted to foster a productive exchange with youth and professionals in the field, said Sam Gorman, co-creator of the event and a recent Burbank High School graduate. As a teen, I feel strongly that teens should have the opportunity to be involved in our political progress.

Each panel discussion was 40 minutes long, featuring two professionals and three student speakers in each session. It was followed by a 10-minute period for questions.

Gorman said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) also delivered a personalized video message for those at the event.

On the criminal justice panel, a student speaker shared information he learned while interning with a district attorney. Another student speaker shared his experience of living with parents who were incarcerated.

Gorman, an incoming Stanford University student, collaborated with Alec Zbornak, an incoming Yale University student, after meeting at Schiffs office, where they worked as interns.

The two said they wanted to start a youth activism day where high school students could discuss national topics and help improve civic engagement within the community.

Gorman said it took six weeks to bring the event to fruition. The two students contacted nonprofits such as the Nature Conservancy and the Wilderness Society as well as the deputy superintendent of high schools at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

In an interview Tuesday, Rogers said it was refreshing to hear from two teenagers interested in encouraging their peers to use their voice in local government.

I couldnt encourage this enough, Rogers said. I want all residents and kids to know that they can come to the council and be heard and very often get problems solved. They cant let a neighbor speak for them; they have to come and be heard for themselves.

Next year, Gorman said he would like like to expand his outreach even more and hopefully make the event a staple in the community.

priscella.vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @vegapriscella
A new Target store, which will be smaller than a traditional Target location, will likely open in a site in the Magnolia Park neighborhood in Burbank, according to a city staff report.

Located at 1033 N. Hollywood Way, the store does not require any planning entitlements to operate in the building, which used to be an Akron store until the 1980s. Most recently, it was used for post-production editing and offices, the report states.



For the record: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that a Target Express will open in Burbank. A small-format store is expected to open instead.

The trade area of the store is designed to attract customers from the surrounding neighborhood, not the wider regional area typical of a traditional Target store, according to the report.

The 24,870-square-foot Target is said to be about 16.5% of the full-sized Target at the Empire Center. Though the store is smaller, there have been concerns regarding the number of parking spaces for the project, the report states.

Because Target is moving into an existing building and is not changing the zoning of the property or its use, the company has been grandfathered in for non-conforming parking at the building, meaning it only needs 3.3 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of the sites footprint.

Target officials have told the city that they are not intending to increase the square footage of the building.

The company was planning to have a Starbucks counter inside the store, but having the coffee retailer there would have changed the use of the property, and Target opted to remove that from its proposal, according to the report.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio
During the controversial America First! rally in Laguna Beach on Sunday, it wasnt the vulgar signs that got me.

It wasnt the masked out-of-towners, the testosterone or the blood lust.

All of that felt somewhat commonplace now in this age of political showmanship.

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No, what got me as a Laguna resident was the line of police in full tactical gear on the boardwalk blocking people from the beach.

In a moment that was both absurd and visceral, I wondered if the police got permission from the Coastal Commission to prevent public beach access.

As ludicrous as that sounds, I felt an undeniable sense of propriety, localism and unfairness.

In that instant, I suddenly donned a virtual chamber of commerce hat and cried: What are you doing to my town?

The rally was a hateful punch to the gut. What made it worse, of course, was the reality that Laguna was being used.

Its probably the same feeling that every liberal town across the country is now experiencing. With more rallies scheduled for Berkeley and San Francisco, get used to it.

Pick a city with a brand. Pick a fight. Get on the news.

Its a formula to guarantee helicopters and horses, chanting mobs and pepper spray, drones and eager videographers.

But when rabid politics hits home, it becomes real  and not in a good way.

There is no discussion, no compromise, no Sunday morning intellectualism.

This is blunt force drama.

The only discussion that happens is when two sides play up to the cameras and try to outwit each other using Debate 101 ploys. And if anyone finds himself trapped, he simply changes the subject.

Make no mistake, this wasnt about influencing opinions or voters. This wasnt about truth or moral clarity. It was simply to draw lines in the sand of Laguna.

There were lines everywhere: Faces had angry lines. T-shirts had funny lines. Posters had pithy, absolute lines. And the police had hard lines.

Now they are all gone until next time.

The only tangible outcome is the cost. Its still unclear who is going to pay for what, but in the end it is always the taxpayers.

Apparently, theres already talk of statewide legislation to evaluate whether any new laws are needed to curb this kind of rally impact, including violence.

According to George Skelton, political reporter for the L.A. Times, the Legislature will hold hearings within the next month to make recommendations. Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) has asked the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management and the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety committees to conduct hearings.

In the meantime, groups from the ACLU to law enforcement are making statements that point to one logical, obvious conclusion: These rallies are problematic and test the limits of free speech.

The California ACLU chapter, in a rare break from the national organization, issued a recent statement clarifying its position on the rallies.

There are troubling events planned in our state in the coming weeks, the group said. For those who are wondering where we stand  the ACLU of California fully supports the freedom of speech and expression, as well as the freedom to peacefully assemble.  (But) the First Amendment does not protect people who incite or engage in violence.

If white supremacists march into our towns armed to the teeth and with the intent to harm people, they are not engaging in activity protected by the United States Constitution. The First Amendment should never be used as a shield or sword to justify violence.

The challenge here is that its usually not so obvious when people are armed to the teeth. Law enforcement knows this all too well, which is why they are always equipped from the outset for the worst-case scenario.

So all of that strategy now is locked and loaded. Its tactical. Its operational. Weve entered a military state as if its a given.

And on Sunday, it was this line in the sand, the police line arcing across Main Beach like some impenetrable military wall, that made me realize its not going to work.

Something will break this formula because it cant be sustained. People care too much about their towns and their wallets. They may not like their immediate neighbor very much but they love their Main Street.

Eventually, people will just get fed up and shut this whole thing down  at least until the next generation.

As I was walking around Sunday through the various encampments, I came across a little girl lying on the grass drawing on some paper with crayons.

She was probably about 6 years old making a political sign, imitating her parents.

I didnt read what she was writing.

I didnt have to.

DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.
Laguna Beach could exhale and catch its collective breath Monday, a day after thousands engulfed Main Beach park for a memorable political and social demonstration.

The city could take down the K-rails, clean up the trash and return Main Beach to its rightful state as a place to walk, play volleyball or frolic in the ocean.

Beachgoers could still do those activities Sunday afternoon and evening, but they had company as more than 250 officers from multiple law enforcement agencies, many clothed in riot gear, stood nearby on the boardwalk and along walkways to maintain peace between demonstrators with opposing viewpoints.

On Sunday, about 2,500 people crammed onto the park at the corner of South Coast Highway and Broadway Street, a majority of whom opposed a demonstration to honor victims of crimes allegedly committed by immigrants living illegally in the United States.

By 5 p.m., 90 minutes before the America First! demonstration was officially to start, protesters, including members of the Democratic Socialists of America  Orange County, had arrived at the beach chanting phrases such as no more deportation and white supremacists have to go.

Others carried signs that said Immigrants help make America great and Dump Trump, in reference to President Trump, who wants to reduce the number of legal immigrants allowed yearly into the United States, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported earlier this month.

Laguna Beach police began planning weeks ago for the event, and had five agencies on board at the start, Sgt. Jim Cota said Monday.

As the crowd grew Sunday, police called in more help, from Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, the Orange County Sheriffs Department and San Diego County Sheriffs Department, according to a news release.

We knew we would have a lot of people, Cota said. We were concerned.

Three people were arrested, all of whom live outside of Orange County, police said.

Laguna police arrested Harlan Pankau, 38, from San Diego Countys Jamul/Dulzura subregion, on suspicion of possession of a knife, police said, adding he was later cited and released. Police also arrested Reseda resident Dominique Johnson, 23, on suspicion of battery, according to police.

The Orange County Sheriffs Department arrested La Mirada resident Samuel Gonzales, 40, on suspicion of resisting arrest, Cota said. He was taken to Orange County Jail where he was cited and released.

Cota said everyone had left the beach by 11 p.m.

Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Boyd complimented the police agencies for keeping Sundays event civil.

[Laguna Police Chief Laura Farinella] and her staff did a phenomenal job, Boyd said in a phone interview Monday. It could not have run any smoother. Im proud of the way the city handled it.

Laguna lifeguards, firefighters and public works staff members also assisted during Sundays event, the news release said.

America First!, organized by Johnny Benitez, held prior demonstrations in Laguna Beach without incident, including a July 30 event, Cota said last week.

About 100 people gathered on that date, with supporters calling for a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, according to a YouTube video of the demonstration.

Benitez, an Orange County resident who declined to identify his city of residence during an interview last week, spent most of the late afternoon and early evening Sunday answering questions, many of which centered on his immigration stance.

Benitez wants a moratorium on immigration, and claimed last week that job pay scales are lower because of employers hiring workers from outside of the United States, the Daily Pilot reported.

There is a devaluing of American wages, Benitez told a handful of listeners on Sunday. The elites want to bring them [immigrants] here so they can exploit them.

Several groups, including Indivisible OC 48 and Indivisible OC 46, organized Saturdays event, dubbed a unity rally denouncing racism, after learning of the America First! demonstration.

The groups are chapters of Indivisible OC, an organization that urges its congressional representatives to resist President Trump and his administration through inclusion, tolerance and fairness, according to the Indivisible website.

Joni Nichols, a part-time Newport Beach resident, has lived in five countries and attended demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday at Main Beach.

I was on the fence about coming today, Nichols said. In the end, my conscience said that I couldnt not go.

I came here as a presence, she said. There are more of us with light and love than hate.

At one point Sunday, Laguna resident Stu Jones asked a man wearing a camouflage vest to explain his attire.

They like to throw rocks, the man told Jones. What side are you on?

The side of humanity, Jones said. What has happened to my town?

Jones had earlier dropped off his daughter at the Pageant of the Masters and wanted to listen to some of the dialogue on the beach.

Its what I thought, a lot of talking and not much listening, Jones said.

Moving ahead, Boyd said the community and country need to do some reflection.

There is so much unrest in the country overall, Boyd said. Peoples attitudes are not healthy. We need to come together not only as a community but as a country.

Police said Saturdays demonstration did not cause any problems.

Sundays event was unrivaled in terms of the amount of people and law enforcement presence, Cota said.

Not since the 1993 fire, he said. This was incredible.

Daily Pilot reporter Hannah Fry contributed to this article.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce

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The Newport-Mesa Unified School District will hold three public hearings in the coming months to collect additional community input on redrawing the districts trustee area boundaries.

School board members voted unanimously Tuesday to schedule the meetings for Sept. 18 in the Newport Harbor High School theater, Sept. 28 in the theater at Costa Mesa High School and Oct. 9 in the districts Costa Mesa boardroom.

All three are expected to run from 6 to 8 p.m.

During the hearings, residents will have the chance to address the board, but there will be no discussion between board members and speakers.

The hearings follow two public meetings the district held in March to discuss the proposed zone adjustments.

Board members are considering two alternatives  Options B and G  for shifting the boundaries of Newport-Mesas seven trustee areas, which havent changed since the school district formed in 1966.

One goal of the effort is to better balance the population living in each trustees area. A recent board report indicated some areas have as many as 46,000 residents while others have around 16,000.

The two draft maps under consideration would divvy up the district so the population of each trustee area would fall between 26,000 and 29,000.

District officials have said realigning trustee areas would not affect school attendance boundaries.

Each Newport-Mesa board member lives in a different trustee area. However, each trustee has historically been elected by voters throughout the school district.

That will change starting in November 2018 when board members will instead be chosen by the voters in the areas they live in.

The shift is part of an agreement approved in March to settle a lawsuit Costa Mesa resident Eloisa Rangel filed in Orange County Superior Court alleging that the districts election system violated the California Voting Rights Act by preventing Latino residents from electing candidates of their choice.

Both maps under consideration would create a voting district covering Westside Costa Mesa in which a majority of residents are Latino.

luke.money@latimes.com

Twitter @LukeMMoney
Hoping to bring a missing La Crescenta woman home before she turns 21, her family is offering a $250,000 reward to anyone with information concerning her whereabouts.

Missing since Jan. 28, friends and family of 20-year-old Elaine Park hope the reward will compel someone to come forward with information about her disappearance sooner rather than later. The reward was announced during a press conference Tuesday morning in Los Angeles.

We firmly believe that Elaine did not commit suicide, and shes not a runaway, said Jayden Brant, a private investigator hired by the family, during the press conference. Its our strong contention that Elaine Park is an involuntary missing person and that foul play is involved in her disappearance.

Brant said more information is needed to fill in gaps surrounding her disappearance. He also said the rewards donors placed a stipulation on the money.

In order for someone to collect it, they must come forward before midnight on Sept. 15 with information. Parks birthday will be Sept. 24.

Parks mother, Susan, said she couldnt express the gratitude she feels for the support shes received from the community since her daughters disappearance. She called losing her the hardest thing a mother can experience, especially because she doesnt know what happened.

You cant imagine what its like going through so much pain that your heart is numb, and I hope any mother should not have to experience it, Susan Park said. Sometimes its hard to believe that this really happened.

Press conference for #ElainePark has started with the private investigator hired by her family #glendale #lacrescenta pic.twitter.com/6BWEGZB46U  Andy Nguyen (@Andy_Truc) August 22, 2017

Friends of Elaine Park described her as a kindhearted person, willing to help anyone in need. Taylor Hill, who has known Elaine Park since kindergarten, said she was shocked at the news of her disappearance.

Disbelief, it was 100% disbelief [that she went missing], Hill said. Elaine has always been very smart, not just book smart but very street smart as well. Something like this was very not in character for her.

Elaine Park was last seen leaving her ex-boyfriends Calabasas home around 6 a.m. on Jan. 28. Two days later, her car was found parked along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, according to the Glendale Police Department.

Several personal items were found inside the vehicle including keys, a cellphone and a laptop.

An air, ground and sea search was conducted by deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, but they were unable to find any sign of her. The search was eventually suspended, with Glendale police saying in early February there werent any new leads or suspects in Elaine Parks disappearance, so the investigation was refocused to interview people close to her.

Brant said during the press conference that there are, in fact, active leads being pursued and suspects are being looked at. He said hes been working in conjunction with the Glendale Police Department and the sheriffs department.

However, Brant declined to provide any details, citing the active nature of the investigation.

Sgt. Robert William, a spokesman with Glendale police, said he was aware of Brants comments regarding leads and suspects but that the department does not have any themselves.

[We] dont have any active leads or suspects, in fact we dont have any persons of interest, he said. What [Brant] has given to detectives were just speculation and theories.

William said detectives looked into the information that was provided to them by Brant but were unable to find any evidence indicating that Parks disappearance was criminal in nature.

He said the case remains open and active in terms of her being a missing person.

Standing 5 feet 6 and weighing approximately 125 pounds, Elaine Park is described as having long brown hair. She has the image of a cows skull tattooed on her upper left arm and another tattoo on the lower part of the same arm.

Anyone with information about her disappearance can call (800) 551-3080 or go online to elainepark.tips.

Glendale police can be contacted at (818) 548-4911.

andy.nguyen@latimes.com

Twitter: @Andy_Truc

UPDATES:

4:45 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from the Glendale Police Department.

This article was originally published at 3:40 p.m.
Waltz into a grand Austrian celebration this fall on the Danube River on an eight-day cruise marking the 300th birthday of Maria Theresa of Austria, whose one-time titles included Holy Roman Empress; Queen of Hungary, Bohemia, Croatia and Slavonia; Archduchess of Austria; and Duchess of Parma.

The Uniworld cruise, with sailings in September, October and November, includes special festivities and activities from Budapest, Hungary, to Passau, Germany, aboard the Maria Theresa, which travels through places the Habsburg monarch ruled for more than 40 years.

Among the events are a private guided tour of the Habsburg familys treasures and works of art, and a royal anniversary concert that includes dinner and dancing in a Viennese palace.

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Dates: Dates in September, October and November

Price: From $2,949 to $4,749 per person, double occupancy, depending on date. Included are accommodations, meals, unlimited beverages aboard ship, excursions and tips. International airfare not included.

Info: Uniworld, (866) 993-7230, www.uniworld.com/en

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(file photo)

A large number of ice pops made in Liaoning of northeastern China were successfully exported to South Korea, and well received by local customers, chinanews.com reported on Aug. 22.

A total of four batches and 68 tons of flavored ice pops made by a food company in Liaoning have been exported to South Korea, according to the Liaoning Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.

In the foreign market a 0.5-yuan ice pop is worth 2 yuan, almost quadruple the amount, but it adds a new choice for consumers. Since 2016, Liaoning-made ice pops have become a popular imported product in South Korea.

"Our ice pops are popular overseas due to their flavor and reasonable price. This shows South Koreans recognize the quality of our products, and boosts our confidence to further expand overseas," said Sun Yumei, a foreign trade manager.

The Liaoning Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau has also played a positive role in assisting the "going out" of domestic specialties.
Lucille Miller said that the car tire blew out, causing an accident and fire that killed her husband, dentist Gordon Cork Miller.

The tire defense failed, and Miller was convicted of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life in prison, but served only seven years.

The photograph by former Los Angeles Times staff photographer John Malmin was originally published on Feb. 18, 1965, accompanying the Times report on that days proceedings in the Miller trial. The image won several awards, including first place in the metropolitan spot news division in the annual California-Nevada Associated Press photo contest.

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In a 2006 Los Angeles Times article headlined A Mothers Crime, the Millers daughter, Debra J. Miller, recounted the events surrounding her fathers death.

This post was originally published on May 18, 2011.

Feb. 18, 1965: Mrs. Lucille Miller, left, in custody of Dep. Sheriff Ken Kutch, stands nearby as members of her murder trial jury examine an auto similar to one in which her husband burned to death. (John Malmin / Los Angeles Times)

See more from the Los Angeles Times archives here
A Moscow court on Wednesday placed a prominent theater director under house arrest in an embezzlement case his supporters and several leading cultural figures called the most serious step toward repression of artistic expression in Russia since the Soviet Union.

Kirill Serebrennikov, the director of Moscows Gogol Center, is widely known in Russia for his avant-garde plays, movies, operas and ballets, which frequently comment critically on modern Russias political and social landscape under President Vladimir Putin.

He is charged with misappropriating 68 million rubles, or $1.1 million, in government funds allocated for theatrical productions from 2011 to 2014. Serebrennikov denied the charges in court, saying the funds were used to produce big and bright theater productions.

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Serebrennikovs experimental theatrical performances and productions have become widely popular in Russia and received international acclaim. His plays and productions frequently push the boundaries with their criticism of authoritarianism and challenge the Kremlins increasingly conservative rhetoric about Russias traditional values and differences with Western liberalism.

In July, Moscows famed Bolshoi Theater postponed the opening of a ballet about Rudolf Nureyev that Serebrennikov was directing. Russian news media speculated that the ballet came under scrutiny from conservative Kremlin eyes for including homosexual themes in its telling the story of one of Russias most revered ballet dancers.

Serebrennikovs movie The Student, about a young man who turns to religious extremism to find meaning to his life, won a special prize at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.

Supporters of director Kirill Serebrennikov gather in front of a Moscow courthouse where he was placed under house arrest on Wednesday. (Denis Tyrin / Associated Press)

On Tuesday, police detained Serebrennikov, 47, in St. Petersburg, where he was working on a film about legendary Soviet rock star Viktor Tsoi. He was transferred to Moscow, where he was formally accused of large-scale fraud and placed in a detention center.

The Investigative Committee, which is Russias equivalent to the FBI, urged the court to place Serebrennikov under house arrest for two months before he stands trial on Oct. 19.

If convicted, Serebrennikov faces up to 10 years in prison. Three other employees of the Gogol Center  its general director, chief producer and accountant  have also been charged with fraud in a scheme investigators say they used to embezzle government funds meant to support theater productions.

One of those productions was Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream, which ran for two months in 2012 at the Gogol Center. Investigators, however, asserted that the production never happened, even though the play received rave reviews and award nominations. Investigators rejected the reviews and photos taken by audience members and posted online, saying they could have been written by anyone.

Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky said the situation around Serebrennikov was very regrettable. Medinsky, who has questioned why the government provided funding for Serebrennikovs work, rejected suggestions that the Kremlin was prosecuting the director as a warning to outspoken artists. I know for sure that it is not custom-made, Medinsky said of the charges.

At the heart of the case against Serebrennikov is a struggle between two diverging camps in Russia that see the countrys future going in opposite directions, said Alexander Baunov, senior fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center.

On one side are those who want Russia to move toward a modern society with a strong economy and a cultural scene able to compete with the rest of the world, Baunov said.

He is a troublemaker in the sense that he makes modern theater, he is a freethinking, talented artist, he said. There are people for whom he represents the future way of Russian culture and the Russia as they want to see.

But there are those in power, as well as in a large segment of Russian society, who are nostalgic for a country they remember from Soviet times, when culture and arts were interpreted from a classical, academic viewpoint and Russia was guided by a strong military and leadership, he said.

To these people, Serebrennikov represents the danger of the West, which wants to undermine the specific Russian way of life, its traditional values and its sovereignty, Baunov said.

Journalist Yulia Latynina wrote in a sobering commentary in Novaya Gazeta, one of Russias last remaining independent news outlets, that the last time Russia detained such a high-profile director was in 1939 when Vsevolod Meyerhold, an experimental theater director, was arrested and later executed during Josef Stalins Great Purge.

Outside the Basmanny District Court in central Moscow, hundreds came out to support Serebrennikov as a judge placed him under home arrest. Many gathered in the street by the courthouse said Serebrennikov was being persecuted for his liberal, freethinking artistic expression by an increasingly authoritative Kremlin seeking to eliminate dissent ahead of next years presidential election.

This is a preelection move, said Viktor Shenderovich, an actor, satirist and radio host who joined the demonstration outside the courthouse and called Serebrennikov one of Russias most talented artists.

Its a clear signal to the artistic community: Leave Russia, or fall in line and support Putin, Shenderovich said.

Serebrennikov was targeted even though he may not be Russias most outspoken or provocative representative of the cultural elite, said Masha Basyrova, 30.

I think the government is trying to show us that anyone could be arrested, she said. They want us to know that were all being watched.

sabra.ayres@latimes.com

Twitter: @sabraayres

Ayres is a special correspondent.

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The Iraqi army, backed by U.S. airstrikes and special operations commandos, punched through an outer ring of Islamic State defenses Tuesday in a 3-day-old push to reclaim Tall Afar, the militants last major stronghold in northern Iraq.

Fighting in oven-like temperatures, Iraqi tanks and armored vehicles stormed across the desert and Iraqi special forces moving in from the northeast breached a thick city wall, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.

U.S. commanders say the offensive against the estimated 2,500 militants in and around Tall Afar will be grinding because Islamic State fighters built extensive defenses. Among them: They lined up derelict vehicles to push invading forces into a kill zone strewn with booby traps.

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Recapturing Tall Afar would cut off one of Islamic States last routes to move supplies and fighters to and from Syria, about 60 miles farther west, and mark a milestone in the bitter three-year effort to defeat the group that once controlled a third of Iraq.

The fighting is tough but the momentum is with our partners, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. general in Iraq, said in Baghdad.

Townsend met Tuesday with Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who arrived on a previously unannounced visit to consult with U.S. commanders, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi and Defense Minister Arfan Hayali. Mattis also met with Massoud Barzani, president of the semiautonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq.

The Tall Afar offensive follows a successful but grueling nine-month campaign to retake Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city and crown jewel of Islamic States self-declared caliphate.

Many Islamic State leaders fled Mosul during the fighting. The whereabouts of several senior commanders, including founder and leader Abu Bakr Baghdadi, is not known.

Islamic State is on the run and they have been shown to be unable to stand up to our team, have not retaken one inch of ground, Mattis told reporters.

Mattis cited the progress in Iraq and the U.S.-backed operation in Syria to retake Raqqah, the capital of Islamic States self-declared caliphate.

Brig. Gen. Andrew A. Croft, who leads the air campaign in Iraq, said the militants have shown less ability to defend their ground and launch counterattacks over the last three months.

It appears more fractured, less robust, and sort of flimsy, is the word I would use, Croft said. It is sporadic.

U.S. special operations forces are helping direct airstrikes against Islamic State positions in Tall Afar. U.S.-led coalition warplanes have launched about 150 airstrikes in and around the city to help Iraqi forces advance against vehicle-borne bombs, militant snipers and mortar teams.

Michael Knights, Iraq analyst at the nonpartisan Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said Iraqi security forces are experienced in urban combat but exhausted after their hard-won victory in Mosul. He predicted the battle for Tall Afar, which is just one-tenth the size of Mosul, will take about four months.

Right now we can expect about 15 brigades  totaling about 15,000 to 22,000 troops  to take part, which is sufficient to crack Tall Afar by December, he said.

Iraqs army divisions, its counter-terrorism service and federal police are supporting the multi-pronged operation. There are also militia fighters under the umbrella of the Shiite-dominated Popular Mobilization Forces advancing toward the city.

The Shiite militias were barred from participating in the Mosul offensive because of objections from Turkey, the United States and other countries who see the Popular Mobilization Forces as undisciplined and loyal to Iran.

Tall Afar had a population of about 200,000, chiefly Sunni Arabs and Turkmens, before Islamic State captured it in 2014.

Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has warned against heavy-handed tactics by Popular Mobilization Forces in Tall Afar, which he called an entirely Turkmen town, a legacy from the Ottoman Empire.

An estimated 30,000 civilians fled the city before the battle but an estimated 20,000 civilians remain trapped there.

Asked about concerns that U.S. airstrikes had caused civilian casualties, Mattis replied that no military in the worlds history has paid more attention to limiting civilian casualties.

He had nothing but scorn for Islamic State.

An enemy that hides behind women and children  [is] violating every standard of decency and fills us with conviction [for] what we have to do, Mattis said.

Ive seen people fleeing to [Iraqi security forces] and feeling safe when they get to them, he added. We are the good guys and the innocent people in the battlefield know the difference.

william.hennigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @wjhenn

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It was just after 3 a.m. Wednesday when Naseer Habari was woken up by the sound of explosions. He knew right away it was another airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition fighting a rebel movement.

As chief of Arhab district, about 20 miles north of Sana, Yemens capital, he raced to the site of the blasts.

More than 12 hours later, he and others were still removing the bodies from a hotel where officials said at least 46 people were killed and 24 others wounded.

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They didnt include the corpses that were turned into pieces by the bombs, he said by phone Wednesday.

It was the latest attack by the coalition that since March 2015 has been waging a punishing air war against Houthi rebels allied with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was overthrown in 2011.

The strike in Habaris district was one of many the coalition carried out Wednesday around Sana.

Habari said most of the targets were Houthi-controlled checkpoints that had sprung up in and around Sana. It was unclear why the strikes included the hotel, where the greatest number of casualties occurred.

The place that was hit was a locanda, a simple hotel where the poorest farmworkers sleep, Habari said. Then they wake up in the morning to work in the fields.

The Saudi aggression has targeted everyone in society, he said. They dont target only Houthis, but target civilians randomly. God has cursed us with a stupid enemy.

The head of the Houthi movement, Abdul Malek Houthi, condemned the strike. There was no statement from the Saudi-led coalition.

Al Mariah TV, the Houthi satellite news channel, showed images of medical volunteers picking through the rubble of a cinder-block building, finding a dust-covered corpse, wrapping it in blankets and dragging it out of the wreckage.

Yemen has been ravaged by conflict since 2014, when the Houthis, in a surprise alliance with Saleh, overran Sana and forced President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi to move to the southern coastal city of Aden and then to Saudi Arabia. Hadi remains the internationally recognized leader of Yemen.

When the Houthis moved on Aden early in 2015, Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates and other Persian Gulf countries, launched a counteroffensive to reinstate Hadi and to curb the power of the Shiite Muslim Houthis, whom they consider to be proxies of their nemesis, Iran.

But their campaign, which is supported by the U.S., has devastated Yemen, making it a place where famine and cholera are as big a threat as the bombs falling from the sky.

Since February 2014, more than 10,000 people have been killed, most of them as a result of airstrikes, according to the United Nations. Three million people have been forced to leave their homes, and a land, sea and air blockade by the coalition has made medicines and food increasingly scarce.

Bulos is a special correspondent.

Twitter: @nabihbulos

UPDATES:

2:15 p.m.: This article has been updated with staff reporting on the details of the airstrikes.

6:23 a.m.: This article has been updated with additional background

This story was originally posted at 3:45 a.m.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits the Ministry of Science and Technology in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 22, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday that innovation should play a bigger role in facilitating structural transformation of the country's economy.

During an inspection of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Li said the "torch of innovation shall be passed on in all sectors of society, and the benefits of innovation shall be shared by all."

He said China has witnessed some breakthroughs in sci-tech innovation over the past five years.

Innovation has since played a key role in supporting a steady economy with a positive outlook, shifting the country's growth momentum, and expanding employment, he said.

The premier said efforts should be made to implement new development concepts and advance supply-side structural reform, to tap into China's massive talent resources, improve its overall innovation capacity, and build China into an innovative country and a world-leading sci-tech power.

He said the Internet and big data are platforms on which science and technology could be integrated with the economy, while asking for alignment of sci-tech innovation with market needs to allow science and technology to contribute more to economic growth.

More enterprises should be encouraged to conduct research in basic sciences, whereas institutional and regional barriers for innovative collaboration between institutions, universities, enterprises and makers must be torn down, Li said.

The premier went on to instruct government departments to fully implement policies supporting sci-tech innovation, and give research institutions and universities more say in terms of research project set-up and fund management.

Government departments must also work to allow sci-tech innovation to play a bigger role in guiding economic and social development, promoting medium-high speed economic growth, and developing the economy, Li said.
Six inspection teams have completed the second round of investigations into online pornography, illegal publications and fake news organizations across 31 Chinese provincial-level regions.

The six teams were made of staff from the anti-pornography watchdog and police, communication, cyberspace administration, customs and press and publications departments. They were tasked with conducting checks to assess the effect of local crackdown campaigns.

The investigation, which took place throughout July, aimed to clean up harmful information online, targeting illegal live-streaming mobile apps and websites circulating pornographic content, according to the National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications.

The investigation also looked into stores near primary and middle school campuses and fake media and journalists.

Local authorities have responded quickly to the feedback given by the central inspectors. In South China's Hainan Province, popular internet forum Tianya Club and Kdnet.net have been given a time limit to make corrections following the exposure of obscene content on their websites.

In 2016 alone, Chinese law enforcement confiscated over 16 million illegal publications and banned more than 14,000 websites disseminating harmful information.
The Saucon Valley School District is kicking off the school year without looming labor contract strife, but there will still be news cameras on the first day of school.

That's because a team from Lincoln Square Productions, the documentary arm of ABC News, will be filming an A&E documentary about race relations at the school and the district's work to increase tolerance and equity.

Two informational meetings about the film are being held from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in the high school auditorium.

Parents and students with concerns or inquiries about the documentary will be able to get them addressed by the documentary team directly, Acting Superintendent Susan Mowrer Benda wrote in a message to the school community Tuesday evening.

"We are seeking authentic input from staff and students on the district's work to increase tolerance and equity," Lincoln Square says in a letter to the school community. "While we understand these can be difficult issues to talk about, we also strongly believe that documenting and sharing these kinds of conversations can have a profound impact on our audience and in other communities across the country."

Mowrer Benda said she is aware that there is concern about kicking off the school year with the documentary crew on campus. And there is also a looming anonymous email threat to shoot up the schools, which was sent to about 350 eighth and ninth grade email addresses last week. No arrests have been made.

"In addition to safety and security, teaching and learning is also a top priority," she wrote. "In regard to the presence of the documentary staff at Saucon Valley High School, the team has pledged to minimize disruption to the school environment and will respect the confidentiality and comfort level of our students and staff through voluntary participation only."

Lower Saucon Township police are continuing to investigate the recent threat, Mowrer Benda said. Police have identified the IP address from which the original email was sent.

"The investigation is ongoing and the police will be providing an additional presence on our campus in the days to come," Mowrer Benda wrote.

Lincoln Square promised in its own letter to the school community that it would do everything it could to minimize any disruptions to normal school operations.

"We're planning to capture just a handful of days at school over the next few weeks, filming key events like the first day of school, sporting events and homecoming using very small crews - on occasion it may just be a single person with a small camera," the letter states.

Saucon Source reported that Lincoln Square filmed the Aug. 8 school board meeting where the board discussed a proposed ban on the Confederate flag and other controversial symbols/language.

Participation is voluntary and the team will make every effort to accommodate anyone who does not want to be in the film.

"Though we hope we can get as many people in the community as possible," the team writes.

Saucon Valley has struggled with issues of race and equity in its schools.

The district made headlines when Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli charged a high school student for shooting a racist video about a fellow student.

The 14-year-old white student called a 16-year-old black student the "n-word" while the 16-year-old ate chicken, Morganelli said. The 14-year-old mentioned the chicken and referenced Kentucky Fried Chicken and welfare in the video. He then shared the video over the social media platform Snapchat.

The 16-year-old was charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment for a retaliatory attack on the 14-year-old.

Morganelli said the black student had previously been the subject of discrimination from a group of students calling themselves "the rednecks." He said he had a confederate flag thrown on him when he transferred to the school from out of state.

The district responded to the incident by forming an inclusion and equity committee and developed action plans.

Saucon Valley also teamed up with 10 other school districts to create the Greater Lehigh Valley Consortium of Equity and Excellence and the school board enacted an equity plan in April.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Wilson Borough police are seeking the public's help in identifying the man who robbed a gas station on Tuesday afternoon.

The robber is described as a light-skinned black male, in his late teens to early 20s, with curly hair and wearing black sunglasses, a white T-shirt, tan pants and white sneakers, according to police.

Wilson Borough police say this man robbed the Penn Jersey gas station about 5:30 p.m. Aug. 22, 2017, at 2134 Northampton St. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

He entered the Penn Jersey gas station about 5:30 p.m. at 2134 Northampton St., pointed in black handgun at the 28-year-old female clerk and left with an undetermined amount of money through the rear of the mini market, police said.

Officers found $300 a short time later at South 20th and Pine streets, Chief Steven Parkansky said.

"It is believed that this was cash taken from the store," Parkansky said.

If anyone recognizes the robber, they are asked to call the Northampton County emergency dispatch center at 610-759-2200 or Detective Jason Hillis at 610-258-8542.

There was a second man in the store talking to the robber prior to the crime, Parkansky said. It's unclear what role if any he had in the robbery, the chief added.

The man is described as black with blond dreadlocks, wearing a black shirt with a "Jordan" symbol on the front of it, red shorts and black shoes, Parkansky said.

If anyone has information on that man, they should call Hillis.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
China's second aircraft carrier is transferred from dry dock into the water at a launch ceremony in Dalian shipyard of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corp. in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 26, 2017. The new carrier, the first domestically-built one, came after the Liaoning, a refitted former Soviet Union-made carrier that was put into commission in the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 2012. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Last stage to turn over warship to PLA navy

China's first homegrown aircraft carrier is very likely to start its first sea trials in autumn, as its manufacturer announced that it will present key achievements as a tribute to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corp (DSIC) of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), the manufacturer of the Type 001A, posted details of a meeting on its website on August 18.

Hu Wenming, the head and Party chief of the CSIC who visited the DSIC in Dalian, northeastern China's Liaoning Province, praised the DSIC's work, saying the "key project" team has completed tasks ahead of schedule, according to the DSIC. Although the website didn't mention the aircraft carrier, the photo shows that the meeting is of "the Party Committee Working Conference of 002 Aircraft Carrier" (002 is the code of the project).

"The DSIC will greet the 19th CPC National Congress by delivering key achievements on a special product in this special time," said DSIC Chairman Liu Zheng, during a DSIC meeting on August 15 in Dalian, according to the company's website.

Liu said all personnel working on the key project led by the CSIC will stick to the directions of Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to provide world-class naval equipment for a world-leading navy.

The Type 001A is located in the DSIC's shipyard in Liaoning Province.

The "special time" refers to the 19th CPC National Congress, which marks the opening of a new phase of China's reforms. And the enhancement of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy's combat capabilities is an important part of the country's military reforms, Li Jie, a Beijing-based naval expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Chinese experts believe the project's next achievement will most likely be the sea trials phase.

Zhang Ye, a research fellow at the PLA Naval Research Institute, told the Global Times that if the Type 001A can start its sea trials before the event, which is the last stage prior to turning the warship over to the navy, it would mark a huge step forward in China's development of a stronger navy.

China has successfully tested the Type 001A's power system and the carrier will undergo a mooring test in September ahead of schedule, meaning that the ship's power system is all set, and Zhang said he believed part of the mooring test has already started even during the power test, so the mooring test period could be shorter than expected.

More comprehensive test

The schedule for the sea trials will depend on how long the mooring test takes, Zhang noted.

The sea trials will include an even more comprehensive performance test, which would cover the propelling and communications systems under different maritime conditions, which would usually take two years, Zhang said. He added the trials would not be limited to a specific weather condition.

"The gap between the launch and sea trials of an aircraft carrier can take years. Progress depends on many factors, including funding, technological obstacles and the needs of clients. A new class of vessel normally requires more time, just like the Type 002 which is currently under construction in Shanghai, and will be very different from the Type 001 and 001A, but much more advanced," said Song Zhongping, a military expert who served in the Rocket Force.

"The Type 001A is an improved version of the Type 001 Liaoning, so the similarity and experience can largely speed things up," Song said.

China has started testing the power system of its first domestically-built aircraft carrier, and hopes to begin a mooring test in September ahead of schedule, Hu Wenming, the CSIC Chairman who has chaired the research and development of the Type 001A, was quoted as saying on a China Central Television report. The Type 001A was launched in Dalian on April 26.
A 28-year-old Wilson Borough man allegedly lied to police about why he was pepper-sprayed and was jailed Wednesday for the incident.

Edsan Vilella Soto (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Edsan Vilella Soto originally told borough police at Easton Hospital he was assaulted as he exited his vehicle overnight June 20-21 in front of his house in the 1600 block of Ferry Street, court records say.

Two female assailants had asked him for a ride home and when he turned them down, one of them pepper-sprayed him in the face, Vilella Soto said as he sought treatment at the hospital, according to police.

The two females claimed Vilella Soto had followed them on his bicycle from the area of South 15th and Washington streets to South 17th and Washington Streets, then onto the 1700 block of Butler Street, records say.

"During the course of the harassment by Edsan he was told several times to leave them alone and to stop following them," Wilson police Sgt. Marc Crisafulli wrote in court records. "Edsan still continued to pursue them."

On Butler Street, Vilella Soto "got really close to them," prompting one of the females to use her pepper spray, according to police. They then ran off.

The two female victims provided police with video of the incident, according to court records.

Originally charged via summons, Vilella Soto was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Richard Yetter III on charges of misdemeanor false reports and summary harassment.

The judge sent him to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail, with a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled Sept. 5 before Yetter.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A 54-year-old homeless man who was wanted in the killing a popular street performer in Pottstown is behind bars, authorities report.

Steven Holmes, 54. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Steve Holmes was arrested Tuesday on Lehigh Avenue in Philadelphia, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office and borough police said.

Holmes was in an fight with Diamonde Stone about 10:30 p.m. July 30 in the 300 block of High Street in Pottstown when Stone suffered fatal stab wounds, authorities say. Holmes "introduced the knife into the altercation," police said. Stone died at Pottstown Memorial Hospital.

A warrant was issued Aug. 1 for Holmes' arrest on charges of first- and third-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime, court records show.

He was arraigned at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday before District Judge Edward C. Kroop Sr. and denied bail due to the severity of the charges, records show.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 29 in Kroop's court.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
The original Camp Crystal Lake -- actually an active Boy Scout campground in northwest New Jersey -- is opening its gates to those willing to tour Jason Voorhees' old slashing grounds on a very appropriate date: Friday, Oct. 13.

But you have to be quick. Tickets are expected to sell out in minutes, if they last even that long.

The iconic 1980 horror flick "Friday the 13th" was famously filmed in northern Warren County, in and around Blairstown Township. Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, in Hardwick Township, served as the fictional destination for ill-fated counselors.

The camp announced Monday that a tour will be held for only the fourth time in its history -- the only times fans of the film are allowed on the grounds.

The first tour was held in 2011, according to the site. Tickets for the second tour in 2013 sold out in minutes; they only lasted seconds when the third tour was announced in 2015.

Details including how many tickets and how much they cost were not revealed on the site, and the camp did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The tour announcement says that further information -- including when tickets will be available -- will only be made via its mailing list (which you can sign up for here).

Horror movie website Bloody Disgusting cited a press release saying tickets will go on sale next week in two waves: First to people who have purchased at least $50 worth of merchandise from the camp's souvenir shop, and then to the general mailing list.

Every Friday the 13th becomes a celebration of sorts in the Blairstown area, so don't fret if you can't take the tour. Roy's Hall on Main Street will have three showings of the movie that day, allowing visitors once again to watch "Friday the 13th" where it was filmed.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
The Irish Heart Foundation is doing free heart health checks in Ballybrittas this Saturday, at the launch of a special fundraising cycle

A GAA club in Laois has teamed up with the Irish Heart Foundation in a big fundraiser for the club and healthy hearts.

Courtwood GAA is getting ready to launch a 120km B2B Cycle for Life from Blackwater in Wexford back to Ballybrittas.

The cycle takes place in October but the 30 brave local people involved, led by Final Furlong owner Alan O'Halloran, are busy fundraising and training. They will launch the event this weekend with the help of the Irish Heart Foundation.

The group includes Laois GAA player Niall Donoher, All-Ireland Final referee Eddie Kinsella, former Laois player Claire O'Connoll, and physio Darren Burke.

They all hope to raise 30,000 for Courtwood GAA's redevelopment project, the Irish Heart Foundation and Heart Children Ireland.

The launch takes place on Saturday, August 26. Club members and others in the community and surround areas are are invited come along and support.

As part of the launch the Irish Heart Foundation's Mobile Health Unit will be at Donoher's Service Station, Ballybrittas from 11am to 4pm. Trained nurses will be on hand to give free blood pressure checks and comprehensive lifestyle advice on heart health.

Come along on the day and meet some of them, and grab a tea or coffee and some essential heart advice. The cycle launch takes place at noon.

See Courtwood GAA on facebook or B2B Cycle4Life on gofundme.ie
The mother of missing Offaly woman, Fiona Pender, has made a heartfelt appeal on RTE Radio this morning, 21 years after her daughter vanished.

Fiona Pender, a former hairdresser and model, was seven months pregnant when she disappeared after leaving her apartment on Church Street, Tullamore, 21 years ago in August 1996.

Fiona's mother Josephine gave an interview on RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland programme today, August 23, 21 years and a day since her daughter's unexplained disappearance.

"I can't say it's got any easier in the 21 years - it's been a lifetime and it's hard to believe," she told RTE Midlands Correspondent Ciaran Mullooly.

She recalled August 22, 1996, the last time she saw Fiona alive, saying she dropped her back to her flat, gave her a kiss and said she'd she her in the morning. "I remember crossing the road and waving goodbye to her, and that's the last time I seen her," Josephine said. Later that day, Fiona went missing from her Offaly home.

Josephine also remarked how much she thinks about Fiona's unborn child who would be 21 years of age now. "They would be going to college - it's a huge loss. This new baby was to be new life in the family and it is so horrible that someone could harm her."

Josephine said she has given up hope of Fiona being found alive, and said that despite wanting gardai to find her, "the thought of someone having buried her in the ground is terrible," and that such a discovery would be extremely distressing. "It would break your heart," she added.

"If I knew she was out there somewhere, I would dig it up with my bare hands."

The heartbroken mother pleaded with someone to come forward with information. "Somebody does know something and I need to know as soon as I can where Fiona is, because I don't know with my heart if I'm going to last."

"If anyone can shed light on it, I would go as far as to beg them to come forward, and hopefully it results in finding her," Josephine said.

"I'm not interested in punishment or anything like that, I just want to give Fiona back a bit of dignity by giving her a proper funeral and a burial and to lay her to rest with her daddy and her brother."

"I don't think that's very much to ask," Josephine Pender concluded.

At the time of her disappearance, Ms Pender was described as being 55 in height, with long blonde hair, and she was aged just 25. She was wearing brightly coloured clothing and white leggings and was last seen at her apartment on Church Street.

An excavation of woods in the Slieve Bloom Mountains near Rosenallis, Co Laois was abandoned in December 14. Two cadaver dogs and other equipment failed to detect any 'anomalies' that might tie in with the burial of a corpse at the site. A strip of land around 200 metres in length was searched without result.

The search centred on land adjacent to a lay-by at Capard on a quiet scenic road used mainly by visitors to the nearby Glenbarrow waterfall.

The woman who supplied the information to gardai said she had been brought to the location almost 10 years ago while in a relationship with the suspect and he told her that Fiona was buried there

Anyone with information that might be helpful to this case can contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057-9327600.

_
Do you have a little magical character at home that would like to experience an enchanted Fairy and Elf Festival? Well, Sensational Kids and Rathwood have just thing thing.

Once again Sensational Kids, the charity based in both Cork and Kildare, are hosting their Enchanted Fairy and Elf Festival at Carlows Rathwood on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10.

Sensational Kids hope to raise 30,000 from the two day event in order to raise funds for children with special needs, including Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Down Syndrome and mental health difficulties.

The Enchanted Fairy and Elf Festival combines the magic of Sensational Kids and the quality of Rathwoods facilities and talented staff. Fairies and elves of all ages will enjoy activities such as decorating a wooden fairy house which can be taken home. This will be followed by a train ride through the Enchanted Forest and a stop off for some fun and games in the fairy barn.

There will also be time to enjoy the Enchanted Fairy and Elf Festival Area, where you can meet and greet lots of fairies and elves including the tooth fairy and enjoy great carnival games, face painting, entertainers, characters in amazing costumes and lots more.

Afterwards, at your leisure, you can enjoy a visit to the onsite Maze of Ireland, the Deer Park and Rathwood Woodland Walk complete with Fairy Door Trail, Dodie Tree, Wishing Seat, Worry Tree and lots more. The Woodland Walk is suitable for buggies and walkers of all ages and abilities. The walk to the lake is wheelchair accessible. Then enjoy a free hot chocolate in the Rathwood Restaurant with adjacent playground.

There will be dedicated times for children with special needs at 9am and 9.30am each day, with reduced numbers and quieter music in the festival area. A limited number of wheelchair accessible tickets are available during all time slots

There is huge demand for tickets to this special event, so pre-booking is essential. Tickets for this popular event are available here. They are priced at 13 per person and children under one are free.

Would you like to win tickets to this great family event? Head on over to our

Would you like to win tickets to this great family event? Head on over to our Facebook page to enter the competition.

page to enter the competition.
Kildare County Council has granted planning permission to telecommunications company, Three Ireland (Hutchison) Ltd to retain a telephone mast in Prosperous.

However, it is not clear if a previously required development levy of 10,000 has been paid by the company.

At the time of publication, the Council had not responded to a query on the levy, which was raised by a planner.

The permission, granted on August 1 was for the continued use of the mast, which, according to previous files, is located around 475m from two schools and 53 metres from the nearest house in Curryhills.

When permission was sought initially, on land owned by Thomas Fitzpatrick, Kildare County Council granted permission on December 18 2006.

A number of parties objected to and made submissions to Bord Pleanala, including then Cllr Tony McEvoy and Dep Catherine Murphy.

The location of the mast so near to schools/houses was an issue.

Deputy Murphy argued the company did not appear to have tried to get a more suitable location, away from houses and schools, and urged refusal on the basis of the EUs precautionary principle.

On May 14 2007, the Bord inspector recommended permission and the Bord granted it eight days later.

No development levy was applied to this permission.

In a follow up application, the company was granted permission to continue to use the 24m mast and a condition was that it pay a levy of 10,000.

SEE ALSO: Kilmeague mum aims to highlight son's rare condition

Hutchinson appealed the contribution to Bord Pleanala and the appeal body agreed with the Council.

On November 29 2012 it granted permission, including a condition to pay 10,000.

In the planner's report in the recent decision, the planner said it was uncertain whether a previously applied development levy, or contribution of 10,000 was paid and asked that it be checked.

In the order for the August 1 permission, there is a condition that the 10,000 should be paid.

The Leader has asked the council for a clarification as to whether the money has been handed over.
There are just two days left to vote for Clane man, Harry McCann, who is one of twenty finalists in the 2017 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World of 2017.

A major part of top ten selection is a public vote, which closes on August 25.

When he was just 15, Harry set up KidTecha successful business aiming to teach the next generation technology.

In a time span of only sixteen months, he managed to design several unique coding courses tailored to children. He has since taught more than 800 children across Ireland.

The Clane man also founded the first Digital Youth Council in the world. As director, he works with governments and industry leaders to ensure that youth are involved in influencing the future of the STEM sector both in Ireland and Europe.

Harry is also an Executive Director for an Irish Enterprise and an advisor to the Irish Government on several subjects including data protection. Vote here.
As thousands of students deliberate their first round offers from the Central Application Office (CAO), the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is encouraging young people in Leitrim to consider a career in tourism.

Hospitality and tourism businesses around the country are looking to recruit over 6,000 entry-level employees each year across all areas of their operations.

There is a variety of career options available through the CAO, PLC courses as well as opportunities for those who wish to start working straight from school. Areas include food and beverage; catering; accommodation services; reception; leisure centre and spa facility management; sales and marketing; human resources; IT; management and finance.

The IHF has a dedicated website, Get a Life in Tourism, supported by Failte Ireland, which offers comprehensive information on the many careers available in the sector and how to get stared. The website also includes personal stories that offer a realistic picture of what to expect from a career in the tourism and hospitality sector as well as some of the many courses and training schemes that are available, providing young people with valuable first-hand information to help them make their course or career choice.

Fergal Ryan, Chair of the Leitrim branch of the IHF commented: Tourism is Irelands largest indigenous industry, providing employment in every county in Ireland including Leitrim. It offers thousands of opportunities for young people interested in pursuing a career in tourism with enormous potential for professional development and advancement. Were encouraging school leavers especially to explore the many options available, including the hundreds of specialist third-level courses on offer throughout the country for those interested in obtaining a recognised qualification. If you are looking for an exciting challenge, with endless career possibilities then this is the path for you.

Tourism now supports an estimated 230,000 jobs in Ireland, equivalent to 11% of total employment. With over 60,000 new jobs created since 2011, the industry is well-positioned to create in excess of 40,000 additional jobs over the next five years. The tourism sector in Leitrim supports 1,230 jobs and contributes some 158M to the local economy annually.
As over 1,200 asthmatic children return to school in Leitrim, the Asthma Society has warned that every school should have an asthma inhaler in their first aid kit in case of an emergency.

However, two years after a new scheme was put in place by then Minister for Health Leo Varadkar TD not a single school has received an emergency asthma inhaler under it.

According to CEO Averil Power, 1 in 5 Irish school going children (180,500) have asthma, so it is inevitable that many schools will have to deal with a student having an asthma attack at some point. Unfortunately, several British children have died from fatal asthma attacks at school in recent years. It is essential we do everything we can to avoid a similar tragedy here.

Having immediate access to emergency medication can be the difference between life and death. The previous Minister for Health recognized this when he introduced a new scheme allowing schools and other community facilities to obtain inhalers without a prescription for their first aid kits in case students forget theirs.

While this was a positive move, we warned Minister Harris last year that the excessive conditions associated with the scheme have made it unworkable in practice. Now the answer to a parliamentary question has revealed that not one single school has used it to obtain an inhaler. This failure is putting lives at risk and must be addressed by the Minister without further delay, she concluded.

The Asthma Society has published a range of free resources for schools on its website www.asthma.ie .Parents or teachers who want more information or advice can also speak to a nurse for free by calling the Societys Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, TD, and the Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell OConnor, TD, today announced 16.5m for new initiatives to widen access to higher education over the next three years, with a strong focus on helping lone parents to access higher level education.

A key area where we need to be the best is using education to break down the barriers of disadvantage, and open up pathways for those who might easily miss out. Minister Bruton and Minister Mitchell OConnor today announced:

 Funding bursaries worth 5,000 for 600 students coming from non-traditional backgrounds into college, with support for at least 120 socio-economically disadvantaged lone parents. This will be a 6m regional call over three years.

 Funding for support programmes to help 2,000 students, of which 200 will be lone parents, from non-traditional backgrounds enter college and successfully complete their course. This will be a 7.5m regional call over three years.

 A further 3m over three years in increased funding for the hardship supports to help students, with Lone parents being prioritised

The funding will support a range of new initiatives and partnerships to support over 2,000 extra students from disadvantaged groups to participate in third level education over the next three years. Higher Education Clusters are now invited to submit proposals for funding and the most innovative ideas will be supported.

The groups being targeted include: entrants from under-represented socio-economic groups and communities; entrants with disabilities; mature entrants; members of the Irish Traveller community; students entering on the basis of a further education award; part-time flexible learners; as well as socio-economically disadvantaged lone parents and ethnic minorities.

The announcement of these initiatives follows the publication today of an independent Review which looked at access to higher education by lone parents. A particular priority will be put on supporting lone parents.

The latest data available from the HEA shows that access to third level by disadvantaged groups is improving. In particular, the number and share of students from disadvantaged backgrounds rose from 22% to 26%, and of students with a disability rose from 7% to 11% between 2012/13 and 2014/15. The extra funding is designed to accelerate this progress.

The announcement today follows the announcement by Minister Bruton last April of measures to support 120 people from disadvantaged groups to become teachers, an initiative designed to create strong role models within the community. It also follows measures announced in Budget 2017 to reinstate postgraduate maintenance grants for the most disadvantaged students. It is expected to benefit some 1,100 postgraduate students.
I attended my first Cabinet Meeting recently as Oxfordshire County Councillor. OCC is led by a coalition of Conservatives and Independents. The question I put was:

Many villages in Wheatley Division are suffering because of the cut in bus subsidies. Elderly and vulnerable people are isolated; younger people cannot get to college and apprenticeships; those who relied on buses for work are now using cars and increasing the traffic on our already congested roads. Does the member agree with me that saving up to 4 million pounds from cutting bus subsidy was a false economy, and will she work with me to find room in our forthcoming budget to reinstate bus subsidies?

Well the member did not agree with me, and proceeded to inform me about all the community transport initiatives underway throughout the county. I am already well versed in these grass-root efforts, having been along to a fair number of community transport meetings over the last two months.

My problem is that offering locals buses twice a week for shopping; or relying on volunteers to get people to hospital appointments; or telling village residents to cross a busy highway (A40) for the nearest bus; is not good enough.

Connecting Oxfordshire, Local Transport Plan 2015  2031 includes the vision behind providing local buses. Here are three of the key outcomes (p. 16):

1. To support the transition to a low-carbon future.

2. To support social inclusion and equality of opportunity.

3. To protect, and where possible enhance, Oxfordshires environment and improve quality of life.

And again, quoting from the document, Sustainable, energy-efficient bus transport will reduce sole-occupancy car usage and help manage car emission levels. Of course it will! I am infuriated that this strategy is in black and white, yet bus subsidies have been cut. Commercial operators will not go into many local villages because there is not profit to be made. So yes, car usage is increasing. This is not helping our transition to a low-carbon future.

Accessible bus connections will enable disabled people, elderly people and those unable to drive will travel more. But what we have now is disabled people and elderly people isolated, dependent on friends or limited local transport initiatives. One adult with autism is not accessing his day groups. It took years of training to enable him to take the bus independently. Now there is no bus for him to take. And his mum is highly stressed because of this. This is just one story of many I have been hearing in my first months as County Councillor. And I am determined to do something about it.

More public transport journeys mean fewer car journeys: fewer roads need to be built and harmful vehicle air pollution is lower. Oxford is one of the most polluted cities in the U.K. according to the World Health Organisation. The A34 in Oxford is highly congested, and part of the solution proposed is to build a major road, the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway, over the greenbelt. I would argue that moving freight off roads to rail, and increasing access to Oxford through good local bus services, will sort the problems of the A34. Funding reliable public transport is a no-brainer. It works in many other cities around the world, why cant we do it in Oxford?

I realise I have ranted about my local area, but I imagine many of these issues are true up and down the U.K. Many rural bus services have been cut  how is that promoting community and integrating society? How is that reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality? What are we going to do about it?

* Kirsten Johnson was the PPC for Oxford East in the 2017 General Election. She is a pianist and composer at www.kirstenjohnsonpiano.com.
During this years General Election campaign one of my friends, who doesnt always vote Liberal Democrat, was enthusiastically considering voting for us. Then our cannabis policy was announced in the press. For her this cast a shadow over her voting intentions and she had grave doubts that she would now vote Liberal Democrat. She had run an urban centre in the UK for homeless men for 7 years. Around 50-80 men visited this centre each day. A common pattern, with a proportion of the men, was to arrive at the centre because of family breakup and unemployment but in a general state that they could be helped to turn their lives round. Then they would adopt the habit of taking cannabis regularly and over time become permanently mentally ill and no longer be in a state to access help. This is so tragic and so sad.

Im personally in favour of legalising and regulating cannabis use. The aspects of doing this that particularly interest me are, those who choose to use cannabis for recreational and/or medical purposes are no longer criminalised and users can ensure being supplied with cannabis without impurities which is better for their health. With regard to the present position of criminalisation there is maximum sentence of 5 years in prison for use of cannabis and a maximum of 14 years in prison for trafficking. However in recent years the cautions for initial possession and people charged have fallen. From 2010 to 2015 by 48% and 33% respectively. This has resulted in the number of people imprisoned for this offence being relatively low compared to the general prison population for example in 2015, there were 1,363 imprisoned for offences to do with cannabis  about 1 to 1.5 % of the total prison population. These people are probably mostly cannabis traffickers. These figures all indicate that cannabis users are no longer a priority for the police no doubt influenced by recent cuts. There are of course other benefits of legalising and regulating cannabis. It is thought that annually about I billion pounds could be raised in tax revenue in addition to the savings on criminal justice costs and regulation should create extensive employment through production, distribution and selling.

However using cannabis is not without its health risks. For 25 years I worked as a professional Health Educator. I taught Health Education and Biology in secondary schools, mostly comprehensives, for 5 years and then after obtaining a Diploma in Health Education decided to do my Health Education by teaching yoga free-lance for 20 years. Through my training and teaching experience I am very aware of the concept of Informed Choice; it is the backbone of Health Education. As an educator you endeavour to provide your students with accurate and wide ranging information about a particular aspect of health. Then through various activities, including discussion, you facilitate the exploration of the topic and hopefully each student can then gradually work towards a decision that is right for them. In promoting our policy of Legalising Cannabis I feel we need to put more emphasis on the educational aspect of this. In our 2017 manifesto policy in relation to other illegal drugs the educational aspect is stated though perhaps rather fleetingly;

End imprisonment for possession of illegal drugs for personal use, diverting those arrested for possession of drugs for personal use into treatment and education (adopting a health-based approach), or imposing civil penalties.

This policy document doesnt mention education in relation to legalising cannabis use.

A well researched and balanced leaflet by The Royal College of Psychiatrists (2014) outlines the possible risks of using cannabis but also acknowledges that most people who use cannabis find it pleasurable. However for some people, who probably have a vulnerability, there can be serious deleterious effects such as depression or psychosis. In addition a large New Zealand study found that adolescents who used cannabis were developing a way of life that didnt help with schoolwork.

A more recent study, published August 2017, showed that cannabis use raises the risk of dying from high blood pressure. 1,200 subjects who used cannabis were studied over 20 years. They were three more times likely to die from high blood pressure and with each year of use this risk grew by 4%. This effect may be worse than a similar effect from cigarette smoking.

I feel our Legalising Cannabis policy should have a strong emphasis on also educating people about cannabis so each person can make an informed choice. I feel we Liberal Democrats in promoting this policy should give a clear message that we are also involved in education about cannabis. Such a programme would not be difficult or expensive as good materials, such as the above leaflet, are freely available. If we were clearly seen to be involved in this educational aspect I feel many voters would be reassured.

The whole subject of Legalising Cannabis is complex; there are many strands. In being presented in the media it is usually over simplified, I know often intentionally by the press to give a certain impression, and this gives room for peoples fears. I feel we should try to present the ideas in a fuller and more balanced way. I hope those in the Liberal Democrats who are responsible for presenting our policies to the voters will work on finding a way to address some of the issues I have raised. Perhaps using the term Informed Choice somewhere along the way would help. If we dont change how we present this policy I do feel it will continue to put some voters off and it will indeed Shoot Us in the Foot.

Im glad to report that my friend, mentioned at the start of this piece, did vote Liberal Democrat and the LIb Dem candidate was elected! I hope that the conversation I had with her about this issue played some part in her decision.

* Jane Reed is a Liberal Democrat member and activist in York
THE death has occurred of Nora (Nor) Barry (nee Kelly), Howardstown, Bruree, peacefully, at her home in her 94th year.

Wife of the late Tim. Very deeply regretted by her nephews, nieces, sister-in-law, nephews-in-law, nieces-in-law, extended family, kind neighbours and her large circle of friends.

Reposing at Daffy's Funeral Home, Croom on Thursday from 6pm, with Removal at 7.30pm to St. Munchin's Church, Rock Hill. Requiem Mass on Friday at 11.30am. Burial afterwards in Temple Mary Cemetery.

The death has occurred of John (J.J.) Lysaght, Beech Lodge, Nursing Home, Bruree and formerly of Ballysimon, late Train Driver at C.I.E, peacefully.

Deeply regretted by his children Alan, Judy, Jennifer, Mariza, Katie and John and their mother Mary, sister Gurty and brother Michael, grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Reposing at Cross' Funeral Home, Gerald Griffin Street, Wednesday from 5.30pm followed by removal at 7pm to Mary Magdalene Church, Monaleen. Requiem Mass, Thursday at 11.30am with funeral afterwards to Ballysimon Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations, to a charity of your choice.

The death has occurred of Celine Mulqueen (nee Woodland), Lenihan Avenue, peacefully at home.

Beloved wife of the late Gerard & mother of the late John. Deeply regretted by her loving family, son, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, large extended family, friends and neighbours.

Removal to arrive at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, on Thursday for 11am Requiem Mass with funeral afterwards to Mount St. Oliver Cemetery.

The death has occurred of Frances (Fran) Reddan (nee Benad), Ballyneety, peacefully at her home in Liscannor.

Beloved wife of the late Brian, loved and adored mother to Barry, Maureen and Brian. She will be forever in the hearts of her daughters-in-law, Marilyn and Alva, son-in-law Simon and her adored grandchildren, Aoibhe, Max, Luke, Isabelle, Miah, Leah and Ellie and her wider family and friends. She was deeply loved and will be sadly missed by us all.

Reposing at Cross' Funeral Home, Ballyneety, Thursday from 5pm followed by removal at 7pm to St. Joseph's Church, O'Connell Avenue. Requiem Mass, Friday at 11.30am with funeral afterwards to Mount St. Lawrence (ext.) Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired to, the Irish Lung Foundation.
A YOUNG woman was brutally kicked in the face in a callous attack in Limerick city centre this week.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the attack, which took place on Upper Henry Street in the early hours of Monday morning.

Metropolitan mayor Sean Lynch, a former detective garda, has described the incident  which saw the woman sustain injuries to her nose and lip  as horrible and horrific.

The young woman suffered the attack between 3.30am and 4am on Monday morning last in the Upper Henry Street area.

Officers at Henry Street say the assault was carried out by a male with an American accent.

Mayor Lynch urged anyone who witnessed anything on Monday morning to contact Henry Street station at 061-212400.

He added: This kind of incident is rare. Its not something we have heard of or come across in Limerick in my time very often. Its something we dont want to see happen into the future.

"Hopefully the perpetrator can be brought before the court and their behaviour dealt with the importance it warrants.
FORMER Sunday Times columnist Kevin Myers has withdrawn from moderating a talk on censorship in Limerick, after his appearance on the line-up provoked a storm of vitriolic abuse.

Mr Myers, who was dismissed from the Sunday Times last month, was due to moderate a talk in Limerick city on September 28 on the subject of censorship, which will be given by Jodie Ginsberg, of the Index on Censorship.

Ms Ginsberg, who leads an organisation which publishes the work by censored writers and campaigns for free expression worldwide, is the only female speaker in the series of talks organised by Limerick Civic Trust.

The Sunday Times published an apology following the publication of an article on July 30 last by Mr Myers, which contained offensive remarks about women and Jewish people, suggesting that presenters Vanessa Feltz and Claudia Winkleman were well paid by the BBC because they were Jewish.

David OBrien, chief executive of the trust, told the Limerick Leader that he has spoken at length to Mr Myers in recent days, who felt it was best he withdraw from the forum in the present circumstances.

He felt that his presence was going to take away from the event itself and become an alternative event, and that just wouldn't be right, said Mr OBrien.

"Limerick Civic Trust respects the decision of Kevin Myers. A long-standing journalist in Ireland, Kevin has been no stranger to controversy and initiated many strenuous debates over the years. The trust does not comment on his comments.

"However, the purpose of the autumn lecture series is to educate, inspire and inform public discourse. The series has been designed to challenge ideas and opinions, tease out arguments and hold a constructive debate and for that reason some of our commentators may be more controversial than others," he said.

The talk will now be moderated by Church of Ireland Reverend Patrick Comerford, of Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin.

Ms Ginsberg told The Irish Times last week that she was happy for Mr Myers to moderate the event, while the trust also refused to withdraw the invitation after receiving a barrage of criticism.

I wouldnt be much of a free speech advocate if I refused to debate with someone whose views I disagree with, said Ms Ginsberg.

I am a feminist of Jewish heritage: I find much of what Myers has written deeply offensive. Rather than giving him the opportunity to repeat these views, I see the Limerick talk as an opportunity to air mine.

Mr Myers was invited by the trust to moderate the event about five weeks before the column which led to his dismissal from the Sunday Times, appeared in print.

Mr OBrien said the time-line of events is indicative that the invitation was not a provocative, calculated move on their part to attract a greater audience, which critics suggested.

The trust received a number of distasteful emails, full of vitriol regarding Mr Myers name on the billing, as well as abuse on social media, in addition to criticism of its male dominated line-up of speakers.

After Mr Myers column appeared, Mr OBrien said he felt he was in a position where I couldnt censor him.

That would have been the easy thing to do. We had to look at the bigger picture, and it would have been too easy have a knee-jerk reaction, box him off and put him in a cell. I think we need to be bigger people and be more enlightened, he said.

Ms Ginbergs talk, entitled How censorship stifles debate and undermines the tenets of free and democratic societies, will be given in St Marys Cathedral, on September 28 next.

Mr OBrien said they werent seeking to have a male-dominated panel, and admitted while there is a gender imbalance, but it wasnt contrived.

In fact, we invited a lot of women, who werent available but have indicated their willingness to take part next year. So, in fact, next year it is quite possible that we will have a female-dominated panel, he told the Limerick Leader.

He said approximately 30 invites were sent this year, with the majority of invites being sent to women.
A MAN charged in connection with a stabbing at a County Limerick pub has been remanded on bail on condition he stay out of three East Limerick towns.

Jeffrey Corr, 24, with an address at Brackvoan, Bruff, appeared before Limerick District Court this Wednesday where he was granted bail subject to a number of strict conditions.

Mr Corr is charged with two counts of assault causing harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, to two named men.

The two assaults are alleged to have occurred at Daffys Bar, Wolfe Tone Street, Kilmallock, on August 20 last.

Inspector Donal Cronin, prosecuting, told the court the State was not objecting to bail, provided a number of bail conditions be imposed by the court.

Judge Marie Keane imposed the conditions including that, Mr Corr stay out of Kilmallock, Bruree, and Bruff.

The accused was also ordered to sign on daily at Mayorstone garda station, Limerick city; surrender his passport, and not apply for new travel documents.

Mr Corr was also ordered to obey a (10pm-7am) curfew; not make contact with any witnesses in the case; and be contactable to gardai at all times.

Judge Keane remanded to appear before Kilmallock District Court on September 19.
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Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress(NPC), meets with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 22, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Liu Weibing]

China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang met with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution on Tuesday.

Wiranto and Nasution attended the sixth meeting of the vice-premier-level dialogue and the third meeting of the high-level economic dialogue, respectively, in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday.

China will work with Indonesia to implement the consensus of the two heads of state, strengthen high-level exchanges, synergize development strategies and deepen practical cooperation, Zhang said.

The National People's Congress of China wants to increase exchanges and cooperation with legislative institutions in Indonesia to create a sound law and policy environment for bilateral practical cooperation, he said.

Wiranto and Nasution said Indonesia attaches great importance to relations with China as well as China's influence in international and regional affairs.

Indonesia hopes to deepen political, security and economic partnership with China, the two ministers said.
Daredevil does a Batman voice, and other secrets from The Defenders The ensemble cast of 'The Defenders', Netflix's ambitious and rather uneven Marvel show, is just as ambitious and just as uneven /news/talking-point/daredevil-does-a-batman-voice-and-other-secrets-from-the-defenders-111646984146259.html 111646984146259 story

Daredevil does a good Batman voice.

Im sitting across from the British actor Charlie Cox on a muggy afternoon in New York, talking about Daredevilthe Marvel superhero he plays, a blind lawyer who fights crimeand were discussing how best to emote with just the lower side of the mouth, given that his costume involves a snug red cowl wrapped around the top half of his head. I sometimes wonder if I should be thinking more about that," says Cox. I ask if he has his own version of the guttural Batman voice", the infamous growl belonging to the most iconic half-masked hero. Funnily enough, the Batman voice is an interesting one because when people tend to write superheroes in costume demanding information, writers tend to write three-syllable sentences," he laughs. Theres really only one way to deliver those sentences, and youre trying to be aggressive and threatening because you want information and you want it fast. And what you discover is that the Batman voice is very tempting. You sometimes find yourself slipping into that."

What is the Batman voice?" Krysten Ritter, who plays fan-favourite badass Jessica Jones, is a shrill interrupter with a ringing laugh, and here she is being a goofball with Cox, her co-superhero in The Defenders, which released on Netflix last week. Cox, like any fanboy, immediately belts out a string of exaggeratedly gravelly syllablesGIMME THE MONEY! WHERES THE GUY"that Batman writer Frank Miller and Batman actor Christian Bale would approve of. Youre welcome, by the way," Ritter grins broadly, knowing she has tricked him into mimicking a DC character. It would be heresy, but then the first man who played DaredevilBen Affleckis the current on-screen Batman (maybe all Daredevils are simply Batmen in training.)

The Defenders is a slippery Netflix property, one built on the promise shown by the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist are all individual shows created in order to pave the way for The Defenders, a series about a cut-rate and grimy set of superheroes operating around Harlem alleys, unlike their galaxy-guarding and planet-avenging big-screen counterparts. It is a tough ask, considering just how drastically the aesthetic needle swings between the shadowy coldness of the first season of Daredevil and the swaggering, soundtrack-powered thumps of Luke Cage. And the less said about the lacklustre Iron Fist the better, obviously.

I met the principal actorsThe Defenders themselves, if you willin early August as part of a story Im doing for Mans World magazine and they seemed aware that this show, one that saw them step away from their shows and their distinct sensibilities, is a tough call. You have to find your own feet a little bit," Cox admits. Its not like going back into another season of your own show. Tonally, that takes a bit of getting used to." They naturally profess to being as optimistic as possible, and Cox used a lovely phrase about how theyre all comfortable with their individual charactersbecause weve been playing them for a number of hours"which really says a lot about the long-form nature of serialized storytelling today.

The all-star showdespite being lighter in tone than the preceding shows, and with only eight episodes as opposed to the bloated 13-episode runs for each individual seriesis a missed opportunity. These actors are all talented and interesting to watch, with varied personalities and fighting styles, but the show goes through the motions a fair bit till they all catch upin episode 4, which is a bit of funbut then, they cant handle the screen-conquering coolness of the villain.

Alexandra, the baddie of the pieceand the best thing about The Defendersis a bona-fide legend. How do you, I ask our heroes, match up to Sigourney Weaver? We dont!" all four say with honest immediacy, with Finn Jones (who plays Iron Fist) raving about the Alien movies and Mike Colter (who plays Luke Cage) shaking his head and smiling at the thought. My impression about her, walking away from it, is that shes one of the least disappointing American icons," says Cox, as silver-tongued as a man playing a lawyer should be. Shes as brilliant and kind as you want her to be."

Playing roulette with the Marvel universe, I ask the actors which characters from that enormous library they would like to see their characters riff off. Cox votes for Iron Man because of his respect for the impact Robert Downey Jr had on the character, while Colter says the same, because Cage could be a good bodyguard for Tony Stark. Tony has a lot of money, and Luke needs the work, you know? When Tony doesnt have the suit on, hes pretty vulnerable," Colter smiles. Maybe he could use someone walking around with bulletproof skin."

Id like Iron Fist to team up with Thanos," Jones says, launching into a meticulous spiel. Id like Iron Fist to go dark side (which may or may not be a sly Darkseid pun) and kill all the other superheroes, and they can rule the world. But secretly, Fist is undercover, and then he kills Thanos and hes the new ruler. And he rules with peace and love." A nutty idea, certainly, but then these are bright young actors having loads of fun, with genuine camaraderie and a sprightly energy. Spending a brief while with them over interviews and at the shows premiere made me wish Netflix would make a series about the making of The Defenders instead of, you know, The Defenders.

At the very least, they should let Ritter into the writers room. I think Jessica Jones should have one 15-minute scene with The Punisher. If you know what I mean," she winks.

Theres your cue, Netflix.

***

Streaming tip of the week

In the mood for a tougher man than Luke Cage? Pete McCormacks stirring Facing Ali, now on Amazon Prime, is pieced together from conversations with ten Mohammed Ali rivals, from George Foreman to Joe Frazier. Who could have a better view of the black superman in action?

Stream of Stories is a column on what to watch online.
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The name of Ralph Laurens RL888 collection, its first collection designed exclusively for women, was not chosen because of any resemblance between the figure 8 and the symbol for infinity. 888 is in fact the address of the Ralph Lauren store on New Yorks Madison Avenue, a mecca for womens shopping. But the timeless elegance of this collection, launched in 2016, may yet ensure its place in eternity! The classic round case with its generous bezel, available in diameters of 32 mm and 38 mm, frames an understated yet original Art Deco-inspired dial, which features four oversized Roman numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 oclock, interspersed with eight smaller Arabic numerals. The slender Breguet-style apple hands, combined with a black-on-white (or white-on-black) dial, cement the watchs classically stylish appeal. Simple but far from unsophisticated, all the RL888 models are supplied with hour and minutes functions by the Swiss-made quartz calibre RL057, decorated with vertical Geneva striping, which is guaranteed to run for 60 months.



This years five new versions of the RL888 remain faithful to the collections aesthetic codes. Inspired by Ralph Laurens passion for fine jewellery, the most sophisticated piece is snow-set with 99 diamonds (totalling approx. 0.45 ct) around the bezel of the 32 mm steel case. The white lacquered and polished dial contrasts elegantly with the black alligator strap. The RL888 Snowfall Diamond also comes in a 38 mm version set with 153 diamonds.

Continuing the diamond theme, a 38 mm variant of the RL888 in polished rose gold offers a larger-sized alternative to last years 32 mm version. The 61 diamonds (approx. 0.99 ct) set around the bezel are complemented by a rose-cut diamond in the crown.





This years final two versions of the RL888 are both steel: one 32 mm with a black dial, and the other 38 mm with a white dial.

Although the watches themselves come in only black and white, Ralph Lauren has nevertheless given women plenty of colour options. The RL888 collection comes with a wide range of interchangeable straps in alligator, calfskin, patent leather, satin and grosgrain, in a broad colour palette. An 18K rose gold-plated steel bracelet, triple-linked for flexibility, provide a further, dressier option for the rose gold models.
Egypt has expressed its regret at a decision by the US to reduce aid allocated to the country, a statement by the countrys foreign ministry on Wednesday read.

The decision to reduce some components of the economic portion [of US aid] and to postpone the disbursement of some military components" reflects a misjudgement about the nature of strategic relations which have bound the two countries for two decades, the statement read.

The decision also lacks a correct understanding of Egypt's stability in light of the economic and security challenges facing the Egyptian people and also and implies a mixing of cards that may have negative repercussions on achieving Egyptian-American common interests," the statement added.

Egypt receives $1.3 billion annually in military aid from the United States and nearly $250 million in economic assistance.

The statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry did not include any details about the amount by which the aid programme to the country would be reduced.

In February, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson promised more aid for Cairo's counter-terrorism efforts and economic development plan during a meeting with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Washington.

However, President Donald Trumps proposed fiscal budget for 2018 includes cuts to foreign aid and other diplomatic initiatives, potentially affecting the aid programme to Egypt.

A US Senate hearing in April suggested that Washington reconsider its relationship with Cairo over what some in congress see as shortcomings in Egypt's human rights record.

Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid had said that hearing was held "with the aim of harming the positive ties between Egypt and the US administration."

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A US delegation headed by senior advisor to President Donald Trump Jared Kushner arrived in Cairo for a brief visit to discuss bilateral ties and developments in the Middle East with Egyptian officials, Egypt's official news agency MENA said on Wednesday.

Kushner is expected to meet with Egyptian Froeign Minister Sameh Shoukry and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

The son-in-law of the US president is on a seven-country tour of Middle East countries to hold discussions with officials in order to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, which has broken down in 2014.

Kushner is accompanied by a delegation of White House officials including Dina Powell, the US Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy to President Trump, and Jason Greenblatt, the US president's envoy on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

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Preparations begin after the 10-member National Election Commission that will oversee next year's presidential poll has been selected

In a statement this week, the Higher Council for Judges (HCJ) announced that members of the National Election Commission (NEC) that will be responsible for supervising Egypt's 2018 presidential election had been selected.

The HCJ said 15 August that Lasheen Ibrahim will head the NEC and Mahmoud El-Sherif act as his deputy. Ibrahim and El-Sherif are the most senior deputy chairmen at the Court of Cassation.

The board will include Mahmoud Abdel-Hamid and Abu Bakr Marawan from the Court of Appeals; Mohamed Abu Deif Pasha and Abdel-Salam Mahmoud from the Administrative Prosecution Authority; Faris Saad and Ahmed Abdel-Hamid Abboud from the State Council and Hani Mohamed Ali and Nadia El-Shahawi from the State Cases Authority.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Omar Marawan said this week that the site of the NEC's headquarters and its budget will be announced within days.

The NEC's first task, expected to begin early 2018, will be to revise voter lists.

Meanwhile, possible candidates in next year's presidential election say the work of the NEC needs to be complemented by guarantees the poll will be fair and transparent.

Reform and Development Party (RDP) head Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat said in a message to the head of the NEC 15 August that the commission must apply "rules that will safeguard next year's presidential candidates from media defamation campaigns and ensure that state authorities remain neutral throughout the poll."

"In the forthcoming presidential poll, no candidate must be above criticism, as long as the criticism is lawful and not based on character assassination," said El-Sadat.

In a another message to Makram Mohamed Ahmed, the head of the Higher Council for Media Regulation (HCMR), El-Sadat said the HCMR "needs to ensure media outlets are treated equally and do not promote particular candidates."

El-Sadat, a former independent MP, was expelled from parliament in February after an ethics committee found him guilty of forging the signatures of MPs on a draft NGO law. He was also accused of tarnishing the image of parliament in international circles and attending a human rights conference in Switzerland without parliamentary approval.

Although Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has not yet officially declared that he will run in next year's presidential poll, some political parties announced this week that they will organise rallies in support of El-Sisi.

The Free Egyptians Party and the Future of Nation Party, with 118 MPs in parliament (20 per cent), announced they will hold a number of public rallies in Egyptian governorates in the next few weeks in support of El-Sisi for next year's ballot.

Another campaign by the name of "Together with You for the Sake of Egypt" will be launched Sunday.

Ahmed Abdel-Hady, head of the campaign and chair of the Egypt Youth Party, said 10 political parties will attend Sunday's rally to declare their support for President El-Sisi's re-election and their appreciation for his role in "saving Egypt from the Muslim Brotherhood regime."

Article 142 of Egypt's 2014 constitution stipulates presidential candidates must first secure the endorsement of a minimum of 20 MPs, or 25,000 citizens from across at least 15 governorates.

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The Seventh Function of Language

By Laurent Binet. Translated from the French by Sam Taylor

Farrar Straus Giroux. 359 pp. $27

---

On Feb. 25, 1980 the celebrated French literary critic Roland Barthes was struck by a laundry van while crossing the street in Paris, later dying of his injuries. In August that same year, the Bologna train station was blown up by Italian terrorists, killing 85 people. Two months afterward, French Marxist philosopher Louis Althusser strangled his sociologist wife, Helene, supposedly in a fit of madness. The following May, Socialist Party candidate Francois Mitterrand beat incumbent Valery Giscard d'Estaing to be elected president of France.

These are all, as far as history is concerned, discrete events. But could they actually be connected? What if Barthes - an authority on semiology, the study of signs and symbols - had discovered a linguistic secret of immense power, one for which people would kill? The pioneering structuralist Roman Jakobson had famously promulgated six functions to language, but he hinted at the possible existence of a seventh, one in which words acquired the persuasive force of incantations or magic spells. If a speaker knew how the seventh function operated, he or she could convince people of anything at all. One could potentially rule the world.

Like Umberto Eco's conspiracy classic, "Foucault's Pendulum," or Zoran Zivkovic's "Papyrus Trilogy," Laurent Binet - a professor of French literature in Paris - has produced an intellectual thriller that will be catnip to serious readers. While it contains Bulgarian assassins, Japanese ninjas, a beautiful Russian agent, French politicians and several male prostitutes, its main characters are prominent European philosophers and cultural theorists, including Eco, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, Julia Kristeva and Philippe Sollers.

In the wake of Barthes's "accident," Jacques Bayard - a member of the French police's intelligence service - is ordered to look into the case. Why? Primarily because just before Barthes was run over, he attended a quiet lunch with Mitterrand (which is true). Secondarily because the victim's keys, wallet and papers somehow went missing (also true). When Bayard asks if the critic had enemies, Foucault explodes:

"'Of course! ... All he had were enemies: the reactionaries, the middle classes, the fascists, the Stalinists, and, above all, the rancid old critics who never forgave him!'

"'Forgave him for what?'

"'For daring to think! For daring to question their outdated bourgeois ideas, for highlighting their vile normative functions, for showing them up for what they really were: prostitutes sullied by idiocy and compromised principles!' "

Realizing that he is out of his element, Bayard recruits help from a young academic named Simon Herzog, who not only understands words such as "normative," but can also employ semiology to make amazing Sherlock Holmes-like deductions. Together they turn over Barthes' apartment, search for a particular male prostitute at a crowded steam bath and study the crowd at the great critic's funeral - but they never notice the black automobile that follows them everywhere or the workmen and police officers with missing fingers. Before long, as in many golden-age mysteries, various characters start to die while mumbling enigmatic words such as "Sophia," "Elle sait" and "Echo." None means what it seems.

Eventually, through a lead given by literary theorist Tzvetan Todorov, our two investigators make their way to Bologna, home of Eco, then merely a professor of semiology (though already thinking about what will become "The Name of the Rose"). There they learn more about a shadowy, centuries-old organization, a kind of intellectual version of "Fight Club," at which people from all walks of life debate philosophical questions. Winners gain immense prestige, but the cost of losing is high. At one particularly erudite confrontation, the movie director Michelangelo Antonioni is pitted against an unprepossessing old woman; still another requires the group's mysterious leader, known as the Great Protagoras, to face an upstart challenger.

The quest to identify Barthes' murderer and discover the seventh function of language eventually takes Bayard and Herzog to an international conference at Cornell University. Besides all the French hotshots we've already met, attendees include Noam Chomsky, Paul de Man, Gayatri Spivak, Helene Cixous, John Searle and Camille Paglia. Having been in graduate school at Cornell about this time, I can testify to the accuracy of Binet's descriptions of the university and Ithaca, N.Y. One of my own dissertation advisers, Jeffrey Mehlman, makes a brief appearance, as does the ebullient Morris Zapp, the protagonist of David Lodge's hilarious academic comedy "Small World."

Before long, this Cornell section zeros in on an intense controversy between Searle and Derrida (based on fact), but it also features several steamy sex scenes and an hallucinatory Walpurgisnacht that blends a witches's sabbath with "The Hound of the Baskervilles." And still there's more action to come: Did I mention the Red Brigades? The events in Venice during carnival? The election night revelations in Paris?

Like "HHhH," Binet's post-modernist novel about the assassination of Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich, "The Seventh Function of Language" doesn't just tell a story. Binet is also exploring the relationship between fiction and reality. His opening sentence proclaims that "Life is not a novel"; he sometimes interjects his own first-person thoughts - "I wish Anthony Hopkins would reread this passage for us" - and his creation Simon Herzog periodically wonders if he might be a fictional character. To my mind, Binet doesn't really do enough with these familiar metafictional tropes, and he's much better at satire and suspense.

Still, such a small reservation hardly matters when there's so much fun to be had in "The Seventh Function of Language," compellingly brought into English by Sam Taylor. Foucault, and Sollers, in particular, come across as wildly comic figures. What's more, Binet's alternate - or possibly secret - history hints that there just might be more to the rise of Barack Obama than even Donald Trump could have imagined.
"Ingrid Goes West" is a disturbing, darkly comic parable of the moment, a part-cheeky, part-creepy cautionary tale about meaning and connection - or the illusion of it - in these hyper-wired times when social media has, in some circles, supplanted actual social intercourse. It's the story of a lost and lonely soul who, in her desperation to belong, almost disappears.

Aubrey Plaza plays Ingrid Thorburn, a young woman who, after a breakdown that lands her, briefly, in a mental hospital, gathers up her belongings and, financed by a modest cash payout from her late mother's life insurance policy, heads to Venice, California, with the new Instagram moniker ingridgoeswest as her banner of reinvention. It's fitting that this broken person - or, rather, persona - has decided to make herself whole in La La Land, a place where a waiter, on her arrival, greets Ingrid with the restaurant's Question of the Day: "What's your biggest emotional wound?"

She, as it happens, can't say, having failed to do the hard work that comes before self-knowledge. Seeking easy endorphins elsewhere, Ingrid starts following an Instagram "influencer" named Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen), a style-savvy photographer whose paid product-placement postings Ingrid starts compulsively "liking" in the hope of being liked in return.

Following turns into stalking, and Ingrid quickly engineers a way of meeting - and then ingratiating herself with - Taylor and her boyfriend (Wyatt Russell), a painter whose work consists of found thrift-store canvases on which he has overlaid such hashtags as #squadgoals.

The first half of the film, which mocks emoji and other shallow, ephemeral forms of engagement, shapes up to be a satire of contemporary communication and the fruit-fly-fleeting nature of cultural discourse. Directed with light but not lethal touch by Matt Spicer, "Ingrid Goes West" mostly draws laughter, not blood. (Spicer is aided in this deft approach by co-writer David Branson Smith, who learned his comedic craft as an assistant to series co-creator Mike White of HBO's "Enlightened.")

But the humor in this movie soon turns far blacker, uglier and clumsier as things spin out of control after Taylor's sleazy brother (Billy Magnussen) uncovers the ruses Ingrid has constructed to worm her way into Taylor's life. Blackmail, attempted murder and something that feels very much like the brink of actual madness ensue, casting a sour, unsettling pall over the previously farcical proceedings.

Plaza, of course, is marvelous in the title role, embracing Ingrid's unflattering neediness with a commitment that's scary. And, in a small role as her landlord and pretend boyfriend, O'Shea Jackson Jr. of "Straight Outta Compton" shines.

There's an attempt to end on a hopeful note that doesn't quite jibe with the jaundiced outlook of the film that came before. What reason is there for optimism, other than the need for a happy ending? "Ingrid Goes West" doesn't quite go south, but in diving headfirst into the swamp of internet addiction, its vision gets a little murky.

---

Two and one-half stars. Rated R. Contains obscenity, drug use, disturbing behavior and some sexuality. 97 minutes.

Ratings Guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time.

End advance fri aug 25
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TRIP TO SPAIN: Comedic actors Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon again play slightly fictionalized versions of themselves as they travel Spain in a culinary road comedy. (NR)

GOOD TIME: Robert Pattinson plays a man on a journey through an urban underworld in an attempt to get his brother out of jail. (R)
UK minister for the Middle East Alastair Burt arrived in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss with Egyptian officials British-Egyptian cooperation and UK support for Egypt, especially in economic and educational reform, according to a British embassy statement.

Burt will also discuss regional issues and international efforts to combat terrorism with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and will meet with the minister of interior as well as education and business leaders.

"Both the UK and Egypt have faced senseless terrorist attacks recently, leading to the deaths of many innocent people. The visit is an important time to reinforce UK-Egyptian cooperation in facing the shared threat of terrorism, and how to combat radicalisation," the embassy's statement read.

The meetings will tackle new investments and UK support for Egypts economic reforms, including providing additional technical assistance to reform policies in the ministries of finance, investment, trade and industry, petroleum and education.

This is the minister's first visit to Egypt since he was appointed as the first-ever joint state minister for the Middle East and North Africa for the UK's Foreign Office and the Department for International Development.

The UK is a longstanding friend of Egypt and this visit to Cairo is an ideal opportunity for me to discuss further UK-Egyptian collaboration in many areas, including education and economic reform, Burt was quoted as saying in the statement.

Burt will also discuss the importance of job creation as an important step in helping the Egyptian economy flourish, and will meet with young Egyptian social entrepreneurs.

"The UK is working with the Egyptian government on licensing reform to make it easier for entrepreneurs to start their own business, which will improve the investment environment, benefiting both Egyptian companies and UK investors."

The UK is the number one investor in Egypt, with investments in the first half of 2016/17 reaching $2.9 billion, according to the statement.

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Texas has its fair share of glorified horror stories.

From the Texas Chainsaw massacre to The Donkey Lady to La Llorona, there are not many urban legends that Texans havent heard.

But perhaps the real terror lies within the hundreds of small towns that are scattered throughout the Lone Star State.

RELATED: 12 eerie Texas ghost towns to visit this summer

Social website OnlyInYourState.com listed 12 scary houses in Texas that could be haunted earlier this month, and we decided to build on that by introducing other nightmare-inducing abandoned homes across the state.

While it is unknown if evil spirits actually haunt these houses, the abandonments are located on or near some pretty creepy properties.

For example, Ranger, a small town in North Texas  which has numerous abandoned homes that are photographed by Flickr users  was once seen as a hub for members of the Ku Klux Klan.

RELATED: Drone footage shows the creepiness of an abandoned West Texas water park

On the other hand, a school in Indian Gap that has been abandoned for over 50 years stands near a historic cemetery.

No matter the case, these fear-provoking homes are as eerie as they come and the perfect gateway to the upcoming Halloween season.

Click through the slideshow to view photos of abandoned homes across Texas.

rsalinas@mysa.com

Twitter: @RebeccaLSalinas
On this date in ...

1917: It was announced that between 400 and 500 female employees of the General Electric Company in Schenectady would soon be outfitted with uniforms consisting of bloomer skirts and blouses, instead of unsuitable dresses. The decision was keeping in line with the practice being adopted by large manufacturing corporations nationwide as women joined the workforce making munitions and other commodities needed for war, taking the places of men now serving in the military.

1967: Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., in an across-the-board sweep at President Lyndon Baines Johnson's Vietnam policy, called for an end to the bombing in North Vietnam. He termed the South Vietnamese elections "fraud" and said, "with so many of our Marines being killed and wounded in the Demilitarized Zone, I would like to see more of the South Vietnamese defending their own border." He quoted the late President Kennedy as saying that the Vietnamese war was "their (the South Vietnamese) war  all we can do is help them."

1992: It was an unremarkable news item, made even more mundane in this age of chronic budget shortfalls and cash-starved state governments. The New York State Thruway Authority earlier this month officially announced what had long been expected  it would keep collecting tolls after the original 1996 expiration date. The move, approved by Gov. Mario Cuomo, was made without voter consent and represented an expansion of the authority's original highway-building role.

Want to read more about the Capital Region's past? See http://blog.timesunion.com/history/
On Saturday, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet donated $5,000 to Heifer International. Heifer, in turn, will give animals to families in need to ease hunger and poverty. Heifer provides tools, training, livestock and partnerships that help families live with dignity and opportunity. Here, Sister Mary Anne Rodgers, left, and Sister Diane Zigo, center, present the check to Kate Sheehan, community engagement manager for Heifer Northeast.
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State and county authorities descended on a Laredo adult day care Wednesday morning as the patrons calmly played loteria inside the main hall.

The Texas Attorney General's Office and Webb County Precinct 1 Constable's Office executed a search warrant at Las Flores Adult Day Care, 2502 E. Travis St., in connection with a Medicaid fraud investigation. Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible low-income adults and the elderly.

Authorities said they searched the adult day care for personal property, Medicaid-related patient/client files, Medicaid billing documents, records and evidence of Medicaid fraud. According to the search warrant, an employee was allegedly submitting fraudulent timesheets.

RELATED: Mailman stabbed in central Laredo

Authorities identified two owners of the day care as Tony Martinez and Jose Gonzalez. Both arrived at the day care after the warrant was executed and went straight inside the business to speak to authorities.

Attorney Carlos E. Flores, who represents the day care, also arrived at the location. He declined to comment on the allegations of Medicaid fraud.

"We're just assisting with the investigation," he said.

No charges have been brought.

State police officers and deputy constables came in and out of the day care throughout the morning. At one point, they carried out several boxes containing documents.

READ MORE: High schools in Laredo with the highest, lowest SAT scores, records show

"They are seizing documents that will help them continue with the investigation of this case," said Albert Torres, spokesman for the constable's office.

"We want the public to know and we want all the other business operating here in Laredo and across the State of Texas that provide services to senior citizens, whether it's through palomitas or day cares, that Medicaid fraud is a serious crime in the State of Texas," Torres said.

"We ask anyone who has any information on any type of Medicaid fraud, on any type of Medicare fraud whether it is in an adult day care or through palomita businesses or service provider, to report it to authorities," he added.

The Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit can be reached at 512-463-2011.
Air raids on Yemen's rebel-held capital on Wednesday killed more than 30 people, including civilians, local and international aid organisations said.

Hussein al-Tawil, head of the Sanaa branch of Yemen's Red Crescent, said at least 35 people were killed in raids on the northern outskirts of Sanaa, as rescuers continued to pull bodies from the rubble.

An official with an international aid organisation confirmed to AFP that at least 30 people had been killed in a series of strikes on Sanaa, which is home to the country's anti-government Houthi rebels.

At least 13 others were wounded and have been admitted to local hospitals, Tawil told AFP.

At least one strike targeted a housing accommodation unit where workers from a nearby qat farm were staying, according to witnesses and the unit manager, Taher al-Ahdal.

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1 Train collision: A commuter train crashed into a parked train at a suburban Philadelphia terminal early Tuesday, injuring dozens of passengers and the trains operator, a transit spokeswoman said. None of the 42 people hurt in the crash suffered life-threatening injuries, said Heather Redfern, a spokeswoman for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Some were considered walking wounded, she said.

2 Drug database: Utah will obey a court order to let the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration search a prescription-drug database without a warrant, despite a state law designed to protect patient privacy. The state disagrees with the ruling that found that people cant expect privacy in the highly regulated prescription-drug industry, but state attorneys have decided not to appeal after reviewing similar cases, said Utah attorney generals office spokesman Dan Burton. A federal appeals court also sided with the DEA in a case involving subpoenas of Oregons prescription-drug database.
Harvey, which could strengthen into the first hurricane to strike Texas since 2008 this week, has forced workers to be evacuated from Gulf of Mexico platforms and sent cotton rallying.

Currently a tropical depression, Harvey was 470 miles (756 kilometers) southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas, with top winds of 35 miles per hour, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory at 11 a.m. New York time. It could develop into a hurricane just before landfall.

"It could intensify right up to landfall on Friday," said Jeff Masters, co-founder of Weather Underground in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "I expect a Category 1 hurricane at landfall, but I cannot rule out a Category 2."

The Gulf Coast from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, is home to nearly 30 refineries -- making up about 7 million barrels a day of refining capacity -- and is in the path of heavy rainfall expected to start as early as Friday. Flooding poses risks to operations, while torrential rains can shut units and cause supply disruptions.

Fuel supplies in the region may be tightened further by other refinery outages. Phillips 66 began a plantwide shutdown of its Lake Charles, Louisiana, refinery late Tuesday after its power supplier warned of a high potential for electrical failure, according to a company statement.

"Biggest impact of this storm will be a significant reduction of crude oil imports into the Texas Gulf Coast, resulting in refineries cutting crude rates," Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston, said by email. "There will also be a significant impact on petroleum product exports impacting supplies into Mexico."

Ike in 2008 was the last hurricane to hit Texas, said Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center. Ike struck as a Category 2 storm on the five-step Saffir Simpson scale.

Heavy Rains

Along the coastline, seas could rise 4 to 6 feet above ground level and from 10 to 15 inches of rain will probably fall across parts of Texas into Louisiana, the hurricane center said. Some areas could get as much as 20 inches of rain.

"It is going to be a wet one," Masters said. "It is not going to move fast after landfall and that is going to cause big trouble" from flooding rains.

The current track calls for the storm to land in southeastern Texas and then turn toward Houston. Masters said at least one computer-forecast model shows the storm heading back into the Gulf of Mexico early next week before coming ashore in Texas again.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. said Tuesday it removed nonessential staff from some oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico in response to weather conditions.

Cotton rallied on speculation the storm will threaten U.S. crops. On ICE Futures U.S. in New York, cotton for December delivery climbed 1.8 percent to 69.03 cents a pound after earlier reaching the highest since Aug. 10.

"Some concern is developing" regarding the storm impact and the heavy rains expected in Texas, Louis Rose, director of research and analytics at Rose Commodity Group in Memphis, Tennessee, says by email.

Wholesale gasoline prices continued to climb in Houston on Wednesday as suppliers stocked up in anticipation of potential outages at fuel distribution centers.

Mansfield Oil Co., a Georgia-based fuel distributor, said it raised its storm conditions to a red alert. "Heavy rainfall is expected in this region, which could impact refinery operations and trucking logistics in the region," the company said by email.

Harvey's path will skirt offshore oil rigs and gas platforms owned by state-run Petroleos Mexicanos in the Bay of Campeche. The company said it has no plans to evacuate workers.

Removes references to storm-related refinery shutdown in lede, fifth paragraph.--With assistance from Amy Stillman, Sheela Tobben and Marvin G. Perez.To contact the reporters on this story: Brian K. Sullivan in Boston at bsullivan10@bloomberg.net

Harvey, which could strengthen into the first hurricane to strike Texas since 2008 this week, has already spurred one refiner to start shutting down a plant, forced workers to be evacuated from Gulf of Mexico platforms, and sent cotton rallying.

Currently a tropical depression, Harvey was 470 miles (756 kilometers) southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas, with top winds of 35 miles per hour, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory at 11 a.m. New York time. It could develop into a hurricane just before landfall.

"It could intensify right up to landfall on Friday," said Jeff Masters, co-founder of Weather Underground in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "I expect a Category 1 hurricane at landfall, but I cannot rule out a Category 2."

The Gulf Coast from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, is home to nearly 30 refineries -- making up about 7 million barrels a day of refining capacity -- and is in the path of heavy rainfall expected to start as early as Friday. Flooding poses risks to operations, while torrential rains can shut units and cause supply disruptions.

Phillips 66 began a plantwide shutdown of its Lake Charles, Louisiana refinery late Tuesday after its power supplier warned of a high potential for electrical failure, according to a company statement.

"Biggest impact of this storm will be a significant reduction of crude oil imports into the Texas Gulf Coast, resulting in refineries cutting crude rates," Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston, said by email. "There will also be a significant impact on petroleum product exports impacting supplies into Mexico."

Ike in 2008 was the last hurricane to hit Texas, said Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center. Ike struck as a Category 2 storm on the five-step Saffir Simpson scale.

Along the coastline, seas could rise 4 to 6 feet above ground level and from 10 to 15 inches of rain will probably fall across parts of Texas into Louisiana, the hurricane center said. Some areas could get as much as 20 inches of rain.

"It is going to be a wet one," Masters said. "It is not going to move fast after landfall and that is going to cause big trouble" from flooding rains.

The current track calls for the storm to land in southeastern Texas and then turn toward Houston. Masters said at least one computer-forecast model shows the storm heading back into the Gulf of Mexico early next week before coming ashore in Texas again.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. said Tuesday it removed nonessential staff from some oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico in response to weather conditions.

Cotton rallied on speculation the storm will threaten U.S. crops. On ICE Futures U.S. in New York, cotton for December delivery climbed 1.8 percent to 69.03 cents a pound after earlier reaching the highest since Aug. 10.

"Some concern is developing" regarding the storm impact and the heavy rains expected in Texas, Louis Rose, director of research and analytics at Rose Commodity Group in Memphis, Tennessee, says by email.

Wholesale gasoline prices continued to climb in Houston on Wednesday as suppliers stocked up in anticipation of potential outages at fuel distribution centers.

Mansfield Oil Co., a Georgia-based fuel distributor, said it raised its storm conditions to a red alert. "Heavy rainfall is expected in this region, which could impact refinery operations and trucking logistics in the region," the company said by email.

Harvey's path will skirt offshore oil rigs and gas platforms owned by state-run Petroleos Mexicanos in the Bay of Campeche. The company said it has no plans to evacuate workers.

---

Bloomberg's Amy Stillman, Sheela Tobben and Marvin G. Perez contributed.
When the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination calls out a country, it usually means that things have gotten pretty dire.

Last year, it slapped Burundi with a formal warning for "reports of killings, summary executions, disappearances and torture, many of which appear to have an ethnic character." In 2014, it targeted the Islamic State for "crimes against humanity in Iraq." In 2010, it fingered Kyrgyzstan, voicing deep concern about massacres and plunders of ethnic Uzbeks.

And on Aug. 18, the panel turned its attention to the United States.

In a direct rebuke of the white supremacist march in Charlottesville this month, the committee issued an "early warning" on the United States. In a statement, it described the march of neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members as "horrific," writing that it was "alarmed by the racist demonstrations, with overtly racist slogans, chants and salutes," especially the "death of Ms. Heather Heyer" and "the injuries inflicted on many other protesters, as well as the terrible beating of Mr. Deandre Harris by white supremacists."

The statement did not mention President Donald Trump specifically, but it noted that committee members were "disturbed by the failure at the highest political level of the United States of America to unequivocally reject and condemn the racist violent events" and suggested that this lack of action has fueled a "proliferation of racist discourse and incidents."

Trump waited hours before responding to the events in Charlottesville. In his initial statement, he blamed "many sides" for the violence that unfolded there and did not condemn any hate groups by name. A day later, in a prepared statement, Trump condemned the KKK and neo-Nazis. But a day after that, in an off-the-cuff news conference about infrastructure, Trump turned to Charlottesville said there were "good people" on both sides during the protest, and he blamed what he called the "alt-left" equally for the violence.

Trump's comments prompted bipartisan outrage. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said the president "messed up." Rep. IIeana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., tweeted, "Blaming 'both sides' for #Charlottesville?! No. Back to relativism when dealing with KKK, Nazi sympathizers, white supremacists? Just no." Several members of the president's two CEO advisory boards resigned, as did his entire arts council. More than a dozen groups have canceled events at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Florida resort.

(Trump, for his part, continues to defend his response. At a Tuesday night rally, he spent several minutes re-litigating the issue, reading abridged versions of his statements.)

The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is tasked with monitoring compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, ratified in 1994. Its decisions focus almost exclusively on developing countries mired in ethnic and religious conflict, such as Burundi, Iraq and the Ivory Coast.

It has, though, occasionally targeted more-developed countries such as Israel and Australia. In 2006, the group warned that a Native American tribe in Nevada was being pushed off its ancestral lands in violation of their "rights as indigenous peoples." In 2004, it called on Israel to draft an "urgent report" on its treatment of people living in the West Bank.

In letters - less urgent than warnings - the committee has called out countries for xenophobia, religious intolerance and violations of the rights of indigenous people.

The U.N. panel's warning on Charlottesville reiterates what U.S. domestic groups have been saying for months - that white supremacy and racism are on the rise in America. In February, the Southern Poverty Law Center released a report that found that the number of hate groups in the United States has jumped for a second year. The report said that "the radical right was energized by the candidacy of Donald Trump."
Three veteran activists are staging a hunger strike in front of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception this week, calling on the Roman Catholic Church to open its church doors to undocumented immigrants fearing deportation.

The protesters - an elderly nun, a female priest and a former Jesuit brother - said they have penned a letter to Cardinal Donald Wuerl making the request, but have received no response.

Wuerl, the leader of the Washington Archdiocese's 620,000 Catholics, said in March that the church's values compel it to oppose the deportation of immigrants living in the United States. But he has expressed caution about the idea of churches acting as sanctuaries for those seeking to avoid deportation.

"The Catholic Church strives to help all who seek pastoral care, spiritual guidance and material assistance," Chieko Noguchi, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Washington, said Tuesday. "The parishes of the Archdiocese of Washington and also Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington are welcoming to all in need of assistance. We accompany those who seek help, whether material, legal, or pastoral. That is our calling as Christians, and that is what we do every day."

The protesters, all of whom have participated in hunger strikes before, began this effort on Monday. They spent most of Monday and Tuesday outside the perimeter of the church holding protest signs printed in English and Spanish. They are drinking water and, sometimes, coffee. They said police told them they cannot enter the church while holding the signs.

Felix Cepeda, the former Jesuit brother who came from New York to help lead the protest, said the trio is hoping to engage and educate the Washington community so its residents will push the church to allow the homeless and immigrants fearing deportation to seek refuge there.

"When we leave, the locals can continue the pressure," Cepeda said. "We are going on hunger strike to show how important this is."

The other protesters were Janice Sevre-Duszynska - a woman from Baltimore whose ordination by the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is not recognized by the church hierarchy - and Sister Megan Gillespie Rice, 87, a nun and longtime activist on nuclear weapons and other issues who lives in the Washington area.

Cepeda and others have also protested in New York to demand that Catholic churches there to serve as sanctuaries. Dozens of Catholic churches have shuttered in the New York region in recent years, and, instead of selling them, Cepeda wants the church to use them to house people in need.

The churches as a sanctuary movement has grown in recent years, with more than 800 congregations of all denominations serving as sanctuaries, according to Rev. Noel Anderson of the World Church Movement, which works with and tracks the U.S. sanctuary movement

"The churches need to be used for the needs of people and right now that means migrants, homeless and immigrants," Sevre-Duszynska said.
Kabul, Afghanistan

War-weary Afghans offered cautious praise Tuesday for President Donald Trump's decision to boost the 16-year U.S. military effort in their country, with many expressing hope that more American troops could reverse Taliban insurgents' momentum and stem the mounting casualties suffered by Afghan security forces and civilians.

With the Taliban holding more territory than at any point since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, Trump's announcement of a "fight to win" strategy soothed Afghans who worried the United States was abandoning its longest war as it had settled into a bloody stalemate.

"I am grateful to President Trump and the American people for this affirmation of support for our efforts to achieve self-reliance and for our joint struggle to rid the region from the threat of terrorism," Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in a statement.

Many also cheered Trump's demand that neighboring Pakistan "change immediately" its policy of harboring the Taliban and other militant groups carrying out attacks in Afghanistan.

"I believe the U.S. has seen Pakistan in a better light than Afghanistan, so I would be optimistic and support the new strategy of the United States if it implements it honestly," said Nasir Karimi, a 22-year-old psychology student at Kabul University. "Still, I can't trust that the U.S. will be honest."

Afghans' wariness is rooted in a history of U.S. inconsistency in the country. U.S. forces quickly ousted the Taliban government from power in Afghanistan following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks but then diverted troops and focus to the Iraq war, allowing Taliban fighters back into the country.

President Barack Obama announced a troop surge in 2009 but, in the view of many Afghans, undermined the strategy by setting a withdrawal deadline that reassured the Taliban that it could simply lie in wait.

As the U.S. troop presence dwindled from more than 100,000 to 8,400 today, the Taliban have regained control of large chunks of northern and southern Afghanistan.

Trump did not specify how many additional U.S. troops would be deployed, but Pentagon officials have said the number is expected to be 4,000.

"President Trump has embraced a strategy that gives Afghanistan what it needs," said the Afghan ambassador to Washington, Hamdullah Mohib, including "a shift away from talking about timetables and numbers to letting conditions on the ground determine military strategy."

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif met Tuesday with the U.S. ambassador and "underlined Pakistan's continued desire to work with the international community to eliminate the menace of terrorism." But privately, Pakistani officials were stung by Trump's words  particularly his embrace of rival India.

Here, too, Pakistanis noted a whiff of inconsistency. Before his inauguration, Trump reportedly lavished praise on Pakistan in a call with then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who he said was "doing amazing work."

Trump's address Monday "has given a negative message to Pakistan," said Sherry Rehman, a lawmaker and former ambassador to Washington.

"The best possible way forward is to promote peace and harmony in the region instead of dividing Pakistan and India."

Opposition leader Imran Khan lashed out on Twitter, saying Pakistan had lost tens of thousands of lives to terrorism and was "being made scapegoats for the policy failures of the U.S. and India."

Pakistan's military appeared to anticipate Trump's criticism, holding a news conference on Monday to trumpet the success of Zarb-e-Azb, a years-long operation involving 200,000 troops to eliminate militant havens in the northern tribal areas.

Officials say 3,500 militants have been killed and thousands arrested.

Pakistan has carried out dozens of such offensives and has been accused of picking and choosing which militant groups it confronts.

But Pakistani officials insist this time is different. They argue that terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan have fallen by about half since 2014.

They blame several high-profile terror attacks on militants who, they say, enjoy safe havens in Afghanistan and the backing of Indian intelligence agencies.
Two days after a Catholic priest penned a repentant essay saying he had been a violent member of the Ku Klux Klan, officials in his Virginia diocese on Wednesday suggested that he may not have paid court-ordered restitution decades ago to an African-American couple on whose lawn he put a burning cross. The couple also said they've never received an apology.

In a remarkable essay entitled "Moving From Hate to Love With God's Grace," the Rev. William Aitcheson, 62, confessed he had been a leader of a KKK lodge in Maryland in his early 20s until his life was transformed, and he became a priest. He was charged with making bomb threats, manufacturing pipe bombs and threatening to kill Coretta Scott King in a letter.

"God transforms all of us in mysterious ways," the archdiocese wrote on its Facebook page Tuesday to a parishioner praising Aitcheson.

But Wednesday morning, the diocese - which oversees northern and eastern Virginia - released a statement appearing to say the story was more complicated.

"The Diocese of Arlington learned this past weekend of civil damages awarded in 1982 in a case involving Fr. William Aitcheson. We are coordinating with Father Aitcheson in his efforts to seek reconciliation and make restitution. Father Aitcheson fully understands this is his obligation and that he must do what is possible to make this situation right," the statement read.

Also Wednesday, the couple who were victims of Aitcheson as young newlyweds held a news conference in Washington, saying he had never apologized to them and alleging his KKK past was about to come out before he penned the essay in the Arlington (Virginia) Catholic Herald.

Aitcheson had been ordered by a federal judge in the early 1980s to pay about $20,000 in damages in a civil lawsuit to Barbara and Phillip Butler after he burned a cross in the couple's front yard in College Park, Maryland, in 1977. It wasn't immediately clear from court records if he had ever paid it, although the Butlers and their lawyer said Wednesday it was never paid.

As part of that case, Aitcheson had also been ordered to pay two Jewish groups - B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation at the University of Maryland and the Beth Torah Congregation in Hyattsville - $1,500 each for burning crosses at their properties in 1976.

He was also barred by a judge from any further acts of intimidation or terror against the Butlers or any blacks or Jews in the D.C. metro area. It also wasn't immediately clear if Aitcheson had paid the two Jewish groups.

The statement Wednesday from Billy Atwell, a spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, indicated that Aitcheson and Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge want to meet in a "pastoral, private setting" with the Butlers "in the hope that it may bring them healing." The diocese also said it has reached out to a lawyer who is representing the Butlers with their invitation.

Ted Williams, the couple's current attorney, said the Butlers are asking that Aitcheson give up the names of other Klan members who assisted him in setting the cross on fire.

"Until that happens, the Butlers are not at this time interested in meeting with him," Williams said.

The Butlers said Wednesday they still remember the image 40 years ago of the cross set afire on their front lawn when they were newlyweds in suburban Maryland.

As a 23-year-old University of Maryland student, Aitcheson was charged with six cross-burnings in Prince George's County, one count of making bomb threats and two of manufacturing pipe bombs, according to a March 1977 article in The Washington Post.

Officials at the Catholic Diocese of Arlington said that when Aitcheson came to the diocese more than 24 years ago, they "learned of his past as well as his sincere conversion of heart." It is not clear how many people at his current or past parishes knew about his past with the KKK, but officials said there have been no accusations of racism against Aitcheson while at the diocese.

"My actions were despicable," Aitcheson wrote. "When I think back on burning crosses, a threatening letter, and so on, I feel as though I am speaking of somebody else. It's hard to believe that was me."

The Butlers were the fifth black family in College Park Woods, a subdivision in Prince George's County, when the cross burning incident occurred, according to a 1982 article in The Washington Post. In the weeks following the cross burning, Phillip Butler slept in the living room, and the police started monitoring the house, according to the article.

"Every time we hit the corner, we wonder, 'Is the house still going to be there?' " Phillip Butler, then 40, told The Post. "What's next? Is something going to come through the window? You don't know. To me, it's going to be like that forever. No one can take this away from us now. We are always going to be coming around that corner."

The family spoke publicly Wednesday as they were thrust back into a conversation they never wanted to be a part of. The 1982 article describes them as "private people who are uncomfortable with the attention," and Barbara Butler told The Post Tuesday, "we're just trying to get ourselves together."

Five years after the cross burning incident, President Ronald Reagan visited the couple and said the cross burning on their front lawn "is not something that should have happened in America," according to a May 1982 article in The Washington Post.
The following is a retelling based on contemporary accounts of a confrontation in Charlottesville between two middle fingers and a Confederate flag:

According to his family history, Allen Armentrout's great-great-great-great grandfather once put on a Confederate uniform and went off to war for the losing side of the U.S. Civil War.

More than a century and a half later, Armentrout, in his early 20s, has repeatedly argued that the cause his ancestor fought for has been distorted.

First by a "tyrannical government" that wants to erase Confederate history, and through "lies spread over decades that would simply say the war was over slavery, and North was right and the South was wrong," as he once lectured to city officials in Florida, where he attended Pensacola Christian College.

More recently the Confederacy was besmirched in Charlottesville, by people who "misappropriate Robert E. Lee and the Confederate flag for their personal agendas," Armentrout told the Daily Progress. He meant those white supremacistswho rallied at the rebel general's monument two weekends ago, provoking violence and horrifying the country.

So Armentrout decided to defend his concept of history. Last week he picked up his rebel flag, slung a rifle across the back of his faux-19th century uniform, and drove to Charlottesville to show the world what he felt the Confederacy stood for.

He couldn't have known it, but he was driving straight into the Great Middle-Fingered Standoff of 2017 - a viral conflagration that would cause hardship on both sides.

- - -

Lara Rogers didn't know Armentrout's family history, or Armentrout, or anything thing about him.

She was driving to work last Tuesday when she saw his flag peeking from a crowd of gawkers gathered around Lee's statue in Emancipation Park - just a few days after white supremacists had marched on her city beneath the same banner.

"The Confederate flag kind of throws up a whole lot of traumatic imagery very quickly," Rogers told The Washington Post. So she pulled over.

Her memories of the scene match descriptions that have run everywhere from the Daily Progress to CNN: Armentrout in his uniform with his gun and his flag, reverently saluting the image of a Confederate general as the crowd of residents around him grow larger and louder.

"I said many things to him," she said. "Our community is traumatized, this is wildly inappropriate, the flag you're carrying is a call to violence."

Armentrout's response, Rogers said, was the same one seen in so much footage of his demonstration: Nothing.

No retort, she said. No eye contact. He just keep saluting the general he would later call "the greatest American that ever lived."

"It was a lost cause," Rogers said.

So out they came: Fingers three-of-five and eight-of-ten, which Rogers held inches from Armentrout's face for the duration of his public reverence.

"Me standing in front of him with my middle fingers up was a half-hour," she recalled. "And a good part of it on my own."

Neither of them backed down.

Armentrout kept saluting and Rogers kept flipping him off as the crowd around them chanted "terrorist go home" and other things.

And still, as some chants turned into anguished, angry screaming.

And still, as a woman implored Armentrout at the point of tears: "You have a home to go to. You have people. There are people who are dead here, or injured."

Only after police officers took Armentrout aside and whispered in his ear did he leave the shadow of Lee's statue.

And even then Rogers followed him, berating him as he loaded his flag and gun into a police vehicle: "Can't walk out of the park by yourself? So proud and brave."

And even after that, when he had departed Charlottesville and she had gone back to her job and family in the city, there would be consequences.

- - -

In popular retellings (i.e. on Twitter), Rogers was the middle-fingered hero who thwarted a one-man epilogue to the previous weekend's public racism.

And rather than restoring Robert E. Lee's dignity, Armentrout became the subject of ridicule himself. Tweeters like reporter Adam Rawnsley reimagined the student's demonstration in the voice of soldiers from the Civil War:

"If I should fall on the field of battle, tell my dearest mother that I loved her and that she mustn't look through my browser history."

Armentrout, who did not return a message from The Post, tried his best to separate himself from the extremists who came before him.

"I hope that man serves time," he said to CNN of James Alex Fields Jr., who is accused of driving into a crowd of counterprotesters on Aug. 12 and killing Heather Heyer.

And he tried to explain, not for the first time in his life, his devotion to Confederate history.

"I went up there to represent what I believe is right," he told the Pensacola News Journal.

But he didn't make much headway with his critics.

"He's misguided and miseducated if he believes the Confederate cause was for states rights," Rogers said. "It's all white supremacy. It's all violence on black and brown bodies. It's just as bad."

And as the News Journal and other outlets reported, after the demonstration Pensacola Christian College apparently kicked the student out before he could begin his senior year.

"I have been released from my school and will be unable to return to college to finish my senior year," Armentrout told WXII News 12 in North Carolina, his home state. "I'm processing this and making adjustments to my life to compensate for this scrutiny."

A relative who didn't want to be named confirmed to The Post that Armentrout had been expelled, although the school said it couldn't comment on individual students.

"Pensacola Christian College recognizes the dignity and value of all people and we respect the history of America," wrote a spokeswoman for the school - which publishes curriculum used by fundamentalist Christian families and forbids female students from wearing pants.

"We encourage individuals to exercise discernment and seek to build reconciliation, especially during a time of mourning like Charlottesville is experiencing."

When Rogers learned of her opponent's travails, she did not feel much sympathy.

"I'm honestly surprised a Christian college in Florida did this, but I do think those things need to happen," she said. "It's normalizing white supremacy culture if they don't."

And besides, she has faced her own retribution since Tuesday's standoff.

Entire threads on far-right message boards are now devoted to attacking Rogers. One included a photo of her two-fingered salute, titled "What would you have done to Lara Rogers, if she was doing this to you?"

You can imagine the suggestions.

"I'm being doxxed big time," Rogers said. "My home address, and maps to my house where I live with my husband and three children."

And email after email filled with hate, a recent sampling of which she shared with The Post.

"Really thought you'd get past just being a c-- , huh?" a 3:30 a.m. missive begins, before the author hits on Rogers, insults her, attacks black people, and condemns her defiance of "that young man who was standing for what he believed in."

"We're now going to make sure he makes it into and through whatever school he wants," the man writes.

- - -

Sarah Pulliam Bailey contributed to this report.
Two members of the Palestinian group Fatah were killed in worsening clashes with Islamist groups in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon on Wednesday, medical sources said, bringing the number of dead to six in nearly a week of fighting.

The clashes at the Ain el-Hilweh camp began late last Thursday between Islamist fighters and a joint force comprising the main Palestinian factions, including Fatah, which are responsible for the camp's security.

Two other Fatah members and two Islamist fighters had already been killed and a total of 15 combatants and civilians have been wounded, a security source said.

The source said clashes had escalated on Wednesday, when gunfire wounded three people, including two Lebanese security personnel, outside the camp.

The fighting was triggered when a leader of an armed faction sympathetic to the Islamist Badr group fired at the headquarters of the joint security force last week.

In April, seven people were killed in clashes in the camp between the Badr group and the joint security force after it deployed there.

Lebanon's Palestinian camps, which date back to the 1948 war between Israel and Arab states, mainly fall outside the jurisdiction of Lebanese security services. There are some 450,000 Palestinian refugees living in 12 camps in Lebanon.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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James R. Clapper Jr., former national intelligence director, questioned President Donald Trump's fitness for office following his freewheeling speech in Phoenix Tuesday night, which Clapper labeled "downright scary and disturbing."

"I really question his ability to be - his fitness to be - in this office," Clapper told CNN's Don Lemon early Wednesday morning. "I also am beginning to wonder about his motivation for it - maybe he is looking for a way out."

In Trump's remarks, delivered without a teleprompter, the president threatened to shut down the government over funding for the border wall he promised, opined that North American Free Trade Agreement will likely be terminated and hinted he might pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, convicted last month of criminal contempt.

Clapper said watching Trump's speech, he worried about the president's access to nuclear codes.

"In a fit of pique he decides to do something about Kim Jong Un, there's actually very little to stop him," Clapper said, referencing North Korea's leader. "The whole system is built to ensure rapid response if necessary. So there's very little in the way of controls over exercising a nuclear option, which is pretty damn scary."

Clapper has become a regular critic of Trump, who routinely disparaged the intelligence agencies during his campaign. But such a statement about a president by a lifelong military and intelligence professional - who has served at the highest levels of government under Republicans and Democrats alike - is extraordinary and perhaps unprecedented.

Clapper, who said he has "toiled in one capacity or another" for every president from John F. Kennedy through Barack Obama, said Trump's Phoenix speech is the most disturbing performance he has ever watched. Clapper said the president should "have quit while he was ahead" after his speech on U.S. military strategy in Afghanistan. In that speech, the president read from a teleprompter.

In May, after Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey, Clapper said the country's core institutions were under assault from Trump.

"I think the Founding Fathers, in their genius, created a system of three co-equal branches of government and a built-in system of checks and balances," Clapper told CNN's Jake Tapper. "And I feel as though it's under assault and eroding."

The issue of Trump's fitness for the presidency has, until recently, mostly been raised by academics and partisan Democrats such as Hillary Clinton and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

In May, conservative New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, following revelations about Trump revealing classified information to Russian diplomats, suggested that the 25th Amendment be used, which provides for removal of a president who is "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office . . ."

Following the president's erratic responses to the deadly unrest in Charlottesville, the criticism came from his own side of the aisle, with Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., questioning whether Trump has the "stability" and "competence" that are necessary to lead the country.

"The president has not yet been able to demonstrate the stability nor some of the competence that he needs to demonstrate in order to be successful," the senator told reporters in Tennessee last week. "And we need for him to be successful."
PHOENIX - President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to shut down the government over border wall funding, said the North American Free Trade Agreement is likely to be terminated and signaled that he was prepared to pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is anathema to the Latino community.

Trump's freewheeling comments came during a boisterous campaign rally here during which he also went on an extended diatribe about the media, blaming reporters for the negative fallout he has received over his responses to the hate-fueled violence in Charlottesville.

Arpaio was convicted last month of criminal contempt for ignoring a federal judge's order to stop detaining people because he merely suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. A major Trump supporter during last year's campaign, he awaits sentencing.

"So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?" Trump asked the crowd. "You know what, I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine, OK? But I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe should feel good."

Trump last week told Fox News that he was "seriously considering'' a pardon for Arpaio and said he might do it soon, sparking speculation he would use Tuesday's campaign rally here to make the move.

In a speech that stretched well over an hour, Trump also expressed frustration with efforts to negotiate with Canada and Mexico to improve NAFTA, saying he was more likely to terminate the deal. He also blamed "obstructionist Democrats" for standing in the way of funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall and suggested a government shutdown might be needed to force their hand. And Trump called for ending the filibuster rule requiring 60 votes for many issues in the U.S. Senate, a move that Republican leaders have refused to embrace.

At the outset of the rally, Trump selectively recounted the series of statements he made in the days following the melee in Charlottesville, arguing that he "spoke out forcefully against hatred and bigotry and violence" but that the media - whom he called "sick people" - refused to report it properly.

"You know where my heart is," Trump said, before pulling a copy of his first of three statements on the violence out of his suit coat and reading it to his audience. He later accused the media of giving a platform to the hate groups that were central to the violence in Charlottesville that led to three deaths.

Following his comments last week, Trump was criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for blaming "both sides" for the violence and saying that "fine people" had marched along with white supremacists to protest the removal of a Confederate statue. He did not mention either of those remarks Tuesday.

The rally, organized by Trump's reelection campaign, came as the president continues to face criticism for his response to Charlottesville and feuds with fellow Republicans in Congress whose cooperation he will need to kick-start his sputtering legislative agenda next month.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, D, had urged Trump to not come to his city this week, saying that it was too tense of a time in the wake of the deadly Charlottesville clash between white nationalists and counterprotesters and that Trump could be setting the stage for more violent strife here. He also said that a pardon of Arpaio could make the situation even more dire.

Inside a partially filled Phoenix Convention Center, Trump was given a hero's welcome from supporters who chanted "USA! USA! USA!" and waved signs reading "Drain the Swamp," "Make America Strong Again" and "Make America Proud Again."

"You were there from the start, you've been there every day since, and believe me, Arizona, I will never forget it," Trump said at the start of his remarks, referencing a large crowd he drew at the site early in his campaign. His crowd Tuesday night numbered in the thousands but did not completely fill the hall at the convention center.

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Before his arrival, Trump traveled to Yuma, where he received a closed briefing on border protection - something he touts as being among his administration's successes - and greeted Marines and their families, signing a couple of autographs on camouflage hats.

Trump was greeted at the airport by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, R, who was not expected to attend the rally. Nor were the state's two Republican senators, with whom Trump has been openly sparring.

There was a heavy police presence in downtown Phoenix, with law enforcement seeking to maintain civility between Trump supporters and detractors. Authorities used tear gas to disperse protesters after the rally ended.

About an hour before Trump was scheduled to arrive, hundreds of protesters gathered across the street, shouting, "This is what democracy looks like!" Metal barricades divided them from the red-capped people streaming into the rally, some grinning and waving.

A police officer wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest could not say how many people had come to demonstrate against the president's visit. "A lot," he offered.

Uzma Jafri, a 40-year-old doctor from Phoenix, walked through the crowds of Trump supporters and protesters with a backpack of medical supplies. She said she came here to quickly treat anyone if violence broke out.

"My ethical background, and my moral background, is to assist anyone who needs it - regardless of if they hate me," said Jafri, who poured a bottle of water over her black hijab in the 107-degree heat.

Brian Ratchford came to the event armed with a .357-caliber gun to defend Trump supporters if things got out of hand

"He's an American for Americans," said Ratchford, 47, of Tucson. What Trump said after Charlottesville "was perfect - people on both sides were causing the problems," said Ratchford, who had been outside the convention center since 10 a.m.

Tuesday night's event was part of a familiar pattern for Trump.

When he finds himself under attack or slipping in popularity, he often holds a rally in a place like this: a diverse blue city that's home to liberal protesters but surrounded by red suburbs and rural towns filled with Trump supporters who will turn out in droves.

It happened in the first weeks of his presidential campaign, when he was dismissed as a sideshow and criticized for his comments on undocumented immigrants - only to be greeted by thousands of fans, along with protesters, at a rally at the convention center.

Then in March 2016, when Trump grew frustrated that he still had not become the presumptive Republican nominee, he planned a massive rally in inner-city Chicago that attracted thousands of supporters but was canceled at the last minute because of the high number of protesters. This March, when his presidency seemed constantly under attack, Trump held a rally in Nashville that attracted at least 2,500 protesters.

Unlike rallies in states that are solidly Republican, these events allow Trump to highlight the deep division in the country - and force voters to pick a side.

In Phoenix, campaign organizers expected more than 10,000 supporters to show up at the convention center on Tuesday night, and numerous counterprotests were planned for outside the rally. Local activists said they hoped to outnumber the rallygoers, sending a clear message to the president after the Charlottesville rally this month that attracted neo- Nazis and white supremacists.

"By coming here in a time of national crisis and a national question of where people stand, he is doubling down on his bigotry, continuing to race-bait and speak to his base," said Carlos Garcia, executive director of Puente Arizona, which advocates for migrants.

Phoenix is home to some of the most organized progressive activists in the country, and they have provided a much-studied example of how to fight at a grass-roots level to challenge lawmakers and change policies that target undocumented immigrants. The Phoenix area gave liberals one of their few victories last November: The ouster of Arpaio, the longtime Maricopa County sheriff, who was accused of encouraging his deputies to employ racial profiling and enforce federal immigration laws in the Phoenix suburbs.

In July, Arpaio was convicted of criminal contempt in Arizona for ignoring a judge's order to stop detaining people because he merely suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 5, and he faces up to six months in prison.

Last week, Trump told Fox News the former sheriff is a "great American patriot" who has "done a lot in the fight against illegal immigration." Arpaio told CNN that he had not been invited to attend the Tuesday night rally.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters traveling with the president Tuesday that Trump was not planning to announce a pardon for Arpaio at the rally.

"There will be no discussion of that today at any point, and no action will be taken on that front at any point today," she said.

A pardon - whenever it might come - would be likely to ignite the anger of hundreds of activists who spent more than a decade peacefully pushing for change through traditional channels, as well as the voters who chose not to reelect him.

"A pardon for Joe Arpaio is a pardon for white supremacy," Jess O'Connell, chief executive of the Democratic National Committee, said at a news conference here Monday.

Early Tuesday morning, local authorities closed streets near the convention center and installed barricades along the sidewalks aimed at keeping protesters separated from rallygoers.Many businesses and government buildings downtown closed early.

In the hours before the rally, as Trump supporters lined up outside the convention site, a police officer on his motorcycle drove by, repeatedly offering this instruction: "Folks, please drink water. If you wait until you're thirsty, it's too late."

Protest organizers said one challenge would be managing the hundreds of people not affiliated with their groups who showed up wanting to make a statement. Organizers and local lawmakers were urging a peaceful demonstration.

However, there were clashes after the rally, and police eventually used smoke canisters to disperse the crowds. No injuries were immediately reported.

While Democrats and immigration rights activists have been holding news conferences and speaking out against the president this week, Republicans have been quiet. No one answered the phone at the Arizona GOP offices on Monday or Tuesday.

Arizona's two Republican senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake, have at times been critical of the president. Trump has tweeted praise of Kelli Ward, a former state lawmaker with far-right views and a long-shot Senate candidate who is challenging Flake.

In the hours leading up to the rally, a few dozen Ward supporters were out on the streets wearing yellow T-shirts reading "TRUMP 2016/WARD 2018" on the front and "MAKE ARIZONA GREAT AGAIN" on the back.

This was Trump's ninth rally in the state - and his fourth at the Phoenix Convention Center.

His first event at the convention center was on July 11, 2015, a few weeks after he announced he was running for president and gave a rambling speech that cast undocumented immigrants as criminals and "rapists."

Although those remarks prompted criticism and led several corporations to cut their business ties with him, the support for his campaign was evident in Phoenix, where he had to upgrade to a larger venue and then still had to turn away many supporters - a showing that shocked many Arizonans.

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Lourdes Medrano in Phoenix and Philip Rucker in Washington contributed to this report.
Washington

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday commended North Korea for recent restraint in its provocations and said it could point the way to a possible dialogue with the U.S.

It was rare positive expression from the U.S. toward the authoritarian government in Pyongyang and comes amid a slight easing in recent tensions between the adversaries that had flared after President Donald Trump pledged to answer North Korean aggression with "fire and fury."

North Korea, for its part, had threatened to launch missiles toward the American territory of Guam.

Addressing reporters at the State Department, Tillerson said that North Korea had "demonstrated some level of restraint that we have not seen in the past" by not conducting missile launches or provocative acts since the U.N. Security Council adopted tough sanctions Aug. 5.

"We hope that this is the beginning of this signal that we have been looking for, that they are ready to restrain their level of tensions, they're ready to restrain their provocative acts," Tillerson said, "and that perhaps we are seeing our pathway to sometime in the near future having some dialogue."

Tillerson added a caveat.

"We need to see more on their part," he said, without elaborating.

The U.N. sanctions were a response to twin tests last month of an intercontinental ballistic missile that may be able to reach parts of the U.S., heightening concern in Washington that North Korea could soon be able to threaten it with nuclear weapons.
Singapore

Navy divers searching a flooded compartment of the USS John S. McCain found remains of some of the 10 sailors missing in a collision between the warship and an oil tanker, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander said Tuesday.

Adm. Scott Swift also said at a news conference in Singapore, where the McCain is now docked, that Malaysian officials had found one body, but it had yet to be identified.

The collision before dawn on Monday near Singapore tore a gaping hole in the McCain's left rear hull and flooded adjacent compartments including crew berths and machinery and communication rooms. Five sailors were injured.

"The divers were able to locate some remains in those sealed compartments during their search today," Swift said, adding that it was "premature to say how many and what the status of recovery of those bodies is."

"We will continue the search-and-rescue operations until the probability of discovering sailors is exhausted," Swift said.

He would not say where in the destroyer the bodies were found.

It was the second major collision in two months involving the Pacific-based 7th Fleet, and the Navy has ordered a broad investigation into its performance and readiness. Seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship collided in waters off Japan. There were two lesser-known incidents in the first half of the year. In January, the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka base, the home port of the 7th Fleet, and in May another cruiser, the USS Lake Champlain from the Navy's 3rd Fleet, had a minor collision with a South Korean fishing boat.

"While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation," Swift said.

He said the Navy would conduct an investigation "to find out if there is a common cause ... and if so, how do we solve that."

He said he had heard some reports speculating that the Navy could have been a victim of a cyberattack. "We've seen no indications of that as yet, but ... we are not taking any consideration off the table," he said.

Earlier Tuesday, the 7th Fleet said the sea search by aircraft and ships from the U.S., Singapore and Malaysian navies would continue east of Singapore where the McCain and the tanker collided.

Megan Partlow of Ohio, who said her fiance was on board the McCain, said in a Facebook message that they last communicated on Sunday and she was losing hope of seeing him again.

"My last text to him was 'be safe,' which is the same way we end every conversation. I'm just ready for answers," she said. The identities of the missing have not been disclosed but Partlow said her fiance's parents were in touch with the Navy's family assistance center.

April Brandon of Michigan said her son, Ken Smith, 22, is among the missing sailors. Brandon told Detroit-area TV stations that she was visited by two officers Monday.

Navy Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, on Monday ordered a pause in 7th Fleet operations for the next few days to allow commanders to get together with leaders, sailors and command officials and identify any immediate steps that need to be taken to ensure safety.

A broader U.S. Navy review will look at the 7th Fleet's performance, including personnel, navigation capabilities, maintenance, equipment, surface warfare training, munitions, certifications and how sailors move through their careers. Richardson said the review will be conducted with the help of the Navy's office of the inspector general, the safety center and private companies that make equipment used by sailors.

"Make no mistake," Swift said Tuesday, "our sailors on these ships are doing critical work at sea. And for more than 70 years, the U.S. Navy has helped guarantee the security and stability of the western Pacific. ... We owe it to the sailors that man the 7th Fleet and their families to answer the questions that flow from the uncertainty of what happened, how could it happen, and what can be done to prevent such occurrences in the future."

Swift also lauded the crew for righting the listing ship quickly as they tended to the injured. He said sailors set up watertight boundaries and shored up the ship's internal structure, and were able to begin evacuating sailors by helicopter within an hour or two of the collision.
TERZIGNO, Italy - Italy is in the midst of a self-imposed crisis involving two basic facts about Mount Vesuvius. First, Vesuvius, in the southern region of Campania, is an active volcano capable of erupting at any time and powerful enough to destroy entire cities, as it did to ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum in A.D. 79.

Second, the mountain is one of the centers of a national "squatter" crisis, with more than 700,000 people illegally living on its slopes.

An estimated 6 million people live in illegally constructed homes across Italy, the result of decades of state mismanagement, ranging from ineptitude to outright corruption. Italy urbanized rapidly in the mid-20th century, and the state proved incapable, or unwilling, to alter its laws to facilitate the necessary construction or city planning. Instead, developers rapidly built shoddy homes that met public demand, even if they didn't meet public building codes. Italians often cite the city of Palermo as an example of the cultural damage wrought by this process in the 1950s and 1960s. Instead of restoring the war-damaged city for a growing population, mafia-run construction firms paved over much of the historical city and built unsightly and unregulated high-rises on top of it.

The Italian government's traditional response to this self-imposed problem has been to tacitly encourage - and, for a price, even explicitly collude in - a circumvention of its own rules and regulations. For decades, developers have been expanding Italy's cities by building wherever they liked, including on land unfit for housing like Vesuvius.

Terzigno, a small town on the outskirts of Naples, is an unassuming emblem of these anarchical building norms. It is an idyllic commune where, on Sundays, much of the town amiably lingers in the central piazza after church service, and if you ask someone for directions, he might invite you to lunch with his family. At the same time, Terzigno and its charming neighboring towns are located on the slopes of one the world's deadliest volcanoes. It is one of the 25 full-fledged towns that comprise Vesuvius' evacuation zone.

Unfettered urbanization now makes Vesuvius one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, according to Lucia Pappalardo, a volcanologist at Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. She warns that a catastrophic eruption is possible and unpredictable. "Since we cannot calculate when a serious eruption would take place, the salvation of the population is only guaranteed by a preventative evacuation of the entire area at risk, which is extremely complicated because the area is densely populated and lacks adequate escape routes," Pappalardo explains.

The Italian state consciously overlooked these obvious dangers for decades. Much of today's population was born when building and living on this volcano were completely unrestrained. Only recently has the Italian Parliament attempted to pass laws to deal with dangerous illegal housing, but even these have been toothless. Urban growth around Vesuvius was not restricted by the state until the 1980s, when the government enacted the first in a series of housing condemnations in an official zona rossa ("red zone").

But the condemnations came with a hazardous loophole that allowed residents to continue building new homes in the potentially deadly zone in exchange for amnesty payments to the state. Families had been living in the hazardous region long before their homes were considered illegal - and many paid to expand in their hometowns. The population of the red zone actually grew after the condemnations were passed. Despite their controversial nature, amnesty payments continued in the red zone until 2003, when the state finally eliminated the option.

Local politicians have attempted to design plans for evacuation in case of a volcanic eruption, but it remains a struggle because of the sheer size of the population, much of which is lower-income and does not have the means to relocate. In 2010, an Italian journalist investigated several evacuation routes and revealed one that referred to a nonexistent road and a mayor who had never seen his region's plan. Luca Capasso, the mayor of Ottaviano, which is located in the red zone, explains, "Not only are many existing plans ineffective, but many municipalities in the evacuation zone have zero plan whatsoever."

Many residents are unfamiliar with official evacuation plans and, moreover, are skeptical of their worth. Maurizio Aurichio, a 24-year-old from Terzigno, says, "I have no idea what the evacuation plan is. No one does. But I've lived here for so many years, [and] so far we've been fine. If something happens, it happens." Another resident, Angela Russo, explains that after living in the area for 82 years, she is unprepared for evacuation. "It's not because I don't think about Vesuvius. In fact, I think about it often - it's the first thing I see every morning.  I know that it is a real danger, but no one has done anything about it, and I've had to accept that this is where I live. I wouldn't know how to leave."

Today, many disenchanted residents criticize the state's handling of the housing crisis as too little, too late. "It is like an absent father suddenly showing up later in your adult life and suddenly criticizing your unhealthy lifestyle," says Gianni di Dio Dragonetti, an architect who was born and raised in Terzigno. "The laws are backwards. Effectively, the state made money for nearly 20 years for allowing citizens to put their lives in danger."

What's clear is that the residents of Vesuvius got into their present situation because the Italian government didn't have a coherent plan for building cities and then lacked a plan for removing the cities that emerged. Now the only plan is to wait for the volcano to erupt.

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Cher is a journalist who covers Latin America.
Madrid

An extremist cell in Spain was preparing bombs for an imam who planned to blow himself up at a Barcelona monument, a key suspect in the attacks that killed 15 people in northeastern Spain told a judge Tuesday, according to a judicial official.

Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 21, was one of four men brought before Spain's National Court in Madrid on Tuesday to testify about the Islamic extremist cell that attacked pedestrians in Barcelona and Cambrils last week.

A Spanish judicial official said Houli Chemlal and suspect Driss Oukabir, 28, identified the imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, as the 12-man cell ideologist.

Oukabir and the other two surviving suspects who testified Tuesday, Mohamed Aalla and Sahal El Karib, denied being part of the cell, said the court official, who was not authorized to speak.

The cell's other eight members have either been killed by police or accidently blew themselves up while preparing explosives in a house south of Barcelona.

Es Satty preached in a mosque in Ripoll, home to most of the 12 pointed to by police as being possible cell members. Police have identified his remains amid the rubble of the Aug. 16 explosion that destroyed the Alcanar house.

Police found in the house over 100 tanks of butane gas and materials to make TATP, an explosive used in attacks by Islamic State militants. The group has claimed responsibility for both attacks  one Thursday by a van that mowed down people on Barcelona's Las Ramblas promenade and another Friday in Cambrils.

Houli Chemlal, the only survivor of the Alcanar blast, told the court Tuesday he is alive because he was on the ground floor of the house washing dishes.

The second suspect interrogated, Oukabir, testified he did rent the vans used in the attacks on pedestrians but thought they were going to be used for a house move. His brother Moussa was one of the five radicals shot dead Friday by police.

According to another person at Tuesday's interrogation, Oukabir told the prosecutor that his first version of events  telling police that his documents were stolen by his brother  was something he had done out of fear.

The third suspect, Aalla, said an Audi A3 used in last week's attack in Cambrils was registered under his name but used by another sibling, according to the Spanish judicial official. Police say one of Aalla's younger brothers died in Cambrils and another one is believed to be the second casualty in the Alcanar house blast.

The last surviving suspect, El Karib, owner of a cybercafe in Ripoll, told the judge Tuesday that he was only trying to make a profit when he bought at least two plane tickets for two alleged cell members.
The United States wants to know if the United Nations atomic watchdog plans to inspect Iranian military sites to verify Tehran's compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on Tuesday.

Haley met International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials in Vienna on Wednesday for what she described as a fact-finding mission, which is part of President Donald Trump's review of the deal Iran made with world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most sanctions.

"If you look ... at past Iranian behavior, what you've seen is there have been covert actions at military sites, at universities, things like that," Haley, a member of Trump's cabinet, told Reuters in an interview.

"There were already issues in those locations, so are they including that in what they look at to make sure that those issues no longer remain?" she said. "They have the authority to look at military sites now. They have the authority to look at any suspicious sites now. It's just are they doing it?"

She said she was traveling to Vienna to ask questions, not to push the IAEA to do anything.

According to the 2015 deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), requests for access "will not be aimed at interfering with Iranian military or other national security activities."

If the IAEA has concerns about "undeclared nuclear materials or activities, or activities inconsistent with the JCPOA, at locations that have not been declared" under Iran's safeguards agreements, the deal requires the agency to provide Iran the basis for such concerns and request clarification.

If Iran's proposals to resolve such concerns are not deemed satisfactory, there is a mechanism in which a majority of the parties to the deal can force Iran to "implement the necessary means" within three days.

When asked about Haley's visit, a spokesman for the IAEA said it had no immediate comment.

Iran's top authorities have rejected giving international inspectors access to their military sites and officials have told Reuters any such move would trigger harsh consequences.

"Why would they say that if they had nothing to hide? Why wouldn't they let the IAEA go there?" Haley said.

Iran's atomic chief was quoted by state media as saying on Tuesday that Iran could resume production of highly enriched uranium within five days if the nuclear deal was revoked.

In April, Trump ordered a review of whether a suspension of sanctions on Iran related to the nuclear deal - negotiated under President Barack Obama - was in the U.S. national security interest. He has called it "the worst deal ever negotiated."

"WITHIN HOURS"

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned last week that Iran could abandon the nuclear agreement "within hours" if the United States imposes any more new sanctions.

The IAEA closed its 12-year investigation into whether Iran had a secret nuclear weapons programme in December 2015 after producing a report that strongly suggested Iran did have such a programme until 2003.

Most U.N. and Western sanctions were lifted 18 months ago under the nuclear deal. Iran is still subject to a U.N. arms embargo and other restrictions, which are not technically part of the deal.

The IAEA polices restrictions the deal placed on Iran's nuclear activities and reports quarterly.

Haley said some of the questions she had were: "Are you looking at everything? Are you looking at those places where there has been covert activity in the past? Are you able to get access to these areas? Or are you being delayed? Are you being shut out from those things?"

Under U.S. law, the State Department must notify Congress every 90 days of Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal. The next deadline is October, and Trump has said he thinks by then the United States will declare Iran to be non-compliant.

"We don't know if he's going to certify or decertify the deal," said Haley, adding that she would report back to Trump and the national security team.

In a statement following the meeting, Haley's office praised the professionalism and expertise of the IAEA's work in Iran.

The U.S. review of its policy toward Iran is also looking at Tehran's behavior in the Middle East, which Washington has said undermines U.S. interests in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes the Iran nuclear deal is "one of the most important diplomatic achievements in our search for ... peace and stability," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.

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"Today, 20 U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations are active in Afghanistan and Pakistan - the highest concentration in any region anywhere in the world."- President Trump, remarks on the strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia, Aug. 21, 2017

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A presidential address to the nation is usually carefully vetted for factual accuracy. That's not always the case for President Donald Trump's speeches, but extra care appeared to have been taken for his speech on the strategy on Afghanistan. Still, this number - 20 U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and Pakistan - jumped out at us. It seemed rather high.

Where did this number come from?

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The Facts

The secretary of state designates foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), and Trump's phrasing suggested that he was referring to the list of FTOs maintained by the State Department. But when we asked the White House where this number came from, an official pointed to congressional testimony by Gen. Joseph L. Votel, the commander of U.S. Central Command.

"There are 20 U.S.-designated terrorist organizations present today in Afghanistan and Pakistan," Votel told the House Armed Services Committee on March 15.

A Votel spokesman, Maj. Josh Jacques, said he was referring to the foreign terrorist organizations designated by the State Department. He noted that the State Department has this authority under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended. "FTO designations play a critical role in our fight against terrorism and are an effective means of curtailing support for terrorist activities and pressuring groups to get out of the terrorism business," he said, saying more information could be found at the State Department.

But here's the problem: The State Department only lists 13 FTOs as active in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with one (Hizbul Mujahideen) being added just last week.

Indeed, the White House sent us a list of 20 purported terrorist organizations that were designated, and only 12 were on the official State Department list.

Haqqani Network

Harakat-Ul-Jihadi-Islami (HUJ/I)

Harakat-Ul-Mujahideen (HUM)

Indian Mujahideen

Islamic Jihad Union

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan

ISIS-K

Jaish-e-Mohammed

Jundullah

Lashkar-e-Tayyiba

Lashkar-e-Janghvi

Al-Qaeda core

Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar

Jamaat-ud-Dawa al-Quran

Tariq Gidar Group

East Turkistan Islamic Movement

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Commander Nazir Group

As far we can tell, the only source for this statistic is Gen. John W. Nicholson, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan. In interviews, news briefings and congressional testimony, he has repeatedly said that "of the 98 U.S. designated terrorist groups globally, 20 are in the AF/PAK region." His statements have then turned up in news reports, such as in the New York Times.

So where did Nicholson get his figure? His spokesman, Navy Capt. William K. Salvin, said that he added entities designated by the Treasury Department and State Department as providing financial support to terror groups under Executive Order 13224, issued by President George W. Bush after the Sept. 11 attacks.

A slide used by the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, commanded by Nicholson, was updated to show 21 terrorist groups with the addition of Hizbul Mujahideen.

But adding together FTOs and EO designations really mixes apples and oranges, as some of the EO designations are for providing support to terrorist groups instead of being a terrorist group itself. That's the reason the State Department has the legal authority to designate foreign terrorist organizations, and why the FTO list is considered the gold standard.

The total number of FTOs designated by the State Department is 62, not 98.

We asked for further clarification from the White House but did not get a reply. Trump claimed the number of terror groups was the "highest concentration" in the world. We will note that he left off a caveat that Nicholson often adds - that groups in other places, such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, have more members.

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The Pinocchio Test

The White House really needs to do a better job of quality control for important speeches. Rather than rely on a statistic ginned up by a field commander, someone should have called the State Department and double-checked whether it was valid to use this figure. If Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reviewed the speech before it was delivered, he had a responsibility to make sure it was correct as well. The incorrect number has already seeped into news reports - and now it has been uttered by the president himself.

Three Pinocchios

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Video: The president used a figure for terror groups that mixes apples and oranges, making it too high. (Meg Kelly/The Washington Post)

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Daniel Kammen, a renewable energy expert appointed last year as a science envoy to the State Department, resigned Wednesday, citing President Donald Trump's response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the final straw that led to his departure.

In a resignation letter posted to Twitter, Kammen wrote that Trump's remarks about the racial violence in Virginia had attacked "core values of the United States" and that it would have "domestic and international ramifications."

Demonstrations by white supremacist groups on Aug. 12 turned deadly after a neo-Nazi plowed a car into a crowd, killing one counterprotester and injuring at least 19 other people in Charlottesville. Two police officers were also killed when their helicopter crashed.

Trump's initial response was widely criticized, even by some by members of his own political party, for being insufficient and vague. Though the president later condemned the hate groups, he went on to effectively undo his conciliatory remarks by giving an off-the-rails news conference days later in which he once again blamed "both sides" in Charlottesville.

Kammen, who was appointed during Barack Obama's presidency, said it would be unconscionable for him to continue serving the administration after those remarks. He said he stood with "the unequivocal and authoritative statements" of a slew of other public officials, both Democratic and Republican.

"Acts and words matter," Kammen wrote. "To continue in my role under your administration would be inconsistent with the principles of the United States Oath of Allegiance to which I adhere."

However, his most biting message may have come in the form of a hidden acrostic; the first letter of each paragraph spelled out "I-M-P-E-A-C-H."

The State Department appointed Kammen, an energy professor at the University of California, Berkeley, as one of five U.S. science envoys in March 2016. At the time, Kammen said he would be working on various global energy initiatives, as well as "the wider Paris Accord."

In his resignation letter, Kammen also cited other concerns that predated Trump's Charlottesville comments, including the president's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord in June.

"Particularly troubling to me is how your response to Charlottesville is consistent with a broader pattern of behavior that enables sexism and racism, and disregards the welfare of all Americans, the global community and the planet," Kammen wrote. "Your decision to abdicate the leadership opportunities and the job creation benefits of the Paris climate Accord, and to undermine energy and environmental research are not acceptable to me. . . . Your actions to date have, sadly, harmed the quality of life in the United States, our standing abroad, and the sustainability of the planet."

During his approximately 18 months as a science envoy, Kammen said, the United States had "built significant partnerships in North and East Africa, and in the Middle East, around shared visions of national security, job creation in the U.S. and sustainable energy."

According to his letter, Kammen has also served in various federal roles since 1996, including at the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency.

"Today, Dr. Daniel Kammen made a personal decision to resign. We appreciate his dedicated service to U.S. scientific diplomacy during his appointment working on energy efficiency and renewable energy in Africa as a Science Envoy," a State Department representative said. "Margaret Leinen and Tom Lovejoy are current Science Envoys. The State Department's Science Envoy program supports the establishment, strengthening, and mobilization of regional and global networks of scientists to advance U.S. science and technology priorities and solve real-world problems."

Kammen did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Kammen wrapped up his resignation letter with something of a warning for Trump, borrowing the words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower: "A people [or person] that values its privileges above principles soon loses both."

Trump's response to Charlottesville has cost him the support of a slew of business leaders and Hollywood performers who resigned from various presidential advisory groups.

Kenneth Frazier, the chief executive of Merck, was the first member to quit the president's American Manufacturing Council, on Aug. 14, citing "a matter of personal conscience" and "a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism." Trump quickly rebuked him on Twitter.

Over the next few days, several more executives followed Frazier's lead, prompting Trump to lash out at them as "grandstanders" who could easily be replaced.

Before the end of the week, both the manufacturing council and the president's Strategy & Policy Forum had been disbanded. Though Trump announced publicly it was his decision to end both councils, those close to the process, including JPMorgan Chase chief executive Jamie Dimon, said the groups had already decided to disband.

Last Friday, the members of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities announced they were resigning en masse in a fiery letter.

"Ignoring your hateful rhetoric would have made us complicit in your words and actions . . ." the letter stated. "Supremacy, discrimination, and vitriol are not American values. Your values are not American values. We must be better than this. We are better than this. If this is not clear to you, then we call on you to resign your office, too."

That letter also contained a hidden message. The first letters in each of those paragraphs, taken together, spelled out: "R-E-S-I-S-T."
It's been 26 days since North Korea launched a missile.

That's one day short of the longest stretch that Pyongyang has gone this year without firing off a rocket. The question now is whether this gap -- and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's praise of North Korea's "restraint" -- opens the path for talks with Washington.

Tillerson told reporters on Tuesday that North Korea hadn't carried out "provocative acts" since the U.N. Security Council imposed new sanctions earlier this month, and said Pyongyang's temperance might lead to negotiations "in the near future." Kim Jong Un last tested a missile on July 28.

What happens next is unclear. The two sides could be making initial contact through a secret channel in New York. Other countries in the region may seek to restart six-party talks that collapsed in 2009. Or Kim could simply fire off another missile tomorrow, resetting the clock and raising tensions once again.

North Korea has said it won't place its nuclear program on the negotiating table unless the U.S. drops its "hostile" policies. Earlier this month, the North Korean leader said he will watch the U.S. a bit more before carrying through with a threat to fire missiles near the U.S. territory of Guam.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Kim is "starting to respect" the U.S., adding that "maybe, probably not, something positive will come out of it." The same day, however, the Treasury Department slapped sanctions on businesses and individuals in China and Russia that it said are assisting North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

Joseph DeTrani, who helped broker a 2005 agreement on North Korea's nuclear program, said he was "excited" by Tillerson's statement and hoped it would be received well in Pyongyang. Initial talks could probably be limited to the U.S. and North Korea before opening up to other countries later, DeTrani said.

"In exploratory talks you have to indicate where you want to go and deal with all of the issues that come in between," DeTrani, a former senior adviser to the U.S. director of national intelligence, said by phone. "Maybe the issue of hostile acts has to be addressed by something like a peace treaty."

Informal discussions have worked before, leading to trilateral talks between the U.S., North Korea and China in 2003. That laid the foundations for six-party talks that started in August 2003 and involved North Korea, South Korea, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia.

After those talks collapsed, both sides have declined to talk until the other meets certain conditions. The U.S. wants North Korea to commit to giving up its nuclear weapons, while Kim's regime wants America to stop threatening it with military action and end joint military exercises with South Korea.

Still, those conditions are vague enough to allow both sides to get back to the negotiating table if they want, according to a South Korean government official who declined to be identified because the discussions are sensitive.

South Korea is unaware of any concrete push for talks, and it's too early to discuss what North Korea would demand in a negotiation, the official said. Since North Korea opposes restarting six-party talks, South Korea would back the U.S. speaking directly with Kim's regime as long as the discussions are closely coordinated, the official said.

Japan would probably also support initial bilateral discussions between the U.S. and North Korea, according to Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior research fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Tokyo.

"Japan's position is to ask the U.S. for a stronger stance on North Korea, but will not rule out potential talks," he said.

China is likely to back any dialogue that eases tensions, according to Zhu Feng, dean of the Institute of International Studies at Nanjing University. For months, China's government has pushed a so-called freeze-for-freeze proposal, in which North Korea would halt nuclear tests while the U.S. stops military exercises.

"I don't think they will quickly agree on negotiations," Zhu said of North Korea. "It's still very hard to predict what Kim Jong Un's real calculation is."

North Korea's most recent prolonged pause in testing was between October last year and February, a period that coincided with Trump's election win and the impeachment of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye. The regime last tested a nuclear device in September 2016, the fifth since 2006.

Since Feb. 12, the regime has tested 18 missiles at the rate of two or three times per month. In another day or two, the pause will be the longest in six months.

Whether this is "another lull" remains unclear, according to John Delury, an associate professor of Chinese studies at Yonsei University in Seoul. North Korea's state media reported on Wednesday that Kim ordered more solid-fuel rocket engines, which would allow the regime to fire missiles with little preparation.

"Tillerson is smart to try and break the cycle of ignoring them when they don't do anything," Delury said. "This shift strengthens the hand of those people in Pyongyang who make the argument that we should deal with the Trump people."

---

Bloomberg's Kanga Kong, Andy Sharp and Peter Martin contributed.
Related Bahrain state TV accuses Qatar of trying to oust regime

Chad is shuttering Qatar's embassy and giving its diplomats 10 days to leave the country, accusing the Gulf Arab state of trying to destabilise the central African nation via its northern neighbour Libya, it said on Wednesday.

It is not the first African state to move against Qatar following its rift with other Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudia Arabia as well as Egypt.

Senegal said this week that it had reinstated its ambassador to Qatar after having recalled him three months ago, in a bid to encourage a peaceful resolution to the feud.

"In order to safeguard peace and security in the region, Chad calls on Qatar to cease all actions that could undermine its security as well as those of the countries of the Lake Chad basin and the Sahel," the foreign ministry statement said.

It did not provide any details to support the accusation.

The statement from Chad's foreign ministry added that it would close its diplomatic mission in Doha and recall all personnel.

Qatari officials were not immediately available to comment.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday told visiting Pentagon chief Jim Mattis of Turkey's uneasiness over Washington arming a Syrian Kurdish militia viewed as a terror group by Ankara, a policy which has strained ties between the NATO allies.

Mattis made the one-day visit after stopping in Iraq to review progress in the campaign against the Islamic State (IS) militant group, urging coalition partners to prevent other political issues from disrupting the growing momentum against Islamist militants.

He met with Erdogan at the presidential palace after talks with Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli in Ankara.

Turkey, an important NATO ally of the United States and part of the coalition fighting the IS militants, is incensed that Washington has been arming the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in the assault on the Islamist militants' stronghold of Raqa, in northern Syria.

Turkey regards the YPG as the Syrian affiliate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), but Washington has been impressed with its ability to combat IS on the ground.

In May, the Pentagon said it had begun transferring small arms, including AK-47s, and vehicles to the YPG to support its role as a leading player in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-Syrian Arab alliance fighting IS.

During the meeting, Erdogan told Mattis that Turkey was "uneasy over the US support" for the YPG, presidential sources said.

The Pentagon said Mattis addressed Turkey's "legitimate" security concerns in the meeting and both men expressed a shared interest for their countries "to create conditions for a more stable and secure region."

Erdogan has repeatedly vowed that Turkey will thwart any attempt by the YPG to carve out a Kurdish state in northern Syria, leaving open the possibility of a cross-border operation to prise the town of Afrin from Kurdish control.

"Turkey will not allow a terror corridor reaching the Mediterranean in northern Syria," Erdogan told reporters on his plane back from a visit to Jordan.

"Whatever the price, we will conduct the necessary intervention," he said, quoted by the Hurriyet newspaper on Wednesday.

Last August, Ankara launched a cross-border operation in northern Syria aimed at clearing the border zone of both YPG fighters and Islamist militants.

Complaining about Washington's arming of the YPG, Erdogan said up to 1,000 trucks had crossed from Iraq to Syria carrying weapons for the SDF, which Turkey fears will reach the PKK.

The rise of Islamist militants in the Syrian northwestern province of Idlib has also caused concern in Ankara, Moscow and Tehran.

Erdogan alluded to plans for Idlib, controlled by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Islamist militant alliance, but would not elaborate, only saying: "What is there now? There is Idlib."

US officials said Tuesday that the grinding fight was the "priority" in the campaign against IS since the fall last month of Mosul, the Islamist militants' Iraqi hub.

The Kurdish regional government in northern Iraq -- whose peshmerga security forces are playing a key role in the fight against IS -- is planning its own independence referendum in September.

But at the date approaches, the plan is fuelling increasing discomfort in the region.

Mattis met Tuesday with Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani in Erbil to express US opposition to the referendum.

Erdogan and Mattis reaffirmed their opposition to the vote, Turkish presidential sources said on Wednesday.

And Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, in Baghdad to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other Iraqi officials, reiterated Turkey's opposition to the "wrong" decision to hold the referendum.

Cavusoglu also held talks with Barzani in Arbil.

The US is concerned at signs of warming ties between Iran and Turkey, whose relationship in the past has been far from straightforward.

The Pentagon said Mattis and Canikli discussed "concern over Iran's malign influence in the region", without giving further details.

Iranian armed forces chief General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri visited Turkey last week, with both sides agreeing to step up regional security and oppose the Kurdish referendum.

Erdogan on Monday said a joint operation with Iran against Kurdish militants based in Iraq was "always on the agenda", but Iran's Revolutionary Guards denied the claim.

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Area authorities raided several locations in and around San Antonio on Wednesday morning, going after members of a ring suspected of distributing large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine.

This is the culmination of a five-month effort by (the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) and the Texas Department of Public Safety targeting heroin and methamphetamine trafficking, said Wendell Campbell, a spokesman for the DEA. Its been a very active case; 40 arrests have been made.

Officials focused on 15 of the remaining suspects during Wednesdays operation. The San Antonio Express-News confirmed SWAT teams hit homes that included one in the 1100 block of Gibbs Street on the East Side, another in the 2800 block of Longmeadow Drive on the Southwest Side and at least one near Old Pearsall Road and Loop 410. Most of the 40 already had been arrested on federal and state charges as the investigation progressed, Campbell said.

Besides making seizures of heroin and meth, guns and cash during the investigation, agents also raided a meth conversion lab in June at an apartment complex on Huebner Road.

Conversion labs are not typical labs where meth is made. Instead, officials say, the drug is kept in liquid form  the new way for Mexican drug cartels to smuggle it into the United States. Often its hidden in vehicle parts that would already have liquid, like gas tanks, or in some other solution.

The conversion labs serve to separate the meth from the solution by using containers like gallon-size Thermos containers and pouring the solution into plastic storage tubs until the meth crystalizes, the DEA said.

Records show the investigation is tied to an indictment last week that included Mike Flores Jr., 45, who served time for a 2004 drug conviction after San Antonio police raided his home and found drugs, cash and even one of their own officers at the scene.

That now-former officer, Enrique Hinojosa, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting Flores and others in the drug operations, records show.

In the latest case, Flores is listed as the lead defendant of 14 suspects accused of dealing heroin who were indicted last week. Court records in that case show Flores was arrested Aug. 3 after he allegedly bought a kilogram of heroin from Pedro Requejo Gutierrez, 68, and crashed while fleeing from agents.

Also indicted in the case is Requejos brother Genaro Requejo, 60, who was arrested July 26 during a traffic stop in which DPS officers reported finding 250 grams of heroin in his car. Genaro Requejo reportedly told officers he had paid $11,500 for the heroin.

As part of the investigation, agents raided an apartment June 2 in the 11000 block of Huebner Road and seized 1 kilogram of heroin and 5 gallons of meth solution. The solution would make about 15 pounds of crystal meth when separated, according to the DEA.

Court records identify three suspects arrested on federal charges in connection with the conversion lab: Christian Gallegos, Yoan Lloya Morales and Larry Ozuna. They were among 11 defendants indicted June 21 on charges of trafficking heroin and meth, records show.

A judge ordered those arrested Wednesday to be held pending bail hearings in the coming weeks.

gcontreras@express-news.net

Twitter: @gmaninfedland
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A San Antonio man received life in prison Wednesday for killing a man during a 24-hour spree in 2014 in which hes accused of killing another man and injuring a security guard.

Charles Ray Hall was 28 when he was arrested and charged with murder in the death of Lawrence Carroll Sr., 67, on May 27, 2014. Carroll was fatally shot after he answered his front door at a Northeast Side apartment complex in the 200 block of Victor Street, where they both lived. Hall is also accused of shooting security guard Angel Maldonado, who survived his injuries.

A Bexar County jury heard Hall confess to killing Carroll on Monday, the beginning of the punishment phase. The jury also heard Hall admit killing another man the night before  50-year-old Rogelio Ramos, who was shot outside of a Northeast Side convenience store May 26, 2014.

On Tuesday, the jury watched Halls rambling, incoherent interview with detectives after his arrest. Later in the day, the jury heard a psychiatrist talk about Halls history of mental illness.

Now Playing: 4 videos to watch this week Video: San Antonio Express-News

Attorneys asked District Judge Jefferson Moore to instruct the jury before closing arguments that they could consider the defendants insanity in their deliberations.

In her closing argument, defense attorney Judith Karls Wemmert pleaded with the jury not to do what society does and send a man who suffers from mental illness to prison.

Charles knew right from wrong, according to Dr. (Bryan) Scott, but his illness prevented him from being in control, Wemmert told the panel. Dr. Scott said mental illness is not an excuse, but puts into perspective why people do what they do when they have mental illness.

She asked the jury not to sentence him to life in prison, with the hopes that if he reaches parole, Hall could be committed to a facility to deal with his illness.

But prosecutor Gretchen Flader, using photographs of victims Carroll Sr. and Ramos, reminded the panel that Hall, in his interview with detectives, admitted shooting one victim in the (expletive) head, and the other between the eyes.

He did know he what he was doing was wrong, Flader told the jury. So what are their (the victims) lives worth? He deserves life.

Hall, whose murder trial started Aug. 15, was convicted of murder Aug. 18.

Now 31 years old, Hall still has the Ramos case and two aggravated assault cases related to both shootings pending. Although he received a life sentence, he must serve 30 years before being eligible for parole.
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Ed Sheeran is no Hoax.

Wearing a tee emblazoned with the word, Sheeran was greeted with deafening screams on what was unofficially ladies' night Tuesday at the AT&T Center, a welcome befitting the hottest male act in the world.

Armed with his trusty guitar, the flame-haired troubadour opened with two energetic tunes, Castle on the Hill and Eraser from his latest album, "" (Divide), which has been topping charts since its release.

Charming the audience with a mention of the San Antonio Spurs, he launched into The A Team, one of his early hits, asking the crowd to light up the stadium with their phones. Late in the show he even donned LaMarcus Aldridge's Spurs jersey.

That this 26-year-old can engage and mesmerize a sold-out stadium of about 14,000 with only a guitar, a low pedal and a fancy-pants video backdrop, speaks to Sheeran's sheer talent. He even had the crowd roaring every time he took a swig of water.

Sheeran has definitely come far since his last visit to San Antonio, when he opened for another superstar, Taylor Swift.

He had the audience singing along to every song he delivered, including my favorite, Dive, the dizzying Bloodstream and the delightful Barcelona.

His performance of Photograph, lovely in its own right, was made even lovelier when an audience member proposed to his love. She said yes. With that, he dedicated the next song, Perfect, to them.

Sheeran's pal, James Blunt, did a beautiful job opening the night, but knew well he wasn't the main attraction, calling his friend the biggest male artist in the whole world.

Backed by a four-member band, Blunt opened with Time of Our Lives then confessed he was going to play all his new songs and make the crowd wait for the one song it knows. You know the one.

The audience responded warmly to the songs leading up to Blunt's hit  he does have more than one, BTW  enthusiastically lighting up the stadium with their phones for Blunt's miserable (his words) but passionate song about illicit love, Don't Give Me Those Eyes and swooning over the romantic Make Me Better, which he co-wrote with Sheeran.

The payoff came when Blunt delivered You're Beautiful, as promised. Saying, I'm told reliably that most of you were conceived to this song, he had many on their feet and, of course, singing along, a theme for the evening.

ssantos@express-news.net
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari cancelled the weekly cabinet meeting he was due to lead Wednesday, the first since returning from a long overseas medical absence, raising questions about his health.

An announcement Tuesday that Buhari will work from home following more than 100 days of medical treatment in London because of a rodent infestation in his official office had already raised questions about his condition.

"The meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) will not hold today," the presidency said in a short statement, adding that Buhari, 74, would still receive an update on a corruption investigation against two suspended senior officials.

Buhari left Nigeria on May 7 for his second round of treatment in Britain this year for an unspecified medical condition, having already spent two months in the British capital for healthcare reasons.

Buhari, a retired general elected in 2015, temporarily handed power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to allay fears of a leadership vacuum in a country deeply divided along ethnic and religious fault lines.

His prolonged absence caused tensions back home where calls grew for him to either return or resign.

Political analysts warned that the cancellation of Wednesday's meeting could mean that Buhari has not fully recovered.

"What the latest cancellation of the FEC meeting means is that Buhari does not have the full capacity, in terms of his health, to function," Chris Ngwodo, a political consultant, told AFP.

"I see a picture of somebody who does not have 100 percent fitness. That explains why he's not been able to function properly."

Ngwodo added that the day-to-day running of Nigeria could suffer as a result of Buhari's condition.

"I see a slow-down in governance in Nigeria. This will not augur well for the country -- especially at this crucial time," he said.

Nigeria is grappling with serious security problems, including a jihadist insurgency in the northeast, clashes between farmers and herdsman in the centre of the country, alongside kidnappings and separatism in the south.

The west African powerhouse is also in the grip of a second year of recession, triggered by lower oil prices which have slashed government revenues, weakened the local currency and caused a shortage of US dollars.

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Thousands of people suffer burn injuries every year in the United States. Beyond the physical and psychological pain, burn victims are oftentimes met with financial burdens caused by massive medical bills and the inability to return to work.

Burns can be caused by toxic chemicals, electrical shock, explosions, fire, hot surfaces and liquid, or radiation. When your burn is caused by negligence on the part of an individual, business, or corporation, who can be held accountable for your injuries?

Who is Liable for Your Burns?

When you suffer a burn injury, who you can sue depends upon the mechanism that caused the burn. The causes of burns are numerous  here are a few examples:

Automobile accidents

Defective products, including household items, vehicles, and industrial equipment

Dangerous premises with faulty electrical wiring or scalding water from water heaters

Exposure to harmful chemicals

Workplace accidents, including oil refinery explosions, oilfield incidents, and construction-related accidents

The at-fault driver in a car crash that led to your burn injury could be held responsible. The manufacturer of a defective machine or tool could be liable for your burn injuries. A property owner could be held liable if the premises they own or oversee are not reasonably safe. Your employer or a third-party on a work site could be responsible for a severe burn injury that occurred on the job if proper safety procedures were ignored.

An experienced injury attorney will investigate your accident, determine who is at fault and responsible for your burns, and help you recover damages such as past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Burn Injury Levels of Severity

Burns are classified into three levels of severity:

First-degree  These burns affect the outer layer of the skin and generally heal within a week. Symptoms include minor pain and swelling and are typically treated with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, aloe vera, and antibiotic ointment. Sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn.

Second-degree  These burns cause damage beyond the top layer of the skin and may take several weeks to heal. Symptoms include extreme redness, pain, and fluid-filled blisters. In severe cases, skin grafting may be required over the area of the burn. Scars may also develop in these cases.

Third-degree  These burns penetrate every layer of skin and into the underlying tissue. Third-degree burns can be extremely painful or may cause little pain due to extensive nerve damage. Symptoms include black or white color, leathery texture, blistering, and scarring. Treatment from a medical professional is required in order for the burn to heal and prevent complications, such as infections, tetanus, hypothermia, and in severe cases death. People with third-degree burns oftentimes require several surgeries, years of therapy and rehabilitation, and psychological and mental care due to disfigurement and scarring.

Thomas J. Henry handles burn cases because it is important that victims of these devastating injuries are rightfully compensated for their pain, disfigurement, and years of future surgeries and rehabilitation. For burn injury cases, we employ experts that can properly describe to a jury the kind of extensive care that will be required over a burn victim's lifetime.

Contact an Experienced Burn Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury at work, in an automobile accident, due to a defective product, or in any other fashion, contact Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys immediately. When a severe injury such as a burn is caused by an individual or company's negligence, you deserve to be compensated. Our burn lawyers are available 24/7, nights and weekends to evaluate your claim and provide you with a free case review.

Editors Note: This content is made possible by Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com.
Israel will strip 20 citizens who left to fight with the Islamic State (IS) group of their citizenship, a minister said Wednesday, with reports saying all but two are Arab.

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said an amendment to Israel's nationality act which went into force this month allows those engaged in hostile activity to be stripped of their citizenship in absentia.

"I asked that the citizenship of 20 such Israelis be revoked," he told Israeli army radio.

The Shin Bet security service has in the past estimated that several dozen Israeli nationals had been fighting for IS in Iraq and Syria but now says that "about 20" remain active.

The remainder, it says, were either killed in action or returned to Israel, where they were arrested.

Deri said that the amendment would prevent IS recruits from returning to the Jewish state, while also acting as a deterrent to young Israelis considering similar journeys.

Without the bill, he said, they would return to the country and eventually "carry out another car ramming attack."

He said each individual decision would receive due process.

Private Israeli TV Channel Two reported Tuesday that most of those to be stripped of their citizenship were Arab Palestinians -- descendents of those who were not expelled by Zionist gangs after the creation of Israel in 1948.

However, it said, two were originally Jews -- immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union who had converted to Islam and joined the fighting in Syria.

The Shin Bet has said that IS sympathisers among the Jewish state's Arab minority pose a "serious security threat" for Israel.

By the end of 2016, 83 people, most of them Arab Israelis, were behind bars in Israel as suspected IS sympathisers, up from just 12 a year earlier, according a recent report in newspaper Haaretz.

Some were arrested for planning to travel to Syria or Iraq to fight alongside the jihadists, or on their return to Israel.

Others were detained for contacts on the internet with IS militants abroad or for planning attacks at home.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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The state of County Longfords eyecare provision has come under the spotlight once again this week amid claims patients would have to put up with a sketchy service for the next six months.

Those claims, made by Cllr Peggy Nolan, were ones which come on the back of ongoing efforts by HSE management to provide maternity cover for the countys current opthamologist.

In an article carried by the Leader four weeks ago, HSE officials revealed interviews were being held, but warned a problem would remain with locum cover should the present stand-in be successful.

Cllr Nolan said she had since received assurances over the countys ophthalmology service in recent days with a caveat nonetheless that deliverance levels would remain sketchy for the next six months.

This, to me, is quite unacceptable, she seethed, saying the issue now needed to be addressed by Health Minister Simon Harris directly.

Thats what I am calling for-ministerial intervention. Can you, for instance, imagine our children coming out of school and having to travel to Athlone, never mind the impact that it would also have on those from St Christophers and the elderly.

Cllr Nolan said even with the HSEs undertaking over Longfords ophthalmology service questions relating to staffing levels had yet to be fully answered.

The Fine Gael councillor also said she was even contemplating taking her campaign to the streets in a bid to ensure services at St Josephs Care Centre remain in place.

I am calling for the budgets for Mullingar Hospital includes extra funding so that the opthalmic service that is serving the people of Longford so well remains, she said.

Cllr Nolan added the situation merited continued political lobbying, stressing pressure from the wider public was also required.

The people of Longford need to wake up because this is holiday season and is the time when the HSE can use slight of hand to remove services, she said.

The Leader has made attempts to procure a response from the HSE but at the time of writing, no statement had been issued.

Also: HSE says options limited over eye service cover
Longford County Childcare Committee (LCCC) has welcome a decision by the government to reduce back to school costs for families.

The announcement, made by Fianna Gael TD Peter Burke last week, comes at a time when Longford families are scrambling to purchase uniforms, books and supplies for the upcoming academic year.

This year, the Government will spend more than 47 million on the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance - that's a funding increase of 25% to help ease the pressure on families.

194,000 children across the country will benefit from the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

It is increasing from 100 to 125 for children aged 4-11 and from 200 to 250 for children aged 12 years and over. This will benefit Longford significantly," said Burke.

The LCCC has welcomed the announcement, stating that the increase will be of help to families under pressure at this busy time of year.

"While the increase is modest, it is an acknowledgement that this is a time when vulnerable families need support," said Lorraine Farrell, Coordinator of the LCCC.

"From our interactions with parents and childcare providers within the county, we understand that this can be a stressful time financially for parents with children of all ages.

"We try to support parents at this time by encouraging them to check out their entitlements for this allowance or by contacting us in the office for support.

"Parents may also be entitled to assistance with their after school care costs, which is an alternative route to easing the financial burden of returning to school," said Ms Farrell.

"Parents should contact us to inquire about the After School Childcare Scheme for children aged between four and 11 years and Community Employment After School Scheme which caters for children up to 13 years of age.

"We do acknowledge, however, that some families will not qualify for any of these supports and in this case we encourage families to think creatively on how to save money in our difficult economic climate."

In fact, Ms Farrell has kindly offered some advice for parents who want to save money while preparing their children for their return to school.

Shopping around for generic uniforms that dont necessarily have to carry the school crest such as skirts, pinafores and trousers.

Label all items! "With the best will in the world, a school jumper thrown over a goalpost in an exciting game of gaelic at break time will be forgotten about!" said Ms Farrell.

Ask your school if they offer a book rental scheme. "Its becoming more popular. If they dont, encourage them to look into it. Failing this, ask your local book supplier if second hand books are available to buy."

"We will be in all libraries in Longford the week beginning August 21 and parents are welcome to pop in for a chat," Ms Farrell concluded.

Details of these library times are available on the LCCC website: www.longfordchildcare.ie

For more Back to School tips, see www.longfordleader.ie.

Also: Longford children primed for 25 per cent Back to School Allowance increase
A local food producer will have to pay almost 130,000 in development levies to Longford County Council if it proceeds with plans to extend its premises and create an estimated 100 jobs in the process.

That is the figure contained in more than 20 conditions Panelto Foods has been instructed to comply with after planning approval was granted for the proposed 50,000 sq ft expansion.

Another key requirement focuses on strict noise level requirements which was an issue raised in submissions by local residents,Martin and Breda McLoughlin.

The pair, who own a former Church of Ireland rectory at nearby Templemichael Glebe, noted their concerns over the likely impact any proposed extension would bring.

Acting through Dublin based firm Sheridan Woods Architects and Urban Planners Ltd, the McLoughlins also claimed the development would impact negatively on their own residential amenity.

Last weeks announcement by Longford County Council to grant planning approval effectively means the Longford manufacturer can almost double in size.

A spokesperson, on behalf of the company said that provided An Bord Pleanala rubber-stamps the decision, around 110 jobs will be added to the firm's existing 150 strong workforce.

The company, however, has insisted that it will not be commenting or making any statements at this juncture.

The four week appeals process means a final determination on the process by the State planning authority looks like being made by the middle of September.

Also: Longford firm Panelto Foods announces plans to create over 100 jobs subject to successful planning appeals process
Callous thieves have stolen jewellery, watches and perfume from a charity shops three days before it was due to open. The goods were part of a quantity of stock donated to the shop to raise funds for the Oncology Unit in Cavan General Hospital.

The pop-up charity shop on Ballymahon St was the brainchild of Longford town woman Irene Brady and it was due to open on Friday and Saturday of this week, August 25 and 26. She wanted to open the shop to raise money for Cavan Oncology Unit where her sister Madeline Canning is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

However the shop was broken into earlier today and heartless thieves made off with a large quantity of goods that had been donated for the shop.

We are in total shock, Irene Brady told longfordleader.ie this evening. She described how they had set the shop up today to prepare for its opening on Friday. After leaving the premises for a few hours this afternoon, she returned to discover that the shop had been robbed.

I thought the roof had fallen in, she said, describing the mess that the thieves left behind.

However she quickly realised that a large quantity of the high end stock had been robbed. According to CCTV footage, the thieves entered around 3:10pm.

After all the goodwill shown to us, they just came and cleaned us out, Irene said. We just cannot believe it. She added that the stock donated was all perfect and would have raised a considerable amount of money for charity.

Although devastated by the theft, Irene says she will open her pop-up charity shop this week as planned.

They are not defeating me, a defiant Irene said, adding that she is determined to raise funds for the hospital.

The shop will open on Friday and Saturday, August 25 and 26, in a new location, an alarmed premises in Hibernian Court beside Courtyard Cafe.

Irene has issued a renewed appeal for donations to the shop ahead of its opening.

We really need them. We are so sorry that this happened and we are very grateful to the people who did donate. We would really appreciate donations, she said.

Anybody who wishes to donate items for sale in the shop can do so by contacting Irene on 086 363 4800.
Tech & Science, Nature & Weather, Local News, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: August 23 2017

Bipartisan Group of RGGI States Propose Reducing Cap Additional 30 Percent by 2030.

Albany, NY - August 23, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York, and the eight other states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, are proposing to update the multi-state effort to lower carbon pollution by reducing the cap on power plant emissions an additional 30 percent below 2020 levels by 2030. This fulfills the Governor's January State of the State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York, and the eight other states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, are proposing to update the multi-state effort to lower carbon pollution by reducing the cap on power plant emissions an additional 30 percent below 2020 levels by 2030. This fulfills the Governor's January State of the State challenge to the RGGI states to further strengthen the RGGI program, which yields environmental, health, and economic benefits. With this program update, the regional cap in 2030 will be 65 percent below the 2009 starting level.

"New York leads the nation's efforts in strengthening climate security, and through the RGGI program and this latest bipartisan proposal to reduce emissions even further, the investment of proceeds will continue to support and create thousands of jobs and reduce electricity bills for residents," Governor Cuomo said. "RGGI's success exemplifies New York's commitment to protecting the people of this state by showing the world that we will cut pollution and improve health, while transforming our economy into one that is cleaner, greener, stronger, and more sustainable than ever before."

New York, along with nine other Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic States in the RGGI, which first formed in 2005, are part of the nation's first program to use an innovative market-based mechanism to cap and cost-effectively reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that cause climate change. A bipartisan group that includes New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. RGGI has helped Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states achieve significant reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the electric power sector.

RGGI contributed to a nearly 50 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from affected power plants in New York, and a 90 percent reduction in coal-fired power generation in the state. To date, New York has generated more than $1 billion in RGGI proceeds, which help fund energy efficiency, clean energy and emission reduction programs.

In 2013, Governor Cuomo led the RGGI states in reducing the emission cap 50 percent by 2020. RGGI continues to exceed expectations and has provided more than $2 billion in regional economic benefits and $5.7 billion in public health benefits while reducing emissions in excess of the declining cap's requirements.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has been an incredible success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change in New York and the Northeast, while supporting thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of investments in sustainable development projects. In the absence of federal leadership on climate change, the RGGI proposal will lower the emissions cap even further and set the precedent for recognizing and taking action against climate change to support the future of communities around the globe."

Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York Richard Kauffman said, "Governor Cuomo's leadership on RGGI shows how smart, bipartisan policy beats rhetoric every time. Today's RGGI proposal, working in concert with the Governor's REV policy and Clean Energy Standard, sends the message to the nation that climate change is real and the future is clean and renewable energy."

Public Service Commission Chair John B. Rhodes said, "The proposed RGGI changes constitute another significant step to reduce carbon emissions. Under Governor Cuomo, New York has already established nation-leading carbon and renewable energy goals in its Clean Energy Standard. Now, this multi-state and bi-partisan initiative moves us forward as a region."

New York State Energy and Research Development Authority President and CEO Alicia Barton said, "This RGGI proposal demonstrates that states are taking matters into their own hands in the fight on climate change. Moving to a cleaner energy system can no longer be a nice thing to do, it is a must. By working together across state lines to reduce harmful emissions and spur growth in the clean energy economy, the RGGI states are ensuring we all win with a cleaner environment and more prosperous communities."

New York State Climate Leadership and Clean Energy Standard

In June, Governor Cuomo founded the US Climate Alliance with the Governors of California and Washington State to ensure that the emissions reduction targets of Paris Agreement on climate change would be upheld at the state-level. Since June, the US Climate Alliance has grown to encompass 14 states, representing around 40 percent of US GDP. New York State stands ready to work with all other states, including those participating in the US Climate Alliance, to take any necessary additional steps to ensure emissions reductions in line with the Paris Agreement continue to be met.

New York is actively encouraging clean energy innovation through its Reforming the Energy Vision strategy and initiatives. Additionally, programs including the Clean Energy Fund, $1 billion NY-Sun Initiative, $1 billion NY Green Bank, $40 million NY-Prize competition for community microgrids, and others, ensure that progress toward reducing emissions will be accelerated.

RGGI Health Benefits

Recent analyses also show that RGGI has produced numerous health and productivity benefits for participating member states, including up to 16,000 avoided respiratory illnesses, up to 390 avoided heart attacks, and 300 to 830 avoided deaths. The health benefits in New York alone are estimated to have exceeded $1.7 billion in avoided costs and other economic benefits.

Economic Benefits

The economies of RGGI states are outpacing the rest of the country, and electricity prices within the region have fallen, even as prices in other states have increased. This includes reducing carbon emissions by 16 percent more than other states and experiencing 3.6 percent more in economic growth. Each of the three-year control periods contributed approximately 4,500 job years to the New York state economy and 14,000 to 16,000 job years region-wide.

Bill Savings
An Egyptian archaeological mission from the Ministry of Antiquities has uncovered five Roman tombs during excavation works carried out in Beir Al-Shaghala site in Dakhla Oasis in Egypt's Western Desert.

Ayma Ashmawi, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department, explained that the tombs are built in mud brick and have different architectural style.

The first tomb has an entrance leading to a rectangular hall with two burial chambers while the second has a vaulted ceiling and its entrance leads to a burial chamber.

The third tomb is a pyramid-shaped tomb. The mission has succeeded in uncovering its upper part while the lower part is still buried in sand. The fourth and fifth tombs share one entrance and each tomb has a separate burial chamber with a vaulted ceiling.

Ashmawy pointed out that the mission's excavations in the area will continue.

Gamal Al-Semestawi, general director of antiquities of the Middle Egypt, said that a number of artefacts were found inside the tombs, including the remains of a funerary mask depicting a human face painted in yellow, a set of pottery vessels of different shapes and sizes, as well as two ostraca, one of which contains hieroglyphic text while the second bears text written in Hieratic.

A clay incense burner and remains of a small sandstone sphinx, 14 centimetres by 12.7 centimetres tall, have also been found within the tombs.

Magdi Ibrahim, director general of Dakhla Oasis and head of the mission, said the mission succeeded in its six previous excavation seasons to discover eight Roman tombs in a good state of conservation and with similar architectural design. They are composed of a rectangular hall and two side chambers with sandstone vaulted ceilings. The hall has a mud brick ceiling.

Al-Shaghala area is located to the west of Mout city almost 3 kilometres from Dakhla Oasis in a mid-point between three other archaeological sites.

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Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that the country does not permit terrorist groups to operate on its soil, and denounced what it called the false narrative of safe havens. Instead, Pakistan blamed their long-running dispute with India over Jammu and Kashmir as the root cause of instability in the region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was responding to President Donald Trumps assertion that the US can no longer be silent about Pakistans safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond, during his speech on Aug. 21 that outlined US strategy towards Afghanistan and the wider South Asia region.

Pakistan has also sheltered the same organizations that try every single day to kill our people, Trump said later in the speech, which was a scathing rebuke of Pakistans perfidy towards the US and its allies in Afghanistan. No partnership can survive a countrys harboring of militants and terrorists who target US service members and officials.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Trumps comments yesterday in an official statement which was released on its web site.

As a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country. Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism, it claimed. The threat to peace and security cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies. Non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region.

Pakistans denial of harboring terrorist groups quickly falls flat on its face when examining Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which not only supports both al Qaeda and the Taliban, but has executed numerous attacks in India as well as in Afghanistan. While LeT is by no means the only jihadist group supported by Pakistan, it is one of the most prominent.

LeT was founded in 1987 by its leader, Hafiz Saeed, along with Osama bin Laden and Abdullah Azzam, the godfather of international jihad. Bin Laden helped LeT establish training camps in Afghanistans provinces of Kunar and Paktia, where it continues to operates to this day. LeT shares al Qaedas goal of establishing an Islamic state in South Asia and beyond.

In a report submitted to Congress in June, the US Department of Defense explained the enduring importance of the jihadists safe havens in Pakistan. LeT was mentioned as one of several jihadist groups that maintain sanctuary on the Pakistan side of the border.

Attacks in Afghanistan attributed to Pakistan-based militant networks continue to erode the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship, the Pentagon noted. Militant groups, including the Taliban and Haqqani Network, continued to utilize sanctuaries inside Pakistan.

The Afghanistan-Pakistan border region remains a sanctuary for various groups, including al Qaeda, al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), ISIS-K, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. Sanctuary on the Pakistan side and presence on the Afghan side remain a security challenge for both countries and pose a threat to regional security and stability.

Inside Pakistan, LeT operates openly and has offices throughout the country. Markaz-e-Taiba, its headquarters in Muridke near Lahore, is a sprawling complex used to indoctrinate future jihadists before they are sent off for military training. The provincial government of Punjab has financed Markaz-e-Taiba in the past.

LeT has mastered the art of using charitable groups to fundraise as well as promote its message and recruit. Since 2010, the US has identified the following groups as LeT fronts: Falah-i Insaniat Foundation, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Al-Anfal Trust, Tehrik-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool, Tehrik-e-Tahafuz Qibla Awwal, and Al-Muhammadia Students. These LeT fronts continue to operate inside Pakistan without consequence.

This terrorist infrastructure has been used to conduct egregious terrorist attacks in India and Afghanistan. In its Country Reports on Terrorism 2016, the US State Department noted that LeT has conducted operations against Indian troops and civilian targets in Jammu and Kashmir since 1993; several high profile attacks inside India; and operations against Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.

The most prominent attack took place in Mumbai, India, when a suicide assault team fanned out across the city and targeted multiple locations, including a theater, a train station, hotels as well as a Jewish center and killed 164 people. The attack lasted for three days. Indian intelligence traced phone calls back to handlers in Pakistan as the assault was ongoing. The handlers directed its fighters to execute non-Muslims, often brutally, and laughed when their instructions were carried out.

The US has listed LeT as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since Dec. 2001, after an assault on the Indian Parliament building, and its emir Hafiz Saeed and numerous LeT leaders, financiers, and operatives since then.

Despite LeTs overt ties to al Qaeda and its campaign of terror in India and Afghanistan, the Pakistani government has refused to crack down on the group. The organizations complexes in Muridke and throughout the country remain open and its leaders and charitable fronts operate unfettered. Hafiz Saeed is feted by Pakistani officials, who refuse to hold him and other LeT leaders accountable for their actions. Not a single member of LeT who has been implicated in the Mumbai attack has been prosecuted.

According to the US Department of State, the only significant action against LeT taken by Pakistan in 2016 was to continue implementing an ongoing ban against media coverage of their activities.

But that is just the LeT. Pakistan continues to justify its support of terrorist groups by distinguishing between what it calls good Taliban and bad Taliban.

Simply stated, the so-called good Taliban are groups that advance Pakistans foreign policy goals and do not threaten the state or wage war within its borders. Good Taliban and other groups deemed acceptable by the Pakistani establishment such as the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani Network, the Mullah Nazir Group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Harakat-ul-Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammed, conduct numerous heinous acts of terrorism in the region, and are directly responsible for the deaths of thousands of American soldiers and civilians.

Bad Taliban are any jihadist faction that challenges the primacy of the Pakistani state. The Pakistani military has pursued these groups in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with some success. However, when targeting these groups, the military has often stopped pursuing when a good Taliban group such as the Haqqani Network provides shelter and support for the bad Taliban.

For more information on Pakistans support of terrorist groups, see FDDs The Long War Journal report  Pakistan: Friend or Foe in the Fight Against Terrorism?

Alexandra Gutowski contributed to this article. Alexandra is a military affairs analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
Yesterday, Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs took umbrage with President Trumps speech where he called out Pakistan for harboring terrorist groups. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country, and denounced the so-called false narrative of safe havens.

Pakistans denial is laughable on its face. For decades, the country has permitted a number of jihadist groups to openly operate under its aegis. Many of these groups  such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Harakat-ul-Muhahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami  were created with the support of Pakistans military and the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate.

A map depicting the location some of these groups have known to operate from is embedded to illustrate the support Trump spoke about.

Pakistan helped create these groups with the idea that they would focus their activities against Indian forces in the state of Jammu and Kashmir to help bring down the countrys most critical enemy in India. Instead, these groups quickly became part of the South Asia jihadist network and allied themselves with the Taliban and al Qaeda. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was even formed at the behest of Osama bin Laden and Abdullah Azzam.

The Pakistani state has supported the Afghan Taliban since its founding. Without Pakistani support and safe haven, the Afghan Taliban would likely have a difficult time waging a successful insurgency in Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban dinks and dunks across the border with ease, in and out of the tribal regions, where they plot, execute and then return to safety in Pakistan  where it also recruits, runs madrassas and training camps, and receives medical care for its wounded.

The Pakistani military and intelligence services support the Hafiz Gul Bahadar and the Mullah Nazir Groups, despite the fact that these two Taliban organizations wage jihad in Afghanistan and support al Qaeda and other terrorist movements.

While the Pakistan government has targeted and killed or captured key al Qaeda leaders inside Pakistan, the fact that Osama bin Laden was able to live in a large home just outside of Abbottabad, the nations West Point, and direct al Qaedas operations for years raises serious questions about what Pakistani military and intelligence leaders knew and if he received direct support.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi began as an anti-Shia group and has joined the jihadist network. The Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi is a Taliban movement in northwestern Pakistan. Both have attacked the Pakistani state. Despite this, the Pakistani government has tolerated their existence.

This map does not include groups such as the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the Islamic Jihad Union, the Turkistan Islamic Party, and others as these terrorist outfits wage war against these Pakistani state, and the Pakistan military has actively targeted them.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Alexandra Gutowski is a military affairs analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
The Antiquities Unit at Cairo International Airport foiled on Wednesday an attempt by an Egyptian passenger to smuggle to Saudi Arabia a collection of Khedival-era coins, paper currency, contracts, bonds and other documents.

Head of the Central Administration for Antiquities Units at the Ministry of Antiquities Ahmed El-Rawi told Ahram Online that a committee led by archaeologist Gergues Mounir has authenticated the items as dating from the Khedival era.

El-Rawi said that the smuggler was planning on holding an exhibition in Saudi Arabia where he would sell the items.

Director-general of the Antiquities Units at Cairo International Airport Hamdi Hammam told Ahram Online that the coins included 25 Ottoman coins, 50 from the Sultan Hussein Kamel era (1914  1917), 74 from the reign of King Fouad (1922  1936), 247 from the King Farouk era (1936  1952), as well as three Saudi Arabian coins from the reign of King Abdulaziz Al Saud (1932  1953) and two pre-1948 Palestinian coins printed.

"Among the coins from the era of King Farouk was a very rare gold coin," Hammam said, adding that the collection also included 24 bonds, documents and slave contracts.

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New Delhi: It was a happy moment for Sharaya Banu, who fought legally against triple talaq, when Supreme Court stroke down the instant triple talaq stating it as unconstitutional. The Supreme Court banned the instant triple talaq through e -mail, whats app and letter.The Court observed that such triple talaq is a violation of Article 14 of the constitution.

Shayara Banu, a 36 year old Muslim woman from Uttarakhand approached the Court challenging the Muslim personal law on 23rd February 2016. She a post graduate in Sociology was motivated to fight against triple talaq as part of certain incidents in her personal life.She faced huge difficulties after her husband divorced her by sending a letter stating triple talaq.
Thiruvananthapuram: The government may grant permission to reopen around three hundred bars in the state by de-notifying the State Highways. The decision will be taken in the Cabinet today, as the government is planning to allow permits to more bars within Corporation and Municipality limits. The government will de-notify the state highways, similar to Karnataka model.

The Supreme Court had earlier cancelled the permits of certain liquor outlets that functioned within 500 metres of highways.
If there are patron saints of economics, consider Milton Friedman canonized. This isn't to say he's right about everything, or necessarily even anything. Rather, his work stands above the fray. Even compared to other Nobel Prize winners in economics, Friedman belongs with the few who put such an indelible mark on the field as to become an institutionthose whose theories have stood the test of time and become the basis for accepted schools of thought.

Clocking in at less than 200 pages, Capitalism and Freedom has everything a pure free market monetarist could ask fordeficit hawkery, school vouchers, gold standards, missives on competition and incentives, and then some. It's the best entry point to Friedman's worldlighter and more fluent than his academic work, but less reductionist and facile than his Free to Choose (which came in the form of a book and PBS mini documentary in the 80s, and was co-authored with his wife, Rose).

Like all the greats, Friedman stands on the shoulders of giantshis views, in sum, are a continuation of the Austrian economists (Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and the like) and even Adam Smith, but with a bent toward modern monetary policy (hence the school of "monetarism"). Likewise, monetary theory wasn't new eitherthe quantity theory of money had been qualitatively observed long before and more rigorously fleshed out by infamous Irving Fisher and even Keynes.

It's interesting that Friedman was regarded as conservative by the mainstreama word that usually speaks of tradition and rigidity. Friedman was nothing of the sort: His ideas were usually radical and opposite the status quo (at a time when Keynesian economics ruled). Here is a man who staunchly advocated against the FCC, against a conscripted military, against segregated schools, and yet was also against the existence of most social welfare and the Fed. No, Mr. Friedman was a liberal in the original sense of that wordhe saw freedom as the ultimate human value, and wanted it as unfettered as possible.

And that is his strongest attributewhere many free market supply-sider economists speak broadly about the importance of incentives and deregulation, Friedman tends to gloss over those and gets right to the heart of things: Democracy and capitalism are siblings, and freedom is wrapped inexorably within them. He abhors elite concentration of power across any venue. Instead, Friedman insists that the greatest, fairest vote a person has is the daily freedom to fulfill one's own personal volition without other entities deciding for them.

If you haven't guessed by now, I have a soft spot for Mr. Friedman. I remember when he died in November 2006, back in my junior analyst days. I've read his Monetary History of the United States 1867-1960 (one of the most turgid economics books ever wrought and weighing in at a whopping 800 pages) not once, but twice. Twice! I often wonder what he would have made of the chaos of the last few years. Actually, I think I can make a decent guesshe'd say government elitism, from the GSEs (Fannie and Freddie), to the Fed and Treasury's blunderings, to FASB's disastrous accounting rules, were what induced the panicall poor or ignorant decisions by privileged groups allotted far too much power.

And that, while noble, also reveals Friedman's greatest shortcominghe is an idealist often to the point of absurdity. He often doesn't live in this world. Friedmanites will no doubt disagreeFriedman often called himself a pragmatist. But this is frequently the case when economists move from their circle of technical academic speak (Friedman's was domiciled at the University of Chicago for most of his career), to the broader public. He wants to abolish the Fed, go back to the gold standard, eliminate trade tariffs, and a litany of other things that, alas, simply have no chance of happening. This makes much of his work more thought experiment than practical guide.

Only pure intellectuals have the luxury of being so pure. Those of us in the stock market forecasting profession do not. The world is too messy for pure theory. In market forecasting, we're most concerned with phenomenologywhich is a fancy way of saying, "analyze what's actually happening; see the world as it is." We can't use folks like Friedman as guiding gurus. Fact is, Keynes made some good points too (though not nearly as many to my view!), and occasionally (if rarely) Keynes' philosophy might even be a better fit for the world (like the massive global monetary and fiscal stimulus efforts in late 2008). The point, however, is that good market forecasting is dubious of any pure-form "school" of thought, and realizes there are virtues, problems, and anomalies within all of them.

To his credit, Friedman acknowledges his wishes are often extravagant. He says that even his centerpiece views about capitalism and democracy have their anomalies through history. Right now, for instance, one of the great economic debates is whether China is capitalist, communist, or some strange new social hybrid that's more efficient than either. My sense is Friedman would guffaw. Heartily. China may be the world's darling now, but let's not forget they have a tremendous age problem ahead (from their "one child per family" rule), among the largest disparities in standards of living anywhere in the world, and still feature mostly closed and controlled capital markets and means of production. These are still communists, and my guess is those issues (and others) will come to critical mass at some point (just not necessarily immediately) to cause major social/economic/cultural problems. Indeed, one could argue China's success the last few decades has been directly proportional to its liberalization. But this is a larger topic for a different venue.

An advantage to Friedman's pure-form free market views is that it makes us realize neither the US, nor any other country in the world, today resembles pure form capitalism. That will sound disheartening to some, but that is the world. We have social programs, sometimes mercantilist laws, fiat money, and all the rest. So be itdespite it all, capital markets have advanced and wealth creation continues.

Perhaps the most endearing component of Friedman's work is the close collaboration between he and his wife, Rose, a tremendous intellectual in her own right. Much of the second half of Friedman's careerwhich moved from academia to outspoken public policy and philanthropy, was anchored by her. What a formidable pair they made.

This book will anger and frustrate some, or act as sweet salve for othersbecause it is ideological, and therefore polarizing. (In fact, most economic theory is more ideological than it seemsanother reason it can threaten cogent market forecasting.) But wherever you may fall on the political spectrum, there is no doubting that with freedom comes high responsibility for oneself, and in this way the life and work of the Friedmans is to be admired.
MARTINSVILLEA Martinsville woman facing malicious wounding charges will have a year to convince a judge she shouldnt be in prison.

Nineteen-year-old Moninika Sheanea Dillard stands accused of hitting another woman on the face, neck, shoulders and on the top of her skull using a metal-handled broom and a wall sconce.

Under the plea agreement reached in Martinsville Circuit Court, the charge of malicious wounding will be taken under advisement for a year, according to court records. During this time, Dillard will be on probation and will pay $100 per month toward a total of $5,241.95 restitution to be paid to the victim via the clerk of courts office.

Dillard also must be on good behavior, undergo anger management counseling and be a model probationer.

If Dillard completes the one-year period successfully, then the malicious wounding charge will be reduced to assault and battery. She will be sentenced to 12 months of incarceration, with all the time suspended. She will continue to pay $100 per month until the restitution has been paid in full.

If Dillard is deficient in any of the areas under the plea agreement, she will be judged guilty of the original charge and sentenced to five years of incarceration with four years and six months suspended on condition of three years of supervised probation and 20 years of good behavior. She will pay restitution of $5,241.95, with any amounts she previously has paid toward the restitution credited to her.

In the criminal complaint and according to evidence presented by Martinsville Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Andy Hall, Dillards charges stem from an incident about 2:32 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2016.

On that day, Patrolman R.A. Dunwoody of the Martinsville Police Department went to a residence in the 100 block of Stephens Street regarding possible animal cruelty taking place at that address.

During Dunwoodys investigation, shouting could be heard from inside the residence, followed by a loud thud and screaming. Dunwoody and another officer rushed inside the residence and witnessed Dillard allegedly assaulting a woman. That woman, she claimed, had called authorities, alleging that Dillards boyfriend was committing animal cruelty.

(The alleged victim) was being struck about the face, neck and shoulders and was bleeding profusely from the top of her skull, the criminal complaint said.

The alleged victim was transported to the hospital with a gash on her skull.

Dillard had no prior criminal record.

In another case recently in Martinsville Circuit Court, Robert Bradley Agee of Collinsville pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing oxycodone. A judge ordered a presentence report and set sentencing for Nov. 16. The offenses allegedly happened on Oct. 21, 2016. The prosecution dropped but could reinstate a charge of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone against Agee.

PATRICK COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

Kimberly Dawn Howell of Stuart, who pleaded guilty to distributing schedule I or II controlled substance, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with nine years suspended on conditions including five years of supervised probation and payment of a $200 fine and $50 restitution. The offense allegedly happened on Oct. 7, 2016.

Jennifer Lee Gray of Meadows of Dan, who was convicted of grand larceny, was sentenced to five years in prison, with four years, 11 months and nine days suspended on conditions including five years of supervised probation and payment of $2,939.98 restitution and a $200 fine. The offense allegedly happened on May 10, 2016.

John Alan Brammer of Woolwine pleaded guilty to an amended charge of nonviolent felon possess gun and was sentenced to five years in prison, all suspended on conditions including three years of supervised probation. The offense allegedly happened on Oct. 15, 2016.

Tyler Aaron Lee Pearman of Spencer was found not guilty of feloniously destroying property. He was charged after an incident on Nov. 1, 2016.

Irvin Clayton Wright of Stuart pleaded guilty to three charges of distributing schedule I or II controlled substance and one charge of conspiracy to distribute schedule I or II controlled substance. A presentence report was ordered and sentencing was set for Dec. 7. The offenses allegedly happened between Dec. 21, 2015, and Feb. 19, 2016.

Cora Wright of Stuart pleaded guilty to distributing schedule I or II controlled substance and conspiracy to distribute schedule I or II controlled substance. A presentence report was ordered and sentencing was set for Dec. 7. The offenses allegedly happened on Jan. 20, 2016.

Jordan Lee Haley of Madison, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to three counts of distributing schedule I or II controlled substance. A presentence report was ordered and sentencing was set for Jan. 3. The offenses allegedly happened on Jan. 21, Jan. 26 and Jan. 27, all in 2016.
MARTINSVILLE-Jamie Rary sees it as a way to help local kids. When he goes to a gas station and picks up a lottery ticket, the Axton resident first and foremost wants to win the jackpot. But he said he feels better, knowing where the money is going.

I'm just glad the money is going to help the kids, Rary said. Henry County schools can use all the help they can get.

The problem is that the majority of that money isn't making it to local school districts. In fact, school districts in Virginia get less than 30 percent of the total sales generated by the commonwealths lottery. That's according to information obtained by the Martinsville Bulletin from the Virginia Lottery.

Its not because the districts dont have needs. Martinsville, for example, has a long list of projects that district officials would love to start, but lack the funding for. The same goes in Henry and Patrick counties, where some schools need repairs and others need to be replaced. In each of these and other districts, the question is raised time and again, with people wondering why the lottery money isnt filling in the funding holes. Thats because, according to Virginia Lottery officials, the purpose and direction of the operation have gone through changes since it was first voted in.

When Virginians voted in 1987 for a state-operated lottery, some people made the assumption that they voted on how to spend the lottery's proceeds. This was not the case. That's a quote on the Virginia Lottery website, one that staff members directed the Bulletin to. Instead of voting on how to spend it, that vote allowed the lottery proceeds, which are about one-third of lottery sales, to be used as determined by the General Assembly.

In fact, it's only been since 1999 that the money has gone to education. In 1989, for example, the General Assembly assigned lottery funds for capital construction projects. Then from 1990 to 1998, state records show the money went right back into Virginia's General Fund, used to help pay for the commonwealth's overall budget needs. In 1999, that changed, as a state budget amendment made it clear that proceeds or profits from the lottery sales would go to all Virginia school districts, with the qualification that it could only be used for what was deemed as educational purposes. One year later, that became permanent, as Virginia residents voted to approve the State Lottery Proceeds Fund. That fund, which became a part of Virginia's Constitution, makes it a law that all lottery profits have to be used for educational purposes.

So where does the money go? According to the Virginia Lottery's records, the majority of revenue brought in is given out in prize money. In fiscal year 2017, which ended June 30, there was a total of $1.99 billion generated in lottery sales. Out of that, 60.9 percent or $1.214 billion, went to prizes and then 5.6 percent or $112 million, went to retailer commissions. A total of $106.3 million or 5.3 percent went for what the lottery officials designate as operating expenses. That leaves 28.1 percent or $558.3 million, to divide up among the state's 227 school districts.

Each year, the Lottery turns its profits over to Virginia's Department of Education, which then works with the Secretary of Education and Secretary of Finance to develop a list of programs that will be funded by those profits, said John Hagerty, a communications specialist with the Virginia Lottery. That list is approved by legislators. The lottery is not involved in the process and has no say in how lottery profits are distributed to K-12 education.

Divided by districts

Now, that doesn't mean this is extra funding, given out to the districts. Instead, the General Assembly uses the lottery funding to fill holes in what each district receives.

Revenue from the Lottery Proceeds Fund is designated for 20 programs formerly funded with general funds, said Julie Grimes, a communications manager with the Virginia Department of Education.

Grimes added that portions of the money also go into four accounts to help students who are struggling with the Standards of Learning tests.

What does that mean? The state decides which programs the lottery fund will be spent on each year and then the money is handed out. Once a list passes through the Department of Education, those programs are sent to the General Assembly, which has to approve them in a vote. For example in this past fiscal year, lottery dollars went to fund K-3 primary class size reduction programs, as well as the school breakfast program, special education, Project Graduation, Early Reading Intervention, the Virginia Preschool Initiative, Race to GED program and textbook funding. Out of those, the textbook fund is the only one partially paid for by lottery dollars and partly by the state's General Fund.

The lottery money makes up for what the state has a shortfall in, said Martinsville Executive Director of Administrative Services Travis Clemons. It doesn't mean I'm receiving less funding from the state, but it does change how the state provides funding for us.

The money given to each district does vary. For example, in the fiscal year that ended June 30, Martinsville got $2.237 million from the lottery. Henry County received $7.559 million, Patrick County got $1.485 million and in neighboring areas, Franklin County received $4.489 million, Danville got $6.385 million and Pittsylvania County received $5.844 million. The funding changes from year to year, based on the programs the lottery money is used for and the need in each district. If a district has fewer students than previous years, that is taken into account. Also, if they don't have as many students that need support from the programs selected by the General Assembly to be funded in a given year, then that also plays a part in how much a district receives.

Some of the formulas (for the programs) use a poverty adjustment as a proxy for students at risk, Grimes said. As an example, she gave free lunch eligibility rates. If, for example, all of the students in a district qualify for the free lunch program, that will also help determine the amount of funding provided by the state.

Often, school districts will go into budget season without any definite answers on how much lottery money they'll receive for a given year. That means the discussions, including the vote and budget presented to the city council or county supervisors, are done based on estimates alone. That won't change, local officials said, unless the state adjusts when the final collections are counted. Currently, as it operates from one fiscal year to another, the final worksheet with those answers isn't provided by the state until usually the second or third week of June.

Department of Education officials pointed to the General Assembly as the final decision makers, who are in charge of determining what programs get funding and how that is decided.
A 40-year-old Massachusetts State Police trooper suffered an unexpected medical emergency while off duty Monday and has died.

Various media accounts remembered Weymouth native Patrick E. Ahl, 40, as a decorated and dedicated law enforcement member.

Authorities have not yet released a cause of death. Ahl died at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth.

Ahl received a MSP Medal of Valor in 2010 and was serving in the agency's Norwell barracks after previous stints in Revere and Danvers.

He earned the state police's top honor by hurling himself into a flooded drainage area off Route 95 in order to break a woman out of a crashed vehicle.

Ahl lacerated his hands in the process and the woman, suffering hypothermia, survived. MSP reviewed the circumstances and determined Ahl had saved her life.

"Our prayers tonight are with Trooper Patrick Ahl and his family," Massachusetts State Police Col. Richard McKeon said in a statement. "He, and they, will always remain a dear part of our Massachusetts State Police family."
The viral, graphic footage of a great white shark killing a seal a few feet off the shore of a packed Nauset Beach in Orleans this week has revamped concerns of the ocean predators lurking in Cape Cod waters.

On Tuesday, the County Commissioner of Barnstable, which covers almost all of the Cape, proposed a "localized shark hazard mitigation strategy" that would involve luring and killing sharks that lurk too close to the Cape's popular swimming beaches.

"Tagging the sharks and studying them is all well and good," Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty said by phone. "But when the day comes a child is eaten or maimed for life ... by the time somebody is killed by a shark here, it's too late."

Beaty said his proposal is modeled after baited drum line techniques used in South Africa and Australia. The baiting method drops lines with bait and hooks on them to lure and capture sharks near populated beaches. "Large sharks found hooked but still alive are shot and their bodies discarded at sea," Beaty's office said in a statement.

In Massachusetts, there has not been a fatal shark attack since 1936. But studies have found the number of individual white sharks in Cape waters has increased since 2014.

A study conducted by the Mass. Division of Marines Fisheries with support from the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy found 68 individual white sharks in 2014, and 141 individual white sharks in 2015. But Senior Marine Fisheries Biologist Dr. Gregory Skomal says these findings should not be taken at face value.

"You have to be careful with sightings, because they can be driven by effort," Skomal said. In other words, the more time and resources researchers put behind identifying sharks, the more findings they may have.

With apps like the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's "Sharktivity," any user can report a shark siting. That means more sightings may be reported on weekends, when people are more likely to be at the beach, than other days.

"We go out twice a week. We actively look for sharks Mondays and Thursdays but those data get stored and then compiled at end of season," Skomal said, adding that the 2017 summer season is, so far, on par with previous years.

Skomal said he would have to review the strategy suggested by Commissioner Beaty before commenting on it fully, adding that he would need to know the basis of the proposal.

"Is it the killing of the seals?" Skomal asks. "Is it number of people killed by sharks in Massachusetts? Because I can't find any."

Commissioner Beaty himself says the proposal was motivated "to save lives and prevent a tragedy from happening," but admits that the growing seal population is directly related.

"We're victims of our own success so now we've got man eating sharks off of our shores," Beaty said.

He is referring to the Marine Mammal Protection Act passed in 1972, a federal law intended to preserve all marine life that directly helped recolonize the hunted seal population in Massachusetts waters. The number of seals off of Cape Cod has tripled since then, which has attracted their predators as well.

"There are always unintended consequences to actions that we take," Beaty said. "We need to become proactive not reactive because the problem is only going to get worse."

Beaty also said the shark fears hurt the Cape's vacation tourism, though that is not the main reason for his proposal.

"People panic. That hurts the Cape's economy," Beaty said. "If something happened now, there's no protocol. What are we going to do, close beaches for entire summer?"

If it were to pass, the baited drum lines would have to be deployed along at least six Cape Cod beaches, according to Beaty. He "ballparks" the lines would cost around $10,000 per beach.

In Western Australia, there were 15 fatal shark attacks from 2000 until 2014. That year, in 2014, more than 300 sharks were tagged and the controversial "catch and kill" strategy was put into place. The project, which implemented 72 baited drum lines along beaches, cost the country around $20 million according to news reports.

"There was a lot of pushback from Australians, it was very controversial to remove sharks that way," Skomal says. "This is a controversial proposal."

The shark culling method drew intense protests by Australians and conservationists who argued sharks play an essential role in keeping the ocean ecosystems healthy. The baited policy was ended in in March 2017 under the leadership of a new state official.

But in Massachusetts, fears are high. Just a day after announcing his proposal, another Cape Cod beach was closed due to a shark biting a paddleboard in Wellfleet.

"We have to take a look, whether they go with this proposal or something else," Beaty said, adding he hopes he can start a dialogue on the shark problem off the Cape.

Beaty, who was sworn into his position at the beginning of this year, served time in federal prison on a 16-month sentence in the early 1990s for threatening the lives of President George H.W. Bush and Sen. Edward Kennedy. He later described the time as "going through a bad period" which he had since recovered from.
SPRINGFIELD -- The complex, multi-defendant case involving the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Kenneth Lopez was back in court Wednesday, with four defense lawyers arguing police should not have been granted a warrant to search an apartment where the accused shooter was arrested.

While the murder warrant that led to the arrest of Lee Rios isn't in dispute, the attorneys have taken issue with the broader search warrant, which led to the arrest of three other people on gun charges.

But a prosecutor in the case told Hampden Superior Court Judge Constance M. Sweeney Wednesday the search warrant was justified because the 196 Nursery St. apartment was the first place Lee Rios went after the slaying -- making it he most likely location for investigators to find forensic evidence.

Lee Rios, 24, is charged with murder in the killing of Lopez, whose body was found around noon on March 25, 2015, in the yard of a house at Dwight and Calhoun streets in the city's North End.

Wednesday's hearing involved lawyers for Lee Rios, his brother Nelson Rios, Natalie Rivera and Maria Torres.

All four were arrested in the April 2, 2015 raid, when officers entered the Nursery Street apartment with a search warrant, and a murder warrant for Lee Rios. Mary Anne Stamm, lawyer for Lee Rios, said she is not attacking the arrest of Lee Rios on the murder warrant.

Instead, the officers' entry into the apartment is at issue. The Rios brothers, Rivera and Torres were charged with firearms offenses in connection with items found during a search of the apartment. Prosecutors have since dropped firearms charges against Rivera, but she still faces a conspiracy charge.

Timothy Farris, lawyer for Maria Torres, said a witness told police she saw the four defendants in the Nursery Street apartment after the shooting.

That witness, identified at the hearing as Valerie Medina, said Lee Rios called her on March 28, 2015 and asked if he could stay at her Jefferson Avenue apartment.

Medina is also charged with conspiracy in the case.

Because Medina then saw Lee Rios at the Jefferson Avenue apartment, Farris argued, police at that point had no information that the suspect would be at the Nursery Street apartment. Medina then saw Lee Rios at her own Jefferson Avenue apartment.

In addition to the potential for investigators to find forensic evidence at the Nursery Street apartment, Assistant District Attorney Max Bennett told the judge Lee Rios kept the murder weapon in the apartment until he sold it.

Sweeney took the motion about the search warrant under advisement.

Additional motion

The lengthy hearing also featured arguments regarding a motion Stamm filed on behalf of Lee Rios objecting to the seizure of a letter the defendant sent from the Franklin County Jail, where he is being held, to a woman in Connecticut.

The letter, which Stamm's motion seeks to exclude from evidence, contained statements "that could be considered admissions" in the murder case, Bennett said.

Jon Goodell, assistant supervisor for security at the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, testified Wednesday that he got permission to intercept Lee Rios' outgoing mail. He said 99 percent of the jail's inmate mail goes out without being intercepted.

Goodell said monitored phone calls indicated Lee Rios was trying to arrange for someone to send a drug known as K2 to him via letters so he could sell it to inmates.

Bennett said people can spray the the drug onto paper and write letters to be sent to an inmate. The inmate can then sell strips of the paper, he said.

Goodell said K2 is "a very dangerous drug" which can get people "extremely high" and make them "deranged, violent."

Under questioning from Stamm, Goodell acknowledged there was no reason to believe there was a link between the Connecticut woman and the people involved in phone conversations with Lee Rios about K2.

Goodell said when he read the outgoing letter he saw references to a murder case and turned it over to the Springfield Police Department.

Sweeney took Stamm's motion under advisement.

Motive outlined

In laying out a motive for the shooting, Bennett has said Lee Rios had a problem with Lopez, but convinced the victim he wanted to straighten things out. Moreover, Bennett said, the accused shooter offered to help Lopez with a problem he was having with another person.

The prosecution says Lee Rios and Lopez shared a cab to the area where Lopez was shot. Bennett said Lee Rios fired five shots, striking Lopez four times -- twice in the head.

After shooting Lopez -- who was also armed -- prosecutors say Lee Rios took Lopez's handgun from him.

According to a witness, Bennett said, Lee Rios admitted to stashing both guns in a backyard and calling his brother, Nelson Rios. The two brothers then brought the guns to 196 Nursery St.

Jonathan Guevera, 20, of Springfield, is also charged with murder in the case, although he is not accused of firing any of the shots.

Several other defendants face conspiracy and other charges in connection with Lopez's slaying.
BOSTON -- Big Papi will be speaking to first-year students at the University of Massachusetts Boston's freshman investiture ceremony Sept. 13.

David Ortiz, the retired Red Sox slugger, will give the address at the official welcome to the university to the Class of 2021, according the UMass-Boston website.

The talk is at 3:30 p.m. in the Campus Center, 3rd floor ballroom.

Big Papi played for the Sox from 2003 until 2016, when he retired.

In May, Boston University granted Ortiz an honorary doctorate of humane letters at its 2017 commencement ceremony.

BU honored the former Red Sox star's accomplishments as a most valuable player and all-star hitter, as well as his charitable work through the David Ortiz Children's Fund.

His number 34 was retired at Fenway Park earlier this year.
HOLYOKE -- The New Year's Day fire at 106 North East St. killed three people and destroyed the homes of 49 tenants, and on Tuesday, left the career of a 10-year veteran firefighter nearly ruined.

Lt. Chad Cunningham, who is president of the firefighters union, was demoted to the rank of firefighter private, suspended five days without pay and ordered to undergo training by a city board that also considered firing him.

The Fire Commission of Chairman Jon D. Lumbra and Joshua Garcia said that Cunningham at the scene of that fire failed to oversee properly the actions of Ladder Truck 2, the aerial ladder of which malfunctioned, disobeyed an order related to moving the truck and falsified details in reports. Cunningham was commander of Truck 2 at that fire.

The commission leveled the discipline against Cunningham after a hearing -- which Cunningham chose to hold in open session instead of behind closed doors -- that lasted over five hours at Fire Department headquarters, 600 High St.

When the hearing was done, Cunningham's lawyer criticized the process as a "witch hunt" carried out without evidence by officials retaliating against Cunningham for publicly faulting Fire Department funding, personnel and equipment decisions.

Cunningham, president of the Holyoke Fire Fighters Association, Local 1693, International Association of Fire Fighters, declined to comment after the hearing.

State investigators said the fire was caused by an electrical problem in a third-floor wall outlet. The building has been demolished.

Maria Lourdes Cartagena, 48, died of multiple blunt force injuries, having "jumped from (the) building engulfed by fire," according to her death certificate. Jorge Munoz, 55, of Holyoke, and Trevor R. Wadleigh, 34, of Easthampton, also were killed as a result of the fire at 106 North East St., the office of Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni has said.

The Fire Commission is a three-member board of volunteers appointed by the mayor and with authority to hire, fire and discipline Fire Department personnel, including the chief. The board has a vacancy.

Cunningham was portrayed in some testimony as a Ladder Truck 2 commander who nonetheless failed to take the most basic of firefighting steps at a desperate scene, conducting rescues.

"Grab a ground ladder. If they can't get their aerial in the air, there's a number of things they can do. There's people in that building," said Deputy Chief Robert Shaw, one of the witnesses questioned in the hearing.

"You just don't do this. You're supposed to be trained....Do something, just don't walk away," Shaw said at another point, indicating a video screen showing footage of the fire.

Union lawyer Terence Coles said the truth was Shaw didn't see the entirety of Cunningham's actions at the scene, Truck 2 had received an order from another deputy chief to secure a water supply and Cunningham did his job that day.

"It doesn't rise to the level of discipline or demotion or termination. At the end of the day, as I said at the beginning, this is nothing more than retaliation," Coles said.

"These are trumped up charges. This is a witch hunt," he said.

Garcia said Coles was wrong. The commission is responsible for ensuring that Fire Department regulations are followed so firefighters can protect people and property, he said.

"Everyone saw the process, this is why we have these hearings....Our job as the commission is to enforce the rules and regulations," Garcia said.

To fail to do so would be "a smack in the face to the residents of this community that count on us to provide the best possible service to the community," he said.

"I just want to make that clear, that there is no witch hunt," Garcia said.

Given the strength of Coles' words, it would be hard to imagine that Cunningham won't appeal the Fire Commission's decision.

Shaw and other officials have said it is the commander's responsibility to ensure that all of a truck's features, such as the aerial ladder, are functioning. Daily equipment checklists are supposed to be done, they said.

"It's his ladder truck," Shaw said of Cunningham.

He keeps hearing that Truck 2 had an equipment malfunction that prevented the ladder from rising, said Shaw, but the aerial ladder failed to work "due to operator error and lack of training."

Capt. Mark Bresnahan, also called as a witness, said a commander of a truck "should know everything about that truck."

Coles said Truck 2 had a "long history of problems with the mechanics," before the Jan. 1 fire, making it unrealistic to blame Cunningham for the ladder not rising.

"But clearly Truck 2 has been one of the 'problem children' of the apparatus within the Fire Department," Coles said.

Also, Capt. Christopher Butler, in testimony as a witness, said over the years it was not unusual for such equipment checklists to go undone one or two days a month. He was unaware of discipline ever having been issued as a result of that, he said.

The falsification of reports allegation is related to Cunningham stating in the first report he filed about the fire on the day of the blaze that his first order at the scene was to get a water supply for Engine 1. But that report failed even to mention that he and his crew were unable to deploy the aerial ladder for rescues, Fire Chief John A. Pond told The Republican after the hearing.

"It was clear that Lt. Cunningham did not properly oversee his fire company on the fire ground at 106 North East St. on Jan. 1, 2017. I think the evidence showed that Lt. Cunningham submitted a false report," which conflicted with a report he submitted 111 days later, Assistant City Solicitor Amber Gould said.

The disobeying an order allegation against Cunningham was in relation to a directive issued at the Jan. 1 fire by Deputy Chief Jeff Prezkopowski. Prezkopowski ordered that, with the building possibly in danger of imminent collapse, Truck 2 was to move. That entails first "breaking down the truck," meaning that hoses would be detached and aerial ladders lowered.

But Cunningham allowed Truck 2 to be moved, twice, while a hose was still attached to a hydrant. This is a serious offense because hoses and nozzles, vital to public safety, could be damaged and are very expensive to replace, officials said.

Coles said that while video of the fire scene shows clearly that Truck 2 moved twice while a hose was still attached to a hydrant, "no one can identify standard operating procedure that was violated."

"Basically the evidence is, 'Look, you should know better.' That may be, that may be," Coles said.

In such a case, a response perhaps should have been to issue Cunningham a letter of instruction ordering that he not direct a truck to be moved with a hose still fixed to a hydrant, he said.

A proper review probably could find "there were a lot of mistakes made" at the Jan. 1 fire. But Cunningham's actions did not justify discipline, demotion or termination, he said.

"Lo and behold, eight months later, we're sitting before this commission on a notice of contemplated disciplinary action with what I just described to you, in layman's terms, as bogus charges. To me, this is pretext for retaliation, nothing more," Coles said.

Lumbra said toward the end of the hearing that he was not considering termination of Cunningham as an option. But Truck 2 leadership clearly was lacking at the Jan. 1 fire, he said.

"I don't see it," Lumbra said.

Also, Prezkopowski's order wasn't followed, he said.

"The order wasn't move the truck. The order was break down the hose and move the truck," which didn't happen, Lumbra said.

Coles also questioned why former Deputy Chief David M. O'Connor, who was working at the 106 North East St. fire but retired later that month, wasn't present to be questioned during the hearing about orders he gave to Cunningham. Coles called O'Connor's absence from the proceeding the "most major flaw in the presentation that the city has given today."

Officials didn't address Coles' point about lack of testimony from O'Connor directly. But Shaw, noting he is friends with O'Connor, said O'Connor is retired and didn't want any part of the investigation into the Jan. 1 and the hearing.

"It was traumatic for him," Shaw said.

A few days after the fire, Cunningham said that Pond should no longer head the department and that it was "disgusting" that Pond said enough firefighters were available to battle the deadly.

Cunningham and others said the browning out, or temporary shut down, of Engine 2 at Fire Department headquarters at 600 High St. restricted firefighters' abilities to fight the 106 North East St. fire.

Pond and others have said the fire was devastating because the building's alarm system malfunctioned and the the fire was allowed to burn for about 10 minutes before the Fire Department was called.

In May, the union reported its members had taken a vote of no confidence in Pond and Mayor Alex B. Morse.

Pond replied that he stands by his convictions and Morse said the chief has his full support.

"He has done a great job of managing his department and ensuring fire protection for the people of Holyoke. The facts bear this out," Morse said of Pond on May 17.

The Fire Commission voted July 26 to order that firefighter Chris Stortz, who drove Ladder Truck 2 at the Jan. 1 fire, get additional training after the vehicle's ladder failed to deploy at the scene.
WARE -- Local merchants who showed up in force at a public hearing earlier this month on a planned $2 million downtown road improvement project said the yearlong construction schedule could hurt business and even put some of them out of business.

Road improvements are planned along the quarter-mile stretch of Main Street (Route 9) from West Street (Route 32) to South Street.

Business owners told representatives of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation on Aug. 17 that the project will disrupt traffic and eliminate parking spaces. They also complained that no plan is in place to mitigate negative impacts.

"I have a bunch of concerns about this project," said Charlie Lask. He owns the Nat Falk clothier and shoe store at 64 Main St., a business that has been in downtown Ware since 1936.

"You could essentially put me out of business," he said.

"The town should say no to this project if traffic is going to be worse," said Mark Swett of Cluett Appliances.

Dennis Craig, owner of Hanna Devine's restaurant, across the street from Nat Falk, also expressed concerns about the viability of his eatery. He opposed the elimination of even a few parking spaces along Main Street, saying they are needed, and that there is a lack of parking already in downtown.

"The length of (time to complete) this project will devastate us," Craig said.

MassDOT said the work could begin in 2019 and finish the following year.

The project has a $2 million price tag, MassDOT project manager William Chi said at the hearing. He said the town is responsible for $250,000 in design costs.

In an interview following the hearing, Town Manager Stuart Beckley said Ware would fund the design expense via Chapter 90 money the municipality receives from the state.

Beckley said he supports creating a mitigation committee to address business owners' concerns, saying it is "a great idea."

Board of Selectmen Chairman Nancy Talbot, who spoke during the hearing, said that selectmen would convene public hearings as needed to address concerns of residents and businesses. She also supports forming a mitigation committee.

John Morgan, a section manager with CHA Consluting Inc., a company working for MassDOT on the Main Street project, said the purpose of the road construction is to "address safety and traffic flow concerns."

He said the project includes sidewalk, road and related infrastructure construction and repair. The design would add a traffic signal at the intersection of Main and West streets. Existing traffic lights at the North Street and South Street intersections would be updated and synchronized with the new lights at Main and West.

While there is a stop sign on Main Street at its intersection with West Street, vehicles approaching Main from West are allowed to turn right without stopping.

"It is definitely a confusing" intersection, Morgan said.

Several who attended the hearing questioned the addition of 6-foot-wide bicycle lanes on both sides of Main Street along the 0.23-mile section of road where the improvements are planned.

Morgan acknowledged that he was not aware of any recent study to measure demand for the bicycle lanes. But Chi said road repairs funded by the government require "Complete Streets" designs that include bike lanes.

Selectman Tracy Opalinski said a proposed bicycle path that has been talked about for more than a decade includes traversing Main Street.
HOLYOKE -- The Fire Commission Tuesday demoted the firefighters' union president from lieutenant to firefighter and suspended him five days without pay for his actions at a Jan. 1 fire after a hearing that lasted over five hours at Fire Department headquarters.

Chad Cunningham, a 10-year veteran, also must undergo 40 hours of training if he wants to be restored as a lieutenant, the commission said.

The commission of Chairman Jon D. Lumbra and Joshua Garcia said Cunningham failed to oversee properly the actions of Ladder Truck 2, the aerial ladder of which malfunctioned, disobeyed an order related to moving the truck and falsified details in reports. Cunningham was commander of Truck 2 at the 106 North East St. fire on New Year's Day.

Terence E. Coles, lawyer for the Holyoke Fire Fighters Association, Local 1693, International Association of Fire Fighters, dismissed the investigation into Cunningham's actions and the hearing as a "witch hunt."

Coles also said the process was a retaliation for Cunningham's criticism about Fire Department funding, personnel and equipment decisions.

The New Year's Day fire at 106 North East St., a five-story apartment building, killed three people and displaced 49. State investigators said the fire was caused by an electrical problem in a third-floor wall outlet.

Check back with The Republican and MassLive.com for more details about this hearing.
WEST SPRINGFIELD- As the nation continues to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of the late president and Massachusetts native John F. Kennedy, an upcoming event in West Side will look at Kennedy's strong ties to Western Mass.

Noted author, local historian and Springfield Republican Executive Editor Wayne E. Phaneuf and political and government affairs professional Anthony Cignoli will present a lecture on Kennedy's ties to and impact on Western Massachusetts, on Saturday, Sept. 16 at noon, at the Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub, 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is co-sponsored by the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England and the Springfield Museums. It represents the kick-off for a series of displays and events at the Quadrangle in Springfield, to commemorate JFK's 100th birthday.

Kennedy, the 35th U.S. president, was born May 29, 1917. He was elected president in November 1960 and assassinated three years later.

Organized by the Springfield Museums, the exhibition Jack & Jackie: The Kennedys in the White House, will celebrate the fascinating lives of America's 35th president and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Highlighting the White House years of 1961-1963, the exhibition will also honor the 2017 centennial of John F. Kennedy's birth.

In collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and private collectors, the Springfield Museums aims to bring the presidency and legacy of this first family to life. Twenty-seven iconic photographs by Richard Avedon, on loan from the National Museum of American History, will anchor the exhibition, providing a glimpse into the Kennedys' personal life while also documenting their public image.

Building on the momentum of the Wood Museum of Springfield History's popular 2013 exhibition titled The John F. Kennedy Experience: An Exhibit by Frank J. Andruss Sr, the Springfield Museums will also highlight local connections to the Kennedy presidency.

During the "White House years," President Kennedy advocated for human rights, strengthened connections with allies, and oversaw the growth of the U.S. economy. Campaign materials and objects that were in the White House during his presidency will pay tribute to JFK's lasting impression on our nation. In addition, fashion items from period, on display in the exhibition, will display the country's adoration for Jackie's elegant and sophisticated image.

Phaneuf's and Cignoli's presentation will include an overview of the life of Kennedy, with specific references to his ties and visits to Western Mass., where he was extremely popular. His talk will include a question-and-answer discussion session.

Phaneuf is executive editor of The Republican and has been a journalist and historian for more than 47 years. He has written or contributed to 13 books and developed The Republican Heritage Series to further understanding and history of ethnic groups throughout Western Mass.

He is also a trustee of the Springfield Museums and chaired the building committee for the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. He serves on the Armory Alliance and is a lifetime trustee of Old Sturbridge Village. His history column, Looking Backwards, ran in the daily News and The Republican for 10 years. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts and currently lives in Brimfield.

Cignoli is the President of the A. L. Cignoli Company, the public relations, political and governmental affairs company he founded in 1992. The company serves political and corporate clients across America with bases of operation in Boston, Massachusetts, client's operations centers, and home base being Springfield, Massachusetts.

A.L. Cignoli Company is recognized for a holistic approach to public and governmental affairs solutions, melding Cignoli and his associate's contacts and hands-on approach with an understanding of how to utilize modern applications of data mining, polling data and social media. Cignoli is a veteran of more than 350 political campaigns, including presidential elections in Peru, Prime Minister and Parliamentary campaigns in Italy and many referendums in Massachusetts and throughout New England.

He is a frequent commentator and political analyst for newspapers, radio and television news programs.
LUDLOW -- Three larceny suspects led authorities on a multijurisdiction pursuit that began in Wilbraham, continued into Springfield and ended in Ludlow, with multiple crashes along the way.

Anthony Barros, 27, of the Dorchester section of Boston, and Tyler Boyd, 19, of Quincy, were captured in Ludlow by Sgt. James Sevigne and Officer Andrew Roxo around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sgt. Daniel J. Valadas, a spokesman for the Ludlow Police Department, said Wednesday.

Barros, Boyd and the alleged getaway driver, who remains at large, were larceny suspects from a shoplifting incident at Home Depot on Boston Road in Wilbraham.

The trio fled Wilbraham in a white Kia van with Florida license plates, cut through the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, then crossed Putts Bridge into Ludlow, where Barros and Boyd were both apprehended.

The van was involved in two crashes during the chase, including one in Indian Orchard and the other in Ludlow, where the suspects bailed out of the van and fled on foot. Police said the vehicle contained stolen merchandise.

"Victims were reported in at least one of these accidents," Valadas said.

Police said Barros was found hiding in a small wooded area near 97 Winsor St., while Boyd was apprehended at the Lighthouse Bar at 108 Sewall St.

Barros, who had five active warrants in Massachusetts, was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice, while Boyd was charged with disorderly conduct. Additional charges are expected.

The suspects were booked at Ludlow police headquarters and taken to the Hampden County Correctional Center until their arraignments in Palmer District Court. The outcome of the hearings was not immediately known.

Valadas said the case is under investigation. Anyone with information about the third suspect may reach Ludlow police at 413-583-8305.

Police in Wilbraham and Springfield are also expected to file charges in the case.
NORTHAMPTON -- A tentative March trial date was set Wednesday for an Easthampton man accused of illegally detonating explosive devices at Lower Mill Pond.

Bryan O. Desmarais, 42, of 36 Ridgewood Terrace, was indicted by a grand jury on April 25, arraigned on May 9, and faces multiple charges in Hampshire Superior Court. He did not appear in court for a pretrial conference Wednesday, where scheduling arrangements and agreements around evidence were discussed by attorneys.

Desmarais was arrested Feb. 16 by Easthampton police following a 10-day investigation that reached all the way to China.

According to a statement of probable cause, police responded to the south side of Lower Mill Pond on the evening of Feb. 5 and found 10 explosive devices. Nine had already been detonated, and one was intact. Members of the Massachusetts State Police bomb squad "rendered the unexploded device safe" and took the others into evidence.

The devices were later determined to be Chinese "AlfaFire" wireless firing modules connected to six-inch cardboard tubes, colored red, white and blue. Wires attached to the tubes were joined by U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail packing tape, according to police.

An special agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives checked the manufacturer website and learned that the firing modules are made in China. Subsequent communication with the company revealed that Desmarais was shipped two orders in late 2016.

The firing systems were shipped to 142 Pleasant St., where Desmarais rented a suite for his custom fishing lure business, police said.

On Feb. 16, police obtained a warrant and raided Desmarais' suite. They reported finding suspicious components, chemicals that can be combined to make explosives, an explosive material known as ETN, flash powder and ammunition. Desmarais, who does not possess a firearms ID or license to carry, was placed under arrest.

He faces 10 counts of unlawful secreting or placing of an incendiary device, nine counts of unlawful explosion of a destructive or incendiary device, and a single count of attempted unlawful explosion. He faces 37 counts of unlawful possession of a large-capacity feeding device, one count of attempted unlawful possession of an incendiary device or material, and a single count of attempted possession of a machine gun.

Explosives laws that went into effect in 2010 carry up to 25 years in prison for deploying an incendiary or destructive device with intent to create fear or panic.

Desmarais, represented by public defender Alan Rubin, remains held on $150,000 cash bail or $1 million surety. A final pretrial conference is set for Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com.
Jennifer Flanagan, a Leominster Democrat who has served as a state senator since 2008, is Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker's pick for the five-member Cannabis Control Commission.

The commission is tasked with regulating and licensing the new industry behind recreational and medical use of marijuana. The state statute governing the commission calls for the governor's appointee to have a background in public health, mental health, substance use, or toxicology.

The state treasurer, Deb Goldberg, and Attorney General Maura Healey each get to fill a slot on the commission. The governor, Goldberg and Healey then make two choices by consensus.

The picks must be made by Sept. 1.

Flanagan, who has also served as a state representative, will be resigning from her state Senate seat, which includes the cities and towns of Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Sterling, Townsend and Westminster. A special election for filling the seat is expected to follow, after she formally resigns Aug. 31.

In a statement, Baker said Flanagan has worked on substance abuse prevention and treatment legislation during her time in the state Legislature.

"Her experience and service will be invaluable to the Cannabis Control Commission and to the people of Massachusetts as the Commission, our administration, the Treasurer, Attorney General, lawmakers, educators and public health and safety professionals work together to ensure the effective, responsible and safe implementation of the adult use of marijuana in the Commonwealth," Baker said in a statement.

State Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, called Flanagan "tough but fair and her integrity is beyond reproach."

Massachusetts voters broadly legalized marijuana for adult use in November, four years after approving marijuana for medical use.
Massachusetts State Police are searching for a man who allegedly grabbed a teenage girl who was using an outdoor shower at the Shirley Avenue Bathhouse on Revere Beach and sexually assaulted her, officials said.

The girl was using the outdoor shower around 7 p.m. Tuesday when the suspect approached her, State Police said in a statement.

The suspect tried to start a conversation with the girl, and when she tried to get away, he grabbed her and prevented her from leaving before sexually assaulting her, State Police said.

State Police said the girl was able to get away from the assailant and told a family member what happened after they left the beach.

That family member brought the girl to the State Police Barracks on Revere Beach and reported the assault. The victim talked to police and was taken to the hospital for an examination.

State Police describe the suspect as a young adult Hispanic male with braided hair. He was wearing a bathing suit and no shirt at the time of the assault.

State Police Crime Scene Services troopers and a State Police chemist went to the bathhouse to search for evidence.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who may have seen any part of this incident or has knowledge of the suspect, or who may have seen someone matching this description at on near the beach, is asked to call State Police in Revere at 781-284-0038.
WARE -- A former selectwoman in town asked the board at Tuesday's meeting to oppose the "Safe Communities Act" bill pending in the state Legislature that would make Massachusetts a "sanctuary state."

Cathy Cascio told Ware selectmen that any decision to designate the town a sanctuary community should be made by residents who live in the municipality.

"(Do not allow the legislature to) take local control away from us," Cascio said. "I am hoping you can fight (the proposal)."

The legislation was filed with 55 co-sponsors in the House and Senate on Jan. 23, three days after President Donald Trump was sworn into office.

State Sen. Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer, who represents Ware, is among the co-sponsors. State Reps. Todd Smola, R-Warren, and Donald Berthiaume, R-Spencer, who also represent the town, did not sign on.

Cascio said that the selectmen, who also act as the town's board of police commissioners, should solicit views from the police department on the legislation.

"Being a sanctuary state (would) take local control away from us," Cascio said.

Gov. Charlie Baker released a statement in June opposing the bill.

"Our administration does not support making the Commonwealth a sanctuary state and urges the Legislature to hold this bill in committee and reconsider ways to ensure Massachusetts remains a welcoming place while maintaining public safety," Baker said.

The governor said the legislation, if enacted, would "prevent the Massachusetts State Police from upholding our policy to detain individuals for federal authorities that have been convicted of heinous crimes, like murder and rape, and weakens current public safety measures that are designed to keep us safer."

The bill contains provisions that say: "No officer or employee of a law enforcement agency shall arrest or detain a person solely for immigration enforcement purposes or solely on the basis of a civil immigration detainer request or an administrative warrant; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall prevent an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency from arresting or detaining a person in the course of a criminal investigation or prosecution supported by probable cause that the person has committed a crime, consistent with constitutional standards applicable to all people in the commonwealth."

It says: "No officer or employee of a law enforcement agency shall continue to detain a person solely for immigration purposes or solely on the basis of a civil immigration detainer request or an administrative warrant once that person has been released from local custody."

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno has vociferously opposed his community becoming a sanctuary city, saying he doesn't want his city to "become a haven for undocumented, illegal residents or immigrants who might have perpetrated a criminal act or a violent type of criminal act."

The opposite view holds in Northampton, a sanctuary city, where the city council has gone on record to actively condemn Trump's immigration policy.

"Northampton is committed to maintaining its status as a Sanctuary City, meaning we will not honor or enforce any detainer request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that is non-criminal, and will continue to protect our residents from unfair targeting," a resolution adopted by the city council earlier this year says.

"President Trump's order establishes an unprecedented and unconstitutional religious test for immigration into the country . . . Northampton City Council is committed to channeling the grief and outrage felt by many in the City into defending and protecting refugees and immigrants, challenging the dangerous policy proposals of the Trump administration."

The state's highest court last month, in a ruling involving whether court officers can detain someone at the request of federal authorities via a "civil immigration detainer," said state law does not allow that.

"Massachusetts law provides no authority for Massachusetts court officers to arrest and hold an individual solely on the basis of a Federal civil immigration detainer, beyond the time that the individual would otherwise be entitled to be released from State custody," the Supreme Judicial Court decided on July 24.
I can't help but reflect on two events that occurred on Aug. 12 that provided a powerful contrast of good and evil that has descended upon our collective consciousness and caused us to pause.

At about 3pm I looked out from the stage of the Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival and saw thousands of people of every race, creed and color dancing and rejoicing to live Jazz music. At the same time, I first learned of the shameful violence that was taking place in Charlottesville, Va.

I looked up at the bright sun that was shining down on this diverse and joyous crowd and couldn't help but wonder if that was the same sun that was shining on the almost all white-male protesters spewing hatred against Jews and Blacks and anyone else who didn't look or act like them in Charlottesville. Perhaps there was a lunar eclipse passing that way or some other unexplained darkness down there. The bright sun over Springfield cast its warm light upon thousands of people from this community and beyond, all of whom were celebrating with intense positivity and love for the music and towards one another, while at the same time a detestable and vulgar display of the worst in America was taking place, seemingly in our shadow.



The Springfield Jazz and Roots festival blurs the boundaries of race and ethnicity because the music unites us as one humanity. Music is a universal language that instills fellowship and love and brings the best out of people. It provides a forum to celebrate our uniqueness and our similarities in peaceful communion with one another; The Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival showed us that.



Are we a nation of hateful people that is increasing divided politically, economically and ethnically? The violence in Charlottesville showed us that.



We can only hope that the beautiful light that we shared together in Springfield on Aug. 12 can be a beacon to show us the way, and to shine down onto the darkest corners of the human heart, bright enough so that the angry people that marched with torches and chanted Nazi slogans on that same day may someday see the light. For humanity's sake, I hope so.



I am thankful for the Springfield community and the outpouring and appreciation that we received during and after the Jazz and Roots Festival. I wholeheartedly believe that this is one of the great celebrations that Springfield has to offer.



The beautiful Court Square is in a tiny little corner of the world and on Aug. 12 our community demonstrated in a most powerful way the joyous healing of music and its place in the world to promote peace and harmony.



Evan C. Plotkin, Springfield
President Donald Trump blamed the media for his problems. He blamed the filibuster. He blamed Arizona's senior senator - though not by name.

For more than 60 ranting, raving, often unhinged minutes, Trump shouted his message - if one can call it a message - to a boisterous crowd at the Phoenix Convention Center on Tuesday night.

The address, coming just a week after Trump went off the rails at a press conference where he equated the neo-Nazis and white supremacists who staged a deadly march in Charlottesville, Virginia, with demonstrators opposing the hate-mongers, began with a long-winded effort to clean up the mess he'd made seven days prior.

What he did, not surprisingly, was to cherry-pick comments he made not only immediately after the violent rally, but also two days later. But he conveniently left out - did he simply forget? - the frequently unmoored statements he'd made at his Aug. 15 press conference. It was then when he again blamed "both sides" and said there were some "very fine people" marching with the white nationalists and neo-Nazis.

Nothing about that on Tuesday night, though.

Later, during an extended riff about changing Senate rules to end the filibuster, a procedural maneuver that requires 60 senators to move much legislation forward, Trump repeatedly blamed Sen. John McCain, the Arizona senator who cast the deciding vote against a badly flawed Republican plan to gut provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often called "Obamacare."

"One vote," Trump shouted. "One vote," he said again.

This, during a rap about the Senate filibuster. Perhaps Trump and his base of supporters don't want to understand that the filibuster had nothing whatsoever to do with the failure to repeal and replace Obamacare. Republicans managed to muster just 49 votes in that effort.

But he didn't mention McCain by name. And seemed proud of that. Nor did he use the name of Arizona's junior senator, Jeff Flake.

What he did say, though, was this: "Nobody wants me to talk about your other senator, who is weak on borders, weak on crime.

He said further: "I haven't mentioned any names, so now everybody's happy."

Well, not exactly.

Flake, of course, recently published a book that became a sudden bestseller. The volume, "Conscience of a Conservative," lays out the case for a return to true conservative values - and slams Trump throughout. Trump has recently voiced his support for a fringe candidate who'll be challenging Flake in the party primary, angering GOP senators up and down the line.

But the rantings of Trump certainly pleased his supporters in Phoenix.

So too did his broad hint that he's likely to pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was found guilty of criminal contempt last month for violating a judge's order regarding the sheriff's continued immigration patrols. Though there'd been rumors before Tuesday's event that Trump would issue a pardon at the campaign-style rally, further - fueling racial tensions, he instead proceeded with a nod and a wink and a strong hint of what's to come for Arpaio, a Springfield native.

"I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine," Trump said to loud cheers.

In the end, that's what Tuesday's rally was all about, really - cheers. As Trump faces mounting criticism for his manifest failures and continues to sag in public opinion polls, he can still rally the faithful, the one-third or so of the populace who'll stand by their man no matter what.

And blame the media even as he goes.
Several members of Massachusetts' congressional delegation joined their New England counterparts Wednesday in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide dairy farmers with the relief and insurance needed in wake of reportedly declining milk prices.

U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, were among more than two dozen federal lawmakers who called on Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to make milk an agricultural commodity eligible for Federal Crop Insurance -- a program that insures farmers for hundreds of different kinds of crops.

U.S. Reps. Richard Neal, D-Springfield; Jim McGovern, D-Worcester; Bill Keating, D-Bourne; Stephen Lynch, D-South Boston; and Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, also signed their names to the letter, which further asked Perdue to work with the USDA's Risk Management Agency to develop new insurance products for dairy farmers.

Although milk production at New England dairy farms has been on the rise with 68 million more pounds produced in 2016 than 2014, farmers have faced double-digit price declines in recent years, the lawmakers contended.

Ongoing difficulties with the Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers and the lack of other risk management options, meanwhile, have added to the struggles New England and other American dairy farmers face, the congressmen and senators argued in their letter.

In 2015, for example, more than 700 New England farms enrolled in MPP buy-up coverage -- a number which dropped to fewer than 30 in 2017, they noted in their letter.

Low enrollment is clear evidence that MPP isn't providing farmers the risk protection they need, the lawmakers argued, adding that they intend to overhaul the program as Congress works to reauthorize the Farm Bill.

"We write today to urge the USDA to use its existing authority to provide relief to dairy farmers in New England and across the country ... We urge you to utilize existing authorities to expand and enhance insurance products for dairy farmers," they wrote. "Milk, a commodity by any measure, must be eligible for a range of policies through the Federal Crop Insurance Program."

Aside from members of the Massachusetts delegation, congressional lawmakers from Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire also signed on to the USDA letter.

News of the letter came as McGovern met with farmers, agricultural producers and farming organizations across his district.

The congressman toured Sage Farm in Montague, Australis Farm in Turners Falls, Bardwell Farm in Hatfield and Simple Gifts Farm in Amherst on Wednesday.
Defending former Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio against his recent criminal conviction, President Donald Trump this week questioned the charges brought against the Springfield native and left the door open to a possible future pardon.

Trump suggested during a Tuesday rally in Phoenix that Arpaio, who was convicted of criminal contempt for defying a court order to stop detaining suspected undocumented immigrants, was "doing his job" and "should have had a jury."

The president, however, offered that he believes the former sheriff, who served as an outspoken surrogate for his 2016 Republican presidential campaign, will "be just fine."

Facing chants of "pardon Joe!" Trump said he would not do so at the rally, but hinted that Arpaio could get a reprieve from the White House in the future.

"Was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?" Trump said. "He should have had a jury. But, you know what? I'll make a prediction. I think he's going to be just fine, OK?"

"But, I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy," the president added. "But Sheriff Joe can feel good."

Prior to the event, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders shot down the idea of Trump issuing a pardon to Arpaio Tuesday.

"I can tell you that there will be no discussion of that today at any point, and no action will be taken on that front at any point today," she told reporters.

In late July, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton found the 85-year-old former sheriff guilty of criminal contempt of court -- a misdemeanor that carries up to six months of jail time. Arpaio is expected to appeal the ruling.

The charge reportedly came out of a decade-old lawsuit that accused Arpaio's office of frequent rights violations and racial profiling of individuals suspected of being in the country illegally.

Arpaio was ordered in 2011 to halt detaining individuals solely based on suspicion of their immigration status. The former sheriff, however, argued his practices were legal and would not change them, according to reports.

Arpaio made an international name for himself during his 20-plus years as sheriff for housing prisoners in desert canvas tents and issuing pink underwear, among other things. He gained further attention in 2016 after endorsing Trump's presidential bid and campaigning for the Republican's White House run.

Arpaio, who has identified himself as "a kid from Six Corners," previously backed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's 2008 Republican presidential campaign and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry's 2012 bid.
Congressman Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, highlighted the work of Western and Central Massachusetts farmers, agricultural producers and non-profit farming organizations as he toured farms across his congressional district this week.

The Worcester Democrat met with local producers of dairy, meat and vegetables, as well as leaders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and others during his seventh annual cross-district agricultural tour.

McGovern said the two-day event sought to bring attention to the local farmers who "work hard to bring the freshest crops to our communities and support our growing agricultural economy."

In addition to their work, the congressman said the event also aimed to highlight challenges local farmers face, like farms in transition and new sources of revenue.

"On this year's farm tour, we hit the road to meet farmers throughout the region to hear firsthand about the incredible work they're doing," he said in a statement. "We talked about farms in transition and how many of our farmers are finding new ways to innovate and bring more of their products to our families and communities."

The Worcester Democrat said he also engaged with farmers and other industry stakeholders on initiatives like the Healthy Incentives Program, which connects families in need with farm-fresh food, and the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive, which supports projects to increase purchases of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers.

McGovern thanked the USDA, state leaders and local partners who took part in the 2017 tour, contending that "strong farms make strong communities."

"Together, we are working to ensure that all of our local farmers have the support they need to continue to make Massachusetts a leader in sustainable agriculture for generations to come," he added.

As part of his two-day tour, the congressman stopped at farms in Sutton, Barre, Amherst, Hatfield, South Deerfield, Montague, Turners Falls and Belchertown, among other places.
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, ramped up his push for legislation to help border protection agents stop the flow of illicit fentanyl after data released this week found the drug present in most of the opioid-related deaths that have occurred so far in Massachusetts this year.

The Democrat, who has focused on efforts to combat opioid abuse, contended that the new Massachusetts Department of Public Health figures underscore the need for passing the INTERDICT Act -- a bill he introduced with U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, to provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection with tools, such as chemical screening devices, to help detect and intercept drugs like fentanyl.

Despite acknowledging that "there is no easy solution" to addressing the growing opioid abuse across America, Markey said the government must "staunch the flow of this drug across our borders before we lose an entire generation to this terrible opioid killer."

"Fentanyl is presenting as the deadliest illicit opioid drug Massachusetts is facing ... My legislation, the INTERDICT Act, will give our first responders the tools they need to fight this fentanyl epidemic while also protecting our brave first responders who are on the front lines of this tragic epidemic," he said in a statement.

The senator further said he hopes President Donald Trump's recent pledge to declare the so-called opioid crisis a national public health emergency will help Massachusetts and other states access new funding for expanded prevention, treatment and recovery services.

According to the DPH data released Tuesday, the number of opioid-related deaths appears to have declined in the first half of 2017, with 53 fewer reported compared to the same period of 2016.

Although the rate of prescription opioids and heroin present in those deaths trended downward, the rate of fentanyl presence has continued to rise, the DPH data found.

The powerful painkiller was present in 81 percent of opioid-related deaths with toxicology screens in the first quarter of 2017 -- up from a low of 19 percent in the third quarter of 2014, DPH reported.

Various law enforcement groups have come out in support of Markey's bipartisan-backed legislation, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Border Patrol Council and the National Sheriffs' Association, among others.

Despite such support, the bill has seen little action in Congress since being introduced in March.

It has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for consideration.
CLEVELAND -- Red Sox manager John Farrell said both Dustin Pedroia (knee) and David Price (arm stiffness) had productive days of work today at Fenway Park.

Price threw long toss at 90 feet today after throwing 60 feet Monday.

"We'll look to increase that distance again tomorrow," Farrell said here at Progressive Park.

The Red Sox placed Price on the 10-day disabled list July 28 (retroactive to July 25) with left elbow inflammation. He spent the first 49 games of this season on the disabled list with an elbow strain.

He threw yesterday for the first time in six days after being shut down with arm stiffness.

"And Pedey, talking with him live, is chomping at the bit," Farrell said. "Running on the treadmill up to 12-miles an hour in kind of a sprinting type workout. That was all tolerated well. So the work to date that he's been putting in the last few days, there's been no additional swelling or irritation of any kind. As he moves into this functional phase -- putting him in fielding position, changing directions, accelerating -- all that has been really good."

Pedroia has taken swings in the batting cage (mostly hitting off the Tee).

"It's kind of just making sure that any kind of rotation on the lower half is being tolerated," Farrell said.

Pedroia was placed on the disabled list with left knee inflammation Aug. 12 (retroactive to Aug. 9). He spent from July 29 through Aug. 8 on the DL with left knee inflammation. He was activated Aug. 8, played one game, then returned to the DL.
Here is our Top 10 for last week, celebrating work and successes to grow and strengthen our regional Great Falls economy.

1) Another new business announced it is opening in September downtown, Zero Escape Room . See more details in the Tribune http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2017/08/18/can-you-solve-mystery-zero-escape-rooms-coming-great-falls/577864001/ . Local developers are working on plans for 111 Central Avenue downtown. The theater building was built in 1886 as Albrechts Furniture Store and most recently housed Center Stage and Montanas Actor Theater. The property has been empty for several years. Local developers hope to bring a new, unique business to downtown.

2) Continued work with several manufacturing startup, expansion and attraction prospects. Renewed our MOU with the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center. GFDA investors support MMEC by providing space in our office to house MMECs statewide food processing specialist. Our pipeline of active clients today includes 68 existing businesses, 39 startup entrepreneurs, and 24 attraction leads and prospects. We have identified 117 food and agri-processing targets to pitch the Great Falls region to, 23 other manufacturing targets, and 57 site selection consultants.

3) The Cascade County (Great Falls MSA) unemployment rate in July was 3.5%, our lowest July rate since 2007. If you missed it, download a copy of the Labor Supply Report http://files.constantcontact.com/3e765937001/dc1f22c6-9d9f-4978-b064-46f06d6b8bff.pdf we published earlier this month.

4) We hosted 11 entrepreneurs at this months pre-business workshop, LaunchPoint, our largest group of the year! Our upcoming training calendar includes Boots to Business for active duty and veterans on August 23-24 at Malmstrom. We launch The Small Business Webinar Series: Understanding Credit Card Processing at 11 AM on September 7th. Its free to log in. Profit Mastery, our workshop that provides actionable tools to improve cash flow and increase profitability, is September 13-14 from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM at Great Falls College MSU. Profit Mastery is offered at the reduced rate of $125 and includes lunch. LaunchPoint is free to attend and is next offered Tuesday, September 19th from 4-5 PM at GFDA. For registration information or to ask questions, contact Jason Nitschke at [email protected]

5) Congratulations to the over 200 volunteers who constructed the new KaBoom playground in West Bank Park, and THANK YOU to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, Benefis Health System and the many others who contributed to make the playground possible!

6) Registration is open for the Montana Downtown Conference and the Great Falls Downtown/Riverfront Development Opportunity Showcase, October 18-20. The focus of the 10th Annual Montana Downtown Conference will be "Attracting Private Investment to Your Downtown." More info and registration here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-montana-downtown-conference-downtownriverfront-opportunity-showcase-tickets-36917428021?ref=enivtefor001&invite=MTI1MDY0NDkvYmRvbmV5QGdmZGV2ZWxvcG1lbnQub3JnLzA%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&ref=enivtefor001&utm_term=attend

7) The University of Providences master degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling received initial two-year accreditation. There is tremendous demand/need for this career field.

8) We issued the GFDA Index for the 2nd Quarter of 2017 http://files.constantcontact.com/3e765937001/1ce6d955-b723-4f4e-abfa-1d06a104be13.pdf .

9) Business Facilities issued its 13th annual rankings report. Montana ranked 6th for Best Business Tax Climate, 8th for Best Cost of Doing Business, and 2nd for Lowest Industrial Electricity Rates.

10) Did you know the majority of economic growth is from existing business expansions? We are here to help! If your company is considering expansion, call Jolene to see what tools are available to help you succeed, 406-750-4481.

Hungry to Grow the Great Falls region!

Brett

Brett Doney

President/CEO

Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-doney-83269b6/?authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=r7jF&locale=en_US&trk=tyah&trkInfo=clickedVertical%3Amynetwork%2CclickedEntityId%3A19615718%2CauthType%3ANAME_SEARCH%2Cidx%3A1-1-1%2CtarId%3A1485731580114%2Ctas%3Abrett to network with the Great Falls region.

"If opportunity doesnt knock, build a door."

Milton Berle

Commercial Loan Portfolio Manager opening. Exceptional professional sought to support the growth of GFDAs business and real estate lending and overall economic development efforts. Join our dedicated, passionate, fun, fast-paced, results-driven economic development CDFI team. Help us grow and diversify the Great Falls regional economy and support the creation of higher wage jobs. Duties include loan portfolio risk rating and financial analysis, loan documentation and servicing, reporting to a variety of public and private funding sources, maintaining our loan portfolio management system and other specialized software databases, responding to client and partner inquiries, and business development. Requires the ability to maintain accurate records, timely submission of reports, and strong computer and written/oral communication skills. Must be detail oriented, self-directed, and organized with the ability to be flexible to help achieve our overall team mission. Lending, finance, government grant management and/or accounting experience preferred. BA/BS or equivalent relevant experience. Salary range $40,000-45,000 with excellent benefits, professional development, growth opportunities, and flexible work environment. Work with a great team, help us move Great Falls Forward, and make a difference in peoples lives! EOE. Cover letter and resume to Lillian Sunwall at [email protected]. Open until we find a great candidate.

Cost-Effective Industrial Sites Available

If your company needs a rail-served, BNSF-Certified, shovel-ready site with all municipal services at your door, we have lots available for immediate construction in the Great Falls AgriTech Park. Contact Brett Doney at 1-406-750-2119 or [email protected]

Upcoming Business Events & Training

Profit Mastery workshops assist entrepreneurs to more efficiently manage the cash flow of their businesses. Our next Profit Mastery workshop is scheduled for September 13-14 at Great Falls College MSU. The two-day course is $125, which includes materials and lunch. Click for more info https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/3782 . We are also offering a QuickBooks basics workshop for $79 on October 11. Click for details: https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/3863.

Import 101 offered by Montana World Trade Center, September 21st, 2:00-5:00 PM in Missoula. More info at http://www.mwtc.org or [email protected]

Montana Downtown Conference, "Attracting Private Investment to Your Downtown," October 19-20 right here in Great Falls. Sponsorship opportunities available, contact Sheila Rice at [email protected]. Come a day early on October 18th for a special Great Falls Downtown & Riverfront Showcase. Register here or email [email protected]

This fall Senator Daines will be hosting the second biannual Montana High Tech Jobs Summit in Missoula, October 8-9th. To register or for more information, please visit the website at http://www.montanatechsummit.com.

Join us for the first annual Montana Food Show! This tradeshow will provide opportunities for food buyers and food producers to connect and find ways to get more Montana foods on Montana plates. Over 50 Montana fresh produce, meat, food and spirit companies will be showcasing their products in Bozeman on Tuesday October, 10, 2017. We invite food purchasers from schools, restaurants, hospitals, grocery stores, catering businesses, and other organizations to attend a private buying event from 10am-4pm. Doors are open to the general public from 4 to 7pm. Buyers can register and learn more at http://www.foodshow.mt.gov Questions? Contact Steph Hystad with the Montana Department of Agriculture at 406.444.5425 or [email protected]

Vision

Hungry to Grow the Great Falls region

Mission

Grow and diversify the Great Falls regional economy.

Create higher wage career opportunities.

Improve market competitiveness.

The first economic development organization in the Rocky Mountain West to earn accreditation from the International Economic Development Council.

GFDA is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and a 501(c)3 charitable organization. High Plains Financial is a certified Community Development Corporation that offers SBA 504 loans statewide. GFDA and High Plains Financial are Equal Opportunity Lenders.

GFDA is proud to host a Montana Small Business Development Center

and a Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

For more info, click to our website. http://www.gfdevelopment.org/
Wells Fargo says it is nearing completion of an expanded analysis to try to find instances in which its employees might have opened unauthorized customer accounts, which could lead to additional refunds.

In a letter to employees, CEO Tim Sloan said the third-party analysis could be completed within a "few weeks," covering 2009 to 2016, and that the number of customers involved is likely to grow.

Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY

Full Story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2017/08/22/wells-fargo-ceo-warns-workers-scandal-could-grow/592369001/
If managed well, electric vehicles present a massive opportunity for utilities to invest productive capital into the distribution system.

So whether or not utilities are allowed to own and rate base charging infrastructure, massive investment opportunities are coming down the road. But if utility shareholders receive new earnings opportunities through EVs, what value will customers get in return?

by Mike OBoyle

Full Story: https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/getting-the-most-out-of-vehicle-electrification-customers-grid?utm_source=Daily&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=GTMDaily
As part of a new initiative, eight governors agreed to meet with inmates, crime victims and corrections staff to better understand how their criminal justice policies impact people.

Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana toured a womens recovery program in a correctional facility.

"Behind the statistics are real people, and by meeting face to face, we can gain a greater understanding of how to turn every potential opportunity into a success story," said Bullock http://governor.mt.gov/Newsroom/governor-bullock-visits-riverside-correctional-facility-to-highlight-criminal-justice-reform

by J.B. Wogan

Full Story: http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/gov-governors-criminal-justice-system.html
Food is a kind of reward, and the better it tastes, the more rewarding it feels. New research in mice identifies the neurons and brain circuits that regulate how much pleasure the rodents take in eating. Some of these neuronal mechanisms are also involved in reward processing.

Share on Pinterest New research identifies appetite-controlling brain cells in mice that are likely to exist in humans, too. The findings may have significant implications for people with eating disorders.

A new study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience finds neurons and neuronal circuits that control how much pleasure mice  and probably humans, too  get from eating.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Martinsried, Germany  in collaboration with those at the Friedrich Miescher Institute in Basel, Switzerland  set out to examine the brain mechanisms that govern appetite and food consumption.

The first three authors of the study are Amelia Douglass, Hakan Kucukdereli, and Marion Ponserre  all three doctoral students who, on this study, worked together with other researchers and senior author Prof. Rudiger Klein, director at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology.

As the authors explain, it is known that our reward-seeking and reward-processing brain processes also control appetite, but how or whether other brain areas may also play a role is not entirely known.

The team also explains that previous research has shown that a brain region known as the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is involved in feeding and reward processing, but precisely what neurons and circuits drive these behaviors has not been clear.

The amygdala is the brain region that is key for processing emotions, making decisions, responding to emotionally demanding situations, and learning by association with frightening or pleasurable events.

As Prof. Klein explains, researchers from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena already pointed out that a class of neurons called PKC-delta neurons, which reside in this CeA area, can make mice stop eating.

I found this study on anorexia neurons in the amygdala fascinating, says Prof. Klein. So, for the new research, the scientists set out to identify whether or not there were other neurons implicated in appetite and food consumption.

The team focused on a different population of CeA-based neurons called HTR2a neurons.
Scientists have created healthy offspring from genetically infertile male mice, offering a potential new approach to tackling a common genetic cause of human infertility.

Our sex is determined by the X and Y chromosomes. Usually, girls have two X chromosomes (XX) and boys have one X and one Y (XY), but approximately 1 in 500 boys are born with an extra X or Y. Having three rather than two sex chromosomes can disrupt formation of mature sperm and cause infertility.

In a new study published in Science, scientists at the Francis Crick Institute have found a way to remove the extra sex chromosome to produce fertile offspring. If the findings can be safely transferred into humans, it might eventually be possible for men with Klinefelter syndrome (XXY) or Double Y syndrome (XYY) that are infertile to have children through assisted reproduction using this technique.

The research was done in collaboration with Kyoto University and funded by the European Research Council, the Japan Science and Technology Agency, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

The team took small pieces of ear tissue from XXY and XYY mice, cultured them, and collected connective tissue cells known as fibroblasts. They turned the fibroblasts into stem cells and noticed that in the process, some of the cells lost the extra sex chromosome. With an existing method, they used specific chemical signals to 'guide' the stem cells into becoming cells that have the potential to become sperm. These cells developed into mature sperm when injected into the testes of a host mouse. The researchers then harvested these mature sperm and used them through assisted reproduction to create healthy, fertile offspring.

"Our approach allowed us to create offspring from sterile XXY and XYY mice," says first author Takayuki Hirota from the Francis Crick Institute. "It would be interesting to see whether the same approach could one day be used as a fertility treatment for men with three sex chromosomes."

In a preliminary experiment, the team found that stem cells produced from fibroblasts of men with Klinefelter syndrome also lost the extra sex chromosome.

However, lots more research is needed before this approach could ever be used in humans. Senior author James Turner, Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute, explains: "There is currently no way to make mature sperm outside of the body. In our mouse experiments we have to inject cells that have the potential to become sperm back into the testes to help them finish developing. But we found that this caused tumours in some of the mouse recipients. So reducing the risk of tumour formation or discovering a way to produce mature sperm in a test tube will have to be developed before we can even consider this in humans."
Physicians identified a majority of patients with advanced heart failure as at high risk for transplant, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or death while few of those patients considered themselves to be at high risk, according to a study published today in JACC: Heart Failure.

Physicians rated 161 patients for perceived risk for transplant, LVAD or death in the upcoming year. The patients were also surveyed about their perceptions of their life expectancy and willingness to undergo different treatment options.

Sixty-nine percent of the patients were considered at high risk for transplant, LVAD or death by their physicians. However, only 14 percent of patients considered themselves to be at high risk. Over 13 months of follow-up, 38 percent of patients experienced an endpoint: 21 percent deaths, 8 percent transplants and 9 percent LVAD implants.

"It was surprising that there were such drastic differences between patient perceptions and physician perceptions of heart failure disease severity," said Amrut V. Ambardekar, MD, an assistant professor in the division of cardiology at the University of Colorado and the study's lead author. "We hope better understanding these differences will facilitate improved patient-physician communication regarding advanced heart failure therapies."

Researchers also assessed patient willingness to consider other life sustaining therapies to treat advanced heart failure, such as ventilation, dialysis or a feeding tube. Among the patients identified as high risk by physicians, 77 percent were willing to consider LVAD, but 63 percent indicated they would decline other simpler life sustaining therapies.

"More than likely, these inconsistencies indicate a poor understanding of these treatment options," Ambardekar said. "Patients may not fully appreciate the invasive nature of some of these procedures, so we probably need to look for better ways to educate our patients both on the severity of their disease and their treatment options - well before they need these advanced therapies."

"This work highlights the importance of increasing the educational awareness of our patients and the need for more research in this area," said Christopher M. O'Connor, MD, FACC, editor-in-chief of JACC: Heart Failure.

Study limitations include that the categorization of physician and patient risk, as well as the patients' opinions on treatment options, were made at the time of enrollment. According to the researchers, it is likely that perceptions of risk and the patients' understanding of treatment options changed over the course of time.

Article: Discordant Perceptions of Prognosis and Treatment Options Between Physicians and Patients With Advanced Heart Failure [Abstract], Amrut V. Ambardekar, Jennifer T. Thibodeau, Adam D. DeVore, Michelle M. Kittleson, Rhondalyn C. Forde-McLean, Maryse Palardy, Maria M. Mountis, Linda Cadaret, Jeffrey J. Teuteberg, Salpy V. Pamboukian, Rongbing Xie, Lynne W. Stevenson, Garrick C. Stewart. JACC: Heart Failure, doi: 10.1016/j.jchf.2017.04.009, published online 16 August 2017.
Haven't we learned from other company's mistakes that people don't really care about luxury smartphones anymore? A few weeks ago, Vertu was caught in a very sticky situation where the company had to auction off their inventory because they were going bankrupt. You see, no one really gives a fuck about exclusive, luxurious, out-dated smartphones anymore.

 Lamborghini Mobile

Sure, there are some idiots out there who would pay enormous amounts of money just stand out from the crowd. The Lamborghini Alpha One smartphone is made of Italian handmade black leather which might appeal to someone who probably has very bad taste in fashion. The smartphone wants to make their users feel glamorous since it is a luxury smartphone that costs INR 1.6 Lakhs.

 Lamborghini Mobile

That's a hefty price tag for something that only has leather to offer in terms of luxury. I mean, I would pay that amount of money for a smartphone that might have groundbreaking technology that no other smartphone has. You know like the upcoming iPhone 8 with 3D facial recognition and augmented reality! However, when looking at Alpha One's specifications, I just want to laugh and roll over. You can have a look at the technical specification of the smartphone below and laugh with me too:

 5.5-inch WQHD, 2560x1440, display

 Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor

 Android Nougat

 4GB of RAM with 64GB of storage and up to 128GB of expandable storage

 20-megapixel rear-facing camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera

 3,250mAh battery

 Dual SIM card support

 Fingerprint scanner

The phone is going to sold exclusively at Harrods in the UK and also in UAE at multiple retailers. To be honest, I'm already bored typing out this article as there is nothing really interesting about the smartphone. So, if you really love the Lamborghini lifestyle, you can waste your money on this useless smartphone.
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FREMONT TOWNSHIP -- A Davison woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash after one of the vehicles failed to yield right-of-way, according to Michigan State Police.

State troopers from the Caro Post were dispatched at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday to investigate a two-vehicle crash that occurred at the intersection of Leix and Blackmore roads in Fremont Township.

The driver of a sedan, traveling east on Blackmore Road, failed to yield right-of-way to a SUV traveling south on Leix Road. The driver of the SUV was unable to avoid a collision with the sedan.

The driver of the sedan, Muriel Fogarsi, 80, of Davison, was extricated from the vehicle using the jaws of life. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the SUV, a 70-year-old Mayville resident, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for minor injuries. The passenger, also a 70-year-old Mayville resident, was also transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

Michigan State Police were assisted on scene by the MSP Third District Traffic Crash Reconstructionist, Mayville Ambulance Service, Mobile Medical Response, the Mayville Fire Department, and Flight Care.
A senior Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Marine officer accused of sexual assault and abuse of a child will appear at trial next week, more than seven months after he was remanded to the brig to await his day in court.

Col. Daniel Wilson, 55, is accused of multiple counts each of sexual assault, sexual assault and sexual abuse of a child, and assault consummated by battery on a child under the age of 16. Wilson was originally removed from his post as operations officer for II Marine Expeditionary Force and criminally charged in November 2016; but some of his charges, and an additional charge of absent without leave, were added in January due to new information turned up in a Naval Criminal Investigative Service probe.

Little has been made public about the origins of the accusations, but a source has told Military.com that some of the charges concern a child who was six years old at the time.

Related Content:

Wilson had originally been permitted to remain free while awaiting trial, but he was ordered to the brig when the new allegations surfaced in January.

Wilson's civilian attorney, Phillip Stackhouse, announced in February that Wilson would plead not guilty, and complained that II MEF Commander Maj. Gen. Walter Lee Miller's decision to remand Wilson to the brig, and that of the officer who reviewed and confirmed the order, represented an "abuse of discretion and decision."

The trial is set to begin Aug. 29 and is expected to last nearly two weeks, with a planned conclusion date of Sept. 9.

"Wilson is presumed innocent of any alleged offenses and will be afforded the opportunity to defend himself against all charges," Maj. Michael Armistead, a spokesman for II MEF, said in a statement.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go.

Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune...
Navy leadership is reportedly planning to take the rate step of relieving the three-star commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet following a string of high-profile ship accidents in the Pacific this year, including two recent destroyer collisions that cost sailors their lives.

Gordon Lubold of The Wall Street Journal reported that several U.S. officials said Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, commander of the Japan-based 7th Fleet, will be removed from his command Wednesday by U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Scott Swift.

A spokesperson for the chief of Naval Operations referred a Military.com inquiry on the matter to U.S. Pacific Fleet. An official from the fleet said he could not comment on reports, adding that all efforts were currently focused on finding the missing sailors.

The reported move comes days after the destroyer USS John S. McCain collided with a Liberian-flagged merchant vessel east of the Straits of Malacca early Monday morning.

Related content:

Ten sailors were declared missing, and five suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Swift said in a press conference earlier Tuesday that some sailors' remains have been found, but a search-and-rescue effort for the missing has not yet been called off.

The disaster came just months after an eerily similar incident in June in which the destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with a Philippine-flagged container ship southwest of Tokyo. Seven sailors drowned as a result of flooding in berthing compartments damaged by the collision.

In non-lethal, but still serious incidents earlier this year, the cruiser USS Lake Champlain collided with a South Korean fishing boat, and the cruiser USS Antietam ran aground in Tokyo Bay.

Just hours after the McCain collision, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson announced that all Navy fleets around the globe would observe an operational pause to review safety procedures. Meanwhile, he said, a sweeping investigation would be launched, assessing everything from training received by surface warfare officers to how sailors are prepared and equipped to deploy.

Aucoin would be the first flag officer relieved in the wake of the collisions. Wall Street Journal reports he was set to retire in coming weeks. A Naval aviator, Aucoin is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known as Top Gun and previously served as deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems before taking command of the 7th Fleet in September 2015.

The 7th Fleet is the largest of the Navy's fleets and oversees some 40,000 sailors, along with up to 80 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - Demand for Ann Arbor office space has prompted one company to go outside city limits and build a 60,000-square-foot office with wetland views and space for other area businesses.

Anthony Toth, director of asset management at real estate investment firm Promanas Group, said steel beam construction has just wrapped up on Park Place Five, located at 2373 Oak Valley Drive in Pittsfield Township, just outside Ann Arbor.

The Class A office building is on track to be complete in spring 2018, with two stories measuring 30,000 square feet. Toth noted there has been substantial interest in the building from a variety of industries like medical groups, financial consultants and technology companies.

"There's interest from just about every side of the spectrum," Toth said.

The space is being marketed as $22 per square foot with triple net expenses, meaning tenants pay a share of operating expenses like maintenance, snow removal, utilities, according to real estate documents for the new construction.

Some features of the building include steel and brick construction with large glass windows that display views of natural wetlands surrounding the property, covered underground and outdoor parking at about 250 spaces and quick access to nearby highways and retail areas.

Individual business suites range in size from 2,500-square-feet to the 5,254-square-feet designated as the future office for Promanas. There is at least 44,500 square footage available for lease.

Promanas was founded in 2009, and Toth said the company has "grown tremendously since the inception" with at least 300 new investors in the last eight years and more on a waiting list.

"We've experienced a lot of growth here, especially over the last 12 to 18 months, and we need more space," Toth said.

"That, coupled with just understanding the Ann Arbor office market, knowing how low vacancy rates are and how high rental rates are, we knew we could build a really attractive product with rates that are competitive in the market and provide parking."

Promanas currently is working on the Kingsley Condominiums development in Ann Arbor, a five-story building just outside of downtown between Kingsley and Felch streets, west of Ashley Street.

The company also manages more than 3 million square feet of real estate in Michigan and across the United States, Toth said, and has been delving into development investments similar to the Park Place Five project.

The building will allow for future growth of Promanas, along with space for other businesses.

"We're hoping a lot of great companies will be coming to join us," Toth said.

Pittsfield Township was chosen because of its tax policies and land area available to build on, Toth added.

A report by Ann Arbor-based real estate firm Swisher Commercial released earlier this year put downtown office area at a historically low rate of about 2.1 percent.

"It's difficult to find space in downtown Ann Arbor for a lot of tenants. There is no large footprint or office space at this point," said Mike Giraud, a vice president at Swisher Commercial.

One of the more intriguing parts of the 2016 report is what is happening in the South Flex area designated by Swisher Commercial, which includes parts of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township.

Vacancy decreased from 13.1 percent to 5.6 percent in 2016, a difference of 7.5 percent, helped along with by the sale of six office buildings in the Ann Arbor Commerce Park area and lack of space as businesses and developers moved their headquarters downtown.

Swisher Commercial officials predicted some new construction in the area as companies struggle to find the right space for their teams and are limited by office availability.

Promanas headquarters will move to Park Place Five from its location on Oak Valley Drive in Pittsfield Township once construction is complete around April 2018. Employees can already see the building in progress, with its close proximity to the current office.

"It's got great visibility from 94, which is something we knew you might be able to see from the building," Toth said. "Once we cleared the land and the building started taking shape, it's incredible how visible this building will be from 94."

Now that steel beams are in place, Toth said the construction process will start to move even faster and he anticipates the building being ready for a spring opening.

"It's amazing how fast the building is taking shape," Toth said, adding he is happy to see it moving along. "We need it now and we know other businesses need it now."
George and Amal Clooney are donating $1 million to fight hate groups.

The couple announced Tuesday that their Clooney Foundation for Justice is supporting the Southern Poverty Law Center with a $1 million grant to combat hate groups in the United States.

George Clooney says in a statement Tuesday that they wanted to add their voices and financial assistance to the fight for equality. Clooney said, "There are no two sides to bigotry and hate."
Metro Detroit will see an additional $98 million in warehouse development after Penske Logistics opens what is described as a "highly specialized" distribution center in Romulus.

The 606,000-square-foot building will provide refrigerated and frozen food warehousing and distribution for an existing customer, according to Penske.

The state of Michigan on Tuesday awarded the company up to $2.5 million in a performance-based grant based on its projected hiring, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Penske Logistics forecasts the creation of at least 403 jobs by fall 2021. The company already employs 724 in Michigan, and has a global workforce of 27,000.

"We're pleased to be making this investment and bringing new jobs to Michigan," said Marc Althen, President of Penske Logistics. "The location of the facility was ideal for the needs of our business and we look forward to breaking ground on the project this fall."

Penske Logistics is partnering with InSite Real Estate to build the warehouse center. It will sign a long-term lease for the property.

The new distribution center will be located at 15520 Wayne Road, just south of Detroit Metropolitan Airport. It will "service primarily the Midwest region of the United States," according to MEDC documents.

It also joins online retailer Amazon.com in selecting a development site in Romulus, which in addition to Metro Airport also is home to interstate highways and industrial rail service.

Amazon's new distribution center in Romulus will cost $140 million and result in the hiring of an estimated 1,600 people. Wayne County officials said, when that move was announced in June, that it could finally generate more development in the I-94/I-275 corridor with the "transformational" deal.

The Penske Logistics plans signal still more development opportunity taking shape in the corridor, which is part of the Detroit Regional Aerotropolis.

The 403 jobs to be created with the new facility will include warehouse jobs, forklift operators and local management, Penske officials said.

Among Penske Logistics' clients are Ford Motor Co., which recently presented the company with a supplier award following 20 years of global contracts. Another recent contract increased its profile with Detroit Diesel in Redford, according to Penske news releases. Included in that deal is logistics management of a NAFTA consolidation center for Detroit Diesel auto components.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor is calling on federal lawmakers to put a price on carbon to help reduce pollution and fight climate change.

Once again calling climate change a serious threat and reiterating the city's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, the City Council voted 9-0 this week to voice support for a national carbon fee and dividend program as advocated by the Citizens' Climate Lobby.

"A carbon fee aims to account for the societal cost of carbon pollution," states the resolution brought forward by Council Members Jason Frenzel, D-1st Ward, and Chip Smith, D-5th Ward, at the recommendation of the city's Energy Commission.

The city is now officially supporting the CCL's proposal calling for imposing a carbon fee on all fossil fuels and other greenhouse gases at the point where they first enter the economy.

The fees would be collected by the Treasury Department and rebated to American households in the form of dividend payments.

In 20 years, such a system could reduce carbon emissions to half of 1990 levels while adding 2.8 million jobs to the American economy, according to the CCL, a California-based nonprofit group advocating for national policies to address climate change.

The CCL argues it would stimulate investment in alternative energy and give businesses powerful incentives to increase energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprints to stay competitive.

Fossil fuel consumption accounts for a majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and climate scientists and economists assert a carbon price is one of the most effective and realistic potential methods for reducing emissions, council members stated, expressing some optimism about bipartisan support for the plan.

Proponents say the dividend component makes the plan revenue neutral, and a carbon fee that is directly rebated in equal shares would provide a net financial benefit to a majority of households with the greatest benefit going to people with lower incomes.

"The reason for this is that lower-income households have a smaller carbon footprint than average. They buy less stuff, live in smaller houses, don't travel as much," said Ginny Rogers of the Ann Arbor chapter of the CCL. "And thus their equal share of the dividend more than covers their additional expenses."

According to the CCL, it would place a predictable, steadily rising price on carbon, with all fees collected minus administrative costs returned to households as a monthly energy dividend.

"This dividend helps citizens pay the increased costs associated with the carbon fee while our nation transitions to a clean energy economy," the CCL states in its proposal.

"Because not everyone uses the same amount of carbon, the majority of American households (about 66 percent) are estimated to earn back as much or more than they pay in increased costs."

Rogers, who advocated for passage of the council resolution, said Ann Arbor has an ambitious Climate Action Plan but it still has a long way to go to achieve its emission-reduction goals.

"A national carbon price would greatly incentivize the transition to clean energy and would help us reach our targets," she said. "The city has struggled to find the funding to implement many of the steps in our Climate Action Plan, but under a carbon fee and dividend policy many of the actions would occur naturally."

The city clerk is sending copies of the council's resolution to the CCL, the Climate Leadership Council, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell.

The City Council also is asking the city administrator to devise a strategy to effectively advocate for the plan.

"There are over 50 other municipalities that support a fee and dividend-type structure," Frenzel noted at the council's meeting Monday night, Aug. 21. "Obviously a lot of them come from California, but a few to highlight: Philadelphia, San Francisco, Portland, Oakland, Pittsburgh -- the state of California also, of course."

Frenzel noted the council's resolution simply expresses support for the idea in hopes that it's taken up at the federal level.

"The fee component is critical and useful to businesses because it outlines a specific set of costs that will be inflated over a set of years to those businesses, so it's well-liked in the business community as much as fees are, because it's clear at the outset," he said.

The dividend component, Frenzel added, is important in a couple different ways.

"The bipartisan support that is created by giving back the fee, so it's not a taxation, is critical to receive greater support at the federal level," he said, noting it also benefits people with lower incomes.

Council Member Chuck Warpehoski, D-5th Ward, said he thinks the proposed carbon fee and dividend program is the most politically viable way to put a price on carbon.

"I think there's a lot of really strong points about its structure as a policy framework," he said. "That said, if this doesn't move forward and in two years cap and trade or some other way to get a price on carbon becomes more politically viable, I'll support that, too. For me, the most important thing is to get a price on carbon."

Rogers said Congress is beginning to show signs of taking climate change seriously, and the bipartisan House Climate Solutions Caucus, which had 16 members before the election, is now up to 52 members, with an even mix of Republicans and Democrats.

Two other advocates for a carbon fee and dividend program, University of Michigan students Chris Karounos and Catherine Garton, also addressed the City Council during the meeting.

"Many prominent people think that humanity is facing one of the greatest problems we've ever faced, and it's not ISIS, neo-Nazis or even North Korea," Karounos said.

"It's, in fact, something that creeps up on us very slowly and doesn't make it into the headlines very often," he continued.

"It's something that you can never see with your own eyes unless you collect a huge amount of data across a long timespan, across the whole entire world. So, what happens is this greatly diminishes the amount of fear we experience about this. This is just simple human psychology. But as a student at Michigan who studies climate change and a future delegate of the United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change, I'm here to tell you that it's very bad that we don't have this fight-or-flight response about climate change."

Karounos said the carbon fee and dividend system is "very bipartisan" and has a good chance of gaining traction in Congress.

"On behalf of the next generation who's going to face the effects of climate change, who's going to experience the 13 million people in the U.S. who are going to lose their homes to the rising sea levels, and who are going to experience the flooding that's going to occur in Ann Arbor -- that we already see scientific proof of 100-year floods occurring over and over again every five years now -- I'm going to urge you guys to take action not only by approving this resolution but to continue with the Climate Action Plan," he told council members.

Garton said she's lived in Ann Arbor her entire life and is starting her undergraduate studies at UM this fall.

"I similarly am scared of what the future, my future, looks like right now in terms of climate change," she told council members.

"As I assume you're all aware, climate change is real, it's happening, it's human-caused, and it's hurting our health," she added. "I think that we need legislation to reverse the warming that's happening due to greenhouse gas emissions. Climate experts and economists alike have agreed that the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to place a tax on them at the source. This is essentially what the carbon fee and dividend plan does."

Garton argued it's a market-based solution -- as opposed to a regulation-based solution -- that appeals to conservatives and would reduce carbon emissions while helping to grow the economy.

"This growth can partly be explained by the fact that revenue from the fee is given directly back to households in even amounts, adding real disposable dollars to people's pockets," she said. "Also, it shifts our economy to renewable energy production, which has far more economic potential than fossil fuels do. Essentially, there is no economic argument against the carbon fee and dividend plan."
Editor's note: This story had been updated to clarify the identity of the man detained outside the courthouse.

HOWELL, MI - A Fenton man facing second-degree murder charges for a May crash that killed five people will have his case reviewed for possible trial.

Matthew J. Carrier, 21, was scheduled for a Sept. 21-22 preliminary examination when he appeared in court Wednesday, Aug. 23 in Livingston County's 53rd District Court, according to the court records.

He faces 19 felony charges in the May 9 crash at the intersection of Argentine Road and M-59 in Oceola Township.

Outside the courthouse Wednesday, Livingston County Sheriff's deputies briefly detained a man, identified as the boyfriend of a victim's mother, after he made a gesture - drawing his thumb across his neck - toward Carrier's mother, according to a report by the Livingston Daily.

Prosecutors believe Carrier was driving with a blood-alcohol level "well in excess" of the legal limit for driving in Michigan, and near 100 mph southbound on Argentine Road when he failed to stop at a stop sign at M-59 and struck another vehicle.

Two of Carrier's passengers - Justin Andrew-Humberto Henderson, 18, and Preston Taylor Wetzel, 24, both of Fenton - were killed in the crash, along with three passengers in the other vehicle - Candice Lynn Dunn, 35, of Oakland County, her mother Linda K. Hurley, 69, of Macomb County and Hurley's boyfriend, Jerome Joseph Tortomasi, 73, of Macomb County.

Carrier, Carrier's other passenger Kyle Eugene Lixie, 23, and the driver of the other vehicle, Albert Boswell, 39, of Oakland County, were critically injured.

Carrier faces five counts of second-degree murder, five counts of operating while intoxicated causing death, two counts of operating while intoxicated casing serious injury, five counts of driving while license suspended causing death, and two counts of driving while license suspended causing serious injury in the crash.

He was previously convicted of operating while under the influence in 2014 and of being a minor in possession of alcohol in both 2013 and 2016, prosecutors previously said in court.

He did not have valid driver's license at the time of the crash.

Carrier faces up to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder and remains held without bond.
YPSILANTI, MI - A 57-year-old Ypsilanti man claims he was burned by a hot cup of McDonald's coffee and has released a selfie showing his alleged injury.

The picture shows what appears to be a severe burn on Carl Honeycutt's torso.

Honeycutt released the photo hoping it will help bolster his lawsuit against the firm that owns the Ypsilanti McDonald's.

The lawsuit, filed in the Washtenaw County Trial Court on Feb. 9, has not been resolved. A settlement conference is scheduled for Nov. 21 and a jury trial for Dec. 4, court records show.

Honeycutt's attorney, Joshua Cecil, of Troy-based Goldstar Law, spoke with The Ann Arbor News/MLive in March about the lawsuit, but Honeycutt himself gave his version of events on Tuesday, Aug. 22, when he released the picture.

Carl Honeycutt, 57, claims that a cup of scalding McDonald's coffee gave him this burn on his torso. He said he took the picture the same day he was burned at an Ypsilanti McDonald's in December 2016. (Photo submitted)

Honeycutt said he has kidney failure and has received dialysis treatments for 18 years. A female friend was driving Honeycutt to his dialysis treatment on Dec. 5, 2016 when they stopped at the McDonald's located at 1070 N. Huron Drive in Ypsilanti for coffee.

Honeycutt said his friend was driving and he was in the passenger seat. It was cold and he said he was wearing a winter coat, vest and a thermal shirt. The winter coat wasn't zipped up tight, however, he added.

His friend ordered him a coffee at the drive-through and then handed it to Honeycutt.

"She passed it to me, the lid flew off. It wasn't on right. It just flew off," he said. "When I spilled it on my chest, it just soaked through. All I could do was start screaming and hollering. I was screaming at the top of my lungs. I was terrified."

Honeycutt said the liquid was extremely hot.

"No one could have taken a sip from it," he said. "If I would have sipped from it, my lips would have burned off."

Honeycutt said the pain was incredible, but he was also feeling sick from his kidney disease, so his friend drove him first to his dialysis appointment near St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and then to the hospital afterward where he had his burn looked at.

Doctors told him he sustained second-degree burns from the coffee, the suit claims. But there wasn't much they could do for him except keep him under observation, he said.

That same day, he snapped a selfie of the burn, he said. He also called the McDonald's to tell them what happened.

"They asked me if I wanted another cup of coffee," he said.

Honeycutt declined the offer. He said hasn't been back to a McDonald's since.

He said he started doing some research and came across the famous 1992 lawsuit filed against McDonald's by a woman burned by hot coffee, a case now studied in law schools. In 1994, a New Mexico jury awarded the woman $3 million, according to media reports.

Honeycutt retained attorney Cecil, who could not be reached for comment.

Nine months later, Honeycutt claims the burn still itches and causes him discomfort.

In a previous interview, the attorney said that the 1992 lawsuit may have prompted McDonald's to take company-wide safety measures to keep coffee at a reasonable temperature, but enforcement at individual stores can be lax.

The suit lists both failing to secure the lid and the "excessive and unreasonable temperature" in two counts of negligence. The suit seeks in excess of $25,000, the minimum for a case to be heard in circuit court.

Records show the Ypsilanti McDonald's is owned by a firm called HMK Group Inc. and is being represented by the Plunkett Cooney law firm.

The attorney in charge of the case, Henry Cooney, could not be reached for comment.
DETROIT - Sen. Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that a recent wave of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests affecting Chaldean communities in Detroit constitute as "death sentence" deportations.

"We cannot allow that to happen," said Sanders, speaking at town hall-style meeting in Detroit focused on healthcare.

"We've protected these people in the past. We've got to protect those people and those children, by the way, in the future."

Sanders, who won the Michigan Democratic primary last year, was joined at the event by U.S. Rep. John Conyers, Jr., D-Detroit at Fellowship Church, 7707 W. Outer Drive.

The senator from Vermont was responding to a question from a young Chaldean woman in the audience who asked him for help in their fight to free relatives who were arrested by ICE in early June.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit shortly after the Detroit arrests, arguing that sending back the Iraqi immigrants - many of whom are part of a Christian sect long targeted by extremist groups - may result in torture, persecution or death.

A federal judge ruled in late July that hundreds of detained Iraqi nationals facing deportation shall be allowed to stay in the U.S. at least long enough to try and reopen their cases in immigration court.

U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith issued the preliminary injunction against their removal, meaning about 1,400 Iraqi who have previously been ordered removed from the country, including 114 who were arrested in Detroit in June, will have time to seek protection from deportation.

The immigrants had been ordered out of the country years ago as a result of criminal convictions or overstaying visas, but they were allowed remain in the U.S. under federal supervision because of the dangers they could face if sent back to Iraq.

That changed after a March deal with the Iraqi government in which the war-torn Middle Eastern nation agreed to begin taking back U.S. immigrants who had been ordered removed, leading to a wave of June arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The woman asking the question on Tuesday night mentioned that deal in her remarks to Sanders.

"Thank you for raising the issue of immigration, which we have not touched on tonight," Sanders said.

"Obviously it goes without saying I and John completely disagree with what (President Donald) Trump is trying to do. Bottom line is that in this country, we have some 11 million people who are undocumented."

Sanders concluded by saying it is clear there is widespread support for comprehensive immigration reform, including path toward citzenship.

"We're working as hard as we can, obviously under the very difficult situations we have with Trump."
The state Court of Appeals ruled it's unconstitutional for a prosecutor to use their powers to block someone from running for or holding public office.

That's what Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy aims to do in the case of former Sen. Virgil Smith Jr., who is now running for Detroit City Council.

Worthy's office now plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court decision in a filing expected by Aug. 28, according to a statement issued Wednesday.

Read full Appeals' Court ruli

Smith in March pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of property for allegedly shooting an AR-15 rifle in the direction of his ex-wife, Anistia Thomas, in May of 2015.

The plea agreement with Worthy's office, which included the dismissal of a firearm charge that carries a mandatory two-year prison term, required Smith to resign from his state Senate seat and forbid him from running for office until he completed a five-year probation sentence.

At sentencing, Wayne Circuit Judge Lawrence Talon overruled the plea deal stipulation regarding Smith's ability to hold office, calling it "unconstitutional interference."

Talon also refused to withdraw the plea agreement and allow the parties to renegotiate.

Worthy's office appealed, but the Appeals Court initially refused to hear the case and called it moot, because at the time Smith had resigned from the state Legislature and wasn't running for public office.

That changed when Smith announced his candidacy to become councilman for the city's First District.

Smith placed second in the primary election Aug. 10, beating incumbent Councilman George Cushingberry, Jr., and coming in behind Roy McCalister, Jr., a retired Detroit Police officer, which means he's slated to appear on the November ballot.

Following the primary, Worthy filed a motion asking the state Supreme Court to review the matter, arguing that the decision needed to be expedited, because it could have a significant impact on the November election and the decision of the electorate.

Worthy argues the plea agreement was voluntary and therefore doesn't an overreach of power.

"Not only was the offer unconstitutional, but it also carried with it the possibility of abuse by future prosecutors," says the Appeals Court opinion written by Judge Deborah A. Servitto and Michael J. Kelly. "It is not hard to extend the prosecution's actions in this case to reach a situation where a prosecutor in the future might go on a fishing expedition against a political opponent, threaten to charge them with serious felonies, and then provide a 'voluntary' outlet from that possibility by giving up their position in the legislature and agreeing to not run in the future."

The court also denied the prosecutor's request to withdraw the plea deal and return to the trial court for renegotiation of a plea deal or trial.

The court said that would put Smith in an unfair position, because the prosecution already knows terms he is willing to accept.

It also ruled that the trial judge's decision to exclude portions of the plea deal affecting Smith's ability to hold or run for office "served the administration of criminal justice."

"Allowing the prosecution in the present case to make that offer, reach an agreement, and then simply have another chance at negotiations when the trial court strikes the unconstitutional parts of the agreement sends the wrong message," the court wrote. "If a prosecutor is aware in the future that using the threat of criminal charges against a member of the legislative branch will only be punished by allowing them to go back to the negotiating table after the courts discover their wrongdoing, there will be little impetus to stop the practice."

Smith's troubled began when his ex-wife arrived at his Detroit home to find him in bed with another woman. A physical altercation erupted and Smith ultimately walked out of his house and started firing his gun in the direction of his ex-wife, striking her Mercedes multiple times.

Details of original plea deal accepted by Smith:
DETROIT -- City officials on Tuesday announced a new program seeking to address frequent street flooding in problematic areas.

For the first time since 2010, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) will clean and inspect 30,000 catch basins over the next three years.

Catch basins carry stormwater off the streets into a combined sewer system.

Detroit has 95,000 catch basins and more than 75 percent are blocked or covered with debris, which causes streets to flood, according to the mayor's office.

The city tripled the fleet of trucks by purchasing eight new Vactor trucks for $3.9 million, which use a vacuum to draw out dirt and debris that create blockages.

"This is another example of how we are starting to provide a higher and more consistent level of service to every one of the city's 201 neighborhoods," Mayor Mike Duggan said in a news release. "Every chance we get we are going to continue to restore and add new services."

Six crews will clean and inspect basins while two crews will be on standby. The DWSD is looking to hire Detroiters to operate the trucks and other heavy equipment.

Two shifts will run for six days a week to cover 10,000 catch basins this fiscal year, according to a news release, but that won't include county and state roads.

"In addition to seeing the water coming out of your faucet and flushing your toilet, the catch basin in front of your home is a visible DWSD service," DWSD Director Gary Brown said in a news release. "Detroiters should be able to count on the catch basins moving the stormwater off our streets."

Residents are encouraged to report street flooding to the Improve Detroit application of by calling 313-267-8000.
DETROIT - Kate Upton might be fit, but she was no match for U.S. Marines during a military workout showcase Tuesday at Wayne State University.

The event was a preview for upcoming Marine Week festivities, which will bring active duty Marines to Detroit for activities and school visits between Sept. 6-10.

Upton, along with other Detroit Tigers wives, got pushed to their limits by Gunnery Sgt. Sara Pacheco.

We're watching @KateUpton workout with U.S. Marines. Stay tuned to @MLiveDetroit for video and photos. pic.twitter.com/Gsdd2mAf8G  Ben Solis (@bensolis1) August 22, 2017

Pacheco leads a the Force Fitness group, which was on hand to show Upton and the rest the ropes.

The fitness routine included long striders, side-straddle hops, walking knee hugs, walking lunges and butt-kickers.

Pacheco plans to lead a similar workouts at 7 a.m. throughout Marine Week.

"The workout was very challenging," Upton said.

"I came into this knowing it was going to be difficult, but those pushups really did me in."

Her husband-to-be, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, was sitting on the sidelines, laughing and cheering on his fiancee.

"The most difficult part for me was knowing that I was going to have to deal with her later for being so sore," Verlander said with a laugh.

Verlander runs the Wins for Warriors charity, which helps empower veterans through bonding activities.

Verlander and Upton said being at the workout ahead of Marine Week was another way for them to show their support.

Marine Week is held in one American city each year to let citizens interact with Marine servicemen and women.

For a list of events and times, visit the U.S. Marine Week website.

More information can be found on the Marine Week Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
DETROIT - A group of tiny houses built for low-income Detroit residents received some national attention this week in a PBS News Hour report that aired on Monday night.

A clip from the report was also posted on PBS' YouTube channel:

Cass Community Social Services created the tiny homes north of the Boston Edison neighborhood to provide affordable housing for low- to moderate-income residents.

The group broke ground in September 2016 on the $1.5-million project to build 25 houses ranging from 250 to 400 square feet on in vacant lots on Elmhurst Street, between Woodrow Wilson Street and the John C. Lodge Service Drive.

Ford Motor Company donated $400,000 toward construction.

Each home includes: an oven, stove, microwave, refrigerator, integrated washer-dryer, a bed and dining table with chairs and a couch.

Residents have the option of using the furniture provided or bringing their own.

The homes vary in style from Colonial, Victorian and Tudor to environmental, and seek to tackle three different issues, affordable housing, neighborhood density and environmental efficiency.

Rev. Faith Fowler, executive director of Cass Community Social Services, said in a PBS interview that the homes will give opportunity to those living below the poverty line and keep them in their neighborhoods.

"We wanted this to be part of a larger neighborhood, rather than being segregated or separate or isolated outside of the neighborhood," Fowler said.

"Often, people are worried about gentrification. I'm not so concerned yet. There hasn't been a new building in this neighborhood since 1974, and it was a garage.

"So you can imagine the excitement of seeing houses go up like a barn-raising here. People are coming to watch and sometimes even offering to volunteer"
Prominent Detroit-area personal injury attorney Geoffrey Fieger filed lawsuits against attorney Mike Morse in May on behalf of five women claiming Morse sexually assaulted or harassed them, and he sought to stir things up Tuesday, a day after prosecutors decided against issuing criminal charges in the case.

Fieger called media to his Southfield office Tuesday to play a secret audio recording made by one of his clients, Renee Swain of Novi, who is suing for $10 million-plus after she says Morse grabbed her breast while they were taking a photo together in a Farmington Hills restaurant April 6.

Swain made the audio recording with the help of law enforcement using a hidden recording device after reporting the incident to Farmington Hills police.

Morse's attorneys, Deborah L. Gordon and Frank J. Manley, issued a statement prior to the press conference Tuesday, calling Swain a "clearly confused and possible unbalanced woman" with no credibility.

An employee from Fieger's office requested reporters waiting in the conference room allow him to read the release prior to beginning the press conference.

No reporters agreed to share the release -- or didn't possess it -- and WDIV-TV reporter Mara McDonald, who did have a copy, said she'd call Gordon as a courtesy to see of Gordon had an issue with the statement being shared.

Fieger entered the confernce room a few minutes later.

"You claim to have a press release from Deb Gordon about what I'm going to say even though you haven't heard it; is that what you claim?," Fieger asked the reporter.

"I have a press release from Deborah Gordon," McDonald replied.

"About what ... " said Fieger. "Read to me; read it to us."

McDonald said: "I just checked with Deborah Gordon if she would like us to share that with you; she says, no."

"OK then, well, you can go, because you're her press agent," Fieger said. "You go."

Fieger proceeded to play a nearly 15-minute recording, mostly of a conversation between Swain and Morse.

Swain was asked to leave her purse and cell phone behind before meeting with Morse.

In the police recording, Morse is heard speaking apologetically, telling Swain he has three daughters who mean the world to him, a deep respect for women, maintains a good relationship with the mother of his daughters, is a philanthropist and employs numerous women at his Southfield law firm.

"I'm surrounded by women, I love women," Morse said during the meeting. "I've never been accuse of anything like this or done anything like this and I was mortified ... when it got back to me."

Swain, who's heard crying and blowing her nose at times during the recording, asked Morse if he remembered what happened.

"I remember I took one second to pull you over, that's what I remember," Morse said. "And I'm not denying anything. I believe you. I'm telling you I don't know."

Swain said Morse made her feel "really bad," "like a whore, like you just thought you could do that to me.

"I'm really sorry about that," Morse said. "I don't even know what happened."

Morse added that he liked Swain when he met her and felt they had a "nice little connection."

He said it would "never happen again."

"It's changed me, it woke me up," Morse said. "Nobody should feel like that ... That's not me, and if it was I would have been in trouble long ago.

"I'm 50, I'm divorced, I'm single ... If I could take it back I would."

File photo: Attorney Mike Morse at a backpack giveaway for Detroit schoolchildren on Sept. 6, 2016.

At the time the recording was made, Swain said Morse's apology "was enough" when Morse said he wished there was "something he could do."

Farmington Hills police submitted their investigation to Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica R. Cooper, who recused her office from the case. It was transferred to Genesee County for review.

Fieger released the audio the day after Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton announced his office would not issue criminal charges against Morse and that Swain's allegations would be better handled in civil court.

Fieger said he plans to present the evidence and recording to Attorney General Bill Schuette with the hope Schuette will issue criminal charges. He also filed complaints with the Michigan Attoreny Grievance Commission.

Fieger said he holds no personal grudge against Morse, but proceeded to call Morse and his attorney pathological liars.

"Enough is enough, too, with this nonsense about Geoff Fieger, this is about me," he said. "Five separate women who don't know each other and certainly don't know me retained me, because they believe that I'll get justice for women.

" ... I don't even know Mr. Morse; it's about a time that the news media stop this nonsense."

Morse and Fieger operate two large personal injurt law firms with headquarters less than a mile away from one another.

Attorneys for Morse say he denies any wrongdoing in the "strongest terms."

"This so-called audio apology is not newly discovered and has been found lacking as grounds for any criminal complaint," the statement said. "Mike is a public figure and thus can be a target for those who wish him ill will."

Morse's counsel referred to the incident as a "bizarre situation" that involves an "alleged momentary touch."

"Ms. Swain clearly tried to entrap Mike, but all she got were kind words and a genreal apology for a non-event," the statement says. "At the conclusion of the meeting, Ms. Swain, in the presence of witnesses, gave Mike a large hug.

"In no way was this meeting an admission of misconduct."

The attorneys also took aim at Fieger, saying he "does not have any credibility" and "thrives on a circus-like press conferences."

Morse's attorneys called Tuesday's press conference hosted by Fieger "another of a series of desperate attempts ... to harm Mike and gain publicity for himself."

According to Swain's lawsuit, Morse approached Swain and friends while they were dining at Steven Lelli's on the Green in Farmington Hills about 10 p.m. April 6.

The lawsuit claims Morse asked to take his picture with Swain and "lured" her to the entrance of a private room, where the two were not visible by the rest of the party.

As Swain held up the phone to snap a picture, Morse grabbed her breast and asked her if "this made the photo better," the lawsuit says.

Swain immediately returned to her table, told her friends what had happened, left the restaurant and reported the incident to the Farmington Hills Police Department, according to the lawsuit.

Another $15 million lawsuit was filed in May by a former employee who worked for Morse's law firm.

She claims on one occasion -- a date wasn't included in the lawsuit -- Morse walked up behind the receptionist, "groped her breasts and touched his groin" while announcing he was sexually aroused and inviting the woman to his office.

Representatives for Morse said the woman was a disgruntled employee who was seeking a payday after being fired.
The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Chinese and Russian individuals and companies Tuesday, accusing them of conducting business with North Korea in ways that helped Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Reuters reports China's embassy called the action a "mistake" that should be immediately corrected.

The U.S. Treasury Department said the 10 companies and six individuals helped North Korea generate revenue that could be used to pay for weapons programs. The firms and their executives do business with previously sanctioned companies and people who work with the North Korean energy sector. They are accused of helping place North Korean workers abroad and helping Pyongyang evade international financial restrictions.


MT. MORRIS TWP, MI -- Police are trying to track down the male customer accused of assaulting a gas station employee Monday night following a dispute over a 99-cent slush drink.

The incident began around 7 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Sunoco gas station at the corner of Clio and Pierson roads in Mt. Morris Township when the customer allegedly did not want to the pay for the item.

A gas station clerk turned off the customer's prepaid gas purchase until the drink was paid for in full.

The customer then allegedly began to vandalize the store and assaulted the clerk in the gas station's parking lot, according to Crime Stoppers of Flint & Genesee County.

He then fled from the scene. Anyone with information about his whereabouts may contact the Mt. Morris Township Police Department at 810-785-1311 or report a tip anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245) or P3tips.com.
SHREVEPORT, LA - The mother of a Flint native being held at a correctional facility in Shreveport, Louisiana, in connection with a rape case involving rapper Mystikal and one other man claims her daughter is innocent of any charges.

Tenichia Wafford, 42, of Harker Heights, Texas, has been charged with one count of accessory after the fact to first-degree rape for her alleged connection to an Oct. 22, 2016, sexual assault that took place in downtown Shreveport.

"Investigators collected witness statements, statements from the victim, and physical evidence from the scene. Investigators submitted that physical evidence to the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory for DNA analysis," according to a press release from Shreveport police.

Police said sex crimes investigators were notified DNA evidence recovered during the initial investigation linked Mystikal, 46, born Michael Tyler, of Prairieville, Louisiana, and 26-year-old Averweone Holman, of Killeen, Texas, to the alleged rape.

Wafford allegedly sought out the female victim in an effort to convince her to drop the charges against Tyler and Holman, according to the press release.

Her bond was set at $200,000.

On her way back from dropping Wafford off at Caddo Correctional Center in Shreveport, Sabrina Proctor, Wafford's mother, said her daughter spoke with the alleged victim but is not guilty of the crime she's alleged to have committed.

"We wanted her to turn herself in instead of having the marshals come and kick in doors. She was never on the run. She's been slandered, defamation of character," said Proctor. "My daughter is a good girl and she can't lie. Now she's incarcerated. She didn't do anything wrong. She just called to check up on a friend. They just twisted it."

Proctor, a Flint native, said Wafford asked the alleged victim: "Don't you know about this rape? The girl said 'no.'"

"If there ain't no rape, you need to go down there and see about dropping the charges," Wafford told the alleged victim, according to Proctor. "We're trying to wait until she gets talking to some type of lawyer down there that can reduce her bond. She didn't do anything."

Jonathan Wafford, Tenichia's husband of four years, who was riding back with Proctor from the correctional center, said his wife "doesn't know how to lie."

"She can't lie. Everything she has said is the truth," he commented. "That's my wife and I'm going to stand by her 100 percent. It kind of hurt I had to walk my wife into a correctional facility. She was emotional because she has a grandbaby and he's so used to seeing her every morning."

Tenichia Wafford proclaimed her innocence in multiple Facebook posts and an interview with TMZ.

Pray fa yo girl cuz God knows I haven't done nothing wrong Posted by Tenichia Wafford on Sunday, August 20, 2017

Wafford knows Mystikal through her husband, who is part of a rap group in Texas that Wafford helps to manage.

Proctor said Mystikal is a "good guy too," with her daughter just getting caught up in the wrong situation.

While they will continue to fight for her to be released and the charges dropped, Proctor said it's out of their hands on what will happen moving forward.

"The only thing I can say now is we're looking up to the sweet Lord above into helping her," she added, noting the family would have been in Flint were it not for the charges coming up. "We know once somebody's name gets slandered, it's slandered forever. I believe in my daughter."
FLINT, MI -- Two vans filled with mud and fish were pulled from the Flint River Wednesday afternoon on the city's east side.

Genesee County park rangers, Flint firefighters, and deputies with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office responded around 11:30 a.m. Aug. 23 to the area of Interstate 475 near Garfield Avenue following a report of a vehicle submerged in the water.

A boat crew with the Michigan Department of Transportation was surveying the depth of the river underneath the I-475 overpass in the area when they observed a van in the middle of the river, according to Genesee County Chief Park Ranger Kevin Shanlian.

"Upon arrival, officers from up above on 475 had stopped to see what was going on actually saw the second vehicle," noted Shanlian. A crew from Louie's Towing is still working on pulling both vehicles out of the water, with assistance from the Genesee County Sheriff's dive team.

He pointed out the license plates on both vehicles - a Chevy Astro van and Pontiac Trans Sport - were likely more than 15 years old and would not be in the Law Enforcement Information Network which can trace vehicles to owners.

Shanlian was confident no one was inside of either vehicle due to the condition they were discovered in, with the front driver-side window down and damaged steering columns.

"They were left in a manner that we believe they were stolen and then dumped in here," he said, but Shanlian added once they are pulled out of the water, law enforcement will go through the silt and double check "to make sure there's no one inside."

Finding vehicles in the Flint River is not something unfamiliar for Shanlian, with the Genesee County Parks doing more patrols along the waterway.

"We deal with this about seven or eight times a year, he stated. "But these are nothing that's really current anymore. It seems that we're getting things that have been in the water for a greater period of time."
FLINT, MI -- Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and the Consumers Energy Foundation have pledged $2 million in seed money to start a Flint Promise program that could start awarding college scholarships to the graduating class of 2018.

Matching $1-million commitments from Gores and Consumers were announced in a news conference at the Community Foundation of Greater Flint Wednesday, Aug. 23, and will be used to build the program from the ground up with support from institutions including the University of Michigan-Flint, Mott Community College and Kettering University.

Details of the program are still being developed by a group that includes the three area colleges, the foundation, the Flint School District, Crim Fitness Foundation, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, FlintNOW Foundation, Genesee Intermediate School District, the Hagerman Foundation and United Way of Genesee County.

"The goal is really to align it to the amount of resources that are available ... It's hard to say how it is going to take shape," said Isaiah Oliver, president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation.

Oliver said the initial direction for the program is focused on students who live in and attend schools in the city of Flint and will initially focus on colleges inside the city as well.

Consumers Energy Chief Executive Officer Patti Poppe said her company's foundation gift is the largest single pledge it has ever made.

In a statement issued by Gores, a native of the Flint area, the businessman and Pistons owner encouraged others to donate time and money to boost the city's fortunes.

In January 2016, he announced a private sector campaign to raise at least $10 million for immediate relief efforts tied to the Flint water crisis and for long-term programs focused on economic development, nutrition and health care for city residents.

Arn Tellem, a representative of FlintNOW, said Gores may be able to bring additional help to Flint based on the help he's given others in the past.

"A couple years ago, Tom had agreed to work with ... Magic Johnson to support the Lansing Promise but he did it with one condition," Tellem said. "Tom told Magic that one day, he'd like to see a similar program in Flint, and if that day should ever come, he was going to call Magic to join his forces in Flint.

"Well that day is here. So Magic -- wherever you may be -- whether it's in the states or vacationing in Europe, you better stay close to your phone. A call is coming soon."

Wednesday's Flint Promise announcement comes as the House Education Reform Committee considers a bill sponsored by state Sen. Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, which would make the city one of the recognized promise zones in Michigan.

Having a state-sanctioned program would provide a structure that has proven to work around the state, officials involved in the program said.
OSCODA, MI -- An Oscoda County couple serving a life sentence for the death of Herman Ritchey Jr. will have a new trial after a Michigan Court of Appeals decision to throw out their 2015 murder convictions.

The Michigan Court of Appeals ordered a new trial for Carl and Rachel Bruce after determining defense lawyers failed to line up an expert to challenge the prosecutor's theory during trial.

Appellate Judges Mark Cavanagh and Michael Kelly rejected the couple's motion that evidence was insufficient to support their convictions, but agreed they were deprived of effective counsel when no expert was called to refute the cause of Ritchey's death.

"With respect to the felony-murder conviction, defendants have demonstrated 'a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different,'" states a portion of the court's 12-page written opinion.

Carl Bruce, 41, and Rachel Bruce, 43, were accused of mistreating Ritchey, Rachel's 72-year-old father. The man died in the couple's care on Oct. 24, 2012.

At trial, both were convicted of felony murder, first-degree vulnerable adult abuse and second-degree vulnerable adult abuse. They were sentenced to life in prison.

Rose Ross, a medical examiner and nurse practitioner, testified during the trial that the victim died due to malnutrition and Alzheimer's.

After examining the body, Ross said he was "very thin, with a concave abdomen, protruding ribs, and no muscle mass to his arms or legs." Additionally, he had bedsores on his hip, and areas of "very raw" skin believed to be from constant exposure to urine and fecal matter.

An autopsy was never done on Ritchey -- a key lapse in the eyes of Oakland County Chief Medical Examiner Ljubisa Dragovic, who testified during a post-trial hearing that he could have neither agreed nor disagreed with Ross if he was called in to challenge her testimony.

"(Dragovic) stated that malnutrition could also have come about from a disease process or obstruction in the esophagus or gullet, problems in the stomach, or problems of malabsorption in the small bowel that are gargantuan," reads the court's opinion.

"He also stated that Ross' methodology of just 'eyeballing' the remains of the decedent was not enough for the establishment of evidence beyond a reasonable doubt."

Dragovic testified that no medical examiner could properly conclude that malnutrition actually caused Ritchey's death based on the limited investigative techniques performed by Ross.

"Such testimony would have undercut the foundation for Ross's opinion that the decedent's death was caused by malnutrition and dehydration," the court's opinion states.

"Although Dr. Dragovic's testimony did not directly refute Ross's testimony concerning the vulnerable adult abuse charges, we believe that he lack of an expert witness, coupled with other errors, tainted the entire proceeding such that a new trial on all charges is warranted."

The couple also submitted motions arguing the evidence at the trial was insufficient to support their convictions, the assistance of counsel was ineffective and that they were deprived of an opportunity to accept a favorable plea offer by their counsel. Those arguments were denied by the appellate judges.

The court did agree with a motion from Carl Bruce's counsel that claimed Rachel Bruce's post-arrest interview should not have been used at the joint trial, because it could be used against Carl Bruce.

During that interview, Rachel Bruce's statements incriminated her husband by accusing him of stealing some of Ritchey's money, beating her so she could not obtain help for her father, locking Ritchey in his room for spite and of taking, using and selling Ritchey's medications.

Carl Bruce's defense attorney did not object to those statements being admitted as evidence during the trial.

Rachel Bruce remains at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti. Carl Bruce is at the men's Saginaw Correctional Facility.

A new trial date has not been set.
"Transformers: The Last Knight" star Mark Wahlberg has outmuscled Dwayne Johnson to become Hollywood's highest-paid actor in the past year with a transforming income of $68 million, according to Forbes magazine.

The former rapper known as Marky Mark beat out "Baywatch" star Johnson, with $65 million, and Johnson's "The Fate of the Furious" co-star Vin Diesel, worth $54.5 million.
Imports of beer outpaced those of wine which held the top spot among imported alcohol beverages since 2015.

Korea imported around US$143.93 million worth of beer from January to July this year, up 51 percent from the same period a year earlier, the Korea International Trade Association said on Tuesday. Imports of wine stood at some $111.46 million, a mere 5-percent increase.

This is the first time beer topped imported alcoholic beverages since relevant data started being compiled in 1977. Whisky used to reign supreme until it was displaced by wine in 2015.


Top U.S. military brass at a press conference in South Korea on Tuesday said they are committed to putting diplomacy before war with North Korea.

Adm. Harry Harris, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, was speaking side-by-side with U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Vincent Brooks and Gen. John Hyten, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, at Osan Air Base south of Seoul.

"The most important starting point is a diplomatic starting point," Harris said. "A strong diplomatic effort backed by a strong military effort is key because credible combat power should be in support of diplomacy and not the other way around."

Harris is in South Korea to observe joint war games dubbed Ulchi Freedom Guardian.
Guardian Security Systems, a Central Security Group Company, Named as a "Best Places to Work in Oklahoma" for Second Year

For the second year in a row, Oklahoma's largest provider of security and smart home solutions, Guardian Security Systems, has been selected as one of the "Best Places to Work in Oklahoma," an annual list created by Best Companies Group to recognize companies that excel in creating quality workplaces. Guardian Security Systems is part of Central Security Group, a Top 10 provider of security and smart home solutions in the United States and also a 2016 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private company.

Founded more than 40 years ago, Guardian Security Systems is the state's oldest security company, operating branch offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. From these branches, the company provides professional consulting and installation of security and smart home automation systems for home and business owners. The company's state-of-the-art monitoring and customer care center in Tulsa monitors homes and businesses in 26 states and supports the company's network of branches from coast to coast.

Companies selected as "Best Places to Work" were evaluated for their workplace policies, practices, philosophy, and demographics, and through an anonymous employee survey to measure the employee experience. This award program was designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best places of employment in Oklahoma, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses.

"At Guardian Security Systems and Central Security Group, we make listening a priority and know that our employees have some of the best ideas for creating a positive and healthy workplace where they can feel empowered, find solutions, have fun, work hard, and contribute in a way that builds engagement," said Kent Morris, Central Security Group's director of customer experience and call centers. "We also know that happy, knowledgeable employees are better able to offer the highest-quality customer service, which is our goal at every level of the company. We're extremely proud to have earned this award for the second year in a row and owe tremendous thanks to our dedicated, talented team members as well as the customers who allow us to serve them. We also extend congratulations to our fellow Best Places to Work recipients in Oklahoma and are honored to be in such great company."







In Oklahoma and beyond, Guardian Security Systems and Central Security Group offer services that include Alert 360 interactive security, home automation, remote video monitoring, Alert 360 video, remote access, energy management solutions, 24/7 alarm monitoring and a free Alert 360 mobile app. For more information on the "Best Places to Work in Oklahoma" program, visit http://www.bestplacestoworkok.com or http://tinyurl.com/yc8yj4q9.

About Central Security Group

With its mobile-friendly Alert 360 offering, Central Security Group is a Top 10 provider of monitored security and smart home solutions to homes and businesses in the United States. The company was named a 2016 Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Privately Held Company in America and a Best Places to Work in Oklahoma in 2016 and 2017. CSG maintains a state-of-the-art monitoring and customer service center in Tulsa, Okla., and has offices in 14 cities, offering alarm monitoring, interactive security, home automation and energy management services that provide comfort, convenience, and peace of mind to home and business owners from coast to coast. The company also offers an Authorized Dealer Program and operates Guardian Security Systems, Oklahoma's largest security company for more than 40 years. For more information, visit CentralSecurityGroup.com. Media inquiries only: Robin Jacobson Lampe, [email protected]. Ph.: 785-221-6569.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170822006134/en/
North Korea has been caught doing business with a Syrian agency responsible for the country's chemical weapons program, Reuters reported Monday quoting a UN report.

The Syrian government has been condemned worldwide for using chemical weapons in the civil war that has been going on for more than six years.

Two North Korean shipments to Syria were intercepted by a UN member state in the past six months, according to a confidential report by a panel of independent UN experts monitoring UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea. The report was submitted to the UNSC earlier this month.

Another UN member state told the panel that it had "reasons to believe that the goods were part of a KOMID (Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation) contract with Syria," the report said.

It did not identify the UN member states or say what the shipments contained.

KOMID, the North's key arms dealer and exporter of equipment, was blacklisted by the UNSC in 2009 for its involvement in the transfer of ballistic missile technology and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

"The consignees were Syrian entities designated by the European Union and the United States as front companies for Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC), a Syrian entity identified by the Panel as cooperating with KOMID in previous prohibited item transfers," the report added.


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The 23rd Annual General Meeting ('AGM') of the Company was held today, 23rd August, 2017, at 19, Cathedral Road, Chennai-600086. The proceedings of the 23rd Annual General Meeting is being enclosed for your reference.Please note that remote e-voting facility was provided to Members from 20th August, 2017 at 9.00 a.m to 22nd August, 2017 at 5.00 p.m and ballot papers were provided at the Meeting venue for casting votesThe meeting concluded with the announcement that the results of the voting through Remote e-voting and Physical Ballots at the AGM by the shareholders on the resolutions will be announced within 48 hours of the conclusion of the meeting in the format prescribed under Regulation 44 of SEBI LODR, 2015Source : BSE

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Public sector banks merger process may see a ray of hope yet again as the Cabinet has given in-principle approval to set up an alternative mechanism to go ahead with the consolidation process.

A group of ministers (GoM) will be formed on the basis of an alternative mechanism for the merger of public sector banks, according to CNBC Awaaz sources.

The sources add that while the in-principle approval for the next level of PSU (public sector undertaking) bank mergers has been given, the names of the banks for the merger will be submitted to the GoM.

The names of the banks to be merged will be decided on four major points -- profit of the banks chosen, similar geographical coverage, comparable asset quality and capital adequacy ratios.

The merger of the government banks will be initiated under Sec 9(2)(c) & 9(6) of Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970. All banks except State Bank of India and IDBI Bank come under this section.

In April, State Bank of India completed one of the biggest mergers in banking history absorbing six banks - five associates and Bharatiya Mahila Bank in April, creating one of the top 50 global banks, accounting for a quarter of all outstanding loans in the country.

On Tuesday, SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said the economy needs bigger banks to meet its growing needs, but they should be nimble in their response.

Joining finance minister Arun Jaitley and Reserve Bank of India governor Urjit Patel in their campaign for consolidation of state-run banks, Bhattacharya said, "Mergers should be such that it should benefit the customers and should also result in adding value to shareholders...Mergers should reduce dependent of capital resources from the government."

On Saturday, Patel said that the central bank is in dialogue with the government to prepare a package of measures including mergers to enable PSBs to shore up requisite capital in a time-bound manner.

"The measures could include a combination of capital-raising from the market, dilution of government holdings, additional capital infusion by the government, mergers based on strategic fit, sale of non-core assets, etc.," he said.
The current strife at Infosys was a "story waiting to happen", according to M Damodaran, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Damodaran said the tensions between the Board and the founders led by former chief executive Narayana Murthy  that culminated in the resignation of CEO Vishal Sikka, did not happen overnight.

"When you take liberties with corporate governance structures, this is the price you will pay," said Damodaran, counting the creation of a co-chairman's position among the questionable decisions taken by the Board.

He said Infosys had created the perfect recipe for disaster by ignoring basics of corporate governance.

Damodaran said the basic functions of the board are superintendence, direction and control, all of which it seems to have got wrong.

"It's important for the board to ask itself whether it has measured up," he said. "The board appeared to be pandering to the requirements of one investor. There was preferential treatment accorded to accommodate views of one person over those of others."

In the wake of the ongoing strife, top fund managers and domestic institutional investors have written to the board pitching for the return of former CEO Nandan Nilekani in a "suitable capacity".

But Damodaran is not convinced.

"If you're bringing someone from the outside - even if it's Nandan Nilekani - the Board needs to be cohesive.

Damodaran said having a former CEO on the board is not the best idea as the new one will find it difficult to assert himself or herself.

There have also been calls from former senior hands at Infosys to reconstitute the Board.

Damodaran said it was for the majority of shareholders to decide if this was needed, not one person.
President Moon Jae-in will exchange messages with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday, the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry here said Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will also exchange messages with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Receptions are going to be held at the Korean Embassy in Beijing and the Chinese Embassy in Seoul on Thursday, ministry spokesman Cho Joon-hyuk said. But Cho said it is still unknown who will attend the reception in Beijing as China has not officially responded to invitations.

Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam will attend the Chinese Embassy reception in Seoul and give a speech.

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook joined Chinese Ambassador Qiu Guohong and his wife on Tuesday at an exhibition by Chinese painter Qi Baishi in Seoul to mark the anniversary, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
The next GST Council meeting will be held here on September 9, a senior official in Telangana government said today.

This will be the third meeting of the council since the launch of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July 1 and the 21st since it was set up in September last year.

"The meeting will be held in Hyderabad. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be heading the meeting. The agenda will be fixed soon," the official told PTI.

"Our (Telangana) government is going to raise the issue of tax concession for government projects, besides other subjects such as concession for Beedi industry and granite," he said.

The council, chaired by Jaitley and having state finance ministers as members, has over the past 10 months ironed out various contentious issues and decided on a four-tier tax structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent.

Meanwhile, out of 2.16 lakh VAT registrations in the state, as many as 1.96 lakh vendors have enrolled under the GST and the migration was smooth, the official said.

"The remaining are basically those who have the turnover below Rs 20 lakh," the official said, adding that the deadline for filing returns for the month of July has been extended up to August 25.

Under certain circumstances, the traders will be allowed to file their returns till September 5.
Banks must file defaulted loan accounts for bankruptcy if they cannot rectify the issue within three months, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Viral Acharya said on Wednesday.

Coming down heavily on large corporate non-performing assets (NPAs), Acharya said: "I think we should give banks three months to rectify the (defaulted) account. If you can't rectify the account, it is an NPA, you've to file this case in bankruptcy. Period. Chapter closed."

Even while banks have initiated insolvency proceedings at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) against more than 12 large corporate accounts on the directions of the RBI, Acharya said, "RBI should not be in the business of creating restructuring schemes for banks."

The banking sector is grappling with NPAs worth more than Rs 8 lakh crore, accounting for nearly 10 percent of the total loans in the industry.

According to Acharya, banks should engage in renegotiation much before default has actually taken place.

"Right now, we are starting the process of resolving our enterprises and companies and other borrowers who are failing at a very low point of enterprise value. Our loan recoveries are in the order of 15-25 paise to a rupee," he said, addressing a gathering at the book launch of former RBI deputy governor Rakesh Mohan.

Comparing robust bankruptcy systems in the other parts of the world, Acharya said their timely resolutions and overcollateralising of their bad loans before a default is actually going to take place helps them recover 85-90 cents to a dollar.

On being asked by Mohan about what he would change at the central bank, the deputy governor said, "Because the regulator (outside India) is tough on banks when defaults take place, bank doesn't want a default... the promoter or the entrepreneur or the borrower doesn't want default (fearing bankruptcy). Hence, everyone is actually trying to avoid defaults and provide for in good times, rather than saying 'Okay default has taken place, now let us figure out how we are going to deal with this problem'."

"This is the number one thing I'd like us to change at the RBI. I think then we won't have lending booms and busts at least at the frequency that we are having currently," he added.

The panel at the book launch was also attended by Mahindra & Mahindra Chairman Anand Mahindra and ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar.
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Any possible merger of public sector banks (PSB) will not lead to job losses, a senior government official said today.

"No employee will lose job. That part has been taken care of," the official said, adding that any probable consolidation among banks will eventually lead to reduction in credit risk concentration, increase competitiveness, and increase the lenders' ability to extend credit.

Merger of two PSBs would not imply closure, but expansion for a bank, the official explained.

Concerns of job losses loomed over bank employees as they took part in a nation-wide strike on Tuesday to protest against certain proposed reforms of the government, including consolidation of PSBs.

Earlier this year, in April, country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) absorbed five of its associate banks, along with Bhartiya Mahila Bank.

Although there were no job losses after SBI's merger with associate banks, there were a few employees who opted for voluntary retirement scheme.

The Cabinet today gave in-principle approval to constitution of an alternative mechanism to oversee the proposed consolidation of PSBs.

Banks' boards will take a call on a possible merger, after which they will inform the domestic bourses about the plan. Simultaneously, the lenders will also seek the government's and RBI view regarding the possible scheme of amalgamation.

"The process will start from banks' boards. An alternative mechanism has been creates to give in-principle approval to proposals of banks proposed schme of amalgamation," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

Valuation of shares, working on a share-swap ratio, and hearing out minority shareholders' concerns will ultimately result in the final scheme of merger, after which the government would notify it, in consultation with RBI.
The central bank is considering an 'ombudsman' scheme for redressal of customer grievances at non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) in line with banks, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor NS Vishwanathan said on Wednesday.

He also said the Reserve Bank is not in favour of NBFCs accepting deposits from public with a view to protect the interest of depositors.

"We are thinking of an ombudsman scheme for the NBFCs so that people will feel they have a central bank regulated mechanism (for redressal)," he said at an event organised by Assocham.

This would only strengthen customer confidence in NBFCs, he said.

NBFCs have recorded much higher annualised growth of about 14 percent in credit compared to banks, he said, adding the asset quality of NBFCs too is far better than those of banks.

NBFCs are an important part of financial inclusion and the RBI will continue to support them, he added.
The Modi government today notified introduction of new Rs 200 notes, according to a notification in the Gazette of India. The printing process of the new currency is almost over and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to circulate them any time now.

This will be the first ever new note to be introduced by the RBI after the Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes introduced post the massive currency culling exercise in November last year.

According to reports, Rs 200 notes will help bridge the gap between Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes and the RBI believes that they will become a 'very popular' denomination.

This is the fourth new note that be circulated in less than a year. Last week, the central bank disclosed the new-look of Rs 50 note, providing details of the new security highlights. The old 50-rupee note, however, will continue to exist.

The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue Rs 50 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, bearing a signature of RBI Governor Urjit R Patel. The new denomination has a motif of Hampi with Chariot on the reverse, depicting the countrys cultural heritage. The base colour of the note is Fluorescent Blue, RBI said in a statement on Friday.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the government is not considering banning Rs 2,000 notes, and the Reserve Bank will decide on the timing of issuing the new Rs 200 bill.

Fresh Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes were introduced, post demonetising the Rs 500 and 1,000-rupee notes last year.
Auto industry body SIAM has asked the government to exempt bigger ambulances with capacity of up to 13 persons from 15 per cent cess and charge only 28 per cent tax under GST.

In the pre-GST era, all ambulances enjoyed concession in excise duty rate but after GST implementation, the finance ministry has exempted compensation cess only on ambulances that can carry up to nine persons.

Ambulances with capacity of 10-13 persons, including driver, now attract top tax rate of 28 per cent with 15 per cent cess.

"Cess on 10-13 seater ambulances has not been withdrawn under the GST. It is an anomaly and the government should exempt bigger ambulances as well from 15 per cent cess as has been done in the case of units which can carry up to 9 persons," Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Deputy Director General Sugato Sen told PTI.

A bigger ambulance can have all the required medical provisions built into it which help in taking better care of the patient, he added.

Various automakers, including Tata Motors and Force Motors, which manufacture such vehicles, have suffered due to the increase in tax incidence as sales have been hit. "Sales have been impacted as people who had booked such vehicles are now refusing to take deliveries as cost has gone up," Sen said.

He also pointed out that the industry was also facing another anomaly as the cess exemption for ambulances was applicable only to factory-fitted vehicles.

"This may create complications when the ambulances are supplied from locations other than factory," he said.
N. R. Narayana Murthy, founder and chairman of Infosys, listens to a question during an interview with Reuters at the company's office in Bangalore February 28, 2012. Picture taken on February 28, 2012. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (REUTERS - Tags: BUSINESS SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY PROFILE HEADSHOT) - RTR30CV2

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Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy and the company's board are independently approaching the investors to gather support for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), reported the Economic Times.

The move is likely to intensify the ongoing corporate governance battle between Murthy and the Infosys board. On August 18, the companys chief executive officer (CEO) Vishal Sikka resigned citing 'continuous assault' from Murthy as the main reason.

Murthy, who is in favour of a change of the board, is likely to seek investors' approval for new directors, the ET report said. He is also expected to brief the investors on August 29.

Here is a look at all that has happened since Sikkas resignation last week:

> The board has publically disapproved Murthy's open attacks on corporate governance. The board, backing Sikka, in a letter to exchanges, blamed Murthy's continuous interference as a reason for Sikka leaving the company.

> In a separate response, Murthy reiterated his demand to make investigation report of Panaya acquisition public. Murthy had accused that a few board members benefited from the deal.

> On August 19, Infosys said it would buy back 11.3 crore shares, or 4.92 percent of equity capital, at Rs 1,150 a piece. The company will spend Rs 13,000 crore on the same.

> The interim CEO UB Pravin Rao on Tuesday sent an email to employees outlining the company's agenda for coming months and to boost their morale amid the internal and external turmoil that the company is undergoing.

> Former board members also sided with Sikka. Omkar Goswami, ex-board member and the current member of its business process outsourcing (BPO)  in an open letter  said that Murthy needs to walk away as he had promised when he handed the reigns to Sikka.

> Former CFO V Balakrishnan, on Tuesday, also said that four other board members, including Chairman R Seshasayee and co-chairman Ravi Venkatesan, need to resign over corporate governance issues. He said that before a new CEO is selected, the board should be reshuffled.

> Amid the crisis, Venkatesan met the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and some senior officials on August 22 to discuss the latest developments.

> On August 22, market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India said that it is keeping a close tab on Infosys, whose share price plunged by nearly 10 percent on Friday wiping out nearly Rs 22,519 crore.

> On Tuesday, top fund managers and Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) wrote to Infosys board, pitching for co-founder Nandan Nilekani's return.

> Murthy was supposed to hold an investor call on August 23, which has now been postponed to August 29.

> On Wednesday, a CNBC-TV18's source-based report said that Nilekani is likely to return as the Infosys head. In a day or two, there will be clarity on his role.
business Investors optimistic on 2HFY18; agri, rural, consumption preferred bets: Emkay Emkay Global's MD Krishna Kumar Karwa expects some consolidation in short term, especially after sharp run-up.
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Rekha Jhunjhunwala, the wife of investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, bought an additional stake in Fortis Healthcare recently which has been an underperformer so far in the year 2017.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's wife Rekha picked up 45 lakh shares of Fortis Healthcare for an estimated Rs 60 crore through an open market transaction on Tuesday.

The shares were purchased at an average price of Rs 134.65, valuing the transaction at Rs 60.59 crore, according to bulk deal data available with the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

This purchase follows her husband Rakesh Jhunjhunwalas purchase in February 2015, who then bought 34,85,075 shares of Fortis Healthcare, at Rs 119.35 apiece, for over Rs 41 crore through an open market deal.

Additionally, a global investment bank placed its bet on the stock as well. Goldman Sachs has initiated coverage with a buy rating and a target of Rs 190 which translates into an upside of 26 percent from current levels.

Fortis Healthcare is one of those stocks which does not figure out in companys shareholding pattern because the stake could be less than 1 percent.

But, there are as much as 10 stocks in which Rekha Jhunjhunwala holds more than 1 percent as of June quarter which has risen up to 190 percent so far in the year 2017.

Almost 50 percent of her portfolio has given a positive return while the maximum damage was seen Bilcare which fell 25 percent so far in the year 2017.

Most of the stocks belong to the small and midcap space which has been outperforming index for the past 5 years.

Stocks in which Rekha Jhunjhunwala holds more than 1 percent stake include names like Autoline Industries, Delta Corp, Agro Tech Foods, Geojit Financial Services, Titan Company, TV18 Broadcast, and Viceroy Hotels among others.

Out of ten stocks, she holds over 4 percent stake in Autoline Industries and Delta Corp which has risen 54 percent, and 64 percent respectively so far in the year 2017.

Autoline Industries is one of the largest automotive sheet metal components manufacturer in India supplying to major OEM like Tata Motors Volkswagen, Ford, GM, Renault-Nissan, Daimler India, Cummins USA, Ashok Leyland, AMW, FIAT, etc.

Delta Corp is a niche player in the gaming and the hospitality segment. It is the largest and only listed company within that particular segment in India. Delta Corp is rapidly expanding its gaming positions in Goa and currently offers 2,000 gaming positions.

While Geojit Financial Services in which she holds 1.9 percent rose 194 percent in the same period, followed by Titan Company Ltd in which Jhunjhunwala holds 1.6 percent stake rose 87 percent.

Geojit is a leading retail financial services company in India with a growing presence in the Middle East while Titan Company is the fifth largest integrated own brand watch manufacturer in the world.

Jhunjhunwala holds over 1 percent stake in companies like TV18 Broadcast, Viceroy Hotels, Crisil, and Bilcare.

Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.
BANGALORE, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 1, 2016: Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India, photographed at Better Place office in Bangalore. (Photo by Hemant Mishra/Mint via Getty Images)

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Nandan Nilekani, one of the co-founders of Infosys, has been brought back to head Indias second-largest software technology exporter, even as the turmoil over the exit of Vishal Sikka spills over into this week.

An electrical engineer from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, he co-founded Infosys in 1981, and went on to hold several positions at the company, including that of chief operating officer, CEO, President and Managing Director.

He took over the top job from Founder NR Narayana Murthy in 2002, and stayed on in the CEO role until 2007. He was succeeded by S Gopalakrishnan.

In 2009, he left Infosys to become Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Nilekani held the role till 2014 before resigning to unsuccessfully contest Lok Sabha elections in Bengaluru.

He is the Chairman of EkStep, a non-profit literacy platform- based in Bengaluru, and also invests in startups, most notable among which is TeamIndus, a startup that is planning a lunar mission.

During his tenure as CEO, Infosys outpaced sales growth compared to its competitors, even though margins came under some pressure.

He wrote "Imagining India" in 2008, his take on the future of India based on his understanding and learnings from heading Infosys.

In 2015, he co-authored "Rebooting India" with his UIDAI colleague Viral Shah, in which they make the case for using Aadhaar, to help eliminate distortions, biases and fraud.

However, because of his clean image and largely blemish-free career, investors have rallied for his return at the helm after Vishal Sikka stepped down on August 18.

Employees who were at Infosys during Nilekani's tenure describe him as practical, approachable and a true technocrat. His UIDAI days colleagues describe him as extremely focused, and being open to different kinds of ideas about implementing things.

Moneycontrol reported on Tuesday that domestic institutional investors have written to the Infosys Board asking for the return of Nilekani.

According to the signatories of the letter, Nilekani enjoys the confidence of customers, stakeholders and employees and his return to the board would instil credibility.

While it has been reported that he is trying to mediate a discussion between the Board and founders, Nilekani has not spoken officially about the ongoing issues at the company. Former CFO V Balakrishnan and former Human Resources officer Mohandas Pai have been vocal in their criticism of Infosys's Board and corporate governance issues.

Infosys has been in the eye of a storm after Founder NR Narayana Murthy raised corporate governance concerns at the company under Sikkas watch. The issues escalated over the past six months, leading to Sikka stepping down citing slander by the founders.
President Moon Jae-in will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Russia next month, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday.

Moon will meet with Putin on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok scheduled for Sept. 6-7. He will also give a keynote speech there.

This will be his third overseas trips since his inauguration after the U.S. in June and Germany to attend the G20 summit in July.

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha leaves for Russia on Thursday to meet her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to prepare for the summit.
In a dramatic turn of events Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani is likely to return as the head of the IT bellwether, sources told CNBC-TV18. Clarity on Nilekanis role is expected in the next 48 hours, they said.

The developments come a few hours after Narayana Murthy postponed his conference call with Infosys investors citing health issues. Murthy, who was slated to hold the conference at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, now will hold the call on August 29.

Murthy and Nilekani are yet to respond to CNBC-TV18's query.

Former CFO V Balakrishnan today said that bringing Nilekani back will be good for Infosys. "I dont know whether any concrete talks have happened with Nandan Nilekani. It's still speculation. We don't know if he wants to come back (Nilekani). If he does, he should be made chairman Of Infosys," he told CNBC-TV18

"Seshasayee & Ravi Venkatesan should quit as they have let down shareholders. The board needs to be restructured to make any further movement, Balakrishnan added.

On Tuesday, top fund managers and domestic institutional investors wrote to the board of Infosys pitching for the return of co-founder Nandan Nilekani in a "suitable capacity".

According to the signatories of the letter, Nilekani enjoys the confidence of customers, stakeholders and employees and his return to the board would instill credibility.

Vishal Sikka, the first non-co-founder CEO of Infosys, stepped down on Friday citing continuous distractions and increasingly personal attacks on him. In a strongly worded email to the stock exchanges, the Infosys Board blamed Murthys continuous assault as the primary reason for him putting down his papers.

Over the past few months, Infosys has been embroiled in controversy after founder NR Narayana Murthy raised issues of corporate governance at the company and questioned some of the decisions that had been taken by Sikka.

In the letter, the investors have expressed concern over these developments. They feel Nilekani would be able to facilitate the resolution of "contentious issues".

Nilekani was Infosys' CEO for five years till 2007. He left the software major in 2009 to become Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Nilekani held the role till 2014 before resigning to unsuccessfully contest Lok Sabha elections. Nilekani is a serial investor in various startups.

Nilekani has yet to comment on the recent strife at the company. The Nilekani family has a 2.29 percent stake in Infosys as per the quarter ended June this year.

Infosys shares spiked more than 3 percent intraday after the reports came. At 12:43 hrs, Infosys was quoting at Rs 899.10, up Rs 21.95, or 2.50 percent.
Representative Image

The troubles plaguing the e-commerce sector have started to have a collateral impact.

Microsoft-incubated startup NowFloats, which helps small businesses and shopkeepers create an online presence, has lost more than a lakh customers, eroding its earlier base of about 2.3 lakh merchants.

We have slowed down some of our growth," co-founder Jasminder Singh Gulati told Moneycontrol. "We had a big partnership with AskMe, which shut down. We had over 1 lakh customers from them. In the last one year, we have removed those merchants and have also let go of the team related to AskMe,

The startup offers a mobile technology-backed platform to small business owners which can help them create websites and catalogues for their products. The platform is SEO optimised for location-based preferences and content-based discovery.

Gulati did not elaborate on the cost implications of terminating the team and the merchants. Out of the 2.3 lakh merchants it had reported earlier, about 80 percent of them were paid customers.

NowFloats is a work in progress, said Gulati.

In the first phase we used partners to grow our network. Now we are doing it all on our own. We have learnt how to handle big loads of traffic. Now we have local re-sellers such as the local website developers, who channel our product, Gulati said.

Despite the decline in the number of merchants on its platform, Gulati expects the company to grow its revenue by three times by the end of FY18, from Rs 20 crore in FY17.

Getting back in the game

It was a setback to go back by 1 lakh, but we will get there [our target]. We are below our target, but we will take a breather only when we reach 1 million businesses. For now, our margins are looking good, which will add to the growth. Working with partners eats onto margins, he said.

With the second largest pool of more than 50 million small businesses in India, next only to China with about 72 million, Gulati is confident that there are enough business opportunities for NowFloats to sustain its growth.

NowFloats claims to have gross margins of about 80 percent at present. The business is healthy, Gulati assures. We can become self-sufficient any time we want. We turned profitable twice in the last one year."

But for now, the company wants to deploy capital for long-term growth, and has set a target of three years to turn profitable. We are comfortable on cash flow also. We will raise one more round, but thats some time away, he said.

The company is also bracing for new challenges. While NowFloats offers an easy and convenient platform for sellers to expand their network across the country, the question is, are they ready to scale up? The simple answer is No.

Thats the biggest challenge we face today. The kind of businesses we are on-boarding do not have scalable infrastructure. They dont have ERP (enterprise resources planning) or inventory management, or payment gateway. Thats why local commerce is not happening. We are used to Flipkarts and Amazons, where products are just a click away, Gulati adds.

NowFloats is looking at bridging that gap with digital training. Beta testing of the project is currently underway at Raipur, Hubli, and Surat. The startup is also working with small businesses under the central governments Smart City project, to educate small businesses on ERP systems, tally systems, and so on.

durba.ghosh@nw18.com
BANGALORE, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 1, 2016: Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India, photographed at Better Place office in Bangalore. (Photo by Hemant Mishra/Mint via Getty Images)

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Infosys has been in news throughout this week from Vishal Sikka putting papers to Narayana Murthy holding a conference call and now clamour for Nandan Nilekani to return to Infosys is just getting louder.

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani is likely to return as the head of the IT bellwether, sources told CNBC-TV18. Clarity on Nilekanis role is expected in the next 48 hours, they said.

Reacting to the news, shares of Infosys rose nearly 3 percent in intraday trade. The stock recorded bearish candle in 3 straight days and now some positive cues could take the stock higher.

The Moving average convergence divergence (MACD) is a trend-following momentum indicator has already given a SELL signal while the Supertrend indicator gave a SELL signal.

We have collated views from different experts various experts on Infosys:

Prakash Diwan of Altamount Capital Management told CNBC-TV18

Appointment of Nandan Nilekani will bring in stability which is badly required for large companies like Infosys. But, it will not change the environment. The IT environment is completely different to what it was when Mr. Nilekani was on board.

It will help Infosys to ride this period comfortable something what Tatas did by putting in N Chandra, who is an insider, at the helm of things.

For the stock, it might be a great buy at Rs 870 but institutions will now wait for some more time before any positive news will come along. There will be a lot of buying that could come in given the fact that there would be huge arbitrage in the buyback.

Ashwani Gujral of ashwanigujral.com told CNBC-TV18

I dont level of Rs900 and Rs920 will get crossed very easily even if Nilekani comes at the helm of things. So, may be people might just go short in this rally, because things take time in turning around.

He has to come in and sort out the mess. When he was the CEO everything was on an upswing but now it is a collapsing industry. So, lets see what he can do.

Sanjeev Jain, AVP - Equity Research at Ashika Stock Broking Ltd

If Mr Nilekani joins Infosys it will be a big positive for the company. Not to forget, Nilekani was one of the seven founders. The market has welcomed the news of Nilekani joining which is now clearly getting reflected in the stock price.

Former CFO V Balakrishnan told CNBC-TV18

Bringing Nilekani back will be good for Infosys. "I dont know whether any concrete talks have happened with Nandan Nilekani. It's still speculation. We don't know if he wants to come back (Nilekani). If he does, he should be made chairman Of Infosys.

Seshasayee & Ravi Venkatesan should quit as they have let down shareholders. The board needs to be restructured to make any further movement.

Kunal Saraogi, CEO at Equityrush.com

Markets are abuzz with expectations of Nandan Nilekeni taking on the mantle at Infosys. I believe this should augur well for Infosys given that Nilekeni has the requisite heft and standing to calm and reassure investors and help the company and its employees get over the events of the last few weeks.

Chartwise, Infosys stock remains firmly an avoid for an investor and can be sold short by traders given its weak chart structure and the fact that the stock trades below its most important support at 920.
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Infosys added nearly 3 percent intraday on Wednesday after reports emerged that former executive Nandan Nilekani is likely to return at the helm of affairs at the company.

A clarity on his role at Infosys is expected in the next 48 hours, CNBC-TV18 reported, quoting sources.

Nilekani held the position of CEO at the IT major firm between 2002 and 2007. He went on to lead the charge at Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the authority for issuing Aadhaar identity to Indian citizens.

Interestingly, the development comes a day after top fund managers and domestic institutional investors wrote to the Board of Infosys pitching for the return of co- Nilekani in a "suitable capacity".

According to the signatories of the letter, Nilekani enjoys the confidence of customers, stakeholders and employees and his return to the board would instill credibility.

Investors expressed concern over the developments around Infosys. They feel Nilekani would be able to facilitate the resolution of "contentious issues".

Additionally, a conference call to be held between NR Narayana Murthy and investors later in the day has now been pushed to August 29. The man at the centre of the tussle at Infosys after Vishal Sikkas exit postponed the call citing health issues, according to Investec.

Over the past few months, Infosys has been embroiled in controversy after founder NR Narayana Murthy raised issues of corporate governance at the company and questioned some of the decisions that had been taken by Sikka.

The Nilekani family has a 2.29 percent stake in Infosys as per the quarter ended June this year.

Former CFO V Balakrishnan, in an interview to CNBC-TV18, batted for Nilekani to be made the chairman at Infosys, adding that all shareholders will be comfortable with this decision. Further, he added that R Seshasayee and Ravi Venkatesan should step down as they have let down shareholders.

Infosys stock has been a drag on the indices in the sessions preceding to the previous one on the back of CEO and MD Vishal Sikkas resignation. On the day of Sikkas exit, the stock ended around 10 percent lower, while the fall continued on Monday as well.

The stock fell over 9 percent in the past month, while its three-day loss stood at 3 percent.

At 12:38 hrs Infosys was quoting at Rs 900.00, up Rs 22.85, or 2.61 percent on the BSE. It touched an intraday high of Rs 904.00 and an intraday low of Rs 874.55.
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PSU banks rallied up to 5 percent intraday Wednesday after Cabinet Committee gave in-principle approval for the next level of merger.

Allahabad Bank, Bank of India, Union Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Syndicate Bank, PNB, Canara Bank and Bank of Baroda gained 1-5 percent.

The Cabinet has approved setting up alternative mechanism for PSU banks merger, which may lead to faster consolidation of PSU banks.

Accordingly, a group of ministers will be formed on the basis of alternative mechanism for merger of some public sector banks, according to sources of CNBC-Awaaz.

The source said that an in-principle approval for next level of PSU (public sector undertaking) bank merger has been given and the names of the banks for the merger will be submitted to the GoM.

The name of banks to be merged will be decided on four major points - profit of banks, cover similar regions, must have comparable asset quality & capital adequacy ratios.

The merger of government banks will be embarked under Section 9(2)(c) & 9(6) of Banking Companies (Acquisition & transfer of Undertakings) Act. All banks except SBI & IDBI come under this section.

Country's largest lender State Bank of India completed merger of all its five associate banks and Bharatiya Mahila Bank with itself on April 1, which led to the creation of the 45th largest bank in the world.

On Tuesday, SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya called for more consolidation among the public sector banks, saying this could reduce their dependence on government for capital.

She further said that consolidation in the banking sector will lead to greater concentration of payment and settlement flows as there are fewer parties in the financial sector.
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By SMC Global

Despite a short term bounce after three-day consecutive fall, we are not seeing any improvement in derivative data. The overall data remains on bearish side for upcoming sessions.

However, technical bounce from lower levels is quite possible due to the oversold condition of the market which should be used as selling opportunity for short term traders.

The Nifty50 has strong resistance in the range of 9,850 to 9,880 and support is placed in the range of 9,700- 9,680.

The foreign institutional investors (FIIs) has been continuously selling calls and buying puts as well they are net- net sellers in both derivative and cash segment in the currents series.

Generally August series remains volatile with negative returns if we analyse historical records and the data indicates short buildup by the stronger hand in current series. Going forwards, we advise traders to remain cautious in current series

Here is a list of top five stocks which can give up to 16% return in short term:

Manpasand Beverages: BUY| Target Rs880| Stop Loss Rs755| Return 10%

The stock has been trading in the upward channel with higher high and higher lows on the weekly charts and maintaining its bull run with multiple supports on the downside.

On the daily charts, it has been seen consolidating in range of Rs820 and Rs750 from last three months. However, in the previous session, it has managed to give a breakout above its consolidation zone.

Traders can accumulate the stock in a range of Rs800-820 for the target of Rs880 with a stop loss below Rs755.

MRPL: BUY| Target Rs135| Stop Loss Rs112| Return 12%

On weekly charts, the stock has been trading higher since last one year and has given some handsome returns in past. On technical charts, it is maintaining its uptrend and trading in rising channel.

This week it has once again given fresh breakout above 125 levels after forming rectangle formation on daily charts. Traders can accumulate the stock in a range of Rs120-125 for the upside target of Rs135 with a stop loss below Rs112.

Gruh Finance: BUY| Target Rs575| Stop Loss Rs460| Return 15%

From the last one month, the stock has been consolidating in a range of Rs450-505. However, this week it has given a consolidation breakout above the key resistance area of Rs505 with decent volumes.

Moreover, it is trading well above its short and long term moving averages. The breakout in price along with positive divergence in oscillators like RSI and stochastic supports more upside in prices going forward.

Traders can accumulate the stock in a range of Rs500-510 for the target of Rs575 with a stop loss below Rs460.

VIP Industries: BUY| Target Rs236| Stop Loss Rs188| Return 15%

The stock has formed bullish flag formatio0n on weekly charts and has given upside breakout in prices this week. On the daily charts as well the stock can be seen rising with increasing volumes which suggest a rally to remain to sustain in coming sessions as well.

Traders can accumulate the stock in a range of 205-210 for the target of 236 with a stop loss below 188.

JMC Projects India: BUY| Target Rs420| Stop Loss Rs325| Return 16%

The stock has been consolidating in range of Rs320-360 from last five weeks. The stock has formed ascending triangle formation during this consolidation and now has given upside breakout in prices with rising volumes.

Traders can accumulate the stock in a range of Rs360-370 for the target of Rs420 with a stop loss below Rs325.

The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decision.
Tata Sons chairman-designate Natarajan Chandrasekaran arrives to a news conference in Mumbai, India, January 12, 2017. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui - RTX2YOBJ

To bring down its around Rs 49,000 crore gross debt, private utility Tata Power is planning to sell its non-core assets even as it continues to explore viable options to resolve issues pertaining to the financially crippled 4,000-mw Coastal Gujarat Power at Mundra.

"Our gross debt is Rs 48,816 crore. We are examining various debt reduction options including sale of non-core assets," Tata Power chairman N Chandrasekaran told shareholders at the 98th AGM here.

The gross debt to equity ratio currently stands at 3.3:1, he added.

He said the steep rise in global coal prices impacted the Gujarat plant and Tata Power is working on some resolution for solving the problems.

It can be noted the company had made a proposal some time back to sell the 51 percent stake in the plant to to Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam for a notional Re 1, to rescue itself from the debt-laden, loss-making business but the state government rejected the proposal.

The company also offered to operate the project subject to grant of compensatory tariff to the company for the entire period of the PPA.

Though the company has PPA with the state electricity board it is not drawing power from the plant citing higher cost. The plant is running at a PLF of 70 percent now.

"On the issue of resolution of the compensatory tariff for CGPL, we approached all courts of appeal and continues to explore viable options to address the issues by continuous engagement with the power procurers and lenders," Chandrasekaran said.

He said Tata Power has a natural hedge over the project because of the Indonesian coal mines.

"Nevertheless, we have made significant investments to the tune of close to USD 1.2 billion in the company. So we would like to solve this issue.

"Currently, two kinds of resolutions are possible - one with the regulators and procurers and other is we get cheaper coal, which doesn't seem to be so far working," he added.

Tata Power chief executive and managing director Anil Sardana said, "We are willing to forgo 51 percent of equity provided the procurers are ready to make good the under- recovery.

"We might give away about Rs 3,000 crore on equity, but what we stand to gain is every year an amount of Rs 1,000 -1,200 crore that the procurer will have to give us for the next 20 years. But they too have an advantage as they would get power for cheaper rate."

The chairman further said the company has planned a capex of Rs 3,000 crore for FY19 and is also working towards simplification of its structure.

"The company has over 90 subsidiaries and associate companies. We are working on a plan to simplify the corporate structure where feasible," he said.

The Tata Power Group has an operating capacity of 10,463 mw, 98 percent of which is tied up to long term PPAs.

Its clean energy portfolio is 3,141 mw, or 30 per cent of the total capacity which the company plans to increase it to 40-45 percent by 2022.

On the international front, the Zambian, South African and Georgian JVs have started commercial operations, totalling 530 mw.
By Mishi Choudhary and Eben Moglen

As the Supreme Court's constitutional bench was hearing arguments on the fundamental right of privacy, Union of India announced the formation of a committee to consider a national data protection statute. Already, the mere possibility of such legislation is being offered as a reason why a fundamental right of privacy should not be found. This is a pure confusion.

Data protection legislation, however it is framed, imposes regulatory liabilities on both government and private actors, setting appropriate and detailed standards of care and permission from data subjects that must be observed by all parties processing personally identifiable data in India. Such rules are valuable, but they cannot substitute forand indeed only slightly supplementa right to privacy. If the Supreme Court finds the Constitution protects privacy as a fundamental right, it will result in strong limitations on government invasions of personal liberties through surveillance, forced disclosure, limitations on travel, access to health care and other basic rights and liberties.

What, in practical terms, is the fundamental right to privacy about? Let's start with state surveillance. In the 20th century, governments tapped telephones, because telephones were the only means of communication available to tap. Police states could have immense networks of informants, but this was profoundly expensive and inefficient. In the 21st century, government unconstrained by law doesn't do wiretapping, it does life-tapping. The stream of data available for surveillance includes not only telephone conversations and messages, but information about physical location moment to moment, our thoughts and social life through social media, and--particularly in a cashless economy--everything we buy, sell, or do. State power, unconstrained by law can use surveillance to reach further into our behaviour, our selfhood, our heads, than ever before.

In the memory of living Indian people, only one government has ever tried to free itself from the rule of law to this extent. By some accounts, the Emergency could be directed only against a tiny class of politically active persons. The power of surveillance in a networked society is that it can be applied to the entire population, all at once. Statutory law is no protection against such abuse by a government possessing legislative majorities. Only constitutional limitation restricting the power of legislation is sufficient, in the hands of judges with the vision and courage to invoke it.

To see what the technologies of our future can do, if not constrained by our fundamental right, we need to only look at the situation in China, where the Communist Party is dedicated to the use of the Internet not only to surveil and censor every single individual's communications, but to eliminate the very idea of fundamental rights altogether. This is the road our Supreme Court can assure that we never travel.

An often-offered red herring in the discussion has been the data being collected by private parties such as social media and platform companies. Usage of the services offered by these companies is optional no matter how ubiquitous their presence may seem. Fundamental rights can only be enforced against the State which has the power to force its citizens and therefore exerts far greater influence on our lives.

Preventing abuse of government power by recognizing the fundamental rights of all persons begins in our legal history with the Great Charter of 1215. Fundamental rights are the cornerstones of our rule of law, recognized in 1948 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the inalienable common heritage of human kind. Part III of our Constitution that embodies the fundamental rights, is essential for protecting the rights and liberties of people against the trespass of power delegated by them to their government. They are limitations that apply on all organs of the government. The fundamental right of privacy prohibits the government from acting to invade, by surveillance or compulsory disclosure, the personal entitlement to be let alone by the State.

Legislation may also be required to implement fundamental rights, or to subject private parties to rules that spread respect for those rights throughout society. In this sense, data protection legislation may be consonant with the fundamental right of privacy, but it can neither replace the right nor render it obsolete or unimportant.

Once the Supreme Court has found that all persons in India have a fundamental right to privacy, as we hope they will, the passage of data protection legislation will be a valuable complement to that ruling.

Mr Baijayant Panda has introduced a proposed data protection statute as a private member's Bill in the current session of the Lok Sabha. This is sound legislation; the new committee could usefully take the existing Bill as a starting point. But it is important not to confuse the lesser issue of data protection with the larger, far more important, issue of the appropriate recognition of our fundamental rights.

Eben Moglen is Professor of Law and Legal History at Columbia Law School in the city of New York and Founder President of the Software Freedom Law Center.

Mishi Choudhary is the Legal Director and President of SFLC.in
Muslim women attend Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Colombo

The Supreme Court's verdict on triple talaq brings relief to millions of Muslim women who have suffered because of the archaic personal law. The ruling gives them a reason to cheer as the divorce rate of Muslim women is almost the double of the countrys average of 0.24 percent, according to Census 2011 data.

In terms of sheer numbers, Hindus, who constitute nearly 80 percent of Indias population, are divorced more than Muslims. At 0.64 percent, the divorce rate of Muslims, however, is much higher than that of Hindus (0.20 percent).

A deep dive into Census 2011 data reveals interesting insights. For every 4 divorced Muslim women, there is one divorced Muslim man.

Muslim women are 3.7 times more divorced that Muslim men. In comparison, Hindu women are divorced only 1.8 times more than Hindu men. The gap highlights Muslim womens higher vulnerability to get divorced due to triple talaq.

The higher divorce rate of Muslim women than Muslim men and Hindu women, is often attributed to easier provisions given to Muslim men in their personal and customary laws to divorce and remarry. This was one of the central issues raised in the triple talaq case.

Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, one of the petitioners in the triple talaq case, conducted a survey in 2015 and found that almost 1 in 11 Muslim women was subjected to triple talaq. They also found that the majority of these women were from poor families, more than often not receiving any alimony or compensation.

Remarriage of women in India is mostly met with and hindered by social stigma, which is prevalent across all faiths, said gender activist Pranaadhika Sinha Devburman. I do not want to represent voices of Muslim women as I will not completely understand the unique challenges they face. However, I do know that at least among those whom I have interacted with, the fear of social stigma is greater than perhaps I would personally face [as a Hindu].

There is also the lack of family support in context of remarriage. This is what I have been told, Devburman added.

The remarriage laws for women are seen to be more stringent than for men and the issue has been often raised by Muslim womens groups. The petitioners in triple talaq case had also questioned Nikah Halala and polygamy.
Air India will allow its passengers to carry up to 25 kilograms of baggage without levying any additional charges. The national carrier announced its new offer in a post on Twitter.

#carrymaximum with #AI. A whopping 25kg extra baggage allowance at #NoExtraCost only with #AirIndia. #FlyAI said the tweet which came out on Sunday. According to an NDTV report, the new offer is a move by the carrier to attract more passengers. The debt-ridden Air India is looking to find solution to get out of the present situation, including privatisation.

Watch | Cabinet To Take A Call On Air India

The aviation industry has been witnessing a growth in traffic in the last few months. As per government data, 95.65 lakh people travelled in domestic market last July. The number is over 17 percent higher compared to the same period last year when the sector saw 85.08 lakh passengers.

Cashing in on this growth many airlines have announced attractive offers including discounts. AirAsia India, which is a joint venture between Air Asia and Tata is already offering tickets at Rs 999 as part of a limited period promotional scheme.

Air India too had earlier in the month offered tickets starting at Rs 425 for certain domestic flights along with Rs 7000 tickets for selected international flights.
Since then, North Korea has test fired two Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missiles and even threatened Guam. A Cheong Wa Dae official said Moon's remarks to the U.S. lawmaker were "his basic views. No discussions were held about specific timing for the resumption of operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex."

During his U.S. visit in late June, Moon admitted it will be impossible for now to reopen the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which was shut down by South Korea in 2016 after North Korea's test launch of a long-range rocket. Moon added North Korea would have to display a sincere attitude toward scrapping its nuclear weapons for talks to resume.

North Korea has threatened "relentless retaliation and punishment" for staging the joint drills but earlier called off ostensible plans to attack the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.

A Cheong Wa Dae official said, "If North Korea does not resort to additional provocations during the Ulchi Freedom Guardian joint military exercises, we may see a resumption in efforts to hold talks."

The senator was in Seoul with a congressional delegation including senators Jeff Merkley and Chris Van Hollen, and House representatives Carolyn Maloney and Ann Wagner.

President Moon Jae-in again raised the prospect of reopening the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex on Monday, citing the need "to begin talks with North Korea." Moon was speaking in a meeting with dovish U.S. Senator Edward Markey.

Cheong Wa Dae officials remain optimistic about chances of dialogue with North Korea after the annual military exercises end. Another Cheong Wa Dae official said if they pass without any North Korean provocation, "we will see conditions ripen for talks in September and dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang could be possible as well."

A key Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters on Monday, "If North Korea does not resort to any provocations during the UFG drills and even if it does, the situation will get better as long as the provocation is not more intense than what we have seen so far."

On Aug. 10, when the U.S. and North Korea were engaged in a heated war of words, Cheong Wa Dae said it was hopeful that the U.S. and North Korea would engage in talks as tensions mount further.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday expressed similar sentiments. "We have had no missile launches or provocative acts on the part of North Korea since the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution" last month, he told reporters.

"We hope that this is the beginning of this signal that we've been looking for -- that they are ready to restrain their level of tensions, they're ready to restrain their provocative acts, and that perhaps we are seeing our pathway to some time in the near future having some dialogue."

But North Korea issued a statement through the border truce village of Panmunjom warning of "relentless retaliation and merciless punishment" as long as the "U.S. warmongers" continue to engage in the joint military drills, which Pyongyang described as "dangerous military provocations."

The North added that its missiles are primed for launch as it monitors South Korean and U.S. military activities to deliver a "torrential rainfall of punishment" and warned that the U.S. would "bear total responsibility for the aftermath of destruction."

The North's Uriminzokkiri website posted a YouTube video of Kim Rak-gyom, the commander of the Strategic Forces, announcing Pyongyang's plans to envelope Guam with missile fire, footage of the Hwasong-12 being launched and a simulated image of the U.S. territory being bombed.

The website said the U.S.' weak point would be exposed if even one missile falls next to Guam.
EVM election polls voting

Bypolls to Nandyal Assembly constituency of Andhra Pradesh and two seats in Goa witnessed a high turnout percentage of over 70 while only 45 percent voters exercised their franchise in Delhi's lone seat of Bawana.

A turnout of about 80 percent was recorded in Nandyal, where the ruling TDP and the opposition YSR Congress (YSRC) are locked in a fierce battle.

In Goa, Panaji constituency recorded 70 per cent polling and Valpoi 79.80 percent, said Chief Electoral Officer Kunal.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar accused the Congress of trying to sabotage polling and filed a complaint with the Election Commission. The Congress levelled counter- allegations.

The counting would be held on August 28.

For the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) was used in the by-election in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Goa.

VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip drops in a box but the voter cannot take it home.

The voter turnout in Delhi was much lower than the 2015 figure of 61.83 percent. The AAP, the BJP and the Congress are locked in a triangular contest.

"The entire polling process went on peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the constituency," said Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi.

The polling officials said that one EVM and 17 VVPAT equipment malfunctioned during polling and were replaced without any hindrance in voting.

Polling officials conjectured that multiple elections taking place in the city in quick succession could be a factor for the low turn out in Bawana bypoll.

The bypoll was necessitated after the resignation of Ved Prakash as the legislator in March.

Prakash had won from Bawana, a seat reserved for the SC category, in 2015 Assembly elections as an AAP candidate.

Eight candidates are in the fray for the election in which the AAP, the BJP, and the Congress are locked in a keen contest. The counting of votes will take place on August 28.

The BJP has fielded Ved Prakash who had won from the constituency in 2015 elections as an AAP candidate. He resigned from Assembly membership and joined the BJP in March this year.

The AAP has fielded Ram Chandra while the Congress has put its bet on former three-time MLA from Bawana, Surendra Kumar.

There are a total of 2.94 lakh voters in Bawana.

In Goa, Parrikar, who returned to the state from the Centre after the elections in February, is contesting from Panaji against Congress' Girish Chodankar and Goa Suraksha Manch's Anand Shirodkar.

In Valpoi, the BJP has fielded health minister Vishwajit Rane against the Congress' Roy Naik.

The Panaji bypoll was necessitated after the BJP's sitting MLA, Siddharth Kuncolienkar, vacated the seat for Parrikar, as the latter has to get elected to the Assembly within six months of becoming the chief minister.

The bypoll in Valpoi became necessary after Rane, the sitting MLA, joined the BJP after the Parrikar-led government won a crucial floor test in March.

In Andhra Pradesh, heavy turnout of voters was witnessed in Nandyal rural and Gospadu mandals in the segment with women outnumbering men.

In Nandyal town, about 70 percent polling was reported.

Barring a face-off between supporters of the TDP and the YSRC at a couple of places, the by-election passed off peacefully, a senior police official said.

The by-election was held following the death of sitting MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy in March. Reddy had won the seat in 2014 as YSR Congress candidate, but jumped over to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 2016.

Reddy's nephew Brahmananda Reddy is now the TDP candidate, while the YSRC fielded former minister Silpa Chandra Mohan Reddy who switched sides to the opposition party just days ahead of the bypoll.

Though there are 15 candidates in the fray, the main fight is between the TDP and the YSRC.
Men sit under a banner carrying a portrait of chief of India's Congress party Sonia Gandhi outside the Congress office in New Delhi May 16, 2014. Counting of votes began on Friday after India's mammoth election, which could usher in the most profound economic change in a generation if opposition leader Narendra Modi wins a clear mandate for his agenda to revive growth and create jobs. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi (INDIA - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR3PEHK

Seeking to assert his authority, sidelined All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader TTV Dhinakaran today axed four ministers from party posts while 18 MLAs loyal to him stayed put in a Puducherry resort, a day after they revolted against the K Palaniswami government threatening its survival.

The Congress, meanwhile, pitched for a floor test in the assembly, a day after its ally DMK made a similar demand, claiming 22 AIADMK MLAs had submitted letters to Governor Ch Vidayasagar Rao expressing lack of confidence in Chief Minister E K Palaniswami. In the 234-member assembly, the AIADMK has 134 MLAs. Rallying behind jailed party chief V K Sasikala, her brother Divakaran claimed the Palaniswami ministry had "lost majority" and sought his resignation.

"Such a government cannot continue. Palaniswami has to resign," he told reporters at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district. Divakaran had yesterday suggested the name of assembly Speaker P Dhanapal, a Dalit, to replace Palaniswami.

Both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam seemed undeterred by the developments. They are attending the centenary celebrations of AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran in Ariyalur. A day after meeting the Governor, the MLAs supporting the combative Dhinakaran, stayed put at a private resort in neighbouring Puducherry.

They largely remained indoors. A few of them, including Andipatti MLA Thangatamilselvan, went out for morning walk at the beach there. Police personnel have been deployed outside the resort and media was not allowed to enter the premises.

The local wing of the unified AIADMK burned effigies of Dhinakaran, nephew of Sasikala, near the resort and raised slogans against them. In a bid to assert his authority, Dhinakaran "relieved" four ministers -- RB Uthayakumar, KC Veeramani, MR Vijayabaskar and R Kamaraj -- of party posts. Revenue Minister Uthayakumar was removed as Secretary of the Puratchi Thalaivi Amma Peravai, while Vijayabaskar (Transport) was eased out as the party's Karur district secretary.

He was replaced by former transport minister and Dhinakaran loyalist MLA, V Senthil Balaji. Dhinakaran relived ministers for commercial taxes and food, Veeramani and Kamaraj, of the posts of district secretaries of Vellore (West) and Thiruvarur, respectively.

In separate statements, Dhinakaran announced the appointments of his aides to these posts. He also relieved the district secretaries of Chennai (South), Kancheepuram, Thiruvallore (West) and Pudukottai of their duties. In the Dravidian parties' hierarchy, district secretaries play a key role in the organisational growth.

He also appointed a number of his supporters to various others posts including that of the organisation secretary, besides expanding the office-bearers list. The appointments were made with the "approval" of Sasikala, Dhinakaran said. A few weeks ago also, Dhinakaran had appointed his supporters to various party posts.

The latest shake-up by Dhinakaran comes two days after the merger of the factions led by Palaniswami and rebel leader O Panneerselvam, a former chief minister. Under the arrangement, Panneerselvam was made deputy chief minister and the coordinator of the party. Palaniswami was named co-coordinator. It was also agreed that steps would be taken to expel Sasikala, which was a pre-condition for the merger.

In the wake of differences in the ruling party, the DMK has demanded a floor test in the assembly to prove that the government was in a majority. At Puducherry, former MLA Om Sakthi Segar led the protest against Sasikala and Dhinakaran. Segar handed over a petition to the district collector and SP asking them to instruct the MLAs to vacate the resort in the "larger interest of law and order".

He alleged the Congress-led Puducherry government was trying to engineer a split in the AIADMK by letting the MLAs stay at the resort.
NEW DELHI, INDIA - FEBRUARY 18: YSR Congress President YS Jaganmohan Reddy after bill for separate Telangana state passed in Lok Sabha on February 18, 2014 in New Delhi, India. The Lok Sabha passed a contentious proposal to split Andhra Pradesh and create the new state of Telangana on Tuesday amid chaotic scenes and uproar in parliament from opponents of the bill. (Photo by Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

YSR Congress president YS Jaganmohan Reddy was today booked for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during the campaign for the by-election to the Nandyal Assembly constituency.

Based on a letter by Returning Officer and district Joint Collector Prasanna Venkatesh, the Nandyal police booked the Leader of Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly under sections 188, 504 and 506 of the IPC and section 125 of the Representation of People's Act (RPA).

The IPC sections relate to disobedience to order promulgated by public servant, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace and criminal intimidation.

The RPA section relates to promoting enmity between classes in connection with election.

The bypoll in Nandyal took place today.

During the campaign early this month for his party candidate Silpa Chandra Mohan Reddy in Nandyal, Jagan allegedly said "There is nothing wrong in shooting a person like Chandrababu Naidu who did not honour even one of the promises made".

In another instance, Jagan reportedly replaced shooting with "hanging" while lashing out at the chief minister.

The TDP lodged a complaint with the Election Commission over Jagan's remarks based on which the EC directed the returning officer to file a case against the opposition leader.

"As per the EC directions, I wrote a letter to the police today to file a case," the Joint Collector told PTI over phone.

Rayalaseema Zone Inspector General of Police Sheik Mohammad Iqbal said a case has been registered against Jagan under relevant sections and an investigation was launched.

Official sources said the YSR Congress chief may be arrested since it was a criminal case.
Technicians work near the 140-ton aluminium sphere covered with metal plates, measuring 10 metres in diameter and is 10 centimetres thick, at the Megajoule Laser project, currently under construction at the CESTA (Centre d'Etudes Scientifiques et Techniques d'Aquitaine) in Le Barp southwestern France, July 27, 2010. Scientists will be able to simulate nuclear tests using amplified energy from 176 lasers which is directed at a target located inside the sphere, thus reproducing nuclear fusion under temperature conditions some 100 times higher than those found at the centre of the sun. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau (FRANCE - Tags: ENERGY SCI TECH) - RTR2GRXE

Moneycontrol News

As various companies all over the world are working on wind and solar energy, there lies a potential for the next big energy source of the world in the lab where the very destructive atomic bomb was made, a report in Bloomberg states.

As per a podcast on Bloombergs Decrypted, scientists at the Oakridge International Laboratory, which was part of the Manhattan project that was devised to create nuclear fission as a weapon, where researching is being carried on for decades on how to build a commercially viable nuclear reactor, have almost come up with the answer.

Nuclear Fusion versus Fission: What's the difference?

Nuclear fusion is a procedure that naturally takes place in the sun, and is responsible for generating its heat.

Functioning nuclear power plants all over the world currently work on the principle of nuclear fission, that involves splitting particles apart.

However, the new technology based on nuclear fusion, as opposed to fission, involves smashing particles together.

In nuclear fusion, it is more difficult to come up with a commercially viable power plant. However, successfully executing the process could mean the worlds energy needs are taken care of forever.

Nuclear fission oil reportedly ten million times more efficient than all other energy generation processes currently out there.

A view of the jet stock from the overpressure valve inside the condensation chamber, partially filled with water during operation, of Austria's unique nuclear power plant in Zwentendorf, some 50 km (31 miles) west of Vienna (Courtesy : Reuters)

As per a scientist working on the project, a standard coal power plant takes roughly 90 railroad carts of coal to produce the same amount of energy produced by the fusion process while using only three pounds of tritium and two pounds of deuterium - two commonly used elements in the fusion process.

Nuclear fusion is a process that comes with almost zero carbon emissions, and much less radioactive waste than in the reactors we have today, in addition to an unlimited supply of raw materials that can be accessed anywhere.

Deuterium and Tritium, both types of heavy hydrogen that are used in fusion, can be sucked out of seawater and can be produced in nuclear reactors.

The process to develop them took the scientists at Oakridge decades to figure out.

Cheap & Clean  How Solar Power May Shape The Future of Modern India

Also, the greater the magnetic field used inside the reactor, easier it is to get the process executed.

The biggest fusion reaction, known as JET, functioning in Europe currently has a magnetic field 10,000 times stronger than the earths magnetic field.

About 45 of these fusion machines are presently functioning in the world today. Most power plants work the same way they did a hundred million years ago, by using seawater and heat.

What are the challenges faced by the industry?

Scientists think nuclear fusion will surely work and may be the next big answer to the worlds energy problem and the one with least risk.

At this moment, however, the fusion program is limited by money.

US funding for fusion peaked in the late 70s and early 80s after the Oil Shocks and later it dropped.

One major challenge faced in this purpose is nuclear reactor accidents that are still fresh in public memory - Fukushima nuclear accident of 2011 and Chernobyl Blast Case of 1986, both of which happened to be fission reactors.

View of the Megajoule Laser project, currently under construction at the CESTA (Centre d'Etudes Scientifiques et Techniques d'Aquitaine) in Le Barp southwestern France, where scientists will be able to simulate nuclear tests using amplified energy from 176 lasers which is directed at a target located inside the sphere, thus reproducing nuclear fusion under temperature conditions some 100 times higher than those found at the centre of the sun (Courtesy: Reuters)

Another factor working against it is policy-related. US President Donald Trump has approved only half the amount of what the scientists requested, considering his heavy focus on hydrocarbon and fossil fuel-based energy growth.

Scientists have not yet received enough funds from the US budget yet. They claim that the funds will only comprise one-seventeenth part of the complete amount.

The successful plant also involves other challenges such as: fuelling, extracting heat, and coming up with materials that can withstand the environment. Innovation on these elements requires funding and new special facilities.

One of the scientists at Oakridge says that a working nuclear fusion power plant could come by 2050 and thus may take up many generations to be executed.
By CNBCTV18.COM

Samsung has expanded its digital personal assistant Bixby, currently available on the Galaxy S8 and S8+ smartphones, to over 200 countries and territories worldwide

Arjun Kharpal

CNBC

Samsung expanded its digital personal assistant Bixby to over 200 countries and territories globally on Tuesday, as it looks to step up its challenge to rival products like Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri.

Bixby was unveiled earlier this year when Samsung introduced its flagship Galaxy S8 smartphone. It was initially available in South Korea, then the US.

Now the electronics giant is rolling Bixby out to new regions including the UK, Australia, Canada and South Africa.

Bixby currently recognizes U.S. English and Korean.

A button on the side of the Galaxy S8 allows Bixby to be activated. Users can ask Bixby to carry out tasks such as searching through a photo album, or send a picture that has just been taken to a contact.

"The expansion of Bixby's voice capabilities is an initial step in the continued rollout of Bixby functionality. In the future, Bixby will have the learning power to offer more intelligent and personalized interactions and seamless connections across more devices," Injong Rhee, an executive vice president at Samsung, said in a press release.

Bixby is Samsung's answer to rivals such as Apple's Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa.

Samsung has promised further features for its smart assistant such as Bixby Vision, which will allow users to point their phone camera at an object and get relevant information.
business Here are Shailesh Kumar's views on recent geopolitical concerns In an interview to CNBC-TV18, Shailesh Kumar, Senior Analyst for Asia at the Eurasia Group discussed US President Donald Trump's South Asia policy. He also shared his views on cabinet rejig in India.
An influential US lawmaker has urged President Donald Trump to appoint America's new ambassador to India on a priority basis, saying that Washington's relation with New Delhi is of utmost importance.

The position has been lying vacant since January 20 when Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

In June, the White House said that Kenneth I Juster, 62, a top economic aide of Trump and an expert on India, will be America's new ambassador to India.

"As the co-founder and former chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India, Indian issues and representing one of the largest Indian-American constituencies in Congress, the relationship between our two great nations is of the utmost importance to me and my constituencies. I urge you to make the appointment of a US ambassador to India a top priority of your administration," Congressman Frank Pallone said in a letter to Trump.

The letter to Trump dated August 22 was posted by Pallone on twitter.

"After more than seven months in office, this critical appointment is long overdue and should be an immediate priority," Pallone said a day after Trump sought India's increasing role in Afghanistan.

India is "our strongest ally" in South Asa, "which you referred in your address" to the nation on Monday, he said.

"These are among the reasons the United States has long supported India's permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. It is in our immediate national interest to send an accomplished American to serve as our country's senior diplomat in India," Pallone said.

The White House refrained from responding to questions on delay in ambassadorial appointment to India.

However, without mentioning India, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson refuted the reports that the absence of officials at key position is having an impact on the efficiency of the State Department.

"In terms of our footprint on the ground, we have very competent, capable, experienced people there now," Tillerson told reporters at a news conference.

"Do you have enough people, given the fact that there are not Trump-confirmed diplomatic appointees in many of these positions in the region," he was asked.

"We are looking at a couple of different people for the special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan position. It is open currently; it is being filled with a very experienced individual today. So we are ready to get going with very competent people we have, and I am not at all concerned about the competency level or the experience of the people that we have working on this. I am quite confident with them," Tillerson added.
Pakistan is not seeking material or financial help from the US, but Washington must trust and treat it with respect, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa today told the US envoy here, a day after President Trump asked Islamabad to stop providing safe havens to terrorists.

While announcing America's new Afghanistan and South Asia policy - which calls for greater US troop deployment and Indian involvement in Afghanistan - Trump had hit out at Pakistan for offering sanctuaries to "agents of chaos."

The US Ambassador David Hale met Gen. Bajwa at the Army's Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where the latter was briefed on the US's new South Asia policy announced by President Trump, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations - the Pakistani military's media wing.

"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations," the US president had said.

Responding to the invective, Gen. Bajwa said: "We are not looking for any material or financial assistance from the US, but trust, understanding and [an] acknowledgment of our contributions."

According to the ISPR statement, the Pakistan Army chief highlighted the importance of peace in Afghanistan for Pakistan and highlighted the efforts made by the country.

He added that such efforts were "not [meant] to appease anyone but [were taken] in line with [Pakistan's] national interest and policy," the ISPR statement said.

Gen. Bajwa further said that collaboration between all stakeholders in the key to bringing the war in Afghanistan to its logical conclusion, the statement said.

Hale said that the US values Pakistan's role in the "War against Terror" and seeks the country's cooperation in resolving the Afghan issue, the statement added.

The US ambassador had similarly briefed Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif yesterday on Washington's new policy and statements made by Trump regarding Pakistan.

During the meeting, Asif had told the envoy that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community to eliminate the menace of terrorism.
Korea and the U.S. have started discussing possible revisions to their free trade agreement that went into effect in 2012, which Washington blames for a trade deficit with Seoul.

The top trade officials of Korea and the U.S. held a special session in downtown Seoul on Tuesday. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer demanded revisions and pointed to a "significant trade imbalance" with Korea, which he claimed doubled since 2011.

U.S. President Donald Trump has referred to the FTA as a "horrible" deal.


Friends In Pink is still on the radar and growing every year
Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity
Pushchairs removed at Century Park

From:Shanghai Daily | 2017-08-22 09:29

MORE than 200 pushchairs have been cleared by authorities for occupying sidewalks by one of the city's parks.



The 262 child strollers appeared at the weekend near several gates of Century Park on Huamu Road, Jinxiu Road and Fangdian Road.

The operator of the pushchairs, used for children aged between 2 and 7, is DeeMeng, which is based in Shanghai. It said it had provided a convenience service for parents with young children.

Like shared bikes, the pushchairs require users to register and scan a code. There were about 1,000 people registering over the weekend, DeeMeng said.

Users pay a 99-yuan (US$14.75) deposit and are charged 1 yuan for every 30 minutes of use.

Public sanitation and environment management authorities in Huamu area said officials spotted the pushchairs occupying sidewalks in the Century Park area during patrols on Saturday.

Some of the pushchairs were blocking areas reserved for blind people, officials said.

On Friday, the citys transportation commission ordered bike sharing companies in Shanghai to stop launching new shared bikes until further notice, but DeeMeng said its pushchairs are not shared bikes and it is in talks with officials to launch more pushchairs.
Wyrd Kalendar Podcast

The monthly Wyrd Kalendar podcast is closely tied with Folk Horror Revival, a community which has done a lot to nurture the resurgence of all things folk horror. If youre looking to shake up your music in a folklore stylee, then youll need to listen up and add this one to your podcast favourites.

Each hour-long monthly episode is packed with music which relates to folklore traditions associated with that month. Episodes also feature storytime interludes, with extracts from Chris Lamberts forthcoming Wyrd Kalendar book (illustrations by Andy Paciorek).

The August podcast serves its listeners a Lammas feast of music, and there is too great a range to list here but bands include Magnet, The Owl Service, Beacon Street Union, Bebel Gilberto, The Tiger Lilies, Carole King, Funkadelic, Hall and Oates, Julie London, Lost Trail, The The and Isla Cameron. Beware, for the willows are on the move.

If folk music is what you love, then you may also enjoy listening to the following playlists on Mookychick:
Let us avert our eyes from the president's display of instability in Phoenix. We knew what to expect. When Donald Trump occasionally goes "presidential," as he did the day before on Afghanistan, a tantrum is sure to follow. You could set your watch by it.

Many Republicans are quietly planning for a post-Trump era, when public debate may again center on policies and not on wacky politics. Democrats must do so, as well, and a good start would be an issue on which Trump has great traction with the public. That would be immigration.

Republicans oppose illegal immigration. Polls show that Democrats and independents, though not so obsessed over unlawful immigration, are plenty concerned about it, too. The operative word here is "illegal," but the entire program needs a going-over.

The labor market is a market, and the entry of large numbers of low-skilled workers can't help but reduce the prospects for low-skilled natives and immigrants here legally. The cheap-labor right and diversity left often go into contortions dismissing the laws of supply and demand  and fail.

George Borjas of Harvard offers the most cleareyed view of mass immigration's impact. "The influx of immigrants can potentially be a net good for the nation, increasing the total wealth of the population," he writes. But that wealth is not evenly divided. "Somebody's lower wage is always somebody else's higher profit."

Immigrants admitted in the past two decades have increased the size of the low-skilled workforce by 25 percent, according to Borjas' research. As a result, annual earnings by high-school dropouts have fallen by between $800 and $1,500 a year.

Bernie Sanders gets this. And so did Barack Obama. In fact, federal immigration officials under Trump are removing fewer of the undocumented than they did during the slowest years of Obama's presidency, Politico reports. Arrests have soared under Trump, but arrests don't equal deportations.

One reason for this may be that fewer people are trying to sneak across the border in the wake of Trump's harsh rhetoric. But suffice it to say, Obama was on the case. In addition, Obama faced opposition from diversity advocates in his own party, who attacked him as "deporter in chief."

Americans across the political spectrum generally support a generous immigration program, as long as it's orderly. Trump's disordered responses  from his ethnic smears to plans for wasting colossal sums of taxpayer money on a wall with Mexico  give Democrats a great opportunity to support humane and more intelligent alternatives.

They may start by giving a respectful hearing to a new Senate Republican proposal for immigration reform. A points-based system favoring immigrants with needed skills makes great economic sense. Australia and Canada do it.

That does not preclude admitting a good number of low-skilled people rich in ambition and work ethic. Just adjust the numbers for changing economic conditions.

"Chain migration" now accounts for two-thirds of legal immigration and needs curbing. Of course, immigrants' spouses and young children should be admitted. But rules prioritizing extended family members reduce opportunities for those from other places and possessing higher skills.

Canadians also have mixed feelings about their large immigration program, but enforcement of the law helps maintain support for it. When more than 3,000 people, mostly Haitian asylum-seekers, crossed into Canada from the United States in July, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned against entering the country "irregularly."

"There are rigorous immigration and customs rules that will be followed," he said. "Make no mistake."

Democrats must also make no mistake that immigration rules will be followed. And their politicians need not fear accusations of racism from some on the left (and right). They can thank Trump for giving them space.

Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com. To find out more about Froma Harrop, visit www.creators.com.
The chairman of the Commercial Division of the Winnipeg Realtors Association recently stated that more and more enterprising property investors are flocking to Winnipegs industrial real estate segment, but they might run head-on into the problem of supply that has become characteristic of Canadas hottest residential markets.[There are] lots of national investors who very much would like to get into Winnipeg, Trevor Clay told the Winnipeg Free Press. The problem they have is a lack of available product.The potential issue stems from the fact that large institutional investors considering Winnipeg tend to gravitate towards larger buildings or property portfolios.They dont want to buy one small building at a time, Clay said, adding that Winnipeg does not offer plenty of industrial spaces lager than 400,000 square feet. In Winnipeg, a 50,000-square-foot tenant would be considered a large tenant, and once you get over 100,000 square feet, the tenant pool tends to shrink.Ryan Behie, vice-president and managing director of CBREs Winnipeg office, said the firm began marketing a 412,849-square-foot building on August 1, and has been attending to a significant number of investor inquiries.Certainly there is local interest, but theres also an awful lot of national interest, Behie said, adding that many of the interested parties represent real estate investment trusts, large private equity firms and pension funds.
The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) be given the ability to order a registrant to repay either all, or a portion, of the profits gained as a result of a breach under the REBBA Code of Ethics RECO be given the authority to suspend or revoke registration or apply terms and conditions Permit the Auditor General of Ontario to conduct value for money audits of RECO and all its programs to ensure that registrants fees and other sources of revenue are being used efficiently Make all RECO registration fee increases subject to ministerial approval Make RECO subject to the oversight of an internal RECO Ombudsman Provide RECO with powers to proactively investigate REBBA and the Code of Ethics violations; and Make RECO more transparent when it comes to freedom of information requests

The Ontario Real Estate Association released the first of four industry white papers Tuesday, arguing in favour of more stringent regulation.OREA effectively lobbied Queens Park to review the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 (REBBA) and the government has committed to do so. The white papers are the next step in that advocacy.Ontario needs much stronger deterrents for unethical behaviour and a regulator that isnt afraid to throw the book at violators, Ettore Cardarelli, OREA President said in the white paper.In the white paper, entitled Better Enforcement and a Regulator that Works, OREA argues in favour of heftier fines for breaching REBBAs Code of Ethics.The maximum fine is $25,000 for agents and $50,000 for brokerages; those figures were set in 2002 when the average resale home cost $211,000. With the average price more than doubling to $619,000, OREA argues the effectiveness of those fines has been reduced.OREA is suggesting the maximum fines be raised to $50,000 and $100,000 respectively.This White Paper is a bold first step towards modernizing Ontarios real estate rules, said Ettore Cardarelli, OREA President. The rules governing Ontario Realtors were established 15 years ago  its time to update them to keep Ontarios real estate market strong for consumers. OREA is committed to raising the bar on professional standards, and is leaving no stone unturned to make it happen.Along with the suggested fine increase, OREA is also advocating for;The review of REBBA is a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape the future of our profession and to strengthen our industry, said John Meehan, Chair of the 2017 REBBA Review Task Force. Helping people through the largest financial transaction of their lives is a giant responsibility, and an enormous privilege. Ontario home buyers and sellers deserve to work with professionals who are being held to the highest standards.
(Emma Jule Gadsden-Williams is a Huger native and Mount Pleasant resident. She is a historian and columnist of African-American culture east of the Cooper. A former accountant for CBS News Division- New York Yankee administrative Office, she retired as an accounts payable supervisor at the College of Charleston and is former Scholarship Director for the East Cooper Mass Choir).
Chevron CEO John Watson will soon retire as the Big Oil giant pivots in a world of evolving energy dynamics, The Wall Street Journal is reporting, citing sources close to the matter.

California-based Chevron is planning to announce the change in September, if not sooner, and the Journal said newly promoted Vice Chairman Michael Wirth, 56, is the leading candidate to replace Watson, 60.
A petition making the rounds on social media calls for the wrong government entity to change the name of Lee High School.

The petition asks Superintendent Orlando Riddick, Mayor Jerry Morales and Midland City Council members to have the high school name changed.

Riddick works for Midland ISD, and it is the school district, not the city of Midland, that would ultimately make the call on a name change.

The petition is a Google document and doesnt show how many people have electronically signed the petition or support the petition request. It also provides no information about who created the petition, including if that person is a resident of Midland.

The following is the language from the petition.

---

Midland ISD Alumni, Students and Midland County Residents to Superintendent Orlando Riddick and Mayor Jerry Morales: Change the name of Robert E. Lee High School.

Dear Superintendent Orlando Riddick, Mayor Jerry Morales and Midland City Council Members,

I am writing to you as an alumnus/student of the Midland Independent School District and/or Midland County resident to request that the name of Robert E. Lee High School be changed. Though what we know to be true of Robert E. Lee is not new information, in light of the recent events in Charlottesville and the surge of organized white supremacy groups in this country, including Neo-nazis and the Ku Klux Klan, I believe it is time for Midland, Texas to do what is right and end the commemoration of a confederate general by changing the name of the high school.

As we all know, Robert E. Lee was the commander of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War from 18621865. During that time, he not only fought for the preservation of the institution of slavery, but he did so using aggressive tactics which resulted in hundreds of thousands of American casualties on both sides of the war. He believed slavery was the will of God and that slavery was a greater evil to the white man than to the black race. Despite his aggressive and morbid tactics, Lee ultimately conceded and the confederacy lost the Civil War. After the war, he continued to fight for the enslavement of black people and he opposed multiple proposals by his own party for the emancipation of all slaves.

Our high schools are responsible for the education and success of students from a broad spectrum of cultural backgrounds. We have graduated successful athletes, artists, politicians, activists, teachers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors and scientists of all races and ethnicities. Our diversity is a source of immense pride and strength and it could not be more antithetical to the beliefs, practices and legacy of Robert E. Lee. As such, I believe it is reasonable and necessary to change the name of the high school to reflect the inclusiveness and diversity of the student body. Robert E. Lee is a symbol of racism, hate, violence and white supremacy, and preserving his name on a public institution demonstrates complacency with these beliefs. Preserving his name is not celebrating history. Rather, it is glorifying the dehumanization of black people and the deaths of thousands of Americans.

I hope that you will join my fellow MISD alumni/students, Midland County residents and me in acknowledging that this is a matter that requires immediate attention and action, and that ignoring this issue or delaying action only further promotes MISDs and Midland Countys complicity in honoring white supremacy.

Thank you in advance for your consideration on this matter.
Despite growing sales tax receipts and a more-than-healthy reserve fund of approximately $61 million, Midland County Commissioners are proposing a 9 percent increase on property taxes. If passed, the new rate would allow the county to collect more than $3.5 million in additional revenue from both existing and new properties.

The vote, which took place at Tuesdays commissioners court meeting, set the maximum property tax rate at 15.5992 cents per $100 valuation. Despite it being the same rate as the prior year, it represents a staggering 9 percent increase over the effective tax rate, which is the rate that would generate the same amount of revenue from the same properties as the previous year (taking into account property valuation changes).

While elected officials often tout their relatively "low tax rate", it is important to understand that a low tax rate doesn't mean a low tax bill. Rather, a true picture of a government's spending habits can instead be seen in its receipts.

In Midland County's case, despite low rates, their revenue from property taxes has grown 5 percent annually on average due to rising property valuations. Meanwhile, sales tax receipts have grown by an annual average of 9 percent.

The commissioners' decision comes in the wake of major property tax reform efforts being defeated in Austin. During both the regular and special legislative sessions, a bill authored by State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) and championed by Gov. Greg Abbott as his "number one priority", would have empowered taxpayers by granting them an automatic say on property tax increases above a certain amount.

Opposition to the bill primarily consisted of government entities using tax dollars to lobby against taxpayer protections. Opponents claimed that the bill would usurp local control and limit government funding.

While property tax reform measures swept through the Texas Senate with ease, it was killed in the Texas House by Speaker Joe Straus.

Given the popularity of the measure with voters, as well as the looming chance of a second special session, many local governments are hedging their bets by ramming property tax increases through before they're forced to gain approval by voters.

In this case, it seems Midland County isn't an exception.

If the bill had passed, Midlanders would have had the opportunity to give an up or down vote on the proposal. But since it didn't they'll be forced to rely on the mercy of their local officials.

Residents have an opportunity to voice their support or opposition to the proposed tax increase on August 24 at 3pm and August 28 at 11am. A hearing on the FY 17-18 budget will be held on September 11. All hearings will take place in the Commissioner's Courtroom at 500 N. Loraine.
Atac dezlantuit al lui Dughin impotriva lui Putin. Filosoful rus sugereaza ca liderul de la Kremlin ar trebui sa moara precum regele ploilor
She told the media she just wants to lead a normal life and has not decided on whether to stay in Chennai or live with her daughter in London.
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Firefighters from the Florida Forest Service in Flagler County are helping battle wildfires out west to help other areas in need.

100 FFS members deployed to CO, UT, WY, CA

10 of them from Bunnell district

For 18 days on his first trip out of Florida, Jeff Fountain dealt with a lot of smoke and flames.



"It was a big eye opener -- I've never traveled in my life," said Fountain.



Fountain was deployed all the way to Utah to battle wildfires, working with a crew of 19 other on the deployment, sometimes at very high elevations.



"We traveled to almost 9,000 feet -- it was very very difficult," he said.



A hundred Florida Forest Service members like Fountain are helping out in several other western states, including Colorado, Wyoming, California.



"It was constant," said Fountain. "I mean, every 19-20 minutes you get a push of 60 miles per hour winds through there, it burns so fast and so long."



Fountain showed some of the tools they used to battle the fires out west, which he said are much different than the tools they use in the East, to students at the Imagine School on Aug 22. He said they climb steep mountains and they have to clear out fire lines by hand instead of using a bulldozer.



"Out west with the mountains and the terrain, they can't use a dozer," said Fountain.



"[Fountain's] first opportunity to get out into the community he came here, to the Imagine School, to talk to the kids about firefighter safety, the importance of their job and what they do on a day-to-day basis, not only in our own communities, but other communities around the U.S.," said Julie Allen, Fire Mitigation specialist.



"We don't try to think of the dangers," said Fountain. "It's there, it's always in the back of our minds because safety's first. That's our big goal is to always be safe and come home, [and] the fires are so fast and Mother Nature is so unpredictable."



Ten of the 100 firefighters deployed are from the Bunnell district of the Florida Forest Service in Flagler County.


Harvey strengthened into a tropical depression early Wednesday morning as it moved into the Bay of Campeche.

Strengthening is expected Thursday, but there are no threats to Florida.

Harvey strengthens back to tropical depression

Storm is expected to develop into tropical storm

Harvey heading to SE Texas, is no threat to Florida right now

RELATED: Storm Season 2017: Your source for supply kit lists, interactive tracking chart, printable storm guide



Located about 510 miles south-southeast of Port OConnor, Texas, Harvey has winds of 35 mph. It is moving to the northwest slowly at 2 mph and is projected to travel through a favorable environment for intensification.

Harvey should become a tropical storm again Thursday and possibly even a category one hurricane early Friday; on this track, it will approach the coast of Texas late Friday.

Interests from Texas to Louisiana are urged to take precaution for a landfalling tropical system.

There are watches posted along coastal Texas which may be upgraded to warnings as Harvey intensifies on its track northwestward. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for the coast of Texas from Port Mansfield to High Island. Along this stretch of coast, there is the possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline.

Around the time of high tide, water levels may rise 4 to 6 feet or higher. Harvey may be capable of 10 to 15 inches of rain for the Texas and Louisiana coastlines which may lead to widespread flash flooding.

A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the coast of Texas from north of Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass; hurricane conditions are expected there in the next 48 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the coast of Texas from the Mouth of the Rio Grande to Port Mansfield and from north of San Luis Pass to High Island.

Elsewhere in the tropics, we are monitoring a weak area of low pressure over South Florida which has a low likelihood of strengthening into a tropical system after it drifts east of Florida.

Regardless of its tropical classification, it will be responsible for higher rain chances locally through the weekend. The next system to receive a name will be called Irma.
Although the Plainview City Council wont formally adopt the 2017-18 budget and set a tax rate until September, members pegged the maximum tax rate they can consider at $0.6312 per $100 valuation. Thats the same as the effective tax rate.

That means property owners wont see much change in their city tax statement, although last years tax rate of $0.6288 is marginally lower than the proposed maximum rate.

City Manager Jeffrey Snyder explains that apparent paradox by noting that property valuations have decline over the past year.

According to the Appraisal District, the appraised value of taxable property in Plainview during 2016 was $860 million. That same property is now valued at $855 million. That means a tax rate of $0.6312 is required to raise the same amount of tax revenue generated by last years $0.6288 rate.

During the past year, some $6 million in new construction was added to tax rolls, raising the current tax base to $861 million. If the maximum tax rate is ultimately adopted, the new property will bring about $30,000 into the city coffers.

While the council didnt adopt a tax rate Tuesday, they voted not to go above the effective rate of $0.6312. As a result, they streamlined the budget/tax adoption process by eliminating additional public hearings. Instead the council on Sept. 12 will have its first reading to adopt the budget and tax rate, with final reading and formal adoption Sept. 26.

In other action Tuesday, the council:

--Approved on second and final reading a request to rezone 1307 W. Sixth St. to MF-1 with a Special Use Permit for a bed-and-breakfast. According to city staff, Mike Melcher is in contract to purchase Waylands Presidents Home and convert it into a bed-and-breakfast.

--Approved on second and final reading a request to vacate/abandon a 20-foot alley north of Fifth Street between Columbia and Denver. The request was made on behalf of Allsups Convenience Stores which has acquired the block.

--Authorized the temporary closure of Fifth Street and Southwest Third (state highways) on Sept. 16 for the Cowboy Days Parade.

--Awarded a bid of $129,491 to Tank Pro for sandblasting and recoating the interior, power washing the exterior and installing a cage and safety rails to the elevated water tower on East Fifth that serves the Wheeler-Formby prison units. The tank was installed in 1994, and a 2016 inspection revealed a need for the maintenance.

--Took no action after meeting in closed session about 15 minutes on real property.

All members of the council were present Tuesday except District 4 Rep. Teressa King.
BALTIMORE  At long last, Boog Powell, the As rookie outfielder, met Boog Powell, the 1970 American League MVP.

This is too cool. I love it, the original Boog said. Honest to God it's great. I had to root for you even though you're the opposition.

The elder Powell, 76, invited Oaklands Boog out to Boogs Barbecue beyond the right-field wall at Camden Yards on Tuesday to sample his famous fare.

Anything thats barbecue is my favorite, Boog 2 said.

The younger Powell, 24, hit his first big-league homer Monday night, almost hitting the barbecue stand. I did think about that. I was trying not to smile and laugh, Boog 2 said.

He has a real nice swing. He didn't overswing, said the elder Powell, who hit 339 career homers.

His given name is Herschel Mack Powell IV, but the As player has been known as Boog since he was 5 or 6 to differentiate him from his father and grandfather. Hes always wanted to meet the elder Boog Powell, who is no relation, and said he always hoped it happened at Camden Yards.

The two Boogs FaceTimed12-year-old Little League folk hero Jeffrey Boog Powell after digging into some barbecue. The grade-school Boog was in study hall, and, the As Boog said, it was the first time the Orioles Boog ever had FaceTimed.

The As Boog Powell has been something of a surprise since being re-acquired in the Yonder Alonso deal with Seattle; hes played very well in center field and he has reached base in seven of his past eight plate appearances, turning into a potential leadoff option for the club.

Susan Slusser is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sslusser@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @susanslusser
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For years, South Bay transportation officials boasted that construction of BARTs extension into Santa Clara County was several months ahead of schedule and that it would probably open late in 2017, but they acknowledged Tuesday that those predictions may have been overly optimistic.

The first BART train wont cross the Santa Clara County line early after all. Instead, it should arrive at its originally scheduled time  June 2018  they said, so please dont call it a delay.

It was forecast for early completion, Brandi Childress, a VTA spokeswoman, said of the 10-mile extension. But now were saying that is not going to happen.

Almost since the start of construction of the 10-mile extension in April 2012, officials with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, who are overseeing the project, had boasted of being six months ahead of schedule and on track for a late 2017 opening. In the past year, they spoke of it with near certainty.

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But after a series of meetings with BART officials this summer, VTA officials have reverted to the originally scheduled opening in June 2018, a date set by federal transit officials who helped foot the projects $2.3 billion bill.

Under a first-of-its-kind agreement, the VTA is building the extension from Warm Springs in Fremont south to stations in Milpitas and the Berryessa neighborhood of East San Jose. After its tested and ready to go, the authority will hand it over to BART to connect it to the existing system and to run the trains.

But thats going to take longer than the next couple of months, said John Engstrom, project manager for the Silicon Valley extension.

While construction crews apply the finishing touches to the two new stations, which should be completed by years end, VTA needs to complete testing of train control, communications and other systems with and without trains running on the new rails.

Once thats done, VTA will turn it over to BART, which will perform even more rigorous tests designed to ferret out any possible problems, Engstrom said.

Basically, we try to break it, he said. Its better to have it break during testing than when trains are running.

Once the glitches have been worked out, the final step before BART can start carrying passengers to and from Silicon Valley is certification from the California Public Utilities Commission.

Testing is already in progress, Engstrom said, and no particular problems have emerged. But he said the job of making certain complex systems work together, and as theyre supposed to, can be painstaking and time-consuming.

I think of it as a 10-mile-long robot, he said, explaining that each element must be tested separately and in conjunction with others.

The announcement of next Junes opening was made Tuesday amid the dust and noise of construction at the Milpitas Station, near the Great Mall shopping center. The station, featuring a wave-shaped roof perforated with three large skylights, looks almost ready to go.

The tracks, third rail, elevators and escalators are in place on the subterranean platform level, and the fare gates are installed, covered in plastic, near the arched entryways. A six-story parking garage sits empty, but ready for use, with the stripes and numbers painted on the pavement. A bridge linking the station with a VTA light-rail station stretches across Capitol Avenue.

South Bay residents who want to ride BART now have to drive to Fremont, where the downtown and Warm Springs stations are located, or ride a VTA express bus from the Great Mall to the downtown station.

Andrew Favian, 29, of south San Jose, waited a half-hour for the bus, then took the 20-minute ride to the station. He looks forward to BARTs arrival in Milpitas, even if it isnt until June.

I could have been in Pleasanton by now, he said. With BART, its a direct route. You dont have to wait for the bus and then wait for BART. It will be a lot more convenient.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
A UC Berkeley energy professor resigned from his science envoy position with the Trump administration Wednesday, citing the presidents hate-filled rally in Phoenix the night before, his recent remarks on violence at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., and his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord.

Professor Daniel Kammen used the first letter in each of the seven paragraphs in his resignation letter to Trump to spell out I-M-P-E-A-C-H.

Kammen said he was inspired by last weeks resignation letter from members of the Presidents Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, which spelled the word R-E-S-I-S-T.

You dont do that kind of thing by accident, Kammen said in an interview Wednesday. Its a reflection of my dissatisfaction with the job hes doing.

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Kammen, appointed as one of five U.S. science envoys by the State Department, made his resignation letter public and tweeted, Mr. President, I am resigning as Science Envoy. Your response to Charlottesville enables racism, sexism, & harms our country and planet.

He said the presidents remarks in Arizona on Tuesday night cemented his decision to resign. At a rally in Phoenix, Trump repeated his pledge to build a wall on the Mexico border and said he may terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump also hinted he would pardon Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz., who was convicted of defying a 2011 court order to stop traffic patrols that singled out immigrants.

What I would be working for is inconsistent with the values the president is putting forward, Kammen told The Chronicle. I would love to jump right back into this role if there was a U.S. administration supporting a positive presence both at home and overseas.

The State Department declined to comment on Kammens hidden message. In a statement, the department said officials appreciate his dedicated service to U.S. scientific diplomacy.

Trump was roundly criticized for his response to the violence in Charlottesville on Aug. 12, when a suspected neo-Nazi drove his car into a crowd protesting white supremacists who were rallying against the possible removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. One woman died and 19 people were injured.

Trump said that we condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence, but came under fire for adding that there was blame on many sides and saying there were fine people among the white supremacists and neo-Nazis.

In his open letter to Trump, Kammen wrote that his decision to resign is in response to your attacks on core values of the United States.

Particularly troubling to me is how your response to Charlottesville is consistent with a broader pattern of behavior that enables sexism and racism, and disregards the welfare of all Americans, the global community, and the planet, Kammen wrote. Examples of this destructive pattern have consequences on my duties as science envoy. Your decision to abdicate the leadership opportunities and the job creation benefits of the Paris Climate Accord, and to undermine energy and environmental research are not acceptable to me.

Kammen had focused on energy and climate in Africa and the Middle East as a science envoy, a largely honorific position facilitated with the resources and platform of the State Department. Stationed in Berkeley, he worked closely with U.S. ambassadors in Morocco, Kenya and Jordan to enable scientific exchange on environmental research.

He was appointed to the post in 2016 under the Obama administration. He said he has worked for 25 years in Africa, and will continue to do so as a private citizen.

It just was not possible to work with this administration, Kammen said. This is not a political climate that is raising up the U.S. partnerships overseas, and so its time to step down.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
For Ron Shaich, the chief executive officer of Panera Bread Co., getting acquired by closely held JAB Holding Co. meant no longer having to worry about activist investors.

Shaich, who recently sold the cafe chain he founded for $7.2 billion, says that a Wall Street culture relentlessly focused on short-term profit and quarterly metrics is stifling innovation. And he adds its only getting worse as activist investors increasingly target the restaurant industry.

The very nature of what activists want is to move the shares tomorrow -- its not helping, he said in an interview. These guys show up, theyre renting the stock and they tell you what to do -- its not a positive way to have dialogue.

JAB, an investment vehicle of Austrias billionaire Reimann family, agreed to buy Panera in April, adding the fast-casual chain with more than 2,000 locations to a portfolio that includes Krispy Kreme and Keurig Green Mountain. Starbucks had also expressed interest in buying the company, two people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg at the time.

Now that hes part of a private company, Shaich said he can innovate faster and be more aggressive to attract Paneras target market of health-conscious diners. Panera has posted positive same-store sales each of the past 18 years, including during the financial crisis. From 2010 through its last day of trading in July, the companys stock gained more than fourfold, outperforming the S&P 500 during that time.

Shaich faced activist pressure during his tenure running Panera: Wall Street questioned a digital transformation of the chain that didnt go smoothly at first. Now, with more than 25 percent of the companys sales coming through digital kiosks and its website and mobile app, Shaich feels vindicated.

I say all of this as someone who has done this and won, Shaich said. I knew it was going to work, I just couldnt say what month or quarter.

Panera is currently rolling out cups that list the teaspoons of added sugar in various fountain drinks, including soda. The initiative comes a few months after the company, which sells PepsiCo beverages at its locations, became the first major chain to list the amount of added sugars in its fountain drinks. Shaich decided not to pull soda from the restaurants, but also added a set of unsweetened drinks to its menu.

Panera spent 2016 working to rid its menu of artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors and preservatives -- part of a multiyear effort that included removing nitrates from bacon. The chain also cleaned up its kids menu last year, claiming superiority over chains such as McDonalds.

In May, after the deal with JAB was announced, Shaich joined the board of Whole Foods Market Inc., which was mired in a prolonged slump and facing pressure from activist hedge fund Jana Partners. Soon after, the organic grocer agreed to be purchase by Amazon.com for $13.7 billion.

In an interview before that deal was announced, Whole Foods CEO and founder John Mackey lashed out at activist investors, referring to Jana as greedy bastards.

One advantage of selling to JAB, Shaich said, is escaping the sense of vulnerability that comes with being a public company, with the next activist investor looking to shake things up never far behind.

I couldnt protect this place forever, he said.
SAN FRANCISCO  April Underwood, 37, is the vice president of product at enterprise software company Slack, one of the hottest tech companies in the Bay Area. As the head of product, she partners with engineering leadership to oversee a team of around 350 people and is responsible for product vision and strategy at a company that boasts more than 5 million daily active users and a valuation of more than a billion dollars.

Curious kid: Underwood grew up in Amarillo, Texas, the daughter of parents who studied architecture. She was never pressured to pursue any particular career, although her family had a geeky streak. An uncle who worked at Texas Instruments encouraged her to play with the Speak and Read, Speak and Spell and Speak and Math toys when she was a kid. Another uncle gave her toys focused on learning binary. She wound up excelling at Advanced Placement chemistry and was later accepted to the University of Texas, Austin, for chemical engineering.

Risky change: When Underwood decided to major in chemical engineering, she thought she would enjoy it because she had done well in classroom chemistry. But she quickly learned that the chemistry taught at school differed from its practical applications. I realized a lot of those paths lead to working in oil and gas fields at refineries, she said.

During her first semester, she knew she didnt want to go further with it  but changing majors meant losing her engineering scholarships. It was a huge leap of faith, she said. At the time it was really scary for my parents to see me do that, so I knew I needed to figure out a way to close that financial gap.

She switched to management information systems, a business-centric major that enabled her to take classes in coding, finance, accounting and marketing. To make up for the lost scholarships, she got a part-time job.

Tech support: Answering an ad in the college newspaper, Underwood got a gig in tech support for Austin firm TeleNetwork Inc., where she was paid $10 an hour.

Customers would call in, Id have to walk them through exactly how to fix their computers, then theyd have to hang up the phone and try it because they only had one phone line, Underwood said. This was during the days of dial-up internet, so Underwood learned to communicate clearly to customers what they had to do because she couldnt walk them through it in real-time. She wasnt intimidated by computers or technology. While doing tech support, she even saw an opportunity to create training programs for other people in the call center.

Over the holiday break she taught herself HTML coding from a book, and convinced her bosses to let her build the software. They agreed, and she built it.

Bubble bust: Underwoods senior year coincided with the height of the dot-com bubble  students were receiving lucrative job offers and signing bonuses and could have their pick of where they wanted to work. By the time she graduated, though, the bubble had burst, and a company she had interviewed with, Enron, was about to go under.

I passed on a couple of job opportunities, and my peers and professors were angry with me because they thought it was very shortsighted of me, she said. It was like the world was crumbling.

Still, with a background in business and coding, and internships at 3M and Deloitte, she scored a job at Intel in Oregon as a software engineer, working on Intels enterprise software.

Superpower: Underwoods software engineering chops landed her at Intel, but she quickly learned that she wasnt content to only do software engineering. She was fascinated by the business side. She had an interest in marketing. She enjoyed and was good at communicating with people. She wanted to do something that combined all these skills. After a year at Intel she went to travel site Travelocity, again as a software engineer, but this time taking on more responsibilities, asking business questions, and serving as the bridge between the companys technical and business teams.

Youve got to have your superpower, Underwood said. Youve got to have the thing youre really good at, because you need to be useful from day one, and you need to get your foot in the door.

For Underwood, that ability was solving problems through code.

But once you get there, if you have a broader perspective and some experience or interest in other areas, youre going to stand out. That happened for me really quickly in my career, and its part of the reason I made the transition from engineering to product management a couple of years in.

Navigating a path: Underwood moved around a lot in her career, working on enterprise-focused companies such as Intel and now Slack, and consumer-facing companies such as Travelocity, Google (where she spent two years) and Twitter (where she spent five years). During these job changes, she also transitioned from solely being a software engineer, to someone who straddled engineering and business, to being focused on product.

The key to her successful transitions, she believes, is she never made any major leaps.

You have to imagine theres a stone path, and youre trying to get from one place to another, she said. If the goal is to get to product management of a consumer app, but youre starting as an engineer of an enterprise app, then start by making the transition into product management at your own company, or in an enterprise company. Try to change one thing at a time, and it makes it a lot easier. It takes a few leaps and a few years.

When to leave: Underwood often left companies when they were on the upward trajectory, a move that baffled some of her peers. Instead of clinging to a role at a company because of its prestige, or feeling that she had to do her time before she could move on, she asked herself three questions when deciding whether to take a new role.

The first is to ask yourself, what will you learn over the next year at the company youre at, versus what you believe you might learn somewhere else, she said.

The second is how you feel about the product the company makes. In the case of Slack, Underwood had been a longtime user before shed even considered working for the company.

And the third is to look at whether youve set up your existing team for success once you leave.

I do think theres a responsibility that you owe to your team, she said.

Stay curious: Underwood chalks up much of her success to her curiosity. Be really, really good at something at any given time, she said, whether its engineering, business strategy or something else entirely, and then get to know what the people next to you are working on, and develop relationships with them.

Thats when you start to get a broader perspective. People who can do what theyre assigned to do, and anticipate the problems that are overlooked, those people are gold within an organization. So be good at the thing youre good at, and be curious about the rest.

Personal: Underwood lives in Marin County, Calif., and enjoys hiking and baking. She is gluten intolerant and cannot eat most of what she makes, but it doesnt stop her from baking it.
PITTSBURGH  Jenna Baron knew she wanted to major in the liberal arts or social sciences when she started as a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh in 2009.

Id always known it would have something to do with learning about people, she said.

Baron discovered anthropology as a way to learn about different cultures and to travel. Taking courses on Africa and volunteering as a tutor for a Somali family in Pittsburgh instilled a passion in learning about the continent. She declared a certificate in African Studies and studied Swahili in Tanzania and Kenya over a summer.

Anthropology, like many majors in the liberal arts and social sciences, doesnt have a clear career path. Still, such majors can inform what college graduates do afterward, as well as how much they earn.

Georgetowns Center on Education and the Workforce, which collects and analyzes national and state data on college majors and earnings, reported in 2015 that about 80 percent of majors are career-focused, meaning coursework prepares students for specific field or jobs related to that field.

For example, You do see a large percentage of health majors preparing for health but also ending up in health occupations, everything from health practice to health administration, said Neil Ridley, director of the state initiative at the center.

Students with less career-focused majors  such as arts, humanities and social sciences  comprise about 20 percent of all college students nationally, according to the report.

The types of jobs they get are highly variable, Ridley said. They could end up in graduate school or in international fellowships, in consulting or health care, in sales or education, in nonprofits or office support, with no dominant career track.

For humanities and liberal arts, there are winding paths into the workforce and into careers, he said.

Often, guiding students down those winding paths are university career centers.

Erin Howard, a career counselor for arts and sciences majors at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, said most students who dont want to go into academia understand that they will not get a job directly related to their major.

Humanities majors dont expect Aristotle Inc. to open up offices in downtown Pittsburgh and hire college grads at $50,000 a year, with benefits, to think and philosophize 40 hours a week, and we dont expect employers  to do the same, Howard said.

Still, students of history or philosophy sometimes dont have a good idea of what they want to do, so people like Howard help them find out. That could mean taking a personality test, shadowing someone in a particular career or finding an internship or student job.

Howard said she helps humanities majors focus on skills with wide appeal, such as critical thinking and synthesizing large amounts of information.

Karl Sparre, vice president of talent solutions in human resources at Pittsburgh health insurer Highmark Inc., one of the largest area employers, said many entry-level positions require a specific skill set: actuary positions require courses in actuarial science while finance positions require business courses or an MBA.

However, other positions suit graduates of any major, Sparre said.

Liberal arts students tend to be good at problem solving, critical thinking and communication  skills well-suited for roles in human resources or marketing.

What youre really looking for is someone who has demonstrated an ability to work through a more challenging academic and extracurricular experience, Sparre said.

Important to working at Highmark, he said, is previous experience. The company hires many of its own interns  often recruited from career fairs or other channels at area universities  and it looks for students and graduates who display an interest in working in a specific area.

Most of the students are juniors and seniors, he said. Theyve had other jobs. Theyre interested in confirming that marketing is an area of interest after graduation, or maybe they want to try something new.

As she developed an interest in Africa, Baron joined Keep It Real, a volunteer group through which she tutored a Somali Bantu refugee family.

Three years with the family showed her that she wanted to work with immigrants and refugees. During her senior year, she interned with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, working on issues surrounding immigrant and refugee youth.

The job involved working alongside service providers, organizing groups of people, planning meetings and making presentations. She also made contacts who helped her start a summer camp, the Pittsburgh Refugee Youth Summer Enrichment Academy.

As graduation approached in 2013, Baron found herself trying to balance her desire to work with immigrants and refugees  which could lead to a relatively low-paying job  and making enough to pay off her student loans. She said it was a dilemma many of her friends faced.

People struggled a lot with loans, but also wanting to do work that wasnt going to pay much for a few years, she said.

Baron decided to tiptoe into the workforce by applying to fellowships such as Teach for America. She ultimately received a Fulbright grant and spent the first year after graduation in Kenya, collecting the stories of people with disabilities.

Whereas architecture and engineering graduates are the highest earners, nationally and in Pennsylvania, humanities majors are in the middle of the pack, Ridley said.

There is high variability in the wages those majors can earn: nationally, the top 25 percent highest-earning education majors  the major that leads to the lowest average wages  make more than the bottom 25 percent of engineering majors, according to the center.

For Baron, wages were less important than the work itself. After her Fulbright, she joined Pulse, a fellowship program in Pittsburgh that pairs recent graduates with nonprofits. She worked with United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania on the Be There Campaign, an effort to reduce chronic absenteeism among public school students.

In the meantime, Baron continued to run her summer camp. After three years, she left United Way to be the programs full-time director.

She said she stresses to her staff the importance of understanding and celebrating the cultural differences of the youth who attend the camp  skills she herself learned, in part, in college. Her career path had wound back to anthropology.

Its seeing every part of the world, every people, every religion  as cliche as it sounds  as really valuable in and of itself and understanding that different aspects of the culture always have a purpose and a functionality, she said. Thats something I learned a lot about through anthropology.
Two months have passed since Food Network star Guy Fieri made an under-the-radar stop in the Alamo City.

This week, San Antonians - and the rest of the country - will get to see what he was up to in an upcoming episode of Guy's Family Road Trip. It's set to premeire Friday at 8 p.m. on the Food Network.
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Four new TV dramas should be of special interest to San Antonio and its sizable military population. The heroes here arent your usual doctors, lawyers or police officers; theyre men and women in uniform, courageous military personnel who take on missions in dangerous pockets around the globe, often at the cost of personal relationships.

Three are fictional, full of suspense, tension and thrills.

The fourth series, The Long Road Home, is an emotion-wringer of a true story, set during the Iraq War in 2004 and involving soldiers from Central Texas Army post Fort Hood and their families. Its based on TV journalist Martha Raddatzs same-titled best-selling book, and its strong cast includes Michael Kelly, Jeremy Sisto and Jason Ritter and, as the wives back home, Kate Bosworth and Sarah Wayne Callies.

Adding special interest is the fact that the eight-part series actually was filmed at Fort Hood, near Killeen. However, its premiere wont happen for a while: Nov. 7 on cables National Geographic Channel.

The three fictionals will arrive sooner, in late September and early October.

NBCs The Brave, bowing Sept. 25, focuses on a unit of special-forces operatives of both sexes who execute heart-pounding missions in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ukraine and Mexico.

It stars Mike Vogel of Under the Dome fame as this elite teams daring leader. Anne Heche (Six Days Seven Nights) portrays the deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency in D.C. who works closely with the military operatives to solve problems using some of the most advanced surveillance technology.

A plus here is the teams diversity. It includes a Muslim in a positive role, played by Hadi Tabbal, and its best shooter is a woman (Natacha Karam). Another draw: The pilot was filmed on location in Morocco, lending it rich atmosphere.

CBS SEAL Team, debuting Sept. 27, is the more testosterone-driven of the two. It also has the most star power, including David Boreanaz of Bones. He plays the leader of an elite group of Navy SEALs as they train, plan and execute high-stakes missions around the world and deal with the personal fallout back home with their families.

It also stars Jessica Pare of Mad Men fame as a CIA analyst who works with the team to take down terrorists, but her character is rather forgettable in the pilot.

By contrast, The CWs Valor, starting Oct. 9, is, as creator Anna Fricke emphasized to TV critics, a female-driven military drama with plenty of sex.

Though it follows both male and female helicopter pilots trained for top-secret missions across the globe, its most interesting character is a woman.

Nora (Christina Ochoa) is a skilled pilot and fiercely dedicated. However, shes also flawed. She suffers from PTSD and snorts drugs to help her deal with her trauma. Shes also torn between two men: Ian (Charlie Barnett), her steady-Eddie boyfriend on the base; and Gallo (Matt Barr), her scruffily handsome flying partner.

Theyre cheating on people, Valor executive producer Kyle Jarrow told TV critics at a recent press session in Beverly Hills. Theyre struggling with questions of personal morality and personal choices, just like we all do. It felt really important to dramatize that in telling a full story of what its like to be someone in the military  Hopefully, we can get some good soapy intrigue in a way that feels authentic and true to the lives of military folks.

As for which shows are most likely to succeed, both The Brave and SEAL Team have been assigned enviable time slots. The Brave, will air at 9 p.m. Mondays, following NBCs hit singing competition show, The Voice. SEAL Team, which will play at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, also has a strong reality lead-in, Survivor.

Valor may have a tougher time finding viewers on a network geared more to comic-book superheroes than flesh-and-blood ones of the military kind. The CW show has been scheduled for 8 p.m. Mondays, after Supergirl.

Why is there an inordinate number of military dramas coming at us this fall?

The sudden proliferation may be related to the conservative makeup of the current White House, although SEAL Teams executive producer Benjamin Cavell preferred to distance his heroes from the world of politics.

The things they do transcend politics. They dont look at the results of elections and then decide whether they want to remain in the military or want to go on following the orders to do the missions that they get sent on. They do that work no matter whos in the White House and whether they voted for that person or not, Cavell said.

Getting military details right was a priority for all four dramas. To ensure authenticity, writers and actors said they spent time consulting with real soldiers and veterans.

Theres a lot of support for our military, Jarrow said. but I dont think theres always a lot of knowledge about the day-to-day of what military life is  So, I was very interested in trying to write something exploring that world.

Strangely, it was a nonmilitary show that served as the model for both The Brave and SEAL Team.

For me, the principal inspiration was ER, said Dean Georgaris, creator of The Brave. Were focused on trying to do the best job with our approach, which is an immersive approach. We dont cut away to characters at home. We are in that model of lets do what they did in ER.

SEAL Team showrunner Ed Redlich also brought up the doctor drama. I remember when ER came out, it felt like, Hey, this is taking you into a world you had not seen. You had not seen a medical show that had that level of detail and took you into that world and you said, Wow, this is what its like to live in that crazy world.

Jeanne Jakles column appears Thursdays and Sundays in mySA.

jjakle@express-news.net
Alexandra Ojeda, sophomore honor student at Atascocita High School, was invited to participate in the National Take A Stand Festival held in Los Angeles and Boston this summer. Alex plays the flute in the AHS Marching Band and was one of the music students invited to participate.

"It was such a huge honor to be part of the festival in LA and the concert in Boston," Alex said.

For her audition she provided three videos, one a speech, the other two flute selections. Of 500 who auditioned, 101 were selected across the country, and many are already members of professional groups.

The festival, a seven-day orchestra event in Los Angeles, brings together young musicians from El Sistema-inspired programs nationwide and provides them with world-class music instruction and mentorship at no charge. El Sistema, a public-financed voluntary sector music program founded in 1975 in Venezuela and brought to the U.S. in 2007, is devoted to providing a free classical music education to children.

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The 2017 festival was led by Gustavo Dudamel, director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, and Thomas Wilkins, Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. "This program will foster friendships, enhance musical artistry and promote leadership skills," Wilkins said.

The students, with members of the LA Philharmonic, played selections by international composers at a concert held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Alex was offered a summer program scholarship by the Boston String Academy (BSA), a non-profit organization inspired by El Sistema, after they saw her performance in LA. The Boston Landmarks Orchestra (BLO), allied with BSA in efforts to access music for people with disabilities, performs free outdoor concerts led by Christopher Wilkins, director of the BLO, at the Hatch Memorial Shell by the Charles River throughout the summer. Alex was the only amateur wind player invited to perform with the BLO. She also attended daily workshops at the Longy School of Music of Bard College.

Alex has studied flute for more than seven years and classical ballet for a decade.

She shared her gratitude for the encouragement of former band director at AHS, Randy Countryman, who supported her desire to audition for the top band when she was a freshman.

"He was kind to me, acknowledged and encouraged me and made me feel special," Alex said. "I worked hard to justify his faith in me."
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The Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce invited Congressman Ted Poe to the Walden Country Club on Tuesday, Aug. 22, to provide updates on federal policies to community members.

He also was presented with the chamber's Spirit of Enterprise Award and a hard hat reading "U.S. Chamber of Commerce."

Poe serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee as chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade.

"The biggest threats to the U.S. is North Korea. It's not ISIS; it's not Russia. It is North Korea," Poe said.

Poe gave a brief history of North Korean and U.S. interactions, citing the 1968 Pueblo capture as the start of tension between the two countries.

In 1968, USS Pueblo, a Navy intelligence vessel, was intercepted by North Korean patrol boats during regular surveillance of the North Korean Coast.

The vessel and the crew members on board remained under North Korean control for 11 months before the U.S. negotiated their freedom late in December 1968.

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"Their mentality is, 'The United States will always back down,'" Poe said.

Poe also said North Koreans boasted about nuclear weapons and about going to war with somebody during the last several administrations.

But tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have increased dramatically since President Trump launched tweets directed at North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, about the level of preparedness of the U.S. military "should North Korea act unwisely."

While Poe touched briefly on foreign terrorism, he glazed over tax reform and healthcare with no concrete updates on what will come of healthcare reform with the Affordable Care Act still intact.

Poe did not touch on the unrest that erupted in Charlottesville on Aug. 12 and when asked for comment after the presentation, he said his jurisdiction is international terrorism.

"We are working with law enforcement agencies. There's going to be more of a protocol on how to deal with domestic terrorism; there has to be a lot of things done," Poe said.

He added, "There is no place for any racism, (or) white supremacy philosophy in the United States."

Members of Indivisible TX-02 made their presence known by wearing their T-shirts while awaiting a question and answer session. However, no time was allocated for audience members to ask questions during the program.

Indivisible is one chapter of a national outcry of citizens aiming to resist the Trump administration and its agenda.

Indivisible TX-02 is a Kingwood faction with more than 200 members, which holds regular meetings to discuss strategies on resisting the current administration within their community.

Cindi Hendrickson, founder of Indivisible TX-02, had hoped there would be time for open questions at the luncheon because Poe does not host town hall meetings in person, only through a phone call system, where she said a person has to first register, and then await a call at an unspecified time to join the telephone town hall.

"I just want him to know we are still here," Hendrickson said.
Maybe your mother taught you some basic life lessons like: 'Don't chew with your mouth open." "If you can't say anything nice about a person, don't say anything." "Instead of saying someone is 'a few bricks short of a load,' just say 'Bless their heart.'" And the big one: "Don't ever talk about politics or religion at the dinner table or family gatherings."

Those two topics can set off fireworks worthy of the 4th of July around a dinner table. Your Mom was not the first to say it. The advice to "Never discuss religion or politics with those who hold opinions opposite to yours" has been cited in print since at least 1840.

So why bring them up: religion and politics? You have them both in the Lord's Prayer. When Jesus' disciples would pray "For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Any earthly nation would get nervous.

Herod certainly did. When he heard that a king had been born in Bethlehem he immediately ordered that all baby boys under two in and around Bethlehem be massacred. When crowds were following Jesus the religious leaders and Roman leaders in Jerusalem got nervous. Jesus had not been killed as an infant. They would crucify him now.

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Why the reaction? Their kingdom was threatened. People were pledging their allegiance to the "kingdom of heaven." They would follow their King rather than any earthly ruler. They were living to bring the politics of heaven to bear on the earth in which we live.

Those who pray this prayer are pledging their loyalties to God's kingdom over any other kingdom. His kingdom. His power. His glory. These are not the same as the world's.

Satan attempted to get Jesus to take the path of the world. Using power for self: "Turn these stones to bread" Gaining some glory through your actions: "Throw yourself off the temple. Securing your own kingdom at any cost: "Worship me and all the kingdoms of the world are yours."

Jesus refused each of these. Jesus' kingdom is a contrast. It has no geographical boundaries but resides within the human heart. His power is used not for his own good-he did not turn stones to bread-but for others, as when he multiplied the loaves and fish.

And his glory is altogether peculiar. In John's Gospel Jesus' glory is his cross. Glory in God's kingdom has to do with death, burial and resurrection. Glory in God's kingdom says the power of the cross is stronger than the power of the sword. His kingdom is not forced on anyone. His power is used for the benefit of his people. His glory is found in self-sacrifice for others.

When we pray this prayer we are pledging our allegiance to the kingdom of heaven. It does not matter what country we live in; we are first citizens of heaven. Regardless of the rules our country might set in place to tell us how to live, we get our way of life from Jesus and his teaching about the kingdom. Whenever the two conflict-and they will in many places-we are to follow the kingdom of heaven.

We are also pledging that we will be about kingdom business. Paul reminds us that "our citizenship is in heaven." The word "citizenship" was a word the Romans gave a special colony they had conquered where their purpose was now to secure their homeland for the conquering country. They would spread that country's way of doing things, its culture, and its politics.

When you pray this prayer you are entering the realm of religion and politics. The kingdoms and countries of this world are not the same as God's kingdom. And the personal kingdoms that you and I erect for ourselves need to be given up for God's kingdom. Praying this prayer will equip us to see these kingdoms in conflict and seek first the kingdom of God.

As Jesus' followers, we have only one citizenship. We have no difficulty knowing where we pledge our allegiance. If you agree the proper response is "Amen," or a simple "yes."

Read more from Rick Brown at www.rickbrown1Life2Love.com.
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The potential transformation of The Woodlands from its unique township governance model into a full-fledged city dominated the campaign for the township board last year.

Now that the overheated rhetoric has subsided, the master-planned community in southern Montgomery County is taking early steps in what could be a years-long process ending with a vote by residents on whether to incorporate.

READ ALSO: The Woodlands is getting another popular barbecue spot

Last week the township board voted to publish requests for proposals from consultants to conduct an incorporation study. Board members said a firm could be selected by the end of the year.

Another vital step in the process took place during the spring legislative session. Two bills signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 9 eliminated certain legal barriers to incorporation that earlier legislation had failed to address, according to Woodlands Township Board Chairman Gordy Bunch.

The problem was that state law provided no mechanism for a community as large as The Woodlands, with a population estimated at 110,000, to incorporate. Communities typically incorporate as general-law cities, which can have no more than 5,000 residents. When their population grows they become home-rule cities, which have greater authority.

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READ ALSO: Major Texas cities land on list of least, most educated in the U.S.

The two measures signed by Abbott, Senate Bills 1014 and 1015, resolved this problem with regard to The Woodlands, Bunch said. He noted that all the drama of last year's election was inspired by a potential development -- incorporation -- that wasn't legally possible at the time.

"Now we do have a direct path to become a city, but the legislation had to perfect that," Bunch said.

Bunch was among a slate of candidates last fall targeted by ads, mailers and other messages warning voters that taxes would increase dramatically if The Woodlands incorporated. The messages suggested that Bunch favored immediate incorporation, while Bunch said he simply wanted to prepare for that possibility.

Bunch said the annexation study would proceed in a deliberate manner, with public hearings at every stage, a process intended to inspire public trust in the outcome. "We had zero confidence" in a previous incorporation study, Bunch said.

One of the consultant's tasks, he said, will be to develop a timetable for steps leading up to a public vote. In addition, the consultant will determine the maximum possible tax rate that would apply when The Woodlands became a city, and voters would have to approve that as well.

"I believe planning will take all of 2018 and possibly some of 2019," said Bunch, meaning that an election is likely at least two years away.
Harvey, which could strengthen into the first hurricane to strike Texas since 2008 this week, has forced workers to be evacuated from Gulf of Mexico platforms and sent cotton rallying.

Currently a tropical depression, Harvey was 470 miles (756 kilometers) southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas, with top winds of 35 miles per hour, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory at 11 a.m. New York time. It could develop into a hurricane just before landfall.

"It could intensify right up to landfall on Friday," said Jeff Masters, co-founder of Weather Underground in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "I expect a Category 1 hurricane at landfall, but I cannot rule out a Category 2."

The Gulf Coast from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, is home to nearly 30 refineries -- making up about 7 million barrels a day of refining capacity -- and is in the path of heavy rainfall expected to start as early as Friday. Flooding poses risks to operations, while torrential rains can shut units and cause supply disruptions.

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Fuel supplies in the region may be tightened further by other refinery outages. Phillips 66 began a plantwide shutdown of its Lake Charles, Louisiana, refinery late Tuesday after its power supplier warned of a high potential for electrical failure, according to a company statement.

"Biggest impact of this storm will be a significant reduction of crude oil imports into the Texas Gulf Coast, resulting in refineries cutting crude rates," Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston, said by email. "There will also be a significant impact on petroleum product exports impacting supplies into Mexico."

Ike in 2008 was the last hurricane to hit Texas, said Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center. Ike struck as a Category 2 storm on the five-step Saffir Simpson scale.

Heavy Rains

Along the coastline, seas could rise 4 to 6 feet above ground level and from 10 to 15 inches of rain will probably fall across parts of Texas into Louisiana, the hurricane center said. Some areas could get as much as 20 inches of rain.

"It is going to be a wet one," Masters said. "It is not going to move fast after landfall and that is going to cause big trouble" from flooding rains.

The current track calls for the storm to land in southeastern Texas and then turn toward Houston. Masters said at least one computer-forecast model shows the storm heading back into the Gulf of Mexico early next week before coming ashore in Texas again.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. said Tuesday it removed nonessential staff from some oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico in response to weather conditions.

Cotton rallied on speculation the storm will threaten U.S. crops. On ICE Futures U.S. in New York, cotton for December delivery climbed 1.8 percent to 69.03 cents a pound after earlier reaching the highest since Aug. 10.

"Some concern is developing" regarding the storm impact and the heavy rains expected in Texas, Louis Rose, director of research and analytics at Rose Commodity Group in Memphis, Tennessee, says by email.

Wholesale gasoline prices continued to climb in Houston on Wednesday as suppliers stocked up in anticipation of potential outages at fuel distribution centers.

Mansfield Oil Co., a Georgia-based fuel distributor, said it raised its storm conditions to a red alert. "Heavy rainfall is expected in this region, which could impact refinery operations and trucking logistics in the region," the company said by email.

Harvey's path will skirt offshore oil rigs and gas platforms owned by state-run Petroleos Mexicanos in the Bay of Campeche. The company said it has no plans to evacuate workers.

Removes references to storm-related refinery shutdown in lede, fifth paragraph.--With assistance from Amy Stillman, Sheela Tobben and Marvin G. Perez.To contact the reporters on this story: Brian K. Sullivan in Boston at bsullivan10@bloomberg.net

Harvey, which could strengthen into the first hurricane to strike Texas since 2008 this week, has already spurred one refiner to start shutting down a plant, forced workers to be evacuated from Gulf of Mexico platforms, and sent cotton rallying.

Currently a tropical depression, Harvey was 470 miles (756 kilometers) southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas, with top winds of 35 miles per hour, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory at 11 a.m. New York time. It could develop into a hurricane just before landfall.

"It could intensify right up to landfall on Friday," said Jeff Masters, co-founder of Weather Underground in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "I expect a Category 1 hurricane at landfall, but I cannot rule out a Category 2."

The Gulf Coast from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, is home to nearly 30 refineries -- making up about 7 million barrels a day of refining capacity -- and is in the path of heavy rainfall expected to start as early as Friday. Flooding poses risks to operations, while torrential rains can shut units and cause supply disruptions.

Phillips 66 began a plantwide shutdown of its Lake Charles, Louisiana refinery late Tuesday after its power supplier warned of a high potential for electrical failure, according to a company statement.

"Biggest impact of this storm will be a significant reduction of crude oil imports into the Texas Gulf Coast, resulting in refineries cutting crude rates," Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston, said by email. "There will also be a significant impact on petroleum product exports impacting supplies into Mexico."

Ike in 2008 was the last hurricane to hit Texas, said Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center. Ike struck as a Category 2 storm on the five-step Saffir Simpson scale.

Along the coastline, seas could rise 4 to 6 feet above ground level and from 10 to 15 inches of rain will probably fall across parts of Texas into Louisiana, the hurricane center said. Some areas could get as much as 20 inches of rain.

"It is going to be a wet one," Masters said. "It is not going to move fast after landfall and that is going to cause big trouble" from flooding rains.

The current track calls for the storm to land in southeastern Texas and then turn toward Houston. Masters said at least one computer-forecast model shows the storm heading back into the Gulf of Mexico early next week before coming ashore in Texas again.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. said Tuesday it removed nonessential staff from some oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico in response to weather conditions.

Cotton rallied on speculation the storm will threaten U.S. crops. On ICE Futures U.S. in New York, cotton for December delivery climbed 1.8 percent to 69.03 cents a pound after earlier reaching the highest since Aug. 10.

"Some concern is developing" regarding the storm impact and the heavy rains expected in Texas, Louis Rose, director of research and analytics at Rose Commodity Group in Memphis, Tennessee, says by email.

Wholesale gasoline prices continued to climb in Houston on Wednesday as suppliers stocked up in anticipation of potential outages at fuel distribution centers.

Mansfield Oil Co., a Georgia-based fuel distributor, said it raised its storm conditions to a red alert. "Heavy rainfall is expected in this region, which could impact refinery operations and trucking logistics in the region," the company said by email.

Harvey's path will skirt offshore oil rigs and gas platforms owned by state-run Petroleos Mexicanos in the Bay of Campeche. The company said it has no plans to evacuate workers.

---

Bloomberg's Amy Stillman, Sheela Tobben and Marvin G. Perez contributed.
City Attorney Dennis Herrera on Wednesday sued a licensed real estate broker, accusing him of defrauding the San Franciscos affordable housing program.

The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, alleges that Gregory Garver spent more than four years illegally renting out the below-market-rate condominium he purchased at 1160 Mission Street and at one point attempted to sell it on the open market.

Garver allegedly rented the unit to the same tenant between November 2012 and l July 2016 for $2,400 per month. The city claims Garver moved back into the condo last August after informing his tenant the rent would be raised to $18,000 per month.

Designated affordable units like this one are a key part of the citys efforts to keep longtime residents and working-class people in San Francisco, Herrera said in a statement. Those who game the system are taking away housing from people who desperately need it. We will not tolerate that.

The rules governing the below-market-rate program require developers to set aside units that can be sold to qualifying buyers at below-market rate-prices as a way to provide housing options for low- and moderate-income residents. The rules also mandate that owners must occupy the units, and that theyre never used as investments or rental properties.

Would-be below-market-rate buyers are selected by lottery and must meet income requirements.

The lawsuit against Garver, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, marks the third legal action Herreras office has taken since May to crack down on alleged fraud within the below-market-rate program.

The city is seeking a court order that would require Garver to sell the unit to a qualifying low-income household, as well as financial penalties that could total hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Email: cityinsider@sfchronicle.com, dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfcityinsider @dominicfracassa
NAIROBI, Kenya - As Angola moved from being a firm Soviet ally during the Cold War to a country known for oil-rich billionaires, there was one constant: President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, 74, who has ruled the country since 1979.

On Wednesday, Angola holds its first presidential election in 38 years in which dos Santos is not a candidate, a seminal moment on a continent that has seven of the world's 10 longest-ruling, nonroyal leaders.

It is a near-certainty that dos Santos' party, the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), will remain in power under its candidate Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, the 62-year-old defense minister. Dos Santos' children remain in key positions - his daughter is head of the state oil company and his son directs the nation's $5 billion sovereign wealth fund.

But even if dos Santos' political influence lives on, his departure as president represents the end of an era and offers a glimpse into how succession might play out in nations ruled by Africa's old guard. To the east of Angola, in Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe is 93, and has spent 30 years in power. To the north, in Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang is 75 and has spent 38 years as president. In Cameroon, Paul Biya is 84, and in his 35th year as head of state. In Uganda, Yoweri Mouseveni is 73 and has ruled for 31 years.

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In each of those countries, debates around succession have consumed the country's attention. In Zimbabwe, there is a simmering feud between factions jockeying to put forwardMugabe's heir, including one backing his 52-year-old wife, Grace. Analysts worry about a similarly chaotic political scenario in Cameroon when Biya dies.

Dos Santos has recently been traveling to Spain to be treated for an undisclosed medical condition. When he announced this year that he would retire, rumors swirled in Angola about who might take his place. For a while, the consensus seemed to favor his daughter Isabel dos Santos, considered Africa's wealthiest woman.

But last year the MPLA settled on Lourenco, who has tried to portray himself as a reformer, even though his party has been accused by critics and watchdog organizations of massive corruption, siphoning off oil revenue while a huge portion of Angolans live without basic health care or electricity. In 2015, the American rapper Nicki Minaj reportedly was paid aseven-figure sum to perform for some of the country's wealthiest people, while about half the country's population lives on less than $2 per day.

On Wednesday, Lourenco faced off against Isaias Samakuva, 71, the candidate for the National Union for the Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA), which fought against dos Santos's MPLA in the country's 27-year civil war. Opposition leaders have suggested that they don't think the election will be credible. European Union electoral observers withdrew after they were denied access to many of the country's polling sites.

Many analysts say that dos Santos' decision to step down, and the party's coalescence around Lourenco, could help prevent the chaos that probably will follow other long-serving leaders when they leave power.

"It should help guide a peaceful transition from dos Santos, avoiding the emergence of a power vacuum and the risk of political infighting," wrote Soren Kirk Jensen, an Angola expert at Chatham House, a London-based policy institute.

Although dos Santos probably will remain influential, his departure leaves Angola without the leader who guided the nation through its transition from Marxism to petro-capitalism, from being an ally of Fidel Castro to an ally of Exxon, from being one of Africa's poorest nations to one of its richest (and most unequal).

"His departure means a new reality for Angola," said Jose Veloso, a professor at the Independent University of Angola.

Dos Santos, the son of a bricklayer, was born in a slum of Luanda, the capital, during Portugal's colonial rule. He received a scholarship to study petroleum engineering in Azerbaijan, then part of the Soviet Union, and became his country's foreign minister after the country declared its independence in 1975.

When he assumed the presidency in 1979, Angola was considered one of the Soviet Union's closest African allies. Moscow backed the MPLA government in the bloody civil war against fighters supported by the United States and South Africa.

Photos from the early 1980s show dos Santos standing with East German officials at the Brandenburg Gate, addressing a Soviet Communist Party congress in Moscow and sitting with Castro, the Cuban leader, in Havana. His first marriage was to a Russian woman.

But in 1991 he renounced Marxism, and went on to establish diplomatic relations with the United States.

After the war ended in 2002, oil production surged, enriching Angola's elite even as the country's poor showed some of the worst health indicators in the world. The country's economy has been in crisis as the price of oil declined in recent years, and government services have deteriorated. Last year, a massive yellow fever outbreak occurred, due in part to a reduction in garbage collection, which presented a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Asked this year by The Washington Post how his government would be different from dos Santos's, Lourenco said: "We are going to make every effort to have a transparent administration. We are going to combat corruption."

Last week, in a short speech on the outskirts of Luanda, dos Santos expressed confidence that his party would have an enduring legacy, even after he stepped down.

"I have no doubt the MPLA will win this election," he said.
Severe Typhoon Hato made landfall in China after it lashed Hong Kong with heavy winds and rain, forcing the city to issue the highest storm warning and its stock exchange to cancel trading for the day.

The Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 8 signal at 2:10 p.m., after hoisting signal No. 10 for five hours. It's the first time since Typhoon Vicente in July 2012 that the city raised its highest-level warning. The last time Hong Kong had to cancel full-day trading was in October 2016, when Typhoon Haima forced schools to close and airlines to suspend flights.

Severe Typhoon Hato has made landfall over Zhuhai of southern China, the Observatory said. The storm is moving away from Hong Kong and weakening gradually. Hato, named after the Japanese word for pigeon, is forecast to move west-northwest at about 25 kilometers per hour into inland Guangdong. Trading in Hong Kong will likely resume on Thursday.

About 450 flights have been canceled at Hong Kong International Airport as of 11 a.m., according to the Airport Authority. Cathay Pacific Airways said a majority of flights to and from Hong Kong between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday have been suspended. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has to stay in Hangzhou for another day due to flight cancellations, Radio Television Hong Kong reported.

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Most businesses closed and much of the city's public transport shut down with the initial hoisting of the No. 8 signal. Earlier today, MTR Corp. canceled train services in open sections and maintained limited services underground on an adjusted schedule. All schools were closed.

The storm also affected some Hong Kong-listed companies that were due to report earnings on Wednesday. Health and Happiness H&H International Holdings and K. Wah International Holdings are among those that canceled their press conferences. Sinotrans Ltd. postponed a briefing to Thursday. Zhou Hei Ya International Holdings Co., however, decided to hold its investor presentation and press conference as planned.

The Observatory warned of "flash floods" due to the heavy rains. Waves of "a few feet high" were seen near the shore at the residential area Heng Fa Chuen on Hong Kong Island, with water rushing into building lobbies and carparks, according to RTHK. Residents in fishing village Tai O were urged to take shelter as the Observatory said there may be "waist-deep flooding" in the low-lying areas.

The government opened 26 temporary shelters and 279 people had sought refuge. As of 11 a.m., a total of 34 people sought medical treatment at public hospitals. There were 182 reports of fallen trees. Several trees fell onto a highway in the Wan Chai business district, while traffic remained light as most people weren't going to work. Some still made it to the office.

Clement Cheng, a Hong Kong-based trader at RBC Investment Management Co., went to work by car at 7:40 a.m. and found the office empty except himself and an analyst.

"I need to get into the office to manage some regional orders," said Cheng. "It is super windy in Hong Kong. I can feel my apartment moved a bit this morning."

2017 Bloomberg L.P.
On the day that white nationalists and counterprotesters clashed violently over a Confederate statue in his state, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe spoke the words that President Donald Trump would not.

"I have a message to all the white supremacists and the Nazis who came into Charlottesville today. Our message is plain and simple: Go home. ... There is no place for you here, there is no place for you in America," a stricken-looking McAuliffe said on national television.

As images of mayhem from Charlottesville, Virginia, were beamed continuously around the world, Trump gave his now much-criticized condemnation of "hatred violence and bigotry on many sides, on many sides" - an equivocation he repeated days later, to the dismay of Republicans and Democrats alike.

The bigotry and bloodshed that consumed Charlottesville was McAuliffe's first national crisis, one that unfolded as he is getting ready to leave office. It tested McAuliffe's ability to keep order while it threatened his work to rebrand the one-time capital of the Confederacy as an inclusive, multicultural state.

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Charlottesville also vaulted McAuliffe into the national spotlight like nothing else in his nearly four years in the governor's mansion, coming just as the term-limited, 60-year-old Democrat is considering life after January - including whether to make a 2020 bid to challenge Trump for the presidency.

In the days since Charlottesville, the governor's initially conciliatory tone toward Trump has dissolved into sharp criticism, projected now from a national platform.

McAuliffe has faulted Trump for failing to show "real leadership" in the aftermath of the violence and for lacking the ability to heal the nation as presidents are expected to do. He has subtly suggested that the president's political rhetoric has fed social unrest. This week, McAuliffe opened up a new front, lambasting Trump's proposed budget as damaging to the Virginia economy.

Through it all, McAuliffe has talked about the need to understand the causes of white nationalism and to help Americans find a stronger sense of unity.

"That was not real leadership what I saw," McAuliffe said, referring to Trump during an interview with "CBS This Morning." "I went out and did it myself."

Calling it the most difficult task he's ever faced, McAuliffe went on live television hours after cascading tragedies on Aug. 12: the melee in the streets of Charlottesville, a car that rammed into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer, and a helicopter crash that killed two state troopers who had been responding to the unrest.

The vitriol spewed on the streets of Charlottesville shocked McAuliffe. "I just couldn't believe what I heard these people say to other human beings," he said.

As he was about to speak, McAuliffe was reeling from the news of the dead troopers, both of whom he knew well. But he kept that part to himself because he didn't want their families first learning about it on TV.

"It was hard, I had just been told minutes before that two of my friends had been killed - but I knew I was speaking to Virginia, I knew I was speaking to the nation, and I felt I was speaking to the world," he told The Washington Post.

He had harsh words on the air for the white supremacists but then pivoted.

"And if I could give you a piece of advice: Use your time and energy to help people," said McAuliffe, who spoke without notes. "Come with me to a homeless shelter. Come with me to help a veteran find a job or place to live. That's what we need help on. To bring people together."

The next day, McAuliffe turned down invitations to appear on the Sunday talk shows, and instead went to church services in Charlottesville. "I knew that if I'd gone on a bunch of TV that people could say - which I didn't want - 'He's making it political.' Because it isn't about politics."

A new poll released Tuesday by MassINC shows just 30 percent of Virginia voters approved of Trump's handling of the Charlottesville events, while 56 percent disapproved. By contrast, 41 percent approved of McAuliffe's approach while 27 percent disapproved.

McAuliffe, who once believed Confederate monuments should be left alone but now says they ought to be removed from public spaces, said the nation is facing a challenge that goes beyond bronze figures.

"It's not just about monuments," McAuliffe told CBS. "This was a big issue that happened to this country on Saturday. These people who came to Charlottesville, the neo-Nazis, the alt-right. They weren't here about a statue. ... There was hatred, there was bigotry that has been unleashed in this country, and we need to understand how it's happened and, most importantly, what we can do to move forward as a nation."

On Monday, during a budget address with Republican leaders of the state legislature, McAuliffe interrupted his remarks about finances to launch an extended attack on the Trump administration.

"The president's recent budget proposal will cause irreparable harm to Virginians and the new Virginia economy we've worked so hard to build," said McAuliffe, who had opened his address with a moment of silence for the woman and two state troopers killed during the Charlottesville protests. "And while most of the country and national media are engrossed in the sideshow of ritual firings and late-night tweets, we are facing real impacts down the line that will hurt families from Abingdon to Arlington."

Republicans sat stone-faced.

"Let's face it, the governor's looking to higher national office," said House Speaker-designee Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, said later. "It's interesting that you would spend the first 10 minutes bashing the president."

Some say the man America knows mostly as a back-slapping pal of Bill and Hillary Clinton - someone who makes fun of himself as an unlikely successor to Virginia governors Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson - emerged from Charlottesville with new gravitas.

"Governor McAuliffe's response just clearly cut through all the murky lines and just cut right to the point . . . particularly coming on the heels of what we got from the leader of the free world," said Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP's Washington Bureau.

Even some Republicans said McAuliffe's handling of Charlottesville could boost his stature, although most were wary of going on the record with any compliments, even the back-handed variety.

"Terry McAuliffe on national TV at a black church the day after a Nazi rally is a much different look than Terry McAuliffe on late-night TV in a Hawaiian shirt with a bottle of Jose Cuervo," said one GOP insider, referring to one of his more colorful appearances, after the 2008 Puerto Rico presidential primary.

Still, there has been a lot of second-guessing of tactics by the Charlottesville police - and the state police and National Guard who provided backup - especially since a rally in Boston on Saturday was largely peaceful.

Some law enforcement experts have said authorities in Virginia waited too long to wade into the conflict in Charlottesville, and should have done a better job of keeping opposing sides apart.

McAuliffe has defended the police response, saying that while many of the white supremacists were armed, the only death directly related to the protest occurred when a Dodge Challenger rammed into a crowd, killing Heyer.

He has also placed some responsibility on the American Civil Liberties Union, for helping rally organizers defeat the city's effort to move the protest to a larger park where authorities would have had greater crowd control.

The executive director of the Virginia ACLU turned the blame back on authorities, saying she warned state officials that police were not doing enough to physically separate the white supremacists from counterprotesters and should never have allowed sticks, poles and other tools that were turned into weapons.

Few Republicans have wanted to criticize the police response to Charlottesville, particularly after two state troopers who were recording the unrest from the air died when their helicopter crashed hours after Heyer was mowed down.

But Jim Gilmore, a Republican who was governor during the 9/11 Pentagon attack, called the response to Charlottesville inadequate and faulted McAuliffe. Gilmore called for an independent review instead of the in-house audit McAuliffe ordered.

"When you're the chief executive either of the country or the state, then you have to be prepared to meet a crisis or a challenge as it develops," he said. "There seems to be an effort to shift the blame."

It's too soon to know if Charlottesville will have a lasting impact on McAuliffe's legacy or political prospects. That will become more clear after the shock subsides and the official response gets scrutinized, political analyst Stuart Rothenberg said.

"Politicians almost always get the initial reaction correctly because it's so obvious," he said. "You decry violence. You identify the people who are wrong. You express sympathy for the people who are hurt or, in this case, killed. You talk about bringing the country together. All that is easy. Then the second guessing starts."

Stephen Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington political scientist, said Charlottesville gave McAuliffe "a national exposure that he would not have obtained if it had not been the focus of the country for a week. ... Governor McAuliffe clearly looked more like a leader than President Trump did in the wake of this incident."

"Trump's inconsistent messaging and equivocal response to hate represented really poor political instincts," Farnsworth said.

"I think that one of the positive messages the governor put forward was this idea that people's energies are better spent building better communities than dividing them," Farnsworth said. "It may very well be a message that voters are ready to hear in 2018 and 2020. Further, it's a powerful contrast to the consistently divisive approach that President Trump employed. ... It was in a moment when there was an awful lot of negative commentary being discussed. The governor offered a positive suggestion, one that may not have been taken by the participants but one that speaks to a better America."
Montgomery County officials are gearing up for severe weather from a tropic depression, which is predicted to slam the Texas coast this weekend.

The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has indicated 10-12 inches of rainfall is likely in areas of Montgomery County, but even heavier rain could be possible depending on the storm's track and speed. According to the National Weather Service, the remnants of Tropical Storm Harvey are close to redeveloping into a tropical depression over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.

If Harvey strengthens into a hurricane, it would be the first one to strike Texas since 2008 when Ike made landfall as a Category 2. While 10-15 inches of rain is expected in many areas this weekend, some could endure as much as 20 inches.

The current track calls for the storm to land in Southeast Texas and then turn toward Houston.

Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal said his office is coordinating with various entities throughout the county to make sure their emergency plans are running smoothly in case of a traumatic weather event.

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"(We) are asking that our department heads and elected officials activate their emergency planning so that we are prepared to continue operations depending on the storm's impact," Doyal said. "I urge residents to please monitor storm conditions, and watch for updates that will be provided through our Office of Emergency Management."

Updates on Montgomery County conditions can be found at www.mctxoem.org. Doyal also is urging residents to download MCOEM's mobile app "ReadyMCTX," which can be used to obtain emergency updates and emergency preparedness information, including road closings.

The ReadyMCTX app is available for download for both Android and iPhones.

Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service announced it is closing Sam Houston National Forest as the storm approaches.

Doyal and Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack will hold a press conference with MCOEM at 9:30 a.m. Thursday to address any additional information about the tropical system.

MCOEM spokesperson Cynthia Jamieson said residents should have at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for up to seven days as well as five to seven days' worth of nonperishable food. Additionally, NWS suggests residents have a battery-powered or hand crank weather radio, flashlights with extra batteries, a first aid kit and cell phones fully charged.

Officials also suggest having:

A whistle to signal for help

A dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Manual can opener for food

Local maps

For more information, visit www.mctxoem.org or www.nhc.noaa.gov.
WESTPORT  An argument between a father and son resulted in both mens arrests Saturday night after their fight allegedly became physical.

Police said the father and son, both of Westport, were arguing Aug. 19 over the son taking a computer to college. The son spit in his fathers face, and the father then punched his son in the face three times, according to police.
With tropical storm conditions threatening Southeast Texas this weekend, crews will work from morning to dark the rest of the week to bolster a damaged flood wall protecting Port Arthur from potential storm surge.

Crews on Monday began filling 1,500-pound sandbags measuring four feet by four feet by four feet to place around the 250-foot damaged section of levee wall, according to Jefferson County Emergency Management Coordinator Greg Fountain.
President Donald Trump's raucous rally in Phoenix Tuesday night was one giant attempt to rewrite history.

---

These are the three biggest headlines out of his 76-minute speech:

--Trump threatened to shut down the federal government if Congress does not fund a border wall by the end of next month. "If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," he said. "We're going to have our wall!"

--He predicted that the North American Free Trade Agreement is "probably" going to be terminated "at some point." "Personally, I don't think we can make a deal," he said of ongoing efforts to renegotiate the terms.

--And he hinted strongly that he will pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio at the right moment. "I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe should feel good," Trump said.

---

The bigger picture is that the president is in denial. His tendency to gloss over mistakes and pass the buck by recasting history in terms most favorable to himself was on vivid display. Just as the media was showing signs of starting to move on, Trump devoted more than 16 minutes to re-litigating his response to the horror in Charlottesville.

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He defended the initial comment that he read on the day that Heather Heyer was killed and 19 others were injured when a car plowed into a group of people who were protesting white supremacists. Trump reread the first statement, but he notably omitted his declaration that there is hatred and bigotry "on many sides." That is what generated the initial controversy.

"The words were perfect," Trump said. "I spoke out forcefully. . ."

He complained that he did not get enough credit for the second statement, delivered from the White House two days later. "I hit 'em with neo-Nazi, I hit 'em with everything. KKK? We have KKK. I got 'em all," Trump said.

Then he completely glossed over his news conference the day after that, in which he again insisted that "both sides" were to blame for the violence. "You had a group on one side that was bad, and you had a group on the other side that was also very violent, and nobody wants to say that," Trump said at Trump Tower.

As he recounted the story at the Phoenix Convention Center Tuesday night, Trump complained that the press intentionally ignored his condemnations. "I'm only doing this to show you how damned dishonest these people are," he said. "They said 'he wasn't specific enough.'"

Trump then turned to another page in his standard playbook. Essentially, it boils down to: I know what you are, but what am I? "The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news," Trump said. (Steve Bannon famously boasted last summer that Breitbart is "the platform for the alt-right." After being ousted as White House chief strategist last Friday, Bannon is again running the site.)

The president leaned hard Tuesday night on the "us" versus "them" trope that he used so effectively during the campaign. Often, "them" is the press. Trump described reporters as "sick people." "I really think they don't like our country," he said, leveling a serious (and patently untrue) charge against fellow citizens. Fox News is the exception, the president went on, singling out Sean Hannity for praise.

The media is "the source of division," he claimed. "They are trying to take away our history and our heritage. . . . It's time to expose the media . . . for their role in fomenting divisions in the country."

-- Somewhat incongruously, Trump went on to attack CNN for firing a pro-Trump analyst who tweeted a Nazi slogan after Charlottesville. "They fired Jeffrey Lord. Poor Jeffrey," the president said of the ousted analyst. "I guess he was getting a little bit fed up, and he was probably fighting back a little too hard!"

In fact, the cable network fired Lord for tweeting "Sieg Heil!" during an argument with a liberal activist. "The phrase, meaning 'hail victory,' is banned in Germany because of its association with Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party," The Post's Andrew deGrandpre notes.

Lord responded with gratitude, tweeting: "Thank you @POTUS !!"

-- It was more than the Charlottesville imbroglio, however. Trump sketched out an alternative reality full of what Kellyanne Conway once dubbed "alternative facts."

"I don't believe that any president has accomplished as much as this president in the first six or seven months," the president said, speaking in the third person.

Trump asserted that his brinkmanship with North Korea is paying dividends, claiming that Kim Jong Un is "starting to respect" the United States. (There is no evidence for this.)

"We won Arizona by a lot," he declared near the start of his speech. (Trump carried the state by 3.5 points. John McCain's margin of victory the same day, as a point of reference, was 13 percent. Mitt Romney beat Obama in Arizona by 9 points.)

Trump falsely claimed that the networks were cutting away from his speech as he laced into them. In fact, all three cable news channels continued to carry him live.

At another point, he maintained: "I don't do Twitter storms."

-- Speaking about race relations, Trump defended himself by saying: "They were pretty bad under Barack Obama. That I can tell you." They were bad in part because Trump spent years as a national leader of the birther movement.

Speaking of prominent birthers, Trump also asked the crowd what they think of Arpaio. The former Maricopa County sheriff, who lost reelection last year, was recently convicted on criminal contempt charges related to racially profiling Hispanics even after a federal judge ordered him to cut it out. "So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?" Trump asked, as the crowd cheered. "You know what, I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine, OK?"

Illustrating how off script Trump was, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters asking about Arpaio just hours before the rally that "there will be no discussion of that today at any point. . . ."

-- This is part of a pattern for Trump. What made his speech on Monday night so rare was that he admitted he had changed his mind about Afghanistan after studying the issue carefully. Tuesday night, he was true to form. The crowd loved the red meat.

From the director of The Washington Post's fact-checking unit:

Glenn Kessler tweeted: "Trump is repeating a bunch of discredited claims that are listed in our database of false/misleading claims."

James Clapper, the former director of National Intelligence, said he found the rally "downright scary and disturbing." "I really question his ability to be - his fitness to be - in this office, and I also am beginning to wonder about his motivation for it," Clapper told CNN's Don Lemon after the speech. "How much longer does the country have to, to borrow a phrase, endure this nightmare?"

"What we have witnessed is a total eclipse of the facts," said Lemon. "What in the world is going on?"

The former acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency added this:

John McLaughlin tweeted: "We must not become numb to this, complacent about it, or grudgingly admire it because it got him elected. It's weird, divisive, dangerous."

-- Wednesday morning's press coverage presents Trump's comments as somewhat unhinged. Here are representative headlines:

Fox News: "Trump goes on rampage against the media, sitting Arizona senators at Phoenix rally."

Arizona Republic: "'Vintage Trump': President unloads on enemies..."

Associated Press: "Trump revisits his Charlottesville comments in angry speech."

Financial Times: "Trump threatens US government shutdown."

Time Magazine: "Trump Goes on the Attack, Again."

Politico: "A wounded Trump lashes out."

CBS News: "Trump lashes out during combative speech at campaign-style rally . . ."

Los Angeles Times: "Trump fills Phoenix speech with charged language, accusing media and fellow Republicans of failings."

Washington Examiner: "Frustrated by governing, Trump returns to campaigning."

Vanity Fair: "Trump goes off-script in hour-long public meltdown. Trump explained that the biggest victim in the Charlottesville violence last weekend was, in fact, himself."

-- How Trump's comments are playing on social media:

The president's most devoted supporters were energized:

From provocateur Ann Coulter who tweeted: "Everything immigration gets wild ecstatic applause. Nothing for Afghanistan, Gen. Kelly, Nikki Haley, etc. IT'S ALL ABOUT IMMIGRATION."

The banner on the Drudge Report:

Dan Nowicki tweeted: "The @DRUDGE Report on #TrumpInPHX: 'Powerhouse Trump Battles in AZ.'"

Elites were horrified:

The GOP focus group guru:

Frank Luntz tweeted: "Trump doesnt just criticize media more than he criticizes neo-Nazis - he criticizes them more than radical Islamic terrorists. #PhoenixRally"

The political editor of Newsweek:

Matthew Cooper tweeted: "Trump offered no good wishes for @SenJohnMcCain in his cancer battle and no mention of the sailors lost on the USS John S. McCain IN ARIZONA"

The New York Times columnist:

Nicholas Kristof tweeted: "Sigh. If only President Trump denounced neo-Nazis with the passion and the sincerity with which he excoriates journalists." and

"Until this year, it wasn't obvious that 'presidential' has an antonym. But it turns out that the antonym is 'Trumpian.'"

An NBC White House reporter:

Ali Vitali tweeted: "The Arizona crowd is now chanting 'McCain's gotta go.' Wow." and

"Mere mention of Hillary Clinton ushers 'lock her up' chant."

An NYT White House reporter:

Maggie Haberman tweeted: "Bannon may be gone, but tonight was again a reminder that his stances dovetail w Trump's more than most ppl currently in administration." and

"'It was hot! Like 116 degrees, I was out signing autographs for an hour!' says the president. It wasn't 116."

Democrats were aghast:

The longest serving member of the House in American history (retired Michigan Democrat):

John Dingell tweeted: "We should have all just stared at the eclipse."

The Democratic congressman who represents Phoenix:

Ruben Gallego tweeted: "Please everyone go home. The President has done enough damage to Arizona."

A Democratic congressman from Tennessee who has been pushing impeachment:

Steve Cohen tweeted: "The real Donald is back!Apparently in a trance last night when he spoke of love & happiness.Tonight,He's back!Wild & reckless.25th Amend"

-- Finally, there's an old Trump tweet for almost every occasion. Some were recirculating this post from 2011 overnight:

"Our country is blowing up and @BarackObama is out campaigning."

---

With Breanne Deppisch
President Donald Trump said the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan was "not a blank check," but his decision to send more troops will add billions of dollars a year to the already-towering war costs, which have topped $1 trillion in Afghanistan alone over the past 16 years.

And the government will still be paying for war veterans' health-care costs for at least another half century.

Direct U.S. spending on the war in Afghanistan will rise to approximately $840.7 billion if the president's fiscal year 2018 budget is approved, according to Anthony Cordesman, a military strategy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. That just includes money in the Defense Department's overseas contingency budgets.

But the cost of the war also includes massive obligations for veterans' medical and disability costs. And veterans are filing claims in greater numbers and for more serious injuries than in past wars.

To meet those needs, the Department of Veterans Affairs has more than doubled the size of its staff to 350,000 employees since 2001. And its budget has swelled to more than $185 billion a year, up from about $60 billion in 2001, according to Linda Bilmes, a faculty member at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

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This is in addition to about $212.6 billion in direct spending to care for war veterans since 2001, when terrorists' attacks on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon triggered U.S. military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. That figure is an estimate by Neta C. Crawford, a political-science professor at Boston University and co-director of the Costs of War project at Brown University.

And that, in turn, is a fraction of the eventual cost of disability and health-care payments as those same veterans get older.

"Historically, the bill for these costs has come due many decades later," Bilmes said. "The peak year for paying disability compensation to World War I veterans was in 1969 - more than 50 years after Armistice." Bilmes, who co-authored a book about Iraq called "The Three Trillion Dollar War" with economist Joseph Stiglitz, said that if the Department of Veterans Affairs were run like a business, this money would be booked as deferred compensation and would show up on the government's balance sheet.

Bilmes and Cordesman agree that the costs of the wars are 20 times or more larger than initial estimates by members of the George W. Bush administration. But they caution that coming up with war costs is an inexact science.

Cordesman noted that the overseas contingency budgets are "padded" and "deliberately obfuscated" to make it easier to win congressional approval for certain spending items that are not, in fact, linked to war costs. He said that could account for half the contingency budget. Bilmes noted that the Defense Department's regular budget has also ballooned, using the threats from abroad to justify bolstering the military baseline. She said that the Pentagon's baseline budget had climbed a total of $1 trillion since 2001. Cordesman complained that there is "no federal report that breaks down real world costs."

The costs of war have been controversial ever since the Bush administration launched its military campaigns on the Taliban and Saddam Hussein. In September 2002, Lawrence Lindsey, then Bush's chief economic adviser, said that the "upper bound" of the cost of war against Iraq would be $100 billion to $200 billion. Other administration members attacked his estimate as being too high, and then-White House budget director Mitch Daniels said the figure would be between $50 billion and $60 billion.

Estimates of the cost of both wars combined by Crawford and the Watson Institute put the price tag so far at $4.8 trillion by fiscal years 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The cost of war has also imposed economic costs on the United States. While much of the spending has gone to domestic health-care providers and defense contractors, much of the war spending has been wasted or destroyed on the battlefield without improving U.S. productivity or making consumer goods. The U.S. Agency for International Development has also spent tens of billions of dollars on projects in Afghanistan, many of which have failed.

One example of waste: A $6 million Pentagon project to send nine rare Italian goats to breed with those native to Afghanistan, hoping that this would improve the animals' undercoats and the quality of the cashmere they yield.

In addition, war costs have been largely financed by borrowing, adding interest costs to the federal budget.

The Obama administration requested more than $44 billion for fiscal year 2017 for the Afghanistan war, a number that will likely increase with the U.S. troop presence that Trump is expected to boost by about 4,000.

Bilmes and Cordesman noted that the per-troop cost of maintaining an active duty soldier is high, more than $4 million per person versus a figure closer to $1 million in 2001. But Cordesman cautioned that much of the cost is overhead and adding 4,000 additional troops might raise the Afghan war costs by about $2 billion to $4 billion a year if they use existing infrastructure used in earlier fighting.

"The unit costs per man is extremely high but that's because you have large and expensive bases and very few people," he said. "Putting more people in doesn't raise costs by the percentages you'd expect."

Bilmes lamented that Trump's desire to cut State Department spending would undercut some of the initiatives the president mentioned in his speech to the nation Monday night.

"The crazy budgetary dissonance in the president's plan is that he is trying to cut the State Department budget by at least 20 percent at same time he is laying out a plan that calls for extremely delicate diplomatic negotiations with Pakistan, India and NATO," she said. "How is that achievable? That just doesn't add up."
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RENO, Nev. -- President Donald Trump called for unity in a speech at the American Legion's 99th National Convention here, just hours after a raucous campaign-style rally in which he lambasted the media and his political rivals, and reignited the controversy over his response to a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville this month.

"It is time to heal the wounds that have divided us, and to seek a new unity based on the common values that unite us," Trump said, speaking before more than 5,000 members of the largest veterans group. "We are one people, with one home, and one flag."

"We are not defined by the color of our skin, the figure on our paycheck or the party of our politics," Trump continued.

Trump argued that "shared humanity," "citizenship" and patriotism could heal the nation's divides political and racial divides and he heralded the work of the Legion in promoting American values.

Trump's remarks come at a time when he is facing continued pressure to stem the divisions exposed by a deadly rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, this month, which was organized by hate groups including the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi sympathizers.

The comments were a sea change from Trump's posture hours earlier at a rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night, at which he angrily railed against the "dishonest" media for its coverage of his remarks on the Charlottesville gathering. Initially, he had blamed "many sides" for the conflict, rather than criticizing the collection of Ku Klux Klan, white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups that planned the event.

His first statement was widely condemned, including by lawmakers in his own party, prompting Trump to issue new, scripted comments that named the hate groups. But even after correcting his initial remarks, Trump reverted back to his original stance, claiming at a news conference later in the week that there were "fine people" among the hate groups who had gathered to protest the removal of a Confederate statue.

In his campaign rally, Trump reread his comments on the Charlottesville remarks, but omitted the words "many sides."

And he blamed the media for accusing him of being racist.

"I hit him with neo-Nazi. I hit them with everything. I got the white supremacists, the neo-Nazi. I got them all in there, let's say. KKK, we have KKK. I got them all," Trump said in Phoenix. "So what are they saying, right? It should have been sooner. He's a racist. It should have been sooner, okay."

But in Reno, Trump appeared to stick to his carefully crafted script, focusing on his administration's efforts to improve services for veterans, a key focus on the nation's largest veterans organization.

After his speech Wednesday, he signed into law the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, which reforms the process by which veterans can appeal their claims for disability benefits with Veterans Affairs.

"I promised you that I would make it my priority to fix the broken VA and to deliver to our veterans the care they so richly deserve," Trump said. "And you see what's been happening.

"Now you have a true reformer in Secretary David Shulkin."

Shulkin served as undersecretary of Veterans Affairs for health under President Barack Obama before he was named secretary by Trump in January.

But Trump's response to the racial divisions in the country hung over his appearance here before a group of veterans that included some who fought against Nazism and fascism in World War II.

The day before Trump's appearance, the Legion voted to reaffirm a nearly 100-year-old resolution condemning hate groups.

The resolution states that "the American Legion considers any individual, group of individuals, or organizations, which creates, or fosters racial, religious or class strife among our people, or which takes into their own hands the enforcement of law, determination of guilt, or infliction of punishment, to be un-American, a menace to our liberties, and destructive to our fundamental law."

Trump was expected to hold up the values espoused by the Legion as an example of how the country can begin to unite.

"We are here to hold you up as an example of the strength, courage and love that our country will need to overcome every challenge that we face," Trump said. "We are here to draw inspiration from you as we seek to renew the bonds of loyalty that bind us together as one people and one nation.

"If American patriots could secure our Independence, carve out a home in the wilderness, and free millions from oppression around the world, that same sense of patriotism, courage and love can help us create a better future for our people today," he added.

Despite the controversy, veterans have long been supportive of Trump generally.

Among those who gathered to hear Trump's remarks at the convention, some were sympathetic to his approach to the Charlottesville controversy.

"He's not a very delicate guy. He never says things in a very delicate way," said Ed Riley, a retired Navy fighter pilot who began serving in 1970. "I never heard him ever endorse any of the far right.

"It always upsets me when the news says this was a white supremacist thing. It was not, it was nationalist - a white nationalist [thing]," Riley added.
"Do people in this room like Sheriff Joe? . . . I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine, OK?"

--President Donald Trump, rally in Phoenix, Aug. 22

"He has done a lot in the fight against illegal immigration. He's a great American patriot and I hate to see what has happened to him. . . . Is there anyone in local law enforcement who has done more to crack down on illegal immigration than Sheriff Joe?"

--Trump, quoted on Fox News, Aug. 13

At his Aug. 22 rally in Phoenix, Trump heaped praise on longtime ally and campaign surrogate Joe Arpaio, the embattled former sheriff from Arizona. While he didn't announce a presidential pardon at the rally, he indicated he was ready to offer it.

For many years, Trump and Arpaio shared a pet issue: the "birther" theory. Trump was a vocal proponent of it, until he abandoned it during the 2016 presidential campaign and then falsely blamed Hillary Clinton for starting the conspiracy. Arpaio and his volunteer "cold-case posse" perpetuated the conspiracy for six years until Arpaio was voted out of office in 2016.

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As Trump made illegal immigration a key campaign issue, he once again found a willing ally in Arpaio, whose anti-immigrant practices catapulted him to national prominence. And now, Trump is considering a presidential pardon for the self-proclaimed "America's Toughest Sheriff," who faces six months of jail following a criminal conviction relating to his policing practices targeting Latinos.

Whether Arpaio has done more than any other local law enforcement to crack down on illegal immigration is Trump's opinion, and not fact-checkable. But it's important to look at the full context of Arpaio's history of legal woes stemming from his illegal-immigration policies.

---

THE FACTS

This is a complex saga. We'll focus on the initial key moments in 2008, and then jump to the potential presidential pardon in 2017.

Arpaio and his supporters often dismiss the years-long federal investigations as a partisan witch hunt under Barack Obama, but the FBI's probe began as early as 2008, at the end of the George W. Bush administration.

Arpaio, who became sheriff in 1993, quickly became known for his unorthodox practices, such as requiring inmates to wear pink underwear, work on chain gangs and live in an outdoors "Tent City" jail even during the scorching Phoenix summers. In the early 2000s, Arpaio shifted to take on illegal immigration, which raised his national profile.

But the new effort came at a cost. Arpaio's deputies started arresting hundreds of illegal immigrants, after entering into a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security. The sheriff's office blew through its budget on immigration efforts while violent crimes, including sex crimes, went uninvestigated. The office eventually reopened more than 400 sex crimes investigations from 2005 to 2008 - during which the agency built up its human-smuggling unit while its special-victims unit went disproportionately understaffed.

In 2008, as the recession hit and tensions intensified between Arpaio and local officials over how much local law enforcement should focus on illegal immigration, the county Board of Supervisors decided to cut Arpaio's budget. This led to a series of political infighting and legal disputes within the county, which ultimately cost taxpayers more than $44 million.

Also in 2008, federal officials under Bush started investigating the sheriff's office for potential civil rights violations. The investigation continued under Obama and then-Attorney General Eric Holder, who prioritized enforcement of civil rights laws. In 2011, the Justice Department concluded the sheriff's office engaged in systemic racial profiling of Latinos. DHS then removed the immigration-enforcement authority for Arpaio's agency.

With this context in mind, let's fast-forward to 2017

In July 2017, Arpaio was convicted of criminal contempt of court. This stems from a 2007 racial-profiling case, Melendres v. Arpaio, in which Hispanic plaintiffs alleged that sheriff's deputies discriminated against Latinos in traffic stops.

In 2013, U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow found the sheriff's office engaged in systemic racial profiling of Latinos in its anti-illegal-immigration efforts. Snow ordered the agency to stop detaining people solely because they were suspected of being undocumented.

But Arpaio resisted. He was charged with, then convicted of, criminal contempt of court for intentionally violating Snow's order. Arpaio's attorneys now are asking U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton for a new trial or to reconsider her verdict, arguing Arpaio was wrongfully denied a jury trial. Typically, a jury trial is not required when the defendant's maximum sentence is six months in jail - which Arpaio faces at his October sentencing.

Arpaio has said he would accept Trump's pardon. Jack Wilenchik, Arpaio's attorney, said a presidential pardon is "a check on the system, and the right thing to do . . . Because the former president caused this problem [by revoking the Sheriff's authority to enforce federal law], it is only fair that the current president fix it, with a pardon. And when the judge refused to allow a jury, she refused to let ordinary Americans speak. So now they have to speak, through their president."

Maricopa County taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $70 million, specifically relating to this racial-profiling case. Even if Trump pardons Arpaio, taxpayers would still foot the bill.

"If you pardon that kind of conduct, if you forgive that behavior, you are acknowledging that racist conduct in law enforcement is worth the kind of mercy that underlies a pardon - and it's not," said Paul Charlton, former U.S. attorney in Arizona under the Bush administration. "And it's an abuse of the president's discretion. It's an injustice, and speaks volumes about the president's disregard for civil rights if this pardon takes place."

As Arpaio gained national and even international notoriety over the years, local support waned. Arpaio faced his first serious challenger in 2012, when the vast majority of roughly $8 million raised by his campaign came from out-of-state donors. In 2016, Arpaio failed in his bid for a seventh consecutive term.

What role did Arpaio have on the flow of undocumented immigrants in the Phoenix metro area?

It's unclear. But unauthorized populations tend to fluctuate based on economic trends on both sides of the border, rather than as a direct result of a single agency or law.

The flow of unauthorized people in Arizona mirrored national trends - peaking in 2007 before the Great Recession, then declining as the U.S. economy suffered and Mexico's economy boomed.

Data for metro areas are limited, but there is a trend in state-level data for Arizona. (Maricopa County, which encompasses the Phoenix metro area, has the majority of the state's seven million residents.) Even as Arpaio's immigration efforts ramped up in the early 2000s, Arizona's undocumented population increased, as did the nation's.

---

THE PINOCCHIO TEST

Whether you view Arpaio's policies as a success is based on your view on illegal immigration, and how far an elected law enforcement official will push legal boundaries for the issues they value. But as we've chronicled, Arpaio has had a decade-long history of legal woes stemming from his policing policies on illegal immigration, and a federal judge found his sheriff's office had engaged in systemic racial profiling of Latinos.

Trump is sympathetic to his political ally, and is mulling a presidential pardon. But the public should view his praise of Arpaio's work on illegal immigration with a healthy dose of skepticism.

After all, Arpaio's agency employed systemic racism in the name of immigration enforcement, targeting Latino drivers and detaining them solely based on a suspicion that the driver may be in the United States illegally. He willfully rejected the order to stop these tactics, and is now convicted of criminal contempt. He was voted out of office, but left behind a controversial legacy at the cost of county taxpayers, who are now left with a legal bill of dozens of millions of dollars. We won't rate Trump's claims because they are vaguely worded and based in opinion, but they certainly should not be taken at face value.
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As local officials continue to assert that a portion of the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Associations collective-bargaining agreement is unconstitutional, theyre running out of appeals in their legal fight.

On Wednesday, the 4th Court of Appeals handed down another defeat to the city, ruling against its appeal questioning the district courts decision to side with the firefighters union. The city has argued that the evergreen clause, which keeps nearly the entire contract intact for up to a decade after its initial expiration dates, violates the Texas Constitution and public policy.

But both a district court judge and the 4th Court justices disagreed.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg and City Manager Sheryl Sculley say the city will proceed with the fight. Both expect that the city will ultimately win its case with the Texas Supreme Court.

We are going to continue to push toward good-faith negotiations while this legal path is followed, Nirenbrerg said in an interview from his City Hall office. And if we get a contract negotiated before the ultimate Supreme Court decision, then that becomes a non-issue.

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Whether the fire union takes up the citys offer to begin negotiations remains to be seen. That city has asked the union on nine separate occasions to begin, but the union has yet to come to the table.

Union boss Chris Steele said at a union-hall news conference Wednesday that his team will not negotiate with a gun to our heads. He has previously insisted that the union would not begin negotiations until the city dropped its lawsuit.

Steele also called on the city to release videos of their mediation sessions that occurred earlier this year. Steele said San Antonio residents have the right to see what took place. City officials say theyre amenable to releasing the footage as long as its made publicly available in full.

Lawyers for the city filed suit in November 2014, less than two months after the firefighters agreement initially expired. (They filed a similar suit against the San Antonio Police Officers Association that was rendered moot when the two sides struck a deal on a new contract last year.)

Steele and his union seem somewhat emboldened by the second consecutive court ruling in their favor. They believe the high court will uphold the previous decisions but warn of dire ramifications if the city is successful.

We have been on record to say that if the city would just drop that lawsuit, then we would go to the table to negotiate within 30 days, he said, adding that the union is now offering an olive branch and would begin negotiations within a week.

I dont understand why they continue to waste the taxpayer dollars, he said.

If the city wins, the case would have statewide impact on other collective-bargaining agreements that include evergreen clauses.

The 4th Court of Appeals eviscerated the citys arguments in its opinion on the citys appeal, released early Wednesday.

We hold the City failed to establish as a matter of law that the evergreen clause or the CBA as a whole is void or violates public policy, Justice Luz Elena D. Chapa wrote for the court. We conclude the evergreen clause merely extends the duration of the CBA, but standing alone does not create a debt. The CBA as a whole is not unconstitutional on the ground asserted by the City because it contains significant provisions that, even as extended by the evergreen clause, do not create unconstitutional debt.

Councilman Greg Brockhouse, perhaps the firefighters strongest advocate on the dais, called on his colleagues to have a public vote on whether they want to proceed with the lawsuit.

Including the lawsuit against the Police Officers Association, the City has now lost on this issue three times in Court and wasted almost a million taxpayer dollars doing so, he said in a statement. The full City Council should review this course of action and go on the record in a public vote on continuing the lawsuit to the Texas Supreme Court.

The council has historically discussed the citys legal actions in closed-door meetings, but Brockhouse wants that to end and is calling for the dismissal of the lawsuit.

Sculley said in a statement that shell recommend to the council that San Antonio proceed with an appeal to the Texas Supreme Court.

JBaugh@express-news.net

Twitter: @jbaugh
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SAN ANTONIO  A major collision on Texas 16 between Bexar and Medina counties shut down the roadway for at least two hours as authorities investigated the incident.

Bandera County Sheriffs Office posted an alert on social media at about 2 p.m. saying there was a serious collision on Texas 16 South between Timbercreek Road and Park Road 37 in Medina County.
A San Antonio man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for throwing a cat under a passing truck that killed the feline last December.

According to Animal Care Services, witnesses saw Genaro Perales, 25, throw a black and white cat named Sebastian, beneath a truck off of Interstate 35, near Martin Street.
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Whatever language you speak, you have a right to know how the city is spending your tax dollars.

With that philosophy in mind, San Antonio officials are holding a public meeting on the proposed FY 2018 budget in Spanish - the first time any budget meeting in San Antonio has been held entirely in another language.

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The city often offers translation services, but the presentation's themselves are in English.

Not this time.

"We are trying to engage an audience that has traditionally been disengaged with city government," said Carlos Valenzuela, a city public engagement officer.

The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 26 at Pearsall Park on the city's southwest side in City Council District 4.

RELATED: City lists San Antonio's worst roads as budget aims for $99 million in repairs

The event has been billed as "una feria de la ciudad" -- a city fair. The idea is to make this a friendly, open house event, where there will be activities for children.

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The decision to hold a meeting entirely in Spanish fits with the city's decision this year to look at the budget through an equity lens, trying to right the unequal treatment of residents in certain parts of town over the decades.

"This is just another step in our approach to equity," Valenzuela said.

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A little more than 30 percent of San Antonio residents were identified as Spanish speakers in the 2010 census, Valenzuela said. That could mean they are bilingual or speak Spanish only.

Besides a presentation on the budget, other city departments will have representatives at the open house. Free eye exams and diabetes screenings will also be available.

Visit the city's SpeakUp! San Antonio budget website for a complete list of budget open house events. Learn more about the budget here.

City Council is slated to vote on the budget Sept. 14.

Click through the slideshow above to view line items from the proposed 2018 San Antonio city budget.

vdavila@express-news.net

@viannadavila
San Antonio's Police Bomb Squad monitored two competing rallies at Travis Park earlier this month after a threat to use an explosive device on some 300 protesters was called into the department.

At 1 p.m. on Aug. 12, a threat "indicating an explosive device was going to be used during an active protest" in the 300 block of E. Travis Street came in, police records obtained by mySA.com show. Bomb squad officials conducted a sweep of the area and found no such device.
A man who was killed Wednesday morning after crashing into a pole on the North Side was speeding away from police when the collision occurred, authorities said.

The driver, who has not been identified at this time, crashed his white Ford Fusion into a pole around 2 a.m. while traveling eastbound on a Loop 410 access road between Starcrest Drive and Perrin Beitel Road, police said.
If Van Jones was right that a moving tribute to the widow of a fallen Navy SEAL in a speech to Congress earlier this year was the moment Donald Trump became president, Trumps news conference last week, was the moment he became a Breitbart contributing editor.

Charlottesville has been a diminishing event for President Trump. He has been unable to summon the moral authority of his office, even though this wasnt a difficult test.

It doesnt take political skill or crisis-management ability to show largeness of heart. Future historians will marvel that one of the most damaging events in the early Trump administration came in a botched response to a neo-Nazi rally. Even Jake and Elwood Blues could have gotten this right.

Over the past few days, Trump hasnt spoken as the leader of the country, or even leader of one party, but as a leader of an inflamed faction. This is why it was almost unthinkable that he would give a unifying talk, as any other president would, at the funeral of Heather Heyer, the young woman slain in the vehicular attack by an alt-right protester.

Trumps sensibility is highly unusual for a politician  let alone for the leader of the free world  but very familiar from the internet or social media. As his Trump Tower news conference in the wake of Charlottesville showed, his level of argument is at the level of a good Breitbart blogger. He would absolutely kill it in the comments section of a right-wing website or trolling a journalist.

Moreover, it appears that hes happy for his presidency  to paraphrase adviser Steve Bannons notorious description of Breitbart  to be a platform for the alt-right and in exactly the same sense. Trump doesnt want his administration actually to be alt-right. But he is keenly aware of the political energy in the fever swamp. He learned this during his time as a birther and during a campaign when sundry haters, trolls and bots provided air cover. So he wants to do the minimum necessary to distance himself from it and the maximum possible to associate himself with it.

This would explain his shockingly conflicted reaction to Charlottesville. Some of his sentiments  including the contention that there were fine people protesting alongside the Nazis  would be outrageous enough if uttered by the proverbial blogger rather than a man standing in front of a lectern affixed with the presidential seal of the United States.

Trumps news conference was a tour de force of whataboutism, one of the most important rhetorical tools of the pro-Trump internet. The alt-right marched on Charlottesville? Well, what about the alt-left? Robert E. Lees statue is coming down? Well, what about George Washington? Its not that these arent legitimate points. They are. But they were used, as whataboutism so often is, as cover for Trumps failings and to obscure rather than sharpen distinctions.

Charlottesville highlights how the problem with Trump is not the crudity of his expression. This, at times, can be part of his charm and makes him a distinctively powerful communicator. Its the crudity of thought and feeling. These qualities cant be dismissed in an office whose occupant is supposed to represent the nation.

The media coverage of Trump has been consistently catastrophist since January. Whenever there is an outrage, pundits talk as though its the end of his presidency. This is too dire. So long as Trump has the right enemies, namely the mainstream media and PC culture, there is a floor to his political support. But he is slip-sliding toward a crisis of legitimacy. This is the significance of the dissolution of his business councils. Its not unthinkable, should this trajectory continue, that a time could come when some Republican officeholders refuse to visit the White House.

If they wouldnt feel comfortable at the Breitbart editorial offices, why would they want to show up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

comments.lowry@nationalreview.com
If you have been involved in a car crash in Texas, it is very important that you notify your insurance company about the accident. However, you may wish to contact an attorney prior to providing a recorded statement.

Why Is Notification Important?

There is a common misconception that you do not have to notify your insurance company of an accident if you are not at fault. This is false. If you plan on seeking any damages, whether they be to your vehicle or to your body, notifying your insurance company is necessary.

Insurance companies provide a number of services which you are already paying for! These include towing coverage, medical expense coverage, and collision coverage. In order to take advantages of any of the coverages on your policy, you are required to report the accident to your insurer. Failure to do so in a timely manner may result in coverage being denied.

Another reason it is essential to notify your insurance company is that the other driver may try to say you are at fault and pursue a claim against you. In such a situation, your insurance company is required to provide a defense to you free of charge.

What Precautions Should I Take When Calling My Insurer?

While you are required to notify your insurer of an accident, you should not be pressured into providing a recorded statement until the full extent of your injuries are known. As such, it is recommended that you keep your notification as simple as possible. Try to limit your call to:

1.The fact that you were involved in a crash

2.General background information concerning the crash

3.Date of the accident

4.Time of the accident

5.Location of the accident

6.Names and addresses for all parties involved

Why Should I Refrain From Providing a Recorded Statement?

Recorded statements are admissible in court and tend to carry significant weight even though they are not made under oath. Making a recorded statement before understanding the extent of your injuries or truly understanding how a crash occurred can result in confusion, inconsistencies, and may weaken you claim to compenersation.

It may seem like your insurer is on your side at first, but that can quickly change if you found to be even partially responsible for your accident. Statements made to your insurance company can then be used against you to limit your insurance company's financial liability.

An experienced auto accident attorney can help you prepare a recorded statement that accurately reflects your accident and your injuries. Your attorney can also help you identify potentially leading questions that could damage your credibility or limit your insurance company's financial liability.

Contact an Experienced Car Crash Attorney

Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys is a personal injury law firm with offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Houston, Texas representing accident victims nationwide. Our attorneys are available to respond to auto accidents at any hour, day or night. Our lawyers understand that the immediate acquisition, or acquiring, of evidence is paramount to understanding how the accident occurred. Remember, your choice does matter. Contact our offices- we are available 24/7, nights and weekends.

Editors Note: This content is made possible by Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com.
WILTON  Gov. Dannel P. Malloys revised executive order would mean that Wilton would lose all of its primary state education funding.

Last year, Wilton received a $462,941 Education Cost Sharing grant.

Although the governors original spending plan in June zeroed out Wiltons ECS funding, Wilton Superintendent of Schools Kevin Smith was hopeful the town would continue to receive some aid.

I am deeply disappointed and troubled by Governor Malloys revised spending plan, Smith said. Public education is a cornerstone of our democratic society and ought to be funded accordingly.

The new plan would provide $1.46 billion in Education Cost Sharing grants to the communities with the highest student needs and the greatest reliance on state assistance, such as Bridgeport, Danbury, Ansonia, Stamford and Norwalk, providing them a grant equal to that of the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Fifty-four towns would receive a portion of last years grant, and 85, including Wilton, would receive no ECS help.

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A total of 25 percent of the ECS payments will be made in early October. Most municipalities and school districts need to make decisions now, with school set to open just before or after Labor Day.

Smith said the district will not need to take action in response to anticipated cuts, although some towns have done so by delaying the start of school, putting off hires or cutting programs. The 2017-18 school budget, which reflects no increase in spending from the 2016-17 budget, was drafted in recognition of fiscal constraints facing the town and the state, he said.

More Information The governor's latest school funding plan Gov. Dannel P. Malloy shuffled the school funding deck again on Friday. Here is what school districts would get if the state does not pass a budget. District 2016-17 2017-18 Wilton $462,941 $0 Weston $263,431 $0 Weston $263,431 Norwalk $11.2M $11.2M Stamford $10.8M $10.8M Danbury $31.3M $31.3M State $2B $1.46B See More Collapse

My staff and I continue to monitor the situation in Hartford carefully and will work with the Board of Education should it become apparent that we need to go back and revise our current budget, Smith said.

We will continue to provide a world class education to all of our children and ensure that they have the skills and experiences that prepare them for the future, he added.

The new plan also slashes municipal aid funds, stripping Wilton of $550,000.

Yet, the biggest concern for Wilton is not losing ECS or municipal funding, state Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton, said.

The big worry for Wilton is the threat of having to pay the teachers pensions fund contribution portion and that was never in the governors executive order. That was in the governors original budget, around $4 million in the first year, she said. We still dont know whether that will figure in any kind of a budget.

Malloys proposal would also add about $40 million in subsidies for nonprofit social service providers, but is still not enough funding, Lavielle said, particularly for the intellectual and developmental disabilities community that are served by private nonprofits like STAR, Inc., in Norwalk.

They restored part of it in the executive order but not all of it. So theres a gesture in that direction but there are still cuts, she said. So its better than it was, but its not the cigar. Its still a hardship.

Gian-Carl Casa, president and CEO of the Connecticut Community Non-Profit Alliance, echoed similar sentiments.

But while the restored funds will help buffer or delay some of the most devastating impacts of the budget stalemate, it is not a substitute for a biennial budget, she said. Nonprofit funding remains $150 million below fiscal year 2017 levels, putting thousands of programs in jeopardy.

Malloy said the new plan reflects the nearly impossible decisions Connecticut must make in the absence of a budget. He released the original Executive Order Resource Allocation Plan in June and said the plan would satisfy the most pressing obligations on the state.

Though the majority leadership has been talking about voting on a budget sometime in September, Lavielle said shes not convinced the Legislature will come to a budget deal anytime soon.

Yet Malloy said in a half-hour morning news conference Friday that it is unlikely a two-year, nearly $40 billion budget wont be finalized in the Legislature  though Republicans have withdrawn from negotiations, seeing Democratic plans to hike taxes by a billion dollars as unacceptable.

It is incumbent upon state leaders to come together and reach an agreement on a biennial budget right away, Malloy said.

Smith said he is hopeful there will be further changes once a budget is finally adopted and noted Wiltons strong representation by local legislators.

I strongly urge all of our state legislators to continue to make public education a funding priority and ensure districts have appropriate state resources to fulfill Connecticut's promise of educational excellence, Smith said.

skim@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2568; @stephaniehnkim
Former Minister of Mines Walter Chidhakwa is reported to have been arrested for corrupt activities.

This follows right after Operation Restore Legacy, which was targeted at the criminals around former president Robert Mugabe folded up on Monday. However the new government headed by president Mnangagwa has taken a zero tolerance stance against corruption and still continues to bring to the book high placed officials who abused their offices and were involved in corrupt activities.

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WASHINGTON  The Department of Interiors (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently closed its public comment period asking for input on its effort to write a new 5-year offshore drilling plan. This public comment period kicks off what could be a 2-3 year process of writing a plan that would open parts of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, as well as Alaskas Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea and Cook Inlet areas to exploration and drilling opportunities. As of last week, BOEM had received more than 50,000 comments, including the letter from NACS.

Interested parties on both sides of the issue, including oil producing interests and environmental groups, have sent in letters for consideration. NACS sent a letter in support of opening up the Outer Continental Shelf for oil exploration. In the letter, NACS shared its perspective on the need for continued stable supply of domestic energy resources.

Congress also weighed in on the bureaus proposal. Chairman Rob Bishop, along with 110 lawmakers, sent in a delegation letter in support of the proposal. The letter states how it is imperative to open up as much of the Outer Continental Shelf as possible to expand U.S. energy independence. On the other side, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, along with 69 Democrat lawmakers, shared their opposition to the proposal writing not to expand drilling opportunities in the Arctic and Atlantic, stating that the risks to the environment are too high and the consequences are too severe.

BOEM will consider all of the comments as it begins to draft a new 5-year offshore drilling plan. The process is expected to take at least two years.
International retailers will get to visit Rutters, Sheetz and Wawa in advance of this years NACS Show.

LONDON, United Kingdom  It's your last chance to register for the 2017 Insight Retail Study Tour! The 2017 retail study events for international non-U.S. retailers and suppliers only will offer a unique and interesting insight into the format development and evolution of three of the leading convenience retailers operating in the US market: Rutters, Sheetz and Wawa. The events will take place on October 15, 16 and 17.

Pennsylvania is undoubtedly one of the most innovative and competitive convenience store markets in the world. These dynamic convenience retailers are rapidly evolving their foodvenience proposition, extending food choices into healthier options, driving mobile ordering and delivery (particularly in their new urban c-stores). And thanks to a change in regulation for alcohol sales in the state, introducing some excellent beer cave designs.

In addition, this Philadelphia store safari will feature a hosted visit in one of Wawas new urban stores. The group will also visit Sweetgreen, SNAP Kitchen, Hip City Vege, Walgreens, Bluestone Lane Coffee, Burger FI and Bryn & Danes Healthy Fast Food.

These 2017 Philadelphia store visits for international retailers and suppliers fit perfectly into an itinerary for attendees going on to attend the 2017 NACS Show in Chicago. For more details, visit Insights website. Please note that places are limited.
DNA sensor system developed for specific and sensitive measurement of cancer-relevant enzyme activity

(Nanowerk News) The development of DNA sensor systems is of great importance for advances in medical science. Now another piece of the puzzle for the development of personalized medicine has been found with the results of a highly sensitive monitoring of cancer-related topoisomerase II enzymes (Nucleic Acids Research, "Interlinked DNA nano-circles for measuring topoisomerase II activity at the level of single decatenation events").

Sensors and sensor systems made of DNA have gained increasing interest over the past several years. This is due in part to the recent advances in chemical synthesis of modified DNA oligonucleotides and to the ease by which DNA sensor systems can be combined with various DNA nanomaterials.

Hence, various DNA sensors or sensor systems for the detection of small molecules, proteins, or even enzyme activities, based on optical or electrochemical readout, have been reported. Some of these have been successfully integrated with more complex nano-structures. Many of the sensors or sensor systems are built as relatively simple structures, exemplified by single- or double-stranded DNA structures. These advances provide completely new opportunities for research.

A Danish-American research team has now found another piece of the puzzle for the development of personalized medicine with the results of a highly sensitive monitoring of cancer-related topoisomerase II enzymes. (Image: Aarhus University)

By the use of the DNA sensor system, researchers from Denmark and USA have demonstrated the assembly and utilization of a surface-attached double-stranded DNA catenane composed of two intact interlinked DNA nano-circles for specific and sensitive measurements of the life essential topoisomerase II (Topo II) enzyme activity.

Human Topo II is of great importance in anti-cancer therapy and is the primary target of a large number of clinically used chemotherapeutics such as the drug etoposide. Unfortunately, a frequent side effect of treatment with these drugs is the development of resistance or secondary cancers.

The available evidence suggests a potential correlation between Topo II expression and drug response, at least in some cancers. Sensor systems for measuring Topo II activity directly in human cancers may be of great value for elucidating a potential correlation between Topo II activity and chemo-response.

The researchers succeeded in obtaining quantitative detection of purified Topo II as well as Topo II in human cell extracts consisting of approximately five to 5000 cells. By combining two DNA sensor systems, the Danish-American research team was able to achieve synchronous detection of both Topo II and Topo I, the latter being an important target for cancer treatment.
Artificial intelligence helps with earlier detection of skin cancer

(Nanowerk News) New technology being developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo and the Sunnybrook Research Institute is using artificial intelligence (AI) to help detect melanoma skin cancer earlier.

The technology employs machine-learning software to analyze images of skin lesions and provide doctors with objective data on telltale biomarkers of melanoma, which is deadly if detected too late, but highly treatable if caught early.

The AI system--trained using tens of thousands of skin images and their corresponding eumelanin and hemoglobin levels--could initially reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies, a significant health-care cost. It gives doctors objective information on lesion characteristics to help them rule out melanoma before taking more invasive action.

The technology could be available to doctors as early as next year.

"This could be a very powerful tool for skin cancer clinical decision support," said Alexander Wong, a professor of systems design engineering at Waterloo. "The more interpretable information there is, the better the decisions are."

Currently, dermatologists largely rely on subjective visual examinations of skin lesions such as moles to decide if patients should undergo biopsies to diagnose the disease.

The new system deciphers levels of biomarker substances in lesions, adding consistent, quantitative information to assessments currently based on appearance alone. In particular, changes in the concentration and distribution of eumelanin, a chemical that gives skin its colour, and hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, are strong indicators of melanoma.

"There can be a huge lag time before doctors even figure out what is going on with the patient," said Wong who is also the Canada Research Chair in Medical Imaging Systems. "Our goal is to shorten that process."

Wong developed the technology in collaboration with Daniel Cho, a former PhD student at Waterloo, David Clausi, a professor of systems design engineering professor at Waterloo, and Farzad Khalvati, an adjunct professor at Waterloo and scientist at Sunnybrook.
Find the newest releases to watch from National Geographic on Disney+, including favourite documentary series and films Free Solo, The Rescue, Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth and The World According to Jeff Goldblum.
As more than 6,500 asthmatic children return to school in Tipperary, the Asthma Society has warned that every school should have an asthma inhaler in their first aid kit in case of an emergency.

However, two years after a new scheme was put in place by then Minister for Health Leo Varadkar TD not a single school has received an emergency asthma inhaler under it. This, combined with some teachers reluctance to administer asthma medication, is putting childrens lives at risk.

According to CEO Averil Power, 1 in 5 Irish school going children (180,500) have asthma, so it is inevitable that many schools will have to deal with a student having an asthma attack at some point. Unfortunately, several British children have died from fatal asthma attacks at school in recent years. It is essential we do everything we can to avoid a similar tragedy here.

Having immediate access to emergency medication can be the difference between life and death. The previous Minister for Health recognized this when he introduced a new scheme allowing schools and other community facilities to obtain inhalers without a prescription for their first aid kits in case students forget theirs.

While this was a positive move, we warned Minister Harris last year that the excessive conditions associated with the scheme have made it unworkable in practice. Now the answer to a parliamentary question has revealed that not one single school has used it to obtain an inhaler. This failure is putting lives at risk and must be addressed by the Minister without further delay, she concluded.

According to the Asthma Societys Medical Adviser Professor Richard Costello, the Minister for Health should make it clear to teachers that they should not be reluctant to give a child reliever medication in an asthma emergency. The potential side effects, such as shakiness and increased heart rate, are minor and temporary. Up to 8 puffs of salbutamol can safely be taken in one day. Delay in taking medication, on the other hand, could cost a life.

The Asthma Society has published a range of free resources for schools on its website www.asthma.ie .Parents or teachers who want more information or advice can also speak to a nurse for free by calling the Societys Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64.
Pictured at the deputation to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross, TD on Monday, where ongoing issues with funding for Ardfinnan Bridge were discussed: Tom O'Mahoney and Aidan McNamara of Ardfinnan Community Council, Cllr Martin Lonergan, Deputy Mattie McGrath, Minister Ross, Deputy Jackie Cahill, Cllr. Richie Molloy and Cllr Micheal Anglim. The meeting which was arranged by Deputy Mattie McGrath took place in the Ministerial Block in Leinster House on Monday, August 21.

The Minister for Transport Shane Ross has been asked to appoint an arbitrator in an attempt to get over an impasse that is holding up repair work on Ardfinnan Bridge.

Tipperary County Council propose to repair the bridge and provide a permanent one way traffic system on the bridge with a pedestrian foothpath and a permanent traffic lights system which is opposed in the community of Ardfinnan who are seeking a return to a two way traffic system, no lights and the provision of a new pedestrian bridge structure.

The bridge was damaged by flooding over two years ago and there is considerable opposition in the village to the one way system which has been in place.

On Monday Deputy Mattie Mcgrath, who arranged a deputation comprised of public representatives and community council members, with Minister Ross said the impasse had to be overcome.

At the meeting he asked Minister Ross to appoint an arbitrator to help resolve the crisis.

The deputation was told by Department officials that the County Council had submitted documentation outlining the cost of either a stand alone pedestrian bridge or a pedestrian bridge attached to the existing bridge structure which could cost up to 1.2million.

Minister Ross categorically ruled out allocating further money to the project for such a structure. He asked again why the 800,000 he allocated to the County Council for repair work on the bridge had not been spent.

Minister Ross refused to allocate any further monies because the County Council has not used the money he already allocated and he is very frustrated by that. He told us that he would consider the arbitrator proposal said Deputy McGrath.

Deputy McGrath said he was very disappointed that Tipperary County Council did not send a representative to the meeting.

The County Council was asked to attend. Why would the authority not avail of such an opportunity. It would have been in everybodys best interests if they did, we have to find a solution to this, the impasse cannot go on he insisted.
(Natural News) After almost a week of grueling investigation and thorough examination, Exeter Hospital in New Hampshire reopened its operating and emergency department after 19 staff members fell ill on August 11. Spokespeople of the hospital say that despite there being initial fears of a carbon monoxide leak, there has been no evidence of any such contamination. The cause for the sudden wave of illness among staff members is still being determined. Unconfirmed sources claim that the hospital experienced an unintentional anesthesia gas leak.

Emergency crews were forced to evacuate patients from the operating rooms in Exeter Hospital on August 11 after 19 employees began experiencing bouts of nausea and started to vomit. Aerial footage from local media outlets showed patients on hospital beds being taken out of the building, with the doctors still treating them. The hospital released a statement that the wave of dizziness experienced by staff was from an unknown cause and that they had closed their operating rooms out of an abundance of caution.

Initial reports said that Exeter had an uncontained carbon monoxide leak. This would explain the flu-like symptoms felt by the employees.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. It is usually the result of combustion and is the by-product of heaters, car mufflers, space heaters, portable generators, and the like. While everyone is exposed to the gas all throughout the day, inhaling too much of it in a confined space can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include weakness, dizziness, confusion, and vomiting. This type of poisoning is extremely dangerous, as death can occur rapidly. This is why many health groups warn parents and children to take special care when sitting or sleeping inside a vehicle that is idle.

Hospitals or facilities with faulty or old architecture are more susceptible to carbon monoxide leaks. (Related: Hospitals  why it is more important than ever to steer clear of them.)

When the employees at Exeter began experiencing symptoms similar to carbon monoxide poisoning, they were immediately told to vacate the premises. Patients inside the operating room were transported to other area hospitals.

The fire department, along with hospital staff, conducted an internal investigation. This lasted for six days, wherein the entire hospital was cleaned by an outside agency. Exeter supposedly had the facility cleaned a second time for extra measure. Despite their best efforts, however, spokespeople from the hospital have said that they are unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the illness. Investigators stated that the air tests for carbon monoxide came back negative.

There is speculation that a staff member may have accidentally triggered an anesthesia gas leak. The communication department of Exeter says that they are exploring this possibility but think it highly unlikely.

For all the assurances Exeter staff have given to the public, many people still remain cautious of the facilitys safety. Only last year, the hospital was implicated in an alarming hepatitis C outbreak when former cardiovascular technician David Kwiatkowski used dirty syringes on unsuspecting patients. Around 33 patients became infected with hepatitis C.

Kwiatkowski was found guilty and is serving 39 years for criminal negligence. Lawyers of the hospital agreed to pay the affected patients, along with 188 others, who tested negative for the disease but have threatened legal action for the emotional distress the incident caused.

Kwiatkowski admitted that he stole the syringes to inject himself with painkillers such as fentanyl. He then filled the used syringes with saline and returned them for it to be used on patients.

Determining which hospital to choose can be a daunting one, especially considering the trend for misinformation and propaganda happening right now. Nevertheless, the smart patient is careful enough to do the necessary research to see if their chosen health facility can be trusted or not.

Find better alternatives when you read the stories on HealingArts.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

FoxNews.com

UnionLeader.com

HealthLine.com

NewHampshire.com
(Natural News) On the afternoon of Aug. 19, 2017, East Coast Time, statistics professor Salil Mehta discovered that he had been banned by Google. As reported by ZeroHedge.com, this entailed having all of his Google-linked accounts erased and rendered inaccessible, from his e-mail to his blog to all of his Google-hosted university pages.

This came as a complete shock to the Columbia University adjunct professor as he had been given no reason nor warning for the total wipeout of every single one of his accounts. All of his repeated attempts to restore those accounts were rejected and explained away by Mehta allegedly violating the companys Terms of Servicedespite the fact that nearly all of his Google-related efforts were dedicated to promoting math theory. In his own words, Mehtas background was spotless and absent of political or social agenda. At no point or time did he advocate or denigrate a certain viewpoint.

I teach probability math and thats it, he stated in his open letter. [I] have worked with both the Obama administration and advised on polling statistics for the Trump campaign, am an adjunct professor at three top universities, an editor of the peer-reviewed journal of the American Statistical Association, and wrote a best-selling statistics book  all the proceeds of which I gave to charity!

Mehta then went on to ask if Google intends on treating all CEOS and professors and politicians the same way, if they plan on holding kangaroo courts and treating all their customers without tact or grace. He recalled how his appeals were greeted by stone-cold silence for days, and then answered coolly and with little empathy to his situation.

Fear is running wild about who is next and on what other social media platforms, he wrote. We are going to be looking back on this time in Googles history and those of other social media and know that they have done some very immoral and confusing things, and it has hurt their public reputation with decent people who wanted to grow into the next future with them.

Fortunately, Mehtas story ends on a happy note. According to OneNewsPage.com, Google finally relented and restored all of Mehtas accounts to their former state on Aug. 22, 2017. For his part, Mehta has gone on to state that he has no intention of commenting on the incident any further, nor does he begrudge Google. It remains unknown, however, what the exact reasons are behind the initial ban.

Of course, this whole occurrence could have been avoided had Google actually done their research on Mehtas body of work, or simply not banned him at all. Google has already earned itself the reputation of being the Internets censor and master manipulator, do they really to want be caught doing anything that bolsters that? Mehtas situation points to a solid yes. (Related: WAKE UP: StartPage search engine is powered by Google  Use GoodGopher or DuckDuckGo instead)

Google doesnt mind being called out for its censorship of different viewpoints. They dont care that their silencing of naysayers affects scientists and statisticians, men and women who, for the most part, are committed to preserving and presenting the facts as they are. Even if they hurt or go against the grain. But then again, thats exactly why Google would want to suppress them, right? Because they think and speak of something different? Even or especially if its the truth?

To keep up to date on Googles continuing war against the truth, go to Censorship.news today.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

OneNewsPage.com
(Natural News) The presence of refugees has been causing a lot of controversy among the locals in many areas, particularly in Europe, and now German scientists have found a simple way to take care of those who are less accepting of their plight: Research has found that people can simply be drugged into compliance with the help of some hormones.

According to a study carried out by the University of Bonn in Germany, giving people oxytocin and exposing them to some positive social pressure can make them be kinder toward refugees, even if they are afraid of them.

Oxytocin is a hormone that is naturally released in the blood and brains of mammals during sexual and social behavior. It is sometimes called the cuddle hormone, and it is produced by women in labor to help them to bond with their new babies. Research shows it can help breed generosity and trust in other people, so the scientists set out to see if it could be an effective way for people to be more accepting of migrants.

In one experiment, researchers showed the studys 183 German participants 50 true stories about people in need. The accounts were presented as text on a screen and described poor peoples personal needs. Half of them were said to be refugees and the other half were German natives, and the needs were in accordance with the UNs minimum standards for having a safe and dignified life, such as access to housing, food and participation in social life. The stories said, for example, that the person needed money to buy fresh fruit or fish at the grocery store.

The participants were given a total of 50 Euros and were allowed to decide how much to donate to each individual in a range from 0 to 1 Euro. They would be allowed to keep any money left over. In the first experiment, the subjects donated around 20 percent more money to refugees than they did to needy people locally, surprising the researchers.

Dose them with hormones and theyll open their hearts and wallets

In a second experiment, researchers measured participants personal attitudes toward refugees. Afterward, they were divided into two groups, one of which was given a nasal spray of oxytocin. The other group was given a placebo.

Both groups then carried out the donation task from the first experiment, reading short stories about peoples needs and donating to them as they saw fit. Those who had been administered oxytocin and had displayed a positive initial attitude toward refugees donated twice as much to locals and refugees alike.

This effect was not seen in those who had earlier showed a more defensive attitude toward migrants. These people tended to donate very little to refugees as well as locals. This prompted one of the studys authors to remark that oxytocin boosts generosity toward those in need only when a person already has altruistic tendencies; it cannot create such feelings in people who are not predisposed to feeling that way.

However, a third experiment found that positive social cues could boost generosity among participants who were not very welcoming of refugees at first. In this task, the donation stories were accompanied by the average donation given by their peers in the first experiment. Once again, half of the subjects were given oxytocin and the other half received a placebo.

In this case, even those who showed a negative attitude toward migrants donated as much as 74 percent more money to refugees than they had in the earlier round.

The researchers said they believed that people in a position of trust in a community who display a positive attitude toward refugees publicly can help inspire others to help. Moreover, they added that oxytocin could help skeptics become less anxious and more trusting.

Its not quite clear where this is headed, but the mind control overtones of this study are disturbing to say the least. Will oxytocin start showing up in the local water so that people will be more accepting and generous? What else could this approach be used to lull the masses into accepting?

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

ScienceDaily.com
The Farthest

Director: Emer Reynolds. Crossing the Line Productions/HHMI Tangled Bank Studios: 2017. go.nature.com/2vqx055

In a nondescript office building in Altadena, California, not far from the main campus of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a few engineers keep tabs on humanity's most distant emissaries. Their job is to communicate with the twin Voyager probes, launched by NASA in 1977 and currently sailing out of the Solar System. The Farthest depicts the cosmic journey of the Voyager probes. Credit: Crossing the Line Productions

Irish filmmaker Emer Reynolds has commemorated the mission's 40th anniversary in a brilliant documentary, The Farthest. The film traces the probes' history from their fraught beginnings, when then-US president Richard Nixon authorized fly-bys of only Jupiter and Saturn, through later planetary encounters including Uranus and Neptune, and on towards interstellar space.

It can be hard to grasp the distances involved. Voyager 1, the farthest out, is more than 20 billion kilometres from Earth, whizzing along in the empty cosmic reaches. It takes over a day and a half for a signal from Earth, travelling at the speed of light, to reach the spacecraft and for a return signal to ping back. At less than one-trillionth of a watt, the signal is so weak that, to hear it, JPL's engineers must integrate data from the Deep Space Network, three arrays of giant radio antennas around the world.

Yet there was a time when the Voyagers roared. At their launches, on 20 August and 5 September 1977, the school-bus-sized probes soared separately into space. After they zipped past the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn, gathering photographs and scientific data, they went their separate ways, Voyager 2 sailing on to Uranus and Neptune  a first for any spacecraft  and Voyager 1 heading out of the Solar System. As historian Stephen Pyne wrote in Voyager (Viking, 2010), they were true explorers in the spirit of Earth's first circumnavigator, Ferdinand Magellan, who charted the unknown using a fleet of ships.

The Farthest showcases the scientists and engineers who made it happen. We hear about how the JPL-based team quietly worked to keep the options for Uranus and Neptune open, and invented clever interplanetary trajectories to save time and money and enable the encounters. We see them solve what could have been mission-aborting glitches, such as when an instrument platform on Voyager 2 temporarily stopped moving at the end of its Saturn encounter. We meet characters such as Ed Stone, Voyager's legendary project scientist, who grows greyer at each press conference, but never loses his clear articulation of the wonders the spacecraft have seen.

And they're wonders indeed. Scientific discoveries come fast and furious each time one of the probes flies past a planet. Every image taken as the spacecraft approaches its target becomes the best ever made of it. Jupiter's Great Red Spot pops into focus, glaring balefully in a swirl of tempestuous clouds. Volcanoes on its moon Io hove unexpectedly into view. Saturn's extraordinary ring system appears, along with its haze-encrusted moon Titan. Even poor Uranus, that boring aquamarine blob, turns out to have an unusual magnetic field, torqued as the planet orbits on its side. And lurking in the cold, gassy clouds of Neptune was a vast dark spot.

Reynolds wisely avoids fetishizing the oft-lionized JPL team, opting instead for moody mission-control shots and thoughtful interviews. She interweaves the chronological account of Voyager's explorations with the philosophical implications of the famous golden records that the craft carry, as a message to the stars. In a programme spearheaded by planetary scientist Carl Sagan, these discs were packaged with their own stylus and diagrams showing how to play them. They carry sounds including spoken greetings in 55 languages, music ranging from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony to the strains of pan pipes from the Solomon Islands, and images including Earth's location in the Milky Way, derived from the relative locations of pulsars.

Many of the Voyager team members are still around, and The Farthest interviews a number about their hopes for the records. In retrospect, the discs seem amazingly audacious. How do you explain Earth and Earthlings to an alien, especially given that the team had six weeks to put the discs together? As Frank Drake, a pioneer in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, puts it in the film: It's going to be out there to represent us for the next 5 billion years. No pressure at all.
Stefan Knapp's results made him feel like he was riding a roller coaster. Knapp, a pharmaceutical scientist at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany, and his colleagues had identified a protein important for cancer growth. They had also found a drug-like molecule that inhibited the protein. They bought more of that compound to run further experiments  but this time it was inactive. When they then bought the same compound from another vendor, it was even more active than in the first set of experiments. The Novartis chemical library in Basel, Switzerland, contains roughly 3 million molecules. Credit: Novartis AG

It turned out that the molecule in question exists in the form of enantiomers  chemical structures that are mirror images of each other but still distinct, like right-handed and left-handed gloves. Knapp worked out that vendors were selling mixtures with varying proportions of the two enantiomers, and only the left-handed form was active in the team's assays1. (Ironically, the right-handed version is the active form of the lung-cancer drug crizotinib, which acts through a different mechanism.)

The team's detective work speaks to just one of the many ways in which chemical reagents can thwart biological experiments, says Guilio Superti-Furga, a systems biologist at the Research Center for Molecular Medicine in Vienna, and a leader of the work. In some cases, scientists don't know what chemicals they have in their hands. In others, molecules' effects are less specific than experimentalists imagine. These two problems, together, reduce the wonderful potential impact of using chemistry to interrogate biology, says Superti-Furga.

If you don't pay attention to the chemistry, the chemistry will bite you in the ass.

Kim Janda, an immunologist and chemist at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, puts it more bluntly: If you don't pay attention to the chemistry, the chemistry will bite you in the ass.

Bite marks

Researchers rely on chemical reagents across all areas of cellular biology. One application is as tool compounds or chemical probes that dissect a protein's function. Using a small molecule to inhibit a specific enzyme, for instance, can offer subtler clues to the protein's biology than using genetic techniques to keep it from being made altogether. Compounds are also sometimes collected in chemical libraries, where they are screened en masse in the hope of finding useful reagents and pharmaceuticals.

In both situations, mix-ups, impurities and unanticipated activity can send unsuspecting scientists on wild goose chases. Scientists have sounded alarms about chemical-based artefacts in assays over the years2,3,4, but recognition of these problems is still not widespread. Some online resources can help. The expert-curated Chemical Probes Portal (www.chemicalprobes.org) assesses more than 100 individual tool compounds. Probe Miner (http://probeminer.icr.ac.uk/) and the Probes and Drugs Portal (www.probes-drugs.org) aggregate publicly available information to help researchers select which chemicals to use.

Actually assessing the quality of the chemicals that researchers buy isn't easy. Reagents often contain by-products of synthesis, or impurities formed when the reagent degrades. Chemist Josh Bittker, who heads a high-throughput screening group at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, had a chance to find out just how common those contaminants can be when he and his team assembled a library of compounds that had already been tested in clinical trials.

To his surprise, nearly 29% of the 8,584 molecules the team tested failed quality control, with impurities making up 15% or more of some batches of reagents5. Often, material from another manufacturing lot from the same vendor passed the check, especially if supplied as a dry powder rather than a solution, a form that is convenient for experiments but prone to degradation.

The problem could be even worse. Bittker's screens assessed compounds by molecular weight and so would not have detected whether samples contained multiple isomers, molecules with the same chemical formula but a different arrangement of atoms.

Chemicals galore

Medicinal chemists like to say that there are more possible structures for drug-sized molecules than there are stars in the Universe. Between them, commercial vendors probably sell more than 10 million different compounds. Researchers looking for a particular molecule might have to track down specialized vendors, get their supplies from other interested researchers or have compounds synthesized to order. However, if a molecule's biological activity has been reported in a high-profile paper, and especially if it has been tested in clinical trials, it might be sold by a dozen vendors or more. Pharmaceutical companies sometimes license vendors to produce or distribute reagent-grade versions of their drugs; this results in more reliable reagents, but also higher prices.

Credit: Source: Chem. Eng. News 90(21), 3435 (2012) In one infamous case, nearly 20 vendors offering an approved cancer drug called bosutinib were found to actually be selling a related structure in which chemical groups were misarranged (see 'Spot the difference' and go.nature.com/2w3dz0a). Both bosutinib and the second structure bind a suite of cell-signalling proteins, but with different potencies, so the mix-up potentially calls into question dozens of papers.

Dimitrios Tzalis, chief executive of the contract-research organization Taros in Dortmund, Germany, recommends buying from reputable vendors rather than trying to save money with untested sources. Cheap can be very expensive, he says.

When it comes to buying reagents, you have to know what you're doing and what to look for, Bittker agrees. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. One thing to watch out for, he says, is a vendor that is unwilling to discuss or supply quality-control data. Many buy compounds from third parties to resell to scientists, which can make for variable quality. If there is not a chain of information back to someone who experimentally confirmed the sample, it is not to be trusted, Bittker says.

Sometimes confusion stems from the literature. When chemical biologist Kilian Huber at the University of Oxford, UK, read reports that an enzyme inhibitor called SCR7 could boost the efficiency of the CRISPRCas9 gene-editing technique, he decided to try it in his lab. He ended up abandoning the project when his graduate student could not synthesize a compound matching the reported structure. The situation exemplifies the main uncertainties of using chemical tools: the chemical-reagent company Tocris in Bristol, UK, later reported that multiple SCR7 vendors were in fact selling a structure related to, but not the same as, the molecule (see go.nature.com/2vapstf), and proposed that the originally reported form was inactive. Separately, other researchers questioned whether any of these molecules acted by inhibiting the specific enzyme described6. The original discoverer of the inhibitor tells Nature that his 2012 paper7 reports inhibition of the correct enzyme, but that the structure of SCR7 that it describes is unstable. Instead, he says, SCR7 converts to a cyclic form not described by that paper or by Tocris.

Janda also encountered a mix-up when he decided to do some follow-up studies on a molecule described8 as boosting expression of a tumour-suppressor protein. The molecule turned out to be inactive, and at first, Janda doubted his postdoc's organic-synthesis skills. Then he realized that other studies had not synthesized the compound themselves, but had used reagents supplied by distributors, including the US National Cancer Institute. Those distributors had perpetuated a mistake in the original publication and supplied the wrong molecule. In fact, a company pursuing clinical trials with the compound had originally licensed intellectual property documenting the incorrect structure. That patent was eventually reissued, but not before Janda caused an uproar by filing a patent application for the correct version.

It is impossible to know how common these kinds of mix-up are, Janda says, but certainly many go undetected and unreported.

Scepticism is key, says Nick Levinson, who spent months as a postdoc trying to work out how bosutinib bound its protein target before showing conclusively that he was not working with bosutinib at all  and neither were many other researchers studying the compound9. The main thing I do differently in my lab is, I am more suspicious with results. If we get any result that seems wrong or is surprising, the first thing that pops into our head is that maybe the compound isn't right, says Levinson, now a medicinal chemist at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Detecting the problem isn't always easy. For bosutinib, the process required a relatively specialized form of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and was aided immensely by a published crystal structure of a protein binding the isomer, he says. But researchers frequently use reagents without doing any authentication.

Impure products

We are trying to educate the biological community to be more respectful of the need for chemical knowledge.

Whenever using a new chemical probe, researchers should use at least two kinds of assay to verify its identity, or find colleagues who can, advises Paul Workman, head of the Institute of Cancer Research in London. We are trying to educate the biological community to be more respectful of the need for chemical knowledge. A good biologist would never work with an antibody before doing some control experiments, or use a cloned gene from a colleague without sequencing it first, he says. They should be just as careful about using a chemical probe without testing it first by mass spectrometry, NMR or other methods (see 'Six tips for better chemistry').

Even if the chemical supplied contains the correct compound, the results obtained with it might still be wrong. As a research scientist at Roche in Nutley, New Jersey, Johannes Hermann led a drug-discovery effort that identified a series of molecules that seemed to inhibit an exciting enzyme10. As expected for such molecules, the higher their concentration, the greater the inhibition, a signal that these results were not mere artefacts.

Then, the medicinal-chemistry efforts stopped making sense: a tiny tweak to a molecule's structure might make a big difference to its activity, whereas a larger one had no effect. Finally, Hermann and his colleagues realized that the active compounds had something in common: they had been synthesized in the presence of zinc. When the researchers added zinc alone to their assays, they got the same results as they had seen with the supposedly active compounds. Just to be sure, they added metal-binding molecules known as chelators along with the compounds, and found no activity. It was a painful experience, says Hermann, who is now a data scientist at Johnson & Johnson in Raritan, New Jersey. He recommends that no one invest time or resources following up on a hit before they have explored whether a chelator changes the results.

Hermann's experience is unusual for industry only in that he could take the time to write it up. Other pharmaceutical chemists describe similar frustrations, but with copper and palladium as the culprits. Small, inorganic compounds used in synthesis, such as hydrazine, can also foil experiments  by inhibiting the target enzyme or by altering how its activity is assessed.

Often, problems with a reagent start after the vial is opened. Repeated freezing and thawing can degrade a compound, and some chemicals aren't stable to freezing at all, says Heather Holement, head of life-science reagents at Merck KgaA in Darmstadt, Germany. Chemicals dissolved in organic solvents can also sometimes crash out of solution when added to water-based environments, such as those in cell and protein assays. Researchers should consider the quality of stocks, and always run control experiments with solvent alone, she advises. They can also rule out some false signals by running assays without cells or proteins.

Sometimes a compound's apparent activity is actually due to the 'vehicle' that carries it. Jake Shortt, a haematologist at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, followed a common protocol of dissolving anticancer compounds in a solvent known as NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) before injecting them into mice, and was surprised to see the tumours respond even in control groups that received the solvent but none of the test compounds11. Those data suggest that NMP itself has anticancer activity, and Shortt is now starting to test it in the clinic. But others still use NMP as a supposedly inert liquid to dissolve drug compounds, he says.

For the types of screening experiment that Bittker runs, the time for the most intensive diligence comes when hits are first identified. It is not uncommon for stocks in chemical libraries to sit around for months or even years, which allows plenty of time for degradation and simple mix-ups. The first step in validating results, he says, is to run the screen again, using the same material; screening assays can be noisy. Next, researchers should try the same compound from a different source, ideally synthesized in-house or by collaborators. If it turns out that a hit is not the expected molecule, Bittker suggests not trying to pin down the active component. It's a rabbit hole, he says. If you have a contaminant, just let it go.

Such advice may need to be turned on its head for researchers who are screening natural products. Extracts of plants and similar sources are almost always mixtures rather than pure reagents, says Guido Pauli, a natural-products specialist at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In many cases, he says, the purer the extract, the lower its activity, which means that some effects attributed to the most common ingredient are in fact caused by other components12.

Even when natural products are relatively well characterized, mixtures can be a problem. For example, gentamicin is an antibiotic produced industrially by isolating it from bacteria grown in fermentation tanks. The bacteria produce several closely related molecules that have different activities and toxicities, but commercial preparations contain varying proportions of each form and different water content, says Robert Greenhouse, a medicinal-chemistry consultant for Stanford University. As a result, researchers who are not careful will not know exactly how much or what forms of antibiotic they are using in their experiments.

Even if a molecule is correctly identified, it may exert effects without actually binding to a specific protein in a specific way. For example, 'aggregators' cover other molecules in a soap-like coating. These artefacts can often be revealed by adding detergent to assays.

Sometimes you have the right compound, but it's just a lousy compound, says Workman.

Resources and education are crucial, he says, but the onus is on individual scientists. It really is the responsibility of every researcher using any small-molecule compound that the material they are using is correct and fit for purpose. When it comes to using chemical reagents, a simple maxim is more important than any hard-and-fast rules, says Workman. Caveat emptor  let the buyer beware.
Lia Rae Edmunds was annoyed when her department asked for an individual development plan (IDP) after she started her postdoc in developmental biology. I thought it was an unnecessary hoop to jump through, she says.

But despite her misgivings, Edmunds's IDP has helped her to establish, review and update her goals and achievements with her supervisor. As postdocs we have very loose guidelines on what we're supposed to do, day in and day out, says Edmunds, who works at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. Credit: Adapted from Getty

She used her IDP to set a weekly plan for activities in and outside the lab that would help her to complete her year's goals, including writing a first-author paper (which she has now started) and mastering specific in vivo metabolic techniques. It has essentially become an informal contract between her and her supervisor. We're on the same page, says Edmunds.

Not every university, study programme or lab head requires PhD students and postdocs to prepare or maintain an IDP, but many junior researchers say that it helps them to identify their skills and skill gaps, set professional goals and objectives with specific timelines and build a positive relationship with their supervisor, particularly around shared aims.

Those who have used IDPs say that to be most effective, the plan should be reviewed and updated at least once a year, with input and guidance from the principal investigator or mentor.

IDPs and similar tools, including career- and personal-development plans, have long been used in government and industry, particularly in Western nations, as a way to help employees to achieve short- and long-term career goals and to improve their performance on the job. Data are sparse on the number of researchers who use them, but science-career experts who advocate such tools say that it is crucial that the a plan has specific, detailed objectives.

Some junior researchers agree that IDPs are most useful when they are highly detailed and have multiple sections. Uschi Symmons, a molecular-biology postdoc at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, created a customized version by merging the university's graduate-student IDP template with one for postdocs from Stanford University in California. She used her university's section on self-reflection, skills analysis and goal setting, and Stanford's progress-review section. The personalized plan helps her to consider and identify her skills and objectives in a clear way, she says. She knows that she wants to stay in academia and her plan has helped her to tick off important steps towards that goal, including publishing a paper and learning to do peer review. It was useful to write down goals that I could measure, that I could influence, she says. If I hadn't had that, achieving those goals would have been tougher.

An IDP should include four components, says Philip Clifford, an associate dean for research at the University of Illinois at Chicago, who has been developing templates for and advocating IDPs since 2001. Those include sections for self-assessment and reflection; career choices and pathways; short- and long-term goals; and ways to achieve and implement those goals. All goals need to be specific, with timelines and action plans for each, says Cynthia Fuhrmann, an assistant dean of career and professional development at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester (see 'Goal setting').

Gary McDowell can attest to the power of self-assessment. Now in his main role as head of Future of Research, a scientist-advocacy group in San Francisco, California, McDowell had initially aimed for an academic research career. But candidly reflecting on his life's goals as part of his IDP helped him to realize that advocacy was his true interest. I was looking at what I actually valued, he says. And had I done it earlier, this would have been a more obvious route.

Key skills

Reflection, together with considering career choices, also proved invaluable to Sarah Saminadin-Peter, who advises clients on food-contact regulations at Intertek, a quality-assurance company based in Brussels. While doing a postdoc at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, she found that her IDP helped her to determine that she has superior organizational and project-management skills, and led her to mull alternatives to academia. From there, I started to explore career paths that could match my competencies, she says. She also wrote in her plan that she wanted to meet people from industry through conferences organized by her postdoc association. Soon afterwards, she connected with the consulting company Dr Knoell Consult in Mannheim, Germany, where she worked as a project manager for two years before moving to her current position.

Some researchers use other techniques. Rachel Yoho, a research associate studying science education at Michigan State University in East Lansing, uses job advertisements to identify gaps in her competencies. If an ad says that I need a specific skill, I can see I need to go out and get it, she says. She learnt through scanning ads that employers in her speciality sought candidates with strong teaching and leadership skills, so she bolstered hers through short courses. Yoho has since landed a faculty teaching position that she starts this month.

Some universities place little value on IDPs. Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, doesn't advocate them for its graduate students and postdocs, says vice-provost for graduate education Zlatko Skrbis. Instead, Monash offers activities that are led by alumni and external trainers on career planning, project management, networking, negotiation, leadership and entrepreneurship, along with other topics relevant to professional development. The university encourages students to collaborate with their supervisors in coming up with a customized scheme. Research students can attend all activities for free and, depending on their doctoral programme, may be required to complete at least 120 hours of such training modules during their studies.

Discussing elements of your plan with your supervisor or mentor means that he or she is aware of the goals.

Those who are working on a written IDP, however, should ensure they discuss it with others to stay on track, says Furhrmann, who recommends that researchers share it with their principal investigator. Discussing elements of your plan with your supervisor or mentor means that he or she is aware of the goals, Fuhrmann says. Some universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, are experimenting with formal mentoring committees that connect a researcher with two or more academic staff members. These mentors can also help the junior researcher to stay accountable to their development plan and review their progress. If you do have a disagreement over a project, technique or goal with one mentor, says Edmunds, there are two other people who signed off on the IDP.

Occasionally a supervisor or principal investigator is not the best choice to confer with. Some graduate students and postdocs report that their principal investigator objected to non-academic career goals they had set out in the plan and tried to steer them into an academic-research trajectory. McGill University in Montreal, Canada, for example, will tell junior researchers not to automatically involve their supervisors when it launches a mandatory IDP initiative next year. The idea is to not presume that the supervisor is the person with whom they should have that conversation, says Lorna MacEachern, McGill's graduate career-development counsellor. A lot of students report anxiety around discussing their professional-development plans with their supervisors.

Although Edmunds was initially sceptical about the value of an IDP, she is now a believer. In addition to helping her to articulate and achieve her goals, it has provided leverage. You can use the IDP to advocate for yourself, she says. And that puts you in a stronger position in your current job  as well as for your future career development.
A young East Bay man indicted on charges related to terrorism and identity theft pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday morning in front of a crowded courtroom full of family and friends.

Amer Alhaggagi, 22, walked into court with a smile on his face and his long hair pulled back in a ponytail. Hes accused of supporting ISIS by opening social media accounts to promote the terrorist group.

In court records obtained by NBC Bay Area, federal prosecutors allege that between July and November of last year, Alhaggagi conspired to kill thousands of people across the Bay Area by blowing up gay night clubs, planting explosives on the University of California, Berkeley campus, and setting fire to the Berkeley Hills.

Alhaggagis attorney, though, said her client never intended to carry out any attacks.

What we have is a young man who was barely 21 at the time, who said a lot of things that he didnt intend to do, who is not radicalized in any way, attorney Mary McNamara said following Wednesday's arraignment.

McNamara said the case amounts to a matter of words, not deeds, which makes it different than most of the terrorism-related cases shes seen.

What he did was talk a lot, she said. There is an enormous disconnect between what he said and what he did. What he did was nothing. And I think we are confident that when those facts emerge in the courtroom, the court will see the truth of that.

But federal prosecutors contend Alhaggagi did intend to act.

During a previous detention hearing, they said Alhaggagi met face-to-face with an undercover FBI agent posing as an ISIS sympathizer. Prosecutors say he took the undercover agent on a tour of the Bay Area to point out possible targets for an attack. They also say he gave the agent several backpacks that could be used to carry explosives.

That version of events was disputed by McNamara.

I think the meetings with the undercover (agent) are going to be subject to a lot of scrutiny in this case, McNamara said. At the time, Amer had barely turned 21. Our understanding is that the undercover (agent) was far older and the sorts of discussions that were had, I think for an impressionable young man like Amer, went way beyond what he was comfortable doing.

McNamara said Alhaggagi cut off all contact with that undercover agent when he began to believe the undercover agent may actually be planning a real attack. Court records show prosecutors dont dispute Alhaggagi did eventually sever ties with that agent.

Following the arraignment, Jehan Hakim, a community advocate for the Asian Law Caucus, read a statement on behalf of the Alhaggagi family.

On behalf of Amers family, they would like to thank his many friends from Berkeley High School and their Oakland community who have stepped forward to support him in this very difficult time. Its not easy for them to speak out in this situation, but they are doing so because they know Amer as a smart, happy, helpful person who has always gone out of his way to help other people in need. Amers family knows him to be a peaceful young man who would never harm others. He has aspirations of serving his community. Amer was enrolled in a community college with ambitions of starting a non-profit.

Alhaggagi is scheduled to be back in court next week. If convicted, he faces up to 47 years in prison.
The engineer who was fired after criticizing Googles diversity policy, James Damore, has hired civil rights lawyer and GOP official Harmeet Dhillon to represent him in his case against the tech company.

Dhillon confirmed to Business Insider Wednesday she will be representing Damore. NBC Bay Area has reached out to Dhillon for comment.

Her firm has yet to file a lawsuit, but a blog post on Dhillons website says its looking to represent Google employees who claim to have been discriminated against for their political views. The firm is asking Google employees if they have been victim to the following:

Discriminated against at Google based on political views;

Been written up for un-Googly conduct for refusing to comply with the political orthodoxy at the company;

Retaliated against for complaining about employment discrimination at Google;

Defamed/slandered/smeared/blacklisted at Google for political views, or views about affirmative action at Google; or

Punished for blowing the whistle on illegal employment practices at Google?

According to an interview with Business Insider, Dhillon has already spoken to several Google employees with stories similar Damores.

Dhillon was recently in the national spotlight after delivering a Sikh prayer during the 2016 Republican National Convention and also serving as the vice chair of the California Republican party. She was also being considered as President Trumps civil-rights attorney.

Damore was fired after and internal 10-page memo went viral, sparking controversy the tech company. The former Google employee criticized what he called a politically correct bias in the Google culture.

People get offended because it goes against the lefts ideology, Damore said on a conservative talk show on Youtube. And they just think, OK, it offends people therefore its wrong and therefore its an opinion.

Google has yet to directly comment on Damores firing.
Police at the University of California at Berkeley are investigating a sexual assault that occurred at an on-campus residential unit Tuesday morning.

The report of the sexual assault was received at 3:57 a.m., according to campus police.

The assault allegedly occurred early in the morning and involved a male student suspect and female student victim. The two knew each other, police said.

The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact campus police at (510) 642-0472 or (510) 642-6760.
The National Park Service on Wednesday issued a First Amendment permit and paved the way for a right-wing rally at Crissy Field on Saturday, drawing the ire of San Francisco leaders.

A group called Patriot Prayer is holding a "Freedom Rally San Francisco" from 2 to 5 p.m. According to the group's permit application, the rally will feature live music, need a sound system and a generator, and be free to the public. Organizers are expected to begin setting up around 11 a.m. and finish tearing down by 6 p.m.

As of Wednesday, just under 400 people plan to attend the rally, while more than 1,000 are interested, according to a Facebook event page. Dozens of counter-protests, with clowns, dancing and sheetcake, are also being organized around San Francisco.

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At a news conference Wednesday, the city's Mayor Ed Lee said, "I remain deeply disappointed and opposed to the issuance of this permit."

Although Crissy Field is federal land and lies outside the city's jurisdiction, Lee said, "We are responsible and feel responsible for everyone's public safety, particularly residents of San Francisco."

Lee also urged residents and visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area to "not dignify people who are coming in here under the guise of 'patriot' and 'prayer' words to really preach violence and hatred, and incite violence. Avoid going to Crissy Field and engaging with members of Patriot Prayer because that is precisely what they wish us to do."

Instead, counter-protesters have been invited to City Hall at 12 p.m. Friday. Elected leaders and "people from all walks of life" will give speeches and enjoy performances at a "Unite Against Hate" rally, according to London Breed, president of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors.

"All of this is because we, as a city, have chosen to unite against hate, to push for love, to push for inclusiveness," Breed said. "We will not let this rally tear us apart. We will not let this rally destroy our city."

She also urged media organizations to "not waste time" giving groups like Patriot Prayer "the attention they don't deserve" and yet thrive on.

Instead, Breed said: "Let's show the country how San Francisco does it. We bring people together, we push for peace, we push for love. I want to see more images of that nature in our media."

For its part, Patriot Prayer, which has been described as an "alt-right" group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, offers a dramatically different description of Saturday's event.

Organizer Joey Gibson told NBC Bay Area that he wasn't surprised by the permit's issuance. In fact, he had expected the rally to be approved because freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment.

"Well have different messages but the main thing is unity and peace, love  (and) free speech," he said.



On the event's Facebook page, Gibson added: "Love and Peace is the only way to heal this country- so we ask that you do not use hate against us with the intent of fighting hate. We are here to spread a message of love."

He also stressed that extremists, neo-Nazis, communists, white nationalists, and members of Antifa and the Klu Klux Klan are not welcome.

"This is an opportunity for moderate americans to come in with opposing views. We will not allow the extremists to tear apart this country," he wrote on Facebook.

Scheduled speakers include Gibson; Amber Cummings, who is organizing an anti-Marxism rally in Berkeley on Sunday; and Kyle "Based Stickman" Chapman, a right-wing figure associated with violent protests in Berkeley that took place in March and April. Placerville-based band Good Ol' Boys is expected to perform, according to Facebook.

In response, criminal defense lawyers Tony Serra and Curt Briggs announced that they will join a number of colleagues at San Francisco's Pier 5 Law Offices and provide pro bono legal services for people who are charged in connection with protesting the Patriot Prayer rally.

"Racism is vile," Briggs said in a statement. "Should a counter-demonstrator be charged with a violent crime against a Neo-Nazi or White Supremacist at the Patriot Prayer event, lawyers at our office will represent that person regardless of their ability to pay for our services."

They also issued a call to action to other attorneys who may be interested in offering their services.



Senator Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday joined the ranks of California leaders who condemned the National Park Service's move.

"As we ponder where and by whom the ill-conceived decision to approve this permit in a national park was made, we must all pray it does not become an invitation to incite violence," she said in a statement.

Assemblyman David Chiu echoed the same sentiment.

"The First Amendment does not protect the right to incite violence, so its deeply unfortunate that the National Park Service is allowing a rally in San Francisco on Saturday that well-known hate groups will attend," he wrote in a statement. "These racist radicals have a history of violence and do not represent the values of San Francisco, California, or the United States."

As the right-wing rally dominates headlines, Lyft has partnered with the Southern Poverty Law Center, to send safety alerts to help protect its drivers, 66 percent of whom belong to minority groups. In an email, the ride-sharing company urged its drivers to "report incidents of hateful intimidation and harassment."

National Park Service

Acting General Superintendent Cicely Muldoon, however, defended the choice made by the National Park Service.

"The National Park Service has a long and proud tradition of being the site of peaceful expressions of peoples views under the First Amendment to the US Constitution which guarantees everyone the right to gather together and express their opinions non-violently," she wrote. "We cannot deny a permit to anyone planning to exercise their First Amendment rights based on their political stance or beliefs."

However, law enforcement agencies are on alert, following violence at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., on Aug. 16.

To that end, the San Francisco Police Department collaborated with Golden Gate National Recreation Area officials and the United States Park Police to create a public safety plan.

To start, the park has been divided into two zones: one closed to cars and bikes and the other to everyone.

Police have identified and banned 26 potential safety hazards. They also plan to set up check points, and screening people before they enter the part of the Crissy Field where the protest will be held.

A large number of police officers will be stationed not only around the rally, but also across the city, according to Police Chief Bill Scott.

"We insisted on the highest level of safety," Lee said, adding that the security boost is "on our dime."

With barricades going up and preparations in full swing on Thursday, some counter-protesters say their plans will include demonstrations on the bay itself.

"I don't want to do battle on land with these people," said Ren Volpe. "I want to protest peacefully and I want to ruin their photo (opportunity)."



Protesters and counter-protesters alike have legal rights, San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi said in a statement.

"Attending a protest doesnt mean you give up your right to due process. In fact, this right is at the core of our national values," he said. "We want to make Bay Area residents leave these actions with both their safety and civil rights intact."

People who work in Adachi's office will don safety vests so they are easily identifiable at Saturday's rally in Crissy Field. As legal observers, they will "document and record" law enforcement officers' behavior toward demonstrators "from use of force to denying access to public areas," according to Adachi.



Meanwhile, visitors and San Francisco residents have been warned of traffic congestion and delays, detours and road closures.

The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District is shutting down parking lots on the south end of the iconic bridge between 9 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday. The Bridge and Round House cafes and the Golden Gate Bridge welcome center will also be closed, officials said.

Between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, only tour buses will be allowed access to the vista point located on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge.

"This is the first time we've closed the south end of the visitor amenity for a free speech activity, especially on a neighboring piece of property," said bridge district spokeswoman Priya David Clemens.



Pedestrians and bicyclists can access the bridge's sidewalks, but the National Park Service will close all routes through Crissy Field. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will not run Muni buses to Golden Gate Bridge on Saturday.



The bridge district issued a statement, which reads in part: "Please note there is NO access to the First Amendment event from the Golden Gate Bridge by vehicle, walking, or bicycle. All roads to the event are closed from this location. The only access to the event is through the Marina Gate."

Portions of the Presidio and many businesses within the park will also be closed on Saturday. Although that is the busiest day of the week for many shop owners dotting Old Mason Street, they welcomed the news Wednesday, saying public safety comes first.

"Saturdays are typically our busiest days! We have a lot of birthday parties. Its a busy season with kids going back to school," said Shoshanna Moody, general manager of House of Air, an indoor trampoline park. "But, really, we just care about customer safety. So were glad that they have a plan to keep everyone safe and shut the businesses down."

Rocky Lobos, a sales manager at bike store, Roaring Mouse Cycles, was stunned that Patriot Prayer had received the necessary permit.

"It was a surprise that it was granted, and we were hoping that last minute they would just cancel it, knowing that for safety reasons ... because theres a lot of children, a lot of families, a lot of tourists," he said.

A controversial free speech rally at Crissy Field is not only threatening public safety, but also impacting some San Francisco businesses. On Wednesday, the National Park Service issued a permit for Patriot Prayers protest, forcing the Presidio Trust to warn shop owners and advise them to shut down on Saturday. Sam Brock reports.

Others, however, believe that the San Francisco Police Department is up for the challenge.

"You dont like intolerant people coming to your neighborhood, obviously," said Alex Dempsey. "And certainly, I applaud anyone who stands up to them. But (the First Amendment) is fundamental to our country."

Taking safety into their own hands, business owners also plan to bar windows and remove high-value inventory over the weekend.

Patriot Prayer may have been given a permit, but it comes with several conditions, each one in place to protect the public, according to police.

Here is a list of items that are prohibited at Crissy Field Saturday:

Aerosols / pressurized canisters

Ammunition

Animals other than working service animals

Backpacks and bags exceeding the size restriction of 18" by 13" by 7"

Balloons

BBQ grills (propane tanks with any open flame)

Bicycles

Coolers

Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems

Explosives

Firearms (including licensed concealed carry firearms)

Gas Masks

Glass, thermal or metal containers

Helmets

Laser pointers

Liquids (other than water in factory-sealed, clear plastic bottles)

Mace / pepper spray

Packages

Pop up tents or canopies

Selfie sticks

Shields

Signs exceeding the size restriction of 24" by 36"; Signs will only be allowed if made of foam core, cardboard or paper

Structures

Supports for signs and placards including sticks of any material

Toy or replica guns or weapons of any kind

Wagons or carts that can be pulled

Weapons of any kind

NBC Bay Area's Sam Brock and Christie Smith contributed to this report.
Steep rent increases coupled with mold, bug infestation and crumbling walls prompted 16 Peninsula families to rally Thursday as health officials inspected an apartment complex, whose landlord is a former mayor of Foster City.

The San Mateo residents were joined by Faith in Action Bay Area, a network comprising the San Francisco Organizing Project and Peninsula Interfaith Action. The organization said the Peninsula families' living conditions are common in cities across the Bay Area.

"These types of actions are leading to mass displacement of thousands of families in the Bay Area," Faith in Action wrote in a statement. "The fact that the landlord, who is both a high-profile attorney and the former mayor of Foster City, feels that he can openly and blatantly get away with this type of behavior, reveals just how vulnerable tenants in San Mateo really are to landlord abuse."

Happening now: San Mateo apartment protesting conditions including bed bugs and roaches despite hefty rent increases up to $1000 @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/22yPmbgrOF  Rebecca Greenway (@RebeccaGreenway) August 18, 2017

Landlord Wayne McFadden, however, insists that he hadnt received requests to fix his property before the protest.

"I have my name on every lease they sign and I give them a copy," McFadden told NBC Bay Area. "I got zero calls from all tenants."

McFadden said he is working on the infestation problems, but residents say conditions have been left unsafe for nearly a year.

Resident Jose Centeno, who lives at the San Mateo residence with his 11-year-old son, says they will soon be forced to move if conditions dont improve.

"I'm just in a very bad situation right now" said Centeno. "This bug problem we have, it's not just me. Everybody has this problem in here."

Centeno will soon pay about $3,200 a month for their two-bedroom apartment following a $460 rental increase in July, which also required a matching security deposit.

The price is just under the average rental price in the city, which rounds out to more than $3,500 for a two-bedroom apartment, according to data from Rent Jungle, a housing search engine.

Apartment rentals in San Mateo have increased by $146 over the last six months on average, but Faith in Action Bay Area said this is several families' second increase of nearly $500 in the last year.

"This situation exemplifies how some landlords are too eager to exploit the housing crisis at the steep cost of further destabilizing our communities here in the Bay Area," said Rene Alejandro Ortega, an attorney at Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto.

Faith in Action Bay Area says it has not been updated on any actions taken on the property since the rally Thursday.
The suspect in a shooting that killed one Oakland firefighter and seriously injured another made his first court appearance Tuesday, and court documents show investigators still don't know why he opened fire.

Suspect Oliver Juinio and his public defender urged the judge to remove the shackles Juinio was wearing in a San Jose courtoom Monday. The judges response: "Not today."

Details of the shooting that killed 30-year-old Jake Walter were still sketchy and troubling. On Thursday night, Juinio approached a group of off-duty Oakland firefighters and shot two of them in the chest at close range, police said.

"Based on the initial investigation in this case, it does appear to be unprovoked," prosecutor Lance Daugherty said. "Both of these firefighters were shot without warning and without provocation."

Police were calling it a surprise attack.

Walter had just graduated from the fire academy and was leaving a music festival in San Jose's Japantown with other off-duty firefighters. Surveillance video appears to have caught the entire shooting, police said.

"What a horrible, tragic event this is for the Walter family as well as the people of Oakland and the Oakland Fire Department," Daugherty said.

Court security said the reason Juinio was in shackles is because he is considered "aggressive and an escape risk."

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said Juinio is a three-strikes candidate, and if convicted on all charges, he faces 170 years in prison.

Juinio is expected back in court on Sept. 14.

The Oakland Fire Department said a memorial service for Walter will take place 11 a.m. Saturday at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center at 1547 Lakeside Drive.

Bay City News contributed to this report.
A Dublin neighborhood was evacuated Tuesday while Alameda County firefighters battled a 200-acre vegetation fire at Camp Parks, a nearby army base.

The blaze, which was 90 percent contained by late Tuesday night, burned between 50 and 60 acres by 2:30 p.m. then nearly doubled in size before 3 p.m. Winds fanned the flames, prompting evacuations at Wallis Ranch, officials said. The dozen or so residents who were affected have since returned home.

Resident Shuba Muralidhar said her parents had just eaten lunch when she looked up to see flames mere yards away.

"They were planning to nap and I said, 'No, we have to get out of here now.' So all of us are shaken up,'" Muralidhar said, adding that Dublin police officers were going door-to-door telling people to leave.

A Dublin neighborhood was evacuated Tuesday while Alameda County firefighters battled a 200-acre vegetation fire at Camp Parks. Marianne Favro reports.

The fire sent a thick plume of smoke into the air, which could be seen for miles. People who live in the area and have respiratory problems were advised by fire officials to close their homes' windows and stay indoors.

Crews battled the brush fire from the air as well as from the ground, gaining the upper hand within hours.



Camp Parks, also known as the Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, is home to the Army's 91st Division, and has training facilities for reservists. More than 250 units representing 20,000 military personnel in the Bay Area make use of the installation. It was constructed during World War II and commissioned in 1943, according to the U.S. Army Reserve.

NBC Bay Area

A $1 billion mixed-use project is planned on the southern portion of Camp Parks, which sits at the center of Dublin, according to the San Franciso Business Times.

When completed, the complex is expected to include 1,995 single- and multi-family homes and up to 200,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. The developer Dublin Crossing LLC is also slated to build a new school and two parks on the 189-acre project, the publication reported.

The first homes were scheduled to be completed sometime in 2017. It remains unknown if Tuesday's brush fire impacted construction.

Fire crews remain on scene to monitor hot spots. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

NBC Bay Area's Marianne Favro and Bay City News contributed to this report.
Facing increasing pressure to weigh in on a controversial cartoon from the Illinois Policy Institute, a spokeswoman for Gov. Bruce Rauner offered a lengthy response on the conservative think tanks illustration Tuesday  but yet again refused to say whether or not the governor has seen it.

Hours later, the governor released another statement saying the initial response "did not accurately reflect my views."

The cartoon depicts a black child begging on the street, holding a sign reading "Need money 4 school" as a white man says, "Sorry kid, I'm broke," showing him an empty pocket as the other appears stuffed with wads of cash marked "TIF $." [[441312313, C]]

Several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle derided the cartoon as offensive in an emotional discussion on the House floor on Wednesday, calling on both the IPI to apologize, and Rauner to denounce it.

However, on Friday, his office said he had not seen the cartoon at the center of the debate, adding on Sunday that He doesn't have time to worry about political cartoons when we don't have an agreement on K12 funding. His priorities are where they should be.

On Tuesday, Rauners spokeswoman Laurel Patrick offered the longest response yet to the controversy, but once again declined to say whether the governor had seen it. Her statement reads as follows:

Charges of racism must be taken very seriously. The tragedy in Charlottesville and its aftermath serve as sobering reminders that even today, some remain who would use violence and hate to divide us. We must never relent in working toward a future built not on what divides us, but what unites us.

The governor would never try to talk anyone out of their reaction to any piece of art, political or nonpolitical, right or left, good or bad. Those reactions deserve respect on their own terms.

The governor has great respect for the black caucus and members of the General Assembly who voiced concerns about the cartoon. The governors office has also heard from members of the black community who found truth in the imagery and do not find the cartoon offensive. Here is where things stand: The cartoon was removed days ago. And the governor  as a white male  does not have anything more to add to the discussion.

The fixation on this cartoon and the governor's opinion of it has been disappointing. What the media and political class should be concerned about is ensuring schools open on time and stay open with a fair funding formula. Now is the time to come together to do whats right for all of Illinois children.

Rauner released the second statement late Tuesday night.

Earlier today an email went out from my office that did not accurately reflect my views. I can understand why some people found the cartoon offensive. And I believe we should do more as a society and a nation to bring us together, rather than divide us.

There are many passionate people engaged in public policy debates, and different people react differently.

It is not my place to comment on every cartoon or picture that comes from people outside the governors office or to tell people how they should feel.

I urge everyone to put this behind us so we can focus on solving the very real challenges of education fairness and economic opportunity facing our state.

The IPI - the group Rauner used to fill key positions, including his chief of staff Kristina Rasmussen, during his recent staff overhaul - has maintained that the cartoon was meant to be a commentary on TIF, or tax increment financing, districts in Chicago, which have become an issue in the ongoing school funding battle in Springfield.

Nevertheless, the IPI removed the cartoon from its website, refusing to offer an apology and instead choosing to "acknowledge [lawmakers'] critique" but ultimately stand by the image.

State Rep. Christian Mitchell, a Chicago Democrat who was among those who spoke out against the cartoon in the House, took issue with Rauner's latest statement, calling it a "display of cowardice."

"Refusing to comment on the Illinois Policy Institute's offensive cartoon 'as a white male' is a display of cowardice and a stunning abdication of moral leadership by Governor Rauner," Mitchell said in a statement.

"Furthermore, it raises more questions than answers. Is Governor Rauner's identity as a white male more important to him than his job as Governor? Will he no longer comment on issues affecting non-white Illinoisans? Will he no longer stand against reproductive rights for women, since he's a male? These are just a few of the questions now facing Bruce Rauner," his statement ended.


An Oxford mother, her two young children and their dog, who were missing after going for a walk in the Naugatuck State Forest, are safe at home after finding their way out of the forest.

Police said the womans husband reported his wife, their 8-year-old daughter, 4-year-old son and the family dog missing after they went for a walk Tuesday evening and did not return. Crews began searching for them around 11:45 p.m. when the husband reported them missing. It was raining heavily at that time.

According to Sgt. Tate Begley State Environmental Police, Wednesday morning the woman, children and dog made it out of the forest and flagged down a driver on Chestnut Tree Hill Road for help. Everyone was in good condition, with just minor cuts and scrapes.

It just happened we got lucky that she had a good sense of direction - heading in the direction of Chestnut Hill Tree Road, and you know, came out to a passerby, Begley said.

The woman told authorities they took shelter in the woods overnight after they got lost and her cell phone died. At one point the family could hear the search crews looking for them, but because of the dense forest, they could not hear the womans calls for help.

Search crews were out for about seven hours searching.

Begley said crews were "very relieved" with the happy ending.
Quadruplets from Naugatuck arrived at Quinnipiac University in Hamden with a full U-Haul and bright hopes for the next four years, which they will spend together on the Hamden campus.

Mike and Anne Ciacciarella helped their quadruplets  Michael, Vincent, Sofia and Anna  move into the college Wednesday.

The Ciacciarellas, the first quadruplets born at Yale-New Haven Hospital, they applied to several schools from Connecticut to California.

Ultimately, they all decided to be Bobcats.

They were looking elsewhere, really didnt want to stay together, really didnt want to be close to home, really didnt want to be in Connecticut, and sometimes you think you want something that you really dont, Anne Ciacciarella said.

While the four siblings will all be at the same school, they are embarking on separate journeys.

Michael's focus is civil engineering. Vincent wants to be a news anchor. Sofia is on a pre-vet track and Anna wants to write and work for non-profits.

Their proud parents knew the day their quadruplets would start college would come, but they just didn't know it would be this hard.

A bunch of emotions just all rolled up into one. It just kind of hit me as soon as I made that turn into the campus, Mike Ciacciarella said.

I'm glad they are here, there is no better place for them, Anne Ciacciarella said.
What once was a shuttle for senior citizens is now a one-of-a-kind barber shop on wheels in New Haven.

"He built this truck, little by little, paycheck by paycheck," Amarilis Lopez, the barbers girlfriend, said.

Luis Gonzalez credits his son with coming up with the idea of starting the mobile barber shop.

"He said, 'Do the barber shop in a truck'," Gonzalez recalled his son telling him a few years back.

For years since his arrival from Puerto Rico, Gonzalez worked in traditional New Haven neighborhood barber shops.

"He already (has a) 20 years career," Lopez said. "He brought all his clients in here. They like it. They support him."

Gonzalez rents his parking space from a Fair Haven church and pays an electricity bill to United Illuminating.

It cost $1,500 to buy the truck and another $3,000 for the renovations, Gonzalez told NBC Connecticut. More than six years later, he said between 50 and 60 customers sit down each week for a haircut in his unique space.

"He can be here or he can be mobile," Lopez said. "He can go to your house if he wants. He hasnt started that yet."

Eventually, Gonzalez said he hopes to set up shop next to the more familiar mobile food vendors in the Elm City.

"My dream is to park here in Long Wharf, he said, people see something different," Gonzalez said.

His aspirations dont stop there.

"One of the dreams is to be a bigger truck for more barbers," Lopez said.

Gonzalez is in the process of expanding his business. He is working on transforming a full-size school bus he purchased into a barbershop with three hair cutting stations.

The Mobile Barber Shop can be found at the corner of Lloyd and Chapel Streets. The usual hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Several streets were flooded and blocked off from traffic in the Kansas City area on Tuesday after overnight rains pounded the region, prompting numerous rescues of stranded motorists and others who scrambled to safety atop rooftops.

Kansas City's police and fire departments reported receiving more than 130 calls for water rescues, with dozens of others fielded in the suburbs. There were no immediate reports of deaths linked to the deluge, which the National Weather Service said dumped record-breaking rainfall in some areas.

As much as 9 inches of rain on one city neighborhood between Monday night and Tuesday morning. A large swath of the region saw 4 to 6 inches.

In the suburb of Overland Park, Kansas, fire officials said three adults, four children and at least one pet sought safety on the roof of a house after flooding along the Blue River inundated the home. As of Tuesday morning, firefighters said those victims remained perched but calm and safe atop the home, with rescue crews waiting for the flooding to recede before evacuating them.

In Kansas City, Missouri, rescuers early Tuesday pulled a woman who sought refuge in a tree. Authorities said she had been watching flooding along the Indian Creek from her vehicle when the waters flipped her car and pinned it against the tree.

Portions of the creek rose to nearly 3 feet above the previous record from June 2010, according to the National Weather Service. But river levels were quickly receding Tuesday across the region, according to the weather service's website.

The flooding prompted several schools in the region to either cancel Tuesday's classes or delay the start of them. In some cases, schools cited busing issues linked to the flooding.
Following the most recent meeting of top legislative leaders, House Democrats revealed that they still intend to raise the state sales tax from 6.35 percent to 6.85 percent.

That proposal is lower than their initial plan to raise the sales tax to 6.99 percent.

Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz still describes the increase in the sales tax as a point for negotiation.

Republican Leader Themis Klarides said her position remains firm that she and her caucus do not support tax increases to balance the two-year budget, which has a projected $3.5 billion shortfall.

Tax increases are not something that were interested in," Rep. Klarides, (R - Derby), said.

Aresimowicz has kept his tone positive throughout budget negotiations.

He has insisted since the fiscal year ended that the people of Connecticut want to see a bipartisan budget solution.

He said Tuesday that after the governor unveiled statewide cuts to education last Friday, he felt the need to adopt a budget as soon as possible.

What we all heard from our constituents on Friday as far as the executive order is just absolutely unacceptable to us so we are going to do everything we can to avoid those things from October 1st," Rep. Aresimowicz, (D-Berlin) said.

Senate Democratic Leader Martin Looney described the support in the Senate for a sales tax increase as "broad based," but not "unanimous."

Gov. Dannel Malloy said he does not support an increase in the state sales tax, but would not commit to a veto of a budget that included it

The governor maintains that municipal aid cuts in some form have to be a major part of the budget solution.

He said that without those cuts other programs for the poor and disabled would have to suffer. He also said that since the state government has shrunk in the time he's been governor, he has not seen the same of local government.

The states workforce on the executive side is 12.2 percent smaller than it was on the day I was sworn in. No one stepped forward and said that their government on any local level is 12.2 percent smaller today than it was in January of 11. Nobody, he said.

Finally, Republicans indicated that their next budget proposals from House and Senate caucuses would include the savings gained in the labor deal that was ratified by the General Assembly last month.

Sen. Len Fasano (R - North Haven) said, "the ship has sailed," on the argument for changes to collective bargaining through state law since there is a four-year period where wide-scale layoffs are prohibited.

To ignore it exists and say were not going to get involved in a budget because we dont like that this was passed, we dont think is fair to the state of Connecticut. Fasano said.

House Democrats said the latest version of their budget could be available Wednesday.
Pei Wei is moving its global headquarters to North Texas.



Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday the company will leave its current location in Scottsdale, Arizona and move to Irving.

"The Texas model of limited government, reduced regulations and low taxes continues to create a diverse economy that attracts businesses from a variety of industries," Gov. Abbott said in a statement. "Pei Wei is a welcome addition to the Lone Star State and I am confident that our robust economy and superior workforce will fuel their continued success and growth. As Governor, I will continue to promote policies that lead to more relocations by industry leaders."



The company was founded by P.F. Chang's in 2000 and currently has 225 locations and more than 6,000 employees around the world, including 65 locations and an estimated 2,500 employees in Texas.



"We are very excited to relocate to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which is home to some of our most loyal guests and highest-performing restaurants," John "J." Hedrick, Chief Executive Officer with Pei Wei, said in a statement. "We didn't make this decision lightly. Scottsdale is an extraordinary city that has been our hometown since the brand's inception in 2000. But our new leadership team felt that the timing was right to make this move, as we chart a new direction for the brand, its operations and our corporate culture."



The project will create at least 100 new jobs.

The exact date of the relocation wasn't revealed, although the company says the entire move to the Las Colinas Highlands office tower will happen by the end of this year.

This is the fifth headquarters relocation that Abbott has secured with the help of the Texas Enterprise Fund-Texas' deal closing fund.
The mother of a Texas sailor says her son is among the missing seamen who were aboard the USS John S. McCain when it collided with an oil tanker near Singapore.

Cynthia Kimball said Wednesday that her son, 20-year-old John Hoagland, has served aboard the warship since October. She says the Navy told her Tuesday evening that Hoagland remained missing.



The military says five sailors were injured and 10 were missing following the Monday collision. The collision tore a hole in the ship's left rear hull and flooded adjacent compartments, including crew berths and machinery and communication rooms.



Kimball says her son worked as an electronic technician. She says he spent his early years living northeast of Houston and most recently lived in the Central Texas city of Killeen

Adm. Scott Swift, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, said in a Tuesday news conference that Navy divers had located the remains of some of those sailors and promised a full investigation into the incident.



Swift issued a statement Wednesday announcing he had relieved Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command."

Navy officials have not yet released the names of the missing sailors.
President Donald Trump opened his political rally in Phoenix with calls for unity and an assertion that "our movement is about love." Then he erupted in anger.

He blamed the media for the widespread condemnation of his response to violence at a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organized by white supremacists. And he shouted that he had "openly called for healing, unity and love" in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy and had simply been misrepresented in news coverage.

He read from his three responses to the racially charged violence  getting more animated with each one. He withdrew from his suit pocket the written statement he'd read the day a woman was killed by a man who'd plowed a car through counter-protesters, but he skipped over the trouble-causing part that he'd freelanced at the time  his observation that "many sides" were to blame.

That, as well as his reiteration days later that "both sides" were to blame for the violence that led to the death of Heather Heyer and two state troopers, led Democrats and many Republicans to denounce Trump for not unmistakably calling out white supremacists and other hate groups.

Trump also suggested he still intends to pardon former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is awaiting sentencing in Arizona after his conviction in federal court for disobeying court orders to stop his immigration patrols. But he left little doubt that he wanted to do it. He said he'd aimed to avoid "controversy" by not immediately granting the pardon. But Trump also said, "I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine."

Of his media criticism, the president told the crowd of thousands shoehorned into the Phoenix convention center: "You know where my heart is. I'm only doing this to show you how damned dishonest these people are."

Well after his appearance had ended, Trump sent a tweet on his Twitter account saying: "Not only does the media give a platform to hate groups, but the media turns a blind eye to the gang violence on our streets."

Trump's broadside against the media, and the "fake news" he says is out to get him, was one of several detours he took from his prepared remarks at a rally where he was introduced by Vice President Mike Pence and other speakers appealing for unity and healing.

The president unabashedly acknowledged that his own advisers had urged him to stay on message, and that he simply could not.

He went on to skewer both of Arizona's Republican senators, insisting that his coy refusal to mention their names showed a "very presidential" restraint. He said his aides had begged him, "Please, please Mr. President, don't mention any names. So I won't." Yet he'd clearly described Sen. John McCain as the reason Congress didn't repeal and replace the much-maligned Affordable Care Act, and he labeled Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake as "weak" on law enforcement and immigration.

He followed up Wednesday morning on Twitter, writing "Phoenix crowd last night was amazing - a packed house. I love the Great State of Arizona. Not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!"

He also tweeted that "people got it" when he read his statements on Charlottesville and repeated that he wants Republicans to get rid of the filibuster rule in the Senate  something Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is opposed to  even though that rule isn't what derailed the health care push, which only got 49 of 50 required votes.



As for how he would assist with the upcoming Herculean tasks facing Congress  passing tax reform, raising the debt ceiling, and agreeing on a budget  Trump offered little detail. He did threaten that if legislators force a government shutdown "we're building that wall," a reference to his campaign promise to close off the border with Mexico.

He also said he thinks the U.S. will "end up probably terminating" the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico "at some point," though he said he hasn't made up his mind.

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal because we have been so badly taken advantage of," Trump said.

In the comfort of his most fervent fans, Trump often resurrects his free-wheeling 2016 campaign style, pinging insults at perceived enemies such as the media and meandering from topic to topic without a singular theme. This was Trump's eighth rally since taking office in January, and each event is attended by supporters screened by his campaign.

His comfort-level was apparent: As he discussed his responses to Charlottesville, he interrupted himself. "I didn't want to bore you. You understand where I'm coming from. You people understand."

Outside the rally, the divisiveness seen across the country was on display.

One man on a loudspeaker said the largely Latino protesters belong in the kitchen. A Trump opponent hoisted a sign depicting the president with horns. A day of noisy but largely peaceful protests turned unruly after his speech, as police fired pepper spray at crowds after someone apparently lobbed rocks and bottles at officers.

Trump is on a two-day trip to the west, which continues Wednesday with travel to an American Legion convention in Reno, Nevada. He began his Arizona visit Tuesday with a brief trip to the southern edge of the country, touring a Marine Corps base in Yuma that is a hub of operations for the U.S. Border Patrol.

Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Darlene Superville, Alan Fram and Josh Hoffner contributed to this report.
White House adviser Jared Kushner and visiting U.S. officials were snubbed by the Foreign Ministry in Cairo on Wednesday in apparent protest over the Trump administration's move to cut and delay aid to Egypt.

Egypt's top diplomat, Sameh Shoukry, was to meet with the U.S. delegation headed by Kushner, but a modified version of the minister's schedule showed the meeting had been called off, shortly after the Americans landed in Cairo.

The protest came after the Trump administration on Tuesday cut nearly $100 million in military and economic aid to Egypt and delayed almost $200 million more in military financing, pending human rights improvements and action to ease harsh restrictions on civic and other non-governmental groups.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi was still due to meet with the American delegation, which also includes Jason Greenblatt, U.S. envoy for international negotiations, and Dina Powell, deputy national security adviser, according to the presidency. That meeting was due later on Wednesday.

The Egyptian ministry said in a separate statement that Egypt regrets the U.S. decision to reduce the aid funds and considered it "a misjudgment of the nature of the strategic relations that binds the two countries over decades, and reflects the lack of understanding of the importance of supporting the stability and success of Egypt."

The American delegation, headed by Kushner, who is also the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, stopped in Cairo as part of a Mideast tour to press Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Egypt is among the top recipients of U.S. military and economic assistance. It receives $1.3 billion annually in aid, plus hundreds of millions in economic assistance.

Egyptian authorities have clamped down on civil society, particularly human rights groups and other organizations that receive foreign funding. Such groups played a central role in the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak, and pro-government media often present them as part of a conspiracy to undermine the state.

The authorities also arrested thousands of people in the months following the 2013 overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi, mainly his Islamist supporters but also a number of secular and liberal activists.

When Trump met with el-Sissi in the White House in April he made no mention of Egypt's human rights record in the post-meeting statement, an omission that many took as a sign that the issue was not a priority for the administration. Yet, two months later, two senators from Trump's Republican Party slammed as "draconian" a new Egyptian law that effectively bans the work of non-governmental organizations and urged that it be repealed.

The law has triggered wide international backlash and raised concerns over human rights conditions in Egypt. But Egypt has defended the law, saying it was drafted and passed in accordance with constitutional provisions.

El-Sissi is grappling with an insurgency by Islamic militants in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, an economy struggling to keep up with demands and employment needs of Egypt's surging population, and a sustained campaign of violence against the country's Christian minority.

Associated Press writer Mathew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
It's a smorgasbord on Arkansas highways, with the third food spill in as many weeks.

A truck driver distracted by a GPS unit crashed near the intersection of U.S. 278 and Arkansas 24 at Camden early Monday and spilled a truckload of spaghetti sauce.

[[439539563 , C]]



Camden police Sgt. Cory Sanders said the spaghetti sauce truck was headed to Dallas about 3 a.m. when its driver became distracted, then overcorrected and rolled over after crossing the center line of the highway.

Sanders said the driver suffered minor injuries.

On Aug. 2, a tank car filled with bourbon crashed on Interstate 40 in eastern Arkansas and motorists on Interstate 30 had to leave the highway at Little Rock on Aug. 9 after a truck accident left frozen pizzas scattered about.

[NATL] Unfortunate Truck Spills: 3,000 Piglets Loose on Ill. Highway
After a six-year stay in the United States, 103-year-old Hong Inh fulfilled her lifelong goal of becoming a U.S. citizen on Tuesday.

Four generations of Inh's family gathered to celebrate her citizenship as Inh held an American flag in her hand and a bright smile on her face in downtown Los Angeles.

"It's amazing," Inh's great-granddaughter Melissa Tea said. "I'm so excited. She's so excited. My family's excited."

Inh emigrated to the U.S. from Cambodia nearly six years ago, but said it has always been a dream of hers to become a citizen. She came to the United States to join other family members who have lived here for several decades.

"It has always been her dream to become a citizen and come to America because after the war, she didn't want to live in Cambodia because of the living conditions," Tea said. "She always wanted to come here because of the rights and she hears so many things about this place."

Inh was one of the more than 10,000 people who took the citizenship oath Tuesday, with more than 120 nationalities represented.

"It's just really exciting to see those types of cases come to fruition and see that dream become a reality for them," said Donna Campagnolo, district director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.



At 103, Inh is the oldest newest citizen in Los Angeles.

Now that she is an American, the great-grandmother said she's most looking forward to voting.

"She feels so happy today," a granddaughter said, translating for Inh.


A South Pasadena father who admitted murdering his 5-year-old son, whose body was found in Santa Barbara County after a roughly two-month search, was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years to life in prison.

Aramazd Andressian Sr., 35, pleaded guilty Aug. 1 to first-degree murder for smothering his son, Aramazd Andressian Jr., who was known as "Piqui."

"Everything good in my life is missing since my son, Piqui, was taken from me," the boy's mother, Ana Estevez, told Superior Court Judge Cathryn F. Brougham. "I wish that I was taken instead of my son ... Your honor, life without my son is my sentence."

She said her life was thrown "into a chaos that can only be described as cataclysmic devastation" when her only child disappeared, and the day she learned her son's remains had been found was "the most earth-shattering day of my life."

"Piqui was and always be the love of my life," said the boy's mother, who carried his ashes in an urn to the Aug. 1 court hearing when Andressian pleaded guilty.

Speaking directly to her estranged husband, Estevez said, "For Aramazd Andressian Sr., I pity you. You are a failure as a father, you are a failure as a man. You are a failure as a human being." Some in the packed courtroom wore white T-shirts with a large photo of the boy and the words "Justice for Piqui."

Authorities said Andressian killed his son in the midst of a bitter divorce from Estevez, who called police when Andressian failed to return their son as planned on April 22.

Andressian had planned to speak during the sentencing hearing, but opted against it when the judge said he would have to give his statement under oath and it would be subject to cross-examination.

Andressian's attorney, Ambrosio Rodriguez, spoke on his behalf, saying, "I want to pass on his deep, deep regret and remorse as to what happened."

Rodriguez said there were "no words to justify what happened," while noting that his client quickly took responsibility for his actions after being arrested by pleading guilty in the early stages of the criminal case.

The defense lawyer told reporters outside court his client opted not to speak because "he decided that the moment was so powerful and he wanted to let Ana and the rest of her family make their statement and there was no point in saying anything."

"He was not afraid of cross-examination," Rodriguez said outside the courthouse. Aramazd Andressian Jr. was last seen alive at 1 a.m. April 21 leaving Disneyland with his father.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Detective Louie Aguilera said after the hearing that Andressian had driven with his son from Disneyland to Santa Barbara County, where Andressian killed the boy within an hour by smothering him with a jacket that was in the car and left him about a mile or two past Lake Cachuma.

"Through our investigation, we learned it was planned for about three months, four months in advance. His intentions were to kill the child, kill himself and to have everyone point the finger at Ana as her having something to do with it," Aguilera said. "He had put some things in motion ... in advance to point towards her alleging that she may have had something to do with following him. ... We proved that wasn't the case."

Andressian spent about eight hours in the Lake Cachuma area without his son before driving to Arroyo Seco Park in South Pasadena, where he took prescription medication and poured gas all over the interior and exterior of his vehicle and "passed out before he was able to do anything to the car," the detective said.

Andressian was initially arrested April 22, then released three days later due to lack of evidence. He was arrested again June 23 in Las Vegas, sporting dyed light-colored hair, and was returned to Los Angeles County June 30 after waiving extradition.

The boy's body, which was not buried, was found the same day in a wooded area about 50 feet from a parking lot at Vista Point near the Lake Cachuma Recreation Area, Aguilera said. Andressian -- who traveled to Las Vegas where he went to several concerts and a boxing match, went skydiving and took "a lot of prescription medication" as authorities searched for his son -- was arrested there after applying for a new passport, Aguilera told reporters.

The detectives said investigators believed that his son was dead when the case was turned over to them because of Andressian's inconsistent statements. After being returned to Los Angeles County from Las Vegas, Andressian confessed and told investigators where they could find his son's body, Aguilera said.

He did not accompany investigators to the site where he had left the body, the detective said. "He wanted to basically have a proper burial for his son, according to him, and wanted to plead guilty and go to prison right away," the detective said.

Andressian's attorney had said earlier this month that the killing was "not planned" and that Andressian is "beyond words in regretting having committed such an act." Deputy District Attorney Craig Hum said he saw "absolutely no remorse at all" from Andressian, adding that there is a "good possibility he will never get out of prison."

Hum told reporters the prosecution didn't feel there was sufficient evidence to support a special circumstance allegation against Andressian in his son's death, which could have led to a sentence of either death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Andressian's attorney said one of the reasons his client pleaded guilty early in the case was to avoid having the District Attorney's Office file a special circumstance allegation against him. The search for the boy spanned several Southern California counties. Authorities focused on the Lake Cachuma area because Andressian Sr. told them he took the boy there the day after the Disneyland trip.

Funeral services for the boy were held July 18 in South Pasadena. Speaking outside court Wednesday following the sentencing hearing, Estevez thanked friends and others who supported her during the search for her son and the legal proceedings involving her husband.

"I truly believe that it is your love and prayers that have allowed me to survive this atrocity thus far," she said.

Estevez also had harsh words for the family court system and the county social workers who were involved in her bitter custody battle with Andressian, saying she is still searching for justice for her son.

"The fact that this cowardly man changed his plea to guilty and has now been sentenced does not change anything, nor does it bring satisfaction," she said.
Robbery charges have been filed in Nebraska against a man suspected of being the "AK-47 bandit," who investigators believe robbed banks in five states, including California.

Court records show 39-year-old Richard Gathercole was indicted Tuesday for an August 2014 bank robbery in Nebraska City, about 50 miles south of Omaha. His attorney didn't immediately return a call Wednesday from The Associated Press.

FBI officials have been looking for years for the man they believe robbed banks in California, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska and Washington state typically while carrying an AK-47 rifle.

Gathercole, of Montana, was arrested June 20 near Lexington, Nebraska, after a sheriff's deputy spotted a pickup truck that Kansas authorities had reported stolen by a man who fired at a state trooper.

Gathercole also faces weapons charges.
Fire destroyed a Montebello auto repair shop and left hundreds of customers without power.

Around 350 customers were without power Wednesday morning after an explosion and fire, which engulfed the two-story commercial building. Officials responded to to the blast just after 12:30 a.m. in the 300 block of Whittier Boulevard.

The cause of the fire was determined to be equipment problems, according to the Southern California Edison outage website. Video showed fire burning at least one utility pole.

Firefighters from multiple agencies were able to contain the flames by 5:30 a.m. Nearby streets will remain closed du to the building's current condition.

No injuries were reported.

This is a developing story. Please refresh for details.
The wife of the only American killed in last week's Barcelona terror attack said Tuesday that she's trying to find a man who may have been the last person to see her husband alive.

A photo or video posted on social media shortly after the attack shows the man, who appeared to be dressed like a waiter, trying to help 42-year-old Jared Tucker, said his wife, Heidi Nunes-Tucker, in a telephone interview with The Associated Press from Barcelona.

Nunes-Tucker, of the San Francisco Bay Area, she does not have a copy of the post but that she and her family would like to thank the waiter.

"We are trying," she said. "It looks like he was helping and anybody that stopped to help amidst the chaos ... that's just a testament to the helpfulness and the love people can have for one another without even knowing one another."

Nunes-Tucker saw the image shortly after the attack while she was searching for Tucker but now can't find it. If the man was a waiter, she thinks he worked at a brew pub among the many bars and restaurants along Las Ramblas, the lengthy Barcelona promenade that the attackers sped down in a van, mowing down pedestrians.

Tucker was among 13 people killed and scores injured by the van. A bloody getaway and a second attack hours later in the seaside resort of Cambrils left two more people dead.

Nunes-Tucker said her husband would have been among those helping the wounded on Las Ramblas if he had survived.

"He was very brave," she said. "He loved to help people. That's what he did."

The day the couple left for their European vacation, which also included Paris and Venice, her husband cooked a feast for friends who had just returned home from the hospital after having a baby.

"He spent the entire day cooking enchiladas so we could take it to their house so they didn't have to worry about cooking, and he still hadn't packed, and we were leaving hours later," she said. "He was always thinking of others first. Never himself."

Nunes-Tucker said she expected to remain in Barcelona for several more days because her husband's body was being prepared for her to take home to Lafayette, California.

Nunes-Tucker said she first met her husband at an annual art and wine festival in Lafayette in 2012.

"I kept seeing this extremely handsome surfer guy throughout the day and I kept telling friends, 'Look at that cute guy, there he is again,'" she said.

When she later noticed the handsome stranger leaving, a friend went and brought him over.

"He came and sat next to me and we hung out the rest of the night at the festival," she said. "We danced and we were pretty much inseparable after that. It was an instant connection."

Tucker proposed marriage just before the same festival three years later.

"He walked in the door carrying some groceries I had asked him to get and he starts crying  he doesn't hardly get through the doorway," she said. "He got on his knee and said, 'I don't want to live life without you and I have something to give you.' And he had a ring.

"I said, 'You have a gift or you have a question for me?'" she said. "He said, 'Oh wait! Will you marry me?' He was really nervous."

The two had a blissful life, the sixth-grade teacher said, with her husband working in his family's business remodeling swimming pools. She has a son and he was the father of three daughters.

"As far as matters of my heart go, I have lost everything. He was my heart and my soul," Nunes-Tucker said. "Waking up next to him and going to sleep next to him was all I wanted to do. He was my person."

Nunes-Tucker did not have much to say about the men who planned and carried out the attack. Six were killed by police, two more died in an explosion at a house where authorities said bombs were being prepared and four surviving suspects were questioned by a judge in Madrid on Tuesday.

"The only thing I would say is as a mom and as a teacher, I feel like it's so important to continue to teach our children to be kind, to be tolerant, to love one another," she said. "Jared would not have wanted to focus on any sort of hatred or intolerance. That was just not what he was about at all."
Two tourists who were thrown from a personal watercraft after it struck the bridge to Star Island Monday have died, officials confirmed Tuesday.

Julio C. Monteiro, 30, and Sabrina LaShea Daniels, 34, were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center after the personal watercraft struck one of the concrete bridge archway supports for the bridge that connects Star Island with the MacArthur Causeway around 5:30 p.m., Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said.

Monteiro, of Brockton, Massachusetts, and Daniels, of Atlanta, Georgia, later died as a result of their injuries, officials said.

"All of the members of the FWC want to express our sincere sympathies to the victims and families of the victims involved in this incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them," the FWC said in a statement. "The FWC would like to take this opportunity to remind all boaters enjoying Floridas beautiful waterways to do so safely."
Vice President Mike Pence addressed a sympathetic crowd of Venezuelans in South Florida on Wednesday and pledged the U.S. will use its economic and diplomatic power to push for free elections.

Pence spoke at a church in the city of Doral, the exile enclave, to a crowd of about 300. They occasionally shouted "freedom, freedom" and cheered every time the vice president spoke of President Donald Trump's interest in Venezuela, a socialist nation that has been undergoing an economic crisis.

"Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the United States of America will continue to bring the full measure of American economic and diplomatic power to bear until democracy is restored in Venezuela," Pence said, threatening there were more sanctions to come against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

As other countries in Latin America have improved their economies, Venezuela has gone downhill, Pence said, calling Maduro's presidency, a "dictatorship."

"We hear you, we stand with you. We will not stand by as Venezuela crumbles," Pence said.

A woman held a sign at the event that read, "Venezuelan resistance asks for military resistance. We can't do it alone," an apparent reference to Trump's remarks earlier this month that there was a possibility for the U.S. to invade Venezuela.

Last week, Pence visited Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Panama in an attempt to rally the region against Venezuela, but because of Trump's comments, the vice president switched to damage control to soothe fears in a region scarred by past U.S. invasions.

In South Florida, Pence found a supportive and grateful crowd.

Earlier in the day, Pence met with 15 Venezuelan exiles in South Florida who said more help is needed to restore democracy in the socialist regime.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, and Republicans Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart joined Pence in listening to testimonies of established leaders of the Venezuelan diaspora and recently exiled politicians and judges.

Ramon Muchacho was the mayor of the municipality of Chacao since 2013 but fled in July, saying he was being persecuted by the government.

"There is no way to get (the government) out by democratic means," Muchacho said, pleading for more help from Latin America, the U.S. and Europe.

Two other mayors told Pence the U.S. government should impose more sanctions.

Carlos Vecchio, a well-known leader of an opposition party, said that Venezuela is a failed state that criminals had taken control of.

"It is a criminal state," Vecchio said. "It is led by a mafia involved in drug trafficking and close to terrorist groups."

Alejandro Jesus Rebolledo, a Venezuelan judge who fled the country recently, also accused the government of crimes such as money laundering and drug trafficking.

The country's vice president Tareck El Aissami was sanctioned by the Trump administration in February after being accused of running a drug trafficking network of corrupt officials in Venezuela. More recently, Washington slapped sanctions on Maduro and other top officials involved in the installation of a new, all-powerful constitutional assembly.

During the meeting, Ernesto Ackerman, a local leader of Venezuelan-Americans, approached Pence and gave him a black hat with the colors of the Venezuelan flag. It read, "Make Venezuela Great Again."
What to Know Danish police said a DNA test from a headless torso found in the Baltic Sea matches with missing Swedish journalist Kim Wall

Recent salmonella outbreaks may be linked to backyard poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

ESPN broadcaster Robert Lee will not work Virginia's season opener because of recent violence in Charlottesville

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Clashes Follow Presidents Rally in Arizona

President Trump blamed the media for the widespread condemnation of his response to a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organized by white supremacists that led to the killing of a counter-protester. Trump opened his political rally in Phoenix with a call for unity, saying, "What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America and tonight, this entire arena stands united in forceful condemnation of the thugs that perpetrated hatred and violence." After the rally, a day of noisy but largely peaceful protests outside the Phoenix convention center turned unruly after someone apparently lobbed rocks and bottles at officers. Officers responded with pepper spray to break up the crowd, Phoenix police spokesman Jonathan Howard said. Three people were arrested on charges related to the protest, and one person was arrested on an unrelated warrant, Police Chief Jeri Williams said. Two officers were treated for heat exhaustion, she said. Meanwhile, Trump said Sheriff Joe Arpaio will be "just fine" despite being found guilty of criminal contempt for violating a court order as the president strongly hinted that he might pardon the man known as "America's toughest sheriff."

DNA of Headless Torso Matches Swedish Journalist, Police Say

Danish police said a DNA test from a headless torso found in the Baltic Sea matches with missing Swedish journalist Kim Wall, who is believed to have died on an amateur-built submarine that sank. Wall, 30, was last seen alive on Aug. 10 on Danish inventor Peter Madsen's submarine, which sank off Denmark's eastern coast the day after. Madsen, who was arrested on preliminary manslaughter charges, denies having anything to do with Wall's disappearance. He initially told police that she disembarked from the submarine to a Copenhagen island several hours into their trip and that he did not know what happened to her afterward, but later told authorities "an accident occurred onboard that led to her death" and he "buried" her at sea. The headless torso was found by a member of the public near where she was believed to have died. Copenhagen police said the arms and legs had been "deliberately been cut off" the body. In a brief statement, police said tests found the torso matched with Wall.

7th Fleet Commander to Be Relieved After Deadly Ship Collisions

The commander of the Navy's 7th Fleet will be dismissed after a series of warship accidents in the Pacific this year, two U.S. officials said. One official said Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin was being removed because of the leadership's loss of confidence in his ability to command. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the decision. The move follows four Navy accidents in the Pacific since late January, including two collisions that left sailors dead and missing. "While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation," Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Scott Swift said . He said the Navy would carry out a "deliberate re-set" of all its ships in the Pacific, focused on navigation, mechanical systems and bridge resource management. It would include training and an expert assessment of each ship. Seven sailors died in June after the USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship off Japan. On Monday, the USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker collided off Singapore, injuring five sailors and leaving 10 others missing.

White Nationalist Accused of UVa. Attack Says He'll Turn Himself in

A white nationalist wanted for crimes authorities say were committed on the campus of the University of Virginia a day before a deadly rally has said he will turn himself in to authorities. University of Virginia police say Christopher Cantwell of Keene, New Hampshire, is wanted on three felony charges: two counts of the illegal use of tear gas or other gases and one count of malicious bodily injury with a "caustic substance," explosive or fire. Contacted by The Associated Press, Cantwell acknowledged he had pepper-sprayed a counter demonstrator during an Aug. 11 protest but insisted he was defending himself, saying he did it "because my only other option was knocking out his teeth." Cantwell also said he had been trying for days to find out about whether he had outstanding warrants. When the police issued a statement, Cantwell said he was "convinced" that he is wanted and would turn himself in.

Backyard Chickens, Ducks Linked to Salmonella Cases, CDC Says

Recent salmonella outbreaks may be linked to backyard poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In an outbreak advisory, the CDC said there have been 961 cases in 48 states and Washington, D.C., so far this year. Of the nearly 1,000 cases, 215 resulted in hospitalization and one in death. In tracking the illnesses, the CDC said 74 percent of those who got sick reported that they'd had contact with live poultry in the week before the illness started. The federal agency and multiple states are investigating 10 separate multistate outbreaks of salmonella infections in people who had contact with backyard flocks. The CDC said chickens, ducks and their young can be carrying the salmonella bacteria but appear healthy and clean with no signs of illness. The agency recommends always washing hands thoroughly with soup and water right after touching live poultry

ESPN Broadcaster Robert Lee Taken Off UVA Game Due to Name

ESPN broadcaster Robert Lee will not work Virginia's season opener because of recent violence in Charlottesville sparked by the decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. A spokeswoman for ESPN says Lee has been moved to Youngstown State's game at Pittsburgh on the ACC Network on Sept. 2. The network says the decision was made "as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name." Plans to remove a statue of Lee led to a protest in Charlottesville earlier this month that attracted what is believed to be the largest group of white nationalists to come together in a decade. Violent clashes erupted between a large gathering of white nationalists and hundreds of counter protesters. ESPN says the decision to put Lee on another game was made "collectively." It also says it's "a shame that this is even a topic of conversation."

George and Amal Clooney Donate $1 Million to Fight Hate Groups

George and Amal Clooney are donating $1 million to fight hate groups. The couple announced their Clooney Foundation for Justice is supporting the Southern Poverty Law Center with a $1 million grant to combat hate groups in the United States. George Clooney says in a statement they wanted to add their voices and financial assistance to the fight for equality. Clooney said, "There are no two sides to bigotry and hate." The Southern Poverty Law Center monitors the activities of more than 1,600 extremist groups in the U.S. and has used litigation to win judgments against white supremacist organizations.
What to Know Journalist Kim Wall was last seen alive on Aug. 10 on inventor Peter Madsen's submarine; her family says she was working a piece on him

Her torso was found on a beach by a member of the public who was cycling on Copenhagen's southern Amager island Monday

Cops believe Madsen killed the woman, who lived in New York and Beijing, and intentionally sank the sub; he denies killing her

A DNA test from a headless torso found in the Baltic Sea matches Kim Wall, the missing journalist from New York who is believed to have died on an amateur-built submarine that sank, Danish police said Wednesday.

Wall, a 30-year-old Sweden-born writer who graduated from Columbia and had written for the New York Times, was last seen alive on Aug. 10 on Danish inventor Peter Madsen's submarine, which sank off Denmark's eastern coast the day after. Madsen, who was arrested on preliminary manslaughter charges, denies having anything to do with Wall's disappearance.

He initially told police that she disembarked from the submarine to a Copenhagen island several hours into their trip and that he did not know what happened to her afterward, but later told authorities "an accident occurred onboard that led to her death" and he "buried" her at sea.

The headless torso was found by a member of the public Monday near where she was believed to have died. Copenhagen police said Tuesday that the arms and legs had been "deliberately been cut off" the body.

In a brief statement, police said Wednesday tests found the torso matched with Wall, and a news conference was scheduled later Wednesday.

Wall, a Sweden-born freelance journalist, studied at the Sorbonne university in Paris, the London School of Economics and at Columbia University in New York, where she graduated with a master's degree in journalism in 2013.

She lived in New York and Beijing, her family said, and had written for The New York Times, The Guardian, the South China Morning Post and Vice Magazine, among other publications.
What to Know The suspects face varying charges, including conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, gang assault and other crimes

All nine of the defendants, who range in age from 15 to 25, are alleged members of the Brownsville-based Loot gang

Prosecutors say they committed crimes to maintain their territory and social dominance and bragged about the offenses in YouTube videos

Nine alleged gang members, one just 15 years old, have been charged in a 69-count indictment in connection with seven separate shootings that left a young college student dead and injured more than a dozen other people, authorities announced Tuesday.

According to the indictment, the defendants, who range in age from 15 to 25, are alleged members of the Loot gang, which operates out of the New York City Housing Authority's Ocean Hill Houses in Brownsville.

The indictment charges them in connection with 10 crimes, including seven shootings and one assault, between November 2015 and August 2016. Fourteen people were shot, one of them fatally. One person was beaten.

The defendants mostly targeted rival gangs, including, on multiple occasions, shooting at members of True Bosses Only (TBO) in Bushwick, which is TBO territory, the indictment alleges. Shootings also occurred in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Fort Greene, Canarsie, and Jamaica, Queens.

In one instance, a 22-year-old John Jay College student with no gang affiliation was shot and killed after leaving a party to buy an iced tea, authorities said. In another case, a rival gang member being shot at in a Queens restaurant grabbed a 33-year-old customer and held her in front of him in an effort to shield himself from the hail of bullets. She was shot three times in the leg.



It is alleged that all of the shootings were committed when Loot members were spinning the block, driving through rival territory looking for rival gang members and using one or more of four "community guns" to try to take them out.

The defendants allegedly conspired to commit crimes, including murder, assault and weapons possession, in order to maintain their dominance over their claimed geographic area, their social media presence and superior positioning among budding rap artists.

Loot members allegedly used Facebook private messaging, as well as the calling feature available through Facebook messaging, along with text messages, phone calls and FaceTime to communicate about getting guns and ammunition and committing acts of violence against rival gangs. Loot used public Facebook postings and music videos posted to YouTube and SoundCloud to antagonize rival gang members, boast about previous acts of violence against rival gangs and show Loot loyalty through hand signs, clothing and lyrics, investigators say.

It is alleged that at least one shooting, on November 27, 2015, was in retaliation for the shooting death of Armani Hankins, a.k.a., Rocky, in Fort Greene, a month earlier. The victim was allegedly a friend of some of the Loot members and they released a rap music video entitled Rockyworld on YouTube, a song about retaliation against a gang known as 900, for his death, according to the indictment.

The suspects face varying charges, including conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, gang assault and other crimes. They face up to 25 years in prison on the top conspiracy count.

"This indictment underscores our commitment to prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law the violent gang members responsible for most of the senseless shootings in certain pockets of Brooklyn," Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement. "Our targeted approach to enhancing public safety focuses on the shooters and gang leaders who drive the violence. We simply will not tolerate such lawlessness and bloodshed in our communities, which put hardworking residents at risk.

"This indictment illustrates how law enforcement is taking a strong stance against violent gang members who commit these heinous acts of senseless violence against innocent victims," added NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill. "We stand with our local law enforcement partners ready to identify, investigate and arrest those who are at the root of crime and collateral damage in our neighborhoods."
A property manager in a Queens building has been plastering hateful posters and political propaganda all over the lobby, amounting to what residents call tenant harassment.

Posters paying homage to the Confederate Army and to World War II dictators like Mussolini and Hitler line the walls of the lobby in the 39th Place condo building in the ethnically diverse neighborhood of Sunnyside. Political posters for the National Rifle Association and supporting President Donald Trump cover the stairwell.

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer

Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer

"I actually cried when I saw the Trump mural because it says 'build the wall' on it, and this building is full of people from all over different places, and that statement is loaded with hatred," said one neighbor.

Residents spoke to News 4 anonymously, terrified of retribution. They say the posters and propaganda started small and now has grown to the entire lobby. The building directory even lists infamous Nazis Rudolf Hess and Josef Mengele as residents.

Tenants called 311 but it doesn't seem there's much they can do.

But councilman Jimmy Van Bramer is calling for an investigation into the property manager.

"You cannot do this, and we will make sure the NYPD and the city of New York comes full force against this man and his campaign of harassment and intimidation," he said.

Van Bramer led a rally at the building Wednesday morning, saying the man has created a "house of horrors" for tenants there. Local lawmakers and leaders from the Anti-Defamation League of New York, the Sunnyside Jewish Cetner and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York were by his side.

Top Tri-State News Photos

"After seeing this lobby first-hand and spending several days with these tenants, I can say without a doubt that they are rightly terrified of a property manager who posts images of hate and racism, boasts of guns in his apartment while hanging posters celebrating guns and the NRA, and who retaliates against anyone who speaks out," he said. "There is nothing patriotic about having the names of infamous Nazis in the building directory or having a large swastika above an apartment door."

An attempt to reach the property manager, Neil Milano, was not immediately successful Tuesday. Messages left with the board of managers were not immediately returned.
Police are investigating a mausoleum break-in at a Bronx cemetery where some of New York's most famous figures are buried.

Police say six caskets were removed from their slots inside a mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in Woodlawn Heights Tuesday afternoon.

One of the caskets was moved to the center of mausoleum and pried open. It's possible some of the bones may be missing, police say, but they won't know for sure until the medical examiner inspects it Wednesday.

Photos show some of the damaged caskets, including a rusty one with its top pried off. A photo inside the mausoleums shows a ravaged shelf where one of the caskets had been.

It's not yet clear if anything else was taken.

One of the caskets that was moved predates the 1940s; another was placed there as recently as a few years ago.

A woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told News 4 her grandparents' and great grandparents' graves were among those smashed open. She said she believes the vandals didn't break into her parents' caskets because they were newer and better secured.

She said her family heard the break-in may be related to a cult ritual surrounding the recent solar eclipse; the NYPD has mentioned no link to a cult.

Security personnel noticed the mausoleum door was ajar Tuesday morning  hours before the rare eclipse  but the timing as to when it was tampered with remains unclear.

A message has been left with the cemetery.

Woodlawn Cemetery is a designated National Historic Landmark, and has over 1,300 mausoleums over 400 acres. Over 300,000 people are buried there, including notable people like Robert Moses, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis.

Last week, dozens of headstones were overturned and vandalized at the Cypress Hill Cemetery along the Brooklyn-Queens border. Police are still looking for the three teen vandals in the case.
David "DJ" Creato suffocated his 3-year-old son and left his body in a wooded area next to a Camden County, New Jersey, neighborhood in 2015, according to a plea deal announced Wednesday.

Creato, 24, was facing a September retrial after a jury failed to convict him on a murder charge in the death of his son, Brendan.

Camden County prosecutors alleged Creato, 22 at the time, murdered the pre-schooler because the father was fearful his 17-year-old girlfriend would leave him.



A high-level law enforcement source said Wednesday that DJ Creato pleaded to an aggravated manslaughter charge.



Prosecutors later confirmed the plea agreement saying Creato admitted to depriving Brendan of oxygen to end his life. He will be sentenced up to 10 years in a state prison. He's required to serve 8 1/2 years of the sentence before being eligible for parole. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 29.

Brendan Creato's body was discovered in a wooded area of Haddon Township by the Cooper River in Oct. 2015. DJ Creato said the boy wandered away from home and maintained that a stranger killed his son.

During the April murder trial, prosecutors argued that Brendan didn't walk into the woods alone. They said the boy was very afraid of the dark and that the boy wasn't wearing shoes, yet the soles of his bright socks were clean.

DJ Creato was also recorded by his son's mother talking about "a spirit" drawing the child into the woods. The mother, Samantha Denoto, made the recording at the request of prosecutors.

The case ended in a hung jury with prosecutors vowing to retry the man. The new trial was scheduled for Sept. 11.

DJ Creato has remained in custody since the trial ended.



This is a developing story. Check back for updates.


UPDATE: Investigators determined the teen girl was not at fault and the driver was arrested and charged. Details here.

A distracted Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, teen girl who was using the popular iPhone video and audio chat feature FaceTime, walked directly into the path of a moving SUV and was struck by the vehicle, according to witnesses.

Police say the 14-year-old girl was hit by the vehicle Wednesday around 2:45 p.m. while walking near Abington High School on the 900 block of Highland Avenue in Abington Township.

Witnesses told investigators the girl was chatting via FaceTime on her phone when she stepped off the sidewalk and directly into the path of a SUV traveling south on Highland Avenue. The driver was unable to stop in time and struck the girl, knocking her unconscious. Police say the driver immediately pulled over after the crash to help the teen. He is not facing any charges.



Abington Officers still processing scene where car hit 14year-old who was on Face Time. Sneaker & backpack in street. @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/4M70pQTcSR  Drew Smith (@drewsmithtv) August 23, 2017

The girl was taken to Abington Memorial Hospital and was later transferred to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Police have not yet released her condition.

"The fact that that can happen to you in ten seconds is very scary," said Maddie Jenkins, a friend of the girl.

The girl is a cheerleader at Abington High School. Her friends described her as a happy and fun teammate.

"Our first game is this Friday," said Amia Black, one of the girl's teammates. "She's really excited to be stunting there. So just really hoping that she's okay."



Distracted walking is a major concern for municipalities nationwide.

Philadelphia launched a public awareness campaign in 2012 with an April Fool's "joke" by creating an "e-lane" for people who used their phones as they walked.



In May of 2015, a Texas woman visiting Philadelphia was struck and killed by a Ride the Ducks boat in the city's Chinatown neighborhood. Witnesses say she was distracted by an iPad prior to being struck.

The woman was one of 12 pedestrians that year who were killed while using portable electronic devices, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In 2012, more than 1,500 pedestrians nationwide were hospitalized after being injured while walking and using their cell phone, according to a NHTSA pedestrian safety report released in April 2016.



"As the authors point out, however, underreporting of emergency room visits due to distracted walking is likely, so the true number of pedestrian injuries attributable to cell phone conversation-related distractions is potentially much higher than 1,500 per year," the report states.

"The rapid increase in reported injuries indicates pedestrians face more dangers when either they or motorists are distracted by electronic devices. However, the extent to which pedestrian safety is affected as a result of distraction among drivers and pedestrians is not well quantified through scientific study."
In an address to the nation Monday night, President Donald Trump laid out an updated approach to the U.S. military's actions in Afghanistan and South Asia.

Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle reacted swiftly, with some calling for a broader and more inclusive discussion with lawmakers, and with the American people, about the U.S.'s continued involvement in Afghanistan.

Some lawmakers issued statements Monday afternoon before Trump delivered the first prime-time address of his presidency. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said in a statement its a "terrible idea" to send any more American troops to Afghanistan.

Paul said the mission in Afghanistan "has lost its purpose."

He also said he wants Congress to more aggressively assert its war-making powers. Paul is planning to propose an amendment next month to the annual defense policy bill that would repeal the war authorizations that Congress granted after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Paul says if the White House and Congress "want to continue the war in Afghanistan, then at the very least Congress should vote on it."

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., also preemptively released a response to Trumps announcements. Kaine says the U.S. needs to "make sure that Afghanistan is not a breeding ground for things that can come back and hurt us."

Appearing on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Monday, Kaine was asked what is at stake in the war-torn nation, where the U.S. is in its 16th year of involvement.

"I think the answer is we want to be invested, to put it bluntly," said Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said U.S. officials should make certain that "what happens in Afghanistan stays in Afghanistan."

Kaine says the country needs a discussion of "the continuing rationale" for being in Afghanistan.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., commended the president's strategy for Afghanistan, and he said Trump must start conducting himself as a "wartime commander in chief." McCain, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that while the plan is long overdue, it moves the U.S. well past the Obama administration's "failed strategy of merely postponing defeat" in Afghanistan.

The senator added that he urges the president to speak regularly "to the American people, and to those waging this war on their behalf, about why we are fighting, why the additional sacrifices are worth it, and how we will succeed."

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers issued measured responses via social media during and after Trump's address.



I commend @POTUS's new strategy for #Afghanistan. We must move past last admin's failed policy of postponing defeat. https://t.co/ExDC4JqkHi pic.twitter.com/zZGqrkSD9i  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) August 22, 2017

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke earlier Monday with key officials from Afghanistan, as well as Pakistan and India, to discuss how the U.S. can work with the countries on a new regional strategy to stabilize South Asia.
President Donald Trump called for a "new unity" based on common American values while giving the keynote speech at an American Legion convention in Reno, Nevada, Wednesday.

The speech comes a day after a campaign rally in Phoenix in which Trump emphasized divisions, criticizing Arizona's two Republican senators and lashing out at the media.



But on Wednesday, he said that it's "time to heal the wounds that have divided us and to seek a new unity based on the common values that unite us."

To the members of the American Legion, he said, "We are here to hold you up as an example of strength, courage and resolve that our country will need to overcome the many challenges that we face."

Trump spoke hours after reiterating his criticism of Sen. Jeff Flake. He tweeted that he loves "the Great State of Arizona" but is "not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!"

At the rally Tuesday night, Trump insisted that his refusal to mention the names of Flake and Sen. John McCain showed a "very presidential" restraint.

Trump's rally on Tuesday also opened with calls for unity and an assertion that "our movement is about love," but quickly erupted in anger. He used it to push back against media coverage of his response to the violence at a Charlottesville, Virginia, protest organized by white supremacists.
A San Diego boy critically injured in a crash may never be the same, his mother testified Tuesday in the trial of the driver accused of driving under the influence. The defendant is a Mexican national who has been deported more than a dozen times in as many years.

"He'll sleep in our room every night because he's scared," Ingrid Lake testified. "He's scared to go on car rides."

Lake testified in the trial of Constantino Banda Acosta, 38, faces hit-and-run charges for the May 6 collision that seriously injured Lennox Lake.

Lennox and his parents were returning from a trip to Disneyland when the crash occurred.

The boy was strapped into a car seat in the backseat of the family's vehicle.

He suffered a long list of injuries, some including a fractured skull and bleeding from his nose and ears.

His mother testified the child has trouble with his short-term memory.

"He keeps just blanking out and he just stops talking and stares at you in the middle of the sentence, and he won't remember anything," she said.



He's unable to use his bunk bed or go to the playground, she said.

"Emotionally and mentally, I don't know, he's just not the same," Lake testified.

Acosta was charged with driving under the influence, driving without a license and felony hit and run following the collision at Camino De La Plaza and Dairy Mart Road in San Diego's San Ysidro district.

Lennox's father, Benjamin Lake, testified about the impact of the collision.

The car went from being in the road to being in the bushes," he said.

Benjamin Lake said when he stepped out of his vehicle he expected the other car to still be there but it wasn't.

Defense attorneys say Acosta was not driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. They say his friend was behind the wheel.



Acosta was arrested after U.S. Border Patrol agents approached the driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck found at Vista Lane and Corte Amelia, officials said.

Both the driver and passenger were determined to be Mexican nationals in the country illegally, officials said.

He has been deported at least 15 times in the last 15 years, according to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson.



In an earlier interview, ICE Public Affairs Officer Lauren Mack told NBC 7 the agency is seeking to take Acosta into custody if and when hes released by San Diego police.

Mack said Acosta has been repatriated to Mexico at least 15 times since 2002, most recently in January 2017.

The passenger who was not identified by police was also taken to a U.S. Border Patrol station for processing, officials said.
Authorities believe a 70-year-old man found dead in his Downtown San Diego apartment may have been assaulted in a possible homicide, San Diego police said.

SDPD Homicide detectives responded to the scene of the crime in the 1200 block of Market Street around 10:35 a.m. Wednesday. The apartment is on a busy street near the Gaslamp District.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was found by a maintenance worker who then called the police, police said.

The responding officers reported that it looked as if the man had been assaulted.

Homicide detectives are at the scene investigating.

One person has been detained in connection with the crime, police said.

No further information is available.
The online payment system where Oceanside residents can pay their utility bills may have been breached, City of Oceanside officials said Tuesday.

Officials first learned of the breach when several Oceanside residents alerted the City, saying the cards they used to pay their utility bills had unauthorized charges.

At least two of those people used that credit card only to pay their utility bill and no other purpose, authorities said.

Though Oceanside officials have not confirmed the online utility bill payment system is the source of the credit card breach, the reports raised the concern of a potential breach.

After learning of the potential breach, the City shut down its online utility bill payment system and began an internal assessment.

Law enforcement officials were notified and cyber security experts were brought in to conduct a forensic analysis.

At this time, officials said, it appears the incident affected only those who used the City's website to make a one-time payment of their Oceanside water utilities bill between July 1, 2017 and Aug. 13, 2017. City officials have not found evidence that anyone who made recurring credit card payments was affected.

Anyone who believes they were affected by the breach is asked to take the following steps:
Washington, D.C.-area schools are suffering an acute shortage of substitute teachers, as the 2017-2018 school year begins, according to an investigation by the News4 I-Team.

The problem has stretched thin the educators of the regions largest public school districts and risks disrupting classes, planning and grading.

School district staff attendance records obtained by the I-Team under the Freedom of Information Act reveal the substitute shortage grew in severity during 2017. In February 2017, Montgomery County Public School records show the district suffered a 20 percent shortage in the substitutes needed to fill the vacancies of all absent teachers.

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In winter 2017, Prince Georges County Public Schools were hundreds of substitutes short for many school days, according to the records. The problem peaked on January 26, 2017, when Prince Georges schools fell 300 substitutes short of the number needed to cover all absences.

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Human resources records obtained from Frederick County, Maryland, show the shortfall of available substitutes began immediately in the 2016-2017 school year, including a lack of substitutes on the first day of school in the fast growing district.

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The I-Team found Fairfax County Public Schools hired more than 140,000 daily substitute teachers during a six-month span in late 2016 and early 2017, yet still suffered shortfalls. According to a newsletter distributed by Shrevewood Elementary School in May, County-wide, we are experiencing a significant substitute teacher shortage. We have made it work this year, but certainly not without the support of teachers, instructional assistants, students, and parents. The newsletter said, On at least two occasions, we have been so short-staffed that we have had teachers cover a full class in addition to their own.

Teachers, administrators and union leaders told the I-Team the shortage is causing a daily scramble for educators at all grade levels. Full-time teachers are sacrificing planning periods, grading sessions and staff meetings to cover vacant classes of colleagues. Administrators are being pulled from assignments to help fill gaps, according to several principals and teachers who spoke to the I-Team.

We have to pull staff that have other jobs they should be doing, to cover kids and cover classes that need to be covered, said Melissa Dirks, president of the Frederick County Teachers Association.

The patchwork of staffing needed to cover classes disrupts class lessons and can trigger an increase disruptive behavior, according to educators who spoke with the I-Team.

The problem drains staff and students, said Justin Heid, a teacher at Walkersville Elementary School in Frederick County. Its a really hard job to come into somebody elses classroom," he said. "Its a lot of work to come in and teach somebody else's kids.

Substitute teachers said low pay and high stress experiences limit the number of candidates for sub positions. The hourly rate ranges from $10.86 for some substitute positions in Prince Georges County to $14 in Fairfax County.

Union officials said pay rate for substitutes has not maintained pace with increasing housing costs in the D.C. region.

Harriett Sims, a longtime substitute at Northwood High School in Montgomery County, said she would easily find work for all 180 days of the school year because of the growing shortage. If I wanted to, I could work every day," she said. "Every single day."

Northwood High principal Mildred Charley-Greene said administrators helped cover teaching vacancies throughout the 2016-17 school year and expect to do so again in 2017-18. By any means necessary, we make sure that we continue to have the classes run as they should, Charley-Green said.

Reported by Scott MacFarlane; produced by Rick Yarborough; shot by Steve Jones, Jeff Piper and Lance Ing; and edited by Steve Jones.


Prosecutors will not file charges against the dump truck driver who police said collided into a car and triggered a fatal chain reaction crash behind a congressional motorcade in Maryland in January, according to records obtained by the News4 I-Team.

Although there is suspicion the driver was talking on the phone at the time of the crash, prosecutors said they lacked evidence to make a case against him. Police records and prosecutors also cite witness statements, which said the congressional motorcade itself was a major factor in the tragedy.

The Jan. 25 crash near a ramp connecting Interstate 70 and Interstate 270 in Frederick County killed a Gaithersburg man, injured others and created a spectacle of flames and fire on the busy highway. The accident occurred as police blocked highway traffic to escort a motorcade of buses carrying U.S. senators to a retreat in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

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Police records also said the motorcade itself was nearly struck during the crash.

As traffic stopped to allow the motorcade to pass, a dump truck driver carrying more than 66,000 pounds of material failed to stop, according to the police report. His truck crashed into and destroyed an SUV driven by Jacob Jackson, 46, of Gaithersburg. Jacksons car was pushed into another truck and exploded in flames. Jackson was killed in the crash. The truck driver and another driver suffered injuries.

A 142-page Maryland State Police reconstruction report obtained under the Freedom of Information Act includes a series of statements from witnesses who said the police motorcade contributed to the crash.

One witness, a 64-year-old woman from Myrtle Beach, S.C., told police, Motorcycle police may have been having traffic move over too quickly for all cars coming up to slow down and move over. The woman declined requests for comment from the I-Team.

Another witness to the crash, a 36-year-old man, told police, The way they shut down the roadway with rolling stops seemed inappropriate. (It) caused a lot of people to slam brakes.

The Frederick County States Attorneys Office investigated the driver of the dump truck but decided not to file charges. In a letter to state police, the states attorneys office said, We are unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that (the driver) was grossly negligent in the operation of his motor vehicle. Therefore, it is my opinion that no criminal or traffic charges are warranted.

A spokesman for the office told the I-Team the witness statements questioning the safety of the motorcade were a factor in the decision not to prosecute.

In a statement to the I-Team, U.S. Capitol Police declined to detail whether it was considering changes to how it operates motorcades to protect members of Congress.

We dont comment on our internal policies or procedures, spokeswoman Eva Malecki said.

A witness statement to Maryland State Police said the second bus of the motorcade was nearly struck in the accident. According to the statement from a 30-year-old man from Washington, D.C., One of the dump trucks veered left cutting in between the motorcade directly in front of Bus 2.

The Maryland State Police investigation into the accident noted the possibility of a brake failure on the dump truck that triggered the crash.

A search warrant filed by state police sought a judges permission to search the history of cellphone use by the driver of the dump truck. The police reports obtained by the I-Team said the driver was suspected of talking on his phone at the time of impact, but there is no evidence provided in the police reports or by prosecutors showing whether the phone was in a Bluetooth setting or being used as a handheld device. The distinction would impact prosecution, a spokesman for the states attorneys office told the I-Team.

The driver of the dump truck told the I-Team he was moving on with his life, before disconnecting from a phone call.

Investigators estimate the driver had 10 seconds, spanning 880 feet, to notice and brake upon seeing stopped traffic from the motorcade, the police report said.

Fuel leaks from the vehicles in the crash fueled an enormous fire and caused the dump truck to explode, according to the police records. According to his statements to police, the dump truck driver said he experienced brake problems moments before impact.

Friends of Jackson said he was a community leader who helped organize Pride events with the LGBT community in Frederick, Maryland. According to police records, Jacksons family in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, saw footage of the crash on television before learning Jackson died in the accident.

Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, both Democrats from Maryland, offered condolences to the victim's family in a joint statement after the January crash. They traveled to the retreat in their own vehicles and were not part of the motorcade.
In the quiet before dawn in the District, Richard Salmon is patrolling streets for parking violations. He hands out tickets that may wreck someone's morning, but for him the job is a lifeline.

Salmon, a D.C. native and the single father of a 6-year-old girl, is adapting to life outside prison after serving five years for getting caught with marijuana and a gun. He's one of a growing number of D.C. residents who are benefiting from services of the Mayor's Office on Returning Citizen Affairs.

The parking enforcement officer earned his commercial driver's license in prison, and prayed for guidance.

"I'm a Christian, so I asked the Lord to, basically, just work with me," he said.

Now, he walks his daughter to school at DC Scholars Stanton Elementary every morning, and sleeps while she's in class. The school supports many single dads.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser plans to open a one-stop resource center to help 5,000 people leaving incarceration find jobs over the next five years. The office also works to connect former inmates with social services.

"When they are coming home from prison or jail, [the office] will connect them to all the resources that we have here in the District of Columbia," said D.C. Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity Courtney R. Snowden.

Go here for information on the city's help for returning citizens.
Amid conversations across the country about whether to remove Confederate statues, the Washington National Cathedral will decide soon whether to remove two stained glass windows that depict Confederate generals, News4 has learned.

Church officials told News4 they will make an announcement soon and not wait until summer 2018 to decide, as the church previously planned.

"The events in Charlottesille have certainly added a sense of urgency that wasn't there before," cathedral spokesman Kevin Eckstrom said.

The pair of 8-foot-by-4-foot windows installed in 1953 memorialize Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. Stonewall Jackson. They were sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The church will either remove the windows or add information about their history, Eckstrom said.

"We have two choices: one is to remove the windows, or the other is to somehow contexualize them. We're looking at both to see which one makes the most sense for this cathedral. But one thing's for sure: those windows won't remain in their current place in their current context. Something is going to change," he said.

The cathedral has a separate Civil War memorial that shows two hands grasping an olive branch. It represents attempts to heal the nation after the war.

The news on the Confederate windows comes as workers in Charlottesville, Virginia, shrouded a statue of Lee in a move intended to symbolize the city's mourning for a woman killed while protesting a white nationalist rally earlier this month.

In 2016, the cathedral removed the Confederate battle flag from the stained glass windows because they were images of hatred and racial supremacy, a church task force determined. The flags were removed after the church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina.

"The cathedral leadership voted unanimously that the Confederate battle flag was an image of hatred and oppression and had no place in the cathedral," Eckstrom said.

The cathedral has been holding discussion groups on race relations. Those discussions will continue no matter the fate of the windows.
D.C. police cleared an unattended book bag that earlier prompted the Secret Service to evacuate the north lawn of the White House Tuesday afternoon.

The unattended book bag was found along the north fence, according to D.C. Fire and EMS, which assisted police at the scene.

All reporters and construction workers were told to go inside immediately, NBC News national correspondent Peter Alexander tweeted. They have been allowed to return to their posts on the lawn.

Pedestrian traffic along Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 15th and 17th streets near Lafayette Square was restricted while the bag was investigated.

The president was not at the White House.
There are several thousand more American troops serving in Afghanistan, on average, than the Pentagon officially acknowledges, three U.S. defense officials told NBC News.

The official Pentagon count puts 8,400 troops on the ground in Afghanistan  the maximum number of service members authorized to be there is 8,448  but the officials said that the number actually hovers between 11,000 and 12,000.

That's because of people in-country on temporary duty shorter than 120 days and overlap between units as service members transition in and out.

President Donald Trump's new Afghanistan strategy involves expanded authority for American armed forces to operate in the nation, but neither he nor Defense Secretary James Mattis have said how many additional troops will be sent there. Pentagon plans from June called for 3,900 more troops to go to Afghanistan, Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday.
Police in Taunton, Massachusetts, say a man is facing multiple charges after allegedly impersonating a police officer and following a woman for several months.

Kevin Cook, 46, of Berkley, is facing charges of impersonating a police officer, criminal harassment, possession of burglarious tools and disturbing the peace.

Police say a distraught woman entered the police department Monday, saying a man showed her a police badge and that she believed he was following her.

She said she first met the man several months ago at a Target store's Starbucks, and that he would be at the location almost every time she was there. The man showed a badge and she said she felt safer thinking he was an officer.

The unplanned meetings continued, despite her going on different days and at different times. He would often park near her vehicle and his own vehicle was outfitted with police equipment.

The woman tried going to another Starbucks, where she encountered the man once again. She also noticed that his conversations become more sexual in nature.

She went to police after this encounter and said the man was still at the Starbucks at the time of her report. Responding officers found the vehicle and said it displayed an authentic presentation of a police vehicle. The interior was also equipped with radios, a laptop, a cage separating the front and back, and handcuffs, among other items.

The radios had access to police and fire frequencies that allowed him to receive information and communicate, which is against federal law.

Cook was placed under arrest at the scene. It is not clear when hell appear in court or if he has an attorney.
A beach on the Cape Cod National Seashore was temporarily closed Wednesday after a great white shark bit a paddleboard, authorities confirm.

Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, was closed to swimmers shortly after 10 a.m., according to the Cape Cod National Park Service.

The shark bit the stand-up paddleboard in 3-foot-deep water, approximately 30 yards from the shore. The encounter occurred during high tide and in calm seas.

"I caught a few waves and was paddling back out and I was moving to stand up when I got knocked off my board," said 69-year-old Cleveland "Cleve" Bigelow "It felt like getting hit by a truck while on a bicycle. It was a shock. I thought, 'What was that?'"

Bigelow, of Chatham, said he saw the bite marks on his board, got back on, and paddled in to shore as quickly as possible, alerting lifeguards and a nearby surf school.

He said he never saw the shark, and was not injured directly by it, but he did hurt his lower legs when he hit the board after the shark bit into it.

"The impact was right in the middle of my board," he said. "I have a huge hematoma on my leg."

A bite mark on his board measured about a foot across.

The incident took place at least 50 feet south of the lifeguard-protected section of Marconi Beach.

"It's a danger that's in the water," said Keith McFarland, South District supervisory lifeguard. "We try to keep everyone close. We try to minimize the danger, but you can't eliminate danger when you're in the ocean."



There were seals in the area at the time, according to Leslie Reynolds, chief ranger with the Cape Cod National Park Service.

"We do know that they are feeding on grey seals. There's a lot more grey seals," said Reynolds. "Grey seals are coming to shore, white sharks are coming closer to shore."



The beach was closed for about two hours.

Wednesday's incident occurred just two days after several Cape Cod beaches were closed due to sharks. At one beach, a shark attacked a seal near shore, sending nearby surfers frantically swimming toward land.



Staff from the Cape Cod National Park Service, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy are investigating and said they will share additional details as they have them.

Despite the scare, Bigelow said he'll be back in the water on Thursday.

"Next time there is surf, yes," he said.
A driver was sent to the hospital after crashing their truck into a Walgreens in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Wednesday morning.

The vehicle crashed into a closed Walgreens located at 277 Main Street.

The vehicle drove directly into the building and smashed into a wall.

The driver was transported to Lahey Hospital with unknown injures.
A massive fire that destroyed and damaged four Massachusetts homes late Tuesday night also sent the town's fire chief to the hospital for exhaustion.

The fire started just before midnight at 158 Wheelock Ave. in Millbury before spreading to three other nearby homes.

Millbury Fire Chief Richard Hamilton was taken to UMass Medical Center by ambulance after collapsing on the scene from exhaustion and dehydration, officials said. He was released Wednesday morning.

No other injuries were reported.

After being released from the hospital, Chief Hamilton told NBC Boston that a propane tank was going off during the fire and the blaze was bringing down electrical wires, causing the scene to look like a "war zone."

Ultimately, two families were displaced after the fire spread from one home to three others. Two cars were and a garage were also damaged by the flames.

The home at 158 Wheelock has been torn down, while the home at 160 Wheelock was declared unliveable; the other two homes have been declared liveable, but damaged.

The fire was so large that people in surrounding homes in the neighborhood also felt the heat, with one man saying he was worried that it would spread more.

"You see it on TV, you see it in the movies, but when you're living it, it's so different. It's so close, I mean, I'm a house a way, and the flames were coming," neighbor Arnaldo Burgos said.

Although the exact cause of the fire is still unknown, fire investigators say they believe excessive clutter may have contributed to the spread of the fire from 158 Wheelock Ave.

Officials say the town has been trying to remedy the situation at 158 Wheelock Ave. for years, and that the attorney general's office recently got involved with the situation. The property was cited eight days ago for illegal burning, and neighbors have repeatedly complained about the house being an eye sore.
Massachusetts police say the Sherborn man who last seen on Sunday, has been located safely.

Authorities said 20-year-old Alexander Barberio was found sometime on Tuesday.

His parents, Michael and Dana Barberio, told NBC Boston that their son was found on the streets of Worcester by a former Worcester Polytechnic Institute classmate who he also knew from church.

"I was so overjoyed to hear his voice," said his mom, Dana Barberio. "It's just incredible. I just can't believe it."



The Barbeiro's said the friend and her boyfriend kept Alexander at her apartment until the police arrived. They say he is OK physically, but is at an area hospital for an evaluation.

Barberio's family had told police he walked away from home over the weekend after testing positive for Lyme disease. He was apparently showing significant cognitive problems.
High school students in their third day of classes in one New Hampshire town have no way to get to school.

The town of Northwood doesnt have any bus drivers and is now changing school hours for elementary school students who start next week.

We were getting emails every week, saying theres no bus, no bus, we have a bus, oh no we dont, good luck, said Janet DelFuoco.

She has two boys who go to Coe-Brown Academy, a regional high school in Northwood.

Under New Hampshire law, districts do not have to provide transportation for high school students. So, right now, high schoolers who live in Northwood have no way to get to school because of a bus driver shortage.

Im blown away by the law, but welcome to New Hampshire, DelFuoco said. Live free or die.

According to Superintendent Robert Gadomski, the bus company that provided transportation for the last two years went out of business unexpectedly in April. Since then, the district has had a tough time finding a company with enough drivers to cover the routes. By the first day of high school Friday  the town had four drivers but in the middle of the day, that changed.

Last Friday, those bus drivers said Im sorry, but were going to go drive for another community, so they left and at that point in time we had no drivers and no buses, Gadomski said.

He says its not exactly clear why those drivers walked away.

I think there was a lot of confusion about the sign-on bonus and other influencing factors, Gadomski said.

So now, in order to provide transportation for elementary school kids with drivers from other districts, Northwood Elementarys first day will be Monday instead of Thursday and kids will start at 10 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. in the afternoon.

I was pretty surprised and I called my friends and they were all like, Really? They were confused, said Hannah Shortt who is starting sixth grade at Northwood Elementary next week.

Her mom has to be at work by 7:30 in the morning, leaving her in quite the predicament when school starts on Monday.

Its very frustrating, its very stressful, said Maria Shortt. Were trying to make sure she can get to school on time.

NBC Boston also spoke with a few teachers today who say the schedule change at the elementary school is impacting their lives too.

Many of them are juggling their own childcare and even giving up second jobs to stay later at school for their students.

The district is still desperately searching for more drivers.
City leaders in Lowell, Massachusetts, are considering a ban on Jet-Skis on the Merrimack River following two deadly collisions this summer.

A 16-year-old girl was killed Aug. 13 when she was thrown off her Jet Ski after getting hit by Douglas DeMatos, 32, of Lowell. DeMatos is accused of boating while drunk.

On the Fourth of July, 39-year-old Juan Arroyo-Ortiz, of Lawrence, was killed after a collision with another Jet Ski rider.

City officials are now calling for an ordinance to ban Jet Skis on the river.

"It's been out of control over there. It's a free for all," said Lowell City Councilor Rodney Elliot. "It's also been a tragic summer with two fatalities, and I think this ordinance is imperative that we adopt it and we do it in a timely manner."

The ordinance will be discussed in a public hearing on Sept. 12.
Authorities are investigating after a teen girl reported being sexually assaulted by a man at the Shirley Avenue Bathhouse on Revere Beach Tuesday evening.

State police said the victim reported her attacker tried talking to her while she was using an outdoor shower at the bathhouse around 7 p.m.

When she tried getting away from him, he allegedly grabbed her to prevent her from leaving and sexually assaulted her.

Police said there were many people on the beach near the bathhouse at the time of the attack.

When the victim got away, she reported what happened to a family member whom she had gone to the beach with. After they left, the family member took the girl to the Massachusetts State Police Barracks on Revere Beach to report the assault.

The teen was interviewed and then taken to a local Boston hospital for evaluation, and troopers and a state police chemist went to the bathhouse to look for and document evidence.

State police said the suspect was described as being six feet tall with a slender build and braided hair. Prior to the assault, he may have been wearing a dark-colored tank top and black shorts and was riding a mountain bike on and near the beach. During the assault he was believed to be wearing a bathing suit and no shirt.

Officials also believe prior to the assault the suspect was seen following a young woman, not the assault victim, and that he may have tried to speak to her.

Police are checking nearby surveillance cameras to see if they caught anything.

The alleged assault was surprising for many people visiting Revere Beach Wednesday.

"That is really, really scary, my goodness," said Dot Hamilton.



"It's shocking, definitely shocking that something like that could happen in broad daylight with so many people around all the time and it's a little dismaying because this is a place you're supposed to be happy and comfortable," beachgoer Cheryl Hamilton added.

Terrence Stephens, a teen who also uses the bathhouse, said he was horrified to learn about the alleged attack.

"Me and my girlfriend and my friends always come down here everyday, we're teenagers of course, and they're always walking up and down this area, taking showers, and so it's kind of scary to know that something like that could happen here," he said.

Anyone who may have seen any part of this incident or has knowledge of the suspect is asked to call state police at 781-284-0038.

The investigation is ongoing.
A Massachusetts State Police trooper accused of making unauthorized video and audio recordings of traffic stops and arrests has been suspended.

State police spokesman David Procopio said an internal investigation has sustained multiple charges against Trooper Nicholas Holden for violations of departmental policies and rules. He said Holden has been suspended, but wouldn't say for how long or whether he was suspended with or without pay.

"The department has taken administrative action against Trooper Holden commensurate with the sustained offenses," Procopio said.

Holden had been placed on desk duty when the allegations originally surfaced earlier this year.

Authorities said Holden failed to turn most of the dash camera recordings in to prosecutors during court proceedings. The Worcester County District Attorney sent letters to more than 100 defendants notifying them of potential evidence issues.

State police have said that recording of traffic stops is not expressly prohibited in its regulations, but neither is it allowed. Installation of audio and video equipment not issued by the department is prohibited without authorization.

Holden was not immediately available for comment.
Wednesday was a long day of cleaning up for some residents of Vermonts Addison County, after their property was hit hard Tuesday night by ferocious winds.

I looked out and was like, Holy cow! What just happened? recalled Tammie Booska of Ferrisburgh.

What she heard during the heavy rain and thunderstorm was a collapsing storage structure across the driveway from her home.

After the storm subsided quickly, she said it became obvious that some classic tractors underneath the storage barn were dented or left with bent parts. A pickup trucked parked underneath the wooden-framed building was slammed by falling boards.

Booskas childrens swing set was leveled, and pieces of the wrecked property were blown far up a hillside behind her home.

Were just thankful that were all safe, Booska told necn. We have a home. Its all we need. This is material that can be removed and fixed.

Wind gusts in the Champlain Valley hit 50 miles an hour Tuesday night, but in isolated spots, some blasts of wind were even more ferocious.

It was a wild night, recalled farmer Allan Brisson.

One of Brissons barns had its roof peel right off, as if it were a can of cat food. Mangled metal then wrapped around trees.

Stuff really flew off there with a lot of force, he said.

Only two horses were inside the barn when the roof blew off, and they were uninjured, Brisson said.

The farmer noted he had insurance that he expected would help him get through the challenging cleanup and repairs ahead.

A section of that horse barns destroyed roof landed in neighbor Ron Bachands tomato patch.

Quite the mess, Bachand said, looking out over debris he had to clean up.

Bachand spent Wednesday hauling away the debris that landed in his yard.

He was still stunned at how one of his trees snapped, then scraped along the ground, apparently threading its way clear through a pair of solar panels, without damaging them, before landing on the ground with most all of its branches intact.

It mustve been upright, Bachand theorized about the flight of the tree. It mustve swirled upright. I wish I had seen it go.

Affected residents said they hope to not witness a repeat of this display of Mother Natures power.
Tenants were denied basic housing rights

A LETTING agency run by a Newbury couple has been ordered to pay more than 20,000 in fines and costs after issuing sham licences, which led tenants to believe they had no right to challenge eviction nor provided protection for their deposits.

Green Live Ltd, based in Holloway Road, London, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, following an investigation by trading standards.

The firm was made to pay 20,500, including 3,000 compensation to the two victims of the sham licences, by Highbury Magistrates Court, at a hearing on August 10.

It is believed to be the first such prosecution of its kind in England.

Company director Adis Karahodza and Mirela Karahodza, who is listed as the firms secretary, from Newbury, were not personally prosecuted or convicted of any offences.

When a sham licence is issued instead of a tenancy agreement, the occupier is made to believe that they have, in theory, no right to challenge eviction or be given legally defined notice periods or minimum occupancy term periods.

Additionally, if the agreement is not a tenancy, the occupier does not benefit from the statutory deposit protection schemes.

In this case, the victims of the sham licences first contacted the Housing Preventions and Options Team at Islington Council in 2016 because they were not able to recover their deposits.

In turn, the team contacted Trading Standards to alert it to concerns about the sham licences issued to the victims, which triggered an investigation, culminating in the prosecution.

Following the investigation, the company also pleaded guilty to a further offence under the regulations of using a letting agency association logo where it was not a member.

Green Live Ltd was fined 11,000 for the two sham licences issued and 5,000 for the misuse of a logo.

The two victims of the sham licences were awarded compensation totalling 3,000 and Islington Council was awarded costs of 1,500.

Diarmaid Ward, Islington Councils executive member for housing and development, said: We want everyone in Islington to have a decent, secure home, and to be protected from illegal and precarious housing conditions.

This case, which we believe is the first of its kind in the country, shows we will take action where letting agents break the law and issue sham licences. We will not tolerate illegal practices like sham licences in Islington and if we become aware of any similar cases we will investigate with a view to prosecution.

A statement from Green Live Ltd read:"Green Live Limited pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to three offences at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on 10 August 2017.

"Mr Karahodza, director of the company, was not personally convicted of any offences.

"The offences related to issuing licences to two tenants in circumstances where the company should have issued assured shorthold tenancy agreements instead.

"The licences were issued by employees who worked for the company at the time. These employees no longer work for the company.

"The third offence related to use and display of an organisations logo on company paperwork in circumstances where accreditation with that organisation had lapsed.

"This was an oversight on the part of the company and the company accepted responsibility for this at court accordingly.

"Mr Karahodza and Green Live Limited have nothing more to say on this matter at this time."
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI : More than 475 girl students of Rani Jhansi Sarvodya Kanya Vidyalaya and Government Girls Senior Secondary School along with nine teachers were hospitalised on Saturday after the leakage of a chemical substance which mixed into the air from a nearby plant in Tughlakhabad depot in South Delhi area.

Cops are claiming that depot has no proper arrangements for such containers and the incident took place due to poor handling. The depot is handled by customs department.

School students being treated at a hospital

in New Delhi | SHEKHAR YADAV



The incident was reported around 7:30 am when few students of Rani Jhansi Sarvodya Kanya Vidyalaya complained about irritation in the eye and stomach ache following which school administration called for help. Out of the total number of kids admitted, a majority have been discharged so far.

According to the Delhi police, the chemical chloromethyl pyridine was on its way to Sonipat in Haryana. Multiple teams have been sent to Sonipat to check the container thoroughly. So far no arrest has been made but cops have filed a case.

The Delhi police have registered a case under IPC section 278, 284, 336,337 under the environment protection act, DCP Romil Baaniya, south east district said.

]According to the police, when cops received a PCR call, they immediately informed other agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire department etc. Soon the NDRF team and Delhi police reached the spot and started separating the leaked container.

A team of specialists from AIIMS will conduct a study on the impact of the leak and assist the Delhi government in every way. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia met the students admitted in the hospital.

NEW DELHI : More than 475 girl students of Rani Jhansi Sarvodya Kanya Vidyalaya and Government Girls Senior Secondary School along with nine teachers were hospitalised on Saturday after the leakage of a chemical substance which mixed into the air from a nearby plant in Tughlakhabad depot in South Delhi area. Cops are claiming that depot has no proper arrangements for such containers and the incident took place due to poor handling. The depot is handled by customs department. School students being treated at a hospital in New Delhi | SHEKHAR YADAV The incident was reported around 7:30 am when few students of Rani Jhansi Sarvodya Kanya Vidyalaya complained about irritation in the eye and stomach ache following which school administration called for help. Out of the total number of kids admitted, a majority have been discharged so far. According to the Delhi police, the chemical chloromethyl pyridine was on its way to Sonipat in Haryana. Multiple teams have been sent to Sonipat to check the container thoroughly. So far no arrest has been made but cops have filed a case. The Delhi police have registered a case under IPC section 278, 284, 336,337 under the environment protection act, DCP Romil Baaniya, south east district said. ]According to the police, when cops received a PCR call, they immediately informed other agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire department etc. Soon the NDRF team and Delhi police reached the spot and started separating the leaked container. A team of specialists from AIIMS will conduct a study on the impact of the leak and assist the Delhi government in every way. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia met the students admitted in the hospital.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Taking moral responsibility of two derailments within a week, Railways Minister Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered to resign. But he was asked to wait.

Speculations are, however, rife of cabinet reshuffle later this month and there is a possibility of him being shifted out of railway ministry. Rumours are also doing rounds of government pondering over possibility of one big infrastructure ministry under Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road, Transport, Highways and Shipping.

Meanwhile, the heads rolled after the successive rail accidents as Air India Chief Managing Director Ashwani Lohani was appointed as Chairman Railway Board in place of A K Mital, who resigned after the latest accidents.

Mital, who was on a two year extension and with term till July 2018, had tendered resignation late Tuesday and it was accepted Wednesday. Railway Board has sent some names, including that of Lohani and the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his name. He is expected to take charge Thursday.

According to sources in Railway Board, Prabhu was very upset following Utkal Express derailment and Kaifiyat Express derailment in Uttar Pradesh Wednesday morning turned out to be a serious blow. He reportedly made a phone call to prime minister early morning offering his resignation but was asked to attend the cabinet meeting.

Prabhu met prime minister after the cabinet meeting and was asked to wait as he expressed his wish to resign.

"I met the Honorable Prime Minister taking full moral responsibility. Honorable PM has asked me to wait. I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish," Prabhu tweeted after the meeting.

Kaifiyat Express derailed in UP after hit by a dumper injuring 70 passengers. On August 20, Utkal Express derailed in UP killing 23 passengers and railways had accepted prima facie negligence by its staff as reason behind derailment.

Two other minor accidents were also reported Wednesday  a train collided with a tractor trolley at an unmanned rail crossing in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu and a narrow gauge train derailed in Gujarat.

When asked about Prabhus resignation offer, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: Accountability is good system in government. The PM will take a decision on whatever request the rail minister has made."

In the afternoon, Prabhu in a series of tweets said that in less than three years as minister, he has devoted his blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways.

"Under leadership of PM, I tried to overcome decades of neglect through systemic reforms in all areas leading to unprecedented investment and milestones. New India envisioned by PM deserves a railway which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path, on which railways is progressing now," he said.

Prabhu had called for a strict action against defaulters and fixing responsibility for Utkal Express derailment. Railway has sent on leave three senior railway officers including Member Engineering A K Mittal, R N Kulshrestha, General Manager Northern Railway and R N Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Delhi.

Rajiv Bansal, additional secretary and financial advisor in petroleum ministry has been given additional charge of Air India CMD for three months.

A 1980 batch officer of the Indian railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), Lohani, 58, is known for turnaround in India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in previous NDA government and in Madhya Pradesh Tourism Corporation.

NEW DELHI: Taking moral responsibility of two derailments within a week, Railways Minister Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered to resign. But he was asked to wait. Speculations are, however, rife of cabinet reshuffle later this month and there is a possibility of him being shifted out of railway ministry. Rumours are also doing rounds of government pondering over possibility of one big infrastructure ministry under Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road, Transport, Highways and Shipping. Meanwhile, the heads rolled after the successive rail accidents as Air India Chief Managing Director Ashwani Lohani was appointed as Chairman Railway Board in place of A K Mital, who resigned after the latest accidents. Mital, who was on a two year extension and with term till July 2018, had tendered resignation late Tuesday and it was accepted Wednesday. Railway Board has sent some names, including that of Lohani and the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his name. He is expected to take charge Thursday. According to sources in Railway Board, Prabhu was very upset following Utkal Express derailment and Kaifiyat Express derailment in Uttar Pradesh Wednesday morning turned out to be a serious blow. He reportedly made a phone call to prime minister early morning offering his resignation but was asked to attend the cabinet meeting. Prabhu met prime minister after the cabinet meeting and was asked to wait as he expressed his wish to resign. "I met the Honorable Prime Minister taking full moral responsibility. Honorable PM has asked me to wait. I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish," Prabhu tweeted after the meeting. Kaifiyat Express derailed in UP after hit by a dumper injuring 70 passengers. On August 20, Utkal Express derailed in UP killing 23 passengers and railways had accepted prima facie negligence by its staff as reason behind derailment. Two other minor accidents were also reported Wednesday  a train collided with a tractor trolley at an unmanned rail crossing in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu and a narrow gauge train derailed in Gujarat. When asked about Prabhus resignation offer, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: Accountability is good system in government. The PM will take a decision on whatever request the rail minister has made." In the afternoon, Prabhu in a series of tweets said that in less than three years as minister, he has devoted his blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways. "Under leadership of PM, I tried to overcome decades of neglect through systemic reforms in all areas leading to unprecedented investment and milestones. New India envisioned by PM deserves a railway which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path, on which railways is progressing now," he said. Prabhu had called for a strict action against defaulters and fixing responsibility for Utkal Express derailment. Railway has sent on leave three senior railway officers including Member Engineering A K Mittal, R N Kulshrestha, General Manager Northern Railway and R N Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Delhi. Rajiv Bansal, additional secretary and financial advisor in petroleum ministry has been given additional charge of Air India CMD for three months. A 1980 batch officer of the Indian railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), Lohani, 58, is known for turnaround in India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in previous NDA government and in Madhya Pradesh Tourism Corporation.
By Online Desk

A gang of five members was on Tuesday arrested by the Ghaziabad police in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly cheating nearly a thousand people by luring them with fake male escort job openings, a report stated.

The police also busted a call centre being run from a flat in Shastri Nagar here for carrying out the fake job racket, according to Hindustan Times.

Young men from as far as Tamil Nadu and Kerala apart from NCR and eastern Uttar Pradesh were lured with pictures of young women for tie-ups to apply for the job, the police told HT.

The modus operandi of the gang was to hire space on a classified booking website and invite applications from interested young men. They would then be asked to deposit a 'processing fee' to the tune of Rs 10,000-15,000. There were instances of the deposit being as high as Rs 10 lakh, the report said.

They duped nearly 1,000 persons who paid processing fees. Once the amount was credited to their online wallet, they would send pictures of young women to the applicants and ask them to select one of them. The photos were downloaded from profiles of women on social networking sites, Akash Tomar, superintendent of police (SP city) told HT.

The applicants were told to go to the gym for fitness exercises before being sent to the women. In between, the gang would block the applicants numbers. We got in touch with a number of people but they were not ready to come forward as their families would know they were interested in such a job. But nearly a dozen complaints arrived and we started the investigation, the official added.

The police are verifying if the gang had access to any such women customers, the report further said.

The police have arrested one Ashu Chaudhary who ran the call centre, besides Himanshu Sharan, Harsh Chaudhary, Virat Chaudhary and Mohit Chaudhary in connection with a FIR lodged at Kavi Nagar police station by a complainant.

The case was lodged under sections of cheating and provisions of The Information Technology Act.

The police recovered laptops, mobiles, ATM cards and different mobile SIM cards from the suspects. They will also bid to invoke provisions of the Gangster Act against the five accused, they told HT.



A gang of five members was on Tuesday arrested by the Ghaziabad police in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly cheating nearly a thousand people by luring them with fake male escort job openings, a report stated. The police also busted a call centre being run from a flat in Shastri Nagar here for carrying out the fake job racket, according to Hindustan Times. Young men from as far as Tamil Nadu and Kerala apart from NCR and eastern Uttar Pradesh were lured with pictures of young women for tie-ups to apply for the job, the police told HT. The modus operandi of the gang was to hire space on a classified booking website and invite applications from interested young men. They would then be asked to deposit a 'processing fee' to the tune of Rs 10,000-15,000. There were instances of the deposit being as high as Rs 10 lakh, the report said. They duped nearly 1,000 persons who paid processing fees. Once the amount was credited to their online wallet, they would send pictures of young women to the applicants and ask them to select one of them. The photos were downloaded from profiles of women on social networking sites, Akash Tomar, superintendent of police (SP city) told HT. The applicants were told to go to the gym for fitness exercises before being sent to the women. In between, the gang would block the applicants numbers. We got in touch with a number of people but they were not ready to come forward as their families would know they were interested in such a job. But nearly a dozen complaints arrived and we started the investigation, the official added. The police are verifying if the gang had access to any such women customers, the report further said. The police have arrested one Ashu Chaudhary who ran the call centre, besides Himanshu Sharan, Harsh Chaudhary, Virat Chaudhary and Mohit Chaudhary in connection with a FIR lodged at Kavi Nagar police station by a complainant. The case was lodged under sections of cheating and provisions of The Information Technology Act. The police recovered laptops, mobiles, ATM cards and different mobile SIM cards from the suspects. They will also bid to invoke provisions of the Gangster Act against the five accused, they told HT.
By Express News Service

Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar

J S Khehar

He is the 44th and current Chief Justice of India. Khehar is the first CJI from the Sikh community. A graduate in science from Government College, Chandigarh, in 1974, he was awarded the LL.B degree by the Panjab University in 1977. He then acquired the LL.M. qualification from the same university in 1979. CJI Khehar had been part of a Constitution bench that shot down the National Judicial Appointments Commission, a body set up through a constitutional amendment passed by Parliament, to select judges for the SC and high courts. He authored the lead judgment in the case, terming the NJAC a threat to the independence of the judiciary. He is due to retire from the Supreme Court on August 28, 2017.

Justice Kurian Joseph

He is the second judge in the five-judge Constitution bench on the Triple Talaq issue. He studied at St. Josephs UP School, Chengal, Kalady, St. Sebastians High School, Kanjoor, Bharatha Matha College, Thrikkakara, Sree Sankara College and Kerala Law Academy in Thiruvananthapuram. He is part of a bench which is hearing the coal scam case. Justice Kurian Joseph retires in November 2018.

Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman

Rohinton Fali Nariman

Justice Rohinton F Nariman is an ordained priest from Bandra Agiary (Parsi Fire Temple), known for his knowledge in comparative religious studies. Justice Nariman is part of the nine-judge Constitution bench that has reserved its verdict on the issue of whether the right to privacy has fundamental constitu-tional sanctity. He was also part of the bench which directed contro-versial businessman Vijay Mallya to make a detailed disclosure of his assets abroad. He will hold office until August 2021.

Justice Uday Umesh Lalit

He expressed an inclination to consider the issue of audio and video recordings of proceedings in all courts such as district courts, high courts and the top court. Justice Lalit was part of a bench that barred the police from making direct arrests in dowry cases without ascertaining the veracity of allegations. He was also part of the bench that directed the CBI to probe the extrajudicial killings by the army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur police in Manipur. He will hold office till November 2022.

Justice Abdul Nazeer

He is the lone Muslim judge in the five-judge bench on the Triple Talaq issue. Justice Nazeer is also part of the bench that is hearing the vexed Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. He is also part of the nine-judge Constitution bench that has reserved its verdict on whether the right to privacy can be considered a fundamental right under the Constitution.

Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar J S KheharHe is the 44th and current Chief Justice of India. Khehar is the first CJI from the Sikh community. A graduate in science from Government College, Chandigarh, in 1974, he was awarded the LL.B degree by the Panjab University in 1977. He then acquired the LL.M. qualification from the same university in 1979. CJI Khehar had been part of a Constitution bench that shot down the National Judicial Appointments Commission, a body set up through a constitutional amendment passed by Parliament, to select judges for the SC and high courts. He authored the lead judgment in the case, terming the NJAC a threat to the independence of the judiciary. He is due to retire from the Supreme Court on August 28, 2017. Justice Kurian Joseph He is the second judge in the five-judge Constitution bench on the Triple Talaq issue. He studied at St. Josephs UP School, Chengal, Kalady, St. Sebastians High School, Kanjoor, Bharatha Matha College, Thrikkakara, Sree Sankara College and Kerala Law Academy in Thiruvananthapuram. He is part of a bench which is hearing the coal scam case. Justice Kurian Joseph retires in November 2018. Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman Rohinton Fali NarimanJustice Rohinton F Nariman is an ordained priest from Bandra Agiary (Parsi Fire Temple), known for his knowledge in comparative religious studies. Justice Nariman is part of the nine-judge Constitution bench that has reserved its verdict on the issue of whether the right to privacy has fundamental constitu-tional sanctity. He was also part of the bench which directed contro-versial businessman Vijay Mallya to make a detailed disclosure of his assets abroad. He will hold office until August 2021. Justice Uday Umesh Lalit He expressed an inclination to consider the issue of audio and video recordings of proceedings in all courts such as district courts, high courts and the top court. Justice Lalit was part of a bench that barred the police from making direct arrests in dowry cases without ascertaining the veracity of allegations. He was also part of the bench that directed the CBI to probe the extrajudicial killings by the army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur police in Manipur. He will hold office till November 2022. Justice Abdul Nazeer He is the lone Muslim judge in the five-judge bench on the Triple Talaq issue. Justice Nazeer is also part of the bench that is hearing the vexed Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. He is also part of the nine-judge Constitution bench that has reserved its verdict on whether the right to privacy can be considered a fundamental right under the Constitution.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday grilled Karti Chidambaram for over eight hours in a graft case relating to irregular FIPB approval to INX Media during his father P Chidambaram's tenure as Union Finance Minister in 2007. Karti is alleged to be the beneficiary of a Rs 3.5 crore bribe as quid pro quo from INX Group.

Karti was accompanied by his lawyers during the questioning at the agency headquarters here. He has been again called for questioning on August 28 when other accused persons will also be questioned. Karti might be confronted with the other accused persons during questioning on August 28, sources said.

Karti appeared before the agency early on Wednesday following a directive from the Supreme Court to face CBI questioning. Karti had earlier ducked CBI summons for questioning in the case.

The apex court has already ordered questioning of other accused persons in the case CBN Reddy, Ravi Viswanathan, Mohanan Rajesh and S Bhaskararaman. They will be questioned on August 28. While Mohanan, Rajesh and Bhaskaraman will be questioned at the agency headquarters here, Reddy will be grilled in Chennai, sources said.

The CBI had on May 15 registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act against Karti, Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and others. The agency had subsequently searched the premises of the accused persons and entities.

The accused persons have been booked for criminal conspiracy and cheating under the IPC besides taking gratification by corrupt and illegal means to influence public servants and criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Karti through his firm Chess Management allegedly facilitated the INX group in not paying any penalty despite violating the terms of the FIPB approval for FDI receipts.

The INX Group had on March 13, 2007 approached the FIPB for approval of FDI Investment and downstream investment. The FIPB approved only FDI investment to the tune of Rs 4.62 crore and said a separate FIPB approval to the tune of 26 per cent of the issued and outstanding equity share capital of M/s INX News Pvt Ltd would be required, the FIR alleged.

The FIPB did not grant sanction for downstream investment but the INX Group received downstream investment to the tune of Rs 305 crore illegally by the same investors following which the Investigation Wing of the Income Tax Department launched a probe. At this stage, the INX Group approached Karti for settling the issue and the Media group subsequently did not pay any penalty after its contentions were approved by the Finance Ministry, according to the FIR.

Shri Karti P Chidambaram was the Promoter Director of M/s Chess Management Services (P) Limited whereas M/s ASCPL was being controlled by him indirectly. Information also disclosed that the invoices for approximately an amount of Rs 3.5 crores were also got raised in favour of M/s INX group in the name of other companies in which Shri Karti P Chidambaram was having sustainable interests either directly or indirectly, the FIR had alleged.

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday grilled Karti Chidambaram for over eight hours in a graft case relating to irregular FIPB approval to INX Media during his father P Chidambaram's tenure as Union Finance Minister in 2007. Karti is alleged to be the beneficiary of a Rs 3.5 crore bribe as quid pro quo from INX Group. Karti was accompanied by his lawyers during the questioning at the agency headquarters here. He has been again called for questioning on August 28 when other accused persons will also be questioned. Karti might be confronted with the other accused persons during questioning on August 28, sources said. Karti appeared before the agency early on Wednesday following a directive from the Supreme Court to face CBI questioning. Karti had earlier ducked CBI summons for questioning in the case. The apex court has already ordered questioning of other accused persons in the case CBN Reddy, Ravi Viswanathan, Mohanan Rajesh and S Bhaskararaman. They will be questioned on August 28. While Mohanan, Rajesh and Bhaskaraman will be questioned at the agency headquarters here, Reddy will be grilled in Chennai, sources said. The CBI had on May 15 registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act against Karti, Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and others. The agency had subsequently searched the premises of the accused persons and entities. The accused persons have been booked for criminal conspiracy and cheating under the IPC besides taking gratification by corrupt and illegal means to influence public servants and criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Karti through his firm Chess Management allegedly facilitated the INX group in not paying any penalty despite violating the terms of the FIPB approval for FDI receipts. The INX Group had on March 13, 2007 approached the FIPB for approval of FDI Investment and downstream investment. The FIPB approved only FDI investment to the tune of Rs 4.62 crore and said a separate FIPB approval to the tune of 26 per cent of the issued and outstanding equity share capital of M/s INX News Pvt Ltd would be required, the FIR alleged. The FIPB did not grant sanction for downstream investment but the INX Group received downstream investment to the tune of Rs 305 crore illegally by the same investors following which the Investigation Wing of the Income Tax Department launched a probe. At this stage, the INX Group approached Karti for settling the issue and the Media group subsequently did not pay any penalty after its contentions were approved by the Finance Ministry, according to the FIR. Shri Karti P Chidambaram was the Promoter Director of M/s Chess Management Services (P) Limited whereas M/s ASCPL was being controlled by him indirectly. Information also disclosed that the invoices for approximately an amount of Rs 3.5 crores were also got raised in favour of M/s INX group in the name of other companies in which Shri Karti P Chidambaram was having sustainable interests either directly or indirectly, the FIR had alleged.
By PTI

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government today removed the principal of a women's college which has been rocked by a student protests for two days over alleged imposition of "dress code" and "unnecessary diktats" by the management.

The government has also ordered an inquiry into the allegations of students against the principal of the government college here.

"Pending inquiry into the matter, Anita Sudan Principal government college for women, Parade Jammu is hereby attached with Director College Higher Education department with immediately effect," Additional Secretary, higher education department, Mohmmad Ashraf Hakak said in an order.

Geetanjali Andhotra had been posted as incharge- principal of the college, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Rajiv Rajan, said that a probe has been ordered and a senior officer put on the job.

"We have ordered probe. An officer has been assigned the task. However, the principal has not been suspended," the DC said.

Earlier, students of the Government Women's College took to the streets for the second day today to press for removal of the principal, who had said that "wild allegations" had been levelled against her.

Sudan had claimed that she had taken several steps like strict adherence to the college uniform and timing on recommendations of the parents of several students after four women went missing in the recent past, of whom one was traced in Allahabad.

Joined by students of different colleges including leaders of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the protesting students including male members were stopped by the policemen at the main gate of the Deputy Commissioners office today, officials said.

The students staged a sit-in and later met the DC.

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government today removed the principal of a women's college which has been rocked by a student protests for two days over alleged imposition of "dress code" and "unnecessary diktats" by the management. The government has also ordered an inquiry into the allegations of students against the principal of the government college here. "Pending inquiry into the matter, Anita Sudan Principal government college for women, Parade Jammu is hereby attached with Director College Higher Education department with immediately effect," Additional Secretary, higher education department, Mohmmad Ashraf Hakak said in an order. Geetanjali Andhotra had been posted as incharge- principal of the college, he said. The Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Rajiv Rajan, said that a probe has been ordered and a senior officer put on the job. "We have ordered probe. An officer has been assigned the task. However, the principal has not been suspended," the DC said. Earlier, students of the Government Women's College took to the streets for the second day today to press for removal of the principal, who had said that "wild allegations" had been levelled against her. Sudan had claimed that she had taken several steps like strict adherence to the college uniform and timing on recommendations of the parents of several students after four women went missing in the recent past, of whom one was traced in Allahabad. Joined by students of different colleges including leaders of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the protesting students including male members were stopped by the policemen at the main gate of the Deputy Commissioners office today, officials said. The students staged a sit-in and later met the DC.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: After 32-year long battle, justice denied to Shah Bano will now be delivered to Shayara Bano  the two iconic victims of triple talaq. The instant divorce system, practiced predominantly by Sunni Muslim men, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in a landmark verdict on Tuesday. With this, India has now joined the list of 19 countries that have already banned the practice.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling in her favour in 1985, Shah Bano was denied alimony by her husband who fathered her five children as the Centre overturned the verdict. The case marked the beginning of the movement against triple talaq. Today, decades later, her family has welcomed the verdict, but with caution. Though not in the spirit of Shariat (Islamic law), the verdict is certainly befitting for jahil (uneducated and illiterate), said Banos daughter Siddiqua Begum.

A five-judge multi-faith bench banned the 1,400-year-old practice on 3:2 majority. Interestingly, Chief Justice JS Khehar did not rule for triple talaq to be struck down by the court. He, along with Justice Abdul Nazeer, observed the practice does not violate Articles 14, 15 and 21, meaning the government should step in and come out with a law on the subject.

Till such time as legislation in the matter is considered, we are satisfied in injuncting Muslim husbands, from pronouncing talaq-e-biddat as a means for severing their matrimonial relationship, the dissenting judges said. The instant injunction, shall in the first instance, be operative for a period of six months. If it is decided that the practice be done away with altogether, the injunction would continue, till legislation is finally enacted. Failing which, the injunction shall cease to operate.

Writing the majority judgement, Justice Kurien Joseph said, I find it extremely difficult to agree with the CJI that the practice of triple talaq has to be considered integral to religious denomination in question and that the same is part of their personal law. Citing the Holy Quran, he said, They are clear and unambiguous as far as talaq is concerned. The Holy Quran has attributed sanctity and permanence to matrimony. However, in extremely unavoidable situations, talaq is permissible. But an attempt for reconciliation, and if it succeeds, then revocation, are the Quranic essential steps before talaq attains finality. In triple talaq, this door is closed.

The ruling will have a direct impact on Sunni Muslims, who favoured this practice. They are now left with two other ways of securing divorce  talaq hasan and talaq ahsan. Under talaq ahsan, a Muslim man can divorce his spouse by pronouncing talaq once every month in three consecutive months. As per talaq hasan, divorce can be given by pronouncing talaq during successive tuhrs (mensuration cycle) with no intercourse during the period.

Shayara Bano, one of the petitioners in the case and victims of the practice, is elated with the outcome. Now Muslim women cannot be turned out of the house at someones whims and fancies, she said reacting to the verdict. But it is still a long road ahead for reforms. We need to raise awareness against practices like polygamy and nikah halala.

NEW DELHI: After 32-year long battle, justice denied to Shah Bano will now be delivered to Shayara Bano  the two iconic victims of triple talaq. The instant divorce system, practiced predominantly by Sunni Muslim men, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in a landmark verdict on Tuesday. With this, India has now joined the list of 19 countries that have already banned the practice. Despite the Supreme Court ruling in her favour in 1985, Shah Bano was denied alimony by her husband who fathered her five children as the Centre overturned the verdict. The case marked the beginning of the movement against triple talaq. Today, decades later, her family has welcomed the verdict, but with caution. Though not in the spirit of Shariat (Islamic law), the verdict is certainly befitting for jahil (uneducated and illiterate), said Banos daughter Siddiqua Begum. A five-judge multi-faith bench banned the 1,400-year-old practice on 3:2 majority. Interestingly, Chief Justice JS Khehar did not rule for triple talaq to be struck down by the court. He, along with Justice Abdul Nazeer, observed the practice does not violate Articles 14, 15 and 21, meaning the government should step in and come out with a law on the subject. Till such time as legislation in the matter is considered, we are satisfied in injuncting Muslim husbands, from pronouncing talaq-e-biddat as a means for severing their matrimonial relationship, the dissenting judges said. The instant injunction, shall in the first instance, be operative for a period of six months. If it is decided that the practice be done away with altogether, the injunction would continue, till legislation is finally enacted. Failing which, the injunction shall cease to operate. Writing the majority judgement, Justice Kurien Joseph said, I find it extremely difficult to agree with the CJI that the practice of triple talaq has to be considered integral to religious denomination in question and that the same is part of their personal law. Citing the Holy Quran, he said, They are clear and unambiguous as far as talaq is concerned. The Holy Quran has attributed sanctity and permanence to matrimony. However, in extremely unavoidable situations, talaq is permissible. But an attempt for reconciliation, and if it succeeds, then revocation, are the Quranic essential steps before talaq attains finality. In triple talaq, this door is closed. The ruling will have a direct impact on Sunni Muslims, who favoured this practice. They are now left with two other ways of securing divorce  talaq hasan and talaq ahsan. Under talaq ahsan, a Muslim man can divorce his spouse by pronouncing talaq once every month in three consecutive months. As per talaq hasan, divorce can be given by pronouncing talaq during successive tuhrs (mensuration cycle) with no intercourse during the period. Shayara Bano, one of the petitioners in the case and victims of the practice, is elated with the outcome. Now Muslim women cannot be turned out of the house at someones whims and fancies, she said reacting to the verdict. But it is still a long road ahead for reforms. We need to raise awareness against practices like polygamy and nikah halala.
Anuraag Singh By

Express News Service

BHOPAL: Family of Shah Bano, the Muslim woman from Indore whose case that proved to be a milestone in the fight for rights of Muslim women has expressed mixed feelings over the apex courts judgment on triple talaq on Tuesday.

Siddiqua Begum, the 78-year-old daughter of Shah Bano said the apex court judgment was not in line with the Shariat and the Quaran-e-Sharif. The verdict, though not in the spirit of Shariat and Quran-e-Sharif, is certainly befitting for jahil (uneducated and illiterate), who have misused the provisions of talaq against their wives. It will certainly benefit women having modern thinking and those who are very poor and have been victimised by their uneducated husbands by flawed interpretation of the Quran, Siddiqua Begum told journalists at her house in Indores Khajrana locality.

Her tax consultant son Zuber Ahmad Khan said the apex court has not held talaq as illegal, but has only passed the order on its misinterpretation and misuse. The apex court has given the Central government six months to enact a law which lays the rightful procedure for Triple Talaq in line with the provisions of the Shariat and the Quran-e-Sharif.

He added that the verdict in the triple talaq case should in no way be equated with the Supreme Court judgment of 1985 on the suit filed by his maternal grandmother Shah Bano for claiming maintenance from her advocate husband Mohammad Ahmad Khan.

My naani never filed a suit in the Supreme Court challenging her divorce by my naanaa, but she filed the suit to get alimony and the apex court ruled in her favour in 1985, However, Centre overturned the verdict, Zuber told Express.

Shah Banos daughter Siddiqua Begum recounted how her mother contested the court battle against her advocate husband in the Supreme Court. My father had studied law from Baharain and was a prominent lawyer of Madhya Pradesh. My mother found it very difficult to find a lawyer to contest her case in the SC, she remembered.

Siddiqua Begum was already married and had children, when her mother Shah Bano filed the civil suit in the SC for alimony to take care of her three sons. My mother faced a lot of opposition, especially those by religious leaders, against her decision to go court against my father, said Siddiqua.

My mother once told me that while the suit was pending before the SC, someone from Saudi Arabia contacted her and promised her free Haj pilgrimage for entire family, besides money as per the familys wishes. The message was sent to my mother through the eldest of three brothersHamid. However, my mother refused to withdraw the suit, claimed Siddiqua Begum.

Shah Bano, the 62-year-old mother of five children from Indore was divorced by advocate husband in 1978. She filed a suit in the SC, in which she won the right to alimony in 1985. However, she was subsequently denied the alimony, when the parliament reversed the apex courts judgment under pressure of Islamic orthodoxy.

BHOPAL: Family of Shah Bano, the Muslim woman from Indore whose case that proved to be a milestone in the fight for rights of Muslim women has expressed mixed feelings over the apex courts judgment on triple talaq on Tuesday. Siddiqua Begum, the 78-year-old daughter of Shah Bano said the apex court judgment was not in line with the Shariat and the Quaran-e-Sharif. The verdict, though not in the spirit of Shariat and Quran-e-Sharif, is certainly befitting for jahil (uneducated and illiterate), who have misused the provisions of talaq against their wives. It will certainly benefit women having modern thinking and those who are very poor and have been victimised by their uneducated husbands by flawed interpretation of the Quran, Siddiqua Begum told journalists at her house in Indores Khajrana locality. Her tax consultant son Zuber Ahmad Khan said the apex court has not held talaq as illegal, but has only passed the order on its misinterpretation and misuse. The apex court has given the Central government six months to enact a law which lays the rightful procedure for Triple Talaq in line with the provisions of the Shariat and the Quran-e-Sharif. He added that the verdict in the triple talaq case should in no way be equated with the Supreme Court judgment of 1985 on the suit filed by his maternal grandmother Shah Bano for claiming maintenance from her advocate husband Mohammad Ahmad Khan. My naani never filed a suit in the Supreme Court challenging her divorce by my naanaa, but she filed the suit to get alimony and the apex court ruled in her favour in 1985, However, Centre overturned the verdict, Zuber told Express. Shah Banos daughter Siddiqua Begum recounted how her mother contested the court battle against her advocate husband in the Supreme Court. My father had studied law from Baharain and was a prominent lawyer of Madhya Pradesh. My mother found it very difficult to find a lawyer to contest her case in the SC, she remembered. Siddiqua Begum was already married and had children, when her mother Shah Bano filed the civil suit in the SC for alimony to take care of her three sons. My mother faced a lot of opposition, especially those by religious leaders, against her decision to go court against my father, said Siddiqua. My mother once told me that while the suit was pending before the SC, someone from Saudi Arabia contacted her and promised her free Haj pilgrimage for entire family, besides money as per the familys wishes. The message was sent to my mother through the eldest of three brothersHamid. However, my mother refused to withdraw the suit, claimed Siddiqua Begum. Shah Bano, the 62-year-old mother of five children from Indore was divorced by advocate husband in 1978. She filed a suit in the SC, in which she won the right to alimony in 1985. However, she was subsequently denied the alimony, when the parliament reversed the apex courts judgment under pressure of Islamic orthodoxy.
By Express News Service

If not for these women who moved the apex court against Triple Talaq, the practice might have continued for a much longer time. The petitioners in the case underwent domestic torture and abuse before deciding to take the legal route on the practice of Triple Talaq among Muslims.

Ishrat Jahan

The sky literally broke on her head when Mohammad Murtaza Ansari gave talaq (divorce) over the phone from faraway Dubai to Ishrat Jahan, a housewife from Howrah, West Bengal, in 2015. Unable to digest the phone talaq, Ishrat Jahan went on to appeal against it in court. Ishrat Jahan was married for 15 years and one day. After the call from Dubai, she never heard back from her husband. The 38-year-old later got to know that he had allegedly married another woman and took her four children with him. She now wants her children back, and maintenance from Mohammad Murtaza.

After the Supreme Court order on triple talaaq, Jahan says that any ordinary Muslim woman can fight for her rights if she is violated by talaq given over phone or email, which she terms as un-Islamic. Speaking to the New Indian Express over phone, she says: Talaq should be given and accepted, the way marriages are conducted. Saying talaq, talaq, talaq over phone or email should not be accepted by any Muslim woman.

My petition was against people giving talaq over phone and email. These ways of giving talaq are un-Islamic, has no mention in the Quraan and is not practiced anywhere in the world, she adds. Jahan calls for all Muslim women not to digest the improper ways of giving talaq and fight against it. Talaq se Musalmaan auraton ki zindagi kharab hoti hai. Main yeh paigaam dena chahti hoon ki sab apne haq ke liye ladai ekjut hoke lade (Talaq destroys the life of ordinary Muslim women. I urge them to come together and fight for their rights), she says.

Shayara Bano

It is her moment of triumph. The ordeal, which began for Shayara Bano in 2002 when she was just 24 and entered into wedlock with Rizwan Ahmad of Allahabad resulting in Triple Talaq written on a piece of paper, has now culminated in victory after the SC verdict. Narrating her tale of woes, Shayara wonders how her grip on life loosened gradually and finally she was left to her fate as Rizwan took away their two children (son Irfan, 13, and daughter Muskan, 11) leaving her alone at the Moradabad Raliway Station. Shayara of Kashipur (Uttarakhand) had an arranged marriage with Rizwan Ahmad.

Rizwan was a property dealer in Sangam city. She accompanied Rizwan to her in-laws place with dreams of a life replete with love and care. As days passed, everyone at her in-laws place, including her husband, started tormenting her. All of them used to torture her, starve her for days, beat her up, besides demanding dowry. She was forced to have six abortions. I was reduced into a lump of flesh, she says.

Afreen Rehman

Aafreen Rehman married her husband after meeting him through a matrimonial portal in 2014. Within three months of her marriage, Aafreen (26) had to leave her husbands house after being physically and mentally abused. She is a native of Jaipur, Rajasthan. She got a letter from her husband in 2015 through Speed Post when she was staying at her parents house. Aafreens husband Ashar Warsi, was a lawyer from a Muslim family in Indore.

Her father died in 2009 and her brothers met the Warsi familys expectations of dowry by availing of loans to give D10 lakh to the grooms family, according to her close family members. In October 2015, she lost her mother in a road accident. Later, the MBA grad left her husbands house and began residing with her maternal relatives. Aafreens husband and her in-laws reportedly abandoned her and never bothered to take her back. Subsequently, she filed a plea in the apex court to declare the divorce null and void.

Atiya Sabri

Atiya Sabri of Saharanpur petitioned PM Narendra Modi seeking his intervention and demanding that he rid the Muslim community of Triple Talaq. She also urged the PM to ban nonsensical fatwas in support of Triple Talaq and sought strict action against those who issue such fatwas. Atiya, who was married to Wajid Ali of Sultanpur in 2012, is a mother of two daughters. When she gave birth to her second daughter, Ali pronounced Triple Talaq in one sitting by writing it on a piece of paper.

Atiya got to know about it only when the paper reached her brothers office, leaving her to fend for herself. Atiya alleges that she was punished with Triple Talaq for giving birth to daughters, and says her husbands family abused and even tried to poison her. She was then thrown out of the house and had to be admitted in hospital, she adds. He did not find it necessary to take my consent. He never called or spoke to me. So how could I accept that divorce, she says.

Gulshan Parveen

Gulshan Parveen of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh received a talaqnama or divorce notice on a D10 stamp paper when she was visiting her parents in 2015. As she refused to accept it, her husband approached a family court. Gulshan was highly qualified with a masters in English and a teaching job at a school and her parents had a tough time finding her a groom.

The search for a groom ended with a person who was less qualified but who belonged to a respectable family. But, the marriage did not last. She was often sent to her parents home for months. When Gulshan was pregnant with her son Ridan, she was forced to go to her parents home for six months. After the birth of the child, she was sent there for eight months.

When she finally returned, her husband used to beat her up and starve her for days, says her brother Raees. Gulshan didnt lose hope and kept returning to her in-laws place so that her son could grow up there. The torture and abuse continued. Following this, she approached the Supreme Court.

If not for these women who moved the apex court against Triple Talaq, the practice might have continued for a much longer time. The petitioners in the case underwent domestic torture and abuse before deciding to take the legal route on the practice of Triple Talaq among Muslims. Ishrat Jahan The sky literally broke on her head when Mohammad Murtaza Ansari gave talaq (divorce) over the phone from faraway Dubai to Ishrat Jahan, a housewife from Howrah, West Bengal, in 2015. Unable to digest the phone talaq, Ishrat Jahan went on to appeal against it in court. Ishrat Jahan was married for 15 years and one day. After the call from Dubai, she never heard back from her husband. The 38-year-old later got to know that he had allegedly married another woman and took her four children with him. She now wants her children back, and maintenance from Mohammad Murtaza. After the Supreme Court order on triple talaaq, Jahan says that any ordinary Muslim woman can fight for her rights if she is violated by talaq given over phone or email, which she terms as un-Islamic. Speaking to the New Indian Express over phone, she says: Talaq should be given and accepted, the way marriages are conducted. Saying talaq, talaq, talaq over phone or email should not be accepted by any Muslim woman. My petition was against people giving talaq over phone and email. These ways of giving talaq are un-Islamic, has no mention in the Quraan and is not practiced anywhere in the world, she adds. Jahan calls for all Muslim women not to digest the improper ways of giving talaq and fight against it. Talaq se Musalmaan auraton ki zindagi kharab hoti hai. Main yeh paigaam dena chahti hoon ki sab apne haq ke liye ladai ekjut hoke lade (Talaq destroys the life of ordinary Muslim women. I urge them to come together and fight for their rights), she says. Shayara Bano It is her moment of triumph. The ordeal, which began for Shayara Bano in 2002 when she was just 24 and entered into wedlock with Rizwan Ahmad of Allahabad resulting in Triple Talaq written on a piece of paper, has now culminated in victory after the SC verdict. Narrating her tale of woes, Shayara wonders how her grip on life loosened gradually and finally she was left to her fate as Rizwan took away their two children (son Irfan, 13, and daughter Muskan, 11) leaving her alone at the Moradabad Raliway Station. Shayara of Kashipur (Uttarakhand) had an arranged marriage with Rizwan Ahmad. Rizwan was a property dealer in Sangam city. She accompanied Rizwan to her in-laws place with dreams of a life replete with love and care. As days passed, everyone at her in-laws place, including her husband, started tormenting her. All of them used to torture her, starve her for days, beat her up, besides demanding dowry. She was forced to have six abortions. I was reduced into a lump of flesh, she says. Afreen Rehman Aafreen Rehman married her husband after meeting him through a matrimonial portal in 2014. Within three months of her marriage, Aafreen (26) had to leave her husbands house after being physically and mentally abused. She is a native of Jaipur, Rajasthan. She got a letter from her husband in 2015 through Speed Post when she was staying at her parents house. Aafreens husband Ashar Warsi, was a lawyer from a Muslim family in Indore. Her father died in 2009 and her brothers met the Warsi familys expectations of dowry by availing of loans to give D10 lakh to the grooms family, according to her close family members. In October 2015, she lost her mother in a road accident. Later, the MBA grad left her husbands house and began residing with her maternal relatives. Aafreens husband and her in-laws reportedly abandoned her and never bothered to take her back. Subsequently, she filed a plea in the apex court to declare the divorce null and void. Atiya Sabri Atiya Sabri of Saharanpur petitioned PM Narendra Modi seeking his intervention and demanding that he rid the Muslim community of Triple Talaq. She also urged the PM to ban nonsensical fatwas in support of Triple Talaq and sought strict action against those who issue such fatwas. Atiya, who was married to Wajid Ali of Sultanpur in 2012, is a mother of two daughters. When she gave birth to her second daughter, Ali pronounced Triple Talaq in one sitting by writing it on a piece of paper. Atiya got to know about it only when the paper reached her brothers office, leaving her to fend for herself. Atiya alleges that she was punished with Triple Talaq for giving birth to daughters, and says her husbands family abused and even tried to poison her. She was then thrown out of the house and had to be admitted in hospital, she adds. He did not find it necessary to take my consent. He never called or spoke to me. So how could I accept that divorce, she says. Gulshan Parveen Gulshan Parveen of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh received a talaqnama or divorce notice on a D10 stamp paper when she was visiting her parents in 2015. As she refused to accept it, her husband approached a family court. Gulshan was highly qualified with a masters in English and a teaching job at a school and her parents had a tough time finding her a groom. The search for a groom ended with a person who was less qualified but who belonged to a respectable family. But, the marriage did not last. She was often sent to her parents home for months. When Gulshan was pregnant with her son Ridan, she was forced to go to her parents home for six months. After the birth of the child, she was sent there for eight months. When she finally returned, her husband used to beat her up and starve her for days, says her brother Raees. Gulshan didnt lose hope and kept returning to her in-laws place so that her son could grow up there. The torture and abuse continued. Following this, she approached the Supreme Court.
Jyoti Punwani By

the day the 1986 Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act was passed by Parliament, many of us wore black bands. The Act kept Muslim women out of the purview of CrPC 125, a provision that made it mandatory for husbands to provide maintenance to deserted/divorced women. By passing the Act, Parliament had conveyed a stark message: Our lawmakers had decreed that Muslim women were not entitled to the protection given by law to all Indian women. Muslim women were therefore not equal citizens.

The Supreme Court has now reversed that message. By striking down the practice of instant, unilateral triple talaq as unconstitutional on grounds of equality, it has asserted that Muslim women are equal citizens. It has been a long fight for Muslim women to achieve this recognitionwhich becomes all the more final because it comes from the apex court.

But in 1986, the finality and majesty of the apex court was repudiated by Parliament when it passed the Muslim Women Act. The SC had granted maintenance under Sec. 125 of the CRPC to an old Muslim divorcee Shah Bano, just as it would have to any other divorced woman. Shah Bano had fought tenaciously for maintenance all the way from the magistrates court in Indore to the SC, because she knew it was her legal right as a divorced woman, Muslim or otherwise.

She stuck to her guns even in the face of massive protests against the judgment by Muslim men on the streets, organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. The latter were furious because the judgment made references to Prophet Muhammad, but it soon became obvious that their fight was to uphold the age-old right of Muslim men to divorce their wives on a whim, giving them a pittance.

Thirty years later, the Board again upheld this very right in its initial affidavit filed in the SC in the current case. That it was forced to file subsequent affidavits assuring the court that it would issue advisories against triple talaq was a last-ditch effort to stave off the abolition of this right. Those familiar with the functioning of the Board, especially Muslim women, knew better than to take such assurances seriously. Even when the Muslim Women Act was being passed, the Board had made tall promises of using Wakf money to support poor Muslim divorcees.

Talking to this reporter after a violent rally had forced her to repudiate her legal victory, Shah Bano had laughed cynically at these promises. These men will do nothing for women, she had said. Recounting her life story, the spirited old woman explained why that long-drawn out legal fight for maintenance, which was in actual terms a measly amount (` 179.20) had been so important to her. She had spent her youth slaving at her husbands house, looking after his bedridden mother and her children single-handedly, while he pursued higher studies abroad. When he became a successful lawyer in Indore, he married a young woman more suited to his taste than the illiterate one he had returned to. When Shah Bano protested, she was driven out with her children. And when she filed for maintenance for herself and her children, she was divorced instantly.

Shah Banos story is not very different from the stories of Muslim women similarly divorced. The 62-year-old didnt challenge her divorce, despite her strong sense of having been treated unjustly. But over three decades later, Muslim women are not afraid to challenge the one practice that makes them constantly vulnerable. In fact, even at that time, Shahnaaz Shaikh, a young victim of triple talaq from Mumbai, had challenged the Muslim Personal Law itself in the SC. But the case got lost as the movement to replace the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya with a Ram Mandir was started, supposedly as a backlash to the way then PM Rajiv Gandhis government had appeased Muslim Ulema.

Tuesdays judgment marks a big step forward from laffaire Shah Bano in another important way. At that time, Muslim women were not considered worthy enough to be consulted before changing a law that vitally affected them. The community was seen as hurt by the Shah Bano judgment, but women werent seen as being part of that community. This reporter can never forget the anguished responses of deserted and divorced Muslim women, who like Shah Bano, had been doing the rounds of courts for years for maintenance. These were poor, illiterate women, conscious they were a burden on their parents. How can a modern young man like Rajiv Gandhi do this to us? they asked. Cant divorce be made as difficult for us as it is for Hindus?

Today, Muslim women have on their own moved court to abolish the practice they hate. Theyve made it clear that there exists no Muslim community without them. This victory is therefore theirs alone. The BJP and its supporters have been quick to take credit for it. This fear of the Hindutva party wading in to rescue Muslim women is the main reason that many progressive young Muslims, who otherwise are quick to welcome court pronouncements and affirm their faith in the judiciary, have maintained a deafening silence today.

Theres no doubt that the BJP sees triple talaq as an important electoral issue. But this win would have come about even without the Centres unequivocal affidavit against triple talaq. Indeed, the Attorney Generals enthusiasm to do away with all forms of talaq finds more than one disapproving mention in the Chief Justices order. Interestingly, even while invoking the Constitution, all three judgments quote the Quran extensively to show that triple talaq goes against Islam.

Neither the Centre, itching to enact a Uniform Civil Code, nor the Ulema, who are equally anxious to condemn the judgment, can ignore this.

Jyoti Punwani

Mumbai-based freelance writer

Email: jyoti.punwani@gmail.com

the day the 1986 Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act was passed by Parliament, many of us wore black bands. The Act kept Muslim women out of the purview of CrPC 125, a provision that made it mandatory for husbands to provide maintenance to deserted/divorced women. By passing the Act, Parliament had conveyed a stark message: Our lawmakers had decreed that Muslim women were not entitled to the protection given by law to all Indian women. Muslim women were therefore not equal citizens. The Supreme Court has now reversed that message. By striking down the practice of instant, unilateral triple talaq as unconstitutional on grounds of equality, it has asserted that Muslim women are equal citizens. It has been a long fight for Muslim women to achieve this recognitionwhich becomes all the more final because it comes from the apex court. But in 1986, the finality and majesty of the apex court was repudiated by Parliament when it passed the Muslim Women Act. The SC had granted maintenance under Sec. 125 of the CRPC to an old Muslim divorcee Shah Bano, just as it would have to any other divorced woman. Shah Bano had fought tenaciously for maintenance all the way from the magistrates court in Indore to the SC, because she knew it was her legal right as a divorced woman, Muslim or otherwise. She stuck to her guns even in the face of massive protests against the judgment by Muslim men on the streets, organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. The latter were furious because the judgment made references to Prophet Muhammad, but it soon became obvious that their fight was to uphold the age-old right of Muslim men to divorce their wives on a whim, giving them a pittance. Thirty years later, the Board again upheld this very right in its initial affidavit filed in the SC in the current case. That it was forced to file subsequent affidavits assuring the court that it would issue advisories against triple talaq was a last-ditch effort to stave off the abolition of this right. Those familiar with the functioning of the Board, especially Muslim women, knew better than to take such assurances seriously. Even when the Muslim Women Act was being passed, the Board had made tall promises of using Wakf money to support poor Muslim divorcees. Talking to this reporter after a violent rally had forced her to repudiate her legal victory, Shah Bano had laughed cynically at these promises. These men will do nothing for women, she had said. Recounting her life story, the spirited old woman explained why that long-drawn out legal fight for maintenance, which was in actual terms a measly amount (` 179.20) had been so important to her. She had spent her youth slaving at her husbands house, looking after his bedridden mother and her children single-handedly, while he pursued higher studies abroad. When he became a successful lawyer in Indore, he married a young woman more suited to his taste than the illiterate one he had returned to. When Shah Bano protested, she was driven out with her children. And when she filed for maintenance for herself and her children, she was divorced instantly. Shah Banos story is not very different from the stories of Muslim women similarly divorced. The 62-year-old didnt challenge her divorce, despite her strong sense of having been treated unjustly. But over three decades later, Muslim women are not afraid to challenge the one practice that makes them constantly vulnerable. In fact, even at that time, Shahnaaz Shaikh, a young victim of triple talaq from Mumbai, had challenged the Muslim Personal Law itself in the SC. But the case got lost as the movement to replace the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya with a Ram Mandir was started, supposedly as a backlash to the way then PM Rajiv Gandhis government had appeased Muslim Ulema. Tuesdays judgment marks a big step forward from laffaire Shah Bano in another important way. At that time, Muslim women were not considered worthy enough to be consulted before changing a law that vitally affected them. The community was seen as hurt by the Shah Bano judgment, but women werent seen as being part of that community. This reporter can never forget the anguished responses of deserted and divorced Muslim women, who like Shah Bano, had been doing the rounds of courts for years for maintenance. These were poor, illiterate women, conscious they were a burden on their parents. How can a modern young man like Rajiv Gandhi do this to us? they asked. Cant divorce be made as difficult for us as it is for Hindus? Today, Muslim women have on their own moved court to abolish the practice they hate. Theyve made it clear that there exists no Muslim community without them. This victory is therefore theirs alone. The BJP and its supporters have been quick to take credit for it. This fear of the Hindutva party wading in to rescue Muslim women is the main reason that many progressive young Muslims, who otherwise are quick to welcome court pronouncements and affirm their faith in the judiciary, have maintained a deafening silence today. Theres no doubt that the BJP sees triple talaq as an important electoral issue. But this win would have come about even without the Centres unequivocal affidavit against triple talaq. Indeed, the Attorney Generals enthusiasm to do away with all forms of talaq finds more than one disapproving mention in the Chief Justices order. Interestingly, even while invoking the Constitution, all three judgments quote the Quran extensively to show that triple talaq goes against Islam. Neither the Centre, itching to enact a Uniform Civil Code, nor the Ulema, who are equally anxious to condemn the judgment, can ignore this. Jyoti Punwani Mumbai-based freelance writer Email: jyoti.punwani@gmail.com
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Senior Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) officer K Mathai, protesting harassment by seniors in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms - E Governance, cycled his way to office on Wednesday morning.

He also alleged that there has been a conspiracy to close Karnataka Sakala Services Act passed in 2011 to provide guarantee of services to citizens in Karnataka with a deadline for citizen-related services. Sakala enables government offices to provide services with a deadline.

An assistant Commissioner and Administrative Officer of Sakala Mission, K Mathai came from his residence near Rajanakunte off Doddaballapura Road which is more than 25 kms away. He left home at around 8.15 am and reached his office in M S Building near Vidhana Soudha at 10 am.

K Mathai told the New Indian Express that he came to office by cycle after the non-payment of his official vehicle bill for 11 months.

"This has been done purposely to harass me. The agency has cancelled the vehicle as the bill was not paid. So this is the only Saathvik option left for me to protest," said K Mathai.

Mathai had also sent a detailed report to chief secretary S C Khuntia where he highlighted the conspiracy by some senior IAS officers to shut Sakala mission.

BENGALURU: Senior Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) officer K Mathai, protesting harassment by seniors in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms - E Governance, cycled his way to office on Wednesday morning. He also alleged that there has been a conspiracy to close Karnataka Sakala Services Act passed in 2011 to provide guarantee of services to citizens in Karnataka with a deadline for citizen-related services. Sakala enables government offices to provide services with a deadline. An assistant Commissioner and Administrative Officer of Sakala Mission, K Mathai came from his residence near Rajanakunte off Doddaballapura Road which is more than 25 kms away. He left home at around 8.15 am and reached his office in M S Building near Vidhana Soudha at 10 am. K Mathai told the New Indian Express that he came to office by cycle after the non-payment of his official vehicle bill for 11 months. "This has been done purposely to harass me. The agency has cancelled the vehicle as the bill was not paid. So this is the only Saathvik option left for me to protest," said K Mathai. Mathai had also sent a detailed report to chief secretary S C Khuntia where he highlighted the conspiracy by some senior IAS officers to shut Sakala mission.
By Express News Service

BELAGAVI: The faction of the Lingayats seeking separate religion status has decided to hold talks with the Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the umbrella group which includes Lingayats, and to take a joint delegation to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. However, the Lingayat Swatantra Dharma Horata Samithi also underlined that it will not step back from demanding separate religion status for Lingayats.

In a massive rally attended by close to one lakh people on Lingaraj College Grounds here on Tuesday, the Samithi members said that the talks will be held with Veerashaiva Mahasabha as per the suggestion of Siddaramaiah. More than a lakh Lingayats from various parts of the state, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana participated in the rally. They wore Gandhi caps with slogans seeking separate religion status written on them.

Shivamurthy swamy of Murugha mutt of Chitradurga said that the Lingayat religion believes in changing the minds and hearts of the people. Though there are hundreds of Lingayat mutts in the state, only 50 pontiffs of various mutts who have faith in Basavannas principles attended. The pontiffs believe it is the need of the hour to meet the Veerashaiva Mahasabha and convince them in this regard. Nothing can be achieved with enmity.

We must together submit memorandum to the government to accord separate religious status for Lingayats, he said. We must convince the Mahasabha and if they do not agree we will start a Veerashaivas Quit Lingayat Religion movement, Basavajayamrutunjaya swamy of Kudala Sangam mutt said.

BELAGAVI: The faction of the Lingayats seeking separate religion status has decided to hold talks with the Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the umbrella group which includes Lingayats, and to take a joint delegation to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. However, the Lingayat Swatantra Dharma Horata Samithi also underlined that it will not step back from demanding separate religion status for Lingayats. In a massive rally attended by close to one lakh people on Lingaraj College Grounds here on Tuesday, the Samithi members said that the talks will be held with Veerashaiva Mahasabha as per the suggestion of Siddaramaiah. More than a lakh Lingayats from various parts of the state, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana participated in the rally. They wore Gandhi caps with slogans seeking separate religion status written on them. Shivamurthy swamy of Murugha mutt of Chitradurga said that the Lingayat religion believes in changing the minds and hearts of the people. Though there are hundreds of Lingayat mutts in the state, only 50 pontiffs of various mutts who have faith in Basavannas principles attended. The pontiffs believe it is the need of the hour to meet the Veerashaiva Mahasabha and convince them in this regard. Nothing can be achieved with enmity. We must together submit memorandum to the government to accord separate religious status for Lingayats, he said. We must convince the Mahasabha and if they do not agree we will start a Veerashaivas Quit Lingayat Religion movement, Basavajayamrutunjaya swamy of Kudala Sangam mutt said.
By PTI

BEIJING: China said today that preparations were in full swing for next month's BRICS Summit but skirted questions on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the meet amid the ongoing Doklam standoff.

"All the preparatory work for the Summit is advancing in an orderly way. We are almost ready," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told the media here when asked if Modi has confirmed his participation in the Summit amid concerns over the standoff between the armies of the two countries in the Doklam area of the Sikkim sector.

Last week, external affairs ministry spokesperson

Raveesh Kumar, during a briefing in New Delhi, also did not confirm whether Modi will travel to China next month to attend the Summit, saying he does not have any information about it.

The Summit of the five emerging countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) -- will be held in the coastal city of Xiamen from September 3 to September 5.

"We believe with the concerted efforts of various

parties, the Summit will achieve success, scaling up the cooperation to new heights for the BRICS countries," Hua said.

Without making any direct reference to Modi's participation, Hua reiterated China's stand that the Indian border troops should be unconditionally withdrawn from Doklam which is a prerequisite for the settlement of the issue.

BEIJING: China said today that preparations were in full swing for next month's BRICS Summit but skirted questions on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the meet amid the ongoing Doklam standoff. "All the preparatory work for the Summit is advancing in an orderly way. We are almost ready," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told the media here when asked if Modi has confirmed his participation in the Summit amid concerns over the standoff between the armies of the two countries in the Doklam area of the Sikkim sector. Last week, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, during a briefing in New Delhi, also did not confirm whether Modi will travel to China next month to attend the Summit, saying he does not have any information about it. The Summit of the five emerging countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) -- will be held in the coastal city of Xiamen from September 3 to September 5. "We believe with the concerted efforts of various parties, the Summit will achieve success, scaling up the cooperation to new heights for the BRICS countries," Hua said. Without making any direct reference to Modi's participation, Hua reiterated China's stand that the Indian border troops should be unconditionally withdrawn from Doklam which is a prerequisite for the settlement of the issue.
By Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG: Angolans voted Wednesday in an election in which the defense minister is the front-runner to succeed President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who will step down after 38 years in power in an oil-rich country beset by widespread poverty and corruption.

About 9.3 million Angolans are registered to vote for the 220-member National Assembly; the winning party will then select the president. Dos Santos' chosen successor is Joao Lourenco, the defense minister and a former governor who fought in the war against Portuguese colonial rule as well as the long civil war that ended in 2002.

Dos Santos, accompanied by wife Ana Paula dos Santos, and Lourenco voted separately in Luanda, the capital, reported the state-run Agencia Angola Press. The main opposition leader, Isaias Samakuva of the UNITA party, cast his ballot at a university in a Luanda suburb.

Angolan rights activists have alleged that the ruling party unfairly used state machinery ahead of the election, noting that most media coverage focused on the MPLA campaign.

Election observers from other African countries are monitoring the vote, but the European Union is not sending a full-fledged observer mission because it says the Angolan government wanted to impose restrictions, including limited access to polling stations around the country.

Some voters said they were satisfied with the voting process, which they described as calm and orderly. "It was very fast," Luanda voter Francisco Joao Lopes told the Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Another voter, 20-year-old Solange Moangongo, proudly showed an index finger marked with indelible ink, a measure designed to prevent people from trying to vote more than once.

"I feel like I am an adult because for the first time I was able to exercise my right to vote," Moangongo told the Lusa agency. "I hope that my vote will make a difference in these elections."

The ruling MPLA party, whose Portuguese acronym means Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, won the 2012 election with 72 percent of votes amid allegations of irregularities. UNITA, or the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, a former rebel force that fought the MPLA in Angola's civil war, is the main opposition challenger.

Angola is beset by poverty, corruption and human rights concerns, though some analysts believe new leadership could open the way to more accountability.

Lourenco, 63, has pledged to fight graft and is seen as a symbol of stability and even incremental change. Critics, however, point to entrenched patronage networks benefiting an elite that includes Isabel dos Santos, the president's daughter and head of the state oil company Sonangol, and Jose Filomeno dos Santos, a son in charge of the country's sovereign wealth fund.

Additionally, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, 74, is expected to remain ruling party leader, though there are concerns about his health since he received medical treatment in Spain this year.

There are opportunities for fiscal reform if Lourenco becomes Angola's new president as expected, said a senior analyst at Exotix Capital, an investment bank that focuses on developing economies.

"While we expect broad continuity, investors will be hoping to see further measures to improve transparency and a boost for the private sector," analyst Stuart Culverhouse said in a statement.

JOHANNESBURG: Angolans voted Wednesday in an election in which the defense minister is the front-runner to succeed President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who will step down after 38 years in power in an oil-rich country beset by widespread poverty and corruption. About 9.3 million Angolans are registered to vote for the 220-member National Assembly; the winning party will then select the president. Dos Santos' chosen successor is Joao Lourenco, the defense minister and a former governor who fought in the war against Portuguese colonial rule as well as the long civil war that ended in 2002. Dos Santos, accompanied by wife Ana Paula dos Santos, and Lourenco voted separately in Luanda, the capital, reported the state-run Agencia Angola Press. The main opposition leader, Isaias Samakuva of the UNITA party, cast his ballot at a university in a Luanda suburb. Angolan rights activists have alleged that the ruling party unfairly used state machinery ahead of the election, noting that most media coverage focused on the MPLA campaign. Election observers from other African countries are monitoring the vote, but the European Union is not sending a full-fledged observer mission because it says the Angolan government wanted to impose restrictions, including limited access to polling stations around the country. Some voters said they were satisfied with the voting process, which they described as calm and orderly. "It was very fast," Luanda voter Francisco Joao Lopes told the Portuguese news agency Lusa. Another voter, 20-year-old Solange Moangongo, proudly showed an index finger marked with indelible ink, a measure designed to prevent people from trying to vote more than once. "I feel like I am an adult because for the first time I was able to exercise my right to vote," Moangongo told the Lusa agency. "I hope that my vote will make a difference in these elections." The ruling MPLA party, whose Portuguese acronym means Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, won the 2012 election with 72 percent of votes amid allegations of irregularities. UNITA, or the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, a former rebel force that fought the MPLA in Angola's civil war, is the main opposition challenger. Angola is beset by poverty, corruption and human rights concerns, though some analysts believe new leadership could open the way to more accountability. Lourenco, 63, has pledged to fight graft and is seen as a symbol of stability and even incremental change. Critics, however, point to entrenched patronage networks benefiting an elite that includes Isabel dos Santos, the president's daughter and head of the state oil company Sonangol, and Jose Filomeno dos Santos, a son in charge of the country's sovereign wealth fund. Additionally, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, 74, is expected to remain ruling party leader, though there are concerns about his health since he received medical treatment in Spain this year. There are opportunities for fiscal reform if Lourenco becomes Angola's new president as expected, said a senior analyst at Exotix Capital, an investment bank that focuses on developing economies. "While we expect broad continuity, investors will be hoping to see further measures to improve transparency and a boost for the private sector," analyst Stuart Culverhouse said in a statement.
By AFP

JERUSALEM: Israel will strip 20 citizens who left to fight with the Islamic State (IS) group of their citizenship, a minister said today, with reports saying all but two are Arab.

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said an amendment to Israel's nationality act which went into force this month allows those engaged in hostile activity to be stripped of their citizenship in absentia.

"I asked that the citizenship of 20 such Israelis be revoked," he told Israeli army radio.

The Shin Bet security service has in the past estimated that several dozen Israeli nationals had been fighting for IS in Iraq and Syria but now says that "about 20" remain active.

The remainder, it says, were either killed in action or returned to Israel, where they were arrested.

Deri said that the amendment would prevent IS recruits from returning to the Jewish state, while also acting as a deterrent to young Israelis considering similar journeys.

Without the bill, he said, they would return to the country and eventually "carry out another car ramming attack."

He said each individual decision would receive due process.

Private Israeli TV Channel Two reported Tuesday that most of those to be stripped of their citizenship were Arabs descendents of those who stayed after the creation of Israel in 1948.

However, it said, two were originally Jews -- immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union who had converted to Islam and joined the fighting in Syria.

The Shin Bet has said that IS sympathisers among the Jewish state's Arab minority pose a "serious security threat"for Israel.

By the end of 2016, 83 people, most of them Arab Israelis, were behind bars in Israel as suspected IS sympathisers, up from just 12 a year earlier, according to a recent report in newspaper Haaretz.

Some were arrested for planning to travel to Syria or Iraq to fight alongside the jihadists, or on their return to Israel.

Others were detained for contacts on the internet with IS militants abroad or for planning attacks at home.

JERUSALEM: Israel will strip 20 citizens who left to fight with the Islamic State (IS) group of their citizenship, a minister said today, with reports saying all but two are Arab. Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said an amendment to Israel's nationality act which went into force this month allows those engaged in hostile activity to be stripped of their citizenship in absentia. "I asked that the citizenship of 20 such Israelis be revoked," he told Israeli army radio. The Shin Bet security service has in the past estimated that several dozen Israeli nationals had been fighting for IS in Iraq and Syria but now says that "about 20" remain active. The remainder, it says, were either killed in action or returned to Israel, where they were arrested. Deri said that the amendment would prevent IS recruits from returning to the Jewish state, while also acting as a deterrent to young Israelis considering similar journeys. Without the bill, he said, they would return to the country and eventually "carry out another car ramming attack." He said each individual decision would receive due process. Private Israeli TV Channel Two reported Tuesday that most of those to be stripped of their citizenship were Arabs descendents of those who stayed after the creation of Israel in 1948. However, it said, two were originally Jews -- immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union who had converted to Islam and joined the fighting in Syria. The Shin Bet has said that IS sympathisers among the Jewish state's Arab minority pose a "serious security threat"for Israel. By the end of 2016, 83 people, most of them Arab Israelis, were behind bars in Israel as suspected IS sympathisers, up from just 12 a year earlier, according to a recent report in newspaper Haaretz. Some were arrested for planning to travel to Syria or Iraq to fight alongside the jihadists, or on their return to Israel. Others were detained for contacts on the internet with IS militants abroad or for planning attacks at home.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi today travelled to Saudi Arabia on a day-long visit - his first foreign trip since assuming office - to discuss bilateral ties with top Saudi leadership.

Abbasi is accompanied by Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, and Minister of Finance Ishaq Dar. "During the meeting with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman the whole spectrum of bilateral relations would be reviewed," the Foreign Office said.

"In addition, the two leaders will also discuss emerging regional and global geo-strategic situation and other matters of mutual interest," it added. Abbasi, 58, was sworn-in as Pakistan's 18th prime minister on August 1 after the Supreme Court disqualified the incumbent Nawaz Sharif for dishonesty following the Panama papers scandal.

The Foreign Office said that the Prime Minister's visit signifies the warmth and fraternity that characterises the relations between the two countries and is in keeping with the tradition of frequent visits undertaken by the Pakistani Leadership to the Kingdom. There have been number of exchanges at the leadership level from both sides, recently. Abbasi would also visit the Muslim Holy places to pray.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi today travelled to Saudi Arabia on a day-long visit - his first foreign trip since assuming office - to discuss bilateral ties with top Saudi leadership. Abbasi is accompanied by Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, and Minister of Finance Ishaq Dar. "During the meeting with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman the whole spectrum of bilateral relations would be reviewed," the Foreign Office said. "In addition, the two leaders will also discuss emerging regional and global geo-strategic situation and other matters of mutual interest," it added. Abbasi, 58, was sworn-in as Pakistan's 18th prime minister on August 1 after the Supreme Court disqualified the incumbent Nawaz Sharif for dishonesty following the Panama papers scandal. The Foreign Office said that the Prime Minister's visit signifies the warmth and fraternity that characterises the relations between the two countries and is in keeping with the tradition of frequent visits undertaken by the Pakistani Leadership to the Kingdom. There have been number of exchanges at the leadership level from both sides, recently. Abbasi would also visit the Muslim Holy places to pray.
By Associated Press

KABUL: A Taliban suicide car bomber targeted a military convoy in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Wednesday, killing at least seven people, a provincial official said.

The attack comes just days after President Donald Trump announced his new strategy for Afghanistan, which involves maintaining a U.S. military presence in the country and upending a campaign vow to end America's longest war.

According to Omar Zwak, the spokesman for the Helmand provincial governor, Wednesday's explosion in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, also wounded 42 people, mostly civilians.

Initial reports show that those killed included a small girl, two women and four soldiers, Zwak said, expressing fears that the death toll could rise further.

"This is from our initial reports, I am afraid the casualty tolls might change once we get a final report form the attack," he added.

The bombing took place near the police chief's headquarters. Local TV broadcast footage showing several military Humvees, which the Afghan army also uses, destroyed as a result of the attack.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a posting on his twitter account.

Senior Afghan government officials on Tuesday welcomed Trump's strategy announcement from Monday. Senior U.S. officials said Trump may send up to 3,900 more troops, with some deployments beginning almost immediately.

Trump also had harsh words for Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of giving extremists a safe haven, while next door in Afghanistan they kill U.S. troops. He said he wanted "immediate" results without saying what actions the United States might take against Pakistan if it ignored his warning.

The United States and Afghanistan have routinely accused Pakistan  and particularly its powerful intelligence agency  of harboring insurgents and of waging a selective war, attacking those militants Islamabad considers its enemy and allowing those it has been known to use as proxies, either against hostile neighbors India or Afghanistan, to flourish.

Taliban attacks have stepped up all across Afghanistan since the withdrawal of foreign combat forces from the war-torn nation at the end of 2014, and the insurgents have lately been constantly expanding their footprint.

Earlier this month, the Taliban in an "open letter" to Trump, reiterated their calls for the withdrawal of all remaining U.S. troops. The United States has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, who support local forces and carry out counterterrorism operations.

KABUL: A Taliban suicide car bomber targeted a military convoy in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Wednesday, killing at least seven people, a provincial official said. The attack comes just days after President Donald Trump announced his new strategy for Afghanistan, which involves maintaining a U.S. military presence in the country and upending a campaign vow to end America's longest war. According to Omar Zwak, the spokesman for the Helmand provincial governor, Wednesday's explosion in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, also wounded 42 people, mostly civilians. Initial reports show that those killed included a small girl, two women and four soldiers, Zwak said, expressing fears that the death toll could rise further. "This is from our initial reports, I am afraid the casualty tolls might change once we get a final report form the attack," he added. The bombing took place near the police chief's headquarters. Local TV broadcast footage showing several military Humvees, which the Afghan army also uses, destroyed as a result of the attack. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a posting on his twitter account. Senior Afghan government officials on Tuesday welcomed Trump's strategy announcement from Monday. Senior U.S. officials said Trump may send up to 3,900 more troops, with some deployments beginning almost immediately. Trump also had harsh words for Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of giving extremists a safe haven, while next door in Afghanistan they kill U.S. troops. He said he wanted "immediate" results without saying what actions the United States might take against Pakistan if it ignored his warning. The United States and Afghanistan have routinely accused Pakistan  and particularly its powerful intelligence agency  of harboring insurgents and of waging a selective war, attacking those militants Islamabad considers its enemy and allowing those it has been known to use as proxies, either against hostile neighbors India or Afghanistan, to flourish. Taliban attacks have stepped up all across Afghanistan since the withdrawal of foreign combat forces from the war-torn nation at the end of 2014, and the insurgents have lately been constantly expanding their footprint. Earlier this month, the Taliban in an "open letter" to Trump, reiterated their calls for the withdrawal of all remaining U.S. troops. The United States has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, who support local forces and carry out counterterrorism operations.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is not seeking material or financial help from the US, but Washington must trust and treat it with respect, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa today told the US envoy here, a day after President Trump asked Islamabad to stop providing safe havens to terrorists.

While announcing America's new Afghanistan and South Asia policy - which calls for greater US troop deployment and Indian involvement in Afghanistan - Trump had hit out at Pakistan for offering sanctuaries to "agents of chaos." The US Ambassador David Hale met Gen. Bajwa at the Army's Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where the latter was briefed on the US's new South Asia policy announced by President Trump, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations - the Pakistani military's media wing "

We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations," the US president had said. Responding to the invective, Gen. Bajwa said: "We are not looking for any material or financial assistance from the US, but trust, understanding and [an] acknowledgment of our contributions."

According to the ISPR statement, the Pakistan Army chief highlighted the importance of peace in Afghanistan for Pakistan and highlighted the efforts made by the country. He added that such efforts were "not [meant] to appease anyone but [were taken] in line with [Pakistan's] national interest and policy," the ISPR statement said.

Gen. Bajwa further said that collaboration between all stakeholders in the key to bringing the war in Afghanistan to its logical conclusion, the statement said. Hale said that the US values Pakistan's role in the "War against Terror" and seeks the country's cooperation in resolving the Afghan issue, the statement added.

The US ambassador had similarly briefed Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif yesterday on Washington's new policy and statements made by Trump regarding Pakistan. During the meeting, Asif had told the envoy that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community to eliminate the menace of terrorism.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is not seeking material or financial help from the US, but Washington must trust and treat it with respect, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa today told the US envoy here, a day after President Trump asked Islamabad to stop providing safe havens to terrorists. While announcing America's new Afghanistan and South Asia policy - which calls for greater US troop deployment and Indian involvement in Afghanistan - Trump had hit out at Pakistan for offering sanctuaries to "agents of chaos." The US Ambassador David Hale met Gen. Bajwa at the Army's Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where the latter was briefed on the US's new South Asia policy announced by President Trump, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations - the Pakistani military's media wing " We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations," the US president had said. Responding to the invective, Gen. Bajwa said: "We are not looking for any material or financial assistance from the US, but trust, understanding and [an] acknowledgment of our contributions." According to the ISPR statement, the Pakistan Army chief highlighted the importance of peace in Afghanistan for Pakistan and highlighted the efforts made by the country. He added that such efforts were "not [meant] to appease anyone but [were taken] in line with [Pakistan's] national interest and policy," the ISPR statement said. Gen. Bajwa further said that collaboration between all stakeholders in the key to bringing the war in Afghanistan to its logical conclusion, the statement said. Hale said that the US values Pakistan's role in the "War against Terror" and seeks the country's cooperation in resolving the Afghan issue, the statement added. The US ambassador had similarly briefed Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif yesterday on Washington's new policy and statements made by Trump regarding Pakistan. During the meeting, Asif had told the envoy that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community to eliminate the menace of terrorism.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: Pakistan will face consequences like losing the major non-NATO ally status if it continues to provide safe heavens to terror groups, two top US leaders have warned, a day after President Donald Trump put Islamabad on notice for harbouring militants.

Trump came down heavily on Pakistan for its support to terror groups, saying the country receives billions of dollars in US aid but continues to harbour militants.

By providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan, Trump warned Islamabad that it has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists.

Defence Secretary James Mattis said that the Trump administration will surely take action against Pakistan in this regard this time.

He was responding to a question on a similar rhetoric in the past, but the US had shown reluctance in taking action against Islamabad.

"The words (of Trump) were very tough, but those words have been said before. What's actually going to be done to sort or align that with the strategy?" Mattis was asked.

"I understand the question. You'll just have to watch it unfold in order to really get the answer to it," Mattis who is currently on a trip to the Middle East told reporters travelling with him.

Mattis has directed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to make preparations to carry out Trump's strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"I will be in consultation with the Secretary General of NATO and our alliesseveral of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers. Together, we will assist the Afghan Security forces to destroy the terrorist hubs," he said.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson acknowledged that Pakistan's status as a non-NATO ally is now in question.

"We have some leverage that's been discussed in terms of the amount of aid and military assistance we give them; their status as a non-NATO alliance partner. All of that can be put on the table.

"But at the end of the day, Pakistan has to decide what is in Pakistan's best long-term interest from a security standpoint for themselves and for their people," he said.

The Taliban and other organisations inside Pakistan seem to be growing their numbers and their presence to the point that at some point they would become a real threat to the stability of the Pakistani government itself, he said.

Tillerson said that the Trump administration is adopting conditions-based diplomacy.

"Pakistan and the US historically had very good relationships. But over the last few years, there's been a real erosion in the confidence between our two governments.

"There's been an erosion in trust because we have witnessed terrorist organisations being given safe haven inside of Pakistan to plan and carry out attacks against US servicemen...," he said.

Tillerson did not rule out use of American military resources to attack terrorists if there were actionable intelligence.

"We're going to attack terrorists wherever they live and we have put people on notice if you're harbouring and providing safe haven to terrorists," he said.

The greatest benefactor other than the Afghan people themselves, to achieving stability and peace in Afghanistan are the people of Pakistan. They will benefit more than any other nation, Tillerson said.

WASHINGTON: Pakistan will face consequences like losing the major non-NATO ally status if it continues to provide safe heavens to terror groups, two top US leaders have warned, a day after President Donald Trump put Islamabad on notice for harbouring militants. Trump came down heavily on Pakistan for its support to terror groups, saying the country receives billions of dollars in US aid but continues to harbour militants. By providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan, Trump warned Islamabad that it has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists. Defence Secretary James Mattis said that the Trump administration will surely take action against Pakistan in this regard this time. He was responding to a question on a similar rhetoric in the past, but the US had shown reluctance in taking action against Islamabad. "The words (of Trump) were very tough, but those words have been said before. What's actually going to be done to sort or align that with the strategy?" Mattis was asked. "I understand the question. You'll just have to watch it unfold in order to really get the answer to it," Mattis who is currently on a trip to the Middle East told reporters travelling with him. Mattis has directed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to make preparations to carry out Trump's strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan. "I will be in consultation with the Secretary General of NATO and our alliesseveral of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers. Together, we will assist the Afghan Security forces to destroy the terrorist hubs," he said. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson acknowledged that Pakistan's status as a non-NATO ally is now in question. "We have some leverage that's been discussed in terms of the amount of aid and military assistance we give them; their status as a non-NATO alliance partner. All of that can be put on the table. "But at the end of the day, Pakistan has to decide what is in Pakistan's best long-term interest from a security standpoint for themselves and for their people," he said. The Taliban and other organisations inside Pakistan seem to be growing their numbers and their presence to the point that at some point they would become a real threat to the stability of the Pakistani government itself, he said. Tillerson said that the Trump administration is adopting conditions-based diplomacy. "Pakistan and the US historically had very good relationships. But over the last few years, there's been a real erosion in the confidence between our two governments. "There's been an erosion in trust because we have witnessed terrorist organisations being given safe haven inside of Pakistan to plan and carry out attacks against US servicemen...," he said. Tillerson did not rule out use of American military resources to attack terrorists if there were actionable intelligence. "We're going to attack terrorists wherever they live and we have put people on notice if you're harbouring and providing safe haven to terrorists," he said. The greatest benefactor other than the Afghan people themselves, to achieving stability and peace in Afghanistan are the people of Pakistan. They will benefit more than any other nation, Tillerson said.
By PTI

UNITED NATIONS: UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said today he saw "the early warnings of genocide" during a recent visit to Central African Republic, which has faced sectarian fighting since 2013.

He said in an interview with The Associated Press that "there's a terrible development of militias now using ethnic or religious" reasons for attacks. He spoke with AP after briefing the UN Security Council on his trip behind closed doors at the request of France.

During a visit to the southeastern town of Bangassou last month, O'Brien said, he saw 2,000 Muslims trapped in a Catholic church where they fled after their homes were burned by mostly Christian anti-Balaka militiamen who were "just lying in wait to kill them if they tried to move."

By contrast, he said, "every Christian family's house was left standing."

Central African Republic, one of the world's most impoverished nations, has been wracked by violence since predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels overthrew the Christian president in 2013 and seized power. .

Anti-Balaka militias fought back, resulting in thousands of deaths, the displacement of hundreds of thousands more and the flight of many Muslims to the country's north or across the border into Chad and Cameroon.

Despite peaceful elections in early 2016, violence has continued. Sectarian fighting has moved into the country's central and southeastern regions, prompting warnings of a national conflict roaring back to life. More than 300 people have been killed and over 100,000 displaced since May.

O'Brien's report to the Security Council follows a warning from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in late July that hard-won gains toward lasting peace in Central African Republic are threatened by fighting in the country's southeast and heightened ethnic tensions.

But the UN humanitarian chief went further on Tuesday, saying: "The early warnings of genocide are there."

O'Brien noted Central African Republic is twice the size of France, with only 1,300 kilometers of paved roads and just over 12,000 U.N. peacekeepers mandated to protect civilians.

He said that "there are massive flare-ups" not only in Bangassou but in Obo and Bria, also in the southeast, and "the concern is that there's no control."

"The escalation is very real," O'Brien said. "We're looking at things which we haven't heard about for a long time. There's a very deep ethnic cleansing approach."

He said he felt very strongly it was his special duty to tell the Security Council what he saw in Bangassou, where UN peacekeeping troops from the Muslim country of Morocco based.

UNITED NATIONS: UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said today he saw "the early warnings of genocide" during a recent visit to Central African Republic, which has faced sectarian fighting since 2013. He said in an interview with The Associated Press that "there's a terrible development of militias now using ethnic or religious" reasons for attacks. He spoke with AP after briefing the UN Security Council on his trip behind closed doors at the request of France. During a visit to the southeastern town of Bangassou last month, O'Brien said, he saw 2,000 Muslims trapped in a Catholic church where they fled after their homes were burned by mostly Christian anti-Balaka militiamen who were "just lying in wait to kill them if they tried to move." By contrast, he said, "every Christian family's house was left standing." Central African Republic, one of the world's most impoverished nations, has been wracked by violence since predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels overthrew the Christian president in 2013 and seized power. . Anti-Balaka militias fought back, resulting in thousands of deaths, the displacement of hundreds of thousands more and the flight of many Muslims to the country's north or across the border into Chad and Cameroon. Despite peaceful elections in early 2016, violence has continued. Sectarian fighting has moved into the country's central and southeastern regions, prompting warnings of a national conflict roaring back to life. More than 300 people have been killed and over 100,000 displaced since May. O'Brien's report to the Security Council follows a warning from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in late July that hard-won gains toward lasting peace in Central African Republic are threatened by fighting in the country's southeast and heightened ethnic tensions. But the UN humanitarian chief went further on Tuesday, saying: "The early warnings of genocide are there." O'Brien noted Central African Republic is twice the size of France, with only 1,300 kilometers of paved roads and just over 12,000 U.N. peacekeepers mandated to protect civilians. He said that "there are massive flare-ups" not only in Bangassou but in Obo and Bria, also in the southeast, and "the concern is that there's no control." "The escalation is very real," O'Brien said. "We're looking at things which we haven't heard about for a long time. There's a very deep ethnic cleansing approach." He said he felt very strongly it was his special duty to tell the Security Council what he saw in Bangassou, where UN peacekeeping troops from the Muslim country of Morocco based.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: A day after President Donald Trump warned Pakistan of the consequences of providing safe haven to terrorists, US Defence Secretary James Mattis said the Trump administration will surely take action against Pakistan in this regard this time.

Mattis was responding to a question on similar rhetoric's in the past, but the US had shown reluctance in taking action against Pakistan.

"The words (of Trump) were very tough, but those words have been said before. What's actually going to be done to sort or align that with the strategy?" Mattis was asked.

"I understand the question. You'll just have to watch it unfold in order to really get the answer to it," Mattis who is currently on a trip to the Middle East told reporters travelling with him.

Mattis has directed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to make preparations to carry out Trump's strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"I will be in consultation with the Secretary General of NATO and our alliesseveral of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers. Together, we will assist the Afghan Security forces to destroy the terrorist hubs," he said.

READ MORE: Trump administration had to put pressure on India for Afghanistan role: Nikki Haley

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson did not rule out use of American military resources to attack terrorists if there were actionable intelligence.

"The only way we can defeat an enemy that is as nimble and as cagey tactically as this enemy is we have to be as cagey and tactical as they are, and we've not been fighting that way," he said.

"I'm not going to comment on what it could include. But the President's been clear that we're going to protect American troops and servicemen," he said, when asked whether the attack will include strikes in Pakistan.

"We're going to attack terrorists wherever they live and we have put people on notice that if you're harbouring and providing safe haven to terrorists, be warned, be forewarned that we're going to engage with those who are providing safe haven and ask them to change what they're doing and help us help them," he said.

"Because in my view, the greatest benefactor other than the Afghan people themselves, to achieving stability and peace in Afghanistan are the people of Pakistan. They will benefit more than any other nation," Tillerson said.

WASHINGTON: A day after President Donald Trump warned Pakistan of the consequences of providing safe haven to terrorists, US Defence Secretary James Mattis said the Trump administration will surely take action against Pakistan in this regard this time. Mattis was responding to a question on similar rhetoric's in the past, but the US had shown reluctance in taking action against Pakistan. "The words (of Trump) were very tough, but those words have been said before. What's actually going to be done to sort or align that with the strategy?" Mattis was asked. "I understand the question. You'll just have to watch it unfold in order to really get the answer to it," Mattis who is currently on a trip to the Middle East told reporters travelling with him. Mattis has directed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to make preparations to carry out Trump's strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan. "I will be in consultation with the Secretary General of NATO and our alliesseveral of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers. Together, we will assist the Afghan Security forces to destroy the terrorist hubs," he said. READ MORE: Trump administration had to put pressure on India for Afghanistan role: Nikki Haley Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson did not rule out use of American military resources to attack terrorists if there were actionable intelligence. "The only way we can defeat an enemy that is as nimble and as cagey tactically as this enemy is we have to be as cagey and tactical as they are, and we've not been fighting that way," he said. "I'm not going to comment on what it could include. But the President's been clear that we're going to protect American troops and servicemen," he said, when asked whether the attack will include strikes in Pakistan. "We're going to attack terrorists wherever they live and we have put people on notice that if you're harbouring and providing safe haven to terrorists, be warned, be forewarned that we're going to engage with those who are providing safe haven and ask them to change what they're doing and help us help them," he said. "Because in my view, the greatest benefactor other than the Afghan people themselves, to achieving stability and peace in Afghanistan are the people of Pakistan. They will benefit more than any other nation," Tillerson said.
By AFP

VIENNA: French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that an EU rule allowing companies to send temporary workers from low-wage countries to other member states without paying local social charges was a "betrayal of the European spirit".

The regulation has come under fire from critics in rich nations, who say it amounts to "social dumping" in which payments to costly health and welfare systems are avoided.

Faced with faltering ratings at home, Macron seeks to drum up support for his plan to overhaul the rule during a diplomatic blitz through eastern and central Europe.

"The European directive on detached workers in its current format is a betrayal of the European spirit," Macron said in the Austrian city of Salzburg at the start of his tour.

He heads to Romania on Thursday and Bulgaria on Friday.

"The single market and the free movement of people weren't created to help countries promoting the lowest social rights. This is what stokes populism in our countries," he told reporters at a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern.

"Austria and France are on the same wavelength," Macron added.

Both countries are among the EU's key recipients of so-called "posted workers" from central and eastern European nations.

The directive was launched in 1996 to help stimulate cross-border business activity.

But at the time the EU's membership comprised countries of broadly similar living standards.

Critics argue that the bloc's expansion in 2004 opened the system to abuse.

Firms in the former Communist countries of eastern and central Europe pay salaries that are far lower than in western Europe.

They thus start with a huge competitive advantage when bidding for work abroad in wealthy countries -- and do not contribute to the cost of maintaining the local social safety net.

- Trend on the rise -

Although the posted workers issue affects less than one percent of the EU's workforce, experts say the trend is on the rise.

Austria has seen the number of posted workers rise from around 106,000 in 2014 to 166,490 in 2016 in a workforce of four million, according to the Vienna-based research institute L&R Sozialforschung.

France meanwhile employed some 286,000 temporary workers in 2015 under the directive.

Backed by Vienna and Berlin, Paris now wants the job duration to be limited to 12 months, half the period proposed by the European Commission.

However, the so-called Visegrad Four group -- Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic -- say the proposal goes too far and tries to undercut their interests.

Along with Kern, Macron discussed the sensitive issue with the leaders of Slovakia and the Czech Republic in Salzburg on Wednesday afternoon, hoping to win their backing.

Notably absent from the French president's tour are meetings with the hard-right and conservative leaders of Hungary and Poland, with whom Macron has repeatedly clashed.

Poland is the country that benefits most from the Posted Workers Directive.

An estimated 500,000 of its nationals are employed by Polish companies in other EU members.

- 'Protective Europe' -

Top officials in Brussels on Wednesday welcomed Macron's reform push.

The European Commission and its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, "have made the fight against social dumping one of their key priorities", said Alexander Winterstein, a spokesman for the EU's executive body.

Macron hopes to seal a reform deal at a summit on the EU directive in Brussels on October 19-20.

Ahead of the crucial meeting, he will host leaders from Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands later this month.

Franco-German unity is seen as a pre-requisite for an overhaul of the rule.

Paris and Berlin are "completely" in agreement, according to French diplomats.

Pierre Vimont, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Europe think tank, called changing the directive "a symbolic case" for Macron whose popularity ratings have plummeted since he took office in May.

"Macron needs to deliver for French public opinion," Vimont said.

The move is a crucial part of Macron's broader push to create a new "protective Europe" that helps shield citizens from the effects of cut-throat international competition.

The 39-year-old centrist is pushing for a new mechanism to screen non-EU investments, particularly from China, into strategic areas of the European economy, as well as tougher measures to block the dumping of cheap imports on the continent.

He also wants much deeper integration of the eurozone, including giving the 19-country currency bloc its own budget, finance minister, parliament and borrowing capacity.

VIENNA: French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that an EU rule allowing companies to send temporary workers from low-wage countries to other member states without paying local social charges was a "betrayal of the European spirit". The regulation has come under fire from critics in rich nations, who say it amounts to "social dumping" in which payments to costly health and welfare systems are avoided. Faced with faltering ratings at home, Macron seeks to drum up support for his plan to overhaul the rule during a diplomatic blitz through eastern and central Europe. "The European directive on detached workers in its current format is a betrayal of the European spirit," Macron said in the Austrian city of Salzburg at the start of his tour. He heads to Romania on Thursday and Bulgaria on Friday. "The single market and the free movement of people weren't created to help countries promoting the lowest social rights. This is what stokes populism in our countries," he told reporters at a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern. "Austria and France are on the same wavelength," Macron added. Both countries are among the EU's key recipients of so-called "posted workers" from central and eastern European nations. The directive was launched in 1996 to help stimulate cross-border business activity. But at the time the EU's membership comprised countries of broadly similar living standards. Critics argue that the bloc's expansion in 2004 opened the system to abuse. Firms in the former Communist countries of eastern and central Europe pay salaries that are far lower than in western Europe. They thus start with a huge competitive advantage when bidding for work abroad in wealthy countries -- and do not contribute to the cost of maintaining the local social safety net. - Trend on the rise - Although the posted workers issue affects less than one percent of the EU's workforce, experts say the trend is on the rise. Austria has seen the number of posted workers rise from around 106,000 in 2014 to 166,490 in 2016 in a workforce of four million, according to the Vienna-based research institute L&R Sozialforschung. France meanwhile employed some 286,000 temporary workers in 2015 under the directive. Backed by Vienna and Berlin, Paris now wants the job duration to be limited to 12 months, half the period proposed by the European Commission. However, the so-called Visegrad Four group -- Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic -- say the proposal goes too far and tries to undercut their interests. Along with Kern, Macron discussed the sensitive issue with the leaders of Slovakia and the Czech Republic in Salzburg on Wednesday afternoon, hoping to win their backing. Notably absent from the French president's tour are meetings with the hard-right and conservative leaders of Hungary and Poland, with whom Macron has repeatedly clashed. Poland is the country that benefits most from the Posted Workers Directive. An estimated 500,000 of its nationals are employed by Polish companies in other EU members. - 'Protective Europe' - Top officials in Brussels on Wednesday welcomed Macron's reform push. The European Commission and its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, "have made the fight against social dumping one of their key priorities", said Alexander Winterstein, a spokesman for the EU's executive body. Macron hopes to seal a reform deal at a summit on the EU directive in Brussels on October 19-20. Ahead of the crucial meeting, he will host leaders from Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands later this month. Franco-German unity is seen as a pre-requisite for an overhaul of the rule. Paris and Berlin are "completely" in agreement, according to French diplomats. Pierre Vimont, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Europe think tank, called changing the directive "a symbolic case" for Macron whose popularity ratings have plummeted since he took office in May. "Macron needs to deliver for French public opinion," Vimont said. The move is a crucial part of Macron's broader push to create a new "protective Europe" that helps shield citizens from the effects of cut-throat international competition. The 39-year-old centrist is pushing for a new mechanism to screen non-EU investments, particularly from China, into strategic areas of the European economy, as well as tougher measures to block the dumping of cheap imports on the continent. He also wants much deeper integration of the eurozone, including giving the 19-country currency bloc its own budget, finance minister, parliament and borrowing capacity.
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Advanced high strength steel (AHSS) body structure. (Image: Hyundai)

2017 Hyundai Verna cabin. (Image: Hyundai)

2017 Hyundai Verna. (Image: Ayushmann Chawla/Cars18)

Hyundai, the South Korean auto major is the second largest car manufacturer in India, and also the largest exporter of cars in the country. While their portfolio consists of a wide range of vehicles, theres one segment thats chink in the armor for Hyundai. The mid-size sedan market is largely dominated by Honda City and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, while the Hyundai Verna lags a gazillion years behind in terms of the sales.To counter this, Hyundai worked hard on the new product  the 2017 Verna. Hyundai India has hit the ball out of the park with the launch of the all-new 2017 Verna mid-size sedan. The new Verna comes with an all-new platform, improved performance thanks to the new set of engines, a host of new-age features and of course, a killer price tag. Heres the top 5 things you need to know about the all-new 2017 Hyundai Verna!The all-new 2017 Hyundai Verna sedan was first showcased at 2016 Chengdu Motor Show and it is based on the Hyundai's new K2 platform super body structure that is made of 50 percent advanced high-strength steel. The new Verna comes with a completely overhauled design and at the front is the new hexagonal grille, new headlamps with projector headlamps and LED DRLs, fog lamps, chrome door handles, tinted glass, new alloy wheel design and much more. The new model surely looks more premium and balanced than the outgoing model.But its the inside of the new Verna that the majority of the fun lies. The Verna comes with many segment-first features such as the front-ventilated seats, rear curtains and eco coating that eliminates the foul smell from the cabin and keeps it fresh. Apart from this, the new Verna also gets features like sunroof, key less entry button, rear A/C vents and an updated 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice recognition and navigation. Safety features like six airbags, rear parking sensors and camera and ABS with EBD also make their way to the new car.Under the hood, the new generation Hyundai Verna is offered with 2 sets of engines  a petrol and a diesel engine. The petrol variant is powered by a 1.6-litre Dual VTVT unit that can produce max power of 123 PS and 151 Nm of torque, while the 1.6-litre U2 CRDi VGT diesel version churns out 128 PS of maximum power and 260 Nm of torque. Both the engines are mated to an advanced 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic units.This is one point where the rivals like Honda City and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz will downplay the new Hyundai Verna. Heres the model wise mileage of the new Hyundai Verna-Diesel 1.6 VGT MT24.75 KmplDiesel 1.6 VGT AT21.02 KmplPetrol 1.6 VTVT MT17.70 KmplPetrol 1.6 VTVT AT15.92 KmplNow compare it with the rivals. While the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz gets a SHVS engine with 28.09 kmpl mileage, the Honda City diesel delivers 26 kmpl. So the figures are in front of you. While City is somewhat similar to the Verna, its the Ciaz that takes the pie in terms of the efficiency.Finally it all boils down to the pricing. Hyundai has managed to keep the prices in check, but thats only for the first 20,000 buyers. Post this, the prices will be revised. Heres the variant wise pricing of the 2017 Verna E MT  Rs 7,99,900 LakhsEX MT  Rs 9,06,900 LakhsSX MT  Rs 9,49,900 LakhsSX (O) MT  Rs 11,08,900 LakhsEX AT  Rs 10,22,900 LakhsSX (O) AT  Rs 12,23,900 LakhsE MT  Rs 9,19,900 LakhsEX MT  Rs 9,99,900 LakhsSX MT  Rs 11,11,900 LakhsSX (O) MT  Rs 12,39,900 LakhsEX AT  Rs 11,39,900 LakhsSX (+) AT  Rs 1,261,900 Lakhs*All Prices Ex-Showroom, Delhi
Nandan Nilekani is likely to make a combeack to Infosys, thus providing some stability to the IT major which is going through turbulence in the wake of Vishal Sikka's resignation as CEO and MD. It is as yet unclear in what role he will be coming in.Sources told CNBC-TV18 that Nandan Nilekani's return and role in the software giant would be cleared in the next 48 hours.The reports come hours after cofounder NR Narayana Murthy postponed his conference call with investors citing health issues. Murthy, who was slated to hold the conference at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, now will hold the call on August 29, Moneycontrol.com reported.Reports of Nilekani's return boosted Infosys stock. Shares were up 2.8% to Rs 899.95 at 12.25 pm, indicating that markets were reacting positively to the news. Dipan Mehta, a member of Bombay Stock Exchange, told CNBC-TV18 that the move would be positive for the company.The Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAS) had favoured Nilekani being brought back on Infosys Board as its non-executive chairman. IiAS said the Infosys Board has been "unable to protect its CEO" and to select a successor it must begin by "reinventing itself"."It must convince Nandan Nilekani to join the Board once again, as its Non-Executive Chairperson," the investor advisory firm had said in its report, while adding that Nilekani should not see this as any other corporate job as Infosys is at the heart of Indian IT and its success will foretell how the sector will position itself for the future.Welcoming the reports, former Infosys Chief Financial Officer (CFO) V Balakrishnan told CNBC TV-18, Nandan Nilekani should be made Infosys Chairman. (Chairman) Seshasayee and (co-chairman) Ravi Venkatesan should quit as they have let down shareholders. Balakrishnan, however, denied knowledge of any concrete talks between the company and Nilekani.Nilekani was one of the seven founders that set up Infosys more than three decades ago and served as its CEO between March 2002 to April 2007.Nilekani left the company in 2009 to head the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the Aadhaar authority. Nilekani held the role till 2014 before resigning to unsuccessfully contest Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket from Bengaluru (South).Nilekani has yet to comment on the recent strife at the company. The Nilekani family has a 2.29 percent stake in Infosys as per the quarter ended June this year, Moneycontrol.com.In a shock development last week, CEO Vishal Sikka tendered his resignation to the Board. In his resignation letter, Sikka cited continuous distractions and disruptions", as the reason for his resignation, an apparent reference to Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy.In an email to Infosys employees, Sikka referred to increasingly personal attacks against him. I cannot carry out my job as CEO and continue to create value, while also constantly defending against unrelenting, baseless/malicious and increasingly personal attacks, Sikka said in the letter which he later shared on his blog.Chief Operating Officer UB Pravin Rao was made the interim CEO, while Sikka was made the Executive Vice-Chairman.
Promoters returning to head the companies they founded is not a new phenomenon. Steve Jobs returned to Apple when the company was floundering, Howard Schultz returned to Starbucks when recession hit the company hard, and closer home, Narayana Murthy was brought back to Infosys in 2013 to restore its bellwether status.



It is therefore not surprising that the Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAS) and the institutional investors have written to the board of Infosys to bring back co-founder Nandan Nilekani to stabilize Infosys and calm the nerves of investors.



The sudden but impending resignation of Vishal Sikka due to the alleged false, baseless, malicious and increasingly personal attacks on him by Murthy (representing the founders) brought back the Infosys board back to square one, and their search for a new CEO began immediately. Chief operating officer UB Pravin, an Infosys veteran, was made the interim CEO and MD. Search for a CEO of a company as large as Infosys is always challenging.



Outside candidate: Any outsider with the right credentials to head the company will need to tick the right boxes so that the sword of Murthy does not hang on his head, like it did in the case of Sikka. If the potential CEO is from the US, he would have to compromise on salary. He would be expected to be a compassionate capitalist. He would be expected to uphold the standards of governance that meet Murthys approval, board approval wont be enough. He would have to spend time and energy on replying to allegations made through press meets and open letters. And then he must perform as well. Can we imagine a Satya Nadella or a Sundar Pichai operating thus?



Internal candidate: T V Mohandas Pai, a former board member, CFO and head of human resources, education and research at Infosys, had said in an interview in 2013, when Murthy was brought back in an attempt to stabilize the company, that many good senior people left the company because of the succession of founder-CEOs. Good people were discriminated against because founders took turns to become the CEOs even if they were not the best suited for the role. Many others left the company after Sikka became the CEO, probably due to a change in culture under Sikka, as also better opportunities outside Infosys. Executive like Pravin (the current interim CEO), Ranganath D Mavinakere (CFO), Ravi Kumar S, Rajesh Krishnamurthy, etc. were around even in 2014 when the search for a CEO was on and they were not selected to lead the company. Appointing one of them now will be a compromise. It may calm the nerves of the founders and the investors for the time being, but may not be the best decision to take the company into the next orbit of competitiveness.



That leaves us with the founders themselves.



Founders: Murthy has already had two stints at running the company. Why not a third? Given the acrimony between the board and him, in the current scenario, it is impossible. Except, Nandan Nilekani, who was the CEO of Infosys from 2002-2007 and co-chairman from 2007-2009, none of the other founder CEOs have had an excellent track record. To be fair to Kris Gopalakrishnan, he tided over the recession of 2008-09. He could be an option, but it seems unlikely that he will be called back. That leaves us with Nilekani.



With the domestic institutional investors clamoring for him, his personal equation with Murthy, his stint at Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and a man who has kept up with technology and played a major role in digitizing India, he does seem like someone who could work.



At this juncture, in the best interest of the company, debates like founders versus outsiders, old guard versus new blood, could be kept aside. Nilekani, if he accepts to come back to the company, must do it for the long term though. It should not be a stop gap arrangement, like it was when Murthy was called back in 2013. Nilekani has age at his side. He is just 62. He should steer the company to the next orbit in the next 7-8 years while grooming a couple of people to take over the mantle when he finally retires.



The founders faltered in succession planning in their first stint at Infosys. They should not repeat the mistake when they get the chance to do it in the second stint. With this, we hope that Nilekani does accept to come back to Infosys!



Nupur Pavan Bang is the Associate Director, Thomas Schmidheiny Centre for Family Enterprise, Indian School of Business, India. She can be reached at nupur_pavan@isb.edu
Mumbai: RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya on Wednesday conceded that the Central bank's "forbearance schemes" were partly to blame for the bad loan mess, and suggested a counter-cyclical approach to avoid its repeat in future.



Stating that banks should not be given more than three months to rectify a dud asset, he said if a resolution does not work out, the lenders should initiate bankruptcy proceedings right away.



"Unfortunately the RBI, for variety of reasons, has engaged in various forbearance schemes saying you can take another 18 months or two years...In one way or the other, we've actually contributed to the NPA problem to become so protracted over a period.



"What I'd like to see us to do is to be more proactive, be counter-cyclical in asking banks to make provisions," Acharya said at an event to launch a book edited by one of his predecessors, Rakseh Mohan, late this evening.



Stressing the need to force banks to make timely provisions, Acharya said, "You have to do provisions in good times, you have to save for the rainy days rather than start looking for provisions when things have already gone bust."



Stating that banks are incapable of internalising the impact of bad assets on the economy, Acharya said it's the RBI's responsibility to make them do so.



When bank credit dries up, there's a dip in capital expenditure, risk to employment, and livelihood consequences that go beyond bank balance-sheets.



On the recurring debt restructuring schemes that the RBI has been offering to banks -- CDR, SDR and S4A and 5/25 schemes as well as the present IBC to name a few -- Acharya said, "RBI should not be in the business of creating restructuring schemes for banks to resolve a company."



The first change he wants RBI to ensure is to make banks more proactive in provisioning, because the problem is "we don't talk about adequate reserves being kept aside to bear a loss until a loan actually defaults," he said.



"I don't think we should give a bank more than three months to rectify an account."



Welcoming Sebi's recent directive to companies to report any sort of default to exchanges and rating agencies within 24 hours, he sought drastic action including initiating insolvency cases and zero tolerance for more relaxations.



"I think we should give banks three months to rectify the account. If you can't rectify the account, it is an NPA, you've to file this case in bankruptcy. Period. Chapter closed. RBI should not be in the business of creating restructuring schemes for banks to resolve this company."



Ruing the very low recovery value in the current scheme of things, Acharya said, "Our loan recoveries are in the order of 15-25 paise to a rupee. In other parts of the world, where bankruptcy system is working well, and these things are being done in a timely manner, the recovery is to the order of 85-90 cents to a dollar.



"Banks elsewhere are actually over-collateralizing bad loans before a default is actually going to take place. Because the regulator is tough on banks when defaults take place, bank doesn't want a default to take place," he said, adding this makes the borrower also fear a default.



"Since a bankruptcy is going to be filed right after a default, the promoter/entrepreneur/borrower doesn't want default to take place. Hence, everyone is actually trying to avoid defaults and provide for all this in good times rather than saying 'OK a default has taken place, now let's figure out how we are going to deal with this problem'.



"And this is the number one thing I'd like us to change at RBI. I think if done so we won't then have lending booms and busts at least at the frequency that we are having currently," he said.



"I want RBI to be Rahul Dravid rather than Virender Sehwag. Rahul is about holding the fort, keeping the ship in good shape, while Sehwag is about first-ball-six, Acharya said.



"As a central bank, our focus should be on what is the possible stress scenario that we could end up in and whether we are adequately provisioned for that as a central bank and have we brought the banks to provision for that," the Deputy Governor concluded.
Chhindwara: At least 50 children fell ill after a cylinder containing ammonia gas exploded close to the private school in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday.



Police said the students of Bharat Bharti School on Narsinghpur Road complained of uneasiness after inhaling the gas and were taken to a hospital.



The explosion occurred at a cold storage near the school and there was panic among people of the area after the cylinder blast.



Authorities said close to 800 kids were present in the school at the time of the incident. A few teachers were also taken to the hospital.



District Collector JK Jain, who visited the kids at the hospital, said the cold storage was not sealed and an inquiry has been ordered into the incident.



Jain was accompanied by Superintendent of Police Gaurav Tiwari, said the students have been discharged from the hospital.

A senior police officer said they are questioning staffers of the cold storage.


Mumbai: Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit, who was granted bail on Monday by the Supreme Court in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, walked out of the Taloja prison near here on Wednesday morning after nine years in jail.



He was driven out of the prison in a car at around 10.45am. A team of Military Police and Quick Response Team of the Army escorted Purohit out of the jail.



Expressing happiness, Purohits wife Aparna said: I am very happy and excited. I will accompany him to the Armys Colaba unit. Purohit was later scheduled to proceed to his family home in Pune.



Speaking at a sessions court on Tuesday evening, Purohit had said he looked forward to re-joining the Army. "I want to wear my uniform. It is outermost layer of my skin. I am wedded to it. I am very happy to get back into the service of the best organisation in the country if not the world, the Indian Army," he told reporters after appearing before a special NIA judge SD Tekale.



Purohit said he was looking forward to a home-cooked meal with his family. "I haven't sat down with my mother for nine years now. I want to spend time with my sons too," he said.



"I have two families  the Army and my family which includes my wife, my two sons, sister and mother. I cannot wait to return to them," he had said.



When asked if he blamed anyone, Purohit said he only blamed his destiny and no one else.



Reposing his faith in the Army, he said it doesnt matter to him what rank he is given. "I should carry the rank. The rank shouldn't carry me," he said. "As an Army man, I have been taught to have faith in myself, my commander and my command," he added.



Purohit is expected to report to his command within 24 hours of his release on bail. He is a serving officer who worked for the Army's Military Intelligence unit.



A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court will continue hearing the case. Charges are yet to be framed in the case and trial yet to begin.
New Delhi: Two days after home minister Rajnath Singh expressed hope for a quick solution to the ongoing stand-off with China, a window for a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterparts has emerged. He will jet off to Kyrgyz Republic to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting on August 24 and 25.



During the visit, the home minister is likely to have bilateral meetings with the ministers of some of the SCO member states, an official statement from the ministry of home affairs said on Wednesday. When pressed further if a meeting with China is on the cards, an MHA spokesperson said, The exact contours of the bilateral meetings are still being worked out.



The agenda of the SCO meeting is disaster management and prevention and elimination of emergency situations. But all eyes will be on the interaction between the Indian and Chinese sides on the sidelines of the summit.



If Singh meets his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO meeting, it will bear significance as India and China has been engaged in a stand-off at Dokalam near the Sikkim sector for close to two months.



On Monday, the home minister had said a solution to the ongoing stand-off between India and China at Dokalam would be found soon and hoped that Beijing would make a positive move in this regard.



Hum sangharsh nahi, shanti chahte hain (We dont want a struggle, we want peace," Singh had said while addressing ITBP personnel posted on the Indo-China border.



China, however, on Tuesday said the only way to end the standoff in Dokalam was for India to unconditionally withdraw its troops from the area.



The SCO, founded in 2001 has China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan as its members. The bloc is headquartered in Beijing and India became a member in June when PM Modi visited Kazakhstan.



Wednesday's statement said Singh is leading a delegation to attend the 9th meeting of heads of governments of SCO member states to be held at Choplon Ata in Kyrgyz Republic on August 24-25. The meeting will deal with the prevention and elimination of emergency situations.



The Indian delegation includes senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of External Affairs.
New Delhi: In a huge blow to AIADMK general secretary, VK Sasikala, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to consider her review petition in the disproportionate assets case.



In February, months after party supremo Jayalalithaa had passed away in December, the Supreme Court upheld Sasikalas conviction in the same disproportionate assets case as Jayalalithaa.



This came at a time when O Panneerselvam was about to step down from the Chief Ministers post and the new party general secretary was hoping to become the new state chief.



Sasikala had moved the Supreme Court seeking re-examination of its verdict in the disproportionate assets case in May this year. She was handed a four-year jail term along with a fine of Rs 10 crore.



The review petition filed by the AIADMK leader and two others  V N Sudhakaran, Jayalalithaa's foster son, and Elavarasi, widow of Sasikala's elder brother  had challenged the setting aside of Karnataka High Court verdict acquitting her and restoring the trial court verdict.



The trial court in Bengaluru had convicted Sasikala along with Jayalalithaa, Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, in the case for amassing assets disproportionate to their income.



In her petition, Sasikala had relied on an earlier apex court verdict of 1991 in which after the death of a prime accused, the proceeding against the co-accused was also abated in a corruption case.



Sasikala was convicted in the case by apex court on February 14.



The special trial court had found disproportionate assets worth Rs 53.60 crore, which Jayalalithaa and the three others could not account for. The CBI had alleged that the unaccounted wealth was in the tune of Rs 66.65 crore.



With this, legal options in front of Sasikala to come out of jail, have reduced further. Also, this major setback comes at a time when Tamil Nadu politics is going through a churning. Just a few days ago the rival AIADMK factions joined hands but a day after, 19 MLAs withdrew support.




Ahead of the Fridays order in the sexual assault case against controversial self-styled Godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, intelligence inputs say that his followers have stored petrol, diesel in drums and are stocking sharp edged weapons and stones at the prayer centre of the Dera Sacha Sauda premises.Director General of Police (Law and Order) Punjab, in a letter to all the senior police officers of the state has said it has come to the notice that Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa premises, has stock of petrol, diesel in drums.The letter also says that stones and sharp-edged weapons are being stored at Naam Charcha Ghars (prayer centre) in Faridkot district. The police fears that if the court verdict goes against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, then his devotees can use petrol and weapons to harm/destroy the government or public properties.A copy of the letter sent by DGP (Law and Order), Punjab, to all the senior police officers of the state. (Photo: CNN-News18)Both Haryana and Punjab have been put on high alert ahead of the court order. As a precautionary measure, government has ordered closure of schools and colleges in Panchkula district on August 24 and 25. About 160 companies of central forces have also been called in, including the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB. Ninety seven companies of CRPFs Rapid Action Force and a womens company have also been deployed. The number could go up after another round of threat assessment meeting on Thursday.Over 35,000 followers of the Dera are estimated to have already reached and many more are still arriving at the sect's Sector-23 based 'Naam Charcha Ghar' (congregation/prayer centre) in Panchkula to show their solidarity with the sect chief, who has been asked to appear in person in the special CBI court on Friday.When asked if Ram Rahim will appeal to his followers to help maintain law and order and peace, a spokesman of Dera Sacha Sauda said, During his Satsangs in mornings and evenings, Guruji always talks about humanity and things which will benefit humanity. He talks about tree plantation, organ donations, blood donation and helping out weaker sections.Security forces in Haryana and Punjab have been taking out flag marches at many sensitive places. Haryana government has already clamped prohibitory orders in all its districts as a precautionary measure. Police have also set up barricades at several places in the two states, besides the common capital Chandigarh, where security has been further tightened ahead of the court verdict.
Thiruvananthapuram: Five MLAs of the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) have been observing an indefinite strike for three days now, demanding the resignation of the states health minister KK Shailaja.



Their protest comes in the wake of the Kerala High Court's critical remarks made in connection with the appointment of a member of the Kerala State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights. The MLAs on protest are Eldhose P Kunnappillil, Roji M John, VP Sajeendran, N Shamsudheen and TV Ibrahim.



The row pertains to the appointment of TB Suresh, a member of the ruling CPM from Wayanad as a commission member. The opposition has alleged that he has several criminal cases pending against him.



Refuting the allegations, Shailaja has maintained that she never used her office to get personal gains.



The Opposition had come into the Assembly with banners and placards demanding the ministers resignation. Protests were also organized outside the Assembly where Shailaja was shown black flags.



Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had defended his health minister in the Assembly on Monday when the issue was raised there.



The CM had said in the Assembly that about 103 applications were initially received and after vetting by a committee of officers only about 40 were found to be eligible. The health minister decided to extend the date of submitting the application as there was not even a single application from some districts.



The CM contended in the Assembly that the intention was to ensure that competent persons are appointed in the commission.



The state government has also approached the high court seeking to expunge the adverse remarks against the minister by a single judge while quashing the appointment of TB Suresh Kumar as a member of the Kerala State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights.
New Delhi: An early morning tweet from Kapil Sibal best reflects the dilemma within the Opposition as far as the stand on scrapping of instant triple talaq is concerned.



Absence of consensus in Court makes it more difficult to forge consensus within communities. Glad that Court set aside a 'sinful' practice, the Congress leader tweeted.



The irony is Sibal was the lawyer of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and was opposing the petition asking for scrapping of instant triple talaq in the Supreme Court.



In fact, Sibal had equated the issue of triple talaq with the belief that Lord Rama was born in Ayodhya, arguing that these were matters of faith which cannot be put to test on grounds of constitutional morality.



But when his party decided to back the SC decision, political loyalties reigned over professional stand.



A scheduled media interaction by Sibal on Tuesday was cancelled at the last moment. Instead, media in-charge Randeep Surjewala was asked to field questions from the press. Congress ostensibly was worried that if Sibal gave the official response to the SC decision, the BJP would use his earlier stand in court to embarrass the party.



The scrapping of instant triple talaq got strong support from most political parties. But it's those voices which were either silent or ambiguous which tell the real story.



Lalu Prasad Yadav was restrained in his response which is alien to the usually boisterous neta who doesn't mince his words. Muslims have their personal law and they will respond accordingly to this judgment and so will I. Won't like to say much," said the RJD chief.



Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar are yet to respond, so is Mulayam Singh Yadav. And there is a reason for this. On core minority issues, these parties would rather wait and gauge the mood within the community before taking a stand in public.



BJP is obviously doing all this to endear themselves to the Hindus . Why shouldn't we do it for Muslims, said a senior Trinamool leader.



But it's a double-edged sword. On one hand, there is a huge core constituency around which most regional parties build their social coalitions. On the other, they cannot be seen to be supporting regressive action like instant triple talaq . Especially for Mamata Banerjee, when polarisation is at its peak in West Bengal and the BJP is slowly and steadily making inroads into the state.



Her (Mamatas) silence explains it. She is not saying anything. We know it all, Union Minister Babul Supriyo told News18.com.



For Lalu and Nitish it's a similar problem. Nitish is in a dilemma. He is now part of the NDA which hailed the judgment but taking on the maulvis doesnt make any political sense for him as he already has a small base.



Lalu's measured response is an indication of the lack of a clear stand within the Opposition.
New Delhi: After knocking on the doors of the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram appeared before sleuths at the CBI headquarters in Delhi on Wednesday.



Heading inside the building with his team, Karti said, My petition in court speaks for itself.



Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed Karti to appear before the CBI and carry with him all documents required for his defence in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval case. Though there is no stay on his arrest, Karti has been given the liberty of being accompanied by an advocate but he will sit in an adjoining room.



The CBI has alleged that firms with links to Karti had influenced FIPB approval for Rs 305 crore irregular investment in INX media. This took place in 2007 when his father was the Finance Minister. The FIR has been registered against Karti, INX Media along with eight others and unknown officials of the finance ministry.



FIPB was a national agency of central government with the remit to consider and recommend foreign direct investment (FDI) that does not come under the automatic route.



The Case Files



The Finance Ministry received an application from INX media for FIPB approval on March 15, 2007. The FIPB, in a meeting on May 18, 2017, recommended the proposal of INX media. However, the board did not approve downstream investment by INX media in INX news. And even for INX media, FIPB allowed fdi inflow of only Rs 4.62 crore.



As per the CBI FIR, contrary to approval of FIPB, INX media deliberately violated conditions and made downstream investment up to 26% in the capital or INX news.



They allegedly generated over Rs 305 crore of FDI in INX media against the allowed foreign inflow of Rs 4.62 crore by issuing shares to foreign investors at a premium of over Rs 800 per share



The CBI has alleged that officers concerned of the FIPB unit by virtue of influence of Karti Chidambaram, not only ignored serious illegalities on part of INX media, on both accounts, but also deliberately showered undue favours. The officers also ignored the request of Revenue Department seeking an investigation into the matter.



Role of Karti Chidambaram



As per the CBI, INX Media tried to wriggle out of the situation by entering into a criminal conspiracy with Karti Chidambaram, promoter of Chess Management Services, to get the issue resolved amicably by influencing public servants of FIPB unit of the Finance Ministry by virtue of his relationship with the then Finance Minister (P Chidambaram).



The FIR goes on to describe the quid pro quo by showing how INX media made the payment to Karti for the services rendered by Karti P Chidambaram to INX Group through Chess Management Servicesconsiderations in the form of payment were received against an invoice raised on INX Media by one Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited (ASCPL).



The FIR further states that the very reason for getting the invoice raised in the name of M/s/ ASCPL for the services rendered by Chess Management Services was with a view to conceal the identity of Karti.



The CBI in its FIR has also claimed that such deceitful and fallacious deal was favourably considered by Ministry of Finance and Approved by the then Finance Minister. And thus in a way has also brought the role of his father P Chidambaram under scanner.



Karti has time and again dismissed the allegations by calling the case, an act of political vendetta.
#RightToPrivacy: Why do we have a bench with as many as 9 judges hearing the case? CNN-News18's @utkarsh_aanand is here to explain you. pic.twitter.com/RfkKYcRUkt  News18 (@CNNnews18) August 24, 2017

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Right to Privacy is a fundamental right in India. The verdict came just three days ahead of Chief Justice of India (CJI) JS Khehars retirement on August 27. The verdict was pronounced by a nine-judge constitutional bench headed by the CJI. Meet the judges who gave this historic verdict:Jagdish Singh Khehar is the 44th Chief Justice of India and the first person from the Sikh community to hold the top post in the apex court. He succeeded Chief Justice TS Thakur on January 4, 2017. Khehar had been involved in major judgments in the past few years, including the 2G spectrum scam case and the case against Sahara chief Subrata Roy. He was elevated to the Supreme Court on September 13 2011, prior to which he served as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. He is set to retire this Sunday.Justice Jasti Chelameswar, the third most senior judge in the Supreme Court after the CJI and Justice Dipak Misra, was appointed to the apex court on October 10, 2011. Prior to being named to the Supreme Court, he served as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court from May 2007 to March 2010 and Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court from March 2010 to October 2011. Justice Chelameswar, along with Justice RF Nariman, was part of the two-judge constitutional bench that heard the landmark Shreya Singhal v. Union of India case in 2015 and struck down the contentious Section 66 (A) of the Information Technology Act, which gave powers to the police to arrest anyone posting emails or electronic messages that cause annoyance or inconvenience.Justice Bodbe was elevated to the Supreme Court on April 12, 2013, prior to which he served as a judge in the Bombay High Court and Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Justice Bobde was part of the three-judge bench, which also included Justice Chelameswar and Justice Chokkalingam Nagappan, in 2015 which clarified that no citizen of India without an Aadhaar card can be denied basic services and government services. During the Right to Privacy trial, Justice Bobde had asked Senior lawyer Gopal Subramanium, who is appearing for the petitioners, You are saying liberty, which includes privacy, is the bedrock of all rights. Subramanium responded by saying liberty was a pre-existing natural and inherent value that the Constitution has recognized.Justice RK Agrawal was appointed to the Supreme Court on February 17, 2014. In October 2013, he was appointed the acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court after his predecessor MY Eqbal was appointed to the Supreme Court.He was a senior counsel at the Supreme Court of India before being elevated as a judge in the apex court on 7 July 2014. Notably, Nariman also served as Indias solicitor-general between 27 July 2011 and 4 February 2013. Son of distinguished jurist Fali S Nariman, he began his legal career in 1979. The 60-year-old jurist became a senior counsel in the Supreme Court in 1993. He is also known as a scholar on the Zoroastrian faith. Justice Nariman, along with Justice Chelameswar, was part of the two-judge constitutional bench that heard the landmark Shreya Singhal v. Union of India case in 2015 and struck down the contentious Section 66 (A) of the Information Technology Act, which gave powers to the police to arrest anyone posting emails or electronic messages that cause annoyance or inconvenience. Justice Nariman was also on the five-judge bench that, by a 3:2 majority, struck down the practice of Talaq-e-Biddat or instant Triple Talaq earlier this week. During the Right to Privacy trials, Justice Nariman had asked senior counsel Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the petitioners, Your argument is that the constitutional right to privacy is much larger in dimension from the common law right to privacy, which is only confined to be left alone in my home, which is my castle?Justice AM Sapre was appointed to the Supreme Court on August 13, 2014 by then President Pranab Mukherjee. Prior to serving in the Supreme Court, Sapre served as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court and also as the first ever Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court.Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud was appointed to the Supreme Court on May 13, 2016. Prior to that, he was the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court and a judge of the Bombay High Court. He is a known expert on human rights. During the current hearings, Justice Chandrachud had observed, Can this court define privacy? You cant make a catalogue of what constitutes privacy. Privacy is so amorphous and includes everything... if we make any attempt to catalogue privacy it will have disastrous consequences adding, If I decide to co-habit with my wife, police cant barge into my bedroom. Thats my privacy. Whether to send my children to school is not privacy because I have to send them to school under the Right to Education law. He also questioned the petitioners assertion that the right to privacy was non-negotiable. If people have put themselves in the public realm using technology, is that not a surrender of their right to privacy? he asked.Justice Kaul was appointed to the SC in February this year. He has earlier served as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and later as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. He also served as a judge of the Delhi High Court. In 2008, during his time in the Delhi HC, he had rejected a petition against painter MF Hussain accusing him of obscenity in a painting. Pluralism is the soul of democracy. There should be freedom for the thought we hate. Freedom of speech has no meaning if there is no freedom after speech. The reality of democracy is to be measured by the extent of freedom and accommodation it extends, he had said while delivering his judgment.He was born in 1958 in Karnatakas Moodbidri. According to Udayavani, a Kannada newspaper, Nazeer completed his B.Com degree at Mahaveera College in Moodbidri before obtaining a law degree from SDM Law College. He enrolled as an advocate in 1983 before being elevated as an additional judge of the Karnataka High Court in 2003. He became a permanent judge of the Karnataka High Court on 24 September 2004. Nazeer was elevated to the Supreme Court in February 2017. He was the only Muslim judge on the multi-faith five-judge bench that struck down instant Triple Talaq.
Suresh Prabhu offers to resign as Railway Minister, asked to wait by PM Modi pic.twitter.com/DuCtvv185M  News18 (@CNNnews18) August 23, 2017

Three-year mark is always good time for a government to indulge in course correction. Electorally, Narendra Modi regime has been moving from one success to another, but the PM is known for not resting and ministerial rejig for mega reforms is the next big thing on the cards. Also, with peoples expectations reaching sky high, some sprucing up is the need of the hour.Last one week was particularly bad on the railways front. Suresh Prabhu, the man seen as PM Modis Sherpa, is clearly feeling the heat. So he shared his frustration through a series of tweets:But Prabhu isnt the only one whose role is set to be rejigged. Word coming out is that he wont be dropped altogether from the council of ministers as the PM continues to hold him in high stead. The man whose profile looks set to rise higher is Nitin Gadkari. He is the one who is being credited for bringing in a silent revolution in the highways sector. Going with the Modi mantra of minimum government, maximum governance, all surface transport-related ministries  from highways to railways  could be put under Gadkari, who has a proven track record in infra reforms.Having one ministry to focus on all transport related matters was a proposal first mooted in 2014, much on the lines of a unified ministry of transport in the US. In power sector, Modi government has achieved a success in doing away with multiple ministries. Power Minister Piyush Goel, who has been winning accolades for his good work, is likely to be upgraded to a full Cabinet post.The country is all set to get a new defence minister. Its a position that has been held by finance minister Arun Jaitley ever since Manohar Parrikar went back to Goa as chief minister. Sushma Swaraj, whose health hasnt been in great shape, is also looking for a ministry where her health isnt a restricting factor. According to top sources, a conversation has already happened between her and the PM on this front.Amit Shah, BJP chief who is now in Parliament as well, is looking out for some fresh talent from the states as well to induct in the ministries. There is a strong possibility of a reshuffle being carried out in ministries of skill development as well as tourism and culture.With the entry of merged factions of AIADMK and JD(U) in the NDA fold, expect a sparklingly new look for Modi Cabinet. All said and done, one can expect many surprises from PM Modi.
New Delhi: A split verdict by the Supreme Court in the triple talaq case has given force to a judgment delivered by a smaller bench of the Court 15 years ago.



Three judges on Tuesday endorsed and affirmed the 2002 judgment by a two-judge bench in Shamim Ara Vs State of Uttar Pradesh, buttressing the point that divorce among Muslims is not valid if it is not validated with reasons or without attempts of reconciliation between the couple.



What was struck down by a 3:2 majority by the Constitution Bench on Tuesday was instant triple talaq  talaq-e-biddat. The other two forms of talaq, namely talaq-e-ahsan and talaq-e-hasan were not challenged and hence not ruled upon.



The chief difference between talaq-e-biddat and the other two forms is that the former practice involved pronouncement of talaq three times and it is supposed to break down a marriage irrevocably. The other two forms are, however, revocable during a period of three months.



When a two judge bench adjudicated upon a petition relating to alimony of a woman who was divorced through instant triple talaq, Justice R C Lahoti said that in order to be valid, talaq has to be pronounced as per the Quaranic injunction. The judge described pronounce as to proclaim, to utter formally, to declare to articulate.



This judgment supported the views taken by a Division Bench of the Gujarat High Court, as it further held: The correct law of talaq as ordained by the Holy Quran is that talaq must be for a reasonable cause and be preceded by attempts at reconciliation between the husband and the wife by two arbiters  one from the wife's family and the other from the husband's; if the attempts fail, talaq may be effected.



Therefore, the 2002 SC judgment, categorically laid down that for any talaq to become effective under the tenets of Quran, two conditions must be met. One, that talaq must be for a reasonable cause and second, that it must be preceded by an attempt of reconciliation between the husband and the wife by arbiters.



While denouncing instant triple talaq, Justices Kurian Joseph, Rohinton F Nariman and Uday U Lalit, affirmed the ratio of Shamim Aras judgment, thereby tacitly endorsing the fact that all forms of talaq must fulfill the two conditions enumerated in the 2002 judgment.



This Court in Shamim Ara Vs State of UP has held, though not in so many words, that triple talaq lacks legal sanctity. Therefore, in terms of Article 141, Shamim Ara is the law that is applicable in India, said the judge, dissenting with the views taken by CJI J S Khehar and S A Nazeer that this verdict had no ratio decided.



In the light of such specific findings as to how triple talaq is bad in law on account of not following the Quranic principles, it cannot be said that there is no ratio decidendi on triple talaq in Shamim Ara Fortunately, this Court has done its part in Shamim Ara. I expressly endorse and re-iterate the law declared in Shamim Ara, said Justice Joseph.



Justices Nariman and Lalit also relied upon Shamim Aras judgment in striking down the instant triple talaq. Given the fact that Triple Talaq is instant and irrevocable, it is obvious that any attempt at reconciliation between the husband and wife by two arbiters from their families, which is essential to save the marital tie, cannot ever take place, they held.



The two judges further emphasized that the Privy Councils ruling in Rashid Ahmad case, wherein it was held that such triple talaq is valid even if it is not for any reasonable cause, no longer holds good after Shamim Ara.



This being the case, it is clear that this form of talaq is manifestly arbitrary in the sense that the marital tie can be broken capriciously and whimsically by a Muslim man without any attempt at reconciliation so as to save it, said Justices Nariman and Lalit.



Thus, the majority judgment has not only declared the instant triple talaq to be un-Islamic and unconstitutional, it has also conveyed the top courts view that talaq, irrespective of its form, has to be for reasons and only after conciliatory efforts.
Washington: Pakistan is using India as an excuse to pursue its policies in Afghanistan, the US has said strongly refuting Islamabad's concerns with regard to New Delhi's developmental activities in the war-torn country.



"What India is doing in Afghanistan is not a threat to Pakistan. They're not building military bases. They're not deploying troops," a senior administration official of Republican surrogates said during a conference call on Tuesday.



National Security Council (NSC) Spokesperson Michael Anton was responding to questions on Pakistan's apprehensions and allegations of India's encirclement of them through Afghanistan.



This is an "excuse" on the part of Pakistan, he said according to Politico, which reported about the conference call.



"They (Indians) are not doing the things that would constitute encirclement, for lack of a better term, which is one of the things that the Pakistani's complain about," Anton said, thus strongly refuting the Pakistani allegations in this regard, latest of which was mentioned in the statement issued by the Pakistani Foreign Office.



"The threat to peace and security cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, the continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies. Non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region," the Pakistani Foreign Office had said in a statement in a response to the Afghan policy announcement of the US President Donald Trump a day earlier.



"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond," Trump had said.



Pakistan, he said, has sheltered the same organisations that try every single day to kill "our" people.



The Pak Foreign Office said it is disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort.



"Pakistan has been and will continue to be part of the global counter terrorism efforts. Pakistan and the US have been close allies in the fight against terrorism, which is a common threat for all nations of the world. As a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow the use of its territory against any country," it said.



"Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism," it added.
Bengaluru: Karnataka top cop D Roopa has claimed that jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala had visited a house belonging to Hosur MLA, which is near the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru.



In a report submitted to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), she claimed that, "there is a reliable information that she (Sasikala) sometimes goes to a house near the central jail that belongs to Hosur MLA, PTI reported.



"This may be further ascertained by footage of CCTV cameras placed at the entrance of the jail and the cameras placed in between gate 1 and gate 2 of the jail," Roopa said in her report.



The DIG said she had submitted videos exposing special treatment given to Sasikala in the prison. "In one video Sasikala is attired in a cotton nightie. In other two videos she is in a mud-color chudidar and Ilavarasi in an orange/red saree.



"Of the four video clippings, in one of the videos, which is of 25 seconds, she is purportedly seen entering the jail from outside, wherein she is holding bags which look like shopping bags," Roopa said.



Sasikala is lodged in the jail ever since her conviction in February in a disproportionate assets case along with her two relatives V N Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi. They are all serving a four-year jail term.



Another video showed three male prison warders in uniform guarding the gate and also a male convict. In female-barracks, there are no men guarding the barracks, the video suggests.



Roopa, on July 13, had alleged that preferential treatment was being given to Sasikala in the prison, amid allegations of payment of Rs 2 crore to an official for it, prompting the Karnataka government to order a probe.



She had levelled the charges in a report to her superior, DGP (Prisons) H S Sathyanarayana Rao. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced a "high-level probe" into the allegations as the two senior officers engaged in a bitter public spat. Both were subsequently shifted.



Roopa alleged that Sasikala has 'managed' to live the life of a Class 1 prisoner against the court order. In her report, she also alleged that even Karim Lala Telgi, who has been convicted in fake stamp-paper scam, had been given special treatment by prison officials.



(With PTI inputs)
Thiruvananthapuram: In a major relief for Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday upheld a CBI courts decision to discharge him in the SNC-Lavalin corruption case.



The court said prima facie there was no evidence against Vijayan, adding that several power ministers interacted with SNC-Lavalin but the CBI made only Vijayan an accused.



Justice P Ubaid, who also upheld the discharge of two others in the case, rejected the CBI's plea that their full-fledged trial was necessary to prove the conspiracy.



The court gave its verdict in a revision petition filed by the CBI in the Kerala High Court in 2014 challenging the discharge of Vijayan and six others in the case by a special CBI court in Thiruvananthapuram.



The CBI special court in Thiruvananthapuram, had in November 2013 discharged Vijayan and others in the case of alleged corruption in awarding a contract to the Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin when Vijayan was power minister in 1996 that allegedly caused a loss of Rs 374.50 crore to the state exchequer.



"The CBI wrongly picked and chose Pinarayi Vijayan without any material in the case," the judge said on Wednesday.



The CBI, which had filed the chargesheet in the case, had argued that there was sufficient evidence to prove the charges against the accused.



The discharge by the special court was 'illegal', CBI had stated in its revision petition.



The special judge had ruled that the CBI had failed to prove the charges of conspiracy and corruption levelled against Vijayan and other accused.



The CBI had in March argued before the court that a trial was must to prove the conspiracy in giving the contract to revamp the power projects to the Canadian firm when Vijayan was power minister in 1996.



Claiming that the conspiracy was hatched at different stages in awarding the contract, the CBI had assailed the lower court order discharging Vijayan and six others and said a full-fledged trial was necessary to prove the conspiracy.



In a criminal case, the actual trial begins only after framing of charges in the case by the court on the basis of prima facie evidence existing against the accused. The accused is discharged by the court in absence of any such evidence.



(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Aggrieved homebuyers in Jaypee Infratechs projects moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday, asserting their rights to avail remedies under consumer protection law.



Senior advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha mentioned the buyers writ petition before Chief Justice of India J S Khehar and sought an urgent hearing.



Sinha pointed out that they have been clubbed with secured creditors (mostly financial institutions) by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and in the process of adjudication they will be at the end of the line.



Citing the moratorium imposed by the order under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, the senior lawyer said that when the assets will be liquidated, flat buyers will virtually receive nothing since secured creditors will get the first and the major share.



He further complained that the moratorium has restricted buyers from pursuing other remedies, the most important being filing cases before consumer courts to seek refund along with compensation.



The CJI agreed to list the matter for hearing on Thursday.



The plea was filed by a flat buyer Chitra Sharma and 23 others seeking protection of their rights as flat buyer.



Hundreds of home buyers have been left in the lurch after the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), on August 10, admitted the IDBI Bank's plea for initiating insolvency proceedings against the debt-ridden realty company for defaulting on a Rs 526-crore loan.



Jaypee Infratech is into road construction and real estate business. It has constructed the Yamuna Expressway, connecting Delhi-Agra.






New Delhi: Alarms bells rang loud and clear for Gujarat as the swine flu death toll hit 280 and the number of reported cases shot up to 3,220 in the latest tally this week.



The numbers made it clear that Gujarat, along with Maharashtra, was the worst-affected in terms of infections and deaths, a repeat of the 2015 outbreak.



The latest official figures, dated August 13, for Maharashtra report 4,011 infections and 409 deaths. Public health professionals expect the numbers in both states to go up.



In 2013, the number of infections and deaths had peaked in August and September, before coming down in October.



In 2015, Maharashtra had 8,538 swine flu cases and 903 deaths on its hands, and Gujarat had 7,180 cases and 517 deaths.



A doctor associated with the Gujarat government said the states numbers could be a result of strict adherence to the national guidelines for testing patients  only category C patients with fever lasting more than three days either with co-morbidities such as diabetes or hypertension or pregnant were tested for H1N1.



Category B patients, with two-to-three-day-old fever, body ache and other flu like symptoms were simply prescribed the anti-flu drug oseltamivir.



This, the official said, meant Gujarat would report fewer cases than other states, but a higher number of deaths, as patients with co-morbid conditions were in more danger than others.



Many suspected swine flu patients, in category B, were probably getting cured in time, just not being reported, he said.



Though one batch of samples takes six to eight hours to be tested, by the time it gets to the laboratory and then back to the patient, two to three days could have passed, he explained. We dont want to endanger category B patients with the delay, as the first 48 hours are the golden hours for the drug to work.



The Michigan strain of swine flu had replaced the California strain this year according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The new strain could also have contributed to the spread and the mortality, said doctors.



Dr. Abhay Shukla, national convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, a public health group, took a hard look at the state of healthcare in Maharashtra. He noted that the decline in public services in favour of privatisation was probably contributing to the spread of the disease. Private healthcare is not interested in disease surveillance and control, he said. And 90% of the OPD services in Maharashtra are privatised, higher than the national average of 80%.



This, he added, had weakened the ability of the public system to step in, track patients and reach them in time for treatment.



There are 60 percent vacancies of specialists in Maharashtras rural areas, said Shukla, So who will pick up the diseases symptoms in time?



Unlike a state such as Uttar Pradesh, where the public sector was always lamentable, Shukla said that in the 90s, people living in rural areas in Maharashtra could expect good care in district hospitals. They have seen that decline in the past two decades, he said, as doctors have left the public sector for private jobs.



Other diseases have been affected by this shift, such as malaria sprouting unexpectedly in urban areas, and the spread of chikungunya and dengue.



The 2016 Rural Health Statistics showed 6,670 posts for female health workers in sub-centres and primary health centres (PHCs) and 82 posts for doctors at PHCs vacant in Maharashtra.



As the report noted, Gujarat, too, had significantly high vacant posts of health workers, at 2,495, at sub-centres and PHCs, and doctors, at 592 at PHCs. However, the government doctor told News18.com that most deaths occurred at tertiary care centres where there was a lack of specialists, and patients were coming in too late for intervention.



Doctors at the primary health level need to start prescribing anti-flu medicines instead of antibiotics that do nothing for a viral disease, he said. Otherwise, we get patients whose lungs have been affected by H1N1 when it gets difficult to save them.



Gujarat and Maharashtra have borne the brunt of the H1N1 virus since it made its way into the human population in 2009 and have historically been vulnerable to the spread of disease, said Dr. Shukla.



Though there is no simplistic explanation for how a virus spreads where, these two states fare poorly when compared to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka that have reported only 15 deaths each, despite cases nearing 3,000.


The Tamil Nadu NEET admission portal is expected to soon release the First Allotment List for State Quota Seats for Tamil Nadu NEET 2017 admissions at the official website of Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department - tnhealth.org After many attempts by the Tamil Nadu Government to get a One-year delayed implementation of NEET in the state, the Supreme Court finally slashed all hopes and ordered NEET 2017 based admissions from this year itself.The development came after the Centre government told the Supreme Court that it will not pass any Ordinance submitted by Tamil Nadu government for the same.The Apex Court has asked the state government of Tamil Nadu to close medical counseling for admissions to MBBS and BDS courses in the state before September 4th 2017. The candidates who had registered with the Tamil NEET admission portal can check their seat status once the allotment results are released by following the below instructions:Step 1: Visit the official website - www.tnhealth.org Step 2: Click on the link NEET Counseling - Allotment ResultsStep 3: Enter the login details in the required fieldsStep 4: Download the Allotment Result and take a Print Out for further referenceAccording to the Supreme Court order, the Tamil Nadu government is to start the counseling process of admissions for MBBS and BDS seats in the state based on the NEET merit list. The process is to be completed by 4th September 2017. The Medical counseling will begin on Thursday, 24th August 2017, tomorrow.The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test or NEET-UG is an entrance examination conducted in India, for students who wish to pursue any graduate medical course viz MBBS/ dental course (BDS) or postgraduate course (MD/MS) in government or private medical colleges in India.NEET-UG (Undergraduate), for MBBS and BDS courses are conducted by the Central Board Of Secondary Education (CBSE). NEET-UG replaced the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) and all individual MBBS exams conducted by states or college managements in 2013.However, many colleges and institutes had taken a stay order and conducted private examinations for admission to their MBBS and BDS courses.
Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU), Bihar is expected to release the results of B.Sc/ B.Com / B.A for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year examinations soon on its official website result.tmbuniversity.info/ . TMBU had conducted the regular examinations for its Arts, Commerce and Science streams in the months of March and April this year.A huge number of students from the state of Bihar had appeared for the examination. Candidates can check the results from the official website by following the instructions given below:Visit the official website - http://result.tmbuniversity.info/ Click on the link Click Here for Degree Part I Commerce Exam  2017 for B.Com First Year and respectively for other streamsSelect Your College, Enter your Roll Number and Click on GoYour result will appearDownload your Result and take a Print Out for further referenceAs Per the reports around 20,000 students had appeared for the examination at 24 affiliated colleges and 4 research centers of the university. Candidates who would not be satisfied with the results can apply for the revaluation/ recounting procedure and those who would not clear the TMBU exams can apply for the supplementary examination. Date for these will be notified later on the official website.Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU), formerly Bhagalpur University, is a public university in Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. It was established on 12th July 1960. T. M. Bhagalpur University has six faculties viz science, social science, humanities, commerce, management studies and law. It also has five research centers. The university has 34 university departments, 29 constituent colleges, around 1055 teachers and 60,000 students and it offers 16 Certificate / Diploma courses and 6 Vocational courses.
The Supreme Courts setting aside talaq-e-biddat is historic for more than one reason. It is of course a rare event that a Constitution Bench strikes down a law for violating fundamental rights of citizens. It is even rarer that a sitting Chief Justice of India finds himself among the minority in a split verdict in a Constitution Bench case.



CJI JS Khehar has notched up this rare (and possibly unwanted) distinction in this case. The last time a CJI found himself in a minority in any case was when Justices J Chelameswar and Gyan Sudha Misra disagreed with CJI Altamas Kabir on the question of a preventive detention order under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974.



As this study by Yogesh Pratap Singh, Afroz Alam and Akash Chandra Jauhari has shown, it is rare for judges on the CJIs bench to dissent against the majority in that case, and even rarer for the CJI to find himself in the minority on the bench. The CJI being in the minority happens so rarely that it was possibly what confused some court reporters when he started reading his judgement first (following the seniority convention) into believing that his was in the majority and the Supreme Court had upheld the talaq-e-biddat as legal and constitutional.



As the designated Master of Rolls of the Supreme Court of India, the CJI also has the power to decide which judge will hear what case, and what combination of judges will hear a given case. Coupled with the fact that over the years, the number of dissenting judgements on benches featuring the CJI has gone down, one gets the sense that CJIs are picking benches to ensure maximum consensus and not necessarily diversity of views. Even accounting for the fact that there are fewer dissenting judgements being written in the recent decades (possibly attributable to greater workload, fewer constitution bench cases), the data in the study conducted by Singh, Alam and Jauhari suggests that CJIs havent been very receptive to dissenting views on the bench.



That said, there have been notable cases in the past where the CJI has found himself in the minority in Constitution Bench cases as well. Justice BP Sinha found himself in the minority in two such cases, in Syedna Taher Saifuddin v State of Bombay and Automobile Transport (Rajasthan) v State of Rajasthan. Interestingly, while the judgement in Automobile Transport was recently overturned by the Supreme Court in Jindal Stainless Ltd v State of Haryana (though not agreeing with Sinha), the correctness of the majority judgment in Syedna Taifuddin is still under consideration by the Supreme Court.



While there are instance of past minority judgements having eventually found favour with future benches (such as Justice Khannas famous dissent in ADM Jabalpur v Shivkant S Shukla), the minority judgement of CJI Khehar is unlikely however to find favour in the future. It is, as others have also pointed out, so shoddily reasoned and poorly researched that it is hard to see why it would be relied upon for any purpose in the future.



Reading the different opinions, it is also possible to take an educated guess at the sequence of events that led up to the final verdict in this case. Khehar wrote the first judgement and circulated it to his colleagues. Then, since he refers to Khehars judgment, Justice Rohinton Nariman penned his dissenting judgement and circulated the same. The last to write an opinion was Justice Kurien Joseph who agreed mostly with Nariman but also refers to the CJIs judgment. We do not know at what point Justice Abdul Nazeer signed on to the CJIs judgement, whether he had the benefit of reading Narimans and Josephs opinions but Justice UU Lalit signed on to Narimans opinion clearly after having had the benefit of reading both Khehars and Narimans.



The fact that Khehars judgement does not refer to either Narimans or Josephs judgements is quite revealing. Usually, one finds that it is the majority judgment which does not refer to the minority ones, but in this case, it is the minority judgement which does not refer to the ones in the majority. It suggests perhaps that Khehars judgment was written believing it would be the majority judgement in the case, until the judgments of Joseph and Nariman came in.

All of this is important because it hints at a larger problem  that there was probably no prior discussion and planning between the judges before the judgements were written. A case goes to a Constitution or larger bench not just because five heads are better than three or two, but because it means that theres a chance for a greater diversity of views to be reflected and proper intellectual debate among the judges before the judgement is written. The questions which go before a Constitution bench, as the name suggests, are ones which involve important questions of interpreting the constitution or ones which are of grave public importance, and for it to be reduced to a case of just counting votes on the bench is a diminishing of the judicial process in the matter.



(The author is a Senior Resident Fellow at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. Views expressed are personal.)
Down the ramp on Sunday night, came a fetching Aditya Roy Kapur and a stunning Jacqueline Fernandez, sporting alluring designs from designer Manish Malhotra's collection. While Aditya flaunted a black, velvet one-button jacket with contrast black embroidered lapels, Jacqueline took over the ramp in a net floor-skimming creation.In an interaction with News18.com just a few days before the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive finale, Malhotra expressed how it's more about his fraternity friends shoring up than the idea of showstoppers that has become the trend."When I did my first fashion show, purely out of emotion, I had asked Urmila Matondkar to walk for my show as we had just done this super successful movie, Rangeela. And there began the trend of showstoppers in the industry. Because I was from the movies, I had a front row full of my actor friends, which has now become a norm. For me more than the trend, it's the support of my friends from the industry which has become a norm now," he said.What started as costume designing and styling in Bollywood with the 1990-film Swarg, carved a niche for Malhotra as a full-fledged fashion designer. "In my 27-year-long experience as a designer and costume stylist, I have had the opportunity to work with actors for their stage performances, allowing me to understand the nuances of designing costumes. In those days if anybody asked me for a wedding outfit, Id say I dont have any because I made glamorous and modern costumes for movies.""I became popular amongst the NRI audience who were, at the time, very confused between traditional and western clothes. Yash Birla and Avanti Birla, asked me to open a store when I had never even thought of retail or a label, but with a lot of insistence, I did open one. But my mind and heart was still in films," he recalled.Malhotra looked back on his childhood revealing that he was never a bright student and this his entire childhood was spent at the theatre, watching movies. "I was only interested in the movies. Thursday would be a day off and every Saturday was a half day at school, so being in Bandra, Mumbai, I would visit its three popular theatres  Gaiety, Galaxy and Gemini. I've always been a big fan of Bollywood and I loved the actors, music, songs and the clothes that they wore."It was only at the age of 21 when Malhotra had his first professional stint with Bollywood. He cited, "Here I was, at the age of 21, when a photographer called Rakesh introduced me to Sridevi and asked me to assist him in movies. The concept of styling was non-existent at the time. Soon, I started getting a lot of offers to work in films with Sridevi, Sunny Deol and a lot of other famous actors."Malhotra made no bones in accepting that the first three years of his career were bad. "In those days, producers were independent, so if a film would flop, the office would be shut and cheques used to bounce. There was no place to go and I had nothing else to fall back on, as I didnt want to join my fathers business. So, I decided I have to give it my all."For someone who's credited for the unapologetic glamour in the film industry, Hindi cinema in particular, Malhotra acknowledged that Bollywood been stylish through the decades. "The 40s, and especially the 50s as there was a great amount of British influence. Raj Kapoors sets were full of art deco influences, the costumes were super stylish and all the men would wear dinner jackets. The Sixties saw the resurgence of romance in Kashmir; actresses wore pastel shade saris, while the men layered up in sweaters. The 70s saw a lot of big collars, polka dots, and the flower power culture," he explained.While he maintained that if celebrities are in the limelight, they'll have to be a little more fashion conscious, he also pointed out that they should wear something which they're comfortable in.Having been in the industry for more than 27 years, Malhotra proudly accepted that films will always be his first love. "I think films are my first love, Ill never leave them, and theyll never leave me  hopefully. Today, if I had to choose between my collection and movies, I would choose the collection."He also credited the rise of technology and social media for the increased attention to film costumes. "In the last two to three years, there has been an increase in awareness of social media. Digital has now become a popular medium to be connected with everyone around the globe. But in the earlier days, there was a lot of hard work that one did. But if the film didnt run, no one saw it. But today even if a film doesnt run, if you make an outfit, people will post about it on Instagram first. So its a bit short-lived, yet instant, but I think weve gone through a test of time sustaining and being here."27 years on, the unapologetic glamour and exuberance continue to rule his designs and to this, a suave Malhotra highlighted how his only aim is to bring something extraordinary to the runway yet maintaining the signature touch. "Over the years, the brand has evolved to bring together traditional Indian fabrics and techniques with contemporary silhouettes. However, be it gowns with intricate gold embroidery, cigarette pants paired with Sherwani jackets for women, voluminous lehengas worn with cropped blouses or the use of non-traditional colours like royal blue, soft pink, maroon, Manish Malhotra as a brand continues to be unapologetically glamorous."The label's latest collection titled 'Tales of Indulgence' brought to ramp bespoke suits for men amid a backdrop of hundreds of glass strips hanging from the ceiling. A melange of evening, club, festive and occasion wear spanned from lapel jackets, baggy pleated pants, long velvet coats, tuxedos, tulle bows, corsets for both men and women at the recently concluded fashion week.
From the peaks of Hawaii to the uplands of Iceland, whether they be active or dormant, volcanoes inspire the imaginations of numerous travellers. Today on our volcano world tour, we're headed to one of the world's isolated regions, the Kamchatka peninsula in the remote Russian Far East.



Curriculum vitae



The 1,250-km long and 450-km wide Kamchatka Peninsula doesn't just have one volcano; this remote and inaccessible territory has a vast number of volcanoes, 29 of which are active. Kluchevskoy, Koryaksky and Kronotsky are reputed to be the most impressive for their height and beautiful natural settings. Mutnovski has plenty of fumaroles and thermal hot springs. Karymsky, which has erupted 23 times this century is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Gorely and Avachinski are also active and renowned for the surrounding landscape. Kamtchatka is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped volcanic belt which also passes under the volcanoes of western Canada, Vanuatu and the Kingdom of Tonga.



Who should visit



A trip to the volcanoes of Kamchatka is quite an expedition. The number of tourists visiting this very remote territory, which was closed to foreigners until 1990, remains relatively small. There are no roads connecting the peninsula to the rest of the world, and transport by helicopter, boat and four-wheel drive is the norm. Tour operators typically offer packages that include trekking, which require participants to be physically fit.



What to see and do



Kamchatka has enormous tourist potential, which has yet to be developed. Given its isolated location, it's a destination that will please travellers who dream of visiting the least crowded places on the planet. The region, which is covered in snow from October to May, is also home to large populations of wolves and bears, and the region's wildlife is just as much of an attraction as its volcanoes. Kamchatka is one of the rare destinations where you can observe bears fishing for salmon as well as large numbers of whales and sea mammals. The region is also known for its red king crab, one of the world's most coveted seafood species.



How to get there



For a vacation in Kamchatka, it's best to book a package from a travel agent specializing in remote destinations. A typical trip begins with a flight to Moscow followed by a connecting flight to Petropavlovsk-Kamtchatski. Even a short visit to Kamchatka requires a substantial amount of time. Count on staying at least two weeks.
The ongoing strike of FWICE seems to have taken a toll over Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Period-drama Padmavatis completion schedule. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) members are on an indefinite hunger strike until their demands like medical insurance and eight-hour shifts are met by the film fraternity.However, this strike has resulted in a massive delay in shooting the final schedule of Bhansalis pet project who has been stressed by the films producers to meet the slated release date  November 17, come what may. Earlier there were reports that Sanjay Leela Bhasali had requested the producers to bear few months more and postpone the release, however, due to the cost-involved, the producers turned down Bhansalis call.As per latest report , the crew was working for almost 18 hours a day to be on time. However, the FWICE strike has marred the speed and due to shortage of technicians and other staff, the shooting has been limited to 10 hours a day, thereby making it difficult for Bhansali to complete all scenes and make everything ready to release on November 17.This is not the first time that Bhansalis shooting schedule has been hit; earlier this year after a mob of Karni Sena had assaulted Bhansali on the sets of Padmavati at the Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, it was followed by another Vandalism incident in Kolhapur when an unknown group of 20-30 people set the fire up with petrol bombs.The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had asked its members and non-members to cooperate and stop working in the production sets. The Film and Television Producers Guild of India sought the Mumbai High Courts help which passed an interim order that prevents the FWICE from threatening member or non-members from voluntarily working with the producers.We just hope that it turns out good for Sanjay Leela Bhansali and hes able to complete his movies completion on time and we get to see what has been brewed for so long.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu has again ended up in turbulent times, barely a day after a six-month-long political chaos came to a closure with the merger of the O Panneerselvam and E Palaniswami factions of the AIADMK.



Just when the newly minted OPS-EPS combine was to kick-off a fresh start in the government, VK Sasikalas nephew TTV Dinakaran pulled the plug on the administration with 19 MLAs loyal to him approaching the Governor.



On Tuesday morning, the legislators submitted separate letters to Governor Vidyasagar Rao that they wouldn't support a government which Panneerselvam had termed as corrupt just about a week ago.



With this twist in the political potboiler, Tamil Nadu is back to number crunching and resort politics, just months after Sasikala's daring action to sequester loyal MLAs. Dinakaran has now spirited off 19 MLAs to a luxury hotel in neighbouring Puducherry, with his lieutenants P Vetrivel and E Pugazhendi crying hoarse about more turnout over the next few days.



A source from the Dinakaran camp said: "We have a problem with the government. We have indirectly named EPS. Some of them are looting the state. They have to finish 3.5 years (in power) and hence are too scared to include TTV (Dinakaran). We want our younger generation to come to power. They cant sideline Sasikala and Dinakaran. I am 101% sure this government will dissolve before 2019 Lok Sabha elections (sic)."



All is not rosy for the merged EPS-OPS faction of the AIADMK. The number crunching has begun  the EPS camp has 104 MLAs, team OPS has 10 MLAs and the Dinakaran faction has at least 20 MLAs. The halfway mark is 117 and the merged faction has 114 till now.



A source in the OPS camp has blamed the BJP-led Centre for the hasty deal. Our leader (OPS) failed to put forth our conditions ahead of the merger. That is because of the pressure from the Centre. Now that there are at least 19 MLAs withdrawing support, the government does not have the majority. TTV Dinakaran will not give up and will try to prove that his family cannot be sidelined. However, there wont be a need for a floor test as there is no Assembly session and the Governor is not in a hurry to call for a floor test. So for now, the government is stable."



Political analysts, however, say Dinakaran's show of strength wont last long.



According to RK Radhakrishnan, Associate Editor of Frontline: "TTV has very little manouvering space and it appears he's pushing his boundaries. No explanation will hold if the government comes down. TTV will be seen as the traitor. Also, with Delhi brazenly using all its agencies to force issues, TTV will be forced to back down in return for a temporary halt to action against him."



Political observer Sumanth Raman agreed. For now, he's served notice to the government. I don't believe they will immediately attempt to topple the government without a Plan B in place. He's trying to stop further action against Sasikala."



For now, political crisis continues in Tamil Nadu. But there are indications that the state government wont dissolve for the next few months at least.
New Delhi: I hope there is a good M and a bad M. This was Ratan Tatas response when asked to elaborate on being forced to shift the Nano project from West Bengal to Gujarat in 2008.



Standing by him, as he fielded questions from the media, was the then chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, who had rolled out a red carpet for Tata Motors in the face of the Trinamool Congress relentless campaign in West Bengal.



A decade later, Mamata Banerjee is firmly ensconced in the Writers Building in Kolkata. The West Bengal Chief Minister, however, seems to have learnt a lesson or two from the Singur squabble and its aftermath.



Speaking at a Network 18 event in Kolkata on Friday, Mamata Banerjee had said she favours Narendra Modi, not Amit Shah. I dont blame the PM. Why should I blame him? His party should take care of it.



Thats straight out of Ratan Tatas book. The Good M vs Bad M axiom. The Good BJP vs the Bad BJP.



Perhaps the CM is trying to convey to Modi that the battle of supremacy in Bengal should be a political contest between the two parties. And lets not convert it into a personal fight between Modi and Mamata, says a senior political observer from the state.



Even at President Ram Nath Kovinds swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Modi walked up to Mamata Banerjee when he noticed the West Bengal CM occupying rear seats with her contingent of MPs. The two leaders chatted for a while.



It is not the first time that Mamata Banerjee has done course correction in engaging with the Prime Minister.



In the 2014 general election campaign, Mamata used to often refer to Modi as Haridas Pal. Translated to English, the phrase would broadly mean any Tom, Dick and Harry.



A year later, when Modi travelled to West Bengal for the first time, there was a marked bonhomie between the two leaders. Modi launched three centrally sponsored schemes during the trip and the West Bengal CM was all praise for the PM as she emphasised on the need for better Centre-State relations.



It was precisely at this point in time that the Congress and the CPI(M) started a subtle campaign alleging the two sides had buried the hatchet. Modi Bhai-Didi Bhai was the common refrain when opposition attacked the TMC in West Bengal.



Wary of a shift in minority votes, Mamata had to a take strident position again in the run-up to the Assembly polls. The Narada-Sharada investigations kept the heat up on Trinamool leaders, as relations between the two parties deteriorated further.



TMC MPs were at the forefront of anti-demonetisation campaign last year. They picketed at Prime Ministers residence and office. The BJP, sensing an opening in Bengal, upped the ante to emerge as the main opposition to the TMC.



But in the last three months, developments within the opposition  from Bihar to Maharashtra  have perhaps made others to re-calibrate their strategy as well.



From Vajpayees NDA to Sonias UPA, the Trinamool chief has demonstrated remarkable nimbleness in picking and abandoning allies at the right moment.



That has been her strength all along  the acumen to choose her battles.
New Delhi: Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad is likely to represent the party at RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's rally in Patna on Sunday.



Lalu is attempting a major show of strength after he was ousted from the Bihar government with the JD-U moving out of the grand alliance and joining back the NDA fold and the government with the BJP.



Lalu also said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav would attend the RJD rally and that Mayawati's absence from the event was not a "setback".



"I had a talk with Mayawati. She said senior BSP leader Satish Mishra would come for the rally," he told reporters.



Sources said the Congress supports the RJD and its rally and will be adequately represented, but the Gandhis are unlikely to attend it.



"The Congress supports the RJD and the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad will be attending the August 27 rally of Lalu Prasad in Patna," said a senior party leader.



Rahul Gandhi had earlier indicated that he might be present at the Patna rally as Lalu has been a long-time friend and supporter of the Gandhis.



Their presence at his rally, however, may affect its prospects as Lalu and his son are embroiled in cases of corruption, analysts said.



The RJD chief is trying to put up a major show where he is seeking to showcase a formidable grouping of opposition leaders to take on the JD(U)-BJP combine in Bihar.



The Congress is seeking to unite the opposition under a joint platform to take on Narendra Modi's might and halt his winning streak in various states.
External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, has earned herself a name for her prompt replies on Twitter to address grievances or help stranded Indians in foreign countries. However, Congress leaders at her home constituency in Madhya Pradesh, Vidisha, are not happy with Swaraj, and have put up missing posters of the minister.The posters talk about farmer suicides and large-scale unemployment, while blaming the MP of no-show for a year.Vidishas farmers are dying. Traders are in bad shape. Youths are hassled with unemployment. Poor labourers are crying. But the MP is missing, claim the posters.The posters also read, If you meet Sushma Swaraj, please tell her that the public in her constituency feel cheated.With a banner saying Gumshuda Sansad ki Talash (Search for a Missing Parliamentarian), the posters also carry a picture of the Union Minister.One of the posters put up in VidishaLocal Congress leader, Anand Pratap Singh, started putting up these posters at Neemtal Square and added that he would stick them across the town.Talking to News18, Singh, district coordinator of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangthan (Congress) alleged that whenever the Union Minister visits Madhya Pradesh, she lands in Bhopal and goes back after meeting party leaders there.The public feels betrayed. He added. The government schemes are defunct and five villages adopted by the MP also do not see any progress.He recounted that Swarajs last visit was somewhere around early last year. If she can visit Bhopal and handle her ministry without any issues, why cant she come to her constituency where she promised regular visits and a permanent office.Meanwhile, BJP District Vice President, Tajindar Singh who is considered close to the Union Minister, dubbed this as Congress conspiracy to malign her image. Its well known that she could not visit Vidisha as she has not been keeping well of late, he said.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Courts decision on Wednesday upholding the judgment discharging Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of all charges in the SNC-Lavalin graft case has come as a major political victory for him.



Vijayan and his party CPI (M) are now in a celebratory mood as they always maintained that the case was politically motivated.



Veteran CPI (M) leader V S Achuthanandan who openly spoke against Vijayan in relation to the case has not even issued a statement after the court order.



The high court order has silenced his critics within the party and now Vijayan is the unchallenged leader of the state unit of the party.



It also picked on the CBI, saying that the agency only made Vijayan an accused while there were other ministers who interacted with the scam-tainted company, thereby strengthening his position politically.



The CBI courts discharge in 2013 had paved the way for his re-entry into electoral politics after a gap of about 15 years.



After the verdict, Vijayan said that he was happy that the truth came out, that it was a political witch-hunt against him and the CBI was under political pressure to make him an accused.



There has been a constant witch-hunt against me. They tried to witch hunt CPI (M) through me. HC said that I was picked though several power ministers interacted with the company. Everyone knows that CBI did this because of the political pressure on them. I am happy that the truth has won. I believed that judiciary will find the truth, he said.



He added that the CPI (M)'s central committee had earlier said that this is a politically motivated case.



I thank my party and comrades for standing by me and believing in me. People had understood this truth earlier itself, it is evident from the support they gave me during elections, he said.



CPI (M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan also echoed Vijayans sentiments.



UDF handed over the case to CBI with the intention of politically finishing off a top CPM leader. Despite the vigilance bureau giving a clean chit to Pinarayi, the then Oommen Chandy government went for a CBI probe on the eve of assembly elections with ulterior political motives. The verdict clearly exposes how the CBI was misused against political opponents. At least now the Centre should stop misusing CBI for political needs, he said.



Meanwhile, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said that the truth will prevail ultimately.



CBI will be filing an appeal in the Supreme Court. Let the SC decide the future of this case. I am happy about the HC order, the CBI court had totally exempted all the accused in this case, but now HC has said that three of them should face the trial, he said.



Even Jayalaltiha and Lalu Prasad Yadav were exonerated by lower courts but got the punishment from Supreme Court, he added.



The case pertains to an Rs 250-crore deal with Kerala State Electricity Board and Canadian company SNC-Lavalin in 1995, when Vijayan was state power minister for the renovation of three hydro power projects in Pallivasal, Shenkulam and Panniyar. The state ended up paying about Rs 374 crore.



There were allegations that the deal led to a loss to the state exchequer, with even the CAG report in 2005 making the accusation and held that the deal did not yield gains due to technical defects in the equipment renovated which in turn did not lead to an improvement in power generation.



As part of the agreement, the company had offered a financial assistance of Rs 98 crore for the Malabar Cancer Centre but the institution received only Rs 8.98 crore.
Kolkata: At a time when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has been facing a lot of flak for not taking a stand on the triple talaq debate, the West Bengal chief minister has again refused to comment on it.



This has further added to BJPs rhetoric that has she has been indulging in appeasement politics, even when almost the whole nation has come out against the triple talaq issue.



When asked for her opinion on triple talaq, Banerjee said, I am not going to say anything on this matter.



Earlier, on April 19, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani (during her Kolkata visit) had challenged the chief minister asking her to take a stand on the triple talaq debate, if she really believes in equality and justice.



I am interacting with you in a state which is governed by a female chief minister. When we talk about equality and justice, I would love to hear what Mamata Didi feels about triple talaq, Irani had said.



Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad continued with the tirade and slammed Mamata over her silence on the issue. Why is she quite on triple talaq, he said.



On the other hand, Trinamool Congress MLA Siddiqullah Chowdhury on Wednesday, said, The verdict passed by the apex court is unconstitutional. In one Surah of the Holy Quran there is a mention of triple talaq. Those who passed the judgement should have consulted with the experts before passing doing so.



He said, If required, my organization  West Bengal Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind will organize rallies against this judgement. I dont support the misuse of triple talaq, but it is wrong to say that it is not mentioned in the Quran.



In a historic verdict on Tuesday, the Supreme Court banned the practice of triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat, calling it unconstitutional, illegal and retrograde.



BJP State Secretary, Sayantan Basu, said, If you go through Mamata Banerjees social media pages, you will see her commenting on issues ranging from Donald Trump to Kashmir or Kanyakumari. She has an opinion on all issues. But we are surprised that she is so silent on triple talaq.



He added, West Bengal is governed by a lady Chief Minister and she should understand the suffering of millions of Muslim women who suffered due to triple talaq.



He said, We know that she will not say anything on triple talaq because her cabinet ministers are raising their voice against the Supreme Court verdict. TMC is a party that has indulged in appeasement politics for years. They will lose a huge vote share if they comment on this issue.
Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has written to the CBI for a probe into alleged land scams in Bikaner, including those involving a company of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra.



The Congress reacted to this development by accusing the state government of misusing CBI ahead of assembly elections.



"As many as 18 FIRs are registered and 4 of them are against Vadra's company which was allegedly involved in illegal purchase of nearly 275 bigha land. All the 18 FIRs are in connection with purchase of close to 1400 bigha land in fake names," Home Minister Gulab chand Kataria said on Tuesday.



He alleged that Vadra's company was third party to purchase 275 bigha land in the year 2010 and it sold the pieces of land to fourth party in 2012.



"When the matter came to light, 18 FIRs were registered. Four FIRs are related with Vadra's company and now the state government has written to the CBI to investigate them altogether. The issue was also raised in the state assembly in 2014," Kataria said.



Reacting to this, state Congress president Sachin Pilot said, "BJP misuses CBI, ED and other agencies for political gains. In this alleged land scam case, the state government had formed a committee but the committees findings were not disclosed by the government."



He said, "Those who have been arrested in the land scam are connected with BJP. If BJP people are being arrested in the land scam, then we are ready for any probe." The state government had on December 31, 2014 cancelled 18 mutations (transfer of ownership) in Bikaner after allegedly finding them to be illegal.



The land was illegally allotted or possessed in 2006-07 by some villagers, who were allegedly "wrongfully" shown as farmers displaced by Mahajan Field Firing Range of the Army. It was alleged that Vadras company also purchased chunks of land.



The farmers who were actually displaced were allotted land between 1992 and 1996.
In the wake of the Galaxy Note 7, which was discontinued in 2016, Samsung is aiming high with its Galaxy Note 8, which is due to be presented August 23, 2017, at a special event in New York. The Note 8 will be the latest in a long series of phablets, which started life in 2011.At the IFA in Berlin, Samsung created a sensation with the unveiling of its first phablet, a smartphone equipped with a 5.3-inch Super AMOLED HD (800p) screen, which was considered very large at the time. The 3G-and WiFi-compatible device became the first phone in the Galaxy Note series, which differs from the competition in that all models ship with the S Pen stylus. Launched progressively across the world in the fall of 2011, the device, which ran under Android Gingerbread (2.3), was a massive commercial success.At the next year's IFA, Samsung presented an even larger successor to the first phablet with a 5.55-inch screen. More an upgrade than a revolution, the Samsung Galaxy Note II featured a more advanced stylus sensitive to 1,024 levels of pressure, for better handwriting recognition.Presented in the fall of 2013, the Galaxy Note 3 had a still larger 5.7-inch HD (1080p) display.Features like 4G compatibility and 4K video recording set new standards for performance. It was also the first smartphone to be compatible with the brand's Galaxy Gear watch, launched at the same time. The following year, Samsung released the Galaxy Note 3 Neo, a more affordable version of this ground-breaking phablet.With its 5.7-inch QHD (2.560x1.440 pixel) display and radically improved performance, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 caused a sensation at the 2014 IFA. It was also the first smartphone compatible with Samsung's new virtual reality headset, the Gear VR, which was sold at a reduced price in a bundle with the phablet. At the same time, Samsung presented the Galaxy Note Edge, with a display that curved over the side of the device, which worked as a sidebar displaying shortcuts and notifications, notably when the device was in sleep mode.Announced earlier than expected in the summer of 2015, the Galaxy Note 5 didn't offer much in the way of innovation and even lacked some of its predecessor's features like a removable battery and a microSD slot. It was also distinguished by the fact that it was not released in Europe, where Samsung decided to focus its marketing campaigns on the S6 Edge+.Samsung skipped directly from the Note 5 to the Note 7, which proved to be a disaster. Shortly after its launch, it emerged that the Note 7's internal battery was prone to overheating and could even explode. The phone was rapidly withdrawn, even before its launch in some countries. Many were disappointed that the device, which was supposed to set new standards for high-end smartphones, had failed to live up to expectations.The Note 7 broke new ground with an iris scanner that could be used for unblocking and identification. A reconditioned version, christened Galaxy Note Fan Edition (FE), was released in the summer of 2017, in a limited edition currently only available in South Korea.In the wake of numerous leaks, few surprises are expected at the launch of the Galaxy Note 8. If all goes according to plan, it will be the first Galaxy Note to release in several countries since the Galaxy Note 4.Photos posted online show a large display (probably 6.2 or 6.3 inches) with curved sides as well as a new version of the S Pen stylus. The device is expected to feature a dual rear camera with a 2X or 3X optical zoom. Depending on its destination market, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be equipped with a Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 8895 processor, 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage (expandable with a microSD card).
Tripoli: Former Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has been released after being abducted during a visit to the capital, Tripoli, and held for nine days by an armed group, a relative said on Wednesday.



Zeidan was prime minister from 2012-2014, a period when Libya slid deeper into the political turmoil and armed conflict that has plagued the country since Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown six years ago.



He has since been living in Germany with his family.



It is not clear why Zeidan travelled to Libya or why he was abducted. He was being held by a group aligned with the UN-backed government in Tripoli, though he faced no judicial charges, a source said.



The U.N.-backed government has not commented on the case.



Tripoli is controlled by a number of the armed groups that have held power in the capital since 2011. Some have been given semi-official status by successive governments, but the groups remain unaccountable and involved in criminal activity.



A lawyer for Zeidan, Moussa Al-Doghali, told France 24 Arabic TV channel that his client was released without explanation and that he did not know the circumstances of his arrest and detention.



Zeidan was in good health and was staying in a Tripoli hotel following his release, Doghali said.



In October 2013, Zeidan was briefly abducted from a Tripoli hotel room by an armed group allied to the parliament that sacked him just over a year later.
New Delhi: US Defense Secretary James Mattis on Wednesday said the Trump administration will surely take action against Pakistan this time, a day after President Donald Trump warned Islamabad of the consequences of providing safe haven to terrorists.



Mattis was responding to a question on similar rhetoric in the past, but the US had shown reluctance in taking action against Pakistan. "The words (of Trump) were very tough, but those words have been said before. What's actually going to be done to sort or align that with the strategy?" Mattis was asked.



"I understand the question. You'll just have to watch it unfold in order to really get the answer to it, the Pentagon chief, who is currently on a trip to West Asia told reporters travelling with him.



Mattis has directed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to make preparations to carry out Trump's strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan. "I will be in consultation with the Secretary General of NATO and our allies, several of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers. Together, we will assist the Afghan Security forces to destroy the terrorist hubs," he said.



Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson did not rule out use of American military resources to attack terrorists if there were actionable intelligence.



"The only way we can defeat an enemy that is as nimble and as cagey tactically as this enemy is we have to be as cagey and tactical as they are, and we've not been fighting that way," he said.



"I'm not going to comment on what it could include. But the President's been clear that we're going to protect American troops and servicemen," he said, when asked whether the attack will include strikes in Pakistan.



"We're going to attack terrorists wherever they live and we have put people on notice that if you're harbouring and providing safe haven to terrorists, be warned, be forewarned that we're going to engage with those who are providing safe haven and ask them to change what they're doing and help us help them," he said.



"Because in my view, the greatest benefactor other than the Afghan people themselves, to achieving stability and peace in Afghanistan are the people of Pakistan. They will benefit more than any other nation," Tillerson said.



(With PTI inputs)
Kandahar: A Taliban suicide bomber killed five civilians and wounded dozens of others, mainly children when he detonated a car filled with explosives at a police headquarters in southern Afghanistan on Thursday.



It was the insurgents' first major attack since US President Donald Trump announced in Washington late on Monday that he was committing American troops to the war-torn country indefinitely.



"A suicide bomber detonated an explosive-filled car in a parking lot near the main police headquarters in Lashkar Gah," Omar Zhwak, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand province, told AFP.



"Our initial information shows that five civilians were killed and 25 were wounded, including women and children," he added.



The car park was full of people queueing to get into the police headquarters when the explosion happened, said Zhwak.



He added that a nearby mosque, which was being used as a madrassa or Islamic religious school, had been damaged.



Children were studying there at the time.



"We have received 38 wounded -- mostly schoolchildren -- and five dead, including two women and two soldiers," Mauladad Tabihdad, director of hospitals in Helmand, told AFP.



The attack occurred a little over 24 hours after Trump cleared the way for thousands more US soldiers to be sent to Afghanistan, reversing earlier pledges to pull out.



The Taliban had called for a complete withdrawal of foreign forces and following Trump's announcement vowed to make the war-weary country a "graveyard" for US forces.



The Taliban quickly claimed today's attack in a text message sent to journalists.



"We targeted army tanks, killing dozens," it read.



Ordinary Afghans have paid a heavy price for the 16-year US-led war.



Civilian deaths are at their worst since records began in 2009. In the first half of the year, 1,662 civilians were killed and more than 3,500 injured, according to the United Nations.



The attack was also the latest blow to Afghanistan's beleaguered security forces.



"The car bomb targeted a number of army vehicles parked in the parking lot. We have reports of some casualties to army soldiers," Salam Afghan, a police spokesman, told AFP.



The resurgent Taliban have been ramping up their campaign against government forces, underscoring rising insecurity in Afghanistan during the summer fighting season when the warmer weather tends to spur an increase in attacks.



Afghan police and troops -- beset by a high death toll, desertions and non-existent "ghost soldiers" on the payroll -- have been struggling to beat back the insurgents since US-led NATO troops ended their combat mission in December 2014.



Casualties among Afghan security forces soared by 35 percent in 2016, with 6,800 soldiers and police killed, according to US watchdog SIGAR.



More than 2,500 Afghan police and troops were killed from January 1 to May 8.
The long-planned canoe launch near the town of Altavista is getting closer to reality.

At Tuesday nights work session, Altavista Town Council got an update on the proposed canoe launch planned for a site five miles west of town off of Virginia 43.

Deputy Town Manager Dan Witt showed the most updated designs for the project to council, which includes 20 parking spaces and room for trailers, room for picnic tables and a launch area with steps down to the Staunton River.

The town hopes to have completed the project by the late spring or early summer of 2018.

The community would start using it tomorrow if we built it tomorrow, Witt said. This has been strongly supported by both town council and the citizens of Altavista.

According to Witt, Christiansburg-based engineering firm Gay and Neel changed the design of the recreation area and shifted the layout of the launch after analyzing the site in the last several months.

When the survey was done, it changed the site plan a little bit, but it was to our benefit, Witt told town council. What they found is we can do the parking lot on two tiers. What that does is it reduces our site work [costs] from $90,000 to $10,000 because we dont need to grade.

The change in the plan also moved the canoe launch 150 feet along the river bank to keep it away from a curve in the river. The concrete launch will be installed at a 45-degree angle with the current of the river to allow visitors to launch their watercraft.

Now that the project has been altered, the projected cost has been brought down to a total cost of $378,000 from the originally projected $429,000. After the $85,000 already spent toward the project the town still has $293,000 to put toward the project, Witt said.

Next, the town will be working with Gay and Neel to finalize the design of the site and find out if Altavista is eligible for a grant from the Virginia Recreational Trails Program from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The minimum project cost that decides which projects are eligible depends on how much money is available, Witt said. I will need to find out from them about that before we move forward.

The town budgeted $7,000 for the project in fiscal year 2017-18, which they will combine with the $334,000 budgeted in fiscal year 2016-17 for the project. Altavista also received a $55,000 grant from the Timken Foundation, $10,000 from the Dominion Foundation, $5,000 from Walmart and $23,313 from the Department of Conservation and Recreations Virginia Land and Conservation Fund.

The site will be open 24 hours per day to accommodate people who want to fish and launch boats at any time.

It will be open 24 hours a day so people who like to catfish at night can come and do that and other things, Witt said.

The Campbell County Sheriffs Office will patrol the site, and the town has budgeted $10,000 annually for maintenance of the canoe launch, which will include landscaping, trash pick-up and other maintenance, according to Witt.

Town Manager Waverly Coggsdale expressed optimism and excitement about the project prior to Tuesdays work session.

I hope we can finally get this project moving, he said.
The Lynchburg Regional Airport has received $1.1 million to continue converting all lights to LED, which officials say will save the airport between $15,000 and $20,000 per year in electric bills.

Funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administrations Airport Improvement Program.

U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced Tuesday nine Virginia airports would receive a total of $18.8 million in funds from the FAA to help enhance new and existing infrastructure.

This funding is essential to help Virginias airports make necessary upgrades to infrastructure, the senators said in a news release sent Tuesday. These grants will help our local airports improve travel and plan for future operations and growth.

Lynchburg Airport Director Mark Courtney said the project is part of a second phase funded from the FAA to convert all of the lights in the airfield.

The lights, originally installed about 20 years ago, have reached the end of their useful life and require rehabilitation to enhance safe airfield operations during low visibility conditions.

He said the first phase began about three years ago, and the last phase will come in another three years.

This phase will include all taxi lights that havent been converted yet as well as signs in the airfield.

Previous projects have included construction, relocating and rehabilitating one taxi way, which took place during the past few years, Courtney said.

The last phase will include rehabilitation of the main runway and adding new LED high intensity runway lights, he said.

Depending on weather, work will begin in the next two months and should be finished by next spring or summer, Courtney said.

Ten percent of the grant is a local match.

Other airports receiving funding are located in Accomack, Franklin, Frederick, Hanover, Suffolk, Washington and Wise counties, along with the Mecklenburg-Brunswick Regional Airport.
First Lady Grace Mugabe could be banned from ever entering South Africa if that countrys powerful trade union federation and opposition groups get their way in their bids to have the decision to grant her diplomatic immunity overturned.



Grace was granted diplomatic immunity by the South African government last Saturday after spending close to a week holed in Johannesburg as police wanted to arrest her over allegations she severely assaulted a 20-year-old model Gabriella Engels whom she found with her sons  Robert Junior and Chatunga Bellarmine  at a luxury hotel in Sandton on August 13.



Powerful trade union federation, Cosatu wants Grace to be declared a prohibited immigrant (PI)  a decree that would mean if she ever sets her foot in South Africa, she would be swiftly deported.



Ms Grace Mugabe should be banned from ever coming into this country, said Sizwe Pamla, the Cosatu national spokesperson in a damning statement yesterday.

Our governments camouflaged surrender and cowardice is shameful. We are turning into a Banana republic very fast because of our governments misdirected idealism.



This comes as South Africas main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, called for a parliamentary inquiry into South Africas decision to let Grace leave.



Pamla said the decision by the Department of International Relations minister Nkoana-Mashabane was disgraceful and a camouflaged surrender.



This makes a mockery of our rule of law and the principle of equality before the law. It is clear now that the citizens of this country cannot be guaranteed protection by this government.



This ill-thought decision is proof that our so called exceptionalism is an amount of scale, not of quality anymore.



While we agree that government has every right to maintain healthy relations with our neighbouring countries but this should not be done at the expense of South African citizens. We cannot allow the political anarchy and vandalism of the Mugabe-led administration in Zimbabwe to be imported into our country, fumed Pamla.



Cosatu is considered a strong ally of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) as they are part of an alliance which also involves the South African Communist Party (SACP), a relationship which dates back to the struggle for South Africas independence during the

apartheid era.



The demand by the powerful trade union federation to declare Grace a PI leaves the ANC in a spot of bother, given that the ruling party needs Cosatus vote-gathering ability, especially among the poor, to retain control of many cities and provinces in the forthcoming polls in Africas largest economy.



The civil rights watchdog AfriForum legal representative Willie Spies said the granting of diplomatic immunity to her is however not the end of the matter.



Spies said AfriForum has already given notice that the organisation will assist Engels in bringing a review application in order to set aside the decision to grant diplomatic immunity to Grace.



The fight for justice for Zimbabwe and for Miss Engels will therefore go ahead until it is won, Spies said.



Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, an alliance of 300 civic groups, said Graces alleged violence in South Africa was part of a growing trend made possible by a sense of impunity.



We hold that her decision to seek diplomatic immunity was baseless and unwarranted and only serves to entrench a culture of impunity, the coalition said.









Grace Mugabes violence continues to bring disrepute to our nationhood as Zimbabweans compromising our stature in the Sadc region, Africa and the global community. daily news
Crocodiles are proving to be a huge menace in Zimbabwe with 16 people succumbing to horrific attacks by the reptiles in seven months, the Daily News can report.



A study by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) revealed that 16 people died from croc attacks between January and July, while five people were left badly injured over the same period.



It is the highest number of fatalities arising from crocodile attacks in as many years, symptomatic of the escalation in human and wildlife conflict.



Most of these deaths were due to negligence in crocodile-infested waters. It is also possible that people are becoming complacent in spite of the dangers posed by the crocodiles, with some getting more adventurous on waterways.



Yet another school of thought says crocodile could be breeding in huge numbers.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said at least 14 animals were killed by crocodiles during the same period.



As ZimParks, we continue educating our communities and ensure that they inform the authorities if there are such cases within their environs, he said.



One of the main challenges we are facing is funding to ensure that we deal effectively with human wildlife conflicts and also how to deal with nocturnal species that are active during the night.



Crocodiles are among the most vicious predators of rivers and lakes. They lurk almost totally submerged in the water as they lie in wait for passing prey, which is then dragged into the water and drowned.



Renowned for their long powerful jaws, few creatures escape from their clutches  not even large buffalo and wildebeest.



A recent fatal croc attack of South African hunter on the banks of the Limpopo River attracted international headlines.



Scott Van Zyl, disappeared during a hunting trip on the Zimbabwe-South Africa border with a local tracker and a pack of dogs.



A search and rescue operation was launched after Van Zyls dogs returned to their camp without him. The hunters footprints were traced to river bank alongside his discarded rucksack.



Staff from the Heritage Protection Group  an organisation which he headed and helps police fight crime in South Africa  informally helped the Zimbabwean authorities conduct the search.



Permission was given for three Nile crocodiles in the area to be shot, and one of them contained Zyls remains. Subsequent DNA tests proved the remains to be those of Zyl.

Several other people have been killed after wading into croc-infested river crossings.

ZimParks said the period under review saw 37 threats from crocodiles to human life and livestock, with 33 cases attended to by the national parks authority.



The wildlife agency also reported that one man was gored to death by a buffalo, while five people were killed by elephants since January.



A man was left with permanent injuries after being mauled by a lion in June.

It doesnt happen often. This year there was only one case of a man who was attacked by a lion in the bush in June, Farawo said.



The man, however, survived. In 2016, one person was killed by lions and four others were attacked and injured but survived.

He said lions killed 91 cattle, six donkeys and 46 goats, while hyenas devoured 28 goats and 11 cattle.



The ZimParks spokesperson said the animals that came into conflict with humans were both in open and fenced areas.



Zimbabwe has wildlife in both open and fenced areas. Over 26 percent of the countrys land surface is under wildlife in gazetted wildlife areas, gazetted indigenous forests, some communal areas and private farms and conservancies. There is also wildlife in large tracks of unfenced areas under extensive management, he said.



ZimParks is working around the clock to deal with conflicts between people and animals, although it faced varying challenges.



We normally capture and relocate them to conservancies or in rare cases, we eliminate the problem lions but this is the last resort, he said.



Communities were urged to immediately report the presence of wildlife in their area to the nearest ZimParks offices or to the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Daily News
A TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD kombi driver who knocked down a pedestrian in a hit-and-run accident in Mazowe last Friday was arrested by police officers manning a checkpoint.



The driver, whose name was still being withheld, was nabbed on Sunday at the 30km peg along Harare-Mukumbura Road by traffic police officers who were on traffic enforcement duties.



Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the arrest and warned drivers who do not report to police after being involved in accidents.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the arrest of a 28-year-old Guruve man who was involved in a hit-and-run fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 17km peg along Harare-Mukumbura Road near Mazowe on 18 August 2017 where one person was killed.





We have noted with concern the increase in the number of hit and run accidents occurring on our roads these days. Drivers have lost conscience and respect for human life as evidenced by failure to stop after road traffic accidents, let alone checking on the condition of victims to render assistance, she said.





Snr Asst Comm Charamba said on Sunday, police officers who were on traffic enforcement duties at the 30km peg along the Harare-Mukumbura road stopped the suspect who was driving a commuter omnibus and inspected the vehicle.





The police officers then discovered that the missing left side of the bumper matched a piece of a bumper which was being held at the police station as an exhibit of a hit and run accident leading to the arrest of the suspect, she said.





She said the incident reveals the extent of gross disrespect for the sanctity of human life and total disregard of road rules and regulations by some drivers.

Police warned motorists to desist from speeding off after being involved in any accidents. Drivers are also urged to exercise extreme caution especially during the night. The Zimbabwe Republic Police will not rest until we account for all drivers who commit such heinous acts and disappear.





We are appealing to members of the public to come forward with information that may lead to the arrest of errant drivers who do not report road traffic accidents. The public should also report people who repair cars without police reports, Snr Asst Comm Charamba said. Herald
IT was a dark day for Zimbabwe yesterday as the nation lost another towering woman, Mai Maud Muzenda, the widow of Vice President Dr Simon Vengai Muzenda. She was 88.





Amai Muzenda passed on at the Avenues Clinic in Harare after battling ill-health for some time. Amai Muzendas son, Tongai, said his mother had been in and out of hospital for some time.





This is a great loss to the family. Losing a mother is not easy. It is difficult. She was the only parent we had left after the death of our father the late national hero Cde Simon Muzenda. She played a pivotal role in the family. She was a hard worker and her death has robbed us of a pillar of strength. Her body has been taken to a funeral parlour.





Mrs Tendai Ngcobo said her mother was hypertensive and diabetic. She was admitted at the Avenues Clinic for three weeks.



Gogo underwent surgery in South Africa in May this year after suffering from back pains and since then she never recovered, she said.

Daughter to Amai Muzenda, Senator Tsitsi Muzenda described her mother as inspirational and strong.





She was a pillar of strength. Recently I sent my child to see gogo and he called and was asking if he should come back since she was not well. He was down and said he could not imagine life without his grandmother.





Amai Muzendas death comes hard on the heels of the death of Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa, who was interred at the National Heroes Acre on Sunday.

While the National Flag was about to go back to full mast, came news of the demise of yet another illustrious Son of the Soil, Cde George Rutanhire, who passed on last Saturday and is set to be buried at the National Heroes Acre on Saturday.





Zanu-PF national spokesman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo expressed the revolutionary partys suddenness over the demise of Amai Muzenda.



The party is shocked and dismayed by the unexpected and untimely death of Amai Muzenda. We are obviously going to issue a fuller statement later, he said.





Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe last night described Amai Muzenda as a loving, strong, humble and prayerful mother.

Amai Muzenda is a real mother who even under difficult times managed to stay with the family. When her husband was fighting for liberation of the country, she never wavered. When former Vice President Muzenda died she maintained the dignity of a mother and we never heard complaints but she stayed in the party. She worked with her husband and sacrificed until her death. Other women should learn from her, said Dr Mushohwe.





He said the manner in which Amai Muzenda groomed her children even when her husband was in prison was testimony to her good motherliness.





Other women must emulate Amai Muzenda who was soft spoken and a classical example of a real mother who treated us with respect even though she was married to a Vice President, said Dr Mushohwe.





Dr Mushohwe worked closely with Amai Muzenda for 20 years.

She did not ill-treat me not even for a single day. She remained humble and respected me even though I was a worker.





The nation will miss her. I will personally miss her. I am deeply pained and cannot do anything as it is Gods time. She was a pillar of strength, a loving mother and grandmother. We will really miss her.





Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Josaya Hungwe described the death of Amai Muzenda as yet another blow for Masvingo Province.





I am on my way to the family home in Harare now to see who is there, but Cde Tsitsi Muzenda phoned informing me about her death. It is yet another blow to Masvingo Province, especially coming after the passing on of Cde Mahofa, he said.





Ambuya Muzenda has joined Cde Mahofa into the next world and it is Gods will. There is nothing we can do. She has gone to join her husband VaMuzenda.

She played a key role in looking after her husband before independence and after independence when he became Vice President.





Zanu-PF Chief Whip, Gutu Central legislator Cde Lovemore Matuke said the Zanu-PF leadership in Masvingo will meet to formally request national heroine status for Amai Muzenda.





I have just received the sad news of the passing on of Ambuya Muzenda but there is nothing much that we can say at the moment until we meet together with the chairman Cde Ezra Chadzamira so that we can write to the national leadership requesting national heroine status for her, he said.





Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial secretary for administration Cde Ailess Baloyi said they were at pains to accept Amai Muzendas death.





The blows are too heavy for us to take. It is yet another big loss for Masvingo Province and we are at pains to explain such a big loss to the Muzenda family, Masvingo family and the nation at large. We are poorer without our mother who served as a fountain of wisdom, said Cde Baloyi.





Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi also described Amai Muzenda as a pillar of strength.





She remained a Zanu-PF steward even after the death of her husband Vice President Simon Muzenda. She always attended national events despite her ill health. She was a pillar of strength. She was a mother and grandmother to the whole nation, he said.





Cde Simon Muzenda, affectionately known as the Soul of the Nation, passed away on September 20 2003 and was buried at the National Heroes Acre.




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An Iowa couple won a $3.2 million judgment against their lawyer after their adopted son was reclaimed by his birth mother, and then murdered by his father, the Des Moines Register reports. Rachel and Heidi McFarland sued their former lawyer in 2014 for malpractice, charging that Jason Rieper failed to obtain a waiver of parental rights from baby Gabriel's birth parents. A jury last Wednesday agreed, granting them the award for emotional distress. Rachel McFarland tells People it felt like "destiny" when a colleague's pregnant teenage daughter agreed to let the couple adopt her baby. Adoption wasnt ever our No. 1 choice," she says. But "the birth mom didnt care if we were a same-sex couple. It just seemed too good to be trueand it was too good to be true." The McFarlands were present at the baby's birth in December 2013, named him Gabriel"a strong name"and took him home.

Three months later, their lawyer told them that birth mom Markeya Atkins wanted Gabriel backand that's when they say they learned Rieper had failed to get the necessary paperwork signed. Five weeks later, Atkins found the baby "alone, pale, wet and foaming from his mouth and nose," per the Register. Gabriel's father, Drew James Weehler-Smith, 17, pleaded guilty in 2015 to manslaughter. Rieper's lawyer denies the attorney was responsible, saying the birth mom changed her mind. But a lawyer for the McFarlands, who now have two little girls, writes on Facebook that if Rieper had obtained Atkins' signature, "it would have been impossible for her or the babys father to take Gabriel away from them."(The US adoption industry is undergoing a troubling shift.)
Some Harvard University professors are fighting a proposal that would ban all fraternities and single-gender clubs on campus, the AP reports. More than 20 faculty members have signed their support for a new rule that would forbid Harvard from punishing students for joining "any lawful organization." The professors say they aim to protect the "right of free association." They're led by professor and former dean Harry Lewis.

The move is in response to a July proposal from a separate faculty panel that would bar students from joining fraternities, sororities, and all-male groups known on campus as final clubs. Harvard's administration has been trying to crack down on final clubs, saying they have problems with alcohol abuse and sexual assault. University President Drew Faust will make the final decision. Harvard officials haven't commented. (Read more Harvard stories.)
When Jessica Oates sent her 4-year-old son to his first day of kindergarten in the Houston area, she hadn't yet signed a letter stating that his shoulder-length hair, which has never been cut, is long for cultural or religious reasons. Part Cocopah Indian, Oates tells Inside Edition that long hair is a symbol of strength, adding to the Houston Chronicle that "it's part of my child" and cutting it is "not an option." Now Oates claims that Barbers Hill Independent School District kicked her son out of school before its stated deadline for providing the letter, citing in a statement that "our local elected board has an established policy based on community expectations" that it will "continue to implement."

Oates goes on to tell Inside Edition that her son, Jabez, "likes his hair" and "doesn't understand why he is not allowed in school over something so trivial." Via a video she posted to Facebook, Oates says she hopes to call attention to the dress-code issue that another Texas mother described earlier this month as "sexist" after her own son tried growing his hair long to donate to cancer patients, per Raw Story. This week, Oates says Jabez wasn't even allowed out of the car at the school drop-off point because his long hair, which was tied in a bun, still violated the dress code. She plans to raise the issue at a school board meeting next month. (Another dress code policy regarding hair has been criticized for targeting black girls.)
The suspected driver of the van that rammed into crowds in Barcelona is now dead, but details are still emerging about last week's carnage that left 15 dead in two attacks and injured more than 130. The newest development, per the Guardian: A 21-year-old suspect in custody told a Spanish court that plans for even bigger attacks had been in the works, including the bombing of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia church. Spanish media reports Mohamed Houli Chemlal was one of the suspects in an Alcanar house that blew up just hours before the two terror attacks, killing two of his associates, and police say that home had been turned into a bomb-making site. Chemlal, appearing in court with three other suspects, said the group had originally hoped to kill hundreds at various Barcelona tourist sites, per the London Times.

Chemlal reportedly admitted to the court that he'd known about the attack plans "for at least two months" and that those plans were streamlined after the Alcanar house accidentally exploded, per the BBC. Court officials also told Spanish media that Chemlal and the other three surviving suspects confirmed the men in the terror group had been radicalized by Ripoll imam Abdelbaki Es Satty, who's said to have died in the Alcanar explosion. Besides the four surviving suspects and the two who died in Alcanar, six other suspects were shot dead, including five involved in the Cambrils attack and suspected van driver Younes Abouyaaqoub. In addition to the 13 civilians killed in Barcelona and a woman killed in Cambrils, one person was also killed when Abouyaaqoub reportedly stabbed a man to death during a carjacking while trying to make his escape after the Barcelona attack. (Read more Barcelona attack stories.)
Louise Linton had her "let them eat cake" moment, but now she's eating crow. The Scottish actress and new wife of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin issued a short apology Tuesday after posting a picture of herself on Instagram disembarking from a military jet (she'd accompanied Mnuchin on one of his work trips to Kentucky), tagging all the luxury items she was wearing, then ripping into a commenter who took her to task for it. "I apologize for my post on social media [Monday] as well as my response. It was inappropriate and highly insensitive," she says in a statement from her publicist, per CNN.

Linton, who the New York Times says was "fresh from a European vacation punctuated by rides at SoulCycle and trips to the Hamptons," had been replying to a comment by Oregon mom Jenni Miller. Miller tells CNN Linton's post was "incredibly offensive." "She went to a state where one in five people lives in poverty and many children don't know where their next meal is coming from," Miller says. "Instead of helping in some way, she chose to brag about her outlandishly expensive clothes." But she says Linton's apology is a "good outcome" and is now asking her new Instagram followers to donate to a friend who had a stroke. "I'm trying to make some good out of this situation," Miller says. More on Linton's childhood growing up in a castle and her penchant for jewels at CNN. (Read more Louise Linton stories.)
Kal Penn tried to get the president banned from Twitter by invoking the social network's Terms of Service. Valerie Plame Wilson is going a step further. The former CIA officer has launched an effort to raise enough money to buy a controlling stake in the company and then shut down President Trump's account, reports USA Today, which notes Twitter is currently worth just shy of $12 billion. The GoFundMe page has a long way to go on its $1 billion goal, a lofty amount that Wilson describes as "a small price to pay to take away Trump's most powerful megaphone and prevent a horrific nuclear war."

Per the campaign's description, Trump's threats about "actual nuclear war with North Korea" are what have her most concerned, tweets she refers to as "weaponizing Twitter." "We cant take Trump's nukes away (yet!), but we can take away his biggest megaphone and stop him from tweeting armageddon." About $5,000 has been raised thus far, and Wilson says that if she doesn't raise enough to buy a controlling interest, she'll still try to buy a stake significant enough to give her an influential voice at the annual shareholder meeting. Mic notes that Trump currently ranks 27th on Twitter's most-followed list and, per one analyst, may be responsible for as much as about 17% of the company's current valuation. (Meanwhile, Melania Trump tweeted a message to Chelsea Clinton.)
President Trump unleashed a new torrent of criticism on the media Tuesday night over the coverage of his Charlottesville remarks. At a political rally in Phoenix, Trump also stopped short of pardoning former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, but strongly he hinted he would do so soon, reports NBC News. "Its time to expose the crooked-media deceptions and to challenge the media for their role in fomenting divisions," Trump told about 10,000 supporters inside the Phoenix Convention Center, per the Arizona Republic. "For the most part, honestly, these are really, really dishonest people." Trump rehashed his remarks after the Virginia violence, though the New York Times notes that he did not repeat his much-criticized theme that both sides were to blame, and he accused the media of distorting his comments.

"I hit em with neo-Nazi. I hit them with everything," said the president. "I got the white supremacists, the neo-Nazi. I got them all in there. Lets see. KKK, we have KKK," said Trump, who had taken flak for waiting two days to condemn those groups. As for Arpaio, Trump drew a rousing response when he asked of the former Maricopa County sheriff, "Do the people in this room like Sheriff Joe?" and "Was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?" He then added that he wouldn't be pardoning Arpaio on Tuesday night in order to avoid controversy. But "Ill make a prediction: I think hes going to be just fine." Outside, police arrested four protesters during the night, reports the AP. Things were mostly peaceful, but officers fired tear gas at the protesters after they say some began throwing objects as the rally was breaking up. (Read more President Trump stories.)
A student's backpack that smelled like marijuana led police in Florida to his house, where they found a small grow house run by his parents, per the AP. Now, 41-year-old Rolando Naranjo and Betsy Espinoza (said to be 32 or 33) are in jail, charged with multiple drug and child neglect charges. The Miami Herald reports that a Palm Springs Middle School teacher noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the 11-year-old boy's backpack and notified a Miami-Dade Schools police officer.

A police report says the boy told officers of marijuana plants in his house and said his dad uses his backpack to transport the drug, which is what caused the odor. He also said people regularly show up at his house to buy marijuana. Police got a search warrant, and Hialeah Sgt. Carl Zogby called conditions at the home "deplorable." Also there with the student's parents was his 4-year-old brother. (Read more marijuana stories.)
President Trump and Mitch McConnell have taken potshots at each other in public of late, but that's nothing compared to what's going on in private, reports the New York Times. A lengthy story describes their relations as of the "Cold War" variety, and it says the two men haven't spoken since a phone call on Aug. 9 that devolved into a shouting match. CNN confirms the volatile nature of that call, with one of its sources saying that the president swore at the Senate majority leader. Both stories say Trump is not only peeved at the Senate's inability to repeal ObamaCare, but at McConnell's refusal to help shield the president from the Russia investigation. McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao, is Trump's transportation secretary, and earlier this month she navigated the rift as best she could publicly: "I stand by my manboth of them."

The Times story runs through in great detail the sources of friction, including that McConnell "expressed horror" to aides about the president's reaction to the Charlottesville violence. Maybe the most damning line of all: "McConnell has privately expressed uncertainty that Mr. Trump will be able to salvage his administration after a series of summer crises." A White House official, however, downplays the feud to CNN and says it won't interfere with looming action on tax reform and government funding. But Ed Kilgore at New York isn't so sure. "If nothing else, the 'cold war' between Trump and McConnell could lead both men to a decision to go it alone at times when cooperation is essential to GOP goals." (Read more Mitch McConnell stories.)
While the tension between certain Clintons and Trumps continues to get press, other members of the two families are supporting and praising each other. Chelsea Clinton took to Twitter Monday to defend 11-year-old Barron Trump from harsh criticism of his clothing choices by a conservative website, which was soon followed by Barron's mom reaching out to Chelsea online, per the Washington Post. "Thank you @ChelseaClinton - so important to support all of our children in being themselves!," first lady Melania Trump tweeted late Tuesday night, including the hashtag #StopChildhoodBullying.

The AP notes a Melania Trump spokeswoman on Tuesday re-upped the White House's request that the media lay off Barron, saying, "As with all previous administrations, we ask that the media give Barron his privacy. He is a minor child and deserves every opportunity to have a private childhood." Meanwhile, Vince Coglianese, the editorial director for the Daily Caller, where the Barron-bashing column appeared, defends writer Ford Springer, calling him "the most pro-Barron Trump writer I've ever met" and insisting that Springer was just offering "bro-to-bro advice." Coglianese also sniffs at the media, saying, "Let's not pretend the press is suddenly concerned about defending the Trumps." (Read more Melania Trump stories.)
Back in February, British firefighters rescued 18 piglets and two sows from a burning barn where more than 60 tons of hay had caught fire. Almost exactly six months later, the Telegraph reports the firefighters reconnected with the pigsin the form of sausages. After the two-week-old piglets were saved, the farm promised to bring sausages to the firefighters once the animals had been fattened up. Farm manager Rachel Rivers described it to the BBC as a "good way of saying 'thank you.'" According to the Guardian, the firefighters appeared to appreciate the gesture, calling it a chance "to sample the fruits of our labors" and declaring the sausages "fantastic."

"I'm sure vegetarians will hate this," Rivers said of the gift. And she wasn't wrong. Farmers and firefighters alike faced criticism on social media from people who found the situation morbid and cruel. The fire station removed a social media post showing firefighters grilling the sausages and apologized for causing offense. Meanwhile, PETA says the piglets may as well have just died in the fire. But Rivers says firefighters gave the pigs an extra six months, during which she gave them "the best quality of life I could," letting them roam outside and eat organic food. And, at the end of the day, she is running a farm. "We farm, and this is what we do," Rivers says. "You can't keep them as pets." (Read more sausage stories.)
The National Park Service says a teenager who went missing for 11 days is with his family after he emerged from Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains National Park and flagged a passing boat for help. A news release says 18-year-old Austin Bohanan was found Tuesday uninjured. Officials say Bohanan had become separated from his stepfather. Even atop a ridge, he couldn't complete a cellphone call to his mother for help, the AP reports.

Bohanan told rangers he followed two creeks for days looking for the highway and remained within the 6,700-acre area that more than 100 people were searching. He heard a search helicopter at one point. Bohanan was last seen Aug. 11 and was reported missing Aug. 13. He was found in remote Blount County, about 40 miles south of Knoxville. (Read more missing person stories.)
US slaps sanctions on Chinese, Russian firms doing business with North Korea

Washington : The US Treasury Department on Tuesday said it was imposing economic sanctions on more than a dozen Chinese and Russian individuals and firms for doing business with North Korea's government.

"It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilise the region," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement, Efe news agency reported.

The sanctions target 10 entities and six individuals, including China-based Dandong Rich Earth Trading and Mingzheng International, which the US government says have facilitated North Korea's access to the international financial system, as well as Gefest-M Llc and its director, Ruben Kirakosyan, in Moscow.

As a result of this action, any property or interests in property of the designated persons in the possession or control of US individuals, or within the US, must be blocked, and US individuals are generally prohibited from dealing with them.

"Treasury will continue to increase pressure on North Korea by targeting those who support the advancement of nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and isolating them from the American financial system," Mnuchin said.

Washington's decision to impose sanctions follows a unanimous vote earlier this month by the UN Security Council, supported by both Russia and China, to impose additional sanctions on North Korea.

Military tensions between the US and North Korea increased after President Donald Trump promised "fire and fury" in response to President Kim Jong-un's threats to fire missiles at Guam, a US possession in the western Pacific.

Trump has repeatedly said that China, the only major go-between with the North Korean regime, needs to exert more pressure on Pyongyang.
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New Delhi:

The Bajaj Auto has upgraded its renowned CT100 with an electric start. The new variant has now been launched with an introductory price at Rs 38,806 (ex-showroom, Maharashtra). Whereas it costs around Rs 41,997 (ex-showroom) in Delhi.

This is the fourth variant of the CT100 that the auto makers company has introduced in the Indian market. Last month, CT100 with alloy wheels was introduced. Earlier, the two variants CT100 B and CT100 Spoke were launched by Bajaj Auto.

"The CT100 is the most compelling offering in its segment; it provides customers with superior mileage and now comes with the convenience of electric start. We expect the CT100 Electric Start version to gain a large number of customers at the entry-level 100 cc commuter segment, just the way the CT100 kick-start had done two years ago," Eric Vas, President Motorcycle Business, Bajaj Auto said on the launch.

ALSO READ: Bajaj Auto to make a comeback in two-wheeler market with 7 new brands

The new CT100 ES is equipped with 102 cc single-cylinder 4-stroke engine, which produces 7.6 bhp of power and 8.24 Nm of peak torque. Talking about the gears, it has a 4-speed gearbox. As far as brakes are concerned, the new variant has drum brakes at the front and rear.

Talking about the competition, the CT100 ES may compete with the Honda CD 110 Dream and the Hero MotoCorp HF Deluxe.

The new variant is available at all authorised Bajaj dealers across the country.

ALSO READ: Bajaj Auto, Triumph Motorcycles forge partnership for design, development, distribution of mid-range motorcycles
New Delhi:

India is probably one of the most significant tourism origin countries for the US with enormous growth potential, a top official has said. Indian visitors spent a record USD 13.6 billion in the US last year, positioning India on the sixth spot among the top 10 international markets for the US in terms of visitor spending.

Approx 1.17 million Indians visited the US in 2016, ranking India 11th in terms of a number of international visitors to the US last year, the US Department of Commerce said in its latest annual report released recently. "India's probably one of our most significant origin countries, as it relates to the whole phenomena of visiting friends and relatives, Brand USA president and CEO Chris Thompson said.

There is enormous growth potential as the US currently captures only about 5.5 per cent of the outbound Indian travel market, he said. "We have a large Indian population within the UnitedStates. We have a great relationship with India as it relates to people coming over for educational opportunities and then, therefore, families come over following those students. "The relationship between the two largest democracies in the world is really good one in general but certainly as it relates to travel and tourism between our two countries," Thompson said.

India had the highest increase in visitor spending, up by14 per cent. As many as 1.17 million Indians visited the US in 2016, ranking India 11th in terms of a number of international visitors to the US in 2016, he added, referring to the latest official figures released recently. Headed for India from September 10-15 on his sixth annual trade mission that would take him to Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai, he said the main focus is to encourage Indianvisitation to the US and educate the Indian travel industry on the limitless potential of the US as a travel destination.

Last year's travel trade mission attracted the largest United States delegation ever to engage with the India travel trade, he said. Responding to a question, Thompson said there is enormous growth potential from Indian tourists coming to the US because the US currently captures only about 5.5 per cent of the outbound Indian travel market. New York, California, and Hawaii are one of the top three destinations for Indian tourists. Florida, Washington, and TexaS are the next three, followed by New Jersey, Alaska, Virginia, and Michigan, he said. The average length of stay in the US for Indian tourists in 2016 is 36.9 nights, compared to 35.3 nights in 2015, Thompson said.

Thompson said he has not seen any impact on the flow of tourists and visitors from India after the Trump administration took over in January."Last year, we attracted the largest US delegation ever to engage with the travel trade in India.

Indian nationals mostly traveling to the U.S. for business and tourism.

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New Delhi:

Game of Thrones, the immensely popular and super hit American fantasy drama television series being aired on HBO has been in news lately for all the wrong reasons.



Even as hackers have given sleepless nights to HBO, the network that broadcasts Game of Thrones, there are reports that Bollywood diva Katrina Kaif has expressed her strong desire to be a part of the series.



The massive fan following of the series has always been a testimony of how well received GoT has been by the audience around the globe, and now the belief is only consolidated what with Kat taking on her Instagram page to bare her heart about the extraordinary creation of David Benioff and D B Weiss.

Can I be in #gameofthrones pleeeeeasseee... #ilovejonsnow #pleasetakemeintheshow #moodyandbroodingismything @luismonteirophotography @anaitashroffadajania @vogueindia A post shared by Katrina Kaif (@katrinakaif) on Aug 22, 2017 at 5:02am PDT



Katrina is currently in Abu Dhabi shooting for Ali Abbas Zafars Tiger Zinda Hai. Apart from that, there is Shah Rukh Khans untitled film directed by Aanand L Rai and Aamir Khans Thugs Of Hindostan.

Also read: Top 7 Bollywood songs that will set the mood for Ganesh Chaturthi



Kareena and Karisma ooze radiance in pastel midis

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New Delhi:

Filmmaker David Dhawan has been all praise for Salman Khan, with whom he has collaborated after a decade in his upcoming directorial Judwaa 2, and called the superstar a 'natkhat' actor.



Lauding Khan's acting skills, Dhawan said that Salman works from heart and that he does a great job. The director further asserted that it was superb working with Salman after a long time in Judwaa 2.



Salman and David had first worked together in 1997 release Judwaa, which was Dhawan's directorial debut. While the actor-director duo gave several hits, they had last teamed up for 2007 release Partner.

Also Read | Judwaa 1 Salman Khan shares the trailer of Varun Dhawans Judwaa 2



Interestingly, Judwaa 2 happens to be the sequel of Salman's Judwaa and will feature Varun Dwana in double role with Khan in a cameo.



Talking about his experience of working with Sultan actor after so long, David stated, "Salman is a seasoned actor... When he gives a shot, you would feel that he is not interested but he is the most interested actor on sets. He did a good job. He works from heart, there is 'thehrav' in his performance. We got that from him. It was my first film with Salman and it was superb working with him. He was 'natkat' and he still is."



David, who is returning to direction after four years, is happy to have worked on both the films.



"It is great that I am making this film after a gap of 20 years with my son. I was not writing a new script (with Judwaa 2). People loved some eight to ten scenes in the original film and we have got some of it in this film as well.



"It is a today's film, the look and all is different. We have got two popular songs back - 'Chalti Hai Kya Nau Se Bara' and 'Ounchi Hai Building'."



According to the filmmaker, it is easy to shoot a double role film provided the actor knows both the roles well.



"The concept of mistaken identity is there since (William) Shakespeare's time. It was done in films like 'Golmaal' and others. Without mistaken identity, you can't make double role films."



Also starring Jacqueline Fernandez and Taapsee Pannu in lead roles, "Judwaa 2" is set to release on September 29.

(with PTI inputs)

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New Delhi:

After being granted bail in 2008 Malegaon blast case, Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit walked out of Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. He was released from jail after 9 years.

After his release, Army vehicles were seen escorting the Malegaon blast case accused. As per reports, Lt Col Purohit would be attached to an Army unit even as he will remain suspended.

Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit reached Colaba Military Station after being released from Taloja Jail.

Reports quoting Army sources said that his suspension could be revoked after review.

Under suspension, he will reportedly be treated as "under open arrest", wherein usually a soldier is supposed to wear only his uniform. Under suspension, Purohit can wear civilian clothes as well.

His stay in his Army unit will come along with restrictions, an agency report said, like limited area of movement, not leave the station without permission and reporting daily.

He will also not be allowed to attend any public event or gathering, it said.

#WATCH: Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit released from Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai #MalegaonBlastCase pic.twitter.com/LLjfAuFuwu a ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

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New Delhi:

Former finance minister P Chidambarams son Karti Chidambaram on Wednesday appeared before CBI in connection with a corruption case.

It is said that CBI has grilled Karti with more than 100 questions during his over eight hours of questioning.

As per CBI sources, Karti arrived on the directives of the Supreme Court at the agency headquarters around 10.20 AM. They said he will be questioned again on August 28.

Sources said CBI has framed over 100 questions on various aspects of the case which were drafted by investigators.

The agency wanted to examine him in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to media group INX Media for receiving funds from Mauritius when his father P Chidambaram was the Union finance minister.

INX Media Case: Karti Chidambaram leaves CBI HQ after 8 hours of questioning; will again be questioned on 28 August. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/wiltXLsjf0  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

It is alleged that a firm indirectly controlled by him received money from INX Media, run by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea.

The CBI had issued a notice to Karti to appear for questioning in June but he had sought more time. Later, a look out circular was also issued against him to prevent him from leaving the country, CBI sources said.

Karti had then approached the Madras High Court which stayed the circular. The Supreme Court later put on hold the high court order.

During a hearing before the apex court, Karti had told the court he was willing to appear before the CBI. The court then directed him to appear on August 23.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud allowed Karti to be accompanied by a lawyer at the CBI headquarters during the questioning.

The CBI had registered the case on May 15 against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and the Mukerjeas.

The Mukerjeas, charged with killing Indranis daughter, Sheena Bora, are currently in jail.

Also Read: SC stays Madras HC's order allowing Karti Chidambaram to travel abroad, asks him to appear before CBI

P Chidambaram had issued a strong statement in response to the FIR, saying the government was using the CBI and other agencies to target his son.

The FIPB approval was granted in hundreds of cases, thesenior Congress leader had said. (With PTI Inputs)

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New Delhi:

Former union minister P Chidambarams son Karti Chidambaram on Friday moved the Madras High Court for quashing a look out circular issued against him under the Passport Act over a corruption case filed by the CBI.

In his petition, Karti contended that the July 18 circular had been issued arbitrarily and without jurisdiction by the Foreigner Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) and The Bureau of Immigration under the Union home ministry at the behest of different agencies to prevent him from travelling abroad.

The circular is a well thought out and meticulously orchestrated fraudulent plan of the CBI to stop me at the airport as and when I proceed abroad by springing an unpleasant surprise on me and leak it to the media that I was detained at the airport and cause embarrassment to me, he alleged.

He said he had responded to the summonses issued by the CBI in connection with the case and there was no absolute cause of action for issuance of the LOC.

The case related to alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds when his father was the Finance Minister in 2007.

When the matter came up for hearing before Justice D Duraiswamy, he adjourned it to August 7 after Additional Solicitor General G Rajagopalan sought time to get instructions on whether such a circular had been issued.

The petitioner had been summoned twice by the CBI since June this year to appear before it for questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in the clearance given by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to the media group for allegedly receiving funds from Mauritius when his father was the finance minister in 2007.

Also Read | INX media case: CBI summons Karti Chidambaram, asks him to appear at HQ on July 21

Karti had sought time to appear before the CBI, which had on May 15 registered an FIR against him and others alleging that a firm indirectly controlled by him had received money from INX Media, run by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea.

In his petition, Karti submitted that the LOC, which was used to monitor the arrival departure of foreigners and Indians or to restrict their movement, had been issued to restrain him from going abroad.

Claiming that the CBI issued the summons when he was abroad on personal work, Karti said his counsel had duly informed the CBI about this through a letter dated June 20.

Also Read: Karti Chidambaram says 'I have not done anything wrong'

He said the LOC was a coercive measure to make a person surrender to the investigating agency only if it was amply demonstrated that he repeatedly and deliberately failed to cooperate with the investigation.

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New Delhi:

The by-elections are being held in four constituencies of Delhi, Goa and Andhra Pradesh. The voting began at 8 AM on all four constituencies. The GoaA bypolls are seen as a litmus test for Goa CM Manohar Parrikar who is facing Congress' Girish Chodankar in a neck to neck contest from Panaji while on Valpoi seat, BJP has fielded Congress rebel Vishwajeet Rane.

On the other hand, bypollA in Delhi's Bawana seat is seen as an election of prestige for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party which is fighting a triangular battle with BJP and Congress. And the fourth, Nandyal constituency of Andhra Pradesh is also a high stake battle betweenA TDP and YSR Congress.

Live updates:

# 5:15 PM

Goa assembly bypolls: 62.25% votes cast in Panaji, 69.05% in Valpoi till 4 PM.

Goa assembly bypolls: 62.25% votes cast in Panaji, 69.05% in Valpoi till 4 PM. a ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

# 3:15 PM

35.44% voting in Delhi's Bawana constituency till 3 PM



Delhi: 35.44% voting till 3pm in #BawanaByPoll a ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

# 2:12 PM

Bawana ByPoll: 27.5% polling reported till 1 pm

# 1:44 PM

Delhi: 24.39% polling recorded till 1 PM in Bawana assembly by-poll

# 1:16 PM

34.65% polling recorded in Panaji and 40.02% recorded in Valpoi till 12 noon

# 10:34 AM

Andhra Pradesh: Polling percentage recorded in Nandyal By-poll is 17% till 9 am.

# 9:14 AM

Bawana byPoll: Glitches in EVM machines at two polling booths affected polling for a while. Voting has now resumed Delhi

# 8:30 AM

Delhi: People arrive at polling booths to vote in Bawana assembly by-election; voting underway

#Delhi: People arrive at polling booths to vote in #Bawana assembly by-election; voting underway. pic.twitter.com/4hhvNyuBXa a ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

# 8:30 AM

Andhra Pradesh: People wait in queue to vote in cast their vote in Nandyal assembly by-polls

#AndhraPradesh People wait in queue to cast their vote in Nandyal assembly by-polls pic.twitter.com/3iuWZS8Yzg a ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

# 8:24 AM

No projections but it will be substantial: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar (contesting from Panaji seat) after casting his vote

# 8:20 AM

Andhra Pradesh YSR Congress party candidate Shilpa Mohan Reddy casts his vote in Nandyal constituency by-polls

#AndhraPradesh YSR Congress party candidate Shilpa Mohan Reddy after casting his vote in Nandyal constituency by-polls. pic.twitter.com/6hHtRLrXR8 a ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

# 8:20 AM

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar casts his vote in assembly bypoll

# 8:00 AM

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar waits in queue to cast his vote in assembly bypoll

#Panaji: #Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar waits in queue to cast his vote in assembly bypoll. pic.twitter.com/G7yNO9JCBa a ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

# 7:50 AM

Assembly bypolls for Panaji and Valpoi seats in Goa to be held today; voting to begin shortly

Assembly bypolls for Panaji and Valpoi seats in #Goa to be held today: Voting to begin shortly; visuals from Panaji. pic.twitter.com/3qu1KiCqLd a ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

# 7:46 AM

By-elections for four assembly seats to be held in Bawana in Delhi, Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh, and Valpoi and Panaji in Goa.

Battle for Bawana

Voting began this morning for the Bawana Assembly constituency by-election in Delhi, in which the BJP, the AAP and the Congress are locked in a triangular contest.

Over 2.94 lakh electors are eligible to exercise their franchise in the bypoll in which EVMs equipped with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) are being used at all polling stations.

The voting began at 8 am, officials said.

The Assembly seat that falls in the north-west Delhi area is reserved for the SC category.

Eight candidates are in the fray in the election that is being carried out through 379 polling stations. The counting will take place on August 28.

All three major parties are eyeing a victory in the bypoll, being seen as the barometer of their political influence.

Nandyal by-poll: Stakes high for TDP, YSRC

When 2.19 lakh voters of Nandyal Assembly constituency in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh exercise their franchise in the by-election on Wednesday, they will be virtually setting the trend for the general elections due in May 2019.

If the ruling Telugu Desam Party loses, it will be seen as an aanti-establishmenta vote. If it wins, the opposition YSR Congress will take it as a harbinger for its race for power in 2019.

The outcome will surely alter the political equations in the state with speculation rife that defections will start once again, depending on the winner.

The BJP, though on TDPas side now, is said to be keenly watching Nandyal to fine-tune its strategy for 2019.

The bypoll is necessitated by the death of sitting MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy, who won the seat by a margin of 3,600 votes as YSRC candidate in 2014 but switched over to the TDP in February 2016.

The TDP has fielded Reddyas nephew Brahmananda Reddy while the YSRC put up former minister Silpa Chandra Mohan Reddy, who lost the seat as TDP nominee in 2014.

Polling for Panaji and Valpoi seats

The Assembly bypolls for Panaji and Valpoi seats in Goa will be held on Wednesday.

In the Panaji contest, Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Manohar Parrikar is in the fray against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhias confidante Girish Chodankar.

In Valpoi, the BJP has fielded Congress rebel and Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, whose main opponent is Roy Naik, the son of former state Home minister Ravi Naik, of the Congress.

Panaji has been a bastion for BJP since 1994.

The polling, to be held at 76 booths including 30 in Panaji and 46 in Valpoi, will take place between 8 am to 5 pm.

As per the Election Commission data, 51,032 voters are eligible to cast their votes in the bypolls, including 22,203 in Panaji and 28,829 in Valpoi.

The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines would be used tomorrow like it was done in the Assembly polls held in February this year.

With PTI inputs

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New Delhi:

The Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba is all set to arrive in Delhi on his 5-day tour to India on Wednesday. Deuba is expected to attend a business event in the national capital.

This will be first official overseas trip for Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Deuba, who will be accompanied by a high level delegation, will also call on the President and the Vice- President, an external affairs ministry release said.

In recent years, India-Nepal partnership has witnessed significant growth in all areas of cooperation. The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest, and advancing age-old special ties of friendship between our two countries, it said.

Ahead of his Sher Bahadur Deubas visit, Nepal foreign minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that Nepal wants to maintain cordial relations through peaceful diplomacy and dialogue with both India and Nepal.

Dauba, the 71-year-old veteran Nepali politician known for his close ties to India, took over the reigns of Nepal when the Himalayan nation was navigating a political turmoil over the implementation of the Constitution and unrest in the southern plains due to the Madhesi agitation.

Deuba took over as prime minister in June 2017. During his four-day visit he will also travel to Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce its verdict on Thursday in Right to Privacy case.

A nine-judge Constitution bench headed by the CJI, which was to deal with pleas challenging the validity of the Aadhaar scheme and the right to privacy attached to it, was faced with the two past verdicts, delivered in 1950 and 1962 by larger benches, holding that the privacy right was not a fundamental right.

The apex court had already said the nine-judge bench would deal with the limited issue of right to privacy and the correctness of the two judgements. The matter challenging the Aadhaar scheme would be then referred back to a smaller bench, it had said.

The Constitution bench, dealing with the contentious issue whether right to privacy was a fundamental right, had rejected plea of a Gujarat government lawyer that misuse of personal information could be dealt with on a "case-to-case basis" and said an all-embracing guideline was needed keeping in mind the size of the population.

Centres opinion in SC-

Right to privacy could be a fundamental right, but it could not be absolute, Attorney General K K Venugopal had submitted before a nine-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar.

There may be a fundamental right to privacy and it has to be a qualified right since it covers diverse aspects and a sub-species of the Right to Liberty. Every aspect or sub- species cannot qualify to be a fundamental right, he had said.

Right to privacy cant be one homogenious right. Its not absolute and is rather qualified to be elevated to the level of fundamental right. Privacy will be one species which comes under right to liberty, he had stated.

The Centres assertion came when the bench posed a pointed query to the attorney general as to what was the stand of the government on the question whether right to privacy was a fundamental right or not.

The contentious issue as to whether right to privacy was a fundamental right or not was referred to a larger bench in 2015 after the Centre had underlined the issue of two judgements delivered in 1950 and 1962 by the apex court that had held it was not a fundamental right.

Supreme Courts observation so far-

The Supreme Court today said that there has to be "overarching" guidelines to protect an individuals private information in public domain to ensure that it was used only for an intended purpose.

A nine-judge Constitution bench, dealing with the contentious issue whether right to privacy was a fundamental right, had rejected plea of a Gujarat government lawyer that misuse of personal information could be dealt with on a "case-to-case basis" and said an all-embracing guideline was needed keeping in mind the size of the population.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, also referred to the fact that India was a signatory of a 1948 international convention which recognised privacy as a human right.

Referring to arguments put forward by the Maharashtra government on the issue, the court said, "Even if we accept it that the Constituent Assembly dealt with it (privacy issue) and decided against including it as a fundamental right, then how you will deal with the fact that India is a signatory to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights which recognises it."

Supreme Court to pronounce verdict in Right to Privacy case, tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/uZk365OhZp  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

The bench, which also comprised justices J Chelameswar, S A Bobde, R K Agrawal, R F Nariman, A M Sapre, D Y Chandrachud, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and S Abdul Nazeer, said that there has to be an "overarching" or all-embracing guideline to ensure that the private information of individuals, put in public domain, was used only for an intended purpose.

"If I give personal information like names, parents name and telephone numbers for a particular purpose, then a reasonable expectation will be that it is used only for that particular purpose... (Otherwise) how we will deal with the violations?" it asked.

Voicing concern over possible misuse of personal information in public domain, the Supreme Court had already stated that protection of the concept of privacy in the technological era was a "losing battle".

A battery of senior lawyers, including Attorney General K K Venugopal, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Arvind Datar, Kapil Sibal, Gopal Subaramaniam, Shayam Divan, Anand Grover, C A Sundaram and Rakesh Dwivedi, advanced arguments in favour and against the inclusion of right to privacy as a fundamental right.

Also Read: Privacy protection is a losing battle in modern era, says Supreme Court

The bench, which favoured "overarching" guidelines to protect private information in public domain, said there was a need to "maintain the core of privacy" as the notion of privacy was fast becoming irrelevant in an all-pervading technological era.

"We are fighting a losing battle of privacy. We do not know for what purpose the information will be used. This is exactly a cause of concern," the bench, which also comprised justices J Chelameswar, S A Bobde, R K Agrawal, R F Nariman, A M Sapre, D Y Chandrachud, S K Kaul and S Abdul Nazeer, had said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed plea filed by VK Sasikala seeking review of her conviction in disproportionate assets case.

The Supreme Court upheld her conviction in a corruption case.

The two-judge bench comprising Justices P C Ghose and Amitava Roy had directed Sasikala and the two relatives to surrender forthwith to the trial court in Bengaluru and serve the remaining part of four-year jail term.



The verdict had also disqualified Sasikala from becoming a legislator and consequentially she can't be chief minister either for six years from the date of release of prison under the Representation of the People Act.

Supreme Court dismisses plea filed by VK Sasikala seeking review of her conviction in disproportionate assets case. pic.twitter.com/eXry7ZmPEN  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

The trial court had sentenced Sasikala and her two relatives to four years imprisonment with a fine of Rs 10 crore each.

Also Read: Dhinakaran removes Udhayakumar as secretary of party forum

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New Delhi:

A plethora of leaks have been doing rounds over the past few months regarding the upcoming Moto X4 of Lenova-owned Motorola. And now in one of latest leaks from Slashleaks, official images of the smartphone have been revealed.

The given images suggest that the device will sport a huge dual camera setup with a dual tone flash, 12MP and 8MP sensors at the back while an 16MP sensor on the front.

Read more: Microsoft announces Age of Empire IV for Windows 10

As far as the specifications are concerned, the Moto X4 will be seen with a 5.2 inch full HD display along with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor coupled with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.

The official launch is expected to take place in Brazil on August 24.
New Delhi:

You might have heard about the incidents prohibiting girls from wearing jeans and tops or using cell phones in India. And at that time many of you might have wished if you were living in US such would not have been the case.

But let me tell you such incidents do happen in one of the most liberal and democratic societies like of the United States. In a recent incident, a High School in California, US has sent 20 girl students back to home for wearing off-shoulder tops.

The San Benito High School of California said the girls were wearing "revealing" clothes and they were sent back home to "keep the kids safe." However, the decision of the school didn't go down well with other students and they all protested in a bizarre way.

People Also Reading | 'Jiya ho Lalu ke lal': Posters showing Tejshawi Yadav in 'Bahubali' attire spotted in Patna

The fellow boy students in their protest against the "sheer sexism" came to school next day wearing the same off-shoulder tops that the girls were sent back home for.

Here are some of the tweets the protesting students posted:

Shoutout to Brody and Adryan for supporting our protest pic.twitter.com/abkC5pJsQU  j (@ocean__avenue_) August 15, 2017

thank you to everyone who participated today was v successful sbhs can suck it screw the dress code y'all ain't ready for tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/DnyIIk2l2U  chads (@chadya_acosta) August 14, 2017

Later, the school posted an official notice on its facebook page giving reasons behind the order. The notice said the dress code was to save students from any possible humuialation and the dress code rule has existed for quite some time.

For all the Latest Viral News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has put forth a horrendous face of Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram, which has used at least 83 children as "human bombs" in the country's northeast region between the month of January and August.

The number is four times higher than it was all for 2016, UNICEF said in statement issued on Tuesday.

According to the agengcy 55 of them constituted girls, most often under the age of 15. Twenty-seven were boys, and one was a baby strapped to a girl.

"The use of children in such attacks has had a further impact of creating suspicion and fear of children who have been released, rescued or escaped from Boko Haram. As a result, many children who have managed to get away from captivity face rejection when they try to reintegrate into their communities, compounding their suffering", the statement said.

Read more: Nigeria: 3 women suicide bombers kill 28, wound 82

Such fatal circumstances are a result massive displacement and malnutrition crisis. There are 1.7 million people displaced by the insurgency in the northeast, 85 per cent of them in Borno State, where most of these attacks take place.

UNICEF said the trend worsened the sufferings of children in the insurgency now in its eighth year, adding that the children so used as "human bombs" were victims and not perpetrators of the crime.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Former Pakistan Minister Nawaz Sharifs wife Kulsoom Nawaz diagnosed with throat cancer will run for a seat in the parliament, a Pakistani official told the media.

Pakistani Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb told the newspapers that Kulsoom is being treated at a London hospital and plans to return to Pakistan for the voting next month in Lahore.

He further told the media that Kulsoom is a courageous woman and has an early stage of cancer.

Earlier this month, Sharifs ruling party  Pakistan Muslim League  had said that Kulsoom would take part in the election and would contest from the same seat left vacant  NA-120, Lahore.

Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique addressing the media said, "There is no plan to change the party's candidate for the NA-120 by-poll."

According to reports, the couple's daughter, Maryam, is expected to run her mother's political campaign.

Sharif was forced to resign this July after the Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified him from office for not disclosing assets. Sharif had denied any wrongdoings.

Earlier this month, Sharif's ruling party said Nawaz would take part in the election, running for the same seat left vacant after her husband was disqualified from office by the Supreme Court for concealing assets.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

An air strike carried out by Saudi-led army on Yemens capital Sanaa has killed at least 35 people, a local media said on Wednesday.

A local channel  Almaseera  run by Yemens Houthi rebels, who control the Sanaa, have blamed the Saudi-led military coalition allied with Yemeni government for the Wednesday strike

Almaseera reported that more than 30 civilians and dozens of people have been killed in airstrike on a small hotel in Arhab.

Had of the Sanaa branch of Yemen's Red Crescent, Hussein al-Tawil, confirmed the death toll as rescuers continued to pull out more bodies from the hotel rubble.

The channel also reported that air strikes targeted several areas of the city.

The channel termed it as the biggest massacre in Yemen.

According to the channel the air strike targeted a motel in the wee hours.

More than 25 air strikes were carried out in Sanna and outskirts since midnight, reported Almaseera.

Yemen has been engulfed in war since September 2014, after Houthi Shia rebels swept into the capital and overthrew President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's internationally recognised government.

According to United Nations more than 10,000 people have been killed and three million displaced from their homes.
The weather agency has slashed the volcanic alert level for central Japan's Mount Ontake to the lowest notch for the first time in about three years following a September 2014 eruption that left 58 people dead and five missing.

The level 1 alert, designated by the Meteorological Agency on Monday, means the public should keep in mind that the mountain is an active volcano. An entry restriction for areas around the crater will be kept intact, the agency said.

Immediately after the eruption, the alert level for the volcano straddling Nagano and Gifu prefectures was raised from 1 to 3, meaning people should not approach the mountain. It was then lowered to 2 in June 2015, meaning people should not approach the crater.

The agency said the possibility of an eruption has declined because there has been no eruption since October 2014. It also said the judgement was based on its constant monitoring as well as an on-site inspection conducted last month.

"Though (volcanic) activities are declining slowly, they have not returned to the state before the eruption," an agency official said, citing activity still seen in some fumaroles. The official said the alert level could be raised again increased activity is discovered.

Local municipalities will maintain restrictions on hikers - which prohibit climbing above the mountain's ninth station - while pushing safety measures, including the improvement of trails and shelter facilities.
Sorakaze Inc and Japan Weather Association have released WeatherJapan, a simple weather forecast application that supports multiple languages for tourists to Japan.

WeatherJapan is an application of iOS and Android that displays the weather forecast of Japan provided by the Japan Weather Association.

Ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020, the number of foreigners visiting Japan is increasing year by year. This application was developed for the purpose of wanting foreigners to use more accurate weather forecast application made in Japan.
2018 Will be a bloodbath  for Democrats

As President Trumps troubles mount, the long-standing expectation that Democrats will gain several House and Senate seats in 2018 has only intensified. At this point, many observers are expecting a bloodbath  and theyre right. But for structural, historical, and intangible reasons, expect the bloodbath to be for Democrats as the GOP further expands its dominance in both houses of Congress.

(Article by David Benkof republished from Dailycaller.com)

I see five reasons Democrats on Capitol Hill should stock up on life preservers.

1) Trumps unpopularity wont matter. Republicans and moderates who like Trump will vote Republican out sympathy with the presidents state of siege, but many of those who dont like him will vote Republican as well. Thats because Americans tend to like their guy (or woman) in Washington whoevers president and whatever the overall political climate.

The power of incumbency in Congress cant be overstated  and of course it tends to favor the party already in power. In 2016, 97 percent of House members and 87 percent of Senators running for re-election won. Even in the wave election of 2014, the numbers were 95 percent and 82 percent, respectively.

The most effective way, then, for a party to take advantage of a national political mood and pick up seats is to run strong candidates to replace legislators who retire. That doesnt seem a promising plan for Democrats in next years elections.

Right now, 2018 looks to be the first year in the history of Senate elections in which no incumbent retires. On average, seven Senate seats per cycle open up, and there have always been at least two.

Retirements in the House so far dont look good for Democrats either. As of August 10, only 18 Representatives (out of 435) had announced they were retiring or running for another office, most are from safe seats  except for a Florida seat that might flip to the Democrats and seats in Minnesota and Nevada that might flip to the Republicans. The fact those numbers are so small is good news for the party in power, of course.

2) The Senate map is savage for Democrats. Only one Republican is up for re-election in a state that Hillary Clinton won last year, while 10 Democratic Senators are up for re-election in states that President Trump won last year. Many of those (North Dakota, Indiana, Montana, and West Virginia, to name a few) skew decidedly rightward. Of the Senate seats most likely to flip parties next year, only two (Nevada and Arizona) are currently held by Republicans.

Then theres Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), who will be replaced by a Republican if convicted in his corruption trial next month and then expelled from the GOP-led Senate.

3) Structural reasons lock the Democrats out of the House. In fact, winning the House gets harder for Democrats every cycle. Gerrymandering has already created Republican-friendly maps throughout the country (an advantage that will likely grow in the next redistricting cycle given Republican dominance in the states). Further, the voter ID laws in 29 states tend to help Republicans, and in states like Missouri and Texas (both of which have Senate races next year), voter ID requirements have been getting stricter.

Read more at: Dailycaller.com

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The state Board of Examiners for Nursing disciplined four nurses Wednesday, including a Shelton nurse accused of abusing painkillers.

Registered nurse Kathleen Baran of Shelton was one of three nurses who had the licenses suspended by the board, which stated thattheir continued practice as nurses posed a clear and immediate danger to the public.

The statement of charges against Baran said that she took the painkillers Dilaudid, morphine and/or Percocet while working at St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport from February to March 2016. She also abused the painkillers to excess, failed to accurately document medical records and falsified controlled substance records, the statement said.

In May 2016, Baran entered HAVEN, a rehabilitation service, but discontinued her treatment in April of this year against the advice of her counselors, the statement said. Since she is no longer complying with the program, her case was referred to the Department of Public Health and the board for possible discipline, the statement said.

The board also suspended the licensed practical nurse license of Jennifer Ressa of Danbury. In July, DPH received a report from the state Department of Consumer Protection stating that Ressa took oxycodone from Geer Village in Canaan while working there as a nurse, the statement of charges against her said. Ressa also admitted self-medicating with alcohol and was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in March, the statement said.

Ressa entered outpatient therapy for substance abuse, but has failed to provide DPH with documents proving her sobriety, the statement said.

The third nurse punished with a suspend license was Dian Miller Francis, a licensed practical nurse from East Hartford, whom the board said did not graduate from a nursing program. A statement of charges against her said that in 2016, she delivered a document to DPH purporting to be a transcript from Stone Academy in East Hartford. She attended its LPN program in 2014 and 2015 but did not graduate, the statement said.

State officials interpreted her transcript as indicating that she had graduated, so Francis was allowed to take the national nursing exam. She passed it and was licensed in March of this year. After that, Stone Academy informed DPH that Francis did not graduate and it did not submit her transcript to DPH, the statement said.

The also board reprimanded and fined Vittoria Guerrera, a registered nurse from Prospect, $3,000, in connection with lying to her employer, St. Marys Hospital in Waterbury, in 2015 about her results on a national nursing exam. Guerrera told her employers that a report that she failed the test was false, a consent order approved by the board said.

From June through September of 2015, Guerrera continued to work at the hospital despite having failed the nursing test, the consent order said. In agreeing to the punishment, Guerrera did not contest the allegations, the consent order said.

Leslie Scoville, a staff attorney for the state Department of Public Health, told the board that Guerrera later passed the nursing exam.

This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team (c-hit.org).
Recruiting is a behavior that needs to be taught and learned by your employees.

Thats what Andrea R. Bucci, recruiting manager at Gateway Engineers, a civil engineering firm based in Pittsburgh, recently told my team about her companys recruitment challenges. Buccis observation rings true, but is often overlooked by employers.

While recruiting comes naturally to many company leaders, employees may not have the same knack for attracting candidates -- both passive and active.



This isnt due to a lack of passion for their careers or companies, but rather a lack of knowledge. They likely do not understand what to look for in job seekers, how to talk about their company without feeling salesy, or even where to find new recruits.

Many company leaders look to their team as brand ambassadors -- and they should. However, when those ambassadors arent properly trained and prepared to attract talent, companies lose out on quality referrals and potential talent.

When employees are given effective tools to help attract top talent, they feel excited to participate in something so important. Bucci explained, Our employee referral culture has really boosted morale, and its even easier to transition and onboard new referrals because they already have a co-worker to put them at ease.

Heres how leaders can take the next step and prepare their team to be brand ambassadors:

1. Calm their fears.

Nobody wants to make a bad employee referral.

Bad hires cost companies time, money, morale, and customers -- and employees arent just aware of this, they want no part of bringing a bad hire to the team. After interviewing her team to find out why they werent referring talent, this is exactly what Bucci discovered.

Our employees were afraid to refer someone in the event they didnt work out, she shared.

Turning team members into effective brand ambassadors begins with taking the pressure off. This is especially important because 52 percent of U.S. and Canadian recruiters rely on employee referrals as their top channel for finding quality hires, LinkedIn recently revealed in their U.S. and Canada Recruiting Trends 2017.

Let employees know the company has a safe and thorough recruiting process in place. Walk them through each step thats taken after an employee referral is submitted. This will let them know if a bad hire is made, they wont personally be held accountable.

Even after leaders explain that employees are safe from any and all scrutiny when making an employee referral, some employees may still be hesitant to offer a suggestion. Its important to create a channel where team members can make anonymous referrals. This allows them the satisfaction of contributing to the company, while not fearing the "what ifs."

Related: 4 Things to Remember When You're Recruiting Goal-Oriented Talent

2. Offer brand ambassador training.

Companies with a strong culture already have teams full of potential brand ambassadors. But if they dont understand how to put this knowledge and love for their company into play, their ambassadorships will go to waste.

Make employee referrals part of your company culture by adding training that focuses on recognizing and discussing opportunities. However, its important not to overwhelm team members by adding training on top of their regular work days. Cut out specific time during the day when they can truly focus and exercise their outreach and brand ambassadorships.

During training, explain why being brand ambassadors is important for the company and their success. Then, set up employee groups so they can practice approaching talent and discussing why their company is a great place to work.

For Buccis team, offering training and making employee referrals part of the company culture gave employees a whole new outlook on the hiring process. Teaching employees certain talking points, where to look for potential referrals, etc. made them view the referral process as developing business for the firm, she said.

Related: So, What's a Brand Ambassador and Why Are They Important?

3. Make your job openings known.

Once employees are set up and confident in branding, its an employers job to make sure they are aware of all job openings. Having a disorganized hiring process will make it difficult for employees to see or even begin looking for talent.

Because competition for talent is a recruiters number one challenge, according to the previously mentioned LinkedIn report, employees need resources to quickly get the word out about job openings. Create an easy-to-use system where employees can see available positions and job requirements. Add tips on each opening that will help employees know what to look for in talent.



For example, if hiring for a position requiring a great deal of technical skills, list those skills along with the personality traits that person should possess. This will help team members find passive candidates even when they may not be out looking specifically for job seekers.

Related:



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


The discussion about gender equity in the workplace is nothing new. Its been ongoing for decades, but weve made a good deal of progress overall. However, we still have a lot of problems encouraging diversity in tech.

Varied perspectives make for a more dynamic, in-touch and ultimately sustainable organization, meaning that its not just a moral judgement -- its also smart business. The shortage of female recruits in tech, though, makes diverse organizations much harder to build.

Related: Onward and Upward: 5 Tips to Help Women in Tech Develop an Executive Presence

This leaves a lot of tech businesses asking the question: How can we attract more diverse recruits? Fortunately, addressing imbalances in tech isnt as difficult as many might assume.

Encourage diverse leadership.

Opportunities for advancement are a powerful incentive in recruiting top talent, and the best way to recruit female candidates revolves around this very simple concept. Step one is to underscore that the same opportunities exist for male and female recruits by encouraging women in leadership positions. Drawing on diverse perspectives in leadership will pay off quickly as you can expect more:

Customer engagement and a better understanding of individual consumers

Creative and innovative thought

Sustainable growth

Positive impressions of the company that will help recruit talent

If candidates see your company as an active promoter of women in tech with a culture that makes advocacy a priority, they will be more interested in working with you.

Related: Here Are the Best Tech Companies for Women to Work

Hold the door for others.

Data from 2015 found that less than 30 percent of the labor force at the largest tech companies were women, and women occupied just 15.6 percent of explicitly tech-related positions. Its not easy for women to find their way in this industry. When they do, though, its helpful if they can provide support for others still at the beginning of their career.

Im passionate about advocating for women in tech positions because I know that it makes a difference. Women are much more likely to start at entry-level roles than their male counterparts, and they tend to make less. Im a firm believer in the idea that people should be paid and positioned according to the value that they represent to a company, but thats not always the case in tech.

We can change the situation by supporting and pushing for assurances of pay equity to make for a more welcoming and enticing culture in tech. Women whove fought through the barriers to entry have indispensable insight into the matter of gender equity in tech, and no one out there is better positioned to have an impact on it.

Related: Women Won't Achieve Equal Representation in Business Unless Men Help Change the Status Quo

Encourage mentorship and self-advocacy in company culture.

Of course, helping bring women on board is just part of the equation. Business leaders can also make a positive difference by equipping women in tech with the tools to find success.

The best way to get others to promote your contributions is to start promoting yourself. Women need to take on the roles of self-advocates, but thats much easier with the benefit of guidance from a more experienced figure. Unsurprisingly, though, these relationships tend to be divided along gender lines.

As women occupy a relatively small share of tech positions, chances for them to find more experienced mentor figures are limited. Thats why its important for women with tech backgrounds to seek out opportunities to pass on the benefits of their experience.

Having a mentor figure to offer insight and the benefit of years of experience can fundamentally impact ones career. So, just as women need to advocate for themselves, its also important that tech companies encourage mentorship in the company culture. It will make your company more attractive to female candidates if they know that it will be a positive career move.

Related: Why I Didn't Speak Up When Male Colleagues Made More Doing the Same Job -- But Worse

Develop passion for tech early on.

The themes of mentorship and advocacy carry over into the next generation as well. Based on my experiences, there are three main reasons young women tend not to consider tech as a career path:

The passion for tech isnt instilled in girls early on.

Girls arent aware of the opportunities available in the field.

They dont possess the same confidence as boys when it comes to tech.

Correcting for these is essential if were ever going to address the gender imbalance in the industry, and were going to have to start with young people to pull it off.

The industry can play a major role in helping inspire a love for STEM subjects in young girls. This will be the most effective way to encourage more women to pursue these fields and stick with them. The next generation of thinkers and innovators are developing now. By encouraging girls to tinker and create, tech companies can ensure a much more diverse future for the industry.

Keep at it.

Correcting for gender imbalances in tech wont be an overnight fix. But, if everyone plays their part -- business leaders, women in tech and women looking to enter the industry -- it will make the process much easier.

Related:

4 Keys to Bringing More Women Into the Tech Industry

How These Women Entrepreneurs are Fighting Prejudice in Tech Sector

Sexism Runs So Deep in VC Culture Even Female Partners Believe It



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


I went to North Korea several years ago as part of a diplomacy mission. We didnt know it for sure at the time, but Kim Jong Il, the Dear Leader, was dying. There were hints of it on CNN which was, ironically, aired in our hotel rooms each night.

Our assignment, 14 of us, simply put, was to behave in ways that would show the North Koreans that Americans are not devils. An easy trip, or so one would think.

At the same time, Kim Jong Un, Chairman Number One, the man we are now dealing with, was killing potential opposition, including his brother.

As soon as we got off the Russian Tupelov WW II airplane in Pyongyang we were met by a Mr. Sun, the on-site NK leader, whose attempts at sophistication about Americans seemed comedic, and sometimes confusing. Gender specific pronouns, his and her, for example, were reversed. There was, though, nothing funny when they took our cell phones away for the duration of the mission.

On the bus to our hotel, we were given the first taste of the litany of prohibitions that would mark our stay: photos taken from inside the bus are never allowed; from outside, only with permission; talking with North Korean citizens without permission from Mr. Sun or one of the other four minders was prohibited; if a NK citizen talked with any one of us without permission, it was a felony met with imprisonment; we were never, ever, to leave the group and could leave the hotel only with permission and accompanied by one of the minders; no eating, drinking or chewing gum in public.

It is all very orderly. Crime is considered a violation against the state. Mandatory morality and ethics classes help to keep the crime rate low.

It was quickly evident that The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea has a bunker mentality. And quickly, too, we could see from the many posters, photos and the monuments of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il everywhere that it was built on a cult of personality. In each of the posters there was the Dear Leader Giving Assistance in shops, garages, farms, factories, etc. These are the same kind of posters that the recently released and now deceased American student was given a 15-year hard labor sentence for taking one off a wall as a souvenir.

The Kim dynasty governs its masses by a subtle, yet powerful, philosophy called Juche, which is the name of a doctrine that suggests that each one of its citizens is the master of his and her destiny. That destiny, though, is dictated by the Supreme Leader, now Kim Jong Un of the Kim dynasty. We might call it Un for all and all for Un.

It became apparent that an elaborate set of tall tales has been woven around the history of the Kims, so that in the eyes of the people there is a certain divine quality about each. In fact, the national motto, Kim will always be with you has a biblical ring. They are held in such reverence that when I asked Mr. Suns assistant if I could buy a pin of the Great or Dear leader that many had on their shoulder, he looked at me, stunned and shocked, before asking, Could you buy my heart? Such is the way of deification in North Korea.

We were taken to many showplaces, including the Pueblo, a U.S. spy ship captured by North Korea in 1968, causing an international incident that lasted for almost a year. Documents since released by the U.S. government have acknowledged that the Pueblo was in North Korean territorial waters at the time. We were allowed to take photos of the once-secret American cryptographic machines.

On the evening of the 60th anniversary of the nations founding, we were taken to the spectacular Arirang Games, also known as the Mass Games, at the huge Kim Il Sung Stadium. The show includes 100,000 participants in exceptional displays of gymnastics and dancing. It was pointed out to us with much glee that Americans could never have enough unity to put on a spectacle like this, a great show of Juche at work.

In the final analysis, we saw only what they wanted us to see. What I saw, though, is a somewhat robotic people closed in on themselves and dying of behaviors that are prescribed, and artificial social and psychological expectations that are built on the veneration of a leader who is very good at servicing his own needs rather than theirs.

It is a nation, though, with nuclear capability and a growing intercontinental capacity to deliver these weapons. There are no good options for our president to confront the growing tensions between the U.S. and the DPRK. Conventional bombing of NK will draw Russia and China into the mix. Not good!

Nuclear bombing could end in mutually assured destruction, what with both of NKs allies having the capacity to do just that. Not good!

The only workable approach, in my opinion, is to tolerate Kim Jong Uns bluster while being on alert, knowing full well that behind it is 40 years of the Japanese takeover, as well as the awesome allied bombing of his country for three years during the Korean War.

We have endured this tolerance for decades with the Russians and Chinese. We must do it again.

Although the perceived image of Trump and Un is that they are quirky, neither one is crazy.

Gerard Brooker, a Bethel resident, received the International Peace and Understanding award from the National Education Association in 1996.
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NEW MILFORD  A family that awoke Wednesday to find their Kent Road restaurant had been spray-painted with racial slurs was buoyed as the day progressed by an outpouring of sympathy and encouragement from the community.

People have been stopping by the restaurant all day to show their support, and the phone has been ringing nonstop with people wanting to make reservations, said Aleksandra Thompson, whose parents David and Senka opened Thompsons Fine American Comfort Food about two months ago. We literally called in the entire staff to work tonight because its so busy.

Several of those who stopped by during the day helped remove the graffiti, which included a racial slur and a swastika. Other supporters set up a GoFundMe page to help with cleanup expenses.

Soon after opening for the evening, more than 100 people milled around the restaurant. Patrons packed the bar, and within an hour of opening every table in the cozy restaurant was taken or reserved.

In a back hallway, Senka Thompson cried. A lot of them I know, she said. A lot of them I dont know. But it shows what I believe  the good will overcome the bad.

Ive been here my whole life and Ive never seen something like this, said state Rep. Bill Buckbee, R-New Milford. But were making lemonade from these lemons.

Scott Elia, of New Milford, couldnt stay long but said he had to stop by to lend a hand. He asked several employees if there was anything he could do to help.

To say I was disgusted with the graffiti is putting it lightly, he said.

Walter Coffey, another New Milford resident, ordered takeout for his son after he learned of the vandalism. Were just showing our support for this town, our local businesses, he said. There is no room for hate in our town.

David Thompson, who is black, said police called Wednesday morning to alert him to the vandalism. Even before the community rallied around him and his family, he said he would not be intimidated.

If I close my doors, that means this person or group who did this wins, Thompson said. Weve been doing pretty good moving forward, and we will not be deterred from continuing our family business.

Still, he said, Im really fearful for my wife and children; thats my main concern right now.

Thompson, who grew up in eastern Connecticut, said he and his wife, who immigrated from the former Yugoslavia, moved their three daughters from New York to Sherman two years ago in search of a safer community and better schools.

Opening up the restaurant has allowed me to have a shorter commute and have the family work together, so we can watch the kids grow up and be part of their lives, he said. But my family is very shook up over this. My wife is an immigrant and shes not used to this. Unfortunately this is part of the American fabric I grew up with.

I have the utmost confidence in the local police department, said Thompson, who previously oversaw security at several New York City hotels. The local police have been great. Well let them do what they need to do.

Mayor David Gronbach condemned the vandalism and reiterated a statement he issued after the fatal disturbances in Charlottesville, Va., last week, saying Hate has no home here.

I am here to say that while hate may live in the hearts of some in our community, we give it no shelter and no safe harbor, Gronbach said. I call on New Milford to come together to not only denounce this expression of hate, but to beat it back into the furthest recesses of the twisted heart that harbors it.

The mayor promised the full weight of the police departments resources will be used to track down and prosecute those involved.

David McGuire, executive director of the Connecticut chapter of the ACLU, said incidents of racially tinged vandalism and harassment have increased around the country since the election of President Donald Trump.

We are disgusted by this display of hate in New Milford, he said. The rise of racist and bigoted vandalism targeting people of color and religious minorities is unacceptable and dangerous. Racism is a Connecticut problem, not just a national issue, and it is up to every one of us to stand up against it.

DPerrefort@newstimes.com; blytton@newstimes.com
MONTREAL, Aug. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Giving Canadian youth the tools they need to find and keep good jobs will help grow the middle class and strengthen our economy.

Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced that Acces-Travail de Montreal will help 144 young people in the MercierHochelaga-Maisonneuve area overcome barriers to employment, develop essential job skills or return to school.

The Government of Canada will provide over $1.2 million in funding for the project "Ensemble vers l'integration-5" through the Skills Link program of the Government's Youth Employment Strategy. Through this project, Acces-Travail de Montreal will provide participants with workshops that are tailored to their needs. This project will also provide participants with work experience with private sector and non-profit employers in the MercierHochelaga-Maisonneuve area, in sectors such as retail, health services and hospitality.

Quotes

"Supporting youth, including those with disabilities, means giving everyone a real and fair chance to succeed. Our government is firmly focused on inclusive growth, which means ensuring that every Canadian has a fair shot at success."

 The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"For the last five years, the Government of Canada has provided us with support through the Skills Link program. This has helped several youth between 18 and 30 years of age, particularly those in our Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, regain confidence in their skills and get back into the work force. Through this program, these youth can get a sustainable, enriching job that helps them find their place in our society. I would like to thank the federal government for this support. I hope that our youth can continue to benefit from guidance and support when they go back to work. This is essential for them and for the society of tomorrow."

 Sylvie Mercier, Executive Director, Acces-Travail de Montreal

Quick Facts

Each year the Government invests more than $330 million in the Youth Employment Strategy (YES) to help young people gain the skills, abilities and work experience they need to find and maintain good employment.

in the Youth Employment Strategy (YES) to help young people gain the skills, abilities and work experience they need to find and maintain good employment. Total funding for YES was increased by $278 million in 201617, representing the largest investment since its launch.

in 201617, representing the largest investment since its launch. Budget 2017 is investing an additional $395.5 million over three years for YES, starting in 201718.

over three years for YES, starting in 201718. Combined with Budget 2016 measures, these investments will help:

more than 33,000 vulnerable youth develop the skills they need to find work or go back to school;



create 15,000 new green jobs for young Canadians; and



provide over 1,600 new employment opportunities for youth in the heritage sector.

Associated Links

Youth Employment Strategy

Skills Link Program

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Backgrounder

Youth Employment Strategy

The Youth Employment Strategy (YES) is the Government of Canada's commitment to help youth make a successful transition to the workplace. YES helps youth between the ages of 15 and 30 get the information and gain the skills, job experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition to the workforce. YES includes Skills Link, Career Focus and Summer Work Experience and is delivered by 11 federal departments.

Summer Work Experience provides wage subsidies to employers to create summer employment for secondary and post-secondary students. The Summer Work Experience program includes Canada Summer Jobs.

provides wage subsidies to employers to create summer employment for secondary and post-secondary students. The Summer Work Experience program includes Canada Summer Jobs. Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employmentincluding single parents, youth with disabilities, Indigenous youth, young newcomers and youth in rural and remote areasto develop employability skills and gain the experience they need to find a job or return to school.

helps youth facing barriers to employmentincluding single parents, youth with disabilities, Indigenous youth, young newcomers and youth in rural and remote areasto develop employability skills and gain the experience they need to find a job or return to school. Career Focus helps post-secondary graduates transition to the labour market through paid internships. It helps provide youth with the information and experience they need to make informed career decisions, find a job or pursue advanced studies.

Each year, the Government invests more than $330 million through YES to help young people gain the skills and experience they need to find and keep good jobs.

Budget 2016 provided $165.4 million in 201617 for YES to create new green jobs for youth, increase the number of youth who access the Skills Link program and support employment opportunities in the heritage sector. In 2016, the Government of Canada nearly doubled the Canada Summer Jobs program, creating tens of thousands of additional jobs for young people each year.

To further expand employment opportunities for young Canadians, Budget 2017 provided an additional $395.5 million over three years for YES, starting in 201718.

Combined with Budget 2016 measures, these investments will help more than 33,000 vulnerable youth develop the skills they need to find work or go back to school; create 15,000 new green jobs for young Canadians; and provide over 1,600 new employment opportunities for youth in the heritage sector.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information: Matt Pascuzzo, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, [email protected], 819-654-5613; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
RICHMOND HILL, ON, Aug. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - This back-to-school season Staples Canada is celebrating teachers with its annual Teacher Appreciation Days, which offer discounts and savings on classroom essentials for the new school year.

"Teachers have an important role and having the right supplies is a key factor in staying organized and connecting with students," said Mary Sagat, president of Staples Canada. "We're happy to do what we can to help equip them with the tools they need to be successful."

Staples stores across Canada will offer four Teacher Appreciation Days  August 25 and 26, as well as September 2 and 9 (in Quebec: August 12, 19, 25 and 26). On these days, teachers will save 15 per cent on most in-store purchases and 10 per cent on technology purchases.

According to a recent survey conducted by Staples Canada ahead of the back-to-school season, teachers plan on spending 29 per cent more on classroom supplies over last year. The annual Teacher Appreciation Days at Staples reflect the company's long-standing commitment to supporting education and is part of an ongoing effort to recognize the importance of educators in the lives of Canadian students.

For more information on the upcoming Teacher Appreciation Days or to join the Staples Teacher Appreciation email program, visit www.staples.ca/teachers.

About Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros

Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it's in-store, online, on mobile devices, or through the company's buy online, pick up in store option. Staples is dedicated to offering customers the highest level of service, with more products than ever, including technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Print and Marketing services. The company also invests in a number of corporate giving programs that actively support environmental, educational and entrepreneurial initiatives in Canadian communities from coast to coast. Visit www.staples.ca for more information, or visit us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE Staples Canada Inc.

For further information: Media Information: Kathleen Stelmach, Staples Canada, 905-737-1147 ext. 2714, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.staples.ca


NEW HAVEN >> Police officers who visit homes with children exposed to traumatic situations like domestic violence can face an uncomfortable reality.

Its something Police Chief Anthony Campbell spoke about Wednesday during a forum focused on how local providers can assist children who experience trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. The forum was hosted by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

One of the things that is a reality that we understand as an organization, a progressive organization, is that sometimes, we as police officers can be a source of the trauma for children, Campbell said.

Such a notion exposes how fragile these situations are and why Campbell said its key for officers to provide insight and understanding to children in domestic violence situations. Theres other ways this is being accomplished: For years, police have partnered with the Child Study Center at the Yale School of Medicine, sending officers responding to domestic violence cases out with clinicians. Campbell has also advocated for the creation of a regional family justice center, which would provide numerous services for domestic violence victims under a single facility.

Murphy, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor & Pension, and co-author of the Mental Health Reform Act, said Wednesdays conversation was also an opportunity to gather information he could bring back to colleagues in Washington. In addition to Campbell, representatives from Clifford Beers Clinic, the Post Traumatic Stress Center in New Haven, and others affiliated with the Child Study Center were in attendance.

Murphy said Congress is still debating a Republican-led healthcare bill that would lead to a $1 billion decrease in Medicaid. Such a cut would, dismantle, trauma services organized in New Haven, Murphy said.

Clinics would disappear, clinicians would go onto other businesses, the services that youre beginning to put together to address trauma and PTSD here in New Haven would be fundamentally altered, Murphy said.

Locally, Murphy said he tried to create more livable and safe communities by working with Mayor Toni Harp, supporting redevelopment projects and advocating for stronger gun safety laws. He said he wanted to focus on community providers can provide help to young people who may develop PTSD.

This has to be viewed as a public health challenge, Murphy said.

Maysa Akbar is CEO of Integrated Wellness Group and a certified adolescent and child clinical psychologist. An assistant clinical professor at the Child Study Center, Akbar said shes completed a book on urban trauma in communities of color, many of whom may see certain characteristic of trauma as normal. Preconceived ideas about mental health treatment also affects peoples willingness to seek treatment. Theyre not seen as abnormal because when you are living in a situation that seems like everyone is living in and it is part of your everyday life and experience, then it doesnt seem abnormal, Akbar said. There are fears about entering the mental health system. There are fears of being labeled. There are fears of being thought of as crazy.

Akbars comments underscored a prevalent theme of Wednesdays discussion: Racism towards blacks and Latinos has affected how trauma is addressed by individuals in these communities. Oppression continues to this day, Akbar said, which further challenges how people in communities of color can treat trauma. Other attendees pointed out how, for police specifically, the tense relationship between police and communities of colors can further create obstacles in situations where trauma can be developed.

Were talking about generations of trauma that have not just permeated the way that we live and exist, but it has permeated into our very biology, Akbar said.

Child Study Center Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry Steven Marans is an adult and child psychoanalyst who has worked closely with several federal agencies on trauma response. He said while most people know what its like to have feelings of anxiety or sadness, not everyone knows what its like to be traumatized. There is a difference of magnitude that is important and significant and I fear that sometimes we overuse the term, Marans said.

Trauma that can lead to PTSD is the kind that leaves someone in a state of absolute helplessness and the unanticipated realization of our worst nightmares. While someone can be traumatized, Marans said there is still a strong possibility for recovery that can help avoid PTSDs development.

What we do know, is when theres a failure of recovery, that not only do we see increased rates of PTSD, but that these also impact how children can learn, how they can feel mastery or not, Marans said. Untreated traumatization can lead to other components like increased anxiety, depression, alcohol use and further victimization.

Partnering with police has allowed the Child Study Center to reach even more people, and by extention, help them.

Who better than our colleagues in policing to be one of the vanguards for identifying children and their caregivers who are at greatest risk because they have in an unanticipated way have been confronted by the realization of their worst nightmares, Marans said.

Reach Esteban L. Hernandez at 203-680-9901
The state Board of Examiners for Nursing disciplined four nurses Wednesday, including two accused of abusing drugs or alcohol and two accused of lying about their credentials.

The board reprimanded and fined Vittoria Guerrera, a registered nurse from Prospect, $3,000, in connection with lying to her employer, St. Marys Hospital in Waterbury, in 2015 about her results on a national nursing exam. Guerrera told her employers that a report that she failed the test was false, a consent order approved by the board said.

From June through September of 2015, Guerrera continued to work as an RN at the hospital despite having failed the nursing test, the consent order said. In agreeing to the punishment, Guerrera did not contest the allegations, the consent order said.

Leslie Scoville, a staff attorney for the state Department of Public Health, told the board that Guerrera later passed the nursing exam.

The board approved the consent order, with Chairwoman Patricia Bouffard and member Lisa Freeman voting against it. Bouffard said Guerrara was working in the intensive care unit and was only discovered because a nursing faculty member saw her there and reported her.

Im not sure the fine is high enough, Bouffard said. This is fraud, and she was working with high-risk patients.

The board also suspended the licenses of three nurses, saying their continued practice as nurses posed a clear and immediate danger to the public.

The statement of charges against RN Kathleen Baran of Shelton said that she took the painkillers Dilaudid, morphine and/or Percocet while working at St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport from February to March 2016. She also abused the painkillers to excess, failed to accurately document medical records and falsified controlled substance records, the statement said.

In May 2016, Baran entered HAVEN, a rehabilitation service, but discontinued her treatment in April of this year against the advice of her counselors, the statement said. Since she is no longer complying with the program, her case was referred to DPH and the board for possible discipline, the statement said.

The board also suspended the license of Dian Miller Francis, a licensed practical nurse from East Hartford, saying she did not graduate from a nursing program. A statement of charges against her said that in 2016, she delivered a document to DPH purporting to be a transcript from Stone Academy in East Hartford. She attended its LPN program in 2014 and 2015 but did not graduate, the statement said.

State officials interpreted her transcript as indicating that she had graduated so Francis was allowed to take the national nursing exam. She passed it and was licensed in March of this year. After that, Stone Academy informed DPH that Francis did not graduate and it did not submit her transcript to DPH, the statement said.

The board also suspended the LPN license of Jennifer Ressa of Danbury. In July, DPH received a report from the state Department of Consumer Protection stating that Ressa took oxycodone from Geer Village in Canaan while working there as a nurse, the statement of charges against her said. Ressa also admitted self-medicating with alcohol and was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in March, the statement said.

Ressa entered outpatient therapy for substance abuse but has failed to provide DPH with documents proving her sobriety, the statement said. State online records show Ressa pleaded no contest to the March charge and in May received a suspended 6-month jail sentence and 18 months of probation.

The board also dropped its charges against Fernando Roldan, an RN from Hartford, because he has voluntarily surrendered his license. In July, the board had suspended his license for failing to comply with the terms of a four-year probation, including attending therapy sessions and submitting drug or alcohol test results.

DPH records show that Roldan admitted that he abused alcohol between 2010 and 2014. Board records show that Roldan was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol for the third time in 2013 and spent a year in prison. Records also said he was fired from his job at Connecticut Valley Hospitals Whiting Forensic Institute, where he had worked for 20 years, for using unreasonable force during a restraint of a patient.

This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team (c-hit.org).
WALLINGFORD >> It is a familiar ritual across the country: College students moving into their new digs for the start of a new school year.

But moving in day was something different for Quinnipiac University students Sarah Cullen and Kevin Currie. Instead of moving in to a dormitory or student apartments, Cullen and Currie moved into apartments at Masonicares Ashlar Village on Tuesday and will spend the academic year living amid seniors citizens who are part of the Wallingford-based health care facilitys assisted living community.

This is the second year that the Students-In-Residence program has been in existence. Grace Giannini, Masonicares Memory Care Resource Coordinator, said Cullen and Currie were selected from a field of candidates that started with nearly two-dozen people attending an informational session and was followed by seven applicants for the two openings.

One of the things we look for is how the students will benefit the community, Giannini said. These two students happen to be musically talented.

The students are asked to provide eight hours a week of their time to interacting with members of the Ashlar Village community, she said.

Cullen, a junior from Poughkeepsie, New York who is majoring in occupational therapy, plays both the guitar and the saxophone. Currie, who is a graduate student studying for a masters degree in business administration, hopes to start a choir among residents of the assisted living community.

I think its going to be a great relationship, said Currie. I dont view this as having a lot of grandparents around. I think these folks and I are going to become great friends.

Currie, who had been living in Wolcott before moving in to Ashlar Village, said he was inspired to apply to the program because of the relationship he had with his own grandmother. Curries grandmother lived with his family for 10 years while he was growing up.

Ill never forget coming home from school and having her smiling face there, Currie said. Having her live with us was amazing.

Cullen is excited to have been chosen to participate in the program.

I just think that its a great opportunity for professional and personal growth, she said. The older generation has so much wisdom to offer.

Salvador Bondoc is the chairman of Quinnipiacs occupational therapy department said that even though Cullen wont be doing any occupational therapy work while at Ashlar Village, she will benefit from experiencing what its like for people to be aging in place.

There are a lot of people from the baby boom generation who are aging and its important that we learn more about them so we can meet their needs, Bondoc said.

Erica DeFrancesco, a professor of occupational therapy who oversees the program for Quinnipiac, said living in the same complex helps both students and senior citizens alike learn more about each other.

There is a lot of mystery surrounding college students and there is a lot of mystery surrounding older people, DeFrancesco said. I think this helps break down barriers.

Call Luther Turmelle at 203-680-9388.
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WEST HAVEN >> The resurrected $130 million project to rebuild and renovateWest Haven High School got its official start Tuesday as officials from the city, its contractors, state representatives and some students used golden shovels to toss some earth  although demolition work to prepare for the project has been going on all summer.

Ground-breaking for the long-delayed renovate as new project to build a state-of-the-art West Haven High took place in front of the schools main entrance on Circle Street.

Its a very, very proud moment in my administration, said Mayor Ed OBrien at the start of the ceremony. What a great time to be ... in West Haven.

After much work to get the designs right, we have a project thats within budget and ready to begin, he said.

OBrien said later that its important to have a school thats state-of-the-art  and its long overdue.

Project Manager Richard Snedeker of the Capitol Region Education Council said that by the time the project is completed, every space within the high school will be renovated or brand new. The completed school is likely to draw students who might otherwise leave to attend magnet schools back into the school system, he said.

This is a project which Im so excited about, said Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro. Its been nine years in the making and something that weve thought about. ... We knew that we were losing students to other school districts, to the magnet programs, and, frankly, we were on the verge of not being able to compete.

The state-of-the-art facility that were going to be building here is going to be good for not only our students and our staff, but for the entire community of West Haven, Cavallaro said. I think its going to give us a whole new image.

He thanked OBrien for his commitment, and said, Im just so, so excited that weve been able to put this project together.

Cavallaro said school officials plan to keep reassuring parents and students that theyre going to keep getting the first-rate education that theyre entitled to while the project is going on.

The states reimbursement rate for the project is 75.36 percent, with the city paying just less than 25 percent. State officials have worked closely with the city and its team to get the details right.

The City Council recently approved a $133.25 million bonding ordinance to finance West Havens portion of the cost.

The new school was designed by Antinozzi Associates of Bridgeport to accommodate 1,450 students. The plans include renovating about 98,000 square feet of the existing building, demolishing the remainder, and adding more than 168,000 square feet of new construction.

The total finished project will be 265,959 square feet, with a cutting-edge media center, advanced STEM  science, technology, engineering and math  classrooms and laboratories and upgraded public areas for both the schools use and the community.

It also will offer enhanced access, better security and lower maintenance and operating costs, officials have said.

The projects construction phase will consist of three major subphases to allow the school to offer a full academic curriculum throughout the project.

Gilbane Building Co. of Glastonbury is the projects construction manager, with Amar Shamas serving as the project executive. The Capital Region Education Council of Hartford is overseeing the construction financing, with Elizabeth Craun serving as the construction program manager.

Other speakers at the ground-breaking included state Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford, state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven, and state Rep. Michael DiMassa, D-West Haven.

Also attending were Board of Education Chairman Jim Morrissey and several board members, School Building Committee Chairman William Sapienza and several committee members, City Council Finance Committee Chairwoman Tracy Morrissey, D-8, Democratic mayoral challenger Nancy Rossi and representatives of the projects architect and contractor, among others.

This needs to happen, said Slossberg, Senate chairwoman of the legislative Education Committee, who fought a number of times to break logjams and smooth the way for the project to move forward.

This has been a priority for me, this project, she said. Im so proud to be standing here today to break ground. She also pointed out, on a hot and humid day, that the new high school will be air-conditioned.

Borer pointed out that when young, growing families look to move to a new community, the first thing they look at is the education system and the new high school will give West Haven something it can be proud of.

DiMassa said, It takes a lot to get a project like this done. ... This is our future. We want to give [students] a first-rate education system.

Speaking after the ceremony, Morrissey said it was a very exciting day for our schools, which he said deserve nothing but the best. He called the high school project a step in the right direction.

Rossi, who was interested and involved in the project from the time the Board of Education first began pushing for it and was the councils Finance Committee chairwoman for much of the time during which the project was planned, said, Im very pleased that the high school is finally getting built.

I am not happy that this administration held it up for such a long period of time, which resulted in losing 14 classrooms, Rossi said. Additionally, I am hopeful that the bonds will be able to be sold in September as they are hoped. ... That is how theyre paying for the project.
''It's Wednesday already and God still being faithful . To God be the glory.

Now , I see that it is not only me that lacks patience in Nigeria , maybe it is instilled in us all (Nigerian's) .

Why are you killing yourselves , so I say my story immediately , is it your story/experience ?

Am I in competition with anyone?

Did I tag you to be here ?

If not for ur apokos and desperation in life, that most of you are displaying already.

Have you ever wondered,

why I blinded my eyes to all your ill comments not even when you tag me?

No I guess,

Ok, I ignored because most of you are stupid , so why come exchange words with someone who wouldn't add value to my life.

Maybe you failed to understand , that this is my story and not yours .

Maybe you failed to understand that I decided to share this ugly experience for the public not for appraises or whatsoever, but because my spirit lead me to do so ; thus one reason I don't care about what you say .

Maybe you failed to understand , that I am not ashamed of anything neither are my regretting anything ; noooooooooo .

I don't regret anything , no matter how ill it is because everything dat happens in life has a reason , so I only accept my mistakes ; take corrections and forge ahead.

Maybe you aswel failed to understand , that no matter the distraction all the agents are doing here , that I will still say my story.

So why kill yourself over nothing?

When you know that this world is not ours , and all are vanity upon vanity.

Again, maybe you failed to understand that my gist has gone global , and a lot of personalities are ghost watchers; in as much as much they are here for my gist , they are aswel reading different comments and thus categorizing majority of girls , in where dey belong.

Do you think , you are sampling yourself as wife material by your "destitute "

comments?

Okay oooooo, just know it that men are watching and they are not stupid , even my so called Ex is not so stupid to differentiate from a sincere comment from a desperate chic comment.

Maybe you failed to understand that am not doing this for the crowd clapping or not but because I know vividly that I am strongly doing what is right.

Do you think this is a scandal ?

Is it your scandal?

Why not allow me to worry about it ,

smiles.

If you ever thought this will be a hindrance to me getting married in life , then you are the most foolish person on earth; maybe you need to come and see the number of reasonable men seeking my hand in marriage currently , your boyfriend/ man friend might be among , so don't be pained when you see the wedding bell of me and your man soonest.

Last last , here is my prayers to everyone supporting evil.

May something like this Emoney be a husband to you, your sisters, your daughter's and your generation's in Jesus name Amen.

That way you will understand

Meanwhile , If you can not say amen then you are Either a destitute , prostitute , blackism or even a mad and stupid fellow.

Nonsense and two faced human beings

All you haters ; I sight you all but guess what ? You are only helping my ministry to move to the permanent site . Period

God can only use your enemies to announce you to the world, so God I thank you wellu wellu , Christ I thank you well well ooooooo

Boss Entity na for ur messenger oooooo

To all of you that wants to know how am doing , am amazingly great. Very strong ; am happy because my dream has come to reality .... soon u will understand better.



The drama between bitter ex lovers, Olivia Okibe and Emeka Augustine is still on. While Olivia is still beating about the bush as she is yet to give full details of what led to their breakup, Emeka has continued to rant on Facebook. He posted a video on his page, asking Nigerians to forgive him for his behaviour so far, whilst attaching the blame to his ex.Meanwhile Olivia has a message for those in support of Emeka. In her words: ''May something like this Emoney be a husband to you, your sisters, your daughter's and your generation's in Jesus name Amen''.Read her full post and watch Emeka's video below.
Happy New Month Nigeria! Welcome to the month of June. As the world searches for a respite from all its troubles since 2020 began, one can ...
An advocacy group, Pan Niger Delta Peoples Congress (PNDPC) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise issues in the oil-rich region for sustainable peace.It asked government to, urgently, begin the full implementation of its strategic plan for the area. The Coordinator, PNDPC, Chief Mike Loyibo, in a statement yesterday, urged the current administration to treat the funding of the Presidential Amnesty Programme as a security issue.Loyibo also demanded for the upgrade of the Oron Maritime School in Akwa Ibom as well as the commencement of the version in Delta State.He urged the government to complete the East-West Road, a major expressway linking the entire South-South region to other parts of the country as well as ensure massive creation of jobs in the region.He said: The Federal Government should properly coordinate the various intervention agencies in the region for viability and maximum gains.President Muhammadu Buhari should not ignore the clamour for the restructuring of the nation. He should bring all Nigerians together to discuss the direction they want the country to go.He welcomed the President back from his medical vacation in the United Kingdom.
Hussaini Mafa is a resident of Maduganari ward of Maiduguri metropolis. Before now, he was a farmer and living a comfortable life with his ...

Hussaini Mafa is a resident of Maduganari ward of Maiduguri metropolis. Before now, he was a farmer and living a comfortable life with his wife and children in Baga town until Boko Haram insurgents capture Baga and the people fled to Maiduguri.

In a chat, Mafa, who farms onions and and used to make nothing less than 10 to 15 trucks at the end of the farming season, now helps to carry blocks as a labourer at a building site in Maiduguri.

Recalling the dark days that brought about his new life, Mafa said that, they fled alongside soldiers when Boko Haram invaded Baga town.

I took nothing from my house aside what my wife took for the children for the journey. I saved five soldiers who ran to my house when they were overwhelmed by Boko Haram during the fight that forced us out of our homes. I gave them my cloths. They went and buried their uniforms and guns in the bush and joiedn me and my family for the journey on foot to Maiduguri, he said.

According to Mafa, they were very lucky to have been allowed passage by Boko Haram militants at that time because people from Cross-Kawa in Kukawa local government did not carry sticks to join the civilian JTF in fighting Boko Haram.

That time, once you said, you were from Cross-Kawa, the insurgents would allow you to go. But they would kill anyone who is not from there, especially soldiers. I took a very high risk allowing the soldiers to follow us. I put my life and that of my family on the line for these soldiers. Luckily, we made it to town together. However, the horror of that day is still fresh in my mind.

 We saw soldiers dropping their guns and begging for their lives, yet Boko Haram slaughtered them. It was a horrific experience. The last time I visited Baga after the military recaptured the area, I found nothing in the rubble of the remains of what used to be my own house.

 At the time we fled, I left behind 7 cows, 19 herds of sheep, 82 bags of Maize, 60 bags of Beans, 49 bags of groundnut and over 300 bags of onions from my farm. This is how God has put my faith to test. I lost everything, but I still have my life and I am healthy, he added.

Hussaini Mafa, told our correspondent that, if normalcy finally returns to the northern Borno, he was ready to go back and start life afresh.

He, however, said that the killing of fishermen recently in Baga has confirmed his fear of return and hope that the crises of Boko Haram will end soon as he loves to farm and is looking ahead for the day he would return to his farm again.
The Indigenous People of Biafra has declared that President Muhammadu Buharis support for Western Sahara agitation to break away from Morocco and the self-determination demand of Palestinians and his rejection of Igbo demand to secede from Nigeria has shown the President as a hypocrite.The group also called on the President to stop saying that a private discussion he had with the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu had foreclosed the issue of Nigerias indivisibility.IPOB said Buhari should face the present reality and stop delving into what the group called unsubstantiated history and name calling.IPOBs attack came barely 48 hours after the Presidents nationwide broadcast where he said that in his meeting with Ojukwu in 2003 that the late Igbo sage had said he ( Ojukwu) would want Nigeria to remain indivisible.In a Tuesdays statement in Awka, Anambra State, signed by IPOBs Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group described Buharis claim in that respect as comical and unfounded.The group said it could not understand why Buhari would be against a sovereign state of Biafra while campaigning for self-determination for Palestine and Western Sahara.The groups statement read, Interestingly enough, there is a well-circulated video of President Buhari addressing the 70th summit of the United Nations General Assembly in New York where he stated unequivocally that no nation, no matter how small, should be denied the right to self-determination.Buhari in his characteristic hypocrisy failed to mention the fact that he is a staunch campaigner for self-determination for Palestine and Western Sahara. This same Buhari is the major  and backer of Western Sahara campaign to break away from Morocco.The question that must be answered is why it is possible for Buhari to champion the cause of self-determination for Muslims in Israel and Morocco but not so for Biafrans who are Judeo-Christians in the British-created Nigeria?The group added, During his uninspiring nationwide broadcast littered with dictatorial proclamations, the only take away point in the entire turgid show of shame is that Nigeria must remain one; primarily because the dominant cabal which he represents does not want to lose their stranglehold on the finances of Nigeria.His hypocritical threat to deal with IPOB members, who are legitimately going about their self-determination efforts without recourse to violence, is indicative of his natural hatred for Christians and indigenous ethnic groups that make up Biafra. It is unfortunate that some people in this mere geographical expression called Nigeria are yet to understand that Biafra is an issue that is bigger than any man.We find it laughable that Major General Muhammadu Buhari will embark on the futile journey of deceiving the general public about his brief encounter with Ojukwu in 2003.President Muhammadu Buhari and other government functionaries, especially politicians, should stop deceiving themselves about the true nature of the raging Biafran agitation because they cannot provide any incontrovertible proof or verifiable evidence where the agreement was made between Buhari and Chief Ojukwu to keep Nigeria one. And they should stop calling Ojukwus name.In a related development, an advocacy group, the pan Niger Delta Peoples Congress, has urged the Federal Government to treat issues in the Niger Delta as top priority to ensure continued peace in the region.The PNDPC, a group reportedly mandated by the coalition of Niger Delta militants and youths of the region to negotiate on their behalf, asked the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgent national interest, begin a full implementation of its strategic plan for the region without delay.The militant groups in the coalition such as the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers; Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders Council; Niger Delta Supreme Egbesu Fighters; Niger Delta Red Scorpion Fighters, among others, had allegedly pulled out of the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Forum and mandated the PNDPC to discuss with government on behalf of the region.The Coordinator, PNDPC, Chief Mike Loyibo, in a statement on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to treat the funding of the Presidential Amnesty Programme as a security issue and that the Ministry of Finance should be directed to release amnesty funds promptly.Loyibo also demanded the upgrade of the Oron Maritime School in Akwa Ibom as well as the commencement of the Maritime University in Delta State.He urged the Federal Government to complete the East-West Road, a major expressway linking the South-South geopolitical zone to other parts of the country as well as ensure massive creation of jobs in the region.He stated, The Federal Government should properly coordinate the various intervention agencies in the region for viability and maximum gains.President Muhammadu Buhari should not ignore the clamour for the restructuring of the nation. He should bring all Nigerians together to discuss the direction they want the country to go.
FULANI herdsmen, under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBA), yesterday threatened to sue Ekiti State Governor ...

FULANI herdsmen, under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBA), yesterday threatened to sue Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose for making disparaging and uncomplimentary statements on President Muhammadu Buharis health.Its National Coordinator, Alhaji Garus Gololo, addressed reporters in Makurdi, Benue State capital.He said the governor must tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians and the President, if he did not want Fulani herdsmen to take legal action against him.Gololo said Fayose abandoned his constitutional duty of providing good governance to his people but attacked President Buhari in his hospital bed.He said: We in MACBA have met at our level here and resolved that the Ekiti State governor should publicly apologise to Nigerias President, whom he has mocked and made several comments that he is not morally and professionally supposed to have made against.We know that while other Nigerians were praying for PMBs quick recovery, Fayose was praying for Mr. President to die. He even asked people to address him (Fayose) as the next President of Nigeria while President Buhari is still alive. But thank God, President Buhari did not die.So, our President is back in the country to continue with the good governance of Nigeria. It is now our turn to ask Fayose to apologise or we will go after him legally.Gololo noted that those who said the President had died must have seen him alive addressing Nigerians.The coordinator however welcomed the President back home and reminded him of the need to be focused on the fight against corruption and securing Nigeria from the hands he described as enemies of progress who do not mean well for this country.Gololo also sympathizes with the Benue State governor, the government and people of the state over the killing of the principal special assistant to the governor on Knowledge economy and investments, Dr. Tavershima Adyorough.
The police command in Nasarawa State has confirmed the abduction of a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Hussaini Akwanga.Akwanga served during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo but was removed on Dec. 4, 2003, following an alleged $214 million national identity card scam.The spokesman for the Nasarawa State Police Command, DSP. Kennedy Idirisu, who confirmed the abduction in Lafia on Wednesday, said that Akwanga was kidnapped by gunmen at his farm on Wamba Road in Akwanga on Aug. 22.Akwanga town is about 46km north of Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.Idirisu said that on receiving the information on the abduction, the states Commissioner of Police, Mr Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, mobilised policemen, led by the deputy commissioner in charge of operations to search for the abducted former minister.As we speak, the commissioner himself has gone to Akwanga to boost the rescue operation to ensure that the victim is released unhurt.Idirisu reiterated the commitment of the command to ridding the state of kidnappers and other criminal elements.Meanwhile, a family source told NAN that the kidnappers had contacted them, demanding an unspecified amount as ransom.On May 6, the mother and sister of a member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Kassim Mohammed were abducted in Akwanga.
A 200-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, Ifeanyi Dike, was last week, arrested for allegedly abducting and killing an 8-year...

A 200-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, Ifeanyi Dike, was last week, arrested for allegedly abducting and killing an 8-year-old girl, Victory Chikamso, for ritual purposes.





I am from Ochiogwa, Imo State. The man who killed my daughter is like my brother, someone very close to me, I can call him my cousin. He resides at Eliozu. When I returned home on Friday, and learnt that my daughter was missing, I immediately began a search.



After the search became fruitless, I decided to report the matter to the police. This Ifeanyi (suspect) we are talking about is a habitual criminal. He committed a crime in a bank and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad caught him.



Then the in-law went and bailed him. So, around 1.30am, the security men ran to me and said that they had seen my daughter and that I should come and see the man that kidnapped my daughter.



I was in my shorts and I rushed to the place with the security agents. I was told that the person that killed my daughter was caught while carrying a load around 1.10am. The load was in a sack.



The policemen said when they confronted him, he said he wanted to take it to the dustbin. When I got there, I asked: where is my daughter? They showed me a sack.



As I opened it, I saw my daughter; I peeped and watched very well, the two eyes were off, the tongue was gone, one of the breasts was off, one of the fingers, the smaller one, was off. I watched at the centre here, he had carved it (v*gina) out.



This boy decided to use my child for ritual. As I turned back and saw him, he (Dike) was looking at the ground. Immediately I saw him, I shouted, Ifeanyi, you killed by daughter. But he said it was not only him.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Nnamdi Omoni, asked parents to monitor the movements of their children and be wary of those they allow to have access to them.





Omoni said, What we are witnessing here today is another achievement of the command in the past two days. Chief among them is what is breaking news; a student of University of Port Harcourt lured an eight-year-old girl, raped her to death and cut off her eyes, tongue, genital organ, her breast, and other parts.

On his way to dump the body somewhere around 1:00 AM (on Saturday), some members of a vigilante group accosted him and asked him where he was going with a sack on his shoulder and he told them he was on his way to throw dirt away but on opening the bag, the suspect fled.

The police officer also said, He was eventually caught and handed over to the police who swung into action, arrested the young man and recovered the items used by the suspect to store the body parts.

He told reporters that the police have commenced an investigation to unmask the cartel behind the act and related crimes in the state.





It was recently reported that the suspected ritual killer, Ifeanyi Dike, who defiled and killed an eight-year-old girl, Victory Chikamso, has escaped from police custody. .

Speaking with newsmen at the State Police Command on Saturday, the father of the slain girl, Ernest Nmezuwuba, said he was filled with grief after seeing the mutilated body of his daughter. He expressed shock that Dike could contemplate killing his daughter.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, on Tuesday explained why it no longer issues visas to Nigerians.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, on Tuesday explained why it no longer issues visas to Nigerians.

The Embassys Charge d Affaires, Michel Deleen, said in Lagos that the Embassy had since 2013, swapped its visa issuance processes in Nigeria, with the French Consulate General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.

Let me remind Nigerians that since 2013, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria had signed agreements with the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.

What this means is that we have swapped our visa application processes in Nigeria with the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.

Let me remind Nigerians that under these agreements, any Nigerian that wants to visit the Netherlands for business, study or tourism should always process their visa applications through the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja, he said.

Deleen also urged Nigerians to always apply for visas to the Netherlands, through VFS Global to the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja.

Let me also advise anyone seeking visas to the Netherlands through the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja, to always first apply through VFS Global.

When you first apply to VFS Global for visas to the Netherlands, VFS Global would thereafter send them to the French Consulate-General in Lagos and the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja for processing, he added.
Gov Samuel Ortom has visited the wife of his assassinated aide, Dr Tervershima Adyorough, at Benue State Teaching Hospital, where she is receiving treatment.Ortom, who arrived from his China trip on Tuesday evening, went straight to the hospital to see the woman, who was also shot by the gunmen that killed her husband.Adyorough and his wife were shot by gunmen who raided their house in the early hours of Sunday morning.Gov Ortom told reporters that he would ensure that the killers of Adyorough were apprehended. He also charged security operatives to do everything possible to arrest the killers. They must be brought to book, no matter how long it will take.He restated his commitment to providing good governance and achieving the targets of his administration within his tenure.He described the late Adorough as a dependable ally who was committed to the development of the state.Newsmen were, however, barred from entering the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where the woman is being treated.The Chief Medical Director (CMD) BSUTH Dr Terrumum Swende, described the condition of Adyoroughs wife as critical but stable.
Former Special Assistant on New Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has mockingly said President Muhammadu Buhari should ...

Former Special Assistant on New Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has mockingly said President Muhammadu Buhari should start protecting himself against Lassa fever.

Omokri made the remark while reacting to report by the Presidency saying Buhari cannot work from his office due to destructions caused by rodents.





Buharis Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu has disclosed that the president has to work from home because his office was undergoing renovation due to destruction by rodents.





However, Omokri faulted the claim by Shehu, saying the presidential spokesperson should be truthful.





Omokri, who took to his twitter handle, wrote: If President Muhammadu Buhari is not strong enough to go to his office, Garba Shehu should say the truth and shame satan rather than blame rodents!





Only in Nigeria can a rodent chase a lion away from his den! Or is Garba Shehu referring to human rodents of the#ResumeorResign variety?





Since AsoRock is a den of rodents, its my patriotic duty to warn the Presidency to proactively begin protecting Muhammadu Buhari from Lassa Fever.
Suspected suicide bombers have struck in the Muna area of Maiduguri.According to reports, the incident happened around 2:50pm.This happened not quite 24 hours that President Buhari ordered security agencies to tackle insurgency and security issues effecting the nation.Reports have it that five officers were injured in the attack as suicide bomber targets police van.Policeman also confirmed the attack, revealing that the affected officers were of the federal special anti-robbery squad (FSARS).Officials of the Borno state emergency management agency (SEMA) and security agencies have reportedly moved to the scene.Newsmen also gathered that another suspect was killed, still in Muna, before detonating his explosives.
The Ebonyi State chapter of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has said President Muhammadu Buharis order to the service chiefs was di...

The Ebonyi State chapter of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has said President Muhammadu Buharis order to the service chiefs was divisive.

President Buhari had yesterday met with service chiefs and ordered them to ensure Nigeria remains an entity.





IPOB noted that the order did not address issues necessary for national unity and development.





In a statement in Abakaliki, the state capital, the Deputy Coordinator of IPOB in the state, Ugochukwu Nweke, said the groups activities were legal.





According to him, What IPOB is doing is legal and we are not afraid.

The President should address Boko Haram in the North-East, the unfortunate quit notice by the Arewa youths.

How to boost the economy and the welfare of citizens in Nigeria.

He doesnt have the right to threaten IPOB or any group.
An Abuja based human rights lawyer, Hamid Ajibola Jimoh has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari committed illegality by addressing Nig...

An Abuja based human rights lawyer, Hamid Ajibola Jimoh has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari committed illegality by addressing Nigerians.





Buhari spoke to Nigerians on Monday, two days after he arrived in Abuja from his prolonged medical vacation.





Reacting, the legal practitioner said the broadcast was in breach of Section 145 (1) of the Constitution, which stipulates a transmission of letter to the National Assembly before the president carries on with his duties.





He declared the broadcast invalid, null and void, insisting that as at the point Buhari gave his speech, the legislature had not been formally notified of his return.





I am of the view that the President should apologise to Nigerians for contravening the provision of the Constitution if it is not a deliberate act. Law is different from morality, emotion or politics.





After that, the president may now address the nation properly according to law now that he has transmitted a letter of written declaration to the National Assembly.





The principle of rule of law and constitutionalism is that everybody must be bound by the law. It is the supreme law. If we just close eyes on him we may be laying a bad precedent where any other person will just disregard the law. Of what use is law when they are not obeyed?





Anything the President did prior to the transmission of the written declaration is null and void. The president, by the provisions of Section 24 of the Constitution is duty bound to abide by the Constitution, Daily Trust quoted him as saying.




ATLANTIC COUNTY -- A man arrested with a loaded handgun and a 119 bags of heroin at an Atlantic City motel earlier this year has been indicted, officials said.

Sean Figaro faces six charges, including possession of a firearm while committing a drug offense, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Figaro was arrested Jan. 10 at the Econo Lodge on Pacific Avenue after authorities executed a search warrant.

Besides the heroin, authorities seized a .22 caliber handgun, officials said. He stayed at the motel from March 2016 until being arrested.

Figaro was also indicted on charges of unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute.

A spokeswoman for the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office didn't immediately return a message from NJ Advance Media seeking additional information.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
EDGEWATER -- The borough appears to be moving forward with a plan to take nearly 19-acres of land on the Hudson River waterfront through eminent domain.

The Edgewater council voted unanimously Monday to appropriate $1.25 million from its capital improvements budget to serve as a down payment and it approved an ordinance to bond $23,750,000 for " the acquisition, by purchase or by condemnation, of the property known as 615 River Road," the ordinance says.

Calls to the borough attorney and administrator were not immediately returned Tuesday.

A spokesman for the developer who owns the property says the parcel is worth "north of $100 million."

The property is the site of the former Hess petroleum terminal, and the largest undeveloped piece of riverfront property north of Hoboken. It was remediated by Hess under the terms of its sale.

Two developers, The Maxal Group and EnviroFinance Group, who combined to form 615 River Road Partners LLC, bought the property from the Hess Corporation in April 2014 for $26 million.

They have proposed to construct five buildings, ranging from 18 to 25 stories, that will contain 1,498 market-rate housing units and 375 affordable housing units. Two thirds of the units will be one-bedroom or studio. And the project includes 60,000 square feet of retail space for restaurants and shops. A "multi-acre" public park and a super bus stop -- that would provide off-street bus loading zones -- are also planned at the developer's expense.

The development would generate about $12.3 million in tax revenue for the borough once completed, which the developer says is 40 times the amount of taxes the borough is currently collecting.

"This 18-acre site is the most valuable piece of developable property left on the Jersey Gold Coast. It is unfathomable how the mayor and council of Edgewater can in good conscience reject this project without even coming to the table to talk to the property owners about the tremendous benefits it will provide to the community," said Thom Ammirato, a spokesman for the developer.

"The mayor and council are walking away from significant property tax relief for their residents and shunning amenities for the borough that the mayor and council say they want -- and that could be provided to the borough at no cost to taxpayers."

The developer has not yet been notified formally that the borough will seek to take the property through eminent domain.

"They sent a letter asking for access to the property," Ammirato said. "We did not know anything until we saw the first reading of the [bond] ordinance last month."

An online petition concerning the development has generated 48 signatures, with a goal of 1,000. Residents who oppose the project say it would exacerbate strains on the borough's infrastructure by bringing about 3,000 more residents into Edgewater.

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
CAMDEN -- It was the first day of school Wednesday at Mastery Cramer Hill Elementary School and the book bags and children's outfits weren't the only things that were brand-spanking new.

Officials were also taking the wraps off the $34 million, 80,000-square-foot building at East State Street and River Avenue, opening its doors for the first time to wide-eyed students and hovering parents.

"I'm looking forward to new grades, new students and new friends," said Amirah Jackson, a 6th-grader at the K-8 school.

"We're going to have a lot of fun," a classmate of Amirah's, Jaquan Foster, chimed in. "We have a lot of stuff to cherish."

Officials here say the charter school is an example of a partnership between the city school district and the private company that operates the facility. Charter schools are publicly funded but privately administered. The schools are also required to operate in their own buildings.

"We're excited," said Joe Ferguson, the chief operating officer of Mastery, standing in front of the main entrance of the school. "We'll have over 700 kids who will be in this building when the kindergarten arrives in a few weeks. We're ready."

Ferguson said he's especially excited about the building design and the amount of natural light in the classrooms.

"It's in the heart of the community we serve," Ferguson said. "The interior spaces are really well lit. You can see through windows. It's a greatly lit building. We have a computer lab, gym, art room, music. All the things you'd want in a school are in this building."

Ferguson and Meredith Howell-Turner, the school principal, were equally excited about the new building and a staff of teachers and counselors they think are a perfect fit for this inner-city community of rowhomes and industrial lots less than 2 miles from downtown Camden.

Jasmine Pearson is a first-grade teacher here. She stood outside of her classroom Tuesday and reflected on her journey from growing up and graduating from Camden schools to now entering her second year as a teacher with Mastery.

"I understand the culture and some of the setbacks and hardships just trying to go to school," Pearson said. "I know what is was like growing up. I had a lot of really good teachers that helped me along the way, which gave me a sense of empowerment and really helped me out, and I'm hoping to be that same type of teacher for my students."

Pearson mentioned Stephanie Shanklin, Ed.D, as one of the mentors she had in school growing up. Shaklin is still helping to guide her. She's the family and community engagement manager here.

"It is amazing to see your students that entrusted you with their dreams and to see them come true," Shanklin said. "That's way it is very important to me to stay in the city."

Ferguson said the $34 million cost to construct the school was publicly financed but Mastery is responsible for the bond payment. Mastery operates 6 schools in Camden and 19 in Philadelphia.

Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
CHERRY HILL -- A 22-year-old sailor from Cherry Hill is among 10 missing following a collision on Monday between the USS McCain and oil tanker off the coast of Singapore.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Kenneth Smith has not been accounted for, his mother April Brandon of Michigan said on Facebook.

Born in Novi, Mich., Smith moved to Norfolk, Va. and later to Cherry Hill when his father was transferred to Philadelphia. Smith's father Darryl Smith is a Naval officer. His grandfather also served in the Navy.

Kenneth Smith attended Cherry Hill High School East, according to Philly.com.

Smith works in radar technology aboard the McCain and writes science fiction in his spare time, Brandon told NBCPhiladelphia.com.

On Tuesday, Navy divers searching a flooded compartment of the USS John S. McCain found remains of some of the 10 sailors missing in a collision between the warship and an oil tanker, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander said as he promised a full investigation.

Adm. Scott Swift also said at a news conference in Singapore, where the McCain is now docked, that Malaysian officials had found one body, but it had yet to be identified and it was unknown whether it was a crew member.

The collision before dawn on Monday near Singapore tore a gaping hole in the McCain's rear hull and flooded adjacent compartments including crew berths and machinery and communication rooms. Five sailors were injured.

"The divers were able to locate some remains in those sealed compartments during their search today," Swift said, adding that it was "premature to say how many and what the status of recovery of those bodies is."

"We will continue the search and rescue operations until the probability of discovering sailors is exhausted," Swift said.

He would not say where in the destroyer the bodies were found.

It was the second major collision in two months involving the Pacific-based 7th Fleet, and the Navy has ordered a broad investigation into its performance and readiness. Seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship collided in waters off Japan. There were two lesser-known incidents in the first half of the year. In January, the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka base, the home port of the 7th Fleet, and in May another cruiser, the USS Lake Champlain from the Navy's 3rd Fleet, had a minor collision with a South Korean fishing boat.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Writer Bi Feiyu. [Photo/IC]

The French Ministry of Culture awarded the Order of Arts and Letters to a Chinese writer, Bi Feiyu, at the General Consulate of France in Shanghai on Aug 21.

The order is in recognition of significant contributions to the arts and literature, or the propagation of these fields.

Bi Feiyu was born in 1964 in Xinghua, Jiangsu province.

Consul-general of France Axel Cruau said, in his award presentation speech, Bi Feiyu maintained a close tie with France. In 2003, Bi's novel Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day was introduced and published by Actes Sud of France, which marked the beginning of popularity for Bi's work in France, where he has since published seven works.

In 2004, Bi attended the Paris Book Fair and was rated as "the most popular Chinese writer among French readers".

In 2010, Bi's French-language Planitia then won the Literature Prize of Le Monde.

Moreover, Bi has been active in promoting Sino-French literature exchanges in China. He held multiple activities to share his understandings in literature and French literature's impacts on himself with Chinese and foreign readers.
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
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)  Survivors of Hurricane Ian face a long emotional road to recover from one of the most damaging storms to hit the U.S. mainland. For those who lost everything to disaster, the anguish can be crushing to return home to find so much gone. Grief can run the gamut from frequent tears to utter despair. The Lee County medical examiner says two men in their 70s even took their own lives a day apart after viewing their losses. Experts say suicides climb after disasters and more funding for mental health should be provided as climate change makes storms and fires more frequent and devastating.
The study looks at two smaller-scale projects that are in some ways predecessors to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, the $2 billion plan to slow land loss erasing Louisiana's coast. Construction on that project could begin as early as next year, while a similar one on the opposite side of the river known as the Mid-Breton Diversion could follow.
Weather Alert

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST THIS MORNING... * WHAT...North winds near 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt expected. * WHERE...Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas and Lake Borgne. * WHEN...Until 9 AM CST this morning. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions. &&
Western Iowa can look forward to pleasant weather conditions over the next couple of days.

The National Weather Service office in Valley said the Council Bluffs-Omaha area through Thursday will be sunny with high temperatures in the mid-70s to around 80. Overnight lows are expected to be in the mid-50s to low 60s.

So far weve managed to avoid the usual August heat, and theres none of that (heat) for the rest of this week, said Ryan McPike, a KMTV meteorologist. So get out there and enjoy the nice weather.

Forecasts for Friday through Sunday will include a chance of showers and thunderstorms, highs in the upper 70s and overnight lows in the low 60s.

The upcoming forecast for the Council Bluffs-Omaha metro area is:

Today: Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South southeast wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South southeast wind 5 to 8 mph.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.

Friday night: A slight chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.

Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Melissa Head mentioned development on the riverfront and historic 100 block of West Broadway among victories for Council Bluffs since she was first elected to the City Council in 2009.

On Tuesday, the councilwoman began her formal campaign for a third term to continue work on those and other projects.

We just have so much positive momentum going right now, she told The Nonpareil in an interview. Those were projects that were dreams of mine when I started, I want to continue to see that through.

Areas of improvement for Council Bluffs include working to reduce the number of vacant buildings in the city.

We need growth from within, not just growth on the outskirts, she said.

Head is a Council Bluffs native and Lewis Central High School graduate who first took office in 2010. She was re-elected in 2013.

She filed her nomination papers Tuesday at City Hall with a number of family and friends in tow.

Looking to the future, Head said, there are always things to be done.

We want to continue to grow as a community, and keep up with that growth in terms of infrastructure and public safety, she said.

With riverfront developments moving along nicely, Head noted that shed like to see an increase in use of the Mid-America Center area, which recently welcomed the Iowa West Field House.

We need to continue to revive that area, get that area more active like the original vision was, she said.

Head said shed like to see continued downtown development as well, while she hopes the West Broadway renovation project will draw additional businesses to the west end of town.

Im hoping businesses will make those optional upgrades and well encourage new businesses in the area, she said.

Talking about potential budget issues for the city, Head said Council Bluffs must continue to work to avoid service cuts while also avoiding tax increases. To do that, the city should encourage population growth to build the tax base, she said.

We need to encourage people to move here, she said, noting that new businesses and quality of life components, like trails, parks and the riverfront development.

Discussing public safety, Head mentioned concerns she heard from community members about substance abuse in the city.

She said a solution to the drug problem is providing police officers with the right tools, including the new police headquarters and making sure there is an adequate amount of officers.

Doing whatever we can to make this a safe community, Head said.
LOUISVILLE, Neb.  There was a time when dang near everybody in Louisville knew about Dynamite Pete.

If you didnt spot the shoeless hermit walking into town for supplies, perhaps you heard his 200-year-old Jacob Stainer violin squeaking out Turkey in the Straw from the woods. Or maybe you saw him walking on his hands with a bottle of whiskey in his mouth to win a bet.

Legend has it that ol Pete, antagonized by a group of railroaders, once lit a stick of dynamite in a South Bend bar and asked, Which of you kids are man enough to stay and have a drink with me?

The patrons scattered, and barefoot Pete spat on his dirty fingers, pinched the wick and collected the orphaned beers for himself.

That story dates back more than 70 years. The man  whose real name was Levi Everett  died in 1949.

These days, the only real sign of Dynamite Pete in Louisville is a cheeseburger bearing his name and a bent photograph pinned to the back wall of a diner.

For an extra $2, Main Street Cafe will add chili and cheese to its Angus burger or a hot dog. Dynamite Pete style, the menu says.

Dynamite Pete is a fading memory, but his legend lives on in the yellowed newspapers and archives of the town library, and every so often in a fuzzy bar tale told by an old-timer.

Levi Everett was born Dec. 9, 1862 to a German immigrant father, and  perhaps as early as age 21  he lived alone in a 6-by-9-foot shack along the Pawnee Creek near the Platte River. He worked in the rock quarry near South Bend as a powder monkey, setting dynamite charges to blast rock loose. Thats how he earned his nickname.

Its said that he got the job because no one else was crazy enough to drive a buckboard full of nitroglycerin along the bumpy, rutted roads during the summertime, said Chris Petersen, who owns an acreage on Pawnee Creek near South Bend. Somehow, he survived.

Pete raised his own food in the woods and, for a time, cured his own tobacco. He didnt pay rent, he didnt pay taxes and he absolutely refused to wear shoes.

Each August, he is said to have wandered into Louisville for the annual carnival talent show to play Turkey in the Straw on his violin. One year, organizers asked him to stop chewing tobacco on stage, and he agreed. They also insisted that he put on a pair of shoes and a shirt.

At this point, he drew the line and said Hell no, wrote William Engelkemier in a blurb for the City of Louisvilles website in 2006. With that, he walked off the stage and started playing his violin as he walked through the crowd.

A story on the same site, told by Louisville resident Larry Johnson, described Pete inviting a group of kids into his cave for a home-cooked meal. Pete served chili heated by a fire in a tin can.

Pete said, No wonder it tastes funny, I forgot the secret ingredient, Johnson wrote, and (Pete) reached into his mouth and took out his chewing tobacco and stirred it into the can of chili.

In 1938, Dynamite Pete made news in Omaha when he came to visit Bobby Jeanne, a 90-pound girl set to be shot 60 feet out of a cannon at Ak-Sar-Ben Field. Pete dressed in a brand new suit and played Turkey in the Straw and a few other tunes for her.

The next year, Pete returned to Omaha, this time to be hospitalized. He had to abandon his shack and his crops for the summer. The rough stretch got him thinking.

If Id a had the right kind of a woman, she could a gone on with the plantin and took care o me right there in my shack between times, he told The World-Herald at the time. I tell you, I didnt know until then how necessary and comfortin a good woman might be.

So the search for a Mrs. began.

On June 3, 1940, The World-Herald published a story: Dynamite Pete, a Hermit, Is in Town Seeking Wife. The publicity worked.

A 41-year-old homeless widow with curly red hair and blue eyes named Myrtle Mason answered the call, asking a friend to write Pete a letter from Omaha, promising to wash dishes, keep house and work the best I know how.

Pete wrote back and sent a picture. He mentioned his monthly pension check, his travels to 14 states and his superb health at nearly 80 years old. Mason, according to The World-Herald story, said all Pete has to do is come and get her.

Engelkemier described Mason as about the same caliber as Dynamite. Petersen has been told secondhand stories referring to the woman by the name Cat Woman.

The engagement was short-lived. Levi Everett and Myrtle Mason were denied their union by health authorities, Mason told The World-Herald.

Its all off, and thats all there is to it, she said less than a month after writing to Pete. The law wont let him keep a woman in a cave.

Later, Pete told the story a little differently.

A fellow up in Wisconsin cut in on me, started a correspondence with her, and I guess he married her, he told The World-Herald.

The brief engagement of Dynamite Pete and Myrtle Mason caught the attention of a nationally-syndicated radio show, We, the People. The show flew Pete out to New York in July 1940.

Pete left town wearing a natty blue suit, a tie, and socks and shoes he bought that morning. He ditched the coat and tie before ever arriving in New York.

The show was broadcast locally on KOIL. Pete wanted to speak off the cuff, he said before leaving, but they asked him to read from a script.

I want to tell em about the time I was broke and got so hungry that I went into a front yard and started eating grass, Pete said. The women said I must be awful hungry, and told me to come around to the backyard. I thought she was going to give me something to eat, but she just told me that the grass was longer there.

Pete was proud of his lifestyle. He referred to himself as the last bona fide hermit living in a cave in the United States.

Ill bet Im happier down there in the woods than most any rich man, Pete said. ... I dont have to pay no rent nor no taxes. I dont eat much and Im better off for it. Yes sir, I think I do pretty good.

Life took a downward turn for Dynamite Pete after his radio appearance.

In 1944, he was forced from hermithood when his cave flooded. He moved to Omaha to stay with his nephew. Soon after, he caught pneumonia and was taken to a hospital.

He lived out his last five years in a nursing home in Plattsmouth, where he died on the day after Christmas in 1949.

The Louisville Weekly Courier ran his obituary on the front page that week. It was the boldest headline of the day: Death has claimed one of the colorful characters of the country.

Some of the old-timers in town still know about Dynamite Pete, but the stories have faded. Most will tell you he was a lively old guy that lived in the woods. But few know about the stick of dynamite at the bar or the appearance on We, the People.

These days, its more likely that the unframed 4-by-6 photo in the back of the Main Street Cafe or the burger on the menu will be met with a question.

Whos Dynamite Pete?

World-Herald librarian Sheritha Jones contributed to this report.
Two 19-year-olds bought themselves a trip to jail on Monday after police say they tried to pass fake money to a bank teller.

A North Platte police officer went to Nebraskaland National Bank, 1400 S. Dewey St., just before 12:30 p.m. Monday after a report of a counterfeit bill, according to Investigator John Deal.

A bank employee said a vehicle had gone through the drive-thru with a female driver and male passenger. The woman gave the teller a $100 bill and requested change for it.

The teller immediately knew the bill was fake, Deal said, because it had FOR MOTION PICTURE USE ONLY printed on it in multiple places.

The teller seized the money and the vehicle left, but the teller took down the license plate number.

A short time later a citizen reported this same vehicle for reckless driving behavior near 1400 Burlington, Deal said.

Another officer located the vehicle but didnt witness any reckless behavior because it had been parked, Deal said. Baillie Simmerman, 19, was in the drivers seat and Anthony Fleecs, 19, was in the passenger seat.

They fit the description the teller provided, Deal said.

Both were taken to the police station for an interview. They told police that Fleecs had allegedly gotten the money from a friend, but neither of them would give officers the friends name.

They were both arrested on suspicion of first-degree forgery.

Deal said the police department has received several reports of counterfeit bills being passed at area businesses. Along with the Motion Picture Money, officials are also seeing Chinese Training Money.

Red Chinese symbols are printed on the latter bills, Deal said.

Both kinds of fake money lack the security features of real money, such as color-shifting ink, security strips and watermarks that real money has. But both look real enough that they can pass if a recipient isnt paying attention, Deal said.

The best way to determine if a bill is fake is to take time to inspect and feel the bill. Counterfeit-detector pens should be effective on both types of bills.

While it is not illegal to merely possess the bills, it is a felony to intentionally attempt to pass them as real currency, Deal said. We ask that citizens and businesses be vigilant in watching for these types of bills and to call the police immediately if someone attempts to pass them as real currency.
Merchants across state see boom in sales due to visitors

State tourism officials estimate that hundreds of thousands of visitors viewed the eclipse in Nebraska, a count that businesses say helped deliver a potent boost in sales.

Whitetail Screen Print in North Platte sold more than 1,500 T-shirts from Saturday through Monday, record business for a three-day period.

The shop had customers waiting outside the store at 8 a.m. Tuesday before the regular 10 a.m. opening.

Shae Caldwell, who owns the shop with her husband, said she opened early and started printing shirt designs for the customers, including one from Denmark.

Its been crazy, she said. We met so many amazing people.

Megan McGown, spokeswoman for the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation, said shes heard from other businesses that the eclipse provided a good shot in sales.

A sampling of other Nebraska businesses in the path of totality also indicated that the eclipse lifted sales.

Sunday we got crushed, said David Wacker, manager of Brewskys Food & Spirits in Lincolns Haymarket.

He said sales were triple those of a typical Sunday. On Monday the restaurant did double the sales for lunch, he said.

Angela Sears of the Nebraska Tourism Commission said the organization is still calculating a more specific estimate of the visitor count, along with the economic impact of the eclipse. The commission will make those figures public this fall.

Sears said media coverage promoting Nebraska as a prime location to view the eclipse provided millions of dollars in free publicity for the state. The Tourism Commission estimates the advertising value at more than $133 million.

The commissions website experienced a 30 percent increase in traffic this month, compared with last August, as visitors searched for places to go.

Nebraska businesses say they served customers from across the country, as well as Europe and other parts of the world.

Matt Redecker, general manager of Ken & Dales Restaurant in Alliance, estimated that he fed a couple thousand people Sunday and Monday, with a line out the door.

He said eclipse business likely set a record for the restaurant, which has been open about 25 years.

Amber Holle, executive director of the Falls City Chamber of Commerce, said the eclipse brought good business to the community. The chamber learned that first hand by selling out of more than 1,100 eclipse T-shirts it offered as a fundraiser.

People were still calling today to try to get shirts, she said.
Talks began Wednesday in Washington, D.C., among trade officials from the United States, Canada and Mexico on modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement. This has caused understandable concern for producers, but if the U.S. maintains the right priorities in these negotiations, the agriculture industry can benefit from an updated agreement.

Due to the efficiency and productivity of American agriculture, we produce more than we consume. Trade is vital to the health of the industry, and we should be doing everything we can to increase opportunities for our producers to feed the world.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is a strong, knowledgeable representative for U.S. interests in NAFTA negotiations. Lighthizer has appeared before the Ways and Means Committee at multiple hearings and meetings recently, and each time he has made clear how well he understands the importance of NAFTA to U.S. agriculture.

There is good reason to be cautious in revising this agreement. Canada and Mexico are not only our neighbors but also two of our top trading partners, representing billion-dollar export markets for Nebraskas farmers and ranchers. Since NAFTA went into effect, U.S. trade with these two nations has more than tripled. With producers facing low commodity prices and other challenges, we cannot afford to cause further harm by negating the gains made under NAFTA.

Canada is the largest export market for U.S. agriculture products. In 2016, U.S. agriculture exports to Canada totaled $23 billion. Bilateral trade between Nebraska and Canada totals $1.9 billion a year. In 2015, Nebraska also exported more than $1.2 billion in goods to Mexico. Last year, Mexico was our countrys third-largest export market for agriculture products at $18 billion.

Since the Trump administration first discussed its intentions for NAFTA, I have said there is nothing wrong with taking a fresh look at a nearly 25-year-old agreement to see what has been working and what could use some updating. However, the current market access granted to U.S. exporters must be the baseline for renegotiation.

There are opportunities to strengthen NAFTA and expand economic gains for agriculture. Biotechnology is one of the greatest advancements in the industry, allowing producers to increase yields while using fewer finite resources. Since NAFTA was negotiated, biotechnology has expanded significantly. A modernized agreement should include updated standards based on sound science for these products.

Removing existing barriers to trade must remain the top priority for negotiators, rather than creating new ones. Our trading partners should be assured quality U.S. products will remain available and affordable for them, with the focus on increasing opportunities for U.S. exporters.

Overall, we must move through this process quickly. The Trump administration has targeted an early 2018 completion, and I am hopeful the negotiations will stick to this timeline. U.S. producers and our trading partners need certainty and as little disruption as possible.

I join producers in Nebraska and across the country in watching closely as NAFTA negotiations continue. In my role on the Ways and Means Committee, which has congressional jurisdiction over trade policy, I will keep working on removing barriers and opening more markets for U.S. agriculture products.
Casual Male XL in Hobart is no more; now comes DXL Men's Apparel.

The big-and-tall menswear store Casual Male closed its longtime location across from Southlake Mall at 2217A E. 80th Ave. in the Merrillville Plaza shopping center, which is actually in Hobart because of an annexation during the 1970s.

It was rebranded as DXL and moved a half mile west on U.S. 30 in a new location at 1580 E. 81st Ave., Building 2 in Southlake Pointe, across the municipal border in Merrillville. It's located next to the new Outback Steakhouse, which also relocated a short distance into the newer shopping center that includes Ashley Homestore, American Sale and La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries.

DXL is a specialty retailer owned by suburban Boston-based Destination XL Group that caters to larger men, carrying clothing sizes of XL and up. It stocks pants with waist sizes of 38 or more and shoes of at least size 10.

The company is in the process of rebranding all its Casual Male stores as DXL.

"The transformation to the Destination XL concept provides the company with an exciting opportunity for growth," David Levin, president and CEO, said in a press release. "We are confident that this transformation will accelerate our long-term sales and profitability."

The store carries more than 100 brands, including Polo Ralph Lauren, Levi's and Kenneth Cole. It also carries sportswear in big and tall sizes from brands including Under Armour and Reebok.

DXL in Merrillville is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 219-769-5154.
Hoist Liftruck, the industrial forklift maker that relocated from Illinois to East Chicago, plans to hire 50 more workers to build a new tractor.

The company plans to employ up to 500 by 2022 as it ramps up production in the former Blaw-Knox tank factory at 4407 Railroad Ave. in downtown East Chicago. They will work as assemblymen for the new Hoist T-Series line.

This year, Hoist Liftruck started making a Hoist T-Series diesel-powered truck and will start production next year on an additional terminal tractor, the electric-powered TE-Series. The company said it needs to hire 30 people right away to work in the new terminal tractor assembly area, and will need 50 employees there once production reaches full speed.

"The dedicated line will mimic Hoists current vertically integrated manufacturing model, with single piece flow throughout the entire line all the way down to the finished terminal tractor," Hoist Liftruck said in a statement. "Current plans estimate five completed terminal tractors each day at full capacity."

The high-capacity lift truck maker has a 100% Made in the U.S.A." slogan, and will produce 75 percent of each terminal tractor in house in East Chicago. It will use American-made parts, including from many Indiana-based or Midwestern companies.

"Many of Hoists current vendors will be utilized in the Hoist T-Series finished product, including AxleTech, D&S Manufacturing, Cummins, Allison and Hendrickson," Hoist Liftruck said in a statement. All are based in the U.S., driving down lead times for Hoist customers. One of the new terminal tractor vendors includes PDF Inc., a company that is based in the Midwest. PDF Inc. will be providing fabricated parts for the Hoist T-Series.

Anyone interested in applying for one of the new jobs should email a resume to Hoist HR Director Barry Patterson at barry@hoistlift.com.
The LaPorte County Sheriffs Department is seeking help in identifying suspects in a rash of up to as many as 100 thefts from vehicles beginning earlier this summer.

The sheriffs department has approximately 50 open cases of thefts and is estimating another 50 are open with other agencies in the county and surrounding areas, said sheriff's Capt. Michael Kellems.

The crimes have been similar with thieves targeting unlocked vehicles, he said. Some cases have involved forced entry where items have been left in plain sight.

The thefts have occurred in many areas of the county, including Wills, Kankakee and Galena townships and Michiana Shores, Kellems said. Thefts have also been reported in Grand Beach and New Buffalo in Michigan and the Koontz Lake community in Starke County.

The thefts have occurred between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., he said. Targeted items have included electronics, money and firearms.

"The biggest deterrent to a thief is to lock your doors and not leave valuable items in a vehicle. We cant stress that enough, LaPorte County Sheriff John Boyd said.

"We also encourage following the, 'If you see something, say something,' practice of being good neighbors," he said. "If you spot a suspicious vehicle in your neighborhood, if a normally quiet dog suddenly starts barking, it is worth a call to your local law enforcement agency. While our detectives have developed suspects and are following leads, we also realize that a call reporting suspicious activity can often be what tips the odds in our favor."

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact the sheriffs office at 219-326-7700. Information about this or any other crime can be reported at Michiana Crime Stoppers at 800-342-STOP (7867). Crimes Stoppers will pay a reward for the arrest and conviction of a criminal.
GRIFFITH  Several grenades allegedly abandoned by a customer at a gunsmith shop in downtown Griffith were safely removed Tuesday evening by the Porter County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad.

Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance said Tuesday night the department had launched an investigation to determine who left the active, decades-old grenades at Gutridge Custom Gunsmithing.

"It is illegal and very dangerous for civilians to possess active WWII explosives," Mance said. "If anyone locates items such as grenades or mortars they should leave the items untouched and call 911."

The chief said his department was notified at about 3 p.m. that an unidentified customer had dropped off several grenades at the gunsmith, 144 S. Broad St.

The chief said police officers dispatched to the scene were joined by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who were contacted by the store's owner.

The local and federal law enforcement officers assessed the situation, according to Mance, and then decided to ask for assistance from the Porter County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad, which is the region's only dedicated bomb squad.

Law enforcement officers at the scene at 5:30 p.m. had to contend with rush-hour traffic, as drivers slowed down on the narrow road to gawk at the white, boxy truck that read: "Porter County Sheriff's Department Explosive Detail."

At about 5:45 p.m., the Griffith Fire Department blocked off the two blocks of Broad Street surrounding the gunsmith, and the bomb squad's vehicle parked outside the store.

A motor biker rode into the scene from a trail south of the gunsmith, and seemed to realize what he had bumped into as he quickly reversed course.

The officers from the bomb squad removed some items from the store within several minutes of the street's closure and then left the scene.

Mance said the explosives were transported to a secluded and secured municipal property in Griffith and detonated in a controlled manner.

The chief said a business next to the gunsmith shop was evacuated during the incident.

Steven Bogner, an employee at a business near Gutridge, said law enforcement officers told his store's employees that they should consider evacuating their building, "but it seemed pretty safe."

Mance declined to answer questions about the explosives or the man's identity, citing the ongoing investigation.
From sunning along the local Lake Michigan shoreline to hiking on a bog, the Indiana Dunes and related park sites offer a variety of experiences for new visitors and maybe even some surprises for local residents.

The Indiana Dunes are the state's top tourist draw, attracting more than 3 million visitors each year, according to a study of the economic impact of Porter County tourism prepared for Indiana Dunes Tourism.

NWI's national park

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore properties begin to the west in the Miller section of Gary at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education at 100 N. Lake St., according to Park Ranger and Public Information Officer Bruce Rowe.

The center, which is named after the U.S. senator from Illinois who was instrumental in the creation of the National Lakeshore, offers a variety of educational programs during the school year and public programs during the summer, Rowe said.

There is a nature play zone and also a two-mile round-trip hiking trail at the site through a Black Oak savanna to a portion of the park's 15 miles of beaches, he said.

"So it's a really neat place," Rowe said.

A little farther east is the park's prime summer destination, West Beach, which offers nearly one mile of swimming beach, a bathhouse and hiking trails, he said.

At 2 p.m. each Friday during the summer, visitors are invited to gather on the beach and try their hand at kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling, Rowe said. There is also a campfire on the beach at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays through Sept. 1.

Moving a little farther east is the Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk Beach, which is a National Lakeshore property managed by the city, he said. The site offers a small bathing beach and pavilion with food concessions. There is also a half-mile of paved walking trails.

Those looking for a more strenuous day of hiking can visit Cowles Bog. The site, which is accessible from a small parking lot at the northern tip of Mineral Springs Road near the entrance to Dune Acres, offers 3 1/2 miles of trails through oak savannas and along ponds out to high dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The site is home to the park's only boater's beach.

A little south of Cowles Bog is the Bailly Homestead/Chellberg Farm area, Rowe said.

"That's our best-known historic area," he said.

The site feature historic buildings and cemetery, a small group of farm animals and nearly 3 1/2 miles of hiking trails through a forest and along the Little Calumet River.

There also are seasonal events, such as the Maple Sugar Time Festival in the spring and the Apple Festival on Sept. 16 and 17 this year, Rowe said.

Visitors wanting to get their bearing on their visit to the park can make their way a little east to the visitor center along Ind. 49.

Indiana Dunes State Park

Take Ind. 49 north and it leads directly into the Indiana Dunes State Park, which is home to more than three miles of beach, hiking and camping, according to property manager Brandt Baughman.

The park attracted 1.4 million visitors last year, he said.

Swimming is limited to a half-mile section of guarded beach, but the entire length can be walked, along with 17 miles of hiking trails, Baughman said. Trails vary in difficulty and feature the well-known The 3 Dune Challenge, which takes thrill seekers over the park's three highest sand dunes.

The park also features a nature center and the very popular 140-site campground, which is full seven nights a week during the summer, he said.

More national park sites

The National Lakeshore offers its own 68-site Dunewood Campground just south of U.S. 12 in Beverly Shores, Rowe said.

The National Lakeshore also has a few other beaches, including Porter Beach immediately west of the state park, and Kemil Beach to the east, he said. There is also Dunbar and Lake View beaches, the latter offering parking just a few short steps away from the beach and paved picnic area, he said.

"It fills up early," he said of Lake View.

Farther east are Central Avenue Beach and the recently reopened Mt. Baldy Beach.

A little distance south of the lakefront is the Glenwood Dunes trails in Chesterton, which offer the option of hiking for the general public or riding for horse owners, Rowe said. A little to the northeast in Beverly Shores is the Great Marsh trails, which is a good place to see birds and take a beginning bird watching class at 9 a.m. on Saturdays through Sept. 2 .

To the south are the Pinhook and Heron Rookery trails, he said. Access to the bog is limited during the summer from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and the rookery is a good place to see wildflowers during the spring.

Don't be surprised if you bump into plenty of other people on the beaches or along the many miles of trails. Most of the visitors to Porter County are drawn by the dunes and beaches, according to the local tourism bureau's study.
VALPARAISO  The Porter County Council moved forward Tuesday night with $50 million in loans for a wide variety of projects that were described as long overdue and potentially historic in nature.

In a renewed show of unity with the Porter County Board of Commissioners, the council gave initial approval to a $30 million loan to cover a major renovation of the North County Complex in Portage; the purchase of the former jail building in downtown Valparaiso; renovation work at the courthouse, county administration center and Expo building in Valparaiso; and three of the top bridge projects.

The loan will be paid back using local income tax revenue and relying on hospital sale proceeds to offset the shift in revenue, all without having to put an additional burden on taxpayers, said Porter County Commissioner Jim Biggs, R-North.

"That, I don't believe has ever been done," he said.

The council also suspended its rules and gave its final approval to a $20 million loan aimed primarily at addressing the severe drainage problems that have plagued the wider South Haven area of the county. The loan, which will be paid back with proceeds from the county's new stormwater fee, is also expected to provide about $1 million a year for the length of the loan to address drainage woes around other unincorporated areas of the county.

"This is a long time coming," said Councilman Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, who said he grew up in South Haven.

The $30 million capital projects proposal, which still needs second approval from the council and approval from the board of commissioners, was met with a last-minute challenge stemming from a correspondence that was reportedly sent out overnight by officials from the city of Portage.

The correspondence, which was criticized as containing inaccurate and politically-motivated information, called on the county officials to consider forgoing the renovation of the North County Complex in favor of partnering with the city to put up a new building a few miles away in Portage's downtown area.

"This is nothing but a sideshow," said Commissioner President Jeff Good, R-Center.

Biggs said if the building was to be relocated to a better position to serve the north end of the county, it would likely wind up near the Porter Regional Hospital at Ind. 49 and U.S. 6.

"What is the most cost-effective approach we can take?" he asked. "It's a renovation."

The $20 million stormwater bond, which still needs final approval from the county's Storm Water Management Board, met with some opposition from a few members of the public.

The proposal was called illegal by one person, while another warned the county about its plans to team up with the Twin Creeks Conservancy District in the South Haven area, which she said has been unable to accomplish any drainage improvements after years of collecting fees from residents.
CEDAR LAKE  Business owners, Hanover school officials and residents had plenty of questions at a public forum on stormwater fees hosted by the Town Council earlier this week.

Town engineer Donald Oliphant was on hand, and Oliphant and others led the audience through the process by which commercial property owners can apply for stormwater credits and lower their monthly bills. The atmosphere was one of disappointment and frustration as property owner after property owner spoke of the burden increased stormwater fees will place on their businesses.

In the spotlight was Hanover School Corp., which will see its annual stormwater bill double from $30,000 to $60,000. Hanover Superintendent Tom Taylor attended the meeting, and school board member Scott Burdan, who owns Burdan Funeral Home in Cedar Lake, addressed the council on Tuesday.

"Please think of nonprofits, the churches, the Knights of Columbus, Burdan said. With stormwater fees doubling almost across the board, thats not money going to charity, thats money going to rainwater."

After hearing those concerns, officials said they will go back to the town's financial adviser, London Witte of Indianapolis, and the bond counsel, crunch the numbers and see if some adjustments can be made to the fee schedule, Town Council President Randy Neimeyer said Wednesday.

The fees were calculated according to bond service. If there is enough wiggle room, town officials will try to redo the fee schedule.

In the spring, after a study conducted by Witte, the council approved a stormwater fee hike that doubles residential stormwater fees from $5 to $10 per month per lot. Business stormwater fees are calculated with a more complicated formula.

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. The lease allows the RDC to collect a special benefit tax in certain commercial areas that will go toward the paving portion of road construction.

Niemeyer had earlier said the towns options are constrained by the rethinking of government and funding statewide. With tax caps in place, municipalities must rely on fees, like stormwater fees, as funding sources. For example, only 25 percent of the 1.5 percent county tax collected from residents goes to the town.

Wed be happy to hear ideas (on) a better way to do it from the public, he said.

Oliphant explained how commercial property owners, who also have been hit particularly hard by fee increases, can apply for the credits that could significantly reduce their monthly bills. For example, if drainage from the property went directly into Founders Creek, Cedar Creek or the lake itself, the property owner would be eligible for a credit.

The town has waived credit application fees. However, since it did so, only two property owners have obtained applications, Town Administrator Jill Murr said.

Monica Vecchio, who has owned a four-unit rental building in town for 13 years, spoke for many when she said we have to be realistic as to how much a community like Cedar Lake can support when it comes to taxes and fees.
MICHIGAN CITY  Strategies are being developed to tackle poverty in LaPorte County.

During a roundtable discussion Tuesday by about 30 local stakeholders, former LaPorte Mayor Leigh Morris said poverty has gone up dramatically here over the years and now is "on an equal par with Lake County."

The United Way of LaPorte County (UWLPC) is spearheading the effort to decrease poverty. It started last year by compiling statistics that show 16 percent of households here are in poverty while another 21 percent earn less than the basic cost of living.

"When you look at the demographics of the community, the problems are huge," said Kris Pate, executive director of UWLPC.

Among the causes identified during the 90-minute discussion were loss of industry, low educational attainment levels, attitudes and behaviors inherited from previous generations and lack of household budgeting skills.

There was also brainstorming on how social service agencies here can be more effective at reaching people with the help required for lifting themselves out of poverty.

Pate said a lot of good work is being done now to combat the problem and wondered if the solution rests more in tweaking the system now followed for providing services in areas like education.

"What are the barriers we can break down systemically," she asked.

Dave Sisk, director of corporate engagement for the UWLPC, said a new initiative already underway is aimed at getting more people to open bank accounts.

He said the 3,000 people in LaPorte County who don't have a bank account wind up spending money that could be used for staying current with monthly expenses on fees and penalties assessed on transactions not involving a lending institution.

Another solution identified in the group discussion was increasing the amount of affordable housing.

People who are homeless are focused more on just surviving, but with a roof it's easier for them get back on their feet and be reached with services to help with the process, according to those in the group discussion.

"Until you get someone in housing, it's just crisis mode," Pate said.

The next step is to develop a formal plan for addressing the problem. Pate suggested the group meet on a regular basis to help sharpen the line of attack.

"I see a lot of value in that," she said.
VALPARAISO  Madeline Brown came from Geneva, Illinois, to study Spanish and secondary education at Valparaiso University.

One of 1,070 new freshmen and transfer students welcomed Tuesday at VUs 89th annual opening convocation, Brown said she is ready for the challenge of college life.

This is definitely a change from what Im used to, said Brown, but Im excited to meet new people and for new experiences.

Brown, who learned about the university from hometown church members, accepted the challenges offered by VU President Mark A. Heckler and Hussein Shahine, president of the student body.

Heckler encouraged students to persevere through lifes challenges and Shahine called upon the diverse audience of freshmen, transfers, graduate students, and law students to be genuine.

Its exciting to see such diversity, said Heckler, noting how these new students summer activities have prepared you for what you start today.

Maggie Hayes, a computer engineering major from Cincinnati, admitted feeling a little scared, but, she noted, Everyone here has helped me feel better, a lot less nervous.

Hannah Varnell, a business analytics major from Valparaiso, described college life as a little overwhelming, but Im excited because of the possibilities and opportunities.

Heckler charged the faculty with mentoring students to be generous servants and lifelong learners through their example. Addressing students, the VU president recalled the challenges he faced as a boy in finishing puzzles. With the help of an aunt, he persevered and together their completed the puzzle.

Similarly, Heckler said, students face challenges, but they would not be seated together in VUs Chapel of the Resurrection if not for perseverance. At the university, he said, students will learn that desire to seek truth, be generous and cultivate hope.

Each student, Heckler said, has the capability to excel.

The people who surround you are all here to help you discover your gifts, the VU president said, to challenge you to think more deeply.

In this time of changes  not all positive  Heckler encouraged students to do three things: learn to do old things in new ways; embrace the other, the one who is different; and never lose sight of the values that underpin their understanding of truth.

In this time of racial insensitivity and related disturbances, Heckler reminded students everyone is human, different, yet made together in the likeness of God.

Shahine, who arrived at VU with just two suitcases, cautioned against measuring success merely by numbers. He offered students three tips: smile, offer help when they can and think the best of others.
GARY  U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., inspected ongoing improvements at the Gary/Chicago International Airport during a Tuesday afternoon tour, part of a six-day trip around the state kicking off the senator's 2018 re-election campaign.

Donnelly visited both of the airport's fixed-base operators, Gary Jet Center and B. Coleman Aviation, which are in the midst of major construction projects. Airport officials also pointed out the building planned to house a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, and noted upcoming runway rehabilitation work and the current reconstruction of Airport Road.

"I'm really excited about the continued progress," Donnelly said. "The momentum we hoped for is coming true."

Gary Jet Center is building a new corporate flight center, which will include pilots' lounges, a business center, a conference room and kitchen facilities. B. Coleman is building a new hangar and hopes to expand further. The FBOs provide aviation-related services to the general aviation community.

During the years-long project to extend the airport's main runway, Donnelly helped facilitate agreements among the airport, CSX and Canadian National railroads and federal regulators to move tracks that blocked the extension.

"It's always good to show someone who's been so helpful the progress you've made," said Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, who arrived at the airport with several other local officials in the Donnelly campaign RV. "You've already seen the growth and it'll continue to grow."

Donnelly's tour had stopped in Chesterton earlier Tuesday, where he met with United Steelworkers leaders. Donnelly said they talked about employment-related issues, including their opposition to a proposal to introduce "comp time" into the overtime compensation system, and about international trade issues.

"We want to make sure steelworkers and steel companies get a fair shake in international trade," he said.

Donnelly also said he's working with U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, to maintain federal grant programs that aid transit projects like the South Shore Line's extension and upgrades, which contribute to urban revitalization programs. The transit Capital Improvement Grants and local Community Development Block Grants "are critical to our communities' growth," he said.

Donnelly is seeking his second term in the Senate. He was previously elected three times to the House of Representatives, representing the South Bend area.

U.S. Reps. Luke Messer, R-Shelbyville, and Todd Rokita, R-Brownsburg, are among the Republicans campaigning for their party's nomination. The GOP battle is already heating up, and the general election campaign is expected to be intense.

"The most important part of this  best campaign  is to do the job the best you can," Donnelly said.
Since becoming president of Purdue University in 2013, former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has made headlines for his efforts to lower costs, increase academic rigor and serve new constituencies at Indianas public land grant college.

His summer announcement that Purdue was acquiring for-profit, on-line Kaplan University with an enrollment of 45,355 foretells big changes ahead for all of higher education.

Daniels recently sat down with The Indiana Policy Review to discuss some of his initiatives and how they are being received by faculty, students and parents. Here are excerpts of that interview:

Question: There has been a lot of talk in higher ed circles about the Kaplan University acquisition. Where was that idea born?

Answer: In two places. We at Purdue had a long look at whether we could and should try to build online expertise and capabilities here and decided that would be unwise, that wed blow a lot of money and that wed never be really good at it. If we wanted to extend our mission to another group of students, we were going to have to partner with somebody. Meanwhile, quite independently, the people at Graham Holding Companies (parent of Kaplan Inc.) had decided that they wanted to exit the for-profit sector. And there was a person who knew what we were thinking and knew what they were thinking and said, You two should talk. And away we went.

Question: How do you maintain the Purdue brand and make sure it doesnt get tainted by the notion Kaplan is second-rate?

Answer: That view is what some of our faculty refer to as academic snobbism, and we don't practice it here. There already are two kinds of Purdue diplomas: the one from the West Lafayette full-time resident experience and diplomas from our regional campuses...Kaplan has the best of reputations in their world. They just got a 10-year reaccreditation from the same people who accredit Purdue.

Question: Will the Kaplan student be able to access the Purdue degree?

Answer: We haven't named it yet, but there will be a degree distinct for this new university.

Question: How on earth have you been able to maintain a tuition freeze since 2013?

Answer: I don't want to give Nike free publicity (for its Just Do It motto), but thats part of it. It has not been that hard, and there is a whole lot we have yet to do to reduce the cost structure and some of the redundancies in this place. Efficiency contributed to the freeze, but the freeze contributed to efficiency. Its true in business. If the top line goes flat, people suddenly sharpen their pencils.

Question: Where do you see the most waste in higher ed in general?

Answer: Theres lots of slack capacity. Two thirds of the cost is people, and higher ed ossifies. You have tenure. Leave the tenure argument aside for a minute. If student interest moves from one subject matter to another, you still have the same number of people on the payroll. Most of the world is not like that. In most of the world you say, How much money do we have? Now what are our priorities? In higher ed, people have associated high sticker price with quality. Thats changing now, changing big time.

Question: Why dont more schools freeze tuition?

Answer: Its not been the system. I can tell you it has worked out fine for us. The reserves of the university have grown. We have the most faculty weve ever had. A lot of schools have downscaled to contingent faculty, lower priced adjuncts. We have one of the highest percentages of tenured faculty in the whole country at 70 odd percent. Were doing all those things and still paying our bills.
Subway breakdowns and delays are getting all the attention  but politicians and advocates say it's time for the MTA to accelerate plans to turnaround the struggling bus system. Transit Reporter Jose Martinez has that story.

With the subway melting down, the MTA has unveiled a rescue plan for the system's six million daily riders.

"The New York City subway system, no doubt, is in distress," said MTA chairman Joe Lhota.

But the focus on the troubled transit system belowground has some of the two-and-a-half million riders who use mass transit aboveground asking  'What about bus?'

"I could give a seminar about the whole bus line if I want to," said one rider. "But I'm ready to jump into a cab or even walk."

With average bus speeds falling and ridership down two percent this year alone, dozens of state Assembly members and transit advocates are calling on the MTA to come up with another rescue plan, this one for the buses.

"Over the past, not few years, but the past probably couple of decades, there has been a steady decline in bus service," said Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. "And while it hasn't made the front pages, we're here to say we need that issue addressed."

The Assembly members demanded that the MTA develop a "bus master plan" within six months to improve the commute for bus riders. With the slowest lines plodding along at four miles per hour in the most congested parts of the city.

"Especially during a subway emergency, we need surface transit even more than before," said Manhattan Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal.

The MTA earlier this year pledged to make a series of bus improvements. But critics say the improvements are much like buses themselves  too slow in arriving.

Among the upgrades being rolled out are more bus lanes, traffic signals that give priority to buses and more Select Bus Service routes where riders pay at kiosks and can board at any door.

"There should be select bus on all the lines," said one rider. "Of course!"

In a statement, the MTA says it needs the city's help to boost bus service.

"We look forward to continuing to work with our partners at the NYPD who do bus lane enforcement, as well as at NYC DOT, who play a key role in reducing congestion on their streets, installing their own technology and helping our buses move faster," the statement read in part.

The goal of any bus riders trying to get somewhere.
The interpretation of what constitutes oil revenues that the Uganda Revenue Authority has to remit to the national petroleum fund is at the centre of debate after the auditor general found the taxman had remitted less than what was expected, writes EDWARD SSEKIKA.



Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has not remitted Shs 11bn in oil revenues to the Petroleum Fund, the latest audit report into the fund by the Office of the Auditor General reveals.

According to the auditor generals report on the financial statements of the Petroleum Fund for the period 30th June to 31st December, 2016, the tax body, ought to have remitted Shs 11.3 billion collected as Pay as You Earn (PAYE), Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax from petroleum activities.

The report, released in June this year, is the first audit report into the finances of the petroleum fund that has been made public.

It was, however, noted that monies collected by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) under the Income Tax Act from income derived from petroleum operations such as Pay as You Earn (PAYE), Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax is not being remitted to the Uganda petroleum fund. This contravenes the Public Finance and Management Act 2015, the auditor generals financial report reads.

The Public Finance Management Act, 2015 describes petroleum revenue as tax paid under the Income Tax Act on income derived from petroleum operations, government share of oil production, signature bonus, surface rentals, royalties, proceeds from the sale of government share of production, any dividends due to government, proceeds from the sale of governments commercial interests and any other duties or fees payable to the government of Uganda from contract revenues under a petroleum agreement.

In the report, the auditor general, according to his assessment, argues that the description of petroleum revenues is restrictive since it leaves out income derived from petroleum operations like Pay as You Earn (PAYE), import duties and VAT payments from petroleum activities.

However, in URAs opinion, PAYE is not taxed on revenues derived from petroleum operations, but it is categorized as employment income paid by the employees and as such it is excluded from petroleum revenues.

Arising out of the above, it was established that Shs 11.3bn collected through the commercial banks and remitted to the consolidated fund should have instead been transferred to the Petroleum Fund, the report pointed out.

The auditor general notes that the management of URA promised to remit the money to the Petroleum Fund. In the report, the auditor general advises URA to seek advice from the solicitor general to clarify on whether or not PAYE from employees of oil companies and their sub-contractors, as well as VAT, are part of the petroleum revenues.



SHS 271BN FUND

The auditor generals report reveals that by the end of December 2016, the fund had a total of Shs 271.5bn. This includes the Shs 922.3 million the fund received from Tullow Oil and Total E&P in rental fees.

For the six months ending December 31, 2016, the fund received non-tax revenue worth Shs 922.3 million ($270,900 dollars) as surface rental fees from Tullow Uganda Operations Pty and Total E&P Uganda, the report reads.

Of this, $113,400 dollars was paid by Total E&P Uganda for the development areas of Ngiri, Jobi-Rii and Gunya and $157,500 was paid by Tullow Uganda Operations Pty Ltd for the areas of Ngege, Kasemene, Wahrindi, Nzizi- Mputa, Waraga and Kigogole-Ngara.

The Petroleum Fund does not own any property, plant, equipment in its books of account. There are no expenses on the fund, except bank charges, the Auditor General says in the report.

The petroleum fund is maintained in two separate accounts in Bank of Uganda. One of the proceeds is denominated in the local currency and the other in United States dollars.

The signatories to the Petroleum Fund are: Keith Muhakanizi, Patrick Ocailap (deputy secretary to the treasury) and Lawrence Ssemakula, the accountant general.

The Public Finance Management Act, 2015, places an obligation on the auditor general, to audit the financial statements of the fund. The auditor general noted: From the funds cashbooks and bank statements, I ascertained that there were no expenses made from the fund, except bank charges.

Under section 56 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 the minister of Finance is responsible for the overall management of the petroleum fund. Under Section 60 of the PFMA, the accountant general is responsible for maintenance of proper books of account and proper records of the petroleum fund; and preparation and submission of semi-annual and annual financial statements for the petroleum fund that are free from material misstatement whether due to error or fraud.

Under the Public Finance Manangement Act, withdrawals from the fund can only be authorized by parliament through an Appropriation Act and warrant from the auditor general to the Consolidated Fund to support the annual budget and or to the Petroleum Revenue Investment Reserve Account.



OIL FIRMS LOSE SHS 136BN

In a separate audit report  the annual report of the auditor general on the Financial Statements of Government of Uganda for the Financial Year Ended 30th, June, 2016 - the auditor general approved Shs 3.1 trillion as recoverable costs.

Recoverable costs are those project investments that the oil companies are allowed to recover before sharing the profit from the sale of the oil.

According to the report, international oil companies stand to lose at least $39 million (approximately Shs 136.8bn) in recoverable costs for failure to comply with the provisions of production sharing agreements.

In the report, the auditor general, John Muwanga, reviewed costs recovery statements submitted by the oil companies for the period 2004  2011. Uganda discovered commercially viable oil reserves in 2006 after years of exploration.

I reviewed cost recovery statements relating to the period 2004-2011 in the sum of $983,063,050 (an estimated Shs 3.4 trillion) and made the following observations; a sum of $39,094,724 (approximately Shs 136.8 billion) was determined unrecoverable because of non-compliance with the provisions of the PSAs, the report reads in part.

The production sharing agreements [oil agreements] signed between government and the oil companies spell out the type of costs which are recoverable and those which are not. For instance, recoverable costs include all exploration, development, production and operating expenditures.

However, in the report, the auditor general does not specify which companies are affected by non-compliance. The production sharing agreements signed between the government of Uganda and oil exploration and production companies provide that the government auditor will review the cost recovery statements submitted by the companies to ascertain whether there was compliance with the provisions of the agreement.

According to the report, a sum of $902,382,526 (approximately Shs 3.1 trillion) was considered compliant with the provisions of the production sharing agreements and is, therefore, recoverable from future oil earnings. This means, once oil production starts, oil companies will recover Shs 3.1 trillion as costs they have incurred in oil exploration so far.

A sum of $41,585, 800 (approximately Shs 145.5bn) was determined unclaimable in accordance with the production sharing agreement (PSA) provisions as commercial oil and gas reserves were not discovered in the licensed exploration areas.

Under the production sharing agreement model, oil firms recover their investment after making discoveries, and production starts. However, where oil companies do not make any discoveries, no recoverable costs accrue to the oil companies.

For instance, Cnooc Uganda Limited hit a dry well in Kanywataba prospect in Ntoroko district while Neptune also hit dry wells. Therefore, the money they injected could not be recovered from government.

The auditor general is required to scrutinize the expenditures made by oil companies and give final approval of recoverable expenditures. As an example, at the end of 2008, the auditor general had approved $492.5 million as recoverable costs out of $510 million spent by oil companies in the five areas licensed for exploration.

The auditor general has now embarked on the audit of recoverable costs for the period 2012-2015.



ssekika@gmail.com
Ugandans with complicated diseases who have been referred abroad for medical treatment can now have their medical reports reviewed by international specialists in India before travelling.

The Second Medical Opinion portal is a partnership between AAR Insurance Uganda and HBG Medical Assistance, India, to save Ugandans from the expense of travelling to treat diseases that could have easily been managed locally.

According to Muhammad Ssebbaale, the chief finance officer, AAR Insurance Uganda, the portal is free to anybody who can log in at http:/hbgmedicalassistance.com/aar-second-opinion/ as long as they fill in the required details such as name, age, gender and contacts.

Then you can upload the medical reports for review to get the second opinion on the same issue within 24 hours. The second opinion portal is also meant to support local medical practitioners who will be able to consult with their Indian [counterparts], he said.

The vice president and director of HBG Medical Assistance India, Nandita Gupta

During the launch at Imperial Royale hotel in Kampala last week, Ssebbaale told The Observer they are glad to fill this gap in the health sector and save clients from unnecessarily spending money abroad.

This year five cases out of 20 that were referred to India, specialists there said they would have been managed here since the treatment is available, he said. The second opinion portal is meant to give users more assurance by having their medical results reviewed.

HBG Medical Assistance managing director Abhi Moitra said HBG is one of the largest medical assistance companies in Asia with world-class medical specialists who will be reviewing the medical reports submitted on the portal.

In last six years we have assisted over 6,000 patients from more than 22 countries in getting treatment from India, he said.



zurah@observer.ug
At least 33,000 students will join tertiary institutions on September 4, 2017.

This is after the joint admissions board (Jab) of the education ministry concluded its selection process for nearly 45 institutions. These institutions include Uganda Colleges of Commerce, Uganda Technical Colleges as well as schools of clinical officers.

In todays print edition, we highlight nearly 4,000 who made the cut. The remainder of the admissions list will be published in our Friday edition.

According to the ministrys officer in charge of admissions at Jab, Massy Mugoowa, admitted students are required to report for lectures on September 4, 2017.

The institutions will hold the places of those admitted for two weeks, she said. However, those who did not make it can be considered, if they pick up supplementary admission forms, from our offices, she said.

Mugoowa explained that the supplementary admission forms are available up to September 18.

Meanwhile, classes at Kyambogo and Busitema universities and Nsamizi training institute opened early this week.

Those admitted under this scheme are entitled to government sponsorship. However, the institutions are already in the process of admitting students under their respective private schemes.
At least 814 lawyers from 13 universities have passed the Law Development Centre (LDC) pre-entry examination, meaning they qualifying for admission to the postgraduate bar course this academic year 2017/18.

The LDC academic registrar, Everest Turyahikayo, said yesterday this is the best performance since the pre-entry exams were introduced in 2011.

The pass rate registered this time is the best ever. Generally, in the previous years, the pass rate has been about 35 per cent but lawyers have surprised us this year, Turyahikayo said in an interview.

We hope this trend continues because LDC does not control who joins the bar course and we admit whoever is sent to us by the law council.

Out of the 1,812 registered candidates, only 1,799 sat for the pre-entry examination at Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) multi-purpose hall in Lugogo on August 1.

The law council, which runs the exams, noted in its report that 13 candidates did not turn up to write their exam while one candidate wrote an illegible index number and another had an inexistent index number. This led to disqualification.

The overall pass rate this year is 45.29 per cent. Last year, only 572 lawyers passed out of 1,650 who sat the exam  registering a pass rate of 35 per cent.

Turyahikayo attributed the improved performance to universities and students early preparation for the pre-entry exam as soon as they complete their undergraduate law course.

Another 45 students who sat pre-entry exams two or three years ago, and whose results are still valid, will join this years lot.



MAKERERE TOP

According to the results, Makerere University tops the list with the highest number of successful students at 299 out of 420 that sat the exam.

It is followed by Uganda Christian University (UCU) with 229 students, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), 127, Kampala International University (KIU), 75, Uganda Pentecostal University, 37, and Nkumba University with 33 students.

Universities with the least number of successful students are Dar Es Salaam (DAR) with seven; Catholic University of East Africa has two while Coventry University, London University, St Augustine International University, Surrey University, and University of Wolverhampton all have one successful student each.

All students from Busoga University (10), Bharati Vidyapeeth University (two), Nairobi University (1) and Ruaha University College (1) failed the 2017 pre-entry examination.



ADMISSION

From today, Turyahikayo will start issuing admission letters to the successful candidates to prepare for their nine-month course which starts on September 25, 2017.

All students should know that lectures begin on the first day. Anyone who thinks that they will report after a month, the attendance rule for passing the bar course, which requires one to attend 90 per cent of all the academic activities, will catch up with them, he said.

With improved ICT infrastructure at LDC, bar course students are also encouraged to report with laptops during registration.

When asked about the availability of facilities to handle the new entrants, LDC director Frank Nigel Othembi was optimistic.

At the moment, LDC can comfortably take on 1,000 students because we have an auditorium that can sit about 1,000 students, eight firm rooms and each can accommodate about 30 students. In terms of space, we dont have a big problem, Othembi said.

He, however, expressed concern about the inadequate number of lecturers currently operating, with only 10 fulltime staff available, while 40 are part-time.

We are soon going to make a recommendation to our management committee to increase them from 40 to about 60 part-time lecturers, he said.



nangonzi@observer.ug
After more than three decades of delayed validation on its proposed migration policy, the seven-nation regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), has begun consultations to pave way for harmonized laws to allow free movement of people across borders between member countries.

Officials from the Djibouti-based Igad secretariat are holding talks with Uganda government migration experts, civil society and academia in the three-day national consultative workshop, which ends today, Wednesday, at Best Western hotel in Entebbe.

At the end of the workshop, Igad officials will have gathered information on immigration barriers and possible resolutions as well as shared the benefits of having a harmonized regional policy with their Ugandan counterparts.

Speaking on the sidelines of the workshop, Igad executive secretary Ambassador Mahboub Maliim said the policy will not only ease movement across the borders but could also reduce crime and extremism in the region if operationalized.

Map showing IGAD members

Maliim expects some member countries to frown upon the policy, which advocates opening of their borders but he is optimistic the validation process should be completed by June, 2018.

Recommendations from different national consultative workshops will be incorporated into provisions of Igad protocol on free movement of people in the region before it is rectified by the relevant authorities.

Similar consultative meetings will be held in Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Djibouti, who are the other members of Igad.

Maliim said they picked on Uganda for their first consultative meeting because the country hosts more than 1.3 million refugees from Igad nations.

The proposal on migration has been on the shelf since Igads formation in 1986.

In his opening remarks on Monday, Maliim explained that Igad had priority issues such as famine, drought and conflicts to handle before migration concerns.

In 2015, Igad flagged off an initiative in which officials from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Sudan and Somalia agreed a regional policy on exchanging information and data on the use of trans-boundary water resources.

For example, using the available international water law and treaties, Igad hopes to amicably end tensions between its member states and Egypt on the use of River Nile waters.

The regional body has also set up early warning systems to detect floods, drought resilience and sustainability programmes to help vulnerable communities.



mugalu@observer.ug
Saudi authorities have rejected Ugandas appointment of Dr Ahmed Kisuule as the new ambassador at Ugandas mission in Riyadh.

Kisuule, a Saudi-trained Muslim cleric, had served as ambassador to Iran for 12 years. In January, President Museveni transferred him to Saudi Arabia.

Kisuule was to swap roles with Dr Yahya Rashid Ssemuddu, who was moved to Tehran, according to the January 27 appointments.

Ssemuddu is said to have consulted some of his friends, who advised him not to accept the transfer because a posting to Iran could affect his future prospects in Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador Dr Ahmed Kisuule (L) has been rejected by Saudi Arabia

Ssemuddu is also a Saudi-trained Muslim cleric, having joined as an undergraduate student through to his doctoral studies, which brought him closer to the Saudi Arabian royal family.

He reportedly used Musevenis visit to Qatar in April to lobby him to cancel the transfer to Iran. It is not clear whether he succeeded in convincing the appointing authority. However, he is currently in Saudi Arabia attending to Ugandan pilgrims to this years Hajj (annual Islamic pilgrimage).

Not aware of the developments, Kisuule in July flew to Riyadh, his supposed new workstation, but was turned away by the Saudis. The Saudi Arabian government went ahead to communicate to Ugandas ministry of Foreign Affairs their rejection of the new envoy.

Interviewed yesterday, the head of public relations and diplomacy at the foreign affairs ministry, Margaret Kafeero, said, I dont know anything about it.

But Kisuule himself confirmed that the Saudis had verbally told him that they were not willing to work with him.

They verbally rejected me on grounds that I had worked in Iran for so long and that I had done so many things for the Iranians, Kisuule said.

In Tehran, Kisuule was the dean of African ambassadors to Iran and was the main architect in designing the strategic plan for Iran-Africa cooperation, under which the Iranian government agreed to fund the construction of the police hospital at Naguru.

I was in Tehran on official duty as a Ugandan diplomat and I did what I did [while there] as an ambassador, not as an individual, because my duty was to promote cooperation and diplomatic relations between Uganda and Iran, Kisuule said.

DIPLOMATIC BLUNDER?

Iran and Saudi Arabia have a long history of poor diplomatic relations, which has torn countries in the Middle East to either side of the two competitors for supremacy in the Arabian peninsula.

Their bad relations stem from their religious difference, with Iran being the seat of the mainstream Shia Islam while Saudi Arabia is majorly a Sunni-Muslim country.

While Kisuule was in Iran as a Ugandan diplomat, the Saudis could not trust a man who has been working with their arch-rivals. This, according to some within the Ugandan Muslim circles, was a diplomatic blunder that President Museveni failed to recognise.

While his colleagues that were posted to the various foreign missions took office at the beginning of this month, Kisuule is back to Kampala to wait for new communication from the ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I was transferred and I officially bid farewell to the Iranian government. They even organised parties for me. So, how do I go back? I go back and tell them that what? I will wait for what the ministry will tell me, Kisuule said.

According to sources, Saudi Arabia acted on information it gathered from various sources, including some unnamed Ugandans, who allegedly told the oil-rich nation that Kisuule had turned into a Shia Muslim.

To confirm their claims, the Ugandans sent video recordings of Kisuule at a public function where he suggested for the inclusion of Shia Muslims in the affairs of Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) for the sake of unity among Ugandan Muslims.

I have also heard that they [Ugandan informers] went as far quoting a scholarly argument in my book, Streamlining the Islamic law on burial, where I said that Uganda, as an independent state, should have independent interpretation of the Islamic law without necessarily depending on the interpretation of Saudi Arabia, but now where in that book do I criticise the Saudis? Kisuule said.

The Saudis were also told of an event in December 2015 when Kisuule, together with Sheikh Abdul Obeid Kamulegeya, the chairman of the Council of Eminent Sheikhs, hosted President Museveni at Naggalama in Kayunga district for the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a training institute for sheikhs.

At the event, Kisuule was photographed with the then Iranian ambassador to Uganda, Amir Hossein Nik Bin, which was used to claim that the institute is funded by Iran.

sadabkk@observer.ug
As the Uganda Cancer Institute celebrates 50 years of cancer care and research in Uganda with a joint International Conference on Cancer and Palliative Care from August 23 to 25 themed United against Cancer: Prevention to End of Life Care, it is important to discuss the multiple aspects of pain associated with cancer.

One of the major concerns and beliefs by patients and families suffering from cancer is that pain will definitely occur and will be untreated or will be poorly controlled, thus interfering with their quality of life.

Pain is recognised as an important symptom and indicator of poor quality of life. It is so common and feared that it is the main reason patients buy prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.

Furthermore, pain is a subjective, multidimensional symptom which, at its onset, is associated with the disease but as it persists, it deprives one of engaging in their daily activities.

On top of its physical characteristics, pain also has social, spiritual and psychological factors. Holistic assessment and attention to these factors is important to its treatment.

It is difficult to make plans or commitments, as one never knows when the pain will be so intense that they cannot function.

The effects of cancer pain extend beyond the patient, to the family, the social cycle and other relations.

In one study I did looking at working children of patients with cancer of the cervix for three months, more than 90 per cent reported missed financial commitments or incomplete projects; more than 75 per cent missed at least two social engagements; 40 per cent spent more than seven days from their families to visit or care for parents in pain, 20 per cent reported strained relationships and breakups and eight per cent lost their jobs.

To compound the problem, proper pain control is not usually achieved due to poor pain assessment, lack of knowledge of particular characteristics of painkillers, inconsistent pain-killers intake, over-the-counter pain medications, fear of use of strong pain medications and lack of individualised pain treatment.

Initiation of pain treatment early with the aim of timely control is an ultimate endeavor. The fear of addiction, dependence and tolerance to strong pain drugs is so common that some patients refuse to take these analgesics.

There is need to use a multi-pronged approach to actualise quality pain treatment. Practitioners knowledge on pain medications needs to be enhanced for proper prescription.

Patients and families need to be educated so that they comprehend pain as an association of the disease and also understand that pain can be managed effectively and efficiently with drugs and non-drug modalities.

Being proactive in educating patients about drug effects and the interventions to take when experiencing the same is an important assurance that the drugs are not dangerous. Internationally, access to pain medication including effective and efficient pain management and treatment is a human right that needs to be upheld.



Dr John Weru,

Palliative medicine specialist and leader,

Aga Khan University hospital.



Police standards unit doing a good job



I would like to commend polices Professional Standards Unit (PSU) for recommending to the police to kick out 60 unprofessional officers.

Over the last three months, at least 80 police officers have been arrested for cases ranging from extortion to robbery, concealing evidence and fraud. This is quite unfortunate because these are the people meant to protect and serve the nation.

Many people have lost trust in police due to the frustrations that come along with reporting a case to the police.

However, with the Professional Standards Unit, I am positive that the image of police will be improved among the public and also police officers will take their jobs more seriously.



Mariam Natasha,

Kampala.



Treat mentally ill people fairly



Human rights violations among people with mental illness were common occurrences in my village when I was growing up.

No one was expected to treat them as human beings. It was fun to throw stones at them and the older people around the village only warned us against provoking them because they could overpower us.

No one told us that they were human beings who deserved respect and dignity.

In 2012, as I walked along Kampala road, I saw my friend, a masters student at Makerere University, being forced onto a police pickup. He was taken to Butabika mental hospital against his will...he later told me he was normal but was administered with strong medicine that put him off the rails.

Our laws are very weak when it comes to rights of mentally-sick people. This has eased violation of their rights.

There is an urgent need for our members of parliament to enact laws that protect, promote and fulfill human rights of people with mental illness.



Anselm Ssebuguzi,

ssebu74@gmail.com.



Disaster looms at Arua hospital



There is disaster waiting to strike as the newly-constructed block accommodating hundreds of patients at Arua regional referral hospital has developed worrying cracks.

A number of patients and caretakers are now living in panic, with some avoiding the building. Mind you, this building has developed cracks after just one and half years since President Museveni inaugurated it.

The story of infrastructure breakdown in the country is rife. We have seen new bridges collapse across the country. That can possibly be attributed to the religious corruption that is wrecking the country everywhere with almost no solution.

For the pending disaster at the health facility in question, the powers that be need to step forward with a suitable solution before lives are lost.



Alamiga Muzamil,

Arua.



letters@observer.ug
After the successful August 14 nomination of Maj Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu, the candidate I support in the FDC presidential elections, I went to Arua and Gulu.

The trip to these two regional towns was to continue consulting and sensitizing the public about governments proposal to change Article 26 of the Constitution. Through this proposal, government wants to do away with a constitutional requirement for prior and prompt compensation before taking over of peoples land.

If you disagree on value, government will just throw any amount of money at court where you can find it if you like, as they immediately displace you and start using your land.

The public rally in Arua, which was unceremoniously dispersed by an afternoon downpour, was the 16th opposition MPs under the leadership of Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza have held.

The subsequent rallies in Gulu, Soroti and Mbale made them 19. We had planned for 22 sub-regional public rallies but there are more invitations.

We arrived in Arua at around 8pm and spent the next two hours hunting for hotel accommodation. Because of the war in South Sudan, non-governmental organizations have set camps in the town to receive refugees. These NGO fellows have booked all the available decent hotel rooms in Arua.

The hotel business is booming in that area. Checking on education institutions and health facilities forms part of our visits. We, therefore, visited Inde Junior Vocational School, about 62 kilometres from Arua town.

It is in a county called Madi-Okollo. This school admits primary seven graduates who are trained in carpentry, mechanics, brick aying, etc.

We reached at a time when about 160 remaining students had been sent away officially because the institute didnt have food to feed them.

I have said officially because one of the instructors said the staff and community are uncomfortable with a Langi director.

This instructor accused his boss of recruiting more Langi staff than the locals (Acholi). They had also gone without pay for two months.

As a result of all these, some staff members had carried away the institutes property in protest. As a result, students were sent home.

Nearly all the buildings at the school had cracks. It is as if the contractor never used cement at all. Constructing substandard structures is a feature of this government, but I had never seen something like this. Not surprising that students enrolment had reduced by more than half.

In Gulu, we visited the regional referral hospital which was constructed in 1933. The medical director showed us a building built in 1934 and it is still in good condition. There was another 1937 building and he said, with some painting, it will look like a new one.

I have a feeling the revolutionary will go away with all his makeshift structures. Maybe that is why he is in love with China.

They have taught him how to make disposable structures. Gulu regional referral hospital is supposed to be served with four senior consultants but, at the moment, it has zero. It is supposed to employ 14 consultants, but it has zero. And out of the required 14 medical officers (special grade), it has only four.

One other noticeable feature of both these towns was the many children walking to school barefoot. And these are schools within municipalities. I didnt need any report to gauge the poverty levels in these areas.

For me, these are the things that motivate me to continue fighting this regime. Can you imagine, as a country, on average we spend Shs 200 billion annually on treatment of VIPs who seek medical attention abroad. Just imagine if all that money was invested in regional referral hospitals annually!

This regimes agenda is to increase the populations vulnerability so it can exploit people with ease. And this vulnerability is written all over peoples faces in rural Uganda.

Those of us doing politics must be very careful. We may collectively be swept aside by a desperate population.



semugs@yahoo.com



The author is Kira Municipality MP and spokesperson of the FDC.
The National Beer Wholesalers Assn., which represents more than 3,000 independent beer distributors, has named Eric Bunning its director of federal affairs.

Bunning, who was senior legislative assistant in Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr's office, is in charge of outreach to the White House and Congress, as well as grassroots activities.

Amanda DeBard

Earlier this month, NBWA hired Amanda DeBard as communications director.

She worked as communications director for the Business Roundtable, and energy policy reporter at the Washington Times and EnergyGuardian.

DeBard also consulted for the National Assn of Manufacturers and Keybridge Communications.

NBWA says its goal is to promote safety and responsibility for legal-age drinkers via state-based regulation and distribution of alcohol.
We sat through a 2.5-hour movie called Lincoln in 2012 and read a host of ecstatic reviews. We couldnt help but recalling communications Prof. Jim Kuypers view that economic issues, including the Norths imposition of a 47% import tax, were the main drivers of the Civil War and not slavery.

Kuypers, previously with Dartmouth and now at Virginia Tech, said Lincoln was playing up to his Northern industrialist supporters, some of whom got rich supplying slaves to both the North and South. No Southern ships were involved in that trade.

The Revolutionary War, he notes, got started over a mere 3% tax on tea.

Jim Kuypers

No believer in black equality, Lincoln horse-traded to get the 13th Amendment passed abolishing slavery (except for those convicted of crimes). But when asked what should be done to the freed blacks he responded, deport them all.

The remark was made to Union General Benjamin Butler following the war.



A bid by the South to end slavery if the Union army withdrew had been rejected. Congress also offered to guarantee permanent slavery in the slave states if the South would return to the Union.

Below is a passage from The Institute for Historical Review:

Between late August and mid-October, 1858, Lincoln and Douglas travelled together around the states to confront each other in seven historic debates. On August 21, before a crowd of 10,000 at Ottawa, Lincoln declared: I have no purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so. I have no purpose to introduce political and social equality between the white and black races.

There is physical difference between the two which, in my judgment, will probably forever forbid their living together upon the footing of perfect equality, and inasmuch as it becomes a necessity that there must be a difference, I, as well as Judge Douglas, am in favor of the race to which I belong having the superior positionI will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races; I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people.

Mencken Raps Gettsyburg Address

Kuypers, reached by phone, had not seen Lincoln yet but supplied a quote by iconoclast H.L. Mencken that threw cold water on the words of Lincolns Gettysburg Address that are featured at the start of the movie.

Calling it both the shortest and most famous oration in American history, Mencken praised its eloquence but said it was poetry, not logic, beauty, not sense. Lincoln praised the Union soldiers who died at Gettysburg for supporting a government of the people, by the people, for the people but the Union soldiers actually fought against self-determination, says Mencken.

It was the Confederates who fought for the right of their people to govern themselves, he wrote. His description of the Address was that It is difficult to imagine anything more untrue.

Alabama State Senator Davidson Quoted

Kuypers 2002 book, Press Bias and Politics, How the Media Frame Controversial Issues, covers the attacks that Alabama State Senator Charles Davidson came under in 1996 when he wrote that economics and political self-determination were the causes of the War that cost 600,000 lives rather than slavery and that the Confederate flag symbolized states rights rather than slavery.

Northern states wanted high taxes on imports to block competition from England and France which were trading manufactured products for the Souths cotton.

According to Davidson, all Southerners fought in the war including whites, blacks, Indians, rich, poor and members of all religions.

Economic aspects of the Civil War are unmentioned in the movie with most of the focus on the deals Lincoln made to get the 13th Amendment passed.

Enforcement of Amendment Was Weak

The Free Legal Dictionary by Farlex says enforcement of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, dealing with individual rights, was weak.

For many decades, however, the goals of the Civil War Amendments were frustrated. Due perhaps to the waning public support for postwar Reconstruction and the nation's lack of sensitivity to individual rights, the U.S. Supreme Court severely curtailed the application of the amendments. The Supreme Court thwarted the amendments in two ways: by restrictively interpreting the substantive provisions of the amendments and by rigidly confining Congress's enforcement power.
Hagir Elawad

Hagir Elawad, longtime director of legislative affairs to the United Arab Emirates embassy in Washington D.C., has gone solo, registering as a lobbyist with the Justice Department in August. Shell now provide outside consulting and advisory services on the embassys behalf, as well as legislative and other U.S. government outreach.

Elawad, who held the legislative affairs director post since 2008, will serve as the embassys lead congressional liaison to Congress and will also lead outreach coordination with other embassy-appointed consultants and firms, according to Foreign Agents Registration Acts documents filed in August.

The agreement, which brings Elawad $25,000 per month, officially begins on September 1 and will be renewed annually. Elawad reports to UAE ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba.

The UAE had held a years-long lobby contract with The Harbour Group, which included developing PR materials for its D.C. embassy. Other firms to sign lobbying pacts with the Persian Gulf nation in recent years include Kemp Goldberg Partners, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and DLA Piper.
Agricultural News

Activists Boldly Upfront About Their True Goals for Animal Agriculture, "We're Not Here to Negotiate"







One goal was made very clear by activists during their annual meeting held in Virginia just recently - to end all forms of animal agriculture regardless of how well animals are cared for. Hannah Thompson Weeman of the Animal Agriculture Alliance spoke with Ron Hays, farm director of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, about how these activists have strategized to accomplish their mission of eliminating farms of all sizes.





"At the end of the day, they want to end all forms of using animals and all forms of animal agriculture," Hannah said, explaining their strategy to first target 'factory farms,' a term they themselves coined to cast a negative light on larger production operations. "They think they are going to get further if they start with large-scale, modern, efficient production systems which is that idea of factory farming."





However, a speaker at this year's conference was quoted saying that activists need to stop saying it's factory farming that is the problem. He says, that gives people the idea that there are alternative animal agriculture operations that are acceptable. According to Hannah, activists have made it clear, they are not here to negotiate. Simply put, they continue to advance their agenda, choosing one target at a time - moving the goal post a little further each time. And apparently, these groups, that were once fragmented doing their own individual things, have now began to cooperate.





"Over the past several years, they've really all come together and put pressure on companies for the same thing," Hannah said. "That's something we're all very aware, that that's their end goal - that's what they're working for."





Listen to Hannah explain to Hays, the long-term strategy of activists and how she suggests the agriculture community should respond to the mounting threat they present to the industry, on today's Beef Buzz.





The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.



















Listen to Hannah explain to Hays, the long-term strategy of animal rights activists to end animal farming

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Top Agricultural News
The State of Iowa submitted its official request to change the rules for individual health insurance next year in an effort to keep middle-income Iowans buying health plans one more year.

Keeping those people from dropping their insurance is vital to making plans available to lower-income people who receive federal subsidies, Iowa Insurance Director Doug Ommen said Tuesday.

The prices have gotten so shocky that there will be people who will make those choices, Ommen said during a conference call.

Iowas stopgap measure is up for approval by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, designed to be in effect when enrollment for 2018 starts on Nov. 1. Federal officials have not said when they would act on the request.

The stopgap measure would guarantee coverage and include the ACAs essential health benefits. Consumers would buy a standard health plan with available subsidies directly from insurance companies instead of through the ACA exchange.

The plan also would set up a reinsurance program for large health claims so that more companies would be willing to sell health plans in the state.

Ommen said 72,000 Iowans get their health plans through the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Of those, 28,000 pay for their coverage, and the rest qualify for federal subsidies that reduce their monthly premiums substantially.

Without the changes, he said, between 18,000 and 22,000 people who pay for the insurance will decide to drop it next year, according to an independent study of the plan. People with serious illnesses would be more likely to buy coverage, Ommen said.

The stopgap measure, Ommen said, makes it affordable at a time when the Affordable Care Act has made it largely unaffordable for most people in the middle class.

Without it, he said, insurance companies also would be unwilling to come back into the Iowa market.

So far, only Medica Health of Minnetonka, Minnesota, plans to offer the ACA plans in Iowa next year, at monthly premiums 57 percent higher than it is charging this year.

People who qualify for subsidies would pay about the same, but people who have moderate incomes and pay their own premiums would bear the entire brunt of the increases, Ommen said. For example, a 55-year-old couple with an income of $65,000 a year would face annual premiums of $33,000.

Ommen said his office is talking with multiple carriers about offering coverage in 2018 if the stopgap measure is approved.

Nebraska has not applied for a waiver from the ACA rules. The plans discussed Tuesday by Ommen do not affect Iowans insured through their employers, government-sponsored plans such as Medicare or individual plans that have been grandfathered in since the ACA took effect.

The stopgap measure would not help Iowas health plans in 2019, he said, so Congress needs to act to stabilize the health insurance markets.

As for Iowa next year, he said, without the changes, it cant work.
If you havent already, dont chuck your eclipse glasses.

Organizations around the Omaha area  and around the country  are gathering up spare and undamaged glasses for the next astronomical spectacles in 2019. Your donated glasses could travel around the world.

Astronomers Without Borders has put out a call to organizations from Oregon to South Carolina to gather donated glasses. The organization plans to redistribute them to people in South America for the July 2, 2019, total solar eclipse and in Asia for the Dec. 26, 2019, annular eclipse.

According to NASA, eclipse glasses that are up to the current standard last indefinitely if the filters arent scratched, punctured or torn. If you plan on traveling for the next American eclipse in 2024 and have a safe place to store the glasses, hang onto them. Otherwise, there are several places in town that have started up a collection.

Bellevues Fontenelle Forest is accepting donated glasses in person or via mail at 1111 Bellevue Blvd. North. The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District is accepting them, too. Drop off or send glasses to 8901 S. 154th St. in Omaha.

Optometrist Kristin Reed at ModernEyes Eyecare & Eyewear has also started a collection in person at 19060 Q St., Suite 107.
HASTINGS, Neb.  Sometimes in the tumult and the strife of 2017, it seems highly advisable to close Twitter, shove your iPhone deep into your pocket, take a deep breath and allow a smiling volunteer to pour you an ice-cold mug of Kool-Aid.

That is what I did on a recent Saturday, at the only known place in the world where you could choose between 20 different flavors of Kool-Aid and then settle in to watch a pair of uber-committed pre-teens readying to do battle in a Kool-Aid chugging contest.

My favorite flavor is either black cherry or cherry, says Taidyn Johnson, defending champion chugger in the 7-to-11-year-old division. I usually have two pitchers in the fridge.

Orange, says top challenger JazLynn Cranford. I like it even better than Dr Pepper.

In a state filled with summer festivals, Hastings might have the most nostalgic, the most escapist, the most innocent. Its called Kool-Aid Days and, as the name suggests, it is centered on that sticky, sugary drink that so many associate with running through sprinklers and catching fireflies and building shoddily constructed forts. When you sip it in adulthood, you can sense the endless summer days of yesteryear.

It tastes like childhood.

Kind of like riding a bike, says John Rodriguez, who drove from nearby Grand Island with his two children to wander around Kool-Aid Days on the second day of the three-day August festival. You remember how.

And there are oh-so-many ways to remember how at Kool-Aid Days. Wander around the grounds of Central Community College just east of town and you will find a gigantic all-you-can-drink Kool-Aid stand that features the original flavors as well as a bunch of others, like pina pineapple and mango and jamaica, which tastes faintly like hibiscus. You will bump into a range of Kool-Aid merchandise: Kool-Aid T-shirts; Kool-Aid fidget spinners; Kool-Aid lip balm.

You will happen across a dizzying array of contests, one in which they build boats out of Kool-Aid boxes and bottles, another where they choose the cutest Kool-Aid baby, and another where young women compete to become Miss Kool-Aid Days.

And of course you will bump into the Kool-Aid Man, he who loves Kool-Aid so much that he busts through brick walls and yells, Ohhhhh yeahhhhh.

We want grandparents and parents and kids all coming together to talk about their past and their experiences with Kool-Aid and just have fun, says Pam Bohmfalk, president of the Kool-Aid Days board. Its Kool-Aid! Were all about the fun.

Hastings hosts Kool-Aid Days for a simple reason: Kool-Aid was born in Hastings. In 1927, a young entrepreneur named Edwin Perkins was searching for his next big thing. Perkins had already developed some popular mail-order products, including Nix-o-Time Tobacco Remedy, which purported to end a smokers urge to light up by having him or her gargle with a silver nitrate mouthwash and also ingest a powerful herbal laxative. (It seems likely to have ended both the urge to smoke and the urge to live.)

But Perkins was focused on another of his products, a sugar drink called Fruit Smack. He spent months working on a way to dehydrate the drink so he could put it into packets and easily ship it around post-World War I America.

When he succeeded, he added instructions to the packet  just add sugar and water  and gave it a name. Kool-Ade.

It became Kool-Aid. It eventually made the Perkins family very, very rich. And for the next nine decades, right up to present day, children have gulped it down their gullets and stained their tongues and cheeks.

I ask one of John Rodriguezs children, Javier, if he likes Kool-Aid. His eyes widen in disbelief at my idiocy.

Have you tasted it? he asks.

I have. I have walked around all Saturday at Kool-Aid Days, drinking Kool-Aid until jittery, then switching to sugar-free Kool-Aid and drinking some more. And now I take my sixth (eighth? 12th?) cup of Kool-Aid over to the main stage, where the event everyone has been waiting for, the finals of the Kwickest Kool-Aid Drinking Contest, is about to begin.

As I do, I sneak a glance at my iPhone and learn that a neo-Nazi has driven a car into a crowd of counterprotesters in Virginia, injuring 19 people and killing a woman later identified as 32-year-old Heather Heyer.

I feel nauseous, and not from the mango flavor. It feels disorienting, to sit inside this cocoon of an event and be reminded that the cocoon is an illusion, that the hatred and violence existing in the real world will find you anywhere  must be dealt with anywhere  even at Kool-Aid Days.

But, maybe because I dont know what else to do, I put my iPhone away for a moment and focus on JazLynn Cranford and Taidyn Johnson. These grade schoolers have been eyeballing each other since this morning, when they qualified first and second during the preliminary heat of the chugging contest. (Yes, this contest is so popular that there are qualifying heats.) They are both from Hastings. They both say that they can drink Kool-Aid so quickly because they love Kool-Aid. In this moment, the most important thing in both JazLynn and Taidyns world is out-chugging the other.

They poise their little hands in front of their cups. They tense as the master of ceremonies and the crowd count, 1! ... 2! ... 3! ... OOOOOH YEAHHHH! Then they chug as fast as they can, taking care not to let the Kool-Aid spill down their shirts and onto the table  they have been warned that massive Kool-Aid spilling leads to disqualification. One second passes, two, three as the crowd noise builds, as we realize that this Kwickest drinking contest is very, very close.

They slam down their cups simultaneously, and stare at the two judges in front of them who are checking their stopwatches.

One judge has Taidyn at 6.43 seconds. The other has JazLynn at 6.47 seconds. By the tiniest hair on the Kool-Aid Mans chin, Taidyn has won for the second year in a row.

It doesnt appear to matter much to either competitor. They smile and accept their prizes of gift cards, and wander into the crowd to find their parents.

I thought I maybe won, but thats OK, says JazLynn. I had confidence.

I will probably buy some Legos, with my gift cards, announces Taidyn. It was fun!

Pam climbs up onto the stage to congratulate all the winners. Then she says this.

In our country right now we really need things like Kool-Aid, she says. We need Kool-Aid more than ever.

Its a sentiment every bit as sugary as the drink. And yet, in the moment, I find myself nodding my head.

* * *

Food critic Sarah Baker Hansen is from Omaha. Columnist Matthew Hansen grew up in Red Cloud. As a married couple, they travel Nebraska to share with each other little-known people, unexpected stops and memorable foods. Come along and discover more of what the state has to offer in "The Better Half," an occasional series prepared with support from the Nebraska Community Foundation.
A financially troubled U.S. utility rejects Warren Buffetts billions, takes a higher bid and pays a $1.16 billion breakup fee to Berkshire Hathaway, which goes looking for other purchases.

That was 2008, when Berkshires $4.7 billion offer for Constellation Energy of Baltimore lost out to a bid nearly twice as high by Electricite de France.

In recent days, Berkshires $9 billion offer for Texas power network Oncor Electric Delivery Co. lost out to a bid of $9.45 billion by Sempra Energy, possibly triggering a $270 million breakup fee for Berkshire.

What happened after the Constellation deal collapsed?

Over the next seven years, Berkshire made four of its biggest purchases, a $90 billion buying spree that landed BNSF Railway, Lubrizol, Precision Castparts and part of Kraft Heinz.

Its anyones guess whether Buffett, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire, can repeat that string of purchases, although he has even more cash  about $100 billion  to finance his choices.

The Oncor failure was disappointing, said Greg Abel, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, in a press release.

Texas is a great state for business, and we look forward to future opportunities to invest, Abel said.

Growing by acquiring is part of Berkshires value on the stock market, said Cathy Seifert, an analyst with CFRA Research in New York City, adding that growth from its existing businesses has been fairly mediocre.

If you have acquisitions as part of your strategy ... and you are failing to close a deal, I think theres a relevant discussion that can be had about the success of the strategy, Seifert said. It calls into question whether or not the Berkshire model of this sort of expressing interest and sitting back is going to work in this environment when we have so many other entities in the fray.

Buffetts practice has been to make his best purchase offers and not to take part in auctions. In this case, Berkshire declined to raise its offer for Oncor after Sempras higher bid became public.

I think its appropriate for investors to question the execution of the strategy, given what happened, Seifert said.

The failure to acquire Oncor also raises questions about Abels position as a potential successor to Buffett as Berkshires top executive, Seifert said.

People are going to be talking about how much of an issue this is for Greg Abel as far as the succession horse race is going, she said, whether or not the failure to close this deal is going to be much of a reflection on him.

She said its not clear whether Abel had Berkshires final say on Oncor or the decision on the price was by Buffett, who didnt comment for this story.

Nevertheless, she said, Berkshire probably has a steady flow of acquisition proposals to review, although hedge funds and other buyers are increasingly competitive when looking for good deals.

At the end of the day, there still remains a fairly conservative acquisition strategy that they would probably characterize as prudent, that theyre not going to change, Seifert said.

Another longtime Buffett observer, former Omaha stock broker and college instructor George Morgan, said losing the Oncor acquisition means absolutely nothing to Berkshire.

Theres more fish to fry out there, and Im sure thats what hes thinking, Morgan said. He can buy an awful lot of things.

At Berkshire, he said, things are running relatively smoothly. At his age (86), he doesnt have to get excited one way or the other.

Financial credit ratings firm Fitch Ratings, in fact, praised BH Energys disciplined approach to buying energy companies, saying it has been assembling a diverse group of large, relatively low-risk utilities while avoiding major acquisitions in higher-risk segments of the energy food chain.

Fitch cited PacifiCorp, NV Energy and AltaLink as important energy purchases since 2007 and said it expects such acquisitions to continue.

Standard & Poors rating firm gave BH Energys A-1 credit rating a slight boost  from negative to stable, saying the acquisition would have modestly weakened its finances.

With the Oncor acquisition out of the picture, S&P said, BH Energys management will continue to focus on its core utility operations and take other steps to support its business.

The Omaha World-Herald is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
LINCOLN  The Nebraska Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of an Omaha woman for allowing a 4-year-old girl to essentially freeze to death.

Chelsey Cook, serving a 20- to 25-year prison sentence for intentional child abuse resulting in death, said that the evidence failed to support her conviction and that she was deprived of effective legal representation. In an opinion released Tuesday, the appeals court rejected those arguments.

A three-judge panel affirmed the verdict of Douglas County District Judge Gregory Schatz, who convicted Cook in the Jan. 3, 2016, death of Alicia Morrow. The girl died from hypothermia after she was kept naked and unfed for at least six hours in an unheated and unfurnished bedroom in a house at 3025 Franklin St.

Any rational finder of fact could have determined that Cook intentionally deprived Alicia of necessary clothing, shelter, or care, which resulted in her death, Chief Judge Frankie Moore wrote in an unanimous opinion.

In 2014, the childs mother had relinquished parental rights to Cook, who told acquaintances that Alicia was her daughter.

Cook testified that she and the girl had gotten into a disagreement on Jan. 2 and the girl had retreated to a bedroom.

Cook left her there, unclothed except for socks, until she checked on her at nearly 1 a.m., finding her cold to the touch and nearly unresponsive.

She also noted that the houses furnace had stopped working. Officers said the temperature inside was close to the outdoor temperature of 35 degrees.

Alicias body was found Jan. 5 by Cooks relatives.
A former Omaha gymnastics club employee whom authorities accuse of covertly videotaping a student as she changed clothes has been extradited to Douglas County.

James Fogg, 27, has been charged with visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct.

Fogg was arrested on July 13 at his home in Emporia, Kansas. He was booked on Monday at the Douglas County Jail.

A woman with whom Fogg was involved in a relationship reported to police on July 6 that Fogg had captured the images of the student, a 14-year-old girl. He also videotaped a now-22-year-old woman without her knowledge, the former girlfriend told police.

The images were taken at Premier Gymnastics, near 108th and Fort Streets, according to a police report.

The woman who reported the images said they were on an iPad.
LINCOLN  A Tecumseh State Prison inmate appeared in court Wednesday where he was formally charged with first-degree murder in connection with a fellow inmates death during a violent melee last winter.

Authorities said Eric L. Ramos, 26, killed Michael J. Galindo, who died March 2 after inhaling smoke from combustion products placed inside a housing unit, the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office said. Contributing factors were multiple sharp and blunt force injuries.

Galindo, 31, of Scottsbluff and another inmate were found dead at the Tecumseh prison after about 40 inmates took control of a housing unit for about 3 hours.

Galindo was serving time for an armed robbery and forgery. Ramos is serving a sentence of nine to 10 years for domestic assault, possession of a firearm by a felon and other offenses out of Gage County.

Ramos also was charged Wednesday with first-degree assault, two counts of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and one count of tampering with physical evidence.

He appeared briefly in Johnson County Court. He did not enter a plea. Nebraska City attorney Tim Nelsen was appointed to defend him.

Prosecutors are weighing whether to seek the death penalty, said Suzanne Gage, spokeswoman for the Attorney Generals Office.

The other inmate who died during the disturbance, Damon E. Fitzgerald, 39, of Omaha, was slain separately, authorities have said.
Many Douglas County homeowners can expect their property valuations to rise once again in 2018, suggests a report given to the Douglas County Board on Tuesday.

The heads-up came in Douglas County Assessor Diane Battiatos three-year plan of assessment. Shes required to file such a plan each year.

The plan she submitted Tuesday addresses, in part, how the Assessors Office intends to meet the Nebraska statutory requirement that the county value property for tax purposes at 92 to 100 percent of market value.

Valuations for many homes went up in 2017, some by large amounts. But Battiato, responding to complaints from taxpayers and the County Board, lowered the proposed valuations earlier this year so that the county just barely cleared the states low bar. It hit 93 percent of market value countywide.

In some parts of the county, the percentage was lower than that.

That means that if sales prices increase a modest 4 percent in most areas of the county, residential valuations would be approximately 89 percent, well below market value and well beyond the acceptable range, the report says.

To determine property valuations for tax purposes, the Assessors Office uses sale prices for the preceding two years. Sales since Oct. 1, 2015, are so far showing a declining ratio of assessed valuations to sales prices, the report says.

Currently, those ratios, both countywide and in the majority of residential market areas, are on track to be below the state equalization standard, the report said.

The Assessors Office plans a number of measures to try to meet the state standard in 2018.

One is to create more market areas in which to group homes for valuation purposes based on the sales in those areas. Currently the county has six such areas. It will switch to 17 market areas for 2018.

That should help identify market trends more precisely.

The new areas will roughly track high school attendance boundaries.

The idea is to make the areas smaller and more homogeneous, said Mike Goodwillie, the Assessors Office compliance officer.

Were trying to group like with like as much as we can, he said.

The Assessors Office also plans to develop different market models for different market areas to try to reflect the behaviors of buyers and sellers in different parts of the county, the report says.
TOKYO (AP)  The U.S. Navy has announced that the commander of its 7th Fleet has been dismissed due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.

U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Scott Swift relieved Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin of his command Wednesday.

The Navy said that Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer, who had already been named to succeed Aucoin earlier, will assume command immediately.

Earlier in the day, U.S. officials confirmed that the commander of the 7th Fleet would be removed after a series of warship accidents in the Pacific.

The move follows two fatal collisions involving Navy ships. Seven sailors died in June after the USS Fitzgerald collided with a ship off Japan. The USS John S. McCain and a tanker collided Monday off Singapore and the remains of some missing sailors have been found.

Copyright 2017, the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
PHOENIX  President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to shut down the government over border wall funding, said the North American Free Trade Agreement is likely to be terminated and signaled that he was prepared to pardon former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Trump's freewheeling comments came during a boisterous campaign rally here during which he also went on an extended diatribe about the media, blaming reporters for the negative fallout he has received over his responses to the hate-fueled violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Arpaio was convicted last month of criminal contempt for ignoring a federal judge's order to stop detaining people because he merely suspected them of being undocumented immigrants. A major Trump supporter during last year's campaign, he awaits sentencing.

"So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?" Trump asked the crowd. "You know what, I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine, OK? But I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe should feel good."

Trump last week told Fox News that he was "seriously considering" a pardon for Arpaio and said he might do it soon, sparking speculation he would use Tuesday's campaign here to make the move.

In a speech that stretched well over an hour, Trump also expressed frustration with efforts to negotiate with Canada and Mexico to improve NAFTA, saying he was more likely to terminate the deal. He also blamed "obstructionist Democrats" for standing in the way of funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall and suggesting a government shutdown might be needed to force their hand. And Trump called for ending the filibuster rule requiring 60 votes for many issues in the U.S. Senate, a move that Republican leaders have refused to embrace.

At the outset of the rally, Trump selectively recounted the series of statements he made in the days following the melee in Charlottesville, arguing that he "spoke out forcefully against hatred and bigotry and violence" but that the media  whom he called "sick people"  refused to report it properly.

"You know where my heart is," Trump said, before pulling a copy of his first of three statements on the violence out of his suit coat and reading it his audience. He later accused the media of giving a platform to the hate groups that were central to the violence in Charlottesville that led to three deaths.

Following his comments last week, Trump was criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike for blaming "both sides" for the violence and saying that "fine people" had marched along with white supremacists to protest the removal of a Confederate statue. He did not mention either of those remarks Tuesday.

The rally, organized by Trump's reelection campaign, came as the president continues to face criticism for his response to Charlottesville and feuds with fellow Republicans in Congress whose cooperation he will need to kick-start his sputtering legislative agenda next month.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, had urged Trump to not come to his city this week, saying that it was too tense of a time in the wake of the deadly Charlottesville clash between white nationalists and counterprotesters and that Trump could be setting the stage for more violent strife here. He also said that a pardon of Arpaio could make the situation even more dire.

Inside a partially filled Phoenix Convention Center, Trump was given a hero's welcome from supporters who chanted "USA! USA! USA!" and waved signs reading "Drain the Swamp," "Make America Strong Again" and "Make America Proud Again."

"You were there from the start, you've been there every day since, and believe me Arizona, I will never forget it," Trump said at the start of his remarks, referencing a large crowd he drew at the site early in his campaign. His crowd Tuesday night numbered in the thousands but did not completely fill the hall at the convention center.

Trump spoke after Vice President Mike Pence and other speakers at the rally called repeatedly for unity.

Housing Secretary Ben Carson discussed his experiences growing up with racism. He said that every time the U.S. has encountered bigotry and division, the country has left those ideologies in the rearview window.

He said, Our differences are nothing compared to our shared humanity and the values that unite us.

A black man seated right behind the presidents podium wore a shirt that read, Trump & Republicans are not racist.

Before his arrival, Trump traveled to Yuma, Arizona, where he received a closed briefing on border protection  something he touts as being among his administration's successes  and greeted Marines and their families, signing a couple of autographs on camouflage hats.

There was a heavy police presence in downtown Phoenix, with law enforcement seeking to maintain civility between Trump supporters and detractors. Authorities used tear gas to disperse protesters after the rally ended.

About an hour before Trump was scheduled to arrive, hundreds of protesters gathered across the street, shouting, "This is what democracy looks like!" Metal barricades divided them from the red-capped people streaming into the rally, some grinning and waving.

A police officer wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest could not say how many people had come to demonstrate against the president's visit. "A lot," he offered.

Uzma Jafri, a 40-year-old doctor from Phoenix, walked through the crowds of Trump supporters and protesters with a backpack of medical supplies. She said she came here to quickly treat anyone if violence broke out.

"My ethical background, and my moral background, is to assist anyone who needs it  regardless of if they hate me," said Jafri, who poured a bottle of water over her black hijab in the 107-degree heat.

Brian Ratchford came to the event armed with a .357-caliber gun to defend Trump supporters if things got out of hand.

"He's an American for Americans," said Ratchford, 47, of Tucson. What Trump said after Charlottesville "was perfect  people on both sides were causing the problems," said Ratchford, who had been outside the convention center since 10 a.m.

At his visit to the Marine base in Yuma, a hub of operations for the U.S. Border Patrol, Trump inspected equipment used on the border, including a drone, helicopter and boat, which were on display in a hangar at the base. At one point, Trump was spotted patting the side of the drone.

After the tour, Trump spent about 20 minutes greeting service members in the 106-degree heat, signing caps with his Make America Great Again campaign slogan and posing for selfies on the tarmac just steps from Air Force One. He made no formal remarks.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.
LINCOLN  Nebraskas effort to reduce prison overcrowding via justice reinvestment has fallen far short of projections, and state officials said Tuesday that the policy needs tweaks and more studies.

However, Gov. Pete Ricketts rejected a suggestion from a probable challenger to him in the 2018 elections that the state continue meeting with a national prison reform council.

At Tuesdays final meeting between Nebraska officials and the Justice Center of the Council of State Governments, Ricketts took issue with suggestions by State Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha, who said more work needs to be done on prison changes, particularly in strategies to keep the mentally ill out of prison and jail. Krist also said it was essential that the 24-member justice reinvestment council not be disbanded after Tuesdays meeting, because it has driven the reforms.

Ricketts disagreed, saying hell continue to meet regularly with the chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court and speaker of the Nebraska Legislature to keep on top of reform efforts. He added that some members of the council, namely a subcommittee of corrections, parole and probation officials, will continue to work on reforms.

And with that, the three-year collaboration between the state and the council came to an end.

Adding more cooks to the kitchen is not the solution, the governor said. We need to let the people who do the work do the work.

In 2014, the Justice Center of the Council of State Governments worked with state leaders to craft reforms aimed at creating alternatives to expensive prison stays.

The states inmate population has fallen by only 142 since the reforms took effect two years ago, 779 short of projections.

Sara Friedman of the Justice Center said there were several reasons for that, including that felony arrests have risen much faster than projected and that some of the reforms took longer than expected to enact.

More definitely needs to be done, Friedman said.

Douglas and Sarpy County officials said the reforms, which diverted low-level offenders to county jails rather than prison, have overwhelmed their jails.

Many are offenders with mental illnesses and substance abuse problems that, if properly treated or managed, might have stayed out of jail, they said.

As a result, the Douglas County Jail is the largest mental health facility in the state, said Douglas County Public Defender Tom Riley, and we dont know what to do with them.

All we do is talk about it, but there doesnt seem to be the political will to get something done, Riley said.
LINCOLN  Seward residents were told Wednesday afternoon that city tap water was safe to drink again, four days after they were told it was unsafe.

Test results Wednesday afternoon from the State of Nebraska gave the water a clean bill of health, Seward City Administrator Greg Butcher said.

Butcher said Seward residents should run cold water through their taps until they get a cool, consistent temperature to force air out of the lines.

Tap water was not drinkable, and initially not available, after a 14-inch water main broke Sunday.

Thats a pretty large water main, Butcher said.

Sunday night, the City of Seward Water Department found the break in the citys water system near the Big Blue River and Nebraska Highway 15, hours after the warning was issued.

The cause of the water main break is unknown at this point, Butcher said, but an analysis will begin soon.

The Big Blue River started flooding Friday and crested Monday, Butcher said, and city officials believe the water main was under the floodwater at the time that it broke.

Boiling would not have made water safe to drink, officials said, but the water was used for bathing, laundry and other non-consumption activities. However, Seward residents were asked to limit water usage to maintain pressure in the water system.

After the break, the community responded well, Butcher said. Sams Club in Lincoln donated a large amount of water to the city. Butcher also said the city coordinated with Pac-N-Save, a local grocery store, and Wal-Mart. The Nebraska National Guard delivered a 400-gallon trailer tank of water called a water buffalo Monday morning where residents could fill containers for free. The water buffalo ran out of water overnight Tuesday night.

Seward had a good number of additional people in town, including 3,000 at Concordia University, for the total solar eclipse on Monday, Butcher said, increasing the demand for water. Seward was in the path of totality.

We made sure we had bottled water at all the (eclipse viewing) sites and we worked all through the night to make sure we got the system up and running so that we had toilets and everything like that available for people when they got into town, Butcher said. They may not have noticed much, but I know the residents here knew what was going on. I think our visitors kind of went off without a hitch.

Water was back on for the majority of the city early Monday morning, Butcher said. It was completely restored Tuesday at 9 p.m.

Classes were not canceled at Concordia University or the Seward Public Schools.

Really, things went on business as usual, Seward High School Principal Scott Axt said.

Schools turned off drinking fountains and encouraged students to bring their own water bottles. Bottled water and water coolers were made available for students at the schools and for athletes at practices.

Were very proud of our city crews and workers, especially our water department crew, Butcher said. Theyve worked a lot of hours to get everything back up and running and to go around and take test samples and do everything else. They were working down in deep trenches and under a lot of stress for a long time. Were very proud of the work that they did and were also very proud of the support that we got from the Seward residents and citizens and their outpouring of support.
The total solar eclipse has come and gone, as have the crowds  from home, across the country and across the world  who flocked to Nebraska to see the natural wonder. Crowds gathered Monday in fields, at parks, outside schools and even on downtown streets to be part of this happening. Mother Nature added to the drama by providing cloud cover in parts of the state  which in some areas parted just in time for the grand event. This rare phenomenon wont return to Nebraska until 2106. It was a refreshing respite in a tumultuous year.
50 children hospitalised after Ammonia gas cylinder explodes in Madhya Pradesh

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

At least 50 children were hospitalised on Wednesday after ammonia gas cylinder exploded in a store in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara.

The incident took place in Chhindwara, 286 km away from Bhopal.

Ammonia gas cylinder exploded in a cold storage facility near Bharatiya Vidya Mandir school. Soon after the students and a teacher fell unconscious. Immediately they were taken out of the school.

Nearly 800 students were present on the school campus when the gas leaked from the adjoining cold storage, located on Narsingpur road, a senior official said told PTI.

Panic gripped the area as children started falling unconscious.

District Collector JK Jain, SDM Rajesh Shahi and Commissioner Itchit Gadhpale have reached the spot to take stock of the situation. District Collector J K Jain ordered an inquiry into the incident.

SP Gaurav Tiwari said teams of fire brigade and ambulances were rushed to the spot after the incident was reported. "The situation is now under control and we are are questioning the cold storage owner," he said.

OneIndia News
Delhi returns to old liquor policy from tomorrow: All you need to know

2,800 liquor shops in Karnataka to down shutters, HC rejects plea on highway denotification

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

It was the end of the road 2,800 liquor shops with the Karnataka High Court striking down a batch of petitions that sought for the de notification of highways passing through city limits.

M G Road and other central roads in Bengaluru fell under the classification of a highway and the Supreme Court had said that serving of liquor within 500 metres of a highway was barred.

With the Union transport ministry saying that none of these NH stretches qualified for 'deemed denotification' as per their policy, the High Court said that denotifying these stretches "would tantamount to permitting isolated discontinuities in NH corridors scattered over the NH network within the state; this would not serve the very objective of having NHs."

The court further said that it cannot interfere at this juncture. If there was no legal requirement for the state government to approach the Union of India in terms of the provisions of the National Highways Act, 1956, the State of Karnataka would not have so approached the Ministry of Transport of Union of India for this purpose.

As a result of this order 2,800 liquor shops will be impacted. The Excise Department of Karnataka says that the bar and pub owners will now have to relocate.

OneIndia News
Can I have the Covid-19 vaccine if I'm pregnant? Here's what govt says

Carried on makeshift stretcher, Maha tribal woman goes into labour on the way, loses her child

After eating Biryani laced with poison, woman loses unborn babies

India

oi-Madhuri

The Bengaluru police are on the lookout for a 26-year-old Syed Khaleem who reportedly fed his seven months pregnant wife a plate of biriyani laced with poison which lead to a miscarriage.

Ever since the incident took place, Syed has been absconding. Syed's wife Praveen Taj is said to be in state of shock.

Praveen and Syed has been married for almost 4 years now. They also have a four-year-old son. But the good days didn't last for long. Syed started harassing her for dowry and also abuse her physically at times. When she got pregnant for the second time Syed asked her to terminate the pregnancy for which Praveen denied.

One day, Syed brought her some biryani. Without suspecting his motive, Praveen ate that food after which she had severe stomachache. Praveen was immediately rushed to hospital but she lost her two unborn babies.

A case of attempt to murder (IPC 307), causing miscarriage without woman's consent (IPC 313) and subjecting woman to cruelty (IPC 498A) has been registered against Syed.

OneIndia News
After skipping Assam, Modi to conduct aerial survey of flood-hit Bihar, 2nd after Gujarat one

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Patna, August 23: As death toll in Bihar floods reached 341 on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to conduct an aerial survey of the affected areas of the state on August 26. Earlier, on July 25, Modi conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit Gujarat.

After his Gujarat aerial survey, the PM was widely criticised, mostly by the people and opposition political parties of Assam for skipping a visit to the state where floods have created havoc since June.

Thereafter, Modi went on a day-long visit to Assam on August 1. However, he did not conduct any aerial survey of the flood-hit areas and his visit was mostly dedicated to several meetings which he had with various chief ministers of the northeastern states to take stock of floods and landslides situations in the region.

During his Assam visit, Modi had announced a package of Rs 2,000 crore for rescue and rehabilitation of flood and landslide-affected people of the Northeast.

Deputy CM of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday announced about the PM's forthcoming aerial survey of the state, where 1.46 crore people had been affected by the deluge in 18 districts.

"PM coming on 26th Aug for aerial survey of flood affected dists of Bihar (sic)," Bihar's deputy CM said in a tweet.

Bihar's deputy CM added that he had made a request to the PM for a visit to Bihar during a meeting of CMs and deputy CMs of BJP-ruled states in Delhi on Monday. He said during the meeting all BJP-ruled states were asked to contribute to flood relief work in Bihar.

Modi's visit to the state is coming after almost a month when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) joined hands with CM Nitish Kumar to form a fresh government in the state.

After Nitish broke away from the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance)--formed during the 2015 Bihar Assembly elections by the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)--the CM's party is fighting internal wars over the issue of aligning with the saffron party.

On Tuesday, Nitish reached Purnea by road from Patna after a helicopter in which he had to travel developed some snag and inspected some flood relief camps.

The CM stayed in Purnea on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he visited Araria, Katihar and Kisanganj to take stock of flood situation in these places.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 12:42 [IST]
AIADMK dispute: OPS sits on Dy Oppn Leader's chair as EPS skips first day of TN Assembly Session

AIADMK crisis: Amid rebellion by 18 MLAs, Palanisamy calls for unity

India

oi-PTI

Amid a threat from 18 MLAs loyal to party deputy chief T T V Dhinakaran, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palanisamy on Wednesday said unity was the need of the hour to take the party forward.

Senior AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, however, dismissed any threat to the government in the wake of revolt by the 18 MLAs, who have expressed lack of confidence in Palanisamy's leadership.

He said the state government was strong and there was no division in the party.

On yet another day of hectic political developments in the state, Dhinakaran, nephew of jailed AIADMK chief V K Sasikala, sought to assert his authority by stripping four ministers of party posts while MLAs loyal to him continued to stay put in a resort in Puducherry.

DMK's ally Congress pitched for a floor test in the assembly, a day after the Dravidian party made a similar demand claiming 22 AIADMK MLAs had submitted letters to Governor Ch Vidayasagar Rao expressing lack of confidence in the chief minister.

In the 234-member assembly, the AIADMK has 134 MLAs. Sasikala's brother V Dinakaran, meanwhile, claimed the Palanisamy ministry had "lost majority" and sought his resignation.

"Such a government cannot continue. Palanisamy has to resign," he told reporters at Kumbakonam.

Thambidurai told reporters in Chennai that the "Tamil Nadu government under the leadership of Palanisamy is strong. There are no divisions," he added.

Palanisamy later made the comments on unity at a government function in Ariyalur where he shared the dais with his deputy O Panneerselvam for the first time after the merger of two AIADMK factions led by them.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of AIADMK founder and late chief minister M G Ramachandran, the two leaders heaped praises on him and late chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

Palaniswami said the recent merger of the two factions was done with the aim of fulfiling the dreams of Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa and expressed joy over today's meeting.

The chief minister, facing an attack from the Dhinakaran camp over the merger, stressed on unity to take the party and government forward.

"We should strengthen the party and the government like siblings. That unity is the offering (apparently meaning gratitude) we make to Amma (Jayalalithaa)," he said.

He also invoked the legacy of MGR and Jayalalithaa and said they had surmounted various challenges during their tenures and provided good governance, earning a place in the hearts of the people of the state.

"None can ever separate the present government and AIADMK from the people's hearts as long as it is guided by the spirit of the two great leaders and as long as spirit of Amma stood as a source of strength," he said.

Like Jayalalitha, he also narrated a short story of a godman making the residents of a village realise the value of unity.

"People will not accept those as leaders who had not done any public service. MGR (Ramachandran) won hearts by public service. Amma later gave shape to his ideas," he said.

In his address at the function, Panneerselvam said Jayalalithaa had turned the AIADMK into "an iron fortress which cannot be shaken by anyone".

The "sacrifices" of Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa should be kept in mind to ensure the well-being of the people of the state and its growth, he added.

A day after meeting the governor, the MLAs supporting the combative Dhinakaran, stayed put at a private resort in neighbouring Puducherry. They largely remained indoors.

A few of them, including Andipatti MLA Thangatamilselvan, went out for morning walk at the beach there.

Police personnel have been deployed outside the resort and media was not allowed to enter the premises.

The local wing of the unified AIADMK burned effigies of Dhinakaran, nephew of Sasikala, near the resort and raised slogans against them.

In a bid to assert his authority, Dhinakaran "relieved" four ministers -- RB Uthayakumar, KC Veeramani, MR Vijayabaskar and R Kamaraj -- of party posts.

In separate statements, Dhinakaran announced the appointments of his aides to these posts and also relieved the district secretaries of Chennai (South), Kancheepuram, Thiruvallore (West) and Pudukottai of their duties.

In the Dravidian parties' hierarchy, district secretaries play a key role in the organisational growth.

Dhinakaran also appointed a number of his supporters to various others posts including that of the organisation secretary, besides expanding the office-bearers list.

The appointments were made with the "approval" of Sasikala, he said.

The latest shake-up by Dhinakaran comes two days after the merger of the two factions, which has irked his followers.

Under the arrangement, Panneerselvam was made deputy chief minister and the coordinator of the party. Palanisamy was named co-coordinator.

It was also agreed that steps would be taken to expel Sasikala, which was a pre-condition for the merger. In the wake of differences in the ruling party, the DMK has demanded a floor test in the assembly to prove that the government was in a majority.

In Puducherry, former MLA Om Sakthi Segar led the protest against Sasikala and Dhinakaran and submitted a petition to the district collector and SP asking them to instruct the MLAs to vacate the resort in the "larger interest of law and order".

PTI
AIADMK crisis: Dinakaran pushes for Sengottaiyan as CM, sacks EPS supporters

India

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Rebel camp of AIADMK leaders led by TTV Dinakaran has proposed Sengottaiyan as the Chief Minister. A day after Dinakaran herded 19 AIADMK MLAs to a resort in Puducherry, Sengottaiyan has been projected as rebel camp's CM candidate.

Protests were witnessed outside the resort in Puducherry with supporters of AIADMK burning Dinakaran's effigies. On Wednesday, Dinakaran sacked Palanisamy and Panneerselvam loyalists from all party posts. Revenue Minister RB Udhayakumar was sacked from Jayalalithaa Peravai with Dinakaran loyalist Mariappan Kennedy replacing him. VV Rajan Chennappa was removed as party Madurai urban secretary.

19 MLAs supporting DInakaran have withdrawn their support to Edappadi Palanisamy while the DMK, PMK and COngress have urged the Governor to direct the Chief Minister to prove majority in the assembly.

"Sasikala Natarajan appointed Edappadi Palanisamy. When a decision was taken to make her the General Secretary, Panneerselvam also signed in acceptance but both parties are demanding her ouster now. We do not have confidence in this Chief Minister and was a change of CM," said C R Saraswati from the TTV Dinakaran camp.

More than seven MLAs from the Edappadi Palanisamy camp are expected to jump ship to support TTV Dinakaran posing a threat to the current government. Dinakaran has been on a sacking spree since two factions headed by Panneerselvama and Palanisamy merged on Monday. The new proposal to make Sengottaiyan the Chief Minister is Dinakaran's move to once again establish his control over the AIADMK.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 15:21 [IST]
Biking Queens travel from Gujarat to J&K to promote Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Srinagar, August 23: They are the "Biking Queens" from Surat, Gujarat, who love their 'mean machines' to the hilt. It is their love for bikes coupled with their zeal to promote Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet campaign-- Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save girl child, educate girl child)--which encouraged these women to take a pan-India journey.

On Tuesday, the bikers' group, with 35-odd women participants, reached Jammu in Jammu and Kashmir. They were received by none other than deputy chief minister of J&K, Nirmal Kumar Singh.

During their stay in Jammu, the women bikers stressed on the need to save girl children from getting killed in the fetus of their mothers. The bikers also spoke about why educating girl children is of outmost importance if India wants to be a superpower.

As a part of their Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao awareness campaign, "Biking Queens" have already visited various states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, to name a few places.

"We love our bikes. So, do we are passionate about women's rights issues. Thus we thought of taking a bike journey covering various parts of the country and promoting PM Modi's pet project, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, a social campaign that will change the fate of millions of Indian women," said a biker from the team.

She added, "It's high time we educate and empower our women. Women are no less than men and it has been proven by us as we take an arduous journey all on our own in bikes."

When asked if they have experienced any untoward incident as they travelled hundreds of kilometers, the women bikers said that safety was an issue, but thankfully they did have any bitter experience so far.

Thus the women bikers also want the roads of India to be safe for women.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 11:11 [IST]
BJP is gaining ground in Maharashtra and Shiv Sena doesn't like it one bit

India

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The BJP is fast gaining grounds and growing into a threat to Shiv Sena at the grassroots levels in Maharashtra. The BJP's Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation election victory has not gone down well with the Shiv Sena but this is just the tip of the ice berg. The rising popularity of the BJP is denting Shiv Sena's precious foothold, the municipal corporations.

The BJP won 61 of the 95 seats while the Shiv Sena managed only 22. Incidentally, before BJP's thumping victory, a BJP-Sena combine ruled the civic body. Now, the BJP does not need the Shiv Sena anymore. Out of the nine civic corporations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region alone, Shiv Sena has control over two, Sena-BJP combine rules one civic body while Congress and NCP rule one civic body each. The BJP has an upper hand in two corporations while it is the undisputed king in two more. Moreover, out of the 18 corporations in Maharashtra, the BJP now controls 12 either singularly or in alliance with smaller regional or local parties.

From civic polls to assembly elections: The fight continues

Since 2014, after Devendra Fadnavis was placed at the helm of affairs in Maharashtra, the BJP has been successful in winning urban and semi-urban pockets. The party won 168 out of 260 civic council seats in the December 2016 elections across the state. BJP won 9 out of 11 municipalities in the March 2017.

At the state level, Shiv Sena despite being a coalition partner minces no words in lashing out at the BJP and its policies. Through its mouthpiece Saamna, the Shiv Sena is critical of its alliance partner at the state as well as the national level. While BJP intends to come back to power as the single largest party in the next assembly elections, the Shiv Sena has already claimed that it will contest elections alone. But the successive wins for the BJP in district and civic level elections has come as a matter of concern to the Shiv Sena.

From being an alliance partner in the civic body, the BJP will now go on to be the single largest party in Mira-Bhayander municipal corporation. Unable to digest the loss, Shiv Sena has decided to approach the election commission.

"The BJP won the Mira-Bhayandar election because of money and muni. A Jain monk Naypadmasagarji Maharaj behaved like Zakir Naik and communalised the election," said Shiv Sena MP, Sanjay Raut. Shiv Sena claims that a video of the seer asking people of the community to vote for the BJP went viral as the election approached.

The Shiv Sena has attacked the BJP for fighting elections on religious lines using the Jain monk as their tool. The Shiv Sena was expecting to win 45 seats in the election. The results came as a reality check for the party that has enjoyed the status of being the single most popular local party. The Maratha card has been Shiv Sena's biggest strength, the BJP is now eating into the same.

Devendra Fadnavis' balancing act

Devendra Fadnavis' handling of the demands placed by community leaders during the massive Maratha Morcha, loan waiver scheme, push for Marathi language and students of the community have been successful in appealing to the community. Devendra Fadnavis' leadership of the BJP in Maharashtra has been largely successful, one of the key reasons why the party would not consider moving him away from the state.

While the BJP has managed to push Congress and the NCP to an almost unimportant entity at every level, the Shiv Sena seems to have a lot to worry about. Is it only a matter of time before the alliance partners turn from friends with benefits to arch rivals in Maharashtra state politics?

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 16:52 [IST]
For me, my family & wife come first, worried husband Robert Vadra on Priyanka Gandhi's arrest

Congress comes out in Vadra's defence, slams BJP for ordering CBI probe

India

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By Vikas

Fuming over the ordering of CBI probe into the Bikaner land scam, senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said there was no point in ordering a CBI probe when clean-chit has been given to Robert Vadra in connection with the case.

Gehlot said the government was trying to manipulate public perception by raking up the issue and ordering CBI inquiry, reported news agency ANI.

The former chief minister said the CBI will not be able to find out anything as Vadra was not at fault.

A day after Rajasthan government wrote to the CBI for a probe into alleged land scams in Bikaner, Vadra called it an 'attempt of malicious prosecution'.

"Another attempt of malicious prosecution exposed. First, Rajasthan police filed an FIR on 26 August 2014. In 3 years, they filed the chargesheets, summoned documents, as also company officials, yet found not an iota of evidence. Neither the FIR nor the chargesheets accuse the companies associated with me in any manner whatsoever," Vadra said in a Facebook post.

Rajasthan Congress president Sachin Pilot had on Tuesday said that the BJP has been misusing the CBI, the ED and other agencies for political gains.

[CBI probe into Bikaner land scam: Vadra calls it 'attempt of malicious prosecution']

The state government had on December 31, 2014 cancelled 18 mutations (transfer of ownership) in Bikaner after allegedly finding them to be illegal. It was alleged that Vadra's company also purchased chunks of land. The land was illegally allotted or possessed in 2006-07 by some villagers, who were allegedly "wrongfully" shown as farmers, said reports.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 15:43 [IST]
Explained: What the SC said and how is Talaq-e-Hasan different from triple talaq

From triple talaq verdict to Jayalalithaas death, breaking news brigade turns rumour monger

India

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By Oneindia

New Delhi, August 23: The speed with which the Indian media 'sprints' would definitely put world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, to shame. Since Bolt has retired, probably it is time for the Indian media to concentrate more on accuracy and clarity than just on speed as newsrooms after newsrooms--big and small--have been found guilty of repeatedly peddling "false" news in the garb of "breaking" news to the audience.

Read | Follow OneIndia's exhaustive coverage on triple talaq here:

On Tuesday, while the Supreme Court was pronouncing its verdict on the historic triple talaq case, media houses in a hurry first reported that the apex court had upheld the practice of instant triple talaq and asked the Centre to bring in a new legislation if it wants to change the law.

This happened as reporters and their big bosses, editors, came to the conclusion after hearing what the Chief Justice of India JS Khehar had to say about the case.

Finally, after initial misreporting came the real and historic news that the five-bench judge of the apex court had actually struck down the practice of instant triple talaq by a 3-2 verdict, as majority of the judges found the centuries-old practice among Indian Muslims as unconstitutional, manifestly arbitrary and void in law.

However, the minority judgment concluded that "talaq-e-biddat" was a matter of personal law of Muslims that does not breach the Constitution's Article 25 (right to practice one's religion).

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CJI Khehar and his colleague Justice S Abdul Nazeer, constituting the minority in the five-bench Constitutional bench, ordered an injunction on triple talaq at least for six months -- by when the government should consider steps to initiate legislation on the issue.

Since it's a tradition for the senior-most judge, in this case, the CJI, to read his verdict first, thus the "breaking news brigade" thought it's the final verdict and concluded that the apex court had upheld the practice of instant triple talaq, spreading gloom across the country.

Imagine the Indian media doesn't even have the patience to hear out the full and final verdict from all the judges and simply jumped like a kid to believe what it wanted to believe to break the news first.

Even, OneIndia is guilty of initial misreporting in the triple talaq verdict like all our friends in the media, which we corrected soon.

Talking about the malaise of "breaking news" (a funny and often-mocked term which became fashionable only after the proliferation of private television news channels and over the years has become a dreaded two-word 'sword' for many journalists as they have to always prove themselves fast like a bullet train), the Indian media instead of taming the beast is encouraging the disease to spread like a wildfire. That is why almost all media houses misreported the triple talaq verdict.

Similar "facepalm moment" was experienced by the journalism fraternity last year while reporting the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Rather than waiting for a confirmation from Apollo hospitals in Chennai, where Jayalalithaa was undergoing treatment, media houses reported Amma's (as Jayalalithaa was popularly known among her supporters) death twice, within a period of a few hours.

It's not just about the triple talaq verdict or death of Jayalalithaa (who died on December 5, 2016), often newsrooms have believed false propagandas on social media too as "real" news to extensively report about them.

This happens as there is no time for fact-checking and everything has to be written and broadcasted at the fastest possible manner. And, the worst part is that most media houses don't have reporters on the ground to bring "real" news to the audience and thus rely on a few outlets to dispense news like some factory products.

So, when big names (read editors) cry foul about fake news, the onus lies on them to cure the disease at the earliest before it becomes a norm. As they say, speed thrills but kills, hopefully the "breaking news" brigade will ponder about where its "fast and furious" form of journalism is heading towards.

OneIndia News
Goa: Two held for stabbing cab driver, his father over parking row

Great tolerance, the CBI is sitting idle in Goa says its SP

For govt jobs in Goa, one-year work experience will be a must, says CM

Assembly bypolls : Heavy turnout in Andhra, Goa; Delhi witnesses only 45

India

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Bypolls to Nandyal Assembly constituency of Andhra Pradesh and two seats in Goa witnessed a high turnout percentage of over 70 while only 45 per cent voters exercised their franchise in Delhi's lone seat of Bawana.Counting of votes will take place on August 28.

Delhi bypoll:

The Bawana bypoll will pose a real challenge for Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party to regain the trust deficit the party has been facing for quite some time. Nearly three lakh people are eligible to cast votes at 379 polling stations set up across the constituency in north- west Delhi.

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The BJP has fielded Ved Prakash, who won from Bawana in 2015 Assembly elections as an AAP candidate. He resigned from the MLA post and quit the AAP to join the BJP in March this year. While, AAP has fielded Ram Chandar, who contested 2008 assembly election on a BSP ticket but lost.

The Bawana assembly bypoll saw a 45 per cent turnout.

Out of 379 polling stations in the constituency, 311 have less than 1,000 registered electors, while 68 have more than 1,000 registered electors, it said.

FIR has been registered against Aam Admi Party minister Imran Hussain for violation of provision under section 123 and 125 of RPA 1951 and model code of conduct at Bawana police station.

Goa Assembly bypolls:

While in Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has cast his vote early in the morning. After casting his vote, Parrikar who is contesting from Panaji seat said no projections but it will be substantial.

In Panaji, Parrikar is contesting against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's confidante Girish Chodankar. In Valpoi, the BJP has fielded Congress rebel and Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, whose main opponent is Roy Naik, the son of former state Home minister Ravi Naik, of the Congress. The polling is being held at 76 booths including 30 in Panaji and 46 in Valpoi.

In view of the two bypolls in the state, a government holiday was declared.

In Goa, the final voting by 5 pm was recorded at 70 per cent in Panaji and 79.8 per cent in Valpoi.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar accused the Congress of trying to sabotage polling and filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Congress levelled counter-allegations. Parrikar, who returned to the state from the Centre after the elections in February, is contesting from Panaji against Congress' Girish Chodankar and Goa Suraksha Manch's Anand Shirodkar.

Nandyal bypoll:

The Nandyal assembly bypoll saw a 80 per cent turnout.

Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh where voting held has turned into a battle of prestige between Chandrababu Naidu's TDP and Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress.

A case has been registered against Jaganmohan Reddy under 188,504,506 and public representation act for violating model code of conduct.

#AndhraPradesh People wait in queue to cast their vote in Nandyal assembly by-polls pic.twitter.com/3iuWZS8Yzg  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

YSR Congress party's candidate Shilpa Mohan Reddy cast his vote early on Wednesday morning.

This is the first time VVPAT machines are being used in the bypolls. In a move to bring in more transparency in the system, the Election Commission has introduced VVPAT to ensure citizens can physically verify their vote once cast.

OneIndia News
Hyderabad Muslims discourage sacrifice of cows on Eid-ul-Adha

India

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By Chennabasaveshwar

Hyderabad: Members of Hyderabad-based Darul Ifta Jamia Nizami have appealed to the Muslim not to sacrifice cows and bulls on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha to respect religious sentiments.

Hyderabad: Darul Ifta Jamia Nizami appeals to people not to sacrifice cows & bulls on Eid-ul-Adha to respect religious sentiments pic.twitter.com/WarJ8XNHn7  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

Eid al-Adha 2017 in India will begin in the evening of Friday, 1 September and ends in the evening of Saturday, 2 September.

A few days ago RSS-affiliate Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) decided to launch a countrywide campaign to persuade Muslims against sacrifice of cows on Eid-al-Adha aka Bakra Eid.

"Our appeal to Muslims against sacrificing of cows during Eid al-Adha is based on a fatwa issued by Darool Uloom Deoband four years ago. We asked the Islamic seminary's fatwa department for its ruling on whether hurting the sentiments of the Hindus by offering cow sacrifices is sanctioned in Islam. They said Islam does not sanction hurting the sentiments of neighbours adhering to other beliefs," said Mohammad Afzal, MRM's national convenor told Hindustan Times.

What is Eid-ul-Adha?

Eid-ul-Adha is a "Sacrifice Feast", is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the two.

It honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, as an act of submission to God's command. Before he sacrificed his son God intervened by sending his angel Jibra'il (Gabriel), who then put a sheep in his son's place.

In commemoration of this, an animal is sacrificed and divided into three parts: the family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.

How Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha?

In Muslim countries, Eid al-Adha is a public holiday that involves animal sacrifice, prayers and family gatherings. The day begins with morning prayers, followed by visits to family and friends and the exchange of food and gifts. Muslims are obliged to share food and money with the poor so that they can take part in the celebrations.

Worshippers will slaughter an animal, typically a sheep or a goat, during Greater Eid celebrations. The animals have to meet certain standards in order to qualify for sacrifice, Arab News reports. They cannot be ill, blind, visibly lame and emaciated and minimum age restrictions apply.

In Pakistan alone, nearly ten million animals are slaughtered on Eid, the International Business Times reports.

In Britain, anyone wishing to sacrifice a sheep has to make arrangements for it to be slaughtered humanely.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 14:22 [IST]
India should never send troops to Afghanistan: Defence expert

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

With US President Donald Trump saying that India should do more to help them in Afghanistan, Defence Expert PK Sehgal has cautioned that India must never send ground troops to join NATO forces in the war-torn country as it would be detrimental to nation's interests.

Trump had earlier said that India makes billions of dollars with the United States in trade and urged New Delhi to help them more in Afghanistan. Although the US President did not clearly mention in what way India should increase its help to Afghanistan, it is being speculated that the US wants India to send its troops to fight the Taliban.

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"India is absolutely and totally unlikely to place any ground troops. Possibly America wants us to do a lot more...However, India needs to be very careful that we do not induct ground troops there as part of the American or NATO forces because that would be detrimental to Indian interest in the long run," Sehgal told news agency ANI.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said India is committed to supporting Afghanistan in their efforts to bring peace and stability in the country.

The MEA, in a statement, said India shares US' concerns and objectives, adding that New Delhi has always been steadfast in extending reconstruction and development assistance to Afghanistan.

"We welcome President Trump's determination to enhance efforts to overcome challenges facing Afghanistan and confronting issues of safe havens and other forms of cross-border support enjoyed by terrorists. India shares these concerns and objectives," the statement said.

"We are committed to supporting government and people of Afghanistan in their efforts to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity in their country," it added.

Donald Trump has announced he will prolong the US military intervention in Afghanistan, which he had once described as a "complete waste".

[You will pay for harbouring terrorists, Trump warns Pakistan]

Trump acknowledged that his "instincts" told him to pull out troops from Afghanistan.

"Historically, I like following my instincts," Trump said. "A hasty withdrawal," Trump said, would create a "vacuum" for terrorists.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 9:26 [IST]
ABSTRACT

An SIR model of Zika virus (ZIKV) spread is formulated that includes ZIKV infections to newborns. Analytically, the model has one disease free and one endemic equilibrium point. The free one is stable for some conditions when and unstable when . In Brazil, when ZIKV infections expand and for diminishes. There were 67 microcephaly babies confirmed to have linked with ZIKV infections as of February 2016 in Brazil. Simulation predicts that the number rose to not less than 2100 in January 2017 and expected to increase around 4350 by January 2018 if not controlled. Simulation of the endemic equilibrium point indicates that there is more number of individuals in the recovered class than in the infectious class contrasting the initial state of the epidemic. This recovered class serves as a silent natural resistance against spread of the epidemic. Measures to control ZIKV infections have been suggested by analyzing parameters linked to transmission. The base is controlling basic reproduction number ( ) of the model. There are parameters for human-mosquito transmission and some for sexual-transmission factor. It appears that controlling spread of ZIKV infections by human-mosquito transmission may greatly reduce the value of .

Keywords:

ZIKV, SIR Model, Microcephaly, Stability Analysis, Simulations

1. Introduction

1.1. Historical Background

On February 1st, 2016, the World Health Organization declared ZIKV epidemic in the Americas as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The foremost reason is due to an emerging linkage with congenital birth anomalies such as microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome [2] plus mode of transmission which had not known before (sexual-transmission). Since then, ZIKV is one of the most uprising viral disease in the world, especially in the Americas. Resent studies report that ZIKV is transmitted not only via mosquito bite but also via sexual contacts, blood contamination and mother-to-child-transmission [1] . The mosquito involved in the transmission is infected Aedes Aegypti. This particular mosquito belongs to the family Flaviviridae and Genus Flavivirus. Chikungunya, Dengue and Yellow fever are also the off shots of this family. Prenatal or perinatal complications of ZIKV infections have been noted due to ZIKV. There is some evidence that perinatal transmission may occur, most probably transplacental or during the delivery of a viraemic mother [3] . The virus has been detected in human saliva, semen and urine of which leads to sexual-transmission of ZIKV [4] [5] .

Despite the fact that attack of ZIKV shows moderate disease symptoms, like that of the clinical presentation and transmission cycles in the epidemiology of Chikunganya and Dengue, symptoms of ZIKV disease encompasses conjunctivitis, skin rash, fever, muscle pains in various joints, non comforting nuisance and headache, which can last normally between 2 to 7 days time period. Not limited to those, it has been found that about 80% of individuals infected by ZIKV are asymptomatic [6] [8] . In new babies, congenital microcephaly is a descriptive diagnosis. According to WHO, it is defined as a head circumference equal to or lower than two standard deviations below the mean ( ) for age and sex or about less than the second percentile [9] . Microcephaly results from reduced brain growth. Affected infants are born with a smaller head size than normal, or their head stops growing after birth. It is a rare condition with estimated incidences varying geographically; in the United States reported incidence ranges from 2 to 12 babies per 10,000 live births. There is an association between the severity of microcephaly and that of neurological impairment [7] [10] .

The causes are numerous, including chromosomal abnormalities, intrauterine infections, exposure to toxic substances during pregnancy, and severe malnutrition [11] . Some countries and territories in the Americas with reported congenital syndrome associated with Zika virus infection as of July 14, 2016 (Figure 1). WHO estimates that the fetuses of one in 100 women with Zika will go on to develop microcephaly or other abnormalities [12] .

Figure 1. Reported microcephaly associated with ZIKV infection as of July 14, 2016. PAHO.

No specific antiviral medication is available for ZIKV disease. Treatment is generally supportive and can include rest, fluids, and use of analgesics and antipyretics. Aspirin including other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage. Febrile pregnant women should be treated with acetaminophen. Persons infected with ZIKV, dengue, or Chikungunya virus should be protected from further mosquito exposure during the first few days of illness to reduce the risk for local transmission [6] .

The very first incidence of ZIKV was identified in 1947 from species of monkey in the African forest called Zika from Uganda. And the first isolated case identified from humans in 1952 also from Uganda and then later from a neighbor country, the United Republic of Tanzania. However, comprehensive genomic comparison showed different sub-classes reflecting the existence of two main lineages, one African and the other from Asia lineage [13] [15] . ZIKV has been shown intermittent disease patterns among the people of Africa and Asia. Little clinical importance was attributed to ZIKV, for the reason that only few symptomatic cases were reported in some African and Southeast Asiatic countries at the time [14] . This situation changed in 2007, when a large outbreak was registered on the Yap Island, Micronesia, caused by the Asian ZIKV lineage. Moreover, the outbreaks reported beginning this era are from the Pacific in 2007 and 2013 from French Polynesia and Yap Island (i.e. Federated States of Micronesia) [16] . There were subsequent incidents of the virus spread to other areas of the region like Cook Islands, Chile, Pacific Islands including New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu (Figure 2).

Figure 2. World Zika situation report as of April 2014, www.who.int.

ZIKV has been steadily increasing its geographical domain, ever since its initial appearance. The pace of ZIKV outbreaks as epidemic in the Americas is on rise. Similarly, the spread of this monster is reported in more regions of the world that were previously completely unaffected, that includes Europe [18] . The immunity of Europeans population is relatively immature as contrast to Afro-Asian Populations. At the arrival of summer season in the northern hemisphere is the most suitable time when Aedes mosquitoes in Europe find optimum climate to get infected by ZIKV and later transmit this virus to tourists and then into local population through biting [17] . At this point, it is relevant to cover and analyze the monthly traffic of travelers by air, arriving into the cities of Europe from the Zika affected regions of both the American continents and Europe.

Brazils first confirmed Zika infection was in March 2015. Over five years preceding 2015, the country saw between 130 and 170 cases of microcephaly each year [20] . In the first nine months of 2015, this figure roughly doubled. By the end of 2015, over 2400 further similar cases had been reported [19] . Up to February 27, 2016 according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, 5640 cases of microcephaly in the country have been reported, and 583 of them are confirmed to have microcephaly and/or other central nervous system findings, suggesting of congenital infection. Out of the total cases with confirmed microcephaly, only 67 fulfill the laboratory criteria for ZIKV infection, and 4107 across Brazil remain under investigation [14] .

Regarding general ZIKV infections, data announced on December 2015, by the ECDC estimate that between 440,000 and 1.3 million cases by autochthonous transmission of ZIKV have occurred in Brazil (Figure 3), but these data are largely underestimated and the real magnitude of the Brazilian ZIKV epidemic may be much higher [14] . As of June 2016, around 500,000 Zika virus disease (ZVD) cases have been estimated in Brazil, and autochthonous circulation has been observed in 40 countries from the Americas [8] .

1.2. Mathematical Background

Basing on the nature of epidemic, though with a relatively long history since its knowledge in 1947, few researches have been conducted. Probably, the main reason is that its effects where not vividly clear to human being as of now. However, this does not rule out that in the past people had not been affected by the problem. About three years ago, a number of researches have been working to explore the disease down so as to come up with some means to control it. According to Rojas DP et al. [8] all age groups are vulnerable, but the most affected age group is 20 to 49 years of age. A similar study previously published outbreaks in Yap Island, Micronesia, and in Salvador, Brazil [21] . As the population was fully susceptible to ZIKV transmission before the outbreaks, it is expected that all age groups would be affected. Joacim Rocklov et al. [2] , studied which seasons in the year are more risk for ZIKV transmission. There are as well

Figure 3. Zika situation report in Brazil as of April 2016 (www.who.int).

more researches in medicine and other discipline. This paper is more concerned with mathematical models exploring the epidemic. One of the model was done by Adam J. Kucharski et al. in early 2016 [22] . The model provided understanding ZVD in mathematical perspective, basing on some assumptions the model did not include sexual transmission. Khalid et al. in the late of 2016, have formulated the mathematical model by including sexual transmission [23] . One side this article is an improvement of Kucharskis model modified to include sexual-transmission. However, not only the later but also infections to newborns through MTCT. Therefore, the model is a simple SIR model that includes newborn as part of the infected class.

2. Model Formulation

The model consists of two categories, the humans and mosquitoes with total population and respectively. Presumably, the humans have three classes, the susceptible (S), infectious (I) and removed (R). An individual potential for infection is considered as susceptible class member, individuals who are exposed or already brown with ZIKV symptoms are classified as infectious, and individuals who have recovered from the disease are considered as removed. Exposed and fully brown ZIKV individuals are placed together because all of them can transmit the virus. It is assumed that individuals after recovery build immune against the ZIKV infection. Mosquitoes have only susceptible ( ) and infectious ( ) class. The reason is that the life span of mosquitoes is short enough to ignore the recovery period.

Susceptible individual moves into the infectious class after effective interaction with infected mosquitoes, or sexual contact with and individual in the infectious class. Newborns with ZIKV infection by MTCT enters infected class. The mosquitoes moves from the susceptible to their infectious-class after effective infection through biting an infectious human.

In this context, in all cases the subscript signifies a transmission vector, the mosquitoes. System (1) and Figure 4 is the model and its compartments, where as Table 1 is definitions of parameters.

(1)

Figure 4. Model compartments flow diagram.

Assign then the system (1) may be considered as model (2).

(2)

, , , , , , are initial values notations.

3. The Basic Reproduction Number ( )

Consider to evaluate the basic reproduction number, from next generation method. Recall model (2), and assign roman numeral to every equation as:

(3)

be the disease free equilibrium point of the model, of which and . On the other hand, at disease free equilibrium point, the model (3) is reduced to

Equations i and iv are solved simultaneously, so that and . So that the disease free equilibrium point, is given by

(4)

From the system of Equation (3), , . Thus, model (3) can be written as:

Summary of infection rates, gains or losses in classes and : gains in ; losses from ; gains in ; and losses from . Therefore, the gain-terms matrix, :

The loss-terms matrix, :

Calculations for

The eigenvalues, of is given: . , since takes the dominant eigenvalue of . Therefore, the basic reproduction number,

.

4. Stability of the Equilibrium Points

4.1. The Endemic Equilibrium Point of the Model

For endemic equilibrium, , . The system of Equation (3) reduces to

Solving this simultaneously, the equilibrium point is: (5) is obtained from the equation: (6) The equilibrium point reduces to a disease free when . 4.1.1. Existence of the Endemic EquilibriumConsider Equation (6): . Assign . Endemic equilibrium exists whenever there is a positive solution (i.e. value of ). When , .When , . Therefore at some point in the interval there exists , which proves the existence of endemic equilibrium. As an example, consider a simulation: Choose any ; say

Figure 5. One case illustrating existence of as a solution of , point P(1, 1).

. Then . That is, the value for is (Figure 5).

4.1.2. The Positivity and Boundedness of the Model Solution

By definition, the lower boundaries of the population are zero. Yet, the upper bounds can be deduced from the given dynamical equations. As it is for

, from the fact that

That is , that .

Therefore, .

A similar approach is used to show that , where is the initial population.

4.1.3. Local Stability of the Disease free Equilibrium Point of the Model

In order to understand the local stability of the model, Jacobian matrix, is determined from the model (2) and used to study the local stability of the equilibrium point. Jacobian matrix, is given as

Recall the disease free equilibrium (4), . At this point, Jacobian matrix, is

The characteristic equation,

That is , If , then , , . That means there is stable equilibrium if . It can be deduced that disease free equilibrium is stable in this case if .

Proof: Recall that: .

or . For means there is no mosquito transmission at all, then .

For , that is:

Choose :

Which suggests that is numerically less than unit, this completes the proof.

On the other hand when the disease free equilibrium is unstable. Now that suppose , and assign .

The characteristic equation is Hurwitz provided that and . Thus suggesting that is bifurcation point.

5. Estimation of ZIKV Infected Newborns (M)

In the system of Equation (8), is coupled with model (2), the mission

is to estimate the number of newborns who have been infected with ZIKV since beginning of the epidemic in a given community. The assumption is that the rate of infections ( ) is constant. Newborns are dying but this is not considered because the estimation is total number of infected newborns.

(7)

order to estimate the number of infected newborns ( ), the differential equation has been evaluated by simulation in section 6.1.1.

6. Model Simulations

There are a approximations and assumptions for estimating parameters that have been used to simulate the model. Due to inaccessibility of some parameters, assumptions have been made for some in order to fit the model with current trend of epidemic. For the purpose of simulation in the Americas, Brazil is considered as illustrative example. Model is suggesting possible outcomes but also is providing us with the virtual of ZIKV disease features. Table 2 and Table 3 are respectively list of parameter values and initial populations estimations for Brazil in 2016.

Table 2. Estimations of parameter values and their sources for year 2016.

Table 3. Values of Initial populations for model simulation as of Jan 2016 in Brazil.

6.1. Fitting the Model into Brazil ZIKV Infections State

The graphs in Figure 6 depict the dynamics of ZIKV for the first 10 years in Brazil starting June 2016. The graphs for I and R classes are not clearly seen in Figure 6(a), therefore can be seen in Figure 6(b). Although initial number individuals in a recovery class may be lower than infectious class (Figure 6(b)), but the prevalence of recovery class grows faster than the infected class. In the later time of the epidemic there more individuals in the recovery than infectious class.

Simulation of ZIKV Infected Newborns

For M estimations, the differential equation from the model (8) is

simulated for 25 months (Figure 7). In this case the objective is to estimate the

Figure 6. Graphs to estimate ZIKV situation for the next 10 years starting June 2016. (a) Graphs of populations (S, I, R) growth; (b) Growth of infected (I) and recovery (R) class.

Figure 7. Graphical simulation of ZIKV infected newborns starting January 2016 in months. (a) Plot of M; (b) Plots of I, R, and M.

total number of children who has been inflicted by ZIKV. It is clear that this accounts for all children including the initial amount as of January 2016. Up to February 27, 2016 according to Brazilian Ministry of Health, out of all reported microcephaly cases only 67 fulfill the laboratory criteria for ZIKV infection [14] .

Then, the February 2016 cases of microcephaly is assumed to be initial value for January 2016 in this simulation. Estimation for all newborns regardless of those who die later after birth, so long as had been diagnosed with microcephaly linking to ZIKV then are part of this integral. After 25 months since January 2016, the number of ZIKV infected newborns in the same month 2017 is approximated above 2100 (Figure 7(a)) and expected to rise up about 4350 in January 2018. The plot of M is an accumulation curve (it is not prevalence), (Figure 7(a) and Figure 7(b)). The graph of M is not a straight line, but is an increasing function (Figure 7(b)).

as in Figure 8(a), infectious class growth is accompanied with a silent recovery class escalation. Note that there is a great number of individuals 80% who are asymptotic to the disease [6] [8] , of which they may recover without their knowledge this is not accounted for in this case. What is considered are recovery individuals who where once diagnosed with ZIKV infection. Also the prevalence for recovery is called silent simply because generally no one cares when an individual is recovered, therefore there prevalence is unnoticed. Later the recovery class R may increasingly out number the size of population in the Infectious class I (Figure 6(b)). Whenever increases which leads to increase in the infections, number of individual recovering also increases considerably maintaining the recovered population size more than the infectious class (Figure 8(b)).

6.2. Natural Resistance Against ZIKV Epidemics

At the latest, if the situation is not attended or interrupted, naturally may lead to

Figure 8. Later the prevalence of Recovered class out sizes infected class. (a) ; (b) .

Figure 9. Recovered class creates a silent resistant to the epidemic. (a) Recovered gets higher in zize than infected class; (b) Possible endemic equilibrium point to be reached.

equilibrium as in Figure 9. The recovered class has two important roles in suppressing the epidemic. One is that the recovered individuals build up immune against ZIKV infection. The other reason is that since the higher density of recovered individuals is in the most affected regions, this minimizes interactions between susceptible and infectious, therefore reducing spread of the epidemic. So when more individuals are recovered compared to infectious (Figure 9(a)), natural resistance is strengthened. This may save to take the endemic equilibrium point of the epidemic at a state where there is very few infectious of ZIKV for long time. This may explain a situation in the countries with historic start of ZIKV like Africa and Asia, particularly in Uganda and Tanzania. In such regions occasionally, new born with microcephaly may happen and is likely to be ignored so long as there is no substantial outbreak of the epidemic. Basing on the model simulation such a situation is reach around one generation time since start of the epidemic.

Among other reasons that can lead to microcephaly situation side track the societies attention to ZIKV disease outbreak especially when the infections are low and unnoticeable is not keeping records, especially in most villages of the developing countries. Therefore, appreciation should be given to the Americas, like Brazil for keeping records of microcephaly born children which is one of the reasons lead to notice the break of epidemic [20] .

6.3. Intervention for Epidemic Elimination

According to the model (2), two main factors to be controlled in order to diminish or eliminate the epidemic basing on the model include reducing both unsafe sexual-interaction and mosquitoes bites against humans. Controlling the two factors to the extent that such as may avert the growing epidemic to one dying (Figure 10(a)).

Figure 10. leads to free the society from Epidemic in 15 years. (a) The epidemic dies off; (b) The total population gets free of the epidemic.

The model (2) estimates that in 15 years for the region can be free of the epidemic, thus leaving growth of susceptible class growing at its natural pace for Brazil Figure 10(b). It has been found that contribution in the spread of ZIKV infections by sexual-transmission is in low percentage compared to human-mosquito interaction [25] [26] . Therefore, effective elimination of the epidemics is basically freeing individuals from mosquitoes bites. This include getting rid off still water bodies, use of mosquito nets, insect repellents and use of insecticides to help exterminate mosquitoes cultures. Nevertheless, sexual-transmission has to be controlled as the second adverse case of transmission. That is, avoid or have safe sexual-interactions, especially with people traveling to and from infected regions. This may involve use of condoms, circumcision and all that contribute to secured sexual-interaction [26] .

As for women who want to get pregnant but are not sure of ZIKV infections (no symptoms) but they have been exposed to ZIKV infected regions or had sex with ZIKV diagnosed partners, should wait at least eight weeks after exposure. For those with diagnosed ZIKV infections, wait after eight weeks since the start of symptoms (Figure 11).

7. Conclusions

The fundamental part in the analysis of model (2) is the basic reproduction number ( ). has been analyzed both analytically and at least one example numerically. An insight into the stability of disease free equilibrium point is that for some conditions it is stable if , unstable when .

Model simulations have been conducted, considering Brazil as an example. However, values of the parameters have been a challenge, some range between values, some no information and others just varies. Parameters for simulation in

Figure 11. Provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

this case have been assumed to be constant, therefore some assumptions or estimations have been done in some way to fit the current trend of the epidemic in Brazil. A population of more than 208 million as of January 2016 is found with 672,000 infected individual. Up to February 27, 2016; 67 newborns with microcephaly were confirmed to have been due to ZIKV infections. On simulations, there are at least 2100 in total of babies who have been ZIKV infected by January 2017, this number is expected to rise up about 4350 by January 2018 (Figure 7(a)). Moreover, numerically, the endemic equilibrium exist and in lower amount of infectious than recovered class, contrasting a situation in the beginning of epidemic. This suggests why most of the countries experienced ZIKV infections some past years are not easily getting erupted with the ZIKV epidemic. Among reasons behind this is that recovered class individuals not only are resistant to ZIKV infections but also reduces the interaction between infected and susceptible individuals simply by their density in the area being higher than susceptible.

The value of is simulated and found to escalate the epidemic and gets worse when . However, when , specifically the epidemic diminishes, it is expected that with the elimination of epidemic is even more effective. The model suggests mainly two ways to avoid ZIKV infections. First of all, avoid mosquito bites, which is suggested that in percentage mosquito-transmission is more calling as severe than sexual-transmission. This can be done by eradicating unnecessary still water bodies, use of bed nets, mosquito repellent and insecticides. Secondly, conduct safe sexual relations especially with one who have been exposed to ZIKV infected regions, bearing in mind that 80% of ZIKV infections are asymptotic [8] . As for women who want or are preparing to get pregnant then if previously had exposed to ZIKV infected regions, having infectious symptoms or not, one is advised to wait until after 8 weeks since last exposure or start of symptoms.

Gaps in This Study

The study has a lot open for further studies. Analytically, the disease free equilibrium has not fully been analyzed, the obtained disease free equilibrium holds for some conditions leaving one side open for investigations. The endemic equilibrium exists but its stability has been discussed numerically, hence calling for further insights in analytically. As for model simulation, assumptions and estimations for current parameters have been used to assign values. Shall it be possible to finely obtain better parameter estimations, model simulation would produce more reliable results. Nevertheless the model can be modified by reducing assumptions so as to make it more realistic. For example, some rates are not constant, therefore may be made non-constant accordingly to fit the reality hence improving the model. Therefore, for some reasons this study calls for more research into the epidemic of ZIKV infections.

Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks to the members of SCIRP for their professional performance, and special thanks to managing editor Karen ZHANG for a rare attitude of high quality. Finally, but not the least it is grateful to the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11371161, 11471133) and the Foundation Research Funds for the Central Universities, Central China Normal University (No. CCNU15A02055) for partially supporting this research financially.

Cite this paper

Kibona, I.E. and Yang, C.H. (2017) SIR Model of Spread of Zika Virus Infections: ZIKV Linked to Microcephaly Simulations. Health, 9, 1190-1210. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2017.98086

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Acronyms

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in USA

ECDC European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

MTCT Mother-to-child-transmission

PAHO Pan American Health Organization

Basic Reproduction Number

SIR Susceptible Infectives and Recovery

WHO World Health Organization

ZIKV Zika virus

ZVD Zika virus disease

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The Kerala High Court on Wednesday upheld Pinarayi Vijayan's acquittal in the controversial SNC-Lavalin case. In a move that came as big relief to the Kerala Chief Minister, the High Court rejected CBI's revision petition and observed that Vijayan cannot be held accountable for losses to the exchequer.

The CBI, that is investigating the alleged irregularities in the project that involves a Canadian company, had filed a revision petition challenging the acquittal of Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other accused by a special court. Justice Ubaid bench of the Kerala High Court held that Vijayan was being made a scapegoat in the case and upheld the lower court order acquitting him of all charges. Vijayan along with other accused was acquitted by the Thiruvananthapuram special court earlier. The CBI had filed charges of criminal conspiracy against Pinarayi Vijayan for influencing the Rs 374 crore deal.

The order comes as a breather to Vijayan who was represented by Harish Salve in the case. In a statement before the court, Vijayan had claimed that SNC-Lavalin, a Canadian company, did not offer to provide funds to set up a cancer centre. He also claimed there was no specific evidence or document against him to implicate him in the case. The court observed that Vijayan, who was the then minister for Electricity in Kerala, could not be held accountable for the losses incurred by the government in the project. The court also said that many ministers who held the portfolio had discussions with the company but only Vijayan had been made the accused by the CBI.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in a project dating back to 1995 when the Kerala government signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian company SNC-Lavalin for the renovation and modernization of the Pallivasal, Sengulam, and Panniar hydroelectric projects. The total deal was worth Rs 374 crore and as per the contract sanctioned by the state cabinet, the company was supposed to provide a grant of Rs 98.30 crore to the Malabar Cancer Institute. The hospital, however, received an amount of Rs 8.98 crore.

The CAG reported largescale loss to the exchequer in the deal due to technical defects in the equipment renovated. The CAG also said that the very objective of improvement in power generation could not be achieved since there was no improvement in the efficiency of the machines. In 2007 the Kerala High Court ordered a CBI inquiry into the case.

OneIndia News
LGBTQ students in Delhi open up to Oneindia, recall their experiences

India

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By Shreya

As India embraced the victory of women empowerment with the Supreme Court's verdict which struck down instant triple talaq on Aug 22, 2017, the LGBTQ - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer community in the country is also waiting for justice.

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalises same sex relationships; hence, such couples in the country are unable to have legal marriages or live a socially acceptable life. They are considered the sexual minorities, for their population.

While programmes have been held in the past to sensitize the society on the various sexual orientations that exist apart from heterosexuals, and the community itself has raised its voice for their rights, clearly not enough has been done.

Meghna Mehra, Student of Delhi University in SPM College speaks to OneIndia about her struggle and her efforts to get recognition as she belongs to a group of sexual minority, which people are not aware of.

Meghna, who is asexual, thinks that there is not much awareness surrounding her sexual orientation, due to which she is often misinterpreted or misunderstood.

When asked if her campus in Delhi University is aware and sensitive about the causes of the sexual minorities, she said, "Although DU is a University which has always supported LGBTQIA Community, DU also has sections of the country which lack knowledge about us and sometimes even deny our existence. DU is providing us platform to discuss and share our stories along with few elements of denial. DU gives both power and struggle to the LGBTQIA community"

Meghna is also politically active and will be contesting the elections in Shyama Prasad Mukherji College from All India Students Association (AISA).

When asked if Meghna has told her parents about her sexual orientation, she said, "I have not yet opened up about it to my parents, but I will let them know soon after the college elections."

Meghna has always been a rebel and has convinced her father, who previously had a fundamentalist approach, to see and understand her perspective.

Raj Saxena, Organiser of two Asexual meets in New Delhi explained, "Asexuals do feel romantic, platonic, emotional, sensual etc and are Attracted towards opposite, same, both gender. Mostly asexual men and women who fall under the category of Homo-romantics calls themselves as Gay or Lesbian (Homosexual) because of lack of awareness or knowledge about Asexuality. People are now talking about Asexuality and there are several pages or group of Asexuals on National and International level."

When asked if he would like the Government to contribute to the cause, here's a few demands he made:

Raj said, "According to me these are few points which Government needs to include in education:-

1. Talking about Asexual in Sex Education.

2. Marriage and relationship without sex is okay.

3. Asexuals are natural, they don't choose to be like this.

4. Asexuality is not Celibacy (they are naturally not into sex).

5. Asexuality is not a medical dysfunction."

Oneindia also reached out to some more students belonging from the group and here's what they have to say about their apprehensions and their demands from the Government:

Rishi, Student, AISN: LGBT community itself is a minuscule minority and on top of that people don't come out of closet due to fear of repression whether it is DU or any educational institute, therefore we need to sensitize the situation and make people more aware about sexual and gender minorities.

When asked about the role that the Government can play in bringing about a change, here's what he had to say, "Government should change its conservative approach towards the progress of new India where inclusion of LGBT community is really important. They should openly debate on LGBT rights in Parliament because the current stand of BJP on such issues contradicts its own slogan of 'Sabka sath sabka vikas',"

Adil, Ex-student of Jamia Milia Islamia opened up to us about the ways he was tortured for his sexual orientation. He said, "It has always been difficult for me to prove myself as a human being because of my sexual orientation. It was difficult for me to talk to anybody in college as I would be in constant fear of bullying. Not only students, even professors were a part of this torture."

He further said, "Love knows no gender, and there is nothing unnatural about being homosexual, there are so many cases of same gender rapes, but no action is taken, instead, 377 is used against us, to punish us."

Though India is working hard to achieve equality and protection against discrimination for all its citizens, the country is yet to champion the cause of the LGBTQ community, and clearly, the Government alone can't make it happen, without the support of the citizens of the country.

OneIndia News
Modi Cabinet reshuffle: New allies, JD(U), AIADMK to make the cut, Jaitley likely Defence Minister

India

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By Vicky

The union Cabinet reshuffle is expected to take place before the end of this month. The Narendra Modi led cabinet is expected to induct two members of the JD(U) and AIADMK, sources say.

The source said that two JD(U) leaders will join the cabinet. One AIADMK leader will also join the cabinet while two others will be accommodated as ministers of state.

The PM and his team is also likely to drop a few ministers from Uttar Pradesh. They are likely to be sent back to the state to prepare for the 2019 elections. They would be part of the Amit Shah team which will make all preparations for the elections in 2019.

The key portfolios to watch out for this time would be Defence and Finance. Currently Arun Jaitley holds both those portfolios. With the Pakistan and Chinese crisis on in full swing, demands have been made to appoint an exclusive Defence Minister. As of now, team Modi appears to be considering Jaitley for the post of Defence Minister. Piyush Goyal is likely to be given the Finance portfolio.

Modi and Shah will meet with the Chief Ministers of BJP ruled states this week and undertake a performance analysis. It is likely that some ministers from the BJP ruled states may be brought to the centre, sources also indicate.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 14:33 [IST]
Explained: What the SC said and how is Talaq-e-Hasan different from triple talaq

Modi government not Rajiv Gandhi's, says Ravi Shankar Prasad on triple talaq verdict

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

On the day Supreme Court quashed the instant triple talaq, which allows men to divorce their wives by saying talaq thrice, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said this was an indication of a new emerging India.

Read | Follow OneIndia's exhaustive coverage on triple talaq here:

Speaking about the verdict, Prasad said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and his firm decision to back his Muslim sisters made this possible. We should also salute the muslim women, who showed the courage to fight against the practice.

The minister said that the Modi government "strongly stands" by the SC verdict, and will not buckle under pressure like Rajiv Gandhi's government in the past. It was a dig at the Congress, whose government under former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had used its big majority to bring a law that set aside a Supreme Court order granting alimony to Muslim women in the Shah Bano case in 1985.

Meanwhile, "Welcome the Supreme Court decision setting aside instant TripleTalaq. I congratulate the women who fought for justice," tweeted Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi's son.

Stating that the SC has held triple talaq as whimsical and unreasonable, Prasad said the verdict should be seen beyond the pale of communal divide since it is an issue of gender justice and equality.

He also ruled out the need for a new law, indicating that existing laws were sufficient. Asked if the government will come out with a new law, he said, "As of now, there is now need of introducing a new law. If the government sees the need in future, it will surely be done".

"When 22 nations, including Muslim nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh, can abolish the practice of triple talaq, then why can't India being a secular nation do so," he said discussing the top court's verdict.

To a question on stand taken by the Muslim Personal Law Board, Prasad said that he would urge them to "reconsider".

In what is being hailed as a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down the long-prevalent practice of 'triple talaq' terming it unconstitutional and invalid.

OneIndia News
Nandan Nilekani likely to make a comeback as head of Infosys?

India

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By Oneindia Staff Writer

Nandan Nilekani is likely to make a comeback as the chief of Infosys, according to news reports that cited company sources. Clarity on Nilekani's role is likely to emerge in the next 24 hours. Prior to this development, N R Narayana Murthy postponed a conference call with investors scheduled for 6.30 PM IST on Wednesday.

Business channel CNBC-TV18 quoted company sources to suggest that co-founder Nandan Nilekani may return as the head of Infosys. Following the dramatic events leading to Vishal Sikka's resignation and consequent plunge in the company's shares, Nilekani is likely to return to the helm of affairs.

Narayana Murthy postponing his call with investors to August 29 has only added to the speculation. Neither Narayana Murthy nor Nandan Nilekani has, however, confirmed nor rejected the reports. The company was considering old guards soon after Sikka's resignation left a void. Nilekani's name was, supposedly, pitched and back by investors. During a media interaction after Sikka's resignation, the board had hinted that the next CEO could be someone from within.

Top fund managers and domestic institutional investors are said to have proposed Nilekani's name since he enjoys the confidence of customers, stakeholders and employees. The letter by the investors, according to the report, believes that his return to the board would instil credibility and resolve contentious issues.

Nandan Nilekani left Infosys in 2009 to become the Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). After trying his hands at politics, Nilekani has now turned into a start-up investor.

OneIndia News
NEET will end evil practice of capitation fee

India

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By Dr. C.N. Ashwathnarayan

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) that has been launched as a "One Nation one Exam" philosophy seems to be mired in the misconception that the initiative will do more harm than good. In reality, this proposal is beneficial to students as it provides a level playing field to all aspiring medical and dental students and ensures a transparent and uniform testing based on a single syllabus.

Conducting a single window entrance exam will get rid of the multiple states and private medical exams. Earlier, students had to undergo the pressure of appearing for various entrance exams to try to better their chances for admission to a medical college. NEET relieves this pressure of appearing for multiple exams in the future and enables students to focus their effort on only one standardized exam.

Moreover, a single system of ranking will bring about transparency in the system and will provide students access to any medical college across the Country despite their domicile State. With a single exam, the question of clashing exam dates and counselling dates will not arise. The exam is currently offered in 10 Indian languages and the papers are directly translated from the English paper to ascertain that there are no discrepancies and that all attending the exam irrespective of their medium of instruction are tested on a uniform basis. However, there needs to be better coordination between the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), the medical colleges and the State Governments with regards allotment of seats in the seat matrix.

Most importantly, the NEET initiative is a response to the admission related corruption that has been prevalent in private medical institutions. NEET will ensure that only meritorious and deserving candidates will become future doctors and dentists.

The only opposition to this good initiative seems to be coming from dubious private run medical colleges that have been set up mainly as a black market in exchange for "direct admission to medical college!' If one has to believe news reports, back-of-the-envelope calculations indicate Rs. 12,000 Crore in hard cash exchanges hands in this black market every year! Many of these private medical colleges claim that they have stringent admission guidelines and conduct their own entrance exams. However, in most cases, these exams are just a facade and students who pay money to buy seats are admitted irrespective of their performance in the entrance test while the meritorious students are bumped off. The admission processes in these colleges is a charade as it is not the credibility of the student that decides admission of the candidate but the capitation fees the parents can cough up!

Obviously an initiative like NEET that ensures admission to deserving students will have a shattering effect on those private colleges that have traditionally looted parents off lakhs of rupees in the name of capitation fee. NEET is a threat to the existence of such colleges as it will lead to shutting down their businesses!

The existing system for admission to medical education in India is seriously flawed with many seats being "bought" for a huge capitation fee. A surgical strike like NEET is the way forward to streamline and reform medical education.

(Dr. C.N. Ashwathnarayan is a BJP MLA from Malleshwaram, Bengaluru)
No troop build up by Chinese at Indo-Tibet border says India

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

India has strongly refuted claims by China about a troop build up or military exercise at Ladakh. China had on Tuesday said amidst the Doklam standoff that the People's Liberation Army was conducting live fire drills in the western sector to strike awe in India.

India has said that this is a routine exercise that the PLA conducts in several areas including Xinjiang and Tibet. There has been no signs of concentration of build up of forces along the Indo-Tibet border, officials informed OneIndia.

Go away from Doklam, its your only hope, China tells India

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The Chinese had shown a five minute video of a military drill involving 10 PLA units to keep the Doklam standoff in an aggravated state. The Doklam standoff has entered into the second month and there has been no respite.

On Monday the Chinese foreign ministry said that India was to blame for the stone pelting that took place at Ladakh last week. On the other hand the Global Times while quoting experts said that the People's Liberation Army was conducting live fire drills in the western sector to strike awe in India.

Indian officials that OneIndia spoke with could not confirm the live fire drills. It may be an outdated footage, an official said. The official however added that the Chinese are trying to keep the standoff in an aggravated state and hence is putting out such propaganda material.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, Chinese border forces were carrying out "normal" patrols on the Chinese side of the Pangong Lake located in Ladakh in the western Himalayas.

"During this time they were obstructed by Indian border forces and the Indian side took fierce actions, colliding with the Chinese personnel and having contact with their bodies, injuring the Chinese border personnel," she told a daily news briefing. What India did went against the two countries' consensus to keep the peace on the border and it endangered the situation there, she added, stating, "China is extremely dissatisfied with this".

Rajnath Singh said that a solution would come out soon. China will take a positive step from its side, the home minister said while addressing Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Monday. "We want to maintain good relations with our neighbours. We don't want conflict, we want peace," he also said.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 6:44 [IST]
Now Sasikala accused of visiting Hosur MLA's house amidst prison sentence

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Did Sasikala visit the house of an MLA. Sasikala Natrajan who was convicted by the Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case is serving her four year sentence in the Bengaluru central jail.

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In a report to the Anti Corruption Bureau, Deputy Inspector General of Police has said that, "There is a reliable information that she sometimes goes to a house near the Central Jail that belongs to the Hosur MLA. This may be further ascertained by CCTV cameras placed at the entrance of the jail and the cameras placed in between gate 1 & gate 2 of the jail."

The police officer had earlier detailed the privileges enjoyed by Sasikala in jail. CCTV footage had shown Sasikala walking in and out of the jail several times. In addition to this a complaint was also filed alleging that Sasikala was seen at Brigade Road in Bengaluru shopping.

Roopa had alleged that prison authorities had gone out of their way to extend special treatment to Sasikala without prior approval of the government or the court. She also alleged that prison authorities had allegedly misled the government by furnishing false information on the facilities extended to Sasikala.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 5:57 [IST]
Opposition parties boycott Kerala assembly, demand health minister's ouster

India

oi-Anusha

Opposition parties in Kerala assembly boycotted the session on Wednesday and staged a protest demanding the resignation of health minister. Five MLAs who have been demanding minister K K Shylaja's resignation over mismanagement of admissions to private self-financing medical colleges were joined by other members of the opposition on Wednesday.

Legislators shouted slogans and held placards demanding the ouster of health minister after the Kerala high court rapped the Pinarayi Vijayan government over admissions in self-financing medical colleges by way of an adjournment motion.

Kerala: Opposition party boycotts assembly session & stage protest outside assembly hall over self financing medical admission issue pic.twitter.com/ez6mnr4BNm  ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

On Tuesday as well, members of the opposition protested in the well of the house demanding a statement by Pinarayi Vijayan on the matter. The UDF had attacked the health minister over strictures passed against her by the court while quashing the appointment of two members, including a CPI-M leader, to the Kerala State Commission For Protection Of Child Rights.

UDF MLAs V P Sajeendran, N Shamsuddin, Roji M John, Eldose Kunnappally and T V Ibrahim have been on a 'satyagraha' demanding the minister's resignation. The opposition has accused the minister of messing up with the medical admissions in self-financing colleges. The minister faces allegations of misuse of power and nepotism.

OneIndia News
Postal strike today for implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

A postal employees' union has threatened to go on a one-day strike on August 23 to protest against non-implementation of benefits as suggested by the 7th Pay Commission.

The National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE), which represents around 4 lakh staff, has called for nationwide strike today to press for implementation of benefits suggested by the Gramin Dak Sevaks committee report, the federation's secretary general, R N Parashar said.

The threat has come at a time when another postal staff union, All India Gramin Dak Sevak Union (AIGDSU) that claims support of around 1.8 lakh GDS, has already been on indefinite strike since last week to press for implementation of the committee's report.

Parashar said, "The GDS committee submitted report in November 2016 for the welfare of gramin dak sevaks (GDS) but the management is holding it back without any genuine reason."

The GDS committee has recommended 2.5 per cent hike in basic pay of rural postal employees along with maternity leave benefits for women employees, proper space to work and all other welfare benefits that are given to regular employees, Parashar claimed.

There are over 1.55 lakh post offices, including 1.3 lakh rural post offices.

There are around 2.7 lakh GDS who handle operations such as money remittances, delivery of Aadhaar and MGNREGA payments in rural post offices, an AIGDSU official said.

"GDS handle 89 per cent of postal services and generate 60-70 per cent of total revenue for Department of Posts but we get only 15-20 per cent of share in the expenses. The salary of GDS is very low. We want the government to implement committee report without any delay," AIGDSU General Secretary S S Mahadevaiah said.

The union has support of about 1.8 lakh GDS, Mahadevaiah said.

The NFPE is also demanding filing up of various vacant positions, payment of revised wages and arrears to casual, part-time, contingent employees and daily rated mazdoors as per 6th and 7th central pay commission (CPC).

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 7:05 [IST]
Spot the difference: Congress 'copies and pastes' DMK's letter seeking floor test

India

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After DMK, the Congress in Tamil Nadu has urged Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy to prove majority in the assembly. The demands of both parties are the same, a reason perhaps why the Congress chose to copy and paste DMK's letter to the Governor.

Expect the font, date, name of the party and leader there is absolutely no difference between the two letters. The Congress has copied every line from M K Stalin's letter to the Governor seeking his directions to Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy to prove his majority in the assembly.

The Congress' 'copy and paste' letter is dated August 23, 2017. Each word, sentence and punctuation are the same as DMK's letter dated August 22, 2017. Even the references made in both letters are to the same instance in neighbouring Karnataka. The number of MLAs said to have withdrawn support to Edappadi Palanisamy, 22, is also the same in both letters. The Congress' letter has been sent by K R Ramasamy, the legislative party leader of the Congress in Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi President Thol Thirumavalavan have also urged Edappadi Palanisamy to undergo a floor test and prove majority.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 13:06 [IST]
Triple talaq: NC calls verdict an interference in Muslim affairs, BJP Kashmir unit welcomes

India

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By Oneindia Staff Writer

After the Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down the Islamic practice of triple talaq, political parties are having a field day. While former minister from Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference leader, Mustafa Kamal, said that triple talaq has often been misused against women and SC verdict is an interference in religious matters of Muslims and the issue should have been addressed at the societal level, the BJP unit in Kashmir has welcomed the verdict.

Follow OneIndia's exhaustive coverage on triple talaq here:

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"As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned the law can be extended only if it is passed by Assembly or government brings an ordinance, Kamal told. He said that nevertheless the practice has been misused mostly by Arab Muslims who come to southern states of India and marry and divorce women at their whims.

BJP Kashmir unit welcomes SC verdict

BJP Kashmir unit has welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on triple talaq. Senior party leader and MLC, Sofi Yusuf, said that there should be no hurdles to extend the verdict to Jammu and Kashmir. He said that a law could be passed in the Assembly to extend it to the only Muslim majority state. Yusuf said that the practice was putting women at disadvantage and the state should not be deprived of the verdict. " I have come across cases of women divorced in most inhuman way," he said.

OneIndia News
Triple talaq verdict: Can India finally become truly secular

India

oi-Prabhpreet

By Prabhpreet

It took India more than five decades longer than its neighbour, Pakistan, to ban a grossly misogynist religious practice in the Muslim religion that allowed a man to instantly divorce his wife by using 'triple talaq,' that is, uttering the word 'talaq' three times to her in verbal or written form.

While such a fact might run the risk of downplaying a major victory, which the ban no doubt is given the big relief to women of the community that is has provided, it is imperative to remember that it has taken seven decades after independence for the largest democracy in the world to achieve it.

And that too, after the highest court of the land had to step in and make the decision. Though the verdict is a clear win for women's rights against a grave social injustice, it has also brought out in the open the failure of Indian secularism practised till date.

The highlight of it being the ability of small segments of religious orthodoxy, that exists in every faith, to stop the country from initiating much-needed reforms based on human rights, that every modern society should have as its basic tenets.

The latest decision though provides the opportunity for India to course correct and evolve the doctrine of secularism to one where religion has no say in government policy and moves away from that of appeasement of fringe groups that comes at a great cost to not only minorities within religions, like women, but to society as a whole.

Yet, chances of this becoming a reality seem glim given the various factors that have marked the poor track record of the country on the issue so far.

Indian secularism: Politics of appeasement and vote banks

The opportunity that India has provided for religious leaders to have power at the level of the politics comes from the model of secularism chosen by it where the government would engage with different religions and was to ensure equal treatment to every religion as can be seen as support for the Haj pilgrimage as well as the Amarnath Yatra, instead of the one adopted by the west of having nothing to do with religion like those in countries like France.

Such a decision, though understandable given the realities of the time such as the plural nature of the country, the deep-rooted role of religion in lives of Indians, and the circumstances of partition along with the fear of minority religions in presence of a huge population of a single majority religion, Hinduism, laid the foundations of the present day reality of politics of appeasement.

This has led to a status-quo that is contrary to the hopes of the the makers of the Constitution that their decision, over a period of time, would not only take away concerns of minorities by ensuring their social, cultural and political upliftment but also evolve the society into a secular state where government and especially politics would have little, if anything, to do with religious affairs.

Instead not only has such an evolution not taken place, the opposite of it seems to have come true. As seen by the growing polarization in the politics of the country not only in the form of faith based parties but also the use of religious groups by political leaders as vote banks, through the relationship of quid pro quo, that is, favours and support in return for votes continue till date.

Some of the most famous examples of these are the destruction of the Babri Masjid by Hindutva groups or the Rajiv Gandhi government's decision to pass an Act to counter the progressive judgment of the Supreme Court in the famous Shah Bano case.

The state of Muslim community proves it

While examples other religions can also show the failure of secularism practised in the country, the state of the Muslim population of India is quite clearly the prime example that indicates the need for a change on this front.

Following the nature of partition, which took place based on religion, the vulnerabilities of those belonging to the religion were a major concern of those in power at the time. Yet all the hopes of the positive impact their steps would have to the community have borne little fruit.

As Muslims,14 per cent of the total population, are the poorest and worst educated religious group in India, according to government surveys. The Sachhar committee, set up in 2005, to determine the status of the community in its report went on to further point to the conditions their troubled conditions such as 'backwardness' as well as disproportionate representation in employment opportunities, especially in government jobs.

While only the tip of the iceberg, such conditions show that irrespective of how well they are treated at the time of elections and wooed for their votes on the basis of their community, the so-called secular parties like the Congress have failed to alleviate the conditions of Muslims even after being in power for more than five decades.

Along with this, the numerous communal riots related to the majority and minority religious groups further bring out the failure of the secular stature that India prides itself on.

Rise of Hindutva: A case of "two wrongs don't make a right"

These facts seem to matter little even after the change of guard at the national level, with the Narendra Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party replacing the grand old party of India. The BJP, backed by its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which talked of not following the appeasement model, has fallen into the trap of replacing a minority group with that of the majority.

And this has just gone on to the show the problems of those dealing in power dealing with religious groups. Since the Modi government came to power at the centre, along with the rise of the saffron party in a majority of states in the country, instead of the focus being on the much-hyped slogan of 'sabka saath sabka vikas,' it has witnessed the rise of communal incidents such as those of lynching's related to cow, a sacred animal for Hindus, which have ended up increasing the feeling of discomfort among the minorities.

This would do nothing but push the marginal groups like Muslims back into the arms of the parties like the Congress and cause the repetition of the cycle of the last seventy years.

Developments of such nature have made even those who would have been in favour of the eventual implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, as was the wish of those who drafted the Constitution, to become sceptical. As concerns have risen over the possible nature of it being more in line with the Hindutva agenda than having a basis in human rights like equality.

A past filled with such decisions, circumstances and mistake go far in showing the cause behind the duration for a free country undertake a reform so basic and obvious in nature such as the ban on instant talaq. The hope though remains, similar to those of who fought for the country's independence, that the next one will not take as long.

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 13:15 [IST]
Explained: What the SC said and how is Talaq-e-Hasan different from triple talaq

For triple talaq victims, judicial verdict in favor but social verdict still against them!

UP: Muslim woman agrees to Nikah Halal, instead gets gangraped by ex-husband, his brother

Triple talaq: Violating SC order amounts to domestic violence, home ministry advisory soon

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Home Ministry will send out an advisory to all states and union territories to strictly enforce the verdict of the Supreme Court which struck down instant triple talaq as unconstitutional. Home Ministry officials told OneIndia that the advisory will be sent out to all 29 states and seven union territories to ensure strict compliance of the Supreme Court's verdict.

Read | Follow OneIndia's exhaustive coverage on triple talaq here:

Those found violating the SC order will be booked under the Domestic Violence Act. The government has decided that there would be no need for a legislation. It was the minority verdict by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar and Justice Abdul Nazeer which spoke about a legislation. The majority view was that a legislation would not be required.

The observations made by Justices R F Nariman and U U Lalit who delivered the majority verdict along with Justice Kurian Joseph pointed out that there is no need to ask Parliament to legislate on triple talaq as it is not an integral part of religion and is just a practise which itself is considered to be something innovative. Such a practice, the judges held, must pass the musters of Article 13, whereby all laws in derogation to the fundamental right are to be declared bad.

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After the advisory is issued, the home ministry would direct the states to sensitise the police about the issue. The police would have to deal with the complaints arising from Muslim women. If a man issues triple talaq and there is a complaint filed by the wife, then it would amount to Domestic Violence.

The government says that there would be a need in the near future to introduce a law to deal specifically with triple talaq cases. However for now, the police can book the violators under the Domestic Violence Act.

With the advisory, the Home Ministry would also send out a list of dos and donts for the police while dealing with such issues. The verdict would be studied before legal opinion is sought and only then will the advisory be sent out. In the interim the police can act upon complaints by Muslim women, the home ministry official also said.

While all states can book men violating the SC order under the Domestic Violence Act, it would be slightly different in the case of Jammu and Kashmir where this act does not apply. In Jammu and Kashmir, the provisions of the J&K Protection of women from Domestic Violence Act 2010 would be applicable.

What is the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005:

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to protect women from domestic violence. It was brought into force by the Indian government from 26 October 2006.

The Act provides for the first time in Indian law a definition of "domestic violence", with this definition being broad and including not only physical violence, but also other forms of violence such as emotional/verbal, sexual, and economic abuse.

There are various regulations or provisions being made for protection of women against domestic violence under the statute such as Sec.304B of IPC pertaining to dowry death.

Under section 313-316 of IPC female infanticide has been made punishable which means forcefully terminating the pregnancy of a women.

Other sections of IPC dealing with these issues are section 305-306 related to abetment of suicide and 340,349 of IPC respectively wrongful confinement and wrongful restraint.

A complaint can also be filed under section 498A of IPC for cruelty which also falls under domestic violence.

How to file a complaint under the Act:

Call 100 or 1091(women emergency helpline number) and report it to the concerned authority.

Write down the police report or incident number and keep with your records.

One can move to domestic violence shelter as stated under section 6 of protection of women from Domestic Violence act, 2005.

Seek the support of caring people on whom you have trust or who would keep your privacy such as a friend, a family member, a neighbour etc. So that they could act as a witness in your bad times.

File for protection order as stated under section 18 of Domestic Violence act so that the abuser can stay away from you.

OneIndia News
Try khadi gift coupons on Diwali, PM tells India Inc

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted corporates to gift khadi coupons during Diwali as it would greatly help the poor. This gesture on the part of corporates, Modi said, will create an atmosphere that will encourage people to take care of the poor.

The PM was addressing CEOs at the 'Champions of Change - Transforming India through G2B partnership' initiative organised by the Niti Aayog on Tuesday night.

"You people give coupons for purchasing of goods, why can't you give khadi coupons? Why can't you give khadi gifts this Diwali? I am not saying people will start wearing khadi after receiving the gifts. If you have 50 kinds of fabric, there can be one of khadi also," the Prime Minister stressed.

In the past, the PM urged Indians to embrace the indigenous fabric khadi through various platforms, including his radio programme Mann Ki Baat.

The sale of khadi products jumped 35 per cent in 2016- 17.

OneIndia News (with agency inputs)

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 14:27 [IST]
Welcome to a unique beauty pageant to empower, embrace transgenders

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, August 23: Of late, the country has taken many steps to bring the transgender community to the mainstream. Still a lot needs to be done to end daily stigmatisation and discrimination of transgenders, who mostly suffer due to lack of education and poverty.

Here comes a unique beauty pageant, where the country will choose its "Miss Transqueen India 2017" in the national capital on August 27, in an attempt to empower and embrace the transgender community.

Speaking to reporters, the organisers of the beauty contest on Tuesday said that a total of 16 transwomen from across the country will compete for the coveted crown -- "Miss Transqueen India 2017".

The best part is that the winner will get a chance to represent India globally at the "Miss International Transqueen" to be held in Thailand next year.

"Transgender people are often self-stigmatised, or lack confidence to pursue any career that they choose to. They are often made to think that they are not good enough for anything besides begging or some menial work.

"We want to change this. Our beauty pageant and its grooming sessions offer hope and is a symbol for change. We want transgenders to get respectable, mainstream work in fashion, film, television, and similar fields," Reena Rai, founder of Suhani Dreamcatchers, the event-management firm organising the beauty pageant, said.

These 16 transwomen, who are all set to participate in the Delhi contest, are some of the best as they have been choosen after several rounds of auditions, where more than a thousand transwomen from across the country competed.

The contestants, who were selected after auditions of 1,500 transwomen, have also gone through a rigorous training by several well-known grooming experts who have earlier been a part of many beauty pageants.

The winner will be crowned by Miss Transsexual Australia International 2017 Laetica Phylliscia Raveena.

Talking about the need of a platform for the transgender community in India, educator and grooming expert Avleen Khokhar said that opportunities like this empower the third gender.

"The transgender community in India is being denied education and jobs due to persistent discrimination. A platform like this is needed to give the third gender an opportunity to embrace and empower themselves," Khokhar said.

OneIndia News
With a bunch of flimsy evidence, case against Lt Col Purohit set to fall flat

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

With only a bunch of audio recordings and lack of material witness, the trial against Lt Col Srikant Purohit is expected to start on a weak footing. It was in fact these factors which were also taken into consideration by the Supreme Court of India which granted him bail earlier this week.

The recordings have conversations of Purohit. In one of the conversations he is heard saying, " the cat is out of the bag." Purohit has always maintained that he was undercover trying to penetrate into a terror cell and he had kept his superiors in the loop about the same.

Now coming to the point of the material witnesses, there are none. Three witnesses who had said before the Maharashtra ATS that he was an intergral part of the probe went back on their statements. They retracted before the NIA which took over the probe from the ATS.

The other charge that Purohit supplied the RDX has fallen flat. The NIA in its report clearly states that an ATS officer had planted the RDX in the house of one of the accused. This was centric to the case against Purohit and the ATS repeatedly claimed that it was he who supplied the RDX. However the NIA negated this theory completely.

This would mean that the prosecution would cling on to the audio clippings. While the investigators say that these are good evidence, it would be extremely difficult to prove that Purohit is the mastermind and the conspirator based on these clips.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 16:44 [IST]
Xi Jinping tells Chinese army to prepare for war, fight and win it

China rushes to rescue Pakistan, slams Trump for his comments

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Moments after US President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of harbouring 'agents of chaos,' China has jumped to the defence of its all weather friend.

Islamabad is at the frontline of combating terrorism, China said.

Trump, in his first prime-time televised address to announce his Afghanistan and South Asia policy, hit out at Pakistan for providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan and warned Islamabad that it has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists.

You will pay for harbouring terrorists, Trump warns Pakistan

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Donald Trump hits out at Pakistan for harboring terrorists | Oneindia News

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, while reacting to Trump's comments on Pakistan, said, "Hope the relevant policy decision by US side will be conducive to promoting security, stability of the relevant region."

"(On) President Trump's remarks on Pakistan, I should say that Pakistan is at the frontline of fighting terrorism, has made sacrifices in fighting terrorism, making an important contribution to upholding peace and stability," Hua said, strongly defending Beijing's all-weather friend.

Trump, in his address, said a pillar of his new strategy was a change in America's approach to Pakistan.

He slammed Pakistan for its support to terror groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continues to do so.

"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond," Trump said.

"Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbour terrorists," he said, in a warning to Pakistan.

Hua, in response to Trump's scathing criticism of Pakistan's support to terror groups, said, "I think the international community should truly affirm" the efforts by Pakistan in combating terrorism.

"We are pleased to see US and Pakistan to conduct cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts on the basis of mutual respect and contribute to the global peace and stability," she said.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 6:15 [IST]
To get China to budge, India brings in its best 3

Go away from Doklam, its your only hope, China tells India

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Withdraw from Doklam, that is your only hope, China has told India. The only way to end the standoff in Doklam was for India to unconditionally withdraw its troops from the area. China's latest reaction to the standoff comes a day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh hoped Beijing would soon make a "positive" move.

Rajnath Singh had on Monday hoped that a solution to the standoff in Doklam would be found soon and had said India never attacked a nation nor did it harbour any expansionist behaviour. In a speech, he had also expressed hope that China will undertake a positive initiative to resolve the standoff.

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Sikkim Standoff: China rejects India's offering of peaceful solution to Doklam| Oneindia News

But China responded with its standard propaganda attack by repeating its accusation that Indian troops "illegally crossed the boundary".

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said India's reasons to stop the Chinese road building activity in Doklam area was "ridiculous". "So the only prerequisite and condition of this incident is unconditional withdrawal of the Indian troops and equipment," Hua told reporters.

India and China have been locked in a standoff for more than two months in Doklam near the Sikkim sector. The faceoff began after Indian troops stopped Chinese military from building a road India believes would allow Beijing to cut its access to the northeastern states. Bhutan says Doklam belongs to it but China claims sovereignty over the area.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 6:34 [IST]
Yemen air raid: More than 30 killed, 13 injured

International

oi-Madhuri

More than 30 people were killed and 13 wounded in air strikes in Yemen on Wednesday, a local media said.

According to media reports, the air raid was launched targeting Lukanda inside dozens of citizens in the village of Beit al-Azhari in Arhab.

So far 30 bodies have been recovered from the rubble by the ambulance teams. They are still working to retrieve the bodies of martyrs from the ruins of the Lokanda, likely to increase the number of victims.

The war between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-backed rebels has killed more than 8,300 Yemenis since 2015 and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

OneIndia News
Imran Khan discharged from hospital, to resume long march from same point where he was shot

This cop from Pakistan became a millionaire overnight: Here is how

Pakistan using India as an excuse to pursue its Afghan policy: US

International

oi-PTI

Washington, August 23: The US strongly refuted Pakistan's concerns with regard to Indian developmental activities in the war-torn Afghanistan. Pakistan is using New Delhi as an excuse to pursue its policies in Afghanistan, said the US.

"What India is doing in Afghanistan is not a threat to Pakistan. They're not building military bases. They're not deploying troops," a senior administration official of Republican surrogates said during a conference call yesterday.

National Security Council (NSC) Spokesperson Michael Anton was responding to questions on Pakistan's apprehensions and allegations of India's encirclement of them through Afghanistan. This is an "excuse" on the part of Pakistan, he said according to Politico, which reported about the conference call.

"They (Indians) are not doing the things that would constitute encirclement, for lack of a better term, which is one of the things that the Pakistani's complain about," Anton said, thus strongly refuting the Pakistani allegations in this regard, latest of which was mentioned in the statement issued by the Pakistani Foreign Office.

"The threat to peace and security cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies.

Non- resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region," the Pakistani Foreign Office had said in a statement in a response to the Afghan policy announcement of the US President Donald Trump a day earlier.

"We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond," Trump had said.

Pakistan, he said, has sheltered the same organisations that try every single day to kill "our" people. The Pak Foreign Office said it is disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort.

"Pakistan has been and will continue to be part of the global counter terrorism efforts. Pakistan and the US have been close allies in the fight against terrorism, which is a common threat for all nations of the world. As a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country," it said.

It added that instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism.

PTI

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Story first published: Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 8:54 [IST]
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Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York for New Managers:

London-based volatility hedge fund Runestone Capital has launched its first US fund. The systematic strategy will buy or sell US equity index volatility on a one-day forward basis based on statistical probabilities. The fund offers investors access to VIX as an asset class, trading VIX futures, exchange traded notes, and options.

"The strategy has delivered returns in very different market conditions as the strategy is agnostic to being long or short and to pre-set market conditions," said Rune Madsen, CIO of Runestone Capital in an interview.

The strategy was launched in May of 2015 and has been building a track record largely on friends and family investments. But, outside interest is growing and assets under management at the firm have increased from 12 million to over 50 million in the last six months.

The new fund, called Runestone Capital U.S. Fund, will run pari passu to the original Malta based SICAV, named Runestone Capital Fund. Its first day of trading is set to be Oct 1, 2017. The fund's capacity is currently projected at $500m based on the size of the current VIX market.

"The market for VIX strategies is more significant in the US than Europe, which is why it made sense for us to launch the strategy as a US fund," Madsen says. The firm has added to its marketing and sales team in advance of the launch. Accor......................

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Potato Peeler And Slicer Equipment Market: Quick Adoption Of Technology And Preference For Innovative Peelers Boosts The Market

http://www.marketintelreports.com/report/irtntr12071/global-potato-peeler-and-slicer-equipment-market-20172021

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The Potato Peeler And Slicer Equipment Market produces the potato peeler and slicer equipment which consists of a slotted metal blade attached to a handle that can remove the outer skin or the peel of the potato. It differs from the knife in that the blade has a slot cut in it, which is sharpened on the inside edge.There are many designs of the potato peeling machine produced in the Potato Peeler And Slicer Equipment Market. Most of the peelers are straight or Y type. The designs differ depending on the region and personal preference.Browse Complete Report @Scope & Regional Forecast of the Potato Peeler And Slicer Equipment MarketThe primary factor driving the Potato Peeler And Slicer Equipment Market is the demand for sophisticated designs. The demand for the automatic potato peeler machine will also drive the market. The increase in the number of food service establishments and growing demand for the new units of the commercial potato cutter from developing countries are the other factors.The potato slicer machine is sold to the end users in the commercial and industrial setups. The increasing number of potato processing plants will boost the Potato Peeler And Slicer Equipment Market.Manufacturers offer the potato machine cutter to cater to the varied need of the end users. Most of the consumers prefer the automatic peelers due to their efficiency. Features like the high rinsing and peeling ratio and easy operation drive the growth of the potato peeler and slicer. Americas dominated the Potato Peeler And Slicer Equipment Market in 2016 and this trend will continue in the next five years.Get a Sample Brochure @Segmentations & Key Players Involved in the Potato Peeler And Slicer Equipment MarketThe Potato Peeler And Slicer Equipment Market can be broken down into various segmentations on the basis of  Product- Peeler and Slicer. Region- Americas, APAC, and EMEA.Some of the key players involved in the Potato Peeler And Slicer Equipment Market are as follows: Boema FTNON Dofra Electrolux Elgento FAMOrder a Copy @About us:MarketIntelReports (MIR) aim to empower our clients to successfully manage and outperform in their business decisions, we do this by providing Premium Market Intelligence, Strategic Insights and Databases from a range of Global Publishers.A group of industry veterans who are well experienced in reputed international consulting firms after identifying the sourcing needs of MNCs for market intelligence, have together started this business savior MarketIntelReports.MIR intends to be a one-stop shop with an intuitive design, exhaustive database, expert assistance, secure cart checkout and data privacy integrated. It curates the list of reports, publishers and studies to ensure that the database is constantly updated to dynamically meet the targeted, specific needs of our clients.MarketIntelReports currently has more than 10,000 plus titles and 35+ publishers on our platform and growing consistently to fill the Global Intelligence Demand  Supply Gap. We cover more than 15 industry verticals being: Automotive, Electronics, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Chemicals, Building & Construction, Agriculture, Food & Beverages, Banking & Finance, Media and Government, Public Sector Studies.Contact us:Sales ManagerMayur S.2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,Wilmington,Delaware,19808United Statessales@marketintelreports.comTelephone: 1-302-684-6088
U.S. Paper Market Report - Share, Size, Trends, Growth and Forecast 2017-2025

http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/us-paper-except-newsprint-market-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020?utm_source=opr

http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/us-paper-except-newsprint-market-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020?utm_source=opr

IndexBox has just published a new report "U.S. Paper (Except Newsprint) Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2025" ().The report provides on a detailed analysis of the U.S. paper market. It depicts the latest data of the market size and volume, domestic production, exports and imports, price dynamics and turnover in the industry. In addition, the report contains insightful information about the industry, including industry life cycle, business locations, productivity, employment and many other crucial aspects. The Company Profiles section contains actual data on the biggest players in the industry.Countries coverage: the U.S.Product coverage:Bleached bristols and clay-coated, uncoated freesheet, cotton fiber, special industrial, packaging, and industrial converting papers; Construction paper; Disposable diapers and similar disposable products, made in paper mills; Sanitary tissue paper products, made in paper mills; Paper (except newsprint) mills, nsk, totalAbstract:In 2015, the value of paper production in the U.S. amounted to $40.6B, going down by -2.0% against the previous year level. Overall, the U.S. paper output pursued a mild decline from 2007 to 2015. The total output figures decreased at an average annual rate of -1.8%. The trend pattern was relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010, when the output figure increased by +2% from the previous year level. Over the period under review, the total value of paper shipments in the United States attained its maximum level of $46.0B in 2008. Afterwards, the growth in terms of the paper production failed to regain its strength through to 2015.Bleached bristols and clay-coated, uncoated freesheet, cotton fiber, special industrial, packaging, and industrial converting papers accounted for the highest share (47% in 2015) of U.S. paper manufacturing, leaving a considerable room for paper (except newsprint) mills, nsk, total (0%). The other related products with less notable individual shares together comprised approx. 53% of the total output.Companies mentioned:International Paper Company,Kimberly-Clark Corporation,Sca Americas,Pratt Industries (u.s.a.),P. H. Glatfelter Company,Clearwater Paper Corporation,Kapstone Paper and Packaging Corporation,Neenah Paper, Appvion,Hollingsworth & Vose Company,Nice-Pak Products,Expera Specialty Solutions,Sca Tissue North America,Crane & Co.,Blue Ridge Paper Products,SDW Holdings Corporation,Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging,Wausau Paper Corp.,Simpson Investment Company,Cellu Tissue Holdings,Kamilche Company,Newpage Holding Corporation,Verso Paper Holdings,Cycle Link (u.s.a.),Verso Paper Management,New-Indy Containerboard,Mondi Bags UsaData coverage: Paper market size; Paper production, value of shipments; Key market players and their profiles; Exports, imports and trade balance; Import and export prices; Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term; Key industry statistics; Life cycle of the paper industry; Number of establishments and their locations; Employment data; Paper industry productivity.Reasons to buy this report: Take advantage of the latest data; Find deeper insights into current market developments; Discover vital success factors affecting the market.Source:IndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QW
Conversion Talent Publishes Results of its Salary Survey 2017 for Digital Positions

www.conversiontalent.eu

Brussels, 21/08/2017Conversion Talent, Belgiums number one in digital recruitment & customer experience consultancy, conducted a survey to research the the state of the digital marketing sector by asking for data from those who work at the heart of it. The survey was open to all digital marketing professionals working in Belgium and Europe. More than 500 responses were received in August 2017.Key findings include:Freelance is the trend: Freelancers can potentially earn twice as much as permanent employees if they have a constant stream of work which leads to a substantial shift in digital marketers going from payroll status to freelance status.The automotive industry is the most lucrative for freelancers as they can earn more than 50% above average daily ratesAll-rounders like digital marketers and project managers generally have higher income than those who specialise in fields like e-communication, e-commerce or web analysisBrussels is still the place with the highest salaries for permanent employees, but freelancers can get higher daily rates in AntwerpWe conduct this salary survey every two to three years, as we want to see the bigger picture of income across the digital marketing industry, says Mathias Lamiroy, Managing Partner of Conversion Talent. It provides a valuable perspective from different angles on the individuals who work in the digital industry but also the companies they work for. Analysing the results, we were able to create an in depth report that we can give as a point of reference to our clients and candidates.The survey data put current salaries, benefits and other related information into perspective and compares freelance and permanent salaries. The results show that there is a trend towards becoming a freelancer and that they can potentially earn much more than permanent employees. Generally, the results of the survey show that salaries depend on various factors such as location, age, industry or years of experience.Conversion Talent is Belgium's leading digital recruitment agency, advising on staffing and business solutions to drive digital transformation for leading brands in Europe. The Belgian company helps in building human-centered digital organisations and delivers sustainable customer experience (CX) solutions in a lean, agile and fast way with a team of 75 consultants located in 4 hubs across Belgium and Spain.Jeroen van Ermen  Managing PartnerConversion TalentLambroekstraat 5a1831 DiegemMobile: +32 468 32 75 91E-Mail: jeroen@conversiontalent.euWeb:
Global Lubricants Market Projected to Grow at a CAGR of 2.0% to 2.4% from 2018-2023 - Axiom MRC

Global Lubricants Market Projected to Grow at a CAGR of 2.0% to 2.4% from 2018-2023

http://axiommrc.com/request-for-sample/?report=1352

Axiom Market Research & Consulting added a Global Lubricants Market Research Report- By Type, Application & By Geography - Market trends, Market share, Industry Analysis and Forecast Upto 2023.Global Lubricants Market is mainly segmented on the basis of Type, Application and by Region/Country. By Type, the lubricants market is segmented into Industrial Lubricants which include Process Oils, Metal Working Fluids, Commercial Automotive Lubricants are Hydraulic & Transmission Fluid and Consumer Automotive Lubricants. On the basis of Application, the market is segmented into Automotive, Industrial, Marine and Others. The report covers all the regions such as Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa.Request for Sample @The global lubricants market accounted for approximately 37.50 million tons in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.0% to 2.4% from 2018-2023.The report includes market size estimation for the regions such as Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. Some of the worlds major integrated oil and gas companies are operating in this market, which account for major market share in the global lubricants market. List of companies active in this market are: ExxonMobil Corporation, BP Plc, Chevron Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell Plc., Sinopec Limited, Petrochina Lubricant Company, Total S.A., BASF SE, FUCHS Lubricants and Lukoil Oil Company.The report includes market size estimation and forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) and volume (million tons) from 2017 to 2023. Other companies of the lubricant industry are also considered for the competitive landscape of the market in the report like Amsoil Inc., Blaser Swisslube AG, British Petroleum, Buhmwoo Chemical Ind. Co., Ltd., Castrol, Idemitsu Oil & Gas Co. Ltd., Kendall (Phillips 66), Lukoil Oil Company., Nippon Oil, Pennzoil, PetroChina, PetroFer Chemie, Petrobras, Petronas, Quaker Chemical Corporation, Valvoline, Zeller+Gmelin Corporation etc.Axiom Market Research & Consulting was founded with a sole intention of providing companies with key actionable data to help them take informed business decisions pertaining to their investments, marketing strategies, market competition, new product launches?etc.Axiom MRC believes that for being able to take good strategic decisions or for business planning, companies need to understand and interpret the current market scenarios correctly. Axiom MRC follows a scientifically developed research methodology where the end to end value chain of the industry vertical is studied. Axiom MRC's research methodology helps to extract, analyze and compare markets along with peer markets, main or parent market, application and end user industries, competitive landscape and qualitative figures to arrive at market numbers. Axiom MRC also validates the market findings with key industry professionals and its client network and takes their opinion into consideration. The key findings are presented with smart infographics for better and easy understanding.Backed by a team of experienced senior analyst, who have worked with leading research firms and delivered number of market research projects globally, Axiom MRC is able to cater to all market research and business consulting requirements. Axiom MRC offers business consulting, syndicated and custom market research reports across various industry verticals such as life science, chemicals & materials, food & beverages, packaging, agriculture, power & energy.Axiom Market Research & Consulting616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-4268Valley Cottage, NY 10989Telephone: +1 (845) 875-9786Email: sales@axiommrc.com
SCHOOL OF ROCK SCHAUMBURG READY TO ROCK N ROLL

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http://franchising.schoolofrock.com/

The leader in performance-based music education, School of Rock, is proud to announce the opening of its newest school in Schaumburg, Illinois. The school is located at 1409 Wright Boulevard, Schaumburg Illinois 60193. School of Rock Schaumburg will celebrate its grand opening with a rockin party held September 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Attendees are invited to enjoy a ceremonial guitar-smashing a variety of live music acts, free trial lessons, demos, food and beverages and more.School of Rock Schaumburg provides local students of all ages a unique learning environment where they can develop skills on a variety of instruments including guitar, vocals, keyboard, bass and drums. Local touring musicians lead each class, providing students with priceless insight and experience. Each School of Rock teacher instructs students in the theory and tunes of timeless rock artists such as AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. This performance-based approach has advanced students around the world, providing them with confidence and superior instrumental repertoire, propelling some to notable platforms such as American Idol, The Voice and Broadway.Franchisee and local musician Jason Fein owns and operates two other School of Rock locations in Geneva, IL and Plainfield, IL. After falling in love with music and touring the country numerous times, Jason found his dream job at School of Rock, which promised a schedule compatible with his touring dates. After a successful career as an instructor and general manager, Jason decided to open his own schools, and the rest is history.I remember the morning we opened our first school, I drove through the night to make it to our grand opening party after headlining at the House of Blues. It was a dream come true, said School of Rock Schaumburg franchisee, Jason Fein. I grew up playing music and still perform with my band, The Run Around, so I understand the importance of having music and bandmates while youre young. School of Rock provides exactly that - an ideal place for kids not only to build their musicianship, but to grow real friendships as well.We are incredibly proud to have Jason opening up his third School of Rock location in Schaumburg, said School of Rock CEO Rob Price. His experience in and passion for the music industry has helped him to understand how to connect with communities at a deeper level. The Chicagoland area is a hot spot for young musicians, and the School of Rock team is proud to be there at every step to help these kids develop their talents, both as musicians and individuals.For more information on School of Rock, please visit schoolofrock.com.The music school your mom and dad wish they had when they were kids, School of Rock is an ingenious concept that gets kids and adults rocking out to the classics and up and performing with their peers. With more 200 locations in nine countries, the franchise proves that rock and roll is here to stay. Follow School of Rock on Facebook atand on Twitter at. For more information on School of Rock visitor call 866-695-5515. To learn more about School of Rock franchise opportunities head toKonnect Agency888 South Figueroa St., Suite 1000Los Angeles, CA 90017Ali Lloydalloyd@konnectagency.com
SpecPage strengthens US-team with Tony McQueen as Business Development Manager

Tampa, FL, August 22, 2017. SpecPage, a global provider of integrated software solutions and online catalogs for the food & beverage industry (F&B), has appointed Tony McQueen Business Development Manager to further grow its market presence in North America.In his new role, Tony will be responsible for developing new business opportunities in the USA and Canada. Tony brings years of extensive knowledge working with global brands, manufacturers and suppliers and strategic development of both IT and F&B industry from his previous tenures. Prior to joining SpecPage, Tony acted as National Account Manager with Genius Central Systems, a software solutions provider for retailers and suppliers in the natural product industry. In 2015, he was awarded the Core Value and Leadership Award for establishing company values, transparency and excellent customer service. Tony has held senior positions in a variety of diverse Fortune 500 companies to grow brand awareness, create and manage marketing strategies as well as identify partnership opportunities. A Washington, D.C. area native, Tony will be based at SpecPage's US office in Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida.SpecPage provides product development solutions, including Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Product Data Management (PDM) and Laboratory Information and Management System (LIMS), enabling food and beverage companies to innovate competitive products in compliance with relevant food laws.With expertise in GDSN, the Swiss-based company offers individually customizable online catalogs, including Supplier's Guide, Buyer's Guide and Compliance Guide, to help companies manage high-quality product information at the touch of a button.We look forward to working with Tony. He is an extremely experienced sales manager. We especially value his background and his prominent contacts among retailers, manufacturers and suppliers in the US, said Severin Weiss, CEO at SpecPage. Tony will also strengthen our team when attending major industry events across the continent. He will be our key component in the further expansion in the North American markets, he added.I am delighted to be joining SpecPage's team, especially at this exciting stage in the companys global expansion, said Tony. I look forward to being able to utilize my extensive networking experience and success of working with executives to educate them about the benefits and value of our software applications, explained Tony. We will aim at expanding SpecPage's product offerings, especially its powerful Product Data Management SpecPDM tool and Supplier's Guide to a target audience, he stated.With subsidiaries in France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United States, SpecPage is a rapidly growing company and is set to expand its activities in these markets, meeting the growing demand in the range of product development and information.SpecPage, headquartered in Switzerland, combined with branch offices throughout Europe, the United States and Singapore, is a leading provider of integrated software solutions and online catalogs for the food and beverage industry. Kelloggs, Dr. Oetker, Mondelez, Nestle Wagner, Froneri, OSI, Zeelandia, BRF, Subway, Koch Foods and Glanbia are well-known customers currently deploying software solutions from SpecPage to successfully manage the complex aspects of their product development in an increasingly competitive global environment. With expertise in food law, the company simplifies compliance with global labeling requirements by providing turnkey product data management tools for master data and recipes as well product lifecycle management with integrated GDSN interfacing. In addition to its standardized software solutions, SpecPage offers master data capturing services and auditing capabilities.Petra KourimskaMarketing and Communications ManagerSpecPage AGBarenmatte 1CH-6403 Kussnachtpkourimska@specpage.comPhone: +49 69 153 229 08 215
Yale Earns Spot on Green Supply Chain Partner List for Seventh Consecutive Year

GREENVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 22, 2017)  Supply chain sustainability efforts play an integral role in increasing productivity while reducing costs and environmental impact in an ever-changing, demanding delivery climate. In recognition of continued leadership in such sustainability initiatives, Yale Materials Handling Corporation earned a spot on the Inbound Logistics annual list of top 75 Green Supply Chain Partners (G75) for the seventh consecutive year thanks to its lithium-ion and hydrogen fuel cell power systems and telemetry solution.The alternative power solutions offered by Yale include the first commercially available UL-recognized lithium-ion battery pack in the lift truck industry, a power solution that lasts twice as long as traditional lead acid batteries, helping reduce landfill waste and keep lift trucks moving more efficiently. Yale also offers lift trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which produce zero harmful emissions.Supply chain sustainability is a critical principle of our innovation process at Yale, and this recognition validates our internal commitment and the efforts of the industries we serve, says David McNeill, Manager of Product Strategy for Yale. This alignment of sustainability and business interests produces solutions that reduce environmental impact while also enabling a substantive, positive effect on the bottom line.Yale Vision wireless asset management enables supply chain operations to track equipment and employees, which can uncover opportunities to eliminate waste, operate more efficiently and become more sustainable. For example, telemetry data can be leveraged to identify more efficient travel routes for reduced energy consumption.The Inbound Logistics G75 list includes supply chain, logistics and transportation companies that exceed industry standards in criteria such as measurable green results, sustainability innovation and continuous improvement. For more information on the 2017 edition of the list, click here.Tweet this: #Sustainability trifecta! Lithium-ion, #hydrogen, #telemetry earn @InboundLogistcs G75 for @YaleAmericas bit.ly/2wx7Dpy#gogreen #supplychainAbout Yale Materials Handling CorporationYale Materials Handling Corporation markets a full line of materials handling lift truck products and services, including electric, gas, LP-gas and diesel powered lift trucks; narrow aisle, very narrow aisle and motorized hand trucks. Yale has a comprehensive service offering including Yale Vision wireless asset management, fleet management, Yale service, parts, financing and training. Yale trucks are manufactured in an ISO 9001:2008 registered facility and range in capacity from 2,000 to 36,000 lbs.Yale Materials Handling Corporation is a division of Hyster-Yale Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (NYSE:HY). Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. and its subsidiaries, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, employ approximately 6,600 people world-wide.Yale Materials Handling Corporation1400 Sullivan DriveGreenville. NC 27834Company Contact:Jennifer TimblinYale Materials Handling Corporation252-931-5747jennifer.timblin@hyster-yale.comMedia Contact:Dan GaussKoroberi202-588-0393dan@koroberi.com
Fulham HotSpot Constant Power Programmable LED Emergency Driver Recognized for Innovation in 2017 IES Progress Report

http://www.fulham.com

http://www.fulham.com

http://www.fulham.com

Newest HotSpot LED Emergency Lighting Driver Listed in Illuminating Engineering Society Report for Unique Programmability, Monitoring, and Diagnostics.Hawthorne, CA, USA -- Fulham Co., Inc., a leading supplier of lighting components and electronics for commercial and specialty applications, today announced that the company's HotSpot Constant Power Programmable LED Emergency Driver has been included by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) in the 2017 Progress Report. Being listed in the 2017 IES Progress Report is a distinct honor since the annual Report showcases technically significant advancements in the art and science of lighting.The driver was selected because of a number of innovations that were identified by the IES Progress Committee, including: The first constant power LED emergency driver to feature programmable power output capability; The first emergency driver with an integrated life data recorder to log time in standby mode; time in emergency mode, emergency events, and temperature; The first emergency driver to use an integrated test switch bicolor indicator light (red and green) for status and self-diagnostics; and Meeting the CEC Title 20 requirements for small battery chargers, as well as the specifications of the European Eco Directive."Inclusion in the annual IES Progress Report is a special honor since selection is made by the engineering community and is based on superior engineering, demonstrating that Fulham is truly advancing lighting technology and innovation," said Russ Sharer, Vice President of Global Marketing for Fulham. "At Fulham we listen to our customers, and our R&D team is committed to developing products with functionality that addresses their needs and advances the state of illumination."Fulham first introduced Constant Power Emergency LED drivers in 2016 with a series of cULus-classified models that quickly gained in popularity due to their ease of installation and compliance with local emergency lighting standards. The new programmable model is designed for luminaire manufacturers looking to offer emergency capability. It uses LiFePO4 batteries to deliver a minimum of 90 minutes of power in the event of an outage, and can be programmed for lower light output to extend emergency run times.The HotSpot Constant Power Programmable LED Emergency Driver is an example of Fulham's growing line of clever, programmable lighting products. Programmability allows a luminaire manufacturer to stock a single driver that can be customized for different applications. For example, the HotSpot driver uses a default setting for the battery to deliver maximum output for 90 minutes, e.g. a 10W battery delivers 10W of output. It also can be programmed to extend run time, such as programming a 10W battery to run at 5W to double emergency illumination time. This means the same HotSpot device can be used in a commercial space where regulations require 90 minutes of egress lighting, or in a high-rise building that may require longer emergency illumination times.In addition to Title 20, the HotSpot Constant Power Programmable LED Emergency Driver complies with international safety regulations, including cULus, CE and ENEC. All HotSpot LED emergency drivers come with Fulham's 5-year warranty.For more information about Fulham's LED emergency lighting products, please visitAbout FulhamFulham Co., Inc. is a leading global provider of intelligent, socially-conscious sustainable commercial lighting components and electronics for use in commercial general lighting, parking structure, signage, horticultural, UV and other applications. The company develops and manufactures a variety of award-winning LED and emergency products, as well as legacy products across multiple lighting platforms. Fulham sells its lighting solutions worldwide through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and electrical equipment distribution channels. Headquartered in Hawthorne, Calif., the company has sales and/or manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands, China, India, the UK and the UAE. For more information, visitMedia Contact:Andy FirchauMarketing ManagerFulham Co., Inc.12705 South Van Ness Ave.Hawthorne, CA 90250Phone: +1 (323) 779-2980, ext. 1252afirchau@fulham.com
Innovaccer Launches Clinical Documentation Improvement Solution to Boost Revenue and Provide Documentation Integrity

http://www.innovaccer.com/cdi

Innovaccer Inc., one of the fastest growing Silicon Valley-based healthcare platform company, today announced the launch of their Clinical Documentation Improvement Solution. The solution has been specifically designed to help healthcare organizations maintain documentation integrity, improve documentation within the healthcare record, and through this capture missed savings opportunities.Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) has been built on Innovaccers proprietary platform Datashop and enables clinicians and CDI staff to identify missed diagnosis codes or potential down-coding to analyze the tangible impact on revenue and risk-adjusted savings. It streamlines the CDI process using Datashops built-in analytics and risk coding with flexible and automated workflows. Additionally, it will help health care networks justify admission and treatment, accurately reflect the severity of medical conditions and rightly assess their risk which, in turn, will be instrumental in generating better financial outcomes.Diagnostic errors are a critical challenge in todays healthcare and its transformation to value-based care today. Inaccurate coding and documentation can result in incorrect risk mapping, making it difficult to maintain data quality and calculate the risk-adjusted score. Innovaccers CDI solution will counter these issues with its key features:Missed Coding Identification: Accurate patient mapping throughout the network to identify potentially down-coded or missed codes that might affect risk adjustments.Prioritization: Estimate potential risk down-coding impact and potential shared savings opportunity lost per patient for better prioritization of patients.Accurate Risk Coding & Alerts: Calculate and adjust risk scores of patients through risk scoring methods like CMS-HCC or HSS-HCC. Notify care teams about patients with sudden changes in risk scores.Clinical Integration backed Analytics: Integrate with EHRs for real-time feeds on patients and identify complications, co-morbidities, medications, etc.Automated Workflows: Automate work queues for the clinical documentation improvement staff with the list of all the patients that have been miscoded or need attention across all payers.Dashboarding & Tracking: Automatically track codes which have been redone and capture risk scores to provide accurate visibility on shared savings opportunities and the overall return on investment.Were very excited about the potential of our new solution, and how it helps healthcare organizations strive for sustainable and scalable quality improvements as well as achieve financial excellence, says Abhinav Shashank, CEO at Innovaccer. As healthcare evolves and clinical documentation improvement becomes critical to delivering value and success, were optimistic that Innovaccers solution will help support and reflect the high-quality care physicians deliver.The new solution is in-line with Innovaccers holistic value-based care solutions suite that includes data integration, population health management, quality reporting, care management, referral management, and patient engagement.Access the solution here-For more information, please visit innovaccer.com or follow us on Twitter @innovaccer.Innovaccer Inc is a Silicon Valley-headquartered, Healthcare platform company easing care teams transition to Value-based Reimbursements. Innovaccers aim is to simplify complex data from all points of care, streamline the information and help organizations make powerful decisions and realize strategic value-based reimbursement goals based on the key insights and predictions from their data. Its proprietary product Datashop enables provider organizations to use data as a source of innovation and has been deployed across 15 countries at academic institutions, governmental organizations, and several corporate enterprises such as Mercy ACO, Compass Medical, Catalyst Healthcare, Rochester RHIO, Osler, El Paso HIE, and Hartford Healthsystems to name a few.Innovaccer Inc#701, 2120 University AveBerkeley, California, 94704Press ContactSachin SaxenaInnovaccer Inc213-618-3678
Fresh Visual Perspective in Marketing

www.altimaging.com

COLUMBIA STATION, OHIO  Exciting technology is being delivered by a Northeast Ohio firm in assisting companies with their visual marketing, work processes, project management, and time management by capturing necessary and effective images, views, angles, and data through digital aerial photography and videography created by FAA certified remote piloting.Founded by the husband and wife team of Ian and Betty Vrcek, Altitude Imaging LLC is serving Ohio and Michigan with a fleet of essential tools that help businesses within sectors such as construction, non-profits, special and community events, and outdoor recreation as well as commercial and residential real estate.After contemplating starting their own business for years the Vrceks finally found the right situation and fit in what has become Altitude Imaging.With Ians love of technology and drone piloting along with his creative mind made starting an aerial videography and photography business quite easy, Betty Vrcek said. Taking images either in the sky or on the ground and creating amazing images and videos is a pleasure for us as is working with the people, seeing the project through from beginning to end, and exceeding their expectations.Ians more than two decades of construction and engineering experience gives Altitude Imaging hands-on experience and insight into many of the projects they encounter within the fields they serve.Starting his career in commercial roofing for more than 15 years including being lead foreman he has learned all the construction processes for each to coordinate work ensuring projects are completed efficiently, safely, and on time, Betty said. Ian has most recently been in electrical controls engineering strengthening his technical background.An important aspect of Ians background and the services that Altitude Imaging provides are the project management benefits for the industries they work with especially construction.Our services provide valuable project management updates to maintain and improve client and organizational relations through real-time snapshots of the progress at each job site, Betty said. The data and information is available at the clients fingertips. Small gains in efficiency can translate to huge increases in savings across the board.The Vrceks feel that their professional traits and their long term relationship benefit their business and especially their clients.We make a great team and our skillsets complement each other, Betty said. From Ians technical knowledge and creativity to my customer relations and workflow processes, we are able to meet the needs of our customers in an organized and timely fashion.Additional information on Altitude Imaging along with examples of their video and photography can be found on their website at. They can be contacted at 440.508.6007 or uaspilot@altimaging.comLocated in Columbia Station, Ohio, Altitude Imaging is an aerial fleet of essential tools that can help your business in various ways. By partnering with us, we can help you provide a new perspective to visually market your business or project, streamline your work processes, and help you manage your time effectively. Whether you are in the construction industry, real estate, special events, or outdoor recreation; we partner with you to take you to the next level.Betty Vrcek440.865.0295uaspilot@altimaging.com
Code18 Interactive Launches Two New Client Blogs

Counter Culture - The C.O. Bigelow Blog

http://www.goodnessonthego.com

http://www.bigelowblog.com

http://www.code18.com

http://www.code18.com

Code18 Interactive, a boutique digital agency based in New York City, is pleased to announce the recent launch of two new blogs created for agency clients GoGo squeeZ and C.O. Bigelow.Goodness On The Go () is a recipe and healthy lifestyle blog from GoGo squeeZ, Americas leading brand of squeezable applesauce. Offering an array of healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and fun activities, Goodness On The Go is a blog that helps on-the-go families be a little happier and healthier every day. Recent posts have included recipes for Banana YogurtZ Bread (made with GoGo squeeZ YogurtZ, the companys innovative shelf-stable squeezable yogurt that requires no refrigeration), smoothies, gingerbread cookies, and more. Additional blog posts focus on topics such as healthy living, crafts and activities, GoGo squeeZ partnerships, and and other topics.Counter Culture () is a health and beauty blog offering helpful tips from the pharmacists and beauty experts on staff at New York Citys famous C.O. Bigelow, the oldest apothecary in America. Every day customers visit C.O. Bigelows store seeking advice, and Counter Culture seeks to provide authoritative answers to many of the most frequently asked questions. Recent Ask A Pharmacist posts have provided important information about alcohol and antibiotics, sunscreen, and how to get rid of scars. Meanwhile, the sites Ask A Beauty Expert section discusses beauty-related products and other topics ranging from how to choose a hair dryer or hair brush, to when you should start using eye cream.These new blogs provide each of these clients with an owned media platform that they can use to educate and communicate with their respective communities, says Steve Pilon, founder and creative director at Code18 Interactive. The evergreen nature of the content they are publishing, along with the easy-to-use WordPress content management system, means that the sites will continue to grow more useful and valuable over time. And the thoughtful, detailed designs created by the Code18 team really embody and enhance the unique personality of each brand.Code18 Interactive is a New York WordPress development agency that caters exclusively to national consumer and media brands. Clients of the agency include GoGo squeeZ and C.O. Bigelow, as well as Boursin Cheese, Grove Atlantic Publishing, Manhattan Wardrobe Supply, and others. Additional services include Magento 2 design and development, digital advertising, social media management, SEO, and more. The company was originally founded in Atlanta, and relocated to NYC in 2012.For more information, please visitCode18 Interactive is a digital agency in NYC offering web design, WordPress development and digital advertising for consumer and media brands.Code18 Interactive175 Varick Street, 8th FloorNew York, NY 10014404-585-2725
LeMoyne-Owen College Awarded $20,000 Grant by Campus Consortium to Implement Student Services Helpdesk

http://www.loc.edu

www.campusconsortium.org

Memphis, Tennessee, August 18, 2017: Campus Consortium, the largest global education association of schools, colleges and universities awarded a $20,000 grant to LeMoyne-Owen College to aid the Student Services Helpdesk.A private historically black college in Memphis, LeMoyne-Owen College provides excellent liberal arts education that transforms urban students, institutions and communities. The college will use the grant to acquire the BlackbeltHelp services to provide student services support."There could not have been a better time to receive this grant from Campus Consortium. Each semester our administrative, financial and registrar offices get swamped with calls and emails from students. This grant will help us fund the Student Services Helpdesk that helps us with calls and assists students with their questions and problems. This will leave our staff available to focus on the task of running the institution successfully," said Dwayne Cable, Vice President, Information Technology, LeMoyne-Owen College.The Campus Consortium Grant Committee is proud to present this award to LeMoyne-Owen College for Student Services Helpdesk, said Anjli Jain, Chairman, Campus Consortium. "The Student Services Helpdesk will provide support on numerous student enquiries from Admissions and Enrollment to Housing and Health Services. Were certain the college will benefit from this grant.To learn about and apply for a Campus Consortium Grant, please visit campusconsortium.org/grant-programsAbout LeMoyne-Owen CollegeLeMoyneOwen College is a fully accredited, four-year private historically black college located in Memphis, Tennessee. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. LeMoyne-Owen College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the baccalaureate and the associate degree. For more information, please visitAbout Campus ConsortiumCampus Consortium is a leading education association with more than 2,000 higher education institutions and K-12 school district members. The Campus Consortium's mission is to help members reduce the time, cost and effort associated with implementing enterprise IT services by leveraging shared IT services, lessons learned and best practices so that each member can avoid reinventing the wheel.For more information, please visit125 South Clark Street, 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
Christian Up Close & Personal Announces Their New Website Launching!

www.ChristianTex.com

www.ChristianTex

Spirit-Lead Decal Business Christian Up Close and Personal Announces Launch of Dynamic New WebsiteTexas-based company providing clothing such as Christian T-shirts and other items based on religious mantras takes its online presence to a whole new level.Christian Up Close & Personal Announces Their New Website Launching!Plano, TX  May 25, 2017  Christian Up Close and Personal, a Plano, Texas-based business specializing in clothing and other items that feature various religious mantras, is taking its message to a widespread audience via an all-new website located at. Christian T-shirts as offered by Christian Up Close and Personal include the Act shirt, Perfect shirt, Price shirt and custom shirts, each expressing a different message from the Savior whom business representatives say should be given a chance to guide all our lives.God can speak to us in many ways  he can communicate though Scriptures, songs, Christian literature and other people, says the 61-year-old entrepreneur behind Christian Up Close and Personal. I realized that we too can help minister and assist our fellow travelers through this life, as well, and soon learned that I must always try to keep my spiritual eyes focused on Him; through the writings of Jesus, I was given the confidence to start a new business at the age of 61, and I am now using my life history to help encourage others to give our Savior a chance to guide their lives.Indeed, working for the Lord is the highest honor that I could have ever imagined for myself. My prayer for others is that they too will enjoy and receive personal insight through our spirit-lead decal mantras printed on custom shirts.Among the many unisex shirts offered via ChristianTex.com are popular sellers such as the Act shirt (including a decal that reads Gods Message to the World  Get Your Spiritual Act Together Soon. Accept My Precious Son.), the Anger shirt (including a decal that reads Dear God, Please Give Me Peace of Mind Because I am Having Righteous Anger Issues.), the Bless shirt (including a decal that reads All Men and Women That Protect Our Freedoms and Lives Everyday are Blessings From God. Respect and Honor Them.), the Curtain shirt (including a decal that reads Life is a Drama. Just Be Ready for the Final Curtain Call.), the Grape shirt (including a decal that reads Given the Grapes of Wrath in our Life, Jesus Turns Them Into Wine.) and more.I can honestly say that our God is the greatest and most beloved CEO that I have ever had the highest privilege of working forand His retirement plan is out of this world, concludes a Christian Up Close and Personal company spokesperson.Christian Up Close and Personal can be reached by calling (469) 969-6021. For more information and to order products visit#ChristianTShirtsClothing#PlanoTexas#(469)969-6021Christian Up Close And Personal Is a proud family owned company. We aim for quality, not quantity.Plano, Texas 75086
Ambulatory Electronic Health Record Market Analysis, Size, Forecast to 2023

www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/ehr-market

www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/ehr-market/report-sample

https://www.psmarketresearch.com

Ambulatory electronic health record (EHR) refers to a record that is maintained electronically in order to store the patient's medical records, which includes information about all surgeries and medical care that does not involves the need for the patient being admitted to a hospital or that are given in non-hospital settings such as urgent care clinics, physicians offices and at-home medical care. Health care providers can easily share information using this type of record. Ambulatory EHRs are stored in electronic databases that are accessible to doctors and other medical professionals which allows a physician to view a patients complete and accurate medical history. The global ambulatory EHR market is expected to grow in the future due to several advantages of EHRs over conventional health record systems such as the easy accessibility to the patients records.Explore Report at:The ambulatory EHR market is segmented on the basis of delivery mode, practice size, application, end user, and region. The applications of ambulatory EHR include practice management, patient management, e-prescribing, referral management, population health management, decision support, and health analytics.The major factors driving the growth of global ambulatory EHR market include the support from government for the adoption of health care intranet technologies (HCIT), the increase in the use of EHR solutions and need to reduce the overall healthcare cost. According to Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014 74.1% of office based physicians installed a certified electronic health record (EHR) system, as compared to 67.5%, in 2013. Also, more than one-third of physicians 39.1% approximately were sharing patients health information electronically with other ambulatory hospitals and providers. Additionally, according to data published by Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT analysis, an organization that implements the use of the advanced health information technology and the electronic exchange of health information, launched a Medicare EHR Incentive Program in which 684 health IT developers were supplying certified health IT to 354,395 ambulatory primary care physicians, podiatrists, optometrists, chiropractors, dentists and others participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, as of July 2017.Explore Report Sample at:In April 2016, eMDs, a provider of ambulatory EHR practice management (PM) software, revenue cycle management (RCM) solutions, and credentialing services, acquired several software technology assets from McKesson Business Performance Services (McKesson). The acquired McKesson assets included Practice Choice, Medisoft, Medisoft Clinical, Lytec, Lytec MD, and Practice Partner.Some of the other key players in the global ambulatory EHR market include GE Healthcare, Cerner Corporation, eClinicalWorks, Epic Systems Corporation, McKesson Corporation, Quality Systems, Inc., Inc., Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc., and Greenway Health, LLC.About P&S Market ResearchP&S Market Research is a market research company, which offers market research and consulting services for various geographies around the globe. We provide market research reports, industry forecasting reports, business intelligence, and research based consulting services across different industry/business verticals.As one of the top growing market research agency, were keen upon providing market landscape and accurate forecasting. Our analysts and consultants are proficient with business intelligence and market analysis, through their interaction with leading companies of the concerned domain. We help our clients with B2B market research and assist them in identifying various windows of opportunity, and framing informed and customized business expansion strategies in different regions.Contact:KundanManager  Client Partner347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:
Global Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market Professional Survey Report 2017

Global Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market Professional Survey Report 2017

http://www.qyresearcheurope.com/

http://www.qyresearchglobal.com/

The Global Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market Professional Survey Report 2017 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringAnika TherapeuticsZimmer BiometBioTissue TechnologiesDePuy (Johnson & Johnson)GenzymeCellGenixEMD SeronoSanofi AventisSmith & Nephew......Ask a complete & professional report sample, please send message to tinaning@qyresearch.com or visit atTable of contents:1 Industry Overview of Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration4 Global Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Overall Market Overview5 Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Regional Market Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Segment Market Analysis (by Type)7 Global 2012-2017E Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Segment Market Analysis (by Application)8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration9 Development Trend of Analysis of Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market10 Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Marketing Type Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of Stem Cell Cartilage RegenerationRelated Reports:Global Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market Professional Survey Report 2017Europe Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market Professional Survey Report 2017China Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market Professional Survey Report 2017USA Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market Professional Survey Report 2017Korea Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market Professional Survey Report 2017Japan Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market Professional Survey Report 2017India Stem Cell Cartilage Regeneration Market Professional Survey Report 2017Contact Details:Company Name: QYResearch CO.,LIMITED | focus on Market Survey and ResearchTina| Sales ManagersEmail: tinaning@qyresearch.com Tel: 0086-20-22093278(CN)Web:QYResearch focus on Market Survey and ResearchQYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business.Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe District
Global Tequila Market Professional Survey Report 2017

Global Tequila Market Professional Survey Report 2017

http://www.qyresearcheurope.com/

http://www.qyresearchglobal.com/

The Global Tequila Market Professional Survey Report 2017 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Tequila industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Tequila market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Tequila industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringJose Cuervo (Mexico)Sauza (Mexico)Patron (US)Juarez (Mexico)1800 Tequila (Mexico)El Jimador Family (Mexico)Don Julio (Mexico)Familia Camarena Tequila (Mexico)Herradura (Mexico)Zarco (Mexico)Cazadores (Mexico)Cabo Tequila (Mexico)Milagro (Mexico)Margaritaville (Mexico)Clase Azul (Mexico)Avion Tequila (Mexico)1921 Tequila (Mexico)4 Copas (Mexico)Corzo (Mexico)El Agave Artesanal (Mexico)Tequila Arette (Mexico)Don Eduardo (Mexico)Agave Dos Mil (Mexico)Aha Toro (Mexico)Buen Amigo (Mexico)Campo Azul (Mexico)Cascahuin Distillery (Mexico)Compania Tequilera De Arandas (Mexico)Centinela (Mexico)Hacienda La Capilla (Mexico)......Ask a complete & professional report sample, please send message to tinaning@qyresearch.com or visit atTable of contents:1 Industry Overview of Tequila2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Tequila3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Tequila4 Global Tequila Overall Market Overview5 Tequila Regional Market Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E Tequila Segment Market Analysis (by Type)7 Global 2012-2017E Tequila Segment Market Analysis (by Application)8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Tequila9 Development Trend of Analysis of Tequila Market10 Tequila Marketing Type Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of TequilaRelated Reports:Global Tequila Market Professional Survey Report 2017Europe Tequila Market Professional Survey Report 2017China Tequila Market Professional Survey Report 2017USA Tequila Market Professional Survey Report 2017Korea Tequila Market Professional Survey Report 2017Japan Tequila Market Professional Survey Report 2017India Tequila Market Professional Survey Report 2017Contact Details:Company Name: QYResearch CO.,LIMITED | focus on Market Survey and ResearchTina| Sales ManagersEmail: tinaning@qyresearch.com Tel: 0086-20-22093278(CN)Web:QYResearch focus on Market Survey and ResearchQYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business.Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe District
WHY Watches hopes to raise $25,000 to bring an architecturally designed timepiec 

Recently, WHY Watches, launched on crowd-funding site Kickstarter. Starting from $90 for the early bird special, the Midnight collection is the first architecturally designed watch to hit the platform. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/245485239/why-watches-architecturally-designed-timepieces?ref=category The midnight collection is inspired by architectural principals and backed by years of research and development. The collection was designed based on the feedback of a years worth of customers. Uniquely packed to ensure same day wear. No more taking your 
Wireless Communication Module Market Forecast 2012-2022: Cognex, HWTrek, Rohm, Yokogawa Electric

Wireless Communication Module

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-wireless-communication-module-market-2017-demand-insights-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

Wireless Communication Module Market Research 2017A market study  Global Wireless Communication Module Market  examines the performance of the Wireless Communication Module market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Wireless Communication Module market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Wireless Communication Module market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Wireless Communication Module Market 2017 report includes Wireless Communication Module market Revenue, market Share, Wireless Communication Module industry volume, market Trends, Wireless Communication Module Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Wireless Communication Module Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Wireless Communication Module Market 2017 : Rohm Cognex RIVER ELETEC Yokogawa Electric HWTrekFirstly, the report covers the top Wireless Communication Module manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Wireless Communication Module report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Wireless Communication Module industry, Wireless Communication Module industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Wireless Communication Module Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Wireless Communication Module research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Wireless Communication Module market revenue worldwide.Finally, Wireless Communication Module market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USA
Anemometers Market Forecast 2012-2022: Tecpel, Extech, Kanomax USA, Leader Precision Instrument

Anemometers

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-anemometers-market-2017-demand-insights-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

Anemometers Market Research 2017A market study  Global Anemometers Market  examines the performance of the Anemometers market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Anemometers market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Anemometers market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Anemometers Market 2017 report includes Anemometers market Revenue, market Share, Anemometers industry volume, market Trends, Anemometers Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Anemometers Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Anemometers Market 2017 :ExtechGill instrumentsIED ELECTRONICSKanomax USALCJ CAPTEURSLeader Precision InstrumentMIERIJ METEONRG SystemsNUOVA CEVA AutomationSIAP+MICROS SRLTecpelTESTOVAISALAAnemometers Market : By ApplicationElectric PowerEnergy SavingSports GamesBuildingAnemometers Market : By TypePropeller TypeCup TypeUltrasonic TypeHot-Wire TypeFirstly, the report covers the top Anemometers manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Anemometers report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Anemometers industry, Anemometers industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Anemometers Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Anemometers research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Anemometers market revenue worldwide.Finally, Anemometers market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USA
Arak Market Forecast 2012-2022: Chateau Ksara, Domaine des Tourelles, Abi Raad Group Sarl

Arak

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-arak-market-2017-demand-insights-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

Arak Market Research 2017A market study  Global Arak Market  examines the performance of the Arak market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Arak market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Arak market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Arak Market 2017 report includes Arak market Revenue, market Share, Arak industry volume, market Trends, Arak Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Arak Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Arak Market 2017 :Abi Raad Group SarlKawar ArakLebanese Fine WinesHaddad DistilleriesEagle Distilleries CoChateau KsaraLebanese Arak CorporationDomaine des TourellesArak Market : By ApplicationSupermarketTravel RetailLiquor ShopBar/PubArak Market : By TypeFennel and DateFennel and PotatoFennel and GrapeFirstly, the report covers the top Arak manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Arak report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Arak industry, Arak industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Arak Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Arak research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Arak market revenue worldwide.Finally, Arak market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USA
Automatic Meat Grinder Market Forecast 2012-2022: Rnice, LiRen, Stelang, Joyoung, Royalstar

Automatic Meat Grinder

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-automatic-meat-grinder-market-2017-demand-insights-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022

Automatic Meat Grinder Market Research 2017A market study  Global Automatic Meat Grinder Market  examines the performance of the Automatic Meat Grinder market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Automatic Meat Grinder market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Automatic Meat Grinder market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Automatic Meat Grinder Market 2017 report includes Automatic Meat Grinder market Revenue, market Share, Automatic Meat Grinder industry volume, market Trends, Automatic Meat Grinder Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Automatic Meat Grinder Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Automatic Meat Grinder Market 2017 :JoyoungBearDeerLiRenNINTAUSRniceStelangRoyalstarMINJIANOUKEPHILIPSXIBEILESHUNHUIPanasonicFirstly, the report covers the top Automatic Meat Grinder manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Automatic Meat Grinder report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Automatic Meat Grinder industry, Automatic Meat Grinder industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Automatic Meat Grinder Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Automatic Meat Grinder research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Automatic Meat Grinder market revenue worldwide.Finally, Automatic Meat Grinder market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USA
Epic Research Daily Agri Commodity Report Of 23 August 2017

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Commodity NewsJeera futures edged down on NCDEX despite rising domestic as well asexport demand at the spot market. The contract for September deliverywas trading at Rs 19690.00, down by 0.81% or Rs 160.00 from its previousclosing of Rs 19850.00. The open interest of the contract stood at 16470lots. The contract for October delivery was trading at Rs 19780.00, downby 0.80% or Rs 160.00 from its previous closing of Rs 19940.00. The openinterest of the contract stood at 3591 lots on NCDEX.Turmeric futures edged lower on NCDEX on fall in demand fromupcountry and industrial buyers at the spot market. Further, adequatestock position on increased supplies from the producing belts too fuelledthe downtrend. The contract for September delivery was trading at Rs7320.00, down by 0.46% or Rs 34.00 from its previous closing of Rs7354.00. The open interest of the contract stood at 14270 lots. Thecontract for October delivery was trading at Rs 7402.00, down by 0.96% orRs 72.00 from its previous closing of Rs 7474.00. The open interest of thecontract stood at 1195 lots on NCDEX.Coriander futures traded higher on NCDEX as participants enlarged theirholdings amid improved demand at the spot market. Besides, limitedsupplies from major producing belts also added support to corianderprices uptrend. The contract for September delivery was trading at Rs4861.00, up by 0.39% or Rs 19.00 from its previous closing of Rs 4842.00.The open interest of the contract stood at 34660 lots. The contract forOctober delivery was trading at Rs 5040.00, up by 1.12% or Rs 56.00 fromits previous closing of Rs 4984.00. The open interest of the contract stoodat 12070 lots on NCDEX.Economic NewsA senior US agriculture department official is scheduled to meet agricultureminister Radha Mohan Singh and other officials on August 31 in the backdropof Monsantos legal tussle and the overarching issue of genetically modifiedfoods. The American agri multinational is involved in several cases with thegovernment and domestic seed companies over cotton seed trait (technology)fees and IP rights and this may be one of the topics of discussion for SethMeyer, chairman of the World Agricultural Outlook Board of US departmentof agriculture (USDA). MonsantoBSE -0.23 % has filed a case against thegovernment on a price control order that enables the latter to fix cotton seedprice. The next court hearing is on October 13. Monsanto has also filed fourwrit petition against orders passed by the Competition Commission of India,ordering investigation into Monsanto group companies by the commissionsdirector general. Hearings for these are slated for October 13 and December13.Claims of over Rs 7700 Cr have been paid to over 90 lakh farmers in theKharif season of 2016 and Rabi season of 2016-17, the Prime Minister wasinformed on Monday at a high-level meeting to review the Pradhan MantriFasal Bima Yojana. Officials also told PM Narendra Modi that latest technologyincluding smartphones, remote sensing, satellite data and drones are beingused for speedy data collection with regard to crop insurance claims. Seniorofficials from Ministry of Agriculture, NITI Aayog and PMO were presentduring the meeting, as per a PMO statement. The Prime Minister alsoreviewed the progress of another key scheme related to the agriculture sector- Soil Health Cards. He was informed that 16 States/UTs have completed thefirst cycle of Soil Health Cards distribution, and the remaining States are likelyto complete the same within weeks. Reviewing the progress, the PrimeMinister said that appropriate checks should be undertaken for variation, bothwithin a sampling grid, and across different soil testing labs, as per a PMOstatement. This would help ensure quality in the reports, he added.Trading RecommendationsBUY CORIANDER ABOVE 4860 TARGET 4830 4870 4920 SL BELOW 4810SELL TURMERIC BELOW 7220 TARGET 7190 7150 7100 SL ABOVE 7270BUY GUARGUM5 ABOVE 8600 TARGET 8630 8670 8720 SL BELOW 8550Epic Research Limited is a supreme level financial advisory services provider firm .We have designed services for different investors as per their needs like mcx tips , equity tips, agri tips and many more to serve our clients. We offer regular services for investors with less capital and premium services for massive investors looking for higher returns on investments with bigger targets.Want to take a FREE TRIAL? Visit our site link below and become a part of our Epic family. Happy trading.ormail us @ info@epicresearch.coAlso you can Whatsapp us at :7049084664Our Office:411 Milinda Manor, 2 RNT Road, Indore 452001 .
Global Ceiling Fan Market Size, Growth, Price Trends, Analysis and Forecast 2017 to 2022

http://www.imarcgroup.com/prefeasibility-report-ceiling-fan-manufacturing-plant

http://www.imarcgroup.com/prefeasibility-report-ceiling-fan-manufacturing-plant

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The global ceiling fan market has witnessed a healthy growth over the past several years. A large consumer base, flourishing construction industry and urbanization are the major factors that have led to a rise in the demand for ceiling fans.Request sample report @According to the latest report by IMARC Group titled Ceiling Fan Market - Industry Trends, Manufacturing Process, Plant Setup, Machinery, Raw Materials, Cost and Revenue, the global ceiling fan market reached a value of US$ 8.6 Million in 2016, expanding at a CAGR of nearly 5% during 2009-2016. A ceiling fan is a mechanical device that operates with electricity and cools the space by rotating its paddles in a clockwise direction which creates movement in the still air. Ceiling fans are extremely popular in developing countries as they are cost-efficient and have a long lifespan, generally more than 10 years. However, they have been gradually phasing out of the developed countries like the US and Europe after the introduction of electric air conditioning.Highlights of the global ceiling fan market:Rise in disposable incomes, urbanisation and electrification of rural areas are driving the market.Residential sector represents the largest end-use segment of ceiling fans, accounting for the majority of the share.Owing to a large population and warm climatic conditions, China is one of the largest producers of ceiling fans worldwide.The global ceiling fan market is driven by a surge in the global construction market. Developing countries like India and China are initiating housing projects for the unhoused and slum dwellers. The governments of these countries are also targeting to electrify the rural areas in the coming years. Apart from this, due to rising disposable incomes, the consumers now look forward to a variety in the product line such as decorative fans with lighting, leading to a demand for premium products. Despite these factors, the market is affected by the existence of substitutes like air conditioners which are rapidly gaining popularity worldwide. However, the growth of the global ceiling fan market is projected to remain stable over the forecast period and register a value of US$ 10.6 Million by 2022.The market has been segmented on the basis of end-use. Residential applications dominate the global market followed by commercial applications. On the basis of product type, standard ceiling fans are the most popular. The other product types include decorative fans, high speed fans and energy saving fans. The market has also been analysed on the basis of key regions. Currently, China represents the largest market for ceiling fans followed by India, European Union, United States and Brazil. Analysing the competitive landscape, the key global producers include Emerson fans, Hunter fans, Crompton Greaves, Shell Electric MFG Co. Ltd., Nutone, and Orient Fans.Read full report with TOC @The report by IMARC Group has examined global ceiling fan market on the basis of:Key regions:ChinaIndiaEuropean unionUnited statesBrazilEnd-use:ResidentialCommercialProduct type:Standard fanDecorative fanHigh speed fanEnergy saving fanKey players:Emerson fansHunter fansCrompton GreavesShell Electric MFG Co. Ltd.NutoneOrient fans.Browse related report :Electric Motor Market @About usIMARC Group is a leading market research company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses.IMARCs information products include major market, scientific, economic and technological developments for business leaders in pharmaceutical, industrial, and high technology organizations. Market forecasts and industry analysis for biotechnology, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, travel and tourism, nanotechnology and novel processing methods are at the top of the companys expertise.Contact usIMARC Group309 2nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USAWebsite:Email: sales@imarcgroup.comUSA: +1-631-791-1145Follow us on twitter: @imarcglobal
India leading Gifting Store GiftsbyMeeta Presents Diwali Gifts for Employees

https://www.giftsbymeeta.com/diwali-gifts-for-employees

https://www.giftsbymeeta.com/diwali

GiftsbyMeeta, Indias leading online Diwali gift store has presented a great scope of online Diwali gifts for employee around one and half months before the upcoming festival of Diwali. This launch will help to analyze the initial responses of the customers.GiftsbyMeeta, the occasion based gifting website in India has presented a great assortment of the online Diwali gifts for employees. The gifting giant GiftsbyMeeta two around one and half months before the fast approaching the festival of Diwali has formally launched the category of employees and corporate specific Diwali presents on its official website. This launch is although not the final one for measuring and analyzing the initial responses from the customers and once the company gains the sufficient feedback and suggestions from the customers.This online Diwali gifting website has a great influx of the traffic and satisfactory conversion rates regarding Diwali gifts for employee () names category on its web store. The corporate gifts named category on the website is already popular among the corporate clients of this web based gifting store in India. The recent move has been taken as its preparatory step to reach out to the customers who love to buy online Diwali gifts for employees from this website.The category manager at GiftsbyMeeta has briefed the media personals in New Delhi about this fresh launch:GiftsbyMeeta has the great scope of online Diwali gifts for an employee on its website and it attracts the great sales traffic on the Diwali occasion. GiftsbyMeeta, the online Diwali gifts store in India, presents the occasion specific gifts which are designed and planned as per the customers feedback and suggestions and this new launch is also aiming along the same purpose. Once the company will gather the sufficient data the final version of the online Diwali gifts for the employee will me made live on the website.Media ContactGifts By Meeta10MG Road, 1st Floor, New DelhiOpp. Metro Pillar No. 47,Near to Sultanpur Metro Station, New DelhiIndia Phone: +91-9555695556Pin Code: 110030Website:GiftsbyMeeta Indias leading festival specific and corporate based online gifting store was started in the year 2013 has exclusive expertise in making the relationship specific gifts and offering the home delivery services to more than 164 countries globally. The company acquires a huge number of sales by its gifting solutions available for the Diwali, New Year, Christmas, Valentines Day, and Mothers Day, Fathers Day occasion as well as the birthday and anniversary like occasions. GiftsbyMeeta offers the location and the city specific gifts as well as the relationship gifts with free delivery services. The company has made available three different delivery categories such as free delivery that is available almost for every location apart from this there is express delivery and hourly delivery services. The hourly delivery services are only available for Delhi NCR area and the express delivery services are available for more than 200 cities in India that ensures the delivery on the same day basis. The company provides the gifting solutions for almost every gifting articles from flowers, cards and premium accessories to beauty products and interior decor items.Gifts By Meeta 10MG Road, 1st Floor, New Delhi Opp. Metro Pillar No. 47, Near to Sultanpur Metro Station, New Delhi
Seres: A Seating Impeccably Crafted And Finished With Fine Detailing

https://www.bossescabin.com/

You may find your workplace best suitable for your employees. But you often have high profile guests, new customers, and community stakeholders at your office. You may not consider guest seating important but guests notice what theyre sitting on. Well, Bosss Cabin is here to help you with fascinating seating.Bosss Cabin is among the leading online modern office furniture providers & manufacturers in India. It provides you completely configurable guest seating for your workspace. With a vision to design a perfect seating Bosss Cabin took much time and came up with an array of Seres products - it can be configured in various shapes to fit into spaces large or small, from a lobby to a lounge. These products aim to meet your recurrent needs with space, color, and structure variations.Bosss Cabin understands all the characteristics for perfect seating. They took months of research to identify and design a perfect one as Seres. Seres is available in numerous exciting configurations, to help new offices find a perfect match for their workspace. The collection not only fits your office decor but also offers variation in fabric, color, size, functionality, and firmness, helping you create a unique solution and your own design. Seres brings you more than 1000 configurable options, around 20 colors and many layout options. Before designing, they make sure of office space crunch and offer compact solutions as well.With a customer feedback and research, Boss's Cabin often received requests for functionality and design alteration. According to Boss's Cabin consumer research team, about 80% of Indian corporates consider guest seating to be the most important part of the workplace, out of which 92% look for customisations.Bosss Cabin plans to give a remarkable offering to Indian sofa marketplace, laid a step to make the configuration process seamless with the best user interface. Depending on customer feedback and response, they are planning to design other seating on similar configurable solutions.Bosss Cabin is a premium office furniture company and an online store. It is the most trusted partner in helping you create world class work environments. The brand has technical expertise, rich experience, skilled man power and a vast & eclectic range of office furniture products. It has 24/7 customer service team of experts that help from planning work space to choosing the right product and creating a unique environment from hundreds of exclusive, ready to install products. It has stores all across the India. For more information, please visitContact:EAST (INDIA) FURNITURE PRIVATE LIMITED6, Second Main Road, R.A.PuramChennai  600028Phones: +91 44 42030741, 24617933Fax: +91 44 42030742Email suresh@bossescabin.comEmail info@bossescabin.com
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Installation Industry Analysis, Technological Advancement, Market Size, Share, Landscape, and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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"The Report Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Installation Market, by Type (Large-scale and Micro & Small-scale), by Application (Residential, Commercial, and Industrial), by Technology (Combined Cycle, Combustion/Gas Turbine, Steam Turbine, Reciprocating Engine, Others), and by Fuel (Natural Gas, Coal, Biomass, Others) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"View Sample PDF :This research study analyzes the market for CHP installation in terms of revenue (US$ Bn) and capacity (GW). The CHP installation market has been segmented on the basis of type, application, technology, fuel, and region. In terms of region, the market has been further divided into four segments that comprise sixteen countries, which are major players in the global CHP market. For the research, 2014 and 2015 have been taken as the base years, while all forecasts have been given for the period from 2016 to 2024. Market data for all the segments has been provided at the regional level from 2016 to 2024. The report provides a broad competitive analysis of companies engaged in the CHP business. The report also includes the key market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities affecting the global CHP market. These market dynamics were analyzed in detail and are illustrated in the report with the help of supporting graphs and tables. The report also provides a comprehensive analysis of the global CHP market with the help of Porters Five Forces model. This analysis helps in understanding the five major forces that affect the market structure and market profitability. The forces analyzed are bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and degree of competition.The high-level analysis in the report provides detailed insights into the CHP business globally. There are currently numerous drivers of the market. One of the most prominent drivers is the supportive government policies for the installation of CHP equipment. Market attractiveness analysis was carried out for the CHP installation market on the basis of application and technology. Market attractiveness was estimated on the basis of common parameters that directly impact the market in different regions.Download Sample copy of this Report at :The CHP market was segmented on the basis of type (large-scale and micro & small-scale), by application (residential, commercial, and industrial), by technology (combined cycle, combustion/gas turbine, steam turbine, reciprocating engine, others (microturbine, fuel cell, and waste heat recovery)), and by fuel (natural gas, coal, biomass, others (wood, waste heat, and oil)). A CHP system varies according to its type and application. The CHP installation market was analyzed across four geographies: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World. Regional data has been provided for each sub-segment of the CHP installation market. Key players in the CHP installation market include 2G Energy AG, ABB Ltd., Aegis Energy Services, Inc., BDR Thermea Group B.V., Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH, Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH, Clarke Energy Ltd., Veolia Environnement S.A., Dantherm Power A/S, Edina Ltd., E.ON SE, ENER-G Holdings Plc, General Electric Company, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd., Siemens AG, Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG, Wartsila Corporation, Yanmar Co., Ltd., FuelCell Energy, Inc., and Helen Ltd. The report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial details, business strategies, and recent developments.Send An Enquiry Request :CHP Installation Market: By CHP TypeLarge-scale CHPMicro & Small-scale CHPCHP Installation Market: By CHP ApplicationResidentialCommercialIndustrialCHP Installation Market: By CHP TechnologyCombined CycleSteam TurbineCombustion/Gas TurbineReciprocation EngineOthers (Microturbine, Fuel Cell, and Waste Heat Recovery)CHP Installation Market: By FuelNatural GasCoalBiomassOthers (Wood, Waste Heat, and Oil)CHP Installation Market: By RegionNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeRussiaGermanyFranceU.K.ItalySpainNetherlandsPolandRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaSouth KoreaTaiwanRest of Asia PacificRest of WorldTable of ContentsChapter 1 PrefaceReport DescriptionResearch ScopeMarket SegmentationResearch MethodologyChapter 2 Executive SummaryGlobal Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Installation Market: SnapshotChapter 3 Global Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Installation MarketIndustry AnalysisIntroductionValue Chain AnalysisMarket DynamicsMarket DriversMarket RestrainsMarket OpportunitiesPorters Five Forces AnalysisBargaining Power of SuppliersBargaining Power of BuyersThreat from New EntrantsThreat from SubstitutesDegree of CompetitionAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner Market forecast 2022 with Key Companies Profile, Supply, Trends, Cost Structure, and SWOT Analysis

Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner Market

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A new research document with title 'Global (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner Market 2017 Forecast to 2022 covering detailed analysis, Competitive landscape, forecast and strategies. The study covers geographic analysis and important players/vendors such as Atlas Copco, Actuant, Boltight etc. The report will help user gain market insights, future trends and growth prospects for forecast period of 2017-2022.Request a sample report @Summary"Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner has a hydraulic body which, using a hydraulic fluid, exerts a strong tension load on the bolt through the brace screwed on that bolt. The body also rests on the skirt in order to apply the reaction force on the assembly to be tightened.Hydraulic bolt tensioning is the fast, simple, safe, and accurate method of tightening bolts and studs. Bolt tensioning involves multiple bolts in a flanged joint being tightened simultaneously. The bolt tensioners are linked together by hydraulic hoses, ensuring that each bolt is tightened with exactly the same force. This results in a uniform load on the gasket in the flanged joint. "Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversAtlas CopcoActuantSPX FLOW Bolting SystemsBoltightSKFITH Bolting TechnologyFPT - Fluid Power TechnologySiempelkamp Tensioning SystemsBeck CrespelRiverhawkHi-ForcePrimoHire TorqueBRAND TSWren Hydraulic EquipmentHydraulics Technology Inc (HTI)TorcUPPowermaster EngineersMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversTopside Bolt TensionersSub Sea Bolt TensionersWind Bolt TensionersBuy this report @Market Segment by Applications, can be divided intoOil and GasWind & Power GenerationIndustrialOthersThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner market.Chapter 1, to describe Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner, with sales, revenue, and price of Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceGet customization & check discount for report @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Hydraulic Bolt Tensioner Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Topside Bolt Tensioners1.2.2 Sub Sea Bolt Tensioners1.2.3 Wind Bolt Tensioners1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Oil and Gas1.3.2 Wind & Power Generation1.3.3 Industrial1.3.4 Others1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force....ContinuedView Detailed Table of Content @Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact Us:HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ USA - 08837sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218
Refined Beet Market is Likely to be Worth a Cumulative US$ 14 Bn by 2022

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High quality sugars procured from beetroots are continually transforming sugar industries across the globe. In the view of rising demand for refined sugars, owners of sugar factories are shifting their focus from sugarcanes to sugar beets in terms of sourcing refined sugar. In addition to this, artificial sweeteners are finding applications across various verticals in the food & beverage industry. These sweeteners can be feasibly manufactured from refined beet, which is turning into a key driver for growth of the global refined beet market.Request For Sample Report @According to a recent report published by Fact.MR, the global market for refined beet will witness a steadfast expansion during the forecast period, 2017-2022. By registering a steady CAGR, the global refined beet market is projected to bring in more than US$ 14 Bn in revenues by the end of 2022. Following projections offer an outlook on future prospects of global refined beet market.Key Insights on Future of Global Refined Beet MarketThrough 2022, the Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region will be the largest market for refined beet. Procuring highest share on global revenues, the APEJ refined beet market is poised to reflect a steady growth at 5.2% CAGR.Check Discount @North America and Europe will also be at the forefront of global expansion of refined beet market. By the end of 2022, these two regions will collectively contribute nearly US$ 2.2 Bn in revenues to the global refined beet market.By 2022-end, more than one-third of global refined beet market value will be contributed by global sales of liquid sugars. While liquid sugars will be observed as top-selling products in the global refined beet market, global sales of powdered sugar products will also incur considerable traction towards the latter half of the forecast period.Food processing is poised to remain the largest and most attractive end-use of refined beet sugars in the global market. By 2022, more than US$ 6 Bn worth of refined beet sugars will be consumed in food processing applications across the globe, particularly for their effective role in production of artificial sweeteners.During the forecast period, the retail end-use of refined beet sugars is expected to gain traction. In 2017 and beyond, more than one-fourth share of global revenues procured in the global market will arise from the use of refined beet in retailers segment. The demand for refined beet sugars in industrial uses will also gain traction.The report has also profiled prominent players in the global market for refined beet sugars. Companies such as Nordzucker Gmbh & Co KG, Cosan SA Industria and Commercio, Tereos international limited, Suedzucker AG, Associated British Foods Plc., Louis Dreyfus Company, Shree Renuka Sugars Limited, Wilmar International Limited, and American Crystal Sugar Company are expected to remain active in the expansion of global refined beet market through 2022. A majority of these players are expected to focus on bridging the gap between farmers cultivating sugar beets, and owners of sugar refineries & factories.Click to View Complete Report @About UsFact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFact.MROffice: Dublin 2Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandTel: +353-1-6111-593( Dublin 2 )Email: sales@factmr.comWeb:
Global Big Data Storage and Server Market Trends,Outlooks and Share Analysis

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ReportsMonitor.com has added Global Big Data Storage and Server Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 to its database of market research reports.This report studies the global Big Data Storage and Server market, analyzes and researches the Big Data Storage and Server development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeIBMOracleDELLHPHPE CompanyNetAppHitachiEMC CorporationRed HatIron SystemIntelATTOVHHuaweiHewlett-PackardRequest a Free Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Big Data Storage and Server can be split intoHadoopNoSQLSplunkView Entire Report @Market segment by Application, Big Data Storage and Server can be split intoGovernmentEnterprisesOthersSome Points From Table Of Contents:1 Industry Overview of Big Data Storage and Server1.1 Big Data Storage and Server Market Overview1.1.1 Big Data Storage and Server Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Big Data Storage and Server Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Big Data Storage and Server Market by Type1.3.1 Hadoop1.3.2 NoSQL1.3.3 Splunk1.4 Big Data Storage and Server Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Government1.4.2 Enterprises1.4.3 OthersReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform for companies looking to meet their market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. The prime focus is to get reliable data, Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Jay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite:
Market Analysis and Forecast: Global Playground Equipment Industry Market Research Report 2017

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SummaryThe Global Playground Equipment Industry 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Playground Equipment industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Playground Equipment market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Playground Equipment industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Ask a sample or any question, please email to:hebe@qyresearchglobal.com or hebe@qyresearch.comThe players list(Partly, Players you are interested can also be added):PlayCoreLandscape StructuresKompan, IncPlayPowerELIHendersone.BeckmannSportsPlayChildformsKaiqiABC TeamDYNAMOKey Topics Covered:Chapter One Industry Overview of Playground EquipmentChapter Two Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Playground EquipmentChapter Three Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Playground EquipmentChapter Four Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Playground Equipment by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Five Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Playground Equipment by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Six Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Playground Equipment by Regions, Types and ApplicationsChapter Seven Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Playground EquipmentChapter Eight Major Manufacturers Analysis of Playground EquipmentChapter Nine Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Playground EquipmentChapter Ten Industry Chain Analysis of Playground EquipmentChapter Eleven Development Trend of Analysis of Playground EquipmentChapter Twelve New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Playground EquipmentChapter Thirteen Conclusion of the Global Playground Equipment Industry 2017 Market Research ReportRelated Reports:US Playground Equipment Industry Market Research Report 2017Europe Playground Equipment Industry Market Research Report 2017India Playground Equipment Industry Market Research Report 2017China Playground Equipment Industry Market Research Report 2017Korea Playground Equipment Industry Market Research Report 2017Japan Playground Equipment Industry Market Research Report 2017If you need a report or have any question, please feel free to contact meHebe | Sr. Manager  Global SalesProfessional Market Research Report PublisherQYResearch Co.LtdQYResearch focus on Market Survey and ResearchPhone: +86-20-22093278Email: hebe@qyresearchglobal.com or hebe@qyresearch.comWeb:About QYResearchQYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, database and seminar services. the company owned a large basic database (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business. Through the companys years of effort and a lot of customer support, QYResearch consulting group creative design method of many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch brand has become the consulting industry with quality assurance consulting brand. The company has 2500 global well-known customers, covering energy automobile pharmaceutical chemical agriculture more than 30 industries, services from the data analysis and recommendations-Consulting landing one-stop solution, and research regions cover China,US,EU,Asia,Middle East and Africa,South America,Australia,etc Global all regions,and also built research or marketing center in China USA UK France Hongkong etc regions. currently, QYResearch has become the first choice and worth trusted consulting brand in Global and China business consulting services.Media ContactCompany Name: QYResearch CO.,LIMITEDContact Person: HebeEmail: hebe@qyresearchglobal.comPhone: +86-20-22093278Address: Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe DistrictCity: GuangzhouCountry: ChinaWebsite:(US) |(EU) |(JP)
Global Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) Market 2017 Top Players - Sophos, Fortinet, Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks

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The report titled Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is an in-depth and a professional document that provides a comprehensive overview of the global Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) market.The report provides an executive-level blueprint of the Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) market beginning with the definition of the market dynamics. The analysis classifies the Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) market in terms of products, application, and key geographic regions. Presenting a detailed value chain analysis, the study evaluates the set of region-specific approaches forged by the industry. To determine the market potential for Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) in the international scenario, the study delves into the competitive landscape and development landscape exhibited by the key geographic regions.Download Free Sample Report @The reports analysis is based on technical data and industry figures sourced from the most reputable databases. Other aspects that will prove especially beneficial to readers of the report are: investment feasibility analysis, recommendations for growth, investment return analysis, trends analysis, opportunity analysis, and SWOT analyses of competing companies. With the help of inputs and insights from technical and marketing experts, the report presents an objective assessment of the Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) market.This report also presents product specification, manufacturing process, and product cost structure etc. Production is separated by regions, technology and applications. Analysis also covers upstream raw materials, equipment, Downstream client survey, Marketing channels, Industry development trend and proposals. In the end, the report includes Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) new project SWOT analysis, Investment feasibility analysis, Investment return analysis, and Development trend analysis. In conclusion, it is a deep research report on Global Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) industry. Here, we express our thanks for the support and assistance from Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) industry chain related technical experts and marketing engineers during Research Teams survey and interviews.Access Full Report @Other important aspects that have been meticulously studied in the Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) market report are: Demand and supply dynamics, import and export scenario, industry processes and cost structures, and major R&D initiatives. The new opportunities they present to market players have been mentioned in the report.If you have any special requirements, please contact to our sales team : sales@fiormarkets.comAbout Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice-102, Sanskriti AspirationsBaner Road, Pune,MH 411045IndiaPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Market Report 2017

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In this report, the global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanKoreaTaiwanGlobal Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingKapsch TrafficCom AG (AT)Q-Free ASA (NO)Siemens AG (DE)Bosch Security Systems, Inc. (DE)Vigilant Solutions, Inc. (US)3M Company (US)Elsag North America LLC (US)ARH Inc. (HU)Genetec Inc. (CA)Tattile S.R.L. (IT)CA Traffic Ltd (UK)Digital Recognition System Ltd. (UK)NDI Recognition Systems Ltd. (UK)Beijing Wintone (CN)Eparking (FI)Download Sample Report Copy From Here:On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoBy TypeFixed VLPRMobile VLPRPortable VLPRBy ComponentVLPR CamerasVLPR SoftwareVLPR GrabbersTriggersOthersOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate of Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) for each application, includingTraffic ManagementLaw EnforcementElectronic Toll CollectionParking ManagementAccess ControlIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Market Report 20171 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR)1.2 Classification of Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) by Product Category1.2.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Fixed VLPR1.2.4 Mobile VLPR1.2.5 Portable VLPR1.3 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Traffic Management1.3.3 Law Enforcement1.3.4 Electronic Toll Collection1.3.5 Parking Management1.3.6 Access Control1.4 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Market by Region1.4.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Korea Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Taiwan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) (Volume) by Application3 United States Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Players3.3 United States Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 China Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Players4.3 China Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.4 China Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Application5 Europe Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Europe Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Europe Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 Europe Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 Europe Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Players5.3 Europe Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type5.4 Europe Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Application6 Japan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Japan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Value (2012-2017)6.1.1 Japan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.2 Japan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.3 Japan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)6.2 Japan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Players6.3 Japan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type6.4 Japan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Application7 Korea Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)7.1 Korea Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Value (2012-2017)7.1.1 Korea Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)7.1.2 Korea Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)7.1.3 Korea Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)7.2 Korea Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Players7.3 Korea Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type7.4 Korea Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Application8 Taiwan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)8.1 Taiwan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Value (2012-2017)8.1.1 Taiwan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)8.1.2 Taiwan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)8.1.3 Taiwan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)8.2 Taiwan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Players8.3 Taiwan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type8.4 Taiwan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Market Share by Application9 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data9.1 Kapsch TrafficCom AG (AT)9.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.1.2 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Product Category, Application and Specification9.1.2.1 Product A9.1.2.2 Product B9.1.3 Kapsch TrafficCom AG (AT) Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.2 Q-Free ASA (NO)9.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.2.2 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Product Category, Application and Specification9.2.2.1 Product A9.2.2.2 Product B9.2.3 Q-Free ASA (NO) Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.3 Siemens AG (DE)9.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.3.2 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Product Category, Application and Specification9.3.2.1 Product A9.3.2.2 Product B9.3.3 Siemens AG (DE) Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.4 Bosch Security Systems, Inc. (DE)9.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.4.2 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Product Category, Application and Specification9.4.2.1 Product A9.4.2.2 Product B9.4.3 Bosch Security Systems, Inc. (DE) Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.5 Vigilant Solutions, Inc. (US)9.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.5.2 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Product Category, Application and Specification9.5.2.1 Product A9.5.2.2 Product B9.5.3 Vigilant Solutions, Inc. (US) Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.6 3M Company (US)9.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.6.2 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Product Category, Application and Specification9.6.2.1 Product A9.6.2.2 Product B9.6.3 3M Company (US) Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.7 Elsag North America LLC (US)9.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.7.2 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Product Category, Application and Specification9.7.2.1 Product A9.7.2.2 Product B9.7.3 Elsag North America LLC (US) Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.8 ARH Inc. (HU)9.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.8.2 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Product Category, Application and Specification9.8.2.1 Product A9.8.2.2 Product B9.8.3 ARH Inc. (HU) Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.9 Genetec Inc. (CA)9.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.9.2 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Product Category, Application and Specification9.9.2.1 Product A9.9.2.2 Product B9.9.3 Genetec Inc. (CA) Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.10 Tattile S.R.L. (IT)9.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors9.10.2 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Product Category, Application and Specification9.10.2.1 Product A9.10.2.2 Product B9.10.3 Tattile S.R.L. (IT) Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)9.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview9.11 CA Traffic Ltd (UK)9.12 Digital Recognition System Ltd. (UK)9.13 NDI Recognition Systems Ltd. (UK)9.14 Beijing Wintone (CN)9.15 Eparking (FI)10 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Maufacturing Cost Analysis10.1 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Key Raw Materials Analysis10.1.1 Key Raw Materials10.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials10.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials10.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials10.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure10.2.1 Raw Materials10.2.2 Labor Cost10.2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR)10.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR)11 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers11.1 Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Industrial Chain Analysis11.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing11.3 Raw Materials Sources of Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Major Manufacturers in 201611.4 Downstream Buyers12 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders12.1 Marketing Channel12.1.1 Direct Marketing12.1.2 Indirect Marketing12.1.3 Marketing Channel Development Trend12.2 Market Positioning12.2.1 Pricing Strategy12.2.2 Brand Strategy12.2.3 Target Client12.3 Distributors/Traders List13 Market Effect Factors Analysis13.1 Technology Progress/Risk13.1.1 Substitutes Threat13.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry13.2 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change13.3 Economic/Political Environmental Change14 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Market Forecast (2017-2022)14.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume, Revenue and Price Forecast (2017-2022)14.1.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.1.2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.1.3 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Price and Trend Forecast (2017-2022)14.2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast by Region (2017-2022)14.2.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume and Growth Rate Forecast by Regions (2017-2022)14.2.2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast by Regions (2017-2022)14.2.3 United States Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.4 China Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.5 Europe Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.6 Japan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.7 Korea Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.2.8 Taiwan Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume, Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2017-2022)14.3 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume, Revenue and Price Forecast by Type (2017-2022)14.3.1 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Forecast by Type (2017-2022)14.3.2 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Revenue Forecast by Type (2017-2022)14.3.3 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Price Forecast by Type (2017-2022)14.4 Global Vehicle License Plate Recognition System (VLPR) Sales Volume Forecast by Application (2017-2022)15 Research Findings and Conclusion16 Appendix16.1 Methodology/Research Approach16.1.1 Research Programs/Design16.1.2 Market Size Estimation16.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation16.2 Data Source16.2.1 Secondary Sources16.2.2 Primary Sources16.3 DisclaimerBuy Now This Report From Here:Global QYResearch() is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Global QYResearch holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs.Unit 1, 26 Cleveland Road, South Woodford, London,E182AN, United KingdomCall: +44 20 3239 2407sales@globalqyresearch.com
Smart Watch Market: Global Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast to 2025

ReportsWeb

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Smart watch is a wrist watch equipped with various functionalities and ability to connect with smartphones providing variety of features. These features include notifications, remote phone control features among others. Growing acceptance of smart watch by people all over the world as a simplified way to connect to the mobile is going to drive the market for smart watch.Increasing number of features provided by the smart watch, such as stand-alone smart watch, health features and other will drive the market in the coming years. The rise of IoT application has opened a potential avenue of application for smart watch market and will bring new opportunities in the market.Request Sample Copy is Available atThe "Global Smart Watch Market Analysis to 2025" is a specialized and in-depth study of the smart watch industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global smart watch market with detailed market segmentation by application, operating system, type and geography. The global smart watch market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global smart watch market based on application, operating system and type. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall smart watch market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 15 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Besides this, the report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in these regions.Also, key smart watch market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Complete Report is Available atGlobal Smart Watch Market Players:1. Apple Inc.2. Motorola3. Fitbit4. Sony Corporation5. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.6. Garmin7. Pebble Technology8. LG Electronics9. TAG Heuer10. Nixon IncContact Us:Phone: +1-646-491-9876Email Id: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Styla and OXID eSales announce strategic partnership and organize a content commerce webinar

Styla and OXID eSales organize a content commerce webinar

http://go.oxid-esales.com/Webinar_Content_KPI.html?utm_source=styla

https://www.styla.com

Berlin, August 23rd, 2017: Styla, the leading content commerce suite, and OXID eSales, one of the leading providers of e-commerce solutions, today announce a new strategic partnership. The partnership combines Styla's expertise in content with OXID eSales' proficiency in e-commerce in order to improve KPIs of online retail brands.According to Accenture, 68% of today's customers expect to have a seamless digital experience when it comes to online shopping. Styla and OXID are uniting their efforts in merging content and commerce worlds to address the increasing demand for creating smooth customer journeys that brands are facing today.What scares many brands away from trying the innovation approach is the complicated and long-lasting implementation process. The module that connects the Styla suite with the OXID platform and vice versa was built as a plug & play system by longtime OXID partner agency Norisk. The standard integration reduces the time and cost of the process and makes it easy for brand retails to start working with both solutions."We are very pleased to start a strategic partnership with OXID eSales. We are already working together with many clients like Bettenrid, Ragman, van Laack, Siemes Schuh Center, Bartu, and Lodenfrey. Now we see more and more brands using Styla or OXID that are eager to implement a content commerce strategy. Thats why we decided to make the integration with both systems as easy as possible", explains Lucas Schnabel, Partner Manager at Styla.To provide even more value and knowledge, Styla, OXID and their shared client Ragman have teamed up to organize a live webinar on KPIs; what really matters for successful content commerce. On September 7th, Daniel Kurrasch, Vice President Sales from Styla, and Caroline Helbing, Business Analyst & Content Writer from OXID eSales, will discuss why content commerce is important, what the benchmark KPIs are and Ragmans Head of E-Commerce Markus Weber will present the showcase. The webinar is free to join:We invite OXID and Styla users, but also all marketers and e-commerce experts who are interested in improving their content commerce results or would like to try this strategic approach for their retail brands. adds Caroline Helbing, Business Analyst & Content Writer at OXID eSales.Founded by Philipp Rogge and Franz Riedl in 2012, Styla Inc is a content commerce suite that automatically designs content and makes it shoppable, inspiring customers to buy more. Stylas automation technology is creating the design itself and ensures that the content looks attractive on all devices. A seamless integration with all common e-commerce systems allows an easy embedding of products and creates a whole new world of shoppable inspiration. Brands and e-commerce stores, such as Christ, Footlocker, Mavi Jeans, SportScheck, OBI, engelhorn or PKZ, are already relying on Styla.Styla Inc.745 Atlantic Ave, 3rd floor, BostonMassachusetts 02111Press ContactUla Lachowiczpress@styla.com
Fire Protection Systems (for Oil and Gas) Industry Analysis, Technological Advancement, Market Size, Share, Landscape, and Forecast 2015 - 2023

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"The Report Fire Protection Systems (for Oil and Gas) Market, by Operational Sectors (Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, and Forecast 2015 - 2023 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"View Sample PDF :This research study analyzes the market for fire protection systems in terms of revenue (US$ Mn). The fire protection systems market has been segmented on the basis of oil & gas operational sectors and regions. In terms of region, the market has been further divided into five segments. For the research, 2014 has been taken as the base year, while all forecasts have been given for the period from 2015 to 2023. Market data for all the segments has been provided at the regional level from 2014 to 2023. The report provides a broad competitive analysis of companies engaged in the fire protection systems business. The report also includes the key market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities affecting the Global Fire Protection Systems (for Oil and Gas) market. These market dynamics were analyzed in detail and are illustrated in the report with the help of supporting graphs and tables. The report also provides a comprehensive analysis of the Global Fire Protection Systems (for Oil and Gas) market with the help of Porters Five Forces model. This analysis helps in understanding the five major forces that affect the market structure and market profitability. The forces analyzed are bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and degree of competition.The high-level analysis in the report provides detailed insights into the fire protection systems business globally. There are currently numerous drivers of the market. One of the most prominent drivers is the stringent safety regulations by government institutions for the installation of fire protection systems. Market attractiveness analysis was carried out for the fire protection systems market on the basis of regions. Market attractiveness was estimated on the basis of common parameters that directly impact the market in different regions.Download Sample copy of this Report at :The fire protection systems market was segmented on the basis of oil & gas operational sectors (upstream, midstream, and downstream). These operational sectors are further divided into onshore and offshore applications for fire protection systems. The onshore upstream operational sector comprises onshore drilling rigs, whereas offshore upstream operational sector includes offshore platforms, drill ships, and offshore oil rigs. The onshore midstream operational sector includes accommodation areas and pipelines, while offshore midstream operational sector includes FPSO, LNG carriers, and offshore support and supply vessels. The downstream operational sector has been sub-segmented into four applications: production vessels, production platforms, refineries, and petrochemicals. The fire protection systems market was analyzed across five geographies: North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and South and Central America. Regional data has been provided for each sub-segment of the fire protection systems market.Key players in the fire protection systems market include 3M, Blaze Manufacturing Solutions Ltd., Consilium AB Publ., Danfoss Semco A/S, Deluge Offshore & Marine Pte Ltd., Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Emerson Electric Co. (Net Safety Monitoring Inc., Spectrex Inc.), Fike Corporation, Fire Protection Engineering A/S, Gielle Srl, Honeywell International, Inc., Johnson Controls plc, KEVTA Fire Systems, Inc., Knowsley SK Limited, Minimax GmbH & Co. KG, MSA Safety Incorporated, Orcus Fire & Risk, Inc., Semco Maritime A/S, Siemens AG, SK Fire Safety Group B.V., Trelleborg AB, Tyco International Ltd. (Oldham SAS, Water Mist Engineering AS), Ultra Fog AB, Unisafe Fire Protection Specialists LLC, United Technologies Corporation (Autronica Fire & Security A/S, Detector Electronics Corporation (Det-Tronics), Marioff Corporation Oy), and Wilhelmsen Ships Service. The report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial details, business strategies, and recent developments.Send An Enquiry Request :Global Fire Protection Systems (for Oil and Gas) Market: North AmericaNorth America Upstream SectorOffshore SegmentOffshore PlatformsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsDrill ShipsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOffshore Oil RigsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOnshore SegmentOnshore Drilling RigsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsNorth America Midstream SectorOffshore SegmentFloating Production Storage Offloading Vessels (FPSO)Fire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsLNG CarriersFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOffshore Support and Supply VesselsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOnshore SegmentAccommodation AreasFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsPipelinesFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsNorth America Downstream SectorProduction VesselsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsProduction PlatformsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsRefineriesFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsPetrochemicalsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsGlobal Fire Protection Systems (for Oil and Gas) Market: EuropeEurope Upstream SectorOffshore SegmentOffshore PlatformsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsDrill ShipsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOffshore Oil RigsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOnshore SegmentOnshore Drilling RigsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsEurope Midstream SectorOffshore SegmentFloating Production Storage Offloading Vessels (FPSO)Fire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsLNG CarriersFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOffshore Support and Supply VesselsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOnshore SegmentAccommodation AreasFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsPipelinesFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsEurope Downstream SectorProduction VesselsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsProduction PlatformsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsRefineriesFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsPetrochemicalsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsGlobal Fire Protection Systems (for Oil and Gas) Market: Middle East and AfricaMiddle East and Africa Upstream SectorOffshore SegmentOffshore PlatformsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsDrill ShipsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOffshore Oil RigsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOnshore SegmentOnshore Drilling RigsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsMiddle East and Africa Midstream SectorOffshore SegmentFloating Production Storage Offloading Vessels (FPSO)Fire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsLNG CarriersFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOffshore Support and Supply VesselsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOnshore SegmentAccommodation AreasFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsPipelinesFire Suppression SystemsMiddle East and Africa Downstream SectorProduction VesselsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsProduction PlatformsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsRefineriesFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsPetrochemicalsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsGlobal Fire Protection Systems (for Oil and Gas) Market: Asia PacificAsia Pacific Upstream SectorOffshore SegmentOffshore PlatformsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsDrill ShipsFire Detection SystemsFire Suppression SystemsOffshore Oil RigAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Market Research Report 2017 : Applied Materials, Kulicke & Soffa, Teradyne

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In this report, the global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of IC Advanced Packaging Equipments in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal IC Advanced Packaging Equipments market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingGet Report Sample @ASM PacificApplied MaterialsKulicke & SoffaBESI, IncAdvantestHitachi High-TechnologiesTeradyneDiscoTowaHanmiPFSASuss MicrotecShinkawaTokyo SeimitsuUltratechOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoDie-Level Packaging EquipmentWafer-Level Packaging EquipmentOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of IC Advanced Packaging Equipments for each application, includingIDMOSATEnquiry For Discount Visit @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Market Research Report 20171 IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of IC Advanced Packaging Equipments1.2 IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Die-Level Packaging Equipment2 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type3 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)Read The Full Report @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of IC Advanced Packaging EquipmentsFigure Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Production (Units) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)Figure Global IC Advanced Packaging Equipments Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2016Figure Product Picture of Die-Level Packaging EquipmentTable Major Manufacturers of Die-Level Packaging EquipmentFigure Product Picture of Wafer-Level Packaging EquipmentTable Major Manufacturers of Wafer-Level Packaging EquipmentAbout Us :QYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.Contact US:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
MEA Veterinary Vaccines Market Attenuated Live Vaccine Segment to Grow Robustly at a CAGR of 5.8% till 2026

MRRSE

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http://www.mrrse.com/middle-east-veterinary-vaccines-market

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Today the veterinary vaccines market is all poised to witness rapid growth since several profitable companies in livestock market depend on its premium vaccines. To further look into this potential, a new study has been included into the vast online repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE), with the title Veterinary Vaccines Market: Middle East Industry Analysis & Opportunity Assessment, 2016 - 2026.. The primary aim of the study is to evaluate all the beneficial factors such as the vaccines, animal types, as well as the evaluation of the major diseases; along with estimating a careful market analysis for the forecast period till 2026.Request for Sample Report:The study also estimates about the attenuated live vaccines segment being the biggest segment among all the vaccine type segments and projecting to acquire more than US$ 150 Million while growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period.The higher occurrences of zoonotic and food borne diseases inside the MEA countries seems to fuel the demand for attenuated live vaccines. In the beginning, the study offers the executive summary, market introduction as well as market definition synopsis. Later, the market analysis scenario is presented alongside the market size and forecast. The most resourceful products evaluated in this report are the live attenuated vaccines, killed or inactive vaccines, recombinant vaccines, DNA vaccines, toxoid vaccines and others. Considering the animal type, the study focuses on companion animal, canine, feline, avian (ornamental bird), livestock animal, aquatic, bovine, porcine, small ruminant, poultry and equine.The study also contains the key analysis of the diseases with the types such as foot and mouth diseases, avian Influenza, New Castle disease, PPRS, brucellosis, canine parvovirus and others. Few of the most successful countries evaluated in this study are UAE, KSA, Turkey, Jordan, Sudan, Egypt and the Rest of MEA. By analyzing the market size and (year on year) Y-o-Y growth together with the absolute opportunity and market overview the study emphasizes on the potential of this market. Such introspection of the key countries and diseases will help investors in creating smarter businesses.Another important section in this report is the market dynamics and USPs analysis together with the macroeconomic factors and drivers data. The supply, demand and restraints introspection allows the reader to improve the processes in the production. Alongside, the scenario of local manufacturing and veterinary vaccine registration; as well as the data on veterinary medical product registration timelines and products are also furnished.Browse Full Report with TOC:About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY  12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comFollow Us on LinkedIn-Follow Us On Twitter-
Global Black Coffee Sales Market Report 2017 : Starbucks(US), Pacific Coffee(HK), Craftsman of Coffee(US)

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In this report, the global Black Coffee market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K MT), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Black Coffee for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGet Complimentry PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Global Black Coffee market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Black Coffee sales volume, Price (USD/MT), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingStarbucks(US)UCC(Japan)Pacific Coffee(HK)Chameleon(US)Craftsman of Coffee(US)Kohana Coffee(US)Califia Farms(US)High Brew(US)Volcanica Coffee(US)Royal Kona(US)On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoDark Roast CoffeeBlack Instant CoffeeBlack Silk CoffeeBlack Iced CoffeeBlack Ground CoffeeOrgano Gold Black CoffeeOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate of Black Coffee for each application, includingDrink To GoSupermarkets ServiceConvenience Stores ServicePersonal UseIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Read Full Report @Table of ContentsGlobal Black Coffee Sales Market Report 20171 Black Coffee Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Black Coffee1.2 Classification of Black Coffee by Product Category1.2.1 Global Black Coffee Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Black Coffee Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20162 Global Black Coffee Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Black Coffee Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Black Coffee Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Black Coffee Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Black Coffee (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Black Coffee Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)3 United States Black Coffee (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Black Coffee Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Black Coffee Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Black Coffee Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Black Coffee Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)List of Tables and FiguresFigure Product Picture of Black CoffeeFigure Global Black Coffee Sales Volume Comparison (K MT) by Type (2012-2022)Figure Global Black Coffee Sales Volume Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 2016Figure Dark Roast Coffee Product PictureFigure Black Instant Coffee Product PictureFigure Black Silk Coffee Product PictureCheck Discount @About Us :QYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.Contact US:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Metal 3D Printer Market 2017 - EOS GmbH, 3D Systems, Concept Laser GmbH, Renishaw, Arcam AB, Syndaya, SLM

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The report studies Metal 3D Printer in Global market Professional Survey 2017 : Size, Share, Trends, Industry Growth, Opportunity, Application, Production, Segmentation, Cost Structure, Company Profile, Product Picture and Specifications during the Forecast period by 2022. Whats more, the Metal 3D Printer industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. The industry analysis have also been done to examine the impact of various factors and understand the overall attractiveness of the industry.Download Sample Report @The report firstly introduced the Metal 3D Printer basics: definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain overview; industry policies and plans; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, capacity utilization, supply, demand and industry growth rate etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.Scope of the report:Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global Metal 3D Printer market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the new installations.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaFior Markets report, Global Metal 3D Printer Market 2017-2022, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Top ManufacturersEOS GmbHConcept Laser GmbHSLM3D SystemsArcam ABReaLizerRenishawExoneWuhan BinhuBright Laser TechnologiesHuake 3DSyndayaGet Full Report With TOC @Key questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Metal 3D Printer Market Research Report Split by TypeSelective Laser Melting (SLM)Electronic Beam Melting (EBM)OtherMetal 3D Printer Market Research Report Split by ApplicationAutomotive IndustryAerospace IndustryHealthcare & Dental IndustryAcademic InstitutionsOthersReasons To Buy- What was the size of the Global Metal 3D Printer market by value in 2016?- What will be the size of the Global Metal 3D Printer market in 2022?- What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the Global Metal 3D Printer market?- How has the market performed over the last five years?- What are the main segments that make up the global's Metal 3D Printer market?The report has put special emphasis on the market share and size of global industry, owing to their large scale share in the current and upcoming market of Metal 3D Printer. The industry analysis have also been done to examine the impact of various factors and understand the overall attractiveness of the industry.RELATED POST:If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.ABOUT USFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice - 102, Sanskriti Aspirations,Near Post 91, Baner Road,Pune, MH, India - 411045Phone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Iran Non-Life Insurance Market Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020

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"The Report Non-Life Insurance in Iran, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"SynopsisTimetrics 'Non-Life Insurance in Iran, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Iranian non-life insurance segment, and a comparison of the Iranian insurance industry with its regional counterparts.It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Iranian economy and demographics, explains the various types of natural hazard and their impact on the Iranian insurance industry, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @SummaryTimetrics 'Non-Life Insurance in Iran, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Iranian non-life insurance segment, including:The Iranian non-life segments detailed outlook by product categoryA comprehensive overview of the Iranian economy and demographicsA comparison of the Iranian non-life insurance segment with its regional counterpartsThe various distribution channels in the Iranian non-life insurance segmentDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Iranian insurance industryDetails of the competitive landscape in the non-life insurance segment in IranDetails of regulatory policy applicable to the Iranian insurance industryScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the non-life insurance segment in Iran:It provides historical values for the Iranian non-life insurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Iranian non-life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.It provides a comparison of the Iranian non-life insurance segment with its regional counterpartsIt analyzes the various distribution channels for non-life insurance products in Iran.It analyzes various natural hazards and their impact on the Iranian insurance industryIt profiles the top non-life insurance companies in Iran, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.View Report @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Iranian non-life insurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Iranian non-life insurance segment.Assess the competitive dynamics in the non-life insurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Iranian insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsAccording to the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), road traffic accidents killed around 28,000 people in Iran in 2016, and either injured or disabled more than 300,000.According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, Iran was the 14th largest car manufacturer in the world in 2016.In March 2017, Irans crude oil exports reached 3.0 million barrels for the first time since 1979. The export of crude oil averaged 2.5 million barrels per day during January 2016 and February 2017.In February 9, 2017, the Central Insurance of Iran (CII) and Central Bank of Armenia signed an agreement of mutual cooperation between insurance and reinsurance business.In December 22, 2016, the European airplane manufacturer Airbus signed a contract with Iran Air to sell 100 jets with delivery starting from January 2017. The value of this deal is expected to be IRR 310.3 trillion (US$10.0 billion).About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Non-Life Insurance in Mexico, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 Published by MarketResearchReports.biz

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The Report Non-Life Insurance in Mexico, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.bizSynopsisTimetrics 'Non-Life Insurance in Mexico Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Mexican non-life insurance segment and a comparison of the Mexican insurance industry with its regional counterparts.It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).The report also analyzes the various distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Mexican economy and demographics, explains the various types of natural hazard and their impact on the Mexican insurance industry, and provides detailed information pertaining to the country's competitive landscape.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of recent changes to the industry's regulatory structure.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @SummaryTimetrics 'Non-Life Insurance in Mexico, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Mexican non-life insurance segment, including:The Mexican non-life insurance segments detailed outlook by product categoryA comprehensive overview of the Mexican economy and demographicsA comparison of the Mexican insurance industry with its regional counterpartsDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Mexican insurance industryDetails of the competitive landscape in the life insurance segment in MexicoDetails of regulatory policy applicable to the Mexican insurance industryScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the non-life insurance segment in Mexico:It provides historical values for the Mexican non-life insurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Mexican non-life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.It provides a comparison of the Mexican non-life insurance segment with its regional counterparts.It analyzes the various distribution channels for non-life insurance products in Mexico.It analyzes various natural and man-made hazards and their impact on the Mexican insurance industry.It profiles the top non-life insurance companies in Mexico, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.View Report @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Mexican non-life insurance segment, and each category within itUnderstand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Mexican non-life insurance segmentAssess the competitive dynamics in the non-life insurance segmentIdentify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categoriesGain insights into key regulations governing the Mexican insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's futureKey HighlightsThe non-life segment accounted for 40.5% of the industry's gross written premium in 2015.The segment is competitive, containing both domestic and foreign insurers, and is concentrated with the 10 leading companies collectively accounting for 66.68% of gross written premium in 2015.Although political risks and changes in the country's regulatory landscape are creating challenges for insurers in the Latin American region, the Mexican non-life insurance segment registered a high rate of premium growth during the review period.In September 2014, the Federal Law on Roads, Bridges and Motor Transport amended and made motor third-party liability insurance compulsory in the country.The adoption of Solvency II type regulations is expected to bring better risk management to the insurance industry.The support from the government to develop agriculture insurance, the implementation of motor third-party liability insurance in 2014 and rising public awareness on the benefits of insurance are expected to increase non-life insurance penetration over the forecast period.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Liposuction Surgery Devices Market Value Share, Supply Demand, share and Value Chain 2016-2026

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Liposuction, also referred to as lipoplasty, involves a cosmetic surgery which slims and reshapes specific parts of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving your body contours and proportion. This surgery breaks up and sucks fat from different possible parts like thighs, hips and buttocks, abdomen and waist, cheeks, chin and neck, upper and back of the arms, inner knee, chest area, calves and back. The fat is removed through a hollow instrument, called a cannula which is inserted under the skin. A powerful high pressure vacuum is applied to the cannula. Liposuction is often combined with other plastic surgery procedures like facelift, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) and breast reduction and performed. It can permanently remove the fat cells and can alter the shape of the body. Liposuction will not get rid of cellulite or stretch marks. It will help in avoiding obesity and as a result getting rid of related diseases. Liposuction was invented in 1972 by two Italian-American surgeons- Doctors Giorgio and Arpad Fischer. However modern liposuction started with a presentation in1982 by Dr. Yves-Gerard Illouz, a French surgeon.Liposuction Surgery Devices Market: Drivers and RestraintsIncreasing incidence of men and especially women who wants to be in proper shape and remove excess fat from their body is becoming the main driving force of liposuction surgery devices market. Technological advancement in liposuction surgery devices has led to the removal of a large number of fat cells with less blood loss, risk, discomfort and shorter recovery periods. Today fat can also be used as a natural filler, where fat is taken from one part of the body, cleaned and injected into another part of the body. Liposuction surgeries are mostly safe. This has led to the growth of liposuction surgery devices market. However, it involves few minor complications like bad bruising, swelling, numbness, baggy or rippled skin (rare case). Death, kidney or heart problems are the rarest cases among all. All these might restrain the growth of liposuction surgery devices market to some extent.Request Report Sample@Liposuction Surgery Devices Market: SegmentationLiposuction surgery devices market is segmented based on product type, technology and end user.Based on product type, liposuction surgery devices market is segmented into the following:Stand-alone liposuction surgery devicesPortable liposuction surgery devicesBased on technology, liposuction surgery devices market is segmented into the following:Suction-Assisted LiposuctionUltrasound-Assisted LiposuctionExternal ultrasound-assisted liposuctionPower-Assisted LiposuctionLaser-Assisted LiposuctionWater-Assisted LiposuctionTwin Cannula-Assisted LiposuctionTumescent LiposuctionAspirator DevicesRF-Assisted LiposuctionBased on end user, liposuction surgery devices market is segmented into the following:HospitalsAmbulatory surgical centersCosmetic surgical centersLiposuction Surgery Devices Market: OverviewLiposuction surgery devices market started with the traditional suction-assisted liposuction pumps. With advancement in technology, power, laser, ultrasound liposuction surgery devices came into existence. As surgeons and scientists continued to explore combining surgical suction of subcutaneous adipose with technology to tighten skin or provide soft tissue contraction, increased interest has grown in utilizing Radio Frequency (RF) as an adjunct to suction-assisted liposuction. Liposuction surgery devices market is growing immensely due to huge awareness of people regarding obesity and consequent health related problems. Many models also go through liposuction surgery in order to be in shape and look good which is the main requirement in their industry. Hence, liposuction surgery devices market is growing at a faster pace.Liposuction Surgery Devices Market: Region-wise OutlookRegion wise, the global liposuction surgery devices marketis classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. Liposuction is the most common cosmetic operation in North America and UK. Over 400,000 procedures are carried out each year in US. This will have a sizeable market for liposuction surgery devices in US. Liposuction surgery devices market is also growing steadily in other parts of the world.Visit For TOC@Liposuction Surgery Devices Market: Key PlayersKey players in liposuction surgery devices market include Solta Medical, Cynosure Inc., Sciton Inc., Wells Johnson Co, Invasix Ltd, Zeltiq aesthetics Inc. All these companies hold sizeable market share in the manufacturing of Liposuction machines like Vaser Lipo, Smart Lipo, Pro Lipo, Body Tite, Cool Sculpt, Liposonix and many others.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Forensic Technology Market by Application, Analysis and Forecast 2016 to 2022

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With the rate of internet penetration reaching up to 87%, the U.S. has become one of the best connected countries in the world, and acquires the second position globally with regard to online business- consumer transactions; moreover, these factors have led the country to be the centre point for cyber-attacks. Cybercrimes cost have reached around $100 billion in the country. Canada and Mexico globally stands at the 13th and 17th position respectively as major sources of cybercrimes. North America needs to build a strong resilience system for managing cybercrimes.Our market study includes an extensive overview and analysis of the North America Cyber Security market by solutions and services, application verticals and countries, along with developing a comprehensive outlook of the market. The report provides extensive insights of the different developments, trends and key participants.For more information about this report:While highlighting the key driving and restraining forces for this market, the report also provides a comprehensive section on the prominent laws, patents and standards for the North America Cyber Security market.The answers to the following key questions can be found in the report:-What are the key market trends and developments in the North America Cyber Security market?-What is the Cyber Security technological overview in the North America region?-What are the different types of cyber attacks prevalent in the North America region?-What are the key drivers, challenges and opportunities for the Cyber Security market in the North America region with respect to their impact analysis?-Which key application vertical is utilizing Cyber Security in the North America region with their market statistics?-What are the important Cyber Security solutions in the North America region with their market statistics?-What are the important Cyber Security services in the North America region with their market statistics?-Which North America country will lead the Cyber Security market by the end of the forecast period?-Who are the key players in the North America Cyber Security market?The research also incorporates Porter's Five Forces for an in-depth analysis of the North America Cyber Security market. The report builds itself upon a comprehensive value chain giving a clear understanding of the ecosystem of the Cyber Security market in the North America region.Request Sample Copy atThe report also includes the profiles of major players in the North America Cyber Security market that allows readers to get an insight into the industry trends.Some of the leading companies in the North America Cyber Security market are IBM, Cisco, Dell, Intel, FireEye, Symantec, among others.The report answers the following questions about the global food traceability market:-What are the different factors driving the market and how will the impact change through the forecast period?-What are the major factors challenging the growth of global food traceability market and how can they be addressed through the forecast period?-How will the market players leverage on key developments such as acquisitions, partnerships, and product launch among others?-Which region will lead the global food traceability market by the end of the forecast period?-What are the prevalent service types and what is the market size for each of them?-What are the prevalent technology types and what is the market size for each of them?-How will the competitive rivalry evolve through the forecast period?The report puts special emphasis on the market share of the services provided in food traceability market, owing to the changing paradigms in the industry.The most often used strategy for developing a better hold on to the market has been through partnerships & collaborations, followed by product launches. Moreover, the company profile section highlights significant information about the key companies involved along with their financial positions, key strategies & developmental activities of recent years.Inquire before Buying atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
2020 Personal Accident and Health Insurance in Norway, Key Trends and Opportunities

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"The Report Personal Accident and Health Insurance in Norway, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"SynopsisTimetrics 'Personal Accident and Health Insurance in Norway Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Norwegian personal accident and health insurance segment, and a comparison of the Norwegian insurance industry with its regional counterparts.It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Norwegian economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @SummaryTimetrics ' Personal Accident and Health Insurance in Norway, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Norwegian personal accident and health insurance segment, including:The Norwegian personal accident and health insurance segments growth prospects by insurance categoryKey trends, drivers and challenges for the personal accident and health insurance segmentA comprehensive overview of the Norwegian economy and demographicsThe various distribution channels in the Norwegian personal accident and health insurance segmentDetails of the competitive landscape in the personal accident and health insurance segment in NorwayDetails of regulatory policy applicable to the Norwegian insurance industryScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the personal accident and health insurance segment in Norway:It provides historical values for the Norwegian personal accident and health insurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Norwegian personal accident and health insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.It provides a comparison of the Norwegian personal accident and health insurance segment with its regional counterparts.It provides an overview of the various distribution channels for personal accident and health insurance products in Norway.It profiles the top personal accident and health insurance companies in Norway, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.View Report @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Norwegian personal accident and health insurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Norwegian personal accident and health insurance segment.Assess the competitive dynamics in the personal accident and health insurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Norwegian insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsThe personal accident and health segment accounted for 7.2% of the overall insurance gross written premium in Norway in 2015.Private health insurance is mainly purchased by employers as supplementary policies on behalf of employees.The travel category accounted for the largest share, with 50.3% in 2015.To meet growing demand, health insurers are launching innovative health insurance products to private customers in addition to corporate buyers.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
2017 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Market Sales, Revenue, Market Share And Growth Rate 2022

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"The Latest Research Report EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Market Report 2017 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Artificial Intelligence MarketIn this report, the EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report split EMEA into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, With sales (K Pcs), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast)Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Benelux;Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and Iran;Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria.EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips sales volume (K Pcs), price (USD/Pcs), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingAMD (Advanced Micro Devices)GoogleIntelNVIDIAGet Sample copy of this Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume (K Pcs), revenue (Million USD), product price (USD/Pcs), market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoGPUASICFPGACPUOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume (K Pcs), market share and growth rate of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips for each application, includingElectronicsAutomotiveConsumer GoodsIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsEMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Market Report 20171 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips1.2 Classification of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips1.2.1 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 GPU1.2.4 ASIC1.2.5 FPGA1.2.6 CPUView Sample PDF @1.3 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-20221.3.2 Electronics1.3.3 Automotive1.3.4 Consumer Goods1.4 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Market by Region1.4.1 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Middle East Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Africa Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 EMEA Market Size (Value and Volume) of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips (2012-2022)1.5.1 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Competition by Manufacturers/Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers2.1.1 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales Volume and Market Share of Major Players (2012-2017)2.1.2 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Revenue and Share by Players (2012-2017)2.1.3 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sale Price by Players (2012-2017)2.2 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips (Volume and Value) by Type/Product Category2.2.1 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.3 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sale Price by Type (2012-2017)2.3 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips (Volume) by Application2.4 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.3 EMEA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales Price by Region (2012-2017)Send An Enquiry Request @3 Europe Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Players, Countries, Type and Application3.1 Europe Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 Europe Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 Europe Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.2 Europe Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Market Share by Type3.3 Europe Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Market Share by Application3.4 Europe Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries3.4.1 Europe Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)3.4.2 Europe Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)3.4.3 Germany Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.4 France Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.5 UK Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.6 Russia Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.7 Italy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.8 Benelux Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market: Industry Size, Share, Growth, Forecasts

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Latest industry research report on: Global Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market | Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsComplete Report Details @Rise in offshore drilling activities, Increasing demand for Life-of-field Inspections, Technological Advancements, Cost Effective Inspection System, Rising mechanical configuration of AUVs, High adoption rate of Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV)s across application areas in defence & scientific research and offshore oil & gas explorations, are the basic reasons behind increased demands for the Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV).Latin America and Africa are expected to experience the highest growth owing to deepwater oil & gas activities in pre-salt areas, Europe will have high growth with North Sea and Norwegian Sea being the major subsea pipeline inspection equipment's market. Demand in Asia will be diverse with deepwater expenditure in India, Indonesia and Malaysia; research activities in Japan, and military investment in China. The key sectors for the application of AUV in the report are commercial, scientific, and defense. Among all, the defense application is expected to hold the largest share of the market accounting for 49% in 2015.Request For Sample Report @There has been the growing need for scientific research applications being addressed for oceanography and environmental protection & monitoring, high adoption rate of AUVs across application areas in defence & scientific research and offshore oil & gas explorations; and increasing defence spending has led to increase in demand for AUV. But stringent government regulations regarding oil & gas leaks, Higher Installation Cost, water contamination, environmental & public health is one of the biggest restraints faced by this industry. The level of spending in the government-to-government investments into the defence, scientific research and oil and gas sectors has driven the market.View Sample PDF @Global Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 15.5% during 2016  2021F, on account of rising demand in the oil and gas energy along with significant government-to-government investments into the defence, scientific research and oil and gas sectors. Growing energy needs, emerging economies, high adoption rate of AUVs across application areas in defence & scientific research and offshore oil & gas explorations and increasing defence spending provide the ample growth opportunites for the AUV market to thrive.The market in developed regions is matured and is witnessing consistent growth except for North America while the developing regions are expected to witness high growth in the Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market especially in Africa & Asia Pacific.Have Any Query? Ask Our Expert @According to Azoth Analytics research report, Global Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market: Trends, Opportunities and Forecasts (2016-2021) - (By Value  UUVs, ROVs, AUVs; AUV Market By Region  North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa; Key Players; Recommendations), Global Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market is projected to exhibit a CAGR of over ~15.49% during 2016 - 2021. Few of the leading companies operating in Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Market are Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, Teledyne Technologies Inc., Subsea, FUGRO.Scope of the ReportThe report provides coverage by Value:Underwater Unmanned Vehicle (UUV)Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV)Automatic Underwater Vehicle (AUV)The report provides coverage of AUV Market by Region:North AmericaEuropeLatin AmericaAsia PacificMiddle East & AfricaAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
France Reinsurance Market Analysis Report Opportunities to 2020

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"The Report Reinsurance in France, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"SynopsisTimetrics 'Reinsurance in France, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides detailed analysis of the trends, drivers and challenges in the French reinsurance segment. It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).The report also analyses information pertaining to the competitive landscape in the country, gives a comprehensive overview of the French economy and demographics, and provides detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the French insurance industry.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise to enable reinsurers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and access profiles of reinsurers operating in the country.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @SummaryTimetrics 'Reinsurance in France, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the French reinsurance segment, including:The French reinsurance segments growth prospects by reinsurance ceded from direct insuranceA comprehensive overview of the French economy and demographicsDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the French insurance industryThe competitive landscape in the French reinsurance segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in France:It provides historical values for the French reinsurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the French reinsurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in France, and the reinsurance segment's growth prospects.View Report @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the French reinsurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the French reinsurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the French insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsSolvency II came into force in France on January 1, 2016. The French reinsurance segment is expected to grow under Solvency ll regulations, primarily due to the requirement of higher risk-based capital for insurers.French reinsurers are diversifying their risk exposure, along with the launch of new reinsurance products. In September 2016, XL Catlin introduced cyberinsurance solutions for French mid-sized businesses.According to Autorite de controle prudentiel et de resolution (ACPR), as of May 2017, 14 reinsurers were authorized to underwrite reinsurance business in France.In February 2017, the European Parliament and the European Council published a new Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD), which is applicable to reinsurers and intermediaries.In February 2016, EU passed new data protection and security regulations, effective from May 2018, which will require organizations to take out insurance policies and be able to inform authorities about hacked networks within 72 hours.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Reinsurance in Iran Market Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020

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"The Report Reinsurance in Iran, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"SynopsisTimetrics 'Reinsurance in Iran, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers and challenges in the Iranian reinsurance segment.It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).The report also analyses information pertaining to the competitive landscape in the country, gives a comprehensive overview of the Iranian economy and demographics, and provides detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Iranian insurance industry.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise to enable reinsurers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and access profiles of reinsurers operating in the country.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @SummaryTimetrics 'Reinsurance in Iran, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Iranian reinsurance segment, including:An outlook of the Iranian reinsurance segmentA comprehensive overview of the Iranian economy and demographicsDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Iranian insurance industryThe competitive landscape in the Iranian reinsurance segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in Iran:It provides historical values for the Iranian reinsurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Iranian reinsurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in Iran, and the reinsurance segment's growth prospects.It analyzes various natural hazards and their impact on the Iran insurance industryView Report @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Iranian reinsurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Iranian reinsurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Iranian insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsOn February 9, 2017, the Central Insurance of Iran (CII) and the Central Bank of Armenia signed an agreement of mutual cooperation in insurance and reinsurance business.In September 28, 2016, CII and the Capital Market Authority of Oman signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote direct and indirect investments in the insurance industry. The MoU will also allow the exchange of training, workshops and visits by experts.According to the World Bank, Iran is one of the top 33 countries at high economic risk from multiple hazardsAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Gastro Metamaterials Global Market by Product Type, Scope, Analysis and Forecasts to 2022

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The global metamaterials market in terms of value is estimated to witness a growth at a CAGR of 21.6% between 2016 and 2022. This growth in the market is attributed to their increasing usage of metamaterials in research and development, superior properties of metamaterials over conventional materials, and high demand from various end-use industries such as telecommunication, aerospace & defense, and medical instrumentation.The engineered materials composed of designed inclusions exhibit exotic and unique electromagnetic properties not inherent in the individual constituent components. These artificially structured composites, known as metamaterials. Metamaterials are artificial composites that acquire their electromagnetic properties from embedded sub wavelength metallic structures.For more information about this report:While highlighting the key driving and restraining forces for this market, the report also provides a comprehensive section of the application areas of the metamaterials market. It also examines the role of the leading market players involved in this market. The report addresses the following key questions about the global automotive brakes market:-What the global metamaterials market size is in terms of revenue from 2015-2022?-What is the dominant type and product type by revenue in the metamaterials market?-What is the revenue generated by the different brake type and products in the metamaterials market?-What is the revenue generated application market?-What are the different factors driving the market forward in the forecast period?-What are the major factors challenging the growth of global metamaterials market?-What kind of new strategies are being adopted by existing market players to make a mark in the industry?-Which region will lead to the global metamaterials market by the end of the forecast period?Request Sample Copy atThe report has put special emphasis on the market share and size of electromagnetic, antennas, and telecommunication, owing to their high share in the current and upcoming market of metamaterials. The industry analysis have also been undertaken in order to examine the impact of various factors and understand the overall attractiveness of the industry.The most often used strategy for developing a better hold on to the market has been through agreements, collaborations, contracts, and partnerships, followed by new product launches. The company profile section includes highlights of significant information about the key companies involved, along with their financial summaries and key strategies & developmental activities of recent years. Some of the key players involved in this market are Applied Em, Jem Engineering, Kymeta Corporation, Metamagnetics, Metamaterial Technologies Inc., Teraview Limited, Harris Corporation, Fractal Antenna Systems Inc., Newport Corporation, KuangChi Science Limited, and Echodyne Inc.Inquire before Buying atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Synthetic Biology Market Size Is Projected To Be Around $26 Billion By 2025

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A research study titled, Synthetic Biology Market by Product (Oligonucleotide Synthesis, DNA Synthesis, Standardized DNA Parts, Synthetic Genes, Chassis Organisms) and Application (Agriculture, Chemicals, Biofuels, Healthcare) - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2025 published by Crystal Market Research, states that the synthetic biology market is projected to be around $26 billion by 2025.Synthetic biology refers to interdisciplinary area used for creating new biological parts, devices, and systems with the help of engineering principles. It can be used to developbio-products, advanced biofuels, renewable materials, and bio-based specialty chemicals. Synthetic biology can be used to identify and catalog standardized genomic parts which can be synthesized quickly and used to build novel biological systems. In natural product synthesis, synthetic biology can be used to produce necessary enzymes along with biological functions to carry out complex multi-stage production of natural products. In biofuels, synthetic biology can be used for optimization of genes and microorganisms to efficiently convert feedstock into biofuels. Synthetic biology is anticipated to witness adoption in varied industries such as agriculture, energy, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. In medicine, synthetic biology can be used for manufacturing of drugs, diagnostic agents and vaccines and in creation of new tissues. In chemical industry, synthetic biology can be used in the production of fine or bulk chemicals such as proteins to provide a substitute to existing synthetic fibers or natural fibers.Browse full research report with TOC on Synthetic Biology Market by Product and Application - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2025 at:Reduction in the cost of DNA sequencing, rise in the development of genetically engineered crops, increased research and development related expenditure of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, growing demand for synthetic genes are set to drive this market. On the other hand, stringent regulations related to bio-safety & bio-security can restrict the growth of this market.In 2016, enabled product segment occupied the major share of the global synthetic biology market owing to growing demand for higher-value specialty products. Besides, core product will grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to increasing use of synthetic genes and development of DNA constructs. Healthcare segment occupied the major share of the overall synthetic biology market in 2016 owing to high usage in developing economical drugs and vaccines.In 2016, Europe occupied the major share of the synthetic biology market owing to rising government funding and increased R&D efforts. On the other hand, Asia-Pacific is projected to witness significant growth in the forecast period.Strategic collaborations is the key strategy adopted by the leading players in the market. For instance, in May 2017, Oxford Genetics (a leading synthetic biology-based technology company) entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with ERS Genomics. This agreement grants Oxford Genetics to access ESRs foundational intellectual property about CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. Similarly, in May 2016, Bayer and ESR Genomics entered into a patent license agreement. As per the terms of agreement, Bayer obtained access to ESRs genome editing patent portfolio (i.e. CRISPR-Cas9) for cross divisional applications in its strategic business areas.Request a sample copy of Synthetic Biology Market Research Report @Some of the leading players in the global synthetic biology market are New England Biolabs, Inc., Synthetic Genomics Inc., Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc.,DuPont,Amyris, Inc., GenScript, Intrexon Corporation, Gingko Bioworks, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Intrexon Corporation, and Agilent Technologies, Inc.Key Findings of the Research Study: Enabled product segment accounted for the largest share of the overall market in 2016 Core product category is poised to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period Europe dominated the global market for synthetic biology in 2016 due to increased R&D efforts for the development of synthetic biology products Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at double digit CAGR during the forecast period due to high demand for synthetically manufactured crops and rising awareness about synthetic biologyInquire more about this report at:Synthetic Biology Market Segmentation:By Product: Enabling Productso Oligonucleotide Synthesiso DNA Synthesis Core Productso Standardized DNA Partso Synthetic Geneso Chassis Organisms Enabled ProductsBy Application: Agriculture Chemicals Biofuels Healthcare OthersBy Region: North Americao U.So Canadao Mexico Europeo Germanyo Franceo UKo Italyo Spaino Rest of Europe Asia-Pacifico Japano Chinao Australiao Indiao South Koreao Rest of Asia-Pacific Rest of the Worldo Brazilo South Africao Saudi Arabiao Turkeyo United Arab Emirateso OthersGet Customization in the Report At:About Crystal Market ResearchCrystal Market Research is a U.S. based market research and business intelligence company. Crystal offers one stop solution for market research, business intelligence, and consulting services to help clients make more informed decisions. It provides both syndicated as well as customized research studies for its customers spread across the globe. The company offers market intelligence reports across a broad range of industries including healthcare, chemicals & materials, technology, automotive, and energy.Contact:Judy304 South Jones Blvd, Suite 1896,Las Vegas NV 89107,United StatesToll Free: +1-888-213-4282Email: sales@crystalmarketresearch.comBlog:Website:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Smart Factory Market Pegged for Robust Expansion During 2015 - 2021

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Automation in smart factories makes the use of various control devices such as sensors, motors, drives, switches and relays and networks technologies such as wired, wireless and radio frequency identification (RFID). Integrated systems such as Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Information Technology (IT) system, Programmable Logic Control (PLC), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) are designed to meet the specific requirements of a manufacturing unit. These industrial control systems manage the process and streamline the flow of materials across the manufacturing line. Smart factories also make use of industrial robots such as articulated robots, SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm or Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm) robots, Cartesian robots, cylindrical and other robots for various manufacturing processes such as painting, welding, conveyance, heavy lifting etc.A sample of this report is available upon request @One of the major factors driving the growth of smart factory market is the increasing need for improving efficiency and energy saving in the manufacturing process. Automation has enabled manufacturing units to utilize every second of production time through efficient streamlining of the manufacturing process. Technological advancements such as machine to machine communication enable smart factories to eliminate wastage of time caused due to the delay in the process change. Moreover, with rise of Internet of Things (IoT) and services, integration of manufacturing and engineering processes has experienced a tremendous leap forward. However, the growth of smart factory market faces a few restraints due to lack of standardization and interoperability issues. These factors raise concerns in designing integrated solutions using components provided by several automation solution providers. The shortage of trained workers and increasing skill gap further restrains the growth of smart factory market. Other crucial factors such as cyber security threats and associated costs limit the growth of this smart factory market in industries such nuclear, weapons and armaments.With its immense applications in industries such as automotive and transportation, packaging, mining of minerals and metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and process industries such as oil and gas, the smart factory market is expected to experience immense growth in coming years. Thereby, companies have invested heavily to explore untapped opportunities in the applications of industrial robots and control devices.Request to view table of content @Some of the major players in smart factory market include Intel Corporation, General Dynamics Corporation, CMC Associates, Freescale Semiconductor Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Johnson Controls Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Rockwell Automation Inc., Siemens AG, Schneider Electric SA, General Electric Co., Apriso Corporation, Emerson Electric Co., Invensys Plc., Teledyne Technologies Inc., ABB Ltd., Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, and National Instruments Corporation.Buy Now: You can now buy a single user license of the report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Artificial Intelligence Market Will Reach At CAGR Of 38.37% Between 2017-2021

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"The Latest Research Report Artificial Intelligence Market in Western Europe Education Sector 2017-2021 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Artificial Intelligence MarketArtificial intelligence (AI) is a science that deals with the design and development of computer systems to replicate human intelligence through a wide array of methodologies. Irrespective of the subject, AI solutions have the capability to create personalized learning profiles for students. The technology helps educators to develop optimized learning processes for every student. The AI and machine learning are making ripples in the education sector even on a global scale. The educators are interested in exploring AI technologies to facilitate and advance their teaching and learning activities.Technavios analysts forecast the artificial intelligence market in western europe education sector to grow at a CAGR of 38.37% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the artificial intelligence market in western europe education sector for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated through the sales of artificial intelligent software-based products and complementary services to educational institutions in Western Europe.Get Sample copy of this Report @The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Artificial Intelligence Market In Western Europe Education Sector 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsIBMNuance CommunicationsSmilartSoftBank RoboticsOther prominent vendorsALEKSBlackboardDreamBox LearningeDreams EdusoftJenzabarMicrosoftPearsonMarket driverRise in STEM education demandsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeRestricted profitability of productsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendRise in social artificial intelligenceFor a full, detailed list, view our reportView Sample PDF @Key questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?You can request one free hour of our analysts time when you purchase this market report. Details are provided within the report.Table of ContentsPART 01: Executive summaryPART 02: Scope of the reportPART 03: Research MethodologyPART 04: IntroductionGlobal artificial intelligence marketPART 05: Market landscapeMarket size and forecastFive forces analysisPART 06: Market segmentation by learning modelArtificial intelligence market in the Western Europe education sector by learning modelArtificial intelligence market in the Western Europe education sector by learner modelArtificial intelligence market in the Western Europe education sector by pedagogical modelArtificial intelligence market in the Western Europe education sector by domain modelSend An Enquiry Request @PART 07: Market segmentation by end-userArtificial intelligence market in the Western Europe education sector by end-userArtificial intelligence market in the Western Europe education sector by higher educationArtificial intelligence market in the Western Europe education sector by K-12PART 08: Key leading countriesUKFranceGermanyPART 09: Decision frameworkPART 10: Drivers and challengesMarket driversMarket challengesAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Reinsurance in Mexico Market Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020

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"The Report Reinsurance in Mexico, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"SynopsisTimetrics 'Reinsurance in Mexico Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers and challenges in the Mexican reinsurance segment.It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).The report also analyses information pertaining to the counrty's competitive landscape, gives a comprehensive overview of the Mexican economy and demographics, and provides a detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Mexican insurance industry.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise to enable reinsurers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and access the profiles of those reinsurers operating in the country.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @SummaryTimetrics 'Reinsurance in Mexico, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Mexican reinsurance segment, including:The Mexican reinsurance segments growth prospects by reinsurance ceded from direct insuranceA comprehensive overview of the Mexican economy and demographicsDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Mexican insurance industryThe competitive landscape in the Mexican reinsurance segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in Mexico:It provides historical values for the Mexican reinsurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast periodIt offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Mexican reinsurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in Mexico, and the reinsurance segment's growth prospectsIt analyzes various natural and man-made hazards and their impact on the Mexican insurance industryView Report @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Mexican reinsurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Mexican reinsurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categoriesGain insights into the key regulations governing the Mexican insurance industryKey HighlightsAs the second-largest country in Latin America, and a hub for the insurance industry, Mexico offers significant opportunities for reinsurers.Although the premium ceded by the life segment registered negative growth during the review period, the overall premium ceded by the non-life and personal accident and health segments positively impacted the segments growth.Despite the presence of 15 reinsurers in Latin America, they have a very limited scale of operations in the region.The strengthening of solvency regulations in Mexico is expected to bring changes to the reinsurance segment's competitive landscape over the forecast period.The implementation of a new risk-based solvency regime and reinsurance cover against natural catastrophes is expected to support growth in the Mexican reinsurance segment over the forecast period.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Business Intelligence Market Revenue, Opportunity And forecast 2014 - 2018

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"The Latest Research Report Strategic Focus Report - Business Intelligence: Technology and Market Trends provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Business Intelligence MarketThis Strategic Focus report analyses the current trends, drivers, and inhibitors impacting the business intelligence market. The report outlines the evolution of business intelligence technologies, and identifies and assesses the best performing vendors in the market. This report also presents Kables view of the revenue opportunities in the business intelligence market through to 2018, highlighting the market size and growth by technology, geography, sector and size band. Moreover, following in-depth ICT decision maker surveys, the report outlines enterprises investment priorities in the business intelligence segment.Key FindingsThe BI market is going through a transformational phase where vendors are looking to develop analytical tools for broader market usage rather than just for power users.According to Kable, BI vendors are striving to enhance the functionality of their mobile BI solutions so that they do not appear to be an extended version of their desktop solutions.According to Kables market share data, the top 10 BI vendors constitute a significant share of the total BI market, contributing 84.7% of total BI market revenues in 2012, with this share maintained in 2013 as wellGet Sample copy of this Report @SynopsisThis Strategic Focus report analyses the current trends, drivers, and inhibitors impacting the business intelligence market. The report outlines the evolution of business intelligence technologies, and identifies and assesses the best performing vendors in the market. This report also presents Kables view of the revenue opportunities in the business intelligence market through to 2018, highlighting the market size and growth by technology, geography, sector and size band. Moreover, following in-depth ICT decision maker surveys, the report outlines enterprises investment priorities in the business intelligence segment.This product covers the latest trends in the business intelligence market, coupled with insight into the vendor landscape and market size in the business intelligence domain.In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following:The latest trends impacting the business intelligence market.The market drivers (both supply-side and demand-side) that will facilitate the growth of the business intelligence market.The market inhibitors that may hinder the pervasive adoption of business intelligence solutions.Identification of the top ICT vendors in the business intelligence market, coupled with an overview of the top 5 vendors.The report also covers the primary findings from Kables view of revenue opportunities in the business intelligence market through to 2018, highlighting the market size and growth by technology, geography, sector and size band.An identification of enterprises investment priorities based on their budget allocations relating to business intelligence.View Sample PDF @Reasons To BuyHelps the reader to understand the business intelligence market landscape, the recent trends, drivers, and inhibitors shaping the business intelligence segment.The report will provide an assessment of business intelligence vendors and their relative performance in the business intelligence market.The most exhaustive and up-to-date report providing revenue opportunity forecasts in the business intelligence market from 2014 to 2018, spanning four technology segments, six regions, 14 verticals, and two size bands.Extensive technology growth predictions based on adoption indicators, end-user technology demand, Kables in-house ICT survey results, and macroeconomic factors.The report provides a detailed breakdown of the opportunities within the business intelligence segment and its sub categories.Table of Contents1 Introduction2 Technology evolution2.1 Current technology trends2.2 Key market drivers and inhibitors2.2.1 Key market drivers2.2.2 Key inhibitors3 The vendor landscape3.1 Vendor snapshot (the top five vendors)4 The market opportunity4.1 The total market opportunity4.2 Geographic breakdown4.3 Vertical market breakdown4.4 Size band breakdown5 Business intelligence investment priorities6 Summary6.1 The growing need for enterprises to extract useful business insights in order to make informed decisions is driving the demand for various BI tools7 Appendix7.1 Definitions7.2 Further reading7.3 Contact the authorsSend An Enquiry Request @Table 1: Market share of the leading vendors in the business intelligence marketTable 2: Business intelligence  global market opportunity forecast, $ millionsTable 3: Business intelligence  global market opportunity forecast by region, $ millionsTable 4: Business intelligence  global market opportunity forecast by vertical market, $ millionsTable 5: Business intelligence  global market opportunity forecast by size band, $ millionsTable 6: Business intelligence  enterprises current and future investment prioritiesAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Sandwich Panels Market Analysis  by Industry, Share, Size, Forecast and Competition Comparison

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A new research document with title 'United States Sandwich Panels Market by Manufacturers, States, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 covering detailed analysis, Competitive landscape, forecast and strategies. The study covers geographic analysis that includes States like California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois and important players/vendors such as Kingspan, Metecno, Isopan etc. The report will help user gain market insights, future trends and growth prospects for forecast period of 2017-2022.Request a sample report @A sandwich panel is a structure made of three layers: low density core inserted in between two relatively thin skin layers. This sandwich setup allows achieving excellent mechanical performance at minimal weight. The most used materials for cores are expanded polystyrene, polyurethane, phenolic aldehyde, mineral wool. Steel sandwich panel is widely used in various architectural constructions as roof, wall, etc.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Sandwich Panels in United States market, to split the market based on manufacturers, states, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversKingspanMetecnoIsopanNCI Building SystemsTATA SteelArcelorMittalRomakowskiLattonedilRigiSystemsSilexIsomecGCSZhongjieAlShahinNucor Building SystemsTonmatMarcegagliaItalpannelliAlubelJingxueRuukkiBalexHoeschDana GroupMulticolorZamil VietnamBCOMSPioneer IndiaPanelcoMarket Segment by States, coveringCaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisMarket Segment by Type, coversEPS PanelsPUR/PIR PanelsMineral/Glass Wool PanelsPF PanelsOtherBuy this report @Market Segment by Applications, can be divided intoBuilding WallBuilding RoofCold StorageOtherThere are 17 Chapters to deeply display the United States Sandwich Panels market.Chapter 1, to describe Sandwich Panels Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by States, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Sandwich Panels, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the United States market by States, covering California, New York, Texas, Illinois and Florida, with sales, price, revenue and market share of Sandwich Panels, for each state, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to analyze the key States by Type and Application, covering California, New York, Texas, Illinois and Florida, with sales, revenue and market share by types and applications;Chapter 12, Sandwich Panels market forecast, by States, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and growth rate forecast, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 14, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 15, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 16 and 17, to describe Sandwich Panels Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source.Get customization & check discount for report @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Sandwich Panels Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 EPS Panels1.2.2 PUR/PIR Panels1.2.3 Mineral/Glass Wool Panels1.2.4 PF Panels1.2.5 Other1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Building Wall1.3.2 Building Roof1.3.3 Cold Storage1.3.4 Other1.4 Market Analysis by States1.4.1 California Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Texas Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 New York Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Florida Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Illinois Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force....ContinuedView Detailed Table of Content @Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact Us:HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ USA - 08837sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218
Business Intelligence Market Segmentation By Analyzing Revenue, Opportunity And Forecast 2020

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"The Latest Research Report Strategic Focus Report - Business Intelligence provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Business Intelligence MarketThis report analyses the current trends, drivers, and inhibitors impacting the business intelligence market. The report outlines the evolution of business intelligence, and identifies and assesses the best performing vendors in the market. This report also presents Kables view of the revenue opportunities in the business intelligence market through to 2020, highlighting the market size and growth by technology, geography, sector and size band. Moreover, following in-depth ICT decision maker surveys, the report outlines enterprises investment priorities in the business intelligence.Key Findings- BI and analytics continues to be the fastest growing solution area among organizations, and with the developments in the space of self-service BI and on-demand analytics solutions, even the small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have increased their investment in the BI domain, as with a pay-per-use pricing model enterprises can deploy such advanced solutions without committing to substantial infrastructure investment.- Apart from the self-service domain, new fields such as exploratory analytics are also coming to the fore, and vendors are keen to invest in these domains to develop solutions which will enable organizations to move away from the set models and schemas and create adhoc queries supported by a self-service environment.Get Sample copy of this Report @- The market for BI applications is set to witness decent growth in the coming five years, according to Kables BI market opportunity forecast model. Among the developed economies, the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada will primarily drive the BI segment from 2016 to 2020, compensating for the slow growth in this segment from other developed economies such as Japan, Spain, Italy, and France.SynopsisThis report analyses the current trends, drivers, and inhibitors impacting the business intelligence market. The report outlines the evolution of business intelligence, and identifies and assesses the best performing vendors in the market. This report also presents Kables view of the revenue opportunities in the business intelligence market through to 2020, highlighting the market size and growth by technology, geography, sector and size band. Moreover, following in-depth ICT decision maker surveys, the report outlines enterprises investment priorities in the business intelligence.This product covers the latest trends in the business intelligence market, coupled with insight into the vendor landscape and market size in the business intelligence domain.In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following:- The latest trends impacting the business intelligence market.- The market drivers (both supply-side and demand-side) that will facilitate the growth of the business intelligence market.- The market inhibitors that may hinder the pervasive adoption of business intelligence.- Identification of the top ICT vendors in the business intelligence market, coupled with an overview of the top 5 vendors.- The primary findings from Kables view of revenue opportunities in the business intelligence market through to 2020, highlighting the market size and growth by technology, geography, sector and size band.- An identification of enterprises investment priorities based on their budget allocations relating to business intelligence.View Sample PDF @Reasons To Buy- Understand the business intelligence landscape, the recent trends, drivers, and inhibitors shaping the business intelligence segment.- Comprehend the business intelligence vendor landscape and track their relative performance in the business intelligence market to gain a competitive advantage.- Enhance your market segmentation by analyzing the revenue opportunity forecasts figure in the business intelligence market from 2015 to 2020, spanning six regions, 14 verticals, and two size bands.- Understand how organizations business intelligence requirements are set to change in the next two years in order to prioritize your target market.Table of Contents1 Introduction2 Technology evolution2.1 Current technology trends2.2 Key market drivers and inhibitors2.2.1 Key market drivers2.2.2 Key inhibitors3 The vendor landscape3.1 Vendor snapshot (the top five vendors)4 The market opportunity4.1 The total market opportunity4.2 Geographic breakdown4.3 Vertical market breakdown4.4 Size band breakdown5 Business intelligence investment priorities6 Summary6.1 Exploratory analytics and big data solutions will propel the BI market to greater heights7 Appendix7.1 Definitions7.2 Further reading7.3 Contact the authorsSend An Enquiry Request @List of TablesTable 1: Market share of the leading vendors in the business intelligence marketTable 2: Brief overview of the top five vendors in the business intelligence marketTable 3: Business intelligence - global market opportunity forecast, US$ millionsTable 4: Business intelligence - global market opportunity forecast by region, US$ millionsTable 5: Business intelligence - global market opportunity forecast by vertical market, US$ millionsTable 6: Business intelligence - global market opportunity forecast by size band, US$ millionsTable 7: Business intelligence - enterprises' current and future investment prioritiesAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
North America Outbound Medical Tourism Services Market is Poised to Exhibit A Moderate 25.5% CAGR through 2026

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According to a new report published by Future Market Insights titled Outbound Medical Tourism Services Market: North America Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026, the North America outbound medical tourism services market is expected to reach a market valuation of US$ 15.53 Bn by 2016 end and this is likely to increase to US$ 150.36 Bn by 2026.According to Future Market Insights, factors such as a large ageing baby boomer population, large uninsured population, and better technology and wider treatment options are expected to drive the revenue growth of the North America outbound medical tourism services market over the forecast period. Economic factors such as rising rate of health insurance premiums, high cost of medical treatments in the U.S., and parallel tourism with medical treatment are expected to boost the growth of the North America outbound medical tourism services market between 2016 and 2026. The other factors impacting the North America outbound medical tourism services market are long waiting time for specialist appointments in the U.S. and increasing preference for non-conventional treatment options. The demand for cosmetic correction procedures and dental treatments has been significantly high in the U.S. market in recent years, making North America the most lucrative regional market for outbound medical tourism services. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the U.S. was the largest market for cosmetic procedures in 2015.Lack of effective follow-up care on returning home, rampant medical malpractices in medical tourism destinations, proliferation of superbugs in medical tourism destinations, problems associated with language barriers, and privacy concerns are some of the challenges anticipated to restrict revenue growth of the North America outbound medical tourism services market over the forecast period.Fill the Form for an Exclusive Sample of this Report@Segmentation highlightsThe North America outbound medical tourism services market is segmented into the following therapeutic applications  Cosmetic Surgery Treatment, Dental Treatment, Cardiovascular Treatment, Orthopaedic Treatment, Cancer Treatment, Fertility Treatment, Weight Loss Treatment, Spinal Surgery Treatment, Neurology Treatment, and Other General Treatment.The Cosmetic Surgery Treatment segment is estimated to be valued at US$ 3,760.9 Mn by 2016 endThe Cancer Treatment segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of 22.0% over the forecast periodThe Orthopaedic Treatment segment is estimated to create absolute $ opportunity of US$ 1,658.9 Mn in 2017 over 2016Regional forecastThe North America outbound medical tourism services market is segmented into the two top countries of U.S and Canada. U.S. is projected to occupy a major share in the North America outbound medical tourism services market in terms of value. The U.S market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 14.98 Bn by the end of 2016. In terms of value, U.S. is expected to be the dominant regional market by 2026 end and is expected to register a CAGR of 25.7% over the forecast period. Canada is expected to have comparatively less market potential for outbound medical tourism services, registering a CAGR of 18.1% over the forecast period.Send An Enquiry@Vendor insightsThe report profiles some of the top companies operating in the North America outbound medical tourism services market. Leading market players featured in the report are Apollo Hospital Enterprise Limited, Bumrungrad International Hospital, KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Christus Muguerza Hospital, WorldMed Assist, Mednamaste, and Global Medical Tourism Inc. Major market players are adopting strategies such as market expansion and strategic alliances to maintain their market share. Some of these companies are also adopting strategies such as backward integration to support their core business of medical tourism. Companies are offering services such as insurance and financing for medical tourism and are looking to expand their global footprint by enhancing their foreign customer base.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite :
Pressure Relief Valves Market Size & Share to See Modest Growth Through 2024

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Global Pressure Relief Valves Market: OverviewPressure relief valves are basically used for controlling the pressure within a system if there is an equipment failure or process upset. A pressure relief valve operates at a set pressure that is predetermined in order to assist the vessels and for equipment protection from unsafe pressure. Pressure relief valves find application in a wide range of industries such as power, F&B, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, and paper & pulp.Request Free Sample Report @Global Pressure Relief Valves Market: SegmentationThe market for pressure relief valves market is globally fragmented into its product type, set pressure, and end-use industry. On the basis of product type, the global market is segregated into pilot operated pressure relief valves, spring-loaded pressure relief valves, dead weight pressure relief valves, and others. Depending on the set pressure, the market is categorized into high pressure, low pressure, and medium pressure. According to the end-user industry, the market is divided into chemical processing industry, paper and pulp industry, food and beverage industry, leather industry, the pharmaceutical industry, oil and gas, power industry, textile industry, plastic industry, fertilizers and pesticides, and others. The oil and gas industry is further sub-divided into upstream, downstream, and midstream.Global Pressure Relief Valves Market: Growth FactorsThe developing chemical and oil and gas industry and the rapid industrialization in the developing countries are the major factors that are contributing to the pressure relief valves market. The demand for pressure relief valves is expected to increase in the coming years as the companies keep on relocating their manufacturing plants to different geographical regions depending on the supply and the demand. Different developing countries are inclining towards the nuclear power generation, this factor is also driving the pressure relief valves market. The increase in the concerns regarding the health and safety across all the end-use industries is compelling them to replace their conventional systems with the new ones is triggering the pressure relief valves market.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Pressure Relief Valves Market: Regional AnalysisBased on the regions, the market for pressure relief valves is diversified into North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The factors that attribute the market dominance in the North American region is the significant growth in the number of chemical industries and the expansion in the production of oil and gas. The oil and gas companies in this region are exploring more resources of unconventional energy which include shale gas extraction, thus the demand for pressure relief valves will remain high in the coming years. Western Europe is the global leader in the production of chemical productions, thus anticipating to provide vast opportunities for the manufacturers of pressure relief valves. The Asia Pacific region is focusing on improving their domestic chemical production so that they rely less on western imports; hence, improving the demand for the pressure relief valves. Another factor that is driving the market in Asia Pacific region is the developing power generation projects which include the nuclear power plants is driving the pressure relief valve market.Browse detail report @Global Pressure Relief Valves Market: Competitive PlayersThe key market players that are involved in the pressure relief valves market include Weir Group Plc., Curtiss Wright Corp., IMI Plc., Flow Safe, Inc., Velan Inc., Goetze KG Armaturen, Pentair Ltd., GE Co., LESER GmbH. & Co. KG, Alfa Laval AB, Conbarco Industries, and Watts Water Technologies, Inc.Inquire more before buying this report @About Us: Zion Market Research is an obligate company. We create futuristically, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, a company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with Vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from Cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Our Blog:
Aviation Analytics Market: Industry Players to Show High Growth Rate by 2024

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Global Aviation Analytics Market: OverviewThe adoption of the aviation analytics by most of the organizations is due to the fact that these solutions help them to develop their operational performance, maintenance, and profitability. In order to cater the upcoming demands such as the requirements of the customer, the organizations are adopting aviation analytics, which offers to improve the analytical resolution and also helps in maximizing the operating revenue of the organizations. The various applications for which the aviation analytics solutions are being utilized in the aviation industry include fuel management, revenue management, customer analytics, and risk management. The solutions of aviation analytics provide the enterprises with facilities such as to monitor, measure, and analyze their business goals, challenges, and future plans regarding the growth of the enterprise.Request Free Sample Report @Global Aviation Analytics Market: SegmentationThe market for the aviation analytics is globally fragmented into its verticals and end user. Based on the verticals, the global market is segregated into operations, maintenance & repair, finance, sales & marketing, and supply chain. Based on the end user, the market is categorized into airports and airlines.Global Aviation Analytics Market: Growth FactorsIn the current scenario, the market vendors of the aviation analytics are concentrating on improving their analytics and intelligence solutions so that they can improve their business profitability which turns out to be the major factor that will drive the aviation analytics market. There has been an increased emphasis on the management of the jet fuel which is the other factor that is driving the aviation analytics market. The factor that is positively affecting the aviation analytics market is the rise in the demand for the real-time analytics in the industry of aviation. In addition, the growing centricity in the sector of aviation industry will fuel the growth of the market in the coming years. The lack of availability of the analytical skills is the key challenge that is faced by the manufacturers of the aviation analytics market.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Aviation Analytics Market: Regional AnalysisThe market for aviation analytics is geographically diversified into the Latin America, Middle East & Africa, Eastern Europe, North America, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific. The region that holds the major market share of the aviation analytics market is North America. The factor that contributes to the market growth includes the increased adoption of the industrial aviation analytics by the different enterprises in order to enhance their operational performance. Asia Pacific and Western Europe are following the footsteps of North America region. The factors that attribute to the slow market growth in these regions are less adoption of the aviation analytics by the organizations and less awareness about the technology.Browse detail report @Global Aviation Analytics Market: Competitive PlayersThe key market players that are involved in the aviation analytics market include Oracle Corporation, General Electric, SAS Institute, Ramco International, Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM Corporation, SAP SE, Aviation analytics Ltd., and Mu-Sigma.Inquire more before buying this report @About Us: Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristically, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, a company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with Vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from Cardinal Industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Our Blog:
Insights of Military Exoskeleton Market in Global Industry : Trends, Analysis, Growth and Status 2017

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Albany, New York, August 23, 2017 : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Military Exoskeleton Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" globally.Military exoskeleton is robotic-like suit which provides powered assist and increase the strength of the soldiers during combat. There are several factors driving the demand for these exoskeletons globally. The increasing concern for security and safety from growing criminal activities and cross border terrorism has resulted into the need for soldier safety during warfare. A military exoskeleton suite empowers the soldier to lift heavy weights, run at faster speeds and defend themselves from enemy attacks. Moreover, the changing concept of warfare has led to the development of biological weapons which are more harmful to the body. These can also prevent direct contact of the soldier from harmful gases. These factors are aiding to the demand for exoskeleton suits globally. Furthermore, the need for quick coordination during warfare has led to the need for advanced communication systems which cannot be tracked by the enemy. Hence, the soldier suits need to be integrated with these electronics which include range finders, optronics, radios and navigation systems to name a few.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Global Military Exoskeleton Market: Drivers and TrendsHowever, the integration of these electronics increases the overall weight of the suits and makes it difficult for the soldiers to move swiftly. The development of lightweight exoskeletons will reduce the weight considerable and give added advantages to the soldiers by enhancing their mobility. These factors are expected to drive the demand for military exoskeletons considerably during the forecast period. However, a primary reason restraining the growth of the market is the price involved in procuring the exoskeletons. One exoskeleton suit can cost up to USD 150,000. Furthermore, the defense agencies need to place order in large quantities which can further increase the cost of procurement.Global Military Exoskeleton Market: SegmentationThe global military exoskeleton market has been segmented by types, power and geography. By types, the market has been segregated into full body exoskeleton and partial body exoskeleton systems. The partial body exoskeletons are expected to dominate the military exoskeleton market globally. Furthermore, the market has been bifurcated by power into active exoskeletons and passive exoskeletons. Currently, the active exoskeleton systems are witnessing higher demand in the market due to need for providing the soldiers increased strength and stamina in the battlefield. By geography, the global market has been segmented into five important regions consisting of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Latin America. North America and Europe has been analyzed to lead the global military exoskeleton market during the forecast period.The global report of military exoskeleton systems also includes the key trends expected to affect the demand and supply of the exoskeletons in future. Moreover, the market attractiveness of the various types of exoskeletons have been included in order understand the future opportunities of these segments. The global market of military exoskeletons has been tracked in terms of revenue from 2017 to 2025 where in 2016 has been considered as the base year of the study.Key Players Mentioned in the Report are:The global market of military exoskeleton is witnessing intense competition from the leading players operating in the market. These players also undergo mergers and acquisition in order to sustain in the competitive environment. Furthermore, some of the players also follow a strategy of working in collaboration with others in order to create innovative products. The report also includes a detailed company profile of the major players which includes the company overview, product segments, and financial performance over the last three years, SWOT analysis and the business strategies adopted by them. The key players profiled in this report include Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.), BAE Systems (U.K.), Raytheon Company (U.S.), General Dynamics Corporation (U.S.), Boeing (U.S.), Honeywell Aerospace (U.S.), Ekso Bionics Holdings (U.S.), Bionic Power (Canada), Safran S.A. (France) and SpringActive, Inc. (U.S.).Make an Enquiry about TOC @The Global Military Exoskeleton market can be segmented as follows;-Global Military Exoskeleton Market, By TypesFull Body ExoskeletonPartial Body ExoskeletonGlobal Military Exoskeleton Market, By PowerActive ExoskeletonPassive ExoskeletonGlobal Military Exoskeleton Market, By GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeU.K.GermanyFranceItalyRest of EuropeAsia-PacificChinaJapanIndiaBrowse Report @South KoreaRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and AfricaUnited Arab EmiratesSaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilRest of Latin AmericaResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market by Players, Types, Applications And Forecast 2017

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"The Latest Research Report Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market Research Report 2017 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Artificial Intelligence Chipsets MarketIn this report, the global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Artificial Intelligence Chipsets in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesEUChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwanGlobal Artificial Intelligence Chipsets market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingIBM Corp. (U.S.)Microsoft Corp. (U.S.)Google Inc. (U.S.)FinGenius Ltd. (U.K.)NVIDIA Corporation (U.S.)Intel Corporation (U.S.)General Vision, Inc. (U.S.)Numenta, Inc. (U.S.)Sentient Technologies (U.S.)Inbenta Technologies, Inc. (U.S.)Get Sample copy of this Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoDeep LearningRoboticsDigital Personal AssistantQuerying MethodNatural Language ProcessingContext Aware ProcessingOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Artificial Intelligence Chipsets for each application, includingRetailTransportationAutomationManufacturingOthersIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market Research Report 20171 Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Artificial Intelligence Chipsets1.2 Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Deep Learning1.2.4 Robotics1.2.5 Digital Personal Assistant1.2.6 Querying Method1.2.7 Natural Language Processing1.2.8 Context Aware Processing1.2.4 Type IIView Sample PDF @1.3 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Segment by Application1.3.1 Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Retail1.3.3 Transportation1.3.4 Automation1.3.5 Manufacturing1.3.6 Others1.4 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 EU Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Artificial Intelligence Chipsets (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, ExpansionSend An Enquiry Request @3 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 United States Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 EU Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 South Korea Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 Taiwan Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Laminated Steel Market 2017- NSSMC, Toyo Kohan, TCC Steel , Tata steel

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Global Laminated Steel Market 2017, presents a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Laminated Steel market globally, providing basic overview of Laminated Steel market including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. Historical data available in the report elaborates on the development of the Laminated Steel market on a global and regional level. The report compares this data with the current Laminated Steel state of the market and thus discuss upon the upcoming trends that have brought the Laminated Steel market transformation.Laminated Steel Market predictions along with the statistical implication presented in the report delivers an accurate scenario of the Laminated Steel market. The market forces determining the shaping of the global Laminated Steel market have been evaluated in detail. In addition to this, the supervisory outlook of the Laminated Steel market has been covered in the report from both the Global and local perspective. The demand and supply side of the global Laminated Steel market has been broadly covered in the report. Also the challenges faced by the players in the Laminated Steel market in terms of demand and supply have been listed in the report.Enquire before purchasing the report here:In Global Laminated Steel Market report, development policies and plans as well as Laminated Steel market size, share, end users are analyzed. Growth prospects of the overall Laminated Steel industry have been presented in the report. This industry study segments Laminated Steel global market by types, applications and companies. However, to give an in-depth view to the readers, detailed geographical segmentation of Laminated Steel market within the globe has been covered in this study. The key geographical regions along with Laminated Steel revenue forecasts are included in the report.Global Laminated Steel Market Segmentation:The global Laminated Steel market is segmented on the basis of key players, types and applications. The leading players of global Laminated Steel market includes ORG, Gerui Group, Tata steel, Toyo Kohan, JFE, Guangyu, ThyssenKrupp Steel., TCC Steel , Leicong, Lienchy, Arena Metal, NSSMC and Metalcolour. Based on type, the Laminated Steel market is categorized into Bonding agent Laminated Steel and Fusion method Laminated Steel. According to application, Laminated Steel market divided into Consumer Goods, Chemical industry and Food & Beverages and others.Request Sample Laminated Steel Research Report atGlobal Laminated Steel Market regional analysis covers:The industry research includes Laminated Steel market in North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), Laminated Steel market in Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), Laminated Steel market in Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Laminated Steel market in South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.), Laminated Steel market in Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) and Other parts of the Globe.The competitive framework of the market in terms of the Global Laminated Steel industry has been evaluated in the report. The Laminated Steel market top companies with their overall share and share with respect to the global market have been included in the Laminated Steel report. Furthermore, the factors on which the companies compete in the global Laminated Steel market have been evaluated in the report. So the overall report helps the new aspirants to inspect the forthcoming opportunities in the Laminated Steel market.Browse more category related reports here:About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the worlds most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS. no. 51/14 First Floor,Office No. 4, Vishwa Arcade,Near Navale Lawns, Pune.Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
Sirens Market: Industry Growth Factors, Drivers, Competitive Landscape, Dynamics & Forecast 2024

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Global Sirens Market: OverviewIn the home security system, motorized sirens are installed while long range sirens are deployed in the applications such as mining and industries. When there is no power supply and backup is used then hand operated sirens prove to be useful. In the factories or the plants air driven or hydraulic or air driven sirens are used. The modernly developed sirens exhibit various latest technologies thus finding applications in civil defense, security systems, emergency vehicles, and others. Typically, sirens are prepared from aluminum, stainless steel, or UV stabilized polycarbonate.Request Free Sample Report @Global Sirens Market: SegmentationThe global sirens market is fragmented into product type, application, and installation type. Based on the product type, the global market is segregated into electro-mechanical, single/dual toned, electronic, rotating, and omnidirectional. Based on the application, the market is categorized into civil defense, emergency vehicles, security/warning systems, home/vehicle safety, military use, industrial signaling, and others. Based on the installation type, the market is divided into water proof connector, wall mounting, and self-standing.Global Sirens Market: Growth FactorsThe need for the security solutions has increased significantly owing to the rapid growth in the population and the urbanization. The opportunities for the global sirens market has increased due to the increased implementation of security solutions that are electronic. These products are in high demand as they are durable, easy to install, and have high voltage capacity. The global sirens market will experience a good growth in the coming years due to the increased end-user applications, such as industrial warning systems, campus alert systems, community warning systems, and military mass warning systems. The market for the sirens has surged due to the rise in the demand for the security solutions, which has in turn improved the trend of using personal protective equipment. The development in the communication technology is expected to hamper the sirens market. The other disadvantages of the sirens are getting damaged due to the striking of the lightning or the malfunctioning of the equipment affects the growth of the market negatively.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Sirens Market: Regional AnalysisThe market for sirens is geographically diversified into Western Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, Eastern Europe, North America, and Latin America. The sirens market holds a good hold in every region. Across the world, the countries that hold the dominant market share are the U.S., China, India, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Australia, and the UAE. The factor that contributes to this market share is the growing demand for the security solutions both in developing and in developed economies. In the coming year, the market growth will be significant.Browse detail report @Global Sirens Market: Competitive PlayersThe key market players that are involved in the sirens market include Sentry Siren Inc., Whelen Engineering Co. Inc., B & M Siren Manufacturing Co., Phoenix Contact, Qlight USA Inc., Acoustic Technology Inc., MA Safety Signal Co. Ltd., Federal Signal Corporation, Projects Unlimited Inc., and Mallory Sonalert Products.Inquire more before buying this report @About Us: Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristically, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, a company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with Vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from Cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Our Blog:
Growth of Cards and Payments Industry in South Korea : Market Trends and Application 2017

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Albany, New York, August 23, 2017 : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "The Cards and Payments Industry in South Korea: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020" globally.Timetrics 'The Cards and Payments Industry in South Korea: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Korean cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry including cash, check payments, payment cards, direct debits and credit transfers during the review period (20112015).Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation and transaction values and volumes during the review period and over the forecast period (20162020). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape including the market shares of issuers and schemes.The report brings together Timetrics research modeling and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure.SummaryTimetrics 'The Cards and Payments Industry in South Korea: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides top-level market analysis information and insights into the Korean cards and payments industry including:Current and forecast values for each market in the Korean cards and payments industry including debit and pay later cards.Detailed insights into payment instruments including cash credit transfers direct debits checks and payment cards. It also includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.E-commerce market analysis and payment types.Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Korean cards and payments industry.Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit and pay later cards.Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards.The competitive landscape in the Korean cards and payments industry.ScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Korean cards and payments industry.It provides current values for the Korean cards and payments industry for 2015 and forecast figures to 2020.It details the different demographic economic infrastructural and business drivers affecting the Korean cards and payments industry.It outlines the current regulatory framework in the industry.It details marketing strategies used by various banks and other institutions.Make an Enquiry about TOC @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using top-level historic and forecast market data related to the Korean cards and payments industry and each market within it.Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Korean cards and payments industry.Assess the competitive dynamics in the Korean cards and payments industry.Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in South Korea.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Korean cards and payments industry.Key HighlightsThe uptake of alternative payments among South Korean consumers is gaining traction due to the emergence of a number of options such as Samsung Pay Naver Pay and Quick Pass. Banks merchants and telecom companies are investing to offer their customers a choice of payment options whether in-store at home or on the move. Samsung Pay which was launched in August 2015 has already registered transactions worth US$1 billion (KRW1.2 trillion). Similarly Naver Pay which was introduced in June 2015 by South Koreas search engine Naver recorded 11 million registered users. SK Telecom and MasterCard also launched their respective mobile payment (m-payment) solutions in 2015. More recently in June 2016 China Union Pay (CUP) expanded its m-payment service Quick Pass for South Korean consumers in association with KT Corporation and BC Card.An increase in household debt prompted the South Korean government to introduce measures to control consumer credit card spending and encourage them to use debt-free payment instruments such as debit and prepaid cards. In this regard the government had passed a tax reform bill in 2012 which increased tax deductions on debit and prepaid card spending from 20% to 30% while it was reduced from 20% to 15% for credit cards. Furthermore the financial authorities and card issuers collectively developed guidelines limiting the eligibility of new credit card subscribers to adults with certain minimum credit ratings (grades 16) and made it mandatory for card issuers to consider the disposable income of a cardholder when establishing their credit line. More recently in January 2014 the Financial Services Commission (FSC) increased the daily purchase limit on debit card use from US$2,847 (KRW3 million) to US$5,659 (KRW6 million) from January 2014.Browse Report @In a move to provide secured transactions at ATMs the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) announced a new policy to block the use of magnetic stripe cards in all of the country's ATMs from May 2015. The shift to a chip-card-only policy began in March 2015 following successful trials of chip cards for cash advances and credit card loans at ATMs. According to the FSS 99.1% of the cards in circulation in South Korea were chip cards at the time of announcement. Consumers who were still holding magnetic cards were advised to get them replaced with chip cards from their respective banks.ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales Market 2017: Siemens, Intel Corporation, NVIDIA Corporation, Alphabet, IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, General Electric Company

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"The Latest Research Report Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales Market Report 2017 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Artificial Intelligence MarketIn this report, the global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGet Sample copy of this Report @Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing sales volume, Price (K USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingSiemensIntel CorporationNVIDIA CorporationAlphabetIBM CorporationMicrosoft CorporationGeneral Electric CompanyDataRPM, Sight MachineGeneral VisionAIBrainRockwell, AutomationCisco SystemsMitsubishi Electric CorporationOracle CorporationSAP SEPreferred NetworksVicariousSkymindCitrine InformaticsCloudMinds TechnologiesUbtech RoboticsOn the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume (Units), revenue (Million USD), product price (K USD/Unit), market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoDeep LearningComputer VisionContext AwarenessNatural Language ProcessingView Sample PDF @On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate of Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing for each application, includingApplication 1Application 2If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales Market Report 20171 Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing1.2 Classification of Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing by Product Category1.2.1 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Deep Learning1.2.4 Computer Vision1.2.5 Context Awareness1.2.6 Natural Language Processing1.3 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.4 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market by Region1.4.1 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4 Global Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Volume) by ApplicationSend An Enquiry Request @3 United States Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales Volume and Market Share by Players3.3 United States Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Sales Volume and Market Share by ApplicationAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Raw Beetroot Sugar Market Revenue is expected to reach US$ 5,000 Mn Over 2017  2022

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Growing prevalence of diabetes has led to an upsurge in healthy food products in the global food industry. Rich in healthy properties such as vitamin C, raw beetroot sugar is projected to witness substantial demand among the cosmetic manufacturers. A recently published report reveals that the global raw beetroot sugar market is projected to reflect a steady CAGR growth over the predicted period, 20172022.Factors Fuelling Global Market GrowthAs an alternate source of sugar, manufacturers use raw beetroot sugar in the food sector. Growing prevalence of diabetes has led to an increasing demand for beetroot sugar among the diabetic food manufacturers globally. Raw beetroot sugar is further expected to represent substantial demand among animal food manufacturers attributed to various healthy qualities globally. Such factors are likely to contribute towards the global market growth of raw beetroot sugar during the projected period.For More Details - A sample of this report is available upon request@With high content of vitamin C, application of raw beetroot sugar is not limited to food industry. Raw beetroot sugar is projected to witness substantial demand in the cosmetic industry. Manufacturers in the cosmetic industry represent considerable demand for beetroot sugar in cosmetic products such as sugar scrubs. Moreover, raw beetroot sugar helps in reduction of blemishes and acne, due to which cosmetic manufacturers witness steady consumption for products such as body washes, bathing soaps and face masks. Surge in production of blushes and lip glosses is further projected to impact the global growth of raw beetroot sugar throughout 2022.Livestock to Register Significant GrowthOrganic sugar and brown (dark) sugar is projected to reflect an equivalent CAGR in the global market of raw beetroot sugar during the projected period. APEJ among other regions is projected to represent a major market for the raw beetroot sugar products globally. Brown (dark) sugar is projected to witness a relatively high growth in terms of revenue in the global market of raw beetroot sugar through 2022. This segment will represent more than US$ 1,000 Mn in the global market by 2022end. Organic sugar product is projected to witness a significant growth in terms of revenue after brown (dark) sugar during the predicted period.Request For Discount:Food processor is expected to witness a relatively high growth in terms of revenue in the global market of raw beetroot sugar by 2017end. This segment will represent a value of US$ 700 Mn in the global market of raw beetroot sugar by the end of 2017. Livestock feed among other end users is projected to reflect a relatively high CAGR in the global market of raw beetroot sugar during the projected period. In 2017, retailers is projected to witness a significant growth in terms of revenue in the global market of raw beetroot sugar after the food processor segment.Market Players Operating in the Global MarketKey players in the global market of raw beetroot sugar are Wilmar International Limited, Shree Renuka Sugars Limited, Cosan SA Industria and Commercio, Suedzucker AG, Associated British Foods Plc., Tereos international limited, American Crystal Sugar Company, Louis Dreyfus, and Nordzucker Gmbh & Co KG.Browse Full Report:ABOUT US:Fact.MR is focused on offering transformative intelligence that inspires breakthroughs and innovation. We believe that the right decisions at the opportune time are integral to achieve extraordinary success. We are here to help you with your strategic decision making.CONTACT:Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandPhone: +353-1-6111-593Email: sales@factmr.comWebsite:
Europe Pet Food Market Driven by Rising Trend Amongst People for the Adoption of a Variety of Pets

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Global Pet Food Market: SnapshotEurope has emerged as a prominent market for pet food across the world, thanks to the increasing number of pet owners in this region. The rising trend for nuclear family and the high disposable income of consumers have been leading to a positive growth of the Europe market for pet food. The increasing need for pet specific products across Europe is also reflecting on the demand for pet food products in European countries. A varied range of distribution channels, such as supermarket/hypermarket, online stores, and dollar stores, sell pet food products across this region.Obtain Report Details @In 2014, the Europe market for pet food was worth US$25.70 bn. Progressing at a CAGR of 1.30% during the period from 2015 to 2021, the opportunity in this market is anticipated to increase to US$28.14 bn by the end of 2021. The rising awareness among people pertaining to pet health will drive this market substantially over the next few years.Demand for Cat Food to Remain StrongThe Europe market for pet food is broadly evaluated on the basis of the type of pet and the type of pet food. Based on the type of pet, the market is classified into dog food, cat food, and various other food consumed by birds, fish, reptiles, and other small animals. The demand for cat food has been higher in Europe. Researchers expect the cat food segment to continue to witness stable growth over the next few years. The rising popularity of small pets in this region is the main factor behind the high demand for cat food in Europe. Other pet foods, such as fish food, bird food, and reptile food, are also predicted to experience an increasing demand in the years to come.By the type of food, the market is categorized into nutritious food, wet/canned food, dry food, snacks/treats, and other types of food, including raw meat. Currently, dry food enjoy the most prominent demand among pet food in Europe. The trend is anticipated to remain so over the next few years. The demand for nutritious pet food is also projected to report an upswing in the near future, thanks to the increasing level of awareness regarding its benefits on the health of pets.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Spain to Report Strong Growth PaceThe Europe market for pet food registers its presence across the U.K., France, Netherlands Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Rest of the Europe. The U.K. has surfaced as the leading pet food market in Europe in the recent times; however, it is expected to witness a sluggish rise in the years to come. Spain, on the other hand, will display a higher growth pace over the next few years, thanks to the rising count of pet owners in this country. Italy, France, and Netherlands will also report a healthy rise in their respective markets for pet food in the near future.At the forefront of the Europe market for pet food are Pedigree Whiskas, Purina, Nutro, and Cesar. Other prominent pet food vendors across Europe are Mars Inc., Colgate-Palmolive, Nestle S.A., Big Heart Pet Brands, and Affinity Petcare.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Fortified Wine Market Projected to reach US$ 2,000 Mn by 2022

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According to a new report by Fact.MR, the global fortified wine market is projected to register a low single-digit CAGR during the forecast period 2017 to 2022. Majority of people believe premium products to contain high-quality ingredients. Product premiumization is therefore considered as a major strategy adopted by market players in order to fuel adoption of fortified wine worldwide. Revenues from global sales of fortified wine are estimated to account for approximately US$ 2,000 Mn by 2022-end.Growth in demand for new flavored fortified wine has been observed over the recent past. Leading market players are concentrating on launching new flavors for fortified wine, with an aim to fulfil rapidly changing consumer preferences. For example  in 2016, three new flavors for fortified wine were launched by McWilliams viz. McWilliams Spice Royale, McWilliams Strawberry Delight, and McWilliams Espresso Press. Marijuana-infused fortified wines have been gaining an uptake in demand from consumers, particularly in the U.S. as such products are legal in the region. In addition, alcoholic beverage industries are focusing on R&D activities, in a bid to introduce a variety of new and innovative flavored fortified wines in the market.For More Details - A sample of this report is available upon request@On the contrary, huge part of the population across the globe is participating in awareness campaigns pertaining to health impacts of alcohol consumption. Huge consumption of fortified wines has resulted into a number of negative effects on human health. High fortified wine consumption has been observed to increase risks of being affected with diseases such as heart and liver diseases, as well as various types of cancers. These factors might heavily impact growth of the global fortified wine market in the near future.9 Key Estimations on Future of Global Fortified Wine Market for Forecast Period 2017 to 2022Fortified wine for individuals who are light-bodied is estimated to account for the largest revenue share of the market, with sales anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 3% through 2022.Although sales of fortified wines that are semi-sweet will witness a sluggish expansion through 2022, revenues from this segment is estimated to account for a major portion of the market share throughout the forecast period.Request For Discount:Modern trade is estimated to remain the largest sales channel in the global fortified wine market, accounting for more than one-third market share in terms of revenues from 2017 to 2022.Fortified wine sales in e-commerce sales channel will exhibit the highest CAGR through 2022.Marsala will continue to remain dominant in the global market for fortified wine, based on product type. Over one-fourth revenue share of the market will be accounted by Marsala over the forecast period.Madeira is estimated to remain the second largest product segment in the global market for fortified wine.In terms of revenues, Europe will remain the largest market for fortified wine.Fortified wine sales will witness the fastest expansion in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) through 2022.Key players identified in the global market for fortified wine include Sogrape SGPS, SA., F.LLI GANCIA & C. S.p.A, Sogevinus Fine Wines, S.A., The Wine Group LLC, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., E. & J. Gallo Winery, and Bacardi Limited.Browse Full Report:ABOUT US:Fact.MR is focused on offering transformative intelligence that inspires breakthroughs and innovation. We believe that the right decisions at the opportune time are integral to achieve extraordinary success. We are here to help you with your strategic decision making.CONTACT:Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandPhone: +353-1-6111-593Email: sales@factmr.comWebsite:
Genset Market 2017 - MTU Onsite Energy (Germany), Caterpillar Inc. (U.S.), Himoinsa S.L. (Spain), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (France)

Genset Market

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Market Scenario:The demand for Energy and Power has been increasing rapidly in recent times. Although there are several already existing power grid project and many power grid projects underway across the globe, they are bound to go through malfunction at a point, thus generators play an essential role when energy supply is concerned. Generators act as a backup to a form of power failure to any industry, grid or construction site. Increasing demand for continuous flow of power is set to boost the demand in the Genset Market.Hence the market for Hence the market for Genset Market is expected to grow at XX% CAGR (2016-2022) is expected to grow at XX% CAGR (2016-2022).Request a Sample Report @Study Objectives of Genset Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Genset Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyze the Genset market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porters five force analysis. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to six main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East, and Africa To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by Fuel, by Type, by End User, and by region as well as its sub segments To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, and new product developments in the global Genset market.Make an Enquiry before Buying @Intended Audience: Generator manufacturing companies Genset service providers Power Generation industry Consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory Authorities Genset SuppliersKey Players:Some of the key players In the Genset market are MTU Onsite Energy (Germany), Caterpillar Inc. (U.S.), Himoinsa S.L. (Spain), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (France), MTU Onsite Energy (Germany) among others.Segments:The Genset Market has been segmented on the basis of End User as Residential, Commercial and Industrial. On the basis of application the market has been segmented as continuous, stand by and peak shave. On the basis of fuel type the market has been segmented as diesel and gas.Key Points from Table of Contents:Company Profile:1 Mtu Onsite Energy.Company OverviewFuel Type/Business Segment OverviewFinancial UpdatesKey Developments2. Caterpillar Inc.Company OverviewFuel Type/Business Segment OverviewFinancial UpdatesKey Developments3. Himoinsa S.L.Company OverviewFuel Type/Business Segment OverviewFinancial UpdatesKey Developments4. Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriesCompany OverviewFuel Type/Business Segment OverviewFinancial UpdatesKey DevelopmentsBrowse Full Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com
Urodynamic Devices Market Projected to reach US$ 265 Mn by 2022

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An impressive expansion is estimated for the global urodynamic devices market, according to a new report by Fact.MR, for the forecast period 2017 to 2022. A number of technological advancements have been witnessed in urodynamic devices, which include intravesical prostatic protrusion, condom catheter, ultrasound video urodynamic, and penile cuff. These advancements in technology will fuel adoption of urodynamic devices worldwide. Moreover, other factors such as continuous product approvals, rising proliferation of testing center networks, and soaring provision of medical reimbursements related to urological preliminary tests are further poised to propel growth of the market. Revenues from the global urodynamic devices market will reach US$ 265 Mn in revenues by the end of the forecast period.Increasing Initiatives to Spread Awareness about Urological Disorders to Boost the Market GrowthThe World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated over 300,000 patients to be affected with bladder cancer annually around the world. The National Association of Incontinence estimates roughly 200 Mn population across the globe to be suffering from urinary incontinence every year. Incidences such as these have increased demand for urodynamic devices, along with the rise in clinical urgency. Numerous healthcare initiatives have been creating awareness about urological disorders, coupled with availability of diagnostics and treatment for urological problems. Some initiatives among these include Continence Awareness Week undertaken by the U.K.s Continence Foundation, and Japans Lets Talk and Think About Continence. These initiatives are depriving people of social stigma, encouraging them to consult physicians. The aforementioned factors will boost growth of the global urodynamic devices market in the upcoming years.For More Details - A sample of this report is available upon request@Uroflowmetry Urodynamic Devices to Remain Sought-after in the MarketUroflowmetry urodynamic devices will continue to be sought-after among physicians, and revenues from sales of uroflowmetry urodynamic devices will hold more than one-fourth share on global revenues throughout the forecast period. Significant use of uroflowmetry to diagnose prostate cancer, benign prostatic hypertrophy, urinary blockage, bladder cancer, neurogenic bladder, and bladder dysfunction, are contributing to demand for uroflowmetry urodynamic devices in hospitals and urology clinics globally. In addition, sales of urodynamic catheters are projected to register the fastest expansion in the market through 2022.Urology clinics will continue to be the fastest growing end-users of urodynamic devices in the global market. Hospitals are estimated to remain the largest end-users of urodynamic devices over the forecast period. North America will account for the largest share of the revenues from urodynamic devices sales in hospitals. Urodynamic devices sales in hospitals are anticipated to account for more than US$ 150 Mn revenues by 2022-end.Request For Discount:Urodynamic Devices Market in APEJ to Register the Fastest Expansion through 2022In terms of revenues, North America is projected to remain dominant in the global urodynamic devices market. Growth of the market in this region is mainly attributed to the rise in prevalence of target diseases, along with rapid adoption of urodynamic devices in a large number of healthcare and pharmaceutical centers, diagnostic procedures, and increasing preference of the urogynecologists & urologists for the purpose of urodynamic studies. Fact.MRs report estimates the market in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) to exhibit the fastest expansion through 2022, which can be attributed to growth in prevalence of urological diseases, increasing disposable income of population, and unmet patient needs in the region.Key market players mentioned in Fact.MRs report on the global market for urodynamic devices include Best Medical International Inc., Verathon Inc., LABORIE, CooperSurgical Inc., Dantec Dynamics A/S, Neomedix Systems Pty. Ltd., Medica SpA, Boston Scientific Corporation, and Albyn Medical Ltd.Browse Full Report:ABOUT US:Fact.MR is focused on offering transformative intelligence that inspires breakthroughs and innovation. We believe that the right decisions at the opportune time are integral to achieve extraordinary success. We are here to help you with your strategic decision making.CONTACT:Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandPhone: +353-1-6111-593Email: sales@factmr.comWebsite:
Global Credentialing Software Market 2022 - Credential Agent, Wybtrak, IntelliSoft Group, eCom Scotland, MidasPlus

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Credentialing Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 to its huge collection of research reports.The research report on the global Credentialing Software market includes a descriptive examination of all factors that are critical in forming a holistic snapshot of this market. The report is aimed at being a guiding document that enlightens readers on the key topics and dynamics that carry forward the Credentialing Software. This research report was created with the purpose of helping its readers make well-informed business decisions regarding market moves and expansion strategies in the near future. The introductory passage of the report includes the overview of the Credentialing Software. It contains a brief description of the definitions, classifications, and terms that are used further in the report.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The research report segments the Credentialing Software on the basis of various relevant categories that can perfectly put the market information in the grasp of any user looking to gain specific data on the market. The reports segmented approach also allows the readers to know more about the Credentialing Software drivers, restraints, threats, and opportunities as being specific to each segment. It also examines the Credentialing Software with a macroscopic and a microscopic view. The segments can help dissects the market in order to display the regional and international influences on this diverse market. The calculations performed in the report allow the used to understand the direction the Credentialing Software for the coming years.The research report also includes a highly elaborate section that specifically caters to the recent and current knowledge base on the competitive landscape of the Credentialing Software. Analyzing the markets competition in conjunction to its socioeconomic scenario can help evaluate the implications of various other factors such as regulatory pressure or the provision status of raw materials. The report additionally profiles some of the top companies in the Credentialing Software. It also shares the details of their financial overview, activities in research and development, strategic mergers and acquisitions, and investment outlook for the coming years.Please click the link to avail discount on this report @Table of Contents4 Global Credentialing Software Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Credentialing Software Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.2 Potential Application of Credentialing Software in Future4.3 Top Consumer/End Users of Credentialing Software5 United States Credentialing Software Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Credentialing Software Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Credentialing Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Credentialing Software Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Credentialing Software Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Credentialing Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)7 Japan Credentialing Software Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Credentialing Software Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan Credentialing Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)Browse Complete Report with TOC @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Credentialing Software Product ScopeFigure Global Credentialing Software Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Credentialing Software Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Credentialing Software Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure United States Credentialing Software Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure EU Credentialing Software Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Japan Credentialing Software Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure China Credentialing Software Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure India Credentialing Software Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Southeast Asia Credentialing Software Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Credentialing Software Market Share by Application in 2016About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Ferroalloy Market - Global Industry Analysis, Technological innovation, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020

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"The Report Global Ferroalloy Market (Ferrochrome, Ferromanganese, Ferrosilicon and Others) - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Growth in construction and automobile industries is expected to boost the overall demand for steel. This, in turn, is anticipated to drive the global ferroalloy market between 2014 and 2020. Ferroalloys are iron alloys that contain chromium, manganese, silicon or other elements in varying proportions. Ferroalloys are primarily used by the steel industry. Ferroalloy is added to steel during the manufacturing process to achieve desired qualities such as heat resistance, corrosion resistance, tensile strength, yield strength and other distinctive characteristics.This report provides a detailed overview of the global ferroalloy market by considering 2013 as the base year. It offers forecast of the global ferroalloy market from 2014 to 2020. The report includes an in-depth analysis of the global ferroalloy market in terms of volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (USD Million) from 2013 to 2020. It also includes several tables and graphs that provide a detailed explanation of various facts and findings of the global ferroalloy market. Various authenticated sources have been used to refine and provide detailed and accurate research on the ferroalloy market. Several interviews of the key industry leaders were conducted along with secondary research during the course of the study. Various governmental regulations and their effect on the ferroalloy market were studied in detail.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @The report also provides key drivers and restraining factors, and their impact on the ferroalloy market in the near future. It highlights new avenues for key industry participants in the ferroalloy market. The report provides company market share of key players operating in the market as of 2013. This helps understand business strategies of leading companies in the market. The report also offers market attractiveness analysis to understand the emerging markets of ferroalloy in the near future.This study segments the market based on products such as ferrochrome, ferromanganese, ferrosilicon and others, which includes ferronickel, ferroboron, ferrotungsten and ferrovanadium. Each product is further studied as per its regional demand from 2013 to 2020. The report includes analysis of major geographical regions such as North America, Europe, China, Rest of Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. The geographical segmentation helps in understanding the major markets for ferroalloy. Through geographical segmentation the report provides in-depth analysis on the emerging markets where the demand for ferroalloy is expected to grow in the near future.View Report @The report uses analytical tools such as Porters Five Forces model to provide a detailed view of competition in the overall ferroalloy market. This model helps provide in-depth analysis of the impact of buyers, suppliers, new entrants, substitutes and degree of competition in the global ferroalloy market. The report also includes value chain analysis, which provides information by studying the various components in the ferroalloy market. Value chain analysis offers the degree of integration exhibited by various leading companies operating in the market. Using this analytical tool, major raw material manufacturers and suppliers are identified. Important supply agreements signed among companies are also mentioned in detail in the report. Value chain analysis provides information on the distribution channel employed by major players in the market.The report also includes profiles of major market participants such as Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation PLC (ENRC), Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited (FACOR), Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant, S.C. Feral S.R.L., Georgian American Alloys, China Minmetals Corporation, Tata Steels Ferro Alloys & Minerals Division, Shanghai Shenjia Ferroalloys Co. Ltd., OM Holdings Ltd. and Sinosteel Jilin Ferroalloy Corporation Limited. Company profiles include market overview, business strategy, financial overview, SWOT analysis and recent developments of the major players present in the ferroalloy market. Thus, these company profiles can help companies formulate strategies in order to achieve competitive advantage and capture larger market share.Ferroalloy Market - Product Segment AnalysisFerrochromeFerromanganeseFerrosiliconOthers (Ferrotungsten, ferronickel, ferroboron, etc)Ferroalloy Market - Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeChinaRest of Asia PacificRest of the WorldTable of ContentsTable of ContentsChapter 1 Preface1.1 Report description1.2 Market segmentation1.3 Research scope and assumptions1.4 Research methodologyChapter 2 Executive Summary2.1 Global ferroalloy market, 2013  2020 (Kilo Tons) (USD Million)2.2 Global ferroalloy market snapshot, 2013 and 2020Chapter 3 Ferroalloy  Industry Analysis3.1 Introduction3.2 Value chain analysis3.3 Market Drivers3.3.1 Growing steel industry to propel the demand for ferroalloy3.3.1.1 Global steel industry production volume, 2013 - 2020 (Billion Tons)3.3.2 Growing construction industry in BRICS to drive the ferroalloy market3.3.2.1 BRICS countries construction industry revenue, 2013 - 2020 (USD Billion)3.4 Restraints3.4.1 High operational cost coupled with stringent environmental regulations set to hamper the growth of ferroalloy market3.5 Opportunities3.5.1 Development of lightweight, high strength steel grades to open new avenues for the ferroalloy market3.6 Porters five forces analysis3.6.1 Bargaining powers of suppliers3.6.2 Bargaining power of buyers3.6.3 Threat from new entrants3.6.4 Threat from substitutes3.6.5 Degree of competition3.7 Market attractiveness analysis3.7.1 Global ferroalloy market attractiveness, by region3.8 Company market share analysis3.8.1 Global ferroalloy market, company share analysis, 2013Chapter 4 Ferroalloy Market  Product Segment Analysis4.1 Ferroalloy market: Product segment overview4.1.1 Global ferroalloy market volume share, by product, 2013 & 20204.1.2 Ferrochrome4.1.2.1 Global ferrochrome market, 2013  2020 (Kilo Tons) (USD Million)4.1.3 Ferromanganese4.1.3.1 Global ferromanganese market, 2013  2020 (Kilo Tons) (USD Million)4.1.4 Ferrosilicon4.1.4.1 Global ferrosilicon market, 2013  2020 (Kilo Tons) (USD Million)4.1.5 Other alloys4.1.5.1 Global other alloys market, 2013  2020 (Kilo Tons) (USD Million)Chapter 5 Ferroalloy Market - Regional Analysis5.1 Ferroalloy Market: Regional Overview5.1.1 Global ferroalloy market volume share, by region, 2013 & 20205.1.2 North America5.1.2.1 North America ferroalloy market volume, by product, 2013  2020 (Kilo Tons)5.1.2.2 North America ferroalloy market revenue, by product, 2013  2020 (USD Million)5.1.3 Europe5.1.3.1 Europe ferroalloy market volume, by product, 2013  2020 (Kilo Tons)5.1.3.2 Europe ferroalloy market revenue, by product, 2013  2020 (USD Million)5.1.4 China5.1.4.1 China ferroalloy market volume, by product, 2013  2020 (Kilo Tons)MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Business Process Management In Real Estate Market to Register a CAGR of 21% Globally during 20172025

Business Process Management

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According to a recent report published by Progressive Markets on the ICT and Media sector, which titled, Global Business Process Management In Real Estate Market - Size, Trend, Share, Opportunity Analysis & Forecast, 2014-2025, the industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21% during the period, 20172025. It is suitable for manufacturers and stakeholders owing to comprehensive analysis it offers of factors that increase or decrease growth of the market.Continue to Report Description and Full ToC:The research gives a brief introduction of the global business process management in real estate market in terms of its scope. It offers summary which includes significant findings, market attractiveness, competitive landscape, recent developments, and trend analysis. It incorporates research methodology, such as Porters Five Forces Analysis (PFFA) to understand rivalry in the industry. This also includes bargaining power of the supplier & buyer and threat from substitutes & new entrepreneurs. It divides the industry into components, deployments, and geographies.Based on component, the study segments the global business process management in real estate market into services and solutions. It splits deployment type of the industry into cloud and on premise. Geographically, it segments the market into Europe, North America, Latin America Middle East & Africa (LAMEA), and Asia-Pacific. The study analyzes share of the industry by components, deployment types, and geographies during the period, 20142025. It assesses market size of each deployment type and component by region for the historic period and forecast period, 20142016 and 20172025, respectively. In addition, it evaluates market size of all countries of the industry during historic period and forecast period.Request Sample Report:The study discusses big market players of the global business process management in real estate market, such as IBM Corporation, Red Hat, Oracle Corporation, Software AG, Onit Inc, AMP Technologies, Auraportal, BP Logix Inc, and NTrust. It offers brief introduction of every manufacturer. Further, it analyzes business and finance segment of each company. It also evaluates recent advancements made by every firm. The experts describe various factors that vendors adopt to evolve market trends. These include product development, acquisition, product approval, and collaboration. The report explores factors that accelerate growth of the industry which include rise in government compliance. It discusses alternate aspects that propel demand of the industry, such as growth in demand due to monitoring and optimizing.The analysts describe features that cause slow progress of the global business process management in real estate market, such as lack of awareness. Moreover, the study offers key takeaways of the industry, such as it provides great competitive edge to manufacturers, stakeholders, and new entrants. It provides comprehensive evaluation of aspects that have potential to restrict or drive the industry.Get Customized Report:Table of Content for Business Process Management In Real Estate Industry1. Executive summary1.1. Key findings1.2. Market attractiveness and trend analysis1.3. Competitive landscape and recent industry development analysis2. Introduction2.1. Report description2.2. Scope and definitions2.3. Research methodology3. Market landscape3.1. Growth drivers3.1.1. Impact analysis3.2. Restraints and challenges3.2.1. Impact analysis3.3. Porters analysis3.3.1. Bargaining power of buyers3.3.2. Bargaining power of suppliers3.3.3. Threat of substitutes3.3.4. Industry rivalry3.3.5. Threat of new entrants3.4. Global business process management (BPM) market shares analysis, 2014-20253.4.1. Global business process management (BPM) market shares by component, 2014-20253.4.2. Global business process management (BPM) market shares by deployment type, 2014-2025ContinuedList of TablesContain 38 TablesList of FiguresContain 57 FiguresAbout ProgressiveThe company makes use of primary corporate research and secondary inputs from trusted sources to build its own reference base. It maintains consistency in quality as it keeps itself updated with changes in market dynamics and gauging its net effect on global business trends.Reach UsAntviews Global, Serve No. 721/1Flat No 404, Sudhanshu Society,Fatak Baug, Pune 411 030Us: + 1-888-906-9222GMT: + 35-376-680-1176help@progressivemarkets.com
Industrial Lubricants Market 2017 - ExxonMobil Corporation (U.S.), Royal Dutch Shell Plc. (The Netherlands), Chevron Corporation (U.S.), BP p.l.c. (U.K.)

Industrial Lubricants Market

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Market Scenario:Industrial Lubricants are used to reduce friction. Their primary function is to displace solid surfaces with a fluid film. They are used to modify surface properties, regulate temperature, or remove debris. High demand from the automotive sector is the key factor driving the growth of the Industrial Lubricants Market. To ensure smooth working of machines in industries, the demand for grease increasing in industries is also fuelling the growth of the Global Industrial Lubricants Market. On the other hand, increasing popularity of hybrid electric vehicles may hamper the growth of the Global Industrial Lubricants Market. Global industrial lubricants market was valued at USD 56.87 billion in 2016, and is expected to grow at CAGR of 2.4% by 2022.Request a Sample Report @Study Objectives of Global Industrial Lubricants Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next five years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global industrial lubricants market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the global industrial lubricants market based on various Factors such as Supply Chain Analysis, and Porters Five Force Analysis To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to regions and their respective key countries To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segments by type, end users and region To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the industrial lubricants marketKey Players:The key players of Global Industrial Lubricants Market are ExxonMobil Corporation (U.S.), Royal Dutch Shell Plc. (The Netherlands), Chevron Corporation (U.S.), BP p.l.c. (U.K.), Total S.A. (France), Petrochina Company Limited (China), Sinopec Limited (China), LUKOIL (Russia), Fuchs Petrolub AG (Germany), and Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd (Japan).Intended Audience: Lubricants Manufacturing Industries Distributer & Supplier companies consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesMake an Enquiry before Buying @Product Analysis: Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information: Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsCompany Information: Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesKey Points from Table of Contents:7 Competitive Analysis7.1 Introduction7.2 Competitive Scenario7.2.1 Market Share Analysis7.2.2 Market Development Analysis7.2.3 Product/Service Benchmarking7.3 ExxonMobil Corporation7.3.1 Overview7.3.2 Product/Service Offering7.3.3 Strategy7.4 Royal Dutch Shell Plc.7.4.1 Overview7.4.2 Product/Service Offering7.4.3 StrategyBrowse Full Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com
Fuel Cells Market - Growing demand for electricity and strict regulatory norms to reduce carbon emissions

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Global Fuel Cells Market: OverviewFuels cell is a fairly recent technology that is used as a source of heat and electricity in various spaces such as commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. They generate power without movement of any parts or combustion and thus are known to be noise-free technologies. The most popularly used form of fuel cell is PEMFC due to their ability to fit in a wide range of applications.Global Fuel Cells Market: Drivers and TrendsThe primary usage of fuel cells is to provide backup for a certain period of time or so long as the fuel is supplied to them. Thus, fuel cells are extensively being used in stationary applications such as backup power systems and CHP, portable applications such as consumer electronics, and the transportation sector. Though the usage of fuel cells for transportation sector is limited, the ongoing research and development will offer efficient fuel cell systems in vehicles, thereby boost the segments progress.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The soaring rise of the global fuel cells market is also attributable to the dire need of cleaner fuel sources, depleting conventional sources of energy, and rising pollution. Analysts expect that the market will also be driven by the growing demand for electricity and strict regulatory norms to reduce carbon emissions. The uncontrollable rise in population and the excessive dependency of the mankind on fossil fuels has fueled the demand for fuel cells in recent years. The report states that rising temperatures and greenhouse emissions will also be responsible for the uptake of fuels cells in the near future.Global Fuel Cells Market: Market PotentialThe changing outlooks of governments are also expected to have a positive impact on the growth of the global fuel cells market. For instance, the Government of Canada has committed to support technologies that will benefit the environment and offer jobs that will promote cleaner and greener output. In tandem with this sentiment, the government announced its plans to invest US$10 million non-repayable contribution to the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC). This organization is a joint venture run by German-based Daimler AG and Ford Company.Request TOC of the Report @Global Fuel Cells Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global fuel cells market is segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. Asia Pacific is projected to lead the global market in the coming years. Analysts anticipate that Japan will dominate the region as the demand for power and combined heat systems rises in the country. The rise of hydrogen power plants in several emerging countries of Asia Pacific are also anticipated to augment the demand for fuel cells in the coming years.The rapid technological advancements and the supportive regulatory scenario in North America is expected favor the regions progress in the global fuel cells market in the near future. As of 2015, the region held a 50% share in the installed capacity and is projected to show its dominance during the forecast period as well.Get a discount @Key Players Mentioned in this Report are:Some of the leading players operating in the global fuel cells market are AFC Energy PLC, Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc., Ballard Power Systems Inc., FuelCell Energy, Inc., Nedstack Fuel Cell Technology B.V., Hydrogenics Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Plug Power, Inc., Toshiba Corporation, and SFC Energy AG.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Bromine Market Forecasted to Rise at 4.1% CAGR by 2024

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PMR projects the global bromine market to witness moderate growth during the forecast period 2016-2024. APAC will continue to remain the largest market for bromine, growing at 4.1% revenue CAGR during the forecast period.Global demand for bromine market will reach 483 kilo metric tons (KMT) in 2016, up from 470 KMT in 2015. Demand will be impeded by growing regulation and legislation, especially in the European Union (EU), where the use of certain brominated flame retardants is banned or restricted.Browse Complete Report @Flame retardants will continue to remain the largest application segment, accounting for 203 KMT volume in 2016, a y-o-y increase of 2.8% over 2015. Use of bromine in oil and gas drilling will continue its upward momentum in 2016, growing at 4.3% in terms of volume  the fastest among all the application segments.The chemicals industry will remain the largest consumer of bromine, accounting for 292 KMT volume in 2016, representing market value worth 1,284 Mn. Use of bromine in the oil and gas sector will also continue to witness steady growth, as clear brine fluids gain traction for drilling purposes. Demand will be offset by sluggish adoption in the electronics industry, as use of brominated flame retardants continues to face stricter regulations. Demand for bromine from electronics sector will witness a growth rate of 2.1% in 2016 over 2015.Request to view table of content @Asia Pacific will remain the largest market for bromine, representing annual revenues worth US$ 1,087 Mn in 2016, up from 895 Mn in 2015. This is primarily due to expansion of end-use industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and electronic in APAC. Latin America will continue to offer growth opportunities to manufacturers, with global demand witnessing a 2.0% volume growth in 2016 over 2015. Demand will face constraints in the mature markets of North America and Western Europe in 2016 as well.A sample of this report is available upon request @Israel Chemicals Limited, Chemtura Corporation, Albemarle Corporation, Gulf Resources Inc., Tosoh Corporation, Tetra Technologies Inc., Tata Chemicals Limited and Hindustan Salts Limited are the key players in the market. Top players are continuously focusing on expanding their product offerings, especially in flame retardants segments. Collaborations and joint ventures are key business strategies to develop green brominated flame retardants.Global Market Study on Bromine is available for US$4,900About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Positive Displacement (PD) Sanitary Pumps Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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"The Report Positive Displacement (PD) Sanitary Pumps Market (Rotary PD Sanitary Pumps Type - Rotary Lobe, Twin Screw, Progressive Cavity, Eccentric Disc, Gear, Sinusoidal, Hose; Reciprocating PD Sanitary Pumps Type - Piston/Plunger, Diaphragm; End-us- Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics, Biotechnology, Water Treatment Systems, Textile) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"The Positive Displacement (PD) Sanitary Pumps Market report provides analysis of the global PD sanitary pumps market for the period 20142024, wherein the years from 2016 to 2024 is the forecast period and 2015 is considered as the base year. The report precisely covers all the major trends and technologies playing a major role in the PD sanitary pump markets growth over the forecast period. It also highlights the drivers, restraints, and opportunities expected to influence the market growth during this period. The study provides a holistic perspective on the markets growth in terms of revenue (in US$ Mn), across different geographies, which includes Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LATAM), North America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). An in-depth analysis of various geographical regions is going to provide a precise and detailed understanding of the global PD sanitary pumps market over the forecast period. North America comprises of the U.S. and Canada, while Latin America covers Brazil and Rest of Latin America. Europe region covers the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Rest of Europe. Furthermore, the Asia Pacific is divided into China, India, Japan, Indonesia and rest of Asia Pacific. MEA covers the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Rest of Middle East and Africa.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Major key trends has been provided for every geographic region in the report in order to give a thorough analysis of the overall state of the PD sanitary pumps market worldwide. Moreover, the report provides an overview of the various strategies of key players in the market.The market overview section of the report showcases the markets dynamics and trends such as the drivers, restraints, and opportunities that influence the current nature and future status of this market. Moreover, the report provides the overview of various strategies of the key players in the PD Sanitary Pumps market and analyzes their behavior in the prevailing market dynamics.The report segments the global PD sanitary pumps market on the basis of rotary PD sanitary pumps type such as Rotary Lobe, Twin Screw, Progressive Cavity, Eccentric Disc, Gear Sinusoidal and Hose. By reciprocating PD sanitary pumps type, the market is classified into Piston/Plunger and Diaphragm. By end-use, the global PD sanitary pumps market is categorized into Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics, Biotechnology, Water Treatment Systems, Textile and Others (Bio Fuel & Semiconductors). Thus, the report provides in-depth cross-segment analysis for the PD sanitary pumps market and classifies it into various levels, thereby providing valuable insights on macro as well as micro level.View Report @The report also provides the competitive landscape for the PD sanitary pumps market, thereby positioning all the major players according to their geographic presence, market attractiveness and recent key developments. This is identified as a crucial step for getting the full overview of the market through key market leaders and the strategies adopted by them. The complete PD sanitary pumps market estimates are the result of our in-depth secondary research, primary interviews, and in-house expert panel reviews. These market estimates have been analyzed by taking into account the impact of different political, social, economic, technological, and legal factors along with the current market dynamics affecting the PD sanitary pumps markets growth.SPX Corporation, Fristam Pumps, IDEX Corporation, Alfa Laval AB, PSG Dover, Xylem Inc. and ITT Corporation are some of the major players which have been profiled in this study. Details such as financials, business strategies, recent developments, and other such strategic information pertaining to these players has been provided as a part of company profiles.Below is the list of acronyms used in the report:LPG  Liquefied Petroleum GasGTAI  Germany Trade & InvestUSDA  The United States Department of AgricultureCIP  Clean-in-placeEHEDG  European Hygienic Engineering & Design GroupMAPI  Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and InnovationWTO  World Trade OrganizationCAGR  Compound Annual Growth RateY-o-Y  Year-on-YearBn  BillionMn  MillionTable of ContentChapter 1 Preface1.1 Research Scope1.2 Market Segmentation1.3 Research MethodologyChapter 2 Executive Summary2.1 Global Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps Market Snapshot2.2 Global Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps Market Revenue and Volume, 2014  2024 (US$ Mn and Million Units) and Year-on-Year Growth (%)Chapter 3 Global Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps Market Analysis, 2014  2024 (US$ Mn and Million Units)3.1 Overview3.2 Key Trends Analysis3.3 Market Dynamics3.3.1 Drivers3.3.2 Restraints3.3.3 Opportunities3.4 Price Trends Analysis: Global Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps Market3.5 Global Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps Market Analysis, By Pump Type, 2014  2024 (US$ Mn and Million Units)3.5.1 Overview3.5.2 Rotary Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.5.2.1 Rotary Lobe3.5.2.2 Twin Screw3.5.2.3 Progressive Cavity3.5.2.4 Eccentric Disc3.5.2.5 Gear3.5.2.6 Sinusoidal3.5.2.7 Hose3.5.3 Reciprocating Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.5.3.1 Piston/Plunger3.5.3.2 Diaphragm3.6 Global Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps Market Analysis, By End-use, 2014  2024 (US$ Mn and Million Units)3.6.1 Overview3.6.2 Food and Beverage3.6.2.1 Rotary Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.2.1.1 Rotary Lobe3.6.2.1.2 Twin Screw3.6.2.1.3 Progressive Cavity3.6.2.1.4 Eccentric Disc3.6.2.1.5 Gear3.6.2.1.6 Sinusoidal3.6.2.1.7 Hose3.6.2.2 Reciprocating Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.2.2.1 Piston/Plunger3.6.2.2.2 Diaphragm3.6.3 Pharmaceuticals3.6.3.1 Rotary Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.3.1.1 Rotary Lobe3.6.3.1.2 Twin Screw3.6.3.1.3 Progressive Cavity3.6.3.1.4 Eccentric Disc3.6.3.1.5 Gear3.6.3.1.6 Sinusoidal3.6.3.1.7 Hose3.6.3.2 Reciprocating Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.3.2.1 Piston/Plunger3.6.3.2.2 Diaphragm3.6.4 Cosmetics3.6.4.1 Rotary Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.4.1.1 Rotary Lobe3.6.4.1.2 Twin Screw3.6.4.1.3 Progressive Cavity3.6.4.1.4 Eccentric Disc3.6.4.1.5 Gear3.6.4.1.6 Sinusoidal3.6.4.1.7 Hose3.6.4.2 Reciprocating Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.4.2.1 Piston/Plunger3.6.4.2.2 Diaphragm3.6.5 Biotechnology3.6.5.1 Rotary Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.5.1.1 Rotary Lobe3.6.5.1.2 Twin Screw3.6.5.1.3 Progressive Cavity3.6.5.1.4 Eccentric Disc3.6.5.1.5 Gear3.6.5.1.6 Sinusoidal3.6.5.1.7 Hose3.6.5.2 Reciprocating Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.5.2.1 Piston/Plunger3.6.5.2.2 Diaphragm3.6.6 Water Treatment Systemse3.6.6.1 Rotary Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.6.1.1 Rotary Lobe3.6.6.1.2 Twin Screw3.6.6.1.3 Progressive Cavity3.6.6.1.4 Eccentric Disc3.6.6.1.5 Gear3.6.6.1.6 Sinusoidal3.6.6.1.7 Hose3.6.6.2 Reciprocating Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.6.2.1 Piston/Plunger3.6.6.2.2 Diaphragm3.6.7 Textile3.6.7.1 Rotary Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.7.1.1 Rotary Lobe3.6.7.1.2 Twin Screw3.6.7.1.3 Progressive Cavity3.6.7.1.4 Eccentric Disc3.6.7.1.5 Gear3.6.7.1.6 Sinusoidal3.6.7.1.7 Hose3.6.7.2 Reciprocating Positive Displacement Sanitary Pumps3.6.7.2.1 Piston/PlungerMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Electric Motors Market 2017 - BB Group Ltd. (U.K.), Siemens AG (Germany), AMETEK Inc. (U.S.), ARC Systems Inc. (U.S.)

Electric Motors Market

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Market ScenarioElectric Motors are devices that work on the electro-magnetic induction principle by ensuring conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy.The Global Electric Motors Market is majorly driven by increase in demand for energy efficient Electric Motors. The increase in environmental awareness is leading to greater adoption of the motors which provide energy efficiency, and thus contribute significantly to the growth of the Electric Motors Market.Request a Sample Report @The increase in the use of Electric Motors by the rapidly growing agricultural sector is also expected to contribute to the growth of the market. The increase in use of Electric Motors by various industrial machineries and household appliances is also expected to drive the growth of the market. The increasing use of the Electric Motors by various end-use industries and the booming automobile sector which is a major end-user of electric motors is expected to drive the market of the Electric Motors during the forecast period.Study Objectives of Electric motors market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Electric Motors Market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyse the Global Electric Motors Market based on various factors such as supply chain analysis, and Porters five force analysis To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to regions and their respective key countries To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segments by type, output power, application and region. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyse competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Electric motors market.Key Players:The key players of Electric Motors Market are BB Group Ltd. (U.K.), Siemens AG (Germany), AMETEK Inc. (U.S.), ARC Systems Inc. (U.S.), Brook Crompton Americas (U.S.), Emerson Electric Co. (U.S.), Hitachi, Ltd. (Japan), General Electric Company (U.S.), Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (U.S.), Johnson Electric Holdings Limited (Hong Kong), Nidec Corporation (Japan), Maxon Motor AG (Switzerland) and others.Make an Enquiry before Buying @Intended Audience: Electric motors manufacturers Distributer & Supplier companies End Users consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesProduct Analysis:Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesKey Points from Table of Contents:8. Competitive Analysis8.1 Introduction8.2 Competitive Scenario8.2.1 Market Share Analysis8.2.2 Market Development Analysis8.2.3 Type/Service Benchmarking8.3 BB Group Ltd. (U.K.)8.3.1 Overview8.3.2 Type/Service Offering8.3.3 Strategy8.4 Siemens AG (Germany)8.4.1 Overview8.4.2 Type/Service Offering8.4.3 StrategyBrowse Full Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com
Iodine Market Forecasted to Cross US$ 1,679.4 Mn by 2024

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In this report, the global iodine market has been segmented on the basis of regions. By 2024, the market in North America is expected to account for 21.6% volume share of the overall global iodine market, followed by APAC and Western Europe. Due to increasing prevalence of thyroid disorders among the aging population, especially in developing regions such as APAC, the iodine market in the region is projected to expand at a higher than average CAGR of 9.0% over 20162024 in terms of revenue. The market in MEA, which is anticipated to account for 7.0% revenue share of the overall global market by 2024 end, is expected to be driven by increasing use of iodine as catalysts in industries in the region. The iodine market in Latin America is estimated to register an average increase in revenue due to lower GDP growth in the region.Browse Complete Report @According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research titled, Iodine Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024, the global market for iodine is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,679.4 Mn by 2024, Driven by Increasing Use of Iodine as Contrast Imaging Agent across the Globe and as Industrial Catalyst and Sterilizing Agent.Iodine is a halogen element in group seven of the periodic table, with atomic number 53. It is blue-black in color and has shiny lustre. Iodine and its derivatives are widely used as an intermediate in industrial chemicals and for human nutrition. The element is sourced from water bodies such as oceans and water pools as well as from seaweed. Iodine deficiency in humans results in various health-related issues such as goiter, mental retardation, heart diseases, and eyesight problems.A sample of this report is available upon request @The global iodine market has also been segmented on the basis of various applications. Catalysts segment in the global iodine market is expected to expand at a lower than average CAGR of 2.2% in terms of volume over 20162024, while X-ray contrast media segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.4% over the same period. Extraction of iodine from nitrite ores is expected to be the highest in APAC due to abundance of caliche ores in the region. Extraction of iodine from natural brines in North America is expected to increase at a CAGR of 3.6% in terms of value during the forecast period.Request to view table of content @Increase in GDP output is one of the major factors driving the iodine market. The market in APAC, which is expected to register exponential increase in GDP among various developing economies in the region, is expected to witness high revenue growth during the forecast period. Meanwhile, the market in developed economies is expected to decline in the near future due to lower GDP growth, thereby implying lower consumption compared to other economies.Global Market Study on Iodine is available for US$4,900About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Radiopharmaceuticals Market globally Expand at a CAGR of 9.02% to 2021 Due to Rise in Infectious Disease

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Albany, New York, August 23, 2017 : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Global Radiopharmaceuticals Market 2017-2021" globally.Radiopharmaceuticals are pharmaceutical drugs having radioactive properties. The drugs can be used for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. It is made up of radioisotope that bonds to an organic molecule. The radiopharmaceuticals find large application in the medical field due to their intrinsic properties. The radiopharmaceutical market is expected to benefit from the growing demand from the cancer market. Cancer is one of the major segments having a huge demand for radiopharmaceuticals for both therapeutic and diagnostic segments. Some of the other major segments finding the huge application of radiopharmaceuticals are neurology, cardiology, and thyroid disorder treatment.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Technavios analysts forecast the global radiopharmaceuticals market to grow at a CAGR of 9.02% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global radiopharmaceuticals market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the sales of radiopharmaceuticals.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Global Radiopharmaceuticals Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsBayer,Cardinal Health,GE Healthcare,Lantheus Medical ImagingMake an Enquiry about TOC @Other prominent vendorsABT Molecular ImagingAdvanced Accelerator ApplicationsAlgetaEczacibasi-Monrol Nuclear ProductsFUJIFILM HoldingsIsologic Innovative RadiopharmaceuticalsNordionPiramal ImagingRadioMedixTriad IsotopesMarket driverRising burden of the neurological disordersFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeShortage of radioisotopesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendPartnerships for development of radiopharmaceuticalsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportBrowse Report @Key questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
FMI Releases New Report on the Psyllium Seed Market 2017-2027

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Psyllium is a form of fiber and comes under Plantaginaceae plant family. Psyllium is available in various forms such as psyllium seeds, psyllium husk, psyllium husk powder, psyllium industrial powder etc. Psyllium seeds can be consumed directly or in powdered form for medical purposes as it has various health benefits. Psyllium seed is a source of fiber, protein, and triglycerides. Psyllium seed also contains ascorbic acid, aucubin, beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, potassium, riboflavin, selenium, sodium, chromium, cobalt, fiber, linoleic acid, magnesium etc. Psyllium seed can be marketed as whole seed or the husk or husk powder according to convenience of consumers. Psyllium seed is an intestinal cleanser and stool softener for both animals as well as humans therefore it is used as traditional medicinal herb in Asian countries.Market Segmentation:Psyllium seed market is segmented on the basis of application as therapeutics application, industrial application, animal feed etc. In therapeutics, Psyllium seed is used for constipation, diarrhea, high cholesterol, heart disease, blood pressure, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. In industry, Psyllium seed is used to prevent soil erosion, prevent landscaping, preventing crumbling of solid ingredients as a result of moisture retention. In animal feed, psyllium seed husk is used to move sand from animals digestive system without any harmful effect.Request Report Sample@Psyllium seed market is segmented on the basis of industrial applications as food industry, pharmaceutical industry, and cosmetic industry. In food industry, psyllium seed can be powdered and used in health drinks, ice creams, breads, biscuits and other bakery products. Psyllium seed is also used in cereal breakfasts by many athletes. In pharmaceutical industry psyllium is used as thickening agent for capsule formation. In cosmetics industry, psyllium seeds can be used in forms like paste or power in anti-aging herbal products for skin care.Psyllium seed market is further segmented on the basis of regions as North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East and Africa.Market Regional Outlook:On the basis of regions, the Psyllium seed market has been segmented into North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Middle East and Africa. Psyllium seed is originated from Iran and increased its travel from Asia to Europe. Production of psyllium seeds mainly comes from Arab world, Afghanistan, Egypt, North India, Sindh, Baluchistan etc. for medicinal purposes. Europe is emerging in psyllium seed market for consumption as well as production. Currently, India is the largest producer of psyllium seeds.Market Drivers and Trends:Psyllium seed have number of health benefits such as constipation, diarrhea, high cholesterol, heart disease, blood pressure, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease which is increasing demand for psyllium seeds in global market. Other applications of psyllium seed in various industries such as food industry, pharmaceutical industry, cosmetic industry is increasing which drives the market for psyllium seeds globally. Psyllium seed is used as an animal feed which is helping animals without any side effects, therefore the demand for psyllium seed as animal feed is gaining interest in global market which states that the psyllium seed market is expected to in forecast period.Visit For TOC@Psyllium seed Market Key Players:Some of the key players in the psyllium seed market include Keyur Industries, Atlas Industries, JYOT Overseas Pvt. Ltd., Abhyuday Indutries, Satnam Psyllium Industries, Rajganga Agro Product Pvt.Ltd., Shree Mahalaxmi psyllium Pvt. Ltd., Ispasen Remedies, Jyotindra International, Shubh Psyllium Industries are among these.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global internet security market will grow steadily at a CAGR of close to 9% by 2022

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This report studies the global Internet Security Software market, analyzes and researches the Internet Security Software development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeSymantecMcAfeeTrend MicroAVGAvast SoftwareESETBitdefenderFortinetF-SecureG DATA SoftwareAviraQihoo 360KasperskyPanda SecurityQuick HealComodoMicrosoftRisingCheetah MobileAhnLabMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaDownload Sample Report Copy From Here:Market segment by Type, Internet Security Software can be split intoLinuxMacintosh OSMicrosoft WindowsMarket segment by Application, Internet Security Software can be split intoIndividual UsersEnterprise UsersGovernment UsersIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Internet Security Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Internet Security Software1.1 Internet Security Software Market Overview1.1.1 Internet Security Software Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Internet Security Software Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Internet Security Software Market by Type1.3.1 Linux1.3.2 Macintosh OS1.3.3 Microsoft Windows1.4 Internet Security Software Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Individual Users1.4.2 Enterprise Users1.4.3 Government Users2 Global Internet Security Software Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Internet Security Software Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Symantec3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 McAfee3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Trend Micro3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 AVG3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Avast Software3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 ESET3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Bitdefender3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Fortinet3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 F-Secure3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 G DATA Software3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Avira3.12 Qihoo 3603.13 Kaspersky3.14 Panda Security3.15 Quick Heal3.16 Comodo3.17 Microsoft3.18 Rising3.19 Cheetah Mobile3.20 AhnLab4 Global Internet Security Software Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Internet Security Software Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Internet Security Software Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Internet Security Software in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Internet Security Software5 United States Internet Security Software Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Internet Security Software Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Internet Security Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Internet Security Software Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Internet Security Software Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Internet Security Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)7 Japan Internet Security Software Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Internet Security Software Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan Internet Security Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)8 China Internet Security Software Development Status and Outlook8.1 China Internet Security Software Market Size (2012-2017)8.2 China Internet Security Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)9 India Internet Security Software Development Status and Outlook9.1 India Internet Security Software Market Size (2012-2017)9.2 India Internet Security Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)10 Southeast Asia Internet Security Software Development Status and Outlook10.1 Southeast Asia Internet Security Software Market Size (2012-2017)10.2 Southeast Asia Internet Security Software Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2022)11.1 Global Internet Security Software Market Size (Value) by Regions (2017-2022)11.1.1 United States Internet Security Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.2 EU Internet Security Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.3 Japan Internet Security Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.4 China Internet Security Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.5 India Internet Security Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.6 Southeast Asia Internet Security Software Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.2 Global Internet Security Software Market Size (Value) by Type (2017-2022)11.3 Global Internet Security Software Market Size by Application (2017-2022)12 Internet Security Software Market Dynamics12.1 Internet Security Software Market Opportunities12.2 Internet Security Software Challenge and Risk12.2.1 Competition from Opponents12.2.2 Downside Risks of Economy12.3 Internet Security Software Market Constraints and Threat12.3.1 Threat from Substitute12.3.2 Government Policy12.3.3 Technology Risks12.4 Internet Security Software Market Driving Force12.4.1 Growing Demand from Emerging Markets12.4.2 Potential Application13 Market Effect Factors Analysis13.1 Technology Progress/Risk13.1.1 Substitutes13.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry13.2 Consumer Needs Trend/Customer Preference13.3 External Environmental Change13.3.1 Economic Fluctuations13.3.2 Other Risk Factors14 Research Finding/Conclusion15 AppendixMethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceBuy Now This Report From Here:Global QYResearch() is the one spot destination for all your research needs. 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Good Growth Opportunities in Global Carob Market Till 2027

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Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is a native plant to the eastern Mediterranean especially to the Middle East countries. Carob is also called as locust bean and is primarily cultivated for its edible pods in majorly Mediterranean region which includes Southern Europe, Northern Africa and the Canary Islands. Carob powder is also used as a substitute for cocoa powder in various bakery products. Carob based bars is consumed as an alternative to chocolate based bars worldwide. Carob do not contain caffeine and theobromine (which is intolerant to some animals) and therefore is widely used in chocolate flavored pet food for dogs and other animals. Carob pod meal is widely used as a rich source of energy for livestock, particularly for ruminants. Carob in food industry is used as a thickening agent, gelling agent, stabilizing agent or as a substitute for low-calorie food products. Carob is fat-free, rich in pectin and contains high amount of proteins. Carob is primarily used in the production of confectionery and bakery products and variety of beverages. Carob is also used for making flour, molasses and is a substitute for coffee.Global Carob: Market SegmentationThe global carob market is segmented on the basis of form, distribution channel, application and region. The carob market is segmented on the basis of form such as solid and liquid. The carob market is segmented on the basis of distribution channel which includes fitness stores, health stores, online and others. The carob market is segmented on the basis of application such as bakery products which includes cakes, cookies, pancakes, bread. Carob is also used in snack bars, cocoa based food products and beverages, cereals, dairy products and others. Carob pod meal is widely used for livestock. Carob syrup is used as a natural sweetener and is considered as a rich source of calcium. Hence, the global carob market is expected to significantly increase the revenue contribution over the forecast period.Request Report Sample@Global Carob Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global carob industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan and Middle East and Africa. Globally, among all regions, Europe has developed as the dominant region in global carob market followed by Asia Pacific. Increasing demand for carob powder in various bakery products and confectionery, has strengthened the growth of global carob market and hence is projected to significantly expand the revenue contribution of the market over the forecast period.Global Carob Market: Growth DriversThe global carob market driving factors are increasing demand for bakery products coupled with the convenience of foods. Increasing opportunities in bakery and confectionery industry is also another factor in driving the carob market along with rise in production of carob. Carob is also used for treating diarrhea, cancer, helps in reducing cholesterol level, and are some of the factors driving the global carob market. Carob powder is widely used as an alternative for cocoa powder due to its health benefits which is a major driving factor for the global carob market. Hence, the global carob market is expected to observe robust growth over the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Global Carob Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global carob market include Australian Carobs Pty Ltd., CAROB S.A., EURODUNA AMERICAS INC., CyberColloids Ltd., The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Savvy Foods Ltd., Carobs Australia Inc., Creta Carob, Lewis Confectionery Pty Ltd and MADANARGAN. The companies are expected to expand their business by enhancing their product portfolio in global carob market. The companies are projected to frame certain strategies in future in order to gain the competitive advantage in global carob market till 2027.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and IndiaCONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Forecast The Global Flight Simulator Market To Grow At a CAGR Of 4.61% During The Period 2017-2021

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Albany, New York, August 23, 2017 : Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "Global Flight Simulator Market 2017-2021" globally.A flight simulator artificially recreates the environment and other aspects of flying for pilot training purposes on civil and military aircraft and covers simulation in the environment, aircraft, and cueing. It is not only used to acquire flying knowledge and experience but also extensively used to learn how to react to emergency situations. Military flight simulators educate the military personnel about the critical situations that they may be susceptible to during missions. They are used for exposing the military and commercial pilots to real-time situations, such as loss of electronics, hydraulic failures, bad weather, and incidents like tire blowouts on landing. Apart from the emergency training, a trainee can quickly learn to use the military combat systems, without the fear of making a mistake. Almost everything from engine failure to air combat mid-air refueling can be learned with the assistance of highly advanced and innovative simulators.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Technavios analysts forecast the global flight simulator market to grow at a CAGR of 4.61% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global flight simulator market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the new installations, shipments, sales, volume, value, retrofit, replacement, spares and aftermarket services.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Global Flight Simulator Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Make an Enquiry about TOC @Key vendorsCAEFlightSafety InternationalL3 Link Simulation and TrainingRockwell CollinsThalesOther prominent vendorsAirbusBoeingECA GroupFRASCA InternationalLockheed MartinMarket driverIncreasing number of aircraft deliveries in both military and commercial domainFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeAmbiguities with simulation systemsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendEmergence of cost-effective flight simulatorsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportBrowse Report @Key questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on :
Thermal Energy Storage Market 2017 - Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac (U.K.), DN Tanks, Inc. (U.S.), Ice Energy Holdings, Inc. (U.S.)

Thermal Energy Storage Market

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Market Synopsis of Thermal Energy Storage Market:Thermal Energy Storage is a technology that stocks Thermal Energy and is designed for use in heating & cooling applications and in power generation. The storage of Thermal Energy, replaces heat and cold production from fossil fuels while also reducing carbon emissions and lowering the need for expensive power and heat production capacity. Moreover, features such as lower capital costs as compared to other storage technologies as well as very high operating efficiency are some of the factors driving the energy storage market. The growing Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) installations and the increasing demand for Thermal Energy Storage in HVAC systems are some of the major reasons behind the growing Thermal Energy Storage Market.Request a Sample Report @While, additional cost & complexity, additional infrastructure & space requirements are some factors that act as barriers for the thermal energy storage market.The Global Thermal Energy Storage Market Size was valued at around USD Billion in 2015 and is expected to cross USD Billion at CAGR by 2022.Study Objectives of Thermal Energy Storage Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 6 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Global Thermal Energy Storage Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the Global Thermal Energy Storage Market based on various tools such as Price Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis, Porters Five Forces Analysis To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (ROW) To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by Technology, Vehicle type and regions To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Thermal Energy Storage Market.Make an Enquiry before Buying @Key Players:The key players of Global Thermal Energy Storage Market include Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac (U.K.), DN Tanks, Inc. (U.S.), Ice Energy Holdings, Inc. (U.S.), Steffes Corporation (U.S.), Burns & McDonnell (U.S.), Fafco, Inc (U.S) and Abengoa Solar (Spain).Target Audience: Manufactures Raw Materials Suppliers Aftermarket suppliers Research Institute / Education Institute Potential Investors Key executive (CEO and COO) and strategy growth managerProduct Analysis: Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information: Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsKey Points from Table of Contents:7. Competitive Analysis7.1 Introduction7.2 Competitive Scenario7.2.1 Market Share Analysis7.2.2 Market Development Analysis7.2.3 Technology /Service Benchmarking7.3 Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac (U.K.)7.3.1 Overview7.3.2 Technology /Service Offering7.3.3 Strategy7.4 DN Tanks (U.S.)7.4.1 Overview7.4.2 Technology /Service Offering7.4.3 Strategy7.5 Ice Energy (U.S.)7.5.1 Overview7.5.2 Technology /Service Offering7.5.3 StrategyBrowse Full Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com
Global M2M network security market is anticipated to grow rapidly and post a CAGR of close to 27% during the forecast period 2016-2021

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The recently published report titled Europe M2M Network Security Industry 2016 Market Research Report is an in depth study providing complete analysis of the industry for the period 2016 - 2021. It provides complete overview of Europe M2M Network Security market considering all the major industry trends, market dynamics and competitive scenario.The Europe M2M Network Security Industry Report 2016 is an in depth study analyzing the current state of the Europe M2M Network Security market. It provides brief overview of the market focusing on definitions, market segmentation, end-use applications and industry chain analysis. The study on Europe M2M Network Security market provides analysis of China market covering the industry trends, recent developments in the market and competitive landscape. Competitive analysis includes competitive information of leading players in China market, their company profiles, product portfolio, capacity, production, and company financials. In addition, report also provides upstream raw material analysis and downstream demand analysis along with the key development trends and sales channel analysis. Research study on Europe M2M Network Security market also discusses the opportunity areas for investors.Download Sample Report Copy From Here:With tables and figures, the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Reasons to Buy this ReportThe research report will enrich your decision-making capability by helping you to -a Design and improve your product development and sales strategies and enhancing your marketing activitiesa Develop business strategies by understanding the market dynamics and developments driving the Europe M2M Network Security marketa Develop market-entry strategies and effective ways to sustain competitiona Create merger and acquisition opportunities by identifying the market players with the most innovative pipelinesa Identify the regional market potential which would further help in designing regional market strategiesa Understand the competitive scenario in the Europe M2M Network Security marketa Take more informed business decisions by relying on the insightful opinions from industry expertsTable of ContentsEurope M2M Network Security Market Report 20161 M2M Network Security Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of M2M Network Security1.2 Classification of M2M Network Security1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.2.3 Type III1.3 Application of M2M Network Security1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 31.4 M2M Network Security Market by Countries1.4.1 Germany Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 France Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 UK Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Russia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Italy Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 Spain Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.7 Benelux Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Europe Market Size (Value and Volume) of M2M Network Security (2011-2021)1.5.1 Europe M2M Network Security Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.5.2 Europe M2M Network Security Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)2 Europe M2M Network Security by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Europe M2M Network Security Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Europe M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.1.2 Europe M2M Network Security Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Europe M2M Network Security (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Europe M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.2.2 Europe M2M Network Security Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.3 Europe M2M Network Security (Volume and Value) by Countries2.3.1 Europe M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Countries (2011-2016)2.3.2 Europe M2M Network Security Revenue and Market Share by Countries (2011-2016)2.4 Europe M2M Network Security (Volume) by Application3 Germany M2M Network Security (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 Germany M2M Network Security Sales and Value (2011-2016)3.1.1 Germany M2M Network Security Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.2 Germany M2M Network Security Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.3 Germany M2M Network Security Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)3.2 Germany M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 Germany M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 Germany M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Application4 France M2M Network Security (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 France M2M Network Security Sales and Value (2011-2016)4.1.1 France M2M Network Security Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)4.1.2 France M2M Network Security Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)4.1.4 France M2M Network Security Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)4.2 France M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers4.3 France M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Type4.4 France M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Application5 UK M2M Network Security (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 UK M2M Network Security Sales and Value (2011-2016)5.1.1 UK M2M Network Security Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)5.1.2 UK M2M Network Security Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)5.1.5 UK M2M Network Security Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)5.2 UK M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers5.3 UK M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Type5.4 UK M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Application6 Russia M2M Network Security (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Russia M2M Network Security Sales and Value (2011-2016)6.1.1 Russia M2M Network Security Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)6.1.2 Russia M2M Network Security Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)6.1.6 Russia M2M Network Security Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)6.2 Russia M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers6.3 Russia M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Type6.4 Russia M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Application7 Italy M2M Network Security (Volume, Value and Sales Price)7.1 Italy M2M Network Security Sales and Value (2011-2016)7.1.1 Italy M2M Network Security Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)7.1.2 Italy M2M Network Security Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)7.1.7 Italy M2M Network Security Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)7.2 Italy M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers7.3 Italy M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Type7.4 Italy M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Application8 Spain M2M Network Security (Volume, Value and Sales Price)8.1 Spain M2M Network Security Sales and Value (2011-2016)8.1.1 Spain M2M Network Security Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)8.1.2 Spain M2M Network Security Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)8.1.8 Spain M2M Network Security Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)8.2 Spain M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers8.3 Spain M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Type8.4 Spain M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Application9 Benelux M2M Network Security (Volume, Value and Sales Price)9.1 Benelux M2M Network Security Sales and Value (2011-2016)9.1.1 Benelux M2M Network Security Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)9.1.2 Benelux M2M Network Security Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)9.1.9 Benelux M2M Network Security Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)9.2 Benelux M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Manufacturers9.3 Benelux M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Type9.4 Benelux M2M Network Security Sales and Market Share by Application10 Europe M2M Network Security Manufacturers Analysis10.1 Cisco10.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.1.2 M2M Network Security Product Type, Application and Specification10.1.2.1 Type I10.1.2.2 Type II10.1.3 Cisco M2M Network Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)10.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.2 Gemalto10.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.2.2 M2M Network Security Product Type, Application and Specification10.2.2.1 Type I10.2.2.2 Type II10.2.3 Gemalto M2M Network Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)10.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.3 Kore Wireless10.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.3.2 M2M Network Security Product Type, Application and Specification10.3.2.1 Type I10.3.2.2 Type II10.3.3 Kore Wireless M2M Network Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)10.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.4 Numerex10.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.4.2 M2M Network Security Product Type, Application and Specification10.4.2.1 Type I10.4.2.2 Type II10.4.3 Numerex M2M Network Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)10.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.5 PTC10.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.5.2 M2M Network Security Product Type, Application and Specification10.5.2.1 Type I10.5.2.2 Type II10.5.3 PTC M2M Network Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)10.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.6 Other prominent vendors10.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.6.2 M2M Network Security Product Type, Application and Specification10.6.2.1 Type I10.6.2.2 Type II10.6.3 Other prominent vendors M2M Network Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)10.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.7 Digi International10.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.7.2 M2M Network Security Product Type, Application and Specification10.7.2.1 Type I10.7.2.2 Type II10.7.3 Digi International M2M Network Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)10.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.8 Eurotech10.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.8.2 M2M Network Security Product Type, Application and Specification10.8.2.1 Type I10.8.2.2 Type II10.8.3 Eurotech M2M Network Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)10.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.9 NetComm Wireless10.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.9.2 M2M Network Security Product Type, Application and Specification10.9.2.1 Type I10.9.2.2 Type II10.9.3 NetComm Wireless M2M Network Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)10.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.10 Novatel Wireless10.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.10.2 M2M Network Security Product Type, Application and Specification10.10.2.1 Type I10.10.2.2 Type II10.10.3 Novatel Wireless M2M Network Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)10.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.11 Option10.12 Systech10.13 Telit10.14 Ventus11 M2M Network Security Manufacturing Cost Analysis11.1 M2M Network Security Key Raw Materials Analysis11.1.1 Key Raw Materials11.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials11.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials11.1.4 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials11.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure11.2.1 Raw Materials11.2.2 Labor Cost11.2.3 Manufacturing Expenses11.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of M2M Network Security12 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers12.1 M2M Network Security Industrial Chain Analysis12.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing12.3 Raw Materials Sources of M2M Network Security Major Manufacturers in 201512.4 Downstream Buyers13 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders13.1 Marketing Channel13.1.1 Direct Marketing13.1.2 Indirect Marketing13.1.3 Marketing Channel Development Trend13.2 Market Positioning13.2.1 Pricing Strategy13.2.2 Brand Strategy13.2.3 Target Client13.3 Distributors/Traders List14 Europe M2M Network Security Market Forecast (2016-2021)14.1 Germany M2M Network Security Sales Forecast (2016-2021)14.2 France M2M Network Security Sales Forecast (2016-2021)14.3 UK M2M Network Security Sales Forecast (2016-2021)14.4 Russia M2M Network Security Sales Forecast (2016-2021)14.5 Italy M2M Network Security Sales Forecast (2016-2021)14.6 Spain M2M Network Security Sales Forecast (2016-2021)14.7 Benelux M2M Network Security Sales Forecast (2016-2021)14.8 Europe M2M Network Security Sales Forecast by Type (2016-2021)14.9 Europe M2M Network Security Sales Forecast by Application (2016-2021)15 Research Findings and Conclusion16 AppendixAuthor ListDisclosure SectionResearch MethodologyData SourceDisclaimerBuy Now This Report From Here:Global QYResearch() is the one spot destination for all your research needs. 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Global Aluminum Window Profile Market Key Players 2017: Guangdong Fenglv, Guangdong Fenglv, Reynaers Aluminium and Aluprof

Global Aluminum Window Profile Market

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The up-to-date research report on Global Aluminum Window Profile Market portrays a detailed fundamental market overview which is fueled by deep research to acquaint the users with latest Aluminum Window Profile market trends, current market overview and Aluminum Window Profile market development status expected during the forecast period from 2017-2022. Global Aluminum Window Profile Report offers a thorough analysis of different Aluminum Window Profile market segments like dominant key players their visions which will help the readers in analysing the Aluminum Window Profile growth opportunities. The report provides concise knowledge of the Aluminum Window Profile market on a global scale based on the past-present size and Aluminum Window Profile market forecast scenario in the form of graphs, tables, pie-charts to help all the existing as well as new Aluminum Window Profile market players in making decisions which will favour the growth of Aluminum Window Profile industry.Global Aluminum Window Profile report is divided into different portions on basis of Aluminum Window Profile product category, numerous product applications, and key regions which contribute greatly to the Aluminum Window Profile market share. The in-depth analysis of the Aluminum Window Profile market to know growth opportunities, potholes to the market development in a segmented manner will help in studying the market development scenario. Global Aluminum Window Profile report portrays the fundamental details of the dominant market players elaborating their business profiles, Aluminum Window Profile market revenue, sales volume, press releases, technical developments taking place in this industry.Do Inquiry Before Accessing 2017-2022 Global Aluminum Window Profile Market Report atGlobal Aluminum Window Profile Market report is segmented into different parts as below:Global Aluminum Window Profile Market Details Based On Key Players:Sapa GroupSchuecoXingfaLIXILJMAWacangYKK APFENAN GroupAlcoa/KawneerReynaers AluminiumXinheNanpingAluk GroupNanshan AluminumGolden AluminumAlumilGuangdong FenglvAAGGaluminium GroupDongliangZhongwangMinfaLPSKHueckJinlin LiyuanAluprofPonzioETEMRAICOWeiyeGlobal Aluminum Window Profile Market Details Based on Product Category:Open OutSlidingTilt&TurnGlobal Aluminum Window Profile Market Details Based On Key Product Applications:Residential usingCommercial building usingGlobal Aluminum Window Profile Market Details Based On Regions Aluminum Window Profile Market in North America (USA, Canada and Mexico). Europe Aluminum Window Profile Market(Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy). Aluminum Window Profile Market in Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and South-east Asia). Latin America Aluminum Window Profile Market, Middle and Africa.Request for Sample Report atThe first part of the report portrays the information related to the basic Aluminum Window Profile introduction, key market players, their company profiles, sales ratio, demand and supply volume, Aluminum Window Profile market gains during 2016 and 2017. The second part of the Aluminum Window Profile report extracts more details stating the sales revenue of each Aluminum Window Profile industry player, the business strategies followed by them. The third part of the report displays the competitive scenario of all the Aluminum Window Profile market players on basis of the revenue gains.The fourth part of the report enlists the Aluminum Window Profile details based on key producing regions and Aluminum Window Profile market gains during the period from 2012 to 2017. Fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth part of the Aluminum Window Profile report enlists the major countries within the regions and the Aluminum Window Profile revenue generated during the period from 2012 to 2017. Tenth and eleventh part of the Aluminum Window Profile report mentions the variety of Aluminum Window Profile product applications, Aluminum Window Profile statistics during 2012 to 2017.Part number twelve, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen provides information regarding the futuristic Aluminum Window Profile market trends expected during the forecast period from 2017 to 2022, Aluminum Window Profile marketing strategies, Aluminum Window Profile market vendors, facts and figures of the Aluminum Window Profile market and vital Aluminum Window Profile business conclusion along with data collection sources and appendix.What Global Aluminum Window Profile Market Report Contributes?In short the report is a relevant guide for understanding the Aluminum Window Profile industry breakthroughs in terms of all vital aspects like In-depth insight of the major players and contributors impacting the Aluminum Window Profile market. The study also focuses on current Aluminum Window Profile market outlook, sales margin, details of the Aluminum Window Profile market dynamics.Growth expected during the forecast periods along with the present and historical data of Aluminum Window Profile industry is deeply disscussed in the Aluminum Window Profile report. The overall report helps the new aspirants to inspect the forthcoming opportunities in the Aluminum Window Profile market.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the worlds most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS. no. 51/14 First Floor,Office No. 4, Vishwa Arcade,Near Navale Lawns, Pune.Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
Huntingtons Disease Therapeutics Market Segment Forecasts up to 2025, Research Reports

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Huntingtons disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder of the central nervous system. The disease results in progressive degeneration of the brain cells. A physician named George Huntington described the disorder in detail as hereditary chorea in 1872. Thus, earlier it was known as Huntingtons chorea or HC. Huntingtons disease usually develops symptoms in adulthood between the age of 30 years and 40 years. In case the symptoms of the disease are developed before the age of 20 years, it is referred as juvenile Huntingtons disease. Both men and women are susceptible to this disease. Studies show that one in every 10,000 people in America has HD and more than 250,000 people are at risk of inheriting the disease from a parent.Obtain Report Details:The disease causes a wide range of symptoms in an affected person. Primarily, it leads to difficulty in motor control (movement), cognition (thinking), and behavior. Motor problems include impairments in voluntary movements as well as onset of uncontrolled involuntary jerking. People suffering from HD also have muscle problems such as muscle contracture (dystonia) or rigidity, impaired gait, posture, and balance. Loss of motor control hampers a persons daily activities and causes difficulty in living a normal life. The disease also leads to speech and swallowing problems (dysphagia). These occur when the centers of the motor or cognitive control responsible for these functions are affected. A significant behavior and cognition disorder associated with Huntingtons disease is depression that results due to brain injury and loss of brain function.Although medical science has no cure for this disease, the symptoms of this disease can be detected and treated. Drugs to treat movement disorders include tetrabenazine (Xenazine), antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol (Haldol), chlorpromazine, and others. Antidepressants such as escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), citalopram (Celexa), and sertraline (Zoloft) are given as treatment. Development in scientific research has led to increased awareness about Huntingtons disease. This is one of the key drivers for the growth of the Huntingtons disease therapeutics market. In addition, increased prevalence of the disease is a key growth driver of the market. Unmet medical needs have driven scientists and researchers to develop therapy for Huntingtons disease, which in turn is likely to drive the global market. Increased investment by many pharmaceutical companies in the research and development sector to develop innovative and curative drugs for the disease is driving the growth of the global market. Further, alternative therapies, including speech therapy, psychotherapy, and physiotherapy, increase the potential of the market growth for Huntingtons disease therapeutics.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report:Geographically, the global Huntingtons disease therapeutics market is distributed over North America, Europe, APAC, and Latin America. North America dominates the global market due to increased awareness about the disease. In the North America market, the U.S. holds the largest market share, followed by Canada. Europe accounts for the second largest market globally. In Europe, countries such as France, Germany, the U.K., and Spain contribute major shares of the market. Increasing awareness about the disease along with growing infrastructure for scientific research is projected to lead to market establishment for Huntingtons disease therapeutics in other parts of the world such as China, India, Japan, Africa, Argentina, and Brazil.Key players contributing highest market shares include Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AmpliPhi Biosciences Corp, Pfizer, Lundbeck, Prana Biotechnology Ltd., Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Cortex Pharmaceuticals Inc., Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, GlaxoSmithKline, Auspex Pharmaceuticals, Ceregene Inc., SOM Biotech, Siena Biotech, Raptor Pharmaceutical, Palobiofarma, and Ipsen.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
SD-WAN Market Share, Trend, Production, Demand and Key Manufacturers Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global SD-WAN Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 The report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification.This report studies the global SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) market, analyzes and researches the SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeSilver Peak, Inc.Talari Networks, Inc.Nuage NetworksVeloCloud Networks, Inc.Versa Networks, Inc.-Viptela, Inc.Riverbed Technology, Inc.Cloudgenix Inc.Fatpipe Networks Inc.Citrix Systems, Inc.Request a Sample copy atMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaComplete report is available atMarket segment by Type, SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) can be split intoOn-PremiseCloudMarket segment by Application, SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) can be split intoBFSIRetailHealthcareGovernmentIT & TelecomManufacturingOthers (Oil & Gas and Mining & Transportation)Few points from Table of Contents:1 Industry Overview of SD-WAN2 Global SD-WAN Competition Analysis by Players3 Company (Top Players) Profiles4 Global SD-WAN Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global SD-WAN Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global SD-WAN Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of SD-WAN in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of SD-WAN5 United States SD-WAN Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States SD-WAN Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States SD-WAN Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU SD-WAN Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU SD-WAN Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU SD-WAN Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)Get Discount at7 Japan SD-WAN Development Status and Outlook8 China SD-WAN Development Status and Outlook9 India SD-WAN Development Status and Outlook10 Southeast Asia SD-WAN Development Status and Outlook11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2022)12 SD-WAN Market Dynamics13 Market Effect Factors AnalysisPurchase complete report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email:sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Fertility and Pregnancy Rapid Test Kits Market 2025: Business Development Analysis

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Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are some of the reproductive hormones which are quantitatively detected using the tools of fertility along with pregnancy rapid test kits. In males, the detection of the sperm count can be done with the use of fertility rapid test kits. In females, the fertility rapid test kits are used to confirm menopause or to find the exact day of ovulation. Immunoassay techniques which change the color are used in these devices, the type of the device being used decides which sample should be used for the test, whether blood or urine sample, a small quantity of sample is used for the test.Increasing incidence of gynecological disorders and infertility and fast and self-contained tests are some of the driving factors for the growth of the global fertility and pregnancy rapid test kits market. Rise in first-time pregnancy age and availability of less time-consuming decentralized diagnostic tests in place of laboratory tests have boosted the market growth. Increasing inclination toward the smartphone app connectivity, attractive product features, and technological advancements have led to the adoption of fertility and pregnancy rapid test kits. These factors are boosting the demand for these devices and the market is projected to grow significantly during the forecast period. However, the impeding growth factors in countries who have inherent potential due to which these products are not well adopted, too many options in the market being available and controversies and issues related to the devices lead to the restraints of the growing market for fertility as well as pregnancy rapid test kits.Obtain Report Details:In Asia Pacific and Europe, the premier companies consolidate their position with strong local companies by maintaining distribution agreements and with e-commerce partners the strategies like creating alliances are employed in the market for fertility including pregnancy rapid test kits.On the basis of product type, the market can be segmented as fertility rapid test kits and pregnancy rapid test kits. The pregnancy rapid test kits segment can be further classified as digital devices and line-indicator devices. The line-indicator devices includes mid-stream devices, strip/dip sticks, and cassettes. The fertility rapid test kits segment can be categorized as digital devices and line-indicators. On the basis of test type, the market can be segmented as hCG urine test, hCG blood test, FSH urine test, and LH urine test. Globally, there is a high prevalence of infertility rate and gynecological disorders leading to high demand for hCG rapid test. Based on distribution channel, the market can be segmented as fertility and gynecology clinics, hypermarkets and supermarkets, online sales, drugstores, pharmacies, and other clinics. The drugstores segment is the most preferable distribution channel, followed by the pharmacies segment. However, in some regions such as North America and Europe, these traditional distribution channels have started facing significant competition from the online sales segment due to increasing consumer preference toward online sales that provide doorstep services.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report:Geographically, the market for fertility and pregnancy rapid test kits is distributed over North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and rest of the world. North America dominates the global market with the U.S. accounting for a considerable market share. Europe followed North America in terms of market share. The Asia Pacific and rest of the world markets are projected to expand at significant growth rate during the forecast period attributed to factors such as high unmet needs, emerging economies, and continuously improving scenario.Prominent players operating in the fertility and pregnancy rapid test kits market include Quidel Corporation; Alere Inc.; Church & Dwight Co., Inc.; Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc.; Geratherm Medical AG; bioMerieux SA; Procter & Gamble Co.; Abbott Laboratories; Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH; and DCC Plc.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Roofing Tiles Market - Global Trends, Share, Industry Size, Growth, Opportunities, and Forecast 2017-2022

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ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Roofing Tiles Market Professional Survey Report 2017 The report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification.This report studies Roofing Tiles in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringAtlas Roofing CorporationDuro-Last Roofing, Inc.CertainTeed CorporationThe Rockwool GroupGAFIcopal A/SJohns ManvilleOwens CorningTAMKO Building ProductsCarlisleComplete report is available atBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaGet a SAMPLE Request atOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoAsphalt Shingles RoofingMetal RoofingElastomeric RoofingModified Bitume RoofingOthersBy Application, the market can be split intoCommercial BuildingsCivil ConstructionFew points from Table of Contents:1 Industry Overview of Roofing Tiles2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Roofing Tiles2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Roofing Tiles2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Roofing Tiles2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Roofing Tiles3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Roofing Tiles3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Roofing Tiles Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Roofing Tiles Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Roofing Tiles Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Roofing Tiles Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Roofing Tiles Overall Market Overview5 Roofing Tiles Regional Market Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E Roofing Tiles Segment Market Analysis (by Type)7 Global 2012-2017E Roofing Tiles Segment Market Analysis (by Application)Get Discount at8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Roofing Tiles9 Development Trend of Analysis of Roofing Tiles Market10 Roofing Tiles MarkeRoofing Tilesg Type Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of Roofing Tiles12 Conclusion of the Global Roofing Tiles Market Professional Survey Report 2017Purchase complete report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email:sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Global Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market Key Players 2017: Revolutions Medical, Retractable Technologies, Medtronic, DMC Medical,

Global Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market

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The up-to-date research report on Global Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market portrays a detailed fundamental market overview which is fueled by deep research to acquaint the users with latest Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market trends, current market overview and Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market development status expected during the forecast period from 2017-2022. Global Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Report offers a thorough analysis of different Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market segments like dominant key players their visions which will help the readers in analysing the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe growth opportunities. The report provides concise knowledge of the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market on a global scale based on the past-present size and Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market forecast scenario in the form of graphs, tables, pie-charts to help all the existing as well as new Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market players in making decisions which will favour the growth of Auto-retractable Safety Syringe industry.Global Auto-retractable Safety Syringe report is divided into different portions on basis of Auto-retractable Safety Syringe product category, numerous product applications, and key regions which contribute greatly to the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market share. The in-depth analysis of the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market to know growth opportunities, potholes to the market development in a segmented manner will help in studying the market development scenario. Global Auto-retractable Safety Syringe report portrays the fundamental details of the dominant market players elaborating their business profiles, Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market revenue, sales volume, press releases, technical developments taking place in this industry.Do Inquiry Before Accessing 2017-2022 Global Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market Report atGlobal Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market report is segmented into different parts as below:Global Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market Details Based On Key Players:BDMedtronicRetractable TechnologiesGlobe Medical TechRevolutions MedicalDMC MedicalQ StatMedicinaHaiou MedicalMediprimGlobal Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market Details Based on Product Category:0.5ml1ml3ml5mlGlobal Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market Details Based On Key Product Applications:Subcutaneous (Sub-Q)Intramuscular (IM)Intravenous (IV)Global Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market Details Based On Regions Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market in North America (USA, Canada and Mexico). Europe Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market(Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy). Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market in Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and South-east Asia). Latin America Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market, Middle and Africa.Request for Sample Report atThe first part of the report portrays the information related to the basic Auto-retractable Safety Syringe introduction, key market players, their company profiles, sales ratio, demand and supply volume, Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market gains during 2016 and 2017. The second part of the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe report extracts more details stating the sales revenue of each Auto-retractable Safety Syringe industry player, the business strategies followed by them. The third part of the report displays the competitive scenario of all the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market players on basis of the revenue gains.The fourth part of the report enlists the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe details based on key producing regions and Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market gains during the period from 2012 to 2017. Fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth part of the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe report enlists the major countries within the regions and the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe revenue generated during the period from 2012 to 2017. Tenth and eleventh part of the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe report mentions the variety of Auto-retractable Safety Syringe product applications, Auto-retractable Safety Syringe statistics during 2012 to 2017.Part number twelve, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen provides information regarding the futuristic Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market trends expected during the forecast period from 2017 to 2022, Auto-retractable Safety Syringe marketing strategies, Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market vendors, facts and figures of the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market and vital Auto-retractable Safety Syringe business conclusion along with data collection sources and appendix.What Global Auto-retractable Safety Syringe Market Report Contributes?In short the report is a relevant guide for understanding the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe industry breakthroughs in terms of all vital aspects like In-depth insight of the major players and contributors impacting the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market. The study also focuses on current Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market outlook, sales margin, details of the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market dynamics.Growth expected during the forecast periods along with the present and historical data of Auto-retractable Safety Syringe industry is deeply disscussed in the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe report. The overall report helps the new aspirants to inspect the forthcoming opportunities in the Auto-retractable Safety Syringe market.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the worlds most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS. no. 51/14 First Floor,Office No. 4, Vishwa Arcade,Near Navale Lawns, Pune.Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
Iranian Reinsurance industry Comprehensive Outlook, Key Trends and Opportunities until 2020

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Market Research Hub (MRH) added a new research report to its vast database titled Iranian Reinsurance industry, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 which provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Iranian Reinsurance segment, and a comparison of the Iranian insurance industry with its regional counterparts.Request Free Sample Report @It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review period (2011-2015) and forecast period (2015-2020).The report also analyses information pertaining to the competitive landscape in the country, gives a comprehensive overview of the Iranian economy and demographics, and provides detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Iranian insurance industry.The report brings together MRH research, modeling and analysis expertise to enable reinsurers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and access profiles of reinsurers operating in the country.SummaryMRH 'Reinsurance in Iran, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Iranian reinsurance segment, including:An outlook of the Iranian reinsurance segmentA comprehensive overview of the Iranian economy and demographicsDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Iranian insurance industryThe competitive landscape in the Iranian reinsurance segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in Iran:It provides historical values for the Iranian reinsurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Iranian reinsurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in Iran, and the reinsurance segment's growth prospects.It analyzes various natural hazards and their impact on the Iran insurance industryBrowse Full Report with TOC @Reasons to BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Iranian reinsurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Iranian reinsurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product cateAbout Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of insurance market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients and customers.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -
Global Water Trucks Body Market Major Manufacturers, Trends, Demand, Share, Analysis - 2017

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The latest report Water Trucks Body Market by QY Research added to its database and brings to light the comprehensive study and factual information of global market. The report also provides the global market segmentation based on applications, end-users, technology, and geography. The Water Trucks Body research report offers a comprehensive assessment of the Water Trucks Body market and consists of historical data, scope, significant approaches and statistical data of the global market. Besides these, it also includes anticipated facts that are assessed with the aid of an appropriate set of postulations and techniques.The report focuses on regional as well as global market, its key players, along with market segments including detailed study on various divisions and its applications. The report provides comprehensive information on each and every segment covered of the Water Trucks Body market.Request for FREE SAMPLE Report @The report includes rigorous data, in-depth analysis in two ways, namely, quantitative and qualitative, industry professionals inputs and data given by the industry members and industry analysts involved in the complete value cycle. The report features thorough study of important market and their current trends, coupled with respective market segments. Information about the numerous factors and their influence on the global market and its segments is also mentioned in the Water Trucks Body report.The study report evaluates the range of factors of the Water Trucks Body industry, such as definition, demands, share, analysis, supply, sales, size, specification, forecast trends, production, classification, industry policy, news, and application. The global Water Trucks Body market report will provide significant and reliable information on the market clearly in structured format. The report will offers you a key manufacturer of the products, applications, DROS and others.The Water Trucks Body report covers the precisely studied and evaluated data of the global market players and their scope in the market using a number of analytical tools. The analytical tools such as investment return analysies, SWOT analysis and feasibility studyare used to analyze the key global market playersgrowth in the Water Trucks Body industry.Browse Complete report With TOC available @Moreover, the report assessed key market features, including price, revenue, capacity utilization rate, growth rate, capacity, production, gross, supply, consumption, cost, market share, demand, import, gross margin, export, and much more.In this report, the global Water Trucks Body market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Water Trucks Body in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaAbout Us:MRS Research Group is the worlds giant collection of the Market research Reports. Where we specialized in global publisher, tailor made reports and specialists consulting. Global Publisher provides in-depth analysis of global and Chinese market. Tailor-made reports represent methodologies deliverable to proper insight of the client. While, expertise research specialist helps to provide strategic solution in specialists consulting. It consists of head such as, latest report, category, niche market and news. Reports published on the million of category like chemical, machinery and equipment, consumer goods, manufacturing and construction etc. Latest national, international, business News published under news portal.3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,Tel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
Surgical Staplers Market Trends, Challenges and Growth Drivers Analysis 2024

Global Surgical Staplers Market ? Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024

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Global Surgical Staplers Market, By Product Type (Manual, Powered),Type (Disposable, Reuse), Application (Abdominal, Pelvis, General Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic, Orthopedic, Hemorrhoids, Cosmetic, Pediatric), End User (Hospital, ASC, Clinic), Distribution Channel (Retail, Direct Tenders), Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024The global surgical staplers market is expected to reach USD 6.9 billion by 2024, from USD 3.7 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 8.10% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024.The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2014 & 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Request for TOC@Surgical Staplers Market  Market Segmentation:The global surgical staplers market is segmented based on product type, type, application, end user, distribution channel, and geography.Based on product type, the global surgical staplers market is classified into manual and poweredOn the basis of type the global surgical staplers market is classified into disposable and reusable.On the basis of application, the global surgical staplers market is segmented into abdominal, pelvis, general surgery, cardiac, thoracic, orthopedic, hemorrhoids, cosmetic, and pediatric.On the basis of end user, the global surgical staplers market is segmented into hospital, ASC and clinic.On the basis of distribution channel, the global surgical staplers market is segmented into retail and direct tenders.Browse Full Report with Details TOC @Based on geography, the market is segmented into five geographical regions: North America Europe Asia-Pacific South America Middle East and AfricaThe geographical regions are further segmented into 29 major countries such as U.S. Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Belgium, Switzerland, Belgium, Turkey, Japan, China, Singapore, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa and others.Request For Sample:Some of the major players operating in this market areSome of the major players operating in the global surgical staplers market are Covidien, Ethicon US, LLC., United States Surgical Corp., Cardica, Inc., Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, Smith & Nephew plc, CONMED, CareFusion Corporation, Medtronic, Purple Surgical Inc., Welfare Medical Ltd., Reach surgical, Meril Life Science Pvt. Ltd., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Frankenman International, BD, Intuitive Surgical Inc., and Grena Ltd. ,among others.Inquiry before Buying @Related ReportGlobal Hemostats Market- Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Hemostats Market, By Product Type (Thrombin Based, Combination, Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose Based, Gelatin Based, Collagen Based Hemostat), By Indication (Wound Closure, Surgery), By End-User (Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory Centers, Community Healthcare, Others), By Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa)  Trends and Forecast to 2024About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit BlogData Bridge is an organization lead by well versed forecasters, analysts and researchers who indulge in detailed and diligent research on different markets, trends and emerging opportunities in the successive direction to cater to your business needs. Data Bridge aims to make your organization well acquainted with profound knowledge of the global and local market statistics.Office Number 317,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road, HadapsarPune  411028Maharashtra, India
Tamper Evident Packaging Market Global Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecast, 2016-2026

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Packaging in todays world calls for a multi-functional approach of the designing of the product. With the race to reduce the overall cost of production, manufacturers have innovated with the packaging design. This has led to a shift to flexible packaging, low use of material, low cost of storage and low transport cost. In this day and age another functionality that manufacturers need to take into account is safety. With the on the go lifestyle settling in, people expect the products they have purchased to be safe to consume.The rising awareness among consumers and stringent regulations laid down by national and international authorities on the safety of product packaging has led to a shift in design. Deliberate or unintentional tampering of food products has been witnessed in the past leading to catastrophic events which required a more careful approach to packaging. This has led to the advent of tamper evident packaging.Tamper evident packaging allows for the observer to identify whether the package has been tampered with or not. The indicators are either visual or audible. The indicators are usually mentioned on the packaging for the observers convenience. Tamper evident packaging is now also being adopted by the food and beverages, cosmetics industry, and the healthcare industry.Request Report Sample@Tamper evident packaging Market- Market Segmentation:Based on the product type, the tamper evident packaging market is segmented into:Shrink sleevesInduction sealFilm wrappersBlister or strip packsBubble packsOthers (Pouches, bottle mouth inner seals, tape seals)Based on the end use, the tamper evident packaging market is segmented into:VacuumPharmaceuticalFood and beveragesCosmeticsothersBased on the Material type, the tamper evident packaging market is segmented into:plasticsglasspaper lidsmetalothersTamper evident packaging Market- Market Dynamics:With the scare from the Tylenol scandal in 1982 that led to the death of 7 people due to poisoning the Food and Drug Administration has strictly enforced tamper evident packaging for pharmaceutical manufacturers. With the exponential growth witnessed by the pharmaceutical industry, tamper evident packaging market is pegged for steady growth throughout the forecast period of 2016  2024. Food and beverages industry and the cosmetics industry have also picked up on tamper evident packaging due to the rising safety concerns. The ever growing food and beverage industry will positively impact the tamper evident packaging market. However, the stringent regulations specifically in the pharmaceutical industry call for the testing of tamper evident packaging and the adherence of the packaging to guidelines that have been laid down. This is likely to negatively impact the tamper evident packaging market growth.Tamper evident packaging Market- Regional Outlook:In terms of geography, the tamper evident packaging market has been divided in to five key regions; North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. The tamper evident packaging market is expected to exhibit an above average CAGR during the forecast period. Asia pacific market is expected to witness a raise in demand in the region. As a result, tamper evident packaging is pegged to witness a growth in demand in the forecasted period.Visit For TOC@Tamper evident packaging Market- Major Players:Some of the key players in the tamper evident packaging market are DuPont, Schreiner Group, Ampac Holding LLC., Baker & McKenzie LLP, Placon, Dynacorp, Enercon industries Corporation, Traco Manufacturing, Inc., Interpack Ltd., Seal King Europe, Harcor.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Ambulatory Services Market is Expected to Reach USD 3365.2 Billion at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.1% by 2022 according to new research report

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SummaryReportBazzar has released its latest research-based report entitled Ambulatory Services Market. Ambulatory Services is a medical care procedures or tests that are been carried out in a healthcare facility without an overnight stay. The various types of services performed in Ambulatory Services are Primary care offices, Medical Specialty, Ambulatory Services Surgery, Outpatient departments (OPDs) and Emergency DepartmentsThe global Ambulatory Services market is expected to reach USD 3365.2 billion by 2022 from USD 2345.7 billion in 2016 with a CAGR of 5.1% for the forecasted period. Ambulatory Services provides convenient and cost-effective services to the patient. It is also called as outpatient care which provides the various medical facilities like diagnosis, counselling, observation and also treatment. Ambulatory Services market is driven by various factors like continuously ameliorating aging population, easy in-access, cost-effective and by various government initiatives and funding. Increase in life expectancy is a crucial reason to provide the services for disable and frailties ultimately led to increasing growth in this marketBy types, global Ambulatory Services market has been classified into as primary care offices, medical specialty, Ambulatory Services surgery, outpatient departments (OPDs) and emergency departments. Primary care segment holds the largest market share for the global Ambulatory Services service market which was USD 1074.3 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach USD 1565.7 billion by 2022 with CAGR of 5.4% during 2017-2022. It share 45.8% of global Ambulatory Services service market. While on the other hand Ambulatory Services surgeries is the fastest growing segment at CAGR of 5.5% from 2017 to 2022.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @By region, global Ambulatory Services market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa. Due to health awareness and more health expenditure per person North America holds largest market share in global Ambulatory Services and was valued at USD 966.2 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach at USD 1356.7 billion by 2022 at CAGR of 4.8% for the forecasted period. While Asia pacific region is expected to be the fastest growing segment with the CAGR of 5.5% because of lightening development of Ambulatory Services in China and Korea.Key Players:The leading market players in the Global Ambulatory Services market are AmSurg Corp, Surgical Care Affiliates, Surgery Partners, HCA Holdings, Inc., Healthway Medical Group, SurgCenter, Trillium Health Partners and others.Study objectives: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various Segments and sub-segments of Global Ambulatory Services market. To provide insights about factors influencing and affecting the market growth. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to countries To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments based on Global Ambulatory Services types for Global Ambulatory Services market. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, and comprehensively analysing their market share, core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market. To provide economic factors that influences the Global Ambulatory Services market.Target Audience: Ambulatory Services Service Providers Research and development (R&D) companies Market research and consulting service providers Academic institutes and universities Key executive (CEO and COO) and strategy growth managerKey Findings: Primary care market is one of the largest segment in the global Ambulatory Services market by types, which is expected to reach US$ 1565.7 million in 2022 for US$ 1074.3 million in 2016. Ambulatory Services market is the fastest growing market which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period 2017-2022. Outpatient departments market is expected to reach US$ 375.5 million in 2022 for US$ 261.0 million in 2016. North America market is one of the largest region in the global Ambulatory Services market Europe market for Ambulatory Services is the second largest market and is expected to reach US$ 1078.6 million by the end of 2022. Asia Pacific region is the fastest growing market which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period 2017-2022.The reports also covers regional analysis: 9.1 North America 9.1.1 US 9.1.2 Canada 9.2 Europe 9.2.1 Germany 9.2.2 France 9.2.3 Italy 9.2.3 Spain 9.2.5 UK 9.2.6 Rest of Europe 9.3 Asia 9.3.1 Japan 9.3.2 China 9.3.3 India 9.3.4 Republic of Korea 9.3.5 Australia 9.3.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific 9.4 Middle East & Africa 9.4.1 UAE  United Arab Emirates 9.4.2 Saudi Arabia 9.4.3 Egypt 9.4.4 Rest of Middle East & AfricaBrowse full report with Table of Content @Some Points Of Table Of Content:1 Report Prologue2 Introduction2.1 Introduction2.2 Scope of Study2.3 Research Objective2.4 Assumptions & Limitations2.4.1 Assumptions2.4.2 Limitations2.5 Market Structure3 Research Methodology3.1 Primary Research3.2 Secondary Research4 Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.1.1 Cost-effective and easy in-access4.1.2 Increasing Population4.1.3 Advance in technology4.2 Restraints4.2.1 No overnight and emergency facilities4.2.2 Unavailability of same physician4.2.3 Declining reimbursements4.3 Opportunities4.4 Threats4.4.1 Hospital physician employment4.4.2 Market saturation5 Market Factor Analysis5.1 Porters five forces model5.1.1 Bargaining power of suppliers5.1.2 Bargaining power of buyers5.1.3 Threat of New Entrant5.1.4 Threat of substitute of services5.1.5 Intensity of Rivalry6 Global Ambulatory Services Market, By Type6.1 Introduction6.1.1 Primary care Offices6.1.2 Medical Speciality6.1.3 Ambulatory Surgery6.1.4 Outpatient departments (OPDs)6.1.5 Emergency Departments7 Global Ambulatory Service Market, By Region7.1 Introduction7.2 North America7.2.1 Introduction7.2.2 U.S7.2.3 Canada7.3 Europe7.3.1 Introduction7.3.2 Germany7.3.3 France7.3.4 U.K7.3.5 Italy7.3.6 Spain7.3.7 ROE7.4 Asia-Pacific7.4.1 IntroductionAsk for Discount @About Us:Reportbazzar.com is your trusted source for the most inclusive and informative assortment of market research reports designed to empower you with the latest in industry information that translates to time and cost savings for your business. We not only help you give wing to your latent business ideas but also facilitate you in taking the best informed and strategic decisions that guarantee success in your most promising business endeavors. Our intelligence database comprises of vast arrays of strategically analyzed and high-level market research reports that encompass all major industries worldwide. All the specialized research reports available at Reportbazzar.com are tailor-made to suit your every business need, no matter how diverse or demanding it is.Contact Us:ReportBazzar30 Wall Street, 8th floor,New York, NY 10005.United States.US: +1 (212) 389-6363India: +91 20 66528525
Lactase Market Global Industry Analysis and Forecast Till 2026

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The healthcare industry in the past half-decade has seen an exponential rise in growth. With the rising incidence in non-communicable diseases, a demand for healthcare providers has increased. Healthcare providers have tried to keep up with the demand, however there is a huge scope for development. With awareness among the people with respect to hygiene in the past few decades, millennials and generation-Y have been given a lot of attention. This has led to the weakening of the immune system. A new wave of disorders has emerged where people have become allergic or incapable of digesting certain foods. One of the most common disorders is lactose intolerance. This is caused by the paucity of the lactase enzyme. Lactase is an enzyme present in the gut of human beings and other mammals which is utilized in the breakdown of lactose into glucose and galactose. Lactose is present in dairy products, and lactase helps in the digestion of said products. To counter this problem, lactase supplements are utilized to treat this disorder, or lactase is added to dairy products to break down lactose before consumption.Request Report Sample@Lactase Market- Market Segmentation:Based on the Source, the Lactasemarket is segmented into:AnimalFungusplantsBased on end use, the Lactasemarket is segmented into:Food and BeverageshealthcareLactase Market- Market Dynamics:According to few studies, there are 10-20% people are lactose intolerant in US alone. Some ethnicities harbor this problem in higher percentages. Lactose supplements are prescribed for said individuals, or lactose is added to the dairy product to break down lactose before consumption. Due to these disorders, there is avoidance of the intake of dairy products. In the long term, the avoidance of said products can lead to problems like osteoporosis. Lactase supplements are also prescribed for other problems of indigestion as well like Irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, gasses etc. With the exponential rise I h e healthcare market, we can expect to see a significant rise in CAGR for lactase market throughout the forecasted period of 2016-2026. Lactase is widely used in the dairy production. The properties of lactase help reduce the lactose content in the products while sweetening the product and reduced viscosity. These products are perfect for lactose intolerant individuals. As the food and beverages industry is witnessing a surge in growth, lactase market is also pegged to witness a healthy CAGR throughout our forecasted period of 2016-2026.Lactase Market- Regional Outlook:In terms of geography, the lactase market has been divided in to five key regions; North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. The lactase market is expected to exhibit an above average CAGR during the forecast period. Asia Pacific region is expected to witness a high demand for lactase over the forecasted period. Highest growth is expected to be seen specifically from India and China. Significant growth will also be witness in Middle East and Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America.Visit For TOC@Lactase Market- Major Players:Some of the key players in the lactase market are Parchem fine & specialty chemicals, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, Nutriteck, Shandong Tianjiu Bio-Tech Co., Ltd., Mitushi Biopharma, Amano Enzyme, Inc., OENON Holdings, Inc., Dumoco, Nisarg Life Sciences India Pvt. Ltd., Avanscure Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd.,About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Testing, Inspection, and Certification Global Market Key Developments, Outlook, 2017 Analysis & Forecast to 2025

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Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market: OverviewThe testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) solutions verify that a product conforms to regulatory standards pertaining to quality, performance, and technical safety that are universally accepted. Product testing, inspection and certification is an approach to provide assurance to consumers and are in the interest of consumers for a safe purchase.Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market: Key TrendsThe top factor driving the global TIC market is the increasing awareness among consumers about the quality, performance, and safety assurance attached with products that conform to international standards. The increasing volume of international imports and exports, which is controlled by a combination of local and global standards and regulations is further fuelling growth of the global testing, inspection, and certification market. This has necessitated manufacturers to adhere to quality control specifications and obtain universally accepted certifications for participation in international trade. This is expected to boost the adoption of testing, inspection, and certification services predominantly in food and beverages, aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas industries.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The oil and gas industry has contributed significantly to the growth of the TIC market over the past few years; the end-use segment held a dominant share of over 35% in the global market in 2015. This is because testing, inspection, and certification are mandatory across all stages of any exploration and production project, starting from project feasibility to de-commissioning of the site.With the increasing number of oil and gas exploration activities both onshore and offshore, the oil and gas industry is expected to extend growth opportunities to the testing, inspection, and certification market.Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market: Market PotentialTop companies in the TIC market are vying to obtain accreditation from international agencies in a bid to cater to regional markets and operate globally. In a recent industry development, Bureau Veritas  a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification services has obtained certification from United Kingdom Accreditation Services to carry out verifications and assessments for services that are compliant with the regulations of European Union Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification.Request TOC of the Report @Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market: Regional OutlookEurope is a leading regional market as it has high concentration of some of the top vendors in the global testing, inspection, and certification market. The region contributed over 30% to the revenue of the global market in 2015.The developing economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America are expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the testing, inspection, and certification market. The region is anticipated to display growth at the fastest pace in the near future. Factors such as rapid industrial development and a growing middle class population with disposable incomes have led to high volume of international imports and exports in these regions. This has necessitated product manufacturers to comply with diverse safety and quality standards that are universally accepted, thereby driving the need for testing, inspection, and certification services. The booming food and beverages industry in the region and the increasing awareness among about the quality assurance of certified products will be predominantly driving the TIC market in the region.Get a discount @Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the key players in the global testing, inspection, and certification market are Bureau Veritas SA, SGS Group, ASTM International, Dekra SE, Lloyds Register Group Limited, TUV SUD AG, Intertek Group PLC, ALS Ltd., AsureQuality Ltd., Underwriters Laboratories Inc., DNV GL, and TUV Rheinland Group.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Global Chocolate Market Consumption,Trends, Growth, Regional Outlook and Forecast

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Pune, India, 23rd August 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Global Chocolate Market Report: 2016 Edition.Chocolate is a type of food made from roasted or ground cacao seeds which can be consumed in the form of blocks, paste or as an ingredient or flouring agent in other foods. It is typically a sweet food, but may be mildly or very bitter depending on the variety being consumed. Rich in carbohydrates, fats and vegetable proteins, chocolate is considered as a high energy food. Based on taste, it can be classified as dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate, and based on the difference in its composition; it can be classified as real chocolate or compound chocolate.GET SAMPLE REPORT @The entire market can be broadly segmented into market for cocoa production and confectionary which includes the market for chocolate. Consumption of chocolate worldwide is influenced greatly by demand patterns across different regions that are in turn affected by macro-economic factors like global GDP, global youth population, and wealth. Some of the recent trends in the global markets are in line with the global cocoa shortfall, thus changing consumption patterns and preferences. However, an alteration in chocolate compositions, necessitated by this shortage, has ensured sustained demand. Rising cocoa prices and nutritional concerns may still pose a challenge to this market.The report Global Chocolate Market analyzes the development of this market, with focus on the U.S, the U.K, China and Switzerland. Major trends, growth drivers as well as issues being faced by the industry are discussed in detail in the report. The four major players of the industry, Nestle, Lindt & Sprungli, Hershey and Barry Callebaut have been profiled along with their key financials and strategies for growth.Future trend in the global chocolate market has been forecasted by combining SPSS Inc.s data integration and analysis capabilities. Regression models have been created by employing various significant variables that have an impact on the market. Before deploying the regression model, the relationship between several independent or predictor variables and the dependent variable was analyzed using standard SPSS output, including charts, tables, and tests.Table of Content: Key Points1. Market Overview1.1 Introduction1.2 Chocolate Types1.2.1 Based on Taste1.2.2 Based on Composition1.3 Production Process1.3.1 Preparing Cacao1.3.2 Processing Chocolate1.4 Usage1.5 Market Segmentation1.5.1 Confectionary1.5.2 Industrial Chocolate2. Global Market2.1 Global Cocoa Market2.2 Global Confectionary Market2.3 Global Chocolate Market3. Regional MarketsContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Global Thin Film Drug Manufacturing Market: Improved Therapeutic Output Encourages Healthcare Industry to Adopt Thin Film Drugs

Thin Film Drug Manufacturing Market

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The thin film drugs were recorded with high market acceptance due to its ease of application and high effectiveness. Moreover, developed economies such as the U.S. and countries in Europe recorded significant sale of thin film drugs. Thin film drugs achieve the desired therapeutic results. Therefore, they have gained attention in the market as a potential treatment option. According to the research report, the global thin film drug manufacturing market is expected to be worth US$15,984.3 mn by the end of 2024 from US$7,337.8 mn in 2015. During the forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the global market is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 9.0%.Demand for thin film drugs is increasing globally, leading to considerable research and development activities in the segment. The Journal of Controlled Release 2015 stated the market for oral thin film products exists with around 10 prescription products and around 29 such thin film products under clinical trials. Thus, the thin film drug manufacturing market is anticipated to expand considerably during the forecast period.Read Full Report:On the basis of product type, the global thin film drug manufacturing market is segmented into oral thin film, transdermal thin film, and others such as ocular thin film among others. The report indicates that the oral thin film segment will be the most promising one as it comes with maximum advantages. These films deliver drugs through the oral mucosa and are known for ease of transportation, skipping the hepatic first pass effect, convenience of handling, and quick onset of action. In light of these benefits, the oral thin film segment is likely to surge at a significant CAGR of 18.3% between 2016 and 2024. Soaring revenue of this segment is attributable to the growing number of clinical trials and higher number of prescription products. On the other hand, the transdermal thin film segment is also poised to emerge with a substantial share in the global market by the end of the forecast period.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Thin Film Drug Manufacturing Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:By geography, global thin film drug manufacturing market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the and Middle East and Africa. In 2016, North America and Europe accounted for the largest share of the thin film drug manufacturing market. The U.S. dominated the thin film drug manufacturing market in North America, accounting for around 85.3% share in 2016. This dominance is majorly due factors such technological advancements in pharmaceutical research with rising demand of novel drug delivery. The extensive investments in research and development are also likely to benefit the regional market. However, Europe is saturated and growing at slow steady rate while Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fast growth during the forecast period with major contribution of countries such as India, Japan and China. New product launches with broaden applications, favorable regulations, and growing awareness are likely to drive the market in Asia Pacific during the forecast period.Some of the key players in the global thin film drug manufacturing market are Pfizer, Inc., Novartis AG, Wolters Kluwer, Solvay, Allergan plc. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., IntelGenx Corp. The global thin film drug manufacturing market is dominated only by few players, which makes the competitive landscape highly consolidated.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Analysis Of Non-Life Insurance in Iran: Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Analysis Of Non-Life Insurance in Iran: Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020" to its huge collection of research reports.Timetrics 'Non-Life Insurance in Iran, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Iranian non-life insurance segment, and a comparison of the Iranian insurance industry with its regional counterparts.It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Iranian economy and demographics, explains the various types of natural hazard and their impact on the Iranian insurance industry, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.SummaryTimetrics 'Non-Life Insurance in Iran, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Iranian non-life insurance segment, including:The Iranian non-life segments detailed outlook by product categoryA comprehensive overview of the Iranian economy and demographicsA comparison of the Iranian non-life insurance segment with its regional counterpartsThe various distribution channels in the Iranian non-life insurance segmentDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Iranian insurance industryDetails of the competitive landscape in the non-life insurance segment in IranDetails of regulatory policy applicable to the Iranian insurance industryScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the non-life insurance segment in Iran:It provides historical values for the Iranian non-life insurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Iranian non-life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.It provides a comparison of the Iranian non-life insurance segment with its regional counterpartsIt analyzes the various distribution channels for non-life insurance products in Iran.It analyzes various natural hazards and their impact on the Iranian insurance industryIt profiles the top non-life insurance companies in Iran, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Iranian non-life insurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Iranian non-life insurance segment.Assess the competitive dynamics in the non-life insurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Iranian insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsAccording to the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), road traffic accidents killed around 28,000 people in Iran in 2016, and either injured or disabled more than 300,000.According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, Iran was the 14th largest car manufacturer in the world in 2016.In March 2017, Irans crude oil exports reached 3.0 million barrels for the first time since 1979. The export of crude oil averaged 2.5 million barrels per day during January 2016 and February 2017.In February 9, 2017, the Central Insurance of Iran (CII) and Central Bank of Armenia signed an agreement of mutual cooperation between insurance and reinsurance business.In December 22, 2016, the European airplane manufacturer Airbus signed a contract with Iran Air to sell 100 jets with delivery starting from January 2017. The value of this deal is expected to be IRR 310.3 trillion (US$10.0 billion).Browse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Dental 3D Printing Market From 2017 - 2025: Advanced Technological Innovations to Bode Well in terms of growth

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Dental 3D Printing Market From 2017 - 2025: Advanced Technological Innovations to Bode Well in terms of growth" to its huge collection of research reports.The report on the dental 3D printing market analyzes the current and future scenario of the global market. Increase in prevalence of dental caries and tooth loss, advent of new technology for development of low cost dental 3D printers, and increase in preference for digital dentistry over traditional method by dental technicians and physicians, are the major drivers of the global dental 3D printing market.The dental 3D printing market report comprises an elaborate executive summary, which includes a market snapshot that provides information about various segments of the market. It also provides information and data analysis of the global dental 3D printing market with respect to the segments based on technology, material, application and geography. A detailed qualitative analysis of drivers and restraints of the market and opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. In addition, the section comprises porters five forces analysis to understand the competitive landscape in the market. This section of the report also provides market attractiveness analysis, by geography and market share analysis by key players, thus presenting a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the global dental 3D printing market.Global Dental 3D Printing Market: SegmentationBased on technology, the dental 3D printing market is segmented as vat photopolymerization, fused deposition modeling (FDM), polyJet technology, selective laser sintering (SLS), and others. The vat photopolymerization is further segmented into stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP).The technology market segments have been analyzed based on available approved technology and products, cost-effectiveness, and preference for technology by dental physicians. The market size and forecast for each of these segments have 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.Based on material, dental 3D printing market is segmented into metal, photopolymer, ceramic and others. Based on application, dental 3D printing market is segmented into dental implants, dentures, crowns & bridges, and others. The market segments have been extensively analyzed based on demand for dental care, available treatment, and geographical coverage. The market size and forecast in terms of US$ Mn for each segment have 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.Global Dental 3D Printing Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global dental 3D printing market has been categorized into five major regions and the key countries in the respective region: North America (the U.S., Canada), Europe (the U.K., Germany, Russia, France, Spain, Italy, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (Japan, India, China, Australia & New Zealand and Rest of Asia Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America) and Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC countries and Rest of Middle East & Africa). The market size and forecast for each of these regions and the mentioned countries have 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 research study also covers the competitive scenario in these regions.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Key Players Mentioned in this Report are:The report also profiles major players in the global dental 3D printing market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies, and recent developments. Major players profiled in this report include Asiga, Concept Laser GmbH, 3D Systems, Inc., EnvisionTEC, Inc., Formlabs, Inc., Renishaw plc., DWS System, Prodways Group, Stratasys Ltd., SLM Solutions and others.The Global Dental 3D Printing Market is segmented as given below:Global Dental 3D Printing Market, by TechnologyVat PhotopolymerizationStereolithography (SLA)Digital Light Processing (DLP)Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)PolyJet technologySelective Laser Sintering (SLS)OthersGlobal Dental 3D Printing Market, by MaterialMetalPhotopolymerCeramicOthersGlobal Dental 3D Printing Market, by ApplicationDental ImplantsDenturesCrowns & BridgesOthersGlobal Dental 3D Printing Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaUSCanadaEuropeGermanyU.K.RussiaItalyFranceSpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificJapanIndiaChinaAustralia & New ZealandBrowse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Research Report by Key Player Analysis 2025

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Entry of new players in the global oligonucleotide synthesis market has heated up competition. Players wanting to grow their market shares have mostly resorted to cutting down prices to draw more customers. This has also put a downward pressure on prices and subsequently many prominent vendors have been forced to strategically cut down certain service and product arms and focus on a niche sector.Currently, Thermo Fisher Scientific holds a dominant position in the global oligonucleotide synthesis market because of its diverse product portfolio and strong outreach. Sigma-Aldrich Corporation comes in the second position in terms of market share.The global oligonucleotides synthesis market has been on a sustained growth trajectory on account of the rapidly growing biotechnology and life sciences sectors, coupled with the increasing uptake of the increasing applications of oligonucleotides in research and diagnostic fields. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and research and diagnostic laboratories involved in drug discovery and development, along with diagnostic devices and tests, for the treatment of chronic diseases and oligonucleotides are also serving to stoke growth in the market.A report by Transparency Market Research forecasts the global oligonucleotide synthesis market to expand at a strong 11.2% CAGR from 2017 to 2025 to attain a value of US$4.189 bn by 2025 from US$1.65 bn in 2016.Read Full Report:Depending upon the type of products, the global oligonucleotide synthesis market can be divided into reagents and consumables, equipment, and synthesized oligonucleotides. Among them, the synthesized oligonucleotides segment leads the market with a dominant share because of the increasing number of manufacturers offering various customizations and rising applications of ready to use synthesized oligonucleotides in therapeutics.The two kinds of commercially used synthesized oligonucleotide are DNA oligonucleotides and RNA oligonucleotides. Locked Nucleic acid (LNA) and Bridged Nucleic Acid (BNA) are the other types of synthesized oligonucleotides that find application in research.From a geographical perspective, the global oligonucleotide synthesis market is dominated by North America. It is expected to retain its leading share, albeit decreasing it slightly, to account for 33.3% of the market. Strongly supporting growth in the North America market is the growing number of pharmaceutical companies leveraging oligonucleotides in therapeutics, research and diagnostics. Increasing number of genetic diseases in the region and the resultant demand for researchers to develop newer and advanced drugs to treat them is also expected to drive the market in the region.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:Europe is another key region in the global oligonucleotide synthesis market and by 2025, it is slated to account for 26.6% share in revenue in the market on the back of considerable thrust on developing newer and sophisticated technologies for building new molecules of oligonucleotides for therapeutic use. Start-up companies with new technologies and rich patent portfolios, are predicted to contribute to the market significantly.In terms of growth rate, Asia Pacific will likely surpass all other regions by clocking a healthy 12.5% CAGR between 2017 and 2025. China is a major driver of growth in the region on account of being home to numerous of small companies providing reagents and consumables for oligonucleotide synthesis. Besides China, India and Japan are also major contributors to the market because of bettering health care infrastructure, increasing private and public investment in life sciences research, and diagnostics advancements in disease treatment.Prominent participants in the global oligonucleotide synthesis market are Thermo Fisher Scientific, GE Healthcare, DNA Technologies, BioAutomation, Applied Biosystems, GeneDesign, Inc., Eurofins Genomics, Integrated Kaneka Eurogentec S.A., Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, and Agilent Technologies.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Aircraft MRO Market Is Expected To Reach USD 95 Billion By 2023

Aircraft MRO Market

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Market Highlights:The increased focus of OEMs on aircraft MRO services is a key factor driving the global aircraft MRO market. In 2013, aircraft OEMs generated 50% of their revenue by providing MRO services and the rest by manufacturing engines. For example, Airbus, a major developer of aircraft, also provides the aircraft MRO services, worldwide. Similarly, Pratt & Whitney, a key manufacturer of advanced aircraft engines, also provides engine and line maintenance on a wide range of its engines. This brings a good opportunity for the third-party companies to partner with these OEMs and establish MRO service centers in those areas.Request a Sample Copy @Asia had the largest share of the global aircraft MRO market in 2016. It is an emerging region in the long-haul international market and it relies heavily on small and medium wide-body aircraft. As a result, a number of such airlines have been entering into service, recently such as Indigo, Tigerair Singapore, Tigerair Australia, and Air Asia. Moreover, Asia-Pacific is home to major MRO service providers such as HAECO, GMF AeroAsia, and ST Aerospace, and is projected to witness the highest growth rate, during the forecast period. In addition, due to the low labor rates, North American airlines outsource 60% of their heavy maintenance and airframe MRO, to Asia, where it is a major source of income.Global Aircraft MRO Market:Air travel in emerging countries is growing, thus increasing the demand for aircraft MRO services. Numerous new MRO service centers have been setup in many countries in recent years. This increases the participation of regional companies (tier-II or tier-III suppliers) in the field of aircraft MRO. Moreover, the growing international trade between countries have increased frequencies of cargo planes. Thus, it is essential to conduct timely checks or repairs on airplanes to ensure efficient performance and safe air travel. The market is driven by various factors such as increased focus of OEMs on aircraft MRO service and rapid aircraft fleet expansion. Also, the increased need for proper maintenance of engines & components, is driving the growth of the aircraft MRO market. The global aircraft MRO market is expected to surpass USD 95 billion, by 2023, growing at a CAGR of more than 5%, during the forecast period.Key Players:The key players of the global aircraft MRO market are Airbus Group, Air France KLM Engineering & Maintenance, Air Works, Delta TechOps, HAECO, Honeywell International, GMF AeroAsia, Lufthansa Technik, Jet Maintenance Solutions, and ST Aerospace. In 2016, Airbus Group, Air France KLM Engineering & Maintenance, Lufthansa Technik, and ST Aerospace accounted for over 35% of the global market.Market Research Analysis:Aircraft MRO is one of the key areas, where every country focuses upon. These services are essential in ensuring smooth operation of an aircraft. The rapid aircraft fleet expansion along with the increased focus on providing aircraft MRO services by OEMs, are expected to result in an increase in aircraft MRO expenses and as well as it is expected to add to the growth of the market.However, the environmental hazards along with the increased retirement of maintenance-intensive aircraft may restrict the growth of the global aircraft MRO market.Access Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Growing Popularity Of Reinsurance in China: Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Growing Popularity Of Reinsurance in China: Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019" to its huge collection of research reports.Timetrics 'Reinsurance in China Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides detailed analysis of the market trends drivers and challenges in the Chinese reinsurance segment. It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review period (20102014) and forecast period (20142019).The report also analyses information pertaining to the competitive landscape in the country gives a comprehensive overview of the Chinese economy and demographics and provides detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Chinese insurance industry.The report brings together Timetrics research modeling and analysis expertise to enable reinsurers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantagesand access profiles of reinsurers operating in the country.SummaryTimetrics 'Reinsurance in China Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides in-depth market analysis information and insights into the Chinese reinsurance segment including:The Chinese reinsurance segments growth prospects by reinsurance ceded from direct insuranceA comprehensive overview of the Chinese economy and demographicsDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Chinese insurance industryThe competitive landscape in the Chinese reinsurance segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in China:It provides historical values for the Chinese reinsurance segment for the reports 20102014 review period and projected figures for the 20142019 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Chinese reinsurance segment and market forecasts to 2019.It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in China and the reinsurance segment's growth prospects.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Chinese reinsurance segment and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics key market trends and growth opportunities in the Chinese reinsurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Chinese insurance industry and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsChinas reinsurance segment grew during the review period.According to insurance ratings agency AM Best the introduction of C-ROSS is expected to positively affect growth in the Chinese reinsurance segment encouraging reinsurers to diversify liability and specialty lines.The frequency of natural disasters leads insurers to cede a part of their premium to reinsurers to minimize the risk exposure providing growth opportunities for reinsurers.The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) implemented the China Risk Oriented Solvency System (C-ROSS) framework in January 2016 with the objective of improving regulatory control and establishing a solvency supervisory system.The government and the CIRC approved the establishment of three domestic reinsurance companies in 2016: Taiping Re (China) PICC Re and Qianhai Re.Browse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Healthcare Facilities Management Market: Upcoming Trends and Growth Analysis

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The demand in the global healthcare facilities management market is projected to increment at an impressive CAGR of 13.4% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025, gaining traction from a number of factors, such as increasing government support for robust healthcare infrastructure in a number of emerging economies, particularly in Asia Pacific, prevalence of several chronic diseases, increasing disposable income of the urban population, and technological advancements both hard and soft services. Cloud computing and the Internet of Things are also expected to open new opportunities for the vendors operating in the global healthcare facilities management market, who are yet to explore vast unmet demand in rural areas across the world.The report estimates the global healthcare facilities management market to be worth US$577.92 bn by the end of 2025, remarkably up from its evaluated valuation of US$187.35 bn in 2016. Medical tourism is emerging as a trend that may prove highly profitable for the stockholders of this market.Read Full Report:On the basis of service type, the global healthcare facilities management market is segmented into soft services such as cleaning and pest control, catering, laundry, waste management, security, and administrative services, and hard services including plumbing and air conditioning, mechanical and electrical maintenance, fire protection services, and fabric maintenance. In 2016, the cleaning and pest control sub-segment served the maximum demand in the global healthcare facilities management market, which was a clear reflection of the need for controlled contamination environment at the healthcare facilities. Healthcare facilities management professionally manages integration of processes, location, systems, technology, and staff and the patients. Cleaning is paramount for healthcare facilities to maintain healthy and hygienic atmosphere. On the other hand, waste management sub-segment is expected to expand the demand quickly too during the forecast period, performing much better than laundry segment.While soft services segment are gaining momentum, hard services remain major revenue generator for the companies operating in the global healthcare facilities management market. Rising demand for reduced energy cost, need to curtail operating cost, and government support are some of the key factors augmenting the demand for hard services segment of healthcare facilities management market.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Healthcare Facilities Management Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:In the current scenario, North America and Europe are most profitable regions for the vendors of the healthcare facilities management market, which is primarily due to robust healthcare infrastructure in a number of developed countries such as the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, and the U.K. However, while North America is expected to hold its leading position, Europe is anticipated to lose ground against Asia Pacific, which is rapidly turning into a highly lucrative regional market. Emerging economies such as India, China and Japan have sustained support from the government for the development of healthcare infrastructure, while medical tourism trend is prospering the healthcare facilities management market in Malaysia. The region of the Middle East and Africa as well as South America are also projected for strong growth rate.ISS World Services A/S, Aramark, ABM, Ecolab USA Inc., Jones Lang LaSalle, OCS Group, Founders3 Real Estate Services, IP, Medxcel Facilities Management, Sodexo, Inc., Compass Group PLC, Vanguard Resources, and Mitie Group PLC ares some of the prominent companies currently functional in the global healthcare facilities management market. Product innovation and improved services are some of the key strategies of these companies to maintain their position in the market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
In-Depth Analysis Information And Insights Into Personal Accident and Health Insurance in China: Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "In-Depth Analysis Information And Insights Into Personal Accident and Health Insurance in China: Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019" to its huge collection of research reports.Timetrics 'Personal Accident and Health Insurance in China Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides detailed analysis of the market trends drivers challenges in the Chinese personal accident and health insurance segment.It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20102014) and forecast period (20142019).The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment gives a comprehensive overview of the Chinese economy and demographics and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together Timetrics research modeling and analysis expertise giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantagesand profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations and recent changes in the regulatory structure.SummaryTimetrics 'Personal Accident and Health Insurance in China Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides in-depth market analysis information and insights into the Chinese personal accident and health insurance segment including:The Chinese personal accident and health insurance segments growth prospects by insurance categoryKey trends drivers and challenges for the personal accident and health insurance segmentA comprehensive overview of the Chinese economy and demographicsThe various distribution channels in the Chinese personal accident and health insurance segmentDetails of the competitive landscape in the personal accident and health insurance segment in ChinaDetails of regulatory policy applicable to the Chinese insurance industryScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the personal accident and health insurance segment in China:It provides historical values for the Chinese personal accident and health insurance segment for the reports 20102014 review period and projected figures for the 20142019 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Chinese personal accident and health insurance segment and market forecasts to 2019.It profiles the top personal accident and health insurance companies in China and outlines the key regulations affecting them.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Chinese personal accident and health insurance segment and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics key market trends and growth opportunities in the Chinese personal accident and health insurance segment.Assess the competitive dynamics in the personal accident and health insurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Chinese insurance industry and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsThe personal accident and health segment accounted for 10.2% of the Chinese insurance industrys gross written premium in 2014.The Chinese government introduced tax benefits for health insurance plans from January 2016 in an aim to expand private health insurance.The Chinese social security and health regulator is in the process of drafting regulations on the provision of insurance-covered drugs under basic healthcare cover.With advances in private sector long-term care demand for private healthcare insurance is forecast to rise to cover out-of-pocket expenses.The growing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity stress and anxiety disorders and pollution-related diseases are increasingly affecting the Chinese population providing scope for private insurers.Browse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Aesthetic Services Market will rise to US$ 28.1 Billion by 2024

Aesthetic Services Market

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The North America market for aesthetic services has been experiencing a tremendous increase in its size and valuation. The increasing aesthetic consciousness and the growing interest of people towards self-grooming in this region are the key factors behind the growth of this market. Apart from this, the alarming rise in the obese population and, consequently, increased demand for liposuction procedure are also boosting this market substantially.Going forward, the growing awareness pertaining to skin rejuvenation, increasing per capita income, and the rising preference for minimally invasive surgical procedures are likely to drive this market substantially over the forthcoming years. However, the lack of an appropriate reimbursement scenario may obstruct the growth trajectory of this market in the near future.In 2015, the North America aesthetic services market presented an opportunity worth US$14.4 bn. Swelling at a CAGR of 7.70% between 2016 and 2024, the market is likely to attain a value of US$28.1 bn by the end of 2024.This 180 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Aesthetic Services Market. Browse through 19 data tables and 71 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and dermatology clinics and cosmetic centers have surfaced as the main end users of aesthetic services in North America. Among these, the demand for these services from dermatology clinics and cosmetic centers is greater than other end users. Expanding at a CAGR of 8.60% during the period from 2016 to 2024, the demand from this end-use segment is expected to continue to lead over the next few years.On a similar note, the demand from ambulatory surgery centers is also projected to increase significantly in the near future, thanks to the growing popularity of ambulatory surgery centers as a favorable setting for facial and scar treatments.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Aesthetic Services Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:On the basis of geography, the North America market for aesthetic services is categorized into the U.S. and Canada. With a share of 95%, the U.S. led the overall market in 2015. Analysts project the U.S. market for aesthetic services to continue its leading streak over the forthcoming years. The increasing awareness among consumers in the U.S. pertaining to aesthetic services, coupled with the improvement in the medical and healthcare infrastructure and the growing prevalence of skin diseases, is likely to boost this domestic market in the years to come.Apart from this, the increasing demand for aesthetic treatments from the male population and the easy availability of user-friendly aesthetic devices are also expected to fuel the growth of this market in the U.S in the near future.At the forefront of the North America aesthetic services market are Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, Dermatology solutions group, Riverchase Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, The Plastic Surgery Clinic, The MedSpa Southwest Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic & Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Clinic, Toronto, Riverside Plastic Surgery, DCDermDocs, Marina Plastic Surgery, and Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapeutics Market In South-East Asia Expected To Increase In Value At A CAGR Of 4.7%, From $1.04 Billion To Over $1.4 Billion Till 2022

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapeutics Market In South-East Asia Expected To Increase In Value At A CAGR Of 4.7%, From $1.04 Billion To Over $1.4 Billion Till 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive and currently incurable autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints. It is characterized by synovial inflammation and gradual bone erosion over many years. Disease progression results in stiffness and pain, especially in the hands and feet, which hinders mobility. Without treatment, the disease leads to joint destruction and disability.The chronic nature of the disease, which requires ongoing treatment, and the relatively high annual cost of therapy (ACoT) have made RA treatment a highly lucrative market.The RA therapeutic market has become very competitive due to the high number of new drug approvals. Competition is fierce, particularly among TNF-? inhibitors, which dominate the treatment market for RA patients who are refractory to traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD). Despite this, 30% of RA patients fail to attain a clinical response when treated with TNF-? inhibitors. However, other targeted programs, as well as newly marketed small-molecule DMARDs such as the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor Xeljanz (tofacitinib), have the potential to replace ineffective TNF-? inhibitors. Recently published study results of Xeljanz have shown a significant reduction in the risk of developing cardiac diseases such as heart attack and stroke in patients with RA.Despite the superior efficacy of recently marketed therapies over traditional DMARD therapies, there is a need to improve safety in the therapeutic landscape. Elevated rates of infection are a frequent consequence of the immunosuppression involved in treatments, but this is required to suppress the autoimmune responses responsible for the symptoms of the condition. As a result, these biological therapies are not recommended to patients who are susceptible to infection.In addition, there is a need to create biologics with more convenient and less invasive drug-delivery methods, as all existing therapies are administered subcutaneously or intravenously. These routes of administration are frequently associated with pain, rash, and allergic reactions at the injection or infusion site, and in the case of infusion flu-like illness, fever, chills, nausea, and headache. Therefore convenient and safe administration without significant compromise of therapy efficacy remains an unmet need.Although the recently approved drug Xeljanz is an orally administered small-molecule drug, indicated as a second-line treatment for RA patients who have not shown an adequate response to methotrexate, and as a third-line therapy for patients who have not responded sufficiently to biologics, it carries a black-box warning in the US due to the safety issues of serious infections and malignancy.ScopeThe current South-East Asia RA market contains novel products, including Xeljanz, a JAK inhibitor; and Actemra (tocilizumab), an IL-6 receptor inhibitor.What are the competitive advantages of the existing novel drugs?There are over 450 active pipeline molecules, and most of the late-stage investigational drug candidates feature improved dosing regimens and administration routes in comparison to currently marketed products and combination therapies.Which classes of novel drugs are most prominent in the pipeline?What is the potential for pipeline products to address unmet needs in the RA market?Analysis of clinical trials since 2006 identified that the failure rates of RA molecules were highest in Phase II, at 72.6%, with the overall attrition rate for RA standing at 94.6%.How do failure rates vary by stage of development, molecule type, and molecular target?How do other factors, such as average trial duration and trial size, influence the costs and risks associated with product development?To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Over the 2015-2022 forecast period, the South-East Asia RA therapeutics market is expected to increase in value at a CAGR of 4.7%, from $1.04 billion to over $1.4 billion.Which markets make the most significant contribution to the current market size?What are the epidemiology trends in these markets?Will new market entrants lead to substantial changes in annual therapy costs?How will different treatment usage patterns impact growth in the eight assessed South-East Asia markets?Rising RA prevalence population and the uptake of newer therapies will lead to significant market growth over the forecast period, despite the launch of biosimilars of blockbuster anti-TNFs.Will the launch of biosimilars or emerging pipeline molecules threaten the commercial success of existing drugs?Reasons to buyThis report will enable you to -Understand the clinical context of RA by considering epidemiology, symptoms, etiology and pathophysiology, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment guidelines and options.Identify the therapeutic strategies, products, and companies that dominate the current marketed products landscape and recognize gaps and areas of unmet need.Identify key pipeline trends in terms of molecule type, administration route, molecular target, and novelty.Consider market opportunities and potential risks by examining trends in RA clinical trial size, duration, and failure rate by stage of development, molecule type, and molecular target.Recognize the late-stage pipeline molecules that have demonstrated strong therapeutic potential in RA by examining clinical trial data and multi-scenario product forecast projections.Compare treatment usage patterns, annual therapy costs, and market growth projections for South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.Discover trends in licensing and co-development deals concerning RA products and identify the major strategic consolidations that have shaped the commercial landscapeBrowse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
GCC Medical Gloves Market Register A Value CAGR Of 9.2% Between The Period 2016 - 2026

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "GCC Medical Gloves Market Register A Value CAGR Of 9.2% Between The Period 2016 - 2026" to its huge collection of research reports.Medical gloves are a hand protection equipment, worn on the hands to prevent cross contamination between doctor or caregiver and patient during surgical procedures, medical examinations, and chemotherapy. The GCC medical gloves market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 99.5 Mn by the end of 2016 and register a value CAGR of 9.2% between 2016 and 2026.Increasing awareness regarding hygiene and health and safety is boosting market growthGrowing prevalence of pandemic diseases such as Swine flu (H1N1 pandemic), HIV, and other communicable and non-communicable diseases; and an increase in the number of elective treatments such as plastic surgeries, facial rejuvenation etc. have created an increasing awareness regarding hygiene and disease prevention among both patients and healthcare providers. This is boosting the demand for medical gloves and subsequently impacting market growth in a positive way. Favourable government policies for the growth of the healthcare sector to meet international standards through the development of word-class healthcare infrastructure, services, and expertise is also contributing to the growth of the GCC medical gloves market.However, an import oriented market, price-based competition, and increasing outbound medical tourism in the GCC region is expected to restrain the growth of the GCC medical gloves market over the forecast period.The market is also witnessing trends such as a shift in demand from natural rubber gloves to synthetic rubber gloves and a focussed investment in capacity expansion by leading market players.Market segmentationThe GCC medical gloves market has been segmented on the basis of Product Type (Examination Gloves, Surgical Gloves, Chemotherapy Gloves); Form (Powdered Form Gloves, Powder-Free Form Gloves); End Use (Hospital Use, Clinic Use, Ambulatory Surgery Centre Use, Diagnostic Imaging Centre Use, Rehabilitation Centre Use); Type of Raw Material (Latex Material Gloves, Nitrile Rubber Material Gloves, Vinyl Rubber Material Gloves, Polyisoprene Material Gloves); Type of Use (Disposable Medical Gloves, Re-usable Medical Gloves); and Distribution Channel (Direct Selling Channel, Medical Store Channel, E-Commerce Channel, Other (Retail Store or Hypermarket) Channel). The GCC medical gloves market has also been segmented into the top six countries of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Examination gloves product type segment anticipated to account for the largest market share by 2016 endThe examination gloves segment is expected to account for the largest market share of 56.8% by 2016 end and is expected to register a value CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period. The surgical gloves segment is estimated to account for a lesser market share as compared to the examination gloves segment during the forecast period. The chemotherapy gloves segment is anticipated to project increased Y-o-Y growth from 2015 to 2020.Latex gloves raw material segment expected to be a major market segment; however, there is an increasing shift in user preference towards nitrile glovesConsumption of latex rubber material gloves is projected to stand at 1,217 Mn units by the end of 2016. The nitrile rubber material gloves segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 10.2% throughout the forecast period.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expected to dominate the GCC medical gloves marketIn terms of value, the Saudi Arabia market accounts for the maximum revenue share of the overall GCC medical gloves market. This market is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period and is expected to continue to dominate the market in terms of value. The UAE medical gloves market is anticipated to witness significant growth over the forecast period, owing to an increasing number of plastic surgeries and other elective surgeries. The UAE market is projected to register a value CAGR of 9.0% between 2016 and 2026.Leading market players are looking to beat competition through industry collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, and capacity expansionSome of the major players in the GCC medical gloves market are Paul Hartmann AG, Hotpack Packaging Industries, LLC, Falcon (Falcon Pack), Deeko Bahrain, Salalah Medical Supplies Mfg. Co. LLC, United Medical Industries Co. Ltd., and NAFA (NAFA Enterprises, Ltd.). Top market companies are entering into strategic mergers and acquisitions and are investing in R&D initiatives to build a solid product portfolio and cement their footprint in the GCC medical gloves market.Browse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Dermatology Diagnostic Devices and Therapeutics Market Research Report by Geographical Analysis and Forecast to 2024

Dermatology Diagnostic Devices and Therapeutics Market

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As the incidence of chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, rosacea, eczema, cell carcinoma, pruritus, and dermatitis increases globally, in return it will create opportunities for the expansion of the dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market. Besides, having an adverse impact on the well-being of millions, these diseases also put burden on an economys healthcare finances. As per Transparency Market Research (TMR), skin conditions such as these permeate all cultures, they can occur at any age, and affects 30% to 70% individuals globally. The situation necessitates the efficient research and development on novel dermatology therapeutics.The global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market will therefore gain from the rising prevalence of such chronic ailments, increasing geriatric population, and the changing pool of patients. However, with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the looming patent expirations, the growth trajectory of the market is likely to be hindered to an extent. Nevertheless, TMR projects positive growth for the market between 2015 and 2023.Rising at a CAGR of 6.9% between 2015 and 2023, the global market for dermatology diagnostic devices is poised to reach US$1 bn 2023, from a valuation of US$0.6 bn in 2014. Conversely, the global dermatology therapeutics market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 1.9% during the forecast period, rising from a valuation of US$17.5 bn in 2014 to US$20.1 bn in 2023.This 136 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Dermatology Diagnostic Devices Market. Browse through 43 data tables and 24 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:Regionally, North America has emerged at the fore of the dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market. The region constituted a share of 43.8% in 2014, thus sealing its dominance in the global market. Besides witnessing a growing prevalence of skin disorders, North America also boasts easy access to best-in-class healthcare facilities. This makes the region very lucrative for most companies operating in the market. Growth witnessed by the dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market in the region has been a result of the presence of a highly structured healthcare industry and access to well-designed reimbursement policies.The dermatology diagnostic devices market stood at US$245.1 mn in North America and is projected to reach US$470.4 mn by the end of 2023, thus exhibiting a CAGR of 7.6% during the period. The dermatology therapeutics market in the region however is expected to report moderate growth in the forecast period. It is poised to surge at 2.1% CAGR between 2015 and 2023.While Europe is expected to emerge as the second-largest market for dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics, the distinction of the fastest growing market will remain with Asia Pacific. The latter is expected to demonstrate the fastest CAGR of 2.4% during the forecast period. The presence of large pool of geriatric population in Asia Pacific, apart from increasing healthcare spending in the emerging economies is boosting prospects for the market in the region. The increasing government support will also prove lucrative for the enterprises operating in Asia Pacific.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Dermatology Diagnostic Devices Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:In the dermatology diagnostics market, the demand for imaging equipment is rising at a high pace. The segment also accounted for the dominant share of in the market in 2014 based on revenue. The lead of this product segment is largely attributed by the high price of imaging equipment. However, TMR projects the demand for high sensitivity imaging equipment to rise at a faster pace in the near future due to their proven result in diagnosis of chronic skin diseases.By drug class, antibacterial drugs accounted for the largest share in the global dermatology therapeutics market. This segment is projected to report a CAGR of 3.3% during the forecast period. The demand for these drugs are expected to increasing in the forthcoming years because they have proven efficient treating and preventing infections. Furthermore, the demand for topical antibacterial drugs and oral antibiotics is also expected to rise in the future due to their use in the treatment of various skin conditions.Some of the leading companies operating in the global dermatology diagnostic devices and therapeutics market include Astellas Pharma, Inc., Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Novartis International AG, Cutera, Inc., Galderma S.A., Dino-Lite Europe/IDCP B.V., Genentech, LEO Pharma A/S, Michelson Diagnostics Ltd., Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., and others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Middle East and North Africa Corrosion Protective Coatings & Acid Proof Lining Market Expected To Increase At A CAGR Of 4.9% Over The Forecast Period 2016 - 2026

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Middle East and North Africa Corrosion Protective Coatings & Acid Proof Lining Market Expected To Increase At A CAGR Of 4.9% Over The Forecast Period 2016 - 2026" to its huge collection of research reports.Corrosion protective coatings and acid proof linings are used to protect surfaces against corrosion due to chemical or electrochemical reactions. Corrosion protective coatings are widely used in various end-user industries, such as marine, oil & gas, power generation, transportation vehicles, chemicals, mining & metallurgy, and water treatment.Market revenue from the MENA corrosion protective coatings and acid proof lining market is estimated to be valued at US$ 1,953.0 Mn by 2016 end, which is expected to increase at a CAGR of 4.9% over the forecast period 20162026.Market DynamicsStrategic government initiatives to promote non-oil industries in the Middle East and North Africa in recent years is expected to be one of the major factors driving growth of the MENA corrosion protective coatings and acid proof linings market over the forecast period (20162026).Increasing activities in shipping, offshore repair and shipbuilding in the Middle East & North Africa in recent years are factors anticipated to drive demand for corrosion protective coatings in the region over the forecast period. Also, robust growth in end-user industries such as marine, oil & gas and chemicals in MENA is in turn expected to drive growth of the market in the region.On the other hand, major economies and industries in MENA region are still heavily dependent on crude oil production, export and fiscal revenue generated from it. Slump in crude oil prices in recent years has heavily affected the growth of major economies as well as industries in MENA region, in turn affecting the demand for corrosion protective coatings and acid proof linings. Slump in crude oil prices in recent years and the near future is anticipated to be the major restraint for growth of the MENA corrosion protective coatings and acid proof linings market. Key players in the MENA corrosion protective coatings and acid proof linings market focus on developing specialty coatings for rehabilitation of pipelines in order to capitalise on favourable growth opportunities related to the same. This is expected to be a major trend in the market over the next few years.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @MENA Corrosion Protective Coatings & Acid Proof Linings Market TaxonomyThe corrosion protective coatings & acid proof linings market in MENA is segmented as follows:By Product TypeBy End-user IndustryBy CountryBy product type, the MENA corrosion protective coatings market is segmented into polymer coatings and rubber linings. Polymer coatings segment is further sub-segmented into epoxy, polyurethane, polyurea, alkyd, acrylic, fluoropolymer and vinyl ester & flake-filled vinyl ester. Polymer coatings segment is anticipated to dominate the market in terms of both volume and value over the forecast period. Rubber linings segment in the MENA corrosion protective coatings market is further sub-segmented into hard rubber lining systems and soft rubber lining systems. By product type, the MENA acid proof linings market is segmented into ceramic & carbon brick lining, tile lining, thermoplastic lining. On the basis of end-user industry, the MENA corrosion protective coatings and acid proof linings market is segmented into marine, oil & gas, power generation, transportation vehicles, chemicals, mining & metallurgy and water treatment.MENA Corrosion Protective Coatings & Acid Proof Linings Market Analysis by Product TypePolymer coatings segment is projected to expand at a CAGR of 4.9% over the forecast period. Epoxy and polyurethane are expected to be the most preferred polymer coatings, primarily because of their multi-functionality, technical superiority, ease in availability and application. In terms of value, polyurea sub-segment is expected to witness significant growth, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period.Country AnalysisOn the basis of country, the MENA corrosion protective coatings and acid proof linings market is segmented into United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan. Saudi Arabia is expected to dominate the market in terms of value and volume over the forecast period.Key PlayersKey players identified in this report are Cape RB Hilton Saudi Arabia Ltd., Hertel OTC, StonCor Middle East LLC, Kaefer LLC., REMA TIP TOP AG, KCC Corrosion Control Co., StonCor Middle East LLC, Anticorrosion Protective Systems L.L.C., Al Gurg Paints LLC., Ineco Limited, Global Suhaimi, Ocean Rubber Factory LLC, Hajjan Trading & Industrial Services Company Ltd. (HATCON), Rezayat Protective Coating Company Ltd., Al-sabaiea National Gen. Cont. & Gen. Trd. Co., Bahrain Rubber Company W.L.L., DicoTech Limited, General Industries Co., Ltd., FABA Commercial Services W.L.L., Beugin Industrie Sas, GARAY Group, Arcoy Morac SARL, Uniresins Proprietary Limited, GEAS RIVESTIMENTI s.r.l., Al Dobowi Limited, Aderan Dej Co., Ltd., Wisdom Group, Keran Wazin Sanat Co. , Binzagr Factory for Insulation Materials Co., Ltd., International Coatings Iran, Kasra Industrial Lining and Coating Company and Payesh Sanat Pooyesh (PSP) (Corrocoat).Browse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
District Cooling Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "District Cooling Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024"View Full Report at:DescriptionThe district cooling (DC) market report by Transparency Market Research provides in-depth analysis of the district cooling market globally. The report segments the market on the basis of application and geography. The report analyzes the global district cooling market in terms of both (cooling) energy sales volume (Tera Joules) and revenues (US$ Mn) for the years 20162024. For this research study, the base year is 2015, whereas the forecast is from 2016 to 2024. The report provides a comprehensive competitive landscape and features companies manufacturing district cooling systems.This report includes the key dynamics affecting the district cooling market globally. The analysis in the report provides detailed insights of the global district cooling market. The drivers, opportunities, and restraints of the market were analyzed in detail and are illustrated in the report. The report also provides a detailed industry analysis of the global district cooling with the help of the Porters Five Forces Analysis model.Global District Cooling Market: SegmentationThe research report is studied on the basis of the application and the geography. Based on application, the market is segmented into residential, commercial, and industrial. Commercial application segment dominated the global district cooling market in terms of both energy sales volumes and revenues. Residential application segment closely followed commercial application segment. Residential application segment held around 40% market share of the global district cooling market in 2015.Geographically, the global market is classified into five regions and further into 26 unique country sub-segments. The regional segments are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. The 26 countries which have been separately addressed in this report are the U.S., Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Germany, France, Finland, Italy, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, South Africa, Brazil, and Mexico. District cooling market in each country and region is further sub-segmented by application into residential, commercial, and industrial.North America held the major share of the global district cooling (DC) market in 2015, accounting for around 50% of the global market share. Middle East & Africa was the second-largest market for district cooling systems, followed by Asia Pacific in 2015. Europe and Latin America held the fourth-largest and fifth-largest share of the global district cooling market in that year.Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the key market participants in the district cooling market are ADC Energy Systems LLC, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (EMPOWER), Emirates District Cooling LLC (Emicool), Emirates National Central Cooling Company PJSC (Tabreed), Stellar Energy, Keppel DHCS Pte. Ltd., Logstor A/S, Ramboll Group A/S, Tekla Corporation, Shinryo Corporation, Dalkia, Veolia, Singapore Power (SP) Group, and Alfa Laval AB among others. The report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial details, business strategies, SWOT analysis, and recent developments.Request Sample Copy of This Report at:The district cooling market has been segmented as follows:By RegionNorth AmericaThe U.S.CanadaEuropeDenmarkSwedenAustriaGermanyFranceFinlandItalyRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaMalaysiaPhilippinesSingaporeIndiaIndonesiaSouth KoreaJapanRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and AfricaSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarBahrainKuwaitOmanSouth AfricaRest of MEALatin AmericaMexicoBrazilRest of Latin AmericaEnquiry Form :By ApplicationResidentialCommercialIndustrialBrowse Latest Industry Press Release at:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn:
Canada Market For Nano-Enabled Packaging for Food & Beverages Industry During 2015 - 2022: Concerns Towards Enhancing Shelf Life of Products to Drive Growth

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Canada Market For Nano-Enabled Packaging for Food & Beverages Industry During 2015 - 2022: Concerns Towards Enhancing Shelf Life of Products to Drive Growth" to its huge collection of research reports.Nano-enabled packaging is the next phase of evolution in the packaging industry. It enhances a products shelf life and reduces the risk of contamination. Nano-enabled packaging is formed using two basic components: nano-composites and nano-fillers. Nano-composite is a framework or base where nano-fillers such as metals, metal oxides, clays, and carbon nano-tubes can be used to fill in the gaps of the framework. Various nano-fillers have different properties that enhance packaging materials to give them various functionality such as oxygen scavengers, ethylene scavengers, and antioxidants.This report covers the Canada nano-enabled packaging for food and beverages market performance in terms of revenue contribution. This section additionally includes PMR analysis of key trends, drivers, restraints, and challenges that are influencing the Canada nano-enabled packaging for food and beverages market. Impact analysis of key growth drivers and restraints, based on the weighted average model, is included in this report to better equip and arm clients with crystal-clear decision-making insights.The growth of the nano-enabled packaging for food and beverages market in Canada is mainly driven by rising demand for anti-counterfeit products, prevention of contamination, and increasing application of nano-enabled packaging. However, lack of information on the impact of nano materials on food and beverage products, high cost associated with nano-packaging and increasing complexity with developing a customized nano-enabled packaging products are restraining the growth of the market to a certain extent.The Canada nano-enabled packaging for food and beverages market was valued at US$ 350.5 Mn in 2014 and is expected to exhibit a healthy CAGR over the forecast period. The Canada nano-enabled packaging for food and beverages market is segmented on the basis of application and technology. By application, the market is segmented into bakery products, meat products, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, prepared foods, beverages, and others. Of these, prepared food segment dominated the market in 2014, with over 20% value share.By technology, the Canada nano-enabled packaging for food and beverages market is segmented into controlled, active and intelligent packaging. Controlled packaging was the dominant technology in 2014, and is anticipated to remain dominant during the forecast period.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The Canada nano-enabled packaging for food and beverages market is segmented as follows:By Application:Bakery ProductsBeveragesFruits and VegetablesDairy ProductsMeat ProductsPrepared FoodsOthersBy Technology:Controlled PackagingActive PackagingIntelligent PackagingKey features of this reportDrivers, restraints, and challenges in the Canada nano-enabled packaging for food and beverages marketKey developments in the marketAnalysis of business strategies of the top playersCanada nano-enabled packaging for food and beverages market estimates and forecastsKey players in the Canada nano-enabled packaging for food and beverages market are:3M Company.Amcor Limited.BASF SE.Crown Holdings Incorporated.E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyDuPont.Honeywell International, Inc.Bemis Company, Inc.Sealed Air Corp.Multisorb Technologies, Inc.AMCOL International Corporation  Nanocor Inc.Other.Browse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Speciality Paper Market 2017 by Top Key Players - Mondi Ltd., Nippon Paper Industries, Domtar Corporation

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Speciality Paper Industry including (both global and regions) Market Size (both volume - Unit and value - million USD), Market Share, Production data, Consumption data, Trade data, Price - USD/Unit, Cost, Gross margin, Analaysis, Forecast etc.This report studies Speciality Paper in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.Get free Access @This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringMondi Ltd.Nippon Paper IndustriesDomtar CorporationStora Enso OyjInternational PaperP.H. GlatfelterUPMMunksjoOji Holdings Corp.Fedrigoni SpaGeorgia-PacificVoithC&J Specialty PapersOnyx Specialty PapersPudumjeeWausauBy types, the market can be split intoDecor PaperThermal PaperLabel PaperCarbonless PaperRelease LinerKraft PaperOthersDownload Sample Report @ https://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/88356/request-sampleBy Application, the market can be split intoBuilding and ConstructionPackaging & LabellingPrinting and PublishingElectricalsOthersBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaTable of ContentsGlobal Speciality Paper Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Speciality Paper1.1 Definition and Specifications of Speciality Paper1.1.1 Definition of Speciality Paper1.1.2 Specifications of Speciality Paper1.2 Classification of Speciality Paper1.2.1 Decor Paper1.2.2 Thermal Paper1.2.3 Label Paper1.2.4 Carbonless Paper1.2.5 Release Liner1.2.6 Kraft Paper1.2.7 Others1.3 Applications of Speciality Paper1.3.1 Building and Construction1.3.2 Packaging & Labelling1.3.3 Printing and Publishing1.3.4 Electricals1.3.5 OthersIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Fior Markets provides you the full spectrum of services related to market research, and corroborate with the clients to increase the revenue stream, and address process gaps.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerOffice-102, Sanskriti AspirationsBaner Road, Pune,MH 411045IndiaPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:
Introduction Of Battery Separator Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2017 - 2021

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Introduction Of Battery Separator Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2017 - 2021" to its huge collection of research reports.A battery separator is a material placed between the batterys cathode and anode. Cathode and anode are the building blocks of a battery. The separator has a permeable membrane that is moistened with electrolyte and acts as a catalyst for the movement of the ions from the anode to the cathode when it is discharged and from the cathode to the anode when it is charged. These ions are atoms that have gained or lost electrons to become electrically charged and are used for closing the circuit when current is passed through them. The main function of the separator is to maintain a distance between the two electrodes to prevent short circuits while allowing the movement of ions.Technavios analysts forecast the global battery separator market to grow at a CAGR of 8.45 % during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global battery separator market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of lithium-ion battery separators and lead-acid battery separators.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Global Battery Separator Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsASAHI KASEI,Cangzhou Mingzhu Plastic,Celgard,Daramic,DreamweaverTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Other prominent vendorsBernard DumasENTEKFoshan Jinhui Hi-Tech Optoelectronic MaterialHenan Yi Tang New Energy TechnologyHunan Chinaly New MaterialsPorous Power TechnologiesShenzhen Senior Technology MaterialSumitomo ChemicalXinxiang Zhongke Science and TechnologyW-SCOPEMarket driverLead-acid battery cost benefit compared with other batteriesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeLow ionic conductivityFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendAdvances in UPS technologyFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Browse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Fuel Dispensers Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Fuel Dispensers Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024"View Full Report at:DescriptionFuel dispenser also known as a petrol pump or gas pump, is a machinery that pumps gasoline, petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG, and other fuel types into vehicles at the filling station. Filling station is a service station where fuel dispensers are found. Here the fuel dispenser pumps the fuel from underground storage. Fuel dispensers are mainly of two types suction fuel dispensers and submersible fuel dispensers.These are the different systems based on which fuel dispenser works. In suction type, the dispenser consists of motor and suction system included in their case so that the dispenser works independently. In submersible type, the dispenser do not consist of motor and suction system included in their case so the dispenser cannot work independently.Global Fuel Dispensers Market: Scope of the StudyThe report estimates and forecasts the fuel dispensers market on the global, regional, and country levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (Units) and revenue (US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the product segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage. The study includes drivers and restraints for the fuel dispensers market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the fuel dispensers market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources.The report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the fuel dispenser market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein applications and countries have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for fuel dispenser between 2016 and 2024.Global Fuel Dispensers Market: Segmentation ?The study provides a comprehensive view of the fuel dispenser market by dividing it on the basis of fuel types and geography segments. The fuel dispensers market has been segmented into petrol, diesel, CNG, compressed hydrogen and others based on fuel type. Fuel type segment have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.Request Sample Copy of This Report at:Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for fuel dispensers in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Additionally, the report comprises country-level analysis in terms of volume and revenue for fuel type segments. Key countries such as the U.S., Germany, France, the U.K., Spain, Italy, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, and Brazil have been included in the study. Market segmentation includes demand for individual fuel types in all the regions and countries.Global Fuel Dispensers Market: Competitive AnalysisThe report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report includes Tokheim Group S.A.S, Piusi S.p.A., Wayne Fueling Systems LLC, Gilbarco Inc. and others. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.The global fuel dispensers market has been segmented as follows:By TypeSubmersible SystemSuction SystemBy Flow MeterMechanicalElectronicBy Fuel TypePetrolDieselCNGCompressed HydrogenOthersEnquiry Form :By RegionNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyFranceU.K.ItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanASEANRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCEgyptSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaBrowse Latest Industry Press Release at:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn:
Gas Meters Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Gas Meters Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024"View Full Report at:DescriptionThe global gas meters market report by Transparency Market Research provides in-depth analysis of the gas meters market globally. The report segments the market on the basis of product type, application, and geography. The report analyzes the global gas meters market in terms of both gas meters annual sales volume (Units) and revenue (US$ Mn) for the year between 2016 and 2024. For this research study, the base year is 2015, whereas the forecast is from 2016 to 2024.The report provides a comprehensive competitive landscape and features companies manufacturing gas meters. This report includes the key dynamics affecting the gas meters market globally. The analysis in the report provides detailed insights of the global gas meters market. The drivers, opportunities, and restraints of the market were analyzed in detail and are illustrated in the report. The report also provides a detailed industry analysis of the global Gas Meters with the help of the Porters Five Forces Analysis model.Gas Meters Market: Segmentation AnalysisThe research report is segmented into product type and application. Product type segment is further segmented into diaphragm gas meter, rotary gas meter, turbine gas meter, ultrasonic gas meter, and others. Application segment is further segmented into residential, commercial, and industrial. The global gas meters market has been segmented geographically into five regions and further into sub-segmented 14 unique country sub-segments. The regional segments are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. The 14 countries which have been separately addressed in this report are the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Russia, China, India, Japan, ASEAN, GCC, South Africa, Brazil, and Mexico.On the basis of product type, diaphragm gas meters are the most widely used type of gas meters. Diaphragm gas meters hold around 70% market share of the global gas meters type segment. Rotary and turbine gas meters are also installed in large numbers. Turbine and ultrasonic gas meters are being installed at a very high rate across the globe. Other gas meters types include orifice gas meters and coriolis gas meters. These types of gas meters hold less than 10% market share of the global gas meters market.On the basis of application, Residential application includes gas connections of individual houses, gas connections of buildings, and gas connections of individual flats in buildings. Commercial application includes gas connections of hotels, gas connections of restaurants, gas connections of malls, gas connections of shops, and other commercial facilities with gas connections. Industrial application includes power generation facilities with gas connections, manufacturing plants with gas connections, chemical plants with gas connections, and other industrial facilities with gas connections. Residential application dominated the global gas meters market with around 70% market share. Increasing residential gas connections are expected to boost the sales of gas meters for residential application during the forecast period.Asia Pacific dominated the global gas meters market in terms of gas meters sales volume and revenue, in 2015. China, India, Japan, Australia, and ASEAN countries are some of the major countries in the Asia Pacific gas meters market. Increasing industrialization in the region have augmented the sales of gas meters. Increasing consumption of natural gas in the region has also boosted the sales of gas meters in Asia Pacific.Request Sample Copy of This Report at:Global Gas Meters Market: Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the key market participants in the global Gas Meters market are ABB, AEM S.A., APATOR SA, Badger Meter Inc., Betar Ltd., Diehl Gas Metering GmbH, EDMI Ltd., Elster GmbH, General Electric, Itron Inc., Landis+Gyr, Honeywell Process Solutions Inc., Qianwei Kromschroder Meters Chongqing Co. Ltd., Chongqing Shancheng Gas Equipment Co. Ltd., and Dandong Dongfa (Group) Co. Ltd. among others. The report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their number of units sold, financial details, business strategies, and SWOT analysis. The global gas meters market has been segmented as follows:Global Gas Meters Market: Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaThe U.S.CanadaEuropeThe U.K.GermanyFranceRussiaRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanASEANRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaGlobal Gas Meters Market: By Product TypeDiaphragm gas metersRotary Gas MetersTurbine Gas MetersUltrasonic Gas MetersOther Types Gas MetersEnquiry Form :Global Gas Meters Market: By Application TypeResidentialCommercialIndustrialBrowse Latest Industry Press Release at:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn:
International Oncology Summit

Allied Academies invites all the participants from all over the world to attend 'International Oncology Summit during November 27-28, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA which includes prompt keynote presentations, Poster presentations and Exhibitions. This Summit has the platform to fulfill the prevailing gaps in the transformation of this science of hope, to serve promptly with solutions to all in the need.Allied Academies was founded by Jim and JoAnn Carland and the headquarters is located in North Carolina in United States of America. It conducts several academic conferences each year in different locations with internet participation possibilities for those who are physically unable to attend the conferences. Conference registrants are eligible for the Accelerated Journal Review. To provide you with maximum outlets for your research, Allied Business Academies holds joint meetings of all its member academies. In 1994 they launched the Journal of the International Academy of Case Studies, which has become a leader in publishing classroom teaching cases in business.85 Great Portland St, Marylebone, London W1W 7LT, UK
Diagnostic Imaging Market: Global Industry Review, Statistics and Forecasts to 2025

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Global Diagnostic Imaging Market: OverviewDiagnostic imaging refers to techniques that allow physicians to look inside our body for clues pertaining to a medical condition. Various techniques and machines enable the imaging of activities, structures, and abnormalities inside our bodies. Some of these are computed tomography (CT) scans, ultrasound, x-rays, MRI scans, and nuclear medicine scans. By application, spine, neurology, gynecology, breast health, general imaging, thoracic, cardiovascular, and orthopedics can be some of the key segments of the global market for diagnostic imaging. Whereas, hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, research and academic centers, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and Contract Research Organizations (CROs) can be the chief end-use segments.Global Diagnostic Imaging Market: Key TrendsThe increasing incidence of diseases on a global scale, growing geriatric population, and technological advancement in the area of diagnostic imaging techniques are driving the market. Several government and private organizations are aiding the expansion of the global market for diagnostic imaging via vast investments directed at the development of new products. Among the diagnostic imaging methods, the x-ray based examinations are likely to exhibit maximum growth, contributing towards overall market growth.Request Sample Copy of the Report @On the other hand, exposure to radiation involved in some techniques might increase the risk of cancer among patients, restricting the growth of the global market. Nevertheless, significant opportunities arising from the development of new products will help the market overcome the negative impact of this restraint.Global Diagnostic Imaging Market: Market PotentialA number of market players are developing innovative devices aimed at offering more precise and faster diagnosis. As a result, several hospitals and clinics have been offering diagnostic imaging services. For instance, in March 2017, Sequoia Hospital started offering 128-sliced CT scans for accurate diagnosis of medical conditions. This new 3D technology ensures that patients will be exposed to minimal radiation, offering high image quality and faster results at the same time.Request TOC of the Report @Another example is the unveiling of a new center by Delhi-based Mahajan Imaging, an India-based diagnostic center, at Gurugram (previously Gurgaon), in the state of Haryana. The center aims at providing latest diagnostic imaging equipment and services to the residents, with an emphasis on spreading awareness about and offering treatments for womens health issues.Global Diagnostic Imaging Market: Regional OutlookBased on geography, the major segments of the global diagnostic imaging market are Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Rest of the World (RoW). North America is expected to emerge as the leading market for diagnostic imaging. The growth of this region can be attributed to the alarming increase in medical conditions such as cancer.Get a discount @Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit tremendous growth, with countries such as China, Japan, and India representing a major share of the regional market for diagnostic imaging. The rising awareness about the availability and benefits of these tests, increasing prevalence of chronic disorders, growing healthcare expenditures, and favorable policies of the government are propelling the market for diagnostic imaging in this region.Global Diagnostic Imaging Market: Competitive AnalysisMergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations are some of the major business strategies adopted by several leading market players. For example, MedyMatch Technology announced its collaboration with IBM Watson Health in March 2017. The key objective of this collaboration was to bring cognitive tools to imaging experts who work with hospital emergency rooms and other crucial settings for helping physicians diagnose intracranial bleeding resulting from stroke and head trauma. Similarly, during the same month, Minneapolis-based medical technology firm CorVascular Diagnostics, LLC announced its collaboration with Novarix, Inc. a manufacturer of medical devices used in intravenous therapy.Some of the major companies operating in the global market for diagnostic imaging are Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Siemens Healthcare GmBH, GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Shimadzu Corporation, and Hitachi Ltd.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Global Biliary Stent Sales Market: Top Players - Medacta International, Micromar, OrthAlign & Scopis

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Biliary Stent Sales Market: Top Players - Medacta International, Micromar, OrthAlign & Scopis" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies sales (consumption) of Biliary Stent in Global market, especially in USA, China, Europe, Japan, India and Southeast Asia, focuses on top players in these regions/countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these regions, coveringB.Braun MelsungenBrainlabGE HealthcareMedtronicStrykerBlue Belt TechnologiesMAKOClaron TechnologyKarl StorzFiagonMedacta InternationalMicromarOrthAlignScopisZimmerMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of Biliary Stent in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeUSAChinaEuropeJapanIndiaSoutheast AsiaSplit by product Types, with sales, revenue, price and gross margin, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoType IType IIType IIISplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Biliary Stent in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Application 3To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of ContentsGlobal Biliary Stent Sales Market Report 20161 Biliary Stent Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Biliary Stent1.2 Classification of Biliary Stent1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.2.3 Type III1.3 Application of Biliary Stent1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 31.4 Biliary Stent Market by Regions1.4.1 USA Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Biliary Stent (2011-2021)1.5.1 Global Biliary Stent Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2021)1.5.2 Global Biliary Stent Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)2 Global Biliary Stent Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Biliary Stent Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Biliary Stent Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.1.2 Global Biliary Stent Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.2 Global Biliary Stent (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Biliary Stent Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)Browse More Details @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Diagnostic Electrocardiograph Market Analysis, Growth, Share, Industry Trends and Analysis, Forecast to 2024

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Diagnostic Electrocardiograph (ECG) Market share to see significant growth due to growing elderly population coupled with amplified prevalence of heart diseases. Rising demand for painless and non-invasive procedure that records the hearts electrical activity for early diagnosis of heart disorders will drive the global diagnostic electrocardiograph market size.Electrocardiographs sense the electrical indications related with cardiac actions and yields a graphic record of voltage against time. ECG assists in diagnosis and treating some categories of heart disease and arrhythmias, determines an individuals response to drug treatment, and reveal changes or trends in heart activities. Multichannel electrocardiographs signals from two or additional leads alongside are often used in place of single-channel. Several electrocardiographs can perform automatic interpretation and measurement of the ECG as an optional or selectable feature.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Increasing global prevalence of arrhythmias due to changes in heart's structure, such as from cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure will fuel the industry growth. Furthermore, growing prevalence of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, increasing smoking, alcohol or caffeine consumption, drug abuse and stress will increase the number of ECGs performed. As per Circulation journal, in 2013, around 33.5 million people around the world were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Few problems are associated with electrocardiographs like electrical safety artifact or noise, improper application, poor skin preparation that can cause an abnormality to be overlooked may hamper the diagnostic electrocardiograph market growth.12 lead ECG will grow at a substantial due to additional benefits over the other approaches. Various aspects like quick identification of injury or infarction, early diagnosis, low timeframe to reperfusion treatment, and improved index of suspicion should boost the business share. Holter ECG will witness a robust growth over the forecast period pertaining to factors like portability, 24 to 48-hour patient monitoring that offers continuous hearth rhythm monitoring can be missed by clinical ECG.Browse key industry insights from the report Diagnostic Electrocardiograph Market in detail along with the table of contents:U.S. thrombectomy devices market size should witness significant growth over the forecast period. The growth is attributed to increased acceptance of technologically advanced devices, presence of favorable medical reimbursement and rising clinical trials. The American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN) is an organization involved in the advancement of clinical practice, research, and nursing education for the recovery of heart failure patient better outcomes. The association unites caregivers, professionals, and patients to support and improve practice of heart failure.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Germany should experience significant growth over the forecast period. The German Society for Muscular Dystrophy Association (DGM) funds research for the treatment of neuromuscular diseases. It is the largest self-help Muscular Dystrophy organization in the country. India should experience lucrative growth over the forecast period. Increasing R&D and geriatric population base coupled with prevalence of chronic diseases and peripheral arterial diseases (PAD) should drive thrombectomy devices market size over the forecast period.Companies operating in thrombectomy devices market include Boston Scientific, The Spectranetics, Medtronic, Teleflex, Penumbra, AngioDynamics, Terumo, Johnson and Johnson, Stryker and Vascular Solutions. Companies are focusing on new product launch and mergers & acquisitions as their major strategies to gain revenue share in the coming years. In July 2016, Penumbra launched ACE 68 Reperfusion Catheter thrombectomy device in the U.S. for its commercial use. The catheter uses the current advancements available in the tracking technology and offer maximum aspiration power to extract thrombus in stroke patient. This should strengthen the product portfolio of Penumbra.Browse Related Reports:Lung Cancer Diagnostics Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Russia, Germany, China, India, Brazil, South Africa), Application Development Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017  2024About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
Real Time Store Monitoring Platform Market Expected to Expand at a Steady CAGR through 2026

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Real Time Store Monitoring Platform enables the retailer better understand consumer behavior as well as stores performance. Online shopping has raised customer expectations, standards. Stores have historical information on products, orders, inventory, and customers. The data provides retailers a clear idea on stores performance. The real time store monitoring platform enables view all store activity effectively with integrated platform. The platform offers information on inventory visibility such as sales, return on exchange, out of stocks, receipts and people count, shopper conversion, path analysis etc. Retailer can track the information of loss event details, vendor fraud, and internal theft. Retailers can understand how consumers shop, which item is moving, reasons for out of stock. The platform enables optimize stores performance and reduce risks by provides information on missed items and inventory management. The technological advancements in store management offers new opportunities for the companies in Real Time Store Monitoring Platform industry. Global Real Time Store Monitoring Platform market is expected to exhibit a robust growth over the forecast period.Request Report Sample@Real Time Store Monitoring Platform Market: Drivers and restraintsAdvanced Technologies in store management enables reduce risks associated with inventory management and store traffic. Which attract customers to adopt the real time store monitoring platform. The integrated platform enables maintain effectiveness and accuracy. Increased awareness among people to manage the store in effective manner by adopt to advanced technologies such as real time store monitoring platform drives the market. This, in turn, would lead to increase in demand for integrated platform. Adoption of Real Time Store Monitoring Platform has been observed modest in lower and middle-income countries due to low awareness and less disposable income, this can diminish the global Real Time Store Monitoring Platform market. Real Time Store Monitoring Platform is costlier than the conventional methods, it can be hampered global real time store monitoring platform market.Real Time Store Monitoring Platform Market: SegmentationGlobal Real Time Store Monitoring Platform Market can be segmented as following typesBy Product TypeSoftwareHardwareEnd UserIndependent storesChain StoresLeased DepartmentsReal Time Store Monitoring Platform Market: OverviewGlobal Real Time Store Monitoring Platform market is getting traction due to increased awareness across the globe. Major retail giants are inclined towards advanced technologies in order maintain the accuracy in store management. The global Real Time Store Monitoring Platform market expected to witness a significant CAGR over the forecast period.Real Time Store Monitoring Platform Market: Region-Wise OutlookGlobal market is segmented into seven key regions, those are North America (N.A), Latin America (L.A), Eastern Europe (E.EU), Western Europe (W.EU), Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, and Middle East and Africa (MEA).North America is anticipated to have a maximum market share in global Real Time Store Monitoring Platform market due to increased adoption rate to advanced technologies to maintain store, followed by Europe. Asia Pacific region is witnessed for lucrative market in global Real Time Store Monitoring Platform market due to stable and healthy economic growth rate in the region and particularly in countries like China and India. Europe is having a considerable contribution in global Real Time Store Monitoring Platform market due to its use in the commercial sectors. Middle East and Africa are at a nascent stage in global Real Time Store Monitoring Platform market and is expected to have a moderate CAGR in the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Real Time Store Monitoring Platform Market: Key playersSome of the key players areSoftware AGRetail Next, Inc.iVend RetailAralco Point of sale SystemsReal Time POS, Inc.Netsuite, INC.Comcash, Inc.NovateKFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Flywheel Damper Market to Register Steady Growth During 2017-2025

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Flywheel Damper Market: DynamicsThe major key driving factor of the flywheel damper is automotive industry. Flywheel damper is used in cars, trucks, buses and in heavy vehicles for reducing the torsional vibration in them. Another driving factor is agricultural industry, in this industry flywheel damper is used in the harvesting machines for controlling the torsional vibrations of machine. There are some challenges of flywheel damper such as, there is a clinking noise occurs at the time of gear shifting and load changes. Other challenge is controlling of vibration in the vehicles.A sample of this report is available upon request @There are some opportunities of flywheel damper are such as ,this can be used in the renewable sources of energy such as in solar energy and wind energy for controlling vibrations .Some other opportunities is in machinery tools industry for handling the torsional vibrations during the combustion cycle. There are some latest trends of flywheel damper such as, nowadays flywheel is used for the double clutch transmission technique. Flywheel damper is used for the energy storing device in various processes such as, cutting tools and in machinery.Flywheel Damper Market: SegmentationBased on the type flywheel damper market is segmented: Individual bent spring flywheel damper, One phase bent spring flywheel damper, Two phase bent spring flywheel damper, Three phase bent spring flywheel damper. Based on the application flywheel damper market is segmented: Automotive industry, Agricultural industry, Machinery tools, Cutting tools, Solar and wind energy.You can now buy a single user license of the report @Flywheel Damper Market: Regional OverviewThe global flywheel damper market is divided geographically into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America is major region in a flywheel damper market in terms of application and revenue sharing, because automotive industry is growing very rapidly in this region.Followed by North America, Europe is expected to grow relatively at a higher CAGR during the forecast period since the use of flywheel damper in many industries. The global flywheel damper market in Japan is well established and expected to grow at average CAGR over the forecast period. MEA and Latin America are expected to expand at sluggish growth rate due to lack of technology advancement in this region.Flywheel Damper Market: Regional SegmentationThe growth of flywheel damper market in Asia-Pacific is very high due to many developing countries in this region and automotive is significantly growing year by year. Overall, the global market for flywheel damper market is expected to grow significantly by the end of forecast period. Flywheel damper market in Asia-Pacific is rapidly growing due to developing economic conditions, huge population, big investment market and many manufacturing companies boosting this market.Flywheel damper market is growing in this region because application of flywheel damper market is increased in various industries such as automotive, renewable energy sources, machinery tools and agriculture. India and china are major countries which shows significant growth in flywheel damper market and in forecast period this countries shows very positive increment.Buy Now: You can now buy a single user license of the report @Flywheel Damper Market Key Players: Borg & Beck, Voith, Automotive World Ltd., ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Valeo Service, Schaeffler, LuK GmbH & Co. KG, Tibbetts Group, Vibratech, AISIN ASIA PTE. LTD.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
2017 Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers Industry Report  Global Market Scenario and Growth strategies

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Gifford-Mcmahon CryocoolersThe global Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers market is valued at XX million USD in 2016 and is expected to reach XX million USD by the end of 2017, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Japan plays an important role in global market, with market size of xx million USD in 2016 and will be xx million USD in 2017, with a CAGR of xx%.This report, with focus on top players in the global and Japan, studies the Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers market's development status and future trend in the global and Japan. It splits Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers market by type and by applications to fully and deeply research and reveal market profile and prospect.Browse Full Table of Contents and Report Description @The major players include Sumitomo(Japan) Cryomech(United States) Brooks Automation(United States) Advanced Research System(United States) Vacree Technologies(China)Geographically, this report splits the Global market into the following regions: Asia Pacific Japan Tokyo Yokohama Osaka Nagoya Others China Korea India Others Europe France Germany United Kingdom Italy Russia Others North America United States Canada Latin America Brazil Mexico Others Southeast Asia Singapore Malaysia Vietnam Myanmar Thailand Indonesia Philippines Others Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia Iran UAE Turkey Israel Egypt South Africa OthersOn the basis of product, the Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers market is primarily split into By Capacity ?10K 10K-30K >30KBy Technology Systems Have One Valve Each On the Pressure Lines Systems May Have Poppet Valves, Solenoid ValvesKey Applications Military Biology & Medical Use Research and Development Aerospace OthersFor Requesting a Sample Copy of This Report, Please Visit @Table of Contents6 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers6.1 Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers Industrial Chain Analysis6.2 Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing6.3 Raw Materials Sources of Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers Major Players/Manufacturers in 20166.4 Downstream Buyers7 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders7.1 Marketing Channel7.1.1 Direct Marketing7.1.2 Indirect Marketing7.1.3 Marketing Channel Development Trend7.2 Market Positioning7.2.1 Pricing Strategy7.2.2 Brand Strategy7.2.3 Target Client7.3 Distributors/Traders List8 Market Effect Factors Analysis8.1 Technology Progress/Risk8.1.1 Substitutes Threat8.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry8.2 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change8.3 Economic/Political Environmental Change9 Global and Japan Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers Market Size (Sales and Revenue) Forecast (2017-2022)9.1 Global and Japan Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD) Forecast (2017-2022)9.2 Global and Japan Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers Sales (K Units) Forecast by Type (2017-2022)9.2.1 by Capacity9.2.2 by Technology9.3 Global and Japan Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers Sales (K Units) Forecast by Application (2017-2022)9.4 Global and Japan Gifford-Mcmahon Cryocoolers Sales (K Units) Forecast by Regions (2017-2022)10 Research Findings and Conclusion11 Methodology and Data Source11.1 Methodology/Research Approach11.1.1 Research Programs/Design11.1.2 Market Size Estimation11.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation11.2 Data Source11.2.1 Secondary Sources11.2.2 Primary Sources11.3 Disclaimer11.4 Author ListAbout UsReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform to meet the market research and business intelligence requirements. Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. We have a vast collection of reports, covering maximum industries worldwide. Our process is meticulously planned and executed in order to use maximum resources and explore the market for getting genuine insights. Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact UsJay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite:
Angioplasty Balloons Market share research by applications and regions for 2017-2024

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The global Angioplasty Balloons Market share report provides numbers for applications and regional segments of the industry covering historical as well as forecast data for decision makers.Angioplasty Balloons Market size is driven by growing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary and peripheral artery disease will drive angioplasty balloons market growth. Increasing geriatric population base will serve to be a high impact rendering factor owing to their higher susceptibility towards heart diseases. As per NIH data, coronary heart disease risk in men increases after the age of 45 years.Increasing number of angioplasty procedures coupled with growing demand for minimally invasive procedures will fuel industry growth. Less recovery and hospitalization period associated with the procedure providing the benefit of resuming regular work life soon will aid adoption. Angioplasty Balloons Market size is projected to experience significant growth from 2017 to 2024.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Growing obesity levels due to lifestyle changes such as adoption of sedentary lifestyle with lack of physical activity and consumption of fat and sodium rich junk foods will further fuel growth.Increasing high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels and diabetes prevalence is leading to a higher risk of heart diseases among the population. Increasing incidence of smoking leading to blood vessel tightening and damage along with decreased oxygen supply to tissues would boost procedure demand. Angioplasty balloon technologies are witnessing rapid advancements. For instance, cutting and drug eluting balloons have now been developed. Risks associated with the procedure such as bleeding or infection at insertion site, artery dissection or perforation may deter adoption.Drug eluting angioplasty balloons are forecast to exhibit robust growth over the forecast timeframe owing to their advantages such as more homogenous drug distribution. Drug eluting balloon on expansion releases the drug into the vessel wall and prevents the buildup of neointimal scar tissue. The balloons also minimize the need for implantation of foreign materials such as stents. Cutting balloons are forecast to grow at rapid rate owing to their ability to reduce vessel stretch and injury through longitudinal vessel scoring. They decrease the risk of neoproliferative response by dilating the target vessels with less force.Browse key industry insights from the report Angioplasty Balloons Market in detail along with the table of contents:Coronary angioplasty balloon segment is slated to witness lucrative growth owing to the increasing prevalence of coronary heart disease. As per WHO statistics, approximately 7.4 million people died due to coronary artery disease in 2015. Hospitals as end-user of angioplasty balloons held significant revenue share due to availability of advanced equipment and services along with experienced and skilled staff.U.S. angioplasty balloons market is forecast to undergo robust growth over the forecast timeframe due to increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. As per American heart association, 1 out of 7 deaths in the country was attributable to coronary heart disease. Growing elderly population along with increasing obesity, blood pressure and type 2 diabetes rates will fuel growth. Presence of major industry players in the region along with the availability of advanced technology will further aid industry expansion. For instance, U.S. FDA approved Lutonix 035 (C.R. Bard) in October 2014 and In.Pact Admiral (Medtronic) in January 2015 for peripheral artery disease treatment.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Germany angioplasty balloons market should undergo rapid growth due to increasing incidence of heart diseases. Increasing number of angioplasty procedures is leading to an increase in demand. Rising elderly population along with growing obesity and diabetes prevalence will boost growth. The country has an advanced healthcare infrastructure providing improved access for cardiovascular disease. Presence of large number of PCI centers and increasing spending on cardiovascular diseases should augment future industry expansion.Prominent industry participants include Medtronic, Abbott, Boston Scientific, C.R. Bard, and BIOTRONIK. The industry players adopt strategies such as acquisitions, geographical expansion and new product launch in order to enhance their market position. For instance, in February 2015, Medtronic launched In.Pact Admiral drug coated balloon in U.S. for treatment of patients suffering from peripheral artery disease.Browse Related Reports:Compounding Pharmacies Market Size By Product (Oral, Topical, Rectal, Parenteral, Inhaler, Ophthalmic), By Application (Paediatric, Adult, Geriatric, Veterinary), By Therapeutic Area (Hormone Replacement, Pain Management), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, Italy, France, Spain, Russia, Poland, Greece, Ukraine, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, China, India, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Qatar, Kuwait), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017  2024About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
Asia Pacific to lead global Allantoin Market with revenue estimations of USD 220 million by 2023

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Rising gross incomes along with growing use of anti-aging creams & sunscreen lotions are expected to influence allantoin market size over the coming years.FDA, REACH, and European commission policies favoring the use of allantoin as a constituent in pharmaceutical as well as personal care products is projected to drive the industry growth over the coming years. According to Global Market Insights, Inc., Allantoin market share is expected to surpass USD 670 million by 2023.Allantoin finds wide applications in cosmetics, oral hygiene, and pharmaceutical sectors. Allantoin application in cosmetics sector worth USD 135 million in 2015, is predicted to witness a substantial growth over 2016-2023.The high growth can be attributed to its increasing use in creams, shampoo, and lotions owing to its moisturizing features. In addition to this, growing demand for sunscreen lotions driven by the rising awareness among the people to protect their skin from UV rays and pollution is expected to boost global allantoin industry trends.Allantoin market share in pharmaceutical sector is anticipated to grow at a rate of 5.8 % over 2016-2023 owing to its wide use as an ingredient in modern ointments which help in treating skin ailments such as keratosis, psoriasis, xerosis, and eczema. Furthermore, its applications in oral hygiene sector are expected to surpass USD 175 million by 2023 due to its use in oral wound healing products as a result of its superior cell proliferation characteristics. It also finds application in nutraceuticals and agrochemicals sectors owing to rising demand for food & beverages with high nourishing contents.Sample Copy of this Report @Asia Pacific allantoin market worth USD 133 billion in 2015, is expected to produce a revenue of USD 220 million by 2023. The revenue growth can be credited to rise in population coupled with growing consumer purchasing capacity. China is expected to contribute substantially towards the regional share..North America allantoin market price is forecast to surpass USD 195 million by 2023 owing to growing applications of the products in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and oral hygiene sectors. U.S. is predicted to be the major contributor to the overall revenue share of the region. Europe market is predicted record a CAGR of 5.2% over 2016-2023 due to favorable regulations of European Commission supporting the use of allantoin in various industries.Latin America allantoin market is anticipated to witness a substantial growth over 2016-2023, owing to growth of cosmetics sector along with rise in consumer spending. Brazil is expected to be a major revenue pocket of the region.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Geographical expansion, strategic alliances, and market penetration will be some of the key growth strategies adopted by the industry participants over the coming years. Key industry players include Ashland Inc., Rita Corporation, Akema Fine Chemicals, EMD Performance Materials, Clariant, LuBon Industry Company Limited, Luotian Guanghui Chemical Company Limited, Huanghua Suntime Chemical Industry Co. Ltd, and Zhanhua Jinyuan Lide Biotechnology.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Cloud Electronic Design Automation Market  Challenges, Size, Growth, Key Vendors, Drivers, Trends and Forecast to 2022

Cloud Electronic Design Automation Market

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Market Highlights:Electronic design automation is a software tool which is used in the industries for the designing complex electronic systems. Various Electronic Design Automation tools are used to design and develop complicated and large-scale circuits, which are used in products across different industries. Some of the systems are- CAE (computer added engineering), IC (integrated circuits) among others. Integration of cloud has revolutionized the market of Electronic Design Automation. It also encompasses algorithms and methodologies for the design of very large-scale ICs.The adoption of Cloud Electronic Design Automation Market leads to a reduction in the design time, errors, and cost and is mainly used in the manufacture of aerospace and defence equipment. Electronic Design Automation tools help semiconductor and electronic product manufacturing companies reduce product development time and increase the accuracy of design. Cloud Electronic Design Automation provides its users a pay-per-usage design environment. The pay-per-use environment effectively reduces the extra costs. Electronic Device Automation system on cloud is a new concept. Industries are yet to hold grips with the cloud Electronic Design Automation systems. This factor is challenging the cloud electronic display market.The Global Cloud Electronic Design Automation Market is growing rapidly over 5.51% of CAGR and is expected to reach at USD 7595.8 million by the end of forecast period 2022.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players: Cadence Design Systems Mentor Graphics Synopsys Agilent Keysight Agnisys Aldec Ansys JEDA Technologies MunEDA Sigrity ZukenGlobal Cloud Electronic Design Automation Market SegmentationThe global Cloud Electronic Design Automation market has been segmented on the basis of type, application and region. On the basis of type, the market is classified into the market is fragmented into CAE, SIP (semiconductor intellectual property), IC Physical Design and Verification, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and Multi-chip Module (MCM). By application, the market is categorized into Military/Defense, Aerospace, Telecom, Automotive, Industrial and others. Largest market share is acquired by the military/defense application segment.Market Research Analysis:Regional analysis for global Cloud Electronic Design Automation market is studied in different geographic regions as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of world. The study reveals that United States would dominate the global Cloud Electronic Design Automation market as United States shows a very strong growth in the electronics industry.However, growing semiconductor industry in China has expected China to hamper the Cloud Electronic Design Automation market growth in coming future. China is projected to grow with approximately 6.11% CAGR during the forecast period.Regional Analysis:The regional analysis of global Cloud Electronic Design Automation market is being studied for region such as Asia pacific, Americas, Europe and Rest of the World. The cloud Electronic Design Automation market is specially focused on countries such as United States, Japan, China, India and others.China is expected to have highest growth rate due to the high presence of semiconductor industry in this region. Whereas United States is expected to hold the largest market share as there is high adoption of cloud EDA due to the reduction in costs and the new features of Cloud Electronic Design Automation.Intended Audience Investors and consultants System Integrators Government Organizations Research/Consultancy firms Technology solution providers Hardware manufacturers Semiconductor Companies IC manufacturersAccess Report Details @Table of Contents1 Industry Overview Of Cloud Electronic Design Automation (EDA)1.1 Cloud Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Market Overview1.1.1 Cloud Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Product Scope1.2 Market Status And Outlook1.3 Global Cloud Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Market Size And Analysis By Regions1.3.1 United States1.3.2 Europe1.3.3 Japan1.3.4 China1.3.5 India1.3.6 Southeast Asia1.4 Cloud Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Market by TypeContinuedList of TablesTable 1 Cloud Electronic Design Automation (Eda) Market Size (Value) By Top 5 PlayersTable 2 Cadence Design Systems: Recent DevelopmentTable 3 Mentor Graphics: Recent DevelopmentContinuedList of FiguresFigure 1 Cloud Electronic Design Automation Market Size (Usd Million) (2012-2022Figure 2 United States Cloud Electronic Design Automation Market Size (Usd Million) Figure 3 Europe States Cloud Electronic Design Automation Market Size (Usd Million) (2012-2022)ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Gallbladder Treatment Market Is Expected To Reach USD 1455.7 Million By 2023 | CAGR of 6.8%

Gallbladder Treatment Market

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Market Research Future Publish a New Report on - Gallbladder Treatment Market Research Report - Global Forecast till 2023Exclusive Summery About Report:The global gallbladder treatment market has been evaluated as a moderately growing market and it is expected to continue growing in the near future. Increasing prevalence of various gallbladder diseases is the key factor for the market growth. Top players of this market are introducing new and advanced diagnostic and treatment options to cure gallbladder problems that leading the growth for global gallbladder treatment market.The market for gallbladder treatment was around USD 918.5 million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD 1455.7 million by 2023 which is a projected CAGR of 6.8%.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 64 market data tables and figures spread over 86 pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Gallbladder Treatment Market Research ReportGlobal Forecast to 2023.Gallbladder Treatment Market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including Fortimedix Surgical B.V. (the Netherlands), Intuitive Surgical. (US), Levita Magnetics (US), Olympus Corporation (Japan), Medtronic (Republic of Ireland), NovaTract Surgical, Inc. (US), Simulab Corporation (US), Sklar Surgical Instruments (US),Request a Sample Report @Regional Analysis:Considering the global scenario of the gallbladder treatment market, there are four main regions, America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.The Americas mainly include North America and Latin America. North America is holding the largest market share. US is the highest revenue generator market for gallbladder treatment due to increasing R&D, clinical trials, new product and treatment development. Europe gallbladder treatment is also growing significantly and is holding second position in this market. Germany, UK, and France are the major markets while Eastern European gallbladder treatment market is also growing. Due to increasing awareness of the gallbladder diseases, developing healthcare sector, and rising healthcare expenditure, Asia Pacific region is showing the fastest growth rate in global gallbladder treatment market. Middle East & Africa gallbladder treatment market is expected to have limited growth mainly due to lack of awareness of the disease, and limited access to the healthcare facilities. While due to developed healthcare infrastructure, government support and increasing healthcare expenditure, Middle Eastern countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia are dominating this market.If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.For further information on this report, visit @Segmentation:Global gallbladder treatment market has been segmented on the basis of indication which comprise gallstones, cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, acalculous gallbladder disease, sclerosing cholangitis, gallbladder cancer, gallbladder polyps, gangrene of the gallbladder, and others. Gallstones is futher sub-segmented into cholesterol gallstones, pigment gallstones, anmd others. Cholecystitis is further sub-segmented into acute cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis, and others. Sclerosing cholangitis is sub-segmented into Primary Sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), Secondary Sclerosing Cholangitis (SSC), and others. Gallbladder cancer is further sub-segmented into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell cancer, adenosquamous cancer, small cell cancer, sarcoma, neuroendocrine tumour, lymphoma and melanoma, and others. Adenocarcinoma is further sub-segmented into non papillary adenocarcinoma, papillary adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, and others. Gallbladder polyps is sub-segmented into adenomyomas, cholesterol polyps, inflammatory polyps, neoplasms, adenomas, and others.On the basis of diagnosis it is segmented into physical exam, imaging tests, blood and urine tests, and others. Imaging test is furthers sub-segmented into X-rays, ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), cholescintigraphy, and others. Blood and urine tests is further sub-segmented into CBC, complete blood count, and others.On the basis of treatments, the market has been segmented into medical treatment, surgery, and others. Medical treatment includes antibiotics, pain medications, and others.On the basis of end user, it is segmented into hospital and clinics, medical research centers, academic institutes, and others.Table of Content1. Report Prologue2. Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope of the Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 Limitations2.3 Market Structure2.4. Market Segmentation3. Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size Estimation3.5 Forecast Model4. Market DynamicsContinued.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact Info:Name: Akash AnandOrganization: Market Research FutureAddress: Market Research Future Office No. 524/528,Phone: +1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Manual Flush Valve Market - Toto, Grohe, Chicago Faucet, Kohler, Huida

Global Manual Flush Valve Market

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Apex Research, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "Manual Flush Valve Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "Manual Flush Valve Market" from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries. The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global Manual Flush Valve industry, and estimates the future trend of Manual Flush Valve market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "Manual Flush Valve Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportSloanAmerican Standard BrandsTotoGroheChicago FaucetKohlerHuidaRocaFrankInaxThe market research report explores the Manual Flush Valve market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "Manual Flush Valve Market". The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the Manual Flush Valve market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Manual Flush Valve. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Manual Flush Valve market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.The competitive landscape of the global market for Manual Flush Valve is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Manual Flush Valve market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Manual Flush Valve market globally.Inquire Before Buying @The Global Manual Flush Valve market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Manual Flush Valve production volume, data pertaining to demand and Manual Flush Valve supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Manual Flush Valve along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for Manual Flush Valve across the world.About UsApexResearch offer reports from top publishers and update to serve you with immediate on-line access to professional insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends. Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development Executive| sales@apexresearch.biz
Canopus Infosystems is Celebrating 3 Years of Successful On-Board Diagnostics Solution development

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Canopus Infosystems is offering custom On Board Diagnostics based solution development for its potential clients to expand the limits of their business and analytics in this competitive market. So that enterprise can save time and money, can reduce human efforts and risk factors, also it can increase accuracy and can provide a peace of mind for car owners and manufacturers. The company aims to a create well-designed, productive and dominant end to end solutions for different sectors.In todays era, different industries are now asking to develop a custom analytics application as OBD Solutions instead of ready made available application to make the OBD Device more useful and compatible as per their needs. Custom OBD Solutions makes it possible to take care of your car in a more precise manner and provide peace of mind for the car owners as well as manufacturer.Please Visit our website for more Information:Canopus Infosystems, an Indian IT Company is having the emerging names in the Mobile Application and Web Application Development Industry. They consolidate their software and services with OBD hardware devices and provide end to end solution to increase the accuracy and scalability of different platforms and sets a striking impact on OBD based solution Development Industry.Some of the notable On Board Diagnostic applications features, that they developed so far are:Real-time monitoring and AnalyticsEngine power/torque measurementFuel Economy MeasurementTyre Pressure, Humidity and Emissions SensorsAutomatics Fault Detection and AlarmAutomatic Reminder For Service RequestHybrid Battery Pack LifeAll the information gathered is stored on a cloud server which provides real time analytics to the Owner, Manufacturer, and Dealer as well for any recommendation.With more than three years of experience of developing On Board Diagnostics Solution for professional operators; Canopus Infosystems have the expertise and capacity to offer enterprise level OBD solutions. They have a highly capable team of Web and Mobile App Developers who are specialists in implementing OBD Apps from scratch.Canopus Infosystems Pvt. Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company that specializes in providing outsourced web & mobile development and testing services to clients worldwide. It provides cross-platform for mobile development, web development and also provides end to end cloud solution.To know more about their services and extensive work they did globally, visit their websiteor call +91 731-2551963.For any query, you can drop an email at sales@canopusinfosystems.com.303-304, Airen Heights, PU 3Scheme 54, A. B. Road, Opp. OrbitMall,Indore M.P.INDIA  452010Phone: +91 731-2551963Email: sales@canopusinfosystems.com
2-Ethylhexanol Market Trends, Regulations And Competitive Landscape Outlook to 2025

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2-Ethylhexanol is a colorless liquid, which is rarely soluble in water and highly soluble in organic solvents. It is industrially produced through aldol condensation of n-butyraldehyde, and subsequent hydrogenation of hydroxyaldehyde, which is obtained from the prior reaction. 2-Ethylhexanol is primarily used to manufacture low volatility esters such as dioctylphthalate. It is also used in low volatility solvents for resins, vegetable oils, animal fats, resins and petroleum derivatives. It has applications in coatings and is used in the extractant production of heavy metals. It can also be used as an octane booster when reacted with nitric acid.Request Report Sample@Most of the demand for 2-Ethylhexanol is obtained from the plasticizer manufacturing industry. The advantage of 2-Ethylhexanol are its low solubility in water and high miscibility with organic solvents. It readily forms esters with various organic acids and is a low volatility solvent. Human exposure to highly concentrated 2- Ethylhexanol, is toxic and results in dizziness, headache, throat irritation and sore eyes. However it does not have any carcinogenic properties.Asia Pacific region is the highest consumer of 2-Ethylhexanol, accounting for almost two-third of the global demand. This region is expected to grow substantially in the foreseeable future and has high potential in China. The growing middle-class in Asia and the rapidly transforming industrial scenario in this region drive the demand for the chemical in this market. The demand in Asia is driven by plasticizer manufacturers. North America and Europe market demands are however driven by 2-Ethylhexanol acrylate and 2-Ethylhexanol nitrate manufacturing segments, which are used in adhesives and paints.Visit For TOC@Some of the companies which manufacture 2-Ethylhexanol acrylate are Dow Chemical Company, Eastman Chemical Company, Zak S.A, Chengdu XiYa Chemical Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin Zhongxin Chemtech Co., Ltd. and Meryer (Shanghai) Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. among many others. This research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data and statistically-supported and industry-validated market data and projections with a suitable set of assumptions and methodology. It provides analysis and information by categories such as market segments, regions, product types and distribution channels.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Zinc Iron Phosphate Market Research Report : 2017

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Access Full Report With Table Of Contents @Zinc Iron Phosphate Report by Material, Application, and Geography a Global Forecast to 2021 is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the main countries (United States, Germany, united Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and China).The report firstly introduced the Zinc Iron Phosphate basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on.Request For Sample Report @Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.The report includes six parts, dealing with:1.) basic information;2.) the Asia Zinc Iron Phosphate Market;3.) the North American Zinc Iron Phosphate Market;4.) the European Zinc Iron Phosphate Market;5.) market entry and investment feasibility;6.) the report conclusion.Check Discount @For more information or any query mail at sales@reportsandmarkets.comReports And Markets is part of the Algoro Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Are you mastering your market? Do you know what the market potential is for your product, who the market players are and what the growth forecast is? We offer standard global, regional or country specific market research studies for almost every market you can imagine.Sanjay JainManager - Partner Relations & International Marketinginfo@reportsandmarkets.comPh: +1-214-377-1121 (US), +44-020-3286-9338 (UK)
Lab Automation Market to Witness Steady Growth During the Forecast Period 2015-2025

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Laboratory automation system comprises of automated lab instruments, devices and software algorithms which provides benefits such as increased productivity, reduced cycle time, improved workflow coverage and enhanced data quality. Laboratory automation is known as the use of technology to rationalize or substitute manual handling of equipment and processes. The manual laboratory procedures process fewer samples at a slower rate. The laboratory automation and robotic products are provided in customized form and according to the requirement of specific laboratories or researcher. According to some industry experts the two aspectspreferred by customers are higher throughput to screen more samples/plates or want to automate the high precision part of their manual work.Therefore, lab automation becomes essential in laboratories for handling high volumes of sample at pretty faster rate. This system offers streamlined solution to lab procedures such as centrifugation, decapping, aliquoting, sorting, recapping, etc.The applications market for lab automation is segmented into  pharmaceutical, clinical diagnostics, biotechnology, food and agriculture, contract research organizations and academia. Forensic, food and agriculture, genomics and proteomics are the application areas which promise to fuel the growth of this market in the future and thereby broadening the market. A particular trend observed in this market is growing influence of automation is expanding from genomics to proteomics because proteomics market requires to increase throughput, create new solutions to improve reproducibility and boost sensitivity for the purification and separation.Request Report Sample@The global market is poised to grow further owing to drivers such as shortage of skilled lab personnel in developed countries, cost effectiveness than manual lab procedures, government and corporate funding in biotech research, increasingly stringent control on research activities by regulatory bodies such as USFDA in healthcare. The major advantages of laboratory automation and the growing emergence of robotics have helped associated scientists and technicians to achieve complex processes in comparatively less time and in low operation cost. Some of the industry experts also emphasize on low error rates especially in a scientific paper or drug development process where precision is important factor.Global lab automation market is segmented on the basis of equipment/software as automated liquid handling, microplate readers, robotics, automated storage and retrieval system, software and laboratory information system and others. Based on the type of automation, the market is segmented in two segments as - modular automation and total lab automation. Total lab automation provides automation from beginning to the end of the laboratory process, while the modular automation approach provides task specific automation.North America was the largest market leading in spite of stringent USFDA regulations and pre-marketing approvals. North American and Europe market leads the global lab automation market because of increasing adoption of lab automation systems by research labs, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, clinical diagnostics, clinical research institutes, and contract research organizations.Lab automation is a leading laboratory solution in markets such as USA, Canada, Europe and Japan.Asia - Pacific and Latin American countries represent emerging markets, due to a rise in research outsourcing by leading pharmaceutical companies, growing industry demand for accreditation and standardization and rise in biotechnology sector investment.Visit For TOC@Some of the key players in the lab automation market are Abbott Diagnostics, Biotek Instruments Inc., Agilent Technologies, Perkinelmer Inc., Roche Holding AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Siemens Healthcare, Beckman Coulter Inc., Hamilton Robotics, Labware Inc. and TECAN.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Multicore Cables Market to Undertake Strapping Growth During 2017-2025

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Global Multicore Cables: Market Overview:Multicore cable is a generic name for electrical cable. Multicore cables have many cores which are made of copper wire. The multicore cable is bundled together with a single wire and performs different functions includes power, data transmission and AV elements inside a single cable sheath. For instance, four main core wires is not a multicore cables, but a cable comprising with four coaxial cables in a single sheath is a multicore cables. The multicore cables are versatile and used for an industrial and commercial purpose. The multicore cables provide analog and digital signals.A sample of this report is available upon request @The multicore cables are fire proof, reliable, durable, resistant to chemicals, functional efficient is optimum and gives high performance. The multicore cables are heavily featured with cable jacketing to protect the cable from damage and helps in negate the effect of electromagnetic interference. Moreover, it contributes to reducing the overall weight of the cable. Nowadays, multicore optical fiber cables are used mostly because of sending data from one place to other and data can be transferred faster with minimum interference and best audio signal transmission.Global Multicore Cables: Market Dynamics:The demand for multicore cable is driven by its varied uses in automotive and construction industry. The multicore cables are easy to handle and use and highly flexible and installed quickly. The multicore cables are used for different radio and electrical purposes and help to transmit data from one point to another. Increase in demand for multicore cables, owing to high investment in infrastructure leads to drive the multicore market in the near future.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Moreover, the chances of loss in data are very less and move current faster. Further, multicore cables. Further, the rise in the development of infrastructure in developing regions such Asia Pacific leads to increase demand for multicore cables. However the continuous developments and up gradation of the manufacturing company of multicore cable to extend the life which can be a restraint to multicore cable market.Global Multicore Cables: Regional Outlook:The global multicore cables market is segmented into seven regions includes North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Japan, and Asia Pacific excluding Japan, and The Middle East and Africa. Among all regions, Asia Pacific region is contributing majorly to the growth of multicore cables market followed by Latin America.Moreover, Asia Pacific excluding Japan is the dominating market for multicore cables as the infrastructure is increasing in developing countries like China and India. Japan is also contributing the multicore cable market. North America has a significant market share in the global multicore market owing to its boom in the automotive market. The Middle East and Africa is at emerging stage in the multicore cable market and is expected to increase in CAGR in the anticipated period.You can now buy a single user license of the report @Global Multicore Cables Market Players:The prominent players of the global multicore cables are: Relemac Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Centurion Power Cables Pvt. Ltd., Bhuwal Cables Limited, KCL Cable Limited, Cabcon Technologies Pvt Ltd, Hitex Plus, Gem Cables, Doha Cables, Bambach wires and cables.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Pet Wearable Market - Pet Wearables for Medical Diagnosis and Treatment Present Lucrative Options for Growth

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The global pet wearables market is extremely consolidated and the top two players  GEA Group AG and DeLaval Inc.  together accounted for a whopping 89% of the total market revenue in 2015. Transparency Market Research finds that strategic expansion of businesses is the general trend observed among the leading players in the pet wearables market. Considering that the market is still in its initial growth phase, companies are keen on expanding their foothold in untapped product and technology segments and regions.Browse The Press Release:Strong R&D efforts and product innovation are some other key strategies adopted by prominent companies. A case in point would be DeLaval Inc. The firm launched LONGEVITY in May 2016, a program that is designed to help producers manage the health of their herd. The program offers a complete nutritional solution at all stages of a cows lifecycle.The opportunity in the global pet wearables market is estimated to rise from US$1.0 bn in 2016 to be worth US$2.5 bn by 2024 at a strong CAGR of 12.0% therein.Pet Wearables for Medical Diagnosis and Treatment Present Lucrative Options for GrowthBased on technology, the global pet wearable market is expected to be led by GPS-based products and the segment is likely to account for a share just short of 45% by the end of 2016. This will be followed by the RFID segment. Although sensors account for a low share in the pet wearables market in terms of revenue, the segment is anticipated to register a 12.3% from 2016 to 2024, higher than any other technology segment. By application, the pet wearables market is dominated by the identification and tracking segment, while the medical diagnosis and treatment segment will report a high CAGR during the forecast period.Geographically, North America and Europe will contribute to over 75% of the market during the forecast period, predicts TMR. North America presently has the highest penetration of pet wearables in the world. Majority of the uptake of pet wearable technologies and devices is attributed to the U.S., reflecting close to 75% from 2016 to 2024. Asia Pacific, which is anticipated to project a CAGR higher than any other regional pet wearables market, is expected to be driven by the increased adoption and sales of GPS-based devices.Connectivity Costs and Issues Restricts Wide-scale Adoption of Pet Wearables in Developing MarketsIncreasing expenditure on pets and remarkable changes in the global demographics have proven to be two of the key factors driving the pet wearables market. Fueled by increased disposable income, pet owners are investing more on their pets now than ever before, the author of the study notes. TMR predicts that the overall expenditure on pets is slated to increase by about 50% by 2020, with spending on pet wearables to surpass that on pet food by 2017.Make an Enquiry @In addition to this, the global market for pet wearables is fueled by the growing awareness among pet owners and owners of farm animals regarding the importance of monitoring and tracking the animals health and fitness.In contrast, unreliable internet connectivity in several developing markets acts as a major impediment to the growth of the pet wearables market. The high cost per line of wireless technology is also threatens to slow down the acceptance of pet wearables in many countries.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a next-generation provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendationsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Solar Photovoltaic Material Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Solar Photovoltaic Material Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024"View Full Report at:DescriptionSolar photovoltaic materials are the materials that are used in manufacturing of solar panels or modules which are installed for generating electricity. Solar photovoltaic materials are basically of two types crystalline and thin film. Crystalline is further divided into polycrystalline and gallium arsenide whereas thin film is of three types namely amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium diselenide. Out of all the solar photovoltaic materials, polycrystalline is the most dominant material because of its good efficiency and easy manufacturing process. Thin film materials like cadmium telluride and copper indium diselenide is expected to grow in the near future.The report estimates and forecasts the solar photovoltaic material market on the global, regional, and country levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (kilo tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the product segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage. The study includes drivers and restraints for the solar photovoltaic material market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period.The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the solar photovoltaic material market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes substitute analysis of solar photovoltaic material and global average price trend analysis.Global Solar Photovoltaic Material Market: SegmentationThe study provides comprehensive view of the solar photovoltaic material market by dividing it into end-user and geography. The solar photovoltaic material market has been segmented into crystalline, polycrystalline, cadmium telluride, copper indium diselenide and others. End-user segments residential, commercial, and industrial have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for solar photovoltaic material in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Additionally, the report comprises country-level analysis in terms of volume and revenue for end-user segments. Key countries such as the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, the U.K., China, India, Japan, South Africa, Mexico, and Brazil have been included in the study. Market segmentation includes demand for individual end-users in all the regions and countries.Request Sample Copy of This Report at:The report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the solar photovoltaic material market. It comprises qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and countries have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for solar photovoltaic material between 2016 and 2024.Global Solar Photovoltaic Material Market: Competitive AnalysisThe report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Major players profiled in the report include BASF SE, Mitsubishi Material Corporation, Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation LLC, LDK Solar Co. Ltd., Okmetic, Wacker Chemie AG , Applied Materials, Inc, Shin-Etsu Chemicals Co., Ltd., Atecom Technology Co., Ltd., Topsil GlobalWafers A/S, Silicor Materials, Inc., Targray Technology International, Inc. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report. In-depth interviews and discussions with wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.The global solar photovoltaic material market has been segmented as follows:By Material TypeCrystallinePolycrystallineCadmium TellurideCopper Indium DiselenideOthersBy End UserResidentialCommercialIndustrialEnquiry Form :By RegionNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyFranceU.K.ItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanASEANRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaChileBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaBrowse Latest Industry Press Release at:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn:
Biomedicine & Bioscience Laboratories

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Biomedicine & Bioscience Laboratories Co. - (Medical) Standards Provider & Testing LaboratoryBiomedicine & Bioscience Laboratories is a provider of (medical) standards and a testing laboratory. Biomedicine & Bioscience Laboratories provides BSI (British Standards Institution) standards primarily in order that the global laboratory and healthcare community can enhance, excellence, and keep on advancing in laboratory medicine and healthcare. Biomedicine & Bioscience Laboratories is also a laboratory that provides microbiological and chemical testing for food products at all stages of production including environmental testing. The laboratory provides also a complete range of microbiological identification testing of mold, fungi, and yeast.Biomedicine & Bioscience Laboratories ProvidesBritish Standards - Microbiological Testing - Chemical TestingBuy Standards at www.bmslabs.org/buy-standards.htmlWebsite:Biomedicine & Bioscience Laboratories Co. (BTC) is a provider of (medical) standards and a testing laboratory. Biomedicine & Bioscience Laboratories provides BSI (British Standards Institution) standards primarily in order that the global laboratory and healthcare community can enhance, excellence, and keep on advancing in laboratory medicine and healthcare. Biomedicine & Bioscience Laboratories is also a testing laboratory that provides microbiological and chemical testing for food products.Biomedicine & Bioscience Laboratories Co.Aly heba streetPostal code 21624Awal al montazahAlexandriaEgyptWebsite:Email: adm@bmslabs.org
Nonchlorinated Polyolefins Market 2017 - TOYOBO CO., LTD. (Japan), Advanced Polymer, Inc. (US), 3M (US)

Nonchlorinated Polyolefins Market

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Market Synopsis:Nonchlorinated Polyolefins are high weight molecular hydrocarbons, including linear low density, low density, and high density available in different variants such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and others. These materials are non-toxic, break resistant, and non-contaminating. Presently, non-chlorinated polyolefin adhesion promoters have evolved with some new features, such as excellent gasoline and chemical resistance properties. Although Nonchlorinated Polyolefins have very good performance properties for many applications such as adhesives, plastic, paints & coatings, rubber, and others. Nonchlorinated Polyolefins are highly used as adhesion-promoting resins for coatings applications. Furthermore, growing construction and paint industry on account of developing domestic as well as commercial market especially in Asia Pacific and North America has boosted the Global Nonchlorinated Polyolefins Market over the forecasted period.Key Players:Key players of the Global Nonchlorinated Polyolefins Market are Eastman Chemical Company (US), Exxon Mobil Corporation (US), NIPPON PAPER INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. (Japan), TOYOBO CO., LTD. (Japan), Advanced Polymer, Inc. (US), 3M (US) and S&E Specialty Polymers (US) among others.Request Sample Research Report @Regional Analysis:Asia Pacific is the biggest market of Nonchlorinated Polyolefins due to huge demand of polymer plasticizers in construction industry, especially in China followed by India. Growing demand for packaging, construction, and paint industry in China, India, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea has made Asia Pacific the largest competitor in the Global Nonchlorinated Polyolefins Market followed by North America coupled with the increasing demand for this product. In North America region, Nonchlorinated Polyolefins Market is driven by automotive, electrical and other industries. In addition, the third largest market of Nonchlorinated Polyolefins is Europe due to large utilization in packaging, and construction industry. Moreover, Latin America and Middle East also observed in the growth of Nonchlorinated Polyolefins Market due to various application such as adhesives, plastic, paints & coatings, rubber, and others.Segmentation:The Global Nonchlorinated Polyolefins Market is majorly segmented on the basis of types, application, end users and region. Based on types ofnonchlorinated polyolefins the market is segmented into nonchlorinated polyethylene, nonchlorinated polypropylene, nonchlorinated polystyrene, and others. Based on application of Nonchlorinated Polyolefins the Market is segmented into adhesives, plastic, paints & coatings, rubber, and others. On the other hand, based on end user the market is segmented into packaging, automotive, electrical and building & construction among others. Based on region, market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America and Middle East & Africa.Request for Discount @Study Objectives of Nonchlorinated Polyolefins Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 7 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Global Nonchlorinated Polyolefins Market. To understand the supply and demand dynamics including supply and consumption concentration mapping. To provide region level market analysis and future outlook for region like North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa, and their countries. To provide competitor positioning of the market. To provide company profiling of major players in the market along with their production and capacity. To provide regional trade analysis. To evaluate historical market trends, patents and technologies, and current government regulatory requirements that are relevant to the market.Key Points from Table of Content:12. Company Profiles12.1 Eastman Chemical Company12.1.1 Company Overview12.1.2 Product/Business Segment Overview12.1.3 Financial Updates12.1.4 Key Developments12.2 Exxon Mobil Corporation12.2.1 Company Overview12.2.2 Product/Business Segment Overview12.2.3 Financial Updates12.2.4 Key Developments12.3 NIPPON PAPER INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.12.3.1 Company Overview12.3.2 Product/Business Segment Overview12.3.3 Financial Updates12.3.4 Key Developments12.4 TOYOBO CO., LTD.12.4.1 Company Overview12.4.2 Product/Business Segment Overview12.4.3 Financial Updates12.4.4 Key DevelopmentsInquire More About this Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com
Venous Thromboembolism Treatment Market Dynamics, Forecast, Analysis and Supply Demand 2016-2026

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Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is formation of blood clot in the vein. It includes both Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE). When a clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg, it is called a deep vein thrombosis. If that clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it is called pulmonary embolism. Long term complications of venous thromboembolism include chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTPH) and the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS).Venous thromboembolism is third most common cardiovascular disease occurred in the world. Common symptoms of venous thromboembolism include edema, dilated blood veins mainly in chest and legs, dyspnea, tachycardia and fever. The lower extremities are the most common site for DVT, but other affected locations include the upper extremities and the mesenteric and the pelvic veins, as well as the cerebral veins.Request Report Sample@Venous Thromboembolism Treatment Market:Drivers and RestraintsMajor factors such as increasing morbidity rate of venous thromboembolism and increasing awareness about available treatments for venous thromboembolism are driving the global venous thromboembolism treatment market towards growth. On the other hand, factors such as stringent regulatory approvals and challenges in adaption of newer drug in the market are restraining the growth of this market.Venous Thromboembolism Treatment Market:SegmentationVenous thromboembolism treatment market is segmented on the basis of product type, end use and geography.Based on product type, the global market of venous thromboembolism treatment is segmented as follows:MedicationsAnticoagulantsHeparinFactor Xa inhibitorsFondaparinuxDabigatranVitamin K antagonistsWarfarinCompression TherapySurgical treatmentPulmonary embolectomyVena caval interruptionBased on end use, venous thromboembolism treatment market can be segmented as follows:Hospitals including hospital pharmaciesClinicsRetail pharmaciesHome care settingsVenous Thromboembolism Treatment Market: OverviewWith rise in the aging population, morbidity rate of venous thromboembolism is also rapidly increasing. The mainstay of venous thromboembolism treatment is anticoagulation. However, anticoagulants will probably always increase bleeding risk. Hence, using both heparin and compression stockings appears better than either one alone in reducing the rate of deep vein thrombosis. Medications to treat venous thromboembolism like heparin, dabigatran has shown promise. Vitamin K antagonists are also commonly used. Acute DVT may be treated in an outpatient setting with low-molecular-weight heparin. Hence, these medicinal therapies are responsible for the growth of venous thromboembolism treatment market.Venous Thromboembolism Treatment Market:Region-wise OutlookRegion wise, the venous thromboembolism treatment marketis classified into countries namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is the dominant regional market for venous thromboembolism treatments and is followed by Europe due the existence of a lathe number of venous thromboembolic patients in these regions. North America and European venous thromboembolism market is driven by high healthcare spending, improved healthcare infrastructure and high awareness about the disease and available treatments. Asia Pacific is a promising market for venous thromboembolism treatment and is expected to undergo rapid market growth due to increase in purchasing power, changing healthcare infrastructure and increased awareness for clinical facilities.Visit For TOC@Venous Thromboembolism Treatment Market: Key PlayersSome of the major companies contributing to venous thromboembolism treatment market are Sanofi-Aventis, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Abbott Laboratories, Merck & Co., Wockhardt Ltd, Bayer Biologicals, Dupont Pharm Co, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer Inc.Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
A recent study offers insight about the Gas Leak Detectors Market

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A gas leak detector is a piece of equipment or a device that senses and detects the existence of gases in a particular area. These devices are used as a part of safety systems installed in factories, homes and commercial complexes. A gas leak detector system detects the gas leaked and generates a signal to take proper action. Industrially, gas detector systems are fitted with a sound alarm to evacuate the area in case of toxic gas leakage. The popularity of such devices is growing due to the influx of new chemical facilities across the world. Further, the growing gas storage facility network across the globe has deployed a significant number of gas leak detectors for safety systems.Due to their design modifications, gas detectors are broadly categorised on the basis of technology as electrochemical, infrared imaging, infrared point, ultrasonic, semiconductor and holographic. On the basis of product type, the global gas detectors market is bifurcated into portable gas detectors and fixed gas detectors.Request For Report Sample@Portable gas detectors are widely used in lab application whereas fixed detectors find their maximum application in gas extraction and processing fields. Fixed gas detectors can also be used for residential applications such as using itin a bedroom. Further, industrial fixed type gas detector application includes SCADA monitoring.Gas detectors are used in applications such as gas turbines, building and construction, health care, food and beverages, water treatment, oil and gas refineries, chemical plants, underground gas storage facilities, and others. The segments for refineries and chemical plants applications dominate the global market at present. Nevertheless, gas detectors are widely used in underground gas storage. The growing gas supply network is spurring the demand in this segment.One of the major driving factors for gas leak detectors market is the ever growing oil & gas industry. The increasing number of gas field explorations and widening gas supply network has been fuelling the demand for gas leak detectors. In addition, active government organizations have been imposing safety regulations on the industries. This, in turn, has propelled the demand for gas leak detectors. Further, Asia Pacific is likely to lead the league in terms of growth of the industrial sector, mining sector, medicine and healthcare sector, and construction sector. This is likely to create opportunities for the growth of theglobal gas leak detectors market. However, the market is facing strong competition due to the influx of new players in the market and frequent product launches.Multi-gas detector coupled with an analyzer system is one of the emerging trends in the global leaked gas detector market. This kind of detector is gaining popularity due to its compact designs and better features as compared to conventional gas leak detectors. It is expected that the after sales market is likely to develop further in future and a number of market participants will enter this segment. It is also expected that the gas leak detector manufacturers will expand their business to aftermarket sales through forward integration and strategic alliances.A number of product launches can be seen in the global gas leak detectors market. For instance, market participants such as Scott Safety, GE and RAE Systems recently launched a few new gas leak detectors. The global gas leak detectors market has also been witnessing strategic alliances such as that between Cbiss and Old Man Partner. To expand the business globally, a number of gas leaked detectors manufacturers have acquired other companies such as the acquisition of Edinburgh Instruments Ltd by Techcomp Group Ltd., the acquisition of RAE Systems by Honeywell International Inc. and the acquisition ofGroveley Detection Ltd by Emerson.Visit For TOC@Some of the prominent players in global gas leak detectors market are City Technology Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Mine Safety Appliances Co., Dragerwerk AG & Co., KGAA, Testo AG, ABB Ltd, Industrial Scientific Corporation, California Analytical Instruments Inc., Figaro Engineering Inc., Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Hitech Instruments Ltd, Ametek Inc., Emerson Electric Co.,Halma Plc, Trolex Ltd,GE Measurement & Control, Gasmet Technologies OY, Enerac Inc., Xtralis Pty. Ltd, Horiba Ltd and others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Powerful Tech Companies Aggressively Deploying Deep Learning Technology to Improve Their Products and Services

Deep Learning Market in the US

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Deep learning is an advanced algorithm that possesses the ability to study large chunks of relevant data to derive meaningful patterns that assist cognitive decision- making. This technology is preferred over machine learning as it enables the user to analyze large data sets. Deep learning algorithms can assess complicated data sets using matrix multiplication. Although machine learning and deep learning algorithms are overlapping subsets of artificial intelligence (AI), the difference lies in the size of input data.Research analysts forecast the deep learning market in the US to grow at a CAGR of 57.29% during the period 2017-2021.Companies Mentioned:Amazon Web Services, Google, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, OMRON, and Qualcomm Technologies.Request sample copy of this report at:Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the deep learning market in the US for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers technology/software installations and related services carried out for deep learning algorithms in process and discrete industries.Research report, Deep Learning Market in the US 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Read more details of the report at:Key vendorsAmazon Web ServicesGoogleIBMIntelOther prominent vendorsMicrosoftNVIDIAOMRONQualcomm TechnologiesMarket driverEnabling condition monitoring in industriesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeTechnical difficulties encounteredFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendAdvances in deep learningFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?You can request one free hour of our analysts time when you purchase this market report. Details are provided within the report.Enquire more details of the report at:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas  75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019
Global Silver Conductive Inks Market 2017-2022 : Industry Development Trends and Strategic Plan for Positive Growth discuss in research report

Silver Conductive Inks Market

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Global Silver Conductive Inks Market (Product Types, Technology, Application, and Geography) - Size, Share, Trends, Company Profiles, Analysis, Segmentation and Forecast, 2017 - 2022A Research study on " Global Silver Conductive Inks Market 2017-2022 " represent the market share and size of Silver Conductive Inks in international Industry. MRS Research Group added latest market research report by Prof Research. Research Report provides an essential information and statistically evaluated data about the Silver Conductive Inks. The research report provides a detailed study of the Silver Conductive Inks market, enlightening the major areas such as future market scenario, market growth factors, market growth restraints, and others. The advanced technological trends and various new opportunities are also provided in this research report.Read Complete Report with TOC @The research report provides the Silver Conductive Inks markets classification in detail. The Silver Conductive Inks market is bifurcated into a number of segments on the basis of materials,types,applications,and end-users. The geographical analysis of the global Silver Conductive Inks market is also coveredin the report. The vital information mentioned in the research report helps in significantly predicting the future scope of the global market.The various segmentation of the global market is based on the overall product profit, costing, global market growth, and manufacturing processes. The report covers a region-wise analysis which provides the customer with different market studies that give a detailed analysis of the product and its impact on the global market. The Silver Conductive Inks report also highlights the growth statistics depending on the supply and demand in the different regions.Get Free Sample Copy Of Report @The Silver Conductive Inks report covers the precisely studied and evaluated data of the global market players and their scope in the market using a number of analytical tools. The analytical tools such asinvestment return analysies, SWOT analysis and feasibility studyare used to analyze the keyglobal market players growth in the Silver Conductive Inks industry.Abou Us: MRS Research Group provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Prof Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free : +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@mrsresearchgroup.com
Digital Instrument Clusters Market : Segmentation, Industry trends and Development to 2025

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Instrument clusters with digital displays are increasingly replacing electromechanical pointer instruments. Moreover, digital instrument clusters are poised to supersede the analog instrument clusters in the next generation vehicles. The global instrument clusters is basically categorized into three groups: digital, analog and hybrid. Analog cluster is a classic instrument panel that contains a physical dial and a needle for the speedometer. A digital instrument cluster displays all these classical instruments on the LCD, VFD or TFT-LCD screen. Such digital instrument clusters can be programmed to display the appropriate selection of virtual instruments according to the drivers preferences. A hybrid cluster is the combination of the analog and digital cluster. Furthermore, they can enhance the appeal of a vehicle with eye-catching graphics. Therefore, most of the luxury brands are seeking to differentiate their vehicles through the inclusion of digital instrument clusters. It is expected that over seven million cars will have fully digital instrument clusters by the 2018. Digital instrument clusters that offers personalization are a key selling point.Request Report Sample@Digital Instrument Clusters: Drivers & RestraintsThe key factor driving the digital instrument clusters market is substantial rise in the automobile output and its personalization. A digital instrument cluster that is reconfigurable is very appealing. Features such as distance until next charge, information on battery charge, and other driver information, can easily be displayed using a digital instrument clusters. These features are driving the market for global digital instrument clusters. Another factor driving the market for global digital instrument is consumer trend. The tablet, PC and smartphone ownership is increasing and there are opportunities to integrate these devices to drive global digital configurable instrument clusters. Furthermore, the economical and the environmental constraints upon the engine designs are driving the introduction of digital instrument clusters since the interior gains more attention from OEMs as a way to differentiate. Another features that are driving the global digital instrument clusters market includes advanced technological features such as reusability, dynamic, scalable, simple and attractiveness. Digital instrument clusters needs a larger LCD display- often 1280 x 480 pixels, thus leading to higher cost. Also, an 8 or 16-bit CPU cannot transfer that many pixels, hence the digital cluster needs a 32-bit CPU. In addition, the level of software capability needed extends beyond the traditional entrenched skill set. These factors act as restraints for the digital instrument clusters up to a certain extent.Digital Instrument Clusters: SegmentationOn the basis of application, the global digital instrument clusters market is segmented into:SmartphoneTablet PC/Desktop/NotebooksAutomobilesOthers (Digital cameras, inverters, power suppliers, painters, car radio, LED lighting, payment terminals)The demand for digital instrument clusters in automobiles is anticipated to grow at an accelerated pace mainly due to significant growth in the automobile industry globally. Furthermore, the smartphone segment is also expected to grow at a high CAGR during the forecast period.Digital Instrument Clusters: Region-wise OutlookOn the basis of region North America, Asia Pacific and Japan are expected to be the dominant players as a result of growing economy in these regions. The Indian electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM) industry is one of the fastest growing industry in the country, which is further boosting the demand for digital instrument clusters in the region. The global digital instrument cluster market is anticipated to grow at a steady rate in other regions of the world as a result of a slowing global economy in these regions.Visit For TOC@Digital Instrument Clusters: Key PlayersSome of the market participants in the global digital instrument clusters market are Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd., Ford Motor Company, Audi AG, Renault, Volkswagen, Kia Motors Corp., BMW AG, Jaguar Land Rover Limited, NVIDIA Corporation and Tesla Motors.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Anhydrides Market 2017 - LLC (US), LANXESS (Germany), BASF SE (Germany), Celanese Corporation (US)

Anhydrides Market

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Market Synopsis:Anhydride is an organic functional group which has two acyl groups attached with the oxygen atom. The formula of the Anhydride is shown as (RC (O)) 2O. Anhydrides are prepared by various process but anhydride is mainly produced by the carbonylation of acetate such as maleic anhydride is produced by the oxidation of benzene or butane. Presently, anhydride available in several types such as acetic anhydride, maleic anhydride, isobutyric anhydride, propionic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, isatoic acid anhydride, and others.There is a huge demand for Anhydride from APAC region, countries such as China, India and Japan. Japan and China are majority Anhydride consumers. Increasing demand from various industry such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and textile in India is probable to offer better opportunity for the Anhydride Market in India. On the other hand, Europe hold the second position due to huge demand in pharmaceuticals, construction, food & beverages, and others followed by North America.Request Sample Research Report @Key Players:Key players of the Global Anhydrides Market are Huntsman International LLC (US), LANXESS (Germany), BASF SE (Germany), Celanese Corporation (US), E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (US), Eastman Chemical Company (US), Solvay S.A. (Belgium), Akzo Nobel N.V (Netherlands), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), HaiShun Chemical Co. ltd.(China), and others.Regional Analysis:Asia Pacific is the largest market of Anhydrides due to large consumption in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and textile industry, in China region followed by India and Japan. Increasing demand for textile industry in China, India, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and South Korea has made Asia Pacific largest consumer of the global anhydrides market followed by increasing in the consumption of anhydrides market in Europe region. In Europe region, anhydrides market is driven by agricultural, pharmaceutical, food & beverages, and others industry. In addition, the third largest market of Anhydrides is North America region due to large consumption in agriculture and pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, Latin America and Middle East also observed in growth of anhydrides market due to various application such as pesticides, plasticizer, dye & pigments, additives, flavors, and others.Segmentation:The Global Anhydrides Market is majorly segmented on the basis of composition, types, application, end users and region. Based on composition of anhydrides the market is segmented into organic and inorganic anhydrides. Based on types of Anhydrides the market is segmented into acetic anhydride, maleic anhydride, isobutyric anhydride, propionic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, isatoic acid anhydride, and others. Furthermore, Based on application of anhydrides the market is segmented into as pesticides, plasticizer, dye & pigments, additives, flavors, and others. Moreover, based on end user the market segmented into construction, pharmaceutical, automotive, agrochemicals, textiles, food & beverages, and other industry, and based on region market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.Request for Discount @Study Objectives of Anhydrides Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 7 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Anhydrides Market. To understand the supply and demand dynamics including supply and consumption concentration mapping. To provide region level market analysis and future outlook for North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) and their countries. To provide competitor positioning of the market. To provide company profiling of major players in the market along with their production and capacity. To provide regional trade analysis. To evaluate historical market trends, patents and technologies, and current government regulatory requirements that are relevant to the market.Key Points from Table of Content:13. Company Profiles13.1 Huntsman International LLC13.1.1 Company Overview13.1.2 Product/Business Segment Overview13.1.3 Financial Updates13.1.4 Key Developments13.2 LANXESS13.2.1 Company Overview13.2.2 Product/Business Segment Overview13.2.3 Financial Updates13.2.4 Key Developments13.3 BASF SE13.3.1 Company Overview13.3.2 Product/Business Segment Overview13.3.3 Financial Updates13.3.4 Key Developments13.4 Celanese Corporation13.4.1 Company Overview13.4.2 Product/Business Segment Overview13.4.3 Financial Updates13.4.4 Key DevelopmentsInquire More About this Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com
Distributed Temperature Sensing Systems Market to Witness Steady Growth During the Forecast Period 2015-2025

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Distributed Temperature Sensing Systems (DTS) are optoelectronic devices which measure temperatures by means of optical fibers functioning as linear sensors. Temperatures are recorded along the optical sensor cable, thus mapping it as a continuous profile and not at points. The temperature profiles can be monitored at surface in real time, minimizing the need for production logs, preventing deferred production losses, decreasing well interventions, and reducing operating costs.Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) monitoring provides continuous temperature status of high-voltage power cables, detecting hot spots along their entire length. An alarm is triggered when critical temperature limits are exceeded and cables are at risk. It leads to achieve high accuracy of temperature determination over great distances. DTS systems can detect temperature changes less than 0.01C and pinpoint the exact location of a thermal event within the range of one meter.Its quite ideal for use in hazardous zones and environments, where safety is of critical importance. Since optical fibers are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference they are ideal for use in power stations and for monitoring of distribution lines. Furthermore, it helps operators in optimizing transmission and distribution networks by reducing operational costs and capital. Over the last decade, the distributed temperature sensing systems market has reported a steady growth.Request Report Sample@Distributed Temperature Sensing Systems Market: Drivers & RestraintsDeployment of power-efficient and miniaturized sensors in various industrial applications, low system design costs owning to low material cost per sensor, increasing demand for sophisticated functionalities in industrial applications and increasing R&D expenditures by companies are some of the factors expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the distributed temperature sensing systems market.Technical awareness about sensor cables and high implementation costs of the distributed temperature sensing systems are probable factors restraining the growth of the distributed temperature sensing systems market.Distributed Temperature Sensing Systems Market: SegmentationThe global distributed temperature sensing systems market is broadly classified on the basis of fiber- type, operating principle, applications and geographies.Based on fiber-type, the global distributed temperature sensing systems market is segmented into:Single-mode fiber based DTS systemsMulti-mode fiber based DTS systemsBased on operating principle, the global distributed temperature sensing systems market is segmented into:Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) based DTS systemsOptical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR) based DTS systemsBased on applications, the global distributed temperature sensing systems market is segmented into:Oil & GasGeothermalSmart GridPipelinesProcess & PlantLife SciencesDistributed Temperature Sensing Systems Market: OverviewDue to technological advancements and budding investments happening in fiber-optics industry, the acceptance of distributed temperature sensing systems is gaining popularity. North America due to the earliest start leads the world in technology and scale. The global distributed temperature sensing systems market is expected to expand at a promising CAGR during the forecast period (20152025).Visit For TOC@Distributed Temperature Sensing Systems Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global distributed temperature sensing systems market is expected to register a double-digit CAGR for the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, global distributed temperature sensing systems market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR and will contribute significantly to the global distributed temperature sensing systems market value exhibiting a robust CAGR during the forecast period, 2015-2025.Distributed Temperature Sensing Systems Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market participants in global distributed temperature sensing systems market are Halliburton, LIOS Technology GmbH, Banner Engineering Corp, AP Sensing GmbH, Sensornet, OMICRON Electronics GmbH, Schlumberger Limited.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Precision dispensing from Intertronics helps electrical manufacturer to reduce waste by improving quality and yield.

Intertronics precision epoxy dispensing helps electrical manufacturer improve quality and yield, and reduce waste

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www.intertronics.co.uk/blog

www.intertronics.co.uk

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Based in Boston, Lincolnshire, Parkinson Harness Technology is a manufacturer of bespoke electrical products to industries such as construction, agriculture, rail and defence. It produces a variety of products including wiring harnesses, control panels, battery/power leads, PCBs and control systems mainly for use in specialist vehicle manufacture. Parkinson Harness Technology also offers engineering support services across various stages of vehicle production design and testing.The company was looking to satisfy a customers need for a way to pot a small electrical resistor into the bottom of a diesel filter bowl without compromising the connectivity of the copper pins. The process needed to be accurate, repeatable and reliable whilst minimising wastage of parts and material. It was difficult to apply the epoxy in the correct position because the resistor was inside a recess of the filter bowl and the dispensing equipment obscured the view. Previous methods for this process had proven problematic, with excessive epoxy resin being inaccurately dispensed, causing material to cover the copper pins and block electronic connectivity. The resulting levels of scrappage and material wastage led to reduced manufacturing yield.Intertronics Product Specialist, Simon Gibbs, worked alongside Senior Development Engineer Clayton Smith to find an efficient way to pot the resistor with higher accuracy and precision than the existing method. He conducted a series of trials and demonstrations in order to establish a more suitable method of dispensing.Describing the original process Clayton said: Our existing process was just not working for us or the customer; we had a high failure rate and a lot of rejected material, so something needed to change. He continued: We looked at several different solutions from a handful of different companies, but the offering from Intertronics stood above the crowd. This, coupled with the positive approach from Simon Gibbs and everyone else on the Intertronics team, convinced us that we had found the right solution.Successful sample assemblies were created using a Fisnar F4200N.1 benchtop robot and a preeflow eco-PEN450 positive displacement valve. The easy-to-program F4200N.1 provided accurate, repeatable positioning of the valve over the component, whilst the preeflow eco-PEN450 volumetrically dispensed 0.2g of single-part, heat-cure epoxy resin onto the part.Once satisfied, Clayton proposed this new process to the customer, who was happy to go ahead with the new method, resulting in better quality products at a reduced cost due to the reduced material waste and reject rates. Intertronics Technical Manager, Kevin Cook, attended the site to install and train the operators on their new equipment. Commenting on the service and ongoing support received from Intertronics, Clayton said: Since purchasing the system we have had lots of after sales support from Kevin Cook and his team. It is very reassuring to know that I can just pick up the phone if I need any help.For further information please seeor visit the Intertronics blog atIntertronics supplies adhesives, coatings, sealants and equipment to customers with high technology, high performance assembly applications. Their customers are manufacturers in industries such as electronics, medical devices, plastics, optical, automotive, energy, defence and aerospace.Intertronics specialise in adhesives and adhesive systems, namely bonding, coating, sealing, encapsulating, potting, masking and gasketing products, together with the most appropriate equipment and accessories for surface preparation, mixing, application, dispensing, and curing them. The provision of insightful technical and applications guidance is a cornerstone of their business. Intertronics can help you find the optimal materials and processes for the manufacture, assembly or repair of your products, safeguarding and enhancing performance and integrity and, in turn, your profitability and reputation.Ever since being established in1979, when their main market was the printed circuit board assembly industry, Intertronics has enjoyed a reputation for customer focus, excellent service and post-sales support. They now supply over 3,000 regular customers, including multinational manufacturers, production facilities, specialist design and development businesses, universities, training organisations and government establishments.The Intertronics Technology Centre, located in Oxfordshire with excellent road and rail links, is custom-designed for hands-on demonstrations and trials, hosted by their product specialists.IntertronicsUnit 17, Station Field Industrial EstateBanbury RoadKidlingtonOxfordshire, OX5 1JDTel: 01865 842842email: info@intertronics.co.ukblog:Press contact: Peter Swanson
Dye Stuff Market is expected to witness a significant growth of USD ~ 258.79 million by 2023 with CAGR of ~8.3 % between 2016 and 2023

Dye Stuff Market

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Synopsis of Dye Stuff Market:In Chemical Industry, dyestuff plays an important role which enhance the growth of Chemical Market, the applications and production of dyestuff is one the oldest chemical industry of human activities. In addition, the natural Dyestuff using since period of ancient. Presently, synthetic Dyestuffs has covered larger share of Dye Stuff Market, and available in several types such as azo dyes, cyanine dyes, nitroso dyes, anthraquinone dyes, nitroso dyes, and other. Moreover, textile, carpet, and garment industry is one of the biggest and most prominent sectors as consumption of the dyes are used in textile industry. Presently, by the types markets for dyestuff are primarily dominated by reactive and disperse dyes. In region such as China, South Korea, and Taiwan is considering as strong players in term of disperse dye stuff, whereas India has occupied lead in production of reactive dyestuff.Request Sample Research Report @The Global Dye Stuff Market is expected to witness a significant growth of USD ~ 258.79 million by 2023 with CAGR of ~8.3 % between 2016 and 2023.Growth of various industry such as textile, leather, paper, wood, and others are the major drivers of Dye Stuff Market especially in APAC region. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing markets for dye stuff where growth is driven by the countries such as India, China, and Japan. In addition, increasing market of textile industry will increase the consumption of Dye Stuff Globally. Furthermore, stringent environmental regulations for synthetic based Dye Stuff can hamper the market growth in future.Key Players:Key players of the Global Dye Stuff Market are Clariant International Ltd. (Switzerland), Lanxess AG (Germany), BASF SE (Germany), Orion Colorchem Industries (India), Setas Color Center (Turkey), Synthesia, a.s (Europe), Synthetic Corporation (South Korea), Avocet Dye & Chemical Co. Ltd (UK), Arkema SA (Europe), Huntsman Corporation (Texas), and others.Regional Analysis:In geographical terms, Asia Pacific is the largest market of Dye Stuff due to demand in various industry such as textile, leather, and paper, in China region followed by India. Increasing demand for textile industry in the China, India, Taiwan, and South Korea has made Asia Pacific largest consumer of the global dye stuff market followed by increasing in the consumption of Dye Stuff Market in Europe region. In Europe region, dye stuff market is mainly Drive by textile industry. In addition, the third largest market of dye stuff is North America region due to large consumption in textile, paper, and leather industry. Latin America and Middle East also witnessed in growth of dye stuff market due to various application such as textile dye, leather dye, paper dye, wood dye, and others.Segmentation:The Global Dye Stuff Market is majorly segmented on the basis of form, composition, process, types, application, and region. Based on form, of dye stuff the market is segmented into natural, synthetic Dye Stuff. Based on composition of Dye Stuff the Market is segmented into organic, inorganic dye stuff. Based on process of Dye Stuff the Market is segmented into disperse dye, direct dye, reactive dye, vat dye, acid dye, cationic dye, sulfur dye, and others. Based on types, of dye stuff the market is segmented into azo dyes, cyanine dyes, nitroso dyes, anthraquinone dyes, and others. Furthermore, based on application of dye stuff the market is segmented into as textile dye, leather dye, paper dye, wood dye, and others. and based on region market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.Request for Discount @Study Objectives of Dye Stuff Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 7 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Dye stuff Market. To understand the supply and demand dynamics including supply and consumption concentration mapping. To provide region level market analysis and future outlook for North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) and their countries. To provide competitor positioning of the market. To provide company profiling of major players in the market along with their production and capacity. To provide regional trade analysis. To evaluate historical market trends, patents and technologies, and current government regulatory requirements that are relevant to the market.Key Points from Table of Content:14. Company Profiles14.1 Clariant International Ltd.14.1.1 Company Overview14.1.2 Product/Business Segment Overview14.1.3 Financial Updates14.1.4 Key Developments14.2 Lanxess AG14.2.1 Company Overview14.2.2 Product/Business Segment Overview14.2.3 Financial Updates14.2.4 Key Developments14.3 BASF SE14.3.1 Company Overview14.3.2 Product/Business Segment Overview14.3.3 Financial Updates14.3.4 Key Developments14.4 Orion Colorchem Industries14.4.1 Company Overview14.4.2 Product/Business Segment Overview14.4.3 Financial Updates14.4.4 Key DevelopmentsInquire more about this Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com
Tissue and Hygiene Products Market : Potential and Niche Segments, Geographical regions and Trends 2025

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The personal care products market comprises hair care, skin care, toiletries, fragrances convenience products and others. Among all these segments toiletries and skin care comprises the major segments for the market, constituting with high market value with favorable perspective in the near future. Tissue and hygiene is the sub-segment of toiletries segment. Tissue and hygiene products help consumers to maintain healthy and hygienic lifestyle in day to day schedule. Tissue and hygiene products are further categorized as disposable razor or blades, sanitary pads, nappies, cleansers, sprays, cotton wool and others.Tissue and hygiene Market SegmentationTissue and hygiene market can be segmented on the basis of distribution channel which includes health and beauty stores, chemist/pharmacies/drugstores, supermarkets, convenient stores, e-retailing and others. Among all these distribution channel segments, sell out of tissue and hygiene products through supermarkets account for the highest market share in 2014 followed by convenience stores. Growing retail industry is fuelling the demand for sell out of tissue and hygiene products through supermarkets across the globe. Moreover, chemist/pharmacies/drugstores segment is also expected to show a potential growth in terms of sales of tissue and hygiene products during the forecast period. In addition, sell out through internet is expected to show a sustainable growth in the forecasted period. The growth of online purchasing is supported by the increasing penetration of internet and rising concern for convenience among the consumers across the globe.Request Report Sample@The tissue and hygiene market can also be segmented on the basis of product type. The segmentation includes cotton wool/buds/, incontinence products, nappies/diapers, sanitary protection, wipes and others. Among all these segments sanitary protection and nappies/diapers are collectively expected to account for the highest growth in terms of revenue followed by wipes. Increasing concern of women for healthy and hygienic lifestyle is expected to support the growth of sanitary protection product market across the globe. Moreover, wipes are also expected to show a tremendous growth in the forecast period due to continuous and aggressive promotion of the product.On the basis of geography, North America contributes to the largest in terms of revenue in tissue and hygiene market followed by Europe. In North America United States is the major contributor in tissue and hygiene market followed by Canada. In Europe, countries such as Germany and France accounts for the largest market share followed by United Kingdom. Whereas, Asia pacific is concerned it is expected to register a double digit CAGR growth by 2020. In Asia pacific region China is expected to be the most dominant market for tissue and hygiene followed by Japan. Rising awareness through various corporate advertisements and government educational campaigns coupled with increasing concern of women to be hygienic in their day to day life has fueled the growth of tissue and hygiene market in China. Moreover, women in China prefer for premium feminine hygiene product categories, which is expected to bolster the growth of feminine hygiene products in terms of revenue. In addition, India is also expected to witness a robust growth in tissue and hygiene market. Increasing number of working women in urban areas, rising awareness among the consumer for healthy and hygienic lifestyle has supported the growth of tissue and hygiene market in India. Furthermore, government educating and awareness campaigns in rural areas and in schools is expected to support the growth of tissue and hygiene market particularly in India.Tissue and hygiene Market DriversRising disposable income coupled with increasing consumer expenditure for health care products is driving the growth of tissue and hygiene market across the globe. In addition, consumer awareness through aggressive corporate advertisement and various government campaign programs in rural and urban areas especially in school and colleges is also fueling the tissue and hygiene market growth of tissue and hygiene market in the forecast period. In addition continuous launching of new product variant is expected to fuel the growth of tissue and hygiene market in the near future.Visit For TOC@Tissue and hygiene Market: Key PlayersThe major international players operating in tissue and hygiene market includes Sterling Hygiene Tissue Procter & Gamble, Gulf Manufacturing EST, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Johnson & Johnson Limited, Unilever and Hengan International Group Company Limited. among others.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Cloud Engineering Market to Incur Rapid Extension By 2022

Cloud Engineering

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SummaryOrbis Research delivers key insights on the Global Cloud Engineering market in a new report titled 2017 Global Cloud Engineering Industry Research Report. In this report, Orbis Research sheds light on the various factors and trends impacting market growth over the forecast period (2017  2022).DescriptionThe Global Cloud Engineering Market report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Cloud Engineering industry. This report evaluates the Global market for " Global Cloud Engineering".The Global Cloud Engineering Market report provides complete analysis of the Global Cloud Engineering Market by analysing all round market dynamics such as regional market opportunities, drivers, challenges, constraints, threats, and other market trends.The Global Cloud Engineering Market report contains latest Business Data resulting from various Research sources that helps Decision Makers to deliver a Distinctive and Trustworthy Analysis for Companys Growth.Get a PDF Sample of Global Cloud Engineering Market report at:The Global Cloud Engineering Market Survey starts with Industry overview of Global Cloud Engineering Market covering Major Regions Status, Industry Chain Structure, Definitions and Specifications, with a detailed focus on Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis including Raw Material Suppliers, Equipment Suppliers and Manufacturing Process.In Next Part, the researchers has collected and presented information on Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis which comprises of Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source of Major Manufacturers in 2017.In following segment, with Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin, Business Region Distribution Analysis, Competition between various Company Profile has been given along with Product Pictures and Specifications in Global Cloud Engineering Industry Report.The Key Players Mentioned in Global Cloud Engineering Market Report are: Sogeti (France, Europe) Aricent Inc. (California, US) Trianz (California, US) GFT Technologies SE (Germany, Europe) Engineering Ingegneria Informatica SpA (Rome, Europe) Rapidvalue Solutions Inc. (California, US) ITC Infotech (Karnataka, India) Nitor Infotech (Maharashtra, India) Softcrylic LLC (Minnesota, US) Calsoft Inc. (California, US) Searce Inc. (Texas, US) VVDN Technologies (Haryana, India) U cloud (Shanghai, China) Alibaba Cloud (Hangzhou, China) Baidu Cloud (Beijing, China)The Global Cloud Engineering Industry Report is also a Great Source of Marketing Type Analysis consisting:1. Global Cloud Engineering Regional Marketing Type Analysis2. Global Cloud Engineering International Trade Type Analysis3. Traders or Distributors with Contact Information of Global Cloud Engineering by Regions4. Global Cloud Engineering Supply Chain AnalysisFor Any Query, before Purchasing Report Click Here:Major Points from Table of Contents:Chapter One Methodology and Data SourceChapter Two Cloud Engineering Market OverviewChapter Three Cloud Engineering by Key Players 2012-2017Chapter Four Cloud Engineering by Regions 2012-2017Chapter Five Cloud Engineering Market by Product TypesChapter Six Global Key Players ProfileChapter Seven Cloud Engineering by Appliance 2012-2017Chapter Eight Industry Chain and Supply ChainChapter Nine Global Cloud Engineering Market Size (Sales and Revenue) Forecast (2017-2022)Chapter Ten Development Trend and Research ConclusionList Of Tables:Table Global Cloud Engineering Sales Volume (K Units), Revenue (Million USD) and Price (USD/Unit)(2012-2017)Figure Global Cloud Engineering Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)Figure Global Cloud Engineering Sales Volume (K Units) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)Table Global Cloud Engineering Sales Volume (K Units) by Key Players (2012-2017)Table Global Cloud Engineering Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players (2012-2017)Figure Global Cloud Engineering Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players 2016Figure Global Cloud Engineering Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players 2017Table Global Cloud Engineering Revenue (Million USD) by Key Players (2012-2017)Table Global Cloud Engineering Revenue Market Share by Key Players (2012-2017)Figure Global Cloud Engineering Revenue Market Share by Key Players 2016Figure Global Cloud Engineering Revenue Market Share by Key Players 2017Table Global Key Players Key Product Model and Market PerformanceTable Global Key Players Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceTable Global Cloud Engineering Sales (K Units) by Regions (2012-2017)Table Global Cloud Engineering Sales Share by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Cloud Engineering Sales Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure Global Cloud Engineering Sales Market Share by Regions in 2017Table Global Cloud Engineering Revenue (Million USD) by Regions (2012-2017)Table Global Cloud Engineering Revenue Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)Lastly, the Report provides Development Trend Analysis for 2017-2022 years which will forecast Market Size (Volume and Value), Sales Price, Consumption Forecast, Market Trend (Product Type) and Market Trend (Application). Also the List of Major Consumers is analyzed and Contact Details are provided to easy communicating.Finally, the Report is concluded with Various Methodology, Analyst Introduction and Data SourcesOrbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas  75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Follow Us on LinkedIn:
Vehicle Electrification Market to Witness Steady Growth through 2025

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Electrification of a vehicle is considered as one of the best way to reduce carbon emission, increase vehicle efficiency and reduce dependency over oil. Vehicle electrification generates new opportunities for consumer engagement along with various environmental and economic benefits. We can replace various hydraulic or mechanical systems with electric systems: hydraulic power steering with electric power steering and mechanical or hydraulic pumps with electric pumps. The air conditioner in a vehicle canVehicle Electrification Market: Drivers & RestraintsIncreasing prices of conventional fuels, growth in the sales of electric vehicles will enhance the growth of vehicle electrification. Growing demand for fuel efficient vehicles, stringent emission norm along with increasing environmental awareness among the consumer are also expected to fuel the growth of vehicle electrification market. Governments of various countries such as US are actively supporting vehicle electrification by providing tax exemption and subsidies.Request Report Sample@Vehicle Electrification Market: SegmentationOn the basis of product type, vehicle electrification market is broadly segmented as:StartStop SystemElectric Power Steering (EPS)Liquid Heater PTCElectric Air-Conditioner CompressorElectric Vacuum PumpElectric Oil PumpElectric Water PumpThermoelectric GeneratorElectric TurbochargerOn the basis of vehicle type, the market is segmented into:Passenger CarLight Commercial VehicleHeavy Commercial VehicleTwo  WheelerVehicle electrification market is segmented on the basis of degree of hybridizationas:Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) & Micro-Hybrid VehicleHybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)Battery Electric Vehicle (Bev) & Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)In addition, report also includes segmentation on the basis of channel type:OEMsAftermarketVehicle Electrification Market: Region  Wise OutlookAsia  Pacific region owing to the fast growing automotive industry in developing countries such as India, China and South Korea is expected to show a significant growth in the vehicle electrification market. Strict laws in Western & Eastern Europe for vehicle efficiency will drive the vehicle electrification market in this region. North America is also anticipated to a moderate growth with credits to the strong fuel efficiency norms and support from government in the region. With rapid technological advancement and growing automobile industry, vehicle electrification market is expected to increase at a double CAGR during the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Vehicle Electrification Market: Key PlayersSome of the players in the market we identified includes, Continental AG, Robert Bosch GmbH., TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., Denso Corporation, (Japan), Nexteer Automotive, JTEKT Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Mando Corp., Borgwarner Inc. and ZF Friedrichshafen AG.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Depression Drugs Market 2017 - Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Astrazeneca, Lundbeck, Allergan, GSK, Intellipharmaceutics

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Global Depression Drugs Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022Depression is a mental health issue. Its a condition that starts most often in early adulthood. Its also more common in women. However, anyone at any age may suffer from depression. Depression affects the brain, so drugs that work in the brain may offer hope. Common antidepressants may help ease your symptoms, but there are many other options as well. Each drug used to treat depression works by balancing certain chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. Depression Drugs is drugs used for Depression.Request For Sample Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Depression Drugs in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversIntellipharmaceuticsPfizerEli LillyAstrazenecaLundbeckAllerganGSKOtsuka PharmaceuticalTakedaNHU GroupShionogiAPOTEXKanghong PharmaHUAHAIMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Access Full Report With TOC @Market Segment by Type, coversSSRIsSNRIsOthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoHospitalsClinicsOthersThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Depression Drugs market.Chapter 1, to describe Depression Drugs Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Depression Drugs, with sales, revenue, and price of Depression Drugs, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Depression Drugs, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Depression Drugs market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Depression Drugs sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Micro Guide Catheters Market : Segmentation, Industry trends and Development to 2025

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A catheter is a thin tube medical device which can be inserted into the human body during surgical procedures. This process is known as catheterization. A catheter is manufactured from medical grade materials. Catheters can be modified to treat various diseases ranging from cardiovascular, urological, neurovascular, ophthalmic to gastrointestinal. Catheters perform the functions of fluid drainage, fluid or gas administration and organ access for surgery in human body. An indwelling catheter is left inside the body, either temporarily or permanently while a permcath is inserted in the body permanently. A catheter is made up of polymers such as silicone, nylon, polyurethane, thermoplastic, elastomer, polyethylene terephthalate to name a few. These catheter polymers are inert and unreactive to human body and medical or surgical chemicals. Micro guide catheter has a hydrophilic coating designed with Glide Technology, a stainless steel braid and a gold marker.Request Report Sample@Micro Guide Catheters Market: Drivers & RestraintsMicro guide catheter is built to approach highly complex lesions in the human anatomy through the most difficult vessels, ducts or cavities. The stainless steel braid in Micro guide catheter improves the tensile strength and increases the reliability of the Micro guide catheter. This is an advantage of micro guide catheter over other conventional catheters. The Micro guide catheter lumen is tapered and intended to provide for enhanced guidewire control through the human body. The risk associated with catheter material and functioning can hamper the growth of micro guide catheter market. There have been instances in which the polymer of catheter has proven to be weak and got fractured. These fractures need to be rectified by additional surgery thereby losing patient compliance and increasing cost of surgery.Micro Guide Catheters Market: SegmentationMicro Guide Catheters market is classified on the basis of type, therapeutic area and geography.Based on type, the global Micro Guide Catheters market is segmented into the following:Over-the-wire micro guide catheterFlow directed micro guide catheterBased on therapeutic area, the global Micro Guide Catheters market is segmented into the following:NeurovascularCardiovascularMicro Guide Catheters Market: OverviewMicro Guide Catheter is widely used in cardiovascular disease treatment. Cardiovascular catheters is the largest segment in global catheter market. Cardiovascular catheters hold approximately 40% share of the global catheter market. The micro guide catheter market is expected to witness bolstering demand owing to the venturing of catheter manufacturing companies into new launches of micro guide catheters. Also the micro guide catheter market possess ample potential due to the flexibility of micro guide catheter tips. Micro guide catheter tips are capable of reaching intricate anatomy to treat diseases such as uterine fibroids, arterial embolism, venal or pulmonary embolism, vascular malformations and hypervascularized tumors.Micro Guide Catheters Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global Micro Guide Catheters market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America is the leading region in micro guide catheter market due to the high volumes of medical procedures conducted through catheterization. Also, the availability of established healthcare infrastructure, high contribution of healthcare to economy, patient compliance are the reasons for the high demand in North America for micro guide catheter. The constant healthcare sector improvements and the huge amount of population base represented by the Asia Pacific region is expected to drive the demand in Asia Pacific micro guide catheter market.Visit For TOC@Micro Guide Catheters Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market players in global Micro Guide Catheters market are LuMend Corporation, Terumo Europe N.V., Covidien AG, ASAHI INTECC Company Limited, Lake Region manufacturing Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Volcano Corporation, Micro Therapeutics Inc., Merit Medical Systems Inc. to name a few. The micro guide catheter manufacturing companies aim to gain US FDA and CE approvals for its micro guide catheters.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Virgin Coconut Oil Market Key Players 2017 - NMK HOLDINGS PRIVATE LIMITED ,Greenville Agro Corporation ,P.T. Harvard Cocopro

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The Report Global Virgin Coconut Oil Market provides information on Price Trend of Key Raw Materials ,Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure ,Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers & this 116 Pages Report added to orbis Research database.The Global Virgin Coconut Oil Market is valued at XX million USD in 2016 and is expected to reach XX million USD by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Request a PDF Sample of this Report @ :This report offers an overview of the market trends, drivers, and barriers with respect to the Virgin Coconut Oil market. It also provides a detailed overview of the market of different regions across United States, Europe, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and Others.The report categorizes Virgin Coconut Oil market by By Coconut Oil Level, By Coconut Oil Color, and application. Detailed analysis of key players, along with key growth strategies adopted by them is also covered in this report on Virgin Coconut Oil market is valued at XX million USD in 2016 and is expected to reach XX million USD by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.This report focuses Global market, it covers details as following:Key Players : NMK HOLDINGS PRIVATE LIMITED Greenville Agro Corporation P.T. Harvard Cocopro Naturoca SUN BIO NATURALS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED Celebes Sakthi Exports NATURE PACIFIC PTY LTD Cocomate Manchiee De Coco KKP Industry Genius Nature Herbs Pvt Ltd Keratech Harin Bio-Tech International Private LimitedContinuedMain types of products :Virgin Coconut Oil Market, by Coconut Oil Level : Virgin Coconut Oil Extra Virgin Coconut OilVirgin Coconut Oil Market, by Coconut Oil Color : White Type Yellow TypeVirgin Coconut Oil Market, by Key Consumer : Food Medical Beauty and CosmeticsKey Regions :North America United States Canada Latin America Mexico Brazil Argentina OthersEurope : Germany United Kingdom France Italy Spain Russia Netherland OthersAsia & Pacific : China Japan India Korea Australia Southeast AsiaAccess the complete report with TOC & List of Tables :Some Major Points From TOC :Chapter One: Methodology and Data SourceChapter Two: Virgin Coconut Oil Market OverviewChapter Three: Virgin Coconut Oil by Key Players 2012-2017Chapter Three: Virgin Coconut Oil by Key Players 2012-2017Chapter Five: Virgin Coconut Oil Market by Product TypesChapter Six: Global Key Players ProfileChapter Seven: Virgin Coconut Oil by Appliance 2012-2017Chapter Eight: Industry Chain and Supply ChainChapter Nine: Global Virgin Coconut Oil Market Size (Sales and Revenue) Forecast (2017-2022)Chapter Ten Development Trend and Research ConclusionHave any query? Feel free to ask us :Some Points From List Of Figures : Table Global Virgin Coconut Oil Sales Volume (MT), Revenue (Million USD) and Price (USD/MT)(2012-2017) Figure Global Virgin Coconut Oil Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2017) Figure Global Virgin Coconut Oil Sales Volume (MT) and Growth Rate (2012-2017) Table Global Virgin Coconut Oil Sales Volume (MT) by Key Players (2012-2017) Table Global Virgin Coconut Oil Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players (2012-2017) Figure Global Virgin Coconut Oil Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players 2016 Figure Global Virgin Coconut Oil Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players 2017 Table Global Virgin Coconut Oil Revenue (Million USD) by Key Players (2012-2017) Table Global Virgin Coconut Oil Revenue Market Share by Key Players (2012-2017) Figure Global Virgin Coconut Oil Revenue Market Share by Key Players 2016 Figure Global Virgin Coconut Oil Revenue Market Share by Key Players 2017 Table Global Key Players Key Product Model and Market Performance Table Global Key Players Key Target Consumers and Market Performance Table Global Virgin Coconut Oil Sales (MT) by Regions (2012-2017)Continued.....About Us:Orbis Research is a single point aid for all your Market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customised reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialisation. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required Market research study for our clients.Contact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas  75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Email ID: sales@orbisresearch.com
Pharmaceutical Solvent Market to Create Valuation Worth US$ 4.1 Bn by 2026 end

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Global Market for Pharmaceutical Solvents Projected to Witness Sluggish GrowthA majority of medicines & drugs produced in the world are derived from formulating Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), and such processes require alcoholic solvents such as ethanol, isopropanol, propanol and propylene glycol.Production of pharmaceutical solvents continues to be concentrated in the Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region as leading API suppliers and drug manufacturers in the world have based their production units in countries such as South Korea, China and India, among others.Nevertheless, the production of pharmaceutical solvents in the world continues to be riddled with challenges emanating from stringent manufacturing regulations imposed by governments. Administration authorities regulating industrial activities in a region are curbing the production of pharmaceutical solvents which contain high volumes of inflammable fluids. An alarming rise in the incidences of casualties reported in pharmaceutical solvent manufacturing plants as well as health risks of being exposed to volatile liquids present in several pharmaceutical solvents will continue to be a major challenge for drugmakers in the coming years.Request For Report Sample@According to Future Market Insights, the global market for pharmaceutical solvents will expand at a sluggish pace, registering a 3.5% CAGR (in terms of value) during the forecast period 2016-2026. More than 2,000 kilotons of pharmaceutical solvents were estimated to be sold in 2016, projecting that the global pharmaceutical solvents revenues amassed in the year surpassed US$ 2,713.2 million. In the report, titled Pharmaceutical Solvents Market: Global Industry Analysis & Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026, Future Market Insights expects that by the end of 2026, an approximate of US$ 4.1 billion revenues will be accrued through global sales of pharmaceutical solvents. Over the projection period, the APEJ pharmaceutical solvents market will account for over 30% of the global revenues, primarily due to the regions potential for large scale production of drugs, medicine and other pharmaceutical products. Meanwhile, North America and Western Europe are anticipated to incur a slight dip in their collective share towards global market value, procuring combined revenues of nearly US$ 2 billion by the end of 2026.Alcohol  Dominant Chemical Group for Pharmaceutical SolventsFormulation of pharmaceutical products is mainly instrumented by mixing alcoholic solvents with API and other pharmaceutical ingredients. During production of medicinal fluids, alcohols tend to serve as the inactive ingredients or excipients, helping in stabilising the chemical composition of resultant compounds. Hence, the global market for pharmaceutical solvents will continue to witness higher adoption of alcohols as the constituent chemicals used for production. By the end of 2026, more than 700 kilotons of alcohols will be consumed for global production of pharmaceutical solvents. Besides, esters are also expected to be a dominant chemical constituent in production of pharmaceutical solvents, and are estimated to have accounted for more than US$ 400 million revenues in 2016. On the other hand, manufacturers of pharmaceutical solvents are also augmenting their production techniques to include ether chemicals. During the forecast period, the global revenue share of ethers will exhibit an impressive growth by accounting for more than 16%.Fire Hazards Repressing Rampant Production of Pharmaceutical SolventsLeading manufacturers in the global pharmaceutical solvents market are being weighed down by government and administrative authorities for limiting their production potential. Presence of volatile chemicals in pharmaceutical solvents has led to imposition of strict regulations regarding production, storage and transport of pharmaceutical solvents. Subsequently, health hazards impact the pricing of pharmaceutical solvents as employees working in solvent manufacturing units demand better insurance cover and incessant salary hikes, which ends up spiking the production costs for companies.Send an Enquiry @Prominent players in the global pharmaceutical solvents market are being compelled to remodel their production methods by including innovative techniques that constrain the fire hazards during manufacturing. Competitive landscape of the global pharmaceutical solvents market is fragmented into raw material suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors. Companies such as The Dow Chemical Company, Clariant AG, BASF SE, and Alfa Aesar are recognised as global manufacturers of pharmaceutical solvents, while leading raw material suppliers in the global market include Mitsui Chemicals, Exxon Mobil Corporation and Eastman Chemical Company. Other companies profiled in the report include, Yips Chemical Holdings Limited, Merck KGaA, and Procter & Gamble Chemicals.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Sales of Branded Generics Will Amass More Than US$ 400 Billion in Revenues By 2026-End

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A recent research conducted by Future Market Insights predicts that the global market for branded generics will witness a steady growth in terms of revenues. Over a ten-year forecast period from 2016 to 2026, the size of global branded generics market has been estimated to expand at a steady CAGR of 7.3%. Brand-name prescriptions will continue to be ubiquitous among aged people in the world, and since geriatric demographics account for a large portion of global drug-consuming population, demand for branded generics will also rise substantially. In 2016, the global branded generics market has been valued at nearly US$ 200 billion, and is projected to reach US$ 413.8 Bn market value by the end of forecast period.Some of the leading manufacturers of branded generics are based in Asian countries, and are extending their production capacity to keep up with the surging global depend. In Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region, about US$ 150 billion revenues are expected to be procured by the end of 2026. During the forecast period, branded generics market in the APEJ region will attain fastest growth, registering a 10% CAGR, contributing over 35% of global branded generics revenues. North America, Eastern Europe and Latin America are also expected to be lucrative for growth of branded generics sales, while revenues in Western Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa (MEA) are likely to incur a considerable dip by 2026-end.Request For Report Sample@Competitive Timeline in Global Branded Generics MarketSince 2015, Abbott Laboratories, a leading drugmaker in the global pharmaceuticals industry, has aimed at capitalizing from branded generics businesses in developing regions.Teva Pharmaceuticals acquired Allergans branded generics vertical, while Pfizer Inc. bought Hospira Inc.  both acquisitions have been strategically carried out for repositioning market standings of Teva and Pfizer respectively.In December 2016, India-based Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. agreed to buy Swiss drugmaker Novartis AGs branded generics portfolio on cancer medications.Another leading branded generics manufacturer, Mylan N.V. recently launched anti-allergy devices which are expected to be half the price of its branded EpiPens.Other prominent companies partaking in the growth of global branded generics market include, Aspen Pharmacare Holding Ltd. and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.Research Highlights on Global Branded Generics MarketThe report includes a segmental analysis of the global branded generics market, fragmenting its growth on the type of drug formulation, major drug classes, therapeutic applications, and distribution channels. Based on such segmentation, some of the key findings compiled in the report are:Nearly three-fifth of the global branded generics revenues estimated in 2016 are expected to be accounted by oral-type formulations, with parenteral, topic and other formulation types collectively accounting for 8% market value share.Send an Enquiry @Hospital pharmacies & retail pharmacies will remain as the largest distribution channels for branded generics throughout the globe.In 2016 and beyond, the demand for branded generics in therapeutic treatment of cardiovascular diseases will be significant, revenues from which are expected to increase at more than 8% CAGR over the forecast period.Global revenues of branded generics accounted by anti-hypertensive drug class are predicted to surpass US$ 25 billion by 2026-end.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Connected Home Security System Market 2017 - ADT, Securitas, Panasonic, Samsung, Vivint, Honeywell

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Global Connected Home Security System Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022Connected home security system is a set of integrated systems connects to your home Wi-Fi network so you can monitor and control your security devices using your smartphone and an app. Entry-level systems typically include a couple of door and window sensors, a motion detector, and a hub that communicates with these devices using one or more wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, or a proprietary mesh network. You can add extra door, motion, and window sensors to provide coverage for your entire house and build a comprehensive system that includes door locks, garage door openers, indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras, lights, sirens, smoke/CO detectors, water sensors, and more.Request For Sample Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Connected Home Security System in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversHoneywellADTSecuritasPanasonicSamsungVivintLifeShieldScout AlarmMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversMonitor SystemAlarm SystemAccess Full Report With TOC @Market Segment by Applications, can be divided intoVillaApartmentOtherThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Connected Home Security System market.Chapter 1, to describe Connected Home Security System Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Connected Home Security System, with sales, revenue, and price of Connected Home Security System, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Connected Home Security System, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Connected Home Security System market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Connected Home Security System sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Electric Wheelchair Market : Potential and Niche Segments, Geographical regions and Trends 2025

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Electric wheelchairs are also called as power chairs or electric ?power wheelchairs. They do not require any human assistance for mobility as they are powered by battery. Most obvious advantage of electric wheelchair is that they are user friendly and convenient. These electric wheelchairs are useful for those unable to use manual wheelchair or who may want to use wheelchair for travelling longer distance and in such case using manual wheelchair is very difficult. Apart from people with traditional mobility disability, they may also be used by people with cardiovascular diseases or who met with any accidental conditions.Electric Wheelchair Market: Drivers and RestraintsFactors which are driving the growth of global electric wheelchair market are growing worldwide elderly population, necessity of automated wheelchair for disabled people and high disposable income of people from developed countries such as UK, France, Germany, US, Canada and Japan. Furthermore increasing demand of advanced wheelchairs from sport industry is also influencing the growth of electric wheelchair market, as many sport events are organised specially for disabled persons.Request Report Sample@Apart from several advantages, global electric wheelchair market is also facing some challenges such as high cost of electric wheel chair and lack of awareness and infrastructure. However this issues are expected to reduce during forecast periodElectric Wheelchair Market: SegmentationThe Global Electric wheelchair market is segmented on the basis of product type and region. By product type, the electric wheelchair market can be segmented as centre wheel drive electric wheelchair, front wheel drive electric wheelchair, standing electric wheelchair, rear wheel drive electric wheelchair and others. Among all this product types, centre wheel drive electric wheelchair held largest revenue share and represents more than 50% of total market in 2014. Front wheel drive electric wheelchair is expected to be second largest growing type after centre wheel drive electric wheelchair and estimated to conquer significant growth in near future.By region, the market is segmented into seven major region such as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific (excluding Japan), Japan as a separate region and Middle East and Africa (MEA). Current global electric wheelchair market is dominated by North America region however in recent future developing economies such as China, India and Brazil are expected to drive the demand for electric wheelchairs.Electric Wheelchair Market: Region ?wise outlookThe global electric wheelchair market is estimated to witness robust growth through 2025 due to growing technological advancement in electric wheelchair industry, new products are equipped with gadgets for accessibility and control. North America region led the market in 2014 in terms of highest demand. In US, government provides medical insurance to people over age of 65, which also helps them to get medical facilities at subsidized rates. High purchasing power, increasing elderly population and consumer awareness and inclination towards more sophisticated technology driven the progress of electric wheelchair market in this region. In coming years, developing countries such as India, China and Brazil expected to boost the demand of electric wheelchairs. It is mainly because of gradual increase in consumer awareness and development of medical facilities in this region.Visit For TOC@Electric Wheelchair Market: Key PlayersThe key international players operating in electric wheelchair market includes OttoBock Healthcare GmbH, Invacare Corp., Pride Mobility Products Corp., Permobil AB, Sunrise Medical Limited, Hoveround Corporation, LEVO AG, Invacare Corp., MEYRA GmbH, Medical Depot, Inc., GF HEALTH PRODUCTS, INC and Others. All these key players are focusing on delivering best value products to their customers. Customised offering and product innovation is a common strategy adopted by most of the key players. These electric wheelchair manufactures offers large variety and different sizes of wheelchairs to meet demand of individuals depending upon their weight and height.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Functional Printing Market : Recent Industry Trends, Analysis and Forecast 2025

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Functional printing is a process of bringing functionality into 2D and 3D silicon based components. It is printing of different electronic components using substrates and ink. The some of the most commonly used printing techniques are screen, flexography and inkjet which are being employed to print on various substrates like glass, paper, paper etc. using dielectric inks, conductive copper and silver inks and grapheme inks. The increasing demand for low cost volume production of electronic components and rising concern towards environmental sustainability issues has boosted the growth of Global Functional printing market.Functional Printing is used for mass production of electronic devices such as light crystal display (LCD), Radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips, sensors, photovoltaic and organic light emitting diode (OLED).The use of functional printing for production of electronics is not only cost effective and environmentally safe but also provide scope for creating graphical visual effects like electrochromic effect, electroluminescent effect and electroluminescent effects. Functional printing offers increased durability, efficiency and reliability to the electronic components as compared to conventional process of production. On other hand existing functional printing technologies are still immature in terms of its application in development and production of electronic objects. It act as a both opportunity as well as challenge for market players to develop functional printing specifically designed for printed electronics.Request Report Sample@On the basis of materials, Global Functional Printing market is segmented into  substrate and ink. Further substrate is categorized into glass, polyethylene naphthalene (PEN), plastic, gallium nitride (GAN), paper, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), silicon carbide and ink is categorized into- dielectric inks, conductive copper, silver inks and grapheme inks.On the basis of technology, Global Functional Printing market is segmented into  screen printing, flexography printing, gravure printing, micro-contact printing, offset printing and inkjet printing.On the basis of coating, Global Functional Printing market is categorized into  Conformal coating and conductive coating.On the basis of Application, Global Functional Printing market is categorized into  light crystal display (LCD), Radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips, sensors, photovoltaic, organic light emitting diode (OLED), lighting, batteries and displays.The North America is the biggest functional printing market as most of the functional printing equipment & material manufacturers are from this region. There is need for technical developments and interdisciplinary efforts to fuel more innovative business opportunities along with core functional printing business to support rapid growth in functional printing market.The basic factors that drive the growth of global functional printing market is increasing demand of low cost, reliable and robust electronic devices such as RFID antennas and sensors all over the world. The development of new types of substrate materials and inks has further boosted the global functional printing market. The functional printing market is also driven by benefits that it offers such as less material wastage and low power consumption, which ultimately an effort to reduce negative environment impact by electronics industry. On other side, functional printing is not specifically designed for production of electronic components, which is a factor that surpasses the growth of functional printing market.Visit For TOC@Global Functional Printing Market: Key PlayersSome of the top players in global Functional Printing market include - Avery Dennison Corporation (U.S.), Blue Spark Technologies (U.S.), Blue Spark Technologies (U.S.), BASF SE (Germany), Mark Andy, Inc. (U.S.), Xennia Technology (U.K.), Novaled AG (Germany), Xaar PLC (U.K.), Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated (PARC) (U.S.) and E Ink Holdings, Inc (Taiwan).About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Fruit Wine Market Driven by the Changing Consumer Preferences Perception towards Drinks

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Global Fruit Wine Market: SnapshotFruit wines are prepared from the juice of fruits and naturally fermented with yeast. They are gaining popularity for their pleasant flavors and aromas. The alcohol formation in fruit wines is caused due to natural fermentation of fruits. The primary difference grape wines and fruit wines is that for fruit wines chaptalization is processed with some specific enzymes that enhances the aroma quality of fruit wines. Whereas grape wine is produced at grape vineyards, which requires a specific atmosphere and cultivable land. However, due to advancements in technology, production of wines is becoming more flexible. The other difference is that grape wines such as red wine compliment western cuisines, whereas, fruit wines compliment spicy food cuisines.Browse Market Research Report @Grape wines are more popular than the fruit wines. But, customers are shifting towards fruit wines as they have a wide variety of products along with having the ability to please people with different tastes. The customers with habits of trying new varieties of wines are motivating the producers to constantly produce new flavors of fruit wines. The health benefits of fruit wines, style and brand appeal, royal fragrance, ability to fit any cuisine, and refreshing taste attract customers to consume various types of fruit wines.Acid stability and adjustments in sugar quantities are difficult processes for fruit wine manufacturers to conduct. Moreover, processes such as pH tests, fermentation, and production of quality fruits need more attention from the producers. However, use of technologically advanced instruments will assist the manufacturers of fruit wines in creating quality wines.Global Fruit Wine Market: OverviewFruit wine is prepared from the juice of a ripe fruit and fermented naturally with yeast. The alcohol formation in the fruit wine is through natural fermentation of the fruits and its content primarily varies in between 5% to 15%. In order to increase alcohol content, yeasts requires sugar for generation of alcohol. The process called chaptalization is an alcohol enrichment process by addition of sugar in the fruit wine. The typical difference between grape wine and other fruit wines is that in production of latter one, chaptalization along with some special enzymes are added to enhance its aroma quality. The grape wines are very common and has robust market across the globe due to the fact that grapes have sufficient content of sugar which is results in 10-14% alcohol and are more stable. Yet, fruit wine has gained popularity in the recent years with high level of acceptance in the market. This acceptance is gained due to the sustainability of fruit wines and consumers attraction towards trying new and innovative wines. Mostly fruit wines are matched perfect with spicy food cuisines such as Indian cuisines whereas grape wines such as red wine matches better with western cuisines. The purity of fruit wines depend on the use of wholly fresh fruits and without addition of flavours and dilution.Make an Enquiry @Global Fruit wine Market: Drivers and RestraintsGrape wine is far more famous when compared to fruit wines, but every grape vineyard requires specific cultivable land and atmosphere. The wine producer are becoming more flexible and adopting the current changing world. The shift from grape wine towards fruit wines is prevalent and being driven by the changing consumer preferences perception towards drinks. The consumers with perception of trying different variety are propelling the global fruit wine market. Besides, some of the perception towards consuming fruit wines such as refreshing taste, fits well with any type of cuisine, a quite royal and style brand, healthy etc. drives the global fruit wine market. Also, the inventory required in fruit wine production is less which further fuels the global fruit wine market.However, the technical challenges such as acid stability, adjustments in sugar quantities for fruit wine manufacturers might restraint the global fruit wine market. Some of the challenges mostly faced by wine manufacturers includes, production of quality fruits, fermentation is a critical process, pH tests etc.Global Fruit Wine Market: SegmentationOn the basis of fruit type, fruit wine market is segmented into:-GrapeRieslingChardonnayPinot GrisSauvignon BlancStrawberryApplePearPineappleCherryOthersOn the basis of wine grade, fruit wine market is segmented into:-DistilledSemi-distilledFermentedGlobal Fruit Wine Market: Region wise OutlookThe global fruit wine market is divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). APEJ holds the major share in the global fruit wine market. Countries such as India, China and South Korea are regarded as export potential types of countries. Followed by APEJ is North America and Europe and are expected to grow relatively at a moderate CAGR during the forecast period. The global fruit wine market is anticipated to expand at a double digit CAGR growth due to rapid acceptance of fruit wines during the forecast period.Global Fruit Wine Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified in the global fruit wine market includes:Field Stone Fruit WinesBruntysLyme Bay Cider Co LtdWildberry Beverages Pvt. Ltd.Ningxia HongEckes-Granini GroupBella WineTEUTONIC WINE COMPANYZhongbo Green Technology Co.,LtdNashoba Valley WineryAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market 2017: Key Players Need to Capitalize on Technological Advancements to Survive Intense Cost-competitiveness, Global Forecast 2022

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Summary:Orbisresearch.com has published new report on "Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Industry". The report provides information on Industry Trends, Demand, Top Manufacturers, Countries, Material and Application.Description:In our aim to provide our erudite clients with the best research material with absolute in-depth information of the market, our new report on Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market is confident in meeting their needs and expectations. The 2017 market research report on Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market is an in-depth study and analysis of the market by our industry experts with unparalleled domain knowledge. The report will shed light on many critical points and trends of the industry which are useful for our esteemed clients. The report covers a vast expanse of information including an overview, comprehensive analysis, definitions and classifications, applications, and expert opinions, among others. With the extent of information filled in the report, the presentation and style of the Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market report is a noteworthy.Request a sample of this report @The Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Industry report provides key information about the industry, including invaluable facts and figures, expert opinions, and the latest developments across the globe. Not only does the report cover a holistic view of the industry from a global standpoint, but it also covers individual regions and their development. The Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Industry report showcases the latest trends in the global and regional markets on all critical parameters which include technology, supplies, capacity, production, profit, price, and competition.The key players covered in the report provide a detailed analysis of the competition and their developments in the Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Industry. Accurate forecasts and expert opinion from credible sources, and the recent R&D development in the industry is also a mainstay of the Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market report.Major Manufacturers:TDK(Japan), Murata(Japan), Taiyo Yuden(Japan), Alliance Laundry Systems(US), Whirlpool(US), Electrolux(Sweden), LG(Korea), Haier(China), Maytag(US), Fagor(Spain), Kenmore(US), Little Swan(China), Pellerin Milnor(US), Miele (Germany), Hisense (China), ADC(US), Girbau (Spain), Dexter (US)Browse the complete report @The report also focuses on the significance of industry chain analysis and all variables, both upstream and downstream. These include equipment and raw materials, client surveys, marketing channels, and industry trends and proposals. Other significant information covering consumption, key regions and distributors, and raw material suppliers are also a covered in this report.Finally, the Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market report ends with a detailed SWOT analysis of the market, investment feasibility and returns, and development trends and forecasts. As with every report on Orbis Research, the Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Industry is the holy grail of information which serious knowledge seekers can benefit from. The report which is the result of ultimate dedication of pedigree professionals has a wealth of information which can benefit anyone, irrespective of their commercial or academic interest.Place a purchase order of this report @Major Points from Table of Content:Chapter One: Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market OverviewChapter Two: Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter Three: Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)Chapter Four: Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)Chapter Five: Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter Six: Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market Analysis by ApplicationChapter Seven: Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Manufacturers Profiles/AnalysisChapter Eight: Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter Nine: Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter Ten: Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter Eleven: Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter Twelve: Global Coin-Operated Laundry Machines Market Forecast (2017-2022)Chapter Thirteen: Research Findings and ConclusionChapter Fourteen: AppendixAbout Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019For More PRs:
Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market Value Share, Analysis and Segments 2015-2025

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Real-time e-healthcare system is one of the best ways to keep your health records and track it anytime, without any geographical constraint. Patients can always stay in touch with their doctors and communicate with them about any health issue. They can self-check also for an immediate result without any third partys dependence. With advanced technology and rapid innovation, these days products are being made in such a way that it should be more consumer friendly and easy to use. Real-time e-healthcare system fulfills all the above criteria and hence, the market is growing at a positive rate.Recently, Kaiser Permanente implemented an EMR protocol in Community Health Centres in Oregon, US, to improve clinical decision support for patients with diabetes, which can remind them to prescribe hypertension medications to reduce heart attack and other strokes. iPatientCare EHR, Praxis, EMR, Insta HMS, e-MDs Chart, WRS Health, AccuMed, WEBeDoctor, A.I.med are some of the top Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software products.Request Report Sample@Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market: Drivers & RestraintsTechnological advancement, increasing disposable income, increase use of online services, increase use of mobile devices, increased health cost and expenditure, increasing need of an integrated healthcare system are the most important driving factors in real-time e-healthcare system market. Sine real-time e-healthcare system reduces medical errors and easily accessible information, the demand for real time e-healthcare system has increased regardless of the geographical location.Lack of inexperienced professionals, high maintenance and service cost, privacy concerns, the complexity of systems, less presence of real-time e-healthcare system in rural areas including developed nations like Europe and are acting as a barrier for real-time e-healthcare system market.Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market: SegmentationReal-time e-healthcare system is broadly classified on the basis of the following segments By Product:Fitness Bands/wristband deviceClip on monitor devicesThermometerBlood-pressure monitor deviceM-health applicationsBlood glucose monitor devicesBy End-user:Public/Private HospitalsPharmacyIndividualsOthersReal-Time E-Healthcare System Market: OverviewThe real-time e-healthcare market has grown substantially at a healthy CAGR due to rising disposable income, increasing health awareness by consumers, ageing population and increasing healthcare expenditure. With rapid technological advancement and variety of options available in the market, real-time e-healthcare market is expected to grow globally. North America represents the largest market for this product category. Asia Pacific will emerge as the fastest growing region in real-time e-healthcare market.Visit For TOC@Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market: Region-wise OutlookThe real-time e-healthcare market is expected to register a double-digit CAGR for the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, real-time e-healthcare market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market due to the improved healthcare infrastructure and high healthcare cost and rising disposable income. Increase demand of cloud computing from the developed nations like Europe and North America may also increase the demand for real-time e-healthcare systems by the end of forecast period.Real-Time E-Healthcare System Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market players in real-time e-healthcare market are Fitbit, Garmin, Jawbone, Misfit Wearables, DexCom, Medtronic, Abbott, Cerner Corporation, GE Healthcare, Epic Systems Corporation, Medical Information Technology Inc. (MEDITECH).About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Future of Emission Control Catalyst Market scrutinized in top research report for the forecast 2014 2020

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Emission control and reduction are among the priorities of all the commercial, industrial, and government sector companies. Growing concerns towards mitigation of the ill effects of carbon emissions or pollution are leading to manufacturing and process industries adopting new methods, technologies, materials, and processes. Emission control catalysts are used in catalytic convertors to lessen harmful emissions to the environment. A catalytic convertor houses a typical honeycomb structure coated with emission control catalysts such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Emission control catalysts can be segmented on the basis of their application as mobile and stationary.Mobile applications include automotives. These catalysts are also called automotive catalysts. Stationary applications include thermal or conventional power plants, and other industries.Request For Report Sample@Mobile application presently is the largest segment for emission control catalysts due to the increasing demand for light and heavy commercial vehicles across the globe. Catalytic convertors are mostly used in the automotive industry while stationary emission control systems utilise selective catalytic reduction, catalytic incineration, filters, and catalytic oxidation. Passenger vehicles and cargo trucks are the main source of vehicle pollution followed by two and three wheeler vehicles. Emission control catalysts or convertors are now increasingly being used for NOx reduction from power plants, reduction of sulphur, and removal of toxins from exhaust smoke.Europe is the most lucrative emission control catalyst market. The heavy presence of automobiles manufacturers, power sector companies, and industrialisation across various geographical locations in Europe are the major driving factors for the emission control catalyst market. Europe witnessed 8.8% growth in commercial vehicle registrations. This prominent market was the global leader in FY 2013, and is expected to continue its growth trajectory in the future. Supportive government regulations to curb the ill effects of pollution offer a smooth roadmap for emission control catalyst enterprises to penetrate in European market. Industrial pollution in Europe is the next major setback for the government, as it costs them billions of dollars. Germany, Poland, UK, and Italy possess major refineries and heavy power segments which contribute major damage to the European nations. In such a scenario, the European market is in need of effective solutions that possess the capability to curb the pollution. Therefore, Europe is seen as the most lucrative market for business enterprises operating in the emission control catalyst market.Other prominent markets are North America followed by MENA and APAC region. North America contributes a major share to global pollution. USA is the leading market as the highest contributor to air pollution in North America region. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Texas are the states reporting the highest air pollution levels in USA. Many prominent locations in USA are witnessing ozone depletion which is a major cause of concern for government officials. As such, this situation makes emission control catalysts an urgent need in these pollution chronic regions. MENA is the next potential region for the emission control catalyst market. Presence of mining industries and oil borne locations are the major driving factors in MENA region. India, China and Singapore are the prominent destinations for emission control segment. Development in the automobile sector, oil refineries and maritime transportation are the main driving factors in APAC.Visit For TOC@Increasing automotive fleet and stringent environmental regulations on the international platform are the prime driving factors for growth in emission control catalyst consumption. The global emission control catalyst market is expected to grow between 7% and 9% CAGR over the next five years. Though the market seems promising for business enterprises operating in emission control catalysts, the emergence of battery-powered vehicles could be a major setback to this flourishing industry. Some of the major players include Johnson Matthey, BASF, Umicore, Faurecia, Nett Technologies, and others. Companies are investing in R&D to offer first class products to different end use industry verticals. Acquisitions and mergers are the strategies adopted by key market players to strengthen their position on the global market platform.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
A leading research firm offers in-depth analysis about Asia-Pacific Underground Coal Gasification Market at a global level

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Global energy demand had seen an exponential growth over the decade due to changing lifestyle. At the time when natural gas prices witnessing fluctuation and coal resources are depleting, the world is witnessing a significant gap between demand and supply of energy. Though as per World Coal Association, global coal reserves are estimated to be 861 tonne and accounts to 42% of total world electricity production; the year on year growth for coal consumption was highest in FY 2013, making it the highest since 1970. The demand for coal consumption is increasing every year thereby leading to depletion of coal reserves at an alarming rate. Moreover, most regions are economically unviable to extract coal from its bed. It is due to this reason that companies are looking for alternative solution that can lead to harnessing the total potential of coal, without disturbing the ecological balance.Underground coal gasification (UCG) is an industrial process by which coal is gasified under intense heat and atmospheric pressure. This enables the production of synthetic gas, constituents of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which are extracted through a well and utilized in various sectors, ranging from power generation to biodiesel and fertilizer production. Though this concept is not new to the market, little progress has been achieved in this sector, primarily due to low R&D. However, with growing energy consumption and fluctuating oil prices, industries are focusing on UCG to offer clean, efficient and cost-effective energy to various industries.Request For Report Sample@Asia-Pacific is projected as the largest market for underground coal gasification over the next 5 years due to impressive growth in end-use industries ranging from power to chemicals. China along with India, and Australia are key markets for underground coal gasification projects. China is the largest producer as well as the largest consumer of coal based energy. It consumes almost half of the total coal production to meet its energy demand. China has conducted 17 UCG trials since 1991 to check the economic viability of UCG. Major power generating enterprise SinoCoking Coal is planning to harness coal reserves in Henan Province which was abruptly shut down because of strict environmental compliance set up by Chinese government. UCG is an environmental friendly approach that empowers companies to scale high power generation. With worlds most populated country, China offers a vibrant platform for energy sector companies to set up their base in China and thereby meet the growing demand of energy in China. Recently, China signed a whooping US $ 1.5 billion major pact with UK for commercial development of UCG in interiors of Mongolia.Next prominent market is India. In India, mining contributes 10% of Indias GDP. With vast coal reserves, India is looking towards harnessing coal without disturbing ecological balance. There are also some sites which are economically nonviable to mine. Though Indias untapped 88.6 billion tonnes of non-metallurgical coal is found at a depth of 300 to 1200 metre is economically nonviable; UCG makes it economically sound option. Coal India Limited is trying to push the UCG technology to harness the coal in Kaitha (Jharkhand) and Thesgora (Madhya Pradesh) area. These two promising region is expected to generate high return on investment (ROI) by FY 2025.Next prominent destination is Australia. In Australia, most companies are undertaking R&D to fully harness the concept of UCG. At present, three major UCG trials is being conducted by Linc Energy, Cougar Energy, and Carbon Energy at Queensland. Australian government is paying a vigil eye on these projects until the technology is commercially proven.Visit For TOC@SinoCoking Coal, Cougar Energy, Carbon Energy, Linc Energy, and ONGC are key market players that have conducted pilot projects on UCG technology.Future is optimistic for underground coal gasification. With major innovations going around globally, it is expected to meet the needs of people in oil shortage region. Regions including APAC, and Africa will be a future market for underground coal gasification segments.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Soy Protein Ingredient Market Set for Rapid Growth And Trend, by 2025

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Soybean is processed primarily into three forms which includes soy protein isolates comprise ~90% protein, soy protein concentrates with ~70% protein, and soy flour with ~50% protein. Soy protein ingredient is considered to be the best substitute for animal protein. Soy protein ingredient comprises amino acids and are also rich in fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, polyunsaturated fats and lecithin, magnesium and vitamin B. Thus it contains high health-related benefits and functional properties. Due to its characteristics it primarily used as emulsifier, gel, tenderizer, binder, stabilizer, and thickener by food and beverages processing industry. Soy protein ingredients are also environmental friendly as they require less amount of water while processing.Soy Protein Ingredient Market SegmentationOn the basis of type soy protein ingredient can be segmented as soy protein isolates, soy protein concentrates and soy flour. Among all these product type soy protein isolates is expected to account for the potential market share followed by soy protein concentrates. Due to high percentage of protein content in soy protein isolates is supporting the demand for the same during the forecast period. Soy flour is also expected to show a substantial growth in the near future. However due to less protein content in the soy flour is expected to restrain its growth in the near future.Request Report Sample@Furthermore the soy protein ingredient market is segmented on the basis of application which includes bakery and confectionary, processed meat products, functional foods, dairy replacers, infant foods and others. Among all these segment functional food is expected to be the major contributor in supporting the growth soy protein ingredient followed by processed meat products. Rising awareness among the consumer for health beneficiary products is supporting the demand for soy protein ingredient market during the forecast period. Moreover, infant food is also expected to support the demand of soy protein ingredient market. This is due to the increasing parental concern for providing the nutritious and healthy food to their child.Geographically Europe and North America is expected to account for the major market share in the forecast period. However these region is expected to record moderate growth. In North America, U.S. is expected to be the major contributor in terms of revenue followed by Canada. Moreover Asia pacific is expected to show the double digit CAGR growth during the forecast period followed by Latin America. In Asia pacific region China and India is expected to account for the substantial growth due to increased demand for nutritional food among the consumers. Moreover in Latin America, Brazil is expected to be the major contributor in terms of revenue followed by Mexico.Soy Protein Ingredient Market DriversHigh functional properties of the soy protein ingredient coupled with ecofriendly and natural health benefits is driving the demand of soy protein during the forecast period. Moreover it is cost effective than the animal protein and reflects the same protein content. This is expected to enhance adoption of soy protein across various end-use industries resulting in increasing the shelf life of the processed food, so it is also considered as the most sustainable protein ingredients which is favoring its growth in alternate way.Soy Protein Ingredient Restraining FactorsHowever, its anti-nutrients and allergic nature of soy protein ingredients is restraining its growth during the forecast period. Moreover, negative impact of genetically modified (GM) soy coupled with the availability of various alternatives such as milk proteins, pea proteins and other animal proteins are also effecting the growth of soy protein ingredient in the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Soy Protein Ingredient Market: Key PlayersKey international players operating in the soy protein ingredient market are, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company, Dean Foods Company, Armor Proteins, Gelita Group, Bunge Alimentos SA, Kerry Ingredients Inc., Burcon NutraScience, Cargill Health & Food Technologies, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Kellogg Company, Doves Farm Foods, Kraft Foods Group Inc., Manildra Group, MGP Ingredients, Omega Protein Corporation, George Weston Foods and others.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
A recently published report delivers insights about Wood Coatings Market for the forecast 2014 2020

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Wood coatings refer to the process of refining or protecting a wooden surface, especially in the production of furniture. Wood coating applications include: interior wood, small furniture, panels, tables, cupboards, chairs, office furniture, kitchen furniture, doors and staircases among others. There are generally three types of wood coating: evaporative, reactive and coalescing. Wood coating starts with sanding either by hand or scraping. Imperfections or nail holes on the surface may be filled using wood filler. Often, the wood's color is changed by staining, bleaching, or any other techniques. Once the wood surface is prepared and stained, the coating is applied. It usually consists of several coats of shellac, drying oil, paint, wax or lacquer. Finally, the surface may be polished using wool, steel, rotten stone or other materials, depending on the shine desired. In addition, a final coat of wax is applied over the finish to add a degree of protection.Furniture, decking, and siding are the three largest applications in value terms. However, smaller doors, windows and cabinet applications are expected to achieve faster growth in the near future. Paint is the dominant wood protection product used on siding, windows and doors, but stains and sealers are more widely utilized on cabinets, decks, furniture, and flooring. Residential end-user is the largest market for wood protection products, driven by maintenance demand for items such as fences, siding and decks. Non-residential and non-building uses account for a much smaller market for wood protection products.Request For Report Sample@The growth in the housing market is the primary driver for the wood coatings market. Homeowners are investing more in the upkeep of their decks, fences, floors and siding. A well maintained home adds value of the home and saves money in the long term. In addition, stringent regulations, rising competition, growth in unique formulations and new product developments are some of the factors stimulating the growth of wood coatings market. However, availability of cheaper and quality substitutes, such as wood composites and plastic wood could hamper the growth of this market. These alternative are often more durable and require less maintenance as compared to wood products. Although substitutes are available, wood is a primary choice for commercial and residential purposes due to wide availably in the market. Wood coatings account for the majority of the wood protection demand with paints and stains holding the largest shares. In contrast, preservatives, which are applied to lumber by the wood treatment companies, account for smaller portion of wood protection demand.Asia Pacific is currently the largest market for wood coatings, followed by Europe, North America and Rest of the world (RoW). Sustained demand from the developed markets and burgeoning demand from emerging economies will continue to drive the wood coating market. The industry is witnessing a major shift of key market players from Europe and the U.S. to the emerging economies of Asia Pacific, comprising of China and India.Visit For TOC@Some of the key players in this market are Akzo Nobel Coatings nv (Netherlands), PPG Industries Inc. (U.S.), Sherwin-Williams Co. (U.S.), DuPont Coatings and Color Technologies Group (U.S.), ICI Paints (UK), BASF Coatings AG (Germany), Valspar Corp. (U.S.), Nippon Paint Co. Ltd. (Japan), Dow Coating Materials (U.S.) and Kansai Paint Co. Ltd. (Japan) among others. Dow Coating Materials has launched two new acrylic binders for the wood coatings: EXP-4414 and EXP-77. According to the company, the new binders offer improved block, print and dirt pickup resistance and improved hardness development when applied to wood.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Glass Container Market to Enhance at 4.1% CAGR Through 2026

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In packaging industries, plastic and metal have always been looked at as alternative materials for glass. On the same lines, demand for glass packaging is expected to lose traction against rising preference for plastic bottles and metal cans. Nevertheless, such preferences get reversed when it comes to packaging highly-reactive fluids, industrial solvents, and alcoholic beverages. Future Market Insights predicts that the growth of global glass container market is, thus, contingent upon growing consumption of such liquids, and alcoholic drinks & beverages.In 2016, more than US$ 46,500 Mn worth of glass containers were consumed globally. Key findings from Future Market Insights report estimate that the market will be valued at US$ 65,569.4 Mn by the end of 2026. Although, during this forecast period, the global glass container market will exhibit a moderate revenue growth at 4.1% CAGR.Impact of Plastic and Metal PackagingThe report has compiled several factors that impact the growth of global glass container market, and highlighted the ones that restrain the market from attaining steady expansion. First off, the global market for glass containers is expected to continue facing challenges as companies struggle to keep up with pricing pressures. Continuous consolidation of consumer base for glass containers has intensified pricing pressure on manufacturers, compelling them to cater to big clients - the ones demanding their products at low prices.Request For Report Sample@Then, theres the inexorable competition arising from plastic bottles and metal cans. Baby food, coffee, sauces, and several other such products, which were once packaged in glass containers, are now available in plastic bottles & metal tins. High cost of producing glass containers, their fragile composition, and heavy weight are also prompting food & beverage makers for shifting towards metal or plastic packaging.Rising Demand for Lightweight Glass BottlesIndustry leaders will continue to strive for reducing the weight of glass containers, thereby increasing their sustenance in logistics operations. Lighter glass containers will also gain traction by providing added advantage to manufacturers and increasing profit margins of packaged products. The report reveals that throughout the forecast period, more than two-third of global glass container revenues will be accounted by glass bottles. The demand for glass jar will also be high, while candle glass containers and glass vials will witness a downtrend in terms of consumption.A majority of glass containers sold in the world are consumed for packaging beverages. In 2016, more than US$ 31,000 Mn worth of glass containers were used for beverage packaging, which alcoholic beverages accounting for 80% of these revenues. Demand for glass containers is also projected to be high in cosmetics & perfumery, revenues from which are likely to soar at 4.6% CAGR. Apart from their end-use and shape, glass containers are also being purchased according to their colour. Almost 45% of the global market value is procured from sales of amber glass containers across the globe. By 2026, more than 32,000 KT of amber glass containers will be consumed globally, according to the report. Clear glass containers, on the other hand, will have procured over 28% share in the global glass container market value by the end of 2026.Send an Enquiry @In the report, titled Glass Container Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026, Europe is identified as the largest market for glass containers. Although, Europes market value share is expected to be just a tad higher than Asia-Pacifics glass container market, which is procuring around 33% share through 2026. Leading glass container manufacturers in the world are profiled in this report, which include Vidrala SA, Amcor Limited, Owens-Illinois, Inc., BA Glass, Saverglass Group, Ardagh Group SA, Consol Glass (Pty) Ltd., Hindusthan National Glass & Industries Limited, Nampak Ltd., and Wiegand Glas.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Bromine Market Trends, Regulations And Competitive Landscape Outlook to 2025

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The Global bromine market has made remarkable growth over the past few decades. This market has largely been driven by the increased usage of bromine in various applications such as flame retardant, photographic chemical, bleaching & oxidizing chemical, precision cleaning, monomers for specialty polymers, organic intermediates and lot more. The growing demand for flame retardants by textile and electronic industries is anticipated to offer outstanding opportunities for bromine market.Bromine belongs to halogen group and is the only liquid nonmetallic element. It is volatile element that is reddish-brown in color and is extracted from seawater, salt lakes, and brine wells. In seawater bromine appears in very small amount and it is recovered through the treatment of seawater with chlorine gas. There is no need to produce the bromine in laboratory as it is present commercially in the market. The bromine vapor may cause throat and eye irritation so maximum precautions are taken while handling it.The growing consumption of bromine in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, Pesticides and water treatment industry is poised to show an impressive growth for global bromine market during the forecast period 2015-2020.Request Report Sample@Bromine Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe demand for global bromine market is anticipated to show considerable growth during the forecast period 2015-2020 due to its increased demand in several applications such as biocides, flame retardants, oil & gas drilling, plasma etching, and PTA synthesis. The growth in Bromine consumption by numerous industries such as cosmetic industry, textile industry, pharmaceuticals and Agro-Fumigants is set to fuel the demand for bromine market. Though bromine is very vital element for various industries and used in large scale, it has some negative effects also. Brominated flame retardant are considered toxic in nature. Thus, rising environmental concern such as water and soil pollution due to bromine may affect the demand for global bromine market.Bromine Market: Market SegmentationThe global bromine market is broadly classified into six segments by applicationsFlame retardantsBiocidesOrganic IntermediatesPTA synthesisPlasma etchingOil & Gas drillingFlame retardants is the biggest application among all other bromine applications and expected to show tremendous growth during the forecast period.The global bromine market is broadly classified into five segments by end user industryPharmaceuticalsCosmeticsTextilePesticidesAutomotiveOthersThe global bromine market is broadly classified into five segments by derivativesClear brine fluidsHydrogen bromideOrganobrominesAmong all Organobromines is the largest derivative for bromine.Bromine Market: Regional OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global endoscopy visualization systems and components market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. As of 2015, Asia-pacific is the largest market in global bromine industry followed by North America and Western Europe. In Asia Pacific region China is the largest market for bromine and it is the worlds third largest producer of Bromine after U.S. and Israel. Growing automotive and construction industries in Asia Pacific region and their increasing consumption of bromine are the major drivers for Asia Pacific bromine market.Visit For TOC@Bromine Market: Market PlayersMajor players operating in Global bromine market are, Israel Chemicals Limited (Israel), Albemarle Corporation (U.S.), Tosoh Corporation (Japan), , Tata Chemicals Limited (India), Chemtura Corporation (U.S.), Jordan Bromine Company Limited (Jordan), Gulf Resources Inc. (China), and Hindustan Salts Limited (India), Tetra Technologies Inc. (U.S.), are some of the major manufacturers of bromine in the world.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com
Photo Printing and Merchandise Market to Grow at 2.6% CAGR Through 2026

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According to Future Market Insights,Advent of digital imaging technology can be identified as the point from where roll films were ordained to go out of business.The declining demand for cameras with film rolls is directly associated with growing adoption of digital cameras. Consumers grew more inclined towards digital cameras, thereby making photo printing and merchandise obsolete.Furthermore, time consumed by dye sublimation photo printers added to this shift towards instantaneously-rendered digital images. Poor image quality and expensive costs of conventional inkjet printers further deterred consumers from photo printing & merchandise.Future Market Insights recent report predicts a very unavailing future for the global photo printing & merchandise market. Above factors have been compiled in the report to define the dynamics of global market for photo printing & merchandise. Based on these, the US$ 16.8 Bn market for photo printing & merchandise will see a decelerated revenue growth at 2.6% CAGR, bringing in just over US$ 21.7 Bn by the end of 2026. Future Market Insights projects that in the ten-year forecast period, photo printing & merchandise worth a little less than US$ 5 Bn will be sold across the globe. The report also highlights trends which will, in one way or another, boost the sluggish adoption of photo printing among digital age consumers.Request For Report Sample@Firstly, manufacturers of photo printing merchandise are expected to maintain more focus on introducing kiosks for increasing marketing exposure. Companies like Fujifilm Group have already deployed their SmartPix photo kiosks across various commercial settings such as supermarkets, malls and camera shops, and have also augmented them with enhanced connectivity features. Instating NFC capabilities in photo printing kiosks can be also observed as another promising opportunity for manufacturers to generate interest among customers towards conventional photo printing.Although, almost half of global photo printing & merchandise revenues are likely to be coming from online sales. While instant kiosks account for less than 10% of the market value, online distribution of photo printing & merchandise will bringing more than US$ 12.2 Bn revenues through 2026. Meanwhile, distribution of photo printing & merchandise through retail channels will be scaling down rigorously, exhibiting a negative 1.6% CAGR during the forecast period.The report has analysed that in 2016, an estimated one-third of global photo printing & merchandise revenues emanated from sales of film printing. This indicates that a majority of consumers are preferring digital printing merchandise. Also, over the forecast period, the report projects an impressive growth in demand for mobile application-based photo printing. Desktop applications are expected to lose out to mobile applications as this mode of printing is projected to register a comparatively faster revenue growth at 4.9% CAGR.Send an Enquiry @The report also predicts fastest revenue growth in the Asia-Pacific excluding Japan region  3.9% CAGR. North America is also expected to dominate with nearly one-fourth stake in global revenues, although the region is likely to lose out its presence beyond 2020. Leading manufacturers of photo printing & merchandise, profiled in the report, include Sanpfish, Eastman Kodak Company, Cimpress NV, Bay Photo Inc., Digitalab, AdoramaPix LCC, Shutterfly, Inc., and Mpix.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
NFC-enabled Connected Bottles Market Profits from Rising Product Legitimacy Doubts and Availability of Counterfeits

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The global near field communication (NFC)-enabled connected bottles market is anticipated to receive a healthy push in demand with growing trends in the food and beverages industry. Launched last month, a national campaign by Barbadillo, a prominent Spanish winemaker, includes a 126,000 NFC-enabled Castillo de San Diego smart wine bottles. It is expected to be one of the largest worldwide deployments of the technology in the wine and spirits industry. The nearly 200-year old winery is engaging Thinfilms, an NFC global leader, SpeedTap tags in its marketing campaign. Labeled Dando en el Blanco or Hitting the Target, the campaign showcases a customized NFC-enabled neck collar for Barbadillos white wine.For more information on this report, fill the form @According to a market research publication by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global NFC-enabled connected bottles market could find applications in pharmaceuticals and alcoholic beverages apart from the food and beverages industry. Furthermore, the publication states that the market could see a classification based on NFC tag types, including Mifare Classic, Type 1, Type 2, and Type 4.How will Pharmaceuticals and FMCG Industries Help Propel Growth?As per the latest evaluation of seasoned analysts, the world NFC-enabled connected bottles market is foreseen to gain a strong momentum from increasing concerns among consumers about the legitimacy of products to be purchased. The pharmaceuticals and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries are expected to witness a large count of counterfeit products invading their space. In order to counter such issues, manufacturers could be looking for technologically sophisticated packaging offerings to secure the sale of their products. New packaging technologies today not only help manufacturers to confirm the legitimacy of their products but also endorse them.The demand for NFC-enabled connected bottles could be augmented further with the rising population of tech-savvy people and smartphone users. A chief advantage of using NFC is that it does not require internet connectivity for extracting or scanning data from the connected bottles. A simple tap of an NFC-enabled smartphone could do the job.Obtain Report Details @North America, Europe, or Asia Pacific? Which Market could Gain Most?Although North America is prognosticated to account for a grand share in the international NFC-enabled connected bottles market, it could follow Europe in the coming years. However, the aggressive increase in NFC transactions in North America could not be ignored. To name a few, Johnnie Walker and Remy Martin among the prestigious alcohol manufacturers are predicted to up the demand in the Europe NFC-enabled connected bottles market with a wider usage of the technology. However, Europe could tread on the heels of Asia Pacific as the emerging market taps into significant opportunities birthing from a growing demand for new packaging technologies in various industries.The worldwide NFC-enabled connected bottles market is prophesied to make a substantial progress as it lays hopes on the advent of the technology to offer anti-counterfeit measures in the packaging industry.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Artificial Pancreas Systems Market 2017 Industry Key Players, Trends, Sales, Supply, Demand, Analysis & Forecast to 2024

Global Artificial Pancreas Systems Market ? Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024

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Global Artificial Pancreas Systems Market By Device (Threshold suspend device system, Non-threshold suspend device system, Control to range system, Control to target system), By End User (Hospitals, Clinics, Home Care, Ambulatory Center), By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa)  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024The Artificial Pancreas Systems Market accounted to USD 80.2 million in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Request for TOC@Artificial Pancreas Systems Market  Market Segmentation:By devices the market for artificial pancreas systems market is segmented into threshold suspend device system, non-threshold suspend device system, control to range system, control to target system,On the basis of end-users the artificial pancreas systems market is segmented into hospital, clinics, home care, and ambulatory center.Browse Full Report with Details TOC @Based on geography, the market is segmented into five geographical regions: North America Europe Asia-Pacific South America Middle East and AfricaThe geographical regions are further segmented into 29 major countries such as U.S. Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Belgium, Switzerland, Belgium, Turkey, Japan, China, Singapore, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa and others.Request For Sample:Some of the major players operating in this market areSome of the major players operating in artificial pancreas systems market are Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Insulet, Tandem Diabetes Care, Roche, Pancreum, Inc., TypeZero Technologies, LLC, Beta Bionics, Dexcom Inc., Bigfoot Biomedical among others.Inquiry before Buying @Related ReportGlobal Hemostats Market- Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Hemostats Market, By Product Type (Thrombin Based, Combination, Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose Based, Gelatin Based, Collagen Based Hemostat), By Indication (Wound Closure, Surgery), By End-User (Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory Centers, Community Healthcare, Others), By Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa)  Trends and Forecast to 2024About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit BlogData Bridge is an organization lead by well versed forecasters, analysts and researchers who indulge in detailed and diligent research on different markets, trends and emerging opportunities in the successive direction to cater to your business needs. Data Bridge aims to make your organization well acquainted with profound knowledge of the global and local market statistics.Office Number 317,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road, HadapsarPune  411028Maharashtra, India
Specialty Chemicals Market : Development Trends and Worldwide Growth 2017 - 2025

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Specialty Chemicals Market: SnapshotThe global demand for specialty chemicals is driven by their high usage in industrial and institutional cleaners, construction chemicals, agrochemicals, electronic chemicals, polymers and plastic additives, and surfactants. Specialty chemicals when added to products, impart many additional features or characteristics to them. As new environmental standards and product specifications are being accepted across industries, the use of specialty chemicals will also rise. The emerging trends of building smart cities and sustainable buildings are encouraging the usage of specialty chemicals. Further, the use of agricultural products for fuel blending, polymer production, and other industrial applications is slated to create new growth opportunities for the global specialty chemicals market.The burgeoning demand for food grains and rapid urbanization in countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) is boosting the growth of the global specialty chemicals market. India and China are witnessing rapid industrialization from the past few years and this has created a heightened demand for these chemicals. Residential and non-residential construction projects are escalating in these countries, boosting the demand for specialty chemicals market. Moreover, Asia Pacific houses many specialty chemical manufacturers, which is another reason why this market is flourishing in the region.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Despite the market being led by big global players, many local and regional vendors have also managed to acquire a strong grip on the market. These players have achieved so by offering high specialty chemicals, which are beneficial for niche applications. This is intensifying the competition in the market.Global Specialty Chemicals Market: OverviewThe global market for specialty chemicals is projected to grow at a healthy rate in the coming few years, thanks to the growing demand from diverse industries across the globe. A substantial contribution from construction and automotive industries is another factor fuelling the growth of the overall market. However, the rising use of bio-based chemicals due to several environmental hazards is likely to curb the growth of the market in the near future. Nonetheless, the stringent regulatory framework is anticipated to enhance the growth of the market in the near future.Request TOC of the Report @Global Specialty Chemicals Market: Key TrendsThe increasing demand for yield-improving agrochemicals is one of the vital factors likely to encourage the growth of the global specialty chemicals market in the next few years. In addition, the rising growth opportunities for specialty chemicals market from the automotive industry is likely to supplement the markets growth in the forecast period. On the flip side, the strict government rules and regulations against the use of agrochemicals and the reducing demand for coated paper in several developed economies are projected to hamper the growth of the global market in the next few years.Global Specialty Chemicals Market: Market PotentialThe rapid development of the automotive and construction sectors is projected to fuel the growth of the global specialty chemicals market in the coming years. The tremendously rising population and the growing demand for agrochemicals are estimated to accelerate the growth of the overall market in the next few years. The increasing collaborations and enhancement of the distribution channels are projected to contribute extensively towards the overall development of the global specialty chemicals market in the next few years. Furthermore, the rising competition resulting in expansion of the product portfolio is another essential aspect predicted to encourage the growth of the overall market in the coming few years.Request Discount of the Report @Global Specialty Chemicals Market: Regional OutlookIn the last few years, North America led the global specialty chemicals market and is likely to remain in the dominating position throughout the forecast period. The high growth of this region can be attributed to the rising demand for oilfield chemicals and lubricants, owing to the rising oil exploration activities. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is expected to register a healthy growth rate in the coming years. The rising expenditure in the construction sector and the substantial contribution from Japan, China, and India are projected to fuel the growth of the Asia Pacific market in the near future.Furthermore, the rising demand for specialty chemicals from the automotive sector and the rising disposable income of consumers are predicted to supplement the growth of the market in the near future. Moreover, the developing lifestyle of consumers is indirectly anticipated to bolster Asia Pacific specialty chemicals market in the near future.Global Specialty Chemicals Market: Competitive AnalysisThe global market for specialty chemicals is characterized by a high competition with the presence of a large number of players operating in it. As per the study, several new players are estimated to enter the global market in the next few years and enhance the competitive landscape of the market. In order to maintain their leading position, these players are focusing on improving their distribution network and introduce new products.Some of the prominent players operating in the specialty chemicals market across the globe are Evonik Industries AG, Albemarle Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Syngenta AG, Chevron Philips Chemical Company, Solvay, BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, Bayer AG, INEOS Group AG., Chemtura Corporation, Clariant AG, Ashland Inc., Arkema S.A., Akzo Nobel N.V., DuPont, and Huntsman Corporation.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Bio-Based Levulinic Acid Market Projected to Grow at Steady Rate through (2020)

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New molecules developed by Segetis, in Minnesota based on esters of levulinic acid made from using bio based hydroxyl compounds and corn cobs are known as levulinic ketals. These can be used to produce a series of products such as plasticizers, polyols for polyurethane foams and solvents.Segetis are constructing a new toll manufacturing plant for their new ketals chemistry in the Midwest and the construction of which was expected to be completed by the end of 2011. Products entering the market would start with solvents. While polyols is expected to be the last to enter in the market because of significant functional testing required. At present China is the supplier of the levulinic acid from the company but later it may use residue of wood as a feedstock.Request For Report Sample@The potential outcome by the development of bio based levulinic acid could be the replacement of the phthalate plasticizers which is used to make Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which is the most widely produce plastic and other plastics flexible. The company is also working directly to replace the phthalate which concerns about exposure to children. The major advantages of ketal monomers are that they attach to the PVC molecule firmly and are of natural origins.Visit For TOC@Major opportunity for the market can be obtain from the manufacture of polyols which combines with iscoyanates to produce polyurethane. The polyols which are made from bio based levulinic acid will have rigidity which in turn will help to reduce the level of iscoyanates while obtaining polyurethane having similar properties and the monomers will play the role of the performer. The cost of polyols produce by the company will be same as made from petroleum resources. But it is expected that it will help to improve the economics for formulators due to less use of iscoyanates. The major advantage for the ketals chemistry is from its total cost.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Research Study Offers Insights on Future of Biometrics System Market 2014 - 2020

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Growing concerns of security, and threat of life has developed a need for safe and secure environment. The safety concerns has industrialized a biometrics safety system. Keeping safety on the top, biometrics systems are used across several industries such as banking, hospitality, defense, government, healthcare, consumer electronics, home safe and safety, transport, and commercial safety and security. Before introducing the biometrics system in the practice, tradition methods such as personal identification cards, passwords or keys, and magnetic cards were used for verifying the identity of a person, which can be easily theft or stolen. Whereas, biometrics system identifies a person on the basis of individuals face, fingerprints, signature, iris, DNA, and typing rhythms. Therefore, the biometrics system is considered to be the most convenient solution. These unique features such as easy to measure, permanent, easy to use, and secured information system will drive the demand for biometrics system. The global biometrics market was value at US$ 6,357.7 Mn in 2012, and is expected to witness double-digit growth rate by 2019.The global biometrics system market is driven by factors such as security concerns due to increasing crimes and terror attacks, unique and simple features of biometrics system. On the other hand, unreliability and high cost involvement for the biometrics technologies implementation will decelerate the growth of the global biometrics system market in the near future. However, development of multimodal biometrics solution will further enhance the biometrics system market in the next five years.Request For Report Sample@Moreover, the growing concerns of safety, and need for secured solution systems has developed ample of technology innovations in the application segment that include hand geometry, face, iris, Voice, AFIS, signature, non-AFIS, and others (DNA and rhythms), Among all the aforementioned application segments, the non-AFIS segment dominated the biometrics system market in 2012 due to its cost effectiveness and user-friendliness feature. After non-AFIS, iris system is expected to contribute to the growth of biometrics system market over the next five years. This growth is attributed to increasing adoption in the high-end security applications and modest contactless and safe biometrics application.Among all the aforementioned end-use segments, the transport/visa/logistics segment witnessed as the largest market share in 2012, and is expected to display a significant growth in the biometrics system market in the near future. Furthermore, the banking segment is also anticipated to exhibit a momentous growth rate in the next few years.The global biometrics system market covers region such as Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and RoW. The North America region dominated the global biometrics system market in 2014, followed by Europe. Asia Pacific has also contributed to the growth of the global biometrics system market in 2012, and is expected to witness a substantial growth rate in the near future. This is attributed to rising concerns of safety and security and rising government projects that include e-passport, National identification Programme. Implementation of programme in the few countries such as China, India, Israel, Indonesia, and South Korea.Visit For TOC@According to the market research, key participants considered in the global biometrics systems market are NEC Corporation, 3M Cogent, Safran Morpho, DigitalPersona, and BIO-Key International. NEC Corporation and Safran Morpho accounted for the highest revenue share in 2012. Keeping competition on the top, key companies main focus is on expanding their customer base with the help of strategic alliances, development of innovative products and exploiting more in R&D activities. These alliance will help the key companies to hold a stable position in the global biometrics systems market in the near future.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
eDiscovery Market Research Reports 2017 Serve Growth Markets Profitably 2025

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Global eDiscovery Market: OvervieweDiscovery is a set of interlinked processes consisting of preserving, collecting, reviewing, and exchanging information stored in electronic formats. These formats, universally known as electronically stored information (ESI), are used by parties to furnish evidence or in response to production in various legal proceedings such as litigations, government investigations, and right to information requests. Different types of ESI may include a wide spectrum of sources such as emails, documents, audio and video files, company-specific databases, social media content, encrypted data, and cloud-based storage.With the proliferation of data from myriad sources, including cloud computing devices and platforms, the processes are rather complex. Since electronic documents essentially contain metadata, they may be the source of various information: the date and time the file was created, information on authors and recipients, and file properties.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global eDiscovery Market: TrendsThe increasing application of eDiscovery solutions by several government agencies for conducting investigations, coupled with the worldwide rise in litigations that mandate the use of ESI as evidence, has propelled the global market. The soaring need for proactively using eDiscovery processes as part of risk mitigation strategies in numerous organizations is expected to fuel the market over the forecast period. The rapidly rising volume of data across enterprises has triggered the need for eDiscovery platforms and services.In contrast, the high cost of eDiscovery services is likely to impede the market to an extent. However, the popularity of cost-effective on-premises services is anticipated to boost the market. The upsurge in the use of social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn in a large number of organizations is also expected to create ample opportunities for market players.Global eDiscovery Market: Market PotentialAn assessment of recent competitive dynamics indicates the emergence of automated solutions and advanced technologies aimed at simplifying the workflow of eDiscovery projects. Automation solutions are increasingly being demanded by several law firms and corporate users to accelerate eDiscovery processes.Request TOC of the Report @Recently, Compliance Discovery Solutions, a pioneer in offering integrated eDiscovery services, partnered with CloudNine, an eDiscovery automation software company, for technology integration. The agreement entails integration of CloudNines eDiscovery automation technology with the best-of-breed discovery-as-a-service (DaaS) offering provided by Compliance. The partnership is significant as CloudNine customers can conveniently access the intuitive DaaS environment. This will help them simplify eDiscovery workflows spanning across routine audits to complex technologies. Using the tool, the user can accelerate the uploading and processing of ESI without making any additional investment in dedicated servers, hardware, and software.In yet another promising development, Veritas Technologies, a leading information management company, announced its plan to expand its partnership with Google to provide customers access to increased capabilities of its 360 Data Management capabilities. Furthermore, the partnership will ensure the clients readiness to eDiscovery solutions. In addition, the company has announced a set of innovative solutions with Google Cloud, which will offer users extensive eDiscovery support for its G Suite Enterprise offering.Request Discount of the Report @Global eDiscovery Market: Regional OutlookNorth America is a prominent market for eDiscovery solutions and platforms. The market is expected to witness impressive growth along the forecast period. The growth is attributed to stringent compliances across enterprises to preserve data and the rising inclination of various government agencies toward the adoption of eDiscovery solutions. In addition, the increasing emphasis of law enforcement agencies to make attorneys and lawyers familiar with ESI in the U.S. has spurred the demand for eDiscivery offerings. Furthermore, the launch of intuitive and interactive solutions on varied cloud models is expected to propel the regional market.However, in the coming years, the regional market may lose some revenue to emerging markets such as Asia Pacific and South Africa. The rapid pace of industrialization in Asia Pacific has spurred the usage of mobile devices in enterprises, catapulting the need for managing ESI and boosting the regional market.Global eDiscovery Market: Competitive LandscapeLeading vendors are making partnerships and entering into agreements with global technology companies to consolidate their market shares. Several players are offering cloud-based solutions to gain a stronghold in the market. Major companies operating in eDiscovery market include HP Autonomy, Daegis, Inc., IBM Corporation, EMC Corporation, Guidance Software, Inc., Symantec Corporation, Epiq Systems, Inc., Integreon Managed Solutions, Inc., Catalyst Repository Systems, Inc., and FTI Consulting, Inc.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Breakfast Cereals Market - by Manufacturers, Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region 2025

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Global Breakfast Cereals Market: OverviewBreakfast cereals are a kind of convenience food made from processed grain. Often eaten in combination with fruit, milk, nuts, or yoghurt, these foods claim to contain vital minerals and vitamins. The production of breakfast cereals typically involves five stages  processing, mixing, extrusion, drying, and shaping. Breakfast cereals can be flaked, shredded, or puffed. They can also be coated with chocolate or frosting before drying.Global Breakfast Cereals Market: Key TrendsHigher influence of Western food trends across the Eastern part of the world has been responsible for the greater preference for these processed foods in this region. Growing rate of urbanization, increasing number of convenience stores, and changing food habits of people are the major growth drivers of the global breakfast cereals market. Rising number of product launches featuring new, tastier flavors and higher nutritional content will lure more customers, driving the growth of the market.On the contrary, the presence of refined carbs and high amounts of sugar in some products might prevent several health conscious customers from buying these snacks, restricting growth. However, the introduction of more options such as muesli, pinole, and ragi might lead to greater demand for breakfast cereals in several countries.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Breakfast Cereals Market: Market PotentialEmergence of new market players in the global breakfast cereals market might intensify competition amongst the market players. A number of new products have been cropping up recently.For instance, in March 2017, Native State Foods, a 2014-born company, announced that it will introduce an ancient Aztec power food created over 500 years ago, called pinole in its new breakfast cereals. Pinole is a rich source of protein, antioxidants, and fiber, at the same time being gluten-free, non-GMO, and with lower sugar content. It debuted at the food and beverage industrys largest show, Natural Products Expo West, in March 2017 in Anaheim. The mouthwatering flavors such as brown sugar and cinnamon, chocolate mocha, berry boost, Maqui berry, and coconut and almond developed by this firm are powerhouses of energy and nutrition.In India, new brands such as Patanjali and Soulfull have emerged in recent times. Soulfull, previously called Kottaram Agro Food Pvt Ltd, offers whole-grain breakfast cereals and ragi (finger millet) flakes, flavored with natural ingredients such as cocoa.Request TOC of the Report @Global Breakfast Cereals Market: Regional OutlookThe global market for breakfast cereals has been segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World (RoW). North America and Europe, being major consumers of breakfast cereals, will display considerable demand over the forecast period. However, these markets might soon reach saturation.Asia Pacific presents a whole new terrain for further expansion as the increasing per capita incomes of people, growing inclination toward ready-to-eat food, and new product launches are boosting demand. The hot cereals segment will hold a major share in the global market, driven by the increasing preference for hot cereals in India, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, China, and Japan.Request Discount of the Report @Global Breakfast Cereals Market: Competitive AnalysisSome of the major companies operating in the global breakfast cereals market are PepsiCo Inc., Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW), Kellogg Co., General Mills & Post Holdings, Nestle Inc., and The Coca-Cola Company.Leading companies such as General Mills & Post Holdings hold a major share in the global market for breakfast cereals. Product diversification and exploration of untapped regions are the key business strategies adopted by several market players. Mergers and acquisitions are also established by some leading companies. For instance, in January 2015, Post Holdings announced that it will acquire MOM Brands Co., a small sized, private company producing breakfast cereals.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Cleanroom Consumables Market : Analysis by Regions, Key, Types, Forecast Report 2025

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Global Cleanroom Consumables Market: OverviewConsumables for cleanrooms not only ensure safety, but also maintain a controlled environment during operations. Avoiding contamination by covering hands, hair, face, and shoes becomes easier with these products. Cleanroom consumable manufacturers provide a wide range of products for coverage from head to toe. Wipes, apparel, gloves, disinfectants, face masks, bouffant caps, specialty cleaners, shoe covers, goggles, tapes, mops, and swabs are some of the commonly used cleanroom consumables.Global Cleanroom Consumables Market: Key TrendsNanotechnology, an area that studies minuscule components, harbors a high risk of contamination. As a result, rising demand for cleanroom consumables is likely to originate from this application segment. Another key application area that will exhibit high demand is the electronics industry. In the healthcare sector, cleanroom consumables are increasingly being used in laboratories, hospitals, along with biotech and pharmaceutical product manufacturing, as concerns about safety and quality of products and services have risen.On the other hand, the complexity and varied nature of regulations applicable to cleanroom consumables might lead to obstacles in international trade, slackening the growth of the market. However, significant opportunities will be presented on account of the production of cheap, minuscule electronic components in countries such as India and China.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Cleanroom Consumables Market: Market PotentialA number of mergers and acquisitions can be observed in the global market for cleanroom consumables. For Instance, Ansell Ltd, a major global provider of protection solutions, announced its acquisition of Nitritex Limited in January 2017. Nitritex Limited is a U.K.-based firm manufacturing healthcare life science consumables and cleanroom consumables.One of the key acquisitions in Asia Pacific is that of Aurum Healthcare by Singapore-based Accuron Technologies, a Temasek Holdings-owned technology and engineering firm. The acquisition aims at manufacturing plastic medical consumables used in procedures such as angiography and heart bypass surgeries. Under this business deal, Aurum will also offer sterilization services, assembly services and cleanroom manufacturing to Advanced Materials Technologies (AMT), a contract manufacturer, which is under Accurons portfolio.Similarly, in July 2017, U.K.-based Fenland Laundries acquired the remaining 50% of its joint venture with Microclean, a specialist in cleanroom apparel. Microclean in turn announced the acquisition of Critical Environmental Solutions. These acquisitions will enable the participants to grow considerably, boosting their profits.Request TOC of the Report @Global Cleanroom Consumables Market: Regional OutlookEurope and North America have dominated the global scenario since quite a long time, owing to stringent regulatory policies. However, as these regions might soon reach saturation, the demand for cleanroom consumables is likely to decline. Asia Pacific, on the other hand, furnishes vast opportunities for growth of the cleanroom consumables market as the industrial sector in this region flourishes. The growth of this region can be attributed to the robust development of the electronics, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries. The Middle East and Africa and Latin America are slated to exhibit moderate growth over the next few years.Global Cleanroom Consumables Market: Competitive AnalysisSome of the major companies operating in the global market for cleanroom consumables are Valutek, Nitritex Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Royal Imtech N.V. Micronclean (skegness) Ltd., Taikisha, Ltd. Contec, Inc., Berkshire Corporation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Texwipe, Cantel Medical, KM Corporation, DuPont, and Micronova Manufacturing, Inc. The global market for cleanroom consumables appears to be highly fragmented in terms of competition. The strong hold of the leading market players over the market has made the entry of new firms difficult. Numerous companies have set their sights on highlighting their presence in the market via product extensions, partnerships, merger and acquisitions, and investments in R&D.Request Discount of the Report @About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
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Furcelleran Market Strongly Driven by its Special Properties & Application Based Consumption

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Furcelleran: Market OverviewFurcelleran, a sulfated polysaccharide is extracted from red seaweed (algae) Furcellaria fastigiate. It is mostly found in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent sea, especially in Denmark and Sweden. This is thus the basis of the Danish seaweed industry. Furcellaran is a composition of D-galactose, 3, 6-anhydro-D-galactose and sulfated portions of these sugars. Its structure is similar to kappa carrageenan. It is white, odorless powder, soluble in water. The gel formed by the furcelleran is of low pH level. The gelling properties of Furcellaran are intermediate to agar and carrageenan. These gels are thus used in confectionaries, food, and cosmetic industry. It is used as stabilizers in beverages, jams, jellies and as a thickening agent in purees. It facilitates the protein precipitation and improves the clarification of the beer.Browse Market Research Report @The majority of the furcelleran is consumed by food industry which includes baby products, weight reducing products and remaining in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Furcelleran can be modified with hot water treatment, to increase gel strength. Viscosity in furcelleran is a characteristic for its standardization. A furcelleran with high viscosity forms the elastic gel, and that with a low viscosity forms the brittle gel.Furcelleran: Market DynamicsThe furcelleran market is driven by factors such as its special properties, its application based consumption, highly increasing demand as a food additive and its availability. Emerging Innovative techniques and constantly changing food trends triggers demand for furcelleran by the food manufacturers in the market. The major factor favoring the furcelleran market is the permission of food and drug administration for the usage of furcelleran in the food, fosters the demand for food additives. With the support of these factors, the furcelleran market is expected to have positive growth graph. It is expected to have increasing CAGR in the forecasted period.Apart from its gelling and other physical and chemical properties, few factors stagnant the growth of this market. These factors include temperature dependency of furcelleran. Its high viscosity causes foods to burn more easily while cooking. Extreme cooling or high temperature affects the taste of food. It needs extra care in cooling. Thus such factors affecting the food taste has considerably fewer preferences in the food additive markets. All the above factors thus affect the furcelleran market.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @Furcelleran: Market SegmentationThe furcelleran market is segmented majorly on its applications. It has a huge range of applications.By Application, Furcelleran is segmented asFood and Beverages IndustryConfectionaries1. Preserves like Jams, JelliesDairy ProductsMeat products1. Jellied Veal, minced meat, pie fillingsFruit JuicesBeer (clarification)Pharmaceuticals and CosmeticsSuspensions, emulsions, foamsTabletsBy Region, Furcelleran market is segmented asNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEastern EuropeWestern EuropeThe Middle East and AfricaAsiaJapanFurcelleran: Segment OverviewFurcelleran, used as food additives has various uses in the food industry depending upon the concentration of different salts of Furcelleran. Salts used are ammonium, calcium, potassium and sodium. These are naturally occurring salts and are preferred as per the norms. The amount of food additive to be used are necessarily in specified amount as required for an emulsifier, stabilizers or thickening agents in food. The packaging label must specify the amount and type of furcelleran salt used in that product. The furcelleran, due to its special physical and chemical properties are combined with other gums or thickening agents such as carrageenan, sucrose to produce gelling products.It is thus used based on its applications such as food industry in which it is used as a food additive in jams, jellies, confectionaries, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Due to its special characteristics, it is used in tablets also.Furcelleran: Regional OverviewThe availability of furcelleran was discovered during Second World War. It was used as a substitute for agar. Thus it is majorly found in the Atlantic Ocean and specifically near Denmark and Sweden. Its major producers consist of Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Africa.Furcelleran: Market PlayersSome of the players is EST-AGAR AsAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Internet of Things Market : Production, Sales, Volume, Revenue, Market Share, Growth And Forecast 2025

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Global Internet of Things Market: OverviewInternet of Things (IoT) refers to an advanced technology featuring intelligent network that connects everyday devices and objects ranging from light switches and door bells to self-driven cars. It is aimed at enhancing user experience and efficiency, using data-gathering sensors, machine-to-machine communication, and cloud computing.By technology, RFID, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, near field communication (NFC), and Bluetooth low energy can be the key segments of the global IoT market. Whereas, by application, the major segments can be energy management, manufacturing, consumer application, media, energy management, medical and healthcare, and others.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Internet of Things Market: Key TrendsIncreasing use of smart devices such as smartphones, smart cars, and smart home appliances will ensure that the global market for IoT will keep flourishing over the forecast period. A rising number of business organizations and industries are increasingly deploying IoT solutions for enhancing their efficiency via process optimization. With the emergence of numerous low-cost smart devices such as media players, video cameras, portable navigation devices, and smart watches, the demand for IoT is likely to witness an upsurge. Increased need for efficiency and cost reductions, government initiatives, and technological advancement in healthcare are some key growth drivers of the market.On the contrary, prospective security and privacy threats, along with concerns related to increased reliance of technology might restrict market growth. However, as big data analytics is being increasingly used across a number of industries such as transportation, energy and utilities, manufacturing, and healthcare, the market is likely to expand further.Request TOC of the Report @Global Internet of Things Market: Market PotentialSeveral new products and services have been launched recently in the global IoT market. For instance, in March 2017, Express Logic announced the launch of the first-ever industrial grade IoT device-to-cloud solutions, which boast high performance and small footprint.Smartron, an India-based startup, announced that it will introduce as many as eight new smart IoT products during the forthcoming period, with a view to strengthening its Tronx platform. This platform is primarily concerned with verticals such as personalized health, enterprise, smart home, smart energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and intelligent vehicles.Global Internet of Things Market: Regional OutlookBased on geography, the global market for IoT has been segmented into the Middle East and Africa, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and North America. The advanced nature of healthcare, automotive, and industrial sectors in North America has been contributing towards the expansion of the market in this region. The U.S. might lead this regional segment. The government regulations in countries such as Sweden, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany are triggering the growth of the IoT market in Europe.Asia Pacific exhibits vast potential for expansion, with countries such as Singapore, India, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, China, and Indonesia accelerating market growth. The booming manufacturing industries in these countries, rising adoption of technology, and growing economies are the key market drivers of this region.Request Discount of the Report @Global Internet of Things Market: Competitive AnalysisThe market appears to be highly fragmented on account of the presence of a large number of players, indicating the intense level of competition among them. A few new firms might enter the global market for IoT, further heightening the competition between the players. Several leading companies, core M2M vendors, and Internet and network service providers are engaging in mergers and acquisitions in order to extend their customer base.Some of the major companies operating in the global market for IoT are Amazon, Qualcomm, Alcatel- Lucent, Google Inc., Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., AT&T, Rockwell Automation, Dell, Schneider Electric, GE, PTC, Tech Mahindra, National Instruments, Texas Instruments, Huawei Technologies, Oracle, Tieto, Bosch Software Innovations, Zebra Technologies, Broadcom, Accenture, Ericsson, Samsung Electronics, HP, Telefonica, Siemens, Echelon, and Juniper Networks.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Linerless Labels Market: Revenue Predicted To Go Up by 2024

Linerless Labels Market

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Global Linerless Labels Market: OverviewEver-evolving features in packaging not only reflect the brand name but also differentiate product packaging from competitors. These packaging and labels comprise right information about the product. In addition, they also include anti-counterfeiting properties accompanied with tracing & tracking technologies, which helps the vendor to keep a track of incoming ingredients, internal processing and packaging, and outgoing shipments to traders. Linerless labels are hassle less, liner, and free of waste and are available in a variety of adhesives, which fits the exact need of the application.Request Free Sample Report @Global Linerless Labels Market: Growth FactorsMajor factors responsible for the global linerless labels market growth are the preservation of natural resources, prevention of waste, and energy efficiency. Escalating demand for consumer goods coupled with flexible packaging industry may offer numerous growth opportunities to the market to grow in the near future. Additionally, the remarkable growth of food and beverage packaging products along with rising demand for logistics and consumer durables has encouraged vendors to increase the demand of the global linerless labels market. However, growing raw material cost and lack of awareness about types of labeling technologies, and environmental concerns in terms of printing on labels are some factors restraining the growth of the global market.Global Linerless Labels Market: SegmentationThe global linerless labels market is classified based on applications, printing ink, composition, and printing technology. The application segment includes consumer products, food & beverage, personal care, pharmaceuticals, retail, and others. The printing ink segment consists of holt melt-based ink, water-based ink, UV curable ink, and solvent-based ink. Further, the composition segment comprises face stock, adhesives, composition, and others. Moreover, the global linerless labels market is divided based on printing technology as lithography printing, digital printing, letterpress printing, flexographic printing, screen printing, and gravure printing.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Linerless Labels Market: Regional AnalysisThe geography segment of the global linerless labels market includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness high growth mainly due to consistent economic growth and increasing population. This region accompanied by numerous opportunities to expand and gain market footprint. The major companies operating in this region focus on grabbing largest market share. Europe and North America are anticipated to show steady growth in the next few years. Rising market consolidation along with the presence of a huge number of players is trying to tap the linerless labels market in North America and Europe. Latin America and the Middle East are anticipated to witness substantial growth in the coming years.Browse detail report @Global Linerless Labels Market: Competitive PlayersThe major industries operating in the global linerless labels market are R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, 3M Company, Innovia films, CCL Industries Inc., and RR Donnelley & Sons Company. Other players influencing the global market are Coveris Holdings S.A., Reflex Labels limited, and Constantia Flexible Group GmbH.Our value reports provide full, in-depth analysis of the parent market including most significant changes in market dynamics; the report also presents the detailed overview on segmentation of this market. We managed to present as many important pieces of information in essential form  thanks to our report You will learn more about former, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and value, assessment of niche industry developments and Market share analysis. We have not forgotten to present key strategies for major players, emerging segments and regional markets and last but not least, testimonials to companies in order to fortify their foothold in the market.Inquire more before buying this report @About Us: Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristically, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, a company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with Vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from Cardinal Industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Our Blog:
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Market : Expected To Observer Major Growth By 2025

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Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Market: OverviewA variety of chemicals have become unavoidable in our everyday lives. From computers, to medicines, cosmetic creams to paints and coatings. The chemical industry is one of the worlds largest industries, with products manufactured in the range of billions of tonnes every year. The industry and countries with established chemical industries therefore have a huge responsibility to ensure the safe usage and production of chemicals so that the associated activities do not pose harm to the human resources working in close proximity and the environment.Environment health and safety (EHS) tools allow companies to keep track of and properly manage activities that related to the production or usage of chemicals, especially the ones that are known to pose harm to health of living organisms and the environment, such as mercury or CFCs. Companies operating in sectors such as power production, mining, and construction also frequently use EHS tools to ensure that production and operation sites to adhere to environmental norms and regulations concerning occupational and environmental health and safety.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe increasingly stringent health, safety, and environment laws, regulations, guidelines, and processes instigated in the past few years across leading chemical producing countries is the key factor driving the increased implementation of EHS tools across the industrial sector. Companies diligently adhering to environment- and resource-friendly manufacturing practices are increasingly investing in the deployment of effective EHS tools.In developing economies such as India, China, South Africa, and the UAE, the thriving industrial sector is encouraging the increased adoption of EHS tools. However, certain factors, such as the high costs involved in auditing complex production sites and the highly expensive services and solutions required to comply with EHS regulations are expected to hinder the overall rate of adoption of EHS tools to a certain extent.Request TOC of the Report @Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Market: Market PotentialChina is one of the largest producers of a number of chemicals and has immense scope for the implementation of EHS tools across companies involved in the production of a number of high-risk chemicals. Recent incidences of leakage of hazardous chemicals (the series of explosions on the Port of Tianjin in August 2015), leading to the death of hundreds of people and serious injuries to many more, have highlighted the pressing need for effective management of chemical production and storage sites. Post this incidence, the government has been paying more attention to the strict implementation of EHS rules and regulations.Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Market: Regional OverviewThe EHS market holds immense promise of growth in Asia Pacific owing to the established chemical industry and burgeoning construction and energy and mining sectors. The rate of implementation, however, is presently low in the region owing to high costs and is expected to increase in the future years owing to initiation of stringent EHS regulations in countries such as India, China, and Japan.Request Discount of the Report @The high costs of EHS tools largely restrict their overall adoption to developed economies across regions such as North America and Europe. North America presently accounts for the dominant share in the global implementation EHS software and services. The region is also expected to retain dominance owing to the stringent EHS regulations and policies and steady pace of development of the chemical and energy industries.Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Market: Competitive LandscapeThe market for EHS tools and services features a large number of companies, pointing towards a largely fragmented vendor landscape. The market features some of the worlds leading software development companies and several non-profit consulting organizations. Some of the leading vendors in the market are 3E Company, International Finance Corporation, IHS Inc., UL LLC, SAP SE, Medgate Inc., and Enablon North America Corporation.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Smart Parking Systems Market to 2025: Trends, Business Strategies and Opportunities with Key Players Analysis

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In the present scenario, world is facing critical issues of traffic cramming with a significant rise in the vehicle population and congestion in cities, and this has become an ongoing challenge for municipal councils and the traffic authorities to track and manage vehicular traffic. Numerous efforts have been made to improve countrys parking and traffic management systems. A number of private-public joint initiatives such as ParkIndy, SFpark and LA Express Park have adopted and implemented smart parking in order to effectively utilize unused parking spaces. These make use of real-time, smart, sensor-based parking information. Smart parking solutions such as online parking reservations, and mobile parking payment are expected to boost the smart parking systems market worldwide during the forecast period. In the coming years, P2P parking might generate new opportunities globally for myriad commercial parking lots, garages and residents to rent out their parking spaces with the aid of online marketplaces like ParkingPanda, JustPark, ParkMe and the social media.The global Smart Parking Systems Market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 12.9% during the forecast period 2015  2025 and accounts for US$ 1099.4 Mn in the year 2025. Furthermore, the market is categorized into parking site, components, end-user industry and regions. The parking site segment comprises of off-site parking and on-site parking, where the off-street parking sites are predicted to capture the majority of market, due to increasing adoption of smart parking systems in commercial and corporate infrastructure. Smart parking systems comprises of three main components which are; Hardware, software and services the hardware components are anticipated to lead the components market during the forecast period. The end-user industry is fragmented into transport facilities, government and municipalities, commercial institutions and corporate institutions. The government and municipalities sectors is predicted to generate massive opportunities for the smart parking systems market.Request Sample Copy @On the basis of geographies the regional market is distributed into Europe, North America, South America, Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific. Here, North America dominates the Smart Parking systems regional market share but in coming years APAC is expected witness fastest YoY growth rate of 16.4% during the forecast period. Rising demand rate in the Asian countries, specifically India and China are impelling the growth of this market.The rising demand for efficient and scalable parking systems resulting in conservation of time and money consumed while looking for an appropriate parking space incorporated with rising advancements in IoT based home automation and smart cities that are encouraging city municipalities to capitalize into smart developments are some of the factors driving the smart parking systems market.Propelling growth in demand for management of off-street parking garages and lots are anticipated to boost the growth of smart parking systems in coming years. The study shows that, significant numbers of deployment projects are foreseen in this segment facilitating the end-users with the added benefit of high revenue generation. However, cost of installation can hinder the growth of market. Although price may not remain to be a major issue in coming years.A detailed analysis on the growth trends, market shares on various dimensions, driving and restraining factors for smart parking systems, opportunities in the future for these systems is provided in the report. A few leading players in the Smart Parking domain have also been profiled in the report. The profiling of the market players acquaints the reader with their financial information about revenues as well as segment revenues, a competitive SWOT analysis for each player and the recent developments by the player in the Smart Parking domain. The key developments are related to the mergers and acquisitions by the players in the recent past.Browse market data tables and in-depth TOC of the Smart Parking Systems Market to 2025 @Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout The Insight Partners:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Sand Control Systems Market Set for Rapid Growth by 2024

Sand Control Systems Market

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The sand control systems consist of devices or equipment that help in eliminating the sand formations and its mixing during the process when the hydrocarbons are extracted. The system plays an important role in the overall completion process and it enhances the performance and the productivity of a well. They also help in eliminating problems such as the downhole cavities and the erosion of the hardware.Global Sand Control Systems Market: SegmentationThe global sand control systems market is segmented into type, application, and geography. On the basis of the type, the market is segregated into a frac pack, inflow control devices, gravel pack, sand screens and others. Based on the application, the market is categorized into offshore and onshore. Region-wise, the market is diversified into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World.Request Free Sample Report @Global Sand Control Systems Market: Growth FactorsThe gravel pack segment is expected to grow significantly in the future. The increasing drilling of the oil and gas field in the onshore regions have increased the market demand thus the gravel pack systems are having the largest market share. The second largest market segment is the frac pack system which is followed by sand screen system. The sand control systems are widely utilized in the onshore area. But the offshore region is also growing in terms of sand control systems market. The offshore completions are better than the onshore as they help in understanding the characteristics of the complex reservoir, enhance the life of rigs and aids in the exploration of the ultra-deep levels. The growing drilling activity in the mid-ocean is also increasing the demand for the sand control systems. The standalone screens segment stand second in terms of the revenue contribution. The increasing demand for the oil and gas has led to the increasing need for more effective production from the wells that exist and also the ones that are new. However, environmental regulations exist in some regions that affect the fracturing and drilling activities which hamper the market growth.Global Sand Control Systems Market: Regional AnalysisThe sand control systems market is dominated by the North American region which is followed by the Asia Pacific and North America. The increasing demands for the oil production in the US, Mexico, and Canada contributed to the market growth. The European region also has a high demand for the oil production from the North Sea region. In the Middle East and African region countries such as Saudi Arabia, Angola, UAE and Nigeria are major regions where oil production is on a large scale. Hence there are many investors that are investing in the sand control systems market.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Sand Control Systems Market: Competitive PlayersThe key market players in the sand control systems market include Schlumberger Limited, Weatherford International, Superior Energy Services, Grit Industries, Inc., Halliburton Company, Baker Hughes, Inc., RPC Inc., Welltec A/S and Tendeka.Global Sand Control Systems Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilThe Middle East and AfricaBrowse detail report @About Us: Zion Market Research is an obligate company. We create futuristically, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, a company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with Vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from Cardinal Industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the clients needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to usafter allif you do well, a little of the light shines on us.Contact Us:Zion Market Research4283, Express Lane,Suite 634-143,Sarasota, Florida 34249, United StatesTel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll-Free No.1-855-465-4651Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Our Blog:
Fast Food Market : Production, Supply, Demand, Analysis & Regional Forecasts to 2025

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Global Fast Food Market : SnapshotGlobal fast food market is exhibiting a few trends that augur very well for the players venturing in this market. With increased disposable income, consumers are now opting to dine out more frequently than ever before. Changing lifestyle is leaving little time for proper homely meals and thereby augmenting the demand in the market for fast food, which are significantly quicker in terms preparation and consequently to deliver. Not only that, consumer preference for online food ordering owing to the ubiquity of smartphones has also escalated exponential in past decade. With technological advancements, consumers are now able to order and receive food in comfort of their homes and can also make the payments. Via extended and interactive menu, fast food vendors can now entice engagement and increment sales.Another important trend in the global fast food market is the emergence of new competitors who themselves may not be official restaurant themselves but involve a third-party delivery platform, recipe box delivery, meal delivery subscription services, and kitchen sharing apps. The global fast food market is also expected to gain from the penetration of high speed internet not only in the developed countries but also in emerging economies, competitive pricing, purpose-built cuisines, combination offers, automation and robot helped delivery, and technology aiding in do-it-yourself (DIY) functionality and enhanced expansion. As a result of all these new trends and drivers, the players in the global fast food market are opening to new opportunities and gaining ground over their competitors.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Fast Food Market: OverviewFast foods, as the name indicates, refer to mass-produced food products that can be easily prepared and quickly served. High on the taste and relatively low on the nutritional quotient, fast foods have become an important segment of the global food and beverages industry owing to their rising demand from people with busy lifestyles in the past few years. The market has witnessed significant expansion in developed as well as developing economies with bustling urban establishments.In the next few years as well, the market is expected to embark upon a healthy growth path, with demand mostly driven by the rising population of busy, urban people with high disposable incomes. However, the market dynamics is expected to see a significant transformation in terms of markets growth prospects across key regional markets; developed regions such as North America and Europe, which were previously considered high-growth markets, are expected to show slow growth and Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the one with the most promise.Request TOC of the Report @Global Fast Food Market: Market PotentialThe North America market for fast food products, despite witnessing growth at an exponential rate in the fast food markets early years, still remains large and lucrative. However, an evident shift in consumer preferences is swiftly weakening the overall promise of the fast food market in the region. In the next few years, Asia Pacific is expected to be the key driver of the global fast food market. A rapidly rising population of consumers with busy lifestyles, high disposable incomes, and keenness to explore world cuisines are some of the factors leading to ample growth opportunities for the fast food industry in the region.Several global fast food giants are keen to enter into this densely populated and highly opportune market, which also happens to be one of the most active regions in the world when it comes to expansion of international franchises. Owing to factors such as regional integration and the ever-rising scale of globalization, many fast food franchises have been observing immense success. In the next few years as well, the fast food market will be driven in the region on the back of a rapidly rising young population with immensely busy lifestyles, high disposable incomes, and changing food preferences.Request Discount of the Report @Global Fast Food Market: Regional AnalysisFrom a geographical perspective, the global fast food market is presently dominated by North America and Asia Pacific. These two regions collectively command a massive share in the global market in terms of overall consumption and production of fast food products. While the market in North America is expected to witness a downturn in terms of demand in the next few years, the Asia Pacific market is expected to witness expansion at an immense pace in the next few years. The Europe market, similar to North America, is expected to witness growth at a slow pace owing to the increased focus on consumption of natural and home-made foods.Global Fast Food Market: Competitive AnalysisThe global market for fast food products features a highly competitive, dynamic, and fragmented vendor landscape. In a bid to win back consumers in developed economies, companies are switching to natural ingredients, organic produce, and naturally-grown meats to increase the health quotient of popular fast food varieties. To establish businesses in developing economies, strategies such as quick-fire international expansion, product innovations, and upgrades in dining experience are being employed by leading companies. Some of the key players operating in the global fast food market are Wendys International Inc., Jack in the Box Inc., McDonalds Corporation, Doctors Associates Inc., Dominos Pizza Inc., Burger King Worldwide Inc., and Yum! Brands Inc.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
2017-25 Demand "Reverse Flame Steam Boiler" Machinery Research wiht End-Use - Food, Chemical, Refineries, Primary Metal, Power Plants and Other

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"Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market - Europe Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description-- Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market: OverviewThis research study analyzes the market for European reverse flame steam boilers in terms of revenue (US$ Mn). The European reverse flame steam boilers market has been segmented on the basis of capacity, end-use, and country. The report features a detailed segmentation with market growth forecasts from 2017 to 2025. 2016 has been considered the base year and 2016 the estimated year, while all forecasts have been given for the period from 2016 to 2024. Market data for all the segments has been provided at the submarkets and country-specific levels from 2016 to 2024. The report provides a broad competitive analysis of companies engaged in the production and distribution of reverse flame steam boilers, globally. The report also includes key market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities affecting the market. These are analyzed in detail and illustrated in the report with supporting graphs and tables. The report also provides a comprehensive analysis of the market with the help of the Porters Five Forces Analysis model, which helps in understanding the factors that affect the structure and profitability of the market. These are the bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and degree of competition.Get Sample Report With TOC @- Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market: Scope of the ReportThe report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the Europe reverse flame steam boilers market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein capacity, end-use and countries have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, component availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market.The report provides detailed insights into the reverse flame steam boilers business in Europe. Currently, numerous factors drive the market. The most prominent drivers include growing energy demand, government support, better efficiency, growing food & beverage industry etc. In-depth interviews and discussions with wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.- Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market: SegmentationThe study provides a comprehensive view of the Europe reverse flame steam boilers market by dividing it into capacity, end-use, and country. In terms of capacity, the reverse flame steam boilers market has been segmented into: up to 100 KW, 101 KW  1,000 KW, and 1,001 KW & above. In terms of end-use, the reverse flame steam boilers market has been classified into: food, chemical, refineries, primary metals, power plants, and others. These segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends, and the market has been estimated in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) between 2017 and 2025.Country segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for reverse flame steam boilers in Europe. Additionally, the report comprises country-level analysis in terms of revenue for capacity and end-use segments. Key European countries such as the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Rest of Europe have been included in the study. Market segmentation includes demand for individual capacity type and end-use in all the countries/sub-regions.- Companies Mentioned in ReportSome of key manufacturers operating in the European reverse flame boiler market are Atlantic Boilers, ATTSU, BoilerTech Pty Ltd, Bosch Industriekessel GmbH, Byworth Boilers, ICI Caldaie S.p.A., and others. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable). The Europe reverse flame steam boilers market has been segmented as follows:- Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boilers Market  Capacity AnalysisUp to 100 KW101 KW  1,000 KW1,001 KW & Above- Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boilers Market  End-Use AnalysisFoodChemicalRefineriesPrimary MetalPower PlantsOthers- Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boilers Market  Country AnalysisU.K.GermanyFranceSpainItalyRest of EuropeFull Report @- Table of ContentSection 011.1 Preface1.2 Executive Summary1.3 Market Size, Indicative (US$ Mn)Section 022.1 Market Overview2.2 Product Overview2.3 Market Indicator2.4 Key Industry DevelopmentsSection 033.1 Market Dynamics3.2 Drivers and Restraints Snapshot Analysis3.3 Drivers3.4 Restraint3.5 Opportunities3.6 Porters Five Forces Analysis3.7 Drivers3.8 Restraint3.9 Opportunities3.10 Porters Five Forces Analysis3.10.1 Threat of Substitutes3.10.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers3.10.3 Threat of New Entrants3.10.4 Bargaining Power of Suppliers3.10.5 Degree of Competition3.11 Value Chain Analysis3.12 Steam Boiler System Market: Europe Demand & Supply Scenario3.13 Europe Demand & Supply Scenario3.14 Regulatory Scenario3.15 Reverse Flame Steam Boilers Market: SWOT Analysis3.16 Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Analysis and Forecast, 20162025Section 044.1 Key Findings4.2 Introduction4.3 Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Size (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Capacity4.4 Description4.5 Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Forecast, by Capacity, 201620254.6 Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Capacity Analysis, 201620254.6.1 Up to 100 KW4.6.2 101 KW1,000 KW4.6.3 1,001 KW & AboveSection 055.1 Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boilers Market Analysis, by End-use5.2 Key Findings5.3 Introduction5.4 Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Value Share Analysis, by End-use5.5 Description5.5.1 Food5.5.2 Chemical5.5.3 Refineries5.5.4 Primary Metal5.5.5 Power Plants5.5.6 OthersSection 066.1 Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Analysis, by Country6.2 Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Overview6.3 Description6.4 Europe Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Value Share Analysis, by Country/Sub-region6.4.1 U.K. Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Analysis6.4.2 U.K. Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Forecast, by End-use, 201620256.4.3 U.K. Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Forecast, by Capacity, 201620256.4.4 Germany Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Analysis6.4.5 Germany Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Forecast, by Capacity, 201620256.4.6 France Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Analysis6.4.7 France Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Forecast, by End-use, 201620256.4.8 France Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market Forecast, by Capacity, 201620256.4.9 Spain Reverse Flame Steam Boiler Market AnalysisResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074
A recently published report delivers insights about Biodegradable Packaging Market for the forecast 2014 2020

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Biodegradable packaging provides natural and easily degradable protection when used mainly for the presentation and packaging of the products from the moment the production process begins until the product is administered or consumed. Biodegradable packaging significantly differs from the conventional non-biodegradable packaging. Biodegradable packaging degrades easily and quickly and thus, usually does not require the help of an external catalyst for degradation. Biodegradable products are usually land filled than that compared to that of the non-biodegradable conventional products. Depending on the choice of the materials used in the manufacturing of biodegradable packaging the properties, consumer attributes and appearance of the product packaging varies. Biodegradable packaging sector is a small segment which represents a merger percentage of the packaging industry. The global biodegradable packaging has now moved on towards more advanced and efficient packaging. A decade ago, biodegradable packaging was not known to have any real significance. However, recently biodegradable packaging has become an integral part of the global packaging market. The rising consumer awareness towards biodegradable packaging has led to the tremendous growth of the overall market.Request For Report Sample@Increased consumer preference towards biodegradable materials coupled with the growing environmental concern is expected to boost the overall growth of the biodegradable packaging market. Most of the major packaging companies are now shifting their focus towards biodegradable packaging in order to achieve greater consumer satisfaction. In addition, to differentiate their products from that of the competitors many manufacturers are now shifting towards biodegradable packaging. The biodegradable packaging market is expected to witness the fastest growth than that compared to the plastics packaging market. The biodegradable packaging market is a relatively new market however; it is expected to capture the existing market share of the non-biodegradable plastic packaging market. The food packaging and beverage packaging market is expected to play a crucial role in driving the overall global biodegradable packaging market. However, lack of government support especially in the developed countries is expected to curb the growth of the market. The presence of hugeprice difference between the biodegradable packaging and other conventional packaging is further expected to hamper the growth of the market.Europe and North America are expected to dominate the overall market of biodegradable packaging. North America is expected to be the largest consumer of the biodegradable packaging market.The developed regions are expected to dominate the overall biodegradable packaging market owing to the presence of mature markets that consist of highly environmental conscious consumers. In addition, the presence of high-spending population is also expected to increase the overall demand for biodegradable packaging in the developed regions. The presence of large populations in Asia Pacific is expected to boost the biodegradable packaging market. Owing to the increase in the contract manufacturing process coupled with increased governmental interest to promote biodegradable products by providing incentives in some countries such as China and India is further expected to contribute to the growth of the market.Visit For TOC@The biodegradable packaging market is highly fragmented in nature. Some of the key participants of the biodegradable packagin market include International Paper, Natureworks LLC, Biopac, BASF SE, Stora Enso, Smurfit Kappa Group, Rocktenn, Clearwater Paper Corporation, Georgia-Pacific LLC and Novamont S.P.A among others. The companies mainly strive towards developing newtechnologies to manufacture biodegradable packaging material from various easily available natural resources. There are also huge investments in the research and development in order to develop innovative product which in turn would help the companies to gain competitive advantage in the market.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Aviation Alternative Fuel Market: Value Chain Analysis & Market Dynamics, Development Analysis & Strategy, Forecast to 2023

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Market Research Future published a research report on Global Aviation Alternative Fuel Market Research Report - Forecast to 2023  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Global Aviation Alternative Fuel Market Information Report by Application (Commercial and Military) by Fuel Type (Biofuels and Others), and by Regions (Americas, APAC, and EMEA) - Global Forecast To 2023The aviation industry accounts for a significant amount of the total energy consumed in transportation annually. With the growing awareness of depleting fossil fuels and concerns regarding the environment, the market for aviation alternative fuels is expected to witness significant growth. Accelerated application of biofuels in the aviation industry is anticipated to push the demand in the aviation alternative fuels market. Over the years various countries have been experimenting with biofuels in the form of blended fuels i.e. biofuel and jet fuel in order to curb their emission rates. The market for aviation alternative fuel is aided by the favorable government norms and is expected to register high growth rate during the forecast period.Get a Sample Report @Key Players Solazyme, Honeywell UOP, Imperium Renewables, Renewable Energy Group, Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation.Study Objectives of Global Aviation Alternative Fuel Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next five years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global aviation alternative fuel market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the global Aviation Alternative Fuel market based on various tools such as Supply Chain Analysis, and Porters Five Forces Analysis To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to regions and their respective key countries To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segments by material fuel type, application and region To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Aviation Alternative Fuel marketRegional AnalysisGlobal Aviation Alternative Fuel marketAccelerated technological development, established major players, sufficient finances, growing awareness regarding the environment and stringent government regulations are some of the factors which push the demand in the developed regions such as North America and Europe. Growing number of passengers in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to contribute to the growing market for alternative aviation fuel in this region.Intended Audience Aviation Authorities Alternative Fuel manufacturers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesBrowse Full Report Details @The report for Global Aviation Alternative Fuel Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Global Aviation Alternative Fuel Market Research Report - Forecast to 2023 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Eyelash Glue with moderate fumes from Quality Beauty Store.

https://www.qualitybeautystore.com/product-category/adhesives/moderate-fumes/

If you wear eyelash extensions or false eyelashes, using the right adhesive to keep them in place is essential. After all, having your eyelashes fall into your dinner plate never looks good. Red, swollen eyes arent attractive either, so your glue needs to be safe and mild as well as reliable.So, what makes an eyelash glue perfect? Its important to do your research so that you can find the safest, most dependable product for yourself or your clients.Here are a few things that you should consider before investing in a new lash extension glue or false lash adhesive. Affordability is an important factor when choosing a glue, especially if youre using it professionally. Duration of wear is also a factor. For lash extensions, semi-permanent glues made specifically for extensions are best. Temporary adhesives are weaker, but they allow you to take your lashes off whenever you desire. A glues potential to cause eye irritation or an allergic reaction is extremely important. If you have sensitive eyes or youll be using the product on others, look for a brand that puts safety first.Eyelash glues with moderate fumes are causing less irritation and have the long bonding period at the same time making the favourite choice for many eyelash technicians. Recommended for professional use only.If you need an advice on choosing the right glue dont hesitate to contact us and will get in touch with at the soonest possible time.For more information, please, visitQuality Beauty Store is an online store with accessories and products for eyelash extensions.Quality Beauty Store80 Sandringham Crescent, Leeds, LS17 8DF, UK+447780870708info@qualitybeautystore.comMihail
Above Board Chamber of Floridas How to Get Discovered by the Media returns

For the seventh year, Above Board Chamber of Florida presents its popular luncheon program, How to Get Discovered by the Media, from 11:30 a.m.  1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 11 at Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail North, and Thursday, Sept. 15 at Pelican Preserve Town Center, 10561 Veneto Drive, Fort Myers. Reservations are required at AboveBoardChamber.com. Attendees will have the chance to win valuable media prizes.Reporters and broadcast producers are always on the lookout for great stories about local businesses. How can you get them to pay attention to yours? At How to Get Discovered by the Media, attendees will have an unprecedented opportunity to ask this question directly to local experts representing media outlets including magazines, newspapers, television, radio and online news. Panelists will share stories from the trenches to illustrate how to create an effective pitch, as well as avoid the medias pet peeves.The Naples meeting will be emceed by Sue Huff, owner of E. Sue Huff and Associates, and will feature a panel including Gulfshore Business Associate Publisher Rob Wardlaw; WWDT Telemundo Video Journalist Marilyn Ponce; Jay Schlichter, editor of the Collier Citizen and assistant editor of Turquoise magazine by the Naples Daily News; Stephanie Summers of Fox4 Morning Blend; Southwest Florida Business Today Publisher Karen Moore; Florida Weekly Editor Cindy Pierce; Heidi Raphael, vice president of corporate communications at Beasley Media Group; and Rob Robbins, president and general manager at The CALL Radio Stations.The Fort Myers meeting will be emceed by Connie Ramos-Williams, chief marketing officer and president at CONRIC PR & Marketing, and will feature a panel including News-Press News Director Wendy Fullerton, Gulfshore Business Editor in Chief Phil Borchmann, Southwest Florida Business Today Publisher Karen Moore, Florida Weekly Senior Editor Betty Wells, NBC-2 Anchor Peter Busch, WINK TV Anchor Deanne Brink, Noticias WINK Anchor Stephanie Becerra, Way-FM Station Manager Tom Sullivan and CTN10 TV General Manager Paul Lodato.Naples lunch registrationRegistration on or before Wednesday, Sept. 6 will be $25 for members, $30 for guests.Fort Myers lunch registrationRegistration on or before Thursday, Sept. 7 will be $25 for members, $30 for guests.The Naples meeting will be sponsored by Tri-Town Construction, CONRIC PR & Marketing, The Arlington of Naples, Fuller Online Solutions and Hilton Naples.The Fort Myers meeting will be sponsored by Tri-Town Construction, CONRIC PR & Marketing and Acarte' Technology.Non-members are encouraged to attend two meetings, then consider joining us to be part of the Above Board Chamber of Florida. To become a member, contact Jeanne Sweeney at 239.910.7426.Special thanks to our 2017 yearly sponsors: CONRIC PR & Marketing, Fuller Online Solutions, E. Sue Huff and Associates, Pulse Technology Solutions, LLC, Spada Salon & Day Spa, Your Walking Billboard, Charlie McDonald Photography, Lady in Pink Photography and Signarama North Fort Myers.The Above Board Chamber of Florida is dedicated to bringing people of all faiths together within the community, in the workplace and amongst one another. Their mission is to supply members with the tools that will allow them to take every aspect of their lives Above Board. For more information on the event or on how to become a member of the Above Board Chamber, contact Jeanne Sweeney at 239.910.7426 or visit AboveBoardChamber.com.Conric PR & Marketing6216 Whiskey Creek Dr BJosh Milton
Graph Database Market Volume Analysis, Segments, Value Share and Key Trends 2017-2027

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4352

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Graph database is an online database management system where connected elements are linked together. Graph database is an ideal solution to store data and to connect relationships between data much more accurately than a relational database (RDBMS). Graph Database is engineered with transactional integrity and operational availability, designed to deliver high-level transactional performance. Graph databases connect the data stored in the graph, and also equipped to determine how things relate to one another quickly. Graph database is flexible with expanding data mode and suitable for delivery aligned with todays changing business needs & delivery practices. Some of the predominant business giants utilizing graph databases are Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, and PayPal. Three key advantages of graph database are Flexibility, Performance, and Agility. Some of the common use cases of graph databases are fraud detection, real-time recommendation engines, master data management (MDM), network and its operations, identity and access management (IAM).Graph Database Market: Market DynamicsExpanding business applications with connected data coupled with rising technological challenges of connected data is the prominent factor drives the growth of global graph database market. Additionally, expanding enterprise data volumes coupled with growing importance to generate insight from existing data, rising focus on data monetization solutions and increasing demand for master data management solutions, are the factors further accelerates the growth of global graph database market. Also, growing dependency on connected data for fraud detection across various industries including e-commerce, banking, financial services and insurance, contributes the growth of growth of global graph database market. Furthermore, rising demand for connected data to optimize marketing performance, continuous adoption to cloud computing environment across various industries and expanding (IoT) applications, expected to fuel the growth of global graph database market. However, implementation challenges and lack of understanding regarding the potential benefits of graph databases are the key factors identified as restraints likely to deter the progression of global graph database market.Request Report Sample@Graph Database Market: Market SegmentationThe globalgraph database market is segmented on the basis of component, vertical, end-user type, and by regionGraph Database Market: Segmentation on the basis of ComponentSoftwareOn premiseCloudServicesConsulting & TrainingGraph Database Market: Segmentation on the basis of VerticalBFSIInformation TechnologyTelecommunicationTravel & LogisticsHealthcare & PharmaceuticalManufacturingE-commerce & RetailOthersGraph Database Market: Segmentation on the basis of End-user TypeSmall & Medium EnterprisesLarge EnterprisesGraph Database Market: Segmentation on the basis of RegionNorth AmericaLatin AmericaWestern EuropeEastern EuropeAsia-Pacific excluding JapanJapanThe Middle East and AfricaGraph Database Market: Regional OutlookAmong all regions, graph database market in North America is expected to dominate the market, due to increasing demand for data analytics solutions and continuous focus to deliver personalized customer experience by organizations across various industries. Asia-Pacific is identified as the fastest growing graph database market due to expanding cloud computing solutions and growing preference to generate competitive insights from connected data from banking, financial, and e-commerce sector.Visit For TOC@Graph Database Market: Competition LandscapeSome of the prominent players in the global graph database market include Oracle, International Business Machines Corporation, Neo Technology, Inc., OrientDB, Franz Inc.(AllegroGraph), DataStax, Ontotext AD, ArangoDB GmbH, Sparsity Technologies, and Objectivity Inc.( InfiniteGraph).About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Payment Bank Solutions Market Revenue, Opportunity, Forecast and Value Chain 2017-2027

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4403

http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4403

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Presently with the growing usage of digital and online banking, many banks have started offering various options for banking payments. These Payment banks are helping in modernization of banking by offering unique payment solutions to customers. The concept of payment bank solution is growing at a faster pace due to rising usage of mobile technology to provide financial assistance in remote areas. These payment bank solutions are developed specifically for unbanked segments and locations which do not have banks.This payment bank concept has been launched by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in which a payment bank operates at smaller level that as an actual bank. In this payment bank can make payments and do some work of banks but cannot lend money or issue credit card. A payment is allow to accept deposit, enable mobile payments, net banking services, fund transfers, issuance of ATM or debit card and can sell third party financial products. Payment Bank solutions are precisely tailored for organizations looking for payments banks and small finance banks licenses from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). With these solutions, licensees can set up the required technology backbone and become operational quickly.Request Report Sample@Payment Bank Solution Market: Drivers and ChallengesThe major factor driving the adoption of Payment bank solutions is the rising usage of mobile technology among individuals. In India, rural and urban both places, individuals have been adopted mobile technology significantly for online shopping, online banking and others. The concept of Payment bank solution is also getting adopted by individuals due to internet facilities and easy to understand concept.The key challenge for Payment bank solution is the lack of knowledge payment banking solutions. RBI has issued license to 11 entities to launch payment banks due to which only these 11 companies are offering solutions to areas where they already exist. This concept is in introductory stage due to which it will take time for individuals to adopt.Payment Bank Solutions Market: SegmentationSegmentation on the basis of type:HardwareATM cardsDebit cardsForex cardsSoftwarePlatformsMobile AppsKey Developments:In February 2017, MasterCard has entered into the partnership with Airtel Payment Bank to provide payment processing solution. The MasterCard is offering online debit card to Airtel customers to make digital payments up to 1 lakhs. This will help Airtel to offer safer, innovative and faster payments experience to its customers.In October 2015, Mahindra Comviva has entered in the Payment Bank Solutions market in India to offer technological solutions and infrastructure to payment banks. Mahindra Comvivas technological product has been deployed with Idea and is expected to be adopted by Tech Mahindra as well when it rolls out its own payments bank.Visit For TOC@In September 2015, Infosys Finacle, a subsidiary of EdgeVerve Systems has launched solution for Payment banks named as Finacle Payments Bank and Finacle Small Finance Bank solutions for the India market. hese solutions are specifically tailored for organizations seeking payments banks and small finance banks licenses from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and IndiaCONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Subscriber Data Management Market Poised for a High Growth in the Years to Come

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/subscriber-data-management-market.html

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=25289

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Subscriber data management or SDM is the most difficult functions in telecommunication networks. The rising number of network technologies, arrival of 5G and advanced cloud architectures are fueling the demand of subscriber data management software.The SDM solution is expected to grow at a steady rate during the forecast period. It offers telecom operators with a consolidated view of data from diverse data bank. It also helps integrating unlike systems or applications by providing access to transactions, protocol translation, data transformation and data schema manipulation. This data and protocol association ability offers operators to produce a unified interface for all applications to access information from all data banks.In addition, increasing number of mobile devices and mobile users has further fueling the market of SDM and is expected a significant growth during the forecast period. Rising use of mobile devices is also increasing the need of mobile operator to synchronize this subscriber information with ease, which is fueling the growth of subscriber data management market. Moreover, rising need to reduce the operational expenditure (Opex) is further booming the market of SDM during the forecast period. However, the complexity in design of subscriber data management solution is acting as a restraint of this market. Many manufacturers are focusing on this matter and they are trying to make it user friendly, therefore the impact of this restraint is medium and is expected to be low during the forecast period.Browse Our Report @The market ofsubscriber data management is segmented into five categories: by deployment, by solution, by network type, by organization size and by application. By deployment the market of subscriber data managementcan be divided intocloud and on premises. Furthermore, the cloud deployment type is expected to be fastestgrowth rate in the SDM market during the forecast period. Owing to its minimum capital investment in nature and its offered subscription-based pricing modelsthus this segment is growing significantly.By solution the market is segmented by policy management, user data repository, subscriber data federation, identity management.In terms of network, the market of subscriber data managementcan be divided into mobile network and fixed networks. By organization size the market of subscriber data management is segmented into large enterprise and small and medium enterprise. In terms of application the market is segmented into voice over IP and video over IP, mobile and fixed mobile convergence among others.By geography the global subscriber data management market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. North America subscriber data management held the largest market share in 2016, and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) subscriber data management market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.Brochure With Latest Advancements With Application @Increasing adoption of VoLTE and cloud-based monetization solutions is the major driving factors in North America and is expected to provide a significant growth of subscriber data management (SDM) market during the forecast period. Additionally, in Europe and Asia-Pacific, organizations are redesigning and modernizing their business process to improve their efficiencies. Therefore the organizations have installed SDM as a modern telecommunication network system. This factor is booming the market of SDM in Europe and Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is expecting the fastest growth due to the rising economics such as China and India. Middle East and Africa has shown a remarkable growth in mobile BPMmarket followed by Latin America in recent years.The key players participating in the subscriber data management market are Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Company (California, U.S.),Ericsson (Kista, Stockholm), Nokia Corporation (Espoo, Finland), Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (Shenzhen, China), Amdocs Inc. (Missouri, U.S.), Oracle Corporation (U.S.), Computaris International Ltd. (Essex, U.K.), Procera Networks, Inc. (California, U.S.), Openwave Mobility, Inc. (California, U.S.), ZTE Corporation (Shenzhen, China), Cisco Systems, Inc. (California, U.S.) and Redknee Solutions, Inc. (Ontario, Canada) among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Service Integration and Management (SIAM) Business Trends That Will Drive Success In 2022

Service Integration and Management (SIAM)

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1184404-service-integration-and-management-siam-global-market-outlook-2016-2022

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The Global Service Integration and Management (SIAM) Market Research Report provides detailed analysis of the key regional market status of the Service Integration and Management (SIAM) Industry.According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Service Integration and Management (SIAM) market is estimated at $2.76 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $4.86 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2016 to 2022. Some of the factors fueling the market include cost-effectiveness of the SIAM Model and increasing number of service providers. However, reluctance in adoption of new technologies & services and lack of uniform SLAS and regulatory compliance are hindering the market.Amongst End Users, manufacturing segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Service Integration and Management help manufacturing industries to enhance working capital, optimize cost and improve process efficiencies. It also reduces the build and run cost of enterprise systems across the developed value chain and also forces the manufacturers in this sector to accept best practices along with other measures to continuously improve the quality of products and services. Europe held the largest market share owing to technological advancements, robust IT infrastructure and widespread acceptance of new technology. The rising potential power of multi-supplier ecosystem for vendors is driving the growth of the SIAM in this region. Moreover, China plays a vital role in the technological landscape of the APAC region. It is heavily dependent on the technological innovations.Some of the key players in the market includeHCL Technologies Limited, Wipro Limited, Hewlett- Packard Enterprise, Capgemini, Atos SE, Tata Consultancy Services Limited, Accenture, CGI Group Inc., Oracle Corporation and Fujitsu Ltd.Sample Copy @Organization Sizes Covered: Large Enterprises Small and Medium EnterprisesServices Covered: Implementation Automation AdvisorySolutions Covered: Technology Solutionso Training and Supporto Applicationo Infrastructure Business Solutionso Contract Managemento Governance, Risk, and Controlo Auditing and Invoicingo ProcurementEnd Users Covered: Retail Energy and Utilitiy Transport and Logistics Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance Manufacturing Telecom Other End UsersRegions Covered: North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo UKo Spaino Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australiao New Zealando Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the Worldo Middle Easto Brazilo Argentinao South Africao EgyptWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsTable Of Content1 Executive Summary2 Preface2.1 Abstract2.2 Stake Holders2.3 Research Scope2.4 Research Methodology2.4.1 Data Mining2.4.2 Data Analysis2.4.3 Data Validation2.4.4 Research Approach2.5 Research Sources2.5.1 Primary Research Sources2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources2.5.3 Assumptions3 Market Trend Analysis3.1 Introduction3.2 Drivers3.3 Restraints3.4 Opportunities3.5 Threats3.6 End User Analysis3.7 Emerging Markets4 Porters Five Force Analysis4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers4.2 Bargaining power of buyers4.3 Threat of substitutes4.4 Threat of new entrants4.5 Competitive rivalry5 Global Service Integration and Management (SIAM) Market, By Organization Size5.1 Introduction5.2 Large Enterprises5.3 Small and Medium Enterprises11 Company Profiling11.1 HCL Technologies Limited11.2 Wipro Limited11.3 Hewlett- Packard Enterprise11.4 Capgemini11.5 Atos SE11.6 Tata Consultancy Services Limited11.7 Accenture11.8 CGI Group Inc.11.9 Oracle Corporation11.10 Fujitsu Ltd.CONTACT US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Pune, India
Smartphone OS Market: Development Catalysts, Market Trends And Key Players 2025

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smartphone-os-market.html

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=25313

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A smart phone operating system (OS) is essential engine which helps to run the smart phone smoothly. Operating systems of a smart phone manages both the software and hardware to create an easy user experience. Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Windows are the most common OS used in smart phone.In addition, increasing number of mobile devices and mobile users has fueling the market of smart phone OS and is expected a significant growth during the forecast period. Rising use of mobile devices and growing dependency on smart phone in daily life the market of smart phone OS in rising and is anticipated a positive growth during the forecast period. However, the complexity in design of smart phone is acting as a restraint of this market. Many manufacturers are focusing on this matter and they are trying to make it user friendly, therefore the impact of this restraint is medium and is expected to be low during the forecast period.Browse Our Report @The market of smart phone operating systems (OS) is segmented into two categories: by type and by region. By type the market of smart phone operating systems (OS) is segmented by Android, iOS and Windows and others.The Android OS is Google's open and free programming stack that incorporates a middleware, operating systems and key applications for use on cell phones, including smart phone. Updates for the Android OS have been produced under "dessert propelled" adaptation names (Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jellybean, Kitkat, Lollipop, Marshmallow and Nougat) with new version is coming base in sequential order arrange with new upgrades and enhancements. iPhones operating systems was initially created for use on its iPhone gadgets. Presently, the smart phone operating system is known to as iOS and is supported on different Apple gadgets including the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The iOS operating system is accessible only in Apple gadgets as the organization does not permit the OS for outsider equipment. Windows Mobile is Microsoft's operating systems utilized as a part of smart phone and mobile phones. The Mobile OS based on the Windows CE 5.2 kernel. n 2010 Microsoft announced another mobile phone organize called Windows Phone 7. In others segment includes BlackBerry, MeeGo OS, Palm OS.The BlackBerry operating systems is an exclusive versatile working framework created by Research in Motion for use in the organization's mainstream BlackBerry handheld gadgets. The BlackBerry stage is well known to corporate clients as it offers synchronization with Microsoft Exchange, Novell GroupWise, Lotus Domino email and different business programming, when utilized with the BlackBerry Enterprise ServerBrochure With Latest Advancements With Application @By geography the global smart phone operating system (OS) market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. North America smart phone operating system (OS) held the largest market share in 2016, and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) smart phone operating system (OS) market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Increasing adoption of smart phone and changing lifestyle is the major driving factors in North America and is expected to provide a significant growth of smart phone operating system (OS) market during the forecast period. Asia Pacific is expecting the fastest growth due to the rising economics such as China and India. Middle East and Africa has shown a remarkable growth in mobile BPMmarket followed by Latin America in recent years.The key players participating in the smart phone operating system (OS) market is marked by some strong competition from the major players operating in this industry. Numerous merger and acquisition, joint venture and partnership agreement, product innovation, research and development and geographical extension are some of the key strategies adopted by this player to ensure long term sustenance in these market key participants in the global smart phone operating system (OS) industry include are Microsoft Corporation (Washington, U.S.) Apple Inc. (California, U.S.), Google (California, U.S.), AsusTek Computer Inc. (China), Canonical Ltd (London, U.K.), Access Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) and Others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Bromine Market,Industry Analysis,Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2025

MRRSE

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http://www.mrrse.com/bromine-industry

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Bromine is a chemical element with symbol Br and atomic number 35. It is the third-lightest halogen and it exists in the form of fuming red-brown liquid at room temperature. The commercial source of bromine is brine pools. Major producers of bromine are Israel, the U.S., and China. The mass of bromine in oceans is about 0.0033 times to that of chlorine.Request For Sample Report :The report estimates and forecasts the bromine market on the global and regional levels. The study provides forecast between 2017 and 2025 based on volume (tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage.The study includes drivers and restraints for the Bromine market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the Bromine market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes substitute analysis of Bromine and global average price trend analysis.Global Bromine Market: SegmentationThe study provides a comprehensive view of the bromine market by dividing it into application and geography segments. The applications are segmented into flame retardants, drilling fluids, biocides, catalysts, water treatment, and others. These segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast consumption of bromine in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Market segmentation includes demand for consumption in all the regions individually.Bromine has applications in brominated flame retardants, as clear brine fluids in drilling fluids, water treatment, biocides among others. The major application of bromine is observed in flame retardants, followed by drilling fluids as clear brine fluids. Clear brine fluids are industrial fluids used in various operations in the oil & gas industry such as completion, work-over, and drilling. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are effective in applications such as electronics, clothes, and furniture.Browse Full Report With TOC :Major application of bromine is in the manufacturing of BFRs for textiles and polymer. However, the market for BFRs has been declining over a decade due to various regulations and legislation that either seek compliance with limited BFR content or ban the product altogether. The declining usage of bromine in flame retardants is acting as a major restraint to the bromine market.Major usage of bromine in water treatment is in industrial water treatment and residential & commercial water purification. Bromine is used to prevent the formation and growth of algae, bacteria, and odors in the swimming water. Rise in adoption of water treatment chemicals is anticipated to keep the market prospects upbeat.Global Bromine Market: Competitive AnalysisThe report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the bromine market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and regions have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for bromine market between 2017 and 2025.The report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Israel Chemical Ltd. (ICL), Albemarle Corporation, Jordan Bromine Company Limited, and Gulf Resources Inc. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).Global Bromine Market: Research MethodologySecondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to, U.S. Geological Survey, British Geological Survey, World Mining Congress, U.N. Comtrade, Industrial Minerals, company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.The global bromine market has been segmented as follows:Bromine Market  Application AnalysisFlame RetardantsDrilling FluidsBiocidesCatalystsWater TreatmentOthersBromine Market  Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaS.CanadaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaEuropeGermanyFranceK.RussiaItalyRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaASEANRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaEnquiry About This Report :Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comGoogle+:Linked in:Twitter:
Global Moissanite Market Research Report 2017 : Amora, HRB Exports, Unimoss

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Moissanite Market Research Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.The research report provides a detailed assessment of the drivers impacting the global Moissanite market, along with the restraints and opportunities presently affecting its overall growth. These factors help determine the different trends prevailing in the market. The study provides a comprehensive analysis on the market growth throughout the forecast period in terms of revenue, across various geographies. It comprises an executive summary, which offers a snapshot of the Moissanite market and comprehensive information on various segments and sub-segments. The information presented in the report is gathered from various sources using the latest and relevant methodologies.The report provides in-depth analysis and forecast of the Moissanite market on a regional as well as global level. In this report, the different applications have been studied based on their market size, general attractiveness, and growth rate. Segment-wise comparison, market share analysis, and market attractive analysis for all regions covered in the study have also been presented in a manner that is easy to read and interpret. The report includes key developments and their impact on the global Moissanite market. Aspects such as market share, infrastructure facilities, line growth, segment growth, and future outlook are covered in the report.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @This report studies Moissanite 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, coveringCharles & ColvardMoissanite InternationalWholesale MoissaniteAmoraHRB ExportsViktor K mmerlingStars GemWuzhou Changsheng GemsUnimossAmerica CreeTransgemsC3The systematic analysis of the global Moissanite market will help new entrants develop effective strategies for sustainable expansion. The report serves as a key tool for companies looking to survive and thrive in the global Moissanite market. The study offers an informative outline of company profiles, product portfolios, mergers, research activities, and growth strategies. A SWOT analysis is conducted to identify key drivers, trends, threats, and opportunities that are likely to influence the Moissanite market during the forecast period.Table of Contents1 Moissanite Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Moissanite1.2 Moissanite Segment by Type1.3 Moissanite Segment by Application1.4 Moissanite Market by Region1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Moissanite (2012-2022)Browse Press Release of this Research Report:2 Global Moissanite Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Moissanite Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Moissanite Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Moissanite Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Moissanite Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Moissanite Market Competitive Situation and Trends3 Global Moissanite Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)4 Global Moissanite Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)5 Global Moissanite Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Moissanite Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Moissanite Consumption and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)6.2 Global Moissanite Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/Countries7 Global Moissanite Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Charles & Colvard7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.1.2 Moissanite Product Type, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Charles & Colvard Moissanite Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Moissanite International7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.2.2 Moissanite Product Type, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Moissanite International Moissanite Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Wholesale Moissanite7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Its Competitors7.3.2 Moissanite Product Type, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Wholesale Moissanite Moissanite Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2015 and 2016)7.3.4 Main Business/Business OverviewCheck Discount @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of MoissaniteFigure Global Production Market Share of Moissanite by Type in 2015Figure Product Picture of Black Silicon CarbideTable Major Manufacturers of Black Silicon CarbideFigure Product Picture of Green Silicon CarbideTable Major Manufacturers of Green Silicon CarbideTable Moissanite Consumption Market Share by Application in 2015Figure High Temperature Resistant Material ExamplesQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States
Municipal Water And Wastewater Treatment Chemicals Market In CEE To Grow At A CAGR Of 7.68% During The Period 2017-2021 Key Vendors - AkzoNobel, BASF, Kemira, SNF Group, Solenis

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Municipal Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals Market in CEE 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Water treatment or purification is the process of removing unwanted chemicals, materials, and biological contaminants from raw water. The objective of water treatment is to provide water that is fit for consumption. Most of the water goes through the purification process for human consumption (drinking water, 56%). Water is also treated according to the requirements of pharmacology, chemical, medical, and industrial applications.Technavios analysts forecast the municipal water and wastewater treatment chemicals market in CEE to grow at a CAGR of 7.68% during the period 2017-2021.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the municipal water and wastewater treatment chemicals market in CEE for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEAMunicipal Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals Market in CEE 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsAkzoNobelBASFKemiraSNF GroupSolenisBrowse Detail Report With Full TOC @Other prominent vendorsDonau ChemieFeralcoPCC RokitaSachtleben ChemieMarket driverLegislative pressure prevents exploitation of environmentFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeHigh switching cost among productsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendIncreasing awareness for water and energy savingsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
PP (Polypropylene) Nonwoven Fabrics Market Trends 2017 to 2024, Future Growth & Industry Drivers

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Increasing requirement of superior and hygienic fabric for various medical applications will stimulate PP nonwoven fabrics market over the years ahead. Subject to its superior properties, this product is mainly used to manufacture baby diapers. The products strength is a principal factor that leads to its application across the automotive sector, thereby favorably influencing PP nonwoven fabrics industry share.Global Market Insights has a new study based report titled " PP (Polypropylene) Nonwoven Fabrics Market Size By Product (Spunbonded, Staples, Meltblown, Composite), By Application (Hygiene [baby diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, wipes], Industrial, Medical, Geotextiles, Furniture, Carpet, Agriculture) Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Poland, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, Brazil), Growth Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2024".Request for sample pages of this report@The rising proliferation of technology and the enforcement of regulatory norms across various countries will fuel the product demand. According to Global Market Insights, Inc., Worldwide PP Nonwoven Fabrics Market having had a revenue of USD 18 billion in 2015, will collect a revenue of USD 40.2 billion by 2024 with an estimated consumption of 13 million tons.The report offers all-inclusive analysis of:1 Market structure2 Factors restraining market growth3 Market growth drivers4 Opportunities and challenges5 Market estimations and forecast for projected periodGermany PP nonwoven fabrics market size is forecast to exceed a valuation of more than 650 kilo tons by 2024. The growth can be attributed to shifting trends toward the usage of hygienic products. In addition, the industry giants across Europe have been looking out for innovative technological developments and upgradation, owing to the deployment of technology related norms across this region.PP nonwoven fabrics market share from the hygiene sector will collect a revenue of USD 18 billion by 2024, as the product is primarily used to manufacture baby diapers, feminine disposables, incontinence, and wipes. Surging requirement of incontinence products across the U.S. pertaining to the rapidly growing geriatric population will also influence PP nonwoven fabrics industry.The PP (Polypropylene) Nonwoven Fabrics Market Report Consists of,1. Methodology and Scope2. Executive Summary3. PP (Polypropylene) Nonwoven Fabrics Market Industry Insights3.1 Industry segmentation3.2. Industry size, forecast and growth expectations, 2016 - 20243.3. Industry ecosystem analysis3.4. Raw material insights3.5. Technology insightsBrowse PP (Polypropylene) Nonwoven Fabrics Market report summary@3.6. Regulatory framework3.7. Industry dynamics3.8. Key growth opportunities3.9. Porter's analysis3.10. Company market share, 20153.11. PESTEL analysis3.14. Regional price trends4. PP (Polypropylene) Nonwoven Fabrics Market Product InsightsSpunbonded based PP nonwoven fabrics market size may surpass USD 19 billion by 2024. It has simple and most economical manufacturing process compared to other products. The market is poised to grow for durable applications which includes home furnishings, automotive, medical & industrial protection apparel, geotextiles, and commercial & residential growund covers and wall wraps.Staples based Polypropylene nonwoven fabrics market expects a gain at over 7%. It is gaining popularity in goetextiles, automotive, and construction industies due to durability and strength should drive industry growth. Traditionally, staple process was majorly used but due to spunbonds increasing application scope, it may witness a decline in market share.5. PP (Polypropylene) Nonwoven Fabrics Market Application InsightsPP nonwoven fabrics market for hygiene applications should generate over USD 18 billion by 2024. They are mainly used for producing feminine disposables, wipes, baby diapers, and incontinence products. Increasing baby diapers usage for Asia Pacific market should drive industry growth. In addition, growing adult incontinence products demand along with rising geriatric population in U.S. may surge hygiene products demand.PP nonwoven fabrics market from furniture application may witness highest gains at over 9%. Polypropylene nonwoven fabrics in furniture applications include producing bedding & furniture construction sheeting, arms & back, blankets, dust covers, table decoration, and spring wraps. Growing furniture expenditure in China, India, Russia, Brazil and Saudi Arabia should drive product demand.6. PP (Polypropylene) Nonwoven Fabrics Market Regional InsightsU.S. PP nonwoven fabrics market size should be worth above 7.5 billion at the end of 2024. Increasing product demand in durable applications which includes construction, geotextiles and automotive should boost product demand. Rising ageing population and increasing hygiene products importance should fuel regional industry.China Polypropylene nonwoven fabrics industry demand should surpass USD 6 billion by 2024. Rising disposable income has driven the usage hygiene products which includes sanitary wipes and baby diapers should favor regional industry growth. Many companies have plans to expand business mainly in China which includes PGI Suzhou, Toray Nantong and Hubei Gold (AVGOL).Germany market consumption is forecast to exceed 650 kilo tons by 2024. Capacity expansion in Europe is mainly concentrated by hygiene product segment. European market players are focusing on upgrading technologies for complying regulatory directives, which may further escalate industry growth.Inquire About to purchase this research report@7. Competitor ProfilesSome of the companies in poplypropylene nonwoven fabrics market include First Quality, Kimberly Clark, AVGOI, Fibetex, Toray, Mitsui, SABIC, Fitesa, ExxonMobil, and PEGAS.About Global Market Insights, Inc.:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:
Regenerative Medicine Market In The US To Grow At A CAGR Of 23.53% During The Period 2017-2021 Key Vendors - Acelity, Medtronic, MiMedx, Organogenesis, Zimmer Biomet

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Regenerative Medicine Market in the US 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Regenerative medicine is a bioproduct, which is developed by using translational research techniques such as molecular biology, tissue engineering, and gene engineering. Stem cells and tissue scaffolds have the effective therapeutic potential, which has increased the adoption of regenerative medicine in the US market. Stem cell therapy responds well to various treatments such as dermatological, macular, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular applications. The regenerative medicine industry includes four key sectors, which help the vendors to develop regenerative medicine.Technavios analysts forecast the Regenerative Medicine Market in the US to grow at a CAGR of 23.53% during the period 2017-2021.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the Regenerative Medicine Market in the US for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the sales, volume, and value of regenerative medicine market in the US.Regenerative Medicine Market in the US 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsAcelityMedtronicMiMedxOrganogenesisZimmer BiometBrowse Detail Report With Full TOC @Other prominent vendorsACE Surgical SupplyAcera SurgicalAcologixAdvanced BiologicsAlloCureAlloSourceAlphatec SpineANTEROGENAntibe TherapeuticsAstellas PharmaAthersysAvita MedicalAxoGenBacterin InternationalBaxterBellicum PharmaceuticalsBioCardiaBiogenBioRestorative TherapiesBiostageBio-TissueBioTissuebluebird bioBONESUPPORTBrainStorm Cell TherapeuticsCaladriusCalimmuneCapricor TherapeuticsCELGENECell MedicaCell TherapyCellBioMedCellSeedCelyadCESCA THERAPEUTICSCTM CRCCryoLifeCynataCytori TherapeuticsDendreon PharmaceuticalsDiscGenicsFate TherapeuticsFibrocell ScienceForticell BioscienceFortress BiotechFUJIFILM HoldingsGamida CellGeronGlaxoSmithKlineHealthpoint (acquired by Smith & Nephew)HistogenHistogenicsHolostem Terapie AvanzateHumacyteImmunocellular TherapeuticsIntegra LifeSciencesIntercytexInVivo TherapeuticsiSTO BiologicsJanssen PharmaceuticalsJuno TherapeuticsJuventas TherapeuticsKiadis PharmaLifeCellLifeNet HealthLiving Cell TechnologiesLonzaMaxCyteMEDIPOSTMesoblastNanofiber SolutionsNanotopeNeuralstemNewLink GeneticsNorthwest BiotherapeuticsNovaRxOpexa TherapeuticsORGANOVO HOLDINGSOrteqOrthofix HoldingsOsiris TherapeuticsPfizerPHARMICELLPluristemPrima BioMedQ TherapeuticsRegenerexRegenerysRegienceRegrowRENOVA THERAPEUTICSRepliCelReproCELLRhinoCyteRohto PharmaRTI SurgicalSanBioSangamo TherapeuticsShanghai Sunway BiotechShireStratatechSURGILOGIXSynergistic TechnologiesTAKARA BIOtellaTissue GenesisTissueGeneTxcellVentriNovaVericelViaCyteVistaGen TherapeuticsMarket driverCVD and diabetes in young adult and aging populationFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeHigh cost of clinical trialFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendIncreasing strategic alliancesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Transparent Conductive Films Market To Grow At A CAGR Of 4.22% (decelerating) During The Period 2017-2021 Key Vendors - 3M, Cambrios Technologies, Canatu, DuPont, Kodak, Nitto Denko, TOYOBO

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Transparent Conductive Films Market 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Transparent conductive films are prerequisites for manufacturing display and touchscreen panels for consumer electronics. Consecutively, the growth of the global transparent conductive films market is directly proportional to the growth in unit shipments of TVs, smartphones, monitors, laptops, tablets, and smartwatches. The advent of IoT and increasing penetration of touchscreen interface also boost the sales of aftermarket automotive displays. Automobile manufacturers are focusing on implementing touchscreen navigation and infotainment systems, which are the standard fitments in passenger vehicles. This, in turn, is driving the demand for transparent conductive films globally.Technavios analysts forecast the global transparent conductive films market to grow at a CAGR of 4.22% (decelerating) during the period 2017-2021.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global transparent conductive films market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from sales of transparent conductive films used in the following applications:TVsSmartphonesMonitorsLaptopsTabletsAutomotive displaysSmartwatches.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEAGlobal Transparent Conductive Films Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors3MCambrios TechnologiesCanatuDuPontKodakNitto DenkoTOYOBOBrowse Detail Report With Full TOC @Other prominent vendorsC3NanoDONTECHFujifilmGUNZEMetamaterial TechnologiesTDKTEIJINMarket driverHigh penetration of smartphones and tabletsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeDeclining unit shipments of monitors and laptopsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendDiscovery of new materials for transparent conductive filmsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Digital Signature Business Trends That Will Drive Success In 2022

Digital Signature

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The Global Digital Signature Market Research Report provides detailed analysis of the key regional market status of the Digital Signature Industry.According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Digital Signature Market is accounted for $662.4 million in 2016 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 30.0% to reach $3209.4 million by 2022. Factors like increasing use of digital signature to eliminate fraud, Technological innovations and enhanced data integrity, scalability, and transparency are driving the market growth. Increase in adoption of cloud based solutions will provide opportunity for Digital Signature market. However, implementation cost and incompatibility among various digital signature techniques will hinder the market.Cloud based solutions is projected to be the largest deployment segment as they reduce the operational cost of implementation. The managed services segment is expected to witness largest market share owing to reduction of the cost of operations as well as they provide integration of Wide Area Network (WAN) and branch networks. North America is the largest market followed by Europe. Europe growth is attributed to growing legal services firms, adoption of digital signature and release of new regulations for electronic signatures by the European Electronic Messaging Association. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market due to enhancement of digital technologies in countries such as China and India.Some of the key players in global Digital Signature market areAdobe Systems, Inc, Ascertia, Microsoft Corporation, Docusign, Inc., Entrust Datacard Corp, Gemalto, Inc, IdenTrust, Inc, International Business solutions llc, Kofax Limited, Korea SYSTEM's TECH Inc, Kotrade Inc, Right Signature LLC, Secured Signing Limited, Signix Inc and Oracle Corporation.Sample Copy @Deployments Covered: Cloud-Based On-Premises Web BasedComponents Covered: Serviceso Professional Serviceso Managed Services Solutionso Softwareo HardwareApplications Covered: Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance Education and Research Government and Defense Healthcare and Life Sciences Human Resources Legal Manufacturing and Engineering Real Estate Other ApplicationsEnd Users Covered: Large Enterprises Small and Medium Enterprises (SME)Types Covered: Class 1 Class 2 Class 3Regions Covered: North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo UKo Spaino Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australiao New Zealando Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the Worldo Middle Easto Brazilo Argentinao South Africao EgyptWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 6 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsTable Of Content1 Executive Summary2 Preface2.1 Abstract2.2 Stake Holders2.3 Research Scope2.4 Research Methodology2.4.1 Data Mining2.4.2 Data Analysis2.4.3 Data Validation2.4.4 Research Approach2.5 Research Sources2.5.1 Primary Research Sources2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources2.5.3 Assumptions3 Market Trend Analysis3.1 Introduction3.2 Drivers3.3 Restraints3.4 Opportunities3.5 Threats3.6 Application Analysis3.7 End User Analysis3.8 Emerging Markets3.9 Futuristic Market Scenario4 Porters Five Force Analysis4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers4.2 Bargaining power of buyers4.3 Threat of substitutes4.4 Threat of new entrants4.5 Competitive rivalry5 Global Digital Signature Market, By Deployment5.1 Introduction5.2 Cloud-Based5.3 On-Premises5.4 Web Based12 Company Profiling12.1 Adobe Systems, Inc12.2 Ascertia12.3 Microsoft Corporation12.4 Docusign, Inc.12.5 Entrust Datacard Corp12.6 Gemalto, Inc12.7 IdenTrust, Inc12.8 International Business solutions llc12.9 Kofax Limited12.10 Korea SYSTEM's TECH Inc12.11 Kotrade Inc12.12 Right Signature LLC12.13 Secured Signing Limited12.14 Signix Inc12.15 Oracle CorporationCONTACT US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Pune, India
Europe Carbon Monoxide | 2017 Industry Size, Research, Trends, Review & Analysis to 2022

Europe Carbon Monoxide, Europe Carbon Monoxide Market, Europe Carbon Monoxide Industry, Europe Carbon Monoxide

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Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, flammable, toxic gas. High-purity carbon monoxide that is dry and free of sulfur compounds is normally noncorrosive to metals at atmospheric pressure. Lower-purity grades containing moisture, sulfur compounds and other impurities can form toxic metal carbonyls and can cause stress corrosion cracking in carbon steels at elevated pressures. Chemically, carbon monoxide is stable but can act as a strong reducing agent at elevated temperatures.Sample Report @Scope Of ReportThis report focuses on the Carbon Monoxide in Europe market, especially in Germany, UK, France, Russia, and Italy. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, countries, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversLindeAir LiquidePraxairAir ProductsMesserYingde GasesMarket Segment by Countries, coveringGermanyUKFranceRussiaItalyMarket Segment by Type, coversCommercial GradeElectronic GradeMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoChemical IndustryMetal IndustryElectronic IndustryThere are 17 Chapters to deeply display the Europe Carbon Monoxide market.Chapter 1, to describe Carbon Monoxide Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by countries, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Carbon Monoxide, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers in Europe, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the Europe market by countries, covering Germany, UK, France, Italy and Russia, with sales, price, revenue and market share of Carbon Monoxide, for each country, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type and application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to analyze the key countries by manufacturers, Type and Application, covering Germany, UK, France, Italy and Russia, with sales, revenue and market share by manufacturers, types and applications;Chapter 12, Carbon Monoxide market forecast, by countries, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and growth rate forecast, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 14, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 15, to describe Carbon Monoxide sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 16 and 17, to describe Carbon Monoxide Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data sourceEnquiry write us @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Carbon Monoxide Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Commercial Grade1.2.2 Electronic Grade1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Chemical Industry1.3.2 Metal Industry1.3.3 Electronic Industry1.4 Market Analysis by Countries1.4.1 Germany Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 France Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 UK Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Russia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Italy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Linde2.1.1 Profile2.1.2 Carbon Monoxide Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Linde Carbon Monoxide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.1.4 Business Overview2.1.5 Linde News2.2 Air Liquide2.2.1 Profile2.2.2 Carbon Monoxide Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Air Liquide Carbon Monoxide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2.4 Business Overview2.2.5 Air Liquide News2.3 Praxair2.3.1 Profile2.3.2 Carbon Monoxide Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Praxair Carbon Monoxide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3.4 Business Overview2.3.5 Praxair News2.4 Air Products2.4.1 Profile2.4.2 Carbon Monoxide Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 Air Products Carbon Monoxide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4.4 Business Overview2.4.5 Air Products News2.5 Messer2.5.1 Profile2.5.2 Carbon Monoxide Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Type 12.5.2.2 Type 22.5.3 Messer Carbon Monoxide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5.4 Business Overview2.5.5 Messer News2.6 Yingde Gases2.6.1 Profile2.6.2 Carbon Monoxide Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Type 12.6.2.2 Type 22.6.3 Yingde Gases Carbon Monoxide Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6.4 Business Overview2.6.5 Yingde Gases News3 Europe Carbon Monoxide Market Competition, by Manufacturer3.1 Europe Carbon Monoxide Sales and Market Share by Manufacturer (2016-2017)3.2 Europe Carbon Monoxide Revenue and Market Share by Manufacturer (2016-2017)3.3 Europe Carbon Monoxide Price by Manufacturers (2016-2017)3.4 Market Concentration Rate3.4.1 Top 3 Carbon Monoxide Manufacturer Market Share3.4.2 Top 5 Carbon Monoxide Manufacturer Market Share3.5 Market Competition Trend4 Europe Carbon Monoxide Market Analysis by Countries (2012-2017)4.1 Europe Carbon Monoxide Sales Market Share by Countries (2012-2017)4.2 Europe Carbon Monoxide Sales by Countries (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Carbon Monoxide Revenue (Value) by Countries (2012-2017)5 Europe Market Segmentation Carbon Monoxide by Type5.1 Europe Carbon Monoxide Sales, Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.1.1 Europe Carbon Monoxide Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.1.2 Europe Carbon Monoxide Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Commercial Grade Sales Growth and Price5.2.1 Europe Commercial Grade Sales Growth (2012-2017)5.2.2 Europe Commercial Grade Price (2012-2017)5.3 Electronic Grade Sales Growth and Price5.3.1 Europe Electronic Grade Sales Growth (2012-2017)5.3.2 Europe Electronic Grade Price (2012-2017)ContinuedBuy now@Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Company Name: Wiseguyreports.comContact Person: Norah TrentEmail: Sales@wiseguyreports.comPhone: +1 646 845 9349, +44 208 133 9349City: PuneState: MaharashtraCountry: IndiaWebsite:
Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Market Professional Survey Report 2017 : Carl Zeiss , Hoya, OPHTEC, Rayner

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Market Research Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The Intraocular Lens (IOLs) market research report examines the developments in the global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) market, looking into key growth trends, opportunities, and competitive outlook for the 2017-2022 period. The report discusses the global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) market in a ground-up manner, beginning with conventions and notations before progressing into classifications, applications, and technological framework of the said market.Going ahead, an analysis of industrial chain of the global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) market is presented, which includes cost structure, production capacity and its utilization, and demand-supply scenario. The report also covers a detailed analysis of the market dynamics with respect to upstream raw materials and downstream demand, and import/export behavior in the global market for Intraocular Lens (IOLs).To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @In matters of competition, key players in the Intraocular Lens (IOLs) market are profiled with respect to business position, product portfolio, and technological advancements. A SWOT analysis of the market reveals market attractiveness index that helps to understand if new entrants would be interested in participating in this market. Furthermore, each of these companies are scrutinized with reference to a timescale, which helps understand the changing competitive hierarchy over the forecast period.Based on historical figures, the report predicts the progression of the global market for Intraocular Lens (IOLs) during the aforementioned forecast period. This serves as an important tool for companies to formulate growth strategies and leverage opportunities to gain competitive advantage over the forecast period. The report studies the global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) market based on a number of criteria such as product, application, and region.For reading comprehensibility, the report is systematically divided into sections and sub-sections scattered with an array of tables and graphical representations.Table of ContentsGlobal Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Market Research Report 20171 Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Intraocular Lens (IOLs)1.2 Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Monofocal IOLs1.2.4 Multifocal IOLs1.2.5 Toric IOLs1.2.6 Accommodative IOLs1.3 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Segment by Application1.3.1 Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @2 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type3 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)Enquiry For Discount Visit @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Intraocular Lens (IOLs)Figure Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Production (K Units) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)Figure Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2016Figure Product Picture of Monofocal IOLsTable Major Manufacturers of Monofocal IOLsFigure Product Picture of Multifocal IOLsTable Major Manufacturers of Multifocal IOLsFigure Product Picture of Toric IOLsTable Major Manufacturers of Toric IOLsFigure Product Picture of Accommodative IOLsTable Major Manufacturers of Accommodative IOLsFigure Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Consumption (K Units) by Applications (2012-2022)Figure Global Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Consumption Market Share by Applications in 2016QYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global and Japan Hearable Devices Market Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast Analysis Report 2017-2022

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "2017-2022 Global and Japan Hearable Devices Market Analysis Report" to its huge collection of research reports.The global Hearable Devices market is valued at XX million USD in 2016 and is expected to reach XX million USD by the end of 2017, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Japan plays an important role in global market, with market size of xx million USD in 2016 and will be xx million USD in 2017, with a CAGR of xx%.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @This report, with focus on top players in the global and Japan, studies the Hearable Devices market's development status and future trend in the global and Japan. It splits Hearable Devices market by type and by applications to fully and deeply research and reveal market profile and prospect.The major players includeApple Inc. (US)Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (South Korea)Sennheiser Electronics GmBH, co. kg (Germany)Sony Corporation (Japan)GN Store Nord A/S (Denmark)Sivantos Pte (Singapore)Starkey Hearing Technology (US)Bragi GmBH (US)Doppler Labs (US)Miracle-Ear (US)Valancell (US)Earin AB (Sweden)Eargo (US)AKG (Austria)Audio-Technica (Japan)Edifier (China)Browse Detail Report With Full TOC @Geographically, this report splits the Global market into the following regions:Asia PacificJapanTokyoYokohamaOsakaNagoyaOthersChinaKoreaIndiaOthersEuropeFranceGermanyUnited KingdomItalyRussiaOthersNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoOthersSoutheast AsiaSingaporeMalaysiaVietnamMyanmarThailandIndonesiaPhilippinesOthersMiddle East & AfricaSaudi ArabiaIranUAETurkeyIsraelEgyptSouth AfricaOthersOn the basis of product, the Hearable Devices market is primarily split intoBy ProductHeadphoneHeadsetEarbudsHearing AidsBy TechnologyBluetoothWi-FiTraditionalOthersKey ApplicationsConsumerHealthcareOthersMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Iron Chelation Drug For Pharmaceutical Market 2017  Apotex Inc., Cipla, Novartis

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Iron Chelation Drug Market Research Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The global market for Iron Chelation Drug is expected to grow due to evolving technology and rising demands for advanced products and services. This report is intends to offer a 360 degree view into the various aspects of this industry. This report provides the estimated market value at the end of forecast period 2017-2022 and includes the CAGR value at which this market is expected to grow over the forecast period. This report includes segmentation of the market on the basis of various aspects such as technologies, services, products, end users, and applications. These segmentations are expected to provide readers a complete guide to the global Iron Chelation Drug market. Furthermore, the market values for each segments are included along with their growth projections over the forecast period.Get complimentary Research Summary Of The Repot:This report on Iron Chelation Drug market is developed by professional market researchers who have keen eyes on details. These professionals have considered every important aspect of the market to develop most precise projection of the global Iron Chelation Drug market. The global market is also segmented for key regions such as the Middle East and Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America. This segmentation provides the growth projections of the Iron Chelation Drug market in these regions. The estimated market shares by value are included along with the CAGR to anticipate the growth of market in each of these regions. As local trends and regional government policies affect the Iron Chelation Drug market, trends and regulations poised by governments in these regions are included. To comprehensively give insights into this market, various tables and graphs are included.Table of ContentsGlobal Iron Chelation Drug Market Research Report 20171 Iron Chelation Drug Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Iron Chelation Drug1.2 Iron Chelation Drug Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Iron Chelation Drug Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Iron Chelation Drug Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Deferoxamine1.2.4 Deferiprone1.2.5 Deferasirox1.3 Global Iron Chelation Drug Segment by Application1.3.1 Iron Chelation Drug Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Transfusional Iron Overload1.3.3 NTDT Caused Iron Overload1.4 Global Iron Chelation Drug Market by Region (2012-2022)Browse Complete Report with TOC @2 Global Iron Chelation Drug Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Iron Chelation Drug Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Iron Chelation Drug Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Iron Chelation Drug Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Iron Chelation Drug Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Iron Chelation Drug Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Iron Chelation Drug Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type3 Global Iron Chelation Drug Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Iron Chelation Drug Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Iron Chelation Drug Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Iron Chelation Drug Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Iron Chelation Drug Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Iron Chelation Drug Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Iron Chelation Drug Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Iron Chelation Drug Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Iron Chelation Drug Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Iron Chelation Drug Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Iron Chelation Drug Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Iron Chelation Drug Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)Avail Discount @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Iron Chelation DrugFigure Global Iron Chelation Drug Production (K Units) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)Figure Global Iron Chelation Drug Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2016Figure Product Picture of DeferoxamineTable Major Manufacturers of DeferoxamineFigure Product Picture of DeferiproneTable Major Manufacturers of DeferiproneFigure Product Picture of DeferasiroxTable Major Manufacturers of DeferasiroxFigure Global Iron Chelation Drug Consumption (K Units) by Applications (2012-2022)QYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
The Cards and Payments Industry in Ukraine: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020 - Researchmoz

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "The Cards and Payments Industry in Ukraine: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020" to its huge collection of research reports.'The Cards and Payments Industry in Ukraine: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Ukrainian cards and payments industry.The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, and transaction values and volumes during the review period (20112015) and over the forecast period (20162020). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure.Summary'The Cards and Payments Industry in Ukraine: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Ukrainian cards and payments industry, including:Current and forecast values for each market in the Ukrainian cards and payments industry, including debit and pay later cards.E-commerce market analysis.It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Ukrainian cards and payments industry.Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit and pay later cards.Comprehensive analysis of consumer attitudes and buying preferences for cards.The competitive landscape in the Ukrainian cards and payments industry.ScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Ukrainian cards and payments industry.It provides current values for the Ukrainian cards and payments industry for 2015, and forecast figures to 2020.It details the different demographic, economic, infrastructural and business drivers affecting the Ukrainian cards and payments industry.It outlines the current regulatory framework in the industry.It details marketing strategies used by various banks and other institutions.Browse Detail Report With Full TOC @Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Ukrainian cards and payments industry and each market within it.Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Ukrainian cards and payments industry.Assess the competitive dynamics in the Ukrainian cards and payments industry.Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Ukraine.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Ukrainian cards and payments industry.Key HighlightsContactless technology is expected to gain prominence among Ukrainian consumers, as the government and banks are keen to promote it. The latest effort was the introduction of contactless payments in September 2015 by the Kiev Municipal State Administration to enable Kiev metro passengers to pay fares with MasterCard contactless cards. Similarly, in February 2014 Privat Bank launched its contactless mobile payment (m-payment) service. In January 2014, Alfa Bank launched a contactless m-payment pilot project in partnership with telecom company Kyivstar.Merchants are also showing a keen interest in installing POS terminals with contactless functionality. According to the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), Ukraines central bank, as of June 27, 2016 there were 88,000 contactless POS terminals in Ukraine, equivalent to 45.9% of the total terminals. Merchants such as Metro Cash&Carry, Silpo, ATB, Novus, Mega Market, Arsen, Intertop, Butterfly cinemas and the MaxFoxy fast-food network have installed contactless POS terminals. In January 2013 payment solution provider Ingenico, in partnership with Oschadbank, deployed its PINPad iPP350 contactless POS terminal at all McDonalds stores in Ukraine.Similarly, to provide convenient banking transactions, banks are installing ATMs equipped with contactless functionality. The latest offering is the launch of contactless ATMs in Lviv by UniCredit Bank, Alfa-Bank, MasterCard and Euronet Ukraine in June 2016. Privat Bank launched contactless ATMs in October 2013.Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Latest Report on Global Biosimilar Pipeline and Market Prospects: Addressing Production Complexities Through Risk Management and Quality by Design - Resarchmoz

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Biosimilar Pipeline and Market Prospects: Addressing Production Complexities Through Risk Management and Quality by Design" to its huge collection of research reports.GBI Researchs latest report, ""Global Biosimilar Pipeline and Market Prospects: Addressing Production Complexities Through Risk Management and Quality by Design"" provides an in-depth assessment of the current trends in the global biosimilars market, with a particular focus on manufacturing complexities and the strategies being implemented to overcome them. This report also assesses the state of the biosimilar R&D and commercial landscape through multilevel analytics that include data split by therapy area, stage of development, molecular target, clinical trials and company. Global revenue forecasts to 2022 for biosimilars with strong market potential, both in development and in the market, are provided.The complex requirements of manufacturing biological drugs also apply to biosimilars, and these have been a significant barrier to the further expansion of the biosimilars market. A key challenge has been the knowledge gap under which biosimilars are developed, which arises from the fact that innovator product information remains proprietary and biosimilar manufacturers must adopt a reverse engineering process. Our new study assesses this and other significant manufacturing challenges, and how strategies based on quality initiatives and risk management can help address these issues.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Data analyses from our study show there will be enormous commercial opportunities for biosimilar developers over the coming years, given the number of high-revenue-generating biologics that will go off patent before 2020, and promising revenue forecasts for biosimilars in late-stage development. Information leveraged from our robust industry-leading database highlights a diverse number of biosimilars in the pipeline for a wide range of therapy areas, with several of these in the later stages of development. Case studies showcasing strategies adopted by leading pharmaceutical companies to compete in the biosimilars market are also provided.Government support for biosimilars is increasing in key geographical markets, given the cost saving opportunities that these products represent for national healthcare budgets. Our study details current biosimilar regulatory frameworks and guidelines implemented in the US, Europe, Japan and China, recent updates regarding the key issue of interchangeability, and case studies of successful biosimilar approvals in recent years.GBI Research conducted extensive research efforts in order to provide a comprehensive view of the global biosimilar market. This new report adds to our unique portfolio of trusted industry analyses that enable our clients to assess the most promising commercial areas in the market and exploit key business opportunities.Browse Detail Report With Full TOC @ScopeGlobal biosimilar pipeline in 2017- What is the distribution of pipeline biosimilars by stage of development?- Which are the therapy areas set to benefit the most from biosimilar drugs in development?- In biosimilar development, what are the most common molecular targets for key therapy areas?- How many companies are currently involved in biosimilar drug development, which are the most active and what is the level of specialization across the development landscape?Global biosimilar clinical trials in 2017- What was the volume of biosimilar clinical trials from 2006 to 2016, by therapy area and stage of development?- What is the average biosimilar clinical trial size and duration across different stages of development, and across the immunology and oncology therapy areas?- How much revenue will promising biosimilar drugs in the market, and in development, record to 2022?- What are the key factors driving growth in the global biosimilars market?- How important are the cost saving opportunities for national healthcare budgets?- How much will biosimilar manufacturers benefit from the biologic drugs patent cliff?- How does legislation regarding biosimilar interchangeability differ among key geographical markets?- What are the factors restraining the growth of global biosimilar market?- How do manufacturing challenges affect the market?- What are the legal issues impacting the biosimilar market?- How are competition and patient recruitment issues slowing growth in the market?- What are the regulatory pathways for biosimilars in the US, Europe, Japan and China?Manufacturing processes for biosimilar drugs- How does molecular weight and complexity pose a challenge to biosimilar production?- What is the impact of environmental factors on production complexity?- How significant is the knowledge gap in the process of manufacturing a biosimilar drug?- What are the best practice guidelines and strategies to overcome production complexities?- How do development timelines and costs differ between biologics and biosimilars?- What is the impact of immunogenicity in the production process?Reasons to buyThis report will allow you to -- Gain insightful analyses and comprehensive understanding of the global biosimilar R&D and commercial landscape- Assess biosimilar production processes, key issues and ways to mitigate development risk- Understand the most important driving and restraining forces in the global biosimilars market- Learn about biosimilar strategies being adopted by leading pharmaceutical companies.- Understand the future outlook and prospects for biosimilar drugsMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
2017-2022 Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Market Status and Forecast, by Players  Abbvie, AMGen, Teva Pharma.

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report 2017-2022 Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Report on Global and United States Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications to its huge collection of research reports.On the basis of the current and historical performance of the global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills market, this research report presents a detailed and unbiased analysis of this market to the readers. Using a number of parameters, such as the production volume, pricing of the products, sales dynamics, and the revenues, it attempts to provide a deep insight into this market.At the beginning, the research report presents the essential information about this market, starting from the definition of Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills to application. The specification, classification, and industry chain structure of this market have been thoroughly explained here. The regional overview of this market, together with the development trends and an analysis of the policies and regulations implemented in each of the regions, has also been talked about in this market study.Sample of this report is available upon request @Further, the research study focuses on the leading vendors of Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills across the world. It provides a precise information on the capacity of every production plant, such as the commencement date of commercial production of Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills, and also discussed the R&D status and the technology and raw material sources of every vendor.Researchers have considered the geographical segments, technologies, and applications of Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills as the main parameters for the study of the sales of Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills in this research report. The performance of each of the regional markets has been assessed on their production capacity and the profit margins. The dynamics of demand and supply, export, and import have also been identified as the main factors that impact the sales of Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills in each of the regional markets in this report.Table of Contents2017-2022 Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Report on Global and United States Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications1 Methodology and Data Source1.1 Methodology/Research Approach1.1.1 Research Programs/Design1.1.2 Market Size Estimation1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation1.2 Data Source2.1.1 Secondary Sources2.1.2 Primary Sources1.3 DisclaimerComplete report with detailed table of content is available at:2 Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Market Overview2.1 Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Product Overview2.2 Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Market Segment by Type2.2.1 Male Hormone Drugs2.2.2 Female Hormone Drugs2.2.3 Progesterone Drugs2.3 Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Product Segment by Type2.3.1 Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Sales (MT) and Growth (%) by Types (2012, 2016 and 2022)2.3.2 Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Sales (MT) and Market Share (%) by Types (2012-2017)3 Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Application/End Users3.1 Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Segment by Application/End Users3.1.1 First Level Hospital3.1.2 Two Level Hospital3.1.3 Three Level Hospital3.1.4 Others3.2 Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Product Segment by Application3.2.1 Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Sales (MT) and CGAR (%) by Applications (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.2.2 Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Sales (MT) and Market Share (%) by Applications (2012-2017)4 Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1 Global Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1.1 Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Market Size and CAGR by Regions (2012, 2016 and 2022)4.1.2 North America4.1.3 Asia-Pacific4.1.4 Europe4.1.5 South America4.1.6 Middle East and Africa4.1.7 United States4.2 Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Sales and Revenue by Regions4.2.1 Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Sales (MT) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.2 Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)Enquiry For Discount Visit @List of Tables and FiguresTable Research Programs/Design for This ReportFigure Bottom-up and Top-down Approaches for This ReportFigure Data TriangulationTable Key Data Information from Secondary SourcesTable Key Data Information from Primary SourcesFigure Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Product PictureFigure Global Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure United States Sex Hormones and Birth Control Pills Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Product Picture of Male Hormone DrugsTable Major Players of Male Hormone DrugsFigure Global Male Hormone Drugs Sales (MT) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)Figure Product Picture of Female Hormone DrugsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Earth-Fault Detectors Market Sales Size, Share, Trends and Forecast 2022

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ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Earth-Fault Detectors Market Professional Survey Report 2017 The report focuses on global major leading players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification.This report studies Earth-Fault Detectors in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringGE Digital EnergyArtecheEagle Eye Power SolutionsLayer Electronics srlMegaconSchweitzer EngineeringTRENCH GroupTEC AutomatismesBENDERSiemensMeggerOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoAC Earth-Fault DetectorsDC Earth-Fault DetectorsRequest a sample copy atBy Application, the market can be split intoMinningWater Treatment PlantMarineOthersBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaFor More information about this report atTable of Content:-1 Industry Overview of Earth-Fault Detectors2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Earth-Fault Detectors2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Earth-Fault Detectors4 Global Earth-Fault Detectors Overall Market Overview5 Earth-Fault Detectors Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Earth-Fault Detectors Market Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E Earth-Fault Detectors Segment Market Analysis (by Type)6.1 Global 2012-2017E Earth-Fault Detectors Sales by Type7 Global 2012-2017E Earth-Fault Detectors Segment Market Analysis (by Application)8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Earth-Fault Detectors9 Development Trend of Analysis of Earth-Fault Detectors Market10 Earth-Fault Detectors Marketing Type Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of Earth-Fault DetectorsDiscount on report purchase atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Pune:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Waterproofing Membrane Market Report Says Dow chemical, BASF, Silk AG, Du Pont are Prominent key players

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Waterproofing Membrane Market In 2013, Sika AG acquired the firms like Texsa India Limited, JM Texsa and S.A. de CV of Mexico. These firms were the leading waterproofing membrane producers for roofing industry. It also acquired firms like Douro-Moza and Axson technologies in 2015. These acquisitions will help Sika to further speed its growth strategy in evolving markets.The global waterproofing membrane market size is predicted to touch 32300 million square meters by end of the forecast period and is predicted to register CAGR of 6.6%. Increasing use of waterproofing membrane in mines along with growing mining activities is predicted to promote the growth of the industry during forecast period. Further, low production cost and cost efficacy are key growth aspects of the industry.Global Market Insights has a new study based report titled "Waterproofing Membranes Market Size By Application (Sheet Membranes, Liquid Applied Membranes), By End-Use (Building Structures, Roofing, Walls, Landfills & Tunnels), By Product (Polymers, Polymer Modified Cement, Bitumen, Others), Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, China, India, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, South Korea, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa), Growth Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2024".Request for sample of this report@In 2014, RPM international Incorporation had acquired Betumat Quimica Ltda, a Brazil based firm producing waterproofing products, with yearly sales of about $ 22 million. This has helped it to increase its geographical presence and industry share in worlds most growing economies. The global waterproofing membrane market is segmented into key geographical regions including North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe and MEA.Europe waterproofing membrane market was the biggest contributor to the total revenue share of the industry in 2014 and contributed more than $ 1800 million. Growing concerns about waste & water management is predicted to drive the demand for waterproofing membrane technology in Europe. Heavy demand from countries like Russia, Germany, France and Italy are predicted to contribute towards the growth of the industry in Europe. Asia Pacific is predicted to grow significantly during forecast period owing to the infrastructural growth in the region.North America is predicted to experience heavy demand during the forecast period due to growing activities in construction & mining sectors in the region. Further, it is anticipated to observe rapid growth due to rising business expansions, growing mergers & acquisitions between key players and new product launches by industry players of the region.US waterproofing membrane market size contributed greater than 20% of the overall demand for 2014. It is predicted to experience moderate gains of more than 5.5% by 2022. Growing crude oil production in Middle East is predicted to drive the growth of the industry in future.Make an inquiry to purchase this report@Some companies operating in this industry are Dow chemical, BASF, Silk AG, Du Pont, Covestro, Pidilite, Fosroc, CICO Technologies, W.R. Meadows, Soprema Group, Johns Manville, Synergies, Cangzhou Jiansheng Building Waterproof Material and Fairmate Chemicals. Companies including BASF, Pidilite and Dow are present across the value chain and captively use raw ingredients for producing different product grade.About Global Market Insights, Inc.:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:
Germany Fitness Equipment Market 2017 Overview by Key Finding, Scope, Top Impacting Factors, Investment Pockets, Drivers and Restraints

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The Germany Fitness Equipment Market is expected to reach USD 1,861.9 million by 2024 from USD 1,100.0 million in 2016, at a CAGR of 6.8% in the forecast period 2017 to 2024. The new market report contains data for historic years 2014 & 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Germany Fitness Equipment Market, By Type (namely body composition analyzers, fitness monitoring equipment, cardiovascular training equipment and strength training equipment) By Product Type(Bioimpedance analyzers, skinfold caliper, dual emission x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), hydrostatic weighing and, air displacement plethysmography), By End User (health clubs/ gyms, home settings, corporate settings, hotels, apartments, hospitals, clinics), By Geography (Germany)  Trends and Forecast to 2024Fitness Equipment Market is growing owing to the factors such as rising awareness regarding health & fitness, increasing obese population, improved lifestyle of people, rising disposable income of the individuals, increasing ageing population, increase in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The demand for the fitness equipment will be always there as long as people want to stay fit or lose weight.The Germany Fitness Equipment Market is segmented on the basis of type and end-user.The Germany Fitness Equipment Market is segmented into four product types, namely body composition analyzers, fitness monitoring equipment, cardiovascular training equipment and strength training equipment. In 2017, cardiovascular market segment is expected dominate the market.Speak Our Analyst@Cardiovascular training equipment is sub-segmented into treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationery cycles, rowing machines, stair steppers and others. In 2017, the treadmills market segment is expected to dominate the market.Strength training equipment market is sub-segmented into single stations, plate loaded equipment, free weights, benches & racks, multistations and, accessories. In 2017, single stations market segment is expected to dominate the market.On the basis of end-users, the Germany fitness equipment instruments market segment is sub-segmented into health clubs/gyms, home settings, corporate settings, apartments, hotels, hospitals and clinics. In 2017, health clubs/gyms market segment is expected to dominate the market.Get free Sample Copy@Based on geography, the market is segmented into five geographical regions: North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific(APAC) Middle East and Africa(MEA)The Germany Fitness Equipment Market is highly fragmented and the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market.Some of the major players operating in this market are: TechnoGym S.p.A StairMaster Nautilus, Inc. Omron Healthcare, Inc. Hammer-Fitness Precor Schnell Trainingsgerate GmbH Johnson Health Tech Brunswick Corporation GE HealthcareFor more Information at@Data collection and base year analysis is done using data collection modules with large sample sizes. The market data is analyzed and forecasted using market statistical and coherent models. Also market share analysis and key trend analysis are the major success factors in the market report.Related ReportGlobal Optical Imaging Market  Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Surgical Imaging Market By Product Type, End User, Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, MEA)Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Research set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit BlogFollow us on LinkedIn:
Seamless Pipe Market SWOT Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecasts To 2025

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A pipe without any weld-joint or seam is called a seamless pipe. Seamless pipes finds application where strength, resistance to corrosion, and product life is crucial. A joint in any object is a plane of weakness, which may cause failure of the purpose of that object. In a pipe, weld-joint or seam may cause failure of the pipe (i.e. rupture, burst, collapse etc.) if it is subjected to extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, and chemical reactions. A seamless pipe can withstand high pressure, high temperature, higher mechanical stress, and corrosive atmosphere.The manufacturing process of seamless pipes involves transformation of raw materials into steel bars, followed by transformation of these steel bars into a mother pipe, manufactured in different types of rolling mills. A seamless steel pipe is made from a solid round steel billet, which is heated and pushed or pulled over a form until the steel is shaped into a hollow tube. Ultra-high strength and corrosion-resistant properties make the seamless pipe perfect for the oil & gas industry, steam boilers, chemical and other processing industries, pipelines, installation with high and supercritical steam and pressure conditions, etc. In terms of type of manufacturing, the seamless pipe market can be segmented into hot finished seamless pipe, cross-roll piercing & pilger rolling, and nickel & alloys.View Report @A key driver for the seamless pipe market is increase in global demand for fossil fuels. Demand for fossil fuel is higher, which has led to the rise in exploration & production activities in the oil & gas industry. However, the era of easy oil has ended, and oil reserves are being found at greater depths than their historical counterparts. The deeper depths contain hostile environment of high temperature and pressure for the pipes employed during drilling activity. Moreover, innovative technology of directional drilling requires high strength, flexible pipes. All these purposes are served by seamless pipes. Growth of industries such as pharmaceuticals, Chemicals & fertilizers where the usage of chemical processes, boilers is frequent accounts for another driver for seamless pipe market. The high resistance to corrosive substance being transported through seamless pipe, not only increases the cost-effectiveness but also prevents any leakage due to pipe failure, which may cause undesirable incidences. The current conditions of low crude prices has destabilized the oil & gas industry, posing a major restraint to the seamless pipe market.The seamless pipe market is estimated to expand, especially in Asia Pacific, due to rapid industrialization and rapid infrastructural development in the region. The industrialization and enhanced infrastructural development involves increased transportation of goods and people, which consumes a lot of energy especially fossil fuels. Middle East & Africa and Latin America are estimated to become lucrative regions due to their noteworthy oil industries. Currently, North America is emerging as a major exporter of fossil fuel through its shale oil reserves. Furthermore, North America has a mature chemical industry. Both these factors indicate enhanced opportunity for the seamless pipe market in North America.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Seamless Pipe Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Key players involved in designing, manufacturing, and distribution of seamless pipes in the market include D. P. Jindal Group, ArcelorMittal SA, TMK IPSCO, Pearlitesteel, APITCO Limited, Tenaris, JFE Steel Corporation, VALLOUREC, TPCO Enterprise, Inc., ISMT Ltd., Prosaic Steel & Alloys, and Evergreen Seamless Pipes & Tubes Pvt. Ltd.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Mobile Crushers and Screeners Market 2015 Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast to 2023

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Crowded with a large number of equally-placed participants, the mobile crushers and screeners market demonstrates a highly fragmented structure, finds a study by Transparency Market Research (TMR). The presence of companies, such as Metso Corp., Hartl Property Holding GmbH, Sandvik AB, Atlas Copco Group, and Anaconda Equipment International Ltd., with diverse product offerings and strong brand identification has intensified the degree of competition within the market.To sustain the competition, participants are increasingly adopting product differentiation strategies. Low-cost leadership is also expected to emerge as one of the preferred strategies among mobile crushers and screeners manufacturers looking to gain a strong foothold in this market.Rise of Construction Industry to Fuel Demand for Mobile Crushers and ScreenersInfrastructural developments, stimulated by the rapid urbanization across the world, have fueled the demand for mobile crushers and screeners. Thanks to the growing populace, the need for residential as well as commercial spaces is witnessing an exponential rise, leading to a surge in construction activities, worldwide. Specifically, in developing nations, governments are investing a huge amount of money to enhance infrastructure by constructing roads, airports, ports, and railway tracks.View Report @The development of urban infrastructures, such as housing, sanitation and water supply, road transport systems, and mass rail transit systems, has also gained significant attention in these economies. With this rise in building activities, the demand for components and equipment required for construction is increasing at a remarkable pace. Mobile crushers and screeners, being essential parts of construction activities, are also witnessing strong demand due to this.Declining Economy in Developed Countries to Hamper Markets GrowthOn the other hand, the global construction industry is likely to experience a slowdown due to declining economic condition in developed regions such as the European Union and the U.S. over the next few years. Owing to this, the application of mobile crushers and screeners is expected to get affected to some extent, hampering the markets growth. Apart from this, the absence of adequate infrastructures in emerging economies in Asia Pacific and Latin America is also projected to impact negatively on this market in the coming years.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Mobile Crushers and Screeners Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Global Opportunity in Mobile Crushers and Screeners to Expand at 2.72% CAGR between 2015 and 2023According to TMRs estimations, mobile crushers and screeners held an opportunity worth US$2.08 bn in 2014, worldwide. Expanding at a CAGR of 2.72% between 2015 and 2023, this opportunity is likely to increase to US$2.6 bn by the end of the forecast period. Asia Pacific reports a huge and escalating demand for mobile crushers and screeners, thanks to the increasing investment infrastructural development in Asian countries, specifically in Japan, China, and India.In 2014, the region emerged as the key consumer of mobile crushers and screeners with a share of nearly 44%. Analysts expect it to remain in the leading position with an increase of approximately 2% in its market share by the end of 2023.Mobile crushers experience a higher demand than mobile screeners in 2014. The trend is expected to remain the same over the forecast period.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Activated Alumina | Worldwide Industry Analysis and New Market Opportunities Explored

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The global activated alumina market is fragmented and the top six manufacturers accounted for a share of over 35% in 2015. Transparency Market Research has found that these players, namely Albemarle Corporation, BASF SE, Honeywell Industries Inc., Porocel, Axens, and Sumitomo Chemicals, have been focused on new product development, product innovation, and exploring new regions to further their share in the activated alumina market.Some of the top companies in the global activated alumina market account for an equal market size and share and as a result, they need to focus on expanding their market share among existing end users, the author of the study states. Opportunities such as increase in sales force and competitive pricing are projected to enable companies to stand their ground in an increasingly competitive environment.This 178 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Activated Alumina market. Browse Market Research Report @Global Activated Alumina Market to Cross Billion-dollar Mark by 2024The global demand for activated alumina is expected to reach 618,182.9 tons by 2024, predicts TMR. The sales of activated alumina, on the other hand, are projected to be worth US$1,108.9 mn by 2024, rising from US$770.6 mn in 2015. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.2% by value from 2016 to 2024. On the basis of region, Asia Pacific led the global activated alumina market in 2015 with a 33.0%. The region is anticipated to retain its lead by volume as well as value throughout the forecast period.By end use, the oil and gas industry led the activated alumina market in terms of sales, accounting for a 30.0% share in 2015. TMR predicts that the segment is, however, anticipated to lose market share by the end of the forecast period. The water treatment segment, on the other hand, is projected to expand at a steady CAGR of 4.8% from 2016 to 2024.Product Diversification a Key Growth Strategy for Players to Capitalize OnActivated alumina is a preferred point-of-use or point-of-entry water treatment device and helps remove various contaminants from water. Wastewater treatment is a steadily growing market and the demand for activated alumina is significantly dependent on its growth, states the lead analyst. According to estimates by the United Nations, around US$103 bn was invested in developing economies alone to finance wastewater treatment and sanitation in 2015. Thus, the growing need for effective wastewater treatment infrastructure and solutions is a key factor driving the activated alumina market.Apart from this, the market is also fueled by the wide adoption of activated alumina in the Claus process. However, a considerable threat from substitutes such as activated carbon, silica gel, and zeolite is anticipated to hamper the global market.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Activated Alumina market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Diversification in terms of product can provide significant opportunities for new entrants as well as existing players, the analyst states. Current manufacturers of activated alumina will benefit from focusing on integrated operations so as to strengthen their foothold. New participants, on the other hand, are likely to benefit from entering into partnerships and collaborations with manufacturers of raw materials.This review is based on the findings of a TMR report titled Activated Alumina Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024.Activated Alumina Market, by End UseReaction CatalystOil & GasGas DehydrationLiquid DehydrationWater TreatmentBiomaterialOthers (Including Pharmaceutical, etc.)About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Blog :
Base Metal Mining Market 2015 Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast to 2023

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Base metals such as copper, aluminum, zinc, nickel, and lead play a major role in the development of manufacturing, utilities, infrastructure, and construction sectors. Growth across these industries directly implies the growth of the base metal mining market as well. In the past few years, developing as well as developed regions have exhibited excellent development across areas such as urbanization, industrialization, and economic development. These factors have substantially increased the global consumption of base metals, providing momentum to mining activities.Transparency Market Research states that the market for base metal mining will witness expansion at a healthy 5.01% CAGR over the period between 2015 and 2023. Volume-wise, the market will demonstrate a vigorous rise from 103.33 MMT in 2014 to 160.19 MMT by 2023.View Report @Increased Consumption in Power Infrastructure to Bolster Market Position of CopperHigh paced development activities in the power production and distribution industry will be key to the overall global consumption of copper in the next many years. In developed regions such as Europe and North America, the urgency to replace ageing infrastructure and the need for integrating renewable power sources with conventional models will be the key demand drivers for copper. In developing regions such as Asia Pacific, the need to improve power distribution infrastructure to align it with technological advancements and rising load requirements will help increase the consumption of copper in the sector. In terms of volume, the market for copper is expected to rise at a favorable 4.30% CAGR over the period between 2015 and 2023.Aluminum, which is presently the most widely consumed base metal, will benefit the most from its use in the automotive industry. The heightened focus of automobile companies on the development of light-weight and thus energy-efficient vehicles will be a major driver of aluminum mining activities across the globe. Aluminum held a dominant share of 53.73% in the global base metal mining market in 2014 and is expected to account for a 54.35% share in the global market in 2023.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Base Metal Mining Market Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.High Pace of Industrialization and Infrastructure Development to Enable Asia Pacific Take Top SpotAsia Pacific is presently the dominant region for the global base metal mining market. The region has presented significant growth opportunities for the market in the past few years, majorly owing to the excellent pace of industrialization and urbanization. The stabilizing economies and rising disposable incomes of the population in developing countries such as India and China have resulted in the increased demand for new construction projects and infrastructure development activities.The region has also witnessed the increased need to improve the infrastructure of the utilities sector to support the ever rising population and heightened rate of industrialization. Additionally, the region is also advancing in sectors such as transportation, manufacturing, and industrial equipment, which are some of the major consumers of base metals. Asia Pacific accounted for nearly 63% in the global base metal mining market in 2014 and is expected to continue its dominant stance in the near future as well.In the highly consolidated global base metal mining market, Glencore Plc. held nearly 68% share in the market in 2014. Other key vendors in the market include Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., CODELCO, BHP Billiton Limited, Antofagasta PLC, and Alcoa Inc.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Fatty Alcohols | Emergence of advanced technologies and global industry analysis

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The global fatty alcohols market has been foreseen by Transparency Market Research (TMR) to exhibit a consolidated nature for the forecast period 20152023. Few of the major participants operating in the global fatty alcohols market have been anticipated to be VVF LLC, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK), Musim Mas Holdings, Wilmar International Ltd., and Sasol Limited. A host of chemical manufacturers could be drawn toward a wealth of raw materials such as soy and corn available in Asia Pacific to commence their operations therein. Some of the chief strategies that have been prognosticated to be adopted by players include widening geographical presence and expanding product portfolio.Expected to rise at a CAGR of 5.1% during the aforementioned forecast period, the global fatty alcohols market could reach a valuation of US$5.5 bn by 2023, according to a market intelligence publication penned by TMR. C11-C14 fatty alcohols have been predicted to attract a telling demand and dominate the global fatty alcohols market until the concluding forecast year on account of their broad applications. Increasing population and disposable income of China and India could support Asia Pacific to top the global fatty alcohols market in terms of share.This 183 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Fatty Alcohols market. Browse Market Research Report @Personal Care Sector Ups Demand for C11-C14 and C15-C22 Fatty AlcoholsThe world fatty alcohols market has been prophesied to witness a sturdy progress on the back of a mounting usage of personal care ingredients and demand for detergents and other cleaning agents. Personal care products could engage fatty alcohols as emollients and emulsifiers at a surging rate in the coming years. The personal care sector has been anticipated to be key for the growth of products such as C11-C14 fatty alcohols that are chiefly used for producing primary foaming agents such as sodium laureth ether sulphate (SLES). On the other hand, moisturizers and lubricant bases and blending require C15-C22 fatty alcohols during their production.Besides this, detergents and soaps had accounted for a colossal share in the recent past. Other applications such as fragrances and flavors, plasticizers, and lubricants could also rake in a handsome demand in the world fatty alcohols market. Vendors have been envisaged to leverage the enhanced lifestyle of emerging nations in Asia Pacific that could bring in some bankable prospects of growth in the world fatty alcohols market. Following Asia Pacific, North America has been forecasted to fuel the demand in the world fatty alcohols market while riding on stringent government regulations.Market Suffers Downslide with Toggling Prices of Raw MaterialsThe authors of the publication have foretold the international fatty alcohols market to be negatively affected by the excess production of fatty alcohols and volatile nature of raw material prices. Nonetheless, manufacturers could be advantaged by generous growth opportunities that have been projected to flesh out with the snowballing sale of beauty products and cosmetics in BRIC nations. Furthermore, technological developments coupled with an elevating consumer preference for renewable chemicals and organic personal care products have been envisioned to bode well for the growth of the international fatty alcohols market. Vendors could be pampered with more favorable prospects due to the shift in consumer preference toward bio-ingredient-based products and high global demand for hygiene products.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Fatty Alcohols market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@The information presented in this review is based on a TMR report, titled Fatty Alcohols Market (Product - C6-C10 Fatty Alcohols, C11-C14 Fatty Alcohols, C15-C22 Fatty Alcohols, and C23 Fatty Alcohols and above; Application - Detergents and Soaps, Personal Care, Plasticizers, Lubricants, and Flavors and Fragrances) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023.The global fatty alcohols market has been segmented as presented below:Global Fatty Alcohols Market - Product AnalysisC6-C10 Fatty AlcoholsC11-C14 Fatty AlcoholsC15-C22 Fatty AlcoholsC23 Fatty Alcohols and aboveGlobal Fatty Alcohols Market - Application AnalysisDetergents and SoapsPersonal CarePlasticizersLubricantsFlavors and FragrancesAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether| Technological Advancements, Evolving Industry Trends and Insights

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The methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) market in Asia Pacific is presently dominated by key players in China. These include Sinopec Corporation, PetroChina Company Limited, Shandong Yuhuang Chemical (Group) Co., Ltd., Zibo Qixiang Petrochemical Group Ltd., and Heilongjiang Anruijia Petrochemical Co., Ltd.Transparency Market Research has noted that China, one of the largest producers as well as consumers of MTBE in the world, has been primarily focused on business and production expansions in order to retain its lead in the APAC market. For instance, Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd.s MTBE plant in Shangdong and Huntsman Corp. and Sinopec Jinlings plant in Nanjing are two promising ventures to look forward to in 2016.This 75 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether market. Browse Market Research Report @Other leading companies in the APAC methyl tertiary-butyl ether market include Evonik Industries AG, PETRONAS, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V., and Reliance Industries Limited.The MTBE market in Asia Pacific was valued at US$6.7 bn in 2015 and is anticipated to reach US$10.9 bn by 2026, expanding at a CAGR of 4.6% therein.Chinas 81.9% Share in APAC MTBE Market a Key Growth BoosterThe gasoline additive segment of the MTBE market accounted for a whopping 93.11% share in the APAC market in 2015, emerging as the clear leader. An increase in the demand for gasoline additives in ASEAN countries and China is expected to propel the demand for methyl tertiary-butyl ether in this segment. Gasoline additives is also projected to register significant growth over the course of the forecast period, exhibiting a CAGR of over 4.0% in terms of both revenue and volume.Accounting for an 81.9% share in the APAC MTBE market in 2015, China is forecast to continue its dominance through 2024, presenting lucrative investment opportunities to market players. Registering a 4.7% CAGR during the forecast period, China is also projected to exhibit the fastest growth in the methyl tertiary-butyl ether in Asia Pacific.The ASEAN sub-region is also likely to present a rather lucrative scenario, owing to a rise in the demand for gasoline additives.ASEAN Automotive Sector Driving Demand for Gasoline AdditivesA key factor driving gasoline blending across the Asia Pacific region, and therefore the MTBE market, is the declining prices of raw material as well as final products. This can be primarily attributed to China.China is one of the major methanol producers in the world and the country is likely to account for nearly 50% of the global methanol production in the next few years, the author of the study finds. The total methanol production in China is estimated to reach nearly 51 million tons in 2016, a trend that will potentially check the prices of downstream products, including MTBE, in the near future.Another factor boosting the market for methyl tertiary-butyl ether is a rise in the demand for gasoline additives, particularly in ASEAN.The automotive industry in the ASEAN sub-region has been witnessing an upward trend in the last few years, with the number of total vehicles in major countries rising from around 130 million in 2015 to 200 million by 2025, the lead analyst states. The significant growth of the automotive sector is likely to propel the demand for gasoline additives, thereby supporting the MTBE market during the forecast period.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@In contrast, the availability of a wide range of petroleum-based and non-petroleum-based substitutes and the hazardous environmental effects of methyl tertiary-butyl ether pose significant challenges to the MTBE market in Asia Pacific.This review is based on the findings of a TMR report titled Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) Market - Asia Pacific Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2026.This report segments the MTBE market in Asia Pacific as follows:MTBE Market  Application AnalysisGasolineIsobuteneSolvent & ExtractantOthers (MMA, etc.)MTBE Market  Country/Sub-region AnalysisAsia PacificChinaIndiaASEANAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
2017 Manual Motor Starters Market Research Report for Period 2017 till 2022: ABB, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Emerson Electric, GE and Others

2017 Manual Motor Starters Market Research Report for Period 2017 till 2022: ABB, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Emerson Electric, G

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A global manual motor starter market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely ABB, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Emerson Electric, GE and others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.This report studies the manual motor starters market. Manual motor starters are electro-mechanical protection devices for the main circuit. They are used mainly to switch motors manually ON/OFF and protect them fuse less against short-circuit, overload and phase failures. Fuse less protection with a manual motor starter saves costs, space and ensures a quick reaction under short-circuit condition, by switching off the motor within milliseconds. Fuse less start combinations are setup together with contactors.Request For Free Sample Copy of Global Manual motor starters Market2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report: ABB Schneider Electric Siemens Fuji Electric GE Eaton Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley) CHINT Emerson Electric Lovato Electric Sprecher + Schuh Hubbell LS Industrial Systems FANOX OthersManual motor starters Market: Key Product Type: DC Manual Motor Starters AC Manual Motor StartersManual motor starters Market: Key Application Oil & Gas Water & Wastewater Industrial Manufacturing Mining Industry OthersManual motor starters market belongs to equipment industry and it comprise of detailed quantitative as well as qualitative information for Manual motor starters market. This research report provides consumption data and expected growth rate for major consuming regions worldwide. Manual motor starter market report provides detailed segmentation for market of manual motor starters based on products, applications, and size industry for all major regions and countries. This market research study further provides detailed information pertaining to global production, import and export data for all key regions across the globe. Moreover, this study further provides major drivers, restraints impacting Manual motor starters market. Additionally, the report provides the comprehensive study of expected opportunities in Manual motor starters market in coming future.The manual motor starter market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of manual motor starters market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The manual motor starter market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Related ReportsEnquire before Buying @Manual motor starters Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Manual Motor Starters Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 DC Manual Motor Starters1.2.2 AC Manual Motor Starters1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Oil & Gas1.3.2 Water & Wastewater1.3.3 Industrial Manufacturing1.3.4 Mining Industry1.3.5 Others1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving ForceContinueAbout Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters.What can we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 High Frequency Saw Market Research Report for Period 2017 till 2022: Murata, TDK-EPC, NDK, Wisol, Kyocera and Others

High Frequency Saw Murata, TDK-EPC, NDK, Wisol, Kyocera and Others

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Global high frequency saw market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Murata, TDK-EPC, NDK, Wisol, Kyocera and others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.This report studies the High Frequency SAW Notch Filter market, the High Frequency SAW Notch Filter refers to the general-purpose SAW Notch Filter whose frequency higher than 500 M Hz.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global High frequency saw Market 2017 at:Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report: Murata TDK-EPC Taiyo Yuden Qorvo Skyworks Wisol NDK Kyocera TST OthersHigh frequency saw Market: Key Product Type: Tunable Non-TunableHigh frequency saw Market: Key Application Electronics Telecom Manufacturing OthersHigh frequency saw market belongs to electronics industry and it comprise of detailed quantitative as well as qualitative information for High frequency saw market. This research report provides consumption data and expected growth rate for major consuming regions worldwide. High frequency saw market report provides detailed segmentation for market of high frequency saw based on products, applications, and size industry for all major regions and countries. This market research study further provides detailed information pertaining to global production, import and export data for all key regions across the globe. Moreover, this study further provides major drivers, restraints impacting High frequency saw market. Additionally, the report provides the comprehensive study of expected opportunities in High frequency saw market in coming future.The high frequency saw market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of high frequency saw market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The high frequency saw market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Related Reports:Enquire before buying @High frequency Saw Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 High Frequency SAW Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Tunable1.2.2 Non-Tunable1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Electronics1.3.2 Telecom1.3.3 Manufacturing1.3.4 Others1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force..Continue(Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-342420 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
2017 Platform Screen Doors Market Report for Period 2017 till 2022 Nabtesco, Westinghouse, Panasonic, Shanghai Electric, Fangda and Others

2017 Platform Screen Doors Market Report for Period 2017 till 2022

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Global platform screen doors market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Nabtesco, Westinghouse, Panasonic, Shanghai Electric, Fangda and others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Platform screen doors (PSDs) at train or subway stations screen the platform from the train. They are a relatively new addition to many metro systems around the world, some having been retrofitted to established systems. They are widely used in newer Asian and European metro systems.Request For Free Sample Copy of Global Platform Screen Doors Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report: Nabtesco Westinghouse Faiveley Fangda Kangni Horton Automatics Stanley Panasonic Jiacheng Shanghai Electric KTK ManusaPlatform Screen Doors Market: Key Product Type: Full-Closed Type Semi-Closed Type Half Height TypePlatform Screen Doors Market: Key Application Metro Other TransportationPlatform screen doors market belongs to equipment industry and it comprise of detailed quantitative as well as qualitative information for Platform screen doors market. This research report provides consumption data and expected growth rate for major consuming regions worldwide. Platform screen doors market report provides detailed segmentation for market of platform screen doors based on products, applications, and size industry for all major regions and countries. This market research study further provides detailed information pertaining to global production, import and export data for all key regions across the globe. Moreover, this study further provides major drivers, restraints impacting Platform screen doors market. Additionally, the report provides the comprehensive study of expected opportunities in Platform screen doors market in coming future.The platform screen doors market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of platform screen doors market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The platform screen doors market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Related Reports:Enquire before Buying @Platform Screen Doors Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Business week, etc.Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Platform Screen Doors (PSD) Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Full-Closed Type1.2.2 Semi-Closed Type1.2.3 Half Height Type1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Metro1.3.2 Other Transportation1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving ForceContinue (About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address:20 N State Street,Chicago, Illinois, 60602United States
Steam Autoclave Market Trends and Growth in Forthcoming Years

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Steam Autoclave Market: SnapshotThe global steam autoclave market is extremely consolidated and intensely competitive. The presence of a very small number of companies commanding a vast share in the global market has rendered the market difficult to penetrate for new companies. Despite this fact, the market presents promising growth opportunities for companies introducing technologically advanced products, a trend evident from the high consumption of products based on E-beam and gamma irradiation technologies in the past few years.View Report @The vast rise in the global demand for steam autoclaves in the past few years can be attributed to the increased prevalence of a number of infectious diseases, a huge surge in surgical procedures, and an alarming rise in the numbers of hospital-acquired infections. Rising demand for improving healthcare services across developing regional markets such as Asia Pacific, owing majorly to rising healthcare expenditures and an expanding base of geriatric population.Transparency Market Research suggests that the global steam autoclave market will expand at a healthy 5.7% CAGR over the period between 2016 and 2024. The market, which had a valuation of US$1.57 bn in 2015, is expected to rise to US$2.57 bn by 2024.Developed Economies to Remain DominantNorth America emerged as the clear leader in the global steam autoclave market in 2015, accounting for a nearly 40% share in the markets overall revenue. Estimates suggest that in U.S. alone in the region, nearly 5 million endoscopies and about 46.5 million surgeries are undertaken every year. The severity of hospital-acquired infections in the country can be estimated from the fact that nearly 8.3 patients out of every 1,000 patients admitted in New York state hospitals in 2012 acquired hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infections (CDI). The numbers are rising at an alarming pace.These factors have collectively influenced the increased adoption of effective sanitization practices and devices in healthcare settings in North America. Strict rules aimed at enhanced safety of patients at healthcare facilities is also a major factor influencing the increased adoption of steam autoclaves in Europe, the second-largest steam autoclave regional market in 2015.Emerging Economies to Present Most Promising Growth OpportunitiesThe high prevalence of infectious diseases, a vast and alarmingly rising population base of geriatric people in Asia Pacific are expected to help the steam autoclave develop on a promising scale in the region in the next few years. The rising demand for high-quality healthcare services from the increasingly affluent consumer base will stimulate the improvement of healthcare infrastructure in countries such as India, China, and parts of Latin America, further driving the market.The market for steam autoclave in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 7.9% CAGR from 2016 to 2024 among other key regional markets. The market in Latin America is expected to exhibit the second-largest CAGR of 6.9% over the same period.Sales of Traditional Steam Autoclaves Continue to RiseOf the two key varieties of steam autoclave systems available in the market  traditional steam autoclaves and tabletop steam autoclaves, the segment of traditional steam autoclave is presently leading the global market. The segment accounted for a share of over 91.7% in the global market in 2015 and is projected to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecasting horizon, maintaining its dominance in the near future as well.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Steam Autoclave Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.The prominence of these product types can be attributed to their extensive usage in almost all major application areas such as pharmaceutical laboratories and medical devices. Additionally, traditional steam autoclaves are also considered highly efficient for sterilizing a large number of medical devices at the same time, making them more practical in large medical setups.The top three companies, which accounted for a share of over 70% in the global steam autoclave market in 2015, are STERIS, Getinge Group, and Johnson & Johnson. Other prominent vendors in the market include 3M Health Care, Matachana Group, Belimed Group, CISA Group, CISA Group, and SAKURA SI CO., LTD.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Vascular Access Devices Market : Set to Grow Exponentially During the Forecast, 2024

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Global Vascular Access Devices Market: SnapshotThe demand in the global market for vascular access devices, which are medical devices made of hollow and flexible tubes of latex or silicone that enable an access to the bloodstream, has been consistently incrementing owing to growing number of surgeries performed each year across the world. Vascular access devices are used to perform diagnostic tests, reading central venous pressure, blood sampling, blood transfusion, and fluid infusion.View Report @The global vascular access devices market was worth US$5.10 bn in 2015, and incrementing at an impressive CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period of 2016 to 2024, the valuation is estimated to reach US$8.60 bn by the end of 2024. Rising geriatric population and prevalence of cancer, kidney failure, diabetes, and other lifestyle-inflicted diseases are some of the other factors augmenting the demand in the global vascular access devices market. In addition, technological advancements in these devices has also significantly favored the future of this market. New products such as drug-coated catheters and anti-microbial-coated catheters have considerably reduced the incidences of catheter-related infections. Latest techniques, for example ultrasound-guided catheter tip have helped in increase the efficiency of these devices.Cost-effectiveness Driving Demand for Peripheral CathetersBased on product, the global vascular access devices market is segmented into peripheral catheters, which includes peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVC) and midline catheters and central catheters, which includes central venous catheters (CVC), peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC), implantable ports, and hemodialysis catheters. Among these, peripheral catheters segment is currently most profitable, gaining traction from its ease of administration, reduced duration of usage, low frequency of catheter-related complications, and cost effectiveness. The segment of central catheters is also projected for a healthy growth during the forecast period.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Vascular Access Devices Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Application-wise, the global vascular access devices market has been categorized into administration of fluids and nutritional compounds, medication administration, diagnostic testing, and transfusion of blood products. Based on the route of insertion, the market has been bifurcated into subcutaneous and intravenous. End-users of vascular access devices are hospitals, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, and ambulatory surgery centers.Asia Pacific Opening Vast OpportunitiesGeographically, the report studies the opportunities available in the global vascular access devices market in the regions of North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. Currently, North America is the most lucrative region, owing to rising prevalence of lifestyle inflicted diseases, growing cancer and diabetes cases, robust healthcare infrastructure in countries such the U.S. and Canada, and high adoptability rate of new technology. Asia Pacific, on other hand, is also projected to expand the demand consistently throughout the forecast period as emerging economies such as India, Japan, South Korea, China, and Malaysia are improving their healthcare facilities. This region resides nearly the half of worlds population and leading players of the market are investing in these countries to expand their product reach.In a largely consolidated scenario, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Teleflex, Inc., C.R. Bard, Fresenius Medical Care, and Becton, Dickinson and Company are the leading companies in the global vascular access devices market. Competition in this market is more among these players than from an outside entrant.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Human Vaccines Market : Development Trends and Worldwide Growth 2016 - 2024

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Human Vaccines Market: SnapshotVaccination has been promoted as a vital public health intervention across the globe for decades. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination has reduced the global burden of infectious disease to a great extent. An extremely low risk of serious and fatal side effects associated with vaccines and growing awareness regarding vaccination by various government and non-profit organizations are the key factors driving the human vaccines market.View Report @The global human vaccines market was valued at US$28.3 bn in 2015 and is estimated to reach US$72.5 bn by 2024, registering an 11.2% CAGR during the forecast period. Extensive promotion and marketing strategies and favorable government support are likely to boost market growth.Conjugates Dominate Human Vaccines Market by TypeOn basis of vaccine type, the conjugate vaccines segment accounted for the majority share in the global human vaccines market in 2015. Prevnar, manufactured by Pfizer, Inc., is a conjugate vaccine, which generated a significant revenue of US$6.2 bn globally in 2015 alone. This is a key factor contributing to the dominance of conjugates in the human vaccine market. However, the growing preference for commercial brands available in the market is likely to drive the combination vaccines segment.The pneumococcal segment accounted for the majority share in the global human vaccines market by product. A large number of products are commercially available in the market and the prevalence of pneumonia is high across several regions. These factors have been known to drive the pneumococcal segment.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Human Vaccines Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.By age group, pediatric vaccines accounted for a 57.5% share in the global human vaccines market in 2015. Factors such as the high prevalence of pneumonia and polio among children across the world are likely to fuel this segment. On the other hand, adult vaccines are expected to expand at the highest CAGR from 2016 to 2024.By distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies segment accounted for the lions share in the global human vaccines market. However, the drugstores segment is projected to expand at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period owing to a dramatically increasing vaccination rate in standalone pharmacies in the U.S.Strong Government Support Benefits Markets in APAC, LATAM, and AfricaNorth America was the dominant market for human vaccines in terms of revenue in 2015 owing to the growing demand for vaccination among adults and children. The market is also fueled by the increase in government efforts toward vaccination programs and the fact that most vaccines are available in the U.S.Asia Pacific is expected to register the strongest growth in the market for human vaccines. Increasing government efforts toward immunization for various diseases such as polio, flu, rotavirus, and typhoid has been boosting the market. A massive population base is also likely to fuel market growth, especially in China and India. China is likely to dominate the Asia Pacific human vaccines market during the forecast period owing to a large population base and growing government support toward vaccination.Brazil is likely to be the leading market for human vaccines in Latin America by 2024. A large population base, growing healthcare infrastructure, and a rise in subsidiaries for industry participants are the major factors boosting the human vaccines market in Brazil. GCC plays a significant role in the human vaccines market in the Middle East and Africa, as does South Africa. The market in Africa has been witnessing strong growth due to frequent outbreaks in the region, a rapid rise in vaccination programs, and increasing investments by major players.Major players operating in the global human vaccines market include AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Merck & Co. Inc., Pfizer, Inc., Sanofi, and Johnson & Johnson.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Clostridium Vaccine Market : Segment by Application, Types and Industry Research Study 2024

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Global Clostridium Vaccines Market: SnapshotClostridium vaccines are chiefly utilized for a variety of bovine and ovine clostridial diseases such as blackleg, pulpy kidney (enterotoxaemia), black disease, and tetanus. The demand for clostridium vaccine is rising globally owing to the increasing incidence rate of clostridium family diseases and increased awareness regarding zoonotic diseases. Rising concerns about the mortality of livestock animal and the socioeconomic impact of it on agrarian economies are also increasing the demand for clostridium vaccines in developing countries globally.View Report @Clostridium vaccine is are chiefly distributed through veterinary clinics and veterinary hospitals. In developing countries such as India, the distribution of these vaccines is highly dependent on government intervention. However, there has been a significant rise in the demand for these vaccines through retail pharmacies, which allow instant access to these vaccines without having to wait for government channels to distribute them.The global clostridium vaccine (animal health) market is poised to observe significant growth in the future. Transparency Market Research estimates that the market was valued at US$418.0 mn in 2015 and is expected to reach US$643.5 mn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2016 to 2024.Bovine Segment to Bring in Significant Percentage of SalesOn the basis of animal species, the global clostridium vaccine market is segmented into bovine, ovine, caprine, swine, and poultry. Of these, the swine segment emerged as the most attractive segment of the market in 2015. The large share of the segment in the global markets overall revenues can be attributed to the large demand of pork and high awareness about the possibility of swines causing zoonotic diseases.Over the forecast period, however, the ovine segment is likely to record the most promising growth rate. The rising prevalence of diseases such as blackleg, black diseases, and black quarter, along with the vast rise in the worlds ovine population, growing awareness among owners, and government regulations in different geographies will be key to the increased demand for clostridium vaccines across this segment. In addition, the increase in demand for immunization has led to the growth of this segment. Poultry is also expected grow with high growth rate due to increase consumption of poultry goods.Rising Awareness Regarding Animal Health to Boost Demand across Asia PacificGeographically, North America was the leading market for the clostridium vaccine market in 2015. The region accounted for a share of 37.6% of the market and is expected to continue to constitute the bulk of the global markets revenue over the forecast period as well. Rising demand for effective veterinary healthcare services and substantial government interventions for research and development are the key factors supporting the North America markets growth.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Clostridium Vaccine Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.The swine segment in North America accounted for the dominant share of 25.3% share in 2015. A wide range of applications, including clostridium perfringens and clostridium botulinum are likely to support the growth of the segment in the next few years.Nevertheless, the clostridium vaccine market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to outpace the rate of growth of the North America market over the forecast period owing to a vast rise in prevalence of clostridium disease infections in developing countries such as India and China. India and New Zealand are expected to be more lucrative than other countries in Asia Pacific due to increased awareness as well as increasing livestock animal population in these countries. Veterinary clinic as distribution channel holds the dominant market share due to increasing government awareness regarding the diseases across several countries in the region.The global clostridium vaccine (animal health) market features a largely consolidated competitive landscape, with a relatively small number of companies accounting for a majority of share in the global market. Some of the key players in the market Zoetis, Inc., Merck Animal Health, Sanofi-Aventis (Merial Animal Health), BoehringerIngelheim, Eli Lilly and Company (Elanco Animal Healthcare), Vibrac Corporation, Bimeda, Inc., CevaSanteAnimale, and Bayer AG.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Hospital Acquired Infection Treatment Market : Industry Demand, Segment, Statistics Report 2016 - 2024

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Hospital Acquired Infection Treatment Market: SnapshotThe top most factor causing the growth of the hospital acquired infection market is the growing geriatric population across the globe. The geriatric population base is more prone to infections owing to their low physical immunity. Infections, especially nosocomial ones are becoming increasingly common among the elderly.View Report @The low level of hygiene maintained by hospitals, poor infrastructure management, and poor sterilizing techniques used at healthcare institutions are resulting in a high number of hospital acquired infection cases. This environment bodes well for the hospital acquired infection market and thus, the market is flourishing. According to the expert panel of analysts at Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global hospital acquired infection market is expected to rise from US$28.99 bn in 2015 to US$36.61 bn by 2024. The market is expected to display a modest CAGR of 2.7% between 2016 and 2024Developing Nations in Asia Pacific to be Lucrative Markets for Hospital Acquired Infection Treatment ServicesOwing to low funding from government and other bodies, hospitals in developing nations are victims to poor hygiene and mismanagement. Cases of hospital acquired infections are high in these countries and this is expected to boost the global market. It is thus unsurprising that emerging economies in Asia Pacific are expanding in terms of fastest growth in the hospital acquired infection market. This has compelled several players operating in the hospital acquired infection market to shift their base and provide their services to these nations. This trend is expected to result in the geographical expansion of players operating in the global hospital acquired infection market and also result in the growth of the market.Urinary Tract Infections Segment to Lead During Forecast PeriodOn the basis of common infection type, the global hospital acquired infection treatment market can be segmented into hospital-acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, and others. Of these, the urinary tract infections segment led in the market in 2015. The urinary tract infections segment is also anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR from 2016 to 2024 Top of FormGet accurate market forecast and analysis on the Hospital Acquired Infection Treatment Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.By treatment, the market is segmented into antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and other treatments. Of these, the antibacterial drugs segment led in 2015. The segment is also expected to witness the fastest growth during the period from2016 to 2024.Growing Rate of Treatment Failure to Threaten Hospital Acquired Infection Treatment MarketOne of the key restraints posing a threat to the global hospital acquired infection treatment market is the growing rate of treatment failure owing to the presence of an increasing number of multi-drug resistant bacteria. The frequent rate of survival for bacteria increases after being exposed to drugs that are designed to eliminate them, giving them the power to resist against them. This is posing a major challenge for the industry as hospitals are looking for alternate treatments such as other forms of drug treatments. The number of patients suffering from multi-drug resistant bacteria is increasing and can prove to be a major cause of concern for the industry.In terms of opportunities however, the focus on untapped markets for patients from lower and middle class incomes will prove to be beneficial. New players can aim to target emerging nations and flourish in the hospital acquired infection treatment industry. Also, key players in the market are having multiple drugs in their pipeline. The approval of these drugs may create growth opportunities in the market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Autologous Cell Therapy Market : Industry Research and Forecast Analysis 2016 - 2024

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Global Autologous Cell Therapy Market: OverviewAutologous cell therapy refers to infusion or transfer of human tissue or cells back to the same person for treating a diseased part. For the same purpose, stem cells are removed from the patient, harvested, cultured, and once again transplanted to the same person. The purpose of this method is to reduce the chances of rejection to the treatment by the body. Furthermore, autologous cell therapy does not even require immunosuppression. The growing number of cancer patients have triggered a significant demand for autologous cell therapy.View Report @According to the research report, the global market projected to reach a valuation of US$23.7 bn by the end of 2024 as compared to US$3.8 bn in 2015. During the forecast period of 2016 and 2024, the global market is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 21.9%.Unmet Medical Needs and Cost-effectiveness of Autologous Cell Therapy Drives DemandThe global market is expected to grow due to the huge pool of unmet medical needs for cell based therapy, growing government support for cell-based research, and rising number of technological innovations in cell based therapies. Currently, cell therapy is considered a promising technique for several conditions such as neurological, orthopedic, oncology, and a wide range of autoimmune diseases. The ability of stem cells to transform into a cartilage, tendon, bone (osteoblast), and muscle has given this market a fresh lease of life. The biggest advantages of autologous cells is the fact that it is relatively cost-effective, allows quick access to blood as it is derived from the patient, ensures easy method of production, and comes with the lowest threat of disease transfusion. All of these factors have been consistently boosting the demand for autologous cell therapy in recent years.Supportive Government Policies across North America Favor Regional MarketGeographically, the market has been divided into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. North America holds a dominant position in the global market and is expected to maintain its stance in the coming years as well.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Autologous Cell Therapy Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.The strengthening health care infrastructure and supportive government policies are expected ensure high adoption of autologous cell therapy in North America in the near future. The analysts estimate that Asia Pacific will also register a robust CAGR in the coming years. The growth of this market in Asia pacific will be driven by the proliferating medical tourism industry, increasing contract research activities, and economic growth of certain developing countries such as India and China.Hospitals to Retain Dominance in Global Market over Forecast PeriodThe end users of autologous cell therapy are hospitals, research centers, and ambulatory centers. Of these, the hospitals dominated the global market in 2015 and are expected to continue its dominance till the end of 2024 as the surgical procedures continue to be on the rise across hospitals. The research report indicates that the ambulatory surgical centers segment will also expand at a significant rate in the coming years as it is known to reduce waiting time period before surgery, growing outpatient surgical procedures, high confidentiality and privacy of the data, and cost-effective procedure.Some of the leading players operating in the global market are Major players operating in this Market are Vericel Corporation, BioTime, Inc., Pharmicell Co., BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Opexa Therapeutics, Inc, Pharmicell Co., Inc.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Aluminum Casting Market Research 2011- 2022 Alcoa, Dynacast International, Gibbs Die Casting, Ryobi, Bodine Aluminum and Others

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Global Aluminum Casting market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, Middle East & Africa and others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2022in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Casting is a simple, inexpensive and versatile way of forming aluminum into a wide array of products. Such items as power transmissions and car engines and the cap atop the Washington Monument were all produced through the aluminum casting process.The Global Aluminum Casting market is estimated to reach xxx Million USD in 2017. In the report, Automotive dominates the largest Application share in 2017. The objective of report is to define, segment, and project the market on the basis of type, application, and region, and to describe the content about the factors influencing market dynamics, policy, economic, technology and market entry etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Aluminum Casting Market 2017 atTop Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report: Alcoa Dynacast International Gibbs Die Casting Ryobi Bodine Aluminum Martinrea Honsel Leggett & Platt United Company Rusal Nemak Rockman Industries Endurance Alcast Technologies CHALCO China Hongqiao OthersAluminum Casting Market: Key Product Type: Die Casting Permanent Molding Casting Sand Casting OtherAluminum Casting Market: Key Application Automotive Aerospace & Military Machinery OtherAluminum Casting Market: Key Region Asia-Pacific North America Europe South America Middle East & Africa OtherAluminum casting market belongs to chemicals and materials industry and it comprise of detailed quantitative as well as qualitative information for Aluminum Casting market. This research report provides consumption data and expected growth rate for major consuming regions worldwide. Aluminum Casting market report provides detailed segmentation for market of Aluminum Casting based on products, applications, and size industry for all major regions and countries. This market research study further provides detailed information pertaining to global production, import and export data for all key regions across the globe. Moreover, this study further provides major drivers, restraints impacting Aluminum Casting market. Additionally, the report provides the comprehensive study of expected opportunities in Aluminum Casting market in coming future.The Aluminum Casting market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Aluminum Casting market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Aluminum Casting market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Related Reports:Enquire before Buying @Aluminum Casting market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Objectives of Research1.1.1 Definition1.1.2 Specifications1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 Upstream1.2.2 Downstream1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 by Type1.2.1.1 Type 11.2.1.2 Type 21.2.2 by Application1.2.2.1 Aluminum Industry1.2.2.2 Silicone Compounds1.2.2.3 Photovoltaic Solar Cells1.2.2.4 Electronic Semiconductors1.2.3 by Regions2 Industry Chain2.1 Industry Chain Structure2.2 Upstream2.3 Market2.3.1 SWOT2.3.2 DynamicsContinue.Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-342420 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States
www.ipt.fraunhofer.de

www.ipt.fraunhofer.de/en/Press/Pressreleases/20170822_machine-control-to-user-mitsubishi-electric-and-fraunhofer-IPT-to-unveil-smart-system-for-mobile-devices-in-manufacturing.html

http://www.ipt.fraunhofer.de/en/Press/Pressreleases/20170822_machine-control-to-user-mitsubishi-electric-and-fraunhofer-IPT-to-unveil-smart-system-for-mobile-devices-in-manufacturing.html

Nowadays, workers on the shop floor are required to operate increasingly complex machinery whilst reacting flexibly to any disturbances. At the EMO Metal Working Trade Fair in Hanover from 18  23 September in Hall 25, Booth B94, Mitsubishi Electric and the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT will be revealing for the first time, a smart information system which will deliver information tailored to match the requirements of the job in hand, straight from the machine control unit to the machine operator. This will slash the time required by the operator to make a decision and will permit even unfamiliar tasks to be solved more swiftly and more flexibly.---Costs rapidly start to mount up in production when a machine unexpectedly comes to a standstill. The onus is then on the machine operator to make the right decision on the spot to get the machine running again. As a rule, the cause of a breakdown can reliably be identified and the optimum solution devised only when all relevant information has been collated to provide the bigger picture. The Fraunhofer IPT and Mitsubishi Electric have collaborated to develop a new system which can gather together all the information of relevance to the machine operator on mobile terminals and present it in processed form: Smart glasses or tablets can thus support the employee directly on the shop floor  in activities ranging from training, through monitoring and eliminating machine malfunctions through to maintenance. The new system works with commercially available smart glasses and tablets running an android operating system and can now integrate these in industrial manufacturing environments.From machine to the glasses: Information from machine control presented in words and imagesThe smart devices and the Mitsubishi Electric machine control unit communicate directly with one another in the new system. Thus, staff can see in real time when tasks are completed, disturbances occur, when a machine door is not properly shut or when scheduled maintenance work is coming up. The system informs the machine operator directly via pop-up on the terminal and offers help.Information on subjects such as how to replace a tool is provided step by step in various formats such as video or text. This allows users to solve the problem promptly themselves, without having to stop one activity in order to locate and look up manuals, operating or test instructions. Companies which implement the system, can thus reduce machine down-times, schedule production orders more accurately and manufacture products more quickly.The system supports the machine operator not only in the event of disturbances and repairs, but can also monitor individual machine tool components in real time: The smart devices flash up-dated motor current levels for various drives and 3D part models are augmented into the real machine environment within the operators immediate field of vision. This permits the state of the components to be monitored continuously and at any given point in time. Operators can therefore take action before an impending error occurs or may be informed by the system that a component is sustaining less wear than previously assumed, allowing them to make an informed and independent decision to extend the scheduled period between maintenance operations.Helping staff to help themselves: Use mobile devices to help employees to learn and to respond to the lack of appropriately skilled workersEducation and training materials can also be accessed in a range of formats using the new system. This will allow staff to extend their knowledge directly on the job and to apply their newly acquired expertise directly. New and untrained employees will be able to learn and work independently from their very first day at work. The glasses also empower experienced personnel by helping them to operate highly complex machinery. For the companies concerned, this means that they profit not only through increased productivity; the system can also make a valuable contribution towards addressing bottlenecks in sectors hit by acute shortages of skilled labor.Mitsubishi Electric and the Fraunhofer IPT will present the system for the first time at EMO 2017 in Hall 25, Booth B94. Companies interested in this development are welcome to test it using a range of smart devices and to discuss it with experts.ContactFlorian Lindner M.Sc.Fraunhofer-Institut fur Produktionstechnologie IPTSteinbachstrae 1752074 AachenPhone +49 241 8904-160This press release and a printable photo are also available on the internet:Weitere Informationen:Quelle: idw
www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017

http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017

Dresden and Heidelberg scientists identify the adaptability of cancer cells as a possible key factor---Scientists of Technische Universitat Dresden, the University of Applied Sciences HTW Dresden and the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research Heidelberg have gained new prospects on the invasion mechanism of malignant tumours using mathematical models and computer simulations.In cancer therapy, the prevention of tumour spread is one of the greatest challenges.Cancer cells are able to change their micro- environment physico-chemically and adapt their movement behaviour according to the new conditions. This is where the researchers have found an appropriate solution: Using a mathematical model, they investigated how diverse and complex environments affect the spread of the tumour.To this end, they identified the plasticity, i.e. the adaptability of cancer cells, as a possible key factor. However, this is not automatically beneficial. The tumour can show its adaptability, especially in complex environments. The less complex the environment, the worse cancer cells can spread. This also implies: In vitro experiments that investigate the invasion mechanisms of cancer cells outside the organism, should simulate the actual complex microconditions.On the basis of their findings, the scientists have not yet developed a new therapy, but a promising theoretical approach for further research aimed at the oppression of cancer cell plasticity.The research was carried out by a team of scientists led by Prof Andreas Deutsch (TU Dresden, Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing (ZIH)), Department of Innovative Methods of Computing) and Prof Anja Vo-Bohme (HTW Dresden, Faculty of Computer Science / Mathematics) in collaboration with Dr Elisabetta Ada Cavalcanti-Adam (Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg). The results will be published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports on 24 August 2017. The full article is available on the website- 09300-3.We thank the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SFB-TRR79), the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe) and the Saxon State Ministry for Higher Education, Research and the Arts (SMWK) for their support of this work.Media enquiriesProf Andreas Deutsch (TU Dresden)Tel.: +49 (0) 351 463-31943E-mail:Prof Anja Vo-Bohme (HTW Dresden)Tel.: +49 (0) 351 462-2413E-mail:Weitere Informationen:- 09300-3Quelle: idw
Bennett ends Quakers season in AA semifinals After allowing 460-yards and five touchdowns in their Sept. 24 matchup, Orchard Park head coach decided that if Bennett was...

Quakers reach Sectional Finals vs Lancaster Orchard Park boys volleyball coach Rick Albano always wants his team to be playing their best volleyball at the end...

Bertola leads harriers on record day at sectionals Orchard Park cross-country coach Steve Dillsworth went pretty far back into the history of Quakers cross-country, and he was unable...

 All-Bee Girls Soccer  Majority of First Team are past honorees

Many of the First Team selections on the 2022 All- Bee Girls Soccer Team are no strangers to the all-star...
Providence Health & Services began a series of layoffs last week as the giant health system attempts to bring its costs in line with revenue.

Across the company's seven-state territory, 210 jobs were eliminated or soon will be. The cutbacks included 40 in Oregon, Providence spokesman Gary Walker said.

That's a relatively tiny layoff, percentage-wise. Providence is one of the largest health systems in the country with more than 111,000 employees. The company is also choosing not to fill certain administrative positions.

The cuts at Providence are more evidence that hospitals are facing challenging times. The enormous nonprofit saw its financial position deteriorate markedly in 2016, posting an operating loss of more than $255 million, filings show. Providence's annual revenue topped $22 billion.

"There has been a fundamental shift in our industry in that we are providing more care to more patients, but are receiving the same amount of revenue and often less to cover the costs," Providence spokesperson Colleen Waddell said in a written statement. "We have worked to significantly reduce operational costs, such as vendor and supply contracts, non-critical capital projects and not filling non-critical administrative positions. Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to reduce some filled positions."

Hospitals enjoyed some distinctly good times after the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2012. Hospitals saw far fewer uninsured patients and their profits soared as their charity care declined.

But the federal government has demanded concessions, and states like Oregon have attempted to impose new taxes on hospitals.

"Oregon hospitals saw a distinct downturn in financial performance in 2016 and into 2017," said Andy Van Pelt, executive vice president of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. "Across the board they are managing this challenge along with the political uncertainty at the federal and state levels to ensure they deliver the care Oregonians need."

In Oregon, the cuts ranged from mental health hotline staffers to corporate marketing positions.

In Providence's marketing and communication department, 56 of 216 positions are being eliminated. Not all of those are in Oregon, Walker said.

Providence is seeking an early termination of its $280,00-a-year contract to staff the Washington County's mental health crisis phone center. The contract will end Nov. 1, said county spokesperson Wendy Gordon.

Providence confirmed the change and said 19 employees will lose their jobs. Walker said the company is hoping to find other positions for them.

-- Jeff Manning

503-294-7606, jmanning@oregonian.com
A convicted murderer serving a life sentence at the Oregon State Penitentiary died Monday, authorities say.

Leroy Earp, 77, was taken to a Salem-area hospital Tuesday, Aug. 15, for medical care, at some point became unresponsive then died Monday afternoon, according to the Oregon Department of Corrections. It's unclear why he was brought to the hospital.

Earp's death appears to be of natural causes, the department said. Oregon State Police is investigating his death.

Earp was sentenced to life in prison in July 1982 in Clackamas County Circuit Court for the stabbing death of Ann Peery, a Rex Putnam High School teacher killed in her home. Earp at the time worked as a janitor at the school and was on parole for a previous murder.

Earp received a prison sentence in March 1966 for the murder of a Portland woman discovered nude in the trunk of his car after she had been strangled. He was sentenced to the Oregon State Penitentiary then as well.

A year later, Earp and five other inmates tried to break out of prison with the aid of homemade shotguns and a forklift. In 1972, he did manage to escape while on a supervised trip to pick up a shuffleboard for the prison.

He was caught two days later.

Earp was granted parole in 1980. During his latest stint in prison in 1994, prison officials said another inmate stabbed Earp in the chest and stomach.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
The family of a southwestern Washington man is looking for answers after he was killed in a motorcycle crash but his body wasn't found until family members searched days later.

The Columbian reports that last Tuesday in the early morning hours a Washington State Patrol trooper on Interstate 5 near Vancouver found a motorcycle leaned against a barrier.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Will Finn said the trooper saw the motorcycle with minor damage and thought the driver had walked away. Finn said two troopers searched the area but found no one.

On Friday, the family of Travis Williams went looking for him when a tow company called saying the motorcycle was impounded. Travis' brother Michael Williams told The Columbian they found his body by looking over the embankment.

The Clark County Medical Examiner's Officer said Williams died of blunt force injuries from a single-vehicle motorcycle crash.

Detectives are investigating.

-- The Associated Press
A photographer traveling cross-country in a van captured what may be the most iconic and viral image of 2017's total solar eclipse in a carefully choreographed effort that left no margin for error.

Ted Hesser, a 31-year-old freelance photographer from the Bay Area, scouted locations at Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon with his girlfriend, Martina Tibell, for a week. The two rock climbing enthusiasts spent days trying different climbing routes alongside other adventure photographers who all descended on the park looking for the perfect angle during totality.

Nothing seemed right until a day before the eclipse, Hesser said. At 10:19 a.m., about a minute before what would be totality, Hesser watched the sun crest the top right corner of Monkey Face, a well-known but challenging 350-foot-tall tower above the Crooked River.

"I knew: That's it. That's amazing," Hesser said.

Hesser had wanted to make an image like it from the moment he heard about the eclipse months ago.

"As a photographer, one of the first thoughts was how do I capture something unique?" Hesser said. "Immediately my mind went to having a person in the frame in some environmental context, mixing the landscape with the event."

He thought about photographing the eclipse in his parents' hometown of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. But he didn't think that would work - the eclipse would happen too high in the sky for him to capture a silhouette. (Totality happened there at 11:35 a.m.)

Tibell and another friend, Tommy Smith, spent the rest of eclipse eve climbing and positioning Smith - the photograph's subject - in a way that Hesser thought would accentuate what he called the moment's mysticism.

But after the trio awoke at 3:30 a.m. on eclipse day and drove from their nearby campground to get a jump on their climbing preparations, they found the park's gate locked and guarded. Every minute was precious. Tibell and Smith were anxious to climb. They were finally let in at 5:30 a.m. and began ascending at 7.

A duo in front of them moved unexpectedly slow but eventually yielded. Tibell and Smith reached their destination at 9 a.m., with just a few minutes to spare before the eclipse began. Smith soon moved into position.

As the partial eclipse disappeared behind the rock tower, Hesser got nervous. What if the sun's position in the sky had shifted too much in the day that passed since he'd scouted the spot?

Just before totality, the sun popped out from behind Monkey Face, and Smith and his gear were encased in an ethereal glow as what's called the diamond ring effect took hold. (It's the instant before totality, when the eclipse looks like a glistening diamond ring.)

"It happened perfectly," Hesser said. "I was on adrenaline. I couldn't at that moment believe it had so perfectly lined up."

An outtake from Ted Hesser's photographs at Smith Rock State Park during the 2017 total solar eclipse shows how little margin for error he had. This frame was made about 30 seconds after an image that went viral.

Hesser said he shot about 15 frames, but none were as good. Thirty seconds later, Hesser said the total eclipse was too dark to capture the silhouette he'd envisioned. An outtake shows the sun and moon morphing into what looks like a three-legged celestial orb.

The iconic photo began going viral shortly after Hesser posted it on his Instagram account (55,762 likes) and his Facebook page (77,000 shares and 62,000 likes). Hesser said he has gained 13,000 Instagram followers in the last day.

By Tuesday, Hesser and Tibell were bound for Hood River, while fending off allegations that Hesser faked the picture. Despite having to contend with skeptics, Hesser was reveling in the widespread attention the image had earned. (He doesn't have a plan yet for the next total solar eclipse in the United States in 2024.)

"It was just exhilarating," he said. "I'd thought a fair amount ahead of time of the concept of the eclipse, how crazy it is for anyone along its path to be looking at the same thing and doing the same thing for how scattered the direction of our lives is. To be singularly focused on a natural phenomenon is kind of wild."

The shot: Nikon D800, 80-400mm @ 400mm, ISO 100, f5.6, 1/200 second, no filter.

Update: Several readers have asked about the similarity between Hesser's image and another made by Salem photographer Andrew Studer. The two photographed the eclipse together, but Hesser, along with Tibell and Smith, choreographed the work that allowed the images to be made.

-- Rob Davis

rdavis@oregonian.com

503.294.7657; @robwdavis
Wednesday 23 August 2017 10:25am



Professor Tom Brooking

Otago and Southland people are being encouraged to come forward to the University of Otago with their family stories, photos, and letters about the disastrous WW1 Campaign at Passchendaele.

Two History 224 students will collate the material about the famous Belgium battle, and create a blog (Passchendaele Stories) where the stories will be told, under the supervision of Historian, Professor Tom Brooking, who teaches a course on New Zealand and the First World War, and Dentistry/Public Health Professor John Broughton, who also has a strong interest in wartime history.

The material can be submitted from now to the address: passchendaele-stories@otago.ac.nz.

The two Professors felt the blog would help to commemorate the upcoming centenary of the famous battle, also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, on 12 October this year. The battle took place on the Western Front, from July to November 1917, for control of the ridges south and east of the Belgian city of Ypres.

The Passchendaele Stories blog provides a means to locate further research material about the experiences of men sent from Otago and Southland  many of whom never came home.

The Otago regiment, which included soldiers from Southland, was particularly badly knocked around and worse hit than other units; put simply, they were in the wrong place, at the wrong time, says Professor Brooking.

Passchendaele was so tragic, a terrible blunder as Private Len Hart put it . Even in restrained military history books they were very critical of what happened there, from a military perspective. New Zealand lost 600 men in two hours  1200 in a day. It was appalling.many were caught in the mud and wire in front of German machine guns firing from concrete bunkers, known as pill boxes. Many of the wounded lay out in the middle of no-mans land wounded and dying in the mud.

Total NZ wounded that day numbered 1900.

From a research perspective, Professor Brooking is particularly interested in picking up the stories still out there in towns and rural areas of Otago and Southland. Units for this battle came from North and South Otago, Southland and Dunedin.

Wed like people to include in their emails the impact of their relatives experience on the broader family, whether soldiers were killed, or survived. What was the impact on mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, children and grand-children, and on the farm or business?

He suspects there are hundreds of families still out there from towns such as Gore, Invercargill, and Queenstown, whose stories have not yet been re-told in writing, but have been passed down verbally from generation to generation. Of 55 students in his History 224 class alone, there are 21 with stories relating to WW1 from their own families.

And among them, we have two who lost three great uncles from the same family  they were all killed. The war affected so many families in this way.

We also have another who is a great-grandson of the most highly decorated New Zealand solider at the battle-2nd Lieutenant A. R. Cockerell (sometimes spelt Cockerill), of Invercargill.

The stories can be sent by email to the address passchendaele-stories@otago.ac.nz. From there the History students will curate them into the blog, which is now up and running at Passchendaele Stories.

For further information, contact:

Tom Brooking

Tel 64 3 479 8628

Email tom.brooking@otago.ac.nz
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Twenty-eight high school interns from seven schools presented their research findings to an audience of their peers, families, and local supporters and scientists, at receptions held in their honor on Aug. 16-17. The students participated in a summer research program at the St. Andrews campus.

Research ranged from developing honey bee miticides to working with novel Lewis acids as possible refrigerants.

The internship program was created to provide high-level STEM learning opportunities for area students. Students conducted research in teams and were mentored by PhD researchers while working on real-world projects in sophisticated labs.

A new project, added for 2017, was computer programming.

Ten students spent the first few weeks learning the fundamentals of programming in PYTHON, then synthesized biodiesel and gathered NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectrum results from their samples. They then combined this knowledge to create and train a neural network to read the NMR data and identify biodiesel feedstocks.

This team included: Emily Bennett (Bullock Creek), Ashley Hammond (Bullock Creek), Mitchell Hayes (Dow), Robert Heyart (Dow), Naoki Kihata (Dow), Aaron Lehman (Lehman Academy), Zachary O'Dell (Midland), Mia Pardell (Midland), Colin Witt (Dow), Derek Yan (Dow). The team was led by MSU IT professional and graduate student John Furcean.

"I enjoyed the summer internship because it challenged me and allowed me to work with a team to accomplish our goals," said Naoki Kihata, a senior this fall Dow.

The Lewis acids team was led by Jack Kruper, PhD. The team synthesized a new poly-chlorinated compound and crystallized it for x-ray structure and determination. Student researchers on the project were Hannah Bartels (Midland), Kaylie Barton (Midland), and Aditya Middha (Dow).

Robert Bubeck and Tracy Zhang, both PhDs, worked on two projects with their interns: 1.) developing nanocarbon-containing ABS composites fabricated into parts via 3D printing, yielding roughly double the stiffness without an unacceptable decrease in toughness and 2.) creating low-cost humidity sensors with acceptable reproducibility and accuracy using 3D printing of conductive thermoplastics. The interns in this group were Michael Most, Wes Cummings and Stephen O'Donnell, all from Dow.

Adina Dumitrascu, PhD, and her team have been developing new chemistries and materials for redox flow batteries, which could someday be used for massive electrical energy storage, without the need for metals such as vanadium. Students were Ethan Bruce (Midland, Jessica Kline (Dow), and Dacia Munteanu (MSU).

The honey bee miticide project was offered again this summer through the continued research of Edmund Stark, PhD. This work assists the honey bee population through a polymer that slowly releases both formic and oxalic acids, thus allowing the miticides to kill Varroa mites (the honey bee's worst enemy) over their entire reproductive cycle. The interns tested these polymers in the laboratory to determine their release rates, and began hive studies. Interns in this group included Jason Harnick (Bullock Creek), Kaitlin Gandy (Midland), and Yuen Azo (Saginaw Arts & Science Academy).

A new, in-depth student of a wetland near Wurtsmith Air Force Base, was suggested by Greg Martin, a Dow environmental chemist. Students conducted field work, and learned sampling procedures and impurity concentration techniques, to ultimately analyze the data and calculate actual contaminant concentrations. The student team of Serena Fleming-Dittenber (Midland High), Callen Herst (Bullock Creek), Nicole Seiler (Bullock Creek), and Ris Agrwal (Great Lakes Bay Early College), was facilitated by Daniel Henton, PhD.

Brandon Zhu and Daniel Zhang (both from Dow) worked with their mentor, Pat Smith PhD, to research the composition and molecular weight of specific polymers for use in novel, time-released technology for possible use in pharmaceuticals. This team plans to compete in the Siemens Competition for Math, Science and Technology.

Student applicants were endorsed by their teachers and then selected through an application process conducted last April. The eight-week program ran from June 26 to Aug.18. This is the second year for the program; participation is up from 12 students in 2016.

MSU St. Andrews serves the greater Midland community by providing educational opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for all ages. MSU researchers and staff offer novel, nationally recognized National Science Foundation (NSF) supported curricula and extracurricular activities for students, as well as workshops to help practicing teachers assert real, individual leadership in STEM subjects.

Programming at St. Andrews is made possible through the support of The Dow Chemical Company Foundation.

Facility renovations and operations are supported by The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, and the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation.
Midland has a new city manager. By a unanimous voice vote Tuesday, the Midland City Council approved C. Bradley Kaye to guide the city.

"From a city perspective, we're in great shape. We have a lot of activity, a lot of projects that are ongoing," Kaye said. "We've also got some challenges. We've got great team members. The staff that we have is highly skilled and they're up to the challenge."

Following a national search that drew 39 applicants, Kaye was the only person to be interviewed for the position. But, one interviewee was all the city council needed to select the successor to Jon Lynch, who left to become president of Three Rivers Construction.

"I'm used to being the inside guy and knowing everything that is going on. But, obviously, I couldn't," Kaye said. "I appreciate the support that the council showed."

Upon completion of successful contract negotiations, Kaye, who is presently the assistant city manager for development services, should take over on a permanent basis at next Monday's council meeting.

Interim City Manager David Keenan would then return to his position as assistant city manager for fiscal services. Keenan took over as interim city manager on May 1 without a desire to be the permanent city manager.

The city council opted to consult a recruiting firm to narrow down the selection for city manager. Out of the search process came nine candidates. All nine went through a second review by city council and Kaye was the only candidate invited to interview.

Describing himself as having a calm, steady, and reliable demeanor, Kaye showed those qualities as he interviewed in front of city council for nearly 90 minutes at Midland City Hall.

"This is to make sure that there is a proper fit between council and myself as a candidate," Kaye said.

Councilman Steve Arnosky believed that is in place.

"There is not a disconnect between Brad and where we want to go as a council," he said.

In his more than five years as a City of Midland employee, Kaye that he has built strong relationships with city staff, council and certain community members. However, his first priority as city manager would be to continue developing those strong bonds.

"Relationships. Relationships. Relationships. First with council," Kaye stated. "Secondly, we need to deepen our understanding of the challenges and expectations."

Along with focusing on relationships, Kaye would like to see fulfillment of the following items:

 Completion of the many city projects

 Budget challenges

 Community outreach initiative

 Department transitions

 Community involvement and civility

Throughout the interview, Kaye continually stated the need for more citizen input throughout different projects.

In response to a question about the two most significant challenges facing the city, Kaye mentioned the need to address issues from the recent flooding along with funding.

"Our staffing is decreasing, but the services are staying the same," he said. "As we look at the services, we're going to need to get input from citizens."

Mayor Maureen Donker questioned Kaye on his ability to handle the fiscal portion of the position. However, she was pleased when Kaye responded that he was not an expert in everything and that he was pleased that Keenan was staying on to handle the finances.

"It's always about the team collectively that has to come up with the solution. It's no one individual. It's certainly not the city manager that comes up with all the solutions," Kaye said following the interview. "Quite frankly, my engineer is better than I am at that. My finance guy is better than I am. My job now is to make them successful."

Born and raised in Canada, Kaye just recently took the oath to become a joint citizen of the U.S. and Canada.

"It was a demonstration of our commitment to where we live," Kaye said.

Following graduation from the University of Waterloo, in Ontario, with a bachelor's of environmental studies, honors urban and regional planning; Kaye went to work as development supervisor for the Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk, Ontario, Canada.

He then headed to Grand Traverse County as a community planner for Gourdie Fraser Inc. followed by director of planning for Garfield Township.

He came to Midland in 2012 as the director of planning and community development for the city. He held that position from 2012-2015 before being named assistant city manager for development services in 2015.

During his professional career, Kaye has attended the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education, Leadership for the 21st Century session along with the International City and County Management Association, Mid-Career Managers Institute.

While in Midland, he has served as chair of the Midland Area Transportation Study while also serving on the boards of Midland Tomorrow, City of Midland Downtown Development Authority, City of Midland Center City Authority and the Leadership Midland Steering Committee.

The next city council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28. at Midland City Hall.
To the editor:

We were blessed with a beautiful day for the fourth annual Breastfeeding Awareness Walk in downtown Midland. Thank you to the enthusiastic participants who helped us celebrate World Breastfeeding Week and highlight the importance of breastfeeding support for families.

We are most appreciative of the following businesses and agencies that contributed to the events success: Abundant Joy Doula Services, ADIO Chiropractic, Annie & Olivers, Dow Diamond, Midland Allergy Clinic, Journeys Coffeehouse, Midland Center for the Arts, Midland County Health Department, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency, MidMichigan Obstetrics & Gynecology, Smitten Photography, and UpBeat Music Academy.

We welcome new members to the Midland County Breastfeeding Coalition as we work together to help babies to eat fresh and eat local!

BARB JAMMER

Midland County Breastfeeding Coalition
SPRINGFIELD (AP)  House Speaker Michael Madigan has canceled a scheduled Illinois House session that was to vote on Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a school funding bill.

Madigan says he canceled Wednesday's House session so that legislative leaders can continue negotiations on a compromise school funding bill.

The override of an amendatory veto of legislation which changes the way the state pays for schools needs 71 votes. It would nix the changes Rauner made and put into law a new funding model.

Democrats who control the Legislature sent Rauner a plan that ensures no school district gets less than it did last year. Then it funnels new money through an "evidence-based" model to the neediest schools first.

Rauner says it unfairly favors Chicago over the rest of the state. He rewrote it with an amendatory veto. The Senate voted to override Aug. 13.

This story will be updated.
Georgia-Pacific to Sell Pine Chemicals Business to Ingevity for $315 Million August 22, 2017 - Georgia-Pacific LLC announced today that it has reached an agreement to sell its pine chemicals business to Ingevity for $315 million, including certain pine chemicals-related assets at the Crossett, Arkansas plant. The acquisition is subject to regulatory clearance and Ingevity and Georgia-Pacific expect to close on the transaction in late 2017. Separately, Ingevity will enter into several contract manufacturing arrangements for oilfield and mining products currently produced at other Georgia-Pacific facilities. The parties will also separately enter into a 20-year, market-based crude tall oil (CTO) supply contract. "Although the pine chemical business has been profitable and our employees have done a great job running safe, productive assets and meeting our customers' needs, we believe this sale to an established player in the industry is in the best interest of our customers and stakeholders," said Rick Urschel, president, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals. Ingevity will not acquire the merchant crude tall oil or crude sulfate turpentine business; this business will be retained and operated by Georgia-Pacific. In addition to these two pine-related segments, Georgia-Pacific's non-pine chemicals businesses, which serve mainly the wood panels and general industrial markets, are not impacted by the sale. GP will continue to operate our ten chemical facilities within the Americas to service our customers in these segments. Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, office papers, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals. To learn more, please visit: www.gp.com. SOURCE: Georgia-Pacific LLC Editor's note: Ingevity was formerly a business unit of WestRock. In April of 2016, WestRock's Board of Directors approved the completion of the separation of the specialty chemicals business from the remaining businesses of WestRock to form Ingevity Corporation. On May 15, 2016, WestRock completed the separation of Ingevity as an independent public company.
The coming autonomous vehicle market is one of the hottest directions that tech companies are taking. Michigan's Governor recently visited Foxconn to talk up business for his state as Foxconn is considering Michigan for a plant related to the auto industry. Foxconn is planning to establish a research center in Michigan. It was reported earlier this month that Foxconn would work on next-generation automobile technologies such as autonomous vehicles in Michigan. Today we're learning that LG Electronics has made it public that they plan to open a plant in Michigan for the production of electric vehicle parts with an estimated price of US$25 million.

It's being reported by several sources that the construction of the plant in Hazel Park, near the industrial city of Detroit, will be completed early next year. LG confirmed that the plant will produce battery packs for electric cars and gradually expand the scope to other key parts.

LG already operates its vehicle-components office in Troy, Michigan, to grab a share of the US (electric vehicle) EV market. According to LG, the combined sales of EVs came to 104,178 units in the US last year, standing as one of three major markets with China and Europe, which held comparable figures of 257,929 units and 108,649 units, respectively. The US market for EVs is anticipated to grow 65.5 percent annually throughout 2020, it added.

This is the second time LG has established a manufacturing facility in the world's largest economy since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January. With Trump stepping up pressure on non-American firms to build factories there, LG signed a contract to build its washing machine factory in Tennessee in February.

About a month after his inauguration, the company also began building its new North American headquarters in New Jersey by investing $300 million. LG estimates the three-year project will create more than 2,000 jobs in the construction industry there.

LG and the Michigan government said the EV parts plant will provide at least 300 jobs.

The company is supplying 11 core components for General Motors' Bolt EV, winning an innovation award from the U.S. carmaker this March in recognition for its contribution.

Lee Woo-jong, president and CEO at LG Electronics' vehicle components said the Michigan factory will provide momentum for the company to become the best tech partner for U.S. carmakers which are bracing for the EV era.

As a number of tech companies are expanding head first into the EV market, Apple's project Titan that was on a fast track to take on Detroit has refocused on a scaled down project according to a New York Times report.

Of course that's not new because we reported on that development close to a year ago in a report titled "Apple Refocuses Project Titan towards Advanced System Software and away from a Dreamy iCar." Later in 2016 we reported that Apple's Canadian office was hard at work on developing carOS (or whatever they'll call it).

More recently we posted a report titled "Apple's CEO Confirms Project Titan is the 'Mother of all AI Projects' Focused on Self-Driving Vehicles." Cook further elaborated by stating that "It's a core technology that we view as very important. We sort of see it as the mother of all AI projects. It's probably one of the most difficult A.I. projects actually to work on."

Cook further added that "There is a major disruption looming there, "citing self-driving technology, electric vehicles and ride-hailing. Cook added that "You've got kind of three vectors of change happening generally in the same time frame."

Cook lastly noted that "It's a marvelous experience not to stop at the filling station or the gas station." That sounded like a personal experience rather than a general statement of what will be the norm one day for many.

Even with that said, the latest NYTimes report focuses on a starter project for Apple's Project Titan team that would basically cover all three categories that Cook pointed to but on a micro-scale.

The project involves a self-driving shuttle service transferring employees from one Apple building to another. The shuttle, which has never been reported before, will likely be a commercial vehicle from an automaker and Apple will use it to test the autonomous driving technology that it develops.

You can read the rest of the NYTimes report here which offers a lot of filler material and storytelling.





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Bishop Barron on the evil we cannot seem to face, but must face:

I vividly remember my first visit to Charlottesville, Virginia. It was about twenty years ago, and I was on vacation with a good friend, who shared with me a passion for American history and for Thomas Jefferson in particular. We had toured a number of Civil War battlefields in Maryland and Virginia and then had made our way to Jeffersons University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Finally, we ventured outside the city to the little hilltop home that the great founder had designed and built for himself, Monticello. It was a glorious summer day, and the elegant manse shone in all of its Palladian splendor. We took in its classical lines, its distinctive red and white coloration, the understated beauty of its dome, its overall symmetry, balance, and harmony. On the inside, we saw all of Jeffersons quirky genius on display: scientific instruments, inventions, books galore. Just outside the house was the simple, unpretentious grave of Jefferson, the tombstone naming him as the author of the Declaration of Independence. There was no question that the very best of the American spirit was on display in that place. But then we noticed something else. Below the sight-lines of Monticello, literally underground, were the quarters of Jeffersons slaves. These were hovels, really little more than caves, with bare earth floors and flimsy roofs, not even a hint of the elegance, comfort, and beauty of the great house. Jefferson had brought some of his slaves to France with him when he was the American ambassador to that country, and he had taught them the fine art of French cuisine. When he entertained at Monticello, these servants, dressed in the finery of courtiers at Versailles, would serve the savory meals that they had prepared. Afterwards, they would return for the night to their underground hovels. A woman, who had been invited to stay for a time at Monticello, recorded in her diary that she woke up one morning to the sounds of horrific screaming. When she looked with alarm and concern out her window, she saw the author of the Declaration of Independence savagely beating one of his slaves. Jefferson the morally upright sage; Jefferson the merciless slave-owner. Splendid Monticello; its sordid slave-quarters underground. One could literally see at this great American house the divide, the original sin, that has bedeviled our nation from its inception to the present day. The framers of the Constitution fought over slavery and race; the issue preoccupied the politics of America for the first half of the nineteenth century and finally drove the country to a disastrous and murderous civil conflict; it perdured in somewhat mitigated form in the segregation, both sanctioned and unofficial, that reigned in America in the decades following the Civil War; it came to a head during the great civil rights struggle of the mid-twentieth century, culminating in landmark legislation and in the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.; it continued to assert itself in the Detroit riots of 1967, the Watts uprising, the unrest after the beating of Rodney King, the street violence in Ferguson, Missouri, and in many other events. For me, it was weirdly fitting that its most recent manifestation would be in Charlottesville, Virginia, where, twenty years ago, I had so vividly seen the moral contradiction at the heart of American history. Thomas Jeffersons principle that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights came face to face, on the streets of Charlottesville, with representatives of the most nefarious ideology of hatred and racial superiority. God knows that, since Jeffersons time, many, many battles have been won in this struggle, but the events of last week proved that the war is not yet over, that the original sin of America has not been thoroughly expunged.

George MacDonald once remarked that God is easy to please and hard to satisfy. This is generally seen in the Churchs approach to penitent sinners. Confessors are generally absurdly lenient in their penances for sin. The mere fact that somebody is in the confessional is usually sufficient evidence that they are trying to repent their sins. So the Church does not beat people up over their moral weakness. And that is how it should be.

But one consequence of that is that it can take an enormously long time for deeply rooted systemic evils to really be faced. Particularly, when those evils are embraced by Nice People and tolerated by Great Men. This is not an American issue, but a human one. The Old Testament shows us a people who were, in many ways, far greater than their neighbors. They had a (for the time) enlightened moral code, great heroes they could point to, and the true revelation of God in their back pocket. And yet, they took bloody *forever* to work things out. It was a big deal when Ezekiel figured out that the son is not guilty for the sins of the father, for instance.

And when they did figure things out, they faced the same challenge everybody else does: how do you honor your father and your mother when your father and mother have sinned against the Lord?

Since the Reformation, the way Christians have repeatedly dealt with the failure of their fathers and mothers is to hive off and start something else. Seems obvious. Papa Pope sucks. So well break with him and do it better. But then the King sucks too, so well go the New World and make a City on a Hill. And when the New Jerusalem turns out to be New York, well break with that and start a Confederacy that will do it rightfounded on slavery. Or at least well try until New York destroys it and *makes* you stay part of the American communion.

Meanwhile, the biblical witness is something different. Confronted with ancestors who had sinned against God for generations, Jeremiah doesnt call for a break with the ancestors and the foundation of a new kingdom. He identifies with them and calls for mercy for them for one very good reason: he needs the same mercy:

We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD,

and the iniquity of our fathers,

for we have sinned against you.

Do not spurn us, for your names sake;

do not dishonor your glorious throne;

remember and do not break your covenant with us. (Je 14:2021).

Postmoderns, not believing in mercy, have only two options to whipsaw between: excuse and merciless condemnation. With the racism of our fathers (and many of our neighbors) there is condemnation (totally deserved when it comes to defenses of white supremacists, Nazis, the Confederacy whichyesexisted to preserve slavery). And there is far too much excuse-making for the slavery of the Founders, etc.

But once that is acknowledged, what then? Shall we expunge without mercy the memory of a Jefferson, Washington, etc? See nothing *but* that sin and never forgive them?

I think thats folly. But it is also obviously folly to paper over these sins, to pretend that any man today who owned other people, raped them and beat them should get off lightly for such a crime. So what do we do?

I think what Jeremiah does is a good start. Because, of course, *we* are complicit in slavery still. We overlook our friends the Saudis. We are the principal funders of the sex slavery trade in Asia. We are actively and urgently defending wage slavery here in the US. We and our fathers have sinned. We ask mercy for them as we ask it for us.

And then we make a firm purpose of amendment which includes both the resolution to not make excuses for such crap anymore *and* the resolution to extend to our fathers and mothers the same mercy (not excuses) we ask for ourselves.

The key is to remember what mercy *is*. It is not the lie that the sinner meant well. It is the frank acknowledgement that he did not mean well, that he deliberately chose to do something despicableand we forgive them anyway. There was not a single hand-wringing penitent in the mob that stone Stephen. He forgave them anyway. He willed their good. He pled with God not to hold their completely unrepented sin against them. We must do the same.

And we have to pray for ourselves and our fathers and mothers, Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church. This, again, is not a denial that those sins exist, but a choice to see them as ones for whom Christ died. That frees us to see what good can be seen in them.

All this is true, not only of national figures, but of our familial ancestors too. All of us have relatives who failed us. So will our children. So God have mercy on us all.
Russians To Finance 1 Billion Euro Rail Electrification In Iran

08/23/17

Source: Press TV

A Russian bank has agreed to provide 1 billion euros to electrify a 500 km railway route in northern Iran, state news agency IRNA has quoted a senior official as saying. Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways for northern network, Yusef Gheranpasha, said the bank will finance the electrification of the line between the cities of Garmsar and Gorgan.



The Iranian railway on the Gorgan-Gonbad-e Kavus route

"With the agreement of the Russian bank to provide finance, the project will soon be put into the implementation phase and become operational within three years," the official said without identifying the lender.



The loan is related to a 1.2 billion euro deal that Russia and Iran signed to electrify the Garmsar to Inche Burun line during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Tehran in November 2015.



The railway line extends into Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, linking Central Asia to the Persian Gulf and beyond.



Russian Railways officials have said the company will start the project in 2018. The contract covers design, sourcing of materials and equipment and construction of 32 stations and 95 tunnels, 7 traction substations, 11 section pillars, 6 duty posts of the contact station and the power supply administration building.



Russia will be financing the project as part of its $5 billion credit line for infrastructure projects in Iran. Russian state lender Vnesheconombank will grant another 2 billion euro export loan to the Islamic Republic.



The news came amid the World Bank's announcement that it was not currently looking to finance any projects in Iran.



"We are not considering financing any projects in Iran right now," Reuters quoted an unnamed World Bank spokesman as saying Tuesday.



The Russians have also announced readiness to electrify the 600 km railway route between Tehran and the northwestern city of Tabriz, which is also eyed by the Germans and Italians.



The Tabriz-Jolfa route in northwestern Iran

Currently the country's only operational electrified railway line.



Last month, Russia's largest manufacturer of locomotives and rail equipment, CJSC Transmashholding, signed a 2.5 billion euro deal with IDRO Group in Tehran for joint production of rolling stock in Iran.



Transmashholding will hold an 80% stake in the joint venture, taking over Iran's Wagon Pars Company to produce railroad cars in the country.



It was among the biggest contracts which Iran has signed with international companies after the removal of sanctions on the Islamic Republic.



In July, Iran signed another deal worth 1.2 billion euros with Italy's state railway company Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) to build a high-speed railway between the central cities of Arak and Qom.



Later in the month, French transport company Alstom signed a joint agreement for the construction of subway carriages in Iran.



The Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM) also signed a $1.5 billion deal to finance the electrification of a high-speed rail line between the Iranian cities of Tehran and Mashhad.



The projects are part of Iran's $25 billion investment roadmap over the next 10 years to modernize and expand the country's railway network.



Under the plan, Iran seeks to stretch out the nationwide railroad line to 25,000 kilometers by 2025 from under 15,000 kilometers now.
Iran Denies Joint Operation Against Kurds With Turkey

08/23/17

Source: RFE/RL

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has denied a claim by Turkey that the two countries were planning to conduct joint military operations against Kurdish rebel groups beyond the country's borders.





"We have not planned any operations across the borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the IRGC said in an August 22 statement published by Iranian news agencies.



"But as always we will strongly confront any group, team, or person who wants to penetrate into Iran's territory for antisecurity or terrorist operations," the statement added.



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted on August 21 by Reuters as saying that his country and Iran have discussed possible joint military action against Kurdish militant groups.



Erdogan said the issue had been discussed in Ankara last week between the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, and Turkish leaders. Bagheri's visit to Turkey was seen as a sign of warming ties between the two countries.



"Joint action against terrorist groups that have become a threat is always on the agenda. This issue has been discussed between the two military chiefs, and I discussed more broadly how this should be carried out," Erdogan was quoted as telling reporters.



He said Turkey and Iran can work together against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) whose affiliate, the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), has staged attacks on Iranian targets.



"As you know, the PKK terror organization has a foot in Iran. It has always caused harm to Iran and to us. We work together because we believe that if the two countries cooperate, we can get results in a much shorter period of time," Erdogan said.



The IRGC denied that any specific operation was planned while warning "terrorist groups" against taking actions on Iran's borders.



"Although Iran has no plan to take widespread operational actions outside its borders, if any terrorist group...aims to take the slightest measure to create insecurity on our borders, they will be faced with our intensive and fierce response, and their remnants will be targeted wherever they are," the IRGC said.



With reporting by AFP, Fars, and ISNA

Copyright (c) 2017 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
Iran's Judiciary Contradicts Rouhani Officials' Promise to Detained Opposition Leader Mehdi Karroubi

08/23/17

Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran

The spokesman for Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, has publicly rejected a report that security agents will leave detained opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi's home in northern Tehran as "total lies."



Mehdi Karroubi

"Mr. Ejei is confusing the issue," Karrobi's son, Mohammad Taghi Karroubi, told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) on August 20, 2017. "Yes, the agents have not left the house yet, but the deputy intelligence minister and the health minister said in a meeting with my father in the hospital that they would leave when he returns home."

"It would be better if Mr. Ejei does his job and holds a public trial for those who have been held under house arrest for more than six years," said Mohammad Taghi Karroubi. "The government has pledged not only to pull out the security forces when my father leaves the hospital, but also promised to try to convene a public trial."

At a press conference in Tehran on August 20, Ejei said the status quo would not change until the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), chaired by President Hassan Rouhani, decides otherwise.

"If the SNSC decides to end the house arrests, the Judicial Branch will act according to its duties," Ejei said.

"I want to be very clear in stressing that the judiciary will not standby and watch those who are sensationalizing this story," he added. "Take the cotton out of your ears: We will not be influenced by all the noise."

Karroubi, a cleric and 79-year-old former presidential candidate, agreed to end his hunger strike on August 17, the day after he began it, after two officials from the Rouhani government agreed to order the security agents who have been monitoring Karroubi's house arrest since February 2011 to leave his home.

Karroubi was also assured that the government would consider his second demand: a public trial.

Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi (75) and his wife Zahra Rahnavard (71) have been detained under extrajudicial house arrest since February 2011 for challenging the result of the 2009 election and leading the peaceful, mass, street protests that came to be known as the Green Movement.



Ending the house arrests was one of Rouhani's top pledges during his 2013 election campaign. Crowds of supporters chanted for the trios' freedom during many of his rallies in 2013 and when he ran again in 2017.

However, at his first press conference after being re-elected this May, Rouhani refused to commit to ending the house arrests, instead suggesting that the solution depends on cooperation between the judiciary and other state branches.

Karroubi's declining health, which has resulted in three hospitalizations in the past two months, has reinvigorated calls for his freedom and pressure on Rouhani to secure the trios' release.

Reformist members of the Iranian Parliament have formed the Committee to Seek an End to House Arrests and prominent former President Mohammad Khatami has called on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei-who reportedly supports the house arrests-to show mercy.

An outspoken conservative MP has also renewed his ongoing calls for a solution to the six-year-long crisis.

"Hojatoleslam Karroubi's hunger strike should be a warning to those who insist on continuing his house arrest. His argument makes sense. He wants to be treated according to the law," said first deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Motahari on August 17.

"He wants a fair public trial and will accept the verdict, whatever it may be," he added. "It makes no logical or religious sense for some security and intelligence officials to go on insisting that he should repent in order to go free."
IAEA Briefs U.S. Envoy On Iran Nuclear Deal

08/23/17

Source: RFE/RL

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials for what she has described as a fact-finding mission as part of the U.S. administration's review of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

Creating a road map for @POTUS to declare Iran non-compliant with #JCPOA in October. They should think this through. https://t.co/OXzlcvDFsj  Hooman Majd (@hmajd) August 23, 2017

President Donald Trump in April ordered a review of whether a suspension of sanctions on Iran related to the agreement between Tehran and world powers was in the U.S. national security interest.



The U.S. administration accuses Tehran of not abiding by the spirit of the accord, which placed curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.



Tehran, for its part, accuses Washington of violating the spirit of the deal by imposing new sanctions against the Islamic republic over its missile program.

The #IranDeal is working & making US, Israel & the world safer - but Trump may rip it up.

We can't let that happen.https://t.co/WjZYuAlLW3 pic.twitter.com/JEGTl7Nt0O  J Street (@jstreetdotorg) August 22, 2017

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley made no comment to reporters as she arrived for her talks with IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano, the AFP news agency reported.



A day before the meeting, Haley was quoted as saying that the talks were to answer U.S. questions about the UN atomic watchdog's inspections and monitoring.



"We have no decision made" about whether to scrap the nuclear deal, Haley told The Washington Post. "What we are doing is trying to find out as much information as we can."



Meanwhile, Haley told Reuters that Washington wants to know if the IAEA plans to inspect Iranian military sites to verify Tehran's compliance with the agreement.



"They have the authority to look at military sites now. They have the authority to look at any suspicious sites now, it's just are they doing it?" Haley said.



Tehran has rejected giving international inspectors access to Iranian military sites.



"Why would they say that if they had nothing to hide?" Haley asked. "Why wouldn't they let the IAEA go there?"





In a letter to Amano, Zarif calls Halley's trip 'a manifest & blatant attempt to adversely affect the impartial nature of the work of IAEA' pic.twitter.com/hjsWRo8xNf  Sadegh Ghorbani (@GhorbaniSadegh) August 23, 2017

The nuclear deal with Iran is working - and Iran has been complying with its terms so far. pic.twitter.com/8uEChtDWSm  Cato Institute (@CatoInstitute) August 18, 2017

The IAEA said no public statements or news conference were planned on the talks.The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, said on August 22 that the Islamic republic could resume production of highly enriched uranium within five days if the nuclear deal was revoked."If we make the determination, we are able to resume 20 percent-enrichment in at most five days," Salehi told state media, adding that Iran's "biggest priority" was to maintain the nuclear accord but "not at any price."Last week, President Hassan Rohani warned that Tehran could abandon the nuclear deal "within hours" if the United States continues with its policies of "sanctions and coercion."The July 2015 nuclear deal gave Iran relief from international sanctions and imposed restrictions on its nuclear activities, including a cap on its uranium enrichment at under 5 percent.High-level enrichment of uranium -- 20 percent or more -- would take Tehran close to the level needed for a nuclear weapon.U.S. and UN watchdogs monitoring compliance with the agreement have found Iran has adhered to the deal.

However, the U.S. administration has frequently charged that Tehran violates the spirit of the agreement by continuing to test-launch ballistic missiles and rockets capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The United States has imposed several rounds of sanctions over the missile and rocket launches, which Iran maintains are for self-defense and do not violate the deal.



Tehran has long said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.



Under U.S. law, the State Department must notify Congress every 90 days of Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal, which was negotiated under President Barack Obama. The next deadline is October.



The U.S. review of its policy toward Iran is also looking at Tehran's behavior in the Middle East, which Washington has said undermines U.S. interests.



U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on August 15 that Washington believes the nuclear deal did not put an end to Tehran's other "destabilizing activities" in the region.



With reporting by Reuters, The Washington Post, and AFP
General Secretary of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), David Ofori Acheampong has also condemned the examinable nine or ten subjects studied by pupils of the basic school, describing it as academic torture



According to him, such a call is needed and long overdue. For that matter the country needs a national agenda for education and decide on what exactly is good for our students and not let children who between the ages of six and twelve learn 9,10,11 subjects.



Mr. Acheampong, submitted this at Greater Accra GNATs 5th Quadrennial Regional Delegates Conference under the theme Transforming Societies Through Education Under the Agenda 2030: 60 Years of Ghanas Education System; Educating for Certification or Educating for Self-Sustaining Life Transformation.



And that there is evidence of pupils having problems of reading, understanding basic concepts of science and learning and understanding our history as a people, definitely we ought to reduce the subjects.



Some dignitaries who graced the occasion were Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ishmael Ashitey, Greater Accra Regional Director of Education, Dr. Peter Attafuah and other district and metro directors.



He added that the teachers are ever ready to take whatever licensing exams the government deems it necessary to write. However, he asked that the National Teaching Council should come out with the modalities.



Aside, he disagreed with the Minister of Education for coming out that the delivery hours at the basic schools would be extended to 4 pm  saying there is no scientific evidence to the effect that longer stay in the classroom would improve the basic education.

Source: atinkaonline.com









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Exton Cubic has no permit to mine bauxite at Nyinahini in the Ashanti Region, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said.



A statement from the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednessday said: As a result of the public interest in the matter, the EPA would like to clarify the position of Exton Cupid Group Limiteds environmental permit status under its mining lease (That is a necessary condition for any mining activity)."



The bottomline is that Exton Cubic Group Limited has not obtained the required EPA permit under its mining lease and, therefore, any attempt to enter the area for mining activity is illegal.



The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has in the interim said his decision not to allow Exton Cubic Group Limited to continue mining bauxite at the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve in the Atwima Mponua District, is not political but in the interest of the country.



Mr Osei-Mensah has seized equipment and logistics hired by the company for its operations, and has vowed not to release the equipment until the company produces documents to show they have been licensed to mine in the region. The equipment belong to Engineers and Planners Co. Ltd, a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former President John Dramani Mahama.





Below is the full statement:



EXTON CUBIC GROUP LIMITEDS ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT STATUS WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)



The attention of the EPA has been drawn to a situation that has arisen regarding an attempt by Exton Cubic Group Limited to enter the Nyinahin bauxite deposit area for the purpose of undertaking mining activities.



As a result of the public interest in the matter, the EPA would like to clarify the position of Exton Cubic Group Limiteds Environmental Permit status under its Mining Lease (that is a necessary condition for any mining activity).



The bottom line is that Exton Cubic Group Limited has not obtained the required EPA permit under its mining lease and therefore any attempt to enter the area for mining activity is illegal.



On 29th March 2016, Exton Cubic Group Limited applied for three separate Environmental Permits from the EPA to undertake prospecting of bauxite on its Mprasaso, Kiriyaso, and Kyekyewere concessions in the Ashanti region covering a total of 346.08 km sq.



The EPA granted the Environmental Permits to Exton Cubic Group Limited on 7th June 2016. The company among other conditions was to notify the EPA as soon as prospecting activities commenced and also to submit within three months from the date of issuance of the Environmental Permit a liability estimate of environmental degradation to enable the posting of the Reclamation Bond in line with Regulation 23 of the Environmental Assessment Regulation 1999 (LI 1652).



Exton Cubic Group Limited unfortunately reneged on all these conditions. The prospecting permits are therefore no longer valid.



Exton Cubic Group Limited subsequently acquired a Mining Lease on 29th December 2016 from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, This mining lease requires a new EPA permit which has not been granted by the EPA. The EPAs discussions with the company and its consultants indicated that the following documents are required to support their application for in EPA permit under its Mining lease:



 Submission to EPA of a No objection letter from Cabinet;

 Completion and submission of statutory environmental assessment form (EA2); and

 Notification from the EPA to the company to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment which would have led to a broader public consultation and public hearings within the relevant catchment communities in line with Regulation 17 of the Environmental Assessment regulations, 1999 (LI 1652).



Failure of the company to comply with the above stated conditions as at the time of the issuance of this press release has rendered all environmental permits null and void, Again, the EPA wishes to state that any mining activity to be conducted by the Exton Cubic Group Limited within the concession areas, of which Environmental Permit is being sought is not consistent with the Environmental Assessment Procedures of the EPA, LI1652 and is therefore illegal.



SIGNED

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, returned to Ghana on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, after his 3-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea, with the visit serving as an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen existing bilateral cooperation.



The meetings between President Akufo-Addo and President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, as the two leaders examined issues bordering on bilateral, regional and international cooperation, and reaffirmed their commitment to work hand-in-hand to strenghten the ties of cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples.



Addressing internal issues in their respective countries, President Obiang Mbasogo congratulated President Akufo-Addo on his decisive victory in the election of 2016, whilst President Akufo-Addo, on his part, congratulated his counterpart for the tremendous developments that have taken place in his country.



Expressing satisfaction at the level of cooperation between the two countries, the two Heads of State mandated their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs to reactivate the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana, which serves as the framework to promote cooperation in the areas of oil and gas, energy, agriculture, food security, mineral resources, maritime transport, civil aviation, trade, defense and security, education, health, among others.



In the area of maritime transport, Ghana proposed the establishment of a shipping link between the two countries using Tema-Port Harcourt-Douala-Malabo route, which will also boost trade and commercial activities between the West and Central Africa.



Following further discussions and deliberations, both countries agreed and subsequently signed two Agreements namely: the waiver of visa requirements for citizens of both countries holding Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports; and Heads of Agreement on the Supply of LNG and the support regarding import infrastructure.



Multilaterally, both Heads of State expressed their support to global and African initiatives for the prevention of and peaceful settlement of conflicts, respect for the Charters of the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU), independence and sovereignty of States, as well as non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.



President Akufo-Addo and President Obiang Mbasogo also expressed concern about the resurgence of tensions on the African continent, and agreed on the urgent need to combat the growing threats of terrorism. They condemned recent terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso, Spain and Iceland, and regretted the loss of human lives in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other parts of the world.



The pair also expressed their desire to achieve regional integration through the AU Agenda to achieve a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), which is aimed at boosting intra-African trade.



President Akufo-Addo congratulated his Equato-Guinean counterpart on the election of Equatorial Guinea as a Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the period 2018-2019.



Touching on UN reforms, the two leaders agreed that African countries should support the Ezulwuni Consensus, and expand the representation of African countries into the categories of Permanent and Non-Permanent Members of the Un Security COuncil, with the purpose of making it more efficient, legitimate and representative to reflect the realities of the world today. The Presidents



During his visit to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, President Akufo-Addo visited infrastructure and energy development projects in the city of Malabo, and at the end of his visit extended an invitation to President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to visit Ghana.



President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo accepted the invitation, which would be communicated through the diplomatic channels with delight.

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Bishop Charles Agyinasare has honoured former presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama for their contribution to Ghanas development as well as the church in the country.



Climaxing Perez Chapel Internationals 30th anniversary ceremony on Sunday, 20 August at the Perez Dome in Accra, Bishop Agyinasare, founder of the church, said, while Mr Mahama has been supportive of the church in many ways, Mr Kufuor also accorded Christians due respect while he was in office to the extent that he once consulted with the clergy on a critical issue concerning fuel price increases.





Bishop Agyinasare presented both Mr Kufuor and Mr Mahama with special Kente cloths after recalling respective fond memories he shared with either of them during the administrations.



Mr Kufuor was the special guest of honour at the climax of the anniversary. After receiving his honour, he shared with the congregation how blessed he has been throughout his whole life simply because he appreciated God for every little blessing that came his way.





Mr Mahama, who could not make it to the service, sent a video message in which he recalled how in 2015, he joined Bishop Agyinasare on December 31 night to pray into the New Year and asked God to do away with dumsor, which in his opinion, God did.



The Perez Journey in the Last 30 Years



Today, Perez Chapel International, famous for having the biggest church auditorium in Ghana (Perez Dome) located in a very plush area (Dzorwulu) in the capital city, has 400 local branches in Ghana (16 of those in Accra, alone) and intends planting 300 more this year (2017). Additionally, it has branches in 16 nations across the world and has plans to put up basic and senior high schools across Ghana. It also intends building hospitals in the country and has every intention of ever expanding its horizon as it wins souls for Christ.





All these achievements by the Agyinasares, who co-founded PCI, formerly Word Miracle Church International (WMCI) some 30 years ago (22 March 1987  birthday of the Bishop), are a source of pride for members who worship there today. But the journey, which started more than three decades ago, has been one of struggles, frustration, disappointment, toil, faith, determination and sacrifice. And no one but Bishop Agyinasare himself can tell that story better as he did a few months ago to his congregation at the Perez Dome on Sunday, 2 April 2017 in a message titled: Pushing It To The Next Level to cap the Eagles Summit organised by the church as part of its 30th anniversary celebration.



Beloved, he referred to his congregation, Perez Chapel has come this far by sacrifice.



We started at the Cultural Centre in Tamale [capital of the Northern Region], then we went to the Warders Canteen. We were thrown out from the Cultural Centre. For three weeks, we had to worship under a tree, for three weeks our church service was under a tree, so, from the tree, we went to Zogbeli, a classroom.



I lived in a house without electricity for two years; there was no pipe borne water. I remember this Major who came to me for prayers, and in the house I was living in, I didnt have furniture. I just had a student mattress in the living room, and a kitchen stool, so, when the Major came, I gave him the kitchen stool. I sat on the student mattress; he told me all his problems. After I prayed for him the Holy Spirit told me when he goes he wont come back again. He was so disappointed: If this is the man that everybody calls Brother Charles and miracles are happening, then he needed help. But it did not stop us. I pastored the church for two years without a salary, Mama [Mrs Vivian Agyinasare] was a teacher, and, so, her money and a few other things that the Lord provided was what kept us and I had eight men living in my house of two bedrooms and one living room.



When we put up our first church, our members sold their property: the biggest property some of them had was a motorbike or a bicycle, furniture and some small jewelries. But some sold it so that we could put up our first church.  At that time, wood was very expensive in Tamale  it still is. We put up one of the finest churches then in Tamale. Later on, when we were doing that, God led me to give my car to the church, so, it became an official car. Isnt God good?



Moving To Accra and Surviving the Wilderness



But God had been dealing with me to move to [Accra] by 1992. In fact, in 1992, I was preaching in New York and as I lay on my face praying for the meeting as my custom is, in the afternoon, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about starting a church in Accra, and began to give me a blueprint of what to do when I came to Accra. I wrote them down and I said to Him: Lord, You know that Im a Champion Atta in Tamale. If you wrote a letter to me and you forgot the address and you wrote Brother Charles and you wrote Tamale, they delivered it to my house. And you want me to come to Accra? No! I like Tamale, Im a local champion. If you went to any office and you mentioned my name  [everybody knew me] 



Well, by 1994, Bishop Agyinasare continued, There was a local war between the Konkombas and Nanumbas. Curfew was placed on the city, we couldnt go to church. Meanwhile, the Tamale church was what was supporting all our churches we were starting. I realised it was time for me to obey God, and so, we came to the city of Accra. We started meeting at the Kanda Cluster of Schools. But years earlier, Mr Sammy Manu, who was a member in Tamale, had relocated to Accra. His father was the late S.K. Manu, who owned the CFC buildings at [Kwame Nkrumah] Circle, so, he said: Why dont you come and see if theres something in our buildings you can use. So we located this warehouse but we needed about $10,000 in 1994 to fix the place. You know, in Tamale, I had this four-bedroom house with a three-plot compound that belonged to Bugri Naabu and a boys quarters etc. When we came to Accra, I had to go and live in my fathers house, one room and I always made a joke: with my three kids in that one room and our bags everywhere, in the night when there was a shaking, I couldnt even shake, when there was a move, I couldnt move. So, every night, instead of sleeping, I would spend the time walking about praying that God would give us a breakthrough in the city of Accra, [that] He will create space for us. And by the grace of God, God gave me the opportunity to rent a house by myself, paid for two years, then my landlord   thats what he said  the day he came to my house and saw the furniture, said: No, it was two years. Now Ive changed it. Its one-and-a-half years. So we located in the city of Accra.



We needed to raise $10,000 in 1994. We didnt have it, so I decided to travel with my wife. A friend of mine gave me a ticket and also my frequent flyer programme could take care of a ticket for Mama and my daughter, so, we went to London, Germany, USA and I remember I stayed with Auntie Mary then, and I preached and I used to be a good preacher. I think the fire is still there, it is better than those days. But I will preach and sell the books in various churches. I had written Rooted And Built Up In Him. Every money they gave me for honorarium and for selling the books, I sent it back to Accra so they could use it to fix the place in the CFC buildings. I moved from London to Germany, travelled to the US. In the US I had to leave Mama at Miami to be teaching in a nursery school while I went round preaching because my job is to preach and God would bless me with the honoraria and books and I would send it.



And I remember when it was time for us to come back after we had spent three months, when we were coming back at the airport, Mummy saw a necklace and she wanted to buy and I said to her: You know every piece of the money we have has a budget, and so I cant give this money to you but one day Im going to buy you the kind of necklace you want. The next time I turned to look at her, tears were streaming down her eyes and I began to rub her back. Today, any kind of necklace she wants, I can buy.  So this church was started with sacrifice. We refurbished the hall and in October 1994, we started our first Sunday morning service. The first Sunday morning service, 70 people came.  The room was big, lots of empty spaces, so I told them to arrange the benches in such a way that instead of seven people on the bench, three people will sit on a bench, and they should space it so that it looks like we too we dey small. And then when I was getting ready to preach, the Holy Spirit said: Tell the people to get ready for a double service. So, I got up and said to the people that God said we should get ready for a double service. If you were there and I was saying that youll be very disappointed. But by the grace of God, in three months time we were running a double service. By the end of one year, we were running four services with 3,000 people and when we had our miracle services, people would be sitting in the rain outside expecting the power of God. We would jam the room as much as we could.



And so by the second year, I became so disturbed that with the multitudes coming, we could lose them, so, we needed a place of our own and from day one when we started church, I told the accountant: Every month, save a certain amount. Even though we didnt have enough to pay the pastors comfortably, I said we should save money. So, by the end of the second year getting to the third year, we had saved what in those days was 40 million cedis and in those days for a young church to save 40 million, we were big men, and, so, I was praying: God give us a place. And suddenly God began to open my eyes: whether I was eating, or I was bathing or I was walking, I would see us worshipping on a big park. I began to see it all the time, and so, one day there was this advert in the newspapers that the former Meat Marketing Board was selling all their properties. One of my associates told me, so we came to see, when we walked into this place [referring to the Perez Dome], this place you see now, was a park with giant grass. The old auditorium you see, used to be the warehouse for the cows. It was broken down, run down and the roofs had collapsed. The buildings were dilapidated, there was nothing on this premises. Immediately we walked in here, the grass changed to look like human beings for me. I knew this was the place, so, we put in a bid and by the grace of only almighty God, we won the bid. Then it was time to pay the money, then we said we were paying 750 million cedis and all the money we had in our coffers was 40 million cedis. I dont know how we were going to get it, so, I went to Sogakope to fast and pray for 10 days seeking the grace of God, came back and we did a fundraising and by the grace of God, God surprised us, people sold their properties, people made sacrifices. I remember those days, I pledged 20 million cedis, the newspapers said they havent heard a pastor who is also giving 20 million cedis; it was good and bad. The good side was that they said the pastors they knew, they dont give when they take an offering. But this man is giving an offering. The bad part was that they couldnt understand where I was going to get 20 million cedis to give. But by the grace of God, and the sacrifices of His church, we bought this place and fixed this place. This church was built on sacrifice, and, so, if we are going to possess our possession, there must be a dying first. And so going forward, I charge you and I challenge you to sacrifice and make this church great and write your name in the sands of time.



Agyinasares Calling



This church is not just one of those churches; this church was started out of a divine commission, Bishop Agyinasare stressed, recalling: I came into full-time pastoral ministry in 1983. That year was a year of desperation and frustration for me. I wanted to see God use me like it happened in the Acts of the Apostles, and, so, I would pray night after night believing God for a divine visitation. Then the Morris Cerullo School of Ministry came to town. Dr Cerullo did not come himself. He came on a video cassette. Dr Alex Ness who came on the last day of the School of Ministry anointed us with oil. When I went to my seat to kneel down, while I was kneeling I heard the sound of what seemed like thunder and lightning and I heard an audible voice say to me: My boy Charles, I send you out as I sent Moses, go and I will put my words on your lips and take the world for me. After this, when we closed the conference, I sought for a place to fast and pray. On the third day of the fast, I had a continuation of the message: My boy Charles, I give unto you power over demons and principalities, heal the sick, raise the dead, reach the kingdom. I said: God, if its you, say it one more time. It came a second time. I said: God, if its you, give me scripture for it. Then He gave me Luke Chapter 9: 1&2. It says: Then He called his 12 disciples together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. So this church is not just a church, its a church that has been sent. We are on an assignment, its a divine assignment, its a divine commission that God sent us to accomplish. And so, I started going round and ministering here a little, there a little, doing crusades but finally in 1987, God sent me to Tamale to start this church that you see, within these 30 years, God took us from a classroom at Zogbeli in Tamale to almost 400 local churches now, in 16 nations of the world. We have 62 churches in the city of Accra.



The Future



By the grace of God, we have what is said to be the largest auditorium in Ghana, the Perez Dome. Weve been blessed with a TV station; God has blessed us with a University. As a church, God has been good to us, but as I prayed for this 30th anniversary, the Lord said to me in Joshua 13:1: Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess. ... God was saying to Joshua, Joshua you have accomplished some things but theres still more to do. And I came this morning to tell you that Gods word to us is that there is more to do. In fact we are just beginning. The church that started with nothing, today see where we are. If we started with nothing and we are here today, then can you imagine with the resources that we have  both human and material  can you imagine where we are going? But what will it take for us to possess the land we need to possess? It will take sacrifice. So, God has brought us thus far, but we are not going to settle. It is time God is asking us to sacrifice and to take this gospel to another level.



That next level, according to Bishop Agyinasare, will require the sacrifice of giants in the church, who he described as the pillars of Perez Chapel International. As a man of vision, Bishop Agyinasare believes in using the church not only to win souls for Christ, but also raise a generation of morally upright youth who are free of corruption, homosexuality, occultism, and other social vices. He believes in deploying all the resources available to the church to impact society positively. And in all this, he has had the support of a strong and dependable partner, Rev Mrs Vivian Agyinasare, who he never misses the slightest opportunity to celebrate to the world. The couple are blessed with four children: three biological and one adopted. They are Rev Dr Selasie Agyinasare, Rev Francis Agyinasare, Charlene Agyinasare and Clementina Quarshie.

Source: classfmonline.com









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Regardless of his admiration for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah says it will be advisable for the President to shove off some sycophants around him to have a successful tenure in office.



He backed claims by NPP Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyepong that the President has been hijacked by some individuals for their own personal interest.



The fire branded NPP guru named one Duke Ofori-Attah and Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko as the hijackers who are using their positions to engage in acts that could derail the partys fortunes and sink the presidents image.



Speaking on NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie, the Leader and founder of Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Rev. Owusu Bempah was emphatic that The President doesnt belong to them. They should leave Nana Addo alone, hes for the country.



Ghanaians didnt vote for Nana Addo for them to control him. Its annoying to see these sycophants prevent anyone from seeing the President. What Ken is saying is the truth. Kennedy Agyapong is one genuine person who wants the best for Nana Addo, he told host Kwesi Aboagye.







Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Washman007









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The Deputy General Secretary for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described as immature, claims by some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that their party should be credited for securing the land at Ekumfi in the Central Region which the first factory under the One-District, One-Factory programme will be situated.



According to him, there are more pressing issues affecting the people of this country that the NDC must contribute their ideas to if they so wish, instead of engaging in this low cost politics.



His comments come on the heels of a former Deputy Minister of Trade under the Mahama administration, Murtala Mohammed, indicating that the land was acquired by the previous government.



According to Mr Murtala, credit must be given to the previous administration for the role played.



Government has announced that the president will be launching the One-District, One-Factory policy at Ekumfi Eyisam District and construct a fruit-processing factory at the place; the first under the programme.



In a statement, the concerned youth of Ekumfi described the decision to construct the factory there as gratifying and fulfilling.



The factory, when constructed, will process fruits like pineapples for both the local and international markets.



But speaking in an interview with Valentina Ofori-Afriyie on Class 91.3FMs 505 programme, Mr Murtala said: The land was secured through the Regional Coordinating Council, the District and the Central Regional Development Commission.



The Central Regional Development Commission is like SADA. It is to ensure that poverty is reduced in the region because statistically, the Central Region is the 4th poorest region in Ghana apart from the three northern regions. And so credit must be given who credit is due.



Reacting to those comments by Mr Murtala in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, Accra 100.5FMs host of Ghana Yensom, Mr Obiri Boahen said: Are these people serious at all in Ghana? How can they engage in this childish, day nursery and kindergarten kind of politics? They must as well say they brought the raw materials to be used in the factories.



There are more serious issues happening in the country. The current government is gradually dealing with the mess they left behind and this is the kind of discussion they will to introduce? Let us not waste our precious time and resources on this matter because it doesnt help anybody.

Source: ClassFMonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Murtala Mohammed, a former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, under the then Mahama led government has revealed that Ghanaians are yearning for the return of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) into government.



According to Murtala, since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) took over government January 2017, the country has been in a complete mess.



Murtala Mohammed who was speaking on Happy FM's Epa Hoa Da Ben? show said even members of the NPP government have been complaining about the current mess in the country.



 Ghana is currently in a mess under the NPP government. Even their own party members like are complaining. Their own Kennedy Agyapong has been crying and shouting everywhere about the mess we currently have in this country. As for us, our only worry is that Ghanaians want us to come back into government. If you like, you can go to town and find out,  he stated



He admitted that as to who leads the NDC for this comeback' mission was entirely an internal problem that the leading opposition party was currently working on.



Whether former President John Dramani Mahama will lead the NDC or not is an internal problem that will be rectified when we go for congress. Once we choose somebody, I believe that the good people of this country will give him the mandate because what we are experiencing in Ghana currently is just legendary.



Meanwhile Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Kennedy Kankam, also stated on Epa Hoa Da Ben?' that so far as he was concerned, there has been a tremendous improvement in Ghana since the NPP took over government.



So far us I am concerned, there has been a tremendous improvement in Ghana and it will continue to get better. As for the mess Murtala Mohammed is talking about, it depends on where you are coming from and how you want to see it.



If you want to look at it objectively with respect to the law, you will see that the current Ghana is not the same as it was eight years ago.

Source: newsroomgh.com









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MOUNT CARMEL -- Only two misdemeanor charges remain against a suspended veteran Sunbury officer accused of letting her son have a police cell phone that contained a sexually explicit image.

The state attorney general's office Wednesday withdrew a felony charge of not reporting child abuse and Senior District Judge Richard Cashman dismissed two counts of hindering prosecution against Jamie L. Quinn, 45, of Kulpmont.

The charge of not reporting child abuse was withdrawn reportedly because Quinn was not a mandated reporter at Line Mountain High School. She had told the parents of the girl whose picture was on the phone, state police said.

Charges of tampering with evidence and theft of services were held for court.

The criminal case has no bearing on the internal discipline Quinn is facing, Sunbury Police Chief Timothy S. Miller.

Quinn, currently suspended with pay and free on bail, is to meet with Miller Friday to provide him information she would like him to consider in her discipline case. City Council would have to approve a termination recommendation.

She was demoted in December from corporal to officer for failing to obey an order in an unrelated matter.

State police were investigating a complaint from a student's parents when they went to school on Dec. 1.

It was then they discovered Quinn's son with the police cell phone that contained a sexually explicit image, the charges state.

Quinn was accused of texting her son to delete the image, which she denies.

The theft charge accuses her of diverting to her son the cell phone, which with the monthly service charge has a value of $354.

Quinn, a member of the force since 1995, was demoted when she refused a direct order from Capt. Steven Bennick to turn in her Taser weapon. All officers were told to do so when the department discovered the certification to use the weapons had lapsed, Miller said.

In October, Quinn filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission accusing the city of gender discrimination. The case still is pending.

She accused the city of wanting to exclude females from supervisory positions in the police department.
The robberies of a pharmacy and a pizza shop have landed a Lower Allen Township man in state prison for up to eight years.

Jordan J. Snoke.

Jordan J. Snoke, 23, was sentenced Tuesday in Cumberland County Court to four to eight years behind bars on four counts of robbery.

Police took him into custody in February 2016 for two robberies in two days. One occurred on Feb. 2 of that year at the CVS Pharmacy in Upper Allen Township, and the other occurred 601 Pizzeria in Fairview Township in York County.

He had pleaded guilty to the charges on July 6 and was sentenced by Judge Albert H. Masland. A plea agreement had been struck with the district attorney's office for a sentence not exceeding 5 to 10 years.

Police arrested Snoke after the pizza-shop owner reported his registration plate to the authorities, resulting in his arrest. Police say he confessed to both incidents.

After he was released from bail in the York County case, Upper Allen Township police obtained an arrest warrant. York County had transferred his case to Cumberland County in February, court records indicate.
A jailed drug dealer can't claim the writer of a letter to the editor defamed him when he told him to "Man up and do something productive."

A state Superior Court panel made that call this week in dismissing as "frivolous" a lawsuit filed by Charles T. Picarella Jr., a.k.a inmate # MZ27013 in the state prison at Benner Township.

Senior Judge John L. Musmanno penned the state court opinion killing Picarella's suit against Michael McCarthy, whose letter was printed in the Shamokin News-Item newspaper in June 2016.

Yet Musmanno let Northumberland County President Judge Charles H. Saylor, whose own prompt dismissal of Picarella's case prompted the state court appeal, do most of the talking.

It took Saylor just two days to throw out Picarella's complaint when the 37-year-old Elysburg man filed it in December.

Saylor found that Picarella's claim that McCarthy had smeared his reputation was just so much bull. He noted that McCarthy's letter was in response to other letters to the paper in which Picarella decried the police use of confidential informants in drug investigations.

In his own letters, Picarella mentioned his criminal convictions, the county judge observed. Saylor noted that Picarella's felonious history - which dates to 2002 - hardly leaves him with a reputation that can be libeled.

Both Musmanno and Saylor highlighted McCarthy's letter in full in their opinions on the case.

McCarthy decried Picarella's repeated "blathering" on the informant issue. "His latest rant is as accurate as a Flat Earth Society newsletter," McCarthy wrote.

He added that drug dealers - "loathsome, contemptible, evil sleaze bags selling this poison" - are solely to blame for the drug scourge.

"Cut out your half-baked jailhouse know-it-all rhetoric and misconception of self-righteousness," McCarthy wrote. "Quit whining and start showing some character."

He urged Picarella to "make a public apology to the victims whose lives you helped destroy and their families."

Picarella claimed in his suit that McCarthy's letter "darkened" his reputation by falsely stating he hadn't apologized and taken responsibility for his crimes.

Picarella had sought $50,000 in damages in his suit. Records show he is serving a 6 1/2- to 12 1/2-year prison term on his latest drug dealing convictions.
The president of Penn State University on Wednesday agreed to watch video of Timothy Piazza's final horrifying hours inside the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, based on a request by Piazza's father.

The parents of Timothy Piazza haven't watched the video of their son's demise Feb. 2 and 3 amid an alcohol-fueled pledge party as he sought to join the fraternity.

And they don't really want to, because they don't want those horrid hours to be their last memories of their son.

But Jim Piazza on Wednesday reiterated that he would be willing to watch the nearly 12 hours of often gruesome video with the Penn State president and the university's board of trustees, if it would convince them to watch it. The parents believe university leaders need to see and fully appreciate what happened to their son.

After Jim Piazza made his request on CBS This Morning Wednesday, PennLive asked a university spokesperson for Barron's position.

That's when the communications office confirmed that Barron would agree to watch the video, if it were to become available by prosecutors, while adding that he would not require the Piazzas to endure the painful video.

"President Barron and the board leadership are willing to watch the video, with heavy hearts, both to respect the Piazza's wishes and determine whether anything in it will aid our continued efforts, should it be made available to us," said Lawrence Lokman, vice president for strategic communications. "We recognize the painful nature of the content, and respect the family's desire not to view it."

As it stands, Barron has not seen any portion of the video nor have the board trustees, except for Anthony Lubrano, who attended all five days of a preliminary hearing for criminal charges against 16 Beta brothers. Portions of the video were played during the beginning of the preliminary hearing in mid-June.

One Penn State official, however, already has seen portions of the video. During the initial police investigation, police allowed Damon Sims, the vice president of student affairs, to view the video to "aid in the university's investigation," according to Lokman.

Sims then relayed his observations from the video clips to the board of trustees during their February board meeting, according to Lubrano.

Based on what university leaders learned, "we banned Beta Theta Pi forever from Penn State and announced stringent new safety measures aimed at curbing dangerous drinking and destructive conduct in Greek-letter organizations," Lokman said. "Our efforts are continuing as we are working to implement comprehensive measures by this semester."

But being told what is depicted in a video and actually sitting through hours of falling and thrashing by Timothy Piazza are two different things.

Piazza's attorney, Tom Kline, said the video is currently in the possession of the district attorney's office and he was not clear when it could become available for university officials.

Reached late Wednesday, Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller said her office had no plans of showing Barron the tapes from the case.

"We do not allow non-law enforcement to have private access to evidence in criminal matters nor does the law allow it," she said. "The evidence in this case will only be used for prosecution purposes."

Kline said the video would eventually become available through discovery or civil lawsuits. But Kline said the Piazzas would support any effort to allow Penn State officials to view the video sooner rather than later, "not only to see the end result of the many failures over many years, but also to be an impetus to true reform and change.

"We do not support the public release of the video," Kline added. "We do not believe it should be a public spectacle, but we do believe it would be a good service to be viewed by Penn State administration and trustees."

Prosecutors obtained the original video footage from a dozen surveillance cameras inside the Beta house with permission by Beta chapter officials after Piazza died. The chapter officials have since filed a lawsuit seeking their original video back. They claimed they agreed only to allow the prosecutor to borrow their tapes and make copies.

The attorney for Piazza's parents said he was encouraged by Barron's offer "to undertake this difficult measure to see what really happened."

Kline said, however, he would advise his clients not to watch the video with Penn State officials whenever that eventually occurs.

"If they are willing to do that without Mr. Piazza, I for one would recommend that course," he said. "The video is a depiction of unspeakable suffering, and inhumanity. If they (university officials) see it, it will be impactful in way that will further motivate them to have real change at Penn State."

UPDATE: This article was updated to add a comment from Parks Miller.
Less than a week ago, Rachel Higgins was about $17,000 short of what she needed to return to Penn State for her junior year. A hugely successful GoFundMe campaign dramatically changed that, enabling the 20-year-old animal science major to be present for the start of classes Monday.

News coverage of her highly unique and unfortunate circumstances apparently tugged at many heartstrings.

Higgins grew up in New Jersey. Cancer killed her father in 2013 and her mother in 2016, just as Higgins finished her freshman year at Penn State.



She has lived in State College since mid-2015 and has the address of a relative who lives in Pennsylvania. Still, she failed to meet Penn State's residency requirement, which says that, to qualify for the in-state tuition rate, someone must live in Pennsylvania a full year before beginning college.



Qualifying for the in-state tuition rate, which Higgins believed she had done, would have cut in half her out-of-state tuition rate of about $40,000.



Her GoFundMe effort as of Tuesday had surpassed her $18,000 goal by more than $9,000. In addition, some people donated directly to Penn State on her behalf, and Penn State also found some additional aid, further lowering her bill.



As a result, Higgins has raised enough to cover at least part of her senior year as well.



"It's crazy. The Penn State community has pulled together so much," she said on Tuesday, noting that support from Penn State alumni and parents of Penn State students was especially strong.
Two and a half years after a Hummelstown police officer shot and killed a man who fled a traffic stop, a settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit filed by the shooting victim's family.

Details of the deal that will end the U.S. Middle District Court fight over Officer Lisa Mearkle's shooting of David Kassick weren't immediately available.

Hummeltown's lawyer, Fred Buck, said Wednesday that he can't yet comment on the settlement because it isn't completely finished.

"I can confirm that we do have a settlement," Buck said. "But the finalization of the paperwork and the details are still pending."

In an order issued this week, Judge John E. Jones III dismissed the case, although he gave the sides 60 days to reinstate it if the deal isn't consummated.

Like Buck, the attorneys for Kassick's family, John M. Solt and Christopher B. Slusser, said they can't comment on the accord until it is made final.

Mearkle's attorney, David MacMain, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Kassick's kin, including his sister, Diane Fetters and brother Dale Kassick, contended in the suit that Mearkle shot and killed 59-year-old David Kassick in February 2015 without justification and in violation of his civil rights. The family claimed Hummelstown officials didn't properly train and supervise Mearkle.

Dauphin County prosecutors charged Mearkle with third-degree murder for the shooting, which was filmed by the video camera on the officer's Taser. A county jury acquitted Mearkle of the murder count after a trial in November 2015.

Investigators said the shooting occurred after Mearkle tried to stop Kassick's car for an expired inspection sticker. She shot Kassick twice in the back as he was lying on the snow-covered backyard of his sister's house in South Hanover Township.

Mearkle contended she shot Kassick because she feared for her safety when he refused her repeated commands to show his hands after being Tasered. She claimed the decision to file the criminal charges against her was politically motivated.

Mearkle has since resigned from the Hummelstown force after accepting a $120,000 severance package.

For a while, it seemed a second trial - a civil one - over the police-involved shooting was inevitable. In March, Jones refused to dismiss the Fetters-Kassick suit, saying the dispute should be left for a jury to decide.

The issues a jury should hear included whether David Kassick did indeed try to comply with Mearkle's commands and whether the orders issued by the officer were panicked and confusing, the judge said.

The federal trial was delayed several times. When the settlement it was struck was scheduled for December.
In this Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 photo, burnt tree stump from 2015 forest fire is seen on the side of a road as tracks belonging to Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation drive past during an orangutan rescue mission in Sungai Mangkutub, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. In a remote corner of Borneo, an Indonesian company and its Chinese partner are pushing ahead with an industrial wood plantation in a tropical forest and orangutan habitat, apparently flouting government regulations intended to prevent a repeat of disastrous fires in 2015.(AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
State has issued a travel warning for citizens traveling to certain regions in Mexico, including the Baja California region.





The warning, issued Tuesday, replaces a previous warning issued on Dec. 8. The State Department warned Americans about violent crimes, homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery across multiple Mexican states.

"U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican states," the warning reads on the State Department's website.

Arlington man blames tainted Mexico booze for blackout, 57k medical bills
Sun-seekers float Tuesday under the new bridge at Green Avenue, where a woman says her four family members nearly drowned last week because they didnt understand the risks associated with tying rafts together.
LOUISVILLE The SkillsUSA chapter is proud to announce that Ryan Campbell of Louisville and Joey Gruber of Cedar Creek have been elected to serve as Nebraska SkillsUSA State Officers for the 2017  2018 school year. Ryan will serve as the state president and Joey will serve as the state reporter.

State officers set the tone for the chapters around the state. Responsibilities as a state officer include setting goals for the Nebraska SkillsUSA organization, organizing and conducting conferences throughout the state, working with other Career Student Organizations within Nebraska and also serve as advocates for SkillsUSA to state representatives and senators. Being a Nebraska SkillsUSA State Officer is an excellent way for students to learn practical lessons in leadership and teamwork.

In his role as the Nebraska state president, Ryan, a senior, will preside over all state officer meetings, work with and encourage Nebraska SkillsUSA chapter officers, delegate effectively during state conferences and meetings, make impartial judgments on all SkillsUSA Nebraska matters and also keep all Nebraska SkillsUSA members informed.

An enthusiastic outdoorsman, Ryan spends most of his fall and winter hours outside the house in his favorite camo suit. During the spring and summer months, Ryan usually works on a gunsmith project or has a fishing rod in his hand. After graduation, Ryan plans to earn two associate degrees: one in machine tool and die and the second as a gunsmith. This is Ryans third year as an elected member of the Nebraska SkillsUSA state officer team. This year he hopes to bring extensive knowledge and experience to the state officer team. Ryans goals as a state officer would be to see Nebraska SkillsUSA increase membership within all local chapters as well as get many new chapters to join the SkillsUSA family!

As a state reporter Joey, a senior, will gather and write news about SkillsUSA Nebraska activities and disseminate it to the public. She will also distribute news releases to local media.

Joey has had a passion for this organization since seventh grade, where she served as the reporter for the Louisville middle school chapter. Outside SkillsUSA, she is involved with speech, National Honor Society, play production and track. Her hobbies include hiking, trying new things, clever puns, and anything to do with science. When she graduates, she plans to attend a four-year college and major in a chemical engineering or a similar STEM- (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) related career. As a state officer, she would like to get members more excited and involved with SkillsUSA Nebraska.
Members of Stop Energy East Halifax protest outside the library in Halifax on Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. In a decision cheered by environmentalists but considered a setback by the oil industry, Canada's national energy regulator says it will allow wider discussion of greenhouse gas emission issues in upcoming hearings for the Energy East Pipeline. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Armed police stand guard outside the magistrates court in Estcourt, South Africa, Monday, Aug.. 21, 2017, where crowds gathered following the brief court appearance of men accused of killing and eating human flesh. Police say that five men were arrested after one of them walked into a police station, said he was tired of eating human flesh and produced part of a human leg and a hand. (AP Photo)
Police coaches are parked in front of a court where Russia's theater and film director Kirill Serebrennikov waits for hearings in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Serebrennikov is suspected of embezzling 68 million rubles ($1.1 million) of government funds that were earmarked for a production at his theater, the Investigative Committee, which looks into high-profile crimes, said in a statement. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Phoenix police move protesters away after using tear gas outside the Phoenix Convention Center, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017, in Phoenix. Protests were held against President Donald Trump as he hosted a rally inside the convention center. (AP Photo/Matt York)
A polar bear steps out of a pool while walking on the ice in the Franklin Strait in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Saturday, July 22, 2017. Industry experts, researchers and veterans of the Far North say there remain many obstacles to reaping the riches once blocked by the ice. Conservationists also oppose the large-scale extraction of Arctic resources, fearing that the fragile environment will be irreparably harmed. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
FILE - In this May 28, 2016 file photo, Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces fighters head to the front line to join the fight against Islamic State extremists, outside Fallujah, Iraq. Iran is getting closer to securing a corridor from its border through Iraq all the way to the Mediterranean, giving Tehran unhindered land access to its allies in Syria and Lebanon for the first time. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, File)
A tenured member of the Dodge County Board of Supervisors who recently stepped down due to moving out of his district is in the process of being replaced.

At 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, four candidates will interview for the District 7 Dodge County Board of Supervisors seat previously held by Gary Osborn. Osborn was appointed to his seat in October 2012 following the death of Danny Stoeber, who held the District 7 seat for 2  years.

Osborn was reelected in 2014 and held the position until he officially stepped down Aug. 3, Dodge County Clerk Fred Mytty said during a Tuesday interview with the Tribune. Osborn, he said, will be moving to Omaha.

By Nebraska state statutes, a committee comprised of County Attorney Oliver Glass, County Treasurer Cathy Dill and Mytty will be in charge of appointing Osborns successor to fill the remaining approximately 1  years left on his term.

Any registered voter in District 7  comprised of 5,214 Dodge County residents  was eligible to apply for the position, Mytty said. District 7, consisting of precincts 1B, 2A, 2B and 3E, spans from the area of Lincoln Street west to the area of south 10th Street to the south city limits and west of Platte Avenue to D Street in the middle of Fremont, released information says.

The position, which has annual salary of $17,500 plus benefits, will be selected from a pool of four applicants who submitted cover letters and resumes by Aug. 18. The four applicants are Steve Dahl, Kirk Brown, James Vaughan and Doug Backens.

Each applicant will be subject to a 30-minute interview held inside the County Board Room, located on the third floor of the Dodge County Court House.

Mytty said that he and the other two people conducting the interviews will meet briefly prior to interviews, however, each person will ask their own questions that they feel are pressing.

Its possible, Mytty said, that the position could be filled Wednesday, however, per state statute the position simply needs to be filled within 45 days of Aug. 3.

Mytty said that Osborn was a good representative of his district during his approximately 5  years of service.

Hes done a good job, Mytty said of Osborn. One of his major responsibilities was serving on the ENSA (Eastern Nebraska Human Service Agency) Board of Directors, they are the ones that control ECOR and the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. Its a multi-county agency and he was our representative.

While a definitive decision may not be made following the initial interview process, it should give the interviewees a great jump on the process.

Tomorrow will tell us a lot I think, Mytty said. It will point us in the right direction.
Protesters yell during the Charlottesville City Council meeting Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Charlottesville, Va. Anger boiled over at the first Charlottesville City Council meeting since a white nationalist rally in the city descended into violent chaos, with some residents screaming and cursing at councilors Monday night and calling for their resignations. (Andrew Shurtleff/The Daily Progress via AP)
Meet Gavin and Macey Bebble, cousins and fellow St. Mary's stars

Two fellow Class of 2023 members, Gavin and Macey Bebble share a bond as cousins, friends and leading members of multiple talented St. Mary's teams.
Chevron's Watson to step down



Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg



Michael Wirth seen as most likely successor to seven-year CEO. Chevron spokesman declines comment on leadership change

By Joe Carroll

CHICAGO

Petroleumworld 08 23 2017

John Watson, who has led Chevron Corp. since 2010, is planning to step down as the oil major seeks a new chief executive officer, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

While the San Ramon, California-based producer has not made a final decision on a successor, Michael Wirth, a 56-year-old Chevron lifer whose elevation was telegraphed in January when the company announced his promotion to vice chairman, has been seen as a leading candidate. An announcement will likely be made next month, the Journal said.

Kent Robertson, a Chevron spokesman, declined to comment on the report.

Watson, 60, was named CEO after he oversaw the integration of Texaco Inc. and Unocal Corp. into Chevron. They were purchased by his acquisitive predecessor and mentor, David O'Reilly. Since the global oil rout began in earnest in 2014, though, Watson has struggled to protect dividend payouts from the ravages of tumbling crude prices and shrinking cash flow.

Watson has resorted to job cuts, project cancellations and billions of dollars in asset sales to cope with an industry downturn that erased $50 billion from Chevron's market value. In 2016, Chevron posted its first annual loss in at least 37 years.

One of Wirth's crowning achievements was the restructuring of Chevron's sprawling refining business by selling off billions of dollars in assets from Africa to Europe.

Under his leadership, the company quit processing crude in Western Europe as that market matured and growth slowed, and sharpened its focus on expanding demand centers in East Asia and Latin America.

Watson later expanded Wirth's portfolio-trimming template to Chevron's worldwide oil and natural gas unit.

Watson was an unlikely oil executive, having majored in agricultural economics at the University of California-Davis, before obtaining his MBA from the University of Chicago. Chevron's mandatory retirement age for employee directors like Watson is 65.

The CEO could depart with an exit package worth as much as $119.3 million, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That includes pension benefits worth $45.4 million and $13.4 million in accumulated deferred compensation, both as of Dec. 31, according to regulatory filings. The remaining $60.3 million comes from previously awarded equity grants. The awards were valued as of Monday's close in New York.

His severance agreement provides that all of his options and restricted stock will vest so long as he's held them for at least one year. If Watson leaves prior to Jan. 25, 2018, he'll forfeit options and restricted stock currently valued at $3.46 million that were granted in January.

As part of his retirement package, Chevron will also provide him an office and administrative support at approximately $200,000 per year.







Story by Joe Carroll; With assistance by Anders Melin from Bloomberg.



bloomberg. com / 08 22 2017
Tropical Storm Harvey lingers and still could become a major tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico



Harvey threatens gulf coast, sending gasoline higher

By Brian K Sullivan and Laura Blewitt

BOSTON/HOUSTON

Petroleumworld 08 23 2017

The prospect of Tropical Storm Harvey reforming and taking aim at the Gulf of Mexico coastline later this week sent spot gasoline prices higher.

Harvey, reduced to a collection of thunderstorms over Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, has a 90 percent chance of becoming a tropical storm again by Thursday as it moves into the Bay of Campeche, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. It initially formed last week east of Barbados before being torn apart by wind shear.

The Gulf Coast from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, is home to nearly 30 refineries -- making up about 7 million barrels a day of refining capacity -- and is in the path of heavy rainfall expected to start as early as Friday. Flooding poses risks to operations, while torrential rains can shut units and cause supply disruptions.

The most likely scenario is it will be a tropical storm, said Bob Henson, a meteorologist with Weather Underground in Boulder, Colorado. It needs to be watched.

Wholesale gasoline prices jumped in Houston on Tuesday as suppliers stocked up in anticipation of potential outages at refineries or fuel distribution centers. Conventional 87-octane gasoline rose 0.8 percent to $1.5630 a gallon, while premium prices increased 1.8 percent to $1.6983.

Depending on the severity of the storm, fuel purchases at the rack typically increase and nonessential staff are evacuated from terminals, which could lead to supply shortages, Mansfield Oil Co., a Gainesville, Georgia-based fuel distributor, said in an emailed alert.

Cotton Growers

There could also be problems for cotton growers if heavy rains fall on the plants as the bolls are starting to open, said Don Keeney, a meteorologist at MDA Weather Services in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Should Harvey recover its strength, it will be in the Bay of Campeche where conditions are conducive for storm development, Henson said. State-run Petroleos Mexicanos said it has no plans to evacuate offshore oil rigs and gas platforms in the area though it will continue to monitor the storm.

A reformed Harvey could crash into the coastline anywhere from northeast Mexico to southern Texas and spread flooding rains as far north and east as Louisiana, especially if the storm stalls off the coast, Henson said.

As many as 7.6 inches (19 centimeters) of rain are forecast to fall between Corpus Christi and Lake Charles in the next seven days.

Since the storm is so disorganized, it doesn't have a clear center needed for an accurate forecast from computer models. The outlook will get better Wednesday after the storm returns over the ocean, said Patrick Blood, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Dickinson, Texas.







Story by Brian K Sullivan and Laura Blewitt; With assistance by Amy Stillman from Bloomberg.



bloomberg. com / 08 22 2017
J.J. Spaun was probably 4 or 5 years old the first time he ever set foot inside the Magic Kingdom and rubbed elbows with the likes of Mickey Mouse and Pluto.

My parents recorded it on VHS, Spaun says.  I remember my sisters and parents being there and the styles of the early '90s.

Little did he know that hed still be spending time  a lot of time, at that -- at Disneyland two decades later. In fact, Spaun owned a season pass for five years before his recent move to Scottsdale, Arizona.

It's a fun place for us to go to, Spaun says. It's what we did as kids. Kind of helps us get away from the hustle and bustle of the TOUR, to go out and enjoy ourselves.

Sure enough, Spaun squeezed in a three-day trip to Disneyland and its sister California Adventure theme park when the 27-year-old, who is ranked 91st in the FedExCup, took a few weeks off earlier this summer.

Before moving to the Arizona desert, Spaun only lived about 15 minutes from the happiest place on earth. The Californian acknowledges that he and his girlfriend, Melody Means, get bored a lot, pretty easily, so they made good use of their season passes.

It was cool, Spaun said. On a Wednesday night, if we had nothing to do, we could shoot over to Disneyland and ride a couple of rides for the night.

Good thing about having a pass is you don't feel like you have to be there all day and getting your money's worth.

Not even a broken foot that required surgery kept the couple, who met through mutual friends four years ago, away from the Magic Kingdom.

Oh, my gosh, we would go almost every day, Means recalls.  He would take me in the wheelchair and wheel me around. I wouldn't have anything else to do. I couldn't walk, I couldn't work.

He would take me and help me get in the ride and helped me get out. We could cut the lines. He was very protective of me.

As might be imagined, Spaun and Means are connoisseurs of the entire Disney experience. But when he was a kid, Spaun wasnt as attracted to the rides as he was the overall experience.
Susan Bro, the mother of Heather Heyer holds a photo of her and her daughter. Ms. Heyer was killed when police say a man plowed his car into a group of demonstrators protesting the white nationalist rally. Read more

Verizon Communications Inc.is still looking into whether a man in company gear was a Verizon employee when he participated in the white supremacists rally in Charlottesville, Va., on Aug. 12 that turned violent, a company spokesman said on Tuesday.

Verizon CEO Lowell C. McAdam told employees in a memo last week that "I am personally involved in getting to the bottom of this." A woman, Heather Heyer, was killed when a pro-supremacist participant drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters. The Huffington Post, owned by Verizon, published McAdam's memo online last week and noted that its parent company declined to share the photo or video that showed the marcher. There is no publicly available footage of someone wearing Verizon apparel at the rally, according to reports.

McAdam wrote that it was "distressing to learn that a man who marched with members of neo-Nazi groups and the KKK was wearing Verizon gear." Verizon, one of the nation's largest wireless carriers which also sells the FIOS television and internet services, employs about 160,000. A union official said they knew nothing of the investigation.

Verizon's investigation is among the corporate consequences of the pro-white protest. CEOs, including Merck's Kenneth Frazier and Campbell Soup's Denise Morrison, abandoned presidential advisory boards after what many considered an inappropriate response to the violence at the Charlottesville rally by President Trump. Trump later disbanded those boards.

The company that manufactures Tiki brand torches also has said it was not associated with the rally. The protesters carried the torches.
The Massachusetts attorney general sued the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency on Wednesday, alleging that PHEAA botched the management of a teacher grant program and a federal program that forgives student loans after 10 years of public service, causing graduates to lose benefits and go deeper into debt.

The U.S. Department of Education hired a PHEAA unit to manage the Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant programs. The teacher program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year for teaching certain subjects for four years in low-income schools.

The lawsuit alleges that PHEAA failed to process applications for the programs quickly enough to allow borrowers to make qualifying payments on the loans. In the case of the teacher program, grants were converted into loans because of the delays, the lawsuit says.

Separately, the lawsuit alleges that PHEAA "overcharged hundreds of Massachusetts borrowers and collected tens of thousands of dollars in payments that were not due" because of a defect in the company's service system. Nationwide, the overcharges affected "tens of thousands" of borrowers, the suit says.

"PHEAA does not agree with the allegations," spokesman Keith New said in an email. "However, PHEAA remains committed to appropriately resolving any outstanding borrower issues while following the U.S. Department of Education's policies, procedures, and regulations as mandated by the agency's federal contracts."

The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts Superior Court, asks for restitution to borrowers, civil penalties, attorneys' fees, and an injunction against the unfair practices outlined in the complaint.

PHEAA was servicing $291 billion in student loans as of March 31, according to a financial statement on its website.
Red tape kills jobs. It stifles innovation. And it prohibits growth. Thats why my administrations mission is to make state government more effective, more efficient, and more customer-focused.

Over the past two and a half years, weve successfully put environmental quality permitting online. Were helping nurses get licensed more quickly. And the Legislature and I partnered to abolish unnecessary professional licensing requirements for the banking, medical, and auto industries to create more opportunity for hardworking Nebraskans.

As Governor, I have also worked with the Attorney General to push back on onerous regulations created by the Obama Administration. These include the Waters of the U.S. rule and the Clean Power Plan. Thankfully, Washington is reversing course on these rules under the new administration. In the past six months, the Trump Administration has moved to repeal the 2015 WOTUS rule, as well as launched a review of the controversial CPP, which was proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2014.

The decision to repeal WOTUS and review CPP will help create more certainty for and spur future growth in Nebraskas top industries. For example, WOTUS would have allowed the EPA to have regulatory power over practically any body of water in Nebraskaeven ponds, ditches, and large puddles. This power would have been easily misused by environmental activists. Not only would have CPP been a major burden to the ag producers in our number one industry, but businesses also would have been required to file expensive and unnecessary permits.

Nebraska was also at the forefront of fighting President Obamas unnecessary and misguided CPP. Under the CPP, Nebraska would have been required to show a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in less than 10 years. This would not only be nearly logistically impossible, but also expensive for Nebraskans who enjoy low utility rates thanks to our unique public power system. It takes longer to plan new power transmission lines and new sources of power than the Obama Administration was willing to give states for compliance. Additionally, studies estimated that under CPP utility bills would rise by 12 percent to 35 percent. I applaud President Trumps review of this rule, and hope that he finalizes a full repeal soon.

Both of these moves by the Trump Administration will return power back to the states, where it belongs. We live in a diverse country governed by a diverse set of governors. These governors know what solutions work best for their individual states. In Nebraska, we have clean air and clean water because state and local government have exercised common sense oversight without stifling private sector innovation and job creation. WOTUS and CPP were dramatic overreaches by Washington that threatened significant harm to job creators while providing no real protection for consumers. Regulations should work for the people, not against them.

Here in Nebraska, my administration continues to focus on identifying new ways to make government work better for the people. Thats why I recently announced a review of all regulations in my agencies. Currently, Nebraskas Administrative Code consists of 7.5 million words with more than 100,000 restrictive words. It would take someone more than 10 weeks to read the entire code! While Nebraska already boasts a growth-oriented regulatory climate, this is a great opportunity to identify additional opportunities to make state government more effective and efficient. If we cant find a legitimate reason for a rule or regulation, we will work to get rid of it.

Building a regulatory climate with the customer in mind is helping grow our state by bringing new investments here. Its just one of the reasons why companies like Facebook, Kawasaki, Costco, and Cargill are all choosing to expand or begin their operations right here in Nebraska. In fact, Nebraska has seen over $1 billion in new project announcements, groundbreakings, or ribbon cuttings so far this year.

As this review progresses, I look forward to sharing with you some of the ways that we are working to make state government work better for you. By getting government out of the way, state government can create the framework for more opportunities for you and job creators across the state. I hope that you take the time to share any feedback on red tape thats impacting you.
Daphne Goggins, the Republican leader of the 16th Ward in Philadelphia, appears on a CNN panel of President Trump supporters Wednesday. Read more

Daphne Goggins, a Republican ward leader from North Philadelphia, calls CNN "fake news," like President Trump and many of his supporters.

But that didn't stop her from appearing on the network Wednesday, where she and five other Trump fans offered an alternative-facts explanation for the violent protests in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12.

What followed was an example of the fake news-conspiracy theory continuum consuming partisan politics in America.

The protests were a hoax, Goggins and her fellow "Pulse of the People" panel members told an astounded Alisyn Camerota, co-host of CNN's New Day program.

As proof, Goggins cited a video posted by a Facebook friend from Georgia, who claimed one of his Facebook friends in Charlottesville told him she saw protesters wearing Ku Klux Klan t-shirts and Black Lives Matter t-shirts getting off buses parked together before the protests turned violent.

"While that may not sound credible to a lot of people, to those of us who don't trust the news media, that could be very credible," Goggins told Camerota.

Goggins also suggested a 20-year-old man photographed marching with white supremacists before allegedly plowing his car into a group of counter-protesters, killing one of them, may have been driven by a "panic attack" and not a racist ideology.

"How can he be a supremacist of anything and he's 20 years old?" Goggins asked Camerota.

CNN taped Goggins and the rest of the Trump-supporter panel Monday. The cable network aired parts of it on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

Goggins later branded the CNN program "fake news" for questioning what it described as her "conspiracy theory."

"That guy is a credible person," Goggins said of the man who posted the video. "He's not somebody who is going to lie and make s*** up."

Goggins has been the Republican leader of the 16th Ward in North Philly for four years. She was among a group of African-Americans selected for a private lunch with Trump in September, when he was trying to dispute claims that he is a racist.

Trump won 1.3 percent of the vote in the 16th Ward in the general election while Hillary Clinton took 97.7 percent. Republicans make up just 3.3 percent of the 8,603 registered voters in the ward.

Goggins also questioned why she was the only African-American on the CNN panel. The network found her on Facebook, she said.

"I guess I'm an enigma because I'm dark-skinned," she said. "I think the fact that they only put one black person on that panel was fake news in a way too."
The statue of former mayor Frank Rizzo stands in the Thomas Paine Plaza, Municipal Services Building across from Philadelphia city hall. There is now a movement to have the statue removed. Read more

Because he oversaw and maintained police brutality in the black and brown communities in which I grew up, the statue of Frank Rizzo must immediately be removed from the steps of the taxpayer-funded Municipal Services Building.

Not one more cent of my tax dollars maintaining it. Not one more moment of my property housing it. Not one more word from my city excusing it.

The Frank Rizzo statue must be moved to private property, and it must be moved now.

Frank Rizzo was both the symbol and the substance of a racist system upheld by law enforcement. His police force was used to maintain racial boundaries that kept blacks trapped in red-lined communities, locked into a segregated educational system, and mired in the ongoing morass of second-class citizenship.

We've all heard the stories by now. But in an atmosphere where white supremacists denounce dissent as fake news, the truth is worth repeating. Under Rizzo's direction and approval, Philadelphia police officers stripped Black Panthers naked in the street. They beat black children who were demonstrating for black history classes. They broke nightsticks over a black man's head for running a stop sign.

But those were just a few isolated incidents. In truth, Rizzo's police department engaged in cruelty so pervasive, that by 1979, the U.S. Justice Department had filed a lawsuit against them, saying their unfettered use of brutality "shocks the conscience."

That's what I remember. The feeling of shock that overcame me when I realized that Rizzo's police weren't there to protect brown people in Philadelphia's poorest communities. The feeling that they could hurt us with impunity. The hopelessness of seeing the things they did.

I was 13 or 14 years old when the truth of police brutality became a reality for me. My parents had divorced, we'd moved to North Philly from the more affluent Northwest section of the city, and things were hard. The neighborhood was different. The poverty was palpable.

One day soon after we arrived, there was a commotion outside. I remember looking out the third-floor window of the house we shared with my mother, my uncle and my aunt. My brother, three years younger than myself, scooted up beside me, and we watched as two white police officers bent a black man over the hood of a white car.

Within seconds, they were beating him mercilessly with nightsticks. The man screamed out repeatedly, "Get his badge number!"

And as a crowd gathered around him, watching the beating play out amid the man's screams, the hood of that white car turned red with the black man's blood.

No one, it seemed, recorded the officer's badge number. No one, it seemed, was surprised.

In a neighborhood beset by poverty and isolated by disinvestment, Rizzo's police were not there to protect and serve. They were there to maintain systemic racism. They were to let black people know, in no uncertain terms, that they would not be treated equally. They were there to convince us that we were worthless.

That's what I remember about Frank Rizzo. That he oversaw a system that frightened me as a child, and forced the people in my community to bond together as a people under siege. We shared from what little we had. We understood what mattered most. We lived within racial boundaries patrolled by Rizzo's police.

It should surprise no one that a few years after that incident, the man who used violence to enforce Philadelphia's system of racial repression would tell Philadelphians to "vote white."

Nor should we be surprised that the same Philadelphians who heeded that racist advice are now defending the memory of the man who so thoroughly abused the black community.

Sadly, some of those people are black. That's not a surprise, either. After all, you can't enslave a people without winning support from within their ranks. That's what Rizzo did. He enslaved us mentally. Just as slaveholders used black overseers to heap abuses upon their fellow Africans, Rizzo used some blacks to maintain Philadelphia's systemic discrimination.

With brute force, and with a few key promotions of black and brown people who would help him, Rizzo maintained Philadelphia's racial hierarchy. And those who would excuse Rizzo's racial animosity because he sprinkled crumbs to a few favored blacks have no sense of history.

But if those who love Rizzo must celebrate him, I won't stop them from doing so in a privately funded museum. If, however, they insist upon doing so on property that is maintained with my tax dollars, I will fight them.

For the black children who were beaten while demanding to learn black history, and the Black Panthers who were stripped naked on the streets of North Philly, and the man who was beaten while screaming for a badge number, I will fight.

Rizzo's statue must be removed from publicly funded property. It's the least we can do for all the people he abused.
Stu Bykofsky (left) presents a memento to Chuck Stone at a journalism awards dinner in 2002 in Pittsburgh. Read more

That a debate rages about Frank Rizzo a quarter-century after his death speaks to the monumental imprint he left on this city.

The conventional wisdom is that ethnic whites loved him and blacks hated him, but that's a simplification.

In the days after his death in July 1991, the Big Bambino was the subject of assessments written by columnists of color, including Claude Lewis, Acel Moore, and Chuck Stone, all of whom were among the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists in 1975. Their views of Rizzo were not black and white, and certainly no whitewash.

Here are excerpts:

The Inquirer's Acel Moore, who died last year (column of 7/18/91):

"I don't argue that he was compassionate and giving to those who supported him  often to the detriment of the overall public good. It was his generosity to his friends that helped earn him immense loyalty from his supporters, whites and blacks. I even do not argue with those who say that Rizzo had changed on the racial question.

"But in recognizing the change that had come over Rizzo, it must also be recognized that the political landscape also had changed since he left office in 1979."

The Daily News' Alba Martinez (column of 7/25/91):

"Frank Rizzo's death broke the hearts of some Puerto Ricans who had supported him for decades  those who say that as mayor, Rizzo did more for Latinos in Philadelphia than all other mayors combined.

"Relations between Rizzo and many Puerto Rican activists in the 1970s were stormy, in part because of the widely held opinion that Rizzo condoned excessive force by police."

The Daily News' Linda Wright Moore (column of 7/18/91):

"From afar, I had a totally negative view of Rizzo  as a billy-club-in-cummerbund bully who presided over a police department in which brutality was standard procedure. Frank Rizzo and his tough-cop image were synonymous with this town  and its reputation as a rough racist place for black folks.

"Just before his death, he met with two black ministers. Frank Rizzo could count. He understood the political reality that a 'whites only' campaign would add up to defeat in the '90s. So he was reaching out .

"That late-blooming will to change and to embrace those he had spurned is a proper epitaph for Frank Rizzo."

The Inquirer's Claude Lewis, who died last March (column of 7/22/91):

"More than anyone else, he polarized people. No matter how much he mellowed, his early years were so incendiary there was no way he could overcome his past.

"He didn't know it, but I possessed a secret pride in him because he had come a long way, and beneath his hard exterior he was a soft man who tried to hide his shortcomings beneath a cover of arrogance and overconfidence."

The last word goes to the Daily News' Chuck Stone, my longtime friend and colleague, who died in 2014 (column of 7/17/91):

"As of 1987, Frank Rizzo successively had acquired three faces  the law-and-order, racist-tainted, police-brutality-defending face of 1971; the 'come, let us reason together' face of 1975 supported by over 50 black clergymen and 32 percent of the black vote; and, finally, the 'vote white' face of 1978.

"Was Frank Rizzo a racist? Most black Philadelphians unequivocally believed so. But if you were black and an ally, he would move tons of earth to help you and then dump them on a white opponent.

"He had changed because he knew the city and the nation had changed.

"[I]f black Alabamans could forgive George Wallace's history of national segregation with 80 percent of their vote, why couldn't black Philadelphians forgive Frank Rizzo?"

None of these columnists was even remotely a Rizzo supporter.

Of the five, the harshest assessment came from Claude Lewis, who was soft-spoken, an exceptionally gentle man, a man who generally believed in redemption.

Acel Moore, who had won a Pulitzer Prize as a reporter, allowed for redemption but suggested it was motivated by political necessity. His wife, Linda Wright Moore, acknowledged political reality but was a little more generous.

Martinez, a former executive director of Congreso de Latinos Unidos, clearly felt less warmth about Rizzo than did other Hispanics.

Finally, the fiery Chuck Stone acknowledged Rizzo's love of this city while revealing the Three Faces of Frank. He asked why black Philadelphians couldn't forgive Frank. But he never asked them to do so.
Pennsylvania's state university system on Tuesday extended a lifeline to struggling Cheyney University, agreeing to forgive more than $30 million in loans if the school can achieve and maintain a balanced budget over the next four years.

The measure, approved by the board of governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education at a special meeting in Harrisburg, comes as the nation's oldest historically black university faces serious financial woes and plummeting enrollment.

The system and its other 13 member universities have extended the loans to Cheyney over the last several years to help keep it afloat.

Cheyney, facing a Sept. 1 deadline to prove that it should not lose its accreditation, also has begun to take bold steps to close a more than $7 million gap in what would have been a $35 million budget.

The 746-student university in Chester and Delaware Counties in the last week has cut 17 administrative positions, including its chief spokesperson, and plans to shut down some academic programs. The board of governors gave the school permission to end programs without adhering to previous guidelines that required currently enrolled students be allowed to finish.

"They have to submit a balanced budget if they want their accreditation to be continued," said Kenn Marshall, a spokesman for the state system.

That's the message, he said, the university received from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Without its accreditation, Cheyney's students no longer would be eligible for state or federal financial aid, and in effect, the university would go out of business.

The commission put Cheyney on probation in 2015. In June, the commission told the university it had to submit a plan by Sept. 1 to address serious deficiencies in its finances, programming and other areas.

"Cheyney University cannot survive without accreditation, period," Cynthia D. Shapira, chair of the board of governors, said in a statement. "And today's serious actions give Cheyney the path forward."

Cheyney has lost more than half its enrollment since 2010. In 2015, the university came under scrutiny for mismanagement of student financial aid, which could mean the school will have to repay $29 million to the U.S. Department of Education. The university could not provide high school transcripts for 45 percent of the students who received aid from 2011 to 2014, nor could it document that some students receiving aid were making the required progress toward a degree.

Under the plan approved Tuesday, the system will forgive one-third of the loans when Cheyney cuts $7.5 million in its current budget and maintains a balanced budget for 2018-19. The next two-thirds will be forgiven if the university keeps a balanced budget over the next two fiscal years.

"By holding Cheyney accountable for achieving these goals, we are making an important shift toward rewarding good performance and away from enabling the kinds of decisions that have fostered Cheyney's problems for decades," Chancellor Frank T. Brogan said.

Marshall said no decision had been made on which programs could be discontinued; the university has 18 majors. In the past, a university that discontinued programs had to let current students finish their degree over the next few years. Because of the urgency of Cheyney's predicament, the system waived that requirement. Instead, Marshall said, the state system will offer current undergraduates whose programs are discontinued the opportunity to transfer to one of the other 13 universities in the system to complete their degree, he said. Exceptions also will be made for graduate students.

The system also is in discussions with Lincoln University, a historically black school in Chester County, about a similar arrangement.

"Our number-one goal is to serve students, and we cannot do that if we lose accreditation," Aaron A. Walton, interim president of Cheyney, said. "Now, we can focus our available resources on students in academic programs where there is the greatest demand and that meet Pennsylvania's needs."

Faculty members affected by the cuts will be notified by Oct. 30 and allowed to remain at the school through the spring 2018 semester, then given an opportunity to transfer to another position at Cheyney or another of the system's universities.

Kenneth M. Mash, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties union, endorsed the board's decision to forgive the loans to Cheyney.

"If Cheyney is going to survive, it's going to have to be under circumstances where there is some forgiveness," he said. "It was something that had to be done."

But he opposes the elimination of programs. "They're pulling the rug out from under these students without giving them a chance to speak up," he said.

Once Cheyney submits its plan to Middle States, the commission will send a team to the school and rule by mid-November on whether to discontinue accreditation or give the school one final year to prove it can fix its problems.

In addition to two rounds of administrative cuts, the school also has reorganized its business and campus operations and renegotiated contracts with vendors, the system said.
Ingrid Goes West is the directing debut of Hatboro native Matt Spicer, who caught the filmmaking bug watching movies while he was a student at Upper Moreland High School.

That's when he went from being a consumer to a connoisseur, captivated by movies that prompted him to think about the art form in a new way.

"I can tell you right now what the movies were," said Spicer, who stopped in Philadelphia recently to screen Ingrid for friends, family, and fans.

"[Brit crime thriller] Sexy Beast. I just watched it again and it really holds up. Boogie Nights, Magnolia, anything by [Paul Thomas] Anderson. Requiem for a Dream. Fight Club. They were all so different from the mass-market stuff that came through the multiplex, and it was the director's voice making them so different. That was a real lightbulb moment for me. I wanted to be the guy who was making the decisions that make those movies so distinctive."

And so he is in Ingrid Goes West, his acidly funny debut as a feature film director, based on his own original idea, which grew out of his desire to satirize the social media scene reshaping L.A., the town he traded Hatboro for. The story  about a young woman's unhealthy obsession with a glamorous Instagram star  blends comedy and drama in a way that heralds Spicer's unique voice as a filmmaker. And though Spicer makes the subject his own, you will notice an homage to Fight Club embedded in the script.

Spicer was propelled to USC's film school with the help of his Upper Moreland English teacher  thanks, Mr. Cohen  and a confidence in his writing skill. Once out of school, Spicer cowrote a screenplay with Max Winkler (son of Henry, and a respected sitcom director) that didn't get made, but that ended up on Hollywood's famous Black List, a collection of the promising-but-unproduced scripts.

Meanwhile, he made a couple of shorts, produced Winkler's movie Ceremony, and kept typing away, evaluating ideas.

Ingrid grew out of a lunchtime bull session Spicer had with writing partner David Branson Smith, on the general subject of social media.

"We were talking about Instagram, and that led to a larger conversation about the implications of social media, because it's so present, especially in L.A.," he said.

Increasingly, he said, performers need a following to advance their careers.

"Everyone's building a brand. My girlfriend [Parenthood's Sarah Ramos], she's on it for work, and she has 60,000 followers. Dave and I, on the other hand, have like 500 followers, so we're basically just consumers," he said.

Spicer was enough of a consumer to understand the hazards of the technology.

"It's great for sharing and connecting, but there's this obvious dark side. It can dredge up these negative feelings and insecurities. FOMO," Spicer said, referencing the dreaded Fear of Missing Out. "You see your friends are hanging out, why didn't they text me? Or, am I not wearing cool enough clothes? Or, am I not taking cool enough vacations? It can really get in your head."

They set out to send up the L.A. social media scene, and arrived at the story of a deeply vulnerable young woman (Wilmington-born and -raised Aubrey Plaza) who becomes obsessed with an Instagram "influencer" (Elizabeth Olsen) and gets in over her head. They wrote it quickly, and submitted it to the Creative Artists Agency.

"We're like, this is our next movie."

And, incredibly, it was. Plaza read the script and loved it, so much so that she also signed on as producer. "That was a big help. When she came on, we started filling out other roles, and when [Olsen] agreed to do it, that was the keystone."

Spicer had a chance to sell the movie to an online distribution platform but held out for a theatrical deal, which he got after the movie played at Sundance. Nothing against Netflix or Amazon, but he loves the theatrical experience. Especially for comedies like Ingrid. "Because of the timeliness of it, we had a shot at breaking through the clutter and tapping into the audience I knew would be out there for something that's looking at these ideas and themes. Especially because it's a comedy, and comedy really benefits from that communal experience," Spicer said.

The movie is opening to good reviews  Spicer shows skill as a storyteller and gets a first-rate performance from Plaza  and the director's stock is rising.

His next project is still secret, but it involves one of those "platforms" and the adaptation of a book he loves but can't yet name. Suffice it to say the film (or series) will also be about technology.

"Ingrid sort of looked at the negative consequences of social media and technology. This would do the reverse, in a way. It's looking at video games, and their potential as art. Can a game be something really positive in someone's life? I think it can, and I'm willing to defend that idea in this film."
Experts say that too often, medication is stolen from home hospice patients. Read more

Nothing seemed to help the patient  and hospice staff didn't know why.

They sent home more painkillers for weeks. But the elderly woman, who had severe dementia and incurable breast cancer, kept calling out in pain.

The answer came when the woman's daughter, who was taking care of her at home, showed up in the emergency room with a life-threatening overdose of morphine and oxycodone. It turned out she was high on her mother's medications, stolen from the hospice-issued stash.

Leslie Blackhall handled that case and two others at the University of Virginia's palliative care clinic, and uncovered a wider problem: As more people die at home on hospice, some of the powerful, addictive drugs they are prescribed are ending up in the wrong hands.

Hospices have largely been exempt from the national crackdown on opioid prescriptions because dying people may need high doses of opioids. But as the nation's opioid epidemic continues, some experts say hospices aren't doing enough to identify families and staff who might be stealing pills. And now, amid urgent cries for action over rising overdose deaths, several states have passed laws giving hospice staff the power to destroy leftover pills after patients die.

Blackhall first sounded the alarm about drug diversion in 2013, when she found that most Virginia hospices she surveyed didn't have mandatory training and policies on the misuse and theft of drugs. Her study spurred the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care to create new guidelines, and prompted national discussion.

Most hospice patients receive care in the place they call home. These settings can be hard to monitor, but a Kaiser Health News review of government inspection records sheds light on what can go wrong. According to these reports:

In Mobile, Ala., a hospice nurse found a man at home in tears, holding his abdomen, complaining of pain at the top of a 10-point scale. The patient was dying of cancer, and his neighbors were stealing his opioid painkillers, day after day.

In Monroe, Mich., parents kept "losing" medications for a child dying at home of brain cancer, including a bottle of the painkiller methadone.

In Clinton, Mo., a woman at home on hospice began vomiting from anxiety from a tense family conflict: Her son had to physically fight off her daughter, who was stealing her medications. Her son implored the hospice to move his mother to a nursing home to escape the situation.

In other cases, paid caregivers or hospice workers, who work largely unsupervised in the home, steal patients' pills. In June, a former hospice nurse in Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty to diverting oxycodone pills first by recommending prescriptions for hospice patients who didn't need them and then intercepting the packages with the intention of selling the drugs herself.

Hospice care, available to patients who are expected to die within six months, is seeing a dramatic rise in enrollment as more patients choose to focus on comfort, instead of a cure, at the end of life.

The fast-growing industry serves more than 1.6 million people a year. Most of hospice care is covered by Medicare, which pays for hospices to send nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains, as well as hospital beds, oxygen machines, and medications to the home.

There's no national data on how frequently these medications go missing. But "problems related to abuse of, diversion of, or addiction to prescription medications are very common in the hospice population, as they are in other populations," said Joe Rotella, chief medical officer of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, a professional association for hospice workers.

"It's an everyday problem that hospice teams address," Rotella said. In many cases, opioid painkillers or other controlled substances are the best treatment for these patients, he said. Hospice patients, about half of whom sign up within two weeks of death, often face significant pain, shortness of breath, broken bones, or aching joints from lying in bed, he said. "These are the sickest of the sick."

Earlier this year in Missouri, government investigators installed a hidden camera in a 95-year-old hospice patient's kitchen to investigate suspected theft. A personal-care aide was charged with stealing the patient's hydrocodone pills, opiate painkillers, and replacing them with acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. Hospice nurses in Louisiana and Massachusetts also have been charged in recent years with stealing medication from patients' homes.

But many suspected thefts don't get caught on hidden cameras, or even reported.

In Oxnard, Calif., in 2015, a person claiming to be a hospice employee entered the homes of five patients and tried to steal their morphine, succeeding twice. The state cited the hospice for failing to report the incidents.

In Norwich, Vt., in 2013, a family looked for morphine to ease a dying patient's shortness of breath. But the bottle was missing from the hospice-issued comfort care kit. The family suspected that an aide, who no longer worked in the home, had stolen the drug, but they had no proof. State inspectors cited the hospice, Bayada Home Health Care, which is based in Moorestown, N.J., for failing to investigate.

David Totaro, spokesman for Bayada Home Health Care, told KHN that situations such as that are "very rare" at the hospice, which takes precautions, such as limiting medication supply, to prevent misuse.

There are no publicly available national data on the volume of opioids that hospices prescribe. But OnePoint Patient Care, a national hospice-focused pharmacy, estimates that 25 percent to 30 percent of the medications it delivers to hospice patients are controlled substances, according to Erik Jung, a vice president of pharmacy operations.

Jung said company drivers deliver medications in unmarked cars to prevent attempted robberies, which have happened on occasion.

Two recent studies suggest hospice doctors and social workers across the country are not prepared to screen patients and families for drug misuse, nor to address the theft of pain medication.

For family members struggling with addiction, bottles of pills lying around the house can be hard to resist. Sarah B., a 43-year-old construction worker in Vancouver, Wash., said when her father entered hospice care at his home in Oregon, she was addicted to opioids, stemming from a hydrocodone prescription for sciatica.

After he died, hundreds of pills were left on his bedside table. She took them all, enough Norco, oxycodone, and morphine to last a month.

"I have some shame about it," said Sarah, who declined to give her full last name because of the nature of her actions.

Sarah, who was one of her father's primary caretakers, said the hospice "didn't talk about addiction or ask if any one of us were addicts or any of that."

"No one gave us instructions on how to dispose of all the medications that were left," she added.

Medicare requires hospices to establish a safe way to administer drugs to each patient  by identifying a reliable caregiver, staff member or volunteer to manage the drugs or, if need be, relocating the patient. And it requires hospices to set policies, and talk to families, about how to safely manage and dispose of medications.

But there's little oversight: Unlike nursing homes, hospices may go years without inspection, and even when they are cited for noncompliance, they rarely face any consequence except coming up with a plan to improve.

And in most states, hospices have little control over the pills after a patient dies. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration encourages hospice staff to help families destroy leftover medications but forbids staff from destroying the meds themselves unless allowed by state law. Leftover pills belong to the family, which has no legal obligation to destroy them or give them up.

However, some states are taking action. In the last three years, Ohio, Delaware, New Jersey, and South Carolina have passed laws giving hospice staff authority to destroy unused drugs after patients die. Similar bills moved forward in Illinois, Wisconsin and Georgia this year.

In Massachusetts, one of the states hit hardest by drug overdose deaths, VNA Care Hospice and Palliative Care advises families to empty leftover pills into kitty litter or coffee grounds before disposal  a common practice to prevent reuse, since flushing them down the toilet is now considered environmentally hazardous.

But families "don't have to comply," said VNA Care medical director Joel Bauman. "Our experience is maybe only half do. We don't know what happens to these medications. And we have no right, really, to further inquire."

Hospices across the country told KHN they take precautions, including counting pills when nurses visit the homes, limiting the volume of each drug delivery, giving families locked boxes for medication, and giving patients random urine tests. They also said they prescribe medications that are harder to misuse, such as methadone.

Some, such as VNA Care, have also started screening families of patients for history of drug addiction, and writing up agreements with families outlining the consequences if drugs go missing.

But "there's so much moral distress" about punishing dying patients for family members' actions, said Bauman. He said he tries to avoid doing that: "Why should we fire a patient for having inappropriate pill counts, when it may not be their fault in the first place?"

Though Blackhall helped spark a national discussion about hospice drug diversion, she said she's also worried about restricting access to painkillers. Hospices must strike a balance, she said.

"It's important to treat the horrible suffering that people have from cancer," said Blackhall. But substance abuse is another form of suffering which is "horrible for anyone in the family or community that might end up getting those medications."

KHN's coverage of end-of-life and serious illness issues is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  Robbery charges have been filed in Nebraska against a man suspected of being the "AK-47 bandit," who investigators believe robbed banks in five states.

Court records show 39-year-old Richard Gathercole was indicted Tuesday for an August 2014 bank robbery in Nebraska City, about 50 miles south of Omaha.

FBI officials have been looking for years for the man they believe robbed banks typically while carrying an AK-47 rifle. He is suspected of robbing Mason City's Iowa Heartland Credit Union on July 28, 2015, in addition to heists in California, Idaho, Nebraska and Washington state.

Gathercole, of Montana, was arrested June 20 near Lexington, Nebraska, after a sheriff's deputy spotted a pickup truck that Kansas authorities had reported stolen by a man who fired at a state trooper.

Gathercole also faces weapons charges.
McDonalds Malaysia Introduces D24 Durian McFlurry Ice Cream

To all the durian fans out there, finally the Durian McFlurry will be available in Malaysia! Singapore had it in 2013 and it is coming to Malaysia on 24th August 2017. It is official as McDonalds Malaysia posted a teaser GIF on their Facebook Page.

Read our review: D24 Durian McFlurry McDonalds Malaysia Review

The D24 Durian McFlurry is available in McDonalds Malaysia outlets now!

For the durian lovers out there, prepare for the long queues as you know many people will go for this. We are expecting limited McDonalds outlets serving this and it might be sold out in hours based on the previous popular promotions.

Wait for 24th August 2017 for the official announcement of the D24 Durian McFlurry. The durian lovers will be going to take over McDonalds Malaysia outlets soon. If you guys spotted me queuing up for this, just say hi.

This is probably the best thing ever introduced by McDonalds Malaysia. Lucky for us, we read this news on Facebook using our mobile phone. Phone data is super important our daily lives and we got the best mobile data deals here.

Wilson Ng A Father and traveler who enjoys to eat, shop, travel and taking pictures with Samsung S22 Ultra and Sony ZV-1. Im a full time blogger, youtuber and father for two. I used to travel around 17 International trips per year but now staying at home. Remember to follow us at www.instagram.com/placesandfoods and www.youtube.com/placesandfoods. For advertisements or features, contact me at [email protected] See author's posts
Flying CubeSail

Bundled together, CubeSail is a 3-unit CubeSat the same size as LightSail. It will pop apart into two, identical, independent 1.5-unit CubeSats. Inside each cube is half of a 250-meter-long roll of aluminized Mylar, with a total area of 20 square meters.

In space, CubeSail will point its long axis toward Earth and pop apart using springs. Motors unwind the rolls of sail from each spacecraft, and the cube closest to the ground will fall away slightly faster because it is closer to the tug of Earth's gravity. The deployment will take several hours, and Coverstone said the gravity difference will stabilize the lower cube and keep the sail taut.

CubeSail will hitch a ride to space via Electron, a new rocket built by Rocket Lab that launches from New Zealand. The flight, which is sponsored by NASA's ELaNa program, was supposed to occur this November, but was delayed until the first quarter of 2018 after the inaugural Electron launch in May didn't reach orbit due to a telemetry glitch.

Like LightSail 1, CubeSail will not fly high enough for the push from sunlight to overcome atmospheric drag. The mission's main goal is to test the deployment system and stabilize the spacecraftideally so that the thin edge of the sail is facing forward, allowing it to slice through the upper reaches of Earth's atmosphere more efficiently.

"If we fly with the total area (of the sail) in the velocity direction, our lifetime is like a day," Coverstone said, laughing. "It's not very exciting."

If CubeSail can fly perfectly edge-on, however, the mission could last six months.

"It's going to be up there hopefully closer to six months," she said.

Next step: I-Sail

Coverstone's team was just awarded a NASA small business technology grant to begin development on I-Sail (the I stands for Illini, as in the University of Illinois), which would take the CubeSail concept even further.

I-Sail is early in development, so the exact spacecraft architecture is still being determined. It might spin and have multiple blades, with a spacecraft at the end of each blade that communicates directly with a central hub (the two CubeSail cubes do not intercommunicate; they only talk to the ground).

The blades would have a much larger area than CubeSail. Les Johnson, who is serving as the NASA manager for the project, said he has given the team a "challenge goal" of 1,000 square meters. If the team can show I-Sail is a feasible concept, Johnson said, they can apply for a second round of funding, which could carry them far enough to complete a full engineering prototype.
GARNER | Progress on the new Kwik Star gas station and convenience store in Garner has begun.

That comes as demolition of the 32,800-square-foot vacant ALCO building started over the weekend at 150. E. Highway 18.

Were excited about that, said Randy Lansing, Garner city administrator, noting the new Kwik Star will be similar to the one built in Clear Lake.

Kwik Star opening another North Iowa location GARNER | A Kwik Star gas station/convenience store is expected to open at the former ALCO st

The ALCO store was one of nearly 200 in 23 states that closed in 2014 after the Texas-based variety store chain filed for bankruptcy.

According to the Hancock County Assessors website, Kwik Trip, which is based in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, purchased the property comprised of 2.6 acres for $750,000 on April 24.

A spokesman for Kwik Star/Kwik Trip told the Globe Gazette Tuesday that a schedule for construction was unavailable but preliminary site work is being done.

Kwik Star set to open Friday at Clear Lake CLEAR LAKE | Final preparations were being made Thursday for the opening of Kwik Star conven

The chain has more than 400 stores, including ones in Clear Lake and Charles City. Its stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin are known as Kwik Trip, while the locations in Iowa are called Kwik Star to avoid confusion with QuikTrip stores.

Kwik Star in Clear Lake opened in 2015 as a 7,500-square-foot convenience store and truck center. It's located on a 19-acre parcel at the intersection of Highway 122 and North 32nd Street east of Interstate 35.
Reuniting with Chelsea Adomaitis in Paris was like a little taste of home. Old friends and former corps members of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, we had both moved to Europe last summer. Over brunch she d share the story that brought her abroad.

As a little girl, Chelsea Adomaitis dreamed of dancing for the Paris Opera Ballet, but as most do, she dismissed it as just that: a dream. Beginning her training in Boston with her mom, a former dancer, she later enrolled at the Harid Conservatory. It wasnt until she attended Pacific Northwest Ballet Schools summer program, at age 16, that she discovered Balanchine, and it was love at first step. After two years in the school she was hired as an apprentice.

Her first few years in the company were full of growing pains. Her technique and confidence flourished as she gained opportunities to perform leading roles. Yet juggling these with a very heavy corps load began to wear on her. Confusion, frustration and injuries mounted as one season of this juggling act turned into four. Yet she persevered, hoping her work would soon be recognized and rewarded.

The author and Adomaitis outside Versailles. Photo by Jessika Anspach McEliece, Courtesy McEliece.

By the end of the 201415 season I felt invincible! she said, having danced her most grueling yet accomplished season to date. But her upward momentum seemed to halt the following season.



Id learned to work hard, but not to advocate for myself, she says. I realized that I wasnt on the list, that my work hadnt spoken for itself. And that was tough to swallow.

Strangely, a freak ankle sprain during a performance in spring of 2016 became the catalyst to alter the course of her career. Pushing through the pain, against her better judgment, Adomaitis hoped to prove herself worthy of a promotion only to find it had gone to someone else. Injured and depressed, she retreated to her family home for healing and perspective. And it was there that childhood dreams of the Paris Opera Ballet resurfaced.

Nearly 26, she surveyed her options. In her mind POB certainly wasnt among them. But something compelled her to investigate. The company website read: July auditionsages 1626. This was her last chance.

Fast-forward a couple of months: an intimidating open audition in Paris, where she knew no one and didnt speak or understand a word of French. Her approach: zero expectations.

I was chasing my dream while I still could, seeing it as an icebreaker for future auditions, she says. Get the scariest one over first, right? But I returned to Seattle changed, feeling so free. Id needed to burst my own bubble.

A week later she received an email from POB offering her a temporary contract: a seven-month trial with potential to extend. Risking everything, she resigned from PNB and packed for Paris.

Former Pacific Northwest Ballet corps de ballet dancer Chelsea Adomaitis in Susan Stromans TAKE FIVEMore or Less. Angela Sterling, Courtesy PNB.

But theres nothing like going from rising-through-the-ranks to bottom-of-the- ladder to wake one up from the fairy tale. With tradition and hierarchy paramount at POB, Adomaitis found herself always in the back, paid to understudy, rarely to dance. Doubts rose as old feelings of unworthiness returned.



Yet she realized something: Its not that Im unworthy, Im new. Trust takes time to build, especially in an institution of this caliber. Its not personal, its business. Besides, it gives me time to adapt and assimilate.

And time its taken. Shes had to stylistically retrain, focusing on balance, control, fluidity and port de bras while ridding herself of certain Balanchine affectations. Shes had to learn a new language, as all classes and corrections are given in French. And shes had to adjust to the raked stage and studios, and to an intense yet slower rehearsal pace. With more downtime, shes put her wisdom gained at PNB to good use, recognizing that self-care and decompression are key, especially when her constantly translating brain gets as much of a workout as her body.

As a result, shes experiencing all-new growing pains. Growth, personally, in learning to advocate for herselfbeing bold, bluntly expressing her needs because, in her words, no one else will, and I cant sugarcoat in French.

Growth, professionally, in mental nimbleness, emotional fortitude and focus. Knowing all the swans in Swan Lake versus just one, for example. Being flexible and prepared to dance whichever part she is thrown into (shes performed four separate swan spots). Not allowing mistakes or emotions to overwhelm and derail her, or others opinions sway hereasily accomplished since she literally cant understand them.

Shes also learned to let go of ego, a lesson that took her by surprise. I never saw myself as defensive, she admits. But letting it all go has freed me to change. To accept corrections. To dance whatever part they give me with joy and gratitude.

Former Pacific Northwest Ballet corps de ballet dancer Chelsea Adomaitis. Angela Sterling, Courtesy PNB.

With time, trust has been gained. Twice in November during POBs all-Balanchine program, artistic staff told her at intermission to get readyher girl was not okayonly to change their minds in the wings. But the third time, they let her step in for Brahms- Schoenberg Quartets second movement, and it was a turning point. By March, shed progressed from understudy-only to having her very own part in Balanchines A Midsummer Nights Dreamdancing every show, with her name in the program.



Though her temporary contract was extended to a full season, ending in June 2017, her future is still unknown. It rests on her performance at the concours, POBs annual audition for both permanent and temporary contracts. But she doesnt dwell on that, choosing instead to focus on each daychallenges, triumphs and all.

Cafes and croissants devoured, I smiled and asked, So, was it worth it?

To have gone in older, unknown and differently trained, but as 100 percent Chelsea, and have that affirmed, has been the greatest gift, she told me. Every day I get to live this dream, and that has been worth everything!

Editors note: On July 6th, 2017, Adomaitis came in third place at the Paris Opera Ballets annual concours, and earned a temporary contract for the 2017/18 season, but was not offered a permanent position. While this season will be her last at POB, she plans to audition for other companies next year.


A father and son from Staten Island, NY, were facing charges Wednesday for allegedly running a drug operation on the dark web.

For the better part of a year and five months, Michael and Philip Luciano sold fentanyl and oxycodone on a website called AlphaBay, using the United States Post Office to deliver the goods to online buyers, according to the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys Office.

Prosecutors said the pair ran their illegal business from February 2016 through July 2017, when Homeland Security Investigation agents executed a search warrant at their home. The warrant was obtained after undercover HSI agents bought fentanyl from their account on AlphaBay, according to the U.S. District Attorneys Office, AM New York reports.
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An unhinged Donald Trump is reported to be obsessed with the Russia investigation to the point where he blew up and swore at Majority Leader Mitch McConnell after the Senate passed the Russia sanctions bill.

A Republican Senator told The New York Times that Trump is consumed with Russia:

GOP senator describes POTUS to NYT as "consumed with #Russia" investigations. We speak to @jmartNYT on @OutFrontCNN at 7p ET  Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) August 22, 2017

Trump berated McConnell on the phone, which triggered a shouting match:

Trump berated Mitch on phone re: RUSSIA, triggering profanity-laced shouting match Flake to Ky this wk for Mitch $https://t.co/297n9RveMl  Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) August 22, 2017

Manu Raju of CNN added that Trump exploded in rage over the Russia sanctions bill:

Sources confirm to me Trump blew up and swore at McConnell at not just Russia probe but also Russia sanctions bill. https://t.co/it94dACfae  Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 22, 2017

The question of what Russia has on Trump should be at the front of a lot of minds this evening. Why would Trump be advocating for Russia after they attacked the presidential election that Trump won? The obvious answer is that Trump was fully complicit in whatever collusion went down between his campaign and the Russian government. A deeper answer goes back to Special Counsel Robert Muellers ongoing investigation into Trumps financial dealings with the Russians.

There has been a lot of talk that the President is compromised. Russia has dirt and information on Trump that could bring him down. Some even speculate that Putin is blackmailing Trump. The more likely answer is that Trump has deep financial ties to Russia that he would like to keep a secret. The Russian government helped Trump win the election, and his end of the deal was supposed to be the lifting of sanctions.

Donald Trump is obsessed with Russia, but the Russia scandal is where his crimes are. Trump is losing it, and alienating the Senate Majority Leader who controls his fate could be the final mistake that undoes the Trump presidency.
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LOS ANGELES (Reuters)  Actor George Clooney and his humanitarian lawyer wife, Amal Clooney, have donated $1 million to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a U.S. non-profit that monitors extremists and domestic hate groups, in response to protests in Charlottesville, Virginia earlier this month.

An Aug. 12 rally in the town organized by neo-Nazis and other white supremacists led to counter-protests and the death of a woman when a car plowed into the crowd. The street battles triggered a political crisis for President Donald Trump, who praised very fine people on both sides of the fight.

What happened in Charlottesville, and what is happening in communities across our country, demands our collective engagement to stand up to hate, the Clooneys said in a joint statement.

The donation comes from the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which the couple established in 2016 to promote justice in classrooms and courtrooms around the world.

Southern Poverty Law Center President Richard Cohen thanked the Clooneys for standing with us at this critical moment in our countrys fight against hate.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; editing by Steve Orlofsky)
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By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  The U.S. Justice Department is scaling back its request to obtain a broad swath of data in connection with an anti-Trump website, after critics accused the department of trampling the free speech rights of political dissidents.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia had previously issued a broader search warrant in July to DreamHost, a Los Angeles-based web hosting company, to obtain data about visitors to website disruptj20.org.

Disruptj20 is home to a coalition of political activists who organized disruptive protests during President Donald Trumps inauguration.

The Justice Department said it sought the records connected to the site amid concerns that it helped facilitate the planning of violent riots on Inauguration Day in which more than 200 people were arrested for rioting and vandalizing businesses in downtown Washington.

DreamHost resisted the request, saying the scope of the warrant was too broad and trampled on the rights of 1.3 million visitors to the site, many of whom were simply exercising their First Amendment rights to express their political views.

The Justice Department on Tuesday proposed amending the scope of its warrant in a filing with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Criminal Division, which is slated to hold a hearing over the dispute on Thursday morning.

The warrant  like the criminal investigation  is singularly focused on criminal activity. It will not be used for any other purpose, it wrote.

The government has no interest in records relating to the 1.3 million IP addresses that are mentioned in DreamHosts numerous press releases and opposition brief.

The department proposed asking the court to amend the warrant, and said that DreamHost should not disclose the contents of unpublished draft publications or HTTP request and error logs.

A spokesman for DreamHost could not be immediately reached for comment.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)
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Mitch McConnells allies sent a stern warning to Trump that if he knocks off Republican Senators and Democrats get control of the Senate, hell be on the fast track to impeachment.

The New York Times reported:

But Mr. McConnells allies warn that the president should be wary of doing anything that could jeopardize the Senate Republican majority.

The quickest way for him to get impeached is for Trump to knock off Jeff Flake and Dean Heller and be faced with a Democrat-led Senate, said Billy Piper, a lobbyist and former McConnell chief of staff.

The interesting part of that quote from McConnells former chief of staff is that Democrats getting control of the Senate wouldnt be enough to impeach Trump. If Democrats were to take back the Senate, they would at best have a slim two vote majority. It takes 67 votes to convict and remove a president from office. McConnells former chief of staff seems to be saying that there are enough Republican Senators who would join with Democrats to remove Trump from office.

It is possible that there are 15-16 GOP Senators who would vote to convict Trump. Guessing who those Senators are would make for an interesting game.

The threat to Trump was clear. If he keeps messing with Republican incumbent Senators, hell be risking getting thrown out of office. This the biggest omen yet that Senate Republicans are coming closer to turning on Trump.
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(Reuters)  Police deployed gas and smoke to disperse crowds in Phoenix, Arizona, who protested outside a rally by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, according to a Reuters witness.

Media reports said some protesters had thrown bottles at police.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Paul Tait)
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In a moment of true delusion, Trump blamed former President Obama, not his years of racist rhetoric and support of Nazis, for Americas worsening race relations.

Video:

Pres. Trump: "They asked me: 'what about race relations in the United States?' I have to say, they were pretty bad under Barack Obama." pic.twitter.com/3YyznLDPAN  CBS News (@CBSNews) August 23, 2017

Trump said, They asked me what about race relations in the United States? I have to say; they were pretty bad under Barack Obama.

It was just last week when Trump claimed that Americas racial problems predated Obama. Once again, Trump was off script and showing America who he really is.

In Trumps mind, he didnt spend years spreading birtherism against Obama and questioning everything from the former presidents birth certificate to his college transcripts, fanning the flames of racial divide. It isnt Trump who called Mexicans murders and rapists, who has contributed to worsening race relations. Trump, who voiced support and sympathy for neo-Nazis and white supremacists, is not to blame.

In Donald Trumps mind, the man responsible for worsening race relations in the United States is Barack Obama, an African-American man who had the nerve to run for president and win twice.

The dog whistles are being blown loud and hard in Phoenix, and Trump denied his racism while practicing an even more sinister version of racial hate.
Six crashes over five days resulted in injuries to drivers and occupants, according to local law enforcement.

The most recent occurred about 7:40 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Balsam and 235th Street.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office said a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Star Pralle, 17, of Clear Lake, was traveling westbound on 235th and drove through the interesection. She collided with a 1992 Chevrolet Caprice driven by Tasha McBride, 37, of Meservey, who was traveling northbound on Balsam.

A 14-year-old passenger in Pralles vehicle and McBride were both transported Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Passengers in McBrides vehicle  children ages 4, 8 and 11  were transported along with Pralle by private vehicle to Mercy.

Both vehicles were a total loss. Clear Lake Police Department, Garner Ambulance, Clear Lake Ambulance and Ventura Fire Department assisted.

Southeast of Mason City

Cerro Gordo County deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident about 5:18 a.m. Monday near Thrush Avenue and 245th Street.

A blue 2001 Dodge Ram driven by Daniel Rodger O'Brien, 58, of Charles City, struck the bridge guardrail. O'Brien was transported to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa with non-life threatening injuries.

The Mason City Fire Department assisted.

Near Nashua

Floyd County Sheriff's deputies responded Sunday night to a single-vehicle rollover near Nashua.

A 2004 GMC Sierra driven by Terry Ritzman, 41, of Nashua was travelling southbound on the 2900 block of Underwood Avenue about 7:30 p.m. when he lost control of the vehicle. Ritzman drove into the east ditch causing the vehicle to overturn onto its top.

The driver and passenger were transported to the Floyd County Medical Center for injuries.

The vehicle was a total loss, according to a Floyd County Sheriff's Department press release.

Nashua Fire Department, AMR and Floyd County Search and rescue also responded.

South of Mason City

Cerro Gordo County deputies responded to a two-vehicle accident about 4:24 p.m. Sunday at 220th Street and Olive Avenue.

Christopher Setterholm, 36, of Rockwell, was southbound on Olive Avenue in a 1995 Dodge Ram, while Jarod Cole, 32, of Mason City, was westbound on 220th Street in a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The two vehicles struck at an uncontrolled intersection.

All subjects were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, according to a press release.

Coles passenger, Kirk Hefley, 37, of Gowrie, was transported to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa for evaluation.

According to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs department, Cole was cited for failure to yield.

Iowa State Patrol and Mason City Fire also responded.

Near Rock Falls

Cerro Gordo County deputies responded to a two-vehicle rollover accident about 7:55 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of 310th Street and Yarrow Avenue.

A 1998 Dodge truck operated by Aaron Thomas, 34, of Kensett, was traveling northbound on Yarrow Avenue. A 2008 Ford truck driven by Kyle Kapustynski, 28, of Osage, was westbound on 310th Street.

Both trucks entered the intersection at the same time, with Kapustynski striking the passenger side of Thomas truck. The collision caused both trucks to roll and enter the ditch.

Kapustynski and passenger Trevor Kapustynski, 26, of Osage were both transported to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa by Mason City Fire Medics with non-life threatening injuries.

Mason City Fire and Plymouth First Responders assisted at the scene.

Near Rockwell

Cerro Gordo County deputies responded to a single-vehicle rollover Friday in the 5000 block of Partridge Avenue.

A red 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driving northbound crossed Partridge Avenue and entered the west ditch, struck a field drive and rolled over.

The driver, Chase McCleish, 17, of Mason City, suffered minor injuries and was transported by a private vehicle.

Mason City Fire Department and Rockwell EMTs assisted.
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In Phoenix, Donald Trump threatened to shut down the US government if Democrats and Congress wont pay for his border wall that Mexico was supposed to pay for.

Video:

Trump said, Now, the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me if we have to close down our government, were building that wall.

The Presidents plan is to shut down the government, and blame Democrats in the Senate for not funding his wall.

Trump promised during the campaign that Mexico would pay for the wall. The President was later caught begging Mexicos president to stop saying that Mexico wont pay for the wall. If there was one thing that Trump could do after supporting Nazis that would make him even less popular, it would be to close down the government over funding for a border wall that the most of the country doesnt want.

If Trump wants his wall built, he should fulfill his campaign promise, and get Mexico to pay for it, because Democrats arent going to support spending one red cent.
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By Dustin Volz

(Reuters)  U.S. President Donald Trump would be required to notify U.S. lawmakers before creating a joint U.S.-Russia cyber security unit  an idea that has drawn criticism across the political spectrum  under legislation advancing in Congress.

The proposal, if it became law, would be the latest in a series of maneuvers by Congress that either limit the presidents authority on Russia matters or rebuke his desire to warm relations with Moscow.

A provision contained within the annual Intelligence Authorization Act and passed by the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee 14-1 would require the Trump administration to provide Congress with a report describing what intelligence would be shared with Russia, any counterintelligence concerns and how those concerns would be addressed.

The bill, which grants congressional approval for clandestine operations carried out by the CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies, passed the Senate Intelligence Committee in July, but its text was only recently made public because it involves sensitive intelligence operations.

Trump last month said on Twitter that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had discussed establishing an impenetrable Cyber Security unit to address issues like the risk of cyber meddling in elections.

Trump quickly backpedaled on the idea, which was criticized by Democrats, senior Republicans and the National Security Agency director.

The White House and Senator Richard Burr, the Republican chairman of the intelligence panel, were not immediately available for comment on the bill.

WARMER RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

Trump wants to improve relations with Russia, a desire that has been hamstrung by the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Republican Trump against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

U.S. congressional panels and a special counsel are investigating the interference and possible conclusion between Russia and members of Trumps campaign. Moscow has denied any meddling and Trump has denied any collusion.

Previously, Congress tied the presidents hands on Russia by passing a bill that Trump cannot ease the sanctions against Russia unless he seeks congressional approval.

In August, the Senate blocked Trump from being able to make recess appointments while lawmakers were on break, fearing the president would fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions over his handling of the Russian probe.

Lawmakers have also introduced legislation to stop Trump from having the ability to fire Robert Mueller, the special counsel appointed to determine whether there was collusion between Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and Moscow.

The annual Intelligence Authorization Act requires approval by the full Senate and House and the presidents signature before it can become law. No vote has been scheduled and the last act was passed by Congress in March.

The legislations provision requiring notification of any U.S.-Russia cybersecurity unit was pushed by Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, his office said on Tuesday.

Wyden also helped secure provisions in the bill that call for an intelligence report assessing the threat posed to the United States by Russian money laundering and another report examining whether cyber vulnerabilities in U.S. cell networks, including a known bug in the global mobile network Signaling System No. 7, or SS7, are being exploited by foreign governments to conduct surveillance on Americans.

Wyden was the lone committee vote against the bill, however.

He said in a statement on Tuesday that he objected to language that identified the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks as a non-state hostile intelligence service because doing so could have implications for journalists.

(Reporting by Dustin Volz in San Francisco; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
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By Jeff Mason and Keith Coffman

PHOENIX (Reuters)  President Donald Trump, surrounded by thousands of supporters on Tuesday, defended his response to the violence at a rally organized by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, and attacked the media for giving a platform to hate groups.

Trump told the friendly crowd at the political rally in Arizona that his words in the aftermath of the Virginia event had been perfect.

He revved up the crowd with criticism of journalists, who he said did not report what he had said. Many in the crowd turned and pointed at reporters in the room. Some chanted CNN sucks.

Trump also suggested he might pardon Joe Arpaio, a former sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, who was found guilty last month of criminal contempt for violating the terms of a 2011 court order in a racial profiling case.

Arpaio, 85, lost a re-election bid last year in the county.

Do the people in this room like Sheriff Joe? Trump asked, sparking loud applause and a chant of Pardon Joe!

Was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job? Trump asked, before predicting that Arpaio would be just fine. I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy, he said.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters traveling with Trump on Air Force One earlier on Tuesday: There will be no discussion of that today at any point and no action will be taken on that front at any point today.

BROAD CRITICISM

Trump drew broad criticism for blaming both white nationalists and counter-protesters for the deadly violence at the Charlottesville rally, which was organized by neo-Nazis and white supremacists. One woman was killed.

Protesters outside Tuesdays rally yelled: Shame, shame, shame and No Trump, No KKK, No fascist USA as the Trump supporters began filing into the Phoenix Convention Center.

Supporters, who lined up for hours in the Arizona heat ahead of the event, chanted: Build the wall, a reference to Trumps pledge to erect a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico.

Many wore red hats with Trumps campaign slogan, Make America Great Again.

Trump has held a series of 2020 re-election campaign stops despite only having taken office in January.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, a Democrat, had asked him to postpone Tuesdays event, scheduled for 7 p.m. MST (0200 GMT Wednesday), while the nation healed from outrage and division after the deadly rally in Charlottesville.

Neither John McCain nor Jeff Flake, Arizonas senators, was expected to attend the Phoenix event, said a source familiar with Flakes re-election campaign and published reports, underscoring Trumps fractious relationship with some in his own party.

Republican Governor Doug Ducey told the Arizona Republic on Monday that he would welcome Trump on the tarmac when he arrived but would not attend the rally.

Before flying to Phoenix, the state capital, Trump landed in Yuma, Arizona, near the Mexican border, for a tour of border security facilities. He is seeking congressional funding for the wall he wants built along the border to deter illegal immigration..

HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE

A heavy police presence deployed around the Phoenix venue.

Some White House officials privately expressed concern on Monday about Trumps Phoenix rally, fearing he might revisit the Charlottesville issue in the heat of the moment while cheered on by supporters.

The president is always welcome in Arizona, Flake spokesman Will Allison said in an emailed statement.

Flake hopes the president will speak constructively about moving forward with tax reform, border security, and other important issues facing our country, Allison said.

Earlier this summer, Flake published a book questioning the direction of the Republican Party in the Trump era, making him one of the few party members willing to criticize the president.

Last week, Trump sent a tweet voicing support for Flakes challenger, Kelli Ward, in next years Arizona Senate Republican primary. In the tweet, Trump called Flake toxic and weak.

The president has also made caustic remarks about McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee and war hero, who is battling cancer. A spokesman for McCain could not be reached immediately.

The Phoenix event is Trumps first trip as president to Arizona, which he won in the 2016 election.

(Additional reporting by Ayesha Rascoe, Susan Cornwell and Steve Holland in Washington and David Schwartz in Phoenix; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Peter Cooney and Paul Tait)
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By Gabriel Stargardter and David Ljunggren

MEXICO CITY/OTTAWA (Reuters)  Mexico and Canada on Wednesday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trumps threat to scrap NAFTA, describing it as a negotiating tactic designed to gain an advantage during talks to update one of the worlds biggest trading blocs.

In comments that initially pushed Mexicos peso currency down by more than 1 percent, Trump on Tuesday reiterated his threats to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump has long called the 1994 treaty a bad deal that hurt American workers, saying it should be re-negotiated or ended.

Initial talks between Mexico, the United States and Canada to update NAFTA ended in Washington over the weekend with no sign of a breakthrough, and further discussions are due in Mexico City in September.

Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray sought to brush off Trumps threat, saying his remarks were simply a tactic and Mexico would keep negotiating. The comments were not a surprise, nor would they scare Mexico, he added.

Hes negotiating in his own particular style, he told local television.

The peso later recovered all its losses. NAFTAs fate is important to Mexico and Canada, which both send most of their exports to the United States.

A Canadian official said Ottawa would not be deterred by Trumps threat, given the government had been bracing for moments of turbulence.

This was always a card we knew the president would likely play  it may have been a bit earlier than expected, said the official, who declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the situation.

Its not going to cause us to waver at all in our position  (we) wont really be deterred by these statements, the official added.

Separately, the office of Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland issued a statement saying Canada would work hard to modernize NAFTA and noted trade talks often had moments of heated rhetoric.

Mexicos currency fell to record lows following Trumps victory in the U.S. presidential election last November, with investors scared he could hurt Mexican exports and cause a recession south of the border.

However, the peso has recovered since then, as many of investors worst fears seemed to subside.

In recent months, peso traders increasingly appeared to pay little heed to some of Trumps comments, helping a recovery in the currency.

But Trumps remarks showed traders remain skittish about the future of NAFTA, and highlighted the complexity of the talks.

(Additional reporting by Veronica Gomez in Mexico City; Editing by Frances Kerry and Tom Brown)
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A neo-Nazi rally planned for September 16th in Eau Claire, Wisconsin has been canceled, according the Cory Klicko, a spokesperson for the National Socialist Movement organization who claims he quit the Nazi group in order to break away from anything that may be perceived as negative.

Saying the event was canceled in part because of controversy surrounding it and what he said were threats against him and people close to him, Klicko told the Leader-Telegram in an email that he has withdrawn his support from the neo-Nazi organization.

After careful consideration and communications with positive people, Ive decided to break away from anything that may be perceived as negative to myself, my family or the community. Racism and hate have no place in communities and we all need to move forward to better provide for our future.

Earth to Republicans: Yes, people see affiliating with Nazi ideology as a negative thing. Really.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won Eau Claire 27,340 to Trumps 23,331, but then candidate Donald Trump held a campaign event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on November 1, 2016.

Klickos public denouncement of a group whose negative values he was more than familiar with prior to the public backlash against neo-Nazis supporting Donald Trump suggests that sunshine is the best disinfectant for hate.

People are happy to hate in private, but having to put their name out there as someone who supports Nazi ideology is another story. With the intense scrutiny of the media after a woman was murdered by neo-Nazi white supremacist in Charlottesville, Virginia and President Trump has repeatedly sided with the neo-Nazis and white supremacists, its not as easy to get away with such shameful behavior.
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A new PPP poll provided proof that racism is a driving factor in support for Donald Trump as by a margin of 45%-17% Trump voters believed that whites are the most discriminated against group followed by Native Americans and African-Americans at 17% and 16% each.

According to PPP, The reason Trump hasnt lost more ground for his widely panned response to the attack is probably that many of his supporters agree with some of the beliefs that led white supremacists to rally in Charlottesville in the first place. Asked what racial group they think faces the most discrimination in America, 45% of Trump voters say its white people followed by 17% for Native Americans with 16% picking African Americans, and 5% picking Latinos. Asked what religious group they think faces the most discrimination in America, 54% of Trump voters says its Christians followed by 22% for Muslims and 12% for Jews. There is a mindset among many Trump voters that its whites and Christians getting trampled on in America that makes it unlikely they would abandon Trump over his both sides rhetoric.

Trump voters think that white Christians are the most discriminated against groups in the country. This finding is not surprising in the least to anyone who has attended a Trump event or spent any time speaking to Trump voters.

All of the hand-wringing in the media and among some Democrats over the loss of white working class voters due to the economy was bogus. Many who support Donald Trump do so because they share his white supremacist beliefs. Trump supporters dont care about the economy. Trump is a backlash to eight years of an African-American occupying the White House. The Republican Party built the platform that enabled Trumps rise by happily diving into racial politics in an all cost effort to oppose Obama and take back Congress.

The Republican Party may not be full of racists, but for a large number of Trump supporters, the Presidents cozying up to white power hate groups is right in line with their beliefs.
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Allies of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wanted Trump that he is heading for impeachment if he continues to attack Republican Senators, so Trump responded by attacking Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake.

Billy Piper, McConnells former chief of staff said, The quickest way for him to get impeached is for Trump to knock off Jeff Flake and Dean Heller and be faced with a Democrat-led Senate. The Senate cant impeach the president. If the House passes articles of impeachment a trial is held in the Senate, with 67 votes required for conviction and removal from office.

Trump responded by attacking the incumbent Republican that he was explicitly warned not to go after:

Phoenix crowd last night was amazing  a packed house. I love the Great State of Arizona. Not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2017

There are two things that Republicans dont understand. Donald Trump doesnt think he will ever be impeached, and he could care less if Republicans lose the Senate. Trump only cares about Trump. The Republican Party means nothing to him. He would burn the GOP to the ground and hand Congress over to the Democrats if he thought it would win him reelection in 2020.

The President is virtually daring McConnell and the Republican Senators to take action against him. Trump is still mad about having to sign the Russia sanctions bill, and he is taking it out on his own party.

Republicans enabled Trump, and now he behaves like an out of control child.

Donald Trump is begging for impeachment, and if he keeps pushing, he might get what he wants.
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(Reuters)  A U.S. court on Wednesday threw out a voter identification law that was supported by the Trump administration.

The Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, quickly issued a statement saying his office would appeal the federal court ruling.

(Reporting by Bernie Woodall in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Editing by Toni Reinhold)
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By Yeganeh Torbati

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  One of the U.S. State Departments science envoys publicly resigned on Wednesday, the latest in a wave of defections over President Donald Trumps response to a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Daniel Kammen, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said in a letter posted on his Twitter account that Trump had failed to condemn white supremacists and neo-Nazis, part of a broader pattern of behavior that enables sexism and racism, and disregards the welfare of all Americans, the global community and the planet.

Trump told reporters last week that both sides were to blame for the violence between white supremacists and counter protesters in Virginia on Aug. 12, and said there were very fine people among those who participated in the white nationalist rally.

At a rally in Arizona on Tuesday, Trump defended his response and said the news media had ignored his condemnation of white supremacists.

Envoys serve as unpaid volunteers and engage with government and non-government science officials and convene meetings around foreign policy and science.

In his letter, Kammen also criticized Trumps decision to leave the Paris Climate Accord. The first letters of each paragraph in his letter spelled out the word IMPEACH.

Kammen, the White House and the State Department did not respond to requests for comment.

The science envoy position is not particularly high-profile. The envoys  drawn from the ranks of American scientists and scholars  typically serve for one year, so Kammen was likely nearing the end of his term.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Kammen served as an envoy since August 2016.

Two of the other six envoys listed on an archived State Department website as being in Kammens cohort told Reuters their terms had ended prior to Trump taking office.

Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, served as envoy in 2015 and 2016 and said he has been in contact with the State Department about possibly returning. He would be willing to do so even after Trumps post-Charlottesville statements, he told Reuters on Wednesday.

Despite those comments I think its important to be willing to serve the United States, Hotez said.

Trumps comments in response to the protests sparked a wave of defections of American chief executives last week from White House advisory councils, leading to their disbanding, and earned condemnations from Republicans and Democrats alike.

(Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati; Editing by Dan Grebler)
This tax is a constant drag on Hungarian businesses

In the summer months, many businesses start their next annual planning. The finance and controlling departments can start to calculate profits in light of the sales revenue plans of the sales team and the wage cost estimations of the HR department. At this point, taxes depending directly or indirectly on profits soon come to the fore. Year after year, the moment comes when we are repeatedly taken aback by the unexpectedly high local business tax lurking behind the percentage rate of corporate tax, said Zoltan Lambert, Managing Partner of WTS Klient Hungary, in an opinion piece published on Tuesday.

Why so surprised?

We are prone to form opinions based on appearances. And the 2% rate of local business tax can easily throw us off guard," Lambert said.It is generally accepted among company managers that local governments also need the taxes of the companies operating in their area. The 2% rate actually seems quite fair.Lambert ponders whether all company managers in Hungary are aware that

the base for local business tax is many times that of corporate tax.

Although we officially consider local business tax to be an income tax, the tax base comprising net sales revenue less only a few material-type expenses is more reminiscent of a sales tax. When calculating the local business tax base, neither the costs of service invoices that make up serious amounts at businesses, nor total wage-type expenses, depreciation or other expenses can be deducted.

Do not be surprised if your business pays a local business tax that greatly exceeds the level of corporate tax

Systemic error that needs fixing

, he warned.Investments that drive economic growth naturally enjoy the support of economic policymakers. The use of EU funds for economic development purposes (primarily through the support of small and medium-sized companies) and state funds provided for the investments of multinational companies significantly reinforce the investments of businesses that underlie long-term growth., said Lambert. We see good examples of this in the case of corporate tax, just think about the generous tax-cutting opportunities of development tax allowances, he added.

"However, regarding local business tax in Hungary, we see no signs of any similar efforts."

Another danger: property tax

This could be the solution

In the years following the commissioning of investments, depreciation is the expense that companies can account for. However, this expense does not decrease the local business tax liability of the companies.We see a similar anomaly in employees wage-type expenses. The wage agreement concluded at the end of 2016 offers a historical chance for employees in Hungary for an accelerated increase of wages. The government is contributing to realising this economic policy goal by decreasing the social contribution tax, and employers, in turn, by increasing gross salaries.Local business tax ignores this intention. No matter how much wage-type expenses of companies grow, the local business tax base remains unchanged, so the amount of tax does not decrease either. With constant sales revenues and expenses excluding wages, the increased wage-type expenses decrease the pre-tax profit, but the local business tax, which theoretically counts as a profit tax, remains unchanged.As a result of the above, profit-generating enterprises can only" complain that a significant portion of their expenses does not affect their local business tax. But what should businesses say that make losses, even only temporarily?, said Lambert.Operating a business always comes with risks for the owners. A booked loss decreases a companys assets. However, further decreasing assets by having companies pay what is theoretically a profit-based local business tax should definitely be avoided. It is good to know that in Germany, which is often referred to as an example, the constitutional court qualified all similar interventions by the tax authority as unconstitutional as they endanger freedom of ownership.It is obvious that with the current rate of 2%, there is no chance of bringing this tax base close to the corporate tax base. In Hungary local business tax plays an important role in the financing of local governments, so there is no real chance for it to be drastically reduced.With a gradual increase in the tax rate and a simultaneous, gradual approval of the deduction of the afore-mentioned expenses from the tax base, local business tax revenue would remain unchanged and, parallel to this, a greater proportion of company profits would be expressed in the amount of tax payable, Lambert concluded.
Contact John McDermott at 843-937-5572 or follow him on Twitter at @byjohnmcdermott
Kevin Marsh, CEO of SCANA Corp., speaks to the media at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station near Jenkinsville during a media tour of the now abandoned facility Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. He was rushed out of the Statehouse Tuesday due to a medical emergency. File/Chuck Burton/AP
Two things are motivating the Charleston County School District to consider the idea. The first is the difficulty in attracting teachers to an area where they would struggle to afford housing. The second is the fact the district already owns land where apartments could be built. Read moreWith rents unaffordable, the Charleston school district considers building teacher housing
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Who would have thought that 241 years later, Americans would still be fighting over these words?

Even more unfathomable: Who would have thought the words and behavior of the president of the United States in 2017 would show he does not side with our Founding Fathers?

Yet that was a reality confirmed when hate groups praised the president's reactions to their armed-turned-deadly demonstration Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Don't kid yourself. These marchers were not rallying to save a statue. They were amassing to show their intention to dominate and destroy people of races and religions different from their own.

Witness those openly carrying firearms, while their defenders widely claim the counter protesters were the only ones prepared for battle.

Witness those standing outside a synagogue hurling deadly insults and giving Nazi salutes.

Witness those carrying Confederate and swastika flags, again chanting about death and domination.

And witness one believer's decision to turn a car into a deadly weapon, fortunate to have killed "only" one.

None of that is about a statue. It's all about bigotry and intolerance.

Yet President Trump has failed to draw a bright line between these groups and counter-protesters. Instead, he's doubled down on blaming both sides. He also incredulously claimed there are "fine, fine people" on both sides, and repeated the falsehood that counter-protesters had no permits.

As The Washington Post noted, by Thursday "Trump on two occasions said counter-protesters lacked a permit to demonstrate in Charlottesville. But they did have permits for rallies on Saturday  and they did not need one to go into or gather near Emancipation Park, where white nationalists scheduled their rally. No permits were needed to march on the U-Va. campus on Friday night."

In fact, noting and calling out misleading and wrong statements like Trump's are a big step rank-and-file Americans can take to help combat the hate these groups are trying to spread.

Americans should demand their elected officials stand strong in defiance of anyone who preaches hate, violence and supremacy over others. A few tweets won't cut it  social media doesn't constitute a policy statement.

But those same Americans who must call on their leaders to oppose supremacists also bear a heavy responsibility. In our daily discussions about this dark time in our nation's life, it's incumbent upon all of us to remember that facts matter. Make sure you have them  and that you have them straight  and respectfully requests others do the same.

"... All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Our very existence as one people began with these words. There can be no debate about them.
SC Attorney General Alan Wilson is challenging the CDC's recommendations on COVID vaccinations for kids. They have no force of law, so this is no different than the left trying to enforce its woke orthodoxy. Read moreEditorial: Alan Wilson should stick to the law, stop trying to silence opinions he dislikes
LAS VEGAS  Control of the U.S. Senate may come down to Nevada, where a slow ballot count entered its final act Saturday in the nail-biter contest between Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Republican challenger Adam Laxalt. Read moreSenate control may come down to Nevada as count nears end
Heather Smith says affordable housing isn't always affordable.

The single mother of two said when her $880-per-month rent in southeast Rochester jumped by $85 in the second year, it left her struggling to pay for rent and food, even though she has good job at Zumbro Valley Health Center.

"Why am I not able to afford the basics I need to live?" she asked during Tuesday's community meeting held by CURE  Communities United for Rochester's Empowerment  a social action group affiliated with SEIU Healthcare.

She said the unexpected increase on an already tight budget could have been unbearable without outside family support.

"I got a 46-cent raise at work," she said, noting it didn't cover the rent increase, or her rising food costs.

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"How am I supposed to save for a house?" she said.

Homeownership, said Zach Winter, doesn't necessarily solve the problem of a tight budget.

He said he bought a house near Silver Lake, which initially reduced his monthly housing costs when his $750 rent was converted into a lower mortgage payment.

This year, his monthly payment climbed from $676 to $905, largely based on increased property taxes.

Still, he said, he's better off than friends who are forced to pay $1,000 per month for rent.

"I still have a house, but I'm struggling and my friends are struggling even more," he said.

'You have to find a way'

Smith and Winter were among more than 120 area residents gathered to express concerns about a variety of issues on Rochester, ranging from a need for affordable housing to calls to respond to prejudice.

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However, voices also called for taking more personal responsibility..

"When there is not a way, you have to find a way," said Nashauna Lenoir, who said help and housing options are available for those willing to seek them out. She spoke of finding support through Olmsted County Community Services after moving to Rochester from Chicago six years ago.

She said she struggled with low-income housing that was unsafe for her children and decided to seek changes with county support. She urged others to take personal responsibility, rather than asking others to find solutions.

She said personal experience showed her the importance of doing things for herself. After homeownership didn't work out for her, she said she had to reassess her actions.

"It wasn't because we couldn't afford it," she said. "It was because we weren't budgeting our money."

Through Olmsted County programs, she said she has learned to be more self-sufficient and has found housing with the Housing and Urban Development voucher program while returning to school.

At the same time, she said she sees a need for more youth activities, which is part of the reason she is asking to form a nonprofit organization to help youth.

Calls for solutions

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Johnny Akzam, a member of the CURE group and candidate for Congress in Minnesota's First District, said the varied concerns voiced Tuesday demonstrate the need for the group.

"We're going to identify the problems we see, and we are trying to move forward," he said, noting the group formed four weeks ago.

CURE members plan to take action Thursday by meeting with Rochester City Council member Mark Bilderback to push for his support of a proposed city policy to increase the number of affordable housing units being built in the city.

The proposed policy would offer incentives to developers to include a percentage of housing units that would be affordable to people earning up to 50 percent of the area median income.

The proposal presented to the city in May calls for 10 percent of housing units to be deemed affordable, but CURE organizers want to push Bilderback to support a 20 percent goal.

Barbara Postema, another CURE member, said the group is targeting Bilderback because it sees him as the potential deciding vote on the issue when it faces council action.

Rally and march

In addition to meeting with Bilderback at City Hall, the group plans to rally and march to the 501 on First apartments to raise awareness for the need of affordable housing options. The apartment complex, which opened nearly a year ago, has rents ranging from $1,050 for studio apartments to as much as $2,600 for two-bedroom units.

Postema said the group needs a large number of supporters to raise awareness amid rising costs.

"Rents are going up for a tax and what are we getting out of it as a community?" she asked.

The CURE members asked those gathered Tuesday at the Eagles Club to join them Thursday at 3 p.m. in City Hall to prepare to meet with Bilderback or for the march and rally, which is expected to start by 5 p.m.

Several of the residents gathered said the see a need to raising awareness for people who may fall through the cracks.

"While I don't make minimum wage  and I'm blessed for that  I'm not rich either," Ruby Wyatt said, noting it's difficult to make ends meet as a single mother amid rising costs in Rochester.

"I don't see it in my future at all," she said.
Finnish English

Neste Jacobs

Press Release

22 August 2017 at 10 am. (EET)

Neste Jacobs sets out to revolutionize operator training with NAPCON Games

Technology, engineering and project management company Neste Jacobs releases a new product portfolio called NAPCON Games, which will gamify operator training. NAPCON Games can be combined with traditional operator training methods to maximize the benefits and to improve the operator training for the process industry.

NAPCON Games product portfolio will include a series of games to enhance operator training significantly.

The first game now to be launched is a transformational mobile game; NAPCON Games Fuel Blender, which gives a hint of what NAPCON Games can offer for the process industry worldwide.

NAPCON Games Fuel Blender enables players to dive head first into the exciting world of fuel blending by being in charge of creating the optimal product. In the 9 different levels with variety of difficulty, the player is in charge of blending the optimal end-product with the available components and resources. NAPCON Games Fuel Blender not only tests the players' skills as a top of the notch fuel blender, but also allows the player to compete with others and see how their fuel blend stacks up against others based on profit. NAPCON Games Fuel Blender is an interactive, engaging and fun way to test skills in the art of fuel blending and to learn more about the different components that go into a fuel blend. This game does not require any previous experience or knowledge of operator work nor fuel blending and therefore suits well for all players.

"Gamifying is a very current topic at the moment and we are now the only company providing gaming solutions for the process industry. The NAPCON Games Fuel Blender is the first new generation game of its kind for basic training of different blending scenarios", says Jyri Lindholm, Head of Product Management of NAPCON, Neste Jacobs.

"Our NAPCON Games product portfolio offers a new, more interactive, fun and engaging way of training, which can have an amazing impact on learning. According to several researches e.g. one conducted by the University of Colorado*, simulations, games, and gamified e-learning had the following impact on adult learners: 14% increase in skill-based-knowledge assessments, 11% increase in terms of factual-knowledge and 9% increase in retention rate", Jyri Lindholm continues.

NAPCON Games Fuel Blender is now available free in the App Store from https://tinyurl.com/yasc4czr and Google Play store from https://tinyurl.com/yabb7lh2.

More information on NAPCON Games from www.napconsuite.com or

Satu Stolt, Marketing and Communications Manager, Neste Jacobs, tel. +358 50 458 9779

*Research was conducted by Traci Sitzmann, Assistant Professor of Management at University of Colorado. The research material included 65 different existing researches on gamification and data from 6,476 adult learners.

Neste Jacobs is a preferred solution provider of high-quality technology, engineering and project services for a wide range of industries in the fields of oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, biorefining, biochemicals, biopharma and industrial infrastructure. We have 60 years of experience in technology development and industrial investment projects as well as maintenance and performance improvement in Europe, North and South America, Asia and the Middle East. In addition to our home market Nordic countries we are looking to grow in the global expanding markets. We employ 1,300 professionals globally. www.nestejacobs.com

Neste Jacobs NAPCON products offers a wide range of advanced process improvement and automation technology solutions to enhance production. The dedicated solutions based on extensive process know-how and modern control software engineering fulfil all the needs on the areas of Production Optimization, Quality Optimization, Safety, Logistics, Business Optimization, Energy Efficiency, Big Data and Analytics. NAPCON offers also innovative solutions to train operators with simulators and games. www.napconsuite.com
There doesn't need to be a bumper crop to get grain bins overflowing across southern Minnesota. But a good crop will certainly make the storage problem worse.

"The bottom line is we're going to get a good crop in corn and beans," said Bob Zelenka, executive director of Minnesota Grain and Feed Association. "Some grain has been moving into commerce. But the problem is whether there is enough space both on farms and commercially."

Many farm bins and commercial elevators already hold a large quantity of grain, said Glenn Lutteke, general manager of All American Coop in Stewartville. And while the 2017 crop on its own won't be a bin-buster, there is enough carry over grain that elevator space will be at a premium.

"Carryover grain will be a factor for this fall's crop coming in," Lutteke said. "Is storage a problem? No. The commodity market is the problem."

That market has been slowly trending downward over the past couple years, leaving grain in the bins while farmers wait for a price they can live with. Making matters worse, he said, margins at elevators are slim at this time.

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Minnesota is home to 600 million bushels in grain elevator storage, Zelenka said. But there is another 2 billion bushels in fixed storage on farms across the state. With the good crop expected this fall, farmer will likely fill their fixed storage on farms, and could see elevators pushed to the limit as well.

If an early frost can be avoided, even crops planted late because of the cold ground in May will have time to mature, Zelenka said. Storage is certainly a concern, though Minnesota has 21 ethanol plants.

"So, that takes some pressure off the elevators," he said. "The farmer has a lot of control over when he wants to sell his grain. And he's responsible for maintaining the quality of the grain (when it's stored on the farm)."

But if elevators fill up, he said, farmers may have to look to on-ground storage if they run out of fixed storage options.

"Most of the temporary storage in the fall will be corn," he said. "You don't want to put beans on the ground because of their value."

Most of the carryover grain right now is corn, Zelenka said. The demand for beans lately has been better than corn based on the prices and movement of grain in the market. "Some grain has been moving," he said. "Rail service has been available, and barges are moving grain down the river."

And there will be more movement once the harvest comes.

"There's a lot of rail freight being ordered for shortly after the harvest," he said.

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Lutteke said All American Coop has another 1 million bushels of capacity coming online in its new bin in Elgin, but unless commodity prices move upwards and grain starts selling, that new capacity won't last long.

Like Zelenka, he said the wildcard is how much space is available as fixed storage on farms.

"I doubt that they're full but how much space do they have in comparison to the crop that they have?" he said. "At the moment where we're at today, storage could be a concern."

But the market is still a long way from a problem. An early frost, a change in commodity prices or other factors could get grain moving. "A month from now, maybe it's different."

Byt if nothing changes, the grain that is now in the fields will need to go somewhere, and it's unlikely there's enough room for it all.

"Whether it's elevators or farm bins, it's still got to find a destination," Zelenka said.
Tax-forfeited properties could ease some of the affordable housing squeeze in Olmsted County.

The county's Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board approved a program Monday aimed at putting properties in the hands of nonprofit agencies to provide affordable housing options.

"We can sell (the properties) for less than market value for the purpose of correcting blight or for creating affordable housing," said Heather Bestler of the county's Property, Records and Licensing Office. "So, there's our in."

County staff started working on the program after Commissioner Sheila Kiscaden questioned plans to sell homes on tax-forfeited properties earlier this year. Now, two of those homes  one in Chatfield and one in Eyota  could be the first to be sold under the program.

Bestler said staff plans to bring five properties to the county board next month for consideration for sale to a nonprofit seeking to rehabilitate existing homes or build new ones. The sales could be finalized in November.

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Three agencies  First Homes, Three Rivers and Habitat for Humanity  have already shown interest, she said, and others will be invited to participate.

The process for adding properties to the list won't be a quick one.

Bestler said it takes five years after a property owner stops paying taxes for the property to become tax-forfeited. At that point, the state claims the property and the county starts a specific process to arrange a sale.

State statute allows the properties to be sold to local government agencies, which is where the HRA comes into play as the go-between for the county and outside agencies.

Bestler predicts the program could produce approximately six properties a year.

"We on average start with 100 properties that are going to forfeit and come down to 15 or 20 that actually do," Bestler said, noting not all properties would be a fit for housing efforts.

While the program will start working with nonprofit agencies, Commissioner Jim Bier urged HRA staff to include for-profit groups addressing the housing crisis, noting they may have more funding available to cover costs of rehabilitating blighted properties.

HRA Director Dave Dunn said opening sales to for-profit groups is possible, but he wants to start the pilot with nonprofits.

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"I think we will have to have more safeguards in the process if we open it to the for-profit providers," he said.

Bestler added that concerns about any potential lack of funding to complete goals will be addressed in sales contracts by adding clauses to revert ownership back to the HRA, if deadlines are not met.

Bestler and Dunn noted the selection process also will include steps aimed at ensuring an agency can fulfill its plans for the property.

"The last thing the the HRA wants, and this board wants, is to get properties back," he said.

County Commission Gregg Wright noted the benefits of the program go beyond adding affordable housing to the market.

"I think it's good for affordable housing, but it's also good for the community because no one wants these houses sitting around," he said.
EYOTA  A crash at the Minnesota Highway 42 exit ramp along Interstate 90 sent one man to the hospital at about 2:35 p.m. Tuesday.

Colin Weis, 19, of Plainview was driving a 2001 Ford pickup northbound on Highway 42 when his vehicle was struck by a 2017 Ford driven by Terrance Jurgens, 70, of Windom. The 2017 Ford had taken the westbound exit ramp from I-90, stopped at the stop sign at Highway 42 then pulled out in front of the pickup and struck it, according to a Minnesota State Patrol report.

Neither Weis nor Jurgens' passenger, Jaclyn Jurgens, 63, of Windom, required transportation for medical care. Terrance Jurgens was taken to Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys Campus with non-life threatening injuries, the state patrol reported.

Deputies from the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, Eyota Fire Department, Dover Fire Department, Eyota Ambulance and Gold Cross Ambulance also responded to the scene.
ROSE CREEK  Kylie Stafford admits to feeling a little torn.

Should she keep her llama 's costume under wraps until the contest at the Minnesota State Fair to avoid tipping off their competitors, or should she share her love and knowledge of the pack animal with Al Roker, a TV personality best known as the weatherman on Today ?

Kylie chose the national audience  a decision that wasn't as easy as you might think.

"It's kind of hard, because we plan our costumes a year in advance," the 13-year-old said, "so revealing them (on TV) a week before we actually compete is kind of a win-lose situation."

Roker will be at the Great Minnesota Get-Together on Thursday; Kylie and her 14-month-old llama, Prym, will appear in a segment on his morning news show.

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The costume contest, though, isn't until Aug. 30.

'Big draw every year'

The rising eighth-grader at Southland Middle School in Adams was grand champion and won the intermediate division at the Mower County Free Fair earlier this month, qualifying her for a trip to the state fair  and an interview with Roker, said her mother, Lori Corbin.

Though Kylie has been involved in the llama costume competition for seven years, last year was the first time she was old enough to go to the state fair. She won her division.

"A lot of people don't do costume, because it's so much work," Corbin said. Of the more than 30 llamas in Austin, there were just six or seven in the intermediate division, she said.

Corbin laughs often while talking about the work that goes into the llama costume contests, "but if you ever go to the state fair, it is packed," she said.

"There's no place to sit, there's no place to stand; it's a big draw every year."

The judges look for coverage of the animal, Kylie said, "so if you have a good themed costume but you don't have a lot of coverage, you're not going to win."

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She used to dress her llamas in a full bodysuit  covering the toes and all, folks, "but their toenails would rip through the bodysuit" with all of the pulling and adjusting that needed to be done, she said.

Now, "Prym wears socks that go up to her knees," Corbin said, "then the bodysuit goes over the socks."

Take my breath away

This year, their theme is " Top Gun ," the 1986 movie about the Navy's fighter pilot training school.

Prym's the jet plane "and Kylie is Tom Cruise," Corbin said. The llama not only has wings, but "she has a little jet fan out her butt, and little fake flames."

Obviously, the llama's bodysuit is custom-made. It's polyester, to allow it to stretch over Prym's heavy wool coat.

"We found a lady in town who'd never done anything like that," Corbin said, but after making it last year, she was eager to do it again. "I design it and she sews it. She thinks it's great."

With the bodysuit complete, the "distractions" are added. This year's costume features not only the wings and the flames, but wheels that hang about 6 inches under Prym's stomach and balloon "clouds" on her legs "so it looks like she's flying. She's hysterical," Corbin said.

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"She's only had the costume on two times," Kylie said. "Once at the (Mower) county fair, and when we tried it on her a couple days before the fair, and she didn't really care."

Prym wears all of the distractions  and a full face mask that represents the cockpit of the plane.

Laid-back llama

Kylie has called this contest her favorite one yet, "because this is the first year that I've actually owned my own llama, and I got to pick out which llama I got to use," she said.

Before she bought Prym, Prym's mother and a male llama, Kylie had to lease the llamas she showed.

"I wanted my own llamas," Kylie said, so she did her research. She picked the male  now about 16 months old  at a llama show, then went to a llama farm and got Prym and her mother.

Though Kylie had her sights set on working with the male, Prym was actually much calmer, probably because she came to their farm with her mother.

Soon, Kylie realized, her young female was the better performance animal and was more social with humans.

"She's unflappable," Corbin said of Prym. "We haven't found anything that bothers her yet. We put the (airplane) wings on, and she walked away, never even looked at them.

"This llama is so laid back, she doesn't care about anything," Corbin said. "She doesn't get spooked," and isn't sensitive to different textures, like many llamas.

When it comes to possible costumes, "I bounce ideas off Kylie, and she decides if the llama can tolerate it or not."

The animals are generally "very food-motivated, so if there's something that's a little scarier, give them a handful of pellets as a treat, and they're fine," she said.

Fun-sized

Prym is an Argentine llama, Kylie said, big-boned, with a lot of heavy fiber.

"Her fiber is a lot wider, because it has more volume. She's a very big llama."

At 14 months, though, Prym is still a baby. She weighs about 220 pounds, Kylie said. Full grown llamas  at least 3 1/2 years old  weigh an average of 450 pounds.

A member of the Southside 4-H club in Mower County, Kylie said she'll likely stay involved in 4-H until she ages out, a year after high school graduation. She plans to breed her female llama, bringing the herd to six by the time she graduates.

"Kylie loves llamas," Corbin said, and participates on her 4-H Club's Llama Quiz Bowl.

But the animals are a lot of work, including a monthly deworming to prevent a worm white-tail deer carry. Kylie also trims their toenails and does the grooming for shows, in addition to the feeding program.

She does most of her own handling, Corbin said, and can administer shots when needed.

'Show they're not dangerous'

Kylie also shows sheep; she leaves today for St. Paul to prepare for that competition. Corbin will bring Prym to the fairgrounds for Thursday's 5 a.m. interview with Roker.

After next week's costume contest, Kylie will compete in the showmanship, obstacle and public relations portion of the judging.

So, a state fair trip and an interview on national television? Has it sunk in how cool that is?

"Really, the coolest part of it all is that we put costumes on what people think are dangerous animals," Kylie said, "so it's better to educate people, to show that they're not dangerous. They have a good disposition, actually, and you can do a lot of unique stuff with them.

"I don't know if you can put a costume on a cow," she said. "That's why llamas are cooler."
ST. PAUL  Another Republican announced his bid for governor this morning.

State Sen. Dave Osmek, of Mound, was slated to formally announce his run this morning in St. Paul. After announcing, he will travel to Rochester and Mankato to talk with local media about his decision.

In an interview, Osmek said he will be a champion of Minnesota values.

"We need a fighter. We need somebody that is going to stand up for Minnesota values and not St. Paul values or Washington, D.C. values," he said.

Osmek said if elected, he would focus on making Minnesota more affordable for citizens. He would do that, in part, by rolling back regulations. If elected, he also vowed he would get rid of the Metropolitan Council and stop plans to build light-rail transit.

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There are already eight Republicans running for governor. They include former Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Keith Downey, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson and state Rep. Matt Dean. Osmek said he stands out in the field because he has the highest score for a legislator from the Minnesota Taxpayers League. He said he plans to abide by the endorsement process.

Asked about the role of Rochester in the state, Osmek said he was the "biggest fan" of the Destination Medical Center funding that was passed as part of a larger tax bill. But he said he does see Mayo Clinic's expansion playing an important role in the state.

"When it comes to create jobs, that's something that especially in rural Minnesota we need to look at that. And Mayo can be one of solutions to provide those jobs  especially in the health care industry," he said.
In last nights speech on Afghanistan, President Trump said:

No one denies that we have inherited a challenging and troubling situation in Afghanistan and South Asia, but we do not have the luxury of going back in time and making different or better decisions. When I became President, I was given a bad and very complex hand, but I fully knew what I was getting into: big and intricate problems.

Every president inherits plenty of trouble, but Trump isnt just whining here. On issue after issue, Barack Obama passed the buck, making the situation worse than he found it and leaving his successor to pick up the pieces. Health care, military preparedness, the national debt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, North Korea and Afghanistan are some of the instances that come to mind.

What is galling is that because he is a Democrat, Obama was never held accountable for his fecklessness (or worse). The press, and the establishment in general, allowed him to skate. This is a big topic, but lets limit it to Afghanistan for the moment. Glenn Reynolds reminds us of Obamas false claims and promises:

President Obama: "By 2014, the war in Afghanistan will be over."  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 5, 2012

FACT: Unlike President Obama, Romney has no plan to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home.  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 9, 2012

FACT: President Obama has a plan to end the war in Afghanistan in 2014Mitt Romney does not.  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 22, 2012

President Obama: Were ending the war in Afghanistan because after a decade of war, its time to do some nation-building here at home.  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 23, 2012

President Obama: "I told you wed end the war in Iraq. We did. I said wed end the war in Afghanistan. We are." #PromiseKept  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 24, 2012

President Obama: "By the end of next year, our war in Afghanistan will be over."  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 13, 2013

Barack Obamas administration was a horrific failure in just about every way, but he has had the press running interference for him for eight years and counting. His lies and broken promises about Afghanistan are a sobering reminder of what a poor job he did as president. So far, Donald Trump has been a vast improvement.
MILWAUKEE, Aug. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (NYSE:PLOW), North Americas premier manufacturer and upfitter of work truck attachments and equipment, announced today that it has initiated a planned management transition to aid in the execution of its growth strategy.



The Companys current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Robert (Bob) McCormick, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, effective August 28, 2017. In his new role, Mr. McCormick will assume day-to-day responsibility for both of the Companys reporting segments, Work Truck Attachments and Work Truck Solutions, and will continue to report to Jim Janik, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. McCormicks current responsibilities will be transferred to Sarah Lauber, who is joining the Company as Chief Financial Officer on August 28, 2017.

As our Company continues to expand in size and scope, we are expanding our leadership team accordingly, explained Jim Janik, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Dynamics. Bob has been instrumental in orchestrating our growth and acquisition strategies in recent years and has been effectively operating as a part-time COO for some time. His excellent leadership of the finance team has allowed us to consistently operate from a position of strength throughout his 13-year tenure with the Company. I look forward to continuing our partnership as we execute our strategy in the years ahead.

Janik continued, Equally importantly, we are delighted to welcome Sarah to the Douglas Dynamics team. Adding Sarah will bring significant value to the Company based on her exceptional credentials, experience in financial operations as a public company and business unit CFO, and background at diversified industrial companies. She is an ideal fit for Douglas, and we have every confidence that Sarah will continue to succeed and thrive leading our finance team. With this addition, we believe that we have the right team in place to execute our strategy going forward.

Since joining the company as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2004, Mr. McCormick has assumed increasing responsibility for pursuing merger and acquisition activity, operations, and strategic planning, particularly following the acquisition of the Work Truck Solutions segment in 2016.

Bob McCormick, incoming Chief Operating Officer, noted, I look forward to taking on my next challenge at the Company and I firmly believe that we have the right team and strategy in place to drive long-term shareholder value. I am proud of our finance team and I am confident that Sarah is the ideal choice to succeed me as CFO.

As CFO of Douglas Dynamics, Mrs. Lauber will report directly to Mr. Janik and will be responsible for all finance functions, including financial reporting, treasury, investor relations, capital structure, risk management, and capital allocation.

Douglas Dynamics has a created a great team and collaborative culture, and the business continues to grow, creating tremendous opportunities. I look forward to helping the Company achieve its considerable potential for all of our stakeholders in the coming years, stated Sarah Lauber, incoming Chief Financial Officer.

Mrs. Lauber brings to Douglas more than 20 years of finance experience, an extensive background in financial planning, management and strategy, and a deep knowledge of the manufacturing industry. She joins the Company from Jason Industries, Inc., a diversified industrial company that competes in four major sectors  seating, finishing, acoustics, and engineered components - where she was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. At Jason Industries, Mrs. Lauber was responsible for all aspects of financial analysis and reporting, capital deployment strategy, as well as information technology and investor relations.

Prior to her time at Jason Industries, Mrs. Lauber served as Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis at Regal Beloit Corporation, a manufacturer of electric motors, generators and controls, and mechanical motion control products, from 2011 to 2015. Mrs. Lauber previously served as Chief Financial Officer of A.O. Smith Corporations Electrical Products Company (EPC), a manufacturer of electric motors for residential and commercial applications, from 2002 until EPC was acquired by Regal Beloit in 2011. Mrs. Lauber began her career as an accountant at KPMG.

Mrs. Lauber earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration, with an accounting concentration, from California State University, San Bernardino, and an Executive Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

About Douglas Dynamics

Home to the most trusted brands in the industry, Douglas Dynamics is North Americas premier manufacturer and up-fitter of work truck attachments and equipment. For more than 65 years, the Company has been innovating products that not only enable people to perform their jobs more efficiently and effectively, but also enable businesses to increase profitability. Through its proprietary Douglas Dynamics Management System (DDMS), the Company is committed to continuous improvement aimed at consistently producing the highest quality products, at industry-leading levels of service and delivery that ultimately drive shareholder value. The Douglas Dynamics portfolio of products and services is separated into two segments: First, the Work Truck Attachments segment, which includes manufactured snow and ice control attachments sold under the FISHER, HENDERSON, SNOWEX and WESTERN brands. Second, the Work Truck Solutions segment, which includes the up-fit of market leading attachments and storage solutions for commercial work vehicles under the DEJANA brand and its related sub-brands.
In his speech last night, President Trump vowed to win in Afghanistan. He declared, We will always win. He also said, Im a problem-solver, and in the end, we will win. In addition,there was this: The men and women who serve our nation in combat deserve a plan for victory. They deserve the tools they need and the trust they have earned to fight and to win.

Today, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sang a different, less optimistic tune. He told the Taliban, We may not win [a battlefield victory], but neither will you. He added:

We believe that we can turn the tide of what has been a losing battle over the last year and a half or so and at least stabilize the situation and, hopefully, start seeing some battlefield victories on the part of the Afghan forces.

Stabilizing the situation, seeing some battlefield victories, and preventing the Taliban from winning is a far cry from the U.S. winning, a distinction that Tillerson himself highlighted. Clearly, the Secretary of State was disputing what Trump said about the expected outcome of his Afghan policy. And what Trump said about that outcome was a key component of his effort to persuade a skeptical nation, including his base, to persevere in Afghanistan. America is tired of the stalemate Tillerson deemed the bast case scenario.

I suspect that Tillersons view is more realistic than Trumps. But the Secretary of State shouldnt contradict the presidents message. He should support it or not discuss it. (Its possible, I suppose, that Trump wanted Tillerson to dampen expectations, though I cant see how this helps Trump. In the short term, Tillersons words will be used against Trumps policy. In the long term, if Tillerson proves to be right, hell look good and Trump will look bad.)

Tillerson also contradicted the presidents message on negotiating with the Taliban. Trump said:

Someday, after an effective military effort, perhaps it will be possible to have a political settlement that includes elements of the Taliban in Afghanistan. But nobody knows if or when that will ever happen.

Tillerson showed none of the presidents skepticism about negotiating with the Taliban, nor did he condition a political settlement on military success. He said: [A]t some point, we have to come to the negotiating table and find a way to bring this to an end.

In other words, Tillerson wants, as President Obama did, to leverage a battlefield stalemate into negotiations with the Taliban. Trump may be willing to include some elements of the Taliban in a political settlement after we have kicked its ass.

Heads have rolled in this administration for offenses that seem less grave to me than Tillerson walking back Trumps message on Afghanistan.
In another bold move for self-sufficiency in sugar production through the governments backward integration policy, the Pan African Conglomerate, Dangote Group, on Wednesday in Minna, Niger State, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government for the establishment of a jumbo $450million state-ofart and fully integrated sugar complex.

On completion, according to the President of the Group, Aliko Dangote, the project will generate over 15,000 jobs in the state and bring about a complete economic turn-around for the state.

The $450million pact which was signed in the government house will see the company producing raw sugarcane on 16,000 hectares of land at Lavun Local Government through an out-grower scheme.

The company, which is currently operating out-grower scheme in rice production in a number of states, has Africas largest sugar refinery in Lagos and a sugar cane plantation in Numan, Adamawa State.

Mr. Dangote said his investment was informed by his Companys firm belief in the potentials of the Nigerian economy, adding that the new outlay will add value and create jobs for Nigerians.

He commended the state governor, Abubakar Bello, for his foresight and efforts to woo investors to Niger State noting the Dangotes Integrated Sugar Project in Niger State will also include the establishment of integrated sugar mills, generate power, produce molasses, ethanol fuel, biomass and produce animal feeds.

In his remarks, Mr. Bello said the deal will revolutionise agriculture in his state and Nigeria. Expressing joy that the MoU was signed during his own administration, he described Mr. Dangote as the liberator of the Nigerian economy and a dependable partner.

The governor then urged Dangote Group to explore other investment opportunities available in the state, just as he announced that the state was open for multi-sectoral investments.

The representative of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Aminu Bisala, said Mr. Dangote is the biggest private sector supporter of the Nigerian economy, and Federal Government policies.

He said the federal government was comfortable with the numerous investments efforts of the Dangote Group.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Niger State Traditional Council, Etsu Nupe, Abubakar Yahya, said he was elated about the huge investment coming to the state, while praying God to bless the Dangote Group more.

Just last week, the conglomerate had sponsored an investment summit in the state, which was attended by former Presidents Abdulsalami Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo and the then Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, who described the private sector as key to the countrys economic development.

The Group Managing Director of Dangote Sugar Plc, Abdullahi Sule, stated that the MoU would be a game changer for Niger State economy and Nigeria as a whole.

He said the integrated sugar mills will have the capacity to produce 160,000MT of raw sugar, pointing out that has been in the fore front of support for government industrialisation programmes through backward integration policy in agriculture.

According to him, the Dangote Sugar Refinery is developing a sugar backward integration plan through the production of 1.5MT/PA in ten years in: Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba and Niger states respectively.

The Groups Executive Director Stakeholders Management and Corporate Communication Ahmed Mansur had also announced that the Group was investing over $1billion in the agricultural sector in the country, specifically in rice, sugar, tomato and dairy productions.

Niger State Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Rahmatu YarAdua, said that the deal with Dangote Group will help grow the agricultural sector and create direct and indirect jobs in the state.

It would be recalled that the Groups foray into sugar business began in 1981. It has injected over $104million into the Savannah Sugar Company Limited it acquired from government in 2003. Savannah Sugar this year alone, produced 20,000MT of raw sugar from its plantation.

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Chad on Wednesday ordered Qatars embassy to close, giving its diplomats 10 days to leave the country, accusing the Gulf Arab state of trying to destabilise the central African nation via its northern neighbour Libya.

It is not the first African state to move against Qatar following its rift with other Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, whose charities funnel millions of dollars in aid money to West and Central Africa.

Senegal said on Monday that it had reinstated its ambassador to Qatar after having recalled him three months ago, in a bid to encourage a peaceful resolution to the feud.

In order to safeguard peace and security in the region, Chad calls on Qatar to cease all actions that could undermine its security as well as those of the countries of the Lake Chad basin and the Sahel, the foreign ministry statement said.

It did not provide any details to support the accusation.

The statement from Chads foreign ministry added that it would close its diplomatic mission in Doha and recall all personnel.

Qatari officials were not immediately available to comment.

In Libya, the UAE and Qatar, which both played key roles in backing rebels in the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, have emerged as rivals on the battlefield with conflicting interests.

The vacuum created by Gaddafis downfall led to a flood of weapons from state arsenals into the hands of Islamist groups who then pushed south into Africas Sahel nations where they launch attacks on military and civilian targets.

Today in Libya, the UAE, along with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, has backed anti-Islamist former army commander Khalifa Haftar, appointed by a government and parliament based in the east.

Qatar and Turkey have supported rival Islamist-leaning factions in western Libya.

(Reuters/NAN)

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Egypt expressed its regret on Wednesday over a U.S. decision to deny it $95.7 million in aid and to delay a further $195 million.

Two U.S. sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday the decision came because of Egypts failure to make progress on respecting human rights and democratic norms.

Egypt Foreign Ministry in a statement said the move would have a negative impact on common interests.

Egypt sees this measure as reflecting poor judgment of the strategic relationship that ties the two countries over long decades and as adopting a view that lacks an accurate understanding of the importance of supporting Egypts stability, the ministry said in a statement.

NAN reports that on Tuesday, officials said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had decided to withhold $65.7 million in military assistance and $30 million in economic aid to Egypt.

Officials said that the money will be reprogrammed, meaning it will now be sent to other countries.

The officials stressed that the U.S. continues to consider Egypt a key strategic partner but that it remains seriously concerned about a lack of progress on the human rights front.

This includes the passage of the new law on non-governmental organisations that has been widely criticised for being excessive and used to crackdown on opposition.

Officials said that the $195 million would be held in reserve until Egypt makes progress in those areas.

NAN reports that Egypt is the second largest recipient of military aid from the U.S. after Israel, receiving about 1.3 billion dollars annually.

Officials noted that the U.S. has provided nearly 80 billion dollars in military and economic assistance to Egypt over the past 30 years.

When Trump met with el-Sisi in the White House in April, he made no mention of Egypts human rights record in the post-meeting statement, an omission that many took as a sign that the issue was not a priority for the administration.

Yet, two months later, two senators from Trumps Republican Party slammed as draconian the law that effectively bans the work of non-governmental organisations and urged that it be repealed.

The law has triggered wide international backlash and raised concerns over human rights conditions in Egypt.

Egypt has defended the law, saying it was drafted and passed in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The foreign ministry said the law supports and empowers civil society.

(Reuters/NAN)

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Russian leader Vladimir Putin that Iran is an escalating threat in the Middle East.

Russia has managed to maintain close relations with both Israel and Iran in spite of the regional rivalry between those states.

Iran is attempting to establish a permanent presence in war-torn Syria and already has a high degree of control over Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon, Netanyahu said in comments carried by Russian state news agency TASS.

Israel had long been concerned that Iran could be developing a nuclear weapon that could be used against the Jewish state.

Mr. Netanyahu accused Iran of filling a vacuum created by the withdrawal of the extremist organisation Islamic State, according to comments carried by Israels Channel 2.

The Iranian presence in Syria is a threat to Israel, the Middle East and the world peace, Mr. Netanyahu said.

A branch of the Iranian military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said in a statement that it had no plans to conduct military operations outside Irans borders.

The Iranian comments came a few days after comments by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that the two countries were planning joint operations against Kurdish militants in the region. (dpa/NAN)

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Despite losing over 300 of its members after a massive clampdown by the Nigerian Army, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, has said it will not appear before a government panel established to review such rights abuses.

The hundreds of members of the Shiite group were killed in December 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna State, when the army clamped down on the IMN members after it accused them of blocking a road and plotting to kill the Chief of Army Staff.

The leader of the IMN, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, was also arrested and has been in government custody without trial since then.

Nobody has been prosecuted for the killings which was condemned by local and international human rights groups.

In what appears a response to agitations for an independent investigation into the killings and other such human rights abuses by the military, the federal government earlier this month set up a judicial commission to probe the abuses.

The commission, inaugurated by the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on August 11, has seven members and is headed by a justice of the court of appeal, Biobele Georgewill.

THE GRIEVANCES

However, two weeks before the panel is set to begin its public hearing, the IMN has said it will not appear or make any presentation before the panel.

The group questioned the credibility of the panel and said it would not appear before the panel unless its concerns are resolved.

In a petition dated August 17, addressed to Mr. Osinbajo and signed by Abdullahi Danladi, the group raised concerns about the composition of the panel.

From the composition of this panel, it is noted that the military, the police and security agencies are all represented. This is not the case with the well-known community of victims of the alleged military violations such as us. With due respect to members in the panel, the eyes of the world renowned human rights bodies are also not on this panel.

The petition seen by PREMIUM TIMES also accused the presidency of appointing a close ally to the army chief and a member that served in an earlier panel by Kaduna State as members of the panel.

We noticed that even a member who served in the Kaduna state judicial commission is included. Similarly, another member who enjoys the confidence of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and who similarly served in the military investigation panel set up by the COAS himself that absolved the army of any wrongdoing has been included in this presidential panel as well. The sum of all this is that the independence and impartiality of this new panel is not in any way guaranteed.

In what ways will this Presidential Investigation Panel be different from what the judicial commission of inquiry into Zaria incident set up by the Kaduna State government? Beyond perhaps its scope (now also looking at other rights abuses by the military in other places and time) we note very many similarities, which do not instil confidence in the process, Mr. Danladi said.

Although the group did not categorically state in its petition that it would not appear before the panel, its spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa, said the IMN would not appear. Mr. Musa said this in a follow up telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday.

THE PANEL

Mr. Osinbajo, when President Muhammadu Buhari was away on medical vacation, appointed the seven-member judicial commission.

He listed members of the judicial commission to include Mr. Georgewill as Chairman; and Patrick Akem, a major general, as member.

Other members are Wale Fapohunda, Hauwa Ibrahim, Jibrin Ibrahim, Ifeoma Nwakama, and a representative of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The Commission is expected to commence work immediately and submit its report within 90 days, Mr. Osinbajos spokesperson, Laolu Akande, said.

The commission announced its schedule of public hearings and called for memoranda from affected persons and institutions on August 14. It will hold its public hearing in Abuja from September 7 to October 6.

Some of the allegations that have been levelled against the military by groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, as well as several PREMIUM TIMES investigations, include extra-judicial killing of over 300 Shiite protesters in Kaduna in 2015, the extra-judicial killing of dozens of pro-Biafra protesters in the South-east, and that of suspected Boko Haram members in the North-east.

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The weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) will not hold Wednesday, according to President Muhammadu Buharis spokesperson, Femi Adesina.

Mr. Adesina, in a statement, said Mr. Buhari will rather receive the report of the investigation committee into the allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke.

The committee is headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and it will submit its report to the president in his office at noon, Mr. Adesina said.

Mr. Buhari returned to Nigeria on Saturday after spending 103 days in London for medical treatment.

The president had constituted the panel to investigate the corruption allegation levelled against the suspended SGF by the Nigerian senate and that against Mr. Oke by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He was to receive the report on May 8 but his health condition deteriorated, forcing him to return to London on May 7.

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Two days after announcing readiness to resume duties, President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday authorised the cancellation of the days weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC.

Mr. Buharis spokesperson, Femi Adesina, in a statement, Wednesday morning, said his principal would rather, at noon, receive the report of the Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo-led committee asked to probe the allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ayodele Oke.

The Wednesday cancellation makes it the fifth time the president would not be available for the FEC meeting. Since April 12, he has not attended the weekly meeting of the council which consists of himself, his deputy, Head of Civil Service of Federation, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff to the President and the ministers.

The last time the president attended and presided over the FEC meeting was April 5.

TIMELINE

On April 12  barely a month after returning from an earlier medical vacation from January 19 to March 10  Mr. Buhari was absent at the FEC meeting. According to the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, he was attending to other issues, thus asking Mr. Osinbajo to lead the meeting.

Mr. President is not ill againMr. President is in town; Mr. President is attending to other issues. He looked at the agenda for the meeting and decided that the vice president should preside. It is not unusual for the vice president to preside over FEC meetings, said Mr. Mohammed.

The following week, April 19, the meeting, like it happened today,did not hold at all. That cancellation, the presidency said, was due to logistics as State House secretariat staff were yet to resume from the Easter break.

Garba Shehu, Mr. Buharis media senior media aide said: The staff on the Council secretariat resumed on Tuesday after the Easter. There was no time to prepare and circulate memos to ministers.

He described as very unfair those attributing the cancellation of the FEC meeting to the presidents health conditions.

Then, on April 26, the meeting held, but the President was absent, leaving Mr. Osinbajo to preside again. He had sought leave to work from home, according to Mr. Mohammed.

The following week, May 3, the President was absent again.

But despite the efforts to spin the presidents absences, many Nigerians suspected he had been failing to appear for the weekly meeting  and Friday Jumaat service too  on health ground.

Eventually, on May 7, the president embarked on another medical vacation, the fourth since May 2015. He headed to London to treat undisclosed ailment, but returned last Saturday. He had spent 103 days.

On Monday, Mr. Buhari addressed the nation in a short broadcast in which he expressed strong views on the Nigerias unity and vowed zero-tolerance for separatist struggles and inflammatory statements. Later that day, he chaired the security council meeting.

Mr. Shehu plunged the country into embarrassment yesterday, when he said the President would have to work from home, because his office had been infested by rodents, while he was away on medical vacation.

Kai, I have done a systematic examination of this Rat story from the Presidency. I found no redeeming prospect, tweeted former Education Minister and Bring Back Our Girls co-convener, Oby Ezekwesili. They elevated Rodents. She joined many other Nigerians, mocking the Buhari administration.

The British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, also reported how rats chased out Nigerias President from office.

Mr. Buhari returned to Nigeria on Saturday after spending 103 days in London for medical treatment.

The president had constituted the panel to investigate the corruption allegation levelled against the suspended SGF by the Nigerian senate and that against Mr. Oke by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He was to receive the report on May 8 but his health condition deteriorated, forcing him to return to London on May 7.

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President Muhammadu Buhari has final decisions on Babachir Lawal and Ayodele Oke, now on suspension from their official positions over suspected abuses, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said.

Mr. Lawal was suspended from his position as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, while Mr. Oke was suspended as head of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA.

Mr. Osinbajo spoke to journalists, moments after submitting his committees report on Messrs. Lawal and Oke to Mr. Buhari Wednesday afternoon.

He declined comments on the details of the report.

Of course, I cannot (provide details of the report), he said. How can I?

This is a document which has just been submitted to the president. He is the one who will read the recommendations and the facts and then make a decision.

The president had on April 19 constituted the Osinbajo panel to investigate the corruption allegations levelled against Mr. Lawal by the Nigerian Senate and that against Mr. Oke by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, were also on the panel.

The Senate accused Mr. Lawal of breach of Nigerias law and code of conduct for public officers in the handling of contracts awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East, PINE, an agency under him.

With damning documents, the Senate said he awarded contracts to companies in which he was a director as at the time of the awards and also took bribe from other beneficiaries.

On the other hand, Mr. Okes travails started after the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the EFCC, in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The NIA said the money belonged to it but the EFCC still went ahead to secure a court order forfeiting the money to the Nigerian government.

Mr. Buhari directed investigation into the circumstances in which the NIA came into possession of the funds, how and by whose or which authority the funds were made available to the NIA. He also asked the panel to establish whether or not there had been a breach of the law or security procedure in obtaining custody and use of the funds.

When asked if justice would be served in the cases involving the two top government functionaries, Mr. Osinbajo said public interest would be served.

Well, as you can imagine, we are always fair minded and the whole approach is to ensure that justice is done in all cases. It is in the interest of the government and also the interest of the nation that things are done properly and that there is due process and that we are not unfair. You can be sure that we will do the right thing, he said.

Then, there was a particular question: Are heads going to roll?

In response to that, the vice president said: No, how can I tell you? If you want to know what is in the report you have to wait, you really have to wait.

He also could not state when the decision to be taken by the president would be made known to the public, stressing, again, that it was for his boss to make the decisions, after studying the report.

All I can now say is that we have submitted the report to the president and it is a very detailed report as a matter of fact. The president has to study the report and make decisions, Mr. Osinbajo said.

It is fact finding committee as you know and what our terms of reference were, was to find out based on the fact available to us and based on the interviews of witnesses of what transpired in those cases of the report: one involving the SGF and the other the DG of NIA.

We have now concluded that and we submitted a full report with recommendations to the president. We cannot of course give you any kind of details because the president has to look at the report, study it and then make his own decisions based on that report.

The Senate had first made accusations of corruption against Mr. Lawal in December last year, and then asked that he be suspended and prosecuted.

But in January, Mr. Buhari rejected the Senates indictment of his cabinet secretary, saying he was not given fair hearing; before suspending him, alongside Mr. Oke, four months later.

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Tragedy struck on Tuesday at the Kajola police station in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, when a police officer, Abraham Arowogun, gunned down his superior, Timothy Arueli, after a heated argument.

Realising his evil deed, he was said to have plunged himself into a deep well afterwards killing himself in the process.

A police source told PREMIUM TIMES that officers at the station were still in shock as Mr. Arowogun was an easy-going person with no record of mental illness.

Mr. Arowogun, an inspector, had a heated argument with Mr. Arueli, the Division Crime Officer, DCO, over a case he was handling; because the latter had discovered that Mr. Arowogun had collected N150,000 as bribe.

According to the source, Mr. Arowogun was enraged by the order of the DCO to return the money.

There was an issue that happened between the two officers. Arowogun was investigating a case and the DCO, Arueli discovered that a sum of N150,000 was involved in the case Arowogun was investigating, that Arowogun had actually converted the money to his private purse, the police source explained.

The DCO called him and questioned him over the money and an argument ensued between the two officers. The inspector left the DCO office angrily only to come back with a gun and shot Arueli dead.

He noted that other police officers at the station ran for their lives immediately the incident happened, but the inspector headed straight to a deep well within the station and jumped into it, killing himself in the process.

He came back to his senses after killing his superior officer, the source said. Realising that what he did was unprofessional and unpardonable in the police force, he just left the scene jumped into a well at the back of the station.

It was gathered that the bodies of the officers were deposited at the mortuary in the Ondo State General Hospital, Ore.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ondo State Command, Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate.

He said the command had commenced investigation into the matter.

It is an unfortunate incident but we have begun investigation on it, he said. The command is sad over the incident and our hearts are very heavy.

We are doing everything possible to further dig into the matter and also to talk to our officers and men on the need to avert similar occurrence.

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MIAMI, Aug. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Progressive Care Inc. (OTC PINK:RXMD), through its subsidiaries Smart Medical Alliance, Inc. and PharmCo, LLC, is a South Florida health services organization and provider of prescription pharmaceuticals, compounded medications, the sale of anti-retroviral medications, medication therapy management (MTM), prescription medications to long term care facilities, administration and practice management, utilization management, quality assurance, EHR Implementation, billing and coding, and health practice risk management, announces $1.7 million in net revenues for July 2017.



PharmCo filled over 18,000 prescriptions recognizing revenues of over $1.7 million, which represents over a 9% increase over the same month last year. The company celebrated PharmCos 10 year anniversary. PharmCo opened for business on July 11, 2007 and since then has undergone an immense transformation from its small business roots to the pharmacy and healthcare services company it is today. The Company has dispensed over 1 million prescriptions to tens of thousands of patients across South Florida during its 10 years in business.

We know there is no time for rest, but we know we must make time to reflect, stated S. Parikh Mars, CEO. This business started from nothing over ten years ago and today employs over 60 employees, services over 12,000 active patients, and is a pillar of the community contributing to health awareness and wellness initiatives. This company is the embodiment of the American dream and we work tirelessly to ensure its success and prosperity.

About Progressive Care

Progressive Care Inc. (OTC PINK:RXMD), through its subsidiaries Smart Medical Alliance, Inc. and PharmCo, LLC, is a South Florida health services organization and provider of prescription pharmaceuticals, compounded medications, the sale of anti-retroviral medications, medication therapy management (MTM), prescription medications to long term care facilities, administration and practice management, utilization management, quality assurance, EHR Implementation, billing and coding, and health practice risk management.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Statements contained herein that are not based upon current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Companys expectations about its future operating results, performance and opportunities that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These statements include but are not limited to statements regarding the intended terms of the offering, closing of the offering and use of any proceeds from the offering. When used herein, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, upcoming, plan, target, intend and expect and similar expressions, as they relate to Progressive Care Inc., its subsidiaries, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.
The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said it was making progress in implementing the resolutions of the partys August 12 non-elective national convention.

The National Chairman of the committee, Ahmed Makarfi, stated this at the committees meeting with PDP stakeholders from Kwara on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr. Makarfi said that the committee had started setting up caretaker committees in states where factional executives were dissolved.

The convention ratified the dissolution of executive committees of the party in Adamawa, Borno, Kebbi, Ogun, Kwara, Osun and Lagos and ordered fresh congresses in the affected states within three months.

As I speak to you, we already have four states from all sides to the conflict that have jointly signed and made submissions in the overall interest of the party.

Before I came for this meeting, Lagos came for clarification before they conclude and we have despatched the South-West zonal chairman to go and harmonise the conclusions, and they are happy with the clarification we gave them.

Adamawa will also be making its conclusion and submission to the party tomorrow.

Of all the seven states, we have four already filing submission, one to be completed tomorrow and two others, based on the undertaking of both sides, are ready to make submissions next week, he said.

The chairman explained that the committee delayed action in a particular state because of the influx of people joining the party.

In compliance with the resolution of the convention, we are making big progress because states are complying in respect of the decisions; they are complying and are making submissions.

He advised the Kwara chapter to avoid delay in reaching a decision and making submission, saying if you keep waiting, you dont know the challenge or development that will occur.

(NAN)

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The International Criminal Court in The Hague is considering the petition on the allegations of widespread, systematic and large-scale corruption in the electricity sector since the return of democracy in 1999 and under the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa YarAdua and Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has confirmed.

In a statement today by SERAP deputy director, Timothy Adewale, the organisation said that, SERAP can confirm that the ICC is now considering our petition. We have received communication from Mark P. Dillon, Head of Information and Evidence Unit of the ICC indicating that the court will give due consideration to our petition.

According to SERAP, the information is contained in a letter with reference number OTP-CR-245/17 received by the organisation on Wednesday. SERAP quoted the letter as reading in part: This communication has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office. We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. As soon as a decision is reached, we will inform you, in writing, and provide you with reasons for this decision.

Timothy Adewale said: SERAP appreciates the prompt attention to this matter by the ICC. We urge the court to pursue this matter to a satisfactory conclusion by taking the case forward as required by the provisions of the Rome Statute, and ensuring a thorough investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators of grand corruption in the electricity sector in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that SERAP last week sent a petition to Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor of the ICC, asking her to use her good offices and leadership position to investigate whether the allegations of widespread, systematic and large-scale corruption in the electricity sector since the return of democracy in 1999 and under the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa YarAdua and Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria amount to crimes against humanity within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, and to prevail on the Nigerian government to surrender all suspected perpetrators for trial by the ICC.

The Office of The Prosecutor Nigeria is a state party to the Rome Statute and deposited its instrument of ratification on 27 September 2001. In the petition dated August 16, 2017 and signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale the organisation said that, allegations of corruption in the electricity sector in Nigeria have had catastrophic effects on the lives of millions of Nigerians, akin to crimes against humanity as contemplated under the Rome Statue and within the jurisdiction of the Court.

According to SERAP, The Rome Statute in article 7 defines crime against humanity to include inhumane acts causing great suffering or injury, committed in a widespread or systematic manner against a civilian population. The common denominator of crimes against humanity is that they are grave affronts to human security and dignity. Therefore, the staggering amounts of public funds alleged to have been stolen over the years in the electricity sector create just these consequences. Crimes against humanity are not only physical violence; allegations of corruption in the electricity sector hold a comparable gravity, which the Prosecutor should examine and thoroughly investigate.

The petition reads in part: The elements that need to be established to prove a crime against humanity under article 7(1)(k) of the Rome Statute are that, the perpetrator inflicted great suffering or serious injury by means of an inhumane act; that the perpetrator was aware of the circumstances, and that the act was committed within a widespread or systematic attack on a civilian population; and that the perpetrator knew of that link.

The consequences of allegations of corruption in the electricity sector are similar to those of the offences in article 7(1). Corrupt officials and corrupt contractors in the electricity sector know well that their conduct is criminal and injurious, and the denial of human dignity coupled with a radical breach of solemn trust, aggravate their alleged crime.

SERAP considers these allegations of widespread and systematic corruption in the electricity sector as amounting to crimes against humanity and therefore clear violations of the provisions of the Rome Statute of International Criminal Court. SERAP believes that these allegations have given rise to individual criminal responsibility of those suspected of perpetrating corruption in the electricity sector, as entrenched in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

SERAP considers the apparent failure of successive governments and high-ranking government officials to prevent widespread and systematic corruption in the electricity sector as amounting to complicity under the Rome Statute. SERAP therefore believes that the widespread and systemic nature of large scale corruption in the electricity sector fits the legal requirements of a crime against humanity.

The 2006 Commonwealth working group on asset repatriation specifically refers to corruption including in the electricity sector being defined as an international crime. SERAP believes an international investigation by the ICC would complement the anticorruption initiatives by the current government and contribute to ending a culture of impunity of perpetrators.

SERAP believes that substantial grounds exist to warrant the intervention of the Prosecutor in this case. Pursuant to the Rome Statute, the Prosecutor has power to intervene in a situation under the jurisdiction of the Court if the Security Council or states parties refer a situation or if information is provided from other sources such as the information SERAP is providing in this case.

SERAP is seriously concerned that the instances of corruption highlighted above and details of which are contained in the enclosed From Darkness to Darkness report are not isolated events, but illustrate the widespread and systematic nature of large scale corruption in the electricity sector under the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa YarAdua and Goodluck Jonathan. This level of corruption has limited access to and affordability of electricity in Nigeria.

Widespread, systemic and large-scale corruption in the electricity sector and the lack of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds to support the operations of Discos have resulted in regular blackouts and disproportionately affected the most disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors of the population who cannot readily afford expensive generators in order to have a reliable power supply. The situation is not likely to improve considering that the production of electricity is not proportionate with the rapidly growing population.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights has adjudged the failure of the States to provide basic services such as () electricity as violating the right to health. SERAP argues that Nigeria is bound to make full use of the resources available to ensure regular and uninterrupted supply of electricity, even in times of resource constraints. Under international law, vulnerable members of the society must be protected by the adoption of relatively low-cost targeted programmes even in times of severe resources constraints.

SERAP also notes that allegations of corruption in the energy sector have resulted in the epileptic and interrupted supply of electricity and corresponding deprivation and denial of the citizens access to quality healthcare, adequate food, shelter, clothing, water, sanitation, medical care, schooling, and access to information.

SERAP notes that lack of access to uninterrupted energy/electricity services has forced many citizens to use and collect frequently contaminated surface water for drinking and household uses; and denied the citizens the ability and services for boiling, purifying, disinfecting, and storing water, as well as for irrigation to increase the productivity of lands, thereby decreasing the availability of food supplies and undermining employment opportunities.

It would be recalled that last week SERAP launched its report titled, From Darkness to Darkness: How Nigerians are Paying the Price for Corruption in the Electricity Sector alleging that the much-publicised power sector reforms in Nigeria under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 is yet to yield desired and/or anticipated fruits largely due to corruption, regulatory lapses and policy inconsistencies. The country has lost more megawatts in the post-privatisation era due largely to widespread, systemic and large-scale corruption.

The report also said that, The total estimated financial loss to Nigeria from corruption in the electricity sector starting from the return to democracy in 1999 to date is over Eleven Trillion Naira (N11 Trillion Naira). This represents public funds, private equity and social investment (or divestments) in the power sector. It is estimated that may reach over Twenty Trillion Naira (N20 Trillion Naira) in the next decade given the rate of Government investment and funding in the power sector amidst dwindling fortune and recurrent revenue shortfalls.

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The Acting Director-General of National Pension Commission (PenCom), Aisha Dahir-Umar, on Wednesday said the Federal Government had begun working out modalities for pension payment to the next batch of retirees.

Mrs. Dahir-Umar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the Federal Government and the PenCom would soon release substantial funds for the payment.

She said retirees that had perfected their documentation and verification processes would be captured for payments in the next batch.

The PenCom boss said the funds for the Accrued Rights was expected to cover retirees from October 2016 to August 2017.

Mr. Dahir-Umar recalled that the Federal Government, through PenCom, had released N54 billion in April to clear pension backlog for payment of the last batch of retirees from January to September 2016.

Mr. Dahir-Umar also commended President Muhammudu Buhari for giving prompt attention to retirees well-being by settling accrued pensions for that period.

In spite of competing demands for funds, President Buhari has always expressed concern for the plight of workers and pensioners.

It has brought relief to thousands of our elders who have served the country and deserve to be paid their entitlements promptly and fully too, she said.

She explained that some pensioners in the last batch who did not receive their pension must have been due to errors in documentation and verification process.

Such also may be caused by late documentation, she said.

Mrs. Dahir-Umar said documentation began in June that the commission had been placing notices in newspapers.

Currently, the commission has almost finished for this year; we are at the Women Centre, Abuja, verifying pensioners from agencies located within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), she said, adding that the commission also have centres across the country.

She, however, denied allegations that the commission and the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) delayed payments and misappropriated funds meant for pensioners.

She added that the commission and the PFAs were being watched by the Federal Government and guided by core principles that could not be truncated.

Mrs. Dahir-Umar said the PFAs usually paid the pensioners that registered under them without delay once the Federal Government released funds through PenCom. (NAN)

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The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Saad Abubakar, has announced September 1, 2017 as Eid-el-Kabir day.

The day had earlier been declared by the Saudi Arabian government as the day of the festival celebrated by Muslims all over the world.

The festival is marked by the slaughter of rams by Muslims who can afford it who then eat and share the meat and food with families, friends, and the less privileged.

The sultans announcement was stated in a statement signed by Sambo Junaidu, the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sokoto Sultanate Council.

The statement, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Sokoto on Wednesday, indicated that the declaration followed the sighting of the new moon of Zulhijja on Tuesday.

The advisory committee in conjunction with the National Committee on Moon Sighting received various reports on moon sighting across the country confirming the sighting of new moon of Zulhijja on Tuesday Aug. 22, 2017, it said.

The statement said that following the development, Muslims in Nigeria would observe Friday September 1, as Sallah day.

It added that the Sultan felicitates with all Muslims and wished them Allahs guidance, blessings and protection.

The statement also quoted Mr. Abubakar as urging Muslims to continue to live in peace and engage in continuous prayers for the development and progress of the country and the world at large.

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A university in Niger Republic named after the widow of former Nigerian dictator, Sani Abacha, has conferred honorary awards on two Nigerian state governors and a senator.

The Maryam Abacha University, which is the first English University in the Francophone West African nation, gave the awards to governors Seriake Dickson and Aminu Tambuwal, of Bayelsa and Sokoto states respectively, as well as a senator, Bello Gwarzo, during its first convocation ceremony at the universitys main campus in Maradi.

Over 300 students graduated with degrees in social sciences and humanities while about 33 students were awarded master degrees at the event.

Others honoured at the event include wife of the governor of Katsina, Hadiza Masari, and the governor of Maradi in Niger Republic, Zakari Umaru.

The convocation, which was dominated by Nigerians and citizens of other African nations, also featured the foundation laying of the multi-billion naira University Complex by Mrs. Abacha.

The university was founded by a Nigerian businessman, Adamu Gwarzo, and has former governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, as pro-chancellor.

The Governor of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, who was a special guest at the convocation, applauded the founder of the university, saying it will strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Gwarzo said the institution has received international recognition.

He said it was awarded commendations by the Accreditation Service for International Colleges, UK in February.

According to the proprietor, the commendations were for excellence in premises and health safety, learning and teaching course delivery, students welfare, management and staff resources, and quality

We are committed to what we set out to do and by the grace of God we just graduated our first set of students.

Soon we shall introduce more courses in core sciences and Technology. We shall also introduce courses in Multimedia and Filming, he said.

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP has arrested six persons including a 25-year-old Abu Dhabi-based lady for alleged trafficking of girls from Nigeria to the United Arab Emirates to engage in forced prostitution.

Rita Ani, who hails from Enugu State, allegedly belongs to a network of Nigerian traffickers based in Abu Dhabi who engage Nigerian girls in international prostitution in UAE, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

The other suspects include Ngozi Ani (also known as Princess, 31, and Ritas elder sister); Ozigi Abdulkarim, 32, from Kogi State; Princewill James, 34, from Bayelsa State; Benson Emmanuel, 32, from Rivers State; and Philip Joshua, 32, (also known as OJ) from Bayelsa State.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of NAPTIP in two operations in Gwarimpa, Abuja, and Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Josiah Emerole, NAPTIPs spokesperson said in the statement.

Rita, who recently returned home to perform her traditional marriage rites preparatory to moving to the United Kingdom with her fiance, was arrested in Ibadan by the newly established NAPTIP- Rapid Response Squad, NAPTIP-RRS.

The lid of these suspects was blown recently when one of the victims returned from Abu Dhabi after 4 months of forced prostitution by Rita and under very excruciating conditions which included flogging and the insertion of hot boiling ring into her vagina when she did not make enough money a day and forceful collection of the proceeds of the prostitution from her by Rita.

The 19-year old victim (name withheld) was allegedly recruited at Gwarimpa, Abuja, by her ex-boyfriend, Mr. Abdulkarim, and the duo of Ms. Ngozi and Mr. James for onward transfer to Ms. Ani in UAE.

They reportedly prepared her travel documents, took her to Ogbomoso, Oyo State, where a fetish oath was administered to her before her trip, NAPTIP said.

Messrs. Abdulkareem and Joshua are associates of the gang who played one role or the other in the movement of the victim, the agency added.

While investigations are going on, the suspects have made very useful statements concerning the case, the statement said.

Rita also confessed to having more girls working for her in the UAE, it added.

The agency said the suspects would be charged to court soon.

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Two protesters under the banner of the People Against Corruption and Injustice, PACI, were on Wednesday killed while 15 others injured in an auto crash after they staged a protest against some cable network service providers in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The group after their protest against DSTV, GOTV and Star Times at Iwe-Iroyin, Press Centre, Abeokuta over alleged exploitation by the networks were involved in the accident on their return.

The Public Relations Officer of Traffic Compliance Enforcement Corps, TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi who disclosed this said the tragedy occurred at Ayedere-Obada axis along Abeokuta-Lagos expressway.

He said the crash involved a white truck with registration number 44F95FG loaded with granite, a wine coloured Almera car with registration number, TTD 88 4AA and a White commercial bus with registration number, FST 435 XD.

Mr Akinbiyi explained that the accident was caused by overspeeding and brake failure on the part of the truck.

The agency spokesman said the truck rammed into the Almera car from behind, causing it to hit the commercial bus.

He said two persons were confirmed dead on the spot, with the corpses already moved to the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

He added that the injured were rushed to Joseph and Christiana Specialist Hospital, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, where they were receiving treatment as at the time of filing this report.

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The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has approved the release of the admission list of successful candidates into the Federal Unity College, FUCs, for the 2017/2018 academic year.

A statement by the Federal Ministry of Education on Wednesday quoted the minster as saying that admission list into JSSI was on notice boards in the colleges and on their websites.

The statement signed by Priscilla Ihuoma, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, said the list was also online: http://www.fmeinterviewtest.com or the ministrys website www.education.gov.ng.

Students who have been offered provisional admission have two weeks after the release of the results to accept the offer, otherwise, they will be replaced by other candidates, the statement quoted Mr. Adamu as saying.

(NAN)

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A team of police officers attached to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, NAFDAC, on Wednesday caught three men stealing items earmarked for destruction at the Okediya Dumpsite, Sagamu, Ogun State.

The three men, Kabiru Amar, Yusuf Ahmed and Mohammed Ibrahim, were nabbed carting away cartons of unwholesome spaghetti product during the destruction of fake and substandard products.

Kingsley Ejiofor, Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, representing NAFDACs Acting Director-General, Yetunde Oni, told journalists at the site that the thieves were career criminals and would be appropriately dealt with.

In spite of the fact that we were at the dumpsite destroying counterfeit and expired products, some miscreants still had the audacity to steal from the destruction exercise site.

This is to show the extent to which people are willing to go, to make money from the sales of expired products.

They have been caught and will not be spared, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that millions of naira worth of products were destroyed, indicating NAFDACs position of zero tolerance for fake drugs and other products.

Some of the expired products destroyed were said to have been voluntarily handed over by compliant companies in the country.

Other products destroyed included fake and counterfeit drugs, prohibited substandard and expired food products, cosmetics and other regulated products.

These were seized by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDA from manufacturers, importers and distributors in Lagos State and environs.

Mr. Ejiofor said that the destruction exercise was embarked upon by the agency as one of NAFDACs mandates to safeguard the health of the nation.

The agency has continued to aggressively pursue the goals of ensuring that only genuine medicines and wholesome foods of the right quality are imported, exported, manufactured and distributed.

We shall continue to enforce the regulations governing regulated products in Nigeria.

Surveillance and enforcement operations at our ports, borders and identified routes used by smugglers, have been intensified and this has led to increased seizures of fake regulated products smuggled through our land borders, he said.

The director said that the success recorded was partly due to NAFDACs collaborative efforts with sister agencies such as Nigeria Customs Service, NCS.

Mr. Ejiofor also thanked the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria and the Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association for voluntarily and continuously mopping up and handing over expired products to the agency.

(NAN)

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A 20-year-old unemployed man, Victor Akinsola, who allegedly raped his neighbours 12-year-old daughter, was on Wednesday hauled up before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos.

The accused, who resides at 12, Sunny Smile St., Ishashi in Berger on the outskirts of Lagos, is facing a charge of defilement.

The prosecutor, Raphael Donny told the court that the offence was committed on July 26 at the accuseds apartment.

The accused saw the girl, a 12- year -old bathing at the back of the house, he forcefully entered the bathroom and defiled the girl.

After having unlawful canal knowledge of the girl, the accused gave the victim N100 and told her not to tell anyone.

The girl later told her elder sister, who informed their mother and the case was reported at the police station, Mr. Donny said.

The offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the accused may be sentenced to life imprisonment on conviction.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Chief Magistrate Folakemi Davies -Abegunde granted the accused a bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Mrs. DaviesAbegunde, however, ordered the accused to pay N50, 000 into the courts registrars account as part of the bail condition.

She adjourned the case until October 6 for the State Director of Public Prosecutions advice.

(NAN)

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New York, NY, Aug. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BankMobile, a division of Customers Bank, and Americas fastest growing mobile-first bank, today announced Luvleen Sidhu, Co-Founder, President and Chief Strategy Officer, was selected as CEO Connections 2017 Mid-Market Young Leader. She was also recently recognized as one of CEO Connections 2017 Most Influential Women of the Mid-Market.

CEO Connection is the only membership organization exclusively for mid-market CEOs. The selection process for the CEO Connection Mid-Market Awards is designed to ensure the organization honors the most deserving mid-market companies and mid-market leaders. Nominations were accepted from the community at large, then CEO Connections nomination team vetted the candidates, solicited the opinions of academic, media and business leaders, and presented five candidates in each category to the committee of prior award recipients who voted to determine the new award recipients.

This recognition means a tremendous amount to me and I am honored to have been selected by CEO Connection as its 2017 Young Leader, stated Sidhu. BankMobile was launched in 2015 with the mission to financially empower millennials and the underbanked. We have been able to have a positive impact on the lives of nearly two million people so far and I look forward to impacting many more as we continue to grow.

Under Sidhus management, BankMobile has grown to be in the Top 25 banks in the country in terms of number of consumer checking accounts. The bank has also reached many significant milestones, including: the establishment of BankMobile Labs, the internal technology and innovation team at BankMobile; the creation of the BankMobile Foundation, which awards an annual Financial Literacy Scholarship; the launch of its BankMobilist College Program across 70 campuses nationwide; its partnership with Udemy, an open, global marketplace built to improve lives through learning; and the launch of BankMobile BOLD, the BankMobile flagship product among others. Sidhu is also a member of the BankMobile Board of Directors.

Additionally, Luvleen and Jay Sidhu, Chairman and CEO of Customers Bank and BankMobile, released a book in June 2016 entitled, Why Cant Banks Be as Easy as Uber? BankMobile and The Real Future of Banking. It reached #1 International Best Seller-status on Amazon as it gained popularity in the USA, Australia and Germany Amazon stores in less than 24 hours.

Sidhu has also been featured regularly in the media including on CNBC, Bloomberg Radio, Fox News Radio and in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, American Banker, among others. She is also a national and international speaker at industry conferences and at undergraduate and graduate programs, where she encourages financial innovation and entrepreneurship.

Honorees will be recognized at the 2017 Mid-Market Convention on September 25-27 at The Wharton School in Philadelphia, PA. Referred to as the "Davos for the Mid-Market," this exclusive global gathering brings together the leadership of the mid-market top business experts and senior government officials to help each other and change the world.

For more information and to register for the convention, visit www.midmarketconvention.com/registration.

# # #

About BankMobile

Established in 2015, BankMobile, a division of Customers Bank, is Americas largest mobile-first bank, offering fee-free checking and savings accounts. It provides target customers  millennials, the underbanked and middle income households with a digital, effortless, and financially empowering experience. BankMobile offers checking, savings, lines of credit, joint accounts and access to over 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide (BankMobile VIP customers have free access to every ATM in the country, which is more than 400,000 ATMs), a guaranteed higher savings rate than the top four banks in the nation, a personal banker for all customers, and a free financial advisor for VIP customers. BankMobile is operating as the digital banking division of Customers Bank, which is a Federal Reserve regulated and FDIC-insured commercial bank. For more information, please visit www.bankmobile.com.

ABOUT CEO Connection

CEO Connection is the ONLY membership organization in the world reserved exclusively for CEOs of mid-market companies  companies with between $100 million and $3 billion in annual revenue. Our mission is to help mid-market CEOs and their companies succeed. We accomplish this by connecting them to each other; connecting them to people, information and resources to which they would otherwise not have access; and promoting the interests, welfare, and perspective of the mid-market.

Members are C-level executives with responsibility for all or significant portions of their respective company. They represent a wide variety of businesses across a broad geographic spectrum. Collectively mid-market companies account for $10 trillion of the $30 trillion annual U.S. private sector gross receipts.



Inspired by C-level Wharton executives, CEO Connection began in 2005 and has evolved into a dynamic community with wide ranging benefits uniquely designed to help the mid-market CEO and champion the mid-market perspective.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f9acb172-85f1-4857-81fb-b747df3a772c

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90629689-cf99-460a-aff1-cad852caefea
At a national security meeting with service chiefs and other heads of security agencies Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari emphasised the need to keep Nigeria one.

The emphasis was a follow up to the presidents address to the nation Monday morning, which he used to rally the citizens behind a united Nigeria and dismiss secessionist campaigns.

Mr. Buhari talked about the unity of the nation which is non-negotiable, Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin, told reporters after the meeting at the State House.

We have all been fully instructed to ensure that directive is carried out to the letter.

Although Mr. Olonisakin said other security issues, like Boko Haram, kidnapping and farmers-pastoralists clashes, were also mentioned, the military chief hinted that the threat posed by separatist groups was seen as urgent and serious.

Secessionist agitations have become a serious security concern for the Buhari administration since the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu in October 2015.

Mr. Kanu, who leads the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, was charged alongside three other members of his group by the Nigerian government. He was granted bail in April.

Mr. Kanu amplified his campaign for Igbo secession with a new radio station he launched in the United Kingdom in 2014, but his fame soared following his arrest and trial.

His campaign was buoyed by decades of criticism of the Nigerian Constitution as an unworkable document.

The separatist leader said the Nigerian state as currently constituted put citizens of Igbo extraction at a disadvantage, a perception shared by some other ethnic nationalities.

Amidst his trial, Mr. Kanu continues to push for Igbo secession, while regularly putting his popularity to test.

On May 30, thousands of residents in the Igbo-dominated eastern part of the countrycomplied with a stay-at-home order which Mr. Kanu urged in memory of the 1967 Civil War.

At least 500,000 Igbo were said to have been killed during the war, which ended in 1970.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that IPOB had launched a secret service to protect its members and pre-empt any clampdown by security agencies with its own counter-intelligence.

His exploits have not gone without notice by other ethnocentric elements across the country.

Leaders of Northern youth groups which called for a mass exodus of Igbo from the North in June justified their widely-condemned action as a response to the activities of Mr. Kanu and his group.

President Buhari, who had been in London since May 7, was not on ground to attend to the crisis until his return last Saturday.

Nigerias unity is settled and not negotiable, Mr. Buhari said during the address which aired at 7:00 a.m. Monday.

We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood, he added.

Mr. Buhari urged all those with disparate concerns, which he acknowledged could be legitimate, to direct them to the National Assembly or the Council of States, the two bodies he said have the constitutional powers to make fundamental changes to the federal system.

The president said Nigerians can live in any part of the country they desire without fear.

But Mr. Olonisakin said Mr. Buhari ordered escalation of security measures to deal with all belligerent elements.

He said the directive will be carried out by the military and the security agencies in order to protect lives and properties.

The military will intensify intelligence operations in response to a recent surge in Boko Haram attacks, Mr. Olonisakin said, urging Nigerians not to see the frequent attacks as indicative of Boko Haram renewed vigour.

Others at the meeting included Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ibas; Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar and Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, was also present, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

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The management of 9mobile have provided a reason why some subscribers are experiencing disruption in services.

Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd., EMTS, trading as 9mobile, announced a network outage in one of its data centres as the reason for the service disruption.

In a statement signed by Ibrahim Dikko, one of its vice presidents, 9mobile said subscribers may experience some disruption with voice, SMS and data services due to this technical issue,

Mr. Dikko said the firms technical teams are currently working assiduously to resolve the issue within the shortest possible time.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused our subscribers and we thank them for their patience and understanding.

9mobile, which used to be Etisalat Nigeria, rebranded, after the parent Etisalat global firm pulled out following a financial crisis.

The telecoms firm has millions of subscribers in Nigeria.

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The police command in Nasarawa State has confirmed the abduction of a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Hussaini Akwanga.

Mr. Akwanga served during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo but was removed on December 4, 2003, following an alleged $214 million national identity card scam.

The spokesman for the Nasarawa State Police Command, Kennedy Idirisu, who confirmed the abduction in Lafia on Wednesday, said Mr. Akwanga was kidnapped by gunmen at his farm on Wamba Road on Tuesday.

Akwanga town is about 46km north of Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.

Mr. Idirisu said that on receiving information on the abduction, the states Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, mobilised policemen, led by the deputy commissioner in charge of operations, to search for the abducted former minister.

As we speak, the commissioner himself has gone to Akwanga to boost the rescue operation to ensure that the victim is released unhurt, he said.

Mr. Idirisu reiterated the commitment of the command to ridding the state of kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Meanwhile, a family source told NAN that the kidnappers had contacted them, demanding an unspecified amount as ransom.

On May 6, the mother and sister of a member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Kassim Mohammed, were similarly abducted in Akwanga.

(NAN)

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A former Vice-Chairman of Arik Air, Anietie Okon, has alleged that the plan by some powerful individuals to take over the airline and sell it cheaply to themselves was thwarted by the intervention of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Okon made the allegation on Wednesday while speaking with journalists in Lagos.

AMCON had on February 9 taken over Arik Air as a result of its huge debt profile and thereafter appointed Roy Ilegbodu to manage the airline under the receivership of Oluseye Opasanya.

Mr. Okon said the interest group wanted to take advantage of the financial distress of the airline occasioned by the state of Nigerias economy that forced it into recession and the plunge of the value of the Naira.

According to him, this made it extremely difficult to obtain foreign exchange and run the airline, which had the largest fleet in the country.

He said the recession affected the airline, like some other companies in the country which rely on forex to sustain their operations.

Mr. Okon also spoke on the Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) signed between Nigeria and other countries.

According to him, no Nigerian airline is currently benefitting properly from the BASAs.

He said the foreign airlines were, however, being given more routes at the detriment of Nigerias airlines.

The Nigerian government is always too willing to make deals with foreign airlines and give our market away.

Our country is losing so much for the selfish interest of a few, he said.

Mr. Okon noted the economic and social consequences of government not supporting the domestic airline industry include job losses and the weakening of the value of the Naira.

He recalled that Arik Air was selling tickets for international destinations in Naira while foreign airlines continued to demand for dollars.

Mr. Okon said the same Arik Air had 2, 600 staff while majority of the foreign airlines had only 10 Nigerians on their payroll.

In other societies, government would have stepped in to save the airline by providing it and others support, knowing that the economic problem was a national issue, he said.

Mr. Okon said the airline, today, is operating less than 40 per cent of its capacity.

He said that the AMCON management was striving to keep the airline in operation, but at very low capacity due to lack of funds.

(NAN)

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A presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, stirred a fierce debate on Tuesday after disclosing that rodents had invaded President Muhammadu Buharis office, forcing him to work from home after returning from a 103-day medical leave in London.

Mr. Buhari returned to the country on Saturday, stepping on the countrys soil for the first time since he was flown abroad for medical treatment on May 7. Monday was his first day back at work as he wrote the National Assembly announcing his resumption.

But news soon emerged that the president had elected to work from his official residence at the State House, rather than his office which is also situated on the same premises.

The move was to allow for renovation of the presidents office, the presidency had initially said, adding that he will work optimally from home.

The regular office needs some renovation because the 103 days of absence caused some deterioration presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, explained. Hes going to be working from an office in the House that is almost a replica of the regular office.

Mr. Adesina said the initial presidential actions by Mr. Buhari on Monday, especially the notification of resumption sent to the National Assembly, were taken inside the auxiliary office.

Some citizens expressed doubts about the official explanation, arguing that the presidents ill-health kept him away from the office.

But a more intense controversy ensued on Tuesday, after Mr. Shehu was quoted to have added that rodents were to blame for the deterioration in the presidents office.

Following the three months period of disuse, rodents have caused a lot of damage to the furniture and the air conditioning units, Mr. Shehu told THISDAY Newspaper.

Mr. Shehus remarks drew immediate criticism on social media, with many berating him for regaling the country with amateur lies.

Did Garba Shehu consider how ridiculous this rodent excuse sounded when drafting his press release or did the absurdity escape him? a user asked on Twitter.

See how this rat thing will make headlines around the world. Gosh! They should have left it at hell work from the home office mehn!

See how this rat thing will make headlines around the world. Gosh! They should have left it at 'he'll work from the home office' mehn!  JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) August 22, 2017

I mean, they couldnt think of a better lie? Didnt Femi Adesina work at a red top? Theyre known to be creative, no?

I mean, they couldn't think of a better lie? Didn't Femi Adesina work at a red top? They're known to be creative, no?  T. Rankin' (@AfroVII) August 22, 2017

Kai, I have done a systematic examination of this Rat story from the Presidency. I found no redeeming prospect, tweeted former Education Minister and Bring Back Our Girls co-convener, Oby Ezekwesili. They elevated Rodents.

Kai, I have done a systematic examination of this Rat story from the Presidency. I found no redeeming prospect. They elevated Rodents.  Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) August 23, 2017

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The Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, PTCIJ on Wednesday ended a three-day security training for journalists.

The event held at the Bolton Whites Hotels and Apartments, Wuse, Abuja.

The training is part of the PTCIJs efforts aimed at ensuring freedom of expression, digital, physical and psychosocial safety for journalists and the campaign against press gagging.

The training, which was a follow-up workshop to the first one held in Lagos earlier this year, had in attendance 16 journalists and 2 Independent Holistic Security Trainers as facilitators: Peter Nkanga and Xeenarh Mohammed.

The workshop was also part of PTCIJs vision for a media landscape that is truly independent and advances fundamental human rights, good governance and accountability in Nigeria through capacity building, open data and investigative journalism.

The training, supported by Free Press Unlimited, FPU a foundation based in the Netherlands, was adjudged fruitful by all the participants.

On the first day of the training, the facilitators made the training sessions very interactive.

In her introduction, Xeenarh Mohammed said: The training is relevant because privacy and anonymity on the internet should be for everyone. We shouldnt have our phone calls, SMS and emails monitored by governments and corporations. But if they wish to do so, it is our duty to protect ourselves and our private information with encryption. We need Privacy not because we have anything to hide, but because we dont want to share every detail with the world. Just like we close the toilet door not because we are hiding anything but because what we do is private.

The first session anchored by Xeenarh centred on tools and tactics aimed at teaching journalists how to secure personal data using hands-on password manager  KeePassX which is an application for people with extremely high demands on secure personal data management.

The second session of the training centred on mobile devices where various mobile applications like choosing apps, psiphon, signal, orbot+orfox etc were discussed. The practical aspect of this session exposed participants on how they can circumvent and bypass internet restrictions and blocks using the mobile application.

Xeenarh also trained the participants on the use of Signal Private Messenger, a mobile application that allows users create encrypted groups so as to be able to have private conversations with many users at once.

The day two of the training also involved how journalists can use the internet more securely using packages like Orbot. Orbot is a free proxy app that empowers other apps to use the internet more securely.

The trainers, while taking journalists on digital security, explained how the internet works and what happens behind the scene when mails are sent and received.

The trainers enjoined participants to research more on what they had leant and extend the knowledge gained at the workshop to their colleagues.

Emphasising the commitment of PTCIJ to promote Press freedom, Freedom of expression, net neutrality and media plurality, PTCIJs Program Officer on the Free Press Unlimited Project, Aisha Hashim, said the workshop will equip journalists and human rights defenders with the right tools and knowledge they need to face the various challenges of attacks, arrest and threat to digital, psycho-social and physical safety.

Ms. Hashim lamented that many journalists reporting corruption, terrorism, human rights infringements are faced with threats, harassments, attacks and many have had their phones, computers and email addresses intercepted by the Government or Corporations.

The Digital Rights and Freedom Bill in the National Assembly which had passed second reading which provides for the control and regulation of surveillance and lawful interception amongst other press attacks informed PTCIJs zeal to organise the training.

One of the participants; Amazing Ekedebe of Magic 102.9 FM Aba, Abia State described the training as an enlightening session into the other side of journalism with practical steps revealed which are essentially for holistic security while getting the job done.

Another, Akufai Jonah of the Creative Media Centre for Development said: The holistic security training has engineered me with theoretical and practical knowledge and skills on how I can protect myself physically, psychosocially and digitally while discharging my civic role. The training has also afforded me opportunity to learn from other participants while also sharing my experiences in addition to leveraging the support of other participants after and beyond the training.

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The Nigerian government has given an approval of N3 billion through the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC to be used to rehabilitate schools directly affected by insurgency in the North-east.

The funds would also provide support to women and adolescents in the areas of vocational and skills acquisition.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hameed Bobboyi, said the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, gave the approval for the funds to assist in basic education in the North-east adding that UBECs intervention will help in the North-east.

Our intervention has to come with re-establishing teaching and learning process, students have to be re-convinced to return back to school,  the executive secretary said.

Mr. Bobboyi said by the end of September 2017, the commission would produce a National Basic Education Sector Plan.

He said that there was a need for the nation to plan on strategic areas to be able to build the solid foundation needed for the development of the nation.

Mr. Bobboyi also said UBEC has agreed to build model schools in each senatorial zone, as the schools would serve as backbones of the system.

The executive secretary also added that in the next five years, the commission has plans of building these schools in all the 774 Local government areas in Nigeria.

The North-east has been rocked by an insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced many more.

The UBE programme is a nine- year basic educational programme, which was launched and executed by Nigerian to eradicate illiteracy, ignorance and poverty as well as stimulate and accelerate national development, political consciousness and national integration.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo flagged off UBE on September 30, 1999 in Sokoto State.

The UBE Programme is Nigerias strategy for the achievement of Education for All (EFA) and the education-related Millennium Development Goals.

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The Police Command in Borno on Wednesday said two persons were killed and 11 others sustained injuries in a suicide bomb attack at Muna Garage area of Maiduguri.

A statement signed by Murtala Ibrahim, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, and issued in Maiduguri, said a male suicide bomber targeted an armoured vehicle of the Police Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, and detonated the explosive strapped to his body.

He said that the explosive blew up the insurgent and killed one other person, while four police officers and seven other persons sustained various degrees of injury.

Today at about 13:45 a male suicide bomber with IED strapped on his body, moved toward SARS Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) patrol team at Muna Garage area.

In an attempt to shoot him down, the IED exploded killing the bomber. An unidentified person was also killed in the explosion, while seven civilians and four SARS personnel were injured.

The armoured vehicle suffered damage as a result of the blast, Mr. Ibrahim said.

According to him, the victims have been referred to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for treatment.

The police spokesman added that normalcy had been restored and the area sanitised.

(NAN)

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Edo State will soon unveil a new corps of traffic wardens to take over road traffic management in the state, an official has said.

Governor Godwin Obaseki disclosed this on Wednesday while commiserating with families of victims of an auto crash that claimed nine lives, Tuesday, along Upper Sokponba Road in Benin City.

According to a statement from Government House, Benin City, Mr. Obaseki said the wardens are currently undergoing training and would be mandated to check accidents and unprofessional conducts by drivers on the state roads.

The governor expressed sadness over the fatal auto crash.

Particularly painful is the fact that the people were only just setting out early in the morning in search of their daily bread when the unfortunate incident occurred.

Our prayers are with the friends and families of the victims as well as the entire Edo people in this trying time.

As a government, we want them to know that we stand with them in this desperately difficult time, the statement quoted the governor.

The sad event brings the need to enhance the regulation of road traffic in the state into sharp focus.

Which is why apart from our commitment to fixing our road infrastructure, we have recruited and trained a group of young men and women in the state to take charge of traffic management in the state.

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Some dare-devil armed robbers struck on Wednesday in broad daylight in the city of Uyo, few metres from the Akwa Ibom Government House.

The robbery incident took place at about 11 a.m. at Dominic Utuk Avenue, near Christ the King Primary School, Wellington Bassey Way, which is not far from the seat of power in the state.

Information on the incident is still hazy.

A source told PREMIUM TIMES that the robbers trailed their victim from a bank down to where the struck at Dominic Utuk Avenue.

Photos of the crime scene circulated on the social media show a black Toyota Corolla riddled with bullets.

The car, with the number plate AK 705 CO1, appears to belong to the Akwa Ibom State government.

A police source told PREMIUM TIMES that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Muazu Halilu, has visited the crime scene.

Another police source informed this newspaper that the robbery suspects were swiftly apprehended somewhere in the city, few hours after the incident.

The police spokesperson, Ikechukwu Chukwu, said he was attending an official function in Abuja and, therefore, couldnt comment on the incident.

PREMIUM TIMES tried to reach the commissioner of police, but he wasnt picking calls made to his phone line.

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SACRAMENTO, Aug. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, water agencies from throughout California joined with the Association of California Water Agencies to publicly voice their opposition to a bill that would establish the states first-ever tax on drinking water and to pledge their commitment to ensuring safe drinking water for communities across the state.



The focus of the hearing was SB 623 by Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel). The bill was placed on suspense and may be taken up by the full Assembly later this session.

Proponents of SB623  called the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fee  say the bill is aimed at creating a fund to clean up contaminated drinking water in disadvantaged communities. It was amended on Monday to establish the states first tax on water. While ACWA strongly supports the goal of providing assistance to disadvantaged communities without access to safe and reliable drinking water, ACWA is vigorously opposed to this new tax and the precedent it would set. ACWA supports funding safe drinking water solutions for disadvantaged communities with General Fund dollars, packaged together with ongoing federal safe drinking water funds, general obligation bond funds, and the new agriculture-proposed assessment related to nitrates in groundwater.

"Water is essential to life and shouldn't be taxed. It works against water affordability," ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck testified during the hearing. We agree with the intent  we want to solve the problem  but we oppose a regressive tax on water. This is a state social issue and yet local water agencies are being asked to collect money through a tax and send it to Sacramento.

Proponents say they have been negotiating for months, but the tax was amended to this bill just this past Monday and has been through no policy hearings. An issue of this magnitude needs to be fully debated in a thorough and transparent process, Tuck added.

Several opponents of the bill also called the tax regressive, saying it would hurt low income earners the hardest. The General Fund is primarily derived from income taxes and is progressive, therefore using that as a funding source would mean high income earners pay more.

Greg Morrison, government relations officer for the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, questioned how proponents of the measure could say they had reached an historic deal on the funding mechanism.

How can they call this an historic agreement when the largest impacted group  local water agencies  were not even at the table? Morrison asked after the hearing.

San Diego County Water Authority Government Relations Manager Glenn Farrel said the bill is asking urban water ratepayers to pay for another sectors contamination without any nexus.

In all, representatives of more than 20 ACWA agencies appeared in person to voice their opposition to SB 623s water tax, and more than 100 have signed a coalition statement against the bill.

For local perspectives, contact:

San Diego County Water Authority: Glenn Farrel, 916/492-6074

Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District: Greg Morrison, 951/674-3146

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440+ members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com. ACWA also manages Save Our Waterthe states official water conservation outreach program  in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources. More information is at www.saveourwater.com.
It is no longer news that Nollywood actor and entrepreneur, Yul Edochie, has his eyes on the gubernatorial seat in Anambra State.

To prove that he means business, the award-winning actor, on Tuesday picked his nomination form to run for governor of Anambra State at the Jabi, Abuja office of the Democratic Peoples Congress Party.

The actor confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview on Wednesday that he is on a mission to liberate the people of Anambra State.

He also told this newspaper that he has the support of Igbo youth.

He said, My nomination form event, as anticipated, amassed a large number of Igbo youth who are pledging allegiance to their 35-year-old gubernatorial aspirant; which is my humble self.

Citing his reasons for running for governor, Yul, who is one of the sons of veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, said,

Politicians have failed us. So, I am in the race to touch the lives of Anambra people positively. The people are tired of stories. The Anambra youth have an opportunity to show Nigerians if truly they feel its their time to rule or not.

The 35 years old soft-spoken actor said he has all it takes to be the next governor of Anambra.

Its time for the youth to take over. Old ways can never open new doors. Always remember that if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. The problems of Anambra people have come to the last bus stop.

I want to become the next governor of Anambra State because I want to reduce poverty in the state, create jobs and rescue the future of the youth. I joined the race to harness the creative potentials of the youths and the resource-endowment of Anambra to move the state to the next level of development. I will also ensure the provision of infrastructure and development of critical sectors in the state is my agenda if elected.

While many wonder why the actor settled for a relatively unpopular political party, he said, DPC is a youth-oriented party and leadership of the party is made up of youth. Their ideals also align with mine so I have no doubts that Im in the right party. I dont have to belong to a popular political party to win an election.

When asked if he has the blessings of his father, he said, You know my father is not a politician so you dont expect him to publicly declare his support for me. But I can tell you that he has given me his blessings and he is also proud of my boldness.

On what will become of his acting career should be win and whether his kinsmen will support an actor becoming their governor, he said, It will not stop my acting career at all. I intend to combine both roles effectively. However, Im willing to jettison acting to face governance for four years should it be required of me. An actor also has a right to contest for public office like every other citizen of Nigeria. So, I think the fact that Im an actor is a major plus not a setback.

If Yul wins the election, he will join fellow actor, Desmond Elliot, who is currently a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Named after the popular Russian actor, Yul Brynner, Yul is the last of six children of his father. He attended the University of Port Harcourt where he studied Dramatic Arts.

His foray into Nollywood began in 2005 when he starred in a movie titled, The Exquirers, alongside the late veteran actors, Justus Esiri and Enebeli Elebuwa.

He got his break in 2007 after featuring alongside Genevieve Nnaji and Desmond Elliot in the movie Wind Of Glory.

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The leader of the South-east caucus of the Nigerian Senate, Eyinnaya Abaribe, on Wednesday met with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and expressed the caucus desire for a peaceful and united Nigeria.

Mr. Abaribe, in a statement after the meeting at his Ohuru, Abia State home, said while the caucus requested respect for Nigerias law and peaceful conduct from the IPOB, Igbo senators would continue to demand restructuring, equity and fairness.

He said Mr. Kanu assured the senators his group would not employ violence as tool of their separatist struggle.

I thank Kanu for assuring (the caucus) to conduct his members in a peaceful manner and within the ambits of the law. This engagement is a continuous process that will lead us to find a lasting solution to whatever grievances that necessitated the agitations in Nigeria.

The caucus will accordingly meet as soon as we resume from recess to continue the engagement for the good of our people and our dear country. All of us desire equality, equity, fairness in a peaceful and united Nigeria, said Mr. Abaribe, PDP-Abia.

The South-east senators were key to helping Mr. Kanu fulfil bail conditions in April. He had been in detention since October 2015, while standing trial for treason charges.

But no sooner had Mr. Kanu regained his freedom than he started conducts contrary to terms of his bail.

For instance, Mr. Kanu continues to address crowds and the press; and makes centrifugal calls and anti-Nigeria remarks contrary to his bail conditions.

In Mr. Abaribes statement, Mr. Kanu was quoted as assuring his group would not resort to armed struggle.

We are not afraid in our quest. What I promise my elder brother (Mr. Abaribe) is that we shall never fail them by resorting to violence. We cant and it has never been our approach, he said.

According to a transcript of his remarks after the meeting with Mr. Abaribe made available to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Kanu also spoke on the Biafra Secret Service which he said was formed to protect our people in response to alleged failure of the Nigerian Police.

There is no need for anybody to be afraid of the internal operations of IPOB. Biafra Secret Service is like the vigilante outfits you have everywhere. It is not armed. We want to stop the menace of Fulani herdsmen in our land.

We wont tolerate it, it wont happen here. In the North, you have the Hisbah Police, Sharia police; you even have the Janjaweed police. Here, we have nothing; we need to protect this land. We need to prevent the Fulani cattle men from rustling; we are opposed to every form of disorder and criminality. IPOB will never be violent, we will never be armed, said Mr. Kanu.

President Muhammadu Buhari has stated the governments opposition to any secessionist movement.

On Monday, he asked security chiefs to put all threats to Nigerias unity in check after declaring that Nigerias unity is settled and not negotiable.

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The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Ekiti State government to investigate allegations of fraud against a former governor, Kayode Fayemi, has slated the commencement of its proceedings for Monday, next week.

The commission which was set up at the behest of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, will sit at the State High Court premises in Ado Ekiti.

A statement by the commissions secretary, Gbenga Adaramola, on Tuesday said Mr. Fayemi, who is also the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, is expected to appear on September 6.

Others summoned are a former commissioner of finance, Dapo Kolawole, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, the Ado-Ekiti branch manager of Access Bank; Managing Director of Coscharis Motors Limited; Tijani-Yuyang Construction Eng. Ltd; CASA Nig. Ltd.; and the Managing Director of SCOA Nigeria Limited.

The commission of inquiry headed by a retired judge, Silas Oyewole, is going ahead with the inquest despite several suits filed by Mr. Fayemi challenging the powers of the commission to probe him.

Consequent upon the inauguration of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the finances of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014 by the Ekiti State Government, the Commission will commence the public hearing and the following witnesses would be called, examined and/or cross-examined as indicated hereunder, the notice issued by Mr. Adaramola, read.

It noted that those to be called on August 28 are witness from the Accountant Generals office and the Ministry of Finance while witnesses from the Ministry of Budget and Planning; General Administration and Department (GAD), Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Managing Director of Coscharis Motors Ltd will be called on August 30.

The commission scheduled September 6 for witnesses from the Ministry of Works and Transportation.

Dapo Kolawole, SCOA Nig. Ltd, Citadel Nominees Limited/Toyab Associates Joint Consultants, CASA Nig. Ltd, and the Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission are expected to appear also on September 6.

The commissions terms of reference is to look into the financial transactions of Ekiti State between 2010 and 2014; ascertain the amount received on behalf of the State from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC); investigate the allegations of fraud/loss of funds, including the diversion and conversion of the UBEC funds; ascertain the amount that the Ekiti State Government took as loans during the period under review and how they were utilised.

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The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, says President Muhammadu Buhari is too sick to govern and should be allowed to retire to his country home in Daura.

The governor, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, also turned down pressures to recant his attacks and claims on the health, saying he stands by all his statements on the Presidents health.

Mr. Fayose has been under attack from different quarters and in the social media since the president returned to the country from his medical vacation in London.

He had been credited with the comments that he would commit suicide if Buhari returned to the country alive and had since been urged to make good his vow.

He however denied making such statements, adding that his enemies had created the comment to paint him in a bad light.

Let me tell you expressly, why would I commit suicide? I cannot commit suicide because of my mother, he said.

Even if they are burying my mother now, I will cleverly stay away from the grave so that I wont fall into it.

I cant commit suicide because of Buhari. I never said that and will never make such statement.

Mr. Fayose also cited the cancellation of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting in support of his claims that the president needed to rest from the task of governing the country.

The spokesperson to the president, Femi Adesina, had in a statement on the cancellation of the FEC meeting, said Mr. Buhari was instead going to receive the report of the investigation committee into the allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ayodele Oke.

Mr. Fayose said he stood by his claims about the president being in coma on July 6, and said he had no apology over his comment perceived by many as insensitive.

If not for our efforts, Buhari wouldnt have returned now, Mr. Fayose said. He is sick and tired and even his physical appearance portrayed this and he needs to go home and rest.

He asserted that he had no apology for every word that had come out of his mouth, adding, President Buhari was indeed in coma and one of those who visited him said his recovery is a miracle that shows that he was indeed very sick.

He stated that Mr. Buhari should not be sent to his early grave, but should be allowed to take a rest due to his ailment.

Buhari is not old enough to be my father, my mother is older than Buhari, he cannot be my father, he can only be my uncle.

I am close to 60. I stand by all I have said about the President, he said.

We are glad he is back, but dont over flog him.

I am not a sycophant and I stand to speak for Nigeria. Somebody must be able to speak on behalf of the poor masses. This was how they deceived us during the time of YarAdua. I am not a hypocrite and I will never be one.

This country deserves a very healthy person. Office of the president

is not for a sick man. The president is tired and should be allowed to

resign and go and rest.

According to Mr. Fayose, since the President himself could not disclose his health status and the extent of his ailment, it suggested that there was so much to hide.

Not until civil societies and people like us started making noise. You cant be our president without us knowing what is happening to you. So, for me, the president went to coma July 6, he insisted.

You dont have to be president at all cost, when you are tired. You go home. I dont want to talk about 2019 but I want to tell you that Nigeria needs a president that is agile, strong. The job is too much for an individual that does not have what it takes. It is common saying that health is wealth. Everything is about health.

Mr. Fayose noted that he wished the president well and wanted him to recover, but advised him to resign and go home.

You see they said he would come back and resume in his office, he resumed in his office, they said rats have taken over his office, he said.

A presidential office, rats took over his office! Now they said he is working from home, tomorrow, they would say he is coming from bedroom.

All these stories are ending up in a make believe. In a country where you have so much to do, I am not going to be a sycophant here.

Mr. Fayose said he would not go to the presidential villa to greet

the president if invited, saying that his visit would be

misinterpreted to be laden with sinister motives.

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ATLANTIC CITY  The owners of a Route 40 motel where an alligator was found after a drug raid, and which was the site of a suspicious fire last weekend, faces deadlines to fix the property or see it torn down, city officials said.

City officials said the Bayview Inn & Suites has been deemed unsafe and has structure issues that must be addressed. The owners have until Monday to address the problems.

On Aug. 15, authorities found a 3-foot-long alligator swimming in the pool at the motel after an early morning drug bust by the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office.

Several people were arrested, and drugs, weapons and other animals were recovered. Detectives from the Prosecutors Office, along with local law enforcement, searched the 80 rooms of the Albany Avenue motel, Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said in a statement.

During the raid authorities arrested Jamal Campos, 25, of Egg Harbor Township, and charged him with strict liability homicide for a drug-induced death, first-degree leader of a narcotics ring, possession with intent to distribute 100 wax folds of heroin and possession of heroin.

Thirty-three people, including men, women and children, were removed from the property during the search, and seven people were arrested on unrelated warrants.

On Saturday, the citys Fire Department responded a fire at the motel that Fire Chief Scott Evans deemed suspicious.

While most of the fire was contained to one unit, it was fully involved and extended to the second-floor units and the units on either side of it. The fire was under control in about 45 minutes.

Following the fire, residents were relocated.
VICTORIA, British Columbia, Aug. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carmanah Technologies Corporation (TSX:CMH) (the Company or Carmanah) announces the following.



Effective today, Michael W. Sonnenfeldt has announced his resignation as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Just over four years ago, Michael Sonnenfeldt joined our Board as Chairman, said John Simmons, Chief Executive Officer. As Carmanahs largest shareholder, Michael had a vision that Carmanah could become a world class designer, manufacturer and distributor of solar related infrastructure equipment that would represent the most environmentally sensitive and best economic alternative for our customers. From the beginning, he provided the strategic guidance that allowed the transformation of Carmanah from a company with a history of losses to one that is now solidly profitable. In addition, Michael personally led a much-needed recapitalization of the company and set the foundation for the substantive growth in the Companys market capitalization. During his tenure, our share price has risen from a low of 90 cents per share to a price, today, that is five times that amount. Also during his tenure, our market capitalization grew from below CAD $10 million and today exceeds CAD $100 million. Lastly, Michael enabled Carmanah to set a new strategic course. Within that context, we expanded to Europe with our acquisition of the Sabik Group of Companies and to the Pacific Region with our recent acquisition of New Zealand-based Vega Industries Inc. Today Carmanah has more than $25 million in cash and is consistently profitable. Our Telematics initiative is a direct outgrowth of his creativity. Without Michaels dedication, it is highly unlikely that we would have achieved all that we have. I want to thank him for his contribution and wish him great success in his future endeavours.

With all of the great progress the company has made over the past four years, the recent successful sales of the two power divisions will now allow a streamlined focus on Carmanahs Signalling and related Illumination and Telematics opportunities, Sonnenfeldt said. I feel like my work is now finished and I leave the company in great financial condition with an outstanding leadership team. I feel fortunate to have worked with John who, as CEO, has led the transformation. The team he has built is immeasurably stronger than the one he inherited. I have worked with Jim Meekison, who will replace me as Chair and as largest shareholder. He will make an outstanding Chairman, and the company is lucky to have him serve in that capacity. I wish him and the entire team all the best.

Recent Insider Transactions

Just prior to his resignation from the Board, entities controlled by Mr. Sonnenfeldt sold 4,087,443 common shares of Carmanah (Shares) to an entity controlled by Mr. Jim Meekison, a director and insider of Carmanah for CAD $5.00 per Share, for an aggregate purchase price of CAD $20,437,215. In addition, entities controlled by Mr. Sonnenfeldt sold 117,808 Shares and certain other shareholders sold 482,192 Shares to an entity controlled by another director and insider of Carmanah, for CAD$5.00 per Share, for an aggregate purchase price of CAD$3,000,000 (the Transactions). Following the Transactions, entities controlled by Mr. Sonnenfeldts still remain significant shareholders of Carmanah, owning approximately 10.0% of the companys common shares, in the aggregate.

Jim Meekison to become Chairman



Mr. Sonnenfeldts successor Jim Meekison has agreed to serve as Carmanahs Board Chairman. His appointment dovetails with Mr. Sonnenfeldts resignation.

Jim Meekison has been a significant Carmanah shareholder for more than three years, said John Simmons. His increased shareholdings and preparedness to serve as chairman of our board of directors signals his confidence in our business plan. I look forward to working with him in his new role.

Substantial Issuer Bid

Carmanah also announces that it intends to launch a Substantial Issuer Bid (SIB) pursuant to which Carmanah will offer to acquire up to 6.0 million Shares for CAD $5.00 per Share from existing shareholders. Shares acquired through the SIB will be cancelled and returned to treasury. Should more than 6.0 million Shares be tendered into the SIB, Shares will be acquired on a proportional basis from all tendering shareholders. The SIB is expected to be launched imminently and remain in effect for 35-days. Should all 6.0 million Shares be acquired through the SIB, Carmanah will have approximately 18,645,250 Shares outstanding.

Certain insiders intend to tender some of their shareholdings into the SIB. These intentions will be disclosed in the SIB offering document but will include the intention of an entity controlled by Mr. Meekison to tender a portion of his Shares to the extent that, after the effect of the SIB, Mr. Meekison hopes that he will beneficially own approximately 25% of the issued and outstanding Shares.

Early Warning Report Information

Prior to the Transactions, Mr. Sonnenfeldt owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over 6,675,462 Shares and 100,000 options to acquire Shares (Options). After the completion of the Transactions, Mr. Sonnenfeldt now owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, 2,470,211 Shares and 100,000 Options. The 2,470,211 Shares represent approximately 10.0% of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares.

Mr. Meekison acquired ownership of the 4,087,443 Shares through two private transactions (the Acquisitions) made in reliance on the private agreement exemption set out in section 4.2 of National Instrument 62-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids. The Acquisitions were completed through Trimin Capital Corp., an entity controlled by Mr. Meekison, and located in Toronto, Canada.

Prior to the Acquisitions, Mr. Meekison owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over 2,963,700 Shares and 100,000 options to acquire Shares (Options). After the completion of the Acquisitions, Mr. Meekison now owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, 7,051,143 Shares and 100,000 Options. The 7,051,143 Shares represent approximately 28.6% of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares.

Mr. Meekisons acquisitions were made for investment purposes. In addition to tendering Shares to the SIB, as described above, Mr. Meekison may, in the future, increase or decrease his beneficial ownership, control or direction over securities of Carmanah.

About Carmanah Technologies Corporation

Carmanah designs, develops and distributes a portfolio of products focused on energy optimized LED solutions for infrastructure. Since 1996, we have earned a global reputation for delivering durable, dependable, efficient and cost-effective solutions for industrial applications that perform in some of the worlds harshest environments. We manage our business within two reportable segments: Signals and Illumination. The Signals segment serves the Airfield Ground Lighting, Aviation Obstruction, Offshore Wind, Marine, Traffic and Telematics markets. The Illumination segment provides solar powered LED outdoor lights for municipal and commercial customers.

This release may contain forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as expects, estimates, could, will or variations of such words and phrases. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: Carmanahs intent to launch the SIB and the intention of certain shareholders, including Mr. Meekison, to tender Shares to the SIB. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Carmanah to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: our ability to complete the SIB. These forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and beliefs but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. Carmanah disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law.

For additional information on these risks and uncertainties, see Carmanahs most recently filed Annual Information Form (AIF) and Annual MD&A, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Companys website at www.carmanah.com. The risk factors identified in Carmanahs AIF and MD&A are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect Carmanah.
HERSHEY, Pa., Aug. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) announced today that it has agreed to purchase 1,500,000 shares of its common stock from Hershey Trust Company, as Trustee for the Milton Hershey School Trust, for approximately $159 million, or $106 per share.

"This share buyback reflects our confidence in Hershey's marketplace position, long-term growth potential and strong operating cash flow generation, said Michele Buck, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company. Participating at this level is consistent with our capital allocation priorities and gives Hershey continued flexibility to invest in our brands and in the capabilities that give us a competitive edge at retail and with consumers. Our solid financial profile and strong operating cash flow give us many options to grow our business and create value for our stockholders.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery company known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 18,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks.

At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on giving underserved children the skills and support they need to be successful. Today, the company continues this social purpose through 'Nourishing Minds,' a global initiative that provides basic nutrition to help children learn and grow. From neighborhoods across the United States to the streets of Shanghai and Mumbai and villages of West Africa, our goal is to nourish one million minds by 2020.
NORTH CANTON, Ohio and PADERBORN, Germany, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Diebold Nixdorf (NYSE: DBD) today announced that Ben Gale has been appointed vice president, UK/Ireland. In this role, Gale will be responsible for leading and overseeing Diebold Nixdorf's business operations in the UK and Ireland.

With more than 20 years of experience in the IT sector, Ben has held senior roles at Xerox, NCR and The Logic Group. He has significant experience in both the retail banking and retail industries and has successfully grown and developed businesses across services, software and hardware portfolios. He will be based in Bracknell, England and report to Christian Weisser, senior vice president and managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

"We are very pleased to welcome Ben into the UK/Ireland business," Weisser said. "The timing of this appointment is excellent following the recent launch of the Diebold Nixdorf brand in the UK and Ireland. Ben's experience and successful track record as an IT leader will be extremely valuable as we further broaden relationships and provide connected commerce solutions for our customers in the region."

About Diebold Nixdorf

Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated is a world leader in enabling connected commerce for millions of consumers each day across the financial and retail industries. Its software-defined solutions bridge the physical and digital worlds of cash and consumer transactions conveniently, securely and efficiently. As an innovation partner for nearly all of the world's top 100 financial institutions and a majority of the top 25 global retailers, Diebold Nixdorf delivers unparalleled services and technology that are essential to evolve in an 'always on' and changing consumer landscape.

Diebold Nixdorf has a presence in more than 130 countries with approximately 24,000 employees worldwide. The organization maintains corporate offices in North Canton, Ohio, USA and Paderborn, Germany. Shares are traded on the New York and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol 'DBD'. Visit www.DieboldNixdorf.com for more information.

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/547686/Diebold_Nixdorf_Logo.jpg

Related Links

http://www.diebold.com



SOURCE Diebold Nixdorf
BENGALURU, India, August 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

EdgeVerve Systems recognized by Gartner for the 10th consecutive year for Finacle Core Banking

Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a product subsidiary of Infosys (NYSE: INFY), today announced that it has been positioned as a leader in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Global Retail Core Banking1 following the evaluation of its Finacle Core Banking solution. Gartner evaluated eleven Core Banking vendors on the criteria of "Completeness of vision" and "Ability to execute". This is the 10th consecutive time that EdgeVerve Systems (Infosys Finacle) has been positioned as a Leader in this Magic Quadrant.

According to Gartner, "Leaders in the global retail core banking market tend to possess a high-order market understanding. They make it their business to monitor market trends and funnel progressive innovation into their product roadmaps. Most of them possess software development quality certifications (e.g., CMMI) or are pursuing them. The Leaders are also, without exception, "thinking small" or targeting component-based architecture as a gateway to providing increased accessibility to the granular functionality that banks need to drive the basis for differentiation. Leaders have high viability and great customer feedback. They also focus on innovation - and the innovation trends that affect this particular market. They especially focus on trends with visionary capability in managing the ecosystem for open banking platforms by fostering open banking with their products and services and in a collaborative environment with partners."

Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Global Retail Core Banking report can be accessed here.

Vittorio D'Orazio, Gartner Research Director mentions in the report, "Most senior executives are investing in digital business transformation, or in other words, building a digital bank. This involves digital technology, but is much more about changing strategy and business models. A digital bank makes money in new ways, for example, by monetizing digital identity and sharing business services with ecosystem partners to empower them to build new products and services. Banks as platforms, or open banking, will be needed to make this happen. CIOs cannot execute a new business strategy and business model without a modern CBS that has the agility needed to open up the back office to the front office."

Sanat Rao, Chief Business Officer and Global Head, Infosys Finacle said, "To realize the goal of truly digital transformation, banks need to take a holistic approach. They need to add digital capabilities that will open up new opportunities for growth and profitability, as well as renew the legacy core engines to support continuous innovation across the organization. With Finacle Core Banking solution, our focus has been on building a world-class componentized core banking solution that provides our clients the flexibility to manage this transformation in a risk-mitigated manner. We believe that Gartner recognizing our solution as a Leader is a testimony of our ability to deliver market- leading solutions."

References

1Gartner, Inc., "Magic Quadrant for Global Retail Core Banking," Vittorio D'Orazio and Don Free, 10 July, 2017.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Infosys Finacle

Infosys Finacle is the industry-leading universal banking solution from EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys. The solution helps financial institutions develop deeper connections with stakeholders, power continuous innovation and accelerate growth in the digital world. Today, Finacle is the choice of banks across 94 countries and serves over 848 million customers - estimated to be nearly 16.5 percent of the world's adult banked population.

Finacle solutions address the core banking, e-banking, mobile banking, CRM, payments, treasury, origination, liquidity management, Islamic banking, wealth management, and analytics needs of financial institutions worldwide. Assessment of the top 1000 world banks reveals that banks powered by Finacle enjoy 50 percent higher returns on assets, 30 percent higher returns on capital, and 8.1 percent points lesser costs to income than others.

To know more, visit www.finacle.com

About EdgeVerve Systems Ltd

EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infosys, develops innovative software products and offers them on premise or as cloud-hosted business platforms. Our products help businesses develop deeper connections with stakeholders, power continuous innovation and accelerate growth in the digital world. We power our clients' growth in rapidly evolving areas like banking, digital marketing, interactive commerce, distributive trade, credit servicing, customer service and enterprise buying.

Today EdgeVerve products are used by global corporations across financial services, insurance, retail and CPG, life sciences, manufacturing, and telecom. Finacle, our universal banking solution, is the choice of financial institutions across 94 countries and serves over 848 million customers - estimated to be nearly 16.5 percent of the world's adult banked population.

To know more, visit www.edgeverve.com or https://www.infosys.com/newsroom/press-releases/Pages/leader-finacle-global-retail-core-banking.aspx

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. In addition, please note that the date of this press release is mentioned at the beginning of the release, and any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of this date. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is required by law.

This is a disclosure announcement from PR Newswire.

SOURCE Infosys Limited
LONDON, August 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The UK is falling out of favour as a must visit English speaking destination for young travellers wanting to study, tour and work, a wide-ranging new report has warned.

Visa controls, currency fluctuations and an unfriendly impression following Brexit are putting one in five young visitors off coming, says the British Educational Travel Association.

Latest visitor statistics show youth travel is no longer growing as it once did. At the same time competitor English speaking countries are thriving.

The inbound youth, student and educational travel sector is worth 22.3 billion a year to Britain and the 14.9m young people who visit represent 38% of all tourists.

Last year saw a fall in spending by young travellers for the first time and numbers coming on holiday dropped to below 2014 levels. Enrolment into higher education by foreign students was flat while demand for courses in the USA soared by 44%, in Canada by 51% and Australia by 27%.

The UK's global share of those coming to learn the English language has also dropped in the four years from 2011 from 31% to 22% and the number of work visas given to young people was down 12% from 2012.

Called "Unlocking the Value of Youth, Student & Educational Travel", the report urges the UK Government to review its complicated visa policy and remove international students from net migration figures.

BETA, which represents the youth, student and educational travel industry, analysed data from 336 businesses which deal with 1.5 million young and student travellers from 60 countries.

Chairman, Steve Lowy said: "International travel for the younger generation is not a bucket list wish, it is a high priority, and it provides powerful life experiences, cultural awareness and is an education in itself.

"Travel transcends gender, nationality and age and is proven to provide young people with a better future as a global citizen.

"It is essential that the UK unlocks the barriers to growth to allow this sector to flourish at the rate of our global competitors, to build upon our reputation as a must visit destination and to grow our market share."

Notes

Research carried out by StudentMarketing



SOURCE BETA
Mayor Bill de Blasio continues to be dogged by questions of where to draw the line when it comes to his new 90-day review of "hate symbols" in New York City. Speaking Tuesday, the mayor was at a loss when asked what would happen to public depictions of former U.S. President Ulysses S Grant and forgotten-by-all-but-the-nerdiest-local-historians New York Governor Horatio Seymour.

Grant's eligibility for hate symbol status stems primarily from General Order 11, a command he gave expelling all Jews from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky in an attempt to stamp out an illegal cotton market run "mostly by Jews and other unprincipled traders." A large statue of Grant on horseback has stood in Crown Heights, Brooklyn since 1896; Grant's body is interred at Grants Tomb, located in Riverside Park.

A portrait commemorating 19th Century New York Governor Horatio Seymour currently hangs inside City Hall. His offense, as the Post points out, traces back to 1868, when Seymour campaigned for president (against Grant, no less), running on the campaign slogan "This is a White Man's Country; Let White Men Rule."

When asked about both figures at an unrelated press conference Tuesday, the Mayor acknowledged that he hadn't considered whether the hate symbol review should include Grant and Seymour.

"This is complicated stuff. But you know it's a lot better to be talking about it and trying to work through it than ignoring it, because I think for a lot of people in this city and in this country, they feel that their history has been ignored or affronts to their history have been tolerated," de Blasio told reporters.

"Were trying to unpack 400 years of American history here," the Mayor continued, according to the Daily News. When asked if the names of city buildings, such as public schools, might be up for consideration, de Blasio stressed that the hate symbol review will need to proceed in stages. In an email to Gothamist Tuesday, the Mayor's Deputy Press Secretary emphasized that the hate symbol review is only just getting startedits panel of relevant experts and community leaders will eventually develop "concrete guidelines for review and removal."

But multiple city and state officials are already working to stop the hate symbol review panel from even considering once specific statue: the figure of Christopher Columbus, which stands 70 feet above Columbus Circle. Responding to City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito's suggestion that Columbus, whom many see as a figure responsible for the enslavement and genocide of Native Americans, should be considered a hateful figure, Staten Island Council Member Joe Borelli wrote to both Mark-Viverito and de Blasio demanding that the criteria for removal be made public.

"I recognize, as I am sure you do, the tremendous can of worms that the city of New York has now opened," Borelli wrote. More criticisms pile on, including a tweet from Queens Council Member Eric Ulrich suggesting that the FDR Drive should be renamed on account of Roosevelt's internment of Japanese Americans in World War II.

Mark-Viverito doubled down on her critique of Columbus while speaking at a Harlem senior center Tuesday. "I know that some people may take offense to that. But for many of us who come from the Caribbean Islands, we see him as a controversial figure," she said, according to the Post. The Speaker's call for a review of the Columbus statue received additional support from Brooklyn Council Member Jumaane Williams Tuesday.

In response to the targeting of Columbus, State Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R-LI) told the Post in a statement he would introduce a bill in Albany to block any attempt to remove the statue.


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's MIT Sloan CFO Summit, the nation's premier CFO event, will be held Thursday, November 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Boston Marriott Newton in Newton, MA. The theme for the conference is "Balanced Chaos." Click here to register.

The CFO Summit, which attracts an audience of more than 500 of the nation's top chief financial officers and senior financial executives, provides an opportunity to learn and discuss high level strategies and practical insights relevant to financial decision makers. This year's outstanding speakers include CFOs from Yahoo!, JetBlue, BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc., UBS, and many more.

"Today's CFO is required to juggle a variety of objectives effectively, now more than ever before," said Jeremy Seidman, Co-Chair of the MIT Sloan CFO Summit. "From mastering strategic uses of technology to identifying the drivers that affect critical operations decisions, this premier Summit will empower attendees to understand and achieve the right balance."

Summit Highlights (click here for the full agenda):

Luncheon session: "From Chaos to Calm" with The Wall Street Journal's Kimberly Johnson and CFOs Ken Goldman, Yahoo!; Gina Mastantuono , Ingram Micro; and Steve Priest , JetBlue. The panelists will review their strategies for managing through uncertainty, and their solutions for offering clarity and forward progress.

and CFOs Ken Goldman, Yahoo!; , Ingram Micro; and , JetBlue. The panelists will review their strategies for managing through uncertainty, and their solutions for offering clarity and forward progress. Break-out panels: "Cybersecurity for the CFO," "The Right Stuff," "Cybersecurity: How much is too much?," "Starting Up," "Predictive Analytics," and "Industry Shmindustry."

About the MIT Sloan CFO Summit

The MIT Sloan CFO Summit is the nation's premier CFO event. Each year, the event offers a day of cutting-edge programming that addresses the changing role of the CFO. The event is rich with opportunities for practical education and peer networking in a time-efficient format.

The summit is part of the CXO Series produced by the MIT Sloan School of Management, one of the world's leading academic sources of innovation in management theory and practice, and the MIT Sloan Boston Alumni Association. The annual events are organized 100% by alumni volunteers. By promoting the MIT philosophy of "mens et manus," or "mind and hand," they are able to bring together the academic research from MIT Sloan with today's corporate financial leaders.

Media Contacts:

Caroline Legg, Warner Communications, 978-255-4488, [email protected]

Sadie Smith, Warner Communications, 717-298-1865, [email protected]

SOURCE MIT Sloan CFO Summit

Related Links

http://www.mitcfo.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Efforts to transform K-12 history education in California have received a major boost with Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) announcing a $5 million state grant to the California Historical Society (CHS). CHS will work with the California History-Social Science Project (CHSSP) at UC Davis to establish and implement Teaching California: an innovative, free, online resource of instructional materials to support the State's new History-Social Science Framework.

The objective of the program is to ensure California's large historical and archival resources, starting with those held at CHS, are readily accessible to all K-12 students to foster better understanding of the state's history, improve student literacy, and promote civic learning and engagement. The initiative creates a sustainable model for instructional material development in history-social science as well as other content areas.

"The tools of our education system must adapt to the tech we use every day. This $5 million investment by the state will provide students and their teachers with the resources they need to learn about  and from  the people, places, and events that have shaped California for thousands of years," said Assemblymember Ting, who spearheaded funding for the new initiative. "Teaching California will adopt the model of today's multimedia age to innovative learning."

Through Teaching California, CHS and CHSSP will develop dynamic, expansive online curriculum composed of primary and secondary source materials, drawing upon CHS's vast archival resources and those of the libraries across the state and nation. These resources will be carefully curated and tailored to provide K-12 teachers and students with online resources they need to analyze and understand the past. Critically, these materials will also embody an interpretation of history that places California at the center of the study of the past by offering local and state examples of national and worldwide histories, highlighting the rich, varied, and impactful contributions of Californians.

"The California Historical Society is honored to help lead this program and work together with educators throughout the State to help implement California's new History-Social Science Framework," said Dr. Anthea Hartig, Executive Director of CHS, who acknowledged the grant represents the largest investment ever made by the State in its 146-year-old historical society. "Teaching California helps ensure that California teachers and students will have access to the rich, complex history that has made our state what it is today."

Teaching California helps implement California's new History-Social Science Framework, which was adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE) in July 2016. The CHSSP served as the primary writer of the new Framework, which outlines an instructional approach that promotes student-centered inquiry and encourages students to develop clear and persuasive arguments based on their own interpretations of the past, using relevant evidence. The Framework also details how teachers can teach students history-social science, while at the same time developing their proficiency in English, as outlined in the Common Core and English Language Development Standards.

"At the heart of Teaching California is a one of a kind partnership between a state historical society and a statewide network of history educators, working together to help California students understand and appreciate the contributions of Californians to our national history and our global past," said Nancy McTygue, Executive Director of the California History-Social Science Project.

Teaching California will offer schools, teachers, and students a free and classroom-ready collection of resources designed to engage children in exciting and inspiring investigations of the past. At the same time, the collection will offer teachers a research-based approach to improve student reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

Importantly, leaders from San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), along with several educators and history advocates from across the state participated in an announcement event at the California Historical Society's headquarters. With its exhibition galleries and free research library as a backdrop to illustrate resources that will be available through the new initiative, they had an opportunity to see first-hand rare artifacts and documents from the CHS archives that will be digitized as part of the program.

Dr. Brent Stephens, Chief Academic Officer, SFUSD, spoke to the significance of the grant, saying, "SFUSD's path-breaking work in teaching with primary source materials has proved to increase student engagement and learning. We look forward to working together to create Teaching California and enhance history education here and around the State."

Kate Bowen, who leads teacher training programs for the CHSSP, said the new materials will give her fifth graders at Patwin Elementary School in Davis a deeper understanding of history, adding, "The partnership between the CHS and CHSSP will give educators around California a golden opportunity to engage students in history. The carefully selected online sources will be ideal for teachers and students."

The $5 million grant was approved as part of the FY 2017/2018 fiscal budget (Assembly Bill 99, Section 82), which was introduced by Assemblymember Ting, chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. San Francisco Unified School District will contract with CHS to administer the grant in partnership with CHSSP to develop the resources for California schools. CHS and CHSSP will work with the State Department of Education to make the online resources available and accessible to all teachers statewide.

For photos and video from the announcement event:

https://hpastrategiccommunications.box.com/s/9u8jni0kkijh503mmmmtrtswsaon6k1i

About the California Historical Society: www.californiahistoricalsociety.org.

About the California History-Social Science Project: http://chssp.ucdavis.edu/about-us

SOURCE California Historical Society

Related Links

http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org


CANFIELD, Ohio, Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Adrian Lee Butler, M.D. is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Leading Hand Surgeon in the state of Ohio.

Dr. Butler serves as a Hand Surgeon at Mercy Health Physicians. He brings over 15 years of field experience to his role, and he specializes in orthopedic hand surgery, especially the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of hand and upper extremity injuries.

"Always do what is right for the patient," Dr. Butler said when asked his professional philosophy. "Always have the patient's best interest at heart."

According to its website, Mercy Health is "a Catholic healthcare ministry serving Ohio and Kentucky." "With more than 34,000 employees in eight regions, [we're] one of the largest healthcare systems in the country. At each one of [our] more than 450 points of care, we deliver high-quality, compassionate care with one united purpose: to help [our] patients be well in mind, body and spirit."

To further his professional development, he is a member of the Ohio Orthopedic Society, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, The American Association for Surgery of the Hand and The American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Florida Orthopedic Society, Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society, Pennsylvania Medical Association, American Medical Association, and, finally, the Indiana University Juggling Club.

Dr. Butler has also had numerous articles and case studies published with various publishers and Journals. A few of these include "Distal Phalanx Fractures and Finger Tip Crush Injuries." Published in Ring D, Cohen MS eds. Hand and Wrist Fractures (New York: Mercel Dekker, 2004), "Arthroscopic Wafer Resection" In: Slutsky & Osterman eds. Distal Radius Fractures and Carpal Injury Published in The Cutting Edge (Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2007), and "Management of Acute & Chronic Tendinopathy in the Athlete" published in Grham & Hunt eds. Contemporary Management of the Athlete's Hand & Wrist (Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007), as well others.

Additionally, he is licensed to practice medicine in Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, Certified by American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (2006), and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery. He is also Certified in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support by American Heart Association, Certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support, and in 'Fundamentals of Critical Care Support'. Furthermore, Dr. Butler has passed multiple US Medical Licensing Examinations.

Due to outstanding work in his field, Dr. Butler has won numerous awards and honors throughout his career. Some of these include the North Central Academic Excellence Award (1990, 92, 93), Boehringer Mannheim Outstanding Chemistry Graduate Scholarship (1993), Indiana University Residents Scholarship (1993-97), Golden Key Honor Society (Inducted 1994), Franklin T. Mathers, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society (Inducted 1996), R.J. Grim Memorial Scholarship (Summer 1996), Allegheny General Hospital Department of Orthopedics Research Award (2005 & 2006).

Dr. Butler earned his B.Sc. in Chemistry from Indiana University, where he graduated with Honors, and minored in Mathematics and German in 1997. Soon after, in 2001, he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine before completing his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Allegheny General Hospital's Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Additionally, he completed a Hand Surgery Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University at the Philadelphia Hand Center in 2007.

When not working, Dr. Butler enjoys hiking, fishing and numerous other outdoor activities. He dedicates this recognition to his mentor, Dr. Mark Baratz, who is the hand surgeon who "planted the seed" that led him to enter the field.

For more information, visit www.mercy.com

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) has been named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion for the second consecutive year.

The recognition was announced today by the US Business Leadership Network and the American Association of People with Disabilities, which conduct the Disability Equality Index (DEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on disability-friendly employment policies, programs and practices. AEP was one of 110 surveyed companies that together employ 7.2 million workers in 21 sectors of the American economy.

"AEP has a strong commitment to inclusion for all of our employees, and we're honored to be recognized for our efforts to support employees with disabilities," said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We are proud to foster a culture that embraces all types of diversity, which makes us a stronger company and allows us to better serve our customers."

The 2017 DEI survey evaluates cultural factors, leadership, community engagement, support services and workplace policies that promote accessibility.

AEP supports accessibility for workers with disabilities in a number of ways, including workplace accommodations and promoting and funding the activities of an employee resource group called ADAPT (Abled and Disabled Allies Partnering Together). ADAPT facilitates networking and information-sharing for employees and contractors with disabilities and their allies. ADAPT also supports the company's efforts to recruit and accommodate employees with disabilities.

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP's more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 33,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 4,200 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners, and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide.

SOURCE American Electric Power

Related Links

http://www.aep.com


EVANSTON, Ill., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aginity today announced that Aginity Amp Version 2.7 supports Apache Spark. With this support, analytic workloads can be completed three to ten times faster, on premises or in the cloud, due to Spark's in-memory capabilities. Amp already provides significant analytic efficiency through its unique ability to enable analytic reuse, which also ensures consistency of analytic output.

Amp now operates on any Apache Hadoop environment using Spark and Spark SQL, including Cloudera CDH, Hortonworks HDP, Amazon EMR, Microsoft Azure HDInsight, MapR CDP, IBM BigInsights and IBM dashDB. Amp customers can host data or applications both on-premises and on cloud-based service platforms such as IBM BlueMix, Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

"Leveraging analytic results quickly across the exploding landscape of legacy and modern platforms and applications is one of the biggest challenges companies face today," said Aginity Co-founder and CTO Dan Kuhn. "We hear this from our customers  segment-leaders in retail, financial services, CPG, media and other industries. Because Spark enables the separation of computing from storage, operating on Spark enables Amp to more effectively deliver on our vision of analytics that are reusable enterprise-wide."

A 2016 survey found Spark being adopted in a broad range of industries, company sizes, and big data maturity levels, with the rate of adoption accelerating. More than half of the organizations surveyed had already implemented Spark, and 64% of those planned to increase their usage within the year.i

Amp provides a consistent analytic layer that enables the reuse of analytics and insights across organizations, geographies and applications. Through analytic reuse, companies can:

Improve the efficiency of analytics teams by 10 to 100 times and reduce analytics-related operating costs by up to 90%

Ensure consistent analytic results across BI platforms and end user tools

Integrate analytics with other enterprise systems, such as those supporting ERP, CRM, SCM, Marketing Automation and Risk Management

Amp's strong self-service capabilities make analytics accessible to people in a variety of business roles. In addition, by providing visibility into analytic lineage, Amp uniquely supports governance of a company's analytics throughout their lifecycle.

About Aginity

Founded in 2005, Aginity transforms the way companies compete on analytics. Aginity Amp software enables companies to create, catalog and manage analytics as assets which can then be reused consistently everywhere in the enterprise. Customers have seen significant operational cost savings and achieved improvements in business outcomes by applying the governed, reusable analytics that Amp enables. Aginity is a privately held company headquartered in the Chicago area. For more information, visit aginity.com.

Apache Spark and Hadoop are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation.Hortonworks and HDP are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hortonworks, Inc. Cloudera is a trademark of Cloudera, Inc.

IBM, IBM BigInsights and IBM BlueMix are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.

Microsoft and HDInsights are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

AWS is a trademark of Amazon, Inc.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

i "Apache Spark Market Survey: Cloudera Sponsored Research." http://tanejagroup.com/profiles-reports/request/apache-spark-market-survey-cloudera-sponsored-research#.WYKU2OmQxPZ

SOURCE Aginity

Related Links

http://www.aginity.com


LONDON, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Report Details

Are you looking for a definitive report on the $12.4bn AMDS Market?



You will receive a highly granular market analysis segmented by submarket, by region and by national market, providing you with that complete industry outlook, essential for your business strategy.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4891718/



Key benefits

 Discover where the AMDS market business opportunities are

 275+ tables, charts, and graphs reveal market data allowing you to target your strategy more effectively



 Understand how the AMDS market will develop

 Global, regional, national and AMDS submarket forecasts and analysis from 2017-2027 illustrate the market progression



 See which AMDS submarkets will expand from 2017-2027

 Individual forecasts and analysis demonstrate the prospects of the following submarkets:

 By Application:

- Ballistic Missile Defence 2017-2027

- Conventional 2017-2027

 By Range:

- Long Range 2017-2027

- Medium Range 2017-2027

- Short Range 2017-2027

 By Platform:

- Land Based 2017-2027

- Airborne 2017-2027

- Sea Based 2017-2027



 Locate the regional AMDS market opportunities from 2017-2027

 Focused regional forecasts and analysis explore the future opportunities

 North America:

 US 2017-2027

 Canada 2017-2027

 Europe:

 Germany 2017-2027

 France 2017-2027

 UK 2017-2027

 Russia 2017-2027

 Rest of Europe 2017-2027

 Asia-Pacific:

 Japan 2017-2027

 China 2017-2027

 India 2017-2027

 RoAPAC 2017-2027

 Rest of World 2017-2027



 View the major AMDS trends through tables and charts

 detailed tables and figures illustrate market trends



 Evaluate the factors influencing AMDS market dynamics through analysis

 Porter's Five Forces analysis explores the market.

 Drivers and restraints analysis of the market

 Analysis of national markets

 Discussion of key factors affecting the market

 SWOT analysis of leading companies



Discover who the leading 10 AMDS sector companies are

 Examine sales figures and analysis of leading companies:

 Airbus Group

 BAE Systems, PLC

 General Dynamics Corporation

 Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.

 Lockheed Martin Corporation

 Northrop Grumman Corporation

 Raytheon Company

 SAAB AB

 Thales Group

 MBDA



This report contains detailed market data on the AMDS market, and features useful information.



visiongain is a trading partner with the US Federal Government

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4891718/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC, the global Jewish advocacy organization, is supporting IsraAID in responding to the devastating floods and landslides that left at least 120 dead and affected over six million people in Nepal.

"Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and the affected communities as they seek to rebuild after the loss of life and widespread damage," said Shira Loewenberg, director of AJC's Asia Pacific Institute.

AJC has supported IsraAID: The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid over the years in responding to a number of humanitarian crises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. "IsraAID, our partner, often is one of the first non-governmental groups to reach the site of a disaster, no matter the distance from Israel, and provide urgently needed assistance," said Loewenberg.

The Israeli military also has quickly responded with medical, psychosocial, and sanitation assistance. Nepal is a popular tourist destination, with more than 10,000 Israelis visiting annually.

In April 2015, AJC supported IsraAID teams in Nepal responding to the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the country's capital city of Kathmandu.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


DUBLIN, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN), a leader in women's healthcare and the maker of Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets), announced today the launch of the Know Your Birth ControlSM campaign with top comedic actress Vanessa Bayer and OB/GYN Jessica Shepherd, M.D., M.B.A. The digitally-led campaign aims to showcase the many misconceptions that exist around oral contraceptives while providing accurate information to educate women.

"We are committed to women's health and believe it is important to provide a resource about birth control in a fresh and approachable way to address the misinformation that still exists," said Jim Maffezzoli, Vice President, Women's Healthcare, Allergan. "Our goal is to encourage informed discussions between patients and their healthcare providers."

Premiering today, the campaign includes two video content series with ambassadors  Emmy-nominated Vanessa Bayer and women's health expert Dr. Jessica Shepherd. In one series, Ms. Bayer takes to the streets of New York City to have engaging dialogues with women about birth control, exposing misinformation. In the second series, Dr. Shepherd answers commonly asked questions about birth control and prepares women to approach similar conversations with their healthcare providers.

The campaign was developed with a dual goal in mind: to educate and entertain. Allergan will share the campaign's content through social media and popular digital platforms, giving women accurate information that they want to share with their network of friends.

"As a gynecologist, my goal is to ensure my patients have the facts around birth control so that they can make informed decisions," said Dr. Shepherd. "I'm pleased that through my partnership with Allergan and the Know Your Birth ControlSM campaign, I have this opportunity and platform to educate women nationwide. I want women to be empowered in their health and to help them have productive conversations with their doctors about this important healthcare decision."

For additional information about the Know Your Birth ControlSM campaign, including Dr. Shepherd's educational videos and Ms. Bayer's engaging conversations with women on the streets of New York about birth control, visit KnowYourBirthControl.com.

About Lo Loestrin Fe

Lo Loestrin Fe is a combined oral contraceptive used by women to prevent pregnancy. If you are moderately obese, discuss with your healthcare provider whether Lo Loestrin Fe is appropriate for you. Lo Loestrin Fe works primarily by suppressing ovulation, with other possible mechanisms including cervical mucus changes that inhibit sperm penetration and endometrial changes that reduce the likelihood of implantation. Lo Loestrin Fe is the only available ultra-low dose oral contracepive that contains 10 mcg of daily estrogen. In a clinical trial, women on Lo Loestrin Fe experienced short, lighter periods, with some women having a period that lasted less than 2 days per cycle on average. Lo Loestrin has been used by nearly 2.5MM women and is the #1-prescribed oral contraceptive by OB/GYNs.*

*IMS Health, Inc. Monthly New Rx by Specialty; December 2010-June 2017 (Claim derived from the use of information under license from IMS Health, Inc., which expressly reserves all rights, including rights of copying, distribution, and republication).

IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION

WARNING TO WOMEN WHO SMOKE Do not use Lo Loestrin Fe if you smoke cigarettes and are over 35 years old. Smoking increases your risk of serious cardiovascular side effects (heart and blood vessel problems) from birth control pills, including death from heart attack, blood clots, or stroke. This risk increases with age and the number of cigarettes you smoke.

Who should not take Lo Loestrin Fe?

Do not use Lo Loestrin Fe if you have or have had blood clots, history of heart attack or stroke, high blood pressure that medicine cannot control, breast cancer or any cancer that is sensitive to female hormones, liver disease or liver tumors, unexplained bleeding from the vagina, if you are or may be pregnant, or if you take Hepatitis C drugs containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, with or without dasabuvir, as this may increase levels of liver enzymes in the blood.

What else should I know about taking Lo Loestrin Fe?

Treatment with Lo Loestrin Fe should be stopped if you have a blood clot, and at least 4 weeks before and through 2 weeks after major surgery. You should not take Lo Loestrin Fe any earlier than 4 weeks after having a baby, or if you are breastfeeding. If you experience yellowing of the skin or eyes due to problems with your liver, you should stop taking Lo Loestrin Fe. If you are pre-diabetic or diabetic, your doctor should monitor you while using Lo Loestrin Fe. Your doctor should evaluate you if you have any significant change in headaches or irregular menstrual bleeding.

What are the most serious risks of taking Lo Loestrin Fe?

Lo Loestrin Fe increases the risk of serious conditions including blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. These can be life-threatening or lead to permanent disability.

What are the possible side effects of Lo Loestrin Fe?

The most common side effects reported by women taking Lo Loestrin Fe in a study were nausea/vomiting, headache, spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods, painful menstruation, weight change, breast tenderness, acne, abdominal pain, anxiety, and depression.

Birth control pills do not protect you against any sexually transmitted disease, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, for Lo Loestrin Fe: http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/loloestrin_pi.pdf

About Allergan's Women's Healthcare

Allergan is a leader in women's healthcare that is dedicated to developing and commercializing best-in-class pharmaceuticals to improve the health and wellness of women. Allergan takes a holistic and a best-in-class approach to women's healthcare as it prioritizes educational partnerships with OB/GYNs. The mission of Allergan Women's HealthCare extends beyond its pharmaceutical products to ensure that all women can make informed decisions about their health and have access to high-quality medications. Allergan is committed to investing in programs that support the education and well-being of all women.

About Allergan plc

Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a bold, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model  Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical and regenerative medicine products for patients around the world.

Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics and dermatology, gastroenterology, women's health, urology and anti-infective therapeutic categories.

Allergan is an industry leader in Open Science, a model of research and development, which defines our approach to identifying and developing game-changing ideas and innovation for better patient care. With this approach, Allergan has built one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry with 70+ mid-to-late stage pipeline programs currently in development.

Allergan's success is powered by our more than 18,000 global colleagues' commitment to being Bold for Life. Together, we build bridges, power ideas, act fast and drive results for our customers and patients around the world by always doing what is right.

With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives every day.

For more information, visit Allergan's website at www.Allergan.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Allergan's current perspective on existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from Allergan's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Allergan's business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of FDA approvals or actions, if any; the impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for Allergan's products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Allergan's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Allergan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Allergan's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017. Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

CONTACTS: Allergan: Investors:

Daphne Karydas

(862) 261-8006





Media:

Mark Marmur

(862) 261-7558





Tara Schuh

(201) 427-8888

SOURCE Allergan plc

Related Links

http://www.allergan.com


"KPMG provides a full range of services across the EX consulting value chain, standing out for the most human-centered and empathetic approach among its peers," says Liz DeVito, Associate Director and Lead for HR Consulting Research with ALM Intelligence. "The firm's evidence-based consulting approach combines a mix of advanced analytics and behavioral science tools and techniques to help clients understand how the experience modulates across the employee lifecycle over time."

According to the ALM report, "Leaders" are at the top of the market in terms of their capabilities to create client impact through their depth of expertise and ability to deploy it across a range of engagement models.

Carl Carande, KPMG's vice chair of Advisory, noted, "We are extremely proud of our differentiated service offerings and expanded capabilities to help organizations engage an audience that is critical to any business's success  its employees. Regardless of which industry a company operates in, enhancing the employee experience is a business imperative, and we are honored to be recognized as a leader in this fast-growing and important space."

The ALM report explained, "KPMG integrates an exceptionally strong change management capability into employee experience consulting, supported by a robust library of tools and methodologies for cultural and behavior analysis."

"Clients look to our firm to help them make their promise of a positive employee experience consistent with the reality of that experience," said Claudia Saran, KPMG's U.S. People & Change leader. "By bringing the breadth of our capabilities  from talent management to culture change to organization design  we can help clients strengthen morale, deepen engagement and enhance their employer brand."

KPMG also earned the prestigious "legend" rating from ALM for its internal client insight and client capability development, as well as for the depth and client impact of its work in employee experience consulting.

"Our holistic approach, based on human-centric design, looks at the employee experience from both the organization and individual perspective," added KPMG Advisory Principal Rick Wright, the firm's Experience Design & Engineering and U.S. Digital Transformation leader. "KPMG uses industry-leading digital technology to map the behaviors and motivations of high-performing talent. Armed with this insight, we partner with clients to shape a customized plan to sustain a differentiated employee experience."

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the independent U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG International's independent member firms have 189,000 professionals, including more than 9,000 partners, in 152 countries.

About KPMG International

KPMG is a global network of professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 152 countries and have 189,000 people working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.

About ALM Intelligence

ALM Intelligence provides accurate and reliable market sizing and forecasts on consulting services worldwide, needs-analysis and vendor profiling for buyers of consulting services, timely and insightful intelligence on the top consulting firms in their respective markets, and operational benchmarks that measure consulting performance. ALM Intelligence's research spans multiple service areas, client vertical industries, and geographies. Our analysts provide expert commentary at consulting industry events worldwide, and offer custom research for Management Consulting and IT Services firms. More information about ALM Intelligence is available at www.consulting.almintel.com.

Contact:

Christopher Bacey

KPMG LLP

201-505-6194/908-797-5143 (c)

[email protected]

@KPMGUS_News

SOURCE KPMG LLP

Related Links

http://www.kpmg.com/us


WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Q3 MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index (Index), released today, recorded an overall score of 62.3, up 1.7 points from the Q2 score of 60.6, driven in part by an eight point jump in the percentage of small business owners optimistic about the national economy in the third quarter  41 percent compared to 33 percent last quarter. Based on telephone interviews with 1,000 small business owners and operators, the survey also found that almost two-thirds of respondents rated the overall health of their small business as good, which is consistent with last quarter.

A majority (56 percent) of small businesses expect revenue to increase in the year ahead and 81 percent are comfortable with their current cash flow situation. This positive news comes despite the majority of respondents reporting slightly more guarded expectations about hiring and investment compared to the second quarter of 2017. The Q3 Index found that 24 percent of small business owners plan to increase staff, down from 29 percent in Q2.

"Small businesses are important to our local communities and the national economy. Their increased optimism this quarter reflects the trends of the broader business environment," said James W. Reid, executive vice president for Regional & Small Business Solutions at MetLife. "The Small Business Index helps us better understand this important sector, so we can work on solutions by tackling the challenges small business owners face every day."

Small Business Owners Split on if Job Candidates Are Prepared for the Workforce

In a spotlight question addressing workforce challenges, half of small business owners (50 percent) believe job candidates are not prepared for today's job opportunities. Small businesses with a negative impression of job candidates are 25 percent less likely to increase staff over the next 12 months.

Respondents noted that the skills needed for the jobs available are not being taught  commonly referred to as the skills gap. In Q2, the Index found that only approximately two in five small business owners rated the quality of potential hires as good.

"Small business owners need a qualified workforce to unlock the full potential of their sector," said Suzanne Clark, senior executive vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Insights uncovered in this quarter's Small Business Index reinforce the importance of the business community and our education leaders collaborating on effective ways to close the skills gap. It's a must to produce a workforce that in turn will power a stronger economy."

The Voice of the Small Business Owner  Workforce

This research effort includes gathering personal stories that illuminate the unique challenges facing today's small businesses. In Q3, small business owners went into detail about the challenges they face finding appropriately skilled or trained workers to fill open positions.

A small business owner in Louisiana said:

"I believe a barrier to industry is the slowly deteriorating pool of skilled laborers. College is not for everyone. We need more vocational and tech training. Our society feels a college degree should be obtained by everyone, and it shouldn't."

A small business owner in Texas said:

"The biggest challenge in growing my business is finding highly trained, highly skilled workers."

Small Business Owners Indicate Positive Outlook for Company and Operating Environment

The Q3 Index produced an overall score of 62.3, up 1.7 points from the Q2 score of 60.6 (on a scale of 0 to 100), which indicates that 62.3 percent of small business owners currently have a positive outlook for their company and the environment in which they operate. This improvement stems from small business owners' perceptions of the economy, paired with confidence in the health of their businesses. The Index score takes into account small business owners' responses to 10 questions spanning three topics: the current health of their business; their views on the economy and other external forces that impact their company; and their plans and expectations for the near future.

The Index is part of a multiyear collaboration by MetLife and the U.S. Chamber to elevate the voice of America's small business owners and highlight the important role they play in the nation's economy. The initiative will produce the quarterly MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index; a nationwide event series, including the upcoming Small Business Summit, September 10-13 in Washington, D.C. where presenters will share information that helps businesses save money, save time, and foster growth; and the annual Dream Big Small Business Awards program, which celebrates the achievements of small businesses and honors their contributions to America's economic growth.

Please visit www.SBIndex.us for the full results and methodology.

About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. For more information, visit www.uschamber.com.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

www.uschamber.com @USChamber www.freeenterprise.com

www.metlife.com/mysmallbusiness @metlife

Contact: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Bridgett Hebert

(202) 463-5682



MetLife

David Hammarstrom

(212) 578-2736

SOURCE U.S. Chamber of Commerce; MetLife

Related Links

http://uschamber.com


RESTON, Va., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AnaVation, a leading provider of intelligence collection and processing, analytical systems and big data infrastructure solutions to Federal Law Enforcement, Intelligence Community (IC), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Research and Development (R&D) organizations in the United States Federal Government, announced the successful augmentation of its internship program, which grew from 3 students in 2016 to 7 students in 2017.

The program recruits rising college juniors and seniors from schools such as the University of Maryland, Penn State, Christopher Newport University, James Madison University, George Mason University, and Virginia Tech. This year, students were separated into two groups and given real-life technical challenges to solve as a team using a variety of data sources and application tools.

"AnaVation gave me the ability to work with many field experts and to observe various industry practices and business intelligence tools from maintaining our project timeline in JIRA to learning Amazon Web Services," said Sara Roselius, a Penn State  Altoona student. "I am grateful that my time spent doing research and development of big data allowed me to gain a real world insight into the industry profession."

The intern teams were each assigned an AnaVation employee as a technical sponsor who helped guide the problem-solving process. Students also consulted regularly with the senior AnaVation leadership team and attended various lunch and learn sessions on new and emerging technologies.

"My experience as an intern with AnaVation exceeded my idea of the perfect internship," remarked Brad Sullivan, a student at Virginia Tech. "Being able to apply the skills obtained over the past years of university studies and see them in action gave me the motivation I need to finish my education strong, as I was able to understand the connections that textbook problems do not adequately display."

"We're very proud of our internship program and meeting this year's goal of inspiring and influencing these promising college students," said Rena Barner, Director of Talent at AnaVation. "These projects were designed to challenge the minds of the next generation of technologists and we're confident students walked away from the program with real-world, applicable knowledge."

For more information on the internship program at AnaVation, contact [email protected]

About AnaVation: AnaVation is a trusted partner delivering high-value, cost-effective solutions that solve the most complex technical and analytical problems of our customers. AnaVation provides enterprise-wide IT engineering services including intelligence collection and processing, analytical systems and big data solutions to Federal Law Enforcement, Intelligence Community (IC), Research and Development (R&D) organizations as well as Civilian Agency customers in the United States Federal Government. AnaVation is focused on delivering state-of-the-art engineering solutions to solve customers' most difficult technical problems.

Contact: Aimee Medonos

Principal, Strategic Capture

AnaVation

[email protected]

SOURCE AnaVation
NEW YORK, August 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Medical cannabis use has been legal in Canada since 2001, and Canada is now working to become the first industrialized nation to input a comprehensive system permitting the recreational use of marijuana. Sweeping legislation has been introduced by the Canadian government that takes aim at permitting nationwide recreational cannabis use by July 2018-a move applauded by companies that are currently licensed to produce medical marijuana in Canada or are engaged in providing services to growers. These companies include ABcann Global Corporation (TSX.V: ABCN) (OTC: ABCCF) (ABcann Profile), which recently closed a milestone financing agreement with Cannabis Wheaton Income Corp. (TSX.V: CBW) (OTC: KWFLF), an investor and supporter of cannabis cultivation companies, as well as Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX: WEED) (OTC: TWMJF), Aphria Inc. (TSX: APH) (OTC: APHQF), and Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX: ACB) (OTC: ACBFF).



Despite the widespread legalization of medical marijuana in Canada, the licensing requirements for cannabis growers are incredibly strict, with only three percent of the growers who apply for licensing obtaining approval. ABcann Global (TSX.V: ABCN.V) (OTCQB: ABCCF) was one of Canada's very first companies to successfully obtain licensure to produce medical cannabis. Under Canada's Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, ABcann obtained its production license in March 2014, followed by the successful attainment of a cannabis sales license in December 2015.



ABcann went public in May 2017 with an IPO priced at $0.80 per share, and PI Financial analyst Jason Zandberg quickly initiated coverage with a one-year price target of $2.25 (USD). As of August 21, 2017, ABcann's price was at $0.90 (CAD) and $0.73 (USD); its market cap was at $89.664 million (CAD) and $72.727 million (USD); and the company's YTD return was 275 percent. The company's annual production capacity is currently at 1,000 kg, and build-out plans presently in motion would increase that to an estimated 20,000 kg.



Though ABcann is still young as a publicly traded security, the company has become one of the foremost medical cannabis growers in Canada, standing out with its proprietary growing technology, which results in the production of top-quality, organically grown, pesticide-free medical-grade cannabis. ABcann's low current market cap presents a clear opportunity for investors-particularly when contrasted with the company's Canadian cannabis peers, which, as previously mentioned, are few in number. There are currently only 54 licensed cannabis producers in all of Canada[1].



Comparable competing companies with much higher prices and market caps than ABcann include Canopy Growth Corp. (OTC: TWMJF) (TSX: WEED.TO), which, as of August 21, was at a price of $8.51 (CAD) and $6.79 (USD) and had a market cap of $1.436 billion (CAD) and $1.143 billion (USD); Aphria Inc., (OTCQB: APHQF) (TSX.V: APH.V) with a price of $5.73 (CAD) and $4.57 (USD) and a market cap of $795.436 million (CAD) and $634.405 million (USD) as of August 21; and Aurora Cannabis Inc., (OTCQX: ACBFF) (TSX.V: ACB) with a price of $2.42 (CAD) and $1.93 (USD) and a market cap of $887.615 million (CAD) and $707.891 million (USD).



ABcann's growth potential is indisputable. Within just three months of becoming a publicly traded company, ABcann has raised $43 million in cash, which has enabled the company to rapidly carry out its expansion strategy and business model. Recent financing from cannabis streaming company Cannabis Wheaton Income (OTC: KWFLF) (TSX.V: CBW.V) has positioned ABcann to grow at a rate unprecedented in Canada's marijuana market. Cannabis Wheaton, which invests in and supports a broad range of promising marijuana cultivation companies, announced near the end of July that it has obtained Exchange approval to purchase $30 million of ABcann Global common shares with a $15 million cash tranche priced at $2.25 per share. The initial investment of $15 million is part of a larger phased investment to construct additional square footage of pure cannabis cultivation space adjacent to ABcann's current 14,500-square-foot cultivation facility in Ontario. ABcann has confirmed that its plans to commence construction at its Kimmett facility in Q3 2017 remain on track, and that the previously announced plans for a 71,000-square-foot phase 1 facility have been expanded to 100,000 square feet.



In producing its medicinal cannabis, ABcann employs a proprietary plant-growing technology that includes the use of environmentally-controlled chambers that can monitor and regulate all variables during the growing process. Through a partnership with the University of Guelph, ABcann has mastered mass yield techniques and has developed, at its production facility in Napanee, Ontario, a pioneering, computer-controlled environmental system that duplicates natural growing environments. This controlled indoor system combines scalable growing chambers, LED lighting, and organic fertilizers and soil while simultaneously eliminating toxins and pesticides. All aspects of the process are monitored and controlled, resulting in consistent, high-quality plant production in mass quantities.



Thanks to the company's innovative approach and systems, ABcann is able to produce organically grown and pesticide-free, high-yielding cannabis plants that produce top-quality products that are consistent with each new batch. The company can control both environmental and nutrient demands to create particular strains of cannabis, free of the variation that is so common when large quantities of marijuana are produced in less-controlled, larger rooms and in greenhouse-type environments. This modular approach to systems technology eradicates scale-up risk and enables ABcann to locate its operations anywhere in the world while maintaining consistency and product quality.



In addition to its Canada operations, ABcann is pursuing opportunities in Germany, Australia and other jurisdictions and is also endeavoring to develop multiple delivery vehicles.



ABcann compares impressively with other companies in Canada's explosive medical cannabis industry-companies with much higher market caps and share prices. With Canada on the verge of blanket legalization of marijuana, the opportunity for investors is clear. In a country where stringent licensing standards have made cannabis growers few and far between, ABcann is a standout marijuana player to be reckoned with.



Editorial Sources:

Government of Canada : http://nnw.fm/2ehJD



For more information on ABcann Global please visit: ABcann Global (TSX.V: ABCN) (OTCQB: ABCCF)



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SOURCE NetworkNewsWire
NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) today denounced the brazen inadequacy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) "refined" database of inspection reports of commercial dog breeding facilities licensed under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The abridged database and search tool, revealed Friday by the USDA more than seven months after it abruptly removed the data, eliminates information which had been publicly accessible for over a decade, shielding bad breeders from public accountability.

"Animal advocates, consumers, and government officials have relied on the USDA's database to track enforcement against commercial breeders, many of whom raise dogs in deplorable conditions. This revision fails to protect vulnerable animals from suffering and cruelty, which is a prime responsibility of the USDA. Instead, it continues to protect animal industries looking to hide their practices from public scrutiny," said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President & CEO. "Public access to these records is especially important given the USDA's shamefully weak enforcement of the federal Animal Welfare Act. We urge the USDA to immediately restore full access to this critical animal welfare inspection and enforcement information and stand by its responsibility to act in the best interest of the animals it's obligated to safeguard."

Despite a massive public outcry from members of Congress and more than 120,000 people who signed the ASPCA's petition demanding that inspection records be restored, the USDA's revised database still redacts critical identifying information, including breeder names, addresses, and federal license numbers. These deliberate omissions make the tool essentially useless in efforts to monitor puppy mills and advocate for increased protections for dogs who languish in substandard breeding facilities.

USDA inspection reports provide critical information about the commercial dog breeding industry, as well as the agency's enforcement of AWA violations. In addition to educating the public on the inhumane conditions commonly found at USDA-licensed breeders, the reports are a vital tool in passing and enforcing laws that better protect breeding dogs. Now, states can no longer rely on the database to enforce existing laws prohibiting pet stores from selling animals raised by breeders with AWA violations.

The USDA also announced that the agency no longer plans on posting enforcement actions online, meaning the USDA cannot be held accountable for its investigative and enforcement responsibilities. This, combined with the redaction of information identifying the majority of breeders, means that the public will no longer know whether the USDA has pursued penalties against a breeder violating the AWA, which was passed 51 years ago this week to ensure animals in commercial facilities are protected.

While the USDA insists that animal welfare inspection records are still obtainable through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the ASPCA's recent records requests reveal that the USDA has begun suppressing critical information via FOIA. Documents received are heavily redacted, allowing animal abusers to operate without accountability. The backlog for FOIA requests has jumped from 636 requests in January to 1,138 requests currently, resulting in crippling wait times.

For more information about the ASPCA and to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, please visit www.aspca.org.

About the ASPCA

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first animal welfare organization in North America and continues to serve as the nation's leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA is committed to its mission of providing effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

SOURCE ASPCA

Related Links

http://www.aspca.org


ATLANTA, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BeavEx Incorporated, a leading national provider of same-day delivery and last-mile logistics services, has named Terry Carter as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Carter brings over 25 years of supply chain solutions experience from FedEx Ground, DHL, and RPS, Inc. and will leverage this expertise to execute BeavEx's go-forward strategy of accelerated growth.

BeavEx also announced that it has completed a financing with its current investors that eliminated its third-party bank debt. The improved financial position will enable the company to make further investments in its technology platform and service offerings in order to support the needs and growth of customers.

Mr. Carter said, "I am honored to join the BeavEx team at this exciting time. Much progress has been made in recent years and BeavEx has a highly-experienced and dedicated management team that is focused on attractive end markets with strong growth potential. Our recently developed technology platform enables us to both deliver best-in-class logistics solutions while providing customer-facing analytics and transparency that enables them to enhance their own operations. Additionally, our recent financing positions the company to support expanded services to our existing customers as well as new customers."

Mr. Carter is a proven supply chain leader who has successfully managed operations, sales, and shared service functions across various business units and industry verticals. He has consistently been recognized for his ability to drive extraordinary results and sustainable improvements in competitive environments across North America and International trade lanes. In addition to FedEx Ground, DHL, and RPS, Mr. Carter has held senior leadership positions at Brown Integrated Logistics, Graebel Van Lines, and World Wide Technology Inc.

Rich Boland, BeavEx's President and Chief Executive Officer since 2014, will resign from BeavEx after successfully diversifying the business into additional verticals with a focus on higher-growth end markets. Mr. Boland will work directly with Mr. Carter to support a seamless transition.

Mr. Carter added, "I would like to thank Rich for his leadership over the past several years, and for creating the management team and infrastructure that positions BeavEx well for accelerated growth. We wish Rich well in his next adventure."

About BeavEx

BeavEx Incorporated, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a leading national, non-asset based provider of same-day delivery and last-mile logistics services. The company delivers mission-critical packages for retail/distribution, clinical lab, pharmaceutical, critical parts and financial services customers across the United States. For more information, please visit www.beavex.com.

Media Contact:

Mark Semer

[email protected]

212-521-4802

Elizabeth Van Every

[email protected]

212-521-4803

SOURCE BeavEx Incorporated

Related Links

http://www.beavex.com


TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA], EL AL Israel Airlines and Air Lease Corporation are celebrating the delivery of the carrier's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner today.

EL AL leased the airplane through an agreement with Air Lease Corporation.

The 787-9 touched down in Tel Aviv today following a nonstop, 6,746 mile (10,856 km.) delivery flight from Paine Field, adjacent to Boeing's factory in Everett, Wash.

"The arrival of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a day of pride and joy to all of us at EL AL," said EL AL Chief Executive Officer David Maimon. "It is the highlight in the ongoing renewal of the EL AL fleet, which started a year and a half ago when we decided to order 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. We are happy to embark on a new journey with our first Dreamliner."

"The arrival of the new airplanes will create a revolution in the customer experience. We have set a very high standard of service and product excellence in order to maintain our position as the first and preferred choice for passengers, travelling both to and from Israel," said Maimon. "I am convinced that this significant procurement of 787s is a great opportunity for us to meet the highest levels expected. The Dreamliner will ensure our customers receive exceptional comfort, innovative technology, advanced aircraft and quality service."

The 787 is a family of technologically advanced, super-efficient airplanes with new passenger-pleasing features. In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to midsize airplanes, the 787 will provide EL AL with unmatched fuel efficiency and environmental performance, using 20 to 25 percent less fuel and with 20 to 25 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces.

"We are honored to deliver the first 787 Dreamliner to our great partners at EL AL," said Ray Conner, vice chairman, The Boeing Company. "The 787 Dreamliner will play a key role in the renewal of EL AL's fleet and growing its network worldwide as it ushers in a new era for the airline, its employees and its customers around the globe."

EL AL has been an all-Boeing carrier since taking delivery of its first new Boeing airplane in 1961 and currently operates a fleet of more than 40 airplanes including Next-Generation 737s, 747s, 767s and 777s.

Contact:

Keelan Morris

International Communications

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

+ 44(0)208 235 5664

[email protected]

SOURCE Boeing

Related Links

http://www.boeing.com


Caprion's CNS ProteoCarta MRM biomarker panel will be used to measure early Alzheimer's Disease progression in cerebrospinal fluid samples from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort.





MONTREAL, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Caprion Biosciences Inc., a leading specialty CRO laboratory, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a scientific collaboration with the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Biomarkers Consortium. This Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Proteomics Project aims to track early disease progression by changes in protein concentration (biomarkers) over time in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The team will leverage results from an earlier collaboration in which 142 candidate protein biomarkers identified in the scientific literature were subsequently quantified in subjects including AD, MCI, and healthy controls. That study, published in 2015 (Spellman D. et al, Proteomics Clin Appl.), highlights the ability of Caprion's targeted MRM mass spectrometry-based platform to perform specific, sensitive and highly reproducible quantitation of large numbers of proteins in a single assay, using less than 0.1 mL of CSF.

The new study will focus on five potential biomarkers for absolute quantification that were selected based on good performance in the previous CSF Proteomics Project data set. The concentration of these proteins will be precisely measured in samples collected over a three-year or greater period from over 200 subjects including AD, MCI and healthy controls from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). The biomarker changes over time will be correlated to imaging and clinical data to assess the ability of the biomarkers to accurately track natural disease progression. Such markers could greatly enable the development of effective targeted therapies for AD. The biomarker panel used in this study will also measure over 140 additional protein markers, many of which have been associated with AD or with other central nervous system (CNS) diseases.

"This partnership with the FNIH is a great example of Caprion's ongoing commitment to identifying and validating biomarkers of CNS diseases. Our CNS ProteoCarta biomarker panel builds on Caprion's expertise in large targeted protein assays in multiple therapeutic areas including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases," said Martin LeBlanc, CEO of Caprion Biosciences.



About the project team

The project team consists of a group of experts from the FNIH, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Mental Health, Yale School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and six industry partners. For more information on the project click here.

Partners:

Caprion Biosciences

Genentech

Janssen

Lundbeck

Merck

National Institute on Aging

National Institute of Mental Health

Takeda

University of Pennsylvania

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Yale School of Medicine

About Caprion Biosciences, Inc.

Founded in 2000, Caprion is a leading specialty CRO laboratory providing an integrated platform in proteomics and immune monitoring services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Caprion's immune monitoring division, ImmuneCarta, offers proprietary multiparametric flow cytometry services for functional analyses of innate and adaptive immune responses. Caprion's proteomics division, ProteoCarta, offers proprietary gel-free, label-free MS for comprehensive, quantitative and robust comparative measurement of proteins across large sets of biological samples for the discovery and validation of protein biomarkers. Based in Montreal, Canada, and in Gosselies, Belgium, Caprion has been providing large-scale proteomics and immune monitoring services to over 50 major pharmaceutical and biotech clients for more than 15 years. Caprion, a privately-held company, is majority owned by Global Healthcare Opportunities (GHO Capital Partners LLP).



About the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health creates and manages alliances with public and private institutions in support of the mission of the National Institutes of Health, the world's premier medical research agency. The Foundation, also known as the FNIH, works with its partners to accelerate biomedical research and strategies against diseases and health concerns in the United States and across the globe. The FNIH organizes and administers research projects; supports education and training of new researchers; organizes educational events and symposia; and administers a series of funds supporting a wide range of health issues. Established by Congress in 1990, the FNIH is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For additional information about the FNIH, visit fnih.org.



For more information, www.caprion.com

SOURCE Caprion Biosciences

Related Links

www.caprion.com


"The increasing value of smartphones has made it imperative for case designers to ensure customers are receiving a high level of protection, even with some of the most stylish cases. Caseology has emphasized designing lines for the Galaxy Note 8 that complement the beautiful aesthetics of Samsung phones, but also provide a high degree of protection," said Woojin Kim, product director for Caseology. "The lines being introduced for the Galaxy Note 8 are reinvigorated classics. As always, we've taken a fashion-forward approach, but also wanted to ensure we integrated features such as military-grade drop protection certification for utmost durability, giving consumers a beautiful product and ultimately, peace of mind."

Featuring a slim profile design to fit easily into pockets and purses, a secure grip preventing accidental drops, corner cushion protection, precise cutouts, accessible ports, raised camera/screen bezels and responsive button covers expertly designed for natural functionality, the new and stylish Samsung Galaxy Note 8 case lineup ensures there is something for everyone. Following is the full series:

Note 8 - Legion Serie s a heavy duty, military-inspired case, the Legion line was designed to take on the impact of everyday challenges while eliminating bulk. This durable dual-layer case offers the benefits of both a rubber and hard case through seamless layering of shock absorbent TPU and polycarbonate. With a strategically raised front lip and a 4-point rear guard, the phone remains elevated at all times regardless of how set. Available in the iconic Charcoal Gray ($13.99) , and new colors, Aqua Green and Warm Gray ($14.99) .

a heavy duty, military-inspired case, the Legion line was designed to take on the impact of everyday challenges while eliminating bulk. This durable dual-layer case offers the benefits of both a rubber and hard case through seamless layering of shock absorbent TPU and polycarbonate. With a strategically raised front lip and a 4-point rear guard, the phone remains elevated at all times regardless of how set. Available in the iconic Charcoal Gray , and new colors, Aqua Green and Warm Gray . Note 8 - Parallax Series the modern, award-winning case and one of the brand's top sellers, the Parallax line has been refreshed to seamlessly fit the new Samsung Note 8. The popular geometric pattern is not only stylish but functional, providing a secure hold through its three-dimensional textured cover. It incorporates Caseology's tried-and-true dual-layer technology, plus an improved slim and lightweight frame with strategic grooves that offer a better horizontal grip necessary for taking photos, streaming videos and playing games comfortably. Available in Burgundy ($13.99) , and classic Black, Orchid Gray, and all new, Ocean Gray and Aqua Green ($14.99) .

the modern, award-winning case and one of the brand's top sellers, the Parallax line has been refreshed to seamlessly fit the new Samsung Note 8. The popular geometric pattern is not only stylish but functional, providing a secure hold through its three-dimensional textured cover. It incorporates Caseology's tried-and-true dual-layer technology, plus an improved slim and lightweight frame with strategic grooves that offer a better horizontal grip necessary for taking photos, streaming videos and playing games comfortably. Available in Burgundy , and classic Black, Orchid Gray, and all new, Ocean Gray and Aqua Green . Note 8 - Vault Series delivering the flexibility and durability needed for daily wear and tear, the Vault Case provides high shock deflection and bounces back with ease from the occasional drop. The ultra-slim and lightweight design offers ample protection without the bulk and an eye-catching, three-dimensional textured cover ensures secure grip. Available in classic Black ($9.99) and the new, Aqua Green ($10.99) .

delivering the flexibility and durability needed for daily wear and tear, the Vault Case provides high shock deflection and bounces back with ease from the occasional drop. The ultra-slim and lightweight design offers ample protection without the bulk and an eye-catching, three-dimensional textured cover ensures secure grip. Available in classic Black and the new, Aqua Green . Note 8 - Skyfall Seriesthe lightweight, dual-layered and slim Skyfall case offers minimal bulk with maximum protection. A crystal clear design elevates the typical clear case by incorporating a precision-matched colored frame, resulting in seamless protection and a luxury look that feels nearly invisible. The ultra-clear cover is scratch-resistant and offers a solid layer of protection that won't give into cracks or discoloration over time. Available in Black ($12.99) , and Blue Coral, Orchid Gray and a new colorway, Warm Gray ($13.99) .

For more information on the entire lineup of Samsung Galaxy Note 8 cases available for purchase, please visit: Amazon. To see the entire collection of Caseology cases, please visit: www.caseologycases.com

About Caseology

Founded in 2014, Caseology is a fashion accessory brand designing stylish, best-selling cell phone cases for consumers' busy lifestyles. With more than 350 products in its portfolio, Caseology continues to push the envelope on innovating 'tech-cessories' for iPhone and Android devices, including the recently-released Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Focused on innovation and spreading goodness, the company is keenly aware of changing tastes and needs, and translates that into quality, inspired products that combine high-grade materials for protection with unmatched attention to detail. Currently, Caseology is one of Amazon's Top 50 Sellers Worldwide, with products that continuously rank in the top 20 Best Selling Cell Phone Cases on Amazon. For more information, visit www.CaseologyCases.com or follow Caseology on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE Caseology

Related Links

http://www.caseologycases.com


EMERYVILLE, Calif., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Channel Medsystems, developer of an innovative, physician office-based therapy for heavy menstrual bleeding, announced today that it has secured a $14.1mm Series C-1 financing. The insider-led round included participation by Third Point Ventures, InCube Ventures, Aperture Venture Partners, Scientific Health Development, Longwood Fund, and Boston Scientific.

Channel Medsystems has developed the Cerene Cryotherapy Device to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. Cerene allows women who are finished with childbearing to receive treatment in their gynecologist's office, a more comfortable and less-expensive setting of care than a hospital or surgery center. The Company plans to use this funding to support initiatives leading up to anticipated FDA approval as well as initial preparation for commercial launch.

The new round of funding follows significant achievements by the Company in 2017, including completion of the treatment phase of a 242-patient, multi-center pivotal study in March and receipt of the CE mark approval in July. "I am proud of the achievements the team at Channel has made this year," said Ric Cote, President and CEO of Channel Medsystems. "We remain focused on delivering an exceptional device and treatment experience to women and their physicians, and we appreciate the continued support of our investors in this process."

About the Cerene Cryotherapy Device: The Cerene Cryotherapy Device was developed with feedback from leading clinicians. Cryoablation, the use of extreme cold to destroy tissue, is a well-characterized, durable therapy routinely used to ablate malignant and benign human tissues. In the uterus, the use of cryothermic energy has been shown to reduce the likelihood of scarring and intrauterine adhesions that are often associated with heat-based treatments. Intrauterine scarring and adhesions may contribute to the development of long-term complications including re-operation and, ultimately, the failure of endometrial ablation. The team at Channel Medsystems has integrated the cryothermic energy delivery system and the user controls into a disposable, self-contained, ergonomic device, eliminating the need for capital equipment.

About Channel Medsystems: Channel Medsystems is a privately-held company that was spun out of the incubator TheraNova. The Company was founded to bring innovation to the delivery of women's healthcare. The Company strives to develop treatments to meet the unique needs of female patients and the high standards of their healthcare providers. Channel Medsystems is committed to ensuring that women have access to high quality outcomes that can be delivered in the convenience and comfort of their healthcare provider's office. For more information, please visit www.channelmedsystems.com.

CAUTION: This device is limited to investigational use in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

SOURCE Channel Medsystems

Related Links

http://www.channelmedsystems.com


WACO, Texas, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Civitas Capital Group ("Civitas"), a leading independent specialty asset management and financial services firm, and Atlantic Hotels Group ("Atlantic"), an experienced hotel developer, owner and operator, have closed on the acquisition of the 120-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Waco, Texas. Atlantic Hotels Group, with which Civitas has executed more than $100 million of hotel development transactions, becomes the hotel's management company.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotels is in Legends Crossing, one of the fastest-developing areas of Waco. Legends Crossing is a 150-acre mixed use development next to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Hillcrest, less than a 10-minute drive from Baylor University, downtown Waco, and the famous Magnolia Market.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites opened in 2014 with 1,922 feet square feet of meeting space, indoor pool, fitness center, and business center.

"Holiday Inn Express is InterContinental Hotels Group's fastest-growing hotel brand, which is just one reason we're thrilled at the acquisition," said Caroline Perel, managing director for Civitas. "The Waco market is booming now. It's equidistant from Dallas and Austin, and this property is at I-35 and Highway 6 -- perfectly situated to capitalize on the 20 percent increase in travel spending Waco has seen since 2010."

Civitas's Lodging team has developed and renovated projects totaling over $1.5 billion, with an expertise that spans the breadth of industry sub-specialties, including the acquisition, development, financing, strategic positioning and branding, asset management, and disposition of hotels. Atlantic Hotels Group is a hotel developer and operator with extensive experience in the Texas hotel market. It currently manages seven hotels and has eight hotels under development.

This is the first phase of Civitas and Atlantic's plan to acquire two existing select-service hotels in Waco: the 120-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites, now closed, and an adjacent property, the 93-room TownePlace Suites Waco South. The two hotels are currently managed by different operators, and will both convert to one management company, Atlantic Hotels Group.

"Our ongoing partnership with Civitas Capital has yielded excellent results for investors and travelers alike," says Perry Molubhoy, CEO of Atlantic Hotels Group. "We are delighted to expand our association with Civitas in a burgeoning Texas market like Waco, and we look forward to growing that partnership in the future."

About Civitas Capital Group

The Civitas Capital Group family of companies provides a range of products and services for institutional investors, family offices, and qualified individuals. Through its affiliates, the firm offers investment strategies to people interested in investing in the EB-5 Program for immigration purposes or in the U.S. real estate market through our Alternative Investment division. For more information, please visit civitascapital.com.

About Atlantic Hotels Group

Atlantic Hotels Group is a rapidly expanding hotel owner and operator. Atlantic continues to embark on a strategic growth plan that compliments and supplements hotel ownership and operations. Franchisees of Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, and InterContinental Hotels, Atlantic combines extensive resources and unparalleled depth and dexterity that allow the company to succeed in any marketplace. For more information, please visit atlantichotelsgroup.com.

About Holiday Inn Express

Holiday Inn Express hotels are modern hotels for value-oriented travelers. Fresh, clean and uncomplicated, Holiday Inn Express hotels offer competitive rates for both business and leisure travelers. There are currently 2,542 Holiday Inn Express hotel locations around the globe. For more information about Holiday Inn Express hotels or to book reservations, visit holidayinnexpress.com.

This press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it would be unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Civitas' track record includes projects and work product of Juno Development, an entity that merged with Civitas in January of 2013 after having worked together for many years. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

SOURCE Civitas Capital Group

Related Links

http://civitascapital.com/


SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CleanSpark, Inc. (OTC: CLSK), a microgrid company that is combining a patented "stratified" downdraft gasifier along with advanced engineering, software and controls for innovative distributed energy resource management systems, today announced that Adam Maher, Senior Vice President of CleanSpark, Inc. will present at the 6th Annual CannaGrow Expo at 1 p.m. MT on October 28, 2017.

Mr. Maher will be discussing advanced energy and control solutions and how those solutions may be applied to the cannabis growing market in a session titled "Own Your Energy: The Power of Building Your Own Private Micro Grid."

"Microgrids represent the ideal solution for combining controlled distribution agriculture to America's electrical grid," commented Mr. Maher. "A typical indoor grow room has the same power density as a data center, and by some accounts the industry accounts for as much as a third of the electricity used by all U.S. data centers combined. The alternative generation and advanced controls of a microgrid are essential to help these operations avoid interruptions and operate on clean power. I look forward to discussing our state-of-the-art solutions to address the rapidly growing energy needs of this evolving industry."

The CannaGrow Expo is being held October 28-29, 2017 at the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Hotel & Convention Center in Denver, Colo. For additional information regarding the expo, visit cannagrowexpo.com or contact [email protected].

In addition, Mr. Maher and Bryan Huber, CleanSpark's Chief Operations Officer, presented at the Inaugural Tenant-Landlord Sustainability Summit on August 16-17, in Santa Monica, California. Mr. Huber presented on the development of the national utility grid and the inherent lack of sustainability therein, while Mr. Maher highlighted the six-year payback on a micro grid for a 14-acre, 2,500-person corporate campus and the advanced micro grid needed to increase sustainability and resiliency. Brands in attendance included Lush Cosmetics, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Pink, La Senza, Kay Jewelers, Henri Bendel, Gap, Vans, Lee, Jansport, Nautica, Northface, Timberland, Wrangler, Vans, Zales and Aritzia and Apple.

About CannaGrow Expo

CannaGrow Expo is a two-day educational expo dedicated to the art and science of growing cannabis. The CannaGrow Expo is open to all, 18+, and is intended for cannabis growers, grow managers, dispensary owners, and grow enthusiasts to explore the latest cannabis cultivation technology, tools, and techniques. CannaGrow Denver will feature a selection of 25 cultivation-focused educational sessions lead by world-class growers over two action-packed days, endless networking with cultivators from around the globe, and an expo hall packed with the latest tools & technology for growing cannabis.

About CleanSpark, Inc.

CleanSpark provides advanced energy software and control technology that enables a plug-and-play enterprise solution to modern energy challenges. Our services consist of intelligent solar monitoring solutions, microgrid design and engineering, project development consulting services, system installation and consulting, and turn-key microgrid implementation services. We also combine our microgrid services with its revolutionary and patented stratified downdraft gasifier. The gasifier was developed with partners such as Petersen, Inc., ICON Renewables, Combustion Resources and others to create a logical solution for profitably handling MSW, Coal, Plastics, Municipal Sewage and many other feedstocks. All with ZERO airborne emissions. We've aligned ourselves with research universities such as Utah State University, The University of Utah, and BYU to certify and maximize the efficiencies and production of our technology. By integrating new and existing energy generation and storage assets with advanced load management capacities, CleanSpark's software allows energy generated locally to be shared with other interconnected microgrids. This unique capability enables microgrids to be scaled and widely adopted for commercial, industrial, military, municipal, and remote community deployment.

For more information on CleanSpark, please visit http://www.cleanspark.com.

Contact - Investor Relations:

Brett Maas

Managing Partner, Hayden IR

(646) 536-7331

[email protected]

SOURCE CleanSpark, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cleanspark.com


MADISON, Wis., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ClearView was named the 4th fastest-growing software company in the country, and the number one fastest-growing company in Wisconsin on the Inc. 5000 list. ClearView Audit made the 55th overall spot on the 36th annual Inc. 5000 with three-year sales growth of 5779%. The list of fastest-growing companies in the country includes all industries, and bases rank on percentage of revenue growth over a three-year period.

Brad Hollister, CEO, and the ClearView team's hard work got them recognized in the top 10% to be further honored on the Inc. 500, and of the top 500, they made it to 55th, just outside the top 1% of the fastest-growing companies in the country. This honor puts ClearView among the most innovative entrepreneurs on the Inc. 5000. Companies like Microsoft, Dell, LinkedIn, and others appeared on the list providing them with national exposure necessary to get them where they are today. This was the first year ClearView was eligible, and the company is looking forward to continuing its growth and ranking higher in coming years.

2017 has been a big year for ClearView. This year in March, the increasing staff and client base led ClearView to move headquarters to a larger space to accommodate its growth. In June, ClearView was named among the top 25 logistics technology solutions providers by CIO Applications. ClearView was also named one of Parcel Industry's "Hot Companies."

Brad and the rest of ClearView's staff is honored by the recognition of so many prominent industry outlets, but they aren't stopping. ClearView has big plans to keep the company moving and making sure they always provide the greatest services and TMS software available to fulfill their mission: to bring clarity and control to all shipments.

ClearView Audit is a transportation management system (TMS) shipping technology company and freight and parcel audit provider aimed at reducing costs and increasing visibility for companies with annual shipping expenses between one million and one hundred million dollars across all modes of transportation including small parcel, LTL freight, truckload freight, and ocean container freight. ClearView's TMS and auditing software provide complete visibility to the supply chain to bring clarity and control to all shipments. Additional information is available on their website, http://clearviewaudit.com, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 855.737.3444.

SOURCE ClearView Audit

Related Links

http://clearviewaudit.com


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Browse 64 Market Data Tables and 45 Figures spread through 184 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Cloud Encryption Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cloud-encryption-market-158713019.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report

The demand for cloud encryption is majorly driven by stringent government regulations and the need to protect mission critical data residing on the cloud. With the rising demand for cloud and virtualization across different industry verticals, the adoption rate of cloud encryption among enterprises is expected to gain a major traction during the forecast period.

The Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) model is expected to hold the largest market share

The IaaS segment includes the offerings such as servers, storages, and networking infrastructure on-premises private cloud. This infrastructure is used to run the applications on the public cloud. It enables the organizations to reduce the total cost of ownership as the infrastructure is being provided by third-party vendors in the form of cloud-based data centers. However, virtualization introduces new security challenges. Thus, enterprises are adopting cloud encryption solution and services to run business-critical functions securely.

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The telecom and IT vertical is expected to grow at the fastest rate

The telecom and IT vertical involves high usage of cloud-based applications for their business operations and is thus frequently attacked by cybercriminals. Companies in this sector are adopting cloud encryption solutions so as to provide their customers risk-free services. The usage of cloud encryption has allowed users to save the important information on their mobile devices and use that information through the cloud without any risk. Therefore, cloud encryption solutions are helping telecom and IT companies in enhancing their services and providing secure information to customers while complying with regulations.

North America is expected to contribute to the largest market share; Asia Pacific to grow the fastest during the forecast period

North America is expected to have the largest market share and dominate the Cloud Encryption Market from 2017 to 2022, owing to the early adoption of new and emerging technologies and the presence of a large number of players in this region. APAC offers extensive growth avenues in the Cloud Encryption Market, owing to a widespread presence of SMEs that are extensively adopting cloud technology.

The major vendors providing cloud encryption solutions and services are Thales e-Security (La Defense, France), Gemalto N.V. (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Sophos Group plc (Abingdon, UK), Symantec Corporation (California, US), Skyhigh Networks (California, US), Netskope Inc. (California, US), CipherCloud (California, US), HyTrust, Inc. (California, US), Trend Micro Incorporated (Tokyo, Japan), Vaultive, Inc. (Massachusetts, US), and TWD Industries AG (Unteriberg, Switzerland).

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Browse Related Reports

Cloud Security Market by Service Type (IAM, DLP, IDS/IPS, SIEM, and Encryption), Security Type, Service Model (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS), Deployment Type (Public, Private, and Hybrid), Organization Size, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2022

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cloud-security-market-100018098.html

Mobile Encryption Market by Component (Solution and Services), Application (Disk Encryption, File/Folder Encryption, Communication Encryption, and Cloud Encryption), End-User Type, Deployment Type, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2022

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/mobile-encryption-market-120317676.html

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Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Code, a technology leader of image-based barcode reading technology, was recognized at the 2017 Utah Genius Awards for the number of patents issued during the 2016 calendar year.

The Utah Genius Awards were founded in 2009 to acknowledge Utah's innovative companies, and honor those who contribute to Utah's economy. Utah Genius recognizes the Top 20 Inventors, Utah's Top 20 Companies by Number of Patents Issued, and Utah's Top 10 Trademark Registrants. Awards are based on objective statistics from the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Code was recognized as a 2017 Top 20 Company by Number of Patents Issued during 2016. This recognition was earned by being granted 13 patents by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Code's President and CEO, George Powell, was recognized as a Top 20 Patentee at the event in 2016.

"At Code we believe continuous innovation is what drives us to be successful, and being recognized two years in a row by the Utah Genius committee for that innovation and intellectual property, is an honor", said George Powell, President and CEO at Code. "The Code team's hard work and forward-thinking approach to design and technology is what made being awarded patents possible."

About Code

Code is a technology leader in image-based barcode reading solutions. Code designs and manufactures a complete line of image-based barcode reading hardware and software solutions to enhance productivity and exceed customers' expectations for superior barcode reading performance, ergonomic design, equipment durability, and seamless integration with their operations. Servicing a diverse range of industries and environments, Code's products are used in critical applications in healthcare, public safety, manufacturing, transportation, retail, and a range of other diverse industries.

Code's 2D Revolution image processing and decoding solution is the de facto choice for enterprise-grade barcode scanning software technology that enables rapid, accurate decoding of virtually any barcode symbology, of virtually any quality and curvature  every time without fail. As the backbone of Code's product line and with the flexibility to integrate with any device, operating system, and application, 2D Revolution ensures you can reliably capture the barcode data you need, in the way you want, at the pace your business demands. 2D Revolution is the only decoder to support the proprietary GoCode symbology which uses encryption to secure and prevent illicit reading of sensitive data.

Code's worldwide headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, USA, and has regional headquarters in China, Singapore and The Netherlands. For more information, visit www.codecorp.com.

Contact:

Kerri Humpherys

1-801-495-2200

[email protected]

SOURCE Code

Related Links

http://www.codecorp.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cole Haan, the global lifestyle and accessories brand and retailer, is pleased to announce a long-term retail, wholesale and e-commerce distribution agreement with a subsidiary company of Sitoy Group Holdings Limited, Sitoy Retailing Limited, a brand management and retailer, and large-scale outsourced manufacturer of luxury handbags, small leather goods and travel goods. The agreement will encompass distribution for men's and women's footwear, outerwear and accessories under the Cole Haan brand in Greater China.

Cole Haan has a retail presence in more than forty countries across five continents. Sitoy will bring Cole Haan to consumers in both Hong Kong, Macau and China through all major retail channels from summer 2017. "As we continue to focus on our strategic initiative of global expansion, we are pleased to partner with Sitoy on this venture at this time," said Greg Dinges, Executive Vice President and General Manager, International. "We are excited about this partnership and the opportunities it brings us in this growing market."

"For almost 90 years, Cole Haan has been synonymous with quality, craftsmanship and vision," said Andrew Yeung, Executive Director and Head of Retailing at Sitoy Retailing Limited. "As we continue to focus strategically on our retail business, we are excited to bring this global lifestyle brand to the Chinese consumers."

Beyond Cole Haan direct retail businesses, the company has built a strong presence globally through Cole Haan stores located within selected top tier shopping malls, department stores and specialty retailer locations in North America and Japan, as well as through distributor-operated shops in Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. In Hong Kong, Cole Haan has doors in Harbour City, Times Square, Festival Walk, SOGO Causeway Bay, and nine doors in Mainland China, four of which are in the important Shanghai market. Sitoy is planning to launch over 20 Cole Haan doors in Greater China in 2018, and will also launch Cole Haan's Greater China online business through diversified e-commerce platforms.

About Cole Haan Cole Haan LLC, with its Global Headquarters in Greenland, New Hampshire and Creative Center in New York City, is an iconic American lifestyle accessories brand and retailer of premium men's and women's footwear, handbags, leather accessories, outerwear and eyewear. Cole Haan stands for its commitment to craftsmanship, timeless style and design innovation. For more information, visit ColeHaan.com and follow @ColeHaan. About Sitoy Retailing Ltd Sitoy Retailing Ltd, a subsidiary of Sitoy Group Holdings Limited (a Hong Kong company listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong), is one of the reputable brand partners for international brands who want to enter into the Greater China. Sitoy engaged in the retail business starting 2011 and signed distribution agreement with various renowned international fashion & accessories brands, namely Bruno Magli, Cole Haan, Kenneth Cole, Jockey, A. Testoni, i29. Meanwhile, TUSCAN'S and Fashion & Joy are the house brands developed by the Group.

For more information, contact:

Kimry Blackwelder, Cole Haan

Phone: +1 (212) 763-3060

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Cole Haan

Related Links

http://www.colehaan.com


EUGENE, Ore., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- College Choice, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources, has published a ranking of the 15 Best Colleges in Maryland and the 17 Best Online Colleges in Maryland.

http://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-colleges-in-maryland/

http://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-online-colleges-in-maryland/

Maryland is part of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay region, home to renowned natural beauty. It's also one of the most densely populated states in the country, with roughly six million residents who call it home. Maryland boasts the highest median household income of any state, thanks to a highly diversified economy that ranges from manufacturing to agriculture to biotechnology.

"The variety in Maryland's economy is due in part to the state's colleges and universities, which represent a key factor in Maryland's continuing growth and success," Christian Amondson, Managing Editor of College Choice, said of the ranking. "Whether you're interested in a traditional, residential college experience, or you're looking for the flexibility of an online degree in order to take advantage of Maryland's great opportunities, our two lists have got you covered."

College Choice developed its lists by looking at academic quality, institutional reputation, program accreditation, along with return on investmentthe differential between tuition costs and average early career earnings. Data came from the National Center for Education Statistics, Payscale, and U.S. News & World Report.

The ranking for the 15 Best Colleges in Maryland finds United States Naval Academy in the top spot. Johns Hopkins University is in second, and University of Maryland-College Park rounds out the top three.

The entire ranking, listed in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Bowie State University

Coppin State University

Frostburg State University

Hood College

Johns Hopkins University

Loyola University Maryland

Maryland Institute College of Art

Morgan State University

Salisbury University

Towson University

United States Naval Academy

University of Baltimore

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

University of Maryland-Baltimore County

University of Maryland-College Park

The ranking for the 17 Best Online Colleges in Maryland finds Johns Hopkins University in the top spot. Loyola University Maryland is in second, and University of Maryland-College Park rounds out the top three.

The entire ranking, listed in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Bowie State University

Capitol Technology University

Coppin State University

Frostburg State University

Goucher College

Hood College

Johns Hopkins University

Loyola University Maryland

McDaniel College

Morgan State University

Mount St Mary's University

Notre Dame of Maryland University

Salisbury University

Stevenson University

Towson University

University of Baltimore

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

University of Maryland-Baltimore County

University of Maryland-College Park

Washington Adventist University

College Choice is an independent online publication dedicated to helping students and their families find the right college. The site publishes rankings and reviews that make finding the best colleges for different interests easier and more fun, as well as resources to help students get into, pay for, and thrive at the college of their choice.

Contact:

Christian Amondson, Managing Editor, College Choice

Web: http://collegechoice.net

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (541) 255-3801

SOURCE College Choice

Related Links

http://www.collegechoice.net


KARLSKRONA, Sweden, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Compuverde today announced that founder and CEO Stefan Bernbo will participate in a panel presentation at VMworld alongside VMware and NetApp on file services solutions for VMware vSAN, VMware's vSphere-native storage that powers industry-leading hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI). Stefan has more than 20 years of expertise in enterprise-scale data storage solutions. The panel will address why hyperconverged solutions built on VMware vSAN are ideal for file services workloads.

Compuverde is a VMware Ready for vSAN partner that supports vSAN with its virtual Network-Attached Storage (VNAS). The VMware Ready for vSAN program offers partners a set of tools, resources and processes needed to certify file services or data protection products with vSAN.

Click to Tweet: [email protected] CEO Stefan Bernbo discusses file services solutions for vSAN at #VMworld: https://tinyurl.com/ybzhynk5 #SDS

Compuverde offers a fully integrated and flexible storage solution for bare metal and scale-out virtual environments that is completely built upon software-defined principles:

Unified storage: Compuverde's VNAS solution offers file services, object and block to provide customers with increased flexibility when leveraging vSAN. The software makes unified storage available through any major protocol.

Compuverde's VNAS solution offers file services, object and block to provide customers with increased flexibility when leveraging vSAN. The software makes unified storage available through any major protocol. Rich set of features: Compuverde provides a rich set of file-related features that enterprises need in order to deal with unstructured data.

Compuverde provides a rich set of file-related features that enterprises need in order to deal with unstructured data. Strictly consistent: Compuverde implements its own file system and protocol code for a tightly connected solution, resulting in a distributed file system with strong consistency.

Compuverde implements its own file system and protocol code for a tightly connected solution, resulting in a distributed file system with strong consistency. Share files between Virtual Machines (VMs): The hyper-converged solution with VNAS functionality enables the sharing of files between VMs rather than having to use an external NAS solution as shared storage.

Stefan Bernbo will share more about Compuverde's file services solution for VMware vSAN at the VMworld VMware partner panel on Wednesday, August 30 at 2:30-3:30 p.m. PDT at the Mandalay Bay Ballroom D, Level 2, Las Vegas, NV.

Stefan Bernbo, CEO and founder, Compuverde, said: "As a VMware Ready for vSAN partner, Compuverde aims to provide a first-class file system that leverages VMware vSAN to address rapidly growing storage demand. We look forward to continuing our work with VMware and the opportunity to share more about the Compuverde offering during the VMworld partner panel."

Lee Caswell, vice president of Products, Storage and Availability Business Unit, VMware, said: "VMware is pleased that Compuverde is a VMware Ready for vSAN partner. Their unique file services solution targeted for vSAN will enable customers to deliver both block and file services from a single vSAN cluster, lowering deployment costs and providing data center efficiency and performance through software-defined principles."

About Compuverde

Compuverde is an established provider of software-defined storage solutions, based in Sweden. Founded in 2008 by a team of storage and software experts with decades of experience in the scale-out storage field, Compuverde delivers a solution dedicated to both large consumer brands and industrial B2B-players, currently used by telecom, banking, media and insurance companies across the world. Compuverde's revolutionary and energy-efficient unified storage solution has made possible a hardware-agnostic storage platform that easily scales to hundreds of nodes, exabytes of data and trillions of files. With top-class products that address market segments like vNAS, hyperconverged virtualization and hybrid cloud, Compuverde is delivering better control over investments and business expansion. Find out more at www.compuverde.com.

VMware, VMworld, vSAN, vSphere, and VMware Ready are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions.

Editorial Contact:

Peggy Tierney Galvin

Nadel Phelan, Inc.

(831) 440-2405

[email protected]

SOURCE Compuverde

Related Links

http://www.compuverde.com


FALLS CHURCH, Va., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CSRA Inc. (NYSE:CSRA) announced today it has received permission from the United States Navy to conduct Field Test 1 of the Navy's new integrated pay and personnel system as part of the Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPT&E) transformation efforts. The Interim Authorization to Test (IATT) will allow CSRA to test the viability and flexibility of a leading Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) human resource management (HRM) system operating on the cloud.

The trial seeks to leverage the benefits of hosting on Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud platform, while the appropriate security protocols are tested. CSRA will be the first company in the industry to conduct such a test for the U.S. Navy.

"We are honored to be chosen by the U.S. Navy to be the first to execute field testing for a COTS HRM instance on AWS," said Ken Deutsch, CSRA's Executive Vice President for Defense. "CSRA has led the industry by working with prominent tech companies to lead our military customers into the next generation of innovation and technology. We are proud to continue our collaboration with AWS to meet the needs of America's military."

The trial will operate on a remote accessed AWS environment, and will be tested against the appropriate Department of Defense (DoD) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) security controls, including CAC (Common Access Card) authentication. Current testing uses two AWS instances to test different configurations with the potential to use other cloud instances to test flexibility and scalability.

The first field test is being conducted by CSRA's Integrated Pay and Personnel System-Navy (IPPS-N) team, utilizing a Government provided and developed architecture and configured HR product. CSRA currently supports the Navy Standard Integrated Personnel System (NSIPS). The NSIPS application supports all of the Navy's Sailors today. CSRA and NSIPS continue to work together to collapse other legacy HR systems into the NSIPS baseline. This trial is intended to chart a path for the Navy to transform into a secure next-generation digital environment leveraging cloud based capabilities.

About CSRA Inc.

CSRA (NYSE: CSRA) solves our nation's hardest mission problems as a bridge from mission and enterprise IT to Next Gen, from government to technology partners, and from agency to agency. CSRA is tomorrow's thinking, today. For our customers, our partners, and ultimately, all the people our mission touches, CSRA is realizing the promise of technology to change the world through next-generation thinking and meaningful results. CSRA is driving towards achieving sustainable, industry-leading organic growth across federal and state/local markets through customer intimacy, rapid innovation and outcome-based experience. CSRA has over 18,000 employees and is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. To learn more about CSRA, visit www.csra.com. Think Next. Now.

Forward-looking Statements

All statements in this press release and in all future press releases that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements represent CSRA's intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs, including statements about the actual duration, services delivered, and total value realized by CSRA under customer contracts, the effects of customer contracts on our business, and our ability to enhance mission capabilities of our customers. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of CSRA. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements. For a written description of these factors, see the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in CSRA's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any updating information in subsequent SEC filings. CSRA disclaims any intention or obligation to update these forward-looking statements whether as a result of subsequent event or otherwise.

SOURCE CSRA Inc.

Related Links

http://www.csra.com


SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Resolution, an award-winning global Microsoft hosting partner, premier Microsoft applications partner, and one of the first companies to release a fully-optimized product listing of Microsoft SharePoint Enterprise and suite of Microsoft Dynamics on Amazon Web Services (AWS) Marketplace, is launching Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Dynamics on AWS Marketplace for the AWS GovCloud (US) Region.

Data Resolution - Applications Expert for Microsoft and Windows Applications

AWS GovCloud (US) is an isolated AWS region designed to host sensitive data and regulated workloads for organizations that require a higher security and compliance baseline including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).

"We are proud to be available on AWS Marketplace for the AWS GovCloud (US) Region and are excited to bring our depth of expertise and highly secured and compliant solutions to the United States Government," said Jim Pathman, CEO, Data Resolution.

Now, government agencies can enjoy the same benefits as commercial organizations such as the speed of procurement, Bring-Your-Own-Licensing flexibility, and consumption-based usage to Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Dynamics software on AWS Marketplace for the AWS GovCloud (US) Region.

"AWS GovCloud (US) is designed to meet the unique regulatory requirements of the United States Government by running AWS services in an environment that complies with US Government regulations for processing sensitive workloads and storing sensitive data," continued Pathman. "We are excited to offer the same access to security, flexibility, and cost-efficiencies to the US federal government, state and local governments, and the contractors who support their mission."

Data Resolution's GovCloud program will officially launch August 18, 2017, and will offer US government organizations the ability to try and test out 10 user solutions directly on AWS Marketplace.

AWS GovCloud (US) is another example of Data Resolution's commitment to being a leading Microsoft hosting partner for Microsoft solutions on AWS Marketplace. Data Resolution's suite of fully supported enterprise applications on AWS represents an exciting shift in how organizations  both in the private and public sector  are consuming enterprise technology.

Learn more about the AWS GovCloud program by visiting:

http://www.aws.amazon.com/mp/govcloud

About Data Resolution

Data Resolution LLC is an award-winning global Microsoft provider of managed technology solutions and has been named the Microsoft Dynamics Hoster of The Year for three consecutive years. Data Resolution supports businesses of all sizes and offers a wide range of services includes software hosting (SaaS), managed virtual environments, business continuity solutions, Cloud computing, and advanced data center services.

With five global SSAE16- Type 2 certified data centers, Data Resolution delivers best in class Microsoft ERP, CRM, Unified Communications, Messaging, Portals, and Collaboration solutions. Our solutions span many industries including financial services, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and professional services.

For Media Inquiries:

Dean Ara, Director, Marketing

1-855-646-8662

[email protected]

SOURCE Data Resolution
Over 200 backpacks filled with school supplies were given out to students ranging from Pre-K to 12 th Grade. Clarkson, who received a Special Commendation Award from the city of Inglewood while in attendance, donated more than 100 of these backpacks. Owner and operator of DBL Tycoon Vision, Mr. President Marks, who is a barber by trade, also partnered with professional barbers and hairstylists to supply students with free haircuts and hairstyles onsite.

As the second annual Back to School Give Back Event came to a close, Mr. Marks expressed his excitement with the event's turnout: "It's such a blessing to pour into the hearts of the young scholars of tomorrow. Every child here today took away an increase in self-esteem through haircuts and school supplies to succeed for the new school year."

DBLTV is proud to be a beacon in the community and promises to continue delivering guidance to the youth. Mr. President Marks is slated to release two new books before the year ends, his much-anticipated financial literacy guide, Gain the American Dream, as well as a children's book, Family Values from A-Z. Be sure to look out for DBLTV's next event, the City of Champions Drawing Contest, which will take place on January 28, 2018.

Event sponsors include Spoety Cuts, Spa 313, No Kids Left Uncut Inc., and Taste of Inglewood.

Mr. President Marks

DBL Tycoon Vision

(310) 908-1512

[email protected]

SOURCE DBLTV

Related Links

http://dbltv.tv


HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Digium, Inc., the Asterisk Company, today announced the keynote presenters for the AstriCon Open Source User Conference and Exhibition to be held October 3 - 5, 2017 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Keynote speakers include technology industry analyst, Dean Bubley and longtime advocate for Open Source, Brian Capouch.

Celebrating its 14th year, AstriCon remains the longest-running conference devoted to Asterisk, the most widely used open source communications platform in the world. AstriCon brings together the world's open source enthusiasts  from code developers and Asterisk integrators, to service providers and enterprise IT professionals  who all share an interest in Asterisk.

Bubley's presentation, "What the future holds for Asterisk (and what's overhyped)" will take place on Wednesday, October 4, at 9 a.m. ET. The Community is familiar with IoT, AI, Blockchain, Robots, 3D-printing and other technologies on the list of "next big things" promised by futurists. But what do any of these mean for communications and IP telephony? This session explores the possible intersection-points between IP communications platforms, and emerging technologies and trends. Can blockchain be used for "data integrity protection," to ensure anti-tamper controls on call records or even voice recordings? How can AI improve voice? Is it just about speaking home or mobile "assistants," or can it be applied in contact centers, or sales team applications? And what about IoT? Focusing on where machines or sensors can trigger actual human interaction, whether by voice or video, and the fact that all of this has to set against the real world of deployment  skills, costs, and regulation. What might happen when all these intersections bring contradictions, for example, when lawful intercept of calls clashes with medical confidentiality (and device certification) for telemedicine?

Capouch will present "Asterisk and Me: A Telephony Love Story" on Thursday, October 5, at 9 a.m. ET. He will discuss his use of Asterisk on his personal projects and those projects in his classroom at Saint Joseph's College. He retired in 2016, as Chair of the Computer Science Department at Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, after 34 years of teaching there. Saint Joseph's became one of the first colleges with a full-time Internet connection in 1988, and began offering a for-credit course in VoIP in 2002. He has been a longtime advocate for Open Source software, participated in the process of developing the MIME standard, and was a co-author of RFC 5456, which formalizes the IAX protocol. His current interests focus on the future of the browser as a universal application container, and the technologies used to implement progressive web applications. He has developed a great fondness for modern JavaScript, Node, and React.

The AstriCon conference contains multiple tracks with more than 55 sessions, offering attendees a variety of options during the three-day event. Topics include security, Asterisk-based distributions, Asterisk tutorials, Asterisk case studies, as well as sessions on WebRTC, speech technology, how to build scalable and resilient solutions, and IoT. Sessions also include a focus on other related open source projects, such as Kamailio, FreeSWITCH, Homer, CGRates, and OpenSIPS.

"I am delighted that we have managed to secure two such remarkable keynoters this year," said David Duffett, Worldwide Community Director for the Asterisk Open Source project. "Dean will help us look at the place that Asterisk might hold in the communications systems of tomorrow, from a technical perspective; and Brian will reflect on the amazing sense of community that has brought the Asterisk project so far, while casting a look toward the way Asterisk will interact with the programming environments of the future."

AstriCon 2017 is sponsored by Digium as well as Platinum Sponsors BICOM Systems, Yealink and Telnyx; and by Gold Sponsors Grandstream and Inteliquent. Additional sponsors include Algo, CallCabinet, Cepstral, Greenfield Tech, KHOMP, Loway, Lumenvox, NETXUSA, Obihai, OpenVox, OrecX, Sangoma, Simwood, Teledynamics and Teli.

About AstriCon

AstriCon is the longest-running event devoted to all things Asterisk, a free and open source framework for building communications applications that is downloaded nearly 2 million times per year. AstriCon's mission is to expand awareness and knowledge of Asterisk. Attendees will learn about trends in Asterisk use, the growing Asterisk ecosystem, the newest applications and a wide range of in-depth technical topics from Asterisk developers, users and entrepreneurs. AstriCon will be held October 3 - 5, 2017 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. Registration is open at www.astricon.net.

About Digium

Digium, Inc. provides Asterisk software, telephony hardware, and on-premises and hosted Switchvox business phone systems that deliver enterprise-class Unified Communications (UC) and UC as a Service (UCaaS) solutions at an affordable price. Digium is the creator, primary developer and sponsor of the Asterisk project; the world's most widely used open source communications software. Asterisk turns an ordinary computer into a feature-rich communications server. A community of more than 80,000 developers and users worldwide uses Asterisk to create VoIP communication solutions in more than 170 countries. Since 1999, Digium has empowered developers to create innovative communications solutions based on open standards and open source software, providing an alternative to proprietary phone systems. Digium Switchvox Cloud and other cloud-based products and services are offered through Digium Cloud Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Digium, Inc. Digium's business communications products are sold through a worldwide network of reseller partners. More information is available at www.digium.com and www.asterisk.org.

The Digium logo, Digium, Asterisk, Asterisk SCF, Switchvox, Asterisk Business Edition, AsteriskNOW, Asterisk Appliance and the Asterisk logo are trademarks of Digium, Inc. Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Digium, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.digium.com


SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Doctor Evidence ("DRE"), a technology-enabled clinical health research data provider, announced a partnership with OneSource Regulatory (OSR), a technology-enabled services firm specializing in the regulatory and global labeling market space, to provide a greater breadth of access and options for companies, including additional applications for existing clients of DOC Label to help realize the benefits the solution can provide to their organization. DRE's DOC Label solution enables users to retrieve and compare results from a database of all FDA and UK drug labels as well as any global territory local uploaded label. Innovative teams using DOC Label include regulatory, competitive intelligence, commercial, brand, pharmacovigilance, safety, research and development, and product labeling teams.

The current release of DOC Label 2.0 version expands upon the existing DOC Label platform with the addition of over 17,500 drug labels from the United Kingdom marketplace through a proprietary partnership with DataPharm.

Upcoming features planned for release in DOC Label 2.0, include a Synonyms Manager and Medical Concept Comparison feature, that further links words found in labels and package inserts to Regulatory dictionaries. These new features incorporate Doctor Evidence machine learning technology into the DOC Label platform and allow for increased use across business units and functional groups enterprise wide.

Doctor Evidence's partnership with OneSource Regulatory enables both small and large companies to be able to access DOC Label and provides an option for clients to leverage best in class professional services based on these advanced technologies and capacity staff augmentation services from OneSource Regulatory. OneSource Regulatory, a leader in providing in Regulatory, Medical and Compliance services and solutions, is uniquely positioned to help clients with the best use and leverage of the Doctor Evidence platform for label formulation, launch and on market Regulatory activities. The OneSource Regulatory team provides Regulatory labeling and promotional services to a large number of large, mid-size, and biotech companies launching their first brand. OneSource Regulatory Co-Founder & Chief Operating Office, Tracy Rockney, JD, has been a longtime industry Regulatory executive for over 20 years and advisor to Doctor Evidence and has acted as their Regulatory Officer in Residency since 2015. Rockney was an early implementer of DOC Label while she was Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Global Labeling, Advertising & Promotion at AbbVie and since she started OneSource Regulatory, Rockney and her team have worked with Doctor Evidence and their clients to identify and prioritize new capabilities for DOC Label and have witnessed the power of the solution across the current broad client base.

"Working with Tracy and the deep domain knowledge of the OSR team regarding Regulatory authorities, brand teams, and the agency community has been invaluable to DRE and our clients," said Bob Battista, CEO of Doctor Evidence. "Companies not using DOC Label across their enterprise or leveraging OSRs best-in-class expertise and services are risking their competitive and regulatory strategies. This is must-have technology and expertise akin to what the combustion engine was over a horse-drawn carriage."

Outside of Doctor Evidence, OneSource Regulatory is the exclusive value-added reseller of DOC Label to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. OneSource Regulatory also offers concierge subscription services using the platform to companies who want expert regulatory labeling guidance along with expert DOC Label capability while developing labeling for FDA or EU submission and assistance during FDA labeling negotiations. Doctor Evidence will also provide software development services to OneSource Regulatory for the development of labeling apps, designed to address labeling needs across the pharmaceutical industry.

Tracy Rockney commented, "Our team at OneSource Regulatory is excited to offer services and training for DOC Label as part of our strategic labeling service offering. Our partnership with Doctor Evidence is part of the larger OneSource Regulatory vision to provide technology-enabled services across all of our service offerings - our clients want high-quality services delivered efficiently and effectively, with innovative regulatory options and solutions."

About Doctor Evidence

Doctor Evidence is a leader in technological solutions for Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) with a mission to support efforts of healthcare providers and patients to gain access to important evidence-based knowledge, based on the most timely and relevant medical evidence and related analytics, to inform clinical decisions and improve the health and wellbeing of patients worldwide. This specialty software and services company's methodology uses a Digital Outcome Conversion (DOC) approach for transforming data from published clinical studies, epidemiological databases, and other sources, into reusable and updatable databases.

About OneSource Regulatory

OneSource Regulatory (OSR) is a leader in providing in Regulatory, Medical and Healthcare Compliance services and solutions. Utilizing expertise from decades of proven industry experience, OneSource provides the following services:

Regulatory Affairs

Advertising & Promotion Review



Labeling development (TPP, CCDS, and local label development, including the US PI and the EU SPC)



Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls (CMC)



Strategy

Medical Affairs

Advertising and Promotion Review



Review of Independent scientific exchange materials, grant requests, and independent research study proposals

Commercial Healthcare Compliance

Monitoring and Auditing



Policy/Program development



Data Analytics

SOURCE Doctor Evidence

Related Links

http://www.doctorevidence.com


Elegran was recognized for its team culture, and building proprietary technology solutions that allow real estate agents to work more efficiently, using a platform called Alfred that lays the foundation for the future of real estate. Alfred is a sophisticated listing and data management platform, that communicates via API to a suite of proprietary technology solutions, including auto-generated marketing collateral, smart-targeted direct mail, automated lead generation and nurture programs, seamlessly integrated with a real-estate customized Salesforce CRM. With an in-house development team and an unmatched marketing-to-sales support ratio, this innovative technology stack allows Elegran agents to be 7-8x as profitable than the average NYC real estate salesperson, and has driven Elegran's incredible growth over the last 5 years.

Inman News is real estate's technology premier publication, and runs the largest conference in the world for industry professionals. The Inman Innovator Awards are held yearly, with nominees presented in six categories of firms, technology and individual innovators, from what Inman calls "The visionaries, the forward-thinking, the stubborn, the obsessed, the tech-savvy, the creative minds always pushing boundaries."

Selected from fewer than 50 leading brokerage finalists announced back in June, Elegran was named as the winner at the Inman Connect conference at the Hilton San Francisco in Union Square on Tuesday, August 9th, surpassing some of the most tech-savvy and successful firms in the country.

Michael Rossi, the CEO of Elegran Real Estate, attended Inman Connect conference to accept the Most Innovative Brokerage award on behalf of the Elegran team. "Elegran is incredibly proud to achieve such a prestigious honor, highlighting a successful and unique strategy of investing in team culture, and building an unparalleled foundation of technology and marketing around them." Said Rossi, "We're dedicated to investing in the success of every member of our team, allowing every agents to deliver the highest level of service to their clients."

To learn more about the most innovative brokerage in real estate, please contact Elegran today!

Media Contact:

Tigh Loughhead

[email protected]

(212)729-5712

SOURCE Elegran

Related Links

https://www.elegran.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Elliot announces the launch of its Unified Commerce platform that provides global brands an enterprise solution that centralizes customer, order, and product management. Elliot connects and provides real-time access to 90+ online and offline channels, with support in 150+ languages and 160+ currencies.

From APAC, EMEA, LATAM, and North America, Elliot is fully integrated with the leading eCommerce platforms and marketplaces. In addition to its array of digital channel integrations, Elliot also comes integrated with leading POS software; providing its customers the ability to manage their catalogs on six continents with the click of a button.

With a centralized customer and order management system, Elliot provides a 360-degree view of global performance. Tracking consumer data across multiple shopping trips enables Elliot customers to create enriched shopper profiles and robust user experiences.

At its core, Elliot is creating efficient and smarter organizations with data. Elliot's CEO, Sergio Villasenor states, "Elliot is a people-first technology," reinforcing that statement by adding, "we built Elliot in a way that would enable our customers, and their organizations, to be smarter and more efficient by centralizing analytics, data, and insights." A recent study conducted by Pitney Bowes, a leader in global commerce, showed that over 91 percent of retail brands would need a unified commerce platform within the next three years in order to compete and meet market demands. Villasenor adds, "Today, brands manage disparate systems and have silos of lost data; with Elliot, we are removing those silos and providing a holistic solution built for the Future of Commerce."

Elliot is currently based out of San Francisco. In addition to Sergio Villasenor, former Solutions Architect at Onestop Internet, the team includes former Head of Marketing at Lyft, Lea Solimine, and former SVP of Mobile and Product of Souq.com, Sanjay Bhasin. Also a part of Elliot is its Advisor Board, which includes: Tumi's Chief Digital Officer Charlie Cole, Build.com's Chief Marketing Officer Ramy Mora, Tompkins VP of eCommerce Michael Zakkour, and various industry experts.

For more information on Elliot, visit www.helloiamelliot.com or via email, [email protected].

SOURCE Elliot

Related Links

https://www.helloiamelliot.com


Total uranium resources at Energy Fuels' Canyon Mine increased by approximately 1 million pounds of U 3 O 8 .

Nearly all of the uranium resources upgraded from the inferred category to the measured and indicated categories.

Approximately 12 million pounds of measured and indicated copper resources identified in the main zone of the deposit with an average grade of 5.9% Cu.

The Canyon Mine is a fully-permitted, conventional uranium/copper mine located in Arizona with all upfront development construction, including a production shaft, substantially completed.

The Company's 100%-owned White Mesa Mill, the only operating conventional uranium mill in the U.S., is immediately available to recover uranium and has significant infrastructure in place which can potentially be used for copper recovery.

LAKEWOOD, CO, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE MKT: UUUU; TSX: EFR) ("Energy Fuels" or the "Company"), a leading producer of uranium in the United States, is pleased to announce the results of an independent mineral resource estimate (the "Resource Estimate") by Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. in accordance with CIM Definition Standards (2014) in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") for its 100%-owned Canyon Mine Project located in Coconino County, Arizona (the "Canyon Mine"). This Resource Estimate will be supported by a NI 43-101 Technical Report that will be filed within 45 days under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Geologic model of Energy Fuels' Canyon Uranium & Copper Mine Located in Arizona (east-west section looking north - no scale). (CNW Group/Energy Fuels Inc.)

The Resource Estimate significantly increases the pounds of uranium contained in the Canyon Mine over previously reported estimates. It also upgrades a large portion of the resources from the inferred category to the measured and indicated categories. The Resource Estimate also quantifies significant copper resources. In total, the Canyon Mine is estimated to contain 139,000 tons of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources with an average grade of 0.88% U 3 O 8 containing 2,434,000 pounds of uranium. Additionally, the Resource Estimate identifies another 134,000 pounds of uranium in the Inferred Mineral Resource category. The Company believes there is the strong potential to grow the resources in the future through further underground drilling and evaluation. Please refer to the table below for a full description of the resources at the Canyon Mine.

In the zone containing both uranium and copper (the "Main Zone"), 101,000 tons of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources with an average grade of 0.86% U 3 O 8 and 5.93% Cu, containing 1,725,000 pounds of uranium and 11,939,000 pounds of copper using a 0.36% U 3 O 8 equivalent cutoff grade have been estimated. The uranium equivalent cutoff grade used for the Main Zone is different from the other zones, as the presence of copper requires different methods of processing.

The zones containing only uranium (the "Upper Zone" and the "Juniper Zone") are estimated to contain 38,000 tons of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources with an average grade of 0.94% U 3 O 8 containing 709,000 pounds of U 3 O 8 , using a 0.29% U 3 O 8 cutoff grade.

The Canyon Mine is a fully-permitted and substantially-developed uranium/copper mine located in Northern Arizona. To date, substantially all surface development at the mine has been installed, including a headframe, hoist, maintenance facility, ore pad and evaporation pond. In addition, the 8-foot by 20-foot production shaft has been completed to a depth of approximately 1,452-feet, and some initial horizontal underground development has been constructed as shown in the figure below.

The Company's 100%-owned White Mesa Mill, the only fully-permitted and operating conventional uranium mill in the U.S., is currently available to process the uranium resources once the Canyon Mine goes into production. Activities at the mine site are currently at reduced levels while final underground mine planning and evaluation is being completed. When the mine goes into production in the future, the Company believes the Canyon Mine will have all-in costs that are in-line with the lowest-cost conventional uranium mines in the World today.

In addition, the Company believes it has identified reasonable options for processing the copper resources from the Canyon Mine at its White Mesa Mill. The mineralized copper material is expected to be processed using acid leach (the same method that is used for uranium) followed by one of several options available to extract the copper out of solution and made into a saleable product. Copper processing is expected to require some additional equipment and circuit modifications at the White Mesa Mill, and depending on the option chosen, possibly some additional licensing actions. Bench-scale metallurgical testing has been ongoing since January at Energy Fuels' White Mesa Mill Laboratory, as well as at ANSTO, an independent testing firm in Australia. Further metallurgical testing, optimization, and evaluation is expected to continue into 2018. The copper resources have the significant potential to add by-product credits and lower the U 3 O 8 cost per pound at the Canyon Mine even further.

Stephen P. Antony, CEO of Energy Fuels stated: "Today's announced report confirms Energy Fuels' belief that the Canyon Mine is a valuable low-cost uranium and copper project. Our investment in the underground core drilling campaign completed in 2016 and early-2017 was highly successful, as we were able to expand the estimated high-grade uranium resources by approximately 1 million pounds, upgrade resources to the Measured and Indicated categories, and identify 12 million pounds of high-grade copper resources, the first ever for our company. In addition, the Canyon Mine is differentiated from nearly every other pre-production uranium project in the World today, because all licensing and permitting has been completed, up-front development has been substantially completed, and we own a fully-licensed and operating uranium mill available to process the uranium resources once the mine goes into production. We believe we are demonstrating that the Canyon Mine is production-ready and competitive with any conventional uranium mine globally."

The following table provides a full summarization of the Canyon Mine Uranium and Copper Resource Estimate by RPA that will be included in the new Technical Report. The effective date for the Resource Estimate is June 17, 2017.

















Main Zone Upper +

Juniper Zones URANIUM

Total COPPER

Total Cutoff Grade 0.36%

U 3 O 8

equivalent 0.29%

U 3 O 8 Measured Tons 6,000 - 6,000 6,000 % U 3 O 8 0.43% - 0.43% - Lbs. U 3 O 8 56,000 - 56,000 - % Cu 9.29% - - 9.29% Lbs. Cu 1,203,000 - - 1,203,000 Indicated Tons 94,000 38,000 132,000 94,000 % U 3 O 8 0.89% 0.94% 0.90% - Lbs. U 3 O 8 1,669,000 709,000 2,378,000 - % Cu 5.70% - - 5.70% Lbs. Cu 10,736,000 - - 10,736,000 Measured

+ Indicated Tons 101,000 38,000 139,000 101,000 % U 3 O 8 0.86% 0.94% 0.88% - Lbs. U 3 O 8 1,725,000 709,000 2,434,000 - % Cu 5.93% - - 5.93% Lbs. Cu 11,939,000 - - 11,939,000 Inferred Tons 5,000 13,000 18,000 5,000 % U 3 O 8 0.20% 0.44% 0.38% - Lbs. U 3 O 8 20,000 114,000 134,000 - % Cu 5.90% - - 5.90% Lbs. Cu 570,000 - - 570,000

Notes :

1) CIM definitions (2014) were followed for mineral resources. 2) The metal prices used for this estimate were $60.00 per pound U 3 O 8 and $3.50 per pound Cu. 3) Process recoveries used were 96% for U 3 O 8 and 90% for Cu, based on preliminary metallurgical test work. 4) Copper grades were converted to U 3 O 8 equivalent grades by dividing copper grades (Cu%) by 18.19. 5) U 3 O 8 was estimated within a nominal 0.15% U 3 O 8 grade envelope, and Cu was estimated within a nominal 1.0% Cu grade envelope. 6) No minimum mining width was used (4 ft3 blocks were used in the block model). 7) Bulk density is 0.082 tons/ft3 (12.2 ft3/ton or 2.63 t/m3). 8) Numbers may not add due to rounding.

Mark Mathisen, C.P.G. is a Principal Geologist, Valerie Wilson, M.Sc., P. Geo is a Senior Geologist and Jeffrey Woods, SME, MMSA is a Principal Consulting Metallurgist at Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. They are Qualified Persons as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and have reviewed and approved the technical disclosure of the Mineral Resources contained in this news release.

About Energy Fuels: Energy Fuels is a leading integrated US-based uranium mining company, supplying U 3 O 8 to major nuclear utilities. Energy Fuels holds three of America's key uranium production centers, the White Mesa Mill in Utah, the Nichols Ranch Processing Facility in Wyoming, and the Alta Mesa Project in Texas. The White Mesa Mill is the only conventional uranium mill operating in the U.S. today and has a licensed capacity of over 8 million pounds of U 3 O 8 per year. The Nichols Ranch Processing Facility is an ISR production center with a licensed capacity of 2 million pounds of U 3 O 8 per year. Alta Mesa is an ISR production center currently on care and maintenance. Energy Fuels also has the largest NI 43-101 compliant uranium resource portfolio in the U.S. among producers, and uranium mining projects located in a number of Western U.S. states, including one producing ISR project, mines on standby, and mineral properties in various stages of permitting and development. The Company also produces vanadium as a co-product of its uranium production from certain of its mines on the Colorado Plateau, as market conditions warrant. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE MKT under the trading symbol "UUUU", and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "EFR".

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "Forward Looking Information" and "Forward Looking Statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's expectations as to the evaluation and preparation of a revised NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Canyon Project; the resource estimates described in this press release; expectations that there is a strong potential to grow the resources in the future through further underground drilling and evaluation; the Company's belief that it has identified reasonable options for processing the copper resources at its White Mesa Mill; any additional licensing that may be required to process copper at the Mill and whether it can be obtained in a timely manner; the expectation that the copper resources have the strong potential to add by-product credits and lower the cost of production at the mine; expectations relating to mining costs at the Canyon Project and that the mine is productionready and competitive with any conventional uranium mine globally; and expectations to become or maintain its position as a leading uranium company in the United States. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" "does not expect", "is expected", "is likely", "budget" "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "have the potential to". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, herein are considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements express or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with: the Company's expectations as to the evaluation and preparation of a revised NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Canyon Project; the resource estimates described in this press release; expectations that there is a strong potential to grow the resources in the future through further underground drilling and evaluation; the Company's belief that it has identified reasonable options for processing the copper resources at its White Mesa Mill; any additional licensing that may be required to process copper at the Mill and whether it can be obtained in a timely manner; the expectation that the copper resources have the strong potential to add by-product credits and lower the cost of production at the mine; expectations relating to mining costs at the Canyon Project and that the mine is productionready and competitive with any conventional uranium mine globally; and expectations to become or maintain its position as a leading uranium company in the United States; and the other factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 9, 2017, which is available for review on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the Company's website at www.energyfuels.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law.

Cautionary note to United States investors concerning estimates of measured, indicated and inferred resources. This news release contains certain disclosure that has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian securities laws, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all reserve and resource estimates included in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") classification system. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of U.S. securities laws, and reserve and resource information contained in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by companies reporting only under U.S. standards. In particular, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserve" under SEC Industry Guide 7. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any of Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an "Inferred Mineral Resource" exists or is economically or legally minable. Energy Fuels does not hold any Reserves as that term is defined by SEC Industry Guide 7. Please refer to the section entitled "Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Disclosure of Mineral Resources" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 9, 2016 for further details.

SOURCE Energy Fuels Inc.

Related Links

http://www.energyfuels.com


PARAMUS, N.J., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Epygenix Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing precision medicine for rare and catastrophic forms of genetic epilepsy, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Orphan Drug Designation for EPX-300 for the treatment of patients with Dravet Syndrome. Dravet Syndrome qualifies as a rare pediatric disease under Section 529 of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Dravet Syndrome, a lifelong form of epilepsy, begins in the first year of life with frequent or prolonged seizures. Intellectual disability, behavioral abnormalities, gait and motor dysfunction, and increased mortality are commonly observed as the disease progresses. Patients with Dravet Syndrome also suffer with life-threatening seizures that cannot be adequately controlled by available medications. They also face a 15 to 20 percent mortality rate due to SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy), which are commonly seizure-related accidents such as drowning or infections. In most cases, Dravet Syndrome is caused by heterozygous de novo mutations or gene deletions of SCN1A, a gene encoding a brain voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav1.1).

The effectiveness of EPX-300 was discovered using a proprietary phenotype-based zebrafish drug screening platform. The zebrafish harbors 82 percent of human disease-associated genes, and shares many physiological and metabolic pathways with humans. Using the zebrafish model for Dravet Syndrome, drug candidates were identified from a screen of more than 3,000 drugs that suppress seizures and symptoms associated with neurological diseases.

"By receiving orphan drug designation for EPX-300, now all of our drug candidates including EPX-100 and EPX-200, have been granted orphan drug status for Dravet Syndrome from the FDA," says Dr. Hahn-Jun Lee, M.Sc., Ph.D., president and CEO of Epygenix Therapeutics, Inc. "As a result, we are now able to establish a diversified pipeline to support patients with Dravet Syndrome, and are now preparing a clinical testing of our drug candidates for patients as early as possible."

Dr. Jules Mitchel, Ph.D., president at Target Health, Inc., in New York City, issued a statement: "Working together with Epygenix, the medical community, patients and their families, and the FDA, will allow for a rapid and efficient clinical development path to establish the efficacy and safety of EPX-300 for the treatment of Dravet Syndrome. Congratulations to Epygenix for taking this path where there is an unmet medical need."

Dr. Jack Parent, M.D., and William J Herdman, professor of neurology, co-director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at the University of Michigan Medical School and one of the key scientific advisors of the company, said together that Epygenix has successfully made diversified pipelines to support Dravet Syndrome patients including non-responders to current treatment options. They further hope that EPX-300, together with EPX-100 and EPX-200, will be one of the important treatment options for Dravet Syndrome patients in a near future.

Under the U.S. Orphan Drug Act, the FDA's Office of Orphan Products Development provides sponsors with special status and incentives to facilitate the drug development for rare disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. Orphan Drug Designation provides seven years of market exclusivity if the drug candidate receives regulatory approval together with tax credits for qualified clinical trial cost, exemptions from certain FDA application fees, and assistance in clinical trial design.

To learn more about the company and their ongoing work, visit Epygenix.com.

About Epygenix Therapeutics, Inc.

Epygenix Therapeutics, Inc. is a precision medicine-based biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing drugs to treat rare and intractable genetic epilepsy in childhood, such as Dravet Syndrome. Epygenix is currently focused on developing EPX-100, EPX-200 and EPX-300. These drug candidates abolish convulsive behavior and electrographic seizure activity and were discovered in a zebrafish Dravet Syndrome model which mimics the human pathology. For more information, please visit Epygenix.com.

About EPX-300

EPX-300 is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of major depression disorder which acts via modulation of 5HT signaling pathways. EPX-300 suppressed spontaneous convulsive behavior and electrographic seizures in zebrafish Dravet Syndrome models.

Media Contact

Hahn-Jun Lee, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Phone: 201-724-1786

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Epygenix Therapeutics, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.epygenix.com


Law360 grouped firms based on U.S. attorney headcount in order to evaluate them with similar-sized peers. Any firm that had below-average minority representation at even a single level of the firm  from associate to equity partner  was excluded, and then the rest were ranked based on their percentage of minority attorneys both at the non-partner and partner level.

"Fish has a longstanding commitment to diversity, and we are honored to be recognized for these ongoing efforts," said Ahmed J. Davis, National Chair of Diversity Initiative and Principal of the firm. "While many of our diversity programs have been in place for a long time, we continue to focus on new strategies to effectively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce. As this survey shows, there is still much work to be done. We are committed to advancing diversity in our own firm and setting the bar higher for the entire legal profession."

Earlier this year, Fish undertook two new diversity initiatives. It was among the first 30 U.S. law firms to adopt the "Mansfield Rule," which focuses on increasing the representation of women and attorneys of color in leadership positions. Fish also participated in the Google Summer Associate Scholars Program, a diversity-based educational leadership program that is designed to help prepare law students and junior associates for the many factors that affect a client's business, beyond just day-to-day legal matters.

Fish's 1L Diversity Fellowship Program, which was launched in 2005, provides annual fellowships to diverse first-year law students across the U.S. Each Fish Diversity Fellow receives mentoring throughout their law school education, a paid summer associate position in one of Fish's U.S. offices, and a $5,000 academic scholarship. Diversity Fellows receive an additional $5,000 scholarship if they receive and accept an associate offer with the firm after the completion of a 2L summer clerkship at Fish. All of Fish's Diversity Fellows are also given the opportunity to participate in the 1L Scholars Program of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), which was created in 2011 to strengthen the legal pipeline by expanding the number of opportunities for diverse first-year law students.

Fish started its Women's EMPOWER Initiative in 2009 to promote the recruitment, retention, and advancement of the firm's female legal staff and provide expanded professional and business development opportunities, mentoring, training, and support. Fish was also one of the original 15 law firms to participate in the pilot OnRamp Fellowship Program, a unique re-entry program that matches experienced women lawyers  many of whom have opted out of the legal field for a period of time to raise children  with law firms for a one-year paid fellowship.

Fish is consistently recognized as one of the country's top law firms for diversity. In 2016, the firm was ranked in the top 15 percent of law firms for diversity, based on the number of minorities in its offices, according to the American Lawyer Diversity Scorecard. Fish also was named to Vault, Inc.'s 2016 Best Law Firms for Diversity including its Top 25 List for Minorities, Top 25 List for Individuals with Disabilities, and Top 25 List for Military Veterans. In 2016, the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index named Fish a "Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality."

Fish & Richardson is a global patent prosecution, intellectual property litigation, and commercial litigation law firm with more than 400 attorneys and technology specialists in the U.S. and Europe. Our success is rooted in our creative and inclusive culture, which values the diversity of people, experiences, and perspectives. Fish is the #1 U.S. patent litigation firm, handling nearly three times as many cases as its nearest competitor; a powerhouse patent prosecution firm; a top-tier trademark and copyright firm; and the #1 firm at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, with more cases than any other firm. Since 1878, Fish attorneys have been winning cases worth billions in controversy  often by making new law  for the world's most innovative and influential technology leaders. For more information, visit https://www.fr.com or follow us at @FishRichardson.

Contact: Amy Blumenthal or Kelly Largey

Blumenthal & Associates

Fish & Richardson

617-879-1511

800-818-5070

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Fish & Richardson

Related Links

http://www.fr.com


LAS VEGAS, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While GoTopless event organizers are getting ready for their multiple marches scheduled next Saturday throughout North America and Europe, it is also time to reflect on their success in fighting for gender topless equality since 2007, thus inspiring women worldwide to stand up for that right. For each of its 10 years, the organization has held annual GoTopless Day events on August 26 to honor Women's Equality Day commemorating the passing of the 19th Amendment.



Nadine Gary, GoTopless President, said that the Gotopless organization was founded in 2007 following Phoenix Feeley's successful court case against New York City. "She had been wrongfully arrested for going topless in public," Gary explained. "It's been legal for women to go topless in New York State since 1992, so Phoenix sued and won."



Upon learning of the case, international spiritual leader and gender equality advocate, Maitreya Rael, initiated GoTopless, saying, "As long as men are allowed to go topless in public, either women should have the same constitutional right or men should also have to wear something to hide their chests."

Soon after its launch, GoTopless triggered a wave of topless activism throughout the United States. "We raised awareness about our constitutional right to gender topless equality and challenged the old Judeo-Christian patriarchal values," said Gary, who is also a Raelian Guide.



Thirty-three of the fifty United States are now legally topless for both men and women, and Gary said GoTopless played a key role in determining that outcome.

"Our Tagami vs the City of Chicago legal case, is about to reach the Supreme Court and will finally establish the constitutionality of going topless for females on the basis of gender equality nationwide."



Still, more remains to be done.

"A number of U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and Venice Beach, Calif.; Ocean City, Md.; Fort Collins, Co.; and Springfield, Ms., are trying to pass or have passed unconstitutional ordinance against female toplessness in spite of state laws allowing it," Gary pointed out.

GoTopless members and others are challenging the ordinances in court.

In Canada, GoTopless forced the province of Ontario, a legally topless province, to modify its legal clause to include beaches and parks previously banned for topless women," Gary mentioned.

Throughout Western Europe, GoTopless uncovered blatant gender discrimination in countries where topless equality seemed firmly established such as France, Germany, and Sweden.

"Judeo-Christian morality seems to take precedent over gender equality in most Western democracies and more than ever, while all kinds of discrimination are roaring, we must continue to relentlessly challenge them in court and with our chest out, at least on August 26," Gary concluded.

SOURCE GoTopless
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Forward Networks today announced $16 million in Series B venture capital, a new product, Forward Essentials, along with support for VMware ESXi virtual networking. Since launching last November, the company has significantly grown its customer base and deepened relationships with existing customers.

The latest round, which brings the company's total fundraising to $27 million, was led by DFJ, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz and A.Capital Ventures. The round will allow Forward Networks to meet the high demand of its platform and continue its mission of becoming the leading software platform for error-free, robust and agile network operations. The Forward Platform, which launched from stealth last November, builds an accurate behavioral model of the network, no matter how large or complex. This behavioral model, and the applications built on top, eliminate and reduce manual, cumbersome, and error-prone activities that network operators must endure on a daily basis.

In addition to its Series B, Forward Networks is unveiling Forward Essentials, a new product which enables engineers and operators to easily access network state. The application enables network operators to reduce the time to root-cause network and security issues, as well as improve overall efficiency and time to market for network changes. Delivered as a modern web application, Forward Essentials provides instant search, a visual topology map, historical diff'ing, easy view sharing among teams, and full REST APIs for automation. For more details, see www.forwardnetworks.com/essentials.

Forward Essentials is currently available via a beta program, with immediate sign-ups, and will become generally available in Q4 2017. Forward Essentials is offered in two tiers:

Free  Full functionality, with usage limits

 Full functionality, with usage limits Standard  Unlimited licensed devices, unlimited daily network device snapshots, and one year snapshot retention - with a per-network-device per-month pricing model

Another significant enhancement to the Forward Platform is support for VMware vSphere virtual networking on ESXi hosts. Specifically, support for vSphere Standard and Distributed Switches on ESXi versions 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5. This new support extends the capability to visualize and search complex networks, debug problems, and verify intent and policy correctness, all the way into the virtualized environment, for truly comprehensive end-to-end network visibility and behavioral analysis.

Forward Networks will showcase their VMware ESXi support, along with Forward Essentials and the Forward Platform, next week at VMworld Las Vegas (Innovator Pavilion; Booth F).

Comments on the news

"David and his team have built a truly game-changing platform" said Andreas Stavropoulos, partner at DFJ. "Modern enterprise networks are larger, more diverse and more fragile than ever before. Forward has taken a critical and significant step forward in how organizations manage their networks."

"We are very pleased to witness Forward Networks' accomplishments. Three years ago we invested in the company because of the strength of the team, the differentiating technology, and the long-term vision of the company," said Bill Krause, board partner at Andreessen Horowitz. "The company's execution, vision and intense commitment to its customers is further proof that this was a smart investment."

"I am delighted to be part of the continued success of Forward Networks", said Ronny Conway, founder and general partner at A.Capital. "We saw the company's potential and believed in their vision at an early stage. I am excited to see the next phase of the company's growth that this new round of funding will accelerate".

"We are thrilled to have DFJ join us on our journey. Having their financial support and expertise, along with that of Andreessen Horowitz and A.Capital, enables us to accelerate execution of our vision for networking," said David Erickson, co-founder and CEO of Forward Networks.

About Forward Networks

The Forward Platform, which launched from stealth last November, uses advanced modeling and analytics to precisely analyze network behavior in networks with thousands of nodes. In addition to Forward Essentials, Forward Networks offers three applications: Forward Search, Forward Verify and Forward Predict. Working together, these applications allow customers to improve operational efficiency, reduce outage occurrence and duration. Forward Networks was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. For more information, visit www.forwardnetworks.com.

Connect with Forward Networks:

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fwdnetworks

Connect with us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/forward-networks

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forwardnetworks

For Media Inquiries Please Contact:

InkHouse Media + Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE Forward Networks

Related Links

http://www.forwardnetworks.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of the eighth annual Kiehl's LifeRide for amfAR, Kiehl's Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care products, and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research have announced that the $150,000 raised at this year's LifeRide is helping fund the research of Daniela Fera, Ph.D., previously a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and now an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at Swarthmore College.

The 8-day, multi-stop, 1,200-mile motorcycle charity ride started in Minneapolis, MN, on July 31 and culminated in Nashville, TN, on August 7, raising HIV/AIDS awareness and a total of $150,000 for research at multiple high-profile events at Kiehl's stores along the way.

Dr. Fera is an accomplished scientist and teacher who has won several awards for her work in structural biology during her postdoctoral training at Boston Children's Hospital. She is also the recipient of one of amfAR's Mathilde Krim Fellowships, which support bright young scientists seeking innovative solutions to HIV/AIDS.

For her project, Dr. Fera is reengineering HIV proteins so that they lose their protective shield and elicit a more effective response from the immune system. This work could advance the search for both a vaccine and a cure.

"I was truly inspired by everyone's commitment to the cause," said Dr. Fera, who attended the Kiehl's LifeRide for amfAR finale event in Nashville. "I'm also incredibly grateful to amfAR and Kiehl's for being chosen as this year's LifeRide grant recipient."

"We are grateful that Kiehl's continues their support of our goal of finding a cure for HIV," said amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost. "Dr. Fera represents the new generation of young scientists working to end the AIDS epidemic, and we expect that her important contributions will help advance the field of HIV/AIDS research."

Since 2010, Kiehl's has generously raised $1.7 million to amfAR during the LifeRide, funding nine cure-related research projects.

"Kiehl's LifeRide for amfAR is a testament to the idea that we all have the power to make noise and inspire action," said Chris Salgardo, President of Kiehl's USA. "Through Dr. Fera's work and that of many other scientists working on finding a vaccine and a cure, we believe that we will ultimately end the AIDS epidemic once and for all."

CONTACT: Joana Casas

T: 1.212.806.1602

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Kiehl's Since 1851

Related Links

http://www.kiehls.com


VANCOUVER, Wash., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- nLIGHT, Inc., a U.S. company and a leader in high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers, today announced the appointment of Gary Locke to its board of directors effective immediately.

The experience that Locke brings will help nLIGHT continuing its growth and expansion, including the addition of key manufacturing jobs at its locations in Vancouver, Washington, and Hillsboro, Oregon. With more than $100 million in sales in 2016, the company has experienced over 30 percent growth, more than half of which comes in the form of U.S. exports.

Gary Locke joins board of directors for nLIGHT, Inc.

"Gary's broad experience in both the public and private sector will add a valuable perspective to our board of directors," said Scott Keeney, co-founder and chief executive officer. "We are honored to have him serve as a director and look forward to benefiting from his judgment and counsel."

As two-term Governor of Washington State from 1997 to 2005, Locke fostered economic relations between China and the state, helping to more than double Washington's exports to China. Under his leadership, the State of Washington ranked as one of the nation's four best-managed states.

From 2009 to 2011, Locke served as Secretary of Commerce of the United States where he led export control reform effort that both strengthened national security and eased licensing burdens for high-tech exports to partners, allowing U.S. companies to be more competitive in the global market.

As U.S. Ambassador to China from 2011 to 2014, Locke worked to open markets for U.S.-made goods and services.

Since leaving public office, Locke has remained steadfastly committed to facilitating American business and trade. As legal counsel for the Seattle-based international law firm Davis Wright Tremaine, Locke currently consults clients on issues regarding international trade, regulatory and investment policies.

Locke holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Yale University and a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University.

"I am excited to join the board of nLIGHT," said Locke. "nLIGHT has a long track record of innovation in lasers and is well positioned for continued strong growth in global markets."

About nLIGHT, Inc.

nLIGHT is a leading supplier of high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers that produce up to 8 kW of power used in a broad range of applications ranging from metal fabrication to new smartphone production. nLIGHT employs over 700 people. For more information, visit www.nLIGHT.net.

Contact:

Melissa Taylor

[email protected]

503-360-4641

SOURCE nLIGHT, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.nLIGHT.net


LOS ANGELES, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A Palos Verdes high school student, who suffered severe burns due to her chemistry teacher's bizarre actions at a school sponsored event, filed a lawsuit on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court against the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and the chemistry teacher, Mr. Ryan Brown.

The incident happened on May 20, 2017, during a three-day trip for a Solar Boat Competition held at Lake Skinner in Riverside County. While the participating students sat around a bonfire the night before the event, Mr. Brown put hand sanitizer on his own hands, and on the hands of a high school boy sitting next to the victim. The teacher lit the boy's hands on fire, and then ignited his own hands. This caused the flames to jump from Mr. Brown's hands onto the 15-year-old victim's thighs as she sat in disbelief.

According to the lawsuit, the victim spent weeks in the Intensive Care Unit, during which time the school district and Mr. Brown attempted to cover up what happened, by convincing the high school boy sitting next to the victim to take responsibility for what happened, and by confiscating students' phones to delete text messages, videos and photos.

The truth only came to light due to the courage of students and personnel from other school districts who produced video which clearly shows that Mr. Brown was the one solely responsible for the devastating injuries suffered by the young student.

"The district should have publicly taken full responsibility for what happened to this student and tried to make things right from the outset," said the family's attorney, Scott Carr, with the law firm Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP. "Instead, administrators have tried to hide the truth by allowing the victim to take the blame for what happened," added Carr.

In fact, because the school district refused to tell the students, parents and faculty what really happened, Palos Verdes high school students started a "Free Mr. Brown" campaign, where they hung posters throughout the school and sent messages through social media, under the false belief that it was the victim that had done something wrong, and not Mr. Brown. As a result, the student was victimized once again.

On August 10, 2017, the district rejected the family's government claim, which prompted them to file a civil lawsuit for physical and emotional damages.

The plaintiffs' legal team includes partner Scott Carr and attorney Taylor Rayfield with the Santa Monica plaintiffs' firm Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP. GB&W is dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured consumers across California to improve public safety and demand accountability.

CONTACT: Gina Fernandes, 1-626-356-3006, [email protected]

SOURCE Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP
DUBLIN, August 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Mannequin-Based Simulation - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for the period 2014 through 2020. Also, a seven-year historic analysis is provided for these markets. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research.

This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Mannequin-based Simulation in US$ Thousand by the following Product Segments:

Patient Simulators

Others

The report profiles 52 companies including many key and niche players such as:

3D Systems ( USA )

) CAE Healthcare ( Canada )

) Gaumard Scientific Company, Inc. ( USA )

) Kyoto Kagaku Co., Ltd. ( Japan )

) Laerdal Medical A/S ( Norway )

) Limbs & Things Ltd. (UK)

Mentice AB ( Sweden )

) Shanghai Honglian Medical Tech Group ( China )

) Simulab Corporation ( USA )

) Simulaids, Inc. ( USA )

Key Topics Covered:



1. MARKET OVERVIEW



Mannequin

A Prelude

Simulation Training

Mannequin-based Simulation: Increasingly Vital in Physician Training

Growth Drivers

Increasing Focus on Patient Safety

Limited Access to Live Patients Drives Market for Simulation

Simulation in Healthcare Enables Cost Reduction

Technology Revolution Drives Demand for Simulation

Market Challenges

High Entry-Price Points Restrict Market

Developed Regions: Primary Revenue Contributors

Developing Regions Offer High Growth Potential for Mannequin- based Simulation

Competition

2. SEGMENT REVIEW



Patient Simulators Lead the Mannequin-based Simulation Market

Select Mannequin-based Simulators Available on the Market

3. KEY MARKET TRENDS



Advanced Mannequins Imitate Human Reactions

Increasing Healthcare Expenditure to Foster Growth

Mannequin-based Simulation for Nursing Schools

Mannequins Gain Traction in Military Medical Training

Minimally-invasive Procedures Necessitate Simulation-based Training

Robot-assisted Surgical Simulation Training Gaining Significance

Simulation Training Preferred for Cataract Surgery

Simulation Benefits Interventional Cardiology

Innovations in Patient Simulators

Virtual Medical Training

Potential to Replace Mannequin- based Simulation

4. PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS/INNOVATIONS



CAE Healthcare Unveils CAE Juno

CAE Healthcare Launches CAE VimedixAR

3D Systems Unveils Simbionix SPINE Mentor

Simulab Launches PacerMan High-Fidelity Simulator

Gaumard Scientific Releases Super Tory Neonatal Patient Simulation Manikin

Limbs & Things Develops Endoscopy Training System (ETS)

Limbs & Things Introduces Abdominal Examination Trainer

3D Systems Unveils Enhanced RobotiX Mentor Simulator

MedaPhor Group Rolls Out ScanExaminer Ultrasound Skills Examination Simulator

CAE Healthcare Introduces NeuroVR Neurosurgery Simulator

CAE Healthcare Launches Athena High-Fidelity Female Patient Simulator

Limbs & Things Unveils C-Section Module

CAE Healthcare Launches Musculoskeletal Training Model for Ultrasound-Guided Procedures

Gaumard Scientific to Showcase Trauma HAL and Pedi HAL

3D Systems Announces Launch of Simbionix Advanced Cardiology Training Modules

Gaumard to Launch HAL S315 Range of CPR and auscultation trainers

CAE Healthcare Releases Tablet-Operable Software for METIman

Gaumard to Launch Advanced Simulator Newborn Tory

Laerdal Medical and SonoSim to Unveil Joint Product Line

5. RECENT INDUSTRY ACTIVITY



SIMnext Teams Up with Limbs & Things

3D Systems Bags ECAT Contract from the US Defense Logistics Agency

3D Systems Inaugurates New Healthcare Technology Center

CAE Healthcare Delivers Impella Heart Pump Training Simulator to Abiomed

CAE Healthcare Signs Agreement with Strategic Operations to Distribute Trauma Surgical Suits

SCDF Seeks Human Manikins for Training Simulations

CAE Healthcare Enters Into Distribution Agreement with VirtaMed

6. FOCUS ON SELECT GLOBAL PLAYERS



7. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE



Total Companies Profiled: 52 (including Divisions/Subsidiaries 57)



The United States (31)

(31) Canada (1)

(1) Japan (5)

(5) Europe (17)

(17) - France (1)

(1) - Germany (6)

(6) - The United Kingdom (6)

(6) - Rest of Europe (4)

(4) Asia-Pacific (Excluding Japan) (2)

(Excluding Japan) (2) Latin America (1)



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/tfs97p/mannequinbased

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


LOS GATOS, Calif., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GrandCanals, the leader in analytics-driven fulfillment, today announced the general availability of the Fulfillment Intelligence Cloud version 3.5. This latest, updated version includes several significant enhancements to TurboRFP which will simplify the creation of RFPs, comparing results, and managing the RFP process.

Shipping and fulfillment costs rise every year and, as a result, have become a significant and growing percentage of cost of goods sold for eCommerce companies. These costs can't be pushed on to the consumer. In a study from eMarketer, 58% of U.S. respondents said they abandoned the shopping cart because shipping costs made the total purchase cost more than expected.

Today, to obtain better pricing and services from their carriers, eCommerce companies are forced to perform a cumbersome RFP process, with all of the effort and pain that implies. At present, it can take three months (or more) of research, analysis and internal meetings just to deliver an initial RFP to carriers. Additionally, it takes even more time to analyze the proposals received from all carriers, followed by negotiating round after negotiating round. At the end of the day, this staggering effort yields only 3-5% savings on average.

"These days, eCommerce companies are between a rock and a hard place. On one side you have the rising costs of shipping. On the other, Amazon is raising customer expectations on shipping cost and service," said Sean Wilcox, Vice President of Marketing, GrandCanals. "If you aren't Amazon.com, what do you do and where do you start? The enhanced TurboRFP functionality gives companies the ability to optimize the first step of the journey, which is to successfully negotiate with their carriers to ensure there are no shipping cost surprises in the shopping cart."

TurboRFP was created to streamline the RFP process and obtain savings on the order of 20% on average. In version 3.5 of the Fulfillment Intelligence Cloud, TurboRFP has been enhanced to include three distinct elements:

RFP Creator: RFP Creator provides an easy-to-use, template-driven interface to rapidly prepare data-driven RFPs using the company's actual shipping data RFP Compare: RFP Compare includes powerful analytics and modeling capabilities to compare and contrast carrier proposals against each other and company goals RFP Manager: RFP Manager displays the overall timeline and current status of all action items across all RFP participants to easily manage the entire RFP process

Once a company has received multiple carrier bids, RFP Compare normalizes and analyzes the real impact of all carrier bids to achieve the best possible outcome. This includes analysis of cost vs. transit time trade-offs and recommendations on the best mix of carriers. As a result, the enhanced TurboRFP allows companies to achieve cost savings of 20% or more in weeks instead of months and keep shipping costs in the shopping cart low.

"Given our rapid company growth, it is imperative to control fulfillment costs without sacrificing customer expectations," said Sarah Hague, Executive Director of Logistics, Glossier. "The Fulfillment Intelligence Cloud from GrandCanals gives us the visibility and control we need to not only manage our fulfillment costs, but also improve our fulfillment to power the best possible online customer experience."

To help companies optimize their fulfillment contracts prior to this year's holiday season, GrandCanals is running a promotion on TurboRFP through September. For more information on the promotion, please visit http://go.grandcanals.com/TurboRFP_LP.html. For more information on GrandCanals, please visit https://www.grandcanals.com/ and follow the company on Twitter at @GrandCanalS and on LinkedIn.

About GrandCanals



Based in the Silicon Valley, GrandCanals is the market leader in analytics-driven fulfillment. Leveraging more than a century in fulfillment experience, and decades of deep knowledge in analytics software, GrandCanals delivers the capability for companies to fulfill with confidence and delight their customers. As a result, GrandCanals helps businesses of all sizes profitably meet customer expectations in a rapidly transforming eCommerce world. For more information go to www.grandcanals.com and follow GrandCanals on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

John Kreuzer

[email protected]

(408) 896-3307

SOURCE GrandCanals

Related Links

http://www.grandcanals.com


NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hacknowledge, a leading provider of a cybersecurity monitoring solution, launches a North American Subsidiary.

Founded in Switzerland, Hacknowledge quickly became a leader in the Managed Detection and Response Services space. Hacknowledge simplifies the complexity of cybersecurity threat detection and response through its world-class VISION Cyber Management solution. VISION is comprised of cutting-edge sensors, IDS, SIEM, and sandbox technology working in conjunction with enterprise-level security monitoring and response engineers.

Prior to starting Hacknowledge, our founders spent more than a decade working as ethical hackers for some of the largest organizations in Europe doing penetration testing, security consulting, and incident response. Their deep passion for IT security has guided the ethos of the company.

Our founders believe that fear, money, and unprincipled vendors have corrupted the security industry. This has pushed customers to invest in new technology they sometimes do not need. Hacknowledge was founded under the principle that security should not be driven by fear. Security should be a matter of trust and honesty. That is why VISION solution contains everything that a customer needs to monitor its network.

With a successful track record and double-digit growth in Europe since its inception, Hacknowledge is now ready to bring their solution to North America.

"Hacknowledge is thrilled to bring our solution to North America and showcase our capabilities in cybersecurity," says Paul Such, founder of Hacknowledge. "We fortify your logs with strong indicators of compromise generated by our custom sensors. These sensors give our engineers the visibility needed to assess network anomalies, track trends and detect threats. Each alert is validated and analyzed by our security experts before being sent to you, allowing your company to focus on your business."

About Hacknowledge

Hacknowledge offers a security monitoring solution that helps clients detect and respond to security breaches. Its service is built on experience and intelligence gained from more than a decade of penetration tests and mitigating advanced threats. Hacknowledge's VISION Cyber Management solution is fully developed in-house by its Swiss development team.

Press and Media Inquiries

Jamie Lohrungruang

[email protected]

1201 Dove Street, Suite 300

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Tel: 833-777-8700 ext: 501

Related Images

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Related Video

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SOURCE Hacknowledge
SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntkey, a global leading provider of home automation and power solutions, has launched its wall mount series power strips on Amazon of Canada.

http://en.huntkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/0823-01.png

Huntkey has three types of wall mount power strip in stock on Amazon Canada. SMD307 which has a sensor night light on the top and equipped three USB charging ports. SMD407 which is designed with cute cradle and two USB charging ports. SMD607 is the upgraded devices of SMD407 which can charge nine devices at a same time.

Huntkey is popular among the global customers with its renowned brand, high quality and attractive ID design. Why Huntkey wall mount power strip worth you to own it? We give you five main reasons:

1. Useful and Compact

Customers do not need to search for a plug and can plug in multiple devices with the USB charging ports, and these charging ports works as well as the original plug do. The wall mount series is designed with travel size, it is convenient to take it when you traveling.

2. Safety Inner Design: Integral Copper Bar

Huntkey power strips adopted integral copper bar design, which enhanced the conduction ability. Also it can improve the elasticity of switch, making the better experience for the consumers when using it. The last but most important is that with this design, it can promote the efficiency but lower the electricity bills.

3. Reliable Flame-retardant Material

Huntkey power strips are made of flame-retardant material, which is able to withstand high heat and temperatures. There is no deformation at 100 and even without flames at 750.

4. 3-year warranty

Huntkey can provide best service and 3-year warranty.

Please visit Amazon Canada to get the detail information:

https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=sr_nr_p_85_0?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A667823011%2Ck%3AHuntkey%2Cp_85%3A5690392011&keywords=Huntkey&ie=UTF8&qid=1503047671&rnid=5690384011

About Huntkey

Huntkey Group, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Shenzhen, is a member of The International Power Supply Manufacturer's Association (PSMA) and a member of The China Power Supply Society (CPSS). With branch companies in the USA, Japan and other areas, and cooperating factories in Brazil, Argentina, India and other countries, Huntkey has specialized in the development, design, and manufacturing of PC power supplies, industrial power supplies, surge protectors, adapters and chargers for many years. With its own technologies and manufacturing strength, Huntkey has served Lenovo, Huawei, Haier, DELL, ZTE, Bestbuy and many other large enterprises for years, and has received unanimous recognition and trust from most of the customers.

For more information about Huntkey, please visit:

http://en.huntkey.com/

http://m.facebook.com/HuntkeyDIY/

Contact:

Ferris Liao

+86-0755-89606658

[email protected]

SOURCE Huntkey Enterprise Group

Related Links

http://www.huntkeydiy.com


ARMONK, N.Y., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The general public's help is being enlisted in what's thought to be the biggest study of the human microbiomethe bacteria that live in and on the human body and are believed to affect health.

The Microbiome Immunity Project is the largest study to date of the bacteria in the human microbiome, starting with the gut. The project's goal is to help advance scientific knowledge of the role of these bacteria in disease. Photo credit: IBM

The Microbiome Immunity Project is a new, IBM-facilitated (NYSE: IBM) citizen science project by scientists from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital, University of California San Diego, and the Simons Foundation's Flatiron Institute. It will use the surplus processing power on volunteers' computers to conduct millions of virtual experiments on behalf of the researchers. These experiments aim to map the three million bacterial genes found in the human microbiome and predict the structure of their associated proteins. The project will begin with the analysis of the microbiome in the digestive system.

This study aims to help scientists better understand the microbiome's interaction with human biochemistry and determine how that interaction may contribute to autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitisillnesses that affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and that are being diagnosed with increasing frequency. With better understanding, scientists might be able to more easily prevent and treat these diseases.

Because studying the entire human microbiome would be almost impossible with traditional methods, massive supercomputing processing power is being crowdsourced via IBM's World Community Grid. Anyone in the world can help by simply volunteering to provide compute power. Here's how it works: People download a secure software program that automatically detects when a computer can offer spare processing power, then taps it to run virtual experiments on behalf of researchers.

The resulting data from millions of these experiments will be analyzed by the project's research team. The researchers will make that data publicly available to other scientists, accelerating the advancement of scientific knowledge and ultimately improved treatments of autoimmune diseases.

"This type of research on the human microbiome, on this scale, has not been done before," said Dr. Ramnik Xavier, Institute Member and Co-Director of the Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Chief, Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital; and Director, Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. "It's only possible with massive computational power."

According to Dr. Rob Knight, Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Computer Science & Engineering and Director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation at UC San Diego, "Had World Community Grid not existed, we wouldn't have even contemplated this project. By harnessing the efforts of volunteers, we can do something that exceeds the scale of what we have access to by a factor of thousands. For the first time, we're bringing a comprehensive structural biology picture to the whole microbiome, rather than solving structures one at a time in a piecemeal fashion. "

The project's third principal investigator, Dr. Rich Bonneau, Group Leader for Systems Biology at the Center for Computational Biology at the Flatiron Institute in New York City, and Professor at New York University, ran World Community Grid's first project, which studied the folding of proteins in the human body and has been cited by other experts in the field of protein function.

Anyone with a computer and an internet connection can join World Community Grid and sign up to support the Microbiome Immunity Project.

Since its founding in 2004, World Community Grid has supported 29 research projects in areas such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, Zika, clean water, renewable energy and other humanitarian challenges. To date, World Community Grid, hosted by IBM Cloud, has connected researchers to $500 million U.S. dollars' worth of free supercomputing power. More than 730,000 individuals and 430 institutions from 80 countries have donated more than one million years of computing time from more than three million computers and Android devices. Volunteer participation has helped researchers to identify potential treatments for childhood cancer, more efficient solar cells, and more efficient water filtration.

To learn more about World Community Grid and volunteer to contribute your unused computing power, please visit https://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/

Angie Hu

IBM Media Relations

1 (914) 499-6532

[email protected]

SOURCE IBM

Related Links

http://www.ibm.com


IBS Software (IBS) has been selected by South Korea based Jin Air, a subsidiary HanJinKal, as its Passenger Services System (PSS) provider. The seven year, multi-million dollar contract for the engagement was formally signed yesterday by Mr. Choi JungHo, CEO of Jin Air and Mr. VK Mathews, Executive Chairman - IBS Group, in Seoul. The engagement will see IBS implement its Passenger Services System (PSS), iFly Res, for integrated reservations, ticketing, and departure control operations. IBS' platform will replace the existing system of a renowned PSS provider allowing Jin Air to open up new revenue streams from both its low cost and scheduled flights business. IBS' loyalty management system, iFly Loyalty, will also be implemented along with iFly Res. This will support the diverse needs of Jin Air like FFP, coalition programs, SME and corporate programs and other various models.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20170620/525512LOGO )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/547969/Jin_Air_IBS_Contract.jpg )





The contract, awarded after more than two years of evaluation, will see IBS implement its modern PSS system by March 2018, which will also enable Jin Air open up possibilities to generate significant ancillary revenue with flexible management options. iFly Res, with native NDC integration, will empower Jin Air seamlessly integrate its PSS to third party systems, and will considerably augment the airlines interline and codeshare capabilities. Jin Air has been operating on the same system as Korean Air, and will now look to simplify its business as it transitions from the two different systems to the new-gen iFly Res platform. Established in 2008, Jin Air has a fleet strength of 24 aircrafts and flies to 37 local and international destinations including US, Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand.

"In our pursuit to provide differentiated travel experience to our passengers, we extensively evaluated several PSS platforms to replace our existing system. IBS' iFly Res was selected as it successfully withstood our stringent due diligence to emerge as the best suited to meet our growing business requirements. We are convinced of the product capability, domain knowledge of IBS' team and their competence in service delivery. We are very excited about the benefits that the new PSS will bring to our business and look forward to working with IBS' to make this a reality," said Mr. Kwang Lee, VP of Corporate Strategy, Jin Air.

"For an airline to switch over the PSS system from an established player, is a true endorsement of the product capability of iFly Res and reinforces IBS's growing reputation and position, even amongst airlines with mixed business models. Our outstanding record of delivering value to our customers, as well as the professionalism and commitment of our people has made us a trusted transformation partner among some of the iconic names in the industry. I look forward to a successful partnership with Jin Air," said Mr. Paul Lynch, Senior VP & Head of Passenger Services, IBS Software.

More information on IBS is available at http://www.ibsplc.com



For media enquiries, please contact:

Bratati Ghosh

Chief Marketing Officer, IBS

[email protected]







SOURCE IBS Software (IBS)
According to the report, the Chinese online education industry is undergoing changes from volatile to steady. CCtalk, a pioneer in the online education field, is shown as an ideal case study in the report. With high demand and an advanced technical support infrastructure to support its growth, comprehensive teaching platforms such as CCtalk have become very competitive in the education market.

The report says that, CCtalk, positioned as a real-time interactive education platform, has much potential to grow. It integrates many e-learning products that Hujiang EdTech has been developing, together with new technologies such as VR to utilise the live broadcast function and big data for optimizing the platform. It offers a one-stop solution for online education.

Aiming to recreate the traditional classroom experience online with simultaneous interaction through two-way live video and digital whiteboard between teachers and students, CCtalk hosts over 30,000 independent teachers ("iTeachers") globally who use the platform to provide thousands of classes.

The report further highlights CCtalk as a leader in educational innovations. Unlike most platforms, it specifically serves independent teachers, including freelancers and full-time professionals, by providing various online tools that help users to enrich their student interactions and improve efficiency. It also allows iTeachers to develop their own widgets and to share them with others on the platform.

"Our platform has a huge database. We have introduced the iTeaching Index (Online Teaching Index) which combines AI, big data, and education. It can be used to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of online teaching by each teacher. What's more, we are now working on a learning index for each student, which will help them make better study plans," said Dr. Jian Lu, Partner of Hujiang EdTech and CEO of CCtalk.

CCtalk differs from other platforms such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which are a collection of free online English lessons provided by universities and colleges. "These are basically traditional one-way video learning platforms with pre-recorded classes. Taking classes on CCtalk, on the other hand, is more interactive as learners can 'turn on the microphone', ask questions and engage in discussions with others," said Dr. Lu.

On the other hand, CCtalk also features community-based learning by creating an interactive platform where students could discuss with teachers or share with other students. Through this way students could learn more effectively and are more likely to complete their courses.

The CCtalk platform is compatible with all major operating systems and devices including Android, iOS, iPad, PC, and MAC. Its total number of users is over 10 million, with 850 thousand online classes having been taught.

About iResearch

iResearch is a professional market research and consulting company. The company focuses on Internet media, e-commerce, online games, wireless value-added, and various new economic fields related to the Internet industry. By providing premium data products, analytics and consulting services, iResearch enables its clients to better understand China's Internet sector and enhance profitability and competitiveness.

About Hujiang EdTech

Founded in 2001, Hujiang EdTech started as an online BBS community offering online courses, and now it becomes one of China's leading online education companies. Hujiang EdTech strives to make high-quality education more accessible and enjoyable through mobile learning applications, online courses, and its interactive online teaching platform. Serving over 150 million users (including 120 million mobile users) in China, Hujiang EdTech offers a wide range of online educational programs, including international & domestic examination preparation, foreign language learning, professional skills training, and more.

SOURCE Hujiang EdTech
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Wednesday August 23, 2017, Ivan Raiklin of Alexandria, VA will kick-off his 1776 mile run around the Commonwealth of Virginia. The run will commence at the Mount Vernon Trail at Mount Vernon Estate Parking Lot. The site opens at 6:30am. Ivan Raiklin will have remarks at 7:00am and start running shortly after. Public & Press are invited to attend and participate.

The run will be structured as an 81-day run. 22 miles per day. Two 11-mile segments per day. Ivan Raiklin will visit all 95 counties and 38 independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The goal of this run is four-fold:

Bring awareness to the ~22 veterans on average who commit suicide daily Raise funds for the following charities on the frontlines of fighting this epidemic:



Green Beret Foundation

Task Force Dagger Foundation

Special Operations Warrior Foundation

Victory 4 Veterans

Wounded Warrior Project

Promote exercise and healthy living as a means of managing stress, mental health, and even increasing mental performance. Test the Waters for a 2018 US Senate Run. If Ivan Raiklin can complete the 1776-mile run, if he can raise half a million dollars for the Veterans' Charities, and if the people of Virginia give their support to help him launch a strong and inclusive campaign then he will answer their call.

Everyone is invited to join Ivan Raiklin by running a segment with him and following him every day on social media. Find where Ivan will be on his calendar at: www.runwithraiklin.com

Additional Information

Website: www.runwithraiklin.com

Social Media Hashtag: #RunWithRaiklin

Media Email: [email protected]

Video footage available as available.

Ivan Raiklin Bio available upon request.

Ivan Raiklin available for interviews in the following order:

In Person



Video/Skype



Telephone



Email Questions

Why 1776?

To pay tribute to the country that Ivan Raiklin loves.

Why 22?

Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day. While this number is in dispute, Ivan Raiklin took the highest published number out there to ensure you could see that he is am committed. We owe a national debt to helping each suffering veteran and the first step is awareness.

Why the August 23 start date?

On this day in 1775, King George III of Great Britain finally took the American Revolution seriously. He issued the Proclamation of Rebellion that declared elements of the American colonies in a state of rebellion. Let August 23, 2017 mark the day that this Veterans' Mental Health Crisis is taken seriously and the day we proclaim our own rebellion against veteran suicide. Ivan's run begins at George Washington's home at Mount Vernon along the Mount Vernon Trail at 6:30am.

Why the November 11 end date?

It's Veterans Day! Ivan Raiklin will complete his run at Arlington National Cemetery where he will visit our fallen American soldiers and his son, Theodore. It is his hope to honor the vets and his son with his campaign against veteran suicide.

Contact:

Patrick Krason

Cell: 202-567-1171

[email protected]

SOURCE Ivan Raiklin for US Senate Exploratory Committee

Related Links

http://www.runraiklin.com


PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Jennifer Stoll, a government affairs and public affairs professional with more than 20 years' experience in the health care industry, has been named vice president of government and public affairs at OCHIN. OCHIN, headquartered in Portland, OR, is a leading nonprofit health care technology company helping serve America's most vulnerable patients.

Jennifer, as part of the OCHIN Executive team, will lead OCHIN's government affairs, public relations, and media relations. For the past eight years, Jennifer has developed and executed key government affairs and advocacy strategies as part of her role as government affairs director at Fortune 200 pharmaceutical company Allergan, Inc.

With her extensive expertise in the health care industry, Jennifer serves on the board of directors at the Oregon Transitional Research and Development Institute (OTRADI) Bioscience Incubator, where her strength as a leader has greatly increased the incubator's visibility and statewide reach. Jennifer also serves on the board of the Oregon Bioscience Association, a member trade association serving as a collective voice for the bioscience community.

"We are fortunate to have Jennifer Stoll as our vice president of government and public affairs," said Abby Sears, CEO of OCHIN. "She brings new perspectives and years of experience in the health care industry that will contribute towards achieving OCHIN's goals of innovating industry-leading knowledge solutions that promote quality, affordable health care for all."

CONTACT: Jennifer Stoll, 503-943-5787, [email protected]

SOURCE OCHIN

Related Links

http://www.ochin.org


LONDON, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Latin America ERP Software Market Analysis By Deployment, By Functions (Finance, HR, Supply Chain, Others), By Vertical, By End-user (Large Enterprises, Medium Enterprises, Small Enterprises) And Segment Forecasts, 2014 - 2025

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5068565/

The Latin America ERP software market is expected to reach USD 2.73 billion by 2025, according to a new report conducted by Grand View Research, Inc.



ERP applications have helped many large-scale organizations to bring clarity and visibility in their business. With rapidly growing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and adoption of evolving technology demand in SMEs is expected to grow over the forecast period. Furthermore, rising awareness among small & medium enterprises (SMEs) and increasing need for business process efficiency and transparency aid the market growth over the forecast period.



SMEs have been facing various barriers to the adoption of this technology because of expensive and less user-friendly nature of the software. Many SMEs in Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Peru are still using old IT systems to operate their business. There is a growing need for adoption of upcoming IT systems to sustain in the competitive market. enterprise resource planning software helps the operation of core business processes including sales & distribution, supply chain management, accounting, financial control, and HR, which is expected to propel demand from various SMEs.



The cloud deployment segment is expected to witness a significant growth rate, due to its growing adoption, although the on-premise deployment segment is anticipated to dominate the market (in terms of size) by 2025. Cloud-based applications reduce IT infrastructure cost leading to the adoption of cloud-based application among enterprises. The investment on cloud-connected mobile applications has increased as mobile owing to the growing penetration of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) among the organizations.The vendors are developing cloud-based solutions that can be accessible via mobile platforms such as tablets and smartphones expected to influence the market growth further.

Further key findings from the report suggest:

 One of the major factors's expediting the market growth are the evolution of enterprise software and workplace automation industry practices in the Latin America marketplace.

 Increasing investment in manufacturing coupled with rising demand for industry dedicated software is expected to propel growth over the forecast period.

 Brazil region dominated the marketplace, accounting for the largest global market share (in terms of revenue) in 2016

 In Mexico growth is driven by increasing vehicle and parts production particularly in the states of Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, and San Luis Potosi

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5068565/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com

For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a leading global supplier of automotive seating and electrical systems, today confirmed plans to construct a new world-class automotive seat manufacturing facility in Flint, Michigan at the former site of the Buick City administration building.

Lear's new facility will provide seats on a just-in-time basis for future vehicle production at GM's Flint Assembly plant and will add manufacturing jobs and economic growth to the State of Michigan.

"We appreciate the support of the State of Michigan and the City of Flint which is allowing Lear to increase manufacturing jobs in America," said Ray Scott, Lear executive vice president and president of Seating Operations. "This expansion of capacity reflects the positive outlook we have for our business as well as the favorable economic climate in Michigan, and will contribute to the revitalization of Flint."

"Since 2009, GM has invested more than $2.8 billion in Flint and we're proud to see suppliers like Lear also commit to business in Flint," said Tom McMillen, executive director of Interior and Safety, General Motors Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. "Lear has been a trusted partner of GM throughout its 100-years of business and earned GM's coveted Supplier of the Year designation 16 times. We look forward to continuing this relationship in our next generation vehicles produced in Flint."

GM has found that suppliers of large components locating near assembly plants results in significant savings from reduced transportation costs, higher quality, better communications and continuous improvement activities.

"This is great news for the City of Flint," said Flint Mayor Karen Weaver. "We appreciate leaders of Lear Corporation choosing to invest in Flint. This city has a long history of automotive manufacturing and plenty of hard-working residents. We look forward to this project having a positive impact in our community, and providing the economic boost we've been working toward."

Lear will begin construction of a state-of-the-art 160,000 square foot seat manufacturing facility this fall, with completion scheduled for early 2018. This new facility will provide jobs for about 600 workers once the plant reaches full employment. Workers will be represented by the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union.

UAW Region 1D Director Gerald Kariem said, "We look forward to partnering with Lear Corporation in another endeavor in Region 1D. Lear Corporation is known for its quality products and timely production, and I'm sure the Flint site will be another winning facility."

About Lear

Lear Corporation was founded in Detroit in 1917 as American Metal Products. In 2017, the Company is celebrating its 100th year anniversary. Lear is one of the world's leading suppliers of automotive seating systems and electrical distribution systems (E-Systems). Lear serves every major automaker in the world, and Lear content can be found on more than 400 vehicle nameplates. Lear's world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by a diverse team of approximately 156,000 employees located in 38 countries. Lear currently ranks #151 on the Fortune 500. Lear's headquarters are in Southfield, Michigan. Further information about Lear is available at lear.com or follow us on Twitter @LearCorporation.

SOURCE Lear Corporation

Related Links

http://www.lear.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MOSCOT, the 102-year-old New York City institution renowned worldwide for its iconic eyewear, will officially open an additional stand-alone full service optical shop in New York at Chelsea Market in October 2017.

Founded by Great, Great Grandpa Hyman in 1899, when he began selling ready-made spectacles from a pushcart on Orchard Street in New York City's famed Lower East Side, MOSCOT now brings its more than 100 years of optical expertise and timeless design to Chelsea Market, the block-long and block-wide neighborhood destination known for its local and global perspectives.

MOSCOT at Chelsea Market represents a combined 122 years of history, honoring the personalized, neighborhood-centric service for which MOSCOT is known, and the same type of service that has been at the heart of Chelsea Marketplace since it first opened as a retail concept in 1997.

"While MOSCOT is now a globally recognized brand, we are at our heart, a New York City neighborhood optical shop," said fourth-generation owner Dr. Harvey Moscot. "Our city culture is at the core of our brand, which is why Chelsea Market is such an exciting endeavor for us. We're excited to align with one of the most respected and sought out destinations in our city - a market that epitomizes the NYC experience both for those who are visiting and those who live here."

"With the addition of MOSCOT to Chelsea Market, we're furthering our commitment to keeping the Market dynamic and community focused. MOSCOT is a positive addition, bringing a New York heritage brand at the cutting edge on retail innovation to our community," said Michael Phillips, Principal and President of Jamestown.

The shop will be 1000 sq. ft., and will be the brand's fourth location in Manhattan. MOSCOT Chelsea Market will include its renowned eyewear, highly sought after opticians, and their legacy of expertise and specialized eye care services. In addition to MOSCOT's full Collections on display, many will recognize familiar touches, including quirky historical tchotchkes and treasures, warm cherry wood eyewear counters and showcases, and the Company's omnipresent yellow. MOSCOT will join Chelsea Market's unique set of merchants, which together attract over 6 million national and international visitors annually and is known for pushing the envelope of innovative concepts.

MEDIA CONTACTS

For high-resolution photos, or to speak with a MOSCOT executive, please contact Jamie Maceroni  [email protected] or Adriane Jefferson  [email protected].

ABOUT MOSCOT

MOSCOT is a New York City institution renowned worldwide for its iconic eyewear  The MOSCOT Originals and MOSCOT Spirit Collections. MOSCOT infuses its unmistakably refined, downtown aesthetic with over 100 years of eyewear expertise and unparalleled craftsmanship to create its timeless eyewear. While now recognized as a global fashion brand, MOSCOT remains, at heart, a neighborhood optical shop.

SOURCE MOSCOT
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Luxe Interiors + Design magazine today announced the appointment of Katie Brockman as the publication's Group Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer. Brockman, who rose through the ranks of VERANDA over the past 14 years and most recently served as Associate Publisher, will be responsible for the continued growth of the Luxe Interiors + Design brand, implementing new marketing and sponsor programs and overseeing the sustained development of the brand's national and regional businesses. Brockman will assume this role in September.

As Associate Publisher of VERANDA, Katie has driven tremendous growth, wrapping up 2017 with the seventh consecutive year of paging and revenue gains and closing the second largest September/October issue in the magazine's history, and the largest issue in a decade.

"We are thrilled to welcome Katie to Luxe and the SANDOW team," said Adam I. Sandow, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SANDOW, publisher of Luxe Interiors + Design. "She brings with her the relationships, integrity and expertise necessary to take Luxe to the next level. As Luxe heads into 2018, we are uniquely positioned for bigger and bigger things. With the launch of brilliant new programs, and the successful continuation of our current initiatives, there has never been a more exciting time for the brand."

"I am truly delighted to have Katie, a dynamic publishing professional, join our team," said Vice President, Editor in Chief, Pamela Jaccarino. "This is an incredibly exciting time and I look forward to working with Katie as we continue to grow the Luxe brand."

"I couldn't be more excited to join such a dynamic and innovative company. Luxe, under SANDOW, is uniquely positioned to service the needs of our clients' ever-changing businesses. With over 160 editorial features a year showcasing designers' work across all 13 editions, Luxe is producing more editorial content than any other home brand. Luxe also gives regional designers a platform to showcase their work, and there is a lot of incredible design being done on a local level that deserves recognition," said Brockman.

Luxe Interiors + Design currently publishes one national and thirteen local editions, celebrating regional architecture and design and encouraging design enthusiasts to seek out and connect with local design professionals. To learn more about Luxe Interiors + Design, visit www.luxesource.com.

Media Contact: Rachel Lexier, 917-934-2903, [email protected]

SOURCE SANDOW
Qualcomm processor enables smoother overall performance

Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor, which runs on a clock speed of up to 2.0 GHz and is built using Samsung's 14 nm LPP (Low-Power Plus) FinFET CMOS process, the M6 Note provides fast speed, stable connectivity, vibrant displays, and performance that's both powerful and efficient. The Snapdragon 625 supports up to 35 percent lower power usage than its predecessor so that the M6 Note can run at its maximum speed for a longer time without heating up.

The embedded Adreno 506 graphics processing unit (GPU) boasts a 71% increase in graphics processing performance compared to the previous generation. It also supports a Full-HD (1080p) display for users to enjoy a smooth, high-quality gaming experience at a great display resolution.

The integrated X9 LTE modem supports 4G LTE and allows for faster sharing of videos and photos with peak upload speeds of 150 Mbps, which is three times as fast as traditional LTE devices. The full-frequency technology supports a more stable and unobstructed network environment, and dual-frequency Wi-Fi.

Photography experience enhanced through 12 mega-pixel SONY camera

Supporting ArcSoft dual-camera bokeh, multi-frame noise reduction and HDR algorithm, the M6 Note includes the 12 mega-pixel SONY IMX362/Samsung 2L7 as the primary rear camera and combines the powerful combination of a f/1.9 ultra-wide aperture, 1.4m pixel CMOS image sensor and 6P custom lens to deliver high image quality at an affordable price.

The M6 Note features the Dual PD focusing system that provides a focusing speed as fast as 0.03s, which is four times faster in full light and 7.5 times faster in low light than the previous generation.

Combined with the ArcSoft beauty algorithm, which highlights the texture and the nature of skin, the 16 mega-pixel front camera and f/2.0 wide aperture bring customers outstanding selfie experience.

Ultra-large Battery with high-power mCharge

With a 4000 mAh ultra-large battery built into the M6 Note, users can enjoy the phone's functions for longer before having to recharge. In addition, the phone's 18W high-power mCharge technology makes it possible to charge and use the phone at the same time.

"The M6 Note is designed as a budget smartphone with higher performance. It aims to meet the rising demand for ever-improving phones among the young generation," said Li Nan, vice president of Meizu Technology Co.,and president of M Series. "All of the phone's features provide an 'experience upgrade' to users and deliver on the promise of the M series' mission statement of 'Quality for Young'."

The M6 Note is available in gold, silver, black and blue in China, Columbia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippine, Russia, Spain, Ukraine and Vietnam and so on.

Price: CNY 1099 (USD 164.95) for 3G+16G, CNY 1299 (USD 194.95) for 3G+32G and CNY 1699 (USD 254.99) for 4G+64G.

For more information, please visit: https://www.meizu.com/en/

About Meizu Technology Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2003, Meizu Technology Co., Ltd. (Meizu) is the world's 11th largest mobile phone manufacturer in terms of unit sales, according to statistics from IC Insights, and one of the most influential smartphone makers in China. The company boasts a smartphone line of nearly 30 models that reached 22,000,000 units shipped in 2016, making it the world's 11th-largest mobile phone manufacturer in terms of unit sales. The company has two independent business units, M Series and Meizu, with Meizu focusing on the high-end market and M Series developing products that deliver on the promise of "Quality for Young."

SOURCE Meizu

Related Links

https://www.meizu.com/en/


ATLANTA, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction Resources, LLC, an Atlanta-based family of design and construction businesses, has announced its plan to further integrate all of its independently-operated entities in the Southeast. Marqet Group, a Houston-based agency will support the brand integration and develop 360 programs to promote the company's innate values: design, service and heritage.

Construction Resources, LLC

Construction Resources currently offers over 60 nationally-recognized brands across nine product categories and plans to expand their full product offering and services to all their locations in the near future. The company includes established brands such as Colonial Lighting, Sewell Appliance, Atlanta Kitchen, Atlanta Glass & Mirror, Florida Bath and Surfaces, ARD, National Stoneworks and CR Home. Its broad portfolio of products, design and project management services caters to trade and consumer audiences for home and commercial spaces, with a focus on kitchen and bath areas. Their plans for integration will gradually introduce countertops, appliances, lighting, flooring and more through its multiple locations across four states. This strategy will help the company facilitate the design, sourcing and project management process for all customer segments.

"Our company has been the trusted partner of many design and building professionals, as well as homeowners, over the last five decades," Mitch Hires, CEO of Construction Resources said. "As part of our expansion model, we are bringing a complete offering of products and services to our distinctive audiences, with the goal of easing the design process and truly creating a one-stop resource," he added.

Construction Resources offers both consumer and trade audiences a wide array of specialty building materials and services to facilitate the design and turnkey installation of the many products they offer through their 27 locations across Georgia, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina. For nearly 50 years, the company has been catering to various sectors of the design, construction and remodeling industry.

To support the integration process, Construction Resources has selected Marqet Group, a Houston-based marketing agency to oversee their brand alignment and further expand their consumer and trade professional outreach. With extensive experience and knowledge in the construction and surfacing industry, the agency will support the strategic business growth plans of one of Atlanta's most established design and supply companies through the integration process.

"Construction Resources is a prestigious portfolio of companies within the industry, operating businesses that have had a solid reputation with a great deal of growth potential," noted Lorenzo Marquez, founder and president of Marqet Group. "With the amount of competition in the design market, we are honored to serve as an extension of their business and support the execution of marketing initiatives that will bring to life a hub-and-spoke model for the full range of brands Construction Resources represents across their many locations," Marquez added.

Known for their design expertise, service and heritage, Construction Resources will leverage its marketing efforts under its largest subsidiary, CR Home, to build upon existing brand recognition and offering. The company will streamline segment branding for residential, commercial and multi-family to provide distinct benefits to each.

"Most of my career has been dedicated to overseeing brand expansion through avenues such as store-front openings, product launches and media partnerships," said Marquez. "I am very grateful to support Mitch and his team through their expansion process and bring my team's skillset forward delivering to the high-quality standards for which the group of businesses is known."



About Construction Resources

Construction Resources, LLC founded in 1970, provides residential and commercial builders/remodelers, as well as homeowners with a one-stop shop for their kitchen, bath and home design needs. Construction Resources offers products from multiple divisions, including CR Home Design Center, Builder Specialties, Sewell Appliance, Colonial Lighting, Atlanta Marble Mfg, Atlanta Kitchen, Atlanta Glass & Mirror, Builders Floor Covering and Tile, Florida Bath and Surfaces, National Stoneworks, ARD and CR Home of Alabama. As a provider of multiple categories of products, Construction Resources allows customers to simplify their ordering, scheduling and vendor process by dealing with just one salesperson and company. The company has full-service design centers and showroom locations in Decatur, Buckhead, Sandy Springs and Sandy Hill, GA; Santa Rosa Beach, Destin and Panama City, FL; and Birmingham, AL. For more information visit www.CRHomeUSA.com.

About Marqet Group

A Houston-based marketing agency, Marqet Group connects businesses with qualified customers and industry influencers through public relations, social media, digital, content marketing, graphic design, merchandising services and event management. The Group specializes in creating strategies that engage the appropriate audiences for trade professionals, particularly in the surfacing industry, with consumers, retailers and designers. Marqet Group was founded by Lorenzo Marquez, former Vice President of Marketing for Cosentino North America, who has 13 years of experience in the design and construction segment and has been a National Kitchen and Bath Association Board of Directors member since 2013, currently acting as the 2017 Chairman of the Board. For more information visit www.marqetgroup.com.

Media Contact:

Lorenzo Marquez

713-999-5229

[email protected]

Related Images

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SOURCE Construction Resources, LLC
MarketsandMarkets announced the appointment of Shailendra Singh (Shelly) as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Shelly will lead global sales and client services, as well as commercial optimization at MarketsandMarkets, and be based in Chicago. Shelly's role will be to grow engagement with existing 5,000 clients of MarketsandMarkets, which includes 80% of the Fortune 2000 companies. He is a multifunctional business leader, with over 25 years of experience in Big Data, Decision Sciences, and the BPO sector. In his previous stint, Shelly was instrumental in leading Mu Sigma global sales over the last 7 years.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Following is an excerpt from the newly appointed COO on his move to join MarketsandMarkets:

"MarketsandMarkets has been growing 100% year on year over the past several years. The company focuses on solving complex revenue-growth problems. Product life cycles are getting shorter, driving more innovation across industries. The revenue mix of B2B companies is currently undergoing rapid changes. 70% of their existing revenues are likely to reduce to 30-40%. New products/technologies/markets, extended applications, overlapping ecosystems, changing business models, and new use cases will contribute to the remaining revenue mix in the future.

MarketsandMarkets is disrupting the industry by providing its clients an answer to the critical question - What NEW technologies and innovations will have the most impact on your revenues, your client's revenues, and their client's revenues? MarketsandMarkets' exclusive quantified research on 30,000 high-growth opportunities across industries, along with strong hypotheses from SMEs across the globe, is a strong differentiator. MarketsandMarkets is uniquely positioned to advise clients on - What revenues can you expect from newer innovations, markets, technologies, products, and use cases? What is the opportunity for your client in $ terms by adopting your new products and offerings? The company solves problems for multiple functions, including marketing (segmenting and messaging), pre-sales, market intelligence, strategy, corporate planning, innovation, product management, R&D, and M&A."

Recently, the company raised funds worth USD 56 million from FTV Capital and Zodius Capital, diluting a minority stake. Shelly will be responsible for scaling and building sustainable client relationships at MarketsandMarkets, and making it a leader in the USD 40-billion global market.



Contact:

MarketsandMarkets

Tower B5, Office 101

Magarpatta SEZ

Hadapsar, Pune - 411013, India

Tel: +1-888-600-6441

Email: [email protected]



Website: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com

SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. (MJNA), the first publicly traded cannabis company in the United States, today announced that its subsidiary HempMeds Brasil held a successful, sold-out Doctor Symposium in Sao Paulo, Brazil on August 15, with 50 doctors in attendance, which garnered vast media coverage across Brazil. The Company also announced that it appointed Junior S. Gibelli as Director of Medical Affairs to continue facilitating relationships with doctors across Brazil.

An August 18, 2017 online article from Rio de Janeiro-based Brazilian newspaper O Globo "HempMeds Brasil reune medicos e pesquisadores para discutir uso terapeutico do canabidiol," or "HempMeds Brasil brings together physicians and researchers to discuss therapeutic use of cannabidiol," which was picked up by several other major news outlets across the Country, discussed how the Symposium successfully brought together doctors from different specialties interested in learning about the medical value of CBD and how to legally import CBD into the country and prescribe it for patients.

The event featured renowned medical experts and pioneers in the field like Dr. Saul Garza Morales, pediatric researcher and neurologist in Mexico, and Dr. Stuart Titus, Chief Executive Officer of Medical Marijuana, Inc., who both shared on the specific therapeutic benefits of CBD, as well as gaining access to medical cannabis for improving health and quality of life. Also in attendance was CBD parent advocate Norberto Fischer, who shared his family's story of how their fight to save daughter Anny helped legalize medical cannabis in Brazil.

"Our Doctor's Symposium in Sao Paulo was a major success and we were encouraged to witness the convergence of doctors interested in learning more about the therapeutic benefits of CBD, as well as families sharing their stories about how our products have helped change their children's lives," said Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus. "These types of events are critical for improving the treatment options for numerous medical indications including autism, Parkinson's, epilepsy, cancer, and more."

"We are also excited that HempMeds Brasil is bringing on-board Junior S. Gibelli, a professional who will be dedicated to building relationships with doctors across Brasil, as we continue navigating this exciting journey with CBD's therapeutic benefits," added Dr. Titus

Additionally, as demand grows for the Company's CBD hemp oil across the Country, HempMeds Brasil is looking to expand by opening an office on the ground in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by the end of 2017.

HempMeds Brasil is the first company to offer legal medicinal cannabis products to Brazil after receiving import approval to those suffering from specific medical conditions. Most recently in February 2017, for the filling of a prescription for the first time for the Company's hemp CBD oil product RSHO to treat patients in the Country suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Additionally, doctors in Brazil can prescribe RSHO for any condition and HempMeds Brasil has worked with several cases including patients suffering from:

 Epilepsy





 Alzheimer's  Psoriasis





 Migraine  Pain





 Diabetes  Cancer





 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis  Parkinson's











About Medical Marijuana, Inc.

Our mission is to be the premier cannabis and hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically-sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For details on Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio and investment companies, visit www.medicalmarijuanainc.com.

Shareholders are also encouraged to visit the Medical Marijuana, Inc. Shop for discounted products.

About HempMeds Brasil

HempMeds Brasil currently has three cannabis products approved for importation into Brazil as a prescription medication for multiple conditions including; Epilepsy, Parkinson's, Chronic Pain, Psoriasis, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Diabetes, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis and Migraines. The company had the first-ever cannabis product allowed for import into Brazil and its products are currently subsidized by the Brazilian government, under their health care system, for all three medical indications listed above. HempMeds Brasil is working on additional approvals for multiple indications.

FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER AND DISCLOSURES.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties. The statements in this press release have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. The Company does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act. The Company does sell and distribute hemp-based products.

CONTACT:

Public Relations Contact:

Andrew Hard

Chief Executive Officer

CMW Media

P: 888-829-0070

[email protected]

www.cmwmedia.com

SOURCE Medical Marijuana, Inc.

Related Links

http://cmwmedia.com


KALAMAZOO, Mich., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Medizone International, Inc. (OTCQB: MZEI) the developer of AsepticSure, a revolutionary disinfection technology that combines ozone and hydrogen peroxide to achieve unprecedented kill rates of bacteria and viral pathogens in a wide range of commercial applications including healthcare, biodefense, and public health preparedness, announced today that Dwayne Montgomery will be stepping down from his position on the Board of Directors.

Effective August 31, 2017, Dwayne Montgomery will step down from the Board based on some unfortunate medical concerns.

"On behalf of our employees, the board, and shareholders, I want to thank Dwayne for his service and support of the Company," commented David Esposito, Chairman and Interim CEO. "We wish Dwayne all the best as he prioritizes his health and his family during the time ahead."

Medizone continues to execute on plans to establish AsepticSure as a superior solution worldwide to achieve unprecedented kill rates of bacteria and viral pathogens in a wide range of commercial applications including healthcare, biodefense, and public health preparedness. The Company continues to support sales and distribution channels in several markets across the globe and is working on entering several segments in the US market.

About Medizone International, Inc.

Founded initially in 1986 to develop treatments for lipid-enveloped viruses, Medizone International, Inc. shifted focus in 2007 to develop a superior disinfectant technology. The company developed the AsepticSure system to combine oxidative compounds (O3 and H202) to produce a unique mixture of free radicals (H2O3 known as trioxidane) with much higher oxidative potential than ozone or hydrogen peroxide alone. After securing broad IP protection for the use of trioxidane for both healthcare facility disinfecting systems and bioterrorism applications, the company released its AsepticSure system for use in Canada, and several other global markets.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the risk that government and international agencies and organizations may not adopt our system, global economic conditions generally, government regulation, manufacturing and marketing risks, adverse publicity risks, risks associated with our entry into the U.S. and other markets, expansion and operations. The contents of this release should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors, warnings, and cautionary statements that are contained in our most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For press information on Medizone International, please contact:

John Pentony, Investor and Media Relations

Medizone International, Inc.

T: 01 269-202-5020

E: [email protected]

For more information, visit:

http://www.medizoneint.com

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Medizone International, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.medizoneint.com


DURHAM, N.C., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (OTC: MGTI) announced today that it has closed on financing to allow the Company to materially ramp up its Bitcoin mining operations. The financing consists of a $2.4 million 10% convertible note (convertible at $1.05 per MGTI share) issued to a single institutional investor, UAHC Ventures LLC. UAHC Ventures is a subsidiary of publicly traded United American Healthcare Corp. (OTC: UAHC). The note is self-amortizing with a maximum repayment of $160,000 per month. In conjunction with the note, the Company also issued the investor approximately 862,000 warrants with an exercise price of $1.05 per MGTI share.

Stephen Schaeffer, President of MGT Crypto-Capital Strategies, stated, "Today's announcement is further evidence of our commitment to being the leading miner in the North America. We are currently constructing our third location in Washington State, and plan to deploy new mining rigs in this facility in early October 2017."

About MGT Capital Investments, Inc.

With facilities in WA state, MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (OTC: MGTI) ranks as one of the largest U.S. based Bitcoin miners. Further, the Company continues to focus on an expansion model to grow its crypto assets materially.

The Company is also developing a portfolio of cyber security technologies, with industry pioneer John McAfee as its visionary leader, creating advanced protection technologies for mobile and personal tech devices, as well as corporate networks. The Company's first product, Sentinel, an enterprise class network intrusion detector, is currently in beta testing, with commercial released anticipated by the end of September 2017. The Company also has entered into a joint venture with Nordic IT to develop and market a mobile phone with extensive privacy and anti-hacking features. The Privacy Phone has a tentative release date of February 2018.

For more information on the Company, please visit: http://ir.stockpr.com/mgtci

Forwardlooking Statements

This press release contains forwardlooking statements. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forwardlooking statements." All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forwardlooking statements. This includes all statements about the Company's plans, beliefs, estimates and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates and projections, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include issues related to: rapidly changing technology and evolving standards in the industries in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate; the ability to obtain sufficient funding to continue operations, maintain adequate cash flow, profitably exploit new business, license and sign new agreements; the unpredictable nature of consumer preferences; and other factors set forth in the Company's most recently filed annual report and registration statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forwardlooking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forwardlooking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Readers should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described in other documents that the Company files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor and Media Contact

Grace Livingston

[email protected]

919.973.0954

SOURCE MGT Capital Investments, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.mgtci.com


Shot as a feature film and available as eight episodes, this sweeping drama reflects Borndal's renowned mix of stylistic experimentation with engrossing stories, as seen in his thriller Nattevagten (1994), which screened at the Cannes, Toronto and Sundance film festivals; the American remake of Nightwatch , (starring Ewan McGregor, Josh Brolin, Nick Nolte and Patricia Arquette); I am Dina, winner at the Montreal Film Festival; Just Another Love Story; The Substitute and Deliver Us From Evil, all winners of international prizes and acclaim. Bornedal also directed the top American horror film of 2012, The Possession , and co-produced Guillermo del Toro's Mimic.

Bornedal has gathered the top acting talent of the current golden era of Denmark's film and television, such as Sidse Babett Knudson, seen in the hit television series Borgen and Westworld, who delivers an unforgettable performance.

For trailers and sample clips, visit mhzchoice.com/1864.

Featuring An All-Star Danish Cast

Sidse Babett Knudsen (Borgen, Westworld)

Pilou Asbk (Borgen, Game of Thrones, The Borgias)

Jakob Oftebro (Kon-tiki, Max Manus)

Sren Malling (Government, A Royal Affair)

Directed by Ole Bornedal (Nightwatch, The Substitute, The Possession)

A TALE IN TWO ERAS

1864

Following victories over the Prussian Empire in the war of 1848-51, Denmark is emboldened and begins scheming to annex Schleswig into the Danish Kingdom. Armed with nationalist furor, the leader of the Parliament dismisses the country's European treaties and throws Denmark into war with Prussia. Amid escalating conflict, two peasant brothers grow up and fall in love, both with the same, well-read and beautiful woman. When the war erupts, these two young men volunteer for service, setting the stage for a sweeping drama.

2014

Meanwhile, in 2014, a young girl suffers the loss of her brother to the war in Afghanistan. Depressed and despairing, she takes a position as aide to an aging Baron, who happens to reside in the same countryside inhabited by the brothers in 1864. Here, she discovers a diary and encounters the extraordinary love triangle. She becomes an eyewitness to history, powerfully connected to the brothersand thousands of Danish soldierswho fought one of the nation's bloodiest battles, a slaughterhouse that changed Denmark forever.

Direct all inquiries and screening requests to Kelly Hargraves at [email protected].

ABOUT MHz Networks

MHz Networks offers U.S viewers access to a library of the best international television mysteries, dramas, comedies and documentaries subtitled in English on DVD and its digital platform, MHz Choice. MHz Networks' unique international programming is also available on its national channel MHz Worldview. MHz Worldview is available nationwide on DirecTV ch. 2183 and on 25+ select public television affiliates.

New MHz Choice customers receive a free 30-Day Trial. For more information or to subscribe, go to www.mhzchoice.com

SOURCE MHz Networks

Related Links

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BURLINGTON, Mass., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Axial Benefits Group (ABG), a full-service benefits management company, announced today that Michael "Mick" Rodgers, Principal and Managing Partner at ABG, has been named Employee Benefit Adviser's 2017 Employee Benefit Adviser of the Year.

Axial Benefits Group Agency Profile Managing Partner, Axial Benefits Group

Employee Benefit Adviser (EBA), an information resource for benefit's advisers, brokers, agents and consultants, recognizes individuals for excellence and innovation in five categories: employee benefits, voluntary benefits, retirement plans, wellness, and technology. Each award is presented to the nominee who has demonstrated a consistent pattern of innovation and achievement in benefit plan sales, consulting, and/or leadership, as well as overall contributions to the profession.

Rodgers, an engineer turned employee benefits innovator, received the year's highest honor for his leadership in the Employee Benefits Transformation Movement and ABG's accomplishments, which include:

managing health plans at a cost more than 40% below the national average cost;

transforming benefits purchasing by enabling mid-market organizations to access "bulk-buy" advantages through Healthcare Purchasing Coalitions; and

implementing a fee-for-performance compensation model to ensure ABG is always aligned with its client's best interests.

"I'm honored to receive the 'Employee Benefit Adviser of the Year Award' and extremely proud of the work our ABG team is doing to continually improve benefits purchasing and plan formulation through data-driven ingenuity," said Rodgers. "I'm also extremely thankful for the group of forward-thinking, employee-focused organizations ABG is honored to have as clients. Without their commitment and open-minded mentality, the results we're achieving together would not be possible."

Employee benefits impact employee satisfaction and retention, both of which have a tremendous impact on organizations. "Lowering costs, while maintaining or enhancing benefits helps organizations meet employee expectations and financial requirements," said Elizabeth Galentine, Editor-in-Chief of Employee Benefit Adviser. "Mick and ABG are focused on this goal at all times and have found innovative, new ways to achieve it. They've given employers more power, which has resulted in better plans for everyone."

"By acknowledging our success, this award is also a testament to the progress the benefits industry is making to build trust, strengthen adviser collaboration and further advance the Employee Benefits Transformation Movement," continued Rodgers, "that is a win for advisers and employers everywhere."

Rodgers will be formally honored at the 2017 Workplace Benefits Summit. Presentation of the award will be a highlight of the 2017 Workplace Benefits Summit, which will be held Sept. 18-20 in Boca Raton, Florida. Additionally, he will be profiled in the September issue of Employee Benefit Adviser magazine.

Press Contact:

Ron Carlstrom

[email protected]

Related Images

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Related Links

Axial Benefits Group

Related Video

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SOURCE Axial Benefits Group

Related Links

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DALLAS, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Minnesota Tax Court applied the plain meaning of the statute when it determined that the net operating loss ("NOL") carryover from an acquired corporation should not be apportioned. In Sinclair Broadcast Group v. Commissioner of Revenue (2017 STT 156-12), the court disagreed with the commissioner that the Minnesota application of federal section 382 allowed for an apportionment of the federal limitation.

The federal limitation of the amount of an NOL carryover from an acquired corporation that can be utilized to offset taxable income is determined by multiplying the stock value of the acquired corporation by the long-term tax-exempt rate. Minnesota has incorporated this limitation into its law by providing that the section 382 limitation amount "shall be applied to net income, before apportionment, in each post change year to which a loss is carried." [Minn. Stat. section 290.095 sub. 3(d)]

Sinclair Broadcasting Group Inc. ("Sinclair") acquired KLGT Inc. with unused NOLs for state income tax purposes of more than $4 million in 1998. Following the federal limitation rules, Sinclair and the commissioner agreed that the value of the subsidiary determined that the annual loss available would be approximately $2.6 million. The commissioner, however, argued that this limitation should be further limited by Sinclair's state apportionment rate, which at 1% would result in the expiration of the losses before they could be fully utilized.

The court disagreed with the commissioner and determined that the taxpayer was correct in applying the unapportioned section 382 limitation amount to the taxpayer's unapportioned net income. The commissioner's interpretation would provide additional restrictions on the use of acquired NOLs and deprive taxpayers of a "favorable tax attribute" contrary to the law and the legislative intent.

The commissioner's reliance on the long-standing Revenue Notice 99-07 was unpersuasive to the court, as administrative rulings can only be consulted when the statute is ambiguous, not when the plain meaning of the statute is used for interpretation.

The Department of Revenue (DOR) has refused to follow similar reasoning in the 2012 decision in Express Scripts Inc. v. Commissioner of Revenue (Doc. 2012-18199), stating that the Tax Court is a court in the executive branch. The DOR failed to act on a timely basis to file an appeal in Express Scripts and has continued to issue assessments in attempts to relitigate this issue.

About Ryan

Ryan, an award-winning global tax services and software provider, is the largest firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes. With global headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides an integrated suite of federal, state, local, and international tax services on a multi-jurisdictional basis, including tax recovery, consulting, advocacy, compliance, and technology services. Ryan is a five-time recipient of the International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is widely recognized as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryan's multi-disciplinary team of more than 2,100 professionals and associates serves over 14,000 clients in more than 45 countries, including many of the world's most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found at ryan.com .

TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Mark Nachbar

Principal

Ryan

630.515.0477

[email protected]

Mary Bernard

Director

Ryan

401.272.3363

[email protected]

SOURCE Ryan

Related Links

http://www.ryan.com


WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, WorldTEK Events is pleased to announce Mobility Unmanned: Air, Land, and Sea. This premier public policy event is the first conference dedicated solely to addressing government policy, regulation, law, and standards for highly-automated vehicles across all transportation modes and will take place on November 1-2, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Washington in Washington, DC.

Mobility Unmanned coincides with a number of federal, state, and local initiatives to address the rapidly evolving legal and regulatory issues raised by the proliferation of highly-automated and unmanned technology. Through a number of targeted keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and workshops, Mobility Unmanned aims to facilitate important cross-cutting dialogue between key policymakers and industry stakeholders, including the best and brightest minds in the highly-automated and unmanned vehicle space.

A high-powered speaker lineup will feature key administration and agency officials, members of Congress, and notable industry leaders. Joint government-industry panels will address issues common to all modes of transportation, including privacy, preemption, liability and insurance, security, and countermeasures.

Early bird pricing is available through September 15, 2017. Space is limited to 500 delegates. For more information and to register for Mobility Unmanned, please visit www.mobilityunmanned.com

Event Sales

Melissa Larsen

Director, Sponsorship & Exhibitions

[email protected]

+1.516.945.5812

Media Contact:

Press Inquiries

Sue Vollono, Director of Digital Marketing

[email protected]

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12660267

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE WorldTEK Events, Mobility Unmanned: air, land, sea
Bluefin tunas are among the planet's most iconic and prized fish. In recent decades, global demand for Pacific bluefin tuna has driven the population down to a critical leveljust 2.6 percent of its historic population. Pacific bluefin numbers are significantly lower than Atlantic and Southern bluefin tuna, and lower than all other assessed tuna species.

The chef pledge comes as fishing nations charged with securing the future of Pacific bluefin tuna prepare to meet in Busan, South Korea from August 28 to September 1, to craft a new recovery plan in the face of growing international criticism that the current plan falls far short of what's needed.

"This species is truly at a crossroads," said Cimarusti, chef-owner of Providenceconsistently rated the top restaurant in Los Angeles. "Chefs have an obligation to offer seafood dishes that promote a healthy, diverse living ocean. I cannot in good conscience serve Pacific bluefin tuna. There will be time to enjoy it again when their numbers are back. And that will take an immediate, strong international commitment to better manage the fishery."

Brazil's Atala, whose restaurant D.O.M. in Sao Paulo is ranked as one of the finest restaurants in the world, said that, "In my kitchen, I celebrate indigenous foodand with that comes a commitment to a fundamental philosophy: You live within your means. We are not living within our means when it comes to Pacific bluefin tuna. We are emptying the ocean of these magnificent fish. The world has an obligationright nowto take action to allow them to recover. We owe it to future generations."

"The culinary community has a key interest in the recovery of all bluefin tunas, and particularly Pacific bluefin tuna, the chefs said in their pledge. "Preserving healthy populations of bluefin tunas in the ocean is a pre-requisite to bringing these delicious fish back to the menu."

Pacific bluefin tuna has long been rated as a species to avoid by the influential Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. The aquarium's scientific research team has been studying and tagging Pacific bluefin tuna for nearly two decades. Its latest findings about the tunas' trans-Pacific migrations underscored the importance of science-based management across the Pacific Ocean.

"It is time for governments to follow the lead of the private sector, fulfill their commitments, adhere to the science, and recover and maintain Pacific bluefin tuna at a sustainable level," said Maisie Ganzler, chief strategy and brand officer for Palo Alto, Calif.-based Bon Appetit Management Company, an award-winning leader in sustainable food-service management with more than 1,000 cafes in 33 states that serve marquee corporate, university, museum and specialty venue clients.

"All of the progress that businesses have made contrasts dramatically with the complete inaction and lack of ambition by nations to halt the precipitous decline of Pacific bluefin tuna," Ganzler said. "If they were accountable the way we are in the private sector, they would be out of business."

Langbein, whose books and television show have earned her a global reputation as a culinary leader, recalls that, "I grew up eating fresh fish my grandfather caught with hook and line. Sadly, today many of our favorite fish species are under real pressurewith Pacific bluefin tuna at the top of the list. To ensure our kids and their kids will still be able to enjoy the pleasures of fishing and fresh seafood, we must act to support sustainable fishing practices."

"It's a personal issue for me, because they feed and spawn in New Zealand waters," she added. "And they are important to so many cultures. I call upon my colleagues around the Pacific to speak out now for these incredible fish."

Other chefs and culinary leaders endorsing the pledge include Hawaii's Ed Kenney, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger of Los Angeles, Andre Ahn of Brazil, along with Rick Bayless of Chicago, Virginia Willis of Atlanta and Rick Moonen of Las Vegas.

"In the Hawaiian language, the word aloha represents a spiritof love, of peace, of respect and mercy," Kenney said. "When followed by 'oe, it means goodbye. Let's have aloha for Pacific bluefin tuna, the magnificent and powerful spirits that share a vast ocean with uswithout saying aloha 'oe."

SOURCE Monterey Bay Aquarium
SINGAPORE, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Telcos in Asia Pacific are actively virtualizing their network architecture. A flurry of development can be observed from open source communities, such as OPNFV and ONAP, as well as from individual efforts by telcos. ABI Research forecasts the network function virtualization (NFV) market in Asia Pacific will grow to $US9.24 billion in 2022. Japan is the largest single market within the Asia Pacific region, constituting 25.7% of the total revenue. This is followed by South Korea and China, at 22.7% and 14.6% respectively.

"Japan leads in the region, not only because of the desire to design resilient and reliable networks in preparation for future disaster threats, but also to prepare for the 2020 Summer Olympics," said Lian Jye Su, Senior Analyst at ABI Research. "South Korea and China are actively preparing for 5G, which requires both cloud radio access networks (C-RAN) and Cloud Core Networks. At the same time, the rest of the regions are actively catching up. Tier Two telcos, like Banglalink and Ncell, are currently deploying virtual subscriber data management platforms."

The industry has long agreed that there is no single approach to NFV and the latest market developments demonstrate just that. In July 2017, SK Telecom launched T-MANO, its own network function virtualization management and orchestration (MANO) platform. This move is contrary to major Chinese telcos, who opt to collaborate with large number of vendors and other telcos in ONAP to develop a common MANO platform. Telcos in China aim to become the catalyst for the government "Made in China 2025" strategy. Through their NFV initiatives, Chinese telcos can empower local industrial players with new capabilities, such as multi-access edge computing, massive machine type communications, dynamic cloud services and vehicle-to-everything communications.

"That is why the recent NFV interoperability test between Cisco, Ericsson, Huawei, and Nokia are important. Such collaboration allows telcos to truly embrace the multi-vendor NFV deployment and benefit from the open source nature of NFV," concludes Su. "We believe that virtualized network function onboarding, interoperability testing, and lifecycle management are becoming the new focus of the industry, as telcos seek to leverage the strengths of different hardware and software vendors."

These findings are from ABI Research's NFV Case Studies in Asia Pacific: Implementations and Impacts report. This report is part of the company's Telco Cloud Platforms and Digital Transformation research service, which includes research, data, and analyst insights.

About ABI Research

ABI Research stands at the forefront of technology market intelligence, providing business leaders with comprehensive research and consulting services to help them implement informed, transformative technology decisions. Founded more than 25 years ago, the company's global team of senior and long-tenured analysts delivers deep market data forecasts, analyses, and teardown services. ABI Research is an industry pioneer, proactively uncovering ground-breaking business cycles and publishing research 18 to 36 months in advance of other organizations. For more information, visit www.abiresearch.com.

Contact Info:





Americas EMEA/APAC Deborah Petrara Denise Duffy Tel: +1.516.624.2558 Tel: +44.203.326.0142 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE ABI Research

Related Links

http://www.abiresearch.com


ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kalorama Information has released a free white paper detailing various scientific and vendor developments at the American Association of Clinical Chemistry, the largest meeting of lab professionals and the IVD companies that supply them. This year's AACC in San Diego featured many innovative seminars and product offerings. The White Paper, What You May Have Missed at AACC 2017, is provided at no charge by the firm, which publishes scores of reports each year detailing market size, share and trends in various business segments of in vitro diagnostic testing.

"For those who were unable to attend the show, or who were busy with company marketing activities at the meeting, Kalorama provides this summary of the meeting," said Bruce Carlson, Publisher of Kalorama Information. "Each company exhibiting at the event is focused on its own customers and sales efforts, we wanted to provide a resource for the industry to be able to take in the whole meeting as best as our analysts on the scene can present it."

Kalorama noticed exhibits and sessions dealing with the 'Silent Killer' of sepsis, tests targeting opioid abuse, a heavy concentration on near-patient technologies, and automation improvements embedded into analyzers as some of the may noticeable trends at the meeting.

This white paper presents:

Scientific Sessions





Interesting New Products





Trends Noticed by Our Analysts





Healthcare Challenges Tackled by Lab Professionals in 2017





Photographs of the Meeting





Kalorama's Reports in IVD For More Information

Kalorama Information's white paper is available

at: https://www.kaloramainformation.com/Content/Kalorama-White-Paper---What-You-May-Have-Missed-at-AACC-2017.

About Kalorama Information

Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, supplies the latest in independent medical market research in diagnostics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare; as well as a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased through Kalorama's website and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.

We routinely assist the media with healthcare topics. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and our blog on our company website.

Please link any media or news references to our reports or data to http://www.kaloramainformation.com/.

Press Contact:

Bruce Carlson

212 807 2262

[email protected]

SOURCE Kalorama Information

Related Links

http://www.kaloramainformation.com/


SEATTLE, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As Seattle remains one of the hottest housing markets in the country, buyers are feeling the squeeze of rising prices and a shortage of homes for sale. The result? Many young families, first-time homeowners and immigrants are now turning to non-traditional, digital realtor alternatives like Open Listings to make escalating housing prices more affordable.

The Y Combinator, venture-backed real estate company lets buyers find, tour and buy homes using an entirely online process that's been optimized for buyers in competitive markets. In turn, Open Listings offers a 50% refund on the buying agent commission, which can cover up to half of a buyer's down payment -- a refund that's on average 2-3 times more than Seattle-based competitor Redfin.

With over 400,000 active buyers in California already using the platform, Open Listings is now making homeownership more affordable in Seattle. Their first Seattle buyer saved $7,425 on a $495K home purchase in Mill Creek last week.

Judd Schoenholtz, CEO of Open Listings, started the company out of frustration from his own home buying experience. "It took 6 years for my wife and I to save for our down payment to buy a home. The agent's fee was 3% of the purchase price  about 2 years of our savings."

Open Listings' aim is to fundamentally improve and simplify home buying by making the process more efficient.

Traditional agents normally spend 80% of their time looking for new clients, but since buyers come to Open Listings directly and browse homes on their own time, their agents can focus completely on getting offers accepted. This allows them to provide a better, more responsive experience to buyers and sellers while passing along the savings.

But, it's not just deal seekers looking to buy with Open Listings. Reddit co-founder and CEO Alexis Ohanian turned to Open Listings in 2015 for his San Francisco home. "It was quick and painless. I knew what I wanted, and they were able to get me that home on my terms."

Open Listings raised $6.5M in Series A funding led by Matrix Partners earlier this year. To date, they have saved homebuyers over $3.5M in commissions.

About Open Listings:

Open Listings is an all-in-one homebuying app that gives users the knowledge, tools and support to confidently buy any home in California and Washington and get a 50% commission refund.

Contact:

Judd Schoenholtz

Open Listings

(800) 501-2077

[email protected]

SOURCE Open Listings

Related Links

http://www.openlistings.com


"The CEO Advisor Institute provides valuable insights to help advisors to grow their practice while empowering their clients to achieve their financial goals," said Rocco Benedetto, Head of Broker/Dealer Channel at OppenheimerFunds.

Brunswick has 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and has worked closely with institutional and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as financial advisors and branch managers. He joins OppenheimerFunds from CEG Worldwide where he led their Corporate Solutions Division. Prior to CEG, he was the managing director of national business development for Smith Barney.

"Our Senior Business Consultants use their extensive experience in the financial industry to partner with advisors to develop strategies ranging from constructing high-performance teams to assisting their clients manage their increasingly complex financial lives," said Blease.

Brunswick joins a robust team of OppenheimerFunds' Senior Business Consultants who also include Jay Therrien, KT Gallo, JT Thorpe, and Tim Wilkinson.

The CEO Advisor Institute programs, including Compelling Conversations, Professional Practice, and Constructing and Managing a Synergistic Team, are offered through its CEO Advisor Institute app that addresses financial advisors' personal and professional goals and challenges. Advisors can also leverage OppenheimerFunds' Compelling Wealth Management Conversations program, which provides the philosophical framework, historical context, and timely market insights to calm investors' fears and keep them buckled in to their long-term plans. The app brings to life the dynamic and actionable business development tools and videos within the CEO Advisor Institute program, designed to help advisors:

Diagnose, enhance, and refine the structure of their practice.

Construct, manage, and lead a synergistic and unified team of professionals.

Create a unique and personalized service model that attracts and retains their best clientele.

Keep clients "buckled in" to their overarching investment strategy.

The complimentary app is available for download through the iTunes store or by visiting www.oppfunds.com/ceoapp.

About OppenheimerFunds

OppenheimerFunds, Inc., a leader in global asset management, is dedicated to providing solutions for its partners and end investors. OppenheimerFunds, including its subsidiaries, manages more than $242 billion in assets for over 13 million shareholder accounts, including sub-accounts, as of July 31, 2017.

Founded in 1959, OppenheimerFunds is an asset manager with a history of providing innovative strategies to its investors. The firm's 16 investment management teams specialize in equity, fixed income, alternative, multi-asset, and revenue-weighted-ETF strategies, including ESG. OppenheimerFunds and its subsidiaries offer a broad array of products and services to clients, who range from endowments and sovereigns to financial advisors and individual investors. OppenheimerFunds and certain of its subsidiaries provide advisory services to the Oppenheimer family of funds, and OFI Global Asset Management offers solutions to institutions. The firm is also active through its Philanthropy & Community initiative: 10,000 Kids by 2020, reaching children with introductions to math literacy programs. For more information on the firm, visit oppenheimerfunds.com.

Shares of Oppenheimer funds are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not guaranteed by any bank, are not insured by the FDIC or any other agency, and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of the principal amount invested.

Before investing in any of the Oppenheimer funds, investors should carefully consider a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Fund prospectuses and summary prospectuses contain this and other information about the funds, and may be obtained by asking your financial advisor, visiting oppenheimerfunds.com or calling 1.800.CALL OPP (225.5677). Read prospectuses and summary prospectuses carefully before investing.

Oppenheimer funds are distributed by OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc.

225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10281-1008

 2017 OppenheimerFunds Distributor, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE OppenheimerFunds

Related Links

http://www.oppenheimerfunds.com


GREAT FALLS, Mont., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dry pasta manufacturer, Pasta Montana, owned by Nippon Flour Mills, marked its 20th anniversary this week in Great Falls, MT, by opening a new $6.5 million processing line. Pasta Montana's 91,000-square-foot facility, which employs 115, will increase production capacity from 55 to 80 million pounds of pasta annually  a 28 percent rise.

"Our new production line will move 4,850 pounds of pasta per hour, and operate 24 hours each day, enabling us to continue to grow our staff," says Randy Gilbertson, chief operating officer of Pasta Montana.

Founded in 1997, Pasta Montana's goal was to create the world's finest pasta using a blend of wheat, water and technology. In the spring of 2000, Nippon Flour Mills, Japan's oldest industrial flour miller and a leading producer of flour-related products, purchased Pasta Montana to help the company go global.

CEO of Pasta Montana, Miharu Kobayashi, and CEO of Nippon, Hiroshi Sawada, along with Japanese representatives for the consul general of Japan and U.S. relations attended an event on Monday, August 21, 2017, recognizing Pasta Montana's 20 years of pasta production in Great Falls this week.

The Great Falls region of Montana is home to four Japanese-owned companies: Pasta Montana, Columbia Grain, Montana Specialty Mills and Helena Chemical.

"The high-quality ingredients plus low manufacturing costs, supply chain partnerships, skilled workers, and numerous other benefits give food manufacturers an advantage locating here," says Brett Doney, president and CEO of Great Falls Montana Development Authority (GFDA).

"Pasta Montana's success proves that agri-processing operations are thriving in the Great Falls region," says Collin Watters, executive vice president, Montana Wheat and Barley Committee.

About Pasta Montana

Owned by Nippon Flour Mills, Pasta Montana is situated in an area of Great Falls famous for its gluten strength and high protein durum wheat. http://www.pastamontana.com

About Montana Wheat and Barley Committee

The Montana Wheat and Barley Committee is the producer-funded and directed checkoff organization for wheat and barley growers in the state. http://wbc.agr.mt.gov/

About the Great Falls Montana Development Authority

The economic development organization works to promote growth and diversification throughout the Great Falls region of Montana. http://www.gfdevelopment.org/

SOURCE Great Falls Montana Development Authority
HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of State recently ordered three charitable organizations to cease fundraising until they are in compliance with the commonwealth's law governing charities, Secretary of State Pedro A. Cortes announced today.

In July, cease-and-desist orders were issued to the following organizations:

Avail NYC, 115 W. 45th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036

10036 Blair County Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Inc., 393 Igou Road, Tyrone, PA 16686

16686 Godot Animal Sanctuary, 391 Laughbaum Drive, Punxsutawney, PA 15767

Secretary Cortes noted that those organizations may not solicit donations or conduct fundraising activities until they have come into compliance with the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act.

The Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations maintains a comprehensive list of charitable organizations, professional solicitors and professional fundraising counsel that have been subject to sanctions or corrective measures. This list contains the most up-to-date information on any specific disciplinary action.

Each entry includes the name of the charitable organization, professional solicitor or professional fundraising counsel, address, sanction imposed, a description of the basis for the disciplinary or corrective measure and the effective date.

Anyone who suspects unethical activity by a charitable organization can file a complaint either online or by calling (717) 787-0700.

The Bureau oversees the registration of more than 12,000 charitable organizations, professional solicitors and professional fundraising counsel. A list of registration exclusions and exemptions for charitable organizations can be found on the Department's website.

Violations of the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act may result in disciplinary actions including civil penalties and the suspension or revocation of a registration.

MEDIA CONTACT: Wanda Murren, (717) 783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us


VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PJM Interconnection, the operator of the nation's largest electric grid, is hosting its second event this year focused on power grid resilience. The event, called Grid 20/20: Focus on Security and Resilience, will be held Sept. 19, 2017, in Baltimore.

Extreme weather events, cyberattacks and potential physical attacks on electric facilities are driving the electric power industry and grid operators to operate and plan for resilience in the power system. At PJM's forum, industry experts, government agency experts and other stakeholders will discuss incorporating resilience into planning, operations and markets, and cyber and physical security processes.

"Resilience goes beyond existing reliability criteria," said PJM President and CEO Andrew L. Ott. "While we plan and operate the grid to run reliably  it's our first priority -- the new charge for us and the industry is making sure the grid stands up to and recovers from a wider range of threats."

Advancing resilience is a focused effort for PJM to prepare, operate and recover from an event, minimizing the likelihood of a long-duration disruption to grid operations.

PJM's Grid 20/20 in April focused on the report, "PJM's Evolving Resource Mix and System Reliability." Panelists provided perspectives about the amount of natural gas and renewable generation the system can reliably use. This event will focus on threats to the physical and cyber assets and how PJM can evolve its processes as a grid operator to meet this new challenge.

To attend the Baltimore event in person or via a live web conference presentation, registration is required. PJM's Grid 20/20 will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor. For more details on the forum, or to register, visit the Grid 20/20 page on pjm.com.

PJM Interconnection, founded in 1927, ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 65 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM coordinates and directs the operation of the region's transmission grid, which includes over 82,000 miles of transmission lines; administers a competitive wholesale electricity market; and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion. PJM's regional grid and market operations produce annual savings of $2.8 billion to $3.1 billion. For the latest news about PJM, visit PJM Inside Lines at insidelines.pjm.com.

SOURCE PJM Interconnection

Related Links

http://www.pjm.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DoubleVerify (DV), a leading independent provider of digital media measurement software and analytics, today announced it has reached an agreement for a majority investment by Providence Equity Partners, a leading global private equity firm with more than $50 billion in assets under management. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. In connection with this investment, digital marketing and advertising executive and former CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group Laura Desmond will be appointed as Lead Director of the DoubleVerify Board of Directors. The DoubleVerify management team under the direction of CEO and President Wayne Gattinella will continue to lead the company following the close of the transaction.

"Providence Equity has a demonstrated ability to partner with unique data companies to realize accelerated growth and customer adoption," said Wayne Gattinella, president and CEO of DoubleVerify. "With Providence's sector expertise and strategic insight, DoubleVerify is well positioned to capitalize on the outsized set of market opportunities and to launch new services that define the future of digital advertising engagement," he added.

Since DV was founded in 2008 with the creation of the first brand safety solutions for online advertisers, 3rd party measurement has become a requirement for most brand advertisers. Today the company provides a comprehensive technology solution that assures the quality and performance of digital media investments for the world's largest brands and media platforms. The DV Authentic Impression provides clients with a single KPI to ensure each ad impression is viewable, fraud-free and meets brand safety requirements.

"As a leader in an increasingly important space, DoubleVerify is a dynamic, high-growth company with significant opportunities before it," said Davis Noell, managing director, Providence Equity Partners. "The world's largest brands are facing significant transparency challenges in digital advertising and DV's software and data solutions are helping solve these critical pain points. We believe the full value of the Company's offerings have yet to be unlocked and look forward to working with Wayne and his team to accelerate their growth strategy and create meaningful, long-term value for the Company."

One of the Industry's Most Accomplished Leaders Joins DoubleVerify Board of Directors

Laura brings more than two decades of experience focused on the convergence of digital, marketing and technology. She most recently served as the Chief Revenue Officer of Publicis Groupe. Previously, Ms. Desmond was the global CEO of Starcom Mediavest Group (SMG).

"I've spent nearly two decades working alongside the world's largest brands and have seen first-hand the need for third party measurement from all digital media and social platforms," said Ms. Desmond. "Today media quality is the number one issue impacting digital ad performance and DV helps to deliver the transparency clients need to make smart and safe advertising investments. I am thrilled to join the DoubleVerify Board, as I believe that no Company is in a better position to solve these issues than DV," she added.

Gattinella concluded, "Our ability to attract the high caliber talent and experience, represented by Laura and our partnership with Providence Equity, is also an affirmation of our solid execution on a differentiated strategy for growth. We look forward to building on our Company's heritage of customer dedication and technical innovation and are eager to leverage their collective insight, experience and global acumen in helping us deliver for our clients."

Blumberg Capital will remain an investor in the Company and David Blumberg has been appointed to the DoubleVerify Board of Directors.

KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. served as financial advisor to DoubleVerify. Weil Gotshal & Manges served as legal advisor to Providence Equity Partners. Dentons US served as legal advisor to DoubleVerify.

About DoubleVerify

DV is the leading independent provider of marketing measurement software, data and analytics that authenticates the quality and effectiveness of digital media for the world's largest brands and media platforms. DV provides media transparency and accountability to deliver the highest level of impression quality for maximum advertising performance. Since 2008, DV has helped hundreds of Fortune 500 companies gain the most from their media spend by delivering best in class solutions across the digital ecosystem that help build a better industry. Learn more at doubleverify.com.

About Providence Equity Partners

Providence is a premier global private equity and credit investment firm with more than $50 billion in capital under management. Providence pioneered a sector focused approach to private equity investing with the vision that a dedicated team of industry experts could build exceptional companies of enduring value. Since the firm's inception in 1989, Providence has invested in more than 160 companies and is the leading equity investment firm focused on the media, communications, education and information industries. Providence is headquartered in Providence, RI and also has offices in New York, London, and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.provequity.com.

DoubleVerify

Susan Zemlyakova

212-631-2022

[email protected]

Providence Equity

Patrick Scanlan

Sard Verbinnen & Co

212-687-8080

[email protected]

SOURCE DoubleVerify

Related Links

http://www.doubleverify.com


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The equipment leasing and finance industry in Latin America grew an average 4.8% in 2016 in United States dollars, an outstanding performance given the region's economy, notes the latest Alta LAR 100 report by The Alta Group Latin American Region (Alta LAR). Details and the most recent ranking of the 100 largest leasing companies in the region will be discussed at the Latin American Leasing Conference Nov. 9-10 in Miami. A free report summary is available for download at the Alta website.

"We have surveyed close to 600 active lessors in the Latin American Region," Alta LAR CEO Rafael Castillo-Triana wrote in the report. "About 95% of the whole leasing portfolio is concentrated in the 100 largest leasing companies with around US$ 55 billion. These 100 largest lessors experienced an annual growth of 11%, which is more than 2.5 times the average growth of the whole industry in the region."

The International Monetary Fund estimates that the overall economic growth rate in Latin America grew just 1.1% in 2016, due to the declines in Brazil and Venezuela. Out of Brazil and Venezuela, the region had better than 2% average growth. All other countries have continued their average historic growth. In 2017 emerging market economies are rebounding and growth rates between 4% and 5% are expected. This means good expectations for the overall growth of the Latin American leasing industry this year, since leasing continues to be the main engine of economic growth in the region, Castillo-Triana says.

The Alta LAR 100 estimates portfolio sizes and growth rates in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, and negative growth in Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Puerto Rico. It identifies significant shifts in the main drivers of growth, key players and origin of multinationals, and reveals how regulations are impacting the industry. One finding: finance leases are fading away while operating leases are on the rise.

For more information about the Latin American Leasing Conference, visit www.thealtaconferencias.com or contact [email protected]. It will feature simultaneous English and Spanish translations, with leaders from 15 nations expected to attend. The forum preceding the conference will focus on new financial accounting standards that are shaping leasing, and related developments in technology and regulations. It will be in Spanish.

SOURCE The Alta Group Latin American Region

Related Links

http://thealtagroup.com


HOUSTON, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pack-It Movers, a residential and commercial moving company with headquarters in Houston, Texas, has just launched new franchising opportunities across the United States. The family-owned and operated company currently has 10 locations across Texas and California and 65 employees. This proven track record of success has set up the company to see some serious growth opportunities for its new franchisees.

Pack-It Movers

"We are excited to launch this new franchising opportunity to those who want to own their own business with a growing and valued brand," says Anthony Johnson, CEO of Pack-It Movers. "Our residential and commercial moving services are a step above the rest. Our current success coupled with the level of skill and expertise of our staff will help franchisees launch a successful start-up in their own city."

IBIS World has noted that with the economy growing, the moving industry is growing. Because of the previous housing market collapse and economic downturn, the industry lost operators in the moving industry. With the industry poised for more growth, there is a need for these services in communities across the country. IBIS World also noted that metropolitan areas are expected to continue to be the most active areas for moving services, with large populations and constantly moving renters maintaining demand for services.

Pack-It Movers provides a range of services including packing and unpacking services and from large furniture moves to whole home and office moves. The company also offers long-distance moves both within the same state and state-to-state moves. Pack-It Movers utilizes today's technology to enhance their business.

The company is also focused on customer service. Setting them apart from other moving companies, Pack-It Movers offers 24-hour live customer services, a price match, and free estimates. To learn more about the company and new franchising opportunities, visit PackItMovers.com.

About Pack-It Movers

Pack-It Movers is a residential and commercial moving company that offers a range of packing and moving services. The company provides a free estimate, 24-hour customer service, and a price match with their competition. For more information, visit www.PackItMovers.com.

Media Contact:

281-392-7225

[email protected]

Related Images

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Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqEWsNbv9j0

SOURCE Pack-It Movers

Related Links

http://www.PackItMovers.com


IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ron Duong, the top retail agent in Marcus & Millichap's Newport Beach office, closed escrow on 14 complex NNN investment properties in 11 states including 11 NNN restaurants, 1 NNN drug store, and 1 NNN convenience store.

Duong Retail Group

Amongst the NNN properties sold were a Minnesota zero-cash flow CVS, a Tennessee Church's Chicken with less than four years remaining on the lease, an Ortho Mattress store at an 5.46% cap rate, a Texas Jack in the Box and Chevron combo store, and a California Circle K property with less than two years remaining on the lease at a 4.73% cap rate. Other notable tenants included Hardee's, Bob Evans, Bojangles, Dairy Queen, and Wendy's. Duong's team co-brokers in these transactions included Craig Elster, Roy Dilekoglu, and Neil Khatib.

In most cases, Duong obtained multiple cash offers through his extensive & aggressive marketing campaign which targeted the highest paying NNN and 1031 exchange buyers throughout the U.S.

Ron Duong, lead broker of the Duong Retail Group is a top agent in Marcus & Millichap's Newport Beach office. Last year alone Ron closed over $112,000,000 in sales and is on track to double that number in 2017. Ron's track record of closings represents some of the highest prices and most aggressive cap rates in the marketplace.

About Marcus & Millichap

With over 1,700 investment sales and financing professionals located throughout the United States and Canada, Marcus & Millichap is a leading specialist in commercial real estate investment sales, financing, research and advisory services. Founded in 1971, the firm closed over 9,000 transactions in 2016 with a value of approximately $42.3 billion. The company has perfected a powerful system for marketing properties that combines investment specialization, local market expertise, the industry's most comprehensive research, state-of-the-art technology, and relationships with the largest pool of qualified investors. To learn more, please visit: www.MarcusMillichap.com

For questions or comments, please contact:

Ron Duong

[email protected]

949- 419-3233

Related Images

image1.jpg

image2.jpg

Related Links

Duong Retail Group Website

SOURCE Duong Retail Group

Related Links

http://www.MarcusMillichap.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the global leader in CRM, today announced that Mark Hawkins, President and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in an BMO Capital Markets hosted bus tour on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 7:30 a.m. (PT) / 10:30 a.m. (ET) in San Francisco, CA.

An audiocast will be available on Salesforce's website at www.salesforce.com/investor.

About Salesforce

Salesforce, the global leader in CRM, empowers companies to connect with their customers in a whole new way. Salesforce has headquarters in San Francisco, with offices in Europe and Asia, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CRM." For more information about Salesforce, visit: www.salesforce.com.

SOURCE Salesforce

Related Links

http://www.salesforce.com


History In October of 2013, in the heart of Uptown Dallas, Texas, Shell Shack made its first appearance. It was born to win the heart of seafood enthusiasts and foodies just loved it! Now with 4 thriving locations open in DFW and signing the 1 st Franchise Agreement for 3 units in East Texas, Shell Shack is setting their sights on several surrounding states.

Story

Jon Glaser says, "We are proud to announce our newest franchise group, Houston Shellfish Ventures, joining the Shell Shack Family. A diversified group of individuals, with a partnership consisting of some of the finest commercial real estate and development minds in Texas from The Retail Connection located in Dallas, TX. Their site selection knowledge, paired with an experienced high volume multiunit veteran operator Larry Garrett, this group certainly has the making of success. They will be building quality teams from the ground up and will execute our brand each and every day providing Shell Shack guest the level of experience that we expect and our guest deserve. We have no doubt that Houston Shellfish Ventures was the right choice to launch Shell Shack in the Houston, TX market. We look forward to their first site selection as the staple Shell Shack of the Houston market."

Dallas Hale, CEO added, "We are happy to have Houston Shellfish Ventures come on board. We are pleased to have such a great continued response to our franchise program, it's always nice for others to appreciate and share the same common belief that we have created something unique. It's not really as surprising as you would think that we have sold 2 franchise groups totaling 11 units in development in the past 7 months, Jon Glaser is very passionate about franchising Shell Shack and being part of our continued success."

About Shell Shack

Shell Shack is not just another typical seafood brand. They have created a unique business opportunity with their fast-casual execution menu without compromising a casual dining customer experience. This, paired with an attractive $4+ million average unit volume, certainly has all the components for success. Shell Shack is expanding and inviting qualified franchisees to join the Shell Shack Family.

For more information on Shell Shack franchise opportunities and requirements, please visit www.ownashellshack.com.

Brand Book  CLICK HERE

SOURCE Shell Shack

Related Links

https://www.theshellshack.com


PENROSE, Colo., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Gorge Skydive is partnering with Clasp Life; we are excited to announce their charity program to make a wish come true for those terminally ill. The WishNLeap Program aimed at giving individuals with terminal conditions the opportunity to scratch Skydiving off the bucket list before it is too late. The program is free for those who qualify. Clasp Life will be managing the program for Royal Gorge Skydive.

Royal Gorge Skydive

Royal Gorge Skydive is a tandem skydiving tour company in southern Colorado at the Fremont County Airport. The jump will be made from 16,000 ft. which is the highest jump offered at the airport. The company is even accepting applications for children as young as 10 for very special conditions and will require additional approvals. Chief executive officer Jason Dawson feels it is worth the effort and an acceptable risk offering it to more ages outside normal policy of 18 years due to the nature of the situation: "We're so excited for this program, the opportunity it gives people with terminal conditions. Some of these stories are so heart wrenching and all they want is to experience the ultimate and don't think they ever will or could." Royal Gorge Skydive recently took a terminal cancer patient in his 70s.

Clasp Life will be taking story based submissions. People should indicate if they would like funding assistance. The request needs to come from the individual jumping. A crowd funding site has been setup for people wanting to help with qualified applicants' travel expenses or tax deductible donations through Clasp Life. Clasp Life can be reached at [email protected] or call 719-252-2673. Royal Gorge Skydive is available for comment or questions at 719-784-2047.

Related Links

Clasp Life Crowd Funding Site

Royal Gorge Skydive

SOURCE Royal Gorge Skydive
Wildlife Mississippi will place 80 acres of grassland in Jackson County, Miss., under permanent conservation easement. The project will protect an agricultural property that provides important habitat for the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill crane and is currently used by up to nine cranes, which is seven percent of the wild population, for foraging and raising colts.

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife will promote water conservation best management practices on 6,000 acres of agricultural lands within the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River basin. The project will protect flow to benefit habitat for six federally listed mussel species, gulf sturgeon and a host of other endemic species native to the Chipola River and ACF basin.

"We believe in being a good steward wherever we serve and our support of the Gulf Coast Conservation Grant Program is one of the many ways we are doing that," said Southern Company Environmental and System Planning Vice President Jeff Burleson. "Through the Power of Flight Program, we are helping to conserve critical bird species and improve the Gulf Coast's ecosystem, which is inextricably tied to the health of our coastal economy and tourism."

The GCCGP supports a variety of conservation projects that focus on enhancing coastal habitats and bolstering priority fish and wildlife populations along the Gulf of Mexico. Southern Company and NFWF have partnered through the Power of Flight Program since 2003, which has restored or enhanced more than 478,000 acres of high-priority habitat for bird species, including red-cockaded woodpecker, northern bobwhite quail, whooping crane, coastal waterbirds and shorebirds, and other imperiled species. To date, 89 Power of Flight-supported projects have been implemented across the Southeast in states where Southern Company's electric-utility subsidiaries are located.

"Successful conservation programs operating at this scale wouldn't be possible without bringing together the public and private sectors," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO at NFWF. "Innovative partnerships like these drive the overall success of the Gulf Coast Conservation Grant Program, which in turn ensures that critical on-the-ground conservation work gets done throughout the Gulf Coast."

In addition to Southern Company and NFWF, other public-private partners include Shell Marine & Wildlife Habitat Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service and others.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in four states, natural gas distribution companies in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top energy companies in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE Southern Company

Related Links

http://www.southerncompany.com


Steak 'n Shake challenges anyone to taste the Prime Steakburger and compare it to any other burger served around the globe today. Upon trying the Prime Steakburger, it becomes immediately clear why it is far superior to any other burger in the marketplace. Taking into account every aspect of this burger, from the perfected blend of 100% all-natural, antibiotic-free, brisket and chuck to the bakery-fresh brioche bun on which it is served, the Prime Steakburger leaves no doubt that you will be able to taste the unmatched quality in every bite.

"At Steak 'n Shake, we've been on a quest to create the world's best burger," said Jim Flaniken, Sr. Vice President of Marketing for Steak 'n Shake. "In pursuing this endeavor, we invested years visiting farms and working in chef kitchens around the world to develop the perfect blend of beef. The result is the Prime Steakburger  the tastiest burger on the market today. We are convinced no one will be able to match the quality and taste of the Prime Steakburger."

The Prime Steakburger stands out as the true masterpiece in the premium burger segment because of the careful and deliberate attention to detail used in developing these mouth-watering attributes:

Six ounces of the best all-natural, antibiotic-free, 100% USDA certified choice beef.

A perfected blend of brisket and chuck creates the best taste and tenderness  hand-crafted, seared to perfection and served fresh hot off the grill.

Topped with a bakery-fresh brioche bun, the Prime Steakburger is so big it has to be served with a steak knife through it.

To find a location near you or for additional information on Steak 'n Shake's new Prime Steakburger, visit: www.steaknshake.com.

About Steak 'n Shake Inc.

Steak 'n Shake, a classic American brand, serves premium burgers and shakes in more than 600 restaurants across the country and the world. Founded in 1934 in Normal, Illinois, Steak 'n Shake is the leader in the "better burger" segment of the restaurant industry, serving hand-crafted, premium Steakburgers and hand-scooped milkshakes. Steak 'n Shake is the recipient of the Nation's Restaurant News Golden Chain Award. Zagat has recognized Steak 'n Shake as having the No. 1 Milkshake. Steak 'n Shake Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Biglari Holdings Inc.

SOURCE Steak 'n Shake

Related Links

http://www.steaknshake.com


ALBANY, New York, August 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Key companies in the global subcutaneous immunoglobulin market include Grifols S.A., CSL Behring LLC, Shire Plc., Biotest AG, Kedrion S.p.A., Octapharma AG, Baxalta Incorporated, and Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. The global subcutaneous immunoglobulin market is likely to present an opportunity-filled landscape for new players in the coming years, while steady expansion efforts are likely to help existing market players consolidate their position in the subcutaneous immunoglobulin market.

According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Market is expected to exhibit a robust 14% CAGR between 2016 and 2024. The market was valued at US$2.7 bn in 2015 and is expected to rise to a valuation of US$8.8 bn by 2024.

By application, primary immunodeficiency diseases accounted for close to 70% of the global subcutaneous immunoglobulin market in 2015 and is likely to dominate the market in the coming years due to the growing prevalence of PIDDs. Geographically, North America is likely to remain the leading contributor to the global subcutaneous immunoglobulin market over the 2016-2024 forecast period due to the steady backing given to the healthcare sector in the region for consistent product improvements, which has resulted in the availability of a diverse array of products in the subcutaneous immunoglobulin market.

Steady Technological Progress Vital for Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Market

The subcutaneous immunoglobulin market has witnessed impressive growth over the years since the launch of the medicine, and presently there has been a noticeable rise in the adoption of subcutaneous immunoglobulin in developing regions of the world. Therapeutically advanced products that have been recently introduced to the market or are currently in development address unmet needs in two key ways: Attempting to reduce the number of systemic adverse events and formulating concentrated solutions that reduce the infusion time. These new technologies will drive market growth, encouraging further innovation from the next round of startup players.

New products are being developed in the subcutaneous immunoglobulin market that aim to improve and facilitate subcutaneous administration of immunoglobulins. For instance, hyaluronidase-facilitated administration increases the bioavailability of SCIG and allows administration of large volumes at a single site. Hyquia, developed by Shire Plc., is one such formulation, supplied in a dual vial unit containing one vial of immunoglobulin infusion 10% and one vial of recombinant human hyaluronidase. The companies are producing more concentrated formulations that will reduce the volume required for administration. For instance, Cuvitru, developed by Shire Plc., is a subcutaneous immunoglobulin 20% solution, with the ability to infuse up to 60 mL (12 grams) per site per hour resulting in shorter infusion durations and fewer infusion sites compared to other conventional subcutaneous treatments. As these developments convert into clinical practice, more patients and physicians may choose the subcutaneous route for administration of immunoglobulin in future.

Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=20594

The growing government support to measures combating the spread of deadly diseases such as AIDS is likely to help the subcutaneous immunoglobulin market's progress in the coming years. While primary immunodeficiency diseases are the primary target for subcutaneous immunoglobulin market players, AIDS treatment could contribute significantly to the market in the coming years. The rising demand for home care in various medical channels is also likely to help the subcutaneous immunoglobulin market, as it will allow for widespread adoption of the infrastructure needed to enable in-home administration of subcutaneous immunoglobulin on a large scale.

The information in this preview comes from a Transparency Market Research report titled 'Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Market (Application - Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases and Secondary Immunodeficiency Diseases; End User - Hospitals, Clinics, and Home Care) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024.'

Browse Press Release: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/subcutaneous-immunoglobulin-market.htm

The global subcutaneous immunoglobulin market is segmented as follows:

Global Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Market, by Application

Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases

Secondary Immunodeficiency Diseases

Others

Global Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Market, by End User

Hospitals

Clinics

Home Care

Global Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Market, by Geography

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Browse Related Research Report:

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Market (Indication - Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), Primary Humoral Immunodeficiency, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN), Kawasaki Disease, Hypogammaglobulinemia, and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia; End User - Hospitals, Clinics, and Home Care) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/intravenous-immunoglobulin-market.html

Genetic Disease Diagnostic Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/genetic-disease-diagnostic-market.html

Immunoglobulin Products Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/immunoglobulin-products-market.html

About Us:

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S. based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMR's global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.

Contact Us:



Transparency Market Research

90 State Street, Suite 700

Albany, NY 12207

Tel: +1-518-618-1030

USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Email: [email protected]



Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Blog: https://theglobalhealthnews.com/

http://www.editiontruth.com/

SOURCE Transparency Market Research
ONTARIO, Calif., Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamster warehouse workers and drivers who work at Vistar Foodservice's distribution facility have been on strike since last week after more than a year of unsuccessful negotiations with the company. The 85 warehouse workers and drivers are members of Teamsters Local 630 in Los Angeles and are calling attention to ongoing pay discrimination against women and other unfair labor practices at Vistar, a division of Performance Food Group (NYSE: PFGC).

"We are tired of being disrespected just because we are women, so we are standing up for a living wage because this is about our families, our kids," said Rebecca Hernandez, a longtime Vistar/PFG employee and single mother who is currently on strike. "We've given so much to this company so they could become millionaires. Some of us have been working for the company for as long as 15 years and Vistar refuses to provide equal pay for equal work."

Local 630 is seeking an agreement similar to the contract it negotiated for its members at Roma Foods, another PFG company. Vistar/PFG services food vendors at movie theatres, state prisons, hospitals and other facilities throughout the state.

"Vistar Performance Food Group is a highly profitable company that dominates the industry in this region," said Lou Villalvazo, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 630. "They can easily afford raises for these workers, especially the women whose labor is openly devalued by the company. Vistar/PFG is acting like it's the 1950s."

The company argues that the women working in the warehouse handle lighter loads and therefore can be paid less than their male co-workers. This is the second Unfair Labor Practice strike the predominately Latino immigrant workforce has undertaken this year. The workers went on a three-day strike in June over the same issues.

The current strike began August 16 and workers have maintained picket lines in shifts, many walking the strike like with their children at their side.

"These brave workers are walking the picket line because it's the only way to stand up for their families. They are standing up against Vistar's greed, its discrimination against women and its exploitation of workers. Teamsters will not allow Vistar to keep working standards low in this industry. This is about winning a fair and equal contract with respect and dignity," Villalvazo said.

Vistar/PFG workers joined Local 630 in 2015. In recent months Local 630 and its members have reached out to movie-goers at major Vistar/PFG customers including AMC and Regal Cinemas to put a spotlight on the company's pay discrimination against women.

Contact:

Oscar Ruiz, (213) 590-7119

SOURCE Teamsters Local 630
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 15th, the Texas Cannabis Industry Association (TCIA) submitted a formal complaint to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and to Governor Greg Abbott's office regarding licensing for the Compassionate Use Program (CUP), which regulates low-THC cannabis medicine for the state. The TCIA provided substantive, objective evidence that walks thru DPS irregularities, documents direct interference by Governor Abbott, and urges the licensing of 9 additional businesses.

The entire TCIA Board of Directors, along with ten (10) of the license applicants (and counting) have signed on to the complaint. It includes a timeline of events that led to the conclusion Governor Abbott exceeded his authority and acted in bad-faith behind the scenes. Neither the DPS or the Governor's office have responded to the complaint.

Publicly however, on August 18th Governor Abbott stated his opposition helping Texas families who need cannabis-based medicine for their children. He is in effect telling these families to leave the state to obtain medicine for their children that is internationally-proven and available without prescription in the majority of the US.

The Governor's statements are the continuation of a conscious ongoing effort to severely undermine the legislative mandate from a veto-proof super-majority of the House and Senate who passed the Compassionate Use Act in 2015. They are also a rebuke of not only the official state GOP platform but also the 77 House members (forming a majority) who officially supported a more robust medical cannabis program (HB 2107) in the 2017 session.

By the state's own non-partisan evaluation, a minimum of twelve licenses (9 additional from current 3 the Governor has imposed) are needed to make the CUP program viable. There are forty (40) additional License Applicants who are ready to complete licensing and begin operations. But they are being held in limbo indefinitely. The DPS officially states that they have not denied any licenses, while also providing in writing that none of their actions are subject to review. This effectively blocks any ability for an applicant to appeal or challenge the process.

TCIA has packaged the cited documentation necessary to substantiate all the claims in the complaint letter. They are glad to provide all of it and any other information needed.

About TCIA: The Texas Cannabis Industry Association promotes and works to ensure the favorable social, economic, and legal environment necessary for a legitimate and responsible cannabis industry to thrive in Texas. TCIA serves as the industry voice, representing a coalition of participants from Texas and across the country to provide support resources for legal cannabis businesses inside the state.

Michael Blunk

Executive Director

[email protected]

832-850-4209

SOURCE Texas Cannabis Industry Association

Related Links

http://www.texascannabisindustry.org


LONDON, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Top Growth Opportunities: Dairy & Soy Food in China



Summary

China's Dairy market is forecast to see strong continued growth through to 2021 paired with a high market value of US$50bn making it a key opportunity for dairy producers. Contributing to this substantive growth is China's burgeoning middle class. These segments of the population are increasingly urban and are developing western-leaning tastes. For many Chinese consumers dairy products, especially milk, are seen as healthy potential sources of nutrients



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5068728/



Tempering this growth somewhat is Chinese sensitivity/intolerance to dairy. A significant portion of the Chinese population is lactose-intolerant or lactase-deficient, and experience adverse effects from dairy products. This could cause a preference for dairy-free products at some point but for now Chinese consumers will continue to increase their milk consumption as the middle class expands



China is one of the smaller markets in the global Dairy & Soy Food sector in terms of per capita expenditure in US dollar terms. The Chinese Dairy & Soy Food market offers fewer opportunities in terms of per capita expenditure in US dollar terms compared to Japan, Saudi Arabia, the US, and Australia.



China's rapid economic growth has pulled hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in recent decades. This rapid economic development combined with an increasingly urban population bodes well for consumer goods producers in China but especially for those producing goods associated with the West which carry premium connotations.



Overall, China's Dairy CAGR has been at 10.56% in the last five years, and this will increase in 2016-2021, while by comparison, on-trade growth will decrease slightly over the same period. This is suggestive of an increased pool of middle class consumption, but the pinch of eating out will still motivate people to stay in rather than go out for dairy and soy products. It is predicted that off-trade dairy consumption alone in 2016 will surpass total dairy and soy consumption in 2016.



The report "Top Growth Opportunities: Dairy & Soy Food in China" provides an overview of the meat market, analyzing market data, demographic consumption patterns within the category, and the key consumer trends driving consumption.



In particular, this report provides the following -

- Key consumer demographic groups driving consumption within the Chinese market. The figures showcase the number of times consumers of specific ages and gender consume Dairy & Soy, as well as identifying whether these demographic groups "over" consume in the category (i.e. they account for a higher proportion of occasions than the proportion of society they represent overall).

- A study of market value and volumes over 2011-2016 for China, supplemented with category, brand and packaging analysis that shows the current state of the market, and how it will evolve over the 2016-2021 period.

- The degree of influence that the 20 key consumer trends identified by GlobalData have on Dairy & Soy consumption volumes, with granular analysis on the extent that degree of influences varies between gender and age group.

- Insight into the implications behind the data, and analysis of how the consumer needs will evolve in the short-to-medium term future.

- Examples of international and China-specific product innovation targeting key consumer needs.



Companies mentioned in this report: Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy Industry Co., Ltd., Want Want China Holdings Ltd., Yili Group, Bright Food (Group) Co., Ltd., Vitasoy International Holding, Nestle, Heilongjiang Wondersun Healthy Food Co., Ltd., Beijing Sanyuan Foods Co., Ltd., Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd., Groupe Danone S.A.



Scope

- China's Dairy market is forecast to see strong continued growth through to 2021, making it a key opportunity for dairy producers.

- The Chinese Dairy market has seen increasing premiumization across all sector categories.

- Private label penetration is relatively low in the Chinese Dairy market but the Private Label CAGR growth between 2011 and 2016 is significantly stronger than the name brand CAGR.

- Dairy consumption is centered on younger consumers. These consumers, having grown up in the age of globalization and Western influence, have much more positive perceptions of dairy products, especially in regards to benefits to health.



Reasons to buy

- This report brings together consumer analysis and market data to provide actionable insight into the behavior of China's Dairy & Soy consumers.

- This is based on GlobalData's unique consumer data, developed from extensive consumption surveys and consumer group tracking, which quantifies the influence of 20 consumption motivations in the Dairy & Soy sector.

- Category, brand, and packaging dynamics are also examined.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5068728/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

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SAN FRANCISCO and MAHWAH, N.J., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property & casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Trudi Barton has joined the firm in Mahwah, New Jersey as part of The Capacity Group  an EPIC Company.

A results-oriented leader with extensive business development, operations and client relationship management experience spanning more than 20 years, Barton joins as Vice President of Special Projects, reporting to Carl Gerson, Managing Principal.

Barton was most recently with Key Insurance and Benefits Services in Syracuse, N.Y. (formerly First Niagara Risk Management) where she served as Assistant Vice President, Commercial Lines Manager.

Said Carl Gerson, "I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Trudi for many years. She is a committed and capable professional, whose experience and ability is extensive. I am excited to have her as an integral part of the Capacity/EPIC team. Trudi's expertise in operational process improvement will be of significant value in positioning our company and the clients we serve for future growth and success."

Barton attended Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y. where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance.

Trudi Barton can be reached at:

The Capacity Group  an EPIC Company

tbarton [at] capcoverage.com

201-831-2700  Direct.

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,000 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With run rate revenues approaching $300 million, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Soon to be backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/300dpi/17-0823s2p-trudi-barton-300dpi.jpg

*Caption: Trudi Barton Joins The Capacity Group  an EPIC Company.

SOURCE EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

Related Links

http://www.epicbrokers.com/


BEIJING, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 22, the conference on Tujia's Overseas Development Review & Outlook cum the Signing Ceremony for the Cooperation between Tujia and Rakuten Lifull Stay, an electronic commerce company in Japan, is held in China World Summit Wing in Beijing, while their collaboration was already announced on a previous news conference held in Tokyo by Tujia and Rakuten Lifull Stay. At the conference, Tujia revealed its strategic layout and operation support of overseas development, as well as its increased cooperation with Rakuten Lifull Stay; and the two companies jointly release more details on their cooperation background and progress. LUO Jun, a co-founder and the CEO of Tujia, and Munekatsu Ota, the President of Rakuten Lifull Stay attended the signing ceremony.

The Outbound Tourism is Booming and Further Spurred by Japan's Law on Vacation Rental

According to the Data Center of the China National Tourism Administration ("National Tourism Data Center"), there were 122 million Chinese tourists travelling overseas in 2016, with their consumption reaching 109.8 billion dollars, making China a country with the largest international tourism source market in terms of trips and spending for 4 consecutive years. The first half of 2017 saw a further rapid growth of China's outbound tourism market and the latest statistics show that the number of Chinese outbound tourists reached 62.03 million, up by 5.1% from 59.03 million, the number in the same period of the previous year.

Japan has been a hot destination for Chinese outbound tourists in recent years. And Japan's homestay market is expected to expand further following the implementation of the Homestay Business Act (Japan's law on vacation rental) passed in Japan in June of this year, according to which the restrictions on homestay business will be removed and tourists can rent private homes. Some third-party consulting firms forecasts that, Japan's homestay market will grow to 200 billion yen by 2020, which is 2.4 times of the expected value of 2017. Under this background, Tujia and Rakuten Lifull Stay will cooperate to attract Chinese tourists, which account for 1/4 of the inbound tourists of Japan, so that Chinese tourists will have more options for better private homes and reserve them through Tujia.

The Partners Capitalize on Each Other's Great Strength

Rakuten Lifull Stay, invested by Rakuten, the largest electronic commerce enterprise in Japan, and Lifull Stay, is an Internet real estate company and a joint venture, which is expanding its listings of rental properties by virtue of various real estate & Internet resources, and rendering homestay services to individuals and companies. Boasting a vast number of listings of privately owned units in Japan, it offers services for everything from preparation of properties to day-to-day operation. Tujia, as the largest private accommodations reservation platform in China, boasts a huge number of Chinese members and provides comprehensive homestay services to Chinese tourists to other countries in Asia, especially those bound for Japan. Tujia's overseas business has grown by 5 times on average every year, with its business in Japan growing by over 8 times in this year. Based on the strategic partnership between the parties, it is expected that Tujia's housing resources in Japan will increase to 100,000 units by 2020 and increase to 200,000 units by 2025. This cooperation, no doubt, will bring about a win-win situation for the parties' strategic distribution in Japan's homestay market.

LUO Jun, a co-founder and the CEO of Tujia, reviews and predicts the strategic layout and implementation of Tujia's overseas business, and remarks that Tujia has established itself as a leading brand in the field of homestay in China, boasts unrivaled traffic resources and grows steadily in targeted traffics after forming direct association with 8 major channels including Ctrip, Qunar and eLong. Tujia also gives priority to the popular destinations in Asia for Chinese outbound tourists, and has presence in such countries or regions as Hong Kong & Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. At present, Tujia will focus on meeting Chinese outbound tourists' demand for vacation rentals and will introduce more comprehensive services and site service management to overseas market.

Japan, where Tujia has established branches, has been a focus of Tujia's overseas development of the new stage. And Tujia Japan is mainly responsible for expansion of housing resources, assistance in the operation by house owners, market analysis, boosting of worldwide popularity, and sharing of the wonderful vacation rental experience in Japan to Chinese tourists.

Four Business Initiatives Supports Overseas Development, Especially That in Japan

Now Tujia strengthens its presence in overseas markets by four key strategies: 1) increasing inventory by directly signing and suppliers' APIs; 2) acquiring resources of potential customers by forming direct association with 8 channels including Ctrip, Qunar, eLong and WeChat Hotel; 3)establishing local presence: In the core regions where Tujia has presence, locals are employed, local market customs and relevant regulations are followed, and local partners are sought; 4)providing bidirectional customer services: There are special overseas customer service teams and overseas shop service teams in the headquarters, and full-time customer service personnel in Japan, who provide services to local customers and local shops, and special customer service teams will be gradually organized for Southeast Asia.

Tujia always commits to seek overseas partners with enormous potentials to jointly expand their market. With respect to the cooperation between Tujia and Rakuten Lifull Stay, Tujia will be a source of steadily growing number of potential Chinese outbound tourists, and Rakuten Lifull Stay will be a provider of legal and excellent private housing sources in Japan. They share the market to reach a win-win situation. While for other overseas market, Tujia will keep open-minded to seek local partners and jointly promote the homestay business across the world.

SOURCE Tujia
PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Uplevel Systems is adding intelligent push notifications to its turnkey managed infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) platform to help managed services providers (MSPs) scale their small business clientele more profitably. The first integrated, intelligent solution targeting the needs of smaller clients, "iLevel Alerts" can be sent to IT solution providers' trouble-ticketing systems, smartphones, or device of choice to inform them that clients' local networks, Wi-Fi, storage and cybersecurity need attention.

Unbox emails the MSP or the MSP's trouble ticketing system when any service is impacted.

"For smaller companies, having trusted experts remotely monitoring their network is the next best thing to having IT professionals on staff," says Tom Alexander, President and CEO at Uplevel Systems. "And for MSPs, the next best thing to being onsite with customers is being able to add value remotely. By alerting the MSP as or before issues occur, iLevel alerts change the dynamic to one in which the MSP is proactively preventing business disruptionswhich inspires confidence and peace of mind among clientsversus simply responding to issues after the fact."

The new smart notifications inform Uplevel reseller partners when routine and uncommon events occur in client networks such as:

Internet links going down

Physical links becoming disrupted

Systems getting turned off

Access points or cables becoming unplugged or disconnected

Disk drives approaching capacity

During a recent heatwave, one Portland, OR-based Uplevel partner received an alert informing them that a client's network had gone offline, though diagnostic logs indicated no issues with the system itself. "We reached out to the customer, who confirmed that a circuit breaker in the building had tripped due to all of the power being used by air conditioning systems," said Kyle Brown of Sentinel Tech. "The real benefit was that the client knew and felt reassured that we were watching over their systems and able to alert them to issues before they turned into real business problems."

How iLevel Works

MSPs already using Professional Services Automation (PSA) tools for trouble-ticketing can integrate Uplevel data into their existing workflows while IT consultants transitioning to a managed services model may simply receive alerts via email without having to invest in new systems. With these flexible options, the Uplevel solution becomes the first to integrate and streamline management of small companies' networks, virtual private networks (VPNs), Wi-Fi, storage, backup, and firewalls in one convenient, automated system.

"Time is money in any service business, and this is the first time that this level of real-time data has been readily available in one convenient interface," says Tony Manso, owner of Taipan Managed Solutions, LLC, a Miami, Florida-based MSP. "Uplevel integrates all of the network functions my small business customers needs and makes it easy to support a lot of customers with a small staff. We're in a better position than ever to deliver the peace of mind that leads customers to opt for managed IT solutions in the first place."

Proactivity Adds Greater Value, Differentiation to Turnkey Solution

Uplevel offers a more elegant solution than point tools and piecemeal approaches requiring providers to log into multiple systems or spend time manually looking for potential issues. Benefits include:

Reduced effort to configure and integrate management of disparate systems

Proactive issue prevention versus waiting or customers to call with problems

Faster response times / premium pricing based on uptime

Effortless upsell opportunities as future investments are needed to maintain quality

Higher profitability through greater efficiency and scalability

"With Uplevel sending us a 'heads-up,' we don't have to waste time waiting and watching," says Manso. "We can be out turning up new clients and still be instantly alerted when our current subscribers may be having a problem and fix it, often before they are even aware there was an issue. This capability represents a giant step forward in customer service, enabling us to grow and operate efficiently while differentiating our services based on quality and proactive support."

About Uplevel

Founded in 2015, Uplevel Systems (www.uplevelsystems.com) delivers managed IT services to small businesses through a channel of accomplished IT consultants nationwide. Uplevel's solutions combine enterprise-class networking - Ethernet, Wi-Fi, data storage and backup, firewall, and network security - with cloud-based management that allows IT consultants to deliver compelling IT services optimized for their smaller companies. Uplevel's hybrid managed services model combines powerful, remotely managed equipment installed at customer sites, with subscription-based billing that eliminates up-front charges and is perfectly suited to small businesses. Unbox keeps customer technology secure, current, and performing optimally.

Media Contact:

Glenn Chagnot

[email protected]

817-716-5103

SOURCE Uplevel Systems

Related Links

http://www.uplevelsystems.com


CHICAGO, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Van Andel Institute (VAI) announces a Chicago-based cocktail event Thursday, Sep. 7, supporting Van Andel Institute's cancer and Parkinson's disease research, as well as the Institute's cutting-edge science education initiatives. Van Andel Institute is an independent biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations.

VAI was established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has grown into a premiere research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 360 scientists, educators and staff. Collaborative partnerships with national and international organizations continue to expand the reach of the Institute's biomedical research initiatives. The Van Andel Research InstituteStand Up To Cancer Epigenetics Dream Team and the Institute's partnership with the UK-based research charity, The Cure Parkinson's Trust, help move life-changing therapies from the lab to the clinic.

The Chicago event, titled Designs on a Cure, is in partnership with the Sixth Floor Showrooms at Chicago's Merchandise Mart and promises to provide guests with an evening of chic design, delicious cocktails and bites, and access to meet and mingle with the leadership of Van Andel Institute and Chicago's top interior designers. The event also propels VAI's expanded presence in Chicagoland.

Designs on a Cure will take place Thursday, Sep. 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Merchandise Mart's Six Floor Showrooms. Participating Showrooms that will be open to guests as well as interior designers who will be on hand include:

Showrooms Open to Guests:

A. Rudin Cowan and Tout Fabricut Benjamin Moore Donghia Holland and Sherry Bradley Duralee Innovations The Bright Group Edelman Interior Crafts, Inc. Kravet Mike Bell, Inc. & Westwater Patterson Romo Lalique Osborne & Little Samuel and Sons Lapchi Pindler Scalamandre Lee Jofa / Brunschwig and Fils Quadrille Schumacher Maya Romanoff Richard Norton Gallery Stark

Robert Allen Tai Ping



Watson Smith

Interior Designers in Attendance:

Nora Schneider - Nora Schneider Interior Design David Kaufman - Kaufman Segal Design Lauren Coburn - Lauren Coburn, LLC Ken Walter - Gray & Walter Tom Stringer Design Partners Mia Rao - Mia Rao Design Soucie Horner Design Michael Syrjanen - Michael Syrjanen Design Tom Konopiots and Michael Stornello - Vincere Janet McCann - Janet McCann Design Brian Snow - Semel-Snow Bruce Fox - Bruce Fox Design Elissa Morgante - Morgante Wilson Architects Nicholas Moriarity - Nicholas Moriarity Interiors

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at www.vai.org/events/design

ABOUT VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE : Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent nonprofit biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VAI has grown into a premier research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 360 scientists, educators and staff. Van Andel Institute (VAI) is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson's and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. The Institute's scientists work in onsite laboratories and participate in collaborative partnerships that span the globe. Learn more about Van Andel Institute or donate by visiting www.vai.org. 100% To Research, Discovery & Hope

Contact:

Catherine Merritt

[email protected]

312.343.2812

SOURCE Van Andel Institute

Related Links

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Less than two weeks before James Bayford allegedly grabbed the steering wheel of a shuttle for the Testicle Festival, causing the Jeep to roll and killing two passengers, District Court Judge Robert Dusty Deschamps gave him a fully deferred sentence for two other felony convictions for physically assaulting his young nephews.

Since the Aug. 5 crash, Deschamps has repeatedly referenced to Bayfords case in court while considering requests from other defendants seeking lower bonds or to be released on their own recognizance, as well as those seeking deferred or fully suspended sentences.

The judge expressed reluctance to grant inmate releases or follow certain plea agreements, noting how quickly after his initial sentence Bayford had been cited for the fatal crash.

On Tuesday, 42-year-old Bayford made his first appearance in front of Deschamps since the crash, after prosecutors sought to revoke his deferred sentence for multiple alleged violations of his probation conditions that prohibited him from drinking, among other things.

After the crash, Bayford allegedly registered 0.209 blood alcohol content on a breath test, and told a Montana Highway Patrol trooper he had been kidnapped. It was later discovered Bayford had been kicked out of the festival and put on the shuttle back to Missoula.

The Testicle Festival shuttle crash killed 33-year-old Vannessa Anderson (also known by the last name Batt) and 36-year-old Donny Barlow. In addition to two counts of negligent homicide, Bayford also is charged with six counts of felony criminal endangerment because of the injuries sustained by six other people in the shuttle.

On Tuesday, Bayford denied the allegations that he had violated the conditions of his deferred sentence. Deschamps set a hearing for Tuesday, Aug. 29, for Bayford to enter pleas to his new charges. Bayford continues to be held on $200,000 bail.
"Vode leads the industry with unrivaled minimalist and architecturally conscious linear lighting systems that subtly enhance the environment in which they are installed. I'm thrilled to join the Vode family and be a part of this pioneering company," said Ian Coll, NYC sales manager at Vode. "With an ever-growing portfolio of projects in the greater New York City region, it's a no-brainer that the forerunner in lighting design should have a dedicated representative in one of the world's design capitals."

A veteran of the architectural lighting industry, Coll began his career with Vode agent Reflex Lighting Group and has known Vode's founders since the company's inception. Coll then worked as Director of International Sales at Amerlux LLC and Northeast Regional Sales Manager at Pinnacle Architectural Lighting.

As New York City sales manager, Coll leverages his wealth of experience in the Northeast to network and introduce Vode to new, cutting-edge firms and prospective partners. For those long-time partners of Vode in the region, Coll serves as a neighborhood resource, updating them on Vode's latest innovations, new products and custom designs and bringing them samples to test.

"There is a strong concentration of design, lighting and architecture firms headquartered in New York City. Many global companies have large offices in New York City too, making it a major hub for lighting design," said Scott Yu, co-founder and chief creative officer at Vode. "With Ian running point in New York, Vode will be able to expand its global project portfolio and increase its East Coast presence."

About Vode

In 2005, industrial designer Scott Yu yearned to use his design talent to create enduring and environmentally mindful products. He saw an opportunity to apply design thinking to the lighting arena that looked ready for profound changes  as well as growing awareness of environmental impacts of lighting in energy consumption. Scott was so inspired that he began hosting meetings with designers, technology and business thinkers to hatch a plan to create the perfect architectural lighting company. At the same time, Northern California native Tom Warton, a lighting industry entrepreneur, imagined better ways to think about linear lighting and a more principled way to run a lighting company.

In early 2005, Scott invited Tom to attend one of his meetings and ideas sparked. Over the next nine months a plan evolved to create minimalistic and customizable lighting systems that had never before existed. Their research revealed that commercial architectural lighting systems could have the greatest impact. To round out the team, George Mieling, a Boston-based, international business executive in the food pharmaceuticals industry, joined to run finance and sales. So in early 2006, three people of diverse cultures, industries and talents launched a company based on three converging factors: environmental responsibility, design insight and new lighting technology. The goal: to build a linear lighting systems company that substantially contributed, not only the betterment of our blue planet but, to the well-being of all people involved. Visit vode.com for more information

SOURCE Vode Lighting

Related Links

http://vode.com


Voya and Scholarship America have a long history of collaboration, including Voya's recent sponsorship of Scholarship America's National Dreams to Success Awards , a celebration honoring outstanding individuals and organizations making a significant impact in education. During the event, Voya announced the inaugural cohort of Voya Scholars , a new program that combines post-secondary scholarships for previous Voya charitable program beneficiaries with career readiness supports such as mentoring, networking, interviewing, resume preparation and internships. Scholarship America also facilitates Voya Unsung Heroes , a program that provides grants to K-12 educators utilizing innovative teaching methods and techniques that improve learning.

"We are very pleased to welcome Alain to the board and the Scholarship America family," said Robert C. Ballard, president and CEO of Scholarship America. "His extensive career in financial services as well as his strong support of the Scholarship America mission will be invaluable assets as we seek to serve all students in pursuit of their dreams of a higher education."

In his role as chief operating officer, Karaoglan is responsible for all of Voya's ongoing businesses, which include the Retirement, Investment Management, Annuities, Individual Life and Employee Benefits segments. Karaoglan serves on Voya's Executive Committee and also oversees Brand and Corporate Communications, Corporate Marketing, Corporate Development, Strategic Relationship Management and the Customer Solutions Group. He received bachelor's degrees in business administration and economics from Pepperdine University, and a Master of Business Administration from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

"For years, Voya and Scholarship America have worked together to advance our shared goal of educating and empowering young people so that they can take control of their future," said Karaoglan. "I am proud to serve an organization that shares such a strong commitment to helping students achieve their educational dreams."

As an industry leader and advocate for greater retirement readiness, Voya Financial is committed to delivering on its vision to be America's Retirement Company and its mission to make a secure financial future possible  one person, one family, one institution at a time.

Media Contacts:

Nicole Vasile

Voya Financial

Cell: (860) 839-1589

[email protected]

About Voya Financial

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), helps Americans plan, invest and protect their savings  to get ready to retire better. Serving the financial needs of approximately 13.6 million individual and institutional customers in the United States, Voya is a Fortune 500 company that had $11 billion in revenue in 2016. The company had $517 billion in total assets under management and administration as of June 30, 2017. With a clear mission to make a secure financial future possible  one person, one family, one institution at a time  Voya's vision is to be America's Retirement Company. Certified as a "Great Place to Work" by the Great Place to Work Institute, Voya is equally committed to conducting business in a way that is socially, environmentally, economically and ethically responsible and has been recognized as one of the 2017 World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, as well as one of the Top Green Companies in the U.S., by Newsweek magazine. For more information, visit voya.com. Follow Voya Financial on Facebook and Twitter @Voya.

SOURCE Voya Financial, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.voya.com


Wealthsimple's Halal Investing portfolio uses the same passive investment strategy as its other portfolios, which tracks broad swaths of the market instead of picking individual stocks. And like Wealthsimple's Standard and Socially Responsible Investing portfolios, there is no account minimum - investors can get started with as little as $1 - and fees remain a flat and transparent 0.4% to 0.5% of assets managed, depending on the amount invested. Investors can manage their accounts through Wealthsimple's two-time Webby Award-winning digital platform, and have unlimited access to experienced financial advisors via phone, email or text message.

"We want to enable everyone to live their best financial lives by making effective, sophisticated financial products and advice accessible to everyone," said Michael Katchen, CEO and co-founder, Wealthsimple. "A lot of the common financial products are off the table for observant Muslims, and many of the available options are expensive or have high minimums. We wanted to offer a portfolio that had all the benefits of our other portfolios, while being compliant with Islamic investing practices."

With MSCI, a leading provider of research-based indexes and analytics, and the world's largest provider of environmental, social and governance indexes, Wealthsimple designed the Halal Investing portfolio using a methodology approved by MSCI's committee of Shariah scholars. The all-equity portfolio is comprised of 50 stocks designed to maximize diversification and closely track the MSCI ACWI Islamic Index. The stocks included in the portfolio were filtered using two screening processes: a business activity screen and a financial screen. The business activity screen filters companies that are directly active in, or derive over five percent of their revenue from, a prohibited activity such as alcohol, firearms, gambling or pork production. The financial screen filters out companies that derive significant income from interest or have considerable leverage.

Wealthsimple brings professional investing to everyone, using a simple, elegant digital platform and low fees. Wealthsimple's mission is to democratize wealth by making the best tools and advice accessible to everyone, regardless of who they are or how much they have to invest. Clients can sign up for the Halal Investing portfolio in minutes by going to www.wealthsimple.com/halal or downloading the iOS or Android app.

About Wealthsimple

Wealthsimple is an online investing service that combines user-friendly digital tools and personal financial advice to make smart, automated investing available to everyone. With no minimum account size and low fees, Wealthsimple makes investing simple, accessible, affordable and personalized. Available in the U.S. and Canada, and launching soon in the U.K., Wealthsimple is founded by a team of financial experts and technology entrepreneurs, and backed by Power Financial Corporation, a publicly-traded management and holding company. To learn more, visit www.wealthsimple.com.

SOURCE Wealthsimple

Related Links

https://www.wealthsimple.com/


REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WOW air, Iceland's low-cost transatlantic airline, continues its North American growth by offering new flight services from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) to Europe via Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Iceland. The addition of these four cities will increase the number of WOW air destinations in the Midwest to five.

Earlier this year, WOW air began service to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD). These four additions will bring the airline's total number of U.S. destinations to 12 since its successful North American launch at Boston Logan International Airport in March 2015.

Service from Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati and St. Louis to Iceland will be available four days per week with service onwards to WOW air's European destinations. Flights from the four new destinations to Iceland are available from $99* one-way including taxes. Fares to WOW air's additional locations from the Midwest, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, Dublin, Copenhagen and more starting at $149*.

Tickets from WOW air's four new airport partners go on sale today and can be purchased at www.wowair.us

Flights from DTW, CLE, CVG and STL to Iceland will commence in 2018. The inaugural flights are as follows:

Detroit on April 26

on Cleveland on May 4

on Cincinnati will be May 10

will be St. Louis on May 17

"WOW air is very excited to bring our flight services to four new Midwest destinations," said Skuli Mogensen, CEO and Founder of WOW air. "We are proud of our growth over the last two years and will continue to work tirelessly to provide the lowest fares possible to each region of the U.S. Helping to make international travel truly a possibility for everyone."

WOW air's expansion across the Midwest will provide millions of Americans with affordable access to major European cities including: Berlin, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Dublin, Paris and London.

Bookings are now available at www.wowair.us.

WOW air photography and b-roll are available for download here.

About WOW air

WOW air offers the lowest fares, a modern fleet with the lowest emissions and the biggest smile; this is the WOW air promise to its valuable customers. As of spring 2017, the airline services 32 destinations across Europe and North America including Dublin, London, Paris, Berlin, and Copenhagen.

Established in November 2011 by Icelandic entrepreneur Skuli Mogensen, the purple airline flies with Airbus A320, Airbus A321 and Airbus A330 models. WOW air boasts one of the world's youngest fleet, with an average aircraft age of just 2 years.

WOW air was ranked as the 7th best low-cost airline in Europe at the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Skytrax World Airline Awards and was the youngest airline in the top ten.

For additional information and bookings please visit https://wowair.us/.

Contact:

Anna Romano

[email protected]

310-854-8296

WOW air corporate

Svana Fridriksdottir

VP, Communications

[email protected]

011 354 695 9359

*Detroit (DTW) to Iceland, Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, London and Berlin via Iceland. Based on lowest one-way WOW Basic fare booked on www.wowair.us. Includes all taxes, fees and carrier charges. Available for travel April 25  June 26 and August 25 to October 30 2018. The offer applies for 600 seats on selected flights, only when booked on a return trip.

*Cleveland (CLE) to Iceland, Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, London and Berlin via Iceland. Based on lowest one-way WOW Basic fare booked on www.wowair.us. Includes all taxes, fees and carrier charges. Available for travel May 3  June 26 and August 25 to October 30 2018. The offer applies for 550 seats on selected flights, only when booked on a return trip.

*Cincinnati (CVG) to Iceland, Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, London and Berlin via Iceland. Based on lowest one-way WOW Basic fare booked on www.wowair.us. Includes all taxes, fees and carrier charges. Available for travel May 9  June 26 and August 25 to October 30 2018. The offer applies for 500 seats on selected flights, only when booked on a return trip.

*St. Louis (STL) to Iceland, Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, London and Berlin via Iceland. Based on lowest one-way WOW Basic fare booked on www.wowair.us. Includes all taxes, fees and carrier charges. Available for travel May 17  June 26 and August 25 to October 30 2018. The offer applies for 500 seats on selected flights, only when booked on a return trip.

SOURCE WOW air

Related Links

https://www.wowair.us


Jay Sekulow, a nonprofit lawyer who works on a lot of Christian legal defense issues, is on Donald Trumps legal team. You can learn a lot about what is happening in Washington, D.C., by checking his website. For instance, the Trump legal team gave a FOIA request to the FBI asking for documents pertaining to Loretta Lynchs (the former Attorney General under Obama) meeting with Bill Clinton on his airplane. The FBIs first response was to say that no such documents existed. After being publicly challenged, the FBI finally handed over 400+ pages of emails between the AG, the FBI and the New York Times on that meeting. Much of it was redacted, but enough was left to show that the FBI and the New York Times were trying to bury that information and protect the AG. It was collusion. There are more documents, and there is an effort to obtain them. The spy agencies of the US have been politicized, and that is scary! This is just one of the legal things happening in Washington, D.C.
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
Los Angeles, Aug 18 : Residents, policemen and Mayor of Phoenix city in the state of Arizona are preparing for a campaign-style rally by US President Donald Trump amid fear of an uproar just like the violence in Charlottesville of Virginia.

To relieve the nervousness of residents, Chief of Phoenix Police Department Jeri Williams on Thursday issued a statement on the rally that will be held by Trump on Tuesday next, Xinhua news agency reported.

Williams said the Phoenix Police Department had officers assigned to 24/7 monitor and evaluate activities that could impact local communities.

"By now, you probably have heard that President Trump is coming to Phoenix for a rally on Tuesday. While Phoenix is not immune from critical incidents, I want you to know that your city is working hard to ensure another safe event," Williams said in the statement.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton in a statement on Wednesday criticised Trump for holding the rally. He called on the President to cancel the event, as the date is too close to the weekend's violence in Charlottesville.

"I am disappointed that Trump has chosen to hold a campaign rally as our nation is still healing from the tragic events in Charlottesville," Stanton said. "I hope sound judgement prevails and he delays his visit."

A rally staged by white nationalists in Charlottesville on August 12 left three persons dead and dozens injured.

Mike, a high school teacher, said he has been keeping a close eye on the event in Charlottesville and felt disappointed to Trump's remarks on violence, racism and white supremacy.

"Trump is very capricious on the event, and he said there are good persons on both sides, which means he believes white extremists are good persons, it really bothers me," he said, adding that he has no plan to go downtown next Tuesday to avoid violence and traffic.

In an initial statement, the President blamed "many sides" for the violence, and then had to condemn white supremacists, neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan this Monday.

However, a day later he said the alt-left groups were also "charging at the alt-right with clubs".

Liz, another high school teacher working in Phoenix, said she remembered her eighth grade students' responses after the result of the presidential election last year, in which reliably red Arizona voted for Trump.

"If it is possible, I will transfer to Canada, student told me," Liz said. "I have been trying my best not to talk about politics in my classroom, because I really feel puzzled about the current situation."

The Mayor also warned Trump not to announce a pardon for former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was found guilty by US District Judge Susan Bolton on August 1 of criminal contempt of court for violating a judge's order to stop racial profiling and detaining suspected undocumented immigrants.

Arpaio, 85, made national headlines in 1993 when he opened the Tent City jail complex in the Arizona desert near Phoenix to imprison the people he arrested.

He forced inmates to sleep in 70 tatty tents on the 37.7 degrees Celsius desert floor and wear pink underwear with tight striped jumpsuits.

Trump earlier this week said he was "seriously considering" a pardon for Arpaio, who is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5 and could spend up to six months in jail. Many residents denounced Trump's move.

"If Trump is coming to Phoenix to announce a pardon for former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, then it will be clear that his true intent is to enflame emotions and divide our nation," the Mayor's statement said.

Next Tuesday's rally is Trump's first trip to Arizona after winning the White House and the first trip to the West under mounting criticism for his ambiguous attitude to the white supremacy.

Even though Arizona is a stronghold of Republicans, it is also home to two of Trump's most vocal Republican critics -- Senator John McCain and Senator Jeff Flake.
Las Vegas, Aug 21 : Filmmaker Martin Scorsese and actors like Whoopi Goldberg, Goldie Hawn and Jim Carrey have expressed condolences to the family of the late comedic icon Jerry Lewis. He was 91.

Lewis, who died on August 20 after a brief illness here, was celebrated during his lifetime for starring in movies like "The Nutty Professor" and "The Bellboy" before launching the Muscular Dystrophy telethon. Hollywood celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to the legend.

Here's what they had to say soon after the news of his death was announced:

Martin Scorsese: Jerry Lewis was a master. He was a great entertainer. He was a great artiste. And he was a remarkable man. I had the honour of working with him, and it was an experience I'll always treasure. He was, truly, one of our greats.

Whoopi Goldberg: Jerry Lewis passed today, millions around the world loved him, millions of children he helped with his telethons. R.I.P. and condolences to his family.

Actor-filmmaker William Shatner: Condolences to the family of Jerry Lewis. The world is a lot less funnier today.

Goldie Hawn: Jerry Lewis. You were blessed, and blessed us with the perfect combination of comedy and tragedy. A perfect clown who could do it all.

Actor-director George Takei: We have lost a great comedian and even greater heart. Thank you for the laughs and the feels, Jerry Lewis.

Actor Rob Schneider: Oh no! Jerry Lewis just died! Another comic legend has left us. Martin and Lewis were the Beatles of comedy! Nobody was ever bigger!

Jim Carrey: That fool was no dummy. Jerry Lewis was an undeniable genius an unfathomable blessing, comedy's absolute! I am because he was!

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis: Jerry Lewis loomed large in my family. Many movies with my mom and he made home movies with (her parents) Janet and Tony. He made me and many laugh.

Director Richard Shepard: RIP Jerry Lewis. Thank you for the telethons, the video-tap, and the king of comedy -- your most perfect, funny, sad and sly performance.

Actor Neil Patrick Harris: Watching Jerry Lewis on-screen makes me laugh harder than almost anyone. His great contribution to cinema is undeniable.

TV host-comedian Jimmy Kimmel: Jerry Lewis was a genius comedian, actor, director, inventor, humanitarian...

Actor Samuel L. Jackson: It was incredible knowing and laughing with the amazing Jerry Lewis! He'll keep them laughing in the ever after!

Actor-comedian Sean Hayes: We lost one of the great ones today... possibly the greatest. Jerry Lewis was one of my comedy heroes.

Pakistani-American stand-up comedian-actor Kumail Nanjiani: As a child, I'm pretty sure I was the biggest Jerry Lewis fan in the world. Truly. R.I.P. Jerry Lewis.

Actor Josh Gad: One of the greatest of all time. A legend, showman, comedic icon, movie star, activist and one of a kind.

Actor Jon Cryer: Jerry Lewis was a complicated man of astonishing talent. If you are in comedy, you have been influenced by him, whether you know it or not.
New Delhi, Aug 21 : Aiming to strengthen India's geo-strategic stand and transform the northeastern region into an economic powerhouse, the Centre has cleared a Rs 6,167 crore upgrade of a 352-km National Highway (NH) in Mizoram that will improve economic connectivity to Myanmar as also create an alternate trade route for mainland traders doing business in the northeast.

"The Aizawl-Tuipang NH is a major road development work at improving economic connectivity between Myanmar and India. This will also improve access to ASEAN markets for agro-processing, horticulture, dairy and fisheries, besides other industries based on the markets, availability of raw materials and other competitive advantages," Nagendra Nath Sinha, Managing Director of National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), which is executing the project, told IANS.

(The stretch between Tuipang and the Myanmar border is being executed by the Mizoram PWD under the supervision of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.)

Sinha, a 1987 batch Jharkhand cadre IAS officer, who recently became the NHIDCL head, said the project will receive funding of Rs 4,487 crore from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA). The agreement for the first tranche of Rs 3,690 crore was signed in March 2017.

"NHIDCL is making advanced preparations for starting the work by taking up land acquisition activities in earnest," he said, adding that the tender document for the upgrade has been readied and has been sent to JICA for approval "which is also expected soon".

NHIDCL sources said the tender would be floated in the first week of September and the contract awarded by December.

The cost of civil works has been set at Rs 4,164 crore while Rs 520.45 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition, the sources said, adding that once the project becomes a reality, it will improve access to ASEAN markets for agro-processing, timber and bamboo-based industries among other goods.

Myanmar, the only southeast Asian country which shares a 1,643-km-long border with India, serves as a gateway to the other 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Four northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km), Nagaland (215 km) and Mizoram (510 km) -- have an unfenced border with Myanmar.

Authorities at the Ministry of Road Transport Highways said the project is of utmost importance for Indo-Myanmar connectivity and environment clearance will be received by September before its tender is floated for bidding.

Environment clearance for the project is a must as 11.61 hectares of land for the highway is riverine reserve land.

Due to the hilly terrain and other difficulties, the government has set the construction cost at Rs 10-13 crore per km against the that of Rs 3.95 crore in the plains.

An expert on Indo-Myanmar affairs sees the project as a renewed commitment for the region's socio-economic development, where roads have mostly been in a dilapidated condition for decades.

"The Aizwal-Tuipang highway should be seen as an achievement, if done within the time-frame. It is important that it is an all-weather road. We already have a Indo-Myanmar Friendship Road in Manipur but several sections are not usable throughout the year," K. Yhome, Senior Research Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, told IANS.

"This project will aim towards building a strong BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) community and strengthen strategy for India's neighbourhood," Yhome said, adding the project will also help in reaching business to the main areas of Mizoram and other states in the northeast, which too will result in the socio-economic development of the region.

(Rupesh Dutta can be contacted at rupesh.d@ians.in)
CHAMPAIGN  Family and friends of a Chinese woman who was abducted while studying at the University of Illinois said Tuesday they won't give up on finding the missing woman.

The boyfriend of Yingying Zhang expressed frustration at the pace of the search. With the missing 26-year-old woman's parents standing nearby during a news conference, Xiaolin Hou said her family and friends "feel helpless" because they don't know when their ordeal will end.

Authorities believe she's dead, though her body has not been found.

"Yingying is a kind, optimistic, diligent and brave girl," Hou said. "She would not give up on anything or anybody as long as there was a glimmer of hope. So we will never give up on her, either."

Hou said investigators shared "good news" about the evidence they've collected, but no details and no breakthrough yet on where Zhang may be.

During the news conference, Zhang's mother, Lifeng Ye, cried quietly on the shoulder of her son, Xinyang, who traveled with her to Champaign from China. She did not speak to reporters.

Zhang, the daughter of a working-class factory driver from China, disappeared on June 9, just weeks after arriving at the Urbana-Champaign campus where she was doing research in agricultural sciences and was expected to begin work on her doctorate in the fall.

Brendt Christensen is accused of kidnapping Zhang in Urbana. Investigators said Zhang was abducted after she left campus to sign an apartment lease. They believe Christensen lured her into his car.

Christensen, 28, who earned a master's degree in physics from the university this year, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is being held in the Macon County Jail because of a contract between the U.S. Marshals Service and the Macon County Sheriff's Office.

Hou said Zhang's father walks to his daughter's old apartment and stays there for hours.

"I never asked him why. But I think this is the only way he has now to cure his wound," Hou said.

The family has raised $137,000 toward the cost of a private investigator to find Zhang's body, which Hou estimates may cost up to $1 million. He said the family hasn't hired a private investigator yet because it doesn't want to interfere with police investigation.
New Delhi, Aug 21 : Lt. Col. Prasad Shrikant Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast who was granted bail by the Supreme Court, will be attached to an Army unit but remain under suspension from service for now, informed sources said on Monday.

The Supreme Court earlier on Monday granted bail to Purohit, who spent nine years in prison. The Malegaon blast had killed seven people.

Purohit was suspended from service on January 20, 2009, after his arrest. He was posted at the Deolali Cantonment of the Indian Army in Maharashtra as a Liaison Unit Officer when he was arrested.

The sources said he continues to be under suspension, but since he has now been ordered to be released on bail, he has to be attached to an Army unit. The order for his posting will come after his bail orders reach the Army Headquarters.

He is likely to report back to the unit from where he was arrested. His suspension would be reviewed later, the sources said.

As per the rules, under suspension, he will be treated as "under open arrest", wherein usually a soldier was supposed to wear only his uniform. Purohit, under suspension, can wear civilian clothes as well.

His stay in his Army unit will come along with restrictions like limited area of movement, not leave the station without permission and reporting daily.

He would also not be allowed to attend any public event or gathering.

Purohit's return to active duty will depend on the final verdict in the case, the sources said.

During suspension, a soldier gets 25 per cent of his salary. However, Purohit had approached the Armed Force Tribunal, which had ordered that he should be given 75 per cent of his salary.

Purohit was accused of providing RDX for the bomb that killed seven persons in Maharashtra's Muslim-majority town of Malegaon on September 29, 2008.

He was accused of being part of Hindu right-wing group Abhinav Bharat. Purohit, however, said he was there to spy on the group members and had kept his seniors in the loop on all developments.

According to the sources, the report of a Court of Inquiry constituted by the Army in the case supported his claim.

The Defence Ministry, after orders from the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, had provided documents related to him for investigation.

On Monday, Supreme Court Justices R.K. Agrawal and Abhay Manohar Sapre granted bail to Purohit after telling him not to tamper with evidence.

The suspended Army officer had challenged the April 25 Bombay High Court order that granted bail to co-accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur but rejected his bail plea.
Jammu, Aug 21 : A student fainted inside the college campus in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri and later died allegedly due to non-availability of an ambulance, leading to clashes in town as his fellow students protested, police said.

Tanveer Ahmad, a student of post graduate college in Rajouri town had fainted inside the college campus and was declared dead when taken to the district hospital in the town.

Protesting students alleged Ahmed had died due to lack of timely medical attention because of the non-availability of an ambulance to shift the student in time.

The students vandalised hospital property and clashed with police as they took away the body of the student from the hospital premises without allowing the doctors to perform an autopsy to ascertain the actual cause of death.

District administration said the student had apparently died of cardiac arrest.

"A medical board of three doctors was constituted to perform the post-mortem of the body to ascertain the cause of sudden death.

"Before the post-mortem could be performed, protesting students and locals took away the body forcibly from the hospital," said a statement from the district administration.

Police said five policemen had sustained injuries during clashes with the protesting students.
Panaji, Aug 22 : Atanasio Monserrate, a politically promiscuous former cabinet minister who was booked in a minor's rape case last year, may hold the key to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's winning margin and electoral comeback in state politics as a legislator in the August 23 assembly bypoll.

The coastal state will witness two bypolls on Wednesday.

While in Valpoi, Health Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party nominee Vishwajit Rane takes on Roy Naik, son of Congress MLA Ravi Naik, it is the battle for the capital constituency -- featuring Parrikar, a former Defence Minister and also the incumbent CM, and Girish Chodankar, the son of a vegetable vendor, currently an AICC official with virtually no electoral pedigree -- which has stolen the spotlight.

While Parrikar, a five-time Panaji legislator is the favourite, his campaign appears to lack his characteristic style and individual charisma, and the sudden appearance of the entire cabinet on the campaign trail over the last few days as well as the unprecedented presence of both his sons Utpal and Abhijat in campaign events does indicate an element of anxiety in the Parrikar camp.

Also, the indirect overtures made by Parrikar to Monserrate, a former legislator from an adjoining constituency whose wife is a Congress legislator, also appears to point to tension in the BJP camp.

One of Goa's most controversial lawmakers, Monserrate was booked for raping a minor girl after spiking her drink in 2016. He has also been accused of forging a school certificate and booked for crimes ranging from extortion to assault.

Monserrate, who has party-hopped nearly half a dozen times in the last decade-and-half, joined a ruling alliance party, Goa Forward, a few weeks before the bypoll, after initially hinting that he would contest against Parrikar.

"In fact, I had issued clear instructions to my workers to extend their support to Manohar Parrikar. Parrikar is a man of stature and doesn't need anybody's support to campaign," Monserrate said.

Parrikar, as opposition leader in 2011, had staged a walkout from the state assembly after Monserrate, a legislator then, was detained at the Mumbai airport by customs authorities for allegedly carrying excess foreign exchange.

Accusing the then Congress-led coalition government of being a government "of smugglers, for smugglers, by smugglers" for shielding Monserrate, he had said: "He could be a conduit for parking money from ministers and politicians abroad."

With a day to go for polls and Monserrate's support crucial, Parrikar's demeanour towards him is a changed one.

Asked to comment on Monserrate's joining his coalition ally, Goa Forward, Parrikar said in an earlier interview: "I did not tell him anything. It is his decision. Possibly, he must have realised that Congress is trying to use him as a pawn against me. He has a good relation with Goa Forward from the beginning. He is an ally."

Monserrate controls the Panaji municipal authority and has been both an ally and a thorn-in-the-flesh for Parrikar over the last decade and more.

Even in the current circumstances, while Monserrate has made a public statement expressing support to Parrikar, the BJP leadership says it is not willing to take any chances.

"He has always been temperamental but eventually he has backed Bhai (Parrikar) in some poll campaigns. We are working hard to make sure we can do without his vote bank. If he eventually puts his weight behind us, the margin of victory will be a huge one," a senior BJP leader told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

Girish Chodankar, on the other hand, was a last minute choice put forward by the Congress after its efforts to field a consensus candidate failed twice.

Chodankar, who hails from Margao town, located 35 km from Panaji, says he is too small a political personality to take on a big leader like Parrikar, but adds a rider.

"It is not me, but the people of Panaji who will defeat Parrikar for the 23 years of mismanagement, U-turns, lack of facilities and now pandering to the casino lobby," Chodankar told IANS.

The bypolls were necessitated after Panaji's BJP MLA Sidharth Kuncalienker resigned in order to facilitate Parrikar's entry to the state legislative assembly, following his return to Goa from the Centre.

In Valpoi, the cause for the bypoll is the resignation of sitting Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane, who quit the party after the results were announced in March 2017, before joining the BJP-led coalition government as Health Minister.

(Mayabhushan Nagvenkar can be contacted at mayabhushan.n@ians.in)
Canberra, Aug 22 : The Australian government will consider any request from the US to contribute further troops to Afghanistan, Defence Minister Marise Payne said on Tuesday.

In a statement following US President Donald Trump's announcement that he would "ask NATO allies and global partners" for further support, Payne said that while Australian contribution was already "significant", the government would consider any formal request, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We will examine the President's statement, consider any expectations of counterpart nations and engage in discussion with the US on these matters," Payne said.

"Australia is making a significant contribution to operations including in Iraq and Syria, in Afghanistan and in our own region. In May, we agreed to increase the ADF train, advise and assist mission in Afghanistan by 30 personnel, which will take our total troop numbers to around 300."

Meanwhile Peter Jennings from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) said Australia would definitely be one of the nations from which Trump would seek support.

"We will certainly be among the allies they would expect to take a request like that seriously," Jennings said.

He said that while the US might be concerned with the situation in the Middle East and Afghanistan, Australia should perhaps look at working against the Islamic State (IS) group in the Philippines -- much closer to home.

"It might be smart to actually look at doing a bit more to assist with the Philippines because really we just can't let the IS establish a hold in the South and that's probably for us where the most immediate problem is," Jennings said.
Washington, Aug 22 : Divers searching for 10 missing American sailors have located some bodies inside the stricken US destroyer, a day after it collided with a merchant vessel near Singapore, a US Admiral said on Tuesday.

Admiral Scott Swift, the commander of the US Pacific fleet, did not say how many bodies were found inside the ship, but disclosed that Malaysian Navy vessels also found one body. The officials said work to identify the bodies found inside the USS McCain was continuing, CBS News reported.

US military divers started searching the flooded parts of the US destroyer for the missing sailors after the collision near the Strait of Malacca on Monday. Five other sailors were injured in the incident.

The search operation involved aircraft from the amphibious assault ship USS America, along with coordination from local authorities, including ships and planes from the Malaysian and Singaporean Navies.

The incident prompted the US Navy to order a rare, one-day operational pause in response to the collision, which was the latest in a string of accidents involving Navy vessels -- with four occurring in Asian waters this year alone.

"This trend demands more forceful action," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said.

One of the missing seamen was named as Petty Officer Logan Palmer in a Facebook post by US Congressman Rodney Davis, who said that he was in touch with the missing man's family.

Meanwhile, the state-run China Daily newspaper criticised the recent spate of accidents, saying the US Navy was becoming "a hazard in Asian waters".

"It may be hard for people to understand why US warships are unable to avoid other vessels since they are equipped with the world's most sophisticated radar and electronic tracking systems, and aided by crew members on constant watch," the English-language daily said.

Calling the US Navy a "dangerous obstacle" and an "increasing hindrance to ships sailing in Asian waters", the article said there was "no denying the fact that the increased activities by US warships in Asia-Pacific since Washington initiated its rebalancing to the region are making them a growing risk to commercial shipping."
Madrid, Aug 22 : The four men detained over last week's terror attacks in Spain appeared at the High Court here on Tuesday.

Driss Oukabir, Mohammed Allaa, Sahal El Karib and Mohammed Houli Chemlal were detained last week over their alleged role in the attacks on Barcelona and Cambrils which left 15 people dead and 130 wounded.

They are the only surviving members of a 12-member terror cell said to have been behind the attacks, the other eight members were killed -- two in an explosion and six were shot dead by the police, the Daily Mail reported.

Younes Abouyaaqoub, the 22-year-old Moroccan, thought to be the driver of the van that rammed into crowds in Barcelona was shot dead after being spotted in a vineyard to the west of Barcelona on Monday wearing a fake explosives belt.

The detained men are from the town of Ripoll, north of Barcelona, where the majority of those connected to the terror attacks lived.

The men appeared in court as police arrested one more person and were investigating three others in connection with the terror attacks, La Vanguardia reported. They include the parents of one of those in custody, and Nourine Oukabir, the cousin of brothers Driss and Moussa. The latter was one of the five terrorists shot dead by police during the second attack in Cambrils.

According to reports, Nourine Oukabir, despite living in Morocco, had been seen with members of the terrorist cell at a bar in Ripoll for a meeting that "lasted hours".

Investigating judge Fernando Andreu was expected to read out the charges against them, likely to span counts of terrorism, murder and possession of arms.

Forty-five companies in a Catalonia association of undertakers and funeral companies offered to perform funerals for the victims without charge.
Washignton, Aug 23 : US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday welcomed "some level of restraint" showed by North Korea with its nuclear programme, seeing a possible pathway to a future talk between Washington and Pyongyang.

"We have had no missile launches or provocative acts from the part of North Korea since the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution," Xinhua quoted Tillerson as saying.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution imposing new sanctions on North Korea for its continued intercontinental ballistic missile testing on August 5.

Tillerson said he was pleased to see Pyongyang "has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that we have not seen in the past."

"We hope that it is the beginning of the signal that we are looking for -- that they are ready to restrain their level of tensions, they're ready to restrain their provocative acts," said the US top diplomat.

"Perhaps we are seeing our pathway to some time in the near future having some dialogue," but "need to see more on their part," Tillerson added.

Tillerson's remarks came amid an ongoing joint military drill held by the US and South Korea.

The two-week-long war games mobilised about 17,500 US soldiers and some 50,000 South Korean troops.

Pyongyang said on Monday the US-South Korean joint military drill had plunged the Korean Peninsula into a critical phase.
Madrid, Aug 23 : Spanish judge Fernando Andreu on Tuesday decided to send to prison two of the four surviving terror suspects in connection to last week's twin attacks.

Citing a Sky News report, Xinhua said that the two suspects -- Chemlal and Driss Oukabir -- have been charged with murder, membership of a terror organisation and the possession of explosives. They are being held in prison without bail.

A third suspect, Salah el Karib, will be detained for another 72 hours while he is investigated further. The fourth, Mohammed Aalla, has been freed because the evidence against him is weak.

The quartet of the 12-man terrorist cell responsible for last week's attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils appeared at the Spanish National High Court here on Tuesday.

Houli Chemlala, who was the first to speak before the judge, is reported to have testified that the terrorist cell had planned to destroy "important monuments in Barcelona" before a gas explosion in the house where they were preparing the attacks left him injured and two members of the cell dead.

Those replies matched what he told the Catalan regional police in the five days he had been maintained incommunicado under their custody.

Chemlal was accompanied to the court in Madrid by Mohamed Houli Chemal, Dris Oukbar, Mohammed Alla and Salh Karib, all of whom were detained in the town of Ripoll, in Girona province, to the north of Barcelona.

Dris is the older brother of one of the terrorists who was shot by police during the attack on Cambrils in the early hours of Friday morning.

He handed himself into police on Thursday, saying his brother had stolen his driving license, which was used to rent the van that killed 13 people on Barcelona's Las Ramblas street on Thursday afternoon.

El Karib, who is the owner of a call centre in the town of Ripoll, where three of the terrorists were arrested, told the court he had only helped members of the cell buy air tickets in order to earn a commission on the sale.

Aallaa, whose brother also died in Cambrils, told the judge that the although the Audi A3 used in the attack in which 5 terrorists, including his brother, were shot dead, was in his name, it was only for "insurance issues".

The quartet were brought to Madrid on Monday night and kept in the Civil Guard headquarters in nearby Tres Cantos, before arriving at court at around 8 a.m. and starting their declarations an hour later.
Panaji, Aug 23 : Polling for the by-election in two assembly constituencies in Goa is underway after voting began at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Former Defence Minister and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is contesting from the Panaji assembly seat against Congress' Girish Chodankar and Anand Shirodkar of the Goa Suraksha Manch.

In the Valpoi bypoll, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane takes on Roy Naik, son of Congress MLA Ravi Naik.

The bypolls in Panaji were necessitated after sitting Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Sidharth Kuncolienkar resigned to facilitate the entry of Parrikar, who was rushed to state politics in March to head a coalition government in Goa assembly.

In Valpoi, the bypolls are being held after Rane resigned as a Congress MLA, before he was inducted in the Parrikar-led coalition government as a Health Minister.

At least 51,000 voters in both the constituencies are eligible to cast ballot, according to Chief Electoral Officer Kunal.

The run up to the bypoll was marked by aggressive campaigning by both the Congress and the ruling BJP.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : Voting for Bawana assembly bypoll here is underway after polling began at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

One of the 12 reserved constituencies, Bawana is dotted with 26 villages, slum clusters and unauthorised colonies.

The bypoll in Bawana was necessitated after Aam Aadmi Party MLA Ved Prakash quit the party and also resigned from the Delhi assembly to join the Bharatiya Janata Party in March.

Ved Prakash in now contesting against AAP candidate Ram Chandra, who is a famous Purvanchali face.

Congress' three time MLA Surender Kumar is contesting from his party.
DECATUR  Decatur schools and BLDD Architects have agreed to work toward fixing problems with heating, air conditioning and ventilation units at Eisenhower and MacArthur high schools.

The architecture firm behind the massive renovation of Decaturs two public high schools agreed to pay $25,000 to retrofit two heating and cooling units in each building and test whether an additional feature will solve issues with too much humidity in classrooms.

The Decatur school board approved the retrofit agreement during its meeting Tuesday, along with another agreement that delays the deadline for Decatur schools to pursue litigation against BLDD. The extension allows the architect and district more time to make sure the HVAC systems work as intended.

This means we keep talking, said Superintendent Paul Fregeau, adding that district leaders hope to avoid pursuing litigation.

A representative for BLDD did not appear at the meeting. District spokeswoman Maria Robertson said questions for the firm should be directed to Eugene Hanses, an attorney with Robbins Schwartz, based in Collinsville, who declined to comment when reached by phone Tuesday.

Problems with the heating and cooling units have been evident since 2014, when buildings and grounds Director Mike Sotiroff said the units were the wrong size for the rooms. Rooms were always too hot or too cold, he said.

Data taken while classrooms are occupied show that the rooms' temperatures are cool, but humidity is too high, resulting in discomfort in a learning environment, according to school district documents.

The units were designed without hot gas reheat, a feature designed to control humidity. BLDD agreed to pay $25,000 to the district for costs associated with the installation and testing of two units in each building that would include the missing feature. The units were tested once before school started and are being tested again with students in the buildings. If results are good, retrofitting can be started on the rest of the 130 units.

Who will pay for that work is part of the ongoing discussion, Fregeau said.

The $76 million high school renovations were proposed in 2009. Funding came from a 1 percent education sales tax that Macon County voters approved in November 2010. Eisenhower reopened for students in January 2014, and MacArthurs work was completed in spring 2015.

Past problems with the renovated buildings include:

Moisture seeping up through the flooring in the lower level at Eisenhower High School, requiring the flooring to be taken up and replaced

Water standing on the track and football field, also at Eisenhower, due to improper drainage that caused a gully wash, according to project manager Phil Hazenfield. A new swale corrected the problem.

A delivery driveway was in the wrong location, making it difficult for trucks to reach the loading dock. A new driveway was placed in the proper location.

Tuckpointing at MacArthur High School that didn't fit into the original renovation budget and had to be put off until 2016

In other business, Chief Operational Officer Todd Covault gave the presentation on the tentative 2017-18 budget, which has more questions than answers because state lawmakers have yet to approve a school funding plan.

House Speaker Michael Madigan canceled a scheduled an Illinois House session for today at which lawmakers were set to vote on Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a school funding bill. The Chicago Democrat said he canceled today's House session so that legislative leaders can continue negotiations on a compromise.

The override of an amendatory veto of legislation which changes the way the state pays for schools needs 71 votes. It would nix the changes Rauner made and put into law a new funding model.

Democrats who control the legislature sent Rauner a plan that ensures no school district gets less than it did last year. Then it funnels new money through an "evidence-based" model to the neediest schools first.

Rauner says it unfairly favors Chicago over the rest of the state. He rewrote it with an amendatory veto. The Senate voted to override Aug. 13.

Covault said his office had to estimate state funding levels based on last year because there is no other information available, and the tentative budget will be updated when revenues are known. State law requires schools to have a budget in place by the end of September.

The school board will vote on the tentative budget after a public hearing Sept. 26, with or without the state revenue figures, if none are available by then.

Fregeau also asked the board for discussion and direction on several initiatives proposed by the previous board, including: facilities proposals of building a new school and closing Johns Hill and Durfee magnet schools, housing both of those programs in the proposed new building; moving sixth grade to middle school, installing air conditioning in all district buildings, pursuing International Baccalaureate status for Hope Academy; and considering creating K-8 buildings in the district.

The process to create a new strategic plan for the district will get under way at the end of August and is expected to take until spring to complete, but several of those initiatives will require study and data before decisions can be made.
New Delhi : Title: The Great Game in Afghanistan - Rajiv Gandhi, General Zia and the Unending War; Author: Kallol Bhattacherjee; Publisher: Harper Collins; Pages: 328; Price: Rs 599 Donald Trump has become the third US President to send more troops to Afghanistan, in what has become his country's longest-ever war -- with no signs of any closure yet. But the Americans, who had a big part in launching the nearly four-decade-long crisis, also did forgo a chance of a settlement in its very first decade itself. By miffing India.

The list of the mistakes that the Americans committed in Afghanistan after deciding to oppose the Soviet invasion is long. We know too well how their fervent urge to defeat their ideological adversary made them oblivious to the means they chose to employ - - until their instruments became their own implacable enemy. Then, they failed to exert any meaningful influence over their chosen regional ally, who frequently played false with them, and always ignored its indiscretions.

But how the US spurned a natural partner after trying to involve it to reach a solution is a story not many outside a small circle of high political and diplomatic movers and shakers of the 1980s may know -- and it is this that Kallol Bhattacharjee tells here.

Noting that while it is the hyphenated "Af-Pak" perspective that has gained ground, especially after 9/11, he says zeroing in on only Pakistan to explain Afghanistan's predicament is not enough. And in this book, he seeks to offer "a counter-narrative of the narrow Af-Pak project to show that the focus of the crisis was much broader".

"Diplomats who worked during these difficult years told me that the story of Afghanistan of the 1980s cannot be complete without going into how the United States, India and Pakistan worked on a peace plan and how the plan failed to take off due to differences between the stakeholders," says Bhattacharjee, a journalist with extensive experience of South and West Asian affairs and conflicts.

Though there was a rather different configuration of allies and adversaries, it was a "Great Game" all over again, and India, under Rajiv Gandhi, was bound to be involved given the threat from a huge influx of weapons and radicalism to the region.

And India did try to use its good offices, but saw its efforts go nowhere -- and got victimised in the bargain.

Beginning with a watershed event -- the accident that killed Pakistan President Zia ul Haq in 1988 -- he goes back and forth in time with his three principal protagonists: Zia, Rajiv Gandhi and then US Ambassador to India John Gunther Dean (whose career was ended shamefully when he questioned the official version of the crash) to narrate how this turbulent, "lost" decade not only squandered a chance to end one of the most destructive and destabilising conflicts ever, but also delayed a new global partnership.

Drawing from the papers of Dean -- and in the process, rehabilitating his memory and contribution -- and supplemented by interactions with key players like Indian diplomat Ronen Sen, then a key member of Gandhi's office, and then Pakistani envoy to US Jamsheed Marker and others, Bhattacharjee not only offers a new look at the dynamics of the Afghan issue, but also the generational transformation of Indian politics and diplomacy in the Rajiv Gandhi years.

There is, alongside, the strong thread of how the prevailing toxic mistrust between India and Pakistan -- even before the Kashmir issue came centrestage -- prevented them from having normal relations, and how it would affect the destiny of the region itself -- an impact which lingers on till now.

Bhattacharjee shows how this also cast a malefic influence on a promising new start between the world's largest and oldest democracies, despite the positive chemistry between the top leaders.

While there are some problems -- why Dean suspected Israel of killing Zia is never made clear, the language is sometimes clunky (too many 'buts' in a paragraph) and some factual errors (Pervez Musharraf could have never honoured Marker in 2011) -- Bhattacharjee has created a spell-binding tale of missed opportunities, misplaced priorities, and Machiavellian gambits that no student of regional affairs can miss.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
New Delhi, Aug 23 : With no sign of Gujarat parting with its free-ranging Asiatic lions for reintroduction and conservation purposes, the Madhya Pradesh forest department is now eyeing lions and cubs from zoos for its Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.

Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have been locked in a legal battle over the issue for the past few years, with latter loath to part with its lions.

The Madhya Pradesh government has now sent a proposal to the Centre requesting its Plan B be considered to get pure breed Asiatic lion's cubs from different zoos and form a pride at Kuno to raise them as free-ranging animals, officials told IANS.

Plan A was to rehabilitate wild lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh.

"The state government has sent proposal to the Government of India that its expert committee must consider Plan B," a senior forest official told IANS on condition of anonymity. The official added that this is, however, not the dead-end of the plan to obtain wild lions from Gujarat.

In a note sent in June 2017, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Madhya Pradesh, proposed to seek permission of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to translocate two cubs born this year at Indore Zoo.

The note says that despite the apex court's orders and six meetings of the expert committee, the reintroduction of Asiatic lions has not moved forward.

"Madhya Pradesh has experience of reintroducing orphaned tiger cubs in the wild after raising them and making them expert hunters. At present the lion cubs at Indore zoo have matured and developed immunity," said a note by the PCCF, Jitendra Agarwal.

The note further proposes to seek permission from CZA, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to implement the state's Plan B.

However, Plan B, according to experts, "fails" to meet the original mandate, which was the concern to save this rare species from an epidemic or natural disaster leading to its complete wipeout.

Gujarat's Gir forest is the only home to free-ranging or wild Asiatic lions.

Often considered over-populated, the numbers at Gir are increasing at an impressive rate, with 523 felines in 2016 to 650 in a recently conlcuded census.

The WII had, in 1989, pushed for a second natural habitat -- Madhya Pradesh -- for the Asiatic lions for their long-term conservation.

"The objective was to protect the wild free-ranging lions of Gir and not to raise the breed in captivity in a wildlife sanctuary. The stubbornness of Gujarat can lead to disasterous results," wildlife activist Ajay Dube told IANS.

He added that the lions in Gir are also vulnerable to genetic disorders caused by "in-family breeding" due to high density, which is already affecting their immunity.

The Supreme Court in April 2013 ordered "immediate" re-introduction of lions to Kuno from Gir.

The court had then also fixed a six-month deadline for a committee responsible for accomplishing the mission under the central government's Additional Director General of Forest Wildlife.

However, even though Kuno was customised to hold nearly 40 lions, not a single feline has been moved to the sanctuary.

(Kushagra Dixit can be reached at kushagra.d@ians.in)
Lucknow, Aug 23 : Initiating action against officials responsible for the Gorakhpur tragedy in which over 60 children died in five days, the Yogi Adityanath government has removed Additional Chief Secretary (Medical Health) Anita Bhatnagar Jain.

The state government acted on the probe report submitted by Chief Secretary Rajeev Kumar to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath late on Tuesday which pinned the blame on six officials, including Jain, for the tragedy at the BRD Medical College Hospital in Gorakhpur.

An official spokesman said that Jain has been removed and posted as DG (Training).

Sources said the high-powered committee found the senior woman IAS officer guilty of delay in non-payment to the oxygen vendor, who allegedly disrupted supplies, causing problems at the ICU and the pediatrics ward at the hospital.

Rajnish Dubey, Principal Secretary (Revenue), has been given additional charge of the medical education department.

The probe committee has also recommended action against many officials of the BRD Medical College, including its suspended principal Dr Rajeev Mishra, his wife Dr Poornima Shukla, Dr Satish, Dr Kafeel Khan and two others.

Officials said an FIR may soon be lodged against these persons for culpable homicide and dereliction of duty.

Meanwhile, the suspended principal of the the BRD Medical College and his wife are reported to have gone underground, fearing action or arrest. The principal is accused of sitting over the file related to payment of Rs 67 lakh for the vendor of oxygen.

Adityanath had earlier vowed that no one would be spared, adding the guilty would be handed over exemplary punishment.
San Francisco, Aug 23 : In a move to give publishers a brand recognition on its platfrom, Facebook has released new tools that lets media houses display their logos alongside headlines.

According to a report in Adage on Tuesday, publishers can put their logos next to headlines in the trending and search sections to give readers an idea about where the news is generating from.

The tools come as a relief for publishers who had been lamenting about losing their brand identities on social networking site where the headlines and layouts of all the brands looked similar.

"When people see those three red letters, they know it symbolises trusted, reliable and real news, so any effort by Facebook to emphasis the brand and credibility of a story benefits the audience as well as the publisher," Samantha Barry, CNN's executive producer of social and emerging media, was quoted as saying.

The move is a result of recommendations made during Facebook's journalism project, which was launched in January.

According to a Pew Research survey, only 56 per cent of readers recalled the source of news read through social media sites.

"By surfacing publisher logos next to article links, we want to make it easier for publishers to extend their brand identity on Facebook -- to enhance people's awareness of the source of content," Facebook was quoted as saying.
Musicians from Russia, USA, Brazil, Germany, France, Switzerland played at the this years edition, which was also visited by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Image Source: IANS News

Koktebel (Crimea), Aug 23 : Music -- one of the finest expressions of art -- has played diverse roles at different points of time in history. Sometimes, it is used to make a political statement -- as happened in this small town of 7,000 in the Crimea when Russian President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly turned up on the concluding night of the Koktebel Jazz Party.

It was originally called the Koktebel Jazz Festival and its inaugural edition was held 15 years ago. It transformed into the Koktebel Jazz Party -- under the tagline "Same place, same jazz" -- ever since Russia took over the Crimea after a referrendum in 2014. And issue that is still contested in various global fora.

Given this background and the fact that there were musicians from the US, Brazil, Germany, France and Switzerland, among other countries, what better platform for Putin, no mean musician himself, to make a political statement?

Putin greeted the participants and guests of the festival and expressed his gratitude to the event organisers, mentioning that around 150 leading jazz bands from all over the world have taken part in the Koktebel Jazz Party.

"Music is your language which does not require translation and unites people," he said in his brief address before joining the audience to watch some performances. Among the musical pieces performed in his presence were improvisations on "Windows of Moscow" and "Blueberry Hill", both of which have been previously performed on two different occasions by the President himself.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti backed Putin's claims over the festival, arguing that the annual Koktebel event has merely "split" between Russia and Ukraine, and questioned if it is appropriate to name an event after Crimea's Koktebel if it is held elsewhere.

There have been other controversies too. This visiting IANS correspondent learnt that an American musician could not come to the festival in 2015 because of a letter from the US State Department, which threatened prosecution if he attended.

"An outstanding American trumpeter Arturo Sandoval was supposed to come to us but suddenly he received a letter from the US State Department, in which he was threatened with fines and punishments if he performed in Koktebel. He sent the letter to us, we laughed for a very long time: 'Today you play jazz and tomorrow you will sell your homeland,' the letter read," Dmitry Kiselev, chairman of the organising committee of Koktebel Jazz Party, told media persons at a press conference.

Thus, this time around, the names of the musicians were announced only on the day they were to perform.

The Koktebel Jazz Party was originally scheduled to be held between August 18 and 20, but unexpected rain and thunderstorm delayed the opening by a day. The otherwise three-day event was cut short to two days but the audience had an almost "paisa vasool" show with Putin's rockstar entry to loud cheers and applause.

The festival ended with a performance of the Club des Belugas international band.

But apart from all its musical merits, jazz is also a spectacle, uniting musicians and spectators into a single creative team and that is how this festival is healing wounds. Conflict, tension and war were not on the radar of the audience which totally gave itself up the music.

(Saket Suman was in Crimea at the invitation of the organisers of Koktebel Jazz Party. He can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in)
New Delhi, Aug 23 : Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao says he was not aware that his "Bareilly Ki Barfi" co-actor Ayushmann Khurrana suggested his name for the film.

In an interview, Ayushmann said that he was the one who suggested Rajkummar's name for the Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari directorial.

Asked what he had to say to that, Rajkummar, who is currently in Thailand, told IANS in an email: "Though I wasn't aware of it, but that's very kind of him. I thank him for doing this because the love and appreciation I'm getting for 'Bareilly Ki Barfi' is overwhelming."

Rajkummar says he had a great time working with Ayushmann.

"And I hope he suggests my name for all his exciting films and I'll also do the same. He is a dear friend and I love him a lot," he said.

The "Queen" actor has been lauded by critics and audience alike for his performance in the film, which also stars Kriti Sanon.

"Good actors have always supported each others' performances in a film and the same happened in 'Bareilly Ki Barfi'. We all supported each other throughout. Filmmaking is a teamwork," he said.

Rajkummar is happy that his character Pritam Vidrohi is winning hearts.

"Actors' performances are meant to make the film and its characters work in people's hearts and I am very happy that people are resonating with Pritam Vidrohi. It wouldn't have been possible without my wonderful team," he added.
Kolkata, Aug 23 : More than a thousand years ago, people in Bengal and in Scotland were transferring the ownership of property in "almost exactly similar" ways, says a Scottish historian.

By unravelling the sources for landholding and lordship in early medieval Bengal and medieval Scotland, one might be able to peep back in time into the origins of democracy.

"People in India in Bengal and people in Scotland, 6,000 miles away, areas with no immediate connection or influence, were transferring the ownership of property in almost exactly similar ways," John Davies of the University of Glasgow, Scotland, told IANS here on the sidelines of a lecture at the Indian Museum.

Davies was talking about the research collaboration between the University of Glasgow and the University of Calcutta on "Land-holding and the recording of property transfer: The comparative experience of medieval Scotland and early medieval Bengal".

He drew parallels between the Sanskrit inscriptions of Bengal and the Latin characters of Scotland (ninth to 13th century) with regards to the records or charters of property transfer transactions.

Noting the similarities in the modalities of property transfer, Davies also highlighted the difference between the processes in the two regions.

"In Scotland, the record of these transactions were written in the Latin language, in ink on animal skin. In India it was going on for a longer period... hundreds of years longer, and it was written in Sanskrit language, engraved on copper plates or stones," he said.

Further elaborating on the similarities in these transactions, Davies pointed out that it's not just the simple fact that many of the forms of text are similar, but the language in which it was done and the concepts were also related.

"Latin and Sanskrit are related languages. If you want to give land to someone forever, it was done in Scotland... in Bengal they used the same concept. In both concepts you have kings giving away land usually to religious communities. Doing this, they (communities) would pray for his (king) soul, the gift would be forever tax free and the same thing is happening in both situations," he said.

In India these texts always start with big poems praising the king, reciting his genealogy (called Prashasthis).

"In Scotland that element doesn't occur in the charters, it occurs somewhere else. The genealogy with the kings of Scots is never put in the charters but it is read out at the crowning of the king."

"What's going on in Scotland is that the king... by reading out his genealogy... that makes him the legitimate king and therefore land can be granted and confirmed and guaranteed."

The research collaboration helps to offer insights into perennial questions about who rules us, why and how and what rights do they have over our properties.

"The roots of a society where people owned property developed in one particular way. We are working together with colleagues in Kolkata to understand this more thoroughly, how government developed, what the relation between the ruler and the ruled was. What the impetus was. Did change happen when people on the ground wanted change or whether everything came from the top?"

The findings of the project are being documented in the forthcoming book "Copper, Parchment, and Stone". It will be launched in Kolkata in November.

Davies added: "The more we look at it we see perhaps there has always been a tradition of people, as it were, making demands from the government. We might be able to see, as it were, roots of democracy."

(Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at sahana.g@ians.in)
Beijing, Aug 23 : China on Wednesday said it hoped the upcoming BRICS summit will be a success with the concerted efforts of all parties.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said this when it was asked whether or not Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the three-day summit in Xiamen in the backdrop of the Doklam border row between India and China.

"China is confident that with the concerted efforts of all parties, the Summit will achieve success and scale a new high level for BRICS relations," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

"Preparation for BRICS Summit in Xiamen is underway. Preparation has proceeded in an orderly faction and has reached an advanced stage," Hua added.

"You also mentioned illegal trespass of Indian border troops. Our stand has been very clear.

"Unconditional withdrawal of all trespassing personnel and equipment serves as the prerequisite and the basis for settlement of this incident."

The BRICS Summit will be held in Xiamen from September 3 to 5.
Washington, Aug 23 : The US Navy plans to relieve the commander of the fleet that has sustained four collisions in Asia and deaths of over a dozen sailors in 2017, an official said.

Vice Admiral Joseph P. Aucoin, the head of the Seventh Fleet in Japan, the US Navy's largest overseas fleet, will be removed on Wednesday in connection with four collisions since January, including two fatal ones in the past two months, The New York Times quoted the official as saying on Tuesday.

Admiral Aucoin was scheduled to retire in September, but his departure was pushed up as his superiors lost confidence in his leadership.

Admiral Scott H. Swift, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet, flew from Singapore to the Seventh Fleet headquarters in Japan, where he will relieve Admiral Aucoin, who has commanded the fleet since September 2015.

The removal comes as the Navy prepares to conduct a rare suspension of ship operations worldwide for a day or two in the next week to review safety and operational procedures.

Navy officials have also been investigating the role that training, manning and crew communications may have played in the collisions.

Divers have found remains of missing American sailors in the flooded compartments of the Navy destroyer John S. McCain, which collided with an oil tanker on Monday off the coast of Singapore, The New York Times quoted Admiral Swift as saying.

"It is premature to say how many or what the status of the recovery of those bodies is."

Admiral Swift said the search at sea would continue despite the discovery of remains in the ship. "The focus of the US Pacific Fleet is our 10 sailors and their families."

The collision was the second in two months involving a destroyer from the Seventh Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan.

In June, the destroyer Fitzgerald collided with a cargo ship off Japan that left seven sailors dead.

After Monday's collision, Admiral John Richardson, the Navy's top officer, said all 277 Navy ships worldwide would take an "operational pause" to review basic seamanship, teamwork and other "fundamentals".

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said an inquiry into the collision had begun.

The destroyer is named after John S. McCain Sr. and John S. McCain Jr., Navy Admirals who were the grandfather and father of Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Senator McCain, who is the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a statement here endorsed the operational pause.

"I agree with Admiral Richardson that more forceful action is urgently needed to identify and correct the causes of the recent ship collisions," he said.

The collision between the McCain and the Alnic MC, a Liberian-registered tanker about three times its size, occurred east of Singapore.

Andrew Tan, the chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, said about 250 people from various Singapore agencies were involved in the search.
Sydney, Aug 23 : The Australian government on Wednesday confirmed that a group of Cuban refugees entered the country under the immigration agreement signed with the US during the Barack Obama administration.

Officials said 17 Cuban immigrants arrived in May 2016 at a lighthouse in the Florida Sea and spent more than a year at the US Guantanamo Naval Base after a US court ruled that they could not be taken into the country. These immigrants have now been resettled in Australia's Brisbane city, Efe news reported.

"The refugees were evaluated by Australian government officials and meet the criteria of Refugee and Humanitarian Visas," a spokesperson for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection said.

The official did not specify whether this was the first group to arrive under the agreement reached during the Obama administration, in which the US pledged to take in some 1,250 refugees that Australia detained in Nauru and on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea.

In return, Australia committed to take in some 30 people considered "vulnerable" from several Central American countries, including El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, according to the Australian government officials.

The agreement strained relations between Washington and Canberra following a telephone conversation in February between US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, during which the US leader said the pact was "stupid", but later pledged to respect it.

Alexander Vergara Lopez, one of the Cuban refugees taken in by Australia, said that he found himself at ease in the city of Brisbane, where he is still in contact with the rest of the group.
TOKYO The U.S. Navy dismissed the commander of the Asia-based 7th Fleet on Wednesday after a series of warship accidents, the most recent of which left a Sangamon Valley High School graduate among 10 missing sailors.

The search continued Wednesday for the sailors, who went missing after the destroyer USS John S. McCain and an oil tanker collided off Singapore on Monday. Crew member Logan Palmer is from the Decatur area and has been identified by his family as among the missing.

The family released a statement Monday through the Navy that thanked the community for its concern and asked for privacy. Logan Palmer's brother, Austin Palmer, told Herald & Review media partner WCIA that he was praying for his brother's safe return.

"In reality, I see a man that never gives up, at least from my experience. You tell him he can't do it, he'll show you he can do it," he said. "That's why I believe he's going to get through this."

The Navy released a two-sentence statement said Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, had relieved Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command."

The move follows four Navy accidents in the Pacific since late January, including two collisions that left sailors dead and missing.

"While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation," Swift said earlier.

He said the Navy will carry out a "deliberate re-set" of all its ships in the Pacific, focused on navigation, mechanical systems and bridge resource management. It will include training and an expert assessment of each ship.

The Navy said that Rear Adm. Phillip Sawyer, who had already been named as Aucoin's successor, would assume command immediately.

Seven sailors died in June when the destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship off Japan.

Swift, speaking Tuesday at a news conference in Singapore where the McCain is now docked, said Navy divers had found remains of some of the missing in a flooded compartment in the ship. He also said Malaysians assisting in the search had found a body, but it had not been determined if it was a McCain crew member.

The 7th Fleet said in a statement Wednesday that Navy and Marine Corps divers are continuing to search flooded compartments in the McCain in the hope of locating more of the missing sailors. The sea-based search east of Singapore "is expanding to encompass a greater area as time goes on," it said.

Singapore's government said the search area more than doubled Wednesday to about 2,120 square miles with aircraft and vessels deployed by the U.S., Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

At least three of the 10 missing sailors have been identified by relatives.

April Brandon in Michigan said the military informed her that her son, Ken Smith, is missing. She said Smith's father, stepmother and grandfather served in the Navy. Brandon said, "His father and I couldn't be prouder of our son."

The family of Jacob Drake of Ohio was told he was among the missing, the Columbus Dispatched reported. Megan Partlow told The Associated Press that Drake was her fiance and she'd last had contact with him Sunday in a text message.

The collision at daybreak in a busy shipping area tore a gaping hole in the McCain's left rear hull and flooded adjacent compartments including crew berths and machinery and communication rooms.

The cause of the collision has not been determined. The Navy previously said there was no evidence it was intentional, or that it was a result of sabotage or cyberintrusion.

The Navy last week said the Fitzgerald's captain was being relieved of his command and other sailors were being punished after poor seamanship and flaws in keeping watch were found to have contributed to its collision. An investigation into how and why the Fitzgerald collided with the other ship was not finished, but enough details were known to take those actions, the Navy said.

There were two lesser-known incidents in the first half of the year. In January, the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka base, the home port of the 7th Fleet, and in May another cruiser, the USS Lake Champlain from the Navy's 3rd Fleet, had a minor collision with a South Korean fishing boat.

Aucoin assumed command of the 7th Fleet in September 2015 and was due to retire in a few weeks.

A career flight officer, he served in five fighter squadrons and flew in more than 150 combat missions, according to Navy biographies. He commanded a carrier air wing aboard the USS Kitty Hawk and a carrier strike group based in Bremerton, Washington. Prior to heading the 7th Fleet, he was deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems.

The 7th Fleet has 50 to 70 ships and submarines, 140 aircraft and about 20,000 sailors.
Dubai, Aug 23 : As a dragging Sino-Indian military standoff continues, Chinese smartphone maker Coolpad's Global CEO James Du believes peace will finally prevail and businesses including the smartphone industry will not be affected.

"Both India and China are strategically major countries. I believe in the wisdom of the leaders of the two countries," Du told IANS -- a first such reaction by a China-based smartphone manufacturer. He spoke on the sidelines of a smartphone launch here.

"I believe that there won't be any major conflict and businesses would not be influenced," Du added as the company launched 'Cool Play 6' smartphone here.

The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology last week said it has asked 21 smartphone makers -- of which majority are Chinese -- to share the security procedures and processes they have undertaken to ensure security of mobile phone devices.

A senior official at the ministry said the government had taken the step to ensure that mobile phone users have ensured data privacy in the wake of reports of data leakage and theft both domestically as well as abroad.

The government asked the companies to furnish the information by August 28.

According to Du, since Coolpad fulfilled the stringent privacy requirements needed to enter the US mobile operator market, it was in a position to protect privacy amd ensure data safety of Indian users as well.

"We have entered the US mobile operator market. They have the highest privacy protection and data protection requirements. Since we have entered that market, I think we have the ability to protect the privacy and data of the Indian customers as well," Du told IANS.

Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, Lenovo and Coolpad are dominating the Indian smartphone market. According to the International Data Corp's (IDC) Q2 2017 report, four Chinese brands make up for 45 per cent of the Indian smartphone market.

South Korean giant Samsung leads the market with 24 per cent share, followed by Xiaomi at 17 per cent, Vivo at 13 percent, Oppo at 8 per cent and Lenovo at 7 per cent.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram has said that two other kinds of talaq in the Muslim community were also a challenge to gender justice and equality.

"Greater clarity today. Only instant triple talaq is illegal. Other two kinds are also a challenge to gender justice and gender quality," he said in a tweet.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court struck down the practice of instant triple talaq practised by Muslim men to divorce wives as violative of the Constitution, arbitrary and void in law.
Kochi, August 23 : In a fresh setback to the CPI(M)-led LDF government, a division bench of the Kerala high court on Wednesday declined a plea by the state government seeking to expunge the adverse remarks made by a single bench the other day against health and social justice minister K K Shailaja.

A single bench had the other day put the health minister in the dock, noting that her decision to extend the last date for submitting applications for appointments to the state child rights panel was not made in good faith.

Declining to expunge the single benchs adverse remarks against the minister, the division bench headed by the chief justice concurred with the single benchs observation that the minister abused her powers in connection with the appointment of members of the child rights commission.

Observing that the ministers actions had put in doubt the credibility of the appointments made to the child rights panel, the division bench dismissed the governments concerns over the single benchs criticism of the minister, describing it as mild.

However, the division bench sharply rebuked the govt. and the minister saying that the latter cannot shirk her responsibility to explain how a person with criminal antecedents secured appointment to the child rights panel.

The court posted the petition for detailed hearing on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the opposition created a ruckus in the assembly for the third consecutive day demanding the health ministers resignation over the issue.

The allegation against the minister is that she deferred the deadline for submitting applications for vacancies in the state child rights panel so as to induct her own nominees.

The original deadline for submitting applications for vacancies in the child rights panel was 30 November 2016 but the minister allegedly extended the deadline to March last without providing any explanation.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : The Congress on Wednesday demanded a high court-monitored investigation into the Srijan scam in Bihar and also said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi should resign for a fair probe.

The party also sought a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi if it was true that some ministers linked with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were involved in the scam.

Srijan scam is about transfer of government funds to an NGO Srijan Mahila Sahyog Samiti in Bihar's Bhagalpur district. The NGO used to earn a high rate of interest on the government funds while keeping the principal amount intact.

"It is estimated to be well over Rs 1,000 crore," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

The party also asked if Kumar was blackmailed into getting back to BJP. "Was he threatened that if he doesn't get back with BJP, his 'Mr Clean' image will be exposed," asked Tewari.

The Congress further alleged that the scam happened during Sushil Kumar Modi's tenure as Finance Minister of Bihar. "How is it possible that such a large amount of money kept going out and coming back into the system without any knowledge of Modi?"

"His (Modi) involvement in this can't be completely ruled out neither can the involvement of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be denied," said another Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar.

The leader said that Srijan was headed by Manorama Devi and it was suspected that she was well connected within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and people close to Nitish Kumar.

"The party demands a fair probe in the entire matter. The way CBI is being misused by the BJP government (at the Centre), only a high court-monitored investigation can bring the truth out in the case," the Congress spokesperson said.

He said: "For any fair probe to happen, Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi must resign from their post. The charges are being made directly against them while they continue to hold top two posts in the Bihar government."

"Mastermind of the scam Bipin Sharma is Vice President of Kisan Morcha of BJP. Another mastermind Mahesh Mandal is a close associate of Nitish Kumar," he added.

"Those who made money in the scam are building a shopping mall in Bhagalpur on a land of BJP MP from Godda Nishikant Dubey," Ajoy said.

Kumar also referred to the mysterious death of Mahesh Mandal. "We would want the Supreme Court to probe if there is 'an invisible hand' involved in the deaths. Are the Vyapam and the Srijan deaths connected in any manner?"

"We demand that the Supreme Court takes cognisance of the Vyapam disappearances, the Vyapam deaths, the Srijan deaths and the deaths which have occurred in various such cases," he added.

Asked whether Srijan was a determining factor and Nitish Kumar was arm-twisted by BJP into joining NDA, Tewari aid: "It is a legitimate question that he (Kumar) needs to answer whether Srijan was the factor that triggered his decision to join the NDA."

"Did the unfolding implications of the Srijan scam have a material bearing on his decision to join NDA," asked Tewari.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : Statues of 101 life-sized baby elephant that have been transformed into beautiful works of art will be exhibited in Indian cities as part of the 22nd edition of the international "Elephant Parade", happening in the country for the first time, it was announced here on Wednesday.

"Elephant Parade" is an anual exhibition, that is organised in different cities across the world by NGO Elephant Family to raise awareness for the need for conserving elephants.

The organisers say that 20 per cent of the net profits from the show are donated for elephant welfare and conservation projects.

The parade will travel across the country from November 2017 to March 2018.

For this, leading Indian artists, fashion designers, design institutes, tribal painters and celebrities were engaged to turn 101 elephant sculptures into unique masterpieces, creating a striking spectacle of colour to celebrate one of India's most beloved and endangered animals.

The painted elephants will be displayed in herds in prominent cities to be photographed, hugged and kissed by admiring audiences as part of what has become recognised as the world's biggest public art event.

The parade aims to generate funds to secure 101 elephant corridors across India for the pachyderms, who face the risk of displacement through fragmentation of their habitat and human disturbances.

Thus, after the public displays across Indian cities, the elephants will then be sold at two high profile auctions in Mumbai and London to raise funds.

"We will celebrate the magnificence of the iconic Asian elephant, generating mass awareness of their plight and making everyone smile at the same time," said Ruth Powys-Ganesh, the CEO of Elephant Family in India.

"With the support of the world's top creatives, the 101 painted elephants will move us closer to our target to secure a network of 101 elephant corridors - vital strips of habitat that reconnect India's forests, the number one priority for this species," she added.

Other Asian cities where the parade has been held include Suzhou, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hong Kong. It has also been held in Taiwan.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : Hours after walking out of jail on getting bail in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Lt. Col. Shrikant Prasad Purohit on Wednesday reported to a Southern Command Liaison Unit in Mumbai, army sources said, adding that he will be under suspension and a disciplinary and vigilance ban.

The sources said Purohit is likely to go to Pune later where the headquarter of his unit is.

It is still not certain which unit he will be attached to. However, he may be attached to a unit in Mumbai, as he has to appear for the Malegaon blast case in a court there.

His suspension continues for now, and restrictions on him will be as per the bail conditions.

Under a disciplinary and vigilance ban, he cannot be given any operational duty, posting or study leave.

As per rules, under suspension, he will be treated as "under open arrest", wherein usually a soldier is supposed to wear only his uniform but those under suspension can wear civilian clothes as well.

Army sources, however, said a call on whether he can wear his uniform or not will be taken later.

After remaining in jail for nine years, Purohit -- one of the prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast -- walked out of Taloja prison in Maharashtra's Raigad on Wednesday.

Purohit was escorted by an army team as he stepped out of the prison and left for an army unit in Mumbai.

Sources said the escort was provided as there was a "perceived threat" to his life.

He was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday. Purohit is accused of being part of the conspiracy hatched for carrying out the September 29, 2008 blast in Malegaon, a Muslim-dominated town in Nashik district.

Seven persons were killed and scores injured in the blast, considered the handiwork of a right-wing group, Abhinav Bharat.
Kochi, Aug 23 : In major relief to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the state High Court on Wednesday exonerated him in the SNC Lavalin case, relating to an agreement inked 20 years ago with Canadian company SNC-Lavalin when he was the state Power Minister.

The CBI is planning to appeal against the single bench verdict.

After the verdict, a beaming Vijayan told the media that it's a happy moment for him and truth will always triumph.

Vijayan also said he feels sad as his long-time counsel M.K. Damodaran passed away recently.

"In this long journey of fighting this case, the truth has triumphed all the time...Today even the High Court said that this was a political witch-hunt. Now that I am cleared, this is going to give me renewed vigour to take the state forward in all aspects of development," added Vijayan.

Delivering the judgement, Justice P. Ubaid said it was not fair that only Vijayan was being singled out though some other ministers had also handled the power portfolio.

While exonerating Vijayan, the court pointed out that three Kerala State Electricity Board officials will have to face trial.

The case pertains to an agreement with SNC-Lavalin in 1997 to refurbish three hydropower projects, which allegedly caused a loss of Rs 266 crore to the state exchequer.

Vijayan was the Electricity Minister in the E.K. Nayanar government when the government-run Kerala State Electricity Board contracted SNC Lavalin to refurbish three hydropower projects in Panniyar, Chenkulam and Pannivasal, following a severe electricity shortage in Kerala.

Vijayan was arraigned by the CBI as the seventh accused in the case, leading to political furore.

On November 5, 2013, the CBI court in the state capital exonerated all the accused, without taking the case for trial.

However a year later, the CBI filed a revision petition against the CBI court's exoneration.

The case then went into a limbo with a few judges deciding not to hear the case. But in 2016, the trial started and Vijayan brought in high-profile lawyer Harish Salve to defend him.

Vijayan was forced to seek the service of Salve after the CBI brought in former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai as a witness in the case.

The trial in the case got over in March this year and Ubaid posted the case for delivering the judgement.

In the judgement, the CBI has been taken to task for hounding Vijayan as there were other ministers also who had dealt with SNC Lavalin company.

Reacting to the judgement, State CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the case was a political one.

"In 2006, it was the then Congress-led UDF government which transferred the case to the CBI. This decision was taken after the State Vigilance department gave a clean chit to Vijayan. The CBI was used as a tool to target political rivals after the CPI-M withdrew its support to the first UPA government."

He termed the judgement as a "huge setback for the CBI as it tried to target a political leader". Balakrishnan said that it has been proved again that CPI-M is a party which does not indulge in corruption.

However, Leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala said the Lavalin case which was buried appears to have reopened once again through Wednesday's judgement.

"This could be an error of judgement as in the past in cases against J. Jayalalithaa and Lalu Prasad, where the lower courts exonerated them, the apex court ruling was otherwise. It remains to be seen how an international agreement like Lavalin could be entered into by a few officials of the KSEB," asked Chennithala.

State BJP president Kummanem Rajasekheran said while legally Vijayan appears to have been cleared, morally he cannot escape, as "all know that this was a corrupt deal".

"This case has to be followed up," said Rajasekheran.
Islamabad, Aug 23 : Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday told US Ambassador David Hale that Islamabad will continue to do what it is doing in Afghanistan out of its national interests, not to appease Washington.

Hale called on the Army chief and told him that the US valued Pakistan's role in the war against terror and was seeking cooperation from it to resolve the Afghan issue, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Underlining that peace in Afghanistan was important for Pakistan too, the Army chief said: "Islamabad has done a lot towards Afghanistan and shall keep on doing its best; not to appease anyone but in line with Pakistan's national interest and national policy."

Gen Bajwa said Pakistan was not looking for any financial assistance from the US but rather trust, understanding and acknowledgment for its contributions in the war on terror.

The tough talking came two days after US President Donald Trump, in a new strategy to win America's longest war, accused Pakistan of "housing the very terrorists we (Americans) are fighting" in Afghanistan.

The meeting between the Hale and Gen Bajwa came hours after the Pakistan Foreign Office said President Trump had ignored the contributions and sacrifices Pakistan had made in fighting terrorism.

"No country has done more than Pakistan to counter the menace of terrorism. No country has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders," the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The statement followed a cabinet meeting that discussed the new American strategy unveiled on late Monday.

"It is disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation," it added.

It said Pakistan does not allow the use of its territory against any country. "Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism."

Pakistan has been accused by American and Afghan officials of harbouring terrorist sanctuaries -- a charge Islamabad denies. India also makes similar charges against Pakistan.

Pakistan said there can be "no exclusive military solution to the crisis in Afghanistan. The military action during the last 17 years has not brought peace to Afghanistan, and it is not likely to do so in the future.

"Only an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned politically negotiated solution can lead to sustainable peace in Afghanistan," it added.

Pakistan is reaching out to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and China before issuing a detailed rejoinder to Trump's new Afghan strategy.

Prior to the cabinet huddle, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi flew to Lahore to meet his deposed predecessor Nawaz Sharif.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : The government on Wednesday raised the creamy layer ceiling by Rs 2 lakh and announced setting up of a commission to work out sub-categorisation within Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for a "more equitable distribution of reservation benefits".

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said after a cabinet meeting here that OBC families earning up to Rs 8 lakh per annum will not be considered in the creamy layer. Earlier, this ceiling was Rs 6 lakh per annum.

"The cabinet was apprised that the creamy layer criterion limit has been raised to Rs 8 lakh annually for the central government," he said.

Asked if the raised limit will also be applicable to public sector undertakings, Jaitley said the issue was under "active consideration of the government".

Jaitley said the cabinet approved a proposal for setting up of a commission under article 340 of the Constitution to examine the issue of sub-categorisation of the OBCs.

He said the commission will examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes or communities included in the broad category of OBCs, with reference to the OBCs included in the Central list.

It will work out the mechanism and parameters for sub-categorisation within such OBCs, identify the respective castes or communities or sub-castes in the central list of OBCs and classify them into their respective sub-categories.

"With this, those in the broad category of OBCs who were till now devoid of benefits of reservation, will get the benefits. There will be more equitable distribution," he said.

The commission will submit its report within 12 weeks from the date of appointment of the Chairperson.

Jaitley said the National Commission for Backward Classes had given its recommendation in 2011 that there should be sub-categorisaion and parliamentary Standing Committee had also given such a recommendation.

The Supreme Court, in its November 1992 order, had observed that there is no Constitutional or legal bar to a state categorising backward classes as backward or more backward.

The Minister said 11 states have already implemented the sub-categorisation for state level services. These are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Puducherry, Haryana, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Jammu and Kashmir (for Jammu region).

On whether the government is going to review the reservation mechanism, Jaitley said: "There is no such proposal... there will be no review."

On caste census, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot, who was also present at the press meet, said the information about the census is with the Home Ministry.

He said the central OBC list has over 5,000 castes and communities.
Washington, Aug 23 : Pakistan is using India's role in Afghanistan as an excuse to pursue its policies in the war-torn country, a top US official said, dismissing Islamabad's concerns over New Delhi's developmental activities in Afghanistan.

"What India is doing in Afghanistan is not a threat to Pakistan," National Security Council spokesperson Michael Anton told reporters on Tuesday.

"They're (India) not building military bases. They're not deploying troops. They're not doing the things that would constitute encirclement, for lack of a better term, which is one of the things that the Pakistanis complain about," Anton was quoted by Politico online.

He said US President Donald Trump's new get-tough approach with Pakistan could potentially include sanctions on Islamabad. The move has put Pakistan on notice that business was not as usual with Islamabad.

"The US has been really patient with Pakistan for a really long time. We haven't been getting a good deal from them," Anton said.

The statement came a day after Trump accused Pakistan of "housing the very terrorists we (Americans) are fighting" in Afghanistan.

Taking note of US security aid to Pakistan, Anton said America received in return "indifference to border crossing and terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries" in the tribal regions along the Pakistan-Afghan border, Politico reported.

"In the worst case," he accused Pakistan of being guilty of "active direct support" to terrorist groups.

The NSC spokesperson claimed that Trump had benefited from an outsider's perspective on the Pakistan-US relationship by foregoing "conventional wisdom" that "however, much the Pakistanis double-deal you and lie to you and don't cooperate, you have no choice but to just keep the status quo".
SINGAPORE  The fate of a Sangamon Valley High School graduate aboard the USS John S. McCain remained unknown Tuesday, a day after his family confirmed he was among those reported missing in a collision between the warship and an oil tanker.

Navy divers searching a flooded compartment of the ship on Tuesday found remains of some of the 10 sailors missing, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander said, promising a full investigation. Adm. Scott Swift also said at a news conference in Singapore, where the McCain is now docked, that Malaysian officials had found one body, but it had yet to be identified and it was unknown whether it was a crew member.

Sangamon Valley graduate Logan Palmer is among those reported missing. Palmer is a third class petty officer interior communications electrician who joined the Navy in April 2016.

On Monday, Palmer's family released a statement through the Navy, thanking those who had expressed concern and requesting privacy.

Palmer's brother, Austin, told Herald & Review media partner WCIA that he always had big dreams of serving his country. Palmer's first love was with the Air Force, but after an injury to his eye his next choice and newfound love was on the waters, seeing the world.

The Palmer family attends Life Fouresquare Church in Decatur. The church was alerted as soon as Navy officers visited the family home Monday morning to deliver the news that Logan Palmer was missing, according to lead pastor the Rev. Mark Cooper.

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis said he has spoken with the Palmer family, which was seeking information, and Davis, whose district includes Macon County, spoke with Palmer's mother, Theresa Palmer.

The collision before dawn on Monday near Singapore tore a gaping hole in the McCain's left rear hull and flooded adjacent compartments including crew berths and machinery and communication rooms. Five sailors were injured.

"The divers were able to locate some remains in those sealed compartments during their search today," Swift said, adding that it was "premature to say how many and what the status of recovery of those bodies is."

"We will continue the search and rescue operations until the probability of discovering sailors is exhausted," Swift said.

He would not say where in the destroyer the bodies were found.

It was the second major collision in two months involving the Pacific-based 7th Fleet, and the Navy has ordered a broad investigation into its performance and readiness. Seven sailors died in June when the USS Fitzgerald and a container ship collided in waters off Japan. There were two lesser-known incidents in the first half of the year. In January, the USS Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka base, the home port of the 7th Fleet, and in May another cruiser, the USS Lake Champlain from the Navy's 3rd Fleet, had a minor collision with a South Korean fishing boat.

"While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation," Swift said.

He said the Navy would conduct an investigation "to find out if there is a common cause ... and if so, how do we solve that."

He said he had heard some reports speculating that the Navy could have been a victim of a cyberattack. "We've seen no indications of that as yet, but ... we are not taking any consideration off the table," he said.

Earlier Tuesday, the 7th Fleet said the sea search by aircraft and ships from the U.S., Singapore and Malaysian navies would continue east of Singapore where the McCain and the tanker collided.

Megan Partlow of Ohio, who said her fiance was on board the McCain, told The Associated Press in a Facebook message that they last communicated on Sunday and she was losing hope of seeing him again.

"My last text to him was 'be safe,' which is the same way we end every conversation. I'm just ready for answers," she said. The identities of the missing have not been disclosed but Partlow said her fiance's parents were in touch with the Navy's family assistance center.

April Brandon of Michigan said her son, Ken Smith, 22, is among the missing sailors. Brandon told Detroit-area TV stations that she was visited by two officers Monday at her home.

Navy Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, on Monday ordered a pause in 7th Fleet operations for the next few days to allow commanders to get together with leaders, sailors and command officials and identify any immediate steps that need to be taken to ensure safety.

A broader U.S. Navy review will look at the 7th Fleet's performance, including personnel, navigation capabilities, maintenance, equipment, surface warfare training, munitions, certifications and how sailors move through their careers. Richardson said the review will be conducted with the help of the Navy's office of the inspector general, the safety center and private companies that make equipment used by sailors.

"Make no mistake," Swift said Tuesday, "our sailors on these ships are doing critical work at sea. And for more than 70 years, the U.S. Navy has helped guarantee the security and stability of the western Pacific. ... We owe it to the sailors that man the 7th Fleet and their families to answer the questions that flow from the uncertainty of what happened, how could it happen, and what can be done to prevent such occurrences in the future."

Swift also lauded the crew for righting the listing ship quickly as they tended to the injured. He said sailors set up watertight boundaries and shored up the ship's internal structure, and were able to begin evacuating sailors by helicopter within an hour or two of the collision.

He said it was "quite extraordinary" for the McCain to be "up and running as an operational ship almost immediately after the collision."

The McCain had been heading to Singapore on a routine port visit after conducting a sensitive freedom-of-navigation operation last week by sailing near one of China's man-made islands in the South China Sea.

China, Washington's main rival for influence in the Asia-Pacific, seized on the McCain collision to accuse the Navy of endangering maritime navigation in the region. This year's string of accidents shows the U.S. Navy "is becoming a dangerous obstacle in Asian waters," the official China Daily newspaper said in its online edition.

The McCain and the Alnic MC oil tanker collided about 4.5 nautical miles from Malaysia's coast at the start of a designated sea lane for ships sailing into the busy Singapore Strait.

There was no immediate explanation for the collision. Singapore, at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, is one of the world's busiest ports and a U.S. ally, with its naval base regularly visited by American warships.

The Singapore government said no crew were injured on the Liberian-flagged Alnic, which sustained damage to a compartment at the starboard, or right, side at the front of the ship some 23 feet above its waterline. The ship had a partial load of fuel oil, according to the Greek owner of the tanker, Stealth Maritime Corp. S.A., but no apparent spill.

Several safety violations were recorded for the oil tanker at its last port inspection in July, one fire safety deficiency and two safety-of-navigation problems. The official database for ports in Asia doesn't go into details and the problems apparently were not serious enough for the tanker to be detained.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : A court here on Wednesday adjourned, to September 11, hearing in the defamation complaint filed by Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain against sacked colleague Kapil Mishra.

Metropolitan Magistrate Shefali Barnala Tandon adjourned the matter as she was busy in plea bargaining cases.

Jain has alleged that on May 7, Mishra made a blatantly false, misleading, baseless, and defamatory statement before the media that Jain handed over Rs 2 crore to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on May 5 at his residence.

He said these statements were repeatedly telecast and printed by the national media across all platforms - electronic, print, and social - which caused immense damage to him and his family.

The court will also hear arguments on a separate defamation case against BJP legislator Manjinder Singh Sirsa filed by Jain on September 11, the next date fixed for hearing.

On May 19, Jain had filed two criminal defamation complaints against Mishra and Sirsa for allegedly defaming him by levelling graft charges against him.

In the complaint against Sirsa, Jain said that on May 9, the MLA made "libellous" statements by levelling corruption allegation against him. Making a statement on the basis of "hearsay" without any proof or evidence supporting it, is not only unbecoming of an MLA, but also a crime of defaming a person, he said.

"Such statements, without any basis, have been put in the public domain to damage the reputation of the complainant. It has become a habit with the accused to make and circulate such falsehoods," Jain added.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : The Delhi government on Wednesday said it has seized nearly 8,000 kg of polythene bags thinner than 50 microns, two weeks after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned them.

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain said that beside the huge seizure so far, 492 fines and notices were issued, while about Rs 3 lakh was collected as environmental compensation under the drive to ban plastic in the national capital.

According to a 2015 report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), plastic comprises 10.14 per cent of total waste generated in the city.

The plastic bags with thickness below 50 microns are the un-recyclable lot of solid waste, which are often not collected leading to direct pollution.

On Wednesday, the Minister held a meeting with the senior officials from municipal corporations, Revenue Department, Urban Development Department, Environment Department and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

"As per the reports submitted by various departments, a total of 7,739 kg of plastic carry bags (less than 50 microns) have been seized, 492 challans and notices have been issued and a total of Rs 2,90,000 has been realised as environment compensation," a government statement said.

At the meeting, Hussain directed the officers to strictly implement the directions of NGT regarding sale, storage and use of less than 50 micron plastic bags at shops, markets and other establishments.

The NGT on August 10 reiterated its earlier ban on polythene in Delhi.

Earlier, the tribunal asked the city government to ban the low grade plastic with effect from January 1. But the directive could not be implemented.

For now, the tribunal has put an interim ban on low grade plastic bags.

The bench has also asked the Delhi government and the DPCC to file an affidavit and inform it about how its directions were being implemented in the city. The matter will be heard in NGT on August 29.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval for a new bridge on the India-Nepal border over Mechi river.

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved an MoU to be signed between the two countries for laying down the modalities concerning the bridge, an official statement said.

The new bridge is part of upgradation of the Kakarvitta (Nepal) to Panitanki Bypass (India) on National Highway 327 B, covering 1,500 meters, including a six-lane approach road of 825 meters.

Mechi Bridge is the ending point of Asian Highway 2 in India leading to Nepal and provides critical connectivity.

The estimated cost of construction of the bridge is Rs 159 crore. India will fund this through an Asian Development Bank loan.

The construction is expected to improve regional connectivity and has the potential to strengthen cross border trade between both the countries.

The National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corp (NHIDCL) has been designated as the implementing agency for this project.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 23 : Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Wednesday suggested that Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should join hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the development of the state.

"Being a yoga man, I wish Naveenji and Modiji join hands," Ramdev told media persons here.

Ramdev, who attended a convention by his firm Patanjali in Bhubaneswar, said the expected output in Odisha is yet to be witnessed.

"Odisha is a very potential state, economically, spiritually, socially and politically. But in comparison to its existing strength and potential, the expected output is not seen here."

With Ramdev proposing an alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Biju Janata Dal, senior BJD leader and Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout advised him to quit yoga and join politics.

"Ramdev should quit yoga and do politics from now. That will be good. What proposal can he give? He should know that India is a federal country," said Rout.

"Ramdev should rather tell the Prime Minister to understand the Constitution and extend cooperation to the state government."
Srinagar, Aug 23 : Hurriyat leaders on Wednesday announced an elaborate protest programme to protect article 35A that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement the Hurriyat said: "Any meddling with state subject law is only aimed at changing the demography of the state, the issue is directly related to our right of self-determination and so we all need to fight for it with unity and steadfastness".

The separatist leaders have asked people to observe a state wide strike on August 29 when the petition seeking abrogation of the law comes up for hearing in the Supreme Court.

The separatists have also asked lawyers, traders, civil society members and non-resident Kashmiris living outside to stage peaceful protests.

The article empowers the state legislature to define permanent residents of the state and their privileges.
Mumbai, Aug 23 : A day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed allegations of a Rs 18,000 crore landscam in allotting 30 hectares of land in Aarey Milk Colony for a Metro rail car depot, the Mumbai Congress on Wednesday called him "a liar" and produced documentary evidence to support its claims.

"The CM is lying when he says that the Aarey land does not come under the Forest Department. The Mumbai Metro's map, a court order and a Collector's note clearly shows that this land is actually forest land," Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam told media persons.

Rebuffing Fadnavis' statement on Tuesday that not a single inch would be used for commercial purposes, Nirupam and Aarey Conservation Group activists circulated media advertisements and maps issued by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) showing 30,000 sq. metres reserved for commercial and realty use.

"By calling this a publicity stunt, the CM is calling the fight of hardworking and honest activists a stunt," Nirupam said.

Activist D. Stalin said the CM is "trying to hide the truth" since documented evidence proved that the Aarey land is forest land and so no work of Metro Rail should be allowed there.

Nirupam and the Aarey activists created a flutter in political circles on Tuesday when they alleged a major Rs 18,000 crore scam in the Maharashtra government's decision to allot a whopping 30 hectares of prime green land for a car-depot of the upcoming Mumbai Metro III line.

As per plans, the land will be used to build a car depot for 35 rakes of the 33.5 km long Metro III line, within two years, at a cost of around Rs 325 crore, in the green environs of the picturesque Aarey Milk Colony in Goregaon east, a northwestern suburb of Mumbai.

The MMRCL has claimed that a little more than 3,000 trees will be affected due to the car depot, though the actual construction of the depot will be on 22 hectares and three acres will be utilised for a station. The rest would remain untouched as a green patch.

Late on Tuesday, the CM's Office countered by dismissing the allegations as "misleading" and intended to tarnish Fadnavis' image.

Nirupam said that the MMRCL's ads in the media contained "blatant lies", including the claim that all activities undertaken on the Aarey land are legally permissible though the case is pending before the National Green Tribunal's Pune bench, which has not granted permission for the work.

The activists, including Stalin, Amrita Bhattacharya, Priya Mishra, Biju Augustine and Zoru Bathena, also questioned the MMRCL's contention that the land belonged to the Dairy Development Department, which has said it is merely the custodian of 300 acres under it, and not the 3,000 acres claimed by the government.

"In all other cities, only 12 hectares are required to construct such a car depot, but here the CM is allotting 30 hectares. The rest of the land will be exploited for commercial uses which at current rates, amounts to a staggering Rs 18,000 crore," charged Nirupam.

"The real reason why the government is insisting on constructing it at Aarey Milk Colony is that the land here does not fall under Coastal Regulation Zone rules and can be easily exploited for any commercial purposes," he added.

He accused Fadnavis of "fooling the people of Mumbai" since Aarey Milk Colony is Mumbai's green lung and the forested land will be lost forever to the builders and land mafia for commercial constructions.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : The sub-categorisation within Other Backward Class (OBC) will help the most backward sections in getting benefits of the reservation especially government jobs, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Wednesday.

The Lok Janshakti Party President dismissed allegations that the decision was taken keeping in mind political gains and ruled out any move of sub-categorising the Scheduled Castes (SC).

"I welcome the historic decision taken by the Cabinet. There are many backward castes, which are in less number. But they exist. So benefits of reservation should reach to them. They also had participated in the movement for reservation," he told reporters.

"It will help the most backwards in getting government jobs, which raises the social status."

The Minister said the move would not have any adverse impact on the dominant castes in the OBC.

Paswan said there were provisions of reservation for the most backward castes in nine states but there was no such system at the Centre.

The Minister said the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) had recommended the sub-categorisation of the OBC list.

Asserting that the Centre was not in favour of categorising Scheduled Castes since it was based on untouchability, he said: "There is no economic aspect to the Scheduled Castes reservation. It is totally based on social parameters. No question arises of subcategorising them."

"Some states, including Bihar, experimented with it but the experience was not good," he said.

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had repeated several times that there would not be any rethink on reservation.

The government on Wednesday raised the creamy layer ceiling by Rs 2 lakh and announced setting up of a commission to work out sub-categorisation within OBCs, while mentioning that there will be no review of reservation.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : The CBI on Wednesday questioned Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, for over eight hours here in a case related to the alleged irregularities in FIPB clearance to INX Media in 2007.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has asked him to appear before it again on August 28 for further questioning.

Karti was questioned at the CBI headquarters on Lodhi Road soon after he appeared before the investigators on Wednesday morning.

"Karti Chidambaram reached the CBI headquarters around 10.40 a.m. and was questioned till 7 p.m.," a CBI official said.

CBI sources said that Karti, who was accompanied by his lawyers, faced over 100 questions prepared by the agency.

On August 18, the Supreme Court had directed the former Finance Minister's son to appear before the CBI which examined him in a case related to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media for allegedly receiving funds from Mauritius when his father was in office.

As per the apex court order, the CBI will also question four more persons namely Ravi Vishwanathan, Mohnan Rajesh, Bhaskar Raman and C.V.N Reddy on August 28. Vishwanathan, Rajesh and Raman will be questioned in Delhi, while Reddy will be questioned at the CBI's Chennai office, said sources.

On May 15, the CBI had registered a FIR against Karti on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, accepting gratification by corrupt or illegal means, influencing public servants and criminal misconduct.

Karti is said to have received Rs 3.5 crore from the Mumbai-based INX media, now 9X Media, for helping it in getting the FIPB clearance when it was run by Peter and Indrani Mukherjea, both accused in the Sheena Bora murder case.

The FIR does not mention the name of Chidambaram senior, though it said he cleared the FIPB approval for Rs 4.62 crore Foreign Direct Investment in the FIPB meeting on May 18, 2007.

Earlier, the CBI had issued three notices to Chidambaram junior, but he did not depose before the probe agency.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, one of India's largest Muslim groups, on Wednesday described the Supreme Court decision on instant divorce as violative of the "Shariah" and a matter of "grave concern" for the Muslim community.

Jamiat General Secretary Maulana Mehmood Madani said instant triple talaq was still valid as per the Islamic code notwithstanding the Supreme Court declaring it as unconstitutional and void in law.

"Even now, if a man administers instant talaq, it will come into effect as per Shariah for those who believe in it," he told reporters here.

Madani said the Jamiat has appealed to Muslims in India not to resort to divorce, especially instant divorce, "without very compelling reasons".

The apex court by a 3-2 decision struck down the centuries-old practice of instant triple talaq among Indian Muslims as unconstitutional and void in law, inviting appreciation from activists, politicians, clerics, celebrities, political outfits and NGOs, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) that was contending for the controversial practice.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : Ahead of the CBI court verdict which is likely this week in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the central government has provided "requisite" assistance to Haryana and Punjab to maintain law and order.

"The Home Ministry has discussed the issue with both the states (Haryana and Punjab) and has provided requisite assistance," sources in the Home Ministry here said.

The official did not elaborate about the exact central assistance provided to the states but said over 100 companies of paramilitary forces have already been given to Haryana and Punjab jointly as well as intelligence support to maintain law and order measures and handle any unprecedented situation.

The central government's step came after top officials of Punjab and Haryana last week apprised the Home Ministry of the situation in the two states ahead of the impending verdict of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court in Haryana's Panchkula city adjoining Chandigarh, which has been hearing the case since 2007.

The Home Ministry sources said the states were provided helping hand from the central government after its officials sought central forces in case the CBI court's verdict went against the sect chief.

Authorities in Punjab and Haryana had already asked police in both states to be on alert ahead of the verdict.

The sect chief, who has lakhs of followers in Punjab, Haryana and other states, has been accused by a former female follower of raping her more than once inside the sprawling Dera campus on the outskirts of Sirsa town in Haryana, 260 km from Chandigarh.

Despite charges of murder, conspiracy, and rape against him, the Dera chief enjoys Z-category security provided by Haryana Police and moves around in a fleet of bulletproof luxury sport utility vehicles.

Anti-social elements or any other person who would try to disturb law and order would be arrested, police sources in both the states said, adding that leave of police personnel has been cancelled and home guards would be called on duty.

"All borders of the state have been sealed and inter-state and inter-district activities of vehicles are being closely monitored," the official said.
CLINTON  A forum Tuesday on the deadly effects of opioids on rural communities drew about 75 local, state, and federal stakeholders who shared their experiences and ideas for battling what the White House recently classified as a national emergency.

The discussion on heroin and opioids was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a Taylorville Republican, and included remarks from Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti and Drug Enforcement Administration special agent Glenn Haas.

This epidemic knows no neighborhood, no color and no class, Sanguinetti told the audience at the Vespasian Warner Public Library.

The state is working to develop a strategy that will be funded in part by a $16 million federal grant that will be parceled among prevention, treatment and law enforcement sectors, she said.

The large audience is an indicator of the breadth of the problem facing rural communities, Davis said.

The worst part is were seeing these meetings grow. Weve still got a lot of work to do, he said.

Jaime Smith, a recovering heroin addict from St. Joseph, shared her addiction story that began in 2013 with her use of hydrocodone, a prescription painkiller. Other women who lived a similar upscale lifestyle in the area also abused drugs, Smith said.

I was popping and swapping pills with a group of moms. We were doctor shopping and doing anything we could to get our next fix, Smith said.

After the loss of her family and a high-paying job, Smith found herself living in Chicago as a full-blown heroin addict. The connection with a therapist who addressed her underlying mental health issues saved her life, Smith said.

Over the past several years, the avalanche of heroin and opioids has swept across the Midwest, said Haas, who heads the DEA's Chicago field division.

The crack cocaine and meth surges of the early 2000s were replaced with opioids starting about 2014, said Haas. To illustrate how the shift in drug use has altered law enforcement, Haas said the Springfield DEA office has seen its heroin investigations go from 10 percent in 2014 to 85 percent to 90 percent in 2017.

With dangerous additives like fentanyl, heroin has become more powerful and potentially deadly to users, Haas told the group.

The source of much of the heroin use is known, said Haas.

Its very, very sad, but 80 percent of the heroin users started out with opioids and painkillers, he said.

DeWitt County organized its Substance Abuse Coalition in early 2016 in response to a growing number of fatal overdoses. The group has sponsored speakers and a Clinton Cares rally in July to raise awareness for the issue.

The Rev. Scott Marsh, pastor of Texas Christian Church in Clinton, also serves as a volunteer firefighter who has responded to overdose calls. He questioned whether there might be a way to compel people to receive treatment similar to the short-term hospitalizations that may be ordered for people who pose a risk to themselves or others.

Is there something we could do to not make it so easy to be treated but not really treat the problem? Im not talking about locking up addicts. Ive talking about getting them help, Marsh said.

Crisis calls like the ones described by Marsh may be addressed by a mobile unit proposed as part of the states grant, said Dr. Maria Bruni, acting secretary of the Department of Human Services.

Public officials from McLean, Sangamon and other area communities attended the forum.
Panaji, Aug 23 : Nearly 75 per cent voting was recorded in Wednesday's by-poll in Goa's two assembly constituencies, Panaji and Valpoi, with both the BJP and the Congress claiming victory in both seats.

Polling wound up at 7 p.m., and according to statistics issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, 70 per cent voting was recorded in the Panaji assembly constituency, where Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was facing Congress' Girish Chodankar and Goa Suraksha Mancha's Anand Shirodkar.

In Valpoi, where Health Minister Vishwajit Rane is contesting against Congress' Roy Naik, 79.80 per cent voters cast ballot, senior poll officer Kunal, told reporters late on Wednesday.

The poll was by and large peaceful barring one minor altercation in each constituency.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar expressed confidence of sweeping the Panaji by-poll, claiming that his opponents failed to get any traction from the voters.

"Voting percentage was low because the other side had no traction," Parrikar said, adding that he was confident of the party winning by a huge margin, both in Panaji and Valpoi. Parrikar also said, that around 98 per cent BJP voters had cast ballot in both constituencies.

The Chief Minister said he was satisfied with the conduct of the poll authorities, but the Congress alleged that election officials were biased in favour of the ruling BJP.

"In Panaji, I was fighting alone on one side, while Parrikar was backed by his ministers and the poll officials. It was not a fair contest," Chodankar told IANS.

Chodankar said that in Panaji, the altercation between former BJP MLA Sidharth Kuncolienkar and state Mahila Congress chief Pratima Coutinho was unfairly handled by poll officials.

"They shoved around our women workers and the poll officials failed to act swiftly and justly," he said.

Chodankar also said that voters in Panaji and Valpoi had voted for change and in anger. "People wanted change. They will throw out the Chief Minister and the Health Minister. We are confident of winning both seats," the All India Congress Committee secretary said.

Former state Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Subhash Velingkar, whose Goa Suraksha Manch is contesting the Panaji seat, said that the Sangh cadre had not worked for Parrikar.

"RSS workers will not vote for him and our Anand Shirodkar will win this election, with a small margin," Velingkar said.

Counting of votes polled in both constituencies is scheduled for Monday (August 28).
New Delhi, Aug 23 : Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take a decision on Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu's offer to resign in the wake of railway accidents.

"The Prime Minister will take a decision on whatever the request made by Railway Minister," Jaitley said when he was asked about the reported offer by Prabhu to quit after the Saturday train accident in Uttar Pradesh killed 22 people.

"Accountability is a good system in government," Jaitley said in response to another query about some officers being reportedly upset over the action taken against their colleagues.

Railway Board Chairman A.K. Mittal resigned on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the government named Air India chief Ashwani Lohani as the new Board Chairman.

After a meeting with the Prime Minister, Prabhu tweeted: "I met (Modi) taking full moral responsibility. PM has asked me to wait."

Though Prabhu did not specifically mention in his tweets that he had offered to resign, there was intense speculation he may have offered to resign considering the language of his tweets.

"I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish," Prabhu said.
Faridabad, Aug 23 : The CPI-M on Wednesday held a solidarity meet at Junaid Khan's home in Khandawali village in Faridabad district in Haryana and handed over cheques of Rs 10 lakh to the bereaved family.

Junaid, 16, was stabbed to death and his two brothers Hasib, 21, and Shakir, 23, injured when a group of people attacked them inside a crowded train following a dispute over a seat.

The incident took place at Ballabgarh railway station in Haryana on June 22, just ahead of Eid.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo member Brinda Karat and Haryana state Secretary Surinder Malik handed over two cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to Junaid's parents Jalaluddin and Saira on behalf of Kerala state committee of CPI-M.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had met the family last month during his visit to Delhi. At that time, Saira had expressed her desire to start a school for girls in the village and name it after Junaid.

Karat said the money was just a token of "strong feeling of solidarity" and criticised the alleged subversion of justice as she said four of the six accused are already out on bail.

The Haryana government had also announced Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the family.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the transfer of 40 acres of Airports Authority of India (AAI) land to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for constructing its metro shed.

In return for the land at RR station in Dahisar, the AAI would get 40 acres of state government land at Gorai in Mumbai, a government statement said.

"The land transaction will enable MMRDA to complete the metro rail project in Mumbai," it said.

According to the land-swap proposal, the MMRDA will pay the difference in the cost of the land.

Working under the MMRDA, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) plans to construct a car shed on the Dahisar (E) to Andheri (E) metro corridor where a portion of the identified land is owned by the AAI.

The government said that after operationalisation of the metro car shed, there will be generation of direct and indirect employment.

"The present proposal will generate employment for skilled, semi-skilled labourers along with job opportunities for technical experts, also there will be creation of jobs in manufacturing industries involved in the metro construction work," it said.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid a surprise call on visiting Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, signifying the importance India attaches to ties with its close neighbour amid China's active wooing of Kathmandu.

"Happy to welcome Rt Hon Sher Bahadur Deubaji, PM of close and friendly neighbour Nepal. Look forward to more extensive talks tomorrow," Modi tweeted.

The unexpected meeting between the two Prime Ministers came a day ahead of formal talks between the two sides. Deuba, on a five-day state visit, will be given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj received Deuba on his arrival - in another significant gesture of friendship.

Deuba chose India for his first overseas visit after becoming Prime Minister in June.

Nepal's Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhayay termed Modi's call a "warm-up" ahead of the official talks on Thursday.

Deuba's state visit comes days after Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang was in Nepal during which the two sides signed several major agreements to boost energy and economic ties.

The Deuba visit also comes amid a dragging standoff between Indian and Chinese troops on the Doklam plateau that has escalated tensions between New Delhi and Beijing.

Deuba and Sushma Swaraj met in Kathmandu earlier this month when the two sides are known to have discussed the Doklam issue.

On Thursday, the two sides will hold delegation-level talks following which Modi and Deuba will remote launch from Hyderabad House the Katiya-Kushaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur cross-border transmission line for supply of 50 MW each.

Some agreements are expected to be signed following the talks.

Deuba is leading a 48-member delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, other ministers, MPs, Secretaries and other high ranking officials to India.

Deuba also interacted with the Nepali diaspora at the Nepal Embassy and lauded their contribution towards nation building. He promised to provide a mechanised channel to transfer money to Nepal, the Himalayan Times reported.

Deuba is expected to raise the issue of inundation in the Terai region and other issues during his talks with Modi.

Modi will also host a banquet in honour of Deuba and his delegation in the evening.

Deuba, also President of the Nepali Congress, will also visit Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya.
Nandyal (Andhra Pradesh), Aug 23 : Over 80 per cent voters cast ballots in the by-election to Nandyal assembly constituency in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, which passed off peacefully barring minor incidents.

For the first time, the Election Commission is using the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in the election.

As many as 77.66 per cent turnout was recorded till 5 p.m. Though polling came to an end at 6 p.m., those standing in queues were allowed to cast their votes. Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal said the turnout could be 81-82 percent. The final figures will be made available after receipt of reports from all polling stations.

He told reporters in Hyderabad that this would be the highest polling in "years or decade".

Tension prevailed at Atmakaur in the evening when family members of TDP and YSR Congress party candidates clashed. Police had to intervene to bring the situation under control.

Earlier, long queues were seen when polling booths opened at 7 a.m.

Over 2.19 lakh voters were eligible to exercise their franchise at 255 centres.

The VVPAT helps the voters know the candidates they voted for. The VVPAT attached to the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) displays for seven seconds the name of the candidate the voter cast ballot for. Bhanwarlal said there were no complaints about the functioning of VVPAT.

Tight security arrangements were made across the politically sensitive constituency to ensure peaceful and fair polling.

More than 2,500 police personnel, six units of central paramilitary forces, 15 platoons of the Armed Reserve and Special Police were deployed.

The by-poll was necessitated after the death of Bhuma Nagi Reddy, who had quit the YSR Congress party to join the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) last year.

There are 15 candidates in the fray, including Bhuma's nephew Brahmananda Reddy of the TDP, Silpa Mohan Reddy of the YSR Congress and Abdul Khader from the Congress.

It is a direct fight between the TDP and the YSR Congress. Both the parties are treating it as a fight for prestige.

The constituency witnessed high-voltage and acrimonious campaign led by Chief Minister and TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu and YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.

The stakes are high for both the parties as the result will be seen as a referendum on the performance of TDP-BJP government and indicate which way the wind will blow in the 2019 election.

The counting of votes will be taken up on August 28.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : BJP legislator from Maharashtra Anil Gote, who is an accused in the Telgi scam, on Wednesday expressed unhappiness over Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' decision to appoint a former bureaucrat to investigate alleged corruption by suspended bureaucrat Radheshyam Mopalwar.

Gote and Mopalwar have been at loggerheads since their names surfaced in the multi-crore Telgi fake stamp paper scam.

Briefing the media about the role of Mopalwar here, Gote said he did not have faith in the committee comprising of bureaucrats and demanded an inquiry by an independent committee headed by a sitting high court judge.

"I am sure that Johny Joseph-led committee will not hold inquiry properly since he is a former bureaucrat. Many bureaucrats are complicit in the corruption cases involving Mopalwar."

"I want an independent inquiry by a committee led by a sitting high court judge and members should be selected from Income Tax Department and Anti-Corruption Bureau," he said.

Joseph is a former Chief Secretary of the Maharashtra government.

After Gote raised the issue of corruption in the high-profile Mumbai-Nagpur highway project, Fadnavis had removed Mopalwar from the post of Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation a few weeks ago.

The legislator from Dhule also said that Mopalwar bought a Kolkata-based company with money collected using corrupt means.

Gote said he wanted to bust the racket of bureaucrats involved in corruption cases.

"I want to finish this corrupt lobby. And I know it can happen in Delhi. That is why I held a press conference here," he said, hinting at lack of faith in the Maharashtra government.

Gote was in jail for about four years in relation to the Telgi scam.

"Actually, Mopalwar is the mastermind of the Telgi scam... Mopalwar was responsible for me going to jail. I do not know why did he do that. But, yes, there was political force behind it," he said, refusing to reveal the names of the political leaders.

The Bharatiya Janata Party legislator demanded re-investigation of Mopalwar's role in the Telgi scam and said he had shared details with the Prime Minister's Office and all central investigation agencies.

Mopalwar could not be reached for a comment.

Incidentally, Mopalwar has been claiming that he was the whistleblower in the Telgi scam.
Cairo, Aug 23 : Egypt on Wednesday slammed a decision by Washington to withhold over $290 million in military and economic aid to the country - reportedly due to its failure to make progress on human rights and democracy - warning this could have "negative implications".

"Egypt regrets the decision of the US to reduce some of the funds allocated under the US assistance programme," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Egypt sees this measure as reflecting poor judgment of the strategic relationship that binds the two countries over decades and reflects the lack of understanding of the importance of supporting the stability and success of Egypt," it said.

The decision could have "negative implications" on achieving common goals and interests between the two countries, it added.

The statement came after Reuters and Associated Press news agencies on Tuesday cited anonymous officials as saying that Washington had decided to deny Egypt $95.7 million in aid and to delay a further $195 million.

The aid cut by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson included $65.7 million of military assistance and $30 million in economic aid that has been on hold since 2014 financial year.

Egypt cancelled a meeting on Wednesday in Cairo between its Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and White House adviser Jared Kushner and US officials, apparently in protest at the reported US move.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was however still slated to meet the US delegation.

The Trump administration's move came after Sisi in June allowed a controversial law regulating NGOs law to go into effect despite earlier assurances it would not pass, angering US officials.

Human rights groups and activists have said the new law - widely seen as part of a growing crackdown on dissent - effectively bans their work and makes it harder for charities to operate.

Egypt receives $1.3 billion annually in military aid from the US and nearly $250 million in economic assistance, according to state-run daily Al-Ahram.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : On Wednesday, 88-year-old Randhir Singh from Pooth Khurd of Bawana left his house around 9 a.m to cast his vote with a companion -- his four feet long brown walking stick with a metal base.

While voter turnout in the Bawana bypoll in the national capital was lower by about 17 per cent than the last state assembly election, many like Singh made it to the polling booths without fail.

The octogenarian had to walk around 45 minutes to reach the polling station about three kilometre from his house. He told IANS: "I never miss my chance to vote."

The official voter turnout was only 5.8 per cent when Singh cast his vote.

"I cast my vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)," he said, showing the indelible ink mark on his index finger.

As he started the walk back home, he added that he liked Modi and that made him go for the "Lotus" (BJP's election symbol).

About three kilometres from Khurd, Sathya Devi, 95, sat on a footpath outside MC Primary Girls School in Old Bawana - clutching her walking frame.

At around 10.30 a.m, she had come to vote with her 65-year-old son Balram.

Wearing thick-framed spectacles with a thicker lens, Devi smiled and blessed when questions were asked to her, as she was almost deaf.

"She can't hear anything, ask me if you have any questions," Balram said.

The nonagenarian was taken to the poll booth in a van and the same van was waiting outside to take her back.

"I'm ferrying people for Congress today and have been working since 6.30 a.m," van driver Manoj Kumar told IANS.

People trickled in to cast their votes at the school and they didn't have much complaints, but the condition was different in JJ Colony in Bawana, about five kilometre away.

Sitting on a crudely made wooden bedstead by the main road, Abdul Majeed, 85, had already cast his vote before 11 a.m.

The official voter turnout was only 17.25 per cent by then.

"I've voted for Congress as it was they who got us independence," the white skull cap wearing Majeed said.

But sitting next to him, Rahim, 65, had a completely different opinion: "We'll vote for anyone who'll work for the people, irrespective of the political party."

Holding his soiled white kurta with both hands about his knees, Rahim said: "The roads get flooded here when it rains and when he visited here, Kejriwal promised to fix it within a month if elected."

Mixing tobacco in his left palm, Rahim asked: "What did the Congress do in the 15 years it ruled Delhi?"

As a debate started taking shape around "which political party had done more for the people" among a group that gathered near Majeed's bedstead, an elderly woman who was passing by said out loud: "This time broom (AAP's election symbol) will come and 'Shamshan Ghat' will be built."

(Nikhil M. Babu can be contacted at nikhil.b@ians.in and Ashish Mishra can be contacted at ashish.m@ians.in)
New Delhi, Aug 23 : Two FIRs have been filed against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Delhi Minister Imran Hussain for allegedly asking for votes in the name of religion here, police said on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishi Pal said that the FIRs were filed on Tuesday evening based on complaints by the Returning Officer for Bawana in north-west Delhi, which went to the polls on Wednesday.

"The FIRs were filed based on written complaints and directions from the Returning Officer," Pal said.

The purported posters, which led to the FIRs being registered, read: "We appeal to all Muslim brothers in Bawana...to vote for Aam Aadmi Party this time."

It also had photos of Hussain, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and a broom, which is the AAP's election symbol.
Chandigarh, Aug 23 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday directed authorities to withdraw 1,000 police personnel from VVIP security and deploy them to strengthen security in the state, an official said.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting presided over by the Chief Minister ahead of the judgment by a Haryana court this week in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief.

Prohibitory orders had been imposed and all schools and colleges across the state would be closed on Friday -- the day the verdict will be pronounced, an official spokesperson told IANS here.

He said a complete ban had been issued on carrying of firearms, with orders to shut down the private gun houses selling arms and ammunition, till the situation normalises.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Director General of Police Suresh Arora, Intelligence Director General Dinkar Gupta and Law and Order Director General H.S. Dhillon.

The Centre has sanctioned an additional 10 companies of paramilitary forces to maintain law and order in the state.

A total of 85 central companies, along with thousands of policemen, would maintain a vigil, especially in the vulnerable areas of Moga, Bathinda, Sangrur, Barnala, Patiala and Ludhiana, said the spokesperson.

The Chief Minister has ordered senior officers to personally monitor the situation. The Director General of Police will visit various sensitive districts to review the preparations ahead of the verdict.

Amid intelligence reports of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda, of which Ram Rahim is the chief, stocking petrol and arms at the Dera's Naam Charcha Ghars, the Chief Minister has directed police to crack down on elements trying to disrupt peace and tranquility.

Police have seized five walkie-talkies from suspected sect followers and are trying to identify the various locations suspected to be housing dangerous weapons.

A special Central Bureau of Investigation court in Panchkula adjoining Chandigarh will pronounce its verdict in the rape case against Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Friday. The court has asked the sect chief to appear before the court on the day of verdict.

The case hearing has been going on since 2007.

The sect chief, who has lakhs of followers in Punjab, Haryana and other states, has been accused by a former female follower of raping her more than once inside the sprawling Dera campus on the outskirts of Sirsa town in Haryana, 260 km from Chandigarh.
Kolkata, Aug 23 : 23 people were arrested for attacking and stone pelting at former Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union President Kanhaiya Kumar's rally in West Bengal's Hoogly district on Wednesday, police said.

The agitators tried to stop Kanhaiya Kumar from going to a public meeting organised at the Town Hall in Hoogly district's Serampore, calling him "anti-national" and threw stones at the rallyists.

"We have arrested 23 people for attacking the rally, pelting stones and violating the law and order situation in the area. One police officer has been injured in the stone pelting by the agitators," a senior police officer from Chandannagar Police Commissionerate told IANS.

However, the officer could not provide any information about the protestors' political affiliation.

The protestors also tried to stop Kanhaiya Kumar's car and showed him black flag in district's Uttarpara and Rishra but police dispersed the crowd.

The former JNUSU president, who is travelling to various parts of Bengal since the last three days as part of the All India Student Federation and All India Youth Federation sponsored Long March, held multiple public meetings in Hoogly including Uttarpara and Serampore.

A major scuffle took place during Kanhaiya Kumar's public meeting in South Kolkata's Jadavpur on Tuesday evening where an RSS activist allegedly tried to throw ink at him and got severely beaten up by the AISF activists present there while another incident of ink throwing on the rally took place near the Jodhpur Park area.

On Monday, nearly 100 slogan shouting BJP activists had staged a demonstration against Kanhaiya Kumar in Midnapore town of West Midnapore district, calling him an IS terrorist group's agent and "anti-national" .

They had also thrown rotten eggs at him, but the missiles missed the target, as police cordoned off Kanhaiya Kumar and barricaded the protestors.

The AISF and AIYF - the student and youth wings of the Communist Party of India - have taken out a "Save India- Change India" long march across the country from July 15.

Kanhaiya Kumar has been the main crowdpuller throughout the long march, that began from the country's southernmost landmass Kanyakumari and would end on September 2 at Hussainiwala of Punjab close to the India-Pakistan border.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : On the verge of a growth take-off after years of instability, Nepal on Wednesday invited Indian industry to invest in the country to help create jobs and boost economic growth in the Himalayan nation.

"After years of policy stalemate and instability, Nepal is on the verge of a growth take-off. We welcome you to do business in Nepal, invest there, create jobs and nurture a new climate of innovation and entrepreneurship," Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba told a gathering of industry at a business interaction here organised by the Indian industry bodies Assocham, CII and Ficci.

"Two years ago, we ended political transition by adopting a highly progressive constitution. The mood in Nepal is to turn a page and move forward," Deuba, who is on his first official visit to India in this stint.

With the rise of India and China as global economic powers, "all major growth poles in Asia are within a few hours flying distance from Kathmandu," he added.

Nepal is concerned about its large trade deficit with India and wants more Indian investment in its economy. Currently, more than 38 per cent of foreign direct investment in Nepal originates from Indian companies.

Elaborating how Nepal is "truly open for business, Deuba noted that the country hosted an investment summit earlier this year, which attracted FDI pledges of $14 billion, representing almost half the GDP of the landlocked nation.

"For a landlocked country, I am convinced that intense physical connectivity through roads, rail and air is key to lowering business costs," said Deuba.

"We are optimistic that we can revive manufacturing and create jobs in larger numbers by partnerships with industries from India," he added.

The Nepali Prime Minister also thanked Indian Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was present on the occasion, for the latter's offer to extend the natural gas pipeline from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh to Nepal. State-run GAIL is building the proposed pipeline from Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh to Haldia in West Bengal, which crosses Gorakhpur.

"Our pipeline will go to Gorakhpur. If you can take it to Sunauli (Nepal), it will bring clean fuel for Nepal's industrialisation. I reiterate that I am prepared to stretch the pipeline and take it to Sunauli," Pradhan said in his address.

He also said that he had agreed to extend the India-Nepal petroleum product pipeline from Raxaul to Amlekhganj further onwards to Chitwan on the request of Nepal. Work on the pipeline is due begin later this year.

India has been a traditional supplier of fuel to Nepal, which receives its entire demand of about 200,000 kilolitres of fuel every month by road from Indian Oil Corp.
New Delhi, Aug 23 : The BJP tried to take credit for the apex court verdict on triple talaq in the Bawana assembly bypoll on Wednesday, putting up posters boasting of Narendra Modi government's success on the issue that "restored respect of women".

The posters, which covered a significant part of Shahbad Dairy area of the constituency on Delhi's outskirts, read: "Modi Sarkar ki pahal rang lai. 3 talaq khatm. Mahilao ko mila samman. (Modi government's initiative brought results...triple talaq abolished. Women got respect)."

The poster painted in saffron and green colour carries the pictures of Prime Minister Modi and also a picture of Ajrana Anjum - the lady who took credit of the poster.

The bypoll in Bawana was necessitated after AAP MLA Ved Prakash quit the party and the seat to join the BJP in March ahead of the municipal corporation election.

The seat witnessed a triangular contest between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), BJP and the Congress.
Kolkata, Aug 24 : Urging people to ensure communal amity during the coming festival of Durga Puja and the observance of Muharram, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday warned that some vested interests could try to foment trouble to promote their political interests.

Banerjee said with Muharram slated to be observed a day after Dussera or Bijoya Dashami, the administration had fixed September 30, as also October 2-4 as the dates for immersion of the idols of Durga and her children.

"There will be immersions on October 30, as also from October 2-4. Only on October 1, there will be no immersion because of the observation of Muharram. I urge everybody to cooperate with the administration and also with each other so that there was no communal problem," she said after a meeting with the organisers of the community Durga Puja committees at the Mahajati Sadan.

"Please don't fall into the trap laid by the vested interests, who want to promote their political interests by creating communal problems," Banerjee appealed.

The Chief Ministers asked the Police Superintendents of all the districts to call the organisers of Durga Puja and Muharram in all the localities for discussions and pass her message.

"We won't allow anybody to disturb the secular fabric of our state. I have asked people to take stringent action against trouble makers," she said.
New Delhi, Aug 24 : The Congress on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that after the "creamy layer" ceiling for OBC candidates was raised to Rs 8 lakh, the concept carved out by the Supreme Court is "not defeated" and the poor are not excluded.

It also asked the PM if consultations were held with other political parties and sections of backward classes on the issue.

"Surprisingly, the government has raised the threshold limit to Rs 8 lakh today. Prime Minister needs to ask himself did he consult other political parties or sections of backward classes on the issue," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"If you keep raising the income limit for backward classes, then what would happen to sons and daughters of those who are genuinely poor and are entitled to the benefit of this reservation for which 27 per cent reservation was carved out," he added.

"We request the PM to seriously look into this issue so that the concept of creamy layer carved out by the SC is not defeated and genuine backward classes who are deserving and poor are not excluded in the process for they will not be able to compete with those who are more resourceful.

"As far as reservation within reservation is concerned, we will study the notification in detail and make a comment."

The creamy layer ceiling for Other Backward Classes candidates for securing government jobs was on Wednesday raised to Rs 8 lakh as the Union Cabinet cleared a proposal for a commission to work out sub-categorisation within OBCs for a "more equitable distribution of reservation benefits".
Kolkata, Aug 24 : Country's oldest cinematographer Ramanda Sengupta, who worked with legends like Jean Renoir, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen, died in Kolkata on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a statement.

Sengupta, 101, left behind his son.

Born on May 8, 1916 in Dhaka, Sengupta studied in Santiniketan in his formative years and got his first break in 1938 when he joined Film Corporation of India in Kolkata (then Calcutta) as an assistant cameraman.

His first film as a full-time cinematographer was in "Purbaraag" directed by Ardhendu Mukherjee in 1946.

Two years later, French Adirector Jean Renoir came to Kolkata to shoot The River (Le Fleuve, released in 1951), and Sengupta joined him initially as a clapper boy, but ended up as the operating cameraman while the auteur's nephew Claude Renoir was director of photography.

He worked with Ritwik Ghatak on his debut film Nagarik, that was completed in 1952, but released a quarter century later in 1977 after the film maker's death.

In 1955, when Mrinal Sen made his debut film Raat Bhore, he chose Sengupta as his cinematographer.

Sengupta worked behind the camera in over 70 films, including landmark ones like Shilpi, Nishithe, Bindur Chhele, Personal Assistant, Headmaster and Teen Bhubaner Pare.

Sengupta was also a founding member of the Technicians' Studio in South Kolkata's Tollygunge.

Condoling Sengupta's demise, the chief minister said his death has caused an irrepairable loss to the world of films.

"I pray that his soul rest in peace. I extend my sympathies to his bereaved family," said Banerjee.
Paris, Aug 24 : France and Spain vowed on Wednesday to step up their cooperation in the fight against terrorism at a meeting here between the two country's interior ministers.

At a press conference, French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb and his Spanish counterpart Juan Ignacio Zoido announced that they had signed an agreement to jointly train 120 French gendarmes alongside Spanish officers at a police academy south of Madrid.

According to Xinhua news agency, the meeting of the two ministers was planned a while ago but became more significant after last week's terrorist attacks in Catalonia, which killed 15 people and injured over 120 others.

The ministers said they discussed ongoing investigation into the double attacks during their meeting.

A few days before the attacks, several members of the suspected terror gang were spotted in France, according to the French police.

Investigators are still trying to trace their journey, specifically a visit to Paris by one of the key suspects, Younes Abouyaaqoub, who was shot dead by Spanish police on Monday.

Besides Spain and France, the investigation has now extended to Belgium and Switzerland, as several suspects, including an extremist preacher Abdelbaki Es Satty, were spotted in these countries before the attacks.

The preacher is suspected to have played a key role in the radicalisation of the young gang.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 61F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low near 45F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
DocsInk's solution has been an integral part of USI's commitment to 110% quality care.

UltraSound Services Inc. (USI) recently adopted DocsInks HIPAA compliant messaging services, which has contributed to impressive growth for the San Diego, CA based ancillary service company.

During the time weve been using DocsInk for secure messaging, weve seen over a 400% increase in revenue, with an equally positive impact on our internal efficiencies, said USI CEO Scott Lehamn. Their solution has been an integral part of our commitment to 110% quality care. We believe patient health information security is just as important as the hands-on care our sonographers and doctors provide. Lehamn explained DocsInks messaging platform allows USI to communicate information on patients, indications or reason for exam, ordering physicians and attending nurses for patient exams ordered by their hospital clients which include Vibra Hospital of San Diego and Kindred Hospital of San Diego.

USI supplies the imaging equipment and staff to point-of-care and outpatient facilities. They are contracted with Medicare, Medi-Cal, HMOs and Scripps Health. And, are heavily focused on serving Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in San Diego and Riverside counties. USI recently claimed Family Health Centers of San Diego  one of the largest networks of health centers in Southern California, and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the country.

DocsInk, a North Carolina based healthcare software company, is a HIPPA-secure SaaS solution that offers a simple clinical communication platform that permits for secure messaging and file sharing which has allowed USI to better communicate with their field staff and streamline their work process. DocsInk also provides a mobile charge capture and Chronic Care Management (CCM) management solution which has proven to help medical providers save time, maximize revenue and improve care coordination.

We are very pleased to hear of USIs recent expansion due in part to the adoption of our messaging services, said DocsInk CEO Julie Thomas. At DocsInk, we are committed to providing simple solutions that address the most complex problems in healthcare. We believe allowing stakeholders to easily create secure, collaborative networks is the key to improving efficiency, quality care and health outcomes.

About Ultrasound Services, Inc.

Ultrasound Inc. Services (USI) is an outpatient ultrasound and cardiovascular service line for San Diego and Riverside County physicians and hospitals. Their cloud-based cardiac imaging solutions revolutionize practices by providing comprehensive imaging at the point of care; including echocardiograms, vascular, arterial, OB-GYN, MSK and general ultrasound services. Their solutions include sonographers, equipment, interpreting physicians and cloud-based reports. To learn more about USI contact Scott Lehman at 858-874-3626, scott@ultrasoundservicesinc.com or visit http://www.ultrasoundservicesinc.com/.

About DocsInk

DocsInks mobile application is available for download in iTunes and Google Play. Designed for use by medical providers who render patient care in hospitals, surgical facilities, multiple outpatient offices, skilled nursing facilities, ACOs, and home health agencies, DocsInk addresses the financial, communication and ease of use needs of medical professionals with the following integrated functionality: mobile charge capture, secure texting and messaging, integrated oncall calendar, referral/consult management, automated admission and discharge notifications, sharing of clinical data and images, transitional care/patient discharge dashboards, billing dashboards, and reporting and data analytics. To learn more about DocsInk or schedule a demo, contact Linda Powell at 888-577-7409 or visit: https://docsink.com/.
We have experienced a smooth transaction and are excited about the future of the company

Metallenium, LLC (Metallenium) a Limited Liability Company, headquartered in Lubbock, Texas is proud to announce the strategic merger of Service Compression (Service) in Van Buren, Arkansas, for an undisclosed amount of cash and stock. The transaction closed during the second quarter of 2017.

The transaction gives Metallenium an enhanced and recurring revenue stream with its expansion into the rental compression market. The synergy between Metalleniums current compression and overhaul operations and Services fleet of rental compressors is unequal. The strategic merger builds on a very strong and stable company, with enhanced recurring revenues and increased growth opportunities.

Acquired Business

Service Compression is headquartered in Van Buren, Arkansas and has 28 employees in Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. We have experienced a smooth transaction and are excited about the future of the company, says Rick Hamon, Vice President of Service Compression. The rental fleet consists of 380 units totaling approximately 35,000 horsepower. Service currently services Arkansas, Oklahoma, North Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles and SE New Mexico. All the previous owners have retained a position with Metallenium and will have a seat on the Board. The merging of the two companies will allow for expanded growth opportunities and the ability to secure more market share.

About Metallenium

Service Compression is the third company added to the Metallenium Family since 2015. The company specializes in machining and rebuilding compressors along with field machining and holds a state of the art foundry used for compression applications. Metallenium has more than tripled its revenue through both strategic acquisitions and organic growth since 2015. We are excited about the addition of Service Compression to our family of companies because of the strategic fit in our operations. More importantly however, the synergy between our management teams will provide for exponential opportunities within our industry. states Rhett Newberry, President and CEO of Metallenium.
D.O. Braeger, considered by many to be the father of peer to business" investing in the subprime dealer market, has partnered with two highly successful exotic used car dealers in the country to create what he expects to be the largest exotic used car operation in the country. The partnership includes current operations in Tempe, AZ and locations in process in Dallas and Austin TX, as well as Orange County, CA.

Braeger started financing sub-prime dealers although many in the finance business felt financing these dealers was extremely risky. Four years later, Braeger is happy to report that he has successfully helped numerous sub-prime dealers around the country grow their businesses significantly while achieving wonderful returns. Others such as Sherwood Neiss, co-founder of the globally renowned Crowdfund Capital Advisers LLC, which works with professional investors, governments, development organizations, corporations, and more, has supported the Braeger business model. Its incredibly innovative, said Neiss. If he (Braeger) can get it right, he will have more business than he can handle because there will be auto dealers coming to him for solutions who wouldnt find them elsewhere.

Financing the high end and exotic auto dealer, like D.O. Braeger's entry into the sub-prime market, is also highly fragmented with very low barriers to entry. According to Braeger, by helping high end dealers finance the automobiles as well as adding ancillary services, I will be getting the consumer that cant buy the new, exotic car of their dreams, into that car at a comfortable payment. Consumers making around $200,000 per year, that have dreamed of driving high end vehicles such as Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley or Lamborghini will be in that vehicle. The operation will be able to hold a larger inventory of exotic vehicles which is imperative in the space as finding the exotic vehicle of the consumer's dream is challenging. There are not many vehicles of their choice on the market.

Braeger states, people thought I was on the top of the risk ladder putting money into sub-prime dealers. With exotics, if you go to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and other cities, exotic rental companies are making huge money renting the same vehicles for $1000 or more a night. Our consumer will enjoy that same vehicle with full ownership." D.O.B. Holdings plans on financing the first dealerships in Dallas and Austin, Texas, which are considered to be two of the premier exotic automobile sales cities in the country. Operations are already in place in Tempe, AZ.
Animal shelters rely greatly on the community to provide them with the necessities dogs need in order to be happy and comfortable during their stay in limbo. Los Angeles small business, DoggieLawn, has launched a campaign to donate one new toy to a local animal shelter for every subscription purchased through their website. The company has already made donations to NKLA, Much Love Animal Rescue, Dogs Without Borders, and Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue. DoggieLawn encourages all dog owners looking for a potty solution for their pet to consider choosing DoggieLawn as their product of choice in order to help them in their donation efforts.

Dogs need toys to provide mental stimulation. Toys allow for appropriate chewing, and also serve as important tools in behavior modification which is especially important to shelter dogs who typically have traumatizing past experiences. DoggieLawn cofounder, Natalie Youn, says that dog toys are both mentally and physically stimulating. If we can help fulfill just one dogs emotional and physical needs during this difficult time in their lives, then this campaign has been a success.

About DoggieLawn

DoggieLawn is a subscription service designed to maximize the time spent playing with and loving your furry friend and minimize the time spent cleaning up after them. DoggieLawn provides an easy way for owners to allow their dogs access to a bathroom, yet it doesn't require the extra work that other indoor dog potties require. Better yet, the indoor dog grass pads lack the smell that is often associated with other indoor litter boxes or pee pads.

DoggieLawn was created when founders, Zack and Natalie, wanted to find an easy solution to apartment living with dogs. Being not only convenient, but eco-friendly as well was a primary concern for them. Most pet potty products they found in the market, like synthetic grass or pee pads, are made of plastic, causing a huge burden on the environment because they take hundreds of years to break down in landfills and their synthetic contents take copious amounts of energy to produce and transport. Additionally, they also required a fair amount of daily maintenance with cleaning, washing, constantly replacing pads to avoid odor, and so on.

DoggieLawn was created as a simple and convenient solution to the concerns that Zack and Natalie once had. The companys indoor dog grass is of the highest quality, providing a fresh alternative to the slim pickings that they once felt they had to choose from. The subscription service is a simple and convenient solution designed to make caring for your dog easier. With DoggieLawn, you can do the following:



Give your dog access to a bathroom, regardless of where you are.

Avoid weekly washing of artificial grass

Avoid emptying out a urine catch pan daily

Avoid the smell that lingers around artificial grass or potty pads

Contribute to the wellness of our environment

Reduce global greenhouse gasses with our living indoor dog grass

DoggieLawn is the perfect solution for house-training a puppy, apartment dwellers, senior dogs, or busy professionals who cant always make it home in time to take their dogs out. DoggieLawn is currently available online at http://www.doggielawn.com, and on Amazon.
This week the The Voss Law Firm celebrates 14 years as one of the leading denied claims firms in Texas. Founded by Bill Voss, the firm grew quickly and has built a reputation for excellence, trust, and accountability. Now they celebrate over a decade and a half of helping clients get the money they deserve from their insurance companies.

The Voss Law Firm is dedicated to helping real clients solve real problems, and not just legal ones. Most law firms participate in some form of charity for the tax breaks and the prestige, but over the last 14 years the Voss firm has truly put their money where their hearts are by becoming aware of the needs and goals of their community. The Voss Law Firm considers social responsibility and social awareness to be key principles to the success of the firm, and important factors in their mission and purpose. For attorneys Bill Voss and Scott Hunziker, building affordable housing, donating food to the hungry, and promoting literacy are just as important as financial donations, and an important part of earning the trust of their community.

Attorney Bill Voss and Scott Hunziker serve the Western District of Texas and the surrounding areas such as Chambers County, Fort Bend County, Jefferson County, Harris County, Spring, Brazoria County, Galveston County, and many other cities and counties. With an estimated population of 6.5 million in the area, the firm is focused on helping individuals and business owners resolve their property insurance issues in federal court, as well contributing their time and effort to many different charities. The Red Cross, Angel Reach, Montrose Street Church, the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, God's Little Children, Little Footprints, UNICEF, and the American Heart Association are just some of the organizations the firm supports.

More than simply donating money, Bill Voss and Scott Hunziker both take an active role in participating in events and charities. For example, The Voss Law Firm delivered Christmas gifts to the children of Houston through Montrose Street Reach Youth With A Mission [YWAM] Houston, and Joe Williams Ministries. There is an estimated 1,500 homeless youth living on the streets of Houston, many are abused, unstable, and jobless. Participating in this donation was a privilege for the firm, and helped form a strong bond with the community.

Another worthy organization, Angel Reach, sanctions many different tools for at-risk children and youth to transition from foster care to living as productive adults. Bill Voss gave 50 Kindles and Amazon gift cards to the organization, hopeful that the children would be able to use them for studying and advancing their education. He further encourages support of the organization by providing a link to the organization on his web site where others can also donate.

The Red Cross is one of the firms most important charities. Voss and Hunziker have seen firsthand the importance of the organization right in their own hometown and across the nation. When families and businesses have been destroyed by natural disasters, the Red Cross provides relief for people who are injured, or displaced from their homes. The firm encourages donations by dedicating a page on their site where they promise to match 100% of any donations up to $1,000. With their unique vision of what help really means, The Voss Law Firm participates with gusto in all that the Red Cross stands for.

Another opportunity to be of service occurred when the Freedom Alliance and The Brain Treatment Foundation came together with the Voss Law Firm to organize an offshore fishing trip experience in Costa Rica for wounded service members. The trip included wounded men from the Army Rangers, the Army Special Forces (Medic) and a Recon Marine. To be able to help facilitate wonderful memories for the brave men who served our country was a true honor for Attorney Bill Voss and Scott Hunziker, and an experience the whole firm was very proud to be a part of. Both the Freedom Alliance and The Brain Treatment Foundation each help veterans in their own unique ways. Freedom Alliance works to meet the rehabilitation needs of service members by providing college scholarships to the children of our fallen heroes. The Brain Treatment Foundation is a non-profit that provides support to those suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries, concussion, neurological disorders, cognitive function decline and Post-Traumatic Stress.

Even though Attorney Bill Voss has been named a Super Lawyer by his peers and is one of the Top 10 Trial Lawyers in America, he and Scott Hunziker are truly dedicated to giving back to the community and participating in various philanthropic opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally. Voss has been recognized for excellence in national and local publications such as Forbes, Inc. 500, H Texas, The Legal News, Houston Press and Texas Monthly.

Over the last fourteen years The Voss Law Firm has built a national reputation for obtaining exceptional results, in the most complex of cases as well as operating with the highest ethical principles. The firms dedication to helping others is not just about writing a check, but also about being active participants in the foundations and charities they believe in. Now, as the firm celebrates this milestone, they are taking a moment to remember their values and continue to steadfastly commit to this goal of serving their community. Mr. Voss personally believes in giving back and participating in community outreach events. He is an outdoorsman at heart and enjoys scuba diving and fishing. He participates in many charitable bicycle rides around Texas, including the MS-150. The company also has an area on the web site dedicated to all the different disaster relief contacts and organizations that are available as resources for everyone. By putting morality and charity ahead of pretense and loftiness, The Voss Law Firm demonstrates their ongoing commitment to making a difference not just to their clients, but to the community and everyone connected to them. Congratulations to the Voss Law Firm for upholding moral standards in the industry for the last fourteen years.
My Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS) was awarded the 2017 Inman Innovator Award in their respective category for the launch of State27Homes.com, the MLSs regional consumer-facing home search website. The win was awarded and announced at the annual Inman Connect Conference in San Francisco, Ca. from real estate industry media titan, Inman News.

Dozens of Innovator nominees are selected by Inman for bold, forward-thinking strategies that span the real estate industry in categories such as real estate technology; brokerage recruiting techniques; agent marketing campaigns; and multiple listing service and association initiatives.

State27Homes.com (Florida was the 27th state to join the union) is a Florida-centric home searching website for consumers with listing data directly from MFRMLS and its Realtor customers that is updated every five minutes. The website also features a True Lifestyle Cost (TLC) tool that consumers can use to get a 360 view of the cost of a particular home including estimated mortgage, commute, taxes, and utilities. Registered website users can add in even more personal data to retrieve highly customized TLC results tailored to them.

MFRMLS is honored to be recognized alongside leaders in the real estate industry with our Inman Innovator Award win. We are excited about State27Homes.com. Our goal is to deliver a wow experience for MFRMLS customers to bring them business and at the same time enrich the online experience for home sellers, buyers and renters. With reliable MLS data, unique tools and fresh content we are confident that we are meeting that goal, while exploring new opportunities to add to the wow factor. Merri Jo Cowen, CEO, MFRMLS

About My Florida Regional MLS

MFRMLS is Floridas largest multiple listing service and one of the largest MLSs in the country. We provide more than forty thousand real estate professionals with the data, tools and support they need to do business. Our data drives the real estate marketplace for much of Central and Southwest Florida. MFRMLS was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Altamonte Springs, Fla. We are owned by 14 local REALTOR boards and associations, and we own and operate the consumer home search site, State27Homes.com. Visit mfrmls.com for more about us.
The recipients of $50,000 in grant funds will be Alabama non-profit organizations. The funds will be used to help these non-profit organizations make an even greater impact on our communities through the use and implementation of new technologies.

The 2nd Annual Alabama IT Symposium is returning to Birmingham, Alabama at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel on September 21, 2017. This is a one-day, executive-level event designed for CIOs and their management teams. There will be nearly 150 CIOs, VPs, Directors and Managers present at this years Alabama IT Symposium.

Once again, the Alabama IT Symposium will donate $50 of every $75 paid registration fee towards Alabama IT related charitable causes. This years funds will support the new TechBridge Alabama Dream Big Grant.

What is the Alabama Dream Big Grant?

The TechBridge Alabama Dream Big Grant encourages Alabama nonprofits to dream big about implementing a technology solution with the power to transform their operation in a way that increases their impact and ability to accomplish their mission.

The recipients of $50,000 in grant funds will be Alabama non-profit organizations. The funds will be used to help these non-profit organizations make an even greater impact on our communities through the use and implementation of new technologies. The TechBridge Alabama Dream Big Grant winners will be announced at an invite-only reception immediately following the Alabama IT Symposium. All attendees and participants of the Alabama IT Symposium are invited to join us as we celebrate with our grant recipients from 5:00 PM  7:30 PM.

If you and your team would like to join us for a great day of education, networking, collaboration and celebration, please register your team at http://www.alabamaitsymposium.com.

NOTE: This event is closed to any non-sponsoring vendor companies. For sponsorship information, please contact Caleb Reimers at caleb(at)efminc.com.
Mohr Partners, Inc. (MPI), a leading global corporate real estate advisory firm, today announced that Colton McCasland, a former Cresa Advisor, joined the company as an Associate Broker in its Dallas headquarters. Colton will work directly with Eric Beichler, Managing Principal and Shareholder, and Trent Smith, Managing Director.

Coltons initial industry experience sets him up to be successful in our growing brokerage ranks. As he transitions into MPI and his role, I expect Colton to grow and strengthen our team as a whole, said Mr. Beichler.

Mr. Smith said, Colton will be a great addition to MPI. Eric and I expect nothing less than great work from him as we continue providing best in class corporate services to our clients.

Prior to joining MPI, Mr. McCasland served as an Advisor for Cresa specializing in real estate solutions for office and industrial corporate users. Mr. McCasland holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Studies from Texas State University. Furthermore, he is involved in multiple organizations including The Real Estate Council, North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and BNI Professional Referral Group.

About MPI:

Mohr Partners, Inc. (MPI) is a global corporate real estate services firm providing tenants and occupiers integrated solutions including portfolio management and lease administration, business intelligence consulting, research and site selection, location incentives practice, transaction advisors, and project management. Since 1986, MPI has been managing real estate portfolios for organizations across industries. MPI has recently performed transactions on behalf of clients in more than 1,400 markets worldwide including every state in the US and 12 other countries through its owned offices across North America and its strategic alliance partners. For more information on MPI, please visit http://www.mohrpartners.com.

For more information contact:

Jennifer Cheek

Managing Director, Marketing Communications

214 273 8647

jennifer.cheek(at)mohrpartners(dot)com

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This release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on managements assumptions and assessments in light of experience and trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other relevant factors. They are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ significantly from those envisaged by our forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or implied in the forward-looking statements are general business and economic conditions, production delays resulting from lack of regulatory certifications and other factors, competition in our existing and future markets, lack of market acceptance of our products and services, the substantial leverage and debt service resulting from our indebtedness, loss or retirement of key executives and other risks disclosed by us or generally associated with our business.
CEO Jeff Schechter & President Jack Gibson We are two men on a mission to bring investors powerful passive income month after month.

High Return Real Estate just went live with a newly revamped online portal for passive income seeking real estate investors. The beautiful new mobile-friendly site provides savvy investors with the latest market insights, and access to turnkey, cash flowing real estate assets.

Officially launched on August 23rd, 2017, the re-designed HighReturnRealEstate.com website provides a powerful gateway for income property investors desiring the freshest information and new doors to add to their investment portfolios. Taking a mobile-first approach, the new site design connects individual investors, groups, and funds to rental property deal flow, on the go, right from their smartphones.

Site features include; new reports via the blog, fresh podcast episodes and videos, the ability to connect via favorite social media networks, and detailed property offerings. Fresh properties are being constantly loaded, with complete breakdowns for investors. This includes operating costs and projected income estimates, property details, and ROI calculations.

While real estate has outperformed the S&P 500 by about 2x since 2000, High Return Real Estate offers even higher potential returns at around 3x the national average in cash flow. These are fully turnkey rental homes, in highly stable markets in America, which target 13%-20% cash-on-cash returns. The Indiana-based firm currently has assets coming online in both Indianapolis and Jacksonville, FL. Properties are freshly renovated, with tenants being placed, ongoing property management, and a full year home warranty. This enables real estate investors to skip all of the guesswork, and lower risk, while maximizing yield, with cash flow coming in from day one. Properties start from as low as $36k.

Co-founders Jack Gibson and Jeff Schechter are accomplished lifelong entrepreneurs who have been investing in real estate for decades. The new website re-design was completed by Florida-based TheSEOAgency.org, which is headed up by a former board member of the Miami Chamber of Commerce.

Test drive the new portal online at https://highreturnrealestate.com, where investors can get the latest intel via the company newsletter, schedule a free consultation with Jack or Jeff, and view the latest deals.
Crocheting bears and bees once provided a stable income for village women

Before the Tbilisi-Ghazakh-Dilijan-Yerevan highway was constructed, when the USSR government decided to bring closer the capitals of the three "fraternal" republics (Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia), Berkaber village in Armenias Tavoush Province was a very important and promising settlement, called Joghaz.

The locals say they felt like living in the center of the world. In the past, it was on the Tbilisi - Red Bridge - Dilijan - Yerevan royal caravan route.

Several hundred items in the historical-ethnographic museum of the village tell about its glorious past.

Since the beginning of the Armenian-Azerbaijani war in the late 1980s, there seems to be only war and shooting in Berkaber. The name of the village, which means harvest giver in Armenian, is nevertheless associated with the war.

The village is separated from the trenches of the Azerbaijani armed forces by the medium-size Joghaz reservoir. Despite tensions on the border, fishermen on both sides come here to fish. If tensions are high, they fish at night.

This bulletin, affixed to the village municipality, tells residents how to build simple hidey-holes

There is one Azerbaijani village, Mazam, opposite Berkaber. There was another one before the war, named Ghzlhaji. Berkaber residents say Ghzlhaji was destroyed during the war. The inhabitants left their houses, and the area passed under the control of the Armenian armed forces.

The villagers say if Mazam was emptied, their situation would be much worse. When Azerbaijani soldiers fire at Berkaber, Mazam villagers go to the positions and restrain their soldiers, as the Armenian armed forces would target Mazam in response.

This story isnt about the war as seen by Berkaber residents. There are creative people in the village, who, despite, living facing the Azerbaijani positions, are not afraid to drink coffee on the shore of Joghaz reservoir while exchanging political jokes.

Armine Yeganyan, together with two other women from the village, crochets toy bears. They learned crocheting during courses organized by the Berd Women's Resource Center Foundation.

The project was called Berd Bears. Women designed original bears and bees, to be used by a company producing local honey. The bears were sold along with small barrels of the honey.

Armine says that her family had a stable income thanks to the crocheted bears. "The first order was for ten bears. I made them in two days, along with my household chores. We got the raw materials and were paid 2,000 drams per bear. Regardless of the quantity, it provided a stable income. We were happy, " says Armine Yeganyan.

Armine's monthly income reached 40,000 drams ($84 at todays exchange rate).

Now, women continue crocheting for their own pleasure. They dont get orders for the bears any longer. They hope for a new initiative from abroad, and that their products will again enter the market in some new form.

The roads of Berkaber, leading to the village and inside it, are in terrible condition. If, due to the war, there is ever a need for the population to evacuate, the residents of the village will pay a great price - their own security.

Since there are no smooth and well-built roads in the village, Armine's son runs the hoverboard he got from his father Bobby, now working abroad, on the balcony of the house.

Berkaber has many hidden treasures. One can even find a 150-year-old wedding dress on the rare occasion.

Anna Mouradyan shows her husbands grandmother Almasts wedding dress.

Almast lived in Moks, an area of historic Armenia south of Lake Van. Almasts wedding, according to her descendants, took place in the 1870-1880's. During the years of migration, she lost her sight and refused to leave her birthplace. However, her son forced his mother to leave Moks, and she took her wedding dress. Any historical-ethnographic museum would be proud to have it today.

Anna says she has received many offers to sell the dress or move it to museums, but her family has always rejected such offers. Its not only a treasure cherished by the Muradyans, but the whole village of Berkaber as well.
CUNA Mutual Group named on Most Reputable Insurance Companies List "This is a direct result of what our employees contribute every day  serving our customers and doing business with integrity." -- Robert N. Trunzo, president & CEO, CUNA Mutual Group

CUNA Mutual Group has been recognized as one of the most reputable insurance companies in the United States, by Reputation Institute, with the release of the 2017 US Insurance RepTrak, the survey of insurance company reputations. CUNA Mutual Group ranked second overall for most reputable insurance companies and No. 1 in the life and investment category.

Reputation Institutes 2017 survey of insurance company reputations, scores, and rankings are based on more than ratings collected via an online questionnaire. They measure the general publics perception of where companies stand on seven key rational dimensions of reputation: citizenship, governance, innovation, leadership, performance, products and services and workplace. CUNA Mutual Group ranked high in all seven categories.

Through everything we do, we always put customer needs at the forefront and empower our teams to make decisions that drive value for credit unions and their members, said Robert N. Trunzo, president & CEO, CUNA Mutual Group. Being recognized as one of the most reputable insurance companies in the country is an honor, and this is a direct result of what our employees contribute every day  serving our customers and doing business with integrity.

The survey measures the U.S. publics perceptions of 44 major insurance companies brands. Reputation scores were based on 4,820 ratings drawn from the informed general public, with only people who were familiar with insurance organizations being qualified to answer.

For an insurance company, having a strong reputation is important, because it ensures customers will do business with you, policymakers and regulators will give you license to operate, and potential employees will be more willing to work for you, said Nicky McHugh, vice president and consulting director, US, Reputation Institute. Congratulations to everyone at CUNA Mutual Group for being recognized as one of the most reputable insurance companies; it speaks to your companys commitment to your customers and the communities you serve.

The full list of the most reputable insurance companies in the U.S., including breakdowns of how insurance companies performed within sub-sectors, can be found online at: http://www.reputationinstitute.com/US-Insurance-RepTrak.

About Reputation Institute:

Reputation Institutes RepTrak methodology is the gold standard in the science of reputation. Reputation Institute helps global companies unlock the power of their reputations for competitive advantage. Reputation Institute has conducted research over the last 20 years on 7,000 companies across 40 countries developing the largest global normative database in the world on reputation management, KPIs, benchmarks, metrics and best practices.

About CUNA Mutual Group:

CUNA Mutual Group helps people plan, protect and invest for their future  regardless of their financial standing. The company was founded more than 80 years ago by credit union leaders who were looking for an insurance and investment partner they could trust. Today, CUNA Mutual Group helps credit unions and hardworking Americans build financial security through commercial and personal insurance products; lending and payment security solutions; and risk management, retirement, investment and marketing services. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.cunamutual.com.

CUNA Mutual Group is the marketing name for CUNA Mutual Holding Company, a mutual insurance holding company, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Life, accident, health and annuity insurance products are issued by CMFG Life Insurance Company and MEMBERS Life Insurance Company. Corporate headquarters are located in Madison, Wis.
The Esplanade Association is delighted to be working with Now + There. Bringing creative, relevant public art to the park will offer new ways for people to connect with Bostons iconic riverside green space, said Alexi Conine the nonprofit's Board Chair.

Boston artist Silvia Lopez Chavez will soon begin work on Patterned Behavior, the Esplanades newest contemporary artwork. It is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete. Chavez colorful mural will reflect the daily cacophony of fast paced bicyclists, skaters, joggers, boat traffic, and the rhythm of traffic that pass daily along the Charles River Esplanade.

The Esplanade Association, an independent non-profit that works to revitalize and enhance the state park, commissioned the non-profit Now + There to curate and produce a mural for the Esplanade in an area located just west of the Massachusetts Avenue bridge. The mural will be visible from the path along the river as well as from Storrow Drive and Memorial Drive. The project will be privately funded through money raised by the Esplanade Association.

The concept for Patterned Behavior takes inspiration from The Esplanades immediate environment and the many ways this space is enjoyed day-to-day. Elements of the mural unfold as the viewer approaches the work from the east, starting with swaths of color on the pillars and growing in detail and vibrancy into a crescendo on the 120x13 wall facing the Charles River. Graphic elements such as a bike, arrows, paper airplanes and boats pack a visual punch and blend with playful designs to mimic the patterns created by our interaction with the space.

Now + There Executive Director Kate Gilbert chose award winning Chavez for her sophisticated use of bright color harmonies and patterns, and her dedication to mentoring young women through collaborative public art works. Patterned Behavior is the second commission in Now + Theres Year of the Woman programming and is the first initiative in the Esplanade Associations newly expanded arts program.

The Esplanade Association is delighted to be working with Now + There. Our two groups share a vision for building community, said Alexi Conine, Board Chair of the Esplanade Association. Bringing creative, relevant public art to the park will offer new ways for people to connect with Bostons iconic riverside green space. We are confident Patterned Behavior will bring great enjoyment and beauty to the thousands who travel along the historic Charles River Esplanade.

The Esplanade Association presented Now + There with an exciting opportunity to transform an uninviting section of the park into a destination, said Kate Gilbert. We are proud to provide a local artist the creative freedom to reimagine a utilitarian concrete environment into one that will spark new connections.

This project, which was approved by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, community organizations and neighbors, will help transform the area of Bowker Overpass which connects the Charlesgate area to Storrow Drive. Over 100,000 commuters on Storrow Drive; thousands of bicyclists; hundreds of boaters and rowers, as well as many people on the Cambridge side of the River see this section of the Esplanade every day. In addition to enhancing the park experience, the Esplanade Association hopes this mural will help reduce graffiti.

The Charles River Esplanade is a place where you can find beauty within an ordinary urban landscape, said Silvia Lopez Chavez. It is my favorite part of the city where many people and activities intersect and connect in meaningful ways. That really speaks to me, since I am always striving to create art that builds connections. This mural is certainly a reflection of that.

Esplanade Association is a privately funded nonprofit organization that works to revitalize and enhance the Charles River Esplanade, sustain the natural green space, and build community by providing educational, cultural, and recreational programs for everyone. Working in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Esplanade Association is dedicated to enhancing the experiences of the millions of visitors who enjoy Bostons iconic riverside green space. (http://www.esplanadeassociation.org)

Now + There is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating temporary, site specific and impactful public art projects in Greater Boston. Its mission is to deliver thought-provoking, public art projects that advance new definitions of public art, acculturate Boston to the cultural, social and economic benefits of art, and help define Boston's essential public art identity (http://www.NowandThere.org)

Silvia Lopez Chavez

With roots in the Dominican Republic, interdisciplinary artist Silvia Lopez Chavez has based her studio and social art practice in the Boston area for over fifteen years. Chavez work is informed by her personal experiences as an immigrant, a woman of color, an educator, artist and designer. Her work investigates the basic human need to connect with one another on multiple levels: socially, politically and culturally. She explores the intellectual and emotional narratives of joy, struggle, acceptance, and assimilation that affect ones daily life. Chavez is motivated by the power of the creative process as an agent for positive change. Her collaborative works with community partners include mural commissions, site-specific installations and pop-up interactions within Boston, Cambridge, Newton, Chelsea, Lynn, Salem, Beverly, Danvers, and Marblehead. Chavez has supported the artistic development of high-school female artists through her work with them on public art projects, and believes mentorship can help shape young women's lives. In addition to her fine art practice, she is an award-winning design professional, working with corporate and non-profit clients such as Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Boston Childrens Hospital; World Health Organization; World Bank; and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

(http://www.silvialopezchavez.com)
Mary Glandon sworn in at the State House by Nicholas Butts, Deputy Director of Boards and Commissions for the State of Massachusetts on August 18th, 2017. Mary's genuine passion to help individuals with disabilities will extend to her newly appointed efforts in contributing successfully to the Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council. ~Michael Sanders, Director of Marketing

Mary Glanden of LandAjob.org has been appointed by Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn E. Polito as a member of the Statewide Independent Living Council (http://www.masilc.org). The Council sets the agenda of all the independent living centers in MA and consists of staff from various independent living centers, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Council, Massachusetts Commission of the Blind, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Massachusetts Office on Disability, and Easter Seals. An independent living center is a nonresidential, nonprofit agency designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities to, among other things, provide support, information, and life skills training.

Members of the Council include experts knowledgeable about centers for independent living services. They represent the spectrum of individuals within the Commonwealth including those with a range of physical and mental disabilities. As a representative from an organization that provides services for individuals with disabilities, Glanden will serve as a voting council member. Glanden currently serves as a Program Specialist and Certified Work Incentive Practitioner in her work with LandAJob.org. LandAjob is a division of NTI (NTICentral.org) that helps Individuals with Disabilities find work and helps those already employed receive reimbursements for work related expenses. LandAjob is approved under the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program, a free government program that helps Americans who receive disability benefits return to work or work for the first time. Alan Hubbard, COO of National Telecommuting Institute (NTI) and LandAjob stated, NTI is extremely pleased and proud that Mary has been appointed to the Statewide Independent Living Council. Mary has always been a strong advocate for the people our mission serves.

While serving on the Council, part of Glandens responsibility will be to help develop and sign State Independent Living Plans for submission to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) within the U.S. Department of Education. The mission of the RSA includes assisting state agencies in providing vocational rehabilitation to individuals with disabilities. Glandens work with LandAJob makes her uniquely qualified to assist in these matters. LandAjobs Director of Operations, John Bertram, stated Mary has exhibited a real commitment to the community. She has visited with other agencies in the area, sharing her expertise in work incentive planning with Veterans and other people with disabilities. She has been a strong advocate as well as a wealth of knowledge throughout the metro Boston area.

In addition, Glanden will monitor, review, and evaluate the implementation of the State Independent Living Plans. She will also, jointly coordinate activities with the state Rehabilitation Advisory Councils and other state councils that address the needs of specific disability populations and issues under other federal laws. Prior to commencing her responsibilities, Glanden will take an oath of office on August 18th, 2017.

When asked about her appointment to the Counsel, Mary stated, I believe in the mission of the Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council and am honored to be appointed as a member of the council. I look forward to becoming a contributing member of our commonwealth and improving the welfare of persons with disability in our state of Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council (MASILC) is appointed by the governor. A majority of Council members are individuals with disabilities and are not employed by either the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission or the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind or any other state agency that provides services for individuals with disabilities. The Council was established by Executive Order No.373 of William F. Weld, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on September 26, 1994.

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About NTI: National Telecommuting Institute (NTI) is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit organization with headquarters in Boston, MA. NTI has been supporting Americans with disabilities since 1995. NTI provides training and job placement in work-at-home positions across the United States and pioneered staffing virtual call centers with Americans with Disabilities, including Disabled Veterans, who work from home.

About LandAjob: LandAjob is a division of NTI (NTICentral.org) that helps Americans with Disabilities find work and helps those already employed receive reimbursements for work related expenses. As a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, LandAjob is an approved Employment Network under the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program.

Contact:

Michael Sanders

Associate Director of Marketing

617-787-4426 x331

NTI, Inc.,

225 Friend Street

Boston, MA 02114

msanders(at)nticentral.org Facebook: http://www.nticentral.org/facebook Instagram: http://www.nticentral.org/instagram
Registration is now open for the Society for Translational Oncology (STO) Chabner Colloquium: Answering the Big Questions in Cancer Research & 2017 STO Annual Meeting. This live symposium is jointly provided by the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and STO, in partnership with The Oncologist, STO's official journal. It will be held October 30, 2017 at The Liberty Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.

The 2017 Chabner Colloquium will provide updates on the most promising targets for the development of new cancer treatments. Those interested in learning about advances in cancer biology leading to new approaches in clinical practice, including physician-scientists and industry professionals, are invited to view the agenda and confirmed faculty on the registration site here: https://cme.alphamedpress.org/a/LCKYEX

Offered for the seventh year, the 2017 Chabner Colloquium includes presentations on emerging molecular targets for cancer treatmentswith a focus on potentially productive opportunities for collaboration between academia and industry. Physician-scientists from leading U.S. research centers will address work in progress in a broad variety of topics in cancer therapeutics. Invited speakers hail from renowned institutions such as the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The meeting is named for Dr. Bruce A. Chabner, Allen Distinguished Investigator, Clinical Director, Emeritus at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Founding Editor-in-Chief of The Oncologist. Dr. Chabner designs and leads this annual program. Dr. Chabner states, It's a unique opportunity to share insights and perspectives between investigators and industry professionals working on novel therapeutic targets that will bring exciting changes in oncology practice in the years ahead."

On Monday, October 30th, the session topics will include lectures on new insights into cancer drug resistance, targets that defy effective therapy, and hematologic malignancies.

The day concludes with a junior faculty forum of fellows from Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute sharing their recent work.

STO is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This live activity is non-accredited, and CME credit will not be offered.

For more information contact STO at (919) 433-0489 or CMEadmin@sto-online.org.

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About the Society for Translational Oncology

STO is a non-profit, tax exempt association whose mission is to speed the discovery and translation of important new treatments in the field of cancer medicine to the practice of global oncology. STO brings knowledge and strategies for critical new developments in cancer treatment to the practice of the community oncologist. For more information, visit: http://www.sto-online.org.

About The Oncologist

Recognized as a premier peer-reviewed cancer medicine journal, The Oncologist, now in its twenty-second year, is devoted to physicians entrusted with the care of cancer patients. The Oncologist is the official publication of the Society for Translational Oncology. For more information, visit: http://www.theoncologist.com.

About the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

An integral part of one of the worlds most distinguished academic medical centers, the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center is among the leading cancer care providers in the United States.

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks the Mass General Cancer Center as one of the top ten cancer centers in the country. Its nurses were the first in Massachusetts to achieve Magnet status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in recognition of the hospital's exceptional nursing care.

Known for providing customized, innovative treatments and compassionate care to both adults and children, the Cancer Center comprises more than 37 treatment programs within 29 fully integrated, multidisciplinary disease centers and a vast array of support and educational services. Its network of affiliations extends throughout New England and the southeastern U.S.

The Cancer Centers commitment to eradicating cancer is fueled by scientific investigation conducted as part of one of the largest hospital-based research programs in the nation. Through a powerful synergy between laboratory scientists and bedside physicians, the Mass General Cancer Center fosters innovation in all phases of cancer research. Physician investigators conduct nearly 400 clinical trials annually.

The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center is proud to be a founding member of a Harvard Medical School consortium designated by the National Cancer Institute as a comprehensive cancer center. This prestigious seven-member center forms the largest cancer research collaboration in the country. The promising new treatments developed through this partnership are revolutionizing the future of cancer medicine.

For more information, contact:

Melissa Cather

(617) 593-5588

melissa.cather(at)sto-online(dot)org
Intent monitoring is the easiest, real-time, and most cost-effective methodology to track and measure signals sent from potential buyers in the Active Demand Stage.

True Influence, the market leader in fact-based B2B account marketing technology and data services, announced today that its proprietary intent monitoring platform, InsightBASE, delivers the third party data and insights labeled a required component of the Active Demand stage within SiriusDecisions new Demand Unit Waterfall.

On the utility of the new framework, Matt Senatore, Service Director of Account-Based Marketing at SiriusDecisions said, The new SiriusDecisions Demand Waterfall provides b-to-b organizations deeper insight and enhanced visibility into demand creation process and performance. Intent monitoring solutions can provide insight into the active demand stage of the Demand Unit Waterfall and ultimately yield to more efficient use of resources for outbound efforts (e.g., sales development rep calling, account-based media buying), better conversion rates from driving messaging and timing relevance as well as identifying additional demand units that might not have been on the organizations radar.

Intent monitoring is the easiest, real-time, and most cost-effective methodology to track and measure signals sent from potential buyers in the Active Demand Stage. InsightBASE, enables sales and marketing to track the activity of buyers, across the Internet, and better understand their needs, concerns, and purchase considerations.

Brian Giese, CEO of True Influence, said in the following statement, Intent signal monitoring has finally earned a role as a critical part of the marketing engine because it specifically signals buying interest and purchase acceleration. Intent signals are specific, proven pieces of data, collected as the result of web-based activities, in real-time.

Companies like Salary.com rely on intent monitoring as a significant part of their marketing toolkit. Sarah Reynolds, Manager of Marketing Strategy and Programs at Salary.com suggests that, With intent signal monitoring, marketers now have the opportunity to get a real pulse on each given buying opportunity before they engage with the client. Intent monitoring looks at each individual demand center within the organization and the buying signals that go with it. This is so important to understand before a client shows interest because it gives you a real insight into who is buying, what theyre interested in, and even where theyre located. For marketers trying to make the best out of tight budgets, these critical insights help you target programs more effectively.

About True Influence and InsightBASE

True Influence is the market leader in B2B targeting and innovative fact-based account marketing. Its customers include Google, IBM, Time Warner, and Oracle among others. Its proprietary Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) intent monitoring platform, InsightBASE, monitors and curates online behavioural signals to help marketers identify and engage customers when they are ready to buy - and before they have taken their first steps in the buying journey.

To learn more about True Influence and read its several case studies proving the efficiently of InsightBASE, visit http://www.trueinfluence.com where you may also request a product demonstration.
We expect that Jillian will continue the tradition of excellence that has been the hallmark of this firm for well over a half century.

Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, LLP is pleased to announce that attorney Jillian Rosen has been named partner at the firm.

Jillian Rosen joined the firm as a senior attorney in the appellate department in 2007. Ms. Rosens practice is devoted to writing appeals and substantive motions for plaintiffs attorneys, and appearing for oral argument before the New York State Appellate Division and Supreme Court. Ms. Rosen currently works in the firms Manhattan office.

Over the course of her career at PPID, Ms. Rosen has more than 170 reported Appellate Division decisions, including several victories in the New York State Court of Appeals. Notably, in Henderson v. Manhattan & Bronx Surface Tr. Operating Auth., 16 NY3d 886, 887-888 [2011], she successfully obtained an affirmance by the Court of Appeals in striking the defendants answer for failure to comply with a conditional discovery order.

The partners agree that Jillian is well suited to assume the responsibilities of partner, said Conrad Pollack, managing partner. Her unwavering commitment to our firm and clients has earned her the respect of her peers and the trust of her clients, he added.

Jillian has grown into one of the pre-eminent plaintiff appeals attorneys handling personal injury litigation in the State, said Brian Isaac, partner and head of the firms appellate practice. Her intelligence, compassion, and ability to handle any type of case and present cogent arguments in the various appellate courts in New York earned her the distinction of being made partner in our firm. We expect that Jillian will continue the tradition of excellence that has been the hallmark of this firm for well over a half century, he added.

Ms. Rosen stated, I am honored to become a partner of PPID. This is a very exciting time at the firm. There is a contagious energy and we are expanding rapidly. The firm works tirelessly for their clients - it is a great environment." Ms. Rosen added, The most rewarding part of my practice is getting a plaintiff's complaint reinstated by the Appellate Division. Our client now has his or her day in court - there is nothing like it.

Ms. Rosen is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School, and has a Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St Louis. Ms. Rosen is licensed to practice law in the State of New York and the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern District.

About Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, LLP

Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, LLP is a full-service law firm that represents clients across the globe. The firms practice areas include immigration law, personal injury, real estate & commercial transactions, civil & appellate litigation, criminal law, employment law and more. Members of the firm speak a variety of languages including Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Serbo-Croatian and Hindi. No matter which language, we communicate with you on a personal level.

The firm has two locations: 225 Broadway, 3rd Floor in Manhattan, NY and at 906 South Street in Peekskill, NY. For more information, please contact Ruthie Sanchez at (212) 233-8100 or email info@ppid.com.

SOURCE: Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, LLP

http://www.ppid.com
Snapsheet, the industry-leading provider of virtual claims technology for the personal and commercial insurance marketplace, promoted Dan Colomb to chief technology officer. Before his role as CTO, Colomb served as Snapsheets vice president of engineering.

When I joined Snapsheet, I saw the company positioned to take over the industry, and I wanted to drive that vision with technology. said Colomb. In the last three years, we've come full stride into that potential with our people, products and innovation. I look forward to our continued success as I transition into my new role.

Colomb joined Snapsheet in 2014, and completely revamped its engineering department. His focus was creating a scalable product that could process a high volume of claims. Snapsheet processes more than 400,000 claims a year, and is built to manage millions.

"Dans been an integral part of Snapsheets growth and his work on our technology has been phenomenal, said Brad Weisberg, CEO and founder of Snapsheet. "His leadership, in combination with his technical skills, are an invaluable asset to our company, and we are all thrilled about his promotion to CTO.

Prior to joining Snapsheet, Colomb served as a software architect in HP's Autonomy division, heading development of its secure enterprise document management software. He also worked in Motorola's Applied Technology and PCR groups working on military, public safety and commercial communication products. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he holds a degree in Computer Engineering.

Snapsheet is currently working on incorporating machine learning technology into its software. The startup is also an ITA CityLIGHTS finalist for its tech innovation in the Chicago area.

For more information about Snapsheet, please visit http://www.snapsheetapp.com/.

About Snapsheet

Snapsheet is the pioneering provider of virtual claims technology to personal and commercial auto insurance carriers. The Chicago-based company services major auto insurance carriers through Snapsheets Virtual Insurance Claims Exchange platform, improving the estimation process for auto repairs from virtual photo submission to final repairs and payment. For more information, visit http://www.snapsheetapp.com/.
Celergo, the leading technology-driven service provider for global payroll, is included on the 2017 Inc. 5000 List of the fastest-growing private companies in America. As a 6th-time honoree, Celergo is one of a very select group of companies who achieve a place on the Honor Roll. Fewer than one-tenth of Inc. 5000 honorees ever achieve this prestigious accomplishment.

Qualification for the award requires companies to be privately owned, established in the first quarter of 2014 or earlier, experienced two-year growth in sales of more than 50 percent, and generated revenue between $1 million and $300 million in 2016.

"We are thrilled to be recognized once again as one of the fastest-growing companies in America. Appearing on the Inc. 5000 is a testament to the appeal of our Celergo GlobalConnectTM platform, and to all our team members who work tirelessly to support each Celergo customer," said Tim Callahan, Celergos CEO.

"Celergos ability to simplify the complex world of global payroll with ground-breaking cloud technology and outstanding customer service has enabled us to continue our momentum in the marketplace. Its gratifying to know that our mission of making 150 countries look and feel like just one, from a payroll perspective, is resonating with employers both large and small. We believe there is a massive number of global employers who are hungry for simplified and guaranteed-compliant payroll solutions, so we look forward to appearing on this prestigious list six more times, stated Callahan.

About Celergo

Celergo is proud to provide companies with a unique cloud-based technology solution, backed by world-class customer service, enabling clients to pay employees virtually anywhere in the world. Celergo reduces complexity and risk, ensuring that every part of the payroll process is accurate, on-time and compliant. Celergo can also fund employees, tax authorities and third parties in over 56 currencies. Delivering the highest quality service from four regional centers in Chicago, Bogota, Budapest, and Singapore, Celergo has met or exceeded large financial institutions data security requirements  the most stringent in the world  and complies with OFAC, FCPA, BCP, all data privacy, and SSAE16 policies and practices.

About Inc. 5000

The Inc. 500 is an annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States, introduced in 1982. The Inc. 5000 is an expansion of the Inc. 500, which ranks the countrys top 5000 fastest-growing private companies and features a special ranking of the top 10% of the list as the Inc. 500.

The Inc. 5000 is ranked per percentage revenue growth over a three-year period. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by the first week of the starting calendar year and therefore shown three full calendar years of sales. Additionally, they had to be U.S.-based, privately held, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, of the last year measured. Revenue in the initial year must have been at least $100,000, and revenue in the most recent year must have been at least $2 million.

In its first issue in 1979, Inc. magazine published the Inc. 100, a list of the fastest-growing publicly held small companies; in 1982, the list was expanded to become the Inc. 500, and in 2007, it was expanded again to become the Inc. 5000.

Follow Celergo on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CelergoLLC

Follow Celergo on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/celergo-llc

Media Inquiries:

Cathy Lininger

847-512-2684

clininger(at)celergo(dot)com
Claire Price, CFO of Investis

Investis (http://www.investis.com), a leading digital communications company, today announced the appointment of Claire Price as chief financial officer. Claire brings with her over 20 years' experience in international business and finance, notably in mergers and acquisitions for digital communications, media and telecommunication companies. Responsible for setting the financial framework for Investis' growth both organically and through M&A, Claire will also have a position on the Investis board of directors.

Prior to Investis, Claire was CFO for the UK and Northern Europe region for Dentsu Aegis Network, one of the largest media and digital marketing and communications companies in the world. During her time there she brought the companys finances under a single P&L and led the acquisition of five businesses. Her career also includes 10 years in global leadership roles within Vodafone, where she rose to the position of CFO of Roaming Services in Luxembourg.

Claire has the exact skill set and experience we need right now, said Don Scales, CEO of Investis. We need someone who gets digital, understands the global market, and knows how to grow companies while maintaining profitability. She will be an invaluable member of our executive team.

"Investis is in an excellent position to change how communicators at the largest companies use digital to reach their audiences, said Claire. There is a market need in corporate communications that is not being met. When I looked at Investis I saw a company that has vast experience working with large brands, a clear vision, and a management team with tremendous digital expertise. The company is perfectly positioned to be the leader in the space."

About Investis

Investis is an award-winning digital communications company that helps world-class businesses manage their corporate brands to build trusted connections with customers, employees, and investors. The company works with more than 2,000 clients around the world. Global businesses such as GE, ArcelorMittal and Rolls-Royce trust the Investis team of more than 500 employees to deliver stronger relationships with audiences and improved ROI through a unique blend of technology, expertise and service. For more information about the Investis approach, please visit http://www.investis.com.
The American Marketing Association (AMA) announces the recipients of the annual 4 Under 40 Emerging Leaders Award including Gareth Davies, Co-Founder & CEO of Adbrain. The award program honors young leaders working in marketing who are making significant contributions to the future success of the industry.

As a community for marketers that inspires curiosity, debate and connection, we are proud to honor these professionals for their extraordinary commitment to advancing our industry, says Russ Klein, CEO of the American Marketing Association. They embody the AMA vision to be an essential community for marketers ready to make a difference with the work they do.

Gareth Davies is Co-Founder & CEO of Adbrain. Davies founded Adbrain in 2012 to help companies understand their cross-device users and build smarter businesses through data. Adbrain works with leading advertising and marketing technology companies, agencies and publishers across the US & Europe to offer an independent, transparent and privacy-safe view of their users at scale, agnostic of device. Adbrain has been recognized as one of the hottest 50 AI startups & CityAM Leap100 fastest growing companies in the UK. In addition to founding Adbrain, Gareth is a prominent speaker and active contributor to the marketing technology community.

Having devoted my career to helping marketers better understand and connect with their customers through data and technology, its an honor to receive this award, says Davies. As a student of marketing, I truly believe there has never been a more exciting time to join this profession.

The AMA 4 Under 40 winners will be recognized during a luncheon on September 13, 2017 during the AMA Annual Conference. They will also participate in an Emerging Leaders Spotlight panel at the event.

For information about the 4 under 40 Emerging Leaders Award, visit ama.marketing/4U40

A photo of Davies is available for download at ama.marketing/4U40-Photos

About Adbrain

Adbrain is a global leader in resolving customer identity for marketers and their partners across people, places and things. Adbrain's advanced customer ID mapping solutions are used to increase sales and ROI on marketing activity by enabling personalized, identity led targeting and measurement. Named one of the hottest 50 AI startups Adbrain has mapped 90% of the adult internet population in the US with over 400 advertisers benefiting from having customer identity resolved. Adbrain has offices in San Francisco, Seattle, New York and London and is backed by investors, including Notion Capital, Octopus Ventures and Cisco Investments. Learn more at http://www.adbrain.com and on the Adbrain blog.

About American Marketing Association (AMA)

The AMA is trusted by nearly 1 million marketing and sales professionals a year worldwide. It has more than 70 professional chapters and over 350 collegiate chapters throughout North America and select international locations. The American Marketing Association (AMA) is the largest marketing association in the world. AMA serves organizations and individuals who practice, teach and study marketing across the globe. It serves as a forum for connecting like-minded individuals to foster knowledge sharing and relationship building; to be a trusted resource for marketing information, tools, education and training; and to advance marketing practice and thought leadership. For more information about the AMA, visit http://www.AMA.org or follow the latest AMA news at @AMA_Marketing.

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The VOA has published an article today, in Armenian, claiming that Minsk Group U.S. Co-chair Richard Hoagland has published a list of the basic conditions for a peaceful settlement to the Karabakh conflict.

Hoagland, according to the article, announced that given the complex history of Nagorno-Karabakh the sides involved in the conflict must decide its final legal status in the future, based on mutual agreement.

Hoagland says that the territories outside the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region now under Armenian control must be transferred to Azerbaijan, and that this point is non-negotiable.

The co-chair also stated that there must be a corridor, wide enough to guaranteed safe passage, linking Armenia to Nagorno Karabakh.

Finally, the right of all displaced persons to return to their original residences must be recognized.
Maker Faire San Diego

Now is the time to enter your project, invention, creation or design for Balboa Parks Maker Faire San Diego 2017. Now in its third year, this unique, two-day, family-friendly event will be held October 7-8, 2017, from 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. The entry deadline is just days away, visit our entry page to register.

Maker Faire is not designed like any standard trade show or conference  its a fun, interactive maze of demonstrations, exhibits, workshops, and displays, says Cody Nelson, Director of Events and Public Programs, Balboa Park Cultural Partnership. Imagine the historical state fairs where everyone arrives with their wares and sets up their exhibit. We have different kinds of exhibit areas to accommodate the diversity of projects, and we encourage makers to create their own look and feel.

For those passionate about their creations, exhibiting at Maker Faire San Diego is a must. Here are just some areas the event is looking for:



Artists

Robotics

Hacked or Homebuilt Drones

Arduino Projects

Raspberry Pi

Space Projects

Food Makers (not concessionaires)

Beer Makers

Artisanal and Traditional Hand Crafts

Conductive Materials Projects

Kit Makers

Interactive Art Projects

3D Printers and CNC Mills

Textile Arts and Crafts

E-Textiles

Home Energy Monitoring

Programming Languages (games, apps, etc.)

Rockets and RC Toys

Sustainability & Green Tech

Radios, Vintage Computers and Game Systems

Electronics

Electric Vehicles

Science, Biology, Biotech, and Chemistry Projects

Puppets, Kites, and Other Whimsical Creations

Bicycles (and hacked bikes)

Large-scale Art

Shelter (Tents, Domes, etc.)

Music Performances and Participation

Unusual Tools or Machines

How to Fix Things or Take them Apart (Vacuums, Clocks, Washing Machines, etc.)

To participate in Maker Faire San Diego, an entry form must be completed at http://sandiego.makerfaire.com/makers/. Entries can be submitted by individuals or by groups, such as hobbyist clubs and schools. The closing date for all entries is September 8, 2017.

For more information, visit our website at sandiego.makerfaire.org. Maker Faire San Diego is produced by The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership and The San Diego Makers Guild.

ABOUT MAKER FAIRE: Maker Faire is an award winning, family friendly event celebrating technology, education, science, arts, crafts, engineering, food, sustainability, and more. Maker Faire has become part of pop-culture, a place for experiential marketing, debuting new technologies and inventions, and celebrating geekdom. Maker Media produces two annual flagship Maker Faires, partners with museums to produce Featured Maker Faires, and works with communities to license Mini Maker Faires around the world. http://makerfaire.com/

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO MAKERS GUILD: The San Diego Makers Guild is a nonprofit that is committed to fostering the maker community and to promoting, showcasing, and encouraging adoption of making by individuals and public and private institutions, with the goal of advancing education, innovation, commerce and lifelong learning. Our vision is to help develop San Diego into a nationally known maker city. Learn more at http://SDMakersGuild.org.

ABOUT THE BALBOA PARK CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP: Balboa Park Cultural Partnership is a nonprofit organization through which 30 arts, science and cultural institutions in Balboa Park collaborate to achieve shared goals. By helping these groups achieve greater organizational efficiency, innovation and excellence, it seeks to contribute to the vitality and sustainability of Balboa Park. For more information visit http://www.bpcp.org.

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Dr. Whitney Boling I am beyond grateful for this amazing honor to join the family business as a 3rd generation ophthalmologist, where I welcome the responsibility of serving my community with Integrity, Compassion & Excellence!

Boling Vision Center is excited to announce that Whitney Boling, MD, has returned home to Indiana, and is now seeing patients at Boling Vision Centers Elkhart & Notre Dame locations. Dr. Whitney Boling is a board-eligible ophthalmologist that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease, medical retina, high-technology cataract surgery, cosmetic procedures, and LASIK laser vision correction.

Dr. Boling received her Bachelors in Psychology and a Minor in Pre-Medicine from the University of Indianapolis in 2006. Throughout her medical training, Dr. Boling was the Vice President of Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity and served as an Ophthalmology Research Assistant to the IU School of Medicine and Kresge Eye Institute at Wayne State, which led to coauthored publications in the Journal of Glaucoma as well as Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology. Dr. Boling attended the American University of Antigua University School of Medicine, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and Valedictorian of her Medical School Class of 2011. Dr. Boling completed her transition year of her residency at Detroit Medical Centers Sinai Grace Hospital in 2013. She completed her ophthalmology residency at the Indiana University School of Medicine. During this time, she served as the Refractive Surgery Program Liaison through the conclusion of her tenure there in 2017.

I am beyond grateful for this amazing honor to join the family business as a 3rd generation ophthalmologist, where I welcome the responsibility of serving my community with Integrity, Compassion & Excellence! My daily goal is to fulfill and exceed guest expectations by providing exceptional service, cutting-edge technology, the highest quality of care and a personalized vision experience that our community has come to know and love, which has been set forth by the amazing Dr. Bolings that came before me, said Whitney Boling, MD.

Dr. Whitney Boling moved back to the area with her husband, Dr. Matthew Norton, who serves as a Hospitalist at Goshen Health. She is thrilled for the opportunity to return home to serve the community who has cheered her on since childhood.

Dr. Boling is a proud member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS).

Dr. Whitney Boling is accepting new patients! To schedule an appointment with Dr. Boling, please visit BolingVisionCenter.com or call 800.283.8393.

About Boling Vision Center

Boling Vision Center has been compassionately serving the families of Michiana with a state-of- the-art, personalized eye care experience since 1960. Boling Vision Center is a third-generation, legacy eye care practice where the genuine care and comfort of the guest is their highest mission. They pledge to provide the finest service and facilities for their guests who will always enjoy a warm, relaxed, and caring atmosphere. The Boling Vision Center experience fulfills the needs and wishes of their guests and instills well-being by ensuring the best care possible. Boling Vision Center has four convenient locations across Michiana in Elkhart, Goshen, Notre Dame and South Bend. To schedule an appointment with any of the expert eye care providers at Boling Vision Center, call 800.283.8393 or visit BolingVisionCenter.com.
UWorld MCAT is modeled after the AAMC test plan to ensure our questions fully simulate the MCAT exam."

UWorld announces the launch of UWorld MCAT, its online question bank (Qbank) that specifically replicates the style of the MCAT. Over 90% of medical students trust UWorld to prepare for the medical board exams, says Tim Rodgers, Chief Strategy Officer at UWorld. At UWorld writing great questions with one-of-a kind answer rationales is all we do. With our new UWorld MCAT, we have leveraged our medical expertise to create a unique product so students will be confident on test day.

Students now have a high-quality resource that they can use to practice for the MCAT as an alternative to expensive classes. Because UWorld is entirely online, students can access their subscription at home, school, and on-the-go all from the convenience of their mobile devices. Because UWorld is confident in the quality of UWorld MCAT, students may access the product for free during this introductory launch season with a complimentary 15-day trial to experience the quality for themselves.

UWorlds Qbanks have been recognized by students as the gold standard because of the companys dedication to quality. Yindra Puentes, MCAT Content Lead at UWorld adds, UWorld MCAT is modeled after the AAMC test plan to ensure our questions fully simulate the MCAT exam. However, the exceptional value lies in the well-written answer rationales that help students understand what they missed without having to look up anything in Google or a textbook. UWorlds content experts have a single-minded focus on creating only the best content so that students benefit from the exceptional quality.

UWorld, http://www.uworld.com, is the worldwide leader in online practice Qbanks. Since 2003, UWorld has helped millions of undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals prepare for their high-stakes licensing exams. At the core of UWorlds mission is a relentless focus on quality, so that students receive only the best online resources.

For more information (products):

http://mcat.uworld.com

For more information, (press only):

Lisa Boone

(972) 887-3293 Ext: 122

support(at)uworld(dot)com

UWorld MCAT is a registered trademark of USMLEWorld, LLL dba UWorld in the United States and/or other countries.

MCAT is a registered trademark of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). UWorld is not affiliated with the AAMC.
Mississippi hospice care provider, Sta-Home, an AccentCare, Inc. company, has been accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc. (CHAP). This demonstrates that Sta-Home meets the industrys highest nationally recognized standards for hospice services. Through rigorous evaluation, CHAP focuses on structure and function, quality of services and products, human and financial resources and long-term viability.

Sta-Homes four hospice locations in Mississippi, along with AccentCares nine other hospice locations in Texas, California, Tennessee and Colorado, are all CHAP accredited. Sta-Home was acquired by AccentCare in March of this year.

We are proud to add our Mississippi hospice locations to our list of CHAP-accredited offices, said AccentCare CEO Steve Rodgers. AccentCare has maintained this accreditation since 2013, a testament to the high quality of compassionate care that our organization delivers to patients.

CHAP is an independent, nonprofit accreditor for community-based healthcare organizations. Through deeming authority granted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), CHAP has the regulatory authority to survey agencies providing home health, hospice and home medical equipment services to determine whether they meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation and CMS Quality Standards.

AccentCare, Inc. is a nationwide leader in post-acute health care as well as specialized care management prior to acute episodes. Its wide variety of innovative services ranges from personal, non-medical care to skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice and care management.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, AccentCare has 145 locations across 11 states with regional brands including AccentCare, AccentCare of New York, Alliance For Health, Guardian Home Health & Hospice, Sta-Home, Texas Home Health and Texas Home Health Group. AccentCare has over 30 regional strategic partnerships with major health systems, physician groups and insurance companies.

With a mission to deliver consistently exceptional care for its expanding list of clients/patients and their families, AccentCares 20,000 compassionate professionals are committed to improving the quality of living for 89,000 individuals each year. Its approach to care consistently exceeds the industry in unplanned re-hospitalizations, faster starts of care and quality performance. Among its distinctions, AccentCare has an overall 4.1 quality star rating for all established home health agencies (sites owned, operated or acquired before March 30, 2017), with many holding HomeCare Elite distinctions. All its hospice locations are CHAP accredited, many having designations from the We Honor Veterans program.

For more information, visit accentcare.com.
Sameer Kamat We are unapologetically the best uploading technology in the world. Says Filestack CEO, Sameer Kamat. Along with that comes intelligence into assets, streamlined content workflows, and distribution of data through CDN. Thats where were building now."

Today Filestack, the file ingestion API powering more than 100,000 applications, welcomed veteran product leader Sameer Kamat to the team as CEO. Kamat joins Filestack from Unitrends, a company specializing in backup and business continuity, with a strong background in product management and engineering. Kamat intends to make Filestack not only the best file uploader in the world, but also the de facto standard for file processing and management within applications. Over the course of the previous 12 months, Filestacks product and business offering has become increasingly geared towards solving the uniques challenges of enterprises and web-scale tech companies who handle large volumes of data. These changes are evidenced by todays launch of Filestack Intelligent Ingestion and new pricing for high volume users. Kamats leadership building and supporting enterprise-class products will accelerate this momentum.

The De Facto Standard for File Uploading

As CEO, Kamat hopes to take advantage of Filestacks early leadership in the file uploading industry to create an end-to-end solution for user generated content. According to Gizmodo, 300 million photos are being uploaded to Facebook alone everyday. More content is being created and shared online than ever before, and this content poses new challenges to application developers, who want to engage users through their images and videos. Upload speed, reliability, and an uninterrupted user experience are all fundamental to high performance user generated content applications.

As sharing images, documents and videos has gotten more pervasive, more and more developers rely on Filestack to handle file ingestion. Over 75,000 developers use Filestack in more than 100,000 applications, including large clients such as Coca-Cola, Sendgrid, and JibJab. In the last year, the Filestack team size has doubled to thirty people across two offices in San Antonio, TX and Krakow, Poland who continue to advance their technology and support their user base. By implementing Filestacks state of the art uploading, developers guarantee high performance and can reduce customer abandonment due to timeouts or slow upload times.

We are growing and our customers are growing, too. Says Chairman of the Board, Lew Moorman. As we see more files being uploaded and delivered daily, end users demand higher performance, and we strive to stay one step ahead at all times.

With addition of new CEO Filestack takes on Asset Management

Kamat sees file ingestion as only the first step to managing user generated content at scale. After the assets are uploaded to the application, they need to be stored, processed and delivered to the end user. Under Kamats leadership, Filestack has been ramping up its asset management capabilities to handle entire content workflows.

Just today, Filestack released Intelligent Ingestion, a technology which guarantees a 99.999% upload success rate regardless of file size, user device, or network connection. Additionally, Filestack recently changed their pricing to more freely encourage plan customization, a step meant directly for enterprise customers with massive file needs. Filestack also released updated file upload SDKs in most of the popular languages and frameworks (JavaScript, React, Python, PHP, Ruby on Rails, Swift, Java) for seamless implementation. Filestack strives to empower developers to easily control every aspect of their file management, and equip them with insights and knowledge into their assets.

Learn more at http://www.filestack.com

About Filestack

Filestack is a developer service for file management in the exploding realm of user-generated content. Filestack allows software developers to integrate more than 25 of the worlds leading social networks and cloud drives with just a few lines of code. End users can upload content from websites and mobile apps like Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox, or wherever that content is stored. Filestack enables developers to upload and store large files, transform and manipulate images and other file types, and deliver content with blazing speed, responsively, across any type of desktop or mobile device. Filestack is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas and powers more than 100,000 applications around the world.

Media inquires:

Wayne Walls

press(at)filestack(dot)com
Cambridge Automotive Group (CAG) has acquired two existing Maaco locations surrounding Houston, TX. Following these resales, CAG now owns close to 40 Maaco shops across the country and is Maacos largest multiple center owner.

Maaco League City and Maaco Katy plan on offering several specials throughout the year on customer auto body repair and paint needs. Maaco is currently offering a paint sale for their 45th Anniversary. These locations fix routine dents and dings, and provide structural repairs, as well, by its expertly trained technicians. Plus, all structural repairs are backed by a lifetime warranty. The Maaco stores also provide superb painting services, offering several different packages with varying price points and warranties.

Maaco League City is located at 1109 Gulf Freeway, League City, Texas 77573. The stores hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.  5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.  12 p.m. Please visit the shops website for more information. Maaco Katy is located at 510 South Mason Road, Katy, Texas 77450. The stores hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.  6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.  12 p.m. Please visit the shops website for more information.

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About Cambridge Automotive Group

Cambridge Automotive Group (CAG) was formed in 2015 to pursue a growth strategy in the car care industry. CAG is the largest Maaco franchisee in the world. The company has attracted a best-in-class management team and continues to invest significant capital to grow in the Macco system through remodels and new center development. The group is seeking to open additional Maaco locations with growth targeted in California, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

About Maaco

Maaco Auto Painting & Collision Repair -- a part of the Driven Brands, Inc. family of automotive aftermarket franchise brands based in Charlotte, NC -- is America's #1 Bodyshop. Maaco provides automotive paint and cosmetic repair services for nearly 500,000 drivers annually. With more than 500 independently owned and operated franchises across the United States and Canada, Maaco has restored the safety and appearance of more than 20 million vehicles over 45 years. Maaco ranked #106 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2015 Franchise 500 Rankings, and is currently #1 in the automotive appearance services category. For more information, visit Maaco.com. For more information about franchising opportunities, visit MaacoFranchise.com.
Skuid, the leading cloud design-and-deploy app assembly platform, will be a major sponsor at the Alexa Conference in Chattanooga in January 2018. As one of the regions fastest-growing software companies, Skuid leverages Amazon Web Services and core Alexa technologies in its innovative, design-first, user-experience-centered platform.

The 2018 Alexa Conference celebrates thought leadership, best practices, and the gathering of community around Amazon's Alexa voice-enabled technology and the hardware that integrates it. The conference draws hundreds of attendees from around the world and is slated to take place January 1820, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Were thrilled that this conference is coming to Chattanooga, and were glad to be a sponsor, says Ken McElrath, founder and CEO of Skuid. Skuid makes it simple for both developers and citizen developers to use core Alexa technologies like Lex and Poly to build amazing voice-driven applications up to 90% faster, so this sponsorship makes a lot of sense on a number of fronts.

"Skuid's dedication to innovation makes the company an ideal partner for The Alexa Conference," remarked Bradley Metrock, executive producer of the event and CEO of parent company Score Publishing. "The company's progressive culture, as well as deep ties to Chattanooga, make Skuid a perfect fit to help us host technologists from around the country, and world, next January."

At the two-day conference, Skuid will host a VIP reception at its new headquarters in the Liberty Tower. Skuid will also lead a session about how the company uses Alexa in its platform, will present on a panel, and be featured on the podcast network VoiceFirst.FM, owned by the parent company of The Alexa Conference.

About Skuid

Skuid was founded in 2013 on the simple belief that enterprise apps should stop forcing people to behave like machines. Instead, apps should behave more like the humans who use them, so everyone can thrive in the digital world. With Skuids simple-to-use but incredibly robust cloud design-and-deploy app assembly platform, anyone can connect to disparate data sources and create highly complex, beautiful, made-to-order applications: no code required. More than 5 million users across 32 countries use Skuid to engage with each other, with data, and with customers in meaningful ways.

About The Alexa Conference

The Alexa Conference is the annual gathering of Alexa developers and enthusiasts from around the world. The 2018 Alexa Conference is keynoted by Dr. Ahmed Bouzid, the original head of product for Amazon Alexa, as well as Amazon's Connected Homes initiative. The event is produced by Score Publishing, a Nashville-based company which has the mission of helping people become better interactive content creators. Score Publishing also owns and operates VoiceFirst.FM, the award-winning podcast network for the new era of voice-first computing.
Debra Shankle, V.P. of Supply Chain for Coca-Cola North America Emerging consumer and customer trends are increasing operational complexities and driving a greater need for agility and flexibility, said Ms. Shankle.

Manufacturing leaders from across Georgia will hear two of the top leaders in Supply Chain Management during the Georgia Manufacturing Summit on October 25, 2017. Debra Shankle, V.P. of Supply Chain for Coca-Cola North America, and Rob Dugas, the Chief Procurement Officer and V.P. of Chick-fil-A, will address the impact of manufacturing on the Food & Beverage Industry.

Debra Shankle, the Breakfast Keynote Speaker, will be addressing the important topic of How to Keep Your Team Motivated, Committed, and Engaged in Todays Environment. Ms. Shankles responsibilities include the management and leadership of over 4,000 Coca-Cola North America supply chain associates. She has 30 years experience in Operations, Logistics, and Purchasing and prior to joining Coca-Cola in 2011, Ms. Shankle was in Supply Chain Management for Sara Lee and FritoLay.

Emerging consumer and customer trends are increasing operational complexities and driving a greater need for agility and flexibility, said Ms. Shankle. Engaging and building associates capability is essential to unleashing the potential of our people while positioning supply chain as a competitive advantage.

Rob Dugas, the Lunch Keynote Speaker, will address the important topic of Navigating the Latest Trends in Supply Chain Management. He serves Chick-fil-A by overseeing the business functions which are responsible for ensuring product integrity, competitive cost, and a reliable supply chain distribution for over 2000 restaurants in the United States and Canada. Prior to joining Chick-fil-A in 2004, Mr. Dugas spent a significant portion of his career leading operations teams at McDonalds, Wendys, and Ruby Tuesday.

With the move towards online shopping and delivery services in todays marketplace, the buying journey keeps evolving as technology continues to advance and new innovations are developed. This shift will affect the way products are made, packed, distributed and delivered and the manufacturing industry needs to be ready to align with these changes, said Mr. Dugas.

Considered the Manufacturing Event of the Year, the Georgia Manufacturing Summit allows attendees to make face-to-face connections with other manufacturers, customers, service providers, and suppliers. This years event will have over 20 of the top industry leaders provide an educational forum to discuss best business practices, supply chain trends, health & safety, workforce development, and how to develop a better bottom line.

The Food & Beverage industry affects every level of manufacturing from logistics, to packaging, to the end products that the consumer enjoys, said Jason Moss, CEO of the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance. We are excited to have Mr. Dugas and Ms. Shankle address our Summit attendees on the latest manufacturing trends, and how our attendees can most efficiently manufacture their products, provide superior service support, and deliver to the end user.

About the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance:

The Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (GMA) is a membership-based industry organization founded in 2008 to support Georgias manufacturing community. GMA provides monthly plant tours, educational sessions, tradeshows, and unique networking opportunities designed to help make profitable business connections for its members. The Georgia Manufacturing Directory, Georgia Manufacturing Summit, and Georgia Manufacturing Calendar are additional resources produced by GMA. To learn more about the organization, membership, and upcoming events, please call 770-338-0051 or visit their website http://www.GeorgiaManufacturingAlliance.com .
Our teams are focused on delivering great service and meeting the specific needs of each client

MobilityWorks, the nation's largest retailer of wheelchair accessible vans, announced today that has been named to the 2017 Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of Americas fastest-growing private companies. MobilityWorks (aka WMK) ranked No. 2545 based on a three-year growth rate of 139 percent, marking the twelfth year that the company has been included on the list.

We are extremely honored to have been recognized again by Inc. magazine, said Eric Mansfield, President of MobilityWorks. All of our consumer showroom and commercial sales teams are focused on delivering great service and meeting the specific needs of each client. That really is the key to our success and continued growth.

MobilityWorks also provides wheelchair vans for rent and adaptive equipment such as hand controls, turning seats and scooter lifts. MobilityWorks also sells a variety of transport vehicles to business clients throughout the United States. Its TransitWorks division, a leading upfitter of Ford, Ram, and Mercedes commercial vans, has manufacturing operations in Akron, OH and Kansas City, KS.

The Inc. 5000 is the most persuasive evidence I know that the American Dream is still alive, says Inc. President and Editor-In-Chief Eric Schurenberg. The founders and CEOs of the Inc. 5000 tell us they think determination, risk taking, and vision were the keys to their success, and I believe them.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring all the companies on the list will be held from October 10 through 12, 2017 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. Speakers will include former Ford president Alan Mullaly, FUBU CEO and founder and Shark Tank star Daymond John, Dollar Shave Club founder Michael Dubin, researcher and #1 New York Times bestseller Brene Brown, and Gravity Payments founder and CEO Dan Price.

About MobilityWorks

MobilityWorks (aka WMK) is a Cleveland, Ohio-based company that employs specially trained Certified Mobility Consultants to work closely with its clients to understand their specific transportation needs in finding the right vehicle solution. Founded in 1997 with one location, MobilityWorks now has 69 van showrooms in 24 states. MobilityWorks Commercial is the largest provider of commercial wheelchair vans in the country. TransitWorks, located in Akron, Ohio, is the manufacturing division of WMK, LLC and is Ford Motor Company's largest mobility upfitter. The 12-time Inc. 5000 Honoree has over 1,000 full-time employees. Learn more about MobilityWorks at http://www.mobilityworks.com.
Summit Sky Ranch is meeting the demands of discerning buyers who want to be part of Silverthornes cultural evolution, and who want to make the most of an active, outdoor lifestyle in the Lower Blue River Valley.

Silverthorne is experiencing an economic boom thanks to a swell of downtown development and cultural offerings, and the population is expected to grow considerably in the coming years. Summit Sky Ranch is meeting demand with a boom of its own including 240 single-family homes in the pipeline with the first buyers moving in this month, and construction underway on 62 additional homes. Validating this growth, the thoughtfully designed, mountain modern community has sold 100 homes for $90 million  outpacing sales and volume of all other Colorado mountain developments.

Development of the new Silverthorne Performing Arts Center, restaurants, breweries, retail space and residences are coming to fruition in downtown Silverthorne, sparking a renaissance, said Summit Sky Ranch Director of Development Matt Mueller. Summit Sky Ranch is meeting the demands of discerning buyers who want to be part of Silverthornes cultural evolution, and who want to make the most of an active, outdoor lifestyle in the Lower Blue River Valley.

With 240 homes on 416 acres, Summit Sky Ranch is the largest residential development along the I-70 corridor between Evergreen and Grand Junction since 2015. The development offers 3- to 5-bedroom home, cabin and estate designs to choose from, ranging between 1,550 square feet to almost 4,000 square feet and starting in the $800s.

The communitys thoughtfully planned amenities are really resonating with buyers looking for a mountain lifestyle; they love the access to trails leading through the neighboring national forest as well as the sandy beach and community lake, giving them the best of land and water activities, said IMI Worldwide Properties VP of Sales Tricia Hyon. At Summit Sky Ranch and across our IMI portfolio of luxury resort real estate communities weve seen buyers make a shift to placing an emphasis on experiences over opulence.

Longtime local businessman Tom Everist, of The Everist Companies, is the visionary behind Summit Sky Ranch. Developed on his familys pristine parcel of Rocky Mountain wilderness, Everist said he envisions a vibrant and inclusive community that brings families and their love for the outdoors together to enjoy quintessential Colorado living, and at the same time preserves the natural beauty of the spectacular Blue River Valley that his family has cherished for more than half a century.

With the partnership of visionary architects, designers and builders in their own right, the result is a carefully planned community with an unprecedented offering of amenities curated for an outdoor lifestyle including:



The Aspen House serving as the communitys social and recreational hub

The Boat House with kayaks and paddleboards, event space and outdoor seating

A 10-acre private lake and sandy beach

Dark sky design and a state-of-the-art observatory with a live feed into the Aspen House for star gazing

About five miles of community trails connected to the White River National Forest and the Gore Range

Winter activities including Nordic trails, snowshoeing, ice skating and sledding

An outdoor heated pool, hot tubs and fire pits

Seven-acre stretch of private Blue River fishing

A 20-acre public park with open space, multi-use fields, a dog park, disc golf and sledding hill

The Aspen House is slated to open by the end of the year and will give owners access to a residents great room with a grand fireplace, coffee and honor bar, exercise studio perfect for yoga or Pilates, fitness center, business center, outdoor pool terrace with hot tubs and fire pits, kids hangout area and a grassy lawn area for concerts and events.

For more information about the new Summit Sky Ranch community and home sites for sale, visit summitskyranch.com or call the sales center at (970) 286-0202.

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Florida lawyer Jesse D. Berkowitz of the St. Petersburg law firm of Berkowitz & Myer has been named as a Top 100 Attorney in the state by The National Advocates. This honor is a testament to Mr. Berkowitzs commitment to client advocacy and his position as a leading attorney in the state of Florida.

The National Advocates is a professional organization that is made up of attorney from across the United States who have demonstrated exceptional qualifications in their area of practice. It is an invitation-only organization and is made up of lawyers who practice in the areas of family law, estate planning and litigation, immigration, bankruptcy, employment, and social security disability.

Before they are offered membership in The National Advocates, lawyers are carefully evaluated across a variety of criteria, including the following:

Existing rankings made by established organizations

Membership and leadership within other trial attorney organizations

Nominations

Certifications as a trial lawyer

Settlements and verdicts obtained in the previous year

The attorneys reputation among the public, the judiciary, and peers

Attorney Jesse D. Berkowitz is a graduate of the Stetson University College of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2002. Before his work with Berkowitz & Myer, Mr. Berkowitz held a position with the Jodat Law Group, where he worked exclusively with individuals involved in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) disputes with insurance companies. He then joined the Joan Berkowitz, P.A. as an associate attorney, working in the areas of bankruptcy, creditor harassment, personal injury, and criminal defense. He joined the Berkowitz Law group in 2006, which was subsequently renamed Berkowitz & Myer.

Berkowitz & Myer is a St. Petersburg, Florida law firm that represents individuals and businesses in a variety of legal matters, including bankruptcy, foreclosure, creditor harassment, and personal injury, and business litigation. Prospective clients can schedule a free consultation with one of the firms attorneys by calling them at 727-344-0123 or send them an email through their online contact form.

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Contact:

Jesse D. Berkowitz, Esq.

Berkowitz & Myer

4900 Central Ave, St.

Petersburg, FL 33707

Phone: 727-344-0123

Fax: 727-344-0185

info(at)berkmyer(dot)com
Hyperpod X Sponored by Sixt "For 100 years, Sixt has pushed the envelope and been on the cutting edge of personal transportation around the globe. Now, we're bringing that same innovative spirit to the U.S. market."

Sixt Rent-a-Car, the worlds premiere affordable luxury car rental service with more than 2,000 locations in over 100 countries, is renowned around the world for its one-of-a-kind Signature Sixt experience, meeting the needs of todays tech-savvy consumer. As the company continues to expand its presence in the United States with the recent announcement of two, brand-new locations at the San Diego and San Antonio airports, Sixt is also making its presence known in an upcoming competition highlighting the future of transportation.

On August 25-27, Elon Musks companySpaceXis hosting the Official SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition, and Sixt Rent-a-Car is proud to announce its role as a sponsor of the HyperpodX Team Oldenburg Emden from Germany.

For 100 years, Sixt has pushed the envelope and been on the cutting edge of personal transportation around the globe. Now, were bringing that same innovative spirit to the U.S. market. Thats why we were thrilled at the opportunity to be able to sponsor this team of amazing young people from around the world in this totally new kind of competition. We wish HyperpodX Team Oldenburg Emden the very best of luck this month, and look forward to congratulating them on their success, said Daniel Florence, co-President of Sixt USA.

Design is a key element to our success at Sixt, its something we care about deeply and passionately. A visit to one of our locations, or a drive in one of the luxury cars, always reinforces this principle. Team Oldenburg Emden is going to be successful largely because theyve put the same passion and thought into designing their HyperpodX. Were thrilled to be able to bolster their effort, and delighted that the Sixt brand is associated with such an incredible venture, said Sebastian Birkel, co-President of Sixt USA.

The team consists of 23 students from 10 different countries who are enrolled at the University of Oldenburg and the University of Applied Sciences Emden-Leer in PhD, master's, and bachelor's programs, including physics, engineering, and computer science. Along with the supervision of two professors, Prof. Dr. Neu and Prof. Dr. Schuning, the international background of the team and the application-oriented research of both universities encourages team innovation.

The teams website, with details on their Pod, can be seen here: http://en.hyperpodx.com/

The SpaceX HyperPod website can be seen here: http://www.spacex.com/hyperloop

Sixt has been in the US market since 2011, and is headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The company has grown to over 750 employees in the US, and more than 50 rental locations in total in California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Washington, Texas, Connecticut, New Jersey, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, and Massachusetts. It is the 5th largest car rental company in the United States.

About Sixt:

Sixt SE has its registered headquarters in Pullach near Munich and is a leading international provider of high-quality mobility services for business and corporate customers as well as private travelers. With representations in over 100 countries worldwide Sixt is continually expanding its presence. The Company's strengths lie in the high proportion of premium cars in the vehicle fleet, its employees consistent service orientation and a good price-performance ratio. Taken together these strengths have given the Company an excellent market position. Sixt was founded in 1912 and maintains alliances with renowned brands in the hotel industry, well-known airlines and numerous prominent service providers in the tourism sector. The Sixt Group generates revenues of EUR 2.2 billion (2015). http://about.sixt.com/
Holland & Hart LLP

Holland & Hart LLP welcomed partner Laura Granier and associate Erica Nannini to its Reno office on August 17, expanding the firms nationally-recognized Environment, Energy & Natural Resources practice, one of the largest in the country. Graniers extensive experience working with mining industry clients will enhance the regional strength of the firms robust mining team.

Nevada is one of the worlds leading gold producers, and we are building a robust team that can navigate the complex, evolving public lands issues, said Jim Newman, Administrative Partner of the Reno office. Laura brings expertise and experience in environmental and mining law that will greatly benefit this community and state, said Newman.

Granier has skillfully handled several environmental regulatory issues, including land and water use, title, and mining in Nevada. Recently, she represented nine Nevada counties and four private entities in a successful challenge of the Bureau of Land Managements Greater Sage Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment.

Granier is also involved in the representation of one of the nations most promising projects poised to become a producing gold mine against a proposal to withdraw 2.8 million acres of land from mineral exploration.

While we have a lot of mining in Nevada, we dont have a lot of mining lawyers, said Granier. "Given the strong group of natural resource lawyers across Holland & Hart, I am honored to help expand the practice and continue helping industry stakeholders fight for the continued responsible multiple use of public lands."

Nannini, an associate with experience in mining, natural resources, and public lands, will assist with research, drafting and preparation of legal documents. She earned her law degree from the William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Granier was appointed by the State Bar of Nevada to serve as its representative on the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Trustees Council. She also serves on the board of directors of United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra. Granier graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Nevada, Reno and received her Juris Doctor from the University of California Davis School of Law.

About Holland & Hart LLP:

Celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founding in 1947, Holland & Hart is a full-service law firm that today has approximately 500 lawyers across eight states and in Washington, D.C. delivering integrated legal solutions to regional, national, and international clients of all sizes. We serve clients in a diverse range of industries, including energy and resources, food and beverage, and technology, communications and media. For more information, visit http://www.hollandhart.com or on Twitter: @HollandHart.
Renters Warehouse Were very excited at Realty Solutions to take our local success in property management and partner it with a tremendous national leader, shared Market Leader, Dave Gorham

Renters Warehouse, one of the largest and highest reviewed property management companies in America, is announcing a new office in New Jersey, located in Audubon, South Jersey.

Doors to the South Jersey office officially opened on August 1st, 2017 following the acquisition of over 340 property management contracts from Realty Solutions earlier in the year. Theyve also brought on 15 new properties since opening. Realty Solutions owner, Dave Gorham, is now at the helm of Renters Warehouse South Jersey as Market Leader. Fellow Realty Solutions owner Rob Gleaner will continue to manage the business as a commercial and traditional brokerage.

Were very excited at Realty Solutions to take our local success in property management and partner it with a tremendous national leader, shared Market Leader, Dave Gorham. We are proud to have our clients poised for the added benefits that will come by becoming part of the Renters Warehouse family.

South Jersey has experienced a steady increase in renters since 2009, with the market proving to be incredibly strong over the last three years. With the rise in popularity in SFRs, investors now more than ever are partnering with professionals such as Renters Warehouse to manage their portfolios. Here in South Jersey, were seeing some of our clients with two or more units, seek us out for professional help and then start purchasing even more properties for their Rent Estate portfolio, said Gorham. Its a really exciting time for us.

Renters Warehouses Chief Investment Officer & President of Portfolio Services, Anthony Cazazian, noted that this exciting and strategic acquisition is the sixth since January and represents the tenth new market opening in 2017. This acquisition expands our footprint into a key market that will lead to further growth into Northern New Jersey and Philadelphia, he shared. It is another example of our ability to integrate acquisitions into our unique platform which is focused on offering a national property management solution with a single point of contact for all types of investors nationwide.

Renters Warehouse exists to help homeowners and investors create wealth and financial freedom through Rent Estate. To learn more about Rent Estate, visit http://www.rentestaterevolution.com and order your copy of Rent Estate Revolution, Renters Warehouses cornerstone book for the masses authored by Kevin Ortner and with foreword Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Phd., Economic Policy Advisor to President Ronald Reagan.

About Renters Warehouse

Renters Warehouse is one of the fastest growing and highest reviewed residential property management companies in America. Backed by growth equity investor and majority stakeholder Northern Pacific Group, and under the leadership of President and CEO Kevin Ortner, Renters Warehouse now manages more than $3 billion in residential real estate, servicing over 13,000+ investors across 20,000+ residential homes over 42 markets and 25 states. NPG Managing Partner Scott Honour, who in 1999 was a founder of YapStone, a leading online rental property payment service provider, serves as Chairman.

Renters Warehouse expertly serves everyday single-property homeowners as well as real estate investors. In 2015, the company officially trademarked the term Rent Estate to redefine the entire SFR (Single Family Rental) industry as more traditional real estate gives way to this new lucrative asset. Through their dedicated Portfolio Services Division led by Chief Investment Officer Anthony Cazazian, the company also brings professional, scalable and efficient single property management solutions to investment portfolios with both centralized services and local market expertise and staff. Not only has Renters Warehouse received the prestigious honor of being included on the Inc. 500 | 5000 list of fastest-growing privately held companies in America eight consecutive years in a row, it was also named one of the Best Places to Work in Minnesota (where they are headquartered) by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The company was also honored as a best place to work in Arizona (a centralized corporate services center) by the Phoenix Business Journal in 2013 and 2014, and achieved a spot on the prestigious 2016 Top Companies to Work for in AZ list. Nationwide, Renters Warehouse has been honored as one of America's "Best Places to Work" in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 by Outside Magazine. Recognized as pioneers in real estate, business management and innovation, Renters Warehouse has been awarded 22 Business Stevie Awards both internationally and stateside.

In 2017, Renters Warehouse received an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) after meeting the BBBs eight Standards of Trust and earning BBB Accreditation. In 2016, Morningstar Credit Ratings, LLC, a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) offering a wide array of services including operational risk assessments, assigned its MOR RV2 residential-vendor ranking to Renters Warehouse as a residential property manager, indicating that the company demonstrates proficiency in managing key areas of operational risk.

In 2017, Renters Warehouse published its first book - Rent Estate Revolution. Authored by CEO Kevin Ortner, the book shares the Renters Warehouse philosophy and business expertise around single-family rentals and the power of Rent Estate to drive long-term wealth creation, retirement security and financial freedom for the everyday person. Order your copy today: http://www.rentestaterevolution.com.

Media Inquiries / Interviews:

Crystal Richard

Public Relations

crystal(at)renterswarehouse(dot)com
ETCO Awarded Employer of the Year Award ETCO provides employees opportunities to succeed within their fields of expertise, receiving the Employer of the Year award is reflective of our commitment

ETCO Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of custom precision metal stampings, wire termination parts and molded products announced today that the company through three of its employees was recognized by the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) (Florida West Coast Chapter) as "Employer Of The Year 2017".

The Employer of the Year Award is bestowed upon companies with training programs that exemplify NTMAs high standards. NTMA represents the precision custom manufacturing industry nationwide.

ETCO apprentices attend Pinellas Technical College (PTEC). Under the guidance of NTMA, PTEC utilizes the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) program. NIMS sets skills standards for the industry.

ETCO employees, Nathan Galla, Moldmaker Apprentice, Jon Galla and Brandon Azures, Toolmaker Apprentices - have earned several NIMS certifications in their field of training.

ETCO General Manager, Ralph Jacques states, We're very proud of Nathan, Jon, and Brandon for their achievements. He continues, ETCO provides employees opportunities to succeed within their fields of expertise, receiving the Employer of the Year award is reflective of our commitment.

In addition to the employees stellar performance in the program, ETCOs investments in training, design and quality have allowed the participants to grow in their respective fields. The company plans to continue investing and developing talent as it plays a leading role in the growth of American manufacturing.

Founded in 1947, ETCO is a privately owned company. The Company manufactures precision stampings as well as rubber and plastic molded products used in a range of industrial manufacturing including automotive, appliance, aviation, medical, information technology hardware, networking, and many others. ETCO also has major customers in a variety of other industries in the USA and in over 30 countries throughout the world. ETCO has factories and a research complex in Bradenton, Florida and a factory and engineering center in Warwick, Rhode Island.
San Francisco Hair Transplant One thing you can count on in the Bay Area is diversity.

Silicon Valley Hair Institute, a leading San Francisco Bay Area hair transplant clinic, is proud to announce a new blog archive organized month-by-month. The new rotation of archived blog posts can provide a wide selection of topics to review for hair loss treatments. Local Bay Area residents searching information about hair transplantation can review details online and then reach out for a no obligation consultation.

One thing you can count on in the Bay Area is diversity, explained Miguel Canales, MD. Our new rotating archive page has been launched to reflect the needs of a varied population. The month-by-month format makes it easy for anyone to sample the diversity of options when it comes to hair transplantation technology.

To review a blog post from the new rotating archive page please go to http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/2017/07/. Reasons for hair transplant surgery can be different for each individual. Genetic links to male pattern baldness can require FUE/FUT hair therapy treatments. Transsexual individuals may require hair transplant treatments to match reassignment surgery. To read more topics regarding San Francisco hair transplants please visit a category page on hair transplantation such as http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/category/hair-transplant/.

A San Francisco Hair Transplant Clinic Archive for the Bay Areas Vanguard Readership

Marching to a different drummer can be a common expression to describe Bay Area locals. Diversity in the community could be a part of the reason for the technological successes of Silicon Valley. Looking beyond the conventional way of solving problems can break ground and pave the way to new possibilities. With respect to San Francisco hair transplant surgery options, a diverse community may mean various needs for hair restoration surgery. Common hair loss issues such as male pattern baldness can require a different approach as compared to hair loss treatment options for San Francisco Bay Area women. The new rotating blog can share details from a specialist in both areas.

For this reason, Silicon Valley Hair Institute, a San Francisco hair transplant clinic lead by surgeon, Dr. Miguel Canales has released a new rotating blog archive. Each month Bay Area locals searching for varied hair restoration topics can review specifics from the archive. Subjects ranging from universal male patterned baldness to more unique hair transplant surgeries can be reviewed. Locals requiring hair restoration on the head, or possibly adding hair to the face and chest, may learn how robotic FUE or the alternative FUT hair transplantation surgery can do both. State-of-the-art technology can support a diverse group of San Francisco hair transplant needs.

About the Silicon Valley Hair Institute

Silicon Valley Hair Institute, under the leadership of top-rated California hair transplant surgeon, Dr. Miguel Canales - is one of the best specialized facilities offering San Francisco Bay Area hair transplantation. Dr. Canales provides both the FUT (FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant at http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/fut-surgery/) and FUE hair transplant (Follicular Unit Extraction at http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/fue-hair-transplant/) procedures for Bay Area residents, who find this top-rated hair transplant specialist. The Silicon Valley Hair Institute is a specialized hair clinic serving hair loss and hair restoration needs in the San Francisco, San Jose and the Silicon Valley Peninsula (Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo-Atherton, Redwood City, etc.). Dr. Canales also specializes in aesthetic hair restoration for females seeking eyebrow transplantation or hairline advancements.

About Silicon Valley Hair Institute

The Silicon Valley Hair Institute (http://siliconvalleyhairinstitute.com/), under the leadership of top-rated California hair transplant surgeon Miguel Canales MD, is one of the best facilities offering San Francisco Bay Area hair restoration. Dr. Canales provides the full range of advanced hair transplant and hair restoration procedures for Bay Area residents, from San Francisco to Palo Alto to San Jose. Treatments include; robotic hair transplants, FUE/FUT surgery, PRP and micropigmentation. If one needs a hair transplant specialist, look no further than this Bay Area hair transplant center. The clinic provides both San Jose FUE transplant and San Francisco FUE transplant services. Dr.Canales also performs female hair transplants for women and eyebrow restoration, thus offering the best hair transplant and robotic hair replacement options. Call today to 650-551-1100 for a no-cost consultation.
Ashley Ross, CIO at MTF We are very positive about this project and look forward to a long and promising relationship with Ephesoft and Future State Systems.

Ephesoft Inc., the industry leading developer of document capture and analytics solutions that extract meaning from unstructured content, today announced that Motor Trade Finance (MTF), a leading provider of vehicle financing in New Zealand, has selected Ephesofts Transact platform. MTF, established in 1970 and specialising in recourse finance, offers financing through auto dealerships and franchise partners across New Zealand. Future State Systems, a systems integrator, are solutions experts who are delivering the platform and meeting MTFs exact technical requirements.

We saw the value in Ephesofts platform. The system will expedite our processes, drive efficiency, and can categorise and classify all our data so we can easily access it. We are in the final stages of implementation and all indications are promising. We expect that Ephesoft will reduce the error rate and workload by virtually eliminating manual processing. So far, Future State Systems is doing a great job of deployment, said Ashley Ross, CIO at MTF. We are very positive about this project and look forward to a long and promising relationship with Ephesoft and Future State Systems.

MTF generates a high volume of paper and electronic documents and will use Ephesofts platform to capture, extract, classify, review, validate and extract data to streamline their loan processes. On average, MTF is processing about 4,000 loans per month, generating more than $1.5m every day of the week. Future State Systems will implement and configure Ephesoft Transact to capture and classify over 45 different document types (paper and electronic based) including loan application forms, data from emails, bank statements, utility bills and driver licences. The system will then extract data from documents and use database lookups to assist MTF in ensuring compliance requirements are met. Once the metadata is extracted, the data along with the document images are exported to FileNet, their document management system.

Ross expects that Ephesoft will automate 75% throughput of their documents, at a minimum. Through Ephesofts patented machine learning algorithms, they expect that number to grow over time. Ephesoft Transact, a more robust system, also replaces IBM Datacap, which was previously used for OCR capture. The old system required a full-time person to manually categorize and file loan documents and other supporting documents into FileNet. MTF plans to utilise Ephesofts Advanced Reporting module to gain insight into performance levels and alert them of new document classification types.

Ephesoft has customers in over 30 countries, but were thrilled to announce that MTF is our first client in New Zealand, stated Andrew Rootes, General Manager, Asia Pacific & Japan. We are proud to welcome MTF into our prestigious group of customers. This year, Ephesoft opened an office in North Sydney, Australia to further support the growing Asia Pacific and Japan regions.

At Future State Systems, our goal is to help our clients to quickly transform their business processes into their desired future state. As a platinum Ephesoft partner, our team includes advanced document capture experts who can implement solutions quickly and cost effectively. MTF has leveraged our willingness to share implementation risk, with a fixed price engagement model that eliminates cost blowouts and encourages rapid deployment, said Derek Brand, Managing Director at Future State Systems.

About Ephesoft, Inc.

Ephesoft, Inc. delivers intelligent capture technology on a private or public cloud platform that extracts meaning from unstructured content. With a focus on efficiency and reliability, Ephesoft has crafted the next generation of intelligent document capture technology that allows organisations to automate and streamline mailroom processing and other document-based business processes. Ephesoft is headquartered in Laguna Hills, California, with regional offices throughout the US, EMEA and Asia Pacific. The company is undergoing rapid growth and has customers in over 30 countries. To learn more, visit http://www.ephesoft.com.

About Future State Systems, Pty Ltd.

Future State Systems (FSS) is an Ephesoft Platinum Partner headquartered in Sydney, Australia. FSS helps organisations enhance, optimise and automate their processes so that they can increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve service to their customers. FSS differs from most systems integration companies by encouraging fixed price engagements that quickly, and cost effectively, deliver business value. To learn more, visit http://futurestatesystems.com/.
Realtors Tracey Miller and Kelly Cahill, of The Cahill & Miller Group We are thankful for our awesome teachers who give so much to our children. Its such a small way to give back compared to the tireless hours that our teachers

Real estate duo Tracey Miller and Kelly Cahill, of The Cahill & Miller Group and Allen Tate REALTORS, recently volunteered their time for the Foundation for Fort Mill Schools by helping them to pack backpacks with donated school supplies for children in the Fort Mill School District.

We were helping get our children classroom ready, said Tracey, whose husband is an educator in the Fort Mill School District. Part of our participation also included donating water bottles to elementary-aged children, allowing them to have water on their desk during the school day.

Ardent supporters of students and teachers of the Fort Mill School District, The Cahill & Miller Group in the past has also donated bicycles and helmets to a local Fort Mill elementary school through the Angel Tree program and participated in Career Day at local middle schools. Additionally, at the end of the previous school year, Tracey and Kelly on National Teacher Day fed over 100 teachers at Fort Mill High School with pizza.

Our children really are our future, added Kelly. We have been so fortunate to be able to raise our own children in this wonderful community. We both have children in high school who have attended this school district since Kindergarten. We are thankful for our awesome teachers who give so much to our children. Its such a small way to give back compared to the tireless hours that our teachers give all of our kids.

Tracey and Kelly also recently attended a back-to-school meet and greet in a local Fort Mill neighborhood, for Kindergarten through 5th graders, where they handed out goodie bags chock-full of school supplies, such as pencils, erasers, and more.

Its important to be involved in our community. The kids really loved it and it allowed them to meet some of their classmates before school started, concluded Tracey. The parents were also able to connect with one another. We have many new homeowners moving to our area, and our outstanding school district is one factor that attracts them.

About Tracey Miller/Kelly Cahill, Allen Tate REALTORS

Allen Tate REALTORS Tracey Miller and Kelly Cahill, who are licensed in both North and South Carolina, have been real estate professionals for more than 18 years and business partners since 2012. They service York County, Ballantyne, and South Charlotte, NC. Whether preparing to sell or purchase a home, it is key to partner with the right Realtor. Selling or buying a home is one of the most important decisions one will ever make, and partnering with the right Realtor can make the difference between a successful experience and a frustrating one. The Cahill/Miller team has an extensive marketing plan to place ones home in the best position to sell. For more information, please call Kelly at (803) 389-0080 or Tracey at (803) 487-2357. The office is located at 870 Gold Hill Road, Suite 105, Fort Mill, SC.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
It is great news that Colorado has established a functioning ABLE program to expand opportunities for persons with disabilities and their families... said Colorado State Senator John Kefalas.

Colorado ABLE, a new program that offers tax-advantaged savings plans for people living with disabilities, was officially launched today. ABLE savings accounts are designed to help persons with disabilities save for their futures and promote independence, while protecting their eligibility for public assistance programs.

Eligible individuals and their families may now save up to $100,000 through Colorado ABLE savings accounts, without affecting their eligibility for SSI, Medicaid and other public assistance. Previously, accumulated assets of just $2,000 would trigger ineligibility for public assistance for people with disabilities, presenting an untenable choice for many families. As mandated by the national ABLE Act, the onset of disability must have occurred prior to 26 years of age.

Additionally, earnings gained in Colorado ABLE accounts are not considered taxable income on federal tax returns, as long as the funds are spent on qualified expenses as a result of a disability, such as education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, personal support services, health care, and other expenses which improve health, independence and quality of life.

The State of Colorado is proud to make this valuable resource available, commented Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. Fostering independence and self-sustainability is not only the right thing to do, its good for everyone in Colorado.

Colorado ABLE has joined the National ABLE Alliance, which is a partnership of States across the U.S., dedicated to providing those living with disabilities with an ABLE investment program that offers multiple financial options at low cost. Ascensus, the nations largest independent college savings service provider, was selected by the Alliance to administer the program.

Colorados college savings experts, CollegeInvest, will administer the Colorado ABLE program. Our savings and investment knowledge of 529 savings plans translates seamlessly to this new program for people with disabilities, said Angela Baier, chief executive officer for CollegeInvest. Through our longstanding relationship with Ascensus, were confident that we are bringing Coloradans the very best options for their hard-earned savings along with excellent customer service to help them take full advantage of this new opportunity.

Following the passage of the national ABLE Act in 2014, the Colorado legislature began efforts to provide ABLE benefits with a plan sponsored by the State and administered by CollegeInvest. Governor John Hickenlooper signed Colorado ABLE into law in 2015, with full support from the Colorado House and Senate. Colorado State Senators John Kefalas, and Beth Martinez Humenik, and Colorado State Representatives Lois Landgraf, and Jessie Danielson sponsored the bipartisan legislation.

It is great news that Colorado has established a functioning ABLE program to expand opportunities for persons with disabilities and their families who will now be able to open tax-exempt ABLE accounts and save for their futures, said Colorado State Senator John Kefalas.

Colorado ABLE is collaborating with the Colorado Fund for People with Disabilities (CFPD) to provide free assistance in opening a Colorado ABLE account. CFPD was established in 1994 and is the largest, locally managed pooled trust in Colorado. Their range of services has grown to meet the wide demands of helping families state-wide protect and conserve assets and enhance their quality of life, as well as to enhance the independence and quality of life for people living with disability and their families. CFPD can be reached at 720.236.0034.

The Colorado ABLE plan offers a wide range of investment options from aggressive plans seeking higher returns to conservative investments that place capital preservation over growth, all managed by Ascensus. A partnership with Fifth Third Bank also offers an integrated checking and debit account option providing the convenience of paying for qualified expenses with a debit card. For detailed information about the program, please visit http://www.coloradoable.org.

About Colorado ABLE

Colorado ABLE (Coloradans Achieving a Better Life Experience) is Colorados new savings program for people living with disabilities. A not-for-profit agency within the Colorado Department of High Education that receives no taxpayer funding, Colorado ABLE provides a diverse menu of tax-advantaged savings plans to help persons with disabilities save for their futures and promote independence, while protecting their eligibility for public assistance programs. Earnings on Colorado ABLE savings accounts are federally tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses. Colorado ABLE is a member of the National ABLE Alliance. For more information about Colorado ABLE call (888) 609-3468, visit http://www.coloradoable.org.
ESM, a leading provider of spend management solutions, announced today that the entire California State University system will deploy ESMs eProcurement solution.

Cal State is the fourth largest public university system in the country with 480,000 students, 47,000 faculty and staff members and an annual budget of more than $5 billion.

In recent years, some of Cal States 23 campuses, along with its Chancellors Office, have implemented ESM Purchase, which features an intuitive online shopping portal that sends users directly to an organizations negotiated contracts and approved vendors.

Since deploying ESM, Cal State has reaped big rewards. The online marketplace was rolled out to 10 campuses in just four months. Twelve catalogues went online in 90 days - 24 total in 150 days. And, within seven months, 1,300 Cal State staffers were actively using it. Users started saving money from their very first transactions in the marketplace, allowing them to stretch their budget dollars almost immediately.

Now, a new contract extension includes those original locations, along with Cal States remaining campuses. All Cal State locations will be able to shop from a central shopping portal, allowing procurement leaders to aggregate spend across campuses, take advantage of more rebates and negotiate more favorable contracts.

Though all locations can now shop from the same online marketplace, ESMs flexible solution also can meet the needs of each of Cal States campuses.

We know a one-size-fits-all approach wont work for everybody, even campuses that are part of the same university system. They all have different workflows and needs, ESM CEO Anthony Rotoli said. Thats why weve built solutions to configure to the unique requirements of any of our customers, including those at Cal State.

Cal State isnt the first major university system to deploy ESMs solutions. Other large organizations that have signed on with ESM include Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana; the University of Tennessee system; Michigan State University, the ninth largest university in the United States; and the Higher Colleges of Technology, which has 17 campuses across the United Arab Emirates.

Our solutions cater to everybody and all sizes of organizations, Rotoli said. We look forward to serving each of Cal States campuses and watching those savings roll in.

About ESM

ESM is a leading provider of cloud-based spend management and eProcurement solutions, giving customers complete control of their spend through a comprehensive suite of integrated, yet modular solutions. The companys flexible sourcing, purchasing, invoicing and contract management applications help organizations save time and money. As a SaaS-based solution, ESM makes financial system integration, data visibility and streamlining of the entire procure-to-pay process fast and easy. On the web: esmsolutions.com.
Author Albert Bennetti debuts with his new novel In a Buffalo Robe (published by Archway Publishing), which tells the tale of a young mans experiences as a hazardous journey for gold with his family unwittingly leads him straight into a historical Civil War battle.

Olaf Swenson believes that at 16, a man should be making his own way in life. Unfortunately, his father has been dictating his and his brothers paths ever since he decided to unsuccessfully follow the wealth of California gold prospectors. With the Rocky Mountain gold rush Olaf embarks on yet another gold adventure with his family.

Bennetti explains that while taking place in the 1860s, Olafs struggles are timeless and universal. He adds, We have only one responsibility confronting us in our lifetime. That is to act out the Lords will. Bennetti, a Vietnam veteran, draws from his own experiences in hope of offering a story that will benefit society.

An excerpt from In a Buffalo Robe:

I fear death, Father. I dont understand why our loving Father in Heaven allows men to take each others lives, I said, allowing the whole of my suppressed underlying thoughts to be stated.

In a Buffalo Robe

By Albert Bennetti

Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 300 pages | ISBN 9781480848139

Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 300 pages | ISBN 9781480848153

E-Book | 300 pages | ISBN 9781480848146

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Albert Bennetti spent his early years recklessly gadding about the streets of a large New Jersey city where he gathered experiences that inspire his writing today. He is a Vietnam veteran who has battled a series of challenges that include cancer and heart disease. Bennetti currently resides in Robbinsville, New Jersey. In a Buffalo Robe is his first book.

Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the leading self-publishing company worldwide, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 888-242-5904.

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San Dimas, California 120,000 sq. ft. building

RDS Investments, which primarily focuses on purchasing commercial real estate and customizing the space for its tenants, recently leased 24,000 square feet of office space to Azusa Pacific University. RDS, renowned for providing its tenants customization on the properties it leases, also expanded the space with 11,000 additional square feet for Azusa Pacific, one of the largest Christian universities in the nation.

RDS Investments spent approximately $800,000 to modify the Azusa Pacific space located in San Dimas, CA, which it has owned for twenty years. RDS customizes each space to our tenants specification, working with a team of contractors, said RDS Investments Property Manager Shannon Turner, who manages the San Dimas space. There is a lot of detail involved in making improvements. For Azusa Pacific University, for example, we built onsite classrooms and a large cafe with a patio to enhance the student experience.

In addition to Azusa Pacific University, RDS Investments signed a multi-year lease on approximately 23,000 square feet of office space to MH Express, one of the largest and most comprehensive workers compensation lien-based pharmacies in California which sells and ships medications. RDS managed a build out of over $500,000 to improve the space, including the addition of an onsite pharmacy and concrete wall for security, RDS Investments also leased a 52,000-square-foot warehouse to Chinese logistics giant YTO Express, which also signed a multi-year lease. YTO Express services include warehousing, distribution and special transport.

We are serious buyers of buildings and go above and beyond when leasing them, concluded Turner. Our tenant-centric platform is flexible to meet the unique needs of each tenant.

RDS Investments real estate portfolio consists of a variety of buildings from creative office space, high-cubic industrial warehouses and call centers to multi-tenant industrial space, cold storage for perishables and Big Box and small storefront retail. Some of its high-profile tenants include PetSmart, Wells Fargo Bank, DSW Shoes, Guitar Center, Panda Express and Starbucks Coffee.

For more information about available space offered by RDS Investments, please visit http://rdsinvest.com, or call (310) 209-5554.

About RDS Investments

RDS Investments, founded by Robert Shipp in 2000, provides in-house management for over 60 properties and 500 tenants ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small family businesses in California, Nevada and Utah. Focusing primarily on purchasing commercial real estate, Mr. Shipp has acquired several million square feet, both separately and co-owned with other family offices and friends. For more information, please call (310) 209-5554, or visit http://www.rdsinvest.com. RDS Investments is located at 9701 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1110, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
Folsom Day of Giving We understand that gaining access to quality dental care can be a challenge and we also know how important it is to maintain good oral health

The Folsom community and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to receive free dental services at A+ Dental Cares new Folsom location on Saturday, September 9.

Dr. Abdon Manaloto, Dr. Kayla Nguyen, Dr. Flaviane Peterson, Dr. Fernando Vargas and the A+ Dental Care team have partnered with the Smiles for Everyone Foundation to improve the oral health of the community at their new Folsom office as part of a Day of Giving, a day dedicated to providing dental care for low income individuals at no charge.

Access to dental care is a challenge for many Americans. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 108 million Americans are living without dental insurance.

A Day of Giving is a great opportunity for us to give back to our community and help those less fortunate. We understand that gaining access to quality dental care can be a challenge and we also know how important it is to maintain good oral health, says Dr. Manaloto.

There is increasing evidence that links oral health to overall health and well-being. According to the American Dental Association, poor oral health can lead to additional health issues such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, respiratory infections, and diabetic complications.

By providing complimentary dental services as well as oral health supplies and education, we hope to have a long term positive impact on the individuals we treat at the event, says Dr. Nguyen.

A Day of Giving takes place at A+ Dental Cares Folsom location at 1840 Prairie City Road, Suite 200, Folsom, CA. Free dental services offered will include; x-rays, exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, oral cancer screenings, fillings and extractions.

Appointments are available to ensure that the maximum number of patients will be seen and to minimize wait times. To schedule your appointment, call (714) 824-5037 today!

About A+ Dental Care

A+ Dental Care is a rapidly growing group dental practice owned and operated by Herman Dental Corporation and affiliated with the dental support organization, Smile Brands, Inc. Since 1975, A+ Dental has been delivering quality care to Northern California residents. With five convenient locations, A+ Dental Care provides comprehensive general and specialty care to patients in the greater Sacramento area including the communities of Roseville, Lincoln, Rocklin and Folsom. Their mission is to create long-term patient relationships by making dental visits convenient, affordable and stress-free. A+ relies on Smile Brands to provide world-class business support services so they can focus on delivering highly personalized patient care. Learn more at http://rosevilledentist.com/

About the Smiles For Everyone Foundation

The Smiles for Everyone Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of delivering Smiles for Everyone! by providing pro bono dental care for those in need, both at home in the U.S. and around the world. Since 2011, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation has delivered over 12,000 smiles and $10.5 million in donated dentistry. The foundation currently supports programs which provide pro bono dental care to those in need in Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Thailand, and the United States. For more information, visit http://www.smilesforeveryone.org.

Contacts:

Smiles for Everyone Foundation

Crystal Strait

Crystal.strait(at)smilesforeveryone.org

714.824.5037

A+ Dental Care, a dental office of Herman Dental Corporation

Shareholders: Timothy Herman; Kayla Dringenberg; Abdon Manaloto; Flaviane Petersen; Christopher Cooper

Dr. Abdon Manaloto

Abdon.Manaloto(at)smilebrands.com

916.674.2664
Web Design & Development Services SynLogics We proudly announce the success of our web design and development firm. It has been a combined effort of several experienced and certified developers.

SynLogics is an international Web & E-Commerce solutions provider focusing on the development of world-class digital solutions. Headquartered in the U.S.A, the firm executes its operations all throughout the globe. It develops elegant, responsive and interactive websites with the help of an experienced and driven team. SynLogics has made a grand announcement of their new web optimization service on the 24th of August 2017. The ingenious service makes websites load with a blazing speed. This made them experts in web design and development, placing them in a unique position among competitors.

The primary reason behind the success of this Web & E-commerce development firm is that, it is a staunch believer of customer satisfaction and strongly believes in adding value to the businesses. Synlogics' client base includes numerous Fortune 500 companies which have helped the firm in building a strong traction across a variety of markets. Being a reputed firm, SynLogics delivers the best of customized Web and E-commerce development services.

SynLogics web development team specializes in optimizing web & E-commerce platforms to make them load blazing fast. This helps the businesses to rank better in Google search rankings. The company has expert accessibility team that can help businesses transform web platforms into disable friendly, thereby improving new customer acquisition.

Mr. Venkat, Founder of SynLogics says,  While most firms put their heart & soul into developing and designing websites, they pay little to no attention towards the website optimization. Even when they do, most professionals fail to understand and address the core problems in websites and only relies on free tools. He was delighted and excited for introducing the new web optimization service on the 24th of August 2017. It has made the firm head and shoulders above most of the web design and development firms.

Why has SynLogics taken the digital world by storm?



The firm offers extremely affordable and innovative WordPress solutions. This enables many low budget startups to kick start their businesses without any risk.

A team of accomplished and knowledgeable individuals work together to develop WooCommerce powered web stores. What sets these web stores apart from their competitors is the power packed features which is bestowed by the best professionals in the software development industry.

SynLogics is acknowledged to be the most dynamic game player while it comes to developing customized and SEO friendly Magento websites. The firm is an intensive developer of multiple integrated extensions including store fulfillment, retail management and retail associate platforms.

They have an adept team of developers who put their best foot front by exhibiting phenomenal skills while designing Shopify powered websites. SynLogics develops compatible and resourceful built-in website optimizer to assist their clients in better search engine ranking.

SynLogics has carved a name for itself as a Reckoned and Professional Web and E-commerce development firm. With a range of reputed companies joining hands with SynLogics over the years, the development firm has proved to be a revolutionary squad in the industry.
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Rumors are flying about what's expected from Apple this year, but whatever new iPhone 8 or upgraded Apple Watch is announced, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty will be watching with anticipation.

She says this year's event will be a "supercycle" and could blow previous product launches out of the water.

Business Insider spoke with Huberty about her 17 years covering the technology space, what she expects to hear from CEO Tim Cook next month, and how it could affect Apple's stock price.

Here's what she had to say about Apple and her $182 price target for the company's stock, which is the highest on Wall Street:

Graham Rapier: What's the most important thing for a new investor to know about Apple?

Katy Huberty: While some consumers and investors see Apple as a device company, it truly is a platform company. Apple is making an increasing percentage of its money off of services, and most of those aren't even Apple services, they're Google and Tencent and Netflix and Spotify. Apple as a stock can actually be a play on the success of all those mobile services.

Any application that sells in Apple's App Store, when you download a game for $0.99 or sign up for a subscription to a service like HBO or Netflix, Apple is taking a 30% cut of that.

Rapier: What are some macro trends that could affect Apple?

Huberty: From a macro standpoint, China is misunderstood by the market. If you look at Apple's results over the past year, China is a disappointing region. The investment-community dialogue around that is that Apple may be losing its edge to local Chinese-branded smartphone makers like Vivo or Lenovo. We absolutely do not think that's the case.

I'd point out a couple of things. If you look at Apple's China business, Macs are growing double digits, iPads are growing double digits, services are growing double digits, but iPhone is not growing. Its highly unlikely that Chinese consumers are paying $2,000 for a Mac at home but carrying a cheaper smartphone device with them. More likely, the explanation is that Apple's retail system is alive and well. High-end Chinese users want to buy Apple products, but the iPhone has not had a form-factor change for three years. We believe that Chinese consumers are just waiting for that change and that pent-up demand will demand a significant acceleration of growth in Apple's 2018 fiscal year.

Year-old iPhones in China grew 56% this year, and yet iPhone sales are declining. That gives you a sense of how much pent-up demand there is on the back of this new iPhone launching in September.

The last point I'd make is that Wall Street looks at shipment data, and if you look at that data set, you'll see that local Chinese companies are taking share. We think that data is misleading. If a company ships products into a channel somewhere, even if that phone isn't purchased and activated, it still counts as a shipment. You've seen weakness at a number of semiconductor companies that sell into those cheaper brands. Their business has been very weak because there's inventory in the system. That means the shipment data is overstated.

The quality of those devices is not as good as an iPhone, and therefore they don't last as long. They tend to get upgraded every 18 months, whereas an iPhone tends to get upgraded every two to three years. What that means is you have to sell a lot more of them to have the same market share of the installed base. The shipment data is misleading.

Wall Street looks at that and says Apple is losing its edge. The reality is, there's pent-up demand as Chinese consumers who always want to be seen with the latest form factor and new technology are waiting for a big product refresh, which is coming next month.

Rapier: Who are some of Apples biggest competitors, both at home and abroad in places like China?

Huberty: By the numbers, Apple's biggest global competitor, by far, is Samsung. If you look domestically, it's really an Apple-Samsung market.

In China and other emerging markets, there's more diversity because there's higher price sensitivity and larger low-end markets. It feels like every year or two there's a new winner in China, a company that grows really fast, that doubles shipments, that takes share, and then a year or two later they start to decline and another one emerges. We haven't seen yet in China any significant staying power for those local brands. Of those four  Vivo, Opo, Xiaomi, and Huawei  Huawei has had the most staying power, but recently hasn't had as much growth as Vivo or Lenovo.

Rapier: What will Apples business look like in the next five to 10 years?

Huberty: The question I get most often from investors goes: "Apple has had great success with the iPhone, but iPhone is 70% of the business, so how do we gain confidence that they will be able to come in and disrupt another category that is as big of a markets as smartphones and really plug the gap when iPhone begins to decline?" That is an important question on investors minds, but the reality is in the medium term we think the iPhone is the next iPhone. What I mean by that is, there will be enough changes to the iPhone and new use cases that the current installed base will need to be upgraded arguably faster than in the past, and there will be a whole new wave of services that drive revenue.

Let me give an example. Apple in June launched ARKit. Apple will launch smartphones in September that have improved camera capability that allows for advanced augmented-reality experience. That ARKit allows all sorts of developers  retailers, gaming manufacturers, social-media companies  to take advantage of Apple's new hardware in this platform to write new applications. To the extent that those are successful, not only will Apple take its 30% cut of those services, but the existing iPhone base will need to upgrade to new hardware that has this new camera capability. So we think this will be another chapter for iPhone. This pushes out the need for Apple to enter a new category. iPhone can be that category.

Rapier: What should we expect to see at the launch event?

Huberty: We're calling this a supercycle. There will be so much more technology and a new look to the devices that consumers will upgrade faster than they have been, and that will accelerate growth. The market, sell-side consensus, is looking for around 13% iPhone unit growth in fiscal year 2018, we are modeling 23% growth. Again, the biggest differential between us and consensus is our previous China discussion, where Apple could see much faster growth than any other region.

Rapier: If you could ask management one question today, what would it be?

Huberty: The biggest question, beyond just the nuances of the quarter, is to get a better understanding of how Tim Cook sees ARKit and augmented reality as a category influencing the Apple model. Is that something that can really move the needle, accelerate upgrades, create new services and new revenue streams in the next six to 12 months? Or is it a technology that they are planting a flag today that has longer-term impact?
"Phoenix crowd last night was amazing - a packed house," Trump tweeted. "I love the Great State of Arizona. Not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!"

Trump's comments came on the heels of a freewheeling rally he held in Phoenix on Tuesday, during which he issuedhis highly criticized response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia

"And nobody wants me to talk about your other senator who's weak on borders, weak on crime  so I won't talk about him," Trump said, referring to Flake. "Nobody knows who the hell he is."

"See, I haven't mentioned any names, so now everybody's happy," Trump said.

Earlier this month, Flake released a book in which he accused Trump of negatively impacting the Republican Party.

Trump, in turn, publicly praised Flake's primary challenger last week.

"Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He's toxic!" Trump tweeted.

Flake has sharpened his criticism of Trump recently,but has largely cosigned the president's agenda.

Also on Wednesday, Trump tweeted that the "Fake News Media" didn't cover his Charlottesville comments fairly.

"People got it!" he said.

On Tuesday night, Trump read back parts of the initial response he gave on that day, though he omitted his comment placing blame on "many sides" for the violence.

Bryan Logan contributed to this report.
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9to5Google dug into the code of the Google app's latest beta, and found references to "Bisto," a codename that first appeared months ago and seemed to be related to audio.

A string of code says: "Your headphones have the Google Assistant. Ask it questions. Tell it to do things. Its your own personal Google, always ready to help."

This doesn't necessarily mean that Google may be the only one working on Assistant-equipped headphones, however.

Digging further into the code, other lines  such as one that says "oem_partner_app"  suggest that third-party manufacturers might work on Bisto compatible products, in a fashion similar to Android Wear.

Elsewhere, the code hints at other Google Assistant functionalities on headphones, such as alerting the user to read notifications with a "notification chime", letting them reply via voice, or tell how much battery is left. It also suggests headphones would have a dedicated button for users to activate the Assistant.
Speaking to Accra-based Asempa FM, Freddie Blay said the NPP government inherited a messed up economy from the erstwhile Mahama-led administration. He described the economy handed over to them as the worst any government has inherited in the history of Ghana.

He stated that, as at the beginning of 2009, Ghanas total debt stock was GH9.5 billion but by the end of 2016, the debt stock had ballooned to GH122 billion representing 72 percent of GDP  a situation he described as worrying.

However, Blay said he was hopeful Nana Addo is committed to tackling the problems.

He, therefore, called on the general public to support the government in order to realise this dream.

Our economy is in difficulty and it is, therefore, time for all of us to put our shoulders to the wheel; work hard and have the appropriate policies in place that will enable us to lift our economy and bring relief to our population.

On the appointees of the government, Blay said: Im more than confident they will deliver.

When the Nana Addo took office as President of Ghana, he promised to hit the ground running saying that "I am in a hurry."
This is because the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has refused to release their results.

The examination body said the results will be released after the conclusion of investigations into various cases of examination malpractice detected during and after the conduct of the examination.

READ ALSO: WAEC releases 2017 BECE results

The council has announced that it has withheld the entire results of candidates from 185 pending conclusion of investigations into malpractices detected during and after the examinations.

The students may have to wait till next year as the universities in the country have closed admissions.

Headmaster of one of the affected schools, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Accra-based Citi FM, he accused WAEC of not being committed to their investigations.

He said, the results have been released except for Integrated Science which has been withheld and universities are asking for that before admitting the students.

READ MORE: WAEC says website not hacked

He said "All we hear is that, we are working on it, meanwhile admissions are closing. Some of the science students passed all their Elective subjects and it is not possible to fail in Integrated Science but that results have been withheld."
The 16-year-old actor in a recent interview with Live 91.9 FM revealed his plans regarding his recent political position saying he has planned to visit various schools, entertain the students and spend the night with the students in their dormitories.

I was thinking about going to the schools and spending a night with them and entertain them.

Asked about his reaction when he heard he had been named ambassador for free education, the award-winning actor said he was cool with it. He further admitted that although he has been speaking publicly for quite some time he felt very nervous when it comes to public speaking.

I was shy about going to schools standing in front of them. Ive been doing it for a long time but I still feel a little nervous.
READ MORE: Police officer caught selling Indian hemp at post

And one of them has already been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment after he was convicted of armed robbery.

They were being taken to the Johannesburg Correctional Services prison when a group of men armed with rifles ambushed them at Pat Mbatha Road.

"The prisoners escaped after a truck was ambushed at Pat Mbatha Road near South Gate train station by a group of men armed with rifles," said Gauteng police spokesperson Lungelo Dlamini in a statement, eNCA has reported.

"A truck door lock was broken before the prisoners escaped."

Police officers were not injured during the ambush.

"One of the prisoners was already sentenced to 17 years imprisonment after he was convicted for an armed robbery. Several leads are being followed to arrest them, Dlamini said.

Meanwhile South Africans have been reacting to the story.

READ MORE:Farmer remanded for raping married woman to appease gods

One man said: Incompetency at its best, I sympathize with the communities where these prisoners have escaped to.
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In 2000, 3.4% of the population were said to be infected with the disease.

But the figure reduced to 1.4% in 2014 following a massive campaign.

READ ALSO: HIV rises among pregnant women

Currently, 2.4% of the population are said to be infected with the viral disease with many having fears that this may threaten the countrys move towards achieving the 2016-2020 national HIV strategic plan.

The Vice President for Ghana HIV/AIDS Network, Edem Kawuba Heini said non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) who were holding massive campaigns about the dangers of the disease are folding up because they have used their own resources to do a lot of programmes.

He told PM Express on the Joy News channel Tuesday that the figure has increased because Ghanaians are becoming complacent about the threat of the disease.

Currently, 0.5% of the district assembly common fund is used to support HIV/AIDS programmes, but CSOs have argued that the figure is too low.
I have seen and read things about my family online. It's been heart breaking to see some of the words people flying carelessly around but it's life, I guess.

She narrated that she called her father immediately she heard the news of the collapse.

I don't really know what I was expecting but the first few words out his mouth made me laugh until tears started to sting at the corner of my eyes. I mean, thick deep in his own burdens, He was comforting me and making sure that I was okay! I am just in awe of his strength.

She said she liked the strength of his father and hoped her children will have her fathers character.

Capital and UT Banks collapsed and was subsequently taken over by GCB Bank.

Most Ghanaians on social media mocked and criticised the known faces of the two banks; Dr Mensah Otabil and Kwabena Amoabeng.

But Baaba Otabil believes this setback is a preparation for better things ahead.

I know that there are bigger and better and greater things to come.

Below is the full message

This man right here though, He's my dad and with everything that's happened in the last couple of days, He has exuded such grace that I have no doubt that Jesus is about to do something greater in his life. When I first heard what went on, I called him.

I don't really know what I was expecting but the first few words out his mouth made me laugh until tears started to sting at the corner of my eyes. I mean, thick deep in his own burdens, He was comforting me and making sure that I was okay! I am just in awe of his strength.

The peace that continues to surround him in the midst of chaos. He never stops seeking God and He never stops believing. I have learned so much from my father through out my years on earth. I want my future husband to be like him.
She was speaking after she was awarded the US governments Woman Of Courage award for 2017 at the US Embassy in Accra.

In her address, she expressed gratitude to everyone who has supported her during such difficult moments.

In spite of all the challenges, obstacles, attacks and hurdles I have faced in my 6-year journey in public service, I still truly believe that it is a great honour and a privilege to serve ones country. And it is a special privilege to serve in the capacity of the Chair of the Electoral Commission.

I truly am grateful for the honour and the privilege and I thank all of you who have been a part of my journeyin those trying moments, the values of truth, integrity, honesty, and fairness, which my parents instilled in me from my childhood kept me focused on delivering on my promise to the people of Ghana, she added.

After her appointment by then President John Mahama, the EC Chair faced a number of challenges. She was attacked mainly by political parties in the country who did not agree with some decisions made by the EC.

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) which was then the major opposition party especially condemned a number of actions by the EC prior to the 2016 elections.

She is currently under investigations over alleged managerial incompetence among others being championed by some staff of the EC.

READ ALSO: Illegal miner in Police grips for slaughtering his mother to death

However, Osei said she finds love and support from her family and friends. She added that the support she has makes her resolute to give her best for the Commission she heads.

There were many days in the last two years when I felt very heavily, the burden of leadership. The weight of, as it seemed, carrying the entire peace and stability of the nation on my shoulders. But through it all, I could always count on the love and support of my husband, my children and my friends."

I lost a lot of acquaintances, but I gained a lot of true friends. And for that, I recognise that I am a very blessed person. I just want to take a minute to thank them: my husband, my children, my dad, my siblings and my very, few and supportive special friends: their unwavering love and support  bearing the brunt of falsehoods and insults, and many provocations  has kept me steady and given me the strength to go on.
The suspect who is the Imam for the community is said to have used a wooden object to hit his late wife, Ayishetu after which he locked her up.

According to Kumasi-based Ultimate FM, the residents in the community have been asked not to talk about the incident with any stranger because of the respect they have for the Imam, Afa Tijani.

Residents narrated to Kumasi-based Ultimate FM that the couple started having issues when Afa Tijani decided to take a second wife. Ayishetu was not in favour of it but Tijani went ahead to marry a second wife.

READ ALSO: Illegal miner in Police grips for slaughtering his mother to death

After his second marriage, the residents narrate that there have always been confusion and argument between the two women. Meanwhile, Tijani always supports his second wife and condemns the deceased.

When Ayishetu realised the situation was worsening, she wanted a divorce but was encouraged to stay married by some elders.

The residents added that no one knows the cause of the last quarrel that caused Ayishetus death but upon hearing the two argue, Tijani rushed out from his room and hit the deceased with a stick.

According to them, the woman was bundled inside her room and abandoned to battle for her life in pains.

On Sunday, August 20, 2017, one of the daughters of Ayishetu visited and saw her mother badly injured.

The daughter then rushed her to the Tamale Teaching Hospital where she was confirmed dead in the course of receiving treatment.

After she was pronounced dead, a delegation from Tamale suspected to be family members of Tijani came to plead with Ayishetus family not to report the case to the Police.
A statement from the EPA on Wednesday, 23 August said: As a result of the public interest in the matter, the EPA would like to clarify the position of Exton Cubic Group Limiteds environmental permit status under its mining lease (That is a necessary condition for any mining activity).

READ ALSO: Minister may face legal action for seizing mining equipment of Engineers and Planners

The bottom line is that Exton Cubic Group Limited has not obtained the required EPA permit under its mining lease and, therefore, any attempt to enter the area for mining activity is illegal.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has meanwhile said that his decision not to allow Exton Cubic Group Limited to continue mining bauxite at the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve in the Atwima Mponua District, is in the interest of the country.

He had before this seized equipment and logistics hired by the company for its operations and has vowed not to release them until the company provides documents to show they have been licensed to mine in the region.

The equipment belongs to Engineers and Planners Co. Ltd, a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former President John Dramani Mahama.
Custom demands that the Osu chief sprinkle the traditional food otherwise known as kpokpoi through the principal streets of the area.

But on Tuesday, the two leaders who have been contesting the stool - Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI and Nii Nortey Owuo had to sprinkle the food separately.

READ ALSO: Osu celebrates annual Homowo Festival

Confusion occurred when Nii Okwei Kinka VI, who is also the President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, sprinkled kpokpoi through the Osu Ashante streets. This appears to be the same street his rival chief, Nii Nortey Owuo had also gone to sprinkle the traditional food.

This did not go down well with the supporters of both leaders, as they began exchanging words and throwing stones at each other.

READ ALSO: Claimant to Ga stool files suit to stop Adama Latse from sprinkling kpokpoi

The police who were already at the scene were compelled to fire warning shots to disperse the supporters.
The situation has forced the physically challenged persons to resort to demonstration aimed at putting pressure on the relevant authorities to release the funds.

READ MORE: GES Directors reshuffled

The 2% share of the fund is a constitutional requirement meant to help the beneficiaries take care of their medical and other relevant costs.

The Ghana Federation for the Disabled will therefore hit the streets on Friday, August 25 to demonstrate and demand the release of their 2 percent share of the District Assemblies Common Fund.

The delay has come about because the Administrator of Common Fund has suspended the release of the funds in order compile a register to make the fund accessible to all physically challenged persons.

This, according to the beneficiaries has affected them so badly that they are not able to pay for their medical bills and other fees.

READ ALSO: Illegal miner in Police grips for slaughtering his mother to death

The Ashanti regional president of the Ghana Federation for the Disabled Alfred Tebi Amponsah claimed his members have been neglected by the government.
He has denied giving indications of contesting the flagbearership position when the party open nominations for interested members in 2018.

Earlier, Ekow Spio-Garbrah said he is lacing his boots to contest the presidential primaries of the NDC.

He said he will contest if former President John Mahama refuses to contest.

However, the former Trades Minister contradicting his earlier comments said he is yet to make a decision about contesting the partys presidential primaries.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, he said his supporters have asked him to contest in the party's presidential primaries.

"What has been said so far came from members of my fan club who are hoping that I consider becoming a candidate but that is different from me myself saying I am a candidate. If I am declaring my candidacy for anything, I will not do so through alliances. I will speak for myself.

"When the party invites those who are interested in becoming leaders of the party, at that point, in consultation with my supporters and fans and other party leaders, I will decide the role I will play," he noted.

He said the party should be interested in fixing the problems that led to their defeat in 2016.

Names that have come up so far include the former majority Leader, Alban Bagbin, retired Vice-Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, former vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Victor Smith, Professor Joshua Alabi and former NHIS boss, Sylvester Mensah and former mayor of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije.

READ MORE: Okoe Vanderpuije for President campaign posters out
According to the party, the conduct of the Minister is not surprising judging from the chronology of events.

This comes at the back of some mining equipments seized by the Regional Minister, Simon Osei, belonging to Engineers and Planners (E&P).

Background

Simon Osei Mensah, had clashed with Lands and Natural Resouces Minister, Peter Amewu, for authorising the prospecting of bauxite in the Tano Offin Forest Reserve.

Mr. Amewus Ministry, through the Forestry Commission, recently issued a license to Exton Cubic Group Limited, to mine bauxite in the Ashanti Region amidst a clampdown on illegal mining activities.

The mining company, in turn, engaged E&P, a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former President John Mahama. E&P was to use its equipment to undertake a prospective service.

However, Exton Cubic Group Limited has refuted claims that, the company in collaboration with Ibrahim Mahama, are engaging in illegal mining activities at the Nyinahin bauxite concession and were thus run out of the concession.

The company said the seizure of vehicles belonging to E&P, was done unlawfully on the instruction of Simon Osei Mensah.

Read Exton Cubic's press statement: Minister accused of unlawful seizure of mining trucks

War between Wontumi and Mahama

Ibrahim Mahama and Wontumi have been at each others throat with the NPP chairman accusing Mr Mahama of being a thief and dishonest man with criminal tendencies.

Following the collapse of UT and Capital bank by the Bank of Ghana, Chairman Wontumi also accused Ibrahim Mahama for collapsing UT bank.

READ ALSO: Minister may face legal action for seizing mining equipment of Engineers and Planners

He said "He [Mahama] 'killed' Merchant Bank and UT Bank. He borrowed over $100m from UT Bank."

NDC reacts

But the NDC in a statement signed by Abass Nurudeen, an NDC communicator in the Ashanti Region said this is a golden opportunity for Wontumi to show Ibrahim Mahama where power lies.

Below is NDC's press statement

THE ASHANTI REGIONAL MINISTER IS BEING USED AS A PAWN BY WONTUMI TO SETTLE SCORES WITH E&P AND IBRAHIM MAHAMA

Many are those who have expressed shock and surprise by the unfortunate conduct of the Ashanti regional minister, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah, relative to the seizure of mining equipments belonging to E&P. The DCE of the Atwima Mponua District, acting on the instructions of the minister, illegally impounded these equipments while on it way to engage in preparatory works at a legally acquired bauxite concession of EXTON CUBIC LTD.

Deep throat sources from the Regional coordinating council indicate that Mr simon Osei Mensah is under strict instructions from the Ashanti regional chairman of the NPP- chairman Wontumi- not to release the machines. As a self-acclaimed governor of Ashanti, chairman wontumi believes this is a golden opportunity to show Mr. Ibrahim Mahama where power lies.

Is it therefore not surprising that, the Ashanti regional minister is still holding on to the machines even after the Lands and forestry Minister has asked him to release them?

Is it not strange that even after the minister has been furnished with all the necessary documentary proofs by people within his own government he is still adamant?

Does the Intransigence of the Ashanti Regional minister not lend credence to this claim?

This feeds into the general sense of lawlessness and Arbitrariness that has engulfed the 7-months old Akufo Addo Government ;A govt in which ministers would rather serve the interest of their masters rather than follow due process; a government in which genuine businesses are deliberately impeded from operating on the altar of political expediency..it is indeed a sad day for AMA GHANA.

Maybe, the Ashanti regional minister needs to be reminded that Ghana is a nation governed by laws and not on whims of self conceited government appointees who take instructions from political simpletons; may he be reminded once again that, through this act of indiscretion, he is effectively opening the government up for huge legal liabilities that may culminate in the payment of huge government debt.

But In all these, it is the hypocrisy of our society that l abhor the most; we have a president who has appointed his siblings as ministers of finance, works and housing, Roads and highways, Attorney general etc. We have a president who has appointed his blood daughters as board members and baby Mamas as ambassadors. Nobody seems to see anything wrong with this but these same people see everything wrong with a former presidents brother acquiring a license to engage in legal mining. We are, indeed living in interesting times.

The activities of EXTON CUBIC LTD within the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve- including the establishment of an integrated Aluminum industry-has the potential to create 40, 000 direct and indirect jobs and for a government that won power on the altar of providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youth, it is only fair and logical that it sheds its political lenses and support this noble cause by an illustrious son of the land.

Abass Nurudeen
Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong and the founder of Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah had alleged that Mr Otchere-Darko belonged to a group of persons who are hijacking the president.

According to Rev. Owusu Bempah, these persons are able to turn contracts meant for some people to persons of their choice.

Ken Agyepong had also made similar allegations, saying that Mr Otchere-Darko and one Duke Ofori-Atta were using their positions at the Flagstaff House to engage in activities that could destroy the fortunes of the New Patriotic Party as well as dent the image of the President.

The President should watch the people he has surrounded himself with.If NDC had been bold and condemned the likes of Ibrahim Mahama and Randy Abbey they wouldnt have found themselves in opposition, he said.

But Mr Otchere-Darko has denied the claims, saying that he does not work at the presidency to be able to sabotage anyone as being suggested.

For the avoidance of doubt, I do not work at the Presidency and lack the luxury to hang around the President doing kokonsa.
She succeeds Hassoumi Massoudou from Republic of Niger.

Earlier, Adeosun had urged other finance ministers to speak about radical economic transformation, which would no doubt, take the sub-region to improved living standard for all citizens.

She advised them to prioritise industrialisation, especially through labour intensive manufacturing to promote job creation.

In addition, conscious emphasis should be placed on agriculture to improve food security and deriving more value from the sea by boosting the ocean economy.

Potentially, these areas also provide investors with profitable investment opportunities in our community.

Adeosun said that critical work was being done to promote regional integration in the sub-region.

She said that on Nigerias part, efforts were underway to radically transform its economy in a manner that would shift the age-old emphasis away from oil as the main source of revenue.

Adeosun said diversification and domestic resource mobilisation through improved tax revenue were ongoing in Nigeria.

According to her, the signaling effect coupled with positive externalities that would be generated will have significant impact on the regional economy.

Infrastructure development remains top of the agenda to ease movement of goods, people and services across our community.

Furthermore, power to light up Africa is an essential imperative for industrialisation and for us to succeed, we need to mobilise appropriate financing.

Accordingly, we must support our Bank, EBID, to mobilise domestic and external resources to strengthen developmental partnerships and collaboration.

She said the meeting was a key instrument in this regard as it brought the drivers of the economy in the sub-region together to discuss important matters.

Our people yearn for prosperity and we must be determined not to fail them and that is why we have ECOWAS Vision 2020 as a clear roadmap towards a better life for all, she said.

President of the Bank, Mr Bashir Ifo, said the implementation of the 2016-2020 strategic plan of the bank was being constrained due to lack of resources.

He said a review of the key indicators of the plan showed that all of the projected targets for various quantitative indicators had fallen below expectations.

Especially hard hit was the mobilization of resources which is the overarching pillar in the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan.

However, we are hopeful that with the intensification of resource mobilization initiatives, the implementation of the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan would considerably improve.

Ifo, therefore, called on all member states and other stakeholders to help the bank to fulfill its mandate to help ECOWAS countries reduce poverty.

He said payment of the remaining capital arrears owed by member states would not only help it fulfill its mandate in the sub-region.

He said it would also significantly contribute to positioning it as a viable financial entity that could mobilise adequate funds on the back of its shareholders support.

In short, additional equity infusion would strengthen the banks balance sheet which would then permit it to mobilise funds at competitive rates, the bank president said.

Ifo said the bank was mandated to help member states create employment and build the necessary infrastructure to undergird economic growth and development.

He, however, said that that in spite of resource constraints, the bank had been making significant regional development and integration efforts.

He explained that in 2016, the banks net cumulative commitments in member states stood at 1.34 billion dollars for 135 projects.

We are pleased to report that in 2016, we were able to conclude negotiations with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

This culminated into the signing of two loan agreements in the amounts of 45 million dollars and 15 million dollars for trade finance and private sector financing.

We are also in discussions with the Indian Government for another 500 million dollars line of credit to the bank.

In addition, discussions are ongoing with the Islamic Development Bank, China Development Bank and OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).

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This is for the purpose of mobilising adequate resources to finance development projects and programmes within the ECOWAS sub-region in conformity with our mandate.
After sitting on the domain names for months, Shkreli appears to be customizing the sites, explicitly mocking reporters who have tweeted about him.

A website named after Maya Kosoff, a tech reporter at Vanity Fair, welcomes the visitor and adds, "Here we honor one of the most vibrant Social Justice advocates today," alluding to "social justice warriors," a derisive slur associated with advocacy for liberal causes.

Shkreli wrote a similar message on a website he bought associated with Caroline Moss, an editor at CNBC. A site associated with her name welcomes visitors and says it has "everything you need to know about this CNBC safe spacer," a reference to colleges' so-called safe spaces, which are often mocked by the right.

The former CEO also customized a domain associated with Emily Saul, a court reporter for the New York Post, and offered to sell the domain back to her for $12,000.

Since the beginning of the year, Shkreli has purchased domain names for 12 people, including journalists and commentators from CNBC, Vice, the Post, Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, AOL, Bloomberg, Dealbreaker, Gizmodo, and Business Insider.

In an email to Business Insider, Shkreli dismissed Kosoff's and Moss' work and described his activity on the sites as "occupying cool namespaces."

"Anything special you want on yours?" he asked.

"I wouldn't call these people 'journalists.' They are the unwitting recipients of liberalism subsidy from large media and telecom companies," Shkreli said, adding that they were "only a few notches above the white supremacists we hear so much about these days."

Shkreli first sparked national outrage in 2015 when his company Turing Pharmaceuticals raised the price of a drug used to treat a disease that can be fatal in people with HIV by more than 5,000%. He has since embraced his image as a provocateur and "pharma bro."

On the day in January when Twitter suspended Shkreli's account for harassing Lauren Duca, an opinion writer at Teen Vogue, the former exec snagged MarryMeLauren.com.

He has continued to mock and criticize journalists who've covered the spectacle surrounding his trial and celebrity, singling out outlets that cover the pharmaceutical industry.

Shkreli has repeatedly blasted CNBC, and he refused to take questions from a CNBC reporter after being convicted this month of securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud while he was managing his drug company Retrophin.

He livestreamed himself earlier this year purchasing domain names associated with Max Nisen, a pharma reporter at Bloomberg who has written about Shkreli, and Phil Witmer, a reporter at Noisey. Witmer had published a story titled "Lil B Shouts Out Martin Shkreli, We All Die a Little Inside," in which he dubbed Shkreli a "living cartoon gremlin" and called the rapper shout-out a "stain on the BasedGod's good name."

"Can I buy PhilWitmer.com right now?" Shkreli said on the livestream. "Yes I can, and yes I will."

The former CEO has also toyed with reporters in other ways, posting private exchanges with Dylan Scott, a former correspondent for Stat News, to "put this geek journalist on notice" when Scott reached out to him for a story.

After Business Insider published an article in March about Shkreli's actions, he purchased a domain associated with the author and emailed him offering the opportunity to purchase it back.
Pulse reached out to the actress who exclusively revealed to us that she's currently in the hospital "sorting out things" relating to her son's death. She didn't reveal further details.

The actress lost her 15-year-old son to sickle cell anaemia. Raymond, who she had with her ex-husband, Charles Ekwu, in 2002, has been living with sickle cell anaemia from birth.

According to Linda Ikeji he reportedly died from complications associated with the disease on Monday, August 21, 2017. Her last post on Facebook sees her giving thanks to God for safe journey on August 17, 2017.

ALSORead: undefined

The actress and her team are yet to put out a statement. This is a developing story and Pulse would continue to report as the story unfolds.
Officials of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and security agents arrived on the scene of the attack to help the injured and secure the area.

ALSO READ: A timeline of Boko Haram attacks in 2017

The terrorist group has carried out a series of suicide bombings and raids this year with over 60 people killed in attacks launched in August alone.

The attack is the second notable attack by terrorists since the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country on Saturday, August 19, 103 days after he left for London to resume treatment for an undisclosed illness.

While speaking during his national address on Monday, August 21, the president spoke largely about insecurity in the country, especially the resurgence of Boko Haram, promising to deal with the group.

He said, "I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.

"Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.

"Therefore we are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against; elements of Boko Haram which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets, kidnappings, farmers versus herdsmen clashes; in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers. We shall tackle them all."
Plain Talk: Don't expect Trump to keep us safe on roads and rails
Buhari, in his speech on Monday, August 21, 2017, said that it is better for Nigerians to live together than apart.

According to Daily Post, the leader of the Northern youths, Alhaji Yerima Shettima said Buhari should have taken time before making his speech.

Shettima also said The president just came back from his medical vocation. In normal circumstances, one should have expected him to take some time to have a clear review of situations in the country after spending 103 days abroad.

His statement is a welcome development to some extent because there are issues; the unity of the country is being threatened. I think the focus of the president was basically on the threat to our national unity and those were the key issues he spoke about. In addition, that we would no longer tolerate anybody undermining the security of the country.

Certainly, agreed, it should be that way as he felt. But I feel also that on the side of international law to which Nigeria is signatory, it is expected that government must create an exit door for those who feel they want to leave through a referendum and as stipulated in the 1999 constitution.

It would not augur well if we insist on living with people who do not want to be part of the country and they keep threatening the unity of the country. It may even appear to the international community like a mockery.

If the government is up and doing, let us abide by the demands of the international law by creating an exit door for those agitating for self determination.

Certainly, the IPOB cannot be said to be speaking for the South-East because they are less than ten percent of the Igbo communities who are willing to remain in Nigeria.
According to Daily Post, the groups National Secretary, Yinka Odumakin said that all IPOB has done is call for a sit at home, while Boko Haram has been killing people and destroying properties in the North-East.

He said While Boko Haram is a terrorist organization that goes about bombing people and places, IPOB is an open organization.

What IPOB has done is to call for a sit-at-home but Boko Haram is a terrorist group, except you want IPOB to go underground like Boko Haram.

It is a wrong approach. You cannot treat Boko Haram and an open organization like IPOB in the same manner.
The attack in the village of Amchide, near the Nigerian border, was confirmed on Wednesday by a member of the self-defence force who requested anonymity, as well as by a security source in the capital, Yaounde.

"I was in my sector when I heard a large explosion in another part of the town," the self-defence source said.

"We saw that a boy had blown himself up in the middle of a group from the security committee," he said.

Two people were killed immediately, while two others died from their wounds later, he added.

Attacks attributed to Boko Haram fighters have flared in northern Cameroon in recent weeks after months of relative calm, often targeting self-defence groups set up to respond to the jihadist threat.

On August 5, a similar attack in the village of Ouro-Kessoum, also near the Nigerian border, killed eight people, following a double suicide attack nearby in July that killed 15.

Boko Haram's bloody eight-year armed insurgency, initially focussed on northeast Nigeria, has killed at least 20,000 people and displaced more than 2.6 million.
An announcement Tuesday that President Muhammadu Buhari, 74, will work from home following more than 100 days of medical treatment in London because of a rodent infestation in his official office had already raised doubts about his health.

Amaka Anku, an analyst at Eurasia Group consulting, said ahead of Buhari's return at the weekend that he "remains quite ill and is unlikely to resume full presidential responsibilities".

"He will allow (the vice president) to continue to handle day-to-day governance tasks," she wrote.

In a televised address on Monday, Buhari looked thin but sounded stronger than in his last broadcast back in June. He did not mention his illness or long absence, instead appealing for national unity and renewed energy for the fight against jihadists, separatists and kidnappers.

He left Nigeria on May 7 for his second round of treatment in Britain this year for an unspecified medical condition, having already spent two months in the British capital for healthcare reasons.

Deeply divided country

Buhari, a retired general elected in 2015, temporarily handed power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to allay fears of a leadership vacuum in a country deeply divided along ethnic and religious fault lines.

The easy transfer of authority to and from Osinbajo, who is seen as fiercely loyal to the president, was notable in a country that has a history of coups and political instability.

But despite Buhari's return to Nigeria, he has so far appeared unable or unready to resume frontline political work.

Political analysts warned that the cancellation of Wednesday's meeting could mean that Buhari has not fully recovered.

"What the latest cancellation of the meeting means is that Buhari does not have the full capacity, in terms of his health, to function," Chris Ngwodo, a political consultant, told AFP.

"I see a picture of somebody who does not have 100 percent fitness. That explains why he's not been able to function properly."

Ngwodo added that the day-to-day running of Nigeria could suffer as a result of Buhari's condition.

'No second fiddle'

"I see a slowdown in governance in Nigeria. This will not augur well for the country -- especially at this crucial time," he said.

Buhari's prolonged absence caused tensions at home where calls grew for him to either return or resign, and the prospect of a power vacuum now he is back is unlikely to calm the situation.

The question of who leads Nigeria is a crucial one as the country grapples with a range of pressing security and economic crises.

And despite the insistence of a senior presidency official that "President Buhari is very much in charge", the challenges facing government forces are growing.

They include a jihadist insurgency in the northeast, recurrent clashes between farmers and herdsman in the centre of the country, and kidnappings and separatism in the south.

The west African powerhouse is also in the grip of a second year of recession, triggered by lower oil prices which have slashed government revenues, weakened the local currency and caused a shortage of US dollars.

"It is a matter of administrative style that (Buhari) delegates some functions to the vice president from time to time. For instance, the vice president is the head of the economic management team," said the presidency source.

ALSO READ: Buhari working from home because rats damaged his office

But Anku, the Eurasia Group analyst, said that while Osinbajo had the powers of the head of state while Buhari was away and some economic clout with him back in the country, "he was careful to obtain the president's approval for all major policies".

She added that Buhari's aides will likely seek to reassert themselves now that the president is back, meaning that even if Buhari is unable to govern, those around him could seek to do so in his name.

The president's defenders insist that Buhari is still firmly in control, despite appearances.

"The fact that he has been working from home and has called off a cabinet meeting does not mean that he cannot perform and that he is abdicating his responsibility," said Dapo Thomas, a lecturer at Lagos University.

"Buhari is not the kind of man that would play second fiddle."
National President of the coalition, Mr Eshanekpe Israel, said in a statement, that members of the coalition were elated after listening to Buharis broadcast to the nation on Monday.

The statement was made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

Israel noted that though the Presidents medical trip abroad elicited criticisms and negative comments from the opposition, his speech could not have been better delivered especially on hate speech.

Israel urged the Federal Government to ensure that those propagating hate speech in the country were arrested and brought to justice.

He said that Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had flouted his bail conditions.

He said, to let him off the hook could set a bad precedent in the nation."

The ex-militant said that Kanu should not be allowed to plunge the country into civil war.

He said that the silence of human right activists on Kanus comments was becoming worrisome.

He called on human right activists and other well meaning Nigerians to support the Buhari-led administration in its fight against corruption.
An enforcement team, led by Mrs. Anita Erinne, sealed off the premises of the filling station on Wednesday, August 23, for allegedly defaulting on tax payment.

A representative of the oil firm identified as Samson, however, claimed that the company had cleared its debt.

The FIRS has been clamping down on companies defaulting in remission tax.

The team also visited Kaplan International College Limited situated at 1, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, which was also sealed over a N50.5 million tax liability.

On Tuesday, August 22, the enforcement team sealed off the premises of Amyn Investment Limited, situated at 21/25 Broad Street, Lagos. The company is said to be owing N12.5 million in tax.

Another company, Floorenzo West Africa Limited, situated at 6, Boyle Street, Lagos, which owes N310 million, was also visited by the FIRS team.
While meeting with various religious leaders, political leaders, labour leaders and members of security and executive councils at the Government House, Ilorin, yesterday, Tuesday, August 22, 2017, he cautioned opinion leaders and other members of the public against utterances that could overheat the polity.

While emphasizing the need for constructive criticism for improved governance, Governor Ahmed stressed that criticism must be separated from incitements in order to move the state forward.

The state's Commissioner of Police, Lawan Ado, also maintained that hate speeches would be treated as terrorism in line with the directive of Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the recently held National Economic Council Security Summit in Abuja.

ALSO READ: Kwara govt releases details of August allocation

While also addressing the outstanding salaries owed at local government level, Governor Ahmed challenged serving Transition Implementation Committees (TIC) and prospective local government chairmen to show capacity to raise revenues, saying that local government councils in the state had not done enough in revenue generation.

He said, "Councils' business has moved beyond reliance on federal allocation for survival to a new level where council authorities must be resourceful by thinking outside the box to raise their internally generated revenues to augment payment of salaries and execute developmental projects."
He said Magu is misusing intelligence at the expense of the war against corruption.

Special Adviser to the minister, Sahilu Othman disclosed this on Wednesday, August 23, in an article he wrote following the suspension of Nigeria the Egmont Group.

The group, comprises 156 financial intelligence units of 156 countries, is a body for the exchange financial intelligence to fight money laundering and terrorism financing.

In July, Egmont suspended Nigeria due to what it called interference of the EFCC in the activities of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit.

In a swift response to the suspension, the Nigerian Senate passed the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit bill to make the unit independent of the EFCC.

Othman in the article said Magu "manipulated and misused intelligence to the detriment of the fight against corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria."

According to him, the Federal Government has set up the presidential adhoc committee to reposition the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, made the presentation to his Sierra Leonean counterpart, Mr Samura Koroma, in Freetown on Tuesday.

The relief items included bags of rice, beans, maize, sorghum, milk, spoons, plates, mattresses, blankets, roofing sheets, soaps, mosquito nets and mats.

Others were medical supplies, such as anti-malaria drugs, antibiotics and disinfectants.Onyeama, while making the presentation, said President Muhammadu Buhari sent him to express to the government and people of Sierra Leone his profound sadness over the tragedy that occurred last week.

We have come on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari who heard the sad tragedy that befell your country and your people.Myself, the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja; and representative of the Minister of Health, Zainab Sheriff, have come to really express our profound sorrow and condolences for the large loss of lives, damage to properties and suffering of a large number of people in your country, he said.Onyeama said Nigeria and Sierra Leone had a very strong bond making both countries feel they belonged to the same family.

Therefore, your loss is our loss. We grieve with you at this occasion, he said.

He said although Nigeria was facing a huge humanitarian, economic and social challenge, it shared the pains of the people of Sierra Leone.

We are flying constantly large quantities of food supplies and medicines and also a cash donation of a million dollars.Our planes will be carrying about 315 tonnes of food and medicines.

He said some of the cargo might be delivered by sea.

Onyeama said the gesture was a token of our solidarity with the Government and people of Sierra Leone.

You are very much in our heart and we pray for you to overcome this tragedy soon.

Koroma expressed appreciation to Nigeria for the gesture, adding that Nigeria had always been there for Sierra Leone in the past.

You were there for us during the civil war when Nigeria sent her troops.

You sent your support and personnel during Ebola disease outbreak, and you are here to support us again during this time of mudslide and flood.

ALSO READ:Fears for 600 still missing from floods in Sierra Leone

On Aug. 14, a downpour which caused severe flooding in Freetown and a mudslide in the Regent area left more than 300 people dead, including children.

The incident left more than 3,000 homeless and in need of humanitarian assistance.
This was disclosed by Director of Defence Information, Major-General John Enenche while he was speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, August 22, 2017.

He said the military has started paying more attention to the activities of Nigerians on social media as a reaction to the rise in misinformation and hate speeches that have gripped the country.

He said these actions are capable of jeopardising the security and unity of the country, and that the military is ready to prevent that.

He said, "Imagine when the President came back and addressed the nation, not up to 30 minutes later, a fake speech of the Commander-in-Chief was being circulated in order to do what? To derail the people.

"If you are not very sharp and if you didn't listen to the speech or you don't have a copy of it like I had it almost immediately, you wouldn't know. So, looking at it from that perspective, it is a challenge everywhere."

Describing social media as "a double-edged sword", he said the military is monitoring activities that might be deemed as fostering disunity in the country.

He said, "We have our strategic media centres that monitor the social media to be able to sieve out and react to all the ones that will be anti-government, be anti-military, (and) be anti-security.

"We tackle them appropriately with appropriate responses. Ahead of that, we are also proactive. We have measures in place, scientific measures to be able to sieve this information and also to get the public and let them know that some of this information they are getting is not genuine are not true and their objective is an anti-corporate existence of this country."

Major-General Enenche's words echo those of President Muhammadu Buhari in his national address on Monday, August 21, as he expressed displeasure at social media comments that "crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation."
On Wednesday, August 23, 2017, the president received panel members, led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who had been investigating the allegations for months.

President Buhari suspended Lawal on April 19 after months of mounting pressure for his sack arising from allegations of his complicity in the misappropriation of funds earmarked for the welfare of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE).

Oke was suspended as the director of the NIA after his public involvement in the controversial $50 million loot recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from an Ikoyi apartment in April.

He had laid claim to the funds, saying it was earmarked by the agency for covert operations.

While addressing the press after the presentation, Osinbajo said the panel conducted a fair and thorough investigation of the allegations and asked for patience while the president reviews the report and makes a decision.

He said, "It is a fact-finding committee as you know and what our terms of reference were was to find out based on the facts available to us and based on the interviews of witnesses of what transpired in those cases of the report involving the SGF and the DG of NIA.

"We have now concluded that and we submitted a full report with recommendations to the president. We cannot, of course, give you any kind of details because the president has to look at the report, study it and then make his own decisions based on that report.

"This is a document which has just been submitted to the president. He is the one who will read the recommendations and the facts and then make a decision.

"If you want to know what is in the report you have to wait, you really have to wait."
Buhari is currently working from home following the damaged done to the furniture and air-conditioning fittings in his office

According to The Cable, the Osinbajo panel report on the allegations levelled against the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal will be presented to the President today.

Reports say a presidency source said that the Osinbajo panel indicted the two top officials.

The source also said The report of the investigations is ready. The two suspended officials were recommended for total disengagement and replacement. It is clearly stated in the report that they should not be brought back to their positions. They are to be disengaged as recommended.

As promised, the committee gave fair hearing to all the parties involved. It was a thorough investigation. You would recall that the investigation was slightly extended beyond the two-week period which Mr President gave the committee.
Dont laugh, please. This is not even a joke.

Actually, the presidents spokesperson, Garba Shehu, says the Rodents have damaged furniture and air-conditioning fittings in Buharis office.

"Following the three months period of disuse, Rodents have caused a lot of damage to the furniture and the air conditioning units," Shehu lamented.

There are actually different animals in the Rodent family.

Rodents are mammals characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors. They range from Guinea Pigs, Porcupines, Squirrels, Chipmunks, to house Mice and Rats.

Shehu didnt say which specie of Rodents invaded the presidential Villa, but since we all know that Rats are the most intrusive and destructive domestic vermins in this part of the world, we can settle on them as the culprits here.

I do not have that level of detail, Shehu confesses through a straight face, when asked to name the class of Rodents that ransacked his principal's office.

ALSO READ:

The explanation was offered after Nigerians queried why Buhari was going to be working from home following his 103-day medical vacation in London.

Shehu says theres nothing wrong with Buhari working from home because it isnt anything new. As long as the work gets done, Nigerians have no right to be up in arms, he surmises.

There are also general works and it is not uncommon for Nigerian presidents to also work from the presidential villa. Buhari has used the residential office for many years.

What is important is that the job gets done. Whether he does it from his bedroom or his sitting room or his anteroomit does not matter. Let the job be done and it will be done, Shehu vows.

The presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also took to the cameras to explain why no one should take the working-from-home concept out of context.

Well, I have seen different slants and interpretations given to the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari is working from the office in his house for now. I cant understand what the fuss is all about, says Adesina who quite frankly never sees the fuss in anything.

He continues: The same complex accommodates the house and the office area. Now, the regular office needs some renovation because 103 days of absence have affected it. There was some deterioration there and it needs to be renovated.

And there is an office in the house that is almost a replica of the regular office. So that is where he is working from. But the reportage has given the impression that the president is luxuriating at home. No! He works in the office in the house!

In that office in the house was where he signed a letter to the National Assembly intimating them of his return to work. It was there he met Vice President Osinbajo. As we speak, hes meeting the Service Chiefs there now. So, the work is going on without let or hindrance.

"When I see headlines like Buhari works from home', trying to insinuate that he is not fully fit to work from the regular office, I think thats disinformation and misinformation and we need to adequately report whatever is happening.

Fair enough. But this whole Rodent or Rat infestation saga--assuming there was actually one--could have been better handled.

The entire office could have been regularly fumigated in the presidents absence if Aso Rock knew it had a Rat or Rodents problem.

And why was there no maintenance of the presidents work-space while he was away? Are government officesnot least the most powerful office in the landallowed to harbor Cockroaches, Spiders, Rodents and all kinds of creeping creatures whenever the occupant takes a leave of absence?

Is Aso Villa a monument where all kinds of mammals are allowed to roam freely?

Isnt there a fundamental problem with us as a nation if we allow Rats take over the office of the Commander-In-Chief? If we cant maintain a simple office space, it is little wonder that the rest of Nigeria is so poorly managed.

This Rat saga is therefore a metaphor; symptomatic of all that is wrong with us as a nation.

There's no provision for fumigation in the country's N7trillion budget? What a wawu!

My gut tells me that this is more than a Rodent invasion saga. That some religious clerics and Marabouts have been contracted to carry out spiritual cleansing of the presidents office before he takes to his seat at the Villa.

Grapevine sources say Buharis frequent medical trips abroad stem from a theory that he was poisoned in that same Villa and therefore, extra care is being taken this time around. Some say a few persons who are victims of Buharis anti-corruption war, want him dead and have gone as far as deploying all diabolical methods in the book. It is important to state here that these are all rumours, conjectures and speculations which I heard with one ear and which escaped through the other.

In any case, it really doesnt matter from where the president operates, in my opinion. This country badly needs fixing and the presidency is distracting us with this Rats today, working from home tomorrow, follow-up medical vacation the next day, stories.

By all means, let Abuja get to work. Theres no time to waste anymore.
The Minister of Communications Barrister Adebayo Shittu made this call when he hosted the management of Cisco Networking Academy in Abuja.

ALSO READ: NCC boss Danbatta wants academic institutions to include ICT contents in their curriculum

Shittu urged Cisco Academy to adopt one of the campuses of the proposed ICT University stating that it would be named after them. He urged the company to highlight the role it plans to play as well as their mode of operation so that the government can work out a collaboration framework.

In the words of the Minister Early indication of the role you would play and the modus operandi in the structure of governance should be detailed and in a way help government know how to collaborate with you,

Shittu also asked Cisco to make a formal presentation of their proposal to the ministry for necessary considerations. He also itemised the inherent vital opportunities of the ICT Exhibition Park which Cisco could key into such as building good weather measurement devices, shops, database in workplaces to mention a few.

ALSO READ:This initiative wants to bring free wifi to all Nigerian university campuses

Mr Toyin Olatayo who led the Cisco delegation said in his address that their visit to the ministry is to seek for areas Cisco can collaborate with the ministry, to make Nigerias Youths technology creators as opposed to being simply users of it.

Olutayo described the Cisco Networking Academy as an IT Skills and Career building program designed for learning institutions, communities, organizations and individuals. He said, We hope to achieve our mission by converging digital disruptions, building Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem and education through IoT.
The order comes a day after the strongman premier threatened the Cambodia Daily, one of the country's few remaining critical newspapers, with closure over an alleged unpaid tax bill of $6.3 million, calling them "thieves".

In a statement on Wednesday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said foreign employees of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have seven days to leave after the group allegedly failed to formally register or pay correct taxes.

"Authorities are geared up to take the same measures against any foreign association or non-government organisation that fails to abide" by Cambodia's laws, the statement added.

In recent weeks a string of foreign-funded organisations including the NDI have been named in Cambodia's pro-government press or by officials as facing tax or regulatory probes.

Analysts say the cascade of legal cases is straight from the political playbook of Hun Sen, who has cornered opponents throughout his three-decade rule, in the run-up to elections.

Cambodians are due to go to the polls in just under a year, in a poll many expect to be a close-run affair.

Apart from the Cambodia Daily, which is owned by an American, the US-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America have also been legally targeted.

All have denied wrongdoing and said they are being selected for their independent reporting.

In a statement the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia said the Cambodia Daily "has a history of running stories that have angered the government, leading many to believe the tax department is being used to target critics" before the poll.

The NDI, which says it works to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide, has been operating in Cambodia since 1992.

In recent weeks, pro-government media have accused the organisation of helping Cambodia's opposition party to try to topple the government.

The NDI, chaired by former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

But they have previously declared themselves as "strictly non-partisan", adding they also trained many members of Hun Sen's ruling party.

To supporters Hun Sen, one of the world's longest serving leaders, has brought growth and stability to an impoverished country ravaged by decades of war.

But critics say corruption, inequality and rights abuses have also flourished.

In recent years he has grown closer to China while criticising the US, one of Cambodia's largest donors.

In 2015 the government passed a broadly-worded law regulating NGOs. Critics warned the legislation would make it much easier to shutter organisations deemed critical of the government.
"Even when I decided... not to stand (for re-election) I had said I would not retire from political life," the Socialist Hollande, 63, told TV5 Monde television.

The former president on Tuesday said the 39-year-old Macron should not "demand needless sacrifices from the French".

Macron, elected in May, has come under fire for budget and public spending cuts.

The former investment banker launched his presidential bid in August last year, promising to overcome France's entrenched right-left divide.

Hollande had plucked Macron from virtual obscurity to make him his financial advisor before naming him economy minister in 2014.

The former president on Tuesday questioned Macron's moves to "make the job market more flexible than we already have."

He issued the warning as Macron's Labour Minister Muriel Penicaud began meetings with union leaders over labour reforms, an issue that sparked a series of sometimes violent protests across France last year.

On May 14, the day Macron was inaugurated, Hollande said of his own political future "you should never say never in life".

Even if "the temptation to intervene can be great," Hollande said, he did not want to be a "backseat driver" during the first days and weeks of the Macron presidency.

Hollande had record low approval ratings after failing to make good on his pledge to rein in unemployment, which stagnated at around 10 percent throughout most of his five years in office.

He decided in December not to stand for re-election.
It was the insurgents' first major attack since US President Donald Trump announced in Washington late Monday that he was committing American troops to the war-torn country indefinitely.

"A suicide bomber detonated an explosive-filled car in a parking lot near the main police headquarters in ," Omar Zhwak, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand province, told AFP.

"Our initial information shows that five civilians were killed and 25 were wounded, including women and children," he added.

The attack occurred at 8:00 am (0330 GMT) when officials would have been arriving for work and civilians were preparing to lodge inquiries.

Zhwak added that a nearby mosque, which was being used as a madrassa or Islamic religious school, had been been damaged. Children -- aged between five and 12, according to police -- were studying there at the time.

Hospital staff gave a higher figure for wounded.

"We have received 38 wounded -- mostly schoolchildren -- and five dead, including two women and two soldiers," Mauladad Tabihdad, director of hospitals in Helmand, told AFP.

Photos posted on Twitter by Afghan media outlets showed damaged Afghan military Humvee vehicles, including one apparently thrown into a drain by the force of the explosion.

"The car bomb targeted a number of army vehicles parked in the parking lot. We have reports of some casualties to army soldiers," Salam Afghan, a police spokesman, told AFP.

'Covered in blood'

Ismail Jan, whose shop was damaged by the blast, said the explosion happened when a white car rammed into a convoy of six armoured military vehicles as they passed through a checkpoint inside the car park.

"I was thrown [by the blast] and when I got up I saw women and children covered in blood," Jan told AFP.

"I also saw a number of wounded children taken out of a nearby mosque."

The attack occurred a little over 24 hours after Trump cleared the way for thousands more US soldiers to be sent to Afghanistan, reversing earlier pledges to pull out.

The Taliban had called for a complete withdrawal of foreign forces and following Trump's announcement vowed to make the war-weary country a "graveyard" for US forces.

It also came shortly before President Ashraf Ghani called for the Taliban to join peace talks in an address to the nation.

The Taliban quickly claimed Wednesday's attack in a text message sent to journalists. "We targeted army tanks, killing dozens," it read.

Ordinary Afghans have paid a heavy price for the 16-year US-led war and analysts have warned that Trump's renewed commitment could fuel the insurgency and lead to more casualties.

Civilian deaths are at their worst since records began in 2009. In the first half of the year, 1,662 civilians were killed and more than 3,500 injured, according to the United Nations.

The attack was also the latest blow to Afghanistan's beleaguered security forces.

The resurgent Taliban have been ramping up their campaign against government forces, underscoring rising insecurity during the summer fighting season when the warmer weather tends to spur an increase in attacks.

Afghan police and troops -- beset by a high death toll, desertions and non-existent "ghost soldiers" on the payroll -- have been struggling to beat back the insurgents since US-led NATO troops ended their combat mission in December 2014.

Casualties among Afghan security forces soared by 35 percent in 2016, with 6,800 soldiers and police killed, according to US watchdog SIGAR.
Candido Rios, a crime reporter for a regional newspaper, was gunned down outside a convenience store in the eastern town of Hueyapan de Ocampo along with two other people, including a former police inspector, police sources said.

Rios, 55, had been under a government program designed to protect journalists and rights activists from a wave of deadly violence, said Jorge Morales, head of the State Commission for the Protection of Journalists in Veracruz.

More than 100 journalists have been murdered since 2006 in Mexico, one of the deadliest countries in the world for the profession, according to the watchdog group Reporters Without Borders.

More than 90 percent of the killings remain unpunished.

Rios was well-known locally for his decade-long career at the newspaper Diario de Acayucan, where he reported on crime and government corruption and had publicly feuded with several former mayors.

The newspaper's editor, Cecilio Perez, said Rios had received death threats from one former mayor, Gaspar Gomez.

"That mayor used to order him arrested and beaten, and would send him death threats. The threats made him quit journalism for a while, but he came back," Perez told AFP.

Born journalist

Perez described Rios as a born journalist -- a country boy who grew up poor and only finished middle school but talked his way into a job as a local correspondent, with a dual role as newspaper vendor.

Despite his humble background, "Pabuche," as he was known, made a name for himself with hard-hitting, detail-packed reports on organized crime and the misdeeds of public officials.

Perez said Rios was on his way back from writing his daily stories at an internet cafe when he was killed.

The victims also included Victor Acrelio Alegria, an ex-police inspector in Hueyapan de Ocampo, and a third person who had not yet been identified.

The gunmen opened fire with high-powered weapons, killing Acrelio on the spot and badly wounding Rios, who died on the way to hospital, police sources said.

Veracruz, a state dogged by drug cartel wars and corrupt politics, is particularly deadly for journalists: some 20 have been murdered here since 2010.

"Veracruz remains the most dangerous state to practice journalism," said Ana Cristina Ruelas, head of the press rights group Article 19.

"As long as there is no justice in these cases... attacks on the press in Veracruz will continue unabated," she told AFP.

Protection program under fire

Officials did not immediately disclose what sort of protection Rios had received under the so-called Mechanism to Protect Human Rights Defenders and Journalists.

Perez said he had security cameras outside his home.

The federal protection program, launched in 2012, offers different forms of protection ranging from bodyguards to panic buttons for journalists and activists who have been the victims of threats or attacks for their work.

It has been widely criticized for failing to stop the violence, which has only increased since its creation.

Last year was the deadliest yet for journalists in Mexico, with 11 murders.

And 2017 could be on track to surpass it, with 10 killed so far: Cecilio Pineda, Ricardo Monlui, Miroslava Breach, Maximino Rodriguez, Javier Valdez, Salvador Adame, Jonathan Rodriguez, Edwin Rivera, Luciano Rivera and now Rios.

Most of them had been reporting on powerful crime gangs and government corruption.

In May, President Enrique Pena Nieto vowed to strengthen protections for journalists and bring those who attack them to justice.

The pledge was in response to the murder of Valdez, an award-winning crime reporter and AFP contributor, on May 15 in the northwestern state of Sinaloa.

The state has been the scene of a bloody turf war within the powerful Sinaloa Cartel since its boss, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, was extradited to the United States in January.
The number could not be immediately confirmed with independent sources.

Witnesses told AFP multiple air strikes had hit the capital on Wednesday, including at a housing unit for workers from a nearby qat farm. There were reports that members of the Huthi rebel group had been staying in the area.

The war between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-backed rebels has killed more than 8,300 Yemenis since 2015 and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

While the rebel alliance, which includes former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, controls the capital, the pro-government Arab coalition controls Yemen's airspace.

Northern Yemen has come under aerial attack in recent months. In June, 24 civilians were killed when an air strike hit a market in northern Yemen that was a centre for trafficking in qat, a leafy stimulant plant that is widely used in Yemen but banned by neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
Rep. Dana Wachs, an Eau Claire Democrat who announced he will run against Gov. Scott Walker next year, said he was appalled at what a bad deal Walker has negotiated with Foxconn  "from the staggering price tag borne by taxpayers, much of it cold hard cash just given to the company, to lack of protections for workers, our water and air."
Maduro has faced months of deadly mass protests by opponents who blame him for an economic crisis and are demanding elections to replace him.

International pressure has also grown, with US President Donald Trump even saying this month that the United States reserved the option of military intervention in the Venezuela crisis.

Maduro pointedly highlighted his alliance with Russia, which had rejected Trump's recent threat as "unacceptable."

The Venezuelan leader said he wanted to "keep strengthening the military cooperation agreement" between the two countries "for the sovereign defense of Venezuela."

Russia recently sold fighter jets and ground to air missiles to Venezuela.

"Venezuela has the full and absolute support of Russia," he said, adding that he would soon go to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Maduro has called for military drills next weekend as a show of strength after Trump's threat.

The United States has applied economic sanctions directly targeting Maduro.

He says the economic collapse that has dragged his country into crisis is a US-backed conspiracy.

The opposition blames his economic management for the crisis.

Since Maduro was elected in 2013, Venezuela has descended into chaos that has raised fears for regional stability.

The fall in world prices for its oil exports has left it short of dollars for imports of food and medicine.
The couple faces court action by Maduro's allies which they have denounced as politically motivated.

They fled first to Colombia and were bound on Tuesday for Brazil, Colombian migration authorities said.

Both those countries have echoed Ortega and the United States in condemning Maduro's handling of the crisis.

A loyalist of late socialist president Hugo Chavez, Ortega broke ranks with his successor Maduro to become his most high-ranking domestic critic as international pressure on the president mounted.

Ortega, 59, was fired from her post this month after being earlier charged with misconduct by authorities loyal to Maduro.

She and her husband, German Ferrer, fled on Friday after the pro-Maduro Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant against Ferrer for alleged corruption and extortion.

The Venezuelan courts had already frozen Ortega's assets and banned her from traveling abroad.

Call to pope

Maduro has faced months of deadly mass protests by opponents who blame him for an economic crisis and are demanding elections to replace him.

International pressure has also grown, with US President Donald Trump even saying this month that the United States reserved the option of military intervention in the Venezuela crisis.

Maduro on Tuesday called on Pope Francis to help ward off the US "military threat."

"May the pope help us prevent Trump from sending troops to invade Venezuela," Maduro told a news conference.

"I ask for the pope's help against the military threat from the United States."

Vatican-backed talks between Maduro's side and the center right-led opposition broke down last year. But Maduro on Tuesday called for Francis also to "help us establish a respectful dialogue" again.

Corruption claims

Last month, Maduro set up a new constitutional authority packed with his allies, which a few days later removed Ortega from her post.

She hit back on Friday by claiming she had evidence implicating Maduro and his close allies in an international bribery scandal involving Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht.

"They are very worried and anxious, because they know we have details on all the cooperation, amounts and people who got rich," Ortega told a meeting of Latin American prosecutors in Mexico by video conference.

"And that investigation involves Mr Nicolas Maduro and his inner circle."

Maduro counter-attacked on Sunday, alleging on television that Ortega had received money for blocking corruption investigations that he had ordered.

He accused Ferrer of running an "extortion network" in the state prosecution service.

In Brazil, Ortega was scheduled to attend an international prosecutors' conference on Wednesday, the Brazilian state attorneys' office said in a statement.

Opposition alleges repression

Maduro was elected in 2013 after the death of his late mentor Chavez.

Venezuela has since descended into chaos that has raised fears for regional stability.

The fall in world prices for its oil exports has left it short of dollars for vital imports.

Maduro's critics accuse him of clinging to power by hijacking the state institutions amid shortages of food and medicine.

Venezuela's center-right-led MUD opposition coalition accuses security forces of beating and killing protesters.
One of the world's biggest construction companies, Odebrecht has built everything from the Grand Parkway highway in Texas to the Mariel port in Cuba. But the reach of its pay-to-play corruption scheme was no less ambitious.

Here's what we know about the scope and fallout of a scandal first uncovered by Brazilian prosecutors and rippling steadily out across the region.

The department of bribes

Odebrecht, which is a major player in construction, engineering, agriculture and petrochemicals production, exports to more than 100 countries.

Founded in 1944 and employing 128,000 people according to 2015 figures -- a number that plummeted after the corruption scandal broke -- Odebrecht has long been a jewel in Brazil's industrial crown.

However, under the founder's grandson Marcelo Odebrecht the company became known for applying that same ambition and organization to a bribery scheme so vast that it required its own company department and office space.

The way it worked, Odebrecht would bribe Brazilian politicians to get inflated construction contracts at state oil major Petrobras.

Odebrecht was also bribing politicians -- sometimes right into their pockets, sometimes into party campaign slush funds -- to get favorable legislation passed. After enrolling much of the Brazilian political establishment, the company extended its scheme to other countries.

International fallout

Probes have discovered Odebrecht bribery schemes in Mexico, Panama and Peru -- pretty much anywhere in the region where the company sought contracts.

In December, the US Justice Department announced that Odebrecht would pay a $3.5 billion fine -- a record in international corruption cases -- after admitting to paying $788 million in bribes across 12 countries.

In Colombia alone, according to a prosecutor there, Odebrecht paid more than $27.7 million in bribes.

Recent politicians targeted by prosecutors unravelling the scandal include:

- The Dominican Republic's Trade and Industry Minister Juan Temistocles Montas arrested in May;

- A dozen people, including former electricity minister Alecksey Mosquera and an uncle of the vice president, arrested in Ecuador;

- Peru's ex-president Ollanta Humala and his wife Nadine Heredia jailed on money-laundering charges in July;

- A Peruvian newspaper reported in August that opposition leader Keiko Fujimori has also come under suspicion of taking payments from the Brazilian firm;

- Emilio Lozoya, former chief executive at Mexican state oil company Pemex, was ordered in August to answer allegations that he took $10 million in Odebrecht bribes.

The Venezuela angle

The latest twist is the allegation by Venezuela's fugitive ex-chief prosecutor, Luisa Ortega, that President Nicolas Maduro and the strongman's inner circle raked in Odebrecht bribes as their country's economy crumbled.

Ortega, who was fired after emerging as a top critic of Maduro, said the bribe-taking went all the way to the top.

"They are very worried and anxious, because they know we have details on all the cooperation, amounts and people who got rich, and that investigation involves Mr Nicolas Maduro and his inner circle," she told a meeting of Latin American prosecutors in Mexico by conference call last Friday.

In Brasilia on Wednesday, she repeated the allegation, saying she has "a lot" of proof regarding Odebrecht corruption involving Maduro and other top figures.
Although the US military has supported the move -- categorising the proposed weapons as "defensive" in nature -- President Donald Trump has yet to approve it, amid fears it could escalate the conflict.

In meetings with Ukrainian Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak and President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday, Mattis is instead expected to promise continuing non-lethal support and reiterate the US rejection of Russia's annexation of the Crimea peninsula in 2014.

But Ukraine's government still holds out hope for better weapons from the United States.

"From the first day of the Russian aggression we appealed to all countries of the world to help us in the form of lethal weapons. Only Lithuania has given us such help so far," Poltorak told journalists in Kiev on Wednesday.

"We continue to wait and are ready to receive lethal weapons. But it's not our decision, it's that of our partner countries. We very much hope for such support."

The conflict between Russia-backed fighters and Ukrainian troops has killed more than 10,000 people since 2014, when pro-Russian forces occupied parts of eastern Ukraine after Russia annexed Crimea.

It has also become the focal point of severe stresses in the Washington-Moscow relationship. The United States has hit Russia with stiff economic sanctions over the annexation of Crimea and support for Ukraine's rebels.

Ukraine's conflict with Russia has provided a challenge for Trump, who since coming to office has been loath to make strong criticisms of Moscow.

Speaking in Warsaw in July, Trump criticised Russia for its "destabilizing" action in Ukraine. But so far he has not signed off on recommendations from the Pentagon to boost military support to Ukraine to include defensive weaponry.

On Monday Poroshenko spoke with optimism about his upcoming discussions with Mattis.

"I am sure that these negotiations will have an extremely important value for strengthening the defence capacity of our state. Because a friend in need is a friend indeed".

Mattis will join Poroshenko on Thursday in celebrating the 26th anniversary of Ukraine's independence from Russia.
"I would advise not to go and start to swim until we feel it is safe and reasonable enough," Yassin Kargbo, the director general of the city's tourism office, told reporters in Freetown.

He said the city put out the advisory "because of the different debris that came into the water and the likelihood that you (could) get yourself hurt or contaminated by the water".

Kargbo said authorities had discovered 60 bodies on the shore and one survivor, a week after the city was struck by flooding and mudslides that killed nearly 500 people.

At least 600 others are also still listed as missing, according to the Red Cross.

Guinean authorities found three bodies this weekend on the shores of Kaback, a town about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the northern Sierra Leonean border.

The disaster struck on August 14 after Freetown, home to 1.2 million people and the capital of one of the world's poorest countries, had been pounded for three days by torrential rain.

According to the charity Save the Children, the disaster killed 122 children and left 123 orphaned.

Authorities in Sierra Leona have been burying unclaimed bodies in mass graves for the past week in a rush to avoid water-borne diseases such as cholera -- which are a major fear and another reason the country is telling people to stay away from the capital's beaches.

"Most of the debris have been removed," Kargbo said, including palm trees and building materials lying along the beach.

"You can come and have fun," he added, "but I would advise against swimming. The water is still full of mud and other particles that were washed into the sea".
Here is what we know about the men, many of them brothers, who are thought to have planned and carried out the vehicle rampages in Barcelona and the seaside resort of Cambrils that left 15 dead and over 100 injured.

None were known to police for terror-related acts, though some had been involved in petty crime.

DETAINED, IN COURT

Driss Oukabir

Moroccan, in his late 20s. He was arrested Thursday in Ripoll, a town in northern Catalonia where many of the suspects grew up.

His passport was found by police in the van that ploughed into crowds in Barcelona, leaving 13 dead in its wake. He says his ID was stolen.

Mohamed Aallaa

Moroccan, 27, also arrested in Ripoll. Owns the Audi A3 used in the Cambrils attack. His father told AFP he used to lend it to his younger brother Said, who was killed in Cambrils.

Mohamed Houli Chemlal

A Spaniard born in Melilla, a Spanish territory in northern Morocco, thought to be 21.

He was injured in an explosion believed to have been accidentally detonated by the suspects themselves in their makeshift bomb factory in the seaside town of Alcanar.

Salh El Karib

Moroccan, in his 30s. He was also arrested in Ripoll. A friend of Driss, he manages a store that allows people to make calls abroad.

DEAD

Younes Abouyaaqoub

For several days the 22-year-old Moroccan became Spain's most wanted man as the on-the-run driver of the van that ploughed through crowds in Barcelona, killing 13 people.

He is also suspected of having stabbed to death 34-year-old Pau Perez after hijacking his car to make a getaway.

Abouyaaqoub was shot dead by police on Monday after he was sighted in a village not far from Barcelona.

Abdelbaki Es Satty

An imam in Ripoll, 44-years-old. He is suspected of having radicalised the young men in the terror cell.

He died in the explosion in Alcanar, police have confirmed.

He had been in jail for drug trafficking from 2010 to 2014, police said.

He also spent time in the Brussels suburb of Machelen between January and March 2016.

Described by those who knew him as a discreet and religious man, he had recently asked for a holiday from the mosque he was preaching in, apparently to return to Morocco for personal business.

Moussa Oukabir

Initially thought to be the Barcelona attacker, the 17-year-old Moroccan was killed by police in Cambrils after the car he was in hit pedestrians before one suspect jumped out and stabbed a woman, killing her.

Mohamed Hichamy

Moroccan, 24-years-old. He was also killed in Cambrils.

Omar Hichamy

Mohamed's brother, he was also shot in Cambrils. His age has not been released.

Said Aallaa

Moroccan, 18-years-old, one of the men killed in Cambrils. It would have been his birthday on August 25.

"A friend apparently called him on Thursday at 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) and he went out for a drive," Yasmila, a neighbour in Ripoll, told AFP. The Barcelona attack took place at 4:50 pm.

Houssein Abouyaaqoub

The younger brother of Younes, the Barcelona attacker.

An adept climber and skier according to pictures on social media published by Spain's La Sexta television, he too was probably radicalised.

He was also killed by police in Cambrils.

Youssef Aallaa

He has been confirmed dead by police.
Briefing reporters, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made a point of acknowledging that Kim Jong-Un's regime has not carried out any new nuclear or ballistic missile tests since the UN Security Council imposed a new round of tougher sanctions last month.

"I am pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint that we've not seen in the past," Tillerson said.

"We need to see more on their part, but I want to acknowledge the steps they've taken thus far. I think it's important to take note of that."

US officials told AFP that Tillerson was not thanking Pyongyang, nor making any concession on Washington's determination to halt Kim's missile program and negotiate the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

But they said he did want to note what the US administration sees as a lowering in immediate tensions, in the hope that the isolated authoritarian regime will see an opening that could lead to dialogue.

'Ready to restrain'?

Tensions between North Korea and the United States and its allies soared last month after Pyongyang tested two long-range missiles that appeared to bring US cities within its range.

US President Donald Trump vowed to respond with "fire and fury," raising fears of a devastating regional conflict, and the UN Security Council scrambled to impose new punitive measures on the North.

Kim's regime later postponed a threat to fire missiles towards the US Pacific island territory of Guam, and Washington said it would be open to dialogue if Pyongyang were to take steps to calm tensions.

On Tuesday, Tillerson suggested that progress can now be made.

"I think it is worth noting that we have had no missile launches or provocative acts on the part of North Korea since the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution," he said.

"And I want to take note of that. I want to acknowledge it."

"We hope that this is the beginning of this signal that we've been looking for -- that they are ready to restrain their level of tensions, they're ready to restrain their provocative acts and that perhaps we are seeing our pathway to sometime in the near future having some dialogue."

Just before Tillerson alluded to the existence of a carrot to tempt North Korea, however, the US Treasury brandished its stick.

The agency slapped sanctions on 16 Chinese and Russian individuals and companies, accusing them of supporting North Korea's nuclear program and attempting to evade US sanctions.

The sanctions are part of a broader US effort to disrupt the funding of North Korea's weapons programs through its export of natural resources such as coal and minerals and foreign-based financial transactions undertaken for North Korean interests.

"It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

Trump has urged Beijing, North Korea's only major ally, to bring greater pressure to bear in reining in its neighbor's nuclear efforts, suggesting that the United States may offer concessions on trade in return.

But a spokesperson at the Chinese embassy in Washington told AFP "we strongly urge the US to immediately correct its mistake, so as not to impact bilateral cooperation on relevant issues."

"China opposes unilateral sanctions out of the UN Security Council framework, especially the 'long-arm jurisdiction' over Chinese entities and individuals exercised by any country in accordance with its domestic laws."

Targets of sanctions

The sanctions block those targeted from accessing much of the global financial system and freeze any assets they might hold in areas under US jurisdiction.

Among those hit was Russian national Ruben Kirakosyan and his Moscow-based company Gefest-M LLC, which the Treasury accuses of procuring metals for a company involved in North Korea's nuclear weapons program known as Korean Tangun Trading Corp.

Also targeted is China's Dandong Rich Earth Trading, which the United States says has acted on behalf of North Korea's General Bureau of Atomic Energy -- responsible for the North's nuclear program -- and has facilitated prohibited North Korean exports of vanadium ore.

A third company, Mingzheng International Trading Limited, which maintains offices in Hong Kong and mainland China, is in fact a front for Foreign Trade Bank, North Korea's main foreign exchange bank, the Treasury said.
TOWN OF BURLINGTON  A 4-year-old Racine boy drowned on Monday afternoon in Browns Lake, Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling confirmed.

The child went missing at about 5:10 p.m. according to emergency radio transmissions, and was located at about 5:40 p.m.

The child was rushed by Burlington Rescue crews to Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington, dispatch reports indicated. Flight for Life was called to the hospital to be ready to transport the child to Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa if necessary, but ultimately was not utilized, Town of Burlington Fire Chief Ed Umnus said.

In addition to the town Fire Department, Burlington Rescue crews, and Racine County sheriffs officials, the City of Burlington Fire Department and Racine County Dive Team responded to the scene.

Official details were limited on Monday night because the incident was still under investigation, Schmaling said.

I can confirm that we have one child that is deceased. It is very much under investigation at this hour, Schmaling wrote in a message at about 8 p.m. Words cannot express how sorry I am for this familys loss. It just doesnt get any worse than this. This little guy was just starting to create his own childhood memories.

On family outing

Just before 7 p.m. Monday, a Sheriffs Office investigator could be seen interviewing two adults at Fischer Park, where the public beach is located, regarding the incident. One of the women was weeping, with her face in her hands.

About 100 yards away, a group of teenagers and younger children gathered around a picnic table said that the victim had been spending the day with them and their aunt. They said their aunt, who works at the child care facility Moes Learning Academy in Racine, had offered to take the victim and two other young children from the day care with her family to Browns Lake, because the day care was closed for remodeling on Monday.

He went in the water once, and then was playing in the sand. We turned back and he was gone. It happened so fast, said Odalys Tinoco, 15, of Racine.

Umnus said his department received the call at 5:31 p.m. At that point it was just a missing child report.

It was unknown if he was even in the water or in the park somewhere. We were just getting our boat in the water when he was found, Umnus said. He was probably found within 8 or 9 minutes of the call coming in, but it was unknown how long he had missing.
Gov. Bruce Rauner missed an opportunity to make reporting of Illinois outstanding bills and overdue interest more accurate, transparent and accountable when he vetoed the General Assembly approved Debt Transparency Act.

Politics clearly were top of mind for the GOP governor facing a crowded field of Democrats seeking to unseat him in 2018. Indeed, in his message explaining his veto of House Bill 3649, he specifically noted requiring agencies to report bills and outstanding interest to the comptroller every month rather than once per year is an attempt by Comptroller Susana Mendoza to micromanage executive agencies rather than to share information helpful to the monitoring of state government.

We were disappointed, but not surprised by the governors charge. From the beginning, there has been no love lost between Mr. Rauner and the Chicago Democrat who won the job after unseating GOP incumbent comptroller Leslie Munger, Gov. Rauners pick to replace the late Judy Baar Topinka. For her part, Ms. Mendoza rarely seems to miss a chance to poke at the governor, and clearly relishes the opportunity to skewer him or his policies.

But that doesnt lessen this legislations importance, nor does it diminish the overriding need to make it law at last.

Politics aside, this is at its heart a good-government bill that does what a fiscally responsible state ought to have been doing from the beginning. Indeed, past comptrollers, including the late Ms. Topinka, a Republican, and Dan Hynes, a Democrat, championed similar efforts to increase bill reporting and transparency.

The need for both has grown more urgent and the price tag for their absence has grown exponentially as the states pile of unpaid bills has climbed to staggering heights.

The governor also said he is worried about the costs associated with switching to monthly reporting. We worry about the continued high cost of not doing so.

Consider, for example, that the comptrollers office estimated the states unpaid bills at more than $14.7 billion last week. But she -- and the taxpayers responsible for paying the bills -- have no way of knowing for certain how much more actually is owed and how much interest is accruing on our unreported debt because state agencies only are required to tell us once per year.

That often results in last-minute bill dumps which wreak havoc with carefully negotiated tight budgets. Those are hard enough to manage in better days.

We worry that for a state in crisis, they will one day prove catastrophic, especially if Illinois huge and growing unpaid bills and interest costs continue to climb higher.

Its time to end the practice of hiding and holding bills. We continue to believe the Debt Transparency Act will do that. A comfortable majority of lawmakers in both houses agreed. We urge them to set aside political concerns and override the governors veto.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  House Speaker Michael Madigan has canceled a scheduled an Illinois House session that was to vote on Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a school funding bill.

Madigan says he canceled Wednesday's House session so that legislative leaders can continue negotiations on a compromise school funding bill.

The override of an amendatory veto of legislation which changes the way the state pays for schools needs 71 votes. It would nix the changes Rauner made and put into law a new funding model.

Democrats who control the Legislature sent Rauner a plan that ensures no school district gets less than it did last year. Then it funnels new money through an "evidence-based" model to the neediest schools first.

Rauner says it unfairly favors Chicago over the rest of the state. He rewrote it with an amendatory veto. The Senate voted to override Aug. 13.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens on Tuesday halted the scheduled execution of condemned inmate Marcellus Williams after DNA testing raised questions about whether he actually killed.

Just hours before Williams was to be put to death, the Republican governor said in an email that he was issuing a stay of execution. Williams was convicted of fatally stabbing former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Lisha Gayle during a 1998 burglary at her suburban St. Louis home. Williams was to be executed Tuesday evening.

Greitens' decision comes after Williams' attorneys cited DNA evidence found on the murder weapon that matched another unknown person, but not Williams. But St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch said there was ample other evidence to convict Williams, and that there's "zero possibility" he's innocent.

"A sentence of death is the ultimate, permanent punishment," Greitens said in his statement. "To carry out the death penalty, the people of Missouri must have confidence in the judgment of guilt."

Greitens said he will appoint a five-member board of inquiry made up of retired judges with subpoena power. The board will make a recommendation to the governor concerning whether the 48-year-old Williams should be executed. No timetable has been set.

Williams' attorney, Kent Gipson, who had asked Greitens for clemency, said the stay of execution was "the appropriate thing to do." He believes large-scale opposition to the execution was a factor in the governor's decision.

"The people have spoken," Gipson said. "This online petition had a quarter of a million signatures. The case has generated a lot of outrage all over the country and the world."

Gipson also had appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court about concerns over DNA testing of the knife in December using techniques that were not available when the killing occurred. He also cited previous DNA testing of hairs from Gayle's shirt and fingernails that excluded Williams and said footprints at the scene did not match Williams.

But McCulloch said in an interview Tuesday that the DNA tests "were inconclusive" and "can neither include or exclude" Williams as the killer.

"He is the one who committed this murder," McCulloch said. "He made his decision 20 years ago to stay in that house. He heard Lisha Gayle walk down the stairs, and all he had to do was leave. He didn't. And now he has to live with that decision  die with that decision."

After Greitens halted the execution, McCulloch released a statement saying courts have repeatedly upheld Williams' conviction and sentence, and that he's confident the inquiry board and governor "will reach the same conclusion."

Outside Greitens' office in Jefferson City, execution protesters broke into a dance to celebrate the stay. Some wrote a thank-you note to the governor on the spot.

"We are glad that you had the courage as a leader to exercise your power to promote truth and justice," the note read.

Zeke Johnson, senior director of programs at Amnesty International USA, said Williams' case is further evidence the death penalty should be abolished.

"No human being should pay the ultimate price for a cruel and inhumane system so capable of error," Johnson said in a statement.

Death penalty supporters say there's no evidence that an innocent person has been executed in the U.S. But the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago cites at least 39 executions carried out despite what it calls "compelling evidence of innocence or serious doubt about guilt."

Robert Dunham, executive director of the Washington-based Death Penalty Information Center, called Greitens' decision "an important step in ensuring that Missouri does not execute an innocent man." He said executing Williams without further inquiry "would have been intolerable and indefensible."

At the heart of the prosecution's case against Williams was testimony from his former girlfriend and a former cellmate.

In a court filing last week, Assistant Attorney General Michael Spillane wrote that Williams took a bus to the St. Louis suburb of University City, Missouri, on Aug. 11, 1998, looking for a house to break into and chose Gayle's.

Spillane said Williams broke out a window pane to get inside, where he heard water running in the shower. Spillane said Williams went downstairs and found a large butcher knife. When Gayle came downstairs, she was stabbed 43 times. Her purse and her husband's laptop were stolen.

Spillane said Williams stole a jacket to conceal blood on his shirt. Williams' girlfriend at the time, Laura Asaro, later asked him why he would wear a jacket on such a hot day. According to prosecutors, the girlfriend said she later saw the laptop in the car and that Williams sold it a day or two later.

The state also cites testimony from Henry Cole, who shared a cell with Williams for three months in 1999 while Williams was jailed in St. Louis on unrelated charges. Cole told prosecutors that Williams confessed to the killing and offered details about it.

But Gipson said the girlfriend and Cole were both convicted felons who were out for a $10,000 reward.

Gayle, 42, was a reporter at the Post-Dispatch from 1981 to 1992. She left journalism to do social work.

In addition to the murder conviction, Williams is serving consecutive terms of life in prison for robbery, and 30 years each for burglary and weapons crimes.
Celebrating Our Service Members

Friday, November 11 is Veterans Day, when we honor and show gratitude to all members of our Armed Forces  those currently serving, those who...

Transit Equity Starts With QueensLink

For decades Queens has seen a disinvestment in the necessary transit infrastructure the borough needs to promote equity and sustainability. Most of the time, transformative...
CSX late Tuesday said it revised the way it calculates three key service metrics  Train Velocity, Terminal Dwell and Cars Online  to more accurately reflect the companys operational performance.

CSX is transitioning to Precision Scheduled Railroading, which focuses heavily on service to customers and asset utilization, said E. Hunter Harrison, CSX President and CEO, in a release. These revised service metrics give us a more accurate understanding of how we are performing and where there are additional opportunities for improvement. That clarity is essential to achieving our highest potential performance, which will benefit our customers, our employees and our shareholders.

The revised metrics, which are available on the companys website, are defined as follows:

 Train Velocity has been revised to include a trains end-to-end time, and accordingly, speed. The previous definition only counted time on line of road, and excluded intermediate dwell time for crew changes, freight car pick-up or set-off, or other work events at an intermediate yard. The updated definition includes intermediate dwell, reflecting the true speed of a train from origin to destination, and will help identify all opportunities to move trains faster and more reliably from origin to destination. CSX said the inclusion of additional time in train velocity has the effect of reducing speed when compared to the prior methodology.

 Terminal Dwell  CSXs new definition has been expanded to include all car dwell time encountered on an end-to-end trip. The previous definition excluded the amount of time a car spent at a terminal during an intermediate work event if it arrived and departed on the same train. The updated definition includes intermediate car dwell for terminal work events when a car arrives and departs on the same train. This change more accurately reflects all time that a car dwells, and will help identify opportunities to improve asset utilization. The inclusion of these additional dwell events has the effect of reducing terminal dwell when compared to the prior methodology, as intermediate dwell on the same train is often less than dwell events on cars that change trains, which reduces overall average dwell time.

 Cars Online  CSX will now measure the number of active freight railcars on rail lines operated by CSX. The previous definition included all cars that were last reported on a line operated by CSX, which counted several categories of inactive freight railcars, including cars that are being repaired, are in storage, have been sold, or are private cars dwelling at a customer location for more than one day. The exclusion of these inactive car categories enables focus on movement and utilization of active cars on the system. As inactive cars become active again, they will be included in the active cars online count. The change has the effect of reducing the number of cars online when compared to the prior methodology.

The company has also restated 2016 and 2017 train velocity and terminal dwell performance data using the new definitions and is making that data along with 2017 cars online data available on its website, www.csx.com/servicemetrics. It said the new metrics differ from data reported by other U.S. railroads, and are not directly comparable.

These new measures better reflect end-to-end railroad performance, said Harrison. We remain committed to meeting our customers business requirements throughout the transition to Precision Scheduled Railroading and into the future.

CSX, based in Jacksonville, said it will continue its required reporting of EP 724 data to the Surface Transportation Board in the prescribed methodology on a weekly basis.
Investigators seek to put Moscow theater director under house arrest

MOSCOW, August 23 (RAPSI)  The Basmanny District Court has registered a motion filed by investigators in the embezzlement case against the artistic director of the Gogol Center theater, Kirill Serebrennikov, seeking to put the defendant under house arrest, the courts press-service told RAPSI on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the theater director was arrested by law enforcement officers. Investigators believe that Serebrennikov organized embezzlement of 68 million rubles ($1.1 million). He denied wrongdoing.

According to investigators, Serebrennikov developed the Platforma project for promotion of art in 2011 and received allocated funds of 214 million rubles (about $3.6 million) from the Ministry of Culture in 2011-2014.

Investigators believe that Serebrennikov created Seventh Studio stage company to actualize the project and invited former head of the company Yury Itin, ex- general producer Alexey Malobrodsky and former chief accountant Nina Maslyayeva, among others, into organization.

Investigators allege that on request of the theater director Itin, Malobrodsky and Maslyayeva were falsifying data for the Platforma projects plans in 2011-2014. This data was provided to the Ministry of Culture as rationale for financing from the state budget.

Konstantin Dobrynin, senior partner of Russian law firm Pen & Paper, State Secretary of the Russian Federal Chamber of Lawyers, told RAPSI that from the legal perspective there were sufficient grounds to arrest Serebrennikov. He noted that according to media reports, Nina Maslyayeva testified against the defendant and that investigators backed this testimony with documented evidence.

The lawyer added that it was a common scenario for law enforcement agencies to offer deals to defendants, proposing them house arrest instead of detention in exchange for cooperation. Dobrynin believes that these deals may often result in false testimonies, although legally such testimony would still maintain status of official evidence allowing investigators to charge a defendant. This may be the Serebrennikovs case, he said.

Earlier, Maslyayeva, who stands charged with embezzling public funds allocated for promotion of art, has testified against Serebrennikov.

Maslyayeva said that Serebrennikov, Malobrodsky and Itin organized embezzlement of money allocated for a cultural event. Serebrennikov and Malobrodsky cashed the money with the assistance of Maslyayeva. The woman also said that she put falsified data in financial reports.

On May 23, police raided the Gogol Center as part of investigation into the case. Searches have also been conducted in premises of Serebrennikov. Later, he was questioned as a witness in the case.
Ex-court secretary arrested for alleged attempt to cancel sentence given to lawmaker

ST. PETERSBURG, August 23 (RAPSI)  Former secretary of the Oktyabrsky District Court of St. Petersburg Alexander Eyvazov has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to cancel sentence given to a municipal lawmaker Timofey Kungurov, RAPSI learnt from the Investigative Committees St. Petersburg Department on Wednesday.

Investigators say that on November 15 of 2016 Eyvazov acted as the secretary at the hearings in a criminal case against Kungurov and was responsible for keeping record of the trial. However, he did not sign the court record on time.

In accordance with the Russian Criminal Procedure Code, Eyvazov had to produce and sign the court record within three days. Investigators believe that having personal enmity with the judge in the case he wanted to cancel the sentence. Investigators allege that he failed to complete his task on purpose and caused insurmountable obstacles for justice.

Judge Irina Kerro reviewed a case against Timofey Kungurov, a municipal lawmaker charged with attempted fraud. Sentence against Kungurov was not cancelled because the judge complained about Eyvazov to a law enforcement agency. Kungurov was found guilty and sentenced to 1.5 years in a penal colony.
President Donald Trump has announced the results of his comprehensive review of U.S. strategic options in Afghanistan and South Asia and  as many have already noted  they are uninspiring. Sixteen years of war leads to bouts of soul-searching, but it seems we aren't obliged to turn up any new thinking in the search.
In May, when China organised a major summit in Beijing around its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, also known as 'One Belt, One Road', or OBOR), one invited country was completely absent: India. In response to queries, New Delhi issued only a short statement that underscored the benefits of 'enhanced physical connectivity' but listed a set of criteria that such initiatives must follow. These included avoiding 'unsustainable debt,' taking into account 'environment protection,' making a 'transparent assessment of project costs,' guaranteeing the transfer of 'skill and technology' to local communities, and respecting 'sovereignty and territorial integrity.'

The message was clear: BRI did not satisfy these requirements. India's concerns have since been partially echoed by other major countries and companies including the European Union, the United States, and Japan.

There are certainly reasons to be somewhat sceptical about BRI's future success. There are gaps between the sums promised and delivery on the ground. New investment commitments might bedeclining. Chinese companies have often struggled in new operating environments. Much of the financing has gone to pet projects or constituencies of local leaders. Chinese initiatives have sometimes resulted in popular protests (and occasionally violent opposition) in Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and East Africa. And Beijing's propensity to sweep many existing initiatives under the BRI umbrella or shower state support on nominally-linked projects tends to inflate its importance. Despite the bold public face, some Chinese analysts and businesspeople acknowledge these deficiencies in private.

India's concerns with BRI are specific. One set of issues relates to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Not only does this transit territory claimed by India, thus dropping any pretence of Chinese neutrality between India and Pakistan (and, from India's perspective, violating Indian sovereignty)  it threatens to connect what have so far been two different theatres for India. Furthermore, New Delhi is concerned that Pakistan's overdependence on China could turn it into a client state. While some in Washington may be reassured by China assuming greater responsibility for Pakistan's stability, New Delhi believes that with few exceptions, China has not played a stabilising role in South Asia.

The second set of Indian concerns relate to the Maritime Silk Road, where India perceives many commercial projects being potentially used for military purposes. Djibouti now hosts China's first overseas military facility, the port of Gwadar is evolving into a Chinese outpost, and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) already utilises Karachi and the Seychelles for replenishment and refuelling. The creeping militarisation of port investments in other countries, from East Africa to South and Southeast Asia can no longer be ruled out. Sri Lanka (whose government admits to being stuck in a 'gigantic debt trap') represents the most obvious case of unsustainable Chinese debt being translated into Chinese control of a port, though Sri Lankan authorities have to assured India that it will still not be used for military purposes. As an indication of its sensitivities about India's concerns, Sri Lanka recently refused permission for a Chinese submarine to dock in Colombo.

A case could be made that BRI's hype and flaws mean that it should not be a cause for concern for New Delhi. But national security policy has to account for a variety of scenarios. Given that BRI directly impinges upon India's neighbourhood policy, counter-terrorism objectives, desire for a stable balance of power in Asia, and ability to shape global institutions and norms, it arguably presents the greatest single challenge to India's foreign policy. Just glance at a map: from India's perspective, Belt and Road looks a lot like a noose.

India's options

So what is India doing about this? The idea that India can (or should) compete directly with China overlooks important constraints on India's part.

One is that India simply has fewer resources to commit: China's GDP is 4.8 times larger (2.4 times when adjusted for purchasing power parity).

Two, India's outward investment is mostly private sector-led. Like most US or European companies, Indian businesses are unlikely to invest in unprofitable or risky overseas ventures, let alone take direction from the government (state-owned energy companies represent a partial exception.)

A third factor is, of course, that India's infrastructure has traditionally been shabby, although that's gradually changing  the airports in Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad are now world-class, and the same goes for certain small stretches of highway and bridges. India's cities now boast seven metro rail networks and another seven are under construction. Ports, oil refineries, and massive solar plants are starting to dot the Indian landscape. The trouble is that these successes remain exceptions, and are isolated to small pockets of the country. India's infrastructure companies are also over-leveraged, and reluctant to spend more quickly, constraining near-term expansion. Moreover, India's project management record overseas has historically been poor.

Despite its smaller resource base, commercial concerns, and infrastructural limitations, India has undertaken a number of important and often overlooked steps to respond to respond to BRI. The first is a refocus on its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, in part to ensure that BRI does not compromise the security of India's periphery. The idea is to go the extra mile and establish disproportionately important and non-reciprocal relationships with its smaller neighbours. Effectively, this means extending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for domestic development ('Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' or 'collective efforts, inclusive growth') to India's neighbourhood.

In practice, this has required giving much more diplomatic attention to India's neighbours. Over the past three years, India's Prime Minister has made significant visits to Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Seychelles, and Mauritius  in some cases multiple times. Today, those countries all have governments committed to deepening relations with India. Another element involves foreign aid. In 2012, India set up an aid agency (the Development Partnership Administration) that overseas about $1 billion in annual grants, mostly to South Asia and Africa. It has begun or completed some significant regional infrastructure connectivity initiatives, including a major dam and highway in Afghanistan, electricity transmission with Nepal and Bangladesh, and housing projects and railways in Sri Lanka. India has also demonstrated its ability to provide swift humanitarian assistance, including in recent years to Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives. New Delhi provides technical assistance to other South Asian states and has tried to reinvigorate regionalism.

Indian Ocean focus

There's been a particular focus on the Indian Ocean, from East Africa to Malacca Straits and beyond. India has committed to develop 'infrastructure' on islands in Mauritius and the Seychelles, and link those countries to an existing India-Sri Lanka-Maldives maritime security cooperation mechanism focused on maritime domain awareness. India already has longstanding arrangements with the Seychelles for surveillance of its Exclusive Economic Zone and has provided Mauritius with an offshore patrol vessel. Ensuring that security competition remains dampened in India's immediate neighbourhood, including the Indian Ocean, has become a high priority.

Secondly, India has had to get serious about regional connectivity, particularly eastwards, if it is to play an appropriate economic and commercial role in Asia. ASEAN is now India's fourth-largest trading partner, but India still punches below its weight in Southeast Asia's commercial mix. It does not help that India has traditionally underdeveloped its Northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, impeding commercial activity with the region. The 2015 Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh and the opening up of Myanmar have presented new opportunities. Furthermore, India-ASEAN efforts have received a major push this year, culminating in an invitation to all 10 ASEAN leaders to participate in India's 2018 Republic Day celebrations.

At least three major connectivity initiatives are of particular importance, although all have struggled. One is the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, from Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot on the Myanmar-Thailand border. Once completed, it will link up with a highway that extends to Vietnam's South China Sea coast. A second initiative, the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, links Sittwe in Myanmar to the Indian state of Mizoram, connecting India's Northeast to the Bay of Bengal. This project is overdue and over-budget, but is seeing progress. Finally, efforts are being explored to link Chennai to the port of Dawei in Myanmar, which is being developed by Thailand and Japan. These efforts are positive but may not be sufficient  for example, air links between India and Southeast Asia, particularly the likes of Myanmar and Vietnam, remain poor. But IMT, Kaladan, and Chennai-Dawei represent some of the efforts underway to connect India to Southeast Asia, and facilitate a commercial rebalancing for Southeast Asia away from an overdependence on China.

A third element of India's response to BRI involves partnerships with other countries that share its concerns. In terms of security partnerships, India has made significant strides with the United States, Japan, and Australia. It now conducts regular naval exercises with all three countries, and participates in high-level bilateral and trilateral (India-US-Japan and India-Japan-Australia) dialogues. The level of coordination on security matters between these countries is now considerable. India also supports Southeast Asian militaries in various ways, whether through technological assistance to Myanmar, training to Vietnamese combat pilots and submarine sailors, access to facilities for Singaporean military exercises, or coordinated maritime patrols with Indonesia. But beyond security cooperation (which builds capacities, improves interoperability, and facilitates information exchange) India has started to coordinate with certain countries on BRI specifically. Japan's efforts have, to date, received the most attention, particularly with the recent unveiling of a vision document for an Asia-Africa Growth Corridor that had been discussed previously by the Indian and Japanese prime ministers.

CPEC continues to loom large

Will these steps  dampening security competition in India's neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean, connecting more purposefully into Southeast Asia, and cooperating with partners in the Indo-Pacific on security and infrastructure  be enough to address India's BRI concerns? Possibly not. India may have the ability, willing partners, and natural geographical advantages to offset some of its concerns in the maritime domain, and the close nature of New Delhi's relationships with the likes of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka is often underappreciated.

However, CPEC represents an altogether different challenge, given how little leverage India enjoys with Pakistan. There is a possibility that China's efforts in Pakistan will fail, and that the project may even aggravate tensions between Beijing and Islamabad. There is also a chance, more remote, that it might create new incentives for Pakistan to evolve into a more responsible member of the international community. But a growing political-military nexus between the two countries, as currently seems likely, will further aggravate security competition with India. Reluctantly, New Delhi is now having to come to terms with that prospect.
The isolated African state of Eritrea has long held the unflattering reputation for being the North Korea of Africa. This nickname reflects the closed nature of the country, the opacity of what goes on within its borders, and the level of authoritarian control exercised by the government. Occasionally, a foreign news outlet will pick up a new story about Eritrea, based off of a development that reaches the international communitys attention, or through information that comes to light thanks to refugees or exiles. Lately, however, the frequency of such stories has seemed to increase, prompting some to wonder whether the traditionally cloistered country is becoming more open.

One piece of evidence that suggests a more open Eritrea was the acceptance of an aid shipment from the United Nations -- the first of its kind in more than 10 years. This particular shipment came from the U.N. World Food Programme through the Massawa Port in order to reach South Sudan. Reuters, citing a Western diplomat in Eritrea, reports that the usage of the port is a sign that Eritrea is softening its borders, and there is hope that this strategically situated port can aid the movement of goods between the Middle East and Africa.

Another development was the recent naming of Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Modernist City of Africa is notable for its Art Deco and Futurist architecture, its cafe culture, and its Italian colonial heritage. Some interpret the Eritrean governments willingness to engage with UNESCO as a sign that it might be more open to visitors, and that the government may even be trying to attract tourists. Unsurprisingly, due to its isolation, Eritrea has had one of the lowest rates of tourism of any country in the world (potentially as few as 1,000 in 2015, although estimates vary). Yet the government involved itself in promoting Asmaras UNESCO bid, likely in an effort to change the image of the capital city and heighten Eritreas status on the world stage.

Despite these signs that Eritrea may be testing the waters of international engagement, there is only so much that any outsider could know about the workings of this small, closely guarded country. The hope is that looser restrictions, more open borders, and invigorated efforts to attract tourism will allow more journalists to access the country, which will in turn bring more knowledge about the political and social realities on the ground -- and perhaps more political and economic engagement. This process will likely take a long time, however, and remains distant at present.

There exists among the international community a great deal of confusion about Eritrea. Information from the government cannot be trusted as accurate, and it is rare to find voices from the inside that are willing to share their experiences due to tight state controls, restrictions on freedoms, and very legitimate fears of reprisal. Common themes regarding Eritrea get played over and over again whenever the country is mentioned in the international press: the hope of promising Eritrean athletes who use sport to reach the outside world; the stunning architectural remains left behind by Italian colonization; terrible human rights violations; and the curiosity sparked by the very lack of information we have about Eritrea. Recent additions to the narrative, such as the naming of Asmara as a UNESCO site, only add to the mystique.

In the meantime, human-rights violations in Eritrea remain of urgent concern. Eritrean citizens face open-ended military conscription and forced labor, and the country has been repeatedly censured by the Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch. Due to the difficulties associated with gaining information from inside Eritrea, relatively little reporting has been done on these issues, and even less action taken to address them.

The Eritrean government certainly has reason to be reluctant about opening up to the international community and exposing the magnitude of its failure to govern humanely. Increased transparency in Eritrea, however minute, is a positive development. There is optimism that with added open borders, more trade, and increased information sharing, the international community could gain access to more Eritrean voices. Increased interaction could lead to better understanding of the political, economic, and social dynamics present in the country, which is critical for crafting more effective policy.
President Donald Trump came into office with a promise of putting America first in his foreign policy. The announced plan for Afghanistan and the region makes it look like he is serious in delivering on that commitment. Still there is much more on the president's to-do list.

Back to Basics

What our president meant when he promised to put America First was not isolationism or going it alone in the world. He meant he would put the interests of what's best for Americans as the first measure of good foreign and defense policy.

He certainly seems to have held good on that promise so far. He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to NATO which is crucial to the stability of Western Europe. He took the fight to ISIS in the Middle East. Trump stood tough against North Korea. Now he has chosen to stick it out in Afghanistan.

There are two U.S. interests in the country that make an American effort worthwhile. First, it is in America's interest to keep Afghanistan from becoming a source of regional instability. Second, as a matter of self-preservation we should work to prevent the country from being used as a platform for transnational terrorism.

The president's strategy looks reasonably designed to achieve both of those goalssustaining an effort that could well last over the next seven and a half years of a Trump presidency.

No Timeout

Still, now that the White House has settled on a suitable and responsible strategy, the tasks of the Oval Office are far from over. There are several top issues that the administration needs to settle in short order.

Next, Trump needs to flesh out, before November, a long-term plan for dealing with Iran.

The Oval Office must settle on the rest of its Middle East strategy. This includes dealing with ISIS 2.0, al Qaeda affiliates, our policy towards the hot spots of Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Somalia, as well as keeping countries like Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq stable.

Additionally, the White House needs to round out its effort to defeat transnational criminal networks rooted in Central America.

Our president must also circle back to Western Europe, mapping out what comes after reassuring NATO. More NATO expansion? Trade? Russia? The INF treaty?

And then there is filling out the white space in how the United States will compete with China over the long termnot just in the South China Sea, but in the Indian Ocean and along the Belt and Road.

Further, the White House needs to fill out its political team so that the president can implement the agenda he will put in place over the next few months.

Finally, Trump still has to deliver on the promise of rebuilding a peace through strength military.

After the speech the only advice I have for the president is get back to workthere is so much more foreign and security policy to be done.
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Price: $ 99 Seller State of Residence: Maryland City: Cantil State/Province: California Property Address: Dirt road off Munsey Road Zip/Postal Code: 93519 Zoning: Residential Location: 935**, Cantil, California

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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/23/2017



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

lost Danielle Maltby but gained Sarah Vendal and Dominique Alexis during Tuesday night's Season 4 broadcast on ABC.The episode began where Monday night's broadcast had left off, with Amanda Stanton telling the cameras that Dean Unglert 's pursuit of Danielle Lombard was "insensitive" to Kristina Schulman , who was fighting for their relationship and dealing with insecurity and confusion due to Dean's inconsistent affection. Matt Munson felt Kristina and Dean could connect on a deeper level and were a good fit. Meanwhile, Raven Gates was hoping to advance her romance with Adam Gottschalk after giving him a rose at the prior Rose Ceremony.However, Raven's friend Sarah Vendal then arrived at the Playa Escondida resort in Mexico with a Date Card. Jack Stone thought Sarah had a fun and bubbly personality, and Ben Zorn thought she was beautiful. Raven, however, knew Sarah had eyes for Adam because when production was shut down for almost two weeks, the girls had spent a night with Adam in Dallas and Raven woke up the next morning to find Sarah and Adam cuddling.Since Raven and Sarah were good friends, the dynamic was a little awkward. Adam told Sarah that while Raven was "a great girl," he would "of course" say yes to a date if she decided to ask him out.Sarah felt guilty about her feelings for Adam considering Raven was getting to know him, but Raven gave the bachelorette her blessing to enjoy a date with Adam.But the majority of the cast in Paradise attempted to convince Sarah to take Ben out on a date.Everyone was gushing about how wonderful Ben was, as well as sweet and cool. Sarah questioned, however, why none of the other girls were going after Ben if he was so amazing. The group was selling Ben hard, telling Sarah that he'd make for a great father and husband.Ben and Sarah got a chance to talk afterwards, and Ben appeared to only talk about his dog back home. Sarah wasn't exactly seeing fireworks during their conversation, so she went with her gut and asked Adam out instead.Adam went into the date with an open mind and heart, regardless of how the invitation was going to affect Raven.At the start of Adam's date, he accidentally -- and hilariously -- called Sarah "Rachel" in a confessional and started cracking up.Adam then told Sarah at dinner that he had a history of jumping into relationships too fast without feelings being reciprocated. Sarah said they had a lot on common because she also goes "all in" to romances and takes risks, often to be disappointed by the men she's interested in.Sarah thought she and Adam had great chemistry, and Adam was optimistic because he said Sarah had something Raven lacked, some type of energy. Adam told Sarah that he would've asked her out in the real world if the opportunity presented itself, and Sarah seemed grateful Adam would have called her after their encounter in Dallas.Sarah noted that her experience in Paradise so far was like a Nicholas Sparks book unfolding in real life.Meanwhile, Danielle M. wasn't feeling a connection with anyone. The only person she was potentially interested in was one of her best friends from back home, Wells Adams the bartender, whom she called "totally dateable." Danielle and Wells jokingly agreed to marry each other in five years if they were both single.With the second Rose Ceremony right around the corner, Raven pointed out that there were 11 girls and eight guys, so the guys would be handing out the roses and three bachelorettes would be going home.Lacey was one of the women who had yet to establish a romantic connection with anybody, and she assumed no guy cared about her enough to give her a rose and keep her around. Lacey felt down in the dumps -- until she received a Date Card.Lacey talked to all the guys in Paradise and ultimately determined Kenneth "Diggy" Moreland should accompany her on the date because they had potential for romance. Lacey was looking for a boyfriend, not just a male friend, so she knew what she wanted.For the date, 's famous former bartender, Jorge, led the couple on a horseback ride along the beach. The trio then enjoyed champagne on the beach and Jorge revealed it was the spot where his parents had conceived him. Lacey and Diggy were apparently feeling weird with Jorge's constant presence on their date, so Diggy asked if they could have some time alone.With that being said, Lacey and Diggy engaged in good conversation and shared a sweet kiss. Diggy said Lacey was a "great girl," and Lacey hoped this was the start of something really good between them.Back at the resort, Wells revealed to Jack that he and Danielle M. actually went on a date four years ago but became such good friends that neither of them ever crossed the friendship line again in fear of ruining their special bond. It was clear, however, that Wells deeply cared for the neonatal nurse, whom he said was "way too good" for him and out of his league.Wells said Danielle M. was one of the best people he knew, and she felt the same way about him.But since Wells wasn't allowed to date in Paradise, Danielle M. decided to leave in order to go on a mission trip to Africa to help children.Shortly after Danielle M. made that decision, Dominique arrived at the resort, and Adam said she looked like "a tropical princess." Ben agreed Dominique was "looking good," and Diggy never seemed so excited in Paradise. Lacey knew Dominique was a threat because she wasn't in a relationship with Diggy yet. Taylor Nolan and Dominique are also close friends, so Lacey worried Taylor would talk Diggy into going out with Dominique. Lacey didn't think Taylor liked her for some reason.Taylor did, in fact, convince Diggy to ask out Dominique because they both have such great style and personalities, but her match-making effort wasn't intended to be at Lacey's expense. Taylor later cleared the air with Lacey, but Lacey wanted the cast members to stay out of each other's business.Dominique did eventually ask Diggy on her date, and Diggy didn't even bother to check in with Lacey first. Lacey cried in frustration because she said there was a 0.5 percent chance of the new couple not getting along. Lacey wished she had given her rose to Nick Benvenutti because he had left the show angry at her.Lacey was starting to think her trip to Mexico wasn't worth it, and she was upset about not finding the right person for her.On Diggy and Dominique's date that night, Diggy noted thought she looked amazing with her killer smile, braids and "popping" nose ring. Diggy felt like a king next to this woman, and he assured Dominique that there was really nothing going on between Lacey and himself because they were simply on "two different wavelengths."Diggy and Dominique ate strawberries and ended up sharing a steamy kiss before sitting in a steamy hot tub. Diggy looked forward to seeing what could develop in Paradise, and Dominique gushed to the cameras about how the bachelor swept her off her feet and gave her "butterflies." Dominique was digging Diggy!Danielle M. was then shown departing Paradise. She vented about how she hadn't called a man her "boyfriend" in six years, but she had no intention to settle. Jack and Ben were sad to see the bachelorette go because she's beautiful and kind, but neither of them really had a romantic connection with her.Danielle M. wished she had more time with Wells, but that wasn't the case. The bartender then walked her out of the resort, telling the cameras first that she is so "nice and cute and bubbly."While hugging her goodbye and saying she deserved to find love on this show, Wells went in for a big kiss. Wells said it "sucked" that Danielle M. had to leave because she's one of the best people he knows.On her way out of Paradise, Danielle giggled to the cameras about how Wells' kiss was completely unexpected, and she called it a "surreal moment" -- in addition to revealing that Wells was a good kisser."I'll have some things to talk about when I get back [to Tennessee]," Danielle M. said in her final words.
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/21/2017



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.
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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Jamie Otis and Doug Hehner have welcomed their first child into the world.Jamie, 31, gave birth to a daughter, Henley Grace, on Tuesday, August 22, just a couple of days before her due date."I've never been more in love. @henleygracehehner, you're mommy's everything," Jamie captioned an Instagram photo on Tuesday of the baby's hand resting on her finger.Henley was born at 5:24AM and weighed eight pounds and two ounces, People reported. She also measured 20.2 inches long."Mommy and baby are doing well and Daddy is in pure bliss," Jamie's representative told the magazine.The pair also created an official Instagram account for their little bundle of joy and posted a photo of 33-year-old Doug holding Henley underneath a blanket on Tuesday."Wrapped around my daddy's finger already. #skintoskin #daddysgirl #newborn," read the photo's caption.Jamie and Doug's gender reveal party aired as part of a Married Life special on FYI in late April. Two months prior, the reality TV couple revealed why the name Henley sounded like a great option for their baby on the way."When Doug and I first got married -- we were married at first sight, so we didn't obviously know each other very well -- and the first morning, we wake up and he goes, 'You're Jamie Nicole Otis, and I'm...' 'Douglas Edward Henley?'" Jamie recalled.Jamie first revealed she was pregnant with a "rainbow baby" in January, which was six months after she and Doug lost their first child, a son named Johnathan, while she was four months pregnant in 2016.Jamie discovered she was expecting again on December 20, 2016, which ironically just so happened to be Johnathan's due date.Jamie and Doug met on Season 1 of in 2014, two years after Jamie competed for the heart of Ben Flajnik on Season 16 of ABC's The Bachelor in 2012.The New Jersey residents decided to stay married at the end of the six-week experiment and then proceeded to star on their own spinoff, : The First Year in 2016.
'Underestimating its potential implications, in the event of an 'adverse' verdict, could turn out to be a huge political blunder,' says Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir.

'You have saved Kashmir for India.'

That was how a greatly relieved Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru instantly responded to the telephonic report flashed to him by his Intelligence Bureau chief B N Mullick, on January 4, 1964, that Prophet Mohammad's holy (hair) relic stolen from the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar had been recovered.

Fifty-three years later, today, a similar situation, sparked by the furious controversy over the fate of Article 35A of the Constitution of India is ominously spiraling towards a point where one might have to face the inevitable question: Who is it going to be, this time, to 'save Kashmir for India', if and when it comes to that.

With each passing day, that troubling possibility is nearing the dreaded probability.

The 1964 incident was perceived here to be a sinister attack on the 'faith' while the present challenge to the technical legitimacy of Article 35A is seen as a disguised assault on the 'existence' of the demographic status of India's only Muslim majority state.

Massive eruption of public anger, in 1964, across the valley and its shock waves across the subcontinent had shaken the citadels of power and authority between Srinagar and New Delhi and overturned the local political landscape.

The unresolved mysterious theft of the holy relic on the night of December 26-27, 1964 and its equally mysterious recovery a week later, on January 4, both remain shrouded in mystery till this date. Lingering dormant fears on that account are now coming to the surface.

As in the case of the holy relic, surging sentiment over the issue of Article 35A cuts across all divisions: Political, ideological and sectarian.

Existence of this controversial proviso, vulnerable to widely divergent technical interpretation, is commonly understood to be crucial to safeguarding Jammau and Kashmir's existing demographic status.

People here perceive some design behind seemingly a stray legal challenge to the Constitutional legitimacy of Article 35A. This move is generally feared to be the proverbial thin end of the wedge. Hence, the stiff resistance.

The hotly debated issue is fast gathering momentum as the scheduled day of the hearing (August 29) of the writ petitions by the apex court draws near.

It has left no segment of Kashmiri society untouched.

From lavish wedding gatherings to austere congregations, from shop fronts to spacious convention halls, there is only one topic of discussion -- Article 35A, precisely its fate.

It is as if a huge calamity is about to befall the 'paradise on earth'.

There is no doubt that this raging debate has dismantled traditional lines of division across the board.

Usual politics and ideology have receded into the background.

Traditional bickering across the divide has vanished into thin air.

Only Article 35A remains on the menu.

Outline of this build up resembles the 1964 scenario which had culminated in the overthrow of a decade-old unpopular (G M Bakshi) regime, never to be seen again.

All the symbols and signs of that regime were consumed in the fury of the agitation over the holy relic theft.

Yet another commonality between the holy relic incident in 1964 and the present controversy over Article 35A lies in their fallout that goes far beyond their declared immediate objectives.

Recovery of the stolen holy relic did not end the mass unrest. Ironically, it got aggravated.

The row over Article 35A has aroused quite a few dormant fears that are likely to linger long after the main issue is decided, one way or the other.

To recall the connected events, mass protests continued to rock the valley even after recovery of the stolen holy relic on January 4, 1964, a week after its disappearance from the sanctum santorum of the Hazratbal shrine.

Devotees demand its proper identification by a competent religious authority which then was easier said than done,

At that stage, the overall command of the ground situation in Kashmir was held by then Union home secretary V Vishwanath who set up his headquarters in Srinagar.

His bureaucratic narrow approach sparked a more dangerous controversy after he arrogantly declared that those demanding identification of the recovered holy relic would be viewed and dealt with as 'agents of Pakistan'.

His shoot-at-sight orders resulted in avoidable casualties (a rare phenomenon those days, unlike now).

As the situation escalated, the political leadership in New Delhi got into the act and Lal Bahadur Shastri was rushed to Srinagar.

Ultimately, it was his sagacity that 'saved Kashmir', as it were.

Shastri, over ruled the Vishwanath-led bureaucracy and conceded the demand for proper identification of the holy relic by respected local religious personalities.

That was a fraught move as well, but a lesser evil in the given difficult situation.

The situation demanded calculated risk and in the end it did pay.

Acute tension and suspense over the possible outcome of the holy relic identification literally paralysed life in the valley.

From Srinagar to Delhi, everyone waited with bated breath.

It was like the dread of watching a violently pulsating volcano.

The scene on the ground abruptly changed to relaxation and rejoicing after the priests declared the recovered relic to be the original one.

The valley was back from the brink.

An unassuming Shastri's political sagacity made all the difference. He instantly won the hearts of Kashmiris.

A similar surcharged atmosphere is building up in the valley over Article 35A.

Suspense over its fate is thickening by the day.

The Narendra D Modi government's silence in the matter is an aggravating factor and fuels all sorts of fears.

Fears on this account cut across all lines and, like in 1964, the momentum of the sentiment is galvanising emotions on the ground.

The surcharged emotional/political atmosphere in Kashmir virtually leaves no room for even contemplating the possibility of an adverse verdict -- invalidation of Article 35A that safeguards the maharaja's 1927 'state subject' law.

Non-state subjects are barred from buying land or settling here permanently.

Fears on this account were aggravated with the Bharatiya Janata Party's coming to power at the Centre and later sharing power in this state.

That is an added reason for mounting tension this time although it is not for the first time that Article 35A is being challenged.

Earlier (non-BJP) governments in New Delhi had directly intervened and managed to ward off the adverse political fallout of stray writ petitions filed in the apex court.

Legal/Constitutional opinion on the issue is sharply divided outside Kashmir.

The crucial factor is said to be the 'legitimacy' (or otherwise) of Article 35A as being a part of the Constitution of India without Parliament ever having adopted it.

On the other side, the argument is that its direct linkage with Article 370 (granting special Constitutional status to Jammu and Kashmir) bestows legitimacy as well as unchallengeable permanency to Article 35A.

Be that as it may, the issue is dragging Kashmir to the brink, ominously like that in 1964.

Underestimating its potential implications, in the event of an 'adverse' verdict, could turn out to be a huge political blunder.

IMAGE: The Jammu and Kashmir government has said it will protect the special status granted to the state under the Constitution.

'We are here to safeguard and protect Article 370 and Article 35A,' then law minister Basharat Bukhari told the J&K assembly on October 6, 2015. Photograph: Umar Ganie
'When someone gives you one kilo of gold you have some obligations to them.'

IMAGE: AIADMK MLAs from the T T V Dinakaran group at the memorial for the late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa at Marina beach, Chennai, on the night of August 21, 2017. Photograph: PTI Photo

R Nataraj is the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLA from Mylapore, a former director general of police who doesn't hesitate to call a spade a spade.

When the AIADMK broke up following then chief minister J Jayalalithaa's death last December, Nataraj chose to side with the O Panneerselvam faction and remained steadfast through the last six months.

Now with the unified party, Nataraj spoke to Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar about AIADMK Deputy General Secretary T T V Dinakaran's faction, members of which on Tuesday, August 22, met Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to protest against the merger, and what the future holds.

What do you have to say about the T T V Dinakaran group's meeting with the governor?

I really don't know what he is doing and why he is doing this.

He is the one who said both factions should come together and now that we are together, he is making other demands.

Will your party push to disqualify the 19 rebel MLAs from his group under the anti-defection law?

No! We will not do anything drastic like that.

When the body has some problems, you vomit. That is what is happening now.

We are vomiting all the poison out.

Once that comes out, then the body, in this case the party, will be alright.

Are you serious about expelling Dinakaran and his aunt V K Sasikala from the AIADMK?

You see, first we will have to call a general council meeting and then expel them.

Second, they can challenge the calling of the general council saying I am the general secretary and only I can call a meeting and so the meeting is illegal.

They will go to court and this will drag on.

We will have to find a more amicable way.

Why do you think these 19 MLAs have reacted like this?

Let me tell you that before they went to Koovathur (MLAs from the Sasikala faction stayed at a resort in Koovathur in February to prevent poaching by the OPS camp) they dressed up normally.

After they came back from Koovathur most of them are wearing a lot of gold.

When someone gives you one kilo of gold, you have some obligations to them.

Once they get over that, they will come back to normal.

But the government buys liquor from Sasikala's liquor companies. Will you stop that too?

They have many businesses in Tamil Nadu.

Liqour is the cash cow. If they actually want to sever all ties with her, they can do that too.

The government can do many things. They will think and do what is necessary.
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad is likely to represent the party at Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav's rally in Patna on Sunday.

Sources said the Congress supports the RJD and its rally and will be adequately represented, but the Gandhis are unlikely to attend it.

"The Congress supports the RJD and the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad will be attending the August 27 rally of Lalu Prasad in Patna," said a senior party leader.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had earlier indicated that he might be present at the Patna rally as Lalu has been a long-time friend and supporter of the Gandhis.

Their presence at his rally, however, may affect its prospects as Lalu and his son are embroiled in cases of corruption, analysts said.

Lalu is attempting a major show of strength after he was ousted from the Bihar government with the Janata Dal-United moving out of the grand alliance and joining back the National Democratic Alliance fold and the government with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Earlier in the day, Lalu said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and rebel JD-U leader Sharad Yadav would attend his rally in Patna on August 27 and Mayawati's absence from the event was not a 'setback'.

"I had a talk with Mayawati. She said senior BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) leader Satish Mishra would come for the rally," he told reporters.

The RJD chief said senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and C P Joshi would also attend the rally with a message from Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Asked about the chances of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi attending the event, Lalu said, "He could also be there."

He also claimed that Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and rebel JD-U leader Sharad Yadav would be on the dais that day.

At the time of announcing the 'BJP Bhagao Rally' (oust Bharatiya Janata Party rally) at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Lalu had boasted of bringing Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav together on one platform, which would mean the 'end of the match for the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls'.

Back then, JD-U chief Nitish Kumar was in the Grand Alliance, also comprising the RJD and the Congress, and Lalu, while heralding his coming together with Kumar in Bihar, had said joining hands by the SP and the BSP -- the two arch rivals in Uttar Pradesh -- would spell doom for the BJP in the next general election.

Asked about Kumar's and JD-U principal general secretary K C Tyagi's comments that if Sharad Yadav attends the rally against the party line, he would lose his Rajya Sabha membership, Lalu claimed that there was no such provision.

"Is there any provision like this in any party?...Political party leaders attend rallies organised by others...it does not come under the anti-defection law," he said.

Lalu further said, "Sharad Yadav represents the true JD-U."

Sharad Yadav, who had attended a parallel 'Jan Adalat' meeting, instead of attending the JD-U national executive meeting on Saturday, had asserted, "Mahagathbandhan jaari hai (the Grand Alliance is continuing)."

The RJD chief is criss-crossing the state to mobilise people for the August 27 rally, which he has claimed would be a major occasion to bring together the secular forces on one platform against the BJP ahead of the 2019 polls.
The Central Bureau of Investigation is understood to have posed over 100 questions to former finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti during his over eight hours of questioning in connection with a corruption case.

Karti, who arrived at the agency headquarters on the directives of the Supreme Court around 10.20 AM, was questioned for over eight hours, CBI sources said.

They said he will be examined again on August 28.

Over 100 questions on various aspects of the case were drafted by investigators which were put to 45-year-old Karti, the sources said.

The agency wanted to examine him in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to media group INX Media for receiving funds from Mauritius when his father P Chidambaram was the Union finance minister.

It is alleged that a firm 'indirectly controlled' by him received money from INX Media, run by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea.

The CBI had issued a notice to Karti to appear for questioning in June but he had sought more time. Later, a look out circular was also issued against him to prevent him from leaving the country, CBI sources said.

Karti had then approached the Madras High Court which stayed the circular. The Supreme Court later put on hold the high court order.

During a hearing before the apex court, Karti had told the court he was willing to appear before the CBI. The court then directed him to appear on August 23.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud allowed Karti to be accompanied by a lawyer at the CBI headquarters during the questioning.

The CBI had registered the case on May 15 against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and the Mukerjeas.

The Mukerjeas, charged with killing Indrani's daughter, Sheena Bora, are currently in jail.

P Chidambaram had issued a strong statement in response to the FIR, saying the government was using the CBI and other agencies to target his son.

The FIPB approval was granted in 'hundreds of cases', the senior Congress leader had said.

IMAGE: Karti Chidambaram arrives at the CBI headquarter in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/ PTI Photo
The income limit defining 'creamy layer' for Other Backward Class reservation has been raised by Rs 2 lakh per annum even as the Union cabinet today approved setting up of a panel for sub-categorisation within the other backward classes for even distribution of reservation benefits.

The government also ruled out having a re-look at the present reservation system.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters in New Delhi that the Union cabinet was on Wednesday formally apprised of the decision to hike the limit for central government jobs.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hinted in Assam recently that the bar defining creamy layer would be raised and the procedure of formally informing the cabinet about the decision was completed on Wednesday.

The ministry of social justice and empowerment had proposed that OBC families which earn more than Rs 8 lakh per year should be classified as 'creamy layer' -- the ceiling which bars members of the other backward classes from availing reservations in employment.

Responding to a question, Jaitley said a proposal to extend the decision to public sector undertakings was under 'active consideration' of the government.

There had been three revisions of the creamy layer bar.

It was fixed at Rs one lakh in 1993 and hiked to Rs 2.5 lakh in 2004 and Rs 4.5 lakh in 2008. The present ceiling of Rs six lakh came into being in 2013.

Jaitley also announced the decision of the cabinet to set up a commission to work out sub-categorisation within other backward classes for a 'more equitable distribution of reservation benefits amongst the OBCs'.

He said 11 states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Karnataka, Haryana, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Jammu region only of Jammu and Kashmir have already carried out sub-categorisation of OBCs.

"There will be more equitable distribution amongst the OBCs themselves (of the benefits)," Jaitley explained.

The proposed commission, to be set up under Article 340 of the Constitution, will submit its report within 12 weeks from the date its chairperson is appointed.

According to a press release issued by the government, the panel will examine the 'extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes and communities included in the broad category of OBCs, with reference to the OBCs included in the Central list'.

It will also work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters -- in a scientific approach -- for sub-categorisation within such OBCs.

The commission will also undertake an exercise of identifying the respective castes/communities/ sub-castes/ synonyms in the central list of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.

Responding to a question, the Finance Minister ruled out having a relook at the reservation system in the country.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat had in September, 2015 pitched for a review of the reservation policy, contending it has been used for political ends and suggested setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long.

"Neither there is any proposal before the government, nor would there be a proposal (before it in the future)," Jaitley told a press conference on cabinet decisions.

He was asked whether the government will review the reservation system as suggested by Bhagwat.

The Bharatiya Janata Party hopes to boost its standing among backward classes with the government's decision.

Prominent BJP leaders of backward classes hailed the announcement as 'historic' and 'unparallelled', saying these measures addressed two major demands that the OBC group had been pressing for over several years.

"It is an unparallelled step towards empowering backward classes. The average income among them had risen with time and there was an increasing demand to raise the creamy layer bar. The decision will provide reservation benefits to many more people," BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav said.

He said the government had taken a decision which would help the most deprived among backward classes.

The twin moves are being seen as a balancing act as dominant castes among the OBC have long viewed with suspicion any move at sub-categorising quotas.

In raising the ceiling by over 33 per cent, the government has given the more influential OBC groups something to cheer at as more of them can now benefit from quotas.

"It is a historic decision. The Modi government has met two long-pending demands of the OBC. The National Commission for Backward Classes in 2011 and a parliamentary panel in 2015 called for sub-categorisation among the OBC," Union Minister Santosh Gangwar, a Kurmi leader from Uttar Pradesh, said.

Hukumdev Narayan Yadav, a party MP and former Union minister, said OBC Members of Parliament had long been raising the demand for increasing the creamy layer ceiling.

Extremely backward sections of the OBC have been pushing for a quota as well, he said.

"It is a very welcome move. OBCs across the country will laud it," he said.

The BJP leaders pointed out that sub-categorisation already exists in many states, including Bihar, where it was introduced by former chief minister Karpoori Thakur to ensure that members of the extremely backward communities benefited from OBC quotas.

At a time some dominant backward castes, such as Yadavs, are being seen as adversarial to the BJP in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the government's move to ensure a fixed quota for the extremely backward sections is likely to help the saffron party build its vote base.

Non-Yadav OBCs were believed to have contributed to the party's victory in the UP assembly polls.

However, by also raising the creamy layer ceiling the government has sent out the message that it is alive to the concerns of the numerically strong backward groups such as Yadavs and Kurmis.
'We have put people on notice that if you're harbouring terrorists, be warned, be forewarned that we're going to engage with those who are providing safe haven and ask them to change what they're doing.'

United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has warned that the US could consider punishing Pakistan by cutting off its status as a major non-NATO ally if it does not crack down on terrorists.

Tillerson echoed President Donald Trump's tough rhetoric on Pakistan in his address laying out a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan.

'We stand ready to help Pakistan address terrorist organisations inside their country, but they must adopt a different approach themselves,' Tillerson told reporters in Washington, DC on Tuesday, August 22.

'Pakistan and the US historically had very good relationships. But over the last few years, there's been a real erosion in the confidence between our two governments,' Tillersaon said.

'There's been an erosion in trust because we have witnessed terrorist organisations being given safe haven inside Pakistan to plan and carry out attacks against US servicemen, US officials, disrupting peace efforts inside Afghanistan,' the secretary of state added.

Noting that the new Afghan policy is a regional approach, he said it also included a fairly comprehensive review of the US' ties with Pakistan and India.

'We see this approach as requiring an integration of all three of those strategies and use Pakistan and India to also bring pressure to bear on the situation in Afghanistan,' he said.

Tillerson said the Trump administration is adopting conditions-based diplomacy.

'We're going to condition our efforts along with the progress we see being made by the Afghan government who must continue the reform efforts that we've been working on for some time, and in particular, much more rigorous efforts around anti-corruption,' he said.

Trump, he said, was clear that this entire effort is intended to put pressure on the Taliban to understand that it will not win a battlefield victory.

'We're going to attack terrorists wherever they live. We have put people on notice that if you're harbouring and providing safe haven to terrorists, be warned, be forewarned that we're going to engage with those who are providing safe haven and ask them to change what they're doing and help us help them,' Tillerson said.

Tillerson acknowledged that Pakistan's status as the US' non-NATO ally is now in question.

'We have some leverage that's been discussed in terms of the amount of aid and military assistance we give them; their status as a non-NATO alliance partner. All of that can be put on the table,' he said.

'At the end of the day, Pakistan has to decide what is in Pakistan's best long-term interest from a security standpoint for themselves and for their people,' he added.

The Taliban and other organisations inside Pakistan, Tillerson felt, seem to be growing their numbers and at some point they would become a real threat to the stability of the Pakistani government itself.

'hey need to be thinking about what is in their best long-term interest and how can we work with them to achieve a safer, more stable Pakistan in the next decades to come as well,' Tillerson said.

'I think it really is up to them. They've got to ask themselves that question.'

US may sanction Pak officials with ties to terrorists: WH

President Donald Trump has put Pakistan on notice and his get-tough approach could include sanctioning Pakistani officials with ties to terrorist groups such as Haqqani Network, a top White House official has said.

The official also said that with Pakistan the business as usual as it has been up to now is over.

The important takeaway for the Pakistani government is that, you know, they should understand that theyre on notice from this president, from this administration, the official was quoted as saying by Politico on Tuesday.

The US has been really patient with Pakistan for a really long time. We havent been getting a good deal from them, he added.

He said the US could conceivably impose sanctions on terrorist groups including the Haqqani network, which has links to elements in the Pakistani government, as well as on any Pakistani officials who are tied to these kinds of groups.

The Haqqani network, blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people, has also carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan.

The White House official said that the onus for improving the relationship is now on Pakistan.

He said the president had benefited from an outsiders perspective on the US-Pakistan relationship, eschewing the conventional wisdom that however much the Pakistanis double-deal you and lie to you and dont cooperate, you have no choice but to just keep the status quo.

How do we get the Pakistan to behave better? The answer is we have leverage points over Pakistan that the strategy contemplates we will use. Ultimately whether they behave better or not is completely up to them, he said.

They may calculate that its more important to remain allied with terrorists, it's more important to give terrorists safe haven, it's more important to do all the nasty things that theyve been doing that we dont like than it is to have a good relationship with the US, he continued.

If so, that's a choice that they will make and then we will make choices based on their choice, he said.

Observing that the US gives the Pakistani government substantial security aid, the official said, and in return receive, at best, indifference to border crossing and terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries in Pakistans tribal regions along the Afghan border.

In the worst case, he said, the Pakistani government has been guilty of active direct support for terrorist groups, the media outlet reported.

UN chief ready to assist Pakistan if help sought to dismantle terror sanctuaries

The United Nations Secretary-General isready to engage with Pakistan to help it dismantle terrorsanctuaries if sought, his chief spokesperson has said afterUS President Donald Trump warned Islamabad for providing safehavens for terrorists.

"As a matter of principle, Secretary-Generals goodoffices are always available to any two parties who, who ask.But that is just a statement of principle, UN chiefsspokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

Dujarric was asked if the good offices of the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be offered to help facilitatediplomatic efforts with Pakistan to dismantle the sanctuariesfor terrorists.

Commenting on Trump's speech, Dujarric said the SecretaryGenerals hope is that the international community will helpcome together and help Afghanistan find a political solutionthat will bring peace to the country.

"And thats also obviously through the support andefforts of the UN, of the UN Mission there, he said.

Dujarric added that while the good offices of theSecretary General are available if asked for, the UNs focusis on finding a political solution to the current crisis inAfghanistan and help the Afghan people who have suffered somuch for decades.
Over 1,100ft above the Atlantic Ocean, student Marcelle Rangel da Cunha smiles as her fiance Luiz Fernando Candeia helps her dangle precariously over the edge of a rock.

The backdrop of the brilliant blue sea, the beautiful blue sky is all forgotten as Rangel da Cunha, 21, appears to risk her life for the photo at the Pedra del Telegrafo, an hours drive from Rio de Janeiro on Brazils south east coast.

IMAGE: This image of Marcelle Rangel da Cunha smiling as her fiance Luiz Fernando Candeia holds on to her went viral on social media. Photograph: nandogringones/Instagram

But, those who are worried about the well-being of the young girl can heave a sigh of relief.

Even though the photo shows Rangel da Cunha dangling precariously from the cliff, in fact, there is a plateau just below where people can stand.

IMAGE: Here's the actual image of the plateau with people gathering to take their image.

Photograph: Valderes Sarnaglia/Flickr

The Pedra del Telegrafo, located around an hours drive from the centre of Rio de Janeiro, is a popular tourist spot with hikers who make the trek to capture incredible photos at the picturesque spot.

Luiz Fernando Candeia was quoted as saying, My fiance thinks a lot like me and loves adventure and adrenaline. She really wanted to try it. Ive done it before, but you need to practice a lot to make it work.

He says that to capture the perfect image all you need is a specific camera angle and some cropping skills.

IMAGE: The Pedra del Telegrafo, located around an hours drive from the centre of Rio de Janeiro, is a popular tourist spot. Photograph: @pedradotelegrafo/Instagram

IMAGE: Thousands gather at the tourist spot to take their images in precarious positions all to have some fun and explore their adventure side. Photograph: @ pedradotelegrafo/Instagram

Not quite so scary now.
United States President Donald Trump defended his Charlottesville remarks that were widely condemned during a campaign-style rally in Phoenix.

IMAGE: United States President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona. Photograph: Joshua Roberts/Reuters

"What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America. And tonight, this entire arena stands united against the thugs who perpetrate hatred and violence," Trump said, adding, "I strongly condemn neo-Nazis, white supremacists and the Ku Klux Klan members."

"I openly called for unity," Trump added.

Trump called a majority of the mainstream American media dishonest, bad and a "lobbying tool" for allegedly giving a platform to hate groups after the violence at a white supremacist rally in Virginia.

Trump, whose controversial remarks after the violence in Charlottesville on August 12 drew widespread criticism, said most of the media was propagating incorrect information about him and fomenting divisions in the United States.

Trump had earlier said that "both sides" were to blame for the clashes. But he changed course after severe backlash and said there was no room for prejudice, bigotry and hate.

IMAGE: Supporters of Trump cheer him at the campaign rally. Photograph: Joshua Roberts/Reuters

Trump singled out popular media organisations like The New York Times, The Washington Post and CNN for his criticism.

He, however, praised Fox News for its coverage of his presidency.

"For the most part honestly, these are really, really dishonest people, they're bad people," Trump said. "I really think they don't like our country, I really believe that."

He claimed The Times apologised to him after he won the November election and called The Post "a lobbying tool for Amazon".

"Or CNN, which is so bad and so pathetic, and their ratings are going down," he said.

"They are trying to take away our history and our heritage, you see that," he said in an apparent reference to the removal of monuments of Confederate generals following the the death of a woman during clashes among hundreds of white supremacists and counter protesters in Charlottesville.

IMAGE: Anti-Trump protesters outside Trump's campaign rally in Phoenix. Photograph: Sandy Huffaker/Reuters

"The only people giving a platform to these hate groups is the media itself and the fake news," he said and added that had it not been for the social media, where he is very active, he would not have been in the White House.

The media "don't want to make our country great again," he said. "They have double standards. You never heard them say that. And in fact, if you use the term you'd get criticised. But with me, they wanted me to say it, and I said it. And I said it very clearly, but they refused to put it on," he said.

Trump also alleged that the mainstream media "turns a blind eye to the gang violence on our streets, the failures of our public school, the destruction of our wealth at the hands of the terrible, terrible trade deals made by politicians that should have never been allowed to be politicians.

Earlier, thousands from across Arizona flocked to Downtown Phoenix to protest Trump's rally.

With inputs from PTI
Swine flu has claimed 297 lives in Gujarat since January this year, the government said on Wednesday even as it informed the high court it is treating the infection as 'seasonal influenza' which is no longer pandemic but no efforts are being spared to check its spread.

In an affidavit filed before a bench of Justices M R Shah and B N Karia, the government said the mortality rate due to H1N1 virus has fallen to 10 per cent this year against 16.8 per cent in 2009.

A government bulletin issued on Wednesday, meanwhile, said the death toll due to swine flu infection since January this year has reached 297.

"At present, influenza H1N1 is being treated as a seasonal influenza, meaning...H1N1 virus has ceased to be a pandemic. The mortality rate has also been substantially reduced to 10 per cent from 16.8 per cent in 2009," the government told the HC.

As many as 1,075 beds and 200 ventilators have been provided in isolation wards across hospitals in the state where swine flu patients are being treated, the affidavit said.

More than 2,000 health-care workers and doctors are treating the patients, while 17,000 health workers are carrying out house-to-house rapid surveillance, covering three crore people in the first phase and two crore in the second, it said.

Top officials are monitoring the situation through video conference and visits to hospitals, with chief minister himself visiting hospitals in four cities, it said.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Mensavi Thapar, which alleged that the state does not have adequate infrastructure to deal with the situation.

While the first swine flu case was detected in the state in 2009, the government has set up laboratories for its diagnosis only in nine cities, when a laboratory should be set up in every district, the PIL said.

Out of 1,228 community health centres, 1,120 have no doctors, while the post of health officer of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is lying vacant for two years, it claimed.

IMAGE: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani visits a Swine Flu patient at a hospital in Surat. PTI Photo
A business summit will gather together a host of government, business and academic leaders in Madison next month to advise area manufacturers on workforce development.

The Workforce Strategies Summit for Manufacturers is inviting south-central Wisconsin businesses to learn about partnering with local high schools in fostering a skilled workforce, how to assess benefit packages and the incentives of hiring people re-entering the community from incarceration, among other topics.

The summit is being sponsored by Wegner CPAs in partnership with Madison Area Technical College and the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin.

More than 25 speakers are slated to participate at the Sept. 12 summit held at the Alliant Energy Centers Exhibition Hall.

Ray Allen, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, will open the summit with a welcome message, while Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch is scheduled for an appearance during lunch.

Keynote speeches will come from Jason Tyszko, executive director of the Center for Education and Workforce at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and Ian Abston, founder and former president of young professional organization NEWaukee and self-proclaimed Millennial expert.

Other speakers will represent the state Department of Corrections, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

Tickets cost $50, and the summit runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: go.madison.com/workforcesummit.
Buying local has taken another step in Madison.

After years of watching and helping her mother sell flowers at the Dane County and Hilldale farmers' markets, Naly Jasengnou has opened a flower shop on Madisons North Side.

And while the full service shop at 1203 N. Sherman Ave. offers a wide range of flowers and services, two things stand out in the 2,100-square-foot store, located in the NorthGate Shopping Center.

Nalys Floral Shop is believed to be the only Hmong-owned floral shop in the Madison area. It also sells flowers grown on seven farms in southern and central Wisconsin. Gladiolus, lilies, snapdragons, sunflowers and lisianthus filled part of the store this week, helping give the shop a market-like feel and a niche in a flush retail floral market.

Its very, very competitive, said Jasengnou, 27. We just want to be different from everybody else, and thats being able to have these fresh flowers, grown locally, on a daily basis. We want to keep it as original as possible.

The competition includes longtime retailers like Felly's, Choles, George's, Klein's and Buffo; a relative newcomer, Red Square Flowers; and grocery stores with their own floral departments.

But Nalys can boast flowers grown in Dane County. The farms include her mother's eight-acre operation and one other in Cottage Grove, two near Oregon, one near Sun Prairie and another near Mauston. Jasengnou estimates she will have fresh, locally-grown flowers through the end of October with tulips and daffodils returning to the shop as early as April.

I liked the idea right away, said Jasengnous husband, Tou Lor, whom she met in high school in East Lansing, Michigan. Its great to be able to provide these fresh-cut flowers from (local) farmers at a very affordable cost.

The couple, who have a 3-year-old son, Daniel, opened the shop on Aug. 1 and held a grand opening celebration Aug. 19. Theyve invested between $25,000 and $30,000 in the project that was financed through their savings and with the help of family. Their biggest expense was a 7-foot by 11-foot, $15,000 cooler that is kept at a constant 43 degrees.

Jasengnou and Lor considered locations in Cottage Grove, Fitchburg, DeForest and another nearby North Side location before choosing NorthGate, a shopping center that includes the FEED Kitchens, a DreamBikes shop, Boomerangs Resale Shop and Madison Oriental Market, which recently changed its name from Hmoob Oriental Market.

But the story of the shop begins in the 1980s when Jasengnous mother, Kelly Lor, fled Southeast Asia and settled in the Seattle area. That's where she learned to grow vegetables and flowers and ultimately began selling at Seattles famed Pike Place Market.

Kelly Lor later moved to California and, in 2000, came to Madison, where she began growing flowers in Cottage Grove. For years, Lor, 56, has been a regular at the Dane County Farmers' Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays and also has a Saturday booth at Hilldale.

Jasengnou had helped her mother when she was a child but after high school went to school to become a phlebotomist. She had an internship at a Michigan hospital but moved back to the Madison area in 2008. She had most recently been working at a call center and running her mothers Hilldale stand but now has her own shop open seven days a week.

If it wasnt for my mom I wouldnt have any interest in flowers at all, Jasengnou said. My mom was the root of everything. I wouldnt be where Im at without her.
Greenville, NC -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/23/2017 --ComfortMaster Mechanical Associates has been around for years offering the most reliable and fastest air conditioning repair in Rocky Mount and Washington NC. The technicians are all technology savvy and bring years of industry experience with them that helps clients trust them. The company is a CARRIER Factory Authorized Dealer and is one of the most dependable companies to turn to with issues regarding air conditioning units. For all the years that they have been in business, the company has never faced any complaints from the client. They have kept them happy and satisfied with their professional service and on-time problem resolution.



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The air conditioning unit is a costly piece of equipment, and proper care and maintenance can only help in keeping it as good as new. The technicians at ComfortMaster will not only see to the installation but also offers detailed servicing and maintenance plans as well. All of it comes at a very reasonable price and clients' are all set to enjoy their as good as new ac units for a very long time to come.



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Canadians are now holding record-high levels of mortgage debt, but this does not appear to be interfering with their ability to service these loans as the proportion of late payments is sliding even lower.In its latest study that looked at active credit files across Canada, credit monitoring firm TransUnion revealed that as of the end of June 2017, the average mortgage debt load nationally is now at $198,781, representing a nearly 5-per-cent year-over-year growth.Soaring home prices played a major role in this increase. So far, however, the vast majority of Canadians remain updated with their mortgage bills: delinquency rates (defined as payment delays of more than 60 days) declined for the third consecutive quarter, down to 0.56 per cent.Despite increases in mortgage debt, serious delinquency rates remain low with very little volatility observed over the past two years, TransUnion Canada director of research and analysis Matt Fabian said in a news release, as quoted by CBC News. Consumers have so far been able to manage their mortgage obligations despite the increasing balance levels.The study noted that apart from people borrowing more, the number of people borrowing is also on the rise.The total number of active mortgage accounts grew annually to 6.0 million, an increase of 1.2 per cent from last year, the TransUnion report stated.In addition, other types of debt are swelling across Canada. On average, Canadians owed $22,154 excluding any mortgage, representing a 2.7-per-cent annual growth rate. The average credit card balance stood at $2,840 as of the end of June, while the auto loan average was at $19,087.
Body cameras for the Mooresville Police Department have arrived. Find out when they will be used.
Looking to boost the quality of life in some of Madisons most challenged neighborhoods, Ald. Barbara Harrington-McKinney and other City Council members are discussing the possibility of a big community center at Elver Park on the Far West Side.

Harrington-McKinney, 1st District, is resurrecting a concept for a large community center at the 250-acre park, the citys largest, that was discussed when the city built its first such facility, the $4.7 million Warner Park Community Recreation Center on the North Side, in the late 1990s.

At a meeting Tuesday evening, City Council members and police officials talked about the benefits a community center could provide to the entire West Side, how to involve nearby existing neighborhood centers in the conversation and what the path forward should be.

Mayor Paul Soglin voiced interest in the concept. I believe community centers are a very critical part of every neighborhood and with the very large population around Elver Park, I would be supportive, he said.

The Madison Police West Side District enthusiastically supports the idea.

As the police, we dont have a ton of power in getting things done. You guys, as the alders, hold the power, said Capt. Corey Nelson.

Nelson said he sees a lot of crime and quality-of-life problems, such as graffiti, criminal damage and theft, related to young people not having things to do in the area. He said he sees the concept as a long-term solution to prevent crime.

Community development director Jim OKeefe said, At a very high level, there have been some expressions of interest about wanting to do something very impactful in that area, with a vision of a Warner Park-like counterpart in Elver. If it gets any traction, I think this is likely a long-term proposition.

Around the time that the Warner Park Community Recreation Center was built, there was discussion of something similar on the West Side, city parks superintendent Eric Knepp said.

Recently, Harrington-McKinney met with Parks Division staff members to discuss this idea for future planning around Elver Park, but staff has not done any planning nor analysis of cost or space required for such a project, Knepp said.

Several attendees at Tuesdays meeting, which was held at the West District police station next to Elver Park, said a community center would likely need private funds from area businesses in addition to any money sought from the city.

The Southwest and Far West sides, which have pockets of poverty and crime, are getting city attention.

The city is now creating a $1 million employment and neighborhood center at the former Griffs restaurant, 1233 McKenna Blvd., thats supposed to open by next summer.

Other close, existing facilities on the Southwest Side include the smaller Elver Park Neighborhood Center, 1201 McKenna Blvd., the Meadowridge Neighborhood Center, 5734 Raymond Road, and the Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Center, 1409 Theresa Terrace.

Nelson said there is limited capacity at some of the neighborhood centers given their sizes.

Elver Park could really be something special with an exercise facility, gym spaces, classroom areas, dance rooms, pottery/painting rooms, similar to what Warner Park provides, he said.

We are just starting the conversation at this point, he said. I understand something like this does not come free, but I do feel there would be some private funding possibilities along with city funding.

So far, there has been no broad community discussion about a community center at Elver Park. There is no funding for such a facility in the 2017 budget or the nonbinding five-year Capital Improvement Plan.

Ald. Matt Phair, whose 20th District abuts Elver Park, suggested creating a task force to explore the idea or amending the capital budget with money for a community center years down the road to act as a placeholder as ways to keep momentum going.

City and police officials decided Tuesday to plan for a larger meeting on a community center to gauge public interest and desires.

Soglin has been wary of adding big projects to the capital budget due to rising debt costs.

In April, he told city managers to prioritize planned projects, seek to delay projects to 2021 or later and eliminate low-priority projects, and that no new projects  except community-based ones such as libraries or neighborhood centers  should be added to the 2018 capital budget or Capital Improvement Plan.

But a big, new project envisioned for the Northeast Side is gaining momentum.

For months, Soglin has helped Ald. Samba Baldeh, 17th District, library director Greg Mickells and other agency managers develop a plan for a $17 million, 40,000-square-foot Reindahl Imagination Center that would combine a new library and other city services in a new way for under-served neighborhoods on the Far East Side.

The facility, still a concept, would include a library, community center and a presence for other agencies, including Parks and Public Health, at the 91-acre park near the intersection of East Washington Avenue and Portage Road.

While expressing strong commitment to that project, Soglin has declined to say if initial funding for that initiative will be included in next years capital budget.

Any planning for a community center at Elver Park would be six months to a year behind the facility envisioned for Reindahl Park, he said.

On Sept. 5, Soglin will propose a capital budget for 2018 and new five-year Capital Improvement Plan.

The mayor said his proposal is largely set, but noted that amendments could add initial planning funds for a community center at Elver Park. Of his potential support, he said, It depends what it is, how much money and where it is coming from.
UPDATED at 05:33 P.M. on 2017-08-23



Cambodia on Wednesday expelled a U.S. NGO promoting political participation and shut down two independent domestic radio stations that relayed broadcasts critical of the government, highlighting concerns over the countrys political atmosphere in the lead up to general elections next year.



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the National Democratic Institute (NDI), which receives funding from the U.S. government, can no longer operate in Cambodia and its foreign staff members must leave the country within seven days, citing a need to strengthen rule of law and national sovereignty.



The NDI is accused of having violated Cambodias Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations (LANGO) by operating without a valid Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with total contempt while its registration application was pending approval with government ministries.



The LANGO was passed in 2015 with unanimous approval by ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) lawmakers, amid a boycott of parliament by the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), and requires the 5,000 domestic and international NGOs that work in the country to register with the government and report their activities and finances or risk fines, criminal prosecution and shutdowns.



According to Wednesdays statement, the NDI is also accused of failing to comply with Cambodias tax laws, although details of the purported violations were not provided.



The tax allegations come amid a larger crackdown prompted by Prime Minister Hun Sens recommendation at an Aug. 5 cabinet meeting that government agencies investigate alleged back taxes owed by media outlets and civil society organizations.



Government spokesperson Phay Siphan on Wednesday applauded Hun Sen for taking measures to protect Cambodias interests, sovereignty, and independence by acting against the NDI.



The concept of human rights and democracy is applied solely in order to rob the Cambodian people of their will and ability to make general decisions, he said in a post on his Facebook page.



The end goal of such application is to divide Cambodia internally and pose direct opposition to Hun Sen, who was legitimately elected through a general ballot and enjoys genuine support from the countrys citizens.



The ministrys statement followed the publishing last week of two documents allegedly leaked from a NDI training course in March for the CNRP on unseating the ruling party in the 2017-2018 elections by government-aligned media group Fresh News, citing a post on the Facebook page of an anonymous user.



Fresh News said the training was a deliberately evil plan by the NDI to commission a strategy and tactics to help the CNRP defeat the CPP in the next elections, scheduled for July 2018.



The CPP won commune elections held on June 4, but the CNRP received nearly 44 percent of all votes to the ruling partys 51 percent, in an outcome that many see as a bellwether for next years ballot.



John Cavanaugh, NDIs resident program director in Cambodia, has said that his organization is non-partisan and committed to helping improve democracy in the country, and noted that the NDI submitted its registration application in September last year.



Expulsion reaction



The NDI in a statement on Wednesday expressed "deep disappointment" in the decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to shut down its office in Cambodia.



"We are surprised and saddened by this development," said NDI president Kenneth Wollack. "For 25 years in Cambodia, NDI has worked with all major political parties, including the ruling party. We have been transparent in our work, and have made every attempt to comply with the law. It is our sincere hope the Cambodian government will review its decision."



The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh earlier on Wednesday had rejected the allegations against the NDI in a post on its Facebook page, saying the organization has a valid MoU with the National Election Committee (NEC), Cambodias top electoral body, and works closely with both the NEC and the Ministry of Interior.



The embassy noted that the NDI had also trained the CPP this year on communications, campaign planning, election observation, and voter messaging, and said the organization had provided similar training to the CNRP and three other political parties.



The post added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had only accepted the NDIs registration application in September after the organization made several attempts to submit it, and violated the LANGO by failing to act on it until this monthnearly a year later. Article 14 of the law states that the ministry must make a decision within 45 working days of receiving an application.



Coming just two months after Cambodias very successful commune council elections, the decision to shut down the NDI raises a fundamental question: Is the Cambodian government committed to democracy, the embassy asked, calling for comments from the public.



The U.S. State Department said in a briefing Wednesday that it was "deeply concerned by the deterioration in Cambodia's democratic climate in recent weeks," which it attributed to "troubling government actions" including the decision to expel NDI, and called for the organization to be allowed to continue its activities so that the country's 2018 elections can take place in a "free and open environment."



Late on Wednesday, Fresh News cited an unnamed senior government official in a report as saying that Cambodian nationalists and CPP supporters are preparing to hold a mass rally against the U.S. Embassy in reaction to its Facebook post about the NDI, due to its inflammatory nature and implication that the U.S. does not respect Cambodias sovereignty.



Local NGOs Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL) and Cambodia Center for Human Rights (CCHR) also took issue with the governments actions against the NDI, as did the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR).



COMFREL executive director Kul Panha wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday that in addition to being politically motivated, the shutdown of NDI operations has no legal basis besides the 2015 LANGO, noting that the organization initially submitted its registration application in June last year in response to the adoption of the law and maintains an MoU with the NEC.



CCHR President Chak Sopheap urged the government to follow due process and called for a thorough, transparent, and fair investigation into the allegations, with the NDI being given sufficient time to respond.



This case seems to confirm the worst fears of civil society about the mandatory registration requirement in the LANGOthat it would give the authorities excessive and arbitrary control over NGO activities by enabling them to reject applications and to arbitrarily delay decisions, she said in a Facebook post.



In this case, the lack of a decision on NDI's MoU application has made NDI extremely vulnerable, which is unlikely to be a coincidence.



APHR chair Charles Santiago, a member of Malaysias parliament, told RFAs Khmer Service that his group was extremely concerned by the governments announcement, noting that the APHR and other organizations have questioned the LANGOs provisions and the potential for their misuse in the past.



Shuttering NDI without giving them an adequate opportunity to respond to these allegations has brought these fears to life, he said.



The fact that this comes in a context of increasing repression of freedom of expression and civil society space in Cambodia is all the more worrying, and hints at continued attempts by the ruling party to consolidate power ahead of next year's national elections.



Off the air



Also on Wednesday, the Ministry of Information ordered independent Cambodian radio stations Womens Media Center of Cambodia (WMC) and Moha Nokorboth of which have relayed broadcasts critical of the governmentto suspend operations for violating terms of their license agreements.



The ministry informed WMCwhich can be heard throughout 75 percent of Cambodia on 102FMthat it had violated its 2006 agreement by relaying news from RFA and Voice of America (VOA) for more than 30 minutes each, prompting the station to end relays of the broadcasts.



WMC had regularly allotted one and a half hours and two hours of air time per day to VOA and RFA, respectively, and while the stations director Chea Sundaneth acknowledged that doing so violated the license agreement, she questioned why the ministry had only recently taken action.



Such a program in the past, generally, did not pose any problems, she said, adding that the ministry had previously turned a blind eye to her stations operations.



Moha Nokor, which broadcasts on 93.5FM and also aired programs by the CNRP in addition to broadcasts by RFA and VOA, was ordered to terminate its operations Wednesday after the Ministry of Information said it had aired outside programs without requesting authorization.



Moha Nokors managing director Yee Chhorvoan told RFA she found the ministrys decision unreasonable and said the station should have been notified about any violations before being shut down.



We have done everything according to the ministrys [orders] and we should have received a warning so that we could make adjustments, she said.



I thought I was invited [to a meeting with the ministry] for a negotiation, but then I received a surprise.



CNRP spokesperson Yim Sovann said he was shocked to learn of Moha Nokors termination and said the shutdown of both radio stations would have a negative impact on the lead up to the 2018 election.



This is politically motived, he said, adding that the 2018 election will be neither free nor fair and this will affect the process of the election campaign.



Ministry of Information spokesperson Ouk Kimseng said the suspensions were not politically motivated, and that the government was simply enforcing the law.



He said that all media entities must go with the flow, adding that institutions that do not comply with the law will be subject to the same treatment as the two radio stations.



Several other local radio stations in various provinces that lease airtime to VOA and RFA have also reported receiving warnings of violating their agreements with the ministry.



Reported by Neang Ieng and Sel San for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
When white supremacists wanted to hold a Unite the Right rally at the site of a Robert E. Lee monument in Charlottesville, the Virginia city insisted they gather in a different park.

So the neo-Nazis got help from an organization widely vilified on the far right: the American Civil Liberties Union. It sued the city, and a federal judge ruled in its favor. The hateful assembly occurred where it was originally planned.

We all know what happened next. Fighting broke out between protesters and counter-protesters, and a woman was killed after being run over by a car driven by an alleged white nationalist.

The backlash against the ACLU was immediate. Waldo Jaquith resigned from the board of directors of the organizations Virginia chapter, declaring: Whats legal and whats right are sometimes different. I wont be a fig leaf for Nazis.

K-Sue Park, a fellow at the UCLA School of Law who has done volunteer work for the ACLU, wrote in The New York Times, By insisting on a narrow reading of the First Amendment, the organization provides free legal support to hate-based causes.

But anyone who was surprised that the ACLU would represent such extremists has not been paying attention. The organization endured a storm of criticism and canceled memberships in 1977, after it sued to force the Chicago suburb of Skokie to allow neo-Nazis to march.

It has gone to court to defend the right of the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church to protest at military funerals. It sued the Washington, D.C., transit system on behalf of alt-right troll Milo Yiannopolous because the system banned ads for his new book.

The ACLU defends the rights of ideological outliers because it believes, correctly, that the Constitution protects free expression no matter how repellent that speech may be. America doesnt need a First Amendment to ensure the freedom of popular speakers to voice their opinions because those dont get suppressed. We need the amendment to ensure the freedom of speakers whose views are despised by people who dominate agencies of government.

Without the First Amendment, the white supremacists might have been out of luck in Charlottesville.

But in many parts of the country, in the absence of constitutional protection, organizations devoted to racial justice or abortion rights might be suppressed.

Liberal commentator Glenn Greenwald noted the myopia at work. Most levers of state power are now controlled by the Republican Party, while many Democrats have also advocated the criminalization of left-wing views, he wrote in The Intercept, addressing those on the left. Why would you trust those officials to suppress free speech in ways that you find just and noble, rather than oppressive?

By protecting freedom of expression on the right, the ACLU bolsters it for everyone  including the anti-fascist groups that often show up to demonstrate against right-wing speakers.

The First Amendment, of course, does not protect violence or threats of violence. Cities are entitled to set reasonable rules to safeguard public safety.

The permit for last Saturdays free speech rally in Boston, for example, prohibited backpacks, sticks, cans, glass containers and any other item that could be used as a weapon.

Local officials are also obligated to deploy police to keep opponents separated and head off dangerous clashes. Any speaker who tries to incite immediate violence can be arrested.

Allowing open debate, however, is essential to a free and democratic society, even when it includes noxious speakers. Thomas Jefferson wrote, We are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.

Thanks to the Constitution, the white supremacists who showed up in Charlottesville and Boston had their say. But in doing so, they only stimulated a national debate that they are bound to lose.
Authorities in the Chinese capital have detained a woman who staged a topless public protest over official corruption.



Luo Mingfeng, a petitioner from Jiangsu's Dongtai city, was detained after she stripped to the waist in Beijing alongside a placard protesting alleged financial corruption by delegates to the Liaoning provincial congress.



She had been staging the same protest outside the gates of state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), Qinghua and Renmin Universities, and the complaints offices of the Beijing police department and China's cabinet, the State Council, since early August.



Luo is accusing an official from Liaoning's port city of Dalian, Wang Qingzhou, of defrauding her of some 16 million yuan (U.S. $2.4 million), her husband Mou Lin told RFA.



"My wife was detained after she took off her clothes next to a placard about Wang Qingzhou, and now she's been locked up, I don't know for how many days," Mou said. "I don't know if she's in the Dongcheng Detention Center or what. I don't know anything."



"The police have given me nothing."



An officer who answered the phone at the Jianguo police station in Beijing's Dongcheng district declined to comment on Luo's whereabouts.



A fellow petitioner in Beijing said protests like Luo's are becoming more and more common in the capital, with more and more petitioners arrested for trying to make their grievances public.



"It could be that the Beijing police are refusing to issue any official notification [of detention], but it is also possible that they have taken her back to a police station in her hometown, and that it's them who aren't informing the family," the petitioner said.



Mou said Wang cheated them out of the money when they were running a construction materials company in Jiangsu, and that the couple had already successfully sued for three million yuan (U.S. $450,450) in compensation.



But he said Luo couldn't leave it there, because Wang had retained his position as a delegate at the provincial People's Congress.



He said the couple have already been detained five times in the Beijing Xicheng Detention Center for a month each time, where they were held without any official documentation.



Women vulnerable



Many petitioners complain of beatings, illegal detention in "black jails" or "legal study centers" and other forms of official harassment after they return home, while reports have emerged of petitioners who die en route, while in the custody of police or interceptors.



Women are particularly vulnerable once they become embroiled in China's "stability maintenance" regime.



In April, authorities in the central Chinese province of Hubei beat up one woman who petitioned against their local government for petitioning over a forced eviction from her home for years.



Petitioners Wang Shetao and Li Xiaocui, of Luoyang's Liangzhai village, reportedly burned to death in murky circumstances in January after a fire at a police station, official media reported.



Later the same month, Heilongjiang petitioner Li Naiqiu said she was picked up by interceptors from Taihe city and beaten severely while under escort back to her hometown from the unofficial detention center at Majialou on Jan. 22.



Deaths and "disappearances" in unofficial detention centers, or "black jails," are also not uncommon, but evidence of police wrong-doing is hard to come by when the authorities typically refuse to allow independent autopsies.



Reported by Hai Nan for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Aye Zan (L) greets a delegation from the New Mon State Party in Mawlamyine, capital of southeastern Myanmar's Mon state, Aug. 23, 2017.

An ethnic Mon group is considering signing the Myanmar governments nationwide cease-fire accord before the next round of peace conference negotiations, an official from the organization said on Wednesday.

The New Mon State Party (NMSP) will decide before the third session of the 21st-century Panglong Conference, said Nai Win Hla, a member of the central executive committee of the New Mon State Party (NMSP).

The series of peace talks is an effort spearheaded by de facto national leader Aung San Suu Kyi to end decades of ethnic separatist civil war in Myanmar. The next meeting is expected to be held sometime between October and December.

Mon States chief minister has urged us to sign the NCA [Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement] as soon as possible, and we are trying to do it, Nai Win Hla told reporters after a meeting between NMSP representatives and state government officials.

Nai Win Hla said that he and NMSP deputy secretary General Zweya have met with Mon State Chief Minister Aye Zan to discuss the matter.

NMSP leaders asked Aye Zan to give them three months to decide whether to sign the accord, because the group is trying to persuade other members of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) to sign the NCA, he said.

The UNFC is the umbrella organization for militias that have not signed NCA with the Myanmar government. The other members of the UNFC include the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), Arakan National Council (ANC), and Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).

Wednesdays meeting was the third gathering of NMSP members and Mon state government officials since the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) government came to power in April 2016.

The NMSP also requested that Aye Zan support its call for the Mon language to be included on the state school curriculum and provide financial assistance to teachers. It also questioned the presence of Myanmar army soldiers in Mawlamyine district in southeastern Myanmars Mon state.

We agreed, but we have to talk about this issue with the Union minister, Aye Zan said, referring to Nai Thet Lwin, the central governments minister for ethnic affairs.

Both parties have now agreed to meet every month to discuss the NMSP possibly signing the NCA.

They seem willing to sign the NCA as a UNFC member, said Aye Zan. They will decide by holding a meeting of the central executive committee if they encounter difficulties.

We will meet with the NMSP, and I believe it will sign the NCA if we meet regularly, he said.

The NMSP has also requested a meeting with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Tensions with national army

The opposition party and its armed wing, the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA), have fought the Myanmar army under various names since 1949, a year after the country declared its independence from colonial ruler Britain.

The NMSP signed a cease-fire pact with the government in 1995, but the accord was invalidated when the party refused to transform itself into a border guard unit under government control. The NMSP was not among the eight ethnic armed groups that signatory the governments NCA in October 2015.

Tensions between the NMSP and the national army flared in February when the party ignored an order by Colonel Aung Lwin, minister of security and border affairs in southeastern Myanmars Kayin state, banning weapons and military parades at the 70th Mon State Day organized by the NMSP.

After the NMSP held a military parade at a ceremony in Japun Yedwin village near the border with Thailand, government soldiers seized two border tax collection stations on the Myanmar-Thailand border controlled by the MNLA and searched a communications office in Ye township.

Reported by Kyaw Lwin Oo and Kyaw Soe Lin for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
A Tibetan monk jailed for 10 years for spreading news of a protest calling for Tibetan freedom was released from a prison in Sichuan this week after serving his full term, Tibetan sources said.



Atruk Lopo, a former chant master of Lithang monastery in the Kardze (In Chinese, Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, was freed from Mianyang prison at around 10:00 p.m. on Aug. 21, Lithang Jamyang Tenzin, a Tibetan living in exile, told RFAs Tibetan Service.



The Lithang [county] police warned him not to speak too much in public before taking him to his home, Tenzin said, citing contacts in Lithang.



Local Tibetans were ordered not to greet him on his return, and he was brought back late at night, Tenzin said.



Also speaking to RFA, Geshe Adruk Tsetana member of Tibets India-based exile parliament and a relative of Lopossaid that Lopos present state of health after a decade served in prison is still unknown.



Lopo was arrested on Aug. 21, 2007 by Lithang county public security officers as he called for the release of his uncle Ronggye Adrak, who had called out in public for the return of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama during a horse racing festival held earlier that month.



Adrak was later handed an eight-year term for subverting state power and attempting to split the country, while Lopo and a friend named Jamyang Kunkyen were sentenced to 10 and nine years respectively for sending photos of Adraks protest to overseas organizations.



A fourth man, a Tibetan named Lothok, was given a three-year term for providing information to foreign organizations.



The four, who were sentenced together, protested when their sentences were read out in court and were bundled away by police, witnesses told RFA in earlier reports.



This is not a fair trial, they called out. We cannot accept this decision.



Sporadic demonstrations challenging Beijings rule and calling for the Dalai Lamas return have continued in Tibetan areas of China since widespread protests swept the region in 2008.



Reported by Sangye Dorjee for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Dorjee Damdul. Written in English by Richard Finney.




An official lawyers organization in central Vietnams Phu Yen province has threatened to discipline an attorney known for representing defendants in political cases after he suggested that most members of his profession use bribery to influence trials.



Vo An Don, a Phu Yen-based lawyer who has defended hundreds of members of underrepresented communities on a pro-bono basis, told RFAs Vietnamese Service Wednesday that he received a letter from the Phu Yen Lawyers Association on Aug. 18 informing him he would face discipline for posting a comment on Facebook which said lawyers in Vietnam regularly use payoffs to win cases for their clients.



I have served as a lawyer in cases for poor people and political cases, and I always tell the truth, he said.



Thats why the authorities really hate mebecause I have said things that no other lawyer dares to say. Therefore, they are trying to take revenge on me.



According to Don, the central Vietnam Lawyers Association recently sent a letter to lawyer groups at the provincial level, banning their members from posting lies on social media.



But nobody tells the truththey only lie, he said.



The truth is so ugly, they are afraid of having it revealed.



Don said that Vietnams Ministry of Justice recently issued a decree that bans lawyers from making comments they deem to be untrue, and which grants permission to lawyers associations at the provincial level to revoke law licensesa measure that previously could only be taken with the approval of the Vietnam Lawyers Association.



He said that while the Phu Yen Lawyers Association had not provided details of how he would be punished, he expected to be made an example of.



They didnt say exactly what theyre going to do to discipline me, but they said the reason was because I spoke ill of other lawyers on Facebook and provided foreign media with untrue information, he said.



I think that the punishment for me is going to be very harsh, because  theyre trying to ban lawyers from posting things on the internet and they will make an example of me.



Don said he has been able to practice law with no restrictions since receiving the letter and would continue his work until he was prevented from doing so.



I will follow whatever discipline they give me because what I have done and said is true and is in line with the professional code of ethics, he said.



I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to be ashamed of with my colleagues, he added.



Many lawyers have raised their voices against me, while others scolded me because they think I accused them. But I think nobody will dare to stand up and protect me, even if they want to.



Targeted lawyer



Don has represented prominent activist and blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, known as Mother Mushroom, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in June for spreading propaganda against the state through her Facebook posts and interviews with U.S. news services.



Quynh was arrested on Oct. 10, 2016, for openly voicing her opinions on the deaths of people in police custody, Vietnams sovereignty over the disputed Paracel and Spratly islands in the South China Sea, and the governments handling of a toxic waste spill off the countrys central coast in April of last year.



He also defended retired Lt. Colonel Tran Anh Kim and ex-soldier Le Thanh Tung, who were sentenced to 13-year and 12-year prison terms, respectively, in December 2016 for activities aimed at overthrowing the peoples administration.



Other cases he has taken on include that of four defendants who were jailed in December after sailing to Australia in search of work and the wife of a criminal suspect who was beaten to death in police custody in 2012.



Don has reported regular harassment by the authorities, including audits of his law practice, and says he has received several death threats from both police and hired thugs.



Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Emily Peyman. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Over a year has passed since a toxic spill by a steel mill in central Vietnam polluted more than 125 miles of coastline along four provinces, but tensions in the country persist as activists rely on both organized protest and social media to grow environmental campaigns.



The April 2016 spill by the Taiwan-owned Formosa Plastics Group killed an estimated 115 tons of fish and left fishermen and tourism industry workers jobless in four central provinces, and the damage left by the spill prompted countless protests and outcry on social media.



With over 30 million users now on Facebook in Vietnam, Vietnamese activists, many of them young adults, easily transformed themselves into reporters by posting pictures of dead fish and videos of police abuse of protesters online.



[Young people] are larger in numbers, and they are savvier with social media and computers and iPhones and networking and Facebook, San Diego-based Vietnamese Human Rights Network founding member Nguyen Giao told RFA in an interview.



Its their future, the young people, Giao said, referring to their online activism over pollution concerns. Its their living environment, and it is being poisoned. It is more a direct threat to them.



Just weeks after the Formosa plants fish kill, the companys external relations manager told state-run television channel VTC14 that the Vietnamese people needed to choose whether to catch fish and shrimp or build a state-of-the-art steel mill.



This false choice offered by the firm prompted the public to respond online with the hashtag #IChooseFish and its Vietnamese-language equivalent #toichonca.



Vietnamese environmental campaigners are becoming more organized as a group, former director of the Hanoi-based Vietnam Green Building Council Jalel Sager told RFA.



As the country has become more integrated in the last 20 years with the rest of the global system, people who in the past were very focused on ideas of national security or domestic concerns have [now] found the stability that allows them to focus on what might be considered second-order issues, such as the environment.



But I also think those environmental issues in Vietnam are in some cases bleeding into national security issuesfor instance the issues of sea-level rise in the Mekong Delta and how it affects food security in Vietnam.



Dozens have been jailed



For young activists, Facebook serves as an outlet to call for government reform, as users can organize rallies and express their political views online.



But what human rights organizations call free expression is often deemed anti-government propaganda by Vietnams one-party communist state, and dozens of writers and bloggers have been jailed under vaguely defined provisions of Vietnams Penal Code.



In July 2017, a Vietnamese court sentenced prominent activist and blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, also known as Mother Mushroom, to 10 years in prison for spreading propaganda against the state through her Facebook posts and interviews with U.S. news services.



Meanwhile in May, Vietnamese authorities issued an arrest warrant for activist blogger Bach Hong Quyen, who had written extensively on the Formosa toxic waste spill and had criticized the governments handling of the disaster.



Quyen, who remains in hiding, told RFA in an earlier report that he is prepared to serve time in prison if he is captured.



I accepted it when I chose this path fighting for human rights, Quyen said.



The possibility of being arrested does not scare me or hold me back, because we must fight when there is injustice.




In his speech Monday on Afghanistan, President Donald Trump admitted something hes rarely faced up to: Decisions are much different when you are president than in the heat of a campaign.

The presidents original instinct, expressed repeatedly over the years, was to pull any remaining troops out of Afghanistan. The American public is understandably tired of Americas longest war that has dragged on for nearly 16 years. No good military options are in sight.

Yet after a policy review that dragged on for seven months and bitterly divided the White House, the president finally faced up to grim reality: a full retreat from Afghanistan meant al-Qaida and ISIS would find havens again as the Taliban seized more swaths of the country.

So Trump finally went with the advice of his generals, including National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, to boost the current 4,000 troops by at least 4,000 (some of the brass wanted more).

Needless to say, those numbers alone dont offer promise of reversing the current Taliban resurgence. But Trumps new policy, while vague and marked by some glaring holes, contained several shifts in direction that could make a difference on the ground.

Lets call those directional shifts the four Nos.

The first No is no deadline for troop withdrawal. President Obama made a huge error when he surged troops in Afghanistan in 2009 but announced in advance the date for their pullout. The Taliban just waited him out, as did Afghanistans mischief-making neighbor Pakistan (see below).

Given the small number of U.S. troops  and their primary role as trainers  it makes more sense to see their presence as part of a long-term investment to prevent a terrorist resurgence. Their presence also reminds regional neighbors Iran, Russia, India and Pakistan that America is still paying attention.

The second No refers to no more efforts at nation-building. We tried that and failed. The few thousand remaining U.S. troops will focus on training Afghan special operations forces and commandos, and, learning from lessons in Iraq, on calling in air and artillery strikes to support Afghans. This is how a limited number of U.S. troops helped the Iraqi army finally defeat ISIS in Mosul.

The third No is the apparent veto of a bizarre idea that the president toyed with: to hire Eric Prince, founder of the notorious Blackwater private contractor outfit that shot up Baghdad, to lead a mercenary force replacing U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Most important is the fourth No: No more havens for Afghan Taliban in Pakistan. The Pakistani military and intelligence services have long played a double game, warring on Pakistani Taliban that attack their own military and civilians while giving safe haven to Afghan Taliban leaders and fighters. The Pakistanis have also hosted other Islamist terrorists that attack India, and, harbored Osama bin Laden for years.

Islamabad plays this double game because it views the Afghan Taliban and other terrorist groups as vital tools in its endless struggle against India. Both the Bush and Obama administrations tried fruitlessly to persuade Pakistan with financial carrots to shut down these terrorist safe havens.

McMaster is known to have sought a tougher line on Pakistan. And Trump proclaimed, We can no longer be silent about Pakistani safe havens for terrorists. The success of any Trump policy on Afghanistan may depend on whether his team can figure out how to change Pakistans behavior.

Which brings me to the big holes in Trumps strategy.

The president paid lip service to diplomacy, saying his policy would integrate all instruments of American power. But the troubled State Department has been denuded of expertise on South Asia, and the presidents words made clear his skepticism about diplomatic efforts.

Trump repeatedly promised to win in Afghanistan and called for outright victory. Afghanistans history shows that victory within its borders is a dubious hope.

Ultimately, the point of military progress in Afghanistan would be to provide muscle behind a diplomatic push in the region  aimed at persuading all of Afghanistans neighbors that its stability was in their interests and they should stop backing factions on its soil.

Short of that, the best U.S. hope may be to prevent ISIS or al-Qaida from establishing new bases, which will require a long-term U.S. presence and focus. Continued bluster about swift and outright victory will only make Americans antsy.

Afghanistan is Trumps war now, and it will require the kind of long-range thinking he hasnt demonstrated up until now.
The Richmond branch of the NAACP is calling for the city to remove all of its Confederate monuments from public spaces.

The local branch unanimously voted in a meeting held last week to support removal or relocation of Confederate statues, it announced in a statement this week.

James J.J. Minor, the organizations president, said in an interview Wednesday that the statues were offensive to African-Americans.

Those statues represent evil, racism and hate, Minor said.

On Aug. 9, the organization issued a statement advocating for the city to add monuments to balance the five Confederate figures depicted on Monument Avenue: Civil War Gens. Robert E. Lee, J.E.B. Stuart and Stonewall Jackson; President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis; and Confederate naval commander Matthew Fontaine Maury.

At that time, the local branch also called for additional statues, parks and street names throughout the city honoring African-Americans and Native Americans.

The events in Charlottesville earlier this month, where violence broke out at a white supremacist rally and a man drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing one and injuring at least 30 others, prompted the local branch to reconsider its stance, Minor said.

Were not trying to erase history, we just think theres a special place for them in a museum or some other private place, Minor said in the interview.

Minor, a political ally of Mayor Levar Stoney, also serves as president of the Richmond City Democratic Committee.

Last week, Stoney revised his stance on the monuments, releasing a statement expanding the charge of his Monument Avenue Commission to include a discussion of removal or relocation of the monuments.

Previously, Stoney had asked the commission to explore how to add context to the statues, an approach he initially defended after Charlottesville.

While we had hoped to use this process to educate Virginians about the history behind these monuments, the events of the last week may have fundamentally changed our ability to do so by revealing their power to serve as a rallying point for division and intolerance and violence, the mayor said in his statement.

Stoneys reversal came the same day that Lt. Gov. and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ralph S. Northam and Gov. Terry McAuliffe called for removing or relocating Confederate monuments.

Michael Jones, the 9th District Richmond City Council representative, said late last week that he intends to introduce a measure at the councils Sept. 11 meeting seeking removal or relocation of the monuments.
A 17-year-old Cosby High School student has been identified as the person killed in a four-vehicle, chain-reaction crash late Tuesday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Hanover County.

Rachel Garka, who lived in Midlothian, died at the scene of the 11:21 p.m. wreck, state police said.

Her father, Scott Garka, who is president of CultureWorks, was seriously injured, an employee of the Richmond-based arts and culture nonprofit confirmed. Police reported that injuries were serious but not life-threatening.

State police said charges were pending in the crash, which occurred near I-95s Sliding Hill Road exit. A two-door Volkswagen, driven by Scott Garka, was rear-ended, which pushed the car into the vehicle in front of it, sparking the chain-reaction crash, police said.

No other injuries were reported. Garka and his daughter were both wearing seat belts.

The Virginia State Police Richmond Division Crash Reconstruction Team is assisting with the crash investigation.
Obscuring the images of Confederate generals in a black shroud is a good start, but area residents opposed to the statues of Robert E. Lee and Thomas Stonewall Jackson in Charlottesville say its a matter of time before they come down.

The lingering debate over the fate of the statues in two downtown parks has been met with calls on social media and in public meetings for residents to pull the statues down if the city doesnt remove them.

When your city government doesnt listen to you, you have to take action, said Jamie Dyer, a local musician and social activist who on his Facebook page has called for pulling the statues down.

Im not saying were organizing anything right now and Im not going to talk about that, Dyer said. But I know a lot of people who are talking about it. The statues coming down is something that will happen. Its in the air.

The City Council voted early Tuesday morning to shroud the statues in black cloth. The meeting started Monday night but lasted more than six hours as speakers took over the councils dais and sent some councilors retreating to chambers.

The shrouding vote came after residents criticized the council for allowing the Aug. 12 Unite the Right rally in Emancipation Park where there Lee statue stands, a rally that resulted in street fighting between neo-Nazi and white supremacists groups and groups of counter-protesters.

Councilors said the black fabric would represent the citys mourning of Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old local woman killed in a car attack described by many as white nationalist terrorism.

Heyer was struck and killed by a car speedily driven into a crowd of anti-fascist and anti-Nazi protesters at Fourth Street Southeast and Water Street after the rally was broken up by police. The attack sent 30 others to the hospital for treatment of injuries.

Officials set no timeline for when the statues would be draped in black, but city employees were seen Tuesday at Justice Park with measuring wheels walking around the statue of Jackson.

Dyer said surrounding the statues with black cloth is a good start, but not the end of the issue.

This city is mourning and it would be a good thing for healing because all of us were traumatized by that rally, Dyer said. But its not a solution. The statues have to go.

Others who have been active in protests said they have no connection with Dyer or plans to pull down the statues. They are pushing to remove the statues through the legal system and government channels.

The activist community has been transparent in its actions to use its voice through legal means to apply pressure on the city to remove the statues, said Emily Gorcenski, who has been involved in community organizing. I firmly believe that this mounting pressure  decades in the making  is coming to its proper conclusion.

The statues have been in the public eye for most of the year. In February, the council voted 3-2 to remove the Lee statue. In March, a group of statue supporters sued the city to prevent the removal, citing state laws that make it illegal to move or alter war memorials.

In April, the city voted 3-2 to sell the statue pending the lawsuits outcome. On May 2, a judge issued an injunction against the city, legally preventing it from removing the statue as the case proceeds in court.

On May 13, several dozen torch-wielding protesters led by white nationalist Richard Spencer gathered in Emancipation Park just after 9 p.m. chanting you will not replace us, Russia is our friend and blood and soil. On July 8, a North Carolina sect of the Ku Klux Klan demonstrated in Justice Park in support of the statues.

On Aug. 12, the Unite the Rally, which was planned for Emancipation Park to feature speakers from a variety or pro-white organizations, including neo-Nazis, was shut down by police before it could happen after violence broke out between rally attendees and counter-protesters.

Heyer was killed shortly after the rally was broken up. Later in the day, two Virginia State Police troopers died when their helicopter, which had hovered over the rally for much of the day, crashed in Albemarle County.

The statue lawsuit is slated to go to trial Sept. 1, according to Charlottesville Circuit Court records.
Officials in Norfolk want to move the citys downtown Confederate monument to a cemetery, and theyre asking Attorney General Mark R. Herring for an advisory opinion on whether state law allows it.

State law on the issue is murky, and a lawsuit is pending in Charlottesville Circuit Court over whether that city has the right to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Emancipation Park.

The Norfolk City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday asking that due to the importance of the issue across the state, the number of monuments and people affected, the attorney general make this request a priority and provide an opinion as soon as reasonably possible.

Herring spokesman Michael Kelly said Herring will review the request from Norfolks city attorney and respond.

Ultimately this decision is one for local governments to make, Kelly said in an email. There may be different restrictions that apply to different monuments, or no restrictions, depending on where it is, who owns it, and a number of other factors that individual localities will need to identify, evaluate and consider in consultation with their city or county attorney.

Attorney general opinions may be given deference by the courts but are not binding.

The killing of nine African-Americans in 2015 at a Charleston, S.C., church by white supremacist Dylann Roof started a new debate over Confederate imagery. The Charlottesville City Council voted in February to relocate the Lee statue.

A rally organized Aug. 12 by white nationalist Jason Kessler attracted white supremacists and counterprotesters from across the country; one woman was killed when a car drove into a crowd of anti-racist demonstrators, and two Virginia State Police pilots died after their helicopter crashed. An alleged white supremacist is charged in the car attack.

Norfolk is among cities across the South taking steps to remove or relocate Confederate monuments, many constructed long after the Civil War and during times of segregation and racial oppression.

Norfolks monument has a generic rebel soldier on the top and reads Our Confederate Dead 1861-1865.

Its not even in the original location, said Mayor Kenneth C. Alexander. It was put into storage for several years in the late 1960s for construction of a downtown skyscraper, he said.

Elmwood Cemetery in Norfolk includes graves of white Confederate soldiers; West Point Cemetery contains a monument honoring black Union soldiers. So the City Council wants to move the Confederate monument to Elmwood.

A state law passed in 1998 makes it illegal for cities and counties to disturb or interfere with any war memorial, including removing, damaging or defacing monuments. But a Danville Circuit Court judge ruled in 2015 that the law did not apply to memorials built before 1998.

It is clear that statutes, generally speaking, do not have retroactive application unless that retroactive application is specified by the legislature, Judge James R. Reynolds wrote in an opinion.

In 2016, Del. Charles D. Poindexter, R-Franklin County, sponsored a bill that passed the General Assembly and would have added language that said, The provisions of this subsection shall apply to all such monuments and memorials, regardless of when erected.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed it, arguing that the bill would end local discussions about whether to retain or move Confederate monuments.

John Adams, the Republican nominee for attorney general against Herring in November, believes state law prohibits a locality from moving a Confederate monument, spokeswoman Taylor Keeney said.
The Republican Party of Virginia apologized Wednesday for a Twitter post that said Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ralph S. Northam had turned his back on his own familys heritage by supporting the removal of Confederate statues.

The party intended to spotlight research suggesting one of Northams ancestors was wounded while fighting for the Confederacy. But Democrats quickly cried foul, characterizing the message as a racially charged attack in a state still dealing with the aftermath of this months violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville.

Northam, the sitting lieutenant governor who has deep family roots on the rural Eastern Shore, learned in June that his ancestors owned slaves.

I feel fine about turning my back on white supremacy, Northam said in a response posted to Twitter early Wednesday afternoon. How does @EdWGillespie feel about the presidents position?

The Republican Party took the tweets down a short while after Northams response.

Our previous tweets were interpreted in a way we never intended, the party said. We apologize and reiterate our denunciation of racism in all its forms.

The social media dust-up highlighted the uncertain waters both parties find themselves in after the events in Charlottesville, which put the heated issue of removing Confederate monuments back at the forefront of the states political debate.

Democrats have called on Republican gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie to condemn President Donald Trump for not doing enough to condemn the racist demonstrators that rallied around Charlottesvilles statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on a chaotic day that saw three deaths.

In response, Northam said unequivocally that he believes Confederate statues should be removed, while Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman, said the statues should remain but be placed in proper historical context.

During a GOP primary earlier this year, anti-establishment Republican Corey Stewart pressured Gillespie to take a more forceful stand in defense of Confederate statues. After embracing Confederate symbols throughout his campaign and repeatedly defending the Confederacy as part of Virginias heritage, Stewart narrowly lost the nomination to Gillespie, who has sought to project an air of inclusivity by pledging to be a governor for all Virginians.

In a statement, the Gillespie campaign said it agreed with the Republican Partys decision to apologize and delete the tweet.
The Charlottesville City Council voted to drape two Confederate statues in black fabric during a chaotic meeting packed with irate residents who screamed and cursed at councilors over the citys response to a white nationalist rally.

The council also voted Monday to take the procedural first steps toward removing a statue of Confederate Gen. Thomas Stonewall Jackson. City leaders had initially planned to leave it in place.

The anger at Monday nights meeting  during which three people were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct or obstruction forced the council to abandon its agenda and focus instead on the tragedy. Council members said covering the statues in black is intended to signal the citys mourning for Charlottesville resident Heather Heyer, who was killed when a car slammed into a crowd protesting the Aug. 12 rally.

I think what you saw last night was a traumatized community beginning the process of catharsis, Mayor Mike Signer said Tuesday.

The council meeting was the first since the Unite the Right event, which was believed to be the largest gathering of white nationalists in a decade. The demonstrators arrived in Charlottesville partly to protest the City Councils vote to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

That removal is in the midst of a legal challenge. A state law passed in 1998 forbids local governments from removing, damaging or defacing war monuments, but there is legal ambiguity about whether that applies to statues such as the Lee monument, which was erected before the law was passed. A judge has issued an injunction preventing the city from removing the Lee statue while the lawsuit plays out.

Signer said Tuesday that city staff had begun working to find a way to cover the large statues with a material that can withstand the elements. The council believes doing so would not violate the state law, he said.

On Tuesday, a spokeswoman for Del. David J. Toscano, D-Charlottesville, said the citys representative in the House of Delegates is proposing to allow localities to remove monuments if they choose to do so.

Toscano was not available Tuesday to comment on the legislative proposal that would be considered during the 2018 General Assembly session. Last week, Signer asked for an emergency assembly session, but a spokesman for Gov. Terry McAuliffe said the matter will have to wait, with litigation already pending.

At Mondays City Council meeting, many speakers directed their anger at Signer. They expressed frustration that city leaders had granted a permit for the rally and criticized police for allowing the two sides to clash violently before the rally even started. That fighting went on largely uninterrupted by authorities, until the event was declared an unlawful assembly and the crowd was forced to disperse.

Why did you think that you could walk in here and do business as usual after what happened on the 12th? City Council candidate and community activist Nikuyah Walker said.

The mayor tried to restore order, but as tensions escalated, the meeting was temporarily suspended. Video showed protesters chanting Blood on your hands! as Signer stood at the front of the room. Others held signs calling for his resignation.

When the meeting resumed, the agenda was scuttled and the council listened to input from residents.

In related developments:

University of Virginia police disclosed they had obtained arrest warrants for a white nationalist in connection with crimes they say were committed on campus a day before a rally that ended in deadly violence.

Police said in a statement that Christopher Cantwell of Keene, N.H., was being sought on three felony charges: two counts of the illegal use of tear gas or other gases and one count of malicious bodily injury with a caustic substance, explosive or fire.

The statement said the warrants stem from incidents on campus the evening of Aug. 11, when hundreds of white nationalists marched across the Grounds, chanting anti-Semitic slogans and carrying torches. At one point, the marchers were confronted by a much smaller group of counterprotesters. Police didnt elaborate on the allegations against Cantwell.

Cantwell featured prominently as a strident voice for white nationalism in a widely viewed Vice News segment that aired on HBO. He said Tuesday that he fully intends to comply with the law.

Virginias second-largest city has moved closer to relocating an 80-foot Confederate monument from its downtown to a cemetery.

On Tuesday, the Norfolk City Council approved a resolution declaring its desire to move the monument as soon as state law allows it. The measure asks Virginias attorney general to clarify what state law permits.

Norfolks monument, known as Johnny Reb for its statue of a Confederate soldier, has stood for 110 years. Mayor Kenny Alexander said moving it to a nearby Confederate cemetery would put that graveyard on equal footing with one serving black Union soldiers.

A Roman Catholic priest in Northern Virginia is taking a leave of absence after disclosing he once burned crosses as a member of the Ku Klux Klan.

The Rev. William Aitcheson, a priest in the Diocese of Arlington, described how he belonged to the Klan as a young man in a column published Monday in The Arlington Catholic Herald, the dioceses newspaper.

My actions were despicable, wrote the 62-year-old priest, noting that 40 years have passed since he was in the Klan.
Updated at 8:15 p.m.

The University of Virginia Police Department has obtained arrest warrants for Chris Cantwell related to his actions on Grounds on the eve of Aug. 12s Unite the Right rally.

Cantwell, who was slated to speak at the rally, is wanted for three felonies  two counts of illegal use of tear gas and one count of malicious bodily injury.

University police are asking Cantwell to turn himself in to any police agency immediately.

Authorities declined to release further details Tuesday, citing an ongoing investigation.

Cantwell featured prominently as a strident voice for white nationalism in a Vice News segment that aired on HBO on Aug. 14. The segment has been viewed more than 44 million times since it first aired, according to The New York Times.

Cantwell, contacted via email Tuesday, said he fully intends to comply with the law.

Its all just been so confusing since the authorities would rather leak conflicting information to media than communicate honestly with my attorney, Cantwell said.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Cantwell hosts a call-in talk show called Radical Agenda, live-streamed from a home studio in Keene, New Hampshire. He has argued for a white ethno state.

Unite the Right was slated to be a rally at Emancipation Park in protest of the citys decision to remove its statue of Robert E. Lee. In addition to Cantwell, other would-be speakers included UVa alumnus Richard Spencer and Tim Gionet, who goes by the moniker Baked Alaska.

David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan leader, was in attendance Aug. 12, as well.

The rally was scheduled to begin at noon, but an unlawful assembly was declared shortly before after ralliers and counter-protesters clashed in the streets that morning.

Later that afternoon, area resident Heather Heyer was killed near the corner of Fourth and Water streets after a car plowed into a group of counter-protesters. James Alex Fields Jr., of Ohio, was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

In addition, Fields, 20, is charged with three counts of aggravated malicious wounding, five counts of malicious wounding and one count of hit-and-run.

A few hours after the deadly car incident, two Virginia State Police troopers, Jay Cullen of Midlothian and Berke Bates of Quinton, who had assisted in law enforcements rally response, died in a helicopter crash in Albemarle County.

Anyone with information on the incidents at UVa on Aug. 11, including eyewitness accounts, is asked to contact police at (434) 924-7166 or police@virginia.edu.
The racist goons in Charlottesville have inspired a fresh debate over whether the government should allow speech by racists, goons, and assorted other troglodytes.

Here in Virginia, Gov. Terry McAuliffe has temporarily banned demonstrations at the Lee monument in Richmond. City leaders in Portsmouth are debating whether to adopt a similar ban, at least with regard to hate groups. On the other side of the country, Nancy Pelosi wants a permit revoked for an alt-right rally. Transit authorities in New York and Washington have been trying to limit controversial (and even noncontroversial) advertising. And so on.

Those demanding censorship sometimes try to put a fig leaf on the demand. This executive order has nothing to do with infringing upon First Amendment rights, McAuliffe claimed, even though that was its whole point. In The Week, Matthew Walther contends that defending abstract rights of even the worst people is not to defend speech but to demean it, to diminish it to the level of undifferentiated random noise. Sure, thats probably it.

Defenders of free speech have offered some familiar but still trenchant rebuttals:

Who decides what is acceptable? Do liberals really want to give a Republican Congress and, for Petes sake, Donald Trump the authority to decide which speech to punish?

Where do you draw the line? In Europe, courts have fined and imprisoned people not just for classic hate speech, but also for glorifying terrorism with a puppet show, saying mean things on Facebook, and posting cruel humor on Twitter, among a great deal else.

What about blowback? As Washington Post ombudsman Margaret Sullivan suggested in a recent column: Imagine a civil rights march that is shut down because officials fear a violent response from racists. She quotes Justin Silverman, of the New England First Amendment Coalition, who points out that until relatively recently rallies for equality and civil rights were considered offensive and unpopular.

These are all good arguments, but they suffer from a common flaw: They are conditional. They allow for the possibility that censorship might be acceptable if we could ensure that the right people imposed it, that they would draw the lines in the right place, and that good ideas would never be censored.

In the real world, those conditions cannot be met all the time, which makes the arguments powerful. But there are two other points that need drawing out as well.

The first is that the right to speech is not merely instrumental. In The Week, Walther argues that freedom of speech is not a first-order good; it exists only to facilitate the flourishing of ... society. Ergo, speech that doesnt facilitate somebodys conception of flourishing can be censored. (You hear the same arguments in the campaign-finance context: Speech by powerful interests can be curtailed in the name of a level playing field.)

This is just drastically wrong. It treats people as mere means to somebody elses end, as Kant would say  not as ends in themselves. The blood-soaked history of the 20th century should have discredited that collectivist vision of society for all time, but apparently it still holds appeal in some quarters.

The other point that needs drawing out has less to do with the people who are speaking than the people who stand in judgment of the speakers. The current debate has focused on whether certain vile ideas have any value, and whether the people who espouse them deserve to be able to voice them. This looks at the question from the wrong end.

The more important question is: What right does anybody have to shut them up? That is the real threshold issue.

By way of analogy: Smith might not care for country music. He might, in fact, despise it. But Garcia is still free to play country music all he wants. And here is the crucial part: Garcia is not free to do so because country music is inherently deserving of protection. Or because, if country music is banned, classical music might be next. Or because someday Garcia might be in charge and want to stop Smith from playing the Beatles.

No. Fundamentally, Garcia is free to play his country music for one immutable reason: Smith has no right to make him stop. What comes out of Garcias stereo is simply not for Smith to say.
Deborah Bell Burks family once owned a general store in Charlottesville. Then along came urban renewal.

The New York Times told the story in an article about Charlottesvilles racial demons. It notes that on the same day the City Council voted to remove the Lee statue, it also voted for a $4 million plan to reduce racial disparities, which some consider akin to reparations.

During the 1960s, the paper notes, Charlottesville held a referendum and decided, by a margin of just 36 votes, to raze Vinegar Hill  a black neighborhood  for redevelopment. Hundreds of residents and 29 black-owned businesses were displaced, including the store owned by Ms. Bell Burks family. Most never reopened, and generations of black families have been trapped in public housing complexes since then, or have left town altogether.

The story is far from unique. The same thing happened to the Fulton neighborhood here in Richmond, and in countless other communities across the country. It was called urban renewal in Washington, where it was a key part of Lyndon Johnsons Great Society. Negro removal is how novelist James Baldwin described it.

It certainly did not live up to the renewal billing. Fulton never recovered, and in Charlottesville, the middle-class entrepreneurs of Vinegar Hill ended up in Westhaven, a public-housing complex. Some renaissance.
The other day the Virginia League of Conservation Voters PAC announced that it will spend more than $1 million to help elect Ralph Northam governor. This followed similar news that a Planned Parenthood PAC will spend $3 million to the same end. On Tuesday, the environmentalist group NextGen America threw $2 million into the pot.

As we pointed out earlier this summer, environmental groups spend far more than Dominion, their bete noire. In fact, its not even all that close: For every $3.32 Dominion spends on Virginia campaigns, environmental groups spend $4.99.

Similar ratios likely apply with regard to Planned Parenthood. Most anti-abortion groups cant begin to raise the kind of money the womens health care provider can.

But this is not a plea for more equal spending. Rather, it is for more equal scrutiny.

First, Dominions campaign contributions attract a great deal of attention. Its common to see reports about how much the company gave whenever Virginia politicians take a stand on a controversial issue or project related to the utility. Yet references to campaign spending by environmental groups occur far less frequently.

Sure, Dominion is a regulated entity, and the propriety of its campaign donations is a reasonable topic for debate. But thats a separate issue from the amount of attention paid to its donations, relative to the attention paid to even larger donations from other sources.

The unspoken assumption behind the lopsided attention seems to be that if a legislator who votes with Dominion also took money from Dominion, then there must be some connection. It cant simply be the case that he thinks the utility has the better argument. He must be doing the bidding of his paymasters.

But the same implication ought to apply in every case where a politician sides with a donor. Either campaign donations and in-kind aid are corrupting, or they are not. They cannot have a corrupting effect only when made by groups the observer happens not to like.

Yet that is how they are often treated.

Four years ago Planned Parenthood Votes gave Terry McAuliffe just under $1.2 million. But when McAuliffe took steps beneficial to Planned Parenthood, such as vetoing legislation to defund the group, that donation generally went unmentioned.

On the other hand, Dominions comparatively measly donation to the governor  $75,000  comes up again and again, especially when his support for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is mentioned. That makes no sense. If a mere $75,000 can sway the governor, then how much effect on him must a cool million-plus have?
With the solar eclipse now history, how about some focused attention on the future here on Earth being shaped by the very real, even nightmarish, social eclipse of the American Dream?

In recent times weve witnessed a violent rip in the social and political fabric of our country that threatens to blow off course the American ship of state. Comity and conversation at the highest levels are being replaced with anger and accusations instead of initiatives and improvement in the human condition. There are repercussions across the land.

In some of our cities and towns, there is an erosion of community soil that is washing away norms of civility, tolerance, and intellectual curiosity. Our national motto, E Pluribus Unum, is sought to be rewritten with violence and intimidation by clueless racists, fascist thugs, and big bullies for whom outrage is the password of the day  anger and prejudice against people of different religions, color, origins, and orientations.

These people do not represent the majority of Americans. Where is their moral compass? How has this happened? Where does it end?

For those who are apprehended, tried, and convicted for the kind of violent, reprehensible, and unacceptable conduct that we have witnessed recently in our streets, maximum penalties must be sought. Such actions must be shown to have consequences.

But, what then?

There is a generation always coming behind ours. How do we reach them, the young and restless, rebels seeking a cause?

Perhaps the time has come for a national discussion about how we, personally, reach, teach, and remind everyone about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, about the structure and function of our government at all levels, about the history of our country (warts and all), the importance of civility, and tolerance of those with different backgrounds and points of view. Manners matter. So does knowledge.

Perhaps the time also has come for renewal of the call for a national discussion about the wisdom of requiring a two-year period of public service of all between the ages of 18 and 25 in order to develop character, skills, experience, and exposure to challenges, and opportunities to find a purpose in life and become a part of a country larger than themselves. Such a public service requirement could be satisfied with a number of options, including military service, the Peace Corps, teaching, or public health and safety.

Some years ago, William A. Galston, a senior fellow in the Brookings Institutions Governance Studies Program, wrote that there is more to citizenship than simply asserting your rights. Hes right.

Accordingly, Galston proposed that the nation select Americans for civic service on the basis of a lottery. One would then have a choice of two years of either military or civilian service. Living expenses for those doing civilian service would be covered.

There is merit to the general thrust of this idea, but I wonder if we should not consider something larger, more comprehensive.

We are all stewards of our own nation. Granted, in the U.S. Constitution, there is no penalty for indifference, no sanction for disengagement. But we all pay a price, nevertheless.

So, maybe, we should ask ourselves whether national service shouldnt embrace everyone, at some early stage in our lives.

The fact is that we appear to have lost our knack for citizenship  or, at least, too many of us have. Historians generally agree that the level of civic involvement  during the Revolution, the Civil War, the Second World War  dwarfs and eclipses what we see today.

In effect, we take too much for granted. We stir ourselves to action only when we perceive an immediate threat to what we hold dear. Absent a crisis, disengagement reigns within the greater portion of the population or, in the words of that anonymous observer, we learn well and fast when we learn the consequences of what we do  and dont do.

Surely, the time has come for us as a nation to recognize an eclipse  scientific or social  as more than a moment in time; it is also a time of learning  and leading. History reflects the resiliency of our people. For the sake of our future, we must learn to reason together, eliminate barriers, elevate our horizons, and seek to form a more perfect union.
Virginia made history in July as we became the first state in the nation to join a new emergency wireless broadband system called FirstNet that will connect first responders. This is the start of a transformational change in the way our public safety workers will communicate during emergencies

Gov. Terry McAuliffes decision to opt in to FirstNet was strongly supported by public safety departments across the commonwealth. As a result, Virginias emergency responders will for the first time have instant and coordinated wireless emergency communication. This technology will help protect the lives of emergency responders and the Virginians they serve.

Until now, Virginias emergency responders have not had these essential tools over a reliable network of their own. During emergencies, we have had to cope with wireless networks that could quickly become congested because they were not designed to meet Virginias emergency needs in the modern age.

I saw this problem firsthand during the September 11 attacks. That was the most stressful and chaotic day of my 40 years of service. Responding to the Pentagon attack, the men and women of the Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department struggled with radios that were not compatible with neighboring departments  or with those used by federal public safety personnel on the scene. That meant we were not able to effectively coordinate potentially life-saving actions with other first responder teams that were quickly descending on the Pentagons west side as it went up in flames.

FirstNet has its roots in the communications weaknesses that hampered responses to those attacks. In Virginias case, public safety leaders spent more than three years working with the First Responder Network Authority to explain the commonwealths need to address emergencies of many kinds and in diverse areas.

The result is a network designed from the ground up specifically to meet the urgent, data-intensive demands that Virginias first responders have during emergencies. This network will handle everything from wildfire responses in the Shenandoah to high-rise building emergencies in Fairfax and Arlington to flooding in Hampton Roads  and everything in between.

Our new capabilities include a high-speed wireless connection to send information seamlessly and mobile applications designed for these mission-critical operations.

For example, in a fast-moving building fire, our team will have the ability to share things like real-time images of floor plans, photos of blocked doorways, data about hazardous fumes, and other information that can save lives. The new system is also interoperable, which expands each jurisdictions ability to communicate with other local jurisdictions, state-level personnel, and federal or military officials.

From the taxpayer perspective, McAuliffes team made an especially good deal because this systems construction and maintenance during the next 25 years will not involve any taxpayer money from the commonwealth or from local communities. Instead, AT&T will have the responsibility for running the network and ensuring it stays up-to-date and evolves as technology changes. The FirstNet organization will oversee AT&Ts work to ensure the network and its services are meeting public safetys unique needs and challenges.

As McAuliffe noted in signing the FirstNet order, Virginia has made great economic strides in recent years, but communities wont continue to grow if they are not safe. Virginias decision to join FirstNet represents one of the most significant transformations in public safety communications in decades.

I am pleased to say that Virginia is first in, all in, to opt in to FirstNet, and I know many first responders across the commonwealth feel the same way.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
John Adams, the Republican nominee for Virginias attorney general, listened intently Wednesday as local prosecutors, law enforcement officials and lawmakers detailed the extent of substance abuse in the Roanoke Valley.

Adams, who has pledged to make reducing drug overdoses and deaths a priority of his campaign, sought information at the roundtable discussion on the severity of the opioid epidemic and the proliferation of other drugs.

The Richmond attorney opposes Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat, who is seeking re-election. Virginias attorney general is the commonwealths chief prosecutor and law enforcement officer.

Ive never run for office before, Adams said. I started running for office a year and six months ago. Drugs were really not what was on my radar screen. The heroin, opioid crisis was really not on my radar screen, but it didnt take long.

The current drug crisis kind of grabs you and shakes you.

The former federal prosecutor, who once clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and served as an associate White House counsel under President George W. Bush, said he realized the magnitude of Virginias drug problems when he hit the campaign trail. Adams said he aims to create a substance abuse coordination center within the attorney generals office to unite state, local and federal groups to combat the drug epidemic.

He wants to expand drug abuse treatment options and better educate kids on the dangers of drugs starting as early as elementary school. Adams said he also would have the attorney generals office release quarterly reports detailing the number of overdose deaths and identifying localities and programs that have had success reducing substance abuse.

Herring has championed the fight against opioid addiction in Virginia as overdose death rates have skyrocketed in recent years. In May, he visited Roanoke to follow up on an initiative that fast-tracks treatment options for addicts and allows them to turn in their drugs and paraphernalia with impunity.

At the roundtable Wednesday, sheriffs, commonwealths attorneys, health professionals and lawmakers discussed local solutions to the opioid epidemic and what still needs to be done.

Debbie Bonniwell with Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare noted that the strong community partnerships between nonprofits, localities and other community groups ensure that the Roanoke Valley has a number of options for people battling substance abuse.

Drug take-back programs also have netted literal tons of drugs in recent years, she said.

Roanoke County held a series of opioid abuse forums that helped inform students about the dangers of prescription painkillers, said Roanoke County Sheriff Eric Orange, who helped with the events. Others pointed to drug treatment court programs that offer offenders substance abuse treatment and to the Roanoke Valleys Heroin Task Force as useful tools to combat the drug epidemic.

Attendees agreed that local, state and federal money spent preventing substance abuse has better long-term effects on reducing the drug epidemic than funds spent for policing and jails that can only come into play when addicts are already hooked.

A dollar spent on prevention is going to save $10 at the other end of the spectrum, with law enforcement, said Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge.

The roundtable was a chance for Adams to listen and ask questions, but the candidate and those in attendance didnt come to any conclusions except that substance abuse is a massive, multi-faceted problem that will take countless people working together to solve.

In addition to ramping up the fight against substance abuse, Adams has pledged to better connect federal law enforcement with local law enforcement in order to reduce gang violence in the commonwealth. Adams specifically cited the MS-13 gang that has roots in El Salvador and whose members have been blamed for several violent incidents in Virginia this year.

Adams also has vowed to crack down on caller ID spoofing, or when a caller, often through a robocall, deliberately disguises his identity by changing the phone number he is calling from. Consumer protection is a significant portion of the attorney generals job.
. To do so, first type the original number into the text box. Then click on the "Scientific Notation" option located at the top of the floating window. Finally, click on the "Standard" button found beneath the text box to display your result. This program is useful for scientists and engineers working with decimal-based numbers. It provides easy access to those who need to convert those numbers into more compact forms without having to do heavy math calculations first.

Scientific notation is a way to express very large or very small numbers. It is used in physics, chemistry and other fields where large numbers are common. Those numbers are written as a power of 10 followed by a number with an exponent. For example, 1,000,000 (one million) is written as 1  103. The exponent shows how many zeros are after the first digit. For example, 1,000,001 is written as 1  102. Scientific notation is a useful tool for making calculations easier. You can use it to write down very big or very small numbers in one step instead of writing out both the large and small numbers separately. You can also use it to express large or small numbers in terms of other units like centimeters or millimeters.

Scientific notation solver is an online tool that can be used to convert any number into scientific notation. Simply enter any number to the left of the decimal point and it will automatically convert it into a scientific notation equivalent. This web tool can be very helpful when you need to convert a large number into scientific notation. However, please note that this online tool can only convert numbers that are in scientific format. For example, it cannot convert a non-scientific number like "1,085" into a scientific notation equivalent. It is also important to keep in mind that this web tool only works when converting numbers from one particular format to another. For example, if you want to change a non-scientific number like "1,085" into standard format, then you will have to use another online tool like NumberFormatting.com.
A 14-week sUAS Remote Pilot Ground School course will be taught at New River Community College beginning Monday, Aug. 28. The course will prepare individuals to take the Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 drone regulation exam.

Each Monday evening session will include instruction on topics to prepare for the exam including flight/weather maps and regulations and guidelines governed by the FAA relating to both drone and small Unmanned Air Systems (sUAS) and traditional fixed wing aircraft.

Other topics will include drone maintenance, programming the graphical user interface, electronics, building and taking apart the device and hands-on time on a virtual drone simulator. Later in the semester, students will fly drones in an air space yet to be determined.

Registration is open to the public. The course (UMS 107-M6, course # 52216) will be held on Monday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the colleges NRV Mall site in Christiansburg.

Jeff Levy, head of NRCCs engineering and design program, the department offering the course, says due to the expansion of first responders using drones, this exam prep course could be a benefit to emergency medical service, fire and rescue, and police and sheriffs department personnel.

Students do not need a drone to take the class, but for those who wish to use their own during the flight portion of the course later in the semester, a .55 pound drone is recommended.

Students will be using the FAA hobbyist set of rules.

Bob Harrison will instruct the course. He is a former airline pilot and former owner of an aerial photography business. Barney Blankenship will teach the hands-on drone portion of the program.

Prospective NRCC students may visit www.nr.edu/admissions/ for enrollment information or call the Admissions Office at 674-3603.

 Submitted by Kelly Kaiser
By Paul Avey

Avey is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Virginia Tech.

North Koreas nuclear arsenal is growing more formidable. Last month they tested an intercontinental ballistic missile and continue to make progress on nuclear warheads. These developments sparked a stern reaction from the United States. A war of words followed and tensions rose. The situation has calmed down somewhat and there have been few concrete actions, but many perceived a crisis atmosphere.

All of this raises a more basic issue. Namely, can the United States live with a nuclear armed North Korea?

This is not a new question, and past American presidents have had to grapple with similar issues. Its tempting to say that those lessons no longer apply, that past U.S. opponents were sober and rational whereas North Korea today is much more aggressive, even irrational.

That is a view bought with the benefit of hindsight. It is definitely not the way people saw things at the time.

To Americans in the late-1940s and 1950s, the Soviet Union certainly appeared dangerously aggressive. Joseph Stalin murdered millions of his own people and seemed intent on exporting a hostile ideology around the globe. He directly confronted the United States in 1948 by blockading Berlin. Americans wondered, what would happen when the Soviets built a robust nuclear arsenal?

In the 1960s China seemed the poster-child for a rogue regime. Mao Zedongs policies resulted in millions of his own people dying. He had intervened in the Korean War and started multiple crises over Taiwan. His statements on nuclear weapons were little cause for comfort. If the worse came to the worst and half of mankind died, the other half would remain while imperialism would be razed to the ground and the whole world would become socialist, Mao said.

Its not surprising that leaders explored preventive war options. In 1953 President Eisenhower wondered whether our duty to future generations did not require us to initiate war against the Soviet Union while the United States had an advantage. President Kennedy believed that a nuclear-armed China would so upset the world political scene [that] it would be intolerable. He tasked various parts of the government with examining preventive strikes. He even approached the Soviet Union about joint action. The Soviets were not interested.

Of course, no strikes happened. The moral and strategic costs were always too high, the military options never particularly appealing. At least some adversaries and allies could be counted on to oppose any use of force. A limited strike would not eliminate the problem. A massive strike could cause a major war. Even if the United States won it would be responsible for rebuilding the decimated society. As Eisenhower put it on one occasion, destroy Russia and what do you do with it? Here would be a great area  torn up and destroyed  an area of starvation and disaster. I ask you what would the civilized world do about it?

So dangerous leaders acquired nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. Those leaders then refrained from using them. Confronted with the prospect of devastating retaliation, of the end of their regime even if they inflicted horrendous damage on the United States, discretion seemed the better part of valor.

Many of these same factors are present today. A preventive war against North Korea, even a successful one without nuclear use, could kill huge numbers of soldiers and civilians. In the aftermath the United States would surely be required to help South Korea reunify and rebuild North Korea. Americans have re-learned that nation-building is not cheap. Americas allies generally prefer a non-military solution. China wont support North Korea if it starts a fight, but they have made it clear they will oppose U.S. action if they believe North Korea the victim.

Kim Jong-un is a ruthless dictator who has murdered his own people and apparently even members of his own family. Yet he also appears determined to hold onto power. If he used a nuclear weapon or started a major war that would be the quickest way to bring about an early death.

In the long run, the goal should be the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. For the near term, the United States should settle for a policy of containment. This policy is far from perfect and war might occur anyway. Its great virtue is that it has worked against much more capable opponents in the past.
This would be a really good time to run a history museum.

Or a really bad time.

Lets go with the really good time.

The recent push to take down Confederate statues  accelerated in the wake of the deadly white supremacist march in Charlottesville  is typically accompanied by the addendum that such monuments should be moved to museums.

This raises a very practical question: Are museums able to handle all these statues?

Lets walk through the logistics. Typically, the Confederate statues were talking about are owned by local governments. Theyre generally in front of courthouses, although the ones in Charlottesville are in a city park and the ones in Richmond are lined up along Monument Avenue.

An inventory by the Southern Poverty Law Center counted more than 1,500 Confederate memorials around the country. The group counted 223 in Virginia. Almost every county or city has one.

Realistically, not every one of those will come down; that will depend on the prevailing sentiment in those communities. But some will. Some already have. So where should they go?

In a perfect world, every statue or monument being removed from a place of public honor would go into a local museum  so that the story can be told of why that community felt it important to honor service to the failed Confederacy.

Not every locality, though, has a local history museum. For those communities, this is an opportunity to create one.

However, even where there are local history museums, they tend to be small and under-funded. Even the largest one in this part of Virginia  the History Museum of Western Virginia  has had money troubles. Nearly a year ago, the museum was forced to eliminate seven jobs and move out of its prime location in Center in the Square. Instead, it moved in with the O. Winston Link Museum, an arrangement that allowed the two museums to combine staffs and save money. Still, the Roanoke museum has a professional staff. Most local history museums are staffed by volunteers.

Regardless of whether the people running the museum are paid or not, the question is whether local history museums can physically accommodate the Confederate statues that might be coming their way. Many history museums are in old homes, quite fine for displaying photographs or other artifacts  but not set up to handle a towering piece of bronze or granite, certainly not indoors and maybe not even outdoors.

In Botetourt County, for instance, the Botetourt County Historical Society Museum is in the same complex of buildings in Fincastle where the county courthouse sits. If Botetourt were to move its Confederate monument to the museum, it would essentially be moving the obelisk and cannons to the other side of the courthouse. That might technically be moving them to a museum, but sure wouldnt feel very different.

The point is, the devil is in the details, and there are plenty of devilish details here.

Some cities have found its easy to take down statues, but hard to figure out what to do next. New Orleans took down four statues this spring. Theyre still sitting in a warehouse. New Orleans is accepting offers for the statues, but only from non-profits or other governments  with the caveat that they cant be displayed outdoors on public property in the city.

There was some conversation in New Orleans about whether Washington & Lee University might be interested in the Robert E. Lee statue. The university was not.

The mayors office told The Times-Picayune, the daily newspaper in New Orleans, that W&L had sent word that Washington and Lee is not a good option from their perspective because the statue that exists in New Orleans is about his time as a soldier, and their university focuses on any work he did around education post the war.

The Smithsonian wasnt interested in the New Orleans statues, either. It said that period of history was well represented in its collection.

That leads to the obvious question: Would any of these statues simply be destroyed? A city council member in Baltimore recently suggested that. Lets hope not. Heres why.

Some see taking down statues as erasing history, but technically thats just moving it. These statues ought to be preserved somewhere for one reason that ought to be obvious:

To melt down the bronze, or bust up the granite  that really would be erasing history. And, ideally, we all know what happens to those who forget their history. (If not, look it up.)

Eastern European nations faced that question after the fall of the Iron Curtain  and the fall of the communist statues that loomed over their public squares. In Hungary, many of the statues were hauled to a field outside the capital of Budapest. Then what?

Some wanted to destroy the statues; others argued for their preservation, as a way to teach future generations about communism. That argument carried the day.

Today, Memento Park draws about 40,000 visitors a year who gaze up at 42 statues  some of Vladimir Lenin, one of Karl Marx, many of lesser figures or more generic communist emblems.

The architect who designed the park, Akos Eleod, describes the rationale for keeping the statues and putting them on display this way: Democracy is the only regime which is capable of looking back to its past, with all its mistakes and wrong turns, with its head up.

That sounds like a pretty good slogan for any local history museum that wants to embark on a fund-raising campaign right now.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  The University of Virginia Police Department has obtained arrest warrants for Chris Cantwell related to his actions on Grounds on the eve of Aug. 12s Unite the Right rally.

Cantwell, who was slated to speak at the rally, is wanted for three felonies  two counts of illegal use of tear gas and one count of malicious bodily injury.

University police are asking Cantwell to turn himself in to any police agency immediately.

Authorities declined to release further details Tuesday, citing an ongoing investigation.

Cantwell featured prominently as a strident voice for white nationalism in a Vice News segment that aired on HBO on Aug. 14. The segment has been viewed more than 44 million times since it first aired, according to The New York Times.

Cantwell, contacted via email Tuesday, said he fully intends to comply with the law.

Its all just been so confusing since the authorities would rather leak conflicting information to media than communicate honestly with my attorney, Cantwell said.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Cantwell hosts a call-in talk show called Radical Agenda, live-streamed from a home studio in Keene, New Hampshire. He has argued for a white ethno-state.

Unite the Right was slated to be a rally at Emancipation Park in protest of the citys decision to remove its statue of Robert E. Lee. In addition to Cantwell, other would-be speakers included UVa alumnus Richard Spencer and Tim Gionet, who goes by the moniker Baked Alaska.

The rally was scheduled to begin at noon, but an unlawful assembly was declared shortly before after ralliers and counter-protesters clashed in the streets that morning.

Later that afternoon, area resident Heather Heyer was killed near the corner of Fourth and Water streets after a car plowed into a group of counter-protesters. James Alex Fields Jr., of Ohio, was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

In addition, Fields, 20, is charged with three counts of aggravated malicious wounding, five counts of malicious wounding and one count of hit-and-run.
UPDATE 1:10 AM, 8/25: Hurricane Harvey has formed in the western Gulf of Mexico and is expected to intensify into a Category 3 or stronger hurricane (111 mph winds or greater) before coming ashore along the Texas coast as early as Saturday. If this occurs, it will be the first hurricane of that strength to make landfall in the United States since 2005, bringing to end an unprecedented 12-year historical "drought" of hurricanes categorized as "major." More importantly, Harvey may stall or dawdle near the coast and produce epic rainfall in Texas. I will be back on this topic, and our continued August cooldown, in additional blog posts over the weekend. END UPDATE

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I am back from the total eclipse, which was way cool -- just in time for August temperatures in Southwest Virginia that will be way cool in a different sense.

After Wednesday's cold front, the weather pattern to end August is returning more to what it was at the start of the month, dominated by cool northwesterly flow from Canada. Initially this will cut our high temperatures back to the upper 70s to mid 80s with the lower dew points across the New River and Roanoke valleys the next couple days, but a "wedge" pattern with cool and damp northeasterly flow banking against the mountains may cool us even more in the daytime over the weekend. We will struggle to make 80 anywhere by Saturday and Sunday and, if the wedge is thick enough, some places may not make 70. On clearer nights we may see some 50s lows the next several days.

The interaction of the digging jet stream trough bringing the cooler air and these two systems is a little too complicated to grab onto past 3 or 4 days at the moment, so it's a little unclear where all this tropical moisture ends up. The western Gulf Coast and Florida and possibly some of the Southeast U.S. coast look likely to get drenched, but where it goes inland later, if it does, remains murky.

One weather note about early in the week: The high temperature of 97 initially reported for Roanoke on Monday has been determined to be erroneous by the National Weather Service, the result of a mechanical issue during maintenance of the weather sensor. The official high for the date was 93 before the eclipse, falling to 88 during the period of partially blocked sunlight.

I had the privilege of witnessing Monday's total eclipse from Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park in western Kentucky, with a 2-minute, 37-second time of totality that seemed like all of maybe 45 seconds. This experience was just as surreal and sublime as I had been led to believe. I'm glad most eclipse-watchers in the Roanoke/New River valleys got to see the 89-91% eclipse locally -- I know the clouds messed some of you up, at least for a while. I may come back to it in the days ahead and I've had enough time to recover from an intense whirlwind 3-day trip.
(ehudlaniado.com) - Banking and credit are the fuel that keeps the diamond industry moving. Like so many other businesses today, without access to credit and liquidity, the diamond industry would grind to a halt. However, in recent years, credit has become more challenging than ever before, as banks have become more stringent in their lending requirements to diamond businesses, and as they have increased the level of transparency and accountability needed to access funding. Credit needs extend across the entire spectrum of the industry, from mining to retail, and affect everyone in between, especially manufacturers and traders. Lets take a closer look at this vital support system, and how we got to where we are today.
Botswanas rough-diamond exports eased 9 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year, according to data released by the countrys central bank.

Bank of Botswana was quoted by Rapaport as saying that rough diamond exports rose 3 percent year-on-year to $849.6 million in the first quarter.

However, the exports weakened 18 percent to $804.1 million in the second quarter, resulting a in a total of $1.65 billion for the first half.

The decline largely reflects a 6.5 percent drop in first-half rough sales by De Beers, whose diamond-mining joint venture with Botswana, known as Debswana, accounted for about 70 percent of the companys carat production during the period, Rapaport reports.

Debswana, a joint venture between De Beers and Botswana, increased its production by 6 percent to 11.1 million carats in the first half of 2017 from 10.5 million carats, a year earlier.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




India's exports of gold jewellery, both studded and plain, during the month of July 2017 dropped by nearly 32% to $ 411.37 mn from $ 602.04 mn during July 2016. Overall exports from the gem and jewellery sector during July 2017 stood at $ 2.42 bn, a drop of 23.61% over the $ 3.17 bn exported in the same month in 2016, according to provisional data released by The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) of India.

Exports of gold medallions and coins in July 2017 declined to $ 58.7 mn as against $ 435.9 mn a year earlier. Exports of silver jewellery dropped to $ 185.93 mn in July 2017 as compared to $ 336.41 mn in July 2017.However, coloured gemstone exports were up in July 2017 to $ 12.1 mn as compared to $ 10.38 mn exported in July last year.

Overall gross exports from the gem and jewellery sector in India during the first four months of fiscal 2018 stood at US$ 13.66 billion, a marginal decline of 0.23% as compared to the US$ 13.69 billion exported in the same period last year.

Exports of synthetic stones during April-July 2017 were $ 69.16 mn, with synthetic diamonds accounting for $ 46.61 mn, as compared to $ 34.98 mn during the comparative period last year.

Exports of gold jewellery, both studded and plain, declined 30.3% to $ 2.12 bn during the first four months of the current fiscal, as compared to exports of $ 3.04 bn in the same period last year.

Exports of gold medallions & coins were 4.7% higher at $ 1.58 bn during April-July 2017, while silver jewellery exports rose significantly to $ 1.9 bn, and coloured gemstones exports rose 8.34% to $ 77.3 during the period.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough& Polished




Evgeny Agureev heads ALROSA rough diamond sales

23 august 2017 News

Evgeny Agureev appointed as Director of the United Selling Organization of ALROSA, the Companys sales division. Before the appointment he was Vice President of Sberbank.

Evgeny Agureev is to develop rough diamonds sales, increase their efficiency and transparency, strengthen ties with long-term clients. Among other tasks, he is to prepare the Company for a new three-year contract period  signing contracts with the worlds largest rough diamond consumers for 2018-2020.

Evgeny Agureev has more than 15 years of experience in financial management in commercial banks. From 2009 to 2017, he held different positions in Sberbank from Head of International Reporting to Vice President, Director of Finance Department. Prior to that, he worked in Russian Standard Bank, MDM Bank, Raiffeisen Bank Austria, Absolut Bank, and Renaissance Credit Bank.

Mr. Agureev was born in 1978. He is a graduate of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Economics, specializing in Accounting, Analysis and Audit, holder of a Masters degree in Financial Management. In 2016, he completed the Executive Development Program of London Business School and Sberbank Corporate University.

The United Selling Organization of ALROSA is in charge of sorting, preliminary valuation, pre-sale preparation and sales of all ALROSAs rough diamonds. Before the appointment of Evgeny Agureev, acting director of the USO of ALROSA was ALROSA Vice President Yury Okoemov.




Angolan state-owned diamond company Endiama has partnered with the Blue Mining company to explore niobium deposits in Huila province, southern Angola.

Macauhub reports that geology and mines minister, Francisco Queiroz, approved the mining investment contract and the rights granted for the Quilengues concession to the two companies in the form of a new company to be set up to explore the niobium deposits.

Niobium is one of the worlds rarest minerals. It is used to manufacture turbines, spacecraft, aircraft, missiles, electronics and power plants, but also to produce steel alloys and superconductors.

Macauhub also reports that the initial investment planned for the mining project was $20 million.

Brazil had the worlds largest reserves of niobium estimated at 842 million tonnes.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




On Wednesday, President of ALROSA Sergey Ivanov visited the Internatsionalny Diamond Mine run by the companys Diamond Mining Division of Mirny. He inspected the condition of underground works, functioning of the water drainage system and discussed industrial safety issues with the management and personnel of the mine.

Together with the acting chief of Internatsionalny, Denis Cherentayev, Sergey Ivanov inspected the main production facilities in the underground part of the mine. Particular attention was paid to the functioning of the water drainage system, including in particular the drainage-pumping station and two water collectors. He also talked with the mine workers on issues related to the safety of underground works.

In addition, Sergey Ivanov discussed with Internatsionalnys management the possibility of employing the workers of the Mir Mine. According to Denis Cherentayev, the Internatsionalny Mine will put into operation a blind skip shaft in early October. It is planned to attract at least 40 workers and engineers from the Mir Mine to maintain it on a permanent basis.

The visit to the Internatsionalny mine was planned as part of a general review of the operation of all the companys mines initiated by the management of ALROSA after the accident at the Mir Mine. By September 1, 2017, an ad hoc expert group should conduct a comprehensive safety assessment of mining operations at the company's underground mines. First of all, the expert group will assess any possible impact of water bodies on the mines workings and the measures taken to prevent water breakthroughs from the spent quarries.

The Internatsionalny underground mine is located 16 km south-west of the City of Mirny. It was put into operation in 1999 and is currently developing the Internatsionalny Diamond Field, which is characterized by a high diamond grade of its ore. The development of the diamond field is expected to be completed in 2033.

In addition to the Mir and Internatsionalny mines, ALROSA carries out underground diamond mining at the Aikhal and Udachny mines.




(Agencia CMA Latam) - Chile's President Michelle Bachelet signed a new immigration legislation that makes more flexible for immigrants to enter the South American country. The legislation establishes the creation of a National Registry of Foreigners that will be administered by the Undersecretariat of the Interior.

"Chile is a good country to live, work or study. That is why people will continue to come forward to carry out their projects in our land, either because their country is going through a critical situation, or for personal reasons," said Bachelet during a ceremony to turn the bill into law.

The bill has four axes: a system of principles, rights and duties regulation of income, exit and migratory categories sanctioning procedure prevent people from being victims of human traffic or trafficking networks.

Also, the project proposes a new regulation of entry permits, so that those who arrive in the country should request permission according to the reason for the trip, whether as a tourist, visitor, temporary residence, and when the requirements are met they may opt for permanent residence.

by Agencia CMA Latam

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Economic News

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Indian shares opened higher on Wednesday, tracking firm global after positive comments from U.S. lawmakers on tax overhaul and the debt ceiling.

The benchmark BSE Sensex was up 165 points or 0.53 percent at 31,456 in early trade after finishing marginally higher on Tuesday.

The broader Nifty index was up 40 points or 0.41 percent at 9,805, with Dr Reddy's Laboratories, GAIL, Bharti Airtel, Adani Ports and Bank of Baroda pacing the gainers.

Infosys shares rose 1 percent as co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy is set to address investor concerns at a conference hosted by Investec India later in the day.

Himachal Futuristic gained 1.3 percent on fund raising reports.

Eris Lifesciences advanced 1.5 percent after the RBI hiked the FII investment limit in the company.

Balaji Telefilms jumped almost 3 percent on stake reports.

Hindalco Industries lost 1 percent on price cut buzz.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
Commodity currencies such as the Australian, the New Zealand, and the Canadian dollars weakened against their major counterparts in the Asian session on Wednesday, due to oversupply concerns.

Crude oil delivery for October is currently down 0.18 percent or $47.65 per barrel.

The concerns of oversupply were raised due to rising Libya's oil output. The country's largest oilfield, Sharara oil field, was restarted on Tuesday after a shutdown.



Despite, data from the industry group, the American Petroleum Institute, showed that the crude inventories fell by 3.6 million barrels in the week to August 18 to 465.6 million.

In the Asian trading, the Australian dollar fell to a 1-week low of 1.4909 against the euro, from yesterday's closing value of 1.4858. The aussie may test support near the 1.50 region.

Against the U.S. dollar and the yen, the aussie dropped to a 5-day low of 0.7883 and a 2-day low of 86.30 from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.7909 and 86.65, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.77 against the greenback and 85.00 against the yen.

The NZ dollar fell to a 14-month low of 1.6275 against the euro and more than a 2-month low of 79.02 against the yen, from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.6159 and 79.73, respectively. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it may find support around 1.65 against the euro and 77.00 against the yen.

Against the U.S. and the Australian dollars, the kiwi dropped to a 1-week low of 0.7226 and nearly a 4-month low of 1.0918 from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.7278 and 1.0866, respectively. The kiwi may test support near 0.71 against the greenback and 1.10 against the aussie.

The Canadian dollar fell to a 2-day low of 1.2598 against the U.S. dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 1.2562. The loonie is likely to find support near the 1.29 region.

Against the euro, the yen and the Australian dollar, the loonie edged down to 1.4816, 86.81 and 0.9948 from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.4774, 87.19 and 0.9936, respectively. If the loonie extends its downtrend, it could find support around 1.49 against the euro, 85.00 against the yen, and 1.00 against the aussie.

Looking ahead, flash PMI reports from major European economies for August are due to be released shortly.

In the New York session, U.S. Markit's PMI reports for August, U.S. new home sales data for July, Eurozone consumer confidence index for August and U.S. weekly crude oil inventories data are slated for release.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Estonia, a small country in Northern Europe, plans to issue its own virtual currency called "estcoins."

The country plans to launch the cryptocurrency with the help of Ethereum founder Vitalik Buteri. Estcoins could be launched via an initial coin offering (ICO), the digital coin community's version of crowdfunding.

The issuing of virtual currency would make Estonia the first country with an ICO.

Estonia would become the first country to offer an e-residency program. The program will give anyone a digital citizenship and allow them to use government services, including start a European Union-based company without being present in the country.

Estonian government is seeking feedback from the world and has hired Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin as an advisor to the project.

Kaspar Korjus, managing director at e-Residency, Enterprise Estonia, said "A government-supported ICO would give more people a bigger stake in the future of our country and provide not just investment, but also more expertise and ideas to help us grow exponentially."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
After a tumultuous week described by some as among the worst of his presidency, President Donald Trump returned to familiar territory for a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday.

Trump attacked several of his favorite targets during his remarks, including the media and Democratic lawmakers, and even lashed out at some members his own party.

The speech was largely received positively by the crowd of Trump supporters, who frequently broke into familiar chants such as "build the wall" and "lock her up" when the president mentioned Hillary Clinton.

However, the story was different outside the Phoenix Convention Center, where police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of anti-Trump protesters.

Trump suggested that the media was distorting his comments in response to the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, which stirred up considerable controversy.

"These are sick people," Trump said of the media. "You know the thing I don't understand? You would think  they'd want to make our country great again. And I honestly believe they don't."

Trump read from a statement made after the events in Charlottesville in which he condemned the egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence.

However, the president omitted a line claiming "many sides" were responsible for the violence, which many saw as suggesting there is moral equivalency between the white supremacists and the counter-protesters.

Heather Heyer was killed and nineteen others were wounded after a car crashed into a crowd of anti-white supremacist protesters in Charlottesville earlier this month.

Trump also lashed out at what he sees as Democratic obstruction, renewing his call for a change in Senate filibuster rules.

"We have to get rid of what's called the filibuster rule. We have to," Trump said. "If we don't, the Republicans will never get anything passed."

Senate rules require 60 votes to advance most bills, which Trump argued allows eight Democrats to control legislation due to Republicans holding 52 seats.

Despite the demand from the president, GOP leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., have expressed a reluctance to change the Senate rules.

Political observers note McConnell and others know Republicans are not likely to maintain their majority in the Senate forever.

Even Republicans were not spared Trump's wrath, as he attacked Arizona's two GOP Senators, although without mentioning either by name.

Trump claimed the Republican effort to repeal and replace Obamacare was derailed by "one vote" in an apparent shot at Senator John McCain, R-Ariz.

McCain joined with GOP Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, to block the so-called "skinny" Obamacare repeal.

"And nobody wants me to talk about your other senator, who's weak on borders, weak on crime," Trump said in reference to Senator Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. "So I won't talk about him."

A report from Politico said Senate Republican leaders warned Trump against attacking Flake, who has emerged as a prominent Republican critic of the president.

However, Trump did mention Flake by name in a post on Twitter on Wednesday, tweeting, "Not a fan of Jeff Flake, weak on crime & border!"

In another move likely to stir up controversy, Trump strongly hinted he would issue a pardon for former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

"I'll make a prediction: I think he's gonna to be just fine," Trump said. "But I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy."

Arpaio was convicted of contempt by a federal judge last month for defying an order to refrain from racially profiling Latinos during patrols.

Democratic National Committee CEO Jess O'Connell has described a pardon for Arpaio as a "pardon for white supremacy."

Trump also continued to tout his plan to build a wall on the southern border with Mexico and indicated he is willing to shut down the government to get funding for the barrier.

"If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump said, as lawmakers face looming deadlines on government spending bills and raising the debt ceiling.

The president also indicated he's likely to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement, predicting talks to renegotiate the trade deal with Mexico and Canada would fail.

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal," Trump said. "I think we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point."

The wide-ranging remarks by the president are likely to create headaches for Republicans after he delivered a speech on his strategy for Afghanistan that was generally well received by the GOP.

(Photo: Gage Skidmore)

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
Excerpts from Hillary Clinton's new book providing details about last year's presidential election indicate the Democratic presidential nominee was deeply uncomfortable with then-candidate Donald Trump's behavior during the second debate.

Clinton complains in excepts broadcast on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Wednesday of Trump "looming" behind her just days after the clip surfaced of him bragging about groping women.

"Now we were on a small stage and no matter where I walked, he followed me closely, staring at me, making faces," Clinton writes in her book "What Happened."

"It was incredibly uncomfortable," she adds. "He was literally breathing down my neck. My skin crawled."

Clinton suggests she considered telling Trump to back off but decided to stay calm, keep smiling and carry on as if the businessman-turned-politician was not repeatedly invading her space.

"I wonder, though, whether I should have chosen option B," Clinton writes. "It certainly would have been better TV."

She adds, "Maybe I have overlearned the lesson of staying calm, biting my tongue, digging my fingernails into a clenched fist, smiling all the while, determined to present a composed face to the world."

In another excerpt, Clinton expresses disappointment for letting millions of people down by losing the election to Trump.

"I couldn't get the job done and I'll have to live with that for the rest of my life," Clinton wrote. "In this book, I write about moments from the campaign that I wish I could go back and do over. If the Russians could hack my subconscious, they'd find a long list."

Clinton's "What Happened" is being published by Simon & Schuster and is scheduled to be released on September 12th.

(Photo: Lorie Shaull)

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Business News
Following the pullback seen in the previous session, treasuries showed a strong move back to the upside during trading on Wednesday.

Bond prices moved higher early in the session and saw further upside as the day progressed. As a result, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its price, fell by 4.4 basis points to 2.171 percent.

With the drop on the day, the ten-year yield more than offset the 3.5 basis point increase seen on Tuesday, falling to its lowest closing level in nearly two months.

The rebound by treasuries was partly in reaction to comments made by President Donald Trump at a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday.

Trump pledged to a crowd of supporters that he would build the controversial wall on the border with Mexico even if it meant shutting down the government.

"If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump said in remarks at the Phoenix Convention Center.

The president also indicated he's likely to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement, raising concerns about the impact on global trade.

Treasuries also benefited from a report from the Commerce Department unexpectedly showing a steep drop in new home sales in the month of July.

The report said new home sales plunged by 9.4 percent to an annual rate of 571,000 in July from the revised June rate of 630,000.

The steep drop surprised economists, who had expected new home sales to inch up to a rate of 612,000 from the 610,000 originally reported for the previous month.

Trading on Thursday may be impacted by reaction to economic reports on initial jobless claims and existing home sales.

The Treasury Department is also due to announce the details of next week's auctions of two-year, five-year, and seven-year notes.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
(Agencia CMA Latam) - Mexico Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said that his country will remain in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations with the United States and Canada and will react calmly and firmly.

"Mexico is entitled to react to this kind of statement that, I am sure, throughout the negotiations is not going to be the only one, there will be twits, speeches of this nature, we must react with calm, cold head, and firm in defending national interest at the table," said Videgaray after a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump in which he indicated a possible exit from NAFTA.

Videgaray stressed that the United States, like Mexico or Canada, can leave the agreement whenever they want because "the treaty provides for this."

However, he stressed that "that could have been done by President Trump, and yet what is happening is that we are formally negotiating, in an ambitious process that will last for months."

Regarding Trump's promise to build a wall along the Mexican border and threaten with a "government closure" if he finds resistance in Congress, Videgaray said that the issue is not part of any bilateral talks.

by Agencia CMA Latam

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Economic News

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Expanding Opportunities for Youth

Fresh and innovative approaches like the ones Rede Cidada uses also hold promise for the one out of eight American youth (4.8 million) who are not in school or workingin other words, who are disconnected from lifes opportunities.

Disconnection can have dire health and economic repercussions not just for youth, but for entire communities. When youth are detached from opportunitieslike the chance to advance in school, gain work experience, and build social connectionssociety at large loses out on their potential to strengthen the social and economic vibrancy of communities.

Its not that there are no jobs for young people. Paradoxically, the United States is facing an impending labor forcebut not workshortage. Its urgent that we tap into the potential of youth to ensure that every one of them can thrive and be at their most productive.

A Challenge Shared Around the World

The United States isnt alone in this challenge. Globally, the problem is even worse with one third of the world's 1.8 billion youth neither employed, nor in education or training. Around the world, countries are deploying creative strategies to connect young adults to jobs and educationputting them on a path to healthy and successful lives.

This is particularly true in Mexico, Colombia, St. Lucia and other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, where one in four people are between the ages of 15 and 29. These countries are taking important steps to expand opportunities for their young people.

In fact, some of their best ideas and proven programslike Rede Cidadaare making their way into the United States.

Adapting Ideas From Abroad

In New Orleans, the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) is bringing elements of the highly successful Brazilian program stateside to help local at-risk youth prepare for work, develop life skills, and strengthen ties to family and community.

YEP is thinking hard about how best to adapt some of Rede Cidadas healing work, which helps to foster the social and emotional well-being of young people, for the United States. For instance, the Brazilians taking part in Rede Cidadas job trainings readily embrace one another, build trust, and share their personal traumas. In comparison, Americans tend to shy away from unlocking those histories and the feelings that might come with them. But YEP is excited about the potential to incorporate elements such as music and dance into its work readiness programs, which it thinks would resonate with the young New Orleans it serves.

YEP learned about Rede Cidada through (Re)Connecting Youth, an initiative of the International Youth Foundation. (Re)Connecting Youth is scouring the globe, with a particular focus on Latin America, to find creative strategies for increasing youth connection that can help fill existing gaps in services and programs within the U.S.

Specifically, they are looking for programs that have one of four features:

Youth as Assets. Ensure that youth voices and young leaders influence the offering and delivery of programs for youth. Social-Emotional Programming. Ensure that youth have the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to successfully navigate work and life. Creative Outreach & Retention Strategies. Ensure that programs recruit and engage young people where they live, learn, work, and play. Employer Engagement. Ensure that programs bridge the gap between skills young people are building and those employers are seeking.

(Re)Connecting Youth is unearthing fascinating programs, from places such as Mexicos Juarez, often better known for its history of violence. And its helping local U.S. communities explore how they might bring these solutions home. Later this year, a coalition from Baltimore will travel to Tijuana, Mexico, to visit Fronteras Unidas Pro Salud, a group that offers work readiness training programs for youth, led by youth. An exchange between youth organizations in Santa Fe and Chile is also in the works.

To build a Culture of Health we need to provide the millions of youth in America who are not in school or work with opportunities to lead healthy, productive lives. And we need to find effective and innovative pathways forward for the youth of the future.

Looking abroad for inspiration and solutions can help us get there.

Want to learn more about how the Latin American experience can inform opportunities for youth in the United States? Watch our archived webinar Connecting Youth in our Reimagined in America: What Can the World Teach Us About Building a Culture of Health?
Talking tough while laying out his Afghanistan strategy, President Donald Trump hit out at Pakistan for providing safe havens to agents of chaos and warned that Islamabad has much to lose by harbouring terrorists.

Trump, in his first prime-time televised address to the nation as commander-in-chief, came down heavily on Pakistan for its support to terror groups, saying the country receives billions in US aid but continues to harbour militants.

For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror. The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict. And that could happen, Trump said.

He said after a comprehensive review, it was decided that the American strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia will change dramatically.

Trump said he has arrived at three fundamental conclusions about Americas core interests in Afghanistan. Our nation must seek an honourable and enduring outcome worthy of the tremendous sacrifices that have been made, Trump said.



Second, the consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable A hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum that terrorists  including ISIS and al-Qaida  would instantly fill, just as happened before September 11, he said.



Trump said the next pillar of his new strategy is a change in USs approach to Pakistan. He slammed Pakistan for its support to terror groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continues to do so. We can no longer be silent about Pakistans safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond, Trump said. Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbour terrorists, he said, in an apparent warning to Pakistan.



The US president also reached out to India, seeking an enhanced role for New Delhi, especially in the economic field, to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. We appreciate Indias important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development, Trump said.



In his speech, Trump slammed Islamabad for harbouring militants who target US service members.

But that will have to change. That will change immediately. No partnership can survive a countrys harbouring of militants and terrorists who target US service members and officials. It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace.



In the past, Trump noted that the US has been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars but it continues to house the very terrorists that America is fighting, he said.



Trump, however, noted that Pakistan has been a valued partner and the militaries of the two countries have worked together against common enemies. The Pakistani people have suffered greatly from terrorism and extremism. We recognise those contributions and those sacrifices, Trump said.



But Pakistan has also sheltered the same organisations that try every single day to kill our people, he added.

In a statement following Trumps address, secretary of state Rex Tillerson echoed the presidents views on enhanced role for India in the new South Asia strategy.



India will be an important partner in the effort to ensure peace and stability in the region, and we welcome its role in supporting Afghanistans political and economic modernisation, he said.

Tillerson also urged Pakistan to take decisive action against terror groups.

Pakistan has suffered greatly from terrorism and can be an important partner in our shared goals of peace and stability in the region, he said.
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Aug-23-2017 15:32 TweetFollow @OregonNews Merkley Statement on Trump's Address on Afghanistan Oregons Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement in reaction to President Trumps August 21 address on the future of the war in Afghanistan:

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley

(SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA) - "This evening, in his address to the nation on the future of the war in Afghanistan, President Trump outlined a vague framework for a ratcheting-up of force in the now 16-year-long conflict. "The presidents pronouncement that he plans to avoid disclosing troop levels, military strategies and timelines  combined with his criticism of so called micromanagement from Washington, D.C.  are clear indications of his intention to bolster military action in Afghanistan. "But far too much of our blood and treasure has been spilled in Afghanistan, and it is long past time that we work toward strategies to wind down our operations. "The United States must stay engaged directly and with regional partners to fight terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but additional U.S. troops on the ground  without details on their missions or how we will measure their success  is not a long-term approach in Americas best interest. "It is both notable and troubling that the presidents statement included no discussion about how he proposes to address the persistent deficiencies that have hampered the success of the mission for a decade and a half. "For years, the American game plan has been to buy the Afghans a little more time, yet rampant corruption, weaknesses of the central government, and ethnic tensions continue to fuel the insurgency. The American people are understandably weary of continuing to send our men and women into harms way when the Afghan government isnt taking the steps necessary for success. "It is imperative that President Trump consult with Congress before moving forward with any major new actions in Afghanistan. It is critical that Americans and their representatives in Congress weigh in on any additional plans. "Secrecy on the most fundamental issues of mission and troop levels is designed to avoid accountability, and has no place in our We the People republic. "Americans are exhausted by a seemingly endless war. We have lost too many brave service members, and we owe all who have served there an extraordinary debt of gratitude. "It is time for the president to present a compelling plan for regional stability and an end to American military involvement  not a vague plan to continue the failed strategies of the past. "Before the president commits more of our sons and daughters to battle, he must present a clear and compelling plan that moves us toward a lasting peace, not toward further military escalation." _________________________________________

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Articles for August 23, 2017 |
Our village deserves better roads.

Thats the opinion of Toalepai Apineru of Saoluafata.

The 31-year-old was on his way to check on his cattle farm when he was approached for an interview by the Village Voice team.

The best thing about this village is its good governance and it has a huge impact on people, because whenever you come through this way, all you see is friendly faces and everybody seems welcoming, he told Village Voice.

But I think the only problem that we need to do something about are our roads.

Everybody in this village is aware of this matter and you know, this is something that the village council is currently working on, or at least planning to do something about it.

This road belongs to our village but the reason why its important for me to voice my opinion is because this is where one of the most amazing places tourists come to visit, you know because of its rivers and waterfalls.

I mean, Sauniatu is based here and whoever knows of Sauniatu knows that its beautiful, but in order to get there, you have to go through a lot of potholes before you reach the destination.

And that is why our village needs help in fixing its roads and its a must because tourists and people from overseas are always visiting, everyday and this could affect our tourism on this side if nothing is done about it.

The government needs to work together with our village to get this done to make everything better for our village, and not only that, but the whole country as well, because we are all Samoans.

But at the moment, our village is a safe place and I believe its one of the beautiful places in Samoa that tourists would not want to miss because at the very end of this road, theres another village and another world there.
The Miss Samoa Pageant for 2017 received more assistance yesterday courtesy of Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B.).

The company presented $10,000 worth of help to Samoa Events Incorporated (S.I.E.), $5,000 in-kind and $5,000 cash, to help out with preparations for the Miss Samoa Pageant on 9 September at Tuutuuileloloto Hall.

President and owner of S.S.A.B., Fiti Leung Wai, said the donation is part of their commitment to give back to the community.

S.S.A.B. has a strong philanthropic arm and it has always contributed to a lot of nationwide activities, she said. Our belief is that if we contribute to nationwide activities, such as the Miss Samoa, National Literacy Week and others, it will have a greater impact for the betterment of Samoa.

For the Miss Samoa, this is a platform and opportunity for our young women to showcase their talents, skills and their capabilities, which will help boost their confidence and self-esteem to build them, personally, for the future.

Its a stepping stone for some young girls who want to be great leaders, role models and ambassadors in their own fields, and we are hoping for them to promote Samoa.

I believe in empowering women by supporting them to not only see themselves as just beautiful young girls, but also that they can do so much in life through some of the opportunities they will explore and see during this beauty pageant.

Chairperson of S.I.E., Laeimau Oketevi Tanuvasa, acknowledged the support of S.S.A.B.

Thank you for the support, as well as a reminder to us that this is not just a beauty pageant, she said.

Just like the theme says, 'Pageant with a difference and purpose.' Its not just about the beauty, we want the girls to make a difference and have a purpose to make that difference within the community.

One of the very important aspects is empowering the girls so that they will learn something and be able to take a lesson back to their home country, whether they win or not, we want them to carry on and be great leaders and women.

We have also highlighted some of the key factors that the girls will have to look at, including economics, culture, I.C.T. and education, to name a few.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi, has resigned from his ministerial portfolios.

But he is adamant that he is innocent.

I declare that only God knows the truth, he said. I claim my innocence and I can categorically state I am clean of all the things that I have been accused of.

Laauli made the statement during a press conference held in his office where the senior Cabinet Minister and former Speaker of Parliament announced his resignation.

On Tuesday, Laauli was charged with allegedly obtaining money by deception. His wife and a business partner were also charged. The charges are in relation to an on-going court case over a nonu company involving another senior member of the ruling Human Rights Protection Party and Associate Minister of Cabinet and Prime Minister, Peseta Vaifou Tevaga.

Acting Assistant Police Commissioner, Salaa Moananu Salalaa, said they are scheduled to appear in the Supreme Court on 18 September 2017.

The Cabinet Minister is charged with obtaining by deception. This is the same charge that his wife is facing while the business partner is charged with obtaining a forged document, Salaa said.

Each of the charge carries a maximum penalty, if convicted, and will serve up to seven years in jail.

During the press conference, Laauli said he is resigning with a heavy heart out of respect for the government.

It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as a Minister of Cabinet, he said in a statement.

For the integrity of Cabinet, Government and with the highest of respect to the Prime Minister, I willingly surrender my Cabinet portfolios but will retain my status as a Member of Parliament to await the outcome of the court proceedings.

Laauli vowed to fight all the charges against him vigorously.

The following is a statement he issued to the media:

Press Statement by the Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi on his resignation from Cabinet, Wednesday 23 August, 2017.

It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as a Minister of Cabinet.

For the integrity of Cabinet, Government and with the highest of respect to the Prime Minister, I willingly surrender my Cabinet portfolios but will retain my status as a Member of Parliament to await the outcome of the court proceedings.

At this time, I will not dwell on the pending charges against me as the matter is now in Court.

But rest assured, I am confident that God willing, justice will prevail.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi for the opportunity afforded to me to serve our Country as a Cabinet Minister.

I take this opportunity to thank my electoral constituency as well as the various Ministries under my watch during my tenure, or their support.

And lastly but not the least, I also acknowledge the support from my family and Samoa for their trust and faith in this humble servant of the people.

Soifua,

Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt.




A $600,000 Coin Save store was officially opened at what used to be the Vaitele produce market yesterday.

And present to launch the venture was Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi who congratulated his fellow Falevao chief and Chinese businessman, Tuituioaiga Teeking Weng, for taking on the challenge.

Thank you for coming here and developing this space which has been here for many years, he said.

The Coin Save has transformed the looks of the $5.7million market complex built by the Samoa Land Corporation.

It is a market that was especially built for all the farmers living on the west of Apia but what happened was all of our farmers continued to go to the market at Fugalei, Tuilaepa said.

They never believed that people could come to where the market offers the best quality goods at the best and affordable price.

The Prime Minister said the area needed a genuine and a strong businessman to develop it.

And in Tuituioaiga, the government has found their man.

Now Tuituioaiga is coming to open his shop here to prove a point that it is the businessmans ability to produce goods of the highest quality and affordable prices that will create the market for his own products, he said.

Tuilaepa said Tuituioaigas venture could only be good for Samoa.

I congratulate you for believing in developing this place and creating 30 more employment opportunities for our people.

He has told me that he employs a total of 130 Samoans and this is a great opportunity for the development of our economy.

When the Chinese businessman won the tender to run the place, he took four months to renovate and turn the building into what it is today.

He was a proud man yesterday.

We can say that in this shop there are more than 5,000 commodities for the public to purchase from, said Tuituioaiga.

On the left we have the Frankies Hypermarket and on the right is the Ah Liki Wholesale and Farmer Joe but Coin Save is in the center so I hope that we will attract more Samoan customers into this area to shop.

So let us work together to help turn this area into a new shopping center or business circle for all the Samoan people to come and shop in

We all know that members of the Samoan community in New Zealand go to Otahuhu and Otara to shop there so now I have turned practice into history.

He also congratulated his staff members for all their hard work.

The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Lautafi Fio Purcell, said that having Coin Save in Vaitele means that the government will not only benefit but members of the public will benefit also.

There was minimal revenue collected from the Vaitele market however, since the new tenant the government has collected $27,000 on a monthly basis, he said.

Tuituioaiga started paying his lease in May before the renovations due to the fact he wants the public to know that he means business.

These are the types of competing business the government for the benefit of the public.

Lautafi said the Coin Save store is a one-stop shop for everyone.
The governments plans to build a new prison at Tanugamalala has been delayed as the Tenders Board has demanded more information.

This was confirmed by the Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, who is also the Chairman of the Tenders Board.

The delay over the issuing of the tender on this project is due to the fact that we are asking for more information, he told the Samoa Observer.

We meet every Tuesday and for this project specifically we have inquired for more information, since our last meeting."

We have yet to get all the information we need in order for us to make our final decision.

The Minister could not reveal what information the Board was looking for.

But he said he hopes the construction would begin soon so that a new prison could be up and running by July 2018.

The project is already delayed.

In March last year, the Minister of Prisons, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt told the Samoa Observer the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new prison on the 550 acres land at Tanumalala was scheduled for May this year.

At the time Tialavea said the project was made possible through a $10 million loan for construction from the Unit Trust of Samoa (U.T.O.S.) and had been approved by Cabinet.

We have advertised the position for a project manager, said Tialavea. It is estimated that it will take about eight months to build."

We are hoping that by the beginning of next year, we will be able to move from Tafaigata to Tanumalala.

Already, there is access to both water and electricity at the site, he said.

The new facility will hold shelter for about 600-700 people.

This building will have separate holding cells for women inmates remanded in custody awaiting court proceedings.

The new facilities will also center on areas of reform and rehabilitation with workshops for the prisoners to learn and trade skills, not to mention a multi-purpose hall.

So thats the plan for Tanumalala.

Three weeks ago, Assistant Commissioner of Prison and Correction Services, Ulugia Niuia Aumua, told the Samoa Observer the construction of the Tanumalala Prison, will most likely be completed by July next year.

Ulugia said the delay in getting the project underway, was because they had been waiting for financial help from overseas.

That did not materialise, so that according to Ulugia, the Government of Samoa has stepped up to fund the project."

Meanwhile, Ulugia said that the aim is to have the groundbreaking ceremony in two weeks time.

We have already approached our Project Manager and so we are now waiting for our Tenders Board to find out who the lucky contractor is who will be building the prison.
The airline does not own any aircraft. Instead, Virgin Australia operates services on behalf of the joint-venture airline. However, one Boeing 737-800 has been painted in a special Virgin Samoa livery.

Australian Aviation - Samoa Airways is set to offer flights from Apia to Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney using one Boeing 737.

The airline is due to take off on 12 November 2017 with a 737 leased from Iceland air.

In May, the Samoan government announced it was terminating the Virgin Samoa joint-venture between Virgin Australia and the country that was first established in 2005. Media reports at the time said the decision to ditch the J.V. was due to concerns over high fares.

A memorandum of understanding with Fiji Airways was signed in July to help establish Samoa Airways, with the current domestic carrier Polynesian Airlines to be part of the new venture.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi told the Samoa Observer on August 18 Fiji Airways would continue to focus on Fiji-Samoa flights, while Samoa Airways would focus on routes to New Zealand and Australia.

Virgin Samoa, 49 per cent held by Virgin Australia, 49 per cent by the Samoan government and two per cent by Samoa-based tourism company Grey Investment Group, flies from the Samoan capital to Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney.

The airline does not own any aircraft. Instead, Virgin Australia operates services on behalf of the joint-venture airline. However, one Boeing 737-800 has been painted in a special Virgin Samoa livery.

Recently, Virgin Australia signalled it intended to maintain services to Samoa after the J.V. winds up in November.

The airline recently applied for and was granted traffic rights for 880 seats of capacity a week between Australia and Samoa from Australias International Air Services Commission (I.A.S.C.).

The application stated Virgin Australia planned to operate five flights a week between Australia and Samoa from November 13 2017 with Boeing 737-800s configured with 176 seats.

The I.A.S.C. also approved Virgin Australias request that the capacity was also able to be utilised by its wholly-owned low-cost carrier Tigerair Australia.
Competition is expected to heat up before the end of the month on the inter-island flight route between Fagalii and Vavau in Tonga.

Real Tonga Airline is on the verge of signing an agreement with government to service the route three times a week, says Polynesian Airlines General Manager, Seiuli Alvin Tuala.

Real Tonga Airlines plans to use one of its 34-seater planes from the northern island of Vavau - which is closer to Samoa than Tongas main islands. And test flights have proven successful.

Talofa Airways have also been serving the direct connection between Fagalii and the Kingdom of Tonga with two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The flights will save Tongans and Samoans a trip to Fiji or New Zealand to travel between the two countries.

With more flights to Samoa from our neighboring islands, it is part of our corporate plan as a lead up to the launching of our national carrier the Samoa Airways in November.

Samoa Airways and Samoa will be used as a transit by our neighbors to travel to New Zealand and Australia.
Love is a progression.

For Leata Tauofaga and Alatise Fualaau, they have taken their love to another level by pledging to be lifetime partners last week.

The loved up pair exchanged vows at the Samoa Tradition Resort at Ululoloa during an intimate wedding ceremony attended by families and friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Fualaau have been dating for nearly four years.

Despite being separated by distance and oceans since they lived in different countries; they still remained true to each other.

The couple have a baby girl named Neriah Foifuatinomaaliitasi Fualaau.

And with the wedding vows, they are ready to begin a new journey.

The bride is the daughter of Foifua Mataafa Tauofaga and Fuatai Tuaofaga, of Fasitoo uta.

The groom; Alatise Fualaau is the son of Fualaau Komiti and Soonalole Fualaau, of Foailalo Savaii.

Together, the newlyweds celebrated their night with families, friends and guests.
MADRID (AP)  Some of the Spain terror suspects spent a night in France a week before the fatal attacks in and near Barcelona, French authorities said Wednesday as police in Spain revealed they found a real suicide bomb belt in the house where the attackers tried to make explosives.

An Audi A3 car that was observed in France on Aug. 11-Aug. 12 is the same one involved in the attack carried out in the seaside town of Cambrils in the early hours of Aug. 18, anti-terrorism prosecutor Francois Molins said. A woman was killed there, and police fatally shot five suspects.

French investigators are working "very closely" with Spanish colleagues "to determine the precise reasons for this lightning trip...and if the terrorists were in contact with other people on (French) territory," Molins said.

Separately, a French police official with knowledge of the investigation said several men who arrived in the Audi stayed at a hotel in the southern Paris suburb of Malakoff, visited a shopping center and bought a camera before leaving. The official was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation by name.

In Spain, police disclosed that a belt charged with explosives was among the evidence discovered in the rubble of the house south of Barcelona. An explosion there on the eve of the deadly Barcelona van attack derailed the suspects' initial plans to bomb important city sites, according to court documents.

Six of the attackers shot dead by police  the five in Cambrils and one Monday  were wearing fake suicide belts.

It wasn't immediately clear if the belt was meant to be used by the imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, who was killed in the house explosion and allegedly masterminded the attacks, according to the two jailed survivors. One of the suspects told a judge that Es Satty intended to blow himself up when the group struck Barcelona monuments.

Police had already found at the house more than 100 tanks of butane gas, nails that they planned to use as shrapnel, and 500 liters of acetone, a highly flammable liquid necessary to make TATP, an explosive used by Islamic State group militants.

Thirteen people were killed Thursday when a van zig-zagged through Barcelona's Las Ramblas promenade. A 14th was stabbed to death by the van's driver as he made his getaway.

A 15th victim was killed when the Cambrils attackers, armed with knives, drove the Audi onto a pedestrian path.

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said the car was flashed for speeding outside Paris before the attacks.

"We are working to determine why the authors of the attacks came to Paris and what they did in the Paris region," Collomb said Wednesday, standing next to his Spanish counterpart, Juan Ignacio Zoido.

Zoido stressed the need for strengthening international anti-terrorism cooperation to prevent future attacks as the Spain investigation focuses on possible links the homegrown cell may have established overseas. Most of its members are from Morocco or of Moroccan descent.

Moroccan authorities have arrested at least one man in connection to the probe, according to the private news agency Europa Press.

Es Satty himself spent three months in early 2016 in the Belgian city of Vilvoorde, which is known for Islamic State recruiting and jihadi activity. The mayor of Vilvoorde, Hans Bonte, said the police there contacted Catalan authorities at the time and were told Es Satty had no links to extremist violence.

Belgium's federal prosecutor's office said Wednesday it had opened a case file to establish whether and under what circumstances Es Satty stayed in the country.

Investigators were also looking into material found during searches in two towns in northeast Spain, a regional police spokeswoman said.

She declined to say what they found in raids late Tuesday at a cybercafe in Ripoll, an ancient Catalan town where most of the attack suspects were from, and a house in Vilafranca del Penedes.

Vilafranca is 15 kilometers (9 miles) from where the suspected driver in the Barcelona attack, Younes Abouyaaqoub, 22, was shot dead by police Monday.

Abouyaaqoub, who fatally stabbed another person while fleeing Thursday, is known to have changed clothes, picked up a bag of knives and a fake explosive belt in the time between the Barcelona attack and his death.

The court interrogations Tuesday exposed more details about how events unfolded in the hours before and after the Las Ramblas boulevard carnage on Aug. 17.

That afternoon, another member of the cell abandoned another rented van that was involved in an accident in a highway near Cambrils.

According to the police investigation, he regrouped with four other members who had bought four knives and an ax in the resort town three hours before they all were killed by police.

Half-burned receipts for the knives were discovered in a nearby farmhouse that could have been used as a safe house.

Three of the four surviving suspects deny being part of the cell responsible for attacks.
The chief executive of one of San Diegos most prestigious biomedical institutes has announced his retirement, just three years after arriving.

Perry Nisen, 62, will step down on Sept. 30 as CEO of Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. President Kristiina Vuori will become interim CEO. Both Nisen and Vuori hold medical degrees.

Dr. Nisen came to SBP to set a strategy to leverage the outstanding science that takes place at the Institute and translate it into new medicines for patients, the institute said in a statement emailed Tuesday.

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Now that this course has been set, he plans to focus his time on serving as a director of pharma and biotech companies and his passion for clinical development.

Institute chairman Hank Nordhoff described some of these achievements in a statement released earlier this month announcing Nisens retirement.

The Board is very appreciative of the progress that Dr. Nisen has brought to the Institute during his three-year tenure as CEO, Nordhoff said. During that time, there have been significant increases for high-caliber grant funding and scientific publications, while at the same time increasing SBPs efforts for translational medicine research.

Most notably since Nisen arrived in August 2014, the institute received a $100 million donation from the late philanthropist Conrad Prebys. Formerly known as the Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, it adopted its present name in response to the donation.

The institute also added noted faculty, such as Alzheimers expert Dr. Jerold Chun, and struck up alliances with drug companies such as Eli Lilly and with GSK, where Nisen was senior vice president of science and innovation.

Malin Burnham, a philanthropist and honorary trustee, said he has a favorable impression of Nisen. Besides the addition of new faculty and executives, Nisen has presided over an institution with good morale, Burnham said.

Perry is a quality person, Burnham said. Hes easy to work with, easy to get to know, and hes quite experienced.

On the negative side, Nisen and the institute have struggled with the finances of its branch in Orlando, Fla., established in 2006 with lavish but temporary incentives and subsidies offered by the state and local agencies. The long-term problems came to a head during Nisens tenure.

Nisens drug company background was a prominent factor in his hiring. His career includes academic research and direct patient care as a pediatric oncologist. Together, these experiences run the spectrum from research to product development to patient care.

Nisen stressed to researchers that they should seek to understand what its like for patients to live with disease.

Founded in 1976 as the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation, institute has grown tremendously over the last four decades, aided by mammoth donations such as from Prebys, and an even larger donation of $275 million from an anonymous giver. Named donors include T. Denny Sanford, who gave $50 million in 2010, and Burnham, who gave the institute $10 million in 1996.

Along with the funding, the institute has expanded its focus over the ensuing four decades from cancer to add expertise in Alzheimers disease, immune system disorders, diabetes and other illnesses.

And to encourage drug companies to collaborate, the institute has added equipment to help turn research leads into solid drug candidates, housed in the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics.

But while the its La Jolla headquarters had raised copious funding, the financial underpinnings of the Florida operations have become more precarious.

With the state subsidies expiring, the institute was faced with a choice between subsidizing its Florida operations or getting another owner for them.

An attempt to turn over operations to the University of Florida last year failed. The state of Florida demanded that the institute replay $77.5 million of the $350 million in incentives it received a decade ago. The institute has since backed off those plans, and is still exploring options to keep its Florida operations going.

But the uncertainty has led to a number of the Orlando faculty departing, according to articles in the Orlando Sentinel.

Sanford Burnham confirmed the departure of three researchers, the Sentinel said in a story on Nisens retirement. They are Peter Crawford, Xialin Han and Julio Ayala.

Their departure, along with a planned retirement of another faculty member, decreases Lake Nonas faculty from 18 to 14, the Sentinel story said.

Sanford Burnham Prebys said in its Tuesday statement that Nisens retirement is unrelated to the developments in Florida.

Science Playlist  On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds

bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1020
Ubers quest to earn the approbation of its 2 million drivers who pick up passengers and deliver food on behalf of the company continues Tuesday with options that afford them more choice and control over the jobs they accept.

In late June, Uber first promised drivers 180 Days of Change and started the campaign to win back their favor with a feature that many thought would never happen: in-app tips. Since then, the ride-hail behemoth has continued to introduce driver-friendly updates, such as phone support and an in-app chat feature to communicate with riders.

Tuesdays newly released perks include a way to set six different driver destinations per day, meaning drivers can set various end points throughout the day and the app will suggest rides that are in the direction of those destinations. Previously drivers, who work as independent contractors, could only set two destinations per day. Also new is the ability to set an arrival time for each destination.

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The idea, the company said, is to help people make money traveling to and from the places where theyre already headed.

In addition, Uber said its relaxing rules around declining trips, meaning workers wont have to accept all rides or deliveries to remain in good standing. The company will also alert drivers when a trip request is estimated to be 45 minutes or longer.

We want everyone who drives with Uber to truly feel that their day belongs to them, the company said in a blog post.

The potentially perception-changing updates come as Uber attempts to correct its reputation as a company that profits from poorly compensated workers who are not offered benefits.

Simultaneously, Uber, valued at $68 billion, is facing an onslaught of criticism from internal and external sources that reaches far beyond how the firm treats its drivers. Earlier this month, one of Ubers earliest investors, Benchmark Capital, filed suit against former CEO Travis Kalanick for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, among other things.

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jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruin
More than a year after a campaign rally was held at Kimball Park in National City by then presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, the city is suing the Vermont senator for not paying his expenses.

The city is taking Sanders to court to recoup around $31,000  roughly $28,300 owed for out-of-pocket costs, including police, fire and public works overtime associated with the event held May 21, 2016.

An additional $3,000 in penalties has since been tacked on. The money came out of the citys general fund.

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Emails and calls for comment to the Sanders campaign were not immediately returned.

The lawsuit is being drafted by the Financial Credit Network in Vermont, where Sanders campaign office is located, according to National City Deputy City Manager Stacey Stevenson.

The City Council unanimously agreed on Aug. 1 to authorize the city attorney to file a lawsuit against the Sanders campaign for breach of agreement.

The original invoice requested payment no later than June 2, after which city officials sent a courtesy notice and three subsequent delinquent notices.

A letter demanding payment in October was unsuccessful, and the city turned the issue over to the Vermont collection agency.

Last October Armando Vergara, the citys director of neighborhood services, said his office has contacted the Sanders campaign by email and phone in addition to sending the letters.

He said they received one email stating the Secret Service was responsible for law enforcement fees, but Vergara said the campaign staff is responsible.

The cost of a temporary use permit, which is what Sanders campaign needed to hold its event at the park, is generally paid in full before the event is held, according to city officials.

The event required city officials to pull things together in a few days. In fact, campaign staff members and Secret Service officials asked the City Council on May 17 to add an emergency item to its agenda that night and approve it.

A handful of other governments in California were also trying to collect on unpaid bills following rallies held by Sanders campaign. They include Cloverdale, Vallejo and Solano County.

Cloverdale was paid two months later, said Cloverdale City Manager Paul Cayler.

A $6,000 bill incurred by the Sanders campaign for a rally in Vista was paid to the Vista Unified School District, according to district officials.
For the first time since the ornate Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Petka was built 25 years ago atop San Marcos Knob Hill, a new priest is leading the congregation.

After nearly three decades of service, the parishs former priest  the much-loved and respected Rev. Milan Vukovic  retired this summer. It was time, he said last week.

Taking his place is the Rev. Milovan Katanic, 43, who moved to suburban North County last month, after 13 years as a priest in the small western Pennsylvania city of Hermitage.

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Katanic said hes pleased to be a part of the San Marcos parish, and acknowledges that for everybody, it is a change.

The tight-knit San Marcos congregation was founded in the 1970s, though its building wasnt completed until the early 1990s. The church now has about 300 member families and is infused with custom and tradition. Sunday services are spoken entirely in Serbian.

Katanic, fluent in Serbian and English, said he plans on keeping and preserving the traditions, as well as growing with the community and the next generation.

Serb culture and religion are interwoven, and longtime parishioners say St. Petka is the heart of the Serbian Orthodox community in North County.

I was married there. I baptized my children there. My parents funerals were there. From joy to sadness  the whole path of life, church member Bosko Kresovic, Jr. said Friday.

Kresovic, who said Katanic brings positive energy to the community, has deep ties to St. Petka, the only Serbian church in North County. Kresovics father was instrumental when Serbian and Macedonian families came together to start the parish.

The elder Kresovic also led the push to construct the Byzantine 4,000-square-foot building on a donated patch of dirt and avocado trees along Knob Hill near Nordahl Road. The church  which has marble facade, a domed cupola and bell tower with a copper roof  was consecrated in 1991. Expansion during Vukovics time as the priest included adding land and a small social hall, as well as a home for the priest and his family.

Katanic said last week that Vukovics guidance has been of great help as he steps into his new role and gets acquainted with the parishioners.

His goal is really to be with the community and to pray with them, Katanic said.

St. Petka marks the third parish Katanic has led.

He was born in north Serbia, near the Hungarian border. When he was 7 years old, his family emigrated to the United States. They arrived on Christmas Day, 1979, and settled in Akron, Ohio.

The Serbian church there was central to his family, Katanic said. His father, a butcher, volunteered his services for festivals, and the family was close with the priests. Katanic headed to the monastery after high school and fell in love with theology.

His first assignment as a priest came in 1996, when he was tapped to lead an Atlanta parish that held services in borrowed space. Over the next seven years, the parish bought a bank building and converted it to a church, and grew from 100 families to 300, Katanic said.

Katanics next parish assignment was in western Pennsylvania  just an hours drive from his family in Ohio. He was the 25th priest to lead that parish, and he stayed 13 years  the longest serving priest there in 50 years.

Then came the move to San Marcos  a sure departure from Amish country, he said with a smile. Take the traffic, especially on state Route 78 through San Marcos. In western Pennsylvania, Katanic said, the traffic tie-ups came only when contending with buggies driven by the Amish.

The Pennsylvania congregation was much smaller, perhaps 100 families. And parishioners were a bit older than those who attend the San Marcos church, which Katanic said is a much younger community  a lot of children.

Katanic himself is married and has seven children, ranging in age from 1 to 18. (In the Orthodox church, men can be ordained as priests if they are already married, but cannot get married after being ordained.)

In the San Marcos congregation, parishioners are waiting to see what changes Katanic might bring.

We are eager to keep a lot of the same traditions, but start a new fresh leadership, said Kresovic, the longtime member. The new leadership will take the best of the old leadership and start striving for the future.
A two-alarm blaze at a Montebello auto body shop knocked out power to hundreds of homes early Wednesday morning, fire officials said.

The fire erupted at Seidners Collision Center in the 300 block of Whittier Boulevard around 12:30 a.m., according to Battalion Chief Fernando Palaez of the Montebello Fire Department. The fire was first reported as an explosion by police on the scene, and flames were shooting through the roof of the structure toward power lines by the time firefighters arrived, Palaez said.

Power had to be cut in the area, knocking out service to roughly 300 homes in Montebello, Palaez said.

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Service was expected to be restored by around 9 a.m., according to Pelaez.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately known and no one was injured, he said.

The fire, which may have been partially fueled by paint, acetylene tanks and other auto repair chemicals inside the building, was brought under control around 3:30 a.m., according to Palaez. Several cars were also inside the structure at the time of the fire, he said.

It was not clear how severely the building had been damaged.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.

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A San Diego federal judge wants to expedite the case of a young dreamer who claims to have been wrongfully removed to Mexico despite his protected status, with a trial that could happen in as little as six weeks.

Attorneys for Juan Manuel Montes Bojorquez on Tuesday asked the judge for a preliminary injunction that would allow the 23-year-old to return lawfully to the United States while his lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection is adjudicated. But U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel said he still had several unanswered questions about Montes claims and that he wants to put Montes and other witnesses on the stand and hear their testimony for himself before ruling.

Curiels suggestion that hed rather have an accelerated path to trial seemed to take both sides by surprise. The judge ordered the attorneys to meet over the next day to map out a time frame for discovery and witness availability and come back Wednesday afternoon to possibly set a trial date.

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Its obvious this court wants to get to the bottom of what happened, Monica Ramirez, one of Montes attorneys, told reporters outside the courthouse.

She told the judge earlier that we just want him back, adding that every day Montes is away from his family and support system in the United States he is suffering irreparable harm.

Both sides agree that the crux of the case is what happened the night of Feb. 18. Montes claims he was taken by Border Patrol agents in Calexico and then forcibly removed to Mexico despite his valid status in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program. Border authorities claim Montes is lying and entered Mexico on his own accord. The government claims there is no record of an encounter with Montes then.

In court documents leading up to the hearing, attorneys for both sides released new details surrounding the incident.

Montes, who suffers from cognitive disabilities, said in a sworn declaration that he worked in the fields in Imperial Valley on Feb. 18, went home to clean up, then had dinner at a friends house in Calexico. He said he had tentative plans to then hang out with another friend that night and was walking to a taxi stand when a lone Border Patrol agent on a bicycle stopped him and asked for his identification.

Hed left his wallet in a friends car, so he was taken in a patrol vehicle to a border station so his identity could be verified, Montes said. But Montes claims while at the station, it didnt appear that agents checked his identity or ran his fingerprints.

Montes said he doesnt recall if the agents asked about his DACA status.

He said he and others were driven to the port of entry around 1 a.m. Feb. 19 and told to cross into Mexico. He said he was not sure if he signed documents and didnt know why he was being kicked out of the country.

Montes got help from friends later that day who drove down his wallet and a suitcase. Later, on his way to hail a cab to go to a relatives house, Montes claims two men beat him and robbed him .

After this attack, I was very scared. I did not know what to do, Montes wrote in his declaration. I just wanted to be safe at home.

Montes said he made an impulsive decision to scale the border fence back into the U.S. on the evening of Feb. 19.

He was detained by Border Patrol and questioned, and again doesnt recall his DACA status being discussed. He said he signed documents, unsure of their contents, and was removed to Mexico on Feb. 20.

Federal authorities dispute ever coming into contact with Montes on Feb. 18, saying their first contact was when he was spotted coming over the fence. The government contends Montes was rightfully repatriated back to Mexico because DACA recipients are prohibited from crossing the border without permission. (Authorities originally falsely claimed to reporters that Montes was removed because his DACA status had expired.)

Attorneys for the government said Facebook messages seem to suggest Montes planned his return to the U.S.

Chief Patrol Agent Rodney Scott of the Border Patrols El Centro sector said in a sworn declaration that Montes story doesnt align with evidence. He said agents usually conduct bike patrols in pairs, not alone, and that all agents were assigned to patrol vehicles the night in question. He also said agents havent repatriated any unauthorized immigrants past 10 p.m. this year.

The case has drawn national attention and is being closely watched by all sides of the immigration debate in light of the Trump administrations crackdown on illegal immigration and the uncertainty over DACAs future.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
A dreamer who claims to have been unlawfully removed to Mexico may get his day in court sooner than expected.

Attorneys for Juan Manuel Montes Bojorquez, 23, have asked a San Diego federal judge to allow the young man to return legally to the U.S. while his lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection is adjudicated. During a hearing Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel said he would like to hear Montes and other witnesses testify in person first, and suggested accelerating the whole matter by putting on a trial as soon as possible.

But during a subsequent hearing Wednesday, both sides indicated the earliest trial date would be in December  not as quickly as Curiel had imagined.

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Curiel is now considering having a limited evidentiary hearing, which would include briefly paroling Montes to the U.S., to allow the judge to size up Montes and the witnesses for himself.

The judge has asked both sides to brief him in writing on the matter.

Montes, who suffers from cognitive disabilities, claims he was stopped by Border Patrol in Calexico the night of Feb. 18. He said the agents did not take steps to verify his identity (he said he left his wallet in a friends car), which would have shown that he was enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program and therefore had permission to be in the U.S. Montes claims he was taken across the border at 1 a.m.

He said he was robbed the next day in Mexicali and out of fear crossed back over the border fence on Feb. 19. He was caught by Border Patrol and removed to Mexico.

U.S. officials say they have no record of an encounter with Montes on the 18th and contend he crossed into Mexico on his own. They claim they rightfully removed him to Mexico after his detention on the 19th because DACA recipients are prohibited of leaving the U.S. without prior authorization.

Montes attorneys are asking Calexico border authorities for several pieces of evidence pertaining to Feb. 18 operations, including surveillance videos, patrol logs and agent staffing.

Government attorneys said Wednesday as a general practice, surveillance tape is recorded over after 30 days and likely does not still exist for the night in question.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
The UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institutes BioBank research lab has been renamed the Downtown San Diego Lions Club BioBank for Vision in recognition of the clubs $400,000 donation to the organization.

The gift was presented last month and is the largest donation the local club has made to a single project.

The BioBank has the potential to make a significant difference for the thousands of individuals in San Diego County with blinding eye diseases, as well as millions around the world, Downtown San Diego Lions Club President Steve Zapoticzny said before a standing-room only crowd last month when presenting a check from the clubs Wellness Foundation.

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The BioBank was launched in 2012 with the goal of leveraging the latest in bioinformatics technology and genetic-sequencing tools to advance understanding of diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which are leading causes of blindness in the United States.

It provides a library of biological samples with complete medical and family history and other demographic information that researchers can use to learn about predictors for diseases and the effectiveness of therapies.

The BioBank allows our ophthalmology team to make remarkable advances in understanding the biology of diseases and the promise of personalized medicine, said Dr. Robert Weinreb, chair and distinguished professor of ophthalmology and director of the Shiley Eye Institute.

The support from the San Diego Lions Club Welfare Foundation aids our research and helps us to better diagnose, prevent and treat eye diseases, he said.

Terry Loftus, past-president for the Downtown San Diego Lions Club, led the partnership proposal along with fellow Lion and past-president George Saadeh.

We were looking into stem cell and genetic research that is making strides toward curing these diseases, Loftus said. When we came across an article about what UC San Diego is doing in this area, the pieces started to fall into place.

More than 150,000 individuals in San Diego County suffer from retinal degeneration, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.

Lions International, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, has a long history of service to prevent blindness, restore eyesight and improve eye health. In 1925, Helen Keller urged Lions everywhere to become Knights of the Blind. Since then, sight programs have been a hallmark of Lions Clubs around the world.

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gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

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A new study by Harvard researchers has found that decades of scientific research by ExxonMobil contradicted a public messaging campaign by the fossil fuel giant that raised doubts about climate change and its hazards.

The study, to be published Wednesday in the journal Environmental Research Letters, validated investigations in 2015 by the Los Angeles Times and the nonprofit agency InsideClimate News.

That reporting concluded that top executives at ExxonMobil were warned by their own scientists about the dangers of greenhouse gases, including potential threats to the companys operations. At the same time, the oil corporation invested millions in advertising campaigns that would call into question whether climate change was a threat to humans.

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ExxonMobil called the media coverage misleading, and created a website featuring an archive of its peer-reviewed research and internal communications.

Reading the documents shows that these allegations are based on deliberately cherry-picked statements attributed to various ExxonMobil employees to wrongly suggest definitive conclusions were reached decades ago by company researchers, the website reads.

Harvard historian of science Naomi Oreskes  who was explicitly named by ExxonMobil on its website as a purveyor of such misinformation  decided to take up the challenge.

I know what its like to have your work taken out of context, she said. Thats a fair complaint, if its true. We think that our study shows that its not true.

ExxonMobil  which declined to comment for this story  has routinely denied that it suppressed its climate science.

(O)ur scientists and researchers were among the first to grapple with the fact there might be a connection between the carbon dioxide emissions from humanitys use of fossil fuels and climate fluctuations, the companys website reads. It should surprise no one that we have remained committed to pursuing climate change research since that initial discovery.

Oreskes and a post-doctoral researcher at Harvard, Geoffrey Supran, reviewed 187 documents dating back to 1977, including peer-reviewed scientific papers, internal documents, company pamphlets, conference materials and books.

The researchers compared those with dozens of paid advertisements published in The New York Times between 1989 and 2004.

The report analyzed these materials based on a number of criteria, including positions on whether humans have caused climate change and if warming posses a serious threat.

Using a content-analysis methodology, Oreskes and Supran found that 83 percent of ExxonMobils peer-reviewed scientific papers that expressed a position on the topic acknowledged that climate change was caused by humans.

Conversely, the study found that of the relevant advertising, 81 percent raised doubts about whether humans were causing global warming. That messaging campaign starts largely around 1996, a year after the International Panel on Climate Change first concluded that climate change was most likely driven by greenhouse-gas emissions linked to human activities.

Only 10 out of 72 peer-reviewed publications addressed the potential for adverse impacts from climate change, of which six acknowledged serious risks, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the report found that ExxonMobils internal documents broadly acknowledged the idea of human caused warming and routinely addressed the question of impacts.

Of such documents with a position, nearly half expressed doubt but also recognized the potential risks associated with climate change. Another 35 percent of the materials focused more on the likelihood of serious fallout from a warming planet, such as from melting ice sheets and sea-level rise.

Of the advertising that dealt with the impacts of climate change, about 62 percent expressed doubt and 24 percent offered mixed messages, according to the report.

One such ad from ExxonMobil detailed in the report read: Just as changeable as your local weather forecast, views on the climate change debate range from seeing the issue as serious or trivial, and from seeing the possible future impacts as harmful or beneficial.

The research comes as the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the attorneys general of New York and Massachusetts, continue an investigation into whether ExxonMobil violated shareholder trust by concealing the potential impacts of climate change on the companys bottom line.

Publicly traded companies must disclose to shareholders financial risks, such as from possible government regulations to curb greenhouse gases. The company could face significant financial liability if its found to have concealed documents outlining the potential for financial losses.

Twitter: @jemersmith

Phone: (619) 293-2234

Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com
The mystery over why U.S. and Canadian diplomats in Cuba have developed hearing loss and other symptoms deepened Wednesday after a media report suggested they may have suffered brain damage.

Some officials believe the diplomats were injured by sonic waves from listening devices hidden in their homes or workplaces in Havana, but that has not been confirmed.

It is still not clear who planted the devices, and whether they were intended to cause harm.

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This is unprecedented,, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. We have not seen this anywhere.

Cuba has denied any responsibility and is cooperating with U.S. and Canadian investigators, she said.

CBS News reported Wednesday that it had reviewed medical records of some of the people affected. It said doctors had diagnosed mild traumatic brain injury and damage to the central nervous system.

The diplomats began reporting health problems, including hearing loss and dizziness, in December. Several cut short their assignments in Cuba because of the symptoms.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has cited the health attacks on diplomats but has not provided details. The State Department will not say how many Americans were affected.
When a San Diego police officer recently gave testimony that was at odds with video footage from his body-worn camera, a defense lawyer cried foul.

The City Attorneys Office, which discovered the video, quickly acted to ask the court to vacate a homeless mans conviction and dismiss the ticket that charged him with living in his vehicle at a public park.

But defense attorney Coleen Cusack wants more. She wants that officer charged with perjury and put on a list.

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The Brady index lists regional police officers and expert witnesses whose credibility is shot. The City Attorney and District Attorney put them on the list because they have been caught lying on the stand in prior cases or a host of other bad behavior such as filing false reports, showing bias or leniency, or having a history of drug or alcohol abuse.

The list is top secret, because of the highly confidential nature of police officer personnel files. Prosecutors here barely admit the Brady index exists.

When asked just the number of people on it  not their names - DAs spokesman Steve Walker said that isnt public, based on a legal review.

The Brady name comes from a 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brady v Maryland that a prosecutor has a duty to disclose to the defense all material evidence held by the prosecutors office that is favorable to the defense.

Subsequent court rulings and policies have broadened the concept to include anything a prosecutor knows that may impeach the credibility of an officer or expert witness. Defense lawyers are entitled to ask the court for access to that information. Then if that same officer goes on the witness stand again, he or she can be asked about relevant misconduct.

The San Diego County District Attorneys Office has a committee of prosecutors that meets monthly to review whether a certain officer should be added or removed from the list.

Cusack wants Officer Colin Governski on the list because he testified in 2016 that hed seen Tony Diaz sleeping in his pickup camper the year before. Diaz fought the ticket, testifying that hed only parked at Bahia Point Park to use the restroom, and he was coming out of the facility when Governski saw him.

Diaz lost his case, but appealed. When the appeal went to the City Attorney for a response, a prosecutor discovered that Governski not only had camera footage not seen in court, but it showed Diaz walking from the restroom, not sleeping.

Cusak says every case that relies on testimony from Governski for a conviction should be dismissed. As a side note, the city of San Diego paid another homeless man $15,000 earlier this year to settle a lawsuit alleging harassment and multiple improper arrests by Governski.

Whether he is ever placed on the Brady list is something we may never know.
A defendant who jumped bail and fled in the middle of a three-day cocaine-trafficking trial in San Diego was back in custody Tuesday after being tracked down in Northern California.

Deputy U.S. marshals arrested Itai Enriquez-Rodriguez, 21, on Monday outside his girlfriends home near San Jose, authorities said.

Enriquez-Rodriguez was arrested in July 2016 at Otay Mesa Port of Entry after allegedly being caught with three kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle.

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Following a federal investigation, Enriquez-Rodriguez, who had been released on bond, was indicted on charges of conspiracy and drug smuggling.

Two months ago, on the second day of his trial, Enriquez-Rodriguez failed to appear in court, and the presiding judge called a recess so agents could undertake a search for him.

During the break, investigators discovered a Facebook post by Enriquez-Rodriguezs brother that included a photo of the pair, a snapshot of a man holding a pistol and a caption reading, He who laughs last, laughs the best. And Im in no hurry.'

Both images had been posted the morning Enriquez-Rodriguez went on the lam, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in San Diego.

Finding that Enriquez-Rodriguez had voluntarily removed himself from the criminal proceedings against him, U.S. District Court Judge Marilyn Huff ruled that they could continue, despite his absence.

The trial concluded June 23, with jurors finding Enriquez-Rodriguez guilty of both charges he faced. Federal agents continued to follow leads into Enriquez-Rodriguezs whereabouts. The U.S. Marshals Service determined this week he was hiding in his hometown of Gilroy.

Enriquez-Rodriguezs sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23.

Breaking News

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Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
A Navy helicopter crew rescued a civilian pilot ejected from a contracted fighter jet off the coast near Point Loma Tuesday, Navy and Coast Guard officials said.

The pilot ejected safely from the single-seat Hawker Hunter jet, for unknown reasons, roughly 115 miles off the coast, Navy officials said. No information about the pilots condition was available.

The Navy-contracted plane had participated in a pre-deployment training exercise for the ships of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, Navy officials said. The Composite Training Unit Exercise, which tests the strike groups deployment readiness, began earlier this month, according to the Navy.

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The Coast Guard was summoned about 4:30 p.m. to assist in the pilots rescue, but a helicopter crew assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 6 aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt hoisted the pilot out of the ocean before a Coast Guard helicopter crew responded, officials said.

The pilot was taken to Naval Medical Center San Diego for a medical evaluation.

In the past, Hawker Hunter jets have been contracted by the Navy to play the role of an enemy aircraft in offshore training.

In two instances, in October 2014 and May 2012, the pilots who assisted in the training exercises crashed in a field near Naval Station Ventura County as they prepared to land. Both pilots died.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Breaking News

Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
A man wanted in an Oceanside homicide case tried to avoid arrest by giving a friends name instead of his own when San Diego police stopped him last week.

It was his bad luck that his friend had a warrant, so Anthony Williams went to jail anyway. Jail staff found out his real name through fingerprints and that there was a warrant for his arrest, too  on a murder charge, police said.

Lucky for us, said Oceanside police Lt. Valencia Sadaat on Tuesday. It was a poor name change for him.

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Williams, 21, is suspected of shooting Bernaldo Ramires, 20, on Calle Estrella in the Libby Lake neighborhood of Oceanside on June 5. Witnesses described the shooter as a young Latino man who left in a white Honda Acura.

Police spokesman Tom Bussey said information about the car led investigators to Williams, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

It isnt clear why San Diego police contacted Williams on Friday.

Bussey said Williams remained booked under his friends name, but the change of identity would be straightened out in court.
It was the burning question among political observers: Would there be a noticeable shift in the tone and tenor of President Trump from Mondays closely watched speech on Afghanistan to Tuesdays campaign-style rally in Phoenix?

Not that we couldnt guess the answer. Of course there was.

Good morning from the state capital. Im Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers, and the presidents visit to Arizona was full of fury at those who he feels have wronged him.

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A reminder that Trump will speak to the American Legion later today in Reno, and weve got a team of journalists in place and will offer complete coverage on our Essential Washington news feed.

Now, about last night...

THE AIRING OF GRIEVANCES

There were many targets of the presidents anger on Tuesday night, a 76-minute critique  blistering at times  of all who he believes have tried to thwart his agenda.

Few were mentioned more than the news media and its coverage of the violent events in Charlottesville, Va. almost two weeks ago. He also kept hinting of anger at Arizonas two U.S. senators, though he wouldnt mention either of them by name.

And that wasnt the only thing Trump told his supporters he couldnt say right now, suggesting its all but certain that hell ultimately grant a pardon to former Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

POLITICAL ROUNDUP

-- Tuesday nights speech struck a decidedly different tone from Monday, when he delivered a more measured address on the U.S. militarys presence in Afghanistan -- one that was at odds with his campaign promises.

-- The reviews of the military plan were mixed on Capitol Hill.

-- Defense Secretary James Mattis defended the proposal on Tuesday, likening it to efforts used to combat Islamic State.

-- The Trump administration is imposing new sanctions on Russian and Chinese companies who it said are working with North Korea.

-- The Navy is moving to replace the commander of the 7th Fleet after the latest collision between a destroyer and a merchant vessel.

-- A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Arizonas ban on Mexican American studies is racially discriminatory.

-- The Secret Service said Monday its running short on cash, partly because of the complexity of security logistics for the president and his family.

THE OBAMA ALUMS

Trumps statements about Charlottesville are among the reasons cited by dozens of staffers from former President Barack Obamas campaign and White House as proof of why they must run for office, Seema Mehta reports.

Their campaigns, including several in California, are driven by the election of Trump, fewer opportunities in Washington and the desire to protect and build upon Obamas legacy.

AUDIT: UC DIDNT FOLLOW ITS OWN RULES

The University of California broke the rules that govern when its allowed to replace full-time employees with contract workers, according to a state audit released on Tuesday.

The second audit of UC President Janet Napolitanos operations this year also found some of its campuses cut corners in awarding some contracts. Auditors said two contracts they reviewed that resulted in the replacement of full-time employees with contract workers did not fully adhere to the employee replacement guidelines in either contract.

ON CLIMATE CHANGE: GOING ONCE, TWICE, SOLD OUT

Californias cap-and-trade program had a sold-out auction this month of carbon pollution credits, a sign of confidence in the future of the system.

Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers recently extended the program until 2030. The auction generated an estimated $640 million in revenue for the state.

TODAYS ESSENTIALS

-- City officials in Los Angeles said Tuesday theyre ready to join the legal fight against the Trump administrations effort against sanctuary city policies.

-- State Senate leader Kevin de Leon called for healing after the violence in Charlottesville and announced informational hearings examining Californias readiness for future white supremacist rallies and to look at the rise of such extremist ideologies.

-- Orange County Rep. Lou Correa held a town hall focused on veterans issues Monday, and it was nowhere near as rowdy as his last one on immigration.

-- A bill in the state Capitol to extend protections for immigrant witnesses is now on its way to Brown.

-- Hip-hop artists Common and J.Cole took the stage at an outdoor event in Sacramento on Monday, the Imagine Justice concert in support of bail and juvenile justice proposals pending in the Legislature.

-- A new ACLU campaign highlights the positions of California district attorneys on crime and punishment ballot measures.

-- California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye says immigration enforcement at courthouses continues in full force.

-- Democrats in Sacramento are trying again to change the rules governing special recall elections, one more effort to potentially delay the effort to oust an Orange County state senator.

-- Legislators checking out Mondays solar eclipse: Theyre just like us.

LOGISTICS

Essential Politics is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

You can keep up with breaking news on our politics page throughout the day. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics?

Miss Mondays newsletter? Here you go.

Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com.

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Judges in Los Angeles Superior Court are being asked to unseal records related to three search warrants approved in 2015 as part of the long-running criminal investigation into possible corruption within the California Public Utilities Commission.

The 19-page motion filed this week by San Diego attorney Maria Severson requests the release of affidavits the judges relied on in approving the warrants  and any related documents reflecting the commissions response.

The moving party seeks to discover whether the CPUC fought disclosure of relevant writings required under the search warrant, the motion states.

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Spokeswoman Terrie Prosper said the commission lawyers have responded to 11 search warrants and subpoenas, and processed several million documents.

Outside counsel has also represented CPUC employees, when requested, in voluntary interviews with federal and state investigators, she said. However, outside counsel does not represent these employees in any other manner and outside counsel has never represented a past or present commissioner in any manner or scope.

Prosper said the commission has fully complied with its obligations to the investigation and noted that no criminal charges have been filed.

Three judges approved three different search warrants in 2015 based on information submitted by investigators for the California Attorney Generals Office.

Most details of the sworn testimony was sealed by court order, although the returns were released into the public file.

The San Diego Union-Tribune relied on those records to report two years ago that a criminal probe into possible felonies by state regulators was expanding.

The motion also questions whether the commission properly spent more than $12 million on private criminal defense lawyers.

When they requested the funds, commission officials promised lawmakers the money would help them cooperate with two criminal investigations, the motion states. But once given the money, the CPUC appears to have used the money not to cooperate, but instead to fight the requests for documents.

Among other things, criminal investigators suspect that a 2014 deal to assign ratepayers at least $3.3 billion in costs related to the premature closure of the failed San Onofre nuclear plant was negotiated improperly.

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jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
The former undercover CIA operative who was scandalously outed during George W. Bushs administration has launched a fund-raising effort to buy Twitter in order to kick Donald Trump off the social media site.

The effort, called Lets #BuyTwitter and #BanTrump, is the brainchild of Valerie Plame Wilson, the former spy turned author and activist who says that Trumps horrible tweets are dangerous for the country and the world.

From emboldening white supremacists to promoting violence against journalists, his tweets damage the country and put people in harms way. But threatening actual nuclear war with North Korea takes it to a dangerous new level, wrote Plame on the GoFundMe page that was posted August 16.

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Plame was referring to Trumps August 11 tweet in which he said that military solutions against North Korea were locked and loaded.

Military solutions are now fully in place,locked and loaded,should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2017

She argued that Trump has escalated an already tense crisis with the Communist country and that his words could spark a military confrontation that could go nuclear.

Its time to shut him down, wrote Plame who said that Twitter has ignored calls to enforce the companys community standards and delete Trumps account. The good news is we can make that decision for them.

The goal of the fundraiser is to collect $1 billion, enough to buy a controlling interest in the publically traded enterprise. Thats a small price to pay to take away Trumps most powerful megaphone and prevent a horrific nuclear war, says the posting which noted that the president has absolute authority to make good on his threat.

He can pick up the phone at any moment he can pick and order a nuclear strike. Thats why the world takes his words so seriously, Plame wrote.

So far, the effort has only raised upwards of $10,000 but the former spy wrote in a Wednesday update that the effort is picking up steam.

My hope in setting up this page was to shine a spotlight on just how dangerous Donald Trumps use of Twitter really is. I wanted to reach new audiences and show them they dont have to sit by while the Donald Trump uses this huge platform to undermine not just the moral fabric of this country, but our national security as well, she said in the update.

This isnt about suppressing free speech online. Its about taking a stand against reckless bravado and threats of nuclear violence that could have horrific consequences in the real world.

The former spy, who specialized in weapons of mass destruction and anti-terrorism efforts, ended her initial post by saying that proceeds from the campaign are aimed at buying a controlling interest in Twitter and if that does not happen it will go to purchasing a significant stake in the company in order to champion the cause at shareholders meetings.

Any excess in funds will be donated to Global Zero, a non-profit organization working to end the nuclear threat and eliminate nuclear weapons.

In a statement released to Associated Press, the White House scoffed at the effort it said was aimed at silencing Trump.

Her ridiculous attempt to shut down his 1st Amendment is the only clear violation and expression of hate and intolerance in this equation, wrote Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

The spokeswoman added that the low amount of money raised so far shows that the public likes the presidents tweets.

619-293-1710

debbi.baker@sduniontribune.com

twitter.com/Debbi_Baker
For the last decade, local governments and wireless providers have worked together to promote innovation and technological progress, while ensuring that the community voice is heard and the public purse was protected.

As cellphone companies sought permission to expand their service by placing cell towers on public utility poles, local governments worked out fair deals for the private use of publicly funded infrastructure. This long-standing partnership has helped expand wireless service, given local residents and leaders a voice over where the towers should be placed, and ensured fair compensation to the public for the use of public assets. Wireless companies made billions in profits, and local residents enjoyed better wireless service.

A new bill in Sacramento would upend this system of local input and negotiation, and instead give carte blanche to wireless companies to place whatever equipment they want, wherever they want  on any streetlight, traffic light or public building.

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The industry is preparing to install tens of thousands of new cell towers throughout the state  as many as three on every city block.

Related: Cell tower permitting change aids connectivity

SB 649 by Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, would abolish the long-standing collaboration weve had and strip local citizens of their say over where this equipment can be placed, giving wireless companies the right to place new cellphone antennas wherever they want with no input from the community.

While the companies refer to this new equipment as small cell towers, some can be as large as household refrigerators. If SB 649 becomes law, wireless companies would have unfettered ability to place these new towers at their discretion, leaving homeowners and residents powerless to stop them.

SB 649 would also shortchange local taxpayers by capping the fees wireless companies can be charged for the fair use of public assets. This could strip millions of dollars away from local budgets for fire, police and other core services that communities depend on.

While masquerading as a bill to foster innovation, SB 649 is nothing more than a ripoff of local taxpayers, shifting millions of dollars from key local services like fire and police to the wireless industrys own bottom line.

In the city of Vista, the impacts of SB 649 would be profound. The proposed per installation cap of $250 annually on fair use of utility poles is less than one-third the amount the city has already negotiated with the wireless industry. This reduction would result in the loss of anticipated revenue for community enhancements and services.

It would also undermine the investments Vista has made to beautify the community. The city is currently spending $183,000 to provide ornamental lighting poles throughout our downtown. If SB 649 passes, our city would be left with no ability to tailor the wireless equipment to match the aesthetics of our downtown.

Cellular providers will have the ability to place ugly, outsized cellular communications equipment directly on the new light poles throughout our downtown, and throughout our entire city  on residential streets as well as business areas  with no regard for our communitys character, and with no recourse for residents to register their objections.

The city of Vista also recently adopted reasonable and clear guidelines for the appropriate use of our rights of way for small cellphone towers. This was done to help further the development of reliable local wireless infrastructure while ensuring that local design standards are still applied and that the communitys voice is heard.

However, SB 649 discards local control by eliminating the consideration of these already established and recognized local design standards.

SB 649 would remove the citys ability to negotiate lease agreements with wireless carriers for use of our own rights of way. Further, the bill would impede the citys discretion to regulate cellular sites in our parks and publicly owned lands, and even private property.

Stripping away local control in the interest of multibillion-dollar corporations is never good public policy. This bill is a giveaway to the wireless giants, while placing a muzzle on the voices of local citizens.

Our elected leaders should do the right thing and put the voice of local citizens over corporate interests.

SB 649 is bad policy and lawmakers should reject it.

Rigby is a Vista City Council member and president of the League of California Cities, San Diego County Division. The leagues website is www.cacities.org.
California has been at the forefront of technological progress for decades. It has solidified its position as a state that embraces technological advancement. In recent years, the demand for wireless connectivity has intensified with growing numbers of Californians becoming dependent on hand held devices, laptops and other platforms that require wireless connectivity.

With that demand also comes the need to upgrade infrastructure for the next generation of wireless connectivity. Currently, we are experiencing advancements that have the power to provide a faster, robust and secure connection.

However, the current permitting process is fragmented and varies throughout the state. In some municipalities the approval process for small cell applications can take up to two years.

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Related: Cell tower bill strips control from local citizens

There is a bill working its way through the California Legislature that aims to modernize the process to advance the next generation of wireless connectivity.

SB 649 by Sen.Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, aims to streamline the local permitting process for small wireless facility installation (small cells) in a sensible, safe and cost-effective manner. These small cells require placement on utility poles, streetlights and buildings, and help make the increased speed of 5G, the next level of wireless connectivity, possible as well as create immediate improvements to 4G, making it more efficient and increasing its coverage.

5G speeds are projected to be 100 times faster than the current 4G network. At these speeds, customers would be able to download a high-definition movie in a matter of seconds, doctors would be able to receive and read the vitals of a patient from miles away. These are just a few of the benefits we can expect from the next generation of wireless connectivity.

Currently, 1.1 million people in California are employed in the technology sector and significant concentrations of over 600,000 Asian Pacific-owned businesses, particularly small businesses, exist within the tech industry.

An Accenture report estimated that San Diego would benefit from a $1.1 billion 5G network investment and an estimated 13,000 jobs would be created from 5G developments.

San Diego has attracted many tech companies over the last few years and the city is in a great position to attract even more tech companies with the forthcoming benefits of 5G.

Minority groups also stand to benefit from the closing of the digital divide. The CalAsian Chamber of Commerce supports legislation, policies, and programs that will expand, develop, and progress Asian Pacific Islander (API) owned businesses. SB 649 would provide the tools necessary for API and other minority owned businesses to expand.

In San Diego County, businesses owned by Asian-American and Pacific Islanders have created more than 50,000 jobs. Asian-Americans are also almost 15 percent of the population.

Opponents of SB 649 have spread false accusations that allowing telecommunications companies to access public right of way utility poles is a hidden subsidy. During the SB 649 hearing in the Assembly Local Government Committee on June 28, opponents of the bill admitted the bill is not a true subsidy. Those opponents must stop spreading false allegations against SB 649 and embrace the economic and social benefits that 5G would bring to all California cities.

Additionally, each municipality would receive fair compensation from the respective telecommunication carrier. Municipalities should not view 5G small cells as a cash cow; it would be detrimental to the compelling public interest for California citizens if they do.

The wireless industry is ready to invest in and expand Californias wireless networks that make innovation possible. SB 649 would not only pave the way for the rollout of 5G, it would help empower the rise of the Smart City. Cities would be able to improve essential services and improve quality of life of its citizens.

Public health, education and countless other sectors would benefit from 5G. However, any delay to the passage of SB 649 would place California behind the states that have already passed similar legislation.

CalAsian Chamber of Commerce is proud to join CTIA (the state branch of the trade association representing the wireless communications industry in the U.S.), Californias wireless industry and more than 100 business, community and public safety groups in supporting SB 649.

It is clear Californias commitment to investments in digital technology has girded significant economic growth, productivity and employment for millions of residents. Lets not fall behind now.

Canete is public policy director at CalAsian Chamber of Commerce. Website: www.calasiancc.org. Twitter: @calasiancc
None of the 27 national monuments on the chopping block during a review ordered by President Donald Trump should be eliminated, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced on Thursday.

That includes 5 national monuments located in California that are listed below.

Zinke is recommending a handful of changes to some of them, however, which are expected to trigger legal battles. But few specifics were offered in the review summary made public on Thursday.

The recommendations I sent to the president on national monuments will maintain federal ownership of all federal land and protect the land under federal environmental regulations, and also provide a much needed change for the local communities who border and rely on these lands for hunting and fishing, economic development, traditional uses and recreation, Zinke said.

His recommendations, after the 120-day review, now go to Trump for a final decision.

Back in April, President Trump called for a review of national monuments designated or expanded since 1996, to be considered for possible changes or elimination. The results of the review  which looked at national monuments in Nevada, Utah, California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho and Arizona  were sent to the White House on Thursday.

To see the full list of monuments that were under review, go here.

These were the five monuments located in California that could have lost their designation.

Mojave Trails National Monument

Mojave Trails National Monument is a mosaic of rugged mountain ranges, ancient lava flows and pristine sand dunes. (Bob Wick - Bureau of Land Management California)

Mojave Trails National Monument was designated by President Barack Obama on Feb. 12, 2016. It comprises 1.6 million acres of a stunning mosaic of rugged mountain ranges, ancient lava flows, and spectacular sand dunes, according to the official proclaimation.

The area exemplifies the remarkable ecology of the Mojave Desert, where the hearty insistence of life is scratched out from unrelenting heat and dryness.

Its located in Southern California between Interstate 40 and Highway 62.

Read the full proclaimation by Obama here.

San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

In this Oct. 10, 2014 file photo, President Barack Obama speaks at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas, Calif., as he designated nearly 350,000 acres within the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles, background, a national monument. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

On Oct. 10, 2014, President Obama designated 346,177 acres of existing federal lands as the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. It covers 342,177 acres of the Angeles National Forest and 4,002 acres of neighboring San Bernardino National Forest.

The rich cultural history of these mountains echoes their striking geologic features and ecological diversity, Obamas proclaimation says of the area.

Read the full proclaimation by Obama here.

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

A view of Lake Berryessa near Winters, CA in northern California Monday, December 29, 2014. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

On July 10, 2015, President Obama signed a proclamation declaring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California.

The 330,780-acre monument extends from nearly sea level on lands around Lake Berryessa in the south, up to 7,000 feet through the northern Snow Mountain Wilderness and the eastern boundary of the Yuki Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest.

Rising from near sea level in the south to over 7,000 feet in the mountainous north, and stretching across nearly 100 miles and dozens of ecosystems, the area possesses a richness of species that is among the highest in California and has established the area as a biodiversity hot spot, the Obama administration said of the monument.

Read President Obamas remarks about the designation here.

Giant Sequoia National Monument

In this Friday, Sept. 30, 2011 photo released by the Sequoia National Forest, one of two downed trees lies across the popular Trail of 100 Giants at Sequoia National Forest, Calif., temporarily closing the trail. (Sequoia National Forest)

The Giant Sequoia National Monument was designated by President Bill Clinton in April 2000. It encompasses 328,315 acres of the Sequoia National Forest.

The monument's diverse geologic formations, ecosystems, and human history hold unique opportunities for public education, scientific study, and recreation, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Read President Clintons full proclaimation here.

Carrizo Plain National Monument

Wildflowers have erupted this spring on the grassy plain west of Bakersfield in Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obsipo County, CA April 9, 2017. (Francine Orr/ Los Angeles Times)

Carrizo Plain National Monument was declared by President Bill Clinton on Jan. 17, 2001.

It can be found just a few hours from Los Angeles in Californias Central Valley and comprises 204,107 acres of majestic grasslands and stark ridges.

Full of natural splendor and rich in human history, the majestic grasslands and stark ridges in the Carrizo Plain National Monument contain exceptional objects of scientific and historic interest, said Clinton of the monument in 2001.

Read President Clintons full proclaimation here.

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin
Enjoy the unique musical stylings of Nu-Blu at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Templars Hall in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road.

Tickets for the show are $18 and are available at the door or in advance at TicketWeb.com.

Presented by the San Diego Folk Heritage, Nu-Blu is a band that likes to defy attempts to define the genre of music they make.

We try to be very careful not to put a label on (our music), said Daniel Routh, who founded the band in 2003 with his wife, Carolyn. We cross genres. I guess you could say were bluegrass, but you dont have to be a diehard fan of bluegrass to enjoy us.

Routh said they like to bend the boundaries of bluegrass, crossing over into acoustic, Americana, classic country, classic rock and more. Theres a lot of influences going on there. Were a bluegrass band, but we step outsides the boundaries in many directions.

What the band likes to do musically, Routh said, is find good music that they feel an emotional attachment to and perform it to share that emotion.

Routh said while both he and his wife had been in bands previously, they started Nu-Blu with the intention of being full-time musicians, something they achieved about six years ago.

Their journey to success wasnt easy, as the group first had to deal with their original record label folding and then a stroke that left Carolyn Routh unable to speak or sing, something she has since overcome.

Its been one of those journeys. Weve done really well so far, said Routh.

The band also includes TJ Honaker and Boyd Hulin.

The group tours over 200 days a year, both nationally and in Canada, with a couple of international tours in the works. We go anywhere the music might take us, Routh said.

That touring recently brought them to San Diego, where they were one of the headlining bands at the Summergrass San Diego Bluegrass Festival last weekend. Routh said it has been nice to hang out in San Diego and soak up the sun while performing, and that the group is excited to be working with the San Diego Folk Heritage for their performance in Poway.

Routh said the band has seen a phenomenal response from fans nationwide. Its amazing to see the demographics of our fans. We get folks from all walks of life.

One recent fan who contacted the band was a 15-year-old girl from North Carolina, Routh said, while other fans include those in their 80s and 90s, as well as all ages in between.

We cross boundaries and play music were emotionally attached to, Routh said. For us, music is about actually feeling it and providing everything for those who come to our shows. We want them to say they got more than their moneys worth and feeling good. Our job is to make people smile.

Email: entertainment@pomeradonews.com
The Continuing Education Center at Rancho Bernardo is resuming its year of academic-style lectures at a new venue in Poway.

Arthur Pearl, the groups 2017-2018 president who began his term earlier this year, said relocating the three-times-a-week offerings to Seacrest Village at Rancho Bernardo  located at 12730 Monte Vista Road in Poway  is due to The Remington Clubs renovations that became a logistical hurdle.

Pearl said the Remington had to reallocate its spaces during its expansion, which led to some CEC adjustments last spring. These included moving the CEC office to the Ed Brown Center for Active Adults in Rancho Bernardo Community Park and rescheduling the Wednesday lectures to the evening.

Starting next month, the Wednesday classes will once again be offered from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., as are the Thursday gatherings, and the Tuesday classes will continue to be held from 10 a.m. to noon.

The September topics will include lectures on Vincent van Gogh, William Shakespeare, pop music, a history of the English language, the seven ancient wonders of the world, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, the early womens rights film Salt of the Earth and how the FBI defuses a crisis.

To unveil some of its fall offerings, the group will hold a free champagne reception from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at Seacrest Village. RSVPs are required with Pearl at 858-451-2572 or arthurepearl@yahoo.com. Anyone interested in joining the group is welcome.

CEC is a nonprofit organization that offers university-level, non-credit, homework-free classes taught by local college professors and other experts in their fields. While attendees are typically retirees, anyone is welcome to attend. Classes are $5 for members and $7 for non-members.

Many classes are one-time offerings, though occasionally multi-session series are available for select topics. The fields include history, anthropology, philosophy, music, art, current events and law.

There is quite a variety of classes, Pearl said. This makes a little different (from other groups) because there is such a variety.

Pearl has been a Rancho Bernardo resident since 1987. After 25 years in the food management business with an airline catering company he and his wife, Mimi, owned and operated Chicken Pie Diner in Poway for almost 22 years.

Following retirement, Pearl said he was looking for an activity, read about CECs classes in this newspaper and decided to volunteer about a year ago.

What attracted me was the history classes, then some philosophy discussions and (a class on) the history of man, he said. They were such good speakers, at the university level.

Pearl said the organization has around 130 members. An annual membership is $30 per individual or $50 per family. A sustaining membership is $200, which helps support the organization financially. The membership application is available online at cecrb.com, the groups new website. For details, leave a message at 858-487-0464 since the CEC office is staffed part-time.

CEC began as an affiliate of the San Diego State University Extended Studies Department. After 25 years it reformed in May 2004 as a private, nonprofit corporation. It is entirely volunteer-run, with a modest honorarium offered to the speakers. Around 80 to 90 lectures are offered each academic year, from September to May.

email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com
The train travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi collided with the dumper at around 2:50 am between Pata and Achhalda railway stations.

By PTI: As many as 74 passengers were injured as nine bogies of the Kafiyat Express derailed in UP's Auraiya district early today after dashing against a dumper carrying construction material for railway work, officials here said.

However, the railways said 25 persons were injured in the incident and that the dumper did not belong to them.

The train travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi collided with the dumper at around 2:50 am between Pata and Achhalda railway stations, a spokesperson for the North Central Railway (NCR) said.

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Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said 74 people were injured of which four received serious injuries and have been rushed to Saifai and Etawah hospitals.

Superintendent of Police, Auraiya, Sanjeev Tyagi also said that 74 passengers were injured in the incident.

Kafiyat Express met with an accident at an unmanned railway crossing because of a loader carrying sand for track work for dedicated freight corridor, Secretary, Home, Bhagwan Swarup said.

Rescue operations are over and passengers have been moved to Achalda railway station and rescue train in arriving to take them to Delhi.

This is the second train accident in Uttar Pradesh in five days. On Saturday, a passenger train derailed in Muzaffaragar district leaving over 22 dead and 156 others injured.

"An unauthorised dumper broke the railway fence and hit the engine of Kaifiyat Express causing derailment," the Railway Ministry said in a statement.

"There are no casualties but 25 persons have been injured," the statement said.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted, "A dumper hit the locomotive of the Kaifiyat Express, resulting in derailment. Some passengers have received injuries and have been shifted to nearby hospitals".

He said that he was personally monitoring the situation and had directed senior officials to reach the site immediately.

Kaifiyat Express travels between Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi and the collision has impacted the train operations on the Delhi-Howrah route.

Five trains including Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani have been diverted and seven trains including Kanpur-New Delhi Shatabdi express have been cancelled. Since both UP and DOWN lines are blocked, around 40 local trains were also being diverted.

On receiving information about the mishap, senior officials rushed to the accident site which comes under Acchalda police station, around 180 km from Lucknow.

Additional forces and ambulance were rushed to the spot from Auraiya, Etawah and Kannauj, while NDRF team was dispatched from Lucknow to provide support to the victims. A medical train and a relief train have been dispatched from Allahabad to the accident site.

A spokesman for NCR said rescue operations have been concluded and all injured were sent to hospitals nearby.

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Additional forces and ambulance were rushed to the spot from Auraiya, Etawah and Kannauj while NDRF team was dispatched from Lucknow to provide succour to the victims.

Also Read:

Kalinga Utkal Express derailment: All you need to know in 7 points

Kalinga Utkal Express derailment: 4 railway officials suspended based on prima facie cause of accident

--- ENDS ---
Rancho Bernardans can learn Thursday night about the City of San Diego possibly taking on the energy purchasing function currently held by San Diego Gas & Electric in order to help the environment for decades to come.

A forum featuring energy policy advocates on various sides of the Community Choice Energy discussion will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Ed Brown Center for Active Adults, 18402 W. Bernardo Drive in Rancho Bernardo Community Park.

The free event is being co-hosted by the Rancho Bernardo Community Council and Planning Board.

After each speaker gives a 10-minute presentation the audience may ask questions, according to forum organizers.

The speakers will be Mark Hughes, a mechanical engineer with the Climate Action Campaign; Herman C. Collins, owner/proprietor of the Collins Group, a strategic planning and government relations consulting firm; and Peder Norby, a sustainability practitioner and consultant who served on the San Diego County Planning Commission and former chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee that drafted San Diego Countys Renewable Energy Master Plan.

If adopted, the energy purchasing function would transfer from SDG&E to the city, so the latter can decide which types of energy sources to purchase, including renewables like wind and solar energy. San Diego would remain part of SDG&Es power grid and customers would still receive their electric bills from SDG&E.

According to the citys website, San Diego is trying to reach 100 percent renewable energy for residents and businesses by 2035 in order to create a cleaner and healthier San Diego that will benefit (the) community now and for future generations. The Climate Action Plan adopted in 2015 calls for reducing the citywide carbon footprint by half by 2035.

Many factors are being considered  including consumer cost  as city officials decide which programs to utilize in order to reach the plans goals. This process is expected to continue through early 2018.

Per the website, approximately 43 percent of San Diegos current delivered electricity is renewable, with SDG&E on tract to increase this to 50 percent by 2030, as required by state laws and regulations.

If the city becomes the energy purchaser, electricity transmission and distribution to customers plus billing, metering and customer service would continue through SDG&E. Customers would be automatically enrolled, but may opt out if they would rather have SDG&E purchase their electricity. For details, go to sandiego.gov/sustainability.

Email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  Caroline Kennedy, the new U.S. ambassador to Japan and daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy, leaves for Japan on Thursday to begin her work to strengthen the critical bond between the U.S. and the Asian nation.

We just had a tea ceremony which was a wonderful introduction to the Japanese culture, Kennedy said Tuesday night at a reception at the Japanese ambassadors residence.

My husband and I and my children are so excited to be going to Japan, she said in brief remarks to reporters. We look forward to meeting as many people as we can, to making new friends, visiting and studying the history and culture of this beautiful country that is such a strong partner to the United States in so many important efforts.

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Kennedy, who was confirmed by the Senate last month, was nominated for the ambassadors job by President Barack Obama after playing a role in his re-election campaign. Secretary of State John Kerry hosted a swearing-in ceremony for Kennedy on Tuesday afternoon at the State Department.

At the reception later, Kerry noted that Kennedys father battled Japanese forces as a Navy officer in World War II.

The daughter of a heroic lieutenant in World War II will be the first woman, in the next generation after the war, to represent our country in a relationship that symbolizes so much more than just a normal diplomatic relationship, Kerry said. This is a symbol of reconciliation, symbol of possibilities, a symbol of people who know how to move past ... look to the future and build a future together.

He said he reminded Kennedy earlier in the day that the first time he met her was when she was a child in the 1960s, getting ready to ride her pony named Macaroni, and he backed into her and stepped on her foot. He said she broke into tears.

So I am really excited, as the president is, that Caroline is going to be heading over there to represent this relationship at a critical time  with the rebalance to Asia, global marketplace and competition therein, the efforts to deal with North Korea ... challenges of the South China Sea, challenges of climate change.

Kennedy, 55, an attorney and best-selling book editor, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a September confirmation hearing that she would work to strengthen the crucial bond between the United States and its Asian ally on trade, the military and student exchanges.

Japan is the United States fourth-largest trading partner and home to the Navys 7th Fleet and 50,000 American troops.

Her predecessors include the late Sen. Mike Mansfield, former Sens. Walter Mondale and Howard Baker and the late House Speaker Tom Foley. She replaced John Roos, a wealthy former Silicon Valley lawyer and top Obama campaign fundraiser.

Kennedys confirmation to the post brought a third generation of her family into the U.S. diplomatic corps. Her grandfather Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. was President Franklin D. Roosevelts ambassador to Britain and her aunt Jean Kennedy Smith was ambassador to Ireland under President Bill Clinton.

Kennedy was five days shy of her sixth birthday when her father was assassinated, and she lived most of the rest of her life in New York City. She earned a bachelors degree from Harvard University, got a law degree from Columbia University, married exhibit designer Edwin Schlossberg and had three children.

She is president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and chairs the senior advisory committee of the Institute of Politics at Harvard. She has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations, helped raise millions of dollars for New York schools and edited numerous bestselling books on history, law and poetry.
A Sizzler USA Inc. management-led group said Thursday that itcompleted the acquisition of the steakhouse chain from AustraliasPacific Equity Partners.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The ownership group includes Sizzler USA Chief Executive KerryKramp, who will continue in his role, Kevin Perkins as nonexecutivechairman, and 84-year-old Jim Collins, who originally purchasedSizzler from founder Del Johnson in 1967.

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The acquisition by Sizzler USA of the U.S. operations fromPacific Equity, which has owned the iconic brand since 2005, doesnot include Sizzlers international operations.

Sizzler USA, which generates roughly $360 million in annualsales, owns or franchises 178 restaurants in the U.S. and PuertoRico ---- including a newly reopened store in Oceanside.

Kramp said in April that Sizzler had plans to open 12 to 15stores in the San Diego area in the next two to three years.

Kramp, who joined Sizzler as chief executive in June 2008, hasspearheaded a turnaround effort at the Culver City-based chain,which was founded in 1958. The steakhouse chain has seen its shareof troubles over the years, including a bankruptcy in the mid-1990sand a shrinkage of its portfolio from 700 restaurants just a fewyears ago.

Sizzlers largest franchisee, BMW Management Inc. of Temecula,operates 25 of Sizzler USAs 150 franchised restaurants. BMW hasseveral steakhouses in the region.
Eight years to the day after they walked in on their daughters killer, Art and Lois Serrin are still trying to find out who he is. So are Carlsbad police.

The hunt continues to identify the man who raped and murdered Jodine Serrin in her La Costa condominium on Valentines Day 2007. Carlsbad police have run down all their tips. The case has gone cold.

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But there is a chance: DNA. Each week, authorities run DNA from the crime scene, awaiting the day they get a hit and identify a suspect. Nothing has turned up ... yet.

We are very hopeful, Sgt. Bryan Hargett, who spent years as the lead case detective, said Friday.

The department wants to get the killer off the streets and closure for a couple now in their 80s.

Art and Lois Serrin went to their daughters La Costa condo on Swallow Lane about 10 p.m. that horrible day. They found the front door chained, the lights on and no response from their developmentally disabled but highly functioning 39-year-old daughter known as Jodi.

The father busted open the front door, headed into his daughters room  and walked in on a man atop his daughter, apparently in the middle of an intimate moment. He stepped out, and he and his wife waited briefly for an embarrassed couple to emerge. They did not.

Serrin went back inside the bedroom, and found his daughters unclothed body on her canopy bed, cold to the touch. The man was gone.

Authorities said Jodi Serrin died from blunt-force head wounds.

Months turned into years. Police have followed up on every lead. And Hargett has gone further, in fact, all the way to Philadelphia, where in 2012, he presented the case to a think-tank group of retired doctors, lawyers and scientists, at their invitation.

This is a really tough case, Hargett said, and it weighs heavy on everyone.

Lois Serrin said she fears that the man who killed her daughter is going to do this again.

This is eight years now, and you think somebody would know something, she said.

She also fears another scenario: This monster could be dead and we will never know.

The Serrins  he is 85, she is 80  have raised money and supported legislation in remembrance of their daughter. They have handed out fliers, and last year had the cold case information displayed inside buses. They continue to hold out hope for a break in the case.

I bleed for that, Art Serrin said.

There is a reward of up to $52,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is urged to call Carlsbad police at (760) 931-2197. Tipsters can also anonymously call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or to send tips via the groups website.
By PTI: (Eds: Updating with additional quotes)

Lucknow, Aug 23 (PTI) As many as 74 passengers were injured as nine bogies of the Kaifiyat Express derailed in UPs Auraiya district early today after dashing against a dumper carrying construction material for railway work, officials here said.

However, the railways said 25 persons were injured in the incident and that the dumper did not belong to them.

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The train travelling from Azamgarh to Delhi collided with the dumper at around 2:50 am between Pata and Achhalda railway stations, a spokesperson for the North Central Railway (NCR) said.

Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said that 74 people were injured of which four received serious injuries and have been rushed to Saifai and Etawah hospitals.

Superintendent of Police, Auraiya, Sanjeev Tyagi also said that 74 passengers were injured in the incident.

Secretary, Home, Bhagwan Swarup said the accident took place due to a loader carrying material for work on dedicated freight corridor.

"The accident took place because of a loader carrying sand for track working for dedicated freight corridor. It overturned and came on the track," he said.

"It was not an unmanned crossing. But there was a road parallel to the track on which the loader overturned," he said.

Rescue operations are over and passengers have been moved to Achalda railway station and rescue train in arriving to take them to Delhi.

This is the second train accident in Uttar Pradesh in five days. On Saturday, a passenger train derailed in Muzaffaragar district leaving over 22 dead and 156 others injured.

"An unauthorised dumper broke the railway fence and hit the engine of Kaifiyat Express causing derailment," the Railway Ministry said in a statement.

"There are no casualties but 25 persons have been injured," the statement said.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted, "A dumper hit the locomotive of the Kaifiyat Express, resulting in derailment. Some passengers have received injuries and have been shifted to nearby hospitals".

He said that he was personally monitoring the situation and had directed senior officials to reach the site immediately.

Kaifiyat Express travels between Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi and the collision has impacted the train operations on the Delhi-Howrah route.

Five trains including Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani have been diverted and seven trains including Kanpur-New Delhi Shatabdi express have been cancelled. Since both UP and DOWN lines are blocked, around 40 local trains were also being diverted.

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On receiving information about the mishap, senior officials rushed to the accident site which comes under Acchalda police station, around 180 km from Lucknow.

Additional forces and ambulance were rushed to the spot from Auraiya, Etawah and Kannauj, while NDRF team was dispatched from Lucknow to provide support to the victims. A medical train and a relief train have been dispatched from Allahabad to the accident site.

A spokesman for NCR said rescue operations have been concluded and all injured were sent to hospitals nearby.

Additional forces and ambulance were rushed to the spot from Auraiya, Etawah and Kannauj while NDRF team was dispatched from Lucknow to provide succour to the victims. PTI SAB ABN NAV ASG SMI DV

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By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 23 (PTI) Around nine years after he was arrested in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit today walked out on bail from Taloja jail in neighbouring Navi Mumbai and reported back to his Army unit.

As he came out of the prison at around 10.45 am, two days after the Supreme Court granted him relief, a team of Military Police and Quick Response Team of the Army escorted Purohit to a military station at Colaba in south Mumbai in a car.

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Sources said he was given the "protection" considering possible security threat to him.

Purohit, who was suspended after his arrest, reported to the liasoning unit of the Armys Southern Command in Mumbai and is currently staying at an army establishment in the city and will be under various restrictions including his movement inside the unit, the sources at the Delhi-based army headquarters said.

The sources said the Army headquarters will review his suspension from service after examining the apex court order.

Purohit, who was an officer from intelligence corp, was suspended from service soon after he was arrested in connection with the Malegaon blast case in in late 2008.

The sources said Purohit is likely to go to his unit in Pune where he was working before his arrest in the Malegaon blast case in late 2008.

Purohit, however, did not attend a hearing related to the blast case at the NIA court in Mumbai today after his lawyer filed an exemption plea for the day.

"We filed an exemption application before the court saying that some formalities were going on with the Army, and hence he will not be able to attend the hearing today," said Purohits lawyer, advocate Shrikant Shivde.

Special NIA prosecutor Avinash Rasal said the court allowed the exemption application "only for today".

Purohit was in jail for his alleged role in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, in which the apex court granted him bail on Monday.

A bench of Justices R K Agrawal and A M Sapre set aside the April 25 order of Bombay High Court which had denied him bail.

Six people were killed in a bomb blast on September 29, 2008 at Malegaon, a communally sensitive textile town in Nashik district of north Maharashtra.

Purohit was yesterday produced before the special NIA court here which is hearing the accused on framing of charges in the blast case, while his lawyers approached the Supreme Court and got his bail conditions modified.

Following this, the Mumbai court issued a release order, but he wasnt released last night as some formalities were to be completed.

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Today, all the legal formalities were completed following which Purohit stepped out of Taloja prison.

Talking to reporters outside the court yesterday, Purohit had said he wanted to rejoin the Army as soon as possible.

"I want to wear my uniform. It is outermost layer of my skin. I am wedded to it. I am very happy to get back into the service of the best organisation in the country if not the world, the Indian Army," he had said.

"I have two families -- the Army and my family which includes my wife, my two sons, sister and mother. I cannot wait to return to them," he said.

The Army didnt "let me down", said Purohit.

While granting bail to Purohit, the apex court had said that there were "material contradictions" in the charge sheets filed by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Mumbai and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which are required to be tested at the time of trial, and it cannot pick or choose one version over the other. PTI VI DC NRB GK NM VI KRK RT

--- ENDS ---

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You do your best to keep your personal data safe, but can the same be said about your hospital, insurance company, or big box store? Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft, even if your personal data is stolen.

Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join

Steve Weisman is a lawyer, college professor, author and one of the countrys leading experts in cybersecurity, identity theft and scams. See Steves other Con Watch articles.

Personal information in the control of a criminal, particularly your Social Security number, can easily lead to identity theft. This can have disastrous repercussions, including ruining your credit, getting turned down for a job, or preventing you from renting an apartment.

Regardless of how careful you are in protecting the privacy of your personal information, you are only as secure as the companies and institutions that you deal with. For instance, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company recently settled a lawsuit brought against it by the attorneys general of 32 states and the District of Columbia related to a 2012 data breach in which sensitive personal information  including Social Security numbers of 1.2 million of its customers and even people who merely applied for insurance quotes  was stolen through hacking.

Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today

So what can you do to protect yourself?

Freezing Your Credit

Credit freezes are one of the best tools for preventing identity theft.

A credit freeze is a lock on your credit report that prevents your report from being accessed unless you unlock the credit freeze through the use of a PIN. With a credit freeze in place at each of the three major credit reporting agencies  Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion  a criminal who has your Social Security number or other sensitive personal information will be prevented from opening new accounts or new lines of credit in your name.

If a legitimate company needs access to your credit report  for instance, if you are applying for a car loan  you can unfreeze your credit for a limited amount of time or even send a unique code to the company checking your report, so only they can view it. The process to thaw your credit report can take as little as 15 minutes.

A credit freeze will not reduce your credit score and it will not limit in any way the use of your existing credit lines. Nor will it affect your ability to get a free annual copy of your credit report from the credit reporting agencies.

The laws pertaining to credit freezes and the cost for doing so vary from state to state, with some state laws requiring free credit freezes. Generally, the fees for setting up a credit freeze range between $3 and $10. An additional fee of $2 to $12 may be required to thaw your credit report. If you are a victim of identity theft, you can obtain a credit freeze at no charge in all states. However, the purpose of a credit freeze is to prevent you from becoming an identity theft victim in the first place, so the best time to put a credit freeze on your credit reports is before you have experienced problems or had your personal information stolen through a data breach.

Why a Freeze Is Better Than an Alert

Identity theft insurance and credit monitoring do nothing to prevent you from becoming a victim of identity theft. If identity theft were like being hit by a truck as you cross the street, these services would come up to you as you lie on the pavement and inform you that you have just been hit by a truck. While certainly there is value to being alerted to identity theft as soon as possible, I would much prefer a service that prevents me from becoming a victim of identity theft in the first place.

In an effort to prevent identity theft, the credit reporting agencies and many of the identity theft insurance companies urge people to put a fraud alert on their credit reports at each of the three major credit reporting agencies. When a fraud alert appears on your credit report, companies are supposed to notify you if anyone attempts to open a new account or access credit in your name. This sounds like a good idea; however, all too often fraud alerts are ignored by businesses opening new accounts or granting credit. In addition, there is no penalty whatsoever if a company ignores a fraud alert and fails to notify you when someone attempts to open a new account in your name.

How to Freeze Your Credit

To get started, its best to first understand the laws and fees governing credit freezes in your state. The National Conference of State Legislatures describes the credit freeze laws for each state.

To get the maximum protection from identity theft, it is important to freeze your credit at each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Here are links to each of them for information about how to get a credit freeze:

Once you have frozen your credit, be sure to keep the PIN and information on how to unfreeze your credit report in a safe place.
Anaheim, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/23/2017 -- When it comes to helping local, national, and international communities, Home Comfort USA and owner Ken Starr know a thing or two about making a difference. This is evident in the work done with many high-profile organizations, including Compassion International.



Starr has chosen to sponsor Compassion International - an organization founded more than 60 years ago - to help orphans living on the streets across the world. Started by Reverend Everett Swanson, Compassion International offers various programs to help some of the children around the world in great need.



As soon as Swanson saw orphans living on the streets of Seoul after the Korean War, he dedicated his efforts to create an orphanage to help provide the children with food, education, shelter, medical attention, and more. This same compression ring true for Ken Starr and the rest of the team at Home Comfort USA who now sponsors children in Bolivia, Thailand, the Philippines, El Salvador, and Colombia.



Ken Starr and top executive Landon Brewer will pick Home Comfort USA's top performing team member each month and that individual gets to pick a child to sponsor. The company makes the sponsorship last for one year.



Through organizations such as Compassion International, as well as Awaken and The Sheepfold, Ken Starr, Landon Brewer, and the entire team at Home Comfort USA have been able to give back to the community and the world around them. We care about individuals and we won't stop in our lifelong effort for a better future for individuals in need.



To learn more about Home Comfort USA, Compassion International, and Ken Starr's efforts to improve the community and other organizations we work with, visit our website at https://www.homecomfortusa.com/.



For Media Contact:

Person Name: Jenyffer Vieira

Company: Home Comfort USA

Phone: 888-462-0089

Email: jvieira@homecomfortusa.com

Website: https://www.homecomfortusa.com/home-comfort-usa-supports-compassion-international-alleviate-childhood-poverty/
The health ministry is now making a proposal to fill the vacant posts by allowing medical professors who have retired from the job. They can now apply for the post of professors and work till 70 years of age.

By Priyanka Sharma: In a bid to bridge the shortage of medical professors at regional All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) centres across the country, the Union health ministry is bringing major policy changes in the age while recruiting doctors for the vacant posts.

According to the figures revealed by the health ministry, as of now, only 40 per cent posts are filled and the remaining are vacant.

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The health ministry is now making a proposal to fill the vacant posts by allowing medical professors who have retired from the job. They can now apply for the post of professors and work till 70 years of age.

These retired doctors can not only be from AIIMS Delhi, but from any other medical colleges of the country.

Even though the ministry is repeatedly floating advertisement in the newspapers for the vacant posts of medical professors and doctors required for AIIMS in Patna, Bhopal, Raipur, Jodhpur, Bhubaneswar and Rishikesh, doctors are not willing to join the posts.

This has led to the acute shortage of medical professors which is affecting patients care and medical class for aspiring MBBS students.

Union health secretary, CK Mishra told Mail Today, "We are continuously floating advertisement for interviews of doctors. To overcome the shortage of doctors at regional AIIMS, now we are preparing a proposal with a major policy change by giving some relaxation in age to the doctors. Now, retired medical professors can also apply for the post. This would be on contractual basis where professors can teach the students and give patient care as well.

"Till December, our target is to increase doctors' strength by 60 per cent and we would be able to run all the specialties smoothly. With this, patients would get the healthcare treatment in their State itself," said Mishra.

Mishra said AIIMS in Bhopal, Raipur, Jodhpur and Bhubaneswar are functioning much better, but the major faculty crunch is at Patna and Rishikesh.

Recently, the ministry floated advertisement for nearly 1,200 posts of doctors, but only 300 medical professors made their mind to work at the regional centres. It may be noted that mother AIIMS in the national Capital is over-burdened with the patients mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and others. As per an AIIMS official, it is catering to about 16,000-17,000 patients every day, which was earlier around 8,000-10,000.

Also Read

Ailing AIIMS: Health Ministry's clean chit puts probe into Rs 7000 crore scam in jeopardy

AIIMS to adopt 50 physically challenged senior citizens

--- ENDS ---
LAKE CITY, S.C.  Lake City Administrator Shawn Bell has resigned from his position, effective at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 22. Bell notified the mayor and city council with a letter sent Monday.

He has accepted a position as the city administrator for Fountain Inn. Bell told the Morning News that his wife is from Charlotte, N.C., and they have been looking to get closer to that area.

And so thats really the main reason. Weve really enjoyed our time here in Lake City, Bell said. Ive enjoyed working with our city council and staff and the residents of Lake City. But at the end of the day, family comes first.

Bell started working as the city administrator for Lake City in November 2014. He said that in the time since then, the city has been able to accomplish many good things for its residents and customers.

There are numerous in-progress projects, improvements, and developments underway that will serve this community for many years to come, Bell said.

Bell said that before he became administrator in Lake City, the city was losing over $160,000 a year in the sanitation department; now that department is in the positive. The city has also successfully closed a dilapidated jail and dispatching system.

Other accomplishments include being 98 percent complete with replacing every water meter in the city. New meters are being read by radio frequency.

Bell said the city has a sewer pump station that has already gone online and will be up in September. Over $1.3 million for that project was paid by grant money, which Bell said he secured.

Lake City Mayor Lovith Anderson Jr. said the city is working to find a replacement for Bell.

Although his time was brief, we got a lot accomplished while he was here, Anderson said. So everybody is parting on a good note, which is always a plus. That makes a difference.

Since Bell wont leave his position until Sept. 22, Anderson said, that gives the city a little time to find someone to fill his role. But the city is determined to find a replacement as soon as possible, Anderson said.

Bell thanks Lake City for giving him the opportunity to serve as its administrator almost three years ago and for its support.

I wish you and City Council the best in moving forward and I anticipate nothing but future success for Lake City, South Carolina, Bell said in his letter.
Delhi High Court issues notice to Arvind Kejriwal asking him to respond to allegation made by Arun Jaitley that the AAP leader had filed a false affidavit.

By India Today Web Desk: Arun Jaitley today filed an application seeking perjury proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly filing a false affidavit before the Delhi High Court in which he claimed that he had not asked senior advocate Ram Jethmalani to use abusive language against the Union Finance Minister.

Jaitley has told the High Court that Kejriwal's former counsel Jethmalani had sent him a letter, stating that he was asked to use derogatory words against him in the defamation case. Jaitley has alleged that Kejriwal gave false affidavit stating he did not instruct his lawyer to use abusive words against the minister, and wants him tried for perjury.

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Jaitley's lawyers Rajiv Nayar and Sandeep Sethi have urged the court to allow them to file a criminal complaint against Kejriwal for making a false statement and filing a false affidavit.

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Kejriwal and asked him to respond to Jaitley's allegation within four weeks. The matter will be next heard on December 11.

Jaitley has sued Kejriwal and five other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders for defamation after the party made allegations of corruption in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), an organisation that Jaitley headed until 2013.

WHAT IS THE DEFAMATION CASE ABOUT

On May 17 this year, Jaitley and Jethmalani clashed in the Delhi High Court with the Union Minister taking strong objections to a word that Jethmalani used in his cross-examination. After Jethmalani said that he used the word on instructions from Kejriwal, Jaitley then filed a Rs 10 crore defamation suit.

Kejriwal, however, denied instructing Jethmalani of using such objectionable words.

In the hearings so far, Jaitley has claimed that the defamatory statement made by the AAP leaders has adversely affected his reputation and the allegation regarding financial bungling in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) was false.

Jaitley told the court that statement made by accused that he and his family had a pecuniary interest in the company who had given charge for the construction and renovation of Ferozshah Kotla stadium was per se false and defamatory.

The BJP leader told court that in the capacity of DDCA President, he used to chair the board meetings where only the important decisions were put up for approval before the board.

ALSO READ | Jaitley again sues Kejriwal for Rs 10 crore after Delhi CM's lawyer Ram Jethmalani calls him a 'crook'

ALSO READ | Ram Jethmalani sends Rs 2 crore bill to Arvind Kejriwal, quits as Delhi CM's counsel

ALSO WATCH | Arun Jaitley cross-examined in DDCA defamation case

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Ashok Mittal, the chairman of the Railway Board, today resigned from his post in the wake of two derailments on the Indian Railways in just four days.

At least 22 people died after the Utkal Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday (PTI photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Ashok Mittal, Chairman of the Railway Board, today submitted his resignation to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, sources told India Today.

Mittal's resignation comes in the wake of a number of a high-profile accidents and derailments on the Indian Railways.

The most recent of the accidents was today morning's Kaifyat Express derailment in which more than 70 people were injured. The train derailed in Uttar Pradesh's Auraiya after colliding a dumper at an unmanned level crossing.

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The train traveling from Azamgarh to Delhi collided with the dumper at around 2:50 am between Pata and Achhalda railway stations, a spokesperson for the North Central Railway (NCR) said.

This was four days after a more serious derailment in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar left at least 22 people dead. On Saturday, the Haridwar-bound Utkal Express derailed in Muzaffaragar district injuring 156 people in addition to the 22 killed.

ALSO READ | Another train accident, another probe ordered: How can Indian Railways resurrect itself?

ALSO READ | Why Indian Railways is not able to fix the issue of passenger safety

ALSO WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Survivors of Utkal Express train derailment recount horror

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You have more than one reason to travel to Croatia now.

By Reuters: Specially brewed beer made of chicken and vegetables and ice cream made from bananas, peanuts, yogurt and soy milk are top items on the menu in Croatia's only beach bar for dogs.

Happy canines and their proud owners can each get a sun bed, and take a dive in the blue Adriatic water.

To spice up lazy beach days, the Monty's Dog Beach Bar organized a competition on Sunday evening in which dogs and their owners competed as teams.

Picture courtesy: Facebook/Monty's Dog Beach & Bar Crikvenica

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Fifteen owners and their dogs took part in the competition, running down the pier and then jumping into the water and swimming 100 meters or so to the shore.

The fastest four-legged athlete of the day was Nimbus, a four-year-old mixed breed samoyed, who finished the course along with his owner in a few minutes, winning a 7 kilogram bag of dogfood and a weekend at a local hotel.

"We did not prepare. We swim a little bit in the summer. He's a natural swimmer, when I jump in the water he comes with me and follows me, and this why we won," his owner, Marin, said.

Picture courtesy: Facebook/Monty's Dog Beach & Bar Crikvenica Picture courtesy: Facebook/Monty's Dog Beach & Bar Crikvenica

Furry pets who were more into eating than running on Sunday competed in eating contests in which they tucked into specially made ice cream, cakes and beer.

Monty's Dog Beach bar in Crikvenica opened last year and is the only bar of that kind in the Adriatic country.

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By PTI: Bhubaneswar, Aug 23 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today conferred the Biju Patnaik Award for Scientific Excellence for the year 2016 to Prof Digambar Behera.

Behera is senior professor and Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh.

Prof Prasanta Mohapatra, professor in the Department of Computer Science in at the University of California, was also conferred this award for 2015.

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Instituted by Odisha Bigyan Academy (OBA), the award is given to an Odia Scientist working any where in India or abroad each year for his/her lifetime research contributions in the field of science and technology.

The Samanta Chandra Sekhar Award for 2016 was given to Prof Swapna Mahapatra, Prof Banshidhar Majhi and Prof Sukumar Mishra.

The award for 2015 went to Dr Sharat Kumar Pradhan, Prof Sarat Kumar Swain and Prof Bhishma Kumar Patel.

The award is given by OBA each year for outstanding research contribution in science and technology, during the five years preceding the year of award.

After felicitating the scientists, Patnaik said he has been emphasizing three Ts -- Teamwork, Technology and Transparency -- for better governance and delivery of public services, which eventually led to the fourth T, Transformation of the State with the help of science and technology.

"My government is aware that science and technology can only grow and flourish on the bedrock of pure science. We should encourage our children to take up pure science in higher studies and choose scientific research as a career," Patnaik said.

He said the State Government is providing fellowships, scholarship, travel grants and financial assistance to conduct seminars and workshops, and is also awarding and felicitating Odia scientists for their contribution in the field of scientific research.

The state government is setting up three planetaria at Gopalpur, Rayagada and Baripada and five Science Centres at Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Jeypore, Gopalpur and Khandapada, Patnaik said. PTI AAM NN

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Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co confirmed that it had Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding had received LoIs from CMA CGM to build nine 22,000 teu containerships, China daily reported.

At 22,000 teu in capacity the vessels would top the largest currently either in service or order, which are 21,413 teu in capacity and owned by Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL).

The largest containerships currently in CMA CGMs fleet are 18,000 teu in capacity.

With the CMA CGM order is subject from board approvals from both sides before firm contracts are signed.
The vessel arrived at its operating location in the Browse Basin, offshore northwest Australia and will be moored at a depth of 250m and will not be dry-docked for the first 25 years of its expected 50-year operational life.

The facility required around 260,000 tonnes of steel to build and its turret is the largest ever built. It has been designed to withstand category five cyclones and its technology has generated over 150 patents.

Prelude, at 488 m long and a beam of 74 m is the largest floating offshore facility in the world.

LR has been actively involved with the project from the start, helping to ensure it will operate safely by applying FLNG expertise through classification, equipment certification, validation and verification against performance standards.

Daryl Attwood, LRs Prelude project director, said: It has been a great honour for us all to participate in this world class project, collaborating with an excellent group of clients represented by the best managers and technical experts from Shell, Technip, SBM, and SHI. LR project managers, design appraisal specialists and surveyors from Aberdeen, London, Dubai, Perth and Korea have contributed significantly to getting the facility to this stage, ably supported by colleagues certifying equipment packages literally around the world.
By PTI: pc

Amaravati/Panaji/New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Bypolls to Nandyal Assembly constituency of Andhra Pradesh and two seats in Goa witnessed a high turnout percentage of over 70 while only 45 per cent voters exercised their franchise in Delhis lone seat of Bawana.

A turnout of about 80 per cent was recorded in Nandyal, where the ruling TDP and the opposition YSR Congress (YSRC) are locked in a fierce battle.

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In Goa, Panaji constituency recorded 70 per cent polling and Valpoi 79.80 per cent, said Chief Electoral Officer Kunal.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar accused the Congress of trying to sabotage polling and filed a complaint with the Election Commission. The Congress levelled counter- allegations.

The counting would be held on August 28.

For the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) was used in the by-election in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Goa.

VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip drops in a box but the voter cannot take it home.

The voter turnout in Delhi was much lower than the 2015 figure of 61.83 per cent. The AAP, the BJP and the Congress are locked in a triangular contest.

"The entire polling process went on peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the constituency," said Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi.

The polling officials said that one EVM and 17 VVPAT equipment malfunctioned during polling and were replaced without any hindrance in voting.

Polling officials conjectured that multiple elections taking place in the city in quick succession could be a factor for the low turn out in Bawana bypoll.

The bypoll was necessitated after the resignation of Ved Prakash as the legislator in March.

Prakash had won from Bawana, a seat reserved for the SC category, in 2015 Assembly elections as an AAP candidate.

Eight candidates are in the fray for the election in which the AAP, the BJP, and the Congress are locked in a keen contest. The counting of votes will take place on August 28.

The BJP has fielded Ved Prakash who had won from the constituency in 2015 elections as an AAP candidate. He resigned from Assembly membership and joined the BJP in March this year.

The AAP has fielded Ram Chandra while the Congress has put its bet on former three-time MLA from Bawana, Surendra Kumar.

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There are a total of 2.94 lakh voters in Bawana.

In Goa, Parrikar, who returned to the state from the Centre after the elections in February, is contesting from Panaji against Congress Girish Chodankar and Goa Suraksha Manchs Anand Shirodkar.

In Valpoi, the BJP has fielded health minister Vishwajit Rane against the Congress Roy Naik.

The Panaji bypoll was necessitated after the BJPs sitting MLA, Siddharth Kuncolienkar, vacated the seat for Parrikar, as the latter has to get elected to the Assembly within six months of becoming the chief minister.

The bypoll in Valpoi became necessary after Rane, the sitting MLA, joined the BJP after the Parrikar-led government won a crucial floor test in March.

In Andhra Pradesh, heavy turnout of voters was witnessed in Nandyal rural and Gospadu mandals in the segment with women outnumbering men.

In Nandyal town, about 70 per cent polling was reported.

Barring a face-off between supporters of the TDP and the YSRC at a couple of places, the by-election passed off peacefully, a senior police official said.

The by-election was held following the death of sitting MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy in March. Reddy had won the seat in 2014 as YSR Congress candidate, but jumped over to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 2016.

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Reddys nephew Brahmananda Reddy is now the TDP candidate, while the YSRC fielded former minister Silpa Chandra Mohan Reddy who switched sides to the opposition party just days ahead of the bypoll.

Though there are 15 candidates in the fray, the main fight is between the TDP and the YSRC. PTI TEAM IKA ZMN IKA

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: conspiracy

(Eds: Updating with fresh quotes to clarify details of the case)

New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Police have registered a case to probe whether pamphlets allegedly seeking votes in the name of religion for the Aam Aadmi Party in Bawana assembly bypoll were issued by Delhi Minister Imran Hussain, the police said today.

The AAP alleged that it was a conspiracy by the BJP and ruled out any wrong-doing by Hussain.

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A complaint was filed by the returning officer of the Bawana bypoll after which an FIR was registered in connection with the matter yesterday at Bawana police station.

A case has been registered under the relevant sections of The Representation of the People Act and the Indian Penal Code, the police said, clarifying that the ministers name is not not in the FIR and they will probe if he was behind the publication of the pamphlets.

The complainant alleged that "the pamphlet prima facie makes an appeal to the resident Muslims of Bawana to vote for quom (community). In addition to this other objectionable and communal appeal has been made (sic)".

The pamphlets bore the names and photos of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Environment Minister Imran Hussain.

"If anyone had to woo the Muslim community, the pamphlets would have been printed in Urdu. This is a conspiracy by the BJP against the AAP just before the polls," said AAPs Delhi unit secretary Saurabh Bharadwaj.

He also said that Hussain has also given a complaint to the police to probe the matter two days ago.

A Delhi BJP delegation, led by its president Manoj Tiwari, today raised the issue with the Chief Election Commissioner, the party said.

"The delegation demanded action against Hussain for seeking votes in the name of religion," said leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta.

Voting was held today for Bawana bypoll. PTI SLB PR VIT RT

--- ENDS ---
Privilege Speech of Sen. Manny Pacquiao on the death of Kian delos Santos

Mr. President, I would like to manifest that I am with you in condemning the abuses by the police resulting in excessive and unnecessary deaths in the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs. I agree with you that there should be a senate inquiry on the PNP's responsibility and accountability on the conduct of the anti-drugs campaign.

FOR THE RECORD, I FULLY SUPPORT PRESIDENT DUTERTE'S WAR ON DRUGS, BUT I DO NOT SUPPORT THE SENSELESS KILLINGS.

Noong nakaraang linggo, marami ang namatay dahil sa malawakang anti-drug raid operations.

Saludo po ako sa mga matitinong police enforcers ngunit galit na galit ako sa mga pulis na umaabuso ng kanilang kapangyarihan at pumapatay ng mga inosenteng mamamayan.

Just like you, Mr. President, I condemn the brutal killing of KIAN DELOS SANTOS. Kian was only Grade 11. Kian was just 17 years old. That was a senseless killing of a minor!

Even President Duterte said that if police murdered Kian Delos Santos, they will 'rot in jail'.

MR. PRESIDENT, I fully support the WAR ON DRUGS, but not at the expense of the RULE OF LAW. It is our moral duty to uphold the principle of DUE PROCESS.

With this, I manifest my support to Senate Resolution 471.
Press Release

August 23, 2017 De Lima alarmed over house-to-house drug testing Senator Leila M. de Lima today expressed alarm over the house-to-house drug testing being implemented by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Lupang Pangako Bgy. Payatas, Quezon City as part of the government's "massive drug clearing operation." De Lima, a known human rights defender, said the on-the-spot drug test, which is being conducted by the police using a "do-it-yourself drug testing kit," is not only inaccurate but also violates the due process of law. "The poor people are the ones being harassed from all these reckless actions led by our police authorities. This operation is obviously inaccurate and incriminatory because the drug tests were not conducted by accredited people and agency," she said. De Lima voiced out her concern as she noted Fr. Danny's post on his Facebook account detailing the house-to-house drug tests in Payatas with police simultaneously conducting surveys of residents and asking them for urine sample to confirm whether they are guilty of using illegal substances, like shabu and marijuana. In his Facebook account, Fr. Danny also posted photos showing gates of the houses marked by the police and barangay leaders surveying houses of residents who may have already been tested for illegal drug use. An article published on Vera Files confirmed the authenticity of Fr. Danny's post, stating that the random house-to-house drug testing is being carried out by some policemen in coordination with barangay officials to clean up the drug menace for good. A two-minute video presented by Vera Files shows a teenager being asked to take drug test in lieu of his father who was actually the person the police were looking for. In another house, a grandmother was compelled to submit urine sample but was tested negative for drugs. Bgy. Kagawad Alejandro Adan, chairman of the barangay's peace and order committee, confirmed that when found positive, a person's name is placed on a watch list but was not sure what would happen to him next. Under Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act, De Lima said all drug tests must be done by "government forensic laboratories or by any of the drug testing laboratories accredited and monitored by the DOH to safeguard the quality of test results." While the police and the local leaders consider the drug testing approach as an alternative to killings of suspects, De Lima said it still violates the rights of the poor. "Barangay Payatas houses thousands of disadvantaged families. By conducting this unauthorized drug testing, people continue to live in fear while the rich and the privileged who are behind the drug cartel enjoy their freedom without being questioned," she said. Note that the Filipino people, including lawmakers, expressed outrage after the mass killings of drug suspects from poor neighborhoods in Bulacan, Manila and Caloocan recently. In four days of the anti-drug operations, 80 people were recorded dead, including 17-year-old student Kian delos Santos of Caloocan City. Since Duterte, who promotes killings as crime prevention, started his all-out war on illegal drugs in July last year, more than 12,000 people have already been killed - both from legitimate police operations and vigilante-style executions. As one of the most vocal critics of the administration, De Lima is detained on obviously fabricated drug charges to silence her from her vocal opposition to the President's murderous war on drugs.
The incident took place at around 10 AM, when the students had gathered at the school ground for the morning assembly.

By Hemender Sharma: At least 50 students of a private school were hospitalised today after they complained of uneasiness following inhalation of ammonia gas which leaked from a cold storage situated near the school premises, district authorities said. The students have been admitted to the district hospital where there condition is reported to be stable.

Panic struck the entire area after the incident. Ambulance and fire brigade teams were rushed to the spot.

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According to the district collector, JK Jain, who visited the storage said, the leakage was followed by an explosion.

District SP, Gaurav Tiwari, who accompanied Jain to the site said, there were around 800 students at the time of incident and all of them have been safely evacuated.

The school, Bharat Bharti Vidya Mandir is located at around 50 meters from the cold storage. The mishap took place at 10 AM, when students had gathered at the school ground for morning assembly.

The district administration has ordered an enquiry into the matter. The owner and employees of the storage are being questioned.

According to an insider, potatoes were kept inside the storage and the ammonia gas was used as a preservative there.

Also Reed:

Gorakhpur hospital tragedy: What killed those 70 children?

Gorakhpur vs Kumbakonam: Oxygen, fire separate 2 tragedies but are they really different?

Also watch: Gorakhpur tragedy: Five important questions to ask

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Press Release

August 23, 2017 CHIZ SAYS CLOSED ACCOUNTS NOT COVERED BY BANK SECRECY LAW; URGES BAUTISTA TO ISSUE BANK WAIVER Closed bank accounts can be looked into because these are no longer covered by the Bank Secrecy Law, according to Sen. Chiz Escudero. "A closed account is no longer covered by the bank secrecy law nor by the provisions of the general banking act given the absence of funds in the custody of the bank," Escudero said after the Luzon Development Bank (LDB) refused to answer questions regarding the closed accounts of Commission on Elections Chairman Andres "Andy" Bautista. The Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, chaired by Escudero, conducted a probe on Wednesday on the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the poll chief which his estranged Patricia Bautista exposed early this month. According to reports, Chairman Bautista has 35 separate accounts with LDB, a small thrift bank, 30 of which are with their Fort Bonificio, Taguig City branch and the remaining five accounts with the bank's Makati City branch. The funds in all these accounts allegedly amount to P329 million. LDB declined to reveal to the Senate panel details surrounding any of the account, invoking Republic Act No. 1405 or the Bank Secrecy Law, which prohibits disclosure of and inquiry into bank deposits with any banking institution. The bank also mentioned Section 55 of Republic Act No. 8791 or the General Banking Law, which states that officials and employees of any bank are not allowed to disclose any information with respect to bank deposits without an order from a court of competent jurisdiction. However, Escudero challenged LDB saying closed accounts did not fall under the definition of "bank deposits" as these no longer contain funds under the bank's custody. "The law is Secrecy of Bank Deposits and deposits are defined as a fund given to you [bank] and held in trust by you in behalf of the depositor. A closed account does not contain any funds anymore. And the law does not say 'Secrecy of Bank Depositors Act.' It speaks of secrecy of bank deposits so it attaches to a particular deposit, not depositor," Escudero argued. The new Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation Charter defined the term deposit as "unpaid balance of money or its equivalent received by a bank in the usual course of business." According to the senator, the Bank Secrecy Law poses a big hindrance in the probe, as he urges the COMELEC chairman to issue a waiver on his bank accounts to give way to the ongoing investigations. "Hinihiling ko siguro at nakikiusap ako kay Chairman Bautista na magbigay siya ng waiver para magkaroon ng malayang imbestigasyon at nang makapagbigay ng mga angkop na kasagutan at nang hindi nagmumukhang ayaw sumagot o may tinatago yung bangko," Escudero said. Escudero also said Chairman Bautista was welcome to attend the Senate inquiry given the fact that his name was mentioned in the hearing. However, Escudero he would be "satisfied with the submission of a waiver" so that all issues involved in the case will be ventilated without any worries of violating the Bank Secrecy Law or holding the officials of LDB accountable. Escudero has also long been pushing for the easing of the Bank Secrecy Law, saying the Philippines is only one of two countries in the world, along with Lebanon, with this kind of banking law.
Press Release

August 23, 2017 Statement of Sen. Grace Poe

Post-AMLC hearing, Aug. 23, 2017 It was incumbent upon the officers of Luzon Development Bank (LDB) to undertake enhanced due diligence background checks on accounts of politically exposed persons, particularly those holding sensitive government positions like Chairman Bautista's. Clearly, he is a politically exposed person (PEP). As part of LDB's KYC (know-your-customer) procedure, they should have verified his source of funds and continued to monitor his accounts. Obviously, his acts of opening several accounts with large daily deposits should have served as red flags especially since it is public knowledge that a government officer receives a modest salary. The bank should therefore have reported all of these to the BSP and AMLC in their Covered Transactions Report. It is not enough that LDB submits reports to the BSP; the law requires that any suspicious transaction should be reported to the AMLC. It therefore appears that there was an intention to conceal these financial transactions. One will normally not use a small thrift bank to move substantial amounts. The fact that several accounts were opened and used to move moneys around is suspect. Unfortunately, since our bank secrecy laws require permission from Chairman Bautista and his co-depositors in order for the Senate to scrutinize further into the matter, then we at the Senate can only ask so much. I moved that Mr. Bautista be invited to our next hearing to shed light on the accusations made against him or voluntarily provide the Committee with a written permission for the committee to look into his accounts, thereby acting as a waiver of secrecy.
Press Release

August 23, 2017 Speech Endorsing the Confirmation of Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America

Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto

23 August 2017 Our soon-to-be man in Washington DC is no babe in the woods in US affairs. Though principally based in Manila, he has enough contacts in the American capital that he can be considered a Beltway insider. So wide is his network, I was told, that should Trump drain the swamp, those flushed away and those who will remain are surely friends of his. So wired is he with the beating heart of the US government, that a friend has joked that if the nominee decides to swim across the Potomac unannounced, someone in Foggy Bottom will be waiting with a set of dry clothes for him. But more than connections, he has many other competencies, not to mention the communication skills, which make him a fine diplomat. He is articulate in both the spoken and written word. He was a TV reporter, and remains a working journalist, churning multiple columns in a week, in addition to running a publishing house. Though he has not held public office, he dabbles in policy, which qualifies him as a public intellectual whose views shape major decisions taken by those in power. He is an influencer, but of the cerebral kind, whose contributions to civic debates are not confined to 140-character blasts, or troll-friendly memes, but in well thought-out think pieces. The CA briefing paper says he is an Americanophile, which is good, because it means that he is abreast with US developments, and attuned to policy debates that would have an impact on our country. Mr. President: He will be going to the US capital during one of the lowest points of Philippine-US relations. But I believe that he can heal whatever fissures there are, and correct whatever misconceptions have arisen in recent months. Luckily the two countries' relationship is so deep, and so is the knowledge of the person who will represent our interests. And he knows how important his mission is, at a time when shifting geopolitical tides and changing global trade winds could lead us to perilous shoals, that after decades of refusing public appointment, this patriot has finally accepted one. Thus, it is with pleasure that I second the confirmation of the appointment of Mr. Jose Manuel Romualdez as our Ambassador to the United States of America.
Press Release

August 23, 2017 Senate approves Expanded Anti-Red Tape Act The Senate passed on third and final reading a bill seeking to reduce the requirements and streamline the processes in starting and operating businesses to create a more conducive business environment in the country. Senate Bill No. 1311, or the "Expanded Anti-Red Tape Act of 2017" was approved with 17 affirmative votes, zero negative vote and no abstention. The bill was sponsored by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, chair of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship and co-sponsored by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto. The bill was also co-authored by Sen. PanfiloLacson and Sen. Joel Villanueva, both principal authors of the old law. According to Zubiri, the bill seeks to amend the existing Anti Red Tape Act of 2007 (Republic Act 9485). "This landmark legislation is our answer to the clamor of the business sector and government agencies to ease doing business in the country, to make our country competitive and compliant with sound global business practices and standards," Zubiri said. Zubirisaid the bill was meant to reduce "red tape," or "promote transparency in government with regard to business registrations and other manner of transacting with the public." In approving the bill, "the Senate immediately responded to the call of President Duterte during his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) - to cut red tape in government," Zubiri added. Prescribed processing period The bill sets a new prescribed processing period under which both national and local government offices will have to "process the application and communicate the decision regarding the approval, or if the application has been disapproved, along with comments or reasons for such disapproval." This period will not be longer than three (3) working days for simple transactions andseven (7) working days forcomplex transactions from the time the application was received. For highly technical applications or such cases where extraordinary due diligence in reviewing the qualifications and merits of an application for clearances, accreditation and/or licenses issued by government agencies, the bill prescribed a processing time no longer than 20 working days. For the Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC), issuance shall in no case be longer than ten (10) working days. Automatic approval The bill states that if the concerned national or local government agency failed to act on the application for license, clearance or permit after the prescribed processing period had lapsed then the application "shall be deemed approved." However, this is provided that the application has lapsed "without informing the applicant of the error, omissions and/or additional documents required for submission," and that the applicant has complied with all required documents and fees. Stiffer penalties Zubiri added, "to further prevent inaction and corruption in government agencies, we made the penaltiesstiffer for violators of the law." The following are the violations: refusal to accept application; failure to act on the application; failure to attend to clients who are within the premises of the agency prior to end of official working hours; failure to render frontline services; failure to give the client a written notice on the disapproval of an application; and imposition of irrelevant requirements other than those listed in the Citizen's Charter of the agency. Violators shall be imposed the following penalties: First offense - thirty (30) days suspension without pay; Second offense - Six (6) months suspension without pay; Third offense - One (1) year to six (6) years imprisonment, dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service and forfeiture of retirement benefits; Criminal liability shall also be incurred through the commission of bribery, extortion, or when the violation was done to solicit favor in cash or in kind. Digital-enabled and faster application The bill mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to establish a cloud-native Central Business Portal or other similar technology, to act as a central system that would receive the application and capture application data from business entities nationwide. The Central Business Portal would then allow government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other national and local government agencies "to receive and process applications, as well as to issue digitally signed business license documents to applicants." New bureau named The bill also called for renaming the existing Competitiveness Bureau under the DTI to be the new Business Anti-Red Tape and Competitiveness Bureau, which is tasked to complement the functions of the Civil Service Commission in implementing the Expanded ARTA. Zubiri said the reforms under the billwere necessary if the country was to catch-up with its neighbors in terms of business competitiveness.Hecited a 2017 World Bank report which ranked the Philippines 99th among 190 countries on ease-of-doing-business. In the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines ranked 6th among 10 nations. "These reforms will introduce more economic activities that will increase opportunities and incomes of business firms, all types of entrepreneurs and their employees. With ASEAN economic integration, we should seriously face these challenges. I believe this act will enable our country to grow local businesses and invite more foreign businesses to set up factories and offices here," Zubiri concluded.
After clashing with Chinese troops in Pangong Lake of Ladakh on August 15, security officers are holding military exercises near Chang La Pass at 14,000 feet.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: After Pangong became the latest flashpoint of standoff between the Indian and Chinese troops where soldiers from the two sides clashed in Ladakh on August 15, Army troopers are holding military exercises a few kilometers from the Chang La Pass at an altitude of 14,000 feet.

On the 224-km journey from Leh to Pangong, there has been a regular movement of troops and vehicles. The Chang La Pass is the second highest motorable road in the world at 17,668 km.

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At around 8.30 am on August 15, troops of the 23 Sikh regiment hoisted the tri-colour at the giant Pangong Lake. The flag hoisting event ended with the national anthem as the handful of troops headed back to their camp on the banks of the 134-km lake. Chinese troops indulged in stone pelting after Indian soldiers prevented the People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers from crossing the Line of Control in the Pangong Tso (Lake) area. The ensuing stone pelting and clashes between the two forces left several Indian troops injured.

Chang La Pass milestone.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a soldier said, "This should not have happened. But at least we are prepared."

In the wake of such a confrontational atmosphere, the salt water lake strategically sandwiched between the Himalayas presents a picture of calm. DS Hooda, former commander of the Northern Army, said, "The region requires both brain and brawn. With oxygen depleting fast in the region, soldiers need to think quickly to handle the situation in the heat of the moment. A shouting match between the troops can otherwise end up in a shooting match and a bloodbath. The training, thus, is of extreme importance and the situation needs to be handled sensibly."

PLA TROOPS TRIED TO ENTER INDIA FROM 2 AREAS

The PLA troops "tried to enter the Indian side from two areas - Finger Four and Finger Five - twice between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m." on our Independence Day, but these incursion bids were successfully thwarted by the Indian border patrols. A local said, "We saw nothing, but we see the boats on the banks move. We hope nothing happens here, like in Chusul (another area of conflict)."

Tensions at the border are palpable as Army troops and vehicles take the crucial arterial road to Pangong. Both the Army and ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) have been tight-lipped. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has so far rejected overtures of peace by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the Doklam stand-off, which has not shown any signs of abating, despite attempts of peace by India. China is, on the other hand, escalating the issue, by further expanding its intrusion attempts into Pangong.

Speaking to India Today, Defence expert and Major General (retired) PK Sehgal said, "China has an important election coming up, which is important for President's ego. Chinese is rejecting all the overtures by India."

INDIA, CHINA SHARE 4,000-KM-LONG LAC BORDER

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India and China share an over-4,000 km-long LAC (Line of Actual Control). China claims approximately 90,000 sq km of territory in Arunachal Pradesh besides 38,000 sq km in the Jammu and Kashmir sector. The recent visit of President Ramnath Kovind and Army chief Bipin Rawat to Ladakh is being seen as more than mere symbolism and a certain boost to the security forces' morale.

Another Defence expert Qamar Agha said, "Incursions in the entire region are taking place with Chinese PLA troops being deployed in crucial areas, as a result of which India has been forced to deploy its forces. There is already intense speculation both in India and China over whether PM Modi will attend the ninth BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in Xiamen in China's Fujian province from September 3-5. But experts are of the view that PM Modi's visit could ultimately hold the trump card.

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ALSO WATCH VIDEO | Exclusive: Chinese soldiers turn stone-pelters at Pangong

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Its lunchtime, but the tables are empty at Oasis Grill, a Mediterranean restaurant that sits next to a bulldozed gully at Fourth and Howard streets in San Francisco. Several blocks to the north, work crews are jackhammering outside the stores of Union Square.

And farther north in Chinatown, shop owner Nancy Cai wipes away tears, lamenting the customers shes lost since the city started building the Central Subway, which ends at a station under construction at Stockton and Washington streets.

While the $1.6 billion line is expected to bring a flood of development and tourists when it opens in 2019, some of the businesses along its route might not survive to see those benefits.

Its like a 60 percent drop in business, said Cai as she surveyed her stock of traditional gowns, toy cable cars and other souvenirs languishing on the shelves of Nancys Fashion.

Cai is one of many merchants losing income during a surge of infrastructure projects in various parts of San Francisco, including the Central Subway, the bus rapid transit line on Van Ness Avenue, and the streetscape improvements on Polk Street and in the Outer Sunset.

As their business withers, merchants are putting pressure on city officials to help. Recently, they found an ally in Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who is facing escalating demands from constituents in Chinatown to help them deal with lost revenue because of the Central Subway  a project Chinatown leaders and residents crusaded for, but that many now loathe.

Peskin is proposing a controversial plan that centers on Chinatown but would affect the entire city: create an impact zone around Stockton Street, and offer financial assistance to businesses within the perimeter. Similar zones could be applied to other big projects.

Though the supervisor has yet to present a concrete plan or piece of legislation, his idea has created political divisions in City Hall and has become the focus of a power struggle between Peskin and Mayor Ed Lee.

Proposals to hand out money during major public-works projects are akin to opening a Pandoras box, Peskin said: If Chinatown were to get help, the city would have to extend the same offer to the thrift stores and cafes on Polk Street, the small shops in the Sunset, and the restaurants whose customers are put off by the construction on Van Ness Avenue.

Its been a long-held policy position that if you open the door and give direct cash to businesses for construction impacts, theres no going back, Peskin said. It will drive up project costs across the board.

But Peskin has few qualms about raising project costs  if the city can pull together $1.6 billion for a subway, it can afford to spend some money on shop owners, he said.

And now might be an opportune moment to test the idea, the supervisor ventured, given the magnitude of work happening in multiple districts and given that so many supervisors are hearing the same things from their constituents.

This is a rare moment in which the board might be able to pass something, he said.

This isnt the first time Peskin has pushed his colleagues to compensate merchants for the impact of a city project. Last year, he and Supervisor Jane Kim persuaded the supervisors to set aside $100,000 for vendors who were driven away when the city built the Super Bowl fan village at Justin Herman Plaza.

His new proposal is more amorphous and would almost certainly cost more money because of the sheer number and size of the projects. Yet it seemed to be catching on after Peskin discussed the plight of Chinatown shop owners at several Board of Supervisors meetings.

Fellow progressive supervisors Kim and Norman Yee said they are already pursuing similar ideas. Kims office is creating a mitigation fund for merchants that have been bruised by subway construction work in SoMa, and Kim said she is debating whether to dispense that money in direct grant payments or try a more cautious approach, like low-interest loans.

Yee asked the controllers office to produce a report on remedies that other cities have used to help businesses survive long-term construction work.

Other board members are skeptical.

I support the concept of helping businesses, said Supervisor Katy Tang, who represents the Sunset. But its difficult to figure out how exactly we should do it ... or how to calculate what the assistance should be. Weve heard anecdotally that these (merchants) are suffering from dips in sales. But until we see their accounting, we have no way of knowing that there actually was an impact.

She and others worry about layering a cost to city taxpayers on projects that are largely funded with federal and state money.

Take the $1.6 billion Central Subway project. Its budget includes $942 million in federal grants, $140.5 million from the county Transportation Authority and $61.3 million from a state high-speed rail bond measure approved by voters in 2008. That money is restricted and must be spent on construction.

So funding to shore up businesses along Fourth and Stockton streets would have to come from the city itself.

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.

Maybe theres a solution other than handing out cash, Yee said. He suggested the city could provide indirect subsidies for these businesses, like exempting them from annual registration fees, gross receipts taxes or payroll taxes.

Peskin said Yees tax-exemption approach interests him, with the caveat that the benefits being discussed (must) directly help small-business owners.

Over the last few weeks, San Franciscos infrastructure boom and its side effects have become a topic of interest at City Hall. Several officials, including Lee, are walking the political tightrope of celebrating new infrastructure, while wanting to protect small businesses.

This is a unique time, as our city has the economic capability and the political will to fund transformative capital improvement projects, said Ellen Canale, a spokeswoman for the mayor. However, the mayor understands that as a result, our neighborhoods and small businesses are encountering new challenges.

Peskins proposal has created a quandary for Lee, who has deep ties to Chinatown but who also has a responsibility to do whats best for the city: fix potholes, replace old sewers and try to keep project costs as low as possible. Peskin has forced him to pick a side: set what could be a costly precedent, or appear to turn his back on the Chinese community by not providing assistance during construction of the Central Subway.

The political posturing came to a head during budget talks in June. The mayor set aside $3.3 million in his budget proposal to fund various workforce, cultural and beautification projects in Chinatown over the next two years. That included $225,000 for free two-hour parking in the Portsmouth Square garage and a new liaison between Chinatown merchants and Peskins office. However, Peskin froze the parking money in July, saying he wanted to consult merchants about how it should be spent.

Lee has begun meeting with the heads of various city departments  Public Works, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and the Municipal Transportation Agency  to come up with their own plan, apart from Peskins, to subsidize businesses during long-term construction.

This could include setting aside a percentage of the project budget to fund a suite of additional support for businesses and neighborhoods, Canale said. Those dedicated (city) funds would provide on-the-ground support dedicated to quickly identifying concerns and solutions, marketing strategies, additional street cleaning, and other services.

Such a program apparently would differ from Peskins in that it would include no direct payments to businesses.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
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The San Francisco city attorney has sued the owner and commercial occupant of a building that illegally housed tenants in the units squalid, hazardous basement for at least 11 years.

The suit, filed Tuesday in San Francisco Superior Court, is directed at Melissa Mendoza of Hillsborough, who owns the three-story unit in the Outer Mission, and the buildings master tenant, Ernesto Paredes of Daly City.

Mendoza and Paredes are accused of violating fire, electrical, plumbing and other municipal codes, failing to respond to numerous code violation notices and operating a public-nuisance building. The building, at 4680-4690 Mission St., houses the Clean Wash Center laundry on the ground floor.

City fire officials have referred to the building as a death trap and say fire code violations there were egregious.

The 20 people who were dwelling in the buildings windowless basement were discovered by firefighters responding to a nonemergency call late on Christmas Day last year. According to the lawsuit, the dank living quarters were rife with leaky pipes and exposed wiring and had a single functioning shower, a rat and roach infestation and rooms partitioned off from one another with drywall and wood planks. The only exit out of the basement was 200 feet from the farthest sleeping unit, the suit contends.

The building was a firetrap, said City Attorney Dennis Herrera in a statement announcing the lawsuit. The living conditions were not only appalling and illegal, they were extremely dangerous. These people were basically stuck in a dungeon.

Most of the people living there were adults, ranging from 30 to 40 years old, but one was a 12-year-old girl. The oldest was 72. Paredes was charging monthly rents of between $300 and $900 per unit, the suit says.

The first responders alerted city fire inspectors, who cited the building for a number of building code violations. By Feb. 14, the Fire Department ordered the building evacuated and mandated that Paredes pay the tenants $4,262 per unit to cover relocation costs.

I applaud the city attorney for taking action to go after this slumlord, said Supervisor Ahsha Safai, whose District 11 includes the property. Safai said his office worked closely with other city departments to help relocate the buildings tenants. Some tenants had lived in the basement for 11 years.

You want to send a message that, if youre going to try to take advantage of your fellow human beings, youre going to have to pay the consequences, Safai said.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Safai has also convened a working group to help the city better understand and address instances of people living in substandard housing. The supervisor said he intends to introduced legislation to create a transitional subsidy that would help people so they can stabilize themselves.

On top of seeking a court order to compel the buildings owner to bring it up to code, the city is seeking restitution for former tenants and civil penalties of $200 to $5,000 per violation, including $1,000 for every day of fire code violations.

Nineteen former tenants have sued Mendoza and Paredes for damages following their eviction from the basement. Neither Mendoza nor Paredes could be reached for comment Tuesday. Mendozas attorney was unaware of the city attorneys lawsuit and declined to comment. An attorney for Paredes could not be reached.

Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa
A 200-acre vegetation fire in Dublin prompted evacuations of a nearby neighborhood Tuesday after the blaze more than doubled in size in less than two hours, authorities said.

The fire took hold on the U.S. Army Reserve property of Camp Parks at about 2 p.m., according to the Alameda County Fire Department.
Californias top elections official stepped gingerly Tuesday into the proposed recall of the Santa Clara County judge who gave a light sentence in a Stanford sexual assault case, seeking court permission to argue that signature-gathering for the judges removal should resume.

Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra, whose office represents Padilla, took no position on the recall of Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky, which would be the first recall of a California judge in 86 years. But their court filing disputed arguments by Perskys supporters who had persuaded a visiting judge to halt signature-gathering hours after it started on Aug. 11.

Those arguments  that the recall petitions should have been submitted to Padillas state office, not the county registrar, and that a successor to a recalled judge would be chosen by the governor, not the voters  depart from long-standing practice and settled understandings of Californias election laws, Padillas lawyers said.

A hearing is scheduled Wednesday in Superior Court on a suit by Persky and his supporters that seeks to require the judges opponents to refile their petitions with the state. An order granting the request apparently would end any chance of a recall qualifying for the June 2018 ballot.

Marjorie Laird Carter, the retired Orange County judge who issued the Aug. 11 ruling, has since been removed from the case in a challenge by supporters of the recall, and state court officials had not named anyone to replace her as of Tuesday afternoon.

Michele Dauber, the Stanford law professor who heads the recall campaign, said county election officials have told the campaign that the proposed June recall election would be put off until November unless the courts allow signature-gathering to start by Sept.1.

The campaign will have 160 days to collect 58,634 valid signatures of registered voters to make the ballot. Dauber said the campaign has lined up 300 volunteers and should be able to gather more than enough signatures within that period, which will start once a judge gives the go-ahead.

Persky, appointed by Gov. Gray Davis in 2003, ignited a furor last year when he sentenced Brock Turner, a former Stanford swimmer, to six months in jail for the felony sexual assault of an unconscious woman.

Prosecutors had sought a six-year prison sentence. Persky, in his sentencing decision, cited the severe impact of a potential prison term on Turner  who still must register with police for life as a sex offender  and noted that the courts probation department had recommended a six-month term. Supporters of the recall say Persky has a history of leniency with male sex offenders.

The recall effort was put on hold Aug. 11 when Perskys campaign prevailed on Carter  assigned to the case after all Santa Clara County judges disqualified themselves  to issue a restraining order to allow time to consider alleged flaws in the petition drive.

Although judges are elected by voters in each county, Perskys supporters argue that the courts, funded by the state, are a state agency and that the recall move should have been filed with Padillas office. They also challenge the petitions assertion that voters would choose Perskys successor in the same election, arguing that a recall would create a vacancy, which under the state Constitution must be filled by the governor for the next two years.

At issue is the rule of law, deciding whether the California Constitution determines the procedures that apply to the recall of state judges, said Elizabeth Pipkin, a lawyer for Perskys campaign against the recall.

But Dauber said state law was to the contrary: The last California judges to be recalled, three Los Angeles jurists in 1932, were replaced by successful candidates in the same election, a sequence that has since been upheld by the California Supreme Court, she said. And she said Padilla and other election officials agree that judicial recalls are overseen by the county, not the state.

Its sad to see a judge engaging in this behavior  gamesmanship, shenanigans that are intended to stall and delay, Dauber said.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
By PTI: By K J M Varma

Beijing, Aug 23 (PTI) China said today that preparations were in full swing for next months BRICS Summit but skirted questions on Prime Minister Narendra Modis participation in the meet amid the ongoing Doklam standoff.

"All the preparatory work for the Summit is advancing in an orderly way. We are almost ready," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told the media here when asked if Modi has confirmed his participation in the Summit amid concerns over the standoff between the armies of the two countries in the Doklam area of the Sikkim sector.

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Last week, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, during a briefing in New Delhi, also did not confirm whether Modi will travel to China next month to attend the Summit, saying he does not have any information about it.

The Summit of the five emerging countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) -- will be held in the coastal city of Xiamen from September 3 to September 5.

"We believe with the concerted efforts of various parties, the Summit will achieve success, scaling up the cooperation to new heights for the BRICS countries," Hua said.

Without making any direct reference to Modis participation, Hua reiterated Chinas stand that the Indian border troops should be unconditionally withdrawn from Doklam which is a prerequisite for the settlement of the issue. PTI KJV ASK AKJ ASK

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A fast-growing Bay Area startup specializing in vacation rentals just landed a big round of venture capital backing. But its not Airbnb.

Emeryvilles RedAwning takes a different approach to home stays than the better-known San Francisco company. RedAwning focuses on helping property managers market their listings, process reservations and provide support such as a help center for their guests.

RedAwning works with Airbnb, as well as other big players like Expedias HomeAway/VRBO, Pricelines Booking.com and TripAdvisors FlipKey. It inserts itself as another player between the guest and host (or property manager) to give vacation rentals the professional polish of a hotel stay.

We help property managers generate more reservations with less work, and for guests add a layer of ease and simplicity, said CEO Tim Choate, 52, a serial entrepreneur who founded RedAwning as a hobby in 2009 and funded it from his own pocket and company revenue until this year. We are the largest supplier of properties for most of those websites. We work closely with them to try to present our ads in the best light, making our properties more successful.

RedAwning exemplifies an increasing trend in vacation rentals away from the live like a local, personalized stays that Airbnb likes to tout and toward a more predictable lodging option with amenities and service similar to hotels.

Airbnb itself, despite publicly emphasizing its listings authentic and unique nature, has also moved to increase its professionalism, giving hosts tips on everything from cleaning to guest relations, for instance. This year it outbid rivals for Luxury Retreats, a Canadian company that manages high-end rentals and offers a concierge service for guests. It also supports the idea of third parties taking charge of listings, albeit individuals rather than companies. Last year we launched a co-hosting tool to offer hosts extra help managing their space when they are traveling or have other obligations, it said in a statement.

Jason Clampet, co-founder and head of content for travel site Skift, said that Airbnbs disruptive influence on the stuck in its ways vacation-rental industry helped fuel companies like RedAwning.

Airbnb taught the vacation-rental industry that they can do things differently  invest more in technology, do more with instant payments, he said. People dont want to have to send a Western Union check to Newport Beach and hope it works out. They want safe, online payments.

RedAwning duplicates or replaces services provided by Airbnb, HomeAway and the like by handling payments and providing 24-hour customer support via a call center in Emeryville, and contractors in Indonesia who handle emails and online chat.

People who actually know how to do customer service is important, Clampet said, noting that the big vacation-rental sites are regularly dinged for inadequate response to guest issues.

Still, RedAwnings approach of being an intermediary between guests and property managers  who themselves are intermediaries for property owners  raises some concerns. There are only so many layers you can shove in there before guests start having to pay too much, he said. The person who owns the property wants to make as much money as possible. How much more a middleman can slice off will be a challenge.

T.J. Clark, CEO of TurnKey Vacation Rentals, a nationwide property management company, uses RedAwning to list his 2,400 properties on Booking.com. They do a good job helping property managers get into the e-commerce mainstream, he said.

Although RedAwning will work with individual owners, the companys main customers are property managers who juggle scores of listings. Typically managers might have 50 to 150 properties, Choate said. Its focus is rentals in traditional vacation destinations like Lake Tahoe or Hawaii.

It minimizes its presence in urban areas like San Francisco, where vacation rentals are controversial because of concerns that they eat into permanent housing. RedAwnings handful of San Francisco listings either require a 30-day stay (exempting them from vacation-rental laws) or have complied with the citys registration law, Choate said.

It handles about 40,000 properties in North America on behalf of some 800 property managers. Those managers pay it a commission, generally around 20 percent of their rental income, but RedAwning in turn pays the commissions required by Airbnb, HomeAway and other sites out of its cut, ending up with from 5 to 10 percent of the rental amount.

Most vacation destinations have thousands of listings, making it harder for individual rentals to be seen by prospective guests. Choate said his company meets with each of the big websites quarterly to understand their search tools, and conducts its own tests and marketing to help its properties rise to the top of search results.

The company became profitable  truly profitable, not just cash-flow positive  last year, he said. Its on track to handle more than $100 million in bookings this year.

Last month, it secured $40 million in venture backing, which it will use to expand to new areas worldwide, more than double its 55-person staff and improve its technology.

After more than two decades in the vacation-rentals business, Chuck Maas has seen scores of companies offering marketing and other services. Many failed because they didnt understand how to work in the fragmented industry, said Maas, a marketing consultant for Lake Tahoe Accommodations, which handles about 200 vacation homes.

Working with RedAwning was a significant bounce for us, he said. About $1.8 million of Lake Tahoe Accommodations $5 million in revenue last year was generated by RedAwning. They bring in a third of the business and growing, he said. Guests feel more reassured that theyve got people looking out for them to make sure its a good value.

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: CSaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid
About 300 people attended an Oakland birthday party where two men were fatally shot and a third was critically injured, but a year later, not a single witness has come forward to describe what they saw.

Oakland police detectives held a news conference Wednesday to ask the public for help in solving the cold-case killings of Terrence McCrary Jr., 22, and Craig Fletcher-Cooks, 20.

There were hundreds of people there, said homicide Detective Sgt. Michael Cardoza. Im asking that someone come forward. I know that someone saw something.

McCrary, of Berkeley, and Fletcher-Cooks, of Oakland, were shot and killed around 1 a.m. on Aug. 14 during a block party held at a venue in the 300 block of 15th Street.

ALSO SF woman found slain in rural Contra Costa County

Cardoza said gunfire erupted after four men in their 20s grabbed Fletcher-Cooks girlfriend to dance. When Fletcher-Cooks stepped in to tell the men she was with him, a fight broke out, Cardoza said.

Fletcher-Cook was shot multiple times before the assailants ran outside the party into a crowd, still firing weapons. A stray bullet hit and killed McCrary, who was not involved with the initial argument, Cardoza said.

A third victim, a 24-year-old man, was shot and critically injured but later recovered, Cardoza said.

Friends and relatives of the victims attended Wednesdays news conference and called for anyone with information about the shootings to come forward.

Its really sad, but for the friends and family and the community as a whole, its real, said Stacey Flowers, a cousin of Fletcher-Cooks. Lets allow some type of closure. Somebody knows something. All we ask is that you just come forward.

With a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, police hope to overcome the neighborhoods antisnitching culture to get tips on the suspects.

This is a tragic, tragic incident where two young men were shot and killed. And for what? Cardoza said.

Police have recovered weapons linked to the shooting, but they would not describe them or say if they yielded fingerprints.

Terrence was a thoughtful, warm, loving son, brother and friend, the McCrary family said in a statement. He was a talented skateboarder and aspiring artist. His death leaves a void in the lives of his family, friends and artist community.

A skate jam and contest will be held on Sept. 16 at Berkeley Skatepark on Harrison Street in honor of McCrary.

Detectives asked anyone with information on the killings to call them at (510) 238-3821 or leave a message on their tip line at (510) 238-7950. Callers can remain anonymous.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
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Philanthropist Gordon Getty will give the University of San Francisco $15 million to establish a college for top students to study the arts, sciences and humanities, USF announced Wednesday.

The gift is the schools largest from an individual donor and is meant to inspire others to help the university meet its $35 million goal for the new program, to be called the Honors College, that is expected to open in fall 2018.
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When it comes to Hawker Fare in Oakland, chef/owner James Syhabout admits he cant let the idea go. Even when he closed the restaurant earlier this year, he never really made clear what he planned to do with it next, though the San Francisco location remains open. There were hints at bringing it back in the East Bay, but those dissipated as Old Kan Beer & Co. gained traction in West Oakland, Commis expansion took shape, his cookbook wrapped up, travel demands increased, etc.

The group that never forgot about Hawker Fare, Syhabout says, were the Oakland residents.

People ask me that all the time on the street. I definitely miss that little location. It was special to me, Syhabout says.

The feeling was only exacerbated as the chef finished his recent cookbook and memoir. Months spent writing in the Oakland Hawker Fare space, looking at old photos, digging through recipes that never made it to the menu all pushed him to his next venture: a Hawker Fare pop-up at Old Kan on Aug. 29 from 5- 9 p.m.

Honestly, Im doing this for my own enjoyment, Syhabout says with a laugh.

While plotting the the Hawker Fare iteration, Syhabout is also keeping an eye on C.D.P., the the new bar taking shape at his Michelin-starred restaurant Commis. C.D.P is an acronym for chef de partie, which plays on the fact that Commis in kitchen vernacular means "junior chef."

Im doing everything in my power so we can get open sooner than later because were paying rent on the space. If everything goes right, well be open by September, he says.

Long term, Syhabout says he doesnt want to rule out the potential of Hawker Fare finding new life in the East Bay beyond the upcoming pop up. For now, the one-night event is a way to gauge the market.

And if the right location opens up, who knows?

No matter what, I want people to know that Im still thinking of ways to do Hawker Fare in Oakland., Syhabout says. And this gives us a chance to do the cookbook justice as well.

Old Kan: 95 Linden St.

Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips
Dear Mick LaSalle: Just read your review of Maudie in the (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union. It was cold! And a little cruel. Did you know anything about Maud Lewis and her life? It was more than a story of survival. Against all odds she was able to be a prolific painter. Do you know anything about childhood rheumatoid arthritis? This was a woman who was in constant pain her entire life. Shame on you!

Nancy Cury, Clifton Park, New York

Dear Nancy Cury: What can I say? I had this nutty idea that instead of reviewing Maud Lewis life, or Maud Lewis pain, or Maud Lewis art, I should just go ahead and review the movie that was made about Maud Lewis life, pain and art, and the movie dramatized none of those things. According to the movie, the personal life took care of itself, the art was effortless, success arrived without her working for it, and the pain wasnt a factor. It was just two hours of a movie daring us to notice that absolutely nothing was happening  and really daring us, too, on pain of being considered a totally not-nice person.

Hey Mick: Recently you did a thing on cities being considered as characters in a movie. In the Aug. 4 New York Times, two of their movie critics reviews began with column teasers, such as The terrain is a character in a thriller... Care to comment further?

Ken Malucelli, Daly City

Hey Ken: Such comments used to be a way of emphasizing the prominence of a setting within a story, but now it has become something that people actually believe literally  and then they look for examples of its happening. But even in the case of, say, Rome in Michelangelo Antonionis The Eclipse, in which the city looms as a malevolent presence, the city isnt a character but a setting and a condition. But yes, it does show how pervasive this has become that two perfectly good critics can make the same assertion twice in the same edition of a newspaper. It suggests that even if you (wrongly) believe that cities can be characters, it would probably be best to come up with another way of saying it, because this way has become a cliche.

Dear Mick LaSalle: As a longtime reader of your reviews, Ive always wondered: Does an empty-seat rating translate roughly into a zero-star rating or a one-star rating (assuming a four-star scale)? Ive always wondered what the Little Man roughly translates into.

Arthur Jamison, Van Nuys

Dear Arthur Jamison: Aside from our highest rating, which translates as four or five stars (depending on the star scale) in newspaper advertisements, theres no set rate of exchange, and I think that different critics think different things  and maybe thats OK. In any case, because a star system has more nuance (with half stars), I see the Little Man ratings as occupying a range. So in a four-star scale, I see the Little Man leaping as either three and a half or four stars; a Little Man clapping as three stars; a Little Man interested as either two stars or two and a half (that is, as either almost bad, but not quite; or almost good, but not quite); a Little Man sleeping as either one or one and a half stars; and an Empty Chair icon as either a half star or no stars.

Darling Mick: I love seeing rain in films. Its not just that Im inside, warm and dry, but the visual, aspect of it, and seeing people in the rain and how they react. But its mainly the rain itself. Are there any environmental aspects in films you particularly appreciate?

Bridget Smith, San Francisco

Darling Bridget: Nothing environmental, though snow scenes can be cozy  or snow falling as seen through a window. In terms of settings or environments that I always like to see, I never get tired of Paris or Rome. And I never get tired of the past, especially an authentic street scene from the distant past, and the more distant the better.

Have a question? Ask Mick LaSalle at askmick@comcast.net. Include your name and city for publication, and a phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) The commerce ministry is reviewing the foreign trade policy (FTP) with a view to effectively address the concerns of exporters post-GST, a senior official said today.

Exporters have raised certain concerns after the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

"We cannot let them suffer...We want to build in something in the FTP which addresses those issues of exporters," the official added.

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The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has stated that exporters are worried as they have to arrange funds for payment of GST which will be refunded to them upon exports.

First paying the duty and then seek refund would led to blockage of funds for over six months in many cases, thus affecting competitiveness of exports, the FIEO has said.

The official said that the ministry is looking at all these issues and that is why it is taking time to release the revised FTP.

"Lot of work is happening. We are looking at it (FTP) post GST. Post GST implementation, we are taking exporters inputs and trying to address that," he official added.

Exporters have also raised concerns as implementation of the GST has limited the use of duty credit scrips by them as these can now be utilised only for payment of basic Customs duty and not IGST.

To deal with the issue of blockage of fund, the ministry has suggested to the GST Council that an e-wallet kind of mechanism could be evolved for virtual payment of GST so that the GST chain is not affected.

According to exporters, over Rs 1.85 lakh crore working capital of exporters may get stuck annually with the government under the GST. Blocking of this amount would push up the manufacturing cost of exporters as they have to borrow more from banks. PTI RR CS MR

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In California, a state that considers itself among the most advanced places in the world, nearly 2 million people live without safe drinking water.

These Californians reside in 300 small, sometimes remote, but always impoverished communities where the states 2012 first-in-the-nation law guaranteeing a right to safe and affordable drinking water is but an empty promise. It will take every Californian to ensure clean water is available to all.

Groundwater in these communities is contaminated by naturally occurring pollutants, such as arsenic, but more typically by agricultural runoff.

Exposure affects health, causes cancer and is tied to blue baby syndrome, which can occur when infants are fed formula mixed with nitrate-contaminated water. Without treatment, they can die.

The 2014 state water bond provides grants for capital improvements but not operations. Sen. Bill Monning, D-Carmel, has authored SB623, which would help water systems so small and so impoverished that state funds are needed to ensure clean water operations.

The $100 million-a-year fund would have two sources: monies paid in by the agricultural industry as part of a mechanism to clean up nitrate pollution; and consumers, who would have a 95-cent monthly fee added to their water bills. Polling found a majority of Californians would support such a public goods charge.

While imperative, the legislation is not perfect. A recent amendment allows a pay-to-pollute scheme that accommodates polluting practices. Water districts fear the tax will impede their ability to raise rates.

Californians were concerned when lead contaminated the water of 100,000 residents of Flint, Mich. Contamination in California communities is no less worrisome  and we can do something about it. Tell your legislator to support SB623.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.
The nations top media basher went all out in Phoenix, scrolling out a phony narrative to paper over his disgraceful remarks that both sides were to blame in the racist, anti-Semitic violence in Charlottesville.

His aggrieved and put upon stance is familiar. In this case, he spent nearly a third of his rambling speech insisting the very dishonest media ignored his criticisms of hate groups behind the altercation. But he left out the most damning part: his words doling out blame on the Virginia protesters and swastika hate groups in equal measure.

Trump dug in deeper. He taunted media organizations while the crowd chanted, CNN sucks, and heaped praise on his fawning flunkies at Fox. It was an unhinged though predictable performance served up to his unswerving base. The rest of the country is likely sickened by Trumps role as divider in chief.

 Marshall Kilduff, editorial writer
A number of California law professors, including more than half of my colleagues at Stanford Law School, published a letter opposing the recall of Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky.

The light six-month sentence imposed by Judge Persky in the Brock Turner case sparked outrage in the community and triggered the recall effort. Turner was convicted of sexually penetrating an unconscious woman on the Stanford campus. The Turner case was not an aberration for Judge Persky. He has a history of granting lenient treatment to privileged men, such as college athletes, who are convicted of sex crimes and violence against women.

The law professors letter expresses concern for judicial independence should the recall effort succeed. While I respect them greatly, I must explain why they are wrong about judicial independence and about Judge Persky.

The American system of law is unique. Our Constitution separates powers, not just by the three functions of government, but also by the locus of where that power is exercised. American federalism recognizes that the state and federal governments are co-equal servants who exercise the peoples sovereignty on our behalf.

One key difference between them is that the federal government, under Article I, Sect. 8 of the Constitution, is a servant of limited powers, while our state governments enjoy plenary police powers.

This difference extends to state and federal court systems. Federal judges exercise extensive judicial independence. They are relatively insulated from political winds and the pressures that accompany them. But their jurisdiction is also limited. There are very few federal crimes, and the authority of federal judges is largely limited to narrow questions of federal constitutional and statutory law, as well as interstate civil disputes.

On the other hand, in California and in many other states, state court judges such as Persky are elected, not appointed. This is for good reason. Their authority over our daily lives is extensive, and they can hear all cases, including ones involving federal law. Criminal law is largely the purview of state and local governments.

To abandon this distinction, and treat state court judges like federal judges, ignores both the structure of our federalist system of justice, as well as the necessary limits on judicial independence. Judges must not fear that straightforward applications of the law would result in their removal. But in California, judges are subject to election and recall elections precisely because their judgment is expected to reflect community standards.

For this reason, the signatories of the law professors letter admit that there are circumstances that could justify a recall, for example if a judge exhibits bias that leads to systematic injustice in their courtrooms. They apparently do not agree that the injustice that women have experienced in Judge Perskys courtroom is enough to justify a recall. But thats not for them to say. Thats a judgment call, and Californias Constitution explicitly places it in the hands of the people to decide, in accordance with their values.

Trial lawyers have an old saying that a famous state court judge is a soon-to-be former state court judge. The truth in this old saw stems from the fact that state court judges maintain their anonymity by issuing rulings consistent with the expectations of the communities they represent. Judge Persky has demonstrated that his indulgent views regarding male college athletes may not be in line with those of the community he represents. For this, Judge Persky has become a famous state court judge. It should now be up to the voters to determine whether he is a soon-to-be-former state court judge.

G. Marcus Cole is the William F. Baxter-Visa International Professor of Law at Stanford Law School.
Louise Linton, the new wife of U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, is getting heavily criticized for a recent photo and response she posted on Instagram. The subject? Her high-priced (and highly hash-tagged) wardrobe. The real message? Conspicuous consumption and social media vitriol can easily converge in the current political era.

The 36-year-old, Scottish-born actress (her credits include one-offs on American crime procedurals and a small role in Lifetimes William & Kate: The Movie) made news on Monday when she posted a photo to her Instagram account showing her and her husband deplaning on an official trip to Kentucky. In her white wide-legged trousers and slim blouse, handbag held as though being presented in the crook of her arm, she looked every bit the jet-setting style-grammer. As any aspiring social media celebrity would, she took the opportunity to let her followers know not only what she thought of the bluegrass state, but also who she was wearing.

Great #daytrip to #Kentucky! Linton commented beneath the photo. #nicest #people #beautiful #countryside #rolandmouret pants #tomford sunnies, #hermesscarf #valentinorockstudheels #valentino #usa

The negative response to Lintons name dropping came quickly.

Glad we could pay for your little getaway, Instagram user @jennimiller29 replied to Linton, ending with the hashtag #deplorable.

Please dont tag your Hermes scarf, @emily.e.dickey responded, calling the hashtagging Distasteful.

Linton quickly replied to Jenni Miller, who the New York Times identified as a mother of three from Portland, Oregon.

@jennimiller29 cute! Linton replied publicly on Instagram in an emoji-rich response. Aw!!! Did you think this was a personal trip?! Adorable! Do you think the US govt paid for our honeymoon or personal travel?! Lololol.

Linton then went on to compare her and her husbands personal finances to Millers.

Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband? Either as an individual earner in taxes OR in self sacrifice to your country? Im pretty sure we paid more taxes toward our day trip than you did. Pretty sure the amount we sacrifice per year is a lot more than youd be willing to sacrifice if the choice was yours, She (ironically) goes on to call Miller adorably out of touch, and thanks her for the passive aggressive nasty comment.

Speaking of passive aggressive, Linton closed her response with some well-practiced mean girl passive aggression of her own:

Your kids look very cute. Your life looks cute. I know youre mad but deep down youre really nice and so am I. Sending me passive aggressive Instagram comments isnt going to make life feel better. Maybe a nice message, one filled with wisdom and hunanity [sic] would get more traction. Have a pleasant evening. Go chill out and watch the new game of thrones. Its fab!

Linton, who married the 54-year-old former Goldman Sachs executive turned treasury secretary in June (both the president and Mrs. Trump attended the lavish D.C. wedding), is new to life as a Cabinet spouse, so some off-the-mark shots are probably to be expected. But being off-the-mark is one thing; firing out a list of designer names like a label-loaded AK47 is another.

Linton is hardly the first political wife or female politician to court controversy with an expensive wardrobe. Argentine First Lady Eva Evita Peron, another actress who became a political spouse, was known as a controversial style-setter in the 1940s and 50s who visited the Buenos Aires slums in her Christian Dior couture. In the 1980s, Nancy Reagan successfully lampooned her image as a spendthrift and clotheshorse at a Giridon Club dinner by singing a rewritten Second Hand Rose while wearing a secondhand granny ensemble. The cost of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palins $150,000 wardrobe in 2008 undoubtedly hurt the John McCain campaign amid the years economic crisis. Then theres French queen Marie Antoinette, who wore a lavish Rose Bertin-designed wardrobe while the peasantry starved. While Linton may have endured social media backlash (shes since deleted her original post and made her Instagram account private), Marie lost her throne, her wardrobe and her head in the French Revolution.

Although Linton is hardly the first woman in the political sphere to be accused of being out of touch because of her fashion, she may be the first to publicly brag about her acquisitions and hashtag them on social media.

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.

Her insensitive response to Miller brings us into the let them eat cake realm of bad political spouse behavior. For the wife of the Treasury secretary to drop designer names as casually as if she were dropping cash at Madison Avenue boutiques was extremely unfortunate on the same day the it was revealed that the Secret Service is facing a major budgetary shortfall due to the travel and lifestyle of the first family. With the wealth gap in the United States a campaign hot button, and with Secretary Mnuchins proposed new tax plan (the reason for their Kentucky meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell) projecting even more breaks for the super-wealthy at the expensive of social programs, one would have imagined Linton would steer clear of such obvious sartorial land mines.

Or maybe not. In 2017, conspicuous consumption and self-promotion is a Trumpian value. The president uses his office to hawk his daughter Ivankas accessory line and frequently promotes Trump businesses (including his vineyard in Charlottesville in the days after the white supremacy protest that left three dead in the city). The brands Linton wore and hash-tagged are in themselves quite telling: Hermes, the luxury French house known for its signature scarves and ultra-expensive handbags, is popular partially for the status its accessories bring the wearer. Mourets French brand is also known for its high price tag, as is Italian house Valentino, and Tom Ford is famous as one of the most expensive fashion houses in the United States. Lintons wardrobe messaging was not about aesthetics or style: It was about dollar signs.

Although Linton released a statement of contrition  I apologize for my post on social media yesterday as well as my response. It was inappropriate and highly insensitive  the message remains: Lintons wardrobe is there to show us her sense of entitlement.

But at least Lintons Instagram post is honest about where we are at this moment in the United States. In a political climate where wealth is seen not just as a goal, but a virtue, conspicuous consumption and its corresponding hashtags are currently setting the #trends. Ditto for social-media bullying.

Tony Bravo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tbravo@sfchronicle.com
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Disjointed is an enjoyable mess, available Friday, Aug. 25, on Netflix, that probably makes more sense if youre stoned, which would be appropriate for a comedy about an older Jewish woman who owns a medicinal marijuana store in Los Angeles.

Kathy Bates stars as Ruth Whitefeather Feldman, who was a pot advocate for years before she opened Ruths Alternative Care with her recent college graduate son, Travis (Aaron Moten). The other budtenders include modern-day hippie Pete (Dougie Baldwin); Jenny (Elizabeth Ho), who lies to her Chinese mother about her job; and Olivia (Elizabeth Alderfer), who is distinguished from the other two staff members by the fact that she doesnt seem stoned all the time. Also on the staff is military veteran Carter (Tone Bell), who suffers from PTSD and serves as the stores security guard.

Chris Redd and Betsy Sodaro play Dank and Dabby, a pair of completely unhinged Internet stars who are regular patrons of the dispensary; Nicole Sullivan is Maria, an overstressed mom who wandered into the store one day thinking pot might offer relief and seems to never have left; and Michael Trucco is Tae Kwon Doug, who runs a martial arts studio next door, has no use for a pot dispensary in the neighborhood and is given to all sorts of malaprops with sexual connotations he never gets.

There isnt much of a plot, although there are occasional moments that do seem to be circling some kind of story line. Olivia and Travis flirt here and there, Pete thinks his pot plants are talking to him, Jenny breaks out in song at one point and imagines shes singing in a nightclub, and Travis wants his mother to adopt more pragmatic management techniques, such as putting her money in a bank and not in the ceiling.

Its not just that the show, created by Chuck Lorre and David Javerbaum, lacks a story arc, at least anything thats apparent in the four nonsequential episodes made available for review, but that there really are only spotty suggestions of a situation within each episode.

And yet, its often funny, and many of the characters are oddly appealing  or just appealingly odd  and the rest are at least have amusing moments. A little of Pete, Jenny and Tae Kwon Doug goes a very long way, but most of the focus is on Ruth, Travis and Olivia, with off-the-wall moments for Dank and Dabby.

Many times, the best parts of each episode are the fake pot commercials, including a hilarious ad with dancing cannabis containers all shot in glorious 1950s black and white.

And in further conscious defiance of logical episodic structure, there are even a few sophisticated animation sequences, including one representing the torment of Carters mind.

If you do watch the show stoned, youll laugh. But then again, if you watch Wolf Blitzer stoned, youll probably laugh, too. The rest of us can enjoy a contact high. This isnt primo TV, but its also not stems and seeds.

Go ahead: Inhale.

David Wiegand is an assistant managing editor and the TV critic of The San Francisco Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook. Email: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV

Disjointed: Comedy. First season available Friday, Aug. 25, on Netflix.
A video of a man standing on the the bed of a tow truck while it's hauling a wildly swinging  and sparking  car through the streets of Southern California Monday morning is now going viral.

The video purportedly shows a car owner in protest of what the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said was a car being repossessed for non-payment.

The situation began in Compton when the tow truck driver was hitching a red Nissan Altima, NBC Los Angeles reported. The car owner allegedly began yelling at the tow truck driver, who got into his truck and drove away ... with the Altima owner on the bed of his truck.

The tow truck began driving through the city, blowing out the tires of the Altima and sending sparks flying everywhere, and running stop signs  all while the car owner was hanging on from the back of the truck.

Warning: The video below contains strong language and violence.

"A blessing nobody did get hit," said Brittany McDonald who, along with passenger James Harris, caught the scene on video.

"Cars had to swerve and the car was spinning and people ran into trash cans parked on the side of the road," McDonald told NBC Los Angeles. "It was crazy ... it was a sight to see."

Authorities said the tow truck driver reported the car owner was "holding a crow bar, and shattering the tow truck driver's rear window," according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

The chase eventually stopped after Long Beach police pulled over the truck at about 10:30 a.m. Both the tow truck driver and the owner of the car were questioned by police, however no arrests were made.

SFGATE has reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for more information and will update when we hear back.
Scooter Braun has already facilitated the rise of Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande and Carly Rae Jepsen. Could California be his next target?

According to TMZ, "a number of Democratic fundraisers and political operatives in the state" are encouraging Braun to run for governor of California. They believe the current candidates  lieutenant governor and former San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa  are "flawed."
A UC Berkeley energy professor resigned from his science envoy position with the Trump administration Wednesday, citing the presidents hate-filled rally in Phoenix the night before, his recent remarks on violence at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Va., and his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord.

Professor Daniel Kammen used the first letter in each of the seven paragraphs in his resignation letter to Trump to spell out I-M-P-E-A-C-H.

Kammen said he was inspired by last weeks resignation letter from members of the Presidents Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, which spelled the word R-E-S-I-S-T.

You dont do that kind of thing by accident, Kammen said in an interview Wednesday. Its a reflection of my dissatisfaction with the job hes doing.

Kammen, appointed as one of five U.S. science envoys by the State Department, made his resignation letter public and tweeted, Mr. President, I am resigning as Science Envoy. Your response to Charlottesville enables racism, sexism, & harms our country and planet.

He said the presidents remarks in Arizona on Tuesday night cemented his decision to resign. At a rally in Phoenix, Trump repeated his pledge to build a wall on the Mexico border and said he may terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump also hinted he would pardon Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz., who was convicted of defying a 2011 court order to stop traffic patrols that singled out immigrants.

What I would be working for is inconsistent with the values the president is putting forward, Kammen told The Chronicle. I would love to jump right back into this role if there was a U.S. administration supporting a positive presence both at home and overseas.

The State Department declined to comment on Kammens hidden message. In a statement, the department said officials appreciate his dedicated service to U.S. scientific diplomacy.

Trump was roundly criticized for his response to the violence in Charlottesville on Aug. 12, when a suspected neo-Nazi drove his car into a crowd protesting white supremacists who were rallying against the possible removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. One woman died and 19 people were injured.

Trump said that we condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence, but came under fire for adding that there was blame on many sides and saying there were fine people among the white supremacists and neo-Nazis.

In his open letter to Trump, Kammen wrote that his decision to resign is in response to your attacks on core values of the United States.

Particularly troubling to me is how your response to Charlottesville is consistent with a broader pattern of behavior that enables sexism and racism, and disregards the welfare of all Americans, the global community, and the planet, Kammen wrote. Examples of this destructive pattern have consequences on my duties as science envoy. Your decision to abdicate the leadership opportunities and the job creation benefits of the Paris Climate Accord, and to undermine energy and environmental research are not acceptable to me.

Kammen had focused on energy and climate in Africa and the Middle East as a science envoy, a largely honorific position facilitated with the resources and platform of the State Department. Stationed in Berkeley, he worked closely with U.S. ambassadors in Morocco, Kenya and Jordan to enable scientific exchange on environmental research.

He was appointed to the post in 2016 under the Obama administration. He said he has worked for 25 years in Africa, and will continue to do so as a private citizen.

It just was not possible to work with this administration, Kammen said. This is not a political climate that is raising up the U.S. partnerships overseas, and so its time to step down.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
Not limiting the quiz to personalities from the party, it also brings into perspective the schemes introduced by Congress and 'renamed' and 'packaged' by BJP as original ideas

By Sweta dutta: From old schemes 'renamed' by the BJP government to initiatives brought in by former PMs Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi, a quiz trending on social media as part of Congress's 'Know Your Legacy' campaign makes a desperate attempt to counter BJP's attack on the grand old party.

The quiz that drew much traction around I-Day and is set to be carried on by the party as an ongoing campaign, aims not just to familiarise the youth with the party's "glorious past" but also to highlight the party's achievements in governance over the past seven decades.

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Posers like 'which dam was described as the "new temple of resurgent India" by PM Nehru, at its inauguration in 1963'(answer: Nehru) and 'which PM lowered the voting age for elections from 21 to 18 years, for Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies of States' (Rajiv Gandhi) are thrown out at the audience by the party's official twitter handle with four options to choose from.

Not limiting the quiz to personalities from the party, it also brings into perspective the schemes introduced by Congress and 'renamed' and 'packaged' by BJP as original ideas. Through the question, 'What is the present name of the sanitation program that was known as 'Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan' under the UPA government in 2012?' the party takes a dig at PM Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

QUIZ TO DISPEL BJP LIES

"The BJP has been spreading blatant lies that no work has been done in the last 70 years. This campaign is mainly to dispel that mistruth and spread awareness of what the Congress party has done for this country. Also the post-Independence generations are not familiar with the legacy and history of Congress and this campaign will help familiarise them," SV Ramani, Congress leader and media coordinator told Mail Today.

Mumbai Congress unit chief Sanjay Nirupam, added, "Modi ji has been blaming Congress for all ills in the country. It has become extremely important to tell the new generation about the party's contribution to the country. Nehru was PM for 17 years and is rightly known as the architect of modern India. Thereafter Indira Gandhi brought in several pathbreaking initiatives followed by Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. It was because of Singh that the economy opened up. Let's not forget that the J&K rail tunnel is because of Congress. The youth needs to be retold our history and contribution to the nation."

With clear instructions from the party's top leadership to counter Modi and the BJP, Ramani said, "In our public meetings and interactions and speeches by leaders, our focus will now be on dispelling these falsities."

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Also read: Ahead of 2018 Assembly elections, pre poll survey predict Congress' victory

Also read: India Today Mood of the Nation poll: PM Modi's political invincibility continues, 10 big takeaways

--- ENDS ---
Facebook will see a decline among teen users in the U.S. this year, according to a forecast by eMarketer. Its the first time the research company has predicted a fall in Facebook usage for any age group.

EMarketer predicts that 14.5 million people from the ages of 12 to 17 will use Facebook in 2017, a drop of 3.4 percent from last year. Teens are instead using Snapchat and Instagram, which Facebook owns, the research company said this week.

Facebook has continued to grow around the world, with more than 2 billion users this year, but younger people are finding it less compelling, said Oscar Orozco, a forecasting analyst at eMarketer.

E-commerce

Amazon adding

Stockton center

Amazon is planning to build a vast warehouse in Stockton and add more than 1,000 jobs in the area, the Stockton Record reported Tuesday.

The facility, which will be more than 600,000 square feet, will support customer fulfillment, Amazon told the paper. It did not give an opening date. The Seattle online retailer has recently been on a nationwide hiring spree for warehouse workers.

It has fulfillment centers in Tracy and Patterson. And it plans to open another one this year in Sacramento, with 1,500 new jobs, KCRA reported in July.

Executives

Senior eBay

VP to Macys

Macys says it has hired an eBay senior vice president as president and is further streamlining its organization to make it more nimble in the face of increased competition.

Hal Lawton will become president of Macys on Sept. 8. He will report to Macys CEO Jeff Gennette, who had previously held that role.

As president, Lawton will be responsible for all aspects of the Macys brand, including merchandising, marketing, stores, operations, technology and consumer insights. Lawton was most recently senior vice president of eBay North America.

Macys restructuring efforts include the consolidation of three functions  merchandising, planning and private brands  into a single merchandising function. The move will result in the loss of 100 jobs.

Macys has been making a number of changes to reverse sluggish sales.

Ex-Uber exec

to H&R Block

H&R Block Inc. has chosen Jeff Jones  a former president of Uber who walked out over the companys beliefs and approach to leadership amid a sexism scandal  as its chief executive officer., replacing Bill Cobb, who announced his retirement in May.

Jones had been at Uber only six months, having left Target.

Since leaving Uber, Jones has declined to speak about it.

H&R Block said Tuesday that Jones will take over the CEO job Oct. 9.

Jones said he plans to move his family to Kansas City, where H&R Block has its headuarters.

Cobb is leaving after six years at the helm.

Wireless

Verizon plan

Verizon is raising the price of its unlimited plan while introducing a slightly cheaper, more limited version.

The unlimited plan had cost $80 for one line. Beginning Wednesday, with HD video  capped at 720p for phones  it will be $85, while plans with DVD-quality streaming will cost $75.

Chronicle News Services
John Watson, who has led Chevron Corp. since 2010, is planning to step down as the oil company seeks a new chief executive officer, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

While the San Ramon energy giant has not made a final decision on a successor, Michael Wirth, a veteran Chevron employee whose elevation was telegraphed in January when the company announced his promotion to vice chairman, has been seen as a leading candidate. An announcement will probably be made next month, the Journal said.

Chevron spokesman Kent Robertson declined to comment on the report.

Watson, 60, was named CEO after he oversaw the integration of Texaco and Unocal into Chevron. They were purchased by his acquisitive predecessor and mentor, David OReilly. Since the global oil rout began in earnest in 2014, though, Watson has struggled to protect dividend payouts from the ravages of tumbling crude prices and shrinking cash flow.

Watson has resorted to job cuts, project cancellations and billions of dollars in asset sales to cope with an industry downturn that erased $50 billion from Chevrons market value. In 2016, Chevron posted its first annual loss in at least 37 years.

One of Wirths crowning achievements was the restructuring of Chevrons refining business by selling off billions of dollars in assets from Africa to Europe.

Under his leadership, the company quit processing crude in Western Europe as that market matured and growth slowed, and sharpened its focus on expanding demand in East Asia and Latin America.

Watson later expanded Wirths portfolio-trimming template to Chevrons worldwide oil and natural gas unit.

Watson was an unlikely oil executive, having majored in agricultural economics at UC Davis before obtaining his masters degree in business administration from the University of Chicago. Chevrons mandatory retirement age for employee directors like Watson is 65.

The CEO could depart with an exit package worth as much as $119.3 million, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That includes pension benefits worth $45.4 million and $13.4 million in accumulated deferred compensation. Both those figures are as of Dec. 31, according to regulatory filings. The remaining $60.3 million comes from previously awarded equity grants, as valued at the close of trading Monday.

His severance agreement provides that his options and restricted stock will vest as long as hes held them for at least one year. If Watson leaves before Jan. 25, hell forfeit options and restricted stock that were granted in January, valued at $3.46 million.

As part of his retirement package, Chevron will also provide him an office and administrative support at approximately $200,000 per year.
Just sleep on it

Tired of bed-hopping in mattress stores that carry the same models under different names so its impossible to comparison-shop? Or ordering a one-size-fits-all mattress online? A British store thinks it can beat brick-and-mortar rivals and online competitors. John Lewis will let customers test a mattress overnight at a fully furnished apartment in London, Liverpool and Cambridge in the fall. We are not just selling you a mattress. We are selling you a perfect nights sleep, Managing Director Paula Nickolds told the Sun newspaper. She also has added a restaurant on the roof of the London store and has been sending staffers to drama school to boost their confidence.

Huh?

Take a deep breath: It isnt quite as scary as it seems, but two new Starbucks stores in Chicago are offering sushi burritos. People magazine reported that the coffee chain calls its Chicken Maki Roll a classic California chicken burrito with a twist, wrapping it with nori instead of a tortilla. So you dont have to have any nightmares about Starbucks serving raw fish. For now.

Iran not so far away

Irans new telecommunications minister says Twitter is ready to talk about unblocking access to its site. The state-owned newspaper quoted Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi as saying Twitter has officially announced readiness to talk with Iran for resolving the problems. The San Francisco company declined to comment. The Supreme Council of Cyberspace blocked Twitter, Facebook and YouTube after protests over the 2009 re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techchronicle
It was a glam shot that got ugly.

The wife of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin dove headlong into a social media skirmish this week, blasting a critic of her Instagram post highlighting her high fashion choices. Calling the commenter adorably out of touch, Louise Linton suggested she and Mnuchin contributed more to the economy and paid more in taxes than did her critic.

After a day of mounting criticism, the Scottish actress issued an apology Tuesday. But she had already assumed a starring role in the continuing story of the Trump administrations enormous wealth.

I think spouses of political appointees are usually not fair game for critics, but with Trump, tensions are heightened, said Republican political consultant Alex Conant.

The drama began Monday when Linton posted a photo of herself getting off a government plane in Kentucky with Mnuchin. In her post, Linton mentioned several designer labels for her white ensemble, including Tom Ford and Valentino.

Commenter Jenni Miller responded from Oregon: Glad we could pay for your little getaway. #deplorable.

Linton shot back, defending herself and Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs executive and hedge fund investor.

Pretty sure the amount we sacrifice per year is a lot more than youd be willing to sacrifice if the choice was yours, Linton wrote. She went on to call Millers response passive aggressive and nasty before ending her retort with a suggestion that Miller go chill out and watch the new game of thrones.

Miller told CNN she found Lintons original post incredibly offensive, saying Linton went to a state with high poverty and chose to brag about her outlandishly expensive clothes. Its more than tone-deaf, its deplorable.

In her apology, Linton said: I apologize for my post on social media yesterday as well as my response. It was inappropriate and highly insensitive.

The White House referred questions about Linton to the Treasury Department, which said Mnuchin and Linton are reimbursing the government for Lintons travel and that Linton received no compensation from the fashion labels mentioned in her post.

In a Cabinet with plenty of wealth, Mnuchin is among the richest members. He worked for Goldman Sachs for nearly two decades and later founding a successful hedge fund. He married Linton, who has had small roles in television shows and movies, in a lavish Washington wedding in June. Trump attended the wedding and Vice President Mike Pence officiated.

Before the wedding, Linton gave an interview to Town and Country magazine to talk about her jewelry, a lavish collection of diamonds and pearls.

Mnuchin was visiting Kentucky on Monday for an appearance with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and a tour of Fort Knox. Treasury secretaries typically travel on commercial flights for domestic trips. The department did not answer questions about why the couple were using a government plane.

Catherine Lucey is an Associated Press writer.
Salesforce raised its revenue forecast for the fiscal year, showing confidence that its expanded lineup of cloud-based software will continue to attract new business.

While analysts said there may be some concerns about future revenue, the company projected annual sales of $10.35 billion to $10.40 billion, with adjusted profit of $1.29 to $1.31 per share. Analysts on average were estimating $10.29 billion in sales and earnings of $1.30 a share.

The San Francisco company is pouring money into marketing tools, artificial intelligence and e-commerce services in the hopes of bolstering growth. Chief Executive Officer Marc Benioff  a longtime advocate of cloud software for businesses  is trying to find new ways to lure customers away from rivals Oracle and Microsoft.

In the companys second fiscal quarter, which ended July 31, revenue climbed 26 percent from the same quarter last year to $2.56 billion, Salesforce said Tuesday. Profit, excluding certain costs, was 33 cents per share. Analysts projected adjusted profit of 32 cents on revenue of $2.52 billion.

Steve Koenig, an analyst with Wedbush Securities, said in an email that it was an excellent quarter. In the big picture, were encouraged, he said.

Koenig noted some potential issues with billings growth, which the company said would be just into double digits in the current quarter. But, he said, billings can be affected by the timing of renewal invoices and can bounce around from quarter to quarter.

Mark Hawkins, the companys chief financial officer, said in an interview that the company is looking to the future. Were able to invest in the long-term success of the company.

After closing at a record $92.95 per share, Salesforce stock slipped about 1 percent in after-hours trading. The stock has gained 36 percent this year.

Revenue in one of the companys key new areas, the marketing cloud business, gained 57 percent to $317.1 million in the second quarter, about the same growth rate as the previous period. Sales rose 17 percent to $886.4 million for its central business in tools for managing customer relationships.

The company is the clear leader in the market, according to IDC. In 2016, Salesforce was No. 1 worldwide with 18 percent share, the research firm said. Oracle was No. 2 with 9.4 percent, and SAP had 7.2 percent.

In the current period, Salesforce said, revenue will be as much as $2.65 billion. Analysts on average estimated $2.61 billion. Profit will be 36 to 37 cents per share, topping projections of 35 cents.

Salesforces unbilled deferred revenue, a closely watched measure that shows the amount of business under contract, but not yet recognized, climbed 30 percent from a year earlier to $10.4 billion. It increased 26 percent in the previous quarter.

While the company has continued spending, the pace of its acquisitions has slowed compared with last year, when it went on a record buying spree. Salesforce closed or announced deals valued at more than $4 billion in 2016. That included those with Metamind, which assisted in the companys push into artificial intelligence services, and Demandware, which added capabilities for e-commerce.

This year, Salesforce has announced only one deal, focusing instead on generating growth from its prior deals, especially in the artificial intelligence market.

Brian Womack is a Bloomberg writer. Email: bwomack1@bloomberg.net
With back-to-school season in full swing, four suspects walked into a store in Fremont on Sunday and made off with thousands of dollars worth of calculators, according to the Fremont Police Department.

The alleged thieves, two women and two men, walked into the store on the 43800 block of Osgood Road at 5:34 p.m. Sunday and made their way to the section with the calculators, police said.
A man punched a BART operator when she roused him and asked him to get off an out-of-service train at the Dublin-Pleasanton station Tuesday night, BART police said.

The woman was sweeping the out-of-service train about 11:18 p.m. when she found the man, later identified as 30-year-old Myron Mixon, sleeping on board, according to BART Police.
A memorial for the Oakland probationary firefighter who was fatally shot in San Jose is scheduled for place Saturday, authorities announced Tuesday.

The service for 30-year-old Jake P. Walter is to begin at 11 a.m. at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center, city officials said.

Walter, who graduated from the Oakland Fire Department Academy on April 22, was killed Thursday night after Oliver Juinio, 27, of San Jose, allegedly opened fire on him and four other off-duty firefighters outside the Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. in San Joses Japantown.

Walter was taken to a hospital, where he died. A 26-year-old firefighter, whose name was not released, was treated in the intensive care unit at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, and is recovering, officials said.

The firefighters were enjoying a night out when they were confronted by two or more men on the sidewalk during the Taylor Street Night Market, investigators said. Witnesses said from that confrontation, gunfire erupted apparently without warning.

Juinio was charged with murder and attempted murder in connection to the shooting.

According to court records, he has a criminal history out of Santa Clara County, with a burglary and attempted burglary conviction in 2010 and a drunk driving conviction in 2015.

Juinios prior felony record counts as two strikes under the states three strikes law, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorneys office, meaning he will face significantly more prison time if he is convicted.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: VHo@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) The income limit defining creamy layer for OBC reservation has been raised by Rs 2 lakh per annum even as the Union cabinet today approved setting up of a panel for sub-categorisation within the other backward classes for even distribution of reservation benefits.

The government also ruled out having a relook at the present reservation system.

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Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters here that the Union Cabinet was today formally apprised of the decision to hike the limit for central government jobs.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hinted in Assam recently that the bar defining creamy layer would be raised and the procedure of formally informing the cabinet about the decision was completed today.

The ministry of social justice and empowerment had proposed that OBC families which earn more than Rs 8 lakh per year should be classified as creamy layer -? the ceiling which bars members of the other backward classes from availing reservations in employment.

Responding to a question, Jaitley said a proposal to extend the decision to public sector undertakings was under "active consideration" of the government.

There had been three revisions of the creamy layer bar. It was fixed at Rs one lakh in 1993 and hiked to Rs 2.5 lakh in 2004 and Rs 4.5 lakh in 2008. The present ceiling of Rs six lakh came into being in 2013.

Jaitley also announced the decision of the cabinet to set up a commission to work out sub-categorisation within other backward classes for a "more equitable distribution of reservation benefits amongst the OBCs".

He said 11 states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Karnataka, Haryana, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Jammu region only of Jammu and Kashmir have already carried out sub-categorisation of OBCs.

"There will be more equitable distribution amongst the OBCs themselves (of the benefits)," Jaitley explained.

The proposed commission, to be set up under Article 340 of the Constitution, will submit its report within 12 weeks from the date its chairperson is appointed.

According to a press release issued by the government, the panel will examine the "extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes and communities included in the broad category of OBCs, with reference to the OBCs included in the Central list".

It will also work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters -- in a scientific approach -- for sub- categorisation within such OBCs.

The commission will also undertake an exercise of identifying the respective castes/communities/ sub-castes/ synonyms in the central list of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.

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Responding to a question, the Finance Minister ruled out having a relook at the reservation system in the country.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had in September, 2015 pitched for a review of the reservation policy, contending it has been used for political ends and suggested setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long.

"Neither there is any proposal before the government, nor would there be a proposal (before it in the future)," Jaitley told a press conference on cabinet decisions.

He was asked whether the government will review the reservation system as suggested by Bhagwat. PTI NAB ZMN

--- ENDS ---
Santa Rosa police confiscated more than six pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of suspected heroin Tuesday following the arrest of a suspected drug trafficker, authorities said.

Gerson Eduardo Alvarado, 39, was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of possession of drugs for sale and narcotics trafficking charges, according to Santa Rosa police Sgt. Rich Celli.

Detectives with the narcotics unit opened an investigation into Alvarado last month after identifying him as a possible trafficker who had been selling methamphetamine in the greater Santa Rosa area.

He had felony convictions for narcotics trafficking, possession of firearms and an outstanding driving under the influence arrest warrant out of Sonoma County, Celli said.

Investigators obtained search warrants for Alvarado and his residences in Rohnert Park and western Santa Rosa, which they believed he had been using as bases of operation for drug sales, and began surveillance of him traveling from his Santa Rosa home to his Rohnert Park home on Tuesday.

When Rohnert Park authorities attempted to pull him over near the Rancho Feliz Mobile Home Park, as requested by the Santa Rosa detectives, Alvarado took off, leading officers in a vehicle pursuit through the park, Celli said.

In the three minutes it took officers to cut off his exit from the park, he allegedly threw about 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine out the window, which investigators recovered off the street, Celli said.

Alvarado attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly taken into custody, allegedly with several ounces of methamphetamine in his possession.

A search of his Rohnert Park home on Estrella Drive resulted in the detention of several unrelated subjects, and a citation issued to 28-year-old Brad Lyon for possession of a small amount of methamphetamine. But at Alvarados Santa Rosa home, investigators discovered the haul of methamphetamine and heroin, as well as about a half ounce of suspected cocaine and evidence of packaging, scales and notes related to drug trafficking, Celli said.

Despite the arrest, the investigation is ongoing, Celli said. Anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Rosa Police Department (707) 543-3600.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: VHo@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
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Four brothers from San Francisco were arrested on suspicion of going on a High Sierra crime spree in which up to $125,000 worth of mountain bikes were stolen in less than three months, police said on Tuesday.

Jesus Gallardo, 25, Sergio Gallardo, 23, Martin Gallardo, 27, and Juan Carlos Gallardo, 29, were arrested on Saturday in San Francisco and face charges of grand theft, criminal conspiracy, and possession of stolen property.

The string of thefts occurred between June and August at various restaurants and strip malls in Truckee, Tahoe City, Squaw Valley and Carson City, Nev., said Det. Sgt. Danny Renfrow of the Truckee Police Department.

During the crime wave, local law enforcement were criticized on social media by community members for not doing enough to catch the culprits.

It was very frustrating to see on social media that our community had the impression that we were not conducting any type of special investigations or bait bike operations, Renfrow said. In reality, we were doing all that and more. We, obviously, could not release that information because it possibly could have jeopardized the integrity of the investigation.

In most of the thefts, the suspects targeted high-end bikes, some worth up to $12,000, he said. Many of the bikes were taken from vehicle racks, where they were secured by locks, police said.

An estimated 25 to 30 mountain bikes were stolen, Renfrow said. About half of the bikes have been recovered.

The Placer County Sheriffs Office and Truckee Police detectives launched a joint investigation where they combed through surveillance footage showing the suspects stealing the bikes. Detectives also attempted to lure the thieves into traps by planting bait bikes.

Security video revealed the make and model of a four-wheel-drive truck the suspects used to haul the bikes away, Renfrow said.

A Truckee police officer spotted the suspect vehicle about 10 p.m. Saturday while patrolling an area of the city where several thefts occurred, police said. Police were able to trace the truck to the Gallardo brothers and obtained a search warrant for their San Francisco home, where roughly a dozen mountain bikes valued at $70,000 were seized, Renfrow said.

Investigators believe about 15 bikes are still missing.

The brothers are being held in the Truckee Jail on $750,000 bail each.

Criticism from the community quickly turned to praise when Truckee Police officials announced the arrests on the departments Facebook page.

This is awesome news. Thank you!!! one community member wrote on Facebook. Another wrote, Excellent job, this is police work at its finest.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: JLyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
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UC Berkeley police are investigating a report of a sexual assault on a female student by a male student in a campus residential unit, authorities said Tuesday.

Officers received a report at 3:57 a.m. Tuesday that the assault took place earlier that morning, police said. Police did not identify the residential building involved in the report.
Courtesy of the Italian American Heritage Foundation

The Italian American Heritage Foundation presents the 37th Annual Italian Family Festa at History Park in San Jose on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26-27. The weekend celebrates Italian history and culture through a variety of family-friendly activities. Wine tasting, grape stomps, opera and all-day bocce games will be featured on both days, as well plenty of Italian eats.

Saturday includes a presentation on Italian World War II internment, along with an evening of Festa Street Dance to accompany a live performance from Sage, an eight-piece band. Mass is also scheduled for Sunday morning before the festival closes with a performance from the Italian band Ancora.
SALT LAKE CITY  Conservation groups are airing TV ads, planning rallies and creating parody websites in a last-minute blitz to stop Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke from downsizing or eliminating national monument areas that cover large swaths of land and water from Maine to California.

The deadline for Zinke to announce his recommendations is Thursday following a four-month review of 27 sites ordered by President Trump.

The outdoor recreation industry has hammered home its message that peeling back protections on areas where its customers hike, bike and camp could prevent future generations from enjoying the sites.

In addition, the Wilderness Society has created a parody website featuring Trump and Zinke selling luxury real estate at the sites.

Groups that want to see the areas reduced have been less vociferous, pleading their cases on social media and working behind the scenes to lobby federal officials.

They say past presidents have misused a century-old law to create monuments that are too large and stop energy development, grazing, mining and other uses.

Stan Summers, a Utah county commissioner who chairs a group that advocates for multiuse of public lands, said outdoor recreation companies are peddling lies and misconceptions when they say local officials want to bulldoze monument lands.

Summers said residents treasure the lands that comprise Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments in Utah, but dont want to close the areas to new oil drilling and mining that produce good jobs.

The review includes sweeping sites mostly in the West that are home to ancient cliff dwellings, towering sequoia trees, deep canyons or ocean habitats roamed by seals, whales and sea turtles.

Zinke has already removed six areas in Montana, Colorado, Idaho and Washington from consideration for changes. He also said Bears Ears on tribal land in Utah should be downsized.

Environmental groups said the 1906 Antiquities Act is intended to shield significant historical and archaeological sites, and that it allows presidents to create the monuments but only gives Congress the power to modify them.

They have vowed to file lawsuits if Trump attempts to rescind or reduce the monument designations.

No other president has tried to eliminate a monument, but they have trimmed and redrawn boundaries 18 times, according to the National Park Service.

Brady McCombs is an Associated Press writer.
Some domestic operations will be shifted to T2. This means that domestic flights will operate both from two terminals which are seven km apart- increasing the chance of missing flight or last minute rush.

By Mail Today Bureau: Air travellers may face tough time from October as Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) has decided to shift its one-third operations from newly renovated Terminal 2 (T2) as it plans capacity expansion at the Terminal 1 (T1) to meet rising demand. October onwards, domestic travellers will have to ensure their terminals to avoid any chaos as domestic flights will operate from all the three terminals. T3, which cater international airlines also host domestic flights of Air India, Vistara, Jet Airways and Air Asia, while the domestic airport manages rest of domestic airlines like IndiGo, Spice Jet and Go Air.

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Now, a decision is to be taken how 30 per cent of domestic operations will be shifted to T2. This means that domestic flights of IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir will operate both from two terminals which are seven km apart - so chances of missing a flight or last time rush is expected.

MAD RUSH AT AIRPORT

Delhi has two operational terminals - T1 and T3. While T1 is operating beyond its capacity, T3 is also congested due to an increase in number of flights. The capacity of T1 is 20 million passengers, while it handles 24 million passengers. DIAL claims that it has asked low-cost carriers (LCC) to give the details of flights they want to operate from T2 by August 31. DIAL has asked these three airlines to cut one-third of their domestic flights each currently operating from T1 and shift them to terminal 2. Now, in a strong-worded letter, the civil aviation ministry has told airlines that if they failed to decide, they will be forced to shift out of T1. However, there is no clarity on which airlines will move to T2 and flights to which destination will operate from here.

Airport operator claims that passenger experience is their priority and all the measures will be put in place to ensure their comfort. "We have invested Rs 100 crore in upgrading T2 so that there is no gap in passenger comfort or expectation. Some flights operating out of T1 will be shifted to T2, beginning October, and all necessary arrangements to connect passengers to the three terminals are in place," I Prabhakara Rao, CEO, DIAL said while sharing the expansion plans of IDI airport under the Master Plan 2016 According to GMR, the entire shifting of load for three years is being done to boost the infrastructure of T1 which will be renovated from the scratch. Once the work is completed, operations from T2 would be shifted back to T1.

After that, T2 would be demolished and a new - T4 - will come up there. Renovation work will start in phases at T1 which will begin from March 2018 and special care will be taken to ensure passengers would not have to face any crisis. The expansion works will be carried out along with the normal operations at T1. "To handle growing footfall, departure terminal T1D would be merged with arriving terminal T1C and then expanded to accommodate 40 million passengers per annum. This new integrated terminal will be like another T3," Rao said. A pier building will be erected as an extension of the two merged terminals, with a combined total of 22 aerobridges and 15 bus gates. Moreover, a fourth runway would be constructed by 2021.

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Also read: Caught on camera: Saree of 5-star hotel employee pulled by security manager in Delhi

Also read: Delhi man arrested for masturbating mid-air on IndiGo flight from Hyderabad

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NIPTON, San Bernardino County  Gerald Freeman struggled for three decades to transform this desolate Mojave Desert outpost into a 21st century mecca for nature lovers and prospectors, spending more than $1 million on restoration, shade trees, organic farming projects and gleaming solar panels.

He wasnt the first.

Nipton had cycled through seven private owners before the California Institute of Technology-trained geologist bought the town for $200,000  all of them believing that a renaissance was at hand for the torrid community composed of a store, a five-room hotel and a handful of homes about 10 miles from Interstate 15 and 2 miles west of the Nevada state line.

Now, with the legalization of recreational marijuana in California and the recent sale of Nipton to a cannabis company for $5 million, it seems the historic mining camps time has finally come.

We want to pick up where Gerry left off, said Stephen Shearin, a spokesman for American Green, which has high hopes of turning Nipton into a desert wonderland for potheads and a distribution center for marijuana-related products.

The efforts to rebrand this tiny, tattered town as Pot City USA reflect the green rush  elusive or not  that has swept parts of California since voters in November legalized marijuana use.

A recent economic study sponsored by the state estimated that the legal market for marijuana could be more than $5 billion, and that it could help make California a destination for pot-loving tourists.

Some cities already are trying to cash in by aggressively approving marijuana licenses in hopes of generating needed tax income; bed and breakfasts in Washington and Colorado have been advertising marijuana vacation getaways for years.

But the situation in Nipton is in a league of its own.

We are excited to lead the charge, David Gwyther, chairman and president of American Green, said in a statement. The cannabis revolution thats going on in the U.S. has the power to completely revitalize communities in the same way gold did during the 19th century.

This acquisition allows us to channel the myriad interests in cannabis production and consumption, he said, for an immediate positive impact to this communitys members and to cannabis consumers across the country.

The companys promotional materials tout plans for hundreds of hotel rooms, mineral baths, a restaurant, a dinner theater, a cannabis farm, a huge balloon to hoist visitors into the air and a Green Express  a passenger rail line between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, with a dinner stop in Nipton.

It also intends to sell bottled water from local wells that has been mixed with certain marijuana extracts. That water wont make you high, but will make you feel like youre 18 again, Shearin said.

State and county officials are taking a wait-and-see approach.

Though a growing number of financially strapped communities across the state are seeking licenses to open pot dispensaries, San Bernardino County laws prohibit commercial cannabis activities in its unincorporated areas  with an exemption allowing people to cultivate marijuana plants indoors for their personal use.

Unless Nipton incorporates, land-use permits will not be issued and full criminal enforcement procedures will be in effect, San Bernardino County sheriffs Lt. Sarkis Ohannessian said. As long as they follow the law, were all good.

With that in mind, American Green said it plans to incorporate Nipton and then implement its own laws.

That wont be easy. Incorporation of a community in California is a costly and complex process that can take years, said Kathleen Rollings-McDonald, spokeswoman for the Local Agency Formation Commission in San Bernardino County.

State law requires a minimum of 500 registered voters and a minimum population of 10,000 residents in order to have a tax base to offset the costs of basic municipal needs such as law enforcement, she said.

So due diligence appears to be a little short in this case.

Some would call that an understatement. Nipton  whose first residents were miners in search of gold in the late 1800s  has a population of six.

American Green ended the first quarter of this year with just $191,000 in cash and debts of more than $6 million, according to its financial statements. On Friday, its stock was $.0022 per share.

The 120-acre town was purchased with preferred shares, venture loans and by working with capital investors, Shearin said.

Until news of Niptons purchase by a cannabis company raised eyebrows around the world, the town  just a 15-minute drive from the casinos in Searchlight, Nev.  was best known as one of Californias biggest lottery ticket sellers.

Freemans wife decided it was time to let her husbands dream go after he died of heart failure a year ago at age 81.

Nipton was always Gerrys thing, not mine, said Roxanne Freeman, 67. Without him around, I really cant wait to get out of Dodge.

With escrow expected to close in November, she said, Im at a crossroads. Ive been thinking about moving to Kansas City  or to a coastal city like Laguna Beach (Orange County), with cooling sea breezes and views of the Pacific Ocean.

Louis Sahagun is a Los Angeles Times writer.
The police have recovered gambling chips worth over crores and over a dozen luxury cars from the farmhouse.

By Munish Pandey: The Delhi police on Tuesday busted a high-profile casino-cum-bar which was operating at a farmhouse in Delhi's Fatehpur Beri. At least 30 people including 5 women, property owners, organisers, players and attendants were arrested.

"We received a tip-off about a high-profile racket operating from a farmhouse at Dera Mandi Road at Fatehpur Beri in south New Delhi. We immediately formed a team of vigilance branch, south district and a trap was laid," said a senior police official. "Around 11 PM on Tuesday, when police raided the premises they found that many people were carrying playing cards with them. They were gambling on four big tables. The gamblers of each table were being facilitated by the organisers. After conducting a thorough search, the police team recovered gambling chips worth over crores from the farmhouse. During the enquiry, it was revealed that the property belongs to Suresh Yadav," the police officer informed.

There were four large gambling tables in the farmhouse.

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Police has booked the accused under section 3 and 4 of Delhi Public Gambling Act 33/38/47 of Delhi Excise Act. During the search, police recovered 1,627 gambling coins worth Rs 48,81,000, 720 gambling coins worth Rs 21,60,000, 1,900 gambling coins worth Rs 1,90,00,000, 900 gambling coins worth Rs 45,00,000, 300 gambling coins worth Rs 3,00,000, 3,000 gambling coins of different values to be fixed at the time of gambling, 468 playing cards, 45 playing card packets, 42 bottles of liquor and 11 bottles of beer.

Eleven beer bottles were recovered from the spot.

According to sources, the police has also recovered over a dozen luxury cars. Many TV serials have used the Fatehpur Beri farmhouse for shooting in the past.

Last year too, casinos operating in Sainik Farms and Vasant Kunj were busted by the police.

ALSO READ |

Illegal casino busted in Delhi's Sainik Farms; 36 arrested, 11 luxury cars seized

Delhi: Gambling racket busted in Geeta Colony, 15 held

Delhi's casino royale: Illegal gambling industry thrives around Diwali, posh farmhouses become addas

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Authorities in San Francisco and Berkeley are planning a large show of force this weekend at two right-wing rallies, enlisting hundreds of officers each day in a bid to prevent violence from erupting in the wake of the killing of an antiracism protester in Charlottesville, Va.

While urging people to stay home, officials on both sides of the bay said Tuesday that they were boosting staffing and bringing in outside help to ensure order among what could be dueling crowds at Saturdays Patriot Prayer rally at Crissy Field and Sundays No Marxism in America event at Berkeleys Civic Center Park.

The San Francisco Police Department said all available officers would be on the job, with overtime shifts required.

The rallies, together billed as Liberty Weekend in the Bay Area, are expected to be magnets for far-right extremists, and authorities have expressed fear that confrontations between them and counterprotesters could escalate into the sort of bloody, video-recorded skirmishes seen in Charlottesville on Aug. 12, in Berkeley earlier this year and in Sacramento last summer.

Police in Berkeley and beyond have been criticized at times for not doing enough to head off the violence, and have worked to improve their strategies. The idea behind using hundreds of officers, said Bay Area officials and law enforcement experts, is to maintain the ability to separate people who may clash, while not having to resort to heavy use of force.

There obviously needs to be a strong police presence, said Robert Weisberg, a Stanford criminal justice professor and a co-director of the universitys Criminal Justice Center. With good motives or bad, a member of one group can mix in with the other and cause trouble. You cant stop that. That means police have to be right there on the spot to detect that and neutralize it.

Extreme groups on the right have increasingly mobilized since President Trump took office, most recently in Boston on Saturday, where a small group of demonstrators was drowned out by tens of thousands of counterprotesters. Some public officials wish community members would ignore the rallies, which are designed to be provocative, but many activists believe the views must be confronted.

In San Francisco, a fringe group called Patriot Prayer has received tentative approval from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to hold a free speech rally for 300 people at 2 p.m. Saturday at the park-run Crissy Field. The group insists its not tolerant of bigotry, but its prior events have sought to stir unfounded fear of Muslim Americans, and have drawn people espousing hateful ideology.

While federal park officials say theyre re-evaluating whether to proceed with the event due to widespread concerns about violence, they also say they are inclined to honor the groups First Amendment rights. A final decision on the matter is pending.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, along with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, have publicly called for the Park Service to rescind the groups approval. Behind the scenes, the mayor and others have been pushing park officials to put restrictions on demonstrators, should the rally go forward, such as banning items that can be used as weapons.

Officials at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, who have declined several interview requests, said in a public statement last week that they were working on a safety plan, and had been in talks with the city.

However, Pelosi, speaking Tuesday to reporters after a Womens Equality Day event on the Embarcadero, questioned the ability of the Park Service to keep the peace at such a large event, which could put families, tourists and other visitors at risk.

While turnout remains uncertain, a handful of counterprotests have been planned for Saturday, including an anti-white nationalist rally at San Franciscos Civic Center Plaza and an antiracist march at Crissy Field.

San Francisco police officials said they were still waiting to learn the conditions under which the Patriot Prayer protest will proceed, but would plan for whatever activities are sanctioned. The officials, similar to their counterparts in Berkeley, declined to go into detail about their expected tactics to preserve the element of surprise.

Were working closely with park police to facilitate First Amendment rights and ensure that people who are coming as participants or to protest will be safe, said Officer Giselle Linnane, a San Francisco police spokeswoman.

The situation is similar in Berkeley, where counterprotests are planned alongside Sundays rally at 1 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park.

While the unpermitted rally has been advertised online as an anti-Marxist demonstration, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin said Tuesday he expected white nationalists to use it as a platform to spread their views and possibly incite violence. He said he expected thousands to show up and discouraged the public from going anywhere near the park.

They have called it the Battle for Berkeley 3, Arreguin said, referring to clashes between right-wing groups and black-masked counterprotesters in March and April that yielded injuries and arrests. When you come dressed like a soldier, youre not interested in freedom of speech. Youre interested in violent provocation. We want to be sure we prevent violence. We welcome peaceful assembly and debate.

Berkeley passed a measure Friday that allows the city manager to create and enforce temporary rules around Civic Center Park. That means police could confiscate weapons and set up fences on public sidewalks for crowd control. A batch of such rules is expected Sunday morning.

Former San Francisco Police Chief Tony Ribera said bringing in large numbers of officers for an event allows police to handle unforeseen events. Even if 80 or 90 percent of people attending a demonstration are peaceful, he said, it only takes 10 percent to push things out of hand.

He noted that the unexpected turn in Charlottesville, as well as last weeks deadly terror attack in Barcelona, was the use of a car as a weapon. Part of crowd control now, he said, is also vehicle control.

The challenge for law enforcement, said Berkeley civil rights attorney Jim Chanin, who has sued police in Berkeley and other cities for alleged abuses during protests, is finding the balance between protecting and provoking a crowd.

An in-your-face presence by the police can antagonize a crowd, Chanin said. However, that doesnt mean there shouldnt be large numbers available and nearby. That is the trick, to have large numbers that can move in without making those large numbers a provocation themselves.

Boston authorities found the right balance, and there was little violence, he said.

Hopefully, Chanin said, the police will learn something from that.

Lizzie Johnson and Kurtis Alexander are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com, kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @lizziejohnsonnn @kurtisalexander
Polythene cannot be buried or burnt, due to the hazardous environmental impact it would entail, hence the MCDs are grappling with a serious situation since the ban came into effect.

By Mail Today Bureau: The three municipal corporations of Delhi (MCDs) have together amassed over 1,200 kg of polythene bags, less than 50 micron from wholesale markets and shopkeepers since August 18, when NGT's total ban on the menace came into effect.

However, in the absence of clear directions from the court on how to dispose them off, all are clueless what to do with them! As has been often repeated by environmental experts, polythene or plastic of any kind can neither be buried nor burnt safely. On being buried, they do not disintegrate for a 1000 years, and on being set on fire, they release harmful dioxin and furan gases which cause cancer in humans.

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An officer in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) said, "We will most probably just dump them in our landfills, Narela-Bawana or Okhla. Few more kilos of plastic in the trash mountains won't make a difference. But we are also mulling putting them into our Waste to Energy plants, which produce Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) from plastic," he said.

POLYTHENE COULD HAVE BEEN SOLD OFF

Another officer said, "We know that there is no solution to plastic, but currently this action is focused on driving home the message that polythene must not be used. We want to tell everyone that if you are caught with polythene less than 50 microns, we have the power to challan you Rs5000." Some officers expressed the fear that several kilos of polythene may have already been routed out of Delhi and will be sold in markets of UP, Punjab and Haryana as wholesale traders will not bear a loss. "We found many shops under lock and key when we raided them yesterday," an officer confided.

The SDMC reported collecting 571.20 kg of polythene and a fine amount of Rs 2.70 lakh till Monday. The North MCD also said it has collected 450 kg of polythene after raiding several markets in its jurisdiction like Khursheed Market in Sadar Bazar, Paharganj, Shastri Nagar, Green Market, etc. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India generates 56 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually with Delhi accounting for a huge 689.5 tonnes daily. As 40 per cent of the plastic waste is not recycled, the daily addition to untreated plastic in city is estimated at 275.6 tonnes.

DON'T BURN PLASTIC!

These either swamp Delhi's landfills in Okhla, Bhalswa or Ghazipur or choke sewers. Anu Agrawal of NGO, Toxics Link, said, "Burning of plastic has a catastrophic effect on the environment and health of people. It produces POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants), which are identified by the UN as carcinogens. Then tend to store in the fatty tissues of the body and cause cancer later on."

"Dioxin and furan gases, produced by PVC, increase in concentration at each level of the food chain. Therefore, non-vegetarians, who consume fish, chicken or meat, are at a very high risk. Nursing infants, who have breast milk which is a breakdown component of a woman's fatty tissues, are most vulnerable," she added. Chitra Mukherjee of NGO Chintan said, "The only way to stop this is to segregate at source and make sure that plastics are reused and recycled and not burnt. Incineration is no solution at all."

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Also read: MCD comes down hard on polythene bags, collects over lakh rupees in fine

Also read: Plastic-free Gurgaon: Polythene awareness rath flags off, municipal corporation distributes free cotton bags

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By PTI: (Eds: Adds more details)

Chennai, Aug 23 (PTI) Sidelined AIADMK deputy general secretary T T V Dhinakaran today removed Revenue Minister R B Udhayakumar as the secretary of a party forum named after Jayalalithaa and appointed his aides to various party posts.

Dhinakaran, nephew of V K Sasikala, in a statement said Udhayakumar was being "relieved" of his role as secretary of the Puratchi Thalaivi Amma Peravai.

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He replaced Udhayakumar with MLA S Mariappan Kennedy, a loyalist.

MLA V V Rajan Chellappa has also been "relieved" of his duties as secretary of the partys Madurai suburban unit.

Dhinakaran, who had yesteray dubbed the merger of the two factions led by Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam as "betrayal" of party general secretary Sasikala, also named Thanjavur MLA M Rengasamy as the organisation secretary.

He also announced the appointment of M Sekar as Thanjavur (South) district secretary in place of Rajya Sabha member R Vaithilingm, whom he had "expelled" from the party yesterday.

The move came a day after Vaithilingam, a Palaniswami loyalist, said steps would be taken for the removal of Sasikala from the AIADMK.

A few weeks ago also, Dhinakaran had appointed his supporters to various party posts.

MLAs loyal to Dhinakaran had yesterday told Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao they have lost confidence in the chief minister.

The legislators are camping at a resort in neighbouring Puducherry.

The main opposition DMK has demanded a floor test in view of the rebellion in the AIADMK. PTI SA BN GVS

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By PTI: Puducherry, Aug 23 (PTI) A group of workers from the unified AIADMK today burnt an effigy of sidelined party deputy general secretary Dhinakaran near the resort where MLAs loyal to him are staying.

Led by former MLA Om Sakthi Segar, they also hurled slippers at Dhinakarans photo and shouted slogans against him and his aunt V K Sasikala.

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Addressing the workers, Segar said he was going to hand a petition to the district collector and SP asking them to instruct the MLAs to vacate the resort in the "larger interest of law and order".

He alleged that the Congress-led Puducherry government was trying to cause a split in the AIADMK by letting the MLAs stay in the resort here.

MLAs of the Dhinakaran camp yesterday met Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao in Chennai to state that they had lost confidence in Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

Though the governors office confirmed the meeting, it did not mention the number of MLAs who met Rao. Some reports put the number at 19.

"We are going to initiate efforts to bring in a new chief minister with the help of our supporting MLAs," Dhinakaran supporter and Andipatti MLA Thanga Tamil Selvan said after the meeting.

"We have informed the governor that we dont have confidence in the chief minister," Selvan said, a day after the merger of the two rival factions led by Palaniswami and rebel leader O Panneerselvam, a former chief minister.

After meeting the governor, the MLAs backing Dhinakaran went to the resort in the coastal village of Chinna Veerampattinam, about 20 km from here.

"We have come here to take rest," Selvan had said yesterday.

He declined to disclose how long the legislators would stay here.

There was no clarity on the number of MLAs staying at the resort. PTI COR BN TVS MIN

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By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 22 (PTI) Senior DJB officials will supervise cleaning of sewers where manual intervention is required, the Delhi government said today, following the deaths of ten workers in a little over a month.

The government will also prepare and publicise a list of agencies authorised to clean the citys sewers and septic tanks, so that people avoid engaging private contractors who flout laid down norms.

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The authorised agencies and contractors will be trained by the government, Water Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam told reporters.

The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with senior ministers and officials of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). Lt Governor Anil Baijal had yesterday directed urgent 100 per cent mechanisation of sewer cleaning process.

"There are areas where machines cannot reach. In such cases where human intervention is required, DJB officials will supervise the work. Workers will be sent only after equipping them with all the safety gears," Gautam said.

Yesterday, at the meeting with the LG, a decision to fully mechanise sewer cleaning was taken and it was made clear that any violation would attract a punishment of up to life imprisonment. PTI SBR IKA

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Nepal has so far maintained a neutral stand on Doklam and said that it wants both India and China to resolve the issue through peaceful diplomatic means.

By Kritika Banerjee: As Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba landed in New Delhi for his five-day official trip, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj accorded him a warm welcome. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted a picture of Deuba and Swaraj with the caption 'a special welcome for a close neighbour'.

That Deuba chose India for his first official visit abroad since assuming the Prime Minister's office in June is significant. The Nepal Prime Minister is bringing a high-level business delegation along with him, indicating its interest in strengthening trade-business ties with India.

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The current Nepali Congress government, led by Deuba, is considered to have a more pro-India approach than some of the previous regimes, particularly that of K P Sharma Oli.

Nearly a fortnight ago, Nepal's deputy prime minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara conveyed Nepal's neutral stand on the Doklam standoff. "Nepal will not get dragged into this or that side in the border dispute," he said, adding that Nepal wants India and China to use "peaceful diplomatic means" to resolve the dispute.

Happy to welcome Rt Hon Shri Sher Bahadur Deuba ji, PM of close & friendly neighbour Nepal. Look forward to more extensive talks tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/jgqpmLRGbC- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2017

INDIA ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET

Nepal deputy prime minister's comments on Doklam came a few days before External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended the 15th ministerial meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Nepal.

During her visit, Sushma Swaraj met Nepal Prime Minister Deuba and the local newspapers reported that both the leaders "reiterated their commitment to deepen the friendly relationship between the two countries".

India has rolled out the red carpet for the Nepal Prime Minister and his business delegation with ASSOCHAM hosting a business event today. Sher Bahadur Deuba has a meeting lined up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi followed by delegation-level talks and remote launching of the India-Nepal transmission lines on Thursday.

A special welcome for a close neighbour! EAM @SushmaSwaraj receives @PM_Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba on his arrival on a State Visit to India pic.twitter.com/fVb4JPFOCE- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 23, 2017

The cross-border transmission lines will facilitate electricity trade between the two countries, with India already expressing its willingness to train engineers in Nepal on operational issues.

India's focus on strengthening economic ties with Nepal also comes at time when China's investment in Nepal has grown significantly in the last few years.

ANOTHER TRI-JUNCTION, ANOTHER DISPUTE

While better trade ties are likely to be the main subject of conversation when Nepal Prime Minister Deuba meets Narendra Modi, it is unlikely that Doklam will not be mentioned.

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Deuba is also under pressure to raise the dispute over Lipulekh Pass with India. Lipulekh is a tri-junction boundary point between India, Nepal and China. Lipulekh is close to Kalapani, a disputed border area between Nepal and India.

The Nepal Parliament in 2015 raised strong objections to the agreement between India and China to expand border trade at Lipulekh Pass. Nepal called it a violation of international norms and values.

Recently, China, while dismissing India's suggestion of simultaneous withdrawal of troops at Doklam said what would New Delhi do if Beijing "enters" Kalapani or Kashmir.

"The Indian side has many tri-junctions. What if we use the same excuse and enter the Kalapani region between China, India and Nepal or even into the Kashmir region between India and Pakistan," said Wang Weli, deputy director general of boundary and ocean affairs in China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With Beijing expected to closely monitor Sher Bahadur Deuba's India visit and his one-on-one interaction with Narendra Modi, it would be interesting to see which line Nepal toes.

ALSO READ:

Doklam standoff will be resolved soon, confident China will take positive steps, says Rajnath Singh

China warns of 'chaos' if it enters India, terms latter's stand on Doklam 'ridiculous'

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Chinese media mocks India with racist video on Doklam standoff

ALSO WATCH: After Ladakh skirmish, China troops likely to target other border locations, warn Intel inputs

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By PTI: Jammu, Aug 23 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh today defended a woman NCC cadet from the Valley who was trolled for urging youths to shun stone -pelting and azadi campaigns and enjoy "real freedom" in India.

Singh said that Aneesa, a cadet of the first JK Battalion Srinagar and astudent of government womens degree college in Anantnag, had spoken her mind and also for the Kashmiri youths who want to live in peace.

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"She has the right to speak her mind. It is the actual feeling of young minds of J&K, especially of Kashmir, because she is representing the people," he told reporters here.

Aneesa is among 500 cadets from Kashmir, of which 147 are girls, who are undergoing training at an NCC camp in Nagrota, in the outskirts of Jammu city.

"Please dont go towards the bad things like protests, stone-pelting or getting involved in sloganeering for azadi. Azadi is nothing. If you want azadi it is here," Aneesa had said addressing those advocating azadi and taking the path of violent protests.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the youths here want development and peace. "They believe their future is in the largest democracy of the world i.e. India and that it presents them a huge scope."

He said a section tries to silence the voice which favours peace and development in Kashmir.

"You cannot force anyone to follow diktats. You cannot muzzle these voices. This will not be allowed," he said.

Asked if security will be provided to the Anantnag girl, Singh said the government and the forces "will take care of everything".

"We will ensure security. Police and the government will take care. Everyone in India has the right to speak their mind," he added.

Aneesa was trolled online after reports and a video of her soundbites went viral. Scores of facebook users used abusive and unparliamentary language against her.

Some of the facebook users, however, defended her too.

"Hey guysmind your language. We all have sisters. So if she is wrongconvince her but dont say like this please," wrote a facebook user named Sameer Javaid. But he was alsotargeted by other users.

In January this year, Kashmiri teenage girl Zaira Wasim, whose performance as young Geeta Phogat in Dangal movie earned her plaudits, was forced to apologiseafter her pictures with Chief MinisterMehbooba Mufti went viral on social media. PTI AB TIR

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By PTI: This story has expired.

--- ENDS ---
This beauty pageant is proof that beauty is free of all social norms.

By Indo-Asian News Service: The first edition of Miss Transqueen India, a beauty pageant for transgenders, will take place in Gurugram on Sunday.

As many as 1,500 participants battled it out to make it to the top 16.

At the final event, 16 contestants from Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Karnataka and other states will compete to win the Miss Transqueen India title.

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"Auditions were held in Delhi, Mumbai and Manipur. I want to promote transgenders because some of them are my friends. I know how they feel," pageant organiser Reena Rai, founder and chairperson of Suhani Dream Catchers Pvt Ltd, told IANS here.

"If this pageant will help them to be more confident, then I don't see any harm in showing support to them."

She has been working on the project since November last year.

"I didn't get financial support from any big companies as some said 'If we associate with the pageant, then it will affect the company's image'. I have already put in Rs 10 lakh into it. But I don't mind because I want to bring a change in the society," said Rai, who has a hospitality background.

Like other beauty pageants, the contestants will have to go through swimming costume, traditional wear, evening gown and question-answer rounds.

"My contestants call me mom so I am not going to judge them," she said.

Also Read: A transgender tells us what Raksha Bandhan means to her

Transgender social activist Gauri Sawant, former Mr Gay India Sushant Divgikar, fashion stylist Shaine Soni, educator and grooming expert Avleen Khokhar, nutrition and beauty expert Varun Katyal and Hector Ravinder Dutt, Principal of Delhi Public School Rohtak will be on the judging panel.

"We decided to have Hector because changes can only start from education," said Rai.

Interestingly, the pageant doesn't have an age bracket.

"We have a contestant Bunty Mehra. She is 55 years old. I want to send a message that if she can do it at this age, then others from her community can also do it. She is a make-up artist," said the organiser.

Others are mostly aged between 21 and 30.

Miss Transsexual Australia 2017 Laeticia Phylliscia Raveena will be crowning the first Miss Transqueen India.

Though there is no prize money, the participants will get good exposure.

"The winner will go to Thailand for Miss International Queen, the first runner-up will compete at Miss Transsexual Australia. We are looking for another international pageant so that we can send the second runner-up too."

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"Some of the people from the industry have also asked if they can walk as models for their shows," she said.

A Manipuri contestant, Loiloi Haorongbam, 23, hopes to win the title and represent India at Miss International Queen, Thailand, the way Manipuri Bishesh Huirem did last year.

"Bishesh went for the international contest on her own. She faced many difficulties just because she went all by herself. No one was there to help her," Haorongbam told IANS.

"By participating in this pageant here, I will get some experience first. I will be well groomed. And if I win a title here, my position at the international pageant might be better."The first edition of Miss Transqueen India, a beauty pageant for transgenders, will take place in Gurugram on Sunday.

As many as 1,500 participants battled it out to make it to the top 16.

At the final event, 16 contestants from Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Karnataka and other states will compete to win the Miss Transqueen India title.

"Auditions were held in Delhi, Mumbai and Manipur. I want to promote transgenders because some of them are my friends. I know how they feel," pageant organiser Reena Rai, founder and chairperson of Suhani Dream Catchers Pvt Ltd, told IANS here.

advertisement

"If this pageant will help them to be more confident, then I don't see any harm in showing support to them."

She has been working on the project since November last year.

"I didn't get financial support from any big companies as some said 'If we associate with the pageant, then it will affect the company's image'. I have already put in Rs 10 lakh into it. But I don't mind because I want to bring a change in the society," said Rai, who has a hospitality background.

Like other beauty pageants, the contestants will have to go through swimming costume, traditional wear, evening gown and question-answer rounds.

"My contestants call me mom so I am not going to judge them," she said.

Also Read: India's transgender band performs at fest in Cannes

Transgender social activist Gauri Sawant, former Mr Gay India Sushant Divgikar, fashion stylist Shaine Soni, educator and grooming expert Avleen Khokhar, nutrition and beauty expert Varun Katyal and Hector Ravinder Dutt, Principal of Delhi Public School Rohtak will be on the judging panel.

"We decided to have Hector because changes can only start from education," said Rai.

advertisement

Interestingly, the pageant doesn't have an age bracket.

"We have a contestant Bunty Mehra. She is 55 years old. I want to send a message that if she can do it at this age, then others from her community can also do it. She is a make-up artist," said the organiser.

Others are mostly aged between 21 and 30.

Miss Transsexual Australia 2017 Laeticia Phylliscia Raveena will be crowning the first Miss Transqueen India.

Though there is no prize money, the participants will get good exposure.

"The winner will go to Thailand for Miss International Queen, the first runner-up will compete at Miss Transsexual Australia. We are looking for another international pageant so that we can send the second runner-up too."

"Some of the people from the industry have also asked if they can walk as models for their shows," she said.

A Manipuri contestant, Loiloi Haorongbam, 23, hopes to win the title and represent India at Miss International Queen, Thailand, the way Manipuri Bishesh Huirem did last year.

"Bishesh went for the international contest on her own. She faced many difficulties just because she went all by herself. No one was there to help her," Haorongbam told IANS.

"By participating in this pageant here, I will get some experience first. I will be well groomed. And if I win a title here, my position at the international pageant might be better."

--- ENDS ---
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Every year off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington, approximately 18 blue whales, 22 humpbacks and 43 fin whales are hit and killed by ships, according to a report by a Petaluma-based conservation group.

The study conducted by Point Blue Conservation Science, with help from Washington's Cascadia Research Collective, shows the endangered marine mammals are being killed at higher rates than is acceptable to keep their populations growing.

"We did our very best to be conservative with our estimates so in all likelihood the numbers are actually higher than that," said Cotton Rockwood, a senior marine ecologist with Point Blue Conservation Science.

A blue whale washed up on a Marin County beach in May after being hit by a ship. The whale had 10 broken ribs, a badly fractured spine, and showed signs of skull trauma, according to the Marine Mammal Center.

In June, a boat was caught on camera colliding with a humpback whale in the San Francisco Bay. Less than two weeks later, a humpback was seen barely dodging an oncoming sailboat near the Golden Gate Bridge.

WATCH: Humpback barely dodges oncoming sailboat

These recent incidents all made headlines, but Rockwood said many more whale deaths go completely unnoticed.

"Most of them when they get hit, they usually sink. And if the water is cold enough and deep enough, they never float again," he said.

Rockwood estimates less than 17 percent of whales that are fatally struck by vessels ever surface or wash to shore. Plus, ships that strike whales often do so without anyone on board knowing.

"There have been cases when ships come into port with the body of a whale draped over the bulbous bow and the vessel captain has no idea it is there," Rockwood said.

So the researchers used a model to estimate how many whales are being killed annually, using what they know about whale population movements and ships' travel routes to calculate how often the two would collide. They then calculated how likely it is a whale would die when hit.

A spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the agency has received a copy of the report but hasn't had a chance to review it.

NOAA Public Affairs Officer Jim Milbury explained that on the whole, confirmed ship-strikes off the coast of California are trending downward.

"From 2006 to 2011 the average was almost eight a year and since then the average is less than 3.5," Milbury said. "But that's only the ones we have seen and confirmed as ship strikes off California. It's just very difficult to know exactly how many may or may not have been struck."

Rockwood and his fellow researchers hope that the study's findings will inspire change in the shipping industry, expanding the area where ships are encouraged to slow down and watch for wildlife.

John Berge, vice president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association in Oakland, told the San Jose Mercury News that the industry already follows voluntary speed limits where they are in place and has also helped create an app to track areas where whales are located.

"People on a ship are just like anybody else. If we can do things to reduce [the risk of hitting a whale] we view that as a win."

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.
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Police work can sometimes involve some real unusual situations.

The people of the internet found that out recently when one Redditor asked police officers in the social community to detail the "weirdest thing you've ever had to arrest someone for."

As readers found, the job can sometimes include awkward scenarios  often related to an uncomfortable degree of public nudity, weird eating habits, or in some cases, incidents that are barely even crimes. Others who weren't police officers, but rather the ones arrested or the witnesses to events, also chimed in with their stories.

Naturally, some answers are not safe for work, so to read some uncensored stories, head to the Reddit thread.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.


MADRID  A Madrid judge charged four suspects in last weeks attacks in Spain with terrorism offenses Tuesday, after a day of questioning that seemed to confirm that the group had initially planned a more ambitious strike.

The four suspects  accused of being the only survivors of a 12-person terrorism cell that killed 15 people in and near Barcelona  were transferred overnight to Madrid, where they appeared before Fernando Andreu, the judge from Spains national court in charge of the case.
SEOUL  Some send up plastic leaflets that weigh less than a feather and flutter down from the clouds with calls for democracy or blurry cartoons ridiculing North Koreas ruler. Some send flash drives loaded with South Korean soap operas, or mini-documentaries about the vast wealth of Southern corporations, or crisp new U.S. dollar bills. One occasionally sends his empty food wrappers, stained labels showing noodles slathered in meat sauce, so Northerners can see the good life theyd find in the South.

They are self-proclaimed soldiers in a quiet war with North Korea, a disparate and colorful collection of activists taking on one of the worlds most isolated nations  mostly using homemade balloons.

To their critics in South Korea, they run quixotic and perhaps pointless campaigns. Some are scorned as little more than attention-hungry cranks who spend much of their time exchanging insults with the others.

But the activists look across the border and see a country they believe they are already reshaping.

The quickest way to bring down the regime is to change peoples minds, said Park Sang Hak, a refugee from the North who now runs the group Fighters for a Free North Korea from a small Seoul office, sending tens of thousands of plastic fliers across the border every year. Fearing retaliation by Pyongyang, he goes nowhere without police bodyguards.

People are already wondering about their lives there, he said, with the spread of outside information letting them know that life is easier in China and South Korea.

Much of what the activists send  satirical cartoons, or teary soap operas awash in lost loves, curses and amnesia  doesnt look dangerous at all. But scholars and North Korean refugees say the outside information has helped bring a wealth of changes, from new slang to changing fashions to increasing demand for consumer goods in the expanding market economy.

While the activists often disagree about what should be sent into the North  some believe in snarky cartoons, others in documentaries, others in dry political leaflets laying out the lies of Pyongyangs propaganda  all see themselves as warriors nudging along change.

North Korea keeps control by blocking outside information, said Lee Min Bok, a North Korean who was swayed to flee his homeland when he stumbled across earlier generations of leaflets 30 years ago. He has spent nearly 15 years sending leaflets into the North. To destroy it peacefully, the influx of information is necessary.

Pyongyang detests the activists, decrying outside influences as a yellow wind, even as it sends thousands of its own leaflets south every year.

Tim Sullivan is an Associated Press writer.
Forged e-tickets have become a new trend, specially at the Delhi airport. From people forging tickets to see off their relatives from inside the airport to unsuspecting customers being duped by agents.

By Chayyanika Nigam: BEWARE! If you are booking your air tickets with the help of an agent, you could be duped and fooled with a fake e-ticket. The trouble would double-fold when you will be nabbed by the CISF and have to undergo detention.

According to sources at IGI Airport, forged e-tickets have emerged a new threat to the Delhi airport security as it has become difficult for the CISF officials to identify the difference between original and forged e-tickets. In almost 95 per cent cases, the CISF officials allow the passengers to enter the airport premises on the basis of the e-tickets. Later, either the airlines counter identifies those tickets as forged or their suspicious movements alert the staff.

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In some cases, a passenger is duped by the agent who had booked the ticket on his/her behalf, while in other cases, people use the cancelled tickets to enter the airport premises. A similar case was reported at IGI airport in which a passenger was duped of over a lakh by an agent, who is absconding. On Friday, Kalagaradath Olavanna, 25, wanted to deport to Sharjah by Air Arabia flight. He was given entry to the airport premises on the basis of the e-ticket printout, a passport and an ID.

However, when he showed his tickets to the airlines counter staff, he refused the entry as his ticket was not genuine and his name was not in the passengers list. Then he contacted his ticketing agent Kapil who had sent one Shyam Babu with the real ticket.

"When Shyam reached IGI Airport, he gave him the similar ticket that was again refused by the airlines counter. Shyam was arrested and he provided police the whereabouts of Kapil. Teams have been sent to nab him. A case under the sections 420, 468, 471 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered," a police officer told Mail Today. There is no proper system to identify the authenticity of a ticket at the entry gate itself.

"It is dangerous since a person is allowed to enter the airport building when he shows the e-ticket and an ID. If the provision of installation of PNR readers at the gate is provided, it can reduce the risk," the officer said. In August, a Sri Lankan has been caught at IGIA for entering a terminal allegedly using a fake ticket. He told CISF personnel that he had come to see off his mother, who was travelling to Colombo from the IGIA.

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BEIRUT  U.S.-led coalition air strikes in the Islamic States de facto capital in Syria are killing hundreds of civilians each month, according to monitoring groups, deepening already grave concerns for thousands of families trapped inside the city.

At least 725 civilians have been killed in coalition air strikes since the offensive to retake Raqqa began June 6, according to Airwars, a London-based monitoring organization that works with local activists, human rights groups and the Pentagon.

We had been flagging for months prior to the offensive that far more civilians were dying around Raqqa than we would have expected even a few months earlier, said Chris Woods, the director of Airwars.

Since the assault began, we have seen a casualty count that is relatively high compared to the rest of the coalitions war against ISIS, he said using an acronym for the Islamic State. In Raqqa, this means high numbers of identifiable civilians, many of them women and children.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander in the country, said the Pentagon was aware of the reports.

I have seen the reports of increased civilian casualties, and it is probably logical to assume that there have been some increases in civilian casualties because our operations have increased in intensity there, he said at a news conference in Baghdad on Tuesday. But I would ask someone to show me hard information that says that civilian casualties have increased in Raqqa to some significant degree.

More than 270,000 people have fled Raqqa since the coalition offensive began. According to U.N. estimates, at least 18,000 more remain trapped in the city among the militants, often without electricity and surviving on limited supplies of food.

The coalition has beefed up its team investigating claims of civilian casualties resulting from its strikes in recent months. But the toll in Raqqa and Deir al-Zour, another militant stronghold in Syria, underscores the deep challenges facing the aerial campaign as militants use civilians as human shields in an attempt to slow the offensive against them.

Louisa Loveluck is a Washington Post writer.
The commander of the Navys 7th Fleet will be removed after a series of warship accidents in the Pacific, two U.S. officials said Wednesday.

One official said that Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin was being removed due to the leaderships loss of confidence in his ability to command. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the decision.

The move follows four accidents involving Navy ships in the Pacific this year, two that left sailors dead and missing.

While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation, Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Scott Swift said late Tuesday in Singapore. The Navy previously announced a broad review of the 7th Fleets performance due to the incidents.

Seven sailors died in June after the destroyer Fitzgerald collided with a container ship off Japan. Then the destroyer John S. McCain collided with an oil and chemical tanker off Singapore on Monday. Ten sailors are missing, and Swift said the remains of some have been found.

The decision to remove Aucoin was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. He assumed command of the 7th Fleet in September 2015. The Navy fleet is based in Yokosuka, Japan.

Navy divers searching a flooded compartment of the McCain found remains of some of the 10 sailors missing in its collision with the tanker, Swift said Tuesday as he promised a full investigation.

Swift also said at a news conference in Singapore, where the McCain is now docked, that Malaysian officials had found one body, but it had yet to be identified and it was unknown whether it was a crew member.

The collision before dawn Monday near Singapore tore a gaping hole in the McCains left rear hull and flooded adjacent compartments, including crew berths and machinery and communication rooms. Five sailors were injured.

The divers were able to locate some remains in those sealed compartments during their search today, Swift said, adding that it was premature to say how many and what the status of recovery of those bodies is.

We will continue the search and rescue operations until the probability of discovering sailors is exhausted, Swift said.

He would not say where in the destroyer the bodies were found.

It was the second major collision in two months involving the Pacific-based 7th Fleet, and the Navy has ordered a broad investigation into its performance and readiness. Seven sailors died in June when the Fitzgerald and a container ship collided in waters off Japan. There were two lesser-known naval incidents in the first half of the year. In January, the Antietam guided missile cruiser ran aground near Yokosuka base and in May another cruiser, the Lake Champlain from the Navys 3rd Fleet, had a minor collision with a South Korean fishing boat.
By PTI: Guwahati, Aug 23 (PTI) Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said the devastating flood in the north-eastern state was possibly caused due to heavy rainfall in China.

"During the floods, we did not have any abnormal rainfall here. I had met the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister, who told me that there was no excess rainfall in that state as well. Then, where did the water come from?...China, for mysterious reasons, is not sharing the hydrological data with India," he said at a press conference.

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Asked about the India Meteorological Departments (IMD) press statements on August 17 and earlier that most of the sub-divisions of east and north-east India had received "excess" to "large excess" rainfall during the week, Sarma said, "That was a prediction, but the actual rainfall was normal."

The finance minister said the state government would urge the Centre to seek the hydrological data from China, "which was mutually agreed upon as per a Memorandum of Understanding".

On whether Assam was prepared to handle the situation if China actually released water from its dams into the Brahmaputra river on its side, Sarma declined to give a direct reply.

"The first step is data mining. Only then can we say how much water will they release and how much of it will we get. Accordingly, we will be able to prepare ourselves," he said.

The third wave of the devastating floods has so far claimed 71 lives in Assam and the toll in this years flood- related incidents in the north-eastern has gone up to 155, including eight in capital Guwahati. PTI TR SUN PR RC

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Welcome to Shakesville, a progressive feminist blog about politics, culture, social justice, cute things, and all that is in between. Please note that the commenting policy and the Feminism 101 section, conveniently linked at the top of the page, are required reading before commenting.
Ebos Group, the pharmaceutical and animal health products maker, posted a 4.9 percent gain in full-year profit and lifted its final dividend as acquisitions and sales of products such as hepatitis C medicines drove revenue growth.

Profit rose to $133 million in the 12 months ended June 30, from $127 million a year earlier, Christchurch-based Ebos said in a statement. Revenue climbed to $7.6 billion from $7.1 billion.

In May, Ebos announced the acquisition of HPS, Australias largest provider of outsourced pharmacy services to hospitals, for A$154 million, adding to a healthcare division that stretches from pharmacies to consumer products, healthcare and contract logistics. It bought a majority stake in Terry White Group last October, merging that business with its Chemmart unit to create one of Australia's largest chains of pharmacies. Healthcare revenue rose 7.7 percent to $7.2 billion in the year while animal care sales rose 2 percent to $423 million.

Ebos "has recorded a strong financial performance in FY17 and the company is confident of further profit growth into FY18 on an underlying, constant currency basis," it said. Guidance for the current year will be updated at the annual meeting on Oct. 17, it said.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation from the healthcare division rose 7.1 percent to $209 million, with about $165 million from Australia and $44 million from the New Zealand market. Within that, community pharmacy sales gained 11 percent, which Ebos said was attributable to new hepatitis C drug sales.

Animal care ebitda rose 7.6 percent to $44.7 million, driven by a 48 percent jump in sales of Black Hawk branded products while Vitapet sales rose 8.5 percent.

Net debt climbed to $435 million from $248 million in the previous year and included debt funding for the HPS purchase. Gearing increased to 27.4 percent from 18.5 percent.

Ebos will pay a final dividend of 33 cents a share imputed to 25 percent and franked to 100 percent for Australian shareholders. That brings payments for the year to 63 cents, up from 58.5 cents in the previous year.

Ebos stock last traded at $17.61 and has gained 5.5 percent this year.

(BusinessDesk)

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Air New Zealand's latest innovative bid to enhance customer experience is going better than expected but the airline has no plans to replace people with robots, says chief executive Christopher Luxon.

The airline is partnering with Commonwealth Bank of Australia in a five-day experiment using Chip CANdroid, the banks social humanoid robot to help Air New Zealand customers check in and at the gate prior to boarding to Sydney.

"People actually really enjoyed the interaction and it probably went much better than we anticipated. People have interacted with it in quite surprising ways. We have a bit more time to run with it over the rest of this week. Then we will have a look at it and see what we have learned from it and how we can take it forward," Luxon told BusinessDesk.

He underscored, however, employees do not need to fear for their jobs as the robots augment the business, rather than replace people. "The reality is people want authentic people-to-people connections," he said. Similar to when Air New Zealand introduced the self-serving kiosks, the goal is to ensure people are not tied up with the transactional part of their jobs. "We want them forward deployed, interacting with customers more and more," he said.

"I am of the view that for the world to maintain productivity gains going forward in a global economy, we are going to need all the human jobs we possibly can and all the robot jobs we can," he said.

Luxon said the airline expects to spend around $100 million in non-airline related capital expenditure over the next few years, with the bulk going to digital innovation.

"Innovation is really a part of everything we are trying to do to meet customers' needs and it actually goes back into the DNA of the company," he said. According to Luxon, Air New Zealand was the first to boil water for an in-flight cup of tea in the 1940s.

Luxon said significant progress is being made around 3D printing and Air New Zealand is now able to swiftly report any problems with seat trays or seat components en route and have the necessary parts printed and installed before the plane embarks on the next leg of its journey.

In the future, the airline may look at engine parts. "It means that you are not holding the parts that you may or may not ever use but rather you hold the programme that allows you to print it, rather than have your cash tied up in a lot of inventory," he said.

On the robotics front, it is working with a New Zealand company called Invert Robotics. The company's robotic inspection platform can climb any stainless steel surface and uses advanced sensors and high definition cameras to feed detailed inspection data instantly to an inspector for immediate analysis.

"We can send a robot that crawls around the fuselage of the aircraft, looking for things like lightning strikes. We are avoiding our staff working at heights as a result and can identify things that aren't identifiable with the human eye. That's a great outcome where you get a better quality outcome and don't put people at risk," he said.

Luxon said not everything pans out as expected. The carrier trialled the Microsoft HoloLens in flight and quickly concluded it for engineering as makes it possible to look at the augmented reality of an engine and training engineers on that.

Air New Zealand's first foray into artificial intelligence - a chatbot called Bravo Oscar Tango - is learning to answer 900 new questions a day, Luxon said. Again, the goal is not to replace human interaction, but to remove pain points for travelers, he said. "Technology makes it easier, quicker for them to get through the process with less frustration but equally we want to have people on board to help our customers as well," he said.

On the wifi front, Luxon said Air New Zealand may be ready to trial in-flight wifi by the end of this calendar year and wants to roll it out to all aircraft. Previously the challenge was a lack of satellite coverage to support the service over the Pacific but "we think that has changed recently. It's very much our intention to bring this to our whole fleet," he said.

Air New Zealand shares recently fell 0.3 percent to $3.39.

(BusinessDesk)

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MFB - Appointment of Chief Executive Officer

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November 11th Morning Report

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BLT - Strategy reset and revenue growth

Mainfreight Half Year Financial Results 30 September 2022


Cavalier Corp sank back into the red after the overhaul of the wool carpet maker's operations proved more expensive and more prolonged than expected, raising flags over the company's ability to keep operating as a going concern.

The Auckland-based company posted a loss of $2.1 million, or 3.1 cents per share, in the 12 months ended June 30, turning around a profit of $3.1 million, or 4.5 cents a year earlier. The bottom line was weighed down by a 40 percent jump in restructuring costs to $6.3 million as Cavalier shut down factories and laid off staff to consolidate its operations. That rationalisation limited Cavalier's product range and meant it could meet customer demand, primarily in Australia.

"While the decision to consolidate was necessary, it proved to be more costly than estimated and the move too long to implement," chief executive Paul Alston said in his report. "Redundancy and plant relocation expenses were in line with expectations, but the inefficiencies and disruption inherent in a major rationalisation took longer to be eliminated, affecting sales and giving rise to the one-off item reported."

Stripping out one-time items such as the restructuring costs, Cavalier's underlying earnings dropped to $1.9 million from $6.3 million and largely in line with the already downgraded guidance. Normalised earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortisation shrank to $2.6 million from $12.3 million a year earlier, less than Cavalier's $2.9 million of finance costs in the year.

Cavalier renegotiated its banking facility with Bank of New Zealand and National Australia Bank to "better reflect" operating conditions, and let the company avoid a breach of lending covenants. Bank debt totalled $41.5 million as at June 30, up from $37.7 million a year earlier, and the new funding arrangement will see a staged reduction from February next year.

Even so, the net loss and an operating cash outflow of $5.4 million in the year saw the board note its ability to meet those banking covenants relied on meeting profit forecasts, something auditor KPMG tagged as a "material uncertainty" its report.

"There is a material uncertainty concerning the group's ability to achieve financial forecasts and generate sufficient cash flows from operations to ensure the group will be able to comply with its financial covenants and debt repayment obligations over the term of the facility agreement," KPMG's audit report said.

That comes as Cavalier grapples with a dim outlook for wool products, where prices have slumped in the absence of Chinese demand, and the company's revenue dropped 18 percent to $156.1 million and gross margins shrinking to 19.2 percent from 21.2 percent a year earlier.

"While the recent and sudden plunge in the wool price had a negative impact on Cavalier this year, with reduced volumes through our wool buying and scouring businesses, the drop in wool price will have a positive impact in our core business of manufacturing and selling woollen carpets," Alston said.

The company plans to keep capital expenditure to a minimum over the next 12 months, with a focus on cutting debt.

"The prospect of dividends is one which the board regularly review, however, given the FY17 performance, Cavalier is not in a position to pay a dividend," Alston said.

The shares were unchanged at 30.5 cents, having plunged 61 percent this year, making it the third worst performer on the S&P/NZX All Index so far this year, and valuing the business at $20.9 million. Cavalier's net tangible assets are valued at 95 cents per share.

(BusinessDesk)

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New Zealand's ongoing tourism boom is showing no sign of letting up and companies at the forefront such as Auckland International Airport and Air New Zealand are keen to keep riding the wave.

"The reality is that tourism has become our biggest industry," Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon told BusinessDesk. "It's 10 percent of our GDP, it's 12 percent our workforce, 17 percent of GST receipts and 21 percent of total export income. It's a really important industry for New Zealand and New Zealanders and all the country is involved in tourism in my view."

Auckland Airport CEO Adrian Littlewood told a conference call of investors that he remains confident in New Zealand's tourism prospects, with recent numbers indicating 120 million people in the world are actively considering a visit here. The airport, which is New Zealand's busiest gateway, recently embarked on a $1.9 billion infrastructure investment programme that includes a new runway by 2028 in order to cope with visitor growth.

Government figures show a record 1.9 million people arrived in New Zealand for holidays in the 12 months ended July 31. The number has almost doubled since 2002 when the number of holidaymakers reached 1 million for the first time.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment forecast total international visitor arrivals will hit 4.9 million in 2023, led by Australian and Chinese visitors. Total international visitor expenditure is tipped to increase to $15.3 billion in 2023 from $10.3 billion in the year ended June 2017.

Against that backdrop, there have been some concerns about capacity constraints, in particular during peak season times.

Luxon said about 96 percent of surveyed visitors say they are satisfied or extremely satisfied with their time here. Air New Zealand is focusing on trying to smooth out the inflows so visitors are spread more evenly through the whole year and is also working hard with local authorities to build new regional tourist attractions.

We want to make sure they get to all regions of New Zealand, he said. The MBIE stats show lion's share of the regional tourism spend was in Auckland in the year ended June 30, accounting for 29 percent of total spending (both domestic and international) while Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wellington each made up 8 percent.

Air New Zealand also wants to attract higher-value visitors.

We want to have higher spending, wealthier tourists, consuming richer, more premium experiences, and making sure this is a high-value industry, he said. There's room to add another $9 billion in the sector. Tourism generated $34.7 billion in the year ended March, according to the latest data from MBIE.

Auckland Airport's Littlewood said the move into higher value is already starting to happen with a "shift in Chinese passengers with increasing numbers coming from the free and independent travel category rather than coming here on group tours."

"We are working hard on tier 3 and 4 Chinese cities," Littlewood said. "That market is seeing New Zealand as a destination, there has been a shift away from attractions and shopping based experiences to cultural or natural beauty which is a positive."

Luxon said the 1,600 new hotel rooms coming on stream in the near future and the government's $100 million tourism infrastructure fund - much of which will be used to build toilets and car parks and to bolster programmes at crowded visitor hotspots - along with the $76 million investment in the Department of Conservation, will help strengthen the sector.

"The upshot and potential for New Zealand are really quite exciting still," he said. "I am very optimistic about tourism and New Zealand has a lot of what the world wants."

(BusinessDesk)

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A creative team took on a challenge to ace a Ganesh idol for the upcoming Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. They used spare parts of cars to carve out a mesmerising Lord Ganesh sculpture which looks absolutely amazing.

By India Today Web Desk: A few days before the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi which is on August 25, a unique Ganesha sculpture is making news. The six-feet-tall masterpiece is made from recycled Ford spare parts.

The Ganpati idol has been made from over 500 kg of car parts like disk brakes, fenders, clutch plates, flat gears, shaft gears, spark plugs, connecting rods, automobile chains, and crank shafts among other parts.

Photo: IndiaToday

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American multinational automaker Ford teamed with Madhvi Khaitan Pittie, who set up WorkshopQ which is a quirky and innovative eco-product manufacturing company.

To push things forward, Madhvi partnered with Nishant Sudhakarn who is a skilled metal artist by profession. Together they fabricated a six-feet-tall Ganpati idol exploring the challenges of using heavy metal car parts to make a sculpture.

Initially, the brief of using only car parts seemed daunting but as they embarked on this journey, and frequent visit to scrap yards all over Mumbai, this project became more and more exciting.

Photo: IndiaToday

This Ganpati idol resonates with the sentiment of the 'chaar bhuja dhaari- Vighnaharta' and the designing has been such that it conveys a creative thought of interacting with waste fused beautifully with religious sentiments.

The creative forces behind the project took nearly 60-70 days to complete the idol and the most difficult and challenging part was the process of hammering and bending the parts to give the desired shape of the body.

FYI || Meet world's tallest 8-year-old boy who's been setting records since birth ||

FYI || 27-year-old babysits, saves money to visit every country in the world; breaks Guinness World Records ||

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By Hemender Sharma: Come April 2018 journalism students at the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Mass Communications could well be seen grazing cattle at their upcoming 50 acre campus in Banskhedi in Bhopal.

The university has decided to start a 'gau shala' (cow shelter) inside the new campus. The number of cows and the breed that would be bred inside the university 'gau shala' is not yet decided.

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Confirming the development to India Today, the university's Vice Chancellor BK Kuthiala said, "In the new upcoming campus we have around 50 acres of land. Of this around two acres of land is such that it could not be put to any use. So the question was raised before architects. There were several suggestions but one suggestion that we decided to act upon was of starting a 'gau shala'."

On what good could a cow shelter do to those who aspire to make careers in media, Kuthiala said, "Firstly it will provide unadulterated milk and its products like ghee and butter which will be given to students staying in hostels on the campus. If we produce milk which exceeds the demand of the students staying on campus we will supply it to the other staff members who will stay on campus.

Also we will do organic farming and the cow dung would be used as manure so there is a win-win situation."

"Also if the students want to do 'gau seva' and learn about the management of a 'gau shala' that option would be available for them," he added.

Reacting to a question on the timing of the university's decision to start a 'gau shala' on campus Kuthiala said, "We do not follow any X or Y ideology. It is a sheer coincidence that the decision has been taken around a time when the politics of the country is focused around cow. For us the campus was coming up and we had this spare land."

Reacting to the university's decision, Congress spokesman Pankaj Chaturvedi alleged that Kuthiala was taking such absurd decisions to please his RSS masters.

"He is trying to please his RSS masters. What is a journalism university meant for? Should the students be learning about journalism or should they be doing 'gau seva'", Chaturvedi said.

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Alex Andreou, a Greek writer and actor, shared on Twitter how a woman refused to let him adopt a cat only because he is gay.

By India Today Web Desk: A Greek writer and actor tweeted about how he was rejected from adopting a cat because he is gay.

In series of tweets, Alex Andreou revealed that he had travelled for two hours to adopt a cat that "desperately needed re-homing". On his way back, he wept while people kept staring at him.

He shared screenshots of his conversation on Twitter. "So how come you're single, are you gay?"(sic), he was asked. When he answered yes and asked if there was an issue, the person responded saying "I am religious so I strongly disagree with the life style(sic)".

So, I just travelled two hours to adopt a cat that desperately needed rehoming and was turned down for being gay. WTF IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE. pic.twitter.com/XDwYELdkn7- Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) August 22, 2017

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During the conversation, the person apologised for hurting Alex's feelings to which he replied- "Darling, I've been beaten and called a "faggot" since I was 8. My feelings are quite robust. And yes, sorry is precisely what you are."

Also read: India finally has a gay marriage bureau!

But the person came up with another lame question and asked if Alex was not afraid of going to hell when he dies.

While he was travelling back in a bus, Alex sobbed and people just kept staring at him. "The truth is it hurts as much as when I was 8 years old", a tweet read.

So now I'm on the bus and I'm sobbing and people are staring at me because the truth is it hurts as much as when I was 8 years old.- Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) August 22, 2017

But soon after that Alex shared that one of his friends was going to pick up the cats for him. "I may then have to festoon the cats in Rainbow Flags and send her photos. Is there a co that makes pink litter? Pride cat bowls? I NEED GEAR", he tweeted.

Also read: What is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community? All you need to know

UPDATE: An Amazing friend who lives locally to that evil cow, is picking up the cats for me on Thursday. I am so happy.- Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) August 22, 2017

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By PTI: Panaji, Aug 22 (PTI) Goa Forward Party leader Atanasio Monserratte today filed a complaint with cyber police after an appeal in his name not to vote for Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in tomorrows Panaji by-election went viral.

GFP is BJPs alliance partner in the Goa government.

Snapshot of Twitter account of a local cable channel, citing Monserrattes purported appeal not to vote for the BJP leader, was being circulated on social media.

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`Babush (Monserratte) appeals citizens not to vote for Parrikar as he was threatened to join Goa Forward Party," the message read.

The cable channel was quick to clarify that it was not from its Twitter account, and its "logo and brand has been misused".

Monserratte filed a complaint with the Goa Cyber Crime Cell, seeking "immediate action and investigation".

Some unknown people used his name and released "false and malicious news" which was "causing grave damage to me and my party (GFP)", Monserratte said, adding that the fake message sought to mislead the voters of Panaji constituency.

Earlier, a fake message quoting Parrikar as saying that he will go back to the Centre as the defence minister if he failed to get elected from Panaji Assembly seat was being circulated on social media last week. PTI RPS KRK RDS

--- ENDS ---
One day while roaming around at a flea market in New York City, I noticed in a flat glass case a large circular object that struck some interest. However, the sun was beaming down on the case, leaving me unable to figure out what it actually was. The dealer yelled out loud that I could have it for $25 if I was interested. Why anyone would pay for something without carefully and thoroughly looking at it first is certainly beyond me!

I politely asked him if I could have a better look and he told me to help myself. Once it was in my hands, I knew this was something that had great age. This object was made of lead and was about the size of a silver dollar, although much heavier and thicker. Since I had my eye loupe to zero in on the detail, I was able to make out a date of "1583" and a large Tudor Rose smack in the center, as well as some writing round the rim. I could see the dealer was clueless of what it might be.

The dealer accepted my $20 offer, which I thought was quite reasonable. This medal, if you will, displayed many years of wear and I wondered what it may have been used for, especially since it was 433 years old.

When I arrived home, I searched my library and could not find anything relating to this type of art. I placed it in a box until recently, when I decided it was time to identify this leaden mystery. I knew it was not a coin, and while examining it, I noticed a small, partial and colorful piece of material protruding at one end of this medal, the bulk of the material that is now lost.

I was quite baffled over this piece of heavy lead, wondering what in the world it could have been used for. Soon, by luck, I came upon a published article making reference to these types of lead pieces that were excavated in Jamestown, Virginia, over the past 20 years. This reference material gave me a better understanding of why they were made and for what purpose. These seals are referred to as "lead cloth seals," some dating as far back as medieval times.

Archaeological digs at Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement (colony) in America in 1607, have discovered quite a few of these lead cloth seals. These seals -- some of which were double-sided -- would be tightly attached or crimped to the linen or fabric bag that held valuable and costly rich materials. A variety of seals were placed on these bags by the manufacturer, the merchant, the quality control inspector and, of course, the tax official.

These one- or two-sided seals have been unearthed over the years or even discovered in the River Thames in England, all having the manufacturer's names and sometimes dates. These seals, interestingly enough, inform us if the commodity was imported cloth or other types of materials that were used by our early English settlers, as well as telling us where they arrived, which was mainly from England. A variety of different commodities dating to the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries were traded from east to west and vice versa.

These lead seals, since they are a soft metal, are usually in worn condition and difficult to identify. Some we can read and decipher, letting us know what part of the world they came from. These lead pieces are not that costly and if one is going to indulge in collecting these items, I would suggest trying to locate only those that you can identify as having come from many parts of the globe.

I am unable to read the writing surrounding this large lead seal, but I do know it is from England dating to the years of Queen Elizabeth I's reign, 1558-1603. It lets us know that in 1583 taxes even then were being paid on rich fabrics and other commodities that were being shipped around the world. Having these lead seals attached to large bags that remained unopened until they reached their final destination was a safe way to protect the integrity of the bags' contents. Interestingly enough, during these early years when trading was going on around the world, did they ever think years down the road that these lead seals would one day tell us a story from many years ago? The answer is clearly a resounding yes. We need to know our history and it is these items that we come upon under centuries of dirt or found in rivers and streams that help us understand the role of these unimpressive, simple seals and other pieces of material that give us a glimpse into the life of those who lived centuries before us.
CITY HALL -- Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis on Wednesday, claiming Christopher Columbus "founded our nation," criticized Mayor Bill de Blasio's decision to review "all symbols of hate on city property."

The Republican nominee against de Blasio later tweeted at a reporter who quoted her remark about the famous explorer, "I think everyone knows I misspoke...After all 1776 is my favorite musical! #FakeNews"

De Blasio announced the review last week after violence erupted in Charlottesville, Va. this month when white supremacist groups protested the removal of a statue of Confederate Army general Robert E. Lee.

Since then, activists and elected officials have pushed for various streets, statues and paintings of controversial historical figures to be axed.

Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito on Monday said that the statue of Christopher Columbus in Columbus Circle should be considered for removal because of the "oppression" he brought to native populations. She had been pushing for a statue of Dr. J. Marion Sims, who experimented on slaves without anesthesia, to be taken down.

Malliotakis said de Blasio only launched the review "to help himself politically" and that he "didn't really think this through."

"I think Christopher Columbus should stay," Malliotakis said at an unrelated event, adding, "You know what, the mayor should have not announced he was going to do a review, maybe he could have just had individuals quietly go around the city and perhaps look at these, not make a big show about it. I mean, that's the problem with this mayor, he's quick to send off a press release and now you have, even Christopher Columbus, the founder of our nation, is under attack."

Columbus arrived in America in 1492, but he never came to North America. Columbus also died in Spain in 1506, 270 years before the United States of America was founded.

C'mon, Mara! I think everyone knows I misspoke...After all 1776 is my favorite musical! #FakeNews  Nicole Malliotakis (@NMalliotakis) August 23, 2017

De Blasio announced on Twitter last week that a panel will review statues and monuments symbolizing racism or anti-Semitism on city property. The commission, which will be named next week, will evaluate each figure and make recommendations before the mayor makes final decisions.

Malliotakis said on Wednesday that de Blasio should release the review before the November election.

"I think it's important that people know if this mayor is looking to remove statues or paintings or any streets, whatever it is, the public needs to know before the election -- do not use this for political gain and then don't tell people where you stand," she said.

On Tuesday de Blasio said he wouldn't yet comment on individual statues or monuments -- though he tweeted last week that a sidewalk marker in Manhattan for Nazi collaborator Henri Phillipe Petain "will be one of the first we remove."

The mayor said the commission will take nominations from New Yorkers and develop guidelines for what kinds of structures or symbols should be considered for removal.

"We may end up doing this in stages because it is big and complex stuff," he said. "Look, guys, we're trying to unpack 400 years of American history here."

The Columbus statue was given to the city by Italian Americans in 1892. De Blasio, who frequently boasts of his Italian heritage, said before marching in the 2013 Columbus Day parade, "The historical figure of Columbus is complicated, to say the least."

Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore), Minority Leader Steven Matteo (R-Mid-Island) and Assemblyman Ronald Castorina Jr. (R-South Shore) will appear at a City Hall rally on Thursday in support of keeping the Columbus statue.
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) The government today decided to set up an Alternative Mechanism to fast track consolidation among public sector banks (PSBs) to create strong lenders.

The move to create large banks aims at meeting the credit needs of the growing Indian economy and building capacity in the PSB space to raise resources without dependence on the state exchequer.

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The Cabinet has given in-principle approval for PSBs to amalgamate through an Alternative Mechanism (AM), said an official release.

"The decision would facilitate consolidation among the Nationalised Banks to create strong and competitive banks," it said.

The decision comes a day after all the nine bank employees unions observed a day long nation-wide strike against the governments efforts to consolidate PSBs.

Briefing about the decision, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the AM will oversee the proposals coming from boards of PSBs for consolidation.

"You have large number of banks in the public sector. The object is to create strong banks. Our experience of consolidation has been positive so far," he said, adding that an AM "enables a quick facilitation".

The decision to set up the AM follows State Bank of India merging its five associate banks, as also the Bharatiya Mahila Bank, with itself.

Jaitley said the decision regarding creating strong and competitive banks will be "solely based on commercial considerations".

Some movement on consolidation is likely to happen during the current fiscal, sources in the Finance Ministry said, adding that it would not result in job losses.

The government would ensure that there is no retrenchment after PSB mergers, they said.

The unions however have expressed reservations on the issue.

National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) vice- president Ashwini Rana said the government should not take unilateral decision of consolidation but consult all stakeholders including employees.

Jaitley said the process to facilitate consolidation amongst nationalised banks must come from the boards of the banks.

The merger would be guided by Bank Nationalisation Act, sources said, adding that after in-principle approval from AM, various regulatory approvals would be taken up and share swap ratios will be decided.

After the all necessary clearances, the final approval for the merger would be given by the Cabinet, the sources said.

The proposals received from banks for approval to formulate schemes of amalgamation would be placed before the AM, a panel of ministers.

On the rationale behind consolidation, Jaitley said it will add commercial strength and prevent multiplicity of resources being spent in same area.

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Consolidation would also improves the capacity of banking system to absorb shocks that the markets may cause to it, he said.

The finance minister said there will be a ministerial committee to oversee the mechanism.

The Prime Minister will decide the members of the AM panel. It is likely to be headed by the Finance Minister and will expedite the consolidation process, the sources said.

After in-principle approval for consolidation, the banks would take steps in accordance with the law and Sebi requirements. The final scheme will be notified by the Central government in consultation with the RBI, Jaitley said.

When asked if there could be some consolidations among banks in the current fiscal, Jaitley did not give any number.

To a question if banks should be nudged to come up with proposals for consolidation, Jaitley quipped, "what do you think I am doing".

In 1991, the Narasimham Committee had suggested that India should have fewer but stronger PSBs.

"However, it was only in May 2016 that effective action to consolidate public sector banks began to be taken by announcing amalgamation of six banks into the State bank of India," it said.

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"The merger was completed in record time, unlike earlier mergers of State Banks of Indore and Saurashtra," it added.

There are now 20 PSBs other than SBI.

Shares of most PSBs rose today and the BSE Banksex closed at 27,455.08, up 1.39 per cent.

The banking scenario has changed since 1970/80 when banks were nationalised, with more private banks, NBFCs, Regional Rural Banks, payment banks and small finance banks.

"The decision is expected to facilitate the creation of strong and competitive banks in public sector space to meet the credit needs of a growing economy, absorb shocks and have the capacity to raise resources without depending unduly on the state exchequer," the release said. PTI NKD MJH DP SA

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Ahead of the August 25 verdict in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Punjab Police has warned of violence by his followers.

By Manjeet Sehgal: Sirsa based religious sect Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) followers may indulge in violence and also target government and private properties in case the court verdict in the 16 year old sexual exploitation case goes against the accused Dera chief Gurmeet Singh alias Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

Director General of Punjab Police (Law and Order) in a letter to all zonal IGPs, SSPs and other senior police officers on August 22 informed that Dera followers were storing sharp-edged weapons, stones, petrol, diesel at Dera properties located at various places in Punjab.

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"If hon'ble court gives verdict against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, head madera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa, then devotees can use petrol and weapons to harm and destroy government properties," the letter said.

The DGP has also directed the senior police officers to deploy adequate arrangements to prevent any untoward incident.

The letter also states that stones, sharp edged weapons have been stored at Dera's Faridkot property.

SECURITY BEEFED UP IN SIRSA

Security has been beefed up in Sirsa, Dera headquarters. Police have also seized wooden sticks from vehicles during a routine checking. All entry and exit points of the city have been barricaded.

The administration has already imposed Section 144 in Sirsa and other districts, banning gathering of five or more people besides their movement with arms and ammunition.

"Besides the police force, 10 companies of paramilitary forces have also been deployed in sensitive areas. We are checking all vehicles entering the town at entry points", SHO of Sirsa police station said.

Hundreds of Dera followers are camping in Panchkula.

Hundreds of the Dera followers have already arrived in Panchkula and camping outside the court building where the verdict will be read.

The CBI special court set up on the directions of high court is likely to announce the final verdict in the case on August 25.

A former female follower of Gurmeet Ram Rahim has accused him of raping her multiple times at the sect's huge campus based in Sirsa, Haryana.

GURMEET RAM RAHIM SINGH'S CHEQUERED PAST

2002: Accused of sexual exploitation of sadhvis (women followers). Also accused of ordering the killing of Haryana-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati for his writings against the Dera. Both cases are under trial.

2007: Accused of wilfully hurting religious sentiments by trying to imitate what many Sikhs believed was a likeness to their 10th guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Acquitted in August 2014.

2010: CBI initiates probe into allegations that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and three Dera functionaries were responsible for the murder of Singh's driver Faqir Chand who disappeared in 1991. The CBI filed a closure report acquitting the Dera chief in December 2010.

2014: The Punjab & Haryana High Court directs CBI to probe allegations that the Dera chief ordered the forcible castration of 400 followers. CBI registers an FIR, investigation is pending.

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August 2015: CBI records statements of Dera victims. Six months after the CBI began its probe into the alleged castration of up to 400 followers of the religious sect Dera Sacha Sauda, it has identified 10 such victims while intensifying its search for more. CBI has recorded the statements of the 10 alleged victims, which are being scrutinised for further case-related leads and evidence.

January 2016: Dera chief in fresh trouble for 'imitating' Lord Vishnu. Rahul, a VHP activist, submitted a complaint with the Moga police against the Dera chief for hurting the religious sentiments of the Hindu community by trying to imitate Lord Vishnu.

ALSO READ:

Guru Ram Rahim sexual harassment case: Hundreds of followers reach Panchkula ahead of verdict

Messenger of God Ram Rahim's Dera Sacha Sauda to wield broom for swachh Capital

WATCH: Baba Ram Rahim not arrested yet for playing Lord Vishnu in a song

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Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari had spoken to Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar about the three obstructions, but no solution is in sight.

By Ajay Kumar: Crucial road-widening projects in traffic-choked Gurugram have hit three speed bumps. As a result, commuters continue to be the receiving end of perennial traffic snarls in rush hour.

The National Highways Authority of India had estimated that the three projects will be completed by December this year, three months ahead of the scheduled deadline. But with land availability a major concern, work is in limbo.

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Sources have said Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari had spoken to Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar about the three obstructions, but no solution is in sight.

The first hurdle emerged in the form of a fuel station which is in the way of widening the heavily congested Mehrauli Gurugram Road (MG Road) near Iffco Chowk.

"There is an underpass proposed at the place and we have completed the civil construction at the end of the fuel station from the both sides. The fuel station belongs to a lady who has political connections. She has also obtained a stay order from the Punjab and Haryana high court," an NHAI official said.

Also, underground cables have been placed on the same stretch on the side of Sukhrali town, which have to be shifted for construction of the underpass. "Three underpass projects have been proposed at three major intersections: Rajiv Chowk, Signature Tower and Iffco Chowk. The underpass projects of the first two junctions are going smooth while the project at Iffco Chowk is limbo because of these hurdles," the official said.

Iffco Chowk is notorious as the most heavily choked traffic junction of Gurugram city that connects National Highway 8 (now NH48) with MG road. As the construction of underpass has stopped midway, the traffic diversions by NHAI have turned into bottlenecks, leading to snarls in morning and evening rush hours. With bumper-to-bumper gridlocks, motorists often have to wait half an hour to cross the junction.

The third hurdle is a cremation ground adjacent to NH8 between Iffco Chowk and Signature Tower Chowk. It is getting in the way of road-widening in the area. "The NHAI has constructed 75 per cent of a loop flyover and eight-lane road from Iffco Chowk, but Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), the body responsible for providing land for the project, has failed to remove the cremation ground from the area," the official said. HUDA has allotted land for a cremation ground near Atul Kataria Chowk, sources say the priest of the crematorium is not ready to vacate the area. They added that there are two trees inside the grounds and officials are of the belief that their removal could lead to paranormal misfortune.

Also read: Gurgaon: 21-year-old thrown off fourth floor for complaining about power cuts, dies

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Also read: Delhi shocker: Rape victim forced to carry body of her child in Metro to Gurgaon

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By PTI: (Eds: With additional inputs)

New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) The Delhi High Court today dismissed a plea of jailed former Calcutta High Court judge C S Karnan challenging the constitutional validity of the Contempt of Courts Act.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said the petition, challenging the Supreme Courts decision holding him in contempt and sending him to jail for six months, was "completely misdirected and untenable".

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"The writ petition laying such challenge before us is misconceived for the same reason and has to be rejected," it said.

The bench further said the constitutionality of the contempt law cannot be challenged in the instant case as the apex court "had not exercised power under the Contempt of Courts Act but invoked its inherent jurisdiction under Article 129 (to initiate matters on its own) of the Constitution".

The high court in its 30-page verdict also said that if the apex courts Registrar had refused to receive Karnans petition against the May 9 decision holding him in contempt, then he could have appealed against this as provided in the Supreme Court Rules.

"The petitioner, therefore, had an efficacious alternate remedy available to him by way of an appeal prescribed under the Rules and has admittedly failed to invoke the same," it said.

Karnans lawyer, Mathews J Nedumpara, had argued before the high court that the May 9 order was passed without following the principles of natural justice.

The high court rejected this contention, saying that "the record establishes that the petitioner was given more than ample opportunity to file his response".

"He was afforded at least three opportunities to tender his response, on February 8, March 31 as well as on May 1. Instead of availing the opportunities and doing so (tender his response), the petitioner resorted to passing orders against judges of the Supreme Court and making further contumacious statements to the press, as have been noted in the order of May 1," the bench said.

The high court also said that "the petitioner was served with the notice to show cause. He was given repeated and adequate opportunity to present his defence.

"The petitioners communications, orders and conduct establish that he had full knowledge of the orders of the court, proceedings as well as the material against him."

The bench said the instant issue did not pertain to an illiterate or impoverished person, but an individual who was "legally trained" and was "an adjudicator holding a constitutional position".

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"The submission that principles of natural justice were not complied with is clearly not borne out from the record," it added.

Nedumpara had also argued that Karnan was under no legal obligation to file a response and was entitled to maintain silence.

To this, the high court has said, "Unfortunately, the petitioner did not remain silent."

The bench noted that Karnan, instead of filing a response before the court, chose to make public declarations of his defence and issued orders against the proceedings before the apex court. "In view of the above discussion, we find no merit in this writ petition which is hereby dismissed," it said. PTI HMP PPS SJK ARC

--- ENDS ---
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The territory government has spent more than $1.2 million bringing in outside consultants to help fix ACT Health's latest data woes in the past 12 months.

Tender documents show PwC was the biggest beneficiary of the performance reporting problems, with the big four consulting firm scoring $1,235,017 across several contracts in the second half of last year.

ACT Health has spent more than $1.2 million bringing in contractors to fix its data problems. Credit:Gabriele Charotte

The health directorate also awarded a $34,650 contract for data integrity and associated governance work to KPMG.

It comes as a team of at least eight staff are working internally on the system-wide data review Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris ordered in February this year, with senior health executives meeting monthly on the issues.
Canberrans have until midnight on Thursday to enroll or update their electoral details to take part in the Turnbull government's same-sex marriage postal vote.

Ballots for the non-compulsory survey won't be distributed until next month, but the Australian Electoral Commission said on Thursday afternoon the electoral roll had increased nationally by 54,545 people ahead of voting and more than 577,800 enrolment transactions had been processed since August 8.

The High Court will consider a challenge to the postal vote next month. Credit:AP

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has called on up-to-date voters to remind their family, friends and colleagues to check their enrolment before the deadline.

"If you do one thing today, please make sure you are enrolled to have your say before it's too late.
The markets were listless through the close of Wednesday's session. The recovery in speculative appetite that took over in speculative circles the day before would find no followthrough as political risk was brought back to the forefront following US President Donald Trump's remarks on the debt ceiling  a frequent threat to the financial system over the years.

1. Wall Street: The US equity indexes were virtually unchanged through the past trading session. Not only did the close over close barely register, but the day seemed to carve out no range at all. Had it not been for the gap lower on the New York session open, we would have thought it were a holiday. Some would say that we are in the middle of the 'Summer Doldrums' that frequently sees the final two weeks of August drag along with virtually no movement at all. However, that would be be ignoring the feel of unease that is clear just beneath the surface. Resting volatility  the moving average of the VIX  is holding well above the completely deflated levels of late July / early August. Further, we have seen too many sudden jerks higher in activity measures to find any serious comfort. This is not a US phenomenon only. Global equity investors should remain wary.

2. US President willing to revive debt ceiling standoff: US politics are proving to be a threat that simply won't settle. While there is an unconscious reflex to attribute a like or dislike for a person or candidate to an assessment for influence over the market or economy, where the true impact is registered is through tangible policy and speculation surrounding those efforts. Since vote was tallied in the US in early November, we have seen the S&P 500 and other benchmarks climb in anticipation of a unified government pushing forward the growth-favorable policies of infrastructure spending and tax reform. Yet, nine months on and seven months into the new administration, neither has shown serious progress. That makes the 20 per cent gain in US equities particularly conspicuous. Add to these concerns of 'value' an outright threat to financial stability and the speculators are exceptional prone in US assets. That threat is the renewed peril of a debt ceiling standoff which the Senator Majority leader said was inconceivable only to hear the President threaten just that in a rally when he said a government shutdown should the Legislative branch not find funds for the border wall. They have until the end of September to sort it out.

3. Jackson Hole symposium: From political risk to monetary policy, the top event risk moving forward is the three day 'symposium' hosted by the Federal Reserve's Kansas City branch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming from August 24 to 26. This event carries market moving potential even in the most mundane of conditions  and our environment is far from that. There are a number of areas of concern in this event that traders should watch. For the short-term speculative sighted, the views of the Fed's policy bearings versus say the ECB's (the group's President is due to speak at the event on Friday) can leverage a clear move in EUR/USD. However, big picture, the importance for this event is reflection on protectionism, the collective downshift in monetary policy towards dovish bearings this past month and the question of effectiveness in monetary policy having already hit the floor.

4. Pre-election New Zealand growth downgrade: A downgrade from the New Zealand Government to the country's growth and budget forecast leveraged a heavy toll on the Kiwi Dollar this past session. The worst performer among the majors, the NZD dropped against all counterparts but has registered particularly painful declines versus the US Dollar (triggering a head-and-shoulders break), Japanese Yen and Euro. The downward revision in growth measure through June to 2.6 per cent from 3.2 per cent and a 0.2 per centage point slide in the coming year to 3.5 per cent is noteworthy but doesn't seem the typical fare to shake speculators appetite for the carry currency. Perhaps the proximity to the election a month out and the already noteworthy slide for the Kiwi and other carry currencies heading into the news are primarily responsible.

5. Australian dollar: The Aussie Dollar lost some altitude against many of its major counterparts, but it was seeing moves that would hardly be considered as provocative. From the AUD/USD, a modest extension to the 0.7950 retreat on Tuesday hardly looks like a death knell for bulls. Perhaps the most remarkable technical progress on the day was from AUD/NZD. On the impact of the Kiwi's hit, the pair broke a trendline resistance going all the back to May 2013.
It is being pitched as the biggest shareholder class action in the country. Commonwealth Bank on one side, and Maurice Blackburn bankrolled by IMF Bentham on the other side.

The allegation is that Commonwealth Bank sat on material information that kept its shareholders in the dark about a massive money laundering and counter terrorism finance scandal.

For the bank and the board, it means more bad publicity and more headaches as they battle separate investigations by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as well as the legal action that sparked it all by the financial intelligence agency Austrac.

For Maurice Blackburn and IMF, it is a high-profile bank case that goes to the heart of what executives and the board knew, and when.
Bega Cheese, a former dairy co-operative based on the South Coast of New South Wales, was on track to become a "great Australian food company", its chairman Barry Irvin has claimed.

Bega, which recently acquired the iconic Australian brand Vegemite when it bought the Mondelez grocery business, on Wednesday unveiled a record statutory profit after tax of $139 million.

Bega Cheese has reported a record statutory profit after tax of $139 million. Credit:Louie Douvis

"The acquisition of the Mondelez grocery business this year and the opportunities that that will bring us, not only across our entire business but across the food space in general, means that we can now have the aspiration to create a great Australian food company, and indeed we are well on the path to doing that," Mr Irvin said.

"We are of course interested in growing our business and we're of course interested in assets that will enhance the business and indeed grow the profitability of the business. So we are well positioned to respond to any opportunities that may arise. But I would say that that is both in dairy and in food."
By PTI: deaths

Lucknow, Aug 23 (PTI) The Allahabad High Court today asked the Uttar Pradesh government to inform it about action taken on the inquiry report of the chief secretary into the deaths of children in the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur.

The Lucknow bench of the High Court set August 28 as the next date of hearing in the matter.

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The bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice DS Tripathi was hearing a PIL moved by one Dilip Kumar Verma.

Earlier this month, 72 children admitted to the government-run hospital in Gorakhpur had died within a span of three days.

The government has maintained that the children died due to different illnesses, including Japanese Encephalitis (JE).

According to the petitioners counsel V K Singh, the petitioner had sought CBI or judicial probe into the Gorakhpur incident as well as into the corruption allegedly prevailing in government hospitals. The PIL included the issue of fire in KGMU Lucknow recently.

The court was told on behalf of the state government that the government had already set up an inquiry by the chief secretary who has submitted the report. The government is considering the report, the court was told.

The committtee headed by chief secretary Rajive Kumar submitted the report to the government last evening.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had formed the committee on August 12 to probe the incident, a day after death of scores of children in the state-run BRD Medical College was reported.

UP Medical Education minister Ashutosh Tandon had said that action would be taken against those found guilty in the probe.

As the first action, the government had suspended the college principal Dr Rajiv Mishra, who subsequently put in his papers accepting moral responsibility for the tragedy. PTI CORR NAV AKK

--- ENDS ---
A supposed endorsement from from one of the world's richest men, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, was not enough to distract shareholders of Australian Agricultural Company from giving the company's board  led by Donald McGauchie  a bloody nose over executive pay on Wednesday.

McGauchie, who was Sol Trujillo's low-profile chairman during the fun days at Telstra, regaled investors with the news of Gates' visit to its Wylarah cattle station late last year, mentioning how the billionaire later wrote: "I was impressed by how high tech the whole process was ... [AACo] relies on cutting edge genomics to breed Wagyu beef cows, some of the most elite cattle in the world."

Illustration: John Shakespeare.

Gates' super secret visit was to look at ideas on how to improve livestock production in third world countries rather than kick the tyres on a new investment.

"I believe they [low income countries] should be able to raise cattle as efficiently as farmers in rich countries do. I'm optimistic that this technology can improve the quality of African cattle," said Gates in a blog that surfaced last month.
In a huge boost to Victoria's electricity supply, renewable energy companies will compete to supply Victoria with 650 megawatts of power  enough for the energy needs of every household in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley.

The competitive "reverse auction" will be the biggest of its kind in Australia, as corporations tender for the contracts to power 389,000 households.

This is expected to trigger investment of about $1.3 billion in renewable projects such as construction of wind and solar farms.

Expressions of interest will open in October.
Coca-Cola Amatil shares have dropped after the fizz went out of the group's first-half earnings, with more Australians taking a pass on soft drinks and price pressure in its branded water business crimping its profit growth.

The company on Wednesday revealed a 29.3 per cent drop in half-year profit to $140.1 million for the six months to June 30.

Earnings before interest and tax its Australian beverages segment fell 13.2 per cent to $182.9 million during the half following a weak Easter period.

Revenue in the first half declined 3.7 per cent to $2.42 billion. Underlying earnings before interest and tax also dropped, down 4.3 per cent at $312.7 million.
The Reject Shop's merchandise didn't walk out the door, because the customer couldn't find it.

Releasing a soft profit result on Wednesday, Ross Sudano, managing director at the discount retailer, admitted the company made a mistake placing branded goods, on which it has built its name, inside stores rather than in prime display positions.

Ross Sudano says The Reject Shop made a mistake with its store layouts. Credit:Patrick Scala

The problem was cited as a key reason, alongside the general retailing downturn, for a 27.8 per cent drop in full-year net profit to $12.3 million.

"The final performance for the year has been significantly impacted by the combined effects of weak consumer confidence and execution issues in the implementation of our merchandising strategy," he said. "We stumbled on our merchandise execution, not our strategy, just our execution.
Plans for a five kilometre "no development" buffer zone between the ACT's northern border and the Yass Valley Council area make eminent sense.

That said, it is still possible to feel some sympathy for property owners bordering the ACT who had apparently banked on a windfall profit from selling land for residential development and, as a result, are now crying foul.

Given such potential returns were always speculative it remains to be seen if, as some claim, the buffer zone will devalue their properties.

The proposal, to create the transition zone that would place a moratorium on urban development for the next 20 years, was due to go to Wednesday night's YVC meeting.
News that the City of Darebin in Melbourne's north has joined neighbouring Yarra Council in shelving its Australia Day citizenship ceremony is set to inflame talk-back radio, cable news, and the right-wing opinion pages over the coming weeks.

This most recent "attack" on Australia Day comes amid a pretty miserable few weeks for those on the right of Australian politics and culture. Debate about the gay marriage plebiscite, for example, has exposed the institutional prejudices still embedded in the Catholic Church and prompted one misinformed commentator to lament the moral degradation that same-sex couples will, he believes, expose generations of Australian children to.

Representatives from the local Indigenous community at the public forum to discuss the decision by Darebin Council to cease Australia Day celebrations on January 26. Credit:Chris Hopkins

And now the "bully left" want to take Australia Day and turn it into a celebration of divisiveness. Surely this is "political correctness" gone mad?

Actually, it's not.
Vision is not a quality often associated with the Coalition parties. Their governing ideas tend to fall more towards the pragmatic, the short-term, the cost-effective, the tell-'em-they're-dreaming, safe-compromise-with-reality end of the spectrum. So when Liberal politicians start talking up a major infrastructure project, which is not a new road, we should all take notice. It may come to nothing, of course, but until it does, we may approach it with cautious optimism.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, sounded like a typical Liberal politician when as Transport Minister she told a 2013 Tokyo audience "not to hold their breath waiting" to invest in very fast rail services in NSW. Now, though, she appears more enthusiastic  if not quite a convert. As we reported yesterday, Ms Berejiklian, once again in Japan, but this time as premier, believes such an idea may now be close to making sense. She is right.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is warming to the idea of Australia's own "bullet train". Credit:AP

Japan began the era of high-speed rail travel, opening its famous shinkansen (new trunk line) more than 50 years ago. It was planning fast trains before the Second World War. So it is not as if Australia would be leaping into the unknown if we did decide to embrace this now mature concept. But what was easy for Japan is not so for Australia. Japan's needs and characteristics are quite different.

Where Japan's population is large and densely settled, Australia's is small and sparse. Where Japan has relied continuously on rail transport of all kinds, Australia's interest in rail has been intermittent at best. The same differences holds between Australia and other countries where high-speed rail is now commonplace.
In the wake of Prince Frederik's embarrassing knock-back at Jade Buddha, and the long list of overseas celebrities headed for our Commonwealth Games, it's time to bring all our international and interstate visitors up to speed with how things are done in Queensland.

1. Unless you have a security detail, you're not allowed to have a beer in a public place. For that reason, it's best to binge, in private. There's one exception, of course, and that's if you happen to be carrying an up-to-date passport, showing who you are, when and where you were born, the colour of your eyes, your height and where you reside. All in all, it's best to use a drive-through, where you don't need a licence, ID, or even to get out of your car.

Don't even think of going to Jade Buddha without an ID.

2. You might also want to stock up on food, before you arrive in Bris Vegas. Strict new trading hours means that in more than 20 regions across the state it is illegal for big supermarkets to open on Sundays. That means you cannot go grocery shopping on that day, so be prepared. It is only a short term prohibition, however; it will be looked at again in five years.

3. We have a flu epidemic now, but keep that under your hat because authorities certainly are. Up to 150 children were away in one school in Brisbane last week, but you won't read that anywhere. In fact, the government says no public schools were hit badly enough that warranted a shut-down. The same goes for Catholic schools. And independent schools don't have a central data base to collate that information. Oh, and we don't keep figures or details of any nursing homes or aged care homes that have gone into lock-down either. You'll need to check those details with someone in another state, if you come to Queensland, because it is not a state responsibility.
Gillian Triggs has unloaded on the Turnbull government, labelling its actions "disgraceful", and accusing it of abusing executive power and manipulating the truth.

In her first public speech since stepping down as president of the Australian Human Rights Commission in July, Professor Triggs attacked Coalition government ministers for interfering with the judicial system and for destroying the integrity of Parliament by peddling "alternative facts".

"A culture of post-truth has allowed politicians and Parliament to reject evidence based reports by credible agencies in favour of populist decision-making that denies the truth and responds to fear," she told UNSW's Power to Persuade symposium in Canberra on Wednesday.

"This is particularly the case in relation to refugees, asylum seekers, terrorism, and conflict matters in general," she said.
By PTI: By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Aug 23 (PTI) Denying that it provides safe havens to terrorists, Pakistan said that a complex interplay of geopolitics and the pursuit of "hegemonic policies" were to blame for the threat to peace and stability in South Asia.

After being slammed by US President Donald Trump for its support to terrorists, Pakistans Foreign Office said the "non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region."

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The late-night reaction came after Trump announced his new policy for Afghanistan and the larger South Asian region, calling on India to step up its role in the war-torn country and warned Pakistan against providing safe havens to terrorist groups.

The foreign office said the new US strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia was discussed at a Cabinet meeting held late last night and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will take up the issue during a National Security Committee meeting on August 24 for a comprehensive policy response.

In its initial response, it expressed disappointment over the accusations.

"No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders," it said. "It is, therefore disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort."

"Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism," the foreign office said.

It said the threat to peace and security "cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies", reiterating that there was no exclusive military solution to the crisis in Afghanistan.

Pakistan supports an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned politically negotiated solution for sustainable peace in Afghanistan, it said. PTI SH ABH

--- ENDS ---
One Nation party officials will meet in Brisbane where the party will hold its annual general meeting on Thursday.

Officials will hold the party's national and state meetings on at the Brisbane Convention Centre, where protesters are planning to voice their opposition towards One Nation and its leader, Pauline Hanson.

Protesters will voice their opposition to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and her party. Credit:Andrew Meares

Brisbane university students have promised to converge outside the meeting to protest what they describe as the party's racist and homophobic principles.

Protest organiser Carl Jackson said he and his peers had taken issue with Senator Hanson's recent publicity-grabbing stunt, when she wore a burqa in the senate to press a point about identification.
Barnaby Joyce's greatest political rival is seeking to join the High Court fight over the Deputy Prime Minister's status as a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand.

Fairfax Media has learned that former independent MP Tony Windsor has made a submission to the High Court for permission to appear because he was the second-placed candidate in the contest for the seat of New England in 2016.

Tony Windsor is looking to join the challenge against Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Credit:James Brickwood

Mr Windsor held the seat of New England until retiring in 2013 and then attempted to win it back from Mr Joyce in 2016 but lost. He declined to comment when contacted by Fairfax Media.

The High Court may rule at a directions hearing on Thursday that Mr Windsor does not have standing to appear in the case, though the former MP has a good chance of being granted standing.
The number of new HIV cases in NSW has plummeted to a record low, suggesting the state is on track to virtually eliminate HIV transmissions by 2020.

There were 101 HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men in the first half of this year  the lowest recorded in NSW since HIV emerged in the 1980s.

"We've seen new diagnoses among gay and bisexual men falling steadily for 12 months now despite an increase in HIV testing and we're confident this means HIV transmission is dropping," said NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.

"This is a great achievement [and] we're a step closer to achieving our goal of virtually eliminating HIV in NSW by 2020."
An investigation is likely into one of the federal government's biggest land deals, the CSIRO giant Ginninderra Project, after the lead executive on the massive development program was sacked.

Labor is warning the high profile sacking could have serious 'downstream' implications for research into animal diseased that is vital to Australia's food production sector.

Former CSIRO general manager for business and infrastructure services Mark Wallis. Credit:Jay Cronan

Sources close to the government organisation say the project, under the stewardship of former general manager for business and infrastructure services Mark Wallis, is now set to come under scrutiny after Mr Wallis lost his job at CSIRO over alleged "breaches" involving a corporate credit card.

The allegations against Mr Wallis are now being investigated by the Australian federal Police.
The future of another monument in Hyde Park is in doubt as Tony Abbott took to the airwaves to claim statues of Captain James Cook will be torn down if Bill Shorten becomes prime minister.

Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore told Fairfax Media she had referred concerns about a statue of Governor Lachlan Macquarie to the council's Indigenous advisory panel "for their consideration and in particular their advice on how the City can most effectively play a role in progressing equality and redress past injustices".

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said monuments that only celebrated Macquarie were ignorant of history and insensitive. Credit:Janie Barrett

"There have been too many people in mainstream Australia ready to make judgment on these issues without consulting Indigenous communities, and whether well-meaning or not, it's often done more harm than good," she said.

The council has already sought advice from the panel about the Captain James Cook statue, with its inscription claiming the British explorer discovered Australia, following criticism by ABC broadcaster Stan Grant.
More than 40 homes and businesses along the 12-kilometre route of the first stage of the new Parramatta light rail line will be compulsorily acquired and another 78 are earmarked for partial purchase for the multibillion-dollar project.

Parramatta's well-known "eat street" al fresco dining strip along Church Street in the central business district also faces significant disruption while two rail tracks are laid.

Construction on the first stage of the line that stretches from Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta's CBD and Camellia is due to start in the middle of next year and take as long as five years.

Trams are scheduled to start running in 2023 along the route which will feature 16 stops.
Nightclub boss John Ibrahim's loyal lieutenant Margaret Staltaro appeared nervous.

Police pulled her over on Spit Road, Mosman, one Friday afternoon in March, and discovered her car registration was cancelled and her driver's licence was suspended.

John Ibrahim and his business partner Margaret Staltaro.

But, according to court documents, police thought something else was amiss.

"When speaking with the accused, she averted her eyes from police ... and her hands were clenching and unclenching irregularly," the document said.
NSW Labor has proposed axing the Queen's Birthday holiday in June and replacing it with a day commemorating Indigenous culture and loss as an alternative to moving Australia Day, which critics say is synonymous with white invasion.

Debate on the appropriateness of holding Australia Day on January 26, the day British ships first arrived in Port Jackson, was sparked by two Melbourne councils who announced they will decline to observe the day with official citizenship ceremonies.

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley says he believes the Queen's Birthday holiday should be transformed. Credit:AAP

But the NSW Opposition Leader, Luke Foley, said he believed the national day was "set in stone" but that as a compromise the June Queen's Birthday holiday should be transformed to commemorate Indigenous culture.

"I'm not in the business of re-writing history but there needs to be a completeness in telling our history," he said, in an interview with Sydney radio station 2GB. "The Queen was born in April yet for some reason we celebrate her birthday in June.
A car crash has caused a two-kilometre traffic jam on the Sydney Harbour Bridge just before peak hour, with motorists advised to avoid the area.

The Transport Management Centre said three southbound lanes and one northbound lane were closed after the crash, which involved several cars.

One of the cars involved in the crash on Sydney Harbour Bridge. Credit:Melina Cruickshank

Bus and car commuters were warned to expect lengthy delays.

"Southbound traffic is queued for around two kilometres, and northbound traffic is also heavy," a TMC spokesman said.
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on 20 August 1901

Mr. C. Asano, the representative of a large Japanese house, the Mitsui Bussan Kaisha, arrived in Sydney by the Yawatu Maru on the 14th instant with a view of ascertaining for his firm the possibilities of ex-tending trade between Japan and Australia. He is staying at the Hotel Metropole, and yesterday in the course of an interesting chat with a Herald reporter gave some particulars regarding the trade which at present exists with Australia, and how it may be extended. It may be mentioned that the words Mitsui Bussan Kaisha can be translated Mitsui and Company, and that it is a firm which conducts a large banking business as well as being largely interested in merchandise.

George Street, Sydney in January 1901, around the time of Mr Asano's visit

"The Japanese trade with Australia" said Mr.Asano, "is increasing steadily and does not fluctuate to any great extent. The increase averages from 5 to 10 per cent. each year, and we can take more of your products than we do. In wool, for instance, our imports are worth about 100,000 annually. The conditions of our trade, however, are such that we want fine combing wools, because that in the most suitable for Japanese dress as it exists. There are probabilities that two or three combing factories will be established, and then our imports will be at least double what they now are. One thing however that militates against the wool import is that the Japanese do not wear hats, and the noilsthe short waste portions of the wool from the combing millsare at present useless. These could no doubt be re-exported to Europe. The condition of the money market in Japan has, however, operated against the establishment of new mills.

"As regards wheat, the proportion of the bread-consuming population in Japan is increasing day by day, so that there is likely to be an increased demand for wheat. At present we import flour largely from America, but there are three or four flour mills now established in Japan, and they could use up to 10,000 tons of grain each year. The Australian harvest is from December to March, the Japanese crop is reaped in June and July, and the American in August and September, so that the Australian wheat will come forward when our stocks are becoming low.
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Hillary Clinton has come out with a memoir in which she describes what it was like to run the US presidential election against Donald Trump, the mistakes she made and how she has coped with her loss.

"In the past, for reasons I try to explain, Ive often felt I had to be careful in public, like I was up on a wire without a net. Now Im letting my guards down," she says.

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"What Happened", published by Simon & Schuster, releases on September 12.

This is for the first time that Hillary reveals what she was thinking during one of the most controversial and unpredictable presidential elections in USs history.

She tells the "story of what it was like to be the first woman nominated for president in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, kooky theatrics, Russian interference, a maddening inattention to serious issues, deplorable (yes, deplorable) bigotry, and an opponent who broke all the rules", the publisher said.

Hillary also addresses the challenges of being a strong woman in public life, the criticism over her voice, age, and body, and how all women in politics confront a double standard whenever they express anger or ambition.

The election of 2016 was unprecedented and historic.

"What Happened" is the story of that campaign and its aftermath - both a deeply intimate account and a cautionary tale. PTI ZMN TRS

--- ENDS ---
Details have been revealed about the extraordinary negotiations that led an electrician, acquitted of murdering his partner, Matthew Leveson, to confess later to dumping his body.

Michael Atkins, 44, underwent hypnosis, drew a diagram of Mr Leveson's grave site and walked through dense bushland with homicide detectives in an attempt to uncover where he buried the body years earlier.

Mr Atkins' actions were a sensational turnaround from his long-standing denials of knowing what happened to Mr Leveson, 20, who was last seen leaving a Sydney nightclub in 2007.

It was only after Mr Atkins was granted immunity from prosecution that he agreed to tell police where Mr Leveson's body was buried.
Paul Pisasale's former driver felt "threatened" by the former Ipswich mayor when he allegedly asked him to modify his statement to the Crime and Corruption Commission, a Brisbane court has heard.

Dressed in a black suit and blue tie, Mr Pisasale faced court on Wednesday over two charges of attempting to pervert justice.

Paul Pisasale arrives at court. Credit:Darren England/AAP

It is alleged the 65-year-old contacted witnesses who had given statements to the Crime and Corruption Commission in an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

Prosecutors objected to the former councillor's application for bail, tendering documents including a sworn statement from Mr Pisasale's former driver, Stephen Potts.
South-east Queensland's glorious Moreton Bay has more coral than the Caribbean, has the most southern populations of dugongs, is easier to access than the Great Barrier Reef and yet most of us take it for granted, a senior marine biologist says.

The bay generates more than $5 billion each year in tourism and the Port of Brisbane Authority was in 2013 valued at $11.9 billion.

North Stradbroke Island is one of the many highlights Moreton Bay has to offer. Credit:Redlands City Council

It already has two glittering jewels - North and South Stradbroke Islands - and a rich network of smaller islands. Very soon it will have its own international cruise ship terminal.

However, Associate Professor Daryl McPhee believes rapid population growth means it is time Moreton Bay had its its own minister and its own management authority in the same way as North Queensland has its own minister and The Great Barrier Reef has its own Marine Park Authority.
Making Queensland buses safer could cost more than $100 million over the next decade, an independent review has found.

The Queensland government ordered the statewide bus safety review in September 2016, with driver Manmeet Sharma dying in an attack at Moorooka one month later.

The Queensland bus safety review has recommended 20 initiatives. Credit:Greg Balfour Evans / Alamy Stock Photo

The report, released publicly on Wednesday, reveals Queensland bus drivers are routinely exposed to violence, with verbal abuse the most common, while violence was higher in the afternoons, nights, on Fridays and on specific routes and regions.

In 2015-16, DTMR-contracted bus operators reported 392 incidents of verbal and physical assaults and objects thrown at buses, but the reviewers said they believed incidents were significantly under-reported by drivers.
In a beige concrete office block in Melbourne's inner-city, behind locked doors to which only eight people have access, a scientist sits watching two fighter jets marking a path towards their target  Sydney Harbour.

This is Australia's secret war lab, otherwise known as Lockheed Martin's STELaRLab, an Australian branch of the defence contractor's US research department.





It was launched a year ago with $13 million investment, as a collaboration between the multinational, Defence and the University of Melbourne.

Within, huge computer monitors cover one wall, like something out of a disaster movie.
An American magazine recently presented an interesting theory on economy-class air travel: the airlines are making economy as uncomfortable as possible in order to sell customers up to exit rows, assigned seating, checked baggage and premium economy class. I wonder if the same thing is happening with television manufacturers.

The sound quality of ultra-thin televisions has been awful for years and shows little sign of improving. I wonder if this is because their manufacturers have discovered that this makes it easy to sell customers up to a television and soundbar package. Such packages are certainly well supported by retailers and lots of people are buying them.

Using the Cambridge Audio TVB2 soundbar and subwoofer combination is bit like enjoying an upgrade to premium economy.

With air travel you can choose between first, business, premium economy or economy class, and there are also four tiers of sound for televisions. First class is a full surround home theatre system, and business is a couple of good bookshelf speakers either side of the set, either driven by internal or separate amplifiers. Soundbars and soundbases come in at premium economy, and listening to the speakers in the television itself, thin, squeezy and never terribly enjoyable, is the equivalent of a middle seat way up the back of the plane.

So how much does an upgrade cost? Good soundbars and soundbases offering a noticeable improvement on bog-standard inbuilt speakers start about $500, and by the time you're at two grand they're really good. But they're not as good as a couple of decently sized bookshelf speakers with generous amplification. These things house much bigger mid/bass drivers as well as separate tweeters, and the funny thing is that you can get a pair of good ones for not much more than a decent soundbar. But you'll have to add an amplifier.
Rosie Batty, former Australian of the year and family violence survivor, has paid tribute to the nation's first minister for the prevention of family violence, Fiona Richardson.

Ms Batty said Ms Richardson, who died on Wednesday afternoon after battling cancer, was a tireless campaigner who made it her mission to stand up for the safety of women and children.

She said, however, that the greatest gift Ms Richardson she gave to victims of family violence was hope.

"She not only gave victims a voice, but she gave them a voice in parliament and that was really such a unique thing," a grief-stricken Ms Batty said.
An al-Qaeda guide showing how to make a pipe bomb was found on the mobile phones of two of the four men accused of plotting a Christmas Day terror attack on Melbourne, a court has heard.

Screenshots of bomb-making instructions from the al-Qaeda magazine Inspire were found on the phones of Ahmed Mohamed and Abdullah Chaarani, Melbourne Magistrates Court was told on Wednesday, when prosecutor Pat Doyle outlined parts of the case against the group.

Artist's sketches of Hamza Abbas, Ahmed Mohamed and Abdullah Chaarani. Credit:Joe Benke

Mr Mohamed, 24, Mr Chaarani, 26, and brothers Ibrahim and Hamza Abbas, 23 and 22 respectively, are each charged with planning and preparing a terrorist attack and conspiring to plan or prepare a terrorist attack.

Mr Mohamed and Mr Chaarani were on Wednesday committed to stand trial in the Supreme Court. Both pleaded not guilty.
There are some impressive numbers in the Andrews government's renewable energy target, which aims to boost the state's non-fossil fuel fired energy supply from more than 10 per cent today to 40 per cent by 2025.

But the savings to consumers brought on by this leap to renewables isn't one of them.

The scheme will save the average household just $29 a year on power, modelling by Ernst & Young predicts.

It's enough to pay for a nice bottle of wine, but most would be forgiven for not breaking out the bubbly at the news.
Bangkok: Cambodia is set to permanently ban commercial surrogacy, ending hopes of Australian parents intending to enter into any arrangements with surrogate mothers in the impoverished country.

A draft law imposing the ban is likely to be passed by Cambodia's parliament early next year.

Surrogacy operators had been confident the government in Phnom Penh would allow commercial surrogacy under strict supervision, legalising what was a booming industry until it was shut down during a crackdown late last year.

But Phon Puthborey, a spokesman for the Women's Affair Ministry, told the Cambodia Daily the "main content of the law is that we absolutely ban commercial surrogacy and any actions that get benefit or profit from surrogacy [are] completely banned".
Clinton described her 2016 campaign as "joyful, humbling, infuriating and just plain baffling" and acknowledged she failed her millions of supporters by losing to Trump in the November election.

By Reuters: Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says in her new book that Donald Trump made her skin crawl by stalking her around the stage in a campaign debate and she wonders if she should have told him to "back up, you creep."

In audio excerpts of the book "What Happened" aired on Wednesday on MSNBC, Clinton described her 2016 campaign as "joyful, humbling, infuriating and just plain baffling" and acknowledged she failed her millions of supporters by losing to Trump in the November election.

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In the excerpts, Clinton described the October 9 debate in St. Louis in which Trump followed her closely about the stage, lurking behind her as she fielded questions from a live television audience. The debate came two days after an audiotape emerged in which Trump was heard bragging about groping women.

"This is not OK, I thought," Clinton says. "It was the second presidential debate and Donald Trump was looming behind me.

"We were on a small stage and no matter where I walked, he followed me closely, staring at me, making faces. It was incredibly uncomfortable. He was literally breathing down my neck. My skin crawled," Clinton said.

"It was one of those moments where you wish you could hit pause and ask everyone watching: 'Well, what would you do?' Do you stay calm, keep smiling and carry on as if he weren't repeatedly invading your space? Or do you turn, look him in the eye and say loudly and clearly: 'Back up, you creep. Get away from me. I know you love to intimidate women but you can't intimidate me.'"

Clinton says she chose the first option.

"I kept my cool, aided by a lifetime of dealing with difficult men trying to throw me off," she says.

But Clinton questions whether she should have chosen the second option.

"It certainly would have been better TV," she says. "Maybe I have over-learned the lesson of staying calm, biting my tongue, digging my fingernails into a clenched fist, smiling all the while, determined to present a composed face to the world."

Clinton says writing the book, due to be released in the coming weeks, "wasn't easy."

"Every day that I was a candidate for president, I knew that millions of people were counting on me and I couldn't bear the idea of letting them down. But I did," she says. "I couldn't get the job done."

--- ENDS ---
Washington: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Pakistan must adopt a "different approach" to ending the 16-year Afghanistan conflict and play a central role in getting the Taliban to the negotiating table instead of supporting the group or harbouring terrorists.

Speaking to reporters a day after President Donald Trump addressed the war in a nationally televised speech, Tillerson filled out details of the diplomatic effort that will accompany the administration's move to grant more authority to military leaders on the ground and boost troop levels. He made clear that effort will focus on Pakistani leaders.

"We stand ready to help Pakistan address terrorist groups inside of their country, but they must -- they must -- adopt a different approach themselves," Tillerson said Tuesday in Washington.

The issue of Pakistan's role in Afghanistan has bedeviled US administrations going back to the invasion to oust the Taliban after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Pakistan's intelligence service has long nurtured ties with the Taliban, and officials there argue it's unrealistic to think that it has control over the group and can bend it to the will of the US or its allies.
Bogota: Venezuela's former chief prosecutor - who says she has proof of corruption at the highest levels of the socialist administration - travelled to Brazil on Tuesday amid fevered speculation that she would ultimately seek asylum in the United States.

Luisa Ortega Diaz's exact whereabouts have been shrouded in mystery since she fled Venezuela with her husband on Friday - taking a boat to Aruba and then a charter flight to Bogota.

On Monday, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos offered her political asylum "if she wants it", but by Tuesday afternoon government officials said she was on the move again - heading to Brazil where she was expected to deliver remarks at a meeting of international lawmakers.

Diaz, a long-time government insider who became chief prosecutor in 2007, is likely safeguarding some of the administration's most damning legal secrets. And she's thought to be working with US law enforcement at a time when Washington is ratcheting up sanctions on Caracas.
It's officially on. Breitbart News, with former White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon back in charge, is ripping mad at US President Donald Trump after Monday's Afghanistan speech foreshadowed an increase in ground troops.

The homepage of the website that cheered Trump to victory had five incredibly critical headlines. The accompanying articles might be even tougher. Here are key excerpts from the stories:

Article 1: "The speech was a disappointment to many who had supported his calls during the campaign to end expensive foreign intervention and nation-building."

Article 2: "Using many of the same vague promises that previous presidents had used, including a repeat of [former US president Barack] Obama's promise not to give a 'blank check' to Afghanistan and a pledge to finally get tough on Pakistan, it was a far cry from the 'America First' foreign policy he laid out in the months before Election Day."
NAF3M needed to sustain EU accreditation --- Guadeloupe to leave USM by next school year.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The President of University of St. Martin (USM) dr. Francio Guadeloupe has issued a strong plea to government asking that they make it a priority to educate its populace.

Guadeloupe who took over the helm of USM since 2014 managed to get two of USMs major programs accredited in the UK. The President of USM made the information available to reporters on Wednesday. Guadeloupe said that government must take heed because St. Maartens economy is tourism and business and in order to compete, government must place focus on educating its people in order to compete fairly. He made clear that the neighboring islands will also focus on the kind of infrastructure such as the harbor and airport and the only way to survive is to have educated people from home.

He said with hard work and perseverance he managed to get the Business and Hospitality program accredited in the UK which is recognized throughout the European Union. Both programs are level five accredited. However, Guadeloupe needs more than the promissory note he received from Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs to sustain the accreditation. He said that government must be able to pump at least NAF3M annually into the local university in order for the school of higher learning to maintain its accreditation. The only way USM could hold the accreditation is if the government of St. Maarten truly fund the institution, if government does not fund the institution then USM will lose the accreditation and St. Maarten (USM) will have restart the process. With the new agreement students interested in studying Business and Hospitality, the two main programs that drive the economy of St. Maarten would enable any student who began their studies on St. Maarten to continue their education anywhere within the EU to obtain their bachelors degree. He said the credits accumulated within the first two years of studies locally could be transferred to any University within the European Union where students could complete their studies to obtain their bachelors degree.

Guadeloupe said a total of 8 FTE would be needed for the two programs, the lecturers would have to work at the institution from 9 am to 5 pm. Guadeloupe said that government has to put in place a law for tertiary education which has to be adopted by the Council of Ministers. He said that USM is waiting patiently for the law to get enacted because that is the only way for USM to get full financing from the Government of St. Maarten. Besides holding the accreditation with financing from government, the institution could also lower its tuition fees in order to attract more students locally and from the neighboring islands. Guadeloupe said that government should make it mandatory for students that get study financing from government to begin their education at home before leaving to continue their studies overseas at governments expense. Guadeloupe said that the other countries within the Kingdom such and Aruba and Curacao have taken the initiative to fully finance their universities and St. Maarten must follow the same path in the interest of its people. Guadeloupe said he taught at several universities in the Netherlands and all of them are financed by the Dutch government. He said islands such as Antigua has taken the same decision to finance their learning institution because the government there saw the need to have an educated populace.

Guadeloupe said that USM teaching program from Bachelors to Masters is fully accredited through the University of the Virgin Islands making the Teaching Diplomas recognizable throughout North America. Guadeloupe said the only program that has to be accredited is the General Liberal Arts which is being worked upon but financing is the key to all of this.

Another bright side for USM is the expansion project which is slated for later this year. The President of USM said that businessman Danny Ramchandani has pledged to support USM in getting the institution at least 40 rooms which will be used as dormitory for students coming from neighboring islands, he said the businessman believes that if people from the neighboring islands could shop on St. Maarten they would also send their children to the island to study. He said this will not only help strengthen the school of higher learning but the economy in Philipsburg will strive again especially at nights.

While Francesco Guadeloupe a known educator in the Netherlands has worked on achieving the much-needed accreditation for USM he has only one more school year on St. Maarten as he intends to leave USM by September 2018 to return to the Netherlands.
Law on Tertiary Education not finalized.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The law on tertiary education has not been finalized and the Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs said she does not even know where the draft law is at the moment.

While this law has to be finalized and adopted by the Council of Ministers and also approved by parliament in order for government to fully finance the University of St. Martin (USM) the management of USM seems to have a lot of waiting to do before they could get full financing from government in order for them to hold the UK accreditation they achieved.

On Wednesday SMN News ask Minister Jacobs about the much-needed financing that USM would need to hold its accreditation. The Minister said that money to fully finance USM was not budgeted. She said despite the budget constraints her Ministry fully supports USM and applauded the current management for their achievements. Minister Jacobs went on to say that when USM submit a request for full financing her Ministry would have to rob when entity to give another. She explained that the 2017 and 2018 budgets have been submitted already and her Ministry got limited funds even though there are several institutions that have to be subsidized.

Minister Jacobs said that she has been in consultation with the management of USM and is fully aware of their plans. She said while not being able to make any promises she is sure that when the time comes should be able to lobby parliament to approve the amendments needed in order for government to continue supporting USM.

Minister Jacobs said already the government of St. Maarten has been notifying students that get study financing from government that they have to start studying at USM if the programs are available locally before venturing overseas. The education Minister further explained that government has several agreements with education institutions overseas that accept the Associate Diplomas from USM. She also made clear that the credits students accumulate while attending USM can be transferred to overseas universities.
PHILIPSBURG:--- This morning, Wednesday, 23 August 2017, three searches were conducted on Sint Maarten regarding the investigation "Mars". The searches were conducted by officers of the St. Maarten Police Force (KPSM) under the auspices of an Investigative-Judge and in the presence of a Public Prosecutor of the Public Prosecutor's Office Sint Maarten.

"Mars" is the criminal investigation into the death of Luis Blanco Darante and Edwin Eggy Rosario. In this case four suspects have been identified. They are T.J.F. (1989), K.F. (1977), K.K.S. (1987) and M.A.W. (1977). T.J.F. and K.K.S. are detained. K.F. is detained in another investigation but is also a suspect in Mars.

The searches this morning took place in a garage on the Soualiga Road, a home at Union Farm and a home in Hope Estate. This morning a number of goods were seized, also data-carriers such as telephone and computers, all related and important to the investigation.

Mars will be going to court on September 20 as a pro-forma case.

The Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) Sint Maarten calls on potential witnesses to report to the police with information.

Prosecutor's Office Bulletin.
By PTI: (Eds: Adding more information)

Chandigarh, Aug 23 (PTI) Haryana and Punjab were today put on high alert and prohibitory orders imposed ahead of the court verdict in a sexual exploitation case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh with authorities not ruling out taking Armys help to maintain law and order.

The Centre has also assured all possible help to the Punjab and Haryana governments to deal with any situation.

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"We are in regular touch with the governments of Punjab and Haryana. Whatever help is required, will be provided," a home ministry spokesperson said in Delhi.

Security forces were carrying out flag marches at many sensitive places in both the states. Paramilitary forces have already reached Punjab and Haryana and many more are on way to sensitive places there.

Terming the situation dynamic, Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas said the state has got eight additional companies of paramilitary forces and an additional 2,500 police personnel from internal sources have also been mobilised for deployment in different parts of the state.

Responding to reporters questions, he said, "The state government would also call in the Army, if necessary, impose curfew according to time and circumstances and initiate all steps required to maintain law and order in the state."

The state administration is continuously in touch with Dera followers for maintaining peace, Niwas said.

Dera followers have been assembling in large numbers at the sects Sector 23 based "Naam Charcha Ghar" (congregation/ prayer centre) in Panchkula to show their solidarity with the sect chief.

With the arrival of Dera followers, including women, in Chandigarhs neighbouring city Panchkula, the Union Territory has been declared "sensitive".

"One lakh premis (dear followers) have already arrived in Panchkula," Chandigarh DGP Tejinder Singh Luthra said and asserted that nobody will be allowed to disturb law and order.

He said elaborate security arrangements have been made with over 5,000 security personnel being deployed at sensitive and vulnerable points to maintain peace.

Gauri Prashar Joshi, the Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula, which has been declared a highly sensitive zone, said there is a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces near the routes leading to the district court complex in Panchkula.

The Haryana government has directed that Deputy Commissioners, Sub Divisional Officers (Civil) and other Haryana Civil Services officers would not avail leave till further orders.

All district administrations need to be in full strength, a spokesperson of the Haryana personnel department said, adding, "The leave, if already sanctioned, stands cancelled."

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Haryana Health Department too has cancelled leave of all its medical and para-medical staff up to August 30.

As a precautionary measure, educational institutes would remain closed in Panchkula district and its neighbouring city Chandigarh until Friday, officials said.

The Haryana government said except for offices of essential services, August 24 and 25 would be observed as gazetted holidays in government offices, boards, corporations, and banks in Sectors 4, 5 and 6 of Panchkula only.

Teaching work in all the universities and colleges in the state will remain suspended on August 25, a spokesperson of Haryanas Higher Education department said.

According to officials, interviews to be conducted by the states service selection board on August 24 and 25 have been rescheduled.

In Punjab, all schools and colleges have been ordered to remain shut on Friday.

A complete ban has been issued on carrying of firearms, with orders to shut down private gun houses selling arms and ammunition to license holders, a spokesperson said after a meeting convened by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh this evening to review the states security arrangements.

The chief minister also ordered withdrawal of 1,000 police personnel from VVIP security for deployment on field duty to strengthen the security blanket in the state, the spokesperson said.

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State-owned Punjab Roadways will not run its buses towards Sirsa, where the headquarter of Dera is located, from tomorrow, while PRTC will stop plying of buses towards Haryana on Friday.

The Haryana Roadways too have decided to suspend its bus service to Chandigarh and Panchkula depots for two days from tomorrow, a spokesperson of the transport department said.

To keep a close vigil on law and order situation, security agencies in the two states and their joint capital Chandigarh will resort to videography and aerial surveillance using drones, officials said.

The situation which is building up ahead of Fridays verdict has also prompted several families in sensitive districts of the two states to reschedule the marriages which were slated to be solemnised on August 25.

The Haryana government is also keeping a close eye on social media to prevent spread of rumours and Ram Niwas said the DCs and the SPs have been given the authority to monitor social media wherever required.

Meanwhile, Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim took to Twitter to give a message of "selfless service and meditation" to his followers.

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"Selfless service, meditation and firm belief are the ornaments in spirituality," he said in a tweet and also shared a link to a Facebook video of one of his discourses.

When asked if the Dera chief will appear before the court in Panchkula on Friday, a spokesperson of the sect said its head has always followed the law and will do so in future also.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, in Amritsar, asked Amarinder Singh to ensure law and order in Punjab.

He also asked members of the Sikh community to maintain peace and harmony and keep strict vigil on all Gurdwaras round the clock to protect those from anti-social elements, who may take advantage of the situation.

Amid reports that the Dera followers could stock petrol, lathis and other weapons at naam charcha ghars, Punjab Police have asked all its top ranking police officials to stay alert.

Punjab DGP Suresh Arora, who yesterday made a whirlwind tour of Bathinda, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali districts, today visited Sangrur to check security arrangements.

Various hotels and guest houses in tricity area of the two states comprising Panchkula, Chandigarh and Mohali are being checked by the security personnel.

Heavy police has been deployed in Bathinda, which shares its border with Sirsa -- the Dera headquarters in Haryana.

The Dera head has had a run-in in the past with Sikh radicals who had accused him of having allegedly dressed up as the tenth Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh, in 2007, following which Punjab had remained on boil for many days.

The special CBI court in Panchkula will pronounce the judgment in sexual exploitation case against the Dera chief on August 25 and he has also been asked to appear in person before the court on the same day.

The case was registered in 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after anonymous letters were circulated about the alleged sexual exploitation of two sadhvis (female followers) by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

However, the Dera chief has denied these charges. PTI SUN CHS VSD ACB NSD ZMN NSD

--- ENDS ---
India and Pakistan had agreed to meet again in September to discuss hydroelectricity projects under the Indus Waters Treaty.

By Geeta Mohan: Indo-Pak delegation on Indus waters are to meet again on September 14-15 at the World Bank headquarters in Washington DC. This would be the second round of talks between the two sides within a month. The two sides had met on August 2 and decided to meet again in September.

India and Pakistan were to continue talks on issues related to two of India's hydroelectricity projects under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) at the World Bank headquarters after the meetings held in August.

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The World Bank had said then that discussions between India and Pakistan over Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric power plants are ongoing. In a press statement after the August meeting, the World Bank had said, "The meetings earlier this week were held in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation. The parties have agreed to continue discussions and reconvene in September in Washington, DC".

India Today has learnt that the Indian delegation will be led by Water Resources secretary Amarjit Singh who would be accompanied by officials from ministries of external affairs and water resources.

Pakistan had approached World Bank last year, raising concerns over the designs of two hydroelectric projects located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

On the other hand, India had asked for the appointment of a neutral expert to look into the issues, contending the concerns Pakistan raised were "technical" ones and demanding that the World Bank, which is the mediator between the two countries under the 57-year-old water distribution pact, set up a court of arbitration to look into its concerns.

India has been quite clear that the world body is only discussing technical aspects of the issue and this certainly does not amount to 'bilateral talks' between the two sides as the policy decision was drawn up by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he said "Blood and water cannot flow together", at a meeting he chaired after India lost 19 soldiers to a terrorist attack on an army garrison in Uri.

ALSO READ | PIL seeking to declare Indus Waters Treaty between India, Pakistan illegal dismissed by Supreme Court

ALSO WATCH | Withdraw MFN or review Indus Water Treaty, how India can bleed Pakistan without a gunshot

--- ENDS ---
Award - winning new writing by Abhishek Majumdar, An Arrangement of Shoes, is a one-woman play performed by London based actor, Radhika Aggarwal. Set in an Indian railway colony during the first Gulf war, this piece paints a moving family portrait.

Originally, An Arrangement of Shoes was featured as part of Londons Tara Theatre #70/70 season. This season showcased 70 works to commemorate 70 years of independence of Pakistan and India. It also toured the 70th Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

On the eve of her grandfather's burial, Muslim storyteller Rukhsar searches through her memories to reconnect with her past, her grandfather and his shoes. This story is about family history, global history, and the wide-reaching consequences of war. Understated, endearing and at times funny; this is a rare gem not to be missed.

For tickets, visit http://tickets.vancouverfringe.com/
Whatcom County will soon be the home of the Arch of Healing and Reconciliation monument. The groundbreaking will take place at 10 am on September 4.

The 12-foot-high red granite arch will be located on the corner of Lottie and North Commercial streets on the lawn behind the Bellingham Public Library. There will be bronze plaques detailing some of the immigrants targeted for removal: Chinese Americans in 1885, Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus from India in 1907, and Japanese Americans in 1942.

The archs base will have 18-inch-square black granite tiles with Welcome in multiple languages. It will recognize the Lummi and Nooksack tribes.

The historical legacy in Bellingham and Whatcom County of intolerance and hostility towards native peoples, African Americans, and immigrants is now being recognized and transformed with community initiatives that demonstrate respect, cooperation, and solidarity, says Paul Englesberg, a local historian and member of Arch committee.

Lynden Sikh Temple has led the initial fundraiser project. The temple has pledge $50,000 in matching funds for the project. The Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF), the fiscal sponsor for the program, also pledged $25,000 in matching funds at their July board meeting.

We believe the best way to honor our ancestors is to educate our future generations. While the granite memorial will be a symbolic reminder about our history, we consider this a learning moment for us all Americans to be vigilant so that such events never happen in the future, says Satpal Sidhu, who is a Whatcom County Council member and Chair of the Arch of Healing organization.

In 2007, the Lynden Sikh Temple wanted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1907 forced removal of Sikh timber mill workers from Bellingham, so they began planning to build the arch. Plans later included commemorating the expulsions of Chinese and Japanese Americans.

Installation for the project will be in April 2018.

For more information, visit www.archofhealing.org or www.facebook.com/archofhealingandreconciliation.
By George Abraham

New Canadian Media

In 1972, President Idi Amin expelled residents of Indian descent from Uganda. The move's impact was felt throughout the region as Indian-Africans in surrounding countries found they were met with the same hostile environment. Faced with theft, vandalism, and government seizures; a mass exodus ensued that forced hundreds of thousands to leave the only homes they had ever known. Mansoor Ladha, who was living in Tanzania at the time, remembers the experience vividly. His novel, "Memoirs of a Muhindi: Fleeing East Africa for the West" details the journey he was forced into following exile. New Canadian Media conducted an interview with the author via email:

Q: Your life has encapsulated multiple migrations and at one point you write "Canada will be my final resting place". Can you explain how you came to this conclusion?

A: My book talks about my search for a homeland. I left Tanzania, stayed in Nairobi, Kenya, have been to London England several times and finally landed in Canada which has given me the feeling of being at home. I had also considered [the] United States where I have family but the violent nature of that society doesnt blend with my nature, philosophy and temperament. Looks like I have finally found my resting place [in] peaceful, tolerant Canada.

Q: Your memoir is also a journey in journalism - across continents, across political philosophies, ethnic and civilizational divides. Do you think Canada could have been more appreciative of your evident talent?

A: There are plenty of examples of mistreatment that I have received in Canada. First as a job seeker and later even as a newspaper publisher. It gives me the impression that Canadians are always fearful of the unknown. This fear is especially applied to people of colour. There used to be a stereotypical belief which cast doubt on all immigrants ability to do a job. Hence, most employers were then reluctant to hire immigrants. However, once Canadians see your performance and are impressed with it, then that fear is gone, replaced by acceptance and respect.

Q: Immigrants tend to have more riveting life stories and this is surely true in your case. What's the one message about immigration that you'd like your readers to take away from your book?

A: My message to employers is dont indulge in stereotypical thinking and dont judge immigrants because of their colour. Give them a chance to prove themselves on the job-try them out on probationary period and then make a decision. To [my] fellow immigrants. My message is dont be disappointed by failures or hurdles that you encounter during your time of settlement. Keep on trying and youll finally succeed.

Q: You have written for mainstream media, owned town newspapers and contributed in many ways to the telling of Canadian stories. How would you describe the state of Canadian journalism today?

A: These are very uncertain times for media in Canada, especially newspapers. In most Canadian cities, newspapers have either folded or are owned by newspaper chains. In many major markets, the chain has also bought their competition, creating a virtual monopoly. With the result: editorial staff has been cut down to a bare minimum, local stories have been replaced by wire stories and the number of pages has also dwindled. Canada has a lot of excellent journalism schools in every city, churning out J graduates in huge numbers who dont have a job to go to. Its a sad and pathetic time for those planning to enter the profession.

My suggestion to J-graduates is to start knocking on doors of weekly newspapers and forget about working on dailies as an entry point.

Q: Lastly, if the forced emigration from East Africa were to happen today, do you think Canada and the average Canadian would be just as welcoming as in the early 1970's when you arrived?

A: The prevailing mood in Canada today is pro-immigrant, pro-refugee, partly because of Justin Trudeau [and the] Liberals policy to welcome immigrants and refugees. Since the 70s, Canadians have learned what immigrants can do and how hardworking they are. Several immigrants have sought civic, provincial and national public office and have done remarkably well in these areas. In business, professions and politics, immigrants have shone brilliantly and the society at large have been appreciative of their contributions. They are now respected by the main stream society.

George Abraham is the founder and publisher of New Canadian Media. A former Nieman Scholarship recipient at Harvard University, he has over 26 years of newsroom experience, including work with publications such as aljazeera.net, the Toronto Star, the Ottawa Citizen and more.

This piece was originally appeared in New Canadian Media.

See http://newcanadianmedia.ca/component/k2/42096-memoirs-of-a-muhindi-fleeing-east-africa-for-the-west
Claudettes release new album with show at The Acorn in Three Oaks

entertainment
By PTI: By Yoshita Singh

New York, Aug 23 (PTI) An Indian-origin CEO was racially abused and told to "go back to India" and also take along Nikki Haley after he said that he will not support President Donald Trumps economic agenda after the US leader appeared to defend white supremacists following the Virginia violence.

US-born Ravin Gandhi, 44 founder and CEO of GMM Nonstick Coatings, a global supplier of coatings for cookware and bakeware, wrote an op-ed for CNBC following Trumps Charlottesville remarks but was quickly trolled and racially abused by readers, the Chicago Tribune reported.

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"I recentlytold the New York TimesI was rooting for certain aspects of Trumps economic agenda,"Gandhi wrotein the op-ed.

"After Charlottesville and its aftermath, I will not defend Trump even if the Dow hits 50,000, unemployment goes to 1 per cent, and GDP grows by 7 per cent. Some issues transcend economics, and I will not in good conscience support a president who seems to hate Americans who dont look like him."

Hundreds of white supremacists clashed with counter demonstrators at a rally in Charlottesville on August 12 in which a 32-year-old woman was killed and 19 injured when a car drove into a crowd of protesters.

Gandhi was soon bombarded by hate comments on his option piece, including a voicemail from a woman who said Gandhi should "get your (expletive) garbage and go back to India."

The woman, using abusive and inappropriate language, told Gandhi that he should also take "that other half-(expletive) Bangladesh (expletive) with you, Nikki Haley," referring to the US envoy to the UN.

"Shes (Haley) the one that started all this when she took down the Confederate flag. So dont tell us that you gave him a chance. We dont give a (expletive) who you gave a chance, OK? Were going to start taking down Buddhist statues and see how you and Nikki Haley like that," the woman said.

In the minute and a half voicemail she said Gandhi should "go clean up your own (expletive) country, its a filthy mess."

Gandhi posted the voicemail to YouTube, Twitter and Facebook and shared some of the nastier emails he received as well, the report said.

"It was obvious that people thought my professional position somewhat protected me," he said. "I wanted to show people that racism is blind to socioeconomics. It just is."

"Even though my race is a complete non-issue in my day- to-day life, the sad reality is theres a group of racists in the USA that views me as a second-class citizen," he said in the report.

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"I wanted my peers in the business community, the civic community, my friend community to see that this can happen to me. Because theres this delusion that racism is dead because Obama was elected."

Gandhi added that the fact that Trump "equated hate groups with those protesting hate lit me up" as he called Trumps moral leadership on the issue "reprehensible."

He said while his sharing a "bigoted" voicemail may not make a big difference, but he will speak out against such abuse as long as he has a platform to do so.

"My heroes are Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, people who stood up against insane odds. And lets be honest ? I live in doorman-protected building in the Gold Coast. For me to say that Im suffering in any real sense is insane. But many people in this city who dont have resources really are suffering."

"I know Im on the right side of history here," he said. "Thats how I sleep at night." PTI YAS AMS AKJ AMS

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By PTI: By K J M Varma

Beijing, Aug 23 (PTI) China said today that international relations should not be a "zero-sum game" and it was "happy" to see the development of sound ties between India and Nepal, amidst reports that Beijing was concerned over Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deubas visit to India.

Deuba, who arrived in New Delhi today on a four-day visit, will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow to review the entire gamut of bilateral ties.

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Asked about media reports that China was concerned over Deubas visit to India and its impact on Kathmandus participation in Beijings multi-billion Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Hua said, "I have not seen the reports you mentioned. In the 21st century, international relations should not be a zero-sum game or the counter balancing between countries."

"China is happy to see the development of sound and healthy relations between Nepal and India. We also believe that the BRI is inclusive and mutually beneficial. China welcomes countries to join BRI with wide consultation, shared benefits and joint contribution," she said.

Deuba, during his visit, will also travel to Hyderabad and Bodh Gaya. PTI KJV ASK AKJ ASK

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Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. Much cooler. High around 60F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 38F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
On Tuesday the Madras High court refrained from granting any relief to Karti Chidambaram for quashing of the FIR filed by the CBI and the subsequent summons issued by it in the INX Media case.

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram, the son of former Union Minister P Chidambaram, will appear before the CBI today following directions to do so by the Supreme Court.

Karti Chidambaram is wanted in a corruption case relating to FIPB clearance to INX media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore. INX had approval from the FIPB board for bringing in only Rs 4.62 crore.

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On Tuesday the Madras High court refrained from granting any relief to Chidambaram for quashing of the FIR filed by the CBI and the subsequent summons issued by it in the INX Media case.

Chidambaram will be accompanied by a lawyer at the CBI headquarter but not while he is being questioned. The lawyer will sit in the adjoining room.

This is as per the Supreme Court ruling of August 18 directing Chidambaram to appear before the federal agency. It had earlier that week quashed a Madras High Court stay on a look out circular.

The high court had stayed the LoC issued by the CBI following Chidambarams's contention that the LoC had been issued even before the date given for appearance in the CBI's summons.

SEARCHES

The CBI lodged an FIR on May 15 and carried out searches in Karti Chidambaram's offices and residence as well as the premises of his friends and acquaintances on May 16. It moved the Supreme Court when Chidambaram did not attend to summons of the CBI for the second time on July 19.

The CBI's FIR says the FIPB nod was fallacious but it was cleared due to undue influence on finance ministry officials by Karti Chidambaram. In its application to the FIPB, INX had said it would "make a downstream financial investment to the extent of 26% of the issued and outstanding equity share capital of INX News Private Limited".

But the approval by FIPB was of only Rs 4.62 crore and not of downstream investment. The FIR primarily alleges that "INX Media deliberately and in violations of the conditions and approval i) made a downstream investment...and ii) generated more than Rs 305 crore foreign direct investment in INX Media Pvt Ltd against the approved foreign inflow of Rs 4.62 crore ".

Interestingly, this anomaly was noticed in 2008 and the FIPB informed the Income Tax Department that the matter is being probed.

"In their endeavour to show undue favour..the officers/officials of the FIPB unit also ignored the request of the Department of Revenue to investigate the matter as to how downstream investment in INX News Pvt Ltd was made by the company without FIPB approval," the FIR alleges.

I'M THE REAL TARGET, SAYS P CHIDAMBARAM

Karti Chidambaram denies ever meeting FIPB officials or being a director or share holder in Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited, the firm through which the alleged Rs 10 lakh bribe money was paid. The CBI's case is the money was routed through this company to hide the real identity of the ultimate beneficiary.

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Former finance minister P Chidambaram's contention is that he is the real target of the probe which is an attempt to harass leaders of the opposition. If there was really a scam then why weren't the six officials who comprised the FIPB also named, he asked in a statement.

"FIPB approval is granted in hundreds of cases. The five secretaries who constitute the FIPB, the officials of the FIPB Secretariat and the competent authority in each case are the public officials. There is no allegation against any of them. There is no allegation against me. Approval or refusal to a case was in accordance with the recommendations of the FIPB," Chidambaram said.

ALSO READ

Centre appeals against Madras HC stay on lookout circular against Karti Chidambaram

INX case: HC declines relief to Karti, nod to move Delhi court

ALSO WATCH

CBI conducts raids at P Chidambaram's Chennai residence, son Karti's house

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By PTI: Vadras firm

New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) The Congress today termed as "pure political vendetta" the CBI questioning its leader P Chidambarams son Karti in a graft case and the moves for a CBI probe into a "land scam" allegedly involving a company of Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of party president Sonia Gandhi.

"This is nothing except political vendetta of the worst kind which is playing itself out and it has sunk to a new low," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.

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Tewari, without naming the government or the ruling BJP, said political rivals were being targeted, which was a "fair game going by the political standards. But now, they have dragged families into it.

"They have taken it to a new low."

Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria had yesterday said that the state government had written to the CBI for a probe into land scams in Bikaner, including those allegedly involving a company of Vadra.

Karti today appeared before the CBI in connection with a corruption case. He was directed by the Supreme Court to appear for questioning before the CBI.

The agency wants to examine him in connection with a clearance given to media group INX Media for receiving funds from Mauritius by erstwhile Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) when his father P Chidambaram was the Union Finance Minister.

It is alleged that a firm "indirectly controlled" by him received money from INX Media, run by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea.

The CBI had issued a notice to Karti to appear for questioning in June but he had sought more time. Later, a look out circular was also issued against him to prevent him from leaving the country, CBI sources said.

Tewari said it was "very surprising" that the government registered an FIR against unknown persons with regard to FIBP clearances and dared the government to take action against the "unknown persons".

He alleged that the unknown persons were six "senior most secretaries", who would make recommendations to the minister who would sign the files concerned.

"Did the minister reverse the recommendation or did the minister go by the recommendation of the board? And the latter is true. So, this is nothing except political vendetta," he said.

Tewari also termed the CBI as "communal bureau of investigation". PTI ENM RT

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Tifariti (Liberated Territories), August 23, 2017 (SPS) - The student university "Martir Mohamed Salem" closed its activities on Monday in the liberated city of Tifariti under the theme "Saharawi youth and students a mobilized force to reinforce the Saharawi People's Liberation Army, "where various student branches from the Saharawi Wilayas took part in this event, as well as a delegation of Saharawi students in Europe and another Saharawi delegation from the occupied territories of Western Sahara.

The closing ceremony was overseen by the head of the Political Secretariat of the Frente POLISARIO, Mr. Hamma Salama along with the President of the Summer University, SG of UJSARIO, Mr. Zein Sidi Ahmed, as well as the SG of UESARIO and vice-president of the second military region Mr. Mahfud Ahmed Zein.

Participants in this edition stressed in a statement that the celebration of the Student University "Martir Mohamed Salem" in the liberated city of Tifariti clearly shows the exercise of national sovereignty by the Saharawi State over its liberated territories and consecrates the SADR as a tangible and eternal reality.

The attendees praised the firm position of the allies and friends with the Saharawi people's just struggle to recover the rest of their occupied territories from the Moroccan occupant.

It should be recalled that at the end of the closing ceremony certificates of recognition were distributed, one of which was awarded to the second military region by the head of the POLISARIO Political Secretariat, Hamma Salama, also a documentary was screened outlines all the activities developed by the Student University "Martir Mohamed Salem." SPS

125/090/TRA
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STAMFORD  A group of customers is suing Nestle Waters North America for colossal fraud in allegedly misrepresenting the source of its Poland Spring line of bottled water.

Filed last week in federal court in Connecticut, the class-action lawsuit accuses Stamford-based Nestle Waters of falsely marketing Poland Spring products as originating from eight natural springs in Maine. The complaint said Poland Spring produces each year nearly 1 billion gallons of groundwater that does not meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations definition of spring water.

Nestle Waters vigorously denied the suits allegations. The claims made in the lawsuit are without merit and an obvious attempt to manipulate the legal system for personal gains, the company said in a statement.

The lawsuit alleges that not one drop of Poland Springs advertised 100 percent natural spring water comes from such springs in mountains and forests, but instead originates from wells drilled a few feet from the surface in saturated plains and valleys.

At least one of the wells at each of Poland Springs six largest groundwater sites are located near polluted sites, the lawsuit said. In recent years, those six areas have together supplied up to 99 percent of Poland Springs water, according to the complaint.

Proximity to those polluted sites does not frequently result in contaminated water because Nestle Waters disinfects and sometimes purifies the water, the lawsuit said.

The complaint asserts Nestle Waters has masked the source of Poland Springs water by building artificial springs. In some cases, it creates artificial well-water flow with pipes or plastic tubes in wetlands that contain no genuine springs, the plaintiffs said.

The famous Poland Spring in Poland, Maine, ran dry nearly 50 years ago; the spring Nestle Waters said now exists lies at the bottom of a lake, the complaint said. Poland Spring Waters website says the water now comes down the road from the original source, but it does not mention a lake there.

Plaintiffs also said they overpaid for Poland Spring, at premium prices, because it costs more than non-spring water. They have respectively spent hundreds or thousands of dollars on the water, the lawsuit said. The complainants come from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont.

The litigation seeks an unspecified amount of damages for purported violations, such as breach of contract and fraud, of several Northeastern states laws.

Nestle Waters officials contested the lawsuits allegations.

Poland Spring is 100 percent spring water, the company said. It meets the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations defining spring water, all state regulations governing spring classification for standards of identity, as well as all federal and state regulations governing spring water collection, good manufacturing practices, product quality and labeling. We remain highly confident in our legal position.

Water that is derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth may be spring water,  according to the FDAs website. Spring water shall be collected only at the spring or through a bore hole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring.

The FDA has not issued any warning letters to Nestle Waters, a spokeswoman for the agency told Hearst Connecticut Media on Wednesday.

In 2003 Nestle Waters settled a similar class-action suit disputing the source of Poland Springs water. The company did not admit to the allegations, but it agreed to improve quality control and pay $10 million in discounts to consumers and contributions to nonprofits, media outlets reported at the time.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; Twitter: @paulschott
India Today journalist Ilma Hasan was interviewing Muslim women at the Aligarh Muslim University about the SC verdict on triple talaq when a group of men disrupted her live coverage and threatened her.

By India Today Web Desk: On August 22, 2017, the Supreme Court of India abolished the practice of instant triple talaq. As the country was celebrating the decision, a woman journalist and other female students at the Aligarh Muslim University were being hackled for speaking up.

Ilma Hasan, a correspondent from India Today, was at the gates of the Aligarh Muslim University to get reactions from women in the area about the SC verdict. As Ilma was speaking to three women while live on TV, a man walked up to her and asked her to stop the reporting.

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Reason? He wanted to know if she has the proper permission to shoot in the premises or not.

Things did not stop here, not only was the reporting disrupted in the middle, what started with one man heckling her went on to a group of around 8-10 men, questioning her and threatening to call the police. The cameraperson was also threatened.

It was only after another TV crew from sister channel Aaj Tak spotted the commotion and tried to help Ilma and her cameraperson.

Back on TV after the situation calmed down, Ilma told India Today that the thugs were threatening her and she has been facing this problem since the morning. Either the male students or the security staff of the university has been creating troubles for her while she was trying to talk to the female students.

The place where Ilma was shooting was also not inside the university premise, and thus, doesn't require special permission from the university. Despite that, authorities were informed well in advance.

The Muslim women wished to speak to Ilma and express their views, but were stopped by the group of men.

Ilma registered an FIR with the local police station.

Watch how the events unfolded.

This is not the first incident of journalists being harassed by security staff of universities while reporting. A few months ago, two journalists from The Quint were manhandled and detained by security guards at Jamia Millia Islamia while they were trying to interview students outside the university on JMI awarding a doctorate to Turkish President Erdogan.

Also read : Teary-eyed victim of triple talaq after verdict: Thousands of women are crying at home

Also read : Triple talaq verdict: What went behind the closed doors of courtroom no. 1

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STAMFORD  For nearly a decade, Michael Garcia would couch surf in between having a place of his own, all while holding down jobs in retail and dabbling in his true passions, music and graphic design.

There were also times when he didnt have a place to stay and so he slept outside.

Two of those times he ended up at the Pacific House mens shelter  first when he was 22, and again in November at age 30, after he lost his apartment in Bridgeport.

Ive been good on and off for a little while, but Ive never had a permanent address, said Garcia, a Stamford native who has lived in more than a dozen places across the city.

Ive had little apartments here and there. Ive stayed with friends, stayed with a few family members, and it would be all good. I never felt like I didnt want to be around these people or they didnt want to be around me, he said. It was more like I wanted a little bit more. Like something was missing.

During his eight months at Stamfords Pacific House, staff members took Garcia under their wing in the shelters young adult program. Launched around the time of Garcias second arrival, the program is for men in their late teens to mid-20s who have different needs than the shelters general population. Like the older men, they may deal with mental illness and substance abuse, and need help with housing and jobs. But unlike those men, they often arent chronically homeless and so they dont have many of the other issues that come with living on the streets for years.

Garcia is just one of the programs early successes. In its first few months, the shelter has been able to create a separate living area for the young men, and has already helped 25 of them transition to housing and school.

Garcia admits hes now beyond the age of a young adult. But the staff at Pacific House was so impressed with his maturity and work ethic they made him resident adviser for the 15 or so men in the program.

He saw something in me, I guess, Garcia said, referring to Fran Parkman, the programs former coordinator.

The South End shelter happens to be on the same block as a white house with green shutters that Garcia lived in briefly as a teen. After moving in to the house, he learned that a friends brother had been shot and killed the prior year in the backyard.

It wasnt home, Garcia said. I just went to sleep there. Id be everywhere else all day. I just didnt want to be there.

Garcias life hasnt been easy  but thats something hes hesitant to acknowledge. His motto, even in the darkest times, is be positive.

At four months old, Garcia was placed in foster care, where he was raised alongside three foster siblings. His biological mother, who is HIV positive, was deported to Jamaica when he was 7. He didnt meet his biological father until he was 24. When he refers to his mother and father, hes usually talking about his foster parents.

Its a unique situation because theyre Italian and Spanish descent, and me being Jamaican, it was different. I never really asked questions like, Why am I the dark one? Garcia said.

He attended grade school in Stamford, doing well in English and science, even if at times it felt like he wasnt being challenged.

As he advanced in high school, his home life became more unstable.

After my father died, things got a little rough, money-wise, he said. My mom made due, to an extent. I did what I could  what I had to do. I got into a lot of activity outside and in the streets to try and compensate.

Garcia ended up dropping out of Westhill High School. When he learned he was expecting his first child, he got his GED and first real job at Walgreens in Riverside. Then he enrolled in Job Corps in New Haven, learned carpentry and moved to Milwaukee, Wis., to be with his two kids, who are now 9 and 11.

Unable to find steady work, he came back to Connecticut and ended up at Pacific House for a few months.

Garcia spent the following years working minimum-wage jobs and moving around. During that time, he also discovered a talent for drawing and design, and was able to pick up a few clients. He started his own small business, Astronaut Graphics.

I dont really make enough to be considered a company, but I make enough to get by, he said.

When Garcia returned to Pacific House, he worked at Home Depot in Port Chester, N.Y., and continued with freelance graphic design. He also performs rap under the name C.E.F., opening last year for rap artists at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford.

When the staff at Pacific House learned of his design skills, they were able to get him a new laptop. They also helped him get a DMV learners permit.

Eventually, they brought up college, which Garcia had considered but never pursued. That changed when he took a practice SAT and scored a 1390 out of 1600.

I kinda thought about college, but I was getting paid for graphic design anyway. I thought I didnt need a degree. But then I started looking at some of the salaries for someone with my level of experience with a bachelors degree, and some people are getting paid $120,000 a year, he said.

Pacific House paid for his applications and guided him through the admissions process.

When Garcia was accepted at Wayne State College in Nebraska, where he plans to pursue a bachelors degree in graphic design, the shelter bought him a plane ticket, and even sent him off with a suitcase and winter coat.

Going from homeless to college is pretty remarkable, said Pacific House Development Director Andrew Barer, noting that another person at the young adult program is already at college, and two more besides Garcia are on their way.

Garcia promised Pacific House Executive Director Rafael Pagan, as he was being given the suitcase for his trip, that he would put in the work to succeed.

You did it, Pagan told him. We just provided the tools. You have just have to be willing.

Before leaving last Sunday, Garcia was more worried about boarding his first flight than he was about taking his first college classes.

I feel like Im going to reinforce a lot of the things I already know and learn a lot of new stuff, he said.

After all, pressure makes diamonds, he said.

I feel like I have a lot of good survival instincts that came from when I was younger, he said. Ive literally been through it all. Ive been robbed, Ive been shot at, Ive been in numerous fights  and I survived. Going to school and getting homework done, thats simple stuff.

eskalka@stamfordadvocate.com
Lets face it, being a business owner is hard.

Youre not going to get the results you want overnight. Youre going to want to give up. However, the next time you are tempted to call it quits on your business, think read my five favorite inspirational quotes and get back to work.

1. If you cant explain it simply, you dont understand it well enough. Albert Einstein

This is a powerful quote, by a genius, therefore, it must have some truth to it. What do you say when someone asks you what you do? Maybe you tell them youre a business owner, anentrepreneur, or the all-purpose "self-employed." What do you tell them when they ask you for more specifics?

Do you say something like youre a stock trader, professional web designer, or stumble over different job titles while trying to tell them what exactly it is that you do? If the latter, you dont understand your business well enough, which is a clear indication that you just have more learning and adjusting to do, not that you need to give up on your business.

Related: 10 Albert Einstein Quotes on Creativity, Happiness, Success and More

2. I have not failed. Ive just found 10,000 ways that wont work. Thomas Edison

These are words of wisdom from a man who invented the lightbulb. Imagine how different life would be if Thomas Edison would have given up after his third or fourth try at inventing the lightbulb. Who knows when it ever would have been invented, if ever. Even though it was hard, and Im sure he was frustrated and people were telling him he would never succeed, he kept pushing until one day it worked.

This is what you must do for your business. If I would have listened to my Negative Nancys who told me I would never make it stock trading, who knows what I would be doing today. I probably wouldnt be a millionaire stock trader or mentoring others to help them earn their first million either.

I kept pushing and eventually my hard work and dedication paid off.

Related: 8 Facts to Amaze and Inspire On Thomas Edison's Birthday

3. Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. Truman Capote

Have you ever heard the saying, Nothing worth having comes easy? Its true. If you never fail, youll never cherish your success. If things come easy for you in your business, youll become bored with it, misuse it, and it probably wont last for long.

On the other hand, when you fail repeatedly and finally come up with that strategy that works, youll feel like all your hard work paid off and continue to make tweaks to take your success to greater heights. You can be confident knowing that youll never grow bored with it.

Related: Turning Crisis Into Opportunity: 5 Ways to Deal With Hardship

4. If youre going through hell, keep going. Winston Churchill

If youre already struggling taking your business of the ground theres no need to stop. Think about it, youre already at the bottom, so the only thing that you can do is move up from there.

Related: 11 Modern Leadership Lessons from History's Masters

5. Success isknowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others. John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell had the right idea in mind when he spoke these great words of wisdom. The reason I mentor others to show them how to replicate my success is because thats what all my hard work was for. Sure, I wanted to be able to live a comfortable life, but now that Ive done the leg work its time to share the wealth to help others live their dreams as well.

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We live in a constantly connected world, but if anything, that can sometimes compound feelings of loneliness. According to a recent study, if people are feeling socially isolated, it could make them more likely to buy brands that feature faces on their labels -- think the cheerful girl in the corner of a bag of Utz chips or KFCs colonel on the side of a bucket of chicken.

The researchers from the University of Oregon and Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel in Germany made up a set of 18 fake advertisements, complete with brand names and slogans. They had a mixture of ads without faces and ones that clearly did have human faces. They then asked the participants a series of questions about how they felt about the brand, the images they were seeing and about themselves.
Foundation Objects to Minnesota Officials Providing Transgender Treatment to a Minor Without Informing His Mother

Contact: John Eidsmoe, Foundation for Moral Law , 334-262-1245, info@morallaw.org MONTGOMERY, Ala., Aug. 23, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- The Foundation for Moral Law, an Alabama-based nonprofit corporation that defends the strict construction of the United States Constitution as intended by its Framers and traditional family values, came to the defense of a Minnesota mother whose seventeen-year-old son was given transgender medical treatment without the mother's consent.After Anmarie Calgaro learned that county officials had concluded that her son was emancipated and therefore arranged for and financed transgender treatment without notifying her or obtaining her permission, she sued county officials for deprivation of her parental rights without due process of law as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. After the District Court dismissed her lawsuit, she appealed to the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and the Foundation filed an amicus brief on her behalf.Foundation President Kayla Moore expressed the Foundation's shock at the injustice done to Ms. Calgaro: "We are horrified that officials in Minnesota think they can circumvent a mother's right to the care and custody of her child. Even minor routine medical treatment requires parental consent; but transgender medical treatment permanently and irrevocably changes the parent/child relationship and can scar a child for life. This mother has every right to object, and we will not stand idly by and allow this to happen."Foundation Senior Counsel John Eidsmoe added, "Minnesota law has strict procedures for the emancipation of children. Rather than following state law, these officials negligently relied on a letter from a legal aid office claiming the child was emancipated. In so doing, they violated one of the most fundamental of all rights, the right of a parent to the care and custody of her child, a right the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed."
The Juvenile Justice Board in Maharashtra issued an order in an appeal filed by the Maharashtra state to try a juvenile accused as an adult for kidnapping and murder of a three-year-old kid.

By Divyesh Singh: The Juvenile Justice Board in Maharashtra issued an order in an appeal filed by the Maharashtra state to try a juvenile accused as an adult for the kidnapping and murder of a three-year-old child.

This is the first case in the state of Maharashtra where a juvenile will be tried as an adult after the amendment in the Juvenile Justice Act.

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The case pertains to the kidnapping and murder of a three-year-old girl named Junera Tabbasum Khan from Duncan Road in Dongri area of Mumbai. Last year on December 5, Junera went missing from her house. The very next day on December 6, her father Mumtaz received a call from an unknown person, who said his daughter was with them and for her safe release, he would have to pay Rs 1 crore in cash.

Junera's father reported the matter to the JJ Marg Police Station and a kidnapping case was registered. The cops had only started investigating the case when Mumtaz began receiving ransom calls from various unidentified numbers. Finally, the police team decided to set a trap and asked Mumtaz to negotiate with the kidnappers on December 19. The said accused then reduced the amount and settled for Rs 28 lakh and asked Mumtaz to take a train from CST and drop the bag of cash near Kalva station on railway tracks. The plan didn't work out as intended as the two men who had come to collect the bag escaped seeing the police team chase them.

This made the police grow suspicious who then started identifying the voice of the callers and suspected that it could be a minor's. While questioning some of the suspects, the police picked up a teenager who looked disturbed. During repeated questioning, he revealed that he and his friend, who was a resident of the same building as Junera, had planned to kidnap her and extort money from her father, assuming that her family had become quite rich from his scrap business.

He confessed to having kidnapped the girl on December 5 and using chloroform to keep her unconscious. He added that she started bleeding after which he killed her using a mobile charger. He and his friend then dumped the body on a building's terrace, opposite to the building where she stayed.

"The accused had no qualms about the kidnapping and the murder of the three-year-old. They then dumped the body in a manner that it could not be traced. We had appealed to the Juvenile Justice Board that both the accused teenagers be tried as adults for the heinous crime but the board issued orders to try the 17-year-old prime accused as an adult", said Special Public Prosecutor Shishir Hiray. Hiray added, "The state will again appeal that the second accused also be tried as an adult in the case."

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By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram, today appeared before the CBI in connection with a corruption case.

Karti was directed by the Supreme Court to appear for questioning before the CBI.

The agency wants to examine him in connection with a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to media group INX Media for receiving funds from Mauritius when his father P Chidambaram was the Union Finance Minister.

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It is alleged that a firm "indirectly controlled" by him received money from INX Media, run by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea.

The CBI had issued a notice to Karti to appear for questioning in June but he had sought more time. Later, a look out circular was also issued against him to prevent him from leaving the country, CBI sources said.

Karti then approached the Madras High Court which had stayed the circular. The Supreme Court later put on hold the high court order.

During a hearing before the apex court, Karti had told the court that he was willing to appear before the CBI to which it directed him to appear on August 23.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud allowed Karti to be accompanied by a lawyer at the CBI headquarters during the questioning.

The CBI had registered the case on May 15 against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and the Mukerjeas.

The Mukerjeas, charged with the murder of Indranis daughter, Sheena Bora, are currently in jail.

Former finance minister P Chidambaram had issued a strong statement in response to the FIR, saying that the government was using the CBI and other agencies to target his son.

FIPB approval was granted in "hundreds of cases", the senior Congress leader had said. PTI ABS RCJ MIN RCJ

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The High Court Bench stated that there was no evidence against Chief Minister and two other accused in Lavalin case.

Kerala High Court upheld CBI special Court's verdict discharging Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Lavalin Case today.

In a 202 page Verdict on the review petition filed by CBI against acquitting 9 accused including Chief Minister in Lavalin Case, Justice P Ubaid passed order clearing chief minister in the case.

The High Court Bench also stated that there was no evidence against Chief Minister and two other accused in Lavalin case. The High Court has made it clear that three Kerala State Electricity Board Officials,

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KV Rajagopal, Kasturi Ranga Aiyer and R Sivadasan will be prosecuted in the case. Justice Ubaid observed that CBI has framed Kerala Chief Pinarayi Vijayan in the case with malicious intentions and could not substantiate their charges against him.

The High Court also pointed out that Pinarayi Vijayan was only a Minister for short period of two years in from 1996 to 1998 and within that short period he could not involve in conspiracy as CBI has accused.

The project was not schemed by then minister Pinarayi and it was conceived by KSEB for the renovation of three hydro electric power stations -Pallivasal, Paniar and Sengulam in Idukki district that was originally commissioned in 1940 and 1964.

With the verdict, Chief Minister will not face trial in the Rs 374 crore corruption cases leveled against him. The court had completed the hearings in the case five months ago. CBI is going to appeal against the verdict soon.

"CBI was forced to take up the case owing to political pressure. All these years CBI tried to hunt our party through me. Now, the court itself has made it clear that CBI tried to make me a scapegoat. I have always had immense respect to the judiciary and with this verdict, the faith in judiciary has been restored," Vijayan said during a media briefing in Thiruvananthapuram.

HIGH COURT VERDICT - A BIG RELIEF

For Pinarayi and CPIM, the high court verdict is real relief. Chief minister was tense for the last few days as he was expecting the verdict before the court closes for Onam holidays.

While reading the verdict, Justice P Ubaid revealed that he had received anonymous letter after completing the hearing in Lavalin case showing the political interest in the case.

The 20-year-old Lavalin Case was always used as a political weapon against Pinarayi Vijayan both by Opposition and his detractors in CPIM . With high court exonerating Pinarayi, Kerala Chief Minister is going to emerge as the only power centre in the state.

While the court was reading the verdict, DGP Loknath Behera visited the Chief Minister at his official residence Cliff House. DGP remained with the Chief Minister till television Channels flashed the verdict.

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"Chief Minister looked worried for the last few days. He was aware about the verdict is going to come in this week. It was unfortunate that he was trapped in Lavalin case. He had lost his best years in the scandal that was politically motivated," one of the CPIM legislator who met Chief Minister two days ago told India Today.

The high court verdict has given an edge for Pinarayi and his loyalists in the state. So the chief minister can go ahead with his dream projects with cool head for another four years.

VERDICT MAY BE AN ERROR IN JUDGMENT: CONGRESS

Responding to the High Court verdict, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said that the verdict may be an error of judgment. "We have many examples including Jayalalithaa and Lalu Prasad Yadav, who were found guilty by the apex court after being acquitted by lower courts. In an international agreement how can a chief engineer and two common officers carry out such a scam? By allowing three accused to be trialed, the scam angle has returned in the Lavalin case. It has come to my knowledge that the CBI will file an appeal against the High Court verdict. Let us wait for the truth to be revealed in the apex court," said Chennithala.

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PINARAYI-LAVALIN CASE: TIMELINE August 1995: Government signed an agreement with Canadian company SNC-Lavalin which wwas to provide support for renovating hydro-electric projects by Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). Congress leader G Karthikeyan was the then electricity minister. May 20, 1996: Pinarayi Vijayan sworn in as minister for electricity in EK Nayanar-led LDF government. October 1996: Vijayan along with KSEB officials traveled to Canada and hold discussions with officials of SNC-Lavalin. During the visit, the Kerala delegation allegedly submitted a proposal to provide grant for Malabar Cancer Centre as precondition for awarding the contract. February 1997: The pact of consultancy was changed to an agreement to supply equipment for the project. January 1998: KSEB gave green signal for the final agreement which involved a financial assistance of Rs 130 crore. October 1998: Vijayan resigned as electricity minister after becoming the CPI(M) state secretary. June 2001: For the first time, corruption allegation was raised on the deal between KSEB and SNC-Lavlin. March 2003: AK Antony-led UDF government ordered vigilance probe into the alleged SNC-Lavalin scam. July 2005: CAG report revealed that deal incurred huge loss to the state exchequer. SNC-Lavalin blacklisted by UDF government owing to request from the then LoP VS Achuthanandan. March 2006: Oommen Chandy-led UDF government handed over the case to CBI. January 2007: Kerala High Court ordered CBI probe. January 2009: CBI named Pinarayi Vijayan the ninth accused. June 2009: Kerala governor granted permission to prosecute Vijayan in SNC-Lavalin case. March 2011: Supreme Court dismissed revision petition filed by Vijayan challenging the governor's order to prosecute him. June 2013: CBI stateed in court that there is sufficient evidence to prove Vijayan's involvement in the case. November 2013: CBI special court discharged Vijayan and six others in the case citing that the chargesheet filed by the agency was incomplete. January 2014: CBI filed revision petition in High Court against special court verdict discharging all accuses including Vijayan. February 2014: Oommen Chandy-led UDF government informed the High Court that exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 266.25 crore in SNC-Lavalin deal. January 2016: UDF government approached High Court seeking to speed up the hearing of the petition challenging the acquittal of seven accused. March 2017: CBI clarified High Court that there is sufficient evidence to prove criminal conspiracy in awarding the contract to SNC Lavalin. August 23, 2017: Kerala High Court rejects CBI petition in SNC-Lavalin case and acquits Pinarayi Vijayan of all charges.

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U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, called Monday night for Congress to have a long-overdue debate and vote on Americas ongoing military actions against ISIS, al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

His remarks followed President Donald Trumps primetime address on the countrys latest military strategy in Afghanistan. A member of the Senate Foreign Relations & Armed Services Committee, Kaine said his committee has been asking for that for months.

The President broadly outlined a vision tonight, similar to past efforts, and well now need to hear specific details from our diplomatic and military leadership to ensure any strategy is comprehensive and will help achieve the aim of ensuring Afghanistan does not become a breeding ground  as it once was  for terrorists that seek to harm us and our allies, he said.

Kaine also called for Congress to talk about and vote on American military actions combating terrorist groups in the region as the longest war in American history  started after 9/11  continues.

The majority of us werent in Congress in 2001 to vote on the Authorization for Use of Military Force thats still being used to justify our current military action, and we owe it to our service members and the American people to define the U.S. mission and publicly reaffirm our commitment to this fight, he said.

Trump, in his speech Monday, acknowledged that the American people are weary of war without victory, and said he shared that frustration. The Commander in Chief said his original instinct was to pull out of the war before deciding that the nation must seek an honorable and enduring outcome to the war in which many American service members have died.

The president said the consequences of a rapid exit were unpredictable and unacceptable and that America continues to face immense security threats in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

When I became President, I was given a bad and very complex hand, but I fully knew what I was getting into: big and intricate problems. But, one way or another, these problems will be solved  Im a problem solver  and, in the end, we will win, said Trump.

He also said, Terrorists who slaughter innocent people will find no glory in this life or the next. They are nothing but thugs, and criminals, and predators, and  thats right  losers. Working alongside our allies, we will break their will, dry up their recruitment, keep them from crossing our borders, and yes, we will defeat them, and we will defeat them handily.

The president did not disclose how many more troops would be sent to Afghanistan, but said Monday that the U.S. would shift away from a time-based approach, instead linking its assistance to results and to cooperation from the Afghan government, Pakistan and others. Trump he hinted that hed embraced the Pentagons proposal to boost troop numbers by nearly 4,000, augmenting the roughly 8,400 Americans there now, the Associated Press reported.

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said in a statement Monday that Trump provided strategic guidance for the Afghanistan strategy following a rigorous interagency review.

I have directed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to make preparations to carry out the presidents strategy. I will be in consultation with the Secretary General of NATO and our alliesseveral of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers. Together, we will assist the Afghan Security forces to destroy the terrorist hub, Mattis said.

As of Tuesday, some 2,400 U.S. service members had died in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Defense Dept., and more than 20,000 injured.
A North Carolina couple considered armed and dangerous is being sought in connection with a reported shooting Tuesday at a home near Rockfish River in eastern Nelson County.

Sean D. Castorina, 42, and Penny M. Dawson, 40, both of Burlington, N.C., have been charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm following the incident on Laurel Rd. that sent an adult female to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville with serious injuries, according to Virginia State Police.

The reported incident began at 6:48 p.m. Monday when the Nelson County Sheriffs Office received a call about an abandoned Chevrolet Cobalt parked on Laurel Road. Further investigation revealed the Cobalt was registered to an elderly North Carolina man who had been reported missing to the Burlington Police Department in North Carolina. Police there were also looking for Castorina and Dawson, who had been reported missing, state police said.

During the course of the investigation into the abandoned vehicle and missing people, the Nelson County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call at approximately 7:30 p.m., Tuesday about a shooting victim at a residence on Laurel Road. When law enforcement arrived on scene, they found an adult female suffering from a gunshot wound.

Missing from the same residence is a white 2002 Dodge Dakota with a medium-blue tailgate and custom, faded-red, squared-off bumper. The pickup truck has a North Carolina license plate, DHN 5418, affixed to the bumper.

The Nelson County Sheriffs Office and Virginia State Police are actively searching for Castorina and Dawson. Castorina has family in Norfolk, according to police.

Both suspects are considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached. Anyone with information about Castorina and/or Dawson and/or the missing pickup truck is encouraged to call 911 or #77 on a cell phone.
HARRISON  The 34th annual Sioux County Historical Trek will take place on Saturday, Sept. 9. The historical treks tour various parts of Sioux County, exploring local sites and history.

This years trek will travel north of Harrison on Monroe Canyon road and venture into South Dakota and the town of Edgemont. Along the way, people will learn about Devils Den, the Story Post Office and Igloo, South Dakota. The tour will visit the Edgemont Museum, eat lunch at the Victory Steakhouse and tour Red Canyon north of Edgemont.

Registration will be at the Sioux County Museum, Main Street in Harrison at 8 a.m.

There will be coffee and rolls and we will leave Harrison at 8:30 a.m. We will travel by bus for this years trek. Cost for the day will be $10 for the bus, plus lunch. We will return to Harrison at about 4 p.m.

Please call the museum to register, no later than Aug. 31, at 308-668-2100 after 4 p.m., 308-665-5175 or with any questions.
In the wake of the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia community and elected leaders across Statesville are calling for unity.

The Statesville Human Relations Commission hosted a vigil Sunday night to stand in solidarity with the Charlottesville victims, and Monday night Mayor Costi Kutteh reiterated those sentiments.

Far too many times, the people of Statesville have had to stand together to comfort one another and seek answers for ending the violence, he said. But that's what so beautiful about Statesville - we do stand together when hate results in violence and injustice. We stand together - even when we disagree - because we want our community to be a place where all of our citizens are treated fairly, where individuals are respected, where we find strength - not division - in our diversity.

The calls for peace and healing come on the heels of two shootings in Statesville in as many days.

The Unity in the Community prayer vigil for peace and healing Sunday included the Rev. Steve Scott of First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Rob Lee, a Statesville native and the Rev. Reginald Keitt, NAACP president and pastor of Mt. Pleasant Church.

Lee is a descendant of the Confederate General Robert E. Lee. He addressed head-on the national debate to remove Confederate monuments, saying the relics should be taken down.

"When we remember our past, we remember that it can never ever happen again, the reverend said. White supremacy is not in the vocabulary of God  I speak today for me and my family. We are sorry. We are sorry for the actions of our ancestors.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development, Public Administration and European Funds Sevil Shhaideh on Tuesday welcomed German ambassador in Bucharest Cord Meier-Klodt, saying that the relationship with Germany is of strategic importance to Romania.

The Ministry of Regional Development, Public Administration and European Funds (MDRAPFE) quotes Shhaideh as stressing that deepening of dialogue and cooperation between the two countries is a priority to Romania, voicing readiness for mutual support on topics of interest, both within the EU and at regional and international level.

"Cooperation between the two countries is based on a constant concern with maintaining a pragmatic and functional relationship, based on mutual trust and predictability," says MDRAPFE.

In his turn, the foreign diplomat expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations and the position of Germany as Romania's number one foreign trading partner. Moreover, according to the ministry, he expressed his interest "in strategic areas of cooperation, especially infrastructure, education and vocational training that can offer economic opportunities to the less developed regions of Romania and make them more attractive for investment." Ambassador Meier-Klodt also expressed his readiness to concentrate his efforts especially on such strategic objectives.

The ministry adds that 2017 has a special symbolism for the Romanian-German relationship: on April 21, 25 years have past since the signing of the bilateral treaty on friendly cooperation and partnership in Europe. The 50th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties between Romania and Germany and the 10th anniversary of Romania's European Union membership are also celebrated in 2017.

Germany is the first trading partner of Romania, with a fifth of the volume of foreign trade in Romania. Germany is also the third foreign investor in the Romanian economy, with 4.557 billion euros and 11.5 percent of the total investment. Over the last five years, the upward trend of bilateral trade has been maintained, with an average growth of about 10-11 percent per year, with similar annual increases in annual exports (10-11 percent a year), according to MDRAPFE.

AGERPRES
A white koala was born in the Australia Zoo a few months ago. The zoo posted a video of the White Koala Joey on Facebook and asked for suggestions for a name.

The koala is not an albino, the white fur is a result of the recessive trait in the koala's mother. | Photo: Australia Zoo

By India Today Web Desk: A white koala was born in a the Australia Zoo a few months ago. The zoo posted a video of the White Koala Joey on Facebook and asked for suggestions for a name.

The koala is not albino but has a light coloured fur which is quite rare in koalas. The baby koala was born in January 2017 but was only unveiled to the public on August 22. The authorities of Australia Zoo in Queensland's Sunshine Coast have now asked Facebook users to suggest a name.

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Facebook users posted suggestions for the cute baby koala's name, ranging from names like Precious, Marshmallow to Buttercup, Snowie and Elsa.

You can also name the Koala on Australia Zoo's facebook page, here.

FYI : The Australia Zoo was the home to Steve Irwin, the famous zookeeper and conservationist and television personality who shot to fame after series of wildlife documentary called, the Crocodile Hunter.

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By Indo-Asian News Service: Food ATM, a 320-litre refrigerator laden with leftovers, is ensuring that the poor and needy in Kolkata do not go hungry, thanks to an initiative by a restaurateur here.

Asif Ahmed, the co-owner of Sanjha Chulha restaurant chain, started the Food ATM with support of three organisations (Rotary, Round Table, JITO) in front of one of his outlets in Park Circus to help curb food wastage and feed the needy.

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"It's a transparent door refrigerator that is used to store food items. We are educating our customers to pack the leftover food and donate it. In addition to the leftovers from our outlet, people of the city are coming and donating food. Biriyani and bread are some of the common items. They are putting in fresh food as well," Ahmed said.

The refrigerator is topped with a placard saying "the amount of food India wastes annually is enough to feed entire Egypt for a year".

Ahmed said the Food ATM was inspired by similar food-bank concepts in India and other parts of the world.

"One doesn't need any card to access the food. It's just the hunger that lets one access what they need. We are getting a good response from locals," he said.

Ahmed plans to extend the service to his other three outlets as well.

The initial investment was around Rs 50,000, including the cost of the refrigerator.

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Mongoose hair brushes are in high demand in Europe and America, therefore mongoose are hunted in large numbers to cater for this market.

By Baishali Adak: The small carnivorous animal, mongoose, which protects humans from snake bites and rodents in the rural India has been facing a tough time. In the second such large seizure within a month, the West Bengal Forest Department and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), East wing, seized 32,985 mongoose hair brushes from the Old China Bazaar area of Kolkata on Tuesday.

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At least 50 mongooses are killed to obtain one kilogram of mongoose hair, say experts in the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

Before this, 25,000 similar mongoose hair brushes were seized from various parts of Tamil Nadu on July 12 this year. Agni Mitra, regional deputy director, WCCB, East Wing, said, "We arrested four persons in this case - Manoj Gaur, Sanjeev Kumar, Bokul Mondal, Ganga Kharwar. All are traders and confided that they received mongoose hair from local traditional hunters in Bongo Nagar area of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal." "Bongo Nagar is very famous for its high quality mongoose hair brushes. It is in demand from places as far as Europe and America." There are several factories in Meerut, Kanpur and Ghaziabad which manufacture these brushes with impunity still.

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The only bad choice among the food vendors at the International Institute of St. Louis Festival of Nations is eating nothing at all. But if you want to understand what the annual two-day celebration of traditional food, music, dance and crafts from the many ethnicities that make up St. Louis population means to International Institute president and CEO Anna Crosslin, try the curry.

What kind of curry? Thats exactly the point.

What I think is so interesting about commonalities is to see how the same dish  lets say curry  can be presented across a number of countries, Crosslin says. While we might most commonly associate curry with India, this year were going to have Ugandan curry.

Curry is but one example of how the complexities of history, politics, geography, trade and migration have forged links  sometimes obvious, often not  between cultures.

Not in the mood for curry? Then how about a sambusa. Or maybe try a samosa, a pierogi, an empanada ...

All through Asia and Eastern Europe and North Africa, each country does a little pillowed item full of meat, Crosslin says. They call them different things. (Each is) unique.

Crosslin says the ultimate goal of the Festival of Nations is to help St. Louisans and new immigrants to the area who might not otherwise encounter one another to better appreciate each other and to realize there are common values, behavior and traditions that make us more alike than different.

The 2017 edition of the festival will feature more than 40 food vendors and more than 30 booths of gifts for sale in the World Bazaar. Four stages will hold music, dance and storytelling performances, and there will be craft workshops and childrens activities.

Crosslin says the Saturday of last years event saw the largest single-day crowd in festival history. (The festival has added a second satellite parking lot with free air-conditioned shuttles to Tower Grove Park. Details are available on the festival website.) Even in a bad year, Crosslin says, crowd estimates for the festival total 100,000 over both days.

No doubt large crowds will once again throng this years festival. The same cannot be said for the refugees brought to St. Louis as part of International Institutes mission.

Crosslin says that in the previous fiscal year, the institute resettled more than 1,100 refugees in St. Louis. In the current year, the institute was resettling between 70 to 80 refugees per month before President Donald Trumps travel ban went into full effect at the end of June. In July and August, the institute resettled only 15 refugees per month.

Its tragic for the individuals, Crosslin says, and its very sad for St. Louis, which benefits from the broad cultural background of the people.
ST. LOUIS  Police said an officer shot and killed a man who had stabbed an officer inside an apartment Tuesday morning.

But a woman who said she was related by marriage to the person killed said that person was a transgender woman named Kenneth Kiwi Herring. The relative, Crevonda Nance, said police shot and killed Herring shortly after responding to the latest dispute in an ongoing feud between Herring and unfriendly neighbors.

Speaking just after the shooting, Interim Police Chief Lawrence OToole said the officer suffered a cut to his arm during the encounter. The injured officer was taken to a hospital and was expected to be treated and released.

Officers went to the two-family flat in the 5200 block of Ridge Avenue, east of Union Boulevard in the Academy neighborhood, about 8 a.m. after getting two calls about a stabbing, OToole said.

Officers arrived to find a stabbing victim, 30, who had severe lacerations to his face, arms and torso. He told police the name of the person who stabbed him, and he said the suspect was in the apartment next door.

When officers tried to arrest the suspect, also 30, the suspect stabbed one of the officers with a large kitchen knife, police said.

The suspect flourished a knife and slashed at the officers, slicing the one officer on the arm, OToole said.

The injured officer and his partner both fired their weapons, striking the suspect multiple times, killing the person. Police did not release the name of the person who died.

Police said the original stabbing victim was listed in serious but stable condition, but they did not elaborate on the relationship he had to the suspect.

A woman, 28, was arrested at the scene, police said. Authorities said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that she had some involvement in the assault of the first stabbing victim. Her role wasnt clear.

A young child, 2 or 3 years old, was at the scene but unhurt, police said.

The original dispute that resulted in the stabbing and the call for police may be connected to a fire at the building earlier in the morning, OToole said.

Fire Capt. Garon Mosby said firefighters responded to the address shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday after charcoal from a barbecue pit on a second floor balcony fell out of the pit, caught fire and caused minor damage to both the second- and first-floor porches.

Police werent notified. There was no indication of any type of disturbance, Mosby said. It wasnt clear why police thought there could be a connection to the crime. OToole said that was part of the investigation.

Nance joined about three dozen people at a candlelight vigil at the shooting scene Tuesday night protesting the shooting and other recent fatal ones by St. Louis police. She and the others questioned whether police had targeted the correct aggressor in the dispute.

Nance said Herring was married to the 28-year-old woman arrested at the scene. She said that the woman, like Herring, was transgender and that both had been harassed and felt threatened since they moved to the neighborhood from Mississippi several years ago. She said they were raising three boys, the oldest being 8.

Nance said she had spoken to Herring moments before the shooting and that Herring had expressed frustration with neighbors.

Nance said Herring often asked her: Why cant people judge me for what I am or what I do instead of what I look like or what they think I should look like?

Neighbors said Herring had worked as a nurse or caregiver.

OToole spoke to reporters outside the entrance to the hospital where the injured officer was taken. The officer, 32, has been with the department for seven years. The officers partner is 38 and has been on the force for nine years.

OToole said police had been to the building early this year for domestic issues.

Schron Jackson, a police spokeswoman, said Tuesday night that police based their gender identification on the fact that the suspect was dressed as a man and had government-issued identification that listed gender as male. She said the suspects gender identification could be officially revised if relatives confirm the suspect identified as female.

Tuesday's shooting was the sixth fatal officer-involved shooting in St. Louis since May.

On May 10, a woman was shot and killed by an officer after pointing a gun at police in the 3600 block of Wilmington Avenue, a few blocks north of Carondelet Park.

On May 26, a man who threatened to harm police and commit suicide was fatally shot by an officer during an exchange of gunfire at the mans home in the 4800 block of Hamburg Avenue.

On June 7, SWAT officers shot and killed a man who police said opened fire on them with an AK-47 as they tried to serve a warrant at a home on South Kingshighway.

On June 13, an off-duty officer fatally shot a man attempting to rob a gas station just off Interstate 55 and Arsenal Street after the officer identified himself to the man as police and the man shot at him.

On July 20, a man who fled from a stolen vehicle being pursued by police was fatally shot by an officer after he pointed a gun at police.

Christine Byers of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
JEFFERSON CITY  An investigation into whether it was legal for Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley to cast a vote in Boone County in the Aug. 8 election will not include an inquiry into whether he is complying with a state law requiring him to reside in Jefferson City.

Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks said his probe will focus only on whether the first-term Republican is qualified to vote in Boone County, based on property ownership and other documents that would prove his residency.

Burks launched an investigation into Hawleys vote after receiving a complaint from a Columbia, Mo., woman raising concerns about the attorney generals residence.

Questions about Hawleys residence were first raised in a Post-Dispatch article in January after Hawley said he would be living in his home south of Columbia, rather than in Jefferson City.

State law, however, says the attorney general shall reside at the seat of government, which is in the capitol city.

Hawley later relented and announced he was renting an apartment in Jefferson City.

In her complaint, Margaret Booker said she hoped the investigation would settle the attorney generals residency requirement.

But Burks said by law, his investigation can only determine Hawleys eligibility of voting in Boone County, where he voted in a special election to replace a local state lawmaker.

He said he cannot make a determination on the residency requirement, which is contained in Section 27 of Missouri statutes.

My office has no authority to investigate Section 27 of the statutes, Burks said Wednesday.

The investigation comes as Hawley is considering a bid for U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill.

McCaskill weighed in on the residency issue last week during a visit to Warrensburg, Mo., according to the Kansas City Star.

The laws pretty clear. Theres never been an attorney general in the history of our state that hasnt lived in Jefferson City because the law says shall. Listen, Im a Mizzou-educated lawyer, but I can keep up and I know what the word shall means in the law, McCaskill said.

And I know he went to Yale, I think, or Harvard  one of those, one of those fancy ones  I think they taught him the same thing that shall means shall, McCaskill said of Hawley, who obtained his law degree from Yale University.

So if its shall then you must live in Jefferson City  so theres a problem here, McCaskill said. Either hes violating the law by not living in Jefferson City or hes violating the law by voting in some place he doesnt live. One of the two.

Hawley has until Sept. 20 to respond to Burks letter. If he does not provide the requested material, Burks said he would use information and records obtained by his office to make a determination in the case.

A Hawley spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment.
ROCK HILL  The city of Rock Hill has opted out of a group of St. Louis suburbs working to consolidate oversight of their fire protection services.

For more than a year, city leaders have been in talks about a proposal to establish a unified command to oversee fire responses and prevention in Clayton, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill and Brentwood.

The plan emerged from a report by an Oregon-based consultant, Emergency Services Consulting International, which calls for one chief to direct fire operations in the participating cities. Three deputy chiefs, three battalion commanders and two inspectors would fill the remaining leadership roles.

But for the Rock Hill Board of Aldermen, the cost of implementing the plan was too high, according to City Administrator Jennifer Yackley.

The board agreed unanimously in a work session last week to drop out of the plan for now, Yackley said.

It became clear, according to Yackley, that the city could not carry out a long-standing promise to raise salaries for city staff as well as implement the plan.

We all still think a joint fire command is a good idea, Yackley said. But we just couldnt do both and we had other priorities.

Approving the plan would have cost the city $175,000, or about $100,000 more than what Rock Hill currently pays for fire command staff, Yackley said.

For that money we would have gotten much more specialized leadership in different skill areas, Yackley said. And the departments respond to incidents together all the time anyway.

Asked if the plan was dead, Maplewood City Manager Marty Corcoran said, No, it will come back.

He said he is confident that joint command will work for the remaining municipalities.

You had five cities in this, OK? One city dropped out, that changes the flavor, Corcoran said. We have to take a look at everything, and we dont have those figures now.

Although the consolidation would save money in the long run, it is costly in the short term, he said.

It wouldnt save money to start with because nobodys leaving. Everybodys staying, Corcoran said.

Still, Corcoran said he believes the plan can work with just the remaining four cities.

Clayton City Manager Craig Owens agreed.

While this is disappointing, the viability of this concept is potentially just as strong or stronger, Owens said in a statement Wednesday. These are the four largest departments and have the most compact geography. Rock Hill was the smallest city and the smallest fire department in our group.

The consultants, ESCI, put the annual cost of a combined management structure at $1.625 million. The cost would be subsidized by participating cities through a formula that takes into account the size of coverage areas, average number of annual responses and other criteria.

City managers and fire chiefs have not yet gathered to re-evaluate and adjust the plan based on Rock Hills decision, Owens said.

City managers in Brentwood and Richmond Heights could not be reached for comment on the plan Tuesday.

The revamped command structure has gotten some opposition however from Kurt Becker, the district vice president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 2665  the union that, with the exception of Rock Hill, represents uniformed personnel in each city that could fall under an agreement.

Becker contends the proposal could spread resources thin and could pose a danger to rank-and-file firefighters. The decision-making progress has also often excluded union officials, Becker said in a recent memo to Richmond Heights officials.

For Rock Hills part, city administrator Yackley said city leadership plans to reconsider joining a joint fire command in the future.

We are not saying no, Yackley said. We are saying not yet.

Post-Dispatch correspondent Kathie Sutin contributed to this report.
JOLIET, Ill.  A northern Illinois man who killed a pregnant woman and her three children last month when he crashed his pickup truck into their vehicle has been arrested and charged with felony reckless homicide, authorities announced Tuesday.

Sean Woulfe, 25, of Beecher, was being held in the Will County jail, the state's attorney's and sheriff's department said.

A judge on Tuesday set his bond on the arrest warrant at $1 million.

Prosecutors say Woulfe was driving through Beecher, about 40 miles south of Chicago, when his truck slammed into a sport utility vehicle that 29-year-old was driving to Bible classes for her children. Schmidt and her 19-month-old son, Kaleb Schmidt, were pronounced dead at the scene. Four-year-old Weston Schmidt died the next day and 6-year-old Owen Schmidt died two days after the crash.

Prosecutors charged Woulfe with reckless homicide in the deaths of Schmidt, her children and her unborn child. In the news release, they explain that he was charged with reckless homicide because he was driving more than 20 mph over the posted 55 mph speed limit and that he failed to stop at a stop sign.

If convicted, prosecutors say Woulfe faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.
By Indrajit Kundu: A first year student of a private university in Kolkata has alleged that he was severely beaten up by seniors inside his class just days after he joined the course. 16-year-old Sraman Biswas was allegedly kicked and punched by a group of seniors at the Techno India University campus after he refused to take part in an "introduction session" for seniors.

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With cuts and bruises on his face and injury marks all over his back, Biswas had called his parents to inform them about the incident on Monday. When his parents rushed to the campus, they saw Biswas bleeding from his lips.

A formal complaint against unidentified students at the Bidhannagar Electronic Complex Police station has been lodged. The police team visited the college campus on Tuesday, but no arrests have been made yet.

"We hope the guilty students are brought to book. The university must suspend such students so that the environment on campus is conducive for studies," said Sraman's father Shyamapada Biswas.

University officials say they are assisting the police to identify those students who were involved in the assault. The college has also set up a four member enquiry committee to probe the case.

"Immediately after receiving the complaint we had informed the local police. We have also formed an internal enquiry to probe the matter. We are cooperating with the police to identify the guilty. They will be expelled with immediate effect after charges against them are proved," said Debashis Chaudhuri, Associate Dean.

However, the teenager's parents have accused the university ignoring their initial complaints. Sraman's mother Shanta Biswas said she was amazed how such an incident took place despite prior assurances by the university administration.

"They have an anti-ragging committee, and had even taken affidavits from the students. But ever since my son joined the course, we would get such complaints. Initially, we thought the university will act on time before things went out of control but we were wrong," Shanta said.

Sraman, who had recently passed his class 10 examinations had joined the university on August 8, after taking admission into a six-year integrated B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Given his young age, his parents are worried as the teenager continues to be in trauma and is scared to return to college fearing backlash.

Also Read:

This girl is trying to inculcate the habit of reading in disadvantaged children

These boys wore off-shoulder tops to school to teach a lesson to the authorities

--- ENDS ---

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Reactions to the Charlottesville, Va., violence have attracted nationwide and global attention. The car that plowed into a crowd of people protesting against white supremacists, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer, bore an eerie similarity to other terrorist events around Europe, including last weeks attack in Barcelona, Spain.

A 20-year-old Ohio man, described as a neo-Nazi sympathizer, has been charged, accused of deliberately driving his car into the counterprotesters.

But it is the finger-pointing and buck-passing online, even by President Donald Trump and other elected officials, that are most distressing to me. As an international journalist whose home is in Kenya, Ive felt like a helpless spectator watching an unfolding, high-stakes game heading toward a tragic conclusion.

This game is being played out dangerously on social media awash with hateful and hurtful comments. Fake news and sharply opposing opinions are competing for space and attention in the largely unregulated cyberspace. The chaotic digital battleground is nothing like Ive witnessed before, although I have seen a similarly divisive and destructive campaign develop in Kenya. My home countrys experience serves as a stark warning: If America continues on this path, it will not end well.

The Charlottesville incident is just one among the many that have roots in toxic Facebook, Twitter and Instagram exchanges. All this cyberspace bickering does nothing but crush Americas psyche as the country wades deeper and deeper into political tribalism.

Kenya serves as a classic example of how a country can be caught between the jaws of political tribalism and nearly destroy itself in the process. My countrys sharp ethnic and tribal division first played out in the 2007-2008 postelection violence that killed more than 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands of others.

Before and after our recent Aug. 8 presidential election, Kenyans shamefully spewed ethnic barbs and venom at whoever they felt was opposed to their particular candidate.

The divisions entered a dangerous new phase last week after the opposition cried foul over the election of President Uhuru Kenyatta to a second term. Kenyas Constitution limits presidents to no more than two terms in office.

About 24 people were reportedly killed and many others injured when deadly protests erupted over the disputed ballot. Among those who lost their lives were two children.

Moraa Nyarangi, 10, was struck by a stray bullet in the sprawling Mathare North slum in the capital Nairobi. Media reports said Moraa was playing with other children on a balcony on the second floor of her parents house when she was killed by an unknown shooter.

Then came news of 6-month-old Samantha Pendo, allegedly clubbed by an overzealous anti-riot police officer in Kisumu citys Nyalenda slum following violent protests in that opposition stronghold. Baby Samantha died from injuries to her head. Her parents claimed the infant was hit on the head by police officers who stormed their house after the parents declined to let them in for fear of being beaten up.

In Kenya, tribalism is so deeply rooted simply by the fact that one look at someone can tell which tribe he is from. In America, tribalism has some of the same aspects, with race and ethnicity often serving as the political dividing line. Other forms of tribalism have developed over who supports Trump and who doesnt, with the levels of militant devotion reaching such intensity that people seem more and more inclined to deadly violence if their side does not prevail.

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan once stated that there is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. ... There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace.

I quote Annan because he led global efforts to bring sanity to Kenyans, who so differed in the last election in 2007 and 2013 that the country imploded and exploded into mindless violence.

It doesnt always start with overt acts of violence. The clash on social media is what revealed how far tribalism has gone toward dividing my country.

I look online at the harsh exchanges happening on American social media, and I worry about the future. The tragic outcomes in Kenya should serve as a warning to Americans, who are headed down a very dangerous and chaotic path, unless they end political tribalism and heal their racial divisions.

Ashley Bahati Lime, a journalist from Nairobi, Kenya, is concluding four months of work at the Post-Dispatch as a 2017 Alfred Friendly fellow.
By PTI: From M Zulqernain

Lahore, Aug 23 (PTI) Pakistans ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharifs wife Kulsoom Nawaz, who is under treatment for throat cancer in London, will contest September 17 election for National Assembly seat from Lahore despite her ailment, the former premiers close aide said today.

"There has been no proposal under discussion regarding withdrawal of Begum Kulsoom from running the NA-120 seat. She will contest the election and her campaign will be run by the party workers," Sharifs political secretary Senator Dr Asif Karmani told PTI.

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He said she may not be able to participate in election campaign because of her cancer treatmentbut she would contest the election for sure and win it.

The former first lady, in her mid-60s, is being tipped as next prime minister replacing Shahid Khakan Abbasi after winning September 17 by-poll.

The Lahore?s seat fell vacant after the Supreme Court disqualified Sharif on July 28 in the Panama Papers case.

According to Dr Karmani, Begum Kulsoom?s cancer is curable. "Doctors will start her treatment in coming days."

The Election Commission of Pakistan today issued a notice to Federal Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik for allegedly using state machinery in Kulsooms campaign for by-poll. It sought a reply from him within three days.

The PML-N leadership had officially nominated Malik to run her campaign.

According to a senior PML-N leader from Punjab, Kulsoom?s daughter Maryam Nawaz will take care of the election campaign of her mother.

"Maryam will make sure that the party workers run the election campaign for her mother vigorously. Besides, Maryam is also expecting that her uncle ? Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ? extend full help in the campaign," he said.

At a time when all men of the family had been incarcerated by the Musharraf regime and the partys leaders had either gone into hiding or become inactive, Kulsoom came out all alone and, as the PML-N president, led a campaign that mobilised the activists and eventually forced the government to release her family.

Meanwhile, Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has made a telephone call to Sharif to convey his wishes for the health of his wife.

"During the call to Sharif, Gen Bajwa expressed his best wishes and prayers for the health of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz," the militarys media wingInter Services Public Relations Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor tweeted. PTI MZ ZH

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Cancer survivor Sandra Dobson is appealing for women to donate their bras so she can form a chain of hope along a city centre street.

She plans to tie the undies together and string them up in Hanleys Piccadilly to help raise money for Royal Stoke University Hospital.

The 57-year-old decided to give something back to the hospital after staff helped her cope with breast cancer.

Sandra, who runs Piccadilly Brasserie in Hanley, said: I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 50 and it was a complete shock. I found out through a mammogram. I had one and was told that it was just fatty tissue and then, two years later, I was told it was cancer.

It was shocking news and at first I thought I was going to die. That was my first thought. Then I was thinking about my three children. It did not look good.

I had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and hormones as treatment for the cancer and I am still having treatment.

But Sandra, from Waterhayes, was determined so see something good come out of her cancer diagnosis.

Now she and husband Roy are collecting bras to create the chain. Money will be raised through a guess the number of bras raffle and through donations. Proceeds will then go to the cancer ward at Royal Stoke.

The couple are calling for the final push in bra donations to make the chain as long as possible before its strung out along Piccadilly.

I would like people to come down to Piccadilly and donate some bras. And when the bras are up, they can come and have a look and guess how many were donated, added Sandra.

Ive seen this done before when I lived over in Cyprus, where a group of ladies collected bras and hung them around a square where there were bars and cafes.

This is just the latest in her fund-raising initiatives.

I started doing fundraisers for Cancer Research, the Douglas Macmillan, and the hospital. The hospital were brilliant I could not fault them at all. I am still here so that shows you how good they were.

Over the years, I have dyed my hair bright pink and shaved it off, and have done a naked photo shoot with my daughter and granddaughter.

Husband Roy, aged 59, said: I really admire how strong Sandra has been through it all. I dont think I could be this strong.

The diagnosis was a really bad time, but she is a strong woman and would never give up.

Donations can be taken to Piccadilly Brasserie, in Piccadilly, before the chain goes up in six weeks time.
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Ambitious Laura Robinson has had her prayers answered having gone from working in a nursery to owning her own preschool - after launching a new venture inside a church.

Little Robins Preschool will open its doors for the first time next month in a launch that represents five years of searching for its owner.

And Laura, aged 31, believes the rooms she's taken on at Dresden's United Reformed Church are 'real gems'.

The fledging business can play host to 24 children across two rooms with Laura already looking to run a holiday and after school club.

Laura, who has been working in childcare for 15 years, said: "I have wanted to do this for a long time. It has been a long-standing dream of mine, ever since I got in the profession.

"I've been looking for the right place to open a nursery for about five years and then I found this real gem."

The preschool will have one room for young children, aged two and below, and another for youngsters who are getting ready to go to school.

Laura, of Dresden, added: "We will be preparing children for when they go to school. But they will be learning based on what interests them. If a child is into cars then we can use that to get them counting.

"That way they find it interesting and don't know they are learning."

A number of parents have already registered their children at the preschool ahead of its September launch. Laura said: "I've been working in childcare now for 15 years. I started out as an apprentice at 17 and am now a nursery owner. I'm really excited to finally get the nursery open now."

Little Robins deputy manager Ashleigh Berry, aged 23, has worked in childcare in both England and Wales.

Ashleigh, who lives in the Potteries, said: "I'm incredibly excited to start working with the children so we can further their development at Little Robins Preschool.

"I've always wanted to work in childcare because I come from a very child-oriented family."

The preschool is due to open on September 4 with names being taken for January entry. Little Robins accepts children aged two to five, as well as those who haven't quite reached their second birthday.

It will also take children who are eligible to either 15 or 30 hours a week of free childcare.

For more details check out the preschool's Facebook page.
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A 43-year-old man has been jailed for 18 years after attempting to board a Ryanair flight while carrying a pipebomb.

The device was found in Nadeem Muhammed's luggage at Manchester Airport as he attempted to board the flight to Bergamo, Italy, on January 30.

Tens of thousands of travellers from Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire and South Cheshire pass through the airport every year.

Muhammed, of Tinline Street, Bury, was today jailed at Manchester Crown Court, with an extended license of five years, after being found guilty of possession of explosives with intent to endanger life.

In January Muhammad attempted to pass through security at Manchester Airport, with the suspicious item in his hand luggage.

An airport security officer spotted the small device, which contained about 10grams of gunpowder, as it went through the x-ray scanner.

Muhammad was stopped, questioned and stopped from flying - but was not arrested after trained airport staff assessed the device was unlikely to be viable.

However Following further enquiries and forensic examinations of the device by police, several days later, it was determined it was viable and Muhammed was arrested.

Speaking after today's sentencing ACC Russ Jackson, responsible for the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: This afternoon, Muhammad has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

The device which consisted of three AAA batteries and the shell of a marker pen when examined in the laboratory was found to contain just under 10 grams of gunpowder and dressmakers pins.

As the judge indicated today, this could have caused not inconsiderable damage to property and injury to people close to the device.

We cannot be certain what risk this device presented and may never know Muhammads intentions unless he decides to tell us.

I want to be clear that we accept there were errors made in the assessment of this item."

Mr Jackson said: Our debriefs of staff have shown that Muhammads explanation, his demeanour when stopped, the absence of any concern in background checks and the actual initial assessment of the device, certainly led to the view at the time that this was not a suspicious incident.

This was wrong and when the true nature of the item became clear, immediate steps were taken to arrest Muhammad and he has been successfully prosecuted and today sentenced to 18 years in prison.

What should be made clear is that airport security screening was effective and the device found. I also want to explain that both airport and police have reviewed our security procedures to ensure that proper operating procedures are followed on every occasion where there is a suspicious incident.

Since January, there have been several occasions when these have been tested and procedures have worked effectively, although thankfully on each occasion the incidents have been false alarms.

This is an extremely serious incident at a time when people are concerned about terrorism, especially here in Manchester and whilst it should be acknowledged that the security checks were effective in finding the item, the assessment of the device should have been more comprehensive and taken place sooner.

These lessons have been learned and reviews of operating procedures have already taken place.

In May, four months after Mohammed attempted to take the pipe bomb on board the plane, 22 people people were killed in an unconnected suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena following an Ariana Grande concert.
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Drug dealer Daniel Ryan has been jailed after he was caught with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine and heroin.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard police had become concerned about the activities of men in a red Ford Focus who had travelled from Liverpool and were said to be dealing drugs.

They located the 29-year-old defendant in Blurton and officers carried out an enforced stop.

Police found 9.7 grams of heroin worth 300 and about 2,500 worth of crack cocaine.

Now Ryan has been locked up for three years.

Prosecutor Hunter Gray said Staffordshire Police had become increasingly concerned about the activities of people in a red Ford Focus who had travelled to the Potteries from Liverpool.

He said: A decision was made to locate the vehicle. It was found in Allendale Walk, Blurton.

"The defendant was seen to get in the vehicle and an enforced stop was carried out by the police. He was detained. Officers found 26 deals containing 6.7 grams of cocaine in the centre console, 48.2 grams of crack cocaine on the front passenger seat, together with 9.7 grams of heroin.

"The defendant was arrested and taken to the police station. A further search of his person revealed a further package which contained 9 grams of cocaine.

Ryan, of Hazel Avenue, Whiston, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing a class A drug with intent to supply; driving while disqualified; and driving without insurance.

Reginald Mills, mitigating, said the defendant was a drug user and had accrued a debt. He said: He had no means of discharging the debt. He was told where to go and what to do, and to bring back at least 2,000.

Mr Mills said Ryan is due to become a dad next month. He added: He wants this to be the catalyst to settle down and become drug-free.

Judge David Fletcher jailed Ryan and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.

He said: This was street dealing. It was clearly motivated by financial advantage.

The judge ordered the destruction of the drugs.
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Staff and residents are celebrating after their care home bounced back from special measures to be given a positive report.

Fernlea Residential Home, in Meir, was rated as inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last year.

But a new manager was appointed and the Sandon Road home  which has 12 residents who are either elderly, disabled, or have learning difficulties - is now performing much better in all five areas. In its latest report, it was deemed to be good in three areas  whether the service is effective, caring and responsive  but requires improvement in whether the service is safe and whether it is well led.

Current manager Jamie Baird and his staff organised a fun day at the home to celebrate the turnaround.

The 28-year-old, from Bentilee, said: It has been hard work. Theres still room for improvement. Maintenance work on the building is ongoing and it is starting to look well.

To celebrate our achievement, we decided to hold a summer fete and involve friends and family of the residents. Its raise some money so the residents can have a day out.

Senior carer Nikki Akhtar, aged 37, from Meir, said: In the past few months, we have improved by team work and new management. There is a better atmosphere around the place. The residents are happier.

Director of the care home, Mary Nawal, added: We are out of special measures thanks to the wonderful manager and staff. They have worked really hard. There is a nice atmosphere.

Activities co-ordinator Jade McCourt has also seen the changes firsthand. The 23-year-old said: The atmosphere is now a lot nicer and the residents are a lot happier. They go out a lot more than they did. They go bowling, to the cinema and have been to the Harry Potter studios in London.

Judy Ward has worked at the home for 19 years. The 54-year-old, from Meir, said: The change has been phenomenal. It is a lovely place to work. The staff are all friendly. If we continue to work together, I am sure we will continue to improve.

Residents also enjoy living at the home and appreciate the way they are cared for at Fernlea.

Eddie Davies, aged 50, who has been at the home for more than 20 years since having a leg amputated, said: I am pleased it is out of special measures. I like the staff. They are caring. I like the atmosphere.

Andrew Chadha, aged 49, who has Downs syndrome and has lived at the home for five years, said: I enjoy living here. The staff are wonderful.

MS sufferer Susan Mason, aged 55, added: I love living here. The food is excellent. I am good friends with the staff. We are like one big family.
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A further 149,000 will be spent on Stoke-on-Trents final drive to be named UK City of Culture 2021.

Stoke-on-Trent is one of five cities to be shortlisted for the prestigious title, with the winner due to be announced in December.

And now cabinet members at Stoke-on-Trent City Council have approved an additional budget to help the bid over the finishing line.

The new funding will include 70,000 for a new public art work, 40,000 for a bid submission event and 33,000 to pay for external staff to support the bid.

This budget is in addition to the 165,000 the council has already spent on staff, publicity materials, surveys and other work associated with the initial bid.

It is not yet known what the public art work will be, or where it will be situated. The final bid has to be submitted by September 29.

Anthony Munday, cabinet member for a greener city, development and leisure, said: The first tranche of money to support the initial bid has now been spent, and there have been some discussions about how much money will now be needed to support the next stage of the bid.

There was a consensus that the amount should not exceed 150,000, and it just happens to come in at 149,000.

This is all to maximise the opportunities through the bid. A number of activities and actions are planned, including a comprehensive communications plan, key events by ourselves and partners  the Big Feast, the British Ceramics Biennial, the Art of Islam event, the bid submission event, and Mipim in London, where well be publicising our event.

I chaired a meeting of the core group yesterday with council officers and outside bodies, who are working tremendously hard to get the bid together.

Stoke-on-Trent is up against Coventry, Sunderland, Paisley and Swansea on the City of Culture shortlist, with six other candidate cities now having been eliminated.

Council leaders say winning City of Culture would give a boost to the local economy many times the size of the authority's investment.

Hull, the current UK City of Culture, has seen more than 1 billion of investment, with 1.4 million visits the activities in the first three months of its cultural programme.

Paul Williams, who has been seconded from Staffordshire University to work on the bid, believes that while the money spent on the bid could yield huge returns if it is successful, investment in culture is something well worth doing anyway.

He said: We know that investing in culture yields dividends in terms of feel-good factor, education and the economy.

The cultural journey has already paid dividends. Over the course of the last two years, the bidding process has galvanised people from all communities. The creation of strong, sustainable creative partnerships is already delivering a much needed economic and social boost across the city.

I welcome this further investment in culture  the rocket fuel for regeneration  not only as it re-affirms the councils commitment to the city of culture bid, but also because the people of the city deserves a stronger cultural sector and the renowned benefits this can deliver.
By Vidya : Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, walked out of the Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai amid high security today. He was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on August 22 after spending almost 9 years in jail.

A heavy deployment of military police was put in place as the Army stated that there was a threat perception and hence it needed to ensure that no untoward incident took place.

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Purohit was taken to Colaba military station in a military police vehicle as several other military vehicles tasked with security arrangements got stuck in the morning office rush hour towards Mumbai.

Speaking to India Today while he was being taken to Colaba, Purohit said, "The Army will be determining what I have to do". He proudly said "jai hind" with the promise of coming to the special NIA court where his case will be heard. However, as it turned out, the Army had other plans for him, which is why he could not attend the court proceedings.

ARMY CONDUCTED PUROHIT's MEDICAL CHECK-UP

The Army is said to have first conducted his medical check-up and has analysed the threat perception that Purohit is facing. The authorities said that the threat emanates from fringe organisations as Purohit is alleged to have been a part of the terror group, which was planning to make India a Hindu nation. At the moment, he has been given a temporary accommodation by the Army and will be attending court on Thursday.

Meanwhile, his lawyer Shrikant Shivde filed an exemption application, saying that since formalities at the military station could not be completed on time, a day's leave should be given from attending court proceedings. The court understood the same and granted him a day's leave. His lawyer would at least take a week more to finish off arguments on the discharge plea. Purohit's lawyer is telling the court that the evidence presented is fabricated and thus he should be exonerated in the case.

Special Public Prosecutor Avinash Fasal has already argued against Purohit's discharge, saying that there is ample evidence against him. What the special NIA court has also done is that it has combined two processes - one of discharge and the other of framing of charges together. The court is likely to come to a conclusion next month and if it feels that the accused cannot be discharged from the case, trial against them will begin. Apart from Purohit, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur is also an accused, who is already out on bail.

ALSO READ |

Lt Col Shrikant Purohit walks out of jail after 9 years: Latest developments

Malegaon awaits justice: As Purohit gets bail, town says have faith in judiciary

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Malegaon blast accused Lt Col Purohit to be attached to Army unit, remains suspended

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | Big victory for Lt Col Purohit: 2008 Malegaon blast main accused released from jail

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Team Townhouse: General manager Neil Hanson, left, and head chef Ben Draper at the bar

The exterior view of The Townhouse

Gill Sutherland finds the pull of the recently renovated Townhouse irresistible when she pops by to meet the team. Photos Mark Williamson

The Townhouse is what you might call a magnet destination... Set in a 400-year-old Grade II-listed building on Stratfords Church Street, there is something about it that pulls you in.

Perhaps its the unusual exterior architecture, or maybe the easy ambiance, boutique chic of the decor, or fast-growing reputation for good food and proper service Whatever it is, when I step over the threshold on a summers morning to meet the newish team behind the Townhouses recent reincarnation, I immediately yearn to slide into one of the comfy chairs, order a large gin and forget about all woes, cares and the rain drizzling down outside.

Luckily super-welcoming general manager Neil Hanson pulls me back to sobriety with a proper cappuccino as we chat about the business, family (hes Dad to two little ones) and which gin cocktail I would have ordered from the menu  were I not on duty and it still being before midday.

Neil has been at The Townhouse for just over a year, having joined from Bistrot Pierre, located opposite Avon Boating on the river, which he had made a huge success during his seven years there.

He was tempted into taking over managing the Townhouse by Brakspear, who bought the business in autumn 2015 and carried out extensive renovations to the restaurant and 12 bedrooms.

Brakspear approached me because of my experience in Stratford, says Neil. Obviously everyone has heard of The Townhouse and its had such great success in the past. But it had been under-loved by a succession of average owners, people who thought they could just do what they did before, but I could see Brakspear were going to invest in it.

Brakspear are a famous brewing family, starting off making beer in 1711  at a brewery in Henley-on-Thames. Amazingly they are still in the business 300 years on, and while tenanted and leased pubs have been the mainstay of Brakspear, under chief executive and fifth generation descendant, Tom Davies, the company now also manages 12 pubs in south England  including The George in Shipston  all with unique charm and high standards.

Tom is creating a hugely successful legacy for the next generation, says Neil. Brakspear are using their expertise to open up a new avenue of managing their own pubs and restaurants. They are not in a rush to make money, they want it to be right.

Talking about how he got into the business, Neil explains that it was his own wider family that inspired him to pursue hotel and catering after a few false starts in his career.

Id done a four-year apprenticeship as a plumber to keep Mum and Dad happy but I didnt get on with it, says Neil. Then I got a job at Rover  thats where everybody goes in Droitwich if they cant get a job elsewhere, and I hated that but did it for four years.

He continues: I got to the age of 24 and thought I need to find a career. My aunt and uncle ran a pub and seemed to have the best lives, so I joined Whitbreads. Their training programme was fantastic, very ahead of its time.

Since then Neil has had a wealth of experience including managing an independent boutique hotel, running restaurants, recruiting catering staff and even supervising the bar at Worcester Warriors.

Reflecting on the work to be done at The Townhouse, Neil says they are keen to attract locals. We want local trade, its their restaurant and bar, says Neil emphatically. We have 12 bedrooms so of course we embrace any visitors to the town but we are trying to build the business on locals, thats our driving force.

The chic new design of The Townhouses interior rooms  classic and cool in shades of green and black  certainly adds allure, and Neil has introduced a sophisticated drinks menu, including the aforementioned cocktail menu and special offers on increasingly trendy prosecco; theres also more live music  including pianists playing in the bar and local musicians playing on the late Sunday Session  meaning you can have a long lazy lunch which morphs into a relaxing late afternoon listening to great sounds.

One of the new bedrooms at The Townhouse

Its a slow burn, says Neil of building The Townhouses reputation and offering. I have a lot of things to sort out but one thing I dont is food quality. We have head chef Ben Draper in the kitchen, assisted by Andy Thomson. They are a real driving force, as strong a team as Ive ever worked with  theyre both the same age, both ambitious. They are pillars of the business, and reliable. Its easier to grow the business when you have faith in the food.

With that enthusiastic endorsement of his kitchen team ringing in my ears (and making me keen to sample the food pronto!) head chef Ben steps out of the kitchen to have a word while the restaurant is still quiet.

A local lad, Ben studied catering at Stratford College for three years  and like many great chefs who have trained there cites head of catering at the college Alan Deegan as being hugely inspiring. Since graduating he has worked and travelled extensively; including working at fine dining restaurants as far flung as Jersey, Cornwall, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia.

Talking with Ben about his culinary experiences and his love of cooking is a joy. Asked about a defining foodie moment, he tells me about travelling around the world with his wife Kathy  and a particularly memorable moment going to a Japanese tuna auction at a fish market in the middle of the night. It was an amazing experience, says Ben. One guy stands on a crate, rings a bell and everybody starts screaming, shouting, and waving their hands wildly then suddenly it stops, silence  someone had obviously won the fish. Afterwards we had a big bowl of fresh sushi at five in the morning, it was the best experience.

What brought Ben to The Townhouse?

I wanted to get away from fine dining, says Ben. I believe in fresh flavours and not playing around with it too much  letting the produce speak for itself. The Townhouse appealed to me because although we are a pub company  which has that stigma of microwave food  here everything is fresh and as locally sourced as possible. I dont want to chase accolades  going after rosettes or stars  we recently launched a new menu and pretty much all the feedback weve had from customers is exceptional. Thats the best praise you can get.

Speaking of summer menus, whats going on in the kitchen at the moment?

Going into summer you have a lot of fresh and vibrant fruit and veg. While winter is earthy summer is lighter, so we have things like salads and fishcakes. A lot of our meat comes from Todenham Manor Farm, just outside Shipston, and so we are getting a lot of great steak and pork from them. For me and the boys in the kitchen its about using great fresh ingredients, communicating with our suppliers, and looking at the provenance of the food we offer.

Asked what he would order for lunch, Ben says: We have a lovely chicken dish on at the moment with chickpeas and chorizo and some chargrilled courgettes  its healthy, filling and really tasty. Since travelling in New Zealand, Id probably go for a New World white wine.

Lastly, what is Bens vision for the future

The best plaudit that you can get is a full restaurant of happy customers. The whole company is passionate about fresh, local food. Going forward we want to maintain our standard and build our reputation. We just want to be successful with a full restaurant of happy customers.

I wonder if its gin oclock yet so I can say cheers to that!

Contact The Townhouse on 01789 262222 or visit www.stratfordtownhouse.co.uk
Saudi-led coalition air strikes near the Yemeni capital of Sanaa have killed an estimated 60 people and injured 13 after hitting a hotel, officials in the country have said. Dozens of Houthi tribesmen as well as civilians were among the dead, officials told the AP on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

Eyewitnesses, including a medic, said the two-storey hotel in Arhab, 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Sanaa, had been completely destroyed in the attack, leaving two bodies hanging from the upper floor. Many were still being retrieved from the rubble.

A second strike hit a checkpoint controlled by Houthis a few kilometres away, and several more had been conducted overnight, a local medic told Reuters.

It was not immediately clear why the Saudi-led jets had targeted the hotel. A representative for the Saudi-led coalition did ont respond to immediate requests for comment.

Saudi Arabia and its regional partners have used Yemen's Houthi tribesmen to justify an extensive bombing campaign since March 2015.

The air strikes, carried out at the request of the exiled internationally recognised Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, have been repeatedly criticised for causing unnecessary loss of civilian life.

The bombing of a funeral gathering mistaken for a military target killed 140 people in October last year.

A report authored by several international aid agencies released last week said Yemen suffered more air strikes in the first half of this year than in the whole of 2016, increasing the number of civilian deaths and forcing more people to flee their homes.

Western governments have also faced criticism for their role in the war: arms sold to Saudi Arabia are destined for use in the Yemeni war, rights groups say.

Yemen's conflict has left around 70 per cent of the 27-million strong population now reliant on some form of humanitarian aid. A total of 14.5 million people dont have regular access to clean water, 7.3 million live on the brink of famine and more than 500,000 people have been infected by the worst cholera outbreak in modern history.

Saudi blockades on Yemen's ports and airspace have been blamed for creating the humanitarian crisis and adding to the misery by holding up desperately needed food, medicine and other supplies from entering the country.

Air strikes have also been known to hit hospitals and other vital civilian infrastructure.
Army officers received Lt Col Purohit at Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai from where he was taken to Army unit in Colaba.

By India Today Web Desk: Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit, the prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, was released from the jail today. Lt Col Purohit, who spent almost 9 years in jail, was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on August 22.

Army officers received Lt Col Purohit at Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai from where he was taken to Army unit in Colaba.

#WATCH: Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit released from Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai #MalegaonBlastCase pic.twitter.com/LLjfAuFuwu- ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017

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HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Lt Col Purohit's suspension order would be revoked once he reaches the Army unit. He will be then handed over a posting order. Lt Col Purohit would then finally move to his house in Pune. "I am very happy now. I want to return to my two families - my service and my home. My younger son is 12 years old and wants to join the army like me," Lt Col Purohit said on Tuesday. "I blame no one but my destiny," he added when asked who he blames for his nearly 9 year stay in jail. Purohit has been in jail for almost nine years for his alleged role in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Six people were killed in a bomb blast on September 29, 2008 at Malegaon, a communally sensitive textile town in Nashik district of north Maharashtra. Purohit was accused of providing RDX for the bomb that killed seven persons Muslim-majority town of Malegaon on September 29, 2008. He was accused of being part of Hindu right-wing group Abhinav Bharat. However, Purohit, during the trial, claimed that he was there to spy on the group members and had kept his seniors in the loop on all developments. The suspended Army officer had challenged the April 25 Bombay High Court order that granted bail to co-accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur but rejected his bail plea.

ALSO READ:

Want to go back to serving nation, Lt Col Purohit says as he walks out of jail after 9 years

Malegaon blast: Bail to Col Purohit does not reflect his innocence, says Congress leader Randeep Surjewala

Malegaon blast case: Lt Col Purohit infiltrated into ISI, SIMI camps, says his lawyer

ATS forced me to implicate Lt Col Purohit: Samjhauta blast case witness

WATCH: Joy for family of Malegaon blast case accused Lt Col Purohit after he gets interim bail

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By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) The government today moved Ashwani Lohani, hailed as a turnaround specialist, from the now operationally profitable Air India to the Railway Board as its chairman, while giving interim charge of the national carrier to senior IAS officer Rajiv Bansal.

Lohani replaces A K Mital at Railway Board at a time when the countrys largest transporter has faced two back-to-back derailments, including one where more than 20 passengers died, and for which Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu took "full moral responsibility".

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While Lohani has been associated with railways in the past, his successor at Air India Bansal also spent nearly two years at the civil aviation ministry between 2006 and 2008.

Lohani would be taking over as Railway Board Chairman tomorrow.

Bansal has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Air India for three months.

Presently, he is additional secretary and financial adviser at the petroleum ministry.

A senior civil aviation ministry official said that Bansal has been appointed as Air India CMD for three months.

Bansal is from the Nagaland cadre of 1988 batch and hails from Haryana.

He is taking over as Air India CMD at a time when the government is working on the modalities for the disinvestment of the loss-making national carrier. PTI RAM IAS ABM

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By PTI: recommend CBI probe

New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, today described as a "malicious persecution" the decision of Rajasthan government to recommend CBI probe into some land deals in Bikaner linked to his company.

Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria had yesterday said that the state government has written to the CBI for a probe into alleged land scams in Bikaner, including those involving Vadras company.

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"Another attempt of malicious persecution, exposed... Please hound, persecute and harass as much as you want, such lies will never undermine the truth. #TruthWillPrevail," Vadra said in his Facebook post today, reacting to the Rajasthan governments decision.

"First, Rajasthan police filed an FIR on 26 August 2014. In 3 years, they filed the chargesheets, summoned documents, as also company officials, yet found not an iota of evidence," he said.

"Neither the FIR nor the chargesheets accuse the companies associated with me in any manner whatsoever," Vadra added.

He went on to add, "Having failed with the police FIR and chargesheets, they unleashed the Enforcement Directorate to harass and hound. Enforcement Directorate has conducted raids, seized documents and harassed in every possible manner.

"As they fail, they make one more sinister attempt to rope in the CBI. Has the Rajasthan government lost faith in its own police and investigation?!"

Yesterday, Kataria had said, "As many as 18 FIRs are registered and 4 of them are against Vadras company which was allegedly involved in illegal purchase of nearly 275 bigha land. All the 18 FIRs are in connection with purchase of close to 1400 bigha land in fake names."

The Rajasthan home minister alleged that Vadras company was third party to purchase 275 bigha land in the year 2010 and it sold the pieces of land to fourth party in 2012.

"When the matter came to light, 18 FIRs were registered. Four FIRs are related with Vadras company and now the state government has written to the CBI to investigate them altogether. The issue was also raised in the state assembly in 2014," Kataria said. PTI AKK AKK

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Growing trend of affluent youth taking to high-end drugs, warn officials By Sandun Jayawardana View(s): View(s):

The increasing use of synthetic drugs and abuse of prescription medicines among young people is a worrying trend and needs more attention, authorities point out.

Synthetic drugs such as Ecstasy, Crystal Meth, Ice, Ketamine and LSD are now available in Sri Lanka and are becoming increasingly popular among young people, especially those from affluent backgrounds, according to officials.

Nearly all users of these drugs are below 30 years of age, Excise Departments Special Operations Unit head G.N. Hemantha said.

He said the usage is highest among young people in Colombo, the southern coastal belt, Negombo and surrounding areas, and in Potuvil in the east.

Many of these areas are popular tourist destinations and there is suspicion that locals have been exposed to the use of these drugs through them. In addition some Sri Lankans who go abroad also experiment with these drugs overseas and bring them to Sri Lanka.

The availability of synthetic drugs has reached nowhere near the same level as ganja or heroin, mainly due to those being a lot more expensive, but the addictive nature of these drugs, and the fact that their main target is young people, is a cause for serious concern, Mr. Hemantha noted.

He said there were increasing reports of young people using these drugs at nightclubs and parties. In May this year, the Excise Department made the largest seizure of Ecstasy in the country when it recovered 1672 tablets during a raid in Nugegoda. The young software engineer who was arrested in possession of the drug had purchased them from an online black market site on the so-called Dark Web.

Sri Lanka Customs has also detected attempts to smuggle the drug into Sri Lanka, Customs spokesman Sunil Jayarathna said. In August, last year, officials detected 1000 tablets of ecstasy in an Air Mail parcel at the Colombo Parcel Post. A Sri Lankan national, who had purchased the drugs and had them posted here was arrested.

Ecstasy, medically known as Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) is widely referred to as a party drug as is a popular drug among party-goers and at nightclubs. According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) this synthetic drug causes changes in perception, including euphoria and increased sensitivity to touch, energy, sensual and sexual arousal, need to be touched, and need for stimulation. Harmful side effects include confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep problems, and drug craving.

Also in May, last year, the Excise Department seized 200 grams of methamphetamines or Crystal Meth from the Elakanda area in Wattala, in the first such detection of its kind in the country. Two women were arrested along with the drugs.

Mr. Hemantha said the women were trading in jewellery and clothes. The suspects would take jewellery to be sold in India and return with clothes to sell in Sri Lanka. The women however, were also engaged in the trafficking of methamphetamines. They were purchasing the drugs from a dealer in India and smuggling them in when they returned to Sri Lanka, he said.

Methamphetamine, known as Crystal Meth or Ice is a highly addictive illegal drug classified in the same class as cocaine and other powerful stimulants. It is mostly used as a recreational or club drug and provides a long-lasting euphoric effect. According to medical experts, long term side effects of the drug can include loss of appetite, psychosis including paranoia and hallucinations, aggressive or violent behaviour, breathing problems, significant weight loss and depression.

The danger is that many young people are under the misconception that these drugs are not as additive as hard drugs and are relatively harmless, Mr Hemantha said. But, they need to realize that some of these are just as addictive and can cause terrible long term damage to their health.

Action is also being taken regarding the abuse of certain pain medications which are thought to be used as opioid substitutes by drug addicts. One particular painkiller that authorities are cracking down on is Tramadol. Most recently, Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) arrested a Sri Lankan at the Arrival Lounge with 584 cards of Tramadol hidden in his luggage. It was suspected that he was trying to sell them to local buyers.
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today received his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence, soon after his arrival here on a four-day visit that marks his first trip abroad since assuming office in June.

Official sources said it was an unscheduled meeting between the two leaders who will hold detailed talks tomorrow.

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"Happy to welcome Rt Hon Shri Sher Bahadur Deuba ji, PM of close & friendly neighbour Nepal. Look forward to more extensive talks tomorrow," Modi tweeted later along with a photograph of the two.

The two prime ministers will review the entire gamut of bilateral ties tomorrow and discuss ways to further deepen the special relationship in a range of areas including trade and investment.

The political situation in Nepal is expected to figure prominently in the talks, particularly in the context of steps being taken by Deubas government to fulfil aspirations of the Indian-origin Madheshi community.

"The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on the issues of mutual interest and advancing age-old special ties of friendship between our two countries," the External Affairs Ministry had said on Monday.

Ever since Nepal adopted a new Constitution in September 2015, Madhesis, mostly of Indian origin, have been opposing the new statute as they fear it would marginalise them by dividing the country into seven provinces.

Madhesi protests from October 2015 to February 2016 had resulted in the closure of key trading points with India, triggering shortage of essential supplies in the land-locked country.

The blockade of trade points with India ended in February after more than 50 people were killed in clashes with the police. PTI AKK AKK

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Protesters are putting their bodies on the line to stop mining in its tracks on conservation land in the Karangahake Gorge this morning.

Their actions follows several months of mineral exploration carried out by New Talisman Gold on Department of Conservation land.

More than 20 members of the community are blocking a road up to a mine prospecting site, which is currently being developed for large-scale gold extraction.

According to RNZs Morning Report, three of the protesters have been arrested.

Karangahake resident Beccy Dove says the community has had enough of being locked out of public land.

Why should the mining industry have priority of access to the DoC estate?

Occupying the road and risking arrest is a last resort for her and others, yet the community feels it has no choice, she says.

We are here because this government has no mandate to be handing over conservation land to the mining industry," says Beccy.

We have been ignored - we have to put our bodies on the line because this government refuses to listen to our voices.

We are not going away, and we will continue to send a strong message to this government, New Talisman, and this council that we will not stand for this - its not good enough.

The community is hosting a rally and concert on September 2 to gain wider support for protecting the mountain.
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) The Indian Navy today issued global request for information (RFI) for procurement of 111 utility and 123 multi-role helicopters under the recently- launched strategic partnership model for defence procurement.

Official sources said the RFI has been issued to identify original equipment maker for both the utility helicopters as well as multi-role choppers which are being procured as part of the Navys modernisation plan.

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The procurement of both categories of choppers totalling 234 would cost the government in excess of USD 15 billion, according to experts who said that these two contracts could be one of the largest globally in recent times.

They said the defence ministry is likely to soon issue RFI to select the Indian defence manufacturer which will join hands with the foreign entity or entities (OEMs) for production of the choppers as mandated under the strategic partnership (SP) model.

The last date to respond to the RFI issued today by the Navy is October 6.

The Naval Multi Role Helicopters (NMRH) are being procured particularly to enhance the Navys anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities.

The Navy has been pressing the government to procure new utility and multi-role helicopters to add teeth to its existing capability and replace its ageing fleet of choppers but the procurement process has seen years of delays.

The government had issued RFI for it in 2011 as well as in 2013.

In May, the defence ministry had finalised the SP model under which select private firms will be roped in to build military platforms like submarines, fighter jets and choppers in India in partnership with foreign entities.

The policy envisages establishment of long-term strategic partnerships with Indian defence majors through a transparent and competitive process wherein they would tie up with global OEMs to seek technology transfers to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.

Initially, the strategic partners will be selected in four segments - fighter aircraft, helicopters, submarines and armoured fighting vehicles/main battle tanks. It is expected to be expanded to other segments at a later stage. PTI MPB ZMN

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As Russians seized parts of eastern and southern Ukraine in the opening stages of the war, mayors, civilian administrators and others say they have been abducted, threatened or beaten to force their cooperation. In some instances, they have been killed. Human rights activists say these actions could constitute a war crime. Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov said he was abducted from his office and the bullying and threats did not stop for a minute." He said they tried to force him to continue in his role but he refused. After six days in detention and an intervention from Ukraine's president, he was exchanged for nine Russian prisoners of war and expelled from the occupied city.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Mayor Stephanie Miner will travel to Israel next month along with mayors from several other U.S. cities.

The trip is part of the American Jewish Committee Project Interchange Summit of Mayors, which bring policymakers to Israel for an educational experience.

Miner will travel to Israel from Sept. 9 to Sept. 16. That means she will be out of the country during the Democratic primary to nominate a Syracuse mayoral candidate. Miner leaves office Dec. 31 after completing two terms.

Among other things, Miner plans to meet with public and private officials to discuss economic issues and infrastructure. The trip includes meetings with Tel-Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, Ramallah Mayor Musa Hadid and U.S. Ambassador David Friedman.

"The United States has an important relationship with Israel and we are connected by our shared democracy and security challenges," Miner said in a written statement. "But we are also linked by our shared commitment to civic innovation and entrepreneurship. Our urban leaders have found common ground that I am excited to explore."

The American Jewish Committee will cover travel costs. Miner is one of 10 U.S. mayors making the trip.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Onondaga County Health Department officials are refusing to say where in the town of Geddes workers found West Nile Virus in mosquito pools.

The town includes the New York state Fairgrounds and the Onondaga County Lakeview Amphitheater as well as many homes and businesses. The annual state fair opened on Wednesday.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause serious illness and occasionally death.

Onondaga County announced Wednesday that West Nile Virus was found in mosquito pools in Cicero and Geddes, according to the Onondaga Health Department. It was the first time this year the virus was found in Geddes, officials said.

The county reported the virus was found on East Taft Road in Cicero but did not identify the location in Geddes.

County officials contacted by Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard refused to say where in Geddes the virus was found.

In past years, the county officials have identified the location of where samples were taken in Geddes that had the virus, according to the archives of Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.

Samples in the past were taken on

Gerelock Road

and Belle Isle Road in Geddes, the archives show.

The county is not releasing the location in Geddes because in the past some mosquito traps across the county have been tampered with or stolen, said Lisa Letteney, the county's director of environmental health. She said she did not know whether traps in Geddes had been tampered or stolen.

It also doesn't matter where the samples were taken with in the town because people throughout Geddes and county should all take precautions against mosquitoes, Letteney said. It doesn't matter if the contaminated mosquitoes are found on this road or another road, she said.

The mosquitoes with West Nile could be anywhere, she said.

The location was released for Cicero (East Taft Road) because the traps are so remote in the middle of the swamp that there is little risk the will be tampered with or stolen, Letteney said.

With the State Fair open Wednesday in Geddes, does the county have any special advice for fairgoers?

No, Letteney said.

Fairgoers, like anyone outside, should use repellent, wear long pants and long sleeves, she said. Mosquitoes often are more common at dusk but there are types that come out during the day too, she said.
Marc Thiessen, a fellow with the American Enterprise Institute and former chief speechwriter to President George W. Bush, writes a weekly online column for The Washington Post.

By Marc A. Thiessen | The Washington Post

President Donald Trump's advisers apparently pleaded with him not to attack Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., at his rally in Arizona on Tuesday night. "They all said, 'Mr. President, your speech was so good last night, please, please Mr. President, don't mention any names,' " Trump noted.



But he could not resist. After taking a veiled shot at Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Trump declared,"Nobody wants me to talk about your other senator who's weak on borders, weak on crime. So I won't mention any names." Just a few days earlier, Trump had tweeted an endorsement of Flake's GOP primary opponent, declaring "Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He's toxic!" And the Mercer family - major Trump donors - have given $300,000 to a super PAC backing Ward in her efforts to unseat Flake.

All of which raises a question: Does Trump really want to make Charles E. Schumer the Senate majority leader? Why would a Republican president attack one of his party's most vulnerable incumbents at time when the GOP holds such a narrow majority that it cannot pass legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare - or much of anything else for that matter?

Yes, Flake failed to endorse Trump in 2016. And yes, Flake just wrote a book critical of Trump. So what? Flake has voted with the president 93.5 percent of the time -- more often than Sen. Luther Strange, whom Trump just endorsed in the GOP primary in Alabama. Why on Earth would Trump risk replacing an annoying but reliable yes vote with a Democrat who would strengthen the "Resistance"?

If Flake loses the primary to Ward, Democrats could very well win the seat. Ward is a proven loser who was trounced in her foolhardy primary challenge against McCain in 2016. She recently exposed her political tin ear by calling on McCain to resign right after he was diagnosed with brain cancer -- even suggesting that she be appointed as McCain's replacement. She held town hall meetings to discuss "Chemtrails" -- a conspiracy theory which holds that aircraft are deliberately spraying us with mysterious chemical substances.

Ward is the 2018 version of Sharron Angle, the disastrous tea party candidate who cost the Republicans a winnable Senate race in Nevada in 2010 and gave us six more years of Harry Reid. Ward could hand Democrats a Senate seat in Arizona for the first time since 1988. And even if Flake holds her off, a costly and unnecessary primary race could weaken him in the general election, while draining resources Republicans should be using to target vulnerable Senate Democrats and expand the GOP's Senate majority.

Flake is not the only endangered Republican to find himself in Trump's crosshairs. This year, Trump went after Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., for refusing to support the early, deeply flawed version of the Senate Republicans' Obamacare replacement. A pro-Trump group launched an ad campaign against Heller -- reportedly with the blessing of the Trump White House -- and sent out tweets asking, "Why did @SenDeanHeller lie to voters about #RepealAndReplace? He's now with @NancyPelosi. NOT GOOD!" A recent poll showed Heller narrowly trailing his likely Democratic opponent 41 percent to 42 percent, in a purple state where Hillary Clinton beat Trump 48 percent to 46 percent.

It is not in Trump's interests to see either Heller or Flake lose in 2018. One lesson that Trump should have learned by now is that he needs more than 50 Republicans in the Senate to get 50 votes on his priorities. He needs to build his majority, not reduce it.

Republicans have a structural advantage in 2018, defending just eight Senate seats, while Democrats must defend 25 -- including five in states that Trump won by double digits. But the party that controls the White House usually loses seats in off-year elections. And the GOP will enter 2018 with its base dispirited by legislative failures, while the anti-Trump Democratic base is energized and eager to deliver a stinging rebuke to the president.

If Flake and Heller lose, it is not outside the realm of possibility that Democrats could win back control of the Senate, making the Trump agenda dead on arrival in the chamber. Trump may not care about that, but there is something he should care about: If Democrats retake the Senate, they will control the Senate's investigative committees. Does Trump want to hand Schumer unbridled subpoena power?

If so, then by all means he should do everything in his power to weaken Flake and Heller.
By PTI: By Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Aug 23 (PTI) Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today left for India on a five-day state visit at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Leading a 59-member delegation, Deuba, on his first official trip abroad, departed for New Delhi at around 10 AM (local time).

The prime ministers delegation comprises four ministers, 12 lawmakers from various political parties and nine secretaries. A separate business delegation is also accompanying him.

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Deubas wife Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Finance Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, Tourism Minister Jitendra Dev and Commerce Minister Meen Bishwakarma are also in the delegation.

It also includes National Planning Commission vice- chairman Swarnim Wagle and National Reconstruction Authority CEO Govinda Raj Pokharel, secretaries of various ministries and 21 lawmakers.

Deuba is scheduled to address Indian business community in New Delhi today. Tomorrow, he will attend the ceremonial reception and inspect the Guard of Honor at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also hold an official meeting with Modi.

Deuba is scheduled to visit Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and Bodh Gaya in Bihar before returning to Nepal on Sunday.

Main opposition leader KP Sharma Oli yesterday urged Deuba to discuss the issues of Nepals national interest during his India visit, including the problem of floods in border areas, energy development and the 1950 bilateral treaty.

Deuba took over from Prachanda as the prime minister of Nepal in a power-sharing deal in June. PTI SBP CPS

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Malware targeting Linux systems is growing, largely due to a proliferation of devices created to connect to the Internet of Things.

That is one of the findings in a report WatchGuard Technologies, a maker of network security appliances, released last week.

The report, which analyzes data gathered from more than 26,000 appliances worldwide, found three Linux malware programs in the top 10 for the first quarter of the year, compared with only one during the previous period.

Linux attacks and malware are on the rise, wrote WatchGuard CTO Corey Nachreiner and Security Threat Analyst Marc Laliberte, coauthors of the report. We believe this is because systemic weaknesses in IoT devices, paired with their rapid growth, are steering botnet authors towards the Linux platform.

However, blocking inbound Telnet and SSH, along with using complex administrative passwords, can prevent the vast majority of potential attacks, they suggested.

New Avenue for Hackers

Linux malware began growing at the end of last year with the Mirai botnet, observed Laliberte. Mirai made a splash in September when it was used to attack part of the Internets infrastructure and knock millions of users offline.

Now, with IoT devices skyrocketing, a whole new avenue is opening up to attackers, he told LinuxInsider. Its our belief that the rise were seeing in Linux malware is going hand in hand with that new target on the Internet.

Makers of IoT devices havent been showing a great deal of concern about security, Laliberte continued. Their goals are to make their devices work, make them cheap, and make them quickly.

They really dont care about security during the development process, he said.

Trivial Pursuits

Most IoT manufacturers use stripped down versions of Linux because the operating system requires minimal system resources to operate, said Paul Fletcher, cybersecurity evangelist at Alert Logic.

When you combine that with the large quantity of IoT devices being connected to the Internet, that equals a large volume of Linux systems online and available for attack, he told LinuxInsider.

In their desire to make their devices easy to use, manufacturers use protocols that are also user-friendly for hackers.

Attackers can gain access to these vulnerable interfaces, then upload and execute the malicious code of their choice, Fletcher said.

Manufacturers frequently have poor default settings for their devices, he pointed out.

Often, admin accounts have blank passwords or easy-to-guess default passwords, such as password123,' Fletcher said.

The security problems often are nothing Linux-specific per se, said Johannes B. Ullrich, chief research officer at the SANS Institute.

The manufacturer is careless on how they configured the device, so they make it trivial to exploit these devices, he told LinuxInsider.

Malware in Top 10

These Linux malware programs cracked the top 10 in WatchGuards tally for the first quarter:

Linux/Exploit, which catches several malicious trojans used to scan systems for devices that can be enlisted into a botnet.

Linux/Downloader, which catches malevolent Linux shell scripts.Linux runs on many different architectures, such as ARM, MIPS and traditional x86 chipsets. An executable compiled for one architecture will not run on a device running a different one, the report explains. Thus, some Linux attacks exploit dropper shell scripts to download and install the proper malicious components for the architecture they are infecting.

Linux/Flooder, which catches Linux distributed-denial-of-service tools, such as Tsunami, used to perform DDoS amplification attacks, as well as DDoS tools used by Linux botnets like Mirai.As the Mirai botnet showed us, Linux-based IoT devices are a prime target for botnet armies, the report notes.

Web Server Battleground

A shift in how adversaries are attacking the Web has occurred, the WatchGuard report notes.

At the end of 2016, 73 percent of Web attacks targeted clients  browsers and supporting software, the company found. That radically changed during the first three months of this year, with 82 percent of Web attacks focused on Web servers or Web-based services.

We dont think drive-by download style attacks will go away, but it appears attackers have focused their efforts and tools on trying to exploit Web server attacks, report coauthors Nachreiner and Laliberte wrote.

Theres been a decline in the effectiveness of antivirus software since the end of 2016, they also found.

For the second quarter in a row, we have seen our legacy AV solution miss a lot of malware that our more advanced solution can catch. In fact, it has gone up from 30 percent to 38 percent, Nachreiner and Laliberte reported.

Nowadays, cyber criminals use many subtle tricks to repack their malware so that it evades signature-based detection, they noted. This is why so many networks that use basic AV become victims of threats like ransomware.
Two of Silicon Valleys most influential visionaries, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, this week engaged in a public spat over the future of artificial intelligence and whether the government should take the wheel to counter the threat this emerging technology might pose to mankind.

Musk, a longtime advocate of AI, has expressed serious concerns over the years about the potential for the technology to accelerate faster than society can learn to manage its growth. He has raised fears that intelligent machines could pose a risk to civilization if not properly regulated.

Robot Apocalypse?

I keep sounding the alarm bell, but until people see robots going down the street killing people, they dont know how to react, because it seems so ethereal, Musk told attendees at the National Governors Association meeting last week.

Zuckerberg, who decided to split his time between chatting on Facebook Live and overseeing a backyard cookout on Sunday, responded to a question about Musks views on AI by saying that he was optimistic about its potential.

People who are naysayers and try to drum up these doomsday scenarios . . . I just, I dont understand it, he said. Its negative, and I think in some ways its pretty irresponsible.

When a Twitter fan later asked about Zuckerbergs comments, Musks reply was terse.

Ive talked to Mark about this, he wrote Tuesday on Twitter. His understanding of the subject is limited.

AI will be one of the paradigm-shifting developments of the next century, Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., founder of the Artificial Intelligence Caucus, wrote earlier this month in an op-ed.

Government officials need to examine the long-term impact of the technology, particularly the effect it will have in terms of the industrial workforce in the U.S., he said.

Musks concerns are not unique, noted Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

Other major figures, ranging from Googles Peter Norvig to Stephen Hawking and Bill Gates, in 2015 signed a letter urging more study of AIs potential impact on society.

You could argue that the Zuck/Musk dustup is generational in nature and an expected part of the jostling between the younger and older guard, King told TechNewsWorld.

However, Musks concerns should be greeted with a bit more gravity than Zuckerbergs just trust me on this posture conveys, he said.

Mirror Mirror

On the other hand, Musk has drawn criticism for being hypocritical, given that he has been a proponent of AI technologies at Tesla, SpaceX and other firms that depend heavily on artificial intelligence and machine learning for their success.

His recent remarks amount to fear mongering  and the claims he made serve his own interests, suggested Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Musk promotes autonomous vehicles but trounces on AI, he pointed out. Autonomous vehicles are not possible without AI.

The activities at Musks Neuralink, a new company that is working on a way to enhance human performance through computer implants, should raise concerns about the impact of AI on humankind, McGregor said.

As we have indicated before, by 2025, every new platform you come in contact with will leverage local, network or cloud-based AI in some form, he told TechNewsWorld. This may be something as simple as the user interface or search engine, or as advanced as digital assistants and autonomous control.

The biggest concern about AI should be its ability to replace human labor faster than the existing labor force can be retrained to do something new, McGregor suggested.

Its easy for someone to call for greater regulation of AI, but much harder to put that talk into action, observed Paul Teich, also a principal analyst at Tirias.

The fundamental question for proponents of AI regulation is, what are the behaviors that need regulating? How do we specify the regulations, and then how do we measure conformance to those regulations? he asked.

Temperatures High

AI is becoming an emotional issue for many in the Silicon Valley leadership, said Michael Jude, a research manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan.

The fact is, AI is still a long way from becoming truly intelligent, he told TechNewsWorld. In actual fact, AI is very much less capable, in most applications, than a well-trained dog.

Unlike truly intelligent human beings, AI does not possess consciousness or self-awareness, and researchers do not yet know how to program expressions of those traits into the technology.

The concerns Musk raised involve what is known as artificial super intelligence, Jude said, which would be akin to the capabilities of SkyNet in the Terminator film trilogy.

Zuckerberg appears to be thinking more in terms of artificial narrow intelligence (ANI) or artificial general intelligence (AGI), which are found in application-specific AI, he said.

In the context of Facebook, AGI would have a fair amount of utility, said Jude  for example, in making connections, interpreting usage data and targeting advertising.

Musk is worried about what happens if a computer wakes up, decides its best interests arent humanities best interests, and takes over the world, Jude said. I think that is unlikely . . . at least for the foreseeable future.
By PTI: Maharajganj (UP), Aug 23 (PTI) A team of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and police has nabbed a Nepali national with 52 gram heroin, valued at Rs 10 lakh in the international grey market, from Sonauli area on the Indo-Nepal border here.

Vinod Thapa,19, was nabbed from the Roadways bus stand in Sonauli yesterday, police said.

The accused claimed that he had to deliver the contraband in Nepal against which he was to get Rs 5,000, they said.

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A case has been registered and further investigations are on, police added. PTI COR SAB RCJ

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Google appears to be planning a Pixel-branded Chromebook and a downsized version of its Home smart speaker, following in the steps of Microsoft and Amazon respectively.

Along with two expected new Pixel phones, Google this fall will unveil a Pixel-branded Chromebook and smaller, lower-priced version of its Home smart speaker, Android Police reported Monday, citing a source familiar with the companys plans.

Chromebooks typically have been popular with budget-conscious schools and penny-pinching consumers, but the Pixel laptop may be setting it sights on a segment of the market thats willing to spend more, the Android Police report suggests.

If so, it wont be Googles first effort to sell a premium Chromebook. It first introduced a Pixel Chromebook in 2013, and it offered an upgrade with a base model price of US$999 in 2015. Neither captured much market share.

If Google should decide to continue its Chromebook line, price could be a big factor in its success.

Chromebooks have never sold as high-end notebooks, said Bob ODonnell, chief analyst at Technalysis Research.

For them to try to do something in the premium area would be challenging, he told TechNewsWorld. That has never been a product category where Chromebooks have sold well.

Benchmark for Others

Sales may be a secondary consideration for Google in the Chromebook market, though. Like Microsoft with its Surface tablet and laptop products, Google likely wants to show other Chromebook makers the platforms potential.

What theyre trying to do is establish a benchmark product that shows the market what the technology can do, and hope the other guys follow suit, noted Jack E. Gold, principal analyst at J.Gold Associates.

I dont think Google is going to play the low-end price game, he told TechNewsWorld. Theyre going to try and show more capabilities and encourage OEMs to get more creative with their Chromebooks.

The impetus behind a new Pixel Chromebook is the same as always, noted Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

It allows Google to demonstrate just how robust and great a Chromebook can be, he told TechNewsWorld.

A high-end Chromebook also could prove the value of the ChromeOS to Googles partners by opening a premium market to them.

Its partners have been reluctant to push the price opportunity for Chromebooks above $400, said Stephen Baker, an analyst with the NPD Group.

To be a viable alternative to Windows, Google has to offer its device partners a path to better revenue and profits with Chromebook, he told TechNewsWorld.

The Pixel Chromebook will be designed to help create a viable more premium market, which the partners want, Baker said, but they cant take the financial risk that Google can in building it.

Bison Spinoff?

Because the Pixel Chromebook likely will be a premium product, it wont be stepping on the sales of existing Chromebook makers, said Rhoda Alexander, director of tablet and notebook research at IHS Markit.

I dont see this offering serious competition to their hardware partners, she told TechNewsWorld. Its Google taking a leadership role, showing how things can be done, rather than a volume-hardware play.

Although details were sparse, it seems likely the new Pixel Chromebook will spring from Project Bison, a Google project veiled in secrecy and originally scheduled for release in this years third quarter, the Android Police report suggested.

Bison was intended as a serious competitor to Apples MacBook and Microsofts Surface Pro, according to the report. It was to have a 12.3-inch screen, 32 or 128 gigabytes of storage, 8 or 16 gigabytes of RAM, and an optional Wacom stylus that would be sold separately.

The biggest rumor about the Pixel Chromebook concerns Google integrating support for Android apps, which would be a large, significant step forward, Pund-ITs King said.

It also seems possible that the company could add support for features tied to its Home devices or emerging technologies like Cardboard, he added.

Homes Little Brother

Googles introduction of a little brother for its Home smart speaker is a much-expected move, said Brad Russell, a research analyst at Parks Associates.

They need a low-cost entry point for consumers that arent already in the space, he told TechNewsWorld.

One of the goals of these product lines is ubiquity in the home, Russell pointed out.

The reason Amazons Dot has been so successful is not just because its cheap  its because you can afford to put one in every room if you choose to, he said.

Offering a range of devices enhances a vendors prospects for appealing to a wider audience, noted Jonathan Collins, a research director at ABI Research.

While the idea is to expand the number of devices in the home, vendors ambitions reach beyond the devices.

In the long term, each vendor wants to get their voice assistant platform in the smart home, Collins told TechNewsWorld.

These speakers have become a Trojan horse for the digital assistants, said Technalysis ODonnell.

People are using these speakers to get access to personal assistants more than theyre even using them on their phones, he said, so if Google wants to have more people use Google Assistant, they have to sell more smart speakers.
The follow-up to the infamous Samsung Galaxy Note7 of 2016 - which was recalled due to battery explosion hazard, the powerhouse Samsung Galaxy Note8 introduces a handful of "firsts" to this popular handset line by the Korean Giant

This background defocus effect is more or less similar to what you'll experience on the Apple iPhone 7 Plus. This mimics - to some extent - the bokeh effect that can achieved when using a DSLR with at least f/1.8 lens.

Samsung Galaxy Note8's front-facing selfie camera has 8 MegaPixel resolution, f/1.7 aperture, and auto-HDR.

Personally, I love the fact that flagship Galaxy models still have a 3.5mm audio jack. I often use a lapel microphone when recording videos using my handset for better quality and as such, I totally appreciate this feature. I would imagine that you'd also like this if you love listening to music on the go -- even if there are already many wireless earphones in the market.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)

Through an exclusive 'Unpacked!' media event held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City on August 23, 2017,formally unveiled the 2017 iteration to their popular Galaxy Note flagship smartphone series.Lets talk about these "firsts".The SGNote8 is the first model in the Note series to don a Hardware-Home-Button-less Infinity Display, which is similar to what consumers will find on the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+. To be specific, the SuperAMOLED screen of this new phablet measures 6.3-inch and has a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels.Also, this release is the first ever Galaxy Android smartphone to have a Dual Rear Camera module. Made up of Dual 12 MegaPixel optics with differing f/1.7 and f/2.4 apertures and field of views, this set-up gives Galaxy Note8 2X Lossless Zoom capability and, which is Samsung's version of Depth of Field or Bokeh Effect.You can watch a demo of the Dual Camera features and learn more about the other key selling points of this new flagship phablet via our Quick Review video of the Samsung Galaxy Note8:For those who enjoy taking videos, the phone's rear camera set-up also shoots 4K clips at 30 frames per second and benefits from Optical Image Stabilization as well as Auto-HDR for video recording.One of the key features and main selling points of the Note line is its S-Pen capacitive stylus support. And like its predecessors, this release will likewise have this -- with even more natural and more accurate handwriting support.In terms of design and construction, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 looks and feels almost exactly like the Galaxy S8 and S8+ as it has the exact same glass-metal-glass sandwich build. The main difference is that this phablet has a more squarish or masculine footprint.In terms of internal hardware, the new Note is more or less just as powerful as the older Galaxy S8 and S8+. In Asia, Galaxy Note8 units will run its Grace-UI-skinned Android 7.1 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa Core 10nm Exynos 8895 processor that's complemented by 6GB of RAM for multitasking, and expandable storage starting at 64GB.Samsung Galaxy Note8 will be up for pre-order in the Philippines starting on September 8, 2017 until the 17th with prices starting at. The stylus-toting phablet will be out in a number of downright elegant colors, namely, Midnight Black, Orchid Grey, Deep Sea Blue, and Maple Gold.Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen), Phablet with StylusHigh-End (Flagship Level)162.5 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm(TBD)Orchid Grey, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Black, Maple GoldAndroid 7.1 Nougat with Grace UI6.3 inches (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio), 1440 x 2960 pixels (~522 ppi pixel density), SuperAMOLED Infinity Display, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Curved Corning Gorilla Glass 564-Bit Octa Core 10nm Exynos 8895 Octa6GB RAM64/128/256 GB ROM options, expandable via hybrid nano SIM2 slotBack: Dual 12 MegaPixels, f/1.7 and f/2.4 apertures, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), 2X Optical Zoom, Dual Tone LED FlashFront: 8 MegaPixels, f/1.7 apertureBack - 4K 60fps, 1080p 120fps, 720p 240fps, Dual Video Recording, Video HDRFront - 4K 30fpsMP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264USB Type C 1.0 reversible, USB OTG, 3.5 mm audio jackWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; LTE-AA-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEONoAccelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner, Iris Scanner, Heart Rate, Barometer2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 23G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 21004G bands LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 28(700), 38(2600), 40(2300)Dual nanoSIMNon-removable 3,300 mAh Li-Po battery with Qi Wireless Charging and Fast Charge supportTBDDual Camera Module, S-Pen Stylus Support, Infinity Display, New Design, Iris Scanner, Bixby Assistant, Improved Selfie Cam, Samsung Desktop ExperiencePhilippines - August 23, 2017 via Unpacked! EventPhilippines - September 23, 2017Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 49,990
Google has several new products in the pipeline, according to reports. One such forthcoming product is a mini version of its Google Home smart speaker, akin to Amazon's puck-shaped Echo Dot. It's meant to be a cheaper iteration of Home, though the price remains undetermined.

Mini Google Home

It remains uncertain what the specs are, but because it's a "mini" version, certain features will certainly be absent. Its speaker, for instance, will most likely be not as good as its full-fledged Home sibling.

The smaller Home will be positioned as an Echo Dot competitor. Reports suggest it can be paired with traditional audio systems with voice control, integrate multiple Home devices in a given household, and access Google Assistant without throwing $129 for a brand-new Home speaker.

The Echo Dot costs $50. The mini Home might come with a similar price if it will indeed compete with Amazon's entry-level smart speaker. Time, of course, will tell.

Pixel 2 And Pixel 2 XL On The Way?

Aside from the mini version of Home, Google is also believed to unveil two new flagship devices at a hardware event this fall, about a year after unveiling the first-ever Pixel-branded smartphones. There are so many rumors out there about the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, even alleged mock-ups. Take each with a grain of salt.

A New Chromebook Is In The Works

Finally, Google is also rumored to unveil the first Pixel-branded Chromebook since 2015. There are no concrete specs yet, but Android Police speculates that this new device was born out of Project Bison, a planned Apple Macbook and Microsoft Surface Pro competitor.

It was rumored to have a 12.3-inch display, 32 or 128 GB of onboard storage, 8 or 16 GB of memory, and an optional Wacom stylus, which implied that its screen would have touch and drawing capabilities.

But it's not exactly certain if this new Chromebook is a by-product of Project Bison or a new device designed from the ground up. The important thing is consumers will finally get a Chromebook Pixel follow-up after two years. There's not much information about this rumored Chromebook to go on, but if it's indeed Project Bison, it might cost $799 and up.

All the products mentioned above will be unveiled during the aforementioned fall event, according to reports. This timeline makes sense, especially for the rumored Pixel sequels. Considering Android 8.0 Oreo was recently unveiled, Google might discuss it further during the event. Expect due coverage as we learn more.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
There's a convincing piece of evidence that suggests Google is developing smart headphones. These pair of cans will reportedly support Google Assistant, which indicates the user can issue voice commands while wearing them.

The latest beta of the Google mobile rolled out recently, and with it came new information about "Bisto." This allegedly new device was first referenced in version 7.0 back in April, and then returned via version 7.9 early August. The latest version now confirms that Bisto is actually a pair of smart headphones with Google Assistant built-in.

Here's the particular line of code mentioning Bisto, discovered through an APK teardown by 9to5Google:

"Your headphones have the Google Assistant. Ask it questions. Tell it to do things. It's your own personal Google, always ready to help."

Here's What Google's Smart Headphones Could Do

There are a couple of things the headphones could do. Since it most likely won't feature any screen of some sort for touch controls, we're betting that Google will make Bisto fully voice-controlled, or at least pair it with a smartphone to access its more complex features.

Besides giving commands and answering queries, the pair of headphones will also be able to route and play notifications directly from your phone, which confirms pairing will be essential. The user can then reply to these notifications via voice.

Instead of touch controls, the code suggest physical ones, with references to several hardware buttons, including one dedicated to bringing up Google Assistant and a "top button." One line of code suggests users have to press and hold  perhaps the dedicated Assistant button  to make a query.

Google Smart Headphones: Will It Be Bundled With The Pixel 2?

There is also a string of code suggesting the headphones can update over-the-air, which means they are Wi-Fi enabled, in addition to having Bluetooth capabilities. If you think about it, there's certainly a possibility that the headphones could launch alongside the Pixel 2  which rumors say won't have a headphone jack. Google could even throw in a free pair for every Pixel 2 purchase  Samsung does for the Galaxy S8, bundling the phone with AKG earbuds.

Another Google Glass Situation?

Google hasn't exactly been successful with its wearable projects  just look at what happened to the Google Glass. Initially launched to much hype, the device, which essentially displays a screen onto the iris and can be controlled via voice, was later pulled, although it's making a comeback.

But unlike smart glasses, smart headphones are less of a challenge to develop and are less disruptive than a device that projects images and information onto your eye frequently.

It remains uncertain whether or not Bisto will ever see the light of day, and if it does, we're not sure if Google plans on marketing it to mainstream customers.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A Los Angeles jury on Monday, Aug. 21, issued a $417-million verdict against Johnson & Johnson after it found the company liable for failing to warn a California woman who had been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer about the risks associated with the use of talcum products.

Thousands Of Similar Cases

In a video-recorded deposition, 63-year-old Eva Echeverria said that she had been using the company's baby powder since she was 11 years old until 2016 when she saw a news report about a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer who also used the same product.

Echeverria, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, has undergone surgery to remove a softball-sized tumor but she is now near death and was not able to attend the trial. The plaintiff said that she would have stopped using the talcum product had Johnson & Johnson placed a warning on it.

Johnson & Johnson faces thousands of similar cases involving claims they developed cancer for using the company's products. Many women sprinkle baby powder on their inner thighs to prevent chafing while others place it on their sanitary pads, underwear and perineum for its drying and freshening effects.

Only a few of the cases have gone to trial. Most of the decisions, however, have so far been against the company. The New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson has lost four of five earlier cases that were tried by Missouri juries.

The company announced it would seek to overturn the decision.

"We will appeal today's verdict because we are guided by the science, which supports the safety of Johnson's Baby Powder," said Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman Carol Goodrich.

Safety Of Talcum Powder

The talcum powder is one of Johnson & Johnson's best-known products, and the company stands firm on the safety of Johnson's Baby Powder. Company lawyers cited that scientific studies, the FDA and other federal agencies did not find talc products carcinogenic.

Several studies have investigated the link between the use of talcum powder and ovarian cancer but the results are mixed. Some studies hint of a slightly higher risk while some did not find any link at all.

The American Cancer Society, however, advises those concerned about the potential risks of using talcum powder to avoid or at least limit using consumer products that have it.

"Studies of personal use of talcum powder have had mixed results, although there is some suggestion of a possible increase in ovarian cancer risk," the American Cancer Society said. "There is very little evidence at this time that any other forms of cancer are linked with consumer use of talcum powder."

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
It's official: The Nintendo eShop now has PayPal integration, allowing players to purchase digital games for the Switch, 3DS, and Wii U.

While PS4 and Xbox One users have been enjoying PayPal's online payment services to bag games since the beginning, Nintendo users have been more or less given the cold shoulder. Now all of that is changing for the better.

How To Buy Nintendo Switch, 3DS, And Wii U Games Via PayPal

Step 1: Confirm that the feature is supported in your region.

Note: Here are all the countries supported at the moment: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Step 2: When checking out a game, click on the new PayPal payment option.

Step 3: Link your PayPal account to your Nintendo account using your PC, smartphone, or tablet. Just to be clear, you have to do this only once.

After that, you're all set. You can now buy games using your PayPal funds to buy Switch, 3DS, and Wii U games on the eShop.

Take note, however, that Nintendo says the Nintendo account's country setting must be the same as the PayPal account's.

Nintendo Switch vs 3DS And Wii U

Basically, the integration will let users purchase Nintendo games with PayPal, but there's a minor difference between buying Switch games and checking out 3DS and Wii U titles.

On the Switch, users can nab games using PayPal straight via the console  that is, aside from the option to purchase them on the eShop. That, of course, is a touch of convenience right there.

Meanwhile, on the 3DS and Wii U, users can't avail games using PayPal directly on the console. That means 3DS and Wii U owners will have no choice but to take things to the eShop if they want to buy games using their PayPal funds.

"Consumers around the world can use PayPal to make purchases with their Nintendo eShop accounts directly from their Nintendo Switch. Additionally, consumers can use PayPal on the official Nintendo website to fund balances, and to purchase software downloads on Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch," PayPal's Chris Morse said.

One benefit worth noting in using PayPal to purchase Nintendo games is that parents can create PayPal accounts for their kids and just add funds to them so that they won't have to tie their credit cards to their children's Switch, 3DS, or Wii U, not to mention that the youngsters can make their purchases independently and perhaps even learn how to budget their spending money.

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Investigation revealed that several gangs are active in the business and a gang can make over Rs 15 crore per examination depending upon the nature of the same.

By Shashank Shekhar: Organised gangs are minting huge money by 'rigging' most online examinations by leaking question papers and solving them via computers on remote access, reveals investigation by the Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh.

According to STF sleuths, modern day 'Munnabhais' have found a crack code in online entrance/recruitment examinations by taking control of computers of exam centres on remote access. The pan-India gangs are now compromising the computers and cheating by deploying solvers to fill online question papers from a distant location in an organised manner.

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The revelation came after the arrest of seven members of a gang allegedly involved in leaking a question paper of an online examination for sub-inspectors (SI) last month. The examination was organised by the UP Police Recruitment Board from July 7-31 at 97 centres across the state. The test, however, was cancelled after the question paper was leaked on July 24 on social media platforms of WhatsApp and Facebook.

Investigation revealed that several gangs are active in the business and a gang can make over Rs 15 crore per examination depending upon the nature of the same.

According to police, all entrance tests are now online, including banking, railway, staff selection commission and other integrated common entrance tests. These are usually conducted on Sundays and due to lack of infrastructure (computer and internet) private colleges, institutes and schools are roped in as online test partners.

Police claim it is here the problem starts as these gangs in nexus with examination centres, compromise the computers by installing remote access software. At the time of exam, the solver is either sitting in a five-star hotel or a car garage, and completes the paper on behalf of the applicant, without coming in the radar of cops.

"Our investigation revealed that criminals have made leaking examination papers and manipulating computer systems their full time business. Exams have been made online to bring more transparency, but criminals, in nexus with local exam centres, are running multi-crore rackets," said UP STF's additional superintendent Triveni Singh.

Police say the gangs not only take remote access of computers, but also leak question papers stored in the central servers. "In this case, the paper was stored in a central server based in Mumbai, which could be accessed by local servers at each centres. Only officials of the third party company conducting the tests can access it through their computers, but gang members compromise the computers and leak the paper in advance," Singh added.

He said most third party firms hired to conduct tests lack online security measures and ignore physical, administrative and technical counter measures. During investigation, barely any CCTV footage or other evidence could be gathered as examination firms flouted most rules. Some examination centres have even found this as a luscious business.

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"All online tests are done in partnership with leading IT firms that further delegate the work to local and private exam centres where criminals find loopholes and compromise the system by paying handsome money. Seating arrangements and computers of the candidates are also identified in advance," Singh said.Also Read

Degrees obtained through open university online exams no more valid: UGC

IIT entrance exam to go completely online from 2018: Official

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By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 22 (PTI) Embattled Infosys third largest institutional investor OppenheimerFunds has said its views on the company have not been "materially" impacted by CEO Vishal Sikka quitting.

The views assume significance as large investors take on Infosys and their buy-in will be critical in shaping the companys narrative in the next few days.

"The investment teams thesis on Infosys has not been materially affected by the CEO resignation," OppenheimerFunds spokesperson Kimberly Weinrick told PTI.

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She was responding to an email query on whether the recent developments at Infosys were a cause of a worry for the investment fund that holds 2.16 per cent stake (4.96 crore shares) as of June 30, 2017 in the Bengaluru-based company.

Sikka, Infosys first non-founder CEO, resigned last week citing slander by founders. In a high drama that followed, the board issued a stinging statement blaming co-founder N R Narayana Murthy for the CEOs resignation and also said it will find a replacement latest by March 31, 2018.

A day after the announcement, Infosys board also approved the proposal of up to Rs 13,000 crore buyback offer.

The heated war of words -- often public -- between the Infosys board and Murthy has been on for months now. Murthy, along with some former key executives have alleged serious lapses in corporate governance and also raised questions on some top executives pay as well as a USD 200 million acquisition by the company.

Matters came to a head when an anonymous letter was sent to the Securities and Exchange Board of India and the US Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this year, alleging that Israel-based Panaya acquisition by Infosys was overvalued and that some company executives may have benefited from the deal.

While an independent probe absolved the board of any wrongdoing, Murthy kept up the pressure on Infosys exhorting the company to make public the full contents of the investigation report.

On August 18 when Vishal Sikka quit, the board in a scathing verbal attack on Murthy blamed the latters "continuous assault" and inappropriate demands for Sikkas extreme move and ruled out a formal role for the co-founder in the companys governance.

The board rued that its efforts to resolve concerns of the founders over the course of a year through a dialogue had not been successful and warned that Murthys actions and demands were damaging the company. PTI SR MBI MKJ

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that six people were killed and 53 injured in the blast. | Read More
By PTI: By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Aug 23 (PTI) Pakistans Army chief today called ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif to inquire about the health of his wife Kulsoom Nawaz, who has been diagnosed with throat cancer.

A top aide of Sharif yesterday confirmed that his wife is diagnosed with throat cancer and is receiving treatment in London.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa made a telephone call to Nawaz Sharif and inquired after the health of his wife.

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Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor confirmed on social media that General Bajwa had telephonic conversation with Sharif.

"(The) COAS made a tel call to Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Expressed his best wishes and prayers for health of Begum Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif," Ghafoor tweeted.

It was the first known interaction between the army chief and the former prime minister since he was ousted.

Bajwa was appointed as army chief by Sharif last year and has declared his support for the supremacy of the countrys Constitution.

The former first lady, in her mid-60s, is suffering from throat cancer which is still in early stage and considered curable.

Kulsoom had filed nomination papers for NA-120 in Lahore after the seat fell vacant following Sharifs disqualification to hold any office by the Supreme Court on July 28 in the Panama Papers case.

She faced tough competition from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid who also challenged her eligibility.

After the news of Kulsoom having cancer, PTI chief Imran Khan and other leaders wished her an early recovery.

"I wish her the best as she fights this disease and pray she wins her battle against cancer," Khan tweeted. PTI SH AMS AKJ AMS

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Defence Secretary James Mattis said that the Trump administration will surely take action against Pakistan in this regard this time.

Trump came down heavily on Pakistan for its support to terror groups.

By Press Trust of India: Pakistan will face consequences like losing the major non-NATO ally status if it continues to provide safe heavens to terror groups, two top US leaders have warned, a day after President Donald Trump put Islamabad on notice for harbouring militants.

Trump came down heavily on Pakistan for its support to terror groups, saying the country receives billions of dollars in US aid but continues to harbour militants.

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By providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan, Trump warned Islamabad that it has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists.

Defence Secretary James Mattis said that the Trump administration will surely take action against Pakistan in this regard this time.

"SURE ACTION AGAINST PAKISTAN"

He was responding to a question on a similar rhetoric in the past, but the US had shown reluctance in taking action against Islamabad.

"The words (of Trump) were very tough, but those words have been said before. What's actually going to be done to sort or align that with the strategy?" Mattis was asked.

"I understand the question. Youll just have to watch it unfold in order to really get the answer to it," Mattis who is currently on a trip to the Middle East told reporters travelling with him.

Mattis has directed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to make preparations to carry out Trumps strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"I will be in consultation with the Secretary General of NATO and our allies?several of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers. Together, we will assist the Afghan Security forces to destroy the terrorist hubs," he said.

PAKISTAN'S STATUS AS NON-NATO ALLY NOW IN QUESTION

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson acknowledged that Pakistan's status as a non-NATO ally is now in question.

"We have some leverage thats been discussed in terms of the amount of aid and military assistance we give them; their status as a non-NATO alliance partner. All of that can be put on the table.

"But at the end of the day, Pakistan has to decide what is in Pakistans best long-term interest from a security standpoint for themselves and for their people," he said.

The Taliban and other organisations inside Pakistan seem to be growing their numbers and their presence to the point that at some point they would become a real threat to the stability of the Pakistani government itself, he said.

CONDITIONS-BASED DIPLOMACY TO BE ADOPTED

Tillerson said that the Trump administration is adopting conditions-based diplomacy.

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"Pakistan and the US historically had very good relationships. But over the last few years, theres been a real erosion in the confidence between our two governments.

"Theres been an erosion in trust because we have witnessed terrorist organisations being given safe haven inside of Pakistan to plan and carry out attacks against US servicemen...," he said.

Tillerson did not rule out use of American military resources to attack terrorists if there were actionable intelligence.

"Were going to attack terrorists wherever they live and we have put people on notice if youre harbouring and providing safe haven to terrorists," he said.

The greatest benefactor other than the Afghan people themselves, to achieving stability and peace in Afghanistan are the people of Pakistan. They will benefit more than any other nation, Tillerson said.

Also Read:

Donald Trump corners Pakistan, says can no longer be silent over its safe havens to terrorists

Afghanistan welcomes Trump's 'breaking of silence' over Pakistan's terror activities

Also Watch:

Trump slams Pakistan for harbouring terrorists, seeks bigger role for India in Afghanistan

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Edinburgh TV Festival: Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow has lambasted digital giants Facebook and Google in his Edinburgh TV Festival MacTaggart lecture, while also accusing broadcast journalism of being disconnected from the lives and concerns of those not in the elite.

Throughout his speech, a recurring subject was the Grenfell Tower disaster, which he cited to describe the disconnect in modern society.

Grenfell Tower is a wounding centerpiece of my talk today, and Ill return there amid my two main themes. Firstly, that in the age where everyone is a publisher, public service broadcast journalism has never been more vital. Secondly, humanity needs to match the dramatic growth of social media with a rebirth of social mobility.

Snow said that the explosion of digital media has filled neither the void left by the decimation of the local newspaper industry  nor connected us any more effectively with the left behind, the disadvantaged, the excluded.

Why didnt any of us see the Grenfell action blog? Why didnt we know? Why didnt we have contact? Why didnt we enable the residents of Grenfell Tower  and indeed the other hundreds of towers like it around Britain, to find pathways to talk to us and for us to expose their story?

We can accuse the political classes for their failures, and we do. But we are guilty of them ourselves. We are too far removed from those who lived their lives in Grenfell and who, across the country, now live on amid the combustible cladding, the lack of sprinklers, the absence of centralised fire alarms and more, revealed by the Grenfell Tower.

How much time had we devoted to social housing in this year since the EU referendum, when day after day we found ourselves filling the airwaves with the negotiating positions of Theresa May, Boris Johnson, the Brexit Bulldog, David Davis, Jeremy Corbyn and the rest, before serious negotiations had even begun?

Not just Brexit, consuming the airwaves with so much political flatulence. Stuff which we know from viewing figures whether you are pro or anti-Brexit, bore and frustrate the viewer. And I havent even mentioned the antics of Trump yet. Sapping airtime that could have and should have been devoted to subjects nearer the hearts of those who watch.

Snow described his own link with Grenfell Tower. He had been a judge at a debating contest in April, where the winner was Firdows Kedir, a remarkably poised 12 year old from West London who was confident and used language beautifully. She died in the Grenfell Tower fire. Firdows has been described as the most intelligent, wise and eloquent girl. I was fortunate to witness that first hand and since then I often think what might she have become?

Snow went on to say that Grenfell speaks to us all about our own lack of diversity, and capacity to reach into the swathes of Western Society with whom we have no connection.

Snow said a key problem was that the echelons from which our media is drawn do not for the most part fully reflect the population amongst whom we live and to whom we seek to transmit information and ideas.

Pointing out that 80% of editors went to public school, Snow added: Our elite is narrow and deep  but the throng of those who have borne the brunt of austerity and not shared in the lives we have experienced is WIDE and even deeper. We can as a country no longer allow ourselves to be SO ignorant of the lives of others, or the conditions of people who lived in Grenfell Tower. It should no longer be possible to live in ignorance of the very present danger in which the residents of several hundred UK tower blocks are living."

Snow said that public service journalism remained vitally important in an age when everyone from Trump downwards is a publisher.

Never, since the rise of the printing press, have two companies held such a monopoly over the worlds information. And never have such organisations taken so little responsibility for it. And no Im not talking about Murdoch and Dacre. It is Facebook and Google to whom I refer.

Snow added: Many news organisations including my own, have asked too few questions about the apparent miracle of Facebooks reach. For us at Channel 4 News it has been invaluable in helping us to deliver our remit  to reach young viewers, to innovate, and to get attention for some of the worlds most important stories. But the other side of the issue  the dark, cancerous side  Facebook enabled the story: Pope endorses Trump for President to engage more than a million people during the US Elections. That same algorithm that prioritised many amazing reports of ours, also prioritised fakery on a massive scale. Facebook has a moral duty to prioritise veracity over virality."

He also said Facebook and Google, which benefited from the stories researched and written by public service news providers, have to do more to support them.

The duopoly of Facebook and Google has decimated the market in digital revenue that many hoped would sustain quality journalism for years to come. Now we all need to work together and find another way of supporting it  before its too late.

Snow explained: We have to look at the new players in this digital age. Facebook needs to pay more taxes; Google needs to pay more taxes, the rest too. The digital media duopolies have to pay more to carry professional journalism."

It cannot be beyond the bounds of human understanding to come up with a way of ensuring that these mega entities have to pay to play. Facebook feasts on our products and pays all but nothing for them. This cannot last, Governments, the EU and others have to play an even bigger part in forcing them to pay. Im a fan of Facebook, but Im not a fan of playing fast and loose with the products that we in this room generate at great expense. 

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By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the demise of former Manipur chief minister Rishang Keishing, saying he left a great void in the politics of the Northeast.

Keishing, a senior Congress leader, passed away in Imphal yesterday due to multiple organ failure. He was 98.

"The demise of Mr. Rishang Keishing leaves a great void in the politics of the Northeast, a region he served with great diligence," Modi tweeted.

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"My thoughts are with the family and well-wishers of Mr. Rishang Keishing in this sad hour," the prime minister added.

Keishing had served as Manipur chief minister for four times and was a Rajya Sabha member till 2014. PTI AKK GVS

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Danish Police has found a headless female torso at the sea's edge near Copenhagen, which they suspect belongs to dead Swedish journalist Kim Wall.

By India Today Web Desk: Danish Police has found a headless female torso at the sea's edge near Copenhagen, which they suspect belongs to dead Swedish journalist Kim Wall.

Wall is said to have been killed while taking a submarine ride with the vessel's Danish inventor, Peter Madsen.

Madsen has been charged with killing Wall in his home-made submarine. He had initially told the court that he dropped Wall off alive in Copenhagen. But Peter later changed his statement and said Wall died in an accident on board the submarine and he had buried her at sea.

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Also read: Prominent Indian-origin journalist ousted as LA Times editor

While divers search the area, police is investigating reports of other spotted body parts in the harbour. Police said the arms, legs and head were deliberately cut off from the body and DNA tests are being conducted to identify the torso.

Kim Wall has been missing since she went to sea in Madsen's submarine on August 10. While Madsen was rescued on August 11 after his UC3 Nautilus sank in the strait between Denmark and Sweden, Wall was nowhere to be found.

Also read: India Today Journalist heckled by men at AMU while interviewing women about triple talaq

Madsen, who is also an entrepreneur, artist, submarine builder and aerospace engineer, has been charged with the manslaughter of Kim Wall, and the case has been closed to the public to protect further investigations.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Seven U.S. District Court judges are supposed to handle cases in the Western District of Louisiana, a vast expanse that encompasses 42 parishes and includes federal courthouses in Monroe, Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette and Lake Charles.

But four of the seven judgeships are vacant, and a fifth one will become so at the beginning of December.

The problem is especially acute in Lafayette and Lake Charles.

Were short, said Judge Dee Drell, the chief judge for the Western District, adding that the situation is forcing him to delay cases.

Well get done what we can do, he said. Im just not sure how long we can successfully do that.

Louisianas two U.S. senators, Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, both Republicans, are moving to fill the Western District vacancies, as well as others in the state, but its a slow process.

Meanwhile, problems are much less acute in the state's two other judicial districts, based in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

For a vacant district judgeship in New Orleans, Kennedy has recommended that the White House nominate Barry Ashe, a veteran attorney with the Stone Pigman firm, according to three people with knowledge of the selection who spoke on condition of anonymity. (A district court judge oversees trials in the federal court system.)

Ashe graduated with a degree in political science from Tulane University and, after a stint in the Navy, graduated from Tulanes law school. His clients have included chemical and drug companies, a railroad, the city of New Orleans and Sid-Mars restaurant in Bucktown. Ashe declined to comment on Tuesday.

As The Advocate reported Saturday, Cassidy has recommended three candidates for the other vacant district judgeship in New Orleans: Thomas Flanagan, Wendy Vitter and Jay Wilkinson. The White House will forward one of them to the Senate for confirmation.

Those are the only two vacancies in the 15-judge Eastern District, which is based in New Orleans and encompasses 13 parishes in southeast Louisiana.

The Middle District, which is based in Baton Rouge and includes nine parishes, has its full complement of three district court judges plus Judge James Brady, who is on senior status but is carrying a normal load.

Were in good shape and moving our dockets, Brady said.

Judges in the Western District dont remember a time when they had as many vacancies as they do now.

Three judges on senior status within the Western District are filling in, as are judges from the Eastern and Middle Districts. Federal magistrate judges, who occupy the next rung down from district judges in the federal system, can hear some cases. Drell said he is making plans to bring in judges from out of state to provide additional assistance.

Drell said he is pushing cases back until April or May that he would normally hear in three to four months.

Were doing our best to try them as soon as we can, he said.

The district's three active judges are Elizabeth Erny Foote, S. Maurice Hicks Jr., both in Shreveport, and Drell in Alexandria.

Drell, 69, said he will move to senior status at the beginning of December. That will create a fifth vacancy, although Drell said he plans to continue handling the same caseload for the foreseeable future.

Judge Rebecca Doherty in Lafayette moved to senior status in June but has continued to work. However, she will stop handling cases after September.

When that happens, Lafayette will have no federal district judges or judges on senior status.

Its a potential crisis, said Doherty, who will leave the state and move to inactive senior status, which means that she will no longer have a staff or a judges chambers but could handle some cases down the road.

Doherty said Foote and Donald Walter, a Shreveport-based judge who is on senior status, have come to Lafayette to hear cases there.

But come on, guys, its time to get some judges in here, Doherty said.

Walter, 81, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, said that making the trek from Shreveport to hear cases in Lafayette and Lake Charles can be taxing.

All of us there are doing our best to keep things on track, and were doing a good job of it, he said.

The first vacancy in Lafayette was created in 2015 when Judge Richard Haik moved to senior status. A year later, he retired and joined a law firm where his son is a partner.

In February 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Stephanie Finley, a well-regarded veteran prosecutor who was at the time the U.S. attorney in the Western District, to replace Haik. But Republicans in the Senate blocked her from getting a vote on the floor, part of a broader overall strategy to stall Obamas nominations in hopes that a Republican would win the White House and then get the opportunity to fill the judgeships.

The strategy worked, but it has contributed to the shortage.

President Donald Trump's administration, meanwhile, has been slow to fill vacancies. There are 119 vacancies nationwide, with 22 pending nominations, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

One of those nominated by Trump is Michael Juneau, a founding member of Juneau David, a Lafayette-based litigation firm, to fill Haiks vacancy.

The senator met personally with Mr. Juneau to discuss his qualifications and was delighted when President Trump nominated Mr. Juneau shortly before the August recess, Kennedys office said in a statement. Since Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Cassidy have been alternating nominations, Sen. Cassidy now has the next nomination to make in Lafayette.

Cassidys office said he formed a committee to make recommendations and advise the senator on judicial appointments. As ultimately, the decision is up to the president, we will withhold further comment until the White House makes a formal announcement.

Lake Charles also has no judge since Patricia Head Minaldi moved to inactive senior status in July after well-publicized problems with alcohol abuse.

Louisiana federal judge retires after taking leave for treatment of severe alcoholism BATON ROUGE (AP)  A federal judge in Louisiana has retired several months after taking medi

When Doherty steps down, it will be the first time weve had no active judge in Lafayette and Lake Charles at the same time, said Haik, now a Lafayette-based attorney with the Opelousas law firm of Morrow Morrow Ryan Basset & Haik. The criminal docket there is heavy. Its the pipeline that comes in from Texas on I-10  a lot of drug trafficking. It takes a lot of time.

In Monroe, Judge Robert G. James is on senior status but is continuing to hear cases. Trump has nominated state Judge Terry Doughty to fill his vacancy. Doughty is a judge for the state's 5th Judicial District Court, where he hears criminal, civil and juvenile cases in Franklin, Richland and West Carroll parishes.
If Louisiana is looking to replace Confederate statues with statues of "an actual Louisiana hero," a couple thousand pop music fans have an idea: Britney Spears.

A petition on Change.org says it wants to memorialize the Kentwood native for her talent, strength of character and charitable contributions too numerous to list.

As of Tuesday evening, about 2,000 people had signed the petition, which was created by Kassie Thibodeaux of Rayne.

"Do the right thing," Thibodeaux urges. "Replace the Confederate statues with an actual Louisiana hero and influential human being, Britney Spears."

Not seeing the video below? Click here.
By PTI: By Ajeet Tiwari

Kota, Aug 23 (PTI) The desert state of Rajasthan will soon give the country an alternative to green tea - brewed from olive leaves.

State Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini said the brand -- named Olitia, The Olive Tea -- will be launched "very soon" by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

"The process has been completed and we will launch it as soon as we get time from the chief minister. It will be the first time in the country and the world that a green tea alternative will be produced out of olive leaves," he told PTI on the sidelines of an event in the city.

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Rajasthan started cultivating olives in 2007 in collaboration with Israel and now the state cultivates them on 5,000 hectares, the minister said.

"And we have made a lot of progress since then. An olive refinery is operational in the state at Bikaner, also the countrys first. We have also began production of olive honey," he said.

Asked how the state got the idea of producing "Olive green tea", Saini said, "I am a PhD in Agriculture myself, and I knew olive leaves have several health benefits. So I decided to get some study and lab testing done about it."

He showed several papers with findings of the lab studies.

A lab test, conducted in July, confirmed the presence of several anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and other such substances in the olive leaves.

One of the substances found was Luteolin.

"Experiments with Luteolin show that it suppresses bacteria-induced inflammation. Luteolin is an oxygen scavenger," reads the report.

He said the lab tests confirmed the presence of "such strong anti-oxidant" in olive leaves that they can help prevent several types of cancer -- blood cancer, prostate cancer and ovaries cancer.

After the studies and lab tests confirmed these properties of the olive leaves, the decision to process them was taken, he said.

"It will medically benefit those who suffer from mental stress, cardiac disease. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well," he said.

The Olitia, The Olive Tea, packet also claims it has zero caffeine, builds immunity, fight fatigue and has anti-ageing properties.

Saini said the "olive green tea" will come in multiple flavours which are in vogue these days like exotic, lemon and mint.

"We are trying to diversify and produces other flavours like ginger, Tulsi etc," he said.

"We have received proposals from various countries including the UK, the USA and from the Gulf, that they want to sign MoUs in this regard," he said.

The agriculture minister said that 66 per cent of "our state has arid or semi-arid climatic conditions. But we are among the leaders in the country as far as agricultural innovation is concerned thanks to the chief minister, scientists, officials and the people". PTI TIR ZMN RCJ

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A high-ranking official at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola will serve five years probation and need to pay back the $115,000 she stole or misused from funds meant to improve recreational opportunities for prison employees and their families.

"You're a thief and you stole from people who thought the world of you," U.S. District Judge James Brady said Wednesday to former Col. Shirley Whittington, who formerly headed the maximum-security prison's Emergency Medical Services department. "I could sentence you to those 12 (recommended) months (in prison), but I'd rather see you start paying those people back."

Whittington pleaded guilty in February to a federal charge of wire fraud in the theft or misuse of as much as $160,000 from the Angola Employees Recreation Committee. Whittington faced up to 20 years in prison, but Brady took into account her lack of a criminal history, how she accepted responsibility early on and the consequences she's already faced  like losing her high rank within the Department of Corrections, her job and many of her friends, he said.

"I'm not happy about what I did; I'm sorry about what I did," Whittington tearfully pleaded before the judge at her sentencing. "I'm going to try to do what's right to fix it.  I didn't set out to hurt anybody."

Brady did not impose an additional fine because he said Whittington does not have the financial ability to pay one.

"I'm giving you the opportunity to try to make amends," Brady told Whittington.

In her February plea agreement, Whittington admitted the loss she is responsible for is "at least $40,001." However the pre-sentence investigation report, filed in June, found that Whittington was responsible for the loss of $115,904.68 from the Angola Employees Recreation Committee. That amount, more than $75,000 in excess of what Whittington pleaded to, was ordered in forfeiture before Whittington's sentencing hearing.

The $115,904.68 was the sum of $57,450 in purchases Whittington made with the recreation funds and $58,453 in withdrawals from the account she took in cash or counter checks or went missing from concession stand deposits  and used either for her personal, or her associates', gain, according to court documents filed June 22.

Whittington contended Wednesday that some of the funds cited in the pre-sentence report, about $30,000, were appropriate uses of the recreation committee funds and should not be included in her sentencing.

However, after further questioning about what made the spending appropriate  which included a $2,000 camera, about 26 Walmart gift cards, thousands spent on Bayou Country Superfest tickets and machinery that benefited her side-businesses  prosecutor Chris Dippel poked holes in her testimony.

"This was not an isolated event; this was a pattern and this was a significant amount of money," Dippel said.

Brady ruled that the report on the amount of stolen and misused funds was accurate, aside from a few hundred dollars Whittington accurately recalled was for a painting class for members, bringing the total to $115,519.68.

This investigation and prosecution demonstrate a continued commitment to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting individuals who abuse positions of trust to line their own pockets, regardless of rank or official status," said acting U.S. Attorney Corey Amundson. "Public corruption and white collar crime remain top priorities for this office."

Asked about the sentencing after the hearing Wednesday, Whittington's attorney, John DiGiulio, said he thought it was "very fair."

Whittington was charged in a bill of information filed Feb. 9 by U.S. Attorney Walt Green's office.

She resigned in September from her post at Angola amid a probe into the missing money; she had served as treasurer of the nonprofit Angola Employee Recreation Committee since it was set up in 2006.

Two audits  the first led by the states legislative auditor and a second overseen by the corrections department  pointed to tens of thousands of dollars in committee funds spent on personal items or simply missing.

Among other findings, the latter audit says Whittington spent at least $70,000 of the committees money on personal items over a nine-year period, including more than $27,000 on items purchased through Amazon and PayPal. It also found she routinely withdrew cash from the committees accounts with an ATM card, to the tune of more than $17,000 over a four-year period.

The audit also says Whittington and another former employee had shorted the committees bank account of at least $73,307 when depositing cash from sales at the prison's rodeo.

The second employee, former Lt. Col. Deborah Leonard, was charged with a count of theft by 20th Judicial District Attorney Sam D'Aquilla's office last year. The District Attorney's Office also charged Whittington with theft.

D'Aquilla said Wednesday he dropped the case against Whittington following the federal prosecution on the same misconduct.

Leonard, he said, is participating in a pre-trial program through the District Attorney's Office to divert the charge, as a first-time offender.
LATEST: Tropical Depression Harvey reforms in Gulf of Mexico; heavy rain, flooding concerns headed to South Louisiana

ORIGINAL STORY

Forecasters say remnants of Tropical Storm Harvey could reform into a tropical depression or storm, threatening south Louisiana with a prolonged period of heavy rain and possible flooding.

The threat could come as early as Friday or into next week.

Not seeing the video below? Click here.

At 7 a.m. Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said the remnants of Harvey were close to redeveloping into a tropical depression over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, about 150 miles west of Merida, Mexico. The low was forecast to move to the northwest at about 10 mph across the western Gulf, possibly reaching the northwestern Gulf coast late Friday.

The system could produce storm surge and tropical storm or hurricane force winds along portions of the Texas coast, the Hurricane Center said. Tropical storm or hurricane watches could be required for portions of the Texas and southwestern Louisiana coasts.

SW Gulf tropical development likely today. Potential for heavy rain later this weekend. Monitor updates! #LAwx #MSwx https://t.co/RHpWwT5JIX pic.twitter.com/Jc1D7Y2Hzn  NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) August 23, 2017

On Tuesday, Louisiana leaders met with the newly minted head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to discuss the threat of severe weather as the state braces for the peak of hurricane season.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Harvey was high on the list of topics.

"We don't know yet how widespread the rain bands will be and the different wind effects will be," Gov. John Bel Edwards said.

Edwards said his administration is monitoring the storm, and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparation would establish a crisis team Wednesday.

The storm was expected to pass from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula into the southern Gulf of Mexico late Tuesday and regain tropical storm force.

Regardless of what intensity Harvey achieves, the moisture and rainfall will inundate SE Texas during extended period into next week. pic.twitter.com/3h205RjUnZ  Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) August 22, 2017

The Associated Press contributed to this report
With at least one meeting with prominent business leaders, Gov. John Bel Edwards appears to be fashioning what hes needed from the beginning, a broader coalition for tax reform.

That's even if the coalition members, should they sign on, have to pay higher taxes, as is probably inevitable with income tax increases being fundamental to long-term reform. While the top rate of income tax could come down, the overall take has to rise enough to reduce the onerous emergency sales tax passed in 2016.

But it is not all about money.

Its not about, either, many business leaders strongly dissenting views about the governors positions on lawsuits against the oil and gas industry, or education reform.

A coalition by its nature must not be comfortable, because if it is that means not enough folks of differing views are signed on to achieve the coalitions objectives.

And what Edwards needs is not only a reach across the aisle by business leaders. He needs them to pressure, actively, the GOP leadership in the House that has stymied the governors tax initiatives.

Or rather, the initiatives that the governor has backed; most are not his ideas. Most of the proposals from the business-led tax reform panels, the Committee of 100 for Economic Development, the Tax Foundation  those are not radical or Democratic in origin.

Tax reform, whatever its myriad details, is mainstream and establishment in its major provisions. But those have been stymied by the GOP leadership in the one chamber, despite broad support for major change among members. In fact, the governor is probably correct that in a free vote he would win a majority of the House members, because he knows the thinking of the chamber in which he served two full terms.

It takes a two-thirds vote to raise revenues. It takes a passel of two-thirds votes to restructure the tax code, because even if other taxes are cut or expire from the books, it is irresponsible not to balance the books. In that way, sad to say, even today's dysfunctional United States Congress is better than the Legislature; the budget reconciliation process on Capitol Hill is intended to allow the books to be balanced, although the process is in some disrepute as health care bills have this year been pushed in the Senate through that mechanism.

Louisiana makes it harder, forcing all those two-thirds votes.

Once all that is achieved, if it is, then tax reform will probably require at least one or two constitutional amendments. That means votes of the people, and that means contributions to a political committee to make the case for tax reform. And guess where the money is for that.

People arent stupid. They know that the chaos of the State Capitols current budget crisis hurts their communities. Its hurt most families through vastly higher tuition at colleges, and at purchases at the cash register.

But it hurts business most of all. Not only because of the financial crisis in colleges and universities that has hampered the states overall economic competitiveness, but in the uncertainty that hobbles business planning.

Edwards is asking a heavy lift of the business people hes talking to. But it is ultimately good for them and for the state as a whole.

Email Lanny Keller at lkeller@theadvocate.com.
At a small city park in the Chattanooga, Tennessee, suburb of Cleveland, a crowd of Americans from around the country clapped on Monday afternoon as the sky went dark. Variations of that scene were repeated across America as people cheered the solar eclipse. The eclipse was only partial in Louisiana, but lots of residents here donned dark glasses and looked heavenward to glimpse the event.

Americans love an underdog, and the thought of the moon, exponentially smaller than the sun, temporarily getting the better of a celestial giant was inspiring. Witnessing the strange working of the cosmos on Monday was also humbling. Goodness knows that our culture could use a little more humility these days. The eclipse was also a nice distraction from the summers headlines, which have inevitably brought the kind of darkness that, unlike Mondays momentary blackout, is never welcome.
By PTI: Thimpu, Aug 23 (PTI) Ahead of the 8th edition of the Mountain Echoes literary festival that begins tomorrow, an exhibition showcasing the traditional designs of Rajasthan was inaugurated here today.

Curated by Indian fashion designer Prasad Bidapa, the show titled "Handmade in Rajasthan" is being hosted at the Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre here.

With collections inspired by traditional kota doria and handloom cotton saris, the exhibition celebrates the indigenous craft forms that give Rajasthan its distinctive identity and aims to present a 360-degree view of the states textiles.

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"Mountain Echoes presents a carefully curated segment of beautiful clothes which are handmade in Rajasthan. Each garment reflects the heritage aspect of Indian textiles and craftsmanship, creating a resonance that is luxurious and extremely collectible.

"From the finesse of the kota doria sari to the robust hand-woven khadi... from the exquisite precision of our hand- blocked printing to the finesse of our embroidery, this collection is an emphatic tribute to the spinners, weavers, dyers, printers and embellishers of the beautiful state of Rajasthan," Bidapa said.

The show sets the stage for the literary festival that will witness literary discussions with speakers from across the globe including Shashi Tharoor, Markus Zusak, Karma Gelay, Pema Abrahams among others.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the eastern Himalayas, Mountain Echoes literary festival is an initiative of the India-Bhutan Foundation, in association with the Indian literary consultancy, Siyahi.

The festival will come to a close on August 27. PTI MAH TRS TRS

--- ENDS ---
Chief Minister Andrew Bar has offered to fill out a proxy vote for anyone who wants to authorise him to vote in the same-sex marriage survey on their behalf.

Mr Barr told the ACT parliament that he would stand in as what the Australian Bureau of Statistics is calling a "trusted person", and vote for people who could not vote for themselves.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr: Has offered to proxy vote for anyone who needs help with a yes vote in the postal survey on same-sex marriage. Credit:Rohan Thomson

The bureau says if someone can't access their survey form - if, for example, they are overseas - they will be able to authorise someone whom they trust to complete the survey form on their behalf.

The trusted person should be specifically authorised, they should also know how the voter wanted to vote and fill the form out accurately. And someone could not self-declare themselves as a trusted person, according to the bureau.
Australian universities must offer purpose-driven, industry-aligned cyber security courses to better prepare students for a crucially short workforce, according to a discussion paper to be released this week.

UNSW Canberra research student Adam P. Henry's paper on Master of cyber security programs found that while students were satisfied with their learning, courses often failed to align with the knowledge, skills and abilities required in the workplace.

Universities should partner with industry to help make cyber securities job-ready. Credit:Ryan Stuart

The cyber security industry favoured industry experience over formal education, suggesting current education and pedagogical methods weren't hitting the mark, Mr Henry wrote.

"There is a major gap in the alignment between the education of a student and the hands-on skills required to make them job ready," he wrote.
The mother of two Indigenous brothers badly bashed in the Alexander Maconochie Centre earlier this month was not told they had been hospitalised until the following day, in contravention of ACT Corrections policies.

The men were assaulted in two separate cells in the north accommodation unit about 11.35am on August 7.

Inside the Alexander Maconochie Centre. Two Indgenous men were badly bashed in their cells earlier this month. Credit:Rohan Thomson

Both were taken to Canberra Hospital. One was treated and returned to the jail the same day while the other was admitted to hospital and returned the next evening.

A Justice and Community Services spokeswoman said the error was regrettable and an Aboriginal case manager had since been helping the inmates keep in contact with their family.
The Opposition has urged the ACT Government to exempt the Director of Public Prosecutions from finding budget savings, in a bid to ease the rising pressure on the prosecutor's office.

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Jeremy Hanson on Wednesday urged the government to exempt the DPP from the Justice and Community Safety (JACS) directorate's $4.8 million, four-year savings target.

ACT Liberals legal spokesman Jeremy Hanson has urged the government to give the DPP a break from finding efficiencies. Credit:Rohan Thomson

He said despite years of annual reports and committee recommendations for boosting the DPP's funding, the answer from the government had always been "no, or we'll get back to you, which is not good enough".

Mr Hansen said the lack of resources given to the DPP went beyond the total number of prosecutions, but also affected the quality of those prosecutions, a problem that "shouldn't be forced upon the people of Canberra".
BHP has avoided a potentially embarrassing showdown with shareholders after announcing director Grant King would leave the mining giant's board.

Mr King will leave the board of BHP at the end of August, just six months after joining it, having decided not to stand for election at this year's meetings after a backlash from some investors.

Short tenure: Grant King will retire from the BHP board on August 31. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

BHP announced the decision on Wednesday as it revealed an extensive board reshuffle which includes the pending departure of former Shell executive Malcolm Brinded and the addition of two new independent directors.

Mr King is the president of the Business Council of Australia and was managing director of Origin Energy from 2000 until last November. Some investors had criticised his membership of the BHP board given Origin's recent performance, which was marred by a series of significant impairments on the company's LNG export project.
I am a 30-year-old woman of liberal upbringing and no particular religious affiliation. Among my peers it is a foregone conclusion that I will be voting "yes" in the upcoming postal plebiscite on same-sex marriage. To admit otherwise would be akin to confessing that I am secretly a homophobe or hate preacher.

The fact is: I will be voting "no".

I do not believe I am homophobic. And I am certainly not a hate preacher. Of course my heart goes out to the Penny Wongs of the world. Sexual orientation has nothing to do with whether one loves their children or is a good parent, and such accusations are intolerable. But my peers seem to believe that my two beliefs are incompatible  to vote "no" to same sex marriage is to hate Penny Wong

In my experience, the debate in the lead up to this postal plebiscite has been characterised by this sort of prejudice by the "yes" voters and their intolerance of genuine discussion around the issues. Legitimate debate is being drowned out; anyone who whispers a doubt to voting "yes" is immediately shunned.
The dual citizenship controversy has been a debacle for our political system. Whatever your position on Section 44 of the Constitution it is undeniable that our whole system has coped poorly. It has revealed the extreme limitations of our political structures and the individual people who inhabit them. The structures are the parliamentary and political party systems as well the High Court and the media; the individuals include many of those caught up in the controversy as well as our senior political leaders.

I sympathise with the plight of those parliamentarians who have either resigned from the parliament or been referred to the High Court on the grounds of holding or being eligible to hold dual citizenship. I also advocate a referendum to reform all aspects of Section 44, not just those related to citizenship. Others who are either unsympathetic or against constitutional reform should also reflect on this exhibition of the broader limitations of our system.

Scott Ludlam resigned from the Senate in July. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

When Greens Senators Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters announced their resignations from the Senate in mid-July with some dignity, initial responses were mixed but generally unsympathetic. The Prime Minister dismissed the two senators as incredibly sloppy. He was self-satisfied. This set the scene for the party politics that inevitably followed.

When Matt Canavan, Minister for Resources, announced in late July that he too had been snared by dual citizenship through the actions of his mother, he stood down from the ministry but remained in parliament. His case was referred to the High Court sitting as a Court of Disputed Returns on the advice of the Solicitor-General, which has never been made public. Legal experts warned that resolution by the High Court could take six months or more.
The federal government has told the High Court it may seek security for its legal costs as the Labor opposition launches a challenge to Nationals MP David Gillespie's eligibility to sit in Federal Parliament.

Dr Gillespie is one of a number of MPs whose eligibility will be examined by the High Court, but his case centres on a potential financial conflict of interest rather than the citizenship provisions in the Constitution.

Labor is challenging Assistant Health Minister David Gillespie's eligibility to sit in Parliament Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The first steps in the case were taken in Sydney on Wednesday at a preliminary hearing before High Court Justice Virginia Bell.

Guy Reynolds, SC, for the government, told Justice Bell "we have written to the [Labor Party] .... about the possibility of security for costs".
A suggestion that children dress up as the character from the novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, set in a concentration camp during the Holocaust, has been slammed as offensive, ignorant, tasteless and hurtful.

The suggestion was made in a blog post list of 23 easy Book Week costumes inspired by favourite books, which appeared on the website Children's Book Daily.

A scene from the film version of The Boy in Striped Pyjamas.

Dvir Abramovich, the chairman of the Anti Defamation Commission, which fights anti-Semitism, said it was an "offensive and ill-judged suggestion".

It was a wake-up call that served as a reminder that Australia urgently needed mandatory education about the Holocaust, he said.
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on disaster prevention and relief in Kyrgyz Republic beginning tomorrow during which he will have bilateral meetings with member nations.

"During the visit, the home minister is likely to have bilateral meetings with the ministers of some of the SCO member states," an official statement said today.

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Founded in 2001, the SCO member countries are: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan, and the bloc is headquartered in Beijing.

When asked whether the home minister will meet his Chinese counterpart, a home ministry spokesperson said as of now no meeting has been fixed.

If Singh meets his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the SCO meeting, it will bear significance as India and China has been engaged in a stand-off at Dokalam near the Sikkim sector.

On Monday, the home minister had said a solution to the ongoing stand-off between India and China at Dokalam would be found soon and hoped that Beijing would make a positive move in this regard.

China, however, yesterday said the only way to end the standoff in Dokalam was for India to unconditionally withdraw its troops from the area.

India and Pakistan had joined the SCO, the China- dominated security grouping, in June in Kazakhstan capital Astana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended the summit.

Todays statement said Singh is leading a delegation to attend the 9th meeting of heads of governments of SCO member states to be held at Choplon Ata in Kyrgyz Republic on August 24-25.

The meeting will deal with the prevention and elimination of emergency situations.

The participation of India as SCO member will open the additional opportunities for giving new impetus to the development of international cooperation in the field of protecting the population and territories from emergency situations within the framework of the SCO and will bring it qualitatively new positions in regional and global formats, the statement said.

The meeting will consider and approve the draft action plan for 2018-2019 for the implementation of the agreement between the governments of the SCO member states on cooperation in providing assistance in the elimination of emergency situations, it said.

The Indian delegation includes senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of External Affairs. PTI ACB SMJ

--- ENDS ---
Brisbane bus drivers offering free fares have cost taxpayers more than $3 million as they enter their fifth week of industrial action.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union members launched their first protected industrial action last month by stopping services between 4.30am and 6.30am.

Free fare days have cost ratepayers more than $3.5 million Credit:Michelle Smith

Since then, along with several stoppages, drivers offered free fares for six full days, with another free fare day planned for Friday.

With these free fare days individually estimated to cost more than $500,000, the financial impacts of the industrial action on state government coffers is about to hit more than $3.5 million.
Emergency services have reopened a street in Brisbane's CBD after people were evacuated from buildings following reports of a possible gas leak.

Creek Street was reopened but four fire crews remained on the scene about 5.15pm, a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said.

Creek Street between Adelaide and Ann was closed after reports of a 'strong gas smell' Credit:Darren Curtis - Nine News Queensland

People were being allowed back into the building as all gas levels recorded were within safe standards, the spokesman said.

While the emergency response was winding down, the spokesman said fire crews had not yet found the definitive cause of the smell.
Queensland theme park owners and show ride operators will face some of the toughest penalties in the country for flouting safety rules under proposed industrial manslaughter laws.

Lawyers believe the prospect of 20 years behind bars and a $10 million fine might be just the key to preventing tragedies like last year's Dreamworld disaster in which four people died when the ageing Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned.

Flower tributes at Dreamworld after the deaths of four people last year. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The government has flagged the new laws - which would make Queensland the second state or territory after the ACT to make industrial manslaughter a stand-alone offence - after a review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland regulations.

The review revealed gaping holes in safety regulations for amusement rides, some of which were more than 30 years old, with poor training, insufficient maintenance and inadequate inspections earmarked for urgent attention.
A Brisbane bar owner at the centre of an ID scandal involving Danish Crown Prince Frederik has demanded an apology from Queensland's top cop.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart on Tuesday said the prince had not been initially turned away by Jade Buddha security on Friday night, in line with the state's tough new alcohol laws.

Crown Prince Frederik was in Queensland for a regatta but Princess Mary reportedly did not make the trip. Credit:Cliff Owen

It contradicted comments made by bar co-owner Phil Hogan earlier in the day, who said Prince Frederik was refused entry because he didn't have identification.

Mr Hogan said the prince's entourage was initially told he could not enter, but the royal was later allowed into the venue after police officers from the Dignitary Protection Unit assured them the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation had agreed to make an exception for the future king.
Public places across Queensland will be audited in an attempt to reduce the potential for a terrorist attack.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland government and police would conduct the audit of crowded places in the state.

Bollards were installed in King George Square as part of anti-terror measures. Credit:Cameron Atfield

Ms Palaszczuk said the audit would ensure the best mechanisms were in place to prevent terrorist attacks in Queensland.

It comes after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull released a terrorism strategy to embed long-term changes to Australia's public spaces, including bollards and buildings designed with explosives in mind.
As Samsung launches its new consumer-focused Galaxy Note8 in New York, the company is in conversation with Australian aviation about updating any remaining warnings about its previous Note7 phones, which were recalled after battery issues caused several cases of phones overheating and catching fire.

Samsung collaborated closely with aviation organisations in late-2016, and early this year, regarding safety messages and participation in the Note7 recall program. In most cases, references to Note7 have been removed across Australia and in markets around the world, the company said.

The new Note8, revealed overnight at an event in New York, will sell for $1499 when it goes on sale on September 22 in Australia, $250 more than last year's Note7.

The South Korean multinational is also ramping up its marketing spend  although it won't disclose how much it is spending  to reach a broader consumer audience and giving its loyal users, some of which were refusing to give up their Note7s even as the products were being recalled, freebies.
The state president of the ALP has been forced to issue a grovelling apology to the head of the Victorian Women's Trust for falsely claiming she was a workplace bully who financially mismanaged the organisation.

In a writ filed in the Supreme Court in May, Women's Trust executive director Mary Crooks had accused senior Labor official Hutch Hussein of defaming her via an email that was sent to former Equal Opportunity Commissioner Moira Rayner.

Hutch Hussein has been forced to apologise for making false and defamatory claims.

The writ paved the way for what was expected to a bitter court stoush between the two high-profile women, who have spent years advocating for gender equality in their respective fields.

Three months later the matter has been settled, with Ms Hussein issuing a written apology and conceding her claims had no foundation.
A man has been injured after a motorised scooter drove onto railway tracks at Flinders Street Station.

Metro Trains has warned of delays up to 15 minutes on the Werribee, Williamstown, Pakenham, Frankston and Cranbourne lines due to the scooter on the tracks.

Fire crews, police and ambulance on the scene at Flinders Street Station. Credit:Nine News

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade received a call about 5pm to assist Ambulance Victoria with a man whose mobility scooter had driven off platform eight.

A high-angle rescue team was dispatched to help lift the scooter from the tracks.
For some book week is all about Captain Underpants, but this nine-year-old student from East Fremantle has a hero of a different kind: 'spud king' Tony Galati.

After his mum couldn't find him an outfit of Deadpool to dress up in for book week at Attadale Primary School, Josh quickly went for his other idol - WA's infamous potato grower.

Josh had to stop off to get a bag of spuds before he went to school. Credit:Ari Gonzales

"He said 'don't worry mum, I've decided to go as Tony Galati the Spud Shed dude!'", said his mum Ari Gonzales.

"I told him it wasn't a book character but Josh told me he would write his autobiography and bring that as his book.
Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday ordered foreign staff members of a US nonprofit that receives support from the US government to leave the country within a week, part of an apparent attempt to silence opposition voices in the lead-up to national elections next year.

Cambodia is ruled by one of the world's longest-serving leaders, Prime Minister Hun Sen, whose Cambodian People's Party received a strong challenge from the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party in local elections in June.

Cambodia's autocratic leader Hun Sen (right) has also alarmed critics with his attacks on a newspaper that's scrutinised his family's business interests.

The US nonprofit, the National Democratic Institute, is loosely affiliated with the United States' Democratic Party and has provided training to various Cambodian political parties, including those from the opposition. Local media organisations with ties to the ruling party have accused the organisation of conspiring against Hun Sen.

On the Cambodia page of its website, the National Democratic Institute includes a critical description of the grip Hun Sen's party has on the country.
The Centre today notified that the Reserve Bank of India will soon introduce Rs 200 currency notes.

Speculative photo of the Rs 200 note that earlier made rounds on social media

By India Today Web Desk: Prepare your wallets for new currency notes - after a lot of speculation in the media, the government today confirmed that notes of denomination Rs 200 are indeed on their way. This will be the first time in India's history that there will be currency note of Rs 200d denomination.

The Finance Ministry, in a Gazette notification, specified the new currency note. In the notification, the Centre said that the Rs 200 note's specification was being done on the recommendation of the Central Board of Directors of the RBI.

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There has been a lot of speculation about the introduction of the Rs 200 note - recent reports had said that the RBI had ordered printing of the notes and that the decision to introduce the Rs 200 note was taking in March.

Two Reserve Bank of India printing presses under Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited - an RBI subsidiary that prints banknotes - from Mysore and Salboni were reportedly given the task of printing the Rs 200 note.

The Centre, while confirming that the Rs 200 note is on its way, did not offer more details. It is not known when the note will be introduced or how they might look. Speculative pictures on social media showed a purple-coloured Rs 200 note that looks quite like the new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes that were introduced after the surprise November 8, 2016 demonetisation announcement.

The move was aimed at checking black money, counterfeit notes and terror financing. Following the announcement, made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a prime time televised speech, the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes had ceased to be legal tender.

While the government came out with new Rs 500 notes, which had additional security features, there were no Rs 1,000 notes introduced after the note ban announcement, leading to complaints of a shortage of change. The introduction of Rs 200 notes is expected to make daily transactions easier.

Today's confirmation comes close on the heels of the RBI saying that it will bring out new Rs 50 currency notes - the old Rs 50 notes will remain valid.The fluorescent-blue Rs 50 banknotes will bear the motif of 'Hampi with Chariot' that depicts India's cultural heritage.

INDIAN CURRENCY NOTES: BIRTH, DEATH, REBIRTH

Here's a look at the introduction, demonetization and remonetization of Indian currency notes since RBI's inauguration in 1935.

1935: Reserve Bank of India formally inaugurated

1938 (birth): First Rs 5 note issued by RBI & subsequently Rs 10, Rs 100 & Rs 1,000 & Rs 10,000 (largest currency denomination ever printed by RBI)

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1940: Re 1 note reintroduced as a wartime measure

1946 (death): Rs 1,000, Rs 5,000, & Rs 10,000 notes were taken out of circulation.

1954 (rebirth): Rs 1,000, Rs 5,000, & Rs 10,000 notes reintroduced

1978 (death): Rs 1,000, Rs 5,000 & Rs 10,000 notes deemed illegal for the second time

1987 (birth): Rs 500 note came into circulation in October

1998 (birth): Rs 1,000 notes reintroduced

2016 (death): Rs 1,000 notes taken out of circulation

2016 (birth): Rs 2,000 currency notes introduced

2017 (rebirth): Re 1 note to be introduced again

2017 (birth): Rs 200 notes notified, to be introduced for the first time soon

ALSO READ | Post demonetisation, time for overhaul of currency presses, paper mills

ALSO READ | Demonetisation effect? RBI halves dividend to government, experts blame rise in currency printing cost

ALSO WATCH | Demonetisation town hall: How long will the 'little pain' last?

--- ENDS ---
Phoenix: Donald Trump supporters and protesters gathered at the site of the US president's latest campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona, the first gathering since the Charlottesville neo-Nazi event led to three deaths.

Outside the Phoenix convention centre, shouting matches and minor scuffles erupted between the two sides.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton had asked Trump to delay his political event to allow for more time of national healing.

The White House later said Trump won't pardon former sheriff Joe Arpaio during his visit to Arizona. Eager to capitalise on his hard-line stance on immigration, Trump had teased the politically inflammatory possibility of pardoning Arpaio.
Washington: Daniel Kammen, a renewable energy expert appointed last year as a science envoy to the State Department, resigned on Wednesday, citing President Donald Trump's response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the final straw that led to his departure.

In a resignation letter posted to Twitter, Kammen wrote that Trump's remarks about the racial violence in Virginia had attacked "core values of the United States" and that it would have "domestic and international ramifications."

However, his most biting message may have come in the form of a hidden acrostic; the first letter of each paragraph spelled out "I-M-P-E-A-C-H."

Demonstrations by white supremacist groups on August 12 turned deadly after a neo-Nazi ploughed a car into a crowd, killing one counterprotester and injuring at least 19 other people in Charlottesville. Two police officers were also killed when their helicopter crashed.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong upgraded the storm warning to the highest for the first time in five years and cancelled its stock exchange morning trading session as Severe Typhoon Hato drew closer to the financial centre.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and schools and most businesses in the Asian financial hub closed.

Streets were largely deserted on Wednesday as winds intensified and rain lashed down, with many skyscrapers in the heart of the financial centre in darkness as the city battened down for one of the worst storms in years.

Hato churned up water in the iconic Victoria Harbour and triggered large swells and massive waves on some of the city's most popular beaches, with the weather observatory warning of serious flooding in low-lying areas.
By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 23 (PTI) The Shiv Sena today accused the BJP of winning the recent civic polls in adjoining Mira- Bhayander with the help of "money" and "muni" (sage), and asked the poll authorities to act against a Jain monk who reportedly campaigned for the saffron party.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has moved the State Election Commission (SEC) against monk Naypadmasagarji Maharaj for allegedly violating poll code, and equated him with controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik.

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"The BJP won the polls only because of money and Muni power. The Jain monk is no less than Zakir Naik. Both issue illegal fatwas in the name of religion. This Jain monk, in reality, is a political goon.

"He has not only broken the electoral code of conduct, but also disrespected the Supreme Court which has ruled that nobody can seek votes in the name of religion," Sena leader Sanjay Raut told reporters here.

He said all those Mira-Bhayander corporators who won due to the monks influence in the twin townships be disqualified.

"We have, thus, complained against the Jain community leader to the SEC and demanded that all those corporators, who won due to the monks influence, be disqualified," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

In a video message allegedly circulated during the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) elections, the Jain monk reportedly urged his followers to vote for the BJP to uphold vegetarianism in the twin townships.

"If you do not vote for the BJP, new slaughterhouses will open," the monk reportedly said in the message.

Raut claimed it was the Sena which protected the Jain community members during the 1993 Mumbai communal riots.

Meanwhile, the BJP hit back at the Sena and advised its bickering ally not to vent its ire on the Jain religious leader.

"Instead of targeting the Jain muni, (the Sena) should introspect as to why people rejected them in the Mira-Bhayander civic polls," state BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said.

The BJP had swept the August 20 polls, bagging 61 of the 95 seats, while Sena trailed far behind with 22 seats.

"The Sena has no moral right to stake claim to the Hindutva legacy as it is demeaning a Jain Muni who has devoted his life to social work," Bhandari said.

"Equating the Jain muni to a terrorist is indicative of ideological bankruptcy (of the Sena)," he said.

"Since the 2014 Assembly polls, the Sena is on a decline and this election is only a continuation of its losing spree," Bhandari said.

BJP MP Kirit Somaiya also chipped in by condeming the Sena leaders comparison of the Jain muni with a "terrorist like Naik".

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"Their (Sena leaders) arrogance is crossing all limits," he said. PTI MM VT RSY SRY

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By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 23 (PTI) A 30-year-old Shiv Sainik was electrocuted after he came into contact with the live wire at a Ganesh festival pandal in suburban Andheri today, the police said.

The incident occurred this afternoon when a worker at the pandal was pulling a wire from the first floor of a nearby building for installing bulbs when he received an electric shock, a senior police official said.

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The Shakha Pramukh (branch head) Vaibhav Hande, who was standing close to the worker, rushed to his rescue, but accidentally touched the live wire, he said.

Hande was rushed to local hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead, the official said.

A case of accidental death was registered by the Sakinaka Police, he said, adding that further investigation is underway.

The eleven-day Ganesh festival will begin on Friday. PTI AVI NSK

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Srinagar, Aug 23 (PTI) Kashmiri separatists announced a five-day protest calendar today over the issue of Article 35A, including a strike on August 29 when the Supreme Court will hear a petition challenging the constitutional provision that grants special privileges to people of the state.

Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, head of moderate faction of Hurriyat Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik, in a joint statement, said there was a need for fighting on the issue with "unity and steadfastness".

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"On Tuesday, 29th August, the day when Indian Supreme Court is hearing this case, a complete and comprehensive protest strike will be observed throughout Jammu and Kashmir.

"If Indian Supreme Court issues any adverse orders in this regard, a complete agitation will start from that very moment," they said.

The separatists alleged that any meddling with "state subject" law, which does not allow outsiders to buy immovable property in Jammu and Kashmir, is only aimed at changing the demography of the state.

Announcing a comprehensive protest programme, the separatist leaders said Kashmir Bar association will hold peaceful protest demonstration on August 25. PTI MIJ AKK

--- ENDS ---
During its regular meeting Tuesday, the Bryan City Council unanimously passed the first reading of the ordinance to adopt the proposed $375.4 million budget for fiscal year 2018.

The council will have the second reading Sept. 5, along with the first public hearing on the proposed tax rate of 62.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. If the proposed rate is approved for next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, this would be the sixth year with the same rate.

Former Bryan mayor Ron Blatchley was the only speaker during the public hearing on the budget. He proposed adding "as much as" 5 extra cents to the tax rate to be put toward "quality-of-life" issues, namely improvements to the parks system, a community or senior center, monuments at the northern and southern entrances to the city and landscaping along major thoroughfares.

"It's easy ... to simply maintain the status quo and brag that you've not increased taxes, but I think strong leadership sometimes requires that you look long-term," Blatchley said.

The last major park was built during his last term in the early 1980s, Blatchley said, and it's "not in the best of conditions." Blatchley also said he frequently sees residents sitting together under trees along Martin Luther King Boulevard whom he said would benefit from an air-conditioned community center where they could gather. He said if the council members read the city's mission statement they "surely would agree" that there's value in investing in the long-term quality of life of the community.

The council passed the first reading of the ordinance after the public hearing with no discussion.

General fund expenditures for the proposed budget total $72 million, and salaries and benefits total $76.7 million. The budget includes a 3 percent merit pool funding increase for eligible employees and a 3 percent pay scale adjustment for civil service. The budget also proposes the addition of 11 positions. New positions paid for through the general fund include three additional police officers, two additional police sergeant positions that were approved last fiscal year and one economic development specialist. The remaining new additions are proposed for Bryan Texas Utilities.

Other budget highlights include $1.3 million for sidewalk projects, $2.7 million for the extension of University Drive East and a $2.9 million carry-over for Fire Station No. 2 construction, the rehabilitation of Old Hearne Road and West 26th Street and the reconstruction of Texas Avenue and Villa Maria Road. Another $470,000 is budgeted for gateway entrance signs, and $950,000 is budgeted for a new fire truck.

About $1.1 million is set aside for Little League field improvements and park improvement projects.
James Cramp was the only member of the public who spoke at Tuesday's commissioners court hearing to voice his frustration about Brazos County's proposed tax revenue increase, based on the proposed budget that was unveiled July 31.

"You're squeezing the landlords to a point where they're not going to make any money any more," said Cramp, who owns six properties inside the county limits, of the county and its taxing entities, which he said "spend money like a drunken sailor."

Cramp made his comments during one of two hearings the county commissioners held Tuesday on next year's proposed budget: one asking for public input on the proposed budget itself, and one asking for public input on the proposed tax revenue increase. The tax rate will stay the same, but the county will generate more money over its next fiscal year because of new properties and appraisal increases.

County Judge Duane Peters blamed the state legislature for its inability to reform property taxes -- despite such legislation being a priority in the governor's call for a special legislative session -- and provide more funding for public education.

Peters said that the bulk of property taxes now go toward public schools, and the "burden is borne over property tax owners."

"I'm a property owner, too, and I pay a lot of taxes, and I don't like it," Peters said.

Peters told Cramp the tax appraisal office had a miscalculation in their assessment of the county's taxable value, mistakenly valuing $500,000 more than the county's net taxable value.

Mark Price, chief appraiser for the county, said a miscalculation on the vehicle inventory had resulted in a $500,000 error. Price said the original increase under the county's net taxable value had been 11.97 percent; after the correction, the increase in net taxable value was 11.2 percent.

"If somebody miscalculates by half a million dollars, maybe you ought to fire them and save their salary," Cramp said during the hearing.

Price said his office had caught the error and changed the review process accordingly. Peters said during the hearing that, "I don't hire or fire anybody."

Kristeen Roe, Brazos County tax assessor and collector, said she did not expect to need to recertify and the county will "adjust and move on."

Peters said the county removed $500,000 from the capital roads section of the proposed budget to account for the error.

Peters called the county a "growing community" that had needs resulting from its growth, a sentiment echoed by Precinct 1 County Commissioner Steve Aldrich.

"There are things that we need, and there are things we need to pay for," Aldrich said in response to Cramp's comments.

Several county employees spoke during Tuesday's first hearing to ask the county commissioners for staff increases at their respective departments: representatives from Precincts 1 and 3 asked for additional staff, as did Brazos County Sheriff Chris Kirk.

J.P. Ingram, Precinct 3 constable, asked the commissioners for an additional deputy to add to his current three-deputy team, which he estimated would cost the county about $80,000.

"I understand it's a tight budget," Ingram admitted. But he said, "this is not a want, but a need."

Ingram said his precinct, which he called one of the county's fastest-growing, is responsible for all truancy cases in the county.

"Our staff is grossly understaffed," said Ingram.

Precinct 1 Chief Deputy John Campbell also asked the commissioners for an additional deputy in his office because "the demands are growing in Precinct 1."

Precinct 1 Constable Jeff Reeves, who did not attend Tuesday's meetings because he is on vacation in Florida, said by phone that he has asked for an additional deputy for five years.

"I can't believe I haven't had a deputy added to my office," Reeves said, adding he considers the request an important one because "safety comes in numbers."

Reeves was chief deputy under then-Precinct 1 Constable Brian Bachmann when Bachmann was killed in August 2012. Bachmann had been serving court documents to a resident when he was shot alongside bystander Chris Northcliffe. The shooter also was killed.

"This kind of hits close to home for me," Reeves said.

Reeves said there should be two deputies sent out each time they serve a writ for the sake of safety. Reeves said his precinct and Precinct 3 each have three deputies, while Precincts 2 and 4 have seven and eight deputies, respectively, including constables.

"That ain't right," Reeves said of the discrepancy.

At the hearing, Kirk said he originally asked for two patrol deputies, but amended his request on Tuesday to one. He also asked for a replacement for two vehicles with more than 100,000 miles on them and a clerk to help with booking in the county jail.

"The requests you have are probably needed," Peters said, "but we have to cut it off somewhere."

There is a second public hearing on the proposed tax revenue increase scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 29. The final budget is set to be approved Sept. 5.

To see the proposed budget, go to www.brazoscountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2363.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents is set to consider approval for the construction or creation of several new facilities and ventures, including two centers with financial support from the Charles Koch Foundation, during its meeting in College Station today.

The Regents also are expected to approve the $4.55 billion fiscal year 2018 budget for the A&M System, including its universities and its agencies.

Texas A&M University's $1.66 billion operating budget is a 5 percent increase of $79.58 million over the previous fiscal year, according to System documents.

The university's 6 percent increase in revenue is largely thanks to growth from a combination of increased enrollment and the 1.8 percent bump in tuition -- approved by the Regents in 2015 and finalized last year -- beginning with the fall 2017 semester for incoming freshmen.

Tuition and fees are the university's primary revenue source and are expected to account for nearly $697 million of A&M's funding for fiscal year 2018.

The additional revenue from tuition and fees accounts for more than $60.85 million of the projected $109.07 million increase, bringing the university's expected income to a total of $1.88 billion.

Following a tumultuous state legislative session, the university is planning to receive nearly an additional $4.16 million from the Texas government -- an increase of 1 percent, bringing the total to $362.1 million in funding.

Three new centers and a joint institute also will be considered for approval by the Regents today.

If approved, the Center for Grand Strategy and the Mays Innovation Research Center could see a combined $14.6 million in start-up funding from the Charles Koch Foundation, according to System documents.

The Center for Grand Strategy would be housed in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M and "will foster, examine and disseminate innovative, theoretically and empirically based U.S. grand strategic options that would directly promote the security of the United States," according to System documents.

Fifteen faculty members have been identified from A&M's departments of history and political science and from the department of international affairs at the Bush School who could help launch the new center.

Seeking to "bridge the gap between the community of security studies scholars and policymakers by facilitating intellectual exchanges," the center plans to host regular conferences and workshops in College Station as well as Washington, D.C.

A proposal has been submitted to the Charles Koch Foundation for five-year start-up funding of $12.1 million.

The Mays Innovation Research Center is set to be funded through a $3 million gift from the Lowry Mays Family Foundation and a $2.5 million gift from the Charles Koch Foundation during a five- to seven-year start-up period.

The center, which would be established within the Mays Business School at A&M, was designed to study the mechanics behind innovation as an interdisciplinary center.

According to System documents, its main goals would be to "understand how innovation benefits society; under what conditions innovation occurs; how innovation spreads through the economy and society; which populations benefit more or less from different innovations; the optimal organizational structure for promoting innovation; legal and regulatory barriers to innovation; and historical analyses of when innovation succeeds and when it fails."

In addition to the Center for Grand Strategy and the Mays Innovation Research Center, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute is proposing the Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy and Health -- which would be funded through an annual $1.4 million in federal funding -- and the Texas A&M Institute of Data Science, a joint institute between Texas A&M, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station and Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

The Texas A&M Institute of Data Science is expected to receive $2 million in start-up funding from the university and $100,000 per year for three years from TEES, AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M Division of Research.

Among the construction projects seeking approval to begin work include two multi-million dollar projects in College Station -- the Agriculture Building No. 5 and the Music Activities Center.

The 78,000-gross-square-foot Agriculture Building No. 5 project is set to be located on west campus near the Rosenthal Meat Sciences and Technology Center.

It will be used as a new home for the department of plant pathology and microbiology and its research, featuring flexible laboratory space and the opportunity for "cross-discipline collaboration among faculty and students," according to System documents.

If the Regents choose to proceed, an additional $44.5 million will be allocated for the project, bringing the total to $49 million. Construction is scheduled to start in September with a completion in March 2019.

The $42.5 million Music Activities Center -- set to be located on the corner of George Bush Drive and Coke Street at the current site of the Duncan Drill Field -- is planned at 71,000 gross square feet and will include a 100-year artificial turf practice field for the Aggie Band, soundproof practice rooms, new rehearsal halls and locker space for the storage of instruments.

If approved, construction on the facility will begin in September, with a completion date of May 2019.

The meeting also is expected to include a presentation by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Chairman Bobby Jenkins and Texas Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes on the state's 60x30TX strategic plan -- an initiative focused on ensuring at least 60 percent of the state's 25 to 34-year-old population has earned either a certificate or post-secondary degree by the year 2030.

Texas A&M University also will request that the Regents approve an increase of 180 full-time employees -- 130 faculty and 50 staff members -- increasing the current capped level to 5,145.5.

Open session for the meeting will take place at Building 25 of the Brayton Fire Training Field's H.D. Smith Operations Complex at 1595 Nuclear Science Road. It is expected to begin at 2:30 p.m.

For more information on the meeting, visit tamus.edu/regents.
Three men recently were sentenced at the Brazos County Courthouse to prison terms between 15 and 25 years.

Alvin Gent, a 48-year-old Bryan man, was sentenced on Aug. 15 to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charges stemming from a domestic violence incident on April 24. Brazos County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call from a home on High Country Road, where a woman said Gent, her boyfriend, had pulled out a gun and fired a shot next to her head during a confrontation. The victim had not been hit by the bullet, but the sound and concussion from the shot had caused an ear injury. Deputies later arrested Gent at a friend's home, where the defendant admitted to firing the weapon and led officers to the gun.

"Mr. Gent threatened deadly force while committing domestic violence. Thus, he cannot be trusted with the safety of the victim or the community. A lengthy prison term was the only option," Assistant District Attorney Ekua Assabill said in a statement.

Demetrius Jenkins, a 45-year-old Bryan man, pleaded guilty on Aug. 17 to felony assault by strangulation, a plea agreement for which he received a 25-year prison sentence. Bryan police arrested Jenkins on March 3 after receiving a 911 call from a neighbor who said they saw a man strangling a woman who had been holding a small child. Jenkins told officers he had been in a verbal dispute with his girlfriend, but no physical contact had occurred. Jenkins faced a punishment range up to life imprisonment, since he had been to prison twice before.

"Demetrius Jenkins has a long history of violence against women. This sentence ensures that he cannot hurt another woman for a long time," Assabill said in a statement.

Winston Brown, 33, was sentenced on Aug. 18 to 18 years in prison for his connection to three aggravated robberies in November 2016. Brown had been set to go to trial this week but accepted a plea deal Friday. Part of that deal involved him admitting his guilt in a pending burglary of a building and criminal mischief charges. He must serve at least half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

"Aggravated robberies are a threat to the peace and safety of this community. We must ensure that those who would consider being a party to these acts of violence know the seriousness of that choice," Philip McLemore, assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case alongside John Brick, said in a statement.
Catalonia in northeastern Spain is famous for its cava  a sparkling wine which is produced in the same way as its French counterpart, champagne. But new research, published in the journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, suggests that a changing climate could harm its rich, aromatic flavour





Key to cavas unique taste is the blend of white grapes that are indigenous to Catalonia, such as Macabeo, a variety known for its freshness, and Paralleda, a grape that is said to be creamy and rich.





Warmer, drier conditions could mean these grape varieties will ripen more quickly and be ready to harvest increasingly early in the year, the study finds, which could impair the flavour, aroma and overall quality of the wine.





No cause for celebration





To understand how the grapes that go into cava are affected by variations in temperature and rainfall, the study analysed yield and harvest timings in a Catalonian vineyard between 1998 and 2012.





The study focuses on two of the main grape varieties used in producing cava  Macabeo and Paralleda  as well as a Chardonnay, the famous sharp-tasting French grape, which is sometimes used too. Another traditional grape variety for cava, Xarel-lo, was not studied.





Using the observed data, the studys author then created a mathematical model to simulate how the grapes are likely to fare under future climate change.





Catalonia is expected to see higher temperatures and less rainfall through this century. For example, under a moderate warming scenario (RCP4.5), average temperatures during the grape growing season could rise by up to 3.2C by 2070, compared to those observed during the study period, the research says. If global greenhouse gas emissions arent curbed (as in scenario RCP8.5), the rise in temperatures could reach 4.4C.





Ripening and harvest





The combination of warming temperatures and drier conditions is likely to reduce the amount of water available for the vineyards, the study says.





In the Mediterranean, water deficits  when more moisture is lost from the land through evapotranspiration and runoff than is gained from rainfall  usually develop during the dry summer.





Climate change could increase these deficits during the various stages of grape growth by up to 30% under RCP4.5 by 2070 and by up to 60% under RCP8.5, the study finds.





These changing conditions are expected to shift the timing and length of the growing season by causing the grapes to speed up each stage of their life cycle.





Grapevines fine-tune each stage of their development, from first bud to harvest, according to changes in temperature. Rising spring temperatures could prompt the plants to start budding earlier in the year, which may have a knock-on effect on the timing of ripening and harvest , previous research suggests.





Shift the growing season





The charts below illustrate how climate change could shorten the periods of first budding (red), veraison, or ripening (green), harvest (cross hatch) and the overall growing season (blue) of Chardonnay (upper charts), Macabeo (middle) and Paralleda (lower) grape varieties. The charts are also divided by scenario, with RCP4.5 on the left and RCP8.5 on the right.









Charts showing projected shortening impact of climate change on the stages of the growing season under RCP4.5 (left) and RCP8.5 (right) for Chardonnay (CH), Macabeo (Mac) and Paralleda (Par).





Red represents the period between first bud break and bloom, green indicates the time of veraison (ripening), green cross hatch shows harvest time and blue represents the entire growing season Source: Ramos et al. 2017





By 2030, the overall growing season for Chardonnay, Macabeo and Paralleda will be four to five days shorter under moderate warming, the research finds. By 2070, the growing season is expected to be up to 14 days shorter under moderate warming and up to 20 days shorter if emissions arent curbed.





Warmer conditions are also likely to shift the growing season to earlier in the year, according to study author Dr Martin Ramos, an environmental scientist from the University of Lleida in Spain.





Flavour of the wine





In his new research paper, he writes: Among the varieties analysed in this research, there was up to one months difference in the phenology [life cycle] timing, with Chardonnay being the one with the earliest response [shift in growing season timing] and Parellada with the latest.





The phenology response depended on the cultivar [grape variety], and although the response may also depend on soil properties, the results give us an idea of potential changes.





Changes to the timing and length of the growing season could have a number of far-reaching consequences for cava, the research finds.





For example, the advance in growing time could mean that grape ripening could take place in the heat of summer instead of early autumn, which may have a considerable impact on the flavour of the wine.





In particular, exposure to to higher temperatures during ripening could cause cava to become more acidic and sugary, as well as more alcoholic.





Colour and flavour





The grapes could also have to contend with less rainfall, which could bring further unsavoury consequences for winegrowers.





Previous research suggests that a lack of water close to the time of harvest can reduce the size of the grapes and cause changes in the ratio of skin to pulp weight, which is thought to influence aroma.





In his research paper, Ramos adds: Temperature is a less decisive factor concerning vintage quality than water deficit stress. The timing and intensity of water deficits influence the extent of alterations occurring in berry metabolism and therefore in wine colour and flavour.





The findings are important for sparkling wine growers who will need to adapt to climate change, says Elizabeth Wolkovich, a professor from Harvard University who was not involved in the study but has previously published research on how warming could affect the French wine season.





However, basing the model on data taken from just one vineyard makes it difficult to draw comprehensive conclusions, she says, because different growers tend to use varying criteria when deciding what the best time to harvest is.





She tells Carbon Brief: Measuring maturity is tricky  growers choose to harvest at different times depending on many things including the weather that year, the wine style and related preferences based on wine style and the winemaker. That means extrapolating from one set of data for one location and wine style to others is tricky.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said Alberta has temporarily stopped the hiring of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and other migrants so it could employ Canadians instead.

In an online advisory, POEA disclosed Alberta imposed a two-year ban for its employers from availing of its Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

The TFWP allows Canadian employers to hire expatriates on a temporary basis to fill up their vacancies if they will be able to prove that there is not enough qualified Canadian residents or permanent residents for it.

The ban in Alberta will cover the following job categories:

Human resources managers; Engineering managers; Purchasing agents and officers; Production logistics coordinators; Civil engineers; Mechanical engineers; Electrical and electronic engineers; Geological and mineral technologists and technicians; Civil engineering technologists and technicians; Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians;

Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians; Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations; Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors; Welders and related machine operators; Electricians (except industrial and power system); Industrial electricians;

Plumbers; Carpenters; Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades; Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews; Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics; Heavy-duty equipment mechanics; Motor vehicle body repairers; Transport truck drivers;

Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services; Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers; Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators; Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related laborers; Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators

The local government of Alberta noted it has enough unemployed highly skilled Alberta citizens for the current job vacancies for the aforementioned skill categories.

POEA, however, noted OFWs and other foreign workers, who belong to the categories and hired in Alberta prior to April 29, 2017, will not be affected by the ban.
There is no certainty that Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim will appear in person before the Panchkula court on August 25 in the sexual exploitation case hearing.

By Manjeet Sehgal: Despite the claims made by the Haryana government that Gurmeet Ram Rahim will appear in a CBI court in Panchkula for hearing in the sexual exploitation case against him, there is no certainty that the Dera Sacha Sauda chief will appear in person before the court.

The CBI special court is likely to announce its final verdict on August 25 in case of sexual exploitation of the sect's female followers.

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Speaking to India Today, Dera spokesperson Dr Aditya Insan said, "We have always cooperated with the process of law and that cooperation will continue to happen." While the Dera chief has already denied the allegations levelled against him, Dera spokesperson refused to comment on the charges, saying the matter was sub judice.

According to investigation, nearly two dozen of the sect's female followers had deserted Dera after two victims appeared in the court.

MATTER SUB JUDICE: DERA SPOKESPERSON

"The matter is sub judice. So right now, it will not be appropriate to comment on the merits of the case. But to just give you a backgrounder and the correct perspective, the case has basically been registered on the basis of an anonymous letter. Now, for 15 years, the conspired letter remained anonymous. No victim or complaint surfaced despite a CBI investigation into the matter. There is nobody connected to the anonymous letter or has recorded a statement till date. The letter remains anonymous", De Aditya Insan said.

Dera spokesperson Dr Aditya Insan. Dera spokesperson Dr Aditya Insan.

The Dera spokesperson said that investigation into the case started in 2002 and in the four years since, no current or former inmate deposed before the CBI against the Dera chief or made any allegations against him.

"In 2003, the investigation officer was KL Raina, who recorded statements of all current and former inmates and there was no allegation of any sort against them. The allegations of even the two women, who are currently inmates of the sect, were taken on record. This process was repeated in 2005 and again they maintained a similar stand. We neither heard nor witnessed any wrongdoing in the Dera case at all," Aditya Insaan said.

Dera has also denied the allegation that two dozen Sadhvis were raped by the sect's chief. CBI officials in the chargesheet have claimed that nearly 20 female followers were also raped but they refused to come forward as they got married.

"Both the facts alleged by you are completely wrong and I do not agree with them. These are totally false, frivolous and baseless facts. Let the verdict come out. The truth will be there for all to see", Aditya Insan said.

STATE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MESS: DERA

The Dera spokesperson has accused the Haryana government for the crowd of followers that came to his defence in Panchkula.

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"As I told you earlier, the Dera had organised massive celebrations from the 10th to the 17th of this month. Thousands of followers were over here. There was a hype created about a negative verdict being imminent. All kinds of things started happening. There were all kinds of rumours about the Army and the military. There were talks of jails and neither Guruji nor the spokesman said anything about them. Nothing was said from our side. But obviously, drawing parallels with other people and drawing a conclusion based on their cases, it was a kind of media trial that gave a general sense that it was going to be a negative verdict. I think the followers from my feedback wondered how could you paint us guilty even before the decision was out and we tried our best to pacify our followers. The situation probably worsened after the chief minister's statement yesterday," Aditya Insaan said.

Aditya said the manner in which the state government and the media acted actually made the followers tense. This may not have happened had the government acted intelligently.

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"The people were getting rubbed the wrong way. The chief minister's statement claimed that Guruji would be in Panchkula on the 25th. So because of their concern, people have reacted in this way. We have never condoned or asked them to behave in a particular way. Things could have panned out differently if the followers' sentiments were not offended. It could have been dealt with in a better way," Aditya said.

DERA CHIEF's APPEARANCE SHROUDED IN MYSTERY

Dera's ambiguous stand on the personal appearance of its chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim has left both the state government and security agencies baffled. While on the one hand, the spokesperson said that Dera would follow the law process, on the other it expressed apprehensions that his personal appearance might result in security issues.

"As I have very clearly said, we will follow the process of the court. There are ways of dealing with such situations very tactfully. What is the need of creating such a hype? There are multiple factors that have a bearing on the verdict, including security. But we must, with utmost humility, respect the process of the court and shall continue to abide by it," Dera spokesperson said.

ALSO READ |

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Sex, scandals, spirituality: How self-styled godmen like Gurmeet Ram Rahim have courted controversies

Rape case verdict against Gurmeet Ram Rahim on Aug 25, violence feared

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | Chandigarh braces for verdict in Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh case on Friday

--- ENDS ---
"Malegaon is a town waiting for justice," a resident of the Maharashtra town told India Today while expressing surprise at the chain of events in the investigation into the 2008 bomb blast case.

By Mustafa Shaikh: Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit, the prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, was today released from jail after the Supreme Court granted the suspended Army officer interim bail.

For Malegaon, a small handloom town around 270 kilometers away from Mumbai, memories of the deadly blast are still fresh. Eyewitnesses still recall the horror that struck this communally-sensitive town Maharashtra's Nasik, on September 29, 2008.

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Shops still have damaged shutters and a wall clock that stopped functioning during the blast still remains near Bhikku Chowk, where seven people were killed in the bombing.

"Malegaon is a town waiting for justice," 70-year-old Mohd Haneef Shaikh, who suffered a head injury in the blast, says.

Malegaon saw two blasts - one in 2006 and the other in 2008. Lt Col Purohit was accused in the second bombing case. Investigations into both the cases have been marred in allegations of accused being framed and explosives planted. In 2016, a Mumbai court exonerated all nine men arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad for the 2006 blasts, which killed more than 30 people.

Click here to Enlarge Malegaon was struck by two bomb blasts, first in 2006 and then in 2008

In the same year when the nine men were found not guilty in the 2006 bombings, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet exonerating Sadhvi Pragya Thakur from the 2008 case. She was then released on bail by the Bombay High Court. The NIA, however, maintained that Purohit was one of the key conspirators of the 2008 blast.

The many turns in the probe into the blast case has left even Malegaon surprised. "This case has been full of surprises. Arrest of a army official was shocking. He getting bail in a terror case is also surprising. The people arrested in these cases are being discharged. We want to know who was behind the blast," Haneef says.

Will justice in the 2008 Malegaon case be ever reached? Liyaqat Shaikh, father of Farheen who at 10 was the youngest victim of the 2008 blast, says the town will see justice. "We have faith in the judicial system of this country. We will get justice."

Click here to Enlarge Have faith in judiciary, says Liyaqat Shaikh, whose 10-year-old daughter was killed in the 2008 Malegaon blast

The work of former ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who died in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is still remembered in the town. Jamiat Ulama e Maharashtra, which plays key role in representing Muslims in terror cases, credit Karakre with bringing to light the 'right-wing terror module' behind the 2008 blast. "We will continue to represent the victim families in Malegaon blast case," said Abdul Malik, Vice-President of Jamiat's Malegaon chapter says.

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Also awaiting closure is one of the nine men discharged in the 2006 blasts case. Noorul Huda Samsudoha, who works at a handloom in Malegaon, says the nine men wants the Maharashtra ATS to accept that they committed a mistake. "We got discharged and prosecution goes for appeal. Sadhvi Pragya got bail from Bombay High Court and there was no appeal. The Maharashtra Anti Terror Squad is exposed in our case. We only want them to accept their mistake."

ALSO READ | Want to go back to serving nation, Lt Col Purohit says as he walks out of jail after 9 years

ALSO READ | Malegaon blast case: Lt Col Purohit infiltrated into ISI, SIMI camps, says his lawyer

ALSO WATCH | Joy for family of Malegaon blast case accused Lt Col Purohit after he gets interim bail

--- ENDS ---

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At the new Eats & Antiques shop and food counter in Rowayton, you might say the menu is Miss Piggy-approved with not a whiff of pork-belly bacon in the air.

If you want to hear the days specials, proprietor Gina Legnani is more than happy to recite them in her best impression of Miss Piggy  which is pretty much spot on given her prior career.

The one-time personal assistant of Muppet legend Frank Oz, Legnani has opened Eats and Antiques where Flea was located 158 Rowayton Ave., serving fresh smoothies, juice shots, salads and wraps among other fare.

The shop includes a range of whimsical knickknacks for sale reflecting the Norwalk neighborhoods quaint seaside character.

Eats & Antiques came about in June on a whim, after Legnani was talking with her friend and Flea proprietor Laura Jayson, who was assessing whether to continue running the shop or give up the space for offices. After Legnani piped up with a Dont do it! Jayson suggested she take it over, and Eats & Antiques was born.

Dating back to the New Britain natives days exploring antique shops during summers on Cape Cod as a girl with her mom and great aunt, Legnani said she has always had it in the back of her mind to have a shop herself one day.

I was so intrigued  it was like meeting someone for the first time, but really not knowing their background or their history, Legnani said of buying an antique. Who are you? Where have you been been? What are you all about? It just brings a certain sense of soul and spirit.

Her career took took her in another direction  to New York City, where after minoring in childrens television at Manhattan Marymount College she got an internship with Childrens Workshop songwriter Christopher Cerf that would quickly morph into a full-time gig in the Muppet universe.

Legnani would segue to The Jim Henson Co. where she became Frank Ozs personal assistant and gofer, with Oz characters including Miss Piggy, Grover (Legnanis personal favorite), Fozzie Bear and Animal, as well as Yoda in the Star Wars feature films.

To this day, Legnani says it was the best job in the world with any number of surprises in the course of the working day.

I had to find at one point 3,000 pounds of silly putty, Legnani recalled. It was throwing Grover in a backpack over my shoulder and meeting (Oz) in Los Angeles. It was sitting in a script meeting with Robert De Niro and Steve Martin at the same time. It was fabulous.

Legnani left after The Jim Henson Co. was sold to a German company, and with years of immersion in the Muppet world she went to work on her own ideas for childrens programming. Getting word of an idea Legnani had called Classical Baby alongside an associate, HBO came calling, with the resulting series winning an Emmy as outstanding childrens program in the 2005 season, with Legnani a producer.

She would step away from the business to focus on raising her family in Rowayton, with Eats & Antiques now her newest gig. It is not a hobby for Legnani, however  she sees it as a business, without having a clear vision for next year as she waits to see how things go during the summer season.

Legnani says she expects the bustle of Rowaytons waterfront will bring no shortage of curiosity seekers to the new Eats & Antiques just behind Sails American Grill.

And anyone wanting to hear Miss Piggy bark how would you like a pork chop or any other lines from the Muppets, Legnani says she is more than happy to oblige.

I will never serve pork in here, Legnani said. We make turkey bacon BLTs.

Alex.Soule@scni.com
NORWALK  A 64-year-old Norwalk man will served two years in prison after being convicted on embezzlement and tax evasion charges.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Mark W. Errico was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 24 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, for approximately 20 years, Errico worked for the owner of two Norwalk companies handling the companies finances, including payroll, bank accounts, accounts payable and accounts receivable.

In a prepared statement, Daly said that between approximately February 2011 and March 2014, Errico embezzled approximately $823,476.22 from the two companies.

He transferred stolen funds from the companies accounts to pay his personal credit card debts, and also forged the signature of the companies owner on company checks and cashed them or made them payable to his own company and deposited them into his companys business account, Daly said.

For the 2011 through 2014 tax years, Errico evaded paying federal taxes on $851,076.22 of unreported income, which resulted in a total tax loss of $265,326, Daly said.

Underhill ordered Errico to pay $649,346.09 in restitution to the two companies from which he stole money, and $265,326 in back taxes, plus penalties and interest, to the IRS.

On April 24, 2017, Errico pleaded guilty to one count of the interstate transportation of money obtained by fraud and one count of tax evasion.

Errico, who is free on bond, was ordered to report to prison on Oct. 18, 2017.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service  Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Secret Service and Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

llake@hearstmediact.com
By India Today Web Desk: Wait, what? Sidharth Malhotra is single. Yes, the Student of The Year claimed so on a podcast. The news of Sidharth and his rumoured girlfriend Alia Bhatt painting the town red has kept their fans excited for the longest time now. From their lunch dates to parties to secret vacations, everything about this rumoured couple has provided fodder to gossip mills. But Sidharth has put a lid on this, once for all by claiming that he is very much single.

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Moreover, the 32-year-old actor has expressed his desire to try dating app Tinder. He said, "If at all I had my bio it would say sundar, susheel and risky. All desis would understand and the firangs would ask me for the meaning. But I wouldn't mind trying the app."

Well, going by his recent statement, it's not hard to decipher that it is over between Alia and him. It was only recently that the news of chinks in their relationship were doing the rounds, and Sidharth only cemented it with his 'single' status.

But his break-up has nothing to do with his A Gentleman co-actor Jacqueline Fernandez. Ever since the two started working on their soon-to-be released film, there have been rumours of their closeness. But the two have constantly denied being anything more than 'just good friends'.

Recently when Jacqueline if Sidharth ever tried to hit on her, she told BollywoodLife, "Never! He wouldn't dare try." The Kick actor said that she has known Sidharth for a long time, but it was during the promotions of their 2015 film Brothers that they got to know each other. And the equation has only strengthened on the sets of A Gentleman.

"We have discovered more and more about each other over the course of time. I mean, I have discovered quite a lot of things about Sid. He is quite a quiet person. He is very low key. There were lot of things that I didn't know about him but today more than a co-star, he's become a friend. So that's great because we share a lot of similarities. Like we both have come from outside the city, started with complete scratch and kind of figured out our own way," added Jacqueline.

ALSO READ: Jacqueline's answer to silence all 'dating Sidharth Malhotra' rumours

ALSO READ: Sidharth Malhotra has this to say about link-up rumours with Jacqueline Fernandez

ALSO READ: Sidharth Malhotra opens up on his relationship with Alia Bhatt

--- ENDS ---
Tejashwi and his party workers chanted slogans against Nitish and Sushil Modi and accused them of shielding the accused persons in the multi crore scam.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: The Rs 871 crore Srijan scam continued to rock Bihar Assembly for the third consecutive day with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislators not allowing the house to function.

Soon after proceedings for the third day of the Assembly of the monsoon session began, RJD legislators started shouting slogans against the government alleging their involvement in the Srijan scam following which the Speaker had to adjourn the house proceedings.

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Thereafter, Tejashwi along with his legislators sat on the dharna inside the Assembly premises under the statue of Jannayak Karpoori Thakur.

Tejashwi and his party workers chanted slogans against Nitish and Sushil Modi and accused them of shielding the accused persons in the multi crore scam.

Speaking to India Today, Tejashwi Yadav said that CM Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Modi were involved in the scam and both should tender their resignation over this issue.

"This entire scam happened right under the nose of Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi who was the Finance Minister then.

When I tried exposing BJP and JDU leaders for their role in this scam, I was not allowed to do so," said Tejashwi Yadav, former deputy CM.

Tejashwi asserted Srijan scam was not just limited to Bhagalpur, Saharsa and Banka but had links in other districts as well.

He demanded that this scam should be probed across all districts of Bihar. He said that CBI probe ordered by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was nothing but a sham to shield the accused.

"I demand Nitish and Sushil Modi to resign for their role in the scam. Until this happens, we will not allow the House to function, said the former deputy CM.

Also Read:

'From Hey Ram to Jai Shri Ram in minutes': Tejashwi, Tej Pratap vow to expose Nitish, embark on Janadesh Apmaan Yatra

Rahul says he knew about Nitish Kumar's plans to join hands with BJP, but what did he do?

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar says no leader capable of challenging Modi in 2019

WATCH | Nitish Kumar: Tolerated Lalu & Co a lot, lost patience

--- ENDS ---
Each year the Nebraska State Fair honors veterans from throughout the state, thanking them for their service to the country.

This year, Chris Marcello of Grand Island will serve as grand marshal for the parade on Sept. 4, a day set aside as the State Fairs Salute to Our Veterans Celebration.

Marcello will be a guest of the State Fair that day. Along with leading the parade, there will be a reception in his honor. The parade is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

I know quite a few people who work at the Veterans Administration and they nominated me for this honor, Marcello said.

Marcello joined the Nebraska National Guard on March 5, 1997. He was deployed to Bosnia (SFOR13, stabilization or security force) in 2003, then to Ar-Ramadi (or Ramadi), Iraq, in 2005-2006.

He was also part of mobilized hurricane relief for hurricanes Gustav and Ike. He was later deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2010-11.

Marcello lives in Grand Island with his wife and four children. He works as a Grand Island police officer. He has worked for the Grand Island Police Department for four years.

Marcello is still a member of the National Guard with the Alpha Troop 1-134th Cavalry out of Hastings. He has the rank of the first sergeant.

I have always been in the cavalry unit in the state, he said.

While attending high school in Blue Hill, Marcello said, he joined the National Guard when he was a junior.

I went to basic training in the summer between my junior year and senior years in high school, he said. I finished the second half the summer after my senior year before I went to college.

His motivation to join the National Guard was to help him attend college. He attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he majored in criminal justice, with a psychology minor.

Marcello said he was motivated to pursue a career in law enforcement because of a DARE officer he knew when he was a high school student.

He was a pretty good guy, he said. He was a State Patrolman. I liked the way he did things and I always looked up to him. I knew I wanted to be a police officer.

After college, Marcello said, he held a number of odd jobs between deployments with the National Guard. I went overseas and then would come back and get a job, he said.

In between deployments, Marcello applied to join various law enforcement departments in the state. But because his unit was repeatedly deployed, it made it hard for him to secure a job in law enforcement.

It would be hard to hire somebody if they know they would be leaving again, he said.

It was when he was living in Omaha that Marcello decided to apply for employment with the Grand Island Police Department.

A friend of mine, who I was in the Army with, applied over here (Grand Island) and got hired, Marcello said. He told me to try it out. I did and I got hired.

When he is not working as a police officer or training with the National Guard, Marcello is the troop leader for his sons Cub Scout Troop 114 in Grand Island. We just got finished with summer camp, he said.

Marcello and his wife, Tami, have two sons and two daughters who range from 2 to 9 years old.

Marcello is a night patrol officer with the Police Department. He said night patrol is challenging, but he has learned to shut it off, go home and be with my family.

For Marcello  whether its serving in the National Guard or working as a police officer  its all about serving the people.

I know that sounds cliche or corny, but when you go home after a hard days work, you actually did something, he said. You made a difference.

Even though police work sometimes is not the most friendly of environments when dealing with the public, Marcello said there is always going to be that one person who you helped out. That is important for me.
It's not over. Thousands of uncounted ballots remain in Bucks, Montco

Bucks County officials do not anticipate all ballots cast Tuesday will be counted - or not - until next week. Leaving House key races in limbo
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Linkedin Benjamin Rolfe (The Jakarta Post) Singapore  Wed, August 23, 2017 14:27 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ada55f1 3 Opinion mosquito,malaria,disease,#diseases,healthcare-policy,#health,health,dengue,#dengue,#DengueEradication Free

The fight against mosquito-borne diseases in Asia is at a critical moment in time.

In the last year, diseases like malaria, dengue and Zika have made headlines across the region and put millions of families at risk. The increasing impact of globalization, urbanization and climate change means the region remains in jeopardy of significant and disruptive outbreaks of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Faced with this region-wide challenge, it is time for countries in Asia to unite together against the spread of such diseases.

World Mosquito Day of Aug. 20 provides an important opportunity to remind governments, interest groups, businesses and local communities that we all have a part to play in reducing the public health and economic burden of these diseases.

The battle against mosquito-borne diseases is daunting. For example, malaria is endemic in 19 Asian countries with more than two billion people at risk of catching the disease. Asia is also the region with the highest incidence of dengue in the world, with cycles of epidemics occurring every three to five years.

The wide-ranging and long-term consequences of mosquito-borne infectious diseases underscore the urgent and crucial task of investing in health systems, and delivering a coordinated response.

By collaborating countries can move towards tackling these challenges in a harmonized manner. This will require real commitment from all levels of government focusing on health security, sustainable financing and access to medicine. In a positive step forward, several regional coordination initiatives have emerged in recent years which demonstrate the benefits of greater collaboration.

These include the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA), an affiliation of Asian and Pacific heads of government formed specifically to accelerate progress against malaria and to eliminate the disease in the region by 2030, The ASEAN Strategic Framework for Health Development and the Expert Group on Communicable Diseases focus on endemic vector-borne diseases particular to the region, such as dengue and malaria.

These initiatives illustrate the benefit of a comprehensive and integrated strategy in which businesses, governments and international organisations all have roles to play. They help to reduce the impact of disease outbreaks by reinforcing preparedness planning at a collective regional level, and help establish public-private partnerships to exploit the reach and resources of the private sector.

Proving the effectiveness of multi-agency efforts, Sri Lanka was certified free of malaria by the World Health Organization (WHO) in September 2016. Sri Lankas success has been attributed to a concerted effort by multiple actors acting in concert with a robust national healthcare system. Their long-term elimination strategy, much of it delivered during civil unrest, should be seen as a real example of success in targeting and eliminating a mosquito-borne disease.

In China, malaria elimination is also close at hand, with only 56 indigenous cases reported in 2014, compared to over 24 million cases in the early 1970s.

Even with these achievements both countries continue to be challenged by other mosquito-borne diseases. Sri Lanka is currently dealing with its worst dengue fever outbreak and in China, a recent spike in imported cases of yellow fever has prompted calls to reinforce surveillance at her borders, as well as a push in post-travel checks.

It is also clear that a business-as-usual approach will not achieve total elimination of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Innovation and technology remain vital in ensuring access to health services, developing new prevention tools, and mobilizing resources.

Integrating regional and national planning, expanding public-private partnerships, and better regulatory mechanisms will be vital in implementing appropriate and effective Asian solutions against all mosquito-borne diseases.

Cross-border sharing of disease surveillance information and identifying mechanisms for ensuring migrant and mobile populations receive access to health services, should also be a priority. In addition, exploring and supporting the development of vaccines will ensure new methods of defence against mosquitos continue to be developed.

Moving forward, leaders in the region need to ramp up efforts in providing universal access to disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

For these strategies to work, leadership in eliminating mosquito-borne diseases must come from the highest levels of government. Its possible; the regions leaders have already put their weight behind the APLMA Leaders Malaria Elimination Roadmap at the 2015 East Asia Summit.

This political action from 20 heads of government, plus multi-lateral and regional organizations, joins them together with a common purpose of malaria elimination and allows countries increasingly to hold each other mutually accountable for progress.

This is the level of commitment now required to defeat mosquito-borne infectious disease in Asia. Securing borders, and keeping families healthy is a critical function of government, and an expectation shared by all citizens. Sustained, coordinated and aggressive action against mosquito-borne disease must form a central part of national and regional health security plans.

***

The writer is CEO of the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance. Formerly Pacific lead health advisor at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, he has supported health initiatives across 30 countries for over 20 years. His expertise focuses on health policy, systems strengthening and financing. Currently based in Singapore, he holds a PhD from the University of Wales and is a Fellow of the UK Faculty of Public Health Medicine.

---------------

We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to academia@jakpost.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 12:07 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ad9d076 1 Science & Tech Research-and-Development,science-and-technology,Education,LIPI,research,#research Free

Research productivity in Indonesia to date is still low and not comparable with the number of existing researchers, a representative from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) has said.

Laksana Tri Handoko, LIPI's deputy of Science Technology, citing 2015 data, said on Monday that productivity of research in Indonesia stood at 0.02 percent, still far below the ideal rate of 15 percent.

"The productivity of researchers in Indonesia is still low both in publications and patents," Handoko said in a national seminar held at the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta on Monday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Handoko said the number of researchers in Indonesia is actually relative high, with an average of 1,071 people in every one million citizens.

He pointed to the need for closer collaboration and synergy between research and development processes with higher education institutions in order to increase research quantity and quality.

Read also: Govt sets up national trust fund for research

The process must also be accompanied by strategic partnership between industry developments and private companies, Handoko added.

Researchers, he continued, should be ready to collaborate with available human resources and existing tools to create collaborative research in the country and abroad, as well as between the academic institutions and industry.

He said developing strategy in conducting research is needed to improve the capacity and competency. This is necessary, he said, to improve national competitiveness and contribute toward an advanced and civilized nation based on science and technology.

"It is important to strengthen the capacity and competence of Indonesian research," Handoko said. (liz/kes)
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Linkedin Juliana Harsianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 09:07 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ad94f14 4 Parents breastfeeding,BreastfeedingMothers,babies,newborn,parenting,#parenting Free

Practising breastfeeding soon after giving birth and for a period of two years or more as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) will not only boost infant health but also the well-being of breastfeeding mothers.

Women who directly initiate breastfeeding will avoid various degenerative diseases like heart trouble and breast cancer, Nia Umar, the deputy general chairperson of the Indonesian Breastfeeding Mothers Association (AIMI-ASI), told a recent discussion in Jakarta. For babies, breast milk, locally abbreviated as ASI, also promotes infant immunity and growth.

Mothers are entitled to the full support of different parties in order to be able to breastfeed their babies optimally. Law No 36/2009 regulates that during the breastfeeding period, families, local city administration and the society should support the mothers by providing them with time and facilities. However, many people still put the blame on mothers if they fail to nurse their babies instead of lending their support.

In fact, post-natal mothers are vulnerable to stress, which will affect breast milk production, said Farahdibha Tenrilemba, the secretary-general of AIMI-ASI.

Chandra Wijaya of the Mother and Child Health Movement revealed that Indonesia had signed an international agreement with the WHO to prioritize childrens breastfeeding until the age of 36 months. This is in conformity with the target of sustainable development goals (SDG) to enhance the health status of mothers, children and youths in Indonesia.

The agreement has spelled out various steps, including the elimination of certain formula milk advertisements. Ads claiming that formula milk products are good as substitutes for ASI are prohibited because they mislead breastfeeding mothers into thinking that formula milk has the same quality as breast milk.

Chandra added that the widely circulating ads on formula milk, even if they targeted children older than 3 years old, contained an implicit message.

For mom and babies: A woman stands in a nursing room of Senayan City shopping mall in Jakarta. Decent nursing rooms are available in some public spaces in the capital city, including in a number of upmarket shopping malls. (JP/R. Berto Wedhatama)

The message that will be tempting mothers is that they can still buy milk of the same brands meant for smaller children, Chandra said.

Besides the nutritional consideration, breastfeeding will also help less prosperous families. Good formula milk is mostly quite expensive and beyond the reach of low-income people, said Chandra.

AIMI-ASI has also discovered that some families feed babies with less amount of the required formula, thus reducing their nutritional adequacy.

Apart from the media ads that remain in the gray area, the organization worries about disguised promotion launched by formula milk producers targeting breastfeeding mothers.

They provide aid for midwives in the form of working equipment, education and training, Chandra said, adding that although healthcare workers had no obligation to promote the products, they could be influenced by the aid.

Nia said midwives were actually at the forefront of the effort to campaign for the importance of breastfeeding among expectant and postnatal mothers. She said health workers, including midwives, were knowledgeable of the great benefits of breastfeeding, but they also have to reciprocate the training or clinic equipment provided by milk companies.

Many midwives are apt to give up when facing a mother who has difficulty in her breastfeeding process and then recommend the use of formula milk, she said.

The bill on formula milk advertisements that is not revised yet still allows the mass media promotion of certain types of formula milk. All this poses an impediment to the popularization of breast milk as the best nutrient intake for infants and early-age children.

AIMI-ASI hopes health workers could be free from any conflict of interest when it comes to serving breastfeeding mothers and infants.
By PTI: Jammu, Aug 23 (PTI) Students of the Government Women?s College took to the streets for the second day today to protest against the "dress code" and alleged "unnecessary diktats" of the management and to demand removal of the principal.

Principal Anita Sudan has dismissed the allegations against her as "wild" and said she has taken several steps like strict adherence to the college uniform and timing on the recommendations of the parents of several students after four women went missing in the recent past, of whom one was traced to Allahabad.

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Joined by students of different colleges including leaders of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students including male members were stopped by the policemen at the main gate of the Deputy Commissioners office, officials said.

The students carrying placards and banners in support of their demand for resignation of the principal staged a sit-in and later met a senior official.

They submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner highlighting various problems they were allegedly facing at the institute in the name of discipline besides the demand for the removal of the principal.

Later, students dispersed off peacefully after authorities held closed-door meeting with some representatives of the protesting students, the officials said.

Yesterday, Additional District Development Commissioner Arun Manhas said the issues of removal of a peon at the main gate of the college and passing of lewd remarks came up during the discussion between the protesting students, the college management and district administration and police official.

He assured them of a time-bound probe by Sub-divisional police officer, north, Varun Jandiyal after registration of the complaint.

However, the police officer said "the probe has not been set into motion as the students have failed to lodge a complaint."

"We have not received any written complaint from the students so far. Once the complaint is received, we will start the probe,? Jandiyal told PTI. PTI TAS AB DV

--- ENDS ---
In June, Apple Inc.s Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook told Bloomberg: We dont feel an impatience to be first. Its just not how were wired. Our thing is to be the best and to give the user something that really makes a difference in their lives. He was talking about the unveiling of the HomePod, Apples late entrance to the smart speaker market pioneered by Amazon. But Cook could just as well have been talking about the next iPhone.

Due out this fall, the new smartphone arrives with lofty expectations. After all, this is the 10th anniversary of the original iPhone, a gadget that upended the industry and created an ecosystem of apps and accessories. However, the new iPhone wont be a case-study of innovation, more a matter of perfecting features that are already out there in rival devices. Time and again, Apple has followed this best, not first philosophy, seizing on technologies and features bungled by rivals and implementing them well enough to spur widespread adoption. Proof of concept? More than 1.2 billion iPhones sold in the last decade.

Of course, plenty of other companies have employed the follow-and-perfect model. To cite one recent example, Facebook has debuted several photo features invented by social-media upstart Snap. But arguably no one does this better than Apple. The next iPhone will seamlessly mesh screen and charging technologies invented by others with such Apple innovations as a 3-D face scanner that unlocks the phone in a few hundred milliseconds. Apple declined to comment.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 07:00 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ad92cf5 1 City motorcycle-ban,fine Free

The Jakarta administration will carry out a trial run of a ban on motorcycles from Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat to the Senayan traffic circle in South Jakarta, from Sept. 12 to Oct. 10.

Those who violate the policy will be fined Rp 500,000 (US$37.5), Jakarta Police traffic division chief Sr. Comr. Halim Pagarra said on Tuesday.

The hours of the trial run are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.

We will inform residents about this, Halim said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Motorcycles have been blamed for causing traffic congestion and accidents in the city.

Even though we know the public will oppose the policy, as you have heard from transportation experts and the police, we cannot live under these conditions forever, Jakarta Transportation Agency head Andri Yansyah, said recently. (hol)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Frankfurt am Main, Germany  Wed, August 23, 2017 22:00 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb7fe2 2 Business gold,central-bank,German,France,banking-industry Free

The Bundesbank, Germany's central bank, said Wednesday it had returned to German soil all of its gold kept in Paris and some reserves from the US, three years ahead of schedule.

Some 374 tonnes of the metal, 11 percent of the German stock, left the vaults at the Banque de France, or Bank of France, while 300 tonnes have been removed from the Federal Reserve in New York to the Bundesbank vaults in Frankfurt, board member Carl-Ludwig Thiele told journalists.

The secret shipments were finished far ahead of the 2020 deadline at a cost of some 7.7 million euros ($9.1 million), bringing the share of German gold stored at home to 50 percent.

Shipments have been underway since a 2013 board decision to return the precious ingots home.

Germany began securing its reserves abroad during the Cold War, when the Bundesbank preferred to keep most of its gold safe from the prospect of a sudden Soviet invasion.

New York was a favoured location as home of the world's most vital currency, the US dollar, while London's deep gold market could allow the metal to be quickly converted into cash in an emergency.

Meanwhile, the share of the cache in France was built up during the decades of Germany's post-World War II "economic miracle", as the Bundesbank converted the country's trade surpluses with its neighbour into gold stored in the Parisian vaults of the Banque de France.

But at the height of the eurozone crisis in 2012, eurosceptic voices began pressing for an audit of the precious metal kept abroad, in case it might have been tampered with, lent out or sold off.

The Bundesbank responded to the calls for greater transparency by bringing a larger share home.

After extensive tests upon arrival, "there were no issues with the authenticity, fineness or weight of the bars," Thiele said.

Germany holds the world's second-largest gold reserves after the United States, at 3,378 tonnes or 270,000 ingots of around 12 kilogrammes each -- for a market value of around 120 billion euros.

Some 1,710 tonnes are now kept in Frankfurt, with 1,236 remaining in New York and 432 in London.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 18:25 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb0a5a 1 National drugs,Budi-Waseso,BNN,corruption,execution Free

National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso has stated that he is ready to execute any agency officers caught accepting bribes from drug suspects.

"I will immediately fire them. If possible I will shoot them dead," Budi said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Budi, who once served as head of the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim), said he had instructed agency officers to shoot colleagues involved in drug trafficking.

"I told them not to hesitate to use their guns against fellow officers involved in drug cases," Budi said.

Budi also said that BNN officers should not be reluctant to take action even if the person involved in drug cases was himself.

"If I betray their trust, they can use a gun against me," Budi said.

In recent months, the BNN has taken a tougher stance against drug dealers, which it claims have become more dangerous and are commonly armed with powerful firearms.

Recently in Medan, North Sumatra, the police shot down a drug suspect when he reportedly resisted arrest.

Following the government's declaration of war on drug abuse, BNN personnel have been equipped with powerful firearms and have reportedly been authorized to shoot suspects who resist arrest.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 17:01 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adaaf66 1 Business Arief-Yahya,Luhut-Binsar-Pandjaitan,borobudur,Borobudur-Authority-Body Free

The government has established the Borobudur Authority Body to boost tourism for one of Indonesias most iconic cultural destinations, the Borobudur Temple in Yogyakarta, said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.

The new body was finalized during a meeting chaired by Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on Tuesday.

The meeting produced an important decision for the development of Borobudur, which has become a prioritized tourist destination, Arief said in a statement on Wednesday.

The establishment of the body is based on Presidential Regulation No. 46/2017 issued in April, and was approved by Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Asman Abnur.

Arief welcomed the Borobudur Authority Body, stressing that it would help the site attract 2 million tourists by 2019, as targeted by the government.

The development of Borobudur would focus on three elements: attractions, accessibility and amenities, the minister said as reported by Antara.

The critical point is accessibility. We already have one solution with the new Yogyakarta International Airport in Kulonprogo, which will become the main access point to the Joglosemar tourism area, he said, referring to Yogyakarta, Surakarta and Semarang.

Former United States president Barack Obama visited the temple on June 28 during his holiday in Indonesia. (bbn)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France  Wed, August 23, 2017 18:39 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb2b0e 2 World France,satire,freedom-of-expression,Islam,terror-attack Free

French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo published Wednesday a provocative front-page cartoon about Islam and the recent terror attacks in Spain, leading to criticism that it risked fanning Islamophobia.

The latest edition of the magazine, which was targeted by Islamist gunmen in 2015, shows two people lying in a pool of blood having been run over by a van next to the words "Islam, eternal religion of peace."

A dozen extremists of Moroccan origin are believed to have plotted last week's attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, where 15 people were killed and over 100 injured after a van and car were driven into crowds.

The attackers are thought by investigators to have been radicalised by an extremist Islamic preacher who died in a house where the group was trying to produce explosives.

Critics of Charlie Hebdo saw its front-page as tarring an entire religion, practised by around 1.5 billion people worldwide, by implying it was inherently violent.

As the cartoon became one of the top trending topics on Twitter in France, prominent Socialist MP and former minister Stephane Le Foll called it "extremely dangerous".

"When you're a journalist you need to exercise restraint because making these associations can be used by other people," he said.

Charlie Hebdo editor Laurent "Riss" Sourisseau explained the choice in an editorial, saying that experts and policy-makers were avoiding hard questions out of concern for moderate law-abiding Muslims.

"The debates and questions about the role of religion, and in particular the role of Islam, in these attacks have completely disappeared," he wrote.

Charlie Hebdo lampoons all religions and religious figures, but its depictions of the Prophet Mohammed -- an act considered sinful under Islam -- led to outrage, death threats and ultimately violence.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 15:39 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ada91d5 1 City energy,consumption,green-building Free

Authorities will start checking energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission levels of buildings in the capital during a monitoring trial in October, an official has said.

City deputy for spatial planning and environment Oswar Muadzin Mungkasa said the trial was part of an attempt to reduce electricity and water usage and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) by 30 percent in the capital by 2030.

"We are heading there slowly. Its a process. If we dont start now, when will we?" he added as quoted by beritajakarta.com on Wednesday. "The most important thing is, is that the building occupants must change their behavior to save energy."

Oswar also said that energy consumption in three city-owned buildings would be watched, with the Jakarta administration set to install energy monitoring devices in the buildings.

The buildings are Blok G in the City Hall compound, the Cipta Karya public works office, the spatial planning and land agencies and D building at the Central Jakarta municipality office, all in Central Jakarta.

He said 800 to 1,000 buildings in the capital had yet to apply the green building concept.

Meanwhile, the division head of Jakarta's Industry and Energy Agency, Maharani Dian, said her office was preparing a device called dashboard monitoring and its software.

"This device can monitor electricity consumption in real time and we will learn which buildings consume energy the most efficiently," she said. (agn)
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Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23 2017

The icy relationship between former president Megawati Soekarnoputri and her successor, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, began to thaw last week when the two leaders, for the first time in more than a decade, celebrated Independence Day at the State Palace.

But the political gesture is by no means a sign of a possible alliance between Megawatis Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Yudhoyonos Democratic Party (PD) for the 2019 presidential election, officials from both parties have said.

I dont see the meeting [between Megawati and Yudhoyono] as a starting point to take relations [between the two parties] to the next level, Democratic Party Spokesperson Rachland Nasidik told The Jakarta Post recently.

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Linkedin Aaron Tam, Laura Mannering and Elaine Yu (Agence France-Presse) Hong Kong, China  Wed, August 23, 2017 20:29 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb5c37 2 World weather,HongKong,Macau,typhoon Free

Typhoon Hato left three dead in the gambling hub of Macau Wednesday as it brought chaos and destruction to the enclave after sweeping through neighbouring Hong Kong, where one man also died.

Local media showed severe flooding had left cars underwater and people swimming in Macau's city streets, with the territory's mega-casinos running on back-up generators.

Three men aged 30 to 65 died, the Macau government said, while two people were missing. One of the men died after being injured by a wall that blew down, another fell from a fourth floor terrace and the last was a Chinese tourist hit by a truck.

Apple Daily showed footage of people swimming through muddy water in what are usually roads, and being swept off their feet by winds.

The sprawling Venetian casino resort was on back-up power and without air conditioning or proper lighting, according to one source.

One employee of Sands, which owns the Venetian and the Parisian, said power had been out across the whole of Macau but was beginning to return.

"Because many guests come in the summer, a lot of them have been stuck in the major resorts and casinos," the employee said.

"All transportations -- air, ground, sea -- have halted, so customers who have checked out cannot leave yet."

Electricity was still down at the Grand Lisboa Wednesday afternoon, with the casino and restaurants there out of action, a staff member told AFP.

Residents took to social media to complain about city-wide power and mobile phone network outages.

Brian Chan, 31, said authorities had failed to give enough notice of the impending storm and were not properly prepared, describing the territory as "totally lost" in the typhoon.

The water supply was also limited, authorities said, and 50 flights cancelled from its international airport.

By evening, parts of Macau were still without power.

"Some have no tap water supply. The city looks like after an attack," Harald Bruning, editor of the Macau Post Daily, told AFP, describing it as the worst typhoon he had experienced in 30 years.

Hurricane winds and heavy rain had earlier hit Hong Kong, leaving an 83-year-old man dead after he fell into the sea, police said, and more than 80 injured.

Topics : weather HongKong Macau typhoon
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) San Franscisco, United States  Wed, August 23, 2017 15:18 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ada80e6 2 Business Google,e-commerce,Wal-Mart,partnership Free

Google and Walmart on Tuesday announced a partnership that will make the retailer's products available on the internet giant's online shopping mall.

"Starting in late September, we'll be working with Google to offer hundreds of thousands of items for voice shopping via Google Assistant -- the largest number of items currently offered by a retailer through the platform," Marc Lore, Wal-Mart's head of e-commerce, said in a blog post.

Walmart will integrate Google Express, which already allows customers to purchase products of a large range of brands, such as Costco and the pharmacy Walgreen's, into its platform in a bid to take on online shopping giant Amazon.

Amazon has long made life difficult for Wal-Mart on the internet and is now also competing with it in the real world with its planned acquisition of supermarket chain, Whole Foods.

Wal-Mart's third-quarter results, released earlier this month, once again highlighted its persistent lag behind Amazon, even if the numbers were better than expected.

Google is also looking to expand its activities in online shopping, grouped together under its Google Home brand.
Supreme Court said it will not review its judgement against Sasikala because it doesn't find any error.

By India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court today rejected a request from AIADMK leader Sasikala to review the decision passed against her in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets (DA) case.

Seeking a review of her conviction and jail term, Sasikala's lawyers told the court that former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who was also an accused in the case, is no more and the Prevention of Corruption Act doesn't apply to her.

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The apex court said it does not find any error in its judgement and therefore does not merit review.

Earlier on February 14, the court had upheld the trial court order in DA case in which three of them were sentenced for four years and fined Rs 10 crore.

Besides Sasikala, two other convicts V N Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, all relatives, had also filed the appeal in the apex court in May.

They are accused of amassing disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 66.65 crore during Jayalalithaa's first term as chief minister from 1991 to 1996.

The verdict had disqualified Sasikala from becoming a legislator and consequentially she can't be chief minister either for six years from the date of release of prison under the Representation of the People Act.

ALSO READ:

Sasikala jail bribery case: Top cop D Roopa served notice by Karnataka DGP Rao

Meet the firebrand top cop who exposed Sasikala's VVIP treatment in Bengaluru jail

Karnataka DIG of Prisons D Roopa, who exposed VVIP perks to Sasikala in Bengaluru jail, transferred

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Was Sasikala allowed a day out of prison by Bengaluru jail officials? Video suggests so

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Stockholm, Sweden  Wed, August 23, 2017 16:30 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adaab06 2 World journalist,missing,Sweden,denmark,murder Free

The headless torso of a woman found floating in Danish waters is that of a Swedish journalist who authorities believe died aboard an inventor's homemade submarine, police said Wednesday.

"The DNA of the torso matches that of Kim Wall," Danish police announced on Twitter, saying more details would be given at a news conference at 9am (0700 GMT).

The female torso, with the head and limbs deliberately cut off, was found on Monday in Koge Bay, around 50 km (30 miles) south of Copenhagen.

The 30-year-old Wall, a freelance journalist who had reported for The Guardian and The New York Times, had not been seen since boarding Danish inventor Peter Madsen's submarine on August 10 to interview him for a story.

She was reported missing a day later. The same day, Madsen was rescued from waters between Denmark and Sweden shortly before his submarine sank.

Madsen, whose website describes him as an "inventepreneur", initially told authorities that he dropped Wall off on an island late on the evening of August 10.

But he changed his story several days later when he appeared in court, saying Wall died in an accident on board and that he dumped the body at sea in an undefined location of the Koge Bay.

Police have since said they believe Madsen, 46, "deliberately" sank the sub. It was brought to the surface and searched, but found to be empty.

Investigators are not convinced by Madsen's latest account and suspect him of negligent manslaughter.

Topics : journalist missing Sweden denmark murder
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 13:41 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ada13e9 1 Business islamic-finance,Conference,Yogyakarta,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati Free

Indonesia is staging its second annual Islamic Finance Conference (IAFC) in Yogyakarta, with the main agenda of using sharia financing to fight poverty and inequality.

The two-day event was opened by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Wednesday and is slated to feature numerous programs, including seminars and forums for young economists, to facilitate experts as they exchange their knowledge and experience on the issue.

With this event, we have a forum to groom young economists to gain skills and methodologies about Islamic financial instruments," Sri Mulyani said during the opening ceremony.

Sri Mulyani recalled the first instalment of the event, which took place as Indonesia held the annual Islamic Development Bank (IDB) conference.

She said that his years conference would focus on the benefits of Islamic instruments, such as zakat (Islamic tax) and waqaf (Islamic endowment), in overcoming social problems.

Islamic financing is ideal for eradicating poverty and providing more equality, because it has risk sharing and asset based principles. Islamic financing also has social instruments, such as zakat and waqaf, that can be utilized to help the poor, she explained, adding that these facilities have not been used to their full potential because Muslims still prefer to pay their zakat to nearby mosques or Islamic preachers.

"The use of waqaf assets is still limited to schools, mosques and cemeteries. If the waqaf can be used for more productive sectors, such as agriculture, it will have more value," she said. (bbn)
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 22:02 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb8481 1 Business sharia-business,sharia-economy,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,islamic-finance,Conference,Yogyakarta Free

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said that Indonesia needs to spread knowledge about the sharia economy to the public so the country with the worlds largest Muslim population could unearth the great potential of its Islamic economy.

The great potential of zakat mal (Islamic wealth and income taxes), for example, had not be collected optimally because the conventional understanding of wealth among Muslims was that it referred only to gold and silver, agriculture, livestock and mining resources, she added

Such an understanding is not entirely wrong because most wealth was in those forms [during Prophet Muhammad's era], but currently wealth can be in the form of stocks, bonds and wages or salary, Sri Mulyani said at the annual Islamic Finance Conference in Yogyakarta on Wednesday.

If those kinds of wealth also become the target of zakat, the funds collected from zakat will increase, she said, adding that most of Indonesian Muslims only paid zakat fitrah (alm paid in the end of Ramadhan), but did not pay zakat mal.

According to the National Zakat Agency (Baznas), the potential of zakat in Indonesia reaches around Rp 217 trillion (US$16.25 billion).

Sri Mulyani said the figure was equal to 10 percent of the state budget. "Unfortunately only less than 2 percent of that potential has been collected and Baznas only receives around half of the collected fund," She said.

However, the Finance Ministry's fiscal policy head Suahasil Nazara said Indonesia needed more experts on the sharia economy to educate people about the issue. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 13:38 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ada106b 4 Business Indonesia,Russia,barter-trading,Sukhoi-jet-fighters,Enggartiasto-Lukita,Ryamizard-Racudu Free

A recent barter agreement between Indonesia and Russia is projected to reach Rp 15 trillion (US1.14 billion), according to Trade Minister Eanggartiasto Enggar Lukita.

Among the commodities Indonesia will exchange for 11 Sukhoi fighter jets include tea, coffee, rubber and crude palm oil (CPO), Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said during a joint press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Ryamizard welcomed the agreement, saying that the addition of 11 fighter jets of different specifications would help Indonesia improve its defense capabilities.

There are three specifications of fighter jets; those that can only shoot missiles, jets that can only drop bombs and those that can do both, Ryamizard said.

The deal also includes the transfer of knowledge, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the aircraft.

Negotiations for the agreement had started with Russias opening price of $150 million for each plane, which then dropped down to $90 million.

Enggar agreed that the MRO would benefit Indonesia as the country could use it to serve both domestic and foreign airlines.

The process is expected to be completed. The Russian team will visit Indonesia next month, he added.

Enggar secured the deal during a visit to Russia on Aug. 3-5. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 18:31 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb1952 1 Business Intra-Asia-Indonesia,port,construction,Vietnam,coal-export Free

Indonesian firm PT Intra Asia Indonesia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its counterpart in Vietnam, in connection with its plan to construct a coal port in the southern part of the country with US$1 billion.

The agreement was signed by PT Intra Asia president director Justin Lim and Hong Pat Coal and Resources chairman Phan Ngo To Hong in Jakarta on Wednesday, witnessed by secretary- general of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong.

The port will especially be used for cargo and logistics that will serve exports and imports between Indonesia and Vietnam, particularly coal, said Intra Asia Indonesia commissioner Lutfi Ismail in a statement.

When it operates, the capacity of the port will reach between 15 and 20 million tons of coal per year, he said, adding that it would cut logistics cost for coal imports from Indonesia.

Lutfi said construction of the port would facilitate the sustainability of coal exports from Indonesia to Vietnam, and would help fuel power plants in the country.

Indonesia targets to export 4.5 million tons of coal to Vietnam this year, said Lutfi. We hope that the cooperation will boost Indonesian coal exports to Vietnam, he added.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that trade between Indonesia and Vietnam reached $6.3 billion last year, while Indonesia suffered a $182.90 million deficit. (bbn)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jambi  Wed, August 23 2017

Wings Air, a subsidiary of Indonesias largest private airline Lion Air group, will soon open new routes connecting Kerinci, a regency in West Sumatra famed for its natural beauty, with two major cities in Jambi and Bengkulu provinces on Sept. 5 to meet increasing demand for such air services.

The flight schedule will start at 7:30 a.m. from Bengkulu to Jambi, then 8:55 a.m. for Jambi-Kerinci, 10:00 a.m. for Kerinci-Jambi and 11:20 for Jambi-Bengkulu.

The new routes are expected to boost tourism and the economy as they will ease movement back and forth, Lion Air station manager Mardanus said on Tuesday.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 20:58 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb62e1 1 Politics East-Java,gubernatorial-candidate,khofifah-indar-parawansa,cabinet,Jokowi Free

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The State Palace said on Wednesday that Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa had not resigned from President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's Cabinet to run in the East Java gubernatorial election.

Presidential spokesperson Johan Budi said on Wednesday that Jokowi had yet to receive a letter from Khofifah regarding her plan to leave the Cabinet.

"If youre wondering about a resignation letter, we haven't received one yet. At least until today," Johan said as quoted by tempo.co

Khofifah visited the palace on Wednesday and when pressed by a reporter about her plan to run in the East Java election, the social affairs minister said she did not have plan to join the race.

The minister said she would make an official announcement if President Jokowi gave her the blessing to join the gubernatorial race.

Johan confirmed that Khofifah did meet with Jokowi on Wednesday but declined to give details about their conversation.

It has been predicted that Khofifah could become a formidable rival to East Java deputy governor Saifullah Yusuf, who earlier declared he would seek a nomination on the National Awakening Partys (PKB) ticket.

Apart from Saifullah and Khofifah, East Java-chapter Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman La Nyalla Mattalitti is another figure who reportedly plans to run for East Java governor.
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Linkedin Djemi Amnifu (The Jakarta Post) Kupang  Wed, August 23, 2017 22:44 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb8bd7 2 National Myanmar,human-trafficking,police,Kupang,NTT Free

Investigators from the National Polices detective unit have arrested Myanmar national Anwar Sadiq alias Muang Muang Tin, a fugitive wanted for his alleged involvement in a human-trafficking case found in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Anwar, who was on the NTT Polices most wanted list, was charged with human trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and Rp 1.5 billion (US$122,000) in fines.

Anwar was arrested in an apartment in Kalideres, West Jakarta, on Monday evening, said NTT Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Jules Abast.

Read also: Police secure 5 suspected human trafficking victims from China

The investigation started when authorities found a boat carrying 16 Indian, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals without any immigration documents stranded in Tablolong village in Kupang regency on their way to the Australian territory of Christmas Island in November 2015.

The boat began its journey from Sukabumi, West Java, but ran out of fuel and had drifted off its route. (bbs)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 12:57 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ad9f7a9 1 City bazaar,Grand-Indonesia,chaos Free

A Nike bazaar at Grand Indonesia shopping mall in Central Jakarta, which started on Sunday, ended in chaos on Tuesday, with thousands of people flocking to the venue, trampling on shoes and destroying a promotional banner.

One of the bazaar's visitors, Fernando Simon, uploaded a video on YouTube, showing the commotion.

Shoe boxes could be seen strewn across the floor, with people stepping all over them while looking for discounted products in their size.

Tribunnews.com reported that shoppers also broke through a large banner as they barged into the event.

Amid the chaos, organizers were forced to limit the number of people entering the bazaar, which offered discounts of up to 90 percent.

For example, Vapor Superfly IIU FG 5 shoes, which cost Rp 4.9 million (US$367), were being sold for only Rp 469,000.

Mercurial Vapor VII FG shoes, which previously went for Rp 2.1 million, were sold for Rp 219,000, while the Rp 2,3 million WMNS Air Maz was discounted to Rp 239,000.

Holders of Bank Mandiri credit card received further discounts with a zero percent installment scheme. (cal)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 10:01 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ad97c68 1 Business Vietjet-Air,Vietnam,Indonesia,soekarno-hatta-airport,Ho-Chi-Minh-City Free

Vietnamese budget airline Vietjet Air has assured Indonesia that flight attendants serving its upcoming route from Jakarta to Ho Chi Minh City, which is expected to start in December, would not be wearing bikinis.

During a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, the airlines deputy director for commercial affairs, Jay L Lingeswara, told journalists that the company, which currently operates 35 international routes, only featured bikini-clad flight attendants on specific occasions.

We strongly believe and are committed to offering the best and suitable services to the Indonesian market, he said, adding that Vietjet Air had learned from its experience with the opening of a route to Malaysia.

To ensure the airline will provide the Indonesian market with suitable services, Vietjet Air vice president for business development, Dinh Viet Phuong, said it would also provide halal food for Muslim passengers.

Jay said that the company had recognized Indonesia, the country with the largest population in Southeast Asia, as a potential market.

He added that the Jakarta-Ho Chi Minh route could be used to develop several sectors for both Indonesia and Vietnam, such as business and tourism.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the new flight was based on the two countries economic relations and tourism connectivity. (rdi/bbn)
This is not the first time Trinamool Congress leaders have openly batted in favour of the controversial Islamic practice.

By Indrajit Kundu: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may have steered clear of commenting on Tuesday's landmark Supreme Court verdict banning instant triple talaq, her cabinet colleague and state library minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury has termed it "unconstitutional".

Chowdhury, a prominent minority face in the Trinamool Congress and president of the West Bengal Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, challenged the apex court stating that it had no right to interfere in the internal matters of Islam.

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"Talaq has and shall continue to be part of our religious custom. Who gives Supreme Court judges the right to decide whether talaq is part of Islam or not?," Chowdhury asked while addressing the media in Kolkata.

"This is just a view of three judges, it is not a law. As a Deoband scholar let me again say that triple talaq has been in practice for more than 1400 years," he said. The minister also announced that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind will hold a convention in Kolkata on August 28 to decide its future course of action.

"We shall abide by Sharia and Muslims want to live by it. No one can tamper with it," the Trinamool Congress lawmaker announced.

Chowdhury said, there was need to dispel myths about Sharia and that one could monitor its implementation so that women can live with dignity. "Let's create an environment where Sharia is not abused, let's make people aware of its rules. We want Muslim women to live with dignity and there can be systems for better monitoring," he added.

This is not the first time Trinamool Congress leaders have openly batted in favour of the controversial Islamic practice. Last year, Chowdhury had organised a massive rally of clerics where Bengal ministers Partha Chatterjee and Firhad Hakim had backed the Jamiat's call for rejecting the Centre's attempts to abolish triple talaq.

In fact, hosting a mega All Indian Muslim Personal law Board (AIMPLB) convention in Kolkata last November Chowdhury had claimed the support of chief minister Mamata Banerjee on the matter. "The state government is with us," Chowdhury had told representatives at the convention.

Also Read:

Why triple talaq verdict will help BJP implement Uniform Civil Code

Teary-eyed victim of triple talaq after verdict: Thousands of women are crying at home

WATCH | Historic Supreme Court ruling on instant triple talaq: Meet the heroines who made it happen

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 23:44 1907 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb8cad 2 Business business-schools,cooperation,ASEAN,NYU Free

NYU Stern Executive Education, part of the New York University Stern School of Business, is set to hold a weeklong program for ASEAN corporate and public sector executives on four main themes, namely globalization, innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership.

With the ASEAN region seen as playing a critical role in driving global economic growth, NYU Stern will host the ASEAN Global Leadership Program (AGLP) for regional management consulting firm SRW&Co in New York City, United States, from April 16 to 20 next year.

It will be the first time NYU Stern has hosted the custom program in the city after eight years of it being held annually at several top business schools in the United Kingdom, China and other cities in the US.

Read also: UI 'best business school' in Indonesia: Eduniversal

SRW&Co. chairman and partner Daniel Wong said the collaboration with NYU Stern would offer its clients a program designed for business leaders faced with exciting opportunities as well as chalenges related to conducting business in ASEAN.

New York City was chosen because it was an epicenter of global business and a thriving hub of innovation that multinational and technology firms as well as startups called home, said NYU Sterns dean Peter Henry.

Given its proximity, NYU Sterns faculty were in constant conversation with the business community and would bring the latest insights on global business leadership and innovation for the participants, he added.

The campus hands-on classroom sessions included conversations with local entrepreneurs and company visits to a startup technology firms and financial institutions, said Luke Williams, program co-director and executive director of NYU Sterns W.R. Innovation Labs. (gda)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 19:08 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb40ca 1 City mineral-water,business,crime Free

The Cilandak Police in South Jakarta have arrested four men accused of mixing mineral water with groundwater and selling it in Pondok Cabe, Pamulang, South Tangerang.

The men reportedly sold 300 gallons of the water mix per day, using the prominent Aqua brand name, said Cilandak Police chief Comr. Sujanto on Wednesday. They ran the business for a year.

The case was revealed after a buyer, Jono, reported the matter to the police, he said as quoted by kompas.com.

Previously, Jono consumed water from a large bottle in his warehouse-house on Jl. H. Gandun, Lebak Bulus, Cilandak, and found the water was turbid and tasted strange, Sujanto explained.

The product was allegedly supplied by suspect S., 28, who had a home industry, he added.

Following up on the report, the police held a surveillance operation on Aug. 21 and arrested S and other suspects identified as DP, 20, TT, 20, and PWT, 55.

The police also seized a large container, a water pump, a pickup truck, 40 Aqua gallon bottles, two card boxes of Aqua bottle caps and four sacks of used Aqua bottle caps.

The police said the mixed water was distributed to three stores in Pondok Labu and four shops in Cilandak, including Jonos.

The suspects will be charged under Law No. 8/ 1999 on consumer protection, which carries a maximum of five years in prison or a Rp 5 billion (US$374,420) fine. (agn/syl)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 19:45 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb5643 1 City novel-baswedan,acid-attack,evidence Free

Fingerprints were not found on a mug allegedly used in an acid attack on Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) lead investigator Novel Baswedan.

The suspects might have used gloves in the attack, said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono.

"It was H2SO4 [sulfuric acid]. If it touches the hands, the skin will be burned. If it touches jeans, they will be torn. Do you think the suspects used their bare hands? said Argo as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday. There are a few possibilities; they might have used gloves.

Although the police did not find any prints on the mug, the police continue looking for any evidence to unravel the case, he said.

However, he refused to explain the polices attempts in detail.

That [explaining details] certainly is the authority of investigators, he said.

In April, Novel suffered severe burns when he was hit in the face with acid on his way home after morning prayers at a mosque near his house in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. He is currently receiving medical treatment in Singapore. (agn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 18:38 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb22b0 4 Business nuclear-power-generation,Russia,Indonesia Free

Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Mikhail Galuzin has said his country wants to invest in Indonesias nuclear energy future to help increase the countrys electrification rate, which currently stands at 89.5 percent.

We are of the view that Indonesia will not be able to meet its electricity demand in the conventional way. Therefore, we offer nuclear plants, Galuzin told journalists in Jakarta on Wednesday as reported by Antara.

He said his country had deep experience in developing nuclear energy and had helped many countries construct nuclear power plants. Last year, Russia helped Iran construct nuclear plants worth some US$10 billion.

Other countries that have used Russias nuclear technology include Nigeria, Jordan and India.

In May, representatives of Russias Rosatom State Atomic Energy met with Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan to make a similar offer.

The company offered to develop nuclear plants with a capacity of 1,000 Megawatts (MW) in Bangka Belitung and East Kalimantan - regions that are relatively resistant to earthquakes.

At the time, Luhut said Indonesia was not ready to add nuclear energy to its national energy mix.

Strong opposition from environmentalists to nuclear energy emerged following the breakdown of the nuclear plant in Fukushima, Japan, in 2011, after the strong earthquake hit the East Asian country. (bbn)
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Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar  Wed, August 23, 2017 19:09 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb4aba 1 National bali,BPK,SDGs,INTOSAI,Moermahadi-Soerdja-Djanegara Free

Officials from 11 supreme audit institutions from across the globe are gathering in Bali from Wednesday to Friday to discuss and share ideas on the roles of such institutions to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The 9th meeting of the Steering Committee of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) committee on knowledge sharing and knowledge service kicked off in Kuta and is being attended by 25 supreme auditors from 11 countries.

Read also: Rp 4.08t state losses in Pelindo II project: BPK

The Bali meeting is also being held to discuss the 20172022 INTOSAI Strategic Plan. Indonesia's Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) is currently the chair of INTOSAI'a Working Group on Environmental Auditing (WGEA).

"This meeting is being held to discuss the latest development of our work plan to achieve the sustainable development goals," BPK Chairman Moermahadi Soerdja Djanegara said.

Participants of the 9th meeting of the Steering Committee of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) committee on knowledge sharing and knowledge service pose during a group photo session in Bali, Aug. 23, 2017. (Courtesy of/Supreme Audit Agency (BPK))

He said the SDGs, which UN Member States jointly committed themselves to in September 2015, are comprised of 17 goals that provide ambitious and long-term action plans for people across the planet.

"Our role as supreme audit institutions is to support the SDGs. I hope this meeting will reach its objective, and also fulfill our expectations of further integrating the public sector to the benefit of our communities and to the global community," Moermahadi said. (bbs)
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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 18:34 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb220a 1 Business Enggartiasto-Lukita,Indonesia-Eximbank,financing-support,exports,MoU Free

The Trade Ministry and the Indonesian Export Financing Agency (LPEI), also known as Indonesia Eximbank, signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost financing for exporters, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The commitment is part of efforts to reach the governments goal of increasing non-oil and gas exports by 5.6 percent to US$138 billion, this year.

With this MoU, were trying to increase our export competitiveness, number of exporters as well as their capacities, said Arlinda, the ministrys national export development director general, during the signing ceremony on Wednesday.

The MoU covers financing, guarantee or insurance granting, activities to increase export capacities, product development and data exchange.

As of June, Eximbank had disbursed Rp 96.8 trillion (US$7.2 billion) in financing to exporters, 11.5 percent or Rp 11.2 trillion of which was to SMEs.

The bank previously announced its target to increase financing by 15.96 percent annually to Rp 102.6 trillion by year-end.

At the same occasion, the ministry held a Technical Coordination Forum (FKT) with exporters, exporters associations and representatives of Indonesian Trade Promotion Centers (ITPC) from 19 countries, trade attaches from 23 countries and trade agencies from 34 provinces.

Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said the meeting aimed to synchronize perceptions and strategies on how the trade reps should promote Indonesias products abroad.

Trade reps should act like a promoter, businessperson; not mere administrative officials. They should have market and product knowledge, he said. (bbn)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Geneva, Switzerland  Wed, August 23, 2017 20:00 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adb5989 2 World trump,Racism,UN,warning,US,Virginia,race Free

A UN committee tasked with combatting racism has issued a formal "early warning" over conditions in the United States, a rare move often used to signal the potential of a looming civil conflict.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said it had invoked its "early warning and urgent action procedure" because of the proliferation of racist demonstrations in the US.

It specifically noted the unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a woman was killed after an avowed white supremacist ploughed his car into a group of anti-racism counterprotestors.

The racism committee, part of the UN human rights office, can issue a formal early warning to help prevent "existing problems from escalating into conflict" or to "prevent a resumption of conflict where it has previously occurred", according to the rights office website.

President Donald Trump has been widely criticised for his response to the Charlottesville clashes, after he said "both sides" were to blame for the violence.

The UN committee urged Washington, "as well as high-level politicians and public officials, to unequivocally and unconditionally reject and condemn racist hate speech", without mentioning Trump by name.

"We are alarmed by the racist demonstrations, with overtly racist slogans, chants and salutes by white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and the Ku Klux Klan, promoting white supremacy and inciting racial discrimination and

The committee monitors compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which the US ratified in 1994.

The US warning marks the seventh such alert issued in the past decade.

They mainly concern countries gripped by ethnic and religious strife, including Burundi, Nigeria, Iraq and Ivory Coast.

hatred," committee head Anastasia Crickley said in a statement.

Topics : trump Racism UN warning US Virginia race
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States  Wed, August 23, 2017 15:11 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ada7ac7 2 World US,Navy,collision,Japan,Singapore Free

The commander of the US Navy's Seventh Fleet will be relieved of duty after a deadly collision between a destroyer and a tanker off Singapore, the latest in a series of accidents, a defense official said Tuesday.

The decision to remove Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin from the post in Japan comes as the Navy undertakes a fleet-wide global investigation after Monday's incident involving the USS John S. McCain, which left 10 sailors missing and five injured.

The Seventh Fleet, which compromises ships, submarines and aircraft, is the centrepiece of the US military presence in Asia, undertaking sensitive missions such as operations in the South China Sea and around the Korean peninsula.

Admiral Aucoin has been commander of the fleet since September 2015 and has been in the navy since 1980.

Monday's accident was the second fatal collision in two months -- after the USS Fitzgerald collided with a cargo ship off Japan in June, leaving seven sailors dead -- and the fourth accident in the Pacific this year involving an American warship.

The incidents have sparked concern that the US Navy could be overstretched in East Asia as it tackles China's rising assertiveness and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

The latest accident happened before dawn in busy shipping lanes around the Strait of Singapore, leaving a gaping hole in the hull of the warship and flooding it with water.

A massive search involving planes and aircraft was launched and US Navy divers joined the hunt Tuesday, scouring the ship's flooded compartments.

The divers had found remains of some of the sailors, Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, said Tuesday without giving further details.

Topics : US Navy collision Japan Singapore
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Thu, August 24 2017

Indonesia is staging its second annual Islamic Finance Conference (IAFC) in Yogyakarta, with the main agenda of using sharia financing to fight poverty and inequality.

The two-day event was opened by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Wednesday and is slated to feature numerous programs, including seminars and forums for young economists, to facilitate experts as they exchange their knowledge and experience on the issue.

With this event, we have a forum to groom young economists to gain skills and methodologies about Islamic financial instruments, Sri Mulyani said during the opening ceremony.

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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 16:08 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97adaa013 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,borobudur,Borobudur-Temple Free

The second coordinating meeting of Borobudur Tourism Authority Board (BOB) was recently held on August 22.

The meeting was led by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs of Indonesia Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and attended by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, Minister of National Development Planning Bambang Brodjonegoro and Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Asman Abnur.

The establishment of BOB is based on the Presidential Regulation No. 46 of 2017 that was signed by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on April 11. The board was officially launched in July.

I have signed the agreement letter about the Formation of BOB Management Organizational Structure that will be lead by the president director, said Asman during the meeting.

National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) is ready to give support, especially for Toba, Mandalika and Borobudur. Weve laid out the mapping for 2018 and ready to discuss budgeting at Bappenas, said Bappenas Head, Bambang Brodjonegoro.

Read also: Teater Koma questioning our legacy

Bambang also emphasized on the Honorarium Presidential Regulation (Perpres) regarding special public service (BLU) that needs to go through Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (KemenPan) and Finance (KemenKeu) Ministers.

He suggested for only one Tourism BLU Honorarium Presidential Regulation with the only thing that needs revising is Toba.

Bappenas is pushing KemenPan and KemenKeu to form a more generic Perpres, so it wont take long for the Tourism BLU to obtain an Honorarium Perpres, said Bambang.

Bambang appreciated the Tourism Ministry's effort in initiating the funding to cover Lake Toba Tourism Authority Board (BOPDT) up to this day. Tourism minister Arief Yahya, meanwhile, was grateful for the quick establishment process of BOB management structure.

The target for the BOB is to turn the Buddhist temple into a national and international cultural destination that will attract 2,000,000 international tourists by the year 2019.

Borobudur is being developed as a destination that has a heritage appeal to it. It has been recognized by the UNESCO as a world cultural heritage. The development will focus on the 3As elements namely attraction, accessibility and accommodation, said Arief.

Arief said that BOPs main responsibilities are to manage, coordinate and facilitate the planning, development and controlling of Borobudur tourism area.

The critical success factor lies in access and the answer is in the New Yogyakarta International Airport in Kulonprogo, Arief added.

Read also: Jokowi to lend own 'keris' collection to Surakarta museum

He explained that 75 percent of overseas tourists came to Indonesia by airplanes, 24 percent by sea and the biggest number is in Riau Islands to Singapore.

Arief Yahya also criticized the management of Borobudur that had been focusing on single destination and multi-management with zone 1 was being managed by the Education and Culture Ministry, Zone 2 by BUMN, Zone 3 by Provincial Administrations (Pemda) and thousands of traders and Zone 4 by Tourism Ministry.

BOB consists of authoritative and coordinative areas that integrate all tourist attractions in Joglosemar and do not touch Borobudurs zone 1-4.

Meanwhile, The National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN) consisting of Borobudur, Dieng, Karimunjawa, and Sangiran will be packed into a single destination.

Also, the BOB is in charge to develop three national destinations such as Solo-Sangiran and surrounding areas, Semarang-Karimunjawa and surrounding areas, Borobudur-Yogyakarta and surrounding areas. (asw)
The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce today its judgement on the vexatious issue whether the right to privacy can be held as a fundamental right under the Constitution.

By Anusha Soni: It often sounds strange when the top court of a 70-year-old democracy debates whether privacy is a fundamental right to its over 1.2 billion citizens. But this question confronts the Supreme Court of India today and a 9-judge bench is set to deliver its verdict.

This verdict is beyond Aadhaar. It's about privacy - as common law defines it - the right of an individual to be left alone.

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In modern day privacy touches data protection, expression of sexuality, search and seizure by government, extent of disclosure to the government of biometrics, extent to which laws can go to inhibit freedom of movement etc.

HOW DID THE CASE COME UP BEFORE SC?

So how did this question come before the Supreme Court of India?

Aadhaar was challenged in a public interest litigation to the Supreme Court of India in 2013. In October 2015, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Chelameshwar did not modify its August 11, 2015, order restricting the use of Aadhaar to only public distribution system (PDS) and LPG connections.

Within two weeks, a five-judge bench headed by then CJI HL Dattu allowed use of Aadhaar for some other government schemes including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), all types of pension schemes, employee provident fund and the Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana. But the key question remained unresolved - do citizens have a fundamental right to privacy?

The public interest litigation had challenged Aadhaar on the ground that Aadhaar is violative of right to privacy. The petitioners, like many of us, assumed that law recognises privacy as fundamental right.

Part III of the Indian constitution recognises certain rights as 'fundamental' - which are basic to a democracy like equality, dignity, life, liberty, expression.

Privacy is not explicitly recognised or written anywhere in part III of the constitution. Many judgments of the Supreme Court from smaller benches of two judges and three judges recognised privacy as a fundamental right. But two judgments cited by then Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi continued to be a sore spot - Kharag Singh (1962) and MP Sharma (1954) from six and eight judges respectively.

These judgments said that privacy is not a fundamental right. Centre, rather provocatively, even told the Supreme Court that right of citizens over their own body is not absolute. Privacy - which had an assumed settled position suddenly was left looking for its basis of existence.

When the 9-judge bench started hearing the case in July - the Centre argued that privacy is a common law right and not a fundamental right.

The distinction is essential here. While fundamental rights are explicitly protected under the Constitution and can be pressed against the State in a court of law, the status of common law rights is ambiguous.

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It is possible that common rights might not survive in the teeth of a legislation. It is further debatable whether the courts can press the common law rights against the State.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE COURT SO FAR?

The leading arguments for the Petitioners (over 20 pleas the primary one represented by retired Justice Puttaswamy) was done by Senior Lawyer Gopal Subramanium.

He took a bold stand and stated that privacy is inherent to exercising every right under a liberal constitution. The thrust of his argument has been that the fundamental ideas of liberty, freedom and democracy cannot exist without the right to privacy.

The Preamble to the Indian Constitution intrinsically guarantees the right to privacy. Subramanium argued that the key words of "sovereign, republic, democratic" mentioned in the Preamble do entail a sense of privacy.

He argued that privacy is a broader concept and that data sharing is only one aspect of privacy. "Privacy is about the freedom of thought, conscience and individual autonomy. And none of the fundamental rights can be exercised without assuming a certain sense of privacy," he said, addressing the 9-judge bench.

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Subramanium further argued that the state is under an affirmative obligation to protect fundamental rights. He argued liberty existed even before the Constitution came into force and that law has merely recognised its existence.

Soli Sorabjee, arguing for the petitioners, also said that the fact that privacy is not explicitly laid out doesn't mean the right doesn't exist.

He argued that the freedom of press has been derived from Article 19 and, similarly, the right to privacy can be derived broadly. It flows in the Constitution.

CENTRE'S ARGUMENTS

The Centre made a U-turn before a 9-judge bench of the Supreme Court, which is adjudicating whether privacy is a fundamental right. The Centre represented by attorney general KK Venugopal conceded that privacy is a "fundamental right with limitations".

The stand is in stark contrast to what the Centre had earlier told the Supreme Court on various occasions arguing that privacy is not a fundamental right.

This volte-face by the Centre is appalling for many reasons. For the past two years, it has been making headlines with statements pertaining to the right to privacy.

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When Aadhaar was challenged for being violative of the right to privacy, the Centre made a bold statement about two years ago, that privacy is not a fundamental right. The matter came up before a five-judge bench where the attorney general again asserted that privacy is a common law right, but not a fundamental right.

SCOPE AND KEY QUESTIONS BEFORE SC: Ambit of right to privacy. Is privacy a common law right or a fundamental right. Where does privacy emanate from? Is privacy a part of right to equality or right to life or freedom of expression? What are the restrictions on privacy?

Also Read || No Aadhaar, no RIP? Govt pitches Aadhaar for registering death but hasn't made it mandatory ||

Also Read || Aadhaar debate: Right to privacy fundamental? Hearing begins in Supreme Court ||

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta  Wed, August 23, 2017 13:04 1908 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97ada0087 2 News jusuf-kalla,#JusufKalla,Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,diaspora,#diaspora,Indonesian-diaspora,#IndonesianDiaspora Free

Vice President Jusuf Kalla officiated the opening of the 4th Indonesia Diaspora Global Summit Congress held on Monday at the JS Luwansa Hotel, South Jakarta.

The Vice President was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Culture and Education Minister Muhadjir Effendy, Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri and Diaspora Indonesia Network Global President Herry Utomo.

The event began with a declaration reading by the congress members in 14 different languages.

This years event focused on three main topics: education and health for Papua and West Papua, diasporas contribution for energy saving and latest technology and protection for global Indonesian diaspora.

In his speech, Jusuf Kalla called on diaspora to help develop the countrys potential in all sectors, including education, culture, labor and business.

Read also: Sukarno's archives on display until Aug. 25

He also mentioned the role of diaspora from places such as Singapore and China in improving the countries.

Indonesia can also become great, not only in terms of population number but also quality, said Jusuf Kalla.

Recently Indonesias credit rating has been raised to investment grade by S&P Global Ratings, This investment grade makes it easier to attract foreign investors to Indonesia and promote Indonesian tourism. The Wonderful Indonesia tagline will be promoted by Indonesian diaspora in whatever their activities are, added Jusuf Kalla.

During the speech, the Vice President whose hometown is in South Sulawesi also promoted Malino in Gowa regency as the new destination in South Sulawesi.

Lets go to Malino together and improve Indonesian tourism, he said.

Malino has been a tourist destination for years. We aim to increase the number of tourist visit and make Malino one of national tourist destinations, said Tourism Ministry's Archipelago Marketing Development deputy, Esthy Reko Astuti. (kes)

Editor's note: Paragraph two in this story has been corrected. It previously stated Sofjan Wanandi as Diaspora Indonesia Network Global president .
Railway minister Suresh Prabhu's "veiled offer to resign" and his confession tweet that Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked him to wait are two fresh indications of a Cabinet reshuffle. There is no confirmation (official or unofficial) on when will Modi create his new look of council of ministers - but with just 18 months left for the PM to seek a re-election this perhaps is the most logical time.

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Top BJP leaders and ministers in the government say that if the PM goes to China to attend the BRICS summit then the window of opportunity starts from August 25 to September 2. Modi leaves for China for the summit on September 3. However, a senior PMO official warned that the reshuffle may not happen this week and the PM may decide to go to China only after some very credible assurance from China. If he doesn't go to China then the window gets extended from August 25 to the September 5. Top sources from BJP rule out chances of a rejig after September 5 (for 15 days) as the inauspicious period begins, as per the Hindu calender.

According to top sources, the Modi-Amit Shah duo may use the opportunity to carry out a larger exercise in a phased manner to change the contours of the council of ministers, appoint state governors and make changes in the BJP structure to prepare for the upcoming Assembly and 2019 Lok Sabha polls. There are indications that the council may be subjected to at least a dozen changes.

Earlier Modi was expected to reshuffle the Cabinet on August 18 but the developments in the JDU and AIADMK led to the delay. There have been clear vacancies in the government for some time - Arun Jaitley has been holding the additional charge of defence ministry after Manohar Parrikar took over as the Goa chief minister besides finance and corporate affairs ministries. Narendra Singh Tomar has was given the additional charge of urban affairs when M Venkaiah Naidu resigned to become the vice-presidential candidate. He also heads the rural development, panchayati raj, drinking water and sanitation ministries. Dr Harshvardhan has the additional charge of forest and environment since the death of Anil Dave. He heads the ministry of Science, Technology and Earth Sciences. Smriti Irani was given the charge of information and broadcasting ministry after Naidu's resignation apart from the textile ministry.

Sources told India Today that two senior ministers in the current Cabinet are tipped to get the railways portfolio. A senior BJP leader said, "The railways portfolio is a must watch. BJP's new ally and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is reaching Delhi on Thursday evening. He announced at JD(U)'s convention on August 19 to formally join the Modi-led NDA. Two of his leaders may join the council. Will Nitish Kumar pitch for the railways portfolio once held by him is something one cannot ignore." Interestingly, sources said that PM Modi may not induct men from the AIADMK in the impending reshuffle Apart from those who may lose additional charge, few ministers are likely to lose their portfolios altogether. According to sources, two ministers handling PM Modi's twin pet projects may lose their portfolios because of their failure to deliver.

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Sources said the exercise will be crucial as it will be the last one before PM Modi leads his pack in the 2019 polls. Modi would like to weed out the dead wood - sack or shift non-performers - lighten the load of those overburdened and in the process induct new blood. Some in the BJP feel that the PM, by not finding replacements for Parrikar, Dave and others has allowed the situation to fester and even reduced the time for newcomers to learn and deliver.

While Cabinet changes are largely PM's prerogative and more so in the Modi government BJP insiders said that the coming exercise will have a stamp of party president Amit Shah. Shah is almost through with his 90 days 'yatra' across the length and breadth of the country and he now has a detailed dossier on which schemes are working on the ground and which ministry or minister has managed to leave a mark. The dossier also has details on chief ministers. Will he ask the PM to induct chief ministers in his council is, however, not known.

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The council rejig is likely to be followed by a change in the BJP structure. According to sources, some ministers may get drafted to take responsbilities in states heading towards polls. This includes Himachal Pradesh. There is a strong buzz that health minister JP Nadda may be sent to the state to head the BJP's campaign and could be the CM face. While some sources are predicting a promotion for petroleum junior minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a section in Odisha BJP believe Pradhan could be heading to the state.

With Amit Shah fixing a target of 350 seats for the next Lok Sabha polls, sources say that he may go for a reboot of the system. It means men with experience may leave the government for party work and some party men may join the government. In another related exercise, the Modi-Shah duo may decide the governors for several states including Bihar (additional charge for West Bengal governor) and Tamil Nadu (additional charge for Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao).

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Senior ministers said that PM Modi and Amit Shah will send out a signal with the Cabinet and party reshuffle that those who are part of the new teams will have to follow just one mantra - perform or perish.

ALSO READ |

PM Modi may accept Suresh Prabhu's resignation ahead of Cabinet reshuffle

Kalinga Utkal Express derailment: Why Indian Railways is not able to fix the issue of passenger safety

2 derailments in 4 days: Railway Board chairman Ashok Mittal resigns

Kaifiyat Express derailment: 8 coaches skid off track near Kanpur on Delhi-Howrah route, 74 injured

ALSO WATCH | Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu offers to quit over train accidents

--- ENDS ---
Nabbed yourself a last-minute holiday deal? These summer steals will keep you looking insta -worthy without breaking the holiday budget.

With the bank holiday weekend just around the corner, summer sales are starting to steam and student discount offers are out to entice you from your summer savings. But who ever said sales shopping and staying on trend were mutually exclusive?

Not us! You just have to be in-the-know.

These here are some of my favourite summer sale bargains from high-street stores and all come with the added budget-factor of fitting next seasons forecast.

TopShop asymmetric skirt | 20.00 68.00

AW17 is all about dramatic lines, from office wear to evening wear it's your silhouette we're thinking about. The stand-out asymmetric cut of this skirt take you either way; paired with a classic tailor-cut shirt and blazer for the back-to-work look, or layered over a boat-neck bodysuit to steer you into the night.

HM satin coat | 18.99 59.99

Power dressing is the next big thing, but that doesn't mean you have become less feminine. This gorgeous satin coat is more than half is RRP, and in this classy cream shade, you could pass as a high-flyer no matter far into your overdraft you may be.

TopShop shirt dress | 20.00 39.00

This high-cut shirt dress has oh-so-much going for it. Not only is red is the colour of the fall season, but clenched waistlines are also set to be training your silhouette, while wide shoulders and puffed sleeves accentuate that classic womanly shape.



Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Faye ruffle bandeau | 10.00 22.00



Lilac is another shade looking to sneak into your AW wardrobe, and so although this might not be such a practical Autumn purchase, it will still keep you looking forward. Bring on that Indian summer!

River Island grey blazer | 25.00 35.00

Back to power dressing. Next season, workwear won't just be for the office, so investing in a straight cut blazer is a must. This longline herringbone design is well ahead of its time, with leather detailing on the shoulders and the pockets, and a neat zip up the sleeve giving you that grungy bad-girl edge, even while you dress to impress.

Zara leather V-neck crop top | 3.99 12.99



Next season, if it's not worn with leather, it's simply not an outfit.

So why not take this strappy leather crop top, the perfect club-night feature, and layer it over shirts or tees to elevate your everyday look right up to it-girl?

Bershka faux leather biker | 25.99 (click here to receive 10% off your entire Bershka purchase)

If you haven't already discovered Bershka, prepare to have your world overturned. This Spanish born fashion-brand deals in affordable but oh-so-desirable fashion-wear you will be far too willing to spend on!

As you know now, AW17 is set to be all about the leather, and what better way to fit this trend than with a biker jacket? Sold in a range of stand-out colours, this jacket will be far more than a wardrobe staple, it will be a stand-out feature.

ASOS floral coat | 39.00 65.00

We've been searching for the perfect dressing-gown/trench-coat cross all season, and it looks like we just found it. Both blue shades and floral prints are looking to stick around next season, while slits are definitely upping their game if you catch our drift.

This stunning Oriental design with its bow detailing and classic tie-up design is casual enough to say 'I just threw this on', but will still grant you access to that fancy brunch bar.



HM one-shoulder dress | 12.99 49.99

You can't go wrong with a classic white dress, but this one definitely has the wow-factor. Fitting next seasons waist-line obsession, the innovative drawstring sleeves allow you to turn this beauty from casual tea-dress into evening attire with a little more than a tug.

Team with metallic sandals for those summer night then wear with knee-high boots when autumn hits. This is multi-season shopping at it's best.

TopShop corset shirt | 20.00 34.00

Remember what I was saying about that waistline? Wide-belts and corsets will be making a definite appearance in your wardrobe this fall, and what with the classic stripe design, distinctive cuffs and pale blue colouring, this shirt ticks all the boxes.

Urban Outfitters Light Before Dark faux leather midi skirt | 40.00 66.00

You want leather, we've got leather. When the sun starts to dampen, prepare to shine brighter than ever in this vibrant leather-effect midi skirt. Easily contrasted with softer materials this is a must-have statement piece for your AW wardrobe.

New Look floral maxi dress | 25.00 35.00

We couldn't finish up without this gorgeous printed maxi dress. Upholstery design is another up-and-coming trend next season, and these florals just scream old-English interiors - oh-so-chic. So even as the lightweight material makes dress wearable on purchase , we just know that the autumnal shades will have you forward thinking to the leather bomber and high boots which would turn this into your favourite Autumn look.

See our weekly edits for added inspiration on current trends.
The psychological thriller. A film that gets under your skin and into your head through the warping of the perception, reality and mental state of its characters.

Our morbid fascination with scaring ourselves has made this disturbing and haunting genre a vast and popular one, so much so that it can be a challenge knowing where to start.

Due to its popularity, many films have tried (and failed) to jump on the psychological thriller bandwagon, making it hard to tell between those that are worth the watch and the ones that are better off ignored. In an attempt to make your viewing life easier, here is a list of 5 must-see psychological thrillers for both newbies and loyal fans of the genre alike.

Vertigo (1958)

Could this list even be taken seriously without mentioning the man who may as well have invented suspense? Many of Alfred Hitchcock's films could have made this list, Psycho (1960) and Rear Window (1954) to name a couple, but it is his 1958 film, Vertigo, that is renowned for its contribution to the genre. This film is ground-breaking for various reasons; its innovative cinematography, the ever-present and unsettling score, and its creative use of lighting and colour are just a few things that continue to make it stand strong alongside others in the genre. If youre looking to get into psychological thrillers, Vertigo is the place to start. Its an original, unpredictable and enigmatic whirlwind that will really mess with your mind and get you thinking.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

A film about cannibalism and serial killers is one thats bound mess with your mind. In this case however, its Anthony Hopkins performance as Dr. Hannibal Lecter that well and truly gets under your skin (excuse the pun) and makes this film a staple addition to the psychological thriller genre. The film follows trainee FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she interviews the notorious Hannibal Lecter in the hopes that he can help capture a serial killer by the name of Buffalo Bill. Hopkins calm and collected mannerisms, even when delivering deeply disturbing lines, gives the film a highly disconcerting tone that gets increasingly prominent as the film progresses. Likewise, the films suspense continually builds up until it reaches its pinnacle in its infamous night-vision scene that will have you holding your breath and hungry for more.

Se7en (1995)

This 1995 David Fincher classic is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Seven is yet another gripping psychological thriller about murder and detectives but dont be fooled  it is very different to The Silence of the Lambs. In an almost cat-and-mouse like chase, the film follows two detectives (Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman) as they search for a highly dangerous serial killer whose murders are inspired by the seven deadly sins. The more they uncover, the more they realise they are playing right into the killers hands. With Finchers incredible eye for detail, this film doesnt miss a beat and unfolds so meticulously that the shocks dont stop coming. Discovering things only as the detectives do, youre kept in constant suspense as your mind frantically tries to piece together the details. Seven is a truly captivating film that will stay with you for hours after the credits roll, making it another vital addition to the genre.

Shutter Island (2010)

Martin Scorseses Shutter Island follows U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he and his partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) investigate the disappearance of a dangerous inmate from Ashecliffe insane asylum. The film deserves a place on this list for its perspective alone. Various story elements are weaved together in such a way that your perception of reality is just as warped as the films main character and you begin to question everything. This film will get your head spinning as it gradually builds to its equally enigmatic and ambiguous ending and its colour scheme and immersive cinematography ensure there is a notably unnerving tone throughout.

We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a British-American psychological thriller that showcases some of the best performances of this decade from both Tilda Swinton and Ezra Miller. This film is no doubt the most harrowing and disturbing film on this list. Chopping between different stages in Kevins life, the story is told through the eyes of his mother, forcing you to live each horrifying moment alongside her. The films striking use of colour, moving and compelling performances and disorientating structure makes for a psychologically wearing watch but one thats not to be missed.
Thousands of ecstasy tablets, which bizarrely appear to be in the shape of US president Donald Trumps head, have been seized by German police.

The drug haul has an estimated street value of 39,000 euro (35,700), and police in Osnabruck, in north-western Germany, said they found the drugs while checking an Austrian-registered car.

(Police Osnabrueck via AP)

They said the people in the car, a 51-year-old man and his 17-year-old son, told officers they had been in the Netherlands to buy a vehicle but had not succeeded so were returning home.

Officers said they found about 5,000 of the orange, Trump-shaped ecstasy tablets along with a large, but unspecified, quantity of cash.

A judge ordered the father and son be kept in custody, and the car was seized and towed away.
The international and political scene about Artificial Intelligence (AI) has never been so active.

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg From the theoretical bickering betweento the most recent letter

from AI experts

automated weapons but many other aspects addressed to the UN about, AI is at the core of many discussions regarding not only tecnhology,of our lives.

the experts' opinion Let's then borrowto clarify the drastic changes these revolutionary advancements are bringing into our society.

The importance of human ethics when building AI

Zeynep Tufekci, Techno-sociologist, speaks about this delicate subject, underlining h

ow intelligent machines can fail in ways that don't fit human error patterns  and in ways we won't be prepared for.

How does Deep Learning work?

Data scientist Jeremy Howard talks about "the wonderful and terrifying implications of computers that can learn".

How smart can our machines make us?

A controversial view by Tom Gruber, AI product designer and co-creator of Siri, shows how AI could collaborate with us instead of replacing us.

Can we keep AI under control after teaching it how to be autonomous?

The final question, and the most asked. According to Sam Harris, Neuroscientist and philosopher, the answer would be "no".

However, Garry Kasparov, chess grandmaster and analyst, has a different view on the matter.

For better or worse, AI is an irreplaceable force in our society, its relevance ever-growing. What its implications will be in the future is up for debate, but while it's up to us to embrace or refuse them, we need to be well-aware of them in order to make a decision.
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Over 20 people were killed when several bogies of Kalinga Utkal Express derailed in Muzaffarnagar last Saturday.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi may accept Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu's resignation, who earlier today offered to quit over recent rail accidents in Uttar Pradesh. Sources in the government said Prabhu's resignation may be accepted ahead of the reshuffle of the Union Cabinet that the government is planning to announce before September 4.

Suresh Prabhu, taking moral responsibility of a series of mishaps, in a series of tweets, said he met the Prime Minister, but was asked to wait before putting in papers. If sources are to be believed, Modi may accept Prabhu's resignation just before the Cabinet reshuffle.

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"I met the Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking full moral responsibility. Hon'ble PM has asked me to wait. I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish," Suresh Prabhu said in tweet.

I met the Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi taking full moral responsibility. Honble PM has asked me to wait. (5/5)- Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017

"In less than three years as minister, I have devoted my blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways. New India envisioned by PM deserves a railways which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path, on which railways is progressing now," Prabhu said on Twitter.

"Under leadership of PM, tried to overcome decades of neglect through systemic reforms in all areas leading to unprecedented investment and milestones," the minister added.

The development came hours after Railway Board chairman Ashok Mittal submitted his resignation to Suresh Prabhu on a day when Indian Railways witnessed yet another accident in Uttar Pradesh. Nine bogies of Kaifiyat Express derailed in Auraiya district early today injuring over 70 people.

Last week, 22 people were killed and dozens injured when Haridwar-bound Kalinga-Utkal Express jumped off tracks in Khatauli in Muzaffaragar district. Top railway officials were suspended after this accident which according to initial probe occurred due to negligence of concerned officials.

Suresh Prabhu's three year tenure has been marred with numerous rail accidents.

A timeline of some of the big rail accidents in the last few years:

January 22, 2017: Jagdalpur-Bhubaneshwar Express derailed near Kuneru station in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. Forty one people were killed.

November 20, 2016: Indore-Patna Express derailed in Pukhrayan near Kanpur, killing 150 people and injuring another 150.

August 4, 2015: Two passenger trains, Kamayani Express and Janata Express, derailed in Madhya Pradesh. Thirty-one people were killed, and more than 100 were injured.

May 25, 2015: Rourkela-Jammu Tawi Muri Express derailed in Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh. Eight bogies of the train derailed, leaving five dead and more than 50 injured.

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March 20, 2015: Dehradun-Varanasi Janata Express derailed in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. Death toll was 58, while more than 150 passengers were injured.

February 13, 2015: 10 people killed, nearly 150 injured when nine bogies of Bangalore-Ernakulam Intercity Express derailed on the outskirts of Bengaluru

ALSO READ:

Kalinga Utkal Express derailment: Why Indian Railways is not able to fix the issue of passenger safety

Indore-Patna Express mishap adds to list of dreadful train accidents in recent times

Another train accident, another probe ordered: How can Indian Railways resurrect itself?

WATCH: Uttar Pradesh: Survivors of Utkal Express train derailment recount horror

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) The Delhi BJP has requested Lt Governor Anil Baijal for declaring a medical emergency in view of growing number of swine flu cases in the city.

At present, over 1,000 people are suffering from swine flu and lives of these people are in "danger", BJP Delhi unit president Manoj Tiwari said.

He alleged that the city government is only issuing "political statements" instead of taking steps to prevent the disease.

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"People of Delhi cannot be left at the mercy of the insensitive Kejriwal government. A medical emergency should be declared in Delhi by the Lt Governor for preventing swine flu," Tiwari said.

As per Delhi government figures the national capital so far has recorded 1,719 H1N1 infections and five deaths.

However, the four central government hospitals in Delhi have put the toll due to the H1N1 virus at 47.

All the hospitals in the national capital, including the four central government hospitals notify the swine flu case figures and deaths to the Delhi government.

H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu, is a respiratory flu and has symptoms like fever, sore throat, headache, cough, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. PTI VIT DIP

--- ENDS ---
Khan had quit the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1986 to protest passage of the Muslim Women Act by Parliament in the wake of the Supreme Court's judgment in the Shah Bano case.

By Kumar Shakti Shekhar: The Supreme Court's historic verdict passed yesterday holding instant triple talaq as void, illegal and unconstitutional has been hailed by a large section of the society, particularly Muslim women and the moderates within the community. Prominent among the progressive Muslim leaders who welcomed the judgment is Arif Mohammed Khan, the former Minister of State for Home Affairs in the then Rajiv Gandhi government.

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Khan had quit the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1986 to protest passage of the Muslim Women Act by Parliament in the wake of the Supreme Court's judgment in the Shah Bano case. He was in favour of the Supreme Court's judgment in Mohd Ahmed Khan versus Shah Bano Begum upholding her right to alimony from her husband.

However, Khan resigned when, under pressure from some quarters including All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the Rajiv Gandhi government diluted the Supreme Court judgment with the help of its brute three-fourth majority.

Khan had been fighting for the abolition of instant triple talaq since then.

DECLINE IN COMMUNALISM

Talking to India Today, Khan felt that the Supreme Court's verdict on triple talaq would go a long way in pushing communalism on the back foot. He said India witnessed a sharp rise in communalism on two occasions - between 1947 and 1971, and then again from 1986 to the present times.

He said partition created a deep communal divide in the society which continued till the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. "But communalism became almost extinct after this war. This atmosphere continued till the Supreme Court's judgement in the Shah Bano case," he said.

"The situation deteriorated after the Rajiv Gandhi government announced its decision to bring the Muslim Women Bill on January 15, 1986. It vitiated the atmosphere. As a balancing act and to woo the Hindus, the government ordered the opening of the locks of the disputed Ramjanmbhoomi temple complex," Khan said.

He is of the view that the government's moves in the wake of the Shah Bano verdict were the beginning of acute communalisation of the society. It led to a chain reaction - the demolition of Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, the Mumbai serial blasts in 1993 and the other communal incidents subsequently, he said.

"However, the Supreme Court's order on triple talaq will again help bring about communal peace in the country," he said.

WEAKENED AIMPLB, MULLAHS

Khan said the judgment has weakened the AIMPLB and the Muslim clergies. "AIMPLB and the mullahs were quite powerful when the Shah Bano order was passed. Sadly, they were not fighting for religion but for business. They used to say that their stand on Sharia law was immutable. The Rajiv Gandhi government buckled under their pressure. However, their power has substantially eroded now," he said.

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He said a change had come in AIMPLB's stand by the time arguments on triple talaq began. It had sensed the mood of the nation and polity and diluted its stand. From calling Sharia law as immutable, it came down to stating in affidavits that triple talaq was an evil practice, he said.

The clergies, on the other hand, have been dealt a double blow. "According to surveys, 90 per cent of the fatwas issued by the mullahs are related to triple talaq. This would come to an end now. Secondly, the nikah-halala would automatically see an end after the ban on triple talaq," he said.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

On the other hand, women empowerment and gender justice would get a major boost now. Muslim women are the real heroes of the ban on triple talaq. They fought despite lack of resources and wherewithal.

"It will not be a wonder if in the near future, some women also come forward to demand ban on polygamy which too does not have any scope in Quran just like triple talaq," he said.

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BOLD MODI MOVE

Khan is of the view that the BJP-led NDA government worked as a catalyst in bringing about this change. Triple talaq would not have been banned had there been a secular or Leftist government at the Centre. "If this BJP government had not been there, the situation would not have changed. The secular parties always succumbed under the pressure of the clergies," he said.

Asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bold step to support the Muslim women's struggle against injustice, he said, "Of course. There is no doubt about that. It goes without saying."

On Uniform Civil Code, Khan is of the opinion that it depends upon the manner in which it is dealt with by the Modi government.

CREDIT TO SHAH BANO CASE

However, Khan's refrain was that though progressive Muslim women like Shayara Bano came in the forefront of the fight now, the Shah Bano case helped build up a momentum against triple talaq. The same people who were most sympathetic towards the clergies have turned against them. Earlier, the Muslims were scared of the mullahs and the AIMPLB. However, they started speaking against them in the last 10-15 years.

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"Because of the Shah Bano case, a debate started in the country and among the Muslims regarding the absolute powers enjoyed by the mullahs and AIMPLB. Nothing can change until and unless voice is raised from inside," he said.

SHAH BANO CASE

The triple talaq, maintenance to divorced women and Uniform Civil Code shot to prominence in 1985 in the famous judgment of Supreme Court in the Shah Bano case. The 73-year-old Muslim woman sought maintenance from her husband on being divorced after 40 years of marriage under the Muslim Personal Law - by triple talaq and denial of regular maintenance. She won her case in a local court in 1980 and the Supreme court also gave the judgment in her favour in 1985 under the "maintenance of wives, children and parents" provision (Section 125) of the All India Criminal Code.

The Shah Bano case became a major national political debate. Fearing the loss of Muslim votes, the Congress government of Rajiv Gandhi supported a Bill in Parliament in 1986 to shield the personal law of Muslims. Despite vehement protests from the Hindu right, Left and women's organisations, Parliament passed the Muslim Women's (Protection of Rights on Divorce), making Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code inapplicable to Muslim women. However, it dealt a huge blow to efforts of implementing Uniform Civil Code in the country.

Also Read:

Allahabad HC's order on triple talaq will help divorced Muslim women, says Arif Mohammed Khan

Why triple talaq verdict will help BJP implement Uniform Civil Code

Watch | India Today reporter heckled at Aligarh Muslim University during triple talaq debate

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These five Muslim women won a hard-fought legal battle not only for themselves but lakhs of silent sufferers from the community.

By Harish V Nair: When the Supreme Court in a historic judgment on Tuesday quashed the 1,400-year-old practice of triple talaq as "gender discriminatory and violation of right to equality", five Muslim women won a hard-fought legal battle not only for themselves but lakhs of silent sufferers from the community.

These five braved threats and intimidation from radical elements within the community and even turned down requests from the Muslim law board and clerics to withdraw their petitions.

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"A month before the court was to hear the petitions, some people talking to me on behalf of the Muslim board asked me to withdraw the petition from Supreme Court. They told me, 'When you are not going to gain anything from it personally why are you maligning the Muslim community?' I told them I may have lost everything but I'm fighting for other women who are going to face such a situation. They quietly went away," said 35-year-old Shayara Bano, a postgraduate hailing from Uttarakhand, who's the face of the campaign.

The mother of two endured physical and mental agony for over 10 years. She was made to undergo as many as six abortions by her husband.

The immediate effect of the verdict by the five judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar is that the marriage of four petitioners - Bano, Gulshan Parveen, Ishrat Jahan and Afreen Rehman - stood restored and they will be entitled to maintenance from their estranged husbands. The fifth - Farha Faiz - is a lawyer fighting for Muslim women's rights.

After the verdict, Bano said, "This is a happy moment for all Muslim women in India. This is a historic day for India." The verdict assumes more significance at a time when the instant divorce custom had become tech-savvy, being pronounced through phone calls, emails, SMSes and WhatsApp messages.

While Jahan had been divorced over the phone, Rehman and Parveen had received mails. Faiz succeeded in convincing the court that Muslim board AIMPLB is only a registered society and what its members say cannot be taken as final word. The board had argued that the SC had no power to touch personal laws of the Muslim community.

"They have self-drafted aims and objectives. They have no right to decide on the personal laws of the community. They are not the guardians of the Muslims in this country. The Supreme Court is the actual guardian of the Constitution," she argued.

The five women seized the opportunity when a two-judge bench in October 2015 ordered setting up of a special bench to consider if practices like triple talaq, polygamy and nikah halala were resulting in gender discrimination in the Muslim community and if these should not be considered a violation of fundamental rights under the Constitution and international covenants. All of them made themselves a party in the matter and urged the special bench to hear them too.

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TORTURE & HARASSMENT

"It is a huge victory for Muslim women facing discrimination. Though two judges were against abolition of triple talaq, they too favoured an injunction regarding use of the mode of divorce till Parliament enacted legislation.

The overall spirit should be taken note of, "said advocate V K Biju, who represented Ishrat Jahan. Jahan, a 30-year-old West Bengal resident had joined the fight after her husband of 15 years rang her up in April 2015 from Dubai, uttered "talaq, talaq, talaq" and disconnected the call.

Another petitioner, 25-year-old Afreen Rehman from Jaipur got married in 2014 after finding a match through a matrimonial portal. However, her in-laws started harassing her mentally and physically for dowry two months later. After asking her to leave, her husband sent her a letter announcing a divorce.

Yet another aggrieved petitioner was Gulshan Parveen, a postgraduate in English literature. Her husband sent her a talaqnama after subjecting her to domestic violence for dowry over two years. Suddenly, she and her two-year-old son Ridan were homeless. Gulshan received the talaqnama on a `10 stamp paper. The judgment by the five-judge bench was not unanimous, but by a 3-2 majority.

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While Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice S Abdul Nazeer held triple talaq to be part of fundamental right to religion of Muslims, justices Kurian Joseph, RF Nariman and UU Lalit said the practice violated the fundamental right of Muslim women as they are subjected to arbitrary irrevocable divorce.

Khehar and Nazeer, however, said the practice needed to be stopped till Parliament enacted a substitute law.

Also Read:

Why triple talaq verdict will help BJP implement Uniform Civil Code

Teary-eyed victim of triple talaq after verdict: Thousands of women are crying at home

WATCH | Historic Supreme Court ruling on instant triple talaq: Meet the heroines who made it happen

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By PTI: New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) The Supreme Courts verdict on triple talaq is a strong step which will curb this unconstitutional and arbitrary practice, Ficci Ladies Organisation (FLO) said today.

"As a women organisation, we stand for women empowerment and this judgement is a strong step towards curbing the unconstitutional and arbitrary triple talaq practice, which is a huge obstacle in the path of enabling Muslim women to live life with dignity," FLO President Vasvi Bharat Ram said.

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She said in a statement that this is a commendable step towards Muslim womens right and equality.

She added that the government must now ensure that the judgement is enforced as a law as soon as possible.

FLO is the women business wing of the Federation of Indian chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).

The Supreme Court by a majority verdict yesterday set aside the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims, saying the practice was void, illegal and unconstitutional.

The practice of instant triple talaq enabled the husband to unilaterally terminate the matrimonial relationship without a cause.PTI RR ANU

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The attack comes just days after President Donald Trump announced his new strategy for Afghanistan, which involves maintaining a US military presence in the country and upending a campaign vow to end America's longest war.

A patrolling US armored vehicle is reflected in the mirror of a car in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. In a national address Monday night, US President Donald Trump reversed his past calls for a speedy exit and recommitted the United States

By AP: A Taliban suicide car bomber targeted a military convoy in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Wednesday, killing at least seven people, a provincial official said.

The attack comes just days after President Donald Trump announced his new strategy for Afghanistan, which involves maintaining a US military presence in the country and upending a campaign vow to end America's longest war.

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According to Omar Zwak, the spokesman for the Helmand provincial governor, Wednesday's explosion in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, also wounded 42 people, mostly civilians.

Initial reports show that those killed included a small girl, two women and four soldiers, Zwak said, expressing fears that the death toll could rise further.

"This is from our initial reports, I am afraid the casualty tolls might change once we get a final report form the attack," he added.

The bombing took place near the police chief's headquarters. Local TV broadcast footage showing several military Humvees, which the Afghan army also uses, destroyed as a result of the attack.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a posting on his twitter account.

AFGHANISTAN GOVERNMENT WELCOMES TRUMP'S STRATEGY

Senior Afghan government officials on Tuesday welcomed Trump's strategy announcement from Monday. Senior U.S. officials said Trump may send up to 3,900 more troops, with some deployments beginning almost immediately.

Trump also had harsh words for Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of giving extremists a safe haven, while next door in Afghanistan they kill U.S. troops. He said he wanted "immediate" results without saying what actions the United States might take against Pakistan if it ignored his warning.

The United States and Afghanistan have routinely accused Pakistan - and particularly its powerful intelligence agency - of harboring insurgents and of waging a selective war, attacking those militants Islamabad considers its enemy and allowing those it has been known to use as proxies, either against hostile neighbors India or Afghanistan, to flourish.

Taliban attacks have stepped up all across Afghanistan since the withdrawal of foreign combat forces from the war-torn nation at the end of 2014, and the insurgents have lately been constantly expanding their footprint.

Earlier this month, the Taliban in an "open letter" to Trump, reiterated their calls for the withdrawal of all remaining U.S. troops. The United States has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, who support local forces and carry out counter-terrorism operations.

Also Read

Taliban dismisses Trump's policy change, says will turn Afghanistan into graveyard for American troops Afghanistan: Taliban fighters attack police, capture two districts

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By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Aug 23 (PTI) US President Donald Trump indicated that a deal could be struck with North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme, soon after his top diplomat said Pyongyang has demonstrated some level of restraint in recent days.

At a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said he "respects" that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un "is starting to respect us."

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"I respect that fact very much," Trump told the crowd.

"And maybe - probably not - but maybe something positive can come about," he said, but did not explain what kind of an agreement he was expecting to reach with North Korea.

Tensions between the US and the North have been quite high since Pyongyang tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles in July that could reach the US mainland.

In response, the UN Security Council unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea on August 5. Trump warned North Korea that if it persisted with its threat to the US it would face "fire and fury" and escalated the rhetoric saying that US military solutions against the North were "locked and loaded."

But last week the North Korean leader backed off from a plan to launch four ballistic missiles towards the American territory of Guam.

Trumps comments today came after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the North Korean regime has demonstrated some level of restraint in recent days, "that weve not seen in the past".

"I think it is worth noting that we have had no missile launches or provocative acts from the part of North Korea since the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution. I want to take note of that. I want to acknowledge it," Tillerson told reporters at a news conference here.

He hoped that this could be the beginning of the signal the US has been looking for.

"Perhaps we are seeing our pathway to some time in the near future to having some dialogue," Tillerson said.

"We need to see more on their part but I want to acknowledge the steps theyve taking thus far," he said. PTI LKJ ABH

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By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Aug 23 (PTI) An influential US lawmaker has urged President Donald Trump to appoint Americas new ambassador to India on a priority basis, saying that Washingtons relation with New Delhi is of utmost importance.

The position has been lying vacant since January 20 when Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

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In June, the White House said that Kenneth I Juster, 62, a top economic aide of Trump and an expert on India, will be Americas new ambassador to India.

"As the co-founder and former chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India, Indian issues and representing one of the largest Indian-American constituencies in Congress, the relationship between our two great nations is of the utmost importance to me and my constituencies. I urge you to make the appointment of a US ambassador to India a top priority of your administration," Congressman Frank Pallone said in a letter to Trump.

The letter to Trump dated August 22 was posted by Pallone on twitter.

"After more than seven months in office, this critical appointment is long overdue and should be an immediate priority," Pallone said a day after Trump sought Indias increasing role in Afghanistan.

India is "our strongest ally" in South Asa, "which you referred in your address" to the nation on Monday, he said.

"These are among the reasons the United States has long supported Indias permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. It is in our immediate national interest to send an accomplished American to serve as our countrys senior diplomat in India," Pallone said.

The White House refrained from responding to questions on delay in ambassadorial appointment to India.

However, without mentioning India, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson refuted the reports that the absence of officials at key position is having an impact on the efficiency of the State Department.

"In terms of our footprint on the ground, we have very competent, capable, experienced people there now," Tillerson told reporters at a news conference.

"Do you have enough people, given the fact that there are not Trump-confirmed diplomatic appointees in many of these positions in the region," he was asked.

"We are looking at a couple of different people for the special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan position. It is open currently; it is being filled with a very experienced individual today. So we are ready to get going with very competent people we have, and I am not at all concerned about the competency level or the experience of the people that we have working on this. I am quite confident with them," Tillerson added. PTI LKJ CPS

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Title: The Great Game in Afghanistan  Rajiv Gandhi, General Zia and the Unending War

Author: Kallol Bhattacherjee

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 328

Price: Rs 599

Donald Trump has become the third US President to send more troops to Afghanistan, in what has become his countrys longest-ever war  with no signs of any closure yet. But the Americans, who had a big part in launching the nearly four-decade-long crisis, also did forgo a chance of a settlement in its very first decade itself. By miffing India.

The list of the mistakes that the Americans committed in Afghanistan after deciding to oppose the Soviet invasion is long. We know too well how their fervent urge to defeat their ideological adversary made them oblivious to the means they chose to employ   until their instruments became their own implacable enemy. Then, they failed to exert any meaningful influence over their chosen regional ally, who frequently played false with them, and always ignored its indiscretions.

But how the US spurned a natural partner after trying to involve it to reach a solution is a story not many outside a small circle of high political and diplomatic movers and shakers of the 1980s may know  and it is this that Kallol Bhattacharjee tells here.

Noting that while it is the hyphenated Af-Pak perspective that has gained ground, especially after 9/11, he says zeroing in on only Pakistan to explain Afghanistans predicament is not enough. And in this book, he seeks to offer a counter-narrative of the narrow Af-Pak project to show that the focus of the crisis was much broader.

Diplomats who worked during these difficult years told me that the story of Afghanistan of the 1980s cannot be complete without going into how the United States, India and Pakistan worked on a peace plan and how the plan failed to take off due to differences between the stakeholders, says Bhattacharjee, a journalist with extensive experience of South and West Asian affairs and conflicts.

Though there was a rather different configuration of allies and adversaries, it was a Great Game all over again, and India, under Rajiv Gandhi, was bound to be involved given the threat from a huge influx of weapons and radicalism to the region.

And India did try to use its good offices, but saw its efforts go nowhere  and got victimised in the bargain.

Beginning with a watershed event  the accident that killed Pakistan President Zia ul Haq in 1988  he goes back and forth in time with his three principal protagonists: Zia, Rajiv Gandhi and then US Ambassador to India John Gunther Dean (whose career was ended shamefully when he questioned the official version of the crash) to narrate how this turbulent, lost decade not only squandered a chance to end one of the most destructive and destabilising conflicts ever, but also delayed a new global partnership.

Drawing from the papers of Dean  and in the process, rehabilitating his memory and contribution  and supplemented by interactions with key players like Indian diplomat Ronen Sen, then a key member of Gandhis office, and then Pakistani envoy to US Jamsheed Marker and others, Bhattacharjee not only offers a new look at the dynamics of the Afghan issue, but also the generational transformation of Indian politics and diplomacy in the Rajiv Gandhi years.

There is, alongside, the strong thread of how the prevailing toxic mistrust between India and Pakistan  even before the Kashmir issue came centrestage  prevented them from having normal relations, and how it would affect the destiny of the region itself  an impact which lingers on till now.

Bhattacharjee shows how this also cast a malefic influence on a promising new start between the worlds largest and oldest democracies, despite the positive chemistry between the top leaders.

While there are some problems  why Dean suspected Israel of killing Zia is never made clear, the language is sometimes clunky (too many buts in a paragraph) and some factual errors (Pervez Musharraf could have never honoured Marker in 2011)  Bhattacharjee has created a spell-binding tale of missed opportunities, misplaced priorities, and Machiavellian gambits that no student of regional affairs can miss.
The Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous body working with the Ministry of Culture, said the ban on the book The Adivasi Will Not Dance is a state government decision and it will only interfere in it if the author approaches the body.

Sahitya Akademi will only ban a book if it receives a legal notice. The ban by the Jharkhand government was not informed officially to us. We came to know about it through the media, an official from the Sahitya Akademi said.

We are here to promote talented authors who deserve limelight. Banning a book is a decision that is taken by either a court or a government. However, if the author approaches us, we will discuss the matter in our executive meeting.

The Adivasi Will Not Dance  a collection of short stories published by Speaking Tiger  is Santhal writer Hansda Sowvendra Shekhars second book.

His first book The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey won him the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in 2015.

The Jharkhand government has recently imposed a ban on it stating that the content of the book is obscene and derogatory to the Santhal women.

The 34-year-old author, who was a state government employee working as a medical doctor at the Additional Health Centre in Pakur district, has since been suspended.
Police have formed as many as 20 teams to look into the sighting of a drone-like object flying twice at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here on Sunday, leading to disruption in operations twice.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sanjay Bhatia said that they had formed 20 teams of three police officers each, headed by Sub-Inspector level officers, to look into the matter.

The teams are made of officers from south-west Delhi and airport police officers, Bhatia said.

The DCP said that an FIR had been filed against unidentified persons, adding that a similar incident had happened in 2015 as well.

Till now we have not found any lead on the incident, but were hopeful to nab the accused soon, he added.
Around 260 people were injured in the stone-pelting at centuries-old traditional Gotmar Fair in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. The condition of four persons is stated to be serious.

As the situation worsened, police lobbed teargas shells and cane-charged the crowd to disperse them. An enraged crowd damaged an ambulance and a police vehicle, according to a police official.

In view of the bloody past of the Gotmar Fair, when people had even lost their lives, the district administration had put proper security measures in place in Pandhurna village, where the event takes place. It had also installed CCTV cameras and even clamped prohibitory orders, but the bloody stone-pelting could not be prevented.

Chhindwara District Magistrate J.K. Jain told IANS: Four people have been seriously injured in the stope-pelting at the Gotmar Fair and some others have also received minor injuries, who were allowed to go after the first aid.

However, some officials seeking anonymity said that nearly 260 people were injured, out of which four persons were in serious condition and that they had been rushed to Nagpur in Maharashtra for treatment.

Pandhurna is a village, nearly 90 km away from Chhindwara city, where the fair is organised on the banks of river Jam every year the day after Pola festival.

In Gotmar Fair, known as one of the bloodiest fairs in the world, a tree is erected in the middle of the river with a flag on top. Villagers from Sawargaon and Pandhurna throng either sides of the river and both sides try to approach the tree to remove the flag by pelting stones at each other. Those who are able to remove the flag first are declared winners.

The ritual, according to the local legend, began some 300 years ago, after a boy of Pandhurna went to Sawargaon and kidnapped a girl. When he was returning to his village through the river, the Sawargaon villagers spotted him and threw stones at him.

On seeing their village boy under attack, the people of Pandhurna hurled stones at the other side and the boy along with the girl reached his place safely.
At least 50 students of a private school were on Wednesday hospitalised after they complained of uneasiness following inhalation of ammonia gas which leaked from a cold storage nearby, district authorities said.

Nearly 800 students were present on the school campus when the gas leaked from the adjoining cold storage, located on Narsingpur road, a senior official said.District Collector J K Jain ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Fifty students were taken to the district hospital after they complained about uneasiness. They were sent home after medical check-up and being provided medication. We have evacuated the school, Jain told after visiting the spot along with Superintendent of Police Gaurav Tiwari.

We have ordered an inquiry into the incident. The police is questioning the owner of the cold storage, the collector said.

The students had assembled on the school campus for the daily prayer when the ammonia gas leaked from a pipeline at around 10.15 am.

After the leak, some students complained of uneasiness, he said. The ammonia gas leakage caused an explosion of a cylinder in the cold storage, Jain said. SP Tiwari said teams of fire brigade and ambulances were rushed to the spot after the incident was reported.

The situation is now under control and we are are questioning the cold storage owner, he said.
By PTI: Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 23 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said the high court verdict exonerating him in the SNC Lavalin graft case had clearly vindicated the ruling CPI(M)s stand that it was a "politically motivated" case to tarnish the partys image at the national level.

"The truth has won...," a jubilant Vijayan said, adding he always believed in the judiciary.

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"I believed that judiciary will come out with the truth and that belief has become stronger now after this verdict," he told reporters soon after the verdict. The order had come as a great relief to the CPI(M)-led LDF state government which rode to power in May last year. The case had been haunting Vijayan, a politburo member, since nearly two decades. The Kerala High Court had upheld the verdict of the CBI Court, Thiruvananthapuram, discharging the Left leader from the case, observing that "CBI had wrongly picked and chose Pinarayi Vijayan without any material in the case". Political observers also feel that the verdict has come in handy for Vijayan, a former CPI(M) state secretary, which would strengthen his position in the party. Hitting out at the then UDF government headed by Oommen Chandy and the UPA government at the Centre in 2005, the Kerala chief minister said there had been a political conspiracy and pressure on the CBI to "frame" him in the case.

Vijayan said the verdict had clearly mentioned that the CBI had adopted a "pick and choose" formula to frame him. This was due to political pressure on the central agency, which everyone knows, he said.

Vijayan with relief writ large on his face said the verdict has given him more courage and energy to take up various development works for the state.

However, without taking any names, he said there were some "ulterior forces" who were "disappointed" with the verdict.

Former chief minister V S Achutanandan, once Vijayans bete noire in the party, had also used the case to target him.

Justifying his position, Vijayan said people of the state had realised the truth which was why the CPI(M)-led LDF had been voted to power with a thumping majority.

Thanking the party and cadres for reposing faith in him, the CPI(M) leader said the party had maintained that the case was "politically motivated" which had now been vindicated by the high court verdict.

Referring to the judges remark that he had received some anonymous letters when the case had been reserved for judgement, Vijayan said the court itself had pointed out that some people had political interest in this case.

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Vijayan said the apex court had earlier said that CBI was a "caged parrot". Now with the verdict, it has become very clear that the agency had been used as a political tool to target me, he said.

Welcoming the verdict, the state unit of CPI(M) said the "clean chit" to Vijayan was a vindication of the party stand that CBI had been misused.

At least now, the Centre should abandon using CBI against political rivals, state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters.

In 2005, the then Congress led UDF government in the state had handed over the case to CBI.

After the CPI(M) withdrew support to the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, Vijayan was made an accused in the case, Balakrishnan alleged.

As a minister, Vijayan had not done anything wrong and the high court has given him a clean chit, he said.

Reacting to the verdict, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said the CBI should file an appeal in the case.

The exoneration of Vijayan was only technical, he said, adding the court had found that corruption was involved.

The case relates to awarding of contract to Canadian company SNC Lavalin for renovation of three hydel projects -- Sengulam, Pallivasal and Panniyar in 1995 when Vijayan was power minister in the then E K Nayanar cabinet. PTI JRK UD SS SRY

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Actor Ajith Kumars forthcoming spy thriller Vivegam, with its international standards, will make Tamil filmdom proud, says its art director Milan.

Working on Vivegam was an incredible experience in every way. The script and the scale were much higher and different than anything we have seen before. Being grand is one thing and being international is another thing. But Vivegam is both. Tamil cinema will be proud of Vivegam, Milan said in a statement.

Shot extensively in Europe, the films shooting took place in locations where human sightings is rare.

Shooting in the freezing weather was tough to handle but the team pulled it off amazingly. I have followed a specific design pattern for this script which requires an international touch.AI believe the visuals have lived up to our expectations, he said.

The film, directed by Siva, features Ajith in the role of an international spy.

Heaping praise on his heros commitment, Milan added: It was a pure joy and honour to work with him. One can never stop learning from him.

Director Siva gave me ample support and freedom in exploring many artistic aspects of art direction. It opened up new avenues for me. His vision and efforts for the film has been unbelievable.

Also starring Kajal Aggarwal and Akshara, the film is due for release on Thursday
Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, on Wednesday appeared for questioning before the CBI in a matter related to alleged irregularities in FIPB clearance to INX Media in 2007.

He arrived at the Central Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Lodhi Road here a little after 10 a.m.

On August 18, the Supreme Court had directed the former Finance Ministers son to appear before the investigating agency.

The agency wanted to examine Chidambaram junior in a case related to Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to the INX Media for allegedly receiving funds from Mauritius when his father was in office.

On May 15, the CBI had registered an FIR against Chidambaram junior on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, accepting gratification by corrupt or illegal means, influencing public servants and criminal misconduct.

Karti is said to have received Rs 3.5 crore from the Mumbai-based INX media, now 9X Media, for helping it in getting the FIPB clearance when it was run by Peter and Indrani Mukherjea, both accused in the Sheena Bora murder case.

The FIR does not mention the name of Chidambaram senior, though it said he cleared the FIPB approval for Rs 4.62 crore Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the FIPB meeting on May 18, 2007.

Earlier, the CBI had issued three notices to Chidambaram junior, but he did not depose before the probe agency.
India on Tuesday released seven Pakistani prisoners and stressed the need to address all humanitarian issues, including early and full consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and Hamid Nehal Ansari, who are in Pakistans custody.

The External Affairs Ministry in a statement also said that release of 300 Indian prisoners, including 295 fishermen, has been secured during 2017 so far.

Seven Pakistani prisoners, who have completed their sentence and whose nationality has been confirmed by Pakistani authorities, were repatriated to Pakistan via Attari/Wagah, the ministry said.

The government of India attaches highest importance to addressing all humanitarian matters, including early and full consular access to all Indian nationals in Pakistans custody, including Jadhav and Ansari and secure their early release and repatriation, it said.

Jadhav is in Pakistans custody after it claimed to have arrested him last year from the restive Baluchistan region and alleged that he was involved in terror activities.

However, India has been maintaining that the former Navy official was kidnapped from Iran where he had legal business interest.

India has also moved the International Court of Justice against the death sentence given to Jadhav by a Pakistani army court. The court has stayed the execution pending a final verdict by it.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday hailed the Supreme Court verdict on triple talaq as progressive and said efforts should be made to rectify aberrations in personal laws that infringe on constitutional guarantees.

The Supreme Court judgment in the triple talaq case undoes the injustice to Muslim women who were victims of a unilateral termination of a matrimonial relationship, Jaitley said in tweet.

Talking to media persons later, Jaitley said many Islamic countries have rejected instant triple talaq.

Many parts of Islamic world themselves have rejected it. And ordinarily, reform of this kind should have risen from within the community itself. There were some who were reluctanteven though many, particularly the women in the community, have shown great support for abolishing it,he said.

He said a defaulting husband could take advantage of his own wrong and terminate the relationship with his wife. This heaped injustice on the female and virtually left her remedy-less, he said, adding that it was being contended that this practice had become obsolete.

The Minister said that the Supreme Court has stepped in at the right time.

The majority view of the Supreme Court is absolutely clear that this instant pronouncement is not fundamental to the religion itself. It is not even an essential aspect of the religion, and therefore it is discriminatory. It compromises the dignity of the women itself, and being violative of the constitutional guarantee itself is void, Jaitley said.

I think even the minority view, which upheld this practice, certainly was conscious of the fact that there was a need for reform. That is why while upholding the practice, they injuncted that a legislation is brought about. But that is an exercise which now will have to be considered, if at all, by those in public domain, he added.

Jaitley said all sections should walk the path to progress.

I am sure that the step that the judiciary has taken, others in India in the legislature and outside will also walk on the same progressive path, and ensure that personal laws in India continue to remain progressive and all such aberrations in the law which infringe constitutional guarantee are rectified, he said.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday held triple talaq being practised by the Muslim community as unconstitutional, arbitrary and not part of Islam.

A five judge constitutional bench by a 3:2 majority judgement said there is no constitutional protection for triple talaq.

Justices Kurian Joseph, Rohinton Fali Nariman and Uday Umesh Lalit held that triple talaq is not integral to Islam, is banned in law and lacks approval of the Shariat.

However, Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice S. Abdul Nazir, in a minority judgment, said triple talaq is integral to Islamic practices and enjoys constitutional protection.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday exhorted entrepreneurs to become soldiers of development and help India cut dependence on imports, while ensuring that it becomes a less-cash economy.

Addressing over 200 CEOs and Startups here, he also asked them to work towards increasing agricultural exports and promoting tourism.

Gandhiji made Independence a mass movement. Every government has tried to take India forward. But development has not become a mass movement, Modi said at Champions of Change, organised by Niti Aayog.

In the same spirit as what Mahatma Gandhi did for the freedom struggle, we need to make Indias development a mass movement, he added.

Calling upon the young entrepreneurs to become soldiers of development, Modi said that by working together we can solve several problems the country faces.

Stressing that India needs to move towards becoming a less cash society, he asked the CEOs to encourage the use of BHIM app for cashless transactions and ensure by 2022 that employees working for them go cashless.

He also asked them to distribute Khadi coupons as Diwali gifts.

Referring to tourism and enormous potential in job creations, Modi said: We Indians dont take pride in our rich heritage. If we begin talking about it with pride, the world will desperate to visit India.

He said he was looking at end-to-end solutions for India.

If this generation thinks of feasible solutions to our unique problems, markets and jobs will automatically be created, he added.

On various initiatives of his government, Modi talked about GeM (Government-e-Market) portal which was introduced recently to increase transparency in government purchases.

He said even small suppliers can sell their products to the government through the portal.

As many as 28,000 small suppliers have sold their products to government worth Rs.1,000 crore through the portal in the last 4-6 months.

Calling the young CEOs as his team, Modi said Indias development must be made a mass movement and entrepreneurs should think of what more they can do for the countrys growth and for the poor.

He asked them to provide policy inputs and be the harbinger for change.

For the government, he said, welfare of its citizens and their happiness is supreme.

The Prime Minister stressed on the need to focus on export oriented agri products, saying that innovative ideas like cultivating timber on fringes of farm land would help achieve the goal of doubling farmers income.

He regretted that around Rs.1 lakh crore of agri products  from fruits to vegetables  go waste because of lack of infrastructure.

Creating infrastructure in itself is a business opportunity, he added.
The Supreme Courts judgment on triple talaq or instant divorce will end the pain inflicted on many Indian women in the garb of faith.

The practice has been held unconstitutional by a majority vote of 3:2. The court also ruled that this is not an integral part of Islam. Fortunately, there were plenty of signals to indicate that a large cross-section of people across the country wanted this primitive and medieval practice to be quashed as early as possible.

The five-judge Constitution bench of the apex court, which delivered its historic verdict on triple talaq (talaq-e-bidat), polygamy and nikahhalala, was headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar. Justices Kurian Joseph, Rohinton Fali Nariman, Uday Umesh Lalit and S Abdul Nazeer made up the bench.

After hearing prolonged arguments, the bench had reserved its verdict on a clutch of petitions, including the one by Shayara Banu, who challenged the Muslim Personal Law and its retrograde practices.

The court had already indicated that the fundamental rights, as well as human rights of an individual, cannot be exploited in the name of religion or on the basis of gender. Last December, the Allahabad High Court had ruled that the right of Muslim women, or anyone for that matter, could not be infringed upon even if it is dictated by personal law.

Asserting that divorcing a woman by merely uttering the word talaq three times in quick succession is unconstitutional, the High Court observed that no Muslim husband should give divorce in a manner that would put a question mark on equal rights. The case in the Supreme Court and the arguments put forth increased awareness among Muslim women about their rights. These arguments also exposed the hollowness of the stand taken by the Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) that triple talaq was sanctioned by the Quran, the holy book of Muslims.

Most Muslim women had thus far kept quiet assuming it was a religious obligation, as prescribed in their holy book. But it can unequivocally be said that they must have breathed a sigh of relief with the practice having been held contrary to the Indian Constitution.

Over six days during the summer vacation, the Supreme Court heard arguments by several parties, which included the Centre, the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and various others. During the hearing, the bench asked how can a sinful practice be said to be a matter of faith? They also noted that the system itself says it is horrendous and bad and that other Islamic countries have abandoned the practice of triple talaq.

Asserting that if it is bad in theology, it cannot be accepted in law, the bench observed, What is morally wrong cannot be legally right. What is not fully moral, cannot be legal. Arguing that triple talaq cannot be integral to Islam, Shayara Banus advocate Amit Chadha said many schools of thought do not recognize the patriarchal practice of triple talaq in a male-dominated community.

It is an undesirable, bad, and sinful practice and violates constitutional guarantees of Muslim women, he added. According to senior lawyer Anand Grover, who was appearing for an organization opposing triple talaq, most Sunni Muslim women were not only against this practice, but the AIMPLB was not giving a correct perception to the Supreme Court.

Arguing for the All India Women Personal Law Board, Islamic scholar and lawyer Arif Mohammad Khan, who is also a former Union minister, strongly objected to the submissions of the AIMPLB. He said that Islam cannot have any room to dictate to any person and the Quran says that killing an innocent person was like killing the entire humanity.

Khan, who had resigned from the Rajiv Gandhi cabinet over differences in handling the Shah Bano case, further said that Shariat law had been distorted. Stating that Shariat is the holy Quran and not the opinion of clerics, he said since the Quran considers the importance of family, it prescribes four steps before pronouncement of divorce.

The bench after hearing the arguments said it would examine whether the practice of triple talaq is fundamental to Islam. It had also said it would not consider polygamy and nikah halala for the time being but would take them up at a later stage.

The Supreme Court had taken suo moto cognizance of the question whether Muslim women faced gender discrimination in the matter of divorce or due to polygamy. The Centre had earlier said that triple talaq is neither integral to Islam nor a majority versus minority issue, but it is rather an intra-community tussle between Muslim men and deprived women.

It is not only not an essential part of the Muslim religion, lawyer Chadha said, it is not a part of religion at all. On the contrary, it is deprecated by Islam. He was responding to AIMPLBs assertion that triple talaq, though sinful was a matter of faith for the Muslims.

The court had also taken note of repeated submissions by the AIMPLB and former Union Minister and senior lawyer Salman Khurshid, who was assisting it in his personal capacity, that triple talaq is not mentioned in the Quran and is sinful, irregular, patriarchal, bad in theology and undesirable. But he argued that court should not examine it. Citing the current scenario where Muslim women are protesting against instant triple talaq, Grover, who was appearing for Zakia Suman, cofounder of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, questioned the AIMPLBs claim that they were discouraging the practice of triple talaq among Muslims. Grover also contested AIMPLBs claim that its voice was representative of the Muslim community.

Pointing out that talaq-i-bidat is not an essential part of the Sunni Muslim faith, he emphasized that it had been changed in several Sunni-majority countries. It is apparent that even AIMPLB realizes that triple talaq cannot be continued as it is being practised today.

That is the reason why it told the court on the last day of arguments that it had decided to issue an advisory to qazis (Islamic judges) to give an option to all Muslim women to opt out of instant triple talaq before giving their consent for marriage.

The clerics body was well aware of the mass petition by the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) demanding a ban on triple talaq. It was signed by more than 50,000 Muslim women and men. The petition also sought the National Commission for Womens intervention to end this un-Quranic practice.

The Mahila Andolan collected signatures from across the country, including in such states as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, MP, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. According to the Association, 92 per cent of Muslim women want an end to instant divorce.

The court was aware of the fact that Muslim women are subjected to unjust, unilateral divorces. Often, talaq is pronounced over the phone, through text messages, over social media or via email. In such circumstances, women have no recourse to justice. The divorced women have no legal rights, and the qazis always support the men. This formed the very basis of the landmark judgment. In September 2016, the clerics body argued that the provision of triple talaq actually protected women since it removed the need for husbands to kill their wives.

If there develops serious discord between the couple, and the husband does not want to live with her, legal compulsions of time-consuming separation proceedings and expenses may dissuade him from taking the legal course. In such cases, he may resort to illegal, criminal ways of murdering or burning her alive, it said in an affidavit. In Pakistan, for a man to obtain a divorce, he has to send a notice in writing to the chairman of the local council with a copy to his wife.

He has to wait for 90 days during which time an arbitration committee tries to bring about reconciliation between the parties. Turkey, another Muslim-majority country, abolished triple talaq in 1926.

The island country of Cyprus too followed suit. In Egypt too triple talaq is illegal. Since all this information is in the public domain, Muslim women in India are aware.

So they chose not to sit quietly and fought to free themselves from this oppressive and retrograde tradition which is being perpetrated by the Orthodox clergy.

The key takeaway of the judgment is that even the judges in a minority wanted the practice to be banned for six months till the government passes new legislation while keeping in mind the demands of all stakeholders.

The judgment also comes as a major win for the ruling BJP which stood firm in its stand to back Muslim women in a backdrop where many political parties chose not to publicly oppose this tyrannical practice inflicted in the garb of faith.

(The writer is a chartered accountant and former member of the boards of public sector banks and corporations.)
Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooqs instantaneous positive response to Narendra Modis Independence Day speech has set off speculation that a meeting between government representatives and the moderate Kashmiri leader may be in the offing.

Although Farooq is under arrest and his main aides are also in jail and are being questioned, his reaction indicates that a back channel is open with the hope of bringing him to the table for talks. A senior government source hinted that there is no option but to talk to the moderate faction of the Hurriyat represented by Farooq to lower temperatures in the Valley.

This is a 180 degree turn from the governments earlier position of shunning all Hurriyat leaders, including the moderate ones. It suggests a rethink on the hardline policy adopted so far in view of repeated Chinese threats and attempted incursions into Ladakh. Farooq had tweeted immediately after Modis speech.

He welcomed the PMs remarks, saying that if insaaniyat and insaaf replace goli and gaali, then resolution can become a reality. The tweet was the main topic of conversation at the Presidents At Home reception on Independence Day with officials, media and political leaders all expressing surprise and satisfaction that Farooq had responded so positively to the PMs appeal to embrace Kashmiris.

However, skeptics feel that the resumption of a dialogue with the Hurriyat can only happen if the Modi government does more spadework to soothe frayed nerves in the Valley. A key stumbling block is the current controversy over petitions filed by BJP and RSS workers in the Supreme Court demanding the repeal of Article 35 (A).

This article gives teeth to Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The skeptics recall that when Atal Behari Vajpayee opened talks with the Hurriyat in 2013 with insaaniyat as the guiding principle, a lot of behind-the scenes groundwork preceded the move. It included secret meetings between top Indian and Pakistani intelligence representatives.

Cause for concern

Narendra Modis appeal to embrace the Kashmiri people and eschew gaali and goli was the big buzz at the new Presidents first Independence Day At Home reception.

While guests were of course eager to catch a glimpse of the newly elected President, Ram Nath Kovind, it was Modi who was the cynosure of all eyes, at least the eyes of the media. As the PM walked down the red carpet greeting guests and chatting with them, he was hailed by several journalists wanting to congratulate him for his message of peace to the people of Kashmir. The shower of praise from the media tickled Modi who has often blamed journalists for being antagonistic to him.

If the media is praising my speech so much, it is a cause for concern, he joked after he was stopped yet again by a group of eager journalists waiting to congratulate him.

Pecking order

The hierarchy at the Presidents Independence Day At Home reception was clearly marked. The inner room was reserved for the VVIPs, including union ministers, diplomats and senior politicians. The outer room was for the rest of the crowd which included top bureaucrats of the government, journalists, friends and leaders of the BJP and RSS and other invitees.

It was into this outer room that Sushma Swaraj mistakenly strayed only to find foreign secretary Jaishankar surrounded by media persons pressing him for insights into government thinking on the India-China standoff at Dokalam, the PMs remarks on Kashmir, Pakistan, etc. Jaishankar is suave and experienced enough to sidestep questions from the media and he was doing a wonderful job of chatting to everyone without saying anything substantive.

As Swaraj passed him on her way to the VVIP room, she jokingly told the foreign secretary that he should beware of the media and stay away from it.

Message for China?

Was there a message for China in the Modi governments decision to make Ladakh the first destination for President Kovind? The President visited Ladakh on his maiden outstation tour beginning April 21. The choice of destination was significant in the light of recent Chinese threats on Ladakh.

On Independence Day, there was a stand-off as well between Indian and Chinese soldiers. The Chinese tried to enter Indian territory but were pushed back by Indian troops. The Chinese retaliated by throwing stones at Indian soldiers. Although the President refrained from making a chest-thumping speech when he met Indian troops stationed In Ladakh, the government seems to be sending a strong message to China through his visit not to mess with India by extending territorial claims in the western sector.

Interestingly, Rashtrapati Bhavan did not invite any media representatives, official or private, on this important visit. This is in stark contrast to Pranab Mukherjee who always took a media contingent with him on his travels, both domestic and foreign.

In the limelight

It is clear that despite speculation about their rocky relationship during ten years of UPA rule, Manmohan Singh remains Sonia Gandhis most trusted Congress leader.

Sonia was unable to attend the opposition convention organized by dissident JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav in the Capital. Significantly, she sent Manmohan Singh as her representative, not other senior leaders who aspire to become Rahul Gandhis chief advisor and mentor when he finally takes over as Congress president.

It is equally interesting that Ahmed Patel was also present and that he delivered a speech at the convention.

Patel has always preferred to be a backroom boy and usually shies away from public presence. His deft victory in the recent Rajya Sabha election in Gujarat, in which he outmaneuvered BJP master strategist Amit Shah, seems to have encouraged him to step out of the backroom and take a frontline position.
Nepalese PM Sher Bahadur Deuba is on his way to visit India. He comes at a time when the Himalayan region is wracked with aggressive gesturing involving India and China, extended in some measure to Bhutan.

Nepal has kept studiously aloof from the sharp exchanges between its neighbours but with the swirling debate on Doklam showing no sign of early closure the visiting leader will need to steer a careful course in his talks in New Delhi. Even without such issues involving third parties there is plenty for Deuba to handle when he comes to New Delhi.

Relations between India and Nepal have a unique intimacy that can both sustain close friendship and also lead to great prickliness in mutual exchanges; small matters can have exaggerated consequences.

Given the vast imbalance in size, Nepal is prone to feeling slighted when India seems to be showing insufficient sensitivity to its requirements, and as there is no end to the coming and going and the daily contact between the two, every now and then some issue crops up to disturb the normal tenor of their relationship.

It is important therefore that care should be taken to ensure prudent border management, all the more so because it is an open border, almost unique in this day and age, that underpins the relationship.

Deuba is a practised statesman who has steered his country in many capacities over the last several decades, so there is considerable expectation that his visit will yield important results. Both sides are well aware of the great importance of their relationship and both have done what they can in recent months to add a new dimension to their long-established ties, with Prime Minister Modi especially solicitous in promoting the cultural intimacy that gives special flavour to the connection between the two countries.

Nevertheless, there are some recent scars that need to be removed, none more prominent than what is regarded in Nepal as a blockade by India that did great harm to that land-locked country. Revival of the traditional closeness when each side could always count on receiving succour and assistance from the other would be a welcome result of the Deuba visit.

Beyond the necessary repair work, there is a substantial menu of major development schemes that await attention, with the potential of transforming the economic prospects of Nepal and the contiguous parts of India.

The two countries have been labouring for some half-a-century to bring to implementation a major hydroelectric project on the Mahakali, a border river, which was finally agreed as long ago as 1996 but still awaits final conclusion.

There is a treaty that commits them to the project but they have as yet been unable to agree on a Detailed Project Report (DPR) that would guide the work. This is a real pity because the Mahakali agreement represents a breakthrough, establishing mutuality of interest between the two parties that transcends their occasional doubts, including minor differences relating to the border alignment in the project area.

Unfortunately the spirit of accommodation that guided the framing of the Treaty was not carried over into the making of the DPR, but Mahakali remains perhaps the most promising joint enterprise and it would be an important step in bringing the two countries into closer alignment with each other.

Water is the big resource that can take India and Nepal, and their entire region, into a new era. Responding to changed circumstances, Nepal has been enterprising in its search for new economic opportunity as may be seen in its readiness to permit expanded tourism in its matchless mountains and accept the support of numerous external agencies in its development process ~ this from a country that until well into the 20th century was famously inaccessible to outsiders.

Today, as the experience of Mahakali shows, Nepal is open to joint projects with its neighbours, especially India, and it has now acquired the capacity to make its own judgment about these projects, which makes it more questioning of advice it may receive from outside. That is only as it should be, but it has also slowed down the development process, for the all important resource of water has remained largely undeveloped.

Elsewhere in the Himalayas, neighbouring Bhutan has been able to make judicious use of this same natural resource, with the result that it now has a per capita income far in excess of Nepals, which was once ahead in the development process, and has also outstripped India with its more varied and much more extensive resources.

Meanwhile, China has begun to cast a longer shadow in the Himalayas. Its recent foray into the Doklam area follows a series of efforts over many years to establish a footing in Nepal and tie that country more firmly to its northern neighbour.

With that has come the prospect of China providing an alternative opening to the world to supplement, perhaps rival, the established access through India. Such developments have important strategic implications that will be hard to ignore when Deuba visits India, and which underline the abiding need to preserve and further strengthen the unique ties between India and Nepal.

Reports from Kathmandu suggest that Deuba may raise the matter of Lipu Lekh during his visit, which is the pass through the high mountains leading on to the pilgrimage sites of Kailash and Mansarovar.

Access to the pilgrimage places is a matter of great importance for the large numbers of Indian pilgrims who undertake the journey every year, and recently the Chinese authorities have discouraged pilgrimage along the alternative route through Nathu La pass, so this may be a live issue for the two leaders to discuss.

There will be a good deal more on the table, and the Deuba visit can be a very important one. If it goes well, it can unlock the way to major bilateral projects like the Mahakali, for which much of the ground work has already been done and what is needed now is a demonstration of political will to take matters forward.

This is something that needs to be undertaken in equal measure by both parties, with full regard for the sensitivities on both sides.

For India it is important that the top-level talks during the visit should strengthen the historic strategic closeness of the two countries. The opening up of South Asia, and of the Asian region as a whole, means that more players have entered the scene and seek an enhanced role for themselves.

India will need to be supportive of Nepals aspirations while ensuring maintenance of the close mutual understanding that must lie at the core of the bilateral relationship.

(The writer is Indias former Foreign Secretary)
India is emerging as a very important regional strategic partner for the US that can help modernise Afghanistan both politically and economically, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday.

Tillersons remarks came after President Donald Trump unveiled the US strategy in Afghanistan which included expanded authorities to target terrorists.

India is emerging as a very important regional strategic partner with the United States, and has played an important role supporting the Afghan government and in particular supporting their economy, Tillerson told reporters.

He also praised Indias role in Afghanistan.

India has provided development assistance. Theyve provided economic assistance. They are hosting an important economic conference in India this next week. All of that is important to stabilising Afghanistan as a nation, he said.

Get their economy functioning, stabilise the country so that they can provide more opportunities to their citizens. These are all elements of what will lead to stability and ultimately a peace agreement, he said.

Responding to a question, the Secretary of State sought the help of India in changing Pakistans behaviour.

It is important that Pakistan begin to think about its ability to contain these groups as well. Its why, though, we take a regional approach. The US alone is not going to change this dynamic with Pakistan, he said.

India and Pakistan, they have their own issues that they have to continue to work through. But I think there are areas where perhaps even India can take some steps, a rapprochement on issues with Pakistan to improve the stability within Pakistan and remove some of the reasons why they deal with these unstable elements inside their own country, Tillerson said.

According to the Secretary of State, other regional players have strong interest in Pakistan.

China has strong interest in Pakistan. Having a stable, secure future Pakistan is in a lot of our interests. They are a nuclear power. We have concerns about their weapons, the security of their weapons. There are many areas in which we believe we should be having very productive dialogue that serves both of our interests and regional interests as well, Tillerson said.
Typhoon Hato has taken at least three lives, and left several injured. Nevertheless, people are still stepping out to take pictures and enjoy the storm.

As Typhoon Hato rages on, a man copies the iconic Titanic pose in front on the waterfront of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Source: AP

By India Today Web Desk: A powerful typhoon hit the cities of Hong Kong and Macao, before swirling into China earlier today.

Typhoon Hato, which is being dubbed as the worst storm to hit the region in five years, barged into mainland China after wreaking havoc in Hong Kong.

Local authorities have confirmed that at least three people -- aged 30, 45 and 62 -- were killed in accidents resulted by Typhoon Hato. Macau's Government Information Bureau, meanwhile, has listed two other people as missing.

A wall torn down by Typhoon Hato in Hong Kong. Source: AP

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Typhoon Hato came within 60 kilometers of Hong Kong's financial center before heading westward into mainland China, where it was gradually weakening.

Thousands of people were evacuated from parts of the mainland China's coast before the typhoon hit.

As a measure, several scheduled train were canceled, fishing boats returned to harbour, and more than 4,000 fish farmers were summoned back to the shore.

Typhoon Hato had knocked out power in Macau, including at its famed casinos and a hospital, where backup generators kicked in.

A tree uprooted by Typhoon Hato in Hong Kong. Source: AP

Flooding and injuries were reported in Hong Kong, but there were no reports of deaths here.

However, Typhoon Hato did force businesses, government offices, schools and the stock market to shut down in Hong Kong.

Airlines canceled as many as 450 flights, and ferry operators halted commuter services and routes to Macau and cities in the delta.

Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Source: AP

THE FURY OF HATO

So far, Typhoon Hato has left a mark by uprooting trees, flipping trash cans, and blowing out windows on skyscrapers.

By afternoon, Typhoon Hato was packing maximum sustained winds of 126 kilometers per hour, with gusts of up to 207 kph on some outlying islands. Reports say roads in areas near the sea were submerged by waves crashing ashore.

Waves caused by Typhoon Hato in Hong Kong. Source: AP

Hong Kong's weather officials raised the No 10 hurricane signal, the highest level, for the first time in five years.

The observatory warned residents to be prepared for destructive winds, possible flooding and landslips, and advised people to stay away from low-lying areas.

Nevertheless, people can't help themselves but stop to enjoy the blowing winds and rain ushered in by Typhoon Hato.

As Typhoon Hato rages on, a man copies the iconic Titanic pose in front on the waterfront of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Source: AP As Typhoon Hato rages on, a man copies the iconic Titanic pose in front on the waterfront of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Source: AP

....and then, he gets interuppted. Source: AP

People enjoying themselves as Typhoon Hato rages on in Hong Kong. Source: AP

Mainland Chinese tourists take pictures at Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour during Typhoon Hato. Source: AP

People enjoying themselves as Typhoon Hato rages on in Hong Kong. Source: AP

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The last days of the Newfie Pride

There were many nights he didnt sleep. The numbers and scenarios turned over and over in his mind, making rest impossible. Id get up two, three oclock in the morning, night after night, come out to the kitchen table and work the numbers every ...
By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 23 (PTI) Beauty and wellness firm VLCC today said it has entred into a strategic partnership with Saudi healthcare services and products player Cigalah to launch VLCC wellness centres in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, starting with Jeddah.

VLCC currently operates 20 wellness centres across UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait and the company said its entry into Saudi Arabia will further strengthen its position in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

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The beauty care giant has been selling its range of skin care, hair care and body care products across, GCC including Saudi Arabia through the retail channels.

The company plans to set up six wellness centres in the Saudi Arabia in the next 24 to 36 months years, with the first one scheduled to open in Jeddah by November this year, VLCC Healthcare Director Sandeep Ahuja told PTI.

The total investment for these centres is estimated to be over AED 30 million.

Beauty is one of the fast growing industries in Saudi Arabia, which accounts for 41.6 per cent of the Middle East beauty market, with consumers having spent USD 4.8 billion on beauty products last year.

Global revenues contribute to 30 per cent of the VLCCs total revenues and Ahuja said the company expects it to increase to 40 per cent in the next few years. PTI DS ARS

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Mumbai, Aug 23 (PTI) Beauty and wellness firm VLCC today said it has entred into a strategic partnership with Saudi healthcare services and products player Cigalah to launch VLCC wellness centres in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, starting with Jeddah.

VLCC currently operates 20 wellness centres across UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait and the company said its entry into Saudi Arabia will further strengthen its position in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

advertisement

The beauty care giant has been selling its range of skin care, hair care and body care products across, GCC including Saudi Arabia through the retail channels.

The company plans to set up six wellness centres in the Saudi Arabia in the next 24 to 36 months years, with the first one scheduled to open in Jeddah by November this year, VLCC Healthcare Director Sandeep Ahuja told PTI.

The total investment for these centres is estimated to be over AED 30 million.

Beauty is one of the fast growing industries in Saudi Arabia, which accounts for 41.6 per cent of the Middle East beauty market, with consumers having spent USD 4.8 billion on beauty products last year.

Global revenues contribute to 30 per cent of the VLCCs total revenues and Ahuja said the company expects it to increase to 40 per cent in the next few years. PTI DS ARS PTP

--- ENDS ---
But the tribe has a long way to go
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a direct pitch to entrepreneurs to become soldiers of development and help India cut down dependence on imports while ensuring it becomes a 'less-cash' economy.

Addressing over 200 CEOs and startups here, he asked them to work towards increasing agricultural exports and promoting tourism.

"Gandhiji made Independence a mass movement. Every government has tried to take India forward. But development has not become a mass movement," Modi said at the 'Champions of Change' initiative organised by the Niti Aayog.

"In the same spirit as what Mahatma Gandhi did for the freedom struggle, we need to make India's development a mass movement," he emphasised.

Calling on the entrepreneurs to become soldiers of development, Modi said that by working together "we can solve several problems the country faces".

Stressing that India needs to move towards becoming a less-cash society, he asked the CEOs to encourage the use of BHIM app for cashless transactions and ensure by 2022 that employees go cashless.

He also asked them to try out khadi coupons as Diwali gifts.

Referring to tourism and its enormous potential in job creation, Modi said: "We Indians don't take pride in our rich heritage. If we begin talking about it with pride, the world will be desperate to visit India."

The prime minister spoke of end-to-end solutions for India. "If this generation thinks of feasible solutions to our unique problems, markets and jobs will automatically be created," he added.

On various initiatives of his government, Modi talked about GeM (Government-e-Market) portal that was introduced recently to increase transparency in government purchases.

He pointed out that even small suppliers can sell their products to the government through the portal.

As many as 28,000 small suppliers have sold their products worth Rs 1,000 crore to the government through the portal in the past four to six months.

Calling the CEOs as his team, Modi made the point that that India's development must be made a mass movement and entrepreneurs should think of what more they can do for the country's growth and the poor.

He asked them to provide policy inputs and be the harbinger for change.

For the government, he said, welfare of its citizens and their happiness is supreme.

He regretted that around Rs 1 lakh crore of agri productsfrom fruits to vegetablesgo waste because of lack of infrastructure.

Giving the example of value addition in agriculture, the prime minister said a multi-pronged approach is essential for achieving desired objectives such as doubling of agriculture income.

Highlighting the importance of food processing, he said lack of infrastructure is leading to huge losses in the agriculture sector.

Modi stressed on the need to focus on export-oriented agri products, saying innovative ideas like cultivating timber on fringes of farm land will help achieve the goal of doubling farmers' income.

Six groups of the CEOs made presentations before the prime minister on themes such as Make in India, Doubling Farmers' Income, World Class Infrastructure, Cities of Tomorrow, Reforming the Financial Sector and New India by 2022.

Appreciating the new ideas and innovations envisaged in the presentations made by the CEOs, Modi thanked them for the valuable inputs and time devoted to ideation for the benefit of the country.

He added that the key decision making team of the government has listened carefully to the presentations, and will surely benefit in their policy-making, from the 360 degree view of issues that have been presented.

Among others, the CEO offered suggestions on doubling farmers' income through scrapping of the APMC Act and enabling an open market for agricultural products in India.

A suggestion was also made to transform 700 district headquarters hospitals into medical centres through PPP and hub and spoke mode within a time-bound action plan.
The separatists in Kashmir have launched a protest programme against the move to get the Article 35 A also called J&K state subjects law scrapped in the Supreme Court and warned of an agitation in case the court struck down the Article.

A statement issued by the Joint Resistance Forum comprising separatist leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik warned that it will resist any move to tinker with the Article which bars outsiders to settle in the state.

This issue is directly related to our right of self-determination and so we all need to fight for it with unity and steadfastness,'' the JRF statement said. ''This is a matter of life and death for us and we will spill our blood to safeguard it.''

As the petition against the Article is scheduled for hearing on August 29, the JRF has said Kashmir Bar Association will hold a peaceful protest demonstration on August 25 against the conspiracies to scrap the state subjects law.

District Bar Association will also hold a protest at their respective places on the same day. All civil society, traders' bodies, religious and social organisations will organise peaceful protests on August 26, the statement said. Kashmiri diaspora living across the globein the UK, the USA, Europe, Middle East and Pakistanwill organise protests on August 27.

The JRF has also urged the people of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir to hold protests on August 29.

It has asked the Kashmiri diaspora around the globe to register their protest on social media by signing a petition against the move.

It has also asked the students in the Jammu and Kashmir to hold protests on the day of the hearing of the case.

The JRF has accused the RSS of hatching conspiracies to change the demography of J&K by getting the law abolished.

Inspired by Israeli tactics, RSS backed rulers with the active support of their Kashmiri stooges have launched a multi-pronged strategy to change demography in J&K,'' the statement said. ''Conspirators have taken this case to their Supreme Court which immediately admitted the plea, though according to legal experts, the plea should not have been accepted as it has been rejected in the past more than once by the Supreme Court.''

The statement said New Delhi considers Jammu and Kashmir as its colony and is attempting everything to suppress the resistance of the people. Removing the Article is also part of this plan, it said.

We dont want our people to suffer in any way but when it comes to the issue of life and death, collective existence, no choice is left for a weak people but to resist, the statement said.

This new controversy is aimed at changing the demography of our land so that our resistance against forcible control is finished completely, the statement said.
Newly elected Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba started his maiden foreign visit after assuming office on a warm note. Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Deuba to his offcial residence, in an unscheduled meeting after the latters arrival. This warm gesture was apparently aimed at setting up a personal rapport with the visiting dignitary as India faces threat from an aggressive China on several fronts.

Modi will again hold official deliberations with Deuba on Thursday, during which a number of project agreements are likely to be signed. Dueba's current visit is important on two counts. First, India wants Nepal to be by its side in the face-off with China in Doklam. Nepal has been silent so far on the issue, a position of neutrality as advocated by the China.

As China would be closely watching Deuba's first foreign visit after becoming prime minister, Modi is expected to play up the optics of the visit by stressing close cultural and religious relations between the two countries. Deuba is also visiting Tirupati Bala Temple and Bodh Gaya during his four-day stay in India. Even Modi had made his much talked about visit to Pashupati Nath Temple in 2014 to lay emphasis on shared traditions.

Secondly, India has been pushing the native Madhesi community's case with the Nepalese government so that they get more representation under the new constitution. The Madhesi community are essentially people of Indian origin staying close to Terai region in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

In recent years, India-Nepal partnership has witnessed significant growth in all areas of cooperation. The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interest and advancing age old, special ties of friendship between our two countries, ministry of external affairs official said.

Modi had reached out to Nepal last week with a package of Rs 250 million in cash and medical aid for the flood victims in Nepal. The Indian prime minister had even called Deuba, promising all the help. The two leaders will discuss the issue of frequent floods in the Terai regions and seek permanent solution. By way of extending close cooperation between the two countries, the two leaders are expected to launch two power transmission cross-border lines in Nepal built with India's help. This is being done to meet the energy needs of the Himalayan nation.

Deuba starting his visit to India on a warm note has come as a relief to the Indian side. He was received at the airport by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. A special welcome for a close neighbour! EAM @SushmaSwaraj receives @PM_Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba on his arrival on a State Visit to India, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Deuba is accompanied by 50-member delegation comprising senior ministers and business honchos. He is also expected to address an industry event asking for more investment in his country.

The visiting Nepalese dignitary would have a packed Thursday as he would start his day with paying homage at Rajghat and then visit President Ram Nath Kovind, and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.

Deuba is also accompanied by his wife Dr Arzu Rana Deuba who had her higher education in India. She did her graduation from St Bede's College, Shimla, and later doctorate in psychology from Chandigarh. She is known for esposuing the womens health and rights.
Members of Other Backward Classes who felt they did not get the reservation benefits due to them, have news to cheer about. The 'creamy layer' ceiling for Other Backward Classes (OBC) category has been raised to Rs 8 lakh per annum from the existing Rs 6 lakh for central government job.

The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved the idea of sub-categorisation within the OBCs, for purposes of reservation in the Central government. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while briefing the media, said the cabinet had cleared the decks for setting up of a commission that will, among other things, examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the OBCs.

There will be more equitable distribution within the OBCs, the senior cabinet member said. Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thewar Chand Gehlot said it was one more step towards the government's commitment to social justice and antyodaya

Jaitley said the government would urge the President of India to permit the sub-categorisation for purposes of employment in the Central government. The National Commission on Backward Classes had recommended this way back, as had the Parliamentary Standing Commission on Social Justice, in 2012-2013, he elaborated

The commission is mandated to submit its report within 12 weeks of appointment of its chairperson. It will also work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters for sub-categorisation, and identify castes, communities and sub-castes and synonyms in the Central list of OBCs and classify them into their respective sub-categories.

The National Commission of Backward Classes had mooted the idea of sub-categorisation by dividing the OBCs into backward classes, more backward classes and extremely backward classes. It had suggested in a report of February 2015, that the OBC quota of 27 per cent be proportionately divided among them by the states and the Centre, in terms of population and backwardness.

In Haryana, for instance, the Jat community wanted to be part of the OBC on grounds that they were educationally and socially backward, even though political and economically powerful. The "creamy layer" among OBCs was seen as cornering away the benefits of reservation. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the Janata Dal (U) leader heading a mahagathbandhan had appealed to the EBCs, the extremely backward classes, projecting candidates from among them.

When asked if this was in response to the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's two-year-old suggestion favouring a review of the reservation policy, Jaitley said, There is no such proposal before the government, nor will there be.

Gehlot said that the proposed commission on sub-categorisation would depend on government data on OBCs, as well as the Socio-Economic Caste Census data. The caste-wise data of the Census has not been made public yet.

The Union cabinet decision comes after 11 states, including the two from the bifurcated Andhra Pradesh, have carried out their sub-categorisation of OBCs.

Jaitley said, however, the benefit of reservation will go to those earning up to Rs 8 lakh, which forms the cut off for the "creamy layer". Till now, it was Rs 6 lakhs.

There have been quota stirs in many parts of the country, notably Haryana and Rajasthan, demanding reservation for subcategories. Earlier this year, lakhs of Jat protesters from 13 states had converged in the national capital, demanding reservation in education and jobs.
With the Supreme Court striking down instant triple talaq as unconstitutional, the next question that arises is whether a legislation is needed to implement the outlawing of the practice.

The Narendra Modi government has indicated that it does not intend to bring in a law on triple talaq, saying there is no need for a legislation as the top court has already set aside the practice as unconstitutional.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad suggested as much in his reaction to the judgment. The government will consider the issue in a structured manner. A prima facie reading of the judgment makes it clear that the majority (of the five-judge bench) has held it (triple talaq) unconstitutional and illegal, he said.

Two of the five judges on the Constitution Bench of the Supreme CourtChief Justice J.S. Khehar and S. Abdul Nazeersaid in their judgment that while the court could not interfere in the matter as it lay within the purview of Article 25, which is relating to freedom of faith, it was for Parliament to enact a law to outlaw the practice.

According to a senior official in the law ministry, the existing sections under the IPC and the CrPC were adequate for the law enforcement agencies to deal with cases of instant triple talaq. He gave the example of Domestic Violence Act, saying if a man forces his wife to get out of the marital home after pronouncing instant triple talaq on her, she can report the matter to the police, who can then book the man under Domestic Violence Act. As instant triple talaq has been ruled as illegal by the Supreme Court, in the eyes of the law, a man will continue to be regarded as the husband even after he has spelt instant triple talaq to his wife, he said.

If a man still resorts to it, the wife can report the issue to the police or even take him to court, the official said.

However, as a certain level of confusion prevails on how the court order will be implemented, the Centre is likely to issue a set of guidelines to the states on how various circumstances arising out of pronouncements of instant triple talaq are to be dealt with by the law enforcement agencies when they receive complaints. An advisory will be sent to all the chief secretaries and state DGPs on the implementation of the court order.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife on what would be the Modi regime's next moves on the issue of bringing in the Uniform Civil Code in the light of the Supreme Court's verdict on triple talaq. It has already asked the Law Commission to study the issue, collate views from various sections of the society and formulate recommendations on UCC.

The government has been saying that once the law commission submits its recommendations, it will hold an all-party meeting on the issue.

While the process of putting in place a UCC is expected to be extremely arduous and some would say that it is an impracticable idea for a country like India, it suits the Modi government to assert its commitment to it. UCC was a part of the BJP's manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections in 2014. Talk of UCC is expected to grow in the coming months, especially since Assembly elections are coming up in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh later this year, and Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan in 2018.
By PTI: Amaravati, Aug 23 (PTI) Nearly 30 per cent polling was reported in the first three hours of the byelection to Nandyal Assembly seat in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh today.

People turned up in good numbers at the polling stations to exercise their franchise, in the election that could well set the trend for the general election due in 2019.

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The polling so far remained without any incident, a senior police official said.

Over 2,500 police personnel were deployed to take care of the law and situation in Nandyal.

The Election Commission was monitoring the poll process through webcams in each of the 255 polling stations.

For the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is being used in the byelection.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy, who won the seat in 2014 as YSR Congress candidate but later switched over to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 2016.

The TDP has fielded Reddys nephew Brahmananda Reddy while the YSRC put up former minister Silpa Chandra Mohan Reddy, who lost the seat as TDP nominee in 2014.

Though there are 15 candidates in the fray, the main fight is between the TDP and the YSRC. PTI DBV GK RYS

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The assembly bypolls for Panaji and Valpoi seats has begun in Goa.

In the Panaji contest, Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Manohar Parrikar is in the fray against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's confidante Girish Chodankar.

In Valpoi, the BJP has fielded Congress rebel and Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, whose main opponent is Roy Naik, the son of former state home minister Ravi Naik, of the Congress.

Panaji has been a BJP bastion since 1994.

The polling, being held at 76 booths, including 30 in Panaji and 46 in Valpoi, started at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm.

As per the Election Commission data, 51,032 voters are eligible to cast their votes in the bypolls, including 22,203 in Panaji and 28,829 in Valpoi.

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines are in use today, as it was done in the assembly polls held in February this year.

North Goa Collector Nila Mohanan said adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure that the polling passes off peacefully.

"Around 1,000 personnel from agencies like the Goa police, India Reserve Battalion and Central Paramilitary Forces are deployed at various locations," she said.

The counting of votes will take place on August 28.

The Panaji bypoll was necessitated after the BJP's sitting MLA Siddharth Kuncolienkar vacated the seat for Parrikar, as the latter has to get elected to the assembly within six months of becoming the chief minister.

Valpoi byelection became necessary after Rane, the sitting MLA, joined the BJP after the Parrikar-led government won a crucial floor test in March this year.

While Parrikar has promised the overall development of Panaji through an Action Plan, the Congress alleged that the BJP leader, who had represented the constituency from 1994 to 2012, has proved "inefficient".

In Valpoi seat, Rane, son of veteran Congress leader and former chief minister Pratapsinh Rane, has assured of creating employment for the local youth.

In the assembly elections, the Congress won 17 seats and the BJP 13 in the 40-member House.

However, the saffron party formed the government under Parrikar on the backing of three MLAs each of the Goa Forward Party (GFP), Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), and three independents.
Even as the country is battling the scourge of the H1N1 virus, as many as 22,186 cases of swine flu have already been reported this year across the country, according to data from the ministry of health and family welfare. This indicates a steep increase from last year, when the country saw only 1,786 cases.

According to the official data, 342 people have died due to swine flu this year, while the number of deaths in 2016 was 265.

On the one hand, experts say, this jump indicates the robust disease surveillance programme, but on the other, it also indicates a worrisome trend.

"The rise in cases is certainly a cause for concern as this is the early phase of the disease," said Dr Atul Kakar, senior consultant and vice chairman at the department of internal medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi. According to the hospital, out of 211 cases attended there, three deaths have been reported between July 1 and August 16.

The corresponding figure for the deaths at the city's Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital stands at 23, of which 14 are residents of Delhi. However, data from the Centre record only three deaths in the city. Explaining the discrepancy in the records, a source from the health ministry said that the Centre took note of deaths as belonging to a certain city only if there were relevant documents to prove residence.

An official from RML hospital said, "Many patients die due to reasons of co-morbidity such as patients having diabetes, hypertension and respiratory problems. The ministry is careful in recording whether these deaths are solely because of swine flu."

"Deaths due to swine flu are not an issue because it can be treated easily. Only a small number of patients who have low immunity or suffer from conditions of co-morbidity are at risk of death," said Kakar. The government ought to release an advisory on swine flu, and also make the test cheaper, he added. Currently, the test costs about Rs 5,000. Kakar also said that many cases might not get detected because the test is expensive.
Was the Lashkar-e-Taiba procuring paragliders and equipping its operatives with paragliding engine and clothes to carry out terror strikes? This was a question that bothered the Intelligence agencies in 2015. Security sources said that multiple inputs about Lashkar's interest in providing aerial training to its cadres were available to the agencies following the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.

The recent drone scare in Delhi that halted operations at the IGI airport for around two hours on last Sunday has once again brought back the memories of such concerns for the security establishment.

Officials said the security threat arises from unregulated operation of microlight aircraft, powered hang-gliders, hot air balloons, paragliders and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles needs to be addressed immediately.

The interrogation of LeT's Syed Zaibuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, a co-conspirator in the 26/11 attacks, had revealed the terror group's interest in training its cadres with paragliding equipment besides honing their capabilities for aerial strikes. When intelligence inputs flowed in 2015 about Lashkar cadres purchasing such equipment, possibly sourcing from paragliding companies in the UAE and China, the home ministry was on its toes.

Officials said the global terror outfit has displayed its naval capabilities and it would be prudent to be wary of their aerial capabilities as well. Of course, it was something the intelligence brass could not dismiss completely.

The issue once again demanded some brainstorming following the terror strike at Pathankot airbase in January last year.

The MHA and various stakeholders had closed door meetings where the need for guarding the air space from possible threats came up for discussion. The role of a centralised agency in licensing and monitoring of UAVs was highlighted even as officials said a special focus also needs to be laid on unused airstrips in the country which could be used for such ariel strikes.

Sunday's air scare cannot be seen as an isolated one. It has come as a wake up call for the home and civil aviation ministries which have been toying with the idea of drafting a drone policy for some years now.

As of now, the aircraft rules do not cover registration, sales, purchase and flying of drones. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has restricted the civilian use of drones or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) through a public notice issued in October 2014. Meanwhile, the DGCA is also in the process of developing an interim operations guideline for civil use of the UAS.

In a reply to a question in Parliament on the issue in march last year, minister of state for home Haribhai Chaudahry had said that till such regulations were issued by the DGCA, "no non-government agency, organisation or individual is allowed to launch a UAS/ drone in Indian civil airspace for any purpose whatsoever. "

On Sunday, the pilot of an international airline noticed a drone from 1.5 nautical miles in the height of above 500 meter while the flight was landing at the Delhi airport. In the evening, there was another alarm raised by the pilot of a domestic airline.

The MHA has been sensitising the states on the matter time and again saying that such flying objects must not intrude into the air space beyond the authorised licenced area of operation and that such unregulated adventure flying needs proper monitoring. The MHA also wants that authorised users should not be allowed to carry any weapon or photography/video recording equipment while operating the microlight aircraft, hang gliders or hot air balloons.

But in the absence of a formal drone policy, buying and selling and flying drones is largely going un-monitored.

It was in December 2015, when Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said that the government is preparing itself to deal with threats from "rogue elements" who could carry out terror attacks using low flying objects. He said there was a need to regulate UAVs to prevent their misuse in sensitive areas like airports. Speaking at a seminar on India's Internal Security and UAVs, Mehrishi said that the detection and destruction of UAVs is an evolving process as it leaves little or no footprint, and one does not know the extent of damage it can cause in its flying area if it is destroyed. But the government is looking at a dual aspect of enabling features like licensing it for its use on the borders as well as in guarding vital installations inside the country and disaster relief works. Secondly, the policy should have preventive features to ensure that there is no misuse by terrorist groups or other anti-national elements.

But till the time the rules and regulations are strictly in place, government sources said the scares like these will be unavoidable.
The landmark triple talaq verdict has given big boost to the ruling BJP which has long pushed for a uniform civil code to be enforced which would end the reach of different religious laws in civil issues, sanctioned originally to protect the independence of different faiths.

In a far-reaching verdict empowering millions of Muslim women, the Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down triple talaq, or instant divorce, by a 3:2 verdict of the constitutional bench.

Three of the five judges banned the practice for six months till the government introduces new legislation. Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice Nazeer, even while holding triple talaq to be valid ordered a stay on this practice for six months, to enable the legislature bring a law banning this practice.

The verdict has given the Centre an opportunity to fulfill their long pending agenda of having a common civil code through a new legislation.

Backing the petitioners in this landmark case, in different public speeches, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken against the practice, pledging to protect the right to equality of all women declaring triple talaq unconstitutional, derogatory and discriminatory for women.

The apex court has said that if a legislation banning triple talaq completely is placed before Parliament within six months, the stay on the practice would continue till Parliament enacts or rejects the law."

BJP President Amit Shah welcomed the apex court judgment, saying that "It marks the beginning of a new era of pride and equality for Muslim women. The BJP welcomes the respect and the expansion of Muslim women's rights and sees today's court order as a step towards a determined 'New India'.

In the last six decades since the Constitution was adopted, Congress party-led governments at the Centre have been accused of shirking their responsibility of announcing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as mandated by Article 44, which was placed as a Directive Principle of State Policy, mandating the government to endeavour to bring in a political climate that would be conducive to enacting the code.

However, at the time of the drafting of the Constitution, in the wake of the partition of the subcontinent and the riots that gripped the country thereafter, it was believed that the time was not right to enact a UCC.

The mood in the BJP is upbeat after the SC judgement which had been accusing the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government of 'minority appeasement'.

Triple talaq has been an issue of concern for over 65 years for Muslim women, who comprise approximately eight percent of the population as per the 2011 census. The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down the practice terming it "unconstitutional". After reading separate judgements, the majority of five-judge bench of Supreme Court ruled triple talaq to be void and illegal.

Here are some highlights of the Supreme Court judgment and all about the issue which you may like to know:

The constitution bench of SC, headed by the Chief Justice J S Khehar, invalidated the practice as part of the Muslim Personal Law in a spilt verdict (3:2). The majority three judges - Justice Rohinton Nariman, Justice Kurien Joseph and Justice U.U. Lalit gave their judgment against it. While Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer gave dissenting judgment in favour of it, saying that they were of the view that triple talaq can't be declared illegal.

Striking down triple talaq in the majority verdict, the three judges extensively quoted from Quranic verses and Hadith. The judges said one cannot seek constitutional protection for a practice for which the primary source is not the holy Quran. "What is not permissible under Quran can't be protected by the Constitution," judges said.

Triple talaq has so far been legal for Muslims according to the Constitution, but several Muslim women who have been divorced, including on Skype and on WhatsApp, had challenged the 1400-year-old practice.

A Constitution bench of five judges of different faiths - Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice Kurian Joseph, Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice S. Abdul Nazeerheard the case over five days from May 12 to May 18. The court had framed questions that included whether triple talaq is fundamental to Islam and whether it is an enforceable fundamental right.

After six days of the historic hearing, which saw some of the top lawyers argue whether triple talaq was essential to Islam or not, Justice Kurian Joseph, Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice U.U. Lalit were of the view that triple talaq was not essential to Islam, and therefore, it should be banned.

Justice Kurian Joseph said: There are four sources of Islamic law. Only the Quran is the first source of law. Therefore, sources other than the Quran are supplement to what is in it. Therefore, there can be nothing more than what is written in the Quran. Quran attributes permanence to matrimony. Essential steps required before talaq. Triple talaq is against the tenets of Quran, and therefore, violates the Shariat. As held in Shamimara, talaq must be after having tried to resolve issues. Triple talaq not a part of sharia, therefore, I do not agree with CJI that it's part of personal law...Freedom of religion is absolute, I agree with CJI. However, triple talaq being a part of religion is what I disagree with...After 1937 Act, no practice deviating from Quran is valid. I expressly endorse and uphold the law in Shamimara. What is bad in theology is bad in law. What is bad in Quran can't be good in Shariat.

Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman said: It is a disapproved form of divorce. Even Hanafi law says triple talaq is sinful. 1937 Act recognises triple talaq and therefore does not violate Article 13...Triple Talaq won't fall within confines of Article 13(1)...It is not possible for court to fold his hands when petitioners come to court. Court has to declare whether practice is legal or not.

CJI Khehar said: Till the time a legislation is considered, the court injuncts Muslim husbands from pronouncing triple talaq for six months.

He further said: "Triple talaq does not violate article 25, 14 and 21 of the Constitution...Practice being constituent of personal law, it can't be set aside on ground of constitution morality by judicial intervention. Triple Talaq is important to sunnis of hanafi school, has to be accepted as important to their culture. Legislative intervention needs to be followed in respect of triple talaq if it has to be set aside... International conventions do not have any bearing on the subject as the practice is part of personal law. This is a case where court should exercise Article 142 and direct the Union to enact appropriate legislation keeping in mind advances in Muslim personal law".

Khehar added: "Despite Rashid Ahmed decision by privy council the issue needs fresh examination. All parties were unanimous that triple talaq is a heinous practice. It won't be appropriate for the court to observe whether practice is valid as per hadith due to variations in the school".

Justice Kurian said, "Extremely difficult to agree with CJI that Triple Talaq is integral to practise of Islam. Triple talaq was against the tenets of Holy Quran and hence violates Shariat law, Justice Kurian added.

Triple talaq in SC: How it came

The Supreme Court on October 16, 2015, questioned whether Muslim personal law practices of marriage and divorce reduce women to mere chattels. In a rare move, it registered a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) petition titled 'In Re: Muslim Women's Quest for Equality' to examine whether arbitrary divorce, polygamy and nikah halala (where a Muslim divorcee marries a man and divorces him to get re-married to her former husband) violate women's dignity.

The court ruled missing the opportunity to address the question of gender inequality in both the Shah Bano and Danial Latifi cases. In the Shah Bano case, the court merely goaded the government to frame the Uniform Civil Code. In the Latifi case, it upheld the right of Muslim women to maintenance till re-marriage.

Several Muslim women and organisations has welcomed the court's verdict.

Six petitioners including five womenShayara Bano, Ishrat Jahan, Gulshan Parween, Aafreen Rehman, and Atiya Sabrialong with the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), had filed case and had approached the Supreme Court on the controversial triple talaq issue.

Bano, in her petition, contended that "the Muslim husband's right to ask for divorce by uttering talaq three times in a row is completely unilateral, unguided, absolute and has no rationale. It cannot be identified with Muslim culture and is not part of Muslim law. So it is not part of religion and hence not part of the right to practice or propagate religion and deserves no protection".

Three forms of triple talaq

In the Muslim society, there are three forms of talaq (divorce): Ahsan, Hasan and Talaq-e-Biddat (triple or instant talaq). Ahsan and Hasan are revocable.

Biddat is considered 'sinful,' but permissible in Islamic law. In Biddat, however, pronouncing divorces in one go by the husband is irrevocable.

What Arif Mohammad Khan had said?

In May this year, former Union Minister Arif Mohammad Khan had said, "Triple talaq is "anti-Constitution, anti-Quran, and anti-humane" and that Uniform Civil Code is a "constitutional obligation of the government" which should come up with a draft soon.

Triple Talaq denies the rights of equality, it is anti-Quran because Quran describes the elaborate procedure which it lays down.It is anti-humane because a young Muslim girl grows up with the consciousness that after marriage her husband if he wishes so, can turn her out of the marital home on any day of his choice. That to me is anti-humane, oppressive and an ignominy," Khan said during a public lecture on 'Triple Talaq and Uniform Civil Code' at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.

The government's position

The Centre had claimed that instant talaq is not fundamental to Islam. It promised to bring in a new divorce law for Muslim men in case the court strikes down the three forms of talaq. The government argued that Muslim marriage and divorce is codified under Section 2 of the Shariat Act of 1937 and came within the ambit of 'law' under Article 13 of the Constitution. Hence, they should abide by the principles of dignity and non-discrimination.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, too, had described the divorce practice as "horrendous", "sinful" and "undesirable" with no sanction of the Quran and the Shariat, during the arguments,. However, India's largest Muslim body had also cautioned that "testing the validity of customs and practices was a slippery slope".

The AIMPLB had earlier countered that triple talaq is a matter of faith like the Hindu belief that Ayodhya is Ram's birthplace. The Personal Law had argued that for the Hanafis, who make up more than 90 per cent Sunnis in India, triple talaq is a matter of faith followed for 1,400 years. The courts and the government should leave reform to the community, it said, quoting the Bombay High Court's unchallenged decision in the Narasu Appa Mali case that personal law should not be tinkered with. Where will Muslim men go for divorce if you (the court) strike down talaq and Parliament refuses to pass a new law, the AIMPLB had asked.

Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi on May 15 had told SC that the Centre will bring in a new law to regulate marriage and divorce among Muslims if the practice of triple talaq is declared unconstitutional.

Arshiya Ismail, a triple talaq victim expressed her happiness while commenting on the SC judgement and said, "It's a big victory for the victims of triple talaq. Victims like us have suffered a lot. God has been very kind. Faith in judiciary has come back. Supreme Court's triple talaq verdict has taken out right essence of shariya".

Millions of Indian Muslim women have the same feeling on the verdict, commented another Muslim woman.
An influential US lawmaker has urged President Donald Trump to appoint America's new ambassador to India on a priority basis, saying that Washington's relation with New Delhi is of utmost importance.

The position has been lying vacant since January 20 when Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

In June, the White House said that Kenneth I Juster, 62, a top economic aide of Trump and an expert on India, will be America's new ambassador to India.

"As the co-founder and former chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India, Indian issues and representing one of the largest Indian-American constituencies in Congress, the relationship between our two great nations is of the utmost importance to me and my constituencies. I urge you to make the appointment of a US ambassador to India a top priority of your administration," Congressman Frank Pallone said in a letter to Trump.

The letter to Trump dated August 22 was posted by Pallone on Twitter.

"After more than seven months in office, this critical appointment is long overdue and should be an immediate priority," Pallone said a day after Trump sought India's increasing role in Afghanistan.

India is "our strongest ally" in South Asa, "which you referred in your address" to the nation on Monday, he said.

"These are among the reasons the United States has long supported India's permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. It is in our immediate national interest to send an accomplished American to serve as our country's senior diplomat in India," Pallone said.

The White House refrained from responding to questions on delay in ambassadorial appointment to India.

However, without mentioning India, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson refuted the reports that the absence of officials at key position is having an impact on the efficiency of the State Department.

"In terms of our footprint on the ground, we have very competent, capable, experienced people there now," Tillerson told reporters at a news conference.

"Do you have enough people, given the fact that there are not Trump-confirmed diplomatic appointees in many of these positions in the region," he was asked.

"We are looking at a couple of different people for the special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan position. It is open currently; it is being filled with a very experienced individual today. So we are ready to get going with very competent people we have, and I am not at all concerned about the competency level or the experience of the people that we have working on this. I am quite confident with them," Tillerson added.
Pravin Togadia, president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, said the government should pass a law against triple talaq as early as possible to give justice to Muslim women. Said Togadia to THE WEEK, I hail the verdict by the Supreme Court. Now the responsibility is on the government to pass a law against triple talaq as it would give complete justice to Muslim women.

In a 3:2 majority judgment, a five-judge bench of the apex court, on August 22, set aside talaq-e-biddat (instant talaq) as an oppressive practice. There are three forms of talaqtalaq ahsan (most proper), talaq hasan (proper) and talaq-e-biddat. Ahsan and hasan can be cancelled. Biddat, on the other hand, is irrevocable, and is practiced more among the Sunni Muslims. It was introduced in the second century by the Umayyad Caliphatethe second of the four major caliphates after Muhammadafter they found the other modes of talaq inconvenient.

The Union government supported the women who petitioned against triple talaq in the Supreme Court. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the verdict was a historic one. Tweeted Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice president, I welcome the Supreme Court decision setting aside triple talaq. I congratulate the women who fought for justice.

In fact, it was senior Congress leader and lawyer Kapil Sibal who represented the All India Muslim Personal Law Board in the apex court. He argued triple talaq is a matter of faith. It is not a question of equity and good conscience, it is a question of faith. You cannot bring constitutional morality, Sibal said. On Tuesday, however, he said he welcomed the verdict and it was not a setback.

Togadia also wants the government to bring a law banning more than two children. For justice to the nations taxpayers, the government should pass a law in Parliament that bans more than two children in a family, Togadia said. He added it was the right time for Parliament to bring a law to implement the uniform civil code.

Triple talaq is banned in several Muslim countries, including Pakistan, which abolished it in 1961. Controversy had erupted after its then prime minister married his secretary without divorcing his wife, which forced the government to form a commission to look at Pakistan's marriage and family laws.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the decision during a meeting with Durga puja organisers in Kolkata on Wednesday evening.

By Indrajit Kundu: The West Bengal government has announced that during this year's Durga puja, idol immersion or visarjan ceremony will not be allowed a day after Vijaya Dashami on October 1, due to Muharram. This comes despite such a decision being struck down by the Calcutta High Court after it was challenged by multiple Public Interest Litigations (PIL) filed last year.

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the decision during a meeting with Durga puja organisers in Kolkata on Wednesday evening.

"On Vijaya Dashami, immersion has to end by 6 PM as Muhurram processions will be taken out after that. If both happen together at the same time, there may be problems. I am seeking your cooperation on this. Some people will try to bank on this opportunity and create all kinds of provocation, using Hindus and Muslims as tools," Banerjee told the puja organisers.

Later she tweeted, "Except for a 24-hour period on the day of Muharram, immersions can take place on October 2, 3 and 4."

In a similar move last year, the West Bengal government had issued restrictions on idol immersion with Vijaya Dashami being celebrated just a day ahead of Muharram on October 13.

However, the government's decision was rebuked by the Calcutta High Court terming it "arbitrary" and a "clear endeavour" by the State to "appease the minority section of the public".

A single judge bench headed by Justice Dipankar Dutta in its October 6, 2016 order had stated that no such decision should be taken that pits "one community against another".

"To put it straight, the State government has been irresponsibly brazen in its conduct of being partial to one community, thereby infringing upon the fundamental rights of people worshiping Maa Durga," the order stated, highlighting that such restrictions had never been placed on immersion of Durga idols during Vijaya Dashami on earlier occasions in Bengal.

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Also Watch: Mamata government betrays minorities by siphoning off scholarships

--- ENDS ---
The Tel Aviv Family Court decided to intervene in a dispute between parents who had separated about their childrens vaccinations and ruled that if a mother refused to vaccinate her son, the father would be obligated to vaccinate him  as requested by the father.

In a decision published on Ynet, Judge Vered Shavit Finkelstein determined, according to a medical opinion submitted to her, that the routine immunizations given in Israel are safe, necessary and effective, and the complications around them are very rare.

According to the court, the manner in which the mother presented the damage of the vaccines, based on data appearing on the Chasson website, is incorrect, misleading and distorted. It was also determined that the approach that parents decision not to vaccinate their children beyond the risk to children themselves also poses risks to public health, since people with weak immune systems are at risk.

The childs parents have parted during the pregnancy, and various legal proceedings are currently taking place, at the center of which is the child. One of the most sensitive disputes between the former couple was the question of the childs vaccine, and the discussion took place during the courts recess after an urgent appeal from the father after the litigation lasted more than a year and the boy, almost three, was due to start kindergarten in two weeks.

The father, represented by attorney Yaakov Katzin of the Gideon Koren firm, asked that the mother have the child vaccinated, based on the opinion of the medical expert appointed by the court and the Ministry of Healths recommendations.

On the other hand, the mother argued that in the State of Israel there is no obligation for parents to vaccinate their children, and therefore her ideological position regarding the non-immunization of her son is legitimate. He said there was a claim that the companies producing the vaccines were motivated by economic considerations, and that the non-vaccination so far had led to certain routine vaccines being no longer needed.

In his opinion, Professor Yona Amitai, appointed by the court, ruled that vaccines are considered the most common and safe medical technology in the world. And that routine immunization of children in Israel led to a dramatic reduction in morbidity and mortality from 15 different infectious diseases. A parent who wants to raise children with the spartan approach of what does not kill  stirs an unreasonable and immoral risk for his children, wrote Prof. Amitai.

The court that accepted the opinion determined that the child would receive all vaccinations according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health, with the exception of two vaccinations that the expert testified that the age of the child is no longer necessary.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Irans atomic chief warned Tuesday the Islamic Republic needs only five days to ramp up its uranium enrichment to 20 percent, a level at which the material could be used for a nuclear weapon.

The comments by Ali Akbar Salehi to Iranian state television come as U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly has threatened to renegotiate or walk away from the 2015 nuclear deal.

Salehis warning, along with recent comments by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, show Iran is willing to push back against Trump while still acknowledging they want to keep the deal, which lifted crippling economic sanctions on the country.

If there is a plan for a reaction and a challenge, we will definitely surprise them, said Salehi, who also serves as one of Rouhanis vice presidents. If we make the determination, we are able to resume 20 percent-enrichment in at most five days.

He added: Definitely, we are not interested in such a thing happening. We have not achieved the deal easily to let it go easily. We are committed to the deal and we are loyal to it.

Iran gave up the majority of its stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium as part of the nuclear deal it struck with world powers, including Trumps predecessor, President Barack Obama. The accord, which lifted sanctions on Iran, currently caps the Islamic Republic uranium enrichment at 5 percent.

While Iran long has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, uranium enriched to 20 percent and above can be used in nuclear bombs. Iran processed its stockpile of near 20 percent uranium into a lower enrichment, turned some into fuel plates to power a research reactor and shipped the rest to Russia as part of the deal.

The Obama administration and most independent experts said at the time of the deal that Iran would need at least a year after abandoning the deal to have enough nuclear material to build a bomb. Before the deal was struck, they said the timeframe for Iran to break out toward a bomb was a couple of months.

While the economic benefits of the deal have yet to reach the average Iranian, airlines in the country have signed deals for billions of dollars of aircraft from Airbus and Boeing. Car manufacturers and others have swept into the Iranian market as well as the country has boosted its oil sales. Abandoning the deal would put those economic gains in jeopardy.

Rouhani, a moderate cleric within Irans theocratically overseen government, warned last week that it could ramp up its nuclear program and quickly achieve a more advanced level if the U.S. continues threats and sanctions against his country.

Rouhanis comments were sparked by Trump signing a sanctions bill imposing mandatory penalties on people involved in Irans ballistic missile program and anyone who does business with them. The U.S. legislation also applies terrorism sanctions to Irans Revolutionary Guard and enforces an existing arms embargo.

(AP)
The Trump administration on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 16 mainly Chinese and Russian companies and people for assisting North Koreas nuclear and ballistic missile programs and helping the North make money to support those programs.

The penalties are intended to complement new U.N. Security Council sanctions and further isolate North Korea for its nuclear and missile tests amid heightened tensions that have led to threats from both sides, the Treasury Department said in a statement. The 16 affected entities either do business with previously sanctioned companies and people, work with the North Korean energy sector, help it place workers abroad or facilitate its evasion of international financial curbs.

The measures block any assets they may have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from transactions with them.

It is unacceptable for individuals and companies in China, Russia, and elsewhere to enable North Korea to generate income used to develop weapons of mass destruction and destabilize the region, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. We are taking actions consistent with U.N. sanctions to show that there are consequences for defying sanctions and providing support to North Korea, and to deter this activity in the future.

Among those sanctioned are six Chinese companies, including three coal companies; two Singapore-based companies that sell oil to North Korea and three Russians that work with them; a Russian company that deals in North Korean metals and its Russian director; a construction company based in Namibia; a second Namibia-based company, and its North Korean director, that supplies North Korean workers to build statues overseas to generate income for the North.

(AP)
A monument erected in Vidin, Bulgaria has been defaced, with the words Allah, Palestine, Hamas and the Islamic star and crescent moon symbol spray painted on it.

The Shalom Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria reported the vandalism in a Facebook post on Monday, August 21.

The monument was erected in 2003 by Jews in Bulgaria to thank the town of Vidin for preventing their deportation to Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust.

Shalom quoted the mayor of Vidin, Ognyan Tsenkov, as describing the vandalism as outrageous and unacceptable. Tsenkov took immediate action to have the monument cleaned.

Shalom Organization President Alexander Oscar in a letter to the mayor thanked him for his firm statement and quick action, and stressed that the monument will continue to be a symbol of the brotherhood and a long history between our two peoples, the post also said.

In 1943, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, some politicians and many members of civil society were successful in standing up to the Nazis and preventing the countrys Jews from being deported to death camps, the Sofia Globe reported.

Next year will mark the 75 anniversary of Bulgarian opposition to the deportation of the the countrys 50,000 Jews.

Despite that success, more than 11,000 Jews from parts of northern Greece and Yugoslavia, territories which were under Bulgarian administration during World War II, were deported and killed.

(Nat Golden  YWN)
Drivers face a raft of hidden fees when renewing car insurance, with providers charging fees of up to 75 just to roll over a policy for another year, Money Mail can reveal.

Annual motor insurance continues automatically so you dont drive uninsured accidentally - yet customers, who find a cheaper deal during a two-week cooling-off period when the automatic renewal is triggered, are being billed 45 if they want to switch.

And if you forget to tell insurers of a small change to your policy before the automatic renewal - such as a change of address, adding a family member to the policy or raising the number of miles you expect to drive - some firms will charge 60.

Drivers face a raft of hidden fees when renewing car insurance, with providers charging fees of up to 75 just to roll over a policy for another year

It comes as insurers face criticism for hiking prices for loyal customers at renewal. Average premiums have soared by a fifth in the past year to a record 690, according to motoring organisation the AA, with insurers blaming controversial government reforms to personal injury compensation, tax rises and bogus whiplash claims.

The Mail also told this month how insurers are pocketing millions of pounds by charging customers 300 a year more to pay monthly. Many motorists may have no idea they face administration fees to roll over a policy.

Often these fees are in the small print of policy documents, or terms and conditions on insurers websites, although firms claim they do make customers aware. They also say the fees cover the cost to the firm of setting up and cancelling policies.

Martyn James, of complaints service Resolver, says: Many of these so-called admin fees are unacceptable and dont reflect the amount of work involved. Drivers are routinely ripped off at renewal, paying hundreds of pounds more than those who shop around. It isnt right they should be punished for trying to move to a cheaper deal.

Many motorists may have no idea they face administration fees to roll over a policy. Often these fees are in the small print of policy documents, or terms and conditions on insurers websites, although firms claim they do make customers aware

Principal Insurance, for example, demands up to 75 to renew car insurance. 1st Central charges 50, Swinton 25, Hastings Direct 20, Saga 20 and Collingwood Young Driver policies, 65.

Insurers argue all firms charge renewal fees but some include the cost in the overall premium, rather than separating the fee.

A spokeswoman for 1st Central says many of its rivals wrap arrangement fees and commission within the total premium. Hastings Direct and Collingwoods new and existing customers pay the same fees.

DID YOU KNOW? Britains richest prime minister was Edward Stanley, who was worth about 7 million (765 million today) at his death in 1869

A Saga spokeswoman says: The renewal fee does not alter the price customers pay. Its just itemised so the customer can clearly see what they are paying for, she explains.

An Association of British Insurers spokesman says firms charging renewal fees tend to be those whose policies are underwritten by another insurer. He had not heard of any UK-based member charging to renew.

Almost all firms levy a fee if customers cancel their policy before their contract ends. But some are even charging if drivers cancel within the 14-day cooling-off period.

Under the rules, firms may charge an admin fee plus a proportion of the premium for cover provided until cancellation. This should be explained in the terms and conditions.

The Post Office, for example, charges customers 30 if they cancel within 14 days of the policy starting.

Aviva charges just 18 for changes by phone but only if the new information leads to an amended premium

This is on top of a deduction for the days of cover given. It means if a motorist cancels a 500 policy within ten days, they will pay about 44.

If you have a telematics deal - where a black box is installed in your car to monitor your driving - you could pay even more. Admiral charges new customers 125 if they cancel in the cooling-off period and the box is fitted. Existing customers pay 25.

Wise Driving charges new customers 75, but nothing if you are renewing. Other firms charging fees to cancel in the cooling-off period include Aviva, Endsleigh, esure, Legal & General, LV=, Debenhams, Saga, SunLife, the AA and Zurich. Fees range from 25 to 45. Saga charges just 5.

Firms say the fees are explained to customers. Many say that if they didnt separate them, others would end up paying for those who cancel. Most insurers also charge for changes to existing policies. Fees vary.

Debenhams charges 50 to 60 for a change to policy. Aviva charges just 18 for changes by phone but only if the new information leads to an amended premium. It doesnt charge anything for changes made online.

Most firms say they will not charge extra for changes made at renewal.

A Debenhams spokeswoman says these fees are fully explained to customers at the time of purchase.

Steve White, British Insurance Brokers Association chief executive, says: General insurance brokers represent their customers and provide a service to them for which they can seek a fee. However, as regulated entities they are required to provide customers with details of any fees or charges made.
Profits at Wood Group have tumbled 86 per cent as work in the North Sea basin dries up

Profits at Wood Group have tumbled 86 per cent as work in the declining North Sea basin dries up.

The Aberdeen-based oil field services provider made 4.7 million during the first half of the year compared to 35 million during the same period last year, with revenue falling 11 per cent to 1.7 billion.

The North Sea has been hit by the global slump in the oil price but also by producers shifting their attention as the basin declines.

Wood Group has been cutting costs in response, with overheads down by 34 million compared to the half-year last year and staff cut by 34 per cent since the start of 2015.

Profits were also hit by exceptional costs including advisory and underwriting fees of 20 million over its ongoing purchase of rival oil field services group Amec Foster Wheeler.

But bosses said they were confident of a stronger performance in the second half.
Eric Daniels was in charge of Lloyds from 2003 to 2011

The shamed former Lloyds boss who led a disastrous takeover of rival HBOS is demanding 500,000 in unpaid bonuses.

Eric Daniels was in charge of the lender from 2003 to 2011, presiding over the 12 billion acquisition of its tainted competitor during the financial crisis.

That decision almost destroyed Lloyds and forced it into a humiliating 20.5 billion bailout.

Daniels, 66, was also in charge at the height of the PPI mis-selling scandal, a disaster which has cost the bank 18.1 billion.

He and other executives have already had millions of pounds of bonuses taken away from them because of the debacle.

But now Daniels and former wholesale banking head Truett Tate are reportedly challenging a decision not to pay them part of a bonus due in 2012  the year after the former chief executive left.

They are said to have filed High Court claims against Lloyds this month, with Daniels reportedly demanding around 500,000.

The banker left with a 5 million pension pot and has remained prominent in City circles, dispensing advice to top clients and serving as a non-executive director at online lender Funding Circle.

He has also been working for Mayfair investment bank Stormharbour and private equity giant CVC Capital Partners.

Critics slammed Daniels last night, accusing him of ignoring the damage he had caused to taxpayers, trust in banking and the wider economy.

Led to breaking point: Daniels, 66, was also in charge at Lloyds during the height of the PPI mis-selling scandal, a disaster which has cost the bank 18.1 billion

Labour MP John Mann said: Eric Daniels was rightly criticised by the [Treasury Select] committee back in 2010 but still left with a massive pension pot.

To try and claw back even more money adds insult to injury.

It is not known how much cash is being sought be Tate, who quit Lloyds a year after Daniels did and joined Australian finance firm ANZ.

A Lloyds spokesman said: As this matter is a live legal issue, it would be inappropriate to comment.

Daniels could not be reached for comment.
MANZINI  Close to E1 million was stolen from the two automated teller machines (ATMs) which were bombed by armed robbers at Luve last week.



The amount was revealed by the National Commissioner of Police, Isaac Magagula, when he officially opened the Interpol Cybercrime Investigation Training for Practitioners in Africa Course at Police College, Matsapha yesterday.



He said the SwaziBank ATM was loaded with about E0.5 million while the First National Bank (FNB) fed its ATM with about E450 000, which brings the amount to E950 000. He said the ATMs were almost loaded within the same period and soon after the money was fed into the machines, they were bombed.

It was gathered that FNB loaded money on Monday while SwaziBank loaded its machine on Thursday and they were both bombed in the wee hours of Friday.



Magagula has sent a strong warning to the bombers.

The Police Commissioner; Kute Imphunga yelihlatsi. It is a matter of time before we bring them to book.

On another note, the police chief said they have noted that the attacks on ATMs in particular, had taken another dimension where the machines were being targeted for bombing with explosives, something which was unusual in Swaziland.



He said one could tell that the robbers were not Swazis but there were local people who helped the foreigners to carry out the bombings by doing a survey, because the ATMs were almost loaded with cash within the same periods and were thereafter bombed.
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By Naeisha Rose

Rebuilding Together NYC and volunteers from insurance company Lloyds America helped in fixing a Jamaica residents home last week.

Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit housing organization that provides critical home repairs for low-income New Yorkers and survivors of natural disasters, according to Avi Small, a spokesman for the group.

Together, they modified the home of Ida Williams, located in Jamaica. Williams is a diabetic recovering from a stroke and multiple myeloma  a condition where plasma cells turn cancerous.

Volunteers created a bathing area for Williams on the first floor with grab-bars, a shower chair and a hand-held shower head, Small said. There was also a ramp built from her porch to Williams backyard and driveway.

Every New Yorker deserves a safe and healthy place to live, said Kimberly George, the executive director of Rebuilding Together NYC. Thats why were so excited to be going to Jamaica with a great group of volunteers from Lloyds America. Together, well be able to provide repairs and accessibility modifications for a disabled homeowner that will allow her to safely access all areas of her home.

Williams was moved by the help from the volunteers.

I am so touched and grateful for the work that Rebuilding Together NYC and the volunteers have put into fixing my home and making it wheelchair accessible  its a huge relief to be able move around freely and come and go as I please, Williams said. Programs like this, which help New Yorkers in need, are vital for the city.
Did you vote in the midterm elections as if your countrys existence depended on it?

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COLONIE  Jerry Shaye was at the Desmond Hotel on Wednesday morning attending an export conference when he called back a Times Union reporter asking about President Donald Trump's threat to "terminate" NAFTA.

Shaye, an international trade expert who lives in Delmar, hadn't heard what Trump had said the night before in Arizona about the North American Free Trade Agreement. The U.S., Mexico and Canada are currently renegotiating NAFTA.

But when informed that Trump said the U.S. will "end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point," Shaye, who was en route to Argentina, had heard enough.

While Trump blames NAFTA for the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs to Mexico, Shaye says that isn't the case.

"He's talking to his people," Shaye said. "There are always going to be winners and losers (in trade deals). We lost jobs because of automation and productivity. We don't need as many people. What we need is a serious focus on retraining."

Trump's comments  made during a campaign-style rally in Phoenix  were in stark contrast to the measured remarks by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who recently concluded five days of talks with his counterparts from Mexico and Canada.

"The scope and volume of proposals during the first round of the negotiation reflects a commitment from all three countries to an ambitious outcome and reaffirms the importance of updating the rules governing the world's largest free trade area," the three countries' trade representatives said in a joint statement issued Sunday after the first round of talks concluded.

But on Tuesday night, Trump seemed to throw that all out the window.

RELATED: Trump threatens shutdown of NAFTA at Arizona rally

"Personally, I don't think we can make a deal, because we have been so badly taken advantage of," Trump said.

But Shaye, who used to lead New York state's trade efforts and commonly hosts trade delegations to the state because of his experience, says NAFTA, signed in 1992, is too integrated into the U.S. and New York economy to simply throw it away. New York state's biggest export market is Canada, which is the No. 2 importer to New York behind only China.

Shaye notes that many products covered by NAFTA cross borders between the U.S. and Mexico and the U.S. and Canada several times before being completed for sale. The U.S. auto industry often uses this model, and Bombardier, the aerospace and transportation company in Quebec, employs that model  with New York state suppliers and customers along with operations in Plattsburgh.

"You have totally integrated supply chains nowadays," Shaye said. "In many cases, products can go across the border two or even three times, and if we interrupt that, it's not going to help. It's not going to make more cars."

Shaye drives a 2014 Lincoln hybrid. He says the car was assembled in Mexico using American parts.

"Did I buy an American car or a Mexican car?" Shaye said.
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STILLWATER - The area's last survivor of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor was interred Wednesday in a ceremony that his wife and family said duly honored him.

The ashes of 94-year-old Edward M. Bartholomew, who dragged bodies from the bombed out USS Pennsylvania on Dec. 7, 1941, were placed in a wall at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. His interment was delayed because Edward Bartholomew donated his body as an anatomical gift to Albany Medical College.

His wife, Barbara, attending the ceremony in a wheelchair from Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation, said that she is grateful to everyone who made the remembrance of her husband's U.S. Navy service a special one.

"This is how people in the service should be remembered," Barbara Bartholomew after the ceremony. "The flag is the symbol we should honor and every person who serves under it should be honored too."

Edward Bartholomew who graduated from La Salle Institute, worked for General Electric for more than 40 years and spent his life in Troy, died in April 2016. He has joined the nearly 15 million other World War II veterans who preceded him in death. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, in May 2016, about 1.7 million World War II veterans were still alive. It noted that by 2027, the number would be down to 58,000.

With the loss of veterans comes the fear that first-hand accounts of history will be lost. That's why many organizations, including the Library of Congress's Veterans History Project and the National World War II Museum, are working to preserve the stories of the war that changed the world.

The memories of Edward Bartholomew fall to his family now, particularly his son, who spoke at the ceremony,.

"He was a gunner's mate first class," Craig Bartholomew said. "When the attack on Pearl Harbor happened, he was walking into church with his dress whites. He had to return to the ship. He was only 20 years old."

The son remembered his father as a man who loved music, "Bonanza" and Jack Benny. "My father was a good and decent man," Craig Bartholomew said. "He along with my mother provided us with a safe and happy childhood."

Edward Bartholomew was also honored with a three-gun salute and a flag presentation. Sitting with wife Barbara Bartholomew and son Craig Bartholomew were daughters Joan Windsor and Judy Vincent.

After the ceremony, his widow said she her husband would have been devastated by America's reigniting of bigotry, which the soldiers of the Second World War fought so valiantly against.

"I'm glad he didn't live to see the condition our country is in now," she said.
OPENING FRIDAY

ALL SAINTS: The latest Christian-themed drama is based on the true story of salesman-turned-pastor Michael Spurlock (John Corbett), the tiny church he was ordered to shut down, and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia. (PG for thematic elements) http://www.allsaintsmovie.com

BIRTH OF THE DRAGON: In 1965 San Francisco, Bruce Lee, spurred on by his student, challenges Shaolin monk and kung fu master Wong Jack Man to a martial arts fight. (PG-13 for martial arts violence, language and thematic elements) https://www.facebook.com/BirthOfTheDragon

GOOD TIME: A bank robber (Robert Pattinson) finds himself unable to evade those who are looking for him in this thriller. (R for language throughout, violence, drug use and sexual content) http://goodtime.movie

INGRID GOES WEST: An unhinged social media stalker (Aubrey Plaza) moves to LA and insinuates herself into the life of an Instagram star (Elizabeth Olsen). (R for language throughout, drug use, some sexual content and disturbing behavior) http://www.ingridgoeswestfilm.com

LEAP!: In this French-Canadian animated feature, an orphan girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina flees her rural home for Paris, where she passes for someone else to study at the Grand Opera house. (PG for some impolite humor and action) https://www.facebook.com/LeapMovieOfficial

THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK: A college grad's rootless life in the Big Apple is turned inside-out by his father's mistress (Kate Beckinsale). Also stars Pierce Brosnan, Cynthia Nixon and Jeff Bridges. (R for language and some drug material) https://www.facebook.com/OLBINY

OPENING WEDNESDAY

PATTI CAKE$: This Sundance-nominated drama centers on a plus-sized white girl from New Jersey who tries to find fame and fortune as a rapper. (R for language throughout, crude sexual references, some drug use and a brief nude image) http://www.foxsearchlight.com/patticakes

Love movies? Love talking about them? Love reading about them? Go to Times Union Movies blog, moderated by film fanatic C.J. Lais Jr. and join in the conversation. http://blog.timesunion.com/movies
Anyone can follow a hand-me-down recipe for Southern fried chicken, but the end results will vary with each attempt to make it.

"It's in the hand: You can give them my salt and pepper, but if they don't shake it right, it's not going to taste right. It's all in the hand shake when you season the food," says Kizzy Williams, owner of Allie B's Cozy Kitchen in Albany. Williams makes her fried chicken in the South Carolina style of her mother (Allie, the restaurant's namesake) and learned how to blend cornmeal, salt and pepper together watching her mother cook on a camp stove on the streets of Harlem. "I cook the food how my mother raised me to cook it."

That South Carolina-tinged food is only one example of the growing popularity of Southern food in the Capital Region. Ian Michael Hunter, owner of the Flying Chicken (a Southern food restaurant in Troy that recently closed its Fourth Street location in order to pursue mobile and pop-up options) says, "I don't think people see the regionality of (Southern food)."

He credits the influence of fast-food fried chicken as washing away the "soul" component of Southern food. "There's now an awareness of the fact that you can have quality fried chicken," at independent restaurants he says.

More Information Allie B's Cozy Kitchen 353 Clinton Ave., Albany Phone: 518-729-3472 Web: www.alliebs.mobile-webview.com Hattie's 45 Phila St., Saratoga Springs Phone: 518-584-4790 Web: www.hattiesrestaurant.com Heather Ridge Farm 989 Broome Center Road, Preston Hollow Phone: 518-239-6234 Web: www.heather-ridge-farm.com See More Collapse

New Southern-inspired restaurants are building on that awareness. The owners of Crave, in Albany, will be opening the Cuckoo's Nest Restaurant and Bar this fall in Albany, spurred on by the increased desire for non-Southerners to enjoy a taste of Dixie. (Because of legal reasons, the location cannot be shared in time for this story.)

"I think that Southern food is never going to go out of style. I think it's growing in popularity. It's all over the place in New York City," says Kaytrin Della Sala, co-owner of both Crave and the Cuckoo's Nest. The idea stemmed from the Southern-style dishes found in traveling the country, and a social media poll she created for the concept, regarding a new restaurant showed that Capital Region eaters desired Southern food above all else.

"It's more interesting than another Italian restaurant," says Della Sala. The new menu will include what she calls, "elevated Southern" dishes of chicken, biscuits, shrimp and grits, pork chops and fried green tomatoes, punctuated with items like avocado toast and classic Mediterranean recipes.

"In the restaurant industry it's all about what's trendy," says Beth Alexander, co-owner (with husband Jasper) of Hattie's restaurant in Saratoga Springs and its offshoots. Hattie's, which opened in 1938, has become a Southern food icon in America. The Alexanders took ownership in 2001.

The extensive appeal of fried chicken  like the kind Hattie's is best known for  lends an air of "Southernness" to any restaurant that might include it on its menu, but the Southern moniker is more extensive than a simplistic trend. It's a common thread of identity, extending across 16 states from Delaware to Texas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Southern food has traditionally meant "black" food, with reason: the region the food originates from has the highest concentration of African- Americans in the U.S. (55 percent of those identifying as black in whole or in combination with another race live in Southern states, according to the 2010 Census).

Many of the foods associated with the term "Southern"  yams, peanuts, rice, certain beans, black-eyed peas  traveled to America from Africa on slave ships to become staples of Southern regional cuisine. The food further traveled from slave kitchens to the plantation dining room and were later brought north and west through patterns of African-American migration. The food has been co-opted and usurped through attempts to gentrify it into a form of Southern gentility, but at its root, Southern cuisine is a form of comfort and a keystone in American culture for a wide swath of people, not just those descended from slaves or slave owners.

"With everything that's going on in the world, it seems everyone is flocking to comfort," says Alexander, who says "comfort food" and "Southern food" are synonymous in the minds of many, and for good reason: It is filling, rich and soothing.

"I decided to start doing fried chicken dinners because we wanted to offer a simple, honest meal with broad appeal to a wide range of people," says Rob Handel, chef at Heather Ridge Farm in Preston Hollow. The monthly dinners typically include Southern sides like braised collard greens, cornbread, slaw and potato salads. "These are other examples of fairly simple dishes in which good ingredients can make or break the final product.

"I think this is a key aspect of Southern food's revival in general. So much of the mass-produced foods that we eat on a daily basis are produced with low-quality ingredients and rely heavily on fats, sugar, salt, and flavorings to make us come back for more," Handel continued. "When people finally get to taste real food that actually tastes like food, it's a revelation. And Southern food has always relied on simple yet powerful flavor combinations to make everyday ingredients shine."

"Southern food is something everyone can do. There's no trickery," says Alexander, of Hattie's. "It's just good home cooking. There's a reason fried chicken has been around for so long." She says Hattie's now serves platters of fried chicken at white-tableclothed parties, blurring the lines between elegant and casual food. The atmosphere in which it is served does little to deter from the comforting elements Southern food provides.

Williams describes her food as a savory balm that assuages the divide and differences that America continues to struggle with. Her food works in Albany because "the culture here is very open. People move to Albany ready for diversity, ready for change. They are all holding hands together. The people here are interested in each other," she says, whereas in her hometown of Harlem, there was little diversity outside of the black and Hispanic communities.

Despite the social role of her food, she says the return visits of her Southern-born customers are enough to let her know she's heading in the right direction.

"They come to me and say, 'This is definitely something my grandmother would make.' That lets me know I'm on the right track with my food, and my history."

Deanna Fox is a food and agriculture journalist. www.foxonfood.com @DeannaNFox
The Head and the Heart (image from palacealbany.org)

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The Saratoga Springs Police Department announced traffic and safety plans for Saturday, when Travers Day at Saratoga Race Course will overlap with a Luke Bryan concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in the evening.

The concert's arrival and start times will coincide with the running of the Travers Stakes Race and racetrack departures.

Drivers should expect significant delays between 6 and 8 p.m. in the Route 9 South and Exit 13 area. Those going to SPAC should avoid Exit 14 and take advantage of exits 12, 13 and 15 to get to the concert, police said.

Use 511ny.org for continuous concert traffic updates.

Here are some tips from the police:

 Racetrack arrival:

Parking/Admission: NYRA parking lots will open at 6:45 a.m. and admission to the racetrack will begin at 7 a.m. Arrive early and leave plenty of time to make it in to the track.

Post time for the first race is 11:35 a.m.

Private Parking Lots: Available on the Union and Nelson avenue sides of the racetrack. Patrons

should lock their vehicles and write down the address where it is parked. Police officers will not be available to assist in locating vehicles.

Buses: All must enter the Oklahoma Racetrack on East Avenue at Gate 21 (Potato Chip Lane). Patrons will be dropped off and picked up there. Buses will not be allowed to drop-off or pick-up on Union, East or Nelson avenue.

Handicapped Parking: NYRA has limited handicapped parking at the Main Gate Entrance, Rec Hall Entrance (Union Avenue) and Oklahoma Track (Potato Chip Lane off East Avenue).

The NYRA handicapped parking locations are paid parking.

Taxis: Should drop-off all patrons at the Wright Street Gate off of Nelson Avenue in a

designated area.

Limousines: Must drop-off and pick-up on Frank Sullivan Place near the Clubhouse Gate in the designated area.

Interstate 87 (Northway): Take advantage of all three exits (13, 14, 15) to get to the racetrack to lessen traffic delays at exit 14.

Message Board: Signs will be located on I-87, Union and East avenue indicating the track location, parking availability and return directions.

Residential Neighborhood: Patrons should be aware of heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Parking restrictions throughout the neighborhoods will be strictly enforced. Vehicles in violation will be ticketed and towed.

 Racetrack Departure:



Buses: Load and depart through the Oklahoma Track to Henning Road. I-87 options will be visible when entering Henning Road.

Taxis: At the racetrack, taxi pick-up will only be permitted on Wright Street outside the Clubhouse Gate.

Ride Sharing: Permitted onlyl on NYRA property at Gate 21 (East Avenue/Potato Chip Lane) in a designated location.

Union Avenue: At 4 p.m. Saturday, the traffic pattern on Union Avenue will be adjusted by taking away all U-turns and left-turns. From 4-9 p.m., Union Avenue will run east and west from Nelson Avenue to Henning Road.

East Avenue: All vehicles parked along the Oklahoma side and the private lots along East Avenue will be directed to go north on East Avenue.

Nelson Avenue: All vehicles parked on the west side of the racetrack should take Nelson Avenue south.

Crescent Street: At 4 p.m., Crescent Street will be closed at Jefferson Street to all westbound traffic.

 SPAC Concert Arrival:

Parking / Admission: Saratoga Spa State Park opens at 8 a.m. with a $10 admission fee. The large parking lots on the east and west sides of Route 50 open at 2 p.m. and cost $10. Gates to the SPAC venue will open at 5 p.m. Early arrival is strongly suggested.
New York

It has grown into a grim ritual of late in New York City: a burst of violence in which a person with mental illness is the victim or aggressor, followed by the city mapping out breakdowns in care and pledging to stitch the safety net tighter.

But the late stages of a sick person's struggle  medications missed, doctors' declining last-minute appointments, hospitals that discharge patients with little follow-up care  are often only a coda to years of moving between home and a hospital bed.

A new report shows that those patients are being cared for more and more by the city's strained public hospital system, as financial pressures on some private hospitals drive them to divert psychiatric patients and close beds.

The number of mental health admissions at public city hospitals increased sharply over the five years ending in 2014, even as private hospitals shed psychiatric inpatients over the same period, according to the report, released last month by the city's Independent Budget Office. The share of beds that public hospitals designated for psychiatric patients was more than three times greater than in private hospitals.

The report, providing a fresh look at a long-standing issue, points to the slow churn of change in mental health care. Despite widespread agreement that many patients are better treated and treated at lower costs outside the hospital, serious alternatives to psychiatric wards remain few and far between.

Hospitals provide extensive outpatient care, but every year tens of thousands of people, many of them poor and underinsured, continue to seek help at emergency rooms that offer limited personalized attention and hardly skim the surface of the social problems that contributed to them ending up there.

"The mental health system is always behind in how they're handling things," said Kinsey McManus, services director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City. "Stigma is rampant on all levels, including on what's the priority in the agenda of the government, what's the priority of hospitals."

The city's public hospitals system, the Health and Hospitals Corp., said inpatient mental health stays have declined since 2014. And New York state is in the third year of a $7 billion Medicaid reform plan that encourages hospitals to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, especially for mental illness, by instead investing in helping people manage their medications outside the hospital and integrating psychiatric care with other doctor visits.

In the first two years of the plan, the state reduced avoidable emergency room visits for mental health patients by 12 percent, said Jason Helgerson, the state's Medicaid director. And a network of hospitals and community groups organized by the city's public hospital system had a 5 to 9 percent decline in potentially preventable readmissions and potentially preventable emergency room visits from July 2015 to June 2016, meeting its targets.

"Historically in New York we treated the body and mind in totally separate silos," Helgerson said. "What we're trying to do is bring those together in clinical settings."

But for patients who do not receive early help, public city hospitals are increasingly where they land. The consolidation of private hospitals in New York City and a reduction in costly and often unprofitable psychiatric beds there have put public hospitals in the position of providing much of the emergency care.

There were almost 25,000 mental health hospitalizations in the city's public system in 2014, up from 20,550 in 2009, a nearly 20 percent increase. Inpatient stays declined by 5 percent at the city's private hospitals over the same period. That was the most recent data available to the Independent Budget Office.

One hospital visit is often followed by another. Patients and mental health advocates describe them as bleak, lonely places, often reliant on medications, inattentive to people's other ailments and severe in how they deny people their rights and choices. Roughly 70 percent of hospital readmissions that New York state deems avoidable in the Medicaid system are for people with a primary diagnosis of behavioral health problems.

"There's so much going on in the hospital that nobody really has the time to sit there and really dig deep into the root of the problem," said Orlando Garcia, 43, who sought help at the city's Bellevue Hospital Center about a decade ago. "Everything is, 'You're depressed, we need to give you antidepressants.'"

After seeing part of Bellevue's psychiatric ward on that visit, he decided against being admitted.

More recently, Garcia stayed for a week at one of the city's four respite centers, bed-and-breakfast-type alternatives to hospitals where guests receive group counseling, peer support and connections to psychiatrists. Garcia, previously a member of an antiterrorism task force in the New York National Guard, had gotten sick with Crohn's disease, lost a squad leader who was also a close friend in a motorcycle crash, and watched his mother's dementia worsen.

He said he needed to get help outside his home, and the respite center  run by Community Access, a nonprofit, and located in Gramercy Park  made him stronger in dealing with his problems. Now he is seeking to become a peer support specialist there.
Albany



New Yorks governors have had historic ups and downs with the states Indian tribes over the years and it appears the relations between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Senecas of Western New York is heading for a downturn.



The latest flap comes with revelations that the Erie County District Attorney is investigating allegations that an eavesdropping device was found in State Gaming Commission offices in the Senecas Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo.



That wasnt the first controversy to erupt in recent months, though.



In March the Senecas stopped making payments theyve made since 2002 on revenues from their casinos in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca. Those payments have been running about $120 million a year and were split between the state and communities that host the tribe's casinos.



But that 14-year agreement was signed before New York changed its constitution to allow non-Indian casinos. This year, four non-Indian casinos opened upstate including del Lago in Tyre, about 90 minutes east of the Senecas operations.



Cuomo insists that the exclusivity within the Senecas territory remains tied to the payments.



If they dont make the payments then they dont have the exclusive right, Cuomo said Tuesday. Members of the governors administration also say they would consider allowing a casino in Niagara Falls that would compete directly with the Senecas.



Amid that backdrop was the abrupt cancellation of a meeting between Cuomo and Seneca President Todd Gates scheduled for Tuesday.



Cuomo said the meeting was placed on hold due to the district attorneys investigation.



Gates, though, noted that the investigation has been ongoing months.



These allegations are a year old which makes the timing and purpose of their public release curious, to say the least, Gates said. They maintain there was no bugging of the state gaming personnel.



As of late Wednesday it remained unclear when Cuomo and Gates might meet and where the dispute might lead. The Senecas compact, or agreement, with the state has provisions for disputes to be settled in arbitration by a special three-person panel.



rkarlin@timesunion.com RickKarlinTU






State Police are looking for several people, including a woman who has lived in Troy and a man who may be in the Albany area, as part of the "Warrant Wednesday" initiative.

 Monique D. Moye, 48, whose last known address was in Troy, is wanted on an arrest warrant from Albany City Court for grand larceny. From June to December 2014, Moye allegedly collected unemployment benefits she was not entitled to receive, amounting to just over $7,000, police said.

 Kenneth M. Tyree, 31, who may be in the Albany area, is wanted by the State Police and the Peru Town Court for charges relative to a domestic dispute on Oct. 2, 2016, in the town of Peru, Clinton County. Tyree allegedly damaged property belonging to the victim and stole the victim's cell phone. He is wanted on charges of criminal mischief and petit larceny.

 Shannette L. Riley, 34, is wanted by State Police from the Poughkeepsie barracks and the Dutchess County Court following her 2010 arrest on a charge of grand larceny. Riley was arrested for allegedly collecting over $3,000 worth of unemployment benefits while she was employed. A warrant was issued ordering Riley's arrest when she failed to appear for court proceedings. Riley's last known address was in the Poughkeepsie area.

 Christopher Taylor, 28, is wanted for possession of a forged instrument. He was arrested after he was stopped for a violation of the vehicle and traffic law in the town of Lloyd, Ulster County. During the stop, police allegedly found Taylor with marijuana and MDMA. He was sent to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of bail. Taylor failed to return to court to answer the charges and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest from the Town of Lloyd Court. He is believed to be in Kingston and has ties to Jamaica, Queens.

 Glenn Taggart, 25, is wanted on a City of Rochester bench warrant for driving while intoxicated and numerous Vehicle and Traffic violations. Taggart was stopped on Oxford Street in Rochester for moving from his lane unsafely. He allegedly had two licenses at the time of his stop and was driving with a suspended registration and the vehicle was not insured.

 London T. Vaughn, 25, is wanted by State Police in Deposit on a bench warrant after allegedly failing to appear in court on the charge of driving a motor vehicle while ability impaired by drugs. The bench warrant was issued by the Town of Hancock Court in Delaware County on Sept. 7, 2016. Vaughn has several tattoos on his arms including: "Love," "LRM," "LRJ," lips and a flower.

 Derek Williams, 52, is wanted by State Police and Nassau County First District Court for driving while intoxicated and traffic violations. Williams was stopped for a traffic violation on the Southern State Parkway in 2014 and was subsequently arrested for the above charges. He was driving a white Ford at the time of the arrest. His last known address is in Brooklyn.
Brooke Carey, of the Titusville area, holds her banner for winning the senior class grand champion for Holstein cows, Tuesday, at the Crawford County Fair. Dylan Brantner (middle), of Greenville, stands with his Holstein after winning reserve grand champion. John Carey (right), of the Titusville area, stands with his Holstein. John took home junior champion and reserve junior champion in the junior class.
TeamCoco Calls on Nextiva

By Paula Bernier , Executive Editor, TMC

Years ago David Letterman turned the late night talk show scene upside down with his unique bits, some of which took him outside the studio to the streets of New York. The idea that a host would leave the studio at the time was revolutionary. Today its not so unusual for talk show hosts to do shows from remote locations.

For example, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert recently featured Russia Week. And Conan OBrien has made a habit out of going remote.

The affable redhead has done Conan in San Diego and New York City, as well as Mexico and South Korea. And while on the front end the Conan shows efforts appear to be a lot of fun and games, theres plenty of work that needs to happen on the backend to make these remote shoots run smoothly.

Thats where business communications, and Nextiva, enter the picture.

TeamCoco has called on Nextiva to power its voice communications during some of these remote efforts. For example, Nextiva recently supported the Conan effort during the shows Comic-Con/ConanCon show in San Diego.

Nextiva staff members went to San Diego with Conan IT Director Chris Hayes to ensure service was up and running. The setup for that effort included 30 physical phones and Cisco blocks to transfer from Ethernet to RJ for the trucks. And there were two lines to the Conan shows home office in Burbank. It was a pretty basic setup, noted Hayes, but providing the many Conan employees and vendors with the ability to communicate reliably was extremely important.

The Nextiva system served 120 individuals, including people involved in casting, dressing rooms, hair and makeup, production, publicity, and talent. And Hayes was able to access the NextOS 3.0 portal to make any needed changes.

Conan and Nextiva first worked together at New Yorks Beacon Theatre for a week-long broadcast in 2011. That was year a after Conan launched on TBS.
[August 22, 2017] Ameresco, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and BlueWave Solar Celebrate 6.9 MW Renewable Power and Community Solar Initiative

Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, along with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) and BlueWave Solar (BlueWave), today celebrated the launch of five recently completed Community Solar Projects with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Twin (News - Alert) Elm Farm in Mendon, MA. The solar arrays located in Hopedale and Mendon, three of which are located at Twin Elm Farm, comprise a total of approximately 6.9 megawatts (MW) of renewable power. Overall, the projects will increase the amount of power generated by community solar in Massachusetts by an estimated 13% and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 6,300 metric tons, the equivalent of taking 1,328 cars off the road. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170822006096/en/ Ameresco, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and BlueWave Solar celebrated the launch of five recently completed Community Solar Projects with a ribbon-cutting event at Twin Elm Farm in Mendon, MA. (Photo: Business Wire) The solar projects, owned by Ameresco, and co-developed by BlueWave, were supported through a long-term agreement with anchor-offtaker Blue Cross to purchase 2.6 MW of net metering credits to apply to its utility bills. Credits rom the projects will also allow nearly 200 residents and small businesses in the Blackstone Valley to lower their electricity costs and reduce carbon emissions.



"This project is a win-win for Blue Cross," said Jay McQuaide, SVP of Corporate Communications & Citizenship, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. "The cost savings will help us advance our mission of making quality health care affordable, and the environmental benefits align perfectly with our commitment to supporting renewable energy and helping our members live healthier lives." "Community Solar projects like these allow local citizens and businesses to benefit directly from the energy produced by these projects," said Michael T. Bakas, Senior Vice President, Ameresco. "We are honored to support Blue Cross, a leader in providing high-quality health care, in their efforts to positively impact the environment. Their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship is a model for all to follow."

"BlueWave is proud to have worked with Ameresco in developing the Mendon and Hopedale community solar projects. This is yet another example of the successful partnership between our two companies. As a result, these solar arrays will support Blue Cross' effort to secure long term electricity savings and support local, clean solar energy that helps reduce harmful GHG emissions and provides those same benefits to local residents and businesses," said Eric Graber-Lopez, President of BlueWave Solar. "We are also grateful for our partnership with the Varney Family. As the owners of the land that these projects are built on, the Varney Family has enabled the development of local, clean energy on their Twin Elm Farm while continuing to maintain active local farming." While exploring ideas on how to generate income on their 650+ acre farm in Mendon, the Varney Family took into consideration how the Town of Mendon and local residents viewed the farm and its defining landscape and a solar farm seemed to be the perfect fit. The farm landowner, Elizabeth A. Varney, President/Treasurer, Varney Properties added, "The solar farm allows us to generate income, maintain the beauty of our agricultural land for residents and helps the town increase their tax base, not to mention the positive impact it has on the environment." "The demand for solar has skyrocketed over the last several years," said Terry Sobolewski, Senior Vice President and Chief Consumer Officer at National Grid. "As customers continue to demand faster, cheaper access to cleaner energy, collaborations like the one we're celebrating today are imperative to offering innovative solutions." About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused tax-paying not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are the trusted health plan for more than 31500 Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million members first we are rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. About BlueWave Solar

BlueWave Solar ("BlueWave") is a renewable energy company founded on a mission to make solar available to everyone, everywhere. BlueWave's proprietary fintech platform delivers innovative, high-value products and services to its partners and customers, enabling communities and consumers to choose local, low-cost power. From developing high-quality solar projects that allow customers to participate in BlueWave Community Solar, to financing residential rooftop solar with the BlueWave Home Solar Loan, BlueWave empowers its partners and installers to deliver a seamless home solar solution. That's the BlueWave vision for a cleaner planet and our energy solution for the "100%." BlueWave is a Certified B Corporation and was recently recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal. Visit us at www.bluewavesolar.com to learn more. For more solar and BlueWave news follow us on social media. About Ameresco

Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC) is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions for businesses and organizations throughout North America and Europe. Ameresco's sustainability services include upgrades to a facility's energy infrastructure and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with Federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,000 employees providing local expertise in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170822006096/en/

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[August 22, 2017] UnitedHealthcare Donates 26 Bicycles to Rocky Mountain Prep Students

UnitedHealthcare donated 26 bicycles to students at Rocky Mountain Prep - Creekside Elementary School, a public elementary charter school. The bikes were assembled at Bike to Work Day 2017 in Civic Center Park at the UnitedHealthcare booth by UnitedHealthcare employee-volunteers and Bike to Work Day participants, with assistance from Wish for Wheels. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170822006208/en/ Denver Police Department Community Resource Officer Mike Borquez delivers bike safety tips to students at Rocky Mountain Prep. The kids received brand-new bicycles and helmets from UnitedHealthcare (Photo courtesy of UnitedHealthcare). The kids who received the bikes were selected from a pool of students in grades K-2 with perfect attendance during the first two weeks of the 2017-18 schoolyear. During the donation event, the 26 students were properly fitted for their new bikes and helmets, and received a safety demonstration from Denver Police Department Community Resource Officer Mike Borquez. This is the third year in a row that UnitedHealthcare has partnered with Wish for Wheels during Bike to Work Day to build and donate bikes to Denver-metro-area kids. About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping peopl nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter (News - Alert).



About Rocky Mountain Prep

Rocky Mountain Prep is an innovative, public elementary charter school network in the Denver-metro area. Our mission is to educate students in prekindergarten through fifth grade with the rigorous academic preparation, character development, and individualized support necessary to succeed in a four-year college and life. Rocky Mountain Prep scholars and staff work hard to uphold our core PEAK values - Perseverance, Excellence, Adventure, and Kindness - on a daily basis. On both the 2015 and 2016 PARCC assessment, Rocky Mountain Prep Creekside was the top-performing elementary school in Denver serving a majority of students from low-income households. For more information, visit http://rockymountainprep.org. About Wish for Wheels

Wish for Wheels is a Denver based nonprofit whose mission is to transform the lives of kids from low-income families, broadening their scope for personal growth and a healthy lifestyle through the gift of a new bicycle. We have given away over 16,000 new bikes and helmets mainly working with companies to do Team Builds, corporate philanthropy and positive social change. Wish for Wheels also has a kid2kid program and a Bike Team/Club. Visit https://wishforwheels.org/ to learn more.

Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for UnitedHealth Group. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170822006208/en/

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[August 22, 2017] Colorado BioScience Association, Senator Michael Bennet Host U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, for Life Science Industry Roundtable

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) and Senator Michael Bennet introduced the new U.S. FDA Commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, to Colorado's inventive life science sector today. CBSA and Senator Bennet co-hosted a roundtable discussion at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus covering topics including clinical trials, Breakthrough Therapy Designation, precision and regenerative medicine, the regulatory landscape for diagnostics, the digital health regulatory action plan, and the implementation of the 21st Century Cures and MEDTECH acts with the Commissioner, who was appointed in May. More than 60 of the state's life science innovators, including CEOs, academic leaders and researchers shared their views on progress and the future outlook for the industry in Colorado at this morning's roundtable discussion, held at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. April Giles, President and CEO of CBSA says:

"It's an honor for CBSA to co-host Dr. Gottlieb with Senator Bennet and introduce him to the dynamic industry leaders in our state. His visit to Colorado highlights our state's pioneering role in developing new cures and solving health care challenges. We also appreciate Senator Bennet's leadership and the strong partnership hes built with the FDA."



Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado says:

"Colorado is home to one of the fastest growing bioscience sectors, leading the way on life-changing research and development. Dr. Gottlieb's visit was an opportunity for researchers and innovators to engage with the FDA's leading voice in Washington. We look forward to continuing our work together to ensure lifesaving treatments make it to patients quickly and safely." Don Elliman, Chancellor, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus says:

"We're happy to host Senator Bennet and Commissioner Gottlieb at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, where we are pioneering bioscience collaboration every day. The evolving health care landscape requires new models for innovation, and CU Anschutz is creating them. On our campus, the collaboration of the bioscience industry with our researchers and clinicians enables concepts to move from the research stage into practice, yielding breakthroughs in bioscience and real-world impacts on health care."

Participants in the roundtable represented the state's thriving life science sector, with more than 720 companies and institutions that support 159,000 bioscience-related jobs. CBSA members taking part in today's discussion highlighted diversity and innovation in CBSA's 350-strong member base. The Anschutz Medical Campus and adjoining Fitzsimons Innovation Campus Bioscience Park Center are home to several of the state's leading life science companies, research hospitals and institutions. The Anschutz Campus is recognized as one of the nation's leading medical complexes. About the Colorado BioScience Association Colorado BioScience Association champions life science. We serve as the hub of Colorado's thriving bioscience sector by connecting innovators to funding, infrastructure, research and talent. From promising young companies to established corporations and institutions, we provide opportunities for networking, education and professional development. We grow the bioscience workforce and lead business expansion policies to advance the industry in our state. CBSA represents more than 350 member organizations, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic, ag bio and mobile digital health companies, research and academic institutions and service providers. Learn more about us at http://www.cobioscience.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170822006213/en/

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[August 22, 2017] Money20/20 Asia invites attendees to their India Roadshow

MUMBAI, India, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Money20/20 Asia is proud to announce its roadshow series, kicking off in Mumbai this week on August 24th and Bengaluru on August 26th. Partnering with the Rise Mumbai open innovation programme and 91springboard co-working space, the Money20/20 India roadshow aims to engage with and learn from the Indian FinTech ecosystem in advance of the inaugural Money20/20 Asia conference - to be held in Singapore, March 13-15th, 2018. Money20/20 is viewed globally as the leading event series for innovators in payments and financial services, bringing together communities to connect and create the future of money. From banks, tech companies and retailers to payments providers, telcos, startups, investors and governments -- Money20/20 is the global meeting place for the FinTech industry. In Singapore next March, Money20/20 Asia will recognise the defining influence of the pan-Asian FinTech industry and the important role of India within this community. Confirmed speakers for Money20/20 Asia include: Bipin Preet Singh , Founder and CEO, Mobikwik

, Founder and CEO, Mobikwik Samir Bhatia , Founder and CEO, SMEcorner.com

, Founder and CEO, SMEcorner.com Cheng Li, CTO, Ant Financial Services Group

Greg Gibb , Co-Chairman & CEO, Lufax

, Co-Chairman & CEO, Lufax Jonathan Larsen , CIO, Ping An Group & Chairman, CEO, Ping An Global Voyager Fund

, CIO, Ping An Group & Chairman, CEO, Ping An Global Voyager Fund Karla Allen , Senior Director Mobile Payments, Walmart

, Senior Director Mobile Payments, Walmart Makoto Shibata , Head of Global Innovation Team, Digital Transformation Division, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.

, Head of Global Innovation Team, Digital Transformation Division, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. Oskar Mielczarek de la Miel , Managing Partner, Rakuten Capital

, Managing Partner, Rakuten Capital Pranav Seth , Senior Vice President, Head of E-business, Business Transformation, & Fintech & Innovation Group, OCBC Group

, Senior Vice President, Head of E-business, Business Transformation, & Fintech & Innovation Group, OCBC Group Spencer Spinnell , Director, Emerging Platforms, Google, Inc.

, Director, Emerging Platforms, Google, Inc. Thomas Ko , Global Co-GM, Samsung Pay "Money20/20 Asia will curate world class content, with a pan-Asian focus, for a global audience of senior industry players," explained Pratik (Pat) Patel, Content Director, Money20/20 Asia. "We see some of the principal forces in the FinTech industry coming out of India and are delighted to shine a spotlight on the unique dynmics that are fuelling innovation, both across India and the rest of the world. The roadshow we are hosting in India ahead of Money20/20 Asia next March will play an integral role in the design of our content agenda as it enables us to engage with the brightest minds and rising stars in Indian FinTech."



"Money20/20 is the leading international brand for FinTech events," said Jitendra Gupta, founder of Citrus Pay which was acquired by PayU last year. "Its profile attracts influential attendees, and will showcase innovations happening in the fast changing Indian FinTech space." Topics for discussion at the India roadshow will centre on 'Next Gen Payments' (Mumbai) and 'Game of Payments' (Bengaluru). Attendees at the evening events, which start at 5:30pm, can look forward to speakers from PayPal, PayU, fonePaisa, ZestMoney and Quona Capital. There is also the chance to win a free ticket to Money20/20 Asia, as well as drinks reception and networking.

The highly anticipated conference bases its activities around collaboration with local FinTech communities. "Holding roadshows in Mumbai and Bengaluru ahead of the inaugural Money20/20 Asia next March reflects both cities' growing international profiles," said Amit Goel, Co-Founder & Managing Director at LTP - Let's Talk Payments, a global FinTech insights platform. "It is heartening to see our industry hubs recognised for their leadership." Notes to Editor: Event details: Mumbai , 5:30pm , Thursday August 24th , RISE Mumbai (#1902, 19th floor - Tower B, Peninsula Business Park, Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai , Maharashtra 400013)

, , , RISE Mumbai (#1902, 19th floor - Tower B, Peninsula Business Park, Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel, , Maharashtra 400013) Bengaluru, 5:30pm , Saturday August 26th , 91 Springboard (2, 3rd Floor, Padmavati Complex, Nanjappa Reddy Layout, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560095) Mumbai speakers: Sanjeev Chandak , Co-Founder & CEO at FTcash

, Co-Founder & CEO at FTcash Jitendra Gupta , Founder at Citrus Pay & Managing Director at PayU India for quote

, Founder at Citrus Pay & Managing Director at PayU India for quote Nath Parameshwaran , Director of Corporate Affairs at PayPal India

, Director of Corporate Affairs at PayPal India Ajay Ramasubramaniam , Director at Zone Startups/ India

, Director at Zone Startups/ Arvind Subramanian , VP, Business strategy at Barclays India Bengaluru speakers: Ritesh Kumar Agarwal , Founder-CEO at fonePaisa Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd

, Founder-CEO at fonePaisa Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd Lizzie Chapman , Co-Founder & CEO at ZestMoney

, Co-Founder & CEO at ZestMoney Amit Goel , Co-Founder & Managing Director at LTP - Let's Talk Payments for quote

, Co-Founder & Managing Director at LTP - Let's Talk Payments for quote Pranay Gupta , Co-Founder at 91springboard

, Co-Founder at 91springboard Pradeep Kumar , Head of Ecosystem & Outreach at PayPal

, Head of Ecosystem & Outreach at PayPal Nikhil Kumar , Head of Developer Ecosystem at India Stack

, Head of Developer Ecosystem at India Stack Varun Malhotra , Vice President at Quona Capital About Money20/20: Founded in 2011 and acquired by Ascential plc in 2014, Money20/20 creates destination events where the most innovative people in payments, FinTech and the broader financial services industry connect. Famed for their high-impact networking, the Las Vegas (October) and Copenhagen (June) editions are widely considered unmissable by the industry they serve. The new Asian edition will debut in Singapore in March 2018. Money20/20 is the space where the industry's smartest visionaries and innovators come together to create the future of money. Money20/20 is an Ascential event. www.money2020.com About Ascential plc: Ascential is a global business-to-business information company that informs and connects the business world in 150 countries through market-leading Exhibitions & Festivals and Information Services. Ascential powers the prestigious Cannes Lions festival for the branded communications industry, the world's premier payments and financial services congress Money20/20, Spring Fair/Autumn Fair, the global fashion trend forecasting service WGSN, environmental risk data business Groundsure, e-commerce analytics provider One Click Retail and MediaLink, the strategic advisory and business services firm. Ascential's premium products enable focus, growth and value. The company provides customers with world class content and connections empowering their businesses to be the best informed and best connected. www.ascential.com. Media Contact: Hannah Redfern

Event Director, Money20/20 Asia

+44 (0)203 033 2406

+44(0)7715 872 197

[email protected]

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[August 23, 2017] Clementine Wear Wins the 2017 National Science Foundation's Hearables Challenge

BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark Kaal, CEO of Samplified Audio, today announced that his company won the 2017 National Science Foundation's Hearables Challenge with their solution called Clementine Wear. The Hearables Challenge was announced in April 2017 with the goal to find innovative solutions to understanding speech in noisy situations that can be implemented in consumer audio products, such as hearables and wearables. The submissions were judged by a panel of experts from the National Science Foundation, NineSigma and NASA with support from the Linguistic Data Consortium of the University of Pennsylvania. Entries were judged on their speech-in-noise handling, latency (audio delay) and the technology's application potential to consumer grade devices. The cloud/mobile based Clementine Wear Audio platform will be officially presented to the world at the UbiComp 2017 conference on Maui, Hawaii on Sept. 14, 2017. The first product developed by Samplified Audio, called the SnowOwl, with the award-winning Clementine Wear inside, will be launched on crowdfunding platform Indiegogo on Sept. 6, 2017. This product is suitable for anybody interested in listening to personalized audio. In other words, sound entering the ears that matches an individual's hearing profile, which is almost as unique as a fingerprint. The SnowOwl is not just for listening to personalized audio from a music player; it also can serve as a listening device. Sound amplified where it needs to be and noise canceled or noise filtered from the direction you don't want it from. The SnowOwl is supported by the Clementine Wear app for iOS and Android smartphones. The use of hearables and audio wearables by people experiencing mild-to-moderate hearing loss isexpected to grow substantially now that President Trump signed the new Over-The-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Law on Aug. 18, 2017.



ABOUT SAMPLIFIED AUDIO The developer of Clementine Wear is Samplified Audio, a mini-national company that brought together a wealth of experience in audiology, (wireless) audio engineering, (embedded) software development, hearing product design, manufacturing and distribution. Samplified was originally founded in Toronto by hearing industry veterans Mario Augustyniak and Mark Kaal, and expanded to Belgium and the Netherlands. More recently an office was opened in Boulder, Colorado and Samplified is preparing the opening of an office in Hong Kong.

Samplified CEO, Mark Kaal: "We expect two to three manufacturers of hearing aids and wireless consumer audio products to announce products with Clementine Wear Inside within the next 60 days. We initially have a strong focus on Asian manufacturers, but interest levels in the U.S. and EU markets are strong as well, especially now the OTC Hearing Aid Law is official. To effectively deal with the growing supply and demand, we have started to plan for the scale up of the company in the next 6-9 months." Christopher Schweitzer, Ph.D. (Audiology), Hearables Challenge Project leader: "After we completed all the formal requirements for the Challenge with normal hearing subjects, the team wanted to push further. So we added a small number of additional subjects with mild to moderate hearing loss for additional testing. We were pleased to see that all scored improvement with Clementine Wear processing. We were delighted." Media Contact

Mr. Mark Kaal

Phone: (+31) 6 26 03 29 72

Email: [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg image4.jpg Related Links NSF Hearables Challenge Clementine Wear Indiegogo landing page Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjX8db5PC6k View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clementine-wear-wins-the-2017-national-science-foundations-hearables-challenge-300507983.html SOURCE Clementine Wear

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[August 23, 2017] Arise Virtual Solutions Inc. Distributes Back to School Supplies to Miramar, Florida Schools

MIRAMAR, Fla., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Arise Virtual Solutions Inc., the award-winning leader in on-demand customer contact technology and business process outsourcing (BPO), recently donated more than $7,500 in back to school supplies for underserved children in the South Florida area. The third annual Fill-A-Backpack Drive, organized by the Arise Community Action Team, increased its reach by 184% since it began in 2015. This year's effort produced 307 backpacks filled with school supplies, with additional loose supplies to be donated directly to the schools. Arise worked with three schools in Miramar, where the company is headquartered  Sea Castle Elementary, Sunshine Elementary, and Miramar Elementary. The initiative also contributed generously to the Broward Partnership for the Homeless and the Miami Children's Initiative. The National Retail Federation estimates that back-to-school supplies may cost a family up to $443. Many low-income families cannot afford the necessary supplies to educate their children, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. The backpacks and supplies enabled South Florida students to return to school prepared. "We are proud to support this initiative for the 3rd consecutive year. Providing school supplies and backpacks to help students in our community feel prepared for their school year is consistent with our mission  Changing the way the world works. We are changing the world, one backpack at a time!" said Emily Hofer, Chief Human Resources officer at rise. "These students deserve every opportunity for success and Arise employees are thrilled to partner with Harvest Drive Florida to provide support where we can."



The Community Action Team pulls Arise employees together to raise thousands of dollars for local, national, and international organizations serving a variety of critical needs in health and family wellness, disaster relief, and suicide prevention, among many others. The majority of Arise's employee base resides in the Broward and Miami Dade areas, and the activities of this team nurture their connection to the area in which they live and work. "Stuffing markers and notebooks in backpacks reminded me of my own days in elementary school and the joy of fresh, new supplies at the beginning of the school year," said Kim Thompson, an Arise employee. "I thank Arise and our Community Action Team for organizing this great event that benefits so many. What a great way to also build a sense of internal pride and accomplishment as a group!"

Arise makes its presence felt in the community in many ways and takes pride in being a good corporate citizen dedicated to improving lives through service. "I'd like to thank all of the Arise employees who made the third Fill-A-Backpack Drive such a great success with their generosity. They put in time, they made donations, and exhibited great company spirit," said Karen Thompson, an Arise employee who is a member of the Community Action Team. "There's very little that compares with seeing the faces of the children when they receive these backpacks." About Arise Virtual Solutions Inc: Arise is a pioneer of on-demand customer contact technology and business process outsourcing. Our powerful cloud-based platform provides a virtual nationwide network to connect primarily work-at-home service professionals running small call center businesses to companies needing contact center and other business services. Built to scale, the Arise platform makes the way for a superior customer experience for innovative enterprises from startups to Fortune 500. To learn more about Arise Virtual Solutions Inc., please visit http://www.arise.com. Contact Info: Doug Vinson, Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

Arise Virtual Solutions Inc.

[email protected] | Toll free: 855-274-7301 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arise-virtual-solutions-inc-distributes-back-to-school-supplies-to-miramar-florida-schools-300507912.html SOURCE Arise Virtual Solutions Inc.

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[August 23, 2017] Zoho and MariApps Partner to Bring Human Capital Management to Maritime Sector

Zoho (News - Alert) and MariApps Marine Solutions, a leading provider of digital solutions to the marine industry, announced today that they have partnered to bring human resources automation to the marine sector by integrating Zoho People, an HR management tool by Zoho, with MariApps' PAL ERP solutions. Zoho People will be implemented by the Bernhard Schulte group of companies by MariApps and Zoho jointly. "Our focus was always to enhance our flagship product PAL ERP, tailored to the marine industry. Zoho People brings its vast experience in HR solutions that will be integrated with our PAL ERP, as we continue to focus on providing a comprehensive solution to the marine industry. We had specific needs from our customers for human capital management modules, and we found Zoho People was the perfect tool for us that could be customized and integrated with PAL ERP," said Sankar Ragavan, CEO MariApps. "I foresee a strong partnership between our organizations, working with several other products Zoho has developed in the areas of customer support, development platform, project planning and digital office, and a bright, mutually beneficial future for both companies." MariApps customers will now have access to a complete online HR management software, along with the suite of maritime enterprise solutions. The users will be able to manage personnel records, workforce scheduling, training administration, and leave accounting, as well as generate travel requests and more. "Today, the challenge for the employers is to serve their employees, wherever they are. Employees expect instant personalized service from their employer," said Raja Ramasamy, product manager of Zoho People. "Zoho People will help the marine community to streamline HR service delivery processes, create an HR help desk, equip HR reps with a 360-degree employee view, and even empower employees with a self-service community." Zoho People will help streamline HR processes for the cruise and shipping industry Zoho People focuses on creating a better workplace by making the HR department focus on more strategic work rather than administrative tasks. Highlights include: Employeedatabase management to centralize control

Performance management to automate reviews

Onboarding and exit management to ensure smooth transitions

Roster management to mitigate the hassles of shift rotations and notifications

Expense management speeding up expense processing



Pricing and Availability Zoho People will be available immediately to users of PAL ERP. Learn more about the different editions of Zoho People and PAL ERP modules. Zoho People is free for up to five users. Paid (News - Alert) plans begin at $9/month for the Startup Edition, increase to $99/month for the Premium Edition, and $199/month for the fully-featured Enterprise Edition.

For more information on Zoho People, please visit www.zoho.com/people About Zoho Zoho is the operating system for business-a single platform with all the applications needed to run a business entirely from the cloud. Businesses can acquire and manage customers using Zoho's marketing, sales and customer support applications like Campaigns, CRM and Desk; empower employees to create, store and distribute content on the cloud with Zoho's productivity and collaboration applications like Office, Mail and Docs. Businesses can run their own operations on Zoho's finance and HR applications like Books, People, and Recruit. More than 30 million users around the world, across hundreds of thousands of companies, rely on Zoho every day to run their businesses-including Zoho itself. Each business can choose to run the entire Zoho suite or just a single application. Zoho applications are available directly through zoho.com, or through an ecosystem of hundreds of worldwide Zoho partners. Zoho is a division of Zoho Corp., a privately held and consistently profitable company with more than 5,000 employees. Zoho is headquartered in Pleasanton, California, with international headquarters in Chennai, India, and offices in Austin, Texas; London, U.K.; Yokohama, Japan; and Beijing, China. For more information, please visit https://www.zoho.com/. About MariApps MariApps, a subsidiary of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement is a Singapore based company offering state of the art maritime enterprise solutions for the marine industry. It is a pioneer in web based ship management ERP. The ERP covers all modules like Crewing, Payroll, PMS, Purchase, Accounts, Catering, Voyage, Dry Dock, QDMS, Insurance to name a few. It is a web based system which can operate in all browsers and in all platforms like mobile, tablet and desktop. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170823005359/en/

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[August 23, 2017] Physicians' Education Resource To Host Three Satellite Symposia During the Annual American Society of Hematology's Meeting & Exposition

Physicians' Education Resource (PER) will conduct three CME-Accredited Satellite Symposia during the American Society of Hematology's 59th Annual Meeting & Exposition (ASH) to be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on Dec. 8. The programs will focus on some of the most pressing issues in hematology. In addition, an internationally renowned expert faculty will be on-site to discuss the latest data and innovations coming out of the annual hematology conference. "We are thrilled to host the upcoming satellite symposia, which encompass some of the most important topics that will be discussed during this year's American Society of Hematology's annual meeting. The three unique programs offered will help familiarize medical professionals with emerging treatments and research in hematology," said Phil Talamo, president of PER. The PER satellite symposia are as follows: Current Status and the Future Potential of CAR T-Cell Therapy for Lymphoid Malignancies: The Experts Weigh In on Recent Data and Clinical Experience , will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. David Maloney, M.D., Ph.D., event chair and professor of medicine, Division of Oncology at the University of Washington, will discuss key topics including scientific principles underlying the use of CAR T cells in cancer therapy, current applications of CAR T-cell lymphoid malignancies, and proactive methods to mitigate and manage adverse events. To register, click gotoper.com/go/ASH17CART.

will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. event chair and professor of medicine, Division of Oncology at the University of Washington, will discuss key topics including scientific principles underlying the use of CAR T cells in cancer therapy, current applications of CAR T-cell lymphoid malignancies, and proactive methods to mitigate and manage adverse events. To register, click gotoper.com/go/ASH17CART. Addressing Post-Transplant Obstacles: Current and Emerging Strategies to Evolve the Standard of Care for Patients with GvHD, will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The symposia will be chaired by John F. DiPersio, M.D., Ph.D. , deputy director of Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine . This event with highlight topics such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) pathogenesis and the evidence that informs best clinical practices to manage GvHD, review current and prophylactic treatment regimens for GvHD, and review current and prophylactic treatment regimens for GvHD. To register, click gotoper.com/go/ASH17GvHD.

will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The symposia will be chaired by , deputy director of Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine This event with highlight topics such as graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) pathogenesis and the evidence that informs best clinical practices to manage GvHD, review current and prophylactic treatment regimens for GvHD, and review current and prophylactic treatment regimens for GvHD. To register, click gotoper.com/go/ASH17GvHD. Evaluating the Emerging Role of Biosimilar Agents for the Treatment of Hematologic Malignancies will take place from 7-10 p.m. and will be chaired by Edward Li, PharmD MOH, BCOP, professor in Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of New England College of Pharmacy. He will offer insight on topics including regulatory process associated with the approval of biosimilars by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with current and emerging efficacy and safety data for biosimilar agents for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. To register, click gotoper.com/go/ASH17BIOSIM.



About PER: Since 1995, PER has been the leading provider of live, online and print CME activities focusing on oncology and hematology by providing high-quality, evidence-based activities featuring leading experts who focus on the application of practice-changing advances. In 2017, PER will develop and implement 21 historic annual legacy conferences in the Unites States and Europe, along with many world-renowned online learning formats. PER is also the publisher of the monthly peer-reviewed American Journal of Hematology/Oncology, is accredited by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the California Board of Registered Nursing and is part of the Cranbury, New Jersey-based Michael J. Hennessy Associates, Inc. family of businesses. Learn more at www.gotoper.com and www.mjhassoc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170823005596/en/

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[August 23, 2017] Hacknowledge, a Leading Provider of a Cybersecurity Monitoring Solution, Launches North American Subsidiary

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hacknowledge, a leading provider of a cybersecurity monitoring solution, launches a North American Subsidiary. Founded in Switzerland, Hacknowledge quickly became a leader in the Managed Detection and Response Services space. Hacknowledge simplifies the complexity of cybersecurity threat detection and response through its world-class VISION Cyber Management solution. VISION is comprised of cutting-edge sensors, IDS, SIEM, and sandbox technology working in conjunction with enterprise-level security monitoring and response engineers. Prior to starting Hacknowledge, our founders spent more than a decade working as ethical hackers for some of the largest organizations in Europe doing penetration testing, security consulting, and incident response. Their deep passion for IT security has guided the ethos of the company. Our founders believe that fear, money, and unprincipled vendors have corrupted the security industry. This has pushed customers to invest in new technology they sometimes do not need. Hacknowledge was founded under the principle that security should not be driven by fear. Security should be a matter of trust and honesty. That is why VISION solution contains everything that a customer needs to monitor its network. With a successful track record and double-digit growth n Europe since its inception, Hacknowledge is now ready to bring their solution to North America.



"Hacknowledge is thrilled to bring our solution to North America and showcase our capabilities in cybersecurity," says Paul Such, founder of Hacknowledge. "We fortify your logs with strong indicators of compromise generated by our custom sensors. These sensors give our engineers the visibility needed to assess network anomalies, track trends and detect threats. Each alert is validated and analyzed by our security experts before being sent to you, allowing your company to focus on your business." About Hacknowledge

Hacknowledge offers a security monitoring solution that helps clients detect and respond to security breaches. Its service is built on experience and intelligence gained from more than a decade of penetration tests and mitigating advanced threats. Hacknowledge's VISION Cyber Management solution is fully developed in-house by its Swiss development team. Press and Media Inquiries Jamie Lohrungruang

[email protected]

1201 Dove Street, Suite 300

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Tel: 833-777-8700 ext: 501 Related Images image1.jpeg image2.png image3.png image4.jpeg Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9aNZqonO04 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hacknowledge-a-leading-provider-of-a-cybersecurity-monitoring-solution-launches-north-american-subsidiary-300508303.html SOURCE Hacknowledge

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[August 23, 2017] University of Illinois to Host Health Communication Conference

URBANA, Ill., Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Illinois' Health Communication Online Master of Science (HCOM) program will host the second annual, 100 percent online conference, titled: Health Communication Barriers, Breakthroughs, and Best Practices (HCB3), February 28, March 1 and March 2, 2018, and has issued a call for presentations from academics and professionals engaged in health communication. In addition to presentations exploring current best practices, barriers and breakthroughs within the health communication field, the conference will feature three widely acclaimed keynote speakers with expertise in these topics as they relate to the conference theme. The conference will be appropriate for professionals in many areas of healthcare, particularly those with an interest in the intersections between technology and patient experiences health literacy, provider-patient communication, cultural health communication, e-health accessibility, and application of theory to real-world practice.



"Technology is shaping the future of how professionals in healthcare communicate with each other and provide service to the public. We have seen enormous benefits to recent advances in e-health, but there are also many challenges that inhibit productivity, successful communication, and ultimately, patient care," explained John Lammers, Department of Communication Program Director. "The goal of this HCB3 conference is to generate discussion to identify which electronically mediated communication strategies and tools enhance the healthcare experience, and which barriers we still have yet to overcome. We hope to unite a community of the great academic and professional minds of our time to solve the problems that currently exist, and help shape the ways that technology and health communication evolve in the years ahead." The open call for presentations invites participation from educators, graduate students, postdoctoral students, researchers, and professionals of all healthcare fields to submit presentations for this conference. As HCB3 will be online and asynchronous, a wide variety of presentation modes (video, PowerPoint presentations and Prezi) are encouraged to create a dynamic and interactive conference community. Prospective authors may submit their presentations via electronic submission process for consideration, beginning November 15, 2017. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out by December 1, 2017.

During the conference, each presentation will be rated by conference attendees and an award will be given to the top 10 best presentations (determined by number of views and average rating). About the HCB3 Sponsor: The HCOM Program

The Health Communication Online Master of Science (HCOM) program provides a unique perspective and approach to health communication, recognizing that health outcomes depend significantly on communication processes. The HCOM program is asynchronous and offered 100 percent online with a comprehensive, interdisciplinary mix of health communication specializations including interpersonal, family, organizational, socially mediated, and cultural communication. These specializations appeal to interests in a wide variety of professional healthcare fields, including medicine, nursing, pharmaceuticals, public health, healthcare administration, and patient advocacy. The pace of the program accommodates the lifestyle of the working professional, enabling students to advance their expertise and education without sacrificing work or home life. Media Contact:

Karen Bollinger

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

Director of Marketing and Strategic Communication

[email protected]

217-265-0264 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/university-of-illinois-to-host-health-communication-conference-300507905.html SOURCE University of Illinois

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[August 23, 2017] IMPORTANT INVESTOR ALERT: Lundin Law PC Announces Securities Class Action Lawsuit against Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. and Encourages Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm

Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit against Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. ("Blue Apron" or the "Company") (NYSE: APRN) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws in connection with its initial public offering (the "IPO"). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares pursuant or traceable to the IPO, should contact the firm prior to the October 16, 2017 lead plaintiff motion deadline. To participate in this class action lawsuit, click here.



You can also call Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or you can e-mail him at [email protected]. No class has been certified in the above action yet. Until a class is certified, you are not considered represented by an attorney. You may also choose to do nothing and be an absent class member.

According to the Complaint, the Registration Statement filed in connection with the IPO failed to disclose that: Blue Apron decided to significantly reduce spending on advertising in Q2 2017, hurting sales and profit margins in future quarters; that the Company was experiencing difficulty with customer retention due to orders not arriving on time or with all expected ingredients; and that the Company was experiencing delayed orders in Q2 2017 related to its new factory in Linden, New Jersey. Since the IPO, Blue Apron's stock price has fallen materially, which caused investors harm according to the Complaint. Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, Esquire, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders' rights. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170823005755/en/

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[August 23, 2017] Industrial Dust Collectors Market - Drivers and Forecasts by Technavio

Technavio analysts forecast the global industrial dust collectors market to grow at a CAGR of more than 5% during the forecast period, according to their latest report. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170823005548/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the global industrial dust collectors market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) The research study covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global industrial dust collectors market for 2017-2021. The market is segmented based on end-user, which includes pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and power. The major demand for dust collectors is expected to arise from growth in capacity in the pharmaceuticals industry. The growth in the manufacturing sector, which consists of key end-users, is a major contributor to the global industrial dust collectors market. The growth in the manufacturing sector is expected to increase the demand for power. This growth will subsequently drive other processing industries, such as chemical, mineral and ore, and oil and gas, thereby attracting investment toward these industries. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free. Technavio heavy industry research analysts highlight the following three factors that are contributing to the growth of the global industrial dust collectors market: Increasing global economic activity

Augmentation of coal capacities in APAC

Growing packaged food retail industry Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report



Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Increasing global economic activity

Economic growth plays a vital role in the prosperity of a nation. The growth in the economic activity of any country brings with it challenges, such as acidic emissions and pollution. Greater economic activity is supported by increased industrial manufacturing and infrastructure development, which also result in the emission of dust and other gases, such as SO2, NOx, and NH3. Gaurav Mohindru, a lead tools and components research analyst at Technavio, says, "Rising population, coupled with rapid economic growth globally, is expected to increase the demand for energy. Emerging economies accounted for 97% of the global growth in demand for electricity. Despite its decreased consumption, China recorded the largest increase in primary energy consumption worldwide. The growth in electricity demand will result in increasing number of coal power plants, thus adding to the demand for the global industrial dust collectors market." Augmentation of coal capacities in APAC Among fossil fuels, coal is the most widely used fuel in power plants. Coal is also the most readily available fuel in most developing and developed nations. Other benefits of using coal as a fuel include reliability, affordability, safety, and efficiency. The most important driver for the use of coal is reliability as coal can provide power during peak power demand, either as base load or off-peak power. "Coal is not expensive to mine and extract. Consequently, its price remains lower than other fuel sources. The market prospect for coal power plants is expected to remain strong during the forecast period, owing to benefits of coal as fuel. Also, the demand for power generation using coal is expected to witness a steady growth in the developing region of APAC," adds Gaurav. Growing packaged food retail industry The food and beverage industry has twice as many combustible dust-related fire and explosions when compared with other end-user industries, and a dust collector is used to protect the health and safety of workers and consumers. The changing trends in consumer preferences, such as the growing demand for frozen, ready-to-cook, and snacking food products, are creating the demand for dust collectors used in the food industry. Moreover, niche markets, such as sweet and savory, gourmet food, organic, and natural product sectors, also require preservation. Top vendors: American Air Filter Company

Camfil APC (News - Alert)

Donaldson Company

Nederman Holding AB Browse Related Reports: Global Non-metallic Expansion Joints Market 2017-2021

Global HVAC Test Instruments Market 2017-2021

Global Couplings Market 2017-2021 About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170823005548/en/

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[August 23, 2017] A.M. BestTV: How Hurricane Andrew Wrecked and Rebuilt an Industry

This special episode of A.M.BestTV examines how Hurricane Andrew swept through the insurance industry, leaving a path of failures, overturned assumptions and gave the industry a new respect for next-generation underwriting. Click on http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=andrew817 to view the entire program. Hurricane Andrew took place on Aug. 24, 1992, and was the most destructive hurricane in Florida's history. It destroyed 63,000 homes, damaged more than 100,000 throughout Florida and left roughly 175,000 homeless. "It changed how property/casualty is dealt with in the United States, forever," said Mark Bove, senior research meteorologist, Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. "The insured loss to the insurance industry was about $16.5 billion, $15 billion in Florida and $1.5 billion in Louisiana. An estimated 11 companies went insolvent due to their accumulations of exposure, and another 30 companies lost 25% of their policyholders' surplus." John Andre, managing director, A.M. Best highlighted some of the changes that have occurred in the industry since Hurricane Andrew. "It introduced into the industry hurricane deductibles, which did not exist prior to Andrew, and it really pushed the industry into the 21st century. It created risk management strategies and has made the industry sharper." The episode also looks at how new reinsurance companies formed due to the hurricane, as well as the expanded use of catastrophe models since the event. A.M. Best rates many insurance organizations serving the Florida market. A.M. Best believes that those insurers that hold an A.M. Best rating possess the financial strength to honor policyholders' claims. Other people that appear in this episode: Robert Reynolds, president and chief executive officer, Morris & Reynolds Insurance;

Patrick Murphy (News - Alert), former house representative, Florida;

Jay Neal, president and chief executive officer, Florida Association of Insurance Refrm;

Robert Newbold, executive vice president, AIR Worldwide;

Karen Clark, president and chief executive officer, Karen Clark and Company; and

A. Morris Tooker, executive vice president, middle market, The Hartford.



A.M.BestTV include: Mergers & Acquisitions Narrow the Ranks of London-Centric Insurers, Says A.M. Best Senior Director : Catherine Thomas, senior director, analytics, A.M. Best, discusses hot-button issues impacting the U.K. insurance market, including mergers and acquisitions by insurers from Japan and elsewhere: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=ukmarket817.

: Catherine Thomas, senior director, analytics, A.M. Best, discusses hot-button issues impacting the U.K. insurance market, including mergers and acquisitions by insurers from Japan and elsewhere: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=ukmarket817. Captive Executives Say It's About Risk Management, Not Pricing : At the VCIA conference, panelists say their insureds focus on service, support and claims handling, which helps keep business flowing despite competitive pricing in the traditional market: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=vcia4817.

: At the VCIA conference, panelists say their insureds focus on service, support and claims handling, which helps keep business flowing despite competitive pricing in the traditional market: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=vcia4817. Captives, Known for Their Uniqueness, Find Ways to Benchmark Themselves : At the VCIA conference, a panel of captive experts assesses the growing range of tools and strategies that captives use to measure themselves: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=vcia3817.

: At the VCIA conference, a panel of captive experts assesses the growing range of tools and strategies that captives use to measure themselves: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=vcia3817. Vermont and Washington D.C. Regulators Describe Handling Risk Retention Group Failures: At the VCIA conference, two insurance industry regulators discuss their handling of risk retention group failures, as well as what issues arise in the oversight of agency captives: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=vcia1817. A.M.BestTV covers exclusive A.M. Best information and reports, targeted topics and key developments in the (re)insurance industry every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Sign up for alerts of episodes at http://www.ambest.com/multimedia/ambtvsignup.html. View A.M.BestTV episodes at http://www.ambest.tv.

A.M. Best is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright  2017 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170823006029/en/

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BNL girls thump Mitchell at The Hive

Bedford North Lawrence defeated Mitchell 78-20 at the Hive on Saturday evening. The win moved the Stars to 3-0 on the season.
The Latest: Kevin Yoder at Olathe town hall says he wants to fix private health market OLATHE - The Latest on Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder's town hall meeting. (all times local): 7:40 p.m. Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder says he wants to fix broken private health insurance markets rather than moving the U.S. toward expanded government health coverage. Yoder also called for greater bipartisanship in Congress during a town hall meeting Tuesday night.

Review of last night's festivities and a suburban politico hoping reason and insight into controversial legislation will appease critics seeking to turn the district blue by any means necessary. Checkit:
Breaking News LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. (AP) - Police in suburban Kansas City are on the hunt for a man accused of stealing a TV while wearing a T-shirt with the phrase "I'm Broke Baby" on it. The Lee's Summit Police Department says on its Facebook page Monday that "yes, we realize his shirt is ironic!"
Marriage Markets: How Inequality is Remaking the American Family In a discussion of her book Marriage Markets, the University of Minnesota's June Carbone - a former law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City - examines the role of our country's growing fiscal inequality in reshaping American families. The event marks Women' Equality Week.

An important talk tonight offers an examination of real life social engineering by way the corporate economy as partisan creeps slapfight over culture war crumbs to the delight of the mostly clueless mobs. Checkit:
Clay Chastain: The time has arrived to recall Sly James.

The timing of the recall will coincide with whenever Sly James and the City place their new single-terminal airport proposal before the voters.

There comes a time when you must put up or shut up. After years of watching valid petitions form the people being abused by Kansas City's iron-fisted Mayor, Sly James, that time has arrived for me. Thus, the time has arrived to recall Sly James.In 2015, James and the government deliberately placed before voters fraudulent, empty and meaningless ballot language that did not even tell the voters they were voting on a detailed petition proposal for light rail. Would you vote in favor of a $1.5 billion transit plan that did not even tell you what kind of transit system you were voting for??? Naturally, it failed.On August 8, 2017, James and the government deliberately placed before voters, yet again, fraudulent, vague and misleading ballot language that did not reflect the "substance" of a detailed petition proposal signed in support of by thousands of Kansas City voters. Would you vote for a $1.2 billion rail proposal that did not even tell you where the rail lines would be going??? Naturally, it failed.The City claimed the petition ballot language too long (L. Horsley Star 8 / 11 ) and that it had to "draft ballot language to make it comprehensible to voters."In its "original form" the ballot language for the $1.2 billion mass transit proposal from the people wasown $650 million transit plan (a few years ago) that wasAnd, how "comprehensible" was the City's corrupt ballot language (Ballot Question #2) thatconcerning a $1.2 billion rail initiative?It needs to be known, that I officially asked the City (well before the election) to place Ballot Question #2 before voters in its "original form," as they are required to do according to City Charter law. James refused. Since the fraudulent election, I have called upon James and the City to re-submit Ballot Question #2 to the voters (in November) in its "original form," and all will be forgotten. Once again, James has refused.The Kansas City Star's guest editorial writer, Steve Rose, said (Star 7 / 17 / 2017) most people he interviewedI do not seek to pull away from my life to under take this serious and controversial action to recall a sitting mayor for his direct role in conducting fraudulent light rail petition elections in Kansas City. However, I see it as my moral duty to not only stand up for the integrity of Kansas City Elections, but also to stand up against the abuse and subversion of the democratic petition initiative process by Mayor Sly James and the Government of Kansas City.Mayor James and the City Council can open up a dialog with me to try and straighten this whole mess out, or face the possibility that the leader of the City will be recalled and the City's new single-terminal airport proposal will go down with him.Clay Chastain#######
In June 2017, the balance of travel services showed a surplus of 1,9 million euros, up 15.5%, according to data by the Bank of Greece. In June 2016, the surplus amounted to 1,66 million euros. Travel receipts rose significantly and this was driven by a 13.0% increase in inbound traveller flows and by a rise in average expenditure per trip by 1.6% to 589. In January  June 2017, the balance of travel services showed a surplus of 3,174 million euros, up 9.4%, from a surplus of 2,901 million euros in the same period in 2016.

nternational tourist arrivals excl. cruises grew by 6.6% y-o-y to 7.94m in H117 , with related tourist receipts (excl. cruises) up 7.4% to 3.95bn.

Breaking down receipts by visitors country of origin, in the EU, receipts from France rose by 14.2%, from Germany by 16.3% and from the United Kingdom by 8.5%. Regarding countries of origin outside the EU, receipts from Russia grew by 20.3%, while receipts from the US rose by 33.6%.

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: License: CC-BY-SA

Source: int.ert.gr
All six suspects were led before a public prosecutor and charged with violating laws on the protection of antiquities and cultural heritage

The coast guard on Tuesday announced the arrest of six Greeks on suspicion of illegally diving for underwater antiquities off the coast of Mani near Gythio in Peloponnese. The arrests were made following a tip-off that six individuals were searching for ancient artifacts around a sunken Roman shipwreck at Limeni, eastern Mani.

Arriving at the scene, coast guard officers located six Greek men aged 50, 49, 47, 45, 42 and 34 years old in a vehicle. After searching the vehicle, they found scuba diving gear and archaeological artifacts that will be sent for evaluation to the Underwater Antiquities Ephorate.

All six suspects were led before a public prosecutor and charged with violating laws on the protection of antiquities and cultural heritage, while their diving equipment was confiscated.

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: License: CC-BY-SA

Source: ANA-MPA
A consortium led by French Constructions Industrielles de La Mediterranee (CNIM) has been chosen to execute the Kabd Municipal Solid Waste Project, Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP) has said.



The consortium will have a concession period of 25 years, in addition to 44 months for designing and construction, a Kuwait News Agency report quoting the KAPP said.



The CNIM consortium will include Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) and Al Mulla Group.



Under the project, a solid waste treatment plant with a capacity of 3,275 tonnes per day will be constructed in the Kabd area, 35 km away from Kuwait City.



The project covers a total area of 500,000 sq m and will provide a number of services including treatment of waste using incinerators for generating electricity.


Eagle Hills Bahrain, a leading private real estate company, has launched three new contemporary outlets at its Beach Box container park at its development Marassi Beach Bahrain.



The restaurants are housed in industrial-style containers and open onto the seafront, making them a unique concept and a first for the island. For any diner looking for a different experience, Beach Box is an edgy and urban concept with the added bonus of a stunning sea view.



BunBun at Sea, a unique new restaurant created for Beach Box that offers international cuisine with a twist, BurgerZone, with burgers of all shapes and sizes, and Jasmis Coffee, which offers hot and cold coffee blends and other snacks, are all now open, adding to the existing food truck court which includes Le Creperie, Terminal Burger, and Barastea.



Customers can enjoy access to Marassi Beach for BD2 ($5.26) for adults and BD1 for kids.



Marassi Al Bahrains beach area regularly hosts community and complimentary activities for the public as part of its Marassi Weekends program and has hosted many recent festivities including a local vendor market, art and photography exhibitions, fitness sessions and watersports.



The beach area is also home to the islands largest floating waterpark, and a recently installed cable wake park, where wake and ski enthusiasts of all levels can hone their skills.  TradeArabia News Service
Bahrains Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning has announced plans to revamp the Umm Al Hassam harbour.



This follows directives from His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Khalifa Al Khalifa to accommodate peoples needs in a number of areas in the kingdom, and as a follow-up to Minister Engineer Essam bin Abdulla Khalafs last visit to the harbour, a statement said.



Works Affairs Undersecretary Engineer Ahmed Al Khayyat toured the harbour, accompanied by strategic projects director Engineer Mishal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, roads projects and maintenance director Engineer Sayyed Bader Alawi and the acting director of fisheries Bassam Al Showaikh.



According to Al Khayyat, the project will increase the harbour's capacity, improve the available services and facilities, revamp the road leading to the harbour. The ministry will also look into the possibility of providing a glide for the boats and water and electricity connections. -TradeArabia News Service
The World Bank has agreed to provide 1 billion ($1.18 billion) to electrify the rail network in Iran, the head of the Irans regional railway authority was quoted as saying in a media report.



"The World Bank has approved to provide one billion euros as finance for the electrification of the railway ... that starts in Garmsar in Semnan Province and continues to the city of Gorgan in Golestan Province," Yusef Geranpasha was quoted as saying by Iran Daily, which cited Irna.



Russia and Iran signed an agreement worth 1.2 billion in November 2015 to electrify the Garmsar to Inche Burun route in Iran.



Geranpasha said implementation of the Iranian-Russian contract will start soon after the World Bank's decision, and may take three years to finish.



The project will cover 32 stations and 95 tunnels, 7 traction substations, 11 section pillars, 6 duty posts of the contact station and power supply administration building.
Business France, the national agency for the global development of the French economy will host two French pavilions at Gulfhost and the Speciality Food Festival, the two trade fairs running from September 18 to 20 in Dubai, UAE.



The French offer will consist of kitchen equipment and gourmet products offered by over 50 French firms, each displaying premium products and knowhow.



Business France export team will also be attending to boost business opportunities in the region, focusing on all buyer nationalities together with the most promising ones, namely: UAE, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Srilanka.



UAE imports 85 per cent of its agri-food products, with France ranking 11thamong its importers list, and the second most important European importer (3 per cent market share in 2016). French agri-food products and equipment proudly fulfil quality and excellence demanded by consumers in the Gulf. Despite fierce competition, good prospects of growth are expected in trade relations between France and the Gulf.



French presence at Gulfhost:



- Devup, promoting organization from the French region CentreVal de Loire

- SYNEG, the French organization of professional kitchen equipment manufacturers partners with thirty leading firms exhibiting at the French Pavilion. As the prime partner of French SMEs, manufacturers and subsidiaries of international brands, SYNEG covers 75 per cent of the market of professional kitchen equipment in France.



Visitors of the French pavilion can also take part in the Syneg & Equip Hotel prize draw by dropping their business card to win a touch-tablet. Two winners will be selected each day from September 18 to 20.



French offer at Speciality Food Festival:



This year, the French Pavilion is stronger than ever with 22 brands exhibiting their latest products and creations over an area of 114 sq m. It will be the location to enjoy and relish the display of generous and refined French gourmet sweets. Local consumption of French confectionery, from jam, dragees to chocolate truffle, has been increasing lately, making it a strong point of attraction at the festival.



Other food industries shall be present at the Festival, ranging from dairy products, to beverages and specific industries (e.g. oyster production). Visitors can then discover specific and diverse French products.



Participating for the first time at SFF this year are:



- Horizon International, promoting organization of the French region Nouvelle Aquitaine firms

- Friaa Paca, regional Agrifood Industry Federation from south of France

- Le Monde De Lepicerie Fine, a reference magazine on market trends of gourmet products and a strong partner of firms working in this field. The magazine will be on display at the French Pavilion.



Long standing French partners such as Evian, Badoit and Cafes Richard will also attend.  TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Arabia's Cabinet has authorised the Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, or his deputy, to discuss with the Chinese side a draft memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia and China on the establishment of a joint investment fund.

The Cabinet also approved the authorisation of the Minister of Justice or his deputy to discuss with the Chinese side a draft judicial cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and China, a Saudi Press Agency report said.
Kuwait introduced new electricity and water rates for the investment sector yesterday (August 22), saying it will encourage consumers to rationalise consumption.



The new rates are five fils (nearly $0.016) per kWh of electricity and KD2 ($6.63) per 1,000 imperial gallons of water, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Electricity and Water for Planning and Training Dr Mashaan Al-Otaibi was quoted as saying in a Kuwait News Agency report.



New tariffs were implemented for the commercial sector in May. Tariffs will rise for the government sector from 2 fils to 25 fils per kWh and from KD0.8 to KD4 per 1,000 gallons from November 22, Dr Al-Otaibi said.



"The ministry consumes 350,000 barrels of oil a day to generate power and this figure could hit two million bpd in 2035 if extravagant consumption continued," he added.
Jazeera Airways, Kuwaits leading air carrier operating regionally and internationally, announces Fantastic Fridays, an exclusive weekly offer to reward its online customers.



A first for Jazeera Airways and for all those travelling from Kuwait, the special offer takes place every Friday, providing opportunities to book discounted tickets to select popular destinations through Jazeeras newly redesigned website. The offer starts on August 25 and is valid between 12:01 am until 11:59 pm. This weeks destinations from Kuwait are to Baku, Istanbul and Sharm El Sheikh.



The new Jazeera website has been designed to the highest e-commerce standards, providing a more personalized experience with every click, easy navigation options, a simple four-step booking process, enhanced browsing, online check-in services and several add-ons.



Travellers are encouraged to avail of the exclusive Fantastic Fridays deals every Friday by simply booking their tickets through the new website. - TradeArabia News Service


ALGO UPDATE: Liquidnet Expands Targeted Invitations in Europe

Liquidnet, the block trading trading network, is including targeted invitations in equities algorithms in Europe as new regulations will impact market structure in the region and make it harder to find liquidity.

Chris Jackson, Liquidnet EMEA head of execution & Quantitative Services Group, told Markets Media: One client said 20% of their order flow now comes from actively soliciting order flow from portfolio managers based on liquidity they see in the market. Targeted invitations have done an amazing job in generating new interest.

Targeted invitations help the buyside find additional block liquidity by using data analysis to allow qualifying members to send anonymous actionable invitations to others who have recently traded or shown interest in a certain security. Unlike indications of interest, targeted invitations are firm and committed orders and are available only to members who fit the eligibility criteria. Targeted invitations are also only sent to three or four clients to minimize information leakage, while IOIs can be sent to thousands.

Liquidnet rolled out targeted invitations in the US and Asia-Pacific last year after launching in Europe in 2015. The multi-asset class technology was also first used for equities in 2015 and then expanded into fixed income in 2016.

Jackson continued that targeted invitations have generated $1.9bn of order flow in Europe in the first half of this year, with an average trade size of $2.3m. Average liquidity for targeted invitations has been 38% of daily volume and the largest trade has been $156m on each side.

Targeted invitations have been added to equity algos in Europe to make it easier and more efficient for asset managers to integrate them into their workflow and access liquidity in Liquidnets natural pool, external dark pools and the public market. The new functionality will be rolled out globally this year.

The algos have a filter to only send targeted invitations for large illiquid orders. This is a block trading solution for MiFID II so the quality needs to remain high, added Jackson. We have three more new solutions in the hopper to help investors in their search for block liquidity under MiFID II.

MiFID II, the regulations coming into force in January 2018, will change market structure by creating new types of venues and placing caps on trading in dark pools, with waivers for large-in-scale trades. In addition, the buyside is required to take sufficient rather than reasonable steps to achieve best execution, and to be able to provide evidence to show how this have been achieved.

Instinet, the broker owned by Nomura, said in a recent white paper that the changes in the trading landscape under MiFID II could be as stark as Londons Big Bang in in 1986, which eliminated the role of jobbers and radically redefined the role of stockbrokers.

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LAH-CAL is un-locking private wineries from France, Ethiopia, Myanmar and Australia for luxury corporate incentive programs. From snow-capped vistas and sun-baked riverbanks to white sand backdrops and fertile, flourishing forests  its no wonder such an expansive region never fails to deliver. Culturally and historically diverse, yet safe, affordable and accessible - the EMEA and APAC region provides the ideal backdrop to one-of-a-kind experiences and winery incentives.



(TRAVPR.COM) GERMANY - August 23rd, 2017 - Studies by the IRF show that UK companies openly acknowledge the effectiveness of incentives, with many believing that non-cash rewards and recognition programs promote behaviour and engage, retain and recruit staff*. LAH-CAL, experts in tailor-made travel for the corporate market, are unlocking the wineries of the EMEA and APAC region, creating niche and one-off tailor-made corporate adventures to add flavour and finesse to a companys incentives, programs, seminars and meetings.

Incentives based around wineries are new to the corporate events market. LAH-CALs extensive knowledge and connections has allowed it to design EMEA and APAC region-wide winery travel with flexibility being key to its success. From one-day to week-long, with trips from an hour away, to Europe and the Middle East to Australasia and emerging producers such as Myanmar  all time scales and destinations can be catered for.

LAH-CALs winery incentives, seminars and meetings are custom-fitted to the clients individual needs with ideas ranging from gourmet cuisine served-up to your C Level Management by Michelin-starred chefs in Saint Emilion, France, to the sales team sampling the same Dreissigacker wine as was hand-selected for the Obamas. In Australia, marketing and events managers can soak up the atmosphere of the Margaret River or the IT department can unwind in lush forest of the Leeuwin estate.

Of course, its not all play. LAH-CAL organises and steers a companys team building courses, arranges expert speakers, motivational seminars and conferences shaping them around the inspiring vineyard environment.

Incentives and meetings based around wineries tastefully combine business and pleasure to create unsurpassable events that are measurable in terms of benefit for both company and staff.

Speaking about the niche Chris Vetha Creative Marketing Director said: With the large majority (81%) of UK companies offering their employees a non-cash reward and recognition*, its important that they make their incentives and events stand-out. From experience, we found that incentives based around wineries have broad appeal to both employees and companies. Unique, accessible and affordable, wine incentives in the EMEA and APAC region are highly desirable as they speak volumes about a companys respect for and appreciation of its staff.

*http://theirf.org/research/united-kingdom-non-cash-reward-recognition-a-survey-of-organisations/1759/

END

ABOUT LAH-CAL

With more than 15 years experience in event management and event marketing, LAH-CAL encompasses local knowledge and skills to create breath-taking events on the global stage. Focused in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, we understand what makes an event go with a bang. From the pre-event strategy down to execution and post-event marketing, we combine creativity and an incredible eye for detail to create your bespoke event, on brand and on budget

For more information please contact:

NAME: David Lee

TITLE: Communications Manager

WEB: www.LAH-CAL.com

EMAIL: pr@LAH-CAL.com

###
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 23

Netherlands, the second largest exporter of food and agro-products in the world, will be the focus country in upcoming World Food India-2017 to be held on November 3-5 in New Delhi.

This is indeed a good step forward. World Food India welcomes and hopes that participation from The Netherlands will help businesses from both sides to leverage each others strengths for mutual benefit,said Minister of Food Processing Industry Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

Badal is currently on a two-day visit to Netherlands to promote the event and invite the participation of the Dutch Government and businesses to the mega event, a press note from Indian Embassy in The Hauge said.

The two countries have a lot to offer to each other and WFI 2017 will be an apt platform for exploring the opportunity for collaboration, Dutch Minister of Agriculture Martijn van Damsaid.
Mukul Bansal

Prof KS Chugh, the son of a small farmer in Patti (Punjab)  born in 1932  fought against all odds in that small village, rising to become an emeritus professor of nephrology and is now a former professor and head, Department of Nephrology, PGI, Chandigarh. Professor Chugh was honoured with the Belding Scribner Trailblazer award by the International Society of Haemodialysis and Dr Ziblut Twardowski Life Time Achievement Award for his contribution to the science and practice of renal medicine in the US last year.

He is a renowned nephrologist and is known as the father of nephrology in India.

Professor Chugh started postgraduate training facilities for awarding doctorate in medicine (DM) degree in nephrology at the PGI in 1969. The first batch qualified in 1971, one year before this examination took place in the US in 1971, he says.

He has trained the largest number of fellows in nephrology in his three decades at the PGI, before he retired in 1993. Some of the fellows trained at the PGI are currently recognised as world leaders in nephrology.

That Professor Chugh is a trailblazer in the field of nephrology in India  and abroad  is borne out by the fact that because of the prevailing economic conditions in the country in the 1960s and the difficulties in procuring foreign exchange for importing expensive monitoring machines for dialysis, he developed improvised techniques to provide affordable dialysis to patients suffering from kidney failure, without the assistance of these machines.

He devised a simple tank system for hemodialysis and designed Arterio Venous Shunts for vascular access by using locally available Teflon. Since commercial peritoneal dialysis catheters, which were being used in advanced countries, were not available and had to be imported, he made these catheters with polythene tubes with the help of the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) and successfully carried out peritoneal dialysis in several hundred patients.

Because of these innovations, Dr Christopher Blagg, a world-renowned dialysis expert who visited the PGI on several occasions and saw these innovations, started referring to Professor Chugh as the Belding Scribner of India.

Professor Chugh passed MD (Medicine) with kidney diseases in 1961 and became the first qualified nephrologist of India. There is a little story behind it. After passing MBBS in 1955, I applied to Panjab University for permission to do post-graduation in MD (Medicine) with kidney diseases as a specialty.

The university refused such permission initially and I was dubbed as crazy. Instead, I was advised to do post-graduation in gastroenterology, cardiology or neurology since these were the only three specialties recognised at that time. After several representations over nine months, the university relented and agreed for MD (Medicine) with urinary diseases. The name nephrology did not exist at that time. This resulted in the recognition of nephrology as a special subject and ushered in an era of modern medicine. He passed MD (Medicine) with urinary diseases in 1961 and became the first qualified nephroloigst of the country, he says.

Prof Chugh set up the first Department of Nephrology at the PGI in 1963. When asked whether he had something to convey to the medical fraternity, he said, The real message is maintaining high standards of honesty, integrity and objectivity which are critical to scientific progress. Hiding or selectively reporting evidence and faking data thwarts scientific progress.

And my second message is about the research being done in our country. Lot of it is a duplication of the work being done in advanced countries. Research of this kind never gets published and, therefore, much research remains unpublished.

Professor Chugh says because of commercialisation, ordinary people are losing faith in the medical profession. Doctors prescribe latest medicines and there is an indiscriminate use of advanced investigations, which puts a lot of financial burden on the patients. Therefore, my advice to clinicians is that they should exercise a lot of restraint, that they should use a humanistic, judicious and rational approach.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 23

Total votes 676 | Votes exercised 629 | Polling %age 93.04

Prof Rajesh Gill is the new president of the Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA). She defeated associate professor Jatinder Grover by a margin of 91 votes.

She got 359 votes while Grover could manage only 268. Two votes were found invalid.

After winning the poll, Gill turned emotional and said. I want to instil faith and trust of teachers in PUTA. PUTA is of teachers, for teachers and should convince authorities that the PU belongs to teachers, students and non-teaching staff as well, she said.

When asked whether it will be easier for her to deal with Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover, she said, I am a social scientist. We have been taught that when a surgeon goes to patient, whether he is old, child or woman, he targets the part of body which is affected. We have to be objective as a social scientist. I have no inhibition and fear.

She added, Lets us have a beginning and keep the welfare of the university on the top. I am grateful to teachers. I am overwhelmed.

Anil Kumar from the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), who belongs to the Gills panel, is the new vice-president. He got 328 votes while Dipti Sareen of biochemistry department could manage only 273. As many as 28 votes were invalid. The margin was 55.

For secretarys post, JK Goswamy from the University Institute of Engineering and Department (UIET), who belongs to Gills panel, got 369 votes while Ashok Kumar of the Hindi department received 229. About 31 votes were declared invalid. The margin of Goswamy was 140, which was the highest.

UIETs Naresh Kumar, who belongs to Grovers panel, won the joint secretarys post as he got 296 votes while JK Sehrawat of the anthropology department received 287. About 46 votes were invalid. The margin was the lowest at nine.

Amandeep Singh of department of evening studies got 297 votes while Amit Chauhan of the UIET received 276 for the post of treasurer. The margin was 21.

Invalid votes are those which are either left vacant or people have not marked correctly, said Prof Vijay Nagpal, who was returning officer for PUTA poll.

Prof Gill also expressed surprise at the high number of invalid votes and said that faith in PUTA need to be revived.

About the associations new president

Rajesh Gill has been supported by a group which is against present Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover. Gill and the VC have been at loggerheads during discussions in senate too. During campaigning too, Gill took a position against authorities and the alleged coterie.

"I am a social scientist. We have been taught that when a surgeon goes to a patient, whether he is old, child or woman, he targets that part of body which is affected. We have to be objective as a social scientist. I have no inhibition and fear.: Prof Rajesh Gill, president, PUTA
G Parthasarathy

G Parthasarathy

DENG Xiao Ping, who survived Maoist repression and became Chinas supreme ruler from 1978 to 1997, set the stage for dumping Maoist communist dogma and releasing the creative energy of Chinese entrepreneurship. He rationalised discarding orthodox Communist ideology, proclaiming: It does not matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it can kill mice. Deng was the helmsman of Chinas breath-taking economic growth, which transformed his country into the worlds economic powerhouse, within three decades.

Deng urged caution in the conduct of security policies. Shortly after the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, Deng advised his countrymen: Observe calmly, secure our position, cope with affairs calmly, hide our capabilities and bide our time. Deng had practical reasons for rendering this advice to his countrymen. China was badly mauled during the Ussuri river clashes with the Soviet Union in 1969. Worse still, was the humiliation China suffered following Dengs visit to Washington in 1978, where he was feted, wined and dined by President Carter and the barons of American business. Shortly thereafter, he proclaimed: Vietnam is a hooligan. We must teach it a lesson. It was, however, China which was taught a lesson by Vietnam, when it invaded its neighbour in 1979.

Deng faced a similar setback in 1986, when Chinas PLA occupied vacated Indian posts in Sumdorong Chu/Wangdung in Arunachal Pradesh. India responded by airlifting forces to the McMahon Line, along the Sino-India border. Deng warned India in 1986 that it would be taught a lesson if it did not withdraw its forces, with US Defence Secretary Caspar Weinberger acting as an intermediary. New Delhi, however, stood firm and a military stalemate followed. External affairs minister ND Tiwari visited Beijing in May 1987 and clarified that India was not interested in escalating tensions, while holding out the possibility of a visit to China by PM Rajiv Gandhi. The visit took place in November 1988, with Deng personally welcoming the young Indian PM and setting the stage for seeking a new relationship with India. Chinese troops, however, pulled back fully from Sumdorong Chu only in 1993. Chinas misadventure in Sumdorong Chu led to Arunachal Pradesh soon becoming a state of the Indian Union in 1987.

Much has changed in the last three decades in China. It is now an economic powerhouse with a GDP five times that of India and defence spending six times that of India. China has impressive defence production facilities and armed forces with huge firepower. But, Chinas economic rise has also led to the country discarding Dengs prescription of hide our capabilities and bide our time. China is now flexing its economic and military muscle across Asia, while also using its maritime power across the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions. The use of maritime power has been accompanied by China defining its maritime borders arbitrarily, drawing a nine dotted line, to occupy and build military bases on several islands, hundreds of miles from its shores, which are legally claimed by its neighbours. Its maritime boundary claims, many coercively enforced, have included unilaterally defining its maritime boundaries with South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. Beijing has, however, been circumspect, in not biting off more than it can chew, on in its maritime boundaries with Japan!

China has coerced a number of ASEAN countries, compelling them not to join partners like Vietnam and Indonesia, which have demanded that Beijing should adhere to rulings of the UN Arbitration Tribunal on its maritime boundaries. This fear of Chinese power has torn ASEAN solidarity apart, with many ASEAN members refusing to accept any critical references to China in the recent ministerial conference in the Philippines. Not content with establishing its hegemony in Southeast Asia, China has also moved to contain and erode Indias influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. The ambivalence of the Trump administration on containing Chinese power and its revocation of the Trans-Pacific (economic) partnership has raised serious doubts about American reliability as an economic and military partner in East and Southeast Asia. China has benefited immensely from this.

Pakistan is predictably the primary instrument for Chinas policy of containment of India. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, stretching from the PoK to the port of Gwadar, has been accompanied by a decision to enhance Pakistans maritime power, with a decision to supply eight frigates and eight submarines to Pakistan. Across Indias eastern shores, China has outmanoeuvred the US, Japan and India by strengthening its political and economic influence in the economic and political policies of Aung San Suu Kyi. It is set to build the strategic port of Kyaukpyu in the Bay of Bengal, while shaping its maritime silk road by taking over Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka. Riding on hubris, China, however, gravely miscalculated what the response of India and Bhutan would be to its intrusion in Doklam.

By its intrusion in Doklam, Beijing violated written agreements with Bhutan signed in 1988 and 1998, which pledged to maintain status quo on the boundary as before March 1959, and refrain from taking unilateral action, or use of force, to change the status quo on the boundary. It also violated the December 2012 common understanding reached by Special Representatives of India and China, agreeing to maintain the status quo, pending a tripartite agreement on the location of the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction. China has now landed itself in a military and diplomatic quagmire. The Sikkim-Bhutan border is the worst location for China for a confrontation with India. India has huge advantages in terrain, logistics, firepower and numbers in this area. Any military misadventure could destroy the image of invincibility the Chinese have assiduously built, while bullying weaker maritime neighbours.

China can possibly undertake intrusions in sections of its borders with India, where it enjoys logistical advantages. India has to be prepared for this. In the meantime, imaginative diplomacy is required to ensure China is given a face-saving way out from its present predicament. A visit by Mr Modi to China for the forthcoming BRICS Summit would largely depend on his reading of Chinese intentions and flexibility. Much will, however, depend on how President Xi Jinping decides to deal with domestic challenges he is likely to face during the forthcoming Communist Party Congress, scheduled for later this year.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 22

In a bizarre incident a 35-year-old man was allegedly killed by his neighbour inside the Ambedkar Nagar Police Station, Southeast Delhi, in the early hours today, a police official said.

Taking the incident seriously, the SHO has been sent to district lines, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Romil Baaniya.

He also said a sub-inspector and a constable posted there have been suspended and directed to report to district lines. The administrative action was taken against the personnel for failing to prevent the killing inside the police station, the DCP said.

Vishal had asked Anil to treat him with liquor since it was the birthday of the latter's child. But when Anil refused, it led to a quarrel between them, the DCP said.

The police were informed about the incident and the quarrelling duo was brought to the police station. Inside the investigating officer's room the duo again started quarrelling.

Police intervened but in the melee Vishal assaulted Anil with a file clip. Anil was rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre where he was declared "brought dead", the official said, adding Vishal has been arrested from the spot.
Singapore, August 23

A 30-year-old Indian-origin Malaysian man has been jailed for life in Singapore along with 24 strokes of cane-lashing for smuggling drugs.

Saravanan Chandaram, 30, who pleaded guilty to two charges of importing the controlled drugs, also received the maximum 24 strokes of the cane, the Straits Times reported.

The prosecution submitted a certificate to the court stating that Saravanan was only a drug courier and had substantively helped the authorities to disrupt drug trafficking.

This gave the judge the discretion to impose a life sentence instead of the mandatory death penalty.

Saravanan was found with 10 bundles containing at least 1.38 kilogrammes of cannabis, and at least 3.29 kilogrammes of cannabinol and cannabinol derivative.

On November 5, 2014, he rented a car and met a drug syndicate leader, known only as Aya, in Skudai in the southern Malaysian state of Johor, where he collected the 10 bundles of drugs.

Saravanan, who worked for Aya as his bodyguard and personal driver, hid the bundles under the armrest of the rear passenger seat.

Defence lawyer Singa Retnam, in his closing submissions to the court last month, said that Saravanan had borrowed Malaysian Ringgit 4,000 (Singapore dollars 1,270) from Aya as he did not have enough savings for his son's operation.

When Saravanan returned to Johor on November 5, 2014, he was asked by Aya to repay the money, but he could not do so immediately, the Strait Times report said.

He had no choice but to adhere to his boss's demands and agreed to deliver 10 packets of tobacco, for Malaysian Ringgit 2,000, according to the defence's submissions.

The defence said that Saravanan believed he was delivering 10 packets of tobacco, instead of cannabis.

However, the prosecution said that Saravanan's belief was unfounded when there were clearly suspicious circumstances surrounding the delivery of the drugs.

There were also inconsistencies in his account as he had initially said he was promised Singapore dollars 5,000 for the delivery, but later claimed he was promised Malaysian Ringgit 2,000.

The prosecution noted that Saravanan was being paid a disproportionately high amount of Singapore dollars 5,000 for a relatively simple task of delivery. PTI
Tribune News Service



Chandigarh, August 23

Over one lakh followers have reached Panchkula as Haryana and Punjab maintain maximum alert ahead of the court judgment in a rape case against the Dera head.

As a precautionary measure, the government has ordered closure of schools and colleges in Panchkula district on August 24 and 25, Deputy Commissioner Gauri Parashar Joshi said on Wednesday.

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Haryana Government also declared a holiday for August 24 and 25 in government offices and banks situated in Sectors 4, 5 and 6 in Panchkula district.

Many followers are still arriving at the sects Sector-23 based Naam Charcha Ghar (congregation/prayer centre) in Panchkula to show their solidarity with the sect chief, who has been asked to appear in person in the special CBI court on Friday.

Read: All Chandigarh-bound Haryana Roadways buses to terminate at Ambala

Whats on the mind of Dera Premis flocking to Panchkula

Punjab dera management asks police not to level baseless allegations

Dera followers under intelligence and police radar

Joshi said the administration and police were keeping an eye to ensure that law and order was maintained.

There is heavy police and paramilitary forces deployment near the routes leading to the district court complex in Panchkula, where the lawyers have suspended work for three days from Wednesday to avoid inconvenience to the public visiting the courts.

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When asked if the dera chief would appear before the court in Panchkula on Friday, a spokesman of Dera Sacha Sauda on Wednesday said the sect and its head had always followed law and would do so in future also.

We have always followed due process of law, never have we gone out of laws purview and never ever will we do so, he said.

When asked if Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh would appeal to his followers to help maintain law and order and peace, he said, During his satsangs (at sect headquarters in Sirsa) in mornings and evenings, Guruji always talks about humanity and things which will benefit humanity. He talks about tree plantation, organ donations, blood donation and helping out weaker sections.

Security forces in Haryana and Punjab have been taking out flag marches at many sensitive places. The Haryana government has already clamped prohibitory orders in all its districts as a precautionary measure.

Police have set up barricades at several places in the two states, besides their common capital Chandigarh, where security has been further tightened ahead of the court verdict.

Amid reports that the dera followers could stock petrol, lathis and other weapons at Naam Charcha Ghars, Punjab Police have asked all its SSPs and other top-ranking police officials to be alert against any such action by the followers if the court verdict goes against the Dera chief.

Haryanas Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas said that carrying of any kind of stick or weapon had been prohibited at Naam Charcha Ghars of dera followers in the state.

Authorities in Haryana are making every effort to ensure foolproof security arrangements, with a senior official firmly saying that they would not allow a repeat of things as witnessed in November 2015 when there was a two-week tense standoff between the self-styled godman Rampals followers and the police in Hisar during which five women and a child had died.

Rampal was later arrested and close to 15,000 of his followers were evacuated from his sprawling premises in Hisar.

While Haryana DGP BS Sandhu has already toured sensitive districts in the state, including Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar and other places during the past few days, his Punjab counterpart Suresh Arora on Tuesday took a whirlwind tour of Bathinda, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali districts, and checked preparedness.

Heavy police has been deployed in Bathinda, which shares its border with Sirsa, where the dera has its headquarters.

Union Territory Chandigarhs Home department has declared the cricket stadium in Sector 16, which was associated with early training days of legendary Kapil Dev and has hosted several domestic and international matches, as temporary jail on August 25.

Officials have said the temporary jail can be used to confine people suspected of creating law and order problem on Friday.

Senior cops and administrative officers of Haryana, Punjab and UT Chandigarh have been holding confabulations to take stock of the security arrangements.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has also held parleys with top police and administrative brass.

The Haryana government has also requested the Centre to provide 115 companies of paramilitary forces, out of which many have already reached the state.

Duty magistrates have been deployed at all locations in Haryana.

While Punjab had already received 75 companies of central forces, Haryana got 35 companies to maintain security.

Police along with paramilitary forces, the CRPF and Rapid Action Force (RAF), SSB held flag marches at vulnerable places, including Moga, Bathinda, Sangrur, Barnala, Patiala, Ludhiana, Panchkula, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Ambala and Hisar.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh warned against any attempts to disrupt the states law and order in view of the upcoming judgment by the Panchkula court.

All steps were being taken to ensure that law and order is not disturbed in any way in the wake of the court orders, the Chief Minister said on Tuesday.

The sexual exploitation case was registered against the Dera chief in 2002 by the CBI on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after anonymous letters were circulated about the alleged sexual exploitation of two Sadhvis (female followers) by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

However, the dera chief has denied these charges. With PTI

Highlights:



*Dera followers keep pouring into Panchkula

*Security tightened in Panchkula with police frisking the followers at all entry points to the town

*Security personnel holding flag marches at various places

*As a precautionary measure, Chandigarh Police bar the use of escalators at the local railway station

*At Muktsar, Punjab DGP Suresh Arora holds a meeting with the civil administration and police officials of Muktsar and Fazilka districts to review security arrangements

*The DGP says, We have enough force. There are magistrates, police magistrates and paramilitary forces. All are working in tandem and the situation is under control.



*10 senior IPS officers to be deployed in Panchkula

*Haryana gets eight more companies of security forces

*Social media being monitored

*Internet services may be suspended depending on the situation

* At Jhajjar, Department of School Education authorises DEOs to postpone the monthly assessment test commencing from Thursday if law and order situation demands so

*Jhajjar police directs all petrol pump owners in the district not to sell loose petrol and diesel; SHOs asked to ensure the deposit of all weapons by dera followers; hotels and inns told not to let dera followers and other suspected people stay on their premises

*Leave of Haryana DCs, SDMs, police officers and personnel cancelled

*Temporary jails to be notified all over Haryana

*At Bhiwani, the administration led by the DC and SP holds a meeting with sarpanches and other prominent people of villages and towns at a resort, asking them to cooperate with the authorities in maintaining law and order

*Some private schools in Chandigarh declare holiday on August 24 and 25

*Haryana govt directs all civil surgeons to cancel leave of health staff till August 30

*Kurukshetra DC holds a meeting with dera followers and govt officials in Pehowa sub-division to ensure peace

*In Kurukshetra, Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma appeals to dera followers to maintain peace and respect the verdict of the CBI court; he says the government will arrange food and water for the dera followers at various places on compassionate grounds

*In Ludhiana, the DGP is arriving in the city for a meeting with Commissioner of Police

*Sources in Haryana CID reveal that more than one lakh dera followers have reached Panchkula

*At Sangrur, Punjab DGP Suresh Arora welcomes the invitation of Dera followers, who have invited Punjab Police to check their congregation centres

*Jind DC Amit Khatri says dera followers from the district are marching towards Panchkula

*Intelligence sources say followers from various districts were also gathering in a large number in Sirsa, the headquarters of the Dera

*As many as 97 CRPF companies, including Rapid Action Force, to be deployed in Panchkula during hearing on Friday

*Haryana declares holiday in educational institutes, including colleges and universities, till August 25

*Dera followers who were stopped at Ambala started gathering at the bus stand; refuse to go back to their respective places

*CM ML Khattar writes to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, requesting to send more paramilitary forces to Haryana

*Haryana officially put on high alert

*At Ambala, ADGP RC Mishra is holding a meeting with dera followers in the city

*Administration conducts a flag march in Yamunanagar and Jagadhri

*Jawans of CRPF have been deployed along the national highway in Karnal to keep a vigil

*Panipat district authority directs all government and private schools, colleges and educational institutes to be closed on August 25 in view of the Dera case.

*Jhajjar district authority postpones de-worming drive for children in view of Dera chief case, the drive was to be conducted in government schools tomorrow.

* UT Administration orders closure of all educational institutions  government, private, aided, unaided, technical  in Chandigarh on August 24 and 25.

*DC Aditya Dahiya issued order that all schools will remain closed on August 25 in Karnal and no school bus would ply in the district.
Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 23

As many as five persons who were suspected suffering from swine flu died during the past one week. Two of them tested positive. Of the 30 patients suspected suffering from the disease in the district, 10 have tested positive. As many as 29 persons reported at private hospitals are of the B category.

A 22-year-old patient from Nawanshahr died at DMC Ludhiana yesterday. She was residing with her parents at Garhshankar and had a travel history of going to a crowded religious place 15 days ago.

Jalandhar-based Sandeep (51) was the last patient who died of the disease. He was referred to DMC Ludhiana where he breathed his last.

Other patients who died of the disease are Narinder Kaur (60), who died on August 16; Chanan Singh (60) from Garhshankar village, who died on August 20; and Preeti (20) from Gohir village in Jalandhar, who died on August 21.

They were suspected suffering from the disease while Balwinder Kumar from Tahli village in Nakodar and Sandeep, who died last evening, tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

At the Civil Hospital so far, as many as 11 cases of swine flu have been reported, a majority of them have been put on ventilator.

The health authorities have said as many as 29 patients suffering from the B- category of the disease are receiving Tami-flu medicine to cure the disease.

Notably in the past, a spurt in swine flu case was never witnessed before December and January. The new cases of swine flu and deaths due to it have kept health authorities on their toes. Swine flu cases caught the Health Department off guard due to a mutation in the virus

While as many as three ventilators at the Trauma ward have been reserved for swine flu patients at the local Civil Hospital, in addition to it, a 30-bedded ENT Ward has also been set up as an isolation unit for the swine flu patients. As many as four patients suffering from swine flu are also currently admitted to the Civil Hospital.

Dr Preetkamal, district IDSP coordinator, said two patients had died of the disease. He said, Since the two deceased tested positive, two patients have died of the H1N1 virus. We have made adequate arrangements for treatment of the patients and all due care is being taken. The staff have also been instructed to take proper precautions. All staff members attending the swine flu patients have been provided protective gears. We are also providing Tami-flu medicines to all B category patients in the district. Tami-flu medicine is readily available at all CHCs and sub-divisional hospitals.

Dr KS Bawa, Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, said, An isolation ward for the swine flu patients has been set up. We are also making sure that the patients get ventilator support as three of the total ventilators have been reserved or swine flu patients. They have been placed in an isolation unit within the Trauma ward.
Jammu, August 23

Students of the Government Womens College took to the streets for the second day on Wednesday to protest against the dress code and alleged unnecessary diktats of the management and to demand removal of the principal.

Principal Anita Sudan has dismissed the allegations against her as wild and said she has taken several steps like strict adherence to the college uniform and timing on the recommendations of the parents of several students after four women went missing in the recent past, of whom one was traced to Allahabad.

Joined by students of different colleges, including leaders of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students, including male members, were stopped by the policemen at the main gate of the Deputy Commissioners office, officials said.

The students carrying placards and banners in support of their demand for resignation of the principal staged a sit-in and later met a senior official.

They submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner highlighting various problems they were allegedly facing at the institute in the name of discipline besides the demand for the removal of the principal.

Later, students dispersed off peacefully after authorities held closed-door meeting with some representatives of the protesting students, the officials said.

Yesterday, Additional District Development Commissioner Arun Manhas said the issues of removal of a peon at the main gate of the college and passing of lewd remarks came up during the discussion between the protesting students, the college management and district administration and police official.

He assured them of a time-bound probe by Sub-divisional police officer, north, Varun Jandiyal after registration of the complaint.

However, the police officer said the probe has not been set into motion as the students have failed to lodge a complaint.

We have not received any written complaint from the students so far. Once the complaint is received, we will start the probe, Jandiyal told PTI. PTI
Ludhiana: Another patient died due to swine flu today. The 78-year-old man was a resident of Modi Enclave, Badewal. Yesterday also, a 56-year-old resident of Khanna, who was admitted to the PGIMER in Chandigarh, died due to swine flu. With this, the total number of deaths due to swine flu has gone up to 10. Meanwhile, one more patient tested positive for dengue and is a resident of Khanna.

Trader gets extortion call

A city-based hosiery trader allegedly received an extortion call from some unidentified caller, who demanded Rs 2 crore from him. Fearing threat to his life, the trader approached the police and got an FIR registered against unidentified person. Complainant Gagan Jain, a resident of Ghumar Mandi, said on August 21, he received a call, wherein the caller demanded Rs 2 crore ransom money from him. "As I picked up the call, the caller without identifying himself told me to give Rs 2 crore cash else threatened to kill me and my family after kidnapping." Taking the threat seriously, I reached the Police Division No. 8 and filed a written complaint," he said. The trader said he had never received any such extortion call in the past and this was the first time he was threatened. Investigating Officer ASI Moolraj said after receiving the complaint, a case against unidentified person was registered and details of the caller were being collected to get the clue.

Man flees with jewellery, held

A person looted a jeweller at Kartar Nagar on Wednesday. Shopkeeper Rupinder said he was sitting alone in the shop, when a customer arrived and asked for gold earrings. The moment he showed him the earrings, the accused threw chilli powder in his eyes and fled with the earrings. After the shopkeeper raised an alarm, market shopkeepers chased the accused and thrashed him. He was later handed over to the police.  TNS
Tribune News Service

Lucknow, August 23

At least 100 passengers of Delhi-bound 12225 Kaifiyat Express were injured when the engine and five bogies derailed at Achhalda in Aurraiya district after the train rammed into a dumper.

The railways however put the number of wounded at 25 people and said that the dumper did not belong to them.

Most of the injuries occurred in one bogie that overturned, said Principal Secretary Home Arvind Kumar.



Superintendent of Police, Auraiya, Sanjay Tyagi said 10 bogies of the train derailed of which one overturned leading to injuries to 100 passengers of which four with serious injuries were rushed to Saifai and Etawah hospitals.

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Of the four critically injured in the accident, two have been referred to Etawah and another two to Saifai, Kumar said.

The accident has disrupted traffic on both up and down lines of the busy Delhi-Howrah route. Dozens of trains have been re-routed, including Rajdhanis coming from Bhubaneswar and Ranchi. Many trains, including the Gomti Express, have been cancelled.

The accident that occurred at 2.40 am near Railway Gate Number 14 in Achhalda between Kanpur and Etawah railway station shook people out of sleep. This comes under North-Central Railways headquartered at Allahabad.

According to Home Secretary Anand Swaroop, an NDRF team has been rushed from Lucknow for rescue and relief operations.

A spokesman for NCR said rescue operations have been concluded and all injured were sent to hospitals nearby.

Additional forces and ambulance were rushed to the spot from Auraiya, Etawah and Kannauj while NDRF team was dispatched from Lucknow to provide succour to the passengers.

The Principal Secretary, Home, said the rescue work had been completed and all passengers moved to Achhalda railway station. A rescue train is arriving to take them to their destination of Delhi, he said.

Some of the injured were discharged from hospitals after first aid, the SP said, adding that there is no report of any casualty so far.

While an inquiry is yet to be ordered, a dumper loaded with gitti suddenly appeared on the track, causing the accident. The loco pilot also received injuries.

The accident comes barely three days after the ghastly Utkal Express accident in Muzaffarnagar that killed 22 and injured 203.

Action was immediately taken in that incident and four engineers were suspended and the Northern Railways Chief Track Engineer; DRM Delhi; GM, Northern Railways; and Member (Engineering) Railway Board were sent on leave.

READ
New Delhi, August 23

Polling for the Bawana assembly bypoll in Delhi ended peacefully on Wednesday with a total voter turnout of 45 per cent, much lower than in the 2015 elections in the constituency, where AAP, BJP and Congress are locked in a triangular contest.

The entire polling process went on peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the constituency in north-west Delhi, Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi said.

The polling officials said an EVM and 17 VVPAT machines malfunctioned and were replaced without any hindrance to voting.

One EVM malfunctioned during the polling. 17 VVPATs also showed errors. All malfunctioning machines were replaced, they said.

The voting percentage today was much lower than in the 2015 Assembly election in the constituency in which 61.83 per cent voting percentage was registered.

The officials conjectured that multiple elections taking place in the city in quick succession could be a factor for the low turnout in Bawana, adding that voter turnout was generally low in bypolls.

Eight candidates are in the fray for the bypoll. The counting of votes will take place on August 28.

BJP has fielded Ved Prakash who had won from the constituency in the 2015 elections as an AAP candidate. He had resigned from assembly membership and joined the BJP in March this year.

The AAP has fielded Ram Chandra, while Congress has put its bet on former three-time MLA from Bawana, Surendra Kumar.

Meanwhile, a high voter turnout of about 80 per cent was recorded in the by-election to Nandyal Assembly constituency in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, where the ruling TDP and opposition YSR Congress (YSRC) are locked in a fierce battle.

Heavy turnout of voters was witnessed in Nandyal rural and Gospadu mandals in the segment with women outnumbering men, sources said.

In Nandyal town, about 70 per cent polling was reported.

Barring a face-off between supporters of the TDP and YSRC at a couple of places, the by-election passed off peacefully, a senior police official said.

The counting of votes will be taken up on August 28.

The Nandyal result will be widely seen as a trend setter for the general and assembly elections in the state in 2019 and may also alter the political equations.

For the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) was used in the by-election.

VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip drops in a box but the voter cannot take it home.

The by-election was held following the death of sitting MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy in March. Reddy had won the seat in 2014 as YSR Congress candidate, but jumped over to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 2016.

Reddys nephew Brahmananda Reddy is now the TDP candidate, while the YSRC fielded former minister Silpa Chandra Mohan Reddy who switched sides to the opposition party just days ahead of the bypoll.

Though there are 15 candidates in the fray, the main fight is between the TDP and the YSRC.  PTI
New Delhi, August 23

A Delhi court on Wednesday fixed September 14 for framing of charges against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia in a criminal defamation complaint.

Metropolitan Magistrate Vijay Kumar Jha allowed the plea of Kejriwal and Sisodia, who were directed to appear today, seeking exemption for personal appearance for the day.

Advocate Umesh Gupta, appearing for Kejriwal and Sisodia, sought exemption for the leaders on the ground that they were busy in bypolls in Bawana in north west Delhi today.

Besides the two AAP leaders, the court would also frame charges against Yogendra Yadav in the case.

The court had on August 2 passed order on framing of notice (charge) on a criminal defamation complaint filed against the two AAP leaders, who sought quashing of the plea, and Yadav by advocate Surender Kumar Sharma who was denied a ticket by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to contest assembly polls.

The court had said in the order that the contentions on behalf of accused persons do no sustain and proceeded to frame notice under the CrPC against them.

Yadav was a member of the National Executive of the AAP until 2015 when he was expelled for alleged anti-party activities. Later, he floated his own party Swaraj India.

Sharma, in his complaint, had alleged that in 2013 he was approached by volunteers of AAP who had asked him to contest the Delhi Assembly elections on a party ticket, saying Kejriwal was pleased with his social service.

He filled up the application form to contest the polls after being told by Sisodia and Yadav that AAP's Political Affairs Committee had decided to give him the ticket. But it was denied to him later.

On October 14, 2013, the complainant claimed that articles in newspapers carried "defamatory, unlawful and derogatory words used by the accused persons" which he said had lowered his reputation in the Bar and the society.

Opposing the complaint, the AAP leaders had submitted that cancellation or allotment of an election ticket was the prerogative of the party and the complainant had not divulged correct information regarding the cases pending against him.

On the basis of the complaint, the trial court had earlier sought their presence before it in the matter.

It had granted bail to Kejriwal, Sisodia and Yadav after they had appeared before it in pursuance to summonses.

The summons were issued on the complaint under Sections 499, 500 (defamation) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC, with the trial court saying there was prima facie material to summon the accused.

The Delhi High Court had earlier refused to stay the trial court proceedings in the case.  PTI
Kochi, August 23

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday upheld the discharge of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the SNC Lavalin graft case, saying the CBI had wrongly picked him as prima facie there was no case against him.

Justice P Ubaid, who also upheld the discharge of two others in the Rs 374.50-crore graft case, rejected the CBIs plea that their full-fledged trial was necessary to prove the conspiracy.

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The court gave its verdict in a revision petition filed by the CBI in the Kerala High Court in 2014 challenging the discharge of Vijayan and six others in the case by a special CBI court in Thiruvananthapuram.

The CBI special court, Thiruvananthapuram, had in November 2013 discharged Vijayan and others in the case of alleged corruption in awarding a contract to the Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin when Vijayan was power minister in 1996 that allegedly caused a loss of Rs 374.50 crore to the state exchequer.

The CBI wrongly picked and chose Pinarayi Vijayan without any material in the case, the judge said today.

The CBI, which had filed the charge sheet in the case, had argued that there was sufficient evidence to prove the charges against the accused.

The discharge by the special court was illegal, CBI had stated in its revision petition.

The special judge had ruled that the CBI had failed to prove the charges of conspiracy and corruption levelled against Vijayan and other accused.

The CBI had in March argued before the court that a trial was must to prove the conspiracy in giving the contract to revamp the power projects to the Canadian firm when Vijayan was power minister in 1996.

Claiming that the conspiracy was hatched at different stages in awarding the contract, the CBI had assailed the lower court order discharging Vijayan and six others and said a full-fledged trial was necessary to prove the conspiracy.

In a criminal case, the actual trial begins only after framing of charges in the case by the court on the basis of prima facie evidence existing against the accused.

The accused is discharged by the court in absence of any such evidence.  PTI
New Delhi, August 23

The CBI is understood to have posed over 100 questions to former finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti during his over eight hours of questioning in connection with a corruption case.

Karti, who arrived at the agency headquarters on the directives of the Supreme Court around 10.20 am, was questioned for over eight hours, CBI sources said.

They said he will be examined again on August 28.

Over 100 questions on various aspects of the case were drafted by investigators which were put to 45-year-old Karti, the sources said.

The agency wanted to examine him in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to media group INX Media for receiving funds from Mauritius when his father P Chidambaram was the Union finance minister.

It is alleged that a firm "indirectly controlled" by him received money from INX Media, run by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea.

The CBI had issued a notice to Karti to appear for questioning in June but he had sought more time. Later, a look out circular was also issued against him to prevent him from leaving the country, CBI sources said.

Karti had then approached the Madras High Court which stayed the circular. The Supreme Court later put on hold the high court order.

During a hearing before the apex court, Karti had told the court he was willing to appear before the CBI. The court then directed him to appear on August 23.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud allowed Karti to be accompanied by a lawyer at the CBI headquarters during the questioning.

The CBI had registered the case on May 15 against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and the Mukerjeas.

The Mukerjeas, charged with killing Indrani's daughter, Sheena Bora, are currently in jail.

P Chidambaram had issued a strong statement in response to the FIR, saying the government was using the CBI and other agencies to target his son.

The FIPB approval was granted in "hundreds of cases", the senior Congress leader had said.  PTI
New Delhi, August 23

Soon after walking out of a jail in Maharastra on bail after nine years, Lt Col Shrikant Prasad Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, on Wednesday reported back to an Army unit in Mumbai.

Army sources here said he reported to the liasoning unit of the Armys Southern Command in Mumbai and is currently staying at an Army establishment in the city.

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They said Purohit, an officer from intelligence corp, is likely to go to his unit in Pune where he was working before his arrest in the Malegaon blast case in late 2008.

He was released from Taloja jail in neighbouring Navi Mumbai earlier today, two days after the Supreme Court granted him bail observing that there were contradictions in the charge sheets filed by different investigating agencies probing the case.

The sources said the Army headquarters will review his suspension from service after examining the court order.

During his stay in his unit, Purohit will be under various restrictions including his movement inside the unit.

The sources said the Army headquarters will study the Supreme Courts order granting him bail and accordingly a call will be taken on whether to revoke his suspension from service.

Asked about the escort provided to Purohit after he came out of the jail, the sources said he was given the protection considering possible security threat to him.

Purohit, who was posted with a unit under Southern Command and was an officer from intelligence corp, was suspended from service soon after he was arrested in connection with the Malegaon blast case in late 2008.

After the report of the Court of Inquiry (CoI), Purohits salary and allowances were restricted to 25 per cent of his total pay but it was increased to 75 per cent following an order by the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), the sources said.

Purohit had approached the AFT after the cut in his salary following report of the CoI.

Six people were killed in the blast on September 29, 2008, at Malegaon, a communally-sensitive textile town in Nasik district of north Maharashtra.

The apex court set aside the April 25 verdict of the Bombay High Court denying bail to Purohit, but imposed certain restrictions while granting him relief.  PTI
Washington, August 23

Pakistan is using New Delhi as an excuse to pursue its policies in Afghanistan, the US has said strongly refuting Islamabads concerns with regard to Indian developmental activities in the war-torn country.

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What India is doing in Afghanistan is not a threat to Pakistan. Theyre not building military bases. Theyre not deploying troops, a senior administration official of Republican surrogates said during a conference call on Tuesday.

National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson Michael Anton was responding to questions on Pakistans apprehensions and allegations of Indias encirclement of them through Afghanistan.

This is an excuse on the part of Pakistan, he said according to Politico, which reported about the conference call.

They (Indians) are not doing the things that would constitute encirclement, for lack of a better term, which is one of the things that the Pakistanis complain about, Anton said, thus strongly refuting the Pakistani allegations in this regard, latest of which was mentioned in the statement issued by the Pakistani Foreign Office.

The threat to peace and security cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies. Non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region, the Pakistani Foreign Office had said in a statement in a response to the Afghan policy announcement of the US President Donald Trump a day earlier.

We can no longer be silent about Pakistans safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond, Trump had said.

Pakistan, he said, has sheltered the same organisations that try every single day to kill our people.

The Pak Foreign Office said it is disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort.

Pakistan has been and will continue to be part of the global counter terrorism efforts. Pakistan and the US have been close allies in the fight against terrorism, which is a common threat for all nations of the world. As a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country, it said.

Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism, it added. PTI
Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 23

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is leaving on Wednesday for a three-day visit to Kyrgyz Republic, where he will attend the 9th meeting of Heads of Government Authorities of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states.

In a statement the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said, the two-day meeting of the SOC member states will be held on August 24-25 during which the delegates will discuss issues relating to prevention and elimination of emergency situations.

According to officials in the MHA, the meeting will consider and approve the draft Action Plan for 2018-2019 for the implementation of the agreement between the governments of the SCO member states on cooperation in providing assistance in the elimination of emergency situations.

Singh will lead the Indian delegation comprising senior officers from the MHA, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

India got the full membership of SCO this year and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended the SOCs annual summit meeting held in Astana, Kazakhstan in June this year.

The MHA statement said: The participation of India as SCO member will open the additional opportunities for giving new impetus to the development of international cooperation in the field of protecting the population and territories from emergency situations within the framework of the SCO and will bring in qualitatively new positions in regional and global formats.

During the visit, Singh is likely to have bilateral meetings with the Ministers of some of the SCO member states, it added.
Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 23

With the help of NRIs, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has come to the rescue of beleaguered families of those farmers who committed suicides due to debt caused by farm loans in Punjab.

The AAP alleged that the Centre and the state government were responsible for the plight of the farmers and farm labourers in the country and have launched Peedat Kisan Khet Mazdoor Muhim movement to help them.

Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Wednesday disbursed one-time financial aid of Rs 50,000 each to 20 families whose male members had committed suicides in the Malwa region.

The party has adopted 50 other such families and they would be given a monthly aid of Rs 2,500 for a period of at least five years from today onwards, Khaira said.

While, 50 families have been adopted by two California-based doctors, Dr Harjeet Singh Gill and Sangram Singh Gill from Jhingar Kalan village near Dasuya, through the AAP, the one-time financial help of Rs 50,000 each for the 20 suicide victim families of the Malwa region has been extended by NRIs based in the US, Canada, the UK and other countries.

Khaira said: The party is not in a position to get the farm loans waived or to compensate any loss of life, but it has taken an initiative to motivate the NRIs and other people to come and help distressed farmers at a time when the Central and the state governments have failed to provide any relief to them.

We are not doing a favour on farmers, but it is our duty. There are more than 50 lakh Punjabi NRIs. If each of them comes out with a help of just one dollar they would roughly be contributing a good amount of Rs 35 crore for the help of small and marginal farmers. I urge all NRIs and people belonging to all sections of the society to come forward and help these farmers, said Khaira after handing over cheques to farm-suicide victims.

He said: The BJP Government has turned a blind eye towards big industrial houses and influential families who owes Rs 2 lakh crore to banks and financial institutions. But it cannot waive farm loans, which is around Rs 1 lakh crore. If the government can extend special tax concessions to the hill states then why cant it help farmers.

Khaira alleged that more than 200 Punjab farmers have committed suicides during the five-month-old Congress rule in the state.

Farmers and farm labourers are increasing taking to suicide path for they have got frustrated over false promises made by the Congress just for the sake of usurping power in Punjab. Capt Amarinder Singh already knew that Punjab owed a huge Rs 2 lakh crore debt well before the Punjab Assembly polls. Still, he went ahead with his promises of complete waiving of loans of farmers in the run-up to the polls. Now, the Congress is washing its hands off by saying that Punjab has no money for complete payment of farm loans, Khaira said.

AAP co-convener Aman Arora and MLAs, Prof Baljinder Kaur, Rupinder Kaur Ruby and Najar Singh, were also present.
Montreal, August 23

Men and women with furrowed brows sat in pews alongside their children at a Montreal church as volunteers explained what to expect now that they have crossed into Canada from the United States seeking asylum.

They would receive temporary housing stipends and access to medical care. Their kids could go to school. The volunteers handed out small maple-leaf flags.

"I like Canada very much," 26-year-old Marline Dorisma of Haiti said later. "There are lots of opportunities here." What they did not get were any assurances that they will be allowed to stay. In fact, many will eventually be told to go back home.

The migrants are part of a recent surge of people crossing over from the United States, including some 4,000 in just the last two weeks, that is straining Canada's immigration system to the point where officials turned a domed stadium into a makeshift shelter.

Many said they left fearing deportation due to increased immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump and believing Canada would automatically give them residence, only to experience a rude awakening upon arrival.

It's a widely held misbelief that Transport Minister Marc Garneau sought to dispel during a recent visit to the international border near Quebec, where migrants have been crossing over from northern New York.

"Unless you are being persecuted or fleeing terror or war, you would not qualify as a refugee," Garneau said, "and it's important to combat that misinformation that is out there."

Like in the United States, rules in Canada allow for asylum for people who can demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution in their homeland based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a group like the LBGT community.

People can also be accepted if Canada fears they face torture or cruel or unusual punishment if they are deported.

But those deemed to be economic migrants are given orders of deportation through a process that can range from several months to many years.

Last year, Canada granted asylum to 63 per cent of applicants, for a total of nearly 16,000, according to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

For Haitians it was 52 per cent, said Jean-Nicolas Beuze, the representative in Canada for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. That was similar to the acceptance rate for Haitians in the United States, about 48 per cent.

Officials, immigration lawyers and other experts say the false belief that Canada will accept all migrants is particularly common among Haitians.

"If these people were aware of the criteria that need to be met in order to be granted refugee status in Canada, and of the likelihood of being turned down and deported from Canada back to Haiti, it's possible many of them would probably have decided not to have left the United States," lawyer Stephane Handfield said.

Authorities say more than 80 per cent of the 4,000 who crossed into Quebec recently are from Haiti. The rest include people from India, Mexico, Colombia and Turkey, according to the provincial ministry of immigration.

The Trump administration is considering ending a program that granted temporary residency to about 58,000 people from Haiti following the Caribbean nation's devastating 2010 earthquake. Canada ended a similar program in 2014.

"We're being threatened so we have to leave the country, because we're illegal," said Dorisma. "I was told that Canada isn't a country that deports people."

At Montreal's Olympic Stadium, recent arrivals are sleeping on some 900 cots in a concourse near a rear entrance.

Officials say the shelter is operating at 70 to 90 per cent capacity at any given time and will be open until next month.

Migrants said they have been encouraged by the reception they have received so far in Canada, where there have been only minor anti-immigration demonstrations.

Inancieu Merilien, one of hundreds of Haitians at the arena, said he and others were "being taken care of very well" and "being here is like a dream come true."

In January, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted in response to a US ban on travelers from some Muslim-majority nations: "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength."

But the reality is many will be in an uncomfortable limbo while awaiting a decision on their status. Janet Dench, executive director of the Canadian Council of Refugees, said the lingering threat of deportation will make it difficult to build new lives and get good jobs.

"They can't invest in integrating because they don't know what the future holds," Dench said. "So it's an extremely stressful situation."

Also, despite the access to taxpayer-funded medical care and education, the housing assistance doesn't go far. Those subsidies range between about USD 560 per month for a single adult to USD 1,900 for a family of four, meaning multiple migrant families often must squeeze in under the same roof.

Joseph Jr Clormeus, a pastor of Haitian descent who has been helping migrants, said many still prefer Canada to what they faced south of the border.

"Most of them are disoriented, weak, and don't know what the future will bring," Clormeus said. "But they prefer the uncertainty of life in Canada (over) the certainty of being deported from the United States." AP
Phoenix, August 22

US President Donald Trump hinted on Tuesday that he would issue a pardon for Joe Arpaio, a controversial former sheriff convicted last month of criminal contempt in a racial profiling case.

Trump, who had already held out the possibility of a pardon for Arpaio, decided against announcing it at a major rally in Arizona on Tuesday night but hinted he would step in at some point.

Ill make a prediction. I think hes going to be just fine, okay? But I wont do it tonight because I dont want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe can feel good. Arpaio, an outspoken opponent of illegal immigration, was the sheriff of Maricopa County in Phoenix before he lost a re-election bid last year.

He was found guilty last month of criminal contempt for violating the terms of a 2011 court order in a racial profiling case. Reuters
Doha, August 23

Senior US officials, including presidential adviser Jared Kushner, have met with leaders in Saudi Arabia and Qatar to discuss the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians, the state news agencies of the two Gulf countries said late on Tuesday.

Kushner, US President Donald Trumps son-in-law, US negotiator Jason Greenblatt and deputy national security adviser Dina Powell met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, then flew to Doha to meet the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Apart from efforts to end Israeli-Palestinian hostilities, the two sides also discussed encouraging security, stability and Middle-Eastern-prosperity, SPA said. Neither of the news agencies mentioned the months-old row between Riyadh and Doha, which has defied Kuwaiti and US mediation efforts.

Bin Salman and the official talked about ways to achieve a real and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians and stability in the wider Middle East and beyond, the Saudi state news agency SPA said.

In Doha, which hosts the political leadership of Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, Sheikh Tamim and the envoys discussed the improvement of the humanitarian situation and living conditions in Gaza Strip, Qatar state news agency QNA reported.

The White House announced the trip earlier this month, saying it was part of a regional tour including meetings with leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The US delegation planned to meet regional leaders to discuss a path to substantive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, a White House official said at the time.

Kushner was charged with helping to broker a deal between Israelis and Palestinians after Trump took office.

The president went to Saudi Arabia and Israel during his first post-inauguration trip abroad and has expressed a personal commitment to reaching a deal that has eluded his Republican and Democratic predecessors. Reuters
STROUD  In a remote field near Stroud is one of the Oklahoma Geological Surveys approximately 25 permanent seismometers planted three feet deep in dirt  sensitive enough to detect earthquakes around the globe.

Notably the 25 OGS seismic stations comprise only one-fourth of the patchwork network that monitors Oklahomas unrivaled man-made earthquakes, with the majority of the equipment in place temporarily and at risk of being uprooted from the state.

So the OGS has put together a $3.5 million proposal to install 72 permanent seismic stations across the state in a grid pattern to be phased in during a three-year stretch. Another $400,000 is needed to operate them for five years.

State seismologist Jake Walter said investment in bolstering Oklahomas earthquake monitoring capabilities should have taken place a decade ago. A more robust system will boost scientific knowledge of the states induced seismicity and improve mitigation practices, Walter said.

Its an opportunity to understand this to a degree thats kind of unprecedented, Walter said. Theres been nothing like the scale of the environmental experiment thats being conducted right now in the state of Oklahoma.

Theres been nothing like this in the recorded history of humans.

The proposal would allow scientists to locate and study each earthquake as minute as magnitude 2.0 across the state. The OGS quake catalogue is complete down to a 2.4 level.

Walter said scientists are chasing the causal effects of wastewater injection on induced seismicity  is it the immediate rate or cumulative volumes?

Finding the smallest (magnitude) earthquakes will help you learn more about the whole systems that are generating these larger events, Walter said. So if we can learn more about it, perhaps we can get to the point where were forecasting them.

The seismic stations seclusion near Stroud is necessary to try to avoid traffic, oil and natural gas wells, and other sources of noise to obtain the best unmolested readings of seismicity  not an easy task with Oklahomas expansive energy industry footprint.

Isaac Woelfel, a 6-foot-9 OGS technician, on a recent day repeatedly jumped near the seismometer. A data logger instrument stands above ground about 20 feet away, and an internal screen shows spikes in the data stream with each of Woelfels landings.

In a matter of seconds, the data logger converts the seismometers analog signal to digital and then transmits its readings by cell service to the OGS headquarters in Norman.

Were continuously scanning the data trying to find spikes that are occurring close by in time at this station and then a number of other stations in the area, Walter said. Thats how we triangulate locations of earthquakes.

In Oklahoma, approximately 50 seismometers are on loan from outside entities. Another 10 are U.S. Geological Survey devices temporarily in place. Others in adjacent states help pinpoint some quakes in Oklahoma, too.

So while the OGS uses more than 100 seismometers to log quake data, Walter said the USGS ones can leave at any time and the loaners are renewed on an annual basis that could end in December.

Were already over-extending our borrowing of some of the equipment, Walter said. Theres a real pressing need to invest in this infrastructure for our state.

Oklahoma is pretty blind in regard to seismic detection in the northeast and southeast areas of the state, as well as the Panhandle, Walter said. He emphasized the importance of a comprehensive grid network because its difficult to know where quakes may pop off in the future.

The man-made earthquakes linked to oil and gas industry saltwater disposal first began occurring in central Oklahoma and migrated to northern and western parts of the state. Regulators and scientists are monitoring hydraulic fracturing-related quakes in the SCOOP and STACK oil field plays  hydrocarbon-rich formations in western and south-central Oklahoma experiencing an influx of industry activity.

Walter also pointed to Oklahomas unique natural seismic history, including exposed microfaults that Oklahomans can reach out and touch.

If youre driving (south) down I-35 and youre going over the Arbuckle Mountains, you can look to your right and youll actually see a number of faults in the rock.

A notable large fault  the Meers Fault in southwestern Oklahoma  is believed by scientists to have hosted magnitude-7 earthquakes in geologic time, Walter said. The last surface faulting is believed to have taken place 1,200 to 1,300 years ago, he said.

Its only one of two faults east of the Rockies that has any kind of surface exposure, Walter said.

Woelfel dug up the Stroud seismometer, which was surrounded by standing water after recent rains. Walter said the equipment is robust but still fallible to degradation from moisture and humidity, with Woelfel often replacing sensors.

Walter said OGS has only been able to add piecemeal to its network of permanent seismic stations in an ad hoc sense as limited funding became available. Bottom line, he said, the OGS seismic network plan will help develop science-driven decisions on how to effectively manage saltwater injection throughout the state.

Walter is hopeful to obtain state and industry investment, which in turn could also secure federal dollars toward the plan. The operational costs could be absorbed by OGS if its maintenance and operations budget climbs back to fiscal year 2016 levels of $200,000, as opposed to the $90,000 the agency received in fiscal year 2017, he said.

This is a long-term solution for Oklahoma, looking forward and being proactive in monitoring seismicity rather than reactive like it has been, Walter said.
Trump himself has provided this certification on two occasions already, and the next report to Congress is due in October. However, the previous two decisions to preserve the deal were reportedly made begrudgingly, at the insistence of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and other members of Trumps foreign policy team. The president has recently indicated that if left to his own devices, he would have cancelled the JCPOA at the first opportunity, in keeping with his campaign trail talking points describing it as the worst deal ever negotiated.

Trumps longstanding aversion to continued JCPOA implementation may cause Haleys recent remarks to come as a surprise to some. The Washington Post also appeared to suggest that Tehran was not taking those remarks seriously. At issue for Iranian officials was the fact that Haleys comments preceded her visit on Wednesday to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, where she was to pursue answers to American doubts and concerns regarding Iranian compliance.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has formally complained about the planned visit, with Foreign Minister Javad Zarif claiming in a letter to IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano that White House was attempting to spread its doubts far beyond the borders of the US. Even before the visit takes place, the way it is planned and publicized and the signal that it sends have notable detrimental consequences for the successful implementation of the JCPOA, the letter read.

But Tehran is arguably doing its own part to spread such doubts. Last week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani offered a provocative response to the Trump administrations assertive criticisms of the Islamic Republic, and to a congressional sanctions bill that Trump recently signed into law. The supposedly moderate Iranian president said that if the US continued to exert pressure, then Iran would be prepared to walk away from the JCPOA and resume uranium enrichment at an even higher level than before the deal was implemented. Rouhani specified that the Islamic Republic would be able to do this very quickly, within hours or days.

This commentary expanded upon previous remarks by figures including Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. And on Tuesday, Salehi doubled down once again, telling Iranian state television that his organization could oversee an increase from the five percent enriched uranium allowed under the JCPOA, to the 20 percent in at most five days. Whereas the applications of five percent enrichment are limited to the power generation and medical research that Tehran insists its nuclear program is for, 20 percent enrichment is eminently capable of being used for the development of a nuclear weapon.

At the same time that the intention to resume this level of enrichment casts renewed doubt upon Tehrans declared goals, the claim of such ready capability is suspicious in another way. Critics of the nuclear agreement have always maintained that its weak enforcement mechanisms allowed for the Iranians to conduct secretive research and uranium enrichment at sites that were off limits to IAEA inspectors, including Iranian military bases like the Parchin site that has long been suspected of playing a role in weaponization aspects of the nuclear program. Salehis and Rouhanis claims are sure to add fuel to these criticisms, as it is difficult to imagine how such rapid renewal of full-scale enrichment would be possible if Iran had previously been in full compliance.

In reporting upon Salehis comments, Al Jazeera points out that the Obama administration and some independent analysts believed the JCPOA would lengthen Irans breakout time for a nuclear weapon from a few months to over a year. But Salehis claim of 20 percent enrichment within only five days may be explicitly intended to imply a much shorter window of time.

This would, of course, be in keeping with the deliberate provocations that are still being carried out against the US and some of its allies by other elements of the Iranian regime. A new editorial that originally appeared at Arab Weekly called attention to the details of the latest close encounters between the US Navy and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in the international waters of the Persian Gulf, and it stated that the Iranians seem intent on provoking the Americans into an international conflict.

Of course, the more pragmatic figures associated with the Rouhani administration have suggested quite different intentions. Salehi said, for instance, that the Islamic Republic remained committed to the nuclear agreement after working hard to secure its negotiation, but also that it would react aggressively if challenged by the Americans.

Still, the Arab Weekly editorial suggested that the Iranians were risking a serious cost by provoking the US in the waters of the Middle East. And a similar argument can be made about Salehi and Rouhanis own provocations, which, although more nuanced, still seem to raise the possibility of an American reaction and possibly even one that is broadly supported by the Western world.

Though President Trump has already seriously considered undermining the JCPOA, his declaration of Iranian non-compliance have tended to rely on the notion that Iran is violating the spirit of the deal. But coming just ahead of Ambassador Haleys visit to the IAEA, Salehis 20 percent comments could amplify the effect that the Iranian Foreign Ministry predicted that visit would have: namely spreading suspicions regarding Irans compliance with the actual letter of the deal.

Although Salehis and Haleys comments were reported at around the same time, it is clear that Haley was aware of other, similar comments by both Salehi and Rouhani before she declared that President Trump had not yet come to a decision about certifying Irans compliance with the JCPOA. Yet it is possible that the White House is withholding any announcement about specific points of Iran policy until it completes a comprehensive review of that policy itself, which is apparently still pending.

If this is the case, it might also answer concerns that were raised by Kelly Jane Torrance of the Weekly Standard in an interview with Fox News following the White Houses announcement that it had concluded a similar comprehensive review regarding Afghanistan. Torrance noted that Trumps speech on this matter failed to mention Iran, which has expanded relations with the Afghan Taliban during the past year and promises to have a significant impact on US policy in that country and in the region as a whole. It is quite possible that pundits and the American public will a better sense of the White Houses decision on both this and nuclear compliance once the comprehensive policy review is complete.
Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International, Magdalena Mughrabi, said that on July 30th some 53 political prisoners were violently transferred to Section 10 of Rajai Shahr prison. These prisoners are human rights defenders, trade unionists, journalists, students, peaceful political dissidents, and members of Irans persecuted Bahai community.

Its reported that at least 17 political prisoners went on hunger strike in protest at the transfer.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Amnesty International described their conditions as cruel, inhuman and degrading. Amnesty also said of the newly opened area where the prisoners were transferred, They are held in cells with windows covered by metal sheets, and deprived of access to clean drinking water, food and sufficient beds.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), based in Paris, said that many other political prisoners in Gohardasht Prison are experiencing deteriorated physical conditions and are in dangerous condition. In their statement, the NCRI said, On Monday, August 21, Mr. Hassan Sadeghi was transferred to Farabi Hospital in Qazvin Square of southern Tehran, he is suffering from glaucoma due to the severe blows suffered from prison authorities to his eye. They add that physicians say he may lose his eyesight.

Previously, on August 11th, the Iranian resistance issued a statement addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur of Human Rights in Iran and the Special Rapporteur on Torture regarding their increased concern for the wellbeing of over 14 political prisoners inside Irans Gohardasht prison. They urged that action be taken to save the lives of these political prisoners.

The Iranian Resistance expresses grave concern over the health and security of political prisoners on hunger strike in solitary confinement of ward 4 in Gohardasht Prison of Karaj, west of Tehran, the statement read, adding that the prisoners suffered beatings by prison guards as well as the ban of family visits, and that the prisoners have been deprived of the minimum hygiene products and decent clothing.

Additionally, the resistance alleged in their statement, The religious fascism ruling Iran exerts its authority through executions, torture and detentions. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani, with his moderate mask, are two sides of this medieval regimes coin.

Amnesty International is calling on the Iranian authorities to allow international monitors, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, to conduct independent, unannounced inspections of Rajai Shahr Prison and other prisons across the country.
The way Richard Gardner saw it, he had little to fear from the digital revolution.

You work on a computer all day; you dont want to come home and read another computer for another two or three hours, the owner of Gardners Used Books said last year in asserting his conviction that e-books would never completely replace the printed page.

As long as the latter still had its loyalists, Gardners shelves would cater to them.

In a 2016 interview marking his 25th year in business, Gardner estimated that he had about 1 million books on hand at what had become Tulsas largest used book store, along with another half-million or so in warehouses.

And each day saw a few thousand more brought in to sell or swap.

As far as a bookstore goes, you can never have too many books, Gardner said.

It was a pretty cool arrangement for an acknowledged bookworm, he admitted. Among the boxes of new arrivals, Gardner couldnt help but look for books that I like to take home and read.

Richard C. Gardner, an independent businessman and entrepreneur who built a successful tax service before going on to build Gardners Used Books, died Aug. 18 from an apparent fall at his home, family members said.

He was 73.

A funeral Mass is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Bernards Catholic Church. Moores Southlawn Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Gardner started Gardners Tax Service, 5618 S. Mingo Road, in 1976.

From 70 clients that first year, the business has grown to more than 8,000, according to its website, making it one of the top five independent tax offices in Oklahoma.

Between it and the bookstore, Gardner operated two of the largest independently owned businesses of their kinds in the state, a fact of which he was proud, family members say.

A lifelong reader and frequenter of book shops, Gardner opened Gardners Used Books, 4421 S. Mingo Road, in 1991, starting with just 384 titles culled from his personal library.

He would build gradually from there and, in addition to books, expand to handle records and CDs, DVDs, trading cards and other items.

It was more like a hobby for him than a business, said his wife, Socorro Gardner. That was his passion. He loved books.

Her husband traveled widely and was always bringing back interesting items for the store, she said. One of the most memorable, she added, was the giant-size Hulk figure that customers have come to know and love.

Big on promoting reading, Gardner made it a practice to donate books to schools and charities.

Gardner, born and raised in Tulsa, was a graduate of Central High School. He held an accounting degree from the University of Tulsa.

Among other interests, he was passionate about running.

Gardner was one of only a few local runners, in fact, to have participated in every Tulsa Run since it began in 1978. He was training hard for what wouldve been his 40th later this year, his wife said.

The bookstore will be closed Thursday for the service but will reopen Friday. Socorro Gardner said the family is not sure yet what the future holds for her husbands businesses.

Gardner is survived by his wife of 46 years, Socorro Gardner; two sons, David Gardner and Steve Gardner; a daughter, Monica Gardner; four grandchildren; and two siblings, Judy Gardner and Greg Gardner.
The regime is interfering in the internal affairs of many of its neighbours and has a worrying presence across the Middle East.

Human rights organisations are also concerned about the abuses taking place at home. The people of Iran have been dealing with an increasing number of crackdowns and dissent is punished with prison sentences, torture and / or execution.

The United States appears to be taking the lead in increasing pressure on Iran. Numerous former officials declared their bipartisan support for countering the Iranian regime, including the former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Iran is the biggest source of regional instability and is the number one exporter of terrorism and extremism.

Many have claimed, and still do, that the Iranian regime needs to be reformed. However, the current regime is incapable of reform. It has been given numerous chances, but there has been nothing to indicate that reform will ever happen.

Former US President Obama, like several of his predecessors, tried to reign in the Iranian regime by making concessions. Despite this and the diplomacy and the policies of engagement, nothing improved. In fact, the situation got worse.

The current US administration has understood that engagement and diplomacy will not work, and it understands that concessions only weakened the US position when it came to the Iranian regime. Therefore, it is heading in the opposite direction. It is taking a firmer stance with the application of numerous sanctions.

This is encouraging to the people of Iran who may finally have the international support that they have been waiting for. The people are becoming increasingly fed up with the leadership of their country and are calling for the overthrow of the regime.

The Iranian regime knows not to underestimate the power of the people and is justifiably nervous. It is vulnerable and exposed and the infighting within the regimes internal factions is not helping.

Also, the fact that a viable alternative exists is putting pressure on the regime. And the fact that it has international support is making it even worse.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) led by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi will provide the Iranian people with the leadership that it wants and needs. It will bring freedom and democracy to the country. Equality and a separation of religion and state, as well as rights for all, will be most welcome in a country that has been oppressed for so long.
Refugee and migrant children play in a shelter run by UNHCR in Guatemala.  UNHCR/Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo

GUATEMALA CITY  Threatened and harassed by murderous street gang members in their native El Salvador, parents Juan Pablo* and Cecilia were driven to move home time and again.

But it was the prospect of a disrupted education for their five-year-old son Juan and one-year-old daughter Alma that finally drove them to quit their Central American homeland.

Our children have to study and you cant do that when youre always moving from one place to another, says Juan Pablo.

He and his family are among tens of thousands of people fleeing the street gangs, or maras, in El Salvador and Honduras  although their destination is an unlikely one: neighbouring Guatemala.

The powerful maras criminal activities include extortion, drug dealing, human trafficking, prostitution and robbery. While their reach extends to Guatemala, asylum seekers say it is a safer option for them.

We heard only certain parts of Guatemala were violent, that it was much calmer here, says Juan Pablo, who fled to Guatemala City with his family in May. Every corner of El Salvador is dangerous.

Guatemala is now a refuge for those fleeing the region's gang violence. (Alexandre St-Denis, camera / Michelle Hoffman, producer)

To better safeguard new arrivals, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and civil society organizations have set up a network of safe spaces to protect asylum seekers like Juan Pablo and family  whether they choose to stay in Guatemala or continue on to another country.

The indications are that more are opting to stay put. From 2014 to 2016, the number of asylum requests in Guatemala increased 202 per cent. Additionally, Guatemala does not detain those seeking asylum, which has allowed Juan Pablo and Cecilia to achieve their main goal.

They have allowed my son into school without cost, says Cecilia. And my daughter gets to go to day care. Guatemalans have been good to us and supported us.

The family have applied for asylum and received visas to stay temporarily while their case is reviewed. Since 2014, 178 people have been recognized as refugees here, with 97 per cent of claims by Salvadorans, and 83 per cent by Hondurans, proving successful.

Guatemalans have been good to us and supported us.

Protection is not limited to families. People identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex, known collectively as LGBTI, are specifically recognized as eligible refugees in Guatemala. That recognition has been vital for Leti, who grew up in El Salvador, but found the transition to being a woman a brutal experience there.

When I told my family about my sexuality, home became hostile for me, she says. She fled abuse and violence in El Salvador more than a decade ago after watching other LGBTI friends be murdered.

While life in Guatemala has not been easy, she and other LGBTI friends from El Salvador have thrived here since receiving the opportunity to apply for asylum.

Ive made friends and found new spaces to volunteer and work as an activist, she says. I feel at home here. The people here arent my blood relatives but they feel like sisters.

The fundamental challenge is to address  the root causes of the violence that cause so many people to flee.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi is currently making a first working visit to Guatemala, during which he met with President Jimmy Morales, refugees and UNHCR partners.

He noted that the protection measures were needed as Guatemala is increasingly become a country of refuge, and not just a stepping stone for refugees and migrants headed to Mexico and the United States.

There are many people who end up asking for asylum in this country, particularly from El Salvador and Honduras, said Grandi. He stressed that concerted international action was needed to tackle the insecurity driving displacement in the region.

The fundamental challenge is to address root causes, especially the root causes of the violence that cause so many people to flee. And this search for solutions can only be carried out on a regional basis  And this has to happen with the support of the international community, he said.

Grandi is visiting Guatemala at the start of a 10-day visit to five countries in the region. In Honduras and El Salvador, he is scheduled to meet with communities affected by violence and insecurity as well as government leaders and UNHCR partners.

He will also visit Mexico, where he will meet with refugees and asylum-seekers, mainly from Central America, who found safety in the country, where incipient efforts to develop durable solutions, principally local integration, are key. The trip concludes in Costa Rica.

*All refugees names have been changed for protection reasons.
August 23 2017

Paisleys landmark Russell Institute has been handed a new lease of life courtesy of 5m of public sector funding to transform the former health centre into office space for Skills Development Scotland and Renfrewshire Council.A key plank of the towns bid to become UK City of Culture 2021 the work was overseen by Elder & Cannon Architects working in tandem with main contractor CBC to accommodate 120 staff.Throughout the work distinctive features have been retained including ornate sculptures, a feature staircase and balcony.Members of the public will be able to sample at first hand the fruits of these efforts when the building throws open its doors on 2 and 3 September as part of Doors Open Day.


Andiamo Italian Steakhouse had another famous face dine with them over the weekend (no surprise)! Actor Emerson Brooks, who is currently starring in the hit series The Last Ship which premiered in its 4th season on TNT, dined at Andiamo this past Sunday night (Photo credit: the D Casino Hotel).

Emerson had a busy night on TV trying to help save the ship as Captain Joseph Meylan. He might also look familiar from other countless TV series, including, NCIS, 24, Lost and All My Children.

Brooks couldnt think of a better way to spend his downtime than ordering a meal at a top-rated Vegas hot spot. His smile lit up the restaurant, and his hearty steak lit up his taste buds. Emerson was joined by a few friends visiting Vegas for the weekend.

Photo credit: the D Casino Hotel

Customers at Andiamo, along with the weekend party goers in the casino, recognized Emerson immediately. He was glad to stop for pictures and autographs as he made his way through the D Casino Hotel! Two of the Ds pretty cocktail waitresses seem to be fans as well and posed for a photo with the actor.

It seems like more and more people are catching on to the fact that a trip downtown is almost a guaranteed celebrity sighting! We wonder which famous face is next to visit the D Casino Hotel or Andiamo Italian Steakhouse?
(Photo: Arati Chauhan's Facebook page)

An animal activist spotted the blue dogs wandering the streets of Mumbai near an industrial zone where factories had been accused of pouring untreated chemicals directly into the Kasadi river. Arati Chauhan said dogs and birds had been left a bright blue after swimming in the contaminated river.

"We managed to take one dog for treatment as it was suffering with eye infection," Arati Chauhan, head of the Navi Mumbai Animal Protection Cell, told AFP. "The bizzare incident brought to the forefront the dangers posed by these firms which fail to comply with environmental norms."

Chauhan wrote to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, a state body, to complain, and posted images of the dyed dogs online. The board intervened, shutting down the factory for breaching laws on waste disposal, after pictures of the egg-shell blue dogs went viral online.

"We have shut down the erring firm after it was found they were flouting norms and endangering animals in the vicinity," Jayant Hajare, the board's sub-regional officer told AFP.

Officials were also monitoring the health of the canines, Hajare added.

The Kasadi runs through Taloja, Mumbai's dense industrial zone home to nearly 1000 factories, data from the Mumbai-based Watchdog Foundation shows.
[August 22, 2017] NeverBounce announces Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer

BEACHWOOD, Ohio, Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NeverBounce, the industry leading real-time email verification and cleaning service, announced today it has named Marty McGreevy Chief Operating Officer, in addition to the appointment of David Borrowman as Chief Technology Officer. "This is the perfect time for Marty McGreevy to be joining NeverBounce as our COO. We've acquired a seasoned, diversified leader who delivers incredible results time after time," said Brad Owen, CEO and Founder of NeverBounce. "I could not be more confident in Marty's ability to strategically align NeverBounce's industry-leading operational practices with our vision for our company's future." Prior to joining NeverBounce, McGreevy was the Chief Marketing Officer at DDR Corporation in Beachwood, Ohio, returning to his home state to help the shopping-enter giant bring its marketing efforts into the digital age. Before DDR, McGreevy was a Managing Partner at MC Advisors and President of Cyclonix Inc., a San Jose-based marketing and consulting firm.



In addition, the corporation is proud to promote David Borrowman to Chief Technology Officer. "I've had the pleasure of working with David Borrowman for quite some time now," said Owen. "David's 18-year track record of crafting technology-based solutions to drive business results makes him the perfect candidate to keep NeverBounce's technology sharp, secure, and evolving." Previously, Borrowman worked for Owen's former venture, Creavos Agency, a web development and technical marketing agency that specialized in custom software, content solutions, and data-driven marketing strategies. Borrowman is also a former Senior Software Engineer at Mixed Logic Studio Electronics.

About NeverBounce Created by marketing industry veterans, over 45,000 organizations trust NeverBounce to handle email verification and cleaning. NeverBounce cuts bounce rates, increases sender scores, and helps companies adhere to strict email provider guidelines. We remove invalid and outdated email addresses, as well as those that have blocked or designated your company's messages as spam. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, a dedicated support team is available to assist with any issue. Try NeverBounce now via the online dashboard or our easy to integrate API offering and analyze your email list's health free of charge. Learn more by visiting http://www.NeverBounce.com, following NeverBounce on Twitter, or connecting on Facebook. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neverbounce-announces-chief-operating-officer-and-chief-technology-officer-300508038.html SOURCE NeverBounce

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Italian emergency workers evacuate, on a stretcher, Ciro, a 11 year-old boy who was trapped by rubble, in Casamicciola Terme, on the Italian island of Ischia, on Aug 22, 2017, after an earthquake hit the popular Italian tourist island off the coast of Naples. (Photo: AFP/Eliano Imperato)

Firefighters dug with their bare hands to reach 11-year old Ciro, the last of three brothers buried in debris when the quake struck.

"There was silence for a while, they were tired. Then they began speaking again and we drew comfort from that," said Luca Cari, a firefighter spokesman.

A woman was killed in Casamicciola, in the north of the small tourist island, by debris that fell from a church, while the body of another was spotted in the rubble of a collapsed house, local media reported.

Firefighters broke into applause as a dusty Mattias, seven, was pulled free from under the bed where he had taken refuge. His 11-year old brother Ciro was the last to emerge, rescued after 16 hours in the dark and loaded into a waiting ambulance.

The boys' father, whose hands were bandaged after spending the night digging through the rubble alongside the firefighters, could be seen tearfully hugging relatives as his eldest son was saved.

Emergency workers had previously recovered the boys' seven-month-old brother, Pasquale, crying but alive, after hours of effort overnight. Their pregnant mother had sounded the alarm.

Two small communes, Casamicciola and neighbouring Lacco Ameno, bore the brunt of the quake, according to the civil protection agency.

The quake hit the northwest of the island at 8:57pm (1857 GMT) on Monday, at a depth of just five kilometres (three miles).

Italian authorities first put the quake at a 3.6 magnitude, but later revised it upward to 4.0 - in seismic terms, a modest event.

The main earthquake was followed by 14 smaller aftershocks. Several buildings collapsed while others had large, ominous cracks.

Thirty-nine people were injured, one seriously.

"Italy is united with Ischia in sorrow for, and solidarity with, the victims. We stand side-by-side with those taking part in the rescues," Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Twitter.

'A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE'

Many holidaymakers packed their bags and rushed to catch special overnight ferries back to the mainland.

The quake struck just days ahead of the first anniversary of the 6.0 magnitude quake that killed nearly 300 people in and around Amatrice in central Italy. In October 2016 and January 2017 three other earthquakes hit the same region.

Francesco Peduto, head of Italy's National Geologists Association, on Tuesday slammed shoddy construction and a lack of earthquake prevention measures, saying a 4.0-magnitude quake should not have brought down buildings.

"It's frankly extraordinary that people continue to die for earthquakes of this size," he said.

The quake response has benefited from the presence of emergency responders who were on the island to fight forest fires that have plagued Italy this summer, local media said.

"I was on the couch watching TV. Blackout, shaking, something fell on my head. I scream, my mother grabs me and we ran outside," one witness wrote on Twitter.

Teams of firefighters, including two units specialised in extracting people from rubble, were quickly mobilised, said Bruno Frattasi, who oversees the fire department.

Ischia's only hospital was also hit and had to be partially evacuated, with five patients transferred to another medical facility by helicopter.

Restaurants were packed and many stores were still open when the shaking began, witnesses said on Twitter.

"A horrible experience, everything was shaking, plunged into darkness, houses were collapsing ... a nightmare," one wrote.

Ischia is often hit by earthquakes, with its worst dating back to July 1883, when an estimated 5.8-magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 people.

Italy straddles the Eurasian and African tectonic plates, making it vulnerable to seismic activity when they move.
Foreign ownership limit and FX market liberalisation are among issues that are locking Vietnam from an MSCI upgrade, Photo: Le Toan

Taking a look at the MSCI Global Market Accessibility Review released in June, the index providers grounds for not considering an upgrade for Vietnam come down to issues including the foreign ownership limit (FOL), FX market liberalisation, and investor registration and account setup.

Despite Vietnams efforts to lift the FOL at public companies in a number of sectors in 2015  structured in Decree No. 60/2015/ND-CP  MSCI wrote in its report that the rights of foreign investors are limited as a result of the

stringent foreign ownership limits imposed on both total as well as individual foreign investors.

MSCI could be right in this assessment. Marc Djandji, director of Brokerage for Foreign and Institutional Clients at Viet Dragon Securities, said in an interview last December that there were numerous companies which havent changed anything regarding FOL.

Still Le Hai Tra, deputy managing director of the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, disagreed with the index provider, saying that even in developed markets like Japan, corporates in sensitive sectors like Japan Airlines and Fuji Media Holdings still set FOLs in accordance with local regulations.

With reference to typical sectors such as banking, setting limits on the total ownership and on foreign institutional and individual investors would not necessarily affect their benefits, noted Tra.

Are we there yet?

It is not only Vietnams FOL issues that hinder its march toward emerging status, but also its operational framework. This is the area that MSCI deems most in need of improvement. Liquidity on the onshore currency market, according to MSCI, has been relatively low, while there is no offshore currency market.

In terms of investor registration and account setup, the index provider brought up the issue of language complexity that involves the translation of investors supporting documents into Vietnamese.

According to Saigon Securities Inc. (SSI), it could take quite some time for the country to switch to a more open foreign currency exchange regime. The Vietnamese dong is currently protected by the central bank through its capital control policy, as part of an attempt to maintain a sustainable economy and surplus balance of payment.

It will take a long time to strengthen the economy and to make changes in regulations to have a solid ground for stock market upgrade, said SSI in a March report.

Ticking the boxes

According to Dr. Chua Hak Bin, senior economist at Maybank Kim Eng Research (MBKE), Vietnam is no different from Pakistan  which was formally added to MSCIs Emerging Market Index in June, Qatar, or other emerging market countries when it comes to concerns on liquidity and credit ratings. These are the sticking points preventing a local market upgrade, but it does not look like they will be in the way for long.

Vietnams upgrade to emerging market status is a foregone eventuality, as soon as some of these boxes are ticked, said the Singapore-based economist.

I get the sense that there are some concerns over governance, given the dominance of state-owned enterprises. Accelerating equitisation, and improving liquidity and reducing the premium that foreigners have to pay on some of the shares because of FOLs will help speed up the upgrade, Bin added on the sidelines of a roundtable on Vietnams changing landscape and new opportunities, held by MBKE in Hanoi in early this month.

Fraud, meanwhile, is difficult to completely abolish in any market, and also occurs in more developed markets like Singapore and Hong Kong. It is not as if credit quality and governance are not issues in Indonesia, the Philippines, or Malaysia. There have been multiple cases in emerging markets where inventories disappear and cash on the balance sheet doesnt actually exist, Bin said.

Frankly, if someone is set on committing fraud, no matter how you regulate, its not going to stop financial crime. But the country must have the appropriate system to charge the culprits and impose the appropriate penalties to deter such behaviour.

So it takes time, [and its] part of the maturing and learning process of any emerging market.

Work in progress

It is only a matter of time, in Bins opinion, before Vietnam moves up the ladder from frontier to emerging market status. The market is already seeing tremendous growth and progress in terms of market capitalisation and trading volumes, and market access has definitely improved.

I think its probably difficult this year, but probably by next year, there is a good chance that Vietnam will be upgraded to emerging market status, Bin said.

He said he is pretty confident on the progress that the country has made so far. Growth is strong, and Vietnam has become more open to trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) than many other emerging markets. The export-to-GDP ratio is now higher than Thailand or Malaysia.

I think when you look at the sharp increase in the number and breadth of Vietnamese companies listed, within a short span of time, it has been quite remarkable, he said.

In terms of FDI in the market, Bin senses growing foreign interest and appetite, and he feels that inflows will accelerate if there are more opportunities and liquidity.

There is a lot of interest because of Vietnams fundamentals, including rising

incomes, favourable demographics, and urbanisation, which will drive consumption and profits over a longer-term horizon, over the next five to 10 years, he said.

In addition, the fact that Vietnams existing per capita income of around $2,000 remains low and well below most other emerging markets highlights the countrys potential to catch up and converge with other emerging and developed markets. Infrastructure investment is also progressing much more rapidly than in the rest of ASEAN.

We like the dynamics, the fast-growing exports and the remarkable shift towards manufacturing from a largely agricultural and mining economy, he added.
Duong Thuy Dung, senior director and head of professional services at CBRE Vietnam, predicted that in 2017-2018, the three segments that will attract the most mergers and acquisitions (M&As) include houses for sale in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, hotels and condotels in coastal provinces, and industrial properties stretching from the north to the south of the country.

The optimistic forecasts were also shared by Nguyen My Phuong, CEO of Tien Phuoc Group, who foresaw more deals at increased values.

Masataka Sam Yoshida, senior managing director of Japans M&A consultant firm Recof Corporation, said that Japanese investors began showing interest in the Vietnamese real estate market in 2015, especially in the high-end residential, commercial, and hotel sectors.

I have seen that Japanese firms are creating a wave of M&As in property in Vietnam, with a range of projects acquired. Outstanding names among those were Tokyu, Mitsubishi, Hankyu Realty, Nishi Nippon Railroad, and Meada Group.

In the near future, we think that we [Japanese firms] should slow down our investments in Vietnam and be more careful about the fast development of the market. However, we are seeing many good projects with great potential and feasibility that would make good supply for M&A activities in Vietnam, Yoshida told the 2017 M&A Forum organised by VIR recently.

Drawing on 25 years of experience in the Vietnam property business, Rick Mayo Smith, chairman of Ruby Asset International, said that M&As in real estate may be tricky. The real estate market has grown by 20 or 30 per cent over the past two years, so it may flatten out soon. I believe that if investors want to conduct M&As, they need to be careful and vigilant, especially in terms of fair pricing.

Smith said if foreigners could own a house for 99 years in special economic zones as proposed by the Ministry of Planning and Investment in a draft law, instead of the 50 years they were allowed currently, that would prompt significant foreign interest in the Vietnamese property market.

The recent decree on non-performing loans, especially the clauses on collateral, will hopefully change the situation and push up the real estate market, as well as help the financial sector, he added.

Chu Chee Kwang  general director of Nam Long Group, which has co-operated with Japanese investors on many projects  expects that real estate M&As will increase in the near future.

We have experience in partnerships with foreign investors, like Keppel Land, Nishi Nippon Railroad, and Hankyu Realty, and they all highly appreciate the potential of M&A deals in the real estate sector, Kwang said.

Real estate M&As require a long-term partnership, as it takes many years to develop a project. The most crucial factor is to ensure the efficiency of operations.

From 2016-2017, the real estate sector in Vietnam has seen an outbreak in M&As, with big names such as Vingroup, Bitexco, Novaland, Dat Xanh, An Gia, Phat Dat, and Tien Phuoc participating along with several foreign investors.

According to recent figures released by the M&A Forum Vietnam 2017, in 2016, the total value of M&A deals in Vietnam reached $5.8 billion  a record number, and an increase of 12 per cent year-on-year. Of this, the real estate sector was one of the most attractive and busiest sectors in terms of M&A, with an on-year growth rate of 9.63 per cent.

According to JLL Vietnam, there is currently strong interest in Vietnamese real estate from foreign investors, a theme that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

There will continue to be a strong preference for income-producing assets. However given the shortage of this type, there will be a continued focus on development activity. We are seeing more partnerships and joint ventures forming between local companies and foreign investors; we expect this trend to continue, said Stephen Wyatt, country director of JLL Vietnam.

There are more foreign investors entering Vietnam, and opening new offices here. Typically, these investors were on a fly-in, fly-out basis on their first investment, while now for subsequent investments they have set up local teams comprising a combination of local and expat operators. Due to the strong focus on Vietnam from regional investors, we expect M&A activities to reach record levels by the end of 2017 and 2018, he added.
Mohamed Houli Chemlal, suspected of involvement in the terror cell that carried out twin attacks in Spain, is escorted by Spanish Civil Guards from a detention center in Tres Cantos, near Madrid, on Aug 22, 2017. (Photo: AFP/Stringer)

Mohamed Houli Chemlal, suspected of involvement in the terror cell that carried out twin attacks in Spain, is escorted by Spanish Civil Guards from a detention center in Tres Cantos, near Madrid, on Aug 22, 2017. (Photo: AFP/Stringer)

Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 21, said he knew of the plans two months ago, as he, and three other suspects, appeared in court for the first time following twin attacks that killed 15 people and wounded more than 100.

The four are the only surviving suspects from what was believed to be a 12-man terror cell that rammed a van into pedestrians on a tourist-packed boulevard in Barcelona on Thursday. Hours later, members of the the group carried out a similar attack in Cambrils further south.

After a full day hearing before the judge, Chemlal and another suspect, Driss Oukabir, 27, were remanded in custody and charged with terror related offences.

But the third man who owns the car used in Cambrils, Mohamed Aallaa, was granted conditional release, with the judge saying evidence against him was weak.

The judge gave himself three more days to decide if the fourth suspect, Salh El Karib - who manages a store that allows people to make calls abroad - should be remanded or released from custody.

Chemlal, a Spaniard, told the judge that the cell was planning "an attack on an even greater scale, targeting monuments" using bombs, a judicial source told AFP. He had known of the plans for an attack "at least two months ago", he added.

'IMAM WANTED TO BLOW HIMSELF UP'

Chemlal, dressed in hospital pyjamas and with his right hand bandaged, was brought in after a doctor said he was fit for interrogation, a court spokesman told AFP.

He was injured in an accidental explosion at the group's makeshift bomb factory on Wednesday evening. One of those killed in the blast was an imam, Abdelbaki Es Satty, who is thought to have radicalised him and other young suspects.

Chemlal only survived because he was out on the porch when the blast occurred.

He told the judge the imam had wanted to blow himself up. The judicial source said that among the four suspects, "two blamed the imam for the plot while another two denied knowing him".

Earlier, police had revealed that the suspected militants had been preparing bombs for "one or more attacks in Barcelona".

Details on their plans were outlined in the 14-page ruling issued following Tuesday's preliminary hearing.

Police clearing the rubble in Alcanar found "a large quantity of butane gas canisters, acetone, oxygenated water, bicarbonate, a large quantity of nails ... and detonators to spark the explosion," said the court papers.

These are among key ingredients of TATP - the explosive of choice of the Islamic State group, which has claimed the attacks.

In the rubble, police also found a sheet of paper slipped into a green-coloured book, which said: "A brief letter from the soldiers of the Islamic State on the territory of Al Andalous to the crusaders, the sinners, the unjust and the corrupters".

Al Andalous is the name of the territories governed until 1492 by Muslims better known as Moors.

But the accidental explosion in their bomb factory - a house in Alcanar, south of Barcelona - forced the suspects to alter their plans.

PLAN B

After losing their bombs and two of their members in the blast in Alcanar, the militants decided a day after to rent a van.

But they once again suffered a false start as its driver was involved in an accident, not far from Cambrils.

A second van rented by Driss Oukabir was used two hours later in the Barcelona rampage.

In court on Tuesday, Oukabir admitted renting the van but said he did so for moving purposes.

Aallaa, freed conditionally and the owner of the Audi used in Cambrils, said it was registered under his name for insurance reasons but that his brother Said, 19, used it.

The court hearing came five days after the twin vehicle assaults.

Spanish police on Monday shot dead Younes Abouyaaqoub, the suspected Barcelona van driver, the last fugitive member of the cell.

While Catalan police say the cell has been dismantled, investigators are trying to determine if it had support from other individuals.

Questions are also arising about the group's possible international connections.

AUDI IN PARIS, IMAM IN BELGIUM

In Belgium, the mayor of the Vilvorde region told AFP that Satty spent time in the Brussels suburb of Machelen - next to the city's airport - between January and March 2016.

And in France, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told BFMTV that the Audi used to kill people in Cambrils had been detected by speed cameras in the Paris region while making "a very rapid return trip" days before the Spanish attacks.

Collomb is due to host Spanish counterpart Juan Ignacio Zoido on Wednesday for talks due to include anti-terrorism cooperation.

At least one of the suspects also spent a night in Zurich in December, according to Swiss police.
[August 23, 2017]

Xylobands Light Up Toronto for Coldplay's 'A Head Full of Dreams' Concerts

TORONTO, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rogers Centre was aglow this week with the excitement of Coldplay's live performances, and also with the light from every person's wristband, courtesy of the innovative LED wristbands known as Xyloband.

Xylobands, made famous by Coldplay, are the 'intelligent LED wristbands' with micro computer/receivers that use RF control to light up the entire audience. A single, ground based transmitter lights up everyone, creating a brilliant and immersive LED light show experience unlike anything before. Coldplay fans are seeing the latest technology at the band's state-of-the-art live concerts.

XYLOBANDS at Xylobands USA

Xylobands feature 360 degrees of RGB LED lights, on an extended 10-inch fabric strap, they are meant to be seen. Xylobands are the brightest intelligent LED wristbands available. They shine more light than imitation silicone bands that use only a few LEDs, plus; the unlimited programming options of Xylobands create all kinds of unique experiences.

The LED wristbands are available from Xylobands USA, and they are being used to light up public and private events around the world. Xylobands have become very popular at corporate events that use the Xylobands to motivate their teams. Meetings and seminars are more exciting with the LED bracelets illustrating meeting points on the group. Xylobands aren't the only product lighting up crowds, intelligent LED lanyards, with even more LED lights can light up an entire venue.

Coldplay has previously worked with the special effects team behind Xylobands USA; TLC Creative. TLC Creative provided lasers for previous tours, live special effects, glowballs, and; TLC provided aerial photography for A Head Full of Dreams Rose Bowl show.

LED wristbands from TLC Creative >







Event planners take advantage of the unlimited programming options for Xylobands including; multiple, customizable preset cues, live cue buttons, and dynamics: Flash - Pulse - Fade - Twinkle - Strobe, with controls for speeds & rates.

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Coldplay's tour 'A Head Full of Dreams' continues across North America; with passionate live performances, and state-of-the-art Xylobands, lasers, glowballs, and live special effects. After Toronto, the tour heads to NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, then the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

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Bill Cosby, center, surrounded by his new legal team, Tom Mesereau, left, and Kathleen Bliss, right, leans his head back to hear words of encouragement from the crowd of onlookers as he leaves the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., on Tuesday.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Please be seated.

Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Tillerson, members of the Cabinet, General Dunford, Deputy Secretary Shanahan, and Colonel Duggan. Most especially, thank you to the men and women of Fort Myer and every member of the United States military at home and abroad.

We send our thoughts and prayers to the families of our brave sailors who were injured and lost after a tragic collision at sea, as well as to those conducting the search and recovery efforts.

I am here tonight to lay out our path forward in Afghanistan and South Asia. But before I provide the details of our new strategy, I want to say a few words to the servicemembers here with us tonight, to those watching from their posts, and to all Americans listening at home.

Since the founding of our republic, our country has produced a special class of heroes whose selflessness, courage, and resolve is unmatched in human history.

American patriots from every generation have given their last breath on the battlefield for our nation and for our freedom. Through their lives  and though their lives were cut short, in their deeds they achieved total immortality.

By following the heroic example of those who fought to preserve our republic, we can find the inspiration our country needs to unify, to heal, and to remain one nation under God. The men and women of our military operate as one team, with one shared mission, and one shared sense of purpose.

They transcend every line of race, ethnicity, creed, and color to serve together  and sacrifice together  in absolutely perfect cohesion. That is because all servicemembers are brothers and sisters. Theyre all part of the same family; its called the American family. They take the same oath, fight for the same flag, and live according to the same law. They are bound together by common purpose, mutual trust, and selfless devotion to our nation and to each other.

The soldier understands what we, as a nation, too often forget that a wound inflicted upon a single member of our community is a wound inflicted upon us all. When one part of America hurts, we all hurt. And when one citizen suffers an injustice, we all suffer together.

Loyalty to our nation demands loyalty to one another. Love for America requires love for all of its people. When we open our hearts to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, no place for bigotry, and no tolerance for hate.

The young men and women we send to fight our wars abroad deserve to return to a country that is not at war with itself at home. We cannot remain a force for peace in the world if we are not at peace with each other.

As we send our bravest to defeat our enemies overseas  and we will always win  let us find the courage to heal our divisions within. Let us make a simple promise to the men and women we ask to fight in our name that, when they return home from battle, they will find a country that has renewed the sacred bonds of love and loyalty that unite us together as one.

Thanks to the vigilance and skill of the American military and of our many allies throughout the world, horrors on the scale of September 11th  and nobody can ever forget that  have not been repeated on our shores.

But we must also acknowledge the reality I am here to talk about tonight: that nearly 16 years after September 11th attacks, after the extraordinary sacrifice of blood and treasure, the American people are weary of war without victory. Nowhere is this more evident than with the war in Afghanistan, the longest war in American history  17 years.

I share the American peoples frustration. I also share their frustration over a foreign policy that has spent too much time, energy, money, and most importantly lives, trying to rebuild countries in our own image, instead of pursuing our security interests above all other considerations.

That is why, shortly after my inauguration, I directed Secretary of Defense Mattis and my national security team to undertake a comprehensive review of all strategic options in Afghanistan and South Asia.

My original instinct was to pull out  and, historically, I like following my instincts. But all my life Ive heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the desk in the Oval Office; in other words, when youre President of the United States. So I studied Afghanistan in great detail and from every conceivable angle. After many meetings, over many months, we held our final meeting last Friday at Camp David, with my Cabinet and generals, to complete our strategy. I arrived at three fundamental conclusions about Americas core interests in Afghanistan.

First, our nation must seek an honorable and enduring outcome worthy of the tremendous sacrifices that have been made, especially the sacrifices of lives. The men and women who serve our nation in combat deserve a plan for victory. They deserve the tools they need, and the trust they have earned, to fight and to win.

Second, the consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable. 9/11, the worst terrorist attack in our history, was planned and directed from Afghanistan because that country was ruled by a government that gave comfort and shelter to terrorists. A hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum that terrorists, including ISIS and al Qaeda, would instantly fill, just as happened before September 11th.

And, as we know, in 2011, America hastily and mistakenly withdrew from Iraq. As a result, our hard-won gains slipped back into the hands of terrorist enemies. Our soldiers watched as cities they had fought for, and bled to liberate, and won, were occupied by a terrorist group called ISIS. The vacuum we created by leaving too soon gave safe haven for ISIS to spread, to grow, recruit, and launch attacks. We cannot repeat in Afghanistan the mistake our leaders made in Iraq.

Third and finally, I concluded that the security threats we face in Afghanistan and the broader region are immense. Today, 20 U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations are active in Afghanistan and Pakistan  the highest concentration in any region anywhere in the world.

For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror. The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict. And that could happen.

No one denies that we have inherited a challenging and troubling situation in Afghanistan and South Asia, but we do not have the luxury of going back in time and making different or better decisions. When I became President, I was given a bad and very complex hand, but I fully knew what I was getting into: big and intricate problems. But, one way or another, these problems will be solved  Im a problem solver  and, in the end, we will win.

We must address the reality of the world as it exists right now  the threats we face, and the confronting of all of the problems of today, and extremely predictable consequences of a hasty withdrawal.

We need look no further than last weeks vile, vicious attack in Barcelona to understand that terror groups will stop at nothing to commit the mass murder of innocent men, women and children. You saw it for yourself. Horrible.

As I outlined in my speech in Saudi Arabia three months ago, America and our partners are committed to stripping terrorists of their territory, cutting off their funding, and exposing the false allure of their evil ideology.

Terrorists who slaughter innocent people will find no glory in this life or the next. They are nothing but thugs, and criminals, and predators, and  thats right  losers. Working alongside our allies, we will break their will, dry up their recruitment, keep them from crossing our borders, and yes, we will defeat them, and we will defeat them handily.

In Afghanistan and Pakistan, Americas interests are clear: We must stop the resurgence of safe havens that enable terrorists to threaten America, and we must prevent nuclear weapons and materials from coming into the hands of terrorists and being used against us, or anywhere in the world for that matter.

But to prosecute this war, we will learn from history. As a result of our comprehensive review, American strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia will change dramatically in the following ways:

A core pillar of our new strategy is a shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions. Ive said it many times how counterproductive it is for the United States to announce in advance the dates we intend to begin, or end, military options. We will not talk about numbers of troops or our plans for further military activities.

Conditions on the ground  not arbitrary timetables  will guide our strategy from now on. Americas enemies must never know our plans or believe they can wait us out. I will not say when we are going to attack, but attack we will.

Another fundamental pillar of our new strategy is the integration of all instruments of American power  diplomatic, economic, and military  toward a successful outcome.

Someday, after an effective military effort, perhaps it will be possible to have a political settlement that includes elements of the Taliban in Afghanistan, but nobody knows if or when that will ever happen. America will continue its support for the Afghan government and the Afghan military as they confront the Taliban in the field.

Ultimately, it is up to the people of Afghanistan to take ownership of their future, to govern their society, and to achieve an everlasting peace. We are a partner and a friend, but we will not dictate to the Afghan people how to live, or how to govern their own complex society. We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists.

The next pillar of our new strategy is to change the approach and how to deal with Pakistan. We can no longer be silent about Pakistans safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond. Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists.

In the past, Pakistan has been a valued partner. Our militaries have worked together against common enemies. The Pakistani people have suffered greatly from terrorism and extremism. We recognize those contributions and those sacrifices.

But Pakistan has also sheltered the same organizations that try every single day to kill our people. We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change, and that will change immediately. No partnership can survive a countrys harboring of militants and terrorists who target U.S. servicemembers and officials. It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilization, order, and to peace.

Another critical part of the South Asia strategy for America is to further develop its strategic partnership with India  the worlds largest democracy and a key security and economic partner of the United States. We appreciate Indias important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development. We are committed to pursuing our shared objectives for peace and security in South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Finally, my administration will ensure that you, the brave defenders of the American people, will have the necessary tools and rules of engagement to make this strategy work, and work effectively and work quickly.

I have already lifted restrictions the previous administration placed on our warfighters that prevented the Secretary of Defense and our commanders in the field from fully and swiftly waging battle against the enemy. Micromanagement from Washington, D.C. does not win battles. They are won in the field drawing upon the judgment and expertise of wartime commanders and frontline soldiers acting in real time, with real authority, and with a clear mission to defeat the enemy.

Thats why we will also expand authority for American armed forces to target the terrorist and criminal networks that sow violence and chaos throughout Afghanistan. These killers need to know they have nowhere to hide; that no place is beyond the reach of American might and Americans arms. Retribution will be fast and powerful.

As we lift restrictions and expand authorities in the field, we are already seeing dramatic results in the campaign to defeat ISIS, including the liberation of Mosul in Iraq.

Since my inauguration, we have achieved record-breaking success in that regard. We will also maximize sanctions and other financial and law enforcement actions against these networks to eliminate their ability to export terror. When America commits its warriors to battle, we must ensure they have every weapon to apply swift, decisive, and overwhelming force.

Our troops will fight to win. We will fight to win. From now on, victory will have a clear definition: attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing al Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan, and stopping mass terror attacks against America before they emerge.

We will ask our NATO allies and global partners to support our new strategy with additional troop and funding increases in line with our own. We are confident they will. Since taking office, I have made clear that our allies and partners must contribute much more money to our collective defense, and they have done so.

In this struggle, the heaviest burden will continue to be borne by the good people of Afghanistan and their courageous armed forces. As the prime minister of Afghanistan has promised, we are going to participate in economic development to help defray the cost of this war to us.

Afghanistan is fighting to defend and secure their country against the same enemies who threaten us. The stronger the Afghan security forces become, the less we will have to do. Afghans will secure and build their own nation and define their own future. We want them to succeed.

But we will no longer use American military might to construct democracies in faraway lands, or try to rebuild other countries in our own image. Those days are now over. Instead, we will work with allies and partners to protect our shared interests. We are not asking others to change their way of life, but to pursue common goals that allow our children to live better and safer lives. This principled realism will guide our decisions moving forward.

Military power alone will not bring peace to Afghanistan or stop the terrorist threat arising in that country. But strategically applied force aims to create the conditions for a political process to achieve a lasting peace.

America will work with the Afghan government as long as we see determination and progress. However, our commitment is not unlimited, and our support is not a blank check. The government of Afghanistan must carry their share of the military, political, and economic burden. The American people expect to see real reforms, real progress, and real results. Our patience is not unlimited. We will keep our eyes wide open.

In abiding by the oath I took on January 20th, I will remain steadfast in protecting American lives and American interests. In this effort, we will make common cause with any nation that chooses to stand and fight alongside us against this global threat. Terrorists take heed: America will never let up until you are dealt a lasting defeat.

Under my administration, many billions of dollars more is being spent on our military. And this includes vast amounts being spent on our nuclear arsenal and missile defense.

In every generation, we have faced down evil, and we have always prevailed. We prevailed because we know who we are and what we are fighting for.

Not far from where we are gathered tonight, hundreds of thousands of Americas greatest patriots lay in eternal rest at Arlington National Cemetery. There is more courage, sacrifice, and love in those hallowed grounds than in any other spot on the face of the Earth.

Many of those who have fought and died in Afghanistan enlisted in the months after September 11th, 2001. They volunteered for a simple reason: They loved America, and they were determined to protect her.

Now we must secure the cause for which they gave their lives. We must unite to defend America from its enemies abroad. We must restore the bonds of loyalty among our citizens at home, and we must achieve an honorable and enduring outcome worthy of the enormous price that so many have paid.

Our actions, and in the months to come, all of them will honor the sacrifice of every fallen hero, every family who lost a loved one, and every wounded warrior who shed their blood in defense of our great nation. With our resolve, we will ensure that your service and that your families will bring about the defeat of our enemies and the arrival of peace.

We will push onward to victory with power in our hearts, courage in our souls, and everlasting pride in each and every one of you.

Thank you. May God bless our military. And may God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Ministry for Heritage has announced that three new interpretation panels have been placed within our Old Town in order to provide information on our Medieval History, namely our Islamic and Spanish Periods.
[August 23, 2017] Code Places In Top 20 For Number Of Patents Issued

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Code, a technology leader of image-based barcode reading technology, was recognized at the 2017 Utah Genius Awards for the number of patents issued during the 2016 calendar year. The Utah Genius Awards were founded in 2009 to acknowledge Utah's innovative companies, and honor those who contribute to Utah's economy. Utah Genius recognizes the Top 20 Inventors, Utah's Top 20 Companies by Number of Patents Issued, and Utah's Top 10 Trademark Registrants. Awards are based on objective statistics from the US Patent and Trademark Office. Code was recognized as a 2017 Top 20 Company by Number of Patents Issued during 2016. This recognition was earned by being granted 13 patents by the US Patent and Trademark Office. Code's President and CEO, George Powell, was recognized as a Top 20 Patentee at the event in 2016. "At Code we believe continuous innovation is what drives us to be successful, and being recognized two years in a row by the Utah Genius committee for that innovation and intelletual property, is an honor", said George Powell, President and CEO at Code. "The Code team's hard work and forward-thinking approach to design and technology is what made being awarded patents possible."



About Code

Code is a technology leader in image-based barcode reading solutions. Code designs and manufactures a complete line of image-based barcode reading hardware and software solutions to enhance productivity and exceed customers' expectations for superior barcode reading performance, ergonomic design, equipment durability, and seamless integration with their operations. Servicing a diverse range of industries and environments, Code's products are used in critical applications in healthcare, public safety, manufacturing, transportation, retail, and a range of other diverse industries. Code's 2D Revolution image processing and decoding solution is the de facto choice for enterprise-grade barcode scanning software technology that enables rapid, accurate decoding of virtually any barcode symbology, of virtually any quality and curvature  every time without fail. As the backbone of Code's product line and with the flexibility to integrate with any device, operating system, and application, 2D Revolution ensures you can reliably capture the barcode data you need, in the way you want, at the pace your business demands. 2D Revolution is the only decoder to support the proprietary GoCode symbology which uses encryption to secure and prevent illicit reading of sensitive data.

Code's worldwide headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, USA, and has regional headquarters in China, Singapore and The Netherlands. For more information, visit www.codecorp.com. Contact:

Kerri Humpherys

1-801-495-2200

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L.A. surf-rock band Allah-Las was scheduled to perform tonight in the Netherlands, but the concert has now been canceled due to a terrorist threat. The mayor of Rotterdam said the concert had been canceled after the Dutch police received a warning from the Spanish police, noting that a van with Spanish license plates and gas bottles was found near the venue, though he says its too soon to say whether the two events are linked. The driver of the van has been detained as part of an investigation.

The news comes shortly after a van mowed through a crowded tourist area in Barcelona, killing 13 people and injuring dozens more. Since that attack last week, police have killed the person they believe was the attacker and have conducted raids in other areas of Spain to root out other suspects linked to the incident.

Rotown, the concert organizer, said on Twitter that Maassilo, the venue, was being evacuated and ticket buyers would be refunded. While there are no other details of the potential threat the band and concertgoers may have faced, Allah-Las is no stranger to controversy: The four-part psychedelic-rock-influenced band has said in interviews that it choose to use the word Allah in the bands title because it was holy-sounding, not considering that it could cause offense.
Woodley. Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images

In a world where the president is a former reality-television star, and Kid Rock is at least pretending he might run for Senate, why cant Shailene Woodley hold office? The Big Little Lies actress and environmental activist told the New York Times that entering public service has crossed her mind. There was a point last year when I was working for Bernie Sanders where I thought, Huh, maybe Ill run for Congress in a couple years, she said. And you know what? Im not going to rule it out. Who knows? Life is big, and Im young.

In addition to being an avid supporter of Bernie Sanders during his 2016 presidential campaign, the Divergent star made headlines last year when she was arrested protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. She was charged with criminal trespassing and engaging in a riot, but she ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct and received one year unsupervised probation. Unfortunately, at 25 years old, Woodley will have to wait another five years if she wants to follow Sanders into the Senate, but she is old enough to go for the House of Representatives, if she gets tired of receiving Emmy nominations.
The Fosters often gets lauded for its ability to tackle hot-button issues in thoughtful and complex ways. Season five has already seen some of the Adams Foster clan take on topical subjects like DACA and free speech versus hate speech, among other things. Those story lines are wonderful and necessary. Sometimes, however, we forget that The Fosters can do simple, emotional family drama just as well  sometimes even better. Chasing Waterfalls is a reminder.

This episode features several scenes that are low on message and full of heart, and they are all knockouts. Should we expect anything less when Lenas parents are in town? When Dana and Stuart come knocking, answer the door with tissues.

Dana and Stuart happen to schedule a visit to the Adams Foster casa right around the time Stef is reorganizing some of her familys financials and wants to officially take Stuart off the title of their house. Remember: Stuart and Dana gave Lena and Stef money to purchase their gorgeous home, so hes always been tied to it, which means theyve been tied to his money problems. We barely survived #NOTTHEHOUSE the first time, so if Lena needs to have an uncomfortable conversation with her parents, so be it.

The situation is made even more uncomfortable when Dana informs her daughter that the money for the house was a loan, not a gift as Lena previously thought. Now she wants Lena and Stef to begin paying them back  with interest. It seems a little harsh, but it quickly becomes clear theres some underlying motivation for the sudden need to pay up.

After spending time with Stuart, its obvious that he is unwell. It starts with some confusion over asparagus, but really comes to a head when he shows up with a brand-new car for his grandkids. Dana has to explain that they cant afford to buy Stef and Lena a new car, and that, no, he doesnt have a bonus coming in because hes retired. Watching Lenas face fall as she realizes her dad is showing signs of dementia is heartbreaking; her conversation with her mother, even more so.

Oh, Lorraine Toussaint, you never disappoint. In the span of a short scene, she reveal the layers of emotion Dana is feeling: fear, anger, grief. Shes slowly losing her husband and shes not ready for that. Its a powerful moment for both Lena and the audience, seeing such a strong woman be so vulnerable. Only hours ago, Dana was handling a squabble between Jude, Noah, and Taylor like a boss (apparently, there wasnt enough Jude to go around, but Danas strict hangout schedule fixed that), and now here she is in front of her daughter, in need of her help.

Lest you think Dana is the only Adams who can make us feel everything at once, Stuart has some affecting conversations with both our mamas. First, during dinner, Stef tells the story about her father finding her snuggling with Tess and sending her to church in hopes of essentially praying the gay away. When Stuart gets a moment alone with Stef, he tells her how sorry he is that she had to go through that. When Lena came out, all he wanted his daughter to know was that he still loved her because shes his daughter. And heres the kicker: Stuart considers Stef his daughter, too. And he is so proud of her. HE IS PROUD OF STEF, YOU GUYS.

The lovely sentiment takes Stef by surprise. It motivates her enough to have that awkward conversation with Tess that shes been avoiding. She finally tells Tess the real reason she distanced herself in high school was because she was embarrassed and ashamed of her romantic feelings. She didnt know what else to do. Stef apologizes for letting that shame cause pain for other people. Tess is  kind of weird about it. She makes a point to tell Stef its not a big deal because she didnt reciprocate those feelings. Obviously, that means she did and weve got some major drama still to come on the Tess front. That summer finale isnt far away, you know what Im saying?

Anyway, Stuarts display of masculine sentimentality doesnt stop with Stef  he has Lena to chat with, too. His conversation with Stef has made him think about how he handled Lenas coming out. He wants to apologize to his daughter for saying, I still love you. Theres no excuse for using the word still. He wishes he had simply told her how proud he was and that he was excited to meet whomever she wanted to share her life with. It moves Lena. But being reminded of what a good man her father is makes it all the more difficult to stomach what is happening to him. She thanks him for being such a great dad, both when she was growing up and now. Good lord, if this is whats happening at the start of the disease, imagine the emotional wrecks well all be as it progresses. Not you, Stu. NOT YOU.

Of course, its not just the adults who emotionally gut-punch us this week! Callie usually gets a bad rep on this recap, but not with this story line. Whenever Callie isnt off doing ridiculous, boneheaded things to save the world, and instead deals with problems all teenagers face, shes more than tolerable. In Chasing Waterfalls, Callie is having a rough go of class critiques over her self-portrait. The other students, quite rightly, think that having other people take photos of her is cheating. Self-conscious or not, it is supposed to be a self-portrait. One student goes so far as to say that all the piece demonstrates is that the artist has no idea who she is. Ugh, theres always one art kid who has to be a real dick about things.

When Callie and Aaron head out on an afternoon hike, she laments her situation. Maybe those pretentious art kids are right! Maybe she has no voice! Maybe she doesnt know who she is! Aaron, so patient, tries to quell her fears. He thinks she does know who she is. She just needs to believe in herself as fiercely as she believes in others.

Aaron is so good for Callie, and it seems like Callie realizes that. They make out under a waterfall and then she suggests going back to his place. Theyre both ready to take this relationship to the next level. A little mood music and one candle later, Callie and Aaron have sex. It seems like a pretty big deal to have a sex scene featuring a transgender character on this show, but maybe even more important, its just nice to have a story about two young people who took things slow until they were both ready to move forward.

Callies time with Aaron is empowering. She returns to art class ready to face the haters. Shes upfront with them: Growing up in the foster system means shes been a lot of girls in a lot of homes, so no, she doesnt know exactly who she is just yet. Thats why that portrait, taken by someone else, makes sense for her. So, stuff it, pretentious art student! Callie is doing the best she can.

In Other Family News

 Marianas gone and done it now. Shes been using the be a good friend until he sees you as more tactic with the unavailable Logan, but Logans girlfriend, Olivia, is on to her  and she sends Mariana a note to mark her territory. The stage is set for an exciting little meet-up as Olivia is set to arrive in San Diego for prom. Prom drama is the best drama.

 Poor Taylor! Shes very patient with Jude while he attempts to save his relationship, but I doubt the news that the company behind a new game only wants the GayGuy half of GirlandGayGuy to be a paid video ambassador for them will be easy to swallow.

 Brandon overhears a heated phone call between his girlfriend and her mom, and its clear something is going on with Grace. I hope her big secret isnt anything too crazy  against my better judgement, Im very invested in these two.

 After quietly seething and then blowing up over Cortney and Hot Dad Gabes make-out sesh, Brandon confronts his feelings head-on. Both he and Cort agree that its weird to see an ex with other people, but decide its normal and doesnt mean anything more than that. They both want to see the other happy (for Cortney that means leaving, finally). Who is this person having a mature conversation with an ex? It surely cannot be Brandon Foster.

 Were having an engagement party! A party at the Adams Foster house is always a good time, but its especially exciting when the event is tinged with emotional baggage, like Stef feeling guilty for any pain she put Mike through and the whole Ana-Gabe-Twins of it all. See you there!
Meehan. Photo: John Lamparski/WireImage

Thomas Meehan, the three-time Tony-award-winning book writer best known for the hit Broadway musical Annie, died in his Manhattan home, reports Playbill. He was 88. His death was confirmed by Martin Charnin, the lyricist for the 1977 musical.

In addition to teaming up with Charnin to adapt the Little Orphan Annie comic strip, Meehan wrote the stories for several other successful Broadway adaptations, including Rocky, Elf, Young Frankenstein, and Cry Baby. Meehans writing career also included contributions to the Talk of the Town section in The New Yorker and on the television series That Was the Week That Was, for which he was nominated for an Emmy.

Meehan holds the distinction of being the only book writer with three shows that each ran for over 2,000 performances on Broadway: Annie (2,377 performances); The Producers (2,502 performances); and Hairspray (2,642 performances). He won each of his three Tony awards for writing the aforementioned blockbusters, and received a fourth nomination for Cry Baby.

Meehan is survived by his wife.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture and Photos by HBO

Next week is the final episode of the seventh season of Game of Thrones, which means theres just one more season of Westerosian intrigue remaining before televisions most Zeitgeist-defining show makes way for the next wave of hugely ambitious, hugely expensive epics that will (try to) follow in its footsteps. It also means that, for the first time since 2011, the shows large ensemble cast  many of whom entered GOT as relative unknowns and will leave as household names  will be free agents.

While most of the series primary actors have done other work during the eight-season run, that last episode will mark one of the toughest moments in any television actors career: the need to redefine yourself beyond your trademark show. And not just that, but the need to redefine yourself beyond television  to make the leap into movies. Here, we break down what the future might hold for seven of the casts major players, including veterans of film and relative newcomers alike. (Apologies to Alfie Allen, John Bradley, Liam Cunningham, Nathalie Emmanuel, Isaac Hempstead Wright, and a million others  if we took on every significant actor on the show, this piece would be longer than the series itself.)

Peter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage is almost certainly the shows biggest star, and arguably the one who had the most established reputation going in  he was best-known for his acclaimed turn in Tom McCarthys The Station Agent, but he also had a long list of credits beyond that, including a run on Nip/Tuck, a memorable turn in Elf, and enough of a reputation to merit an appearance on Entourage as himself, which played on his status as an actor with dwarfism. And unlike the cases of many actors who spend years playing a beloved role, Tyrion Lannister is as inseparable from Dinklage as Dinklage is from Tyrion Lannister  its nearly impossible, for a number of reasons, to imagine another actor having played that part. With the Sundance entry Rememory set to come out in September, Martin McDonaghs Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri following in November, and a rumored part in Avengers: Infinity War, Dinklage should continue to occupy star status  and, beyond that, be the kind of actor that writers write for specifically.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

While Nikolaj Coster-Waldau might seem as if hed been living in Westeros all his life, he actually played the lead on a short-lived Fox series about an immortal homicide detective  a right of passage for every actor  back in 2008. Aside from that, he featured in Black Hawk Down, as well as some high-profile Scandinavian work, but his major forays into mainstream American films in recent years, Oblivion and Gods of Egypt, were both rough outings. That being said, his work this year bodes well for a future after Thrones: In Netflixs Small Crimes, he showed chops in a role very different from Jaime Lannister, and hes received good notices for another hard-boiled indie that just came out, Shot Caller. Coster-Waldau clearly has an appetite and an aptitude for gritty, intense character work, the kind of thing that keeps actors employed; the bigger question for his post-Thrones career is whether he can, or still wants to, carry a tentpole type of production.

Kit Harington

If theres any actor on Thrones who seemed to truly grow with the show, its Kit Harington  his Jon Snow went from being a sad-sack outcast to arguably the series most charismatic hero, and Harington the actor evolved with him. It doesnt hurt that he barely has any credits outside GOT, and none really worth speaking of aside from the solid period piece Testament of Youth and a genuinely funny, surprising turn opposite Andy Samberg in 7 Days in Hell. We wont have to wait long to get a sense of what Harington could do outside of the Nights Watch, however: Hes starring in The Death and Life of John F. Donovan, the highly anticipated English-language debut from Cannes darling Xavier Dolan, alongside major actors like Jessica Chastain, Natalie Portman, and Susan Sarandon. If that film delivers on its immense promise, it could set Harington up as the kind of prestige-quality leading man that attracts the best filmmakers and roles in Hollywood  not to mention Oscar nominations.

Related Stories Our 16 Biggest Questions About This Weeks Game of Thrones

Lena Headey

Like Peter Dinklage, Lena Headeys career existed well before her turn as Cersei Lannister  she starred as Sarah Connor in The Sarah Connor Chronicles and featured in movies like 300, The Purge, and Dredd. (Her first credit came all the way back in 1992.) As such, the continuing health of Headeys career after Thrones is in little doubt; the bigger question is what kind of career the versatile actor might pursue going forward. A role in Stephen Merchants Fighting With My Family could be a good chance to remind audiences that shes as natural a comedic actor as she is a dramatic one, but based on the nuance, creativity, and capacity for narrative heavy lifting that she showed over eight seasons as Cersei, it seems like she should be a natural fit for plenty of prestige-TV roles going forward.

Emilia Clarke

The question of whether Emilia Clarkes stardom will continue after Game of Thrones has a very simple, two-word answer: Star Wars. While Clarke happens to be a part of the somewhat troubled Han Solo production, Rogue One showed that behind-the-scenes drama seems to fall away once Star Wars movies make it to the theater. At this point, fewer properties are more of a sure thing than Star Wars  aside from Game of Thrones, maybe  and that role should confirm Clarkes status among the likes of her soon-to-be counterparts Felicity Jones and Daisy Ridley. On top of that, Clarke showed her appeal in more emotional fare with last years surprise hit Me Before You, making her a potential star across all quadrants  again calling to mind Jones, who seems to be on a similar path. While her leading turn in Terminator Genisys didnt exactly light the world on fire, its hard to blame her for that, and the combination of Me Before You and future Star Wars glory seems like a far more accurate harbinger of whats to come.

Sophie Turner

For an actor whos just turned 21, Sophie Turner is in a remarkable situation  she has major roles in not just one, but two ongoing franchises, with her part as Jean Grey set to be a major element of the next X-Men movie, Dark Phoenix. Jean Grey will be a nice bridge out of GOT, and one with a similar blend of intensity and action, providing a convenient through line into the next stage of her career. The biggest question with Turner is what she looks like as an actor outside of massive action epics, a question that shell have plenty of time to answer, but will likely define whether she can reach the same level of stardom as Clarke and fully differentiate herself from Sansa.

Maisie Williams

Related Stories Is Time a Problem for Game of Thrones?

Maisie Williams was 14 when Game of Thrones premiered, and making her professional acting debut  and shell be in her 20s when it wraps up, having spent the majority of her teenage years portraying the transformation of a young girl into a stone-cold killer. Thats a fascinating start to any career, and it shows right off the bat that Williams can handle difficult, complex material. It also means that to date, its basically the only work Williams has done, though she was lauded as the best part of the English teen movie iBoy. But Williams appears to have both the sensibility and opportunities necessary to make a clean transition out of GOT  with the most interesting example being her role in Mary Shelley, in which shell co-star with Elle Fanning and Bel Powley. Shell also follow Turner into the X-Men world with the spinoff New Mutants, where shell feature alongside Anya Taylor-Joy. Fanning, Powley, and Taylor-Joy all provide interesting examples of what Williamss career could look like beyond GOT  meaning, at the very least, shes got good taste in co-stars.
Everybody has a different opinion about the best way to watch a film. Some people seek out the biggest possible screen and trek to the nearest IMAX theater to catch Dunkirk in 70mm. Others prefer the comfort of a home-viewing experience, and when you have a top-of-the-line OLED television in your living room, whod blame you for popping in that Blu-ray? Personally, Im a stickler for fidelity: I look for a theater with crystal-clear sound, and if you invite me over to your place to watch a movie, youd better know that your new TVs motion-smoothing setting is a deal-breaker. Theres a way that a film is meant to be seen, and that aint it.

And yet, my preferred way of watching a movie ignores all of these self-imposed parameters. Hell, it ignores all rational logic! The visual presentation is compromised, the sound is forsaken entirely, and yet I find this viewing method irresistible. Send help: I cannot get enough of watching someone elses movie on an airplane.

Im not talking about watching a movie on my own monitor, and Im not pining for those rare, antiquated times when the entire cabin had to watch the same film. No, my weirdo fixation is on whatever movie the dude next to me just selected on his monitor, or even better, what the lady one row ahead is already in the middle of viewing. Why would I bother to concentrate on my own piddly in-flight film when the hulking dude in seat 20C is watching Bridget Joness Baby? Even a bad movie becomes kind of good if you watch it over someones shoulder.

Time and time again, Ive tried not to be such a weird eavesdropper, but I just cant help myself. When you cant tell what the characters are saying in someone elses movie, it creates a curiosity gap thats so much more enticing than simply firing up that movie to watch it yourself. One of my favorite in-flight films is the Cameron Diaz comedy The Other Woman, which I have watched someone else watch at least four times without ever once hearing a lick of dialogue. I understand only the bare minimum of the revenge plot that Diaz and Leslie Mann concoct against their shared, no-good ex, but maybe its better that way: With my imagination stirred and just enough lost in translation, The Other Woman plays like a fascinating foreign film made with Hollywood production values. Is the movie funny? Why is Nicki Minaj there? Can Kate Upton actually act? I dont know the answers to those questions and to be honest with you, I dont really care. As soon as somebody one row up puts on The Other Woman, Im ready to flag the stewardess down for popcorn.

Watching a movie in this way can also give me a newfound appreciation for something Ive already seen. Im a big fan of the Best Picture winner Spotlight, though I never really understood how Rachel McAdams managed a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her competent, unshowy work in the film. When I watched someone else watch Spotlight on a plane, however, I was blown away by the performance McAdams gave in the scene where she confronts a priest who confesses all too readily to awful crimes. Watch it again with the sound off: As her character tries to keep it together and press further despite her clear astonishment, the competing emotions that flicker on McAdamss face had me evaluating her in a whole new light. Its marvelous work, and watching someone elses in-flight film really makes you appreciate movie stars all the more: When youve got little besides these faces to orient you, it helps to have damn good ones to stare at.

I thought maybe I was the only oddball who watches movies this way, but when I spoke to Baby Driver director Edgar Wright last week just before he was about to board a long flight to Beijing, the subject came up and he laughed. I know exactly what you mean, and I do that, too! he said. Heres an interesting thing: People say that when a film has great visual storytelling, you can follow it with the sound turned off. Sometimes I do exactly that when I watch a film over somebodys shoulder, or even when they have the film on in the middle of the aisle and you have to put the headphones on to watch it. I dont put the headphones on but I can completely follow the movie.

And when a movie works on that level, it really works. The Force Awakens pays homage to other Star Wars movie but doesnt offer the same instantly iconic lines, and the plotting and motivations are often needlessly convoluted. Still, when I watch people watch the film on an airplane, theres no denying that perfectly shot and edited third-act sequence where Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) tries to summon a lightsaber his way, only for it to fly past him and land in the outstretched grip of Force-wielding Rey (Daisy Ridley). Shorn of its John Williams score, the sequence still slays, and its a reminder to filmmakers that when you can boil something down to its barest visual essence and still convey everything the viewer needs to know, youre really cooking.

So recently, when I saw the Charlize Theron action vehicle Atomic Blonde in theaters and found myself losing track of all the double and triple crosses that make up its plot, I resolved to treat it like I would someone elses airplane movie and let go of what didnt matter. Sure, if I were to watch another passenger watch it at 39,000 feet, Id be losing that distinctive 1980s soundtrack and Therons perfectly purred expletives, but the films high style and incredible fight sequences would stand out all the more. Because of that, Ive found myself anticipating an airplane rewatch of Atomic Blonde this fall almost as much as Im looking forward to the next theatrical releases from Paul Thomas Anderson and Steven Spielberg. Yes, Ive already seen the movie once, but I havent really seen it until Ive watched you see it.
Moments after the Texas Senate followed the House in adjourning a day before the special session expired, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he was most unhappy with the fact that the House quit on the taxpayers of Texas. The next day, Gov. Greg Abbott said of the House not taking votes on bills addressing all 20 of his priorities, The voters of the state of Texas deserved to know where their legislators stood on these issues.

While these statements and the media coverage that followed leave the impression that Texans en masse were clamoring for legislative action, public opinion polling tells a different story. That the agenda of the special session was driven more by politics than by the wishes of all Texas voters  or, for that matter, even by agitation among conservatives.

Although Abbott, Patrick and the leadership of some of the states most vocal conservative interest groups suggested that there was widespread public demand for more action, polling we conducted on behalf of The University of Texas at Austin and The Texas Tribune at the end of the regular session suggested significant conservative contentment with the results of the 85th Legislature  and thus, little active demand for more legislation.

Whether the level of success achieved during the special session is a glass half full or half empty in the eyes of conservatives, the strong enforcement measures aimed at undocumented immigrants contained in Senate Bill 4 were by far the most important items to be delivered. Immigration and border security are perennially cited by large majorities of Texas Republicans as the most important problem facing the state during the past several years of polling. It is not surprising that the most ideological and committed conservative primary voters expressed high levels of job approval for the Legislature, the governor and the lieutenant governor. The legislative agenda reflected their preferences (as well as fiscal constraints), and the Legislature gave them much of what they wanted.

But herein lies the puzzle of the message that the Legislature has somehow let down conservatives, who are  we are told  now disappointed that the special session did not produce more. If the special session and its conservative agenda wasnt the result of a groundswell of demand, what explains it?

The transition from legislative sessions preceding nonpresidential election years in which statewide officials are elected is always colored by the upcoming elections, but this transition has been particularly fraught with politics. Both Abbott and Patrick will soon seek re-election to their offices, making them very attentive to the Republican primary electorate  an engaged group of very conservative voters. This attention demonstrates their dedication to claiming credit for conservative legislative accomplishment, and to assigning blame for failures.

From the outset, the governor could count on his ability to claim credit for whatever successes emerged, and blame the failures on the legislative branch. Even if his statements single out the House, to the casual listener some of the criticism inevitably also falls on the Senate  and the lieutenant governor.

Not one to shy away from promoting his own interpretation of events, the lieutenant governor can cast blame on the leadership of the House for disappointing him and the governor, as well as conservatives across Texas. Both officials may now invoke the voters role in passing final judgment in next years Republican primaries, just as Abbott punctuated his criticism of the House speaker in a talk radio interview the day after the session ended, saying, Thats why elections matter.

Equally predictably amid the incoming criticism from the governor and lieutenant governor, House Speaker Joe Straus has affirmed his view that he followed the will of the body to focus on the important business of the state, and avoided dangerous and divisive measures. Expect him now to do what successful House speakers have done for time immemorial: get out of the limelight as much as possible.

No matter how the particulars are parsed, the origins of the special session, its tepid product and the rhetoric in its aftermath are rooted more in the politics of the elite players with an eye on primary season than in a surge of public demand from the majority of Texans.
Moronic wrongs

I heard that our President Donny T, commander in chief of dupes and commies, has attacked all transgender soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen, ordering them out of the military.

My 50-year avocation for equal rights must take a back seat to the response to this travesty by very conservative Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, who said we should not be discriminatory against anyone. Transgender people are people and deserve the best we can do for them.

Without consulting his generals, our supreme leader twittered a major policy decision that 7,000 active-duty men and women must be removed from our military service. It reminds me of past orders that kept African Americans, women and gays out of the armed forces.

Brilliant Donny T justified his out-of-control tweet, saying there were tremendous costs for transgender health care. But as usual it was a lie. The credible Military Times reports the military spends 10 times more on getting-it-up medications (erectile dysfunction).

My fearless forecast is the cowardly lions next moronic wrong will be to tweet all transgender military be given a dishonorable discharge. But, hey, rack up another win for the evangelical fanatics who do not believe in equal rights and have sold their souls to the master of lies and false promises.

Mike OBric, Marine Corps Mustang, Woodway

Thanks, Brenda

Thank you, Waco Trib, for doing what journalists are supposed to do: keeping an eye on things the rest of us are too busy living our lives to do. I applaud and appreciate your staff keeping a close watch on what our local politicians are doing in Austin. No matter what ones political views, it takes a full-time staff to pay attention to the goings on in the statehouse.

Thank you for following and explaining the issues that will affect our community. I especially appreciated your recent editorial regarding the infamous bathroom bill. I think its a simplistic wedge issue used to separate us rather than unite us. It also allows politicians to ignore more pressing and difficult issues such as long-term education funding, health care, infrastructure updating and maintenance.

Thank you, Waco Trib, for looking at the large and long-term issues affecting our community and our state.

Brenda Griffey, Waco

Mr. Solar

Thank you for your splendid article about Lake Shore Baptist Churchs going green by installing solar panels. Caveat: The persons mentioned in the article deserve credit for their efforts in promoting the project, but the person who led the committee in planning, in contacting and working with the contractors, in arranging financing and in seeing that every detail was correct was Bruce Neatherlin. He deserves special recognition.

Rufus Spain, LSBC member, Waco
Free shred day to be held in Charleston

CHARLESTON -- Reduce clutter and help prevent identity theft with a free shred day to be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at First Financial Bank Banking Center, 820 W. Lincoln Ave.

Drop off your unneeded personal papers, such as tax returns, bank statements, canceled checks, credit card bills and pay stubs, for on-the-spot shredding. Limit of five boxes or bags of paper per person.

Worn-out American flags will also be collected and given to the VFW for respectful disposal.

This is a free community service of First Financial Bank in partnership with Data Management Shredding.

Shelby County Veterans Fund cookout set Saturday

SHELBYVILLE -- Join the Shelby County Veterans Fund from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the 4-H Fairgrounds on north Illinois Route 128 to support Shelby County veterans on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.

Pork tenderloin and rope-sausage sandwiches will be available for $3 each or four sandwiches for $10. A bake sale at the same location will satisfy your sweet tooth and lemon-shakeups along with other drinks will be available. Raffle tickets will be sold for many great prizes.

Organizers would like to thank the many organizations and businesses who have stepped in to help with this event: Shelbyville VFW Men's Auxiliary; Shelbyville Moose Lodge; Opossum Lodge; Shelbyville VFW Women's Auxiliary; Shelbyville Fire Department; Shelbyville Electric Cooperative; and many other businesses and individuals who have donated raffle items, supplies and food.

All proceeds from the event will be sent to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight in Springfield to fund Shelby County veterans on future Honor Flights to Washington, D.C.

Super Saturday 2017 to be held at DanceLife Center

CHARLESTON -- Ready to dance? Ready to kick off an exciting new school year? Visit the DanceLife Center at 307 Sixth St. from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday for their fifth annual Super Saturday event, a full, free day of dance and fitness classes for all age groups in all types of genres from ballet to hip hop, to jazz, to DanceX, WERQ and CIZE.

Attendees can see the new facility and have fun at indoor and outdoor dance classes for the young and young at heart. Performances are planned for 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. See the final line-up of classes and activities on their Facebook page.

For more information, contact Krishna Thomas at 217-345-7182 or at info@dancelifecenter.com.
Anti-terrorism plan focuses on Via del Corso and Capitoline hill.

Rome is to introduce new security measures in key areas of the capital in the wake of the Barcelona terror attack on 17 August, when a van was driven into pedestrians, killing 13 and injuring 130.

Among the new measures Rome security chiefs have ordered the installation of large flower boxes, positioned to impede the flow of vehicles, on the stretch of Via del Corso between Piazza del Popolo and Largo Goldoni. Police will reinforce pedestrianisation and control the coming and going of trucks delivering merchandise to shops in the area.

There will no longer be direct access for taxis and chauffeur-driven NCC cars to the Capitoline hill, home to the offices of the city's mayor.

Other Italian cities including Milan, Florence, Turin and Bologna are introducing similar security measures following the Barcelona attack.
MATTOON -- A new "Adopt-a-Night" sponsorship program has been announced as a year-round fundraiser for the Mattoon Area PADS homeless shelter and community kitchen.

PADS also is preparing to host what may be the final annual open house at its current building, 2017 Broadway Ave. This nonprofit group is constructing a new building at 1812 Western Ave. and hopes to move in there by year's end.

Regarding "Adopt-a-Night," PADS Executive Director Michael Stopka said this sponsorship program is tailored around the current shelter hosting a maximum of up to 16 overnight guests per night. He said sponsors can provide shelter and two meals for 16 overnight guests for $300 through this program, starting Sept. 1.

"This provides a different way for individuals to support us. They will know exactly what their money is going for," Stopka said.

Individuals, families, businesses, churches, civic groups or other sponsors can take part in "Adopt-a-Night." Stopka said the sponsors can provide funding up to 12 months in advance for one or more nights, including a scheduled series of nights. He added that these donations could be made as memorials, birthday gifts, or other tributes. Sponsors can remain anonymous.

PADS plans to recognize the sponsors within the shelter, on PADS' website and Facebook page, in newsletters, and in quarterly printed advertisements when applicable. In addition, each sponsor will receive an "Adopt-a-Night" certificate.

Stopka said funding from the"Adopt-a-Night" program will help provide a new source of financial support for PADS as it faces uncertainty each year on the availability of emergency and transitional housing grants from the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services.

PADS also operates with the assistance of volunteers. Stopka said volunteers helped serve 1,600 meals in July to overnight guests at the shelter and to those who utilized the community kitchen program. He said PADS usually serves an average of 1,200 meals in July.

"We can always use lunch volunteers. Lunch volunteers are in high demand," Stopka said.

Community members can tour PADS' dining room, kitchen and overnight guest accommodations during the third annual open house that is scheduled for noon-3 p.m. Sunday at the shelter, which is located in a former doughnut shop building. The event will include a cookout and refreshments. PADS board members, staff, and guests will be on hand to meet with visitors.

Stopka said the foundation has been dug at the new location and construction is scheduled to start in the near future. He said the new shelter will have space for up to 25 overnight guests, including in two rooms set aside for families with children.

"We are hoping to be in there by the end of the year," Stopka said.

More information about the "Adopt-a-Night" sponsorship program and the open house is available by calling 217-234-7237, emailing mstopka@mattoonareapads.org, or by visiting www.mattoonareapads.org.
Australia's peak legal body has criticised the government's proposed citizenship crackdown, arguing some elements of the package are unnecessary, threaten the nation's social cohesion and hand the immigration minister a concerning amount of power.

The Law Council of Australia has taken aim at a suite of measures the government first announced in April that have been opposed by Labor and referred to a Senate inquiry. Under the changes, aspiring citizens would have to achieve a "competent" level of English and face a four-year wait as permanent residents before they can seek citizenship.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at an Australia Day citizenship ceremony in January. Credit:Jamila Toderas

Applicants would also have to demonstrate integration into society and face an "Australian values" test.

In its submission to the inquiry, the Law Council has argued the toughened English language test for applicants is not justified, the power for the immigration minister to disregard Administrative Appeals Tribunal decisions erodes the rule of law, and a test on Australian values is "unprecedented" overreach.
US President Donald Trump plans to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is embroiled in a corruption scandal at home, next month.

Trump looks forward to "discussing ways to strengthen and broaden our bilateral relationship and expand regional cooperation with one of America's closest partners in Southeast Asia", a White House statement announcing Najib's September 12 visit said on Wednesday.

The Wall Street Journal quoted people close to Najib Razak as saying he would likely use his White House visit to try to play down the possibility of further investigations. Credit:Bloomberg

The US Justice Department has been conducting a criminal probe of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a fund founded by Najib, which is facing money-laundering probes in at least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore.

In civil lawsuits, the Justice Department has sought to seize a total of about $US1.7 billion ($2.2 billion) in assets it says were bought with misappropriated 1MDB funds.
Bangkok: Photographs splashed in the Philippine media of Australia's top overseas spy Nick Warner meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte have raised concerns about Canberra's engagement with the region.

Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne later defended Australia's efforts to step-up engagement with south-east Asia where political and other freedoms have stalled under increasingly authoritarian governments.

The United Nations has accused Mr Duterte, a boastful, foul-mouthed former provincial mayor, of presiding over a so-called war on drugs that could amount to crimes against humanity.

The meeting between Mr Warner and Mr Durerte at the presidential palace in Manila came a day after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had said Australia was "deeply concerned" about an escalation of the crackdown which has left more than 12,000 Filipinos dead.
Lincolnites awaiting the city's first Costco warehouse store won't have to wait much longer.

Construction on the store at 1620 Pine Lake Road has been moving steadily along, and the exterior is mostly finished. The large "Costco Wholesale" sign went up earlier this month.

The store is tentatively scheduled to open by the end of October, a Costco spokeswoman said. That could change, however, depending on how things go with construction and other issues, she said.

The company has already applied for a liquor license and has been working on hiring employees for several months now.

The store is expected to employ 180-200 people, about half of which will be full-time.

Costco also has been recruiting members, setting up tents around town to attract people to sign up for an annual membership.

The Costco spokeswoman, who did not want to be identified, said she could not provide membership sales data, "but we are pleased with the results."

The Lincoln Costco store will be 156,000 square feet and will have a 16-pump fueling station.

Lincolnites have been clamoring for a Costco for years, and the retailer reportedly spent several years evaluating sites before settling on the one at 16th Street and Pine Lake Road.

The Lincoln City Council approved the store in January despite strong opposition from the surrounding neighborhood, residents of which who were concerned about the store being built so close to two schools, Scott Middle School and Southwest High School.
One week after the professionals competed for Best in Show at the annual Capital City Ribest, five amateur backyard grillmasters will give it a go Saturday at the inaugural Bites Brews & BBQ at the Lancaster Event Center.

The Lincoln Journal Star, the events sponsor, took nominations from the public for three weeks in July and chose five from that list to go head to head in a cook-off.

The five are JJ Kalita, Francis Scott Schrotberger, Adam Torres and Khalil KC Woods from Lincoln and Dan Brown from Elmwood.

They will create a three-course meal -- appetizer, entree and dessert -- on the grill with five area judges then deciding who is Lincolns best backyard grillmaster. Judges are Marci Davison, owner of Carmelas Bistro and Wine Bar; Hy-Vee meat manager Jon Arroyo; Adam Wegner from the Nebraska Beef Council and a special guest.

The 38-year-old Woods, for one, is confident in his skills.

I wouldn't say I'm a grill master, but those that know me beg to differ! he wrote in promotional materials for the event. I am one with my grill and my passion can be tasted through my food.

Kalita has a backstory that may play well with the judges: Hes the first American citizen in his family, being born to Ukrainian parents one month after they arrived in America. Now retired, Kalita pursues his passion on a daily basis.

I have always aspired to make unique and complex flavors in all my dishes and an constantly asking myself How can I make it better? he wrote. It doesnt matter if its the grill, the smoker, the stove, the oven, I always figure out how to make it really, really good.

The competition is open to the public, with food and beverages available to sample and purchase from local vendors. Tickets are $10. Admission is free for children 10 and younger. Tickets are available in advance at www.bitesbrewsbbq.eventbrite.com or at the door.

Doors open at 2 p.m., with competition beginning two hours later. Local blues musician Levi William will perform from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
For several years, the state has been working with a national state government group to get a handle on prison crowding and all the problems that come with it.

A blend of state and local officials, led by Gov. Pete Ricketts, Chief Justice Mike Heavican and legislative Speaker Jim Scheer have met periodically to talk about how they're doing on crowding, and what are the factors in the way of progress.

On Tuesday, the large group of about 25 met for the last time, and within the next month or so the work of its coordinator, Amy Prenda, and the Council of State Governments will conclude.

But two state senators -- Omaha Sen. Bob Krist and Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks -- believe that with the questionable progress being made on crowding, a pending ACLU of Nebraska lawsuit filed against the Department of Correctional Services, and crowding in the state's county jails, now is not the time to disband the group.

"Given all that's happened just recently, and given the progress and the roadblocks that we've met along the way, is it time to disband this group as an oversight committee?" Krist said. "Does it make sense to take these stakeholders who have been involved from the very beginning out of the picture completely for the future?"

Ricketts said the different agencies and courts are continuing to work on the issues, and he, Heavican and Scheer could meet periodically to review that work. The question is how to get the information out to people, he said.

Pansing Brooks said that to disband the group when the state is facing a significant lawsuit sends a terrible message.

"Something needs to go forward in a best effort to work together and solve issues," she said.

Sara Friedman of the Council of State Governments Justice Center said at the time of enactment in 2015 of major legislation (LB605) aimed at reducing prison population, the number of inmates was projected to decrease by more than 1,000 by 2020. So far, that number has decreased by only 142.

The legislation should have led to decreased admissions and increased releases, but both are flat, she said.

Krist said the group has not really addressed the impact of mentally ill people and substance abusers on the jails and prisons.

Greg London, Sarpy County chief deputy sheriff, said his county struggles with those inmates with medical and mental health problems, because they don't have the services for them.

Tom Riley, Douglas County public defender, said there are more than 1,300 Douglas County jail inmates, and only about 150 are doing county jail time. The rest are being detained pending trial. And trying to provide mental health services for those prisoners who have not been to trial is different than for those who have been sentenced.

"I feel a lot of compassion for the jailers in Douglas County for what they have to put up with over there because ... we have the biggest mental health facility in the state of Nebraska right in Douglas County (jail), and we don't know what to do with them," Riley said.

It's the elephant in the room, he said.

"We're almost all in agreement that something has to be done but there doesn't seem to be much political will to get it done," he said.

Lancaster County has the same problems, often with people who have to wait in jail, sometimes for months, to get into the Lincoln Regional Center after being ruled incompetent to stand trial.

Many refuse to take their medications, and jail staff cant make them. They may be paranoid and out of touch with reality. They may be hallucinating and hearing voices. They are sometimes anti-social, anti-authority.

Ricketts reassured the work will continue with a permanent group of stakeholders within the state, just without the outside help from the Council of State Governments.

The structure is in place, he said, with parole, probation, the courts and corrections, and adding behavioral health and the crime commission to look at how the state will continue to handle justice reinvestment.

And that steering committee can also work with the counties on the jail inmates and mental health issues.
Authorities have arrested an inmate at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution for the murder of another prisoner during a March 2 disturbance that left two inmates dead.

Eric L. Ramos, 26, will face a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Michael Galindo, 31, the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office announced Tuesday.

Galindo and Damon Fitzgerald, 39, were found dead after the prison melee, which began after staff confiscated 150 pounds of homemade alcohol. Galindos body was found lying face-down near a pile of smoldering materials inside a cell, according to the Attorney Generals Office.

A subsequent autopsy performed on Galindo concluded his death was a homicide and occurred as a result of inhalation of combustion products and multiple sharp and blunt-force injuries.

Ramos also faces charges of first-degree assault, two counts of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and tampering with physical evidence. A decision on whether to allege any aggravating circumstances, making Ramos potentially eligible for a death sentence, will be made by prosecutors at a later date, according to the Attorney Generals Office.

In June, Ramos was charged with first-degree arson in connection to the March 2 disturbance. He is currently serving eight to 10 years on criminal mischief, domestic assault and gun charges out of Gage County in 2012.

The Nebraska State Patrol, State Fire Marshalls Office and Nebraska Department of Correctional Services conducted the investigation that led to Ramos most recent arrest.

No one has been arrested yet in connection to the death of Fitzgerald.

The Johnson County Attorneys Office will handle Ramos prosecution, with assistance from the Attorney Generals Office.

The affidavit and arrest warrant for Ramos have been sealed to protect the identity and safety of potential witnesses, the Attorney Generals Office said.
WSUs Stewart Library Holds Grand Reopening

August 23, 2017

OGDEN, Utah  The community is invited to Weber State Universitys grand reopening celebration of the newly renovated Stewart Library, Aug. 31. A short program will begin at 3:30 p.m. in Hetzel-Hoellein Room 321, with an open house and refreshments from 3 to 5 p.m. The new dean of the Stewart Library, Wendy Holliday, also will be introduced.

Wendy Holliday

I feel grateful to arrive at this time, Holliday said. I am really appreciative of the thoughtfulness that went into the building design. During my job interview, I was standing in one area of the library that was flooded with light, and I thought, This building is going to provide a wonderful space for students, staff and faculty to come together to do their work.

The $20 million, two-phase renovation required emptying every shelf and packing 35,000 boxes, which included an equivalent of 11 miles of books and shelving. It took 25 to 35 Baileys Moving & Storage movers, 10 hours a day, everyday for seven months, just to allow for construction.

Thanks to planning, patience, juggling and a lot of work, the library, much of its collection, and all the services remained available to the campus community throughout the 16-month project. WSUs Facilities Management oversaw the project, VCBO Architecture drew the plans, and Okland Construction completed the renovation, which began April 2016 and was completed just in time to welcome the campus at the beginning of fall semester.

Patrons will notice new interior glass walls, raised ceilings and expansive windows and skylights, which provide a substantial amount of natural lighting.

The building now has a testing center, which will be open during library hours, allowing students testing access during evening hours and on Saturdays and Sundays. Mobile shelving has been installed throughout, including in University Archives and Special Collections. A new elevator inside the west entrance connects all three floors.

The building now has four computer classrooms, five open conference rooms, 10 group study rooms, 10 faculty research rooms and a student lounge. Renovated bathrooms and a new, efficient heating, air conditioning and ventilation system will improve comfort for library staff and patrons.

It is very exciting to see the comprehensive retrofit we have been able to accomplish, which unites the two earlier phases of the Stewart Library into a more modernized and cohesive whole, while still respecting the original structure of the building and its central place on campus, said Chad Downs project manager.

The Weber State Library opened in 1965 as a 72,000-square-foot facility. An addition on the south side in 1976, doubled the square footage. At that time, it was rededicated as the Stewart Library in honor of donors Donnell B. and Elizabeth Dee Shaw Stewart. Other renovations in the mid-1990s and 2005 improved interior and exterior aesthetics, accessibility, computer access and technological amenities.

During her 14 years at the library, Jamie Weeks, university archivist, has seen many changes to the building and additions to the collections.

Stewart Library has always been a refuge, especially for those of us who love books, she said. The look, the feel and, most importantly, the smell of the books remain through all the changes. The joy of walking through the stacks and viewing titles that are longtime friends, continues to provide welcome solitude and easy access to the worlds greatest minds.

For more information about the Stewart Library and its services and hours, visit library.weber.edu.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

For additional photos, visit the following link:

wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Stewart-Library/Stewart-Library-Renovations-2017
TECUMSEH  In separate, back-to-back hearings Tuesday, the Nebraska Attorney General's office swapped sides of the counsel table, first defending the state against a civil lawsuit filed by a dead inmate's family, then prosecuting an inmate who killed his cellmate in the other.

The deadly incidents at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution each drew increased scrutiny by civil rights defenders, who earlier this month filed a federal lawsuit about overcrowding, and by lawmakers, who have been looking for answers to fix a prison system beset by problems.

But Tuesday's hearings dealt with two specific inmates: Patrick Schroeder and Shon Collins.

In the first case, civil attorneys with the Attorney General's office defended the state against a lawsuit filed by Collins' family for his killing during a 2015 riot at the prison north of town.

"I think we all can admit what had happened in this case is tragic and horrible," Assistant Attorney General Stephanie Caldwell said of his death. "But what we are looking at is the complaint that was filed in this case and how it was plead."

She asked District Judge Vicky Johnson to dismiss the lawsuit, which alleged among other things that the state hadn't properly trained or staffed the prison. Caldwell argued that the suit didn't allege enough to go forward and that, even if it did, that the state has immunity from such cases.

If there is a question as to case law, she said, "maybe let the appellate court decide this area before we proceed forward on what ... will be a pretty huge case to litigate."

Attorney Abby Osborn, who represents Shon Collins' mother, Susan Collins, pointed out the state made essentially the same argument in a similar case in Lancaster County, and that case survived it. She argued this one should, too.

Osborn said the state has an increased duty to protect inmates in protective custody, as Collins was when the riot broke out May 10, 2015. The suit alleges prison staff failed to protect him from other inmates during the 11-hour riot.

He and Donald Peacock, both serving time for child sex assaults, died of blunt force trauma to their heads.

Johnson will rule on the motion after the attorneys file briefs in that case.

In the second, two other attorneys with the Attorney General's office sat as special prosecutors seeking the death penalty in the criminal case against Schroeder, a lifer who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for killing Terry Berry, his cellmate, on April 15.

In an eight-minute hearing, Schroeder confirmed that he wanted to waive his right to have a jury hear the evidence to decide whether he could get the death penalty for what he did.

Johnson, the judge, said she will be part of a three-judge panel that will find if Schroeder has committed a prior murder or has a substantial history of serious assaults, as the state alleges.

He already is serving a life sentence for killing a 75-year-old Pawnee City farmer in 2006.

The panel also will weigh mitigating circumstances to determine if he should be put to death for it.

A hearing date will be set after the Nebraska Supreme Court names the other judges on the panel.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 23, 2017 | 10:56 AM | MURRAY, KY

A local woman was injured in a two vehicle collision Tuesday afternoon in Calloway County.

According to the Murray Police Department, the crash happened just before 4:30 pm on Highway 641 North, near Diuguid Drive. Officers said 35-year-old Thomas Moore of Murray was traveling south when he attempted to stop after a vehicle stopped in front of him.

Police said Moores vehicle hydroplaned on the wet roadway and traveled across the turn lane into oncoming northbound traffic. Moore's truck was struck by a northbound vehicle driven by 67-year-old Carolyn Mercer of Kirksey.

Mercer was transported by EMS to Murray Calloway County Hospital for treatment of her injuries.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 23, 2017 | 11:33 AM | MARSHALL COUNTY, KY

Two men were arrested Tuesday after police allegedly found methamphetamine inside a Marshall County home.

According to the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, a deputy attempted to make a traffic stop near Ken Bar Lodge on Hwy. 641 North. The vehicle fled off road and the occupant fled on foot and was not located.

Police said several guns and illegal controlled substances were found inside the vehicle. The continuing investigation led to a search of a nearby home in the 6000 block of Hwy. 641 North. During the search, deputies reportedly found methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and evidence of meth trafficking.

Two men found at the home were arrested. Fifty-two-year-old Charles Grundy and 45-year-old James Campbell, both of Marshall County, were arrested and lodged in the Marshall County Detention Center. Grundy was charged with possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Campbell was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police say additional charges are pending and additional arrests are expected.
By The Associated Press Aug. 21, 2017 | 09:22 PM | ARLINGTON, VA

President Donald Trump says the U.S. "can no longer be silent" about terrorist safe havens in Pakistan.

He says Pakistan often gives sanctuary to "agents of chaos, violence and terror," and says the Taliban and other groups there pose a threat to the region and beyond.

Trump is outlining his administration's strategy to the war in neighboring Afghanistan. He says a pillar of that strategy is a change in the U.S. approach to Pakistan.

He adds that Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with the U.S. and much to lose from harboring terrorists.

For years, Washington has criticized Pakistan's tolerance of Taliban militants who launch attacks in Afghanistan. During the Obama administration, restrictions were imposed on military aid to Islamabad because of those concerns.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is signaling the U.S. will increase troop numbers in Afghanistan as part of the president's new war strategy.

Mattis says he has directed the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to prepare to carry out President Trump's plans.

He doesn't speak about the size of a U.S. troop increase.

But he says he'll consult with NATO and U.S. allies, "several of which have also committed to increasing their troop numbers."

Mattis says, "Together, we will assist the Afghan Security forces to destroy the terrorist hub."
A Nebraska grand jury has federally indicted the man suspected of carrying out the "AK-47 bandit" bank robberies, a string of holdups that included one in Nebraska City in 2014.

Richard Gathercole was indicted Tuesday in Nebraska on counts of bank robbery, possession of a weapon, transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines and transporting stolen firearms across state lines in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to an FBI spokesman.

Gathercole was arrested June 19 in Dawson County following a high-speed chase with Kansas authorities.

Federal prosecutors first charged Gathercole with interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle and stolen firearms in July.

In its indictment Tuesday, the grand jury accuses Gathercole of taking more than $90,000 from First Nebraska Bank in Nebraska City.

That holdup is one in a series of bank robberies and attempted robberies across five states that authorities have pinned on the so-called AK-47 bandit.

We are grateful for the diligent work of our law enforcement and prosecution partners in Nebraska and around the United States that are working collaboratively to ensure justice is carried out in this case, said Randall Thysse, special agent in charge of the FBI Omaha Division.

Gathercole remains at the Saline County jail, where some federal inmates are detained.
An inmate charged with first-degree murder and four other felonies on allegations he killed a fellow inmate during a March 2 melee at the Tecumseh state prison made his first appearance Wednesday on the charges.

In a complaint filed a day earlier, Eric Ramos was accused of assaulting and killing Michael Galindo with deliberate and premeditated malice or during an arson and of tampering with evidence.

Prosecutors haven't yet decided if they'll seek the death penalty in his case, according to a news release Tuesday.

Johnson County Judge Steven Timm agreed to seal the arrest warrant affidavit in the case, saying in an order that information in it "could jeopardize an ongoing criminal investigation."

A hearing has been set next month to determine if Ramos' public defender should be granted access to the document.

Galindo, 31, and Damon Fitzgerald, 39, were killed in separate incidents during an inmate disturbance at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, sparked by staff discovering and confiscating a footlocker that held 150 pounds of homemade alcohol.

It was the second deadly disruption at the prison in two years.

The Nebraska Attorney General's office said after prison staff re-established order on March 2, they found Galindo lying face down, dead, near a pile of still smoldering combustible materials inside a cell.

An autopsy concluded his death was a homicide and that he had died as a result of smoke inhalation along with multiple sharp and blunt-force injuries.

Ramos, 26, already had been facing a first-degree arson charge for allegedly starting a fire at the prison March 2. At a preliminary hearing earlier this year in that case, an investigator said surveillance video showed Ramos taking a burning piece of cloth to a trash can during the disturbance.

Ramos, who is serving eight to 10 years on criminal mischief, domestic assault and gun charges out of Gage County in 2012, became eligible for parole in January.

No one has been charged yet in Fitzgerald's death, or in the deaths of two other inmates killed in an earlier riot at the same prison.

Suzanne Gage, of the Attorney General's office, said: "Investigative efforts will continue until justice can be obtained for the murder of inmate Damon Fitzgerald, as well as for the May 10, 2015, murders of inmates Donald Peacock and Shon Collins."

Peacock and Collins, both serving time for child sex assaults, were found dead of blunt-force trauma to their heads.
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BEATRICE  The planning was the easy part, but actually getting married proved to be a little more difficult.

Sarah Bollwitt and Morgan Jones were married during the total solar eclipse Monday in Beatrice, but the path to their wedding day took them thousands of miles from home  and over a few bumps along the way.

Bollwitt and Jones knew they wanted to get married during the eclipse. The only problem was, the eclipse wouldnt reach them where they live in Homer, Alaska.

Bollwitt, a native of Seward, wanted to come back to Nebraska to get married. They could have done it at her parents house in Seward, but Beatrice had a full minute more of eclipse totality.

Her best friend in high school, Suzanne Clabaugh, and her husband Nate, offered their home in Beatrice for them to get married, which the couple accepted.

The two took a plane from Homer with their daughter, Sidney, and were off to Nebraska. That's when the real adventure began.

They arrived on Aug. 17, Bollwitts 35th birthday, after an 18-hour delay and headed to Seward, where her mother had a series of events scheduled. After a hamburger feed Friday and a rehearsal dinner Saturday, they were going to have a small get-together Sunday for their reception.

But heavy rains Saturday led to flooding along the Big Blue River. The reception was moved from a city park to Bollwitts parents home, where water pressure issues arose as a result of flooding.

No water, no flushing, said Sue Bollwitt, Sarah's mother. Portable toilets were brought in.

On the way to Beatrice for the wedding Monday, Sue Bollwitt had medical concerns that prompted a stop at a hospital emergency room.

Fortunately, they all made it to their places for the wedding, and the skies cooperated.

At the last moment, the clouds began to part and what looked like a diamond ring shone brightly before the halo around the sun appeared and the sky plunged into darkness.

The guests cheered.

It was a difficult journey to get to their wedding day, but they had done it, Jones said, and it was a pretty amazing experience.

It was one of the coolest things that I've ever seen."
Police no longer have a presence at the site of a house explosion in southeast Lincoln but their probe into what caused it continues.

Chief Jeff Bliemeister said police are still looking into the "seat of the blast" and the events preceding the Aug. 14 natural gas explosion at 5601 S. 78th St.

"The processing and documentation of the scene has been completed, but expert analysis, laboratory testing, investigative follow-up, and collaboration with Building and Safety Fire Inspectors continues," the chief said.

The home's owners, Jim and Jeanne Jasa, remain in critical condition at CHI St. Elizabeth.

Insurance companies now have custody of the rubble that is the Jasas' home, a few blocks north of Old Cheney Road. A 6-foot-tall, chain-link fence protects the site.

Fire and police investigators last week seized evidence from the residence, now considered a crime scene as police try to determine if the blast's cause was intentional.

Finding answers in suspected natural gas explosions isn't always easy, but it's not impossible, fire investigators told the Journal Star.

When an explosion totally destroys a home, "youve got a tremendous amount of work to do," said Norfolk Fire Marshal Terry Zwiebel, a former natural gas company employee.

"Evidence is there. Its just changed shape," he added. "Youve got to put it back together like a jigsaw puzzle."

The blast at the Jasas' house is believed to have been triggered inside the residence.

State and city fire investigators ruled out an external leak, and police have said there's no evidence that natural gas provider Black Hills Energy's service or system was negligent.

A judge has sealed the search warrant detailing what evidence police took and why they took it from the scene.

The extent of damage is unprecedented in Lincoln for this type of blast, said Chief Fire Investigator Bill Moody, who has worked five or six large explosions in his 32 years on the job.

Most homes in an explosion sustain limited structural damage, he said.

A May 2016 explosion at 830 B St. stemming from a leak in the line to the water heater, for example, damaged the home's foundation.

Zwiebel, who heads the Nebraska chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, can recall two such explosions in Norfolk.

But those were more like "hard ignitions," where a wall pops out and fire starts, he said.

No one was injured in the cases Zwiebel worked, he said.

A pair of natural gas explosions in Omaha grabbed headlines last year.

In one case, a housing inspector died after she went inside a vacated property in the Benson area.

In another, fire investigators said improperly marked gas lines were struck by workers and triggered an explosion and massive fire that destroyed a restaurant in the Old Market.

In that blast, no one was seriously injured.

But one of the deadliest events in the state's history came Jan. 10, 1976, when the Hotel Pathfinder in Fremont blew up, killing 20 people and injuring dozens more.

The ignition source for that explosion was never determined, though fire officials later said the leak stemmed from an underground pipe allowing gas to seep into the building, the Fremont Tribune reported.

Natural gas is a colorless, odorless gas, so a chemical marker is added to give it a distinct smell so leaks are detected.

In Lincoln, natural gas provided by Black Hills Energy smells like rotten eggs.

Foul play factors into some house explosions, but most blasts stem from accidental leaks, Zwiebel said.

The volatile nature of natural gas poses a safety risk that homeowners should consider when working on or around natural gas-fed appliances, he added.

In the death of Clara Bender, the Omaha housing inspector killed last year, investigators determined the person who disconnected the clothes dryer forgot to turn off the gas, according to media reports.

Too many natural gas blasts stem from sloppy work leading to leaks in homes, Zwiebel said.

"Leave it up to the professionals."
Prosper Lincoln volunteers provided a progress report and a pep talk on the effort to make Lincoln a better city at a breakfast attended by more than 800 community leaders Wednesday.

Prosper Lincoln is a project based on 10 years of data, and the data tells a story of two Lincolns, said Nancy Shank, with the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center.

One Lincoln is prospering and has rebounded well from the recession, and another is struggling to an even greater extent, she said at a breakfast meeting at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The 10 years of data includes the Great Recession, when half of all Americans lost a job or saw a cut in pay or in hours, said Shank, who developed Lincoln Vital Signs, a data-driven report that led to the communitywide Prosper Lincoln project.

Lincoln is experiencing recovery from the recession. The average household has nearly recovered its prerecession work hours and income. The number of neighborhoods where more than 40 percent live in poverty has shrunk by one, from six to five. And nearly 90 percent of all Lincoln residents have health insurance.

Overall Lincoln is doing better than most cities in the United States," Shank said.

But there is a worrying trend of increased disparity, where higher-income households experienced greater income gains than lower-income households. And the number of people working full time but still living in poverty has doubled, she said.

In Lincoln, nearly 40,000 individuals -- 15 percent of the community -- live below the poverty threshold. And the number of children who participate in Lincoln Public Schools' free and reduced price lunch program has doubled to nearly half of the district population, she said.

Breakfast speakers, including Gov. Pete Ricketts and Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler, encouraged audience members to get or remain involved in the Prosper Lincoln effort, spearheaded by the Lincoln Community Foundation and almost two dozen businesses and community agencies.

"Lincoln did not get to be a great city by accident, Ricketts said. It happened because people like you worked to make it a great city, the governor said as he listed some of the city's top 10 accolades.

Government can do a lot of great things -- build roads, protect public safety, protect its most vulnerable people, Ricketts said. But love of community is what makes a great city, he said.

Beutler also thanked community leaders from the nonprofit, private business and government sectors for helping shape the city.

It is sometimes difficult to discern good change from bad change, particularly when the pace of change is so accelerated, so sophisticated and so complicated, he said.

It is paramount that groups of intelligent citizens help sort through that change, choosing good change and rejecting bad change, Beutler said.

Over the past three years, Prosper Lincoln set out three priority areas: early childhood, employment skills and innovation and entrepreneurship.

And the core group has hired four professionals to guide the volunteer efforts: Michelle Suarez, childhood education; Bryan Seck and Mike Milbourn, employment; and Rich Claussen, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Prosper Lincoln is co-chaired by Rich Bailey, founder of Bailey Lauerman; JoAnn Martin, president/CEO of Ameritas; and Barbara Bartle, president of the Lincoln Community Foundation.
Minnesota City Community Readers will discuss "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot. All readers are invited whether or not they have read the book. The meeting will take place on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall at 149 Mill St. in Minnesota City. The next book selection is "Never Cry Wolf" by Farley Mowat and that book will be discussed at the Sept. 28 meeting.
U.S. Rep. Tim Walz has vowed to redouble his efforts to fund industrial safety projects like the ZoneGuard roadway worker protection system developed by Winonas Miller Ingenuity.

The congressman and recently announced candidate for Minnesota governor toured Miller Ingenuitys factory in east Winona on Tuesday. Waltz and a throng of leaders in regional industry were given a demonstration of ZoneGuard  a network of sensors and sirens that alerts those working on a railroad of impending trains  and got to meet the workers who make them.

You dont have to choose between safety and profitability  railroads want both, Waltz said. Railroads want their workers to be safe, for moral and economic reasons, and so they can go home at the end of the day and be with their families.

I love the mantra of zero deaths. Its a lofty goal, but great innovation comes out of it.

Steve Blue, president and CEO of Miller, said roughly a dozen railroad workers are killed in preventable accidents each year.

Millers new system, he said, is capable of making that zero death mantra a reality. All that needs to happen is for ZoneGuard, currently in its early stages of production, to spread across the country, he said.

We dont miss trains, Blue said. If a railway worker is protected by our system, they wont get killed on the job. Period.

Sean Winkler, director of advocacy for the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association, praised the visiting congressman for his continued support of railroads.

In 2015, Waltz voted and advocated for the FAST Act, which provided long-term funding, nationwide, for transportation infrastructure and projects like ZoneGuard.

According to Waltz, though, more dollars are needed.

If the federal government can fund these grants, the private sector has shown theyll put in money of their own, he said. Theyll put their money where their mouth is.

During his roughly hour-long stay at Miller, Waltz also called for education reform that would benefit students and trade industries alike.

Its important for high schools to offer classes in trades and technical disciplines, he said, and for students to understand that a four-year college isnt for everyone.

In the past, we havent put enough of an emphasis on trades, on innovation, Waltz said. But whenever I come here, I always leave optimistic. Youre either innovating and growing, or youre becoming obsolete. For our communities, this means more jobs, more kids in school, a larger tax base.

If were not advocating for that, were falling further behind.
Wisconsins oldest state natural area has become one of its most popular outdoor destinations.

Established in 1952, Parfreys Glen State Natural Area is located four miles east of Devils Lake State Park and managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The property is home to a meandering creek, miniature waterfall, giant boulders and a deep gorge cut through 100-foot sandstone cliffs on the southern flank of the Baraboo Hills.

The areas unique natural features, coupled with its proximity to Devils Lake, make Parfreys Glen a highly visited site in the region.

Certainly when you bring that many people to Devils Lake, and you have a spot that is that accessible and that neat, its a potent combination, said Matt Zine, who oversees State Natural Areas in southern Wisconsin for the DNR.

The name Parfreys Glen is a combination of its original owner, Robert Parfrey, and glen, a Scottish word for a narrow, rocky ravine. Parfrey was an Englishman who bought the property in 1865 and operated a grist mill there until 1876. The state began acquiring land throughout the area in 1947, and Parfreys Glen subsequently became its first official state natural area in 1952.

From the Parfreys Glen parking lot off County Road DL near Merrimac, hikers follow less-than-a-mile-long trail through woodland to the mouth of a narrow gorge. Wild raspberries and other colorful flora spring up along the sides of the trail, although guests are not allowed to venture off the path. The official trail ends where the gorge begins.

Adventurous hikers who continue through the creek and into the gorge will see lichen-covered cliff walls that ascend nearly 100 feet, as trees create shade from a canopy overhead. The cliff walls are moist from seepage, cool and shaded. The damp, cool conditions support flora more typical of northern Wisconsin, like yellow birch, mountain maple, red elder and several rare plants, including a federally threatened species.

Derrick Mayoleth, who owns Skillet Creek Media and writes about state parks and natural areas, said plum-pudding stone spread throughout the cliff walls allow visitors to examine the geologic history of the area going back millions of years.

Plum-pudding stone is a term for a conglomerate that consists of distinctly rounded pebbles whose colors contrast with the finer-grained, often sandy matrix surrounding them. Many layers of the sandstone cliffs at Parfreys Glen are speckled with quartzite stones and boulders.

Every time you see those layers of pudding stone, you know that at that time there was flowing currents going through that area, Mayoleth said. People go there and see all these different layers and colors in the strata that represent millions of years. You see all different changes in geologic history in Parfreys Glen just by looking at the cliff side.

Parfreys Glen continues to experience drastic geologic change. Most recently, Zine said powerful flooding in 2010 destroyed several bridges and a boardwalk that once spanned the gorge. It also moved many natural features, rerouted part of the stream and eroded much of the trail. Zine said the expectation of further flooding has caused the DNR to curb spending on repairs within the gorge.

If Im not mistaken, I think we built that boardwalk twice in a matter of five or eight years, and finally we just decided to stop, he said. It just wasnt worth it any longer.

In addition to flooding, Parfreys Glen has been damaged by the high volume of visitors it receives. Zine said special rules and regulations have been put in place to protect the areas geologic features and rare plants.

The area is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and visitors must remain on the designated trail. After the designated trail ends, visitors may proceed into the glen but must remain within 20 feet of the bed of the creek and may not venture past the base of the waterfall. Pets, food and beverages are not allowed in the natural area, and a state park sticker is required to park in the parking lot.

Zine said the rules are intended to protect the site, without limiting its accessibility to the public.

If you know about it then you care about it, and you want to protect it, he said. For us, its a site in which we try to do both. We provide access to a really nice park, and we hope people have a really nice experience, and walk away from it saying, These are really cool places and should be protected.
Its hardly uncommon, when youre riding the bus, to feel like shooting yourself. But its entirely uncommon to not only carry through, but to shoot yourself in the groin.

Thats why it was statewide news last week when a man accidentally shot himself aboard a Megabus during a stop in Madison. Jelani Faulk, 21, of Chicago had a handgun in the waistband of his pants and when it fired, it sent a bullet through his penis and one testicle. Talk about a dismemberment.

As if riding the bus wasnt painful enough: Youre surrounded by strangers, making a bunch of unwanted stops and wallowing in the stale stench of Formula 409 and regret.

Things only got worse for Faulk, as he was locked up after the incident. As a felon, he wasnt supposed to possess a firearm. Plus, he was wanted on a warrant in Minnesota. He was booked into the Dane County jail and, we can only hope, handed a soft pillow to sit on.

The commuter bus was heading from Minneapolis to Chicago when it made its stop at the University of Wisconsin. As it pulled in around 5 a.m., riders heard a single gunshot, followed by Faulk running to the restroom at the back of the bus. You know youre in dire straits when you rush to use a bus bathroom. Attila the Hun wouldve turned up his nose at the smells in there.

Faulk tried to leave the bus, but police and paramedics arrived in time to take him to a hospital. Police found the gun in the toilet, a discovery that doesnt even rank among the top million unexpected items ever found in a bus bathroom commode.

Faulks injuries were not life-threatening and no one else was hurt, other than any children he planned to father in the future. Of course, every male who read the story suffered mild discomfort, typically involving the crossing of legs, pained squints and low whistles.

It has been a tough summer for guys prone to firing projectiles accidentally in Wisconsin. Just last week, the public learned the story of Doug Bergeson, who accidentally shot a nail into his heart  and calmly drove himself to the hospital. He wouldve taken the bus, but he didnt want to take a chance on getting shot in the crotch.

The 52-year-old was framing in a fireplace at his house June 25 when his nail gun accidentally fired, sending a nail ricocheting off some wood and into his chest. He couldnt find any evidence of injury until he tugged at his sweatshirt and realized only an inch of the 3 -inch nail was sticking out of his chest. Shot through the heart, and hes to blame, baby he gives home improvement a bad name.

I could see the nail moving with my heartbeat. It was kind of twitching with every heartbeat, Bergeson told the Associated Press.

His next move was to wash up: After all, Mom taught us to be found clean, including fresh underwear, in the event of a potentially fatal mishap. Then he hopped in his truck and drove to a hospital in Marinette, about 10 minutes away. After X-rays were taken, Bergeson was rushed by ambulance to another hospital in Green Bay. There a doctor confirmed the nail hit Bergesons heart, and was also 116 of an inch from a major artery. Bergeson didnt need Jelani Faulk to tell him he is a lucky, lucky man.

The nail to the heart might as well have been Cupids arrow, as Bergeson recovered at home under the care of wife Donna. Meanwhile, Faulk will be in the custody of law enforcement, and the butt of jokes.

Let this be a lesson to you kids out there  not that you should exercise care when handling power tools, or that you should never store a loaded gun in close proximity to your giblets. No kids, the lesson here is that you need to live right and be good so that you never have to ride the Megabus. Some people on board shoot themselves. And the rest are seriously considering it.
Imagine never having to remember a computer password again.

Imagine walking into the bank and not wracking your brain for your ATM pin code. Or never wondering where you left your credit card, transit pass or ID.

Imagine sailing through airport security without producing a drivers license or passport. Or through your security gate at work without fumbling for an ID card that you left in your other jacket.

Its not sci-fi fantasy. This wireless, keyless, cardless world for everyone who loses or misplaces stuff (that is, everyone), for those cant hold reams of passwords in their head (everyone), for those who carry unruly stacks of credit cards and rewards cards (everyone)  is now dawning. Not only in Silicon Valley. Or in Elon Muskville.

Its dawning in Wisconsin. Three Square Market of River Falls, a vending-machine software developer, boasts that it is the first U.S. company to implant microchips in its employees who volunteered. The rice-grain-sized chip, implanted between the thumb and forefinger, emits a radio frequency thats allows employees to open doors, pay for purchases in the company cafeteria, share business cards and log into their computers, all with a wave of their hand.

So far, 43 of its 85 employees have been chipped, with 10 more to be done later, a company spokeswoman tells us.

No more wallets, keys, credit cards? Everything available with a flick of the wrist? Sounds great.

We understand how some technophobes would find this creepy. Three Square promises it wont be tracking its employees via GPS to make sure theyre on business, and not at the casino. But still. Its easy to see how an innocent company promotion could morph into something Big Brotherish, particularly if the government starts chipping people.

But chips could also monitor body functions and alert medical authorities in emergencies. Children or people with memory issues would never be lost if a chip broadcast their location. Criminals willing to be chipped could be monitored without ankle bracelets.

No wonder Musk, founder of Tesla cars and SpaceX, is a cheerleader for this technology. The billionaire entrepreneur launched a company called Neuralink Corp. to explore technology of implanting tiny brain electrodes that may one day upload and download thoughts, The Wall Street Journal reports. Hmm. Sounds like this could get out of hand.

Privacy advocates and civil libertarians, please feel free to blow a gasket.

But were intrigued. Chip away, Three Square. Lets see if this tech works as advertised. Well watch your pioneering employees and dream of a world without passwords, keys or ID and credit cards.
President Donald Trump waded deep into the culture war Tuesday over Confederate statues -- while revising the very recent history of his own comments.

In what amounted to a 77-minute presidential therapy session in front of thousands of supporters, Trump pulled out copies of three of his own speeches and rehashed what he'd said about white supremacists' gathering around a Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Trump omitted that in his first response, he'd said "many sides" were responsible for the violence there, a comment that drew bipartisan rebuke for equating neo-Nazis with those protesting against them.

"I hit 'em with neo-Nazi, I hit 'em with everything. KKK? We have KKK. I got 'em all," Trump said.

Then, he lambasted the "weak, weak people" allowing Confederate statues to be removed.

"They're trying to take away our culture. They're trying to take away our history," Trump said.

It was just part of a night in which Trump aligned himself tightly with his loyal base -- ignoring the wishes of GOP leaders and the predictions of his own White House while attacking Arizona's two Republican senators, hinting at the pardon of a controversial former Arizona sheriff and signaling that a federal government shutdown could loom in the weeks ahead, all while leading chants of "build the wall."

"If we have to close down our government, we're building that wall," Trump promised his followers.

In a state bordering Mexico, Trump predicted that the North American Free Trade Agreement would ultimately be dissolved -- a move that would shake up supply chains and alter products' availability and prices across the continent -- even though his administration is trying to renegotiate the deal with Canada and Mexico.

"I think we'll probably end up terminating NAFTA at some point," Trump said.

Trump also pleaded with supporters to urge senators to scrap the rule requiring 60 votes for a legislative measure to move forward.

That rule did not encumber the GOP's failed effort to repeal and replace Obamacare -- but, Trump said, it blocks larger health care changes, such as allowing insurance to be sold across state lines, and could imperil the rest of his legislative agenda.

"If we don't, the Republicans will never get anything passed. You're wasting your time," Trump said. "We have to get rid of the filibuster rule. Right now, we need 60 votes. We have 52 Republicans. That means that eight Democrats are controlling all of this legislation."

In a reference to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican who has vehemently opposed any changes to the filibuster rule for legislation, Trump said that "we have to speak to Mitch and we have to speak to everyone."

Trump defied national Republicans' wishes and criticized Arizona's two Republican senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake.

Trump said he "will not mention any names," but said repeatedly that Republicans were "one vote" short on health care. McCain was one of the three GOP senators to vote against a Republican bill to overhaul parts of Obamacare.

Then, attacking Flake, Trump said: "Nobody wants me to talk about him. Nobody knows who the hell he is. And now, we haven't mentioned any names, so now, everybody's happy."

Two Republicans who are openly considering primary campaigns against Flake next year were part of the pre-program at the rally. Jeff DeWit, the Arizona state treasurer, was the MC, tweeting photos of himself with Trump from earlier in the day. And Faith Graham, the 13-year-old daughter of Robert Graham, the former state GOP chairman, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Notably not part of the program: Kelli Ward, the former state senator who Trump praised on Twitter for running against Flake last week. Ward was expected to be in the crowd but was not speaking and was not a VIP attendee. Still, in a show of support perhaps left over from Ward drawing 39% in a primary against McCain last year, hundreds -- likely thousands -- of people standing in line outside the event carried Ward signs or wore Ward stickers.

In a move sure to spark an intense backlash from immigration advocates, Trump hinted Tuesday he could pardon Joe Arpaio, the controversial former Maricopa County sheriff who was long accused of racially discriminatory practices, for his conviction on criminal contempt charges.

"Do the people in this room like Sheriff Joe?" he said to cheers.

"So was Sheriff Joe convicted for doing his job?" Trump asked, publicly testing the response to a pardon. "You know what, I'll make a prediction: I think he's going to be just fine, OK? But I won't do it tonight because I don't want to cause any controversy. But Sheriff Joe should feel good."

The remark was a surprise: When asked on Air Force One earlier Tuesday about a would-be Arpaio pardon, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said no news would be made Tuesday.

"I can tell you that there will be no discussion of that today at any point and no action will be taken on that front at any time today," Sanders said.

Trump's arrival at the Phoenix Convention Center was be greeted by mass protests from progressive and anti-bigotry groups.

Democrats in Arizona, including Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, had been lambasting Trump for even visiting the state -- particularly for a campaign rally.

First stop: Yuma

Trump's day in Arizona started near the border, where he viewed equipment used by US Customs and Border Protection agents to track illegal crossings.

Trump's aides planned for him to go to the US-Mexico border as part of his visit to Yuma on Tuesday, but were forced to scrap that plan because of security concerns, according to a person familiar with the situation.

According to background provided by the White House on Monday evening, Trump was slated to visit the San Luis II commercial crossing, about 20 miles south of Yuma.

But when he stopped in Yuma on Tuesday, Trump did not leave the grounds of the Marine base where he landed. The person did not specify the nature of the threat.

The White House referred a request for comment to the Secret Service.

"The Secret Service does not comment on its protective operations," said Cathy Milhoan, a Secret Service spokeswoman.

The administration has praised the Yuma border patrol sector for the miles of secure fencing, constructed over the past decade, which they say has curtailed the flow of undocumented immigrants crossing the border illegally.

Those commitments were made during previous administrations, however, and previous presidents have claimed credit. George W. Bush toured the border near Yuma during his second term, riding a dune buggy along the fence and heralding funds he approved to build it.

The immigration issue has been a touchstone of Trump's throughout his campaign and the early days of his administration, centered on his promise to construct a wall along the US-Mexico border.

The project has seen setbacks, including an acknowledgment that Mexico will not -- at least for now -- pay for the wall's construction, as Trump has repeatedly promised. Instead, Congress has approved some funding for the measure, which Trump insists will be repaid.

On Tuesday, administration officials sought to underscore Trump's tough-on-immigration stance, attributing a drop in border apprehensions to his actions and rhetoric over the first six months of his tenure.

This story has been updated.

CNN's Kevin Liptak and Sara Murray contributed to this report.
Ultra-high-definition display screens that Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn says it wants to make in Wisconsin could transform the states health care industry, offering better imaging tools to conduct medical procedures, Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday.

Walker said the liquid-crystal display panels Foxconn says it wants to make in Wisconsin could be used to improve how surgeries and other procedures are conducted. His remarks came at UW Hospital on Tuesday, backed by UW Health CEO Alan Kaplan and UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank.

We think theres incredible application when it comes to the health care here in the state of Wisconsin, particularly to have someone manufacturing that right here in our own state, Walker said.

Foxconn says it wants to make a $10 billion investment to build its first North American manufacturing campus at an as-yet-unannounced site in southeastern Wisconsin. State lawmakers are debating a $3 billion incentive package to help cement the deal.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported earlier this month that Foxconn is considering a secondary site, apart from the southeast Wisconsin campus, in Dane County. One source said the development could involve a medical device or a research and development facility.

Whether or not Foxconn locates a facility in the Madison area, the company could partner with UW-Madison researchers or companies here, said Lisa Johnson, CEO of BioForward, which supports the states biotech industry.

Theyre looking at Wisconsin because of our medical technology, Johnson said. There are opportunities for collaboration with their medical division.

A representative of Foxconns medical group will be a keynote speaker at BioFowards Wisconsin Biohealth Summit in Madison Oct. 10.

Foxconn leaders have met with Dr. Howard Bailey, director of UW-Madisons Carbone Cancer Center. Foxconn founder and CEO Terry Gou, whose first wife and younger brother died of cancer, has supported cancer research in Asia.

Cancer, along with medical imaging and stem cells and regenerative medicine, are fields in which the Madison area is strong and Foxconns technology could apply, said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council.

It could be all three, Still said.

Dr. Perry Pickhardt, a radiologist who is director of cancer imaging at UW Hospital, said Foxconns 8K screen technology could greatly improve cameras used in colonoscopies and surgeries.

Compared to what we call high-definition now, its four times as many pixels in each dimension, vertical and horizontal, Pickhardt said. Weve made great strides with higher-resolution endoscopes, but Im sure this would blow it away.

With Foxconn in Wisconsin, he said UW-Madison doctors might be able to test the companys new imaging devices.

The potential would be there for UW to be the first to get their hands on these things, Pickhardt said.

Walter Block, UW-Madison professor of biomedical engineering, medical physics and radiology, was among those who met with executives of Foxconns medical group when they came to Madison several weeks ago.

Blocks research is focused on image-guided brain surgery. Block also is co-founder of a startup company, TherVoyant, that is working on a way to provide real-time images for a surgical team with more precise surgical targets and the ability to track drugs that are infused during treatment.

Using next-generation screens would let each member of a surgical team monitor different aspects of complex brain operations, Block said.

A company like mine would partner with them and provide surgical friendly interfaces, Block said. If such a joint venture were successful, a major medical company  such as GE Healthcare, which has extensive manufacturing operations in Waukesha and a plant in Madison  might eventually be interested in acquiring the technology, providing more jobs in Wisconsin, as a result, he said.

Gou, speaking at the White House press conference announcing the companys Wisconsin plans, said the U.S. currently does not have a single LCD factory to produce a complete 8K system. The term refers to the latest high-resolution display technology.

We are going to change that, Gou said.

Kaplan told reporters that the 8K panels are fascinating technology. Having them built in Wisconsin could benefit the health care industry in many ways, he added.

I think well also benefit from the economic boom  just bringing that in so we can attract great scientists, researchers, clinicians who are interested in technology, Kaplan said.

State Journal reporter Judy Newman contributed to this report.
Seward lifted a restriction on drinking water from city taps Wednesday afternoon after the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services determined the water was safe to consume, city officials said.

A broken 14-inch water main under an area flooded by the Big Blue River caused pressure to drop throughout Seward's water system on Sunday, leading to a "do not consume" order as well as an emergency declaration.

City crews restored water service to most residents on Monday but recommended its use be limited to bathing, laundry and other hygiene purposes.

Forty tests submitted to the state on both Monday and Tuesday determined the water was fit to drink.

The city recommends residents run cold water through each tap to force air out of the water lines until the water is a cool, consistent temperature.
Despite being the mayor of Madison for decades, Paul Soglin is just now calling for the removal of Confederate monuments in Forest Hill Cemetery, now that it could be politically advantageous.
Moral constitution and dissent

SA's popular dissenters strive to uphold their Constitutional mandates and moral principles.

South Africans have expressed their impassioned dissent over the policies and operations of their political parties and institutions this year.

Issues of dissent, behavior and loyalty in the country were the focus of this years Ruth First Memorial Roundtable. The roundtable marked the 35th anniversary of the death of Ruth First, an anti-apartheid activist, academic and journalist who was assassinated on 17 August 1982.

ANC Member of Parliament, Dr Makhosi Khoza, who was one of the speakers at the roundtable, was axed by her party from her position as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration shortly before the roundtable proceeded.

Media personality, Redi Tlhabi, who chaired the roundtable, highlighted the irony of Khozas axing coinciding with the anniversary of Firsts death, stating that Makhosi was fired for living up to the values of First:

On the 35th anniversary of the passing of Ruth First, someone who speaks truth to power  and happens to be a woman gets fired for speaking truth to power, for doing the very thing that defines the life of Ruth First.

Khoza was chastised and relieved of her duties because of her outspoken criticism of her party, which she joined when she was 12 years old.

Her constitutional loyalty and firm belief to deliver on the ANCs promise to the people of SA as enshrined in its mission, is what drives her.

When the ANC was established in 1912, it was defined as the peoples parliament. How ironic that today we are choosing kleptocracy and not democracy. Unfortunately for me, today I draw inspiration from women of substance and phenomenal women like Ruth First  women who spoke truth to power.

Khoza says that South Africa is entering the next phase of struggle, which is to defend the Constitution and make sure it is implemented to build the country.

There is something that I call blind brand syndrome  where you follow the brand. I know that the thing that I joined is no longer there, but that liberation struggle brand is still with me and I think that we all have to go through some healing process to understand that we now need a new South Africap; a South Africa that we collectively crafted, designed in 1996 when we adopted the Constitution of the republic, that has no colour; a Constitution that believed in equality before the law and the Constitution that was actually implementing the Freedom Charter of 1995.

Despite the controversies clouding her and the disputes between her and her party, she remains optimistic about the future of the country.

I will do my part as a South African. I believe in the new South Africa and our Constitution, our collective moral signature as a country.

Loyalty and Ethical Leadership

Ruth First panelist, Thandeka Gqubule shared her issues on dissent and defiance of censorship at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

Gqubule, freedom of expression activist and author of Whispering Truth to Power: The Story of Thuli Madonsela was one of the eight people sacked by the SABC for standing against censorship and fighting for transparency.

Gqubule says her dissent over the broadcasters censorship was fueled by her integrity and the core principles of ethical journalism.

She began her address by paying tribute to other female whistle-blowers and dissenters. As a conscientious citizen, I say I am Makhosi Khosa, I am Suna Venter, I am SABC 8.

Gqubule believes that she and the other #SABC8 dissenters were not wrong in dissenting but sought to hold up the SABCs Constitutional mandate.

Within the national public broadcaster, we see ourselves having signed up to a national obligation to allow universal access to this powerful tool of communication.

Challenging the status quo

Panelist Mbali Ntuli, former youth leader of the Democratic Alliance and Member of Parliament for the party in KwaZulu Natal publicly lamented her partys inconsistencies in dealing with racism cases, amongst other issues. Ntuli was castigated by her party for liking a social media comment that stated that party leader, Hellen Zilles controversial tweets were racist.

I felt it was the right thing to call my party out on this really archaic policy [social media policy] that they have,- which, sure, may be good for brand image. [But] If you have people who are problematic, they should be dealt with. You cant expect that people are not going to say what they want. We should be able to challenge those things. We should be able to be critical without having our parties thinking that we are hating them.

Ntuli says she stands on principle, especially when her party acts contrary to what it claims to stand for.

Political parties are very comfortable for you to be a dissenting voice as long as youre not within their party. So the ANC praises me, the EFF loves me because sometimes I say things  not to cause havoc, but because, principally they must be said when my party does things that I believe are against the ethos and the principles of what we stand for.

We need authentic leaders and we need people who are going to challenge the status quo, she adds.

Not a dissenter: Dissenting for purpose

Raymond Suttner, Emeritus Professor at the University of South Africa, took a different approach to dissent, stating that he does identify as a dissenter.

I dont like this word dissident. I wasnt dissenting, says Suttner of his anti-apartheid activism.

I was also like Ruth First, Nelson Mandela and others. I was advancing a new democratic consensus, which we are trying to defend today. So we are dissenting in one sense, but we are also representing what was agreed; what corresponds to the aspirations of most people in South Africa.

Suttner, who was part of the ANC and SACPs underground operations during apartheid, cut ties with the parties when he felt they no longer represented the oppressed.

Around 12 years ago, I found that the direction of the organisation in which I associated myself, constituted repudiation of the link that they had forged with the oppressed people of South Africa  and I broke with first the SACP and then the ANC for the same reasons as I joined them.

Suttner believes that silence is sometimes is golden when grappling with issues of dissent.

Sometimes the most courageous thing is not to speak out, to hold your peace, to listen. We are all dissenting from the current powers, but I see us as reaffirming the democratic consensus which Ruth Fist gave her life for.
Wits to host first Deep Learning Indaba in Africa

The Indaba will bring leaders in machine learning and artificial intelligence to Wits University to teach and mentor students, researchers and entrepreneurs.

The first Deep Learning Indaba will take place at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 10  15 September 2017.

Over five days, the Indaba will bring leaders in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence to Wits University to teach and mentor students, academics, researchers, technologists and entrepreneurs in the theory and practice of deep learning, one type of machine learning that uses deep neural networks and that is the basis of recent advances in text-to-speech systems, language translation and object recognition.

More than 300 attendees, hailing from 23 African countries, as well as from countries across the world, will participate in one of the largest machine learning teaching events globally. The Indaba aims to create a shared space to learn, teach, and to debate new developments in machine learning and artificial intelligence, and our African contributions to this scientific endeavour.

Beyond the technical exchange, the Indaba will create opportunities for new research connections, to foster a better understanding of the variety of career paths in the field, and, we hope, through new friendships, perspectives and backgrounds, take the steps to realising a more diverse, racially-representative, and multicultural machine learning community, says lead organiser of the Indaba, Shakir Mohamed, a Wits alumni and research scientist at DeepMind in the UK.

For Wits, the Indaba is an important opportunity to create a network of skilled individuals to solve problems and create new industries. Remarkable centres of industry mushroom around strong, forward-looking research institutions such as Wits. There are many pressing challenges facing our continent and connecting with others throughout Africa and abroad helps the flow of knowledge into our country, says Professor Ebrahim Momoniat, applied mathematician and the Dean of the Faculty of Science at Wits.

Speakers

The Indaba has attracted machine learning scientists from across the globe as speakers, including Nando de Freitas, Wits alumnus a lead research scientist at DeepMind. De Freitas is an authority in the field of machine learning, and in particular in the subfields of neural networks, Bayesian inference and Bayesian optimisation, and deep learning. He will be presenting a tutorial on aspects of convolutional neural networks at the Indaba.

George Konidaris, also a Wits alumnus, Assistant Professor at Brown University and Director of the Intelligent Robots Lab will also be teaching at the Indaba. Konidaris is a leading researcher at the intersection of robotics and machine learning and will be speaking about reinforcement learning, one of the topics in machine learning that addresses how artificial agents can learn from experience.

Richard Klein, Wits lecturer from the School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, will be speaking about recurrent neural networks. My primary interest is in using machine learning and computer vision to support education and teaching endeavours. Using machine learning to visually understand how an audience is reacting to a speaker can help improve the quality of presentations and assist lecturers and presenters to better connect with their audience.

Here is the full list of the local and international speakers and their topics.

Machine learning in Africa

Given the increasing focus on machine learning, the Indaba aims is to stimulate the participation of South Africans, and Africans more generally, within the research and innovation landscape surrounding deep learning and machine learning.

While African machine learning is a strong and varied field, African attendance and participation in internationally leading machine learning conferences is extremely low. This Indaba hopes to change as it is critical that Africans are the contributors, shapers and owners of the coming advances in machine learning.

Says Momoniat, These are technologies that have the potential to empower our citizens and address many of the challenges facing our country and continent. The development of these skills needs to happen locally, to an international standard, so they can specifically target local problems. Conferences such as this are the key in forming and upskilling the local community of practitioners.
BROWNVILLE  The square, white building would be easy to miss but for the sign dangling from a post.

"FURNAS HOUSE," it reads, marking the unassuming former residence of Robert Furnas, the second elected governor of Nebraska who died in 1905.

Converted into a museum, the house features myriad mid-19th century artifacts, from apple-picking ladders to Furnas' personal rocking chair.

A framed picture in the home's foyer proudly declares the former governor as "Nebraska's Renaissance Man."

It's a fitting moniker for Furnas, who not only dabbled in politics but in planting trees, growing fruit and harvesting honey.

Founded in 1854, Brownville is sort of a renaissance town in its own right, with its plethora of landmarks, shops and botanical must-sees, a surprisingly worthwhile stop situated halfway between Lincoln and Kansas City, Missouri.

Come during the week and the sleepy town will seem to move as slow as the Missouri River it overlooks.

But drive down Main Street, past the quaint, brick storefronts housing everything from bookstores to ice cream parlors, and you'll likely run across John Lauber, who's always at the ready to show off Brownville's landmarks in his sky-blue Honda Fit.

Lauber, who's owned property in town since 1977, runs the Brownville Market and volunteers as a de facto tour guide.

He's lived in Brownville permanently since 2001 with his wife Mary, who owns an emporium across the street from the market.

John, who also is a member of Brownville's Fine Arts Association, is proud of the cultural and historical aura of the town he describes as a sort of Little Paris.

"It's probably the only village of its kind in Nebraska  a true arts town," he said.

There's the old church that's been converted into the Brownville Village Theatre  in its 51st season  where high school and college students stage plays.

Another church, a white frame structure on the east end of town, was transformed into a concert hall, where artists from around the country come to take part in Brownville's annual concert series, now in its 27th year.

Jim Aden, a native of Syracuse, has called the town home for less than a year since opening an art-glass studio on Main Street.

On a humid, overcast Wednesday afternoon in July, Aden is busy scorching glass rods over a fountain of fire, shaping them into delicate faux icicles.

The door is left open  a welcoming sign to strangers.

"Growing up in Syracuse you could tell who lived in every house," Aden said. "Our door was always unlocked. ... Brownville is like that."

It's a far cry from Portland, Oregon, where Aden lived until his wife died last summer.

As Aden places another glass icicle in a bed of cotton to cool, Luka, a graying black spaniel, wanders in from the street and nestles into the bed under a bench.

Aden shuts off the loud machine pumping flames through his spigot of fire.

"I found it to be a good place to re-establish myself," he said. "It's close to everything  Lincoln, Omaha, Kansas City."

The river town on U.S. 136  easily accessed from Interstate 29 or U.S. 75  is a little more than an hour from Omaha and about 90 minutes from Lincoln; Topeka, Kansas; and the Kansas City area.

Many of Brownville's attractions, including its nine historical museums, are only open Thursday through Sunday when part-time residents  many from Lincoln and Omaha  return to open their doors, Lauber said.

Those include the Didier Log Cabin that dates to 1854 and sits on the edge of Main Street, and a railroad museum just south of U.S. 136.

In more recent years, the Whiskey Run Creek Vineyard & Winery has drawn tourists with its variety of wines processed and bottled on site.

A sixth-generation farm family  the Hasketts  has operated the winery for 15 years. Step one was converting 8 acres of farm land to growing grapes.

"I like seeing everything from start to finish," said Matt Haskett, 26, who runs the winery and vineyard with his father. "You live in the country, grow the grapes, bring them into process and turn them into a product. It doesn't feel repetitive to me."

Down the street, former Sheldon Museum of Art director George Neubert runs the Flatwater Folk Art Museum out of a renovated church.

Neubert, who has lived in Brownville for 12 years, said the town of about 150 people with boutiques, bookstores and B&Bs, has become a hub for fine arts.

"We're a frontier river town in which, fortunately, progress hasn't reached," said Neubert.

"We can only hope that we can keep that kind of charm and uniqueness."
W&M receives Panhellenic excellence award

Panhellenic life: Students participate in the PanLove 101 event, which was created to educate new members about Panhellenic and all that it offers members. Courtesy photo Photo - of - Hide Caption

The National Panhellenic Conference, which calls itself the voice for sorority advancement, features a membership of more than 670 Panhellenic Councils in the United States and Canada. Only the very best receive College Panhellenic Achievement Awards; even fewer receive College Panhellenic Excellence Awards.

William & Mary is among the select few  20, in fact  to earn an Excellence Award.

Again.

The 2017 award is the universitys fourth for excellence. W&M has also received an Achievement Award from the NPC in 2013.

We are lucky to be a frequent winner, said Anne Strickland, W&Ms coordinator of fraternity & sorority life. We have a really great group of students, who care so much. I think thats what stands out compared to other schools. Our students care about the educational programming, and they care about their community.

Weve been asked at various conferences to come speak about the awards process because we have been able to excel at it. Were asked to help other campuses do a better job of applying for the awards.

There are seven criteria of value to all college campuses that are scored in determining Excellence and Achievement awards. Excellence winners have met all seven; Achievement winners have met a minimum of five.

Among the seven are recruitment, Panhellenic programming, academics and Panhellenic community impact and relations.

In all, William & Mary Panhellenic sororities sport an impressive body of work. Here are a few examples.

Community impact

W&M Fraternity & Sorority Life has a strong partnership with the Arc of Greater Williamsburg, which has served adults with developmental disabilities since 1976.

We do an event with them every month in partnership with the other councils and then put on some large scale events for them on campus as well, Strickland said. We have a great partnership with them, including a big Arc carnival where we take over large part of campus for that.

Panhellenic programs

Strickland said the campus Panhellenic council offers scholarship programming, where representatives of W&Ms Cohen Career Center come in and talk to members about how to market their fraternal experience on their resume.

People dont think about the fact that, as president of a chapter, you just managed an organization of 130 women, Strickland said. A lot of (leadership) positions offer a lot of hands-on programming and management opportunities. Lots of times, these are non-profits with budgets, things people dont often think about.

The council also has representation on a sexual misconduct prevention steering committee with representatives from the other three councils and staff members helping to implement suggestions and recommendations made to the community to address these issues.

Our students really care about advancing the work of the university around the subject, and advancing that work in their own chapters, Strickland said. Thats something you dont see on every campus. Its really a unique and wonderful community to work with.

Recruitment

In the spring of 2017, William & Mary counted 3,560 undergraduate women on campus. The number in Panhellenic sororities: 1,131, or 31.7 percent.

We really have seen fraternity and sorority life grow at the College, Strickland said. The experience has gotten a lot of attention across the country. Students are coming who have heard about fraternities and sororities, but also want to find a support group in the community right when they get to campus.

A lot of our organizations offer that for people, especially as incoming freshmen. It really appeals to this generation, and were ecstatic that it does and were seeing this much growth at W&M and across the country.

As other universities have done since the early 2000s, W&M employs a very structured procedure in helping students find the right Panhellenic sorority for them.

During the first two weekends of the school year, incoming students meet with every Panhellenic chapter on campus in what is called a mutual selection process.

Ultimately, the process concludes with Bid Day, where women are matched with a Panhellenic chapter.

Its designed to help them see the other Panhellenic chapters and to come to a mutual understanding of where they fit in best. Its helped us to place a lot more women and weve been very pleased, especially over the last 15 years, Strickland said.

Academics

The all-sorority grade-point average for spring 2017 was 3.486. The GPA for all female students was 3.479, putting W&Ms sorority women above the all-female average.

Not surprisingly, the NPC was impressed.

Were very, very proud about how they excel academically, Strickland said. That is something the NPC has always noted about us, how much we excel in the classroom.




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Audubon Spring Creek Prairie

Yes, there still is virgin prairie in Nebraska, and Audubon Spring Creek Prairie near Denton features 650 acres of never-plowed land. The nature preserve has miles of walking trails, and plenty of flora and fauna. There are ponds, forests, wetlands, wildflowers, grasses and plenty of wildlife, including deer, birds and even a rare bobcat sighting.

Among its 850 acres are original wagon ruts that mark the crossing of wagons along the Nebraska City-Fort Kearny Cutoff from the 1800s.

Edgerton Explorit Center

Have you seen the photo of a bullet piercing an apple, or a milk drop forming a perfect circle, and wondered how it was taken? A visit to the Edgerton Explorit Center in Aurora will give you the answer.

Dr. Harold Edgerton, who grew up in Aurora, utilized the stroboscope, which stops rapid motion, to take photos of things not seen by the naked eye.

The hands-on science center features Edgertons inventions and other scientific experiments.

Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art

You wouldnt expect a town of 2,900 people to have an art gallery, let alone the only one of its kind. But thats the case in David City with the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art. Its the nation's only museum dedicated exclusively to agricultural and farming art.

Bone Creek offers artist talks, workshops, poetry readings and musical performances, in addition to exhibitions.

Happy Jack Chalk Mine

Nestled along the Loup River near Scotia, the Happy Jack Chalk Mine is the only chalk room and pillar mine in North America that is open to the public.

Chalk was first mined there in 1877, but the mine sat idle for years before being reopened by an Omaha paint company in the 1930s.

The mine has more than 6,000 feet of caverns that were formed millions of years ago. You can see fossils of ancient creatures that burrowed into the soft rock.

Kregel Windmill Factory Museum

Throughout Nebraska's history, the windmill has played a major role in the state. But have you ever wondered who made them? A visit to the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum in Nebraska City will give you an idea.

The company began in 1879 and its "Eli" brand of windmill is still in service despite not being mass-produced since the early 1940s. You can see the tools and equipment Kregel used to produce its windmills at a factory that's a time capsule of 20th century shop manufacturing.

National Willa Cather Center

The National Willa Cather Center is the culmination of a five-year effort that saw the restoration and renovation of a two-story building overlooking the brick-laid street in downtown Red Cloud.

The Moon Block, the two-story building finished in 1886, features a new exhibit detailing the life and writings of Cather as well as an expanded archive of the Nebraska authors works.
Ukraine to maintain nuclear's share of electricity

23 August 2017

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Nuclear power is to remain a key component of Ukraine's energy mix under a new energy strategy approved by the cabinet at a meeting on 18 August. Under the strategy, nuclear's share of the country's electricity generation will remain at around 50% to 2035.

The ministry of energy and coal industry said the strategy document - titled Security, Energy Efficiency, Competitiveness - outlines a set of wide-ranging reforms in the country's energy sector. These reforms, it said, are aimed at reducing the energy intensity of the economy, attracting investment, increasing the domestic supply of energy, improving energy efficiency and integrating Ukraine's energy sector into that of the European Union.

The document has taken more than two years to draft. Contributions came from Ukrainian institutes and public organisations, including the National Institute for Strategic Studies, as well as domestic and international experts.

The Rovno nuclear power plant in north western Ukraine. Fifteen nuclear reactors supply about half the country's electricity (Image: Energoatom)

Vice prime minister Volodymyr Kistion said, "The essential objective of the new strategy is to reduce energy consumption of Ukraine's economy by half by 2030 and to boost the country's production of both traditional and alternative energy sources."

The strategy stipulates that nuclear power will provide 50% of the country's electricity demand by 2035, with renewable sources providing 25%, hydropower 13% and the remainder supplied by fossil power plants.

According to data from the International Energy Agency, Ukraine generated a total of 182.82 TWh of electricity in 2014. Of this, 48% was produced by the country's 15 nuclear power reactors, 46% from fossil fuels, 5% from hydro, and less than 1% from wind and solar.

Energy minister Igor Nasalik said the strategy is an important document for the country's fuel and energy industry in the long term. "According to the strategy, an action plan will be drafted where measures and timings for implementing concrete issues will be defined," he said.

Ukrainian priorities in terms of nuclear fuel listed in the strategy are to ensure the growth of uranium and zirconium production and for the industrial development of proven uranium deposits. The strategy notes that the country already has the capacity to produce some nuclear fuel components. It says Ukraine should expand the range of components it can produce domestically and import nuclear fuel fabrication technology. Ukraine should also build up a stock of fresh nuclear fuel, the document says.

Kistion said: "The foundations of the sustainable energy future of our country are laid. The energy strategy only envisages goals, the implementation of which should be reflected in the step-by-step approach. Given the above, there is still much to do."

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
The Chinese economy is one of the fastest growing in the world which has led to the emergence of China as a 21st-century global economic power. Chinese authorities have used billions of dollars to market the country to foreign investors as having an open economy. However, the communist government has punitive censorship laws which have had positive and negative effects on the economy. In the administration of these laws, Chinese regulators have in recent years banned the use of the following things.

1. Google

Despite ranking at first place in the Alexa Rankings and being the number-one search engine in the world, Google is banned in China. The ban also encompasses Google-affiliated sites such as Gmail, Picasa and Google Maps. Google was blocked by the Chinese government in 2014 but some Google-affiliated sites such as Google Plus and Google Docs were blocked earlier in 2011. The Chinese government justified the ban due to the fact that the Google intended to store information about Chinese use on non-Chinese servers which is unacceptable to China. The Beijing-based government is also not comfortable with the freedom of access Google users have, and therefore Chinese citizens could potentially have access to inflammatory content from the internet and filtering of such content individually is problematic even using the Great Firewall. Other explanations are rather controversial including a theory which claims that the decision to block Google in China was to encourage the domestic use of the Chinese-alternative search engine, Baidu whose content is subject to Chinese censorship.

2. Facebook

The biggest social media site, Facebook was blocked in China in July 2009. The social media site had enjoyed widespread usage all over China but events in 2009 led to the decision by the Chinese government to block it. In July 2009 the Xingjiang activists used Facebook to organize widespread violent riots which led to the death of about 200 people, many of whom were women and children. These protests which became to be known as the Urumqi Riots was the last straw and caused the Chinese government to block Facebook in China. China has stood by this decision despite frequent visits by Facebooks founder, Mark Zuckerberg to Beijing.

3. Snapchat

The popular image-sharing mobile app, Snapchat was also blocked by the Chinese government. Snapchat was blocked on the grounds that the app could store personal information about Chinese citizens on servers outside China. However, Chinese citizens do not seem to require the mobile-based app due to the exponential growth of a Chinese equivalent known as QQ which has an estimated 73 million users all over the country.

4 .Twitter

Social media giant, Twitter was banned in China in June 2009 as the country was about to observe the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre. Beijing was nervous of the use of social media by Chinese citizens which the government felt could be used by dissidents to spread inflammatory information. According to the Chinese government, the social media website was banned for contravening Chinas media censorship laws. However, the absence of Twitter in China does not create a vacuum as Chinese social media fanatics use the popular local equivalent, Weibo. Despite the ban, Twitter has about 10 million users in China who use VPNs to breach the governments firewall.

5. Instagram

Instagram was another major image-sharing mobile app to be banned in China. The Chinese government banned the mobile app on September 19th, 2014. The ban was as a result of the usage of the mobile app by participants of the 2014 pro-democracy protests that had engulfed the city of Hong Kong. The participants of the protests used Instagram to share images on the happenings in the city while urging other citizens to join in. Despite the protests ending, the ban on the mobile app was never lifted and is still enforced to date.

6. Pinterest

Pinterest became the most recent website to be banned by the Chinese government after the popular image sharing website was banned in March 2017. The ban was quite surprising, to say the least to its users as the usual content on Pinterest is not considered as polarizing or sensitive to national security. The content shared by Pinterest users is usually fashion oriented and therefore critics do not believe the ban was politically instigated but could be a protectionist move from Beijing. Several local websites have sprung up to fill the void left by Pinterest including BABA, an Alibaba affiliate.

7. Websites

China actively blocks the use of thousands of websites every day as it continues to implement its censorship laws. Websites which are seen as spreading false information or inflammatory content are selected by Chinas internet police force which is estimated to have as many as 2 million officers. Internet censorship in China is operated on a scale not seen in any other country in the world with the country employing highly advanced technology to root out any controversial web content.

8. Foreign Films

Hollywood films are loved all over the world with the blockbusters having millions of followers in China. However, the Chinese government has put in place a limit on the number of foreign films to be showcased in theatres in China with the current maximum being 34 films per year. The selected films are also subjected to heavy censorship with government censors removing any content which is deemed as defamatory or offensive to the Communist government.

9. E-books and videos

E-books and videos have not been spared by the Chinese government's purge of web-based content. DisneyLife, a video-streaming service was banned by the government regulators in April 2017 with little explanation being given on the reasons behind the ban. DisneyLife was provided by Chinas e-commerce giant Alibaba and had been operational for only five months. The ban came one year after Chinese regulators banned iBook Store, an Apple E-books service in April 2016.

10. Casinos

Gambling was outlawed by the Chinese government in 1949 but the ban was not properly enforced with Chinese entrepreneurs establishing underground casinos. The underground gambling culture is more prevalent in Macau whose casino industry is larger than that of Americas Las Vegas. However, in recent years Beijing has begun an intensive anti-corruption drive which aims to root out underground casinos in the country.

Criticism Of China's Strict Policies

China has received widespread criticism and even condemnation both domestically as well as internationally for the governments control and censorship of the internet. Critics see the censorship of digital media in the country as dictatorial and detrimental to the growth of the economy. On the flipside, the banning of the large digital platforms has provided an opportunity to locally developed websites such as QQ and Alibaba to thrive.
When Does School Start in Australia?

The education system in Australia involves early childhood education, primary education, secondary education, tertiary education, TAFE colleges, vocational education, and training and adult education. The normal curriculum involves introducing a child to early childhood education, primary, secondary, and tertiary education. The responsibility of providing education falls on the states and territories, but the federal government also plays a significant role. Education is compulsory from the age of four, five, or six to fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen depending on the state program. About 60% of students in primary and secondary education attend government schools while the remaining 40% attend independent or private schools. The majority of those in tertiary education are also government colleges or universities where the cost of education is subsided by a student loan program. In 2010, a national Australian Curriculum was introduced for primary and secondary schools with the aim of preparing students for the changing labor markets.

The Education Program

The early childhood education or preschool program is not compulsory in several states in Australia except Western Australia and Victoria where it is considered as part of the primary education. Most kids are exposed to learning in daycare or by parents. They engage in social activities that cannot be considered as schooling. Primary and secondary education is compulsory for those between the age of five to seventeen depending on the state. A larger percentage of students attend government students compared to students who attend private schools. Tertiary education involves studying in a university, college or a technical institution. Students are awarded diplomas or above in order to receive more training and skills. As of August 14th 2017, there were 43 universities in Australia, one private, two international, and 40 public universities.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

Australian Qualifications Framework was established in 1995 to govern the qualifications of students from the school-leaving certificate to the tertiary education sector. The AQF links schools, vocational and technical colleges, and universities into a single system that allows students to progress from one step to another and from one institution to another. It helps link the Australian education system to the education system in other countries. The AQF also allows international students to continue their study or work in Australia and for Australian students to pursue education or job opportunities in foreign countries.

The School Calendar

The academic calendar has four terms. The first term begins in late January and ends in the first week of April. Students take a two-week holiday and resume the second term in the last week of April which lasts until the end of June. They then take another two-week vacation until mid-July where they resume the third term which runs to the third week of September. They then take another two-week holiday and resume the fourth term which begins at the beginning of the second week of October and runs until mid-December. The longest holiday is between mid-December to the end of January of the following year where students move to the next level of the academic system. The exact opening dates depend on the school and state, but they experience a one, two, or almost three-day variation. The following is the school calendar for 2018 as released by the Australian Capital Territory.
Hide your wife, hide your husband, hide your child! The immigrant hordes are already here!

Or so lots of Americans believe -- making it easier for politicians and fringe "alt-right" white-supremacist groups to seize on these fears and exploit them for political gain.

The share of people in the United States who were born abroad has been rising over the past several decades, reaching 13.4 percent in 2015. (The highest share recorded was in 1890, at 14.8 percent.) Perceived levels of immigration, however, are several multiples of that number and have been so for a while.

The 2013 Transatlantic Trends survey conducted by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, for example, asked people across 13 countries to estimate the percentage of their national population that was born abroad.

In every country for which reliable population numbers were available, survey respondents vastly overestimated the number of foreign-born people walking among them. This was especially true in the United States.

Perhaps reflecting our nickname as a "nation of immigrants," Americans mistakenly thought that 42 percent of people in this country had been born abroad. For those keeping score at home, that's three times the actual immigrant population share.

Those numbers are a few years old. The imagined scourge of scary not-like-me multitudes remains.

In 2015, Ipsos MORI's Perils of Perception survey asked a similar question in 32 countries and found similar results: Nearly everywhere, people overestimated the share of immigrants. U.S. citizens' guesstimate for the immigrant share was lower in this survey, though, at "only" 33 percent.

Then this past fall, Ipsos MORI polled people across 39 countries about their estimates of the Muslim population.

In all but two countries, people overstated the share of their Muslim population.

In the United States, respondents said they thought about 17 percent of the country was Muslim, whereas only about 1 percent actually is.

The fact that Americans thought one-sixth of the country practices Islam is especially striking when you consider that about half of Americans say they do not personally know a Muslim, according to a poll from the Pew Research Center.

It's not just immigrants or Muslims whose numbers are vastly inflated in the minds of fearful Americans, according to John Sides, George Washington University political science professor and co-founder of the Monkey Cage, a blog hosted by The Washington Post. Political science literature over the past 20 years has found that survey respondents tend to overestimate the size of almost any minority group, including blacks, Latinos, Asian-Americans, Jews and gays.

The question is, why are these perceptions so out of whack with reality?

One possibility is that some members of these groups might be highly visible or memorable, particularly if they dress and talk differently than others in the local population. Media coverage may amplify these differences and make them more salient to the general public.

Recent research by Daniel J. Hopkins, Sides and Jack Citrin also suggests that hostility toward immigrants may drive misperceptions of their population size, rather than the other way around.

"People in general tend to believe that things that they don't like or are anxious about are more extensive than they actually are," says Rogers Smith, a political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania. "They think the crime rate is higher than it actually is, that we give more to foreign aid than we really do by a large margin."

As easy as it is to blame President Trump and nativist politicians across Europe for creating these hostilities, the data suggest that outsized fears of an immigrant cultural takeover long predate these particular political leaders.

As Sides put it in a phone interview, there was already a "reservoir of negative feelings about immigration out there." Trump just figured out how to tap into those feelings to power a successful White House bid. Before Trump came along, politicians may have been reluctant to fully exploit this negativity -- maybe for moral reasons and maybe for more practical ones, such as the fact that the business community generally supports more immigration.

Of course, Trump's inflammatory rhetoric is likely heightening those extant negative feelings too, particularly among the young.

The good news is that while a very vocal group of nativist Trumpkins is clamoring for a border wall (and even an ethnostate), attitudes toward immigration among the general populace are, on average, actually improving. Americans view immigrants more positively today than they did 20 or even five years ago, according to Pew Research Center data.

With any luck, a talented politician will soon figure out how to exploit that positivity, too.
Missing 15-year-old boy could be in Wrexham area

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Aug 23rd, 2017

Surrey Police is appealing for the publics help in finding a missing 15-year-old boy from Redhill  who they say could be in the Wrexham area.

Liam Martin was last seen on Saturday 19 August and officers say they are growing concerned for his welfare.

He is described as white, around 6 foot 2, mousey brown hair with blue eyes. He is of a thin build.

Liam was last seen wearing a grey and black tracksuit with grey trainers, he was carrying a yellow JD sport string bag.

He has links to Wrexham and Croydon.

Anyone who sees Liam or knows where he may be is asked to contact Surrey Police via 101 (which will likely go to North Wales police first!) quoting: 45170091213.
If you are not running for office this year and you happened to have a few extra campaign dollars, why not help out a friend? The fact that your donors thought they were helping you and not your friend shouldnt be an issue.

That seems to be the thinking of many of our elected officials.

The original Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Act prohibited the exchange of campaign funds between campaign committees: A candidate committee shall not make a contribution to or an independent expenditure in behalf of another candidate committee.

But, in the 1980s, the Legislature tweaked the rule, adding:   except that a candidate committee may make a contribution to another candidate committee for a fundraising event of such other candidate committee.

As the years have gone by, the rules have become foggy. Elected officials now donate or buy" tickets to candidates fundraisers, and the price of those tickets has now reached the $1,000 level. It is unclear at what point a ticket becomes a contribution, and how many tickets can one buy remains to be seen.

What are our elected officials thinking when they buy tickets? Some may see it as a way to help the party. In our nonpartisan Unicameral, this seems a contradiction.

Some may view campaign dollars as their own property to be used as they see fit. This might be why the Government Committee refuses to advance legislation calling for a bank-verified statement on all campaign accounts.

Perhaps its because most of their campaign funds come from special interests and those interests dont care how the campaign money is spent as long as they have access and influence. If this is the reason, it does not speak well for our democracy.

Many just see it as helping a friend. But shouldnt that be done with personal funds in the same way small donors have contributed to them?

Twenty-three senators made donations or "bought" tickets between 2016 and 2017, and those gifts from the senators campaign funds benefited candidates for school board, county board, mayor, governor and the U.S. House, not to mention fellow senators. Senators also donated campaign funds to political parties.

That figure only deals with active legislative campaign funds. Some senators are no longer in office, but their campaign funds just keep on giving. State senators arent the only elected officials shifting campaign funds in this way; from the governor down to city and town council members, many office holders at all levels of Nebraska government are ready to help out a friend with other peoples money.

The guiding principal should be the will of the original donor. It is difficult to imagine that the original donors, even a special interest, intended their contributions to go to another candidate.

Nebraska no longer has any limits on campaign contributions or campaign expenditures. Our governor can contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars from his personal funds to those he favors. Wealthy individuals can run attack ads and negative robocalls through organizations like Trees of Liberty without even identifying themselves.

Now even our legislators, the people who could make better rules, have found a way around their own rule.
Flooding has created havoc across Indias northern and eastern states and neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal, killing over 800 people, devastating hundreds of communities and impacting on millions of people throughout South Asia. Charities and NGOs are warning that contaminated water, food shortages and lack of decent accommodation will see outbreaks of dysentery and cholera.

In Bihar, Indias worst-affected state, the official death toll is over 250. In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh over 340 have been killed, with almost half the states 75 districts severely hit.

In West Bengal and Assam, in eastern and northeastern India respectively, over 180 have died and three million are affected. In Assam, almost half a million people are living in relief camps. Lightning storms in Odisha and Jharkhand have killed 21, while the north eastern states have reported large numbers of casualties.

Over 140 people have been killed and 30 are missing in Nepal, where 20 percent of the countrys 28 million population suffered the worst flooding in the past 15 years.

In Bangladesh, over 115 people have lost their lives, more than 300,000 are displaced and at least 5.7 million people directly impacted. According to the countrys flood forecasting and warning centre, some 30 percent of the country has been inundated in what have been described as the worst floods in a decade.

The catastrophic situation is expected to worsen, with the Indian Meteorological Department predicting more heavy rain. Last Friday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the flood was fast becoming one of the most serious humanitarian crises this region has seen in many years and called for urgent action.

Late last month, over 220 people died and 450,000 people were hit by floods in Indias western state of Gujarat. An estimated 39,000 people were shifted to higher ground and 11,400 people had been rescued as of August 1.

Millions of people in South Asia are hit by monsoonal flooding every year. But Indian governments, past and present, and their regional counterparts, have refused to implement any serious flood mitigation measures.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government were denounced in the parliament over their slow and insufficient response to floods. Opposition MPs accused the Hindu supremacist-led regime of discriminating against non-BJP state governments and not providing adequate financial assistance.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju denied the allegations. He arrogantly claimed the government planned to find a permanent solution to floods and experts will help find a solution. Rijiju failed to explain why his government, which took office in May 2014, has done nothing to resolve the escalating annual human tragedy. Even more cynical was the fact that the government allocated a meagre one billion rupees ($US15.6 million) to find a permanent solution.

Last month, during floods in Assam which inundated 14 districts, displaced 200,000 people and killed over 70, Prime Minister Modi declared that Indian scientists had to rise up to the challenges created by the floods. He previously blamed the flooding on climate change.

While climate change is no doubt a factor in changing global weather patterns, his government refuses to take any real action to prevent the devastating impact of these catastrophes or provide adequate relief. Instead, it spends billions of dollars upgrading the Indian armed forces in pursuit of the ruling elites geo-political ambitions.

The Indian governments contemptuous attitude toward the poor was highlighted by a recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report revealing lengthy delays in flood mitigation measures.

According to the Hindustan Times, the CAG report evaluated 206 Flood Management Programme projects, 38 flood forecasting stations, 49 River Management Activities and works related to Border Area projects and 68 large dams in 17 states and Union Territories between 2007 and 2016. They found inordinate delays in almost a quarter of the projects, in the release of funds and ultimately the completion of projects ranging from 10 months to 13 years.

The CAG report also noted: After two decades of investing in telemetry systems, that provide real-time data so that flood warnings can be issued, and investing of crores [tens of millions] of rupees, the government still depends on manual data.

Popular anger is rising among flood victims over the failure of authorities to provide adequate relief. On August 18, flood victims from Itahar, West Bengal, broke into a state food and supplies store and requisitioned food. There were also protests and demonstrations over inconsistent supply of relief material by the North and South Dinajpur districts administrators.

Pradip Dutta, a flood victim in Raiganj, told the media: Not a single person from the district administration has come to help us. In Raiganj over 20,000 people have been displaced from their homes and at least six wards have been inundated by the flooded Kulik River.

Indian authorities have mobilised police to suppress the protests. According to media reports, police fired rubber bullets to break up a crowd of flood victims who demanded tarpaulins from administration officials. Bijoy Burman, a youth from Sripur of Itahar, was injured when police opened fire.

Gopi Nath Raha, a senior meteorologist at the Meteorological Centre in Gangtok, told the media that while his facility could predict rainfall patterns, it could not predict flash floods. We can only issue a warning for heavy rainfall; the relief and disaster management is in the hands of the state government.

In another indication of the Modi governments contempt for flood survivors, New Delhi announced a relief package of just 5 billion rupees ($78 million). It also promised to make an ex-gratia payment of 200,000 rupees ($3,120) for the next of kin of those killed and 50,000 rupees to people seriously injured.

Coordinated flood mitigation and natural disaster management is blocked by the geo-political rivalry between the various bourgeois states in South Asia and the underlying capitalist profit system.
In the US, the dominance of high-ranking military officers over the government has been increased in the aftermath of a series of White House personnel changes, including the firing of Donald Trumps chief strategist Stephen Bannon following the fascist rampage in Charlottesville, Virginia. A similar process is underway in Germany, where the general staff is rearming and preparing once again to intervene actively in foreign and domestic affairs.

A foreign affairs comment by retired General Hans-Lothar Domrose that appeared in Mondays edition of the Suddeutsche Zeitung is a warning in this regard. In a piece entitled World in turmoil, he wrote, As Europes biggest economic power, Germany can fulfill its global responsibilities only if it possesses an appropriately equipped military. In the future, he continued, units should not be established for specific operational scenarios, but equipped according to military principles.

This statement comes only four weeks before Germanys federal election. The intervention of a high-ranking general into the election campaign underscores how far advanced is the return of German militarism. Seventy years after the end of World War II, the primacy of politics over the military guaranteed in Germanys Basic law is being transformed into its opposite. As in the Kaisers Reich, the Weimar Republic and under the Nazis, leading military figures are once again emerging as spokespeople for foreign and war policies.

Domroses demands read like a shopping list for politicians to prepare for Germanys third grab for world power: This includes helicopters and planes able to fly day and night; tanks capable of communicating by radio, driving and shooting, and army units with command structures able to lead. Although many things had moved in the right direction, he said, they had been implemented too gradually. Now was the time to abandon half-heartedness.

He continued: The airborne forces are barely capable of tactical operations. The Navy is not qualified to operate as a NATO marine force. It cannot assume a leading role within NATO. The manned and unmanned flight systems in the Air Force are sorely lacking. We have too few of them and they are too old. Cyber operations needs defensive and offensive capacities. All of these imbalances impact the internal fabric and also trust, as well as the armed forces reputation.

Domrose left no doubt that his plans for a military build-up are aimed at preparing to wage war. Only well trained soldiers with the best equipment can cope with the burdens of deployment, he wrote. That is the measure by which a professional army must be tested. The separation from friends and family is only one of many burdens. Modest accommodation, heat, dust and fear affect everyone. Combat, the noise of battle, death, wounds and misery demand everything. Operations are dangerous, otherwise other people would be sent.

As in the past, new imperialist conquests, in the pursuit of which the general staff intends to dragoon a new generation, require the militarisation of politics and society. The soldiers deserve thanks, demanded Domrose. Their superiors, who are discussing the purpose of the Army in the election campaign, have the task of creating the best conditions for them and standing full-square behind them.

Domrose is not some individual, overwrought general who has lost touch with social reality, but the authentic voice of German militarism. His father, Lothar Domrose, fought in the Second World War as a Wehrmacht company commander on the Eastern Front. In 1956, as a result of German rearmament, he joined the Bundeswehr, Germanys newly created post-war armed forces, and enjoyed an impressive career in the military. In 1975, he became chief of staff of the armed forces high command.

In the years prior to his retirement, Domrose Jr. drew upon the central war aim fought for by his father in the Second World War and the Cold War: the military subordination of Russia. As supreme commander of NATOs Allied Joint Force Command in Brunssum in the Netherlands, he organised the massive NATO military build-up against Russia of the past several years, including the stationing of the first German troops in Eastern Europe since the Wehrmachts war of annihilation against the Soviet Union.

While sharp disputes are raging within the ruling class over Germanys future foreign and military policy orientation--Domrose, for his part, appeals in his article for a global role for NATO, in which Germany and Europe should play a prominent part--all parties represented in parliament agree on the need for an offensive to strengthen the military and wage war.

In a recent interview with the Army magazine Bundeswehr Aktuell, German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised the latest military spending increase as a necessary step in preparing the army for new interventions. She said: The latest budgets and the government draft for 2018 are a strong signal to the soldiers. It was all urgently required. The number of crisis situations is increasing, there is a lot of instability in Europes neighbourhood--and for us that means we must invest more in our security, and above all in our soldiers.

The Social Democrats (SPD) and their candidate for chancellor, Martin Schulz, went even further in their recently released Principles for a Social Democratic security and defence policy. This document stated: To be equal to the increased demands for international deployments to tackle crises, cyber defence and the defence of our own population, we need a modern armed forces capable of action. We need an army in which troops capable of deploying are ready for crisis situations. For this we have to better equip the army with personnel and material.

The paper attacks Merkels Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) from the right and presents the SPD, with which the Left Party and sections of the Greens are so keen to form a coalition, as the prime party of German militarism.

Rather than adapting our armed forces to the challenges of the 21st century, the CDU/CSU defence ministers zu Guttenberg, de Maiziere and Von der Leyen have bungled the reform of the Army and allowed the Defence Ministry to degenerate into a career platform for over-ambitious CDU politicians, the SPD complains. The ending of military service, for example, had been rushed through without preparing the process politically or organisationally. The Army now had to struggle with a lack of structures and poor equipment as a result of the CDU/CSUs arbitrary cost-cutting programme.
Lincolns children must be kept as safe as possible. Both supporters and opponents of a proposed school zone in northeast Lincoln can agree on that.

These groups certainly differed on their approaches. Proponents believed a speed limit reduction from 45 mph, signage and amber lights would improve safety for students walking to school across 84th Street at Leighton Avenue. Others, including the Department of Public Works and Utilities, said creating a school zone would instead jeopardize kids wellbeing and possibly run afoul of state law.

Though the City Council ultimately approved the resolution and Mayor Chris Beutler has signed it, hes delaying implementation until further study can be done on the intersection. Based on the passion displayed by both sides, including inspired testimony and a crush of letters to the editor and op-ed pieces submitted for this very page, a step back is a wise move.

Rather than giving the controversial school zone an immediate green light over the objection of the engineer, the mayors distance from the situation bred an objective compromise. If the result of an external analysis through the standard bid-letting process deems the school zone as an improvement to student safety, the citys chief executive said hed follow through on the councils directive.

Yes, its been six years since parents of Kahoa Elementary School students began their crusade to get their children a better path to school. Though Beutlers decision may have slowed their momentum, the councils approval has placed them closer than ever before to achieving their desired outcome.

The final resolution will come at a time where the number of students east of 84th Street has only continued to rise, now up to nearly 200, or one third of Kahoas student body. If this second look confirms a school zone will allow students to walk to school more securely, it will be built.

The second part of Beutlers compromise was a broader look at Lincolns school zones, both present and future, with a student pedestrian safety review that includes parents, city staff, engineers, Lincoln Public Schools officials and others.

By bringing these stakeholders and their diverse perspectives together, the city is aiming to prevent the tragedy of a child being struck and killed walking to or from school, as was seen Monday afternoon in Omaha, at a busy intersection.

Emotions have run high throughout this debate. Given the nature at its core  the safety of children  that fervor is completely justified. Because of that, pumping the brakes on this proposal to get a better look at the bigger picture is an appropriate course of action on this controversial topic.
More than a month after the clashes on the periphery of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, the official portrayal of events by the police, media and political establishment follows a definite pattern.

According to this narrative, Hamburg experienced an unprecedented outbreak of left-wing violence, which the police could ward off only using military means. However, it has become clear that the violence stemmed predominantly from the security forces, and that many of the acts described in the official narrative were either extremely exaggerated or completely invented.

For example, no evidence has been found to support the claim that protesters sought to throw stones and Molotov cocktails from rooftops. Even after intensive searches and forensic investigation, the police have not been able to present any such objects. Despite comprehensive video surveillance, they have not been able to definitively document their use. In fact, many of those who were on roofs or scaffolding were found to be film crews or curious onlookers.

An alleged armed ambush was cited to justify the use of heavily armed special forces, who deployed armoured vehicles, shotguns and assault rifles.

Because of the disturbances before and during the G20 summit, about 160 investigations are underway and 32 suspects are being held in custody. A clash on Rondenbarg Street in the Altona district stands out prominently. It is the subject of at least 59 investigations, resulting in 13 protesters being taken into custody. At least four of them are still in prison, three men and one woman from Italy.

In the very restrained words of the daily Suddeutsche Zeitung, a police video of the eventwhich has not been released but has now been seen by the newspaper and broadcaster NDRs programme Panoramathrows doubt on the previous official presentation by the authorities.

The footage shows a slow-moving group of demonstrators and a group of police officers in protective equipment. When the two groups are still about 50 metres apart, three Bengalos (Bengali flares) fly onto the empty street. All of them land far away from the police officers. The distant bang of a firecracker can be heard.

Although this cannot be construed as an assault, the police unit takes it as the opportunity to attack the demonstrators. As they flee, the protesters are encircled and fired upon from behind with a water cannon. In running away from the police, 14 protesters were injured, some seriously, when they stumbled over a railing and fell 2 metres to the ground.

Immediately following this operation, the deputy commander of the police unit involved gave a completely different account in a witness statement of the facts, which the Suddeutsche Zeitung has seen.

When the crowd was about 50 metres in front of us, we came massively and purposefully under fire from bottles, firecrackers and bengalos, he wrote. Stones hit the police officers and the vehicles. Only the protective equipment prevented police officers from being injured. To ward off the current attacks, the unit ran towards the crowd and the hail of stones continued, the police report adds.

The police videos show that not a word of this is true.

The State Criminal Investigation Department evaluated the videos in the evening that same day. The next day, the Saturday of the summit, the duty analyst reported to her superiors how little violence on the part of the demonstrators could be seen on the recordings, and that therefore the statement of the deputy unit commander was in doubt.

Even so, contrary to their better knowledge, police officials repeated for weeks that there had been a massive hail of stones, bottles and pyrotechnics.

Meanwhile, the Hamburg criminal justice system is proceeding with draconian harshness. For example, 18-year-old Italian worker Fabio V, with no previous criminal record, has been held in custody for more than four weeks. The courts have refused his release, citing crassly arbitrary grounds.

According to the daily taz, the detention order of the Hamburg Higher Regional Court states that personal acts of violence cannot be attributed to the accused according to the current state of the investigation.

Instead, the court reports that the 18-year-old is a member of the anarchist scene and is responsible for all the riots: The accused had caused the civil war-like conditions, the court writes.

In fact, his arrest had already taken place before the serious disturbances on Friday evening involving the Black Block. The court did not undertake its own analysis of the existing police videos, but relied on statements from the police.

As evidence of his membership in anarchist groups, the court cites the clothes worn by the young man arrested: a black Gore-Tex jacket, a black-white scarf and dark sneakers. The court also holds against the accused the fact that on the left-wing Indymedia website there is a call to send the 18-year-old and all other G20 prisoners solidarity messages.

Even before a trial has been held, the Higher Regional Court judges wrote that the expected prison sentence cannot be suspended, according to a report in Die Welt newspaper. Human dignity, the right to physical integrity and to property are clearly without any meaning for the prisoner, according to the judges.

Furthermore, the Senate of the Higher Regional Court writes that the discernible ruthless and deeply-founded propensity to violence were of particular importance. The young man had participated in the most severe riots, which illustrates a character attitude justifying the assumption of guilt. Later, the Higher Regional Court Senate speaks of the malicious inclinations of the accused, and establishes considerable educational deficiencies, which cause the risk of further criminal offences without the extensive education of the perpetrator.

Fabio V. himself has not spoken. His Hamburg lawyer, Gabriele Heinecke, has lodged a constitutional appeal.

The fact that this young worker who has not shown any previous involvement in violent acts has been demonised, imprisoned, and threatened with a long term of imprisonment for allegedly belonging to the left scene, without any trial and a possibility to defend himself, is a serious warning.

The military rearming of Germany and the pursuit of a great-power role cannot be reconciled with democracy. The ruling class is determined to brutally suppress any political resistance.

The clashes on the periphery of the G20 summit serve as a pretext for speeding up the provision of wider powers to the security forces and a hysterical campaign against left-wing extremism by the political establishment and the media.

At the same time, all evidence of the massive, disproportionate use of police violence has been swept under the carpet, especially by the Social Democratic Party (SPD). There was no police violence, the concept alone was impermissible and merely left-wing extremist propaganda, said Hamburgs mayor Olaf Scholz (SPD). The police were heroes, he claimed, and their actions completely justified.
A new study by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) reveals that economic inequality in Mexico is much higher than had been previously estimated. According to the study, the top 10 percent of Mexicans received over two thirds of the countrys income in 2012, while the bottom 10 percent earned just 0.4 percent that same year. This level of inequality is 77 percent higher than what had been previously calculated using official data.

According to the study, the richest 1 percent of Mexicansbetween 125,000 and 220,000 peopleown one third of the countrys assets. Meanwhile, half of the populationover 60 million peoplelives in poverty. If the countrys wealth were to be equally divided among the population, each individual would receive a lump sum of $56,300, an amount greater than one person working at the minimum wage would earn working every day for 30 years.

After two centuries of vast improvements in the productive process, contemporary levels of inequality have reached standards not seen since feudal times. In nineteenth century New Spain, a mines owner earned between 700 and 1,000 times more than an average miner. In 2012, the top 1 percent earned 729 times more than the bottom 1 percent.

The results of the study would place Mexico, alongside Chile, as the countries with the highest levels of inequality in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an organization encompassing supposedly developed countries.

Most workers in Mexicosome 24 million peoplework without a contract or as temporary workers. One of out every five Mexicans goes hungry, and the daily minimum wage ($5 USD) is not sufficient to support a family. Over half of the population does not earn enough to cover basic expenses, such as food, clothing, transportation, and housing. According to a 2015 report by Oxfam, the wealth of Mexicos 16 billionaires multiplies each year, while 48 percent of state schools have no access to sewage, 31 percent have no drinking water, 13 percent have no bathrooms or toilets, and 11 percent have no access to electricity.

The study lays bare the degree to which financial corporations, many from the United States, have come to dominate every aspect of life in Latin America, producing widespread social misery while filling the pockets of the top 1 percent and the next 9 percent.

In Mexico, the average yield from capital has been 15 percent annually in recent years, compared to a rise in the average industrial wage of only 4 percent per year. Eighty percent of financial assets in the country are in the hands of 10 percent of the population. A mere 23,000 people and corporations control about one fifth of the countrys financial assets, while half of the population does not even have a bank account.

The vast monopolization of the economy is also present outside of the financial sector. Six hundred companies own 64 percent of assets in the manufacturing sector, 40 companies own one-third of assets in retail, and 22 companies own 89 percent of assets in the telecommunications sector. Overall, just 10 percent of Mexican companies control 93 percent of the countrys assets.

While nominally owned by Mexican firms, these companies are overwhelmingly controlled by US finance capital. In 2015, Delta Air Lines announced plans to acquire up to 49 percent of Aeromexico, the airline with the highest domestic market share and second highest international market share in the country. Deltas majority shareholders are Berkshire Hathaway, Vanguard, and J.P Morgan. Vanguard is also the largest shareholder of Bachoco, the countrys largest chicken producer, while mutual fund company Dodge & Cox is a leading shareholder of Mexican multinational building materials company CEMEX.

The claims of various pseudo-left groups that Chinese trade in Latin America has supplanted US hegemony in the region are nothing short of absurd. As the figures from the CEPAL study lay bare, it is US finance capital that calls the shots in the Mexican economy. Their cries of Chinese imperialism serve to obscure the reactionary role of the US in the region and to position their own forces as willing partners in the suppression of working class opposition.

These conditions of mass misery and want have created a social powder keg, where further attacks on the living conditions of the working class can generate reactionssuch as the spontaneous gasolinazo protests that erupted throughout the country earlier this yearthat could explode into a massive movement throughout Mexico, and even throughout the continent.

In this context, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the left Movement for National Regeneration (Morena) is seeking to channel this social anger into a nationalist program that blames corruption and the mafia in power for massive inequality in Mexico.

In fact, the growth of millionaires and inequality in Mexico is the inevitable outcome of capitalist economic relations, where the socially produced labor of workers enriches the private owners of the means of production. Lopez Obrador speaks for the next 9 percent of Mexican society, who seek better terms for the Mexican bourgeoisie from US finance capital and are deeply hostile to the Mexican working class.

As the CEPAL studys figures starkly reveal, any significant improvement in the lives of the Mexican masses will require a direct attack on the wealth of the ruling class, in Mexico and around the world. This reallocation of wealth from the pockets of the few to the benefit of the masses can only take place in a struggle for international socialism in unity with their North and South American class brothers and sisters.
Two developments in recent days illustrate the extent of ultra-right thinking and activities in the German army (Bundeswehr) that are supported and covered up at the highest level.

Last Thursday, the German television investigative programme Panorama reported on a far-right incident involving the Bundeswehrs special forces unit, KSK. The elite unit KSK is stationed in the town of Calw in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg and operates under strict secrecy.

Panorama reported that the incident occurred on April 27 at a farewell party for a KSK company commander. Far-right music was heard at the party with drunken soldiers singing loudly in accompaniment. Four soldiers are alleged to have stretched out their arms in a Hitler salute.

A woman had informed the Panorama editorial office about the incident some months ago. She was invited to the ceremony by a friend who worked for the KSK. The commander was expected to navigate an obstacle course that, according to the womans testimony, included the throwing of pig heads. At the end of the obstacle course, the woman was expected to be the sex prize for the commander. According to the woman, the only reason why the commander did not exploit her sexually was because he was too drunklike many of the other soldiers.

The planned sex was supposed to be on a consensual basis, but the victim was repelled by the right-wing music. She noted the text of the music and then sought out the band responsible. The band in question is called Sturmwehr, a World War II Nazi shock troop. The group has appeared at concerts organised by the neo-Nazi German National Party (NPD). In 2004, the band recorded an album of far-right songs that NPD supporters then distributed free of charge to children and young people at their schools.

The text included lyrics such as, Poor Germany, what has become of you? Poor Germany, they are out to kill you, and was played at the KSK party, according to Panorama. The text continues: Once a country of greatness, culture and strong workers, you have managed to run yourself down in nearly 60 years. The song then refers positively to the Nazi regime and presents Germanys post-war history as one of continual national decline.

The Bundeswehr has confirmed that the retirement party for the KSK commander did take place. In an e-mail to the editor of Panorama, army representatives declared that the obstacle course took place under the motto Roman-medieval games, including the slicing of melons and pineapples with a sword and the tossing of pigs heads. The army has promised an internal enquiry to investigate the allegations of Hitler salutes and playing of far-right music.

According to Hanspeter Bartels (SPD), the German parliamentary defence commissioner, any use of Hitler salutes or far-right songs should be regarded as beyond tasteless. This would also possibly be a criminal offence.

The incident at the KSK is not an isolated case, but is symptomatic of an army under the influence of the far-right as an integral part of its tradition. This is most clearly shown in the case of the naming of Bundeswehr barracks.

Following the discovery of a far-right group, involving army officers who planned terrorist acts and would then blame refugees, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen announced a review of the Bundeswehr and its traditions. She declared that the modern Bundeswehr had nothing in common with Hitlers army and promised to rename barracks that bear the names of leading Nazi officers. Her proposal was criticised at the time by leading generals.

It is now clear that her initiative was merely empty talk. In response to a parliamentary question, it has been revealed that a number of Bundeswehr barracks bearing the names of officers active during the Third Reich will not be renamed.

In four cases, the names of the barracks are to be retained. Three of the barracks are named after Nazi officers.

The Rommel barracks in the Augustdorf district of North Rhine-Westphalia will keep its name. Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, was one of Hitlers favourite officers and was elevated to the status of war hero by Goebbelss propaganda ministry. It was only at the end of the war that he fell into disgrace and was forced to commit suicide.

Two other military officers are also regarded as suitable role models for the Bundeswehr. Two barracks in the Lower Saxony town of Munster are to retain their names: the Bamm and Schulz-Lutz barracks. Who were these men?

Peter Bamm served as a military physician in World War II, first in France and later in Hitlers invasion of the Soviet Union. Adelbert Schulz was a brigadier general and commanded a division of the Wehrmacht. He was active in the invasion of the Sudetenland and Austria. He was awarded the Iron Cross in 1940 for his rapid advance in the French campaign and the breakthrough to Cherbourg on the English Channel. Schulz was also awarded the Knights Cross, first and second class. He received, as well, several awards for his military role on the Eastern Front before he died in battle in January 1944 in Ukraine.

Only one barracks is to change its name. The General Thomsen barracks in a North Frisian town are to be renamed the Sudtondern Barracks. In World War I, Hermann von der Thomsen fought in the German Luftwaffe. The then-68-year-old played a leading role in 1935 under the Nazis in re-establishing the Luftwaffe. Despite being blind by this time, he was appointed Luftwaffe general.

The Junge Welt newspaper has reported that discussion about a possible renaming was not carried out at a number of barracks, meaning their names will be retained. This includes barracks named after leading generals who served under Hitler and then participated in establishing the post-war Bundeswehr during the 1950s. A possible renaming has yet to be decided at another seven Bundeswehr locations.

In its reply to a question by the Left Party, the government declared that any new renaming of army sites will be decided on location by the respective post commands.
The overwhelming defeat suffered by the United Auto Workers at the Nissan plant in Canton, Mississippi earlier this month has evoked hand-wringing and lamentation on the part of the pseudo-left defenders of the trade union bureaucracy.

Jacobin magazine, in a piece titled Crushing Blow, called the UAWs defeat nothing less than a knock-out punch ending for the foreseeable future any efforts by the UAW to organize the large, predominately foreign-owned auto assembly plants in the South.

For its part, Socialist Worker, the organ of the International Socialist Organization (ISO), called the vote a bitter defeat that added to the urgent debate about what it will take to organize the unorganized in the South.

Workers at the factory voted by a margin of 63-37 percent against representation by the UAW in the latest in a string of debacles for the union at auto plants in the US South. In none of these elections has the UAW been able to give workers the slightest reason to vote for union representation. In the failed 2014 union recognition vote at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the UAW sought and received the public support of company management.

At Nissan in Mississippi the UAW did not attempt to make a class appeal to workers by promising better wages and working conditions. Instead, it appealed to the majority African-American workforce on the basis of race, joining with liberal organizations and Democratic politicians to cast the vote as a civil rights issue. It combined this with the promotion of its corporatist outlook of labor-management partnership, summed up in the slogan Pro-Nissan, Pro-Union.

The UAW brought in Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and actor Danny Glover to promote the union, as though the pro-corporate record of the Obama administration would inspire workers to vote for the union.

Socialist Worker concedes that Nissan set its wages to surpass the highest wages paid to Tier 2 workers in the Big Three, eliminating from the start perhaps the most effective union recruiting tool: the higher wages and better benefits enjoyed by union workers compared to nonunion workers.

However, it maintains a damning silence over the significance of Nissan paying more to its tier two workers than the US-based Big Three companies, where the UAW has been the bargaining agent for nearly 70 years. What kind of union signs contracts that allow the bosses to pay less to its members than non-union plants pay their workers?

The answer is cleara right-wing, pro-company organization that is hostile to the workers! This the ISO dares not say because it supports the UAW bureaucracy and is no less hostile to the working class. Had it won the vote, the UAW would have quickly set about proving its utility to the company by helping it lower its labor costs even further.

Workers at Nissan were well aware of the record of the UAW and wanted nothing to do with it. Far from fighting to raise wages, it has dedicated itself over the past 40 years to suppressing resistance to low wages, speed-up and the reversal of past gains such as health care and pensions. Today, tier two workers at UAW-organized factories earn little more than the equivalent of the $5 a day Henry Ford paid his workers 90 years ago.

In attempting to explain the most recent UAW debacle, pseudo-left groups such as the ISO and Jacobin whose editor and publisher, Bhaskar Sunkara, is a leading member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)blame the defeat on managements anti-union campaign. In so far as they are critical of the UAW, they cite missteps or incompetence. Labor Notes goes further, blaming Nissan workers themselves for their supposed reluctance to rock the boat.

This is under conditions where the UAW leadership has cozied up to the fascistic Trump administration based on shared support for America First nationalism and trade war against the overseas rivals of US capitalism. UAW President Dennis Williams appeared next to Trump at a rally this spring in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Shortly before the Nissan vote, Williams announced that the UAW was reviving its reactionary Buy American campaign. The last time the union conducted such a campaign, in the 1980s, it featured UAW officials smashing Toyotas with sledgehammers and UAW parking lots banning foreign-built vehicles. That effort to pit US workers against their Japanese, Mexican and German class brothers and sisters and line them up behind their own American bosses led to the 1982 murder of Vincent Chin in Detroit by a Chrysler foreman and his stepson.

At the same time, the UAW adopted the corporatist program of union-management partnership, suppressed opposition to plant closures and layoffs, and entered into corrupt joint business operations with the Big Three companies.

The results of the decades-long drive by the American unions to suppress the class struggle are revealed in US Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showing that work stoppages have decreased 90 percent over the last four decades. The period 2007 to 2016 had the lowest average number of major work stoppages, 14, of any decade on record.

Nor do the various pseudo-left groups have anything significant to say about the ongoing federal investigation into UAW corruption that has documented how top union officials involved in negotiating national contracts took hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, funneled through union-company joint operations and slush funds. This was their payoff for helping to impose sellout contracts that slashed real wages, health care and pensions, imposed the hated two-tier pay scale, increased the use of temporary workers, and enabled the company to impose speedup and forced overtime.

Far from being an aberration, the corporate bribery of UAW officials is endemic to the organization. It is the practical expression of the unions program of union-company partnership.

The attitude of the various pseudo-left tendencies toward the unions is not a matter of mistaken orientation. These groups, like the anti-communist trade union bureaucracy, represent privileged upper-middle-class social layers that have seen their wealth increase due to the boom in the stock market, paid for by the immiseration of ever broader layers of the working population. Side by side with the decline in strike activity, the percentage of US gross domestic product going to corporate profits has soared, fueling the market boom that has enriched these layers of the upper-middle class.

This also explains the support by the pseudo-left for the wars being waged by the US ruling class for the domination of the oil-rich Middle East and other strategic regions, raising the danger of war with nuclear-armed Russia and China.

Groups such as the ISO are ferociously hostile to the critical line adopted by the Socialist Equality Party and the World Socialist Web Site toward the unions and the call by the SEP for workers to free themselves from the grip of these organizations and build new, democratic organs of strugglerank-and-file committeesin the factories, work locations and working class communities.

In an earlier period, when the unions still had the active allegiance of significant sections of militant workers and led limited struggles for improvements in living standards, the pseudo-left denounced the unions and largely ignored strikes. They attacked the Workers League, the forerunner of the Socialist Equality Party, for fighting to build a revolutionary leadership in the unions in opposition to the bureaucracy and its political alliance with the big business Democratic Party.

The pseudo-left began taking an interest in the unions only when these organizations had abandoned any struggle in defense of the working class and instead devoted their efforts to suppressing strikes, imposing concessions contracts and integrating themselves into the structure of the corporations and the state. Based on this anti-working class orientation, they see the unions as a source of income and privilege and busy themselves with obtaining posts within the corrupt union apparatus.

Nissan workers were correct in rejecting the UAW, but that does not solve the problems confronting auto workersunion and non-union alike. Workers need a force on the shop floor that defends them and fights for their interests against corporate exploitation and the daily attacks of management. The UAW long ago abandoned this basic function. That is why it is necessary for auto workers, at Nissan and throughout the country, to form rank-and-file factory committees that will assume responsibility for the day-to-day fight against the company. For advise and assistance in planning for and building rank-and-file factory committees, sign up for the WSWS Autoworker Newletter.
The Trump administration yesterday unilaterally imposed sanctions on Chinese and Russian entities and individuals over their alleged trading activities with North Korea. The US Treasurys announcement is a deliberate slap in the face to Beijing and Moscow after both voted earlier this month in the UN Security Council for tough new UN penalties on Pyongyang over its long-range missile tests in July.

The sanctions target six Chinese-owned companies, one Russian, one North Korean and two based in Singapore. Six individualsfour Russians, one Chinese and one North Koreanhave also been hit. As a result, all of the individuals and entities will have any property and funds in the US frozen and will not be able to do business with US corporations, banks or citizens.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declared that it was unacceptable for Chinese and Russian individuals and companies to enable North Korea to generate income for its weapons programs. While nominally acting to reinforce UN sanctions, Mnuchins sweeping statement effectively precludes any company from doing business with North Koreawell beyond the scope of UN resolutions.

Moreover, the US Treasury has not substantiated any of its allegations. Among those targeted are three Chinese companies accused by the US of breaching UN sanctions by importing nearly $500 million worth of coal from North Korea between 2013 and 2016. The purchase of North Korean coal was subject to an annual limit, not a complete ban until this months UN sanctions. Earlier this year China suspended further coal imports.

Coal sales are worth more than $1 billion a year for North Korea and represent a significant portion of total exports of around $3 billion. By targeting coal and other minerals, the US is seeking to cripple the North Korean economy and undermine the Pyongyang leadership.

Other entities hit by sanctions include Dandong Rich Earth Trading, a Chinese company accused of importing vanadium; Gefest-M, a Russian company alleged to have bought procuring metals for a North Korean company involved in weapons development; and Mingzheng International Trading, a China- and Hong Kong-based bank that allegedly provides financial services for North Koreas Foreign Trade Bank.

In addition, the US Justice Department has filed suit against two of the companies, Velmur Management of Singapore and Chinas Dandong Zhicheng Metallic Material Company, demanding more than $11 million over alleged money-laundered for North Korea.

The imposition of so-called secondary sanctions, that is, unilateral US penalties, has been under discussion in the US for some time. The US imposed similar sanctions in June on the Bank of Dangong, a Chinese financial institution, which it accused of helping Pyongyang engage in money laundering, and several other individual and entities.

The US targeting of Chinese and also Russian companies makes clear that Washington is exploiting the tense situation with North Korea as part of its wider confrontation with Beijing in particular. The supposed threat posed by North Koreas limited nuclear arsenal provides a convenient pretext for the Pentagons military expansion in the Asia Pacific that began as part of the Obama administrations pivot to Asia aimed against China.

China has reacted angrily to the latest round of US sanctions. Its embassy in Washington stated that China opposed any unilateral sanctions outside the UN framework, especially the long-arm jurisdiction over Chinese entities and individuals exercised by any country in accordance with its domestic laws. A spokesman called on the US to immediately correct its mistake and hinted at retaliation by adding, so as not to impact bilateral cooperation on relevant issues.

The US sanctions, which are aimed at forcing Beijing and Moscow to force Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program, will only heighten tensions in the Asian region. They follow a series of reckless statements by President Trump menacing North Korea with fire and fury like the world has never seen if it threatened the United States.

Pyongyang responded by announcing plans to test fire missiles into waters close to the American territory of Guam but North Korean leader Kim Jong-un backed off last week saying he would watch what the US did before acting.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson yesterday hinted at a possible path to talks with the Pyongyang regime. Speaking to the media in Washington, he said that North Korea had demonstrated some level of restraint that we have not seen in the past by not conducting missile launches since the latest round of UN sanctions.

We hope that this is the beginning of this signal that we have been looking for, Tillerson said, adding that perhaps we are seeing our pathway to sometime in the near future having some dialogue. He concluded, however, that we need to see more on their part.

Tillerson has previously made clear that any talks must be premised on North Koreas complete abandonment of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and existing arsenals. Pyongyang, however, insists that it will not give up its nuclear weapons while confronted with the continuing threat of US attack.

While Tillerson and other Trump officials have suggested that a diplomatic solution to the confrontation with North Korea could be found, the US military threat remains. The Pentagon is proceeding this week with major joint war games in South Korea involving tens of thousands of US and South Korean military personnel.

Moreover, in the wake of a fatal collision between a US guided-missile destroyer and a tanker near Singapore on Monday, the top US commander in the Asia-Pacific warned against any attempt to take advantage of apparent weaknesses in US military operational capacity. Following the collision, the Pentagon ordered a suspension of all US fleet operations around the world to assess procedures and training.

Admiral Harry Harris, the head of US Pacific Command (PACOM), yesterday warned that it would be foolhardy for anyone to test the US militarily. His remarks, made at the Osan Air Base in South Korea, were clearly aimed against North Korea. Harris said that the collision did not affect the US militarys ability to defend the [Korean] peninsula and our interests in the region.
Trumps new policy in Afghanistan, unveiled in a nationally televised address Monday evening, is a declaration of open-ended and unrestrained military violence against a country that has suffered sixteen years of unbroken American aggression.

Since the Bush administration launched the US invasion of Afghanistan in October of 2001, 175,000 people have been killed, according to conservative estimates, and millions more driven from their homes. Under Bush, Obama and now Trump, the US military has carried out countless atrocities and war crimesfrom the November 2001 massacre of 800 Taliban prisoners at Mazar-i-Sharif, to the 2002 slaughter of 48 people at a wedding party in Kakarak, the murder of 42 medical personnel and patients at a Doctors Without Borders medical center in Kunduz in 2015, and the dropping of the Massive Ordinance Air Blast bomb, the largest nonnuclear weapon in the US arsenal, in Nangarhar Province this past April.

This violence will be dramatically escalated, with a carte blanche commitment by Trump to provide whatever troops and resources the US military command deems necessary. Trump declared that he will give the military the necessary tools and rules of engagement to defeat any resistance. All restrictions on operations that prevented the secretary of defense and commanders in the field from fully and swiftly waging battle against the enemy will be lifted.

In other words, the carnage already inflicted on the Afghan people will pale in comparison to what is coming.

Trumps speech, however, was not simply about Afghanistan. It was, in effect, a declaration of war on the world. Trump threatened Pakistan and sided openly with India amidst mounting conflicts between the two countries and between India and China. The growing tensions between the United States and its nominal allies in Europe were reflected in Trumps demand that NATO countries contribute more troops and resources to an expanded Afghan war.

The speech was delivered as the administration debates launching a preemptive strike against North Korea. In an ominous warning of what is being planned, Trump proclaimed that under his administration many billions of dollars more is being spent on our military, and this includes vast amounts being spent on our nuclear arsenal and missile defense.

Behind all the bombast, a combination of demoralization and fear pervaded Trumps speech. Everywhere the American ruling class looks it sees current or potential enemies. There is a large element of derangement in the notion that American imperialism can resolve its mounting economic, social and geopolitical crises by dropping more bombs and killing more people.

This very delusion, over the course of 25 years of unending war since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, has produced one debacle after another for the American ruling classacross the Middle East, in North Africa and beyond. This includes Afghanistan, where successive US governments have failed to establish control through bloody violence. Increasingly, American imperialism is directing its focus on larger competitors such as Russia, China and even Germany.

The ruling class is acutely aware that it confronts its greatest enemy within the United States in the form of the American working class.

Trumps speech was most significant for its assertion of what amounts to a presidential-military dictatorship. The president upheld as a principle the insistence that the American people will be told nothing about what is being planned, how many troops will be sent or how long they will remain. All decisions will be made by the military, without even the pretense of Congressional oversight or approval. Trump delivered his speech not to the American people, but to an audience of soldiers dressed in battle fatigues and subject to military discipline.

The most remarkable passages in Trumps speech came at the beginning. He delivered a paean to the military as the essential force for controlling a divided nation. The military is an instrument of absolutely perfect cohesion, Trump declared. The soldier understands what we as a nation too often forget, he said. The young men and women we send to fight our wars abroad deserve to return to a country that is not at war with itself at home.

The events in Charlottesville were the immediate context for these statements. Trumps declaration that the military transcends every line of race, ethnicity, creed and color largely adopted the pseudo-democratic comments of the top generals on the fascist rampage in Charlottesville. The military brass, concerned over the consequences of Trumps open sympathy for the neo-Nazis, felt obliged to distance themselves, the better to prosecute wars of aggression in behalf of the US corporate elite that are invariably presented as wars for democracy and freedom.

Trumps statements have profoundly sinister implications. They portray the military as the unifier of a fractured country, a force for structure, disciplineand repression. Under conditions of mounting social and political conflicts within the United States, his speech is a declaration of the central role of the military not only in waging war abroad, but maintaining order at home.

From the beginning of the Trump administration, the military has taken direct control of much of the state apparatus, in the form of retired Gen. James Mattis as secretary of defense, active-duty Gen. H.R. McMaster as national security advisor and retired Gen. John Kelly, first as Department of Homeland Security secretary and now as White House chief of staff.

The Trump administration, however, is not the cause but a symptom of an underlying disease. Unending war and four decades of social counterrevolution have fatally eroded the foundations of democratic forms of rule in the United States. Top generals act as kingmakers. They have developed the closest ties to the financial aristocracy and are universally praised in the media and the political establishment. Terrified of social unrest, the ruling class turns to its bodies of armed menthe military and policebacked by the intelligence agencies.

Far from opposing the influence of the military, it is to Kelly, Mattis and McMaster that Trumps critics in the Democratic Party have turned in the hope that they will stabilize the Trump administration and compel it to continue and escalate the Obama administrations policy of confrontation with Russia. Jeh Johnson, Obamas homeland security secretary, expressed the general sentiment when asked over the weekend if Mattis and Kelly should resign. Absolutely not We need people like John Kelly, Jim Mattis, H.R. McMaster to right the ship.

The outcome of the political warfare in Washington, culminating in the dismissal of Trumps fascistic chief strategist Stephen Bannon last week, has been to strengthen the direct domination of the military and Wall Street over the Trump administration. Mondays speech was an acknowledgement on Trumps part of this shift in political forces.

In their conflict with Trump, the Democrats and their political allies have worked to bury beneath an endless series of diversionary issuescentered on a grossly distorted presentation of the United States as a country torn by irreconcilable racial divisionsthe most critical issues: social inequality, poverty, war and the unprecedented growth in the power of the military-industrial-financial complex, which represents the most serious threat to the democratic and social rights of the working class.

In response to Trumps commitment to ever-greater military violence, a new antiwar movement must be built. The fight against imperialist war must be rooted in the working class, mobilized on an international basis in opposition to all the organizations and institutions of the ruling class and the capitalist system they defend.
Below is the speech given by Socialist Equality Party National Secretary Chris Marsden at its August 19 public meeting in London on the Grenfell Tower fire.

The Grenfell fire points to a common experience of the working class all over the world.

In country after country, the super-rich get ever richer, while working people suffer an ever steeper decline in their living conditions. Just as Karl Marx insisted in his depiction of capitalism:

Accumulation of wealth at one pole is, therefore, at the same time accumulation of misery, agony of toil, slavery, ignorance, brutality, mental degradation at the opposite pole...

You will know from bitter personal experience that what Marx said is true. But let me cite some recent examples of how tragedy and suffering is inflicted as a result of capitalisms drive for profit.

Our comrades in Sri Lanka are organising an inquiry into the April 14 collapse of the Meethotamulla garbage dump in Colombo, which officially claimed 32 lives, with another eight missing. Residents say the real figure is much higher as the poorest victims, who were buried alive, dont appear in official records. Around 146 houses have been damaged, affecting 198 families or 1,000 people.

On June 24, in Pakistan, over 200 men, women and at least 20 children were killed when an overturned petrol tanker exploded on a road in the Bahawalpur district of the southern Punjabkilling poor villagers seeking to scoop up the spilled fuel with buckets and bottles.

Last week, at least 85 children died at Baba Raghav Das Medical College Hospital in Southern India. At least 30 newborn infants died because a company turned off oxygen supplies after the hospital had missed payments on a measly 70,000 bill.

Four hundred are confirmed dead, including over 100 children, after a mudslide in Sierra Leone swept down from Sugar Loaf mountain August 14 onto shanty dwellings in the outskirts of the capital, Freetown. Another 600 are still missing, making up entire communities.

Finally, in the richest country in the world, our American comrades have campaigned for years to expose how in Flint, Michigan, Rick Snyder, a multimillionaire Republican governor, and his Democratic state treasurer, Andy Dillon, switched the citys water supply to untreated water from the polluted Flint River.

The poisoned water has already resulted in the deaths of at least 12 residents from Legionnaires disease, ill health for adults and lifelong learning disabilities for the citys children.

This is a video we produced:

8,000 poisoned Flint residents threatened with foreclosure

The Socialist Equality Party has called Grenfell an act of social murder. It is a term coined by Frederick Engels in his book, The Condition of the Working Class in England .

This is what he wrote back in 1845:

When society places hundreds of proletarians in such a position that they inevitably meet a too early and an unnatural death, one which is quite as much a death by violence as that by the sword or bullet; when it deprives thousands of the necessaries of life, places them under conditions in which they cannot liveforces them, through the strong arm of the law, to remain in such conditions until that death ensues which is the inevitable consequenceknows that these thousands of victims must perish, and yet permits these conditions to remain, its deed is murder just as surely as the deed of the single individual.

This was written at the very beginnings of industrial capitalism. Yet no one today could describe Grenfell in better terms.

It is close to four decades since Margaret Thatcher declared, There is no such thing as society, hailed the glories of the free market and promised to roll back the frontiers of socialism.

She left office just before the Stalinist bureaucracy liquidated the Soviet Union, which convinced Thatchers secret admirers in the Labour Partyled by Tony Blairto build what she herself called her greatest achievement, New Labour.

Thatcher, Blair and their successors, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Theresa May are all guilty of social murder. Their governments are all responsible for turning Britain into a playground for the super-rich while workers are left in dire straits.

The scale of criminality is vast.

For example, in 2009, under Labour, parliament was warned of the potential risks of fire spreading via external cladding systems and, after the deaths of six people in Lakanal House in Camberwell, of the urgent need to install sprinkler systems.

Nothing was done. Instead, regulations were amended or withdrawn altogether in what Cameron later proclaimed as a bonfire of the regulations!

Only last year, the government junked the expectation that all new school buildings should be fitted with sprinklersa year in which there were 1,500 fires in schools and educational premises.

This is what Cameron said in 2010:

I will kill off safety culture ... We need to realise, collectively, that we cannot eliminate risk and that some accidents are inevitable.

By 2015, the government was celebrating that it had cut house-building regulations by 90 percent.

The citing of Labour alongside the Tory Party points to why what Engels wrote in 1845 is once again relevant for today.

The late 19th century saw the birth of mass industrial unions, the dawn of the 20th the formation of the Labour Party.

We are the most steadfast critics of both for their pro-capitalist perspective, their opposition to socialism, their warmongering and countless betrayals of the struggles of the working class.

But for decades millions of workers looked to these organisations to protect them from the worst depredations of capitalism. And up to a point, they did thatby channelling social discontent into seeking collective bargaining agreements with the employers and parliamentary reforms administered by the capitalist state.

No longer.

Well before Blair, the Labour Party and the Trades Union Congress responded to the globalisation of capitalist production organised across all national boundaries by abandoning their national reformist perspective.

Instead of defending the social gains of the past, they have worked for their destruction.

Workers and young people are now being told that this has all changed thanks to the election of Jeremy Corbyn. But Corbyn has not reversed Labours decades-long lurch to the right. He is concealing it.

Consider his role in Grenfell.

Theresa Mays promised inquiry is a fraud. Like so many before it, its aim is to conceal, not reveal what took place. It is headed by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, whose previous claim to fame was as a social cleanser who allowed Westminster Council to rehouse a single mother with five children 50 miles away in Milton Keynes.

The inquiry is to begin on September 14 and report by Easter next year. There is an attempt to whip up illusions, after May agreed that it would examine the actions of Kensington and Chelsea Council in the lead-up and aftermath of the fire. But it has the very technical remit that was rejected by residents from the start and will not deal with issues such as social housing policy, let alone bring any charges. Above all nothing will be done about the Conservative government, or its predecessors!

Meanwhile the police investigation has still not questioned a single person under oath, let alone made an arrest. The Metropolitan Police have said they might pursue corporate manslaughter charges against the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council and the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO).

But what this means is that no individuals responsible will be brought to justice. Fines might be paid some years from now, but, as it deals with public entities, the taxpayers will foot the bill.

Residents and survivors have threatened to boycott Mays inquiry and regularly denounce the police for their inaction. But Corbyn has refused to withdraw his own support and has instead called May to rethink its scope and for a panel to advise the judge reflecting the ethnic diversity of the area!

Naturally, Corbyn will not say a word about the criminal, anti-working class activity of Londons Labour councils, whose leaders remain undisturbed as members of his party!

Corbyns main ally, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, has made left-sounding noises, calling Grenfell an act of social murder resulting from political decisions. But he goes along with Corbyn, refuses to name names or make any call for prosecutionswhich he could do with impunity in parliament.

In contrast, I want to return to what Engels said on the question of what to do about capitalism:

But this I maintain, the war of the poor against the rich now carried on in detail and indirectly will become direct and universal. It is too late for a peaceful solution. The classes are divided more and more sharply, the spirit of resistance penetrates the workers, the bitterness intensifies, the guerrilla skirmishes become concentrated in more important battles, and soon a slight impulse will suffice to set the avalanche in motion.

What could better describe the situation now confronting the working class?

When we look at the world today, can anyone seriously expect that the moral appeal for justice and reasoned behaviour advanced by Corbyn will be answered?

We live in a system in which the ruling class is engaged in a war against the population to make itself even more obscenely rich, and war internationally to secure control of vital resources such as oil and markets in goods and services.

That is why the age of austerity proclaimed for the working class sees billions cut from the National Health Service and the Fire Brigade, while billions are squandered on wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syrialeaving behind countries destroyed and a mountain of corpses.

It is why this government pledges pocket change for the victims of Grenfell while it spends 167 billion on Trident nuclear weapons of mass destruction, and close to 7 billion on the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carriers as the supposed embodiment of Britain in steel and spirit.

Savage austerity and the drive to war, which is already threatening conflict with nuclear powers such as Russia and China, is incompatible with democracy. It means repression and fascistic reaction.

That is why Donald Trump sits in the White House giving his blessing and protection to the Nazi and KKK murderers who killed a peaceful protester at Charlottesville after taking over the town under police protection and staging torchlight processions, chanting Blood and Soil! and Jews will not replace us!

After the horrors of the Second World War, the worlds people demanded Never Again! But it is happening again. Right-wing nationalist reaction is being encouraged everywherehere in Britain and in Europenot just in America.

It must not be allowed to happen again.

But the warmongering Democrats in the US will not prevent it and neither will the Labour Party in the UK, whoever leads it. These are the struggles the working classall of us, Black, White, Asian, whatevermust unite our forces to fightagainst austerity, racism, fascism, militarism and war and for socialist internationalism.

Grenfell is a turning point in the political development of the working class in Britain. After decades in which not just socialism but even references to class were systematically marginalised, millions are realising that they are the life and death questions that must be made the basis of political life.

As we wrote:

Grenfell has exposed the absurdities of politics based on race, gender and sexual orientation. In the universal reaction of sympathy and solidarity the fire has engendered and the hatred expressed towards the guilty, we see the reassertion of class as the fundamental division in society.

The betrayals by the old parties and trade unions, mass unemployment, wage cuts and social vandalism, ever escalating wars, all feed into the deep sense of anger unleashed in response to Grenfell.

But there is an answer to these betrayals, one that is found in the genuinely socialist tendency that never betrayedthe Socialist Equality Party and our world movement, the International Committee of the Fourth International.

This is the party of Marx and Engels, of Lenin and Trotskythose who made the Russian revolution in 1917one hundred years agoand who then fought against its betrayal by Stalinism.

The SEP urges all survivors, local residents and workers everywhere to place no confidence in Mays rotten whitewash of an inquiry, or in Labours attempt to make it more palatable. They must rely on themselves alone, on their social power.

Appeals to the ruling elite for piecemeal reforms are futile. There can be no answer to the vast social catastrophe exposed by Grenfell other than a political offensive to end the domination of the super-rich and its political parties over society.

Workers must demand that all those guilty of social murder at Grenfell in both political and business circles are arrested, charged and put on trial.

That includes Boris Johnson, May and her predecessors, Cameron, Gordon Brown and the arch war-criminal Tony Blair, as well as the heads of the Kensington and Chelsea Council, its TMO, Rydon and Harley Facades.

Hundreds of billions of pounds must be allocated to strip the cladding from tower blocks, install sprinkler systems and make them safe and secure as part of a massive programme of public works paid for by seizing the assets of the super-rich and taking control of the major banks and corporations.

Londons Ghost homes must be requisitioned to properly house those made homeless as part of a broader socialist programme of demands to meet the essential needs of working people for safe and secure housing, decent jobs, education and health care.

But for that to happen means building a movement to make it happen, a new party of the working class. This is what the Socialist Equality Party stands for. It is time to join and build it.
Missouri Governor Eric Greitens has granted a last-minute stay of execution for death row inmate Marcellus Williams, who was facing death by lethal injection at 6 p.m. local time Tuesday. Williams, 48, was convicted and sentenced to death in 2001 for the 1998 stabbing death of Felicia Gayle, 42, a former reporter with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Attorneys for Williams have argued that he is innocent, and that DNA tests of the murder weapon produced conclusive scientific evidence that another man committed this crime. Gayle was in her home when she was brutally stabbed 43 times with a butcher knife.

The Republican governor said he was appointing a board of inquiry to investigate the case. A sentence of death is the ultimate, permanent punishment, Greitens said in a statement. To carry out the death penalty, the people of Missouri must have confidence in the judgment of guilt. In light of new information, I am appointing a Board of Inquiry in this case.

Kent Gipson, one of Williams attorneys, stated before the stay, Theyre never going to ever confront an actual innocence case more persuading than this involving exonerating DNA evidence. Ive seen a lot of miscarriages of justice, but this one would take the cake.

Missouri officials, however, still contend that Williams is guilty because of other compelling non-DNA evidence. State Attorney General Joshua D. Hawley points in court filings to the statements of a man who served time with Williams, and Williams girlfriend, who both told police that Williams confessed to the killing.

The state also wrote that Williams sold a laptop taken from Gayles home and that other items belonging to Gayle were found in a car driven by Williams the day of her murder.

State prosecutors have no material evidence connecting Williams to the crime scene. Hair samples found at the scene do not match Williams DNA and a footprint found at the scene also does not match the defendants shoes, according to his lawyers.

Last week, the Missouri Supreme Court rejected Williams request for a stay of execution without explanation. Williams also had a last-minute appeal filed with the US Supreme Court, which is now set aside.

Missouri officials have argued in court that in order to exonerate Williams, DNA evidence would have to explain how Williams ended up with the victims property, and why two witnesses independently said he confessed to them, or at least provide a viable alternative suspect.

These arguments turn the rule of law on its head. First, for a conviction, evidence must convince jurors that a defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Also, DNA evidence does not play an active role in explaining the significance of other evidence, such as the whereabouts of the victims property. Finally, a defendant is under no obligation to provide a viable alternate suspect, only that he is not guilty.

The Missouri attorney generals office made the same conjectural argument to the US Supreme Court, writing in its filing, It is reasonable to assume people not involved in the murder handled the knife in the kitchen. And there is no reason to believe Williams would not have worn gloves during a burglary and murder, as he wore a jacket to conceal his bloody shirt.

Williams case has drawn the attention of Amnesty International and Sister Helen Prejean, the Catholic nun who is a well-known opponent of the death penalty.

Samuel Spital, director of Litigation at the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, told CNN that the lack of physical evidence linking Williams to the crime is not the only disturbing aspect of the case.

Williams is black and the victim was white. The trial prosecutor was allowed to preemptively strike six out of seven prospective black jurors. Whatever ones views of capital punishment, it is both morally and constitutionally intolerable for a death sentence to be imposed if the defendant is innocent or if the verdict is marred by racial discrimination, Spital said.

Williams stay of execution comes against the backdrop of falling public support for the death penalty. A Pew Research Center survey last year found that American support for capital punishment fell below 50 percent for the first time since Richard Nixon was president. This marks a sharp fall from public sentiment in the mid-1990s, when four in five people supported the death penalty.

There have been 16 executions so far this year in the US: Texas, five; Arkansas, four; Alabama and Virginia, two each; and one each in Missouri, Georgia and Ohio. The state of Arkansas attempted to put eight men to death over the course of 11 days in April; in the end, four were executed .

There are 42 executions planned through 2021, all of them in just four states: Ohio, Florida, Texas and Nevada. Thirty-seven of these 42 are scheduled in Ohio, which resumed executions last month with the execution of Ronald Phillips after a three-year hiatus.

Phillips execution was the first since the January 2014 lethal injection of Dennis McGuire, who gasped and heaved over a period of more than two hours on the execution gurney before succumbing to the deadly chemicals as his family watched.
MADISON  Foxconn Technology Group will build three assembly plants in Wisconsin before constructing the high-tech liquid-crystal display panel factory that is the centerpiece of a $10 billion investment it has promised in exchange for a large package of tax incentives, the company said Tuesday.

In a published report Monday, a Foxconn official said a trio of assembly plants would be built as early as next year.

Assembly operations would be up and running before construction is completed on the projects mainstay  the first U.S. manufacturing plant for LCD screens for televisions and other devices, the Taiwan-based electronics giant said.

It will take about four years to build the multi-billion-dollar LCD screen plant, Foxconn said Tuesday.

An industry analyst said the construction schedule for the LCD factory is longer than typical for such facilities, possibly because of a bottleneck that has developed in availability of specialized manufacturing equipment the plant will need.

Foxconns plans are contingent on a $3 billion package of tax subsidies and environmental permitting exemptions proposed by Gov. Scott Walker.

Walker has said Foxconn would invest $10 billion by 2020 to create a 1,000-acre campus in southeastern Wisconsin and up to 13,000 jobs.

Foxconn declined to say how many workers the assembly plants would employ. Reuters on Monday quoted a Foxconn official saying the investment would be less than $1 billion of the total.

In its statement Tuesday, the company said the assembly plants may use LCD screens imported from overseas until the Wisconsin LCD manufacturing facility was running.We may ship panels from other Foxconn fabs (factories) to Wisconsin, the company said through a Hong Kong-based spokeswoman, Ellin Choy.

The imports would end after the Wisconsin LCD screen plant began its own production, the company said.

Perhaps

an early test

Early construction of the assembly plants could make business sense for the Taiwan-based corporation, said industry analyst Bob OBrien, president of the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Display Supply Chain Consultants.

But OBrien cautioned that Foxconn has made other jobs announcements that never panned out.

Foxconns Wisconsin plans were announced last month at a White House event by President Donald Trump and Foxconn chairman Terry Gou.

Walker, who took part in the White House announcement and who has been pushing the state Legislature to approve tax subsidies and environmental exemptions, didnt respond to a request for comment.

The state Assembly approved the incentives package Thursday, but state Senate leaders have said they still have questions about a Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis showing it would take at least 25 years for the state to begin to recoup the money it would pay Foxconn in tax credits.

Lawmakers on Tuesday were conducting a public hearing on the plan in Sturtevant. Foxconn has been scouting sites in Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant as potential locations for its operations. Meanwhile, Walker scheduled three events across the state to talk about the potential for local businesses to become Foxconn suppliers.

Trump said the company would create a minimum of 3,000 jobs, an employment figure that would be realistic for the LCD panel factory, with the other 10,000 jobs coming from full-scale assembly facilities where lighting and electrical components were installed on the panels and where exterior casing and controls were added to make finished televisions, OBrien said.

A potential obstacle to operating labor-intensive assembly plants in the U.S. is that wage levels are higher than in China and other places where much of that work is done now.

But Chinese wages have been rising, and the taxpayer subsidy being offered by Walker could make a difference, OBrien said. In addition, there has been political pressure on manufacturers to invest in jobs in the U.S.

While assembly operations can be labor-intensive, Gou has talked about wanting to pioneer more highly-automated assembly operations, which could also reduce costs, OBrien said.

Foxconn said Tuesday it remains committed to leading the industrys drive toward more automation and robotics and using that technology in Wisconsin.However, the new facilities will deploy a large workforce, including extensive numbers of high-value and high-skilled labor in all aspects of the operations, the company said.

Two phases

of construction

While Walker has said Foxconn would invest $10 billion in Wisconsin by 2020, the memorandum of understanding between the company and state officials calls for a six-year construction schedule consisting of a four-year first phase and a two-year second phase.OBrien said the four-year timetable Foxconn cited Tuesday could reflect a bottleneck in specialized equipment the plant will need: Currently, there is only one supplier of the lithography tools needed to add electronic circuitry to glass panels of the size Foxconn plans for the Wisconsin plant, OBrien said.The panels  called Gen 10.5 and measuring about 10-feet wide by 11-feet long  will be the largest ever manufactured. About a dozen Gen 10.5 plants are in various stages of planning or construction by Foxconn and its competitors, OBrien said.The screens are made in a largely automated process in sanitized clean rooms to keep dust particles from creating imperfections in circuitry that is applied to sheets of half-millimeter-thick glass. Each screen is made of two sheets with LCD material sandwiched in between. The finished panels can be cut into a variety of sizes for shipping to plants where they are assembled into screens for phones, computers, televisions or other devices.Typically, there is a two-part assembly process. In the first phase, a lighting source and electrical power equipment are added to complete what is referred to as an LCD module. The next phase involves installing the module into the outer shell to make the finished device.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Florida NAACP is demanding that governor Rick Scott remove a confederate monument, as well as flags and memorials, from the grounds of the state capitol.

The civil rights group also wants state lawmakers to ban "all confederate statues, flags and memorials" from public lands across Florida.

The call for the removal and the ban comes as cities throughout the sunshine state and the nation face growing pressure to remove what for some are a reminder of the country's shameful history but for others represent a cultural heritage.

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a democratic candidate for governor, has also called for the removal of the capitol confederate monument and others like it.

"If they belong as a part of our history, if that's what the folks who are big advocates of these monuments and flags argue, why wouldn't we work very actively together in a unified way to put them in their proper place," said Gillum.

There is a renewed push to replace a statue in the u-s capitol of confederate general Edmund Kirby Smith with a likeness of Mary McLeod Bethune. She was an educator and civil-rights activist who founded what is now known as Bethune-Cookman University.

Legislation was filed in both the Florida house and senate this week for the 2018 session to make that change.
STURTEVANT  Members of Gov. Scott Walkers cabinet worked to reassure legislators about Foxconns promises regarding employment, tax-credit repayment, environmental issues and even the future of LCD (liquid crystal display) technology during a hearing here Tuesday.

Cabinet members fielded questions from members of the Legislative Joint Finance Committee members on the proposed Foxconn incentive legislation package during a 5-hour hearing at Gateway Technical Colleges SC Johnson iMET Center, 2320 Renaissance Blvd.

Foxconn, a Taiwanese technology company, has announced plans to invest $10 billion to build a large LCD production facility in southeastern Wisconsin. The location has not been announced, but it has been confirmed that property owners in Mount Pleasant in Racine County and the Town of Paris in Kenosha County have been approached about selling land for the plant.

The Assembly passed a $2.85 billion Foxconn incentive package to create an electronics and IT manufacturing zone in Wisconsin and the Senate could vote on the package before the end of the month.

Mark Hogan, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., said the legislation is a pay-as-you-grow investment and is based on Foxconns projection to staff 13,000 jobs by 2022.

The manufacturing zone legislation would put in place certain employment benchmarks and capital investment incentives that would be paid out in tax credits over a 15-year period.

The refundable tax credits will not go out the door until, and unless, the company meets the performance metrics that will be included in its contract with WEDC, Hogan said. Foxconn will not receive any dollars from the state until they begin making capital expenditures and hiring employees.

Some legislators have expressed concerns that taxpayers could be left on the hook if Foxconn leaves the state. Hogan said the administration is working to quell concerns about that issue.

We will negotiate a clawback (recovering money already given out) within the contract, but the key to the legislation is unless the company spends dollars, either capital expenditures or employing people, we dont have anything to verify and we would not issue any credits and they would not have access to the refundable tax credits, Hogan said. They are already employing some people in the state, so we will be verifying tax credits for some level of employment.

Why isnt somebody from Foxconn here?

Democrats grilled administration representatives on employment, clawback provisions and the environmental impact on the state.

State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, asked the panel how many people Foxconn has hired already.

Theyve had in excess of 500 hotel room nights in the state over the last three months, theyve had employees who are working here, Hogan said. They have formed, as part of their application with WEDC, a corporation that will house a manufacturing facility and they will start to employ people as soon as the contract is signed.

Those employees can only count toward the tax credit if theyre doing work on the ground in the manufacturing zone, Hogan said, adding that the administration hopes to sign a contract with Foxconn by the first week of September. Hogan said the administration is negotiating the terms of the contract now with the clawbacks.

In response, Erpenbach asked: Why isnt somebody from Foxconn here?

Scott Neitzel, secretary of administration, said the administration believes that this was our end of the bargain. That this is that states bill and this is what we are offering for them to locate 13,000 family-supporting jobs in Wisconsin.

I feel that its our obligation to move the bill to put this in front of Foxconn as our end of the bargain, Neitzel said.

Research, development part of their DNA

State Rep. Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, asked: If Foxconn left before the 15-year repayment period, would taxpayers be protected?

I dont think were ready to say that because we havent negotiated the final terms of the contract, Neitzel said.

Hintz asked: How long do you think LCD screens will stay competitive on the market?

Hogan said that Foxconns 40 years of existence, along with its more than million employees, get lost in the discussion when it comes to the companys relevance.

It has 55,000 patents, so this is not a company that sits on the sideline waiting for another company to come up with an idea, Hogan said. This is a company where research and development is part of their DNA.

Committee co-chair state Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, asked: If we dont provide this incentive package, would Foxconn have agreed to come to Wisconsin?

Neitzel flatly said no, and theyll go to another state.

Environmental impact

As part of the legislation, Foxconn would not have to file Environmental Impact Statements. Scott Neitzel said the state will monitor the environmental impact on the construction of the facility.

The DNR and the Army Corps of Engineers will have oversight throughout the construction process of the facility, Neitzel said. Including the numerous permits that will be required and hundreds of regulations that will be followed.

State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, who voted for the Foxconn incentives package, said the environmental protections addressed by the administration should be put into the legislation.

Its great that they say theyre going to cover it all, but its hard to know that theyre going to do the mitigation if theres no environmental impact statement to figure out what they need to mitigate, Mason said.

Training the workforce to be ready for Foxconn is another issue, Mason said.

If were going to have this workforce that were talking about, we needed to start training people yesterday, he said.

But Mason said he hopes Foxconn does come to Racine County.
THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - During a Thomas County Commission meeting NAACP President of Thomas County Lucinda Brown called for the resignation of sheriff Carlton Powell.

If he does not resign, Brown said Tuesday the group would look into filling a petition for recall.

This is in response to an investigation after Thomas County Deputy Josh Smith shot and killed 37-year old Herbert Gilbert.

Small groups of protesters were still marching through the downtown Thomasville streets Tuesday.

Mayor Greg Hobbs has lived in Thomasville all his life and says this is a new hardship the city hasn't faced before.

Brown says there is a Sheriff's Office policy for use of force and chase procedures, and she said she believes those policies were not followed.

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TALLAHASSEE, FL ( WTXL) -- Many university and community college students are getting settled into their new dorms and apartments...and many of them have never signed a lease before.

From roommate disagreements to being charged new fees, many new renters may jump to conclusions about how to approach these issues.

For roommates, it always helps to sit down together and come up with a formal or informal agreement that all parties can live by.

When it comes to fees, those should be listed in the lease, which is why legal experts strongly recommend that you should not only read it thoroughly before signing, but also ask for a copy of the signed lease or renter's agreement.

New renters may easily get confused while reading a lease. It's at that time that they should ask questions and seek advice.

"They should definitely seek legal advice," says Robert Churchill, an attorney at Churchill & Wells, LLC. "There are people here locally, and I'm certainly one of them, who will review a lease and talk about pitfalls that are present in that lease or other ones. You want to make sure that if you are concerned with the provisions in your lease, you're getting good advice."

Churchill suggests that all renters, not just young adults, keep a copy of work requests, documentation of payments and interactions with the landlord. He also suggests that a lease should be broken if absolutely necessary and after receiving advice.
MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- The regenerating Tropical Depression Harvey is lurking over very warm Gulf waters Wednesday afternoon, with an increasingly higher chance for further strengthening as it lingers nearly stationary in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. The system is projected to grow into a Tropical Storm within the next few hours and begin a path toward the northwest, generally in the direction of the Texas Gulf coast. An assortment of tropical storm and hurricane watches is in effect for the upper and lower Texas coast, as conditions are expected to worsen in the next 48 hours.

Harvey, regardless of the level of strength, is likely to produce flooding rain totals, possible in excess of 12" along the upper Texas coastline.

In the long-range, Harvey will slowly drift to the north, then possibly northeast, in the vicinity of the western and central Gulf coastal regions of the southeastern U.S.

A second tropical low (without a name) is hovering near the Florida peninsula, and is primarily a source of moisture raising rain production in the southern two-thirds of the Sunshine State. The disturbance will be nearly stationary, then is forecast to begin to move slowly to the northeast. As it re-positions itself off the Florida east coast this weekend, forecast models suggest some additional organization. Its positioning would actually advance drier continental air into the local area, while casting areas of clouds and some lighter showers into the Suwannee Valley. However, this forecast is still several days away, and conditions and projections will change.

The rest of the tropical Atlantic basin is relatively uneventful.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Village officials announced Tuesday morning that Mount Pleasant has entered into a one-year contract with Kappur and Associates to hire former City of Burlington Mayor Claude Lois to serve as villages project director.

Lois started the job Tuesday, according to the village.

Claude is uniquely qualified to lead our economic development efforts, said Village President David DeGroot in the release. He has an extraordinary track record of success in fostering economic development, both as an elected official and in the private sector.

With the prospect of Foxconn building a large manufacturing facility in southeastern Wisconsin, DeGroot has said the project director will help with the increase in business inquiries to the village. Lois is credited with overseeing the redevelopment of Burlingtons riverfront, from an area with former industrial and aging commercial structures to a mixed use area that incorporates a hotel, restaurants, storefronts and recreational amenities.

DeGroot also has said the project director will also assist with village administrator duties until the village fills that position. Police Chief Tim Zarzecki has been filling in as interim administrator since the village parted ways with former Administrator Kurt Wahlen in 2016.

Zarzecki said the Village Board made the decision to hire Lois at its Monday night meeting and that his position will be funded out of the tax incremental financing funds.

One of the things they want is that the project director is mostly going to handle the (Foxconn) project, but also to help out with some administrative duties because the project director is here day in and day out, Zarzecki said. Those duties have not been defined yet, but we certainly look forward to working with him in the transition (to a permanent village administrator).

Zarzecki said the village is moving forward with the village administrator search with about eight to nine candidates who need to be interviewed and were hoping to have one on board in the next 30 days or less, and thats an estimate.

High praise

Lois was mayor of Burlington from 2000 to 2008 and served as an alderman before that. He is a former small businessman.

(Lois) comes highly recommended to us, Zarzecki said. My understanding is he has a proven track record and were certainly looking forward to working with him.

County Executive Jonathan Delagrave said Lois is the right person for the job.

This hire demonstrates Mount Pleasants deep commitment to fostering transformational development in our region, said Delagrave. Claudes extensive experience as an elected official will be a tremendous asset to all of Racine County as we work to attract new jobs and foster new growth.
And why do city officials refuse to answer questions about Chief Perales, his conviction, or what their plans are for the department?
Richland native has the right stuff, is one of 12 picked as astronaut candidate
A resident of southern Lebanon appears to have taken seriously a recent jocular call by Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah to plant trees in the area as part of the resistance against Israel, after he uploaded photos of himself and his friend planting trees just steps from the Israeli-Lebanese border, near the village of Adaisseh.

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The symbolic act came following a speech by Nasrallah almost two weeks ago, in which he ridiculed Israel for being afraid of trees after it complained to the UN that Hezbollah is using an environmental organization that plants trees near the border as a ruse for for collecting intelligence.

Hezbollah outpost in southern Lebanon (:  ")

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"Planting a tree on the border between Lebanon and Palestine in plain view of the enemy. Under your direction, lord of the million trees," wrote the user, identified as Ali Nazer.

In the photos Nazer uploaded, the pair can be seen seemingly planting a tree with IDF soldiers visible on the other side of the border. In another photo, one of the two men holds up a printed piece of paper with Hebrew writing saying, "We're free, wishing to plant trees on the border" and Arabic writing saying, "The most beautiful tree on the border for your eyes, Hassan Nasrallah."

Planting a tree in front of an IDF soldier

In his speech, Nasrallah mocked Israel, saying "Israel is turning to the UN over the fact Lebanon is planting trees on the border," Nasrallah said. "Israel is afraid of the tree on our border, because it thinks this tree is guarding the country and the people. Israel thinks the tree will protect the people who will fight against it when it attacks.

The Hezbollah standard and a newly planted tree near the Israel-Lebanon border

"I tell the residents of the south in Baalbek, in Hermel are other places: Plant trees. It's part of the resistance, part of the defense of Lebanon," he added.

'We're free, wishing to plant trees on the border'

Two months ago, Israel presented the UN's Security Council with intelligence saying Hezbollah has deployed a network of observation posts along the Lebanese border using the facade of a green organization. According to the information, in the preceding months Hezbollah created the array of posts using an organization funded and operated by Hezbollah itself, called "Green Without Borders".

A Hezbollah outpost by the border (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

This organization supposedly acts to promote agriculture and environmentalism, building agricultural farms and collecting ecological information. Its stated goal is to expand Lebanon's green zones and raise awareness for environmental protection.
There was no need to wait for the neo-Nazi rally staged by white supremacists in Charlottesville to know that something is wrong with the parts of American society. There was no need to wait for the response of the US president, who blamed both sides, to know that these problematic elements have permeated the highest echelons of the US political system.

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The claim that Donald Trump is not an anti-Semite because his daughter and grandson are Jewish is total folly. In the age in which Jews too, sadly, can be anti-Semites and racists, Trumps Jewish family members do not make him immune from such accusations.

Before the elections in the US, I wrote time and again about anti-Semitic signs being displayed by Trump and his followers. My friends on the Right were not enamored of what I was writing. From their point of view, this was almost akin to blasphemy against the messiah, who is supposed to lend a free hand to the settlement enterprise and to every right-wing whim.

Their saviour delivered the contemptible condemnation of both sides. There are two sides: racists and anti-Semites. For Trump, they are of equally worthy of contempt. That is who the man is. He is an historic disaster.

According to research that was published by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in February, in the last decade 372 people have been killed in instances involving political extremism. 74% of the murders were committed by right-wing extremists, 24% by Islamic extremists and just 2% by left-wing extremists. That includes nationalists from the African-American community. In other words, talk of both sides is more fake news being spewed out of the White House.

It must be pointed out however, in 2016 there was a decline in involvement of white racists in acts of murder. But their current prominence and development since the the ascent of Trump, and the neo-Nazi demonstrations in Charlottesville, is a cause for grave concern among Jews.

But we cannot remain blind to the fact that anti-Semitism does not only take root in far-right circles. Its manifestations has been a constantly accompanying political and academic elites on the left for two decades. And no, we are not merely talking about fringe groups, nor about officials occupying junior positions.And no, this is also not merely a phenomenon restricted to the margins of American establishments.

John Mearsheimer, one of the most prominent professors in the US, and one of the most established best-selling authors known for his vitriolic attacks against the pro-Israel lobby in the US, penned a blurb praising a book authored by Gilad Atzmon, a former Israeli, himself Jewish, and self-declared anti-Semite, whose opinions about Jews are absolutely identical, and sometimes even more despicable, than those espoused by the racists of Charlottesville.

Another renowned author is Professor Richard A. Falk, also Jewish, who is known mainly for his role as a special advisor to the UN Security Council, and as someone who stood behind a vicious report against Israel.

And the list goes on. Rasmea Odeh, a Palestinian terrorist who managed to received citizenship in the US by concealing her past, has been holding farewell events ahead of her expulsion from the US. The fact that Odeh killed two Israelis did not stop many people on the Left from turning her into a heroine. Nor did her continued incitement campaign against Israel.

Odeh was a respected guest at the last annual gathering of the Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) where she called for the destruction of Israel. Her calls were met with a loud applause by her listeners and a hug from the female rabbi, woe to her, Alissa Wise who is one of the leaders of the JVP. Only recently, Wise was barred entry into Israel for her support for the BDS movement.

Needless to say, that according to the definition of anti-Semitism that was recently approved by the European Parliament, both Wise and Odeh are anti-Semites in every sense of the word.

David Duke, the former leader of the Ku Klux Klan, and one of the most prominent members of white supremacist today, expresses opinions which perfectly align with those expressed by the anti-Zionist Left.

Duke was one of the first to come out in support of Mearsheimer's anti-Israel book, just as he was one of the more prominent Trump supporters. Not only do those two facts not contradict one another, but they reflect the very same ideology.

The very same language is being adopted by the Black Lives Matter activists, who have latched onto not only the BDS movement but also the horrific propaganda purporting Israel is committing war crimes.

Anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism are one and the same. Alt-left and Alt-right are one and the same. They are not two sides of the same coin. They are exactly the same side.

Photo: Reuters

One would assume that were I an American, I'd stand with the protestors against the Alt-right. My only question would be: where were Trump's many detractorswho are right in everything they say against the manwhen the Left produced so many anti-Semitic diatribes? Why were they silent? Precious few, such as journalist Jeffrey Goldberg and Professor Alan Dershowitz, published scathing criticism of it. But the rest of their friends in the academic elite were dead silent.

Racism, all racism, is reprehensible. But the display of racism by the neo-Nazis is Charlottesville was another thing entirely, not only because of its nature, but also because it received forgiveness from the president of the most important power in the world. That is a terrifying reality.

Between national liberation and humanism

I went on vacation to the French island of Corsica. Filipe Ben Shushan, a French-Jewish movie producer, (whose movie is now screening in Israeli cinemas) invited me to a meeting called Israel Corsica as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. Corsica isnt exactly a country. A two hour drive away, he said, on mountainous roads. I didnt know if that would be fun, I said to myself, but it had to be an experience. And indeed, it absolutely was an experience.

The meeting was held in the commune of Pianello on the island where 40 people were supposed to attend. A few were Jews and a few were locals but what was most surprising of all was the arrival of almost 200 attendants. Even a respected guest showed up, Edmond Simeoni, one of the leaders of the national movement in Corsica and a mythological figure among the local residents. It was worthwhile to attend just to hear him speak.

Corsica, it is worth mentioning, was a place of refuge for Jews on numerous occasions. The first wave of Jews landed on its shores after their expulsion from Spain. When Catholic rulers in France gave Jews the boot, Corsica once again was there for them and its residents willingly took them in. When Corsica was granted its short-lived independence, it invited thousands of Jews from Italy to become citizens.

In the Second World War, when Corsica was incorporated into the Nazit puppet Vichy regime, the tradition continued and not a single there Jew from the island was handed over to the Nazis. Simeoni viewed Jewish history and the national struggle of his own movement as if they were part of the same fabric.

US neo-Nazis

Nationalism could be separatist and xenophobic or it could be a struggle for liberation, for freedom, which included foreigners who wanted to be part of the national makeup and ethos. But as we know, this isnt always given to them. In Europe, the Jews wanted to be part of it, but they were rejected and separated. In Corsica though, the latter version of nationalism worked.

Simeoni married a Jewish woman whose family was from Poland. His son is now the president of Corsicas council. We, Simeoni told me, are part of the same Catholic Zionist family. That is how he defined himself.

Corsica is not known, of all things, for its love for foreigners. So how is it that, of all things, the tide of anti-Semitism did not wash up on its shores? When he was younger, Simeoni told me, he lived in a neighborhood with religious Jews. There he learned and grew to love them, particularly because for him, these Jews personified the symbol of integration and success. It isn't that the Corsicans are hostile to foreigners, the locals explained to me. Rather they are hostile to foreigners who don;t integrate.

And why, of all places, did the gathering take place in Pianello? It turns out that it was there that a local association asked to plant a tree as a symbol against racism and hatred of foreigners. The choice was in the casket of the chestnut tree from the window of Anne Frank. That was her only connection with the outside world.

Simeoni delivered his words at the foot of the tree. Here is lesson for Israel and all other nation states: It was a mix of national liberation and humanism that deterred nationalism and xenophobia. I travelled to Corsica for a holiday but I had the privilege there of receiving a fascinating lesson about nationalism and the brothers of nations.
MOUNT PLEASANT  A 49-year-old Mount Pleasant man is facing charges after he reportedly drove a Bobcat tractor drunk Friday afternoon.

Michael J. Kossack, 49, of the 3000 block of Kearney Avenue, netted a felony for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated  his fourth offense  and three counts of misdemeanor bail jumping.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Friday, a Mount Pleasant police officer was dispatched to 90th Street south of Braun Road after a caller reported that an employee had allegedly stolen a Bobcat front-end loader. The employee, Kossack, told the employer that he was taking the Bobcat to another farm his employer owned, but was reportedly seen leaving in the opposite direction.

Kossack told officers he'd missed a turn and had "not gotten around to turning around," the complaint said. Kossack reportedly smelled like intoxicants, was swaying and slurring his words.

Police asked Kossack if he'd been drinking. Kossack admitted to drinking the night before. After unsuccessfully attempting three field sobriety tests, Kossack's Breathalyzer results determined that he reportedly had a 0.308 blood-alcohol level. Kossack was then transported to the hospital for a blood draw for evidence purposes.

Police also discovered that Kossack had an open case and issued Kossack additional bail jumping charges, as he had been ordered not to commit any new offenses.

Kossack remained in jail as of Tuesday afternoon, online records show. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 31 in Racine County Circuit Court.
Israel and the US are gearing up to launch a new initiative aimed at expanding the powers and responsibilities assigned to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in its monitoring of Hezbollah, as the UN Security Council prepares to discuss this week the renewal of its mandate.

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Ahead of the discussions, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, derided what he described as UNIFIL's inaction as Hezbollah continues growing in strength. "Hezbollah is only increasing its power, while UNIFIL sticks its head in the sand," the ambassador said.

The UN's Lebanon peacekeeping force, UNIFIL (Photo: AFP)

Danon decried the force's apparent lackadaisical attitude toward carrying out its intended mission, as Hezbollah terrorists continue to conceal military stockpiles inside civilian populations and dig in inside residential buildings and homes.

"Hezbollah has been breaching UN Security Council resolutions on a regular basis and using civilian homes as military bases," Danon said. "The UN can no longer stand by and let this happen. It's time for UNIFIL to fulfill its intended task of bringing stability to the region."

Israel and the US, wholly dissatisfied with the nature of UNIFIL's actions which have not sufficed in preventing repeated violations by Hezbollah of Security Council resolutions, are working behind the scenes to change its mandate which would go into effect at the end of the month, in a way intended to transform the way it operates against Hezbollah.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon (Photo: AP)

In light of these events, Ambassador Danon communicated a list of Israeli demands to Security Council member states, delineating practical changes that needed to be taken in UNIFIL's operational functioning.

These demands include permitting entry into villages in areas controlled by Hezbollah, a measure UNIFIL has avoided thus far, a significant increase in military patrols and active checks on the ground, as opposed to merely reporting to the Lebanese army, and real-time reports to the Security Council on violations of decision 1701 (the Israeli-Hezbollah ceasefire at the end of the 2006 conflict).

Firmly throwing its weights behind the move, the United States declared during these behind-the-scenes talks it won't tolerate the Security Council "serving as a rubber stamp for UNIFIL's futile reports."

Concurrently, Israel sent chief army officers to the UN building in New York this week to brief Security Council delegates on the severity of the threat Hezbollah poses and the transformation of the organization into a state-like power.

UN Secretary-General to visit Israel

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Israel next week accompanied by Danon. The Secretary-General will touch down in Israel Sunday, August 27, for a three-day visit. On Monday Guterres will visit Yad Vashem, meet the President of Israel Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Photo: Reuters)

Later that day Guterres will be attending a special event on Israeli innovation in the Israel Museum.

On Tuesday the Secretary-General will visit the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and meet with representatives of the Palestinian leadership. On Wednesday he'll fly over Israel for an overhead view, tour the Gaza border communities and the Gaza Strip itself, before later speaking at The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot in Tel Aviv.

Ambassador Danon welcomed the Secretary-General's visit, saying, "Especially in light of the attempts to harm Israel on the UN stage, we expect the Secretary-General to present the true face of Israel, its impressive accomplishments and contributions to the world and the complex reality and challenges it faces in the tumultuous Middle East."
BEIRUT  Thousands of Iranian-backed fighters in Syria's central desert are advancing east, bringing Tehran closer to its goal of securing a land corridor to the Mediterranean Sea.

The route would stretch from Iran's border, through Iraq and provide Iran with unhindered land access to allies in Syria and Lebanon. It will be the biggest prize yet for Tehran in its involvement in Syria's six-year-old civil war.

The corridor would also facilitate movement of Iranian-backed fighters between Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon as well as the flow of weapons to Damascus and Lebanon's Hezbollah, Iran's main proxy group.
Prime Minister Netanyahu often boasts about his close relationship with his friends Russian President Putin and US President Trumpbut what do we actually get from the close ties with these friends, whom Netanyahu is mostly trying not to anger?

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Netanyahu, his office told us, was on his way to the Russian resort city of Sochi to meet with Putin and discuss with him Israel's concerns of the agreement taking shape between the Americans and the Russians to end the civil war in Syria, which is expected to leave Assad in power and aid the interests of Iran, Hezbollah and the Shiite militias.

In fact, after all of those coordination meetings and talks in recent years between Netanyahu and Putin, Israel is expected to find itself under the threat of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, who will be stationed right on the border in the Golan Heights. On its doorstep Israeli will be facing the threat of new rockets that would be manufactured at the factory Iran has built near Aleppo, which will be given to Hezbollah. It will be facing the threat of thousands of fighters from Afghan and Pakistani Shiite militias.

Netanyahu and Putin meet in Moscow (File photo: EPA)

This begs the question of how Israel is going to ensure its vital interests in this New Middle East, in which the controlling players are Russia and Iran.

Netanyahu is not expected to get help from his friend Trumpthe US under his presidency has no presence in the civil war in Syria, nor does it show any particular interest in aiding its allies. While the Americans did deliver a blow to Syrian regime targets after Assad used chemical weapons , all Trump is really doing is continuing his predecessor Obama's policy: Limited involvement in conflict zones.

And so for all the red lines Israel has set, it stands alone in defending them. During the fighting in Syria, Israel made it clear any Iranian attempt to transfer missiles and other weapons to Hezbollah would be met with a harsh response. Outgoing Air Force commander Amir Eshel even revealed IAF fighter jets carried out over a hundred airstrikes, destroying weapons convoys en route to Lebanon.

These strikes in recent years were made possible thanks to coordination protocols developed by the IDF and the Russian army in an effort to avoid misunderstandings and clashes. These coordination protocols have proven themselves to be effective. But what will Israel do when the Iranians consolidate their control of the area? Will Netanyahu set new red lines?

Sandy Berger, the US national security advisor in the Clinton administration, used to say the problem with the Israelis was that any red line they declare quickly fades into a pink line.

And so, Netanyahu might also discover his red lines are losing their potency in light of the new balance of power his good friend Putin is establishing in the area along with the Iranians. And this will be the prelude to an entirely different chapter in the tumultuous story of Israel's efforts to neutralize the Iranian threat.
TOKYO  The commander of the Navy's 7th Fleet will be dismissed after a series of warship accidents in the Pacific this year, two US officials said Wednesday.

One official said that Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin was being removed because of the leadership's loss of confidence in his ability to command.

The move follows four Navy accidents in the Pacific since late January, including two collisions that left sailors dead and missing.
BERLIN  Austria's foreign minister says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is taking his country in a "false and dangerous direction" away from the prerequisites needed for European Union membership.

Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz was quoted in Germany's Welt newspaper Wednesday saying Erdogan's "dealings with critics, those with different opinions and minorities is absolutely unacceptable."

He added that Erdogan "is showing definite dictatorial features."
The cancelation of the Western Wall egalitarian prayer area plan and the Settlement Regulation Law have been subject to stormy public debate, and rightly so. The two issues have reached the High Court's desk, and it is the High Court that would have to determine what to do with them. Several days ago, the High Court of Justice issued a temporary injunction against the Regulation Law. The Movement for Governance and Democracy condemned the injunction. A justified condemnation. Except this time, for a change, it is not the court's fault. It's the government's fault.

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The cancelation of the Western Wall plan and the Regulation Law have become landmarks. It may have been possible to allow a limited Regulation Law, inside the major settlement blocs, in areas Israel is expected to keep even under peace deals offered by the left wing. A similar law was passed by the government in the Turkish part of Cyprus and was even approved by the European Court of Human Rights. But if the law can apply to any hill in Judea and Samaria, it becomes a law that causes damage to Israel. This isn't a left-wing position. This is the position taken, in the early stages, by Benjamin Netanyahu and Naftali Bennett. But capitulation to the demands of the radical right wing has led to this unfortunate legislation.

Reform Jews praying at the Western Wall

So why did Netanyahu capitulate on both issues? Why did he lend a hand to decisions that hurt our national interests? Well, it happened because Netanyahu knew both decisions would reach the High Court. And, after all, the High Court's job is to pull the chestnuts out of the fire. But it's not a given the High Court would dance to Netanyahu's tune. It's not a given the Regulation Law would be struck down, despite having been frozen with an injunction, and it's not a given the High Court would overturn the decision to freeze the Western Wall plan. After all, the High Court is expected to act with restraint.

Herein lies the problem. The right-wing coalition allows itself, under Netanyahu's leadership, to make foolish decisions just to satisfy their voters. The right-wing politicians treat their voters as a volatile and stupid mob that needs to be fed its pound of flesh every few days. They're wrong. Most of the right-wing voters don't support canceling the Western Wall plan and would not have gone to the barricades even if the Knesset didn't vote on the Regulation Law.

The illegal settlement of Amona, the likes of which could benefit from the Regulation Law (Photo: Topview)

And just to show the problem is not between religious and secular, or right and left: it was only on Tuesday that Aryeh Deri called Tzohar Rabbi David Stav a "Reform Jew," which in Orthodox circles is considered to be an insult of the highest degree. Stav's sin is that the rabbis of the organization Tzohar, which he numbers among its leaders, oppose to the capitulation to the ultra-Orthodox.

These politicians prefer to make the harmful decisions and put these hot potatoes on the High Court's plate. That way they could tell themselves and those they consider a "mob" that they "did the right thing," because they proposed the legislation for the settlers, while on the other hand they hopeat least the serious ones among themthat the High Court would overturn these decisions to save Israel from itself, or at least from the anti-national coalition that governs it.

Even if the High Court does overturn both of the decisions, the damage to relations with American Jews has already permeated. Because of both the unnecessary Regulation Law and the cancelation of the Western Wall plan, Israel is viewed in the world as a little less democratic and a little less enlightened. The public discourse on the topic, and not just in the Jewish press, continues making waves. But to hell with national interests. Netanyahu's priorities are more cynical and less Zionist, and we're all paying the price.
Days before Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's meeting with US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoys Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt, Palestinian sources told the Al-Hayat newspaper Abbas has shown his disappointment with several international and local elements, including the current American administration.

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Abbas expects to receive some concrete replies to the conditions he placed on returning to the negotiations table with Israel, according to the report.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas meeting with Trump's Mid-East envoy Jared Kushner (Photo: Gettyimages)

The terms are similar to past terms posed by Abbas, including freezing Israeli construction in the disputed West Bank territory and striving towards a two-state solutionconditions the Trump administration has thus far refused to commit to.

Abbas's anger towards the Americans also stems from their objections to the sanctions he has imposed against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which harm not just the terror organization but also the strip's residents.

President Abbas meeting with Trump's Mid-East envoy Jason Greenblatt (Photo: Reuters)

The Palestinian president is therefore considering several political and diplomatic courses of action, the Al-Hayat report said, including turning to the United Nations General Assembly to achieve full membership for the Palestinians; or dismantling the Palestinian Authority, its government and legislative council and returning all PA responsibilities to the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Executive Committee, which would then be the only executive authority in the region.

The Palestinian Authority is also reportedly entertaining the notion of turning to the International Criminal Court in The Hague and a Palestinian delegation is therefore set to meet with the court's attorney general.

In a meeting held Tuesday between Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who's responsible for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and King Abdullah of Jordan, the two discussed efforts to jumpstart talks again and creating meaningful, serious negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, based on the two-state solution.

Jared Kushner meeting King Abdullah of Jordan

In the meeting, King Abdullah stressed the important role the United States plays in the peace process and to President Trump's commitment to achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Apart from the meeting in Jordan, the American delegation also met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Tuesday. The parties once again discussed the peace process as well as the war on terror.
CAIRO  Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry is no longer meeting US President Donald Trump's advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner on Wednesday, a copy of his schedule sent out to journalists showed.

A Foreign Ministry official said the meeting had been cancelled but did not provide a reason. Shoukry had been scheduled to meet with a US delegation led by Kushner to discuss the Middle East peace process.

Two US sources familiar with the matter said US authorities would deny Egypt $95.7 million in aid and delay a further $195 million payment over its failure to make progress on respecting human rights and democratic norms.
Egypt called off a scheduled meeting between its foreign minister and top US presidential adviser Jared Kushner on Wednesday after the United States decided to withhold millions of dollars in aid.

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But President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would meet the US delegation led by Kushner later in the day, al-Sisi's office said.

Two US sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday that Washington had decided to deny Egypt $95.7 million in aid and to delay a further $195 million because of its failure to make progress on respecting human rights and democratic norms.

"Egypt sees this measure as reflecting poor judgment of the strategic relationship that ties the two countries over long decades and as adopting a view that lacks an accurate understanding of the importance of supporting Egypt's stability," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Jared Kushner (Photo: MCT)

The decision could have "negative implications" on achieving common goals and interests between the two countries, it added.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry had been scheduled to meet the US delegation led by Kushner, a son-in-law to US President Donald Trump and a close adviser, on Wednesday in Cairo to discuss the Middle East.

But the meeting was cancelled immediately after the ministry released its statement, a copy of Shoukry's schedule sent out to journalists showed.

A foreign ministry official told Reuters the meeting had been cancelled but did not give a reason. A US embassy official in Cairo said Kushner's meeting with Shoukry had never been set in stone because "the schedule was never fixed."
Police arrested a 39-year-old man Tuesday morning on the suspicion of arson, threats and defacing propertyall hate crimes against atheists and non-Orthodox Jews.

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The suspect was linked to several incidents between 2014-2016 in which prominent atheist figures and activists were threatened with harm.

Among the incidents the suspect was linked to were spraying graffiti on the walls of a reform Ra'anana synagogue and the homes of central atheist figures, including Professor Yaakov Malkinhead of the International Institute for Humanistic Secular Judaismwhose mailbox was affixed with a knife.

A knife on the mailbox of Professor Yaakov Malkin

A covert investigation was conducted against the suspect, police said, after several incidents with similar characteristics took place in the central region and Jerusalem.

Graffiti on the door of International Institute for Humanistic Secular Judaism (Photo: Ariel Zaviv)

The suspect's arrest prevented him from carrying out further offenses, the police added, including physically harming prominent atheist figures.

Police investigators raided the suspect's home Tuesday morning, searched it and arrested him. His mother's home was also searched. The suspect will be brought before a judge Wednesday afternoon.
RACINE  A Racine woman was sentenced this week to three years in prison for robbing, battering and stabbing another woman who tried to help her last spring when the convicted woman was reportedly homeless.

Valerie A. Fisher, 33, of the 1600 block of West Street, was charged on May 31, 2016, with two counts of armed robbery, one count of aggravated battery and four counts of misdemeanor bail jumping in connection with the incident, which occurred on May 22 of that year.

According to the criminal complaint:

A Racine woman attempted to help Fisher, whom the victim said was homeless and a drug user, with clothes and food.

At a residence in the 1400 block of 12th Street, Fisher told the victim she wanted alcohol and drugs and demanded money, the complaint said. The victim refused, so Fisher reportedly punched the victim about a dozen times in the back of the head and then stabbed the victim in the hand and the leg with a wooden-handled serrated steak knife.

On June 6 of this year, Fisher  who according to court records has a string of convictions for drug possession, obstruction and prostitution in Dane and Racine counties  pleaded no contest to a single amended charge of robbery. Two misdemeanor bail jumping charges were dismissed but read into the record, according to court records.

During a hearing on Monday, Racine County Circuit Judge Mark Nielsen sentenced Fisher to three years in prison and three years on extended supervision for the robbery charge, online court records state.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, during which Netanyahu stated that Iran's growing role in Syria poses a threat to Israel, the Middle East and the world. Following their meeting, Netanyahu updated that he told Putin that Iran is looking to take over Syria, stating that "this does not fly with Israel."

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"Iran is increasing its efforts to establish its military foothold in Syria. That is dangerous for Israel, the Middle East and, I believe, the whole world. Iran is already in advanced stages of taking over Iraq and Yemen, and in effect it also controls Lebanon.

Putin and Netanyahu meet in Sochi (Photo: AFP)

"Mr. President, we are all defeating ISIS in a concerted international effort, and that is welcome. What is not welcome is Iran moving in everywhere ISIS moves out. We do not forget for one minute that Iran continues to threaten Israel's destruction every day; it is arming terrorist organizations and is itself instigating terrorism; and it is developing intercontinental missiles with the goal of arming them with nuclear warheads. For all these reasons, Israel continues to oppose Iran's entrenchment in Syria. We will defend ourselves in any way against this threat and any threat," Netanyahu told Putin during talks at Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.

"We cannot forget for a single minute that Iran threatens every day to annihilate Israel," Netanyahu said. "It (Iraned) arms terrorist organizations, it sponsors and initiates terror."

Putin did not address publicly Netanyahu's remarks about Iran's role in Syria. He did, however, hail what he described as an "efficient mechanism of cooperation" between Russia and Israel.

Netanyahu was accompanied in his meeting by the head of the Mossad and the head of Israels National Security Council.

The meeting between the Israeli and Russian leaders is the ninth to have taken place within the space of two years. Five such meetings have been held in Russia, as part of Israel's efforts to fend off any further threats posed by Iran on its doorstep.

In the last few weeks, Israel has been been in frantic contact with the Kremlin and the White House amid fears of Irans presence continuing in the area unabated in the event that the two powers put ink to any future agreement to end the Syrian conflict.

Putin and Netanyahu meet in Sochi (Photo: AFP)

Israeli hopes were dashed last week after a delegation of high ranking Israeli defense officials sent to Washington failed to secure a commitment from the Americans to ensure the inclusion of such a clause demanding the full withdrawal and exclusion of Iranian forces in the country.

Netanyahu discussed the matter via telephone numerous times with Putin and with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Similarly, security teams from Israel have also discussed the matter with their American counterparts on a number of occasions.

On Thursday however, the Israeli delegation came away from discussions in Washington anxious that Iran is now on the cusp of building naval, air and land bases in Syria and warned that such a reality would constitute the crossing of a red line which Israel would not be able to live with.

Russia intervened in Syria on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2015, its forces fighting what it deems Islamist terrorists. Russia is acting in partnership with Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group, Israel's arch-foes.

In the past few months, Russia has been the main broker of de-escalation zones set up in Syria. Israel worries those zones will allow Iranian troops and Hezbollah forces to deploy in greater strength.

Moscow argues its big-power clout deters Iran or Hezbollah from opening a new front with Israel.

In comments published last week, the chief of Israel's air force said Israel had struck suspected Hezbollah arms shipments in Syria around 100 times during the Syrian civil war, apparently without Russian interference and rarely drawing retaliation.
Police suspect six million euro served as "petty cash" for billionaire business magnate Beny Steinmetz for bribery deals he was allegedly involved in. Police investigators hold testimony basing suspicion a fraudulent Romanian real estate deal included transfer of funds intended for bribery, including 1.5 million euro to the wife of the former president of Guinea. Steinmetz denies the suspicions and claims all his dealings were aboveboard.

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Investigators of the police's Lahav 433 unit suspect that a fictitious 2009 land purchase deal for 9 million euro financed Steinmetz's bribery payments. According to the information with which they confronted him, one of the deals has to do with purchasing land from a very prominent figure in Israel's business community, worth 3 million euro that year.

Businessman Beny Steinmetz now faces bribery charges (Photo: Yair Sagi)

Investigators believe the land was then "bought" for 9 million euro, with the spare 6 million allegedly serving as "petty cash" for bribing different figures around the world, who received funds from the businessman buyer on the orders of Steinmetz.

"A week after the police came out with a high publicized arrest and made so much noise about a globe-spanning corruption affair, it turns out all they have are claims about the worth of a real estate deal," said Attorney Doron Rosenblum, who represents Steinmetz.

Attorney Doron Rosenblum, Steinmetz's attorney (Photo: Israel Joseph)

"This real estate transaction is completely legitimate and neither the fact of its existence nor its worth are under any debate," added Rosenblum. "Mr. Steinmetz once again stresses that no faults can be found in his business dealing and the arrest's sole purpose is to cover up for the fact the Guinea affair, on which he was investigated eight months ago, was never proven, nor was any wrongdoing whatsoever."

Steinmetz was released to a 15-day house arrest this past Friday, also having a 2-month stay of exit order served to him.

Due to the gag order place by the police on their investigation of the affair, the central piece of evidence it holds cannot be disclosed to the public. It can, however, be said that presiding Judge Menahem Mizrahi described the development as "dramatic."

Steinmetz denies any wrongdoing and claims he has never disrupted court proceedings, instead fully cooperating with investigators for eight months. "We've done nothing. There's nothing here and there'll never be anything here. I'm obviously not obstructing. A warrant for my arrest is horrible," he said in one of the prior remand hearing.

Steinmetz and four additional businesspeople were arrested more than a week ago on charges of bribery, money laundering, forging and falsifying corporate documents, fraud, breach of trust and disruption of court proceedings. The FBI and Swiss police are also involved in the investigation.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said Wednesday an amendment to Israel's nationality act that went into force this month allows those engaged in hostile activity to be stripped of their citizenship in absentia.

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"I asked that the citizenship of 20 such Israelis be revoked," he told Israeli Army Radio.

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

The Shin Bet security service has in the past estimated that several dozen Israeli nationals had been fighting for ISIS in Iraq and Syria but now says that "about 20" remain active.

The remainder, it says, were either killed in action or returned to Israel, where they were arrested.

Deri said that the amendment would prevent ISIS recruits from returning to the country, while also acting as a deterrent to young Israelis considering similar journeys.

Without the bill, he said, they would return to the country and eventually "carry out another car ramming attack."

He said each individual decision would receive due process.

The ISIS flag in Syria (Photo: AP)

Israeli TV Channel 2 reported Tuesday that most of those to be stripped of their citizenship were Arabs.

However, it said, two were originally Jewsimmigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union who had converted to Islam and joined the fighting in Syria.

The Shin Bet has said that ISIS sympathizers among the Jewish state's Arab minority pose a "serious security threat" for Israel.

By the end of 2016, 83 people, most of them Arab Israelis, were behind bars in Israel as suspected ISIS sympathizers, up from just 12 a year earlier, according a recent report.

Some were arrested for planning to travel to Syria or Iraq to fight alongside the jihadists, or on their return to Israel.

Others were detained for contacts on the internet with ISIS militants abroad or for planning attacks at home.
BEIRUT  Lebanon's prime minister has visited troops near his country's border with Syria, and said that victory against the Islamic State group is near.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri spoke to reporters on Wednesday in Ras Baalbek, where he inspected the military's command center for the ongoing military operation against hundreds of IS militants.

The US-backed Lebanese military is now preparing for the last phase of the operation that began last week to end the militants' presence along the border.
After a series of successful training and pilot flights, a Kochavstar in Hebrewis born in the form of the Elbit Hermes 900 operational drone which has been incorporated into Israels air force.

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The new remote Israeli medium-sized drone is the improved version of its predecessor, the Elbit Hermes 450. The main objective in its redevelopment was to double its power and capabilities in a an array of aspects, namely size, load capacity, air time capability and distance abilities.

The newly-operational Kochav drone in action (:  ")

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In addition to the multiple changes made to the UAV, several elements and characteristics of its predecessor have been maintained, including its communication system, the way in which it is operated and maintenance methods.

Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

Despite the similarities between the two drones however, the Kochav could not be automatically incorporated into the air force without required adaptation, training and test flights to comprehensively ready it for military use.

Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

The process of introducing it into the air force was already underway by the beginning of Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

According to the Israel Air Force, developers of the Kochav have met the core multiple requirements, including extending its power capacity and air time. Moreover, the quantity of equipment that can be attached to the Kochav has been significantly increased. This is a quantum leap in technological capabilities, said one IDF official.

The kochav is nine meters long, with a wingspan of 16 meters. It can reach an impressive maximum speed of 200kph and can stay in the air for up to 30 hours.
France's interior minister says some of the men suspected in last week's deadly attacks in Spain visited the Paris region two days beforehand.

Standing next to Spain's visiting interior minister, Gerard Collomb said Wednesday "we are working to determine why the authors of the attacks came to Paris and what they did in the Paris region."

He said a day earlier an Audi used by the attackers in the Spanish town of Cambrils had been flagged for speeding outside Paris, but did not specify when.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that Israel will intervene to make sure that Russia is allowed to take part in the Holocaust memorial project taking shape at the Sobibor Nazi extermination camp. This after Poland decided to exclude Russia from a commemoration project

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Netanyahu's announcement regarding Sobibor was reported by the Kremlin's official website.

"We, and I personally, will never forget the historic role that Russia and the Soviet army played in defeating Nazism. We say this everywhere, at all venues. We recently declared this in the Israeli Knesset," Netanyahu told Putin during their meeting.





Putin (L) and Netanyahu (Photo: AFP)

"Israel cannot have objections to Russias participation in the important project at former concentration camp Sobibor. The Soviet officer of Jewish origin who led the famous uprising at Sobibor is naturally celebrated as a national hero in Russia and in Israel."

Photo: MCT

The two leaders also discussed the Iranian threat, will Netanyahu stating that "Iran is increasing its efforts to establish its military foothold in Syria. That is dangerous for Israel, the Middle East and, I believe, the whole world. Iran is already in advanced stages of taking over Iraq and Yemen, and in effect it also controls Lebanon.

"We are all defeating ISIS in a concerted international effort, and that is welcome," continued Netanyahu. "What is not welcome is Iran moving in everywhere ISIS moves out. We do not forget for one minute that Iran continues to threaten Israel's destruction every day; it is arming terrorist organizations and is itself instigating terrorism; and it is developing intercontinental missiles with the goal of arming them with nuclear warheads. For all these reasons, Israel continues to oppose Iran's entrenchment in Syria."

While Putin did not publicly address Netanyahu's remarks about Iran's role in Syria. He did, however, hail what he described as an "efficient mechanism of cooperation" between Russia and Israel.

The meeting between the Israeli and Russian leaders is the ninth to have taken place within the space of two years. Five such meetings have been held in Russia, as part of Israel's efforts to fend off any further threats posed by Iran on its doorstep.
Amanda Hanna, who won the 2017 Miss Lebanon Emigrant Beauty Pageant, has been stripped of her title over her 2016 visit to Israel.

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Hanna, who is Swedish-Lebanese, visited Israel as part of an academic tour, using her Swedish passport to enter the state. She lost her title just a week after winning it.

Amanda Hanna (L) after her win

"After communicating our decision with Lebanon's Minister of Tourism, he decided that Hanna should be stripped of her title because her visit to Israel violates our country's laws," a statement from the pageant's organizing committee said.

According to the Independent, the organizers have not yet announced whether the second-place winner will claim Hanna's spot.

On August 14, after winning the pageant, Hanna published a post on Facebook in which she thanked her supporters.

At first I was skeptical about it, but it turned out that I was wrong," Hanna wrote. "It has been one of the best weeks of my life, where I have, among other things, had to go around in Lebanon & visit wonderful places. I've gotten to know people who have come to stand close to me & I have developed in particular as a person. It has been a wonderful trip & I am incredibly happy that I participated."

Hanna (R) with friends at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel in 2016

Lebanon has a cultural ban on Israel, which it considers an enemy state, and prohibits its citizens from traveling there and from Israeli citizens from entering the state.

Lebanon has even banned the movie Wonder Woman over its lead actor being an Israeli citizen and a former IDF soldier. Furthermore, this is not the first Israel-Lebanon incident that takes place against the backdrop of beauty contests.

During the Miss Universe contest in 2015, Miss Lebanon almost lost her title after social networks called for her to be punished following a selfie in which Miss Israel, Doron Matalon, was also present.

At the time. Miss Lebanon, Saly Greige, claimed Matalon had harassed her with selfie requests during the competition.

"Since the first day of my arrival to participate to Miss Universe, I was very cautious to avoid being in any photo or communication with Miss Israel, who tried several times to take a photo with me, Greige said.

I was having a photo with Miss Japan and Miss Slovenia, (when) suddenly Miss Israel jumped in and took a selfie, and uploaded it on her social media.
Iran and Saudi Arabia will exchange diplomatic visits soon, Tehran said on Wednesday, indicating a possible thaw in relations between the regional rivals since they severed diplomatic ties last year.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) that the visits could take place after the haj pilgrimage ends in the first week of September.

"The visas have been issued for both sides to make this trip," Zarif said, according to ISNA. "We are waiting for the final steps to be completed so diplomats from the two countries can inspect their embassies and consulates."

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are at their worst in years, with each accusing the other of subverting regional security and supporting opposite sides in conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
The US ambassador to Pakistan has met with that country's army chief two days after President Donald Trump warned Pakistan to stop harboring insurgents who are battling US forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistan's military said Ambassador David Hale briefed Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa on Trump's new Afghan war strategy. The US president announced the new strategy late Monday but provided few details about how he plans to win America's longest war, which began nearly 16 years ago.

The military statement quoted Bajwa as saying Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan.

US officials and analysts have long said Pakistan tolerates the presence of the Afghan Taliban and the allied Haqqani network, which are leading the insurgency against Afghan and US forces.
RACINE  A former Mount Pleasant man, who pleaded no contest to a substantial battery charge for breaking another mans cheekbone with a brick, has been sentenced to two months in jail and two months on probation.

Broc C. Jones, 36, now of the 600 block of Wolff Street in Racine, was charged on April 4, 2016, with substantial battery  intending bodily harm, a felony, and disorderly conduct. According to the criminal complaint, Jones and the victim were at the Boiler Room bar, 5200 Washington Ave., at about 2 a.m. when Jones accused the other man of groping his female friend.

Jones punched the man in the face, and then returned moments later  after the pair was separated  and hit him in the face with the brick.

In a plea agreement reached in June, Jones pleaded no contest to the substantial battery charge, with prosecutors recommending that he be sentenced to probation, according to online court records. The disorderly conduct charge was dismissed but read into the record.

On Tuesday, Racine County Circuit Court Judge Mark Nielsen sentenced Jones to two years on probation and six months in jail, online court records state, but stayed four months of the jail sentence.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday told US Secretary of Defence James Mattis that Turkey felt unease over US support for Kurdish militant group YPG, presidential sources said.

In a statement following meetings between Mattis and Turkish officials, the sources said the two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq, as Kurdish northern Iraq gears up for an independence referendum in September.

Both Turkey and the United States have voiced concerns over the referendum, with the former's Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, saying earlier on Wednesday he would ask Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani to cancel it.
Police in Finland on Wednesday arrested two more suspects in connection with last week's stabbings that killed two people and wounded eight in a knife rampage in the southwestern city of Turku, authorities said.

Police said they detained the two men on suspicion "of preparation of an offense to be committed with terrorist intent," bringing the total number of arrests to six.

On Tuesday, a regional court ordered that the main suspectan 18-year-old Moroccan asylum-seekerbe detained on suspicion of terrorist crimes, including two counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder.

Three alleged accomplicesall believed to be Moroccanwere ordered to be held on suspicion they helped plan the attack.
The United States wants to know if the United Nations atomic watchdog plans to inspect Iranian military sites to verify Tehran's compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on Tuesday.

Haley met International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials in Vienna on Wednesday for what she described as a fact-finding mission, which is part of President Donald Trump's review of the deal Iran made with world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most sanctions.

"If you look ... at past Iranian behavior, what you've seen is there have been covert actions at military sites, at universities, things like that," Haley, a member of Trump's cabinet, told Reuters in an interview.

"There were already issues in those locations, so are they including that in what they look at to make sure that those issues no longer remain?" she said. "They have the authority to look at military sites now. They have the authority to look at any suspicious sites now. It's just are they doing it?"

She said she was traveling to Vienna to ask questions, not to push the IAEA to do anything.
Lebanon's prime minister visited troops near the border with Syria on Wednesday, saying victory against Islamic State militants in the frontier region is near.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri spoke to reporters in Ras Baalbek, where he inspected the command center for the ongoing military operation against hundreds of IS militants, which was launched on Saturday.

"I never doubted the Lebanese army." Hariri said.

The US-backed Lebanese military is now preparing for the final phase of the operation. The military says it controls over 80 percent of the areas previously held by IS and has driven the militants from some 100 square kilometers (40 square miles).

The Syrian army and its ally, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, have launched a simultaneous operation to clear IS from the Syrian side of the border in the western Qalamoun mountain range. Hezbollah has been fighting in Syria alongside President Bashar Assad's forces since 2013.
Egypt's president and foreign minister met with White House adviser Jared Kushner on Wednesday, just hours after the Trump administration cut or delayed hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Cairo over human rights concerns.

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Kushner, who is also US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, was in Cairo as part of a Middle East tour aimed at exploring ways to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which last collapsed in 2014.

Kushner (Photo: MCT)

A modified version of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry's schedule had earlier showed the meeting with Kushner canceled, which was widely seen as a snub in protest at the aid cuts. But Shoukry later sat in on Kushner's meeting with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi and met with the American delegation separately at the Foreign Ministry.

Kushner's delegation includes US Envoy for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt, the, and Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell.

The Trump administration on Tuesday cut nearly $100 million in military and economic aid to Egypt and delayed almost $200 million more in military financing, citing Egypt's poor human rights record and its crackdown on civic and other non-governmental groups.

The move came as a surprise to many, given the close ties forged since Trump took office. The US president has repeatedly hailed el-Sisi as a key ally in the fight against terrorism.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Cairo regretted the US decision, calling it a "misjudgment of the nature of the strategic relations that have bound the two countries for decades."

It said the move "reflects the lack of careful understanding of the importance of supporting the stability and success of Egypt as well as the size and nature of the security and economic challenges faced by the Egyptian people." The decision, it warned, may have "negative consequences for the realization of common US-Egyptian interests." It did not elaborate further.

Egypt is among the top recipients of US military and economic assistance, receiving about $1.5 billion annually. The $1.3 billion in military aid and $250 million in economic aid is linked to Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel, and underpins a US-Egyptian security relationship that is now mostly aimed at fighting terrorism.

In recent years, Egypt has clamped down on civil society, particularly human rights groups and other organizations that receive foreign funding. Such groups played a central role in the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak, and pro-government media often present them as part of a conspiracy to undermine the state.

The authorities have arrested thousands of people since el-Sisi led the 2013 military overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi, an Islamist who won the country's first freely contested election.

Most of those in detention are Islamist supporters of Morsi, but a number of prominent liberal and secular activists have also been jailed.

Trump made no public mention of human rights when he warmly welcomed el-Sisi to the White House in April, an omission that many took as a sign that the issue was not a priority for the administration.

But two months later, two senators from Trump's Republican Party slammed as "draconian" a new Egyptian law that effectively bans the work of non-governmental organizations and urged its repeal.

Egypt has defended the law, which provoked an international backlash, saying it was drafted and approved according to its constitution.

Egypt is grappling with an insurgency by Islamic militants in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, an ailing economy and a rapidly growing population of 93 million. The militants, led by a local affiliate of the extremist Islamic State group, have in recent months targeted Egypt's large Christian minority, killing scores in a spate of attacks.

Kushner has meanwhile been trying to revive Middle East peace talks, which last collapsed in 2014. He has made little evident progress, and has yet to lay out a clear vision for what Trump has called the "ultimate deal."

He and his delegation traveled to Jordan on Tuesday, where they met with King Abdullah II. They also visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to local media reports.

On Thursday, the delegation is expected to hold separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but no major breakthroughs are expected. Ahead of their meeting, pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat quoted Abbas as saying he was disappointed in Trump adminstration's attitude regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Trump has yet to fully endorse a two-state solution, which has been at the heart of US policy for nearly two decades. He has said it's up to Israel and the Palestinians to decide the shape of a final settlement.
Actors from the Israeli Habima and Cameri theaters will join forces to preserve the ancient Jewish cemetery of the city of Bitola in Macedonia, Which lost its entire Jewish population during the Holocaust.

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Two years after the actors visited, they decided to put on a special show whose proceeds would be devoted to the rehabilitation of the cemetery and about 6,000 of its neglected tombstones.

A neglected tombstone in the Jewish cemetery in Bitola, Macedonia

The team of actors from both theaters visited the Balkans on their tour for the show "Our Class," which deals with the complicated ties between Poles and Jews during the Second World War. It was staged in four countries.

During their stay in the city of Bitola, the actors visited the ancient Jewish cemetery in the city where 10,000 Jews have been buried from 1497the days of the expulsion from Spain until the Second World War.

These graves are almost the only remnant left by the large Jewish community of Macedonia, which numbered 7,144 people on the eve of World War II, and was annihilated by the Nazis.

Touched by the sad tale of the city's Jewish community, the actors are set to stage a special performance of "Our Class," directed by Hanan Snir, with all proceeds going towards preserving the ancient cemetery.

The special performance will take place at the Habima National Theater on August 27, with ten actors appearing in the performancefive from Habima and five from Cameri.

The Israeli ambassador to Macedonia, Dan Orian, took the rehabilitation of the cemetery as a personal project and has managed to rehabilitate around 3,800 of its 10,000 graves.

"The Jews of Bitola were hit first by the Nazis and then by neglect," said Israeli Ambassador to Macedonia Dan Orian, who took the preservation and protection of the cemetery as a personal project and has managed to save around 3,800 of its 10,000 graves from complete destruction. "We are trying to bring the story back to our consciousness and create a new and unique connection with Israel."

"As we were previously worked towards preserving the heritage, culture and memory of entire communities destroyed in the Holocaust, we do so again in an emotional endeavor that brings our trip from two years ago full circle," said Odelia Friedman, Habima General Manager.

Top-down view of the Jewish cemetery in Bitola

At the outbreak of World War II, the Jewish community of Macedonia was assembled in the capital of Skopje, and in March 1943 all its members were deported to the Treblinka Nazi extermination camp, together with the rest of the Jews of Macedonia, where they were exterminated by the Nazis.

There are no Jewish residents left in Bitola.

In the last two years, the cemetery was slowly turned into a memorial park for the legacy of the city's Jewish residents, though when it comes to the grave sites, Ambassador Orian said that the project is currently NIS 300,000 short for its overall plan of cleaning, restoring and preserving all salvageable, adding that if they had the funds, they could "complete the entire process within a year."

"Our goal is to document all the tombstones on a digital format so that they are accessible to everyone on the internet," Orian said.

According to him, the Macedonian government joined the initiative, with three ministers took part in the launch event for the cemetary's restoration.

Orian added that the mayor of Bitola promised to maintain the cemetery after its restoration.

"There is tremendous importance to the restoration of the cemetery," Orion concluded.
The head of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon is pushing back after US and Israeli criticism of the mission, saying Wednesday that his force has no evidence that weapons are being illegally transferred to the Hezbollah-dominated south.

The UN Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the force, known as UNIFIL, which is due to expire Aug. 31. US and Israel officials have called for improvements in its efforts to prevent Hezbollah from expanding its arsenal following the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group.

Maj. Gen. Michael Beary defended the 10,500-strong force, saying it has successfully maintained the peace for more than a decade, and prevented any major "misunderstandings" from erupting between Israel and Hezbollah.

"We should not be looking to upset that," the Irish commander told The Associated Press on Wednesday aboard the Brazilian flagship for the UNIFIL maritime force.

He said his force's mandate is "viable" and has enabled his mission to deploy south of the Litani river and along most of the 110-kilometer (68-mile) frontier between Israel and Lebanon. It also allows for patrols and helicopter reconnaissance missions.
Five daysthis is the time frame Iran said Tuesday it needs in order to ramp up its uranium enrichment to 20 percent, a level at which the material could be used for a nuclear weapon.

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"If the Iranians can actually reach enriched uranium at 20 percent, it means that within a few weeks they'll be able to reach a reasonable amount at an even higher percentageand then we'll have a problem," says Dr. Emily B. Landau, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and head of the Arms Control and Regional Security Program.

Dr. Emily Landau

"This is an Iranian attempt to deter the Trump administration from imposing further sanctions and punitive measures against their very provocative behavior," Landau added. "Even if the Iranians cannot achieve that target within five days, we still have a problem because Iran continues its aggressive path.

"You have to remember that such threats were also made during the time of Obama, who as president did everything to calm Iran."

Under the nuclear agreement signed in 2015 with the group of six world powers (the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany), Iran relinquished most of its uranium enriched at 20 percent.

"From the beginning, the agreement was problematic," said Landau. "It is a weak agreement full of loopholes, and its problems are being exposed one by one.

"We now understand that in a few weeks or months they'll be able to stock up (on enriched Uraniumed), so what did this agreement accomplish? And what can be done against their threats? It is too late to cancel the agreement, but it has to be reinforced by a number of clauses.

"The attitude toward Iran's behavior must be changed: missile tests, increased presence in Syria, the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah, and the establishment of missile manufacturing plants in Lebanon and Syria. All these things must be answered with determination."

According to Landau, "Iran is acting in a way that allows us to predict its moves. The fact that it is rational does not mean that it is not aggressive, or that it does not have an agenda of regional hegemony. We slowly see how it expresses these (points). It spreads out, so that wherever anyone else leavesIran enters. We see this in both Iraq and Syria.

"This is a dangerous regime for the Middle East," concluded Landau. "Not only for Israel, but for all countries."
70 years after the destruction of the Holocaust, the mikvehs of the Great Synagogue of Vilna, the capital of Lithuania, were uncovered, so revealed the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) on Wednesday.

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A joint delegation of Israeli, Lithuanian and American archaeologists uncovered in July the remains of two mikvehs, or ritual baths, which were used by the Jewish community in Vilna, under the ancient synagogue.

Part of a Mikveh uncovered (Photo: Jon Seligman)

The mikvehs that were discovered revealed paved walls and floors, steps leading to the mikveh basin and an auxiliary water reservoir used to collect water for the mikveh, in order to make it kosher for purification.

In a study carried out last year, evidence was found of the existence of underground cavities, which led to the excavation of the site and the exposure of the ritual baths.

Photo: Jon Seligman

For the purpose of the study, they used the building's architectural plans, which were created in the late 19th century and preserved in the municipal archive of the Lithuanian capital. The bathhouse consisted of two main floors, many rooms and a large bathroom.

It is also possible to identify two installations identified by the researchers as mikveh, which served to direct the archaeological excavation.

Photo: Jon Seligman

"Most of the historical descriptions of the Great Synagogue in Vilna and the community hall (the Schulhof) dealt with the Great Synagogue and the surrounding chapels," explained Dr. Yohanan (Jon) Seligman of the IAA, who led the research. "Until now we had little information about the mikveh and the bathhouse of the Jewish community, which comprised almost half of the city's population."

A school on the ruins of the synagogue

The synagogue was built about four hundred years ago, between 1633 and 1635, in the Renaissance-Baroque style, and became the center of the spiritual life and community of Jews who settled in the city a few decades earlier.

The complex included the building of the community council, 12 synagogues and beth midrash, mikvehs, kosher meat stalls, as well as the beth midrash of the Gaon (genius) of Vilna, Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman.

Photo: Jon Seligman

When the Nazis invaded Vilna in the 1940s, the Vilna community was totally destroyed, and with it the ancient synagogue, which was looted and burned. The Soviet authorities completely destroyed its remains after the war, and a modern school was built on its ruins.

In addition to Dr. Seligman, the study was led by Mantas Daubaras of the Lithuanian Cultural Heritage Organization and Prof. Richard Freund of Hartford University.

The researchers date the mikvehs to the beginning of the twentieth century, saying: "These discoveries add a new dimension to our understanding of the daily lives of the Jews of Vilna. They will certainly provide a new focus for understanding the lost cultural heritage of the Vilna Jewish community."
YORK  What started out as a felony has been reduced to a misdemeanor in a case involving methamphetamine.

Kimberly Sprau, 42, of Eustis, appeared in York County District Court this past week to change her plea as part of an agreement with the prosecution.

She and her husband, Donnie Sprau, 47, were both charged with Class 4 felonies, according to court documents, after they were stopped by a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol on Interstate 80.

The Spraus had an expired license plate, the trooper said, and a stop was initiated. The trooper said he could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle.

A probable cause search was conducted and troopers found two methamphetamine pipes with residue in a backpack and two more in the front console. They also found 30 grams of marijuana.

They also found there was a full extradition warrant issued for Donnie Sprau in Iowa.

This week, Kimberly Sprau pleaded no contest to attempted possession of methamphetamine, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

She is now facing a possible maximum jail sentence of one year and/or a $1,000 fine.

Sentencing will take place Oct. 10.
RACINE  A drug bust at a local hotel led Racine County sheriffs deputies to apprehend a Waukegan, Ill., man wanted for homicide.

Farid Rakin, 49, was arrested Tuesday along with Nicole Maise, 27, of Kenosha, at a Racine hotel. During the arrest, deputies reportedly found in their hotel room 5.5 grams of heroin, 137.8 grams of cocaine, 3.6 grams of marijuana, prescription medications, U.S. currency, cellphones, a Quest card, drug packaging material and digital scales, according to a Sheriffs Office news release.

Sheriffs officials in their release did not list the name nor the address of the hotel.

Rakin was wanted in Waukegan for homicide and aggravated battery with a firearm, according to the release. He faces possible additional charges of possession of heroin with intent to deliver, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of THC and maintaining a drug trafficking place.

Maise also potentially faces those four drug charges, with possession of heroin and cocaine charges as a party to a crime.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Rakin is the suspect in the June 5 killing of Ciera Q. Davis, 24, in Waukegan.

According to Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper, Davis died of multiple gunshot wounds she sustained as she started to drive her car away from a house party at 4:30 a.m. on June 5 in the 1600 block of 11th Street, the Tribune reported.

Her vehicle was in the middle of the road, and both the passengers side and drivers side windows were shot out, according to police. When police arrived, there was no victim, but Vista Medical Center East personnel notified them a short time later that someone had just brought in a shooting victim and the woman had died, authorities said.
Property owners whore looking for a reputable real estate agent to sell or lease their property are often daunted by the task. What qualities and qualifications should they look for in a real estate agent?

We asked Rafael Niesten and Jon Stul, co-founders of Bricks + Agent, for some practical advice and actionable tips.

Tip #1: Find an agent who knows the local market well.

First and foremost, Niesten said, the agent should be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of recent sales in the area. In particular, [they should] be able to discuss what comparable properties are currently or recently on the market, what they had sold for and what attributes or negatives influenced the sales price.

Agents should also demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of local amenities. They should be familiar with all the local facilities, schools, public transport and places to eat, lifestyle features or whatever makes the area a desirable one, Niesten said.

Contrary to popular opinion, the number of properties an agent has sold in the area isnt as important as the aforementioned, but is still a major deciding factor when considering an agent.

The property owner should be confident they are in the hands of an expert. If the agent cant convince the owner, then they will not be in a good position to convince potential purchasers of the real value of the property.

Tip #2: Avoid hiring an agent just because theyre the most affordable.

As with any other product or service, you get what you pay for, according to Jon Stul.

If a vendor can negotiate an agent down in fees, what confidence would the vendor have in the agents contract negotiation skills to get the best price?, Stul said. Logically if a good agent has several property listings where they are getting full or close to full fees, and one worth half the fee  where do you think their focus will be?

Consider why you are hiring them. Is it because theyre the cheapest or truly are the best person for the job? The best agents are great negotiators, committed and motivated to get the best possible outcome for their client., he added.

Tip #3: Use a suitable property portal to select the right agent for you.

Property owners can use a reputable property portal or referral service to evaluate different agents. Great services to try include Bricks + Agent, OpenAgent, Agent Select, and Local Agent Finder.

These services can help you find the right agent to sell or lease your property by helping you:

 Find and compare high-performing local agents

 Compare agents commission, fees, and levels of experience

 Contact different agents (some services also allow you to make anonymous voice or video calls to get to know agents)

Some of these services also provide customer reviews of agents and agencies, and supply free reports on your neighbourhood and property to help you make the most informed decisions.

Would A Proptech Startup Succeed In Australia?

Valuable Tips And Insights Ahead Of The Peak Buying Season
New figures from the 2016 census reveals that nearly one in 10 homes in the Inner West are currently vacant, prompting calls for a crackdown on investors who leave their properties unoccupied.

A record 10,525 homes were left vacant in the Inner West, Canada Bay, Burwood, and Strathfield council areas on census night, an increase of 1,525 homes from 2011. An analysis conducted by The Courier shows these vacant properties could accommodate the 5,100 people in the regions social housing waiting list - twice over, as average wait times now top 10 years.

According to experts, a number of factors are exacerbating this phenomenon, including laws that encourage investors to keep their properties empty, developers whore waiting for rezoning approvals, and homes in transition between sales.

Laurence Troy, research fellow at the UNSW City Futures Research Centre, noted that the driver in property investment [is] no longer rental income but capital gains.

Investors might keep a house untenanted because its easier to resell in future if they dont need to wait for the end of a lease, Troy said. Some owners choose not to  rent it out when they can quickly sell and pocket the capital gains.

Census data indicates that the Inner West Council had the highest number of empty homes (6,080), followed by Canada Bay (2,659), Strathfield (915), and Burwood (883).

The Inner West Council has launched an investigation into these figures, following a motion by former councilor John Stamolis. We need to find out why vacancies are increasing before charging headlong into building more units, he said.

The NSW Federation of Housing Associations (NSWFHA) has proposed slamming long-term vacant properties with higher council rates.

If youre not using the home as a place for people to live ... in this crisis  its reasonable theres an extra charge, said Wendy Hayhurst, CEO of the NSW Federation of Housing Associations.

Related Stories:

Why Are So Many Homes Being Left Vacant By Owners?

Can You Negatively Gear An Empty House?
As a homeowner, you probably already know that you should be working to maintain your home. But, chances are, you Read More
CAN CommTech 2017 to begin from Sept 14

Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN) will be organising CAN CommTech from September 14 to September 17, 2017 at Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall, Kathmandu.
Cairo: Egypt on Wednesday protested a US decision to withhold some military aid as a US delegation including presidential adviser Jared Kushner was in Cairo for meetings on the Middle East peace process.Kushner was in Cairo for meetings on the Middle East peace process.

The decision to withhold some financial and military aid came as a surprise after President Donald Trump pledged strong tries with the key US ally after they had deteriorated under his predecessor Barack Obama.

The US delegation on a regional visit had been scheduled to meet Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Wednesday, but the meeting was dropped from the latest schedule sent to reporters by his spokesman`s office.

Egyptian media however quoted President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi`s spokesman Alaa Youssef as saying the president would meet the delegation.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said it "regrets the decision" to reduce some funds allocated under a US assistance programme and withhold the disbursement of other military aid.

It provided no details of the cuts, but US media reports said Washington on Tuesday denied Egypt $96 million in aid and delayed $195 million in military funding because of concerns over its human rights record.

"Egypt considers this step as a misjudgment of the nature of the strategic relations that binds the two countries over decades," the foreign ministry said.

The move "implies a mixing of cards that may have negative repercussions," it said.

The New York Times quoted the State Department as saying the move followed a lack progress on human rights and a new law restricting activities of nongovernmental organisations.

Trump`s arrival in office earlier this year saw an improvement in relations with Egypt, after Obama had given Sisi the cold shoulder over rights issues.

Obama temporarily suspended military aid to Egypt after the July 2013 overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and a bloody crackdown on Morsi`s supporters that followed.

Sisi in May ratified the NGO law, which critics say will severely restrict the work of civil society, including by banning studies without prior permission from the state, with large fines for violating the law.

Trump set aside criticism of Sisi`s rights record while pledging to maintain support for the key US ally, which receives an annual $1.3 billion in military aid.

Egyptian authorities have been fighting an insurgency based in the north of the Sinai Peninsula, where an Islamic State group affiliate has killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen.

The Pentagon is also concerned with preventing jihadists from crossing Libya`s porous border with Egypt.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has defended his white supremacist response to the Charlottesville violence -- omitting that he blamed "many sides" for the clashes -- and also threatened to shut down the government, if necessary, to built a wall along the Mexico border.

Trump, stung by days of criticism that he sowed racial division in the country after the Charlottesville violence, told supporters at a "Make America Great Again" rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday that he strongly condemned "neo-Nazis, white supremacists and the KKK", CNN reported.



Vice President Mike Pence and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson also attended the rally.



During the 80-minute speech, Trump also took aim at the media and blamed them for giving far right groups "a platform". He said the media misrepresented what he insisted was his prompt, unequivocal condemnation of bigotry and hatred.



Trump held media responsible for deepening divisions in the country, the New York Times reported.



In retelling his remarks on the August 12 violence that left one woman dead, Trump omitted his reference to "many sides" in his first response to the clashes, and also his reference to "both sides" -- both seen as equating neo-Nazis with counter-protesters.



"What happened in Charlottesville strikes at the core of America. And tonight, this entire arena stands united against the thugs who perpetrate hatred and violence," Trump said.



"I hit `em with neo-Nazi, I hit `em with everything. KKK? We have KKK. I got `em all," Trump said sardonically of his rebuke to Charlottesville racists, after being faulted for failing to condemn those groups in his initial response on the day of the clashes.



Talking about the Mexico wall, the President threatened to shut down the federal government if his proposal to build the wall is not approved and funded by the lawmakers.



"Build that wall. Now the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me if we have to close down our government, we`re building that wall," Trump said.



He also predicted an end for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada following a round of renegotiations last week.



"(...) I must be honest (...) Personally, I don`t think we can make a deal because we have been so badly taken advantage of," Trump said.



The President also hinted that he could pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who became a national symbol of the crackdown on undocumented immigrants.



Thousands from across Arizona flocked to Phoenix Convention Centre to protest the rally. Democrats including Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton lambasted Trump for even visiting the state. Police officers used tear gas to manage the protestors.



Anti-Trump protestors put up an inflatable Trump -- in a white robe with a Nazi symbol -- and a giant sign that read "white supremacy will not be pardoned". Two people were arrested for aggravated assault and one person was arrested for criminal damage, reports said.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has threatened to shut down the government, if necessary, to make sure his proposed wall along the Mexican border is approved and funded by lawmakers.



The President told supporters at a "Make America Great Again" rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday that the opposition Democrats were being "obstructionist", The Hill magazine reported.



"Build that wall. Now the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me if we have to close down our government, we`re building that wall," Trump said.



Funding for Trump`s proposed border wall, a promise that was at the centre of his 2016 presidential bid, is poised to be at the centre of debate when Congress negotiates a new government funding bill. If a new bill is not passed, the government will shut down on October 1.



Trump wants Congress to finance his controversial plan to build a "big, beautiful" wall along the US`s border with Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants.



But Republicans will need the support of Democrats to secure funding for the wall in a government spending bill, which they are unlikely to get, reports said.



Democrats are staunchly opposed to funding for the wall, setting up a challenge and tense negotiations over the government`s funding.



In his speech, Trump said the Democrats were "putting all of America`s safety at risk" by opposing the wall. He said immigration officers who worked in the area said it was "vital" to stem the flow of illegal immigrants.



The Department of Homeland Security accepted designs for the wall earlier this year. Vendors were instructed that the wall should be at least 18 feet high, have features to prevent climbing over and tunnelling beneath the structure, and to make the designs "aesthetically pleasing" on the US side, the report said.
Washington/Tokyo: The US Navy will relieve Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin after a series of collisions involving its warships in Asia, a US official told Reuters, as the search goes on for 10 sailors missing since the latest mishap.

The move to replace Aucoin comes days after a pre-dawn collision between a guided-missile destroyer and a merchant vessel east of Singapore and Malaysia on Monday, the fourth major incident in the US Pacific Fleet this year.

"An expedited change in leadership was needed," the official said in Washington on Tuesday of the decision to relieve Aucoin of his command.

The Navy declined to comment on any plans to relieve Aucoin, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The official told Reuters that Admiral Scott Swift, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet, would relieve Aucoin, a three-star admiral, when the two meet in Japan later on Wednesday.

It was not clear when the formal announcement would be made.

Aucoin was due to step down next month, with Phillip Sawyer, deputy commander of the Pacific Fleet and a submariner by trade, slated to succeed him. Aucoin came up through the Navy`s air wing as an F-14 navigator.

The Seventh Fleet, headquartered in Japan, operates as many as 70 ships, including the US Navy`s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, and has around 140 aircraft and 20,000 sailors.

It operates over an area of 124 million square km (48 million square miles) from bases in Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

Tense times

The accident involving the USS John S McCain and the tanker Alnic MC in the Singapore Strait came at a tense time for the US Navy in Asia.

This month, the John S McCain sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built by China in the disputed South China Sea, the latest "freedom of navigation" operation to counter what the United States sees as China`s efforts to control the contested waters.

An official Chinese newspaper said on Tuesday the US Navy`s latest collision shows it is becoming an increasing risk to shipping in Asia despite its claims of helping to protect freedom of navigation.

Also this month, North Korea threatened to fire ballistic missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam in a standoff over its nuclear and missile programmes.

"Losing another ship now is bad timing. It may raise concern over America`s defensive capabilities and it could send the wrong signal to North Korea and China," a senior Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force officer said, asking not to be identified because he is not authorised to talk to the media.

An international search-and-rescue operation involving aircraft, divers and vessels from the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia is looking for the 10 US sailors missing since Monday`s collision.

On Tuesday, US Navy and Marine Divers found human remains inside sealed sections of the damaged hull of the USS John S McCain, which is moored at Singapore`s Changi Naval Base. The Navy has not yet announced the identities of the bodies discovered.

The US Navy is also working to identify a body found by the Malaysian navy about eight nautical miles northwest of the collision site. Photos posted on the Twitter account of a Malaysian navy frigate on Wednesday showed crew carrying what appeared to be a body to a US Navy helicopter.

The latest collision has already prompted a fleet-wide investigation and plans for temporary halts in US Navy operations.

The John S. McCain`s sister ship, the USS Fitzgerald, almost sank off the coast of Japan after colliding with a Philippine container ship on June 17. The bodies of seven US sailors were found in a flooded berthing area after that collision.
Cronyism to the maximum

Blatant cronyism is continually displayed in the medical education sector, despite the efforts of individuals such as Dr Govinda KC, who recently conducted his 11th hunter strike in protest of the politics involved in healthcare education.
New Delhi: It's raining fresh pairings in B-Town this season. The audience is ready to see new faces and first-time pairings on big screens. So, the latest buzz right now is that young guns Arjun Kapoor and Kriti Sanon might be soon seen together in a film.

According to BollywoodLifde.com, the Kapoor lad might be roped in to play the lead in 'Farzi' which will be helmed by Raj & DK. Also, Kriti is being considered to play the female lead in the flick reportedly.

The report has been originally attributed to Mumbai Mirror. A source has been quoted as saying, Arjun and the directors have had three meetings to discuss the film in the last one month and recently discussed the script too. The actor is yet to sign on the dotted line but will be on board soon. Raj and DK have been busy with promotions of their action film, the Sidharth Malhotra and Jacqueline Fernandez starrer A Gentleman. Once they are done with that, they will take the discussions on the new film forward.

However, no confirmation has been made as yet.
New Delhi: Two of the most talented Bollywood veterans, namely Rishi Kapoor & Paresh Rawal, have joined forces and the duo will soon be taking the theatres by storm with their upcoming film 'Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi'. A hilarious trailer of the Sanjay Chhel directorial was recently released online.

In the 2 minute and 43 second-long video, you will get to witness the cultural chaos which takes over when a Punjabi family and a Gujarati household try to mingle up. It also stars Vir Das and Payal Ghosh in key roles.

Check out:

'Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi' is slated to release on September 15 this year.
New Delhi: The government on Wednesday moved Ashwani Lohani, hailed as a turnaround specialist, from the now operationally profitable Air India to the Railway Board as its chairman, while giving interim charge of the national carrier to senior IAS officer Rajiv Bansal.

Lohani replaces A K Mital at Railway Board at a time when the country's largest transporter has faced two back-to-back derailments, including one where more than 20 passengers died, and for which Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu took "full moral responsibility".

While Lohani has been associated with railways in the past, his successor at Air India Bansal also spent nearly two years at the civil aviation ministry between 2006 and 2008.

Lohani would be taking over as Railway Board Chairman tomorrow.

Bansal has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Air India for three months.

Presently, he is additional secretary and financial adviser at the petroleum ministry.

A senior civil aviation ministry official said that Bansal has been appointed as Air India CMD for three months.

Bansal is from the Nagaland cadre of 1988 batch and hails from Haryana.

He is taking over as Air India CMD at a time when the government is working on the modalities for the disinvestment of the loss-making national carrier.
New Delhi: In the context of massive accumulation of bad loans by state-run banks, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave an "in principle" approval for their consolidation by merging some of the public sector lenders, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced.

"The cabinet approved the constitution of an alternate mechanism that will oversee proposals with regard to consolidation of banks, which will come from the PSBs (public sector banks)," Jaitley told reporters here following the cabinet meeting.

"As of today, there are 20 PSBs plus the State Bank of India (SBI)," he said, adding that the SBI had recently concluded the merger with its associate banks and become a larger consolidated entity.

"If any other PSB board gives a consolidation proposal, to oversee that proposal an alternative mechanism will be in place to give in principle approval for the proposal of the banks for a scheme of amalgamation," Jaitley said.

Explaining that such an alternative mechanism "enables quick facilitation of decisions", Jaitley said the constitution of the committee would be made by the Prime Minister.

"The decision regarding creating strong and competitive banks will be solely based on commercial considerations," he said.

"Our experience of consolidation has been positive. It increases the entity`s commercial strength, the ability to absorb market shocks," he added.

The cabinet approval comes in the face of banking operations across the country being hit on Tuesday as over 10 lakh bank employees in more than 1,30,000 branches pan-India struck work protesting against reforms in the banking sector, including proposals of merger of state-run banks.
New Delhi: The CBI is understood to have posed over 100 questions to former finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti during his over eight hours of questioning in connection with a corruption case.

Karti, who arrived at the agency headquarters on the directives of the Supreme Court around 10.20 AM, was questioned for over eight hours, CBI sources said.

They said he will be examined again on August 28.

Over 100 questions on various aspects of the case were drafted by investigators which were put to 45-year-old Karti, the sources said.

The agency wanted to examine him in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to media group INX Media for receiving funds from Mauritius when his father P Chidambaram was the Union finance minister.

It is alleged that a firm "indirectly controlled" by him received money from INX Media, run by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea.

The CBI had issued a notice to Karti to appear for questioning in June but he had sought more time. Later, a look out circular was also issued against him to prevent him from leaving the country, CBI sources said.

Karti had then approached the Madras High Court which stayed the circular. The Supreme Court later put on hold the high court order.

During a hearing before the apex court, Karti had told the court he was willing to appear before the CBI. The court then directed him to appear on August 23.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud allowed Karti to be accompanied by a lawyer at the CBI headquarters during the questioning.

The CBI had registered the case on May 15 against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and the Mukerjeas.

The Mukerjeas, charged with killing Indrani's daughter, Sheena Bora, are currently in jail.

P Chidambaram had issued a strong statement in response to the FIR, saying the government was using the CBI and other agencies to target his son.

The FIPB approval was granted in "hundreds of cases", the senior Congress leader had said.
New Delhi: Nandan Nilekani, one of the most high-profile founders of Infosys, is most likely to make a comeback to the IT firm as its head post sudden exit of CEO and MD Vishal Sikka. However, exact clarity about the nature of his role will be made in the next 48 hours, as per media reports.

Meanwhile, an investor advisory firm has favoured Nandan Nilekani being brought back on its board as its non-executive chairman.

The Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAS) said the Infosys board has been "unable to protect its CEO" and to select a successor it must begin by "reinventing itself".

Even Infosys' ex-CFO V Balakrishnan on Wednesday favoured bringing in Nandan Nilekani as the chairman of the company, saying his experience and understanding of clients made him a "good face" to lead the organisation in the current situation.

"It must convince Nandan Nilekani to join the board once again, as its Non-Executive Chairperson," it said in a report, while adding that Nilekani should not see this as any other corporate job as Infosys is at the heart of Indian IT and its success will foretell how the sector will position itself for the future.

Nilekani was one of the seven founders that set up Infosys more than three decades ago and served as its CEO between March 2002 to April 2007.

Sikka was brought in as the companys first non-founder CEO in June 2014, prior to which the position was held by one or the other founder. Corporate governance experts and market analysts blamed the recent spat between Infosys founders and management for the resignation.

The board and Vishal Sikka have spent considerable amount of time addressing the concerns - to a point where the company, in its 20-F filing, disclosed distractions from activist shareholders as a possible risk to achieving the companys strategic goals, the report said.

According to IiAS, Nandan Nilekani is possibly the very best candidate Infosys can find globally.

With PTI Inputs
New Delhi: Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy has postponed his conference call scheduled with investors on Wednesday to August 29. Murthy has cited health reasons behind his decision, as per a report by Moneycontrol.com.

The conference was scheduled at 6:30 pm on Wednesday.

Murthy was to interact with investors today through to share his version of the software major`s boardroom battles that led to the exit of its technocrat Vishal Sikka as CEO on last Friday.

The promoters group, led by Murthy, holds 12.92 per cent of the equity shares, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) 37.33 per cent, Indian retail, corporate and other investors 23.08 per cent, Indian FIs, Banks and Mutual Funds 9.63 per cent, American Depository Receipts (ADRs) 16.69 per cent and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) 0.52 per cent.

Following Sikka`s abrupt exit as the firm`s first non-founder executive, the company`s shares of Rs 5 face value took a heavy toll, losing 15 per cent since Friday and slipped to 11th from BSE`s top 10 most valued firms, with its market capitalisation declining a whopping Rs 33,912 crore to Rs 2,01,479 crore from Rs 235,390 crore in the last three trading days since August 18.

The Board`s announcement on Saturday to buy back 11.3-crore shares at Rs.1,150 each worth Rs.13,000 crore ($2 billion) failed to halt the slide.

"Murthy is likely to bare all, explaining his stand to analysts on the values, culture, transparency and corporate governance with which he built the company over three decades till he stepped down in 2014," said a source familiar with the events and developments in the company.

With PTI Inputs




Mumbai: The Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on Wednesday announced that it has become the biggest importer of ethane from the US in 2017, a development that follows the commissioning of the firm`s ethane gas project at its Dahej manufacturing facility earlier this year.



"Reliance Industries Ltd has become the biggest importer of ethane from the US in 2017, followed by INEOS. RIL will ship around 1.6 million tonnes per annum of ethane from the US for its cracker portfolio in India," a company official said at a briefing here.



"RIL has an ethane supply contract in place with Enterprise Product Partners out of their Morgan`s Point terminal in the US Gulf coast," a statement said.



"For 2017 till May, RIL has imported 416 kiloton (KT) of ethane, amounting to a total of nine very large ethane carrier (VLEC) cargoes, which is 19 per cent more than INEOS," it added.



The ethane will be used as feedstock for RIL`s cracker facilities at Dahej and Hazira in Gujarat and at Nagothane in Maharashtra.



The company said the ethane shipments to RIL constitute 48 per cent of total US exports.



"Other importers like Ineos, Sabic, Braskem and Borealis constitute the remaining 52 per cent," RIL said.



The VLECs are used to transport liquefied ethane from the US to the Gujarat Chemical Port Terminal Company`s terminal at Dahej, it added.



In April, RIL announced the commissioning of its ethane gas project at its Dahej manufacturing facility, including the ethane receipt and handling facilities and ethane cracking, all within a record three years.



The project uses shale gas ethane transported from the US, which has emerged as a major producer.



The project involved securing ethane refrigeration capacity in the US Gulf coast, delivery of dedicated VLECs carrying ethane from the US Gulf Coast to the West Coast of India, construction of ethane receipt and handling facilities, pipelines and upgrade of crackers (to receive ethane) at the Dahej, Hazira and Nagothane facilities.



The complex technologies in this project involved "marine transportation of cryogenic ethane, handling of ethane at (-)90 degrees centigrade, supply of ethane to the crackers in an energy efficient way and pump ethane from Dahej to other locations," RIL said.



According to the company, its ethane project "shall ensure feedstock security for India, reducing its net imports."
Deubas Cabinet largest ever

Back in 1996, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had set a record by forming a 48-member Cabinet. Two decades later, he broke all records by installing a 50-strong Council of Ministers, the largest ever in Nepals history.
New Delhi: Two FIRs have been filed against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Delhi Minister Imran Hussain for allegedly asking for votes in the name of religion here, police said on Wednesday.



Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishi Pal said that the FIRs were filed on Tuesday evening based on complaints by the Returning Officer for Bawana in north-west Delhi, which went to the polls on Wednesday.



"The FIRs were filed based on written complaints and directions from the Returning Officer," Pal said.



The purported posters, which led to the FIRs being registered, read: "We appeal to all Muslim brothers in Bawana...to vote for Aam Aadmi Party this time."



It also had photos of Hussain, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and a broom, which is the AAP's election symbol.
New Delhi: Former union minister P. Chidambaram`s son Karti Chidambaram will appear before Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday.The Supreme Court on August 18 directed Karti to appear before CBI on August 23 for an interrogation in connection with INX media Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance case.

Earlier, Karti submitted before the apex court bench that he is willing to appear before the CBI in the case."I am not afraid of appearing, but I need protection," Karti told the Top Court.The Madras High Court had on August 10 stayed the `look out circulars` issued against Karti Chidambaram and four others by the Centre over a corruption case filed by the CBI, holding that they were prima facie "unwarranted".On August 4, the CBI issued a lookout notice against Karti, to not leave India and inform concerned agencies before doing so.

This comes in connection with the agencies` probe into the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media for allegedly receiving funds from Mauritius.Karti had earlier accused the CBI of hatching a conspiracy against him, citing frustration arising out of their inability to prove anything against them, in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case.

Earlier in February, the then communication minister Dayanidhi Maran and the others, accused in the Aircel-Maxis case, were discharged by a special CBI court.On July 19, the CBI sent a second notice to Karti summoning him to the CBI headquarters for questioning regarding the INX Media Case.The CBI had summoned Karti between June 27-29, but he, through his lawyers, informed the investigating team that he needed more time, before appearing for questioning.

According to the CBI, INX Media stated in its records that an amount of Rs. 10 lakh was given to Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited, a firm the CBI said was "indirectly" owned by Karti, for management consultancy charges towards an FIPB notification and clarification.
New Delhi: Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, on Wednesday appeared for questioning before the CBI in a matter related to alleged irregularities in FIPB clearance to INX Media in 2007.



He arrived at the Central Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Lodhi Road here a little after 10 a.m.



On August 18, the Supreme Court had directed the former Finance Minister`s son to appear before the investigating agency.



The agency wanted to examine Chidambaram junior in a case related to Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to the INX Media for allegedly receiving funds from Mauritius when his father was in office.



On May 15, the CBI had registered an FIR against Chidambaram junior on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, accepting gratification by corrupt or illegal means, influencing public servants and criminal misconduct.



Karti is said to have received Rs 3.5 crore from the Mumbai-based INX media, now 9X Media, for helping it in getting the FIPB clearance when it was run by Peter and Indrani Mukherjea, both accused in the Sheena Bora murder case.



The FIR does not mention the name of Chidambaram senior, though it said he cleared the FIPB approval for Rs 4.62 crore Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the FIPB meeting on May 18, 2007.



Earlier, the CBI had issued three notices to Chidambaram junior, but he did not depose before the probe agency.
New Delhi: The Reserve Bank is expected to introduce Rs 200 notes by the end of August or in the first week of September, reports Economic Times, quoting sources.

The government on Wednesday also gave its go-ahead to the Reserve Bank to issue Rs 200 notes that will ease pressure on lower-denomination currency bills.

The finance minisatry, in a notification, said that on the recommendations of the Central Board of Directors of the RBI, "the central government hereby specifies the denomination of banknotes of the value of two hundred rupees".

The new notes of Rs 200 will greatly help in narrowing the demand and supply gap in smaller-denomination currency bills.

Last year in November, the government had demonetised the old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

This exercise of printing Rs 200 denomination notes is being undertaken to further improve the currency situation in the country, PTI has earlier reported quoting sources, adding the problem people are facing due to high-value Rs 2,000 notes would also be taken care of with the circulation of Rs 200 notes.

The central bank had reportedly decided to bring in Rs 200 notes in March after consulting the finance ministry, they said. The notes are going through multiple checks for security and quality at government printing presses.

The shortage of currency notes was trigged by the scrapping of high-denomination bills last year.

In a surprise announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in November last year announced scrapping of old notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, wiping out over 85 percent of the cash in circulation.

The move was aimed at checking black money, counterfeit notes and terror financing.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) launched following the closure of 50-day demonetisation period did not draw a good response with only Rs 5,000 crore unaccounted income being declared under the amnesty scheme.

The scheme was launched in December last year to enable people with black money to come clean by paying tax and penalty of 50 per cent.
Mumbai: Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast who was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday, was released from the Taloja Jail here on Wednesday.

As soon Purohit walked out of the prison, he was whisked away by a team of Military Police and Quick Response Team of the Army.

Lt Col Shrikant Pra sad Purohit has reached Colaba Military Station after being released from Taloja Jail.

Purohit was taken to Colaba Military Station.

The apex court granted bail to Purohit, who spent nine years in prison. The Malegaon blast had killed seven people.

After being given bail, the Lt Col on Tuesday said he wanted to rejoin the Army as soon as possible.

"I want to wear my uniform. It is outermost layer of my skin. I am wedded to it. I am very happy to get back into the service of the best organisation in the country if not the world, the Indian army," he told reporters outside a sessions court here.

Six people were killed in a bomb blast on September 29, 2008 at Malegaon, a communally-sensitive textile town in Nashik district of north Maharashtra.

The apex court said there were "material contradictions" in the charge sheets filed by the ATS and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which were required to be tested at the time of trial.
New Delhi: Polling for four assembly seats in Delhi, Goa and Andhra Pradesh ended peacefully amid tight security on Wednesday, media reports said.

The voting for the by-polls were held in Bawana in Delhi, Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh, and Valpoi and Panaji in Goa.

The Bawana seat was vacated after Aam Aadmi Party MLA Ved Prakash joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. In Panaji, Siddharth Kuncalienkar from BJP resigned, making way for Manohar Parrikars election as an MLA and in Valpoi, the by-polls were held after Vishwajit Rane resigned as a Congress MLA to be inducted in the Parrikar-led coalition government as a Health Minister.

In Nandyal, the by-poll was necessitated after sitting MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy passed away. Reddy had won the seat in 2014 as YSR Congress candidate but jumped over to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 2016.

Bawana by-poll:

Delhi's Bawana recorded a total voter turnout of 45 per cent, much lower than in the 2015 elections in the constituency, where AAP, BJP and Congress are locked in a triangular contest.

The polling ended at 6 pm officially, but those who had already queued up at the polling stations by then were allowed to exercise their franchise.

"The entire polling process went on peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the constituency in north-west Delhi," Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi said.

The officials conjectured that multiple elections taking place in the city in quick succession could be a factor for the low turnout in Bawana, adding that voter turnout was "generally low" in by-polls.

Eight candidates are in the fray for the by-poll. The counting of votes will take place on August 28. Voting was held in 379 polling stations across the constituency.

BJP has fielded Ved Prakash who had won from the constituency in the 2015 elections as an AAP candidate. He had resigned from assembly membership and joined the BJP in March this year.

The AAP has fielded Ram Chandra, while Congress has put its bet on former three-time MLA from Bawana, Surendra Kumar.

Nandyal by-poll:

A high voter turnout of about 80 per cent was today recorded in the by-election to Nandyal Assembly constituency in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, where the ruling TDP and opposition YSR Congress (YSRC) are locked in a fierce battle.

A heavy turnout of voters was witnessed in Nandyal rural and Gospadu mandals in the segment with women outnumbering men, sources said.

In Nandyal town, about 70 per cent polling was reported.

Barring a face-off between supporters of the TDP and YSRC at a couple of places, the by-election passed off peacefully, a senior police official said.

For the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) was used in the by-election.

Though there are 15 candidates in the fray, the main fight is between the TDP and the YSRC.

Valpoi, Panaji bypoll:

Nearly 75 per cent voting was recorded in two assembly constituencies, Panaji and Valpoi, in Goa with both the BJP and the Congress claiming victory in both seats.

In Valpoi, where Health Minister Vishwajit Rane is contesting against Congress` Roy Naik, 79.80 per cent voters cast a ballot, senior poll officer Kunal, told reporters late on Wednesday.

The poll was by and large peaceful barring one minor altercation in each constituency.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar expressed confidence of sweeping the Panaji by-poll, claiming that his opponents failed to get any traction from the voters.

"Voting percentage was low because the other side had no traction," Parrikar said, adding that he was confident of the party winning by a huge margin, both in Panaji and Valpoi. Parrikar also said, that around 98 per cent BJP voters had cast the ballot in both constituencies.

The Chief Minister said he was satisfied with the conduct of the poll authorities, but the Congress alleged that election officials were biased in favour of the ruling BJP.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea of jailed former Calcutta High Court judge C S Karnan challenging the constitutional validity of the Contempt of Courts Act.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said "we do not find any merit in the writ petition. It is dismissed."

The court rejected the submission made on behalf of the petitioner that the principles of natural justice were not followed in awarding him the jail term of six months, saying that Karnan's "communications, order and conduct established that he had full knowledge of the orders of the Supreme Court, proceedings as well as the materials against him."

It also noted that petitioner Karnan was served with a notice to show cause as well as he was given "repeated and adequate opportunities to present his defence."

Karnan, in his petition filed through advocate Mathews J Nedumpara, had sought a declaration from the high court that the apex court's May 9 sentencing order and further proceedings under it were "unconstitutional and void" as the principles of natural justice were allegedly not followed.
Jammu: Senior Army commanders of India and Pakistan on Wednesday held a flag meeting on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was held at Chakan Da Bagh in Poonch sector.

At the meeting of Battalion Commander-level officers, the Indian side highlighted "abetment and support of the Pakistan Army to cross-border terrorism, sniping actions on the LoC and deliberate targeting of civil population during ceasefire violations," a defence ministry spokesman said.

The two sides agreed to keep the channels of communication open between local commanders at the LoC, he added.

"The meeting lasted for 50 minutes in a cordial atmosphere," he said.

He said that both sides mutually agreed to the importance of exercising restraint on the LoC and keeping the channels of communication open between local commanders.

Both sides also agreed for necessity to institute mechanisms to ensure durable peace and tranquility along the LoC, the spokesman further said.

Resumption of trade and transit through Chakan-Da-Bagh was also discussed during the flag meeting, he said, as per PTI.

On July 17 this year, India had told Pakistan that it reserved the right to retaliate appropriately against any incident of ceasefire violation along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a telephonic conversation, Lt Gen. AK Bhatt, the director general of military operations (DGMO), had also told his Pakistani counterpart that the Indian Army was sincere about maintaining peace on the LoC.

The DGMO had made it explicitly clear that the Indian Army reserved the right to retaliate but "is sincere in its effort of maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LoC provided there was reciprocity", Army spokesman Col. Aman Anand had said.

The telephone exchange had taken place three hours after the Pakistani Army had fired mortar shells along the LoC in the Poonch and Rajouri districts, killing an Indian Army jawan and a nine-year-old girl.

"The Indian DGMO in response highlighted that all ceasefire violations were initiated by the Pakistan army and the Indian Army only responded appropriately to them," he had further said.

2017 has seen a sharp increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

Till August 01, there were 285 such violations by the Pakistan Army while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according to the Army figures.

Eleven people, including 9 soldiers, were killed and 18 injured in ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army in the month of July, the Army data says.

There were 83 ceasefire violations, one BAT (border action team) attack and two infiltration bids from the Pakistani side in June in which 4 people, including 3 jawans, were killed and 12 injured.

In May, there were 79 ceasefire violations, according to officials.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Wednesday issued a notice to state chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, seeking reply on plea for action against him for false affidavit in defamation case filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Jaitley had earlier told the court that Kejriwal gave false affidavit stating he did not instruct his former counsel Ram Jethmalani to use abusive words against the minister.

Jethmalani had sent the finance minister a letter which claimed that the Kerjiwal had asked him use derogatory words, said Jaitley.

Delhi HC issues notice to Kejriwal in application moved by Jaitley u/s 340 of criminal code related to perjury and making false statement in affidavit, reported news agency ANI.

The court was listening to a case for framing charges against Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia in a criminal defamation complaint.

Jaitley had filed Rs 10 crore-defamation suit filed over the use of objectionable words, including allegations of corruption, against Kejriwal and the five AAP leaders.
New Delhi: In an unscheduled meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at his New Delhi's official residence.

After a brief meeting with his Nepalese counterpart, PM Modi tweeted, ''Happy to welcome Rt Hon Shri Sher Bahadur Deuba ji, PM of close & friendly neighbour Nepal Look forward to more extensive talks tomorrow.''

Happy to welcome Rt Hon Shri Sher Bahadur Deuba ji, PM of close & friendly neighbour Nepal. Look forward to more extensive talks tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/jgqpmLRGbC  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2017

Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba arrived here on Wednesday on a 4-day visit to India.

He was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the Indira Gandhi International airport.

This was Deuba's first foreign trip after assuming office amid the Indo-China standoff at the tri-junction Doklam near Sikkim border.

"A special welcome for a close neighbour! EAM @SushmaSwaraj receives @PM_Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba on his arrival on a State Visit to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with a photo of Swaraj greeting Deuba.

In a tweet, Deuba said, "I am delighted to be in New Delhi. Thank you @SushmaSwaraj for your warm welcome."

In their meeting tomorrow, Modi and Deuba will review the entire gamut of bilateral ties and are likely to deliberate on ways to further deepen the Indo-Nepal relationship in a range of areas including trade and investment.

The Nepalese PM is expected to apprise Modi of the political situation in his country, particularly on the steps being taken by his government to fulfil aspirations of the Indian-origin Madheshi community.

"The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on the issues of mutual interest and advancing age-old special ties of friendship between our two countries," the external affairs ministry had said on Monday.

Nepal has been facing a political crisis since the adoption of a new Constitution in September 2015. Madhesis, mostly of Indian origin, have been opposing the new statute as they fear it would marginalise them by dividing the country into seven provinces.

Madhesi protests from October 2015 to February 2016 had resulted in the closure of key trading points with India, triggering shortage of essential supplies in the land-locked country.

The blockade of trade points with India ended in February after more than 50 people were killed in clashes with the police.

Deuba took over as prime minister in June. During his four-day visit, he will also travel to Hyderabad and Bodh Gaya.

He will also call on the president and the vice president.

The Nepal PM will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on Thursday as per schedule. He will also pay a visit to President Ram Nath Kovind later on the day.

The Nepal Prime Minister attended a programme in the Nepali Embassy where he addressed the Nepali community in India and business event organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

(With Agency inputs)
Dharan flood survivors off govt relief radar

The flood-displaced families of Dharan Sub-metropolis in Sunsari district have been surviving on food donated by Nepal Red Cross Society and other social organisations for the last 13 days.
New Delhi: With Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi welcoming the historic verdict of the Supreme Court which in a 3:2 majority put the curtains down on a 1,400-year-old practice of 'triple talaq' among Muslims, it seems the grand old party has made a significant evolution after sensing the mood of the nation.

Interestingly, 32 years back, Rahul's father, Rajiv Gandhi, had overturned the then Supreme Court's verdict in the Shah Bano case.

Shah Bano, a Muslim mother of five children, was divorced by her husband in 1978. She filed a criminal suit in which the Supreme Court ruled in her favour and she won the right to alimony from her husband.

However, the then Congress government, enacted the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986. The most controversial provision of the Act was that it gave a Muslim woman the right to maintenance for the period of iddat (about three months) after the divorce, and shifted the onus of maintaining her to her relatives or the Wakf Board. The Act was seen as discriminatory as it denied divorced Muslim women the right to basic maintenance which women of other faiths had recourse to under the secular law.

There are striking resemblances between the Shah Bano case and Shayara Bano case.

If one goes by the history, the Congress' present stand has surprised many. The grand old party has always been on defensive mode in issues related to the minority community.

However, with the majority of the Indian society siding with the triple talaq victims and welcoming the SC judegement, the Congress wasted no time in praising the landmark verdict and said, "It is a progressive, secular judgement for the equal rights of Muslim women in India."

Shayara Bano

Shayara Bano is the petitioner who moved the Supreme Court in 2016 on the 'triple talaq' issue.

Shayara Bano from Uttarakhand had appealed to the SC to declare the triple talaq as unconstitutional.

The 37-year-old post-graduate in sociology from Kashipur in Udham Singh Nagar had claimed that her husband forced her to undergo six abortions.

Bano knocked at the doors of the SC after her husband in October 2015 sent a letter to her with "talaq, talaq, talaq" written on it.

A five-judge Constitution bench on Tuesday, by a majority of 3:2 in which the Chief Justice JS Khehar was in minority, said in a one line order: "In view of the different opinions recorded by a majority of 3:2, the practice of 'talaq-e-biddat', triple talaq is set aside."
CHANDIGARH: Ahead of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court's verdict in the 15-year-old rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, thousands policemen and paramilitary troops were deployed in Punjab and Haryana with section 144 being in both states. Over one lakh followers are expected to gather within the next two days. Schools and colleges in the area have been shut down.

A special CBI court in Panchkula will deliver its judgement on August 25. The Dera chief has also been asked to appear before the court in person on the same day.

The self-styled godman, also known for his "MSG (Messenger of God)" film franchise, has millions of followers in Haryana, Punjab and various other places.

Over 50,000 followers Dera followers, who call themselves 'Premis', have reached Panchkula, camping near the courthouse where the judgment will be delivered or on roads pavements in Panchkula. These 'premis' have been requesting Gurmeet Ram Rahim not to appear in the court and have even issued violent threats against.

A verdict against the Dera chief can lead to an immediate outbreak of violence.

"The Haryana police is on alert and fully-prepared to tackle any situation. The Centre has also provided 35 companies of paramilitary forces," Haryana DGP B S Sandhu told PTI earlier. He said that their focus is on Sirsa, Fatehabad and Panchkula districts where heavy deployment of paramilitary forces has been especially done.

In 2002, a case was registered by CBI against the self-styled godman after allegations of sexual exploitation of two Sadhvis (women followers) surfaced through anonymous letters. The case hearing has been going on since 2007. He also faces trial in a case involving the murder of a journalist, Ram Chander Chhatrapati.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court may pronounce on Thursday whether right to privacy is a fundamental right.

The verdict would have a bearing on the challenge to the validity of the Aadhaar scheme on the grounds of its being violative of the right to privacy.



It is also likely to have a bearing on the challenge to WhatsApp's new privacy policy.

Following is the chronology of events:

- The top court is hearing a challenge to the Delhi High Court's September 23, 2016 order by which it allowed WhatsApp to roll out its new privacy policy.

- However, the court stopped it from sharing the data of its users collected up to September 25, 2016, with Facebook or any other related company.



- The nine-judge Constitution bench had reserved the verdict on August 2 after hearing the matter for two weeks.



- Hearing had commenced on July 19 and concluded on August 2.



- The entire issue was rooted in a reference by a three-judge bench that was hearing a challenge to the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Scheme on the grounds of its being violative of the fundamental right to privacy.



- The petitioners included former Karnataka High Court Judge KS Puttaswamy, first Chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Magsaysay awardee Shanta Sinha, feminist researcher Kalyani Sen Menon and others.



- The Centre contested their position citing two judgments of 1954 (by eight judges) and 1962 (by six judges) which had held that the right to privacy was not a fundamental right.



- The Centre had contended that though after the mid-seventies several judgments by the benches of strength of two or three judges had held that right to privacy was fundamental but it was the judgment of 1954 and 1962 by the larger benches that holds the ground.

- It was in this background that the nine-judges constitution bench heard the matter to examine the correctness or otherwise of the 1954 and 1962 judgments and the nature of the right to privacy - whether fundamental or not.



- The hearing saw a partisan divide with the Centre and BJP-ruled Maharashtra and Gujarat contending that right to privacy was not a fundamental right.

- States ruled by the Congress - Karnataka, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry and TMC in West Bengal asserting that privacy was a fundamental right.



- The Unique Identification Authority of India too said that privacy was not a fundamental right and there were sufficient safeguards to protect data collected from the people - their iris scan and finger prints.



- After the nine judges bench decides whether right to privacy is a fundamental right or not, then a regular bench will hear the challenge to the validity of the Aadhaar scheme.

(With IANS inputs)
Jaipur: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) may soon take over the alleged Bikaner land deal and money laundering case, involving Robert Vadra. The Rajasthan government on Tuesday asked the Centre to initiate a CBI probe, informed state Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria.

Vadra is the son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

"The matter is a complicated one and spread over several years. We have conducted our investigations and even arrested several persons but have come to the conclusion that the case needs to be further investigated by the CBI," Kataria told DNA.

Vadra's firms were allegedly involved in the purchase and sale of 275 bighas of land in Rajasthan's Bikaner and there are four FIRs against them.

"The lands in question were sold and resold by the owners since 2010. We feel that this large-level scam of usurping land, given as compensation to those whose land was acquired for Mahajan Firing Range, involves many more people. Involvement of government officials cannot be ruled out as the land was registered under fake names and identities. This necessitates a CBI inquiry," said Kataria.

Vadra's company was allegedly the third party to purchase 275 bigha land in 2010 and later sold pieces of land to fourth party in 2012. The land was initially given as compensation to those displaced by the Mahajan Firing Range. Actual beneficiaries never got the land. It was, instead, allotted to false persons. The land was subsequently sold to solar power companies.

The matter was raised in the state assembly in 2014 and subsequently a total of 18 FIRs had been registered for the 1,400 bighas of land. Out of these, four FIRs for 375 bighas were against Robert Vadra's companies.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who included the Vadra land deals in 2013 election campaigning, has the move.

"We welcome the decision. The CBI is an independent body and we hope for a fair inquiry. Congress should welcome the decision," said state BJP chief Ashok Parnami.
Seoul: The heir to the Samsung empire faces the verdict in his corruption trial Friday, which threatens to leave the world`s biggest smartphone maker rudderless for more than a decade.

Lee Jae-Yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics and the son of Samsung group chairman Lee Kun-Hee, has been groomed all his life to take over the giant conglomerate founded by his grandfather in 1938.

It is by far the largest of the chaebols, the family-controlled firms that dominate Asia`s fourth-largest economy, which some South Koreans self-mockingly dub the "Republic of Samsung".

Its turnover is equivalent to a fifth of the national GDP and it has long had close, opaque connections with political authorities.

But now prosecutors have demanded a 12-year sentence for Samsung`s 49-year-old "crown prince" if he is convicted of charges including bribery and embezzlement in connection with the corruption scandal that brought down president Park Geun-Hye.

Park, dismissed from office in March after public fury, is on trial separately accused of offering policy favours to tycoons including Lee who enriched her secret confidante Choi Soon-Sil, with Samsung handing over around $40 million.

Lee has been detained during his trial, and the prospect of his being imprisoned for years has sent shockwaves through Samsung, where the founding family`s rule has been taken for granted for decades.

The Lee clan directly owns about five percent of Samsung Electronics shares, but maintains its grip on the wider group through a byzantine web of cross-ownership stakes involving dozens of companies.

Although Samsung`s day-to-day business is maintained by the elite CEOs at each unit, analysts say they would be unwilling to make -- and take responsibility for -- costly decisions over large-scale acquisitions or investments without family approval.

"In South Korea, such decisions are often endorsed by the patriarch of a ruling family," said Chung Sun-Sup, the head of corporate analysis firm chaebul.com.

Lee Jae-Yong`s sister Boo-Jin, who is in charge of the group`s fast-growing hotel business, was once touted as a potential stand-in.

But many dismiss the possibility, saying she has few allies and little management experience at Samsung Electronics -- the crown jewel of the group.

Despite Lee`s absence Samsung Electronics has reported stellar profits in recent months, sending its share price soaring, thanks to booming demand for its memory chips used in computers, servers and mobile gadgets.

Analysts say it is reaping the benefit of radical decisions made years ago under the senior Lee`s rule, including the construction of new chip factories that cost billions of dollars.

"With so much uncertainty at its leadership, Samsung may move more slowly than before to make the kind of bold, large-scale investments that made it so successful today," Chung told AFP. Since the senior Lee was left bedridden by a heart attack in 2014, Samsung has stepped up attempts to streamline itself, selling off marginal or less profitable businesses, while also enhancing Lee Jae-Yong`s authority.

Those efforts would be suspended if Lee receives a lengthy jail term, Chung said, which could force the group into "an unprecedented experiment" of operating without direct Lee family control.

But Geoffrey Cain, the author of a forthcoming book on Samsung, pointed out Samsung Electronics had been able to make strategic moves despite Lee`s detention in custody.

"The leader being in jail is a familiar story for chaebol groups, and one they can get around," he said.

"Samsung will not be doomed without Jay Lee. Even if he gets a prison sentence, Samsung will be just fine. It`s up to the specialists to make their own decisions."

After the scandal sparked nationwide calls to reform "corrupt" chaebols, Samsung earlier this year disbanded its Future Strategy Office -- a small, secretive group of top company veterans who directly served the Lees -- vowing to give the board of directors a bigger role in decision-making.New President Moon Jae-In won a sweeping election victory in May with promises of weeding out deep-rooted, corrupt ties between chaebols and regulators.

Prosecutors accuse Lee of seeking state approval for a controversial 2015 merger of two Samsung units seen as a key step to ensuring his accession.

He pleaded not guilty, saying he was not involved in decisions over the donations and not even aware of Choi`s existence.

During his trial, his lawyers and ex-members of the Future Strategy Office tried to portray him as an inexperienced, naive heir not even allowed to "meddle with" decisions made by the veteran executives chosen by his father.

As a legal strategy it is undoubtedly embarrassing, but it remains to be seen whether the three judges hearing the case, in which four other top Samsung executives are also accused, are convinced.

"If he is found innocent and walks away, it would be a huge setback against the court and the current administration," said Shim Jung-Taik, an author of several books on Samsung and its history.

He warned of "huge public outcry" in the event of an acquittal, telling AFP: "In South Korea, the Lee case is not just a legal case but a social and political one whose result is seen as a verdict on wider chaebol culture and corruption."
New Delhi: Telecom tariffs are likely to further drop by 25-30 percent over the next year and the market is expected to further move towards lower pricing, as per a report in the Economic Times.

Quoting telecom experts, the ET said that telecom users can expect a double-digit drop in prices owing to the advent of new business models that have shaped up amidst the aggressive tariff war since last year.

Last week, media reports said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) might cut Interconnection Usage Charges (IUC) to 10 paise per minute as against 14 paise per minute for wireless to wireless local and national long distance calls.

TRAI has sought review from various stakeholders regarding this in a consultation paper.

The Economic Survey report earlier this month said Jio's pricing scheme "forced incumbent telecom firms" to cut voice call rates and cost of 1 GB data to average USD 1.9 during January-March 2017.

"Stiff competition, price war, reduced revenue have trapped telecom sector into highly leveraged with interest coverage ratio turning less than 1 since third quarter of 2016-17," the survey said.

Meanwhile, Cellular operators body COAI had last month said that said Reliance Jios latest pricing will continue to bleed the industry and there is risk of cascading impact on banks and others that have large exposure to the telecom sector.

The industry will continue to bleed under this pricing, and there is the risk of cascading impact on the banks, government (accruals from licence fee and spectrum payments made by telcos), and equipment manufacturers, COAI director general Rajan Mathews had told a news agency.
Srinagar: A day after an NCC cadet from South Kashmir was trolled by Facebook users for urging the youth to shun stone-pelting and azadi campaigns, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Wednesday said, the statement made by the woman is actually what the young generation in the Valley feels.

The NCC woman cadet appealed to the youth in Kashmir to enjoy real freedom in India.

Backing the NCC cadet, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said, "Everyone in India has right to speak their mind."

When asked whether the woman would be given security, the J&K Dy CM said that security forces, the Police and the state government will take care of it.

The video of the NCC cadet's sound bite, taken by a little-known news portal News Review, went viral on Facebook and she was trolled for her comments on the social media site.

Later, News Review deleted the post but reproduced it without showing her face yesterday evening. Abuse flooded the comments section thereafter.

Some of the other women cadets from Kashmir, who are undergoing training at the National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp at Sainik school at Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu city, echoed her views.

"Stay away from stone pelting and azadi campaigns...," one of them said.

The soft-spoken woman, a student of the government women's degree college in Anantnag, yesterday said she was the only woman representing her college at the camp even. Many others wanted to join the camp but were discouraged by their parents from doing so because of the troubled situation in south Kashmir.

"I want to tell the youth that the real azadi (freedom) is here. If you want azadi, it is here," she said in the post and asked young Kashmiris to stay away from stone pelting and raising pro azadi slogans.

"Please don't go towards bad things like protests, stone pelting or getting involved in sloganeering for azadi. Azadi is nothing. If you want azaadi, it is here," she said.

Over 100 Kashmiri cadets including a good number of women are taking part in the NCC camp for selection to the Jammu and Kashmir Directorate Thal Sainik team which will take part in national level competitions in Delhi shortly.

While hundreds of comments targeted her, a few defended her stance as well. One comment read, "Go join the Indian dogs," to her post.

One Facebook user questioned those heaping abuse on her and asked them to be careful with their language. He too came under fire.

In January this year, Kashmiri teenager Zaira Wasim, whose performance as the young Geeta Phogat in 'Dangal' earned her plaudits, was forced to apologise publicly after her pictures with CM Mehbooba Mufti went viral on social media, and the Jammu & Kashmir chief minister described her as a "Kashmiri role model".
Kochi: In major relief to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the state High Court on Wednesday exonerated him in the SNC Lavalin case, relating to an agreement inked 20 years ago with Canadian company SNC-Lavalin when he was the state Power Minister.



Delivering the judgement, Justice P Ubaid said it was not fair that while a few state ministers had handled the power portfolio, only Vijayan was being singled out. The judge also pointed out that Vijayan was hounded by the CBI.



While exonerating Vijayan, the court pointed out that three Kerala State Electricity Board officials will have to face trial.



The case pertains to an agreement with SNC-Lavalin in 1997 to repair three generators, which allegedly caused a loss of Rs 266 crore to the state exchequer.



Vijayan was arraigned by the CBI as the seventh accused in the case, leading to political furore.



On November 5, 2013, the CBI court in the state capital exonerated all the accused, without taking the case for trial.



However a year later, the CBI filed a revision petition against the CBI court`s exoneration.



The case then went into a limbo with a few judges deciding not to hear the case. But in 2016, the trial started and Vijayan brought in high-profile lawyer Harish Salve to defend him.



Vijayan was forced to seek the service of Salve after the CBI brought in former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai as a witness in the case.



The trial in the case got over in March this year and Ubaid posted the case for delivering the judgement.



When he came to deliver the judgement at 1.45 p.m., the judge asked the media not to give out news until the judgement is read out.



In the judgement, the CBI has been taken to task for hounding Vijayan as there were other ministers also who had dealt with SNC Lavalin company.



After he was arraigned as an accused by the CBI, his party - Communist Party of India-Marxist - leadership came to his defence and said there was no reason for him to step down as Secretary of the party`s Kerala State Committee, as it was not a constitutional post.



Vijayan`s getting a clean chit can also be seen as a setback for his arch rival and former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, as the two had on a few occasions openly clashed over this case during 2006-11, which led to the suspension of both from the politburo.



While Vijayan was reinstated, Achuthanandan was not.



Reacting to the judgement, State CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the case was a political one.



"In 2006, it was the then Congress-led UDF government which transferred the case to the CBI. This decision was taken after the State Vigilance department after a probe gave a clean chit to Vijayan. The CBI was used as a tool to target political rivals after the CPI-M withdrew its support to the first UPA government."



He termed the judgement as a "huge setback for the CBI as it tried to target a political leader". Balakrishnan said that it has been proved again that CPI-M is a party which does not indulge in corruption.


Mumbai: Rejecting the Maharashtra government's stand that silence zones do not exist in the state as of now, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday said its 2016 order declaring areas near hospitals, schools, colleges and courts as silence zones shall continue to operate.

The state's Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbakoni had told the court yesterday that pursuant to an amendment to the Noise Pollution Rules of 2000 all areas declared as silence zones in the past stood denotified.

"Until the state government files an application seeking to review or recall the order passed by us in August 2016 and the application is heard and finally decided, the 2016 judgement shall continue to operate," a division bench of Justices A S Oka and Riyaz Chagla said today.

However, Kumbakoni said, "According to the government, the 2016 order cannot operate pursuant to amendment to the Noise Pollution ((Regulation and Control) Rules issued by the central government on August 10 this year."

He said the government was ready to file an application seeking to review or recall the order which cannot be operated.

The HC then said it would hear arguments of all parties concerned, including the government, and pass an order.

As per the amended rules, issued by the Union government on August 10 this year, any area/zone cannot be considered as a silence area/zone until and unless specific declaration to that effect is made by the state government.

According to the government, the amendment rendered the high court's 2016 order infructuous.

Kumbakoni said the state government would carry out a fresh exercise to identify areas which need to be notified as silence zones.

"The state government cannot take a stand that loudspeakers can be used everywhere and let people suffer. This is not fair," Justice Oka said.

"If the state government's mind was fair and clean, it should have said till the time it does not apply its mind and declare areas as silence zones it would abide by the high court order of 2016," he said.

Kumbakoni told the court that the state government was only trying to make the high court order more workable.

"There are so many small dental clinics and educational training institutes in the state. What is the point in declaring these areas as silence zones" he asked.

The court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking strict implementation of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules in the state.
Mumbai: The killings of rationalists Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare were "well planned" and the perpetrators had organisational backup, the Bombay High Court said on Wednesday, and asked the investigators to look beyond their current line of probe to apprehend the culprits.

The bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and Vibha Kankanwadi also said there was a "clear nexus" between the two killings.

"The reports reveal that these were clearly not one or two stray incidents. Certain organisations must be backing them, helping them financially. These incidents were well planned," Justice Dharmadhikari noted after perusing the probe reports submitted by the state CID and the CBI in Pansare and Dabholkar murder cases respectively.

Considering that Sarang Akolkar and Vinay Pawar, the two men identified by the CBI as those who allegedly gunned down Dabholkar in 2013, were still to be traced, the court said the agency must "look beyond its current line of a probe."

"There is a clear nexus between the two murders. These men must have some roots in the society. Coordinate with the state CID, use modern technology, look at bank transactions, ATM withdrawals, check rail bookings, there are just four or five states with porous borders to which these men could have fled," Justice Dharmadhikari said.

"It is impossible for someone to remain in hiding for so long in today's time," he said.

The bench also directed the two probe agencies to take note of the above suggestions and submit fresh progress reports by the next date of hearing on September 13.

It directed the petitioners, the family members of the deceased rationalists, to submit an affidavit listing their demand that the state Home secretary and the CBI director be made directly accountable for the probe.

Both the probe agencies, meanwhile, said they were hunting for the killers.

Dabholkar was shot dead on August 20, 2013 in Pune while he was on a morning walk.

Pansare was shot at on February 16, 2015 in Kolhapur and succumbed to his injuries on February 20 that year.

The high court has been hearing petitions filed by the kin of the two seeking court monitored investigations in both the cases.
Dr KC issues ultimatum to govt from flood-hit Saptari

Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) senior orthopedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC has said that he will continue his protest saying that the government turned a deaf ear to the widespread condemnation of the move to grant affiliation Kathmandu National Medical College by the Tribhuvan University to run an MBBS programme.
New Delhi: The official booking (online and offline) for Jio Phone will start on August 24.

Reportedly, security deposit of Rs 1,500 only needs to be paid at hour of picking up the Jio Phone. There is no requirement of paying the entire amount at the booking time.

How to book Jio Phone offline?

Visit the authorized Jio retailer (either an authorized store or a Reliance Jio outlet).

By using Aadhaar, one person will be allowed to get only one unit across the country (one Jio Phone per Aadhaar number).

After providing your Aadhaar details, your information will be uploaded into the centralized software which will assign you a token number.

This number will be required at the time of phone delivery.



How to book Free Jio Phone online?

Currently, Jio Phone is under testing phase and official bookings will start from August 24. The handset will be delivered from September onwards for the customers.

Note:

Launch date: 15 August, 2017

Online pre-registration commencement: 24 August, 2017

Delivery: September 2017

Steps:

Visit official website of the phone jio.com or jiofreephone.org.

As the online registration starts, Image/Button will be displayed on homepage.

Click on to JIO Free Mobile Phone Registration/ Pre Booking Button.

Fill up your credentials and other required information such as contact number, address and others.

Enter the shipping address for delivery.

Pay the security deposit of Rs 1,500 via debit/credit card or opt for net banking.

The Jio Phone will be booked. The delivery will be made on 'First Come First Serve' basis.

Other details

The Jio Phone was announced at 40th AGM meeting of Reliance Industries on July 21. You will not be required to pay security amount at the time of submission of the Aadhaar number. The payment will have to be made only when you will receive the unit from the offline retailer. As mentioned earlier, the amount is refundable after 36 months of using the handset.

The online booking from August 24 can be made via MyJio app.




New Delhi: After sailing through the debacle over Galaxy Note 7 last year, Samsung is set to launch its flagship Note 8 on Wednesday, thus ending rumours of halting the further release of the Note series.

The device is expected to be launched at an event in New York at 11 am EDT (8:30 pm in India).

Watch the Live Streaming here:

http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/events/unpacked/
New Delhi: Bollywood's one of the best looking couples Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan are a dream jodi to look up to. The madly-in-love duo have completed a decade together this year and are rock solid, touch wood!

Well, Abhishek recently took to Instagram and shared an adorable picture of his gorgeous wifey Ash with daughter Aaradhya. The picture beautifully captures the mother-daughter relationship and shows the amount of love Abhi has for his family.

A post shared by Abhishek Bachchan (@bachchan) on Aug 22, 2017 at 8:35pm PDT

The picture shared by Bachchan junior was clicked when Ash was given the honour of hoisting the Indian flag at Melbourne.
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan, who is in talks for the biopic on Patna-based mathematician Anand Kumar, believes cinema is the best medium to celebrate stories of real heroes.

Kumar runs the famous 'Super 30' program for IIT aspirants in Patna. He mainly trains the economically backward students for IIT-JEE. He started the program in 2002.

"If an opportunity presents itself (to narrate such stories) then it's great. I think cinema is a fantastic medium to bring out stories that are inspiring and empowering. I am still in discussions for the film on him (Kumar). It's not official but as soon as it will be, I will let you know," Hrithik said in an interview.

The film tentatively titled "Super 30" will trace Anand's rise to fame as the founder of the program. Recently Kumar posted picture of his meeting with Hrithik and director Vikas Bahl.

Though the 43-year-old superstar refrains from talking about the project, when asked if the prep work has already started for the movie, he said, "I have not signed the film. I will only be able to talk about it once it's all official."

If all goes well, then in his journey of 17 years in the film industry, it is for the first time that Hrithik will be acting in a biopic.

Kumar also met actress Katrina Kaif recently and this has led to speculation that she might team up with Hrithik again, after "Bang Bang".

On working with Katrina again, Hrithik said, "I have no idea (about her being part of the film)."
New Delhi: The self-styled godman Swami Om is back to what he does best, create unnecessary controversies. Former 'Bigg Boss' contestant this time hogged the limelight over his distasteful comments about the recent landmark verdict of Supreme Court on Triple Talaq.

According to Pinkvilla.com, Swami Om was present at the SC premises to stop Deepak Mishra from becoming the next Chief Justice of India and thats when he reportedly said that the verdict on Triple Talaq will result in jeopardy of men's freedom and that women will get more independence as compared to men.

After his controversial statement the crowd turned angry and attacked him reportedly so much so that the self-styled godman got beaten up by a few. Meanwhile, a few days back, Swami Om was arrested by a joint team of Lodhi Colony police station and Inter-State Cell of Crime Branch in a case filed by his brother who had accused the former Bigg Boss contestant of stealing bicycles along with some documents from his shop nine years ago.
New Delhi: Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, on Wednesday described as a "malicious persecution" the decision of Rajasthan government to recommend CBI probe into some land deals in Bikaner linked to his company.

Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria had yesterday said that the state government has written to the CBI for a probe into alleged land scams in Bikaner, including those involving Vadra's company.

"Another attempt of malicious persecution, exposed... Please hound, persecute and harass as much as you want, such lies will never undermine the truth.

#TruthWillPrevail," Vadra said in his Facebook post today, reacting to the Rajasthan government's decision.

"First, Rajasthan police filed an FIR on 26 August 2014. In 3 years, they filed the chargesheets, summoned documents, as also company officials, yet found not an iota of evidence," he said.

"Neither the FIR nor the chargesheets accuse the companies associated with me in any manner whatsoever," Vadra added.

He went on to add, "Having failed with the police FIR and chargesheets, they unleashed the Enforcement Directorate to harass and hound.

Enforcement Directorate has conducted raids, seized documents and harassed in every possible manner.

"As they fail, they make one more sinister attempt to rope in the CBI. Has the Rajasthan government lost faith in its own police and investigation?"

Yesterday, Kataria had said, "As many as 18 FIRs are registered and 4 of them are against Vadra's company which was allegedly involved in illegal purchase of nearly 275 bigha land. All the 18 FIRs are in connection with purchase of close to 1400 bigha land in fake names."

The Rajasthan home minister alleged that Vadra's company was third party to purchase 275 bigha land in the year 2010 and it sold the pieces of land to fourth party in 2012.

"When the matter came to light, 18 FIRs were registered. Four FIRs are related with Vadra's company and now the state government has written to the CBI to investigate them altogether. The issue was also raised in the state assembly in 2014," Kataria said.
New Delhi: India's largest realty firm DLF will hold a board meeting on Friday to decide on promoters' proposed sale of 40 per cent stake in rental arm to investment firm GIC in a deal estimated at around Rs 13,000 crore.

DLF had announced in October 2015 that promoters would sell their entire stake in DLF Cyber City Developers Ltd (DCCDL) that holds the bulk of commercial assets of the group.

The company had in March this year entered into an exclusivity pact with Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC to negotiate on this transaction.

The promoters holds Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) in DCCDL, which is worth 40 per cent stake in the rental arm. DLF owns the rest 60 per cent in DCCDL.

In a regulatory filing, DLF said that a meeting of the audit committee will be held on August 25 to "consider and review the status of the proposed sale of CCPS held by CCPS holders to a GIC affiliate including the key terms and conditions and make appropriate recommendations to the board".

"The board will in its meeting scheduled to be held later on August 25, 2017, consider the said recommendations and take appropriate decisions, as required," it added.

If the board approves this deal, this would be second investment from GIC into DLF group. In September 2015, GIC had invested about Rs 2,000 crore in DLF's two housing projects in the national capital.

Last week, sources had said that both the parties -- DLF promoters and GIC -- could sign definitive agreement by end of this month and pegged the deal value at around Rs 12,000- 13,000 crore.

The promoters -- K P Singh and family -- would infuse a large portion of proceeds from this proposed deal into DLF, which in turn would use this amount to cut its net debt that has reached nearly Rs 26,000 crore.

In a latest analyst presentation, DLF had said that "the company and investor are in the final stages of discussion on the documentation. The transaction shall be put up to Audit Committee/Board for final approval".

Last week, DLF's Senior Executive Director (Finance) Saurabh Chawla had also said the proposed transactions is at the "fag end of the process".

After the agreement between the two parties, he had said GIC would approach the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for approval, while DLF will have to seek shareholders' nod. Chawla expected the CCI approval by early November.

DLF is expected to achieve a rental income of over Rs 3,000 crore in the current fiscal, of which about Rs 2,600 crore pertains to the DCCDL.

The proposed deal would help DLF in making its housing business debt free.

In view of sluggish housing sales, the company is having a deficit cash flow of about Rs 750 crore per quarter.

DLF is having an unsold inventory of about Rs 15,000 crore and is waiting for market revival to clear the stocks.

Earlier this month, DLF reported a 58 per cent fall in consolidated net profit at Rs 109.01 crore for the quarter ended June against Rs 261.85 crore in the year-ago period.

Total income rose by 9 per cent to Rs 2,211.24 crore in the first quarter of this fiscal from Rs 2,025.58 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.
New Delhi: Indian film actress Kajal Aggarwal never fails to impress her social media followers, all thanks to her mesmerising pictures and inevitable charm. Even her on-screen appearances are pretty enough to with the hearts of her fans. Something really similar happened on Wednesday when the 32-year-old diva revealed her first look from the upcoming film 'Vivegam' on Instagram.

In the images, the 'Do Lafzon Ki Kahani' star is looking breathtakingly beautiful in Indian attire. Her photos are garnering a lot of love from the Internet users.

Check out:

A post shared by Kajal Aggarwal (@kajalaggarwalofficial) on Aug 22, 2017 at 11:04am PDT

A post shared by Kajal Aggarwal (@kajalaggarwalofficial) on Aug 22, 2017 at 8:05pm PDT

Directed by Siva, the film marks his third consecutive outing with Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar. Produced by Satyajothi Films, 'Vivegam' also stars Vivek Oberoi and Akshara Haasan.
Chennai: Sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran on Wednesday axed four ministers from the party posts, in an attempt to assert his authority on the party.

The four ministers, RB Uthayakumar, KC Veeramani, MR Vijayabaskar and R Kamaraj, were dismissed from the party posts.

In separate statements, Dhinakaran announced the appointments of his aides to these posts.

He also relieved the district secretaries of Chennai (South), Kancheepuram, Thiruvallore (West) and Pudukottai of their duties. In the Dravidian parties' hierarchy, district secretaries play a key role in the organisational growth.

He also appointed a number of his supporters to various others posts including that of the organisation secretary, besides expanding the office-bearers list.

The appointments were made with the 'approval' of Sasikala, Dhinakaran said.

Eighteen party MLAs, who sweared their loyalty to Dhinakaran, continued to stay at a Puducherry resort, a day after they revolted against the K Palaniswami government threatening its survival.

Police personnel have been deployed outside the resort and media was not allowed to enter the premises.

The local wing of the unified AIADMK burned effigies of Dhinakaran, nephew of Sasikala, near the resort and raised slogans against them.

The Congress, on the other hand, today pitched for a floor test in the assembly, a day after its ally DMK made a similar demand, claiming 22 AIADMK MLAs had submitted letters to Governor Ch Vidayasagar Rao expressing lack of confidence in Chief Minister E K Palaniswami.

In the 234-member assembly, the AIADMK has 134 MLAs.

Rallying behind party chief VK Sasikala, who is currently servind her 4-year imprisonment in a disproportionate case at Parapanna Agrahara central prison, her brother Divakaran claimed the Palaniswami ministry had lost majority and sought his resignation.

"Such a government cannot continue. Palaniswami has to resign," he told reporters at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district.

Divakaran had on Tuesday suggested the name of assembly Speaker P Dhanapal, a Dalit, to replace Palaniswami.

Both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam seemed undeterred by the developments. In the afternoon today, they attended the centenary celebrations of AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran together in Ariyalur.

Meanwhile, the latest shake-up by Dhinakaran comes two days after the merger of the factions led by Palaniswami and rebel leader O Panneerselvam, a former chief minister.

Under the arrangement, Panneerselvam was made deputy chief minister and the coordinator of the party. Palaniswami was named co-coordinator.

It was also agreed that steps would be taken to expel Sasikala, which was a pre-condition for the merger.

In the wake of differences in the ruling party, the DMK has demanded a floor test in the assembly to prove that the government was in a majority.

At Puducherry, former MLA Om Sakthi Segar led the protest against Sasikala and Dhinakaran.

Segar handed over a petition to the district collector and SP asking them to instruct the MLAs to vacate the resort in the "larger interest of law and order".

He alleged the Congress-led Puducherry government was trying to engineer a split in the AIADMK by letting the MLAs stay at the resort.

(With PTI updates)
Chennai: In a big setback to AIADMK leader Sasikala, the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a review petition against the order of her conviction in a disproportionate assets case and observed that "there is no merit in the plea to review our own judgment".

"We do not find any error in the common judgment impugned, much less an apparent error on the face of the record, so as to call for its review. The review petitions are, accordingly, dismissed," a bench of Justices S A Bobde and Amitava Roy.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Sasikala and other convicts, gave written submissions and propositions which were taken on record by the top court.

The apex court perused the review petitions and dismissed the pleas filed by Sasikala and other convicts in the case.

Sasikala had moved the Supreme Court in May, seeking a re-examination of the court verdict that held her guilty in the case and sentencing her to four-year imprisonment.

She has been lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru since February. The Supreme Court had on February 14 convicted her in a disproportionate assets case along with her two relatives VN Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi.

The immediate fallout of the top court verdict was that Sasikala was out of the electoral field for 10 years - four years when would be in incarceration and six years of disqualification under the Representation of Peoples Act after her release.

The verdict disqualified Sasikala from becoming a legislator and consequentially from holding the post of a Chief Minister either for six years from the date of release of prison under the Act.

The four, J Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran were convicted by the trial court for amassing disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 66.65 crore during Jayalalithaa's first term as Chief Minister from 1991 to 1996.

An advocate privy to the review petition said Sasikala has relied on an earlier apex court verdict of 1991 in which after the death of a prime accused, the proceeding against the co-accused was also abated in a corruption case.

The development had come amid an enraging power struggle between the then two warring factions of the AIADMK - led by O Panneerselvam and E Palanisamy.
Sushma Swaraj receives PM Deuba in New Delhi

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who left for India on a five-day state visit at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, was received by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Wednesday said unity was the need of the hour to take the party and the AIADMK government forward, amid a threat to his government's stability posed by 18 MLAs loyal to sidelined party deputy chief T T V Dhinakaran.

Senior AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, however, dismissed any threat to the government in the wake of revolt by the 18 MLAs, who have expressed lack of confidence in Palaniswami's leadership.

He said the state government was strong and there was no division in the party.

On yet another day of hectic political developments in the state, Dhinakaran, nephew of jailed AIADMK chief V K Sasikala, sought to assert his authority by stripping four ministers of party posts while MLAs loyal to him continued to stay put in a resort in Puducherry.

DMK's ally Congress pitched for a floor test in the assembly, a day after the Dravidian party made a similar demand claiming 22 AIADMK MLAs had submitted letters to Governor Ch Vidayasagar Rao expressing lack of confidence in the chief minister.

In the 234-member assembly, the AIADMK has 134 MLAs.

Sasikala's brother V Divakaran, meanwhile, claimed the Palaniswami ministry had "lost majority" and sought his resignation.

"Such a government cannot continue. Palaniswami has to resign," he told reporters at Kumbakonam.

Thambidurai told reporters in Chennai that the "Tamil Nadu government under the leadership of Palaniswami is strong. There are no divisions," he added.

Palaniswami later made the comments on unity at a government function in Ariyalur where he shared the dais with his deputy O Panneerselvam for the first time after the merger of two AIADMK factions led by them.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of AIADMK founder and late chief minister M G Ramachandran, the two leaders heaped praises on him and late chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

Palaniswami said the recent merger of the two factions was done with the aim of fulfiling the dreams of Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa and expressed joy over today's meeting.

The chief minister, facing an attack from the Dhinakaran camp over the merger, stressed on unity to take the party and government forward.

"We should strengthen the party and the government like siblings. That unity is the offering (apparently meaning gratitude) we make to Amma (Jayalalithaa)," he said.

He also invoked the legacy of MGR and Jayalalithaa and said they had surmounted various challenges during their tenures and provided good governance, earning a place in the hearts of the people of the state.

"None can ever separate the present government and AIADMK from the people's hearts as long as it is guided by the spirit of the two great leaders and as long as spirit of Amma stood as a source of strength," he said.

Like Jayalalitha, he also narrated a short story of a godman making the residents of a village realise the value of unity.

"People will not accept those as leaders who had not done any public service. MGR (Ramachandran) won hearts by public service. Amma later gave shape to his ideas," he said.

In his address at the function, Panneerselvam said Jayalalithaa had turned the AIADMK into "an iron fortress which cannot be shaken by anyone".

The "sacrifices" of Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa should be kept in mind to ensure the well-being of the people of the state and its growth, he added.

A day after meeting the governor, the MLAs supporting the combative Dhinakaran, stayed put at a private resort in neighbouring Puducherry. They largely remained indoors.

A few of them, including Andipatti MLA Thangatamilselvan, went out for morning walk at the beach there.

Police personnel have been deployed outside the resort and media was not allowed to enter the premises.

The local wing of the unified AIADMK burned effigies of Dhinakaran, nephew of Sasikala, near the resort and raised slogans against them.

In a bid to assert his authority, Dhinakaran "relieved" four ministers -- RB Uthayakumar, KC Veeramani, MR Vijayabaskar and R Kamaraj -- of party posts.

In separate statements, Dhinakaran announced the appointments of his aides to these posts and also relieved the district secretaries of Chennai (South), Kancheepuram, Thiruvallore (West) and Pudukottai of their duties.

In the Dravidian parties' hierarchy, district secretaries play a key role in the organisational growth.

Dhinakaran also appointed a number of his supporters to various others posts including that of the organisation secretary, besides expanding the office-bearers list.

The appointments were made with the "approval" of Sasikala, he said.

The latest shake-up by Dhinakaran comes two days after the merger of the two factions, which has irked his followers.

Under the arrangement, Panneerselvam was made deputy chief minister and the coordinator of the party. Palaniswami was named co-coordinator.

It was also agreed that steps would be taken to expel Sasikala, which was a pre-condition for the merger.

In the wake of differences in the ruling party, the DMK has demanded a floor test in the assembly to prove that the government was in a majority.

In Puducherry, former MLA Om Sakthi Segar led the protest against Sasikala and Dhinakaran and submitted a petition to the district collector and SP asking them to instruct the MLAs to vacate the resort in the "larger interest of law and order".
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh's River Rapti is flowing in 'High flood situation', reported news agency ANI on Wednesday.

River Rapti is located at Bansi in Sidharthnagar district.

Most North Indian states are have been hit by devastating floods over the last two months. The situation remained grim in UP with the death toll mounting to 72 on Monday. Affected people are being rescued and shifted to safer areas.

Nearly 43,602 people have taken shelter in relief camps in the affected districts of eastern UP, whipped by the raging waters of the rivers emanating from Nepal.

Twenty-one NDRF teams, 30 PAC (flood) teams, two choppers of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and several Army jawans continued relief and rescue operations round-the-clock in the flood-affected districts of the state.

The release of water in the rivers originating from Nepal and incessant rains have hampered rescue work and evacuation people.

According to a Central Water Commission report, the river was flowing well above the red mark at Rigauli and Birdghat (Gorakhpur). Its tributaries were also flowing above the danger level.
Muzaffarnagar: A fast track court has sentenced a man to 10 years of imprisonment for abducting and raping a 14-year-old girl in 2013.

The court also convicted Narendra and his wife for abducting the girl and sentenced them each to five years in jail.

Judge Ombir Singh also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on Rahul and Rs 10,000 each on the others.

The girl was raped on June 13, 2013, and was rescued by the police a week later.
Benghazi: At least 11 people were beheaded Wednesday in an attack on a checkpoint controlled by Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar south of Tripoli, a spokesman for his forces said.

"At least nine soldiers were beheaded... in addition to two civilians killed in the same way" at the checkpoint about 500 kilometres (300 miles) south of Tripoli, Colonel Ahmad al-Mesmari said, blaming the Islamic State group for the attack.
Islamabad: Angry and offended Pakistanis fired back Wednesday against Donald Trump`s accusations that their country harbours militants, highlighting the heavy toll they have paid fighting extremism and slamming his embrace of arch-rival India.

The US president unleashed blistering criticism of Pakistan this week as he unveiled his new Afghanistan policy which paves the way for the indefinite deployment of more troops to the war-weary country.

Trump lashed out at US ally Pakistan, accusing the country of playing a double game as it accepted American aid but gave safe haven to insurgents who kill Afghan and NATO troops.

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting," Trump said.

Pakistan sees nuclear-armed India as an existential threat but cannot defeat its much larger neighbour on the battlefield, so has instead crafted a strategy of supporting militant proxies -- including the Afghan Taliban.

Such groups tie down India in the contested Himalayan region of Kashmir and, in Afghanistan, help prevent the rise of an Indian-backed government.

Pakistani civilians have little power over regional strategy but have lost homes and loved ones to militant violence which has killed thousands in their own country since 2007. Trump`s remarks provoked hurt and outrage among many.

"We have been fighting YOUR war for a decade now, we have lost numerous lives of civilians, our jawans, even our schoolgoing children as well," wrote Farhan Bashir on Facebook. "Today you are saying this to cover up your failures in Afghanistan?"

Some residents in the capital Islamabad said their country was being treated as a scapegoat after being dragged into the conflict following the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

"All the worst things that we are facing is only because (we are) supporting the US in Afghanistan," said Ameer Hamza. "How could a country shelter terrorists which itself is under the grip of terrorism?"

In Pakistan`s northwestern city of Peshawar, which has borne the brunt of vicious militant violence over the years, bank employee Suhail Ahmad said Pakistani troops and police had done their job and cleared the area of militants.

"We Pakistanis were suffering from terrorism, but now the terrorists have either been killed or fled to Afghanistan," the 24-year-old told AFP.

"The power is in the US hands in Afghanistan so why don`t they go against terrorists and kill them there?"

Others suggested ditching the US alliance altogether and embracing China, which has been pouring tens of billions into infrastructure investment in Pakistan in recent years.

"They have always pressured us for doing more and more. There may be some pro-US voices but I think we should go closer to China," said Sakhawat Shah, a Peshawar college

student.

Editorials in leading dailies urged Trump to be cautious after he called on Pakistan`s arch-rival India to deepen its engagement in Afghanistan, a scenario the Pakistani military establishment dreads.

Pakistan sees India as an existential threat, analysts say, and is unlikely to abandon its Afghan proxies -- especially as the US tilts towards India, as Trump clearly indicated in his speech.

"Like the previous administrations, the Trump administration too believes in unquestioned cooperation, ignoring Islamabad`s interests completely," wrote columnist Zahid Hussain in Dawn newspaper.

"Pakistani officials contend that the Trump administration has crossed the red line by making India a part of its Afghan strategy."

Analyst Rahimullah Yousufzai told AFP: "On one side America is asking for Pakistan`s support and on the other side asking India.

"How it is possible for Pakistan to provide its support in a matter which will strengthen India`s grip in Afghanistan"

In the bustling port city of Karachi, also long plagued by militant violence, shopowners brushed aside Trump`s criticism.

"We need to clean up our own mess, not to rely on any one," said Rashid Mahmood, 40.

Others noted that Pakistanis have bigger problems than even Trump or militants.

"Our daily nightmare is street robbers... we are least bothered by what America is saying," said Momin Khan, a 42-year-old grocery shop owner, adding: "Trump is a liar and he is anti-Muslim."
Kabul: As many as five people were killed and about 40 wounded when a suicide bomber targeted an Afghan military convoy on Wednesday morning in Lashkargah city in Helmand province in Afghanistan.

Officials said the bombing took place close to a Madrassa, which is near police headquarters in Lashkargah city.

Of those killed, two were soldiers and three were civilians, Tolo News quoted the provincial governor's spokesman, Omar Zwak as saying.

According to Zwak, the incident happened outside police headquarters, which is close to a Madrassa. He said most of those wounded were students at the Madrassa.

Extensive damage was done to a number of military vehicles that were approaching the police headquarters at the time. As many as three Humvees (The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) were badly damaged in the attack.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack in a Twitter posting.

On August 4, as many as 40 Taliban fighters were killed in a gun battle with Afghan security forces that lasted for 12 hours in the southern Helmand province.

This attack comes after U.S. President Donald Trump has announced its strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia and also pledged to commit U.S. troops to Afghanistan to fight against the resurgent Taliban without announcing a precise number.
Hong Kong: Typhoon Hato left three dead in the gambling hub of Macau Wednesday as it brought chaos and destruction to the enclave after sweeping through neighbouring Hong Kong, where one man also died.

Local media showed severe flooding had left cars underwater and people swimming in Macau`s city streets, with the territory`s mega-casinos running on backup generators.

Three men aged 30 to 65 died, the Macau government said, while two people were missing. One of the men died after being injured by a wall that blew down, another fell from a fourth-floor terrace and the last was a Chinese tourist hit by a truck.

Apple Daily showed footage of people swimming through muddy water in what are usually roads and being swept off their feet by winds.

The sprawling Venetian casino resort was on backup power and without air conditioning or proper lighting, according to one source.

One employee of Sands, which owns the Venetian and the Parisian, said power had been out across the whole of Macau but was beginning to return.

"Because many guests come in the summer, a lot of them have been stuck in the major resorts and casinos," the employee said.

"All transportations -- air, ground, sea -- have halted, so customers who have checked out cannot leave yet."

Electricity was still down at the Grand Lisboa Wednesday afternoon, with the casino and restaurants there out of action, a staff member told AFP.

Residents took to social media to complain about city-wide power and mobile phone network outages.

Brian Chan, 31, said authorities had failed to give enough notice of the impending storm and were not properly prepared, describing the territory as "totally lost" in the typhoon.

The water supply was also limited, authorities said, and 50 flights cancelled from its international airport.

By evening, parts of Macau were still without power.

"Some have no tap water supply. The city looks like after an attack," Harald Bruning, editor of the Macau Post Daily, told AFP, describing it as the worst typhoon he had experienced in 30 years.

Hurricane winds and heavy rain had earlier hit Hong Kong, leaving an 83-year-old man dead after he fell into the sea, police said, and more than 80 injured.

The typhoon shut down the stock market and forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights in the worst storm the city has seen for five years.Meteorologists raised the Hong Kong`s most severe Typhoon 10 warning as the storm hit, only the third time in the past 20 years.

The typhoon passed as close as 60 kilometres (37 miles) and made landfall at noon (0400 GMT) in the southern mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai.

Thousands of people were evacuated Tuesday in parts of south China in preparation for the typhoon`s arrival, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Hato sent metres-high waves crashing into Hong Kong`s shorelines with flooding knee deep in some areas.

Swathes of marine rubbish washed up on beaches and in coastal residential areas, including white globs of palm oil which have been coming ashore since a massive spillage at sea earlier this month.

Gusts of up to 207 kilometres per hour brought flying debris, tearing down trees and scaffolding and smashing skyscraper windows.

Fallen trees cut off roads to parts of the territory.

More than 400 flights were cancelled, with flag carrier Cathay Pacific axing most of its departures until 5:00 pm (0900 GMT).

The airline said it had begun to reschedule the flights with some taking off Wednesday evening.

As the storm moved away, the observatory gradually reduced its warning signal to a Typhoon 1, the lowest level, although it said there would still be strong offshore winds and the rain continued.

Hong Kong is regularly besieged by typhoons between July and October, but direct hits are rare.

The city saw its strongest storm in 1962 when the eye of typhoon Wanda passed over and gusts of 284 kilometres per hour were recorded.

It killed 130 people and destroyed thousands of residential huts, leaving 72,000 people homeless.
Stockholm: The headless torso of a woman found at sea was identified Wednesday as a Swedish journalist, thought to have died aboard a Danish inventor`s homemade submarine in a grisly case that has gripped public imagination worldwide.

Danish police confirmed they had made a positive identification of the body, which was found on Monday.

"We have a DNA match between a hairbrush and a toothbrush belonging to Kim Wall and the blood in the submarine and the torso we autopsied yesterday," Copenhagen homicide chief Jens Moller Jensen told reporters.

Danish inventor Peter Madsen has been accused of the negligent manslaughter of the 30-year-old reporter, who went to interview him aboard his 60-foot (18-metre) submarine on August 10.

The torso, whose head and limbs were deliberately cut off, was found in Koge Bay, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Copenhagen, police say.

It also bore injuries which appeared to suggest that air had been forced out of it, Jensen added.

He also said the torso had been attached to a metal object which was probably intended to weigh it down.

The cause of death and motive remain unknown and police are still searching for the remaining body parts, Jensen said. Madsen`s lawyer, Betina Hald Engmark, told Danish news agency Ritzau her client was "very relieved" the torso had been identified.

"He wants nothing else than for this case to be cleared up and fully disclosed," Engmark said. "It is in my client`s best interest."

Madsen, who has been in custody since August 12, denies the allegations against him.

Wall, a freelance journalist who had reported for The Guardian and The New York Times, was last observed on board the sub with Madsen on August 10.

Her boyfriend reported her missing a day later. The same day, Madsen was rescued from waters between Denmark and Sweden shortly before his submarine sank.

Investigators recovered and searched the sunken submarine, which police believe Madsen, 46, sank deliberately.

Madsen, whose website describes him as an "in entrepreneur", initially told authorities he dropped Wall off on an island late on the evening of August 10.

But he changed his story several days later when he appeared in court, saying Wall had died in an accident on board and that he dumped the body in the water at an undefined location in Koge Bay.The inventor is dubbed "Rocket Madsen" in a 2014 biography with the same title because he created the Rocket-Madsen Space Lab, funded by donations and which aimed to send privately built rockets into space.

He has been described by acquaintances as temperamental, but not violent.

"He`s not violent, he doesn`t drink, doesn`t take drugs," said journalist Thomas Djursing, who wrote the biography, in an interview with Denmark`s Jyllands-Posten newspaper on August 14.

"But he is angry with God and everyone."

And on August 16, his brother Benny Langkjaer Egeso told Swedish daily Expressen that Madsen "is very strange and that turns him into his own greatest enemy right now."

Born into a working-class family, Madsen lived with his father -- a war and history buff -- after his parents divorced. A self-taught engineer, Madsen worked with volunteers to build the Nautilus, the biggest-ever private submarine when it was launched in 2008.

But they fell out in 2014-2015 and members of the board transferred the vessel`s ownership to him, the submarine`s website says.

Madsen had sent a text message to two board members in 2015, saying "there is a curse on Nautilus".

"That curse is me. There will never be peace on Nautilus as long as I exist," Madsen wrote, according to a 2015 post written by the volunteers in Danish on the website.

"You will never have a good feeling inside the submarine... do not throw more lifeblood into that boat."

Wall, a graduate of Columbia School of Journalism, was based in New York and China.

Her friends described her as "invincible", "ambitious" and as "seeing something good in everyone", according to Swedish media reports.

"It is with endless sorrow and dismay that we have received the news that the remains of our daughter and sister have been found," Wall`s mother Ingrid wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

Wall had covered news about earthquake-hit areas in Haiti, Idi Amin`s torture chambers in Uganda and minefields in Sri Lanka.

"She gave voice to the weak, to the vulnerable and marginalised people," her mother wrote.

"That voice would have been needed much, much longer. But now that will not be so."
Estado de Veracruz: A Mexican journalist under government protection was shot dead Tuesday in the violent state of Veracruz, an official said, the 10th journalist murdered in Mexico this year.

Candido Rios, a crime reporter for a regional newspaper, was gunned down outside a convenience store in the eastern town of Hueyapan de Ocampo along with two other people, including a former police inspector.

Rios had been under the protection of a government program designed to keep journalists and rights activists safe from a wave of deadly violence, said Jorge Morales, head of the program in Veracruz state.

He was well-known locally for his decade-long career at the newspaper Diario de Acayucan, where he reported on crime and government corruption and had publicly feuded with several former mayors.

The victims also included Victor Acrelio Alegria, an ex-police inspector in Hueyapan de Ocampo, and a third person who had not yet been identified.

The gunmen opened fire with high-powered weapons, killing Acrelio on the spot and badly wounding Rios, who died on the way to hospital.

More than 100 journalists have been murdered since 2006 in Mexico, one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists, according to the watchdog group Reporters Without Borders.

More than 90 percent of the killings remain unpunished.

Veracruz, a state dogged by drug cartel wars and corrupt politics, is particularly dangerous: some 20 journalists have been murdered here since 2010.

Most of the journalists killed this year had been reporting on powerful crime gangs and government corruption.

Last year, 11 journalists were killed in Mexico -- the deadliest year yet. But 2017 could be on track to surpass it.

The violence is part of a wave of bloodshed in Mexico that has left more than 200,000 people dead or missing since the government declared war on drug cartels in 2006.
Benghazi: At least nine members of security forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar and two civilians were killed on Wednesday by suspected Islamic State militants at a checkpoint in the central Jufra region, a military spokesman said.

A statement posted by Islamic State`s Amaq news agency said 21 members of "Haftar`s militias" had been killed or injured in the attack.

Haftar`s Libyan National Army (LNA) took over several strategic bases in Jufra and the neighbouring region of Sabha earlier this year as rival factions withdrew.

"The terrorist organisation Daesh (Islamic State) attacked al-Fogha checkpoint in Jufra region this morning, killing nine soldiers and two civilians were slaughtered," said LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari. He said the victims had been beheaded.

Jufra lies to the south of Sirte, the coastal city where Islamic State established a stronghold before being ousted by local forces late last year.

Some militants fled into desert areas to the south and west of Sirte where Libyan officials say they have been trying to regroup.
Incessant rain destroys 2 houses in Humla

The incessant rainfall continuing since the past one week has brought down at least two houses here at Dandafaya village of Simikot rural municipality  7, located in the northern rim of the district.
Arizona: Giving an ample indication of resolving the North Korean issue diplomatically, United Stated President Donald Trump said that "Kim Jong-un has started to respect us."

Trump said, "All of a sudden, I believe and respect the fact that I believe Kim Jong is starting to respect us.

"Without mentioning the nuclear threat or ballistic missiles, Trump said, "Something positive may come up."

Trump`s remarks coincide with the statement of Secretary of State Rex W Tillerson, who complimented Kim`s regime in Pyongyang for going more than two weeks without shooting any ICBM intercontinental ballistic missiles or blowing up any nuclear bombs.

"I`m pleased to see that the regime in Pyongyang has certainly demonstrated some level of restraint," Tillerson had said, suggesting that the brief pause in testing may be enough to meet the administration`s preconditions for talks.

"We hope that this is the beginning of the signal we`ve been looking for," he said, adding that "perhaps we`re seeing our pathway to sometime in the near future of having some dialogue. We need to see more on their part. But I want to acknowledge the steps they`ve taken so far."

The tensions between North Korea and United States escalated when Pyongyang military presented a plan to Kim Jong-un of firing four missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has said there "will be no war on the Korean peninsula ever again" and United States will not take a unilateral action against North Korea.

Moon assured that his government "will block war by all means" and said that only South Korea could give consent to initiate any conflict with the North."United States President Donald Trump had assured South Korea he would consult with them before making any military decisions on North Korea," Moon, who took office in May,said during a news conference on Thursday to mark the first 100 days of his presidency."Against North Korea, even with extreme pressure, it has to be solved peacefully and our opinion and US opinion about this matter is not different," Moon said.
LOS ANGELES, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. Americana shopping mall executives in Glendale once again reversed themselves declaring that they not only now accept to advertise the Armenian Genocide Documentary, Architects of Denial, but offered to do it for free!

Harut Sassounian, publisher at The California Courier, published an article on this topic.

Armenpress presents the full article.

In the process, Americanas executives behaved erratically, unprofessionally, and most surprisingly, against their own business interests by behaving insensitively toward the major block of their shoppers, the large local Armenian population.

It all started two weeks ago when Americanas General Manager Julie Jauregui refused to sell space on its billboard by calling the Armenian Genocide documentary "too political." When I contacted Americana for a proper explanation, I was told by Emily Davis, responsible for Americanas Public Relations and Communications: "We have strict standards for our advertisements and we carefully review all content. This did not comply with the advertising guidelines for our portfolio properties throughout Southern California. When asked why the documentary did not comply with Americanas advertising guidelines, three days later I was told by Emily Davis, Americana had no further comment!

Under pressure from the local Armenian community and the Armenian National Committee of America -- Glendale Chapter, Jackie Levy, Americanas Executive Vice President, changed course and sent a conciliatory letter to ANCA, dangling the hope that there would be a resolution to the issue after meeting with the Glendale City Council and the documentary producers, and declining to meet with ANCA.

A few days later, Jackie Levy, sent a much harsher letter to the documentary producers stating once again that Americana declines the requested advertising because the shopping mall is for people who can come together to enjoy themselves that is why we have established policies prohibiting advertisements concerning political issues. She then offered to meet with ANCA and expressed the wish to reaffirm our longstanding support of the Armenian community. which is a complete lie. Americana has repeatedly taken anti-Armenian positions, particularly on the Armenian Genocide issue when they banned the sale of genocide t-shirts three years ago.

Jackie Levy then proceeded to make the most offensive remark, mentioning comments we have received ranging from the Armenian community and the Turkish Consulate. Ms. Levy should be asked how many Turkish shoppers frequent Americana vs. 100,000 Armenians in Glendale. Furthermore, why is she allowing the Consulate of a foreign despotic regime to interfere in the decisions of Americana and the local community? By doing so, she is equating Armenians -- the victims of genocide -- with those whose ancestors had committed such heinous mass crimes!

Meanwhile the pressure started mounting on Americana by various American TV networks which broadcast the Armenian protests against the shopping mall. There were also more than 20 Armenian and non-Armenian speakers, including this writer, who addressed the Glendale City Council on August 15, expressing their outrage at Jackie Levys insensitive letter. At the end, all five City Council members expressed their unhappiness with Americanas rejection of the Armenian Genocide ad and committed to follow up with the shopping malls executives to pressure them to change their position.

Finally, Americana executives reversed their position once again on August 17, by announcing shortly before ANCA's press conference scheduled to declare a boycott of Americana by the local Armenian community. Jackie Levy announced that Americana now agrees to display the advertisement and at no cost to the producers.

Ms. Levy excuses Americana's earlier negative decision as a "misunderstanding" of their position on human rights and for that we apologize. We have always condemned violence and atrocities of any form anywhere in the world, including the Armenian Genocide that has impacted the lives of Armenians in our community.

In response, ANCA announced that they consider Americanas reversal an initial positive step. The ANCA further stated that the shopping mall should be demonstrating its corporate citizenship and must seek a relationship with the community that demonstrates, in concrete terms, its understanding and care for the surrounding community and our city. In the coming weeks, we look forward to meeting with Mr. Rick Caruso [Americanas owner] and his management team to discuss, in concrete terms, how we can forge a better relationship and bond between the community and the Americana and Caruso Affiliated that results in a genuine, constructive and meaningful long-term relationship."

Given Americana executives' contradictory statements in the last couple of weeks, the Armenian community has lost complete trust in their promises. Mr. Caruso, Americanas owner, not only should review the shopping malls relationship with the local Armenian community, but also decide if several of his executives should continue working for him given their unprofessional behavior.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. Executive Director of the Development Foundation of Armenia (DFA) Armen Avak Avakian delivered Choose Armenia presentation on Armenias investment opportunities during a round-table discussion of business leaders in Los Angeles, the DFA told Armenpress.

A number of investment programs were discussed with American large and medium-sized business leaders.

The investment event was held by the initiative of the Armenian Consulate General in LA which was attended by the heads of chamber of commerce of Los Angeles and Orange counties, Glendale and Los Angeles cities, members of business consulting companies, heads of the US large and medium enterprises.

The DFA Executive Director presented to the business leaders Armenias readiness to become an important platform between the markets of Iran (GDP worth 450 billion USD) and EAEU (GDP worth 3 trillion USD). We have the energy to connect these two powerful economies. The readiness to assist at high level the foreign investors targeting these two major economies is an integral part of the government and the DFA strategy, he said. The DFAs task is not only to develop programs and present them to investors, but also to assist in post-investment period to effectively complete the work.

During the presentation Armenias achievements in IT field and Nation of Innovation video clip presenting the countrys opportunities have been displayed.

During the round-table discussion, head of Investment Policy department at the ministry of economic development and investments Vahagn Lalayan presented the terms of doing business in Armenia, favorable trade regimes with the countries of the EU and EAEU.




YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Armenia, the focus of the Armenia-Diaspora conference discussions will be on statehood as the major guarantee of the existence of the entire nation, editor-in-chief of Lebanons Aztag Daily Shahan Gantaharian said in an interview with Hayern Aysor, reports Armenpress.

He said the Armenia-Diaspora conferences are consistent in terms of topics, structure, participants and the goals that they pursue.

The representative body of organized Armenians gathered under one roof in Armenia is being gradually formed and will lead to the creation of a new mechanism. I think this conference will become a major loop in the chain of consistent strategies, he said, adding that the number of participants, the professionalism of the speeches and the involvement of various government agencies show that we are on the threshold of a transitional stage at the pan-Armenian level and as an Armenian World.

He also talked about the establishment of the Pan-Armenian Council, the first case attempt of which was successful in terms of coordination of the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. The Pan-Armenian Council is a necessity and an urgent imperative of strategic significance for Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora and in terms of coordinating the pan-Armenian issues and working together, Shahan Gantaharian said, expressing hope that the Council will also have regional councils or committees that will work together and share their plans with the Pan-Armenian Central Council.

On September 18-20 the Armenia-Diaspora 6th Pan-Armenian conference will be held in Yerevan which is entitled Mutual trust, unity and readiness. The conference will be attended by public, political figures, heads of pan-Armenian structures and community organizations, journalists, representatives of education, culture and spiritual fields from Diaspora, Armenia and Artsakh. High-ranking officials and spiritual leaders from Armenia and Artsakh will also take part in the conference.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenians expect the fairest decisions from Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, sociologist Aharon Adibekyan told reporters on August 23, reports Armenpress.

According to our polls, people mostly trust Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. The society expects the fairest decisions from the PM, Aharon Adibekyan said, adding that three criteria of trust have been mentioned in the survey: he is able to solve national issues, they are confident that he will do that, and he will be fair to all.

The sociologist said people are confident that the PM will work not only for his relatives, colleagues, but also equally for everyone.

Aharon Adibekyan said the PM is followed by Gagik Tsarukyan, with votes 3 times less. Karen Karapetyans rating was 60%, whereas that of Gagik Tsarukyan was 20%.

The survey has been conducted among 5500 people.
Nationals Ghattekulo hospital run illegally

The Kathmandu National Medical College, which the Tribhuvan University recently permitted to run an MBBS programme, is found to have been running its teaching hospital illegally in Ghattekulo.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. The 4th Artsakh Wine Festival will be held in Togh village, in the territory of Meliks palace on September 16 which will host dozens of winemakers from Artsakh and Armenia, the economy ministry of Artsakh told Armenpress.

Within the frames of the festival, exhibition-fair of wine, agricultural products, art works, as well as The treasuries of Toghs Melik Palace exhibition, concert, group excursions and other activities will be held.

The festival guests will have a chance to taste Artsakh cuisines dishes. This year as well the festival is free.

This annual event aims at boosting event tourism in Artsakh, creating unique platform for winemakers of Artsakh and Armenia. Every year more than 200.000 guests from Armenia, Artsakh and abroad attend the festival to taste the best Armenian wines, get acquainted with the local culture and communicate with the local people.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. Vice-Speaker of the Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov on August 23 held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Argentina to Armenia Gonzalo Urriolabeitia, press service of the Parliament told Armenpress.

Vice-Speaker Sharmazanov said the friendship groups are already formed at the Parliament of 6th convocation, and he will continue heading the friendship group with Argentina.

Eduard Sharmazanov highly appreciated the Ambassadors activity in developing and deepening the Armenian-Argentine ties. He attached importance to the role of parliamentary diplomacy and highlighted the significance of cooperation of the friendly countries in international structures.

The Vice-Speaker added that by giving shelter to Armenians in the past century Argentina became their second homeland and later it took decisive steps for recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. According to him, the issue of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide enters a new stage, the stage of fight against Turkish denialism.

Sharmazanov highly appreciated Argentinas balanced stance on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stating that is a peace-exporting country and rejects any military solution.

Sharmazanov also invited his Argentine counterpart to visit Armenia.

In his turn Ambassador Gonzalo Urriolabeitia thanked for the reception highlighting the role of parliamentary cooperation on developing the bilateral ties. The Ambassador said its necessary to use all parliamentary formats for the comprehensive development of the relations. According to him, the existence of the Armenian community in Argentina had its impact on the establishment of friendship and deepening of the ties between the two countries.

At the end of the meeting the Ambassador said this year marks the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Argentina and Armenia, and the embassy will hold a number of events, to which the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament is also invited.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. Within the frames of the 2016-2017 graduation events of Armenian and foreign military-educational institutions, the graduates of the institutions visited the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute on August 23, as well as paid a tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims, the Armenian defense ministry told Armenpress.

The graduates also visited Yerablur military pantheon and laid flowers to the memory of Armenian heroes fallen while defending the borders of the Fatherland.

In the evening of August 23, the graduates will attend the concert of Reincarnation music band at the Cafesjian Center for the Art in Yerevan.

On August 24 the graduates will be hosted in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili thanked the firefighter-rescuers of Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Belarus for providing assistance to firefighting operations in the Borjomi forest (Samtskhe-Javakheti region), Sputnik News reports.

The head of state visited the fire zone on August 23 and got acquainted with the situation.

6 helicopters and one special aircraft are involved in the firefighting works.

We saw how many honest friends Georgia and Georgians have  Armenians, Turks, Azerbaijanis, Belarussians, he said.

Giorgi Margvelashvili thanked all countries for the assistance and said it is very welcoming and important.

As for the situation in the forest, the Georgian President said firefighters successfully conduct their work. Intensive works are underway. You see that at the moment the fire is in fact eliminated, however, much more time is needed to completely extinguish it, he said.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Yuri Khachaturov will visit Kazakhstan on August 23-25 where he will meet with President Nursultan Nazarbayev, CSTO spokesperson Vladimir Zainetdinov said, reports Armnpress.

On August 23-25 CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov will visit the Republic of Kazakhstan. The visit will take place within the frames of the visits to the organizations member states which aims to discuss the preparation works of the collective security councils session, foreign ministers council session, defense ministers council session, as well as the session of the committee of secretaries of the CSTO security council which will be held in Minsk in autumn 2017, the CSTO said in a statement.

It is stated that during his visit to Kazakhstan, Yuri Khachaturov is expected to meet with President Nursultan Nazarbayev. He will also meet with Kazakhstans security council secretary, defense and foreign ministers.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. Minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources Ashot Manukyan on August 23 held a meeting with Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Switalski, the ministry told Armenpress.

Minister Manukyan highly appreciated the EUs assistance especially to ongoing strategic programs in energy field.

The EU Ambassador expressed satisfaction over the joint work with the ministry, adding that he will make the maximum efforts to record higher progress.

Ambassador Piotr Switalski said the Armenia-EU cooperation agenda is full of ongoing and numerous prospective programs. We have examined the Armenian governments action plan: it is prospective that the ministry of energy infrastructures and natural resources has clear vision and this enables to expand the partnership in this field, he said.

Minister Ashot Manukyan said the Armenian government and the European Investment Bank (EIB) form a joint working group which will discuss and will present the programs the EIB will be ready to finance. In particular, the projects of Shnogh hydroelectric power plant, electricity production plant from waste processing in Hrazdan, Armenia-Georgia high-voltage transmission line will be presented. The minister thanked the EU for continuous assistance to Armenia and assured that he is consistent on implementing the agreements being reached with EUs different structures.

The officials exchanged views on Armenias energy market liberalization, cooperation with the energy community and the development prospects of green energy in Armenia, as well as attached importance to the upcoming high-level forum dedicated to energy-saving that will be held in Yerevan in November.
YEREVAN, 23 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 23 August, USD exchange rate stood at 478.55 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 1.43 drams to 563.73 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 8.10 drams. GBP exchange rate is down by 1.63 drams to 612.45 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price is down by 133.86 drams to 19758.36 drams. Silver price stood at 261.87 drams. Platinum price is down by 123.08 drams to 14985.71 drams.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian state-run news agency ARMENPRESS and the Georgian GHN news agency continue measures aimed at expanding cooperation frameworks. Director of ARMENPRESS news agency Aram Ananyan met with Director of GHN news agency Teimuraz Chumburidze in Yerevan on August 23.

The heads of the news agencies discussed the agenda of the bilateral cooperation, outlined the opportunities for expanding cooperation and referred to the implementation process of the agreements reached during the previous meeting and the upcoming activities.

Director of ARMENPRESS Aram Ananyan highlighted the cooperation of the news agencies of the two neighboring states and stated that due to that cooperation the peoples of the two countries will have the opportunity to get to know one another better. He stated that ARMENPRESS and GHN will continue to activate the coverage of economic and touristic materials, as well as cultural events and exchange information over important events taking place in both countries. The meetings give an opportunity to discuss the current trends in the media landscape, and also what direction we take. These are chances to generate new ideas, Ananyan said.

According to Director of GHN news agency Teimuraz Chumburidze, the two agencies can collaborate in various spheres, conduct information exchange, exchange of skills, which will further improve the quality of their work.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. The meeting of Armenian and Russian Presidents, Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, has ended in Sochi. ARMENPRESS reports, citing the official website of the Kremlin, the Presidents discussed issues of bilateral relations, prospects for development of cooperation in the frameworks of integration units.

Greeting the Armenian President, Vladimir Putin noted that this year the two states mark 2 anniversaries important for bilateral cooperation  The 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and in a few days, on August 29, the 20th anniversary of the Treaty on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance.

During this period the relations between Armenia and Russia, as two sovereign states, strongly enhanced. An intensive political dialogue exists between us and there is bilateral cooperation in the spheres of economy, security and military. We actively cooperate in the international organizations and also in the framework of our integration units. I am very glad to see you and talk with you about these issues, the Russian President said.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. The meeting of the Armenian and Russian Presidents has ended in Russias Sochi city. ARMENPRESS reports, citing the official website of the Kremlin, the Presidents discussed issues of bilateral relations, prospects for development of cooperation in the frameworks of integration units.

Greeting his Russian counterpart, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan noted that in a few days Armenia and Russia will mark the 20th anniversary of the Treaty on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance. According to Sargsyan, the years following it was a period of intensive interstate relations.

Armenian-Russian allied relations are unique by their top-level intensive dialogue, broad coordination of their foreign policies, constructive cooperation in international and regional platforms, and productive cooperation in security, military and military-technical spheres. Our trade and economic relations also develop intensively. We recorded a 15% rise in trade turnover last year and nearly 24% in the first 6 months of the current year. Our parliaments are constantly in touch. Inter-regional and humanitarian cooperation also develops constantly. All these are undoubtedly fostered by top and high level mutual visits. Chairman of the State Duma and Security Council Secretary habe paid visit to Armenia this year, I paid an official visit to Moscow, as well as the Speaker of our parliament and the Prime Minister. We are expecting in Armenia the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Russia, and Minister Manturov as part of the big delegation of businessmen and state managers in the sidelines of the second international Eurasian economic forum.

Exactly a few days ago the sessions of three bilateral commissions of key importance took place  military-technical, trade and economic and parliamentary cooperation. Days of Armenia will be held in Russia in autumn. Its very important that the events to take place in these days will not be geographically limited by Moscow, but the events will take place in 13 Russian cities, Serzh Sargsyan said.

President Sargsyan also thanked his college for the assistance in firefighting activities in Armenia.
NEA: Traditional electric meters will become history

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) plans to replace the good old household electricity meter with smart meters that will eliminate the need for meter readers.
This article originally ran in the August 2017 issue of AVN magazine. Click here to see the digital edition.

When he first got into the industry in late 2008, DeAngelo Jackson did so out of necessity. The self-described Army brat had been traveling around the world and had to postpone one of his goalsgoing to collegewhen his father was shipped to Afghanistan.

I stayed with my mom a couple of years, took some credits while I was still over in Germany. In the meantime, I was applying to Florida State. Once we moved back Stateside, it was time for me to go to college, he recalls. Financially, it was a little bit more difficult. I realized I needed a job.

With an exhibitionist streak already in him and an open mind about his body, he made a decision. Just to wing it, I said, Let me apply to a couple porn sites. I didnt really think that I would get a call back, he says with a laugh. And sure enough, two weeks before classes started and I had to go down to Tallahassee, I got a call from Flava Works. I think I waited another week before I replied, because I was so taken aback at even getting a call back.

The rookie was eased in slowly when the studio had him do a small event. I had my shirt off and I was greeting people. It was really weird, but I was comfortable. I was used to having my body kind of exposed. It was eye-opening, because the people I was around were already in the industry and had done scenes. I was intrigued by it.

About three weeks later, he went to Orlando to do his first scenewhich held more significance than most first-timers go through on camera. Prior to that, I had never done anything with a guy or a girl, so I was just a complete virgin.

Wait  what? Yep, Jackson confirms. I had done nothing.

And there he was, walking into a hotel room with bright lights everywhere, the videographer setting things up for his big debut. It was weird. I had never even met my co-star prior. The director asked me, So, what do you do? I didnt know what he meant by that. So he asked me, Are you top, are you bottom, do you eat ass  what do you do? I said, Ive never done anything before. Im a top, but Ive never sucked dick or ate ass, but Im open to it. So my first time ever was actually filmed, Jackson laughs. It was very nerve-wracking, but after I broke the ice, everything went from there.

After his debut in 2009s Mixxxed Nuts, he had a busy streak with the studio until around 2013. It all moved so quickly, it was kind of like a blur. I was traveling around, going to London and Germany, I was sort of just wrapped up in it, Jackson recalls. After five years as an active model, I kind of grew tired of traveling, appearances and events  I was kind of burned out from it. I needed a break.

While he wasnt active in new scenes, he never retired his persona. He kept active in terms of growing his fan base and his followers, one of the reasons he wanted to come back. In June, Flava Works signed Jackson to a new and exclusive two-year contract.

I had my break, I re-charged, he says. I always wanted to broaden my fan base. I dont want to say I felt trapped or stuck, but I kind of did. I needed a break from it, and just listening to my fans and my followers, building up my fan base and looking at the demand for it, I said I would love to come back versatile.

Yes, the fans have spoken: They want to see Jackson bottom, and hes game.

In my personal life I am versatile, but Ive never been a versatile top on film, and I think that would be extremely hot. Im excited for it, Im ready for it, and when it is released its gonna open up another door. I am nervous, because its been such a buildup and a lot of my fans have been wanting to see that for a while now, so I just want for it to be hot.

As for who that model might be, Jackson says as long as the chemistry is there, he can work with anyone. A lot of my fans, some of them do care if hes black. Theyve seen my work, so they know that Ive worked with all kinds of guys  Latino, black. In my personal life, Ive never dated a black guy. For me, I just want for it to be natural. It doesnt matter what color you are, the chemistry has to be there, he says.

When I come back, I dont want to be stuck in a box of just being a black porn model. Sometimes you kind of feel like youre boxed into one sort of genre. ... I really wanted to branch out from the ethnic-type niche. That was something that always bothered me, but I was

just a baby in this, so I wasnt going to say anything. I always just

wanted to cross over, not just be stuck in a box, just be the African-American co-star. Like I said, Im an Army brat. I grew up around, and all my best friends have always been white.  I appeal, I think, to all guys; I dont want to be boxed into sort of being a thug or anything like that.

Jackson says it has gotten better over the years for models of color, but progress has been at a snails pace. You see a lot of beautiful male actors crossing over, but they still have to point out the fact that youre black, or the black cock  its like, ugh! Its something that always kind of poked at me a little bit. I want for the industry as a whole to move beyond that. If a guy is hot, it doesnt matter; but usually, hes a black thug. Whatever. Were still kind of stuck in that niche, the big black cock, the all-white twink. Its something I want to try to move beyond.

Flava Works CEO Phillip Bleicher says Jackson was very popular during his initial run with the studio, and is excited to help him take that next step. Were looking for some awesome guys that would be a great pairing with him that would either flip with him or top. He has done it in his private life, but doing it on film, something he hasnt done before, is gonna be a big step for him. But he seems to be in the right frame of mind and ready to take on this role.

Bleicher has reached out to other studios to hopefully do a cross-promotion where they can shoot one of their popular performers with Jackson, or vice versa. Flava Works also plans to conduct a fan vote once they get a list of potential performers, with the hopes of securing the most popular choice.

He has an amazing physique. Hes beautiful, his skin is perfect. Hes nice and muscular, he goes to the gym every day, and not only that, but hes the friendliest person, the most well-mannered person that you could meet. He doesnt do drugs, he rarely drinks, he doesnt smoke. Hes very sweet and humble. And I think thats what his fans like about him, too. Hes just so realistic. Hes more of a gentle attractive guy, and hes great to work with.

The studio took Jackson to Brazil last year and had another trip planned in August for shoots. The new content featuring Jackson is scheduled to start releasing in September. Flava Works plans to shoot him 20 to 24 times during two years, with appearances also planned.

Hes more mature, he knows how the operation runs, hes progressed very well and knows how to deal more with the industry and with other models. Theres a brand-new model that we just signed, and DeAngelo was giving him some pointers about the industry, about how to better perform and look great and sexy for the camera and things like that. Hes a great model; a lot of people look up to him. I see him actually starting his own brand in the future, maybe his own underwear brand or his own website. Hes very intelligent.

Jackson, who is bisexual, agrees that his head is in a much stronger place, and he has always been true to himself: If you dont come into it with your shit together, the industry can screw you up and spit you out. You really have to have a strong character about you. Be down to earth. There are a lot of beautiful guys out there, but some can be very full of themselves; that can also burn you out. You have to be humble about it.

Along the way, he has moved past his initial career path. While Jackson graduated with a degree in criminal justice, its an interest that waned after he moved to Atlanta and spoke more with his brother, a cop.

I always wanted to be a police officer when I was growing up. Once I moved to Atlanta, I saw what he was going through; he used to tell me everything that was going on. This was right on the cusp of the whole Black Lives Matter movement, [George] Zimmerman and all the stuff. So Im looking at this, and even him being a black police officer, he has to put up with a lot of crap  my passion just kind of waned a little bit.

Instead, he turned his energy to his body. I started seriously training my body when I was 19 years old, thats really where my passion lies. I would love to be a personal trainer. Thats what Im doing now, working on getting my certification. I can train right now without having it, but my thing is, I know how to train me, but I dont necessarily know how to train you. I look better now; I filled out a little bit more. Im still the same, Im just a little thicker, Jackson laughs.

That passion has helped him broaden his fan base through social mediaalthough that increased popularity has made it harder for him to keep his private life fully private.

Some of my family does know. I do believe my mother just found out, Jackson says with a laugh. Ive been doing it for a few years; I think that she now is becoming aware of what Im doing. The more known Im becoming, its harder to keep it secret. You know, someones going to say something, and thats fine. I have yet to have conversations with her. You know, its your mom, so its like [humorous sigh]  but some of them do know about it, and theyre fine with it.
Finsbury Food Group is planning to close premium baked goods business Grain DOr, with the potential loss of 250 jobs.

Based in Brent, London, the business supplies own-label products including pastries, American muffins and speciality breads to retailers and foodservice customers. It is a major importers of Normandy butter  a key ingredient in its croissants  and one of the UKs largest importers of Canadian blueberries

Grain DOr, described by Finsbury as balancing automation with hand-craft skills to produce premium products, has operated at a loss for some time.

And despite bids to improve the business  including tight cost controls and the introduction of new working practices  Grain DOr has continued to do so, said Finsbury.

In the 12 months to 1 July 2017, Grain DOr produced an overall operating loss despite generating 28.5m in revenue.

Finsbury is proposing to close the Brent site, and is launching a formal period of consultation with employee representatives including unions.

Last month Finsbury Food Group reported that declining prices had contributed to a 1.4% drop in UK bakery turnover across the business.

The business did report, however, that the decline in UK bakery sales had slowed from 2.9% in the first half of the year to a 0.1% increase in the second half. The company added that trading in the UK bakery division was stronger in the second half of the year versus the full 2016 financial year as prices had started to rise again.

Grain DOr was part of the Fletchers Group of Bakeries acquired by Finsbury Food Group for 56m in 2014. Foodservice business Kara was also acquired by Finsbury in the deal.

In 2013, Fletchers undertook a 4m expansion of the Grain DOr manufacturing facilities, converting three industrial units into a state-of-the-art bakery facility and dispatch centre.

Finsbury said none of its other businesses are affected by todays announcement.
Dunns Bakery owner Christopher Freeman has handed over the day-to-day running of his business to his son Lewis.

Its time to step aside. I think its important not to hang around beyond your sell-by date, Freeman told British Baker.

Freeman, who is a fifth-generation baker and has been at Dunns for over four decades, has been a key figure in the baking industry, organising the first National Doughnut Week in 1991 and being elected as president of the Craft Bakers Association in 2012.

He was given a lifetime achievement award in the 2011 British Baker Baking Industry Awards.

My highlights have included keeping this company in business, which has to be a success when you have seen what has happened over the past 50 years in terms of how the high streets have changed, he said.

Freemans successor will be running the business on a day-to-day basis after working for the company for four years since graduating from Reading University.

I have every confidence Lewis will take the business from strength to strength, Freeman added. You cant expect the next generation to show commitment if you dont give them the opportunity.

Freeman insisted he will not be retiring fully and will remain as chairman of Dunns Bakery.

He will also continue his commitments with the Craft Bakers Association, National Doughnut Week, the Worshipful Company of Bakers and the Alliance for Bakery Students & Trainees.
On Monday evening, President Trump gave his first nationally televised address on foreign policy since assuming the presidency. Trump is supposedly going to deploy another 4,000 troops to Afghanistan; he gave the speech to justify that increase in troop numbers.Trump's speech touched on several major points. Here were the most important.This was actually a major point: while Trump campaigned on the idea of pulling out of Afghanistan and talked about the situation as a "mess" for years, Trump acknowledged that his perspective had changed after taking responsibility for foreign policy.Trump stated.Good for Trump.This is nothing new - and it's the most controversial thing about Trump's speech. That's because Obama also called for victory as did George W. Bush, but none of them actually defined victory - and neither did Trump. Trump stated,This last point is crucial: Trump wants to build up the military where Obama wanted to tear it down. But there's still no point at which victory can be declared. Trump tried to define victory thusly:But that's exactly the same definition Obama and W. used, to little avail.There are three strategies that could be pursued in Afghanistan: first, pull out; second, massive escalation with the intent of occupying the country and propping up a friendly regime; third, muddling through. Like W. and Obama, Trump is picking the third option. As Trump stated,This is correct. There aren't any good choices in Afghanistan.This was new, and it was vital. Trump stated,Calling out Pakistan means curtailing coordination with them, and cutting funding to a government that continues to kowtow to the Taliban. Trump also said that he would seek more ties with India.This is a change from President Obama's constantly shifting and changing timelines. It also removes pressure for Trump to pull out at a certain point. Trump stated,That's worthwhile - it was always idiotic for Obama to announce when we'd pull out of Afghanistan. But refusing to make public our troop escalations also prevents Trump from feeling blowback from Right and Left.Trump stated,That's a problem - leaving the possibility out there that we will negotiate with the Taliban lets them believe that they can outlast us. It's the same policy Obama pursued, to no effect.Trump stated, "We are not nation-building again. We are killing terrorists." That's a fine goal, but the truth is that we're going to have to do at least a little nation building in order to have a regime in place that makes it easier for us to kill terrorists. That was precisely the problem after 9/11: the Taliban made the conscious decision to protect al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden. Trump concluded:We will no longer use American military might to construct democracies in faraway lands, or try to rebuild other countries in our own image. Those days are now over. Instead, we will work with allies and partners to protect our shared interests. We are not asking others to change their way of life, but to pursue common goals that allow our children to live better and safer lives. This principled realism will guide our decisions moving forward.Trump stated, "Finally, my administration will ensure that you, the brave defenders of the American people, will have the necessary tools and rules of engagement to make this strategy work, and work effectively and work quickly." This is a major change. The rules of engagement in Afghanistan have been a serious obstacle to anti-terror efforts. Trump knows that, and now wants his generals to take charge: "I have already lifted restrictions the previous administration placed on our warfighters that prevented the Secretary of Defense and our commanders in the field from fully and swiftly waging battle against the enemy. Micromanagement from Washington, D.C. does not win battles.This was one of Trump's better speeches. It doesn't please anyone in any serious way - Democrats will rightly decry the lack of a victorious vision, even though Obama provided none; isolationists will point out that Trump has flipped, and his flip isn't even large enough to provide the military necessities for destroying the Taliban. But Trump is now in the serious business of being president, and that means muddling through. At least he's trying that, as opposed to sticking with his know-nothing Afghanistan isolationism of the campaign.
There are multiple indications that the Trump administration and some allies in Congress are gearing up to unwind a rule, approved nearly two years ago, that restricts appalling predator-killing practices on 20 million acres of National Park Service lands in Alaska. Photo by Alamy

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In April, President Trump signed a resolution, enabled by the Congressional Review Act and passed by Congress on a near party-line vote, that repealed a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) rule restricting particularly cruel and unsporting methods of killing grizzly bears, wolves, and other predators on national wildlife refuges in Alaska. There are now multiple indications that the Trump administration and some allies in Congress are gearing up to unwind a nearly identical rule, approved nearly two years ago, that restricts these appalling predator-killing practices on 20 million acres of National Park Service (NPS) lands in Alaska. Our humane community nationwide must ready itself to stop this second assault on a class of federal lands (national preserves) set aside specifically to benefit wildlife.

Today, the Sacramento Bees Stuart Leavenworth broke the story that Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) had obtained a leaked memo that appears to show that senior political appointees at the Department of the Interior have barred top officials at NPS from speaking out against a widely circulated draft bill in Congress  the SHARE Act  that includes a provision to repeal the parks rule. The bill, which will be assigned to the House Committee on Natural Resources, contains a host of anti-wildlife provisions. Top officials at NPS reviewed the bill and objected to many provisions, and memorialized those objections in an internal memo. A senior Interior Department official sent back the memo to the NPS officials with cross-out markings on nearly all of the objections raised by the NPS. That helps explain why lawmakers on Capitol Hill have not heard a negative word from the NPS about this legislative package and its provisions that amount to an assault on the wildlife inhabiting Alaskas national preserves.

Several weeks prior, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke had signaled his desire to reopen the NPS predator control rule, with an eye toward changing and even gutting it. The rule passed with almost no dissent when NPS adopted it in October 2015.

In short, there is a double-barreled attack on the rule, and the administration seems to be locked and loaded on both strategies  one legislative and the other executive.

In March, the House voted 225 to 193 in favor of H.J. Resolution 69, authored by Alaskas Rep. Don Young, to repeal the USFWS rule on predator killing. Those 225 members voted to overturn a federal rule  years in the works, and crafted by professional wildlife managers at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  to stop some of the most appalling practices ever imagined in the contemporary era of wildlife management. Denning of wolf pups, killing hibernating bears, baiting grizzly bears, and trapping grizzly and black bears with steel-jawed leghold traps and snares. Its the stuff of wildlife snuff films.

Just weeks later, the Senate followed suit, passing S.J.R. 18 by a vote of 52 to 47. I was so proud of New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich, himself an ardent sportsman, and Sens. Dick Blumenthal, D-Conn., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Tom Udall, D-N.M., for deconstructing the phony arguments advanced by the backers of the measure. If they had been arguing the case in front of a jury, they would have carried every fair-minded juror considering the evidence and honoring a standard of decency. They eviscerated the phony states rights arguments advanced by their colleagues. Their false subsistence hunting arguments. Their inaccurate representations of the views of Alaskans.

President Trump then signed H.R. Res. 69/S.J.R. 18 and repealed the USFWS rule.

The USFWS rule was at particular risk because it had been adopted in 2016, and the Congressional Review Act allows Congress and the president to nullify recently adopted rules with simple majority votes in both chambers and no committee review of the measures. The nearly identical NPS rule came out a year earlier and the CRA doesnt apply to such long-standing rules. In short, the Department of the Interior could weaken the rule by opening a new rulemaking process, or Congress could repeal it (albeit without the expedited review and also perhaps without a simple majority vote in the Senate).

Todays reporting by the Sacramento Bee, and the work of PEER, have sent up a flare, warning the world that there is maneuvering to launch an unacceptable assault on wildlife on National Park Service lands. Hunting grizzly bears over bait, killing wolves in their dens, and other similarly unsporting practices have no place anywhere on North American lands, and least of all on refuges and preserves. Well need you to raise your voice and write to your lawmakers, urging them to block any serious consideration of the SHARE Act in its current form. And tell Secretary Zinke thats theres no honor and no sportsmanship in allowing these practices on national preserves.
STEM

4-H Attempts to Break World Record for Largest Electrical Engineering Lesson

In the same week that 4-H received a major grant from Google to advance computer science education, the youth development organization today has set even bigger sights for STEM education: For the 10th anniversary of National Youth Science Day (NYSD), 4-H plans to break the Guinness World Record for the Worlds Largest Electrical Engineering Lesson.

NYSD attracts thousands of youth every year to participate in science experiments that surround a central challenge. Last year, more than 100,000 K12 students nationwide engaged in engineering through coding and experimenting with drones for NYSDs Drone Discovery Challenge.

After building a wearable fitness tracker, students can monitor their heart rate. Image: 4-H.

On Oct. 3, 4-H expects to draw in thousands of youth to address NYSDs newest challenge: Incredible Wearables.

4-H, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, created an Incredible Wearables kit for the event that will enable youth to build their own wearable fitness trackers. Through completing the 70- to 90-minute hands-on project, students program a computer sensor to act like a fitness tracker, learning about electrical engineering and healthy eating in the process, according to a statement from 4-H. The kit is priced at $24.95; it is geared toward students in grades 4-12 and supports about 4-8 individuals.

Interested teachers and students can purchase kits and register to participate in their classrooms; the Worlds Largest Electrical Engineering Lesson will happen at an event in Brooklyn, NY, according to information from 4-H.

Event details can be found on the 4-H site.
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- For more than 150 years, how eight crew members of a Confederate submarine dubbed the H.L. Hunley died during an attack on a Union warship has remained a mystery.

Until now.

Using a six-foot replica of the submarine to analyze the effect of underwater explosions, researchers report in a new study that the men fell victim to a shockwave from the torpedo the Hunley sent into the warship's hull.

In 1864, performing what would be its first and last mission, the Hunley sunk outside the Charleston harbor in South Carolina after first sinking the USS Housatonic. Five crew members of the Housatonic perished, with the rest able to escape via lifeboats.

After raising the Hunley from the water's depths in 2000, scientists discovered the skeletons of eight crew members. What they couldn't determine was exactly what killed them. None of the crew suffered broken bones, and the submarine was left largely intact. Theories on their cause of their deaths included suffocation and drowning.

So, Rachel Lance of Duke University, and her colleagues, spent the better part of three years trying to solve the mystery. They designed a smaller replica of the Hunley and measured the pressure inside the cabin when it was exposed to explosions underwater.

The conclusion: The crew was killed when a blast wave from the firing of the torpedo hit the cabin of the Hunley.

The most likely ending for the crew members was a phenomenon called "blast lung," Lance said in a Duke news release. This happens when the force of an explosion travels through the soft tissues of the body. It's also highly likely they suffered traumatic brain injuries from being so close to such a large blast, Lance added.

"You have an instant fatality that leaves no marks on the skeletal remains. Unfortunately, the soft tissues that would show us what happened have decomposed in the past hundred years," said Lance, who worked as a biomechanist at the U.S. Navy's base in Panama City, Fla., before entering graduate school at Duke in Durham, N.C.

While delving into historical records on the Hunley, the researchers discovered there was some hint of trouble before the Hunley ever embarked on its mission. During development and testing, the submarine had sunk twice, drowning 13 crewmen including Horace Hunley, who had the submarine built from an old ship's boiler in Alabama in 1863.

Lance's team published the findings Aug. 23 in the journal PLOS One.

"The disappearance of the Hunley has long stood as one of the great mysteries of American history," Lance said in a journal news release. "Finding the cause of death of the crew has finally allowed us to declare the mystery solved."

More information

For more about the H.L. Hunley, try the Civil War Trust.
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Threats to journalists in Iraq have changed after government forces regained control over the city of Mosul and significantly reduced the territory controlled by the militant group Islamic State. CPJs Emergencies Response Team (ERT) has issued the following advisory for journalists who plan to continue working in Iraq.

Despite the decline of the Islamic State groups presence in Iraq, the country is no more stable. The reemergence of Shia militias is blurring defined front lines and has elevated general risks for journalists in the region.

The Hashd al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs), have played a key role in the fight against Islamic State and, in recognition of their work, the Iraqi parliament has designated them an official military force. In this new landscape, journalists will be required to get approval from these groups as well as the government, depending on where they plan to work.

Many of these newly approved armed groups have poor human rights records, according to a Human Rights Watch report published in July 2016. The New York-based group has documented summary killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and the destruction of homes by some of these factions, and has called on Iraqi authorities to stop operating alongside these militias.

There are concerns that these groups could turn to violence as a means to censor reporting on corruption, violence, abuse or human rights violations.

In December 2016, a group of gunman affiliated with a Shia militia kidnapped Afrah Shawqi al Qaisai from her home and held her for nine days after the Iraqi journalist wrote an article criticizing an interior ministry official and the culture of impunity surrounding militia groups.

While Islamic State has suffered territorial losses, the militant group still remains a threat to journalists working in Iraq. It still controls Tel Afar, a city 39 miles (63 kilometers) west of Mosul, and surrounding areas.

Currently, Iraqi troops, with support from Kurdish Peshmerga forces and PMUs, are waiting for official orders to start a ground offensive to retake Tel Afar. Iraqi troops are already carrying out airstrikes on Islamic State and have stationed military equipment in Badush, 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Mosul. Some of the areas villages have already been retaken.

Islamic State also maintains support among parts of the population in Iraqs western Anbar province. In recent weeks, there has been an uptick in attacks that use guerrilla tactics, a trend that security experts say is likely to continue. Islamic State is expected to continue targeting media as well.

Here are some tips for journalists working in Iraq. They are intended as guidance and may not fit all situations.

General advice:

Have a clear understanding of which militias or armed forces control the areas where you will be working and determine if media presence will be welcome.

Obtain necessary permissions that may vary with each militia group. Failure to have the proper credentials can lead to altercation or arrest.

Create a contingency plan with an emergency contact. Set up a communication schedule with your contact and agree on actions to be taken should you fail to check in at the appropriate time. In high-risk situations, journalists should consider tracking devices.

As part of your contingency plan, leave your passport or other identification details, insurance policy numbers, medical history, and blood type with your emergency contact.

If you will be at risk of kidnapping or arrest, agree on proof of life questions with your emergency contact. Also provide him or her with passwords for social media and personal wishes regarding media coverage and ransoms. In such situations, it is also advisable to leave instructions regarding power of attorney in the event that you go missing or become incapacitated.

Your emergency protocols in case of injury, arrest or kidnapping should include contact information of people in your network, i.e. your fixer or local journalists. Leave their contact information with your emergency point person. Also include contact information of your countrys local embassy or consulate.

CPJ encourages local journalists, freelancers, and media organizations covering the Mosul offensive to closely follow the safety principles and practices of the ACOS alliance, which can be found here.

For more information on conditions for journalists working in Iraq, visit CPJs Iraq page on our website. For additional safety information and details including security assessments, visit CPJs Journalist Security Guide.
Nepal, Australia move closer to signing air service accord

Nepal and Australia have been moving closer towards signing the first bilateral air service agreement (ASA) as Nepal Airlines wants to spread its wings Down Under after acquiring new long-range aircraft.
A prisoner in his mid twenties was hanged in public in Isfahan on murder and rape charges.





The Head of Justice Department on August 21, 2017, announced the public execution of a young man in Nasirabad, in Isfahan Province, central Iran, according to the state-run ROKNA news agency.





Iran Human Rights (AUG 22 2017): On the morning of Monday August 21, a young prisoner was hanged in public on murder and rape charges.





The execution was carried out in the city of Nasrabad on the morning of Monday August 21.





According a report by the state-run news agency, IMNA, the prisoner - which the report does not mention his name - was arrested on January 3, 2017 at the age of 25 for the charge of raping and murdering a 15-year-old teenage girl.

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
When almost every issue is divisive, Saturdays National Dog Day is a rare chance to come together in appreciation of mans best friend. However, even dogs, and the people who watch them, are not exempt from overly intrusive licensing.

Regulations from New York Citys Health Department preclude anyone without a licensed kennel from earning money to care for a pet. The app Rover, which matches would-be pet sitters with owners looking for an affordable option, has been warned that users of the platform are in violation of those rules.

In contrast, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed legislation this summer to allow people, many of them using apps, to watch up to three dogs without being subject to the regulations and licensing requirements that applied to traditional kennels.

Last October, New York officials sent a letter to DogVacay.com, a company since acquired by Rover, asking that DogVacay.com confirm that all of the more than 9,000 would-be sitters have the required license. While there has not yet been a wave of fines or arrests, two sitters in apartments were cited with fines starting at $1,000.

The relevant section of the citys health code defines a boarding kennel business as a facility other than an animal shelter where animals not owned by the proprietor are sheltered, harbored, maintained, groomed, exercised, fed, or watered in return for a fee. Sitters looking after the dog of a friend or family member as a favor do not run afoul of the law, but any sitters who are compensated would need to obtain a license in order to comply.

Unfortunately, even interested sitters who would be willing to go through hours of training or pay fees would not be able to obtain licenses. Licenses cannot be issued to private homes.

As one owner told the New York Daily News: Its up to the owner to go and make sure that its safe The moment you hand the leash over to someone else, thats a responsibility, thats your choice as a pet owner.

No one wants dogs to be put in harms way. New platforms such as Rover provide owners with more information and empower them to find reputable, reliable sitters who can provide affordable care to their beloved pets while they are at work or out of town. Banning Rover reduces options for owners and raises the price of boarding pets.

Sitters operating without kennel licenses are not in a chaotic Wild West of pet sitting. Rover accepts fewer than 20 percent of potential sitters and requires background checks. Each portal for potential sitters shows where they are located, provides verified reviews, and the number of repeat customers.

Far from a leap of faith to trust a complete stranger, platforms of this nature empower owners by giving them information that would allow them to choose the best dog-sitting options.

Dog-sitting also offers an opportunity for dog lovers to supplement their income by looking after someone elses dog for a night or two, or taking dogs for walks. Widespread enforcement of the licensing requirements would make it impossible for these people to offer their services. The few heavy fines that were handed out to unlicensed sitters could already be having a chilling effect.

Fortunately, it looks like these rules may soon be removed. City Council health committee chair Corey Johnson said he had previously been unaware that these regulations were in place, saying to have a law on the books that says thats illegal is antiquated and not practical.

Legislation that removes prohibitions on pet-sitting outside licensed kennels would be a welcome dose of sanity, and would put the decision-making over pet welfare back in the hands of their owners. It is unfortunate that burdensome rules, citations, fines, and deterrence of companies such as Rover were put in place without even the health committee chair being aware of them.

A regulatory framework should not expand to the point where rules are not well-known or understood even by policymakers. Licensing creates barriers between people seeking to supply a service and those who would happily pay them for it. Some professions need licenses, but many others do not. In this case our (often) four-legged friends are also collateral damage.

As National Dog Day approaches, jurisdictions should consider copying Colorado rather than New York City. Regulators at all levels of government should exhibit restraint in issuing regulations, and should recognize when they become outdated by the development of new products or apps such as Rover.

Charles Hughes is a policy analyst at the Manhattan Institute. Follow him on twitter @CharlesHHughes.

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The governments of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States welcome the recent announcement by the Libya National Army, or LNA, that it will investigate reports of unlawful killings in Benghazi. The LNA has recognized the arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court prosecutor for a member of the LNA, Major Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf al-Werfalli and has suspended him pending an investigation. The United States calls on the LNA to ensure that the investigation is carried out fully and fairly; and those responsible for the unlawful killings are held to account.

Al-Werfalli, a senior Libyan military commander, stands accused by the International Criminal Tribunal judges of personally shooting or ordering the execution of 33 people who were either civilians or injured fighters in at least seven incidents in 2016 and 2017.

Major al-Werfalli is loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, a former general under long-time dictator Muammar Ghaddafi. Haftar heads the most powerful military in Libya and his forces recently managed to retake Benghazi after a three-year campaign against other militant groups.

The U.S. is monitoring ongoing acts of conflict in Libya closely. Those suspected of committing, ordering, or failing to prevent unlawful killings and torture on all sides must be fully investigated and held accountable. The U.S. and its allies will continue efforts at the international level to pursue appropriate action against those who are complicit in violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law, whatever their affiliation. It is in Libyas interest to be able to rely on unified security forces responsible for the countrys security and acting within the framework of Libyas laws and respecting international law.

The governments of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States also reaffirm their support for the Government of National Accord. We underscore the importance of the United Nations central role in facilitating Libyan-led political dialogue, welcome the appointment of the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salame, and look forward to supporting his efforts to facilitate a political solution in Libya.
During his recent visit to Santiago, Vice President Mike Pence spoke warmly of the strategic partnership and valued friendship between the United States and Chile.

Referring to Chile as a beacon of freedom in the Western Hemisphere, the Vice President hailed

Chiles economic success as an example for other nations across Latin America to enact their own market-based reforms to spur growth and generate prosperity for their citizens. Noting that Chiles embrace of free markets ultimately gave rise to a free society overall, the Vice President also underscored the strong commercial relations between the United States and Chile.

The two-way trade in goods between the countries in 2016 totaled over 20 billion dollars, stemming in large part from the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2004, and resulting in a 260% increase in trade since that time. Chile is also the one country in Latin America that participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. In addition, Chile is a valued partner of the United States in its role in promoting regional security, notably in Central America.

In his press conference with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Vice President Pence also praised Chile for its support in the face of North Koreas provocative behavior and for its clear statements in promoting a stable and a nuclear-free North Korean peninsula. He urged Chile, however, to do even more to isolate North Korea, and break all diplomatic and commercial ties to the rogue nation.

Finally, Mr. Pence expressed gratitude for Chiles leadership in standing with the Venezuelan people and condemning the Maduro regime. He emphasized that the United States will continue to bring the full measure of its economic and diplomatic power to bear until democracy is restored in Venezuela. And he expressed confidence that working with all our allies across Latin America, we can achieve a peaceable solution to the crisis facing the Venezuelan people.

The United States cherishes its friendship and strong ties with Chile. And because both countries recognize that freedom is the source of their prosperity and security, Vice President Pence predicted that the United States and Chile will continue to achieve great progress for our people and our hemisphere.
Nepalis in India brief their problems with PM Deuba

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who left Kathmandu for India on a five-day state visit at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, reached New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon.
The Cowboys and Cowgirls of Love Valley

Posted by Jacqui Palumbo on August 21, 2017 | Photographer Interviews

Tucked away in the Brushy Mountains of North Carolina lies Love Valley, a town founded in the 1950s that is modeled after the Old West. With automobiles banned from the town limits, the small community relies on horses for transportation, and tourists are primarily drawn to the area for the miles of horseback riding trails around Love Valley.

Its here that photographer Lila Barth traveled to photograph the series Lucindas Valley, named for her guide around the town, Lucinda, who Barth describes as a hardened middle-aged woman who told me every secret of the valley. Barth shoots film and her signature warm, dreamy tones lend itself to a town frozen in time, or as Barth says, a town stuck pining for the past.

All photos  Lila Barth
Abdelbaki Es Satty's apartment in Ripoll. TONI FERRAGUT

The Belgian authorities asked the Spanish police in 2016 whether Abdelbaki Es Satty, the Moroccan imam accused of masterminding last weeks terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, had links to Islamic terrorism, based on suspicions about him during his stay in Vilvoorde at that time, according to the mayor of the Belgian town.

In recent years, Vilvoorde, Belgium has become a center for Jihadism in Europe

Hans Bonte has told EL PAIS that the Spanish authorities replied on March 8, 2016, saying that they had no indications that Es Satty, who is believed to have died in an explosion at a house on August 16 being used to make bombs in the run up to the attacks last week, was involved in radical Islam.

Neither the Spanish or Belgian police have confirmed the alleged request, saying only that Es Sattys background was not suspicious and that as a rule they do not share sensitive intelligence.

In recent years, Vilvoorde has become a center for Jihadism in Europe. Between 2011 and 2014, at least 28 volunteers from the town of 40,000 on the outskirts of Brussels, went to fight in Syria. We had serious problems with radicalism, says the mayor. But since 2014 we have had the situation under control and set in motion anti-radicalization mechanisms that have proved effective, says Bonte.

Es Satty went to Vilvoorde in January last year, where his behavior soon aroused suspicions among the areas Muslim community. The head of a mosque in the neighboring town of Diegem warned the authorities. He turned up unannounced and said he wanted to be an imam because he had no future in Spain, says Bonte.

Radicalization in jail is a well-known phenomenon Jordi Moreras, an expert in Islamism

The local police and those leading the anti-radicalization programs looked for all the information they could and contacted the intelligence services, adds the mayor. The local police contacted the Belgian federal police, who in turn were in touch with the security forces in Barcelona, says Bonte, without detailing whether this was the Mossos dEsquadra regional police force of Catalonia, Spains national police force or the Civil Guard.

Counter-terrorism sources say there is no report linking Es Satty with Islamic terrorism. In 2006, when a cell was dismantled in the small town of Vilanova I la Geltru near Barcelona that was intending to send volunteers to fight in Iraq, one of those arrested was a cousin of Es Satty. But we found no link between him and the criminal activities of the group, say the sources.

But in recent years, Es Satty had undergone personal changes that counter-terrorism experts say are indicative of Islamic radicalization: after a four-year spell in prison for smuggling hashish, he became increasingly religious, abandoning his drug dealing activities. His alleged return to Vilanova i la Geltru, where he had been in touch with radicals eight years earlier, was also significant, say the same sources.

Radicalization in jail is a well-known phenomenon, says Jordi Moreras, an expert in Islamism at the Rovira I Virgili University in Tarragona.

But Youseff Aghbalou, the head of an Islamic cultural association in Vilanova said on Tuesday that Es Satty did not return to the town in 2014 after leaving jail.

Either way, little is known of Es Sattys movements between 2014 and his arrival in Vilvoorde in January 2016, where he is believed to have stayed for three months.

An expert in Islam based in Catalonia who asked not to be named because he holds a political post, says that Es Sattys move to Ripoll, where he recruited and indoctrinated the young men who took part in the attacks last week, should have been flagged up by the authorities. Not just because he had been in jail and undergone a change, but because he had traveled to one of the centers of Jihadism in Europe and came back as an imam.

Before radicalization there is often a prior process of petty crime and a spell in prison but this wasn't the case in Ripoll

Jordi Moreras

In Ripoll, Es Satty set up his own mosque. Each new mosque is a world to be studied. We have to know who runs them, who set them up, who attends them, what is said there say counter-terrorism sources.

The Catalan regional police were in regular contact with Ripolls Muslim community, but nothing about Es Sattys behavior caught the attention of officers. Representatives of the Muslim community say they should have been told that Es Satty had served time for drug smuggling and had only been released three years ago, as this would have made him ineligible to be an imam.

Sources in the Catalan police admit that Ripoll, a small town in the foothills of the Pyrenees with a sizeable Muslim population, was not on its radar as somewhere at risk of Islamic radicalization. They are everywhere, but there are certain hot zones where intensive investigative work has been carried out, while others are considered cooler.

All the sources consulted by EL PAIS have highlighted the young age of the 12 men involved in the terror attacks, as well as the fact that none of them had been in trouble with the law. What we often find is that before radicalization there is a prior process of petty crime and a spell in prison that can undermine their hopes for the future, meaning that they are more likely to make the leap that can lead them into terrorism, explains Moreras. But in Ripoll, almost all the members of the group were too young and hadnt been through that stage. Its as though they had jumped a stage. And that is very unusual and new, he adds.

Sources in the Catalan police highlight the intelligence of Es Satty. He was careful not to say anything radical during his sermons. Instead, he seems to have used them to monitor his parishioners and to select those he could influence, particularly the youngest. He would then exercise this influence away from the mosque, behind the backs of community leaders.

English version by Nick Lyne.
The family homes in M'rirt of two of the suspects in last week's attacks. YOUSSEF BOUDLAL (REUTERS)

The grandparents of Younes Abouyaaqoub, the 22-year-old who drove the Renault van into crowds on Barcelonas La Rambla last Thursday, explain that their grandson was not brought up in Morocco. Whats more, the Moroccan police insist that the 11 Moroccan-born members of the Barcelona cell are exceptions to the rule  isolated cases  in a country that prides itself on its tolerant brand of Islam. In Aghbala, the hometown of the cells youngest member, 17-year-old Moussa Oukabir, who was shot by police in Cambrils, Tarragona, locals point out that he had little contact with Morocco, visiting once in four years.

But not everybody is convinced. For example, columnist Karim Boukhari addressed the issue this week in online publication Le360: Our sickness is making us blind, he wrote. The argument is, No, this has nothing to do with Islam. No, this has nothing to do with Morocco. The problem is that it does have to do with us and it does have to do with Islam  or militant Islam, which exists! It has to do with teaching and the interpretation of Islam and the way we bring up our children. It has to do with all of this and it has a lot to do with it!

The argument is that this has nothing to do with Islam and Morocco Moroccan journalist Karim Boukhari

Boukhari continues: ISIS has gathered its strength from the cynicism of the major powers and the geostrategic games played out in the Middle East. That is true. ISIS is a monster. Its also been fueled by the disaffection of North African youths in Europe. The Islamic State has moved in to offer these young and desperate people a ticket to paradise. And who could refuse such an offer But ISIS is first and foremost the product of our ailing societies  our sick education and our totally biased reading of the past (we were the greatest) and the present (if we are not still the greatest, the blame lies with others. Kill them, eradicate them and we will be the greatest again). Sick, because we are incapable of looking in the mirror and taking responsibility for the situation.

No one knows better than the Moroccan police how many jihadists have come from Morocco. While one member of the Barcelona cell was born in the Spanish enclave of Melilla, the 11 remaining members were originally from Morocco. Just hours after the Barcelona attack, an 18-year-old Moroccan stabbed two women to death in Turku, Finland. Going back to 2015, 29-year-old Belgian-Moroccan Abdelhamid Abaaoud was the brains behind the November attacks in Paris  he was subsequently hunted down in the north of Paris and killed thanks to Moroccan intelligence, prompting the then French President Francois Hollande to invite the Moroccan King Mohamed VI to the Elysee Palace as a token of the countrys gratitude.

ISIS has a mother, the invasion of Iraq. But it also has a father: Saudi Arabia and its industry of extremist ideology Algerian writer Kamel Daoud

Finally, there are the 1,500 Islamists who have left Morocco to fight for the Islamic State in Syria, a number that doesnt include the Moroccan-born jihadists who departed from France, Belgium and Spain.

The Moroccan police are all too aware of the situation and barely a month goes by without them breaking up cell preparing an attack in the name of ISIS. Morocco is very efficient at fighting Islamist terrorism and does so on several fronts: the security services monitor the training of imams and the radicals responsible for the Casablanca attacks in 2003 who were pardoned, as well as cooperating closely with the Spanish and French police. But unless the country is willing to take a realistic look at what is happening, these measures are futile.

Few commentators in Morocco and the wider region are prepared to speak out like Boukhari, though the Algerian writer Kamel Daoud comes to mind. He calls on the West to question its relationship with Saudi Arabia  the main sponsors of Islamist culture.

In a recent article, Daoud wrote: ISIS has a mother  the invasion of Iraq. But it also had a father  Saudi Arabia and its industry of extremist ideology. If the Wests meddling has given the desperate inhabitants of the Arabic world a motive, the Saudi Kingdom has armed them with their beliefs and convictions. If we dont get our heads around this, the war will be lost even when the battles are won. We will kill jihadists but subsequent generations will reproduce them, stoked by the same literature.

The fight against Islamist terror promises to be a long and complicated one. The key will be countries looking at themselves long and hard in the mirror, but this, of course, is easier said than done.

English version by Nick Lyne.
Here come the consequences. Youth orchestra conductor Gustavo de Dudamels questioning of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has cost him a tour. When Dudamel spoke out against the murder of 17-year-old Armando Canizales, a violinist in the orchestra, he knew his words would burn deep. Canizales was shot dead during a revolt against the president . But the matter did not end there.

Gustavo Dudamel, with members of his youth orchestra in February 2016 in Caracas. Ariana Cubillos (AP)

Dudamel went even further, by publishing an article in EL PAIS further critiquing the countrys controversial new Constituent Assembly, a body Maduro says will help bring peace to the crisis-hit country but which many believe is a veiled attempt by the leader to cling to power at all costs.

After Dudamel published his article in this paper, the persecution began. Maduro issued Dudamel a warning on television on August 18. In one of his monologues that are broadcast across the country, the embattled president said: Welcome to politics, Gustavo Dudamel.

The system of orchestras only exists thanks to the revolution President Maduro, after canceling the tour

Its very easy to believe the cool lie, the easy lie, and take aim at President Nicolas Maduro. Its okay Gustavo Dudamel. May God forgive you for letting yourself be deceived, Maduro continued.

On Monday afternoon a major act of retaliation was confirmed. The tour of the United States involving some 200 young musicians from Venezuela would no longer be taking place.

The system of orchestras only exists thanks to the revolution, Maduro had said in his speech, referring to the changes wrought by the left-wing regime of deceased president Hugo Chavez.

Thats not entirely true. Venezuelan musician, educator and polymath Jose Antonio Abreu, now ill and retired from public life, created the system more than 40 years ago. Its true that Hugo Chavez greatly supported him economically during his years in power. But the ruinous economic state of Venezuela in the wake of Maduros drift toward authoritarianism undermines the musical institution further each day. The current president may cause lasting damage to the orchestra, converting it into an relic of the past.

It breaks my heart to see the cancelation of the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuelas tour of four US cities Gustavo de Dudamel, in a tweet

The governments political interference within the system of orchestras is unstoppable. Its forcing many of the young people who form the backbone of the system to abandon it. Many of them are angry too. Wuilly Arteaga, for example, was detained for protesting against the government with violin in hand.

The tours depend on government funding. For years now, management has remained under government supervision. This leaves the people responsible for the group with their hands tied. And this is why Dudamels criticism hurt more than that of his opponents. Until recently, the government considered him to be one of their own, but the musician has permanently split from the party.

This Monday, he took to Twitter to share his story, albeit with discretion. He wrote, It breaks my heart to see the cancellation of the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuelas tour of four US cities.

He also thanked the four institutions where the group was going to perform for their support. These included Virginias Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, The Ravinia Pavilion in Illinois, The University of Berkeley in California, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which is also led by Dudamel.

There was going to be 180 musicians between the ages of 11 and 18, coming from some of Venezuelas most punished neighborhoods

Orchestra representatives said 180 musicians between the ages of 11 and 18 from an organization that brings together 800,000 youths from some of Venezuelas poorest neighborhoods had been going to take part.

Maduro says the organization will swell to include 1 million, but growth has been stagnant. And a lack of resources over the last five years has seen the group reduce the number of tours it goes on.

This time, though, the reason for the cancellation of the tour is political. The tour of the United States would have been a potent exhibition of young talent to the whole world. Its Simon Bolivar and Teresa Carreno orchestras have triumphed throughout Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Sometimes the younger talents get a chance to star as well, as would have been the case with the suspended tour of the US.

A few weeks earlier, Dudamels criticism of the Maduro regime had been devastating. Previously his comments on politics had been generally lukewarm. But he urged the Chavista regime to halt the elections for the Constituent Assembly and to begin negotiations with the opposition party.

Judging from Maduros reaction, he is already an enemy. The punishment is sufficiently eloquent that, for the moment, Dudamel wont be making any more comments. He is beginning to pay dearly for taking a step forward.

English version by Debora Almeida.
An illegally large number of tourists traveling to Spains Cies Islands  an archipelago in Galicia region without cars and hotels  has put the safety of visitors at risk as well as the survival of unique ecosystem. The ferry operators that take people to the islands off Vigo have sold more than double the quota of 2,200 authorized tickets since the start of the month.

Passengers board a ferry in Vigo, headed for the Cies Islands. O. Corral

Now hundreds of visitors have found themselves shipped back to Vigo or prevented from getting aboard and visiting the isles that are part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park.

The police were called in as tempers flared among the 2,000 tourists affected by the crackdown while the regional government of Galicia began taking disciplinary action four of the ferry operators breaking regulations that were introduced back in 1994.

An avalanche of people everywhere, seagulls swooping in crazily for scraps unbearable! Regular visitor to Cies Islands

The regional government has said it will take a firm line with the companies involved while the Vigo City Hall is blaming the chaos on the regional government.

One visitor describes her visit to the islands over the first weekend in August as an avalanche of people everywhere, unimaginably long queues for the toilet attached to the only kiosk on the beach, seagulls swooping in crazily for scraps, empty crisp bags in the crystalline water unbearable!

Based in Vigo, she has been going to the islands for years to meet old school friends. But this year was different. I will never go back in summer. It was horrendous, she says, adding that there were a number of new ferry operators on the go, many taking foreign tourists. Our boat had to wait out at sea for several minutes because not all of the ferries could fit in the port.

As long as it is worth the companies while, nothing will be solved by imposing these fines

Her outrage is reflected in hundreds of comments on social networks from people concerned about the environmental and safety implications of the situation. There is even a petition on Change.org titled Control Mass Tourism on the Cies Islands and Fine the Ferries. Started by a local of the town of Cangas, the petition demands measures to enforce the law while making it clear that it appreciates that tourism is, one of the main sources of income in the region.

Warnings

Ana Maria Diaz, director general of the Spains natural heritage agency, explains that the operators were warned on various occasions about exceeding quotas at the start of August and that disciplinary procedures were initiated at this time. However, this did nothing to deter them from reoffending on August 19.

Adequate deterrents

As long as it is worth the companies while, nothing will be solved by imposing these fines, says one local, referring to penalties of between 2000 and 6000 while the initiator of the Change.org petition points out Given that the average price of a ticket is 19.50, 4,000 extra passengers makes 78,000 for the operators a day.

In 2015, biologists and ecologists warned that national park was not being managed properly, highlighting the disregard for the cap on tourist numbers as a particular area of concern. Despite being designated a protected area in 2002, it had still not managed to sign off on a management master plan.

Assuming responsibility

Piratas de Nabia, one of the ferry operators brought to book, has publicly acknowledged its wrongdoing, regretting the image this has given the company and the damage its actions have meant for to the national park. Company spokesman, Luisa Leyenda, confirms that exceeding the quotas is nothing new while suggesting that the new fines of up to 200,000 being introduced by the regional government have as much to do with politics as protecting the environment: the socialist-run Vigo City Hall is currently making a bid for the Cies Islands to be classed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Piratas de Nabia is suspending trips to the islands until the storm blows over and is demanding a meeting with the regional government to avoid a repeat scenario. Meanwhile, the National Parks management is calling for measures that go beyond fines, such as banning offending ferry operators from taking tourists to the islands.

Paradise lost? C.H. The recent disregard for tourist quotas has tainted the image of an archipelago recognized internationally as Europe's slice of paradise. The Guardian regularly refers to Rodas Beach as having some of the most crystalline waters in the world while the travel section of the Daily Telegraph has included the islands among the 28 most secluded maritime gems on the continent. Vigo locals consider them to be the Galician Caribbean, the jewel of the Rias Baixas, and have dubbed them Galifornia. The mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, has blamed the regional government for the chaos of recent days, which, he claims, has caused irreparable damage to the image of the islands. According to Caballero, the regional government is in charge of the management of the national park and controls the ferry operators activities. Though he doesnt excuse the behavior of the operators, he flags up the risks involved in the regional government's decision to stop hundreds of indignant passengers from sailing to their destination. It is also a coincidence, he says, that the worst chaos concerning tourism in living memory coincides with the City Halls bid to have the Cies Islands declared a World Heritage Site.

English version by Heather Galloway.
Dris Oukabir, Mohamed Houli Chemlal, Salah El Karib and Mohamed Aallaa. CARLOS ROSILLO Y SANTI BURGOS

The terrorist cell responsible for the attacks last week in Barcelona and Cambrils, which killed 15 people and injured over 100 others, planned to carry out a much larger attack.

The cell, based in the small Catalan town of Ripoll, and headed by the imam Abdelbaki Es Satty, had spent at least six months planning a large attack involving explosives in the southern Catalan town of Alcanar.

One suspect told the High Court the cell was planning to carry out an attack using bombs on monuments in the Catalan captial

However, that plan was thwarted when there was an explosion at the property late on August 16, the day before the Barcelona attack. Es Satty died in that explosion.

The explosion [at the house in Alcanar] that ruined the terrorists' initial plan led to the following events: that is, the renting of the vans, the running over of multiple people in La Rambla in Barcelona, and the attack with bladed weapons in Cambrils, stated Spanish High Court judge Fernando Andreu in a 14-page writ.

[The evidence] makes it clear that explosive devices were being built there [in Alcanar] with the aim of carrying out a large-scale terrorist action, explained the judge in his writ.

The document also provided details of a second base of operations for the cell apart from that in Alcanar: a farmhouse in Riudecanyes, in Catalonias Tarragona province. In the remains of a bonfire at that property, police found the driving license of Mohamed Hichamy, killed in Cambrils, and the passport of Younes Abouyaaqoub, the man thought to have driven the van in the La Rambla attack, who was killed by police on Monday.

Police found the passport of the man suspected of driving the van in the Barcelona attack in the remains of a bonfire

A search of that property also turned up receipts for the purchase of at least 500 liters of the explosive acetone peroxide (TATP), regularly used by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in its attacks, such as those in Paris and Brussels, according to Andreu.

In addition, officers found several airline tickets to Brussels in the name of the imam Abdelbaki Es Satty.

Andreus writ also revealed that members of the terrorist cell purchased four knives and an ax at 9.26pm on August 17, just hours after the Barcelona attack. They planned to use those weapons in the second attack in Cambrils.

Hearing on Tuesday

In a hearing on Tuesday at the Spanish High Court in Madrid, Andreu questioned four suspects linked to investigations into the Catalonia attacks.

The first to appear before the judge was 21-year-old Mohamed Houli Chemlal, injured in the explosion in Alcanar. Appearing in hospital pajamas, he told the court the imam had headed up the cell and that the group planned to carry out attacks against monuments in the Catalan capital. Sources said no specific objectives were mentioned.

Driss Oukabir then testified, also confirming the imam had headed the cell.

Oukabir, 28, was arrested after it emerged that his name had been listed as the person who rented the van used in the Barcelona attack. He initially claimed that his brother Moussa, killed in the Cambrils attack, had stolen his documents to rent the vehicle. However, in court, Oukabir said he himself had rented the van at the request of Es Satty. Oukabir said he believed it would be used for removals for three members of the terror cell.

At least 500 liters of the explosive acetone peroxide (TATP) were found at a second base of operations of the cell

Third to testify was Mohamed Aalla, 27, the owner of the Audi A3 driven by the terrorists in Cambrils. He said the car was in his name for insurance purposes and told the court the car was usually used by one of his two brothers, also involved in the terror attacks. One of those brothers was killed by police in the Cambrils attack and the other is currently missing although evidence suggests he was also killed in the explosion in the house in Alcanar.

The last suspect to testify was Salah El Karib, 34, who says he acted as a middleman in the sale of air tickets to Oukabir and the imam of Ripoll in order to earn a commission.

Houli and Oukabir, were subsequently remanded in custody without bail because there were clear indications they had been involved in the attacks. Oukabir is suspected of belonging to a terrorist organization, homicide and assault. Houli is suspected of the same crimes and of storing explosives and of causing damage by the use of explosives.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Aalla, 27 has been released with Andreu saying the evidence suggesting he was a member of the cell was not sufficiently solid. He has been stripped off his passport and will have to report before a judge every week.

Salah El Karib will remain in detention for a further 72 hours pending further investigations.

English version by George Mills.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

Trend:

In Azerbaijan the next season of trade and industrial exhibitions starts in September. Iteca Caspian will hold 7 international exhibitions until the end of 2017, where the exhibitors will be able to study the market, attract new partners and benefit from the networking opportunities. Visitors to these exhibitions will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with goods or services, hold face to face meetings with producers or suppliers and establish useful contacts and sign important contracts. The themes of all these exhibitions will reflect the non-oil sectors of Azerbaijan's economy. All the exhibitions are held with official support from the state structures of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The new exhibition season will start with the 23rd Azerbaijan International Healthcare Exhibition, BIHE 2017 and continue the 11th Azerbaijan International Beauty and Aesthetic Medicine Exhibition, Beauty Azerbaijan 2017. The exhibitions will be held from the 28th to the 30th of September at Baku Expo Center. It is expected that the combined concept of all exhibitions will bring together over 100 participants, including companies from Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Germany, India, Italy, Iran, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and Switzerland, among others. Alongside foreign manufacturers, BIHE will also welcome local distributors of medical equipment and medicine, who are partners with some of the largest global players in the market. Among them are BTL Industries, Labservis and Planeta. This years exhibition will showcase medical and laboratory equipment and devices (e.g. equipment for operating tables, laser equipment for plastic surgery), pharmaceuticals, medical appliances, as well as pharmaceutical equipment.

A comprehensive business programme will also form a part of the event. A Congress of Doctors will be held for the first time within the framework of the exhibition and will consist of several panel discussions; it will be attended by the leading doctors from different fields of medicine. On the second day of the exhibition, the Organisers will conduct a workshop for exhibitors and local manufacturers and distributors. This will be an additional effective business platform for direct meetings and negotiations between the market players. The purpose of the workshop is to help the exhibitors to establish effective business relations with local companies, and for visitors, to expand their distribution networks.

From year to year, the Beauty Azerbaijan exhibition attracts industry professionals from various parts of the world, helping them to enter the local market. Beauty Azerbaijan 2017 will be attended by companies from Azerbaijan, Italy, Korea, Russia, and USA; they will present professional cosmetics, beauty salon equipment and cosmetology devices. There is also a plan to hold Master Classes and B2B meetings.

The exhibition season will then continue with the largest exhibition event in the Caspian region - Caspian Construction Week which will feature the 23rd Azerbaijan International Construction Exhibition WorldBuild Baku 2017, the 10th Anniversary International Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Water Supply, Sanitary Ware, Environmental Technology, Swimming Pools and Renewable Energy Exhibition, Aquatherm Baku 2017, and the 10th Caspian International Protection, Security and Rescue Exhibition Securika Caspian 2017 (October 18-21).

The capital of Azerbaijan once again looks forward to an intense season of specialized exhibitions, which will give businesses the opportunity to showcase their innovations and announce their plans for the future, while instantly receiving feedbacks. Exhibitions are also an excellent platform for maintaining and strengthening old links, as well as a place where new acquaintances and business relationships are established. Exhibitions are important in terms of branding opportunities; trade shows are also a chance to review participants and report both on the work done and the results. In addition, this is the best place where you can settle legions of current technical and commercial issues through direct negotiations in a short period of time, which otherwise would long remain unanswered in e-mails and telephone communications. It is not a coincidence that the exhibitions are called the territory of handshakes.

Fast Track online registration system for all the exhibitions is now available on the official websites of the events. An e-ticket with barcode can be obtained by passing the registration procedure on the website. Having this barcode will allow you to take advantage of FAST TRACK SERVICE; requiring only a few minutes, this process significantly saves time when registering at Baku Expo Centre. The exhibitions are free for visitors. For more information about all the exhibitions and the services that they provide to visitors and participants, please visit the websites www.iteca.az, as well as the official exhibition pages on social networks. Among Iteca Caspians 2017 partners are the travel agency Premier Tour; the official hotels Sheraton Hotel and Qafqaz Point Hotel; and official stand builder AzExpoMontage.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

By Seba Aghayeva  Trend:

The EU will soon take a more principled stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and show will to resolve it, Nikita Isayev, political analyst, leader of the New Russia public and political movement, told Trend, Aug. 23.

In this case, the EU may express its position on the behalf of France, which is one of the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, the expert said. Unfortunately, this will happen without paying significant attention to Russias position.

The analyst noted that the principles of the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the proposals on its settlement that were previously voiced by international mediators, may change in this case.

The current settlement principles lead to impasse and dont resolve the conflict, they are fraught with escalation of tensions in the South Caucasus region, he said. The escalation of the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is dangerous not only for the direct participants of the conflict, but for the entire region.

According to the expert, it is necessary to find new ways for the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one of the topics of the Russian and Armenian presidents meeting to be held Aug. 23 in the city of Sochi, the Kremlins press service reported earlier.

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, Aug. 23

Trend:

The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) continues to make efforts for peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and hopes that it is able to ensure the protection of children affected by the conflict.

The Office of Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan told Trend Aug. 23 that, the abovementioned is an exert from the reply of Cornelius Williams, associate director of Child Protection at UNICEF, to the statement of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman, in connection with the murder of 2-year-old Zahra Guliyeva, as a result of shelling of Alkhanli village of Azerbaijans Fuzuli district by the Armenian armed forces on July 4, 2017.

The letter says that, as it was previously noted in March by the UN Secretary General, the UNICEF supports the appeal to the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to refrain from any actions that could violate the ceasefire and demonstrate resoluteness in its peaceful settlement.

No community, no family has to suffer from the loss of children as a result of armed conflicts, says the letter.

It is also noted that, the UNICEF office in Azerbaijan will continue to provide assistance in the protection of children and youth.

It should be reminded that, the appeal of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova was sent to the UN Secretary General, UN Security Council and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNESCO, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), European Commission, Council of Europe, OSCE, International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), European Ombudsman Institute (EOI), Asian Ombudsman Association, International Peace Bureau, ombudsmen of various countries, embassies of Azerbaijan in foreign countries and embassies of foreign countries in Azerbaijan, as well as Azerbaijans diaspora organizations.

On July 4, 2017, at about 20:40 (UTC +4), the Armenian armed forces, using 82-mm and 120-mm mortars and grenade launchers, shelled Azerbaijani positions and territories populated by the civilians, namely the Alkhanli village of the countrys Fuzuli district. As a result of this provocation, the residents of the village Sahiba Guliyeva, 50, and Zahra Guliyeva, 2, were killed. Servinaz Guliyeva, 52, who got wounded, was taken to a hospital and was operated on.

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, the Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijans territory, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by the peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Details added (first version posted on 11:07)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has viewed conditions created at a new block of secondary school No 257 in Khatai district, Baku.

Head of Baku City Executive Authority Hajibala Abutalibov informed the head of state of the work done at the new block of the school. The 1,176-seat main block of the school has 38 classrooms, three computer rooms, three laboratories, a gym, a conference hall. It was overhauled under the order of President Ilham Aliyev signed in 2011.

The new three-storey 672-seat block was built in accordance with the order of President Ilham Aliyev dated 2014.

Photo stands reflecting national leader Heydar Aliyev's, President Ilham Aliyev's and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva's attention to education were installed in the foyer of the school.

The block houses 24 classrooms, a computer room, and physics, chemistry and biology laboratories.

Video surveillance and fire alarm systems were installed in the building. The new block is supplied with Internet access, furniture, and other necessary equipment. The landscaping work was done, green areas were created, lightning system was installed in the yard of the school.
NOC land deal brings probe team to field

The probe team formed by the parliamentary Industry, Commerce and Consumer Welfare Committee to investigate on controversial land deal by Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) carried out the field based inspection in Bhairahawa, on Tuesday.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

Trend:

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on Aug. 23 approving the structure of Office of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The decree sets a limit on the number of employees of the Cabinet of Ministers Office (excluding the Department for Affairs) at 200 established posts.

The limit on the number of employees of the Department for Affairs of the Cabinet of Ministers Office is to be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

If necessary, Azerbaijans Cabinet of Ministers can create sectors in the departments that make up the structure of its Office (or departments and sectors in the Department for Affairs).
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has congratulated President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.

On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, and through you, to all the people of your country on the occasion of the national holiday of Ukraine  Independence Day, President Aliyev said in his congratulatory letter.

Traditional friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine, and our mutually beneficial cooperation are a solid foundation for the development of our intergovernmental relations. I believe that these relations will continue to develop and strengthen in the best interests of our peoples.

On this remarkable day, I wish you the best of health, success in your activities, and the friendly people of Ukraine peace and prosperity, added the president.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

Trend:

Georgian Minister of Defense Levan Izoria has hailed the assistance Azerbaijan has provided in fighting the continuing strong fires in the country, Georgia Online reports.

He thanked Azerbaijan on the behalf of the government and people of Georgia.

We are thankful to Azerbaijan for its fraternal help. We monitored the fires on the helicopter that Azerbaijan has sent to us. Thanks to the high level of cooperation, we managed to detect fire sources together.

Izoria noted that currently, the wind hinders, extinguishing the fires completely.

Earlier, under the order of the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the Ministry of Emergency Situations has sent a helicopter to Georgia to help in extinguishment of forest fires in Borjomi-Kharagauli Reserve.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

Trend:

The forces of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) of Azerbaijan, sent to Georgia, continue operations of extinguishing the fires, ministry's press service reported, Aug 23.

The ministry's personnel and equipment, upon the Georgian governments assignment, are, currently, working on elimination of fires in the Daba village.

MES has set-up field tents and field kitchens to ensure prompt and effective activity, proper living conditions and recreation of the ministry's rescue teams.

It should noted that, under the instructions of the Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev, 22 MES units, including one helicopter and additional two GPS helicopters with a crew of six, as well as 131 officers, were sent to the disaster zone to assist Georgia in fighting the forest fires.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:

Financial Monitoring Service of Azerbaijans Financial Market Supervisory Authority has added Shane Dominic Crawford, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, to the list of persons subject to international sanctions for their support of terrorism, said a report of the service posted on its website.

Crawford, a.k.a. Asadullah and Abu Sad at-Trinidadi, English language propagandist for the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, is wanted in Trinidad and Tobago for possession of ammunition and firearms and receiving stolen goods, according to the report.

This is the 21st change made to the list in 2017. The list is updated in accordance with the UN Security Councils decisions and the information received from regional organizations.

According to an order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, the international list is approved and updated by the Financial Monitoring Service based on the information received from the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Financial Monitoring Service of Azerbaijan was established Feb. 23, 2009.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug.23

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

The European gas market is becoming more and more competitive and US exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are part of this landscape, Francis Perrin, energy expert, chairman of Energy Strategies and Policies (France) told Trend.

Energy is always a strategic business. Economic aspects are very important of course, especially the price of LNG, but countries also take into account strategic issues. For some Central and Eastern European countries one of the key priorities of their energy policies is the diversification of their supplies, in particular gas imports, in order to reduce their dependence on Russia, said the expert.

He recalled that in 2016, the United States began to export LNG and it will become from this year onwards a net gas exporter.

In the future, it will be one of the three major LNG exporters with Australia and Qatar. It is then perfectly logical for Poland or Baltic states to import LNG from a new exporter, added Perrin.

As far as the US is concerned, this export policy is good for their companies and their foreign trade, the expert believes.

Perrin pointed out that as Energy Secretary Rick Perry said very recently after the announcement of the first US coal shipment to Ukraine, we look forward to "making available even more of our abundant natural resources to allies like Ukraine in the future to promote their own energy security through diversity of supply and source".

Perrin believes that the number of US LNG buyers will definitely grow with the increase of the countrys LNG export capacity.

US LNG is now exported from the Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana with four trains which are operational. But two other trains will be built on the same site. Another export terminal, Cove Point LNG (in Maryland), will come on stream at the end of this year. Another one is being built in Corpus Christi (Texas) and others will follow, said the expert.

It does not mean that US LNG exports will only reach Europe of course, he said, adding that Asia and Latin America will also be markets for a good part of these volumes.

These exports will not prevent Russia from remaining Europe's leading gas supplier but Gazprom

will feel some more pressure. For the Russian authorities, energy policy is part of their power strategy. Gazprom will thus be very cautious in terms of gas pricing and of contractual flexibility and will be more aggressive commercially in order to keep its customers, said Perrin.

This pressure will also come from other suppliers - present or future suppliers -, from the European Commission's Competition Directorate and from the European Union's Energy Union, he added.

Perrin noted that Poland and Lithuania now have LNG import terminals and Croatia will build its own terminal, which could come on stream in 2019.

On Aug.21, the first batch of LNG was delivered to Klaipeda port of Lithuania from the US. Poland received first US LNG on June 7.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 1

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Ashgabat hosted the sixth meeting of foreign ministers of Central Asia and Japan on May 1, a source acquainted with negotiations said.

Turkmenistan has been chairing the dialogue Central Asia+Japan since 2014.

The meeting was attended by Japans Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Discussion was held on issues of ensuring peace and security in a global and regional context, promoting the peaceful development of Afghanistan.

The sides also discussed the trade and economic, investment, environmental, cultural and humanitarian relations in the six-sided format. Following the meeting, a joint declaration was adopted.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

By Kamila Aliyeva  Trend:

Kazakhstans delegation paid an official visit to Tashkent, according to the information published on the Uzbekistan's government portal.

The delegation was headed by the Vice-Minister for Investments and Development Yerlan Khairov.

A meeting between two sides was held in the Uzbek Foreign Ministry Aug. 23.

The meeting addressed the practical aspects of the forthcoming joint events.

Particularly, the sides discussed the holding of national industrial exhibition of Kazakhstan which is set to be held in Tashkent as well as business forum with the participation of representatives of leading companies and firms of the two countries.

The meeting was also attended by Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan Yerik Utembayev.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Aug. 23

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has decreed to appoint Nodir Otajonov as a deputy prime minister and the chairman of the Board at UzAgroTehSanoatHolding JSC.

Otajonov will supervise the complex for the development of foreign trade, export potential, mechanical engineering, automobile and electrical industry, as well as standardization of products.

From 2010 to date, he has been serving as the chairman of the board at Uzselkhozmashlizing.

The post of Uzbekistans deputy prime minister was earlier occupied by Ulugbek Rozukulov.
Tehran, Iran, August 23



By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:



Tehran Grand Hotels Group has discarded a previous decision to build a new branch in the Iranian capital city, despite growing need for more tourist facilities in the post-nuclear deal Iran.



Farman Ghafarian currently owns Tehran Grand Hotels One and Two. In 2014, he had said he planned to build a third building.



"We already have a shortage in Tehran. Now it's motivating us to build a third branch because for sure we are anticipating much demand in the tourism market, he had told CNN then.



But now, the management of the group told Trend that the plan has been discarded for certain reasons, without further details.



Iran has seen a growing wave of incoming tourists, ever since its government struck the deal with world powers in 2015, which was aimed at reintegration of the Iranian and global markets.



Tourists are rushing to visit Iran after the country mended its diplomatic ties with the world, which brought about the need for new hotels and huge investments in this sector.



Masoud Hasrati, a businessman in the construction industry recently told Trend that Iran is in need of about 1,500 hotels, and that the new government's approach is to attract tourists.



Nevertheless, Irans health tourism is also growing. In early August, Ali Rabiee, the minister of cooperatives, labor and social welfare said that the country has a potential to earn $7 billion in revenues through attracting one million health tourists on a yearly basis.
NOC paid thrice the amount for land in Jhapa

The sub-committee under Industry, Commerce and Consumer Rights Relation Committee of the Parliament said state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation paid thrice the amount while purchasing land in Jhapa district.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 22

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

While President Donald Trump is expected to recertify whether Iran is in compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal in September, Tehran has warned that it is capable of resuming high-level uranium enrichment within five days.

The remarks come as the growing tensions between the White House and Tehran have been red hot in recent weeks amid speculations in Iran that the US may tear up the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, aka nuclear deal, concluded between the Islamic Republic and world powers, including the US, in 2015.

"If we have determination, at most in five days we can start 20 percent enrichment in Fordo [nuclear plant]," the chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, told Iranian state media on Tuesday.

Mehrdad Seyed Asgari, a Norway-based Iranian commentator, suggests that President Trump seems unlikely to kill the nuclear accord as the domestic tensions in the US appear to weaken him.

"A group of observers believe that Trump does not tend to create new tensions, therefore he would probably recertify Irans commitment to the deal in September," Seyed Asgari told Trend.

Chief strategist Steve Bannon is Trumps latest top aide leaving his post at the White House, which is taken by many as an indication of possible changes in the US foreign policy.

The US Congress requires the administration certify every 90 days whether Iran is in compliance with the nuclear deal. Trumps administration has already declared Iran in compliance, as required by law, twice during his tenure.

However, Trumps remarks, forecasting that the US would declare Iran non-compliant when the next review is due in September, have cast shadow over the future of the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

By Kamila Aliyeva  Trend:

A Washington-based expert doubts that the White House would declare Iran in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal amid speculations over President Trumps possible refusal to recertify Tehrans compliance with the accord.

I am doubtful we will be able to declare Iran in violation of the JCPOA (aka the nuclear deal) without evidence, and so far there is none in the public domain, Dr. Stephen Blank, a senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council and a well-known expert on international relations, told Trend commenting on the issue.

I do not expect hostilities in relations between Washington and Tehran despite growing tensions, Blank went on to say.

He believes that other international players, such as China, Russia, France, and Germany will likely support Iran actively or passively because there is no sign that Iran has violated the JCPOA.

What the Islamic Republic has violated is UN resolutions on building and testing missiles but, I believe, nobody will do anything about that.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council  the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia  plus Germany signed the nuclear deal on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

The agreement limits Irans nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all nuclear-related bans against the Islamic Republic.

The US Congress requires the administrations certification (every 90 days) of Irans compliance with the nuclear deal. Trumps administration has already declared Iran in compliance, as required by law, twice during his tenure.

Nonetheless, Trumps remarks forecasting that the US would declare Iran non-compliant when the next review is due in September, have cast shadow over the future of the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

By Kamila Aliyeva  Trend:

The Trump government appears to be taking a much stricter policy on Iran's nuclear issue, a UK-based foreign policy expert and frequent commentator on Iran believes.

The remarks come in light of US President Donald Trumps statement regarding possible refusal to recertify Tehrans compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, aka nuclear deal, in September.

It is possible to cancel parts of Irans nuclear deal, although some issues should be considered as possible problems for the US in this case, Ali Pishro, a doctoral researcher at the University of Birmingham, told Trend.

The expert noted that some parts of Trumps slogans have a propaganda aspect.

The nuclear deal was not signed with the US government, but concluded within the framework of the 5+1, and was further approved by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. Thus, any possible action by the Trump administration as opposed to accomplishment means confronting Russia, China and the EU, he said.

Both Chinas and Russias ties with Iran are built upon macroeconomic exchanges, sale of military equipment, and strategic relations, added the expert.

The two countries have also several times used the Iranian card in international and regional bargaining. For this reason, in the atomic challenge of Iran and the United States, it is very unlikely that they will stop supporting Iran, unless the US offers a seductive suggestion to both countries, meaning a Big Deal, he said.

Pishro also noted that European and Iranian relations are based on trade and economic benefits, but since Europe has economic and strategic affiliations with the US, it is unlikely that it will go against the US policy on Iran and continue investing in the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, in Iran, President Rouhanis government faces severe criticism over the nuclear deal.

In the event of any trampling by the Trump government on the implementation of the JCPOA, Iran will pursue its nuclear program, Pishro added.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council  the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia  plus Germany signed the nuclear deal on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

The agreement limits Irans nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all nuclear-related bans against the Islamic Republic.

The US Congress requires the administrations certification (every 90 days) of Irans compliance with the nuclear deal. Trumps administration has already declared Iran in compliance, as required by law, twice during his tenure.

Nonetheless, Trumps remarks forecasting that the US would declare Iran non-compliant when the next review is due in September, have cast shadow over the future of the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

By Kamila Aliyeva  Trend:

US President Donald Trumps public statements are quite strong while his politics is far more conciliatory, Associate Professor Gianluca Pastori, expert in history of political relations in North America and Europe, told Trend with regards to the latest remarks by Trump about Irans non-compliance with JCPOA, aka nuclear deal.

In my opinion, Donald Trump is playing good cop/bad cop with Iran. I do not think the US will really step back from the commitments assumed with the JCPOA, he said.

Trump needs to appease both the Congress and the public opinion, in which anti-Iranian feelings are strong, according to the expert.

At the same time, he cannot break the agreement, putting the US in a very difficult position, he said.

Moreover, the European countries are increasingly active in Iran, at both political and economic level, while Moscow and Tehran share many common interests, according to Pastori.

China is keeping a lower profile, but its relations with Iran are traditionally good and its role deemed to increase in the coming years, he added.

Moreover, the US-Iranian crisis could negatively affect US-Russia relations  a centerpiece in Trumps political agenda, the expert noted.

This is way I believe that stick to the JCPOA is the best way  for the US  to pursue their regional interests. The main problem is the contrast existing between Trump and the Republican Party, he said.

The President grudgingly ratified the sanctions against Russia, Iran, and the DPRK which were adopted by the US Congress last month, however, he is aware that no meaningful foreign policy can be pursued if the Congress opposes it, according to the expert.

In this perspective, the need to keep a balance with the Congressional will could be a reasonable explanation of Trumps apparently erratic behavior, he added.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council  the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia  plus Germany signed the nuclear deal on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

The agreement limits Irans nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all nuclear-related bans against the Islamic Republic.

The US Congress requires the administrations certification (every 90 days) of Irans compliance with the nuclear deal. Trumps administration has already declared Iran in compliance, as required by law, twice during his tenure.

Nonetheless, Trumps remarks forecasting that the US would declare Iran non-compliant when the next review is due in September, have cast shadow over the future of the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers.
Government can show a stronger reaction to violation of nuclear deal by other sides, senior Expediancy Council official said on Tuesday, IRNA reported.

'Iran can activate its yellow cake production plant based on the article 36 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action reached between the Islamic Republic and Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, France and Britain plus Germany),' Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei said while elaborating this institution view towards Majlis(parliament) bill on countering the US adventurist measures in the region.

Iran and the G5+1 reached a deal in Vienna in 2015 which stresses curbing Iran peaceful nuclear activities in exchange for removal of sanctions. Washington has been a major cause of problems in the way of execution of the deal over past two years.

The US has tried to circumvent the JCPOA by imposing new sanctions against Iran under the pretext of its regional policies.

Iranian Majlis has recently approved the single urgency of a bill on countering the US adventurist measures in the region on July 18.

The bill was proposed by the Iranian MPs to reciprocate the US senate bill, titled Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017.
Tehran, Iran, August 23

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Irans President Hassan Rouhani and his team are reviewing the prospect of his attendance at this years United Nations General Assembly, Rouhanis Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi told reporters, ISNA reported, Aug 23.

Upcoming session (72nd) session of the UN General Assembly will open in New York on Tuesday, September 12, 2017.

The UN has briefed on the topics of this years session as:

A: Promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and recent United Nations conferences;

B. Maintenance of the international peace and security;

C. Development of Africa;

D. Promotion of human rights;

E. Effective coordination of humanitarian assistance efforts;

F. Promotion of the justice and international law;

G. Disarmament;

H. Drug control, crime prevention and combating international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations;

I. Organizational, administrative and other matters;

Described as moderate, Rouhani was elected Irans president for a second term on May 19, with a landslide turnout. His main achievement in the first term comprised of the deal with world powers to help rapprochement between Tehran and the global community.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Saudi Arabia's policies have harmed not only the region but also the kingdom itself, PressTV reported.

Iran has always been seeking good ties with its neighbors, but we believe the Saudi policies in the region have been destructive and even harmed the country itself, Zarif said in an interview with ISNA published on Wednesday.

He said that Iran seeks a secure, powerful and convergent region... in line with the interests of the country as well as those of the region," adding that this framework has defined the Islamic Republics policies vis-a-vis interaction with regional states, including Saudi Arabia.

On the contrary, Saudi Arabia has been seeking to create tensions in the region to fulfill its own interests, the Iranian minister added.

If Riyadh revises its policies in the region, Zarif said, it will see a positive reaction from Tehran.

We believe that Saudi Arabia needs to revise and reconsider some of its policies, and doing so will be in line with the countrys national interests, the top Iranian diplomat said. If this reconsideration happens, it (Saudi Arabia) will surely elicit a positive reaction from Iran.

Zarif referred to Yemen as one of the areas where Saudi Arabia needed to change its policies nearly two-and-a-half years after it launched its deadly military aggression against the impoverished country.

Not only has Riyadh failed to reap any benefits from the military aggression but the war has also hurt the kingdom, the Iranian foreign minister added.

Zarif also expressed hope that the officials in Saudi Arabia would adopt rational policies towards Syria and Bahrain.

Iran, Saudi Arabia to exchange diplomatic visits

Meanwhile, Zarif said Iran and Saudi Arabia would likely exchange diplomatic visits after the Hajj rituals.

"Visas have been issued for both sides to make this visit. We are waiting for the final measures to be completed so that diplomats from the two countries can visit their embassies and consulates, and this will likely take place after Hajj, which will end in the first week of September.

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia first soured after a deadly human crush during Hajj rituals in Mina, near Mecca, in September 2015, when hundreds of Iranian pilgrims among others lost their lives.

Tensions between the two countries further escalated when the kingdom executed a prominent Shia cleric in January 2016.

Riyadh cut off ties with Tehran last January following protests in front of its diplomatic premises in the cities of Tehran and Mashhad against the execution.

Iran concerned about Persian Gulf row

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif expressed Irans concern about tensions between Qatar and other Persian Gulf Arab countries.

Despite our disagreement with both sides, we have asked them to resolve their disputes through dialogue and negotiations, Zarif said, underlining the need for good relations between the countries of the region.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates cut their diplomatic ties with Qatar in early June, accusing it of sponsoring terrorism. Doha has rejected the claim.

They issued a 13-point list of demands for Qatar to end the diplomatic standoff, which Doha did not accept.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 24

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

Although President Donald Trumps decision to fire Steve Bannon is a positive step, it is very unlikely to impact the US ties with Iran and Russia due to the Congress role, an EM Normandie lecturer suggested.

"The dismissal of Steve Bannon is a positive step since he is a very ideological and radical person who played a key role to introduce negative measures such as the Muslim ban," Milad Jokar, a visiting lecturer at EM Normandie and a political commentator at the Institute for Prospective and Security Studies in Europe, from Caen, France, told Trend.

Chief strategist Steve Bannon is Trumps latest top aide leaving his post at the White House, which is taken by many as an indication of possible changes in the US foreign policy.

"However, I don't see how it can have a significant impact when it comes to US policy toward Iran and Russia since Congress will continue with its hawkish agenda that is based on pressure and sanctions," Jokar added.

"For example, Trump couldn't do anything when Congress voted sanctions against Russia. He was forced to follow through. Therefore, the US, Iran and Russia policies have more to do with Congress than the dismissal of the White House key strategist," he concluded.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

By Seba Aghayeva  Trend:

The Armenian leadership is trying to put pressure on Russia, using such intrigues as rapprochement with the European Union, NATO and, in general, with the Western Coalition, Sergey Markov, Russian presidents confidant, member of Russian Civic Chamber, told Trend Aug. 23.

The Armenian leadership is trying to solve several problems by taking such steps: firstly, to influence Russia, so that Moscow doesnt put pressure on Yerevan, doesnt return to the table of serious and meaningful negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement. It is known that the Armenian leadership is not against negotiations, but it is against meaningful negotiations and wants to simply participate in negotiations, said Markov.

In Russia, it is believed that if the constructive negotiation process doesnt continue, there is a high probability of resumption of hostilities, and under the current circumstances it would be right to resume serious and meaningful negotiations, noted the expert.

The leadership of Armenia is satisfied with the current state of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and Yerevan wouldnt like to move forward in resolving this conflict, but, on the contrary, to retain control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the territories around it, noted Markov.

Thus, he continued, Armenia will have the chance to exchange the occupied territories around Nagorno-Karabakh for concessions from Azerbaijan in the future.

The leadership of Armenia is exerting pressure on Russia through such kind of intrigues as rapprochement with the European Union, the US and the whole Western coalition, and also participation in the NATO multinational exercise Noble Partner 2017, which took place in early August in Georgia under the patronage of US Vice President Mike Pence, according to him.

Secondly, Yerevan wants to improve the economic condition of Armenia through rapprochement with the EU and the US, Markov added.

The Armenian leadership is well aware that the West, including the EU, gives money for a reason  if there is political cooperation. Therefore, the more political cooperation with the EU, the more money.

Thirdly, the Armenian leadership wants to improve the internal political situation, as there are serious socio-political forces in Armenia that stick to pro-Western and anti-Russian policy, according to the expert.

There are statements that Armenia is following the path of Ukraine  something similar to Maidan is being prepared in the country. This is why the country's leadership is forced to establish closer ties with the EU, in order to prevent creation of the Armenian Maidan and calm certain pro-Western forces in Armenia, as well as prevent the possible western support of protests in Armenia, Markov said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Pakistan has voiced its disappointment over remarks made by US President Donald Trump, while denying accusations of its support for terrorist groups, Press TV reported.

"No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders. It is, therefore disappointing that the US policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort," said a statement released by Pakistans Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

The statement was released after Trump said Washington can no longer remain silent about Pakistan providing a safe havens for terrorists.

Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists," the US president added during a nationally televised speech Monday night before a military audience at Fort Myer in reference to the Taliban and other groups posing a threat to the region and beyond.

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fightingThat will have to change and that will change immediately," he added.

In its foreign ministry statement, Pakistan also stressed that it was activity participating in international counter-terror efforts.

"As a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country. Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the US needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism," the statement added.

The statement was released following a meeting between Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif and US ambassador David Hale in which Asif stressed his country's "desire for peace and stability in Afghanistan."

"We have decided to give an interim response. A comprehensive response will come after a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) on Thursday," he added.
NOC requests IOC to install security locks

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) said it had requested Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to install security locking systems on oil tankers soon.
At least 14 servicemen loyal to Libyas National Army were killed in clashes with militants of the Daesh terrorist group in southern Libya, Sputnik reported.

The source on conditions of anonymity told the Anadolu news agency that the Daesh militants attacked the gate of the Libyan town of Fuqaha.

The Daesh has not claimed responsibility for the attack yet, according to the news agency.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

If the central government of Iraq and Erbil (capital of the Kurdish autonomy of Iraq) want Turkeys mediation to solve the disagreement between the parties, Ankara is ready to help, the Turkish media quoted the countrys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu as saying Aug. 23.

Cavusoglu noted that the issue of holding referendum on independence of the Kurdish autonomy should be solved within Iraqs territorial integrity.

Turkey has repeatedly reminded Erbil the danger of holding a referendum on independence, said the foreign minister.

He noted that Turkey supports Iraqs sovereignty and demands from Erbil to cancel the decision on holding a referendum on independence.

Ankara will continue supporting Baghdad in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist group (IS), as well as militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) terrorist organization, which pose a threat to the integrity and security of Iraq, said Cavusoglu. Turkey is also ready to partake in the projects of revival of Iraqi cities liberated from the IS, he added.

The Turkish foreign minister noted that Iraqs territories should be fully cleared of IS and PKK terrorists.

It should be noted that Cavusoglu visited Iraq and the foreign minister is also expected to visit Erbil and hold a meeting with Masoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq.

The referendum on the Kurdish autonomys independence is scheduled for Sept. 25.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli started talks in Ankara, Turkish media outlets report on Aug. 23.

Among other significant issues, the sides are expected to mull settlement of the Syrian conflict and the fight against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Reportedly, Mattis and Canikli also plan to discuss the acquisition of Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system by Turkey.

Syria has been suffering from an armed conflict since March 2011, which, according to the UN, has claimed more than 500,000 lives.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 23

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Leader of Turkeys opposition Great Unity Party (BBP) Mustafa Destici urged the countrys government to suspend all ties with Iraqs Kurdish Autonomous Region, the party said in a statement Aug. 23.

The statement was made in connection to Iraqs Kurdish autonomys intentions to hold a referendum on independence.

If Erbil insists on holding the independence referendum, Ankara should immediately cease all relations with the Kurdish autonomy of Iraq, Destici said.

Iraqs Kurdish Autonomous Region plans to hold an independence referendum on September 25.

Earlier, Masoud Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq, had warned that opposition to the referendum would be met with a bloody war.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said that the Kurdish administration of Iraq will be regretful of holding that referendum.

Iraqs integrity is a priority for Turkey, noted Erdogan, adding that, a referendum on independence of the Kurdish autonomy means the beginning of Iraqs disintegration.
By Tomoyuki Tachikawa, KYODO NEWS - Aug 23, 2017 - 14:08 | Feature, All, World

Guam's lieutenant governor on Wednesday asked Japanese people to visit the Pacific resort island despite North Korea's threat to fire missiles near the U.S. territory, saying Washington has completed preparation for any contingencies.

"All the defenses are already in place" such as the Aegis missile defense system, Raymond Tenorio told a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo. "Come to Guam" because it is a "safe place to come."

Tenorio made the remarks as speculation is rife that the number of tourists to Guam may decrease down the road following Pyongyang's announcement earlier this month that it is contemplating launching a missile strike against the U.S. Pacific territory.

Guam hosts U.S. military facilities, including the Andersen Air Force Base, where strategic bombers are stationed.

Accordingto the Guam Visitors Bureau, about 72,900 people visited the Pacific island between Aug. 1 and 15, up 3 percent from a year earlier. North Korea made the missile threat on Aug. 9.

Last year, more than 745,000 Japanese people traveled to Guam, accounting for around 50 percent of the total visitors to the U.S. territory, the bureau said.

Local media reported that many residents of Guam have been baffled by North Korea's possible military attack, wondering why Pyongyang is targeting the small island. Some have apparently started to argue Guam should be independent from the United States.

Tenorio disagreed with the idea, saying standing together is important.

In a recording posted by Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo on his Facebook page, President Donald Trump told him in a phone conversation, "All over the world they're talking about Guam and they're talking about you and I think tourism -- I can say this, your tourism, you're going to go up like 10-fold with the expenditure of no money."

But Jon Denight, president and chief executive officer of the Guam Visitors Bureau, who also attended the news conference in Tokyo, brushed aside Trump's view, expressing concern over the outlook for the tourism industry on the island.

"Tourism is a fragile industry," he said.

"Guam's brand image was built as a very safe and family-friendly destination," Denight said. "I want to reassure people of Japan that there has been no change and Guam is safe for travel."

Tenorio and Denight are making their trip to Japan to explain the current situation in Guam and prevent the number of tourists from the world's third-biggest economy from declining.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 22, 2017 - 18:59 | All, World

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono pledged Tuesday to work to prevent the inflow of funds into North Korea that has allowed it to progress its nuclear and missile development programs, despite U.N. sanctions.

"There may be many loopholes in various places, such as Southeast Asia" that allow Pyongyang to obtain foreign currency, Kono, who took up the top diplomat post on Aug. 3, said in an interview.

"The most effective way (to tackle North Korea) is to stop the flow of money" into the country, Kono said, adding, "It is important to closely monitor the movement of people, goods and capital to close loopholes."

The latest sanctions on Pyongyang, adopted by the U.N. Security Council on Aug. 5, should be steadily implemented, Kono said, calling for cooperation from China, which accounts for about 90 percent of North Korea's foreign trade.

The new sanctions in response to Pyongyang's two long-range missile tests in July are likely to slash its $3 billion in annual export revenue by a third.

According to a classified report from a U.N. panel obtained by Kyodo News, North Korea has continued to generate foreign currency, with its export of banned commodities generating at least $270 million since February.

After China's suspension of coal imports from the North in February, Pyongyang "has been rerouting coal to other (U.N) member states including Malaysia and Vietnam," the report said.

With regard to neighboring countries in Asia, Kono said he has been confident in building close ties with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts since he met them on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations-related gatherings in Manila earlier this month.

Kono added he is willing to visit China and South Korea at an appropriate time.

With some South Korean media recently speculating that Kono may be inclined to renegotiate the "comfort women" deal signed in December 2015, on Tuesday he reiterated his stance that the deal, under which Tokyo and Seoul agreed that the comfort women issue was "resolved finally and irreversibly," should be steadily implemented.

"There is nothing more for me to add," said Kono about the bilateral pact.

Kono's father Yohei Kono, a former foreign minister, issued in 1993 as chief Cabinet secretary a landmark apology to the "comfort women," who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels.

Amid growing concerns over the threat of global terrorism, Kono also promised that Japan will play a more active role in achieving stability in the Middle East.

Earlier Tuesday, Kono and his wife held talks at a Tokyo lunch meeting with new U.S. Ambassador William Hagerty and his wife, the Foreign Ministry said.

Hagerty, a businessman close to U.S. President Donald Trump, is expected to present his credentials to Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace later this month.
Oli urges PM to take up matters of natl interest with India

Chairman of the main opposition CPN-UML KP Oli has urged Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to take up the matters of national interest, including recent inundations in the Tarai, energy development, 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty, border river dams and extradition treaty, during his five-day India visit beginning Wednesday.
Anil Giri is a reporter covering diplomacy, international relations and national politics for The Kathmandu Post. Giri has been working as a journalist for a decade-and-a-half, contributing to numerous national and international media outlets.
Shares of Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) moved more than 6% higher in morning trading Monday after new reports indicated a Chinese auto giant might be interested in one or all of the carmaker's brands.

Shares of Fiat Chrysler FCAU moved more than 6% higher in morning trading Monday after new reports indicated a Chinese auto giant might be interested in one or all of the carmakers brands.

According to CNBC, Great Wall Motor, Chinas largest SUV and pick-up truck manufacturer, confirmed that it was interested in acquiring all or part of Fiat Chrysler, fueling rumors that the company may be particularly interested in the Jeep brand.

Nevertheless, Fiat responded to Great Walls statement by saying that it has not yet been approached about Jeepor any other part of its business.

Jeep is the most logical choice, since [Great Wall] wants to be the largest SUV maker in the world, Shanghai-based auto consultant Yale Zhang told Reuters. The Jeep brand is recognized globally. I think Great Wall Motor is eyeing a global strategy, not just the United States.

While Fiat says that it hasnt talked to Great Wall yet, we do know that the company is exploring strategic initiatives to help it combat rising costs, adapt to new regulatory standards, and develop electric and self-driving car technology.

In fact, Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne recently told analysts that the companys new five year plan, which will be released next year, could include asset sales. Marchionne appeared hesitant to suggest that a sale would happen without other moves also taking places, but he did acknowledge that brands like Jeep, Ram, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo could exist on their own.

Jeep celebrated its 75th birthday last year, and the company traces its roots back to the iconic World War Two military vehicles. The brand sold about 1.4 million vehicles in 2016 and is aiming to reach the 2 million vehicle threshold in 2018.

In a research note published last month, Morgan Stanley analysts suggested that Jeeps enterprise value could be as high as $27 billion, making it more valuable than the entirety of Fiat Chrysler right now. The firm also suggested that Jeep could benefit from the rumored departure of Marchionne, who is expected to leave Fiat Chrysler at the end of 2018.

Story continues

Given the importance and complexity of realizing the hidden value of Jeep, we see the catalyst path as very much aligned with Sergio's remaining time at FCA, said Morgan Stanleys note.

Great Walls desire to become the worlds largest SUV manufacturer, as well as the skyrocketing popularity of sporty vehicles in China, make the Baoding, Hebei-based company seem like a logical destination for the Jeep brand.

However, any potential deal between Great Wall and Fiat Chrysler will likely face intense regulatory scrutiny, especially considering President Donald Trumps desire for domestic carmakers to move some of their manufacturing back home.

Want more stock market analysis from this author? Make sure to follow @Ryan_McQueeney on Twitter!

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Kelli Ward

Arizona's Republican Senate primary is turning ugly fast  and some are expecting that President Donald Trump will further ignite it during a highly anticipated rally on Tuesday night in Phoenix.

The fireworks in the race  currently between Sen. Jeff Flake and former state Sen. Kelli Ward  went off just before Trump's scheduled visit to the state.

In an ad from her campaign titled "Arizona Deserves Better," Ward blasted Flake for being featured in a Hillary Clinton campaign ad slamming Trump and calling for him to withdraw from the presidential race in response to the "Access Hollywood" tape, in which Trump boasted about groping women, that leaked in October.

Ward's ad also appeared to tie Flake closely to President Barack Obama. As CNN's Andrew Kaczynski pointed out, the photo Ward's campaign used to make this assertion was of Flake shaking Obama's hand in the Oval Office. They were alongside Arizona's congressional delegation at a bill signing to honor the federal judge who was shot and killed in Tucson in 2011 during the attack on Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot but survived.

A spokesman for Ward told Kaczynski that the observation was "silly" and that "the ad speaks for itself."

"The message of the ad is that Senator Flake is not the conservative he claims to be, having aligned himself with Hillary Clinton and President Obama before and now opposing President Trump," the spokesman said. "The ad's design, including our image highlighting Flake and Obama, conveys this visually, which is the goal of the piece."

Kelli Ward ad

Pro-Flake forces fired back with an ad on Tuesday, and they didn't hold anything back.

The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC with close ties to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has announced his support for Flake, released an ad targeting "Chemtrail Kelli Ward."

As part of a roughly $10,000 digital ad campaign, the ad ripped Ward for her "embarrassing behavior" and "dangerous ideas." The narrator says it's "no wonder" Republican voters rejected Ward last year when she challenged Sen. John McCain.

Story continues

"Chemtrail Kelli's got her head in the clouds with crazy ideas," the narrator says, adding that after "losing big league to John McCain," she called for him to step down last month after he disclosed he had brain cancer. Ward also called on Gov. Doug Ducey to appoint her, saying she should be "at the top of the list" for McCain's seat.

"Chemtrail Kelli," the narrator says. "Not conservative. Just crazy ideas."

Screen Shot 2017 08 22 at 11.20.31 AM

The "Chemtrail Kelli" attack was used against Ward during her primary campaign against McCain, which she lost by roughly 11 points.

In 2014, when she was a state senator, Ward organized a town-hall meeting to discuss the "chemtrail" theory. Taxpayer-paid state environmental staffers participated in the meeting, The Arizona Republic reported.

The chemtrail theory is one of the oldest anti-government conspiracies in circulation. It speculates that the visible streaks that come from airplanes are dangerous chemicals the government is attempting to spray over citizens, either to poison them or to change the weather for nefarious purposes.

"We're not willing to throw this Senate seat away to Democrats by nominating a fringe candidate like Kelli Ward," Steven Law, the Senate Leadership Fund's president and McConnell's former chief of staff, told Politico.

The outlet reported that those close to the group said the blistering Ward ad was part of a broader offensive to show that any Trump-led pushes to oust GOP incumbents would be met with force.

Perhaps no sitting Republican politician has been the focus of Trump's ire more than Flake, who last month said in his book, "Conscience of a Conservative," that his party was in "denial" about Trump, describing an executive branch "in chaos" and a president who has "seeming affection for strongmen and authoritarians."

Last week, Trump tweeted his support for Ward's campaign while blasting Flake.

"Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate," Trump wrote. "He's toxic!"

Trump has previously promised to spend as much as $10 million to oust Flake. One of Trump's top donors, the billionaire hedge fund manager Robert Mercer, has donated $300,000 to a pro-Ward super PAC, Politico reported.

And while much of what Trump plans to discuss during his Tuesday rally remains under wraps, the widespread consensus is that he will take no issue with further lambasting Flake.

Watch Ward's ad:

And watch the Senate Leadership Fund ad:

NOW WATCH: Paul Manafort is at the center of the Trump-Russia investigation  here's what you need to know about him





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bernie sanders chris hayes

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont did not mince words when describing the all-hands Senate meeting at the White House on Wednesday, including the reason behind his decisision not to attend.

"I did not want to be part of a road-show for the White House," Sanders said to MSNBC's Chris Hayes during an interview on "All In with Chris Hayes."

In what was also described as a "dog-and-pony show" by members of the Senate, Sanders lambasted the decision to hold the meeting in what is traditionally held in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility  a secure room of the congressional building devoid of any "cyber-security issues."

"These highly classified briefings always take place in what is called the SCIF room in the Congress," said Sanders. "What I did not want to be, is part of a photo opportunity or a political effort on the part of the White House."

The entire US Senate traveled in a convoy of buses to the White House on Wednesday to take part in the classified briefing on North Korea's nuclear capabilities. The reaction after the meeting was tepid.

"It was an OK briefing,"Republican Sen. Bob Corker, chair of the Foreign Relations committee, said to reporters.

"What was discussed, I already knew," said Corker continued in a BuzzFeed News report.

"I remain mystified about why the entire Senate had to be taken over to the White House rather than conducting it here [at the Capitol]," Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said in a Washington Post report.

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Traders didnt exactly love Home Depot Inc (NYSE: HD)'s second-quarter earnings, and the stock is down about 2.7 percent since reporting on Aug. 15. However, Credit Suisse analyst Seth Sigman liked what he saw and sees positive implications for both Home Depot and Lowes Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) in the second half of the year.

For Home Depot, Sigman raised his full-year EPS guidance from $7.26 to $7.34, as Q2 EPS and margins came in better than expected.

The key takeaway from Q2 was the very strong demand, growth in big projects, progress in its initiatives to diversify its business, and the expectation for stronger operating leverage in 2H, he wrote on Monday (see his track record here).

View more earnings on HD

Related Link: Benzinga's Bulls & Bears From The Week: Home Depot, Netflix, Walmart And More

Lowes is expected to release its quarterly report before the market open Wednesday, and Sigman expects a mixed report. Based on Home Depots numbers, Credit Suisse is calling for year-over-year sales comps to grow 3.5 percent, well short of consensus estimates of 4.3 percent. However, Sigman anticipates that Lowes will be able to hit consensus EPS expectations via expense management and buybacks. As a result, he believes full-year comp guidance could be at risk, but full-year EPS estimates may be safe.

The Outdoor category should be particularly strong for Lowes this quarter based on improving numbers from Home Depot in the second quarter. Favorable weather conditions helped boost Outdoor sales, which account for roughly 40 percent of Lowes business.

The good news for home improvement investors is that Sigman sees more upside ahead for both Lowes and Home Depot. Credit Suisse maintains Outperform ratings on both stocks with a $94 price target for Lowes and a $171 price target for Home Depot.

Latest Ratings for HD

Aug 2017 Barclays Maintains Overweight Aug 2017 Raymond James Upgrades Market Perform Outperform May 2017 Atlantic Equities Downgrades Overweight Neutral

View More Analyst Ratings for HD

View the Latest Analyst Ratings

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 2017 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Its CEO quit, then investors hammered one of India's largest companies  it may get worse

One of India's tech darlings, Infosys (National Stock Exchange of India: INFY-IN), could fall out of favor with investors after its chief executive officer resigned unexpectedly on Friday following a clash between the company's founder and the board of directors.

Vishal Sikka announced his departure in an email to his employees  which he subsequently uploaded onto his blog  where he said his decision was influenced by "distractions, the very public noise around us," that had created an "untenable atmosphere."

Investors were quick to react: On Friday, the stock price fell 9.6 percent on the back of Sikka's resignation. On Monday, shares fell another 5.4 percent, and Reuters said the two-day spiral wiped about $5.2 billion in market value. Even a share buyback of up to 130 billion rupees ($2 billion) at a premium of 1,150 rupees per share, announced Saturday, failed to spur optimism among investors.

The downward slide appeared to have halted momentarily on Tuesday, when shares closed near flat at 875.40 rupees, after being down more than 0.6 percent in morning trade.

On Tuesday, India media reported that Infosys co-chairman Ravi Venkatesan met with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to brief him about the developments at the company.

Finding the right leader for the job

As interim CEO and managing director U.B. Pravin Rao and the board begin a search for Sikka's replacement, analysts said uncertainty at the helm could further weigh on Infosys stock price. Shares are already down more than 13 percent year-to-date.

"While the initial damage to the stock price has already occurred, the possibility of short-term disruption and damage to longer term growth makes us cautious," said Nomura analysts Ashwin Mehta and Rishit Parikh in a recent note.

They pointed out that Sikka's departure pushed back hopes of a turnaround for Infosys by at least two quarters as searching for a new CEO would take time. Even then, they said, the CEO could take further time to articulate a new strategy and put together a team that would carry it out.

Story continues

Sikka, the company's first non-founding CEO, was brought in to turn the business around and catch up with competitors such as Tata Consultancy Services (National Stock Exchange of India: TCS-IN) (TCS), Wipro (National Stock Exchange of India: WIPRO-IN) and Cognizant (CTSH). Sikka previously set a target for Infosys to reach $20 billion in revenue by 2020, but reportedly dropped the goal in June. In fiscal 2017, the company brought in just over $10 billion in revenues.

That was despite fresh challenges faced by India's massive multi-billion dollar IT services industry after the U.S. said it would tighten work visa rules to rein in the number of foreign tech workers stateside.

"Infosys under Dr. Sikka had closed the gap on organic growth versus peers and had performed better than most peers on EBIT and EPS growth," the Nomura analysts said. Their analysis showed Infosys' organic revenue in dollar terms grew 8 percent on a three-year compound annual growth rate basis, compared to 9 percent for TCS, 3 percent for Wipro and 12 percent for Cognizant.

Normura also downgraded Infosys to "reduce" from "neutral" and lowered the target price to 875 rupees from 1,000 rupees.

Bad blood with the founder

Sikka's resignation was the result of ongoing bad blood between the Infosys board of directors and the company's main founder N.R. Narayana Murthy.

According to media reports, Murthy reportedly said that several independent directors at Infosys told him Sikka was more suited to be a chief technology officer than CEO. He had also reportedly raised concerns over corporate governance issues at Infosys related to severance pay for a former executive and the acquisition of an Israeli software company under Sikka.

The Infosys board on Friday put out a comprehensive statement where it blamed Murthy's "continuous assault" as the key reason for Sikka's departure. Analysts reckon the ongoing negativity between the founder and the board could generate further bad publicity for the company.

Infosys could also see more departures among senior leaders in the coming months that could further push back its path to growth.

"The resignation of Dr. Sikka is not normal and sets a big historical precedence to be considered by the new candidate," Sandeep Shah, an analyst at CIMB, said in a note. He added that such a change "brings along transitional issues, which may result in higher attrition amongst senior leaders." It could also create obstacles in expanding Infosys' order book and mining for large clients, he said.

Nomura analysts pointed out that many senior leaders who are driving newer initiatives in key growth areas at Infosys were, like Sikka, brought in from German software company SAP (XETRA:SAP-DE). That implies some of them could leave Infosys to potentially join Sikka in a new venture.

"Infosys has continued to see senior management attrition with nearly 17 senior management exits since Dr. Sikka joined the company with more elevation in senior management attrition being seen over the last 1-1.5 years," the analysts said.

That could see Infosys clients becoming more cautious and its competitors could get more aggressive in order to take advantage of the current situation. Meanwhile, foreign institutional investors could turn more negative on the company on "concerns related to the tussle between the promoter (Murthy) and the board, coupled with senior management attrition," the Nomura analysts said.

Looking ahead, analysts said the board needs to find a way to alleviate the tension with the founder.

"They will need to create mechanisms to shield management from external noise as has been the case here," said Vaibhav Dhasmana, an equity analyst at Jefferies, in a note. He added that the board's unambiguous endorsement of the current strategy with the founders suggest little friction between board members.

"In the backdrop of industry changes and slowing growth across the sector, the time taken for resolution of these, especially the new CEO appointment, will be key," he said. Jefferies maintained a "buy" rating on the stock.





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John Watson, who has led Corp. since 2010, is planning to step down as the oil major seeks a new chief executive officer, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

While the San Ramon, California-based producer has not made a final decision on a successor, Michael Wirth, a 56-year-old Chevron lifer whose elevation was telegraphed in January when the company announced his promotion to vice chairman, has been seen as a leading candidate. An announcement will likely be made next month, the Journal said.

Kent Robertson, a Chevron spokesman, declined to comment on the report.

Watson, 60, was named CEO after he oversaw the integration of Texaco Inc. and Unocal Corp. into Chevron. They were purchased by his acquisitive predecessor and mentor, David O'Reilly. Since the global oil rout began in earnest in 2014, though, Watson has struggled to protect dividend payouts from the ravages of tumbling crude prices and shrinking cash flow.

Watson has resorted to job cuts, project cancellations and billions of dollars in asset sales to cope with an industry downturn that erased $50 billion from Chevron's market value. In 2016, Chevron posted its first annual loss in at least 37 years.

One of Wirth's crowning achievements was the restructuring of Chevron's sprawling refining business by selling off billions of dollars in assets from Africa to Europe.

Under his leadership, the company quit processing crude in Western Europe as that market matured and growth slowed, and sharpened its focus on expanding demand centers in East Asia and Latin America.

Watson later expanded Wirth's portfolio-trimming template to Chevron's worldwide oil and natural gas unit.

Watson was an unlikely oil executive, having majored in agricultural economics at the University of California-Davis, before obtaining his MBA from the University of Chicago. Chevron's mandatory retirement age for employee directors like Watson is 65.

Story continues

See original article on Fortune.com

More from Fortune.com
FILE PHOTO: John Watson, Chevron's chairman and CEO, speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., March 8, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Ernest Scheyder

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Chevron Corp Chief Executive John Watson will step down by the end of next month and likely be replaced by Vice Chairman Mike Wirth, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

The unexpected shake-up at one of the world's largest oil and natural gas producers comes as pressure grows on the industry to further cut costs and control spending.

In Wirth, Chevron would pivot to a leader with experience in refining, where costs are regularly scrutinized down to the fraction of a penny.

The move would copy rival Exxon Mobil Corp, which earlier this year named refining expert Darren Woods as its own CEO, a step widely seen as prioritizing cash generation to protect payouts to shareholders above pricy exploration projects.

The CEOs of rivals Total and Royal Dutch Shell also have experience in refining.

Chevron's shares are up about 35 percent since Watson took over as CEO in January 2010, but the Dow Jones industrial average has more than doubled in that time. The company's shares are trading at the same level they were in early 2011.

Chevron spokesman Kent Robertson declined to comment. Neither Watson nor Wirth responded to requests for comment.

The California-based company is emerging from a global commodity price slump and is beginning to reap the fruits of a multibillion-dollar expansion spree.

The exit is not acrimonious and Watson sees it as an opportunity to hand over the reins of a growing enterprise to Wirth, according to the source.

"He may see it as a good time to step down and allow fresh management to take Chevron further," said Brendan Warn, an equity analyst with BMO Capital Markets, which advises clients to buy Chevron's stock.

The company's growth under Watson has not been painless. Chevron has struggled with cost overruns at two Australian liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, faced major engineering challenges at its U.S. Gulf of Mexico expansions, and is now contending with growing uncertainty about its operations in strife-torn Venezuela, where it is the only remaining major U.S. oil producer.

Story continues

One of the Australian LNG projects has now come online, and the other is expected to by next month. Combined, the two are expected to fund half the company's dividend by 2019.

Watson made no major acquisitions during his leadership, ceding growth opportunities to rivals. Former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, for example, bought natural gas producer XTO Energy during his tenure and rapidly expanded into Qatar's LNG sector.

Watson, who has five years remaining before he hits Chevron's mandatory retirement age of 65, stuck to projects already in the planning stages when he became CEO in January 2010, rather than coming up with new deal or expansion ideas. Watson's predecessor, David O'Reilly, retired at 62.

The change at the top of the company, first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, did not shake markets. Shares of Chevron rose less than 1 percent to close at $106.36.

WIRTH'S EXPERIENCE

Watson is expected to stay on the company's board of directors for a period of time as Wirth grows into the CEO role, according to the source.

Like many of the company's executives, Watson has worked at Chevron his entire career and is the product of an internal talent development program.

"It would be hard to sit there and say that John Watson did a bad job as CEO," said Oliver Pursche of wealth manager Bruderman Brothers LLC, which holds shares in the company. "When we think about how Chevron has run its different business lines during the oil price slump, they've managed very well."

Wirth, 56, has been vice chairman since February and runs the company's pipeline division. He previously ran Chevron's refining unit, which has grown rapidly in recent years, with the company investing heavily in expansion and renovations.

Chevron last month posted higher-than-expected second-quarter profits on higher production and oil prices and lower spending on large projects.

Under Watson the company has been shifting additional resources to shale oil projects that promise quicker returns, but nearly all of that shale acreage has been in the company's portfolio since the 1930s.

Watson, an economist by training, rose through the company's ranks, served as its chief financial officer, and earlier oversaw the integration of Texaco operations following the 2000 acquisition.

(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Bill Rigby)
Deutsche Bank AG DB is mulling over expanding its wealth management business in London, as per an interview given by Peter Hinder  head of wealth management for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)  to Reuters. In the process, the company will hire 20 private bankers this year.



The private bankers of the wealth management division will be spread across the U.K., Switzerland, Italy and the Middle East. Currently, there are less than 10 senior bankers to handle the division.



Hinder referred to the London region as a magnet for wealth as Asian countries such as China really like London because they speak English. He thinks the company has not utilized the London market to its full capacity and that Brexit will not affect private banks.



By invested assets, EMEA is the second largest wealth management market after Germany for Deutsche Bank.



Notably, Deutsche Bank is optimistic about getting business again, though not as much as it was six months ago. This is because its clients did not close their relationships and instead diversified post headlines that the bank hit on legal cases last year.



About two months ago, the bank announced its plans of hiring new staff for managing its wealth management division across the globe. This shows that the bank is dynamically taking steps to improve the performance of this business line, which lost some key executives and faced a fall in assets because of several stringent regulations globally.



Deutsche Banks shares have gained 15.5% in one year, underperforming the industrys rally of 23.9%





Currently, the bank carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).



Some other top-ranked stocks in the same space are KB Financial Group Inc. KB, Bank of Nova Scotia BNS and Bank of Montreal BMO, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



KB Financials earnings estimates have been revised upward by 16.2% for the current year, in the past 60 days. Also, its share price has increased 3.7%, in the last three months.



Bank of Nova Scotia has witnessed a 4.2% upward earnings estimate revision for the current year, in the past 60 days. Moreover, its shares have gained 9.6% in the last three months.



Bank of Montreals current-year earnings estimates have been revised 6.2% upward, over the last 60 days. Further, its shares have rallied 5.4%, in the last three months.



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Fiat Chrysler has denied rumors of a potential takeover by Chinas Great Wall Motor Co.

The Italian-American auto group told the Financial Times that it had not been approached by Great Wall, despite earlier reports to the contrary. The group told the FT: In response to market rumors regarding a potential interest of Great Wall Motors in the Jeep brand, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles confirmed that it has not been approached by Great Wall Motors in connection with the Jeep brand or any other matter relating to its business.

Earlier, Great Wall released a statement announcing their purported request for a meeting with FCA, with the intention of acquiring all or part of it.

A press relations official at Great Wall had previously told Reuters that it currently [has] an intention to acquire. We are interested in (FCA). Automotive News had reported that Great Wall was particularly interested in Jeep, the groups most profitable brand. Morgan Stanley has estimated that Jeep could be worth $24 billion, making it more valuable than both FCA and Great Wall.

As Chinese automakers like Zhejiang Geely acquire foreign brands such as Volvo volvy , Great Wall is seeking its own piece of the potential profit from Europe and the U.S. Acquiring Jeep would allow Great Wall to enter the premium market with a well-recognized brand.

For more on the auto industry, watch Fortunes video:

The rumors of Great Walls expression of interest come just a month after FCAs CEO Sergio Marchionne announced that it was considering spinning off some of its business and would be presenting a five-year plan at the start of next year.

This story has been updated to reflect FCAs response.
Prime Minister Deuba off to India for state visit

Leading a delegation of more than 50 members, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Wednesday left for New Delhi for a five-day state visit to India. This is Deubas first foreign tour after taking office in June.
Goldman Sachs just led a $45 million investment round into Skytap, a 10-year-old cloud computing provider based in Seattle.

Amazon Web Services is, far and away, the cloud computing market leader, but Skytap has found success by focusing exclusively on helping big businesses modernize their software.

This is anticipated to be Skytap's final funding round before an IPO in the next 18 to 24 months.

thor culverhouse skytap ceo

Amazon Web Services is the big behemoth of cloud computing, followed by Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

The economies of scale of cloud services mean that it's very difficult for any new players to compete unless they have the global reach and resources of those tech titans.

Difficult, but not impossible, especially if you zero in on an underserved part of the market. Take, for example, Skytap, a 10-year-old cloud computing service provider based in Seattle.

Skytap started as a project out of the University of Washington. It focuses exclusively on helping huge companies update their existing, old-school software for the modern age. By devoting all its energies to that one corner of the market, Skytap believes it can thrive even under Amazon's shadow.

"It doesn't make sense for us to go head-to-head with Amazon in their areas of expertise," Skytap CEO Thor Culverhouse said.

Skytap already has name-brand customers including GE Healthcare and NBCUniversal. And investors are on board too.

The company just announced a $45 million round of funding led by Goldman Sachs. That brings its total funding to over $100 million. If all goes according to plan, the investment will start an 18-to-24 month countdown to an eventual IPO, Culverhouse said.

Competing with Amazon

Amazon Web Services got its start by focusing on winning over individual developers and small startups, including Slack and Airbnb, and reaping the benefits as those companies grew and expanded their usage. To that end, Amazon  as well as chief rivals Google and Microsoft  prides itself on supporting the most up-to-date developer tools and methods.

Story continues

By contrast, Skytap's sales pitch is it offers a cloud computing platform that's designed to behave like an old-school, legacy data center, making it easier for enterprises to bring their existing large-scale applications to the cloud. And once those applications are in the cloud, the company can offer customers a slew of benefits, Culverhouse said.

Andy Jassy, Amazon

Similar to AWS, Skytap allows customers to easily add or remove computing capacity in line with their needs. And its support for trendy technologies like Docker software containers allows customers to slowly but surely modernize their software.

So far, so good

Skytap is starting to catch on with customers. The company's second-quarter revenue this year was three times higher than in the same period last year, Culverhouse said, although he declined to disclose the actual numbers. Contributing to the company's growth has been a resale arrangement with IBM, where Big Blue provides Skytap technology to its own customers.

As it ramps up for its IPO, Skytap is doubling down on what it's already doing, Culverhouse said. Currently, the company employs about 170 people; Culverhouse expects that number to double in the next year, with a focus on sales and engineering. Similarly, Skytap plans to grow its international presence.

microsoft scott guthrie

What Skytap won't be doing is making moves that will put it more directly into Amazon's path, Culverhouse said. Instead, Skytap will continue to focus its energies on helping big enterprise customers bring their existing software into the cloud.

"That's where we can deliver the most value," he said.

Goldman Sachs has been busy in the tech sector of late. In addition to investing in Skytap, the venerable financial firm announced Monday that it also led a $44 million investment in database provider Redis Labs.

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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Kinder Morgan, Inc. KMI. Shares have lost about 10.5% in that time frame, underperforming the market.

Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

Second-Quarter 2017 Results

Kinder Morgan reported second-quarter 2017 earnings of $0.14 per share from continuing operations in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate but decreased 6.7% from $0.15 reported a year ago.

Total revenue for the quarter jumped 7.1% year over year to $3,368 million. Moreover, the top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,122 million.

Higher contribution from Elba Express pipeline along with improved CO2 volumes supported the second quarter results. Increased contribution from the liquid terminals and successful initial public offering of its Canadian business, together with the Elba, Utopia and SNG joint ventures also contributed to the growth. It was partially offset by higher expenses and the negative impact on tariff rates of Colorado Interstate Gas Company pipeline following the rate case settlement in 2016.

Dividend

Kinder Morgan maintained its quarterly dividend at $0.125 per share ($0.50 per share annualized).

Segment Analysis

Natural Gas Pipelines: Operating income from this segment was $907 million, down 6.2% from $967 million in the year-ago comparable quarter. The downside was due to divestment of 50% interest in its SNG during the third quarter of 2016along with lower volumes that impacted most of its midstream gathering and processing assets. Further, an adverse impact on the tariff rates of Colorado Interstate Gas Company pipeline following the rate case settlement in2016 contributed to lower income.

The negatives were partially offset by improved contributions from Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) owing to incremental short-term capacity sales and projects commissioned. Higher results from the Elba Express pipeline and better performances by the Texas Intrastate pipelines are favorable factors as well.

Story continues

CO2: The segment reported earnings of $221 million, which increased 8% from $204 million in second-quarter 2016. Higher volumes owing to considerable demand from third parties supported the improvement. However, the upside was partially limited by lower commodity prices.

Terminals: This business unit reported profit of $304 million, which improved 1%from $302 million in the AprilJune quarter of 2016, mainly due to significant contributions from the liquid terminals.

Products Pipelines: This segment recorded earnings of $324 million, up 11% year over year. Higher refined products volumes were responsible for the improvement and were partially offset by higher expenses.

Kinder Morgan Canada: The segment reported earnings of $43 million, which decreased 7% from $46 million in second-quarter 2016. Lower income was attributable to higher expenses and a 21% decrease in volumes to Washington state, owing to a shift in deliveries from Washington to British Columbia destinations.

Operational Highlights

Total expenses in the quarter were $2,446 million, up 11% from $2,204 million spent in the second quarter of 2016.

Operating income of $922 million went down nearly 2% from $940 million in the year-ago quarter.

Second-quarter net income of $337 million increased from $333 million in the comparable quarter in 2016.

Financials

The company reported second-quarter distributable cash flow of $1,022 million compared with $1,050 million in the prior-year quarter. The company had a project backlog of $12.2 billion at the end of the quarter as against $11.7 billion at the end of prior year quarter.

As of Jun 30, Kinder Morgan had cash and cash equivalents of $452 million. The companys long-term debt amounted to $33,900 million at the end of the quarter. Total debt-to-capitalization ratio at the end of second-quarter 2017 was 48.4%.

Outlook

Kinder Morgan reaffirmed its dividend guidance. The company is likely to pay dividends of $0.50 per share in 2017. For 2018, Kinder Morgan projects a yearly dividend of $0.80 per share, reflecting a 60% rise from the projected dividend level for 2017. On top of that, for 2019 and 2020, the company projects a 25% increase in dividend.

It continues to expect EBITDA and distributable cash flow of about $7.2 billion and $4.46 billion, respectively.

For 2017, Kinder Morgan anticipates the capital expenditure projection at about $3.2 billion for growth projects. The company will likely finance the investment through cash flow that are generated internally.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

It turns out, fresh estimates flatlined during the past month. There has been one revision higher for the current quarter compared to one lower.

Kinder Morgan, Inc. Price and Consensus

Kinder Morgan, Inc. Price and Consensus | Kinder Morgan, Inc. Quote

VGM Scores

At this time, Kinder Morgan's stock has a subpar Growth Score of D, a grade with the same score on the momentum front.The stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Zacks' style scores indicate that the company's stock is suitable solely for value investors.

Outlook

The stock has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We are expecting below average return from the stock in the next few months.



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Heres a look at some of the stocks the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you today.

Lowes (LOW) is at the top of our list. The stock got getting hammered after the home improvement retailer reported a miss on both its top and bottom lines for the second quarter. Lowes cut its earnings outlook for the year as it looks to capitalize on strong traffic trends. It plans to spend more on marketing and increase employees hours.

Shares of Salesforce.com (CRM) were lower in early trading, even though the cloud-service firm reported slightly better-than-expected earnings and revenue for last quarter and raised its profit outlook for the year. However, according to FactSet billings growth guidance for the current quarter of 8% missed forecasts, and there was some talk of disappointment that company did not raise margin outlook.

US-listed shares of WPP (WPPGY) sank on Wednesday. The worlds biggest advertising company cut its revenue outlook for the year amid a slowdown in ad spending by some of its biggest clients, mainly consumer brands in North America.

Whole Foods (WFM) shareholders vote on whether to go ahead with Amazons (AMZN) $13.7 billion offer to buy the company. Shareholder approval is just one step needed to close the deal. Government regulators also have to give their blessing.

Samsung (005930.KS) is also in the spotlight. The South Korean tech giant unveiled its new Galaxy Note 8 this morning. This is Samsungs last chance to wow customers before Apples (AAPL) iPhone 8 launch, which is expected next month. Samsungs new device has dual-lens camera setup, which includes one wide-angle lens and one telephoto lens. Itll also has an updated version of Samsungs voice assistant, Bixby, and fit with the rest of the Samsung ecosystem. The Galaxy Note 8 will be available for pre-order on Aug. 24 and launching Sept. 15.

Related: Galaxy Note 8 preview: Samsungs big bet
A Macy's store is seen in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., May 11, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

(Reuters) - Department store chain Macy's Inc (M.N) said on Monday it would restructure its merchandising operations, which could result in about 100 job cuts.

The company said it expected one-time costs of about $20 million to $25 million mainly in the third quarter, and that it would save about $30 million on a yearly basis. Macy's forecast fourth-quarter savings of about 1 cent per share.

Macy's also named former eBay Inc (EBAY.O) executive Hal Lawton as president, effective Sept. 8.

The restructuring will merge three units  merchandising, planning and private brands  into one division, which will be led by Chief Stores Officer Jeff Kantor.

Macy's said the changes would strengthen data analytics and how it manages inventory and pricing.

The company, like several other department stores struggling to cope with reduced customer traffic and competition from e-commerce company Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O), has promised to better control inventory levels that have been pressuring margins.

"The changes we are making today maintain our core merchandising skills while massively simplifying our structure and processes for greater speed and flexibility," Chief Executive Jeff Gennette said in a statement.

(Reporting by Roopal Verma in Bengaluru and Richa Naidu in Chicago; Editing by Martina D'Couto and Matthew Lewis)
mark cuban

Mark Cuban is singing a different tune when it comes to cryptocurrencies.

The tech billionaire and "Shark Tank" star is an early backer of a new cryptocurrency fund, according to CoinDesk, which reports on blockchain and cryptocurrency news.

The fund, 1confirmation, launched Tuesday, plans to invest exclusively in cryptocurrency assets, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Its founder, Nick Tomaino, a principal at the $270 million Palo Alto-based investor Runa Capital, is looking to raise $20 million.

"I think Nick is one of the sharpest minds in the space, and I'm a big believer that there will be transformational apps built on blockchain," Cuban told CoinDesk.

Cuban said in a tweet last week that he was looking to jump on the bitcoin bandwagon:

I might have to rewrite all these replacing stocks with $btc. Might have to finally buy some https://t.co/ADiPQWUNF6  Mark Cuban (@mcuban) August 14, 2017

Cuban's financial interest in the digital-currency world is an about-face for the billionaire, who two months ago called it a "bubble." In early June, soon after bitcoin hit what was then a near record high of $2,900 a coin, Cuban warned of a coming correction:

I think it's in a bubble. I just don't know when or how much it corrects. When everyone is bragging about how easy they are making $=bubble https://t.co/hTrV5DeWNd  Mark Cuban (@mcuban) June 6, 2017

Cuban then turned his focus to cryptocurrencies as a whole:

Anyone anywhere can buy a stock. #crypto is like gold. More religion than asset. Except of course gold makes nice jewelry. #crypto notsomuch https://t.co/xp334BCRa2  Mark Cuban (@mcuban) June 6, 2017

Cuban's change of heart represents a pivot across Wall Street. Financial firms and institutional investors are waking up to the profit potential in cryptocurrencies as bitcoin and ether, its rival powered by the Ethereum blockchain, reach new heights  they're up more than 350% and 2,000%, respectively, since the beginning of the year.

Story continues

For instance, VanEck, the New York-based money manager with $24.7 billion in assets, is seeking to launch a bitcoin exchange-traded fund, according to an August 11 SEC preliminary filing. Additionally, Goldman Sachs is telling clients that cryptocurrencies are worth their attention.

In a recent note to portfolio managers, the Goldman analyst Robert Boroujerdi and his team wrote:

"With the total value nearly $120 billion, it's getting harder for institutional investors to ignore cryptocurrencies. Whether or not you believe in the merit of investing in cryptocurrencies (you know who you are) real dollars are at work here and warrant watching especially in light of the growing world of initial coin offerings (ICOs) and fundraising that now exceeds Internet Angel and Seed investing."

ICOs, a fundraising method powered by blockchain, have raised over $1.8 billion since the beginning of the year, according to Autonomous Next, a fintech-analytics firm.

According to CoinDesk, 1confirmation "will make initial investments in the $100,000 to $500,000 range" in "legal vehicles designed to help investors pre-purchase tokens or equity prior to an ICO."

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Sefa Karacan | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images. Chevron appears poised to name Vice Chairman and refining specialist Michael Wirth as the oil major's next CEO.

Chevron (CVX) Vice Chairman Michael Wirth might be the man to shepherd the oil major into the industry's uncertain future following a report that CEO John Watson will step down .

Wirth, who has spent about 35 years at Chevron, is a leading candidate to replace Watson, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal and Reuters. Sources told the Journal the decision has not been finalized and could change.

The move would put a refining specialist at the helm of the San Ramon, California-headquartered integrated oil company. Wirth holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and spent roughly 10 years as executive vice president of Chevron's downstream and chemicals business  a segment responsible for refining crude oil into gasoline and operating the massive facilities that produce petrochemicals like plastics.

Refining operations have been critical to protecting the balance sheets at giant oil and gas companies at a time of persistently low oil and gas prices. Exxon Mobil (XOM), Royal Dutch Shell (London Stock Exchange: RDSA-GB) and Total (Euronext Paris: FP-FR) have also elevated refining specialists to the top position, the Wall Street Journal notes.

In a statement to CNBC, Chevron said, "We cannot confirm the Journal's reporting. As a practice, we do not comment on rumor or speculation."

Wirth, 56, became vice chairman of the board of directors in February. He also serves as executive vice president for Midstream and Development, a title he has held since last year.

In his current role, Wirth is responsible for a broad portfolio that includes Chevron's business transporting fossil fuels and its unit that generates and manages power from gas-fired facilities and renewable sources. He is also in charge of Chevron's trading hubs, which buy and sell crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products.

According to Chevron's website, Wirth also plays a role in corporate strategy, business development, and policy, government and public affairs.

Story continues

Wirth worked in the refining and chemicals business prior to his current role. Before that, he was president of global supply and trading from 2003 to 2006.

Having served in engineering, construction, and operations positions since joining Chevron in 1982, Wirth became president of marketing for Chevron's Asia, Middle East and Africa business in 2001. He also served on the board of directors for Caltex Australia Limited and GS Caltex Corporation, Chevron's main gasoline and diesel brands in the Asia-Pacific region.

Wirth has also served on the boards of the San Francisco 49ers Foundation and the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Correction: Michael Wirth served as executive vice president of Chevron's downstream and chemicals business. An earlier version misstated the company.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised what he calls "fake news" in the Israeli media implicating him in alleged corruption cases (AFP Photo/Dan Balilty) (POOL/AFP)

Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will discuss with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday what he calls Iran's "aggression" and attempts to expand its military presence in neighbouring Syria.

Iran is Israel's arch-enemy, and Netanyahu along with Israeli security officials have repeatedly expressed concern over what they see as the country moving to expand its presence in the Middle East.

Netanyahu will meet Putin at the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Wednesday. Both Russia and Iran back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in the war.

"I will raise the problem of Iran trying to establish a military presence in Syria," Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday.

"This proves that Iran's aggression has not diminished since the nuclear agreement, which has become a problem not only for Israel, but for all the countries of the Middle East and the entire world."

The head of Israeli spy agency Mossad, Yossi Cohen, and Netanyahu's newly named head of his national security council, Meir Ben-Shabbat, will join him on the trip.

Netanyahu opposes a southwest Syria ceasefire recently agreed by Russia and the United States because he believes it would enable Iran to solidify its presence in the country, an Israeli official has said.

An Israeli intelligence official said in April his country fears an "Iranian crescent" may be forming in the Middle East because of Tehran's influence in Syria and its connections with regional Shiite groups.

Beyond concerns over Iran, Netanyahu's talks with Putin are also likely to involve coordination in Syria.

Russia and Israel have established a "hotline" to avoid accidental clashes in the country.

Israel has sought to avoid being dragged into the six-year Syrian conflict, but has acknowledged carrying out strikes to stop advanced weapons deliveries to Hezbollah, the Lebanese group with which it fought a devastating war in 2006.

Hezbollah also backs Assad's regime in the Syrian war.
The Jeep logo is seen on the wheel of a Jeep Grand Cherokee on the showroom at the Massey-Yardley Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram automobile dealership in Plantation, Florida October 8, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Skipper/File Photo

Great Wall Motor (OTC:GWLLY), the Chinese automaker that expressed interest in buying Jeep, has yet to engage in discussions with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE:FCAU) as of Tuesday.

In a filing with the Shanghai stock exchange, Great Wall said it took interest in FCA but there has been no concrete progress so far. Great Wall added that it hasnt had any negotiations or signed any agreements with Fiat Chrysler.

The Chinese SUV maker confirmed on Monday that it wants to acquire Jeep, and Great Wall President Wang Fengying told Automotive News that executives would seek to begin negotiations on a deal. Fiat Chrysler issued a statement saying it had not been approached by Great Wall. It remains unclear if Great Wall intends to make an offer for all or part of the Italian-American automaker, even if Jeep is its primary target.

Jeep is seen as Fiat Chryslers most valuable brand. The Wrangler maker is worth $33.5 billion on its own, an estimated $1.5 billion more than Fiat Chrysler as a whole, according to Morgan Stanley analysts. Great Wall said a Jeep takeover would help the automaker achieve its goal of becoming the worlds largest seller of SUVs.

However, the filing suggests that a Chinese company other than Great Wall could be actively interested in striking a deal with Fiat Chrysler, based on a report last week from Automotive News. The industry publication said at least one automaker in China made a firm bid for the company, and others had expressed some level of interest.

Despite potential backlash in political circles, analysts expect that a Chinese takeover of Fiat Chrysler or an individual brand such as Jeep would face few regulatory obstacles in the U.S. The biggest challenge for Great Wall might be financing a deal, given that its a smaller company.

Fiat Chrysler shares are up 16% since reports of potential Chinese bidders first surfaced last week.

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FILE PHOTO: A man pumps petrol for his car at a petrol station in Hanoi, Vietnam December 20, 2016. REUTERS/Kham/File Photo

By David Gaffen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices fell nearly 2 percent ahead of monthly contract expiration on Monday, pulling back from last week's rally built on signs the global market is starting to rebalance from chronic oversupply.

Brent crude futures (LCOc1) settled down 2 percent, or $1.06 at $51.66 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures (CLc1) ended down $1.14 a barrel, or 2.4 percent, at $47.37 a barrel ahead of the September contract's expiration on Tuesday.

Both contracts had risen 3 percent on Friday, and traders said the day's action was marked by profit-taking.

"Oil prices are experiencing some late summer chop with low trading volume and not much news. I think we are going to be stuck in a neutral for the next two weeks without big moves in either direction," said Joe McMonigle, senior energy analyst at Hedgeye.

U.S. hedge funds and money managers have reduced bets on rising prices in recent weeks, Commodity Futures Trading Commission data showed on Friday.

U.S. oil prices have been on the upswing since bottoming out near $43 a barrel in mid-June, though the market has not been able to sustain a rally above $50. Despite the selloff, the market remains in its recent range, said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago.

The world remains awash with oil despite a deal struck by some of the world's biggest producers to rein in output. Rising U.S. production has been a major factor keeping supply and demand from balancing.

U.S. output may soon slow, as energy companies cut rigs drilling for oil for a second week in three, energy services firm Baker Hughes said on Friday. (RIG-OL-USA-BHI)

Crude stockpiles are forecast to have declined by 3.4 million barrels for the week to Aug. 18, according to a Reuters survey, which would be the eighth straight week of declines.

U.S. commercial crude inventories have fallen almost 13 percent from their March peaks to 466.5 million barrels. (C-STK-T-EIA)

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The oil minister of Kuwait, which is participating in OPEC-led production cuts, said U.S. crude stocks were falling more than expected because output cuts were taking effect.

Azerbaijan, not an OPEC member but one of the countries which has committed to production cuts, remains committed to reducing output, the head of state oil company SOCAR told Reuters.

Libya's National Oil Corp declared force majeure on loadings of Sharara crude from the Zawiya oil terminal on Sunday.

(Additional reporting by Karolin Schaps in Amsterdam and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
north korea

A joint statement from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coates outlined the US's new stance on North Korea on Wednesday.

"Past efforts have failed to halt North Korea's unlawful weapons programs and nuclear and ballistic missile tests," the statement reads.

"North Korea jeopardizes the stability in Northeast Asia and poses a growing threat to our allies and the US Homeland."

President Donald Trump authorized a review of the White House's North Korea policy upon entering office, according to the statement, and has resolved to ramp up pressure on the North Korean regime to deescalate tensions. The statement may also shed some light on the classified briefing Senators received at the White House on Wednesday about the hermit kingdom.

"We are engaging responsible members of the international community to increase pressure on the DPRK," reads the statment, referring to North Korea by it's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The release specifically cites US allies South Korea and Japan as partners in the effort to reel in North Korea. Trump has also been especially vocal about getting China's help in resolving the issue.

China, North Korea's biggest backer, is responsible for about 85% of North Korea's external trade and provides a similar amount of their energy imports.

At their meeting earlier this month, Trump said he told China's Xi Jinping that "the way you're gonna make a good trade deal [with the US] is to help us with North Korea, otherwise we're just going to go it alone."

Donald Trump Xi Jinping

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The joint statement did break from previous US messaging on North Korea in one small way, saying "we remain open to negotiations" towards denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. But it did not elaborate further.

Experts contacted by Business Insider have stressed that diplomatic engagement with North Korea, an option that hasn't yet been pursued by the Trump administration, could be the key to defusing the crisis.

The statement ends on a familiar note: "We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies," it reads. A US aircraft carrier and nuclear submarine are currently stationed off of North Korea's coast.

The full statement is below:

Past efforts have failed to halt North Koreas unlawful weapons programs and nuclear and ballistic missile tests. With each provocation, North Korea jeopardizes stability in Northeast Asia and poses a growing threat to our Allies and the U.S. homeland.

North Koreas pursuit of nuclear weapons is an urgent national security threat and top foreign policy priority. Upon assuming office, President Trump ordered a thorough review of U.S. policy pertaining to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Today, along with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford, we briefed Members of Congress on the review. The Presidents approach aims to pressure North Korea into dismantling its nuclear, ballistic missile, and proliferation programs by tightening economic sanctions and pursuing diplomatic measures with our Allies and regional partners.

We are engaging responsible members of the international community to increase pressure on the DPRK in order to convince the regime to de-escalate and return to the path of dialogue. We will maintain our close coordination and cooperation with our Allies, especially the Republic of Korea and Japan, as we work together to preserve stability and prosperity in the region.

The United States seeks stability and the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We remain open to negotiations towards that goal. However, we remain prepared to defend ourselves and our Allies.

NOW WATCH: Former State Department official: Here's the biggest mistake the US made with Syria





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By Chuck Mikolajczak and Saqib Iqbal Ahmed

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stock futures trading volume fell during the two hours on Monday that people across a large portion of the United States donned special glasses to catch a glimpse of the first total solar eclipse to unfold across the country in nearly a century.

The moon blacked out the sun as the solar eclipse marched from the U.S. Pacific Northwest to the Atlantic Coast.

About 174,000 S&P 500 e-mini futures (ESc1) futures changed hands over the two-hour period ending at 3:30 p.m. E.T., down about 46 percent for the comparable period last year. Trading volume for the two-hour period was nearly a third less than the average trading volume for all comparable two-hour periods this year.

Overall, 5.26 billion shares changed hands on Monday, compared with average volume of 6.36 billion over the last 20 sessions, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Traders, however, said it was difficult to say with certainty that the eclipse was the reason behind the subdued volume. August is a relatively quiet time of the year as it coincides with summer holidays in the Northern hemisphere.

"It's a cool thing. Yes, I will stop and go outside and check it out in a couple of minutes," said Joe Tigay, chief trading officer at Equity Armor Investments in Chicago.

"The market does look thin, but it's been thin most of this summer anyway," said Tigay, who was working from home on Monday because he has a week-old baby.

While the total eclipse did march across a swath of the United States, in most places, including Chicago and New York, there was only a partial eclipse, though it still offered dramatic views.

With more than 95 percent of S&P 500 companies having already reported second-quarter results, there are fewer catalysts to spur trading.

Traders at the New York Stock Exchange took turns to step outside to get a look at the rare astronomical event, according to Ken Polcari, director of the NYSE floor division at ONeil Securities in New York.

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"There may be fewer people sitting at their desks as everyone goes out and tries to get a glimpse of it," Polcari said.

Increased use of computers and algorithms for trading is another reason market watchers were hesitant to attribute the lower-than-usual volume to traders stepping away from their desks to view the eclipse.

"The truth is you don't even have to be there anymore," Polcari said. "Once you put an order in an automated system, as long as you get the proper limits on there, the order is going to continue to trade."

(Reporting by Saqib Iqbal Ahmed and Chuck Mikolajczak; Additional reporting by Stephen Culp; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Donald Trump

President Donald Trump addressed a raucous crowd at a campaign rally on Tuesday night in Phoenix, unleashing a lengthy tirade at the media in which he rehashed his highly criticized response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, earlier this month.

Trump opened his speech with mostly low-key remarks, touting his overall agenda and applauding his Cabinet.

"Right now, we are all Americans, and we all believe in America first," Trump said.

But he quickly moved to bash the media over its coverage of his response to the August 12 white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, where hate groups clashed with counterprotesters, one of whom was killed when a car plowed into a crowd. Trump faced scrutiny for making a statement on that day that did not single out hate groups for blame.

On Tuesday night, Trump read back parts of the initial response he gave on that day, though he omitted his comment placing blame on "many sides" for the violence. The president also falsely told the Arizona crowd that he called out neo-Nazi and white-supremacist groups that organized and led the rally in his first statement on August 12. He did not do so until two days after his initial statement, following sharp criticism from Republican and Democratic leaders.

The president bristled at critics who said his condemnation of neo-Nazis and white supremacists  which he called out by name for the first time on August 14  were not delivered in a timely manner.

"He was late!" Trump said, impersonating a media commentator.

He then moved on to rehash comments he made while taking questions at a press conference on August 15, again omitting some of the comments for which he faced criticism.

In particular, comments that some "very fine people" were among the hate groups demonstrating earned Trump some sharp rebukes far and wide  including from business leaders, many of whom stepped down from Trump's various business councils in protest.

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Nevertheless, Trump said Tuesday that "the words were perfect."

Trump also complained that the media did not apply the same criticism to President Barack Obama for his refusal to ascribe terrorist acts to "radical Islam," a phrase his own national security adviser has pushed him against using.

An ABC News/Washington Post poll on Monday showed 28% of respondents approved of the way Trump addressed the Charlottesville rally and its fallout, with 56% disapproving. Overall, just 9% of respondents said it was acceptable to support neo-Nazi and white-supremacist views, while 83% said it was unacceptable.

Watch part of his comments below:

President Trump pledges those involved in "racist violence" in Charlottesville will be held accountable https://t.co/u7bguSAC1e  CNN (@CNN) August 23, 2017

NOW WATCH: Trump threatens to shut down the government over the border wall





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Donald Trumps brief moment of presidential behavior appears to be over.

On Aug. 21, President Donald Trump delivered a measured, respectable prime-time address explaining his new policy on the complex problem of Afghanistan. It was one of the most serious and sober-minded speeches of his seven-month-old presidency.

A day later, Trump removed his rhetorical cuff links and returned to the political street brawling he seemed to love as a candidate. Trump held a rally in Phoenix  where local officials urged him not to come  rousing several thousand supporters with familiar rants: the media is out to get him, the NAFTA trade deal is terrible, Democrats are obstructing his agenda.

While airing these grievances, Trump said hed shut down the government if Congress doesnt appropriate $1.6 billion for the wall he wants to build along the U.S. border with Mexico. Government shutdowns arent the worst thing in the world, since essential functions continue: Social Security checks keep going out and the Pentagon remains on alert. But voters hate shutdowns. The last time this happened, in 2013, a buoyant stock market flat-lined and the economy lost $24 billion in output before Congress funded the government after a 16-day impasse. Congress approval rating plummeted to 8.5%, the lowest level on record.

Government shutdown threat is a bad idea

Would Trump really go to the mat for a mere $1.6 billion, which is .04% of all federal spending? Nobody knows, maybe not even Trump. But threatening to shut down the government is a foolish move that could harm Trump more than anybody else.

Trump probably hopes his threat will persuade Republicans who control Congress to throw in the towel and just give him the $1.6 billion. They might. But they might not, for a few important reasons. First, Trumps relationship with Congressional leaders is severely frayed, with the New York Times reporting that Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell arent even on speaking terms. Trumps blunt criticism of McConnell and other should-be allies in Congress is part of the reason. Trump has also shown little interest in the usual horse-trading that gets bills passed. Its his way or the highway, which so far has led to the highway. (See: Better Care Reconciliation Act, b. 2017, d. 2017.)

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One other problem: Virtually all Democrats and some Republicans think Trumps border wall is a bad idea, most likely leaving the Senate short of the votes needed to pass border-wall funding as a standalone measure. At least four Republican senators from states along the borderJohn McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona, and Ted Cruz and John Cornyn of Texashave problems with Trumps wall. They might cave amid larger concerns over shutting down the government. Or McConnell might be able to buy their support by padding a budget bill with other goodies that benefit their states. But its worth noting that Trump has now bashed McConnell, McCain and Flake by name, in addition to lampooning Cruz as lyin Ted during the campaign. These are not pals who will have Trumps back when the chips are down.

Wall fallout

So where will this all lead? Trump could have let the wall issue slide for the time being, promising to take it up after Congress manages to cut taxes  perhaps the most important item on Trumps agenda. He could have argued that he wants more time to persuade Mexico to pay for it, as he promised as a candidate. He could borrow his refrain from the health care debacle and complain that the border issue is more complicated than he thought, and requires more time.

Instead, he drew a line in the sand and set the stage for a binary outcome: Either he gets his wall funding, or hell presumably veto a bill funding the government. Trump is obviously trying to fire up his base, which apparently doesnt mind a flirtation with anarchy. But a lot of others are listening in. Investors pushed stocks down following Trumps Phoenix rally, a bit unnerved by his remarks. Markets are once again trying to figure out whether to take Trump at his word, or discount his scariest threats.

If Trump doesnt get his wall funding, hell either have to shut down the government, as promised and bear the heat thats sure to come with that  or come up with an excuse for why hes going back on his word. Verbally, at least, Trump has foreclosed negotiations and half-measures and sharply limited his own options. He can always change his mind, and hope his supporters dont notice or care. But the self-described master dealmaker seems to be handicapping himself. Markets wont care if this is nothing more than an argument among politicians. Trumps job now is to make sure his border wall becomes nothing more than that.

Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com. Encrypted communication available.

Read more:

Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing ba and Northrop Grumman noc separate contracts to continue work on the replacement of the aging Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system, the Pentagon said on Friday.

Though the award for the new Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) comes amid rising tensions with North Korea, the Air Force had asked the defense industry last summer for proposals to replace the aging ICBM system and its nuclear cruise missiles as the military moved ahead with a costly modernization of its aging atomic weapons systems.

The Minuteman III is 45 years old. It is time to upgrade, Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein said in a statement on Monday.

Northrop Grumman was awarded $328 million, and Boeing $349 million over the three-year contract.

The relatively small award is a milestone that would allow Boeing and Northrop to continue parallel detailed development and prototyping for the Minuteman replacement. The Pentagons office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) has said the total could cost the United States $85 billion. The Air Force has estimated $62 billion.

Lockheed Martin lmt , Northrop and Boeing were all competing for the contract which is needed to perform the three-year technology maturation and risk reduction (TMRR) phase of Minuteman replacement.

A Lockheed representative said the company was disappointed and looked forward to a debrief about the selection.

Boeings Strategic Deterrence Systems Director, Frank McCall, said in a statement, Since the first Minuteman launch in 1961, the U.S. Air Force has relied on our technologies for a safe, secure and reliable ICBM force. Boeing provided the Minuteman III missile for the current ground-based nuclear ICBM system.

For more on Boeing, watch Fortunes video:

Northrop Grummans chief Wes Bush said in a statement, We look forward to the opportunity to provide the nation with a modern strategic deterrent system that is secure, resilient and affordable.

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Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson said, We are moving forward with modernization of the ground-based leg of the nuclear triad.

Modernization of the U.S. nuclear force was expected to cost more than $350 billion over the next decade. The United States plans to replace its aging systems, including bombs, nuclear bombers, missiles and submarines. Some analysts estimated the cost at $1 trillion over 30 years.

Our missiles were built in the 1970s. Things just wear out, and it becomes more expensive to maintain them than to replace them, Wilson said.
Senate Republicans failure to enact a health reform bill has created a big policy vacuum, and liberals in Congress and elsewhere are eager to fill it.

Their solution: Move to a single-payer system. That anodyne term actually means a government monopoly over the financing and delivery of health care.

Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) has already introduced a single-payer bill. His Medicare for All proposal has 117 cosponsors, more than half of all House Democrats. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Independent, says he will soon introduce a Medicare for All bill in the Senate. It will doubtless be based on a plan he posted on his website last year.

The Medicare for All moniker is politically attractive, due to the existing programs popularity among seniors. But traditional Medicare is neither a purely single-payer system (e.g., most participants rely on private plans to fill crucial gaps in coverage), nor is it without problems. For example, it has generated reams of costly regulations, shifted administrative costs to doctors and other medical professionals, and burdened taxpayers with tens of trillions of dollars in long-term obligations. Some model.

The economic dynamics of a government health care monopolylike Britains National Health Serviceare tiresomely familiar: broad-based and heavy taxation and the imposition of government cost controls. Those controls may take the form of an overall spending limit or reductions in payments to health and medical providers. The result is usually trouble for patients getting access to care, mainly because of lengthening waiting lists and, in some cases, denial of service.

State attempts to implement single-payer health systems have thus far been met with failure. But California seems poised to give it a try.

The Healthy California Act, a single payer bill that would displace existing private and employer-based coverage, has already passed the state Senate. Coverage would extend to illegal immigrants andif the state gets the necessary federal waiverspersons enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, regardless of their preferences in the matter.

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To control costs, the proposal would create a politically appointed board (the Healthy California board) to set payment rates for doctors and other medical professionals. Working against these cost-cutting measures, however, are provisions to prohibit co-payments and deductibles, which today are routine in both Medicare and private insurance. Abolishing these consumer skin-in-the-game features on the front end guarantees higher overall program costs on the back end.

And costs are a huge problem. Analysts estimate the California plan will cost anywhere from $330 to $400 billion dollars annuallyan amount larger than Californias entire state budget. (Total state spending amounts to $183 billion for FY 2017-2018.)

A state legislative analysis estimated that the proposal would require a $200 billion tax increase, with the remaining $200 billion coming from the federal, state, and local funds now financing Medicare and Medi-Cal (the states Medicaid program). The analysis estimated that a new 15% payroll tax could secure the additional $200 billion in revenues needed to fund the program.

A tax hike of this magnitude, of course, would only intensify the out-migration of Californias middle class, exacerbating the states financial woes.

California lawmakers seem to think that they will somehow manage to do government health care right. But it hasnt worked out so well elsewhere.

Consider what happened in Sanders home state. In 2014, former Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin realized that a proposed 11.5% state payroll tax, plus the premiums needed to fund the states single payer initiative (Green Mountain Care) would cause serious economic disruption for families, businesses, and the state as a whole. The planwhich also included physician and hospital paymentsquickly died.

Last year, a single payer initiative in Colorado faced similar problems. The ColoradoCare, with its estimated $25 billion annual price tag, called for a 10% payroll tax. But even that hike wouldnt have been enough. The Colorado Health Institute estimated that, even with federal Medicaid matching funds kicked in, ColoradoCare would run a $253 million deficit in the first year of operation alone.

When the Colorado initiative was put up to a vote in a popular referendum, it failed spectacularly. Almost three out of four voters opposed to it.

Nonetheless, state experimentation, particularly in health policy, is a good thing. In Americas federal system, states should have broad authority to experiment in public policy, to try or test new and different solutions to public problems.

Effective this year, however, states have to get waivers from federal rules. Under Obamacare, liberal states find it easier to get waivers, since their applications are compatible with government-centric health programs, like single-payer. States pursuing conservative, market-based solutions to health care problems, however, find that a harder task under current law.

Congress should loosen up Obamacares regulatory restrictions, level the playing field, and encourage state officials to pursue a wide variety of policy prescriptionsapproaches that best fit the needs of their people and their own political culture.

What if one of these experiments fails? Washington can limit the damage by making sure that federal taxpayers wont have to bail out state failures. That way, if Healthy California, for example, crashes and burns, the fallout will at least be limited to that states taxpayers, doctors, and patients.

Thats one of the advantages of state experimentation. But if Sanders and Conyers succeed in imposing a federal monopoly on health care, no American would escape the damage.

Robert E. Moffit, PhD, is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundations Center for health Policy. Mitchell Siegel, a Heritage Foundation intern from Duke University, contributed research for this article.
The Foreign Press Centers (FPC) issue its own press credential that is recognized by various organizations in the area and allows access to FPC facilities and services in Washington, DC and New York, NY. The FPC credential is typically valid for three years and renewable at the end of that period for members of the media on continuing assignment in the United States.

Credentialing
UML to deploy all its power for upcoming elections

CPN-UML, which had emerged top party in the first and second phases of local level elections, has decided to deploy all its power for the upcoming elections.
SAN ANTONIO, June 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- bioAffinity Technologies, a privately held company advancing early stage cancer diagnostics and precision cancer therapeutics, today announced four scientists have joined the company to advance development and commercialization of its breakthrough technologies.



bioAffinity Technologies expansion reflects its progress toward commercialization in 2018 of the Companys initial diagnostic product, a non-invasive, early-stage lung cancer test called CyPath Lung to detect lung cancer in its earliest stages when it is most treatable. The porphyrin-based CyPath preferentially binds to cancer cells and labels them with distinct fluorescence for detection by flow cytometry.

Our new team members are exceptional scientists dedicated to advancing our platform technologies, said bioAffinity President and CEO Maria Zannes. Their experience, skills and innovative spirit align perfectly with bioAffinitys mission to bring to market safer, more effective cancer treatments and patient-friendly tests that accurately diagnose early-stage cancer.

Mr. Xavier Reveles, MS, CG(ASCP)CM joins bioAffinity as its Director of Operations, where he will manage commercialization of the Companys diagnostic and therapeutic products including CyPath Lung. He brings more than 25 years of experience as a clinical geneticist skilled in the creation and management of CLIA clinical laboratories, coding and CPT reimbursement valuations. Mr. Reveles is board certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathology as a clinical specialist in cytogenetics. He was Laboratory Director for OncoPath Laboratory  START Cancer Center in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Reveles is (co)author of 15 publications and three abstracts in peer-reviewed journals. He earned his Masters Degree in biology/genetics from the University of The Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.

Patricia Araujo, Ph.D., joins bioAffinity Technologies as a staff scientist where she is working to commercialize CyPath Lung. She completed her post-doctoral training as a molecular biologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, where she investigated the networks formed by RNA binding proteins and miRNAs and their connection to biological processes and cancer. She received her Doctorate from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil and is an (co)author on more than 15 publications and a contributor to eight abstracts.

Lydia Bederka, Ph.D., also joins the team commercializing CyPath Lung as a staff scientist. She is a molecular virologist with an emphasis on viruses that cause hemorrhagic fever. Dr. Bederka most recently worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute where she performed high containment laboratory (BSL-4) studies for advancing the development of Ebola virus diagnostic assays. She received her Doctorate in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of California, in Irvine.

Shao-Chiang (Michael) Lai, Ph.D. joins bioAffinity Technologies in the Basic Science division as a staff scientist. Dr. Lai completed his post-doctoral fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, where he focused on non-small cell lung carcinomas. He earned his Doctorate in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Lai has presented several projects at scientific events such as the Cold Spring Harbor Lab Symposium, Targeting Cancer, including presentation of the poster TTF-1 (NKX2.1) modulates cholesterol metabolism and biosynthesis in lung cancer. He has published eight peer-reviewed articles and one book chapter in Thyroid Hormone.

About bioAffinity Technologies

bioAffinity Technologies, Inc. (www.bioaffinitytech.com) is a privately held development-stage company addressing the significant unmet need for non-invasive, early-stage cancer diagnosis and treatment. The Company develops proprietary in-vitro diagnostic tests and targeted cancer therapeutics using breakthrough technology that preferentially targets cancer cells. Research and optimization of its platform technology are conducted in bioAffinity Technologies laboratories and at the University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio through a collaborative research agreement. The Companys platform technology will be developed to diagnose, monitor and treat many cancers.
English Finnish

SATO Corporation, Press release, 23 August 2017 at 13:45

One of Finland's largest rental housing providers, SATO will construct new rental apartments in the Martinlaakso district of Vantaa. Two buildings located on a SATO-owned site that were constructed in the 1970s and have reached the end of their lifecycle will be demolished and replaced with three times as many new homes. One of SATO's focus areas is to develop diverse housing solutions. In this context complementary construction plays a significant role in the supply of more affordable homes.

According to SATO Vice President for Investments Antti Aarnio, succeeding in the urbanisation development is a cornerstone for Finland's economic success and creation of new jobs. Urbanisation challenges us to seek solutions to more and more diverse and affordable housing where complementary construction that takes several different consumer groups into account is an essential component of the set of measures used.

According to Aarnio, cooperation with the City of Vantaa is excellent. Vantaa's flexible land use planning practices and reasonable land use-related pricing can be seen in the greater affordability of the homes built.

- With land use planning allowing consumer-driven housing distribution, we're getting closer to housing suitable for a variety of wallets compared with a situation where we would have renovated these old buildings. SATO's offering of rental apartments will now increase from 94 to 288 on the Raiviosuonmaki site, Aarnio says.

- In addition to increasing the number of rental apartments, the demolition of the old buildings will also generate quality and energy-efficiency benefits. The new apartments will respond better to current demand for rental homes in terms of their functionality and floor plans.

According to Aarnio, existing infrastructure is utilised in complementary construction, making it ecological, reducing municipal need to invest in infrastructure and, thanks to the increase in the number of residents, also improving local services.

The demolition of the Raiviosuonmaki buildings is currently underway, and construction will begin in November. One of the new buildings will be completed in March 2019 and the other in October 2019.

A SATO complementary construction property will also be completed in late August in Kukinkuja, Martinlaakso, where 110 rental homes will soon be available instead of the previous 46. A total of 80 owner-occupied homes were also included in the land use plan concerning the plot.

SATO has acquired a total of 607 new rental homes through new construction and renovation this year. There are a total of 1,298 rental homes under construction at the moment.

For SATO's wishlist for municipal decision-makers, see the press release from 5 April 2017: https://www.sato.fi/en/media/tiedotteet-medialle/release602762

For more information please contact:

SATO Corporation

Antti Aarnio, Vice President, phone +358 201 34 4200 or +358 40 164 7052

www.sato.fi/en

SATO is one of Finland's leading rental housing providers. SATO aims to offer a comprehensive choice of rental housing and an excellent customer experience. At year-end 2016 SATO owned around 25,300 apartments in Finland's largest growth centres and in St Petersburg.

We promote sustainable development and initiative through our operations and work in open interaction with our stakeholders to generate added value. We operate profitably and with a long-term view. We increase the value of our housing assets through investments, divestments and repairs.

In accordance with the new reporting practice*, the SATO Group's net sales in 2016 were EUR 263.0 million, operating profit EUR 267.2 million and profit before taxes EUR 219.4 million. The value of SATO's investment assets is roughly EUR 3.4 billion.

*Net sales have been adjusted in accordance with the new reporting practice.
Finnish English Estonian

Metsa Group Press release August 23 2017



The foundation stone of Metsa Woods new birch plywood mill was laid today in Parnu, Estonia. The greetings in the ceremony were delivered by the Minister of Public Administration of Estonia Mr. Jaak Aab and the President and CEO of Metsa Group Mr. Kari Jordan.



This is an important investment for Metsa Wood and the whole Metsa Group. It is done to better meet the globally growing plywood demand and to further improve Metsa Woods industrial efficiency. The new mill is a good example of Finnish-Estonian cooperation. Estonia has favourable business climate and it offers good logistical connections to our main markets. said CEO of Metsa Group Kari Jordan in todays ceremony.



The annual birch plywood production capacity at the Parnu mill will be 50 000 cubic metres and the total investment is approximately 55 million euros. The birch veneers will be produced in Aanekoski Finland and plywood will then be manufactured at the Parnu mill. The new birch plywood mill will create approximately 200 jobs to Parnu area.



I am very satisfied that Estonia remains an attractive investment destination, especially when it comes to new and advanced industrial production. The birch plywood factory in Parnu is a good example of our large investor support scheme. The new mill will raise Estonias industrial competitiveness, supports the labour market around Parnu and drives our exports, said Minister Jaak Aab.



The new mill will start production by end of year 2018. The construction agreement signed between Metsa Wood and Nordecon AS includes the construction of the production hall of 29 000 square metres and the non-work rooms and office premises.



The construction of the birch plywood mill in Parnu is part of the EUR 100 million investment programme Metsa Wood published in June 2016. The program is carried out during 2017-2018.





Images: http://databank.metsagroup.com/l/g2p2pW_62xNj





For more information, please contact:

Esa Kaikkonen, Executive Vice President, Metsa Group, tel. +358 50 598 8746, esa.kaikkonen@metsagroup.com

Henni Rousu, Communications Manager, Metsa Wood, tel. +358 40 554 8388, henni.rousu@metsagroup.com





Metsa Group



www.metsagroup.com



Metsa Group is a forerunner in sustainable bio-economy utilising renewable wood from sustainably managed northern forests. Metsa Group focuses on wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards and tissue and cooking papers.



Metsa Groups sales totalled EUR 4.7 billion in 2016, and it employs approximately 9,300 people. The Group operates in some 30 countries. Metsaliitto Cooperative is the parent company of Metsa Group and is owned by approximately 104,000 Finnish forest owners.





Metsa Wood



www.metsawood.com



Metsa Wood provides competitive and environmentally friendly wood products for construction, industrial customers and distributor partners. We manufacture products from northern wood, a sustainable raw material of premium quality. Our sales in 2016 were EUR 0.5 billion, and we employ about 1,500 people. Metsa Wood is part of Metsa Group.
CLEARWATER, Fla., Aug. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nathan Mitchell, acclaimed musician living in the Tampa Bay, performed a concert celebrating World Humanitarian Day in the Historic Fort Harrison, the Church of Scientologys international religious retreat. He was joined by local artist, Janeane Ponder.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7a8899b6-250c-499b-a925-b98816c6bdc9

The evenings host was Ms. Lisa Mansell, the Public Affairs Director for the Church of Scientology. To start, she welcomed the guests to the Fort Harrison and gave a brief history of the World Humanitarian Day.

World Humanitarian Day was created in 2009 by the United Nations to honor and bring wisdom to international leaders and hope to those who are working in world-wide danger zones. As international conflicts grow more intense, humanitarian aid workers are put in more and more danger and have become targets themselves in wars and civil unrest.

But Humanitarian Day is not just for those risking their lives in planetary hot zones, said Ms. Mansell to those in the Fort Harrison Auditorium. The United Nations also recognizes the smaller battles fought and won to keep our children away from drugs, to keep human rights a reality, to mentor youth, provide a path to a happier life and provide tools that a person can use to dig themselves out of any personal disaster they might find themselves in.

Ms. Mansell acknowledged all volunteers for their work for the community. With a enjoy tonights concert, it is dedicated to you, she turned the event over to Nathan Mitchell and the band.

Nathan Mitchell performs many different styles - Gospel, R&B, Funk, Blues, and Smooth Jazz. His debut single For All Eternity, released in 2013, was co-produced by Grammy-winning guitarist Paul Brown and charted on Billboards Top 30. Mr. Mitchell also wrote and co-produced James Lloyds debut single Play it Forward which spent 8 weeks on Billboards Top 10 Smooth Jazz Chart.

For more information or to attend future events, please call (727) 467-6860 or email dylanpires@churchofscientology.net.

The Fort Harrison Religious Retreat:

Since its construction in 1927, the Fort Harrison has been the home for many community events and charitable organizations. The Fort Harrisons current owner, the Church of Scientology, has hosted over 500 community events there since a top-to-bottom restoration in 2009. The Scientology religion was founded by humanitarian and philosopher, L. Ron Hubbard, and incorporated in 1954. To learn more, visit www.scientology.org.
OK - the advice we're going to offer might be controversial and in fact goes against our own philosophies about education, but we're responding to how you've phrased your question and the elements you're highlighting.You need to decide why you are going to business school.Are you going because you want to dive into the academics and learn a bunch of new skills and absorb as much as you can? Do you have plans for really pushing your career in some important new direction, that you need to squeeze everything out of every class possible?Or are you going because you want to squeeze as much fun out of it as you can? Do you want the social life and the parties and the going out with your friends - along with classes of course, but maybe the new friendships and the network and the overall EXPERIENCE of a year away from the grind of the daily working world is more appealing?(the fact that your wife may not be joining you...Along with YOLO,there's YOGTBSO - You Only Go To BSchool Once ( we've been accused of having "OUOA disorder (Over Use of Acronyms) What are you seeking from the experience?Once you answer that question then you'll know exactly which school to pick.In case that answer was wholly unhelpful, let us know and we'll try to be more forthcoming (but we think you already know the stuff we would say about both of these schools, based on how we just laid out the decision you're making).Bottom line: You're going to get a GREAT EDUCATION and have a GREAT TIME at either of these schools. The world economy is improving and (fingers crossed) by the time you graduate from either, job prospects will be picking up in Europe - yes, probably still in Spain, too, though they tend to have more protectionist policies and it's always harder for a foreigner to land work there. We can offer more specific observations about what we observed about students at these schools and what we know directly from working with people who got in and are attending - but you're going to be making a good decision at either place. Just figure out what your personal priorities are and then you'll know what to do.Happy to answer other queries if you have them.EssaySnark_________________
NOUN + NOUN MODIFIER VS. VERB-ING MODIFIER

OFFICIAL EXAMPLE: GMAT Prep

choice D

As discussed in our previous article named Noun + Noun Modifiers: The most versatile modifiers ( modification-by-noun-noun-modifiers-137292.html#p1112971 ), these modifiers can modify the preceding noun, a noun in the middle of the sentence, or the entire preceding clause. They share a commonality with Verb-ing modifiers preceded by a comma in that both these modifiers modify the preceding clause. They also act like Verb-ed modifiers when they modify the preceding noun.Despite these similarities, Noun + Noun Modifiers remain distinct from Verb-ing and Verb-ed modifiers in their function and structure both. Lets delve into these dissimilarities between Noun + Noun Modifiers and other modifiers.So now we know that there are two modifiers that can refer to entire preceding clause:1. Noun + Noun Modifiers2. Verb-ing modifiers preceded by a comma.Even though these modifiers perform similar job of modifying the preceding clause, they are quite different in the way they perform their jobs.The difference between these two kinds of modifiers is that when the verb-ing modifier preceded by a comma modifies the preceding clause, it presents either additional information or the result of the preceding clause by associating itself with the subject and the verb of the preceding clause. The verb-ing modifier preceded by a comma has to modify the subject and the verb together.However, the noun + noun modifier has no such restriction. It can simply modify just about any aspect of the preceding clause, without being restricted to modify the subject and the verb. A noun + noun modifier can zoom into any entity in the preceding clause to modify it.Another thing to notice here is that, when noun + noun modifier modifies the entire preceding clause, then it can present any kind of additional information about the preceding clause. This information can be the result, the reason, the HOW aspect, just about any information about the modified clause.So lets first understand the meaning of the sentence. The sentence says that one automobile manufacturer has announced plans to increase the average fuel efficiency of its SUVs by 25% over the next five years. This increase will amount to roughly five miles per gallon and will represent the first significant change in the fuel efficiency of any class of passenger vehicle in almost 20 years.Now the way this sentence uses the verb-ing modifiers amounting and resulting, both preceded by comma, these modifiers seems to present the result of the preceding clause One automobile manufacturer has announced plans. Here, both the modifiers are referring to the subject and the verb of the preceding main clause. Logically, this does not make sense because announcement of plans cannot amount to five miles per gallon. The act of mere announcement cannot even represent first significant change. Hence, the use of verb-ing modifiers is incorrect in this sentence.Now lets analyze the sentence with correct answerIn this sentence, verb-ing modifiers amounting and representing have replaced with noun + noun modifiers an increase that would amount to and (an increase) that would represent. Here,an increase = nounthat would amount and that would represent = noun modifiers (relative pronoun clauses)By converting the verb-ing modifiers into noun + noun modifier, we are able to rectify the modification error easily because now, unlike the verb-ing modifiers, the noun + noun modifier need not modify the subject and the verb of the preceding clause. It can easily zoon into increase to present more information about this aspect of the preceding clause. This is the beauty of such modifiers.Hope this helps.Thanks.Shraddha_________________
- A Nigerian woman has voiced out after being defrauded and abandoned by her husband

- The man left for the United States where he divorced his wife and married another lady in a bid to get a green card

A Nigerian man identified as Ude Uche Ude has been accused of dumping his legally married wife in Nigeria in pursuit of a green card in the United States of America. Comfort, the wife of Ude voiced out after she discovered her husband played a fast one on her.

This made her contact Emeka Ugwuonye, a Nigerian lawyer and former legal consultant at African Development Bank for help. The renowned lawyer got interested in the case and took his time to post on the Facebook page of The Due Process Advocates (DPA).

Ugwuonyes post added clarity to the issue as it made people understand how Comfort was defrauded by her husband who left the country in search of a greener pasture. The poor womans marriage became a big scam as her husband duped her while trying to change his living conditions.

Ude Uche Ude, the Nigerian man who abandoned his wife in a bid to get American green card. Source: Facebook, DPA.

READ ALSO: Couple buried together in Anambra as husband dies of cancer, weeks after wife died of kidney problem

Ude Uche Ude was said to have traveled to America in a bid to get a green card. While on this mission, the lives of two women were put on the line as Comfort had to lose her husband while an American womans heart and emotion was toyed with.

Comfort who contacted the lawyer and asked for his help on this matter had explained her own version of the event.

Ude claimed to have divorced his wife when she got to know he was married to an American woman. Source: Facebook, DPA.

"I need an advice from you Sir please help me. I married legally to a man by name Ude Uche Ude. He went to USA for in search of a greener pasture. On reaching to USA one thing led to another. He picked a lady there as a wife and he divorce me without my knowledge or consent.

"After the incident he told me to go a head and remarry that he has divorced our marriage. Okay, give me the divorce paper, never, help me to stand own my own no way. He is doing well as a Pharmacist in USA."

Screenshot showing the conversation the lawyer had with Ude. Source: Facebook, DPA.

Ugwuonye, in a bid to be fair, called Ude. He was said to be defensive and this made the former put up a screenshot of their conversation. Ugwuonye then went on to analyse the matter saying the husband had committed a serious crime in the United States.

Screenshot of the conversation Ugwuonye had with Ude. Source: Facebook, DPA.

Comfort on the other hand queried his decision as she claimed he entered America as a married man. She asked what became of the marriage after he got in.

The initial post made by the lawyer. Source: Facebook, DPA.

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It was then concluded that since he did not divorce Comfort following the right processes, he is still married to her and his marriage to the American lady would be void.

Ugwuonye declared his interest in the case as he claimed he derives pleasure dealing with people like that.

Watch the Legit.ng TV video below to see what some Nigerians said when asked at what point they think it is right for someone to leave an abusive relationship or marriage:

Source: Legit.ng
A Nigerian lady identified as Okibe Olivia has been attacked by her ex-fiances family members because she claimed she left him after celebrating a lavish introduction ceremony.

According to her, she and her ex-fiance Emeka Augustine celebrated their introduction on Saturday, January 7.

The lady who failed to give a detailed explanation about her relationship advised ladies to date and get to know their partners before getting married.

However, Olivias former sister-in-law identified as Diamond Kelly blasted her on Facebook, saying that she was dumped because of her bad personality.

Sister-in-law of lady who called off her wedding attacks her Photo Source: Instagram

In the post, Kelly noted that Olivia should be grateful that she met her brother rather than condemn him for leaving her.

See post below:

Olivia who was not bothered by her former sister-in-laws claims, said she would expose Augustines secrets to the world.

READ ALSO: Lady loses N5m she was paid after losing her job to churchs micro-finance bank (photos)

She said: And the kid sister to my Ex by name Diamond Kelly on FB is here parading herself on my On wall, lolz. I understand their plight right now, but unfortunately am not stopping dear , so go ahead and cry more or you guys put out your own stories too, am awaiting and am ready for it.

This your yelling Diamond reminded me of his elder brothers act , when he was busy doing the part 1 of the movie and my sisters and good friends were busy jumping upandan like you are doing right now , so as to quench the heat but he never headed , he was catching his fun but guess what he will receive double fold of what he started.

Am Okibe Olivia a proud ex to your brother, and am glad am doing what am doing and I wont stop. Am not doing it to Pain him or for revenge , am way too kind to be messy moreover God is already doing my vengeance for, so am only doing it for the likes of me (every lady on this platform ) they need to learn from my experience. Thats all So kid sister ex inlaw , keep mumuing yourself because it calls for it.

Yes am not out to pay him back in his own coin , am only here to educate young girls and I maintain my stand. I know , why He is running up and down ; even threatening me and all dat because he doesnt want the skeleton in his cupboard to be known publicly  lolz

Oga , you cannot stop me. Go ahead with ur fake gist by 6:30 ; I wonder what is left for you to say again outside the one you said around February on my wall. Calling me an Online Prostitute thus into Shuga daddies and so on. Chai!!! Das way too cheap to compare to what the world will know about you .

I will release the bomb on your head soonest, everyone will know the real you soonest ; Fake human being Emeka Augustine Okoronu, a fool without wisdom dat thinks he is wise , I will teach you how to respect a woman.

After you are done with me, you will know dat age is just a number ; I am 22 female and you are 32 Male .. lets see who goes home victorious at the end. After am done with ur gist , am sorry but it will be difficult for any one to dine or wine with you because you are a beast in human form.

Evil men like you needs to be exposed for the world to make a better place. Meanwhile, girl dont panic because I exposed our chat ; I know why I shaded off your name. I bet you he doesnt know which one of the girls his flirting with ; that sent me this gist.

You are not the only one bae , so calm down. Am glad right now you took up the challenge I gave you in my last post to prove if you are a man. Come with urs because it will give me an edge as I continue with mine. It is not yet over until it is over

You want to make Live Video because you cant type what someone can comprehend. I understand your plight Ex. Okibe Olivia is out to save young girls , das all so go ahead and think anything. Meanwhile all of u fakers ; I know you all and for Ray ; am piling up ur own case .

Wait till I upload all our inbox messages before u come to display ur stupid self on my wall ; ensure you are clean in my inbox bcos I dont delete messages. Thank you.

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

Meanwhile, another Facebook user identified as Amanda Chisom claimed that Olivias ex-fiance left her after he found out that the young lady was still working as a night worker.

According to Chisom, a friend of the Malaysia-based man came in contact with the lady at a hotel in Nigeria.

See post below:

Meanwhile, Legit.ng TV went to the street to get people's opinion on how long a person can be engaged for. Watch replies below:

Source: Legit.ng
Untimely sojourns

The on-going Indo-China tension in the Doklam tri-junction between Bhutan, China and India has given rise to two interesting debates in Nepal.
A young man identified as Novacanev has cried out after his wife allegedly dumped him and banned him from seeing their child.

The man who narrated the story on social media explained that he and his wife met on Twitter.

According to Novacanev, he revealed that they fell in love after they met on Twitter and they got married.

He said they both had a child but she banned him from seeing their child after she dumped him.

How my wife which I met on Twitter dumped me for Mercedes and banned from seeing a kid - Nigerian man cries our

READ ALSO: Woman cries out after she was dumped by her hubby who travelled to the US (photos)

Novacanev claimed that his ex-wife sold the wedding ring he bought for her and used the money to buy a Mercedes.

See post below:

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

Watch the Legit.ng TV video below to see what some Nigerians said when asked what point they think it is right for someone to leave an abusive relationship or marriage:

Source: Legit.ng
Western countries are seeing a rising trend in new tuberculosis cases, particularly of highly drug-resistant forms of the infection. Join the Naked Scientists for a look at new ways to combat one of the oldest and most fearsome infections on the planet.
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
New Delhi, Aug 22 (IBNS): Sher Bahadur Deuba, Prime Minister of Nepal, accompanied by his spouse Dr. Arzu Deuba, will arrive in India on Wednesday for a state visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This is his first visit abroad after assuming the office of Prime Minister of Nepal in June 2017.

According to a release by the Ministry of External Affairs, the duration of the visit will be from August 23-27. A high-level delegation will accompany the Prime Minister of Nepal.

During the visit, Prime Minister of Nepal will call on President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.

He will also hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The External Affairs Minister and other ministers will call on the Prime Minister of Nepal, according to the MEA release.

Apart from official engagements in New Delhi, the Prime Minister of Nepal will visit Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya, the MEA said.



Image: AIRNews/Twitter
1 Shiveluch, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is seen poking through a solid cloud deck, with an ash plume streaming to the west. Located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia, it is one of many active volcanoes on the peninsula.
Editors Note: This is part two of a two-part series on gender equality in the classroom

Creating a classroom environment that treats women and men equally is important for the educational success of students. However gender equality does not stop with the teacher. It is also important that the materials used are supporting equal treatment.

In fact, many classroom materials, especially those that are older, may contain gender bias in activities, photos, or words. These materials can include textbooks, images, reading materials, written assignments, or even test materials. Having students use materials like these in class can reinforce stereotypes about gender roles in society.

Classroom materials that reinforce gender stereotypes can discourage students, weaken their motivation and limit their overall academic performance. This can result in fewer opportunities available to students when they finish their schooling.

Background

Research has found that stereotypes and gender bias in English language materials do exist. Several studies by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, have found that some texts underrepresent women, contain stereotypes about women or offensive comments about women.

In addition, research has found that characterizations in teaching materials often show a male majority. One study on high school English language textbooks in Iran found that male characterizations were used as much as 80% of the time.

Identifying gender bias: case studies

The first step is to understand how to identify gender bias in textbooks.

Examine the image below. These images were taken from an English language textbook. What do you notice about how the men and women are being portrayed?

In this image there are six people, four men and two women, shown in different jobs. The men pictured include a construction worker, a doctor, a police officer, and a truck driver. The women shown include a farm worker and a food store employee.

This image shows men and women in gender-stereotyped jobs in two ways. First, male representation is double that of female. Second, the men generally are working in higher-level, more economically powerful jobs.

Now look at a short reading activity from an actual English language textbook. What do you notice about the representation of men and women in the example?

How does weather affect us? The weather of a place can affect our daily lifestyles in many ways This makes the weather forecast something of significance to us. Weather influences to a very great extent the sort of food we eat, what we wear, how we live and work. Despite the advances made in science and technology, farmers and their crops are still at the mercy of the climate and the weather. The fishermen, farmers, journalists, sportsmen, housewives and aeroplane pilots are some of the persons who are directly affected by the weather. The fishermen must be sure that there are no strong winds and excessive rainfall before going out to sea. Farmers must know the weather conditions so that their crops can be planted at the right time. Do you remember when the El Nino weather phenomena caused a vast amount of crops to be destroyed? Sportsmen cannot be engaged in sporting activities during certain weather conditions. Can you imagine a game of cricket or football being played during a period of heavy rainfall? The housewife, too, must know the weather for the day to be able to decide her daily activities, for example, laundry work. From the Global Education Monitoring Report's World Education Blog See more examples at Global Education Monitoring Report

The piece discusses weather and how it affects people in different jobs. However, it refers to some of the jobs using masculine endings, such as fishermen and sportsmen. The only specific reference to a woman is that of housewife.

This enforces gender stereotypes in two ways: First, it creates the impression that some of these jobs are meant for males only. It also creates the impression that the job of staying at home and doing house activities is meant for women.

Identifying bias: Materials and curriculum checklist

It is important that teachers are skilled in identifying the signs of unequal gender representation in textbooks and other materials. A UNESCO checklist can help teachers check their materials for this problem. Here are some of its guidelines:

Are the materials used by the teacher or students free from gender stereotypes? Do the materials show females and males an equal amount of times? Do the materials show females and males with equal respect, and potential (when talking about jobs, or the future, for example)? Does the curriculum reflect the needs and life experiences of both males and females? Does the curriculum promote peace and equality for males and females, regardless, of their race, class, disability, religion, sexual preference, or ethnic background?

Improving your materials

So, what can teachers do when they find gender inequities in teaching materials?

The answer is: it depends. Some teachers are able to make changes to their materials or the way in which they use them. Other teachers may be able to create original teaching content. Here are some more UNESCO guidelines that might help such efforts.

Make sure that males and females are shown equally in class materials.

Make sure that the themes, subjects, and pictures used in class materials connect to the life experiences of both female and male students.

Make sure that female and male students are not presented only in stereotypical ways.

Make sure you use a balanced amount of materials written by male and female authors.

Include women and men as examples of experts or leaders

It requires additional work for teachers to review their materials for gender bias. But using gender-sensitive materials in class can help support the creation of more gender-sensitive attitudes among students. It can also establish a stronger learning environment where all students are motivated to succeed.

Im Phil Dierking.

And Im Jill Robbins

Phil Dierking wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

What are other ideas for adapting teaching materials to be more gender-sensitive? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

bias  n. a tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly

characterization  n. the act of describing the character or qualities of someone or something

curriculum  n. the courses that are taught by a school, college, etc.

discourage  v. to make (someone) less determined, hopeful, or confident

gender  n. the state of being male or female

opportunity  n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done

stereotype  n. an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic
Alaska is the largest state in the United States. It is also one of the least populated. The state is home to 741,000 people. Among them are Native Alaskans, immigrants, adventure-seekers and oil industry workers from other parts of the country.

The state is also home to a community known as the Russian Old Believers. They came to Alaska from Russia nearly 50 years ago. They built a village on Alaskas Kenai Peninsula. The village is called Nikolaevsk.

Splitting from Russia

The Old Believers split from the Russian Orthodox Church in the 17th century. They separated to protest changes in the church imposed by the patriarch. The patriarch is the highest-ranking Bishop in the Russian Orthodox religion.

Later, political changes in Russia forced many of them to flee the country.

Mother Irina Fefelova is a member of the Old Believers church. She is the widow of Kondrat Fefelov, an Old Believers priest.

She said the introduction of communism in Russia made it difficult for the Old Believers to continue their traditions and lifestyle.

"With the arrival of communism, at first it was fine, but then they just started coming to the huts and taking everything. Our people were used to having big families, the same as we do now. But, you need to feed the kids  and theyd just come in and everythingand people had kids, mothers were crying  how we are supposed to feed the kids? And they go: Throw the kids to the dogs, theyll eat them...

At the time, Old Believers feared arrest. Many left Russia and crossed the border into China. Fefelova herself was born in China.

We lived there for a while. And then life turned bad again with communists. Our parents escaped from communists  ran from Russia to China, and then we left China for the same reason."

Fefelovas family then went to Brazil. Later, they moved to the northwestern U.S. state of Oregon.

Some members of the Old Believers settled in Oregon. Others, like Fefelova, continued on to Alaska. At that time, the Fefelova family already had seven kids. Four more were born in Alaska.

For Mother Irina, Alaska was a good place to call home.

Keeping their traditions

In Alaska, the Old Believers still pray in an ancient language called Old Church Slavonic. The older generations speak Russian. But, Fefelova says the younger generation prefers English.

"Our kids speak Russian well, we spoke good Russian in the family. But their kids do not speak Russian  they come to the grandma, and cant tell me, what they need. Its hard. Its such a pity for the grandchildren. Now, when they finish praying, Father starts reading them stories  all in American. Because the kidsdont understand a word."

Today, about 300 people live in Nikolaevsk. The men in the village earn money by fishing, and sometimes by building fishing boats. The village was once famous for these boats.

Denis Fefelov is the son of Mother Irina and Father Kondrat, the late priest.

Weve built over 100 boats And now the boats are barely worn out, they stay functional. Instead of ordering new ones, people just sell them on. But we still build some

Fefelov was born in Brazil. He came to the U.S. with his family when he was three years old. He speaks fluent Russian and Old Church Slavnoic, and teaches children church songs. He also watches the evening news in English, however, and considers himself an American.

Women in Nikolaevsk wear sarafan  a traditional Russian dress. They make the dresses themselves. The men have long beards and wear Russian shirts. Denis says people in nearby towns are used to seeing the Old Believers dressed in their traditional clothing.

"We are here for 40 years. Maybe some tourists that visit think its weird clothes. But the local people, they know us."

Im Phil Dierking.

Natasha Mozgovaya wrote this story for VOA News. Phil Dierking adapted this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

Are there small communities from other countries where you are from? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

cellar - n. the part of a building that is entirely or partly below the ground

communism - n. a way of organizing a society in which the government owns the things that are used to make and transport products (such as land, oil, factories, ships, etc.) and there is no privately owned property .

patriarch - n. an official of very high rank in the Orthodox Church

pity - n. a strong feeling of sadness or sympathy for someone or something


The U.S. Navy has dismissed the commander of the 7th Fleet, which is based in Japan.

A series of Navy ship accidents raised concerns about Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin's ability to command operations in the Pacific. Aucoin took command of the 7th Fleet in September 2015 and was expected to retire in a few weeks.

A statement from the Navy said Rear Admiral Phillip Sawyer will replace Aucoin. Sawyer, who had already been named as Aucoins successor, will take command immediately.

Accidents at sea

There have been four Navy accidents in the Pacific since late January, including two collisions that left sailors dead and missing.

Admiral Scott Swift is the commander of the US Pacific Fleet. While each of these four incidents is unique, they cannot be viewed in isolation, Swift said earlier.

Most recently, on Monday the Navy ship USS John S. McCain collided with a ship carrying oil near Singapore. The crash injured five sailors and left ten others missing.

Admiral Swift spoke on Tuesday at a news conference in Singapore, where the McCain is now located.

Swift said Navy divers had found remains of some of the missing sailors in a flooded part of the ship. He also said Malaysian divers, who were helping in the search, had found a body, but it had not been identified yet.

The 7th Fleet said in a statement Wednesday that Navy and Marine Corps divers are continuing to search the McCain for missing sailors. The statement also said the search is growing to include a greater area as time goes on.

According to the government of Singapore, the search area has more than doubled. It now includes about 5,500 square kilometers. Airplanes and ships from the U.S., Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia are all participating in the search.

Identifying the missing

At least three of the ten missing sailors have been identified by relatives.

Crew member Logan Palmer, from the Decatur, Illinois area, was reportedly identified by his mother.

April Brandon in Michigan said the military informed her that her son, Ken Smith, is also missing. Smiths father, stepmother and grandfather served in the Navy. Brandon said, His father and I couldnt be prouder of our son.

The family of Jacob Drake of Ohio was also told he was missing, the Columbus Dispatch reported. Drake had been engaged to be married to Megan Partlow. She told The Associated Press that she had last communicated with Drake on Sunday.

The collision happened early in the day in a busy shipping area near Singapore. It created a large hole in the McCains left rear hull.

The cause of the collision has not been determined. The Navy previously said there was no evidence it was intentional, or that it was a result of sabotage or cyberintrusion.

Im Jill Robbins.

Ken Moritsugu originally wrote this story for the Associated Press. Phil Dierking adapted this story for VOA Learning English.Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

Do you think the captain of a ship should be dismissed after a crash? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

successor  n. a person who has a job, position, or title after someone else

collision  n. an instance of one moving object or person striking against another

unique  adj. used to say that something or someone is unlike anything or anyone else

isolation  n. apart from others

proud  adj. feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated.

hull  n. the main body of a ship or other vessel

cyberintrusion  n. breaking into a computer system
Jason Luo is named chairman and CEO of Ford China, leading the companys operations in Greater China, including its import business, Lincoln Motor Company and joint venture operations

Dave Filipe is appointed vice president, Powertrain Engineering, succeeding Bob Fascetti who has elected to retire

DEARBORN, Mich., August 23, 2017  Ford Motor Company today announced a new chairman and CEO of Ford China and head of Powertrain Engineering as it continues to strengthen its global leadership team.

Jason Luo is named chairman and CEO Ford China. In his new role, Luo will lead all of the companys operations in Greater China including its import business, Lincoln, its passenger car joint venture Changan Ford, commercial vehicle investment in Jiangling Motors Corporation, and our operations in Taiwan.

Luo, 51, joins Ford from Key Safety Systems, the fastest growing company in the automotive safety market, where he was global president and CEO for the past 10 years. While at Key Safety Systems, he led the business transformation and global expansion of the company and achieved significant revenue growth in China.

Luo will be based in Shanghai, reporting to Peter Fleet, Ford group vice president and president, Ford Asia Pacific.

Jasons leadership and track record of business growth and transformation in China make him the ideal person to lead Ford in the worlds largest vehicle market, said Peter Fleet, Ford group vice president and president, Ford Asia Pacific. He will help us raise our vision in China as we become more nimble and operationally fit, expand vehicle electrification and begin to localize Lincoln vehicle assembly.

Ford also is announcing that David Filipe is appointed vice president, Powertrain Engineering. Filipe succeeds Bob Fascetti, who has elected to retire Oct. 1. Fascetti served nearly 30 years in Powertrain and Product Development improving Ford fuel economy and performance of Ford vehicles around the globe.

David Filipe, 50, is a 25-year Ford veteran who will be responsible for all powertrain engineering around the world. He will report to Hau Thai-Tang, executive vice president, Product Development and Purchasing.

Joining Ford in 1992, Filipe has held various positions within Product Development and several global leadership roles. Most recently, he served as the vehicle line director, North America trucks, large SUVs and commercial vehicles, which included responsibility for overseeing the development and launch of the 2017 Super Duty pickup truck, the 2018 Ford F-150, and the all-new 2018 Expedition.

Daves broad experience in product around the world makes him an ideal successor to Bob Fascetti, who has made significant contributions to Ford, including leading the development of the entire Ford EcoBoost lineup, said Hau Thai-Tang, executive vice president, Product Development and Purchasing. We are grateful for his nearly 30 years of service and wish him well in the future.

Both appointments are effective September 1.

Related Information
New technology being developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo and the Sunnybrook Research Institute is using artificial intelligence (AI) to help detect melanoma skin cancer earlier.

The technology employs machine-learning software to analyze images of skin lesions and provide doctors with objective data on telltale biomarkers of melanoma, which is deadly if detected too late, but highly treatable if caught early.

The AI systemtrained using tens of thousands of skin images and their corresponding eumelanin and hemoglobin levelscould initially reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies, a significant health-care cost. It gives doctors objective information on lesion characteristics to help them rule out melanoma before taking more invasive action.

The technology could be available to doctors as early as next year.

"This could be a very powerful tool for skin cancer clinical decision support," said Alexander Wong, a professor of systems design engineering at Waterloo. "The more interpretable information there is, the better the decisions are."

Currently, dermatologists largely rely on subjective visual examinations of skin lesions such as moles to decide if patients should undergo biopsies to diagnose the disease.

The new system deciphers levels of biomarker substances in lesions, adding consistent, quantitative information to assessments currently based on appearance alone. In particular, changes in the concentration and distribution of eumelanin, a chemical that gives skin its colour, and hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, are strong indicators of melanoma.

"There can be a huge lag time before doctors even figure out what is going on with the patient," said Wong who is also the Canada Research Chair in Medical Imaging Systems. "Our goal is to shorten that process."

Wong developed the technology in collaboration with Daniel Cho, a former PhD student at Waterloo, David Clausi, a professor of systems design engineering professor at Waterloo, and Farzad Khalvati, an adjunct professor at Waterloo and scientist at Sunnybrook.

The research was recently presented at the 14th International Conference on Image Analysis and Recognition in Montreal.
Endoscopic image of a bowel section known as the sigmoid colon afflicted with ulcerative colitis. The internal surface of the colon is blotchy and broken in places. Credit: Samir/Wikipedia

A fast, simple blood test for ulcerative colitis using infrared spectroscopy could provide a cheaper, less invasive alternative for screening compared to colonoscopy, which is now the predominant test, according to a study between the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University.

The researchers used Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to examine the blood serum of mice with colitis and found nine absorption peaks that could be used to indicate the presence of the disease in the blood sample.

The findings, recently published in the Journal of Biophotonics, suggest a new testing procedure that could be developed to help doctors more easily screen patients for ulcerative colitis.

More than 1.6 million people in the United States suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. Adults 50 and older are expected to get a colonoscopy, a test that allows a doctor to look at the inner lining of the large intestine (rectum and colon), every five years or more frequently if abnormalities are found. The test can help find ulcers, colon polyps, tumors and other areas of inflammation or bleeding.

However, many people don't like getting colonoscopies because the procedure is uncomfortable and requires them to fast an entire day and clean out their colon by drinking a liquid solution. Colonoscopies can also be costly because they require sedation and several medical personnel and have risks of complications. There remains a great need for simpler and cost-effective techniques to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease, according to Dr. A. G. Unil Perera, Regents' Professor of Physics, and Dr. Didier Merlin, professor in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences.

"Colonoscopy is used as a screening technique, so even if you don't know if a person has colitis or not, that's currently the only way to clearly check and say they do," Perera said. "We are not talking about replacing colonoscopy. We have shown that a minimally invasive blood test can tell if a patient has an indication of colitis. Then, doctors can perform a colonoscopy to see how far the disease has spread and whether there are signs of cancer."

This blood test using infrared spectroscopy is much quicker, less invasive and much less expensive compared to colonoscopy. There are no risks, except a simple finger prick to get a blood sample, Perera said.

In this study, the researchers used two groups of mice with different types of colitis, chronic and acute. The mice with chronic colitis, the interleukin 10 (IL 10) mice, had a gene modification that allowed them to develop colitis. The mice with acute colitis, the Dextran Sodium Sulphate (DSS) mice, were administered DSS in their drinking water for seven days, and they developed colitis over time. The control group in the study was mice before they were fed DSS.

The researchers collected blood and fecal samples from the control and colitis groups and performed ATR-FTIR spectroscopy on the blood samples, sending infrared light into the samples over a wide range to find the absorption peaks. Then, they compared the control and colitis blood samples using ATR-FTIR absorbance spectra to identify differences between them.

"We have identified nine places where there are differences," Perera said.

In the future, the researchers will increase the number of samples to prove their accuracy is strong. They'll probably find they don't need all nine absorbance peaks to identify mice with colitis, Perera said.

"In addition, the use of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy on serum samples could identify spectral signatures specifically predicting the development of colitis, thereby positively affecting drug management," Merlin said. "We also anticipate that the use of this method will be able to evaluate human serum samples to identify spectral signatures that can distinguish between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis."

"We can design detectors for only the narrow peaks that we really need," Perera said. "That way a doctor's office should be able to afford the test and add it to existing blood tests, since people usually don't worry too much about giving a little bit of blood. Around the world, this is even more critical because colonoscopy is very, very expensive and people may not have access. This technique can also lead to other applications, like screening for cancer and other diseases."

More information: Jitto Titus et al. Protein secondary structure analysis of dried blood serum using infrared spectroscopy to identify markers for colitis screening, Journal of Biophotonics (2017). Jitto Titus et al. Protein secondary structure analysis of dried blood serum using infrared spectroscopy to identify markers for colitis screening,(2017). DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201700057
A small domino-sized cartridge holds a membrane for a new field test for liver cancer developed by researchers from the University of Utah. The test doesn't involve sending a specimen to a blood lab and cuts the wait time for results from two weeks to two minutes. It can be administered wherever the patient is, which will be valuable for developing nations with little access to hospitals. Credit: University of Utah College of Engineering

It's estimated that about 788,000 people worldwide died of liver cancer in 2015, the second-leading cause of cancer deaths, according to the latest statistics from the World Health Organization. One of the major challenges in combatting this disease is detecting it early because symptoms often don't appear until later stages.

But a team of researchers led by University of Utah chemical engineering and chemistry professor Marc Porter and U surgeon and professor Courtney Scaife has developed a rapid portable screening test for liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) that doesn't involve sending a specimen to a blood lab and cuts the wait time for results from two weeks to two minutes. This new and inexpensive testthe team is working to lower the cost to about $3 per testcan be administered wherever the patient is, which will be particularly valuable in developing nations with little access to hospitals.

The U's teamwhich includes Nano Institute of Utah research associate Jennifer Granger, chemical engineering doctoral student Alex Skuratovsky, and U surgery assistant professor Jill E. Sheapublished their research in the latest issue of Analytical Methods describing how the test works for alpha-fetoprotein, a widely-used marker of liver cancer.

Currently, testing for liver cancer involves lab-based blood tests and ultrasound imaging, both of which require traveling to major cities and can often cost more than a month's salary in low- and middle-income countries.

"If we can develop a rapid test that performs at a high level of clinical accuracy," Porter says, "then we've got something that can have an impact on human lives."

Researchers also believe the test can be easily modified to detect infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and dengue fever, a mosquito-borne tropical disease that can be life-threatening.

The test uses a small domino-sized plastic cartridge containing a paper membrane that selectively traps biomarkers (proteins specific to a certain disease) from biological fluids. A small droplet of blood, saliva, or urine, or even a teardrop, from the patient is dropped onto the membrane. This is followed by the droplet of gold nanoparticles, which tags the biomarkers trapped in the membrane. If the biomarkers are present, a red spot appears, signaling the patient has the disease and should seek more testing and possible treatment.

"The concept is similar to a home pregnancy test, but instead of flowing laterally, it flows through the membrane," says Granger, the lead author on the paper.

A handheld spectrometer manufactured by project collaborator B&W Tek, a Delaware-based manufacturer of mobile spectrometers, can analyze the membranes and measure how much of the biomarkers is present, which in the future could determine the severity of the disease or how a patient is responding to treatment.

The idea for the test is a spinoff of a similar test Porter developed eight years ago that astronauts on the International Space Station used to test the cleanliness of their drinking water. "This is a smarter offshoot of that," says Porter, who also is the director of the Nano Institute of Utah.

Now that the team has proven the concept with liver cancer and built a prototype test kit, researchers plan to evaluate the technology in Mongolia in spring of 2019. The East Asian country has the highest rate of liver cancer in the world.

The project was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute through the Affordable Cancer Technologies Program, and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The team also received funding from Utah-based nutritional supplement company, USANA, which is interested in using a form of the test for customers with certain vitamin deficiencies.

"USANA has a keen interest in the ability to measure certain vitamins and biomarkers in various bodily fluids that can be related to a person's health status," said Mark Brown, Executive Director of Laboratory Sciences at USANA. "This would allow our customers to see for themselves the benefit of taking USANA's high quality products. Rather than taking a blood sample and sending it off to lab for analysis, this technology could make it possible for people to do their own analysis in the comfort of their own home. Small sample size and simplicity of use are crucial components of making this a reality, and this research is a step closer to that end."
(HealthDay)Above-average childhood body mass index (BMI) and increases in BMI during childhood are associated with increased risk of early adult ischemic stroke, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in JAMA Neurology.

Line K. Gjaerde, M.D., from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and colleagues conducted a population-based cohort study of schoolchildren born from 1930 to 1987 with follow-up through national health registers from 1977 to 2012. Data were included for 307,677 individuals with measured weight and height at ages 7 to 13 years.

The researchers found that 3,529 women and 5,370 men experienced an ischemic stroke during the study period. An above-average BMI z score at ages 7 to 13 years was positively associated with early ischemic stroke. A BMI z score of 1 at age 13 years was associated with hazard ratios of 1.26 and 1.21 in women and men, respectively. There were no significant correlations for below-average BMI z scores. Among children with above-average BMI z scores at age 7 years, an increase in score of 0.5 from ages 7 to 13 correlated with early ischemic stroke among women and men (hazard ratios, 1.1 and 1.08, respectively). Similar trends were seen for children with below-average BMI z scores at age 7 years and an increase in score of 0.5 from ages 7 to 13 (hazard ratios, 1.14 and 1.1, respectively).

"These results suggest that all children should be helped to attain and maintain healthy weights," the authors write.

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer and a subset of head and neck cancers worldwide. A University of Colorado Cancer Center paper describes a fascinating mechanism that links these two conditionsviral infection and cancer. The link, basically, is a family of enzymes called APOBEC3. These APOBEC3 enzymes are an essential piece of the immune system's response to viral infection, attacking viral DNA to cause disabling mutations. Unfortunately, as the paper shows, especially the action of family member APOBEC3A can spill over from its attack against viruses to induce DNA mutations and damage in the host genome as well. In other words, this facet of the immune system designed to scramble viral DNA can scramble human DNA as well, sometimes in ways that cause cancer.

"We know that the majority of cancers are caused by genetic mutations. And we know some of the mechanisms that cause these mutations, for example UV radiation can cause mutations that lead to skin cancer and smoking can cause mutations that lead to lung cancer. But there are many more cancers in which we don't know the source of the mutations. The APOBEC3 family can explain how some of these mutations are created. In fact, APOBEC3A can be activated in many waysnot just with HPV infectionand its action may drive a percentage of oncogenic mutations across many cancer types," says Dohun Pyeon, PhD, investigator at the CU Cancer Center and associate professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the CU School of Medicine.

Specifically, data from the Cancer Genome Atlas showed signatures of APOBEC3-mediated mutations in the PIK3CA gene of about 40 percent of HPV-positive head and neck cancers, but only about 10 percent of HPV-negative head and neck cancers. Adding to this storyline of APOBEC3A-mediated oncogenesis was the fact that expression of APOBEC3A was much higher in HPV-positive cancers.

"Recently, about four years ago, cancer genomics researchers found interesting mutation signatures in the DNA of cancer cells, showing that these mutations were caused by APOBEC3 enzymes. Our study shows that a significant fraction of mutations in HPV-positive cancers are potentially caused by one of these APOBEC3 enzymes," Pyeon says.

Interestingly, this system that so heavily risks damaging host DNA doesn't work so well against its intended targetAPOBEC3A does not successfully eliminate the HPV virus, which remains as a chronic infection.

"We have another paper from 2015 showing that HPV has revised their genome against this APOBEC3 enzyme, altering and reducing the target sequences in their own DNA," Pyeon says. If APOBEC3 fails to recognize its target sequence, it does not interrupt the DNA. "In this, we can see the complex race of evolutionthe host evolves the APOBEC3 system to target viruses, but then the viruses evolve their DNA to evade APOBEC3. We are not at any endpoint of evolutionwhat we may be seeing is the our body's attempt to use this APOBEC3 system to help it evolve more quickly in response to the virus."

Pyeon points out that because APOBEC3A is an enzyme, it would likely be susceptible to drug development aimed at stopping its action. However, the enzyme isn't something that acts onceit is chronically elevated along with HPV infection, leading to years or decades of higher mutation rates. Also, this mechanism describes how cancer may start - once a cancer exists, inhibiting APOBEC3A would be the proverbial "locking the barn door after the horse has bolted."

"This would have to be a cancer prevention strategy," Pyeon says. "Perhaps if you are infected with HPV or have especially high APOBEC3A levels, you could have a drug to prevent any significant mutations."

On the treatment side, Pyeon points out that signatures of APOBEC3-mediated mutations could be targets for new cancer immunotherapies.

"Now that we can recognize cells altered by APOBEC3, we could teach tumor neoantigen-based immunotherapies to recognize these cells as well," Pyeon says.

The paper is published in its entirety free online in the journal Viruses.

More information: Cody Warren et al, Roles of APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B in Human Papillomavirus Infection and Disease Progression, Viruses (2017). Cody Warren et al, Roles of APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B in Human Papillomavirus Infection and Disease Progression,(2017). DOI: 10.3390/v9080233
A medical student checking blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. Image: Wikipedia.

Two studies provide additional support for lowering systolic blood pressure to an intensive goal of 120 mmHg - far below the standard guidelines of 140 mmHg - to reduce the risk of heart disease in high-risk patients with hypertension. The new research shows that intensive blood pressure control is well-tolerated by patients and is cost-effective in terms of health-related quality of life and financial costs to the healthcare system.

Published online in the New England Journal of Medicine on Aug. 24, the findings address ongoing debates that have been simmering since results from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) were first reported nearly two years ago.

"Intensive blood pressure control improves health outcomes in high-risk patients, but it has been unclear whether the approach is cost-effective or if it's well-tolerated by patients compared to standard control," says Adam Bress, Pharm.D., M.S., an assistant professor of Population Health Sciences at University of Utah Health who co-led the first, cost-effectiveness study. Bress explains that treatment would not be sustainable in clinical practice if, for instance, it makes patients feel miserable or comes with an exorbitant price tag.

"Collectively, these results provide strong evidence that intensive control is worth considering in high-risk patients," says Bress.

Listening to Patient Perspectives

On average, patients on intensive therapy often took three to four anti-hypertensive medications to reach the lower blood pressure goal, raising concerns that side effects such as light-headedness, dizziness, or fatigue could make the regimen difficult to tolerate.

"In treating a chronic condition such as hypertension, it is important not only to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality such as heart attacks and stroke, but also to ensure that people under treatment continue to feel well," says the second study's lead author Dan Berlowitz, M.D., Chief of Staff at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Mass., and a professor at Boston University.

The second study examined health-related quality of life by having the 9,631 SPRINT participants - about half of whom were on intensive therapy - answer standard questionnaires assessing their quality of life, physical and mental health, and satisfaction with their care during the clinical trial.

Participants on intensive therapy reported feeling as well as those receiving standard blood pressure control and were equally satisfied with their care. They were also just as likely to maintain their medication regimen, another indication that the treatment was well-tolerated.

A subpopulation considered particularly vulnerable to side effects from intensive therapy, frail participants age 75 and older, also fared well under the intensive approach.

"Frail, older participants began at lower measures of physical and cognitive abilities," explains Mark Supiano, M.D., a co-author on both studies and a geriatrician at University of Utah Health and VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. A total of 2,560 SPRINT participants were in this category.

"Importantly, intensive blood pressure control did not further decrease quality of life measures compared to standard control even in frail, older adults." Additional studies are being carried out to determine the long-term impacts of treatment.

Berlowitz points out that the results don't necessarily mean that everyone with high blood pressure should aim for a goal of less than 120 mmHg.

"In order for patients to have the future health benefits of intensive blood pressure control while maintaining their current health-related quality of life, clinicians and patients should work together to adjust medications as needed while keeping an eye on symptoms," he says.

Counting the Costs of Blood Pressure Control

Another worry plaguing intensive therapy has been that costs of intensive treatment might overwhelm an already strained healthcare system. Reaching the lower blood pressure goal requires more visits to healthcare providers, and additional medications and lab testsall incurring expenses that add up over time. And if severe medication side effects land a patient in the hospital, that boosts the price tag even higher and could erode quality of life.

The cost-effectiveness study reports that the healthcare costs associated with intensive blood pressure control are balanced by gains in health, making it cost-effective over the course of a lifetime. Intensive control costs less than $50,000 for each quality-adjusted life-year gained, a measure of improvements in length and quality of life.

"The price is one that many experts believe U.S. society is willing to pay, making it a high value investment," says Bress.

A research team led by Bress and Brandon Bellows, Pharm.D., M.S., research assistant professor of Pharmacotherapy at U of U Health, modeled intensive and standard treatment in 10,000 hypothetical SPRINT-eligible patients to arrive at the conclusion. They gauged benefits and costs of intensive therapy in the face of uncertainties encountered in real life by incorporating over 250 variables, including a range of health histories and side effects.

"It's not possible to run clinical trials that last for decades for every type of patient," explains Bellows. "Simulation gives us a way to explore 'what if' scenarios and extrapolate short-term data to estimate a range of expected long-term outcomes."

Within 10 to 20 years after starting intensive treatment, the extra expenses were offset by the cardiac episodes and subsequent treatment costs that were prevented, simulations showed.

"Intensive blood pressure treatment prevents heart disease, but it requires extra effort from patients and health care providers," says co-senior author Andrew Moran, M.D., M.P.H., from Columbia University Medical Center in New York. "Our study showed that it is a very good value if the treatment is sustained long-term."

Co-author Lawrence Fine M.D., Dr.P.H., Chief of the Branch of Clinical Applications and Prevention at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), says that estimates indicate there are at least 17 million Americans who could benefit from lowering their blood pressure.

"This current study is important not just because it shows that the long-term benefits of intensive blood pressure treatment outweigh considerations about costs and side effects, but because of its population-wide implications," he says.

Provided by University of Utah Health
A new international research project, involving the University of Liverpool's leading eye cancer research group, has identified specific subtypes of ocular melanoma that will help develop improved management strategies and therapies in the future.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a cancer that arises from the pigment cells (melanocytes) in the middle layer of the eye. UM are rare cancers, being diagnosed in about 600 patients in the UK each year, and differ in many ways to skin melanomas.

Although treatment of the eye for UM is usually successful through radiotherapy or surgery, up to 50% of UM patients develop metastatic disease, typically in the liver, for which there are currently no effective therapies.

In a comprehensive analysis of 80 primary UM, researchers of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research UM group identified and characterised four distinct subtypes that have unique genomic abnormalities, gene expression features, and patient outcomes.

This TCGA study, published in Cancer Cell this month, suggests that the four UM subtypes uncovered, each with unique molecular pathway changes and associated clinical prognoses, may require different management strategies.

The researchers deployed a range of sequencing technologies and novel analytical approaches to characterize molecularly and clinically distinct subtypes of UM. They were able to identify new and complex alterations of particular genes that otherwise would not have been found. These genomic alterations can help distinguish subtypes of UM, which carry more and less favourable prognoses, respectively.

Professor Coupland, who leads the University's Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group and who is Director of the North West Cancer Research Centre, made a major contribution to the TCGA UM study. LOORG contributed 25% of the intensively investigated UM samples, which came from several other international centres. The TCGA stringency criteria for the quality of examined samples with all of the associated clinical data were very high. These criteria were met by LOORG's samples, which were kept in the unique Liverpool Ocular Oncology Biobank, run by LOORG's Senior Postdoctoral scientist, Dr Kalirai. LOORG was also integral in the histomorphological evaluation of all 80 UM samples, the complex data interpretation and manuscript writing of the TCGA UM study, which ran over 3 years from start to end.

Of the research Professor Coupland said: "We already stratify UM patients into those of high- and low-risk with respect to developing metastases. The TCGA subtypes will help us refine our prognostication model, which has been successfully used in the NHS for years at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Referral Centre and other places across the globe.

"Overall, this study expanded our basic understanding of a rare, deadly disease and revealed novel characteristics of the primary tumour that may guide the development and application of 'personalised' clinical strategies for UM subtypes in the future. We are also involved in the UMCure2020 project, which is assessing many similar aspects of UM metastases in the liver. Through the TCGA and UMCure2020 I am confident that we will make breakthroughs in the treatment of this devastating disease, as has been done in other cancers recently. We are infinitely grateful to all UM patients who allow us to use their tumour samples for this research".

More information: A. Gordon Robertson et al, Integrative Analysis Identifies Four Molecular and Clinical Subsets in Uveal Melanoma, Cancer Cell (2017). A. Gordon Robertson et al, Integrative Analysis Identifies Four Molecular and Clinical Subsets in Uveal Melanoma,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2017.07.003 mpcetoolsforhealth.liverpool.a  soap/lumpo3cr_v5.htm Journal information: Cancer Cell
We know  that close relationships are associated with better psychological and physical health, says Belinda Campos, UCI associate professor of Chicano/Latino studies. In Latino culture, theres more emphasis on interdependence, being connected to others in a more fundamental way. You ... think of yourself as more in it with someone else than forging your own path. Credit: Steve Chang / UCI

Convivir. Familismo. In Spanish-speaking cultures, there are several terms that describe social relationships as something deeper than friendly conversations and meetups. They're something to which a person belongs, depends upon, contributes to and supports, and they're the norm in Latino societies, says Belinda Campos, UCI associate professor of Chicano/Latino studies. And, as it turns out, they provide quite a few health benefits.

"We know, based on lots of research, that close relationships are associated with better psychological and physical health  from improving daily well-being to reducing mental illness relapses and easing the burden of chronic disease," she says.

For 14 years, Campos has examined factors promoting high-quality relationships, and she's learned that cultural norms play a very important role. She has published studies on the topic in Emotion, the Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, the Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, the Journal of Social & Personal Relationships and Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology.

Her findings make clear distinctions among how European Americans and Latino Americans view and conduct relationships.

"In the first group, they're thought of in terms of independence  the idea that the self is separate from others and you rely on yourself in order to do well," Campos says. "In Latino culture, there's more emphasis on interdependence, being connected to others in a more fundamental way. You draw support from relationships, especially the family, and think of yourself as more 'in it' with someone else than forging your own path."

In a forthcoming paper in American Psychologist, she and co-author Heejung S. Kim, a professor of psychological & brain sciences at UC Santa Barbara, present a framework for understanding cultural diversity as it applies to relationships, a perspective that needs to be incorporated into studies of overall health, Campos says.

Prior to this work, she noticed that certain health problems were less prevalent among Latinas  and one that particularly caught her eye was neuroticism. Individuals who are highly neurotic react with strong negative emotion to everyday experiences of threat, loss and frustration, which can adversely affect relationship quality, psychological well-being and physical condition.

"Research shows that such people are more prone to anxiety, depression and stress-related disease," Campos says. "Intense, damaging reactions could be soothed by one's relationships, but these aren't always a resource for the highly neurotic. They have difficulty getting into and maintaining relationships and  even when in relationships  are less likely to feel supported."

But as she was studying cultural differences, she discovered that in Latinas, the correlation between neuroticism and negative outcomes was much weaker than in European American women.

"In my Latina data, neuroticism wasn't predictive of feeling a loss of social support and was not as predictive of psychological distress. Also, physiological stress response patterns didn't look as disregulated," Campos says. "Somehow, neuroticism wasn't as emotionally costly to the Latina group."

She emphasizes that just because neuroticism wasn't as harmful to Latinas doesn't mean it didn't exist or was any less prevalent. It just wasn't linked to the same bad outcomes experienced in other groups.

"I started seeing this, and I wanted to understand. I pulled back a bit and thought about it as a cultural psychologist," Campos says. "If social support is readily accessible and you're super connected to your family, friends and other people in your social network, maybe that insulates you a little bit from the costs of neuroticism. Maybe people give you more leeway with this trait than if you're in an independent context where people are more concerned about you reacting too strongly, where you're more likely to be seen as an imposition or as someone overly dramatic who needs to calm down and learn how to deal individually with stress."

In July, she was awarded $390,000 from the National Science Foundation to find out. The grant is funding a three-part study in her Culture, Relationships & Health Lab. For the first phase, participants  who sign up with a friend  agree to keep a 30-day diary about their life experiences, including their relationships, and how they deal with stress. After a month of self-reporting, they'll come to UCI for behavioral testing in Campos' lab. In each pair, one of the friends will undergo a standardized stress test to measure the amounts of cortisol, which indicate how the body responds to stress, Campos explains.

"What really excites me about this work is that we're going to see not only the effects of culture at an observational level, but also whether the cultural contexts in which we live  that shape our social interactions  have consequences for our bodies," she says.

Funding for the study runs through June 2020. And Campos is eager to find out where future stages may take her.

"If we determine that there is a protective element combating neuroticism's adverse outcomes in Latino culture, we can try to incorporate this in other cultural groups," she says. "If we can reduce the costs of neuroticism, we'll have an even larger community of people who are happier and healthier. And it would be pretty wonderful to be able to contribute to something like that."
Killer T cells surround a cancer cell. Credit: NIH

Scientists have discovered a new way of attacking oesophageal cancer cells that could make use of an existing drug in a new approach to treatment.

Their study discovered a genetic weakness or 'Achilles' heel' in oesophageal cancer cells that makes them particularly sensitive to a drug called ibrutinib which is already used to treat blood cancer.

A team at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, demonstrated that oesophageal cancer cells with a cancer-causing mutation in a gene called MYC become dependent upon or 'addicted' to a second gene, BTK.

By blocking the function of BTK using ibrutinib, the researchers were able to kill oesophageal cancer cells grown in the lab, leaving normal cells relatively unaffected.

Attacking 'addicted' cancer cells in this way, a concept known as synthetic lethality, could open up a whole new avenue of treatment for oesophageal cancera disease which affects 9,000 people a year in the UK.

For many patients with oesophageal cancer, the success of existing treatments is limited. The new work is aimed at improving this situation.

The study is published today (Tuesday) in the journal Gut, and was funded by Cancer Research UK, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), Jansen Ltd., Pharmacyclics Pharmaceuticals, and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and the ICR.

Researchers are now assessing whether ibrutinib will work in oesophageal cancer patients with MYC mutations, in a phase II clinical trial at The Royal Marsden.

By assessing whether patients with MYC-mutated oesophageal cancers respond to ibrutinib, the researchers hope to test whether the laboratory findings translate into an improved way of treating the disease.

To identify this deadly addiction, researchers used a systematic approach, assessing the sensitivity of a large number of oesophageal cancer cells to cancer drugs that are already used in the treatment of other forms of cancer.

In parallel, they also assessed, one by one, the effects of inactivating 720 key genes on cancer cells. By integrating these two approaches, the scientists found the link between BTK addiction and ibrutinib sensitivity in oesophageal cancer cells.

As well as using this information to design a new clinical trial, the researchers also made all of the data generated in the study publicly available, so that other researchers worldwide can use the information to design other approaches for treating this aggressive disease.

Professor Chris Lord, Professor of Cancer Genomics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:

"The DNA of cancer cells tends to be extremely mutated - whilst these mutations cause cancer, they also often make cells addicted to genes normal cells are not.

"Finding which genes cancers are addicted to is an exciting approach for identifying new ways of attacking tumours. We can now systematically identify genes which cancer cells need but healthy cells can live without - offering up the potential of precision therapies that have fewer side-effects than conventional treatments.

"Oesophageal cancers are often very hard to control. Our laboratory work suggests that an existing drug, which we know is safe, could be used in MYC-mutated patients. Our hope is that these results are reproduced in clinical trials."

Dr Irene Chong, NIHR BRC Clinician Scientist at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said:

"Survival rates for patients with oesophageal cancer remain very poor, especially once the disease has started spreading round the body. We urgently need new treatment options that attack the disease in novel ways.

"Our new study has identified a potential Achilles' heel in some forms of oesophageal cancer, which we believe could be exploited by new treatments. And because there is an existing drug for other forms of cancer which attacks this weakness, we can test out our new approach rapidly in clinical trials."

Professor Karen Vousden, Cancer Research UK's chief scientist, said:

"By scrutinising the genetics of oesophageal cancer cells in the lab, this research has identified an existing drug that could be effective against oesophageal cancers with a certain genetic makeup. If clinical trials show that this drug is effective, this work could lead to a new treatment for some oesophageal cancer patients, which is urgently needed for this hard-to-treat disease."
(HealthDay)Few smokers hospitalized for coronary heart disease (CHD) receive smoking cessation pharmacotherapy (SCP), according to a research letter published online Aug. 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Quinn R. Pack, M.D., from Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., and colleagues conducted a retrospective study of 282 U.S. hospitals that participated in the Premier Alliance database in 2014. Active smokers who were admitted with a principal diagnosis of myocardial infarction or who received percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass surgery were included.

The researchers found that 22.7 percent of the 36,675 smokers with CHD received at least one SCP during the hospitalization. Nicotine patch was the most common medication (20.4 percent) at a median dosage of 21 mg/d. Nicotine gum (0.3 percent), lozenge (0.04 percent), and inhaler (0.2 percent); bupropion (2.2 percent); and varenicline (0.4 percent) were also used. Patient-level factors most associated with SCP receipt included chronic lung disease, depression, and alcohol abuse (odds ratios, 1.64, 1.51, and 1.71, respectively). Considerable variation was seen across hospitals (median treatment rate, 22.3 percent). The hospital was the factor most associated with SCP receipt (median odds ratio, 1.91); this correlation was not explained by hospital size, urban location, teaching status, or U.S. region.

"We hope these results will encourage physicians and hospital administrators to evaluate local practice patterns and consider quality improvement initiatives to provide every smoker the necessary support to quit permanently," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to UpToDate for smoking cessation chapters, and to Pfizer.

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Samsung South Africa is testing Samsung Pay and plans to launch it later this year.

Samsung Pay is a payment platform that comes with the companys smartphones, allowing users to authorise payments wirelessly using near field communication technology.

News that Samsung is launching Pay in South Africa comes after it added support for PayPal as a payment method.

To use PayPal with Samsung Pay, users add their PayPal account to the app  after which they can spend their balance.

The company said the partnership lets merchants using Braintree Direct integrate Samsung Pay as a payment method.

Samsung said PayPal support will be available for all Samsung Pay users in the US and will expand to other countries soon.

Now read: Samsung Pay adds support for PayPal accounts
Right2Know has released statistics on how many subpoenas South Africas mobile network operators have received under Section 205 of the Criminal Procedures Act.

R2K has expressed concerns over a loophole in South Africas criminal law that allows magistrates to authorise thousands of surveillance operations which ignore RICA procedures.

Authorities should first apply for an interception direction from a judge, who was designated by the Minister of Justice to grant such requests, before they can execute a surveillance operation.

Surveillance operations include getting call records and listening in on calls.

Legal experts have told MyBroadband that the RICA process is intended to protect privacy rights.

Loophole

MyBroadband reported in 2016 that private investigator Paul Scheepers used Section 205 subpoenas to circumvent RICA.

Scheepers, called Zilles spook for ensuring DA phones were not bugged, faced 26 criminal charges relating to contravening RICA, and was accused of conducting illegal surveillance on lawyers and police officers.

The Daily Maverick also reported on a case, which is now back in the Western Cape High Court, over how Section 205 orders were issued.

According to the report, RICA allows for Section 205 orders to be used, but demands they only be used if other attempts to gather evidence have failed or are too dangerous.

A case docket with a witness statement or other evidence must also be opened as part of the motivation for the order.

These procedures are not being followed, however, and magistrates regularly rubber stamp Section 205 applications, according to reports.

It is also possible for police to write down additional phone numbers on a court order after it has been approved.

This is because there is no standard form for Section 205 orders.

Abuse of the Section 205 process is allegedly done without the knowledge of mobile operators and can be perpetrated by an individual law enforcement officer who wants to sell information to third parties.

In response to this, Right2Know filed PAIA requests with Cell C, MTN, Telkom, and Vodacom for statistics on the number of Section 205 orders they have been served.

The results are detailed below.

It must be noted that certain warrants may be served to multiple service providers, preventing the calculation of total warrants across all providers.

Vodacom 2015 2016 2017 Warrants received 19,614 18,594 19,580 Total phone numbers in warrants 70,315 69,731 71,731 MTN 2015 2016 2017 Warrants received 25,808 23,762 15,115 Total phone numbers in warrants Unknown Unknown Unknown Cell C 2015 2016 2017 Warrants received 5,786 6,455 2,437 Total phone numbers in warrants Unknown Unknown Unknown Telkom 2015 2016 2017 Warrants received 1,094 1,271 525 Total phone numbers in warrants 1,006 1,229 549

Now read: Big legal problem that let South African policeman get cellphone records from operators
Duracell has been instructed to withdraw advertising stating its batteries last up to 10-times longer.

The Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) made the ruling following a complaint from competitor Eveready.

Eveready stated that Duracell claiming its batteries last up to 10-times longer than ordinary zinc carbon batteries was surprising, as Duracell had failed to substantiate claims that its batteries lasted up to 6-times longer than ordinary zinc carbon batteries in a previous ASA case.

It added that various protocols referred to in Duracells advertising are designed and implemented at the respondents discretion  and do not stand up to scientific scrutiny.

The universally-accepted standard test for such products is prescribed by the International Electrotechnical Commission. This standard (IEC60086  2: 2015 Edition 13) has been adopted by the SABS, stated the report.

When proper testing is done in accordance with the SABS protocol, Eveready said Duracells batteries last between 3.5 and 4.1-times longer than Eveready products.

As a result, the claim and advertising is unsubstantiated, said Eveready.

Duracell responds

Duracell stated that its batteries do last up to 10-times longer than ordinary zinc batteries, which is backed by evidence and the claim was pre-approved for publication by the ACA Advisory Service.

It said the testing was done by Intertek Semko AB, an independent Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide.

Duracell further argued that Evereadys insistence on using the IEC/SABS methodology is misplaced, as power consumption varies by device used.

It was for this reason that it decided to rely on tests conducted in specific toys and camera in order to obtain like-for-like comparisons, stated the report.

Duracell also submitted confidential copies of its substantiating documents as well as signed correspondence from the ACA Advisory Services.

The ASA said it considered all the evidence, but noted that the ACA Advisory Service is not regarded as a technical expert in any specific industry.

Based on this, and the evidence regarding the SABS testing standards, the ASA ruled that:

The claims to last up to 10-times longer must be withdrawn.

The claims must be withdrawn immediately.

The claims and the advertising may not be used again in its current format.

Full ASA ruling

The ASA Directorate considered all the relevant documentation submitted by the respective parties.

Clause 4.1 of Section II requires advertisers to hold independent verification for any and all claims that are capable of objective verification. There is no dispute before the ASA that the claim to last  up to 10x longer  is capable of such objective verification. However, the parties appear to be at odds over which substantiation is more appropriate, with the complainant having argued that an industry standard test, as accepted by the SABS should be applied, whereas the respondent disputed this.

At the outset, it should be noted that the ACA Advisory Service provides pre-approval and general copy advice, but is not regarded as a technical expert in any specific industry or field of expertise. While they provide valuable service to the industry, the ASA does not regard its views as substantiation for the purpose of Clause 4.1 of Section II of the Code. It should also be emphasised that the ASA is obligated to apply its mind to the advertising in dispute and determine whether or not the Code has been contravened. Its decision therefore does not hinge on the opinion obtained from the ACA, and is based on a neutral interpretation of the merits of the matter.

The respondent relies predominantly on testing conducted by Intertek Semko AB, a Swedish certification body with offices across the globe. According to its website (http://www.intertek.com/what-we-do/) Intertek  delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers operations and supply chains.

The respective reports note, inter alia, that The battery expert advisory team of Intertek Semko AB has been asked by Duracell to review and comment on the  relevant testing done in accordance with the protocol that appears to have been selected and designed by the respondent.

The relevant reports (attached as Annexures F and J) provide brief synopsis of the tests. Contrary to the complainants assertion, however, the respondent did not rely on established SABS testing protocol. The respondent explained, inter alia, that:

 in certain cases, the IEC standard test applications will not accurately represent a specific device. In such situations, the IEC admits that each of the application tests is an approximation only  They also acknowledge that the load characteristics of certain equipment changes with time  As such, IEC application tests are effective to reflect the performance in a full group of devices, but are not always tailored to a specific device and therefore unable to reflect performance in that device  Duracell has thus defined a process to get a more accurate assessment of the performance of batteries in such devices  by understanding the circuitry and load conditions in use [which is]  done in collaboration with the device manufacturer and the run down protocol is eventually signed off by the device manufacturer  Once, the specific protocol  is signed off, it is submitted to a 3rd party testing facility (Intertek Semko AB) to generate the performance data 

In principle, the ASA has no reason to doubt the respondents submissions. However, it is reluctant to simply assume that SABS approved testing methodology (which by default is intended to standardise testing for accurate and representative comparison purposes) should be discarded. In addition, the reports from Intertek Semko AB are, by the respondents admission, generated using the respondents protocol.

The Directorate has two main concerns in this regard:

The Intertek Semko AB reports are silent on whether or not the respondents protocol is indeed more applicable and representative of typical user-experience and battery performance, and

The disclaimers relied on offer no additional clarity and do not assist the hypothetical reasonable person in determining whether the claims are representative.

The average consumer would not only be oblivious as to what a Just Play Ultimate Olaf battery test protocol, an RC Hero LMQ battery test protocol or a 2015 IEC digital camera test is or entails, but would have no appreciation for the fact that this test may, or may not, be representative of what one would typically experience.

To the hypothetical reasonable person, the reference to lasting ten times longer presupposes that ordinary use would deliver similar results. It is not clear why the respondent chose to forego industry standardised testing in favour of specific testing done on very specific toys when it can reasonably be assumed that the vast majority of consumers will not use the advertised batteries in those toys, and will not interpret the claim to be limited to only those toys.

The same concerns apply to the 2015 IEC digital camera test in that a hypothetical reasonable person would not comprehend the significance of the 2015 IEC digital camera test, nor appreciate that there may, or may not, be an issue with how this test applies to all types of batteries.

Assuming, purely for the sake of argument, that this test is adequate and representative (a point of dispute between the parties), the claim Lasts up to 10 times longer. Save more* appears in prominent, very large lettering on the Point of Sale material next to a Duracell bunny holding a Duracell battery while a heap of ordinary batteries is shown in the background. However, the disclaimer vs ordinary zinc carbon batteries when used in AA 2015 IEC digital camera test. Results may vary by device is included in minute, nearly illegible font at the bottom.

In addition, the disclaimer limits the broad claim to a specific battery size in a specific context. This is contradictory to the broad claim that Duracell batteries in general last up to 10 times longer. As such, the Point of Sale claims are broader than the substantiation relied on, and therefore create an impression that differs from reality.

In light of the above, the Directorate is of the view that the claims and advertising in question communicates the claims in a misleading manner, rendering them misleading and in contravention of Clause 4.2.1 of Section II of the Code.

Now read: Price of electricity in South Africa should be lower than 50c per kWh
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Reuters: National Bank of Ukraine prepares banking system for power outages

Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin calls for Turkey to be recognized as sponsor of terrorism

Bloomberg columnist says Japan may be preparing for war with China

Reuters: U.S. to demand EU colleagues to continue aid to Kyiv at G20

Washington Post: U.S. intelligence believes UAE tried to interfere in U.S. politics

Yeni Safak: Turkey increases sales of winter products, blankets in EU by almost third since beginning of year

Fox News: Trump has been silent on social media for over 24 hours amid Republican failures

Lebanon extradites to Iraq relative of Saddam Hussein

Financial Times: Kyiv plans to nationalize more private companies

U.S. Senate declares 'death' of Republican Party after congressional elections

Head of U.S. Customs resigned

President of Georgia Zourabichvili says about 100 thousand Russians settled in country

CNN: Democrats to retain control of Senate after congressional elections

Alen Simonyan: We are truly and sincerely committed to the peace agenda

Artak Beglaryan: Genocidal purpose is apparent

French maritime services rescue more than 140 migrants trying to swim across English Channel

Biden says he is satisfied with results of midterm elections in U.S.

Slovenia holds second round of presidential elections

'Witch' burned alive in India, 14 arrested

COVID-19 cases are expected to surge in Germany this winter

Dollar makes worst showing in week since early days of COVID-19 pandemic

Macron confirms France's readiness to support normalization of relations between Yerevan and Baku

Germany withdraws from Energy Charter Treaty

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

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Italy's Ambassador to Armenia visits Gyumri

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U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador Richard Hoagland published the key points of Karabakh conflict settlement, Voice of America Armenian service reported.

The six points are as follows:

The area within the boundaries of the former Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region that is not controlled by Baku should be granted interim status that, at a minimum, provides guarantees for security and self-governance.

Two: The occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh should be returned to Azerbaijani control. There can be no settlement without respect for Azerbaijans sovereignty and the recognition that sovereignty over these territories must be restored.

Three: There should be a corridor linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. It must be wide enough to provide secure passage, but it cannot encompass the entire area of the Lachin district.

Four  or five, excuse me. No, thats four. (Laughter.) An enduring settlement will have to recognize the right of all IDPs  internally displaced people  and refugees to return to their former places of residence.

Next, a settlement must include international security guarantees that would include a peacekeeping operation. There is no scenario in which peace can be assured without a well-designed peacekeeping operation that enjoys the confidence of all sides. The time has come for the sides to commit themselves to peace negotiations, building on the foundation of the work done so far.

So there we are, the core issues of policy that we are convinced  we co-chairs and our governments  could lead to a lasting peace in the area and prosperity and security for the entire region and all of its peoples and population.
When owner John Sidoff made the announcement last week that Von Trier was undergoing a remodel and would become a mid-century cocktail lounge in early 2018, he was faced with a lot of adversity  some heartfelt, some not.

"Its been quite a week. Ive seen the petition out there and looked at the comments, and there are a lot of people who truly feel badly about this," says Sidoff. "And I do too."

Sidoff says when he purchased the iconic German-themed bar eight years ago, he didnt buy it with the intention of changing it into something else.

"I wanted to keep it the same way, but businesses are based on loyal clientele, and if people don't visit and support the space, it just can't continue," he says. "I get whats happening. We try to run a first class operation, we pay our staff well and provide a nice existence, but people have so many options  so many new options that they sometimes forget about their old options. And when they forget, then these old places tend to go by the wayside."

But Sidoff isn't angry or disappointed. Instead, he is inspired about the future of the East Side and wants to appeal to both his current clientele and attract new.

"I still believe the East Side is one of the premiere neighborhoods in Milwaukee," he says. "In the past 40 years, I've seen the East Side go up and down, but I'm feeling positive about the changes happening right now."

In retrospect, Sidoff says last weeks press release didnt completely convey his plans, which include opening a mid-century cocktail lounge that reflects the pre-Von Trier history of the building.

"Before Von Trier, this was a 40s/50s/60s style lounge called Reiders," he says. "I used to stop in at Reiders after working at Frenchys (where Beans & Barley now stands) and I always really liked the place. I feel really good about bringing it back to a Reiders type of place. Its a neighborhood-type place thats rooted in history."

Recently, Sidoff pulled away one of the six panels that make up the German mural and found a mid-century abstract painting behind it. Currently, he is working with the Milwaukee Art Museum to find out who painted the massive mural, which is believed to be 9 feet tall by 30 feet wide.

"This could be the focal point of our remodeling," says Sidoff.

The transition at Von Trier isnt the first one Sidoff endured as a business owner. In 1978, he took over Hooligans and changed it from a one-story "superbar" to the two-story tavern and restaurant it is today. He also owned Century Hall and transitioned it from a music venue to a brew pub in the 80s.

Sidoff says Von Trier has been busier since the announcement was made last week  and he appreciates that.

"I am moved by the number of people who have come in to show their support since we made our announcement. I just wish there were more of them, because thats what it came down to," says Sidoff. "But most importantly, I want people to know whatever we do, we are doing it with care. We care very much about this neighborhood and this space, and when were done someday, we will leave it in even better condition than it is now."
Matthew Gage, director of the UA Office of Archaeological Research, stands on a paleoflood deposit on a bluff of the Tennessee River. Credit: Dr. Lisa Davis

With funding from energy utilities, a team of researchers at The University of Alabama are collaborating with peers across the Southeast to understand the frequency and possible size of floods along the Tennessee River that pre-date reliable weather and streamflow records.

With a better understanding of floods from the past 10,000 years, utilities can better prepare for historic natural disasters that could threaten dams and nuclear plants in and around the Tennessee River, said Dr. Lisa Davis, UA associate professor of geography, who leads the research team on this project.

"You don't just predict the worst case scenario you potentially know about because that's based on the instrumented record, which is not that long," she said. "Instead, the mentality is to seek out information about rare events and use that information to lower risk."

Although modern weather and streamflow record keeping captures a wealth of data, it only reliably extends some 150 years into the past. Big natural events, though, such as floods, can go hundreds, if not thousands, of years between occurrences.

"If something happens on a timescale of every 2,000 years, it's not very likely, but it's a good idea to be prepared for it, if it does happen, where public safety is concerned," she said. "Even just adding a few data points, one or two events, drastically helps improve estimates of these rare events."

The work is one of three similar projects funded by the Electric Power Research Institute, or EPRI, along the Tennessee River to find and gather information on paleofloods, or floods occurring before the historical record. The EPRI is a non-profit research institution supported by the energy industry.

The EPRI wants researchers to confirm enough paleoflood markers exist in the eastern United Stateswhere a more humid climate and wetter soil could erode evidence of ancient floodsas opposed to the more arid and rocky western part of the country where this method has been employed the most by dam and utility managers.

Research into this area was spurred by events at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, which suffered a meltdown and radiation leaks after a tsunami flooded the plant in 2011.

"This new interest from the utilities and the federal agencies in using paleo-dating and environmental reconstruction approaches to help gather information that's not available in any other format for risk assessment of these dams and nuclear stations has renewed interest for this type of work in the eastern United States," Davis said.

Dr. Gary Stinchcomb, of Murray State University, right, and Dr. Matthew Therrell, of The University of Alabama, examine a paleoflood deposit trapped under a rock overhang on a bluff of the Tennessee River. Credit: Dr. Lisa Davis

At UA, Davis leads a team that includes Matthew Gage, director of the UA Office of Archaeological Research; Dr. Matthew Therrell, professor of geography; Dr. Elliot Blair, assistant professor of anthropology; Dr. Rebecca Minzoni, assistant professor of geological sciences; and Dr. Natasha Dimova, assistant professor of geological sciences.

The group also includes researchers from Murray State University, University of the South, Baylor University and the University of Georgia.

The first phase of the work showed a multitude of sites in the Middle Tennessee Valley with preserved flood deposits in the vicinities of Florence, Huntsville, Guntersville and Buck's Pocket State Park in northeast Alabama. These deposits remain preserved because they are situated in backwater areas, which infrequently experience erosion, and also in caves or under cliff rock overhangs that provide shelter from wind and rain.

The researchers found preserved flood data in preliminary assessments, including new insights into a large flood in 1867 considered the flood of record for the Tennessee River. The height of the 1867 flood is only known at a few locations, meaning the preserved flood sediment could be used to validate modeled flood heights generated for locations where no measurements took place.

"Flood indicators older than 10,000 years exist in the Tennessee River Valley," Davis said, "but our project focuses on floods within the last 10,000 years to be more applicable to modern weather and climate."

Davis and her team are looking for changes in the sediment, packed like cake layers below the surface. Cores of sediment were pulled from some sites, and, generally, a change to larger sizes of sediment particles and a change in the elemental composition indicates a big flood laid down that layer of sediment, Davis said.

Also, Therrell examines tree rings, which can show past flooding, although not as far back as sediments.

The samples will be examined with x-ray fluorescence and dated with radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence techniques and compared across sites to develop a robust chronology of past flood activity along the river.

The data from this team will ultimately combine with similar projects further north conducted by other research groups. EPRI will share the information with utilities and federal agencies and communicate with them about how to use the data to inform flood risk assessments, Davis said.

"If it's found out that flood water has the potential to reach a location with no instrumented record of flooding, then this is very valuable information for minimizing risk, which cannot be obtained by any other means," she said.
Scanning electron microscope image shows Bacteroidetes bacteria on the algae Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries. Production of the toxin domoic acid seems to depend on the interaction between bacteria and algae. Credit: Sison-Mangus Lab

The disastrous 2015-16 Dungeness crab season, delayed and shortened by an unprecedented bloom of toxic algae, is a bitter memory for the West Coast fishing industry. The culprit was domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin produced by marine algae and discovered in 1987 as the cause of amnesic shellfish poisoning.

Scientists at UC Santa Cruz have made substantial progress in understanding and predicting the conditions that lead to large blooms of the toxin-producing algae (diatoms called Pseudo-nitzschia). But one aspect of these toxic algal blooms, which affect wildlife as well as economically important fisheries, remains a mystery: how do the algae make domoic acid and what triggers its production?

Marilou Sison-Mangus, an assistant professor of ocean sciences at UC Santa Cruz, explains that the algae do not always produce the toxin. "There are blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia every spring and summer along the California coast, but the toxicity varies a lot," she says. "For the seafood industry, this toxin can have a big impact, so we want to understand the mechanisms behind its production. It's a 30-year-old question."

A new grant from NOAA's Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB) Program will fund a research project led by Sison-Mangus to answer that question. Her co-investigators on this interdisciplinary project include chemistry professor Phil Crews and statistician Juhee Lee, assistant professor of applied math and statistics. The NOAA grant provides $130,000 per year for three years, but only the first year of funding is guaranteed. Funding for subsequent years depends on the availability of future NOAA appropriations.

Sison-Mangus's lab at UC Santa Cruz has been investigating the role of bacteria in the production of domoic acid by algae. It turns out that Pseudo-nitzschia itself does not have all the genes needed to synthesize the toxin.

"We think one of the precursors needed for domoic acid synthesis is produced by bacteria," Sison-Mangus said. "If that's the case, we may be able to use the presence of the bacteria as a marker to predict the toxicity of the algae."

Previous experiments by Sison-Mangus and others have shown that bacteria-free cultures of Pseudo-nitzschia are not able to produce domoic acid, while adding bacteria to the cultures restores toxin production. She has found that marine bacteria in the phylum Bacteroidetes, alone or in combination with other bacteria, consistently induce a big spike in domoic acid production in cultures of three different Pseudo-nitzschia species.

Sison-Mangus has also monitored algal blooms in Monterey Bay and found a close correlation between domoic acid levels and the presence of Bacteroidetes bacteria in association with Pseudo-nitzschia. Electron microscope images show the bacteria living on the outer surface of the algal cells.

"We know these bacteria are associated with toxic blooms the ocean, and we know they cause toxicity to spike in the lab, but we don't know the mechanisms of toxin production," Sison-Mangus said.

One part of the new research project will focus on unraveling the details of how algae and bacteria interact to produce domoic acid. Another part of the project will use monitoring data from Monterey Bay to assess how this interaction fits into the larger context of the many physical and environmental factors, such as water temperature and nutrient levels, also known to influence toxic algae blooms.

Sorting out the effects of multiple factors, all varying simultaneously in a complex system, is a challenge. But this is Juhee Lee's area of expertise, and she has developed a Bayesian statistical modeling approach that will help the researchers understand how all these factors interact to influence the development of a toxic algae bloom.
This Aug. 16, 2017, photo, shows a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 on display, in New York. Samsung is trying to move past last year's explosive Galaxy Note 7 launch with a successor sporting a dual-lens camera, animated messages, expanded note-taking and lower battery capacity. The Galaxy Note 8 will go on sale Sept. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Samsung is trying to move past last year's disastrous Galaxy Note 7 launch with a successor sporting a dual-lens camera, animated messages, expanded note-takingand lower battery capacity.

The South Korean tech giant is no longer trying to squeeze more battery power into each phone. Last year's Note 7 had to be recalled after dozens spontaneously caught fire because of defective batteries.

Samsung responded by subjecting new phones to multiple inspections, including X-rays and stress tests at extreme temperatures. And it's giving the battery more physical protection, taking up room normally available for the charge.

Although the success of this past spring's Galaxy S8 phone suggests that Samsung has recovered from the Note 7 debacle, which included bans and warnings on airline flights, any further mistakes could prove fatal.

"Here it is from the ashes, literally, a rebirth of this pretty iconic brand," said Bob O'Donnell, a veteran consumer tech analyst at Technalysis Research.

The Galaxy Note 8 will go on sale Sept. 15, about the time Apple is expected to come out with new iPhones. Advance orders for the Note 8 begin Thursday.

Samsung didn't immediately give a price as it unveiled the phone Wednesday in New York. The price is likely to be at least $850, making the phone among the most expensive. By contrast, the iPhone 7 starts at about $650 and the S8 at $750. Samsung's Note phones tend to be niche products aimed at people who use their phones more than the average consumer.

This Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, file photo shows a damaged Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on a table in Richmond, Va., after it caught fire earlier in the day. Samsung is trying to move past 2016's disastrous Galaxy Note 7 launch with a successor sporting a dual-lens camera, animated messages, expanded note-taking and lower battery capacity. (Shawn L. Minter via AP, File)

But O'Donnell said the Note 8 launch could boost interest in Samsung's mainstream phones.

"Having a halo product at the top of the line helps drive interest across the line," he said. "The Note 8 will make more people aware of the S8."

NEW AND NOT

The Note 8 phone offers significant improvements over the 2-year-old Note 5 device (Samsung skipped the Note 6).

This Aug. 16, 2017, photo, shows a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 on display, in New York. Samsung is trying to move past last year's explosive Galaxy Note 7 launch with a successor sporting a dual-lens camera, animated messages, expanded note-taking and lower battery capacity. The Galaxy Note 8 will go on sale Sept. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

But it will feel incremental next to the S8 phones, which already have one of the Note 8's signature features, an "infinity display" that maximizes screen size by reducing the frame, or bezel, surrounding the display. The Note 8's screen will measure 6.3 inches diagonally, up from the Note 7's 5.7 inches, without feeling much bigger.

The Note 8 also matches the S8 in offering the ability to unlock phones with iris patterns, free premium earbuds from Samsung's AKG brand and a slot for adding storage beyond the 64 gigabytes included.

Unlike the S8, the Note 8 will have two camera lenses on the backone with twice the magnificationallowing for sharper close-ups. The Note 8 will match Apple's iPhone 7 Plus in using that second lens for software tricks that blur out the background in portrait shots. Samsung goes further in offering more tweaking capabilities after the shot, along with anti-shake technology in both lenses (in the iPhone, only the lens with regular magnification has it).

PEN FEATURES

This Aug. 16, 2017, photo, shows the infinity screen feature of a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 on display, in New York. Samsung is trying to move past last year's explosive Galaxy Note 7 launch with a successor sporting a dual-lens camera, animated messages, expanded note-taking and lower battery capacity. The Galaxy Note 8 will go on sale Sept. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Samsung's Note line is notable for its stylus, which pops out of a slot in the phone. The new pen restores some of the hardware improvements introducedthen taken awaywith the Note 7.

The company is also bringing back popular features such as the ability to write notes on the phone's lock screen, much like a chalkboard. Samsung is expanding how much people can writeup to 100 screens full of notes, rather than just one.

It's also introducing the ability to handwrite text messages, rather than just typing them. They are sent as animated GIF files, so friends without Note 8 phones can read them, too. With Apple's Messages app, recipients must have iPhones or iPads with a recent software update for animation to work.

POWER MATTERS

This Aug. 16, 2017, photo, shows a Samsung Galaxy S8, left, a Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, center, and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 on display, in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Samsung is taking a conservative approach to its battery, as it did with the S8 phones. Capacity is reduced by 6 percent to 3,300 milliampere hours, from 3,500 in the Note 7, in part because thicker walls and other safety measures take away room once devoted to the charge. Still, Samsung says the capacity is enough for all-day use, thanks to efficiencies from better software.

To boost confidence, Samsung is also seeking certification from an outside safety lab, UL.

Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, said the fact the S8 outsold last year's S7 shows that "consumers are well past the Note 7 issues. Consumers are a forgiving bunch, and as long as there aren't strings of issues, they quickly forgive and forget."

PROSPECTS

This Aug. 16, 2017, photo, shows a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and accompanying stylus on display, in New York. Samsung is trying to move past last year's explosive Galaxy Note 7 launch with a successor sporting a dual-lens camera, animated messages, expanded note-taking and lower battery capacity. The Galaxy Note 8 will go on sale Sept. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Moorhead said Samsung's new Android phone represents its "best opportunity to gain market share from Apple as this is the first super-premium phone they've had for years."

But it comes as Apple is expected to release its own super-premium phone for the iPhone's 10th anniversary. Apple hasn't said anything about it, though it's likely to make an announcement in the coming weeks. Carolina Milanesi, a mobile tech analyst with Creative Strategies, said high-end users tend to stick with the system they already have, whether that's iPhones or Android.

 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
A blue whale off the California coast. Credit: Oregon State University

For the past two decades, scientists have documented a gradual lowering of the frequency of blue whale calls and they haven't been sure why  or even whether the phenomenon is intentional.

Other baleen whales in the North Pacific have been recorded in recent years generating vocalizations that are missing the "overtone" portions of their calls. Again, scientists are unsure why.

A new study published this week in Scientific Reports may shed some light on these mysteries. A group of acoustic researchers at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center recorded a blue whale call, then created a model to replicate that sound based on a series of controlled air bursts from the animal's vocal cords.

In other words, they showed that whales can control the frequency of their calls by blowing air through their vocal cords at a faster or slower rate.

"Our study shows that blue whales in particular  and perhaps other baleen whales in general  may be making their harmonious sounds in a much different way than previously thought," said Robert Dziak, an acoustics scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and lead author on the study. "It was long thought that they generated their calls mostly by resonating sound in large chambers or cavities in their upper respiratory system.

"But this implies that the frequency of the whale's calls are dictated by the size of the animal  the lower the frequency, the bigger the animal. We show that blue whales can make these low frequency sounds, and even change frequency in the middle of their call, by pulsing air through their vocal cords."

"That also suggests that the change in the frequency might be cognitive. They are choosing to make it higher or lower in response to some sort of environmental stimulus."

One theory is that as blue whale populations recover from commercial whaling, there are more of them and the lowering of frequency and other unusual characteristics of the calls are related to changes in population. It also is possible that an increase in ambient noise off the Pacific Coast plays a role, noted Joe Haxel, an Oregon State University acoustics specialist at Hatfield Marine Science Center.

"We conducted a year-long study of sound off the Oregon Coast and at times it can be really noisy out there," Haxel said. "In addition to vibrant natural sounds  especially waves breaking on the beach  a few long-term studies have documented a substantial increase in ocean noise over several decades from expanding container shipping traffic.

"It may be possible the whales are modulating their vocalization frequency in response to an increase in human-generated noise. They are essentially trying to find a radio channel that has less static to communicate in."

Dziak and his colleagues have created similar acoustic models to replicate the sounds of icebergs scraping across the seafloor as well as the explosions from undersea volcanic eruptions. To recreate the sound of a blue whale, they began using a clear call from a blue whale off Yaquina Head near Newport that they recorded using an undersea hydrophone that was part of a study to monitor the environmental impacts of wave energy.

They then developed acoustical models of the whale sound and incorporated anatomical respiratory system models of blue whales, the largest animals to have ever lived on Earth.

"We tried to envision a mechanism whereby whales could gradually lower the frequency of their calls through time, or produce calls with unusual harmonic structure, by only resonating sound in their upper respiratory chamber  and it was physically impossible," said Dziak, who has a courtesy appointment in OSU's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.

"Only when we pulsed air through the process of opening and closing the vocal cords did we get a way to produce sounds that can change frequencies in mid-call as well as remove overtones. And this method produced models that matched the natural Yaquina Head blue whale call very, very closely.

"Lower-frequency sounds can be produced at lower intensity by the animal than high-frequency sounds and yet low-frequency sound still travels further," Dziak pointed out. "Those factors may also play a role in the vocalization changes over the past two decades."

More information: R. P. Dziak et al. A pulsed-air model of blue whale B call vocalizations, Scientific Reports (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09423-7 Journal information: Scientific Reports
Corn has been grown in Madagascar since the 1930s. Credit: Justine Gay-des-Combes

Research by an EPFL PhD student has found a way to boost Madagascar's corn crop yields up to five times while decreasing deforestation at the same time.

As part of her PhD research at EPFL's Ecological Systems Laboratory (ECOS), Justine Gay-des-Combes discovered a sustainable method for improving the slash-and-burn farming practices traditionally used in Madagascar, whereby a wooded area is burned to create a field for growing crops. Slash-and-burn farming also plays a role in the island's deforestation.

Gay-des-Combes, an environmental engineering student, spent two years conducting tests in two villages in the southwest of the country. The fruit of her labors is a socially responsible and environmentally friendly system that involves generating compost and refurbishing water wells; she also set up training sessions for local farmers on how to use her method.

"Slash-and-burn farming is deeply ingrained in Madagascan culture, so I decided to respect this traditional method while making it more sustainable," says Gay-des-Combes. During her project, she took measurements in corn crops, performed tests in new fields, and carried out carefully controlled experiments in pots.

Farmers using the ancestral method burn entire swaths of old-growth forests  and sometimes second-growth forests  and spread the ashes on the ground as fertilizer. To test her research hypothesis, Gay-des-Combes selectively cut down trees in second-growth forests instead of burning them completely and placed some compost around the corn seeds that were planted in areas where ashes had been spread using the traditional method. The tests were carried out on soil that was no longer considered fertile in order to determine whether effective synergies existed between the ashes and compost.

Building on a little-known method

After developing and testing her method in 2014 and 2015, she was able to boost crop yields by a factor of five relative to traditional farming methods. The corn she planted grew to be 240 cm tall versus 140 cm with the traditional method, and the harvest had more and better-quality ears. Her crop yields might have been even higher if it wasn't for a cyclone that hit the island in 2015.

"Not many farmers know about combining ashes and compost," says Gay-des-Combes. "Some of them think the ashes will burn the compost, but in fact, the ashes raise the soil's pH to neutral, which is good for tropical regions like Madagascar where the soil is highly acidic. The ashes also help release phosphorus and other nutrients that are important for plants. And the compost provides the organic matter and nitrogen that are missing in both the barren soil and the ashes  that also helps keep moisture in the soil. This method not only makes the soil more fertile, it also makes farming it more sustainable."

Because Madagascan farmers didn't have enough household waste to create the necessary amount of compost, Gay-des-Combes decided to make it out of branches from nearby trees that had been left unused. "We cut the branches into tiny pieces using a machete and a woodchipper, and then we put the pieces into one-meter-deep pits. We stirred the mixtures once a week and controlled the moisture level in the pits. Seven to eight months later, the compost was ready."

Wells and training

Another challenge was finding the water needed to maintain the compost. Gay-des-Combes created a non-profit organization called Blue for Green and through it raised funds with the help of EPFL's engineering student association Ingenieurs du Monde, of which she is a member and former president. She also got help from the Vaud Cooperation Federation (Fedevaco) to refurbish four wells and build a new one.

"The wells serve two purposes: they let us maintain the compost, and they provide a source of drinking water near the villages," says Gay-des-Combes. "We work with four instructors who maintain the wells, teach our farming methods to local farmers, and give advice on healthcare and hygiene. Half of the five hundred farmers who were trained have already tried our method of creating compost in pits. But it was hard to get them to understand the importance of regularly watering the 35 pits during a drought, when they already had to wait in line at wells to get water for their own use. So we are developing an automatic watering method to make it easier for them."

Resisting cyclones

One section of Gay-des-Combes' thesis discusses the effect that cyclones have on crops in Madagascar, comparing the 2015 cyclone season with a typical year. Crop yields drop by 75 percent after a cyclone, an increasingly frequent occurrence due to global warming. But adding compost to fields and leaving some trees standing  as is done in agroforestry  can prevent soil erosion and leaching by maintaining the ground's structure and retaining some of the soil's nutrients.

Gay-des-Combes' thesis supervisor is Alexandre Buttler, Director of ECOS; he has been performing research in Madagascar for over a decade. He believes her work will open new horizons: "The ultimate goal of our research at EPFL is to give farmers a way to plant the same soil year after year instead of using old-growth forests as a source of soil. Justine's thesis gives us some promising leads in the effort to improve crop yields and soil sustainability in one of the poorest regions in the world."

More information: Justine Gay-des-Combes, "Improving slash-and-burn agriculture in Central Menabe," Madagascar, 30 June 2017.
Infographic represents the roadmaps developed by Jacobson et al for 139 countries to use 100 percent wind-water-solar in all energy sectors by 2050. Credit: The Solutions Project

The latest roadmap to a 100% renewable energy future from Stanford's Mark Z. Jacobson and 26 colleagues is the most specific global vision yet, outlining infrastructure changes that 139 countries can make to be entirely powered by wind, water, and sunlight by 2050 after electrification of all energy sectors. Such a transition could mean less worldwide energy consumption due to the efficiency of clean, renewable electricity; a net increase of over 24 million long-term jobs; an annual decrease in 4-7 million air pollution deaths per year; stabilization of energy prices; and annual savings of over $20 trillion in health and climate costs. The work appears August 23 in the journal Joule, Cell Press's new publication focused on sustainable energy.

The challenge of moving the world toward a low-carbon future in time to avoid exacerbating global warming and to create energy self-sufficient countries is one of the greatest of our time. The roadmaps developed by Jacobson's group provide one possible endpoint. For each of the 139 nations, they assess the raw renewable energy resources available to each country, the number of wind, water, and solar energy generators needed to be 80% renewable by 2030 and 100% by 2050, how much land and rooftop area these power sources would require (only around 1% of total available, with most of this open space between wind turbines that can be used for multiple purposes), and how this approach would reduce energy demand and cost compared with a business-as-usual scenario.

"Both individuals and governments can lead this change. Policymakers don't usually want to commit to doing something unless there is some reasonable science that can show it is possible, and that is what we are trying to do," says Jacobson, director of Stanford University's Atmosphere and Energy Program and co-founder of the Solutions Project, a U.S. non-profit educating the public and policymakers about a transition to 100% clean, renewable energy. "There are other scenarios. We are not saying that there is only one way we can do this, but having a scenario gives people direction."

The analyses specifically examined each country's electricity, transportation, heating/cooling, industrial, and agriculture/forestry/fishing sectors. Of the 139 countriesselected because they were countries for which data were publically available from the International Energy Agency and collectively emit over 99% of all carbon dioxide worldwidethe places the study showed that had a greater share of land per population (e.g., the United States, China, the European Union) are projected to have the easiest time making the transition to 100% wind, water, and solar. Another learning was that the most difficult places to transition may be highly populated, very small countries surrounded by lots of ocean, such as Singapore, which may require an investment in offshore solar to convert fully.

As a result of a transition, the roadmaps predict a number of collateral benefits. For example, by eliminating oil, gas, and uranium use, the energy associated with mining, transporting and refining these fuels is also eliminated, reducing international power demand by around 13%. Because electricity is more efficient than burning fossil fuels, demand should go down another 23%. The changes in infrastructure would also mean that countries wouldn't need to depend on one another for fossil fuels, reducing the frequency of international conflict over energy. Finally, communities currently living in energy deserts would have access to abundant clean, renewable power.

"Aside from eliminating emissions and avoiding 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming and beginning the process of letting carbon dioxide drain from the Earth's atmosphere, transitioning eliminates 4-7 million air pollution deaths each year and creates over 24 million long-term, full-time jobs by these plans," Jacobson says. "What is different between this study and other studies that have proposed solutions is that we are trying to examine not only the climate benefits of reducing carbon but also the air pollution benefits, job benefits, and cost benefits"

Mark Z. Jacobson explains the energy transition timeline for 139 countries to 100 percent wind, water, and solar for all purposes by 2050. Credit: Jacobson et al./Joule 2017

The Joule paper is an expansion of 2015 roadmaps to transition each of the 50 United States to 100% clean, renewable energy (DOI: 10.1039/C5EE01283J) and an analysis of whether the electric grid can stay stable upon such a transition (DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1510028112). Not only does this new study cover nearly the entire world, there are also improved calculations on the availability of rooftop solar energy, renewable energy resources, and jobs created versus lost.

The 100% clean, renewable energy goal has been criticized by some for focusing only on wind, water, and solar energy and excluding nuclear power, "clean coal," and biofuels. However, the researchers intentionally exclude nuclear power because of its 10-19 years between planning and operation, its high cost, and the acknowledged meltdown, weapons proliferation, and waste risks. "Clean coal" and biofuels are neglected because they both cause heavy air pollution, which Jacobson and coworkers are trying to eliminate, and emit over 50 times more carbon per unit of energy than wind, water, or solar power.

The 100% wind, water, solar studies have also been questioned for depending on some technologies such as underground heat storage in rocks, which exists only in a few places, and the proposed use of electric and hydrogen fuel cell aircraft, which exist only in small planes at this time. Jacobson counters that underground heat storage is not required but certainly a viable option since it is similar to district heating, which provides 60% of Denmark's heat. He also says that space shuttles and rockets have been propelled with hydrogen, and aircraft companies are now investing in electric airplanes. Wind, water, and solar can also face daily and seasonal fluctuation, making it possible that they could miss large demands for energy, but the new study refers to a new paper that suggests these stability concerns can be addressed in several ways.

These analyses have also been criticized for the massive investment it would take to move a country to the desired goal. Jacobson says that the overall cost to society (the energy, health, and climate cost) of the proposed system is one-fourth of that of the current fossil fuel system. In terms of upfront costs, most of these would be needed in any case to replace existing energy, and the rest is an investment that far more than pays itself off over time by nearly eliminating health and climate costs.

"It appears we can achieve the enormous social benefits of a zero-emission energy system at essentially no extra cost," says co-author Mark Delucchi, a research scientist at the Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Berkeley. "Our findings suggest that the benefits are so great that we should accelerate the transition to wind, water, and solar, as fast as possible, by retiring fossil-fuel systems early wherever we can."

"This paper helps push forward a conversation within and between the scientific, policy, and business communities about how to envision and plan for a decarbonized economy," writes Mark Dyson of Rocky Mountain Institute, in an accompanying preview of the paper. "The scientific community's growing body of work on global low-carbon energy transition pathways provides robust evidence that such a transition can be accomplished, and a growing understanding of the specific levers that need to be pulled to do so. Jacobson et al.'s present study provides sharper focus on one scenario, and refines a set of priorities for near-term action to enable it."
Campers prepare for the Army Corp's deadline to leave the Oceti Sakowin protest camp on February 22, 2017 in Cannon Ball, North Dakota

The operator of a controversial US oil pipeline, which was the focus of months of protests by Native American tribes, on Tuesday sued several environmental groups, claiming they spread false information and incite violence.

Energy Transfer Partners launched broad accusations against Greenpeace and other environmental groups, alleging racketeering, defamation and inciting violence that amounted to "eco-terrorism" among other charges, for actions taken against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Greenpeace rejected the claims, saying they amounted to "harassment by corporate bullies."

The $3.8-billion, 1,172-mile (1,886-kilometer) oil pipeline was the focus of months-long protests in 2016 by dozens of North American tribes and environmental groups.

Their numbers at times swelling into the thousands, protestors camped on land in North Dakota near the pipeline's planned path under a river and man-made lakethe source of drinking water for the nearby Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

Among other accusations, the lawsuit claims environmental groups made false charges, including that the pipeline operator did not properly consult tribes near the route.

The environmental groups "manufacture sensational and grossly misrepresented causes designed exclusively to perpetuate and enrich" themselves through donations, the lawsuit alleged.

Greenpeace responded with its own broadside against the legal firm representing the pipeline operator, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP. The firm's managing partner is US President Donald Trump's longtime attorney.

"This is the second consecutive year Donald Trump's go-to attorneys at the Kasowitz law firm have filed a meritless lawsuit against Greenpeace," the non-profit's attorney Tom Wetterer said in a statement, adding that the lawsuit "repackages spurious allegations."

"They are apparently trying to market themselves as corporate mercenaries willing to abuse the legal system to silence legitimate advocacy work."

While the pipeline is now operating, the legal battle over its future remains unresolved.

In January, Trump issued an executive order directing federal officials to reconsider further delays in the project, which was quickly followed by the Army Corps of Engineers issuing final permits.

But a federal judge ordered a new environmental review in June, saying officials did not fully consider the effects of a possible oil spill on the fishing and hunting rights of the Standing Rock Sioux.

 2017 AFP
Prof. Duzheng YE (also spelt Tu-Cheng Yeh), the recipient of the 48th IMO Prize in 2003, was one of the main founders of modern meteorology in China. Credit: Advances in Atmospheric Sciences

It is not unusual that two similar scientific ideas on a particular phenomenon may echo each other across a long time span, unknown to the authors. Such an unintentional duet over history illustrates the amazing beauty of science by clearly showing that progress is not necessarily a linear process, but it is often accumulative.

A recent paper, "Evolving perspectives on the abrupt seasonal changes of the general circulation," which has just appeared in issue No. 10 of Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, tells such a story in the field of atmospheric science. The authors are Professor Jianhua Lu from the Sun Yat-sen University, and Professor Tapio Schneider from the California Institute of Technology.

Carl-Gustaf Rossby, the founder of modern dynamical meteorology, wrote in a short note published in 1951 that "there is [...] every reason to expect, during the next few years, an extremely vigorous development of Chinese meteorology, and as a result, many significant realistic contributions from that part of world." Exemplifying Rossby's expectation, Tu-cheng Yeh (Duzheng Ye)one of Rossby's protegestogether with his colleagues Shih-yen Dao and Mei-tsun Li from the Chinese Academy of Sciences published "The abrupt change of circulation over the Northern Hemisphere during June and October" in the Rossby Memorial Volume eight years later.

Yeh-Dao-Li (1959) viewed the abrupt seasonal change of the general circulation, of which monsoons are a part, as a broad phenomenon, and further conjectured that it was caused by a certain type of "instability" in the atmosphere. They went on to propose a model experiment to test whether such an instability can occur without the inhomogeneities of the underlying boundary conditions (e.g., land-sea contrasts), which have traditionally been considered essential for monsoons and abrupt seasonal changes.

The advent of numerical general circulation models (GCMs) put the experiments proposed by Yeh-Dao-Li (1959) within reach. Indeed, numerical simulations successfully reproduce abrupt seasonal transitions of the general circulation, including monsoon transitions. However, by including lower-boundary inhomogeneities, these modeling studies were still not the numerical version of the experiment proposed by Yeh-Dao-Li (1959). A half-century passed after the publication of Yeh-Dao-Li (1959) before GCM experiments corresponding to the laboratory experiment proposed by Yeh-Dao-Li (1959) were conducted (Schneider and Bordoni, 2008; Bordoni and Schneider, 2008), though the authors of these recent studies were unaware of Yeh-Dao-Li's proposal decades earlier. They did, indeed, find abrupt seasonal transitions of the circulation without inhomogeneities at the lower boundary.

The paper in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences summarizes the circulation feedbacks that lead to the abrupt seasonal transitions found in the model experiments without lower-boundary inhomogeneities. It also emphasizes the work that still remains to be done to establish a comprehensive theoretical framework of seasonal transitions and to answer open questions such as:

How does the strength and structure of a Hadley cell depend on external factors such as the solar declination angle? What controls when and how rapidly the circulation undergoes seasonal transitions? How and to what extent do surface inhomogeneities such as land-sea contrasts modulate the internal rearrangement of the atmospheric circulation during the seasonal transitions? Can the seasonal transitions be understood as an instability of the circulation as forcing parameters move through a critical region, as originally conjectured by Yeh-Dao-Li (1959)?

The paper appears in a special issue arising from last year's symposium in Nanjing organized by the Institute of Atmospheric Phyics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, to commemorate Professor Duzheng Yeh's more than 60 years of achievements before he passed away in 2013. Prof. Duzheng Ye was well known for his contributions to the theory and observation of the general circulation of the atmosphere. He was awarded the 48th IMO (International Meteorological Organization) Prize in 2003.

More information: Jianhua Lu et al, Evolving perspectives on abrupt seasonal changes of the general circulation, Advances in Atmospheric Sciences (2017). DOI: 10.1007/s00376-017-7068-4
Goniobranchus_splendidus: fish use the yellow rim to identify the danger. Credit: Anne Winters

Predator animals have long been known to avoid devouring brightly coloured and patterned prey, and now an international study has revealed more about how they recognise toxic species.

University of Queensland Visual Ecology Lab member Dr Karen Cheney, of the School of Biological Sciences, said researchers examined sea slugs, or nudibranchs, which had bright colour patterns to warn predators they contained toxic defences.

The researchers theorised that there should be little variation in prey species' visual warning signals, as this could hinder how predators learnt that a particular species should not be eaten, due to being toxic or tasting terrible.

"However, the study  led by UQ's Dr Anne Winters  provides evidence of how variation in animal coloration can evolve and be maintained," Dr Cheney said.

"We have demonstrated that due to natural colour pattern variation, a fish only learns to recognise the consistent parts of the colour pattern that the Gonibranchus splendidus nudibranch displays, and not the parts of its pattern that change."

The Gonibranchus splendidus displays a consistent yellow rim bordering a white area that has variable red patterns. The species is found on reefs from the Southern Great Barrier Reef to NSW.

Credit: University of Queensland

"We showed that fish predators (triggerfish Rhinecanthus aculeatus) only pay attention to the yellow border of the colour pattern when learning avoidance of the signal and they pay little attention to the red spots," Dr Cheney said.

"Down the coast of Australia, the colour and pattern of the nudibranch's red spots is highly variable between different populations. However, the yellow rim is very consistent.

"Natural selection may act on parts of the colour pattern in very different ways, allowing for the yellow rim to be stable, but the red spots to be highly variable."

Dr Cheney said many species ate sea sponges, from which they obtained and stored compounds distasteful to predators.

Divers and underwater photographers had long been fascinated with nudibranchs' diverse colour patterns, she said.

Credit: University of Queensland

More information: Anne E. Winters et al. Stabilizing selection on individual pattern elements of aposematic signals, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2017). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0926 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Credit: University of Kansas

With perishable inventory and slim profit margins, the grocery business is notoriously tough. The mobile grocery business is even tougher. Two entities  one for-profit and the other notthat in recent years ran mobile groceries in the Kansas City area have shut down.

But Professor of Architecture & Design Nils Gore and doctoral student Matt Kleinmann think they've cracked the code with a soon-to-hit-the-streets mobile market. It's under construction right now in the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design's East Hills Design-Build Center.

Gore and Kleinmann believe they have some good ideas for transforming a former beer-delivery truck into a mobile grocery store. But more important than that, they say, is the work Kleinmann, whose educational focus is on public health, has done over the past 18 months studying the food-desert landscape and lining up partners from both the nonprofit and for-profit worlds.

It all began as a project of the Dotte Agency, founded in 2013 by Gore, Kleinmann and Associate Professor of Architecture Shannon Criss. The storefront at 611 N. Sixth St. in Kansas City, Kansas, serves as a base for the public-interest design work of the principals and their students.

Kleinmann said that in early 2016 Jerry S. Jones Jr., executive director of the nonprofit Wyandotte County Community Health Council, invited him to a meeting with representatives of Humana health insurance company.

"They said they'd like to do a mobile market and asked whether I was interested," Kleinmann said. "I said yes. We have the capacity, the students. We spent six months brainstorming. I met with people who run mobile markets like Harvesters, grocers and community groups. There is a huge amount of need in Wyandotte County. Specifically, northeast Kansas City, Kansas, is considered a food desert, which simply means a place where people have low incomes and low access to fresh foods. Over 21,000 people there live in a food desert."

And yet, Kleinmann noted, mobile markets "fail all the time."

The nonprofit Cultivate Kansas City ran one for four years, he said, "until their grant funds ran out and they had to close. And one that launched in March 2016, Rollin' Grocer, just announced that they have ceased operations for a year. It's not a totally sustainable business.  The challenge is when we can't get grocery stores built  for whatever reason  do we wait, or do we find other ways to get food to people?"

Part of the problem, Kleinmann said, is the $30,000 fee the area's dominant grocery supplier, Associated Wholesale Grocers, charges customers to join its cooperative creates a barrier to entry. Also, in order for grocery stores to join the federal government's WIC (Women, Infants & Children) nutrition program, which Kleinmann called "the easiest thing we can do to increase public health," a grocer must carry a variety of foods that enables customers to make healthy meals.

So Kleinmann has reached an agreement with an alternative, grassroots grocery supplier, Texas Valley Foods, which is an outgrowth of Kansas City's popular El Torito Supermart and restaurant, and the mobile market will be WIC-compliant.

The sustainability question

Then there is the issue of design. As opposed to a school bus or trailer that some mobile markets have used, doors on one side of the former beer truck can be raised once on site to reveal its contents, drawing in potential customers.

"Most mobile markets require you to climb up inside to see what's for sale, but at least you can see what's available with our design," Kleinmann said.

The truck was purchased with grants from Humana, the Community Health Council and ECS, and it is being renovated with funding from Menorah Heritage Foundation and the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.

Another issue that has occupied Kleinmann's time is that of zoning and permitting.

"We're treated like a farmers' market," he said. "If we make 20 stops a week, we would need 20 permits. And what if we want to go to a church or school that is not zoned for commercial? Legally, we can't go."

Thus, Kleinmann said, he's been working with community partners and officials of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, to address this pitfall. A solution may require a change in city regulations.

If those hurdles can be overcome, there is still the sustainability question.

"The biggest thing we heard from the community is that it needs to be affordable," Kleinmann said.

The truck will be owned by the nonprofit Episcopal Community Services. And the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City has provided ECS with a $75,000 grant that the mobile market will use to employ two staffers  one to drive and stock the truck and another who will serve as a bilingual English-Spanish clerk and nutrition educator.

Per the agreement, most of the profit from mobile market sales will go to Texas Valley. The organizers are also developing a network of health care partners that can provide additional rebates to customers who shop at the mobile market.

Kleinmann said he has consulted with Charlotte Tritch, associate director of entrepreneurship programs and a lecturer at KU's School of Business, and her students about the mobile market business plan.

"They concluded that if the startup costs could be covered by others and ECS owns the truck and Texas Valley owns the inventory, that will equate to better prices and allow a profit margin to make it economically sustainable," he said.

"This type of research is about prototyping things, developing new business models," Gore said. "That's where the innovation is. They are micro changes on a lot of different levels, but if you add them up, it could be significant."

"It's interdisciplinary," Kleinmann said. "It's a little business, a little design, a little public health, a little bit law."

If the legal challenges can be surmounted, Kleinmann and Gore hope the mobile market can hit the streets of Wyandotte County and Kansas City by year's end. Kleinmann said he hopes the mobile market will ultimately be run by a community advisory board. One of their first tasks will be to choose a name for the mobile market based on submissions being received from Wyandotte County residents.

"As long as it's economically sustainable, there is no reason it can't keep operating indefinitely," Kleinmann said.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Australian biologist and climate science denialist Jennifer Marohasy and computer scientist John Abbot have published a paper in the journal GeoResJ outlining their study of climate change using neural network technologytheir results show that the climate changes the world is now experiencing are almost completely natural. Marohasy offers an additional explanation and outline of their work on her blog. Also, alt-right news site Breitbart offers a take on the work.

Most scientists around the world have reached a consensus on global warmingit is happening, and it is happening because humans have ejected so much CO2 into the atmosphere. But Marohasy and Abbot claim that this consensus is built on a faulty base, one decided upon almost a century ago, when work was done to learn about the heat absorption potential of carbon dioxide. They suggest further that so little work has been done since that time applying the principles globally that it is impossible to prove that carbon dioxide has the ability to impact world temperatures. For that reason, they began collecting data from prior studies that offered a means of temperature reading over the past 2000 yearstree rings, coral cores etc. They fed that data into a neural network that Abbot has been using to predict rainfall patterns in Australia for the past several years. The network functions by looking at patterns and learning about given situationsin this case, global temperature patterns over the course of 2000 years, and then offers predictions.

The researchers report that the computer predicted temperatures rising in roughly the same way as they have based on real-world measuresin the absence of added carbon dioxidewhich suggests that carbon dioxide is not the cause. They also note that there was a time known as the Medieval Warm Period that ran from approximately 986 to 1234, when temperatures were roughly equal to those today. This, the two researchers suggest, offers evidence that the planet would have heated to the degree it has regardless of whether humans pumped carbon dioxide into the atmosphere for a hundred years or not. They note that their results also showed global temperature averages declining after 1980, which coincides with the slowdown noted by other mainstream scientists, but not fully explained. They suggest the warming we are now experiencing is mostly naturally occurring and that it will likely abate just as it has done in the past.

The research was funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation. GeoResJ journal will be discontinued from January 2018 and is closed to new submissions.

More information: John Abbot et al. The application of machine learning for evaluating anthropogenic versus natural climate change, GeoResJ (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.grj.2017.08.001

 2017 Phys.org
Teenager Emily Lieber needed a ride home from the bus stop, so she did what her parents might do: She called Uber.

When the driver showed up, he told the Hollywood, Fla., teen, then 13, that she was too young to ride. So she called another Uber. And off she went.

Emily is one of many teens who are turning to ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft to help them meet their busy schedules, particularly as school starts back up. Some parents even use the services to get their children to school.

It's against company policy - but it is not illegal - for drivers to pick up anyone under 18 unless they have an adult with them, but many drivers do it anyway and many parents don't know it violates the rules.

Teens who violate Uber's under-18 rule risk losing their account, said company spokeswoman Jodi Page. She said some underage riders have been removed from the app, but she declined to say how many.

Uber officials would neither explain the reason for the under-18 rule nor answer questions about how they are enforcing it. They also declined to say what happens to drivers who transport underage riders.

"Our terms and conditions and community guidelines specifically state that an account holder needs to be an adult (18 or older) to have an account," Page said via email. "If not, a parent or guardian must be with them at all times. When riders sign up they agree to follow this policy."

But some say Uber is well aware of the growing trend that bucks their own policy.

"They know what's happening and are looking the other way," said Harry Campbell, a Los Angeles-based blogger at The Rideshare Guy. "It's kind of a mess for drivers because they're getting tons of requests for rides from teens and Uber is not doing anything (to enforce its own rule)."

Lyft officials declined to answer any questions for this story.

Critics say parents who let their kids take Uber and Lyft are taking a risk because their drivers aren't put through the same rigorous background checks applied to cab drivers.

"Just because an app makes it easy, doesn't mean it's safe - or wise," said Dave Sutton, spokesman for WhosDrivingYou.org, a taxi industry group that is pushing for stricter screening rules for Uber and Lyft drivers.

"It's important to screen out a bad driver ahead of time," Sutton said. "Once you're in the car, it's too late."

Yellow Cab President John Camillo says his company requires intensive background checks conducted by law enforcement.

"Every driver is fingerprinted," he said. "If my driver does not use the proper name, you can't fool the fingerprints. They are sent to the FBI and they do a national search. I think our background checks are infinitely better."

All Uber drivers undergo a background check that includes a review of their driving record and criminal history, Page said. The screening is done by a background check service accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners. Uber also provides live GPS tracking and a "Share My Trip" feature that lets customers share trip details in real time with family and friends, she said.

Still, some Uber drivers have been accused of crimes against their passengers, critics note.

A year ago, a Boca Raton, Fla., man working as an Uber driver was arrested after three women accused him of rape in three separate incidents. And in May, an Uber driver in Kissimmee, Fla., was accused of raping a 14-year-old customer traveling alone who had requested a ride to her aunt's house.

South Florida mom Rhonda Tescher has seen the headlines, but lets her 15-year-old daughter take Uber as long as she has two friends along.

"I never let her take it by herself," she said.

Allyson Tomchin, Emily's mom, had no clue about Uber's "no unaccompanied minors" policy and neither did her children, who range in age from 13 to 17.

Tomchin says her kids started using Uber a couple of years ago because it's convenient and cheap. To catch a ride, customers just download a free app and pay for rides using their smartphones.

Tomchin's stepdaughter Emily, now 14, has taken Uber dozens of times and was denied a ride for being underage only that one time.

"It doesn't surprise me the company has that rule, but it's definitely not being enforced," Tomchin said.

She said Uber has been a godsend for her and her husband, Rand Lieber.

"We have super busy schedules and so do the kids," she said. "We're all doing different things at different times. Uber helps us accommodate everyone's schedule."

She also thinks her kids will be safe as long as they Uber together.

"I know the name of the driver, the license plate and the route they're driving," she said.

But not every parent is a fan.

Jennifer Rosinski, a Cooper City, Fla., mom with four kids, says she would never send any of them off on their own with an Uber driver.

"I don't think it's safe," she said. "I'm just not comfortable putting my child in a car with someone I don't know."

Boca Raton dad Bruce Gipson says his 17-year-old daughter has taken Uber a few times to get to and from work - without his knowledge.

"I didn't know she'd used it until I asked her how she got home," he said. "I'm not real thrilled about it because you don't know who's picking you up."

Gipson, a retired Miami Beach firefighter, says he had no idea about Uber's ban on transporting minors.

Now, he said, he longer has to worry about it.

"I bought her a car in December," he said.

2017 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
More than 2 billion people log into Facebook every month. Every day, the social-media crowd uploads billions of photos, calls up hundreds of millions of hours of video, and fires off a prodigious flurry of likes and comments. Somebody has to store that slice of humanity's digital record.

Much of that task falls to Surendra Verma, a Seattle engineer who for more than 20 years has been building software that files away and retrieves large volumes of data.

Verma leads the storage team at Facebook, the group charged with making sure that the social network can accommodate its daily deluge without losing someone's wedding photos.

Most of that unit is based in Seattle, part of a workforce that today numbers 1,600 people, up from just 400 three years ago. That makes Facebook one of the fastest- growing technology companies - outside of Amazon, anyway - in the city.

While Facebook employees work on a wide range of products in Seattle, the office has developed a specialty in the geeky realm of systems software.

About a quarter of the Facebook engineers in Seattle work on the company's infrastructure projects, the tools to transmit, store and analyze the growing heap of data people feed into the social network.

That's a common trade in the region, where Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and Google are all building their own clouds - giant, globe-straddling networks of data centers and the software that manages them.

Facebook could have built its products on computing power rented from those cloud giants, but it decided to build its own tools, from custom hardware designs all the way to mobile applications. Supporting Facebook's network are nine massive data centers - a 10th, in Ohio, was announced earlier this month.

Facebook's cloud is different from the others' in that it's designed to support just one customer: Facebook's own apps.

They happen to be some of the most widely used pieces of software in the world - and their use keeps expanding.

Verma is an Indian-born engineer who got his start at IBM before moving to Microsoft, where he worked most recently on Windows file systems. He joined Facebook in 2015.

By then, the Seattle office had come to pilot Facebook's storage-software efforts. "We could find some very good engineers here," he said. "And so a bunch of these projects started, and just got momentum from there."

His team's job, he said, is to be invisible to Facebook's product groups, letting the company's other engineers build whatever they can think up on top of a reliable foundation.

But a wave of new services, and the rapid growth in the number and quality of videos and photos that people share, is putting a huge burden on the network's infrastructure.

Facebook in January 2016 started a monthslong rollout of live video streaming, a milestone in the social network's effort to compete with popular streaming services.

Then Instagram Stories, aimed at competing with the ephemeral photo-sharing application Snapchat, launched last August, and quickly made its way to 250 million monthly users. (Facebook bought Instagram in 2012.)

Up next: live video broadcasts on Instagram, called Live Stories, a feature the product group hoped to launch before Thanksgiving.

Verma's team wasn't sure its systems could meet that deadline, and negotiated a few days of delay on the planned start date. After scrambling, the team scraped together the internal storage space needed to accommodate the new feature, which went live Nov. 21.

"We looked very hard at our capacity, everywhere," Verma said. "We scrounged everything we could, looked at nooks and crannies."

One of the people doing the looking was J.R. Tipton, a manager on Verma's team.

Tipton left the Chicago suburbs and came to Seattle in 2001 for the same reason as thousands of others in the 1990s and 2000s: a job offer from Microsoft.

Fifteen years later, he became part of another phenomenon reshaping the region, opting to leave maturing Microsoft for a job with a younger tech giant in the area.

"I wanted an adventure," Tipton said of his move to Facebook last year.

Tipton and Verma are among the 640 people at Facebook in Seattle who, on LinkedIn, list past experience at Microsoft.

Seattle, home to Boeing's legions of engineers long before Microsoft came along, has never really been a one-company town. But the range of options for technologists has ballooned in the last decade, with Amazon uncorking another Microsoft-like growth spurt, and Silicon Valley giants seeding local outposts to scoop up some of the talented software developers here.

When Facebook set up shop in Seattle in 2010, it was the company's first U.S. engineering office outside its Menlo Park, Calif., headquarters. Last year, Facebook Seattle, which then numbered about 1,000, moved into nine floors of custom-designed office space. That was followed in short order by two more leases that would give the company enough space for about 5,000 employees in Seattle.

Today, Tipton works on the Facebook system that is the last line of defense keeping people's photos and videos from getting wiped out by a software error or power outage at a data center.

That would be cold storage, the backup system storing redundant copies of all of the photos, videos and other data Facebook stores.

The engineers who designed the system in 2013 wanted to build something more efficient than the typical rack of servers, which suck up energy both to keep their hard drives powered on and to run the fans and air-circulation systems that keep the stack of electronics from overheating.

The company landed on a design that leaves most hard drives in Facebook's rows of servers powered down until needed, hence the "cold" in cold storage.

The software built to run that system was designed to handle plenty of growth in the amount of data people were throwing at Facebook.

Each cold-storage room in Facebook's data centers was built to house up to one exabyte of data. That's 1,000 petabytes, or 1 billion gigabytes, or the combined hard drive space of 500,000 top-of-the-line MacBook Pro laptops.

"At the time, it seemed laughably huge," Tipton said of the software layer built to manage all of that.

Last year, it became clear it wouldn't be enough, the result of growth in both the number of Facebook users and the launch of data-intensive features like Instagram's Live Stories.

Tipton and his Seattle-based group spent the first half of 2016 taking a long look at the cold-storage software, which was starting to show its age in a world of 360-degree video. They could invest more time and energy in keeping the old architecture working, or rebuild.

They opted to rebuild.

"It has to be much, much bigger," he said.

Tipton has metaphors at the ready to describe that continuing challenge, the fruit of years explaining his day job to nontechies.

"You stand on top of a hill and see the buffalo herd coming," he said.

And if that doesn't sound harrowing enough, he tries again: "We're basically laying the railroad track down as the train is coming."

2017 The Seattle Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

That love and marriage "go together like a horse and carriage" is very much a modern notion. In the past, most marriages were based on material interests, and couples had to make the best of them, says LMU ethnologist Dr. Annegret Braun.

In context of recent history, the linkage between love, romance and marriage reached its peak in the 1980s. Since then, the marriage rate has steadily fallen, while the proportion of long-term partnerships (both hetero- and homosexual) and the incidence of patchwork families have both risen. However, according to the pairfam study, a longitudinal and multidisciplinary study that began in 2008, one of the major reasons for the decision to start a family has not changed since time immemorial.

Love is not the only conceivable basis for marriage. In the 1980s, a popular farming magazine published the following advertisement in its Personal columns: "Farmer (23) seeks woman with combine harvester (minimal header width: 250 cm) as potential marriage partner. Please include a photo of the combine with your response. The business-like tone of this ad may sound disconcerting to us, but it would not have raised eyebrows anywhere in Europe 150 years ago. In those days, the financial situation of the potential partners  together with their membership of the same social class  was the crucial factor in determining a couple's eligibility for marriage. At that time, "most marriages were still arranged by the parents of the bride and groom," as Dr. Annegret Braun of the Institute of European Ethnology at LMU points out. The well-off bourgeoisie took care that romantic novels did not find their way into the hands of their nubile daughters  in order to avoid giving the latter any misleading ideas as to the place of emotions in the choice of a marriage partner! In fact, only the poor could 'afford' to marry for love, and women were then rather more likely to think of love in terms of affection. The most important qualities of a husband were the ability to provide for his wife and family, a good character and a gentle disposition, "and many wives were forced to give their future husbands the benefit of the doubt," says Braun.

In rural areas, sexual relationships were recognized as legitimate only if the couple involved were already betrothed, i.e. engaged. But, of course, then  as ever  young people did not always follow the rules, and couples would often steal off into the fields after the dances at the crossroads. "But if an unmarried woman became pregnant, she had to be able to prove that she had indeed received a pledge of marriage  by producing an engagement ring in court, for instance." In Bavaria, the rate of illegitimacy was particularly high in mountainous areas. "The high Alpine meadows were regarded as dens of iniquity, because social controls in such relatively inaccessible areas were less effective," Braun (herself a native of Swabia) explains. In fact, in many Alpine regions, dairy farmers were not allowed to employ milkmaids in the summer pastures. In bourgeois households, on the other hand, it was not uncommon for brides to have little idea of what marriage entailed. "Many of them fled in terror on their first encounter with their husbands in the marriage bed."

In the vast majority of marriages, the partners were in one respect very unevenly matched. "Wives were expected to be subordinate to their husbands," says Braun, and her examination of 19th-century diaries confirms that they generally conformed to this expectation  though there were, of course, exceptions to this rule. But even a good working relationship between husband and successful division of labor in the daily chores involved in running a farm did not imply that the partners' emotional lives were necessarily satisfying. Moreover, children were not usually regarded as the cherished fruits of a loving relationship. In well-to-do families, children were often treated as decorative distractions from their parents' social duties, and in the countryside they were indispensable sources of labor and guarantees of support in their parents' old age. The birth of the first son was a signal event, "but affection for children seldom played a large role in family life, in part because parents knew that children were quite likely to die young." In the Danube region of Central Bavaria, the rate of infant mortality was 35%. According to Braun, not only was life expectancy much lower in the 19th century, the expectations that people had of life were also much more modest, and their capacity for coping with loss was correspondingly greater. Misfortunes were sent by God, and had to be patiently borne. The reward for suffering would come in the next world.

Twentieth-century transformations

With the advent of the 20th century, the incidence of arranged marriages began to decline. The bourgeosie was no longer as economically secure and male dominance faced its first challenge. More and more women found work outside the home, taking up the office jobs made possible by technical progress and earning their own keep. "In the interwar period, social status remained the paramount factor in the choice of a mate, but affective affinity between the partners began to play a significant role," says Braun. In the aftermath of the Second World War, marriage was often viewed in the same light as comradeship between wartime buddies. With the aim of analyzing the changing notions of marriage in the postwar years, Braun has combed through reams of advertisements in the Personal columns of the newspapers. "Only in the 1950s and 1960s does the word 'love' make its appearances in these adverts." But by the 1980s love had become the principal avowed motive for marriage, although few aspired to finding their own Mr. Right or Ms. Perfect. Marriage proposals tended to take on a provisional form: 'What do you think? Shall we give it a try?' Interestingly, the partners' political orientation takes on a new relevance in this context at this point. In an advert placed in the Personal columns of a Munich newspaper, one lonely heart felt compelled to state that he was 'neither a royalist nor an aficionado of Franz-Josef Strau.' The Nineties then saw romance in the ascendancy, and elaborately celebrated romantic weddings have become the ideal since the turn of the century, says Braun.

Young people still aspire to finding a partner for life. "The notion of partnership has become ever more important as the marriage rate itself continues to decrease," says Dr. Carolin Thonnissen of the Institute of Education at LMU, who is investigating the changes in pair relationships and family structures in Germany in the context of the pairfam project mentioned above. Most early relationships are still formed between members of the same circle of acquaintances. But, even though their social situation has undergone little change, in their middle 30s people begin to make use of online dating services.  According to the pairfam study, around 15% of singles now use the internet in their search for the perfect partner, and this number continues to rise. "However, when it comes to marriage, expectations are dominated by the romantic ideal of equal partnership," says Thonnissen. This can be understood as an expression of the yearning for stability in a world that is changing at an ever increasing pace. Moreover, because people now marry later than they used to, couples have more money at their disposal, and can afford to spend more on the wedding itself. Women also devote much more time and thought to the planning of the Big Day. In the US, women who show an obsessive concern for the detailed organization of their own weddings are now known as 'bridezillas.'

Sex and satisfaction

Of course, by no means all couples are destined to live happily ever after: One-third of marriages end in divorce. For Thonnissen, however, this development itself has a positive side: Among other things, it reflects the fact that women are better educated than they were in the past, and that economic factors are no longer the deciding factor in determining the duration of a marriage. "In addition, there are now more alternatives available," she says  with an eye to the fact that unmarried and same-sex couples, patchwork families and homosexual partners with children are now widely accepted forms of living together. Furthermore, the incidence of two-timing has fallen: Based on pairfam's data, some 7% of 20-year-olds admit to having been unfaithful to their partners, but that figure drops to between 2 and 3% among older age groups. "There is a strong positive correlation between the frequency of sexual intercourse and the state of a couple's relationship," says Thonnissen. However, surveys show that, for most couples, the importance of sex declines at a steady rate. "Sex is a significant, but nevertheless a relatively minor element of a satisfying and fulfilling relationship," says Thonnissen.

A century and a half ago, affectionate relationships with children may have been comparatively rare, but the notion of a close emotional bond between parents and children is now the major motivation for having children at all. "Children are now seen as conferring a sense of meaning and purpose on the partners' relationship," says Thonnissen. Two children are the current ideal. However, the second reason for having children nowadays would be very familiar to our forebears: Children are still expected to provide support for their aging parents, if and when the need arises. In this respect, nothing has changed. "The desire to have children is reinforced by social pressures, and declines as the financial burden associated with raising them increases," Thonissen adds. Highly educated women experience the conflict between having a family and pursuing a career in a particularly acute form. The pairfam study has revealed that, as men get older, their careers become more important to them than their partners. Women's interests follow the opposite trajectory. "This means that women who wish to have children are faced with the task of convincing their partners to start a family as soon as possible," says Thonnissen  and laughs.
This June 20, 2014 file photo taken by an automatic trail camera provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows an adult female grizzly bear in the Cabinet Mountains in northwest Montana near Canada. A federal judge ruled Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 that the small population of grizzly bears in Montana and Idaho near the Canadian border can be considered endangered even if they are not on the brink of extinction. U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen's order reversed the 2014 re-classification by U.S. wildlife officials for 40 to 50 bears of the Cabinet-Yaak bear population under the federal Endangered Species Act. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP, File)

Animals and plants can be considered endangered even if they are not on the brink of extinction, a judge ruled in overturning the U.S. government's re-classification of a small population of grizzly bears living in the forests of Montana and Idaho near the Canada border.

Tuesday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen said that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is prohibited from narrowing the definition an endangered species without explaining why it wants to make the policy change.

The federal Endangered Species Act defines an endangered species as one that is "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range."

In 2014, the Fish and Wildlife Service interpreted that to mean that 40 to 50 Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bears living in the mountainous, remote part of Montana and Idaho are not endangered because they are not "on the brink of extinction."

The federal agency used that interpretation to upgrade the status of Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bears to "threatened" after the bears spent decades on a waiting list to be classified as "endangered," prompting a lawsuit from the conservation group Alliance for the Wild Rockies.

Christensen ruled that the government effectively changed its policy without explaining it or seeking public input. He reinstated the Cabinet-Yaak bears' status as warranting classification as an endangered speciesessentially putting them back on the waiting list.

The federal agency first used the "brink of extinction" interpretation in a memo to explain its decision not to list the polar bear as an endangered species in 2008.

The judge said that memo was only supposed to apply to polar bears and not set a new policy for defining endangered species, but that the agency tried to apply it to the Cabinet-Yaak bears.

In future listings of any animals or plants under the Endangered Species Act, the judge said, the Fish and Wildlife Service must prove that the federal law allows the "brink of extinction" interpretation and provide an explanation of why that interpretation is needed.

"It will apply to all other species when the FWS is considering if a species should be listed as endangered," said Mike Garrity, the executive director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies.

A Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.

The Cabinet-Yaak bears are one of six grizzly populations in the Northern Rockies from Washington state to Wyoming.

All are considered threatened, with the recent exception of about 700 grizzlies living in and around Yellowstone National Park, about 300 miles (480 kilometers) southeast of the area with portions of three national forests where the Cabinet-Yaak bears live.

The U.S. government declared Yellowstone grizzlies recovered and lifted federal protections for them last month.

The government agency ruled in 2014 that the Cabinet-Yaak population had stabilized and no longer needed to be considered as an endangered species. The agency acknowledged their numbers were still far short of the 100 bears targeted for a recovered population and still merited "threatened" status.

A "threatened" classification provides many, but not all, of the protections given to endangered species against killing or hurting them and their habitat.

Until that 2014 decision, the Fish and Wildlife Service classified Cabinet-Yaak bears as warranting endangered species status, but ruled that other troubled species had a higher priority, such as the red-crowned parrot in Texas and the Puerto Rico harlequin butterfly.

So the bears spent decades on a list with hundreds of other species waiting for their turn.

The Alliance for the Wild Rockies argued the bears are still endangered because their population is less than half of the recovery target.

The conservation group also argued that they are isolated from other bear populations and they face serious threats to their survival from human activities like mining and logging where they live.

 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Semi-subterranean basalt paved structure in the Black Desert, dated to nearly 14,500 years ago. Credit: University of Copenhagen

Excavations of architecture and associated deposits left by hunter-gatherers in the Black Desert in eastern Jordan have revealed bones from wild sheep - a species previously not identified in this area in the Late Pleistocene. According to the team of University of Copenhagen archaeologists, who led the excavations, the discovery is further evidence that the region often seen as a 'marginal zone' was capable of supporting a variety of resources, including a population of wild sheep, 14,500 years ago.

A study by a team of archaeologists based at the University of Copenhagen published today in the Royal Society journal Open Science documents that the region now known as the Black Desert in eastern Jordan could sustain a population of wild sheep.

"On the basis of morphological and metrical analysis of the faunal remains from Natufian and Pre-Pottery Neolithic A hunter-gatherer deposits, we can document that wild sheep would have inhabited the local environment year-round and formed an important resource for the human population to target for food. Most significantly, however, the presence of the substantial number of bones identified as mouflon extends the known range of wild sheep. This means that we cannot rely on broad scale maps showing ancient wild animal distributions as neat lines," said zooarchaeologist and first-author of the study Lisa Yeomans of the University of Copenhagen.

Adaptive hunter-gatherers

The team have been investigating human occupation in the Late Pleistocene of eastern Jordan. The Levant (i.e. modern-day Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria) has long been recognised as an important region associated with changes in social complexity and shifts in subsistence economy that pre-empted the shift to agriculture and farming. Hitherto investigations have generally focused on the Natufian occupation in the Levantine corridor while eastern Jordan was considered a more marginal environment.

Recent investigations, however, have shown this 'marginal environment' of eastern Jordan to be a resource rich environment which offered people the opportunity to hunt a range of species.

"Our findings illustrate how adaptive humans were nearly 14,500 years ago in a period of climatic change: Wild sheep offered the Natufian and later Pre-Pottery Neolithic populations one of a myriad of resources that could be exploited during the Late Pleistocene even in this more marginal environment beyond the Mediterranean zone. Despite the influences of climate on the resources presented to these hunter-foragers, their subsistence strategies were flexible and they could shift focus. Hunting wild sheep is just one of the ways that this is reflected in the archaeological record," said Lisa Yeomans.

More information: Expansion of the known distribution of Asiatic mouflon (Ovis orientalis) in the Late Pleistocene of the Southern Levant, Royal Society Open Science (2017). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170409 Journal information: Royal Society Open Science
ATMRecruiter.com Joins Withdraw Cash Wednesday Campaign as Gold Sponsor

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. and LONDON, Aug. 22, 2017  The ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) is pleased to welcome ATMRecruiter.com as a Withdraw Cash Wednesday Gold Sponsor. The Withdraw Cash Wednesday initiative promotes consumer ATM cash withdrawals on Wednesdays throughout the year, especially before heavy shopping periods like the upcoming U.S. Labor Day and Thanksgiving holiday weekends and the December holiday season.

I am happy to support Withdraw Cash Wednesday, says Chuck Goodman, principle recruiter and owner of ATMRecruiter.com. Im a strong believer in cash and feel it will be detrimental to society if cash disappears, especially for the poor and people who, for whatever reason, dont qualify for bank accounts.

Withdraw Cash Wednesday is now in full swing and gearing up for Labor Day with a consumer-focused social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter, including this clever video with consumer cash tips sign up form and cash blog. Website traffic has increased 76 percent since campaign kick-off and is expected to continue with double and triple-digit growth as consumers join the Withdraw Cash Wednesday movement.

We value the support of ATMRecruiter.com and all of our Withdraw Cash Wednesday sponsors for this vital 2017 U.S. campaign, says Mike Lee, ATMIA CEO. With prominent card brands escalating their war on cash, its more important than ever for the ATM industry to take the lead in promoting the positive role cash plays for consumers, businesses and for the economy, adds Lee. I encourage all ATM owners and operators, industry associations and businesses in the ATM industry to join us in promoting the positive benefits of cash. ATMRecruiter is sending the right message and making an important contribution to the future of our industry, continued Lee.

Organizations interested in sponsoring the Withdraw Cash Wednesday initiative may contact Sharon Lane (+1.605.271.7371) or Amber Howell (+1.605.692.2263) or visit this webpage for more information. ATM decals, posters, banners and wraps promoting the Withdraw Cash Wednesday initiative may be ordered here.

About ATMIA

ATMIA is the leading non-profit trade association representing the entire global ATM industry. ATMIA serves more than 10,000 members from over 650 participating companies in 65 countries spanning the whole ATM ecosphere, including financial institutions, independent ATM deployers, equipment manufacturers, processors and a plethora of ATM service and value-added solution providers. ATMIA provides Education, Advocacy and Connections to help its members keep abreast of industry news and developments; increase knowledge and professionalism; improve operational efficiencies; understand and influence regulatory processes; participate in the local, regional and global ATM community; and forge new relationships to advance their businesses. Founded in 1997, ATMIA has active chapters in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Asia, Africa, India and the Middle East focusing on the unique needs and issues of each region. For more information, please visit atmia.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

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Everfront Ventures Signs LOI with Distribution Canada to Collect Retail Point of Sale Data

TORONTO, Aug. 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)  Everfront Ventures Corp. (the Company or Everfront) (TSX-V:EVC) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Datametrex Limited (Datametrex), are pleased to announce that the Company has signed an Letter of Intent (LOI) with Distribution Canada Inc (DCI) to partner in the collection of sell through data from retail Point of Sale (POS) terminals.

The proposed partnership will see DCI and the Company partner in deploying DataTap devices to DCI members. By utilizing DataTap devices, DCIs members for the first time will be able to aggregate their sales data and benefit from the collective purchasing power of the organization. The terms of the partnership will be defined in a formal agreement.

Andrew Ryu, the Companys Chief Executive Officer stated: We are very excited with this partnership and the volume opportunity it presents for entry into the DataTap market. We are also thrilled to work with DCI, one of the leading associations in Canada. This represents a huge opportunity for the companys growth strategy to become the industry leader in data collection from the Small and Medium Enterprise market where presently there is no competition.

About Distribution Canada Inc.

DCI is a national organization that was formed as a buying group for Independent Canadian Grocers in 1981. To date, membership has grown to include independent grocers, small grocery chains, wholesalers/distributors, and C-store chains. Collectively members / shareholders operate thousands of retail outlets with combined annual retail sales in the billions.

To learn more about DCI, visit: www.distributioncanada.ca

About the Company

Everfront is the publicly traded holding Company of Datametrex Limited (Datametrex). Datametrex is a focused on collecting and aggregating sales data from retail Point of Sale (POS) terminals. Datametrex offers a plug and play solution for retailers. The Company extends the life of retail POS terminals by retrofitting existing POS to the benefits of new cloud-based devices through its DataTap technology. DataTap captures all data sent from the POS to the receipt printer or scanner and then sends it to the cloud, so it can be presented in a dashboard for management to monitor key pertinent information.

To learn more about Datametrex, visit: www.datametrex.com

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OrderDynamics Partners with OSF Commerce to Deliver OMS to Global Retail Brands

TORONTO  Aug. 23, 2017  OrderDynamics, the Distributed Order Management (DOM) System provider, today announced a new partnership with OSF Commerce, a leading global commerce solutions company. Under this partnership, OrderDynamics will leverage OSF Commerces global presence and systems integration expertise to deploy unified commerce systems to clients around the world.

OrderDynamics is well known for its advanced order management capabilities, out-of-the-box functionality and speed to market. By combining OrderDynamics top-tier DOM and OSF Commerces global expertise and reputation, retailers will be able to quickly and easily deploy advanced order management features with limited operational disruption.

At OrderDynamics, we believe that systems integrators and consulting partners play a pivotal role for retailers, said Nick Mclean, CEO, OrderDynamics. We expect that the partnership with OSF Commerce will create an opportunity to bring an even stronger value proposition to global brands and retailers who require best-of-breed unified commerce capabilities.

OSF Commerce, the winner of Salesforces 2016 Partner Innovation Award in Retail, has a record of sustained success partnering with highly visible global retail organizations. The companys advanced technology, consulting, implementation and managed services expertise has helped deliver results for brands such as Burts Bees, Fragrance Direct, Markwins Beauty, Paulas Choice Skincare and SONOS. OSF Commerce also offers innovative products for use with the Salesforce and Magento platforms, including OSF Unify COMMERCE (Patent Pending), numerous cartridges and extensions, and other innovative retail solutions.

I see tremendous value in this partnership for OSF Commerce and its customers, said Gerard Szatvanyi, CEO, OSF Commerce. As a world-class retail technology systems integrator, we aim to partner with high-calibre providers who possess strong global reputations. To that end, our collaboration with OrderDynamics will allow us to offer the most advanced technology and services to our customers as they work to make omni-channel retailing a reality.

About OrderDynamics

OrderDynamics is the worlds leading SaaS Order Management Systems provider. Focused on powering retail fulfillment, OrderDynamics helps clients in omni-channel retail markets. Our OMS systems give clients capabilities like order orchestration, enterprise-wide inventory visibility, returns management, customer service, and store driven fulfillment. OrderDynamics enables customer options like click and collect, and ship-from-store, creating exceptional shopping experiences. Iconic brands including Speedo, Quiksilver, J.McLaughlin, JYSK, Princess Auto, Bouclair Home, DeFacto and Browns Shoes, use OrderDynamics technology across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For more information, visit www.orderdynamics.com.

About OSF Commerce

OSF Commerce has helped global retailers achieve their international, omni-channel and commerce optimization goals for over a decade. With extended experience in cloud technology and ecommerce integrations, OSF takes care of the whole ecommerce ecosystem, helping retailers choose, implement and customize the ideal solution for their needs.

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Red Hat OpenShift To Support Windows Containers in 2018

Microsoft and Red Hat are continuing their integration and support efforts for running Red Hat open source technologies on Microsoft Azure virtual machine infrastructure, with a number of announcements today.

To that end, the two companies described their progress on four technology integrations. They also pledged to provide joint support for the supported solutions. First, there will be an upcoming preview of native support in Red Hat OpenShift for running Windows Server containers.

Windows Server Container Support

Red Hat OpenShift is Red Hat's container app platform that leverages Docker's container technologies plus Google's Kubernetes cluster management technologies. The coming preview will deliver the ability to run Windows Server containers using Red Hat OpenShift.

The integration will be notable because Red Hat OpenShift will become the "first container application platform built from the open source Kubernetes project to support both Linux and Windows Server container workloads in a single platform across the multiple environments of the hybrid cloud," the companies acknowledged, in an announcement.

A "technology preview" release of Windows Server Container support on Red Hat OpenShift is expected to arrive in "spring 2018." Containers are an operating system virtualization approach that developers might typically use to spin up applications without conflicts.

OpenShift Dedicated on Azure

Next, Red Hat's OpenShift Dedicated solution will be coming to Microsoft Azure, approximately in "early 2018," the companies announced.

OpenShift Dedicated is defined as a "container platform as a cloud service" that gets managed by Red Hat. The two companies are collaborating on the technology, as well as planning to provide "integrated support" for it.

Azure Stack Support

Also to come will be "integrated support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux workloads on Azure Stack," it was announced. Azure Stack is Microsoft's Azure datacenter technologies brought down to local dedicated hardware. Cisco, Dell, HP and Lenovo are all said to be working on Azure Stack machines that can be housed at an organization's local infrastructure.

While the timeline for the Red Hat Enterprise Linux integration on Azure Stack wasn't described, it's thought that the first Azure Stack systems could appear as early as next month. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is already supported on Microsoft Azure virtual machines cloud infrastructure, which is something that happened last year.

SQL Server for Linux Support

Lastly, the companies announced that SQL Server for Linux support will be arriving for Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system and the OpenShift platform. Microsoft's SQL Server relational database management system will get supported on those two platforms "in the coming months." They'll be "jointly supported" by the companies.

In addition to today's announcement, Red Hat announced on Monday that its product portfolio and developer tools will support Microsoft's .NET Core 2.0 platform. Even Microsoft's own tools, like PowerShell, are going that route. The .NET Core 2.0 platform is a set of common APIs that Microsoft hopes to foster going forward. The company wants to avoid past forks that occurred with the .NET code, which is seen as being burdensome for developers to track across form factors.

Microsoft's relationship with former Linux rival Red Hat might have been seen as "inconceivable" not too long ago, noted John Gossman, an architect on the Microsoft Azure team. The two companies are collaborating, though, because their enterprise customers typically use a combination of Windows and Linux technologies, he added in a blog post.

The two companies are literally close, too. For more than a year, Red Hat has had some of its engineering team located on Microsoft's campus in Redmond, Wash.

Gossman had previously showcased a bunch of other open source Azure partners, including Red Hat, along with Microsoft's own open source contributions, in a June Web presentation.
The main suspect in last week's stabbing attack in Finland admitted Tuesday to killing two people and injuring eight others but denied any intent to murder, his lawyer said. The Turku district court placed Abderrahman Mechkah, an 18-year-old Moroccan citizen, in formal custody after he made his statement to the court via video link from hospital, where he is being treated for a police gunshot wound to the thigh. "The main suspect admits acts which led to deaths, but denies that they were murders," his lawyer Kaarle Gummerus told AFP. The stabbing is being investigated as Finland's first terror attack. "The offender in Turku incident is suspected on probable cause of murders and attempted murders with terrorist intent and placed in detention," the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said in a Twitter post. "He didn't explain the motive of the acts," Gummerus added. The court also placed three other suspects in custody on Tuesday. Police have said that Mechkah -- an asylum seeker who arrived in Finland in early 2016 -- targeted women in the Friday rampage at a market square in the southwestern port city of Turku. Two Finnish women were killed and six women and two men were injured. Among the injured were a Briton, an Italian and a Swede. Mechkah was shot by police minutes after the attack. Most of the hearing was held behind closed doors, but press photos taken of the video screen at the beginning showed the suspect lying in his bed, his head propped up on pillows and his face shielded by a white sheet. - Debate on immigration - The country's intelligence agency SUPO said Monday that it had received a tip earlier this year that Mechkah might have become radicalised. Because the tip did not contain information about a concrete threat of an attack, it had not yet been investigated, the agency said. In June, the SUPO raised Finland's terror threat level one notch, to "elevated" from "low", the second on a four-tier scale. It said at the time that it saw an increased risk of an attack committed by Islamic State group militants. The agency noted that foreign fighters from Finland had "gained significant positions within IS in particular and have an extensive network of relations in the organisation." The agency reiterated on Monday that it was closely watching around 350 individuals -- an increase of 80 percent since 2012. Four other Moroccan citizens were arrested in a raid in Turku just hours after the attack. On Tuesday, the Turku court placed three of them, Mohamed Bakier, Ilyas Berrouh, and Abdederrazak Essarioul, in custody. The nature of their involvement in the attack has not yet been made public. Police meanwhile released the fourth man on Tuesday, saying he was no longer a suspect. Friday's attack has shaken Finland, a normally-tranquil country of 5.5 million people, and prompted a debate about immigration in Finland. The country saw a record 32,500 migrants seek asylum in 2015, falling to around 10,000 last year after Finland, like its Nordic neighbours, tried to discourage asylum seekers by tightening rules and reducing social benefits. Police have refused to confirm if Mechkah's asylum application had been rejected, saying only that "he is in the middle of (an) asylum process in Finland and he has appealed against the decision he has received." The head of the anti-immigrant populist Finns Party, which recently split from a more moderate faction of the party, called for rejected asylum seekers to be held in custody until they leave the country. "The islands of Finland are well-suited for this purpose," Jussi Halla-aho said. President Sauli Niinisto meanwhile urged Finns not to shut themselves off from the outside world. "We cannot close our borders without isolating ourselves," he warned in an address to Finnish ambassadors.
Four Colombian nationals who came to Singapore on a housebreaking spree were each sentenced to 12 months jail on Tuesday (22 August).

Puentes Entralgo Yuli Caterine, 27, and Gonzalez Gonzalez Alvaro, 32,  who are married to each other  Ordonez Saenz Andres, 41, and Sandoval Rivera Edgar Alberto, 44, were each convicted on one charge of housebreaking. Two other counts of housebreaking were taken into account for sentencing.

The four arrived in Singapore on 2 May this year with the common intention to commit a series of housebreaking offences in order to steal from landed properties here, according to the prosecution.

To carry out their plan, Caterine rented a Mercedes car from 3 May to 8 May for the group to travel around housing estates in without raising any suspicious. This would in turn ensure the smooth carrying out of the housebreaking and theft operations, said Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Marcus Foo. The four bought tools to assist with the housebreaking, such as a crowbar, and would force their way through the sliding door of the landed houses.

On 4 May, between 3.15pm and 6.10pm, the four went to Chancery Lane at Bukit Timah where they broke into a house and stole a gem stone, $2000 in cash, two Seiko watches and one Pryngeps watch worth $720.60.

When the group attempted to break into another house two days later, their act was captured by a CCTV camera.

On 6 May, Alvaro drove the rented car and alighted the three others along Muswell Hill in Braddell Heights estate around 7.30pm. While Alvaro waited in the car, Caterine, Andres and Alberto scaled the wall of their targetted house and used the crowbar to force open the sliding door next to the main door of the house.

Upon entering the house, the trio ransacked it for valuable items but were unable to find any. They did, however, find a CCTV in the house and got cold feet. The three then left the house and returned to where Alvaro was waiting in the car, and the four departed.

Story continues

The owner of the house, Roland Janssen Jozef, who had left the house with his family around 4pm that day, returned home at 10pm to find that his sliding door had been forced open. He also discovered that a drawer in his living room and a laundry basket on the second floor had been ransacked. Jozef filed a police report. His CCTV captured Caterine, Andres and Alberto in the house.

The next day, the four broke into another house at Jalan Eunos at around 4.45pm. The group then bought bus tickets to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and were about to depart at Tampines Central when they were arrested by the police.

DPP Foo sought a sentence of at least 12 months for each of the accused persons, stating that it was particularly aggravating for foreigners to come into Singapore specifically to commit offences. He added that there was significant planning involved and that the group took steps to avoid detection by hiring a vehicle.

In mitigation, each of the four, who are unrepresented, apologised through a Spanish interpreter and asked for forgiveness. Caterine and Alvaro have two young children in Colombia whom Gonzalez said are currently under the care of a neighbour. Alberto, who also has children in Colombia, said he didnt know what went through our head when they committed the crimes. Andres asked for help to return to their home country.

District Judge (DJ) Kessler Soh noted that it was the first time the four were committing offences and said he hoped it would be the last time. Some of you have children, you need to be good examples to your children, the DJ said.

For housebreaking by night, each of the four could have been jailed up to three years and fined on each charge.
Academic Huang Jings appeal against his expulsion has been rejected. PHOTO: LKYSPP website

UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect a statement from the US Embassy Singapore.

The appeal by Professor Huang Jing against his expulsion from Singapore has been rejected, said the Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) in a statement on Wednesday (23 August).

An MHA spokesman noted that Professor Huang, a former academic at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), and his wife Yang Xiuping, submitted an appeal against the cancellation of their Singapore Permanent Residence status on 7 August. The Minister for Home Affairs has rejected their appeals under Section 14(6) of the Immigration Act and they were informed of the rejection on 23 August 2017, said an MHA spokesman.

The Ministers decision is final. Huang Jing and his wife will have to leave Singapore within a stipulated grace period. They will be permanently banned from re-entering Singapore. The couple, who are originally from China, are American citizens.

On 4 August, MHA labeled Professor Huang an agent of influence of a foreign country who worked with intelligence organisations and agents from that country. The country has not been named. The ministry added that Yang was aware that her husband was using his position to promote a foreign countrys agenda.

Professor Huang, a former Lee Foundation Professor on US-China relations at the LKYSPP, is a China expert whose views on the Middle Kingdom has often sought by the media.

In response to queries from Yahoo News Singapore, US Embassy Singapore Camille Dawson said, We are aware of reports that the Ministry of Home Affairs has rejected the appeal of two US citizens seeking to remain in Singapore. We have no further information at this time.

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By Saliou Samb CONAKRY (Reuters) - At least eight people died and others were injured in Guinea when a portion of a rubbish landfill site collapsed on houses on the outskirts of the capital, Conakry, in torrential rain, police and government officials said on Tuesday. The disaster followed landslides in Sierra Leone and Democratic Republic of Congo in which hundreds of people have been killed since early last week. Authorities have said that heavy rain in the region could cause more deaths. Monday's incident in Guinea occurred in the morning in the Dar Es Salam neighbourhood after an overnight deluge. The area is filled with wood and tin-roof houses, some of which are situated at the base of a towering mass of refuse. "I saw the mountain of garbage collapse on other people's houses. People were trapped," Dar Es Salam resident Yamoussa Soumah told Reuters. "My wife and I heard the mud begin falling on our roof. We were able to escape, but we've lost everything." The government initially said five people had been killed and around 10 injured. A senior police source later said that eight had died, and a second official said the government was preparing to raise its death toll after finding three more bodies. A young girl was pulled alive from the debris and rushed to medics in the arms of a rescue worker. "Currently rescue operations are under way," the government said in a statement. "On this sad occasion, the government addresses its deepest condolences to the victims' families." Shifting rainfall patterns, rampant deforestation and expanding urban populations are increasing the risk of deadly mudslides across west and central Africa, experts have said. Rescue workers have unearthed 499 bodies since the side of Mount Sugar Loaf collapsed last Monday near the Sierra Leone capital Freetown in one of Africa's worst flooding-related disasters in years. More than 200 people were believed to have been killed in Congo days later when another landslide struck the village of Tora on the shores of Lake Albert, a seismically active zone in the western Rift Valley. (Reporting by Saliou Samb; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Alison Williams, Toni Reinhold)
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis arrived in Ukraine Wednesday for talks on expanding US support for the country's military in its fight with Russian-backed rebels. Kiev is hoping for more lethal weaponry from the United States, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to push back the well-armed separatists who have occupied large parts of eastern Ukraine. Although the US military has supported the move -- categorising the proposed weapons as "defensive" in nature -- President Donald Trump has yet to approve it, amid fears it could escalate the conflict. In meetings with Ukrainian Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak and President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday, Mattis is instead expected to promise continuing non-lethal support and reiterate the US rejection of Russia's annexation of the Crimea peninsula in 2014. But Ukraine's government still holds out hope for better weapons from the United States. "From the first day of the Russian aggression we appealed to all countries of the world to help us in the form of lethal weapons. Only Lithuania has given us such help so far," Poltorak told journalists in Kiev on Wednesday. "We continue to wait and are ready to receive lethal weapons. But it's not our decision, it's that of our partner countries. We very much hope for such support." The conflict between Russia-backed fighters and Ukrainian troops has killed more than 10,000 people since 2014, when pro-Russian forces occupied parts of eastern Ukraine after Russia annexed Crimea. It has also become the focal point of severe stresses in the Washington-Moscow relationship. The United States has hit Russia with stiff economic sanctions over the annexation of Crimea and support for Ukraine's rebels. Ukraine's conflict with Russia has provided a challenge for Trump, who since coming to office has been loath to make strong criticisms of Moscow. Speaking in Warsaw in July, Trump criticised Russia for its "destabilizing" action in Ukraine. But so far he has not signed off on recommendations from the Pentagon to boost military support to Ukraine to include defensive weaponry. On Monday Poroshenko spoke with optimism about his upcoming discussions with Mattis. "I am sure that these negotiations will have an extremely important value for strengthening the defence capacity of our state. Because a friend in need is a friend indeed". Mattis will join Poroshenko on Thursday in celebrating the 26th anniversary of Ukraine's independence from Russia. Ukraine's current government has sought to align itself with the NATO alliance, and will be seeking to strengthen cooperation in that regard.
Presidential hopeful Salleh Marican with his wife Sapiyah Abu Bakar and supporters outside the Elections Department on Wednesday (23 August). (PHOTO: Gabriel Choo / Yahoo News Singapore)

Presidential hopeful Salleh Marican has submitted his application documents to stand in the upcoming Presidential Election (PE).

I am ready, my team is ready. And I believe all Singaporeans are ready to vote, said the 62-year-old chief executive of Second Chance Properties at a media doorstop on Wednesday (23 August) after handing the forms over to the Elections Department.

It would be good for Singapore if there is a contest, for if there is a contest, the people of Singapore would be satisfied that they have a chance to choose their next president, he added.

Salleh had revealed his intention to run in late May and, thus far, only two others  Bourbon Offshore Asia Pacific chairman Farid Khan and former speaker of parliament Halimah Yacob  have thrown their hats in the ring.

This years PE has been reserved for Malays and prospective candidates will have to obtain a Malay Community Certificate from the Community Committee in order to be eligible to run. Those from the private sector will also have to be either the chairman or chief executive officer of a company with a paid-up capital of at least $500 million in order to qualify.

Those who do not (meet the $500 million criteria) can still apply and the person needs to convince the (Presidential Elections Committee) that he or she has the ability to manage a $500 million company, said Salleh.

And I believe I can easily manage a $500 million company because the thinking process  whether its $250 (million) or $500 million is the same.

Prospective candidates for the PE will have up to five days after the Writ of Election is issued to submit their application documents.

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called Tuesday for Pope Francis's support against a "military threat" from the United States, as international pressure mounts over the deadly political crisis Caracas is facing. "May the pope help us prevent Trump from sending troops to invade Venezuela," Maduro told a news conference. "I ask for the pope's help against the military threat from the United States." Maduro has faced months of deadly mass protests by opponents who blame him for an economic crisis and are demanding elections to replace him. International pressure has also grown, with US President Donald Trump even saying this month that the United States reserved the option of military intervention in the Venezuela crisis. Maduro pointedly highlighted his alliance with Russia, which had rejected Trump's recent threat as "unacceptable." The Venezuelan leader said he wanted to "keep strengthening the military cooperation agreement" between the two countries "for the sovereign defense of Venezuela." Russia recently sold fighter jets and ground to air missiles to Venezuela. "Venezuela has the full and absolute support of Russia," he said, adding that he would soon go to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Maduro has called for military drills next weekend as a show of strength after Trump's threat. The United States has applied economic sanctions directly targeting Maduro. He says the economic collapse that has dragged his country into crisis is a US-backed conspiracy. The opposition blames his economic management for the crisis. Since Maduro was elected in 2013, Venezuela has descended into chaos that has raised fears for regional stability. The fall in world prices for its oil exports has left it short of dollars for imports of food and medicine. Venezuela is the third-biggest seller of oil to the United States, which is the destination for 42 percent of the South American country's crude exports.
Almost two thirds, or 64 percent, of small businesses cant track how much their print devices cost them nor can they track their usage. And if you are not able to track these basic stats in your business, you will not know how much is being wasted.

The How to Optimize Your IT Budget With Smarter Document Management (PDF) report and The State of SMB Document Management survey by Xerox (NYSE:XRX) provide valuable insights and solutions to printing in a digital world.

Benefits Of Monitoring Your Printer

The Survey

The survey was carried out in the US, France, Germany and the UK, with more than 1,000 small and medium sized businesses taking part. The goal was to find out how these companies were managing print and documents. The breakdown of printer usage represents what is taking place in small businesses. Of the businesses interviewed, 56 percent reported billing and invoices as paper intensive process in the organization, 53 percent said business and financial reporting was similarly paper intensive, and 51 percent said HR forms and employee files were flying out of their printers in huge numbers.

Forty-seven percent complained employees printing email added up to a sizable part of their printer use, and the same percentage claimed legal signatures were a big drain on paper and printer usage. A little over 40 percent of businesses reported purchasing approvals, marketing materials and customer quotations took up a good amount of paper and printing resources.

For small medical, legal, architectural and design firms, the print output can be much higher the survey showed. And more often than not, these businesses dont have a Managed Print Services provider taking care of this labor intensive task.

Another glaring statistic from the survey was the amount of time wasted with processes involved in printing? Waiting for jobs at the printer, running out of supplies or going to printer shops to pick up documents add up to a considerable amount of time. The cost, of course, may not be visible, but it is there.

Xerox says in the US the wait time for a document at a business with a shared central printer is about three minutes for each employee. This comes out to 13 hours every year per employee. So even a small business with 10 employees can experience 130 hours of wasted time.

The Report

The How to Optimize Your IT Budget With Smarter Document Management report has solutions small businesses can deploy to avoid the problems the survey highlights.

The first one is to find an Managed Print Services partner to help them manage their printer usage more efficiently. In a post on the official Xerox blog, Xerox Channel Marketing Manager Lisa Graham writes of the need for businesses to become more proactive in assessing printer use. Print assessments can quickly identify cost savings and efficiency improvements, Graham explains.

Everything from abandoned documents on printer trays to buying supplies, unnecessarily printing in color, and other inefficiencies are costing you.

With digitization transforming almost every part of your business, a trusted Managed Print Services or other partner can incorporate digitization, document workflow, mobile printing, cloud technology and security.

As a separate but related issue, the report indicates 90 percent of businesses have been breached because of unsecure printing.

Conclusion

At the end of the report, Xerox recommends companies of all sizes find the right Managed Print Services partner, but this may not be possible for small businesses. The report provides valuable information for those that cant afford to hire such services as well.

By choosing the latest printers with tracking and monitoring solutions, implementing best practices with good governance, and educating your workforce, you can effectively manage the problems associated with unregulated printer use. Some solutions include standardizing settings so all copies are in black and white, integrating with cloud and mobile workflows, automating workflows and coordinating the purchase of supplies.
More people will be coming to banks for advisory.

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Banking customers habits are changing dramatically. Ten years ago internet banking and smart phones were less prevalent and people went to bank branches to make transactions.

Now they make nearly all of their payments online and go to banks only for advice or for making long-term plans with their finances. Banks have been responding to these changing habits and adapting accordingly.

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We still go to branches for payments and to transfer money, but we will go more into branches to actually do something, maybe more important, like asking for advice about how to secure a better pension or how to cover childrens studies, said Andrea Bressani, head of the retail and wealth management department of the international subsidiaries bank division at the Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo.

Yet the pace of change varies from country to country as the habits of customers are considerably different when it comes to the use of cash in individual countries.

For instance, in German culture, cash is freedom and as a consequence Germany is one of the most cash intensive countries in Europe, said Michele Raris, head of strategic and markets advisory at the international banking division at Intesa Sanpaolo. Thus German branches do need to make a lot of cash transactions for customers. On the other hand, France, just on the other side of the border of Germany, is one of the least cash intensive in Europe and people basically use a card to pay for a newspaper.

In Italy, the decrease in the frequency of visits to branches has been extremely fast.

It was a very fast transition, said Bressani, adding that the bank had to rethink its way of communicating with clients.

The response of Italian banks has been a reduction in the number of branches and a change in their layout to adapt it to the needs of clients.

The old branches used to look much like offices and there was a lot of space for employees and for transactions. The new branches look more like a living room.

We want to put the customer at the centre of the space, said Bressani, adding that bankers need to have a different kind of approach and they need to listen more to their clients. So there must be space for drinking a coffee, for waiting, for connecting to free wifi, and there must be different levels of interaction.

So a modern branch must have self-service areas where clients can make transactions on their own.

There also have to be various spaces with different level of privacy, according to what the client wants to discuss. Intesa Sanpaolo started to redesign its branches in Italy two years ago as part of a gradual process.

How it is in Slovakia

Slovakia is a multi-channel country with a high share of customers still visiting branches, but with high usage of internet banking, mobile banking apps and call centres as well. Vseobecna Uverova Banka (VUB), the biggest bank from the Intesa Sanpaolo group in the region of central and eastern Europe, is also preparing for a change in customers habits. But the country is still in the midst of the transition.

We know that there will be less people coming into branches for simple transactions and that there will be more people coming for advisory services, said Martin Techman, head of the retail division at VUB. But this is not yet the reality. So the design of the space in the branches must be flexible enough to accommodate this evolution.

Another challenge the banks are facing in terms of the transition from simple transactions to solving their clients concerns, includes overall traffic at branches.

We need to balance the traffic at the branches, said Techman. High traffic is as bad as no traffic because where there is really high traffic there is no time for advisory services.

Clients then complain that when visiting a branch the employees do not have time to listen to them and respond to their needs. As a consequence the banks have to completely change the way clients receive their services.

In VUB we started to call clients and to make appointments with them, said Techman. During these appointments they reserve time for the clients so the client knows that the advisor will have enough time to listen and bring some relevant proposals and solutions.

In some cases VUB goes even further. In Eurovea in Bratislava the bank has a completely cashless branch, which only has appointments.

There is no possibility to come in and have an immediate appointment, only if there is a free advisor, but typically all appointments are made by advisors who call clients and invite them to come to the branch, said Techman.
The lawmakers need to act before the next Oliari comes to the Strasbourg court to sue Slovakia.

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After a long time, on the afternoon of August 19, I felt joy and pride about the existence of a concrete institution in our country and the people who work there. It was when I heard the address of Ombudswoman Maria Patakyova at the Rainbow Pride in Bratislava.

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The ombudswoman, who had given much thought as to whether she should support the march and take part in it, gave an address that completely deserved the applause it received.

No, in the case of the ombudswoman it was not emotion or some personal sympathy with the LGBTI movement that would influence her decision to participate in the Pride. On the contrary, when she presented her priorities a few months ago, she said she did not know whether she would support the LGBTI and the Pride.

But on that Saturday Patakyova stood up in front of the audience and with the calm and sober voice of a rational lawyer and a respected law professor she said to all of us that with regard to our Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights and the practice of the court in Strasbourg she had necessarily come to the conclusion that the Slovak Republic violates its legal commitments to the people in same-sex relationships.

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That is why she could not act differently, and as her post of public protector of rights demands, she had to come to support the rights of this minority.

What the ombudswoman has done should serve as an example for every single MP and cabinet member, at least those who do have a degree in law. Because in their case, just like in the case of Patakyova, it should not be about compassion, love, or personal sympathies or antipathies to the LGBTI movement.

This is about their professional and personal integrity, which Patakyova has shown as an example for all of us.

And it should be an example to you, government and parliament. Because a rational and responsible lawmaker cannot tolerate a situation in which their own commitments, constitution, and therefore the rights of a number of the citizens of this country are violated.

Most recently, in 2015, the Strasbourg court ruled in the Oliari and others versus Italy case that the positive obligation of the state to ensure legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, and thus to remove the discrepancy between their social reality and the law, is part of the right to respect for private and family life.

You do not need to be a supporter of the LGBTI movement and their demands, you do not even need to agree with them in your private life. But as long as you are in a post we have elected you into, we pay you from our taxes, and as long as the Constitution is valid then you should protect and fulfil it. It is your duty to right this wrong and explain your actions to the citizens in a rational and sober voice.

And it should happen before a next Oliari comes to the Strasbourg court, this time against Slovakia.

Zuzana Stevulova is a lawyer and director of the Human Rights League
It was the first combined training exercise of Austrian and foreign watercraft and helicopters in Austria.

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Slovak, Hungarian, German, Austrian and Slovenian special police units attended an international anti-terrorist exercise on the Danube river at Vienna.

According to the exercises scenario, five terrorists took a cruise ship by force in the Hungarian-Slovak borderlands. Police officers ended the fake hostage drama in the Austrian capital, the Sme daily reported on its website.

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Eighty expert Austrian police officers from the Cobra unit and another 55 from surrounding countries worked to free hostages from the cruise ship Viking Freya. The police officers attacked the ship from four watercraft and another 16 police officers abseiled from a Slovak helicopter.

The situation was monitored by the crew of an Austrian helicopter with snipers and another Slovak helicopter, informed the APA newswire. Several minutes after the command to secure the captains deck and to search through the 95 cabins of the ship was given, it was announced that the perpetrators were detained.
The Public Procurement Office has confirmed the flaws in competitions, but the Interior Ministry fights back.

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St Michaels Hospital violated the law when purchasing medical equipment, the Public Procurement Office (UVO) confirmed. The hospital, situated in downtown Bratislava, comes under the auspices of the Interior Ministry led by Robert Kalinak (Smer).

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The UVO was checking the motion submitted by the Lets Stop Corruption Foundation think tank. The hospital, however, refuses to accept the findings and submitted an administrative action against it, the TASR newswire reported.

St Michaels Hospital violated three public procurement principles, while in one case the flaws could have affected the final results of the competition, said the foundations head Pavel Sibyla. The result of this competition is an agreement worth 23 million signed with the company E-BA tpz.

The UVO now claims that the hospital violated the law when it was procuring medical equipment, furniture and information technologies in one package, the Sme daily reported.

The facility limited the competition this way, so fewer potential bidders could have showed interest in attending the public procurement, the UVO wrote, as quoted by Sme.

Sibyla meanwhile said that if the hospital did not procure everything in one go, it could save millions of euros.

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Moreover, the hospital could not explain why it called on two out of three bidders to attend the electronic auction. By this step, it violated the transparency principles of public procurement. The facility also concealed the information about how much it has already paid to E-BA tpz.

The hospitals actions are at odds with the economy principle, said the UVOs spokesperson Jan Mazgut, as quoted by Sme.

Sibyla opines that the UVOs revelations are serious enough to bring consequences for the hospitals management. The Lets Stop Corruption Foundation informed that via one competition the facility procured 900 items altogether, including benches, medical devices and IT. It objected to the price of some items, saying it was exaggerated.

The hospital, however, keeps denying the claims. It explained it had to procure the items in one package due to time constraints. Moreover, the hospitals head Marian Krizko said that some equipment is of top quality, so the price cannot be compared, as reported by Sme.

It has also submitted an administrative action against the inspection and its results as it considers them incorrectly evaluated, Interior Ministry spokesperson Peter Lazarov confirmed to TASR.

The purchase has been recently scrutinised by the Institute of Health Policy, which runs under the Health Ministry. It claimed the purchase was not overpriced and confirmed the top quality of the equipment. There is however a question as to whether such equipment is necessary, Sme wrote.
But the complainant has not had his last word.

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The company EuroGas cannot mine talc in Gemerska Poloma in the Kosice Region for now as it has failed in an arbitration proceeding with Slovakia.

The firm complained over the allegedly illegal withdrawal of a licence for talc mining, but the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has accepted in its ruling jurisdiction objections raised by Slovakia, the TASR newswire reported.

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It has been shown during the arbitration that while the original US company called EuroGas (I) went bankrupt in 2004, a company of the same name, EuroGas (II) was founded in 2005, with the two companies having seemingly merged after the end of bankruptcy proceedings, the Slovak Finance Ministry informed, as quoted by TASR. However, the tribunal came to the unanimous conclusion that the plaintiff Eurogas (II) merger with EuroGas (I) was illegal, and so no rights that it might claim in this arbitration could have been passed on to the plaintiff EuroGas (II).

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The failed arbitration was meanwhile confirmed also by Wolfgang Rauball, managing board chairman at EuroGas.

The ICSID ruled last week that its not in its jurisdiction to decide on the case, thus giving Slovakia the ruling, Rauball said, as quoted by TASR. Article 52 of its statutes, however, enables a request for the decision to be annulled and we want to make use of this clause.

A 120-day period starts as of the day the request is submitted.

A commission will then make a definitive decision as to whether the tribunals verdict can be annulled or not, said Rauball, as quoted by TASR, adding that further relevant information regarding the case will be known by the end of the week.

The dispute may not be over

If EuroGas eventually suffers a definitive loss, it plans to file a lawsuit with the US federal court against the Austrian company Schmid Industrieholding (SIH) and its subsidiary Eurotalc, which holds the Slovak talc mining licence in Gemerska Poloma.

Weve collected enough evidence of criminal behaviour by the SIH owners and their links to the state mining authorities in Slovakia that have been damaging EuroGas and its shareholders for many years, Rauball stressed.

Robert Schmid, owner of SIH, has meanwhile rejected Rauballs accusations.

I find all this to be constructions fabricated by him, and I dont want to comment on them, Schmid told TASR.

EuroGas AG has been threatening Slovakia with arbitration proceedings since 2010. As the petitioner in the arbitration, which was launched in 2014, EuroGas has been demanding compensation of $3.2 billion (2.9 billion) from Slovakia for what it calls a marred investment. No appeal against the ICSID decisions is possible, although it could be overturned if serious procedural flaws were detected, TASR reported.

EuroGas began indicating its plans to take legal action against Slovakia over the loss of the talc quarry in 2010. At first, it demanded compensation of 500 million in 2011. One year later a company called EuroGas Inc., registered in the USA, also began claiming compensation. The total sum of required compensation has thus climbed to 1.5 billion. EuroGas asserted that its rights related to a trade agreement between the erstwhile Czechoslovakia and the USA from 1991 had been violated, TASR wrote.

The Slovak Finance Ministry has denied that any such agreement was broken.
The carmaker plans to hire Slovaks, but may also employ foreigners.

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Up to 1,000 people can find a job at Bratislava-based carmaker Volkswagen Slovakia (VW SK) by the end of this year. The company wants to focus on staffers from Slovakia, but admits the situation in the labour market is complicated.

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Its becoming hard to find new employees, regardless of their qualifications, said Ralf Sacht, chair of the VW SKs board of directors, as quoted by the SITA newswire.

If they do not find enough people in the Slovak labour market, they are ready to take staffers from abroad, he added.

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The carmaker has already employed 400 new employees in the first half of the year, increasing the number of its staffers to 12,700.

Were happy that weve managed to do this with the difficult situation in the Slovak labour market, Sacht said, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

The creation of 1,000 new positions is related to the introduction of new products, he added. The carmaker is looking for a total of 800 people for its body shop, painting shop and assembly hall, while the remaining 200 would take up highly skilled jobs.

Every employee will undergo the introductory training at the company. The carmaker is also ready to educate qualified experts who can operate the automatisation technology and robots within its dual system. In its Dual Academy, there will be students in five specialisations as of September, SITA reported.

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A new feature is a pilot project for a dual bachelor's degree course organised by the Slovak Technical Universitys Faculty of Engineering, which will also begin in September.

VW SK also noted that it offers the highest average salaries in Slovak industry, apart from providing a generous social programme. The gross monthly commencing salary lies between 1,050-1,250, depending on qualifications, apart from a one-off bonus for newcomers, holidays and Christmas bonuses and other bonuses related to the plants economic results.
Will Andrej Danko take the government down with him?

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Andrej Danko stands in front of a television screen, watching Robert Fico as he demands the resignation of his ministerial nominee. For many, including Danko, that picture will remain the symbol of a summer in which the government almost fell apart.

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The gravity of the situation lies in the fact that the almost in the previous sentence might very soon become superfluous.

The story of the picture is one every journalist would like to tell as their own: reporters from the Tyzden weekly were interviewing Danko at the very moment that his coalition partner Fico announced he wanted Education Minister Peter Plavcan to resign because of suspicions over the distribution of EU funds. They witnessed live Dankos immediate reaction to Ficos words, which were relayed via a TV in the room.

He betrayed me. He only tightened the trap that he set for us, Danko says, in Tyzdens account, as the interview draws to an end, with Fico announcing in the background that Dankos own minister must resign. It then ends abruptly with Danko saying I need time.

And he did take his time: first he spent four days beyond the reach of cameras and dictaphones with his family. Even after he was expected back, he did not exactly rush to talk to his partners.

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Slovakia is still waiting to see if time really can heal the rupture that, almost without warning, tore apart the fragile relationships binding the ruling coalition.

Perhaps I expected more understanding [from people] that it is not easy to be in a government with Robert Fico, Danko said in his interview with Tyzden, shortly before he became living proof that it is indeed not easy to be Ficos ally. If there is one thing that observers agree on these days, its that Fico wiped the floor with Danko after the latter completely over-reached.

Fico, and the third coalition partner, Bela Bugar (who comes out of this performance pretty well, by giving the impression of being the rational antithesis of Danko throughout the show), have been in politics for so long they might as well have been born there. Danko, on the other hand, is still a new arrival and has not given the voters  or his partners  any reason to think he is much more than a hopeless greenhorn. He now seems to recognise that, calling for elementary respect between coalition partners.

Another thing that is apparent from the interview he gave to Tyzden, as well as from the long press briefing he held in response to Ficos call for Plavcans resignation, is that the nationalists in the SNS still remember the first Fico government. At that time, in the wake of a particularly egregious CO2 emissions trading scandal at the SNS-controlled Environment Ministry, Fico got angry and took the ministry away from the SNS, which was then headed by Jan Slota.

Slota is no longer an SNS member (after Danko kicked him out) and the party claims it has changed and has little to do with its previous, scandalous self, but it is apparent that the bitterness remains. And Danko and the people around him remain alert to it in their dealings with Fico.

I have been through a life experience that teaches me that in some situations one must act differently, Danko told journalists on August 17, before he said he would leave for a few days and contemplate if he should stay in politics at all.

This time last year, polls ranked Danko as the countrys most popular politician, and he did not hesitate to admit he was aiming for the prime ministerial position. He was perceived as a rising star, despite his rhetorical clumsiness. But with a series of communication errors, particularly about his military rank and his offices practice of opening MPs letters, his upward path quickly turned into a downward spiral. It remains to be seen if he will take the government with him.

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But the pollster faces accusations of alleged manipulation.

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Marian Kotleba, chair of the far-right Peoples Party  Our Slovakia (LSNS), would not have returned to his Banska Bystrica Regions governor post if an election had taken place the previous weekend. He would have been defeated by Jan Lunter, independent candidate and owner of a health food factory.

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This stems from a poll carried out by the Focus agency between July 31 and August 10 on 1,033 respondents older than 18 years of age.

Kotleba has not announced yet whether he will run for re-election. The official deadline for submitting candidacies is September 5, the Sme daily reported.

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The poll was ordered by another candidate for the governors post in the Banska Bystrica Region, Martin Juhaniak. The pollster gave the respondents the names of the candidates and asked them whom they would vote for.

Lunter received altogether 21.8 percent of the vote, while Kotleba came second with 21.1 percent. Third was Martin Klus, candidate of the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party with 14.4 percent of the votes.

The preferences were counted from the 57.8 percent turnout. As much as 32.6 percent of respondents said they did not know whom to vote for, while 9.6 percent said they will not vote at all, Sme wrote.

Allegations of Manipulation

The Focus poll is being currently scrutinised by the Slovak Association of Polling Agencies, following the motion submitted by Klus. He published the alleged conversation between one of the interviewers with his friend, whom the former allegedly manipulated, on his social network profile.

Focus, however, denies any manipulation and asked Klus for the phone number of the respondent.

If Mr Klus gives us the number, we will check the incident, head of Focus, Martin Slosiarik, told Sme.

The pollster also plans to ask a lawyer to check Klus status as they consider it a deliberate attempt to damage their reputation, Slosiarik added.

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Similar polls are important for the Banska Bystrica Region since three of the candidates, Klus, Lunter and SNP Museums head Stanislav Micev, had agreed that they would join forces against Kotleba. They are ready to support the person whom the polls show as the strongest rival against the LSNS head, Sme wrote.
The session had only one point on its programme: the mandate for the prime minister to meet with the French president.

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Following the statement of Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko, that the ministers nominated by his Slovak National Party (SNS) would not attend the August 23 session, no regular session was convened. Instead, the ministers discussed the issues per rollam, which means they voted in writing without convening a meeting.

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Though Prime Minister Robert Fico first planned a press conference, he did not appear. Instead, the statement was provided by Maros Sefcovic, Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union, the Sme daily reported.

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Originally, Fico planned to summon an ordinary governmental session with several topics on its programme. But he later changed his mind.

The government was set to discuss one topic: the mandate for Fico, who is expected to attend a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron later in the afternoon in Salzburg, the TASR newswire reported.

With his decision, Fico made a slight concession to Danko, who had reportedly claimed that if there had been an ordinary session, his party would have left the coalition, the Pluska.sk website reported.

SNS will meet to discuss the situation

SNS welcomed the fact that Fico did not summon an ordinary governmental session. Its ministers are ready to support Ficos mandate or his meeting with Macron, chair of the partys caucus Tibor Bernatak told the SITA newswire before the August 23 session.

Meanwhile, SNSs leadership is scheduled to meet on August 24, while the members of the caucus are expected to attend it. The main topic will be the current situation in the coalition following Dankos decision to terminate the coalition agreement and the resignation of Peter Plavcan from the post of education minister.

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Following the forced resignation of Plavcan, the situation in the caucus is heated, according to Bernatak, as its members supported Labour Minister Jan Richter when he faced a no-confidence vote back in April.

SNS MPs behaved responsibly towards the coalition at the time, Bernatak told SITA.

Subsequently, the coalition is scheduled to meet on August 25 to discuss an amendment to the coalition agreement. SNS wants to ask for stricter property disclosures to be submitted by public officials.

If the government really wants to fight corruption, it should serve as an example, the party wrote in a statement, as quoted by Sme.

More detailed property statements should help increase the trust of people in the government, SNS opines.

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The number of firms with Czech capital is still increasing.

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Slovak companies with foreign capital are in most cases owned by Czechs, Hungarians and Austrians. The list of the top five foreign owners also includes Germans and Italians.

The Czechs control the majority of these firms: altogether 9,857.

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One of the reasons is that most companies were established at the time when we were one state, explained Petra Stepankova, analyst with Bisnode, as quoted by the SITA newswire. She added that there is also a nearly zero communication language barrier. Czechs are still the most frequent owners, with hundreds of new Czech companies being founded in Slovakia every year.

The number of Hungarian companies established in Slovakia is also increasing, with dozens of new ones being founded every year.

One of the advantages is the territorial closeness of Hungary, as well as low corporate tax, nearly equalling a tax haven, Stepankova said, as quoted by SITA. On the other hand, one of the disadvantages is a tougher political regime, she added.

Hungarians currently own 9,832 firms in Slovakia.

Number three on the list, Austria, owns fewer companies than the other two countries. It has shares in a total of 3,830 firms, which is only 27 more than last year.

In the case of German owners, the number of firms dropped by four compared with the previous year. They currently own 2,359 companies in Slovakia, Stepankova said.
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. provides home and security products for residential home repair, remodeling, new construction, and security applications. It operates in three segments: Plumbing, Outdoors & Security, and Cabinets. The Plumbing segment manufactures, assembles, and sells faucets, accessories, kitchen sinks, and waste disposals under the Moen, ROHL, Riobel, Victoria+Albert, Perrin & Rowe, and Shaws brands in the United States, China, Canada, Mexico, Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America directly through its own sales force, as well as through independent manufacturers' representatives to wholesalers, home centers, mass merchandisers, and industrial distributors. The Outdoors & Security segment offers fiberglass and steel entry door systems under the Therma-Tru brand; storm, screen, and security doors under the Larson brand; composite decking and railing under the Fiberon brand; and urethane millwork under the Fypon brand. This segment also manufactures, sources, and distributes locks, safety and security devices, and electronic security products under the Master Lock and American Lock brands; and fire resistant safes, security containers, and commercial cabinets under the SentrySafe brand. It serves home centers, hardware and other retailers, millwork building products and wholesale distributors, specialty dealers, and remodeling and renovation markets, as well as locksmiths, industrial and institutional users, and original equipment manufacturers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, Japan, and Australia. The Cabinets segment manufactures custom, semi-custom, and custom cabinetry, as well as vanities for the kitchen, bath, and other parts of the home directly to kitchen and bath dealers, home centers, wholesalers, and builders in North America under the AOK, Diamond Brands, Homecrest, Kitchen Craft, Omega, and EVE brands. The company was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois.
Hands-On Learning

Blues Guitar to Get Mod Makeover in Mobile Education Units

The blues guitar made famous in the Mississippi Delta will receive a high-tech makeover in an after-school program thought up by college students. A team of college students at an "Affordable Design and Entrepreneurship" (ADE) class received a $25,000 grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund to create a "mobile educational unit" for use in the Delta's rural communities.

The college students come from Olin College of Engineering, Babson College and Wellesley College, all of which are within a few miles of each other. The grant came from a philanthropic fund run by Ford as part of its Community College Challenge, which supports higher education institutions as they work with students to design and set up community projects that address local needs.

The latest project is one of many undertaken by the ADE program over the last five semesters, working with partners in Coahoma County, MS, to help young people develop their technical and entrepreneurial skills. The pilot curriculum for the mobile unit will show kids how to make electric guitars from scratch using traditional and digital fabrication techniques. The lessons are intended to be taught in a bus or trailer, something that can be moved around from community to community. The grant will help fund the program for three to six months in five after-school programs to help the college students refine its business model and "work out the kinks" of running the mobile unit. The 12-week guitar-building program will rotate throughout the county, reaching about a hundred students a year.

"We believe that this project, integrating technology, arts and entrepreneurship, will expose local young people to a whole new world of possibilities through design while offering them the opportunity to practice teamwork, communication and planning," said Ben Linder, the director and founder of ADE. "The simple fact is that every middle and high school student in the country doesn't get the same chance to practice these critically important skills, so we are excited to see this pilot project in Coahoma County get a chance to get off the ground."

The project could also lead to a boost in the local economy, added Amon Millner, an Olin faculty member and angel advisor to the team. "The project's emphasis on skills-acquisition alongside creative self-expression is intended to build self-motivation, self-confidence and self-efficacy so that Delta youth will be better prepared to make creative thinking and expression open new opportunities for career and personal development. We also hope the focus on entrepreneurship will lead to the creation of sustainable enterprises that will help improve the economy of the region as a whole."

Within the ADE program, as new students from the three colleges join in, they continue with the work of student teams from previous semesters, which may run for several years. The goal of ADE is to set up projects that will eventually be taken over by the local partners. Other initiatives undertaken by ADE have involved air quality, food processing and global health.

More information about the project is available on the Ford Community College Challenge website here.
Computer Science

Google and 4-H to Establish Coding Program in 22 States

Google has offered up a $1.5 million grant to 4-H, the largest youth development organization in the country, to help establish a computer science program in 22 states.

4-H has taught environmental science and engineering concepts to nearly 6 million youth since 1902, according to the organization. Now, through the partnership with Google, the organization is expanding its programs to teach youth  particularly in areas that lack access to technology  essential technical skills like coding, as well as soft skills like teamwork and resilience.

The goal is to equip todays learners with skills needed for careers that use computer science, since there will only be approximately 400,000 qualified job candidates for more than 1.4 million open tech jobs in 2020.

The 4-H Computer Science Career Pathway is designed to ignite interest in computer science, with the ultimate goal of committing to CS-related careers. The partners plan to equip community educators with funding, curriculum, training, devices and the support of Google CS experts, according to the announcement. As with most 4-H programs, the effort will feature teen-led, peer-to-peer mentoring.

More than 100,000 youth in the following states will benefit from the CS program: Alabama, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Interested individuals can contact their local 4-H office to find out more information about the computer science program.
This site focuses on Republican politicians and conservatives that rip off their constituency. We have the Tea Party, fundamentalist churches, the corruption of ALEC and other special interests groups. But the site also supports progressive Democrats and the local Democratic Socialist of America. We must have ideas on how to replace regressive and corrupt politicians with something better. For comments steveotto2001@yahoo.com or ottozero2001@yahoo.com.
By Francois Murphy SALZBURG, Austria (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday won the support of two eastern European states in his campaign against EU rules on the employment abroad of workers from low-pay countries, calling the current system a "betrayal" of European values. Macron has pledged to overhaul a system under which "posted" workers can be sent to other European Union states on contracts that must guarantee the host country's minimum wage, but under which taxes and social charges are paid in the home nation. He says the system creates unfair competition in wealthier nations like France and Austria, a country that borders four eastern European countries and where on Wednesday he met Chancellor Christian Kern, an ally on this issue. "The single European market and the free movement of workers is not meant to create a race to the bottom in terms of social regulations," Macron told reporters after meeting Kern in the city of Salzburg. Macron is on a three-day tour of central and eastern Europe that he hopes will help break a deadlock between western nations and poorer eastern European states that has lasted for years. "The posted workers' directive as it currently functions is a betrayal of the European spirit in its essence," he added. Macron and Kern later held a meeting with the Czech and Slovak prime ministers, after which all four said they had agreed to try to reach a deal by a European leaders' summit in October. Estonia, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, is due to table a new proposal in September. "We are very close to agreement. We see October 2017 as a realistic date by which we could reach an agreement," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told a joint news conference after the meeting. COLD SHOULDER By enlisting the Czech and Slovak leaders, Macron was co-opting half of the four-nation Visegrad group, which has opposed western European countries on issues including migrants and reform of the posted workers' directive. Macron is shunning the two other, more hardline Visegrad countries - Poland and Hungary - on his trip, which will take him to Romania and Bulgaria. A senior French diplomat said that was a deliberate signal to Warsaw and Budapest. "We, and I think the Czech prime minister agrees, will make a maximum effort so that the V4 agrees on this issue," Fico said, referring to the Visegrad group. The four leaders in Salzburg backed Macron's call for workers to be paid the same amount for the same work in the same place. But they stopped short of supporting Macron's plan to limit the duration of these contracts to one year rather than two under a new European Commission proposal. "We have an understanding here that it should be less than the originally proposed 24 months," Kern said, adding that they had also agreed to cooperate more closely in policing the rules. It was not clear whether concessions were made in other areas to win over the Czech and Slovak leaders. They and other eastern European countries are particularly opposed to accepting quotas of asylum-seekers who would be redistributed around the bloc. They also said they wanted any moves towards faster integration by countries in the "core" of the EU to be available to all member states. Macron wants to harmonise fiscal rules, build up a common European investment capacity and a euro zone budget. "The posted workers' directive solves a certain problem but we have to also solve the fundamental issue, which is the huge differences in living standards in individual parts of the EU," Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka told the news conference. (Additional reporting by Michel Rose and Jean-Baptiste Vey in Paris, Tatiana Jancarikova in Bratislava and Jan Lopatka in Prague; Editing by Richard Lough and Mark Heinrich)
* U.S. crude stockpiles fall 3.3 million barrels in week -EIA

* Libya's Sharara oilfield remains shut -sources (Updates with settlement prices)

By Jessica Resnick-Ault

NEW YORK, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday after U.S. crude inventories declined for the eighth straight week and as a storm approached the Gulf Coast with the potential to disrupt oil and refined products output.

Brent crude futures settled up 70 cents to $52.57 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were trading at $48.41, up 58 cents.

U.S. crude inventories fell 3.3 million barrels last week, compared with analyst expectations for a decrease of 3.5 million barrels. Crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub fell 503,000 barrels, the Energy Information Administration said.

"Oil inventories continue their downward trend despite a significant increase in crude oil imports this week," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston.

Still he said, the market is shrugging off the inventory draws, which are approaching 75 million barrels since March, plus another 15 million from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

"It continues to wait to see more confirmation from around the world that inventories are indeed declining," Lipow said.

The market was also eyeing a tropical depression, said Gene McGillian at Tradition Energy in Stamford.

Harvey, formerly a tropical storm, has regenerated into a tropical depression and could strengthen further into a hurricane on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said.

The system is located about 470 miles (755 km) southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour (55 km/h), the NHC said.

Tradres have paid close attention to production from Libya's Sharara oilfield, the conflict-riven country's largest, where output has been seesawing.

The field remained shut on Wednesday, two Libyan oil sources told Reuters. It had restarted at least once on Tuesday amid conflicting reports about whether it had reopened.

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"(The) flood of news reports makes it clear that the situation in Libya is still chaotic and that conditions in the country are still far from normal," Commerzbank (Xetra: CBK100 - news) analysts wrote.

Sharara recently reached output of 280,000 barrels per day (bpd), but closed this week due to a pipeline blockade. Its production is key to Libya's oil output, which surged above 1 million bpd in late June, about four times its level last summer.

Libya's rising output is a headache for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which together with non-OPEC producers including Russia have pledged to cut around 1.8 million bpd of supplies between January this year and March 2018 in an attempt to remove a global glut. (Additional reporting by Henning Gloystein in Singapore and Karolin Schaps in Amsterdam; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Chris Reese)
A British firm is to sell 90 red double-decker buses to Mexico - after the Government put up 1.7bn of taxpayers' money to help exporters.

Prime Minister Theresa May says the financial support for firms has helped more than 130 of them expand and win overseas contracts in the past year as part of her plan to build a "truly global Britain".

But a pro-EU campaign group countered that increasing trade with "relatively small and distant partners" like Mexico "cannot come close" to matching the trade Britain does with Europe.

Mrs May will head to Guildford in Surrey later to visit bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis, which has secured a 44m finance deal to sell the iconic double-deckers to Mexico City.

Around 2,000 jobs across the UK, including 320 at its Surrey site and 1,000 in Falkirk, Scotland, will be secured by the deal.

The Government says the 1.7bn awarded by UK Export Finance (UKEF) since it became a part of the Department for International Trade has helped businesses make the most of the opportunities offered by Brexit.

After leaving the European Union, Britain will be able to strike free trade deals with countries across the globe, something the Government argues will be a boon for British firms.

Mrs May said: "We are building a truly global Britain by helping UK companies win multi-million pound contracts to export their products across the globe, and supporting high-value jobs here in this country.

"Since last summer, the Government has provided over 1.7bn of backing for contracts for goods and services and will continue to maximise investment in the UK and seek exciting new opportunities ahead.

"From exporting iconic red double-decker buses to Mexico, cutting-edge MRI (Shenzhen: 300159.SZ - news) systems to Australia or rail equipment to Bangkok, each one is an example of a great British success story and shows the UK is leading the way as a great, global trading nation."

But critics argue the trade agreements won't make up for the UK's decision to leave the EU's single market.

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James McGrory, executive director of Open Britain, said: "We should always welcome British firms experiencing success in exporting to markets old and new.

"But the fact is that Mexico accounts for less than 0.4% of our exports, while the EU accounts for nearly half.

"Increasing trade with relatively small and distant trading partners like Mexico cannot come close to replacing the trade we do with Europe that will be lost if we leave the Single Market and the Customs Union, as the Government is proposing."

Colin Robertson, chief executive of Alexander Dennis Limited, hailed the deal, saying: "It is hugely exciting to know that ADL's signature red double-decker buses will soon be transporting Mexico City's residents in style and comfort.

"As a global double-decker leader with fleets of our vehicles across the world, we see the positive impact these vehicles can have in improving the transport infrastructure, congestion and air quality in the world's busiest cities.

"Our ability to offer finance from UK Export Finance in Mexican Pesos was a significant benefit to our buyer, helping us win this major contract."

Other deals trumpeted by the Government include Guildford-based MR Solutions securing a 1.2m deal to sell MRI scanners to Sydney University thanks to UKEF guarantees.

Hampshire engineering company Design and Projects was also given financial support to export rail equipment to Bangkok, while London furniture company Distinction secured finance for work at the Palm Jumeirah hotel in Dubai.

Meanwhile, bike firm Norton Motorcycle - which sells to Australia, North America, Japan and Europe - got backing under the scheme to help finance its exports.
A combination photo shows two escaped inmates Ricky Dubose (L) and Donnie Rowe (R) after their escape earlier this week from Putnam County, southeast of Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. in these updated images released on June 15, 2017. Courtesy Georgia Corrections/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Thomson Reuters

(Reuters) - Two inmates who are accused of shooting to death a pair of armed guards during an escape from a prison bus in Georgia were captured on Thursday in Tennessee, Georgia officials said on Twitter.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed the capture of Donnie Rowe, 43, and Ricky Dubose, 24, in a statement on Twitter but provided no further information.

The inmates were caught following a car chase in Tennessee, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal said on Twitter. Deal said more details would be forthcoming.

The two men, who were serving time for armed robbery, escaped on Tuesday in rural Putnam County, about 70 miles (110 km) southeast of Atlanta, as they were being transported between two prison facilities with 31 other inmates.

A spokeswoman for the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, where the two fugitives were said to have been found according to a local media report, did not immediately return calls or an email.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles and Eric Johnson in Seattle; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

NOW WATCH: Forget Chicago and New York  the best hot dog in the world is in Iceland

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I must not have got the memo, because as a young lecturer in computer science at the University of Southampton in 1985 I was unaware that women didnt do computing.

Southampton had always recruited a healthy number of women to study computing in our fledgling department, and a quarter of the staff were women, but the student lists for the new academic year showed that quite suddenly, or so it appeared, wed achieved the unenviable record of having no female students in that years intake.

Many women made important contributions to computing in its early decades, figures such as Karen Sparck Jones in Britain or Grace Hopper in the US, among many others who worked in the vital field of cryptography during the Second World War or, later, on the enormous challenges of the space race. But it had become clear that by the mid-1980s something fundamental had changed.

We found that UK university admission figures revealed that the number of girls studying computing had fallen dramatically compared to the number of boys: from 25% percent in 1978 to just 10% in 1985. This trend has never been reversed in the years since, at least in the developed world, and we live with the consequences today.

What happened in the mid-1980s that caused this turning point? I contend that one of the main reasons was the arrival of personal computers into the mainstream  the first IBM PCs but also computers from companies such as Sinclair, Commodore, and Amstrad: home computers that were a world away from those used in the specialist worlds of science and engineering, and which were marketed from the very beginning as toys for boys.

There was very little you could do with PCs in those days other than programme them to play games. The British government had, with the best of intentions, backed a programme to put a PC into every secondary school, but without providing for the necessary teacher training. This meant that the only people who used them were the self-taught PC programmers  mostly boys whose father had bought a PC at home. This only served to reinforce the stereotype that girls dont code, a spurious claim that still reverberates today and which has directly led to the male-dominated, tech-bro computing industry with an entrenched, unequal gender balance in which the sort of views heard from James Damore, the Google staffer fired for his Google memo recently, are common.

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Different culture, different effects

The story is very different in the developing world. Here, by the time PCs became cheap enough to be used in schools and bought by parents for use at home, technological progress meant they were much more interesting machines altogether. In countries outside the West, where girls didnt know they werent supposed to code, they are as excited as the boys about the career possibilities opened up by computing. When I visit computer science classrooms in universities in India, Malaysia, and the Middle East, for example, I often find that over half the class is female, which leads me to conclude that gender differences in computing are significantly more cultural (nurture) than biological (nature).

Much has been written over the last couple of weeks on this issue following Dalmores now infamous memo. I would absolutely agree that men and women are different in the way that we think and in the things that interest us, and those differences should be celebrated. But to conclude that accepting this implies we should accept the lack of diversity in the computing industry is to completely miss the point: it is precisely because we are different, and that all of us, men and women alike, now use computers and mobile computing devices in almost every aspect of our daily lives, that we need greater diversity in the computing industry. From those differences will come a broader characterisation of the problems we face, and wider range of creative approaches to their solution.

Too important to leave to men

For 30 years I have tried to encourage more girls to consider careers in computing, and it is so disheartening that the number of women working in the computing industry stays so resolutely flat. At around 15%, the proportion of women applying for computer science university courses remains far below what it was in the 1970s.

I am convinced that it is not the girls that must change, but rather societys view of computing and the whole culture of the computing industry.

With the advent of artificial intelligence, this is about to get really serious. There are worrying signs that the world of big data and machine learning is even more dominated by men than computing in general. This means that the people writing the algorithms for software that will control many automated aspects of our daily lives in the future are mainly young, white men.

Almost by definition, machine learning algorithms will pick up on any bias in the data they are given to learn from, and it is very easy for bias to be unwittingly introduced into those algorithms by their designers. As Sparck Jones once said of computing, this is too important to be left to men: for the good of society, we cannot allow our world to be organised by learning algorithms whose creators are overwhelmingly dominated by one gender, ethnicity, age, or culture.

As co-chair of the UK governments review of artificial intelligence, I am very keen to ensure that as we establish programmes to extract the most economic value from AI for the country and increase the number of jobs in the industry, we ensure that greater diversity is at the heart of it. If we fail to do so  as one of the more enlightened men in the computing industry said to me recently  we risk ending up living in a world that resembles a teenage boys smelly bedroom.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Wendy Hall does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above.
By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Aukkarapon Niyomyat BANGKOK (Reuters) - A long-awaited verdict in the trial of former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra this week could inflame tension and would likely have far-reaching implications in the politically divided kingdom. The ruling military said more than 3,000 of Yingluck's supporters could show up at the court on Friday in what would be one of the biggest political gatherings since Yingluck's government was ousted in a 2014 coup. Thousands of policemen will be on hand in a bid to head off the sort of trouble that has become a hallmark of antagonistic Thai politics over the past decade or more. Yingluck has been accused of negligence in her handling of a multi-billion dollar rice subsidy scheme, under which the government bought rice from farmers at inflated prices. That led to stockpiles of rotting grain, distorted world prices and lost Thailand its crown as the world's top exporter. Losses amounted to $8 billion, this government says. Critics said the scheme was engineered by Yingluck's brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to shore up support among rural voters who have handed electoral victory to a Shinawatra party in every election since 2001. Yingluck has denied wrongdoing and has said she is the victim of political persecution. She faces up to 10 years in jail if found guilty of negligence. A military-backed legislature found her guilty in a separate impeachment case in 2015, and banned her from politics for five years, for failing to exercise sufficient oversight of the subsidy scheme. Despite that, Yingluck remains the unofficial face of the Shinawatra political machine, which, supporters say, the royalist-military establishment is determined to sideline once and for all. Opposition activists said a guilty verdict would fuel anti-government anger and could spark a smattering of small protests in defiance of a government ban, particularly in the north and northeast where support for the Shinawatras appears unwavering. "If she is found guilty there will surely be some action by underground resistance forces," said a leader of the pro-Shinawatra "red shirt" movement in the northeastern city of Khon Kaen who declined to be identified. "There are plans to burn tyres at up to 10 locations in Khon Kaen." A spokeswoman said Yingluck did not agree with the threat by the activist leader to use force, and her party said any support for her should be peaceful. Yingluck was at her Bangkok home on Wednesday, where she donated alms to Buddhist monks, and was preparing for the court's decision, her lawyer said. "The defence team and former prime minister Yingluck are ready to hear the verdict," her lawyer, Norrawit Larlaeng, Yingluck's lawyer, told Reuters. Police were setting up a barricades and a checkpoint outside the Supreme Court, where the verdict will be delivered, while Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, said the government wanted to avoid trouble. "The government is worried about the people. We don't want to use force," Prayuth, a former army chief who ousted Yingluck's government in the 2014 coup, told reporters. POLITICAL IMPACT Former telecommunications tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, overthrown in a 2006 coup and living quietly in self-exile to avoid a 2008 conviction for graft he said was politically motivated, has made no public comment on his sister's case. Trakool Meechai, a former political science professor at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, said widespread sustained protests in response to a conviction of Yingluck were unlikely, given the firm grip the military has imposed. But in the long-term, a conviction could deter future governments from intervening to support markets. "No matter how this case turns out it will have an impact on Thai politics," Trakool told Reuters. "This case will be a litmus test for how future politicians will manage the country." A verdict of innocent would invigorate the rank and file of the Shinawatras' embattled Puea Thai Party and boost its prospects in a general election the junta has promised to hold in 2018. "If the case is thrown out it will increase the strength of Yingluck and her Puea Thai Party and this will show in the next election," Trakool said. Two potential leaders have emerged to lead the party in the election, one of them from within the Shinawatra family. But a guilty verdict would spell the end of Yingluck's political career, deal a heavy blow to the Shinawatras and their loyalists, and deepen the political divisions that the military has vowed to heal. (Additional reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Libyan PM Falez Serrai warned that terrorists were posing as refugees to enter Europe (Rex)

Terrorists could be entering Europe on boats posing as refugees, the prime minister of Libya has warned.

Falez Serrai, who is head of the UN-backed unity government in the countrys capital Tripoli, told The Times that potential attackers may be among thousands of migrants able to cross the Mediterreanean And he warned that this could have dire consequences for Europe.

He said: When migrants reach Europe, they will move freely.

If, God forbid, there are terrorist elements among the migrants, a result of any incident will affect all of the EU.

Some 98,000 migrants have crossed from Libya into Italy so far this year (Rex)

Mr Serrais comments come less than a week after a terrorist cell killed 15 people in Barcelona, Spain.

Police have linked the killers to radical groups in north Africa.

Nearly 100,000 migrants have made the crossing from Libya to Italy so far this year, with at 700,000 migrants still estimated to be in the country.

MORE: Alleged terrorists arrested over Barcelona attacks prepare to face court

MORE: Donald Trump angers his own supporters with plans to send more troops to Afghanistan

Luigi Di Maio, believed to be the probable candidate for prime minister of Italy for the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, said that his country was becoming the refugee camp of Europe.

He said: We have 10 million Italians living in poverty, while migrants are being given 38 a day to live.

Its a pressure cooker that could explode.
WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland has asked the European Commission to withdraw its legal proceedings against Warsaw over its migrant relocation quotas and said it was ready to fight its case in court, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. In July the Commission sent so-called "reasoned opinions" to Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary urging them to apply EU migration rules. "Poland has sent a motion to the European Commission requesting it to discontinue its ongoing infringement procedure. Should it be continued, Poland is prepared to argue its case before the Court of Justice of the European Union", the ministry said in a statement. Poland's ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) has repeatedly criticised the EU's relocation scheme for each member state to host a given number of migrants to help ease pressure on Greece and Italy, struggling with mass arrivals of migrants across the Mediterranean. Earlier on Wednesday, Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said in a statement that the EU's relocation policy was dangerous. "Paris, Stockholm, Brussels, Berlin, Manchester, Barcelona," Blaszczak said, referring to recent attacks by Islamist militants which have killed scores of people. "How many more European cities have to be hit by terrorists so the European Union wakes up? So the European Commission acknowledges that accepting blindly all those who come to the European shores is akin to putting a noose around Europe's neck?" (Reporting by Agnieszka Barteczko; Editing by Lidia Kelly)
By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis will almost certainly visit Myanmar and Bangladesh, two countries caught up in a crisis over the Rohingya Muslim minority, before the end of the year, a senior Vatican source said on Wednesday. The trip, which would be the first time any pope has visited Myanmar, is due to be officially announced before the end of August, added the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The trip is likely to take place between the end of November and the start of December but definitely before Christmas, the source added. The Vatican has so far officially said only that a trip to both countries is "under study". A Vatican team is visiting both countries to sort out details and report back to the pope, who will make the final decision. Myanmar is facing international scrutiny over atrocities against its Rohingya community. In February, Francis issued a stinging criticism of their treatment, saying they had been tortured and killed simply because they wanted to live their culture and Muslim faith. The recent histories of Myanmar and Bangladesh have been linked by the Rohingya crisis. Around 1.1 million Rohingya live in Myanmar's Rakhine state, but are denied citizenship and face severe travel restrictions. Many Buddhists across Myanmar regard them as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. More than 87,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since Rohingya insurgents killed nine police last year. That prompted a military crackdown, drawing allegations of rape, killings and arson by the security forces. The Vatican, which is a sovereign state, and Myanmar established full diplomatic relations in May when its de facto civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, visited the Vatican. Suu Kyi assumed power in 2016 following a landslide election win after Myanmar's former military leaders initiated a political transition. She is also the country's foreign minister. There are about 700,000 Roman Catholics in Myanmar according to the country's cardinal, Charles Maung Bo, out of a population of about 51.4 million, the majority of whom are Buddhist. Pope John Paul visited Bangladesh, which is overwhelmingly Muslim and where Catholics make up only a tiny minority, in 1986. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; editing by David Stamp)
SIDON, Lebanon (Reuters) - Two members of the Palestinian group Fatah were killed in clashes with Islamist groups in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon on Wednesday, medical sources said, bringing the number of dead to six in nearly a week of fighting. The two sides later agreed a ceasefire deal, Palestinian officials said, as a security force spread out to the areas of fighting. The clashes at Ain el-Hilweh began last Thursday between Islamist fighters and a joint force comprising the main Palestinian factions, including Fatah, which are responsible for the camp's security. The fighting began after the leader of an armed faction sympathetic to the Islamist Badr group fired at the headquarters of the joint security force. A witness said a wary calm prevailed over the camp on Wednesday. Parts of the camp had suffered severe destruction. Houses were burnt, while shops and the water and electricity networks were damaged, witnesses said. A security source said a total of 43 civilians and combatants had been wounded since the fighting broke out. Clashes had escalated on Wednesday, the source said, when gunfire wounded three people, including two Lebanese security personnel, outside the camp. In April, seven people were killed in clashes in the camp between the Badr group and the joint security force after it deployed there. Lebanon's Palestinian camps, which date back to the 1948 war between Israel and its Arab neighbours, largely fall outside the jurisdiction of Lebanese security services. There are some 450,000 Palestinian refugees living in 12 camps in Lebanon. (Writing by Sarah Dadouch; Editing by Angus McDowall and Janet Lawrence)
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PHOENIX  Racism was behind an Arizona ban on ethnic studies that shuttered a popular Mexican-American Studies program, a federal judge said Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge A. Wallace Tashima found that the state enacted the ban with discriminatory intent.

He had previously upheld most of the law in a civil lawsuit filed by students in the Tucson Unified School District. But a federal appeals court, while upholding most of his ruling, sent the case back to trial to determine if the ban was enacted with racist intent.

The new trial was held in July.

The law prohibits courses that promote resentment toward a race or a class of people or advocate ethnic solidarity instead of treating people as individuals. A portion of the law that banned courses designed primarily for students of a particular ethnic group was struck down.

The state violated students constitutional rights because both enactment and enforcement were motivated by racial animus, Tashima said in the ruling Tuesday.

However, Tashima said he doesnt know a remedy for the violation and has not issued a final judgment. Plaintiffs attorneys hoped he would throw out the law, which was enacted in 2010, the same year Arizona approved its landmark immigration law known as SB1070. They have not responded to calls for comment Tuesday evening.

Tashima was critical in his ruling of former state education leaders Tom Horne and John Huppenthal, who railed against the program and helped pass the law that ended it.

Additional evidence shows that defendants were pursuing these discriminatory ends in order to make political gains. Horne and Huppenthal repeatedly pointed to their efforts against the MAS program in their respective 2011 political campaigns, including in speeches and radio advertisements. The issue was a political boon to the candidates, Tashima wrote.

Huppenthal said Tuesday he was not surprised by the ruling and said it was meaningless because the law is not likely to be enforced in the future.

The concern about what was going on in those classes was very real, Huppenthal said.

His new concern would be if they crank up all that stuff of teaching students that Caucasians are oppressors of Hispanics, Huppenthal said.

The Tucson Unified School District dismantled its program in 2012 to avoid losing state funding. The district hasnt responded to questions from The Associated Press about whether it would revive the program if the law is thrown out.

Horne, the former state attorney general and former leader of Arizonas public schools, testified in July that he was troubled by what he described as radical instructors teaching students to be disruptive. But he insisted he targeted all ethnic studies programs equally.

Horned testified that battle against the program began in part after he visited a Tucson high school to watch an aide rebut prior statements by guest speaker Dolores Huerta, a well-known national labor and civil rights activist, that Republicans hate Latinos.

Some students taped their mouths and turned their back to Hornes aide, later walking out of the event with their fists in the air, which is a pretty extremist thing to do, he said.

Horne never visited a Mexican-American studies classroom. He drafted the law as superintendent of public schools and later defended it as state attorney general.

Horne said of the ruling Tuesday that Tashimas decision promotes a program that divides students by race and promotes ethnic chauvinism.

I believe it is a fundamental American ideal that we are all individuals, entitled to be judged by our knowledge and character, and not by what race we happen to have been born into, Horne said in a statement.

The Tucson program began in 1998 and focused on Mexican-American history, literature and art in an effort to keep Mexican-American students in school and engaged. Students who participated outperformed their peers in grades and standardized tests, advocates said.

The board of the Tucson school district officially dismantled the program in January 2012 to keep from losing state funding.

By 2015, the Tucson district was expanding a culturally relevant curriculum developed in the wake of a separate racial desegregation lawsuit. Those courses are now taught at all district high schools, Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo said.

He said the district worked with the Arizona Department of Education to ensure the courses dont violate the state law and are very scripted, including offerings such as American history from an African-American perspective.
We and other legislators had hoped that the regents of New Mexico State University, in accepting the recently announced retirement of Chancellor Garrey Carruthers at the end of his contract next year, nonetheless would ask him to stay on for two more years. Chancellor Carruthers record of vision and leading the institution is outstanding, and big challenges lie ahead. The university needs him.

NMSU and all of our public universities in New Mexico today are facing extraordinary, difficult circumstances driven by state budget cuts and unstable state revenues. In his time leading New Mexico State, Chancellor Carruthers has made the hard decisions necessary to maintain this key institution, body and soul. His long, distinguished career demonstrates real commitment to the university, New Mexico and his community.

Garrey Carruthers first set foot on the NMSU campus in 1959 as a student. He later went on to earn two degrees from NMSU, and became a professor, dean and vice president. He is the only NMSU graduate ever to have served as the universitys president and chancellor.

Since he took the helm in 2013, NMSU initiated ambitious and successful programs to strengthen the university, including Aggie Development Incorporated in 2014. The corporation allows NMSU to better manage and develop its land, property and water assets. It also allows NMSU to operate more like a business in turning some of its assets into revenue streams for the university.

In 2014, NMSU partnered with the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine to create the states newest medical school on the NMSU campus. The public-private partnership benefits the health and well-being of people across New Mexico, and the region, by addressing the severe shortage of primary care physicians, especially among New Mexicos underserved, rural populations. The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine is a free-standing, privately funded, separately licensed and independently operated entity. No taxpayer dollars go toward its operation. It admitted its first class in August 2016.

NMSU publicly launched its Ignite Aggie Discovery campaign earlier this year  the most ambitious campaign in NMSU history, with a goal of raising more than $125 million in cash and pledges. To date, the campaign is more than 62 percent complete, having raised nearly $78 million. Those funds benefit students across the entire NMSU system, including each of the universitys community colleges.. NMSU was also able to raise more in cash and pledges in the past year than at any time in the past decade.

Garrey Carruthers helped establish NMSUs economic development center, the Arrowhead Center, shortly after becoming dean in 2003. Today, Arrowhead is recognized as a leader in the region for fostering entrepreneurship, business incubation, economic analysis and other economic development activities.

He played a key role in working with retired Sen. Pete Domenici to establish the Domenici Institute at NMSU. The institute hosts an annual public policy conference, where some of the best minds in the country meet to discuss important topics, such as national security, the federal budget, mental health and energy policy.

NMSU needs consistency and stability of leadership to come through the current financial challenges it now faces. The last thing we need is another administrator who views NMSU as a stepping stone to a bigger job and has to learn about the university from scratch. We hope the regents see the wisdom in keeping Chancellor Carruthers, who is extremely capable, at the helm for an additional two years.
Authorities investigating a paramilitary Christian sect for child sexual abuse say they looking into whether the New Mexico group brought children into the country illegally.

Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace told The Associated Press Tuesday that investigators found numerous children during a Sunday raid of the armed Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps in remote Fence Lake.

Exactly where the children came from is unknown because the sect apparently kept members from reporting births to state officials, Mace said. A former sect member says the group illegally brought at least one child to the U.S. from one of its foreign missions, which according to its website were operated in Africa, India and the Philippines.

The children were trained not to talk to law enforcement or to hide from law enforcement, Mace said.

During the raid, authorities arrested three sect members in connection with a child abuse and child sex abuse investigation. A former group member was arrested in Truth or Consequences.

Sect co-leader Deborah Green was arrested on charges that included failure to report the birth to child abuse and sexual penetration of a minor. Peter Green, also known as Mike Brandon, faces 100 counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child on suspicion of raping a girl at least four times a week from the time she was 7, according to court documents. Joshua Green, the son of sect founders Deborah and James Green, was charged with failure to report a birth. Stacey Miller faces one count each of intentional abuse of a child age 12 to 18, bribery of a witness and not reporting a birth.

The group in a statement called the allegations just re-runs of old lies.

The raid followed a two-year investigation of the sect by the Cibola County Sheriffs Office in connection with the 2014 death of Millers 12-year-old son, Enoch Miller.

Mace said deputies surprised the sects Fence Lake compound during church services to ensure they arrested all group members at once. Deputies found weapons and silencers that they turned over to Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Former group adherents said sect leaders had physically abused adult members and children and forced them to work in slave-like conditions.

Julie Gudino, 50, a sect member from 1984-2004, said Deborah Green kept her 8-year-old son and threatened him harm if she didnt complete her chores and later learned sect members physically abused the boy.

The organization describes itself as aggressive and revolutionary for Jesus and offers a free spiritual ammo pack to anyone who writes. The groups website show members in military-style clothing. The Southern Poverty Law Center lists the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps as a hate group.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The State Investment Council has decided to bar New Mexicos land commissioner and state treasurer from participating in closed-door meetings  and some votes  because they havent signed paperwork acknowledging theyve read the councils ethics code.

Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn, in turn, contends the SIC is really just trying to muzzle him and other members by imposing new confidentiality rules outlined in the code.

The dispute surfaced in a public meeting Tuesday when the State Investment Council  led by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez  voted 7-2 in favor of imposing sanctions on four members who havent signed the new Code of Conduct: Dunn, a Republican; Democratic State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg; and two former lawmakers appointed by the Legislature to serve on the council.

Martinez said the ethics code is especially important, given the investment scandal under the administration of her predecessor, Bill Richardson  which the SIC says cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars through pay-to-play and politically motivated investments.

Its the peoples money, Martinez said during Tuesdays meeting. Im trying to understand what is hard about saying, I was appointed in order to properly handle the funds that are in my control. 

But Dunn said the sanctions are simply an attempt by the council to force him and others into a confidentiality agreement  to shield more of the groups work from public view. The State Investment Council wants to secretly negotiate settlements when legal claims arise, he said.

Im highly incensed, Dunn said in an interview.

He released a letter from a land-office attorney saying the ethics code violates the principles of open government and is contrary to state sunshine laws.

The councils Code of Conduct prohibits members from disclosing confidential information they have access to through closed-door SIC meetings and privileged legal matters, unless they are required by law to disclose the information. In New Mexico, the Investment Council and other public boards are generally allowed to meet in private to discuss litigation and similar topics.

Lynn Hoffman, a venture fund adviser and member of the SIC, said that the ethics code was adopted after months of discussion and that it was time for entire council to comply with it.

Signing the form each year is a way of reminding every one of us of our duty, Hoffman said.

Under the sanctions adopted Tuesday, members who havent signed the ethics code will be barred from participating in closed-door executive sessions of the SIC, and they wont be able to vote afterward on any matters discussed in those sessions.

Besides Eichenberg and Dunn, two other members of the SIC refused to sign the form: Republican Leonard Lee Rawson and Democrat Tim Jennings, both former legislators.

Rawson said that he had no objection to the content of the code but that signing the form is unnecessary.

Jennings shared Dunns concerns about confidentiality, arguing that the code is a pretext to keep members in the minority from sharing information with the public.

People need to see whats going on in here, Jennings said.

Dunn said he will consider litigation.

What the SIC is trying to do is take away our constitutional duties to serve on the council by forcing us to sign a code of ethics, Dunn said. I already pledged an oath to the state that covers all this.

A spokesman for the governor, Michael Lonergan, said it was absurd to suggest the ethics code was intended to keep people quiet. The new code, he said, is an important step toward preventing fraud, waste and abuse.

A judge earlier this year approved a $24 million settlement involving a Chicago investment firm, which agreed to pay the SIC and New Mexicos teacher pension fund for participating in a pay-to-play scheme to get state investment business.

Dunn and Eichenberg left Tuesdays five-hour meeting before the sanctions came up.
SANTA FE  Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Veronica Garcia says the school grades for the 2016-17 academic year released by the state Public Education Department on Tuesday show the school district is making progress.

Overall, I hope people recognize were improving, she said, adding that more schools than last year within the district earned either an A or a B and fewer received a D or F. Were on a positive trajectory. Were starting to get traction.

PED also gives out grades for each district, but those havent been released yet.

In all, 11 Santa Fe schools got either an A or a B, up from seven a year ago. The number of schools receiving a D or an F dropped from 17 to 14. But thats 14 too many, Garcia said.

All four Santa Fe schools receiving an A  Acequia Madre, Carlos Gilbert, Pinon and Wood Gromley elementary schools  also were awarded an A last year. But thats one less than last year as the Academy for Technology and the Classics dropped from an A to a B.

Also, more schools (seven, including all three middle schools) received an F this year than did last year (five). That translates to 23 percent of schools within the district receiving failing grades and 13 percent receiving As, which is below the state average.

Statewide, 16 percent of schools are failing, up from 13 percent in 2016. The number of As held steady at 14 percent.

PED has shifted the grading criteria over the years to weigh academic proficiency more heavily  bumping it up from 15 percent in 2015 to 25 percent today. In 2019, proficiency will make up 33 percent of the grade.

Garcia said it was the College and Career Readiness section of the grading formula that improved scores at Santa Fe high schools. Capital High went from a D to a C, while Santa Fe High improved two grades from an F to a C.

Other schools jumping two letter grades were Amy Biehl Community School, Chaparral Elementary and Mandela International Magnet School, each going from a D to a B. Other schools receiving a B were Atalaya and Sweeney elementary schools, and El Dorado Community School.

Garcia said school officials are still analyzing the data, but she found it perplexing that Sweeney and Ramirez-Thomas elementary schools had such different grades because their student proficiency scores are similar. While both schools received a C last year, Sweeney earned a B and Ramirez-Thomas received a D in the latest report. So it doesnt reflect the hard work I think both schools are doing, she said.

One thing that stood out, she said, was that nearly every elementary, middle and K-8 school got an A on the Opportunity to Learn section of the report card, which factors in attendance, and student and parent surveys intended to measure whether classroom teaching is meeting expectations.

Acting PED Secretary Christopher Ruszkowski said theres a growing disparity at the statewide level and continued to single out Albuquerque Public Schools as having an aversion to quantitative measurement of student performance.

He compared APS attitude to a doctor who wont take a childs temperature or measure blood pressure because the process is too uncomfortable. Successful districts such as Gadsden and Farmington are data-driven and take the view that every child can learn, Ruszkowski said. Demographics is not destiny in Gadsden, he added.

Garcia, who began her second stint as superintendent in Santa Fe a little more than a year ago, said SFPS is very data-driven and makes assessments based on the data. She said district officials will study the data used to compute the school grades, and then develop a road map for improvement for principals and teachers to follow. Professional development efforts will also be geared toward needs, she said.

After district officials crunch the numbers, a presentation will be made to the school board at its Sept. 5 meeting.

Gov. Susana Martinez chimed in on school grades by saying that schools with strong participation in state reform programs are on the rise, while those that refuse to make improvements for our kids continue to struggle.

Garcia said SFPS applies for funding for some of the state programs, but the district hasnt always received it. I think it depends on the number of applications they receive and the funding is limited, she said.

Charles Goodmacher, NEA-New Mexico spokesman, was critical of the grading system.

It is a disservice to New Mexicos students, parents and educators to rely so heavily on inadequate measures of school quality, he said in a statement. Parents and the community should know the grades assigned to their local school are more of a reflection on a particular set of policy wonk ideas which reduce the many intangibles of education to a single letter score, than it is about what is actually happening in their schools.

Garcia said its no use complaining about the system. We have to work within the system we have. Whether you think its the best system or not, thats the system we have, she said. She added that it wont be long before theres a new governor in office, who may change the system again.

In December, Garcia introduced Project North Star. The idea is not to worry too much about school grades and proficiency scores. Instead, she said, Were focused on sound teaching and learning practices, and bringing the joy of learning back into the classroom. Thats where the action is: in the classroom.
RENO, Nev.  It was a tale of two Trumps in the desert Southwest.

Within a 24-hour span, President Donald Trump delivered one speech in which he tore into the media and members of his own party, and a second in which he called for national unity and love. The about-face seemed to reflect the presidents real-time internal debate between calls for moderation and his inclination to let loose.

On Wednesday, the president spoke in measured tones and stuck to his prepared remarks as he praised veterans at an American Legion conference in Nevada as examples for a nation yearning to set aside its differences.

We are here to hold you up as an example of strength, courage and resolve that our country will need to overcome the many challenges that we face, he said.

The night before, the president cut loose in Arizona, defying instructions from his aides to stick to the script and angrily renewing his fight with the press over its coverage of his comments about the race-fueled violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The public push-and-pull in Trumps message mirrors the internal dynamics at the White House, where new chief of staff John Kelly has organized and regimented the West Wing staff but has been unable to rein in the presidents tendency to veer off course.

The presidents speech in Reno was full of the calls for patriotism and national healing that would not have seemed out of the ordinary had they been uttered by previous occupants of the Oval Office.

But his rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night was uniquely Trump. He opened his remarks with a talk of unity but quickly erupted in anger, blaming the media for the widespread condemnation of his response to the violence in Charlottesville at a protest organized by white supremacists.

Trump read from his three responses to the racially charged violence, becoming more animated with each one. He withdrew from his suit pocket the written statement hed read the day a woman was killed by a man who had plowed a car through counter-protesters. But he skipped over the trouble-causing part that hed freelanced at the time: his observation that many sides were to blame.

That, as well as his reiteration days later that both sides were to blame for the violence that led to the death of Heather Heyer and two state troopers, led Democrats and many Republicans to denounce Trump for not unmistakably calling out white supremacists and other hate groups.

By the time he arrived at the American Legion conference, Trump seemed more congenial. He even thanked Sen. Dean Heller, a Nevada Republican with whom he has openly and repeatedly feuded. He discussed his early efforts to restructure and improve the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Later in the speech, Trump said Americans arent defined by the color of their skin, the size of their paycheck or their political party.

Our hearts beat for America. Our souls fill with pride every time we hear the national anthem, Trump said. This is the spirit we need to overcome our challenges.

When Medal of Honor recipient Donald Ballard joined the president onstage and offered praise for Trump, the president smiled and praised Ballards declaration that Trump was the right leader to lead us out to drain the swamp.

That was very risky of me, Trump told the veterans, explaining that he didnt know in advance what Ballard would say. That could ruin the whole day for me.

Since Kelly took over last month as chief of staff, he has ousted lightning-rod chief strategist Steve Bannon and hard-charging communications director Anthony Scaramucci while limiting dissenting voices, restricting access to the president and steering the president toward a desired outcome on key decisions.

He has urged Trump to more closely follow a game plan. But Trumps broadside against the damned dishonest media, which he says is out to get him, was one of several detours he took from remarks prepared for the Phoenix rally. Trump unabashedly acknowledged that his own advisers had urged him to stay on message, and that he simply couldnt.

His diatribe against the press wasnt in his prepared remarks, according to two people familiar with the plan but not authorized to speak publicly about the presidents decision.

Though he was subdued in speaking to the veterans, Trump often resurrects his free-wheeling 2016 campaign style when in the comforting presence of his most fervent fans. He flings insults at perceived enemies and meanders from topic to topic. In Phoenix, his ease was apparent. As he discussed his responses to Charlottesville, Trump interrupted himself to add: I didnt want to bore you. You understand where Im coming from. You people understand.

___

Lemire reported from New York. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Alan Fram in Washington contributed to this report.
HELENA, Mont.  A man accused in a Montana carjacking has been arrested in Utah.

The Independent Record reports (http://bit.ly/2wxWSnW ) Eddie Sanchez is in custody in Salt Lake City on warrants stemming from the Sunday carjacking in Helena. Authorities say Sanchez was in the stolen car when he was found on Tuesday in Utah.

His felony charges include robbery, aggravated assault and criminal endangerment.

The charges stem from an incident where a 67-year-old Texas man was getting ready to leave a hotel when someone attacked him and stole his Crown Victoria. The victim was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.

Officials believe Sanchez was also involved in a police pursuit and crash in a different vehicle earlier Sunday morning in Helena. The suspect in that incident ran away after the crash.
WASHINGTON  After spending all summer reviewing 27 national monuments  including two in New Mexico  its decision time for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

Zinke is expected to submit his final recommendation to President Donald Trump today on whether to rescind, reduce or maintain the monuments, including Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, near Las Cruces, and the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, near Taos. A public announcement is expected soon.

Zinke and other officials were busy briefing White House officials on their recommendations for the monuments late Wednesday. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift told the Journal in an email that there are lots of moving pieces and coordinating agencies.

Meanwhile, proponents of keeping New Mexicos monuments intact were working overtime to get their message out. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat who sits on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is planning to lead a rally to in support of the monuments at 12:15 p.m. today at the REI store in Albuquerque, at 1550 Mercantile Ave NE.

Mark Allison, executive director of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, said Wednesday that any alteration to the existing monuments  including changes to the noncontiguous sections of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks monument that encompass the Robledo and Portillo mountain ranges  could trigger a legal challenge.

These (monument) boundaries werent just arbitrarily made, Allison said. We think they were arrived at in a very deliberate way.

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas has said that any attempt to revoke the designations by the Trump administration would not only be legally suspect, but would be open and subject to court action.

All four Democrats in New Mexicos congressional delegation support keeping New Mexicos monuments intact. But Rep. Steve Pearce, a Republican who represents the district that includes the Organ Mountains monument, has encouraged the Trump administration to shrink it by as much as 88 percent. Pearce and some others in the state, especially ranchers, have said the nearly half-million-acre monument is too large, and inhibits economic development and border security.

Monument proponents argue that although presidents have the power to create national monuments under the 1906 Antiquities Act, only Congress has a right to change them.

Zinke visited New Mexico in late July. After touring the Organ Mountains monument and taking a horseback ride through the Sabinoso Wilderness in the northern part of the state, Zinke declared that he probably would not recommend major changes in New Mexico, if at all.
Getting involved in the New Mexico film industry is easy.

Beginning Friday, a panel at the New Mexico Film & Media Conference will tell business owners how to do it during a session at the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque.

The 3 p.m. panel, How to do Business with the Film Business, is free to the public.

Business owners dont know how to get involved, said Barbara Kerford, conference coordinator. The panel will show that every business can work within the film industry.

During the last fiscal year, the industry had a direct spend of $505.9 million into the New Mexico economy.

Productions coming into New Mexico are encouraged to buy local goods and services, allowing them to qualify for the 25 to 30 percent tax incentive.

Fridays panel will consist of Daniel Casillas of OnSet FX, Thomas Schimoler of Digitech, Lisa Berry of Custom K-9 Performance and Richard Whiting of Route 66 Cleaners. It will be moderated by Nick Maniatis, New Mexico Film Office director.

Daniel used to be a tattoo artist before he started his visual effects company, Kerford said. Its about learning how you can use your skills as a business owner and translate it to the film industry.

The New Mexico Film Office is aware that the film industry and its needs change on a daily basis. Kerford said there is a free industry directory, and the film office sends productions to the businesses based on the need.

Business owners will also learn about the importance of getting a contract when working with the industry, Kerford said.

The film office can back you up as long as you have a contract, she said. If they didnt pay, we can certainly help with getting it resolved.

The panel is one of many to be offered at the conference, which runs through Saturday.

Additional panels will focus on the state film incentive program, unions, screenwriting, set etiquette, how to find financing and working as a background actor.

The conference will kick off with an appearance by Anne Heche and Sofia Perna, who are starring in NBCs The Brave, which is currently being filmed in Albuquerque.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

Garrey Carruthers unexpected announcement that he would retire next year as New Mexico State Universitys chancellor came two days after the schools governing board told him it did not intend to extend his contract, Carruthers said Wednesday.

Carruthers made that revelation in a new statement issued to further explain the circumstances surrounding his Aug. 3 retirement decision  one that raised eyebrows because he apparently had been saying said he would be willing to stay on.

On Wednesday, he reiterated his willingness to serve an additional two years as head of the states second-largest university should the regents change their minds.

His retirement announcement gave no sign that it was anyones decision but his to step down. Recently, some began questioning whether it was the regents who did not want him to serve longer.

On Wednesday, he answered those questions by saying that despite having told many people he would welcome the opportunity to serve another two years, the regents during an Aug. 1 meeting made it known to me that, although they appreciated the strong leadership I have exerted over the course of the past four years, they did not intend to extend my contract. In light of this discussion, I did not ask them for a contract extension, and I let them know I would announce my retirement, effective July 1, 2018, which would trigger the search process.

NMSU Board of Regents Chairwoman Debra Hicks confirmed to the Journal the regents had discussed the contract with Carruthers during a closed session, but said she could not provide specific details because it is a personnel matter. The board has not taken any formal action on the chancellorship. But she said the board has two possible courses of action moving forward.

We have to either vote on (Carruthers) contract  to extend it  or vote to begin a search to replace him, she said.

The regents meet again next week, but the agenda has not been set.

Carruthers has previously declined to answer questions about conversations he had with the schools regents before his retirement announcement. But the former Republican governor said in his Wednesday statement that its not in my character to withhold information when asked and that he wanted to be forthcoming with the public.

Questions surrounding Carruthers retirement announcement came to life following recent calls for NMSU to extend his contract.

That includes a bipartisan group of New Mexico lawmakers lobbying NMSU to retain Carruthers. They have lauded his various accomplishments in the face of a turbulent budgetary climate.

Sen. Steven P. Neville, R-Aztec, Sen. Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces, and Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, wrote a joint letter to news media urging NMSU to keep Carruthers. Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Las Cruces, wrote a separate column expressing similar sentiments, though his also raised the specter of possible political intervention in NMSU leadership decisions. Gov. Susana Martinez appoints the regents and McCamley suggested that Carruthers public criticism of Martinezs veto of state funding for higher education could be a factor in his departure.

It raised questions about whether Carruthers was leaving of his own volition.

Martinez, a Republican, on April 7 vetoed the universities fiscal year 2018 funding in a budget dispute with the Democratic-controlled Legislature. She argued it was a temporary move and funding was ultimately restored during a special session in late May. But Carruthers, as chairman of the New Mexico Council of University Presidents, took a public stance criticizing the veto.

Martinezs office last week denied any involvement in NMSU chancellorship decisions and decried what it called an effort by shameless politicians to delay important university decisions until after she leaves office.

Asked Wednesday whether the governor or anyone in her administration had weighed in on how NMSU regents should proceed regarding the chancellor position, Regent Hicks said no, not to me.

Sen. Smith has openly criticized what he sees as the governors involvement in university decisions, noting that his concern spans political parties and administrations.

But he said in a Wednesday interview that his push to retain Carruthers was not part of a larger political movement to stymie Martinez. Instead, he and other lawmakers seek a consistent presence in the chancellors office, which oversees the Las Cruces-based university and its four branch campuses.

We like the stability he brings down here, Smith said.

Carruthers in his statement thanked those who have shown confidence and support of his leadership, but he acknowledged its a regents decision.

Should they change their minds, I am willing to serve, he wrote. If not, I will honor their decision and work diligently over the course of the next 10 months to continue to advance this great institution and its teaching, research, and service mission.
With 99 days left in his term, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry on Wednesday discussed the factors leading to the severe officer shortage that has challenged his administration, and he renewed his call for state lawmakers to allow retired police officers to return to work.

We need 100 more cops on the street now, so thats going to be one of the big challenges for your next mayor, and theyre going to need your help, Berry told about 160 business and community leaders during an Economic Forum meeting on Wednesday.

Please, please, please, this is a self-inflicted wound, he said. Get return to work back for the next mayor. Please, Im telling you as a citizen, get it back.

Berry said that in 2010, shortly after he took office, the Albuquerque Police Department had 1,098 officers. Today, the department has about 850. The mayor said a study commissioned by his administration determined that adequate staffing for APD is about 1,000 officers.

Since lawmakers did away with return to work, Berry said, APD has had 345 officers retire, some of them in their 40s, and the city has had no chance to bring them back like it did for 23 years. The practice of allowing government employees to draw both pensions and salaries was banned by the state in 2010 due to concerns that it was hurting New Mexicos public retirement systems and stifling upward promotion.

Berry said other factors that played a role in APDs staffing woes included: pension solvency legislation that froze pension cost of living increases for several years for employees who did not retire by a certain date; his decision to cut pay by 2.41 percent his first year in office due to a $100 million shortfall; and Department of Justice reforms.

Berry said Police Chief Gorden Eden and his team have done a good job of using social media to start attracting candidates to APD.

Berry said the cadet class that will graduate about two weeks after he leaves office in November has about 40 cadets. At that point in time, he said, the department will have another 40 people in the cadet class that the next mayor and chief will take over, and another 40 people have been pre-vetted and are in the queue.

What were hoping for is that by about May of 2018  thats about six months after I leave office  that there will be somewhere in the 930 range, he said. So were getting closer.

Berry said one thing APD does need to do a better job of is getting the word out about the starting pay for police officers, which is $58,000, and other benefits, such as a take home car and the ability to retire at 25 years with 90 percent of their salaries. He said he often talks to individuals who are interested in a career in law enforcement but who dont pursue it because they assume the pay is too low.

We think it (officer pay) could always be more, but we think its a pretty good living in the city of Albuquerque, Berry said. He added that since hes been mayor, APD starting pay has gone up 21 percent.

As for the spike in crime, he said its due, in part, to the significant decrease in inmates at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.

Weve let 2,000 people out of jail, he said. Were not saying lets put 2,000 people back in jail, but, man, there are some of them out there that need to be put back in jail.
India's consumer durable major, LG Electronics India Limited launched the initiative#HungerFreeIndia, dedicated to help eradicate Food Wastage in India. This campaign is inviting the whole nation to come forward and take pledge to avoid food wastage and thus, help eradicate hunger.

LG has yet again proven that it is a brand which cares. It has always taken a lead in initiating unique means of connecting with consumers and giving back to the society in which it operates. This time it has gone a notch ahead with the introduction of a noble campaign Hunger Free India. The campaign is a renewed extension of the previously launched Mute the Growl campaign which was launched to create awareness amongst individuals, businesses and organizations towards fighting the issues of hunger and food wastage in India. The campaign aims to change the basic thought of how food generally is disposed off without a second thought, while we live in a world where 50% of food across the world never reaches the hunger-stricken.

The campaign is all set to launch on the special occassion of India's 70th Independence which also coincides with LG's 70th anniversary globally and 20th anniversary in India. This will be a Pan- India campaign wherein Indians will be pledging their support for this pressing cause while also giving them better opportunities for an enhanced engagement in bringing this change. Fellow Indians are encouraged to pledge their support towards no food wastage on - http://www.lg.com/in/hungerfreeindia .

Commenting on this occasion, Mr. Kim Ki Wan, MD, LG Electronics India said, This campaign has been specially designed for spreading mass awareness for a cause that LG feels deeply about. It is yet another gesture from us to showcase our deep care for the Indian society. We want to bring a positive change in the behaviors of people, their eating habits and encourage them to be a more responsible society collectively.

Commenting on this occasion, Mr. Amit Gujral, Chief Marketing Officer, LG Electronics India said, the Hunger Free India Campaign is very dear to LG. We have further pushed our previous campaign and given it rejuvenation to become larger and more extensive. We will create various touch points wherein people will have a greater opportunity to contribute their bit towards the cause of preventing food wastage. Together we can bring the change, one which is much desired and continue to live the brand promise Life's Good!!. We welcome all Indians and come forward to pledge their support on no food wastage athttp://www.lg.com/in/hungerfreeindia

It is astonishing to note that 1 in 7 people in the world are undernourished. 40% of food produced in India is wasted. TheHunger Free India campaign encourages appreciation for food, saving it from getting wasted and inculcating empathy for those who do not have enough to eat. The campaign aims to harness the potential of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube which have a mass user appeal, to encourage people to eat only as much as they need to prevent food wastage. The campaign is sure to reach millions of Indian consumers who will be advocates and change leaders for moving closer to the dream of a Hunger Free India. The campaign further strengthens LGs core essence of Lifes Good in the truest sense.
New York Festivals Global Awards, honouring the Worlds Best Healthcare & Wellness Advertising, has announced the 2017 Executive and Grand Juries. These prominent Chief Creative Officers, Managing Partners, EVPs, and Executive Creative Directors from the worlds foremost healthcare advertising agencies are representative of creative leadership talent from 15 countries on 6 continents.

For almost a quarter of a century the Global Awards has been genuinely dedicated to honouring the best work. Its all about the work, said Fran Pollaro, Executive Director, Global Awards. The 2017 Global Awards Executive and Grand Juries, an international panel of the most diverse and respected creative minds in the healthcare and wellness industry, are committed to recognising the ground-breaking achievements of the teams of men and women who strive to raise the bar of creative communications. Our juries dedication and high standard of excellence has meant that the ongoing legacy of the Globals is respected around the world, both by the winners themselves and in industry reports measuring the competitive excellence of world-wide advertising and communications competitions.

This year marks the first year that the competition has enlisted two separate and specialised Executive Juries to select those entries who will earn trophies for the 2017 competition. The recent reconfiguration of the Executive Jury divides the jury into two separate panels, Pharma (Rx) and Health & Wellness. This split ensures that each entry from each exclusive designation is judged by renowned international talent with global knowledge and perspective from the industry. The Executive Jury will review the entries that achieve finalist status as selected by the Global Awards Grand Jury.

2017 Pharma (RX) Executive Jury:

Chairwoman: Robin Shapiro, Global President, TBWAWorldHealth USA

Dick Dunford, Creative Partner, Loooped UK

Tina Fascetti, Chief Creative Officer, Guidemark Health USA

Tim Hawkey, EVP Managing Director & Executive Creative Director, Area 23 USA

Rich Levy, Chief Creative Officer, FCB Health USA

Gerrard Malcolm, Owning Director, Insight Agencies Australia

Guy Mastrion, Chief Creative Officer, Brandforming USA

Shaheed Peera, Executive Creative Director, Publicis LifeBrands UK

Gustavo Pratt, Managing Director & Chief Creative Officer, Asterisco Healthcare Communications Mexico

Xavier Sanchez, Founder, CCO & CEO, Umbilical and Amniotic.tv Spain

Scott Watson, Global Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide USA

2017 Health & Wellness Executive Jury:

Chairwoman: Elizabeth Elfenbein, Partner, Chief Creative Officer, The Bloc USA

Praful Akali, Founder & Managing Director, Medulla Healthcare Communications India

Kathy Delaney, Global Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness USA

Diego Freitas, Creative Director, Havas Life Sao Paulo Brazil

Diane Iler-Smith, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy USA

Steven Michaelson, Founder, CEO, Calcium USA

Graham Mills, Global Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Health USA

Jeremy Perrott, Global Chief Creative Officer, McCann Health USA

Beth Sabbatini, EVP Executive Creative Director, H4B Chelsea USA

Gary Scheiner, EVP, Chief Creative Officer, Grey Health Group USA

David Sonderman, Chief Creative Officer, GSW USA

Andrew Spurgeon, Executive Creative Director, Langland UK

The Global Awards Grand Jury of award-winning creatives from around the world is charged with reviewing all entries submitted to the competition via NYFs online judging platform. Their collective votes ensure that all entries achieving finalist status and progressing to the Executive Jury judging round truly represent the Worlds Best Healthcare & Wellness Advertising. The 2017 Grand Jury is comprised of 49 prominent creative executives and leaders from 46 world-wide agencies representing 13 countries around the globe, a truly non-partial and world-class jury.

The 2017 Global Award winners will be announced on November 16 and will be showcased at awards ceremonies in New York City and Sydney, Australia. The Global Awards will accept entries through September 15, 2017.

For 23 years, the international Global Awards has honoured the Worlds Best Healthcare & Wellness Advertising and has served as a touchstone for celebrating creative achievement in healthcare and wellness communications beyond the barriers of language and culture.
Panasonic, which had entered the highly competitive smartphone market in India in 2013, is now upping its game with the introduction of two new smartphones Eluga A3 and A3 Pro. The company recently assigned the creative mandate for its smartphones business to Makani Creatives following a multi-agency pitch. Newcomer actor Tapsee Pannu has been roped in as brand ambassador.

In an interaction with PTI, Pankaj Rana, Business Head - Mobility Division, Panasonic India, has said that the company is eyeing revenues of Rs 2,000 crore from its smartphone business this year.

Meanwhile, Sarthak Seth, Head - Brand & Marketing Communication (India & South Asia), Panasonic, told Adgully, Last year, we had revenues of Rs 14 crore. This time we are looking forward to an increase of 15-25 per cent in our revenues.

To support the launch of its Eluga series, Panasonic India has rolled out a new ad campaign  So Much To Do  featuring Taapsee Pannu and Varun Dhawan. The campaign is about exploring, creating, and trying what one has never done with Panasonic Eluga smartphones. The 360 degree campaign will be supported on television, Print, OOH, Cinema and Digital platforms.

Elaborating on the campaign Seth said, With the tagline  So much to do, we are telling people that one can do so many things which is beyond possibilities with a phone. In todays time, a phone is not just a device but also acts as a companion for an individual. Both Taapsee Pannu and Varun Dhawan feature as brand ambassadors in short commercials individually.

On the choice of brand ambassadors, he remarked that Varun Dhawan has his own set of fan following and is an individual who appeals to everyone. Taapsee Pannu has been roped in to get closer to todays youngsters as well as the females TG. Considering Taapsees position in todays film industry, she is the perfect blend of quirkiness and fun. Thus, keeping all this in mind, I feel Varun Dhawan and Taapsee Pannu together will grab more attention of todays youth, Seth affirmed.

The creative brief shared with Makani Creatives has been to showcase the premium side and the bold side of the business. Seth further said, Since, the core TG is in the 15-25 age group, it was more about connecting with the masses, which is the most important thing. Makani has come up with some sharp creatives for both television and print.

According to Seth, in terms of leveraging media, one needs to be present in every medium because as a brand sometimes one could miss out on reaching the right consumers that one really wants to target. In order to surpass that, we are using Television, Print, Radio, Digital and OOH for promoting the brand. Apart from these, there are mall activations to gain consumers attention by giving them a touch and feel experience of the brand, he added.

Seth stressed that from a marketing perspective, consistency is the key to success. You always need to remind the consumers about the existence of the brand. Beside this, we have also made commitment to our consumers that we will be launching 11 new devices with unique features in a couple of years, he further said.

While acknowledging the fact that Chinese mobile brands are stealing a march over other smartphone brands, Seth maintained, We Indians always look for a trustworthy product. Panasonic, being a Japanese brand, is high on technology and innovation. Thus, as a brand we will always focus on technology along with trust. We are the only brand in this space who will be celebrating completion of 100 years in the market next year, which shows the volume of consumers that have accepted this brand.
Samsungs digital assistant Bixby will be updated with Spotify support later this year, according to an executive of the Seoul-based phone maker. Samsung Product Marketing Director Jonathan Wong took to stage earlier today during the Galaxy Note 8s official announcement to talk about numerous features of the companys latest Android flagship and revealed Bixbys incoming support for the popular music streaming service in the process of doing so. The news comes shortly after Samsung rolled out its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant to over 200 countries following numerous delays caused by technical issues which the tech giant encountered during its development.

Bixbys Spotify integration will allow owners of the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, and the upcoming Galaxy Note 8 to play and discover music using the service through voice commands, being able to simply tell Bixby which song, album, playlist, or station they want to listen and having the digital assistant do the rest. The move is meant to expand the capabilities of Bixby that are still relatively limited compared to its alternatives, with Samsung recently pledging to improve the service in a significant manner in the near future. Bixbys Spotify support will presumably also be available on other Galaxy-branded devices that are set to receive the AI companion in the coming months, with recent rumors indicating that Samsung is currently in the process of developing a rollout plan that would also encompass some of its mid-range and older flagship offerings.

Bixby itself is advertised as one of the main selling points of the newly announced Galaxy Note 8 which succeeded the physical button for activating the assistant from the Galaxy S8 lineup. Samsungs previous statements on its AI endeavors suggested that the South Korean original equipment manufacturer is looking to position Bixby as the starting point of a new ecosystem which is meant to encompass a wide variety of Internet of Things (IoT) offerings and the company already made some moves on that front by rolling out the Internet-enabled companion to its Family Hub 2.0 refrigerators. The firm didnt provide a specific availability window for Bixbys Spotify support, though it may do so as early as next month, either at IFA 2017 or after the Galaxy Note 8 is released on September 15.
The Galaxy Note 8 was leaked in 16 renders earlier today, mere hours before the upcoming Android phablet is set to be announced by Samsung Electronics following months of anticipation. Some of the seemingly official renders of the device were already sighted online in recent months, though many of them have been uncovered only now and hint at a number of promotional posters that the South Korean consumer electronics manufacturer may have prepared for advertising its most powerful smartphone to date.

The renders show the black and gold variants of the flagship which is also said to be offered in Deep Blue and Orchid Gray colors, in addition to giving more credence to recent reports about the Galaxy Note 8 being compatible with the Samsung Desktop Experience (DeX) station. The accessory which debuted alongside the Galaxy S8 series this spring was designed to turn Samsungs high-end offerings into capable desktop computer alternatives and consumers in some countries will be able to get the device free of charge if they pre-order the Galaxy Note 8 until September 14, previous leaks have suggested. The latest set of renders also contains several depictions of the new and improved S Pen which is said to be even more versatile than the one which accompanied the discontinued Galaxy Note 7, though its still unclear how many pressure levels will Samsungs latest take on a mobile stylus support.

The Galaxy Note 8 is set to be officially unveiled later today at Samsungs Unpacked event which is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. ET. The device is expected to debut with a new version of the Infinity Display panel, a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED screen with QHD resolution support and an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, in addition to boasting a nearly bezel-less design thats similar but less rounded to the look of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. The international variants of the handset are said to be powered by the Samsung-made Exynos 8895 system-on-chip (SoC), whereas the U.S. models should feature Qualcomms Snapdragon 835, both of which were manufactured on the 10nm process node. The device is widely expected to boast 6GB of RAM and be offered in two variants with 64GB and 128GB of native storage space, in addition to featuring a dual camera setup with two 12-megapixel sensors and an 8-megapixel front camera.
Samsung had introduced its Galaxy Note 8 flagship phablet earlier today, and the company also released some global availability info during the announcement. The company has released a slew of information regarding the devices availability in the US, which we will cover in a separate article, but its worth noting that the phone will hit all major US carriers and will become available starting on September 15, while pre-orders kick off on August 24. In addition to that, the company mentioned it will be available at Samsung.com, Best Buy, Target and Walmart. Now, as far as the devices availability outside of the US is concerned, Samsung only said that it will go on sale in mid-September, and will be available in Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Maple Gold and Deepsea Blue color variants (region dependant). Samsung will hopefully release more info regarding global availability soon, so stay tuned.

Samsungs Galaxy Note 8 flagship comes in three variants, actually, all three of which pack in 6GB of RAM. Now, the most affordable Galaxy Note 8 variant will ship with 64GB of internal storage, while the remaining two pack in 128GB and 256GB of storage, respectively. If you dont find that to be enough for your needs, you can always pop in a microSD card and get even more storage. We still do not know how much will those three variants of the device cost, Samsung did release some pricing info for the US, but not for countries outside of the States. The Galaxy Note 8 is pretty much what everyone expected, as the aforementioned leaks managed to reveal most of the details regarding this smartphone. The Galaxy Note 8 is made out of metal and glass, and it resembles its Galaxy S8 cousins, though it comes with the S Pen stylus, and its body is a bit less rounded compared to the Galaxy S8 devices. The Galaxy Note 8 is a bit larger than the Galaxy S8 Plus, as it comes with a 6.3-inch QHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity display, compared to the Galaxy S8 Plus 6.2-inch panel of the same variety. Its also worth noting that this is a display which comes with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, which helps the Galaxy Note 8 remain quite narrow.

There are two SoC variants of the Galaxy Note 8 out there (theyre the same, save for the included SoC), the Exynos 8895 model of the phone will be available in some markets, while consumers in other regions will be able to get the Snapdragon 835 SoC variant. The device comes with a 3,300mAh battery, and it offers fast charging (both wired and wireless), while Bluetooth 5.0 is also included here. The Galaxy Note 8 also comes with IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, while there are two 12-megapixel cameras on the back of this phone, which are flanked by a fingerprint scanner. Android 7.1.1 Nougat is also included in the Galaxy Note 8 package, and on top of it, youll be able to find Samsungs very own UI.
Amazon India has put up the Notify me when available banner on its website, along with the livestream link as well. Now, this not only confirms that the Galaxy Note 8 will be available through Amazon India, but it probably suggests that it will be exclusively available from Amazon India as far as its online availability is concerned. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus were exclusive to Flipkart when they launched, and it is possible that Samsung decided to give exclusive rights to Amazon India this time around.

In any case, the Galaxy Note 8 will be announced in about an hour in New York, and Amazon India will probably release some more info soon after the phone becomes official. If you live in India and would like to be notified straight away, as soon as Amazon India has some new info to share, visit the source link down below, click on the Galaxy Note 8 banner, enter your info, and wait for an e-mail from the company. The Galaxy Note 8 launch event will kick off at 8AM PST (11AM EST), and thanks to a number of rumors and leaks, we pretty much know what to expect out of Samsungs new flagship phablet. This handset will resemble the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus quite a bit, it will be made out of metal and glass, and it will sport a curved display on the sides, with really thin bezels above and below the display. The Galaxy Note 8 will be larger than the Galaxy S8 Plus, but not by much, it will sport a 6.3-inch QHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity display, which is only 0.1-inches larger than the panel on the Galaxy S8 Plus. This display will sport an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, in case you were wondering.

Samsung will probably introduce two SoC variants of the Galaxy Note 8, one variant will be fueled by the Snapdragon 835, while the other one will ship out with the Exynos 8895 SoC. The Galaxy Note 8 will pack in 6GB of RAM, and chances are it will be available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage variants. The device will probably come with a 3,300mAh non-removable battery, and Android Nougat will come pre-installed on it, with Samsungs custom UI.
Samsung had introduced its all-new flagship phablet, the Galaxy Note 8, earlier today, and along with it, this Korea-based tech giant had also introduced some new S Pen stylus features, and were here to talk more about them. The S Pen has been a part of the Galaxy Note line since the beginning, and as time went by, this stylus was becoming more and more useful. Samsung introduced a number of new features with the Galaxy Note 7, and with the Galaxy Note 8, youre getting some new stuff on top of that.

With the Galaxy Note 8, Samsung is introducing a new Live Message feature, improved Screen off memo capabilities and enhanced Translate functionality. Now, in order to take advantage of the phones Live Message feature, all you have to do is tap on the heart-shaped key on the keyboard, while youre writing a message, of course, or you can activate this via Air Command. In any case, once you do that, youll be able to handwrite an animated message, create live emojis or use a number of S Pens special effects, like Sparkle or Glow. Once you do that, and youre happy with your new, Live Message, you will be able to share it as an animated GIF. Do keep in mind that this Live Message needs to be up to 15 seconds in length, otherwise it wont work. Now, theres a catch, this wont be your regular GIF file, were looking at AGIFs here, which are not supported by all social media platforms, but are by Facebooks Messenger, WhatsApp and Snapchat, to name a few. You can also store this Live Messages in your gallery, if you want, so that you can use them later on. Speaking of animated messages, you can also use S Pens Smart Select feature in order to capture clips from videos, and then convert them to animated GIFs, as you were able to do with the Galaxy Note 7s S Pen.

The Screen off memo feature lets you write messages with your S Pen while the display is off. This feature is not new, but this feature got a bit better with the Galaxy Note 8. You can create up to 100 pages of notes here, and you can also go back to pinned notes in order to edit them, all that from a turned off display. Samsung has also refined the existing Translate feature with the Galaxy Note 8, all you need to do is hover over the display with the S Pen, over the text you wish to translate, that is, and youll be able to translate that text to one of 71 languages that are offered. OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tech is also included here, so the Galaxy Note 8 will be able to recognize text from images as well, which can be quite handy. Keep in mind that you can now mark entire sentences, as the Translate feature now has the ability to recognize punctuation marks. Its also worth noting that Samsungs new PENUP app now has a global community of more than 2.7 million people, and you can share your artwork with all those people if you want, as many people use the Galaxy Note series for drawing purposes. This app also comes with a digital coloring book with over 200 coloring templates for you to enjoy.

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The Galaxy Note 8s S Pen now measures 108mm in length, while it weighs 2.8 grams, and has a 0.7mm rubber tip. The all-new S Pen has 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels, and comes with the ability to change brush strokes based on how hard you press on it, which is not exactly something new, but its making a comeback here. All of this actually means that you can be quite precise with the S Pen, and if you like to draw, this might be just the phone for you.
HTC will upgrade three of its flagship devices to Android 8.0 Oreo. According to a tweet posted by HTC USAs official Twitter account, the company will update the HTC U11, the HTC U Ultra, and the HTC 10 to the newest version of the operating system. Aside from these three, the manufacturer stated that there might be more devices that will get the software upgrade. The company will also release another announcement, likely through its social media accounts, wherein it is going to detail the dates in which the new software for the three smartphones will roll out. Even though the announcement was made by its US-based subsidiary, the Taiwanese manufacturer promised that the updates will be received by owners around the globe.

While the Taiwanese original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has yet to state when the software packages will arrive, it is safe to assume that it may take months before it will be obtained by the users. The operating system will have to be tested before the deployment begins in order to identify and resolve any potential software bugs that may negatively impact the user experience. Additional delay will be experienced by those who obtained their smartphones through carriers, as these companies will have to test the compatibility of the OS with their network and their pre-installed applications.

Android 8.0 Oreo will be one of the two major operating system updates that the HTC U11 and the HTC U Ultra will receive. On the other hand, it will likely be the last major upgrade that the HTC 10 will get. The latter device was released back in 2016 with Android 6.0 Marshmallow and was later on updated to Android 7.0 Nougat starting in late 2016. Among the new features included in the latest version of the operating system is the Picture-in-Picture mode, which allows the user to resize an application and place it on top of another app. Another addition to the Android OS is the notification dots, which provides a glimpse on which apps have notifications. Pressing the notification dots triggers a set of quick actions. Behind the scenes, the new update also promises faster boot-up times for smartphones and tablets.
Four real-life images showing whats believed to be the rear cover for the LG V30 have appeared online on Wednesday, having been shared by one industry insider on Twitter. The photographs that can be seen in the gallery below add even more credence to already numerous reports about LGs upcoming Android flagship, suggesting that the device will be equipped with a dual camera setup comprised of two horizontally arranged sensors and accompanied by a dual-LED (dual tone) flash unit. The cover itself is blue with a gray hue, though its currently unclear whether this is meant to be an official accessory for the device whose color will correspond to one of the actual variants of the LG V30 or if its simply a third-party cover, though the latter scenario seems more likely.

The LG V30 had been the subject of numerous leaks and rumors in recent months, with most insiders agreeing that the handset will be significantly more similar to the LG G6 than its direct predecessor which the South Korean consumer electronics manufacturer released in late 2016. The LG V30 is hence set to lose the secondary display panel of the V20 and will feature a 6-inch Full Vision QHD panel with a tall aspect ratio of 18:9, i.e. 2:1, according to previous reports. The device is expected to pack the Qualcomm-made Snapdragon 835 system-on-chip (SoC) built on the 10nm process and is likely to be powered by a non-removable battery, in addition to boasting IP68-certified dust and water resistance. The Seoul-based phone maker reportedly equipped the LG V30 with 6GB of RAM and will be offering it in several models aimed at different markets, with the base one featuring 64GB of native flash memory.

LG is also rumored to be working on the LG V30 Plus, though reports on this particular variant of the device are still scarce and its currently unclear how exactly will the device differ from the other model, provided that it exists. The LG V30 is set to be officially unveiled on August 31 and should be available for purchase in select markets by mid to late September for a price that has yet to be disclosed by the Korean tech giant.
It is no secret that the launch of the Galaxy Note 8 has had a shadow hanging over it, due to the previous Note device, the Galaxy Note 7. However, it seems Samsung decided to take an approach which meant the Note 7 fiasco was something that was used to further fuel the companys mobile ambitions, rather than slow them down. This comes from an interview with Samsungs D.J. Koh and the Wall Street Journal, following todays launch of the Galaxy Note 8.

Its seems Koh, and by association Samsung, never considered retiring the Note line after the recall of the Note 7, with Koh reportedly making it clear to employees that I will not give up on the Note series. Instead, according to the interview, Koh repeatedly employed a dont hold back message when speaking with engineers. Suggesting that Koh wanted those working on the device to ensure the Galaxy Note 8 was not a step back, or even a more cautions product in the wake of the Note 7. With Koh reportedly quoted as telling engineers if we are afraid of technology innovation, we will die. With the suggestion being that Koh wanted engineers, and the design team to continue to press for innovative features with a view to ensuring the Galaxy Note 8 was all that it could be  not an apology for the Galaxy Note 7. An approach which seems to have worked based on early impressions as the Galaxy Note 8 is a device that is packed to the brim with features and a number of design traits which are new to the Galaxy Note line, as well as new to Samsung flagship devices in general. The Infinity Display an example of the former, and the dual rear camera configuration an example of the latter. According to Koh, when we designed the Note 8, we knew we had to get it right.

At the employee level, it also seems as though the Galaxy Note 7 did not result in the fractions that may have resulted in other companies under the sort of pressure that Samsung found itself under. As Samsungs North American head, Tim Baxter, was also noted explaining that the Note 7 recall resulted in more of a tight-knit working environment for those associated with the Galaxy Note 8 development. With Baxter noting that the situation Samsung found itself in forced the company to work more closely together as well as changing the way in which employees worked in general.